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Northern Lakes Boat Co has officially transitioned logos, from our original compass rose to a silhouette of a helicopter. Weird, right? Northern Lakes Boat Company’s logo is a helicopter? At a glance, it makes no sense at all… and I am very aware. The change isn’t just about a catchy new design. It’s about finding something that represents who we are, what we stand for, and how we serve the Michigan’s boating community. A lot of northern Michigan businesses use a compass-styl

For boat owners in northern Michigan, the end of summer can feel like a second job. The days get shorter, the kids go back to school, the leaves start changing—and suddenly there’s a long list of things that need to happen before winter arrives. The boat needs to come out of the water. The engine needs to be winterized. The boat needs to be cleaned. The dock and hoist need to come out. Everything needs to be stored. And somehow, it all needs to happen before the first hard fr

The word AUTUMN comes from an ancient Northern Michigan dialect. “AU" (No); “TUMN” (Time) - Which roughly translates to "No Time” when describing work which needs to be done before a certain period of the year. Or, Historically, this term was used to describe the long list of chores and short time window between the end of summer and onset of freezing temps. Every fall, the ancient ritual begins: ☐ Get the boat out ☐ Winterize the engine ☐ Wash the boat (bottom staining) ☐ Cl

Owning a waterfront property in Northern Michigan is one of the best ways to enjoy the summer. But every spring and fall, many waterfront property owners face the same challenge: coordinating multiple companies to get their boat, dock, and waterfront property ready for the season—or properly secured for winter. One company installs the dock. Another removes it. Someone else handles boat storage. A different service provider takes care of winterization, detailing, or maintenan

If you're spending the summer at the horse shows in Traverse City, you already know Northern Michigan offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Between training sessions, competitions, and long days at the showgrounds, many riders, trainers, owners, and family members are looking for ways to relax and enjoy everything the area has to offer. That's why more and more horse show families are discovering Northern Michigan's incredible lakes—and choosing boat renta

What is value? We all work, earn money, and exchange our money for a thing, because the value of that thing is of equal value to the money we earned with our time and energy. I consider my time to be my most valuable resource - a resource that I spend without ever knowing how much of it I have left. I’m in the boat business - the marine industry - offing boat rentals, boat detailing, marine service, storage, sales, and dock & hoist install. I own Northern Lakes Boat Co, a lo

Men and women wanted for hard work on and around all kinds of boats. Long days. Sunburns. Wet feet. Dirty hands. Occasional chaos. Work includes: boat detailing boat transport marine service assistance hours can fluctuate and whatever else the day throws at us Must: Be honest, on time, and an asset to the team Be humble and teachable. If you already know it all, work somewhere else Be able to do top-quality work with little supervision Be comfortable working in all weather. F

Growth sounds great—until it starts to cost you the thing that made your business work in the first place. In the marine industry, that “thing” is almost always customer service and attention to detail. It’s easy to promise quality when you’re small. It’s much harder when you’re juggling more boats, more customers, and more moving parts every season. At Northern Lakes Boat Company, we’re in that exact phase right now—growing fast while refusing to let our standards slip. The

We serve Michigan boaters and lake lovers by eliminating the hassles of enjoying the lake. If you’re looking for a pontoon rental in Traverse City or planning a day out on Torch Lake , Elk Lake or any of the many other beautiful waterways, we just made it ridiculously simple. Look for these sweet cocktail coasters at your local bar or restaurant. Scan and plan your day on the water. Our new cocktail coasters are now placed in bars and restaurants across Traverse City, Rapid

We Eliminate the Hassle of Boat Ownership In a Very Human Way Of course, we offer boat storage and service, but this time of year, our most in-demand services are Boat Rentals, Detailing, and Slip side Yacht Cleaning. When you call to book or inquire about any of these, you will not talk to AI. You will not text and chat with a bot. You will have a very human experience with a local neighbor and business owner. Pontoon Boat Rentals If you’re looking for a pontoon rental near

Most people don’t realize how much time they waste hauling their boat or camper back and forth every weekend. If you spend your summers in Northern Michigan, there’s a simpler way to do it. At Northern Lakes Boat Company , we offer summer “come and go” storage for boats and campers , designed for convenience, security, and maximizing your time with your favorite toys. What Is “Come & Go” Storage? Our summer storage program allows you to: Store your boat or camper for the seas

If you own a pontoon boat or are planning to buy one, choosing the right trailer is just as important as choosing the right boat. Modern pontoon boats are larger, heavier, and more powerful than ever before, and many older trailers simply weren’t designed to handle them. At Northern Lakes Boat Company , we regularly help boat owners find the right trailer for their pontoon. Whether you have a 20-foot pontoon or a 30-foot tri-toon , choosing the correct trailer will improve sa

If you’re planning a day (or week) on the water in Northern Michigan, there’s no better way to experience the lakes than on a pontoon boat. Comfortable, spacious, and easy to operate, pontoon boats are perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to relax and explore. When it comes to dependable service and well-maintained boats, locals and visitors alike trust Northern Lakes Boat Company for professional pontoon boat rentals. Over the past three seasons, our team has e

What We’ll Be Doing: If We Winterized Your Boat We will automatically summerize it. A detailed description of that process is attached so you know exactly what’s being done. If We Did Not Winterize Your Boat We will not summerize it unless you specifically request that service. If no winterization or summerization was performed, please be prepared for potential low tire pressure or discharged batteries at pickup. Timing: Outdoor Storage Boats will be unwrapped and summerized

Your boat’s shine starts fading the day it leaves the showroom. And because it starts immediately, your maintenance plan should as well. A once or twice per year wash and wax is an inexpensive way to maintain your boat’s longevity on the water, resale value, and aesthetics. Removing or "cutting out" oxidation What Gelcoat Actually Does That deep, glossy gelcoat finish isn’t permanent protection — it’s a surface that immediately begins fighting UV exposure, oxygen, water miner

Did you know boaters have mandatory stand-off distances from shorelines and docks? Did you know your waterfront property has a no-wake zone that extends 100' out whether it is marked by signage or not? And do you have any ideas of how to extend that 100' even further out? It is simple. The law reads that a boat must proceed at a "Slow - no wake speed within 100 feet of the shoreline, any watercraft, pier, person, raft, swimming area, and swimmers." So, to extend that no wake

Enter here: https://forms.gle/bzgSBwzPhftMPQJm6 The Northern Lakes Boat Co "detail crew" typically gives all their attention to about 60 boats per year. They often have 1 or 2 boats in the detail bay at a time, spending 2-4 days on each, depending on the extent of the work required. This means that when a boat is dropped off at the shop the team will spend, on average, 12 hours on a boat that does NOT require buffing. If buffing is required to remove oxidized gelcoat, a team

A More Complete Waterfront Service — One Call, One Company At Northern Lakes Boat Co, we’ve always focused on making lake life easier for Northern Michigan boaters and waterfront property owners. From boat storage and service to detailing , rentals , and haul-out/delivery , our goal has been simple: reduce hassle and increase time on the water. For the 2026 season, we’re taking that one step further. We’re excited to announce that Northern Lakes Boat Co now offers dock instal

Every once in a while, our boat renters come back to the dock after receiving a ticket from a maritime law enforcement officer. After years of renting pontoon boats on Torch Lake and many of the area's other beautiful lakes in NW Michigan, we've accumulated a list of what not to do while boating. Unless you enjoy the attention of men and women in uniform, don't do these 7 things: Reckless operation and/or unsafe maneuvering Operating in a manner that endangers people, propert

Whether you’re a lifelong boater or planning your first season on Northern Michigan waters, getting your Michigan Boating Safety Certificate is one of the smartest moves you can make. It’s not just about obeying the law — it’s about staying safe, confident, and knowledgeable on the water. What Is a Boating Safety Certificate? A Boating Safety Certificate (sometimes called a boater education card ) is proof that you’ve completed an approved boating safety course and exam in M