Are you in the market for a new boat, water sports gear, or fishing equipment? If so, you‘ve probably come across Overtons in your research. With a huge selection of over 100,000 products, Overtons bills itself as the "World‘s Largest Watersports and Marine Accessories Dealer."
But does this boating behemoth live up to the hype? I dug deep into the company to bring you this comprehensive Overtons review. I‘ll cover their history, bestselling products, customer feedback, how they compare to the competition, and insider tips for scoring the best deals. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if Overtons is the right retailer for your needs.
About Overtons: From Humble Beginnings to Boating Giant
First, a little background on the company. Overtons started from humble beginnings back in 1976, operating as a small water ski distributor out of a grocery store in Greenville, North Carolina. A lot has changed in the past 45+ years!
The company steadily expanded their product line to become a one-stop shop for all things boating and watersports. In 2017, Overtons was acquired by Camping World, a massive American corporation that operates a chain of RV and outdoor supply stores.
This partnership with Camping World has allowed Overtons to dramatically increase their reach. Today, the company distributes over 100,000 products across the United States. Many of these items are exclusively available through Overtons and can‘t be found at other major retailers.
While their product selection has exploded, Overtons still aims to provide that small-company level of service. But has their customer experience suffered as they‘ve scaled up? I‘ll get into that later in my review. First, let‘s take a closer look at some of their most popular offerings.
Top Products from Overtons
With such a massive catalog, it would be impossible to review everything Overtons sells. So I‘m going to focus on some of their top products across a few key categories: boats, boat seats, water sports, and fishing.
Overtons Boat Reviews
Obviously, a good boat is the foundation of any great day on the water. Overtons offers an extensive selection ranging from simple inflatables to high-end wakesurf boats. Here are two of their most popular models:
Aqua Marina 9‘9" A-Deluxe Inflatable Speed Boat
If you‘re looking for an affordable, easy-to-use boat for casual cruising, the Aqua Marina A-Deluxe is a great pick. This inflatable boat sets up in just a few minutes, with no extra equipment needed. It features:
- 9‘9" length, suitable for 3-4 adults
- 3 internal air chambers for stability and safety
- Durable aluminum deck
- Includes oars, air pump, and repair kit
Priced at $1,329, the Aqua Marina provides great value for the casual boater. Over 30 customers have left reviews, with an average rating of 4.3/5 stars. Users love how quick and easy it is to deploy this boat, and say it feels very stable on the water. The only common complaint was that the included air pump is a bit flimsy.
Classic Accessories Colorado Pontoon Boat
If you need a fishing boat that can handle rougher conditions, consider the Colorado Pontoon Boat from Classic Accessories. This heavy-duty inflatable boat is built for anglers, with features like:
- 9‘ length with 400 lb capacity
- Powder-coated steel tube frame
- Anchor system with fillable mesh bag
- Removable side pockets and 20 pockets overall for storage
- Padded plastic seat and footrests
- Motor mount for trolling
The Colorado Pontoon Boat costs $999 at Overtons, a significant discount from its $1500+ price tag at other retailers. It‘s earned rave reviews from over 120 customers, with an excellent 4.7/5 star average rating.
Reviewers say this boat is very stable, even in choppy water, and love all the storage options for their fishing gear. The only drawbacks mentioned were the time needed to assemble the frame (about an hour) and the hefty 70+ lb weight, which can make transport a bit challenging.
Overtons Boat Seat Reviews
Of course, you‘ll need a comfortable place to sit in your new boat! Overtons is known for their extensive selection of boat seats at competitive prices. Two of their most popular options are:
Overtons Torsa Pro Elite Boat Seat
The Torsa Pro Elite is Overtons‘ top-of-the-line boat seat. It was designed by Overtons‘ in-house team with ergonomics in mind, featuring:
- Anatomically correct cushioning to reduce pressure points
- Deeply contoured shape to support your full back
- Durable marine-grade vinyl upholstery
- Corrosion-resistant molded plastic frame
- Universal mounting to fit almost any boat
Normally priced at $160, the Torsa Pro Elite is on sale for just $115 as of this writing. It‘s earned a solid 4.4/5 star rating from over 50 customer reviews. Users rave about how comfortable and supportive this seat is, even on long boat rides. The few negative reviews cited issues with the mounting system stripping out.
Overtons Deluxe Back-to-Back Lounge Boat Seat
Need extra passenger seating? This back-to-back lounge seat from Overtons could fit the bill. It includes:
- Two contoured seats with 8" tall backrests
- 8" tall base with built-in storage underneath
- Marine-grade vinyl with UV protection
- Aluminum frame with rotomolded plastic
- Fits most boat seat pedestals
The Deluxe Lounge Seat usually costs $300, but Overtons has it on sale for $224. Around 40 customers have posted reviews, giving it a respectable 4.1/5 star average rating. Buyers appreciate the comfy cushioning and convenient under-seat storage. A few people did mention that the plastic components feel a bit cheap.
Overtons Water Sports Reviews
Overtons is a go-to source for water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing gear. A few of their most popular items include:
Overtons Radar Skis
Designed for beginner to intermediate skiers, the Radar skis from Overtons provide great all-around performance. Features include:
- Composite construction for the ideal mix of flex and stability
- Wide forebody for better flotation and easier deep water starts
- Dual tunnel design for a smooth, predictable ride
- Available in 64" or 67" lengths
Overtons sells the Radar skis for $275, and the duo combo with bindings is $535. Around 25 customers have reviewed these skis, giving them a stellar 4.8/5 star average. Skiers were impressed with the stable, forgiving ride provided by the Radars, saying they‘re some of the best value-priced skis on the market.
Overtons Fusion 110 Wakeboard
Wakeboarders of all skill levels can appreciate the Fusion 110 from Overtons. This versatile board offers:
- Continuous rocker for a fast, floating ride
- Monocoque construction for lightweight strength
- Molded side fins for extra bite on turns
- Lightweight, cushioned quad bindings
- Sizes from 128cm to 146cm
Priced at $375 for the board and binding package, the Fusion 110 is one of the best deals in wake gear. It‘s earned universally positive reviews from over 40 customers, with a perfect 5/5 star rating. Riders love the solid pop off the wake, plush bindings, and fast, forgiving ride.
Overtons Fishing Gear Reviews
Overtons is an angler‘s paradise, with a huge selection of rods, reels, electronics, and accessories. Here are a couple of their bestsellers:
Shimano Curado K Baitcasting Reel
The Curado K from Shimano is a favorite among serious bass fishermen. It boasts high-end features like:
- Hagane body and gearing for extreme durability
- MicroModule gearing for smooth retrieves
- Cross Carbon drag up to 11 lbs
- 6 stainless steel ball bearings + 1 roller bearing
- Septon handle grips for all-day comfort
- Available in multiple gear ratios
At $199, the Curado K is one of the best values in high-performance baitcasting reels. Over 75 customers have posted reviews on Overtons, giving it a 4.8/5 star average. Anglers rave about the silky smooth action, incredible casting distance, and bulletproof construction.
Lowrance HDS-7 Live Fish Finder/Chartplotter
Take your fishing electronics to the next level with the Lowrance HDS-7 Live, available at Overtons for $999. Key features include:
- 7" color SolarMAX HD touchscreen
- Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar with CHIRP, SideScan, and DownScan
- FishReveal smart target view
- Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ charts
- Wireless connectivity to smartphone app
- Fully customizable home screen
Around 30 customers have shared their thoughts on the HDS-7 Live, giving it a 4.5/5 star average. Most were blown away by the crisp, clear sonar imaging and appreciated the intuitive touchscreen controls. The main gripe was the lack of built-in maps for some inland lakes.
Overtons Customer Reviews and Ratings
So Overtons clearly offers some great individual products – but how do they perform as a company overall? To find out, I analyzed customer reviews and ratings from several trusted sources:
- Bizrate Surveys: 4.5/5 stars from 15,000+ reviews
- Overtons site: 4.4/5 stars from 180,000+ reviews
- Reseller Ratings: 3.7/5 stars from 200+ reviews
- Sitejabber: 4.4/5 stars from 3,000+ reviews
The vast majority of customers report positive experiences with Overtons. Frequent praise points include:
- Huge, unmatched product selection
- Very competitive pricing, especially with sales and promo codes
- Fast, free shipping on most orders over $99
- Generally speedy order processing and delivery
- Fair, "no hassle" return policy
- Knowledgeable phone support
Of course, no company is perfect. A few common complaints that popped up include:
- Disappointment with product quality on some low-price items
- Out of stock products still showing as available on the site
- Inconsistent email support response times
- Difficulties with returns due to high restocking fees (10-20%)
However, poor reviews were definitely in the minority overall. Most buyers seemed very satisfied with their Overtons experience and planned to shop there again.
How Overtons Compares to Other Boating Retailers
Overtons isn‘t the only game in town when it comes to marine supply stores. How do they stack up against some of their biggest competitors? Here‘s a quick overview:
Overtons vs. Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro is one of the biggest names in fishing and boating, with a devoted customer base. They offer similar products as Overtons, but with a few key differences:
- Bass Pro has physical store locations, while Overtons is online-only
- Overtons offers a larger selection of non-fishing boat supplies
- Prices are very similar, with Overtons often slightly lower
- Bass Pro‘s shipping and return policies are a bit more generous
Overtons vs. Cabela‘s
Cabela‘s is another major player in the outdoor sporting goods space. Compared to Overtons, Cabela‘s has:
- More focus on hunting/camping vs. marine-specific gear
- Fewer boating "basics" like cleaners, engine parts, etc.
- Higher prices across the board, sometimes 20-30% more
- Better website navigation and filtration features
Overtons vs. West Marine
West Marine is arguably Overtons‘ most direct competitor, with a huge selection of boat supplies and accessories. The two retailers are neck-and-neck in most respects, but:
- West Marine has physical stores in addition to online sales
- Overtons often has lower prices, especially on house-brand gear
- West Marine provides more educational content and guides
- Shipping and returns are very similar between the two
Overtons FAQ
To wrap up this review, I‘ll address some of the most common questions about Overtons:
Where is Overtons located?
Overtons‘ headquarters and primary distribution center are located in Greenville, North Carolina. They have a few additional warehouses throughout the southeastern US.
Does Overtons have any physical store locations?
No, Overtons does not operate any brick-and-mortar stores. They are an online-only retailer.
What is Overtons‘ shipping policy?
Overtons offers free economy shipping on orders over $99 to the lower 48 states. Expedited shipping is available for an extra fee. Most in-stock orders ship within 1 business day.
What is Overtons‘ return policy?
Most new, unopened items can be returned to Overtons within 90 days of purchase for a refund. However, there is a 10-20% restocking fee for many product categories. Return shipping is also the responsibility of the buyer.
How do I contact Overtons customer support?
You can reach Overtons‘ customer service by phone at 1-800-334-6541, through live chat on their website, or by submitting a support ticket online. Phone and chat are available Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm EST.
The Bottom Line: Is Overtons Legit?
So where does all this leave us? Is Overtons a reliable place to shop for boat gear online?
Based on my research, I can confidently say that Overtons is a legitimate company with a solid track record. They‘ve been in business for over 45 years and have served millions of satisfied customers in that time.
Overtons truly excels in product selection and pricing. You‘d be hard pressed to find a wider variety of boating, fishing, and watersports equipment anywhere else online. And their prices are very competitive, with frequent sales and promotional discounts sweetening the deal.
While Overtons may not provide the absolute highest-end customer service or online shopping experience, they seem to do a good job overall. Most buyers are more than satisfied with the ordering, shipping, and return process.
Of course, experiences can vary, and Overtons isn‘t 100% perfect. Their support can be hit-or-miss, and the restocking fees on returns are a bummer. Quality on some of the cheapest products is iffy. But these complaints are the exception rather than the rule.
For most boating and fishing enthusiasts, I feel confident recommending Overtons as a one-stop online shop. Their huge selection and competitive prices make them a leader in the industry. As long as you do your research and don‘t expect white-glove service, you‘ll likely be more than satisfied with your Overtons experience.
