Where Luxury Meets Adventure

Built in New York in 1992, the Empress is a testament to over a century of Hackercraft craftsmanship, a legacy that began in 1908. This heritage is found in her every detail, exemplifying luxury wooden boat construction.

At just over 30 feet in length and powered by a 454 XL Crusader Engine, the Empress seamlessly blends the elegance of yesteryear with the vigor of modern engineering. Her existence is a tribute to Hackercraft's dedication to creating vessels that are as powerful as they are beautiful.

In 2021, the Empress came under our care, having been acquired from a private collector from California, and she can now be found cruising on her home waters of Whitefish Lake, Montana. This transition symbolized more than a mere change of ownership; it was a pledge to uphold and contribute to her storied legacy.

The Empress underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2022, meticulously carried out by the skilled hands of Jim Brown and his team at Coeur Custom at Hagadone Marina, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. This undertaking, which involved approximately 1,000 hours of dedicated labor, not only breathed new life into her with fresh mahogany but also modernized her with thoughtful additions—a cocktail table (stowed in the hull), a bow thruster for precision docking, and ambient LED lighting throughout. The project was a testament to the reverence we hold for preserving her grandeur, while preparing her for the many adventures that lie ahead.

Named after a treasured summer tradition of sipping Indigo Gin and Tonics, the Empress name captures the essence of transformation—from the dark indigo of the gin to the glacier blue that emerges with tonic, echoing the transition from mountain dusk to clear waters. This striking shift, perfectly symbolizes the elegance and countless memorable moments spent aboard.

The Empress has most recently gained international fame when the same model was used in the Netflix series "The Crown”, portraying a leisure vessel for Princess Diana, Prince Charles, and their children, Prince William and Harry, as they vacationed along the Mediterranean coast of Italy.

The Empress is more than a boat; she is a repository of warm memories  with family and friends, and a beacon of the fine life, embodying leisure and elegance. From hosting waterborne picnics to savoring East Coast Wellfleet oysters and Champagne, every moment aboard is a celebration of life's finest pleasures. The Empress is a symbol of American lake life tradition, with whispers of nostalgia in her hull, and a passion for exploration.