Set Sail Aboard S/V Jakab! Daily Tours and Weekend Sails Available

"Ships Stand Watch at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum" is a summer-long waterfront program featuring the visiting sailing vessel S/V Jakab while the WWII submarine USS Silversides undergoes essential dry dock preservation.

S/V Jakab offers public deck tours beginning in July and continuing through Labor Day in September.

Deck tours: Monday - Sunday
Sailing Excursions: Friday - Sunday

Deck Tours: ticket combines a guided deck tour of the S/V Jakab with unlimited same-day access to the USS Silversides Submarine Museum. Guests can join the hourly deck tour to explore the Jakab from top to bottom while also wandering the submarine museum exhibits at their own pace. The experience blends up-close sailing ship exploration with historical displays for a engaging maritime visit.

Sailing Excursion: Join a 90-minute day sailing excursion led by Captain Andrew aboard a 12-meter America’s Cup replica. Learn about the vessel’s design and racing heritage during an intimate educational cruise. With limited seating, the trip offers a close-up look at classic racing sailboat features and an opportunity to hear stories and insights from an experienced captain. Excursions run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, making this a relaxed weekend activity for sailing enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.

More About "Ships Stand Watch:"

“This program reflects a long-standing maritime tradition,” said Veronica Campbell, Executive Director of the USS Silversides Submarine Museum. “When one vessel leaves station for care, another stands watch. S/V Jakab allows us to continue offering meaningful, hands-on maritime experiences while we preserve Silversides for future generations.”

S/V Jakab is a replica of a third-generation, 12-Meter class racing yacht, representing the type of vessels that competed in America’s Cup races from the mid-20th century. Unlike cargo vessels or traditional square-rigged ships, racing vessels like Jakab were designed for speed, efficiency, and the ability to sail effectively toward the wind.

The vessel is part of a notable design lineage, with sisterships that have been owned by figures including members of the Kennedy family and the Beach Boys. In addition, Jakab’s mast once belonged to former British Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath, an accomplished competitive sailor.

S/V Jakab is a United States Coast Guard–inspected vessel, licensed to carry up to 40 passengers, and will offer guided tours as well as optional sailing experiences throughout the summer. Deck tours will be available seven days a week, while sailing excursions and sunset sails will be offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visitors will be able to explore the vessel, learn about sailing and maritime engineering, and experience Muskegon Lake from the water through day sails and evening sail opportunities.

The program coincides with USS Silversides’ first major dry dock preservation project in more than 50 years. During this time, the museum will remain open, continuing to offer exhibits, educational programming, and public access to maritime history.

Additional details regarding schedules, ticketing, and special events available at https://silversidesmuseum.org/svjakabtours/
Photo Credit: Museum Crew Member Ethan Fuller