Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry operates scheduled passenger ferries, sightseeing cruises, and private charters between mainland Michigan (Mackinaw City and St. Ignace) and Mackinac Island using a seven-vessel fleet, serving individual tourists, group travelers, and event clients seasonally under Hoffmann Family of Companies ownership.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1945
- HeadquartersMackinaw City, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry does
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry is a privately held, family-owned passenger ferry and cruise operator founded in 1945 by Captain William H. Shepler and now in its third generation of family leadership under the Hoffmann Family of Companies. The company runs a fleet of seven motor vessels (97–281 passenger capacity each) across three dock locations — Mackinaw City and St. Ignace on the Michigan mainland and Mackinac Island — operating seasonally from approximately late April through October. Core technology consists of the in-house fleet (including two modern Michigan-built vessels, Miss Margy launched 2015 and William Richard launched 2020, the latter a $4M quad-jet build by Moran Iron Works) and dock infrastructure plus a marine service/repair facility operating since 1960. Revenue is generated through multiple streams: ferry ticket sales (basic and enhanced boarding tiers, $24–$59 per roundtrip), scheduled narrated lighthouse cruises (3–5 hours), sunset and 4th-of-July fireworks cruises, private charters (up to 150 guests), group services (weddings, conventions, schools, tour groups), parking (day and overnight), marine repair services ($139/hour labor), and ship store retail. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via three physical docks, the company website, a mobile app (Patriot Party Boats), and a dedicated group sales department. The company serves individual tourists and families as its primary segment, plus secondary segments spanning tour operators, schools/scouts, wedding parties, conventions/reunions, private-event charter customers, and regional boaters requiring marine service. Sister-brand Sip n' Sail Cruises (also Hoffmann-owned) offers reciprocal promotional access.
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry
- Legal name
- Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry
- Website
- https://sheplersferry.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1945
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry operates scheduled passenger ferries, sightseeing cruises, and private charters between mainland Michigan (Mackinaw City and St. Ignace) and Mackinac Island using a seven-vessel fleet, serving individual tourists, group travelers, and event clients seasonally under Hoffmann Family of Companies ownership.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Passenger Ferry Services
- NAICS
- Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation (483114), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Water Transportation (483)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400), Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Island & Remote Community Ferry Services (THAIAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ferry Terminal & Passenger Pier Operations (Ferry-Specific) (THAIAJAJ), Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)
Keywords
Where Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mackinaw City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Ferry Ticket Sales: Round-trip ferry tickets for passengers traveling between mainland (Mackinaw City/St. Ignace) and Mackinac Island. Tickets are valid for any departure during the season (April-October) and include basic and enhanced boarding options.
- Scheduled Cruises: Narrated lighthouse cruises (3-5 hours), sunset cruises, and 4th of July fireworks cruises offering panoramic views of the Straits of Mackinac, Mackinac Bridge, and Great Lakes lighthouses.
- Private Charters: Private charter experiences for events including cocktail receptions, catered dinners, brunches, and area tours. Maximum 150 guests, minimum one-hour cruise length, with full bar service and catering options.
- Marine Service and Repair: Full-service marine repair facility since 1960, offering engine sales/repair, fiberglass/gelcoat repairs, bottom painting, polishing, winter boat storage, and equipment rental. Labor rate $139/hour.
- Parking Services: Day parking ($15), overnight standard ($25/night), and premium dock parking ($50-75/night) at Mackinaw City and St. Ignace locations.
- Ship Store: Retail marine supplies including charts, parts, safety equipment, footwear (Sperry Topsider), apparel (Helly Hansen), navigation equipment, and nautical books.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Basic Adult Roundtrip Ferry Ticket |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Basic Child Roundtrip Ferry Ticket |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Enhanced Adult Roundtrip Ferry Ticket |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Enhanced Child Roundtrip Ferry Ticket |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Military Discount Rate |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bike Transportation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Day Parking Pass |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Overnight Dock Parking |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Overnight Lot Parking |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Marine Service Labor |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Winter Boat Storage |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry operates a passenger ferry transportation service between mainland Michigan (Mackinaw City and St. Ignace) and Mackinac Island, complemented by narrated sightseeing cruises (lighthouse, sunset, fireworks), private charters, group transportation for schools, weddings, conventions, and tour operators, plus an ancillary marine repair facility and parking services. The company runs a fleet of eight motor vessels carrying 97 to 281 passengers each, supported by direct-to-consumer ticketing through its website, mobile app, and three dock offices.
Product overview
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry operates as a transportation and cruise service company offering ferry service to Mackinac Island from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Michigan. The product portfolio centers on three core offerings: Ferry Transportation (Basic and Enhanced roundtrip tickets), Cruises (Lighthouse Cruises, Sunset Cruises, and Fireworks Cruises), and Group Services (weddings, conventions, school/scouts, and tour groups). The company also provides Private Charters for events, Marine Service for vessel repairs, and Parking Services. The fleet consists of seven vessels: The Welcome (1969), Felicity (1972), The Hope (1975), Wyandot (1979), Capt. Shepler (1986), Miss Margy (2015), and William Richard (2020). Recently, the company added Sunset Cruises in 2026 and has expanded through acquisition of sister brand Sip n' Sail Cruises. Shepler's is part of Hoffmann Family of Companies and maintains operations from three ports.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Roundtrip Ferry Transportation Scheduled passenger ferry service running 16-26 minute crossings between Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, and Mackinac Island. Available in Basic and Enhanced boarding options for adults and children, valid any departure during the operating season.
- Lighthouse Cruises Narrated 3-5 hour cruise excursions showcasing Great Lakes lighthouses around the Straits of Mackinac, offered in Eastbound, Westbound, Extended, and Les Cheneaux versions. A portion of profits supports the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association.
- Sunset Cruises First-ever dedicated Shepler's sunset cruise sailing through the Straits of Mackinac during golden hour, passing under the Mackinac Bridge and circling the shores of Mackinac Island with panoramic views of Lakes Huron and Michigan.
- Fireworks Cruises 4th of July cruises departing at 9:15 p.m. and returning around 11:00 p.m., offering VIP views of fireworks displays from Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island, and St. Ignace in the Straits.
- Private Charters Custom private events on the Straits of Mackinac including VIP cocktail receptions, catered dinners, brunches, and area tours. Maximum 150 guests, minimum one-hour cruise, with full bar service available.
- Wedding Transportation Services Wedding transportation for parties of 20 or more, including complimentary tickets and parking for the wedding couple, discounted rates, special departures, luggage handling, and private charter options for rehearsal, ceremony, and reception.
- Conventions and Reunions Group Transportation Group transportation for corporate events, private reunions, and conventions with discounted roundtrip rates for 20+ guests, online ticketing, complimentary freight transport, and single dock location convenience.
- School and Scout Group Transportation Educational youth group transportation with group discounts, group boarding, Mackinac Bridge view options, complimentary planning assistance, and educational curriculum packets for chaperones.
- Tour Group Transportation Tour operator transportation service with complimentary luggage transfer, complimentary attraction planning assistance, free motor coach parking, and customized itineraries.
- Marine Service and Repair Full-service marine repair facility operating since 1960, offering engine sales and repair, fiberglass and gelcoat repairs, bottom painting, polishing, winter boat storage, and equipment rental at $139/hour labor rate.
- Parking Services Day parking and overnight parking at Mackinaw City and St. Ignace locations, with premium dock lot options and standard lots with complimentary shuttle service.
- Ship Store Retail marine supplies including charts, parts, safety equipment, Sperry Topsider footwear, Helly Hansen apparel, navigation equipment, and nautical books.
- Miss Margy Ferry Vessel First Made-in-Michigan motor vessel, built by Moran Iron Works in Onaway, Michigan in 2015, named after co-founder Margaret Shepler. Carries 281 passengers, triple engine.
- William Richard Ferry Vessel Second Michigan-made vessel built by Moran Iron Works in Onaway, launched in October 2020 and christened May 29, 2021. $4 million investment, quad jet engine, 210 passenger capacity. Named after current chairman William (Bill) Shepler.
Companies that use Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Sip n' Sail CruisescoreSip n' Sail is a sister ship partnership under Hoffmann Family of Companies. Shepler's guests receive $5 off Sip n' Sail cruises using promo code SHEPLERS. The acquisition expands Hoffmann Marine's dinner cruise operations to 22 vessels across seven states. Sip n' Sail operates Robin E (55') and Isle Royale Queen III (81') vessels offering 90-minute sunset cruises around Mackinac Island.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Hornblower Group (City Experiences): Large-scale passenger vessel operator running sightseeing cruises, ferries, and dinner cruises across US cities. Overlaps with Shepler's in scheduled scenic cruises and private charter event services.
- Hoffmann Family of Companies (Marine Division): Parent platform operating 22 dinner cruise vessels across 7 states. Provides Shepler's with capital, operational scale, and acquisition pipeline; comparable at the portfolio level as a diversified marine hospitality operator.
- Washington State Ferries: Largest ferry system in the United States operating scheduled passenger and vehicle ferries across the Puget Sound. While publicly operated (not a commercial peer), relevant benchmark for passenger ferry unit economics, scheduling, and fleet maintenance.
Direct peers
- Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry: Direct competitor operating passenger ferry service to Mackinac Island from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. Head-to-head on core round-trip ferry tickets with similar vessel capacity and pricing tiers.
- Arnold Ferry Company (Arnold Transit Co.): Historic Mackinac Island ferry operator dating back to 1878, providing direct passenger ferry service from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island. Competes on the same route with similar scheduling and pricing structure.
- Hy-Line Cruises: Family-owned passenger ferry and sightseeing cruise operator serving Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard. Strong peer on multi-generational family ownership, seasonal operation, and diversified ferry + cruise + charter revenue model.
- Inter-Island Ferry (Hawaii): Scheduled passenger ferry operator serving inter-island routes in Hawaii, with comparable revenue model (per-trip tickets, multi-ride passes, parking, and island tourism dependency) to Shepler's Mackinac service.
Regional players
- Spirit of America (Great Lakes Cruise Co.): Operator of multi-day Great Lakes cruise experiences departing from Michigan ports. Comparable in regional Great Lakes passenger vessel operations and reliance on Mackinac-area itineraries, but at a longer-voyage / boutique-cruise scale.
Emerging players
- Sip n' Sail Cruises: Sister-ship under Hoffmann Family of Companies offering 90-minute sunset and panoramic cruises around Mackinac Island. Functionally a coordinated offering rather than a direct competitor, with mutual cross-promotion (SHEPLERS promo code).
- Walters Marine Service: Regional marine service and repair facility in northern Michigan. Compares to Shepler's Marine Service arm on full-service boat repair, refinishing, and winter storage for Great Lakes boaters.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry
What does Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry do?
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry operates a passenger ferry transportation service between mainland Michigan (Mackinaw City and St. Ignace) and Mackinac Island, complemented by narrated sightseeing cruises (lighthouse, sunset, fireworks), private charters, group transportation for schools, weddings, conventions, and tour operators, plus an ancillary marine repair facility and parking services. The company runs a fleet of eight motor vessels carrying 97 to 281 passengers each, supported by direct-to-consumer ticketing through its website, mobile app, and three dock offices.
Is Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry a public or private company?
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry founded?
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry was founded in 1945.
Where is Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry based?
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry is headquartered in Mackinaw City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Ferry Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are scheduled Cruises, private Charters, marine Service and Repair, parking Services and ship Store.
Who are Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hornblower Group (City Experiences), Hoffmann Family of Companies (Marine Division) and Washington State Ferries. Direct peers are Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry, Arnold Ferry Company (Arnold Transit Co.), Hy-Line Cruises and Inter-Island Ferry (Hawaii). Spirit of America (Great Lakes Cruise Co.) is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Sip n' Sail Cruises and Walters Marine Service.
Does Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry have an API?
No public API is recorded for Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry.
What industry is Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry in?
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry's product category is Passenger Ferry Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAIAJAG, Island & Remote Community Ferry Services, with a secondary code of THAIAJAJ, Ferry Terminal & Passenger Pier Operations (Ferry-Specific). Its NAICS code is 483114 and its SIC code is 4400.