DOOR COUNTY - Wisconsin - page 226

its operation into a prosperous boatworks and, during the Great War, produced more
tugboats than any other outfit. Now called Bay Shipbuilding, it is still in operation in
Sturgeon Bay. In fact, it's the number one operation, comprising a number of Stur-
geon Bay builders in one grand merger, and can handle boats up to 1,100 feet long.
Many shipbuilders relocated here for the environment and abundant resources. In
1896, Riebolt and Wolter moved an entire drydock from Sheboygan. During the past
half-century, various corporate mergers have resulted in most of the Sturgeon Bay
Michigan Street Bridge area's being an arm of one or more subsidiaries of the same
company.Despitethedeclineinshippingbroughtaboutbytheadventofrailroadand
autos, about 40 ships were still constructed during the decade and a half leading to
1986.
PetersonBuilders,Inc.,startedjustaftertheturnofthe20thcenturyandconstruc-
ted yachts, fishing tugs, and rowboats. Business boomed during the 1930s and the
war years—24-hour operations cranked out sub chasers and minesweepers. Today,
the output includes wooden naval minesweepers, gunboats, torpedo retrievers, steel
tugs, and landing craft.
The final jewel in Sturgeon Bay's shipping crown is Palmer-Johnson. Devoted to
racing craft and custom yachts, it puts out million-dollar private vessels and acts as
a repair facility. So renowned for yachts is Palmer-Johnson that offices and facilities
have opened in four countries.
Rentals
Outdoorrecreationequipmentthatdoesn'trequireanenginecanberentedfromseveralout-
fitters. Off the water and on wheels/skis, Nor Door (60 S. Madison Ave., 920/818-0803,
bikes from $25 day) rents by the hour or day. On the water, Bay Shore Outfitters
(27 South Madison Ave., 920/818-0431, www.kayakdoorcounty.com ), downtown oppos-
ite—sortof—theMaritimeMuseumandotherlocations,haskayakrentalsaswellasguided
tours. Figure $50 and up for a daily kayak rental.
Boats, canoes, and other outdoor gear can be rented from Door County Boat Rental
(920/746-6071, doorcountyboatrentals.com ) , with several locations in Sturgeon Bay—the
easiest being the Maritime Museum (120 N. Madison Ave.). Potawatomi State Park also
has rentals, including kayaks. Figure $85 per day for a waverunner, and $275 for a speed-
boat.