Company: Bruckmann Yachts, Niche Watercraft
Business Type: Boat Builder
UK & International Business Sales and M&A News
Niche Watercraft has acquired Bruckmann Yachts, launching a new brand name Bruckmann + Ellis to honour naval architect Mark Ellis, whose designs defined the Bruckmann line for more than four decades.
Located 20 miles west of Toronto in a 25,000 square ft. manufacturing facility, Bruckmann Yachts has built custom and semi-custom yachts for over 57 years.
Erich Bruckmann, a founding partner of C&C Yachts, ran the C&C Custom Yachts Division from the early 1960s to the late 1980s, during which time they built over 200 custom and semi-custom boats.
Today, Erich’s son Mark Bruckmann, continues the family tradition, employing many of the original C&C Custom Division craftsmen. Motorboat models include the Bluestar, Express Cruiser and the Abaco, with sailing yachts including the Cruising Sloop, Daysailer and MK II.
Mark Bruckmann, following plans to retire in 2025, completed his final build – the Ellis-designed Bruckmann 50 Motorsailer – in July 2025, and retired his Ontario shop and production team in August 2025 after more than five decades of continuous production.
He said:
“We had a great following across our brand builds – both power and sail, from many different designers. Our focus was always on building boats, not marketing and sales.
“Handing off to a group with deep marketing and sales experience makes good sense, as long as the build quality can be assured. That’s what we found in Niche.”
Mark Bruckmann - Owner of Bruckmann Yachts
Niche Watercraft was founded by Mike Mullenberg, whose has nearly four decades in yacht sales, dealership ownership and national sales leadership, with respected naval architect Tim Jackett heading up the design.
With its HQ in Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington, and regional offices on the US Great Lakes (Erie, Pennsylvania) and US East Coast (Belfast, ME) the company has a national presence across the Pacific Coast, the Atlantic Seaboard and the Great Lakes.
Its portfolio includes Blue Jacket Yachts, X-Yachts and Whitacre Catamarans, alongside the newly founded Bruckmann + Ellis.
Mullenberg and Bruckmann agreed to transition the brand and molds to American production, ensuring the future of Bruckmann boats. Following Ellis’ passing, naming the brand Bruckmann + Ellis is the permanent acknowledgement of his contribution.
Mullenberg commented:
‘“Mark Bruckmann spent 55 years earning the trust of his owners. When the time came to step back, he wasn’t looking for a buyer – he was looking for a steward. Mark Ellis made that introduction because he believed in what we are building.
“We are honored by the trust both men have placed in Niche and we take that responsibility seriously. Every hull we build under the Bruckmann + Ellis name will be worth of it.”
Mike Mullenberg - Founder of Niche Watercraft
The acquisition completes a portfolio for Niche Watercraft that has been years in the making – Blue Jacket Yachts acquired in 2022, with Whitacre Catamarans co-founded in 2019.
Bruckmann + Ellis retains its independent identity and owner community. Vessels are sold factory-direct and through select Agent/Broker representatives chosen for their firsthand knowledge of the brand, its designs and the offshore boating community it serves. Mark Bruckmann continues as a contract advisor.
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