| HarrisKayot Milestones: |
| 1956 |
Founded
as Harris Manufacturing by two brothers – Pete & Ernie
Harris. |
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| 1957 |
Harris
produces the world’s first pontoon boats manufactured
on an assembly line. This passion of the Harris family,
is trademarked “FloteBote.” |
 |
| 1957 |
Kaye – Yacht, Inc. Begins
its journey into the Boating world with the introduction
of its Kayot pontoon boat
brand (Pronounced the same, yet with simplified
spelling). |
 |
| 1959 |
Harris
invents the “Dolphin” pontoon nose cone, designed to
slice through water without the requirement of splash
fins. |
 |
| 1964 |
Harris
becomes the first manufacturer to electro-chemically
protect its aluminum perimeter fence from corrosion
through a process known as aluminum anodizing. |
 |
| 1970 |
Kayot’s
Gem subsidiary expands into the marine electronics
business, producing marine and CB radios. |
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| 1970 |
Kayot
opens a new division dedicated to producing small,
open-bow runabout boats and fiberglass hulled
houseboats. |
 |
| 1971 |
Harris
introduces the first pontoon boats powered by sterndrive
propulsion. |
 |
| 1976 |
Kayot,
making its own molds, develops a line of fiberglass
deckboats, launching 15, 17 and 20 foot models available
in sterndrive or outboard propulsion. |
 |
| 1977 |
This
line of deckboats was instantly successful and Kayot
quickly became the nations #2 producer of fiberglass
deck boats, second only to Viking. |
 |
| 1982 |
Kayot and
Harris Manufacturing, Inc. a Fort Wayne, Indiana boat
builder, join forces to produce a new deck boat, called
the K 200 Limited that later, Popular Mechanic’s
Magazine selects as “Boat of the Year.” |
 |
| 1983 |
Harris
Manufacturing purchases Kayot Corporation,
America’s
second largest manufacturer of fiberglass Deckboats at
the time.With this merger, HarrisKayot, Inc. has two
distinct brands; Harris FloteBote and Kayot. |
 |
| 1983 |
Kayot,
now a national leader in pontoon boat and deck boat
production, joins Harris Manufacturing, Inc. through a
cash-option merger. Harris, the first to produce
pontoons (called FloteBotes) on an assembly line, is a
recognized as a quality and innovation leader in the
boating industry. |
 |
| 1983 |
HarrisKayot,
Inc. goes public as a result of the merger and is traded
on NASDAQ. The company now has two distinct brands,
Harris FloteBote and Kayot. |
 |
| 1985 |
Harris
FloteBote brand introduces the Heritage
Model – the
first pontoon boat with an extended deck, creating a
sunlounge over the transom and engine. |
 |
| 1986 |
Previously
traded on Nasdaq, Jim Poiry, and his immediate family,
purchase the outstanding shares of HarrisKayot, Inc. and
return the company to the private sector. |
 |
| 1986 |
Jim
Poiry and his immediate family, purchase the outstanding
shares of HarrisKayot, Inc. stock and return the company
to the private sector. |
 |
| 1986 |
Kayot introduces
the Ultima and sets a new pinnacle in deck boat styling
and performance with its new modified “V” hull. |
 |
| 1987 |
Harris
FloteBote introduces the first aluminum, wood-free
transom. |
 |
| 1987 |
Harris
FloteBote introduces the Royal Heritage, the first boat,
of any kind, with all rotationalmolded furniture bases.
The Royal is also the first with rounded bow seating,
setting a styling trend lasting more than a decade and
beyond. |
 |
| 1988 |
Harris
patents an interlocking aluminum extruded deck system. |
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| 1988 |
Kayot
introduces the K 180, a smaller boat, that with its
side-vent air scoops and extraordinary performance,
again sets a new benchmark in speedboat styling. |
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| 1990 |
Harris
introduces a new FloteBote model
called the Classic CF, or “Circle of Fun”, the industry’s
first pontoon boat with a rear entry gate. |
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| 1993 |
Harris
introduces the HP Classic, a high performance FloteBote
with lifting strakes. |
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| 1994 |
Kayot introduces
the Ultracat, a unique, high performance catamaran deck
boat designed to handle rough water. This boat, now modified
somewhat and called the Legend, is the roomiest 24’ deck
boat on the market today. |
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| 1995 |
Harris
introduces the Liberator, designed for accessibility and
use by people who are physically challenged or have
special needs. Most of these features are available on
several models today. |
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| 1998 |
Harris
introduces the TTR (Total Torque Reduction) deck riser.
This Patented system facilitates a more efficient
manufacturing process, increases durability, and
improves aesthetics. |
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| 1998 |
Kayot introduces
the 22V, one of the first true deep V deck boats with
a low step-in profile, and replaces the Ultima as the
world’s finest, all-around performance
deck boat. |
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| 1999 |
Harris
patents the first power bimini top that raises and
lowers with the flip of a switch. |
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| 2000 |
HarrisKayot
Inc. becomes one of the first pontoon manufacturers to
become Marine Industry Certified (M.I.C.) as part of an
industry wide program to enhance customer satisfaction. |
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| 2000 |
HarrisKayot
Inc. becomes one of the first boat manufacturers to
become Marine Industry Certified (MIC) as part of an
industry wide program to inhance customer satisfaction. |
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| 2001 |
HarrisKayot,
Inc. becomes a charter member of a group of manufacturers
desiring to Index Customer Satisfaction, through a program
sponsored by The National Marine Manufacturer’s Association
(NMMA). |
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| 2001 |
Harris
introduces the Cruiser series of FloteBotes, offering
more affordable boating with industry leading quality,
construction, and features. |
 |
| 2001 |
HarrisKayot
Inc. becomes a charter member of a group of
manufacturers desiring to Index Customer Satisfaction,
through a program sponsored by the National Marine
Manufacturers Association (NMMA). |
 |
| 2002 |
Harris
FloteBote introduces the Crowne. Its unique interior and
exterior design again, redefines what is possible on a
pontoon boat. |
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| 2003 |
HarrisKayot,
Inc. reenters the Sport Boat market with its Z Series
models, while at the same time, introducing three new
fiberglass Deckboats, all under the Kayot® brand
name. This doubles, in one year, the Kayot® brand
product offerings. |
 |
| 2003 |
HarrisKayot,
Inc. continues to carry the tradition of Quality,
Innovation and Leadership with one thing in mind …..CUSTOMER
SATISFACTION. |