Discover Unforgettable Boating Adventures, from Serene Sunset Cruises to Adrenaline-Pumping Water Sports
About us
Our voyage into boating began as Johnson Boat Works. That rich heritage is reflected in everything that we do here at the White Bear Boat Works. Our family has been serving the needs of boaters for over 118 years from near and far and we’re proud to carry on that tradition.
While our boating knowledge runs deep, so does our passion for having fun! That’s why White Bear Boat Works is the place to go when you are really looking to sail away on your timetable.
Whether you want the newest gadgets, the latest boating gear, or a quiet day lounging in the sun, we’ve got what you need for fun in the sun.
Each season we get more and more excited about boating, and we want you to be, too!
That’s why we spend so much time making boating fun and easy for everyone.
In addition to helping you get in the right boat, we feature a 160 slip marina, sailing lessons, a retail Ship’s Store for scow, daysailer, and keelboat parts and accessories, and a full-service fiberglass repair facility for those inevitable nicks and dings.
Need a hard-to-find part? Want to know what the thingy that sits on the plate on the floor of the boat is for? Looking for the best tabernacle? Just ask. We are happy to help.
How to find us
WBBW is conveniently located at 4120 Hoffman Road, on the western shore of Little Goose Lake, between County Road F and White Bear Avenue.
From Interstate 694, go north on Highway 61, turn left on County Road F, then right on Hoffman Road. We are on the east side of Hoffman Road.
Summer Hours (May 1st – October 31st)
Monday Friday: 9:00 am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Also by Appointment any day
Winter Hours (November 1st – April 30th):
Monday – Thursday : 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday and Saturday: By Appointment
Evenings: By Appointment
Service & Repairs
White Bear Boat Works has a full-service fiberglass-repair facility on the premises providing repair, parts, accessories, and rigging for ALL types of boats.
White Bear Boat Works repairs sailboats, motorboats, jet-skis — you name it! If it’s made of fiberglass, we can fix it.
Our repair crew experts take pride in restoring your damaged boat to like-new condition!
Stop by and see Jason for your FREE estimate.
Gelcoat repair
Fiberglass repair
Hull and topside painting
Rotted powerboat transoms and floors
Spar replacement
Oxidation removal
Bottom painting
Sail repair
Blister repair
Mast rigging
Wire swaging
Running rigging
Hardware replacement
Woodworking
Custom rudders and tillers
Keel faring
Cable deck railings
Customizing
Marina
The Marina life on White Bear Lake -
there’s nothing else quite like it… it’s like family.
The Marina life on White Bear Lake - there’s nothing else quite like it… it’s like family.
Relax & enjoy!
White Bear Boat Works maintains a 160 slip marina on beautiful White Bear Lake accommodating boats up to 24 feet in length.
The Boat Works commons includes for the marina customers: on street parking, enclosed ramp parking, restroom facilities, trash receptacles, outdoor covered patio area, boardwalk with tables and chairs for dining and lounging.
Come on down to your boat or the boardwalk and enjoy the entertainment and amazing dining options by Tally’s, Acqua, VFW, Meet Market and Admiral D’s.
Tally’s and Admiral D’s also offer music on Wednesdays and the weekends; making this area an exciting gathering area for friends and family!
2026 MARINA RATES
White Bear Resident – $2680.00
Non Resident – $3000.00
WE ARE FULL FOR 2026
All-inclusive packages
Let White Bear Boat Works
make your boating season easier!
SAILBOAT PACKAGE
Dock Slip for 2026
Launch Boat in Spring
Raise Mast & Rig Boat
Summer Trailer Storage
Haul Out in Fall
Take Down Mast & De-Rig Boat
Pressure Wash Boat Bottom
Shrink Wrap
Winter Storage
Winterize Outboard Motor
WBL Resident Under 21’ $4900
21’ & Over $5100
Non WBL Resident Under 21’ $5200
21’ & Over $5400
POWERBOAT PACKAGE
Dock Slip for 2026
Launch Boat in Spring
Summer Trailer Storage
Haul Out in Fall
Pressure Wash Boat Bottom
Shrink Wrap
Winter Storage
Winterize Engine*
WBL Resident Under 21’ $4500
21’ & Over $4700
Non WBL Resident Under 21’ $4800
21’ & Over $5000
Our Local Partners
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Sail Repair & Canvas Creations
Sail La Vie
Now you can get all your sail and canvas items repaired. Ripped your boat cover? Snagged your sail? Torn sail bag? No problem – just bring it in and we’ll handle the rest. Sail la Vie also has a complete line of canvas and sail cloth accessories including Duffel Bags, Hiking Straps, Ditty Bags and much more…
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Sailing Lessons
Learn to Sail
Sailing Lessons are a great way to get started or to improve your boat handling skills. This is a fantastic family sport that you can participate in your whole life.
Sail Away Sailing School offers basic Keelboat – a 12-hour learn-to-sail course that will give you the skills and confidence to start sailing right! Aboard a Catalina 25 or Capri 26, you’ll learn how to get underway, tack, jibe, perform a crew-overboard recovery.
You will also learn outboard motor operation, points of sail, knots, and how to reef your sail. Private lessons also available. Courses listed on their website.
For more information, please contact Captain Joan Gilmore at (612) 871-8101.
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Racing Corner
Interested in racing your sailboat?
We have two great sailing organizations on White Bear Lake that offer racing and social activity throughout the summer months. Club races for various types of boats are held every Saturday and Sunday as well as Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Check them out on the web:
History in the making of
White Bear Boat Works
History in the making of White Bear Boat Works
"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work."
Colin Powell
This quote could have been written about John O. Johnson, the founder of Johnson Boat Works.
John lived a storied life, from nearly drowning when swept under the ice while fetching a bucket of water for his employer in Norway. To at age fifteen, meeting Gus Amundson, a boat builder, who he accompanied crossing the Atlantic. From that excursion they ending up in White Bear Lake and started a boat building business in 1887.
By 1896, ever willing to take a risk, John started his own boat building company known as Johnson Bear Boat Works. His dream, imagination, sweat, determination and hard work did in fact became a reality. John died at age 88 in 1963, passing along well deserved success within his extended family for years to come.
Today, that sweat, determination and hard work that made White Bear Boat Works a success, is once again paying off for Jason and Angie Brown, the new generation of Owners.
Jason, son of Skip and son of Marge Johnson, dependents of John O., had worked at the company since he was a lad. Ultimately ending up managing the Boat Works for twelve years. Angie, and Jason worked side by side over that time with Angie ultimately managing the office.
Today, that sweat, determination and hard work that made White Bear Boat Works a success, is once again paying off for Jason and Angie Brown, the new generation of Owners.
Jason, son of Skip and Marge Johnson, (dependents of John O.), had worked at the company since he was a lad. Ultimately ending up managing the Boat Works for twelve years. Angie, and Jason worked side by side over that time with Angie ultimately managing the office.
Today, Johnson Boat Works was re-branded as White Bear Boat Works, a name more synonymous with the services outlined on this website to the local marketplace and beyond.
If you have the time, stop by and say hello, throw the dog a tennis ball or listen to Jason tell a joke while Angie lovingly just shakes her head and keeps on keeping on.
We hope to see you on the water soon!
Jason & Angie
