Sportsman Releases The All-New Shadow Gray Gelcoat Color

Every July comes a new model year, and Model Year 2025 brought several great additions to the Sportsman Boat lineup. We released the All-New Open 212 and Masters 227. Additionally, we made several changes to features and amenities. To name a few highlights, we completed the adaptation of Seakeeper Ride, which is now standard and designed into every single Sportsman model. Other upgrades include moving from the standard Garmin 1243XSV to the 1643XSV and making JL Audio speakers standard on all models. One of the changes our team was especially excited for was the new Shadow Gray gelcoat color option. This color tone is one you don’t see every day—it’s eye-catching yet tricky, as it changes based on lighting conditions and many other factors.

Every model year, we try to introduce a new hull color that not only wows but also complements the design language of our boats and won’t go out of style. With the introduction of Harbor Haze Blue and Sea Mist Green last year, we needed something darker that would be just as captivating. Our Shark Gray was a beautiful color, while we will indeed miss it, it had its time, and we felt it was time for an update to our gray gelcoat color options.

The cool thing about Shadow Gray is just in its name. For lack of a better term, it’s almost a chameleon color. It takes on whatever light and surroundings it’s in and appears darker, lighter, taupe, or deep and almost chocolaty. It has a unique depth that plays a trick on your eyes and makes you second-guess your color-identifying skills.

I personally chose this color for my own boat because of its elegance and beautiful shifting look. The way it changes depending on the light allows the boat to look like a different color constantly, drawing attention from anyone around. It has a very “yachty” feel, which I love. Gray is a classic color that will never go out of style, and this new gray stands out from the rest. It naturally draws people in, gets them asking questions, and helps us introduce more people to the Sportsman brand.

Many dealers have paired it with a black bottom and powder coating, like I have, which makes the color look darker and almost like battleship gray. Others have paired it with a white bottom and powder coating, which makes it look lighter and just a shade or two above our ever-so-famous Storm Cloud Gray. It has already jumped to the top of our hull color selections, with dealer and customer reception being overwhelmingly positive.

If you’d like to see it in person, come visit us at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Booth 2086 inside the convention center from Wednesday, October 30th to Sunday, November 3rd. Or visit our website at www.SportsmanBoatsmfg.com to find a dealer.