Since 1987, Grant Kaple and his team at the Hilton Head Boathouse have strived to provide anglers and boaters the best experience on the water with services ranging from sales, storage, repairs, and tackle.

What began as the Hilton Head Boathouse is now the Boathouse with additional locations in Ridgeland and at the Palmetto Bay Marina to better serve the Lowcountry regardless of what side of the bridge they are on.

The Boathouse strives to “deliver exceptional customer service, the highest quality products, and the very best buying experience.”

The dealer sells boats made by SCBFA partners Sea Hunt and Yamaha, along with Parker, Four Winns, Grady White, SunCatcher Pontoons, and Bennington Pontoons, as well. The Boathouse is close to nearby marinas, which allow customers to test drive boats in natural conditions.

In addition to being a dealership, the Boathouse also has a tackle shop at its Okatie location and a dry stack marina at its original location in Hilton Head.

“Our tackle shop sells all the different things we use in the area,” said Kaple. “It’s as much guide-driven as it is customer-driven.”

The boutique-model store features apparel, accessories, rods, reels, and tackle not featured at more premiere stores.

“It’s a toy store,” said Kaple jokingly. “Once you get the fever and have more fishing rods than your wife or current girlfriend has shoes, then you know you’re hooked.”

The dry stack marina houses over 280 boats. However, in July 2021, there will be new stack slips for an additional 72 boats.

With a highly trained service team, including Yamaha Master technicians, the company provides Gelcoat repair, bottom painting, engine repair, electronic installation and repair, and scheduled maintenance.

“Ultimately, what you try to do as a dealer is have your service department as the overhead of the business, said Kaple. “It’s a double-edged sword. One, it creates the survivability of your business, but it also allows you to serve and keep people on the water, which creates a better relationship with your customer base.”

Workforce development is one of the top reasons that led Kaple to join SCBFA.

“Workforce development is crucial to boat builders and dealers’ survivability,” said Kaple. “I have been able to hire kids under the age of 25 in the last two years, which is great, but it is not the norm.”

While reflecting on his company’s success, Kaple further realizes the Palmetto State’s impact on the boating and fishing industry.

“South Carolina is huge in boat production, producing anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 boats a year,” said Kaple. “The cool thing about SCBFA is that its dealerships, manufacturers, and suppliers.”

Kaple encourages families to “give up travel baseball and softball and take your kids fishing” because “there is no greater family experience than a day on the water.”

Locations and Hours of Operation:
The Boathouse has three locations with different services.

Hilton Head
405 Squire Pope Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(8430 681- 2628

Service Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tackle Shop: Monday – Sunday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Storage (Dry Stack Marina): Monday – Sunday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Palmetto Bay
75 Helsman Way
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 681 – 2628

Sales: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Service: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Okatie
5279 N Okatie Hwy
Ridgeland, SC 29936
(843) 645 – 9500

Sales: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Service: Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tackle Shop: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

If you or your business are interested in joining our efforts in making South Carolina a better place to boat and fish please email [email protected] 

Click here to locate an SCBFA Certified Dealer near you.