Burger Builds Boats

Photos courtesy of Burger Boats and Bill Gius

Can one customer’s design ideas lead to a new offering of yachts for an iconic industry boat builder? Maybe so.

A couple years ago a customer contacted Burger Boat Company in Manitowoc Wis., with an idea for the type of boat she wanted built. Although it started out being only 38 feet long, her accommodations and application evolved into an exquisite 48-foot, all aluminum cruiser.

So, how did that possibly become a new offering of owner customized boats from Burger? The owner wanted a cruising yacht that didn’t need to cross oceans or house dozens of close friends. The boat needed to have a master stateroom, a VIP/guest stateroom; two heads, accessible separately from each stateroom or the passageway. A modest galley was required that could provide dining or snacks to the interior or exterior social areas. A laundry cubby is adjacent to the owner’s head. Since sightseeing was on the list of activities, it needed glass; a lot of glass. It did need good range so twin diesels powering Volvo IPS drives were specified. It needed to be efficient yet safely handle Great Lakes seas that could go from glass calm to breaking rollers with minimal notice. The helm had to be fitted with contemporary electronics and controls that could be comfortably accessed from a comfortable and aesthetically accented captain’s chair. And, it needed to be tastefully elegant in design and appointments.

The boat, hull number one, was delivered to an extremely satisfied owner only a few months ago. It’s been traveling the waters of Lake Michigan and will winter in Manitowoc, with Burger.