Plastic Fantastic: The Fiberglass Boatbuilding Industry in Holland, Michigan

Plastic Fantastic: The Fiberglass Boatbuilding Industry in Holland, Michigan is a chapter concerning the use of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) to build boats starting in the 1940s. In the 1950s boat builders discovered that fiberglass would allow them to design boats that would lead to new boat sales and increased profit margins for years to come. This technology steadily spread throughout American boat manufacturing plants, including Holland, Michigan, placing the town among the leaders in the industry

SlickCraft: The Quality Name in Boating

SlickCraft: The Quality Name in Boating is an article concerning the history of the Slick Craft Boat Company (1954-1969) of Holland, Michigan, its acquisition in 1969 by AMF Corporation (American Manufacturing and Foundry) and subsequent founding of S2 Yachts, Inc. by its founder, Leon Slikkers in 1974

Hilda Mueller: The Queen of Speed

Hilda Mueller: The Queen of Speed concerns the life of Hilda Mueller Wuepper, a life-long resident of Bay City, Michigan who who won many races and set several world records from 1929-1933 within the sport of hydroplane racing

Ordeal on the Ice

Ordeal on the Ice is an article concerning the February 8, 1936 rescue of Clayton Brown by United States Coastguardsman Boatswain\u27s Mate Earl Cunningham (1895-1936) from the Coast Guard station in Charlevoix, Michigan, that resulted in his own death and that of Claude Beardsley and the awarding of the Gold Lifesaving Medal to Cunningham posthumousl

For Pleasant & Restful Recreation : The Foster Boat Company

This article covers the history of the Foster Boat Company located in Charlevoix, Michigan from 1940-1952, and its production of pleasure craft and storm boats for use by the Allies in Europe during World War Two

Jesiek Brothers Shipyard: From Minnows to Marina

Jesiek Brothers Shipyard: From Minnows to Marina is an article that describes the history of the Jesiek Brothers Shipyard, originally located in Jenison Park and then nearby Macatawa, Michigan, from 1912-1973