Freddy Renken comes from generations of boat builders, dating back to his grandfather Walter Renken. Walter Renken purchased a wooden boat company called Halsey, which made wooden boats. From there, the birth of Renken boats started in 1957. That's right, the first boats Freddy Renken's family built were made from wood. Freddy's grandfather Walter Renken had the brilliant idea of taking his new boat company and producing fiberglass boats. Changing to a fiberglass haul was obviously the right move, and Renken boats took off. Walter Renken put all his sons in different areas of the boat business. His sons went into Insurance, Finance, and manufacturing. Freddy Renken's dad Carl Renken was sent to be a lawyer. Carl Renken practiced law for 12 years and in 1987 there was an offer to buy the families boat business. Instead of letting the business his family built go, Carl Renken bought out the rest of the family for the same price as the outside offer and took ownership of Renken Boat Company.
Freddy Renken Sea Fox Career Facts
There were some rough times, Freddy Renken recalls of the later tenure of his dad owning the business. Nothing his father did, but for the fact that his father Carl never had a chance to work in the back end and learn the manufacturing process. Without that knowledge, Renken boats experienced some tough times, and Freddy Renken eventually closed the doors of the family business. While that was rough on Freddy and family, in the same year Freddy Renken opened Sea Fox Boat Company. This turned out to be a brilliant decision. Unlike his father, Freddy was given the chance to work in all aspects of the factory learning and absorbing all aspects of the boat business along the way. All of that knowledge would eventually be dumped into building Sea Fox Boats.
Now, after so many highs and lows, lessons learned and a complete transition from the old wooden boats. Sea Fox boats, led by Freddy Renken, has some of the nicest boats on the water! They are coming up on a 70-year anniversary and close to moving into a new facility! The facility they are currently in has been making family boats since 1975. With the new facility Freddy wanted to prioritize better working conditions for his staff, having a more linear process flow, stationing molds and more room to continue growing amongst other benefits. With the expansion, there may be some upgrades and surprises along the way.
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 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 country. 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!