The automobile capital of the world also holds a great boat building history.
Michigan, with its prime location on America's greatest inland waterway, has
been the home of great boat companies like Chris Craft and Gar Wood.
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In 1906, Great-grandfather Bill Gregory purchased the land along East Jefferson
Avenue which is now the home of the Gregory Boat Company. Bill founded the
Michigan based Belle Isle Boat and Engine Company, and in 1912 his son Edgar
took the helm and built Belle Isle Bearcats and Hacker Design boats at this
location.
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Just before the difficult years of the depression, the land was sold to the
Booth family. The Booths later leased it to the Fishers for their submarine
chaser and P.T. boat manufacturing operation.
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1958 saw the return of the Gregory's to 100 Motor Boat Lane. Edgar Sr. bought
the Jefferson Ave. land back to house the family boat sales company. Being a
Johnson Motors dealer since 1924 and a Chris Craft dealer since 1928, it seemed
only logical that the family business should be returned to its place of origin.
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Edgar Gregory Jr. was raised with a love of boats and developed an appreciation
of the Michigan waterways. His Gold Cup Unlimited Hydroplane racing career
culminated with a win in 1949. Edgar Jr. carried the banner of leadership until
1975.
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In 1975, Scott, the son of Edgar Jr., joined the company, to become the fourth
generation of Gregory's associated with boat services. Under Scott's direction,
the company began revitalizing the wet slips and adding dry "rack" storage to
increase access to this unique midtown boat facility.
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Dark times fell on the company between 1989 and 1992. In 1988 Chris Craft filed
for bankruptcy, and Gregory Boat Company's bank was taken over by the Federal
government. With the poor economic situation at the time, and as a result of
Chris Craft's actions, Gregory Boat was forced into Chapter 11. With the help of
brother, Mark Gregory and friends, the company emerged from bankruptcy much
stronger financially, and was able to focus on facility modernization in all
realms of the boating industry.
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Today, Scott shepherds the company through the next phase of modernization,
updating the balance of the full service marina. Wet and dry storage is now the
core business of the company, insuring the Gregory's will survive and thrive
into the next century.
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Currently, in addition to boat brokerage sales and boat services, Gregory Boat
Company provides fuel, marine products, wet and dry storage and a boating
convenience store all located along the Detroit River in Michigan.
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Future plans call for apartments, condominiums, and townhouses along the canal.
These unique housing structures will complete the full service concept by
providing boaters with slips under their living quarters all in the beautiful
Great Lakes state of Michigan. You can view the concept artwork
here
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Gregory's latest endeavor, Signature Yachts, is being developed to remanufacture
used boats, revitalizing the classic beauties, preparing them for many more
years of service.
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Gregory Boat Company
9666 Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48214
(313) 823-1900 Fax (313) 823-3940
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