Nautique boats are made by Correct Craft, a family owned manufacturer headquartered in Orlando, Florida.
The brand is widely considered the gold standard in inboard towboats, building boats for waterskiing, wakeboarding, and wake surfing.
Correct Craft is the oldest family owned and operated boat manufacturer in the world, and has been owned by Ambassador Enterprises since 2008.
Knowing that Nautique sits inside a much larger Correct Craft family of brands helps explain the engineering and manufacturing resources behind every boat that leaves the factory.
This article covers Nautique’s ownership, where the boats are built, the difference between its G23 and G25 models, and how it compares to premium rival MasterCraft.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Nautique Boats?
Nautique was born as a product of Correct Craft, with the introduction of the original Ski Nautique in 1961, the first fiberglass ski boat of its kind.
Correct Craft was founded in 1925 by Walter C. Meloon as the Florida Variety Boat Company, and the Meloon family sold its stock in the company to Ambassador Enterprises in 2008, according to Wikipedia’s entry on Correct Craft.
The Correct Craft family today includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, along with Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Group.
Where Are Nautique Boats Made?
Nautique boats are manufactured in Orlando, Florida, at a facility that includes two private lakes used for testing.
Correct Craft announced in January 2021 that it would expand Nautique’s manufacturing capabilities and workforce at the Orlando plant.
For a brief period between 2019 and 2020, the second generation Ski Nautique 200 was built by Bryant Boats, an outside facility, before Correct Craft moved production back to the main Nautique factory in Florida starting with the 2021 model year, a period discussed at length by owners on PlanetNautique.
Nautique G23 vs G25: What Is the Difference?
The G23 has been Nautique’s flagship wake sports model for years, known for its Nautique Surf System and record setting wake and wave shapes.
The G25 is a larger addition to the G Series lineup, built for owners who want more onboard space and passenger capacity while retaining the same core wake technology.
Both models share Nautique’s award winning MicroTuner technology and Linc control system, giving owners a similar on water experience across the two sizes.
Nautique vs MasterCraft: How Do They Compare?
Nautique and MasterCraft are widely regarded by owners and forum members as the two top quality control leaders in the premium inboard towboat segment.
Forum members frequently describe both brands as delivering a noticeably more polished fit and finish than mid tier competitors like Malibu or Supra, though buyers often note the two brands come at a similar premium price point.
Choosing between them often comes down to dealer proximity and personal preference on wake shape, since both brands have decades of racing pedigree and loyal, repeat owner bases.
Are Nautique Boats Any Good?
Nautique consistently earns some of the strongest reputation marks in the inboard towboat industry, with forum members on PlanetNautique repeatedly ranking its quality control alongside MasterCraft and above rivals like Malibu and Supra.
Many owners report boats from the 1990s and early 2000s still running reliably decades later, and several longtime forum members describe owning ten or more Nautiques in a row without switching brands.
Recurring complaints on newer, more complex models center on electronics, including touchscreen displays overheating in extreme heat, throttle base assembly failures on certain 200 series model years, and occasional driveshaft issues that some owners felt were not handled quickly enough under warranty.
The brief 2019 to 2020 window when the SN200 was built outside the main Nautique factory is flagged repeatedly by forum members as a weaker period for build quality, with most recommending buyers avoid those specific model years or confirm which factory built the boat before purchase.
The honest takeaway is that Nautique has one of the strongest long term reliability reputations in the industry, particularly for boats built at the main Orlando factory, though buyers of newer, electronics heavy models should expect the same complexity related issues common across all premium towboat brands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nautique Boats
Who owns Nautique Boats?
Nautique is made by Correct Craft, which has been owned by Ambassador Enterprises since 2008 after the founding Meloon family sold its stock in the company.
Where is Nautique manufactured?
Nautique boats are built at Correct Craft’s factory in Orlando, Florida.
Were all Nautique 200 models built in Florida?
No, the 2019 and 2020 model year Ski Nautique 200 was built by an outside facility, Bryant Boats, before production returned to the main Nautique factory in Florida starting in 2021.
How old is the Nautique brand?
Nautique traces back to the original Ski Nautique in 1961, though parent company Correct Craft was founded in 1925.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.