Robalo boats are made by Marine Products Corporation, a publicly traded manufacturer headquartered in Nashville, Georgia.
The brand is known for outboard saltwater fishing boats, including center console, dual console, bay, and walkaround models built with heavier than average construction for a smoother offshore ride.
Marine Products Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker MPX, and Robalo operates alongside sister brand Chaparral under the same corporate parent.
Knowing that Robalo nearly disappeared before Marine Products rebuilt it from almost zero production helps explain why the brand’s history includes a real turnaround story.
This article covers Robalo’s ownership, where the boats are built, its HydroLift hull design, and how it compares to sister brand Chaparral.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Robalo Boats?
Robalo was founded in 1968 as the Robalo Marine Manufacturing Company in Miami, Florida, building a 19 foot center console boat among the first of its kind with an unsinkable hull.
Brunswick Corporation acquired Robalo in 1991, but production had virtually ceased by early 2001 after the brand struggled within Brunswick’s larger portfolio.
Marine Products Corporation purchased Robalo’s name and tooling from Brunswick in June 2001 and rebuilt the brand from the ground up at a new manufacturing facility in Georgia.
Where Are Robalo Boats Made?
Robalo boats are manufactured at Marine Products Corporation’s facility in Nashville, Georgia, alongside sister brand Chaparral.
The Nashville facility is described by the company as the largest single location boat building plant in the world, spanning more than 1.2 million square feet.
Robalo’s current lineup includes 19 models across center console, dual console, bay boat, and walkaround categories, ranging from 18 to 36 feet.
What Is Robalo’s HydroLift Hull?
Robalo’s HydroLift Multi Angle Hull uses a variable deadrise design, with a sharper entry angle at the bow that flattens toward the transom for a balance of chop handling and fuel efficiency.
The company reinforces its hulls with Kevlar in the keel, the same material used in body armor, to increase strength without adding excessive weight.
Robalo also partners exclusively with Simrad for marine electronics, giving owners a consistent electronics ecosystem across the model lineup.
Robalo vs Chaparral: How Are They Related?
Robalo and Chaparral are sister brands built in the same Nashville, Georgia facility under Marine Products Corporation. See Who Makes Chaparral Boats for more on the sister brand’s history.
Robalo focuses exclusively on outboard powered saltwater fishing boats, while Chaparral builds sterndrive and outboard sport boats, deck boats, and cruisers for recreational boaters. For other saltwater fishing brands, see Who Makes Sea Hunt Boats.
Both brands share Marine Products Corporation’s manufacturing standards and are part of the company’s pending combination with MasterCraft Boat Holdings, announced in 2026.
Are Robalo Boats Any Good?
Robalo generally earns positive reviews from owners on forums like The Hull Truth, with many describing the build quality as on par with higher end boats and the ride as noticeably smoother than similarly priced competitors.
Several owners specifically describe Robalo as feeling like a fishing and cruiser hybrid, praising the heavier construction while acknowledging resale value trails premium brands like Contender.
Older Robalo boats built before 2000, including some from the Brunswick ownership era, have documented issues with foam core saturation and rot, a problem forum members say was resolved after Marine Products rebuilt the brand at its current facility, according to a reliability review of Robalo boats from GoDownsize.
More recent complaints on PissedConsumer describe frustration with warranty responsiveness and fiberglass cracking on some boats, along with slower than expected customer service, though this feedback represents a smaller and more critical sample than the broader forum sentiment, based on reviews collected on PissedConsumer.
The honest takeaway is that Robalo has a strong reputation for heavier, smoother riding construction among most forum members, but buyers considering a pre-2000 model should have it surveyed for foam saturation, and any buyer should read warranty terms closely given the more mixed recent service feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions About Robalo Boats
Who owns Robalo Boats?
Robalo is owned by Marine Products Corporation, which purchased the brand’s name and tooling from Brunswick Corporation in 2001.
Where are Robalo boats manufactured?
Robalo boats are built in Nashville, Georgia, at the same facility as sister brand Chaparral.
Was Robalo ever owned by Brunswick?
Yes, Brunswick Corporation owned Robalo from 1991 until production nearly ceased in early 2001, when Marine Products Corporation acquired the brand.
How old is the Robalo brand?
Robalo was founded in 1968, making it more than 55 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.