Fourth Annual Sunsation Sun Run Going Bigger Still

No one at Sunsation Powerboats in Algonac, Mich., knew what to expect when they launched the first Sun Run for their customers three years ago. They only knew they had built a diehard following since the company opened in 1982. Based on known passion for the brand, they believed they’d get a strong turnout for a Sunsation-only event, which celebrated the company’s 40th anniversary with a Thursday night welcome party followed by a fun run the next day.

The Sunsation faithful will flock to Michigan’s Lake St. Clair area late July this year for the fourth annual Sun Run. Photos by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.

Their confidence was well-placed. The event grew from an impressive 90 registered boats in its first year to a mind-bending 179 registered boats last year. And with sign-ups opening Saturday, March 1, the Sunsation crew is prepping for an even larger turnout this time around for the July 30 thought August 2 event.

“With this being our fourth annual owner-appreciation event that continues to grow year every year, we’re modifying our playbook and expecting to surpass registration and turnout in 2025 to officially host the largest single-brand boating event in the country,” said Ryan Wenk, Sunsation’s national sales and marketing manager. “We’ve added an early bird welcome party on Wednesday, July 30, for those who arrive early.”

Sunsation launched a street celebration in downtown New Baltimore for the second-year happening and it was an instant winner. In 2023, the event saw 40 to 50 Sunsation models, mostly of the sportboat kind rather than center consoles, displayed on the streets near the Lake St. Clair waterfront.

Last year’s street-fleet topped 90 boats.

The Sun Run organizers are expecting more than 100 boats to take over downtown New Baltimore this year.

Wenk said he is expecting more than 100 boat owners to sign up to show off their rides this year.

“We’re getting the street party dialed in to provide a full-day of activities and excitement for our customers and the locals,” he said. “The fireworks show, live music and VIP tent are returning this year.”

Stops for the Friday fun run have not been finalized but will be announced in the near future. The organizers have “locked down” the South Channel Yacht Club marina on Harsen’s Island as “Sunsation Nation headquarters” for the weekend.

Of course, the Saturday raft-off is returning this year. “The raft-off doesn’t require much planning,” Wenk said, then laughed. “And it never disappoints.”