The HIstory of Rage Powerboats

At Rage Powerboats, everything begins with one belief: speed on the water should feel unforgettable. Our history is rooted in decades of chasing that feeling—and every boat we build is designed to pass that experience on.

Championship Winning Boats

Racing runs deep in our veins. For decades, Mark Schnepf’s Activator Boats have been a powerhouse in the Factory One class of APBA offshore racing, securing numerous National and World Championships. With a strong foundation in fiberglass design and construction, our boats have consistently proven their dominance on the water. Activator Boats led the Factory One class for over 20 years, with world championships becoming a natural outcome. Mark’s true talent and passion lie in crafting hulls designed to excel in the toughest water conditions.

Built to fit your lifestyle

Our History

Owner, Mark Schnepf has been in the boat business his entire life.   Mark recalls rebuilding engines, painting boats, repairing fiberglass, and every type of marine work he could at a very young age.   Growing up in a marine focused family, Mark spent a large portion of his childhood at the family run Marina located in Sayville, NY with his father and family members.  

“When I was sixteen years old, I went for a ride in a 70 mph. homemade Deep V. That was it for me,” says Schnepf.

Within one year he put together his own 70 mph rig. Life had taken a sudden turn,

“While my friends were driving their first cars, I was building my own boat”, says Schnepf. 

In the late 1970’s Mark was building plugs and molds for some local guys which later landed him at Hustler Powerboats.

“After a year or so with Hustler I felt it was only natural to go out on my own fully,” says Schnepf. 

At this time it was 1985 and the 22 Activator was born.   Between Ocean Outboard ( a local dealership) and Activator Boats over sixty-five 22 foot boats were built and delivered  in less than three years.  Mark’s early career experience spans a variety of companies such as Hustler, Cobra, Scorpion and Apache. 

Our Work

Our Build Process

Solid Build Quality

We build using advanced composite materials, eliminating wood to enhance durability, performance, and longevity. This approach improves structural integrity while reducing long-term maintenance for our clients.

Our commitment to quality is reinforced by a lifetime hull warranty, reflecting our confidence in how our boats are built. Using advanced composite materials, every Rage Powerboat is engineered for performance, longevity, and lasting peace of mind.

Our Process

At Rage Powerboats, our boat building process combines precision engineering with advanced materials to create vessels unmatched in quality and performance.
Gel Coat Application

The first step in our boat building process is the application of a high-quality gel coat. This outer layer not only provides the boat’s sleek, glossy finish but also acts as a protective barrier against water absorption and UV damage. The gel coat is carefully sprayed into the mold to ensure a flawless, uniform surface.

Layering Fiberglass

Following the gel coat, we lay down multiple layers of fiberglass. This stage is crucial for the vessel’s strength and durability. Each layer of fiberglass is hand-laid and thoroughly saturated with resin, ensuring there are no voids or weak spots. The fiberglass layers are carefully rolled to compact the fibers against the gel coat, maximizing the bond and structural integrity.

Integrating Composite Materials

To enhance the boat’s performance and durability further, we incorporate composite materials into the build. These materials, selected for their superior strength-to-weight ratios and resistance to environmental factors, are integrated especially in stress-prone areas. Composites such as carbon fiber or Kevlar are used selectively to reinforce the structure without adding unnecessary weight.

Vacuum Bagging

To ensure an even better fiber-to-resin ratio and eliminate any air pockets that could weaken the structure, we apply vacuum bagging to the fiberglass layers. This process involves sealing the laminate under a vacuum, which compresses the layers and helps the resin infuse evenly throughout the fiberglass. Vacuum bagging enhances the structural integrity and reduces the overall weight, making the hull stronger and more efficient.

Curing and Releasing

After the layers are applied, the hull undergoes a curing process where it hardens and takes its final shape. This curing is carefully monitored to ensure optimal conditions for the resin to set properly. Once cured, the hull is released from the mold, revealing a robust and precisely shaped structure.

Finishing Touches

The final steps involve detailed inspections and the addition of hardware and interior components. Each boat is rigorously checked for any imperfections and polished to ensure it meets our high standards before it leaves the factory floor.

Our Builds

Quality materials

We use only the highest-grade vinyl ester resin and bi-directional fabrics vacuum bagged over various cores.

Hull Warranty

Our confidence in our boat building process is reflected in our lifetime hull warranty to the original owner, ensuring each Rage Powerboat owner enjoys both exceptional performance and peace of mind. Details provided upon purchase.

Offshore Performance Should Never Hesitate.

The Rage Powerboats Experience

Speed on the water is unlike anything else. One might say it is the “Final Frontier” where adrenaline runs for hours and the experience lasts a lifetime. At Rage Powerboats our builds are engineered for optimal performance, safety and comfort. The recognizable style makes these vessels stand out in a crowd. Every boat is hand built with decades of experience using vacuum bagged designed composite laminates. Owning a Rage Powerboat ensures you that when the conditions of the sea may seem too severe and your friends have gone back to port, your Rage can take on absolutely any type of water conditions without a second thought.