FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sabalo Boats Relaunches Under New Ownership
Built by Anglers. Designed for Serious Fishing and Family Fun.
Largo, FL — September 3, 2025 — Tarpon Bay Boats, LLC, a Florida-based company formed in 2024, is proud to announce the relaunch of Sabalo Boats following its successful acquisition of all rights, assets, and intellectual property tied to the iconic brand. With production set in Pinellas County, Sabalo Boats returns with a fresh lineup that blends serious fishing capability with family-friendly versatility.
“After 18 months of preparation, we’re excited to bring Sabalo back under one roof,” said Obie Johnson, President of Sabalo Boats. “Our team is new to boatbuilding but not to composites. In our 35,000 sq. ft. North Carolina facility, we produce more than 20,000 carbon fiber parts annually for military satellite communications. That expertise in engineering and precision now carries into every Sabalo we build.”
Jay Byington, COO of Sabalo Boats, added: “Our mission is simple—deliver a high-quality boat at a competitive price. We’re lifelong Florida anglers and boaters who’ve run everything from 20-foot flats boats to 60-foot sportfishers. We know what works because we’ve customized our own boats for decades. Sabalo will reflect that: no gimmicks, no shortcuts—just solid boats that perform.”
Sabalo is also partnering with professional fishing guides to refine its designs and will launch a guide program to strengthen real-world feedback.
Model Lineup
Sabalo 27’ – The flagship tower-equipped guide and tournament boat, known for its shallow draft, efficient performance, and dry ride.
Sabalo 23’ – A versatile bay boat, equally at home chasing fish or hosting a family day on the water, customizable to fit customer preferences.
Sabalo 22’ – A proven guide favorite for flats, bays, and backcountry waters, delivering exceptional performance in skinny water.
Sabalo Macabi 18’ – A classic high performance flats boat designed for shallow-water performance yet capable of handling unexpected chop.
About Tarpon Bay Boats, LLC / dba Sabalo Boats
Tarpon Bay Boats, LLC is the exclusive owner of all rights, assets, and intellectual property related to Sabalo Boats. The acquisition includes the Sabalo trademark, logos, websites, social media channels, molds, tooling, design files, and customer records—along with the Sabalo 27’, 23’, and 22’ models.
Headquartered in Largo, Florida, Sabalo Boats has reestablished full production and is now accepting new orders. The company’s mission is to deliver boats that honor Sabalo’s heritage while evolving for today’s anglers and families.
For more information, visit www.sabaloboats.com or contact:
Obie Johnson, President – 813-690-6327 | Obie@sabaloboats.com
Jay Byington, COO – 727-510-4213 | Jay@sabaloboats.com
