Our Story

Our Commitment | Our Story | Our Vessels

Our Commitment: First Class Service. Every Guest. Every Day.

The traditions of Shepler’s are clear and evident: give the best possible service with a smile, use modern equipment, and employ a well trained staff. From the early charter boat days to the present time, Shepler’s approach to transporting people to Mackinac Island has been one of class and value. The Island, rich in national history and natural beauty, is one area that provides guests a unique experience not found in other areas of the United States. Traditionally, half the fun of a Mackinac Island experience is a ride with Shepler’s.

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Our Story

In the spring of 1945, Captain William H. Shepler returned to Mackinaw (his birth place) and realized the potential of the area, specifically transporting people to and from the Island. His dream, however, was to provide a fast, efficient, and modern type of service that he felt was half of the Mackinac experience.

He started small by opening a snack bar for people waiting for the ferry. He soon discovered a need for a charter service for Island guests. It was Capt.’s instinct right from the start to do it right and with class. His charter service soon began to flourish and, with an opportunity to buy out a competitor, he was able to have a second boat with his son Bill Jr. as pilot. These two high class speed boats were named “Miss Penny” after Capt.’s daughter, and “The Fiji,” after Bill Jr.’s fraternity.

With the ending of World War II in 1945, the passenger traffic to the Island began to increase and it soon became evident that he needed a larger boat with an enclosed cabin for heavy weather. In the winter of 1950, he built a 30 foot cabin cruiser with twin gas engines for speed and safety. This small yacht carried 24 passengers and was a huge step for the Shepler family. The vessel was christened the “Miss Margie” after Capt.’s wife, Margaret.

The construction of the Mackinac Bridge began in early 1954. The idea of taking tourists for a sightseeing cruise out to the bridge construction site soon became a popular event and necessitated the construction of a second high speed cruiser which was christened the “Billy Dick” after Capt.’s son. The bridge was completed in November of 1957 with the formal opening in June of 1958. This turn of events had tremendous impact on the Shepler business. The bridge cruise business dropped off as tourists could either drive or take a bus across the bridge.

A few years later, Shepler’s was fortunate to be able to purchase a piece of beach frontage on the Island where a small dock was soon constructed. A larger vessel was required to give all-weather capability plus needed additional seating. In 1966, “Mein Kapitan” arrived at the Shepler dock, ready to carry 120 passengers to the Island, but the vessel’s design, weight, and horsepower would not provide the desired speed.

In 1969, “The Welcome” was built with the desired capacity and speed. Shepler’s still uses this vessel in St. Ignace on regularly scheduled departures. She was the start of a new concept in high-speed, modern passenger transportation not only for the Straits area, but for the Great Lakes.

Throughout the years, Shepler’s has undergone several major renovations of the docks and facilities in Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, and on Mackinac Island. They also have added a successful freight service, all the while adhering to the high standards of quality service that has become known throughout the industry worldwide.

In May of 1988, Capt. William H. Shepler died. He was followed in death by his wife Margaret in October of 2004. His son, William R., has taken the helm with the help of his three children, Chris, Patty, and Billy.

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Our Vessels

The vessels that are currently used by Shepler’s, with the exception of the Capt. Shepler, were named after vessels that sailed the Straits area in the late 17th century.

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