There’s no better time of year than summertime in Sandpoint, and the highlight for most is getting out on Lake Pend Oreille. For those wanting to spend more time on the water this season, look no further than Hagadone Marine Center, located on Blackwell Island in Coeur d’Alene. Offering the largest boat inventory in the Inland Northwest, it is the largest on-water dealership in Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and the Pacific Northwest region. From the finest in new and used yachts, pontoon boats, sport boats and wakeboarding boats, their selection is unmatched. Paired with their professional staff, a trip to Hagadone Marine Center will leave a lasting impression of impeccable quality and service.
“We really want to create a boating lifestyle that brings families together,” says Craig Brosenne, president of Hagadone Marine Group.
With a focus on maximizing their clients’ fun on the water while minimizing the stress, Hagadone Marine Group handles it all, from rentals to sales, the smallest service detail to a major rebuild, polished new wakeboard crafts to classic wood boats.
Housed at the marina is Coeur d’Alene Custom Wood Boats, where woodshop manager Jim Brown works with his team designing, building, repairing and restoring wooden boats. “We make wood craft, wooden sailboats, wooden boat tenders and custom wooden boats,” says Brown. “Our expert team of craftsmen and wood boat builders are ready to build your dream.”
With 27 years of experience, Brown does it all as a master boat builder, in-house boat designer and master finisher, as well as electrical and mechanical rigging. Wood boat services include restoration of old, classic and antique wood boats, such as Chris Craft wood boats, and fiberglass, mechanical, canvas and upholstery repairs. At Coeur d’Alene Custom Wood Boats, also referred to as Coeur Customs, they combine traditional boatbuilding skills with new technologies and design.
When building a custom wood boat from lumber (cedar, mahogany, teak or sapele wood), Brown works closely with the client throughout the entire process, ensuring he brings his customer’s vision to life. Each boat is unique with its own personality and feeling. From the curves to comfort, design to fabrication, it is a complex task. A new wood boat build takes a minimum of nine to 10 months up to as long as 22 months, according to Brown.
“[What makes us unique is] our attention to detail and utilizing our vast experience base to aid our understanding of the requirements of each project and in making our clients’ satisfaction our top priority,” says Brown. “We customize each project to fit exactly what our clients’ end goals are.”
In addition, Brown says, “Our willingness and ability to grow our skillsets and mindsets to adapt to every challenge set before us” is what has made Coeur Customs—and the work they do—a success, adding that the most rewarding part of the job is seeing the satisfaction expressed by their clients upon reaching their goals.
Brown grew up in the area and has been a part of the Coeur d’Alene community for 28 years. As he says, “I came to the community because of the lifestyle and interest supporting the wooden-boat environment.”
Throughout the year, Coeur Customs is involved in various activities, introducing others to wooden boats and their craft. “We support many local wood boat shows and events and interact with students in the area with exposure to our industry and on personal projects.”
If you’re in the market for small wood boat repairs, total restoration or are ready to create your dream custom-made wooden boat, look no further than Coeur d’Alene Custom Wood Boats in Coeur d’Alene.
Hagadone Marine Group
Coeur Customs
1000 South Marina Drive
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814
208.664.8274