Houseboat Magazine

MANUFACTURER BIOS Sumerset Houseboats Great news for the industry: Sumerset Houseboats LLC is back producing houseboats. With the acquisition by Thoroughbred Houseboats, Sumerset Houseboats are produced at the Thoroughbred facility near Monticello, Ky. Sumerset has a big name following and also a high-quality heritage that dates back to the mid-70s. Future produced houseboats will continue with this quality and innovation. Two Sumerset houseboats were shipped toward the end of 2012 with plans to deliver three to five more in early 2013. 2012 Recap: Starting in 2012, Sumerset boats will have similar looks to the past but with some new future ideas, including the curved front glass wall. This feature will make the boat feel bigger and more futuristic, according to the manufacturer. The Sumerset forward seating bridge is exclusive to its boats as well as the new 15-foot-wide curved bimini tops. Boats will come with the marine electrical panels, water manifolds, and many other features seen on Sumerset boats. Date Founded: 1976 Location: Monticello, Ky. Best-Selling Model or Floor Plan: 18 x 75 or 20 x 100 Smallest Houseboat Built to Date: 15' X 50' Largest Houseboat Built to Date: 23' X 125' Hull Design: All Aluminum Mono Hulls Water Application: Lakes, Rivers and Intracoastal In-House Transportation: Yes In-House Interior Designer: Yes 606-340-3191 www.sumerset.com Manufacturer Comment: "Sumerset Houseboats was recently acquired by Thoroughbred Houseboats. The name Sumerset has been synonymous with quality for many years. Thoroughbred Houseboats is excited to carry on the legacy of this great brand and plans to incorporate many of the same famous features seen on many Sumerset boats." — Shawn A. Heinen, President Sunstar Houseboats Sunstar houseboats started in 1995 and to date has constructed 283 custom houseboats in 17 years in business. A great number of Sunstar personnel have many years experience in houseboat construction. Since the mid 1990's until 2007, Sunstar built on average 18 to 20 boats per year depending on the size and amount of equipment. In 2007 the economy weakened considerably for the houseboat industry and until early 2011 the Kentucky-based manufacturer endured some difficult times with the second half of 2011 being better. At this time Sunstar has some orders in place for spring of 2013 and is optimistic for the future, yet still concerned about the continued rise in cost of materials. In early 2011 the builder expanded its number of trucks and trailers as a chance to get involved in the large houseboat transportation market. Sunstar now has the capability to move boats up to 135 feet in length, which are fully insured. 2012 Recap: Since 2007, Sunstar considers 2012 to be its strongest year to date. In the fall of 2011 the builder started writing orders for boats and since January 2012 has built and delivered seven boats with one more Intracoastal model scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year. Date Founded: 1995 Location: Monticello, KY Best-Selling Model or Floor Plan: 16' X 75' Side Hall Smallest Houseboat Built to Date: 14' X 43' Largest Houseboat Built to Date: 20' X 110' Hull Design: Aluminum Semi-V Water Application: Lakes, Rivers and Intracoastal In-House Transportation: Yes In-House Interior Designer: Yes 606-348-6648 www.sunstarhouseboats.com Manufacturer Comment: "We feel what makes us unique to our competitors is that when you shop with Sunstar you are dealing direct with the owners, where sometimes that may not be the case with all builders. We have always aspired to build the best boat, and not necessarily the most boats." — George Roberts, Owner Thoroughbred Thoroughbred Houseboats LLC has continued with new innovations this year and its international partners have built boats both in Russia and China. The Kentucky-based manufacturer has splashed boats in these locations and feels this will be a huge success for Thoroughbred as well as its partners there. Also in 2012, Thoroughbred moved to a new location up on Hwy 90 near Monticello. The new facility doubles production capacity, plus gets all sales and staff under one roof. They have also expanded to include a fully functional cabinet shop and can now make all cabinets and all wood products in-house. Thoroughbred will continue developing more fiberglass parts for 2013 with a new credenza for the upper bar, improved dumb waiter box, etc. The builder has also developed exterior yacht-style LED lighting to eliminate the rope and track fading. Also a big improvement for houseboat gel coat surface is the new urethane paints that will last for a long time. And its exterior Stone Pebble Tec surfaces continue to improve with texture and looks. 2012 Recap: In 2012 Thoroughbred shipped 16 new boats with many of them going to lakes in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Texas. Of the 16, eight of these boats were all-glass boats. The fully insulated glass boats continue to be a hit and provide a futuristic look. In 2013, look for its first partial glass boat. This will give customers the option of some operable windows and the beautiful full glass in the salon. The builder is seeing an improvement in the houseboat world and plans to build and ship at least 18 to 20 boats in 2013. Date Founded: 1996 • Location: Albany, KY Best-Selling Model or Floor Plan: All Glass for Max Views, 19' X 90' Smallest Houseboat Built to Date: 15' X 50' Largest Houseboat Built to Date: 23' X 118' (Yacht Style) Hull Design: Mostly Aluminum Mono Hulls and Catamaran Hulls Water Application: Lakes, Rivers and Intracoastal In-House Transportation: Yes In-House Interior Designer: Yes 606-340-3191 www.tbboats.com 24  HOUSEBOAT Magazine  JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 Manufacturer Comment: "Thoroughbred Houseboats is proud to announce we have moved to our new facility up in the heart of houseboat country. Our new facility will allow us to streamline the production a bit more and give us all sales, production and décor center under one roof." — Shawn A. Heinen, President

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