Paddle wheeler “Discovery” tours West Grand Traverse Bay
By Sandra Serra Bradshaw
Sun contributor
“Of all the places around the globe, the waters of northern Lake Michigan are some of the finest cruising waters to be had anywhere,” remarked Fred J. Peterson of the famed shipbuilding firm, Peterson Builders, Inc. of Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Right here, West Grand Traverse Bay has long been a magnet for boats. The first ones came bringing newcomers and supplies to the region in the 1800s. In fact, it was May 1839 when Reverend John Fleming and Reverend Peter Dougherty came here, arriving at the little cove known as Mission Harbor. They had come by boat from Mackinac, where they had spent the previous winter and had now come for the purpose of establishing a mission.
Move ahead much later, to when many may recall the “Three M’s” sailing on West Grand Traverse Bay during the 1990s and early 2000s; these were Tall Ships Madeline, Manitou and Malabar. While Malabar left long ago, today there are eight commercial vessels that can often be seen on the bay. Besides the first two mentioned, there is the classic yacht Scout (schooner Manitou’s “little sister); the Inland Seas and the Utopia (both mainly sail out of Suttons Bay), the Two Brothers, and the Wind Dancer, and now, the latest to grace the Bay, the Discovery. These boats bring a certain joie de vivre— a welcoming ambiance—to the region.
This latest addition to the waters, the 65-foot tour boat, Discovery, is the first vessel of her kind to navigate Grand Traverse Bay. She takes passengers for a tour on the bay by her capable owner and captain, Harley Hoy. He gives a colorful narration that brings past history back to life again for those listening onboard, as well as other little known but interesting tidbits about fascinating West Grand Traverse Bay, many of them even new to some of us locals, as I might add from first-hand experience.
Discovery, in her early days, worked as a “false” paddle wheeler out on the East Coast. She was constructed by the highly esteemed passenger boat builder, Blount Boats, “Taskmasters Of The Sea,” in Warren, Rhode Island, back in 1974. Designed in the style of an early 20th century steamboat, she was built to accommodate up to 330 passengers. Never designed as a true paddle wheeler, but built as one for its looks, she began her service out of Charles Town, WV., then under the name the Charles Town Belle.
Later she was sold, renamed the River Rose and operated as a charter boat out of New York City. In the fall of 2018, she was brought to Michigan from New York City by Grand Traverse Navigation Company, navigating through the Hudson River, Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Lake Ontario, Welland Canal, Lake Erie, Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River and Lake Huron and up to St. Ignace. There, the vessel spent more than two years at dry dock receiving a complete renovation by her new owner, Captain Hoy. He decided to name her Discovery after what would be her future home at the Discovery Center & Pier in Traverse City. “The Discovery offers a new and creative way to get our locals and tourists to experience West Grand Traverse Bay,” said Matt McDonough, CEO of the Discovery Center. “The new venture fits right into our core programs,” he said.
Captain Hoy has had a long maritime career, now nearing his 50th year of captaining various vessels. He started in Traverse City as First Mate aboard the Miss Coho. “My first charter boat I captained was in 1972 with the Dawn Marie, docked at the Holiday Inn on West Grand Traverse Bay,” he related. “I began as First Mate with Dawn Marie and I later bought her.” That stint was nearly five years. Next, he captained the 120-foot Bay Queen in Charlevoix. Then he skippered the Star of Chicago, the Star of Charlevoix, and the Star of Detroit, a 600-foot passenger for Star Line Cruise Corporation (not the Star Line of the Mackinaw Island ferries). Then, during a stint in Lake Tahoe, he met his forever mate and now wife, Tammy Hoy. Together they work to make the Discovery enjoyable for their guests while on board.
An excursion aboard is suitable for all ages including families, friends, co-workers, and groups – corporate and private. She is currently United States Coast Guard certified to carry 150 passengers. “Our first cruise was July 18, 2021. It felt as natural as could be it, was just like talking to my neighbors,” shared Captain Hoy. He is quite a colorful character, and welcomes guests to interrupt his narrative with questions, “so as not to forget them,” he said. “For our normal tours we max out at 75 persons on board,” explained Captain Hoy. “But for charters, we max out at 150 guests.” This difference in passengers aboard was a decision made by Captain Hoy and his company, Grand Traverse Navigation, to reduce the overall passenger capacity to “ensure more personal comfort for guests.”
Day Cruises are from Tuesday – Sunday, two hours in length from 1:00 – 3:00 PM, and are on a “First Come, First Served” basis. During somewhat inclement weather, the boat still sails as there is indoor climate-controlled seating on the lower deck, and patio style seating and outdoor observation areas on the upper deck. The boat leaves Discovery Pier, travels past downtown Traverse City, up along Old Mission Peninsula south of Power Island, cuts across West Grand Traverse Bay over to the Leelanau Peninsula side, then down along the shoreline and back to Discovery Pier.
Cocktail cruises are 1 ½ hours, long taking you close to the Traverse City shoreline, up along the Old Mission Peninsula for a short distance then back along the Traverse City shoreline to Discovery Pier. There are Happy Hour cruises on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, which will leave the pier at 4:30 PM. Appetizers, hot dogs, snacks and a full beverage bar are available on all cruises.
“The goal at Discovery Cruises is to connect the community and its visitors to one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the world – the core of what Traverse City is really all about,” explained Captain Hoy. With their passion to protect the Bay, he and Tammy want to be a resource for passengers to not only enjoy time on the water, but to also learn about the water and the area. “You will see an entirely different side of Traverse City,” promises Captain Hoy.
Discovery Cruises is located at 13170 S. W. Bay Shore Dr. #104, Traverse City, MI 49684. Call (231) 943-1183 or visit www.Discoverycruisestc.com.
