53′ Fun-Loving Steel Boat Seeking Companionship and Care
I may look petite, but my two decks provide ample room for you and 126 of your friends. I’m an experienced hostess and have spent my entire career plying the fresh waters of Lake Superior, where I grew up (near the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin), the Chicago River in mid-life, and now, the Saginaw River and Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay in my adopted home port of Bay City.
Let’s go places together! I’m powered by a 240 HP Detroit Diesel Engine and energized by an Isuzu generator enough to keep the lights on, the beer cold and a full band playing. I’m hefty, weighing in at 39 gross tons. I love cruising slowly and letting my guests relax and enjoy the view.
Right behind the pilothouse, you will find a quaint bar area with a 3 door top-loading refrigerated counter height cooler for beverages and snacks. I also have two separate heads for ladies and gentlemen.
I was built in 1946 and served as small car ferry on Lake Superior. My name was Nichevo, but I changed that to the more enticing Islander when I moved to Chicago and worked on the river, offering tours and parties. That was a wild time, and I had wild animals painted on my hull, showcasing my crazy, fun-loving side. My Chicago owner died unexpectedly, and his family put me up for sale, which is how I ended up here in Bay City, working alongside Princess Wenonah for Bay City Boat Lines.
Bay City has been my favorite location. I’m well suited to river travel, and the Fournier family and her crew at Bay City Boat Lines have treated me well. They added a frame to shade the upper deck and kept me in good working order. While I mostly cruise around locally, I am capable of open-water travel. My last big trip on the Great Lakes was to and from St. Ignace, Michigan, in 2022. That was an adventure!
I’ve let my COI (Certificate of Inspection) with the Coast Guard expire and no longer run paid events. With a little clean-up, I am ready to go as a personal tour boat, party pad, or floating hangout. With a little more work and updating, you could potentially put me to work commercially again as an inspected passenger vessel or something else. Floating bar? Restaurant? Fishing dock? Swim platform? Outdoor classroom? Use your imagination.
My beautiful red canvas cover (seen in the photos below) was with me for many years, but it ran away in a terrible windstorm. Vaughan & Son in Saginaw custom-made mine and would be happy to do the same for you. They last years with care and winter removal, or you could add a permanent cover if you prefer.
My current owners are sad to part with me but have made a business decision to put all their effort into my big sister, Princess Wenonah, who is younger and larger. I know it sounds harsh, but they love me enough to let me go and want to see me give joy to someone else.
I’m in the water, tied up next to a popular live music venue/bar with floating docks on the Middlegrounds Island in the Saginaw River. My big sister moved downtown to be closer to the visitors she entertains all summer. I’m lonely and patiently waiting for my chance to rejoin the other boats passing by daily. I would love to stay in Bay City but I am willing to relocate if necessary.
Will you be my forever friend? I’m lots of fun and a steal at $20,000.
Please contact my owners to learn more. They can be reached at 989-233-4427 or boat@baycityboatlines.com
