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Our History |
Our Award Winners | |||
| The Mertaugh family has a long history with wooden boats. In 1925, our patriarch, Gene Mertaugh, opened a marine sales and repair facility in Hessel, Michigan. He owned and operated the business from 1925 through 1971, when he turned the daily operations over to his sons Jim and Jack, who operated the business from 1971 through 1990. In 1990 the business and its original name (which continues to operate in Hessel) was sold to a third party. The Mertaugh family is not affiliated with the current ownership of that marine sales and repair facility. | Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show | |||
| 2008 | ||||
| Chief Mackinac ~ Best In Show | ||||
| U and I ~ 3rd Best In Show | ||||
| Perchoir ~ 2nd Place Class IV | ||||
| U and I ~ 1st Place Class V | ||||
| Pretty Girl ~ 2nd Place Class VIII | ||||
| Jennifer Anne ~ 2nd Place Class IX | ||||
| Griffin ~ 2nd Place Class XI | ||||
Our Present |
Whirlwind ~ 2nd Place Class XII | |||
| Chief Mackinac ~ 1st Place Class XIII | ||||
| After retiring from the business of restoring classic and antique wooden boats, Jim Mertaugh, along with his two sons, Tom and Dan, began once again to exercise commercially their lifelong passion and skill for restoring dignity and beauty to wooden boats. Classic & Antique Boats, Ltd. was founded in 2000 by Jim, Tom, and Dan. They have been operating ever since, as the embodiment of that passion continues. Our company specializes in award-winning restorations, which have been recognized in boat shows across the country. | Islander ~ 2nd Place Class XIII | |||
| Boss ~ 1st Place Class XV | ||||
| Ava K ~ 1st Place Class XVII | ||||
| 2007 | ||||
| Boss ~ Feature Boat | ||||
| Sugar ~ MBW Best Chris Craft | ||||
| Hessel Vessel ~ Best Boat Name | ||||
| Sugar ~ 1st Place Class V | ||||
Our Team |
Crescendo ~ 2nd Place Class IX | |||
| Whirlwind ~ 2nd Place Clas X | ||||
| Jim Mertaugh has spent most of his adult life working on boats in the Hessel area. His passion is evident by his 7 day per week dedication to restoring boats. Jim restored several boats of his own, each one exhibiting his unsurpassed varnish skills, steady hands and attention to detail. Tom Mertaugh has spent his entire adult life (and much of his childhood) in the business of restoring, refinishing and mechanically reconstructing wooden boats. He is extremely knowledgeable about the original specifications of antique boats, the restoration process and mechanical diagnostics. Dan Mertaugh has spent his career in the antique wooden boat business focusing on the mechanical aspects and restoration of wooden boats. Dan specializes in plank and structural restoration. Warren Keller has been working in the wooden boat industry for many years. His expertise is in engine and system operations, as well as having a vast knowledge of woodworking, make him a valuable member of our team. Paul Tassier is a structural woodworker, finish carpenter and master boat finisher. Paul has worked with the Mertaugh family since 1994. Rob Freel is a master boat builder and a lifetime woodworker, with an extreme attention to detail. Rob spends his winter months on restoration projects, while warmer months find him launching, repairing and hauling boats. Mark Izzard spends many hours as a helpful member of our finish team, as well as a being a knowledgeable general shop hand. Rich Kitch is a resident in our finishing room, as well as a helpful general shop hand. Pat Lee is our marine mechanic, general shop hand and vehicle maintenance technician. Corey Sands is the newest member of our team, quickly learning all aspects of restoration and repair. Mickey Lukats is our friendly customer service liaison. A "teacher" by trade, Mickey is helpful to all team members and customers. Charel Sands is our clerical bookkeeper, who works at keeping us balanced. |
2006 | |||
| Buddy ~ Feature Boat | ||||
| U and I ~ People's Choice | ||||
| U and I ~ Best of Show | ||||
| Joyride ~ 3rd Place Class III | ||||
| U and I ~ 2nd Place Class V | ||||
| Jack ~ 3rd Place Class V | ||||
| Betsy Bow ~ 2nd Place Class VII | ||||
| Pretty Girl ~ 2nd Place Class VIII | ||||
| Floating Point ~ 3rd Place Class VIII | ||||
| Jennifer Anne ~ 2nd Place Class IX | ||||
| Islander ~ 2nd Place Class XI | ||||
| Boss ~ 1st Place Class XIII | ||||
| Blue Moon ~ 3rd Place Class XVI | ||||
In The News |
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| 12/18/2008 "In Hessel, Santa Travels by Boat"/The St. Ignace News | ||||
| 08/14/2008 "Chief Mackinac Takes Best in Show" By Karen Gould/The St. Ignace News | ||||
| 08/16/2007 "Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show Results"/The St. Ignace News | ||||
| 08/02/07 "Carrington Rekindles Youth Memory With Beloved 1921 Cruiser, Boss" By Amy Polk/The St. Ignace News | ||||
| 07/19/2007 "Homecoming Stories Distinguish Feature Boats at Les Cheneaux Show" By Amy Polk/The St. Ignace News | ||||
| 08/17/2006 "Uandi Homecoming Story Captures Boat Show Prizes. Returned to Blain Family, Boat Takes Top Honors at 29th Annual Les Cheneaux Event"....by Amy Polk/The St. Ignace News | ||||
| 08/10/2006 "Les Cheneaux Show Celebrates Boating Heritage"....The St. Ignace News | ||||
| 08/03/2006 "Buddy Has Long Les Cheneaux History"....by Amy Polk/The St. Ignace News | ||||
| 08/11/2005 "Antique Wooden Boats Highlight This Weekend at Hessel"....by Amy Polk/The St. Ignace News | ||||
| 08/04/2005 "A Les Cheneaux Tradition for 87 Years, Chief Mackinac Featured in Aug. 13 Show"....by Amy Polk/The St. Ignace News | ||||