Episode 110: Stephen Heese of Chris-Craft: Passion, Risk & the Story Behind an Iconic Boating Brand

🎙️ Stephen Heese of Chris-Craft: Passion, Risk & the Story Behind an Iconic Boating Brand

In this episode of The Boat Princess Podcast, I sit down with Stephen Heese, President of Chris-Craft, to talk about far more than boats.

We explore the fascinating history of Chris-Craft, an iconic American boating brand with a story stretching back more than 150 years, and Stephen shares his own journey with the company — including his perhaps unexpected connection to Australia.

We delve into how Chris-Craft has grown and evolved while protecting the heritage and craftsmanship that make the brand so distinctive, its sale to Winnebago Industries, and what being part of a larger group has meant for a brand with such a long and treasured history.

We also look to the future of boat shows. Why do they exist? What role do they really play for manufacturers, dealers and consumers? And in a changing world where we can research, compare and even buy so much online, what does the boat show of the future need to look like to remain relevant?

One thing that becomes very clear during our conversation is something I see time and again across the marine industry: boating is an industry built on passionate people. People who genuinely love what they do, love the product and love being on the water.

We also talk about risk and aspiration. When we're younger, many of us are prepared to take career and business risks that we might think twice about later in life. But without people prepared to take those chances, where do the entrepreneurs, innovators and small businesses of tomorrow come from?

That leads us into a broader conversation about Australia’s changing capital gains tax environment, and whether tax policy can unintentionally influence aspiration, entrepreneurship and the willingness of people to take risks, build businesses and invest in their future.

From the evolution of a 150+ year-old boating icon to the future of boat shows, business ownership, career choices and calculated risk, this is a conversation about much more than boats.

Ultimately, it’s about the people, passion and aspiration that keep our extraordinary industry moving forward.

🎧 Join me and Stephen Heese of Chris-Craft for this episode of The Boat Princess Podcast.