Freddy Renken’s Journey to President of Sea Fox Boats

Freddy Renken a third generation boat manufacturer, was born and raised in Charleston, SC. His roots run deep in the boating industry. Freddy’s family involvement in the industry dates back to 1957 when his grandfather, Walter “Palsey” Renken, founded Renken Boat Company. Walter had five children, Walter Jr., Kenneth, Ralph, Carl, and Anne. Each of them ended up having stock in the boat business. Carl (Freddy Renken’s father) decided to buy out the family members in 1987 when the current president, Ralph Renken, retired. Freddy started working at Renken Boats in 1985 when he was 16 years old. His first job there was in the capping department working on deck rigging.

Renken Boat company originally started out producing wooden boats back in 1957. It was Freddy Renken’s grand father Walter that decided to change everything and build their boats out of fiberglass.  After Walter Renken changed the boats to fiberglass hauls, the boat company Renken Boats took off! Each generation of the Renken family left their mark on the company, with current president Freddy Renken opening Sea Fox in 1995.  Now, a highly sought after boat for families and fishermen alike, Sea Fox is in it’s 32nd year.  The Renken family boat company is close to celebrating 70 years of helping families enjoy the water!

Freddy Renken’s Younger Years

Freddy Renken, A Porter-Gaud graduate, left for UNC on a football scholarship and played 2 years and decided to finish school at the College of Charleston and return to the family business. He started full time at Renken in 1990 working in the warehouse and establishing a kitting process for parts being delivered to the assembly line. Freddy spent about one and a half years in the warehouse and then moved into finishing department and soon after became plant manager.

Now the president / owner of Sea Fox boats, loaded with knowledge from prior generations and a life in the boat industry, Freddy is where he belongs.  When asked if he always knew he would continue the legacy or did he have other plans, Freddy Renken said “He felt it, the Heritage and the lineage”.  He seemed to know he was destined for the boat industry his whole life and he enjoys every day of it! Even after a full ride scholarship to UNC-Football as a wide receiver, Freddy Renken ended up coming home to Charleston to build the boats we all enjoy.