Bayview Mackinac Race counts 203 boats entered at registration deadline

A Memorable 101st edition of the Bayview Mackinac Race © Martin Chumiecki - Bayview Mackinac Race Photographer

Bayview Yacht Club announced today that 203 boats entered the 2026 Bayview Mackinac Race as registration closed this week.

With entries from 11 states and Canada, the race has also attracted new and returning sponsors to support the sailing and celebrations in Port Huron and the iconic Island.

"Being part of the Bayview Mackinac Race this year - whether as a sailor, volunteer, sponsor or spectator - continues some of the Great Lakes sailing community's best traditions," said Bayview's 2026 Commodore Sandra Svoboda. "We're especially looking forward to welcoming some new competitors and new partners to the competition and the Island festivities as we continue a century of sailing with this Michigan event."

The 2026 race will begin on Saturday, July 18 and include some 1,600 sailors competing on two courses, racing from Port Huron to Mackinac Island. Participating sailors range from Olympians and world-class athletes to multi-generational, recreational and cruising-focused crews.

The fleet starts on Saturday afternoon and then finishes in view of the island's historic downtown and Fort Mackinac, with the Mackinac Island Awards Party at Mission Point Resort on Tuesday.

"The 2026 race really shows the range of sailboats on the Great Lakes," said 2026 Bayview Mackinac Race Chair Mica Reardon. "For example, we have eight boats registered that will have just two sailors on board, racing double-handed to the Island, and we also have 17 people aboard a 104-foot yacht."

Some other statistics about the fleet:

• Some 59 boats are affiliated with host Bayview Yacht Club with another 22 from Port Huron Yacht Club.
• 13 boats hail from Detroit Yacht Club or Detroit Sail Club, both based in the city.
• Skippers listed home ports in 11 states - California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin - and 13 boats join the fleet from Ontario, Canada.
• About ¾ of the fleet is from Michigan - 152 boats - with home ports around the Mitten.
• Clubs in the Grosse Pointe suburbs - Crescent Sail Yacht Club, Grosse Pointe Club, Grosse Pointe Sail Club and Grosse Pointe Yacht Club - will have 24 boats in the fleet.

To view the Bayview Mackinac Race, visit downtown Port Huron along the Black River on Saturday, July 18. Boats will finish in the Straits of Mackinac on the south side of the island beginning Sunday July 19.

Weather permitting, spectators on Michigan's eastern shore can see the Shore Course fleet on Lake Huron. The race is a designated event with Michigan's America 250 celebration.