ESCANABA -- It's one of the slowest means of transportation, but it's one of the most pleasant ways to travel.  For over 75 years, members of the Escanaba Yacht Club have raced their sailboats out on the waters of Lake Michigan.  And it's more work than you'd think. 

On your mark, get set...sail!   Once the sails are up, it's go time for all ten boats competing toward the finish line.  Every week a group of sailors race over a three-mile stretch of water, just off Escanaba's shore.

"The course can be anywhere from a couple of miles on a Wednesday night race, to sometimes we have some weekend regattas that are as much as 20 to 22 miles," explained Vice Commodore of Sail, John Anthony.

One 36-foot vessel is owned by Escanaba resident Jim Hansen.  He's come in second place a few times, and the races are sometimes neck and neck.  But for most sailors, like Hansen, it's not about winning or losing.  It's about the love of the sail.

"Everybody gets very competitive once we start the race, but there's a kinship of sailors and we just enjoy going out and maneuvering the boat, move it around the course and go from point A to point B without turning a key on and having an engine," explained Hansen.

I even took the wheel for a bit, and keeping on course is tougher than you think.  But for a veteran sailor like Jim, it's as easy as riding a bike.

"It's just a whole different experience, a love, an enthusiasm that sailors have that's second to none," Hansen said.

And the view when you cross the finish line is second to none as well. 

There are only a few more races scheduled for this summer.  But don't worry; they'll be back again next year to take on the course.