yacht builder michigan

Michigan-Made Boats

WRITER | RACHEL WHITE PHOTO| TIARA SPORT

With more than 11,000 inland lakes, and over 3,200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, you are never more than six miles away from a lake no matter where you go in Michigan. The state ranks consistently in the top three in the nation in boater registrations. With those kinds of numbers, it’s no wonder that Michigan has a thriving boat building industry, manufacturing every type of boat imaginable. From powerboats to pontoons to canoes and even a boat building school, boat builders abound in Michigan’s. Let’s take a look at some of the companies keeping our state afloat.

Tiara Yachts was founded in 1974 in Holland, and there they have remained for almost 50 years. They primarily make cruising boats from 31 to 53 feet long. They craft all parts on-site, from fiberglass to cabinetry, and consider themselves not just people putting together boats, but craftsmen. The hallmarks of Tiara are design and innovation, making boats with sophisticated silhouettes and luxury below deck. They strive to build boats that people “fall in love with,” says Bob Slikkers, VP of Operations. Many wives may agree that they’ve lost their husbands to a Tiara.

Four Winns Boats in Cadillac was indeed started by four Winns – three Winn brothers and their father started the company in 1975. Now owned by a French firm, The Beneteau Group, they employ about 500 people. Four Winns manufactures a variety of quality watercraft, from runabouts and bowriders to cruiser yachts and sport boats with a wide range of motors from sterndrive to outboard. The innovative design – including the Stable-Vee® running surface – truly sets Four Winns apart from the rest.

If you spent your summer vacation paddling around on an aluminum paddle boat or enjoying a beverage or two on an aluminum pontoon, chances are it was made by Paddle King , one of America’s leading makers of aluminum boats, based in Carson City. From its humble beginnings in a garage in Butternut, the company has grown into a quality aluminum constructor of everything from fishing boats to pleasure crafts.

Avalon Pontoons has been making luxury, high-performance pontoons in Alma for 40 years. They make it all inhouse, including framing, canvas, and furniture, and offer everything from family to fishing pontoons.

Grand-Craft boats , also based in Holland, craft mahogany runabouts reminiscent of the ‘20s and ‘30s. Their boats take from 7 to 18 months each to make, cost from $120,000 to $1.5 million, and are handmade at the Anchorage Boat Yard and former Chris-Craft boat factory.

Does all this talk of boat manufacturing make you want to dip your toe in the waters of watercraft building? Great Lakes Boat Building School in Cedarville in the Upper Peninsula offers year-long programs for both wooden boat manufacture and restoration and marine service technology. Maybe you could be the next Leon Slikkers or Charlie Winn.

These amazing companies, and others not noted here, make supporting Michigan business easy.

Related Posts

Weekend Waterfall Getaways

Perfect Summer Parties

Take a Hike on the North Country Trail

Step into History on Michigan’s Floating Museums

Building a New Home?

The Why of Weddings

• FEATURED HOMES
• Conversations
• Letter from the Editor
• Special Sections
• Sponsor Content
• DESIGN RESOURCES
• Hour Media Events
• Partner Events
• Party Pictures & Videos
• DDA – Submission Website
• DETROIT DESIGN SOURCEBOOK 2023
• Purchase Single Issues
• Digital Edition
• About Detroit Design
• Submit a Project
• Issue Archive
• Where to Find
• Design Resources

Custom Cruisers

I n the 20th century, Michigan boat-builders like Chris-Craft, Gar Wood, and others gleaned from a legacy of woodworking craftsmen took custom boat-building to such levels that the watercraft built here became legendary.

That tradition continues today in the country’s third-largest marine market, which has enjoyed a decade of growth in new-boat sales — far outpacing the national average, according to the Michigan Boating Industries Association. Today, nearly 50 percent of Michigan residents enjoy time on the water, and for those seeking custom-built boats, there are a handful of Michigan-based craft works known across the world that will do your bidding.

If your eye and budget are set on the best, take a look at these Michigan makers and restorers:

Wooden Art at Van Dam Custom Boats

The mantra at Boyne City’s Van Dam Custom Boats is: “The World’s Finest Wooden Boats.” Van Dam creates one-off, custom works of wooden boating art, right down to those heated or cooled cupholders you’ve been lusting to build a boat around.

“What we do and strive to do is to build the world’s finest. It’s our mission and purpose,” says Jeremy Pearson, one of just 15 Van Dam team members. “These are privately commissioned boats and owners have the say in every step of the design,” he says.

Van Dam Custom Boats uses cold molded lamination. “Our process involves thin, multi-laminated layers and, as it’s laid up over the frame, it’s epoxied and hermetically sealed from the elements,” Pearson explains.

The custom boats can take up to two years and 5,000 to 30,000 hours to complete. Projects have ranged from a 16-foot electric fishing boat to a 17-foot tender for a 200-foot Monte Carlo yacht, a 55-foot sailboat kept on Cape Cod, and 1,000-hp, 100-mph retro beauties.

Tiara Yachts

Manufactured in Holland, Tiara Yachts and Tiara Sports are known across the continent for the ultimate fiberglass cruising experience. Up to 200 boats are produced annually at their facility, located about seven miles from Lake Michigan.

At age 92, founder Leon Slikkers still participates in their design direction and contributes to some production details, according to Tom Slikkers, Leon’s son and Tiara’s CEO. Tom Slikkers’ two brothers also are involved in the business. Tiara has produced power boats exclusively since 1987. “We’re an aspirational brand, and a very individual purchase,” Tom Slikkers says. “Our boats have a reputation for high integrity in ugly weather, because you can’t always choose the weather.”

Models across both Tiara Yachts and Tiara Sport range from 34 to 53 feet, and are priced between $350,000 and $2.1 million. Tiara Sport products feature Mercury, Yamaha, or Seven Marine outboards, with outboard propulsion becoming more popular each year because of service ease, or traditional inboard power. Options across both brands include Seakeeper, gyrostabilizers, Garmin electronics, joystick steering, custom colors, wine coolers, and full galleys. Many more choices are available.

Maritime Classics

Need your wooden boat restored? Looking for a restored beauty? Contact Maritime Classics of Traverse City, which has been run for 27 years by Mike Green, great-great grandson of legendary mahogany boat-builder Christopher Columbus Smith. Smith was the founder of Chris-Craft, once the world’s largest boatmaker. (The company is still headquartered in a building beside the St. Clair River in Algonac.)

Green’s team restores about 25 boats annually, including Chris-Craft and other Michigan-built makes like Gar Wood, Hacker-Craft, and Century. The shop covers all aspects of wooden boat restoration, from refreshing varnish to full engine/electrical rebuilds. Some customers spend up to $200,000 on full restorations. Green hopes new generations will see the boats’ beauty as much as others who appreciate these works of art and those created by modern-day Michigan builders like Van Dam Custom Boats, Tiara Yachts, and others.

More information: maritimeclassics.com , tiarayachts.com , vandamboats.com

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Designs on: new life, peaceful, easy feeling, commercial chic, newsletters.

• Privacy & Cookies Policy
• Terms of Use

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website.

Experience the Inspired Luxury of Tiara Yachts

Discover the tiara lineup, coupe series.

The Tiara Yachts Coupe lineup is built on the strengths of modern design, technical innovations and performance without abandoning the classic traditions and styling of its heritage.

An anthology of our rich history and portfolio, the EX Series embodies flexible luxury and endless adventure. This series combines elements of our latest outboard models to put a focus on maximizing exterior enjoyment, while providing all the lavish comforts required for an extended stay that are synonymous with our inboard heritage.

The Luxury Sport Series consists of the first Tiara products, designed specifically around outboard propulsion. With a focus on luxury sport yachting, this lineup offers sophisticated vessels ready to meet the demands of day yachting.

The Luxury Crossover Series offers functionality and comfort for everyone aboard. Transformational aft seating, a hallmark feature on our outboard models, allows guests to find their individual place for optimal relaxation while the centerline walkway leads to bow seating.

The Luxury Express Series touts unique social zones, transformational seating and thrilling performance. Innovative features including the fold-down terrace and retractable enclosure system further improve your comfort aboard.

It's Not Merely Our Craft. It's Our Calling.

Everything we do at Tiara Yachts centers around the enjoyment of friends, family and the water. We bring this focus to life through sophisticated design and engineering, creating yachts that are visually stunning, incredibly comfortable, technologically advanced and easier to pilot.

A PASSION FOR PAINT

Recognizable from a distance, the hallmark of each Tiara Yacht is its iconic hull shape. Your custom selection of hull paint creates the largest visual impact on your vessel, making your boat stand out from every other boat on the water.

News & Announcements

50 Years of Inspired Luxury

For a half a century, our story has been based around friends, family and the water. Watch as members of the Slikkers family reflect on the evolution of Tiara Yachts as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary.

Meet the EX 54

An anthology of our rich history and product portfolio, the EX 54 embodies the flexible luxury and endless adventure established by its predecessor, the EX 60.

The Next Adventure

It’s time for our next adventure, with robust fishing amenities now available on our LS and LE outboard models.

Luxury Amplfied

Explore the flagship of our LE Series, the 48 LE. A blend of entertaining comforts and adventure amenities await alongside triple 600 V12 Verado ® engines from Mercury.

Explore the beautiful waters of the Florida Keys aboard the EX 60

Upcoming events

Suncoast Boat Show

Newport Beach International Boat Show

Lake Union Boats Afloat Show

Request info, connect with us.

Sign up here to receive updates and the latest news from Tiara Yachts.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply

• * First Name * Last Name
• * Country United States Canada --- Afghanistan Åland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia, Plurinational State of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Réunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin (French part) Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten (Dutch part) Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Postal Code Where You Do Your Boating Please enter your Postal Code
• * Email =0){this.value = this.value.replace(' ','');}" /> Phone

By submitting your contact information, you agree to be contacted by Tiara Yachts and/or Tiara Yachts dealers.

* Required Fields

Preserving vintage boat history with passion since 1971.

Chris Craft, Gar Wood, Hacker Craft, Ditchburn to name a few of the Wood Boat Manufactures that stood for ingenuity, quality and power. Their designs are honored at Morin Boats through careful research, exceptional care, and excellent attention to detail.

Boats & Engines For Sale

• Design Stars
• Designer Notebook
• Studio Visit
• The Elements
• Entertaining at Home
• Sky, Sand & Surf
• Field Notes
• Get Outdoors
• GRAND HAVEN: A West Coast Favorite
• U.S. 23 HERITAGE ROUTE: Driving the Sunrise Side
• MIDLAND: Modern Marvels
• BAY CITY: Bay City Rolling
• MACKINAC: A Michigan Treasure
• JACKSON: Time to Play
• GAYLORD: Nature Calls
• TRAVERSE CITY: A Pretty Great Place
• PETOSKEY: Postcard-Perfect
• MARQUETTE: Harbor Views
• GREAT LAKES: Cool Cruises
• MICHIGAN WATER TRAILS: Water, Water Everywhere
• SAULT STE MARIE: Seasonal Embrace
• DRUMMOND ISLAND: An Outdoor Playland
• WYANDOTTE: Revival on the River
• SAUGATUCK & DOUGLAS: Art Coast Getaways
• CADILLAC: Rolling Out the White Carpet
• LUDINGTON: Legends of the Lake
• LEXINGTON: A Quaint Harbor Escape
• PORT HURON: Under the Blue Water Bridge
• Tasting Room
• Purchase Single Issues
• Digital Edition
• Submit a Project
• Sponsored Great Lake Stories
• Issue Archive
• Newsstand Outlets
• Michigan BLUE Design Awards
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

Mackinac Island Boat Builder

F or some, the best path is the one less traveled. And Roman Emory Barnwell — Emory to friends — knows that well. He’s a master wood boat builder on Mackinac Island.

Barnwell has a degree in forestry from the University of Montana. He later earned a degree with distinction from the International Boatbuilding Training College in Lowestoft, England, which teaches traditional boatbuilding and joinery courses, as well as woodworking skills and maritime crafts.

For the past 10 years, Barnwell has been building boats the traditional way.

“Working with wood is wonderful,” Barnwell said. “It’s a natural material, it’s durable and it’s proven. Anybody that’s seen a varnished deck — it’s timeless.”

Barnwell Boatworks is housed in the old coal dock warehouse on Mackinac Island. His family has lived on the island for three generations. His 90-year-old grandmother owns and still runs the Hotel Iroquois.

“I grew up in Harbor Springs, on the water, always on the water. I was also an art student and loved wood classes,” Barnwell said. “(Boat building) is just a combination of all my interests.”

Barnwell can design, construct or restore almost any type of wooden boat. His favorite so far is a 16-foot runabout call Sea Sea, a speedboat with classic lines. His biggest project was restoring the 32-foot racing sloop Bernida, the sailboat that won the inaugural Bayview Mackinac race in 1925. Bernida is now on display at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven.

Robert Brown of St. Ignace was an early Barnwell Boatworks customer.

“He designed and built a couple of these Whitehall-type rowing boats, which I always loved and thought I would enjoy rowing in the Les Cheneaux Islands, where I have a cottage,” Brown said. “It rows beautifully. He is as good as any shipwright I’ve seen and doesn’t take years to build them.”

Barnwell took on other types of woodwork last winter — to pay the bills, he said laughing. He repaired an antique carriage for the Grand Hotel. The commission paid good money and was just as demanding.

“The (carriage) I was working on was built in 1902, and a lot of the joinery and actual construction was very similar,” Barnwell said. “They just have different names for the parts and pieces.”

The work came from Dan Musser, the hotel’s owner and someone Barnwell calls his biggest benefactor.

“We both love the island … it is our home and we embrace it,” Musser said.

Musser also offered Barnwell another unique opportunity last winter — a stand of 120- to 140-year-old northern white cedar, a wood exceptionally good for boat building. Getting his hands on such a large amount was special, Barnwell said. He now has a stack of 20-foot cedar planks that are drying and will be used to build a boat for a new customer.

“Helping Emory build one of the things I also adore, boats, on Mackinac and now with potentially wood from the island is very exciting,” Musser said. “More importantly, his craftsmanship in making something that is functional, fun and beautiful is a joy to watch.”

Barnwell also built himself a wooden house on the island’s bluffs, overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. He can’t imagine growing bored.

“My passion has only increased,” Barnwell said. “The projects are so different, I always feel like I’m making new things and learning new things.”

To see more of Barnwell’s work, go to barnwellboatworks.com .

Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki is a sailing enthusiast and retired Detroit Free Press reporter.

Facebook Comments

Related articles more from author, boating in the covid-19 era, caring for the crib, michigan’s unique boat-tour opportunities.

View Digital Edition Here

Bowled Over

Lured to the table, an idea takes flight.

Your Vision. Your Burger.

Creating a custom-built yacht is a journey unlike any other. Conceiving your yacht alongside Burger’s engineers and design team is a remarkable experience: developing the specifics, reviewing the plans and making decisions as you watch your dreams materialize before your eyes. Burger welcomes all clients to enjoy the progression of their journey while your custom creation evolves.

The first step in delivering the yacht of your dreams is to share your vision with the Burger design team and engineering staff. Our in-depth design brief helps define your priorities for a yacht. We recommend touring the Burger shipyard where you can meet our exceptional team, learn how your yacht will be constructed and to witness the true value of Burger’s experience and craftsmanship.

After defining your vision, your dreams will begin to take shape in dramatic conceptual designs, renderings and cost estimates, presented for your direction and approval before moving forward.

Conceptual designs and renderings include:

• Hull designs
• Exterior styling and interior floor plans
• Interior elevation renderings
• Engines, propulsion and electric generation equipment selection
• Special requirements, including recreational and/or shore tenders and storage options
• Navigation electronics and entertainment system descriptions

Once you’ve approved the design, Burger will prepare a detailed design and specification breakdown with descriptions of every step in your yacht’s construction; from its development milestones to key points of approval. With a finalized and signed contract, your yacht is on the way to fruition. Each step of the build is documented before work begins, with a detailed timeline that describes each step of the process, so that you remain involved and aware of our progress, every step of the way.

Months of careful planning and construction culminate when it’s time to launch your new Burger yacht. Along with the Burger team, you and/or your captain take your new Burger yacht through various sea trials, including at-sea observations and detailed walk-through inspections. At this stage, final modifications and refinements are made.

Congratulations; owning a Burger built for you also means you’ve joined the most exclusive fleet of yachts in the world. Our craftsmen share your pride in seeing your new yacht launched, and value each customer relationship that endures long after delivery. Bringing your dreams to reality is what makes every Burger yacht unique and extraordinary.

With your Burger set out into open waters, a new journey begins.

Custom Yachts

View Burger's full fleet of custom yachts, uniquely crafted to each owner's vision of limitless luxury.

Design Concepts

Explore Burger's newest design concepts and yachts under construction — and bring your ideas to their design.

Boats Made in Holland: A Michigan Tradition

Boats Made in Holland: A Michigan Tradition

Boats Made in Holland:  A Michigan Tradition  is available at:

Reader’s World

Holland Museum

Barnes & Noble

Holland Ace Hardware

Amway Grand Plaza

Schuler Books (Grand Rapids, MI)

McLean and Eakin Bookstore (Petoskey, MI)

The book is available for online purchase from The History Press .

Share this:

About the author.

Geoffrey Reynolds is originally from Charlevoix, Michigan, where he grew up around pleasure craft and grew to appreciate the beauty of area lakes and rivers. He is the Mary Riepma Ross Director of The Joint Archives of Holland at Hope College. His research and writing interests are the pleasure and racing boat building industry.

To contact Geoffrey Reynolds please email him at [email protected]

More Boat Companies

The companies included in this book include the following: Beacon Boat Company (1953-1960) Campbell Boat Company (1937-1956) Chris-Craft Corporation/Chris-Craft Industries/Murray Chris-Craft (1939-1989) Gill-Boat Company (1934-1942) Grand Craft Boats/Grand Craft Corporation Grand-Craft Acquisitions, LLC (1981-present) Holland Launch and Engine Company (1907-1916) Jesiek Brothers (1910-1973) Lovecraft (1970-1972) Mac Bay Boat Company (1948-1956) Michigan Fiberglass Company/Plastics, Inc. (1960-1963)… Continue reading More Boat Companies

“After Googling Beacon Boat Co. recently, I found your book “Boats Made in Holland. My name is Pam Munkwitz. My dad owned the Beacon when I was in grade school. I haven’t been back to Holland since we moved to Portland, Or. in the early 60’s. So my memories of that time are somewhat foggy. But I do remember the Beacon! I ordered your book and it arrived the other day! I was so happy to see my dad included. Reading that section and seeing the photos really took me back. It also helped put my vague memories into context. My dad, Orville (everyone called him “Munk”) died in ’85. But I know it would make him so happy to see the Beacon included in your history of boat building in Michigan. And thank you for giving me something that solidifies those days a bit for me!

Fondly, Pam

Beacon Boat Company

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Advance Composites technologies

Moving you forward, press release.

Sept., 2021

Scuttlebutt Sailing News

“The Infiniti 52: The big reveal”

Seahorse Magazine

“Make your own rules”

After 30 years of grand-prix yacht racing, Composite Builders was founded in Holland, Michigan. Our team consists of professionals with a variety of backgrounds within the manufacturing and composite industries.

Our Services

Utilizing in-house technologies and capabilities, our services are tailor made to fit your project, making things lighter, faster, and stronger.

As an innovative organization, we enjoy working with like minded companies in forward thinking industries.

Tidal Power

Legacy one drone

Team Equipment

Hyperloop Pod

Grand Craft Boats: The Standard in luxury on water

If you seek out unique possessions and experiences that let you escape from the everyday—then let your imagination run wild and create your own masterpiece. Our classic luxury handcrafted mahogany boats embody the timeless design and enduring spirit of the 20s and 30s. Grand Crafts turn heads while every modern convenience assures comfort and delivers superior performance.

Craft Your Masterpiece

Each customized Grand Craft mahogany boat embodies the tastes, style, and sensibilities of its owner, both in the inherent uniqueness of a luxury wooden boat and in the customized touches chosen. Explore our handcrafted boat models as a starting point and then let our craftsmen build your masterpiece.

The Burnham

Classic Lines and Modern Performance

The Clybourn

The Best of Both Worlds

The Winchester

First-class Travel

Custom Boats

Your Dream Brought to Life

Let us craft a masterpiece that reflects your desire for the unique

Begin your Grand Craft journey by requesting a digital brochure. Commissioning your work of art will be an unforgettable journey. Our expert craftsmen will help guide you from your initial vision to the day you launch.

Yachts for Sale in Michigan

Buy or sell new and used boats in michigan.

Are you looking for yachts for sale in Michigan? For many people, buying a new, used, or pre-owned yacht is one of the largest purchasing decisions they’ll ever make. With thousands of boats listed for sale, finding the perfect boat can be a daunting task. It takes time, knowledge, expertise, and patience to sort through all of the available options.

Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes, and it is the only one located entirely within the United States. The lake is known for its clear, clean water and its sandy beaches. There are many state and county parks along the Lake Michigan shoreline, as well as numerous marinas and public boat launches. The lake is popular for fishing, boating, and other water sports.

Weber Yachts was created to be the Premier Yacht Brokerage in Michigan. Our team of full-time, dedicated brokers have extensive experience helping new and repeat owners sort through the challenges and excitement of buying a new, used, or pre-owned boat or yacht. Our company philosophy has always been to put our client’s needs first, and this has served us well as we are nearing 1,000 satisfied customers.

The most frequent yachts for sale in Michigan are Sea Ray, Tiara, Viking, Hatteras, Carver, Cruisers, Marquis, Azimut, Princess, Sunseeker, and Galeon to name a few. If you’d like to reach out to a Weber Yachts broker near you, contact us to get started! We’d love to hear from you.

Featured Listings

View all listings, 2022 cruisers yachts 46 cantius.

Kenosha, WI, US

2020 Front Runner 39 Center Console

Ft. Myers, FL, US

2017 Tiara Yachts 53 Coupe

Sturgeon Bay, WI, US

2015 Tiara Yachts 50 Flybridge

Fort Myers, FL, US

2014 Tiara Yachts 5800 Sovran

Norfolk, VA, US

2010 Lazzara Yachts 78 LSX

Nassau, , BS

Stay in the loop with our monthly newsletter

Yachts For Sale

Buying a Boat

Sell my Boat

• Testimonials

T: 888-326-3299

E: [email protected]

© 2024 Weber Yachts

Privacy Policy

• 888-326-3299
• Why List With Us
• What’s My Boat Worth

Driver in suspected DUI crash that killed 2 children may have left Monroe County tavern earlier

BERLIN TWP. — Police investigated and a community mourned Sunday, the morning after a car crashed into a boat club building where a birthday party was being held, killing two young siblings — ages 5 and 8 — and injuring more than a dozen other people.

A 66-year-old woman, whose name was not released, was driving the vehicle that crashed and was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated causing death, a 15-year felony, and taken to the Monroe County Jail, authorities said. More criminal charges are expected, police said.

In addition, authorities said Verna’s Tavern in Newport, where the driver of the car may have been just before the crash, had been shut down and was under investigation. The bar was back in operation late Sunday morning when a Free Press reporter and a photographer stopped by.

The Swan Boat Club — where the party was being held at 6332 Brancheau Road, about 30 minutes southwest of Detroit — posted on Facebook it would be closed Sunday, the result of the "terrible accident" with many injuries and much damage.

Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough’s voice quivered as he spoke to news media.

He appeared to hold back tears as he read a statement that described the scene after the car went through a wall at about 3 p.m. Saturday. It was, he said, "extremely chaotic and with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident."

Goodnough said 15 people, including adults, were injured.

The vehicle, he said, slammed into the north wall, moving fast enough to go about 25 feet into the building until it stopped. A doorbell cam video posted online shows what appears to be an SUV speeding toward the boat club, go out of view blocked by a stand of trees, and then a cloud of dust suddenly coming from offscreen. People can then be seen rushing out of the building.

Multiple agencies scrambled to reach the scene and try to provide aid.

During the news conference, those listening let out an audible ― and heartbreaking — gasp as the sheriff identified the dead children as brother and sister. The 5-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister never had a chance to even get medical treatment. First responders pronounced them dead at the scene.

A GoFundMe fundraiser for the family, linked on the boat club's website , says the children's mother and older brother were also injured and remain hospitalized in critical condition.

The sheriff said that nine people, three of them children, were driven by ambulances and airlifted by two medical helicopters to area hospitals. As of late Saturday, they were facing serious, life-threatening injuries. Several other people, the sheriff added, were rushed away by nonemergency vehicles.

At the end of the news conference, the sheriff, in response to a reporter’s question, confirmed that the suspect may have been at Verna’s Tavern in Newport.

"We went in, we shut the business down," Goodnough added when pressed whether the tavern would be facing police scrutiny. "We are in the process of executing a search warrant for information as to the business conducted at that day."

A sign for the eatery describes it as "Home of the ½-pound Verna Burger" and a place for "good times & great friends since 1938."

After the crash, Goodnough said, investigators were working at the scene to process evidence, identify victims, interview witnesses and reunite family members separated in the sudden chaos of the deadly and tragic crash.

In a sad twist, the area where the tragedy unfolded has long been a place to enjoy life.

The boat club, which was started in the 1940s as a place for boating enthusiasts on Swan Creek to meet to play cards, have a beer and kickback, mostly during the hot summer months, has faced its share good and bad times over the years. It is just off Lake Erie.

The club, in its early years thrived, its website suggested .

The club history boasted of hosting "great regattas," "snow mobile races" and "famous chicken dinners," which it still offers. At one time, the club noted, its membership included Michigan’s Gov. G. Mennen (Soapy) Williams.

In the '70s, the website said its membership dropped to less than 50 members. But since then, the club — which now also offers dockage for more than 125 member boats up to 40 feet long — said its numbers have rebounded and was “sound and prosperous with a card-carrying membership of over 250!"

Names of the crash victims were not released.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or [email protected].

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Suspected drunk driver crashes into Michigan birthday party, killing children

Brother and sister, ages five and eight, killed as woman drives 25ft into a building, sheriff says

A young brother and sister died and several people were injured, some of them seriously, when a vehicle driven by a suspected drunken driver crashed into a young child’s birthday party on Saturday at a boat club, according to a Michigan sheriff.

An eight-year-old girl and her five-year-old brother died at the scene, when a 66-year-old woman crashed 25ft into the building at about 3pm at the Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township, about 30 miles (48km) south of Detroit, the Monroe county sheriff, Troy Goodnough, said.

“The scene was described by the first responders as extremely chaotic, with a high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident,” he said.

Three children and six adults were taken to area hospitals by two helicopters or ambulances, some with life-threatening injuries, he said. Others injured were given first aid at the scene, and some of them were taken to hospitals by private vehicles.

Goodnough did not identify the woman driving the vehicle but said she had been taken into custody to the Monroe county jail, suspected of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death.

She was cooperating with authorities, he said, and would probably face more charges as the investigation continues.

Most viewed

Siblings, 5 and 8, killed when suspected intoxicated driver crashes into child's birthday party in Michigan

Two young siblings were killed when an intoxicated driver crashed into a Michigan business where a child's birthday party was being held Saturday, authorities said.

The vehicle hit a building at Swan Boat Club in Berlin Charter Township around 3 p.m. It came to a stop 25 feet inside, where the party was taking place, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said at a news conference Saturday evening.

The siblings, a 5-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister, were declared dead at the scene, he said. It was not immediately clear if the party was for either of the children, and their names have not been released.

Approximately 13 others were injured, including nine people who were hospitalized with "serious, life-threatening injuries," Goodnough said.

Those nine — three children and six adults — were rushed to medical facilities by ambulance or University of Michigan medical helicopter, he said.

Several other people who were injured took private vehicles to hospitals, the sheriff said. Their conditions were not available.

Goodnough said first responders described the scene as “extremely chaotic with high level of emotions.”

He said the driver, a 66-year-old woman, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death. It wasn't clear if she required medical attention.

The woman's name was not released. Additional criminal charges will likely be brought against her, Goodnough said.

He said the driver may have been at a nearby bar and grill, and investigators want to find out what took place there.

"We went in, we shut the business down, and we’re in the process of executing a search warrant for information," Goodnough said.

The venue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Swan Boat Club, in the community of Newport, is about 30 miles south of Detroit on Lake Erie. The venue's website states that it is also a membership club with docks available by annual fees.

It said on Facebook that it will be closed through the weekend. "Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers," it said.

Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. 

• Client Galleries

Lickety Split

LEKKERBEKKIE

How Swede It Is

Sempre Avanti

Lightning Strikes

Angel’s Wake

Chocolate Chip 3

Hells Bells

Pretty Pattie

Major Kinzie

The Flying Dutchman

Big Mouth Charle

Star’s Echo

Saint Barbara

Pulling Boats

Find a way..

Take personal responsibility for making things happen. Respond to each situation by looking for HOW we can do it, rather than explaining why it can’t be done. Be resourceful and show initiative.

There are many boats made of wood but there are few born from wood. Superior strength and beauty are drawn from that which only nature can provide, coalesced to shape boats of unrivaled prestige.

An eye for the unordinary and the patience to hand form metals – for function or adornment. Fabrication, welding, grinding and polishing; customization shaped from your unique style at the hands of our skilled metal craftsmen.

Your desire for control and excitement are melded together in a well thought out selection of engine components, upgrades and accessories.

Paint & Varnish

Mirror finishes in wood, protecting your investment inside and out, are painstakingly planned and executed to perfection. Whether paint, varnish or a combination designed to suit your tastes, your boat will visually move past ‘the others on the lake’ and shine as the piece of artwork that it is. All this and a lifetime guarantee.*

Premium substrates are hand selected and perfectly assembled to create your custom seating arrangements and accentuate detailing. Unrivaled comfort and styling envelop your one-in-the-world watercraft.

Legacy craftsmanship meets the electronics of the millennium. Where there’s a will, there’s a way; keeping you connected, comfortable and secure when adventuring on the water.

I wanted something unique—unique to the point of being one of a kind, and this is where Van Dam really excels. If you want a boat like your brother-in-law’s, don’t bother with Van Dam; but if you want something truly unique, take a trip to Boyne City.”

– Jacqueline Owner

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Young brother and sister dead, several hurt when vehicle crashes into Michigan birthday party

A law enforcement official monitors the perimeter of the Swan Creek Boat Club after a driver crashed a vehicle through a building where a children’s birthday party was taking place, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Berlin Township, Mich. (Kathleen Kildee/Detroit News via AP)

A University of Michigan Health Systems Survival Flight responds to the Swan Creek Boat Club after a driver crashed a vehicle through a building where a children’s birthday party was taking place, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Berlin Township, Mich. (Kathleen Kildee/Detroit News via AP)

Authorities respond to the Swan Creek Boat Club after a driver crashed a vehicle through a building where a children’s birthday party was taking place, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Berlin Township, Mich. (Kathleen Kildee/Detroit News via AP)

• Copy Link copied

BERLIN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A young brother and sister died and several people were injured, some of them seriously, when a vehicle driven by a suspected drunken driver crashed into a young child’s birthday party Saturday at a boat club, a Michigan sheriff said.

An 8-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother died at the scene in the crash, when a 66-year-old woman drove 25 feet (7.6 meters) into the building about 3 p.m. at the Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township, about 30 miles (48.2 kilometers) south of Detroit, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said.

“The scene was described by the first responders as extremely chaotic, with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident,” he said.

Three children and six adults were taken to area hospitals by two helicopters or ambulances with life-threatening injuries, he said. Others injured were given first aid at the scene and some were taken to hospitals by private vehicles.

Goodnough did not identify the woman driving the vehicle but said she was taken into custody and held at the Monroe County Jail suspected of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death. She was cooperating with authorities and likely would face more charges as the investigation continues, he said.

Authorities were notified the woman may have been at a nearby tavern before the incident, Goodnough said, adding they closed the establishment and planned to execute a search warrant there as part of the investigation.

Young brother and sister dead, several hurt when vehicle crashes into Michigan birthday party

A Michigan sheriff says a young brother and sister died and several people were injured, some of them seriously, when a vehicle driven by a suspected drunken driver crashed into a child's birthday party at a boat club

BERLIN TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A young brother and sister died and several people were injured, some of them seriously, when a vehicle driven by a suspected drunken driver crashed into a young child's birthday party Saturday at a boat club, a Michigan sheriff said.

An 8-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother died at the scene in the crash, when a 66-year-old woman drove 25 feet (7.6 meters) into the building about 3 p.m. at the Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township, about 30 miles (48.2 kilometers) south of Detroit, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said.

“The scene was described by the first responders as extremely chaotic, with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident,” he said.

Three children and six adults were taken to area hospitals by two helicopters or ambulances with life-threatening injuries, he said. Others injured were given first aid at the scene and some were taken to hospitals by private vehicles.

Goodnough did not identify the woman driving the vehicle but said she was taken into custody and held at the Monroe County Jail suspected of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death. She was cooperating with authorities and likely would face more charges as the investigation continues, he said.

Authorities were notified the woman may have been at a nearby tavern before the incident, Goodnough said, adding they closed the establishment and planned to execute a search warrant there as part of the investigation.

Top Stories

Trump hush money trial: Judge sets opening statements for Monday

• Apr 19, 5:15 PM

State law takes US a step closer to popular vote deciding presidential elections

• Apr 21, 6:23 AM

USC cancels all commencement speakers after canceled valedictorian speech

• Apr 19, 10:02 PM

Mike Johnson earns bipartisan praise on Ukraine aid, indicating speakership is safe

• 4 hours ago

Woman, 18, dies after being shot at Delaware State University; campus closed

• 3 hours ago

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events