Tiara Yachts and the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and local Tiara Yachts dealer Walstrom Marine collaborated to host two on-water “Great American Expedition” journeys on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan on July 10, 2026 as part of the Department of the Interior’s Freedom 250 campaign.
The Great American Expedition served as a showcase for the strength and economic impact of domestic marine manufacturing, setting sail near Round Island on Lake Huron aboard the Tiara Yachts 46 LS, while a late-morning expedition took participants to Hat Island on Lake Michigan to witness a bald eagle nest along the shoreline: a poignant symbol during the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations that underscored the importance of wildlife conservation and responsible stewardship.
“Public waters and coastlines are a fundamental part of the American landscape, and there is no better way to experience them than onboard a boat,” says Tom Slikkers, CEO and president at Tiara Yachts. “We are honored to have led these expeditions as a family-owned Michigan company that has been designing and building boats in America for over 50 years. Hosting the Freedom 250 celebration on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan allows us to spotlight the legendary spirit of American craftsmanship, the vital need for robust boating infrastructure and our shared duty to preserve our country’s natural treasures for generations to come.”
Ninety-five percent of boats sold in the U.S. today are American made, and 93% of boat builders are small, independent businesses that help support local trade jobs and working waterfronts. Through the expeditions, Tiara Yachts and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for critical public water infrastructure, including maintained harbors, public ramps, marinas and safe navigation routes, to help ensure that families and coastal communities can continue to access and enjoy America’s public lands and waterways for the next 250 years and beyond.
PHOTO: NMMA
