Johnny Morris Buys Hatteras Yachts | New Galeon 425 HTS Test | Mercury’s Diesel Outboard - 05/21/21

Breaking News

Johnny Morris to the Rescue!

Bass Pro Shops' Billionaire Buys Hatteras Yachts

Johnny Morris founded Bass Pro Shops in 1972 selling bait and tackle in the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, MO. Forbes Magazine’s website says that as of yesterday he was worth $4 billion, give or take a $100 million.

Johnny Morris' Bass Pro Shops owns White River Marine Group, which builds and sells more boats than any other company in the world. His business had sales in 2019 of $6.55 billion, making him one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the country. Morris is no stranger to buying struggling boat brands and turning them around, including well-known names such as Mako, Ranger and Triton.

While he has never owned a company that builds boats starting at 45' (13.71 m) and extending to 105' (32 m), no one doubts Morris' business acumen and ability to restore Hatteras to its former position in the industry. He has also long been an offshore angler, going out of Morehead City, NC in the battlewagons that Hatteras builds – so he knows the breed from the standpoint of a consumer and owner.  

Perhaps the most important news in this acquisition is that Morris said that his investment in Hatteras Yachts is for the "long term." He said, "Our focus isn't on the next few months, it's for way out there in the future and we'll reside here for a long time." Find out more about the acquisition...

See some of the boats Johnny Morris bought –

Hatteras GT59

Hatteras M90

Hatteras GT45X Open

New Test Video

Galeon 425 HTS

An "Entry-Level" Luxury Cruiser

For the 425 HTS, Galeon took the sport-oriented styling of the 485 HTS and scaled it down for a buyer entering the luxury yacht sector. She’s an express cruiser with a single-level main deck and the ability to open the aft bulkhead to blend the inside with the outdoors. From a handling perspective, she’s easy to drive and would be a good choice for an owner stepping up from a smaller boat. The joystick, as always, works its magic. More...