Grand Craft Boats LLC, one of the world’s most luxurious wooden boat manufacturers that relocated to Wisconsin in 2021, has officially completed and christened its first Wisconsin-made watercraft. The company began the custom, handcrafted work on the 26-foot Burnham model immediately upon relocation to Genoa City, Wis., in October 2021. It was recently completed and is now in Florida for several private events.
“It’s a bit like a first born,” said Patrick Gallagher, president and CEO of Grand Craft, upon officially christening the boat with champagne along with his wife and co-owner Rose Gallagher and employees. “This is a huge milestone for our company and our commitment to a long and successful manufacturing history.”
In October, the Governor of Wisconsin, along with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), announced it had assisted Grand Craft in relocating from Holland, Michigan. WEDC is supporting the project by authorizing up to $125,000 in state income tax credits over the next three years contingent on the number of jobs created and the capital invested in the project. 
Earlier this month, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and local officials joined Grand Craft employees for a tour of the 20,300 sq. ft. manufacturing facility.
Today, the company has 9 employees with planned growth to 20 within three years as the company aims to produce over 20 boats annually in Wisconsin. The initial Wisconsin-made Grand Craft will be appearing at several charitable and private events in the Key Largo area of Florida and then offered for sale later this year. One of the next vessels being produced is already sold to a private resort in Florida Keys.
