Meet Wayne Dean aka Mr. Smarts
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Co-Star of The Boat Flipper, Master Builder, Inventor and Storyteller, ​Wayne Dean, widely known as Mr. Smarts, is the hands-on genius and heart of the hit reality show The Boat Flipper. Raised on a remote island in South Louisiana just miles from the Gulf of Mexico, Wayne’s life began surrounded by water, boats, and a spirit of self-sufficiency. His early years were spent navigating bayous by boat, living off the land, and learning the family craft of building and restoring fishing vessels.
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With a natural gift for electronics and engineering, Wayne taught himself how to fix everything from TVs to car engines before he was out of grade school. Over the years, he’s applied that same curiosity and creativity to designing new technologies, restoring classic cars, and developing sustainable marine solutions—including a water-oil separation system still used by government fleets today.
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As a lifelong innovator, Wayne has:
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Invented the original triple-ball trailer hitch
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Created a transparent skateboard unlike anything on the market
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Designed a hurricane-resistant 12-sided commercial building
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Engineered a new eco-friendly, high-performance engine model currently in development
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On The Boat Flipper, Wayne brings his unique combination of Southern charm, technical know-how, and a deep respect for craftsmanship to every episode. Whether he’s keeping a 70-foot boat afloat in the bay or cracking jokes with his crewmates, he embodies the show’s mission: to save forgotten boats, breathe new life into them, and share the journey with the world.
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“I’m not just flipping boats—I’m reviving stories, preserving heritage, and creating something families can love again. I’m Mr. Smarts, and I’m here to make things work better than they did before.”
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When he’s not on camera, Wayne is working on his next big invention, spending time with loved ones, or scouting the next boat to bring back from the brink.
Wayne Dean aka Mr. Smarts – Bio
Wayne Dean, affectionately known as Mr. Smarts, is a charismatic boat restorer, inventor, and co-star of the hit reality show The Boat Flipper. Born and raised on a small island in South Louisiana, just miles from the Gulf of Mexico, Wayne’s roots run deep in the world of boats, bayous, and backbreaking ingenuity. His childhood was spent crossing waterways by flatboat, growing crops, and learning the fundamentals of self-reliance in a tight-knit family where boat building was the family trade.
From a young age, Wayne had a natural talent for electronics, often fixing broken gadgets for neighbors and experimenting with science projects on his own. That passion evolved into a lifelong commitment to hands-on innovation—designing engines, restoring vintage boats and cars, and even building technology for the U.S. government, including a water-oil separation system still in use today. He’s a self-taught engineer with a background in automotive technology, welding, and environmental design.
Wayne is also an inventor with an eye for the extraordinary. He created the now-famous triple-ball trailer hitch (though he never received credit), a transparent skateboard, a water tower shaped like a flying saucer, and a 12-sided hurricane-resistant commercial building. His life is filled with daring tales—from racing Camaros across state lines with truckers blocking traffic on CB radio, to helping a stranded police officer on a Southern highway.
What sets Wayne apart is his commitment to reviving old boats and giving them—and the families that use them—a second life. With The Boat Flipper, Wayne shares that passion with the world, saving vessels destined for the scrapyard and turning them into treasures. His mission is not just about mechanics; it’s about memories, sustainability, and creating joy.
Whether he's keeping a 70-foot boat afloat with a jury-rigged pump, diagnosing environmental issues on the Delta, or cracking jokes with Gator, Wayne Dean is more than a boat flipper—he’s a walking story, a living legend, and the engine behind the magic of The Boat Flipper.
“I play Mr. Smarts on The Boat Flipper. I’ve had a wild ride of a life, and I’m just getting started. Boats, engines, people, stories—that’s what I’m here for. Let’s get it done, have fun doing it, and leave something better behind.”
