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Officials: Signs point to strong boating season

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Thunder Bay Shore Marine owner Rich McTaggart, left, and Reid Wilson moor a boat to a dock at the boat harbor in Alpena on Thursday. Harbors in Alpena, Rogers City, and Harrisville expect to have a strong boating season this year.

ALPENA — There are encouraging signs pointing to a strong local boating season this year.

Local harbor and government officials say there is early demand for slip rentals, and slowly, but surely, people are putting their boats in the water.

Rogers City Harbormaster Wayne Saile said it’s still early, but interest in slip rentals and harbor use is strong, especially from people who live outside the area. He said so far, he received about 25 calls from people who don’t live in Rogers City, who inquired about slips. Of those, he said, 15 have already paid to rent docks for the season.

Saile said there are 150 slips at the harbor and occupancy rates have climbed between 5% and 6% the last few years. Saile said he expects a larger increase this year because it’s the strongest demand he’s seen. He believes harbors up and down the Great Lakes will see similar increases.

“I think it is going to be a banner year, not just in Rogers City, but across the state,” Saile said. “I think people are tired of being indoors and want to get outside and do things, so this might be one for the record books.”

In Alpena, things are a little slower, but three new renters have purchased slips. Thunder Bay Shore Marine owner Rich McTaggart — who the city hires to manage the harbor — said until the weather improves, and people get the itch to take their boats out, it is hard to determine how strong or weak slip rentals will be.

“Right now it is too early to tell too much,” McTaggart said. “We’ll see how it goes when the weather breaks. It is 100% about the weather.”

Harrisville Mayor Jeff Gehring, who is an avid boater, said he is expecting an update from the harbor commission and Harbormaster Tiffany Wilson on harbor operations and slip rentals. He said from his own observations, and talking with residents and visitors, an increase in business at the harbor is possible, but until he receives an update, he didn’t want to speculate how big it could be.

“My expectation is we will be up a tick,” he said. “If the real estate market is any indicator though, then I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a boom.”

All three of the harbors are close to their respective downtowns, and more boaters help the local economy, Saile said. He said harbors offer people rides to local business districts, and others have bikes for people to use while in town. Saile said added services like these appeal to people who stop to refuel, or spend a day or two in town.

“Sure we get revenue from the rentals, but it goes way beyond that,” Saile said. “The people go downtown, in and out of the small businesses, and spend money in them. Plus, the transient boats get to see what a good facility looks like and hopefully return.”

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