Welcome
True North Yacht Solutions
Expert on-water boat/yacht relocation, private charter Grand Haven, captain, private training/captain services, detailing
charters
Explore the beauty of Spring Lake, Grand Haven, the Grand River and Lake Michigan while you relax with your own beverage/food. A charter cruise offers a unique perspective of our beautiful port town and surrounding area. Our 32' Carver has plenty of room for up to 6 guests.
Ideal for family excursions, client entertaining, birthdays, bachelorette/bachelor parties, date/proposal, fall color tours, or just an excuse to get one the water and relax!
RELOCATION SERVICES
New or classic, we take extra care to ensure your relocation goes smoothly and safe. We treat every boat as our own and will leave it cleaner than when we took the helm. Years of experience and knowledge to handle most issues that could go wrong, you can have peace of mind she'll be safe with us.
We are able to work with owner assisted relocations for part or all of the voyage. Contact us for relocations within the Great Lakes or Eastern Seaboard.
CUSTOMIZED CAPTAIN TRAINING
Whether you're a new boater needing private training or looking to refresh your skills, we provide professional training geared around your needs. We understand people learn in different ways, so we adapt to each client. Operating a boat can be overwhelming but it doesn't need to be with proper training!
DETAILING
Detailing is about taking pride in your boat and the way she looks; it also increases the resale value.
We provide buffing, polishing, waxing, ceramics, wet sanding/restoration, teak work, stainless and window detailing, and more.
Contact us for an in-person quote; we are fully licensed and insured.
Pre-PURCHASE CONSULTING
Boats are a big purchase and regardless of what you spend you won't regret having someone looking out for your best interest and your valuable time. We have years of knowledge and resources which can be invaluable when navigating the buying process. Your time is precious, let us assist with:
- Help with determining what style of boat fits your needs.
- Known pros and cons of certain manufacturers, motors, etc.
- Initial boat preview or showings.
- Someone onsite for Inspections, meetings with brokers.
- Sea trials, coordinate and manage contractors.
- Customized to your needs with detailed reports/media.
OUR MISSION
At True North Yacht Solutions LLC, our mission is to provide professional and exceptional boating services that cater to the needs of our clients.
TESTIMONIALS: yacht relocation
"I am pleased to provide this reference for Captain John Schaal, who recently assisted me in safely delivering my 42' Bertram Motor Yacht from Grand Haven, Michigan, to Detroit. Captain SchaaI's expertise, professionalism, and steady leadership throughout the journey ensured a smooth and secure delivery under all weather and sea conditions.
I highly recommend Captain Schaal to anyone seeking a reliable and experienced yacht delivery captain. His professionalism, depth of knowledge, and commitment to safety make him an outstanding choice for any delivery assignment or for those looking to enhance their own maritime skills."
John Jamian
Certified Port Executive
Director of Operations
Detroit Wayne County Port Authority
John Jamian and his son Sean behind the helm of the 42' Bertram
TESTIMONIALS: yacht relocation
"I hired True North Yacht Solutions to move my Cruisers 420 Express from Grand Haven, MI to Seneca, Ill with a final destination of Lake of the Ozarks. Working with John was a great experience from start to finish. He was flexible with my schedule and accommodated several changes along the way to make the move work.
What made the experience especially valuable was John's willingness to explain what he was doing along the way. I learned a great deal about my boat, navigating Lake Mi, operating on the rivers, and going through the locks. John's knowledge, calm demeanor, and good nature made the trip both educational and enjoyable.
I'm very glad I found True North Yacht Solutions and had the opportunity to work and travel with John. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, dependable, and professional captain."
Tom L.
Urbandale, IA
TESTIMONIals: New Captain training
"As new boat owners, my husband and I were looking for a local training captain to help us with our "new to us" Carver 444. John was recommended to us and we couldn't be happier with the training and confidence he able to give us handling our boat. As a woman, I appreciated his calm and relaxed demeanor while I was handling the boat. Whether I was actually docking or handling lines. If you're just starting out or need help with a new boat, we would highly recommend John Schaal as a training captain." Mike and Julie Rath
New Captains: Mike & Julie Rath
TESTIMONIals: Detailing
"I had the pleasure of working with True North Yacht Solutions and John Schaal during the offseason to have the hull of our boat detailed. John was great to work with. He communicated clearly and explained all aspects of the job before and during the work. He approached the project as if it were his own boat and truly strove to make sure the hull looked and felt brand new. I highly recommend John and True North for your next project." Scott W
Hull Detail: 43' Tiara
TESTIMONIALS: AFTERNOON CHARTER
"John and his son Isaac were excellent captains and guides. John had tons of great recommendations, amazing communication, and a beautiful boat! A very great deal, great amenities, and were accommodating after the boat. 11/10, would absolutely recommend and ride in the future!" Peyton
Charter: Peyton and Friends
TESTIMONIals: afternoon charter
"We had a fantastic experience with John! He was incredibly thoughtful and responsive even before our trip, offering great recommendations for things to do in Grand Haven. Once we got on the boat, he went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and having a great time. He gave us a fun and informative tour of the area and made sure the whole family—kids and adults alike—had an unforgettable day on the water. Highly recommend booking with him!" Persis Dean
Charter: The Dean family from Houston TX
TESTIMONIals:CELEBRATION OF LIFE
“We recently had the privilege of spending a beautiful afternoon on Lake Michigan with Captain John & Julianne of True North Yacht Solutions for a very special Celebration of Life.
John & Julianne were incredibly welcoming, accommodating, & compassionate. What meant the most to me was that there were no expectations or formalities, just kindness, understanding, & a genuine desire to make the experience our own.
They went above & beyond to ensure we made the most of our time on the water. We were blessed with gorgeous weather, the sight of fish jumping around us, & even a seaplane landing right in front of us! Those unexpected moments added a sense of awe to an already meaningful day.
What could have been a difficult or awkward goodbye became a peaceful & unforgettable experience. I will always be grateful to John & Julianne for their warmth, thoughtfulness, & openness to honoring our loved ones in a way that felt right to us.
I wholeheartedly recommend True North Yacht Solutions to anyone looking for a meaningful & personal way to celebrate & honor the lives of those they love.” – Nicki G
Charter: Celebration of Life
TESTIMONIals:CELEBRATION OF LIFE
"John was a fantastic host. We had booked for a private celebration of life cruise with my immediate family. John was super accommodating and professional. He made the process super easy and couldn't have been kinder or more understanding. I appreciated his communication and helped to set expectations within the group given our desire to go out to Lake Michigan and knowing its unpredictable nature. I would definitely reach out to John in the future the next time we're in Grand Haven. Thanks!" Paul
Charter: Celebration of Life