MBC / Legacy
The MBC Legacy
Maverick Boat Company
In 1984, Scott and Troy Deal, two brothers who were devoted light tackle fisherman, decided to turn their fishing passion into a fulltime commitment to build the best shallow water skiff on the planet. Not far out of college, the two brothers acquired the legendary hull and deck tooling of the shallow water skiff called Maverick, and launched Maverick Boat Company (MBC) and would forever change the sport of shallow water fishing in saltwater.
Soon there after, in response to growing demand, MBC acquired Hewes Boats in 1989. With the purchase of Hewes, the company had the two top flats boat brands in the country. MBC made major improvements making the boats lighter, stronger, faster, and safer, while keeping the Hewes spirit and 50-year legacy of experience, innovation, quality and value.
Armed with vision, talent, technical expertise and that passion for light tackle fishing, the MBC design team pushed the envelope of Maverick skiff and Hewes backcountry boat designs to new limits. They then translated those lessons into Pathfinder bay boats. Pathfinder’s ability to run in bigger water with more capacity for crew, storage, fuel and horsepower allowed the Maverick Boat Company team to incorporate never before seen fishability features into a family friendly bay boat. With more freeboard, range and unparalleled performance, today’s Pathfinder remains the nation’s most popular bay boat, a title held since its introduction in 1998.
In 2005 the venerable Cobia brand name was added to MBC’s growing family of sport fishing boats. The MBC team stepped up to the challenge to bring this respected 50 year old name in recreational boating into a new age of design, technology and fishing experience. It started with the commitment of a brand new 39-acre facility in Marion, North Carolina. MBC stunned the boating industry by simultaneously revamping the entire Cobia model line, radically improving construction technologies and adding MBC inspired “ground up” new Cobia models. All this in the first year. By maximizing the synergy of existing Maverick, Hewes and Pathfinder dealer networks, the Cobia brand is on its way to unprecedented growth in the both domestic and European markets.
From the earliest days, the crew at MBC has been dedicated to giving back to the waters and the fish that have fueled our passion and provided us our inspiration. In 2006, MBC CEO Scott Deal was given the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) of Florida’s first lifetime achievement award for his and MBC’s involvement in successful conservation initiatives like the Ban the Nets campaign and many others.
All Maverick, Hewes, Pathfinder and Cobia boats are built with the kind of craftsmanship and commitment to quality that is reminiscent of times past. Conversely, every MBC boat starts with state-of-the-art computer aided designs and leading edge manufacturing technologies, many incorporated from the aeronautics industry. Cutting edge construction materials and the highest quality components available make any MBC designed and built boat unmatched in its class.
Today, the passion to build the most legendary boats ever to prowl a saltwater flat, has created the world’s leading manufacturer of light tackle fishing boats. With two state-of-the-art, manufacturing facilities, one located in Fort Pierce, Florida and the other in Marion, North Carolina, MBC now produces four of the most prestigious name brands in light tackle fishing boats, Maverick, Hewes, Pathfinder and Cobia.
MBC now also markets its products far beyond the hallowed waters of the Florida Keys where the sport was born. Today, you can find Maverick, Hewes, Pathfinder and Cobia boats just about anywhere people take their saltwater fishing seriously.
MBC continues its commitment to deliver unmatched quality, functionality and safety in the marine industry. We adopted National Marine Manufacturers Association and American Boat & Yacht Council Boat Construction Standards two years before they were considered mandatory for membership in the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association. MBC officers sit on numerous boating industry boards and advisory committees aimed to strengthen the industry by enhancing the customer experience through better quality products, higher levels of service and easily available access to the water.
But no matter how much MBC grows, one thing will never change. We will always be a company of anglers building boats for anglers. From professional guides to tournament anglers, from weekend fisherman to newcomers alike, MBC offers more than legendary designs and high quality boats. We offer a special connection to boat owners to get out on the water and experience the outdoors with friends and family and to do it with safety and confidence.