What you'll do:

Your group boards BAYLIFE, a Catalina 34 MkII sailboat, and heads out onto the clear waters of Grand Traverse West Bay for a two-hour private sailing charter in Traverse City that your whole party has to yourselves.

• The boat: BAYLIFE is a well-maintained Catalina 34 MkII with comfortable, secure seating throughout the cockpit and a spacious lower salon where guests can get out of the sun or change into swimwear.

• The captain: Every charter is helmed by USCG-licensed Master Captain Tom Gorsline or Captain Joey Chemello, both experienced on Grand Traverse Bay and happy to let guests take a turn at the wheel.

• Swim access: The cockpit features a walkthrough transom and swim ladder so guests can cool off directly from the boat, with towels, floats, and water toys available on board.

• BYOB and food: Your group is welcome to bring food, snacks, and adult beverages of your choice, and the crew provides plates, utensils, glasses, ice, and coolers so you don't need to pack extra gear.

• Comfort below deck: The lower galley includes a full salon with seating and privacy, plus a modern head with an electric flushing toilet.

• Sound and lounge: A Bluetooth sound system lets you set the vibe with your own playlist, and cushioned lounge pads on the foredeck give you a front-row seat to the bay views.

Whether you're celebrating a bachelorette party, an anniversary, or just a long-overdue group trip, this charter gives your group a private, unhurried afternoon or evening on the water.

Why you'll love it for your group:

1. Fully private: No sharing the boat with strangers; the entire vessel is reserved exclusively for your party of up to six guests.

2. Customizable to your theme: The crew works with you to tailor the experience to your occasion, whether that's a sunset sail, a daytime cruise, or something in between.

3. Helm time for guests: Anyone in your group who wants to steer gets the chance, making this more interactive than a typical boat cruise.

4. Convenient boarding: The accessible dock at Elmwood Township Marina on M-22 includes a free parking permit right at the boat, so loading up coolers and gear is straightforward.

5. Licensed crew on every trip: A USCG-licensed captain and a seasoned first mate are on board for every charter, covering both safety and guest comfort throughout the trip.

About this experience partner:

Traverse City Sailing Charters specializes in private sailing charters on Grand Traverse West Bay, running two-hour day and sunset sails as well as five-hour excursions to Power Island. Captains Tom Gorsline and Joey Chemello personally sail every trip and hold USCG Master Captain licenses. The company boards all guests at Elmwood Township Marina on M-22, with complimentary dockside parking included.

Additional information:

• Charters accommodate up to 6 guests per boat; additional vessels are available for groups up to 18.

• All guests board and disembark at Elmwood Township Marina, 13051 S. West Bay Shore Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684.

• Free parking is included with a dockside permit, making it easy to load coolers and supplies directly at the boat.

• 5 hour excursions to Power Island are also available and include time to swim, use stand-up paddleboards, or float on inflatable pads.