Southport Eyes the Future With Larger Boat, New Dev Crew

Southport Boats, a division of Maritime Marine Group, LLC, has recently taken steps to maintain the company’s position as a leader in the center-console fishing and cruising boat market. With a new, larger 32′ model currently in development, the company has appointed George Menezes as Director of Product Development and Engineering. Menezes assumes the newly created position at Southport Boats to oversee the introduction of new boat models, specifically a 32′ model designed by C. Raymond Hunt and Associates. In addition to his role as project engineer for Southport’s long-awaited, larger boat, Menezes will contribute to the continual upgrades and improvements on the existing Southport 27’ and 29’ center-console models.

Menezes brings to Southport Boats more than 25 years of experience at Sabre Yachts and Back Cove Yachts, where he led the development team in new boat designs and was the liaison between marketing, sales, manufacturing, and customers. George is also an accomplished boatbuilder who specialized in building tooling for performance powerboats. “George is ideally suited to his new role at Southport Boats, where he’ll keep his finger on the pulse of the sportfishing industry while expanding our widening customer base,” said Peter Galvin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Southport Boats. “He will keep Southport responsive to market demands by incorporating the best features possible on every existing Southport model as well as those to come.”

Southport Boats is currently introducing its newest model, the 29 FE, at boat shows along the Atlantic Coast. In his new position, Menezes will be responsible for ensuring this new crossover cruising/fishing model remains relevant by incorporating changes and options important both to the dedicated offshore fisherman and to the cruising family.

Ian Kopp, president of Southport Boats, said, “With his background and experience, George completes the management team we’ve assembled to take Southport Boats to the next level as we introduce new models and continually improve the existing line of Southport Boats.”

More information about Southport Boats’ models, including the 27 CC, 29 CC, 29 TE, and 29 FE, click here.