616-499-4423 michigancaptain@gmail.com
Menu

Deliveries

I am available for deliveries, also known as on-water relocation, from Spring through Fall - weather permitting. I am very

Read More

Boating Lessons and General Learning

I teach people how to drive boats. I teach boat handling and safety, but not just classroom stuff. I teach

Read More

Full Marine Surveys and Preliminary Inspections

Before you buy a boat of any size, it's extremely important to have the boat surveyed by an experienced marine

Read More

Your Next Boat Service – Locate Vessel and Provide Purchase Guidance

Yep, that's a mouthful. What does it mean? Short version - You want to buy a boat - I will

Read More

Captain for Hire

I am an experienced USCG 100GT Captain for hire as a private yacht or day captain, or for deliveries, surveys, boat or yacht driving lessons, and boat or yacht purchase guidance, assistance, and oversight. I hold Master designations for both Great Lakes and Near Coastal applications. I have more than 36 years of experience on the Great Lakes, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and inland rivers running vessels up to 150 feet in length. I have been the Chief Engineer on a 130-foot research and salvage vessel, captain of a sunset cruise, and driver for two offshore powerboat racing teams. I am also an experienced marine technician and a certified diver. I am currently the private captain of several 70+ foot yachts in West Michigan, and I regularly operate each for their owners during the summer season. I also regularly

Read More

Deliveries, Deliveries, Deliveries…

May 18, 2017
| No Comments
| General

Cruising to Iowa in 36 Feet of Cruisers Inc Motoryacht I’m not sure why but I’ve had more calls for on-water deliveries already this year than any other early season. I’ve had people calling me from all over the Midwest to relocate boats to places like Iowa. And yes, it is possible, although I did have to look that…

Read more

Splish Splash…

May 18, 2017
| No Comments
| General

Ah… the boat’s in. All is right with the world. I had plenty of time over the winter to chip away at the little projects I needed to knock out, and now I just have want-to-do’s left instead of have-to-do’s. There are still a few things I would like to get cleaned up before the boat starts regularly heading…

Read more

It’s Bottom Paint Time…

March 5, 2017
| No Comments
| General, Maintenance

I live for boating season. This is no secret; everyone knows it. I count down the days from haul-out in November to Launch Day in April. Or if I’m really lucky, in March. But, boat ownership does not come without its fair share of work and the one task I think I hate more than any other is the…

Read more

Tiara Yachts New C53 Coupe

November 4, 2016
| No Comments
| Articles

Being a freelance writer with extensive boating experience has its perks. I was recently offered the opportunity to test drive the new Tiara C53 Coupe and then write a feature article for Lakeland Boating Magazine. And, since Tiara Yachts is only about 15 minutes away I could hardly say No. As if I would have anyway. The Tiara crew gave…

Read more

The Curse of the Viking

October 25, 2016
| No Comments
| General

I was asked to deliver a 44 foot Viking Motor Yacht from Saugatuck, Michigan to North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor, IL. The boat was in good shape, had two great running diesels, and all the bells and whistles that make that trip pretty easy. The autopilot and radar both worked, and the engines seemed to run great. The…

Read more

Craziest Question I’ve Ever Been Asked…

October 1, 2016
| No Comments
| General

I stumbled across a news story this evening about tour guides and crazy questions, and I felt compelled to post my own story there. However, it is something that should absolutely NOT be kept to myself. I swear to you this happened, and I am certain the woman was serious. Let’s just get that out there right now. Here is my…

Read more

Might as well be 30

May 16, 2016
| No Comments
| Deliveries, Safety

I got a call a few weeks ago from someone with a sailboat that they wanted to move from Saugatuck over to Chicago where it would be closer to home and easier to use. With any relocation my first question is always “How big is it…”, especially when it involves crossing the lake. I won’t go straight over in…

Read more

The New Girl

October 19, 2014
| No Comments
| General

My three-year sailing experiment has come to a close, I am partially sorry to say. I enjoyed a ton of things about sailing, such as the $40 a year fuel cost and the feeling of freedom that comes from hearing the sails snap into place when you get things right. However, I am a powerboat guy at heart and after…

Read more