Burger - taking care of its heritage

2:18 AM Tue 9 Dec 2008 GMT

'Inside the Burger plant in Wisconsin, where ’Angus’ will undergo a full resrotation. - Burger' Nikki Nischke Click Here to view large photo

Burger, one of the most respected boat yards in the USA, boasts a heavily customised range, with skilled craftsmen and women working closely with naval architects and prospective owners to deliver the exact vessel sought.

Wisconsin's Burger Boat Company may not rate as a household name in Australian boating circles, but this builder of world class luxury motor yachts has been in business for well over 100-years.

It boasts many devotees on their second, third, even fourth Burger, with dedicated owners telling the world Burger is the only boat for them.

It's pleasing to see this respected company does not forget its past; recently, Burger Boats discovered one of its vessels that had been built and delivered in 1939.

Her name is 'Angus', the Burger's skilled artisans are now going to restore the magnificent vessel to its former glory.

The 69-year-old Burger is regarded as 'rare', possibly the only remaining 48' (14.63-metres) steel hulled example afloat.

Another angle on ’Angus’, about to celebrate her 70th birthday with a full restoration. - Burger - Nikki Nischke Click Here to view large photo

Astonishingly, 'Angus' has never seen salt water, her three previous owners only using her on and around America's expansive waterways of the Great Lakes.

All three previous owners have maintained 'Angus' very well, including caring for the vessel's 70hp Kahlenberg engines, built prior to World War II in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

On her way back to the plant for the restoration project, 'Angus' made a brief stop at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum to allow interested parties to inspect the 'blast from the past.'

A magnificent Burger on Lake Michigan, the spectacular skyline of Chicago in the background. - Burger - Nikki Nischke

The Burger Boat Company has been a long-time supporter of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, dedicated to preserving the region's maritime heritage.

When her meticulous restoration is complete, 'Angus' will be used to promote the Burger Boat Company, its employees and its heritage.

She will also be made available to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum for fund raising purposes.

’Angus’, built by the Burger Boat Company in 1939 now being returned to her former glory. - Burger - Nikki Nischke Click Here to view large photo

Burger specialises in aluminium or steel motor yacht designs, offering a range of sizes up to 200-feet overall (60.0-metres).
The Burger Boat Company was originally established in 1863, and has won for itself a worldwide reputation for design, quality construction, seaworthiness and reliability.

For further information contact Ron Cleveringa, VP sales and marketing, e-mail rcleveringa@bugerboat.com

by Bob Wonders

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