Dreamboats

(And a Couple for the Rest of Us)

By Ross Boissoneau | June 13, 2020

You don’t have to have a boat to enjoy Northern Michigan’s bounty of freshwater lakes. But it sure does make a day on the water a lot more fun.

We called boat dealers across the region to find out what’s available right now — among the highest of high-end and at the best value (and a lower price point).

Whether your idea of a dreamboat is a luxury cruiser with all the comforts of home or a low-pro human-powered fishing boat, we’ve got options so you can have your own floating oasis — one you can drop in most anywhere you want to drop away.   

Glencraft Marina, Glen Arbor
High Value: A 1978 Tiara 2000. Sales manager G.T. Aylsworth said the one-owner boat is in great shape, with lots of character … and lots of teak. This Fisherman model is equally at home on inland lakes or Lake Michigan. It has a Mercruiser V8 with only 500 original hours. The fiberglass boat (with a tandem axle trailer) is 20 feet, 2 inches in length and priced at $6,500. 

High End: This 2020 Cobalt R5 is loaded, boasting three-color graphics with seagrass flooring, wood dash/trim package, dual batteries with switch, a pump-out porta potty, windlass anchor, trim tabs, stainless foot tread, and much more. The 25-and-a-half-foot boat can accommodate up to 14 passengers and boasts a premium sound system with six speakers (iPod/USB/MP3 port and Bluetooth), a stainless steel ski pylon, and a Volvo Penta 380 horsepower DP with just over 100 hours. $119,500.

Walstrom Marine
High End: The Tiara Yachts 49 Coupe includes the latest in technology: joystick docking, driving and position-keeping with the push of a button. It has a full-beam master stateroom with large side windows and a private head, while two guest staterooms share a second full-size head. Its full galley is complemented by the grill and additional refrigerator on the aft deck, while a forward lounge and aft cockpit area are great for gatherings. Or enjoy the speed of a 385 horsepower engine — like 55 miles per hour speed. $1,600,000.

Sailsport Marine
High Value I: If you’d rather sit than stand, and fishing is your thing, here you go. The Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 360 pedal-powered kayak has everything elite anglers are looking for — control, power, stability, performance and comfort. Don’t forget stealth — its wide, rock-solid standing platform comes decked out with noise-reducing EVA traction pads. Add a super-comfy adjustable seat, dual steering, and an extra-wide beam, allowing for long days on the water. Starting at $4,599.

High Value II: If it’s sailing you want, the Sunfish is the most popular recreational sailboat in – well, ever. It boasts a classic design, unmatched stability and sailing ease, making it a sailboat enjoyed and appreciated by anyone of any age. It’s easy to transport — at 120 pounds, you can pop it on (and off) the top of a car. The durable construction ensures years of maintenance-free enjoyment. It’s just under 14 feet in length. $4,800.

Long Lake Marina, Traverse City
High Value: The 20-foot Bennington 20 SLV pontoon was the marina’s No. 1 selling model last year, and this year looks to be the same. It features easy-to-clean Simtek furniture (cooler to the touch than most at this price point), a dinette table, aft deck, full vinyl floor, even a changing room curtain. Plus flexible seating, including a reclining captain’s chair and two chaise lounges, tons of storage, and a 50-horsepower outboard engine, perfect for those sunset cruises. $21,911. 

High End: The 2020 Bennington 24 Bowrider is the first bowrider-style pontoon boat. At just over 26 feet in length and eight-and-a-half feet in width, it’s perfect for those parties on the water. Oh, you want to zip around, maybe even pull a skier? With a 300-horsepower motor, no problem. This craft offers wide chaise lounge seats, loads of storage, a zebrawood slate trapezoid table, stainless steel hinges and latches, and with a Rockford Fostgate all-in-one stereo system, it’s ready to rock. $80,000.

Tommy’s Walloon Lake
High End: Sales representative Ryan Sugnet says 2020 Malibu M240 is “over the top.” Seems he’s right: The 24-foot luxury craft boasts exclusive features, producing the largest and cleanest surf swells in the wake boat industry. Other features include a supercharged towboat engine, a fully automatic Gx tower, a flip-up seatback that doubles as a wind block, and 7,000 watt (!) onboard entertainment system with Rev 10 tower speakers and 12 interior speakers provides surround sound. $200,000.

Irish Boat Shop
High End (& High Value): One thing repeated by all boat shops who managed to return our calls was how busy they are. “It’s one of the busiest stretches I’ve seen,” said Jack Hodge, vice president at Irish Boat Shop, which among other lines sells J/Boats sailboats. J/Boats range from 22 to 65 feet, and are priced between $50,000 and $600,000. Demand has been so strong its inventory of J/Boats has been almost completely depleted, save for a 2014 29-foot J/88 which has just been traded in. This family speedster is fast, fun, and stable, and it boasts a sit-in cockpit, inboard diesel, overnighting interior, and onboard head. $99,500.