Rick Afton and his team at Specialty Boats is the perfect choice for customers from those just starting to those enthusiasts who are boaters with years of experience. We offer a personalized buying experience in which we take the time to thoroughly advise our clients and we are not satisfied until you are satisfied. WE do not want to sell you a boat that you cannot use to provide a wonderful boating experience.

Rick’s interest in pilothouse boats, trawlers, and tugs started with his own boat buying experience earlier this decade. After a salesman sold him a yacht that he could operate for an environment that was not suited to the boat he bought, Rick realized that there might be more people who like himself wanted a pleasant boating experience without all the stress caused by being somewhat inexperienced.

Rick realized that there was a demand for more practical and trustworthy craft that were easier to operate and dock than conventional watercraft.  Pilothouse style boats especially trawlers and tugs are well known by people on both coasts BUT these vessels are equally at home on the lakes and rivers of Tennessee. 
Rick was curious about the diesel powered Ranger Tugs that he discovered after looking for a replacement yacht and it was a match made in heaven.

“I decided I’d boating another try before throwing in the towel. I researched “tugs” and happened upon Ranger Tugs. AND I found that these tugs offered all the characteristics that my previous yacht had not. I no longer felt “out of the water” while I was still in the water.  Although designed for leisurely (not fast) cruising, these boats offered the combination of reliability, ease of use and the creature comforts that I wanted. I truly “fell in love” with these tugs and I wanted one!”

As a lifelong businessman with a new found love of this “new” boat, Afton did     what seemed natural: He formed Specialty Boats USA and became the Tennessee statewide dealer for Ranger Tugs.

Today, Specialty Boats USA is also the authorized dealer for C-Dory “Pilothouse” Boats, and Mainship Trawlers.  These additional brands allow Specialty Boats to offer a variety of watercraft powered by diesel or outboard engines that can provide leisurely cruising or more spirited performance for all our clients boating interests.