The local industry as we know it today really all started with one namesake boat builder many years ago: Larry Streblow, founder of Streblow Custom Boats. Streblow is one of the oldest continuously operating wooden sport boat makers in the United States. In 1987, Larry Streblow moved their small boat building operation from Kenosha to the Lake Geneva area in order to be closer to their customer base. Streblow Custom Boats continues to honor Larry’s legacy, inspiring the local wooden boat building community to this day.
Today, more than 100 Streblows grace Geneva Lake’s waters, and there are more than 500 Streblows on waters nationwide.
The signature Streblow design had first emerged in the early 1960s and remains nearly unchanged today. It features a V-drive with a wraparound interior configuration, a straight drive with the engine in the center, double-plank hull construction and a trademark white stripe on the side. The popular runabout has become an icon of Lake Geneva.
The Streblow community continues to thrive, honoring the tradition of wooden boat craftsmanship that began with Larry Streblow. In 2020, Edward Cox took over ownership of the Lake Geneva business, ensuring the legacy of Streblow Custom Boats endures. Several longtime Streblow craftsmen remain dedicated to restoring vintage Streblow boats and building new ones. Cox emphasizes that every detail of a new or restored Streblow custom boat is an artisan-crafted labor of love, upholding the Streblow standard of perfection.\
Edward Cox and his son, Ryan Cox, are proud to call the Lake Geneva area home, where they live, work, and actively contribute to the community. Together, they carry on the Streblow tradition, focusing on building, repairing, restoring, and storing custom Streblow boats. Their deep connection to the area and passion for craftsmanship ensure that every boat they work on reflects the timeless quality and pride that Streblow Custom Boats is known for. It’s not just a business – it’s what they do and what they love.