Skipper Bud's

SkipperBud's is a prominent marine company founded in 1959 by Harold "Bud" Pretasky in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Headquartered in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, it has become one of the largest marine sales, brokerage, service, and marina groups in the industry, with over 60 years of experience. The company operates 14 locations across Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan, along with two marina-only locations in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, employing around 330 people.

SkipperBud's offers a wide range of services, including new and pre-owned boat sales, brokerage services, marina operations, and boat storage. They manage over 4,100 marina slips and provide winter storage for more than 3,000 boats. The company also operates service centers for boat repairs and maintenance, offers boat rentals and transportation, and assists customers with financing options. SkipperBud's focuses on a service-oriented approach, integrating boat sales with marina access to enhance the customer experience. In 2020, the company was acquired by MarineMax, further expanding its resources in the boating industry.