Power Yachts International in Cape Coral, Fla., is now the sales arm for the center-console builder Renegade Powerboats across the state in Hialeah, Fla. The family-owned builder’s line of 25- to 38-foot center consoles ranges from performance-oriented offerings to more traditional utilitarian models. Though Powerboat Yachts International has ordered inventory from Renegade, according to the pre-owned yacht and powerboat sales and brokerage outfit’s Jonathan Vu, the company is operating more along the lines of manufacturer’s representative than a “traditional dealership.”

Renegade offers performance-oriented and traditional center consoles from 25 to 38 feet. Photos courtesy/copyright Jay Nichols/Naples Image

“About a year ago, I started looking at Renegade to become a dealer,” Vu explained. “I fell in love with the boats, the company and the people behind it. We are now their sales arm—we’re in charge of selling boats directly from their factory. We still have our own pre-owned boat dealership here, but I work directly for them managing all their sales.

“We will eventually establish a dealer network for Renegade,” he continued. “We want to bring up the company to be in a more polished state in terms of sales and then build a strong dealer network. We’re also investing in the company to bring ‘stronger lines’ into their most popular models, the 38’ Cuddy and the 33’ Cuddy.”

During the past few years, the west coast of Florida, particularly in the Fort Myers area, has been a growing market for the South Florida boat builder. In the Fort Myers Offshore powerboat club fleet alone, there are more than a half-dozen Renegade center consoles. FMO founder and outgoing chairman Bob Barnhart “started the stampede” for Renegade buyers among the club’s membership, according to longtime FMO photographer Jay Nichols.

“We’ve had, I think, as many as seven or or eight in one run,” Nichols said. “One of the boats has twin (Mercury Racing Verado) 400s on it.”