The Rinker family's boating heritage started from humble beginnings, but it has continued to become a powerhouse in boat racing and sales. Their story spans states and generations and leads right to Lake Conroe.
In the 1930s, Lossie' LE' Rinker started to build racing and fishing boats in the Midwest. They were beautifully handcrafted wood plank examples of a bygone age. His love of boating and racing was passed on to the next generation of Rinkers when Rinker Boat Company began in 1945, run by two of LE's oldest sons. John and Jan took their father's craftsmanship and broadened the company's success. The brand became popular with the growing world of boating enthusiasts until they were manufacturing and building around 2,500 recreational powerboats a year.
The Texas era of their family's story began during the economic crisis of the 70s. In 1977, Jerry Rinker, John and Jan's younger brother, found himself in Houston, Texas, without a job. John suggested that Jerry come to Indiana, bring back a Rinker Boat, and try selling it in the Houston market. Jerry and his young son, Chris, did just that.
At first, they'd drive to Indiana and trailer back a single boat. Each day, they would park the boat on Hwy 249, hoping it would entice people to stop. When it sold, Jerry trekked back to Indiana to get another, then another, and another. Jerry turned out to be so successful at selling Rinker Boats that his brother helped him start his own boat dealership here in Houston. Rinker's Boat World was founded in 1978 and still stands at its original location on Highway 249.
The Rinkers are an extreme example of a family enthusiastic about boating. Racing isn't just something the men are involved in. The whole family plays a part in both the racing and boat dealerships. They actively promote the boating lifestyle through boat racing while building a thriving boat manufacturer and dealership business around it. The Rinker family has become a dynasty that spans decades in the powerboat racing arena, from Tri-hull class to Formula 1 Powerboats. They take "no prisoners" and display the checkered flag to promote boating and advocate boat racing.
Jerry says his first racing experience was in the Midwest when he was seven. His older brother put him in one of the family's small but sleek wooden boats, which Jerry had never operated. The novice Jerry prepared to drive against several kids a few years older than him, one of whom was a girl. Jerry's instructions were simple: "John said don't come back if she beats you," he says with a laugh. Fast-forward several decades, and Jerry has now opened Rinker's Boat World. The business is doing well, and he decides the time has come to reenter racing.
He started by racing in the Mini Grand Prix and occasionally Sport C classes. Then, in 2003, Jerry began to race Tri Hull boats and never looked back. After 19 years in this class, it's safe to say he has been highly successful, winning over 20 races and becoming the "High Point Champion." Mind you, these wins and accomplishments came after turning 68 years old! His most significant wins started in 2018 at Nashville, then another victory at The Port Neches River Fest in 2019, and then he finished the year as the "Tri Hull National Champion" in Windsor, Colorado, at the age of 75!
Jerry always said he wanted to beat the age at which his brother John stopped racing at 79. Well, check off another goal accomplished. Affectionately known on the circuit by the handle 'Scary Jerry,' Rinker turned 80 years old last summer! And #10 is not done yet. Jerry is a "Fan Favorite" fueled by his age-defying racing career and the deep admiration he has earned from fellow racers. Now he also loves racing with and against his two grandsons.
Mason and Tanner Rinker took no prisoners in2022 on the water and podiumed in the Tri Hull class. Mason Rinker, #37, is in his second year of racing and has made quite a name for himself with his fearless competitiveness and persistence. Tanner Rinker, #52, always pushes through the pack, fighting to be on the podium. When asked whether they'd ever felt pressure to start racing, both adamantly stated the choice was theirs alone, but come on, who wouldn't want to have a chance to run with their grandpa?
Chris Rinker started his boat racing career in 1986 when his uncle John gave him a boat to test drive at a race. John never got that boat back. At the end of that season, Chris was the National Champion. He was only 16! Previously, Chris had been racing for several years with his dad, ' Scary Jerry' Rinker, in a southern class called Super Stock Tri Hulls before entering the F1 Series. Chris is a top contender in every race he is in and won the series in 2016. In 2019?, he earned the title of 'Rookie of The Year'.
Racing in the F1 Series, the 'Real Deal,' #52, Chris Rinker had a year to remember in 2023! He received the F200 National Championship, set the F200 World Speed Record at 127.26, became a Hall of Champion Inductee, and APBA U.S. 1 National Champion in points.
It's incredible to have three generations of Rinkers racing on the water in one setting and three Rinkers racing in the Tri Hull class.
When Chris is not hitting the podium with awards, you can find him running his boat dealerships, Rinker's Boat World, Houston, and Rinkers Boat World Lakeshore on Lake Conroe. Shortly after Chris took over the helm from Jerry, he bought the Lake Conroe location, it had previously been another family-owned boat dealership known as Lakeshore Sports that had been on the lake for 30-plus years.
Being voted one of the 'Top 100' Boat Dealerships in North America is proof of all Rinkers' arduous work and excellent customer service. Rinkers is not only a '5-star rated Boat Dealership' serving Lake Conroe, the Greater Houston Metroplex, Lake Livingston, and the Gulf Coast area but also has the most positive online reviews. Rinkers has earned the reputation of being one of the sought-after boat dealers in Houston and on Lake Conroe for more than three decades due to the attention they provide their customers.
Rinkers Boat World is dedicated to helping customers have the best experience possible, says Chris. From experts to novices, they want to give their customers the tools they need to succeed on the water. A knowledgeable salesperson from their team provides comprehensive details to guests about the types of boats to make boating easy and accessible for anyone to enjoy.
They also carry some of the best boats in their class. They are one of only three dealerships in Texas to sell sought-after Cobalt boats. They also sell Supra, Sylvan Pontoons, Sea Hunt, Moomba, and StarCraft in both new and pre-owned inventory.
Chris also believes good customer service attracts repeat customers. Rinker's trust, relationships, and customer service are so strong that customers often don't look anywhere else. Some families are on their fifth boat from Rinker's Boat World!
Stop at either location, Houston 2500 West Mount Houston in Houston, or on the shores of Lake Conroe, 15225 Walden Rd, Montgomery. Join them for their monthly Ride & Drive events at their Lake Conroe location to experience the luxury firsthand or shop for the best water sports toys and accessories. And don't forget to protect your investment by scheduling maintenance.
To learn more about Rinkers, go to RinkersLakeShore.com
“Building great relationships with a family is everything in the boating business,” says Chris Rinker.
"Boating is one of the BEST 'family memory builders' there is," said Chris Rinker.