Ted Widen grew up in Lincolnwood, Illinois, just north of Chicago, and brings more than four decades of hands-on boating experience to his work. A lifelong Chicago-area boater, Ted has owned and operated numerous boats and has extensive experience on Lake Michigan and beyond.

Ted is a licensed yacht broker with SeaNet Fractional Yachts, where he provides clients with knowledgeable guidance on yacht sales, fractional yacht ownership, and ownership strategies.

He is also the founder of Chicago Scene and the creator of the iconic Chicago Scene Boat Party, one of the largest and longest-running organized boating events on Lake Michigan. Founded in 2000, the event has been a fixture of Chicago’s boating community for more than 25 years, bringing together boat owners and boating enthusiasts from throughout Chicago and the Great Lakes region.

Ted is also the founder of RaftZilla.com, a boating lifestyle brand focused on developing innovative inflatable rafts and products designed by boaters, for boaters.

With decades spent as a boat owner, captain, yacht broker, event organizer, and boating entrepreneur, Ted brings a unique combination of real-world experience and industry knowledge. His longstanding presence on the water and strong relationships throughout the boating community have made him a trusted resource for boat owners, buyers, and marine-industry professionals.