Freddy Renken comes from generations of boat builders, dating back to his grandfather Walter “Palsey” Renken. Walter Renken purchased a wooden boat company called Halsey in the late 50s. From there, the birth of Renken boats started in 1958 in Charleston, South Carolina. Freddy's grandfather, Walter Renken, had the idea of branching out into fiberglass, and the first fiberglass boat came out in 1960. Walter Renken’s sons went into many different industries, and Freddy’s Uncle, Ralph Renken, took charge of Renken Boat Company after graduating from the Citadel military college. In 1975, after spending 15 years as a lawyer in Charleston, Carl Renken Sr., Freddy’s father, joined Ralph and his other brother Kenneth in the family boat business. In the early 80s, Ralph got very concerned when Bayliner and Sea Ray were purchased by Brunswick Corporation (which also owned Mercury outboards and Mercruiser I/Os), because that was the first big conglomerate in the industry to go vertical, controlling the distributions of engines to its own boat companies. Therefore in 1986, when Ralph was approached by a Texas firm to sell Renken Boat Company, he was ready to sell. The deal got close but instead, Freddy's father, Carl, decided to buy the family out after playing several games of handball with the president of South Carolina National Bank, Charlie Cole, who funded the deal. Freddy Renken, third generation, started working at Renken Boats in 1986 when he was 17 years old. After working in several departments throughout the manufacturing process and graduating from college, Freddy became plant manager in 1991. The company struggled during the early 90s recession, and over the following years, Renken shut down in 1995. Freddy says he wouldn't trade those 5 years for anything as he learned the techniques of what to do and what not to do during those tough years. Freddy and his brother Eddy started Sea Fox Boat Company that same year in 1995 without missing a season of manufacturing boats throughout the nearly 70 year heritage. Sea Fox produced roughly 70 boats the first year in 1995. Ten years later in 2005, they peaked at 3,000 units. Current minority partners Ryan Balderson and Chris Nemeth joined Sea Fox in 2004. Ryan VP of Product Development and Chris VP of Engineering have greatly contributed to the success of the company today. Girl power first arrived in 2017 when Christina Moore joined the company as CFO. She has majorly contributed to the success of the company today and set a wonderful example for women in the boating industry. Freddy is now joined by two of his daughters, fourth-generation boat builders. Harlan (34) VP of Production and Tanner (29) VP of Business Planning. Girl power is in full force, pink skirts and all, in the family business, and Freddy, proud girl dad, could not be more thrilled. With Harlan joining in 2020 and Tanner joining in 2022, the management team was feeling the need for a refresh in marketing, and so for Model Year 24, Sea Fox did a full rebranding with a new modern logo and all new upholstery and colorways for the boats. In addition, they even marked each Model Year 24 boat with a “Heritage Crest” that was inspired by the original Renken Boats logo below. The four “R”’s originally represented the four brothers in the family business, and for this crest, the four fox heads represented the four generations in the family business that have made this all possible.
When asked about his favorite Sea Fox boat, Freddy Renken couldn't pick, he truly loves them all! Freddy said, "Our Fiberglass T-tops are the best". Anybody that has seen or been on a Sea Fox center console would have trouble not agreeing with that statement. They have 360-degree lighting, rod holders, molded out of fiberglass and they are truly a work of art. Just one reason Sea Fox boats are some of the best-looking boats on the water, loaded with features and at a great price!
Looking back and realizing those old wooden Renken boats have transformed, overcome obstacles and are now Sea Fox boats. Boats that are loved and enjoyed across the world. Freddy Renken and family have done an amazing thing for the boat industry. Today Sea Fox boats are in waters all over the nation being enjoyed for fishing, family and fun!