New Owners Continue To Bring Family, Life To Howe Marine
Published: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Celebrating over eighty years of continuous business this year, Howe Marine had humble beginnings in 1938. Originally opened in Indian River, Mich., as ‘Majestic Marine’, Steve Majestic was the first owner, followed by “Stub” and Bessie Howe in 1942. After updating the name, “Stub” and his wife also became Chris-Craft dealers that year, along with several other manufacturers. Thirty years later, the Howes sold their venture to the Carpenter family, and their daughter, Nancy, alongside her husband, John Hatfield, took it over from her parents shortly thereafter. After forty-three years of nurturing a growing business, the Hatfields passed the torch in late 2018 to Patti and Bob Murdock, who carry on the whole eighty year legacy today.
Six generations of the Murdock family have called northern Michigan their summer home, and boating on the inland waterways has been an integral part of every year.
“Our family cherishes a working waterfront and our plans are to grow and protect that tradition,” said Bob Murdock. “We will continue to offer stellar service and watercraft maintenance. Our Master Service Techs are factory certified and are the best trained techs in the area.”
The Murdocks plan to expand and update the marina, with a niche focus on the wooden boat community.
“We were a Chris Craft dealer from 1942 to 1986, so many of the wooden watercraft in our care are some of those originally sold here new,” explained Murdock.
Currently dealers for Sunchaser Pontoons, Mercruiser and more, their service department team is fully trained and factory certified for Evinrude, Mercruiser and Volvo-Penta engines. Howe offers a fleet of rental boats, a gas dock, launch ramp, in-water slips, in-out service, and a fully stocked Ships Store for anything you might need to keep the fun afloat this summer!
With one foot in the high-tech world and one foot in the old boat/engine community, Howe Marine is dedicated to keeping you on the water, no matter the “vintage” of your watercraft.
Howe Marine is located just off I-75 at Exit 310 on the Indian River between Burt and Mullett Lakes. Michigan’s Inland Waterway offers some of the finest cruising you will find anywhere.
Visit www.howemarine.com and then come be part of the family this summer!
This article first appeared in the Launch Issue (May/Jun) 2019 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Antique & Classic Boats, Dealerships, Engines, Lake Michigan, Service & Repair
