Boat Boy: The Scout Story of Passion, Perseverance, & Purpose

by Steve Potts

Hop aboard an adventure on the water with Steve Potts, a shy, South Carolina outlander who overcame outsider status, lack of education, and a series of monumental business setbacks to establish one of the most respected and innovative brands in the boating industry.

“Queer for boats” as a child, Potts dropped out of high school to navigate the boat-building universe with an abiding belief in tolerance and respect, sharpened by his early experiences with racism in the Deep South. Navigate the winds of fortune with him as he jettisons a successful management position to bootstrap his company, but not before it crashes on the rocks of misfortune so often that his exasperated wife advises him to give up. Propelled by his obsession with boats, his ethical principles and his refuse-to-fail attitude, Potts endures humiliation and catastrophic weather to steer his company to success, learning and sharing his life lessons along the way.

Even if you’re an inveterate landlubber, you’ll appreciate his water-borne humility as he absorbs lessons about what not to do before embarking on his own entrepreneurial adventure. Part memoir, part business primer, part hero’s journey, Boat Boy will have you alternately shaking your head, laughing, and taking notes.

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Boat Boy: The Scout Story of Passion, Perseverance, & Purpose by Steve Potts

Steve Potts’ Boat Boy is an inspiring memoir that chronicles the author’s journey from a shy outsider in South Carolina to a figure of resilience and determination. Blending personal narrative with universal themes of overcoming adversity, the book resonates with readers who appreciate stories of grit and self-discovery.

Key Themes & Insights

Triumph Over Adversity
Potts’ story is a testament to perseverance, detailing how he overcame social barriers, educational challenges, and personal setbacks through sheer determination and passion for scouting and boating.

Coming-of-Age & Self-Discovery
The memoir captures the essence of a young man finding his place in the world, using scouting and maritime adventures as metaphors for growth and purpose.

Community & Belonging
The narrative highlights the transformative power of mentorship and camaraderie, showing how Potts’ involvement in scouting provided structure and support.

Strengths & Limitations

Pros:
Authentic Voice: Potts writes with raw honesty, making his struggles and victories deeply relatable.
Uplifting Message: The book balances hardship with hope, leaving readers motivated.

Cons:
Narrow Focus: Those unfamiliar with scouting culture may find some references niche.
Pacing: Certain sections could benefit from deeper reflection or expanded anecdotes.

How would I describe the book?
- A real-life adventure proving that passion and perseverance can turn outsiders into leaders.
- For fans of The Boys in the Boat—but with the heart of a scout’s journey.
- Potts’ story isn’t just about boats; it’s about steering your life against the current.

Acknowledgments
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance review copy. Boat Boy is a compelling read for memoir enthusiasts, educators, and anyone seeking an underdog story.

Final Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Recommended for: Fans of inspirational memoirs, scouting communities, and coming-of-age narratives.

Companion Reads: The Boys in the Boat (Daniel James Brown) for teamwork themes; Educated (Tara Westover) for overcoming educational barriers.

Note: Potts’ memoir stands out for its sincerity and relatability, though its appeal may be strongest for readers with scouting or outdoor interests. Its lessons in resilience, however, are universal.

[Ivana S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boat Boy is a heartfelt and inspiring read that blends memoir, business wisdom, and personal growth in a way that feels authentic and engaging. Steve Potts’ journey, from a boat-obsessed dropout in South Carolina to the founder of a respected boating brand, is a testament to perseverance, passion, and sticking to one’s principles even when the tide turns against you. Readers as me will appreciate the honesty with which he shares his failures and triumphs, including moments of near-collapse that would have sunk most others. Potts’ respect for people and his belief in doing what’s right come through loud and clear, making this more than just a business success story... it’s a story about character. Boat Boy offers humor, insight, and plenty of waves worth riding. An uplifting book with real grit and soul.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Potts has certainly had an interesting life. Born and raised in the deep South, he knows all about racism and poverty. However, against the odds, he’s able to land a management position in a company and to become upwardly mobile. A success story, he’s riding high, until a series of misfortunes causes him to rethink his life choices.

However, Steve has an unlikely secret weapon: a lifelong love and understanding of boats. What do watercraft have to do with success (or failure) in the business world? As it turns out, more than you might think. Ultimately, this is somewhat of a cautionary tale, but it’s also one full of practical advice. Those who read it will find themselves learning and smiling in equal measure.

[Marina Lujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Boat Boy because I was drawn to the story of someone who, without formal education, manages to get ahead through effort, values, and a lot of passion. I found Steve Potts's life incredible. He's an ordinary, shy guy, but with an inner strength. The narrative is fast-paced and sincere and keeps you engaged, especially because of how he faces every challenge without giving up. I liked that he doesn't play the victim but rather learns and moves on.


I would recommend this reading to entrepreneurs, those who love the sea, or anyone who needs a little inspiration. It's a true story that makes you reflect on effort, principles, and the importance of moving forward even when everything seems against you.

[Fanny Polchlopek · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are stories that leave a mark on us

This book has generated a lot of enthusiasm and consideration within me. In one way or another, I felt very identified with it, because the truth is that throughout my life, I also had to be very resilient to achieve my goals. The book is a clear example of perseverance and faith in one's goals, without neglecting fundamental aspects such as the principles under which one is formed. The truth is that the author left me perplexed and full of admiration, because many who see money forget their history, their humility, and their origins. Throughout this spectacular story, we see how the author does not abandon any of the above aspects, but rather highlights them as a necessary means to be who he is today.

[CarlitasFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book
“Boat boy” tells the incredible story of Steve Potts, a man who has never quit and followed his dreams with no exception.
This is Steve's memoir and collection of experiences. As a fan of boats, he built his own entrepreneurial adventure and maintained it even when people wanted to turn his projects down.
There is a lot to laugh, to think about, to learn and to take notes. It’s a well-written and engaging book that shows the life of a person who believed in himself, had a purpose and was persevering to achieve everything despite the outsiders’ negative opinions. I liked Steve’s story because he shows the importance of dreams, passion, discipline and resilience. I definitely recommend it to everyone and especially for boat lovers.

[Eric F · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Boat Boy" by Steve Potts really touched me. I liked how real his story felt, especially the parts where everything seemed to fall apart, but he didn’t quit. It made me think about times in my own life when I failed at something but still kept going. Seeing how he turned his struggles into success gave me hope that I can do the same in my own way.

What stayed with me most was how his family was always there for him. Even when things were really hard, they encouraged him to keep trying. That reminded me of my own family , there were moments when I felt like giving up, but they believed in me and pushed me to keep going. I realized how important it is to have people like that in your life.

[S Tyty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A proper memoir

In Boat Boy, Steve Potts tells us about his very own story of life; how he dropped out of high school to navigate a universe that demanded a lot from him, but also taught him values and morale. Here, he exposes us to the difficult things he had to put through and undergo, though he never speaks about that in a negative way.

His writing style is simple, smooth, and honest. He speaks to us bluntly, which lets us understand how he felt during those days. His memoir, apart from teaching us plenty of things about humility, love, leadership, perseverance, among others, it works as a knowledgeable and helpful guide.

[Margarita Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book that offers exciting adventures, business advice, and memories, you should read this one. ''Boat Boy'' tells the story of Steve Potts and his journey into the boating industry. His downfalls and successes in this business have a lot to teach and inspire you. I think this book has a lot to teach you about resilience and hard work and how you can achieve anything you want if you put your mind to it. This book is authentic and easy to read. With excellent storytelling, it will engage you from the start. I highly recommend it to anyone starting a business or if you are looking for inspiration.

[ZebraDebra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boat Boy is a delightful mixture of memoir, guide book and humorous anecdotes. The tale is very inspiring, as it is the life story of a man who had to endure racism, poverty and hardship in his early years — only to turn his life around and become a highly successful businessman thanks to his affinity with boats.

Steve Potts has a unique life experience to share with a lot that will get you laughing. He knows how to combine interesting stories from his past with seasoned wisdom gained in the business world. This makes it a book that is not only a biography, but something that will guide you and inspire you along your own path.

[Melissa Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. It felt very conversational. At times, Steve Potts did repeat himself, but I was reading this as him giving a talk, so it felt natural. If we didn't want this to be so conversational, then another rounds of edits would have helped. It's a great story of passion, perseverance, and purpose (hence the title!). Steve walks you through the successes and failures of his company. He points out that he couldn't have done any of it alone. It was a quick and good read.

[Kayla Tornello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about how the author started the Scout Boat company and how it grew into success over the years. His story shows how success isn't just a straight path, but full of setbacks to overcome. The writing isn't the most polished, but the story is interesting.

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Yay!

[Granny Slick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part memoir, part business theory, Boat Boy is a surprisingly interesting read. It would have benefited from a little more editing to reduce repetition and keep things moving forward chronologically, particularly in the first half. All in all a good book.

Received as a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid book with some great insights and nuggets.

It’s quite repetitive in the early chapters and reads almost like a commercial for his boat company in others.

His passion for his company, his team, and his family come through. Worth the read.

[Janet Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book all people in business should read

[Miranda Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Business Theory Memoir - trials and tribulations. Good quick read for those looking to see how others work their way through success and failures.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful story of Perseverance.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

💯💯💯💯💯

[Sarah E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid read, a bit repetitive. Felt like a Ted Tok