About Seefeld Boatworks

Our Journey

Found for a time in northern Minnesota, Eric Seefeld wanted to go fishing but had no boat. Figuring he was handy enough, he decided to build one. He caught a few fish and also caught the boat building bug. Many years later, Seefeld Boatworks was born.

Seefeld Boatworks has been providing wood boat restoration since 2013. While we initially focused on boat restoration in Traverse City, Michigan, we now serve the greater Midwest and other necks of the woods.

We Love Your Boat as Much as You Do

Every vessel has a personality. Our mission is to preserve a boat’s character and beauty just as much as its structural integrity. Whether it's a wooden canoe, a motor cruiser, or a historic sailboat, we approach all our wood boat restoration projects with that mindset.

How we work:

  • We use traditional tools and methods – and modern, tested approaches when applicable.

  • We’re honest, transparent, and fair.

  • We love a challenge. (See our work.)

The Rest of the Story

After building a second boat, a traditional Norwegian Pram, there was no stopping Eric’s descent into a full-blown obsession. He abandoned the forests and bogs of northern Minnesota to learn more of his craft from The Great Lakes Boat Building School in Cedarville, Michigan. Under the mentorship of master shipwright Pat Mahon, he learned the foundations of traditional boat building.

Armed with newfound skills, Eric entered the maritime community in Traverse City, Michigan. After working in a boat restoration shop, then teaching boat building to youth at a local non-profit, he formed Seefeld Boatworks.

Seefeld Boatworks is fortunate to partner with George Powell of Powell and Crisp Planksters to work on projects of historical significance, particularly producing museum-quality restorations of old United States Life Saving Service and United States Coast Guard Boats. Planksters and Seefeld Boatworks share shop space in a unique industrial building of craftspeople in Suttons Bay, Michigan.

Eric still occasionally teaches boat building classes at the Great Lakes Boat Building School and in the Grand Traverse area. To learn more about our projects, check out our services or gallery, or contact us.