CHICAGO YACHT CLUB RACE TO MACKINAC

Mackinac Island Ferry Company is an official supporting sponsor
of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac taking place
July 13, 2024.
Most dock at our historical Dock #1 on Mackinac Island.

The promo code for the Chicago Yacht Club, Sailors and their Family to pay the online discounted rate of $23.00 / adult round trip and $14.00 / child round trip (ages 5-12) is CYCRTM24.

All children under five years of age travel free of charge. Tickets may also be purchased upon arrival in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace.

FAQ’s

How long is the race?
At 333 statute miles or 289.4 nautical miles, the Race to Mackinac is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the world. The race starts just past Navy Pier in Chicago and finishes between the lighthouse on Round Island and the race committee trailer on Mackinac Island.

How many boats participate?
There are approximately 330 boats with more than 3,000 sailors in the annual Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. Participation is by invitation from the Chicago Yacht Club.

How can big and small boats race against one another?
Boats are handicapped by a mathematical rating system that predicts how fast they should be capable of sailing under a variety of conditions. Applying these ratings to each boat’s elapsed time on the racecourse determines which boat sailed the best relative to its rating and therefore determines the winner.

When was the first Race to Mackinac?
The first Mack Race was held in 1898 as an informal race of five boats. The second Mac wasn’t until 1904, and it was then held intermittently until after World War I. Every year since 1921 has seen the running of the race.

How can spectators find out where the boats are during the race?
Spectators may visit www.cycracetomackinac.com and click on the “Race Tracking” link to watch real-time GPS positioning of all the racing boats