Pentwater Yacht Club: Waterfront Oasis

Pentwater, MI | Deck By: Rockford Construction

Located beside—and over—the waters of Pentwater Lake, the Yacht Club is a home away from home and a social hub for its members. Its northern Michigan location means four seasons of climate extremes, and busy summers that see a year’s worth of living squeezed into four glorious months: Sailing season. It also happens to be the perfect venue for TimberTech and AZEK Exteriors.

Meet the club

“The TimberTech product — it’s spectacular. It’s not your grandfather’s deck.”

– Joe Guenther, Commodore, Pentwater Yacht Club

The club was founded in 1935, in an old waterfront lumber warehouse as its first and only location. By 2019, wood pylons supporting the entire structure over the water were failing. Engineers confirmed it was unsalvageable, so it was demolished after over 80 years of service. The members wanted a new club in the same place, better than before, and likely to survive as long or longer as the original club.

Joe Guenther looking through an external window at the Pentwater Yacht Club.

A gray deck that looks out onto the water and is accented with concrete planters and white planters accented with purple and green plants.

Safety is as important as good looks and longevity for a commercial venue. The Landmark Collection in Castle Gate, and all TimberTech Advanced PVC Decking, offers up to 40% better traction than other decking surfaces. Because wet shoes and wet surfaces are the norm, this was an important factor in the Yacht Club’s choice.

An view from above a deck with gray decking and blue chairs. White railing surrounds the deck and gives a view of the water.

A two-level deck maximized outdoor dining space. Designed to look like natural weathered wood, Castle Gate’s gray appearance fits perfectly with the membership’s desire to keep the charm of the historic building but use modern, low-maintenance materials.

Sought-after views of the channel to Lake Michigan make the upper deck a popular gathering spot. Low maintenance TimberTech Decking means it won’t ever be closed for sanding, sealing, or staining.

A view from below of white shingle siding and black roofing. Four windows looking up at the blue sky which is decorated with white, orange and dark purple clouds.

In addition to the new deck, the exterior of the clubhouse was covered from ground to roofline with AZEK Shingle Siding, Bevel Siding, and Trim finished in a crisp white. “With AZEK, you avoid the possibility of the irregularities and twisting of wood boards,” explained Cameron Buck, contractor on the project.

A closer view of the white railing o the yacht club with dark blue water in the background and light blue sky above with a dark multicolored divider made of residences and local businesses.

The Impression Rail Express® Railing in Classic White adds a perfect contrast to the Castle Gate deck boards and the blue water. Sleek balusters add to the waterfront-forward design. The 25-Year Limited Warranty adds assurance that the look will last.

Two TimberTech Landmark Collection colors are used on the lower-level deck: American Walnut for the flooring and French White Oak for the perimeter bench, ensuring a lifetime of splinter-free scooting over for one more person to join the party.

TimberTech Advanced PVC Decking and AZEK Exteriors Siding and Trim were the perfect solution for the club’s need for longevity on a four-season waterfront. Water and humidity have virtually no effect on the beauty or performance of PVC products.

A drone view of the yacht club slightly above eye level. Dark green divider of trees in the background along a dark to light blue sky.

Club membership spans multiple generations of families that have spent their summers in idyllic Pentwater. Members wanted all modern commercial amenities, but with a homey, cottage like look that would survive through years of heat, ice, cold, and ever present water