Boaters who call North Point Marina their homeport during the boating season can stop worrying over where to moor their vessels. The state is close to signing a contract with a new vendor to operate the largest marina on the Great Lakes.
Skipper Bud’s, no stranger to sailors at North Point, indeed, Lake Michigan, appears to be in line to be the next operator of the 1,500-slip marina in Winthrop Harbor, according to Illinois Department of Natural Resources bid notices. A brief public comment period for written comments is set, and a public hearing is slated for Feb. 13.
Headquartered in Winthrop Harbor, Skipper Bud’s apparently will replace Suntex Marinas as operator at the state-owned marina, which opened in 1989. Suntex sought to end its multi-million-dollar contract with the state, which had been in effect since 2017.
Finding a new vendor eases not only slip holders’ concerns over the upcoming boating season, but also Winthrop Harbor and area elected officials who were watching the situation at the marina with a skeptical eye.
The Suntex contract was mutually terminated in April of 2025 after company officials pointed to a “lack of profitability” in running the marina complex. One of the reasons cited is the need for dredging the marina entrance to Lake Michigan.
IDNR officials acknowledge that, noting in bidding documents: “DNR is in the process of completing the regulatory process to start the dredging of the marina which would allow for full operation of the concession.”
Dredging — which could last from three months to a year, depending on what route the IDNR takes to accomplish the task — to access slips inside the marina is caused by years of sediment buildup from the natural wave action from Lake Michigan, IDNR officials say.
“This sediment buildup has caused multiple issues at the concession which have hampered and interrupted services … including the necessary closures of certain slips and reduced traffic at the marina for lack of navigable waters,” officials note.
They say that “personal knowledge of this situation” will allow Skipper Bud’s to operate the marina “while corrective dredging operations are completed.” The proposed three-year contract through March 2029 with Skipper Bud’s is worth $1.5 million per year. In addition, the state will abate rent worth $450,000 annually that the company pays at the marina, according to documents.
Skipper Bud’s has offered sales, service and storage at North Point since 1991. Company officials certainly know the layout of the 77-acre complex, which includes a yacht club. Near the company’s offices is The Tropics restaurant, a welcoming eatery which bills itself as “Lake Michigan’s most fun waterfront destination.”
In addition to its location on the Chain O’Lakes at Sequoit Harbor in Antioch, the company has operations in multiple locations in the Midwest, including Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. It also has a presence in California and Washington state.
Skipper Bud’s says it currently operates 10 marinas, including Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in Door County, with more than 1,200 slips, six dry-stack buildings that house more than 1,500 boats. Most winters, the firm houses more than 5,000 boats and marine pleasure craft.
Skipper Bud’s dates to 1959 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on the Mississippi River, when Harold “Bud” Pretasky opened the first location. Growing over the decades, it is now one of the largest pleasure boating firms with sales, brokerage, service and marina groups.
While boaters were worried about the near future of North Point, they gave high praise to state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, for keeping them informed about what was happening at the marina and bird-dogging the IDNR.
“I am committed to continue working with the new management company, business owners and patrons of the marina, as well as with our community leaders and IDNR, to help address outstanding and ongoing issues,” Mason said in an email to boaters. “I am incredibly happy about this outcome, believe the marina will be in great hands and can’t wait for summer fun at the marina!”
Slip-holders’ “voices were incredibly important” in moving the process along, she noted. Other officials, too, prodded the IDNR after they were caught unaware about the possibility that the marina would not open for the 2026 season.
That moved a number of boaters to bolt to other harbors, including Waukegan, where one official said the Waukegan Port District marina was gaining slip holders with North Point in flux.
All now appears to be ship-shape for North Point boaters to enjoy a summer on the Big Lake, and at least for the upcoming seasons once the state inks the contract with Skipper Bud’s.
Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor. sellenews@gmail.com. X @sellenews
