Shoreline Scenic Cruises Leaves Sister Bay for Baileys Harbor

Jim Robinson (left) sold the Water Taxi to Geoff Cronk (right), who will continue to operate the boat with Robinson’s Shoreline Scenic Cruises and Charters out of Baileys Harbor. Submitted photo.

Shoreline Scenic Cruises and Charters will move its 40-foot Water Taxi from Sister Bay to Baileys Harbor after uncertainty at the Sister Bay marina prompted Captain Jim Robinson to find a more reliable place to do business.

“Sister Bay sort of surprised us,” said Robinson, who withdrew his proposal to operate at the marina after 10 years of being located in Sister Bay. “We had to sort of protect ourselves and Baileys Harbor was very welcoming.”

Robinson sold the water taxi to Geoff Cronk, who will continue to operate at the Baileys Harbor marina with Shoreline Scenic Cruises and Charters. Cronk has operated the boat out of Sister Bay for more than four years and served as part owner of the operation. Robinson will continue to operate a boat out of Gills Rock.

“As far as customers and consumers, they won’t notice a difference,” said Robinson. “I’ll still be running the boat in Gills Rock but that’s not as demanding as the water taxi.”

Robinson said he is protecting himself from the uncertainty at the changing Sister Bay marina. Last year, the marina wiped the slate clean and requested new proposals from any boat operator that wished to locate in Sister Bay. The village received five proposals before Robinson withdrew.

“I had repeatedly asked starting last spring if there would be any changes and was told… everything was fine and they did not plan on making any changes. With advertising deadlines looming and no clear direction on what they were going to do regarding adding additional vendors, parking, dock location, office needs, etc., we started looking for other options to protect our business,” said Robinson.

He also cited the village’s interest in a proposal from Eric Lundquist, owner of Sister Bay Boat Rentals and Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours, who claimed to triple Robinson’s customer count with a larger boat.

Robinson said the village has received no complaints of service while rejecting the idea that bigger is better.

In the end, Robinson chose to leave Sister Bay while the marina continues determining the types of vendors that will operate there.

“[Baileys Harbor] welcomed us and the dock master said he’s looking forward to having us,” said Robinson. “With lighthouse cruises this gives us more opportunity. Cana Island, birdcage lighthouse, the range lights. Running out of Sister Bay you can only see one.”

“This will give me an opportunity to slow my life down a little,” said Robinson. “We appreciate the cooperation of Baileys Harbor.”