Compeau’s Inc. is a marine and powersports business founded by Bob Compeau Sr. in Fairbanks in 1945. Bob’s passion for the outdoors fueled the initial growth of this 4th-generation family-run business selling boats, motors, snowmobiles, ATVs, and related accessories. Bob’s wife Helyn won a Chevy coupe in a church raffle in their original hometown of Everett, Washington. The couple sold the car and used the money to move their family to Alaska.
The business has been successful due in part to innovations created by the company’s leadership, which have helped accelerate earnings and growth along the way.
In the 1940s and 1950s, Bob Sr., a machinist by trade, developed and produced several outboard motor lift designs that allowed Alaskans to navigate their boats through the hundreds of shallow rivers, providing better access for hunting, fishing, and exploring.
Between 1960 and 2025, Compeau’s had sold well over 15,000 snowmachines.
In 1960, Bob Jr helped to arrange the foundry financing to get Specialty Mfg off the ground, a California company the designed and built the outboard jet unit, allowing boats to run through 3”” of water, vs the standard 10-12” of a typical outboard. Specialty Mfg. is still selling these units today. This was also the new era of “snowmachines” with the local introduction and sales of the Hus-ski, followed by Evinrude in the mid 60’s, and Ski-doo in 1970.
In the late 1990s, Bob’s son, Craig Compeau, was instrumental in the design and testing of the first-ever tunnel-hull inboard jet boat, the Phantom Sportjon, which became the best-selling jetboat design in Alaska for over 20 years. Passion and innovation continued to drive Compeau’s, with other innovations like UHMW boat bottoms, helm-activated stomp grates, and more.
The company is one of the largest retailers of BRP products, including Ski-Doo snowmobiles, Can-Am ATVs, and side-by-sides. It has been the dominant and fastest-growing player in the industry in Alaska over the past 20+ years, thanks to its innovation and ability to push the powersports envelope. In 2025, Compeau’s received the National Dealer of the Year award from BRP for sales and quality service, competing with over 500 other Ski-doo dealers.
Compeau’s has a long history of repeat customers around the state. Their primary market area has been Fairbanks, as well as the hundreds of villages, mostly located north of Barrow and west of Bethel.
Craig’s daughters, Lizzy and Emily, have worked for the business and continue the long tradition of passion and love for recreating in the outdoors while working for the second oldest family-run business in Fairbanks.
Even Craig’s four grandchildren, Sydney, Stella, Zeke, and Simone, have been spotted “assisting” with Craig test driving new snowmachines, boats, ATVs, and side by sides around their Boat St location, at Harding Lake, and on the Goodpaster River. That tradition will continue.
Step into the legacy of Compeau’s, a Fairbanks institution since 1945, shaped by three visionary men: Bob Compeau Sr., Bob Compeau Jr., and Craig Compeau. This “Through The Years” timeline invites you to explore the pivotal milestones driven by their passion for adventure and innovation. From Bob Sr.’s founding of the company and early boat inovations to Bob Jr.’s pioneering jet boat designs and introduction of snowmachines in the 1960s, to Craig’s leadership in making Compeau’s the world’s largest Ski-Doo dealership and launching the revolutionary SJX et boat, their story is one of relentless commitment to Alaska’s outdoor spirit.
