Copper Harbor Boat Works was opened in the spring of 2007 in Copper Harbor, Michigan. Copper Harbor is a quaint little town located at the tip of Upper Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. It is positioned on a beautiful harbor opening out to Lake Superior and surrounded by a vast, heavily wooded expanse. Copper Harbor has a rich history of maritime operations and experience. Copper Harbor Boat Works carries forward a long-standing tradition of local maritime endeavors. Our work-shop resides in a 1940's era charter fishing settlement that provided many services at the height of the fishing industry in Copper Harbor. Today, we are fortunate to include into our family many of the local community members and families that are descendant from those days past. In 2007, the husband and wife team of Chamberlain and Barnes continues those traditions with a fully equipped construction and service workshop. Including a 100 ft. dock reaching into the harbor, the complex is perfectly suited to its purpose. Copper Harbor Boat Works is further complimented with a small, yet diverse group of talented and dedicated local craftsmen and women.
Ray and Janet have cultivated their working relationship over 24 years. Their history together began at the Chicago Board of Trade, which led to the creation of a nationally successful gourmet food processing company. Their business philosophy has always remained the same, ''Hands on, high quality work every step of the way from the ground up is the only way to work.'' This approach has served them well and faithfully continues through every aspect of Copper Harbor Boat Works.
The creative talent behind the construction of CHBW's first line of custom wooden boats is local craftsmen Jeff Coltas and James North.
Jeff Coltas originates from the Georgian Bay area of Canada, where he began refurbishing boats at 14 years old. This passion continued over the course of his life, as Jeff has constantly been involved in the repairs, design, and construction of wooden boats. His experience extends into building kayaks, sailboats and racing boats. Also a successful business owner in Copper Harbor, he compliments CHBW with his lifelong experience and the meticulous application of his skills.
James North, a native of Copper Harbor is a certified master luthier specializing in fine wood- working gained from a lifetime of constructing any variety of string instruments. James, throughout his lifetime has made instruments for many world-renowned musicians and has developed a reputation as a skilled craftsman and master of his field. His transition to boat building naturally brings a delicate sense of beauty and finesse to the art of crafting wooden boats.
The Boat works offers custom interior and exterior woodworking, and upholstery restoration. These services, along with their custom made boats are reasonably priced for the everyday buyer. Their second line of boat will soon be going into production, a 19 ft. v-bottom fishing boat.