MUSKEGON, MI - They may not be the real things, but they sure look like them.

The Nina and Pinta replica ships made their way to downtown Muskegon Thursday afternoon, making it from Traverse City to Heritage Land in 24 hours.

The two vessels are replicas of the ships that accompanied Christopher Columbus when he first arrived -- in what is now known as America -- in 1492. The Santa Maria, which the largest of three ships that made the voyage, doesn't have a replica.

Capt. Stephen Sanger of the Pinta ship has been traveling on the ships for the past nine years.

"It's always great to be back in Muskegon," Sanger said. "It puts you right in the heart of Lake Michigan, which is by far my favorite of the Great Lakes."

The ships arrival coincides with the Shoreline Jazz Festival which will take place Saturday and Sunday. The two ships will be open for tours from Friday, Aug. 25, through Tuesday, Aug. 29. The ships will depart Wednesday, Aug. 30.

Tickets for the tours are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for ages 5-16 and free for ages 4 and under.

Teachers or organizations wishing to schedule a 30-minute guided tour with a crew member should call 787-672-2152 or email columfnd1492@gmail.com. Guided tours must have a minimum of 15 people.

The Nina replica was built completely by hand without the use of power tools. The 65-foot ship is the most historically accurate Christopher Columbus replica ship ever built, according to The Columbus Foundation, which owns both ships.

The Pinta was the first of Columbus' ships to sight land in 1492. The replica was completed in 2005 and launched from Brazil.

Both ships are caravels, which some historians called "space shuttle" of the fifteenth century, according the Foundation. The replica ships were hand-made by eighth generation Portuguese shipwrights in 1991.

The ships only need seven feet of water to travel, which allows for expanded travels than larger ships. The caravels can fit up to eight crew members, who live below the deck of the ship.

Unlike modern ships, these vessels used a horizontal bar fitted to the head of the boat's rudder post and was used as a lever for steering.

Crew members are strictly volunteers and receive no pay. There is a three-week travel requirement for new crew members while on board. Those interested can visit the ships' website.

Inside the ships are the sleeping areas for the crew members, who range from college students to retirees to those just looking for adventure.

"Some people are fascinated by the historical aspect of sailing in the 1400s," said first mate of the Nina crew, Kat Wilson, who is doing this instead of college. "Some people are here for the history. It's cool that it brings us all together.

"At some point I know I'll have to go home and face the rest of the world, but for now, I'm having the adventure of a lifetime."

The ships will make four stops in Michigan including Wyandotte, South Haven and Traverse City. The trip to Traverse City was met with backlash as protestors from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians awaited the ships arrival on Wednesday, Aug. 16.

"You can't change history," Sanger said. "They have a bad image in their minds about these ships, but it is what it is. These ships were used over a 200-year period back in the day to explore and navigate all different areas around the world.

"Our purpose is to teach about these ships, how you sail these ships and what life was like was on board these ships. All the kids learn about it in school, so it's a unique opportunity for these ships to show up on people's doorsteps and for them to be able to walk on board firsthand."