Feature: Burger Set to Launch 3 Megayachts

Burger Boat Company, whose roots extend back to when Abraham Lincoln was President, is set to launch three megayachts during the second half of 2003. The company builds aluminum motor yachts in the 82 to 165 ft. range at prices from $5 million and up.

The largest motor yacht yet built by Burger is set for a June 14 launch. Called the Sis W, the vessel is owned by Charles R. Walgreen Jr., the 95-year old owner of the Walgreen Drug Store chain. At 95, Mr. Walgreen, has purchased his fourth Burger yacht and plans to cruise extensively in his new yacht, just the prescription for a man with his zest for living.

Walgreen is an avid yachtsman and said "I've built and cruised three other Burger boats in the last 45 years and from our thorough research, we are very confident that it is among the finest boats built in the world,"

In later summer, Burger will deliver the Top Times, a 112-ft. full displacement yacht of the expedition design, built for worldwide cruising. "This innovative project places Burger in the midst of the expedition style market but clearly with yacht styling versus the commercial/industrial appearance of other vessels in its class," according to David Ross, president of Burger.

The third vessel is a 93-ft. enclosed deck motor yacht. After plans were approved and construction begun on Best of Show, the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Steve Bostic had second thoughts about the design of their vessel. After seeing other vessels, the owners decided they wanted to remove the cockpit from its present location and extend all deck levels.

David Ross, president of Burger was up to the challenge. A team of naval architect, engineers and designers immediately went to work reconfiguring the vessel. Later than day, CAD drawings reflecting the new design were emailed back and forth between Burger and the owners. "It was just what we were thinking," the owners exclaimed and the reworked drawings were sent to the production team to turn into metal.

The company employs over 200 craftspeople, designers, engineers and support personnel in their shipyard in Manitowoc, Wisc.