About Us
Cruisers Yachts was founded in 1953 in Oconto, Wisconsin, on the shores of Green Bay. Since then, we’ve built a legend, with an eye toward utilizing a deep and knowledgeable workforce to produce boats that keep customers safe and happy as they chase adventures worldwide. By now, Cruisers is proud to have 4th generation boatbuilders in its factory, something that very few other companies can claim.
Whether boaters prefer the comfort and livability of the Cantius line, or the heart-thumping excitement of a ride in one of our GLS models, Cruisers Yachts is dedicated to bringing American-made boatbuilding quality to a level that’s never been seen before. That’s why our customers choose Cruisers Yachts time and time again, as they make their own lifelong commitment to the joy of being on the water.
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About Cruisers Yachts
In the case of our yachts and your journeys, you're buying a company culture that has uncompromising love of yachts and the people that own them. Welcome to Cruisers Yachts.
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The Beginning
In 1904, Thompson Bros. Boat Manufacturing Co. made its first home in the small, northern town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin starting the legacy of a family boat-building business. Always thinking big in terms of the craft and durability they brought to the boat industry, the second generation of Thompson's started building wood lapstrake outboard cabin cruisers in Oconto, Wisconsin in the early 1950s.
The first known Cruisers, Inc. catalog debuted in 1956. Prior to that, the company was building 14' and 16' boats under the Thompson Bros. label. In 1965 wood boats were replaced with fiberglass as the new technology was wreaking havoc with the wood boat business.
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Becoming Cruisers Yachts
Cruisers, Inc. was sold to Mirro Aluminum Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 1971. It wasn't until 1979, when Roy Thompson retired, that someone other than a Thompson ran the company.
In 1980 the fiberglass product line of Mirro Marine Division (Cruisers) was sold to T.J. Bogard (the former President of Mirro Marine Division) and T.A. Lisle (formerly of Eaton Corporation).
In the early 1990s K.C. Stock, who was born and raised in the Oconto area, saw the potential for opportunity. In 1993, Stock's KC International Inc. purchased the company and changed the name to Cruisers Yachts.
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Developing Our Modern Yacht Lineup
In 2011 the Cantius series was born with the launch of the 48 Cantius. Then in In 2015, Cruisers Yachts unveiled its largest yacht by introducing the 60 Cantius. That following year, they introduced the 60 Fly, 54 Cantius, and 54.
Since then, we've continued to add new models with new innovation each year. 46 Cantius launched in 2018 as well as the Mercury outboard on the 338. The 38 GLS debuted in 2019, the 42 GLS debuted in 2020, the 34 GLS in 2021 and the the 50 GLS in 2022.
In 2021, due to demand, Cruisers Yachts announced the expansion of their production capacity by purchasing a 216,000 square foot, purpose-built boat manufacturing plant in Pulaski, WI. Such expansion allows Cruisers to more than double its capacity over time. In the same year, MarineMax’s acquisition of Cruisers Yachts ensures it will always have a premium, American built yacht in its product portfolio.