With 3,300 miles of expansive freshwater coastline, Michigan’s boating history is as rich as that of any oceanside state. Although it is best known for its iconic boatbuilder Chris-Craft, which famously featured in the classic series Miami Vice, birchbark canoes ferried goods along the state’s numerous waterways long before the arrival of European traders, who quickly adapted to these local craft. During the fur trade era, both Native and settler builders established production centers along the banks of lakes or rivers like the St Marys, developing vernacular designs such as the celebrated Mackinaw boat, a composite of indigenous, Northern Irish, and Norwegian boats used for fishing and transportation.
Today, Michigan boasts over 800,000 registered boats – second only to Florida in terms of boat ownership – and marine industry that generates a staggering $11.7 billion each year. It’s not hard to see why: with 3,300 miles of expansive coastline, over 1,000 boating access sites, 82 public harbors, the aptly-named Great Lake State is never more than 85 miles from a Great Lake at any given point, with borders on Lake Michigan, Superior, Erie and Huron, while a wealth of stunning inland lakes (over 11,000) and rivers (300 of them) create endless possibilities for on-the-water adventures.
Perhaps the most famous body of water in the state, Lake Michigan offers 22,300 square miles of territory that not only traverses Michigan itself, but also Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour, will appeal to experienced boaters looking for a chance to circumnavigate the Lake’s 1,100-mile boundary, which features plenty of anchor points and more than a hundred scenic lighthouses. Even more adventurous skippers opt to cruise the 6,000-mile Great Loop route, hugging the eastern U.S. and exiting Lake Michigan via the mighty Mississippi River, continuing downstream all the way to the Caribbean Sea.
Island-hopping might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Lake Michigan, but it is another favorite among boaters visiting the state, which features over 420 named islands. Popular destinations include Mackinac Island and Bois Blanc Island in the north, each of which offer unique historical attractions and local cuisine.
About 30 miles northeast of Mackinac Island in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the spectacular Les Cheneaux archipelago in Lake Huron: here, you can explore up to 36 small islands of outstanding natural beauty, where you can stop at one of many docks available throughout the region. Don’t miss out on the picturesque waterfront towns of Cedarville and Hessel, each of which offer a perfect marriage of unspoiled wilderness and quaint amenities: true to its name Cedarville is rich with mature cedar trees that dot the shoreline, while Hessel, also replete with cedar wetlands, boasts the biodiverse Birge Nature Preserve. Outdoorsy types will have no shortage of opportunities for kayaking, biking, hiking, and camping, while those who prefer a taste of the high life need look no further than Les Cheneaux Distillers in Cedarville or (if you’re feeling lucky) Hessel’s Kewadin Casino. Boat enthusiasts will want to time their visit for with the Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show, which takes place on the second Saturday of August.
Those seeking an even more laidback experience have an even bigger range of options, such as historic Lower Peninsula town of Harbor Springs accessed via the sheltered Little Traverse Bay – drop anchor
here and head out for a seafood meal at the Pier Restaurant, or pick up some fine linen wares for your cabins at Gattle’s, a quaint local business first established in 1904.
Since 1964, SI Yachts has been helping our clients through the processes of buying and selling boats, many times it's their 10th or more boat sale with us. We take service very seriously and we are able to retain some of the best service talent in the industry giving us an incredible advantage when it comes making sure our customers enjoy their boating lifestyle. When you buy a yacht from us, our industry-leading mobile service team is just a phone call away. With a service facility located in Staten Island and mobile service throughout the Northeast and South Florida, SI Yachts has a true north-to-south connection for our seasonal cruising clients.
