She’s Back In The Water!

In honor of the Pointer’s 80th Summer, we decided to do some major updates and renovations. It has taken a bit longer than we hoped, but we wanted to do it right! Thanks to all those at Irish Boat Shop, Inc. for their hard work, and also to the United States Coast Guard for their assistance in the certification of an 80 year old wooden vessel.

Historic Tours
During the tour (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes), the Pointer Boat will cruise out to the end of Harbor Point, around the harbor towards Wequetonsing, to Harbor Beach and back to the dock at Stafford’s Pier Restaurant.

Schedule
Beginning on or around June 1, 2015 through September (weather permitting)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm & 7 pm

Reservations
Tickets may be purchased in advance, $20 per adult, $15 per child (10 and under). Please call 231-881-8048 or email pointerboat@staffords.com to book your tour. Or visit our website, pointerboat.com. Food, wine and beer may be ordered from the Pier’s regular menu in advance.

A Little Bit Of History
The area which is now The Pointer Room at Stafford’s Pier Restaurant in Harbor Springs, Michigan is literally “on the water.” Until 1962 it was the boat house for the Harbor Point Association’s water taxi, The Pointer, which ran between Harbor Point and the Village of Harbor Springs.

As there were no cars allowed on Harbor Point, The Pointer provided a vital link for the residents of the association during the summer months. There were a total of three different vessels, all named The Pointer, which ran from 1930 until 1962. In May of 1990, Stafford C. Smith and Dudley Marvin of Stafford’s Hospitality had the last of these gracious yachts relaunched. The completely restored Pointer is now on display outside Stafford’s Pier Restaurant, in the exact location where residents and visitors formerly caught the boat for service to the Harbor Point Hotel.

Using vintage photographs by Virgil Haynes, Harbor Springs boat builder Steve Van Dam spent seven months creating an authentic restoration of The Pointer, including the green upholstered interior seating and side curtains. He added a beautifully designed compass rose table, ice storage area and sink to make the vessel a bit more yacht like.

As close as Mr. Van Dam can figure, The Pointer was a work boat built in Chassell, Michigan in 1934, with painted wood construction typical of Scandinavian design.