This page serves to educate on the variety of Wagemaker Boats constructed, strictly for teaching, commentary, and research. Wolverine boats, before 1956, featured rear steering because electric start outboards weren't available until 1954, making it simpler to pull the recoil. Windshields were optional and installed by dealers. The company produced over 50 models ranging from 8' to 19' across different years. John Savara notes that early Wagemaker wooden boats primarily used cedar strip construction, with molded plywood introduced in the 1950s, followed by aluminum and fiberglass. The 1950s Wagemaker boats often utilized various plywoods, like Philippine mahogany, with most wooden boat hulls comprising 5 layers of 5/16" thick mahogany plywood. Refer to pages 210 and 211 of Bob Speltz's book, 'The Real Runabouts IV,' for his discussion on Ply-Lap and Lapstrake boats. Wagemaker boats were sometimes marked similarly to Cadillacs. I possess extensive factory brochures and details on wood, fiberglass, and aluminum boats from the Wagemaker Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. These boats were marketed under brands such as Wolverine, Cadillac, and occasionally Elgin, Empire, and Mohawk. Owners should inspect for rot under the bow and in the rear corners below the waterline. Look for a metal plate inside the transom or numbers and letters stamped on the transom or keel. For additional information or to share insights, please contact me at mbbfogarty@aol.com.

This is a 1947 Wagemaker boats ad by Wagemaker Boat Co. and by Lee Wangstad below