Where Dreams Sail
A Wooden Ship Adventure
Her old wooden planks creak as guest huddle together under the sails to hear her about this blue ship taking them out on Lake Michigan. Although she is only 50 years old, her story starts in 1898 when a 14 year old boy showed up at a shipyard to learn how to build boats. After a life-time in this now dying trade, MJ's planks were the last planks he sanded.
Charles Taylor chose to model her after the fast and cocky Tancook Whalers; nearly every detail of her make is authentic to these old island, fishing boats of the 1860s. As guest look below decks, you can see the ship's bones, and handle a sample of the hairy caulking that when wet, keeps her water tight.
Sails climb their way up the solid wood mast, while crew and guest sing the old sailor work songs. The engine goes off, and hush surrounds us. It's just the sounds of ship, sea, and sailor, as the crew coil down the brown ropes. Out here, on the deck, it is easy to be one with all the mariners of those ancient times.
Come Join Us, Where Dreams Sail
More About the ship
Sail on MJ
Ship Story
Ship Story
Browse our daily sailing times, themed events, or special programs.
Ship Story
Ship Story
Ship Story
Hear of the ship's origins, her life and what she is up to these days.
Ship Specs
Ship Story
Ship Specs
View the ship's details, and learn more about the Tancook Whaler Design.
Safety, Safety, Safety
We Get It...
Many people are trying out sailing and boats for the first time and need to be assured what safety measures will be taken during the trip.
Coast Guard Certified
MJ is undergoing the process right now to be an Inspected Small Passenger Vessel. This means that she will be totally compliant with the Coast Guard's standard of operation. Once past the initial inspection, MJ is re -inspected every year to ensure ongoing compliance and up to date equipment. In the mean time we are regulated by the DNR to be a safe passenger vessel on the Great Lakes.
Training
All crew undergo rigorous training on emergency responses to several key water related risk. In addition, all crew are cpr/first aid certified . Occasionally, you may get to join in a drill as we practice monthly compliance of refreshing emergency response.
Experience
Captain Megan, the owner, is at the helm of MJ's operations, keeping watch on training, staffing, programs, and safety systems. With over 20 years sailing experience, she has over-seen operations on many boats MJ being the smallest.
With her hands on training approach, you can rest assured the team has planned and practiced nearly every emergency scenario.
No Drugs on Board
Although Michigan is a cannabis friendly state, we do not allow any drugs onboard MJ. There are a number of reasons for this, the main one being that we operate on Federal Waters where weed is still band.