Sea Pro boats are made by Sea Pro Boats, LLC, a family owned manufacturer headquartered in Whitmire, South Carolina.
The brand builds mid tier center console, bay, and dual console fishing boats, and has recently expanded into pontoons as well.
Sea Pro Boats, LLC remains privately held, having been relaunched in 2015 by one of the brand’s original founders alongside a well known industry partner.
Knowing that Sea Pro closed entirely in 2008 before returning as an independent company in 2015 helps explain why the brand markets its current lineup under the name The Next Wave.
This article covers Sea Pro’s ownership, where the boats are built, its 2015 relaunch story, and how it compares to fellow South Carolina builder Sportsman.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Sea Pro Boats?
Sea Pro was originally founded in 1987 by brothers Jimmy and Tommy Hancock, and the brand was purchased by Brunswick Corporation in 2005.
Brunswick shut Sea Pro down in 2008 amid the broader recession, ending production for several years.
Jimmy Hancock relaunched Sea Pro in 2015 alongside Preston Wrenn, founder of Tidewater Boats, reviving the brand as an independent company under the name The Next Wave, according to a detailed timeline of Sea Pro’s history on The Hull Truth.
Where Are Sea Pro Boats Made?
Sea Pro boats are manufactured at a 200,000 square foot facility in Whitmire, South Carolina, within Newberry County.
The relaunched company debuted seven new models for the 2016 season, quickly rebuilding a lineup of bay boats, center consoles, and dual consoles.
Sea Pro has continued expanding since its relaunch, most recently adding pontoon boats to a lineup that was previously focused entirely on saltwater fishing boats.
What Is Sea Pro’s Next Wave Relaunch Story?
Jimmy Hancock and Preston Wrenn secured the rights to the Sea Pro trademark after the Brunswick era ended, working with attorneys to establish the new company on proper legal footing before rebuilding.
The relaunched boats include a redesigned drain system that channels water to a single discharge point through one thru hull fitting, a detail dealers say anticipates upcoming industry regulations.
Sea Pro has since introduced larger models, including a 32 foot center console and its first dual console boats, expanding well beyond its original smaller footprint.
Sea Pro vs Sportsman: How Are They Related?
Sea Pro and Sportsman share a direct connection, since Sportsman co-founder Tommy Hancock is the brother of Sea Pro’s relaunch founder, Jimmy Hancock.
Forum members generally place both brands in a similar mid tier price and quality category alongside Sea Hunt and Cobia.
Buyers cross shopping the two often note that both brands trace back to the same Hancock family boat building tradition in South Carolina, even though they operate as fully separate companies today. See Who Makes Sportsman Boats and Who Makes Sea Hunt Boats for other South Carolina saltwater builders.
Are Sea Pro Boats Any Good?
Sea Pro is widely described on forums like The Hull Truth as a good, solid mid tier boat, with several reviewers noting the relaunched models have better fit and finish than the boats built under Brunswick’s ownership, according to a reliability review of Sea Pro Boats from BoatingSports.
Owners frequently praise the thick, hand laid fiberglass construction and describe the boats as efficient, with some models performing well on a single 225 horsepower outboard.
The most consistent critique is that Sea Pro rides best inshore and can feel light in 3 to 4 foot offshore chop, making it better suited to protected or moderately rough water than serious open ocean running.
Some early Next Wave buyers noted certain models were priced close to more established competitors like Sea Hunt without offering every comparable feature, such as a side console door, though the overall build quality drew praise.
The honest takeaway is that Sea Pro has rebuilt a genuinely solid reputation since its 2015 relaunch, delivering good value for inshore and moderate offshore use, though buyers planning regular runs in rougher open water should compare it carefully against heavier built offshore specific brands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sea Pro Boats
Who owns Sea Pro Boats?
Sea Pro is owned by Sea Pro Boats, LLC, a privately held company relaunched in 2015 by original founder Jimmy Hancock and Tidewater Boats founder Preston Wrenn.
Where are Sea Pro boats manufactured?
Sea Pro boats are built in Whitmire, South Carolina, in Newberry County.
Did Sea Pro ever stop making boats?
Yes, Brunswick Corporation, which had owned Sea Pro since 2005, shut the brand down in 2008 before it was independently relaunched in 2015.
Is Sea Pro related to Sportsman Boats?
Sea Pro and Sportsman are separate companies, but Sea Pro’s relaunch founder, Jimmy Hancock, is the brother of Sportsman co-founder Tommy Hancock.
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.