Outdoor Network Buys NauticStar Boats
The acquisition marks Outdoor Network's entry into boatbuilding, with a new manufacturing operation planned in Chocowinity, North Carolina.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Auto Parts
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Outdoor Network has acquired NauticStar Boats through its Boater's World Manufacturing Group division. Boater's World Manufacturing Group is establishing an operation in Chocowinity, N.C., beginning with an initial investment of more than $6 million.
Why it matters
The deal extends Outdoor Network, a marine and powersports organization, into boatbuilding alongside its existing e-commerce and retail businesses. For North Carolina, the Chocowinity operation represents a manufacturing investment expected to add skilled jobs.
The Chocowinity project begins with an investment of more than $6 million and is projected to create 179 skilled manufacturing jobs. Outdoor Network's retail footprint includes six Boater's World Marine Centers and four RideZilla powersports outlets, and the company was founded in 1999 with a single dealership.
The players
Outdoor Network
A diversified marine and powersports organization that also operates the e-commerce businesses Boats.net and Partzilla.com.
Boater's World Manufacturing Group
The division of Outdoor Network that announced the NauticStar acquisition and is establishing the Chocowinity, North Carolina operation.
NauticStar Boats
The boatbuilder acquired by Outdoor Network, marking the company's expansion into boat manufacturing.
The details
Outdoor Network announced the acquisition through its Boater's World Manufacturing Group division. Substantial additional capital is earmarked for upgrading the Chocowinity facility, modernizing equipment, and improving production capabilities.
Timeline
Outdoor Network was founded in 1999 with a single dealership.
The NauticStar Boats acquisition was announced on November 3, 2026.
Roadmap
Outdoor Network's growth from a single dealership in 1999 into a network of retail and e-commerce businesses now extends upstream into boat manufacturing. The move follows a path of vertical integration, bringing production in-house alongside the company's existing marine retail operations.
For North Carolina residents, the Chocowinity facility is expected to bring 179 skilled manufacturing jobs to the area. Buyers of NauticStar boats may see the product line come under Outdoor Network's ownership and retail network, though specific pricing or availability changes were not announced.
The takeaway
Expansion from a single dealership into boat manufacturing shows how a retail-focused company can build upstream production capacity. For job seekers in eastern North Carolina, the Chocowinity project is a manufacturing opportunity to watch as hiring begins.
Further reading
For related coverage, explore Auto Parts news from across North Carolina.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Trade Only Today.
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