A Tippecanoe Legacy: Tippecanoe Boat Company Is Now a Fifth-Generation Business

A TIPPECANOE LEGACY

TIPPECANOE BOAT COMPANY IS NOW A FIFTH-GENERATION BUSINESS

Writer / Lois Tomaszewski Photographer / Timothy Hare

During an era of change, in a sometimes erratic economy, the fact that a business has grown through five generations is quite an accomplishment. That is exactly what drives the owners and staff at Tippecanoe Boat Company.

Owner Bruce Pierce represents the third generation, and is named after his grandfather. His daughter Hallie Pierce Metze represents the fourth generation. Pierce Metze, Hallie’s son and Bruce’s grandson, represents the fifth, as part of the team that makes Tippecanoe Boat Company the go-to place for boat purchases and repairs.

This generational appeal is not limited to family. It extends to customers as well. “We have a lot of generational customers whose grandfathers or great-grandfathers were customers of my dad’s father or grandfather, and we have grown together,” Pierce Metze says. “We also still service a couple of the old Century boats originally purchased at the boat company that are still owned by the original purchasing families.” The company was established in 1925 on Lake Tippecanoe by Bruce Lynn Pierce. The boat business came about from the

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original Pierce’s desire to open a resort and introduce people to the northeast side of Lake Tippecanoe. He had already made his mark as a successful grocer in Jonesboro, Indiana. He bought the land, dug a canal, and decided he needed a boat.

The company founder figured he could obtain a boat cheaper if he bought in bulk - the same approach he took in the grocery store business. As the family unwrapped the new boats, it drew the attention of locals, and Pierce’s first order sold out very quickly. The first Pierce was followed by Lynne E. Pierce, who took over after World War II. Today the business is owned by Pierce and Diane L. Seybert.

Through the decades, boats have changed and evolved. From the early days of wooden boats to the transition to fiberglass, the company has seen it all.

“It has changed in many ways,” Pierce says. “The most dramatic change to me has been the shift in preference to pontoon boats from power runabouts.”

Pierce says many customers are in the market for pontoon boats.

“In our area, we have a fair number of younger buyers who mostly seem to work in the orthopedic industry,” Pierce says. “The majority of buyers tend to be somewhat older - 50 and up.”

Tippecanoe Boat Company sells new boats, including Godfrey pontoons, Sanpan, AquaPatio, Sweetwater and Lund, as well as used boats on occasion. The company offers rentals of pontoons and power boats suitable for water skiing. TIME FOR A NEW BOAT?

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In addition, the company’s service department can handle maintenance and service on Mercury, Honda and Yamaha outboards, and other services for boats up to 35’. The service department can also handle restorations to fiberglass and pontoons, winterization of boats, spring conditioning, and pressure washing. Other services include storage and docking, and shrink-wrap covers. Boat owners can find what they need in the well-stocked parts department, Metze says.

“We have an amazing staff that makes running our business possible,” Metze says. “They are like family to us.”

Tippecanoe Boat Company stands out from similar businesses in the area because of two things, Pierce says.

“I think it’s because of longevity and excellent service,” he says.

The company’s commitment to its

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customers is laid out on its website. That commitment means helping customers find the boat they are looking for, personalizing products, servicing each customer, and providing world-class support and service after each sale.

Just as the lure of lakeside living attracted Tippecanoe Boat Company’s founder almost a century ago, it is still bringing families to the lake and attracting the next generation of boaters.

Owning a boat has several benefits.

According to Pierce, it’s a great way to enjoy leisure time, and provides an opportunity to engage in water sports. After all, getting outdoors and on the water can be a healthy, active pursuit for all ages.

Tippecanoe Boat Company is located at 301 EMS T46 Lane in Leesburg. For more information, visit tippecanoeboatcompany. com or call 574-834-2271.

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