Page 11 - MARINAOFTHEYEAR

Jerry at his desk. Joyce standing on their first barge
Jerome “Jerry” and Joyce Rockvam are the founders of Rockvam Boat Yards, Inc. A marina
started from scratch in 1961 that has expanded from a dirt floor repair shop to a full service
marina on the shores of West Arm—Lake Minnetonka.

Jerry gained knowledge of the boat business by growing up at his family resort, also on Lake
Minnetonka. This resort was called Roxy’s and had a restaurant and lots of fishing boats. His
father also manufactured a fiberglass boat called the Darling.

At age 18 Jerry started his own dock business called JP
Rockvam Dock Enterprises because it was his first
enterprise. He and Joyce married in 1958 and they had to
have their parent’s signature to get married! Jerry was 19
and Joyce was 17! This business was in operation for two
years, until 1959, when Jerry entered the US Navy and they
moved to Virginia Beach, VA. He served in an attack
squadron on the USS Forrestal.

Jerry completed his Active Duty Military service in
February 1961 and together they began Rockvam Boat
Yards on March 1, 1961 by opening a boat repair shop.
The repair shop had a dirt floor, no electric, no furnace and
Jerry in front of his first shop.
it was not hooked up to city Jerry & Joyce in 1960
sewer & water service!

In addition to working at the boat yard, Joyce was a secretary
at Advance Machine Corporation. It was 2 blocks from their
home. She remarked that even during blizzards she had to go
to work because she didn’t have to drive! She worked at
Advance Machine Corporation for two years until she went
full time at the boat yard.
In 1966 they purchased the section of lakefront property where
their home, Ship’s Store, office and gas dock are located.

The expansion of the marina to it’s modern day version
included adding several adjoining properties, docks, machinery
all of which are listed in Section Three of this application. 11