MasterCraft and RealTruck partner to restore 1975 boat for charity
MasterCraft Boat Company and RealTruck have partnered to restore a 1975 Stars & Stripes ski boat and a custom Chevrolet Colorado to benefit Building Homes for Heroes. The project, celebrating America's 250th anniversary, will feature a national roadshow with stops at events like the American Century Championship and SEMA Show. Country music artist Warren Zeiders has joined the initiative to raise awareness and funds for the nonprofit.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
MasterCraft Boat Company and RealTruck have partnered to restore a 1975 Stars & Stripes ski boat and a custom Chevrolet Colorado to support Building Homes for Heroes, a national nonprofit that builds mortgage-free homes for veterans and first responders. The collaboration, announced on June 29, 2026, celebrates America's 250th anniversary and aims to raise funds through a charitable fundraising effort. The restored boat and truck will serve as the centerpiece of the initiative, with additional details on fan participation to be announced later.
The MasterCraft Stars & Stripes boat, originally introduced in the 1970s, is an iconic model that helped establish the company as a leader in the towboat industry. The custom Chevrolet Colorado features design elements inspired by the boat's patriotic theme, including a two-tone paint job and an America 250 flag on the roof. The truck is equipped with RealTruck accessories such as an A.R.E. Z2 Cap, A.R.E. Rod Pods, and a DECKED Storage System, blending classic design with modern innovation.
Key Features of the Custom Build
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1975 MasterCraft Stars & Stripes ski boat, restored to its original condition |
| Truck | Custom Chevrolet Colorado with patriotic red, white, and blue design |
| Accessories | RealTruck A.R.E. Z2 Cap, A.R.E. Rod Pods, A.R.E. Ascend Roof Basket, Elevate Rack, Go Rhino Xplor Lighting, and DECKED Storage System |
| Theme | Fusion of 1975 MasterCraft Stars & Stripes boat theme and 1985 square-body Chevy truck inspiration |
Building Homes for Heroes, which marks its 20th anniversary in 2026, anticipates reaching its 500th home milestone by the end of the year. The organization has a 96% program rating and a perfect 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for seven consecutive years. Since its inception, it has constructed, modified, and gifted more than 470 homes with support from corporate partners.
Country music artist Warren Zeiders has joined the initiative as an official partner to help raise awareness and engage fans. Zeiders, known for hits like "Pretty Little Poison" and "Relapse," will leverage his social media following to promote the project. The eventual winner of the truck-and-boat pairing will also receive VIP concert tickets, a meet-and-greet with Zeiders, and a signed guitar.
The truck-and-boat pairing will embark on a national roadshow, with appearances at high-profile events including the American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament from July 8-12 in Lake Tahoe, Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas in September, SEMA 2026 in November, and Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January 2027. Fans can follow the initiative on RealTruck and MasterCraft's social media channels for updates.
What specific fundraising mechanisms will be used to monetize the restored vehicles, and what is the targeted revenue goal for the campaign?
How will MasterCraft and RealTruck measure the return on investment for this sponsorship in terms of brand engagement and consumer sentiment?
Could the success of this initiative lead to a recurring annual partnership model between the automotive and marine industries for veteran support?























