Ward Marina’s Captain’s Tips: Navigating Charlevoix’s Waterways with Confidence

1.231.547.2371 106 East Antrim Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720

Ward Marina’s Captain’s Tips:

Navigating Charlevoix’s Waterways with Confidence

Welcome aboard! At Ward Marina, we want your time on the water to be the highlight of your summer. To ensure a smooth, safe, and memorable voyage, here are our top tips for our guest captains:

Know Your Waterways

The Pine River Channel: This is the gateway between Round Lake and Lake Michigan. It can have strong currents and heavy traffic. Always maintain a “No Wake” speed and stay alert for the bridge schedule.
Lake Charlevoix Sandbars: These are popular for a reason! However, water depths change quickly. Always approach slowly and keep a lookout for swimmers and submerged anchors. Oyster Bay is almost always crowded in the summer.

Safety First, Always

Life Jackets (PFDs): We provide high-quality life jackets for everyone on board. Michigan law requires children under 6 to wear a Type I or II PFD while on the open deck. We recommend everyone wear one!
The “Designated Captain”: Just like driving a car, operating a boat requires total focus. Please designate a sober operator to ensure everyone’s safety.
Stay Centered: Distribute weight evenly across the boat for better stability and fuel efficiency.

Weather Awareness

The “West Wind” Rule: On Lake Charlevoix, a strong west wind can create “chop” on the east end. If you see whitecaps forming, it’s time to head to the lee side of the lake or back to Round Lake.
Keep an Eye on the Horizon: If clouds begin to darken or the wind shifts suddenly, don’t wait for a storm—head to the nearest shore or return to the marina.

Respect the Vessel

Propeller Safety: Always turn the engine off completely before allowing swimmers to use the ladder or approach the back of the boat.
Lines & Fenders: When docking at a waterfront restaurant, ensure your fenders are at the correct height to protect the hull from the dock.

Local Etiquette

Wakeless Waters:
- No wake in Round Lake or the connecting channels.
- No wake in the Ironton passage to the south arm of Lake Charlevoix.
Respect the Wake: You are responsible for your wake. Slow down when passing smaller vessels, kayakers, or docked boats to prevent rocking or damage.
Pack It In, Pack It Out: Help us keep Round Lake pristine. Please secure all loose trash so it doesn’t blow overboard.

We’re looking forward to sharing with you the breathtaking views of Charlevoix’s homes, drawbridge, lighthouse, and scenic waterways. With Charlevoix’s relaxed charm and history, it’s ideal for shopping, special events, outstanding eateries, and friendly Northern Michigan hospitality.

With over 56 miles of shoreline for exploration, the Ward Marina team hopes to fuel your water fun with boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and other water sports in a yacht-friendly environment on Michigan’s third-largest inland lake.

Relax, rejuvenate, and soak up life on the lake…we’ll see you on the dock!

Reservation and Cancellation Policies

A non-refundable reservation deposit of 15% is required for all bookings.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations within 7 days of a reservation will incur 30% of the rental fee.
Cancellations made within 3 days of the reservation are not eligible for a refund.

Payment & Security Deposit Information:
To ensure a smooth rental experience, here are a few important details regarding payment and deposits:

A valid credit card (not debit) is required for all motorized rentals.
We gladly accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express (cash is accepted onsite for same-day rentals).
To confirm your reservation, full payment of the rental fee is required at the time of booking.
At the time of pickup, a $500 cash security deposit is also required. This will be fully refunded upon return of the equipment, provided everything is in good condition after inspection.

Northern Michigan weather can be unpredictable! We recommend waiting until the day of your rental to make weather-related decisions, as forecasts can change quickly. While we can’t guarantee perfect weather, we’ll do our best to work with you.

Weather & Safety Policy:

Our Commitment to Your Safety
Your safety is our highest priority. Northern Michigan weather is famously beautiful, but it can be unpredictable. To ensure you have the best possible experience, we monitor lake conditions in real time.

Planning Your Trip: Because forecasts can change quickly, we recommend checking in with us on the day of your reservation for the most accurate update on lake conditions.
Safety-First Cancellations: To ensure everyone’s well-being on the water, Ward Marina reserves the right to postpone or cancel rentals due to unsafe conditions (such as high winds, lightning, or small craft advisories).Should we determine that conditions are unsafe for your specific vessel, we will work with you to reschedule or provide a refund at our discretion. (Cancellations due to weather will be at the sole discretion of Ward Marina.)

Damage & Responsibility

Vessel Care & Responsibility
We take great pride in providing a clean, high-performance, and well-maintained fleet for our guests.

Upon departure, the renter assumes full responsibility for the vessel and its equipment. (See rental agreement for more details)

Damage Policy: Our experience has been that boat rental guests are very mindful of their surroundings and take great care of the vessel they are renting.
Please be aware that the rental customer is responsible for 100% of any repair or replacement costs incurred during the rental period.
Insurance Notice: Boat rental insurance is not provided. We encourage all operators to navigate with caution, stay within designated channels, and respect all maritime markers to ensure a safe and damage-free excursion.