Jon Somes To Lead 102nd Bayview Mackinac Race Start

Veteran Volunteer Takes the Helm

At age 73, Jon Somes of Florida is gearing up to serve as the starter boat captain for the 102nd Bayview Mackinac Race. His 54‑foot Offshore Yachts Pilothouse, named Otseketa after the original Lake St. Clair designation, will sit at the race’s starting line on Saturday, July 18, in Port Huron. The vessel will host race officials, media personnel, and a handful of helpers while Somes supervises the pre‑race briefing. The experience feels rewarding after 38 previous participations in the famed event.

Beyond his own racing history, Somes brings decades of sailing heritage to the volunteer role. He and his wife Barbara, also 70, grew up in the Grosse Pointes—Jon in the Shores and Barbara in the Farms—and their family has been involved on the water for generations. Jon’s father took up sailing around the onset of World War II, a tradition that now spans multiple generations of the Somes family. He still runs Telecom Technicians, a telecommunications‑focused business, while splitting time between Vero Beach and his beloved lake adventures.

Race Details and Early Logistics

The 102nd Bayview Mackinac Race is billed as “the world’s longest continuously run long‑distance freshwater yacht race.” Organized by the Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit, the course stretches more than 200 miles from near Port Huron to Mackinac Island. A website tracking the event reported 201 boats registered across various classes as of Wednesday. Somes will motor out to a designated mooring early, ensuring officials are in position before the fleet gathers. After the start signals are verified, he will drop off the officials and press, then head north with friends aboard his powerboat.

According to Somes, the fastest boats typically reach Mackinac Island on Sunday afternoon, though some vessels may require considerably more time. He remembers instances when crews missed the awards party that follows the race on the Tuesday after the finish. The race’s two optional courses—Cove Island and Shore—offer different strategic challenges for competitors.

Course Options and Wind Woes

Boaters can choose the Shore Course, which runs a relatively straight line along western Lake Huron, or the Cove Island Course, which adds over 50 miles by looping toward Tobermory on Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula. Somes describes the Shore route as “kind of a drag race,” a comment that his wife Barbara gently scolds him for. The longer Cove Island route is considered far more tactical, demanding careful navigation and timing. Regardless of the path, wind remains the wild card that shapes every leg of the journey.

Wind patterns on the Great Lakes are notoriously unpredictable. “The challenge is where is the wind coming from so you’re going along and it’s never the same for everybody,” Barbara notes. This variability means each boat must stay alert, adjusting sails and speed as conditions shift without warning. The ever‑changing breeze is what makes the race as much a test of weather awareness as pure nautical skill.

Memorable Chapters from the Past

One of Somes’ most vivid recollections comes from the 1981 edition, a race they ultimately won. The crew endured 32 hours on the deck in cold, rough conditions, forced to sit on the rail to keep the boat flat. “It was miserable,” he recalls, noting the exhaustion that left many near asleep while still at the controls. As they neared Mackinac, the sun broke through and the wind died down entirely.

“We were all so exhausted, we were falling asleep sitting up. It was like, ‘Oh my God, I don’t think we can make it,’” Soms said, describing the moment when hope flickered. Yet the team pushed on, crossing the finish line to relive the hard‑fought victory. “You always really remember the tough races,” he reflects, distinguishing those brutal battles from the easier, chamber‑of‑commerce day sails that fade into the background.

Family Fest and Ongoing Legacy

The race also serves as a multi‑day family celebration. Jon emphasizes that sons and daughters often crew alongside parents, and even non‑racing relatives show up for the three‑day festivities. “It’s like one big party for three days,” he says, highlighting the communal spirit that draws participants back year after year. The camaraderie forged on the water frequently blossoms into lifelong friendships, adding a social dimension that complements the competitive aspect. Through his volunteer work, a sailor with 38 race appearances hopes to keep that tradition vibrant for future generations.