GLB Jul_Aug 2016 web

WHERE FRESHWATER BOATERS GO FOR NEWS

August 2016 • greatlakesboating.com

Everglades 360LXC

MILLENNIAL

MAKEOVER

DRIVERLESS

BOATS A Champion’s

Display until Sept. 15, 2016

Town

$5.95 US $5.95 CAN

BENETEAU

SWIFT TRAWLER

Does home insurance cover your boat when you’re not at home?

You might not be sure, so let an Allstate Agent help.

Allstate Agents can help you understand where your home insurance ends and your boat insurance begins. You can trust them to help you tailor your Allstate protection to make sure you avoid coverage gaps. Call today to see what the personal service of an Allstate Agent can do for you.

Local Agent Allstate.com 866-414-BOAT

Auto

Home

Motorcycle

Boat

ATV

RV

Snowmobile

Savings vary. Based on coverage selected. Subject to terms, conditions, availability and qualifications. Allstate Indemnity Co., Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co. and their affiliates: Northbrook, IL. Š 2015 Allstate Insurance Co.

Lighthouse®

Our most popular power pedestal, the Lighthouse offers a wide range of options and features meeting the needs of almost any boater. The Lighthouse SS offers additional capabilities and is made with high quality stainless steel for superior durability and performance.

Newport Harbor Mate® This shore power option has multiple modular mounting options to fit your personal dock needs. This economical, small device can easily be installed on a dock box or piling providing a mini-power source to your marina.

Hatteras® Light

This compact power pedestal is perfect for providing shore power connections to residential boaters, private docks, and docks with limited space.

Eaton Corporation Marina Power and Lighting 1-800-723-8009 marinasales@eaton.com www.marinapower.com

PUBLISHER’S

NOTE

I

t’s summertime and recreational boating on the Great Lakes is in full swing. The sun shimmering on the water and the wind blowing in my face remind me of the many joys one experiences while boating.

During mid-summer the joys of boating include fresh air, bright sunshine, blue skies, and freshening winds that boaters dream about during the dark, gray, cold days of winter. From the Fourth of July fireworks to what major league baseball players call the “dog days of August,” these truly are the days that recreational boaters live for.

Great Lakes boaters won’t find a better boat than the Everglades 365XLC pictured on our cover and featured in our story that begins on page 10. The ideal boat for cruising the Great Lakes, it provides a smooth ride in all weather conditions, offers plenty of space for sunbathing or lounging around during the day, and comfortably sleeps five or six guests at night.

The 360XLC also comes with standard equipment not found on most cruisers, including a 32-inch TV, a cockpit cooking stove, a refrigerator, and a mixing station.

While the Great Lakes are filled with many tourist meccas, you won’t go wrong by venturing to this issue’s Port of Call: Cleveland. The city has spent millions of dollars modernizing its lakefront, highlighted by a transient marina where up to 53 boats can dock on the weekends.

4 GLB | July/August 2016

WHERE BOATERS GO FOR NEWS

Once on land, visitors can tour the legendary Rock’n Roll Hall of Fame and enjoy listening to the likes of Elvis, the Beatles, and the forever young Rolling Stones. Time will literally fly by until it’s time to relish the food and drinks that are plentiful in the downtown area. You can also check out the retail and specialty stores that have cropped up downtown.

Publisher & Editor in Chief F. Ned Dikmen Managing Editor Karen Malonis Associate Editor Jerome A. Koncel Contributing Writers Tom Bingham Sonja Moseley Editorial Interns Jay Bouchard Kathleen Ferraro Graphic Designer Alex SanFaçon

As you keep reading, you can ponder two great questions. Is there a driverless boat in my future? What are millennials missing when they don’t participate in boating?

The idea of a driverless boat is no longer a fairy tale. Our article that begins on page 32 notes that students from the University of Buffalo are ready to turn their research project into the latest and greatest technology for Great Lakes boaters and sportsfishermen.

And what about those millennials—they don’t seem to have either the funds or the desire to own a boat, but this is not entirely true. Our article on page 26 explains that millennials want to partake in the joys of boating, but in different ways besides boat ownership. It explores an important lesson for the future: the boating industry needs to change its sales and marketing approaches if it wants to successfully attract millennials to discover boating.

Social Media Manager Neil Dikmen

Advertising | Sales Inquiries Neil Dikmen p 312.266.8400 e info@greatlakesboating.com

GREAT LAKES BOATING® Magazine (ISSN 1937-7274) ©

2016 is a registered trademark (73519-331) of

Chicago Boating Publications, Inc., its publisher, 1032 N. LaSalle Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60610.

For editorial inquiries, contact Great Lakes Boating Magazine at 1032 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL 60610 p 312.266.8400 or e kmalonis@greatlakesboating.com.

Great Lakes Boating Magazine is available online at greatlakesboating.com and at any of the distribution centers and newsstands in areas surrounding the Great Lakes. Postmaster should forward all undelivered issues to Great Lakes Boating Magazine, 1032 N. LaSalle Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60610.

All manuscripts should be accompanied by a selfaddressed stamped envelope. Great Lakes Boating Magazine is not responsible and will not be liable for non-solicited manuscripts, including photographs.

Great Lakes Boating Magazine does not assume

While boating is one of life’s most enjoyable experiences, the first and foremost rule of boating is safety. Remember to boat responsibly while enjoying your boating adventures.

liability or ensure accuracy of the content contained in its articles, editorials, new product releases and advertising. Inquiries may be directed to the authors through the editorial office. Products, services and advertisements appearing in Great Lakes Boating Magazine do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of their safety by Great Lakes Boating Magazine. Material in the publication may not be reproduced in any form without written consent of the Great Lakes Boating Magazine editorial and executive staff. Past copies may be purchased by sending a written request to the offices of Great Lakes Boating Magazine. For reprints contact: FosteReprints, p 800.382.0808 or f 219.879.8366.

360LXC

14

10

FEATURES Features

LOA ................................... 37’8” Beam.................................. 10’8” Max. Person Capacity............14 Max. HP.............................1,050 Fuel Capacity.................328 gal.

•.EVERGLADES BOATS................... 10 •_PORT OF CALL: CLEVELAND......... 14 •_DRIVERLESS BOATS.................... 22 •_GOING MILLENNIAL..................... 30

SPOTLIGHTS Spotlight

•.BENETAU SWIFT TRAWLER 30...... 18 •_SKIPPERBUD’S........................... 26 •_BOATING STATISTICS................... 34 •_PROTECT PETS........................... 35

THE NEWS InIN the News

•_GREAT LAKES................................. 36 •_FISHING..................................... 40 •_MARINAS................................... 42 •_NATIONAL.................................. 44 •_SAILING..................................... 46

35

DEPARTMENTS Departments

•_PUBLISHER’S NOTE............................04 •_EDITORIALS............................................08 •_NEW PRODUCTS................................48 •_BOAT CARE AND FEEDING....................50 •_EVENTS CALENDAR............................52 •_MARINE MART...................................54 •_ADVERTISER INDEX............................54

• FOLLOW US • on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @glbmag

Join the Great Lakes Boating Federation www.greatlakesboatingfederation.com 6 GLB | July/August 2016

T

he Everglades 360LXC is unlike any other cruiser in the market today.

While the 360LXC is more passenger-focused than some of the builder’s other models, the distinguishing features of the Everglades brand are its silhouette and patented RAMCAP (Rapid Molded Core Assembly Process) hull for a smooth ride, which are evident at first glance.

The 36-foot overnighter is the perfect weekend cruiser for the Great Lakes. It sleeps five or six passengers comfortably, focusing on extravagance and relaxation while maintaining Everglade’s well-known signature fit and finish.

Guests will be more than comfortable in the spacious 100-square-foot lounging area, which features an L-shaped lounge that serves as a dining area or converts to a sunbed.

In regard to entertainment, the 360LXC comes standard with a 32-inch retractable flat-screen television in the lounge area, an electric stove and outdoor cockpit cooking area, a refrigerator for storing food and beverages, and a fully equipped wet bar and mixing station.

The boat’s aft bench seat comfortably seats six, while the redesigned helm has ergonomic captain and companion seats and plenty of room for three.

www.evergladesboats.com Yacht Works, Inc. 10967 N. Bayshore Drive Sister Bay, WI 54234 920-854-4788 sales@yachtworks.net www.yachtworks.net

EDITORIALS

NO NUCLEAR WASTE ON THE GREAT LAKES

By Rep. Candice Miller (R-Michigan)

For centuries, both the U.S. and Canada have shared a deep appreciation for the Great Lakes as a natural wonder that provides boundless economic and recreational opportunity for citizens on both sides—one that is worthy of protection for future generations.

Today, that consensus is imperiled by a proposal from Ontario Power Generation to sanction the construction of an underground nuclear waste repository in Kincardine, less than a mile from the shores of Lake Huron.

Ontario Power Generation (OPG), wholly owned by the Province of Ontario, wants to build a repository for 200,000 cubic meters of low- and medium-level radioactive waste—waste which will retain toxic levels of radioactively for centuries to come—in a limestone formation 2,200 feet below the surface. Its backers contend the waste can be more safely stored there than where it is today, on-site at nuclear power generating stations.

urge newly elected Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau to do the same.

Our opposition to the Lake Huron nuclear waste facility reflects a broad consensus among the people who live in the Great Lakes watershed, and the 40 million citizens of both countries who rely on them for drinking water, that protecting the region’s premiere natural resource is paramount. Reflecting that consensus, a citizen’s group opposed to the repository recently submitted more than 92,000 signatures to Premier Trudeau, asking him to reject the OPG proposal. Additionally, more than 180 local governments, representing about 22 million residents in both countries, have adopted resolutions to oppose Kincardine.

I am not convinced that in a nation as vast and geologically diverse as Canada no other suitable site, one that is safely removed from the Great Lakes shoreline, can be found.

In my view, that contention is dubious. And, I believe, the notion that no viable alternative to Kincardine exists—one not in close proximity to the Lakes—is simply not credible.

In an encouraging sign, Canada’s environment minister recently postponed a final decision on the repository, and asked OPG to research potential alternatives.

That is why I have made repeated calls on the U.S. Department of State to pursue intervention by the U.S.-Canada International Joint Commission, a treaty organization that was formed to protect the Lakes more than a century ago, and to work with the Canadian government to find such an alternative. It is also why I joined with a bipartisan majority of my colleagues in Congress to

We all recognize that both nations rely, to a significant degree, on nuclear power for affordable and reliable electricity. The United States has struggled for decades to commission a suitable site for the longterm disposal of radioactive waste, but I firmly believe America can meet its obligation without threatening the Great Lakes with contamination. And so can Canada.

AGREE? DISAGREE? WANT TO COMMENT? EMAIL YOUR THOUGHTS TO LET TERS@GREATLAKESBOATING.COM 8 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

E15 IS BAD FOR BOATERS

By Jim Coburn

Unbeknownst to many Americans, corn ethanol and

With 95 percent of boats being fueled at retail

other biofuels are being blended into fuel at higher

gas stations, the scope of this problem is massive

and higher volumes. The federal government’s

and much more education is needed—especially

micromanagement of the nation’s fuel supply

because the government is likely to increase the

through the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) means

share of biofuels in the marketplace next year by

you may soon end up at a gas station where four to

700 million gallons. That means significantly more

five different ethanol-blended fuels are sold.

E15 and mid-to-high-level ethanol-blended fuels will be available.

The influx of E15 (i.e., gasoline with 15 percent ethanol), E30, E85 and other flex-fuels is a real

Another factor increasing the risk of consumer

cause for concern among boaters. Nearly 12 million

misfueling: price. E15 tends to be noticeably

recreational boats are registered in the United

cheaper at the pump than E10. Most Americans (66

States and NONE are approved by the EPA to use

percent) will choose the least expensive fuel

ethanol blends above E10. In marine engines, E15

whenever possible, according to a 2016 Harris

and higher ethanol blends can cause corrosive

Poll survey commissioned by the Outdoor Power

damage, overheating, engine failure, and other

Equipment Institute.

expensive warranty-voiding repairs—each of which puts boaters in jeopardy.

In a mandate-driven environment where cheaper E15 is being sold from the same pump as other

Despite

extensive

boating

industry

efforts

to

fuels, and where we know many consumers aren’t

educate consumers about the risks associated with

aware of the specific product limitations of E15 fuel,

accidental misfueling, public research, and practical

misfueling is almost incentivized.

experience continue to show many Americans are still unaware of the damage that can occur as a result

Consumer

awareness

and

boater

vigilance

are

of misfueling. Warning labels from the Federal Trade

the keys to ensuring that misfueling doesn’t grow

Commission and misfueling mitigation plans from

when the boating season hits full swing. And while

the EPA aren’t enough to effectively communicate

the boating industry continues to do its part to

the risk to consumers.

communicate these real risks and urge boaters to only use approved E10, the federal government

Less than one quarter of Americans (23 percent)

through RFS forces more ethanol into the fuel

notice the specific ethanol content on the fuel pump,

supply marketplace. Reform to this broken policy is

according to a 2015 Harris Poll survey, and fewer than

long overdue.

half (47 percent) admit they check the fuel pump for warning labels. This is consistent with earlier findings from the Association for Consumer Research showing

Jim Coburn is vice president & managing partner, Coburn &

that warning labels are “not effective in influencing

Associates LLC, and immediate past chair of the Michigan

consumers’ perceptions of hazards and risks.”

Boating Industries Association

greatlakesboating.com | 9

360LXC

A

t a time when boaters are challenging builders to manufacture vessels that are new, unique, and attractive in both aesthetics and price, Everglades Boats has done all three things with its 360LXC, which it describes as far different from any other cruiser in today’s marketplace.

What separates the 360LXC from some of the builder’s other models is its focus on passengers. At the same time, everyone can tell that this is an Everglades brand because it has retained the manufacturer’s silhouette design and its patented RAMCAP (Rapid Molded Core Assembly Process) hull that ensures a smooth ride for all passengers.

For the waters of the Great Lakes, the Everglades 36-foot overnighter is the perfect weekend cruiser. It sleeps five or six passengers comfortably, and everyone on board will note the luxurious touches that

10 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

pervade the vessel, while acknowledging Everglade’s signature fit and finish throughout.

Guests will be more than comfortable in the spacious 100-squarefoot lounging area, which features an L-shaped lounge that serves as a dining area or sunbed.

When it comes to entertainment, the 360LXC features a 32-inch retractable flat-screen television in the lounge area, an elec-

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S LOA .............................................................. 37’8” Beam............................................................ 10’8” Max. Person Capacity..................................... 14 Max. HP........................................................1,050 Fuel Capacity...........................................328 gal.

tric stove and outdoor cockpit cooking area, a refrigerator for storing food and drinks, and a fully equipped wet bar and mixing station all as standard equipment.

The boat’s aft bench seat comfortably accommodates six, while the redesigned helm features ergonomic captain and companion seats and plenty of room for three.

Bryan Harris, Everglades vice president of sales and marketing, said the 360LXC contains many features and comforts that its customers have been seeking in future models. “We listen to our customers, and the 360LXC is everything they’ve been asking for and more,” he said. “When you step onto the Everglades 360LXC, we want you to think, ‘Yes. This is what I’ve been waiting for.’ Our clients expect the highest standard from us, and we live up to it with the 360LXC.” In short, the newest cruiser from Everglades is a major step up for the builder, but it’s a move forward that Everglades has been ready to take for some time.

greatlakesboating.com | 11

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S LOA w/Engine.............................................. 37’8” Beam............................................................ 10’8” Fuel Capacity...........................................378 gal.

Water Capacity..........................................35 gal.

355CC

Max HP ........................................................1,050

O

ne of the most popular models in the auto industry is the crossover, so it’s not unusual for the same concept to appear in the boating industry.

This luxury-meets-utility vessel is ideal for both a hard-core fishing trip and a family vacation. It has Everglades’ patented RAMCAP hull design to provide a powerful, yet quiet and smooth ride.

The 355CC allows the captain to command the vessel from above, where an optional sport station or full upper station can be found.

Anglers looking to haul in their catches will find plenty of rod holders and lockable storage throughout the gunwales, deep livewells for bait, and a go-anywhere-in-any-condition console. The 355CC is a fun and fishable boat that also boasts the largest deadrise at

12 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

transom, as well as the largest weight capacity of any comparable boat its size.

For the angler with a family, or on those occasional days when the fish aren’t biting, the 355CC features plush seating, a comfortable sun lounge, and a spacious head.

Everglades prides itself on building unsinkable boats that are handmade in-house at the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Edgewater, Florida. Their vessels are put through rigorous quality assurance testing before they’re deemed seaworthy.

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S LOA w/Engine.............................................. 34’8” Beam............................................................ 10’8” Fuel Capacity...........................................306 gal.

Water Capacity..........................................35 gal.

Max HP............................................................700

325CC—is the most recent addition to the Everglades family of luxury fishing boats.

The highlight of the 325CC is its newly designed command center.

An oversized dash accommodates all the boat’s electronics, and all toggle switches are lit on the end so the captain can tell at a glance what’s being used.

A combination bolster/helm seat and thick foam anti-fatigue mat will be much appreciated in rough waters. The oversized stainless steel tilt steering wheel adds to the look of luxury. The most distinctive new feature is the hydraulic, adjustable windshield that slides up or down at the touch of a button.

The 325CC is first and foremost a fishing boat, and sportfishermen will appreciate the 10 strategically placed stainless steel rod holders. A 129-gallon fish box, 34-gallon livewell, and lockable rod storage are all standard equipment on the 325CC.

With plenty of coaming bolsters, recessed grab rails, and toe rails from bow to stern, comfort and safety are a priority. The ergonomically designed workstation has a place for rigs, hooks, pliers, knives, and other gear, as well as a sink that offers both raw and fresh water.

Friends and family will enjoy comfortable seating fore and aft, the electric table that quickly turns into a spacious sun pad, numerous drink holders, and the 74-quart, built-in cooler. Two swim ladders and an electric head with sink and shower make this the perfect family adventure boat.

The 325CC features one-piece, unsinkable RAMCAP construction, as well as the fit and finish clients have come to expect from Everglades. greatlakesboating.com | 13

325CC

T

he flagship of the 5 Series fishing boats from Everglades—the

CLEVELAND’S WATE

S

itting on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland is a city on the rise, growing with new attractions, hotels, developments, and restaurants. With more than $3.5 billion in visitor-related infrastructure completed or underway since 2011, Cleveland and Cuyahoga County are experiencing unprecedented growth in travel and tourism.

With Lake Erie in its backyard, Cleveland gives boaters the chance to explore everything the city has to offer.

14 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

North Coast Harbor Located in Downtown Cleveland, the North Coast Harbor originally opened in 1985 and underwent a renovation to add a new transient marina in 2014. If boaters wish to spend just a few hours or the entire day in Cleveland, they have the luxury of docking at the Rock & Dock Marina, which offers 53 transient slips in a seven-acre basin. For water sports aficionados, the Rock & Dock provides rentals for paddleboats, jet skis,

and kayaks, not to mention stunning views of the city’s skyline.

The Rock & Dock is located directly behind some of Cleveland’s top attractions like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Science Center, and FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns. Boaters can check out new exhibits, like “Louder Than Words: Rock, Power and Politics,” at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, blast into outer space at the Great Lakes Science Center’s

North Coast Harbor © Cody York for ThisisCleveland.com

TERFRONT REVIVAL

NASA Glenn Visitor Center, or cheer for the Browns at the First-Energy Stadium.

Boaters have more to look forward to at North Coast Harbor in the coming years.

In late 2015, construction began on a 28acre project that will include Nuevo Modern Mexican Restaurant on the East 9th Street Pier, which will feature a second floor of event space and patio space overlooking the marina. Three sand volleyball courts and public restrooms will be located north of the restaurant.

If boaters wish to spend more time in Cleveland, North Coast Harbor is within walking distance of Cleveland’s major attractions, including the country’s largest performing arts center outside of New York, Playhouse Square, JACK Cleveland Casino, and sporting venues Quicken Loans Arena and Progressive Field. There are also hotels like the new Hilton Cleveland Downtown, Drury Plaza, and The Westin Cleveland Downtown; and restaurants in the East 4th Street Entertainment District and the Warehouse District on West 6th Street.

The Flats In 2015, The Flats East Bank, located on the Cuyahoga River, completed Phase II of its redevelopment with a 1,200 footlong boardwalk, new dining options and entertainment venues, as well as apartments. The project continues to grow with announcements of a first-in-the-nation Rascal Flatts bar and restaurant, as well as an addition of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville restaurant.

greatlakesboating.com | 15

Edgewater Park © Cody York for ThisisCleveland.com

The boardwalk welcomes boaters to freely dock along the way from the Norfolk Southern Bridge to Coastal Taco Bar + Chill restaurant. Restaurants like Alley Cat Oyster Bar, Crop Sticks, Crop Rocks, Beerhead Bar & Eatery, On-Air Studio, and Coastal Taco Bar + Chill are all immediately accessible to the boardwalk, while venues like The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar and Punch Bowl Social are just a short stroll away. Boaters just need to be aware of the river safety zone, which means they need to move their boat whenever a large freighter is transiting the river.

On the other end of the Flats, boaters can enjoy a meal at Merwin’s Wharf, a restaurant owned by the Cleveland Metroparks. In addition to delicious meals and drinks, Merwin’s Wharf provides beautiful views of the Cuyahoga River from its patio, and boaters can take a break and kayak along the river.

For more exploring, a mile away from the Flats is the growing Ohio City neighborhood. Boaters can meander through the 180 vendors at the West Side Market and

16 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

sample dishes like pierogis and falafel, or they can take in the burgeoning craft beer scene at local joints like Great Lakes Brewing Company, Platform Beer Co., Market Garden Brewery, Nano Brew, and McNulty’s Bier Market.

West Side of Cleveland On Cleveland’s west side, boaters can dock at the Whiskey Island Marina on Lake Erie, a part of the Cleveland Metroparks Lakefront Reservation. Originally named for the distillery, which was built on the land in the 1800s, Whiskey Island now offers docking for residents and transient boaters alike.

Boaters can walk through Wendy Park, the only public park in Cuyahoga County that provides direct access to Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River, or take a bite to eat at the new Whiskey Island Still & Eatery. Two miles west of Whiskey Island is Edgewater Marina. At Edgewater Marina, boaters can lie out on the beach or participate in events like Edgewater Live, an annual summer concert series on the water. Both Whiskey

Flats East Bank night © Cody York for ThisisCleveland.com

Island Marina and Edgewater Marina offer spectacular views of the Cleveland skyline.

While docking at Whiskey Island or Edgewater, boaters can travel to Cleveland’s west side neighborhoods. The Tremont neighborhood is a trendy hotspot where visitors can enjoy chocolates made with beer and wine at Lilly Handmade Chocolate or transport themselves to a tropical paradise at Porco Lounge & Tiki Bar. The Detroit Shoreway neighborhood is home to the Gordon Square Arts District and new dining options like Happy Dog, a gourmet hot dog/polka-loving restaurant, and Banter, which combines craft beer with house-made sausages and Québec-style poutine.

With other projects in the works, Cleveland is continuing to grow, offering visitors the chance to set sail on uncharted waters and explore new areas each time they visit.

Destination Cleveland ThisisCleveland.com

DIVE IN TO A LOW-INTEREST BOAT LOAN.

Essex Credit, a division of Bank of the West, has

Loan Amount

APR* as low as

affordable boat loan options that can help you

$50,000+

3.99%

get out on the water quickly. Our experienced

$25,000–$49,999

4.29%

consultants make getting your loan easy and stress-free, so you can look forward to what’s really important — enjoying your boat.

Refinance — New or Used Purchase From a Dealer or Individual Seller — Purchase Locally or Cross-Country

APR is fixed for the life of the loan. Lower rates with shorter loan terms are also available. Rates are accurate as of June 17, 2016. See our website for current rates and terms as well as financing LiveAboards, older boats and loan amounts below $25,000.

Changing market conditions can affect rates,

Apply online today. www.essexcredit.com/greatlakes

so act now to take advantage of our low APRs.

(866) 377-3948

NEW - USED - REFINANCE

WE ALSO OFFER: Live-Aboard financing | Loans for older boats (1919–1995) | Loans for part- and full-time charters *Estimated APR (Annual Percentage Rate). Subject to consumer loan program requirements and credit approval. Certain fees, closing costs, and restrictions may apply. APR applied to the loan is the APR in effect on the date the application is received and is valid until 30 days after the loan is approved. APRs may vary with loan term. Boat must be 1995 model year or newer and have a maximum loan-to-value of 90%. Maximum loan term based on model year, loan amount, loan type, and lender guidelines. Other rates with different loan terms are available. Example of a recreational use Boat loan: A 10 year fixed-rate $55,000 loan. Based on an APR of 3.99%, this loan has 120 monthly payments of $556.59 each.

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

© 2016 Bank of the West. NMLS ID# 19116

D

esigned for traveling long distances as much as for enjoying stopovers, the stylish, contemporary Swift Trawler 30 offers a comfortable lifestyle on board.

18 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

SPECIFICATIONS

Beneteau Swift Trawler 30 LOA ...................................................................... 32’9” Beam ................................................................... 11’7” Draft ...................................................................... 3’5” Fuel Capacity .................................................. 190 gal.

Water Capacity..............................................2x40 gal.

Max. Engine Power ......................................... 370 HP

Beneteau’s Swift Trawler 30, the lat-

Yachts Miami Beach show. Cut out for

Beneteau launched the Swift Trawler line

est addition to the company’s best-sell-

the high seas, the Swift Trawler 30 rep-

in 2003 and since then, has established

ing line of fast trawlers, made its North

resents Beneteau’s continuing quest to de-

itself as the standard for long-distance

American

fine the trawler.

cruisers. The Swift Trawler 30 exem-

debut

in

February

at

the

greatlakesboating.com | 19

plifies Beneteau’s boatbuilding philosophy

throughout, along with high pulpits and a

to maximize and customize space to fit the

within 31’5” of hull length, with a range of 200

generous, well-protected starboard side

needs of any crew.

nautical miles, and cruising speed of 17 knots.

deck. Side-door access to the helm station makes maneuvers a breeze.

The semi-planing hull of the Swift Trawler 30

The rear cockpit converts into a spacious overhanging terrace. The flybridge offers

offers superior performance and handling.

The wheelhouse offers unrivaled open-

a completely separate space with a small

Distinctive, modern lines make for a very at-

ness and a bright interior thanks to pan-

lounge area and helm station.

tractive profile. The deck layout leaves am-

oramic views, unique for a cruiser this

ple room to move about the boat, including

size. The trawler’s modular layout is prac-

The Swift Trawler 30’s stylish, innovative,

optimized access to the swim platform, cre-

tical and comfortable, featuring a fully

and high-performance features will take

ating 65 square feet of opening to the water.

opening transom, foldable seats, and a

cruisers to places no other craft of a simi-

sizable flybridge fitted with a swiveling re-

lar size would dare venture.

To maximize safety and comfort, the Swift

movable table. Inside are foldaway seats,

Trawler 30 comes equipped with handrails

a convertible sofa, and a removable table

20 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

www.beneteau.com/us

greatlakesboating.com | 21

by Jay Bouchard

NO CAPTAIN, NO PROBLEM:

SELF-DRIVING BOATS

T

he driverless boat—a vessel navigating on its own independent of any crew or captain— has existed in folklore for hundreds of years. Ghost ships, like the infamous Flying Dutchman, have long been part of nautical legend.

“I grew up making robots, and people were always talking about self-driving cars and drones,” Vikram said. “I thought the easiest thing to do would be to make a boat self-driving because you don’t have to deal with some of the challenges that you have on the road.”

And until now, the driverless boat has existed only in eerie fables. Over the past two years, however, a team of undergraduate researchers and entrepreneurs at the University of Buffalo, operating as the Buffalo Automation Group (BAG), has been developing “AutoMate”—a product that looks

Vikram began developing the technology two years ago during his sophomore year at the University of Buffalo. He teamed up with classmates Alex Zhitelzeyf and Emilie Reynolds, and their research project went so well that they took their work beyond the classroom.

22 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

to make driverless technology a reality for recreational boaters.

The driverless technology was born from a university research project on a robotic boat, according to Thiru Vikram, founder and CEO of BAG.

“The prototype we developed worked pretty well,” Vikram said. “We thought it might be a fruitful company, so we started Buffalo Automation Group.”

The technology AutoMate technology can be fitted to existing boats and features a forward-facing camera that identifies obstacles in front of the boat. Furthermore, 3G broadband radar provides a 360-degree view of all obstacles around the vessel. According to Vikram, this is not standard pulse radar because it allows boaters to see obstacles within five feet of the boat and can extend out 24 nautical miles.

The product also features a Class B AIS (Automatic Identification System) unit, a depth finder, and a standard generalpurpose computer that builds a map for the surrounding environment. The computer instructs micro-controllers, which control the motors and the steering of the boat. Vikram said the technology is designed for both inboard and outboard propulsion systems.

The computer uses preloaded maps, so the radar can identify stationary obstacles. But the computer also compares how radar images are moving in respect to each other and in respect to the boat. This enables AutoMate to identify moving objects, Vikram noted.

In practice, AutoMate allows boaters to input a destination and as the boat navigates, the computer will notify the captain of weather updates. The steering and throttle will automatically adjust for rough water.

If there is any malfunction with the software, an alarm will sound notifying anyone on board.

If any of the sensors fail or if the radar isn’t giving out a picture, the autopilot will turn off, the alarm will sound, and the boat will stop.

constant watch over their vessels. For this reason, the BAG team expects AutoMate to be used widely on the Great Lakes.

“Larger bodies of water like the Great Lakes hold the biggest promise because that’s where you have these long distances where people don’t want to [constantly] pay attention,” Vikram said. “And we’ll start in the Great Lakes because we’re in Buffalo.”

In August 2015, the BAG team spent a month testing AutoMate on a motorized catamaran in Buffalo, and the product worked as designed, according to Vikram.

Current status

This summer marks the pinnacle moment in AutoMate’s commercial evolution. The BAG team is testing AutoMate on an 18-foot Chaparral fish and ski boat. If the testing is successful and boaters like the product, Vikram and his team will be one step closer to selling AutoMate commercially.

In its present state, the AutoMate technology is designed for recreational boaters who take long trips and don’t necessarily want to keep

“We know the product works,” Vikram said.

“So this summer we’re pretty much making sure boaters like it.” Depending on feed-

“As long as our technology works, boaters can relax and don’t have to worry about navigation,” Vikram said.

(L-R) Thiru Vikram, Emilie Reynolds, and Alex Zhitelzeyf

greatlakesboating.com greatlakesboating.com | 23| 23

But in the recreational and performance boat industry, he doubted that there would be a big market for such technology. “Everybody buys a boat to go drive it, they want to enjoy driving themselves,” he says.

He noted that for people who take longer cruises, the technology might be more applicable. But for the general boater who enjoys driving his or her boat, Gallagher said he doesn’t expect there to be significant market interest.

Although AutoMate is the first driverless boat technology designed for recreational boaters, similar technology has been used back, he says, BAG may start selling AutoMate in September or October.

Although Vikram is positive the technology will work, some boaters are skeptical. “Most people have a really hard time believing it actually works right,” Vikram said. “So this summer we want to get people on the boat and prove that it actually works. Once we prove that it works, I think people might start ordering before [AutoMate] is on the market.”

But before BAG can start selling its product, the team will have to receive approval from the U.S. Coast Guard, whose approval requires an extensive application and review process. Vikram said they are working toward approval and hope to be cleared before the end of the summer.

When the USCG was asked to comment on AutoMate and similar driverless watercraft products, a spokesman said that USCG “has not evaluated these watercraft, and at this time cannot provide any type of comment about them.”

The future If AutoMate receives USCG approval, BAG expects to make it commercially available

by October 2016. Vikram says BAG hopes to market the product at $7,000 for smaller, recreational boats, though that figure is subject to change. “It depends upon the class of boats we’re selling to,” he says. “Maybe for larger boats we’ll add some features and it might be more expensive.”

24 GLB 24 GLB | JULY/AUGUST | July/August1616

While BAG is testing the product initially on smaller (18-foot) ski boats, the team hopes to eventually sell to larger 40- to 60-foot yachts.

“We feel these customers will be easily able to afford our product,” Vikram says.

The product will be sold directly by BAG and boat dealers will install AutoMate under the close coordination of the BAG team.

Though the product hasn’t hit the market yet, its genesis has garnered varying opinions from industry professionals. Tim Gallagher, sales and marketing manager at Marine Technology Incorporated, said AutoMate is the first he’s heard of selfdriving technology in the recreational boating world. However, he said he thinks this technology is better suited for military use than for recreational boating.

“For military use, I think it’s fantastic,” he says. “It doesn’t put any lives at risk.”

by the U.S. and other militaries. In May, the Pentagon unveiled a self-driving 132-foot ship, the Sea Hunter, that is able to travel up to 10,000 nautical miles on its own, searching for underwater mines and submarines. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency will test this ship over the next two years in San Diego.

Last October, defense company BAE Systems tested self-driving boat technology that can be fitted to smaller Rigid Inflatable Boats. The Royal British Navy is already employing this technology.

But for the time being, Buffalo Automation Group is developing the forerunning self-driving-boat technology in the Great Lakes and if all goes to plan, the product will debut commercially in only a few months.

You Are Here

So Are We

NOT EVERY TOWING SERVICE HAS A FLEET STANDING BY TO BACK UP THEIR PROMISES.

We do. TowBoatU.S. has over 600 red boats from coast to coast and operates 40 locations on the Great Lakes, so you’re never far from help when you need it. Our Captains are licensed professionals that will get you and your boat underway and where you need to go in no time.

CALL OR GO ONLINE NOW TO JOIN FOR JUST $72 ALL YEAR.

1-800-888-4869 BoatUS.com/towing Towing details can be found online at BoatUS.com/towing or by calling.

ARIZO NA

|

|

CA LI F O R N I A

ILLINOIS

|

MIC H I

: DELIVERIN

By Jerome A. Koncel

S

kipperBud’s, a family-owned

Easy Transitions

with 208 wet slips, a fuel dock, boat launch

company specializing in boat

SkipperBud’s has been around for more

ramps, and a travel lift and hoist for pulling

sales, brokerage, service, stor-

than 50 years, having started operations

boats in and out of the water. In addition,

age, and marinas operation,

in 1959. Throughout its many years in the

Sequoit Harbor had a 15,000 square foot

announced in early May that

marine industry, the company has grown

showroom and a 10,000 square foot ser-

it had acquired Sequoit Harbor, a 208-slip

and expanded, now serving boaters with

vice center.

marina in Antioch, Illinois, just south of the

locations in seven states. Through all

Illinois/Wisconsin border. A few weeks later, it

these changes, SkipperBud’s has never

Because Upton and Sequoit Harbor serve

announced the acquisition of a service center

lost its mission focus of “Delivering the

so many boaters, SkipperBud’s wanted to

near its Pewaukee, Wisconsin, SuperCenter.

boating dream.” This is certainly apparent

make its acquisition a seamless transition. It

in it recent acquisitions and in its broker-

worked with Upton to make sure that custom-

age business.

ers knew about the change of ownership, but

The importance of these acquisitions should not be understated. Both acquisitions strength-

added that it would not mean any changes

en the company’s roots in the Midwest and its

Sequoit Harbor has been an Antioch land-

to their boating lifestyles. The marina would

reputation for identifying customers’ needs,

mark for more than five decades, serving

stay open for business, and SkipperBud’s

developing businesses to meet those needs,

marine customers on the Fox Chain O’

hired all Sequoit Harbor personnel and used

and seamlessly serving existing and new cus-

Lakes. Terry Upton, the marina’s previous

their knowledge and experience to insure an

tomers even in the midst of these changes.

owner, had built an outstanding business

easy transition for existing customers.

26 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

IG A N

|

OHIO

|

WA S H I N G T O N

|

W I S C ON S IN

N G T H E B O AT I N G D R E A M

SkipperBud’s—Sequoit Harbor is now offer-

much as possible during the all too short

grades, maintenance, and repair. “We are

ing northern Lake County boaters an “all in

boating season. When their boats need to

selling more than 2,500 boats per year and

one” shopping experience where they can

be repaired, it’s very important for them to

we have 6,000 slip and storage clients who

purchase their vessels, get a dock slip, and

have a nearby repair center that employs

rely on us for summer and/or winter ser-

be assured outstanding repair services.

high-quality, experienced technicians that

vices. The expansion plan for our service

For SkipperBud’s, it’s important to stress

do the job right expeditiously. It found that

and storage business needed to be every-

continuity. The only changes SkipperBud’s

its existing service center could not handle

one’s main focus,” said Betsey Arvai, mar-

plans for Sequoit Harbor are a new show-

the growing number of boaters in the area,

keting manager.

room, more storage buildings, and a dry

so it bought the nearby service center with

stack facility for year-round indoor storage.

six service bays, a parts department, a

Hot Sales

customer lounge, and ample parking.

For SkipperBud’s, delivering the boaters’

The service center it bought in Pewaukee

dream means making it easy to own, main-

is another example of how SkipperBud’s

SkipperBud’s continues to play a major

tain, and service their boats, which is the

continues to fulfill the boaters’ dream. In

role in the Midwest boating communi-

concept behind SkipperBud’s Super Cen-

this case, there is a growing number of

ty because of its dynamic array of prod-

ters. But don’t forget the first step in the

boaters in the Lake Country of Northern

ucts offered. The move to expand storage

process, having the boats on hand that

Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin, and

and service facilities allows boaters more

boaters want to own and sell. Brokerage is

every boater wants to be on the water as

flexibility and faster turn-around with up-

big business for the company.

greatlakesboating.com | 27

One area where there has not been a lot of change in recent years is the demands of recreational boaters and sportsfishermen.

The demands from boaters are no different today than they were 5,10, even 20 years ago, Arvai noted. “Boaters want a salesperson they can trust, a service tech who is knowledgeable and can do the job right the first time, and a dealer who can help them enjoy the boating lifestyle,” she added.

The future

“When it comes to boats Great Lakes boaters want and sell, there’s not a lot of changes in the marketplace,” said Arvai. “The hot sellers are pontoons and jetboats. We’re seeing boats less than 25 feet and more than 40 feet selling quite well, but we could use more sales of mid-size cruisers, that is, the 30- to 35-footers.”

make boaters want to own it,” Arvai noted.

If there’s one demographic group that is receiving a lot of attention from SkipperBud’s and other dealerships across the country, it’s millennials. “We need to change the way we market to this group so that they can be more familiar with the joys of the boating lifestyle,” said Arvai.

Pontoons have been a big seller for a number of years, according to Arvai, and it’s due to their multi-functionality. People can take their family out for a day on the water in a pontoon, and they can also use it for waterskiing.

“The pontoon’s versatility, power, and size

Toward that goal, SkipperBud’s is trying to reach millennials through social media, videos, texting, and so forth. “We’re on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites that millennials frequent,” said Arvai.

28 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

For the many marine-related businesses that SkipperBud’s finds itself immersed in these days, it has a very positive outlook about the future. Don’t be surprised to hear about more SkipperBud’s expansion very soon.

“In general, the industry has made a nice comeback from the Great Recession of 2008-2009,” said Arvai. “At the same, I would say that those companies that invested in their staffs, strengthened their sales and marketing approaches, and added knowledgeable salespersons and technicians are showing the best signs of the recovery.”

That’s a good description of SkipperBud’s and why it sees a rosy future.

Join The Great Lakes Grand Banks Association n inclusive, non-profit Association promoting A opportunities for social and educational interaction among boaters having a common interest and appreciation of the Great Lakes, the trawler lifestyle and the Grand Banks Brand. q140 members - over 60 vessels q Bi-Annual social & business meetings q Annual Summer Rendezvous q Members Only website section q Quarterly Newsletter

For more information visit our website: www.glgba.org and click the Membership tab.

greatlakesboating.com | 29

123rf.com/Andres Rodriguez

GOING MILLENNIAL

BY KATHLEEN FERRARO

M

y great-grandfather took his

or generations. If the boating industry

the millennial generation (people ages 18-

pontoon around the Spider

wants to keep us as boaters and prosper

35 in 2016).

Chain of Lakes in Wisconsin.

amongst this rising generation, it needs to

My father spends his summers

approach us differently. These changes may

Millennials as a whole do not want to own

sailing Lake Superior. I took my first cruise as

not be earth-shattering, but they are game-

boats, but they want to enjoy the boating life-

an infant, and have been on the water ever

changers for the recreational boating and

style nonetheless. Financial barriers seem to

since. Like the generations before me, I am

sportfishing industry.

be the most common cause prohibiting mil-

and will continue to be an avid boater. Unlike

lennials from purchasing a boat. Rising stu-

my predecessors, I don’t plan on owning a

MAJOR CHANGES

boat to sustain my boating habits.

The future of recreational boating is chang-

of personal wealth and income are strapping

ing. The days of traditional boat ownership

millennials for cash even more than prior

I’m a millennial, and millions like me are

are fast receding, making way for new

generations, according to Pew Research

approaching boating differently than pri-

boating preferences and habits dictated by

Center data.

30 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

dent debt, unemployment, and lower levels

“I’m sure I would want to buy a boat, but

tize, and unfortunately, it’s clear that boating

Millennials now number 75.4 million, rep-

it wouldn’t be for a while because I don’t

is not one of those. Accordingly, the boating

resenting the nation’s largest living gener-

have money and I’d need to be more sta-

industry needs to make itself attractive in

ation in comparison to 74.9 million baby

ble,” said Meghan Hickey, 22, a recreation-

the highly competitive space that is a mil-

boomers, according to U.S. Census Bu-

al boater and Chicago resident who grew

lennial’s schedule.

reau data. So while the number of potential

up in Minnesota.

boaters is on the rise, their preferences difAdditionally, millennials are more connected

fer from older generations.

Millennials are also strapped for time. Be-

than generations prior. Most were raised with

tween school, work, raising families, and any

digital literacy, and surpass virtually all older

Given millennials’ financial burdens, socially

number of extracurricular or hobby pastimes,

generations in their internet usage. In fact, 75

oriented lifestyles, and penchant for ride-

there are few days in the week—let alone

percent of all millennials have a social network-

sharing systems, boat rentals, leases, and

hours in the day—to set aside for time-con-

ing profile, according to Pew research. Unfor-

boatsharing may be more suitable options for

suming boating activities.

tunately, the boating industry is not targeting

getting millennials into recreational boating.

millennials through social media, bypassing the

Renting allows millennials to avoid long-term

“Beyond finances, I would say I don’t know

most effective avenue through which to access

and likely burdensome financial investments,

how much I would really use a boat now,”

a significant chunk of potential boaters.

while providing the sociability they seek.

on Lake Ontario. “A boat to me sounds like

The boating industry should be more forward

“Renting should be an option, because I still

something I would use one or two week-

thinking in the way it approaches millennials,

want that boating experience without having

ends in the summer, but I don’t think I

and integrate the generation’s social habits

a boat,” said Hickey. “I know so many young

would get enough use out of it at this point

into its marketing strategies and recreational

people, like on the Fourth of July, want to be

in time.”

boating opportunities.

on the lake. There’s probably a way that that

And time translates to priorities. The way

OTHER OPTIONS

millennials allocate their time spent outside

So why should the boating industry focus

Allen agreed, noting that a ridesharing sys-

of necessary responsibilities—school, work,

so much time and effort on millennials? The

tem, wherein boat owners rented out their

family—indicates the activities they priori-

numbers speak for themselves.

unused vessels to more economical, time-

said Emily Allen, 23, who grew up boating

could be more accessible.”

123rf.com/kzenon

greatlakesboating.com | 31

123rf.com/Jean-Marie Guyon

crunched twenty-somethings, could democratize recreational boating and make the pastime more accessible to those who are not able to make boat ownership a priority.

These programs already exist: San Francisco -based Boatbound operates as the AirBnB of boats, and Cruzin and GetMyBoat offer online rental marketplaces, to name a few.

The problem is, the people who want to use them do not know they are there. So while the services and systems many millennials desire actually exist, they are not reaching a key population of potential users. They must actively seek millennials through the right channels: online and with social media.

Still, millennials that come from boating families might not even find renting necessary.

“I definitely think a model of boat owners renting their boats out for a day or a weekend would be something that I’d be super interested in doing,” Allen said. “But, obviously, I do know people who have boats, including my parents, so I’m able to use theirs.”

PERSPECTIVE Millennials are the most racially diverse generation in American history and boast

32 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

a growing immigrant cohort, according to Pew Research Center. As such, the industry needs to expand its market to minority groups to build a more inclusive boating landscape better suited to millennial demographics. Hickey agreed. “[Owning a boat] has always seemed kind of manly. There’s not many young girls with a boat by themselves—it’s like, ‘when I’m married I’ll have a boat.’ But they need to capitalize on us.

They should show us that this isn’t something you have to wait for, you don’t have to have a family, you can do it now. They should make owning a boat less of a huge deal.”

Changing demographic tides don’t signal the end of recreational boating, just a change. The goal is not to encourage millennials to become boat buyers, but to capitalize on the myriad ways millennials can and will enjoy boating.

Boat ownership patterns will change as the rising generation experiences financial burdens that overpower their ability or desire to purchase a boat. Harbors might be populated with more rentals and shareable vessels.

Smaller vessels—kayaks, canoes, paddleboats—may become more popular as they are a cheaper, more non-committal alternative.

“Canoeing would be something that, if I can afford it in the next few years and am in the right location, I would buy one,” Allen said. “It seems more realistic and possible than purchasing a powerboat.”

Preference for smaller, more affordable watercrafts—jetskis, canoes, kayaks, standup paddleboards—could mean a broader assortment of these vehicles.

All these changes must be met with a change in promotions and marketing so that millennials can more easily access the boating world. Inclusive marketing strategies reflecting a more diverse millennial population could convince potential boaters that recreational boating is, in fact, accessible. The recreational boating and sportfishing industry should also take advantage of social media and the broad audience it reaches to plug into millennials’ digital presence and habits.

For many millennials, including myself, interest in boating is still there—after all, I could never give up boating after decades of sailing the Great Lakes. I’m just going to go about it in a different way.

STATS STAY POSITIVE, BUT RISKS PERSIST

T

BOATING

S TATI S TIC S

he United States Coast Guard (USCG) released its 2015 Recreational Boating Statistics report in May, and it showed 626 fatalities, the third lowest number of boating fatalities on record. This number, however, was greater than 2014’s 610 fatalities, showing a 1.9 percent increase.

caused 307 accidents, and excessive speed triggered 305 accidents.

These accidents caused 2,613 injuries, in addition to the fatalities described previously. The most common injuries included lacerations, broken bones, scrapes and bruises, and concussions, according to the data.

tered, a 0.5 percent increase from 2014 totals. The majority of new vessel registrations were powerboats between 16 and 26 feet long. Canoes, kayaks, sailboats, and rowboats were the leading non-mechanically propelled vessels registered in 2015.

The leading cause of fatalities where cause of death was known were drownings, accounting for 76 percent of deaths. Eightyfive percent of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.

USCG also reported that the other top five causes of death, for both children and adults, were trauma, cardiac arrest, hypothermia, and carbon monoxide.

Inattention and inexperience were the top primary contributing factors in accidents.

As part of its boating safety efforts, USCG reported that 71 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction, while only 15 percent occurred on vessels whose operator had received nationally approved boating safety education. This seems to show that people who have undergone formal boating instruction are less likely to be involved in a boating accident, versus those who have not.

Alcohol use was the leading reported factor in fatal boat accidents. The Coast Guard listed it as the leading cause of 17 percent of boating fatalities this year. In previous reports, alcohol was similarly listed as the primary factor in fatal boat accidents.

Overall, 22 children under the age of 13 died as a result of a boating accident, 55 percent of whom drowned. Of those who drowned, only two were wearing life jackets, according to the report.

The 4,158 accidents that occurred in 2015 accounted for approximately $42 million of damage to property. The most common accidents were collisions with a recreational vessel, collisions with fixed objects, flooding/swamping, grounding, and skier mishaps. Powerboats were responsible for the majority of accidents.

Improper lookout, machinery failure, and excessive speed were other top contributing factors in accidents. Improper lookout accounted for 410 accidents, machinery failure

34 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

The eight Great Lakes states accounted for just over 17 percent of all boating accidents in 2015 and 17.7 percent of all fatalities. The eight states also accounted for nearly one-third of all recreational vessels registered in 2015.

Registered recreational vessels were on the rise, with 11,867,049 boats regis-

The Coast Guard reminds all boaters to boat responsibly while on the water. As part of its boating safety mission, the Coast Guard urges all boaters to wear a life jacket, take a boating safety course, attach their engine cut-off switches, get a free vessel safety check, and avoid consuming alcohol or other impairing substances.

123rf.com/Nina Belyavskaya

ALGAL BLOOMS AND PETS DON’T MIX

A

s air and water temperatures rise, New York Sea Grant is reminding people with dogs that enjoy waterfront areas about the health risk posed by harmful algal blooms (HABs). Freshwater HABs are overgrowths of blue-green algae, known as cyanobacteria, which impact water quality and may produce deadly toxins.

potential risk from HABs and learn ways to reduce that risk to protect their pets,” MacNeill said. “An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure where dogs and HABs are concerned.”

David B. MacNeill, a New York Sea Grant Fisheries Specialist based in Oswego, New York, developed a Dogs and Harmful Algal Blooms Fact Sheet after learning of increasing reports of canine illness and deaths in areas impacted by algal blooms.

The Dogs and Harmful Algal Blooms Fact Sheet, online at www.seagrant.sunysb. edu/btide/pdfs/HABsFactSheet-0814.pdf, answers these critical questions: . What are harmful algal blooms? . When are HABS most likely to occur? . What do HABs look like? . How do you know if HAB toxins are present? . What are signs of possible cyanobacterial poisoning in dogs? . How can you reduce the risk to dogs from cyanobacterial toxins? . How can I report a possible HAB in New York State? . How can I reach a 24-Hour Pet Poison Hotline?

“Harmful algal blooms is an issue that impacts the entire Great Lakes region.

Dog owners need to be more aware of the

To develop the Dogs and Harmful Algal Blooms Fact Sheet, MacNeill enlisted the aid of veterinarians and toxicologists at

Dogs can ingest cyanobacteria toxins by drinking from infected waters, cleaning wet fur, and eating waterfront debris. Toxins can impact liver function, disrupt the nervous system, and cause skin irritation.

the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, US Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA National Ocean Service, the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, and Sea Grant Network colleagues.

MacNeill has organized several workshops to broaden the science and understanding of HABs by coastal stakeholders, including researchers, waterfront resource managers, community and public health leaders, marina operators, business owners, and sportsmen and citizen groups.

“The more we know and share about harmful algal blooms and their impact, the better we can address coordinated ways to minimize that impact on people, animals, the environment, and coastal communities,” MacNeill said.

greatlakesboating.com | 35

ITN | GREAT LAKES

Great Lakes

IJC RELEASES RESULTS OF GREAT LAKES PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY Eighty-five percent of respondents to one of the largest surveys ever conducted on the public’s perception of the Great Lakes believe that protecting them is an extremely important task.

• Eighty-six percent believe it is important to protect the lakes for recreational purposes, even if they personally do not use them. More than 40 percent of those who had used the lakes for recreational purposes had enjoyed boating, swimming, fishing, or another recreational activity in the lakes in the six months prior to the poll.

The International Joint Commission (IJC) sponsored the survey, which was completed by its Great Lakes Water Quality Board (GLWQB) in late 2015 and released in April.

GLWQB completed a total of 3,950 interviews between November 16 and December 3, 2015.

• Eighty-five percent of respondents believe it is essential to protect the Great Lakes from threats, including pollution and aquatic invasive species.

The survey showed that:

• Seventy-eight percent of respondents cited individual responsibility for protecting the health of the lakes, although 30 percent are unsure what steps they can take.

• A majority of residents believe the Great Lakes should be protected for the benefit of fish and wildlife (76 percent), as well as their economic significance (76 percent), their importance to human health now and for future generations (73 percent), and as a valuable natural resource (53 percent).

• Seventy-four percent of the respondents feel it is important that an organization like the IJC facilitates cooperation in Canada and the United States on issues impacting the Great Lakes.

ONTARIO URGED TO TAX PLASTIC BOTTLES A new report entitled Turning the Plastic Tide: How to Protect the Great Lakes and Fight Plastic Pollution, recommends that the province of Ontario introduce a deposit return on plastic bottles to dramatically increase recycling rates and help protect the Great Lakes.

In jurisdictions with deposit return programs, the report noted that 72 to 95 percent of the plastic bottles were recovered for recycling. But Ontario is one of two Canadian provinces without a deposit return on plastic bottles, and less than half of the plastic bottles sold in the province are recycled. The rest—an estimated one billion bottles each year—end up in a landfill or clogging the environment.

According to the report’s findings, a deposit return program for single-use plastic bottles would not only reduce plastic pollution, but could also help the province raise muchneeded funds to protect and restore the Great Lakes. Water programs in Ontario are woefully underfunded. Currently, Ontario’s budget for Great Lakes protection is just $15 million a year.

The province could also raise more money to protect fresh water by increasing the fee for commercial water users, such as water bottling companies, to pump water from the province’s aquifers, rivers, and lakes.

Currently, these companies pay only $3.71 per million liters, leaving Ontario’s water quantity programs underfunded.

123rf.com/Tetyana Kochneva Environmental Defence’s report Turning the Plastic Tide: How to Protect the Great Lakes and Fight Plastic Pollution can be downloaded at the website: environmentaldefence.ca/turntheplastictide.

MINNESOTA’S INVASIVE SPECIES VIOLATORS GET MANDATORY TRAINING This boating season, anyone found guilty of violating Minnesota’s aquatic invasive species laws will have to pay the required fines and complete mandatory training, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). Violators must complete the short “Clean In Clean Out” training before they can legally operate their watercraft in the state.

“The class is free and easy to take either online or with a paper home study,” said April Rust, MDNR invasive species training coordinator.

“Anyone interested in learning more about how to protect Minnesota waters from invasive species can also take the free online class.”

“Minnesotans overall are doing the right things, and the rate of compliance with aquatic invasive species laws is increasing every year,” said Maj. Todd Kanieski, MDNR enforcement operations manager. “The few individuals who violate these laws are the highest risk factor for infesting a lake or river.

We want to not only help people avoid a citation, but more importantly, keep 95 percent of Minnesota’s lakes off the infested waters list.”

36 GLB | July/August 2016

Boaters and anglers can comply with Minnesota’s invasive species laws by remembering Clean, Drain, Dispose: •

Clean aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species from watercraft,

•

Drain lake or river water from all equipment and keep drain plugs out during transport, and

•

Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash, not in the water.

Docks and lifts must be cleaned and allowed to dry for at least 21 days before moving them to another body of water.

More information about preventing the spread of invasive species is found on the MDNR’s aquatic invasive species page.

ITN | GREAT LAKES

BANNED PCBS STILL HAUNT THE GREAT LAKES Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) emissions may still threaten residents of Chicago and other Great Lakes communities even though the U.S. EPA has abolished them since 1979, according to a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

engineering at the University of Iowa, said that while transformers are the biggest stockpile source for PCBs, they are “not the biggest threat to the air.” That source is the paint, landfills, and dry sludge beds that continue to release PCBs into the air.

Keri Hornbuckle, another co-author of the study and professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Iowa, said that PCBs are inadvertently produced and emitted into the air during the manufacture of paint pigments.

An article written by Ethan Merrill in Great Lakes Echo said the research study pointed out how PCBs are still a persistent environmental pollutant that threatens the health of Great Lakes cities.

The study identified two sites with high PCB concentrations: the Chicago Area Confined Disposal Facility and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The study’s research suggests that efforts to eliminate PCB emissions from these sites have not been nearly enough.

The study authors called for “a comprehensive, rational planning framework for managing all PCB emissions from dispersed sources,” including those associated with sludge drying facilities.

Scott Spak, study co-author and assistant professor of civil and environmental

ROUND BOAT HIGHLIGHTS N.Y. SEA GRANT’S SAFE BOATING PROGRAM No matter where David G White, coastal recreation and tourism specialist with New York Sea Grant Extension in Oswego, N.Y., goes throughout the state, he’s always asked, “Is it a spaceship? An amusement park ride?”

And he always answers that it’s an historic 7-foot round boat that is the New York Sea Grant Discover Clean and Safe Boating educational vessel for 2016.

White developed the Discover Clean and Safe Boating campaign in 2008 in partnership with the Boating Industries Association (BIA) of Upstate New York. Each year, BIA members provide a different type of vessel for the educational campaign that travels to events and venues statewide to engage public interest in water safety.

“This boat catches everyone’s eye and draws people in to hear the message about wearing a life jacket, being prepared for a sudden emergency on the water, and practicing clean, safe and environmentally friendly boating on New York waters,” said White.

The round boat, a Circraft dating to the early 1970s, was donated for use with the 2016 educational tour

by Burke’s Marina, Raquette Lake, New York.

To find a list of events showcasing the circular boat, visit: www.nyseagrant.org/davewhite.

PEPSI® TALL SHIPS® CHICAGO RETURNS TO NAVY PIER Wind, water and history are set to converge this summer as PEPSI® Tall Ships® Chicago returns to Navy Pier July 27-31 as part of the Pier’s 100th anniversary.

The tall ships festival is one of the world-class events planned for 2016 that are part of Navy Pier’s Centennial Celebration. The celebration includes unveiling the significant redevelopment and modernization of the Pier under its Centennial Vision plan, a reimagining of the Midwest’s most visited leisure destination that will better showcase a vibrant cultural, environmental, educational and recreational landscape.

Schedule of events and festivities for PESPI Tall Ships Chicago: • On Wednesday, July 27, festivities for the five-day event will kick off with an opening ceremony at Navy Pier’s east end and the Parade of Sail, a stunning spectacle featuring 15 tall ships and other maritime vessels as they sail along Lake Michigan with Chicago’s skyline as the backdrop.

• Thursday through Sunday, July 28 – 31, guests will have the chance to view and explore 14 of the vessels up close, with the

opportunity to board, tour, and even set sail.

Each night of the event, from Wednesday through Saturday, will feature a fireworks show to cap off the day’s festivities.

Single-day boarding passes are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.

Sail-away passes start at $79, and include boarding, touring, and sailing.

For more information on PEPSI Tall Ships Chicago or to purchase tickets to the event, visit www.navypier.com.

greatlakesboating.com | 37

ITN | GREAT LAKES

Great Lakes

STATE PARK EXPLORES NEW WAYS TO GET PEOPLE ON THE WATER Buffalo Harbor State Park is now home to a new restaurant and is looking at several other ways to get people out on the water, according to a May article by Kathy Lionti of TCW News.

Charlie’s Boat Yard is the new restaurant, and it held its grand opening in May. The new restaurant replaces Dog’s Dive restaurant.

The menu at the new restaurant ranges from light fare to full dinner entrees, including fresh seafood. Customers can enjoy their food in the new dining room or on the new 1,800 sq. ft. patio. Charlie’s Boat Yard has also added an outdoor bar that is now open.

In addition to its restaurant activities, Charlie’s is expanding its service beyond the shore, delivering meals directly to boaters who call in their orders with their slip number.

For those people who don’t own a boat, Freedom Boat Club at Safe Harbor Marina offers an alternative. Those who become members of the club will have unlimited access to one of the four brand new vessels, after taking a training course.

Work has also begun to rehabilitate the breakwall, which will feature paved walking and bike paths, seating areas, and fishing. It’s expected to be finished in September.

WISCONSIN LOOKS TO BOATERS/ANGLERS TO STOP INVASIVE SPECIES Wisconsin depends on its anglers to help stop the spread of invasive species within the state, according to Bob Wakeman, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He added that anglers should never use aquatic invasive species as bait or dump unused bait into the water. Wisconsin’s bait laws are designed to prevent the spread of both obvious hitchhikers and less visible invaders.

hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) known and suspect waters. VHS is a deadly fish virus threatening Wisconsin fish, including muskies, walleye, lake whitefish, yellow perch, and more. The prohibited area includes Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Winnebago system, the Mississippi River, the Wisconsin River up to the Prairie de Sac Dam and all waters connected to these waters up to the first barrier impassable to fish.

If using minnows, anglers must remember that minnow harvest is prohibited on all viral

This year, anglers fishing the lower Fox River and Lake Winnebago system are asked to help guard

against further spread of the round goby. Round gobies can survive even in poor quality water, spawn multiple times per season, and displace native fish by eating their eggs and young.

Anglers who catch gobies on Lake Winnebago, other parts of the Winnebago System, or the lower Fox River below the Neenah and Menasha dams during the 2016 fishing season are encouraged to kill the fish, put them on ice, and bring them to the DNR Oshkosh office, 625 E. County Road Y, Suite 700, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

DULUTH TALL SHIPS IS WORTH SEEING Tall Ships ® Duluth 2016 is partnering with Art in the Park to Image © US EPA create an unprecedented, one-of-a-kind Tall Ships ® experience scheduled for Aug.18-21, 2016.

The event will fill Duluth’s Waterfront, Bayfront Festival Park, and Harbor Drive with ship tours, day sails, educational programming, a huge bevy of fantastic fare, re-enactors, curated beer garden, entertainment, live music, and unlimited fun for the entire family — and of course, majestic Tall Ships sailing in from all over the world.

Nine ships have already been invited, including: Norwegian Viking Ship Draken Harald Harfagre Spanish Ship El Galeon Andalucia General George Patton’s Personal Yacht When and If Schooner Mist of Avalon Tree of Life Appledore 38 GLB | July/August 2016

For those looking for a reallife sailing experience, day sails will be offered on the When and If, Appledore, Denis Sullivan, and Pride of Baltimore II. Tickets for the festival range from $9 to $95 with an additional, limited quantity Fast Pass option allowing front of line access to ships and zero wait time.

In another first, Tall Ships® Duluth is partnering with the Duluth Depot to offer bundled tickets for Tall Ships® and the Duluth Depot. The Historic Union Depot in downtown Duluth is located just a few blocks from the Tall Ships Festival in Bayfront Park, and features four museums for the price of one.

Stay up-to-date on Tall Ships® Duluth 2016 by visiting: www.tallshipsduluth.com.

ITN | FISHING

Fishing

MICH. DNR HIGHLIGHTS MORE TROUT FISHING LOCATIONS As part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Trout Trails application, the state added a second round of quality trout streams and lakes accessible to anglers. Trout Trails is a Michigan DNR comprehensive map featuring trout waters that are often lesser-known, but outstanding destinations.

The second phase of Trout Trails added more than 60 additional sites to the application, bringing the total to nearly 200. These new sites are spread out over the western and central Upper Peninsula, northern Lower Peninsula, and southwestern and southeastern Lower Peninsula.

Anglers interested in accessing the Trout Trails Application should visit the website, Michigan.gov/trouttrails.

The application includes extensive information for each site, including available trout species, regulations, presence of stocked or naturally reproducing fish, driving directions, lodging, restaurants, and noteworthy information (such as presence of fast water, canoe/kayak/tube accessibility, best times to fish, what bait or lure to use, etc.).

“These latest additions to the Trout Trails map continue to make it a go-to tool for anglers looking to plan future fishing trips,” said Suzanne Stone, education and outreach specialist with the DNR’s Fisheries Division.

Over time, DNR said it would add more locations.

ANGLERS NEEDED TO ENTER DATA ON CHINOOK SALMON science program. The app enables anglers to provide the following data on Chinook salmon: • Length, fin clip, and general location recording for all Great Lakes salmon and trout

• An optional photo upload to verify species identification, find clips, and wounds.

If interested, email: glanglerdiary@gmail,com to register and receive a Volunteer Number needed to log into the site. Representatives will then contact users up to three times per fishing season so that they can provide answers to short questions and surveys.

To participate in the data collection process, anglers should fish regularly on the Great Lakes or connecting waters; target a variety of trout and salmon species, muskie, walleye, or

The Great Lakes Angler Diary is being developed by Brenton Consulting, LLC, with funding from Detroit Area Steelheaders and guidance from Michigan Sea Grant.

• Data entry for walleye, muskie, and sturgeon USFWS

The Great Lakes Angler Diary, a web-based app that records information on stocked and wild Chinook salmon, is seeking the help of Great Lakes anglers to fill in “knowledge gaps.”

The Great Lakes Angler Diary builds on the pen-and-paper Salmon Ambassadors angler

sturgeon; enjoy using or experimenting with new products; and have an interest in sharing data with scientists to improve Great Lakes fisheries management.

• The option of recording any lamprey wounds

SURVIVAL PATTERNS FOR STOCKED LAKE TROUT A study reported in the May issue of Fish Lines On-Line revealed significant differences in movement patterns, survival rates, and reproduction for stocked lake trout.

Although nearly 3 million lake trout are stocked annually throughout Lake Michigan, study efforts focused on fish stocked at four historically important spawning grounds to encourage wild reproduction. It used coded-wire tags to identify genetic strain, length at stocking, and hatchery of origin.

The study, conducted by Matthew Kornis of the Great Lakes Fish Tagging and Recovery Lab in Green Bay, Wisconsin, indicated that lake trout stocked in the Northern Refuge had substantially lower survival 40 GLB | July/August 2016

rates compared to other sites, likely due to sea lamprey predation and commercial fishing in that area of the lake. Higher survival rates at other sites, especially Julian’s Reef in Illinois, corresponded with areas where wild lake trout have been observed with increased frequency in recent years.

Stocked lake trout from genetic strains that originated from wild Lake Michigan fish prior to their demise also had greater survival in central and southern Lake Michigan, where sea lamprey predation and fishing on lake trout is relatively low.

More than half of the lake trout stocked offshore in southern Lake Michigan (i.e., Southern Refuge and Julian’s Reef sites) were recovered in near-shore waters where they are accessible to recreational anglers.

ITN | FISHING

ANGLER SETS NEW YELLOW PERCH RECORD The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) named a yellow perch (Perca flavescens), caught earlier this year in Erie’s Presque Isle Bay, the new state record for the species.

Brian Clark, of Edinboro, Erie County, was fishing in about 20 feet of water in the bay at 11:30 a.m. on March 30 when he hooked the record fish. The catch measured 15 15/16 inches and weighed 2 pounds, 14 ounces.

The weight of Clark’s fish surpassed the previous record by 3 ounces, a fish caught in Presque Isle Bay in March 2010 by Erie resident Jeffrey Matts.

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission

The PFBC certifies state records based on total body weight. Potential record fish must

exceed the established mark by at least 2 ounces, as weighed on a certified scale. To be considered for state record certification, a fish must be caught using legal means, in season, from Pennsylvania waters open to the public without charge or fee. Fish taken from farm ponds, fee-fishing lakes, ponds, streams, or in waters restricted to use by club members or their guests do not qualify. Staff from the PFBC must examine the fish.

Complete rules and application are available at www.fishandboat.com/strecord. htm. The PFBC is the only entity that can certify an official state record fish in the Commonwealth.

MINNESOTA CHANGES FISH STOCKING PATTERNS Trout stocking patterns will change in a number of lakes in northeastern Minnesota while the state’s Crystal Springs hatchery undergoes disinfection and recertification procedures, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The trout that would normally be stocked in northeastern Minnesota will not be available until at least 2019 due to the depopulation of Crystal Springs hatchery. The hatchery is trying to control furunculosis, a disease that forms boils and lesions on fish and eventually kills them.

In order to provide anglers with inland trout fishing opportunities, the DNR will substitute Wisconsin-raised hatchery fish as a replacement.

Wisconsin-raised hatchery fish may be smaller at stocking and fewer numbers may be stocked until the Crystal Springs hatchery is back to capacity. Rainbow trout or splake from the Minnesota DNR

hatcheries will be used in some lakes to make up for the lack of available brook trout.

“Some of these lakes are remote and difficult to reach, so anglers will want to know about these changes before making the trip,” said Tower area fisheries supervisor, Edie Evarts. “Anglers can call their local fisheries office for assistance and more information about specific lakes.”

Once depopulation and disinfection of the Crystal Springs hatchery is complete, the hatchery will resume operation using uncontaminated brook trout brood stock and will be regularly tested for any reoccurrence of the pathogen. A hatchery must be disease-free for three years before fish produced there can be stocked in Minnesota waters.

MICHIGAN RESTOCKS LAKE SUPERIOR WITH FISH Annually since 1974, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) has stocked Lake Superior with thousands of fish. This year, it dumped 35,000 splake into Munising Bay in an effort to diversify the fishery.

“What we’re really looking for with the result here is adding diversity to the fishery,” said Cory Kovacs, Fisheries Biologist for MDNR. “We already have a pretty good fishery, with whitefish, yellow perch, as well as some lake trout out here so adding splake to the fishery

provides anglers more opportunity to get something near shore.”

The splake, a lake trout/brook trout hybrid, are hatched and grown at the Marquette Fishery for a year before they’re shipped out on large trucks to locations across the Upper Peninsula.

While it may seem like this trip could be traumatic for the fish, most will adjust to be happy and healthy in their new home.

“They’re pretty hearty the way they are, but some of them may be a little more affected,”

said Tony Beck, Fisheries Technician for MDNR. “They get disoriented coming out of the truck. It’s kind of a stressful day for the fish, but eventually they figure out where they’re at and are nice and happy.”

Since the fish are a hybrid, they do not naturally reproduce in the wild, and due to the brook trout portion of their hybrid, they have a relatively short lifespan. Most splake will only live for two to four years, and can grow up to ten pounds in that time.

greatlakesboating.com | 41

ITN | MARINA

Marina

CENTURY-OLD MICHIGAN MARINA AND BOAT DEALERSHIP SOLD Gregory Marina and Gregory Boat Co., family-owned businesses that have been part of the Detroit riverfront for more than 100 years, have been sold to Lormax Stern, a Bloomfield Hills, Michigan real estate development firm. The new owners said both businesses will remain fully operational following the transaction, but under different names, according to an article by Marti Benedetti in Crain’s Detroit Business.

The Gregory Marina, located on Clairpointe Street on the Detroit River, is now called KAM Marine and KAM Yacht Sales. The facility retained its staff and will continue with its ongoing business activity. Therefore, it will continue to offer winter storage, service/sales, while increasing the variety of boats it sells, now ranging from 20-80 feet in length.

The Gregory Boat Co., which was founded in 1906, and is located on E. Jefferson Ave. in Detroit, will continue operations under the Detroit Boat Basin. Kathy Gregory will maintain her position as president of the company, and will work with her team to continue offering a full range of marine services to boaters.

Lormax Stern announced it will focus on the expansion and growth of the two Detroit landmarks, while also preserving their legendary status.

“We saw the immediate business opportunity, but moreover we saw the need to preserve two entities that are important to Detroiters and the Detroit Riverfront. We’re committed and look forward to ‘steering’ these two regional institutions in the right direction… continued growth and expansion,” said Daniel Stern, partner of Lormax Stern.

SKIPPERBUD’S ACQUIRES ILLINOIS MARINA SkipperBud’s, a family-owned marine company specializing in boat sales, brokerage, service and repair, and marina operations, is adding an on-water location in Antioch, Illinois, to its stable of dealerships and marinas.

community just south of the Illinois/Wisconsin border, from Terry Upton. In addition to the more than 200 slips, Sequoit Harbor has a fuel dock, launch ramps, hoist and travel-lift wells, a 15,000 sq. ft. showroom, and a 10,000 sq. ft. service area.

SkipperBud’s has acquired Sequoit Harbor, a 208-slip marina located on Lake Marie, a glacial lake that is part of the 14 Chain O’Lakes, in Antioch, Illinois, which is a resort

The marina will now be known as SkipperBud’s-Sequoit Harbor and will be the company’s on-water Boating Supercenter to Northern Illinois residents looking to purchase

new, used, and brokerage boats, including pontoon and deck boats, fishing boats, tow boats, center consoles, bowriders, cruisers, and jet boats.

SkipperBud’s has retained all the personnel working at Sequoit Harbor under Upton’s ownership, making the transition from one owner to another seamless. As a result, operations at the marina have remained stable during the boating season.

L’ANSE MARINA RENOVATION PROJECT MOVES FORWARD In May, the L’Anse (Mich.) Village Board signed off on a previously approved $260,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant in preparation for a major renovation of the city-owned and operated marina this summer. The grant will pay for half of the renovation project, with the village paying for the other half, according to an article in the Mining Gazette.

Bob LaFave, L’Anse’s village manager, said the L’Anse Downtown Development Authority would be financing the required 50 percent match for the estimated $535,000 project. He added that the project would add new bathrooms, electrical hookups, and fuel facilities for the marina’s boaters. In addition, the village will replace a deteriorating dock with a new floating dock.

“The current dock has become a home for muskrats,” LaFave added.

In describing the new bathroom facilities, LaFave said they will include showers for transient boaters and separate day-use

42 GLB | July/August 2016

bathrooms for visitors to L’Anse’s waterfront park, which is adjacent to the marina.

To complement the new fuel and power services, the village already owns a wastewater pump that it expects to Bob LaFave, L’Anse Village Manager move to the marina.

“It’s part of a larger master plan to expand the marina for more boats,” LaFave said. Another part of the marina’s renovation project calls for an expansion of the existing marina beyond its current harbor boundaries by adding a new seawall and additional slips for more and larger boats.

ITN | MARINA

NEW DOCKS INSTALLED AT MICHIGAN STATE PARK The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) recently announced that due to construction of new docks at East Tawas State Harbor in Iosco County, the parking lot is closed to the public. Only construction traffic and registered boaters will be able to access the lot.

Construction of the new docks began the second week of May and is expected to last until September. Visitors to the state park will find alternate parking located in downtown

East Tawas and south of the city campground on U.S. 23. Additional information regarding parking for downtown and the city beach is available by calling the Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce at 989-362-8643.

DNR said the reconstruction project is the result of many years of planning, including significant input from boaters and the public. It is funded by a federal grant and the DNR Waterways Grant Program. It is the first phase of a multiphase renovation project at the harbor.

For more information, please contact Chuck Allen, supervisor of Tawas Point State Park, at 989-362-5041 or email him: AllenC9@michigan.gov.

A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to East Tawas Harbor. To learn how the Recreation Passport gains visitors access to Michigan state parks, visit the website: www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.

FIVE CANADIAN GREAT LAKES MARINAS RECEIVE BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATION Seven marinas across Canada, including five in Ontario, have been awarded the Blue Flag certification—a worldrenowned eco-certification for beaches and marinas. To receive a Blue Flag, beaches and marinas must meet high international standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety and services.

The Blue Flag is administered in Canada by Environmental Defence and is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

“Visitors want to know which Canadian beaches and marinas are the best to visit, and the Blue Flag helps to eliminate the guess work,” said Ashley Wallis, Blue Flag Program Manager with Environmental Defence.

“When you see a Blue Flag flying, you are assured that a beach or marina is clean and meets high safety, water quality, and environmental standards. It’s a symbol trusted by millions around the world.”

• LaSalle Park Marina, Burlington, Ontario

Here is the list of the five Great Lakes marinas that have received the Blue Flag in Canada this year: • Bayfield Main Beach and Bluewater Marina, Bluewater, Ontario • City of Barrie Marina, Barrie, Ontario • Grand Bend Marina and Port Franks Marina, Lambton Shore, Ontario

The Canadian operator of the Blue Flag Program is Environmental Defence, which is one of Canada’s most effective environmental action organizations.

CONSULTING FIRM OFFERS PLANS FOR SCHMID MARINA Even as the city of New Baltimore, Michigan, was working out the final details for acquiring Schmid Marina, a planning and design firm was offering feasibility plans, according to an article written by Katelyn Larese of The Voice.

Gregory Weykamp, president of Edgewater Resources, the design firm, told city officials that while significant renovations are needed at the marina, a renovation or rebuild plan could ultimately pay off for the city.

The marina’s proximity to downtown, its large land area and consistent water depth, as well

as its strong local market and existing revenue streams are real positive for the marina, Weykamp noted. On the other hand, the city will have to bring the marina into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and modern electrical safety standards, as well as upgrade its aging infrastructure and sheet piles.

In assessing the current market conditions, Weykamp pointed out that Schmid Marina’s wet slips are 20 percent occupied, its dry storage racks are 50 percent occupied, and its indoor winter storage facility is 100 percent occupied. Obviously, Weykamp

noted, the marina needs to increase its wet slip occupancy.

The key to increasing occupancy is improving the quality of the facilities and amenities at the site, Weykamp said, and this involves installing high-quality floating docks, upgrading the electrical utilities, and adding clean restrooms.

The marina would also be served by adding new restaurants, pools, and play areas.

Overall, Weykamp indicated that the city’s acquisition of the marina would likely be a successful endeavor.

greatlakesboating.com | 43

National

ITN | NATIONAL

FUEL REGULATIONS DEMAND BOATER VIGILANCE Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) and National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) urge boaters to be mindful when selecting fuel for their boats, especially as the federal government’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is increasing the risk of consumer misfueling.

especially at gas stations with blender pumps— is growing, according to BoatUS President Margaret Podlich.

Boats can only run on 10 percent or less ethanol content (E10) fuel—and many boaters prefer to use ethanol-free (E0) when possible.

Unfortunately, as a result of the federal ethanol fuel mandates (RFS), boaters may face a much harder time this finding the E0 fuel they want. With more E15 (gasoline with 15 percent ethanol) forced into the fuel supply by the RFS, the threat of accidental misfueling—

“Our priority is always to keep boaters safe,” said NMMA President Thom Dammrich. “By increasing the share of fuels in the marketplace that are unsafe for marine engines, the federal government’s RFS is putting boaters at risk.”

The federal ethanol mandates require increasing amounts of biofuels—including corn ethanol—to be blended into the US fuel supply every year. This growing mandate forces higher quantities of fuels such as E15 into the marketplace, often at the expense of E0 ethanol-free fuel.

AIS APP WITH NOAA CHARTING NOW AVAILABLE FOR ANDROID DEVICES AISView, which was developed by Digital Yacht, is an easy-to-use app designed for use on Android phones and tablets. When interfaced with any of Digital Yacht’s AIS wireless servers or USB devices, the app displays real time AIS targets with a radar-like presentation.

Targets are color-coded and scaled depending upon vessel type, and there’s a target trail and drill down vessel information display. The app can also display Internet sourced AIS data that is useful for home monitoring or for checking AIS traffic outside a boater’s area.

The latest version of the app also supports raster charts as a layer. For $9.99, boaters can add a detailed NOAA chart layer covering all U.S. coastal areas. Charts are automatically

downloaded when there’s an Internet connection and then stored on the device so no data connection at sea is required.

There’s also a simple A-B chart ruler that allows one to update his/her position in real time from either the boat’s system or the internal GPS of the phone or tablet. In addition, CPA (closest point of approach) and TCPA (time to CPA) alarms can be set to help with anti-collision calculations.

AIS data is sent from the boat’s AIS system via any of Digital Yacht’s on board Wi-Fi gateways or an OTG USB cable. AISView is available to download from the Google play store now (access it from an Android device) for $9.99.

OROLIA LIMITED, KANNAD MARINE RECALL SAFETY BEACON Orolia Limited, owner of Kannad Marine, has issued a recall of all SAFELINK EPIRB beacons due to a possible defect that could result in the product not operating in emergency situations.

important to take broader preventative actions to respond to the situation. That is why Kannad Marine has decided to instigate a voluntary Global Recall Program for the SAFELINK.

The beacon’s yellow body plastic may prematurely age when subjected to specific environmental conditions, which has the potential to impact on its long-term effectiveness in the field. The Kannad SAFELINK EPIRB model is the only Kannad Marine product affected.

Kannad recommends that all owners of SAFELINK EPIRBs register their ownership, location, and contact details via the dedicated website: www.safelinkepirbsupport.co.uk.

Although the issue identified may impact beacon effectiveness in a very small number of cases, the company determined that it is 44 GLB | July/August 2016

The Coast Guard strongly recommends that all owners and users of the beacon seek replacement devices as soon as possible and not to use it as a primary Search and Rescue beacon onboard.

ITN | NATIONAL

SERVICE AWARDS NEARLY $14 MILLION IN CLEAN VESSEL ACT GRANTS Multiple fish and wildlife species and recreational boaters in 21 states will benefit from nearly $13.7 million in grants awarded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program.

The CVA program helps U.S. states and territories maintain clean and healthy waters. Pump-out systems built or purchased through these funds ensure recreational boaters have a safe, convenient, and effective method to dispose

of on-board sewage. The funds also support boater education programs and the construction of boat ramps, docks, and other infrastructure that create jobs in local communities.

Boaters and manufacturers contribute to the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through excise taxes and duties on certain fishing and boating equipment and boating fuels. Since the program’s inception

in 1993, the Service has allocated more than $234 million in CVA grants to U.S. states and territories to help keep the nation’s waterways clean. Examples of 2016 CVA projects include: District of Columbia – Inland $19,293 Florida – Coastal $1,338,481, Inland $711,525 Nevada – Inland $92,704 For more information, visit: www.fws.gov/ home/feature/2016/pdfs/2016CVA-ProjectSummaries-FINAL.pdf.

POWERBOAT SALES EXPECTED TO KEEP RISING The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) reports that an estimated 238,000 new powerboats were sold in 2015, an increase of 8.5 percent compared to 2014. NMMA anticipates sales of new powerboats to increase as much as 5 to 7 percent in 2016.

Demand continues to grow across nearly all powerboat segments.

Outboard boat sales, which represent 85 percent of new traditional powerboats sold, and include pontoons, aluminum and fiberglass fishing boats, as well as small fiberglass cruising boats, were up 7.6 percent in 2015 to 155,800 units.

Sales of new ski and wakeboard boats, used for popular watersports such as wakesurfing and wakeboarding, were up 9.9 percent to 7,800 units. New personal watercraft sales, often considered a gateway to boating, rose 14.6 percent to 54,900 units, and jet boats saw a sales increase of 25.7 percent to 4,400 units.

Sales of inboard cruisers, traditionally larger boats, held steady, totaling 2,200 units in 2015.

USFS PRESENTS EXCELLENCE AWARD TO STATE-FISH ART PROGRAM The U.S. Forest Service presented the 2016 “Rise to the Future” award to Karen R. Hollingsworth, Minnesota’s State-Fish Art Manager, during the official Awards Ceremony at the U.S. Department of Aquiculture, Brooklyn, Minnesota. Also accepting the honor was Douglas Grann, President & CEO of Wildlife Forever.

Thomas Tidwell, Chief, and Leslie Wekdon, Deputy Chief, recognized Hollingsworth’s leadership and management of the StateFish Art program. She has transformed the annual competition by expanding student entries worldwide, creating a K-3 entry

category, adding new awards, fostering new partnerships (federal, state, corporate), and developing strategies to engage new and underserved communities.

The State-Fish Art program was started in 1999 as a child’s homework assignment and has grown into an annual nationwide art competition teaching aquatic conservation through the arts. The competition is free to children worldwide in grades K–12.

Under Hollingsworth’s leadership, more than 20,000 students have entered the contest in the past five years. Entries have

more than doubled and foreign country participation has grown through the Internet. In addition, Hollingsworth has created the “Invader Crusader” Award, recognizing students for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) awareness.

“Karen Hollingsworth has made a significant advance in awareness and understanding of fish and fishing in the youth of America,” said Grann. “She is one of the first to use art as the learning tool to teach aquatic education. We are proud of Karen’s success.”

greatlakesboating.com | 45

ITN | SAILING

TALL SHIPS WILL RACE TO ALGOMA

Sailing

As part of this summer’s Tall Ship Challenge—Great Lakes 2016, plans are underway for the Tall Ships to race from Chicago to Algoma, Wisconsin on Aug. 3, according to a March article written by Karen Ebert Yancey for the website, www.greenbaypressgazette.com.

After the boats leave Algoma, they will sail to Sturgeon Bay for a parade. They will dock there overnight but will not be open to the public. They will leave the morning of Aug. 4 for Green Bay for the Tall Ship Festival, Aug. 5 to 7, at Green Bay’s Leicht Memorial Park.

Called the Tall Ships Challenge Race, the race of the nine vintage ships will begin from Chicago on Monday, Aug. 1, says Erin Short, Tall Ships Challenge manager. She added that it would take approximately 48 hours for the ships to reach Algoma.

The plan is to hold a race of the Tall Ships on each of the five Great Lakes this summer, said Short.

A race committee will be on site for the start of the race and will make any changes to the route if needed due to weather or other factors, Short said.

There are opportunities for people who are interested to sail on the boats.

The trips range from 45 minutes to several hours. Individuals can also sign up to be a passenger on the boat from Sturgeon Bay to Green Bay. Volunteer, passenger, and festival information can be found at www.tallshipgreenbay.com.

LOOKING FOR MORE ADAMS CUP STORIES, CLIPPINGS, MEMORIES, AND PHOTOS The National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) and Gowrie Group have announced the continuation of their partnership to collect, preserve, and present maritime stories— this year with a focus on collecting and presenting stories related to the Adams Cup. The Mrs. Charles Frances Adams Cup (the Adams Cup) was held annually for 87 years from 1924 to 2011, as the United States Women’s Sailing Championship. The Mrs. Charles Frances Adams Championship and Trophy was retired in 2011, and is now on display in the Reading Room of the Tom

audio, film, and/or video) can be submitted to NSHOF’s Adams Cup coordinator at adamscup@nshof.org.

Morris Library at the National Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis, Maryland.

NSHOF is actively soliciting Adams Cup stories and assets to build out the archive collection. Stories, vignettes, thoughts, or memories (written, articles, news clippings, scanned photos, digital files, past results,

Learn more and read some of the Adams Cup Stories online by visiting: www.bit.ly/ AdamsCup or www.facebook.com/adamscup.

A reunion of Adams Cup participants (and a friendly on-the-water competition) will be held during the 2017 National Sailing Hall of Fame Induction (Sept. 23-24, 2017) at the New York Yacht Club, Newport, Rhode Island, Harbour Court.

33RD BIENNIAL PINEAPPLE CUP—MONTEGO BAY RACE RETURNS The Montego Yacht Club, the Storm Trysail Club, and the Hemingway Yacht Club have announced the 2017 Western Caribbean Series. This series will include the 33rd edition of the Pineapple Cup—Montego Bay Race and the Cuba Cup, a new race from Montego Bay to Havana following the conclusion of the Pineapple Cup. The Pineapple Cup is set to start in Miami, Florida on Feb. 3, 2017 and will send competitors on an 811 nautical mile course to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Following a brief stop-over and awards ceremony in Montego Bay, boats may elect to sail in the Cuba Cup, a 640 nautical mile race from Montego Bay to Havana set to start on Feb. 17.

The two events will include divisions for IRC, PHRF, double-handed, and multi-hulls. Both races may be registered for and raced independently.

However, there will be an overall series trophy awarded in Havana to the boat with the best combined corrected time.

46 GLB | July/August 2016

The Pineapple Cup will award the Robert McNeil Mohay Course Challenge Trophy to the first monohull to break the Montego Bay Race Record of 2 days, 10 hours, 24 minutes and 42 seconds, set in 2005. In addition, the Silver Rose Bowl (1st monohull to finish), Silver Pineapple Cup (1st overall corrected time IRC), Silver Seahorse (1st overall corrected time PHRF), Arawak (1st overall corrected time multihull) perpetual trophies will be awarded at the prize giving. The Jamaica Tourist Board Log Award will be award to the team with the most interesting log.

For more information, visit: www.pineapplecup.com.

ITN | SAILING

HOOK RACE The Racine Yacht Club of Racine, Wisconsin, will host the 33rd consecutive running of the HOOK Race on July 23.

Both cruising and spinnaker fleets will sail north from Racine to and through the Death’s Door passage between Door County, Wisconsin, and Washington Island and on to Green Bay, ending across the Bay at Menominee, Michigan.

The HOOK Race combines strong competition with the navigational challenge of Death’s Door. Finishing the race in Menominee provides opportunities for cruising vacations afterwards. The M & M Yacht Club of Menominee has several races planned for the following week culminating with the 80th running of the 100 Miler on July 30.

The HOOK Race is open to all sailboats that are at least 24 feet in length and suitably

equipped for coastal cruising and racing.

Boats less than 24 feet must present a resume of prior long distance sailing experience.

The HOOK Race is a US Sailing Safety Equipment Requirement “Coastal Race.”

Visit www.racineyachtclub.org for additional information.

PREMIERE SAILING LEAGUE USA ANNOUNCES FIRST OFFICIAL STADIUM The Premiere Sailing League USA has announced Grosse Pointe Yacht Club (GPYC) as the first official stadium for the sport’s only American-based sailing league. GPYC is located on Lake St. Clair, less than 30 miles from downtown Detroit.

GPYC is the first of the 24 planned stadiums with which Premiere Sailing League USA will partner to hold nationwide Qualification Regattas. Optimizing a stadium-style atmosphere, each regatta will be held close to shore and will utilize the latest social media technologies to engage both live and virtual audiences.

Premiere Sailing League USA will divide the nation into four districts (North, East, South and West), with four venues selected to hold the District Qualification Regattas each year in the same major city of each region. The National Final will be held annually in a location that will rotate around the country. Each venue will be provided eight J/70s for racing in the Qualification Regattas. Supplied J/88s will be used for the District Qualification Regattas and National Final.

At the conclusion of each Premiere Sailing League USA season (AugustNovember), the League will keep the eight J/70s active by allowing youth and race programs at each venue to utilize them.

Premiere Sailing League USA has scheduled its first demonstration event for Sept. 10, 2016, at Grosse Pointe Yacht Club for yacht clubs and community sailing programs that make up the North District: Colorado, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

LAKE ERIE SOLO CHALLENGE The 10th Lake Erie Solo Challenge will take place on Aug. 20, 2016. The challenge represents the fourth Great Lakes Singlehanded Society (GLSS) membershipgranting event on the Great Lakes. While Lake Erie may be the smallest and shallowest of the Great Lakes, those very characteristics make for some extraordinarily difficult sailing at times. Winds can produce large, steepfaced waves seemingly in minutes, and summer thunderstorms can turn a placid

body of water into a tempest just as quickly.

Throw in in a high concentration of pleasure craft, fishermen, and fishnets interspersed with commercial freighter traffic, and the ingredients are in place for a challenge on par with those of any other lake.

The Lake Erie Solo Challenge begins with a start off of North Cape Yacht Club near Monroe, Michigan and the fleet proceeds past Pelee Island, Ontario and eastward to

a rounding of the Seneca Shoal Light near Buffalo. Participants finish off of Presque Isle Harbor in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The course measures 312 statute miles, and in terms of comparison to the other GLSS Challenges, it ranks fourth behind the Trans Superior Solo, the Lake Ontario Solo Challenge, and the Chicago to Mackinac Island Solo Challenge. The 2016 event will mark the 10th running of the Challenge.

greatlakesboating.com | 47

NEW PRODUCTS

RETRACTABLE LINE CHOCK The Accon Marine Line Chock is a retractable model in which the steel line guides fold down, out of the way, until it’s time to dock again. The product is designed to keep boat decks clear during voyage.

It surface-mounts to the deck and uses the same mechanism as the company’s Pop-Up Cleat. It comes with a template to help accurately cut a hole in the deck and attaches with two screws. An optional drain fitting is available.

The Folding Chock and the pop-up Line Chock utilize marine-grade 316 stainless steel and are available in 4½- and 6-inch models. $137.77 per pair // 727-572-9202 // www.acconmarine.com

BOAT FENDER PROTECTOR Davis Instruments’ Shockles FenderFriend protects boat fenders from being torn off when a vessel is pinned against a dock due to wave action.

With models for twin-eye and center-tube fenders, FenderFriend is the only fender whip and hanger that features a built-in shock absorber. It stretches 12 inches so that when wakes or swells rock the boat, the fender stays in place, protecting the vessel, without additional strain to the rail, cleat, or lifeline.

The proprietary system includes a UV-resistant nylon-webbing strap that adjusts from 16–72 inches, and a sturdy Nexus marine-grade buckle. The device can be attached nearly anywhere—from a sailboat’s toe rail, a cleat, a grab rail, or the square rails of a pontoon. $22.99 // 510-732-9229// www.davisnet.com

QUICKCONNECT ANTENNA With Shakespeare®’s new QuickConnect™, sail and powerboat owners simply screw or unscrew an antenna from its mount.

Available in 3-, 4- and 8-inch models, the QuickConnect line of antennas provide boat owners with the ability to easily and rapidly replace a damaged antenna, or remove it when winterizing or towing. Chrome-plated brass ferrules thread into high-quality connections that won’t generate noise due to vibration.

Each antenna comes with easy-to-use Centerpin PL-259 crimp-on connectors and 20 inches of RG-58 coax cable. A splash cap is supplied to seal off the connection when the antenna is removed. The stainless steel mounts are available in rail and ratchet style. $39.00 // 803-419-3099 // www.shakespeare-marine.com

48 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

LATEST LED LIGHTING Hella marine’s new down lights use the latest LED technology to combine the stylish appearance of a traditional round lamp with durable, efficient, and consistent illumination.

EuroLED lights are ideal for interior and exterior use, and are manufactured with materials that will not corrode or fade in the marine environment. Lights are available in warm or neutral white. Screw or spring mount options are pre-wired and sized for a standard cut out and tailored for easy installation. $45 to $60 // 770-631-7500 // www.hellamarine.com

FOLDING BIKE FOR BOATERS Montague Bikes has launched a new bicycle designed to deliver top-rated performance and functionality to boating enthusiasts.

Like all Montague bikes, the Allston includes the patented DirectConnect™ folding system that allows the bike to be folded and unfolded in less than 20 seconds.

When folded, the bike compacts to just 36 inches wide, 28 inches high, and 12 inches deep, perfect for tight storage spaces. It weighs only 30 lbs.

The Allston features a rustproof carbon belt drive that allows grease-free handling for boaters who travel in conditions where corrosion of exposed metal parts is an issue. $1,895.00 // 617-491-7200 ext. 201 // www.montaguebikes.com

SEXTANTS Three models of sextants from Davis Instruments cover a range of skill levels.

The Mark 3 Sextant is perfect for learning basic celestial navigation. Full-sized, it has two sunshades and an easy-to-grip handle.

The more advanced Mark 15 Sextant has seven large sunshades, a 3mm x 27mm star scope, and a half-silvered mirror. Its 7-inch frame radius is graduated from 120° to -5° and comes with a drum micrometer that reads 2/10 of a minute of arc.

The Mark 25 Sextant is similar to the Mark 15, but features upgraded materials and a Beam Converger™ full horizon mirror. LED illumination and coated optics aid in finding low-light stars and planets.

(from the left) Mark 25, Mark 3 and Mark 15 sextants

$59.99, $239.99, and $279.99, respectively // 510-732-9229 // www.davisnet.com

greatlakesboating.com | 49

BOAT CARE & FEEDING

GERMAN BOAT CARE PRODUCTS NOW AVAILABLE IN U.S. GlobalTec Solutions is distributing Yachticon, the German boat care line of cleaning, maintenance, and engine care products, in the U.S. For dull, stained, or dirty hulls, Yachticon offers a wide range of powerful, yet gentle, rubbing, cleaning and polishing compounds, including its biodegradable Boats Wash.

Yachticon’s Pura Tank is a non-chlorine potable water tank purifier. Concentrated, the 500ml bottle will treat over 40 gallons.

Diesel Plus is a state-of-the-art fuel additive that destroys the bacteria and fungus that plug filters, clog injectors, and cause corrosion. The product improves ignition and combustion, saving on fuel.

Its U.S. e-store is at www.yachticonusa.com.

Prices online // 410-202-2347 // www.globaltec-solutions.com

ULTRASONIC ANTIFOULING SYSTEM The new Aqualuma® Ultrasonic Antifouling System (UAS) provides enhanced, targeted protection in all climates wherever it is needed—the hull, running gear, prop, rudder, IPS drive, stern drive, sea chest, seawater piping, sea strainer, thruster, stabilizer, and more.

The system, which is scalable for any size vessel and hull composition (GRP Fiber Glass, Carbon Fiber, Kevlar, steel or aluminum), outputs a refined automated program of short ultrasonic wave burst signals through ultrasonic transducers.

Each transducer emits a specific digital sound wave that generates a barrier at a microscopic level of moving water, which destroys the food source, algae, to prevent unwanted sea growth. $1,499// 954-234-2512 // www.aqualuma.com

RUB RAIL KITS It’s easy to upgrade or replace old rub rails with Taco® Marine rub rail kits and simple tools.

A complete assortment of made in the USA rub rail replacement kits for all sizes and types of boats is available.

Packaged with one-piece flexible or semi-rigid continuous coil in seven sizes and profiles, the rub rail kits are backed by Taco Marine’s five-year warranty and include everything needed to give your boat a new look and provide many years of durable use.

To determine which rub rail kit is needed, view the Taco Marine Rub Rail Replacement Guide (www.tacomarine.com/category/OEM-Rub-RailReplacement/Rub-Rail-Selection-Guide).

Call for pricing // 800-653-8568 // www.tacomarine.com

50 GLB | JULY/AUGUST 16

HULL CLEANERS Ocean Racing®, a manufacturer of polarized sunglasses and waterproof sailing luggage, is the exclusive U.S. distributor for the Swedish Scrubbis™ line of hull cleaning tools.

Scrubbis is a simple and environmentally friendly device that assists owners with boat hull maintenance. The patented cleaner makes it easy to remove algae and marine growth from a boat, while still acting gently on the hull.

Manufactured by Swedish company Scrubbis AB, the tool features a scrubbing head extending from a special handle. Boaters use it to clean away soft fouling from the bottom of a hull while the boat is still in the water. $109.95 // 313-680-6844 // www.ScrubbisUSA.com

HAIRLINE STRESS CRACK REPAIR Stress cracks in gelcoat and fiberglass can be quickly and easily repaired with MagicEzy Hairline Fix. This sealant/adhesive is available in 11 popular colors and is non-toxic and nonhazardous, as well as UV- and water-resistant. Hairline Fix provides a strong, longlasting repair, guaranteed for up to three years.

A built-in applicator and ready-to-use formulation makes it easy to use with no mixing needed. $24.99 // +61 7 5456 4110 // www.magicezy.com

CLEANER & DEGREASER 303® Citrus Cleaner & Degreaser safely brightens and rejuvenates surfaces by removing dirt, grease, oil, and more. It also contains UVA/UVB blockers for maximum protection against harmful sun rays. It is alcohol-, ammonia-, and solvent-free, and is safe for use on all water-safe materials, including fiberglass, plastic, chrome, and painted surfaces.

To use, spray on the area to be cleaned until wet. Agitate with a medium-soft brush or wet cloth. Wipe up stain and excess cleaner with a damp cloth, rinsing out cloth in clean water as necessary. Wipe dry with soft cloth. $17.99 // 800-367-3245 // www.goldeagle.com

greatlakesboating.com | 51

EVENTS CALENDAR

July • August EVENTS FLORIDA AUGUST 12-14

Orlando Boat Show Orange County Convention Center Orlando www.orlandoboatshow.com

SEPTEMBER 9-11

Progressive Insurance Tampa Boat Show® ®

Tampa Convention Center Tampa www.tampaboatshow.com

ILLINOIS JULY 23

Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

JULY 23

Aquapalooza Lake St. Clair

Belle Maer Marina/Lake St. Clair Harrison Township www.rockstaronline.net

JULY 24

Lake Huron Cruise Race Grosse Pointe Sail Club Port Huron www.gpsc.org

JULY 29-31

St. Clair Riverfest/River Classic Offshore Powerboat Race Downtown St. Clair www.stclairriverfest.com

MINNESOTA AUGUST 3-7

Fisherman’s Picnic Downtown Harbor Park Grand Marais www.grandmaraislionsclub.com

NEW YORK JULY 8

Thousand Islands ACBS Vintage “User” Boat Show James Street Docks Alexandria Bay

www.1000islandsacbs.org

JULY 9

Annual Runabout Rendezvous Lake Flower Saranac Lake

Chicago Yacht Club Chicago

JULY 29 – AUGUST 7

www.cycracetoackinac.com

Multiple venues Grand Haven

AUGUST 5

www.coastguardfest.org

Antique Boat Museum Clayton

JULY 23-24 Grafton Towboat Festival Grafton Harbor Grafton www.greatriverroad.com

INDIANA

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival

AUGUST 6-7

Boats on the Boardwalk Boardman River Traverse City www.acbs.org

AUGUST 4

Great Lakes Grand Prix

AUGUST 12-13

Washington Park Beach Michigan City

Port Sanilac Antique & Classic Boat Show

www.michigancitysuperboat.com

Port Sanilac Harbor Port Sanilac www.acbs.org

AUGUST 11

Michigan City In-Water Boat Show Washington Park Michigan City www.michigancityboatshow.com

MICHIGAN JULY 14-17

Ludington Offshore Classic Fishing Tournament Lake Michigan Ludington www.ludingtontournament.com

JULY 16

Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race Bayview Yacht Club Detroit www.bycmack.com

52 GLB | September/Oc tober 14

SEPTEMBER 2-5

Tri-State Regatta St. Joseph River Yacht Club St. Joseph www.sjryc.com

SEPTEMBER 3

Horn’s Bar Labor Day Regatta Mackinac Island Yacht Club Mackinac Island www.miyachtclub.com

SEPTEMBER 15-18

Boating and Outdoor Festival Lake St. Clair Metropark Harrison Township www.boatingandoutdoorfest.com

www.spencerboatworks.com

Clayton Antique Boat show www.abm.org

OHIO JULY 16

Crazy Cardboard Boat Regatta Voice of America Park West Chester www.yourmetroparks.net

AUGUST 25-28

Progressive Insurance North American Demo Boat Show Cedar Point Marina Sandusky www.cedarpointboatshow.com

AUGUST 27

Toledo Antique Boat Show National Museum of the Great Lakes/ Toledo Skyway Marina Toledo www.toledoboatshow.com

WISCONSIN JULY 8-10

Subfest Wisconsin Maritime Museum Manitowoc www.wisconsinmaritime.org

JULY 15-17

Bay Days Festival Bayview Park Ashland www.ashlandbaydays.com

JULY 15-17

CANADA JULY 9-10

Big Bass Challenge Joel Stone Heritage Park Gananoque, Ontario www.bigbasschallengecanada.com

Birchwood Bluegill Festival Downtown Birchwood

JULY 17

715-354-3411

Memorial Park Mississauga, Ontario

JULY 16

www.themwf.com

Port Fish Day

Mississauga Waterfront Festival

Lakefront Port Washington

JULY 22

www.portfishday.com

Muskoka Wharf Gravenhurst, Ontario

JULY 23

www.muskokashows.com

HOOK Race Racine Yacht Club Racine

Muskoka In-Water Boat Show

JULY 29 – AUGUST 1

Canal Days

www.racineyachtclub.org

66 Charlotte Street Port Colborne, Ontario

AUGUST 4-7

www.infoniagara.com

Mishicot Riverfest Mishicot Village Park Mishicot www.mishicotriverfest.com

AUGUST 5-7

Lakeshore Weekend Multiple venues Manitowoc www.lakeshoreweekend.org

AUGUST 12-13

AUGUST 5-7

Orillia Waterfront Festival Multiple venues Orillia, Ontario www.orillia.com

AUGUST 13

Honey Harbour Jazz Festival Honey Harbour Park Honey Harbour, Ontario www.discovermuskoka.ca

Door County Classic & Wooden Boat Festival

AUGUST 26-28

Door County Maritime Museum Sturgeon Bay

Port Credit Harbour Marina Mississauga, Ontario

Port Credit In Water Boat Show

www.dcmm.org

www.portcreditboatshow.ca

SEPTEMBER 3

SEPTEMBER 9-11

Fish Boil

Montréal In-Water Boat Show

Port Wing Town Hall & Pavilion Port Wing

Old Port of Montréal Montréal, Québec

www.portwingwi.com

www.salondubateau.com

greatlakesboating.com | 53

MARINE MART

PRODUCTS & SERVICES GREAT LAKES BOATING FEDERATION

NEW

IMPROVED MOBILE FRIENDLY! GreatLakesBoatingFederation.com

Advertiser Index Allstate Insurance.................................... IFC BoatUS........................................................25 CleanDrainDrg.org.....................................29 Cranchi/Yacht Works, Inc............................2 Eaton Marina Power & Lighting..................1 Essex Credit................................................17 Everglades Boats.......................................33 Great Lakes Grand Banks Association...........29 Lake Michigan Yacht Club.........................29

4717 5TH AVE., KENOSHA, WI

HISTORIC 1894 QUEEN ANNE IN THE QUAINT HARBORSIDE AREA

NEWLY LISTED

This Lake Michigan waterfront home offers 112' of frontage which can accommodate multiple piers for a nice revenue stream, your personal watercraft and views of every amazing sunrise.

This is a must-see home on an unbelievable lot!

NOPC.............................................................5

PAMELABRIGGS

North Point Marina.......................................7

262.206.6082 pbriggs@shorewest.com pamelabriggs.shorewest.com

Pepsi® Tall Ships® Chicago/Navy Pier...........3 Progressive Insurance.............................. BC RBFF............................................................55 Reefpoint Marina........................................39 SkipperBud’s........................................21, 56 Spring Brook Marina................................ IBC

54 GLB | July/August 2016

MICHAELGNIOT

See it today!

Call or text our hotline for more information 262.814.1400 + PIN 35963

We are available to answer any questions you 262.748.0258 may have, big or small. Give us a call today!

mgniot@shorewest.com mgniot.shorewest.com

EHO

Catch a memory you’ll never release. #FirstCatch First of the day, first of the season or first of a lifetime.

Follow @Take_Me_Fishing and show us your #FirstCatch.

For complete specs & photos of these boats visit:

SKIPPERBUDS.COM

B14856

2000

30’

BAYLINER

3055 LX

$34,900

B13389

2011

39’

SEA RAY

390 SUNDANCE

B14692

2004

30’

SEA RAY

300DA

$74,995

B14012

1996

40’

SEA RAY

400 EXPRESS

$319,000 $87,000

B14121

2007

30’

BAYLINER

300

$59,900

B13442

1998

40’

TROJAN

40 EXPRESS

$69,900

B14401

2008

30’

BAYLINER

300 SUN BRID

HF1645A

2013

30’

MONTEREY

300SY

B13059

2002

31’

TIARA

B14804

2004

31’

RINKER

B14019

2008

31’

B14807

2008

B13327 B14205

$64,700

B12852

1998

40’

CARVER

405 AFT CABI

$139,900

B14249

1998

40’

SEA RAY

400 SUNDANCE

$109,900

$98,700

3100 OPEN

$99,999

B11755

2000

40’

SEA RAY

400 SUNDANCE

$169,900

312FIESTAVEE

$62,000

B14857

2000

40’

SEA RAY

40 SEDAN BRI

$169,900

SEA RAY

310 SUNDANCE

$99,900

B14376

2001

40’

CRUISERS

3750

$109,995

31’

CROWNLIN

315SCR

$94,900

B13727

2003

40’

FORMULA

40 PC

$169,900

1997

32’

WELLCRAF

3200 MARTINI

$45,900

B14461

2006

40’

SEA RAY

400 SUNDANCE

$199,700

1998

32’

CATALINA

320

$59,900

B13984

2007

40’

CABO YAC

40 EXPRESS

$475,000

BT0101B

2002

32’

MONTEREY

322

$59,995

B14809

2008

40’

SEA RAY

40 SUNDANCER

$279,000

B14420

2005

32’

SEA RAY

320 SUNDANCE

$109,900

TY0256A

1996

41’

TIARA

41OPEN

$159,995

B14300

2007

32’

SEA RAY

320DA

$114,900

B14520

2002

41’

SEA RAY

410 SUNDANCE

$159,995

B14233

2007

32’

COBALT

323

$129,900

B14882

2006

41’

SEARAY

40 SUNDANCER

$205,000

E0076A

2009

32’

MONTEREY

320SY

$129,500

B10956

2002

42’

AZIMUT

42 FLY

$199,945

B14888

1996

33’

SEARAY

330 SUNDANCE

$42,500

B13760

2004

42’

SEA RAY

42 SEDAN BRI

$299,000

B14841

1997

33’

CRUISER

3375ESPIRIT

$52,900

B14997

2013

42’

REGAL

42 SPORT COU

$415,000

B14097

1999

33’

CRUISERS

3375 ESPRIT

$49,000

B13411

2005

43’

SILVERTO

43 MOTOR YAC

$249,995

B14699

2000

33’

LARSON

330 CABRIO

$54,995

B14869

2006

43’

TIARA

4300 SOVRAN

$379,900

TY0094A

2005

33’

PURSUIT

3370

$109,995

B11899

2007

43’

CRANCHI

43

$349,900

B13325

2006

33’

CARVER

33 SUPER SPO

$124,995

B14489

2009

43’

SEA RAY

43/47 SUNDAN

$499,900

B14568

2012

33’

SEA RAY

330 SUNDANCE

$175,000

B13217

2014

43’

TIARA

4300 OPEN

$899,900

B14424

2013

33’

SEA RAY

330DA

$205,900

B14201

1996

44’

SEA RAY

440 EB

$109,900

B12390

2000

34’

SEA RAY

340 SUNDANCE

$55,000

B13501

2005

44’

CRUISERS

440 EC

$249,900

BT0168A

2002

34’

RINKER

342

$59,995

B14429

2012

45’

SEA RAY

450 SEDAN BR

$574,500

B13322

2003

34’

MERIDIAN

341 SB

$89,900

TY0166A

2013

45’

CRUISERS

45 CANTIUS

$599,995

B14126

2005

34’

FORMULA

34 PC

$109,995

B14632

2005

46’

SEA RAY

460 SUNDANCE

$299,900

B14030

2005

34’

MERIDIAN

341 SEDAN

$129,995

B14288

2004

47’

FORMULA

47 FORMULA

$299,000

B12673

2005

34’

FOUR WIN

348 VISTA

$139,900

B14154

1995

50’

SEA RAY

500 SUNDANCE

$159,900

B14388

2007

34’

SEA RAY

340 SUNDANCE

$164,995

B12570

1996

50’

SEA RAY

500 SUNDANCE

$182,000

B14507

2013

34’

CARVER

34C

$289,500

B12874

1998

50’

Sea Ray

500 SUNDANCE

$219,000

B13968

1997

35’

CRUISERS

3575 ESPRIT

$64,900

B14723

1999

50’

SEA RAY

500DA

$185,000

B15005

2000

35’

CARVER

356 AFT CABI

$349,500

B14811

2003

35’

SILVERTO

35 MOTOR YAC

HF2176A2A 2005

35’

MONTEREY

350EXPRESS

DP0095B

2011

35’

SEA RAY

E0097A

2015

35’

REGAL

SB0015A

1998

36’

CRUISERS

3570

B11837

2003

36’

SEA RAY

360 SUNDANCE

$145,000

B13351

2003

36’

CARVER

360 SEDAN

B14092

1995

37’

MAINSHIP

37 MOTOR YAC

B12766

1998

37’

SEA RAY

B14367

2004

37’

CRUISERS

B14182

2004

37’

FOUR WIN

378 VISTA

B14871

1996

38’

POWERQUE

380 AVENGER

B11266

2004

38’

MERIDIAN

B14148

2007

38’

SEA RAY

B13960

2000

39’

B14946

2003

39’

B7169

2005

39’

$99,995

B14806

2004

54’

CRUISERS

540EXP

$119,900

B14996

1996

55’

SEA RAY

550 SEDANBRI

$199,900

$97,995

B10470

2008

55’

SEA RAY

550 SUNDANCE

$849,900

350 SUNDANCE

$205,995

B13404

2004

56’

CARVER

56 VOYAGER

$494,000

35SPORTCOUPE

$279,995

B14293

2007

62’

AZIMUT

62 EVOLUTION

$895,995

$47,995

B13852

2008

62’

AZIMUT

62 S

BT0161A

2006

82’

SUNSEEKE

82PREDATOR

$145,000

B14992

2001

21’1

CHRIS CR

210BR

$15,995

$79,900

B14798

2003

23’9

COBALT

242

$29,900

370 SUNDANCE

$79,900

B14952

2008

25’7

TVG

OCEANCAT

$42,900

370 EXPRESS

$79,900

B15003

2008

27’9

DORAL

28 PRESTANCI

$99,000

$109,900

B14681

2013

28’6

SEA RAY

270 SLX

$99,995

$49,900

B14934

2008

31’7

CRUISERS

300CXI

$89,900

381

$159,000

B14885

1997

33’6

SEARAY

SUNDANCER 33

380 SUNDANCE

$179,500

B14554

2006

36’7

CARVER

MARINER 36

SILVERTO

392 MOTOR YA

$139,999

BT0173A1

1996

37’6

SEA RAY

370 SUNDANCE

$59,995

SILVERTO

39MY

$149,995

B14251

1999

50’4

SEA RAY

500 SUNDANC

$189,900

SEA RAY

390 MOTOR YA

$385,000

B14551

2001

34’11

MAXUM

3500SCR

$899,000 $1,150,000

$52,900 $109,000

$69,995

family owned and serving the Boaters of the great lakes for over 55 years

We resuGet List y Lts! boat our us to with day!

exclusive Prestige yachts dealer for the great lakes

2017 Prestige 550 Flybridge

Hard Top Option

On Order

2017 Prestige 500S Coupe

2016 Prestige 450 Flybridge

On Order for Summer Delivery

See at Traverse City Location

2017 Prestige 420S Coupe

On Order for Late Summer Delivery

lake michigan jeanneau yachts dealer

2017 Jeanneau 46 Leader

On Order for Summer Delivery

2017 Jeanneau 40 Leader

On Order for Summer Delivery

2016 Jeanneau 36 Leader

Immediate Delivery, Trades Welcome

2016 Jeanneau NC11

Twin Diesels, Immediate Delivery

large selection of new, used & Brokerage Boats | Parts & service | dockage | storage

2005 Marquis 59 Motor Yacht

2015 Prestige 550 Flybridge

2012 Sea Ray 45 Sundancer

2007 Carver 41 Cockpit Motor Yacht

Trades Welcome $699,000

Twin Cummins Zeus $519,000

Trades Welcome $1,149,000

Bow Thruster

2011 Cruisers Yachts 48 Cantius

2002 Sea Ray 460 Sundancer

Volvo IPS Trades Welcome $549,000

Twin Diesels & Bow Thruster $239,000

2013 Prestige 500 Fly Bridge

2005 Cruisers Yachts 500 Express

$199,000

Twin Volvo IPS Diesels $799,000

Very Well Maintained $379,900

four Great Lakes Locations to serve You seneca, illinois 623 W. River Road 866-418-6696

traverse city, Michigan 12935 West Bayshore Dr. Suite 105 866-418-6696

eastlake, ohio 200 Forest Drive 866-418-6696

fish creek, Wisconsin 3957 Main St., Unit 1 920-868-5044

www.springbrookmarina.com | sales@springbrookmarina.com

LEGENDARY BOAT PROTECTION.

1.800.PROGRESSIVE / PROGRESSIVE.COM Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates.