Chicago-based Wendella Tours & Cruises has ordered an 89'9"×30'×7'3" passenger vessel with a draft of 5'6" from Burger Boat Co., Manitowoc, Wis., for scheduled delivery in the spring of 2026.
The new vessel will join a Wendella fleet that consists of nine active vessels, including four Subchapter T water taxis and five Subchapter K boats. These vessels, which have passenger capacities ranging from 95 to more than 300, host sightseeing tours, cruises and private events on Chicago’s waterways and Lake Michigan.
The new two-deck vessel was designed by Timothy Graul Marine Design and SeaCraft Design, both based in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. The steel newbuild will be a sister to four of Wendella’s existing K-class vessels.
The new boat order comes amid growing local demand, said Andrew Sargis, director of sales and chief of operations at Wendella. “We are building a new vessel to meet both increasing demand at our current locations, as well as increased demand at new river developments slated to open in the next two to four years,” he said.
The new boat will also provide added operational flexibility, allowing for more rotations in and out of Wendella’s shipyard, where the company’s vessels are rehabbed following their operating seasons, Sargis said.
Because Wendella operates year-round, including through the cold winter months, the new vessel will — like its sisterships — have a full climate-controlled cabin. Powered by twin Volvo Penta D13 diesels, the monohull will be capable of speeds up to 10 knots. Its capacities include 1,000 gals. of fuel, 500 gals. fresh water, and 600 gals. waste.
Wendella has yet to choose a name for the new vessel, so it is being referred to as CV110 until a name is selected. The keel was laid at Burger’s yard in February, and Wendella anticipates placing the boat into service as soon as it is delivered next year.
