On Lake George, where Adirondack mountains rise around some of New York’s clearest waters, a property built around the boating lifestyle is now looking for its next owner. The longtime Lake George compound belonging to George and Kathleen Badcock, owners of the historic Hacker-Craft motorboat brand, has been listed for $7.99 million, reports Mansion Global. The couple purchased the 1.37-acre property for $2.4 million in 2006, according to PropertyShark records, and transformed an empty lot into a substantial waterfront retreat. Two decades later, the property includes a roughly 6,000-square-foot home, 300 feet of shoreline and a three-bay boathouse. The property has an unusual history. The lot was once part of the grounds associated with a 42-room mansion, but when the Badcocks purchased it, the site was vacant. The couple, who had spent decades visiting Lake George, were drawn to its waterfront views and boating access. They built a residence designed to make the lake the centerpiece of daily life. The result is a five-bedroom home with four full bathrooms and two half baths, along with six fireplaces and multiple spaces designed for entertaining. Large expanses of glass bring views of the water into the main living areas, while expansive decks extend the home’s living space outdoors.
A house designed around the lake
The great room serves as the central gathering space, featuring high ceilings and a stone fireplace. It connects with the dining area, wet bar and gourmet kitchen, creating an open entertaining area facing the lake. The first-floor primary suite includes its own fireplace, a spa-style bathroom and direct access to the waterfront. Additional features include an executive office, a lower-level family room with a fireplace, another wet bar, a screened lakeside porch and a guest suite, adds Mansion Global report. An attached three-car garage adds another unusual feature: living accommodations on the upper level, it adds.
The rarest feature may be the boathouse
For owners whose lives revolve around boats, the property’s three-bay boathouse could be its biggest attraction. The structure can accommodate boats up to 35 feet long and includes lifts and a sundeck. It currently houses three classic wooden boats belonging to the Badcocks: a 1925 Hacker-Craft and two Chris-Crafts dating to 1929 and 1954. The boathouse is particularly notable because similar construction would not be permitted under current regulations, making the existing structure a rare asset on Lake George.
A showcase for the Hacker-Craft legacy
The property reflects the Badcocks’ connection to classic boating. They acquired The Hacker Boat Co. in 2011, becoming owners of Hacker-Craft, a brand associated with handcrafted mahogany motorboats. Founded in Detroit in 1908 by John L. Hacker, the company later moved to New York state. During World War II, it also redesigned rescue boats for the Army Air Force. Hacker-Craft boats can require thousands of hours to complete and have appeared in campaigns for brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Marks & Spencer and Tommy Bahama. The Badcocks’ daughter, Erin, serves as the company’s chief operating officer.
Downsizing after decades on Lake George
The couple, both 77, are now preparing for a change. After spending roughly 42 years coming to Lake George, they plan to build or renovate a smaller home on the lake once the current property sells Their decision brings a rare Lake George offering to the market: a private waterfront compound combining extensive shoreline, a substantial residence and a historic-style boathouse. For prospective buyers, the $7.99 million property offers more than a luxury home. It is a carefully built retreat centered on one of the Adirondacks’ defining attractions — life on the water.Images Courtesy: Mansion Global
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