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For
almost half a century, HarrisKayot, Inc., has
been producing some of the highest-quality boats in the industry. Our
history is studded with design innovations, many of which have become
standards throughout the industry.
Today, HarrisKayot continues to play a leadership role, continually introducing new ideas and enhancements. We listen to our customers to learn what new features are on their wish list. As a result, we keep building longer-lasting, more comfortable, better performing boats. HarrisKayot is a family-owned business, so we bring a more personal set of values to our work. The Poirys and the entire HarrisKayot family continue their commitment to producing the industry's best deck and sport boats.
| Kayot Milestones: | |
| 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). |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 1977 | This line of deckboats was instantly successful, and Kayot quickly became the nation's #2 producer of fiberglass deck boats, second only to Viking. |
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| 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 Popular Mechanics Magazine later selects as "Boat of the Year." |
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| 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 recognized as a quality and innovation leader in the boating industry. |
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| 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. |
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| 1986 | Jim Poiry and his immediate family purchase the outstanding shares of HarrisKayot, Inc., stock and return the company to the private sector. |
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| 1986 | Kayot introduces the Ultima and sets a new pinnacle in deck boat styling and performance with its new modified "V" hull. |
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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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| 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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| 1998 | Kayot introduces the 22V, one of the first true deep V deck boats with a low step-in profile, which replaces the Ultima as the world's finest, all-around performance deck boat. |
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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 enhance 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 Manufacturers Association (NMMA). |
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| 2003 | Kayot reenters the runabout market with the introduction of its three new Z Series sport boat models, while at the same time introducing three new deckboats. This doubles in one year the Kayot brand's product offerings. |
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| 2004 | Kayot develops a stern entrance design with the use of a jump seat that does not sacrifice the large sunlounge or expansive seating. Kayot also introduces unique stainless steel vents, which further enhance the exterior appearance of Kayot sport and deck boats. |
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| 2005 | Kayot introduces two new state-of-the-art models: the Z201 sport boat and S225 deck boat. These models feature a stern entrance, jump seat, bow ladder and dual bucket helm seats. |