The Empress
Some evenings you remember. This one you'll never stop describing.
Private sunset charters on Whitefish Lake. Six guests, one mahogany Hacker-Craft, the boat entirely yours.
Reserve your evening:
Text Shawn 406.333.1335
Choose Your Hour
No other passengers. No fixed route. No schedule but the sun.
Signature Sunset
Did someone say sundowners?The light goes gold, the lake goes still, and for two hours nothing is expected of you. Bring the bottle you’ve been saving. This is the one people book when the evening has to be remembered. Anniversaries, proposals, the birthday that deserves more than a restaurant.
First Light
You’ll be the first boat on the lake. Water like glass, no wind, no wake, the mountains coming up pink behind you. Back on the dock before most of Whitefish is awake. For people who like their days long and already have a big one planned.
Worth the alarm clock.
Sunglasses on, phone off.Long Afternoon
Warm mahogany, cold drinks, the whole afternoon with nowhere to be. Music up, sun out, the boat entirely yours. Bachelorette weekends book this one. So do birthdays, and the friends who flew in wanting to see what the fuss is about.
The Signature Sunset
Ninety minutes at golden hour. Up to six guests, the boat entirely yours, one cruise per evening all summer. We bring ice, glassware, mixers and a generous grazing board. You bring the wine.
$2,500 for the evening.
Have a date in mind? Maybe a question?
Text me directly at 406.333.1335.
Or Book Instantly Using Resy
Five stars.
★★★★★
“If you do one thing in Whitefish, do this.”
— Harrison W.
“Thank you soo much Shawn!
We had an amazing time and it was a perfect way to celebrate. You have a beautiful boat… we absolutely loved everything about it. Thanks again for an unforgettable evening!”
~Jim & Kristina
The Empress provides the ultimate setting for milestone celebrations, offering unforgettable private settings for a romantic anniversary evening, luxury proposals, and intimate gatherings on Whitefish Lake.
“I would give it six stars if I could.”
— Cynthia
“Sunrise was absolutely gorgeous, and not a soul on the lake with us.”
— Lauren May
“This one was by far the best.”
We did three days in a row on the lake in different boats each time.
— Tim Riley
First Light
Ninety minutes at sunrise, when the lake is glass and you have it to yourselves. Up to six guests, the boat entirely yours.
Hot coffee with fresh cream from a local dairy, pastries, a breakfast board of smoked salmon and cheeses. Mineral water, still and sparkling. Warm blankets. You bring nothing but the people you want there.
This is the other end of the day: first sun on your face, coffee in hand, the lake still asleep. Sunset is for celebrating. First light is the lake at its best, and the rest of your day is a victory lap.
$2,000 for the morning
Have a morning in mind? Maybe a question?
About the captain
I'm Shawn Isakson, I own the Empress and I’m the one at the wheel. I've always been drawn to the classics. Wooden boats, good tailoring, music on vinyl, a gin and tonic at sundown. I'm also a husband and a father of four.
My first boat was a wooden drift boat in Alaska, bought when it was more money than I had, and it set the pattern: while everyone on the lake was buying the new wake boat, I went looking for a Hacker-Craft. She rides to the water behind the Land Rover I'd wanted since I was sixteen. That tells you most of what you need to know about how this is run.
I bought Empress and restored her completely, down to an entirely new bottom, which any wooden boat person will tell you is the whole job. She has since taken People's Choice at Whitefish Woody Weekend, and in 2025 I was awarded the Commodore's Award.
I built this because the evening I wanted on this lake didn't exist. Now it does.
What’s Aboard
Each of our charters is 90 minutes - we have found that is the right amount of time guests want on the water. Up to six guests, the boat entirely yours. Ice, glassware, and blankets come with.
First Light. Coffee, pastries, fruit, sparkling and still bottled water for your day!
Long Afternoon. Coolers iced, the sun out. Plenty of salty snacks.
Signature Sunset. Grazing board. You bring the Bubbly.
Premium Custom Charters & Private Events
The Empress offers an unmatched, elite setting on Whitefish Lake for high-end groups, milestones, and seasonal excursions.
Whether booking instantly via Resy or texting us directly, every cruise is tailored for absolute privacy and VIP service.
Corporate Retreats & VIP Hosting: While the boat layout is meticulously optimized for the ultimate comfort of up to 6 guests, The Empress can accommodate extended private parties of up to 10 guests for corporate networking, team building, or executive outings on the water.
Luxury Bachelorette Parties & Celebrations: The ultimate high-end bachelorette venue in Northwest Montana. Celebrate with your group aboard a stunning, classic mahogany Hacker-Craft, complete with premium artisan charcuterie boards, chilled drinks, and pristine glassware.
Surprise Marriage Proposals & Anniversaries: Create an unforgettable milestone. We specialize in hidden-camera surprise marriage proposals and romantic anniversary evenings, offering a flawless, crowd-free backdrop on the glass-calm waters of Whitefish Lake.
Autumn Foliage & Indian Summer Cruises: Experience Northwest Montana’s breathtaking fall colors from the water. For 2026, we are open daily through October 12, offering the premier private boat tour to view autumn foliage and golden hour sunrises or sunsets.
Long Afternoon
Ninety minutes in the warmest part of the day, when the lake is at full tilt. Surf boats, jet skis, the water at its clearest and most swimmable.
Up to six guests, the boat entirely yours.
We bring lunch on a proper board, cold drinks on ice, towels for swimmers, and Sweet Peaks ice cream whether you brought kids or not. You bring the rosé and no plans at all.
Somebody in your group is up Big Mountain right now. You took the better option.
First light is for the early risers.
Sunset is for celebrating.
This one is for the heat of the day.
$2,250