Phoenix bass boats are made by Phoenix Boats, a privately held manufacturer headquartered in Winchester, Tennessee.
The brand is known for all fiberglass, wood free bass boats built with an emphasis on customer service and hand crafted construction.
Phoenix Boats remains privately held and owner operated, with its founders still on site leading the company day to day.
Knowing that Phoenix was founded by a veteran team of former Stratos executives helps explain the brand’s rapid rise to compete with far older, more established bass boat builders.
This article covers Phoenix’s ownership, where the boats are built, its Diamond Vee hull design, and how it compares to fellow bass boat builder Skeeter.
So let’s get started.
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Who Owns Phoenix Boats?
Phoenix was founded in 2006 by Gary Clouse, Hank Baker, and Teresa Johnson, a veteran team who had previously served on the management side of Stratos Boats before leaving in early 2006.
The founding team, joined by former Stratos designer Greg Strahm, built the company around a straightforward plan of offering high quality boats at competitive prices without compromising customer service.
Phoenix leased the former Bumble Bee boat plant in Tullahoma, Tennessee to get started, later consolidating operations at its current Winchester, Tennessee facility.
Where Are Phoenix Bass Boats Made?
Phoenix bass boats are hand built in Winchester, Tennessee, where the company’s owners are on site every day overseeing production.
Every Phoenix boat is built entirely from fiberglass with no wood anywhere in the construction, eliminating the rot risk that affects boats using wood cored components.
Phoenix has grown steadily since its founding, expanding its Tennessee manufacturing footprint to keep pace with rising demand from bass anglers around the country.
What Is Phoenix’s Diamond Vee Hull?
Phoenix’s patented Diamond Vee hull design is engineered to deliver a soft, dry ride while maintaining stability and handling at high speed.
Owners frequently describe the hull as offering excellent cornering with no porpoising or chattering during hard turns, a common complaint on other bass boats.
Phoenix pairs the hull with features like a spacious front casting deck, integrated rod storage, and flush mounted electronics options across its LXE, Elite X, ZXL, and Pro Series lineups.
Phoenix vs Skeeter: How Do They Compare?
Phoenix and Skeeter are both respected names in the tournament bass boat market, though Phoenix is the newer of the two brands by several decades.
Forum members who have owned both brands often describe Phoenix’s build quality and fit and finish as comparable to or better than more established competitors, including Ranger and Skeeter.
Because Phoenix has a smaller dealer network than Yamaha backed Skeeter, some buyers in less densely covered regions have to travel farther for service, a tradeoff several owners say is worth it for the boat itself.
Are Phoenix Boats Any Good?
Phoenix has earned a strong reputation remarkably quickly for a relatively young brand, with forum members on BBC Boards and regional bass fishing forums frequently ranking its build quality alongside or above Ranger.
Multiple longtime Ranger owners who switched to Phoenix report no regrets, specifically citing the wood free fiberglass construction and strong resale value as reasons for the switch.
Recurring minor complaints include difficulty filling the fuel tank when the boat is parked on a slope, dash panels that lack backlighting on some models, and outboard engine oil seal leaks that a number of owners report after several years of use, though this issue is tied to the outboard motor rather than the Phoenix hull itself.
Because Phoenix is a comparatively young company, there is less long term data on boats older than 15 to 20 years, though early owner feedback and resale values both point to strong durability so far.
The honest takeaway is that Phoenix has built a genuinely strong reputation for fit, finish, and handling in a short amount of time, with most complaints tied to outboard engines or minor dealer prep issues rather than the fiberglass hull itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Phoenix Boats
Who owns Phoenix Boats?
Phoenix Boats is privately held and owner operated, founded in 2006 by Gary Clouse, Hank Baker, and Teresa Johnson.
Where are Phoenix bass boats manufactured?
Phoenix bass boats are hand built in Winchester, Tennessee.
Does Phoenix use wood in its construction?
No, every Phoenix boat is built entirely from fiberglass with no wood anywhere in the construction.
How old is the Phoenix Boats brand?
Phoenix was founded in 2006, making it roughly 20 years old as of 2026.
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.