Whisper Marine, LLC has acquired Crownline Boats, an American manufacturer of sport, deck and cruiser boats headquartered in West Frankfort, Illinois. The deal was announced on June 29, 2026.
It is Whisper Marine’s second acquisition in six months, following its December 2025 purchase of Qwest Pontoons. Whisper Marine is the boat-building arm of Whisper USA, LLC, a Johnson City, Tennessee manufacturer led by CEO Dave Hatley that also builds hot tubs, swim spas, cold plunges and golf carts, alongside utility terrain vehicles under the American Landmaster name. Whisper USA separately acquired Fountain Powerboats and NauticStar in February 2026, meaning the group now holds four boat brands inside six months, even if only two sit directly under the Whisper Marine name.
Reggie Fountain built the company Whisper USA bought in February. PBN profiled his career and Fountain Powerboats’ history after his death.
What Whisper gets
Crownline has delivered more than 90,000 boats to dealers and customers worldwide over its 35-year history, building bowriders, deck boats, cuddies and cruisers from 18 to 34 feet. Production continues at the West Frankfort facility, which runs to 360,000 square feet.
Dave Hatley, CEO of Whisper USA, on the acquisition:
“Crownline is one of the most respected names in American boatbuilding, and we are excited to carry it forward. The team in West Frankfort has built something special over 35 years, and we plan to invest in its continued growth as Whisper Marine adds sport, deck, and cruiser boats to its portfolio.”
Kevin Riem, VP and General Manager of Crownline, on the sale:
“These discussions have been ongoing for some time, but the time is now right to take the next step into our future. This announcement marks a point in time in which we are pivoting from defense to offense in the market, as we look towards a bright new future.”
Before Crownline, Whisper Marine’s boat business was concentrated in pontoons. The acquisition gives it its first bowriders, deck boats and cuddy cabins, and extends Whisper USA’s manufacturing footprint to a third state, alongside existing Tennessee and Michigan facilities.
Part of a wider pattern
Whisper’s move fits a broader consolidation trend in US recreational boatbuilding this year. Patrick Industries and LCI Industries agreed an all-stock merger of their own on June 30, 2026, on the marine parts supply side rather than boat manufacturing. Whisper’s approach differs in that it is buying finished-boat brands outright and keeping them running under their existing names and dealer networks, rather than folding them into a single label.
Whisper says the strategy is a multiyear one, built around growing a portfolio of American-made marine brands across distinct segments of the recreational boating market. Existing Crownline dealer relationships remain in place, and the company says it will invest in product development and expanded capacity at the Illinois site.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
