Wagemaker Wolverine Boats

  • Home
  • Wagemaker Wolverine Boats
Directions Website Contact the organization

Wagemaker Wolverine Boats This website was founded in 2011 by Brian Fogarty, president of the Wagemaker Wolverine Boats Marque. My name is Brian Fogarty. I hope you like my new website.

I have had a lifelong interest in wooden boats. It has been filled with boating memories, as I started boating when I was just one month old. I purchased my first boat in 2005, a 1955 Wagemaker Wolverine. Once belonging to friends of our family, my boat, "Brian Weigh," has been in only three families, spanning three generations of boating enthusiasts. When the first owner passed away, the ship was inherited by his son, who, fortunately for me, believed I was the right person to care for the boat when he could no longer use it. "Brian Weigh" was in good shape when I got it, so basically, some sanding, refinishing, and new cushions made it like new again. I kept the original 1955 25hp Evinrude that was initially on the boat. With new plugs and fresh gas, it fired right up. I am still using the original six-volt electrical system that came with the ship —and there is no key, just a push-button starter and choke. The boat is driven from the right rear seat, which works well for me - one of my favorite features. I have compiled a wealth of information and pictures about the Wolverine, Cadillac, and Elgin boats. This website was founded in 2011 by Brian Fogarty, president of the Wagemaker Wolverine Boats Marque Club of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. I am passionate about the Wagemaker and Cadillac boats. I would like to have your pictures and story about your Wolverine, Cadillac, and Elgin boats. If you have a Wolverine, Cadillac, and Elgin boat, you are already a member of our club. If you have any questions about our Wagemaker Wolverine boats. Our goal is to preserve and protect the history of our Wolverine, Cadillac, and Elgin boats. Please get in touch with me at [email protected], and I will help you in any way I can, because it is important to me. I'm unable to determine the value of your boat. Every boat has its own unique features. You should take it to a restoration shop for them to appraise. Our website is a nonprofit educational site, teaching, comments, and research purposes only. Our page is dedicated to nonprofit educational purposes, including education, discussion, and research. Thank You! Brian Fogarty

11/10/2026

Wagemaker Factory & Co-Branded Trailers

Historically, the Wagemaker Company and its associated brands offered or advertised proprietary trailers to match their vessels:
• Wolverine Trailers (Senior and Junior): Mentioned in official Wagemaker accessory bulletins as part of their factory equipment lineup.
• Cadillac Trailers: Distributed alongside Cadillac marine models and marketed in vintage advertisements as "The most complete trailer in the low-price range!"

Period-Correct Vintage Trailer Pairings

Because many classic boats are found or restored without their original factory setups, vintage boat enthusiasts routinely pair 1950s and 1960s Wagemaker hulls with iconic, period-correct third-party trailers:

• Tee Nee Trailers: Extremely popular for mid-century wood speedboats. Historically, 14-foot and 16-foot Wagemaker Wolverine dual-cowl models are frequently seen paired with Tee Nee tilt trailers.

• Gator Trailers: Highly sought-after by collectors; original yellow-and-black or classic Gator trailers are known to have carried 1961-era Wolverines.

• AJAX Steel Trailers: Manufactured in Warren, Michigan, these steel trailers were commonly paired with Wagemaker-affiliated brands like Empire Boats.

Modern Trailering Considerations

If you are transporting a restored wooden hull today, custom fabricators like Loadmaster Trailer Company build tailored modern trailers featuring extra V-bunks for wooden stems and tall winch stands. This ensures uniform hull support and prevents flex damage to aging molded plywood or lapstrake seams during transit.

Trailer Type / Brand | Historical Context & Association | Key Characteristics
Wolverine (Senior/Junior) | Official factory accessory distributed directly by Wagemaker. | Period-authentic factory match for Wolverine hulls.
Cadillac Trailers | Marketed directly by the Cadillac Marine division. | Branded as an affordable, full-featured option.
Tee Nee | Popular period-correct third-party choice for 1950s models. | Features a distinctive mechanical tilt frame design.
Gator | Classic mid-century pairing frequently utilized by collectors. | Recognizable classic styling, highly durable.
AJAX | Vintage steel trailers built historically out of Warren, MI. | Often paired with Wagemaker's Empire line.
Modern Custom (e.g., Loadmaster) | Contemporary purpose-built trailers for classic watercraft. | Custom hull bunks, deep stem support, modern LEDs.

05/10/2026

The Wagemaker Ski-Liner is one of Wagemaker's models, known for its molded plywood construction. It was part of the lineup in the late 1950s, specifically listed among the 1957 models

The Wagemaker Ski-Liner is a notable model produced by the Wagemaker Company, recognized for its innovative molded plywood construction. This model was part of the company's offerings in the late 1950s.

Key Features
Construction
Material: Molded plywood, a Wagemaker signature that provided durability and a lightweight profile.
Model Year
Introduced: The Ski-Liner joined the 1957 model lineup.

Wagemaker Ski-Liner Specifications
General Information
Model Name: Wagemaker Ski-Liner
Length: 16 feet
Beam: 6 feet
Additional Details
Engine Options: Specifications may vary by specific model year, including different engine types and configurations.
Features: The Ski-Liner may include various features depending on the year of manufacture, which can affect performance and usability.

Send a message to learn more

27/09/2026

Cadillac boats models:

Isle Royale Models
• Description: Advertised as a big, rugged, and roomy deluxe color-styled aluminum runabout designed for cruising or fishing in heavy, open seas.

• Standard Equipment: Steering, windshield, front and aft decks, walk-through backs on two seats, full back on the aft seat, and Naugahyde-covered foam rubber cushions.

• Specifications by Model Numbers (e.g., 1176, 1178):
• Nominal Length: 16 feet (Model 1176) to 18 feet (Model 1178).
• Maximum Beam: 68 inches (1176) to 78 inches (1178).
• Depth Amidships: 26 inches (1176) to 31 inches (1178).
• Transom Width: 56 inches (1176) to 60 inches (1178).

Monterey Models
• Description: Featured in period model listings and advertisements (such as the 1958 lineup alongside models like the Balboa, Riviera, and Coronado). Rare variations included 15-foot wooden runabouts with mahogany hulls as well as designated aluminum configuration numbers.

• Weight: 460 lbs (1176) to 585 lbs (1178).

Model/Part Numbers Associated: Listed under varying catalog numbers including 585, 595, 567, and 597.
• Number of Seats: 3.
• Maximum Rated HP (O.B.C.): 50 HP (1176) to 75 HP (1178).

27/09/2026

If you have any models of these boats:

The Cadillac Constellation is a classic 14-foot vintage outboard boat model produced by the Cadillac Marine and Boat Co. during the 1950s.

Overview of the Cadillac Constellation
• Design & Build: It features a seamless, stretch-formed aluminum hull paired with a molded fiberglass top structure and deck, making it lightweight and virtually maintenance-free.

Specifications (Model 1274 - 1957/1958):
• Nominal Length: 14 feet
• Maximum Beam: 65 inches
• Depth Amidships: 27 inches
• Transom Width: 56 inches
• Weight: 420 pounds
• Number of Seats: 2
• Maximum O.B. Rated Horsepower: 40 HP (commonly paired with period motors like the 1958 Evinrude 35HP or Scott 40HP).

• Standard Equipment: Includes a richly upholstered and cushioned cockpit seating plan, windshield, steering system, floor mat, running lights, and marine fittings.

Company Background: Produced out of Cadillac, Michigan (which was also known for Chris-Craft production) by the Cadillac Marine and Boat Co. Notably, the boat manufacturer won a famous trademark lawsuit against the automotive giant in the 1960s.

23/09/2026

Explore the fascinating history of vintage marine craftsmanship! While many enthusiasts know the rare 1958 Cadillac Seville—a true collector's item known for its cold-molded plywood hull and luxurious Cadillac styling—the legacy of 1950s boat building runs even deeper. At Wagemaker Wolverine, we especially appreciate the 16-foot ply-lap models, especially the Super Deluxe versions. These boats represent the pinnacle of production quality from that era, and their scarcity, combined with their historical significance, makes them highly sought after by collectors today. Do you have a vintage wooden boat or a classic outboard you're passionate about preserving? Let’s keep this hobby alive together!

Send a message to learn more

If You have one of these boats; see below.The original vintage Wagemaker Wolverine Javelin model boat was historically p...
07/09/2026

If You have one of these boats; see below.

The original vintage Wagemaker Wolverine Javelin model boat was historically produced with a striking coral (reddish-pink/orange) accent or a red and white two-tone color scheme.

**Color Specifications**

* **Coral Accent:** Official Wagemaker production catalogs list the specific color code designation for the Javelin model (such as the 8243 series) as Coral.
* **Two-Tone Scheme:** Intact historical models and vintage documentation frequently feature a molded fiberglass or painted deck layout finished in vivid red and white contrasting tones over its classic wood or fiberglass frame.

1955 14-foot Cadillac Seville boat ad
04/09/2026

1955 14-foot Cadillac Seville boat ad

30/08/2026

Part two of my boat yesterday

30/08/2026

Yesterday, we had a good ride on my boat with my dad on Indian Lake.

Address


Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Wagemaker Wolverine Boats posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Wagemaker Wolverine Boats:

Shortcuts

  • Want your organization to be the top-listed non profit organization?

Share