Marinas are often built or encouraged by local government agencies in order to spur tourism. Some are designed to attract transient boaters as they explore the area. Others are intended to provide a waterfront face-lift or for people who use their boats primarily as a second home.

The Harbor Club Marina in the heart of beautiful Door County, Wisconsin, was built for all of these reasons.

The City of Sturgeon Bay encouraged the Harbor Club development to help revitalize the waterfront and to complement attractions in the area. And there are attractions in the area. Adjacent to the marina is DJ's on the Bay restaurant and the spectacular new Door County Maritime Museum. A short walk down the waterfront promenade brings you to Otumba Park. Just across the bridge from the marina, Sturgeon Bay has a charming downtown area that is home to unique shops, galleries, fine restaurants, and meticulously restored bed and breakfast inns.

The Harbor Club Marina has been successful in not only improving the waterfront but also in attracting people to the area. The marina accommodates approximately 150 boats. It has a permanent occupancy of 92 % but on weekends attracts overflow traffic that ordinarily requires reservations. According to Jean of Skipper Marine Development, the manager of the marina, transient boaters from all over Wisconsin, Illinois an Michigan are attracted to the Harbor Club Marina by the area’s many amenities.

The Harbor Club project was designed and is operated by Skipper Marine Development of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. Aluminum framed docks constructed by ShoreMaster were used for the bulk of the slips. Dockside pumpouts were installed at every slip. In addition, a ShoreMaster concrete floating breakwater was installed along the marina’s perimeter. Bob Rashleger of Skipper Marine Development explained that installing a strong floating wave attenuator was essential “because the marina is located approximately 200’ from a channel which accommodates frequent traffic from ocean going freighters”.