Come sail the unrivaled beauty of Lake Superior!
U.P. Sailing Company focuses on beginner sailors, those wanting to advance their skills in boat handling, sail trim, passage making, offshore cruising, racing, or gain credentials in order to bareboat charter anywhere in the world. Students will begin on our Colgate 26 and progress up to our custom-built Bennett 46. We have over 46 years of sailing experience with more than 55,000 Great Lakes cruising, racing and solo long distance racing miles. Our United States Coast Guard (USCG) Master Captains/American Sailing Association (ASA) certified instructors offer private and group classes, up to a max of 5 students (up to 6 allowed, if in one group).
Our basic classes are out of Marquette, with more advanced courses and charter trips heading out to Grand Island, Munising/Pictured Rocks or the Huron Islands. Don’t worry - Marquette and Munising Bays offer protected sailing when Superior gets too sporty. Nearby airports have direct flights from Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis. Let us help plan your Upper Peninsula bucket list trip!
104 students will live aboard our 2 cabin/2 head layout Bennett 46 during these Learn & Cruise courses. After class, there are fantastic options for local activities, hikes, waterfalls and dining during your stay. We can’t wait to share our love of sailing with you!
Meet the Crew
Brian VanWieren
Captain
Originally from Hudsonville, MI - Brian started checking sailing books out from the library as soon as he could read. As a young teen, he walked the docks to get time on racing boats. His first boat was an Islander 40, which he owned for 24 years and raced in several solo Chicago - Mackinac races, as well as the solo Trans - Superior & solo Port Huron – Mackinac. Brian then bought our Bennett 46 (TSURU) in 2016 and sailed her home to Michigan from Virginia. He raced TSURU in several solo Chicago – Mackinac races, and other long distance and PHRF races in Lake Michigan. He was an avid cruiser on both boats. Brian was a previous Commodore of Anchorage Marina Yacht Club in Holland, MI and as a US Sailing Regional Race Officer, was an active member of race organization and regattas throughout West Michigan.
Brian is a 32 year member of the American Sailing Association, with the last 12 years as an ASA instructor out of Holland, MI. He holds a B.S. degree in zoology from Colorado State, and for 20 years, ran his family’s trucking business in Grand Rapids, MI.
After a couple years noticing a girl sailing by herself in the next marina, he took a stroll over as she was coming in to dock. “I see you sailing alone a lot – have you ever thought about solo racing?” What a pickup line! They started racing together and soon discovered that sailing (and life) together was better than solo. Brian and Kristen were married in 2021 with TSURU as the getaway boat. They also had fallen in love with Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The waterfalls! The woods, the winter wonderland and the Big Lake with its turquoise water & Pictured Rocks. They built a home and moved to Munising in May 2022.
When not sailing, Brian enjoys tinkering in his shop, horse riding, snowmobiling, studying sail design, hiking, kayaking and enjoying the outside, year round.
30+ Years Sailing & Over 40,000 Cruising & Racing Miles in the Great Lakes, Caribbean & Atlantic
USCG 100T Captain
American Sailing Association Instructor for 12 Years
US Sailing Certified Regional Race Officer
First Aid/CPR Certified
8 Solo Chicago - Mackinac Races, 1 Solo Port Huron - Mackinac race
Solo Trans Superior Record Holder in Division & 2nd Fastest Ever Solo Finish
Rolly Tasker Sails Rep; Sail Repair
Marine Engine Repair/Rebuild, All Systems, Fiberglass, Rigging, Travellift Operations
Kristen Cooper VanWieren
Captain
Originally from Fowlerville, MI – Kristen first sailed out of Holland, MI on a date and then would feel a tightness in her chest every time she passed a marina. Was it that boy? NO! It was the clanking of the halyards – the boats. In early 2008, she signed up for 4 sailing lessons in Chicago and bought her Beneteau First 305 after just 2 lessons. When you know, you know! Kristen brought her boat wherever she lived – sailing, cruising and racing her out of Chicago, Door County, WI and finally Holland, MI. Brian and Kristen are both active members of the Marquette Yacht Club.
Kristen holds a B.S. degree in health science from Grand Valley State and has worked in the safety, claims and insurance industry for over 25 years as a Risk Management (ARM) & Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
She still can’t believe her luck to have found a sailing cowboy, just a marina over. What are the chances!? There’s no better place in the world to live out their shared passions than in the U.P.
When not sailing, Kristen enjoys riding/driving the couple’s draft horses, hiking, kayaking, snowmobiling, yoga, dog rescue and appreciating life’s blessings.
15+ years sailing and over 18,000 racing and cruising miles in the Great Lakes, Atlantic & Caribbean
USCG 50T Captain
UPSC Co-Captain/Owner/Instructor & Women Only Courses
First Aid/CPR Certified
Rescue Dog & Draft Horse Mom
Risk Management & Safety, 25 years
Certified Safety Professional
