By Traci L. Weisenbach
For the Advertiser
SEBEWAING — Jim Stenfelt has a passion for boating.
Sebewaing Harbor Marina Harbor Master Jim Stenfelt (center) chats with boaters Cas Niec and Morgan White. Niec said he loves coming to the marina because of the peaceful surroundings and because of the great features the marina offers for boaters.
Throughout his life, he’s been to countless marinas and he’s experienced the positive and not-so-positive features of those marinas. One of the marinas that impressed him the most is where he is now working as a harbor master.
“I love it here,” Stenfelt said of the Sebewaing Harbor Marina, located at 700 W. Sebewaing Street. “It’s a clean, quiet harbor. I want more people to enjoy it.”
Thanks to a $1.5 million dredging project that finished in June, more people will be able to safely navigate the channel with larger boats, including sailboats. The channel is now 8 to 9 feet deep along the entire 2-mile length. Prior to the dredging, depths averaged about four feet, Stenfelt said. Bigger vessels need larger depths, especially sailboats, as they have keels on the bottom to provide stability.
Sebewaing Harbor Marina was one of the harbors that received emergency dredging funding from the State of Michigan. The emergency dredging plan was developed by the Michigan State Waterways Commission. The Army Corps of Engineers led the dredging project. The last time the Sebewaing harbor was dredged was 2008.
Stenfelt, who is in his second year as harbor master, is thrilled to see larger boats travel into the harbor. He, along with Matt Cummings, are working to get the word out so more boaters will travel to Sebewaing. Cummings leases the marina from the Village of Sebewaing.
The deeper channel is one of many features at the marina that boaters will appreciate, Stenfelt said. The spacious marina features floating docks, which are beneficial when the water level fluctuates.
“We have a bathhouse with showers, and it’s kept very clean,” he said. “We also have a laundry facility (and) 30-amp electrical service and water service at the docks. We have Wi-Fi service, too.”
The marina has a pump-out facility for boat bathrooms. It also offers true marine fuel, which is different than regular fuel.
“It’s a better quality for boats — it cleans the engine and valves and improves mileage and performance,” Stenfelt said. “It’s made a world of difference in my boat.”
Sebewaing Harbor Marina offers a deep water access ramp. To make traveling safer for boaters, range lights are located in the channel, and U.S. Coast Guard lighted buoys will soon be installed.
Stenfelt also raved about the fishing opportunities in Sebewaing, especially walleye fishing.
“It’s phenomenal,” he said. “We’re vying for the title of Walleye Capital of Michigan.”
Other fish that are often caught include perch, pike, musky, catfish and crappies.
The marina sponsors a number of fishing tournaments and events, including carp shoots. For those who enjoy charter trips, Lucky Dawg Charters fishes out of the marina.
Sebewaing Harbor Marina also offers anglers a fish cleaning station and Alexander’s Bait and Tackle shop.
As a boater, Stenfelt knows the features that boaters look for at a marina.
“We have everything a boater needs,” he said. “We’ll do just about anything to help a boater.”
One of Sebewaing Harbor Marina’s regular customers, Cas Niec of Clio, said the marina has a lot going for it. As a boater, he appreciates all the features the marina offers.
“It’s nice and peaceful here,” he said. “It’s also in a convenient location.”
Niec also is an aviator and he flies into the Sebewaing Airport, which is within walking distance of the marina. He said having an airport and a marina close to one another is another feature he enjoys.
To help bring more boaters to the Sebewaing Harbor Marina, Stenfelt said he’s offering a free weekend promotion. Boaters who come in off the lake can tie up at a dock for the weekend at no charge.
Stenfelt said he is hoping to someday see the marina full of boats of all sizes – and people who will explore the town, shop at the local businesses, visit the local parks and campgrounds, etc. He said a busy marina will benefit the whole community.
To locate Sebewaing Harbor Marina via GPS, the marina is located at 43 degrees, 45 minutes 1 second north and 83 degrees, 31 minutes and 3 seconds west.
For more information, call 989-883-9024 or visit www.sebewaingharbor.com. Boaters also can contact the marina by using Channel 68 on its marine radio.