CMC Boat Group LLC, led by marine industry veterans Wally Castro and Scot Conrad, has acquired Outerlimits Powerboats, bringing new ownership to one of the performance boating industry’s most iconic and recognizable brands.
The acquisition was announced today via a press release sent to Speedboat. Castro and Conrad say their plans call for preserving the identity and handcrafted construction that have long defined Outerlimits, while investing in the company’s future.
A major part of that investment will be a new, state-of-the art manufacturing facility, less than five miles from the company’s existing factory in Bristol, RI. The factory will expand Outerlimits’ production capabilities while keeping its boats hand-built and highly personalized.
“Outerlimits is an iconic brand with a tremendous heritage and a very loyal following,” Castro said. “Scot and I both understand what this brand means to performance boat owners. We’re not looking to change what makes Outerlimits special. We’re looking to build on it, invest in it and give the brand the opportunity to reach its full potential.”
Castro comes from a longtime marine industry family and has spent more than 16 years helping lead Wally Castro Marine in Puerto Rico. His background also includes competitive offshore powerboat racing.
Conrad, owner of SLT Collection in Fort Lauderdale, FL has more than 30 years in the marine industry. From 2011 to 2016, he was a partner at Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats, where he was involved in sales, product development and manufacturing. He also spent 13 years racing boats competitively.
“Outerlimits has always represented something special in the performance boating world,” said Conrad. “These aren't boats built for everyone. They're for people who want performance, craftsmanship and something that feels like their own. Wally and I share that philosophy, and we're committed to protecting that identity while taking the company forward.”
Several longtime members of the Outerlimits operation will remain with the company, including Dan Kleitz, who has been with Outerlimits for most of his adult life and has managed its day-to-day operations for more than a decade.
“I've been with Outerlimits for more than 16 years, and this brand is in my DNA,” said Kleitz. “I'm not going anywhere, and I don't plan to. After knowing Scot for many years, we felt the time was right to partner with CMC and take Outerlimits to the next level.”
Donna Fiore, sister of late Outerlimits founder Mike Fiore, will also remain with the company, providing continuity as the new ownership takes over.
“Outerlimits has always been about more than building fast boats,” said Fiore. “It is a brand with a history, a personality and a tremendous amount of pride behind it. Being the only high-performance boat manufacturer in the Northeast gives Outerlimits a special place in the industry, and I believe that heritage is worth protecting. I'm excited to continue working with Wally, Scot and the entire team to carry that history forward.”
Reinaldo Maykot will support Castro and Conrad in the operation. Maykot has nearly 30 years of business experience, including leadership positions with Brunswick Corporation involving Boston Whaler, Sea Ray and Bayliner.
“This is a long-term investment in the brand,” said Maykot. “Wally and Scot bring tremendous passion and firsthand performance experience. My role is to complement that with the business disciplines, systems and resources that can help the company grow while maintaining the character that made Outerlimits successful.”
Despite the change in ownership, Castro and Conrad say Outerlimits will remain focused on what established its reputation in the performance-boat market: individually built boats with an emphasis on performance and craftsmanship.
“Our vision is pretty simple,” said Conrad. “Wally and I want to build exceptional boats, take care of the people who own them and never compromise on quality. We bring different experiences to the table, but we share the same passion for high-performance boating and the same belief in what Outerlimits can become.”
The acquisition marks the next, exciting chapter for the Rhode Island-based builder, which has remained one of the world’s most prominent names in high-performance powerboating since its founding by the late visionary Mike Fiore.
Founded in 1993, Outerlimits Powerboats grew from a young builder’s ambitious vision into one of the most iconic names in high-performance boating. Fiore pushed the boundaries of V-bottom design and composite construction, building Outerlimits into a brand renowned for its speed and unmistakable styling. His relentless pursuit of performance produced numerous racing victories and speed records before his untimely death in 2014. More than three decades later, the Outerlimits name remains closely tied to Fiore’s legacy and his uncompromising approach to building world-class performance boats.
CMC Boat Group looks to continue Fiore’s vision for generations to come.
