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Cruisers Yachts was founded in 1953 in Oconto, Wisconsin, on the shores of Green Bay. Since then, we’ve built a legend, with an eye toward utilizing a deep and knowledgeable workforce to produce boats that keep customers safe and happy as they chase adventures worldwide. By now, Cruisers is proud to have 4th generation boatbuilders in its factory, something that very few other companies can claim.

Whether boaters prefer the comfort and livability of the Cantius  line, or the heart-thumping excitement of a ride in one of our GLS  models, Cruisers Yachts is dedicated to bringing American-made boatbuilding quality to a level that’s never been seen before. That’s why our customers choose Cruisers Yachts time and time again, as they make their own lifelong commitment to the joy of being on the water.

Explore the differences between each series and discover which Cruisers Yachts model is right for you »

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About Cruisers Yachts

In the case of our yachts and your journeys, you're buying a company culture that has uncompromising love of yachts and the people that own them. Welcome to Cruisers Yachts.

The Beginning

In 1904, Thompson Bros. Boat Manufacturing Co. made its first home in the small, northern town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin starting the legacy of a family boat-building business.  Always thinking big in terms of the craft and durability they brought to the boat industry, the second generation of Thompson's started building wood lapstrake outboard cabin cruisers in Oconto, Wisconsin in the early 1950s.

The first known Cruisers, Inc. catalog debuted in 1956. Prior to that, the company was building 14' and 16' boats under the Thompson Bros. label.  In 1965 wood boats were replaced with fiberglass as the new technology was wreaking havoc with the wood boat business.

Becoming Cruisers Yachts

Cruisers, Inc. was sold to Mirro Aluminum Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 1971. It wasn't until 1979, when Roy Thompson retired, that someone other than a Thompson ran the company.

In 1980 the fiberglass product line of Mirro Marine Division (Cruisers) was sold to T.J. Bogard (the former President of Mirro Marine Division) and T.A. Lisle (formerly of Eaton Corporation).

In the early 1990s K.C. Stock, who was born and raised in the Oconto area, saw the potential for opportunity. In 1993, Stock's KC International Inc. purchased the company and changed the name to Cruisers Yachts.

Developing Our Modern Yacht Lineup

In 2011 the Cantius series was born with the launch of the 48 Cantius. Then in In 2015, Cruisers Yachts unveiled its largest yacht by introducing the 60 Cantius. That following year, they introduced the 60 Fly, 54 Cantius, and 54. 

Since then, we've continued to add new models with new innovation each year. The 46 Cantius launched in 2018 as well as the Mercury outboard on the 338. The 38 GLS debuted in 2019, the 42 GLS debuted in 2020, the 34 GLS in 2021 and the the 50 GLS in 2022.

In 2021, due to demand, Cruisers Yachts announced the expansion of their production capacity by purchasing a 216,000 square foot, purpose-built boat manufacturing plant in Pulaski, WI. Such expansion allows Cruisers to more than double its capacity over time. In the same year, MarineMax’s acquisition of Cruisers Yachts ensures it will always have a premium, American built yacht in its product portfolio.

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Customer Testimonials

At Cruisers Yachts, we enjoy seeing all our customers experience the boating lifestyle aboard one of our models. Check out what our customers are saying about their Cruisers Yachts boat.

Introducing an All-New Flybridge Series

Explore more about the upcoming launch of the all-new groundbreaking Flybridge series, a brand-new evolution of our popular Cruisers Cantius series.

OUR CORE BELIEFS

No other boatbuilder in the world can match the level of innovation, seaworthiness, and luxury seen on a Cruisers yacht. Our lineup, which includes models from 34 to 60 feet, has everything a boater could wish for, be it the unmatched comfort and seaworthiness of the Cantius Series or the sizzle and excitement of our GLS Series. Cruisers Yachts does it all.

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Florida company acquires Oconto-based Cruisers Yachts for $63 million

OCONTO – A Florida company on Monday announced its acquisition of Oconto-based Cruisers Yachts for $63 million.

The purchase comes shortly after Cruisers Yachts, or KCS International, bought Pulaski-based Marquis Yachts' plant on April 26. The sale of the Pulaski operation had been a goal of Marquis Yachts executives for more than a year .

The company issued a  layoff notice in early March for 77 employees  in anticipation of the sale. The Pulaski employees can now apply to Cruiser Yachts to keep their jobs in Pulaski.

In addition to retaining the Pulaski employees, Cruisers is looking to hire additional workers in Pulaski and Oconto. It is seeking 75 people in Oconto and 150 people in Pulaski immediately. Newly hired workers will join Cruisers' existing 350 employees.

"The boating industry is booming," said Matt VanGrunsven, director of marketing for Cruisers Yachts. "For people that were going to take family trips, family vacations, or possibly go overseas, they're not doing that and they haven't done that for 15 months simply because everything's been shut down. They're looking for other ways to enjoy time with friends and families in the water, or do anything, and they found that ... boating kind of provides that socially distanced activity."

For Cruisers Yachts, joining  MarineMax, based in Clearwater, Florida , represents an opportunity to sell its yachts across the globe. MarineMax is the largest recreational boat dealership company with 100 locations worldwide. Cruisers' distribution will grow by joining MarineMax, and Cruisers in turn can fulfill a supply need for MarineMax.

Cruisers already has been doing "extremely well," and the company is working on a large backlog of boats, VanGrunsven said. Cruisers produces 33-feet to 60-feet yachts.

VanGrunsven said joining MarineMax will bring longevity to Cruisers.

"With each of those locations, we're looking to get our product in there and get their sales staff trained so that we can continue to grow our business and sell our yachts," VanGrunsven said.

Cruisers is seeking to hire  craftspeople for fiberglass, stainless steel and welding, upholstery and other work .

VanGrunsven said the pandemic and the previous sale of some other plant buildings factored into how long it took Cruisers to acquire the Pulaski plant. The company was doing its "due diligence" with researching and permits in the drawn-out process to purchase the Pulaski plant, he said.

The 216,000-square-foot Pulaski plant sits on 15 acres. The facility includes an in-water testing, research and development tank that may help accelerate research and development for Cruisers.

"There's a really big heritage in this area, or I'll just say northeast Wisconsin, boat building, and we're just looking to carry that on," VanGrunsven said.

Contact Nusaiba Mizan at (920)-431-8310 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @nusaiblah.

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KCS Int’l – Cruisers Yachts

OCONTO, WI (June 22, 2020)  – Cruisers Yachts continues to push the boundaries of versatility with their new 38 GLS now offered with stern drives. The 38 GLS perfectly packages a bow rider and inboards with the big boat craftsmanship you expect from the Cantius line.

The 38 GLS I/O features dual Mercury V-8s that reach a top speed of 47 mph with the 380 hp option. However, it’s the beach door that’s a real showstopper. Simply lower the beach door located on the starboard side for a spacious recreational area. In place of the outboard configuration, there is hydraulic swim platform that lowers so you can get in and out of the water with ease.

The open-concept cockpit was designed with entertainment in mind. You can find endless seating options between the bow lounge, two mid-ship L-shaped dinettes, and an aft-facing bench. For alternative seating options, the aft-facing bench backrest can swivel to face the beach door. The galley features a fiberglass inlay sink, fridge, bottle storage, and optional grill. Continue the conversation while sitting on swivel bar stools at the raised wet bar. For comfort, there is an opening sunroof along with an optional foredeck and aft deck shade to keep your guests out of the hot sun.

The lower cabin features an aft stateroom with deep shelf storage. For additional sleeping quarters, the U-shaped dinette converts into a comfortable berth. A galley, full head, and optional flat screen TV complete this extraordinary accommodations level.

Seeking a bow rider / inboard / luxury cruiser hybrid? Look no further than Cruisers Yachts’ innovatively designed 38 GLS I/O.

About KCS International Inc.

Headquartered in Oconto, Wisconsin, KCS International Inc. owns Cruisers Yachts and has been around since 1953. Cruisers Yachts is known as one of the world’s premier provider of midsize luxury pleasure yachts and produces models from 33 to 60 feet in its Oconto facility. For additional information about the 38 GLS, please visit: cruisersyachts.com or call (920) 834-2211. Like us on Facebook.

804 Pecor St Oconto WI 54153

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Cruisers yachts introduces new luxury line.

Cruisers Yachts, the Oconto-based luxury yacht manufacturer, has announced the upcoming launch of an all-new Flybridge series, described as an evolution of its popular Cruisers Cantius series.

The Flybridge series will include three new yachts, starting with the launch of the 55 Fly. Designed from the keel up, the vessel features an interior created in collaboration with respected superyacht designer Luiz Debasto of Debasto Designs. The design theme, “Back to Nature in a Tech World,” blends organic shapes in earth and ocean tones, complemented with natural fibers.

“We set out to create a ‘Super Fly’ – a yacht that exceeds all expectations of Cruisers Flybridges of the past,” said Josh Delforge, Cruisers vice president of operations and engineering. “Our design team focused on delivering the best-in-class water interaction, a superior flybridge entertaining space and a fresh interior design direction, all wrapped in a futuristic evolution of the Cantius DNA.”

Cruisers Yachts is in attendance this weekend at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida with an eight-boat lineup, including four Cantius and four GLS models.

“This extraordinary series will propel the Cruisers Yachts brand into the future, helping to set a new standard in design, performance and luxury,” said Mark Pederson, president of Cruisers Yachts. “We are proud to introduce our brand-new Flybridge series; this symbolizes our enduring dedication to creating exceptional vessels for our customers to always be in awe of.”

For information, visit www.cruisersyachts.com/blog/2023/flybridge-series-announcement .

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