About Wayzata Marine

At Wayzata Marine, we appreciate the value of time on the water in Minnesota. Time on the lake is a precious commodity and we're committed to helping our customers make the most of it. No one knows Lake Minnetonka boating better than we do.

Our Story

Our company history began in 1967 when Gary and Darlene Briggs opened Wayzata Lake and Lawn, a retail store offering boats, lawn tractors, snow blowers, snowmobiles, and garden supplies. Through the ‘60s and ‘70s, the store grew with the increase in customer demand. By 1980, the company was focused completely on marine sales and services. In 1982, the corporate name officially changed to Wayzata Marine and our notoriety as a leader in the boating industry began. 

1986 was a sad year at Wayzata Marine, Darlene passed away after 49 short years. To honor her dedication to the marine industry, the Darlene Briggs award was established the same year to recognize other devoted women throughout the industry.

In 1989 Chris Craft became our premier brand. This was also the year that their son Dave’s status started to change. Dave grew up in the business, made his first boat sale in 1978 at age 13, and advanced from a part-time to a full-time salesperson, then sales manager, and then became General Manager in 1994.

The next big break came when Chaparral and Wayzata Marine joined forces in 1995. Both companies were in the process of growing their company and offering high-quality boats that Lake Minnetonka boaters fell in love with helping them to continue that growth. In 1997, a new state of the art showroom was built to exclusively display the Chris Craft product line. This facility became known as Minnetonka Marine, and it contributed to several company awards, including “The Marine Retailer of the Year” by a national publication in 1997, and recognition as the nation’s largest Chris Craft dealer for the third consecutive year in 1999.

In 2000, the current home of Wayzata Marine on Lake Minnetonka was acquired. This gorgeous 2.3-acre location features lake access, 260 feet of shoreline, 77 permanent slips, a fork & travel lift, and a launch ramp. This location addition changed the game for what Wayzata Marine could provide for their customers.

The start of 2001 brought an ownership change to the company. Dave and his wife Dava bought the company from Gary.

Every year since 2006, Wayzata Marine has been proudly included in Boating Industry’s Top 100 Dealers. As our business has expanded and evolved over the years, we have come to value our local service and long-term customer relationships. They have supported us to become an established name in the boating industry.

During the summer of 2010, Wayzata Marine partnered with another family-owned and operated company, Regal boats. Regal's product line beautifully complements our overall product offerings and fits right into the quality of boats our customers have come to expect from us. In the same year, Wayzata Marine was honored as the #10 Chaparral dealer in the world at the annual Chaparral dealer meeting. This is a true testament to the lengthy relationship between Chaparral, Wayzata Marine & Lake Minnetonka boaters.

 

Wayzata Marine is conveniently located near the areas of Minneapolis, Plymouth, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie.