Whisper Marine, LLC announced the acquisition of sport, deck and cruiser boat manufacturer Crownline Boats headquartered in West Frankfort, Illinois. The acquisition follows Whisper Marine’s purchase of Qwest Pontoons in December 2025, expanding the company’s marine portfolio into new recreational boating markets.
“Crownline is one of the most respected names in American boatbuilding, and we are excited to carry it forward,” says Dave Hatley, CEO of Whisper USA. “The team in West Frankfort has built something special over 35 years, and we plan to invest in its continued growth as Whisper Marine adds sport, deck, and cruiser boats to its portfolio.”
Whisper Marine will invest in product innovation and expanded capacity at the Crownline facility, working to grow the dealer network and build on the brand’s already strong reputation for American craftsmanship.
“These discussions have been ongoing for some time, but the time is now right to take the next step into our future. This announcement marks a point in time in which we are pivoting from ‘defense to offense’ in the market, as we look towards a bright new future,” adds Kevin Riem, VP and general manager of Crownline. “Whisper Marine brings with it a commitment to manufacturing excellence, advanced innovation, and expanded digital marketing expertise, all of which everyone on our team will benefit from. Our entire Crownline team is embracing this next chapter, and we will remain here to help in every way we can. We would like everyone to know how strongly we feel that this is a ‘good thing’ for everyone involved with the Crownline brand!”
To learn more, visit pontoonboats.com and crownline.com.
