Founded in New Rochelle, the company provided services to the boating public, including fuel and provisioning. Many of their customers were from nearby Larchmont Yacht Club. Howard and Jacqueline built the business over the following years believing that “providing good service in a friendly manner is the key to success”.
In 1938, Howard and Jacqueline leased property on the east basin of Mamaroneck Harbor from the Orienta Yacht Club. The business continued to grow and service the needs of sailors, fishermen and recreational boaters of Western Long Island Sound. During the war years, Howard worked in a defense plant at night, ran the boat business during the day, and was also a foreman at a yard in Rye building tugs for the Navy.
In 1945, while still working nights, Howard purchased the Rushmore Avenue boat yard on the west basin in Mamaroneck. This was also our first sales office, where Edna Brilleman became the first female yacht sales consultant in the industry. Today, the Rushmore location is still in use as our power boat yard, where we provide a 50-slip marina and winter storage and service.
In 1960, the property next to Orienta YC was purchased and a service building was built on the water, with the first indoor dry sailing operation on the East Coast. The building now houses our yard offices, heated work areas for boats up to 45’, the rigging shop, carpentry, and mechanic’s shops. A sales office followed, built at the upper portion of this property on the Boston Post Road, which is now the main office for McMichael Yacht Yards & Brokers.
In 1962, Howard Jr. joined the business after serving two years as an officer in the infantry. Having grown up in the boat yard, he started selling boats, managing purchasing and marketing. The 1960’s to the 1980’s were years of expansion and strong sales, with McMichael representing nearly every major builder at some point. Highlights include C&C, Pearson, Sweden, O’Day, Morgan, Ranger, Paceship, Nauticat, Islander, and, of course, J Boats. During this time, McMichael was the largest dealer in the world for many of these lines. Presently, in addition to J Boats, McMichael is one of the leading U.S. dealers for MJM Yachts, Hanse Yachts, Dehler Yachts, Amel Yachts, and AB Inflatables.
In 2019, Howard had passed the torch to another family member, Steve Leicht, the third generation of family members to run the company. Howard remained involved in the day-to-day operation of the business as Chairman until his death in June 2020.Steve has been on the Board for years and, for the preceding year, had served as the company’s COO. Today, Steve is the President and overseeing operations for both yards and the brokerage. Steve, as was Howard, is in the Post Road office of McMichael
