Godfrey Boats

Godfrey Marine had its start as Godfrey Conveyor Company in the early 1900s. After 50 years storing and handling coal Godfrey Marine was born and by 1958 Godfrey Marine had the first Sanpan pontoon boat debuted at the Chicago Boat and Marine show. Owned by the Deputy family for three generations, Godfrey began expansion into fishing boats and bowriders. Godfrey Marine merged with the Rinker Boat Company to form Nautic Global Group in 2005. This made them the fourth largest manufacturer of boats in the United States. Both brands are still marketed separately; however dealerships will sell boats from both brand names.

Nautic Global Group is headquartered in Elkhart Indiana, just as Godfrey Marine had been. The company now offers more than 300 models divided into nine separate branded lines. There are eight manufacturing facilities that produce the nine boating lines: Captiva Cuddles and Bowriders, Aqua Patio, Parti Kraft Pontoon Boats, Rinker Express Cruisers, Sweetwater, Sanpan, Polar Kraft Aluminum and Polar Kraft Fiberglass fishing boats. Both Companies under their parent company Nautic Global Group offer boats through over 525 brokerages and dealerships in the United States and 22 other countries. Godfrey Marine offers a “Spousal Conversion Packet” on their website that has tips and tricks to make a significant other want to purchase a boat within seven days.

Prices for used Godfrey pontoons and fishing boats vary according to brand line and style options. A used pontoon aged 2007-2009 has an average asking price of $16,000 US.