Brian Fogarty's life has been filled with boating memories. "The first time we had Brian out in a boat, he couldn't have been more than a month old," says his father, Mike Fogarty. Thirty-four years later, Brian's involvement in boating couldn't be greater. Now the proud owner of one of the best-preserved wooden boats in existence, Brian has a responsibility that goes beyond mere maintenance in terms of caring for this treasured classic.  

His 1955 Wagemaker Wolverine came from the estate of Jack Hale through his son Steve, a good friend of the Fogartys. "Jack  had bought the boat, motor, and trailer brand new back in '55, from Schuler's Marine on Indian Lake in Ohio," says Brian. "He really took care of it. He had kept it in storage the last 15 years, but would still periodically start the engine and keep everything lubed and tight. When Jack died, Steve got the boat."

The Wagemaker Company began building Wolverine boats in 1931. Those early cedar strip boats were first nationally advertised in 1933 and gained instant popularity. In 1947, Wolverine introduced their first molded plywood boat using the new technology gained from the war years, and by 1955, when Brian's boat was built, Wagemaker was heavily invested in the molded plywood market. By then, they were producing cedar strip, sheet plywood, molded plywood, and even aluminum boats to capture every segment of the outboard boat market.

After Wagemaker Co., Inc. was sold in 1960, Wolverine held on to their segment of the market for a couple of years, but had made the transition to fiberglass too late. The double blow of hard economic times coupled with a saturated market was too much for a company that had pinned its success to the wooden boat market.

While Steve had strong sentimental feelings for his father's boat, he knew he wouldn't use it much, and it needed to be enjoyed. So, he came up with a plan that involved Brian, who first saw the Wolverine as part of a land display at a boat show.  He had noticed some kind of "For Sale" sign or something similar on the boat, but hadn't paid much attention. "I didn't realize it," confides Brian, "but the sign said 'Hold for Brian Fogarty'." Brian says, "When I finally did notice it, I talked to Steve, and we settled on a price. 'Sold to Brian Fogarty' was already printed on the back of the sign! He had intended to sell it to me all along."

A cleanup project on the boat with Brian's father ensued.  "Brian and I did all the work together," says Mike, "What little real work it took. It was a great project for Brian and I to start on."

"It was really in nice condition," says Brian. "We very lightly sanded it and gave it two new coats of varnish. The bottom still has the original white paint that came on the boat. We made new cushions, but the original wood was in such great shape. As well-preserved as it was, it didn't take much to make it like new."

"It still has the original '55 25-hp Evinrude that came with the boat when it was new," says Mike. "We put in new plugs and fresh gas and it fired right up. It still has the original 6-volt electrical system that works perfectly. It has the two-button dash plate, one choke and the other starter -  no key, just a button. The original 6-gallon pressure tank looks like it's only a month old."

One unique feature about the boat is the setup. "The boat drives from the right rear seat," says Mike. "That works perfectly for Brian. His left side is affected by Cerebral Palsy, so he can eas-ily handle the controls on the right. He's been in boats forever, and it's great that this one works so well for him."

Brian realizes that he owns a true treasure, and it's apparent in his dedication to the boat. "The important thing for me," he says, "is to preserve this boat in memory of Steve Hale's father by taking care of it the way that Jack did. The sentimental value of this boat is just so strong, Steve wouldn't have sold it to anyone else."