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Gekko History

1994 Gekko Is Born

 

Formed in July of 1994, Gekko was founded by Mark Overbye who started Moomba Sports in 1989.  A life-long water sports enthusiast and tournament skier who still competes today, Overbye's passion evolved into a vision for tow boats embracing strong performance and purist elements wrapped with inspiring appeal.

1995 Boat Tests 

 

Gekko Notches Top Results, Sets Performance Legacy In Motion

 

Gekko's introduction of the GTS 20 at WaterSki Magazine's 1995 boat tests set the company's legacy of performance in motion.   Ahead of every other builder, Gekko's best rated wakes and blistering performance ratings in WaterSki's 1995 Buyer's Guide, the industry bible, launched Gekko as a world class player.  

 

1996  

 

Wave Of Rave Reviews Swells

 

Ski Boat Magazine also finds the GTS 20 capitivating and puts it on the cover.   Inside was another glowing review and excellent performance results.   Over the next several years Gekko impresses editors and boat testers from numerous titles such as PowerBoat, TrailerBoat, Boating Life, Boating, Go Boating, Waterski, Wakeboarding, Wakeboard SBC and others as its journey in winning followers gains momentum.

 

1996  

 

GTS 20 Catapult runs 55 mph

 

"Powermongers and slalom purists, this is your boat.  55+ mph and low, soft slalom wakes"

   -WaterSki Magazine

 

WaterSki says it best and it's hard to improve upon.   Built for speed jockeys, the GTS 20 Catapult combines a great hull design with big HP and it's a winner.  Wow, 55 mph!

1997  

 

Gekko Produces Industry's First Wrap

 

A new, all white GTO 22 was produced and sent to a top graphics producer in Minneapolis, MN.   Working with Gekko, GML's graphics team produced a full color 100% wrap featuring timely flame art blending a checkerboard fade.   A true show stopper, the boat drew big crowds from day one.  Wicked cool, this boat is still plying the waters of a northern Minnesota lake.

 

1998  

 

Gekko Earns #1 Tracking, World Class Tow Boat Status

 

WaterSki Magazine's 1998 buyer's guide test team developed a hoard of electronic testing devices, including a fancy tracking gyro.  It attached to the steering wheel to test how much driver input was necessary to keep the boat tracking true while in a course while a top ranked skier ran a minimum of 6 passes.   Gekko's tracking score bested over 50 other boats from 23 manufacturers.   In addition to earning #1 tracking status, Gekko's wakes, performance and ergonomics were rated world class.

 

1999

 

Gekko Intros Bazooka Wakeboard Boat

 

Exclusively designed for wake sports, the Bazooka's sport-specific design included integrated ballast tanks, special tower, a unique fill/ drain system, oversized platform and enlarged cockpit.   This boat set the pace for the emerging wakeboard boat category.

 

2001 

 

Gekko G3 Unveiled As Industry's First CAD/ CAM Towboat

 

Incorporating state-of-the-art aerospace design and production technology, the Gekko G3's curvy architecture, touch pad, keyless dash, perfect symmetry, concept-car like styling and innovative features was a towboat industry first.        

 

2001 

 

US Trademark Office Protects Gekko Design

 

Gekko's innovative hull design is protected by a US Copryright issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office.    

 

2002 

 

Gekko Approved For Record Capable Events By AWSA

 

Gekko earns the highest approval rating by AWSA, opening the door for Gekko boats to be used in tournaments and record capable events. 

 

2003 

 

Gekko's REVO Series Introduced

 

Revolutionary in technology and design, Gekko's REVO series sets new standards.   Powerboat Magazine waxed enthusiastically, "We were immediately taken by the design...Our testers think the wakes are perfect".   Two V drives, the REVO 7.1 and REVO 6.7, plus the REVO 6.7i direct drive complete the series.

2004-5

 

Gekko Blessed With Strong Global Media Coverage

 

Titles across the planet including Go Boating, Powerboat, Boating, SBC Wakeboarding, WaterSki, Wakeboard speak Gekko and the following grows.

2005 

 

Gekko Pulls European Championships

 

There are few settings as spectacular as Albarella, Italy for a World Class venue and Gekko was the exclusive towboat for the 2005 European Barefooting Championships.   

 

2006 

 

Gekko Pulls World Championships

 

Gekko pulled the World Barefooting Championships held at Lake Silverado in Washington state, cementing Gekko's status as a World Championship Towboat.    

 

2007 

 

Gekko Merged Into Challenger

 

Gekko joins the Challenger portfolio of boat companies.   Gekko founder Mark Overbye leaves the company in 2008.   From 2008 to 2011 the marine industry falls off a financial cliff as unit volumes for nearly all builders are cleaved in half or worse.     

 

2013

 

Gekko Founder Reacquires Gekko

 

Mark Overbye reacquires Gekko's assets and sets out to reestablish production in near Nashville, TN.   A complete overhaul of the line results in new interiors, towers, trailers, dashes, graphics and a renewed vigor to build top quality, inspiring products built on Gekkos legacy of performance and passion.     

 

2013

 

Partnering With Indmar, Gekko Venom Power Series Debuts

 

Gekko's Venom Power Series is a collection of Indmar's best engines ranging from 330 HP to 550 HP, powering Gekko's 2014 line up.   The Venom collection is backed by an available 5 year warranty and Indmar's top rated customer service.     

 

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