USCG Master 100 GRT

GREAT LAKES & INLAND WATERS

USCG Master 50 GRT

NEAR COASTAL

Commercial Towing Assistance

Endorsement

B.S. Mechanical Eng.

U of M Dearborn

Past Commodore

Ford Yacht Club · 2004–2006

USCG Master 100 GRT

GREAT LAKES & INLAND WATERS

USCG Master 50 GRT

NEAR COASTAL

Commercial Towing Assistance

Endorsement

B.S. Mechanical Eng.

U of M Dearborn

Past Commodore

Ford Yacht Club · 2004–2006

HOW IT WORKS

Our Process

A professional set of eyes at each transition catches what fatigue and familiarity cause owners to miss, and gives you a clear, documented picture of your vessel's condition going into and coming out of every season.

Schedule

Reach out before your target launch or haul-out date and we'll align on timing, scope, and what to expect from the visit.

Inspect

Captain Tom works through a methodical review of your vessel's systems, safety equipment, and overall readiness, with notes on anything that needs attention.

Address

Any findings are communicated clearly so you can prioritize what gets handled before you're underway or before the boat goes into storage.

Proceed with Confidence

Whether you're heading into a new season or putting the boat to bed, you'll know exactly where things stand.

GET IN TOUCH

HOW IT WORKS

Our Process

A professional set of eyes at each transition catches what fatigue and familiarity cause owners to miss, and gives you a clear, documented picture of your vessel's condition going into and coming out of every season.

Schedule

Reach out before your target launch or haul-out date and we'll align on timing, scope, and what to expect from the visit.

Inspect

Captain Tom works through a methodical review of your vessel's systems, safety equipment, and overall readiness, with notes on anything that needs attention.

Address

Any findings are communicated clearly so you can prioritize what gets handled before you're underway or before the boat goes into storage.

Proceed with Confidence

Whether you're heading into a new season or putting the boat to bed, you'll know exactly where things stand.

GET IN TOUCH

ABOUT CAPTAIN TOM

Professionally licensed — and genuinely useful at both ends of the season.

Spring launch and fall haul-out are the two moments in a boating year where mistakes get expensive. A missed system check before the first run. An overlooked step in winterization. The marina's schedule and yours never quite lining up. A second set of eyes — experienced, methodical, and actually qualified — is worth more than it costs. I grew up on the water. Six years working in a marina before I had a real job title. 36 years in the automotive and marine supply industry. Thinking like a mechanical engineer about why boats behave the way they do. I've run every mile of water from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, and I've launched and hauled more vessels than I can count. Whether it's your first season with a new boat or your thirtieth, I'll make sure the transition happens the right way.

Tom Ketelhut

Owner, Offshore Captain Services

ABOUT CAPTAIN TOM

Professionally licensed — and genuinely useful at both ends of the season.

Spring launch and fall haul-out are the two moments in a boating year where mistakes get expensive. A missed system check before the first run. An overlooked step in winterization. The marina's schedule and yours never quite lining up. A second set of eyes — experienced, methodical, and actually qualified — is worth more than it costs. I grew up on the water. Six years working in a marina before I had a real job title. 36 years in the automotive and marine supply industry. Thinking like a mechanical engineer about why boats behave the way they do. I've run every mile of water from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, and I've launched and hauled more vessels than I can count. Whether it's your first season with a new boat or your thirtieth, I'll make sure the transition happens the right way.

Tom Ketelhut

Owner, Offshore Captain Services

ABOUT CAPTAIN TOM

Professionally licensed — and genuinely useful at both ends of the season.

Spring launch and fall haul-out are the two moments in a boating year where mistakes get expensive. A missed system check before the first run. An overlooked step in winterization. The marina's schedule and yours never quite lining up. A second set of eyes — experienced, methodical, and actually qualified — is worth more than it costs. I grew up on the water. Six years working in a marina before I had a real job title. 36 years in the automotive and marine supply industry. Thinking like a mechanical engineer about why boats behave the way they do. I've run every mile of water from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, and I've launched and hauled more vessels than I can count. Whether it's your first season with a new boat or your thirtieth, I'll make sure the transition happens the right way.

Tom Ketelhut

Owner, Offshore Captain Services

LEARN MORE

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a captain for launch or haul-out? My marina handles it.

Your marina handles the mechanical lift — getting the boat in or out of the water. What they don't do is walk through your systems with you, verify that everything is operational before you leave the slip, or catch the small issues that become big ones mid-season. A professional set of eyes at each transition catches what fatigue and familiarity cause owners to miss.

What's actually included in spring launch support?

Engine room inspection covering fluids, filters, belts, and hoses. Bilge pump testing. Safety equipment inventory and expiration review. Navigation light and marine radio verification. Shore power and battery systems check. And a first-departure walkthrough or sea trial support, depending on what you need.

What about fall haul-out?

An end-of-season engine room assessment, winterization guidance and oversight, a safety equipment condition review, documentation of anything that needs attention before next season, and storage configuration recommendations. Effectively, a clean handoff from "in the water" to "stored for winter."

Can you just do the inspection and leave me a list, or do you stay and fix things?

Captain Tom is a licensed mariner and a 36-year marine industry veteran — he's not a marine mechanic. The service is inspection, guidance, and oversight. If an issue is found, you get clear documentation of what it is and what needs to happen. Many clients then use that documentation to prioritize work with their own mechanic or yard.

When should I book?

Spring and fall calendars fill up fast because everyone is trying to get their boats in or out of the water on the same short list of dates. Book spring services by February. Book fall services by August.

LEARN MORE

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a captain for launch or haul-out? My marina handles it.

Your marina handles the mechanical lift — getting the boat in or out of the water. What they don't do is walk through your systems with you, verify that everything is operational before you leave the slip, or catch the small issues that become big ones mid-season. A professional set of eyes at each transition catches what fatigue and familiarity cause owners to miss.

What's actually included in spring launch support?

Engine room inspection covering fluids, filters, belts, and hoses. Bilge pump testing. Safety equipment inventory and expiration review. Navigation light and marine radio verification. Shore power and battery systems check. And a first-departure walkthrough or sea trial support, depending on what you need.

What about fall haul-out?

An end-of-season engine room assessment, winterization guidance and oversight, a safety equipment condition review, documentation of anything that needs attention before next season, and storage configuration recommendations. Effectively, a clean handoff from "in the water" to "stored for winter."

Can you just do the inspection and leave me a list, or do you stay and fix things?

Captain Tom is a licensed mariner and a 36-year marine industry veteran — he's not a marine mechanic. The service is inspection, guidance, and oversight. If an issue is found, you get clear documentation of what it is and what needs to happen. Many clients then use that documentation to prioritize work with their own mechanic or yard.

When should I book?

Spring and fall calendars fill up fast because everyone is trying to get their boats in or out of the water on the same short list of dates. Book spring services by February. Book fall services by August.

LEARN MORE

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a captain for launch or haul-out? My marina handles it.

Your marina handles the mechanical lift — getting the boat in or out of the water. What they don't do is walk through your systems with you, verify that everything is operational before you leave the slip, or catch the small issues that become big ones mid-season. A professional set of eyes at each transition catches what fatigue and familiarity cause owners to miss.

What's actually included in spring launch support?

Engine room inspection covering fluids, filters, belts, and hoses. Bilge pump testing. Safety equipment inventory and expiration review. Navigation light and marine radio verification. Shore power and battery systems check. And a first-departure walkthrough or sea trial support, depending on what you need.

What about fall haul-out?

An end-of-season engine room assessment, winterization guidance and oversight, a safety equipment condition review, documentation of anything that needs attention before next season, and storage configuration recommendations. Effectively, a clean handoff from "in the water" to "stored for winter."

Can you just do the inspection and leave me a list, or do you stay and fix things?

Captain Tom is a licensed mariner and a 36-year marine industry veteran — he's not a marine mechanic. The service is inspection, guidance, and oversight. If an issue is found, you get clear documentation of what it is and what needs to happen. Many clients then use that documentation to prioritize work with their own mechanic or yard.

When should I book?

Spring and fall calendars fill up fast because everyone is trying to get their boats in or out of the water on the same short list of dates. Book spring services by February. Book fall services by August.

READY TO GET STARTED?