April 2022

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APR I L 202 2

ITALIAN BEAUTIES Fratelli Aprea’s gozzo-style boats have landed in the Great Lakes. p. 32

CLASSIC COLLECTION

A private boathouse in Michigan has more than just an impressive display of classic boats. p. 36

PORT OF CALL

Harbor Springs, MI: A charming waterfront town with travel-worthy shops, eateries and views of crystalline Little Traverse Bay. p. 40

SPOTL I GHT S B R AB US ★ FOUN TAI N ★ S U N SEEKER ★ T I A RA

PHOTO COURTESY OF LITTLE T R AV E R S E F E R R Y FAC E BO O K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

40 Features

ON THE COVER

For more than 130 years, six generations of the Aprea family has built legendary gozzo-style boats in Sorrento, Italy. These boats, offering a nostalgic look with modern performance, can now be seen on Michigan’s Lake Charlevoix, as the brand makes its way to the U.S.

Bringing Gozzo to the Great Lakes

The Aprea family has been handcrafting classic gozzo-style boats in Sorrento, Italy, since 1890.

by David Rose.................................................................... 32

Building a Tribute to History, Family and Friendship

A private boathouse in Algonac, Michigan, pays homage to local boat building and Great Lakes maritime history.

by Heather Steinberger ....................................................... 36

Port of Call: Harbor Springs, MI

A Pure Michigan Harbor Town: Its deepwater natural harbor — deepest on the Great Lakes — made Harbor Springs, Michigan, an early destination for massive steamships hauling tourists. But what’s kept it a favorite destination is the depth of other offerings in and around its charming downtown, including galleries, golf, skiing, wineries and more.

by Kim Schneider .............................................................. 40

Departments

From the Helm ........................................................................... 4 Dock Box ..................................................................................... 6

Calendar .......................................................................................8 Scuttle ........................................................................................10

Great Gear................................................................................ 18 Waypoint: Leland, MI ............................................................. 20

@

lakelandboating.com

★ Shop boats for sale by owner ★ Place a classified ad ★ Peruse dozens of exciting destination stories ★ Check out our latest Boat Tests & Spotlights ★ Purchase our Great Lakes Cruising Guides and Lakeland Boating hats ★ Access past issues with our online magazine ★ Stay current on all the latest Great Lakes news ★ Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter ★ And much more!

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Don’t Hesitate to Renovate ................................................... 22

Electronics................................................................................ 24 Safety First.................................................................................25

Beneath the Surface ............................................................... 26 Boat Spotlights: Brabus, Fountain, Sunseeker, Tiara ........ 28

Boat Biz: RCR Yachts .............................................................. 46 Lakeshore Life: Spring Lake, MI ........................................... 48 Marine Marketplace................................................................ 49

Classifieds................................................................................. 63

Classic Craft............................................................................. 64

FROM THE HELM B Y K AT E B U S H

An Award-Winning Month!

T

he Miami Boat Show came back with a bang this year following a year-long hiatus, reclaiming its original location in the Miami Beach Convention Center, as well as in several other venues across Miami. There were plenty of innovative new boat models and marine equipment that debuted during the show, which we recap in our “Scuttle” department (p. 12). Take a look to see some great new offerings!

During the show, two Lakeland Boating Kate and husband contributors were awarded for their talent Matt at the famous Legs Inn, near Harbor in the Boating Writers International annual Springs, Michigan. contest. I had the chance to be a part of this year’s judging team and was able to witness first-hand how talented the writers in our industry are. Arnie Hammerman was awarded third place in the “Boating Adventures” category for his feature “Escape to the Sea,” which ran in our September 2021 issue (p. 34). Craig Ritchie also received a merit award in the “Boating Travel or Destinations” category for his story “Hitting the Sweet Spot,” which ran in our March 2021 issue (p. 38). Congratulations to our talented contributors!

This month’s Port of Call is one my family loves to frequent during summer vacations: Michigan’s charming Harbor Springs on the Little Traverse Bay (p. 40).

This harbor town has sparkling blue water, a delightful downtown with great shopping and restaurants, and plenty of activities no matter the season. Pro tip: If you’re visiting Harbor Springs in the summertime, make sure to add in a visit to the famous Legs Inn in nearby Cross Village, a worthwhile journey 20 minutes north on the “Tunnel of Trees,” to enjoy some tasty Polish food and an aerial view of Lake Michigan.

See you on the water!

CONTRIBUTORS MARTY RICHARDSON

Marty has put more than 35,000 nautical miles under the keel of her latest boat, Monarch, a Halverson 52-foot raised pilothouse trawler, and completed three Great Loops — so far.

READ HER STORY STARTING ON P. 20

★★★

KEN KREISLER

A multi BWI awardwinning journalist, Capt. Ken began his nautical career while in high school, spending summers doing odd jobs in the boatyard of a local marina in Brooklyn, New York. He worked his way through undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate academic studies as the skipper of his own six-pack charter boat, and upon completion of his degree work, secured his first job as a writer in the marine industry and never looked back. Capt. Ken splits his seasonal time between the New Jersey Shore and West Palm Beach, Florida.

READ HIS STORIES STARTING ON P. 28

Do you have a story idea you’d like to suggest?

Email me at kbush@lakelandboating.com to share your ideas.

★★★

AREAS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE

Harbor Springs, MI p. 40 Leland, MI p. 20

KIM SCHNEIDER

Kim writes — and sails — from her home base in Suttons Bay, Michigan. The award-winning author of “100 Things to do in Traverse City Before You Die” and contributor to multiple magazines, newspapers and websites is considered an expert on Midwestern travel and finds herself most at home on or near the water.

READ HER STORY STARTING ON P. 40

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Protect your baby (and their toys) with coverage for fishing gear and personal property too.

1- 8 0 0 -PROG RE S S IVE / PROG RE S S IVE .COM

Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. & affiliates. Additional charge may apply. Prices vary based on how you buy.

Shhhhh. No wake zone.

DOCK BOX

CANINE CREW

NEW! LAKE LENS

We want to see the gorgeous Great Lakes from your point of view! Send a short write-up about the photo, as well as a high-resolution photo (at least 1 MB) to KBUSH@ LAKELANDBOATING.

Please put “Lake Lens” in the subject line.

If we publish your submission, you’ll win a Lakeland Boating hat!

COM.

MARLEY Marley is a very unique puppy with a very special purpose.

She is a shorkie filled with sparkle and love, who lives in St. Thomas, Ontario with my father and me. Marley and I enjoy many adventures together, like running on the beach, going for walks and playing in the park. Marley loves to go shopping or to the bank to meet new people, and loves running beside me as I rollerblade. Marley gives everyone she meets lots of love and hope.

I even wrote a book called “Marley’s Dream” to share her with as many people as possible.

—Nichola Zacher, St. Thomas, Ontario CALLING ALL CANINE (AND FELINE) CREW!

We want to learn about your furry friends onboard! Send a short write-up with your pet’s name and your home city, as well as a highresolution photo (at least 1 MB) to: KBUSH@LAKELANDBOATING.COM. Please put “Canine/Feline Crew” in the subject line. If we publish your submission, you’ll win a Lakeland Boating hat!

Everyone Looks Great in a Lakeland Boating Hat! Need a gift for your favorite boater? Our Lakeland Boating hat is constructed from soft cotton twill for a great fit. Leather band adjustment in back with antiqued brass closure. Available in weathered navy, Nantucket red and khaki. One size. $24.95 + S&H. To order, visit LAKELANDBOATING.COM/STORE.

APRIL 2022 | VOLUME LXXVI, NO. 4 PUBLISHER Linda O’Meara PUBLISHER IN MEMORIUM Walter “Bing” O’Meara EDITORIAL STAFF Editorial Director: Kate Bush Assistant Editor: Abby Thorpe CREATIVE STAFF Art Director/Production Manager: Christy Tuttle Bauhs CONTRIBUTORS Helen Aitken, Glenn Hayes, Karyn Grimm Herndon, Ken Kreisler, Capt. Frank Lanier, Marty Richardson, David Rose, Kim Schneider, Heather Steinberger BUSINESS STAFF National Sales: Mark Conway Regional Sales: Patti McCleery Accounting: Marguerite Wristen EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICE 1555 Sherman Ave. / Suite 313 / Evanston, IL 60201 312-276-0610 / Fax: 312-276-0619 INFO@LAKELANDBOATING.COM LAKELANDBOATING.COM

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 1555 Sherman Ave. / Suite 313 / Evanston, IL 60201 312-276-0610 x. 24 / Fax: 312-276-0619 CBAUHS@LAKELANDBOATING.COM

SUBSCRIPTIONS Lakeland Boating P.O. Box 386, Lincolnshire, IL 60069 847-504-8475 O’MEARA-BROWN PUBLICATIONS INC Vice President: Linda O’Meara Secretary: Timothy Murtaugh Lakeland Boating (ISSN 0744-9194) Copyright 2022,

by O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc. is published eleven times per year (except December) by O’MearaBrown Publications, Inc. • Business/Accounting and Editorial Offices: 1555 Sherman Ave. Suite 313, Evanston, IL 60201, 312-276-0610. • Call 847-5048475 to subscribe. Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 386, Lincolnshire, IL 60069 (U.S.). Annual subscription rates: United States: $24.95 per year; International and Canadian: $39.95 per year, includes 7% G.S.T. tax (G.S.T. 894095074-RT 0001) and $12 postage included. Single copies are $4.99 for U.S. and Canada.

Only U.S. funds are accepted. Periodical postage paid at Evanston, IL and additional mailing offices.

• POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 386, Lincolnshire, IL 60069. • Lakeland Boating is a registered trademark of O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc., Evanston, IL. Published as Lakeland Yachting 1946-1955. • Unsolicited work may be submitted at the creator’s own risk. Lakeland Boating assumes no responsibility or liability for unsolicited material. All submissions must be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope with sufficient return postage. All published photos are courtesy of the manufacturer, unless otherwise noted.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

E-mail us at KBUSH@LAKELANDBOATING.COM or drop us a line at Lakeland Boating, 1555 Sherman Ave., Suite 313, Evanston, IL 60201. Opinions expressed in “Dock Box” are not necessarily those of Lakeland Boating. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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PRINTED IN THE U.S.A

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

APRIL 1 – 3

1000 Islands Clayton Spring Boat Show Clayton, NY

2

1000ISLANDS-CLAYTON.COM/ BOATSHOW

APRIL 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Spring Blossom Trolley Tour Door County, WI

1

DOORCOUNTYTROLLEY.COM

APRIL 2 – 3

Maple Weekend 1 Ontario

MAPLEWEEKEND.CA

APRIL 7 – 10

BAILEYSHARBOR.DOORCOUNTY.COM

ADD YOUR EVENT! Visit LAKELANDBOATING.COM/ GREAT-LAKES-EVENTS to add your event to our Calendar of Events page!

‘Up North’ Lake & Cottage Show Traverse City, MI TCCOTTAGESHOW.COM

APRIL 9

Festival of the Angry Bear Marquette, MI ORE-DOCK.COM

Gitchee Gumee Brewfest Superior, WI GGBREWFEST.COM

Shipwrecks and Genealogy Sandusky, OH

APRIL 16

APRIL 29 – MAY 1

VISITCHARLEVOIX.COM/ EASTER-EGG-HUNT

CATAWBAISLANDBOATSHOW.COM

SANDUSKYMARITIME.ORG

Brown Trout Tournament Baileys Harbor, WI

APRIL 8 – 10

History of Sandusky Bay Sandusky, OH

Charlevoix Easter Egg Hunt Charlevoix, MI

APRIL 22 – 23

Lift Your Spirits Festival Bay Harbor, MI BAYHARBOR.COM

APRIL 23

Chocolate and Wine Walk Vermilion, OH VERMILIONOHIO.COM

SANDUSKYMARITIME.ORG

Progressive Catawba Island 2 Boat Show Port Clinton, OH

APRIL 30

Dairy State Cheese and Beer Festival Kenosha, WI

KENOSHABEERFEST.COM

Hops on the Water Quinte West, ON

FACEBOOK.COM/QUINTEWEST

ELEVATE YOUR LIFE

Select Models In-Stock Now

Shadow 500 | Shadow 500 Cabin | Shadow 500 Black Ops | Shadow 500 Cabin Black Ops Shadow 900 | Shadow 900 XC | Shadow 900 Black Ops | Shadow 900 XC Black Ops

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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F 1 : O N TA R I O M A P L E S Y R U P FAC E B O O K ; 2 . P R O G R E S S I V E C ATA W B A I S L A N D B OAT S H O W FAC E B O O K

DOUBLE-CHECK BEFORE YOU GO! Events are likely to change. Please watch event websites for updates.

BUZZ

Walstrom Marine Contributes to Great Lakes Boat Building School Expansion

The Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) “Come Aboard, Launch Careers” campaign to support the school’s $3.8 million expansion project received a considerable push forward, thanks to a $25,000 contribution from Great Lakes dealer and service provider Walstrom Marine. The school is helping to address the shortage of skilled trades and crafts people in the marine industry, and provides qualified students from its Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program and the Marine Service Technology Program, in partnership with Mercury Marine University, with a consistent 100% placement rate. Visit GLBBS.EDU.

SCUTTLE G R EAT L A K ES N E WS

BOAT S

M U ST-HAV E

BUZZ

(Left to right): Walstrom Marine Service Director David Lesh; Walstrom President Tom Ervin; GLBBS President Nikki Storey; GLBBS Director of Development Tom Coates; Ward Walstrom, Jr.

EV ENTS

BUSINESS

GREAT LAKES NEWS

The National Park Service has placed Fishtown Historic District in Leland, Michigan, on the National Register of Historic Places.

This list recognizes the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. (Read more about Leland on p. 20).

ADD YOUR NEWS! Email KBUSH@

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

to add your company’s Great Lakes News to Scuttle!

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The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) has launched a new website, BLUEACCOUNTING.ORG, that tracks the region’s progress to reduce harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie and stop aquatic invasive species.

The new website was created after years of GLC collaboration with work groups, including representatives of state, provincial and federal governments, as well as the academic, nonprofit and private sectors. The work groups identify available data on specific issues, share information about current efforts, and help to translate those pieces into the information the region’s leaders need when making decisions that impact Great Lakes restoration and protection.

“Connecting scientists and policy experts across sectors is one of the key values this new site is bringing to the region,” says GLC Chair Todd L. Ambs of Wisconsin. “It’s our goal to use data to answer the critical question of how we are doing when it comes to protecting and restoring our Great Lakes.”

Visit BLUEACCOUNTING.ORG. BOATS

Four Winns Debuts New H1 and H1 OB

Four Winns’ new H-Series is growing, with the introduction of the H1 sterndrive and H1 OB outboard. The 20-foot H1 bowrider makes a statement with its signature cross curve windshield featuring a 3D design and brushed aluminum frame. Luxurious quilting, detailed stitching, bright metal trim and plush foam create a superior level of quality and comfort, while new monochrome color schemes simplify and freshen the overall look of the cockpit.

Upscale materials like cool touch, vinyl-wrapped handles, resilient upholstery and padded bow walls add a welcome design element that is also durable. Soft, grippy swim platform mats and woven cockpit flooring provide a fresh, finishing touch.

The H1’s interior layout is adapted to its power configuration; the sterndrive is outfitted with a more traditional L-shape seating and large sunpad, while the outboard has U-shape seating featuring a unique multi-level back bench.

Also unique to the H1 is the two-position portside seat, which faces forward or aft, perfect for spotting watersports.

For more information, visit FOURWINNS.COM.

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

FISHTOWN PHOTO BY RICHARD HURD

Great Lakes Commission Launches Website to Track Lake Erie Algae

BOATS

Formula Unveils Two New Center Consoles Formula Boats is re-entering the center console market with the introduction of the brand-new Formula 387 Center Console Fish (CCF), built for the angler, and the 387 Center Console Sport (CCS), designed for the dayboater. Coming in Fall 2022, the models boast a base length of 38 feet, 7 inches, and a 12-foot beam.

The CCF features tons of amenities anglers will love, including custom triple helm seats with folding armrests, dual 40-gallon livewells aft, premium GEMLUX outriggers, a leaning post with an aft-facing mezzanine bench that conceals a bait rigging station and sink, and more. The Sport version offers cruising comforts like a standard bow seating package and power adjustable table, a roomier swim platform plus trunk storage, and a pullout cockpit fridge.

Down below, both models feature 6-foot, 4-inch headroom, an Ultraleather U-shaped lounge with dual-height table and filler cushion, a galley and a molded private head.

The 387s can be powered with a choice of Mercury Verado or Mercury Racing options, from triple Mercury Verado 300s to triple Mercury Racing 450Rs or twin Mercury Verado 600 outboards.

To learn more, visit FORMULABOATS.COM. BOATS

Hacker Boat Company Launches New Range

Meet Hacker Boat Company’s brand-new range of boats, The Evolution Collection, consisting of three new models: The Commuter (pictured), the Center Console and the Monaco.

The Commuter is a 37.5-foot hardtop with an open-style cabin powered by twin inboard engines. The Center Console is available in sizes ranging from 30 to 35 feet and is built on a modified version of the company’s popular Sport model hull. This model is available with inboard or — a first for Hacker-Craft — outboard power options. The Monaco is the most contemporary model within the Evolution Collection and features a 40-foot hull, an open transom, flexible seating arrangements, a large swim platform and a completely customizable cuddy cabin.

“The Evolution Collection’s three unique models really define a new era for Hacker-Craft,” says Erin Badcock, the company’s COO. “The range will assist us in entering new markets and attract buyers looking for innovative designs and cutting-edge technology, yet with the panache of the Hacker-Craft brand. We will continue to build and restore the classic designs that have created our legacy, that is important to us and our customers.”

For more information, visit HACKERBOAT.COM.

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2022 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show Recap

The Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show returned after a year-long hiatus on February 16–20 to its original home of the Miami Beach Convention Center. The show — a joint effort by Informa Markets, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the International Yacht Brokers Association — featured new boats, kayaks, superyachts and marine gear, and spanned several venues across Miami. Here are a few new boats and marine 10 accessories that debuted at the show!

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NEW BOATS 1 Beneteau had the worldwide debut of its Swift Trawler 48 and the U.S. debut of the Oceanis 34.1 and Antares 8.

2 Boston Whaler’s brand-new 360 Outrage center console was on display, featuring new technology, a customizable cockpit and a cleverly designed cabin.

3 The Ferretti Yachts 500 made its debut, featuring a sleek, spacious design.

4 Ingenity Electric revealed its 23E, an electric dayboat built on what the company calls a modular “skateboard” platform. This boat won an Innovation Award for the “Cuddy Cabin, Bowrider, Deck Boats” category.

5 Invictus’ brand-new sporty GT280S and flagship TT460 made their U.S. boat show debut.

6 Regal had its brand-new 38 FLY luxury performance flybridge yacht on display.

7 Riva’s 68’ Diable made its debut, featuring a new hardtop and clean design.

8 Stingray debuted its new 173CC and flagship 273CC, the fifth and largest model introduced to Stingray’s center console series.

NEW GEAR & EQUIPMENT 9 DockMate’s new Soft Docking System was available for testing at the show. This new system helps simplify the docking process by providing

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a measured and customizable engine response.

10 Furuno debuted three new products at the show: The Solid-State Radar DRS2D-NXT, a new compact 19-inch radome; the DFF3-UHD, a new 2kW/3kW TruEcho Chirp Network fish finder; and FishHunter Drive.

11 Garmin announced its brand-new Boat Switch all-in-one digital switching solution.

Indmar announced its new 2.3-liter EcoBoost and EcoJet package, designed for the pontoon segment as an outboard and sterndrive alternative. This package allows pontoon builders to create a full-width swim platform uninterrupted by an outboard.

Mercury Marine had its Avator Electric Outboard concept on display, the first in a range of five new electric models that will be announced this year.

12 Simrad showed off its new NSX Series MFDs, available in 7-, 9- and 12-inch displays, featuring a modern interface and Simple Setup Wizards to help make setup easy for users.

13 SiOnyx launched its Nightwave ultra-low-light marine camera system, allowing boaters to see clearly on moonless nights.

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S H O W P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F M I A M I B OAT S H O W; A L L O T H E R S F RO M M A N U FAC T U R E R

SCUTTLE

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Getting You Back Safely is Our #1 Goal - Join today!

800-395-2628 BoatUS.com/Towing

Details of services provided can be found online at BoatUS.com/Agree. TowBoatU.S. is not a rescue service.

In an emergency situation, you must contact the Coast Guard or a government agency immediately.

SCUTTLE

BOATS

Tiara Yachts Introduces Inboard-Powered Model, the EX 60

Tiara Yachts announced its new inboard-powered yacht model, EX 60, the largest inboard model Tiara Yachts has ever built.

Whether cruising, entertaining or enjoying watersports, each EX 60 configuration reflects the owner and their unique boating lifestyle, offering optimal performance. The model is set to debut later this year.

Flexible and customizable, the new model offers four unique mid and aft cockpit configurations: One designed for the adventure seeker; one for the chef; one for the social butterfly; and one for the sophisticated angler. Inside the EX 60, luxury is endless, with the salon and galley integrated seamlessly into the cockpit, boaters can maximize space for socializing and entertaining in comfort and style. Below deck, three peaceful sleeping quarters can accommodate six adults, while two private heads provide added convenience.

In a long-standing partnership with Volvo Penta, the EX 60 will offer multiple Twin IPS options paired with the latest Volvo and Garmin technology, including Assisted Docking. Peace, tranquility and adventure are effortless with the reinvigorated and quiet Bluewater Performance that allows you to venture farther and explore for the day, weekend or week.

Visit TIAR AYACHTS.COM/EX-60 for more information.

Beginning April 20, new U.S. Coast Guard regulations on fire extinguishers take effect. This includes adding a 12-year expiration date on all disposable fire extinguishers, as well as requiring boats that are model-year 2018 or newer to carry “5-B”, “10-B” and “20-B” classified extinguishers onboard. Older “B-I” and “B-II” labels are being phased out.

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Viking Announces New Valhalla V-55 Center Console

The latest flagship of Valhalla’s V series is set to begin construction this summer, then premiere at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The new V-55 packs incredible performance, range, engineering, fishability and luxury in a new size that provides more cockpit space, on-deck seating and living accommodations than any other center console in its class.

The V-55 combines the speed, maneuverability and convenience of an outboard-powered center console with the engineering and accommodations of a Viking convertible. Powered by quadruple or quintet Mercury 7.6-liter V12 600-hp Verado outboards, the V-55 holds 1,200 gallons of standard fuel and is engineered with an electrically operated fuel management system. Resting atop the patented Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel from Michael Peters Yachts Design, the V-55 is also the largest resin-infused center console of its kind.

Onboard, the boat is designed for up to nine forward-facing chairs, and offers a host of options.

Twin insulated fishboxes, tackle storage, rod holders and yacht-like luxury accommodations in the cabin are just a few of the features that set this model apart.

To learn more, visit VALHALLABOATWORKS.COM. Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales is the exclusive Valhalla dealer for the Great Lakes. For more information, visit JBYS.COM.

BUZZ

Mercury Marine Announces Avator Electric Outboard Concept Mercury Marine announced its Avator electric outboard concept at the 2022 Miami International Boat Show in February, progressing the company toward the formal release of electric outboard products later in 2022 and 2023.

“We are excited to formally announce this bold new phase of our vision for the future that only Mercury Marine can deliver,” says Chris Drees, Mercury Marine president. “Electrification is strategically important to us, and this concept provides a first look at how we intend to deliver on our commitment to being the industry leader in both internal combustion products and electric propulsion.

We are taking efficiency to a new level, opening up new ways to enjoy the boating experience.”

The Avator design features zero direct emissions, simple and quiet operation, swappable quick-charging batteries and enhanced portability.

Learn more at MERCURYMARINE.COM.

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

BOATS

Sunseeker Unveils Predator 65 in Digital Premiere

Viewers were introduced to the new Sunseeker Predator 65 model in February during a digital world premiere.

The new 65-foot model combines exceptional design with the latest cutting-edge technology to make for a boat that is not only comfortable, but provides exceptionally easy handling and performance.

Equipped with the latest Volvo Penta IPA System with fully integrated pilot, engine data and navigation systems, the Predator 65 is an intuitive motoryacht that offers highly configurable indoor and outdoor spaces. The aft cockpit provides comfortable seating with a large sunpad over the garage and a social bar unit. Owners can opt for a fully integrated wetbar or extended C-shaped lounge seating, and there is the option for a crew cabin.

Below deck, the three-cabin layout offers room for up to six guests, and all cabins include their own ensuite.

To learn more about this brand-new model, visit SUNSEEKER.COM.

Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales is the exclusive Sunseeker dealer for the Great Lakes. For more information, visit JBYS.COM.

SCUTTLE

BOATS

BUZZ

MasterCraft and Ilmor Create World’s Most Powerful Towboat Engine

At the Miami International Boat Show in February, MasterCraft and Ilmor Marine announced the brand-new Ilmor Supercharged 6.2L Engine — praised as the world’s most powerful towboat engine, boasting 630 hp and 665 LB-FT of torque — found exclusively in a MasterCraft.

Incorporating years of experience perfecting the direct fuel injection delivery system, the Ilmor Supercharged 6.2L Engine offers unparalleled power, a fully enclosed cooling system, and a noticeably smoother, quieter and more responsive ride.

“It is the best of the best — an engineering marvel,” Fred Brightbill, CEO and chairman of MasterCraft, says of the engine. “As a pioneer of performance and innovation, our relentless focus on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the water is core to providing our consumers the best onwater experience.”

The Ilmor Supercharged 6.2L Engine is scheduled to begin production in Spring 2022 and will replace the current 7.4L MPI model offering in MasterCraft’s 2023 model year boat lineup.

To learn more, visit MASTERCR AFT.COM and ILMOR.COM.

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Fairline Unveils Squadron 58 With Beach Club Fairline Yachts has announced a concept launch of the new Squadron 58, set to hit the water in November 2022.

The Squadron 58 features a highly desirable beach club option that consists of hydraulic fold-down balconies on both the port and starboard sides, an innovative new design for the high/low transom bathing platform, flexible and modular cockpit seating and a glass transom to enhance your connection to the water. When not in use, the bathing platform can be used to hold a tender.

Other features include a cockpit and salon separated by an angled patio door, additional socializing space and a sunbathing area on the foredeck, as well as a flybridge with a spacious sunpad aft, wetbar, hardtop with sunroof and wraparound glazing. The lower deck is designed with three cabins and two heads.

For more information, visit FAIRLINE.COM. Spring Brook Marina is the exclusive Fairline dealer for the Great Lakes. For more information, visit SPRINGBROOKMARINA.COM.

Garmin inReach Mini 2

Take your adventures off-the-grid while still keeping in touch with loved ones with Garmin’s new compact inReach Mini 2 satellite communication device. Features twoway texting, SOS and 24/7 emergency services, live GPS location sharing, weather forecasts and more, all viewable on the high-resolution display. Can be easily stored or fastened to a life jacket. Battery can last up to 30 days when in 30-minute tracking mode. Weighs a mere 3.5 ounces and water rated to IPX7. $399.99 (NOT INCLUDING SUBSCRIPTION PLAN) AT GARMIN.COM

GREAT GEAR MUST-HAVE GOODIES AND GADGETS FOR EVERY BOATER

BoatLIFE Fix Repair Putty

Easily fix gelcoat chips or crushed fiberglass matting with Fix Repair Putty, a moldable putty that hardens like steel. Formulated specifically for marine use, it’s ideal for powerboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks and other watercraft. It bonds to fiberglass, wood, metal, glass and concrete, and can even be used underwater. After curing for 24 hours, the high-strength material can be drilled, sanded, painted and tapped to accommodate a bolt. Impervious to oil, gasoline, alcohol, caustic detergents and saltwater oxidation. FROM $26.88 (3 OZ) - $53.27 (16 OZ) AT BOATLIFE.COM

SeaSucker Tool Holder

This tool holder is like having an onboard assistant. The device organizes a wide range of gear, thanks to 17 thoughtfully placed slots and holes. Four knife slits double as screwdriver holders while five larger openings secure pliers, snips and de-hookers. Small holes are perfect for lures and hooks. Unit is attached via a SeaSucker Vacuum Mount, which holds up to 120 pounds. Made from UV-stabilized materials and marine-grade stainless steel. Made in the USA. Available in white HDPE, or black or clear acrylic models. FROM $99 - $119 AT SEASUCKER.COM

Dometic Breathe Ionizer

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Breathe easy onboard with Dometic’s brand-new ionizer, which purifies the air on any vessel while eliminating stale air and foul odors. It uses positive and negatively charged ions to reduce pathogens and mold spores, helping to remove allergens and dust from the air.

The unit is affordable, easy-toinstall and easy-to-use.

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Raymarine Cyclone Radar

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WESTMARINE.COM Raymarine’s all-new Cyclone Radar pairs rugged performance with unmatched situational awareness to help boaters in extreme conditions and when navigating busy waterways. Available with a 3-, 4- or 6-foot array, the radar provides superior target separation and long-range resolution using CHIRP pulse compression and Raymarine beam sharpening technology. Features include a low-profile design, 60 RPM rotational speed that delivers 360 degrees of awareness, and Doppler target tracking. FROM $6,999.99 - $8,249.99 AT DEFENDER.COM

WAYPOINT

BY MARTY RICHARDSON

Leland, MI

A historic fishing village and charming downtown make Leland a must-stop port.

Leland, MI

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Lake Michigan

hanks to the shanty preservation work being done by the non-profit Fishtown Preservation Society (see the “Fishtown Rising” feature in our September 2021 issue on p. 38 to read more about the preservation work), visitors by land and by sea are able to continue enjoying Leland, Michigan’s charming and historic Fishtown village.

As you approach the harbor entrance to Leland by boat, you’ll see the outlines of North and South Manitou Islands offshore, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to the south. Inside the breakwall, the full-service Leland Harbor municipal marina boasts a public boat launch and new boaters’ facilities, with Fishtown and greater Leland’s shopping, dining and beaches just a few steps away.

On each of our three Great Loops aboard our 52-foot trawler, we have made this harbor of

Commercial fishing vessel Joy docking in Fishtown

Aerial view of Leland and Leland Harbor; Fishtown at the mouth of the river

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refuge a must-stop. Long-term harbormaster Russell Dzuba, who tells me he is in the process of “gradually retiring,” will warmly welcome you. Don’t worry, the incoming harbormaster, Jeremy Anderson, is equally knowledgeable and welcoming. For slip reservations, just call 231-256-9132.

Get to know Leland Your first stop in Fishtown should be Carlson’s Fisheries, across the parking lot from the marina, which has fresh and smoked fish. My personal recommendation is its house-made smoked fish sausage — delicious! Down the Fishtown dock, the Village Cheese Shanty features homemade sandwiches on its special pretzel bread and over 75 domestic and imported cheeses. Just one block from the marina, the Leland Mercantile grocery store has local fish, meats, specialty cheeses and a great butcher shop. Pick up fresh produce at Leland Farmers Market on Thursday mornings in season.

If your larder needs wine, the surrounding Leelanau Peninsula boasts some of Michigan’s best wineries. If you have wheels you can take your own tour; if not, check out Verterra Winery’s tasting room on East River Street. Just across the parking lot from the marina, try Grand Traverse Distillery’s Old George Rye Whiskey or True North Cherry Vodka.

Where to stay and dine Falling Waters Lodge is perched on the edge of the dam’s spillway on the Leland River, where the rush of water will lull you to sleep. Just upriver, the Riverside Inn, opened in 1902, features four beautifully appointed river-view guest rooms and is my favorite local place for elegant dining; I like the pan-seared Maple Farms duck breast with parsnip puree.

Bluebird Restaurant & Tavern, operated by the Telgard family since 1927, boasts a riverfront dining room and outdoor patio, where you can order up the freshest walleye or whitefish. Just a few blocks up the hill from the harbor, you’ll find Leland Lodge, with casual pub fare and craft beer on tap at Bogey’s 19th Hole, a nod to the adjacent Leland Country Club golf course.

The Cove is in the heart of historic Fishtown,

P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F ( T O P T O B O T T O M ) : V E N T U R E P R O P E R T I E S , M E G G E N W AT T

T

Rick’s Cafe “Chubby Mary”

Grand Traverse Distillery

PHOTOS BY MARTY RICHARDSON

right on the spillway; try a cup of its acclaimed seafood chowder. Downstairs is Rick’s Café riverside deck with mouth-watering burgers flipped on the outdoor grill. The adventurous might try its signature drink, the “Chubby Mary,” a Bloody Mary with a smoked chub garnish.

Around town While COVID curtailed group events during 2021, mark your calendars for 2022. The second Saturday in June will bring the Wine & Food Festival and Artwalk; July 3 is the annual Fourth of July Parade and fireworks, while every November on Black Friday they Light Up Leland for the holidays. Check LELANDMI.COM for updates.

Mark Morton, president of the Leland Chamber of Commerce, tells me, “For a small town we have lots to offer shoppers.”

For clothing and accessories, try Haystacks, which features locally sewn items; the Leland Beach Company for footwear; and Molly’s for Northern Michigan’s most beautiful sweaters.

Harbor House Trading Company has outdoor apparel sure to please any mariner. On your way out, get the real scoop — Moomers Ice Cream on top of a cone, that is. Diversions Leland offers hundreds of caps and hats, while Tug Stuff’s merchandise is adorned with Leland’s unofficial logo, an iconic old-fashioned fishing tug, a nod to Fishtown’s two beloved tugs: Janice Sue and Joy. At The Lake features must-have merchandise for the beach, boat and cottage.

If art is your passion, try Two Fish Gallery with local artists’ works and made-in-Michigan products, Tampico for sterling silver jewelry or Main Street Gallery. At Nature Gems Loft, I picked up a one-of-a-kind sterling pendant made from a Petoskey stone, Michigan’s official state stone.

Nearby, Leelanau Historical Society operates the seasonal museum, which highlights the area’s major shipwrecks, as well as Anishinaabek and Odawa baskets and quillwork on birchbark.

Day excursions Weather permitting, the Mishe-Mokwa ferry makes day trips to South Manitou Island from Leland’s harbor for lighthouse tours. Stay longer for

hiking and camping on North or South Manitou Islands, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — just pick up your permit in Fishtown or the islands’ ranger stations. Private watercraft can access the islands, though docking is limited.

North Manitou is a Wilderness Area. And on South Manitou, check out the visitor’s center and museum, take the historical farm tour through abandoned homesteads, climb the lighthouse, or take a wagon tour of giant cedar trees. If you’re short on time, you can enjoy the ferry’s evening scenic shoreline cruise.

For more outdoor activity, hike one of the trails near Leland. The Whaleback Natural Area has challenging hiking, while Houdek Dunes Natural Area features moderately difficult trails for hiking or winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. And any day in season, weather permitting, you can catch one of the charter boats lining the mouth of the Leland River for exciting Lake Michigan fishing.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore just south of town is an excellent day excursion, with miles of sand beach and 450-foot bluffs towering over the shoreline. Ojibwe legend explains how Manitou Islands and Sleeping Bear Dunes were formed. Long ago, Mishe Mokwa, the mother bear, and her two cubs swam across Lake Michigan from the now Wisconsin shore to escape a great forest fire. The two cubs struggled to cross behind their mother, but the waves overtook them.

Gitchi Manitou (Great Spirit) was so moved that he transformed them into North and South Manitou Island. The mother bear is forever waiting on the beach for her cubs to reach the shore — and the sand of Sleeping Bear Dunes has gently blanketed her watchful form.

With all there is to do and see in Fishtown and Leland, your journey here will certainly have a happy ending. ★

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DON’T HESITATE TO RENOVATE B Y C A P T. F R A N K L A N I E R

How to inspect and maintain your ground tackle.

R (Top) This anchor experienced extreme side loading and should be replaced immediately.

(Middle) The mousing for this screw pin shackle should secure pin to shackle, not the chain — the wire will eventually break due to flexing caused by chain movement.

(Bottom) If thimbles are used, ensure they are spliced under tension and properly secured with whipping thread or they may work themselves loose.

CAPT. FRANK LANIER is an award-winning journalist, boat maintenance guru and owner of Capt F.K. Lanier & Associates, Marine Surveyors and Consultants: CAPTFKLANIER.COM.

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egardless of what your definition of a good day on the water is, all boaters have one need in common: The ability to anchor safely and securely. Here are a few inspection and maintenance tips to help make sure your ground tackle is performing at its best.

First things first Your ground tackle is only as strong as its weakest component, which includes not only the anchor and rode, but also items like the windlass, mooring bitts, cleats — in short, any gear used to secure your boat while at anchor. Proper maintenance includes inspection of these items, as well as pulling the rode and laying it out for thorough examination at least annually.

Let’s start with the anchor itself. Are there bent flukes, shanks or other such damage?

If galvanized, is the coating in good shape or are there areas of rust and corrosion?

Next up is inspection of the anchor rode, which will be either all chain or a combination rode (a mix of nylon rope and chain). Although you can bend (tie) rope rode directly to an anchor, it’s not recommended. A length of chain protects against chafe and adds weight to a combination rode, which both increases horizontal pull and helps the anchor to remain set.

Start by inspecting the chain-to-anchor connection.

Chain can be attached directly to your anchor using an anchor shackle, but if there’s a chance the vessel will shear or swing in circles then installation of an anchor swivel should be considered. Some boaters don’t like swivels, viewing them as potential weak links, and it’s true that any moving part can fail under load if not properly designed and constructed. As such, if you decide to install one, buy the best quality swivel you can find.

Anchor swivels should be drop forged (not screwed, riveted or welded together) and should be the largest size that fits the chain link without binding. They can also be installed backwards, which can cause failure due to binding. Ensure the jaw fitting of the swivel is attached to the chain, not the anchor shank, and that the swivel eye is attached to the anchor shank with an anchor shackle (which is more bell shaped than a standard shackle) to prevent binding.

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Lack of maintenance can result in the dreaded “chain ball from Hell”

Combination rodes For combination rodes, next up is inspecting the ropeto-chain connection, which will be made via a rope-tochain splice or by utilizing an eye splice and thimble (which in turn will be attached to the chain portion via an anchor shackle). Bulkier than a direct rope-tochain splice, eye splices should have a minimum of six full tucks and be seized at each end while the eye is under tension (to prevent the thimble from falling out as the eye stretches while under load). You’ll also want to ensure all shackles are properly sized and that all screw pins are moused (secured) with stainless steel wire (a requirement for all chain rodes as well).

Check rope rodes for wear, cut strands, aging, discoloration and hard spots due to heat-generated friction caused by placing a kinked line under load.

Chafe is the worst enemy of a rope rode, so in addition to inspecting the rode itself, check any item that touches the rode (hawseholes, chocks, cleats, windlass drums) for burrs, sharp edges, protruding hardware or anything else that can cause rode damage.

Inspecting and maintaining chain rodes While chain may be tougher than rope, it’s not maintenance free. Start by storing your chain clean and keeping it as dry as possible, which both reduces corrosion and helps keep the smell of Davy Jones out of your anchor locker. Giving both chain and locker an occasional freshwater washdown helps too, as well as ensuring the locker itself drains properly.

Avoid exposing your chain to preventable chafe.

Dragging your chain over abrasive surfaces removes the galvanized coating and eventually leads to rusting.

Chain should be swapped end for end annually to promote even wear of the galvanized coating.

Chain rodes should be pulled and inspected at least annually and after exposure to severe loading.

Loading on a chain rode isn’t very high under normal conditions; however, damage can occur when the chain is wrapped around an object and placed under tension. Chain that often slips or jumps out of the windlass wildcat (chain wheel) could be a sign some of the links have been damaged and the chain may need replacing.

Finally, don’t forget that all chain rodes require the use of an elastic bridle or nylon snubber, both to act as a shock absorber between anchor rode and vessel and to remove anchoring loads from the windlass. ★

P H O T O S B Y C A P T. F R A N K L A N I E R

Ground Tackle Checkup

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ELECTRONICS

BY GLENN HAYES

The benefits of adding lithium batteries to your boat.

W

ith demanding electronics and electrical systems onboard today’s boats, getting more power and efficiency out of boat’s batteries can be a challenge. One possible solution for some is the switch to lithium batteries.

Myth busters Before considering lithium batteries, some myths and misconceptions must be addressed. First, it’s important to know that the lithium batteries you find on boats are not the same type of lithium batteries you find in computers and power tools.

Those are a specific kind of lithium-ion battery and are extremely flammable when the internals are exposed to the elements. Marine batteries are now mostly lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) and do not combust like certain lithium-ion batteries.

While it’s true that early lithium batteries aboard vessels got a bad reputation for possibly overheating and causing damage to electrical systems, chargers and even engine issues, this is not necessarily the case anymore. While some of those troublesome batteries are still out there, marine lithium batteries have come a long way in just the last couple of years.

(Top) EXPION 360 lithium battery. (Middle) LBP Lithium Battery Power battery. (Bottom) One of Mastervolt’s lithium batteries.

GLENN HAYES is a marine writer and photographer whose background in the marine industry and in marine electronics spans almost three decades and many thousands of miles at sea traveling the world. He can be reached at HAYESSTUDIOS.COM .

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Advantages There are some major advantages to choosing LiFePO4 batteries over other battery systems, such as wet cell and absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries. The first is weight. These lithium batteries can be up to a third less in weight to a comparable wet cell or AGM battery. For example, an average group 31 AGM battery weighs in at around 55 to 60 pounds, while a comparable LiFePO4 battery with similar amp hours is about 25 pounds. With that much weight difference, you can really lighten a boat’s load. This, in turn, can improve ride, efficiency and performance.

Marine lithium batteries also have more energy density for a given weight. Some will say that it can be as much as a 4 to 1 ratio, while others have found it to be more like 2:1. With that increase in energy density, you can also experience space savings.

LiFePO4 batteries also have a notable cycle count.

Most can handle up to 2,000 cycles compared to about 200 for a lead acid battery. This can be a huge advantage if the battery is used a lot and is run down frequently. Not only are these batteries capable of

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charging full cycles more frequently, but they also have more of that power readily usable. A LiFePO4 can offer up to 80% of its available amp hours of power to be used, while an AGM and wet cell realistically can offer much less (as low as 30-50%).

LiFePO4 batteries also output 13.4-12.8 volts through their entire power output unlike a traditional battery where the voltage drops as output continues over time. They also self-drain at a slower rate than traditional batteries when idle and not being charged.

Downsides With all these benefits you may ask yourself, “Why not go with lithium batteries?” There are a few good reasons, the first being cost. You may get sticker shock when you first see the price of a quality lithium marine battery. The better and, as a result, more expensive lithium batteries will have a battery management system (BMS) that will control output and regulate temperature and power, ensuring it doesn’t overload charging systems and engines while still outputting power. It’s also important to make sure the battery you purchase is set up to be a starting battery if that is going to be its primary purpose.

Buying a lithium that is not programmed to be used as a starting battery can shorten the life of the battery and introduce your boat to electrical issues.

Some outboard manufacturers will not warranty their engines if a lithium battery is used as a starter.

Another important consideration when thinking of switching to lithium is to make sure your charging system is capable of handling lithium batteries. Many are not and will need to be replaced if making the switch.

While the cost of lithium can be high, the long-term cost can be equal or even less than replacing wet cells or AGMs over time. Some lithium battery manufacturers offer five-, 10-, even 11-year replacement warranties, and the cost savings over time can be significant. It’s important to remember, though, that the added cost of lithium is most justifiable if the batteries are used a lot and cycled often. If you’re not taking advantage of the added cycle rate, and the other advantages like weight and energy density aren’t important, the added cost may not be justifiable. If you are an occasional user and don’t work your batteries hard, then lithium may not be for you. ★

P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F ( T O P T O B O T T O M ) : L E F T C O A S T M A R I N E ; G L E N N H AY E S , G L E N N H AY E S ; M A S T E R V O LT

The Switch to Lithium

One lithium battery and charger replaces three AGMs to power a trolling motor.

SAFETY FIRST

BY HELEN AITKEN

The Kill Switch

Wear an emergency cutoff switch in case of a man overboard situation.

TOP PHOTO BY FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE/ TIM DONOVAN

S

ometimes called a “kill switch,” emergency cutoff switches shut off the engine in an emergency. They’re located at the helm of a boat or personal watercraft, on a tiller, or on the body of an outboard engine. A simple lanyard attaches to the ignition’s key at one end and is clipped to the operator’s life jacket or belt loop. If the operator falls away from the helm, the lanyard pulls the ignition key out, turning the engine off.

This is especially important if the helmsman is thrown overboard from an unexpected turn, has a medical emergency, or if the boat hits an object or large wake, or has steering failures. If the boat is moving forward slowly without a helmsman, it tends to circle to one side, called the “circle of death,” until it hits something or someone. Spinning propellers can injure, maim or kill instantly.

Other high-tech wireless cutoff switches — like the ACR OLAS Guardian or Fell Marine MOB+ — are worn on an arm band or the wrist of the operator, paired with wearable sensors for passengers, and are programmable to send an automatic distress signal in the event of a man overboard situation.

Emergency cutoff switches are now required by law on boats less than 26 feet; if a boater is caught without one, a first offense fine is $100. Illinois has additional laws. Exceptions occur for helms within enclosed cabins, and if the boat isn’t on plane or is at low speeds associated with fishing or docking.

Since 2020, manufacturers, distributors and dealers have equipped boats less than 26 feet in length with engines having more than 115 pounds of thrust (like a 2-hp engine) with kill switches.

Older boats can be retrofitted for wireless ones.

What switch do I need?

How often do you step away from the helm? Are you with passengers or by yourself? Wireless units with multiple sensors are great; if the helmsman leaves, another person can keep the engine running and each person carrying a sensor is safeguarded if they go overboard. These systems differ in price, but they require charged batteries and must be in sync with the ignition.

Lanyards are perfect for solo boaters and work only if it’s attached to the operator. With others onboard, consider having a spare key hooked to a lanyard

and readily available if something happens to the operator. Lanyards vary in type, size and price. Find one that’s right for your height. It should float, but consider also adding a floating keychain to the key just in case. Finally, determine the force needed to trigger the cutoff device. It may take time to get used to wearing one, but wear it, nonetheless.

Man overboard (MOB) situations Before landing in the drink, the lanyard or wireless kill switch will stop the engine. Any passengers onboard should yell “man overboard!,” locate the MOB in the water, toss them a flotation device and a line, and keep them in sight. Someone needs to restart the engine, carefully circle the MOB (never back up), and get them into the boat.

Never jump into the water unless you’re wearing a life jacket and are tethered to the boat.

If a MOB occurs at night, shoot up a flare, which will reflect off a life jacket.

If a rescue isn’t possible, keep the MOB in sight and contact the Coast Guard on the VHF radio’s channel 16, or press the red Digital Selective Calling (DSC) button. DSC and an MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) number registered with the Coast Guard has the boat’s information and GPS location. Help will be on the way.

If you’re a solo boater, hopefully you’re not only wearing a lanyard, but also a life jacket and an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). The EPIRB will notify the Coast Guard of your location.

MOB HELP! If you’re thrown overboard, the water will most likely be cold, cooling the body 25 times faster than in the air. Dexterity may wane and swimming will be difficult.

Before going in, cover your nose and mouth to avoid cold shock. Keep your head above water.

Float on your back, using the survival float method, or pull your knees up to your chest to conserve heat. Treading water may be necessary, and don’t remove clothing.

Finally, an emergency cutoff switch works only if it’s used. Practice leaving the helm while wearing one in an open location and review MOB procedures in case it really happens. Safety first! ★

HELEN AITKEN is a boating writer, photographer and former science educator from eastern North Carolina.

She loves classic wooden boats, is an America’s Boating Club member and plays in the Intracoastal Waterway.

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BENEATH THE SURFACE B Y H E AT H E R S T E I N B E R G E R

Boat Launching 101

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railerable boats have a couple of big pros going for them. For one, you aren’t limited by how far you can cruise in a certain amount of time. Instead, you can simply drive to your chosen destination, splash your boat, and get down to the business of having fun on the water.

You also don’t need to shell out big bucks for marina slips and winter storage. Simply park your boat and trailer on your own property.

Of course, trailer boating does have its own set of unique challenges. So we talked to industry experts and longtime boaters — and combed through our own personal misadventures — to compile our favorite tips for a more hassle-free boating season.

Prep time

1. Practice before you hit the ramp. Watching new

boaters attempt to launch is a popular recreational activity, and all those eyes can be stressful. “Use a parking lot,” advises Doyle Vander Pol of Cadillac, Michigan-based Four Winns. “It has lines, so you can see what happens when you back up.” Every trailer backs up differently, so even if you’re experienced, you might need a few trial runs with a new boat-trailer combo.

2. Purchase good all-terrain tires for your tow vehicle. An algae-covered or icy ramp could result in an unscheduled swim.

3. Repack trailer bearings on a regular maintenance schedule. “I’ve seen too many trailers broken down at the side of the road,” Vander Pol says. “At that point, you’re replacing axles.”

4. Tie down all loose objects. The last things you’ll want to see in the rearview mirror are flapping carpet, airborne cushions and a Bimini top that’s doing its best parachute impression.

5. Speaking of straps, securely fasten your boat to the bow stop with the winch strap and a second ratchet strap to the bow eye and the trailer frame. “This will minimize the movement the boat may have,” says Hayden Hall of Hall’s Sport Center, which has locations in Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon, Michigan. “Also, two rear straps should be on every boat, no matter the model, size or weight.”

6. Double-check your hitch, including tie-downs and safety chains. Even experienced boaters can forget to latch the trailer ball. And, if you do have a hitch issue while you’re driving, don’t slam on your brakes. “Instead, just take your foot off the gas,” Vander Pol says. “Otherwise, your boat will be in the back of your tow vehicle.”

7. “Check all turn signals, brakes and running lights,” Hall adds. “Making sure your equipment is fully functional is essential for safe travel not just for yourself, but also for other motorists sharing the road.”

8. Load your gear at home, not on the launch ramp.

That includes navigational aids, safety gear, extra tools, coolers, water toys, towels and all the other fun stuff.

You also can use prepping lanes or the parking lot.

9. Likewise, don’t formulate your launch plan while you’re already taking up ramp space. Park and walk over to check it out.

10. Go over the game plan with your crew in advance, including some simple hand signals for easy communication. Shouting does not work, and it ruins the experience for everyone — except for those looky-loos.

11. Likewise, make sure any dockside helpers know what they need to do. “I was launching a 16-foot fishing boat by myself in Egg Harbor (Wisconsin), and I asked a guy at the dock if he could hold the line when it rolled off the trailer,” says boater Matt Normann. “He said no problem, and I assumed he had it covered, but then he just set the line on the dock and didn’t hold onto it. When the boat rolled off, it just floated out. I swam out, grabbed the line, and swam it back in. I guess he’d never launched, or seen a boat launched, before.”

At the ramp

12. Make sure your drain plug is in. Anyone

can forget to do this. Vander Pol says he carries extra plugs in his tow vehicle, 26

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P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F V I R G I N I A S TAT E PA R K S

Twenty five trailer boating tips to remember at the boat ramp.

BENEATH THE SURFACE

TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIDA FISH & WILDLIFE; RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF FOUR WINNS

B Y H E AT H E R S T E I N B E R G E R

because without that plug, you’re going to ruin your day. You’ll either be driving to the nearest marine service center, or you’ll be on the water and suddenly realize you have a very big problem.

13. Engage your parking brake on the ramp.

Some boaters even recommend blocking the front wheels, just to be safe.

14. Take off all straps that secure your boat to the trailer. “A couple years back, I was hurrying to launch my boat so the line could keep moving,” remembers boater Steven Knaus. “I forgot to remove the rear straps. When I put the boat in reverse, it wouldn’t move; then I noticed that my trailer was floating in the water. I had to pull back out, remove the straps, and try again.”

15. Related tip: Don’t rush.

16. If your boat is not sliding off the trailer, don’t force it. Investigate immediately, or haul out and investigate in the parking lot. Boater Kevin Livermore recalls seeing a gentleman attempt to launch his boat with an RV. “The boat wouldn’t come off the bunks, so he decided to go fast in reverse and jam on the brakes to get the boat to slide off,” Livermore says. “When he hit the brakes on the ramp, which was covered with moss and seaweed, the whole rig went in. The motorhome was submerged, and all the stuff inside was floating out the windows. The worst part was that he’d borrowed the motorhome from a friend! They had to lift it out with a huge crane, and the launch ramp was useless for 24 hours.”

17. Be prepared for handling the boat once it has floated off the trailer. “Have two docklines on the boat, so when the driver is backing in, the first mate is ready to fend off the boat from the dock,” Hall says. “Leave the fenders in the boat; you don’t need to have them out for the short time you’re at the launch.”

Hauling out 18. Be quick about retrieving your tow vehicle, and never leave your boat at the ramp while you head off to do something else. Knaus remembers one memorable day when a storm was brewing. “It was a mad rush to get off the water,” he says. “Some yahoo decided he wanted to get out of there but

leave his boat, so he tied up and left. Now one side of the dock was completely blocked.”

19. If you’re having trouble loading as a crowd piles up on the lake behind you, head off to the side, drop the hook, and wait for a lull before making another attempt. You’ll likely find that the boaters who have loaded their boats will come back to help you.

20. Launching isn’t the only time you need a plan. Before you return to the ramp, make sure everyone knows what is expected of them. “When I was about 10 years old, we’d go up to northern Wisconsin every summer,” says boater Jamie Zehren. “My mom and dad were docking the boat one time at Three Lakes, near Rhinelander. My dad told my mom to catch the rope and pull it in.

Instead she threw the rope back to him, and she fell in the water.”

21. Remember that a boat is not a car. “I see people coming into the dock too fast, throwing the boat into reverse, smacking it into forward, and oversteering,” Vander Pol says. “Instead, line up as best you can, and then put the boat in neutral. Feel what the wind and current are doing to you. Then move toward the dock no faster than you’d want to walk into it.”

22. Don’t accidentally lock your car door while it’s on the ramp. Not only will that shut down the ramp, it will take time to get a spare key from home. Or time and money, if you need to get professional assistance.

23. When loading, secure your boat to its trailer correctly. If the water is deep enough, you might not need the winch strap, but connect it anyway.

Wet carpeted bunks and a slippery hull are an accident waiting to happen.

24. “Keep extra tie-down straps onboard or in your tow vehicle,” Vander Pol says. “If your winch strap goes, then at least you can get the boat out of the water and off the ramp.”

25. Finally, don’t unload, rinse or wipe down your boat at the ramp. Save that for the parking lot. Other boaters will thank you for it. ★

HEATHER STEINBERGER is an award-winning writer/editor who has specialized in boating, travel and outdoor adventure for more than 20 years.

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BOAT SPOTLIGHT

BY KEN KREISLER

SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 38’5” Beam: 11’ Draft: 2’9” Weight: 9,920 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 192 gals.

Power: 2 x 450hp Mercury Verado outboards Base MSRP: $675,000 BR ABUSMARINE.COM

DEALER Manitowoc Marine

MANITOWOC-MARINA.COM

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Brabus Shadow 900 XC Black Ops Power statement.

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he product of forward-thinking European boat builder Axopar and the high-tech engineering of Germany’s Brabus Automobile — whose upgrades on premier brands as Mercedes and Tesla results in exceptional products — the Brabus Shadow 900 XC Black Ops Limited Edition is in a class all by itself.

“Whether dayboating in Chicago or long-distance cruising in the North Channel, this is the perfect versatile boat to push your adventures further,” says Rich Larsen, president of Manitowoc Marina/Nestegg Marine.

The Shadow 900’s sensational, head-turning exterior is a mere sampling of what this boat has to offer. The 900 Black Ops Limited Edition’s flawless, high-gloss gunmetal gray paint job is meticulously faired, prepared and applied by hand. Add in the Limited Edition’s striking red leather seats and accents, and a pair of gullwing doors leading to a one-of-a-kind cabin, and the

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result is a personal statement of ownership that sets you apart from others.

The model sports a luxurious cabin with plenty of seating to entertain, an aft deck that can be optioned in five layouts, and a bow lounge area offering front-row views. The Shadow 900, hand-built with extensive use of carbon fiber, is designed and engineered for speed and exhilarating performance courtesy of her dynamic hull design and twin 450-hp Mercury Marine Verado XL 4.6 liter V8 FourStroke engines with Joystick Piloting helm control system, including Skyhook digital anchor and autopilot.

Under power, she is a force to be reckoned with, especially when clocked at 55-plus knots.

“Brabus offers the premier sportboat available on the market today,” Larsen says, “and we are confident that any potential owner who takes her for a sea trial will be equally blown away as we were upon our first rides.” H

BOAT SPOTLIGHT

BY KEN KREISLER

Fountain 38SC Speed meets luxury.

T

he name Fountain is synonymous with high-performing V-bottom boats, and with the company’s new 38SC center console, this iconic builder has turned another page in its storied history.

“During this past Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, powered by quad Mercury 450R outboards, she posted 103 mph, making her the fastest production center console in the world,” says Jeff Pierce of Illinois Performance Boats. “Thanks to twin steps and Reggie Fountain hull design, you don’t realize you are moving anywhere near that speed.”

The 38SC covers all the bases, from Poker Run enthusiasts to those who thrive on the adrenalin-rush of a well-built and designed performance boat, and even a family looking for an exciting day cruiser that will get from here to there and back in comfort and safety.

She shows off bold exterior graphics in four

options and matching interior colors via premium Cool Touch upholstery and color-coordinated stitching. There are three separate seating areas: Fully aft, the helm area, and forward of the center console with bow section lounges from which to experience all the action.

“This boat is a real head-turner wherever she goes,” Pierce adds. “The painting options and fabric choices allow for a stunning visual impact.”

As with all Fountain boats, the 38SC is built to take it. Her three-piece construction features high-density coring for hull, liner and deck all bonded, glued, tabbed and through-bolted along with fiberglass reinforced high-density composite in the transom and stringer grid.

Adding to the excitement is a long list of standard and optional features enabling you to step aboard the Fountain 38SC for a special time out on the water. H

SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 38’4” Beam: 10’6” Draft: 31” Weight: 16,500 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 418 gals.

Water Capacity: 10 gals.

Max Power: 4 x Mercury 450Rs MSRP: Contact dealer FOUNTAINPOWER BOATS.COM

DEALERS Illinois Performance Boats Illinois IPBOATS.COM

Great Lakes Yacht Sales Wisconsin GLYSINC.COM

Keenan Marina Michigan

KEENANMARINA.COM

Pier 53 Ohio

PIER53MARINE.COM

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BOAT SPOTLIGHT

BY KEN KREISLER

SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 67’2” Beam: 16’8” Draft: 5’3” Weight: 83,357 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 924 gals.

Water Capacity: 211 gals.

Power: 2 x Volvo Penta IPS-1200 or IPS-1350 diesel inboards MSRP: Contact dealer SUNSEEKER.COM

DEALER Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales St. Clair Shores, MI; Charlevoix, MI; Holland, MI; Grand Haven, MI; Spring Lake, MI; Chicago, IL; Marblehead, OH; Naples, FL JBYS.COM

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Sunseeker Predator 65 Aggressive elegance.

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ith unmistakable exterior lines, recognizable black topsides and a white hull, the Sunseeker Predator 65 is just what she appears to be — the kind of boat totally unsatisfied to be at the dock.

“Predator combines adrenalin, elegance, aggressive style and high performance,” says Sunseeker CEO Andrea Frabetti.

While she promises excitement while underway, courtesy of a pair of Volvo Penta IPS-1200 or IPS-1350 diesel inboards capable of pushing her to 35-knot speeds according to sea conditions, and superior maneuverability with joystick control and bow thruster, she is all about comfort from top to bottom.

Fully aft and over the garage is a sunpad with seating forward, a table for special alfresco dining, a social bar unit with matching stools, and entry into the spacious salon area. There’s an option here to swap the social bar with a wetbar or increase seating with the extended C-shape lounge option (shown).

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Surrounded by extra large windows, the interior entertaining space offers a galley to port, seating amidships as well as forward and to port, and the helm to starboard, all done in eye-pleasing contemporary styling and décor. The salon is flooded with natural light, thanks to a single-piece windshield and a newly designed carbon fiber sunroof. The bow presents an additional seating/lounge space easily accessed by wide, walk-around decks.

Below deck is a three-stateroom, three-head layout with a separate day head as well. There is an option for an open-plan owner’s office, a single berth cabin, or a lower deck galley or salon. And the aforementioned garage is large enough to house a Williams 345 jet tender via a new diagonal sliding hydraulic bathing platform. Regardless, storage areas abound for extended cruising times.

“Any new Predator model says to the industry, here is something more,” Frabetti says. H

BOAT SPOTLIGHT

BY KEN KREISLER

Tiara Yachts EX60 Next big step.

T

iara Yachts has always been a harbinger of things to come. Utilizing the latest technology, its designs are forward thinking and geared toward optimizing safety, comfort and enjoyment while on the water. With the introduction of the EX60 — its largest model to date – the Holland, Michigan-based company has once more defined what possibilities are yours aboard this splendid build.

“For this particular design, we’ve blended elements we know are proven in our outboard line and take portions we’ve learned from the inboard models,” says Tom Slikkers, CEO and president of Tiara Yachts.

The 60-foot EX60 offers four different configurations for alfresco or aft cockpit modules, each one presenting an exciting opportunity for dining, cruising and even dropping a line for fishing. You can select the mid breakfast bar module with ottoman seating or the forward- and aft-facing seat module. You can also choose from

the lounge module or adventure module aft, which allows for multiple fishing configurations.

Enter the main salon through glass doors and, with the seamless integration of galley and interior entertainment area, your onboard experience is almost complete. Three private staterooms and two heads are below deck. There are multiple Ultraleather options for the exterior and interior upholstery, and you’re able to fully customize bedding options. There are also plenty of storage areas for you and your guests while away from your home port.

“We’ve worked to accommodate the cruising proficiency and mix that with dayboating,” Slikkers adds.

The EX60 will offer multiple twin IPS options paired with the latest Volvo and Garmin technology, including Assisted Docking. A long list of standard and optional equipment will make your Tiara EX60 a very personal experience. H

SPECIFICATIONS LOA (w/ std. swim platform): 60’3” Beam: 16’11” Draft: 4’ Weight: 53,350 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 700 gals.

Water Capacity: 150 gals.

Power: 2 x Volvo IPS30 1200; 2 x Volvo IPS30 1350 MSRP: Contact dealer TIAR AYACHTS.COM

DEALERS SkipperBud’s

SKIPPERBUDS.COM

Walstrom Marine WALSTROM.COM

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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F F R AT E L L I A P R E A

Bringing Gozzo

The Aprea family has been handcrafting classic gozzo-style boats in Sorrento, Italy, since 1890.

by David Rose

T

Great Lakes TO THE

here are times one must revive the past so as to appreciate the future. This often holds true when talking about modern-day boat building.

Take Fratelli Aprea Sorrento 1890, for example. It was 130-plus years ago, 1890 to be exact, when a master shipwright — the first of six boat-building generations of the Aprea family — started creating legendary craft in Sorrento, Italy.

The Apreas weren’t your average craftsmen, but artists when it came to meticulously creating their wooden vessels. The same holds true today.

While the boats they currently build have been refined with present-day materials, the unique hull design, as well as being particular about every minute detail, have been passed on through the generations.

The boats they were designing and painstakingly crafting by hand more than a century ago were known as gozzo-style — the nautical definition of the word gozzo being “a fishing boat, with oars and sometimes a small sail.” Like most rigs of that era, these were working-class boats built for a specific job; in this case, gozzo boats were not only constructed to get fishermen out to sea without harm, but more importantly, back to shore safe and sound when the weather turned.

A gozzo’s hull is designed to dig into big seas, displacing water rather than riding over its surface. What they lack in speed they more than make up for in a smooth, unwavering ride in roiled surf.

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Notable notes

(Left to right) Sorrento 32 HT, 780 and 750

The weather on the day I was able to take three of the Fratelli Aprea models for test runs started out less than favorable for finding out firsthand what the hull of a gozzo was meant to do. Nearly the last day of summer, the sun’s rays gleamed through a cloudless, azure sky, and a light breeze barely blew a ripple across the lake’s surface. That changed in the hull’s test-run favor, however, later that afternoon.

Affixed to one dock of the small, private harbor on Michigan’s Lake Charlevoix were the Fratelli Aprea 780 and 750 awaiting my arrival; on the other side of the marina was the Sorrento 32 Hardtop (HT). This inland lake alone is a huge body of water but it’s also directly connected to Lake Michigan, where I would hopefully be able to put these boats through their wavy paces.

The first thing that crossed my mind before stepping barefoot into the first boat, the 780, was the nostalgic look of all three vessels. This was appropriate for the waterway we were on. Due north across the lake was the shoreline another famous angler from a similar time frame, Ernest Hemingway, spent time at during his younger years. More than likely, Hemingway may have seen these boats in action firsthand when he was in Italy during World War II, as well as during his other adventures there.

Fitting, to say the least. But the hulls of yesteryear were wooden, not reinforced fiberglass like today.

Nevertheless, you’d never know by looking at them.

Now steer this!

The Fratelli Aprea 780 traditional gozzo best emulates the original fishing vessels, with a length of 7.85 meters (25-plus feet) and a beam of nearly 9 feet. While the oars and sails have been replaced with a 125-hp diesel engine and bronze prop, the rig looks as if you’d stepped back in time with a wooden mast that now holds a Bimini top.

Another unique feature is piloting. Rather than a wheel, the 780 is steered with a wooden tillersteering rudder, also giving this boat a novel but familiar sensation. While not a speedster, this boat has a comfortable cruising speed of 14 knots and a top speed of 16 knots.

Overall, the 780 open is the ideal deckboat with the openness of a pontoon boat. Instead of an abundance of room for fishing nets, as originally designed, the spacious interior is now surrounded by luxurious Burmese decking for sprawling out and taking in the sun or gazing at a starlit sky. And if an overnight stay is in order, there’s plenty of bedding below, as well a galley for breakfast in the morning.

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Along similar lines, the Sorrento Gozzo 750 Open Cruise — just over 24.5 feet in length and with a beam just over 9.5 feet — has a slightly more contemporary feel with its central steering console and wheel. Available with single or twin diesel options, the 750 reaches cruising speeds of 18 and 20 knots, respectively. Both options max out at 24 knots.

Our search for larger waves commenced on the 17,260-acre inland lake, and we were able to cut the wake of a few cabin cruisers. The gozzo hull split and slid through without as much as feeling a single nudge.

Now in the Sorrento 32 HT, we headed toward Lake Michigan across the length of the inland lake.

A quick stop for a bite to eat showed me just what a head-turner these Italian-made craft really are.

Docking at the public marina took longer than normal as quite a few folks stopped to gaze and ask questions.

For an area with some amazing vessels coming to port daily, the elegance of this boat that seemed to have teleported here from the past really stood out.

A southwest wind finally started kicking up as we headed for the big lake. Right away the 2-foot waves were turning into 3-footers. But it felt as if the seas were calm, even when running at max speed of 32 knots. Then we motored around the main point, 3-footers were turning into fours, with a few that looked as if to be reaching five. The gozzo-style hull did its job. There was no lunging or surging going with or against the seas, and it felt as if there was an auto-pilot engaged, the boat never losing course. When paralleling the surf from either side, there was no rocking; the deck remained horizontal to the horizon the entire ride.

I wouldn’t have wanted to be out there at that moment in any other boat. And come to think of it, we were the only craft in sight.

You’re not seeing things

It would be impossible to tell every little particular that’s painstakingly applied to each Fratelli Aprea Sorrento 1890 boat without this turning into a novel. But when you climb aboard, there’s more to the details than might meet the eye.

The brightwork? Split from one solid piece of mahogany, cured and milled in-house, its wood grain mirrored from one side of the ship to the other. The cabinetry below? Again, grain matching perfectly from top to bottom. Every piece of material, from seating to bedding? Hand stitched by the artists themselves.

To say Fratelli Aprea boats are unique is an understatement. There’s generations of family pride and craftsmanship involved. They’re not just charming, but evoke emotion. H

More Information

For more information on these models, reach out to Fratelli Aprea Sorrento 1890 USA, based on Lake Charlevoix, Michigan.

313-908-3818 INFO@FR ATELLIAPREAUSA.COM FR ATELLIAPREAUSA.COM

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HISTORY, FAMILY — AND — FRIENDSHIP A PRIVATE BOATHOUSE IN ALGONAC, MICHIGAN, PAYS HOMAGE TO LOCAL BOAT BUILDING AND GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY. BY H E AT H E R S TE I N BE RG E R

I

f you follow I-94 northeast from Detroit and then take M-29 around Lake St. Clair’s Anchor Bay, you’ll arrive in the city of Algonac. Nestled along the St. Clair River’s sprawling freshwater delta, it is often called the Venice of Michigan.

Powerboat history is woven into the community’s fabric. Brothers Christopher C. and Henry Smith founded Smith Brothers Boat Builders here in 1884, with the venerable Chris-Craft name emerging in 1924. Celebrated entrepreneur, inventor and powerboat racer Garfield “Gar” Wood lived in Algonac, building boats with Chris Smith for several years and later establishing his own company. Wood, known as the “Gray Fox of Algonac,” is buried here.

Algonac is also home to Colony Marine, owned and operated by three generations of the Beauregard family since 1958. Although the company has additional locations in St. Clair Shores and Oakland County, Algonac is special; Pete Beauregard Sr. says all his children and grandchildren live within 20 miles.

Beauregard grew up not far away, and he spent summers enjoying the family cottage on Harsens Island across the river. He loved cars and boats, and he knew early on that he would not be following in his father’s footsteps as a tool-and-die maker.

“I hated machinery, and I hated getting my hands dirty,” Beauregard says, chuckling.

“I told my dad I didn’t want the business. He invested in a marina in St. Clair Shores, so I decided to get into sales. I became a Chris-Craft dealer at the age of 21.”

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P H O T O S T H I S PA G E B Y M AT T KO W A L S K I

BUILDING A TRIBUTE TO

B O T T O M P H O T O B Y M AT T KO W A L S K I

The Beauregard’s boathouse opens up onto the St. Clair River.

Inside the boathouse (front to rear): 21-foot Chris-Craft Cobra, built in 1955; a small replica of a classic wooden boat, for the grandkids; 27-foot triple-cockpit Dart, built in 1930; and a 26-foot triple-cockpit Chris-Craft, built in 1929.

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Not only did Beauregard fall in love with boats, he discovered a particular affinity for antique boats. He credits his wife, Carol, for this turn of events.

“She dragged me to a show in Algonac,” he explains. “That’s where we got our first antique boat, a 23-foot Chris-Craft Continental.”

(Middle) When they built the structure, the last step in the process was opening the entrance to the river.

(Bottom) Beauregard and wife, Carol, dancing at an Algonac Harbour Club event.

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BUILDING A COLLECTION Over the years, Beauregard’s abiding love for antique and classic boats extended into the community. He purchased the original Chris-Craft plant in 1984 to create the Algonac Harbour Club; he helped fund a statue in honor of Chris Smith and Gar Wood called “The Legends of Algonac;” and he sponsors the Algonac Antique and Classic Boat Show.

What’s more, he is steadily building his family’s own deeply personal tribute to local maritime history. Attached to the Beauregard home is a remarkable boathouse that he says came into his life serendipitously.

“We had three empty lots next door,” Beauregard explains. “I wanted them but could never reach the owner. When we found out they were going to be sold at a public auction, we ran up there and bought them. I thought we would just enjoy the space.

Then my wife said, ‘Why don’t we build a boathouse like our friend, Jack Teeter?’”

The city advised that it would not allow the construction of a new boathouse unless the structure was attached to the home. Although Beauregard’s home was more than 80 years old, he found a way to do it so the two structures would match.

“It looks like they were built together,” he says. “We drove everyone nuts, because the last thing we did was open the entrance to the river. Everyone kept saying, ‘When are you going to open it up?’ It was really neat the way we did it.”

Entering the roughly 3,300-square-foot boathouse, one would expect to find boats, and they certainly are present. But these aren’t ordinary boats. For example, you’ll see a 21-foot Chris-Craft Cobra with its distinctive fin. The company only built 55 of the 21-footers, all in 1955, and few have survived.

“I think there are maybe 20 left,” Beauregard says. “It’s a really rare boat.”

You’ll also see a 27-foot triple-cockpit Dart, built in 1930. Ohio-based Indian Lake Boat Company started building Darts during the Roaring Twenties, recognizing the erupting desire for fun, fast runabouts. Next to it is one of its contemporaries, a triple-cockpit Chris-Craft, built in 1929.

“We also have this small replica, which the kids gave us for Christmas,”

B E A U R E G A R D P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F A L G O N AC H A R B O U R C L U B FAC E B O O K ; C O N S T R U C T I O N P H O T O B Y M AT T KO W A L S K I

The roughly 3,300-square-foot boathouse is attached to the Beauregard’s Algonac home on the St. Clair River.

All the boats, including the 1929 Chris-Craft, sit on hoists manufactured by Way Marine Design in St. Augustine, Florida.

P H O T O S T H I S PA G E ( I N C . T O P M I D D L E P H O T O ) B Y M AT T KO W A L S K I

Beauregard says of the tiny wooden boat perched between its larger brethren. “We put the grandbabies in it.”

All the boats are operational. Hoists from Way Marine Design in St. Augustine, Florida, lower them to floor level, where family and guests can easily walk on. After stepping aboard, the hoists then lower the boats to water level. Out the doors, the St. Clair River awaits.

A TRIBUTE TO MARITIME HISTORY Moving away from the boats, it becomes clear that Beauregard’s thoughtfully designed boathouse is so much more than a garage for watercraft. It’s a veritable cabinet of curiosities, carefully assembled in homage to Great Lakes powerboating.

You’ll see a glass table built with a lake freighter’s steering wheel and hydraulic steering system, an antique Sinclair marine gas pump, handcrafted chairs featuring wooden waterskis, a model of the 21-foot Cobra, and so much more. Of particular interest is the distinctive, gleaming, wooden bar.

“It’s a duplicate of Sentimental Journey’s transom,” Beauregard says, referring to the family’s 50-foot 1962 Chris-Craft Constellation, which is a bit too large for the boathouse.

Taking a closer look, you’ll spy a model of Miss America X, the boat Gar Wood successfully raced against Miss England II to retake Britain’s Harmsworth Trophy in 1932. The boat is currently owned by Henry Mistele, a good friend of Beauregard’s. “[Wood] was such an interesting character,” Mistele told Lakeland Boating in 2017.

“He drew a million people to the Detroit River to watch him race.”

In fact, you might spot a small replica of that special “Legends of Algonac” statue.

According to Beauregard, it took a year and a half to raise the funds for the Sergei Mitrofanov-designed statue, which now resides at 1240 St. Clair River Drive.

“Smith and Wood were the pioneers of powerboating in the Great Lakes, and they remained friends,” he reflects. “The statue fits Algonac.”

In a way, the boathouse is more than a tribute to local and Great Lakes maritime history. It’s a tribute to friendship as well.

“The boathouse was our dream,” Beauregard says, “and our friend Jack Teeter was so happy. We completed it just before he passed away. We gave his family a private tour, and I told him, ‘Jack, I did all of this because you inspired me.’”

Is there anything else on Beauregard’s list for his special collection? He pauses thoughtfully, then says, “The only boat I still want is a Gar Wood.” ★

Chris-Craft only built 55 of the 21-foot Cobras, all in 1955. Few survive, making this one a rare treasure.

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PORT OF CALL

A Pure Michigan

ke M

ich

iga

n

Mackinac Island

Little Traverse Bay

Petoskey Grand Traverse Bay

Charlevoix Boyne City

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PHOTO BY JIM SORBIE

La

HARBOR SPRINGS

Harbor Town

Its deepwater natural harbor — deepest on the Great Lakes — made Harbor Springs, Michigan, an early destination for massive steamships hauling tourists. But what’s kept it a favorite destination is the depth of other offerings in and around its charming downtown, including galleries, golf, skiing, wineries and more.

by Kim Schneider

Harbor Point

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Downtown Harbor Springs

Little Traverse Wheelway

m

otor past the multi-million dollar homes and stunning yachts into the deepest and arguably prettiest harbors on the Great Lakes, and you’ll already have a good picture of why tourists have flocked here for a century and a half — and mostly by boat.

But reach the town’s marinas, and you’ll need your full imagination to picture what once was. On a typical day in, say, 1890, you’d be one of 5,000 people a day arriving on ferries with names like the Adrienne and Silver Spray, and more arriving from large luxury liners of the day from Chicago en route to Mackinac Island. The boats stopped at dock after dock of bayfront resort communities that still exist today — Harbor Point, Wequetonsing and Bay View — and Petoskey too, heading to cottages from the train station, or shuttling around to shop, attend a concert or picnic across the way.

In photos of the day, young newspaper peddlers shout their version of “Read all about it,” women paddle canoes in their Victorian best, and men stroll docks in suits and bowler hats. People even skated on the waterfront, thanks to one ferry line that built an 8,000-square-foot rink over the water as a way to set their boats apart.

Bucolic waterfront

Today, visitors also take roads past state parks with wide beaches and under a famed “Tunnel of Trees.” But on and around the water is still the place to be in Harbor Springs; for bucolic waterfront dining, a summer dip or the short stroll from harbor marinas to one of the Midwest’s most charming downtowns.

Shops with a coastal vibe are decked 42

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Stafford’s and Pointer

out with colorful window boxes on the outside, while the insides house glass blowers and impressionist painters, destination dining, even cookies so popular they’ve been featured on Rachel Ray and the Today show.

Most nights, music emanates from the waterfront: Jazz, chamber music, singersongwriters strolling the streets. And you’ll want to take your own stroll at sunset up a scenic bluff for the area’s best view of the quaint harbor in which you’re docked.

The same glaciers that carved out the sheltered deepwater bay left the town’s signature bluffs, once the shoreline of an ancient lake, says Beth Wemigwase, program coordinator for the Harbor Springs Historical Society. The glaciers also crafted large moraines 750 feet above Lake Michigan where you’ll find the Harbor Springs ski resorts Nubs Nobs and the Highlands at Harbor Springs (formerly Boyne Highlands, whose

claim to fame was the nation’s first triple chairlift). When glaciers retreated, they deposited the mineral-rich soils that have made the area the state’s fastest-growing wine region.

Get your bearings — and some context for your visit — by taking a right turn from the waterfront down Main Street and exploring the historical society’s impressive museum. The museum was designed by architect/builder Charles Caskey, best known for his work on Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel. Across the street in Shay Park, you’ll find the restored Aha, a 50-foot steel yacht once owned by early inventor and resident Ephraim Shay. One building you can’t miss is the Shay Hexagon House, across from Shay Park, which was designed and built by Shay in 1876 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Inside the historical society’s museum, displays walk visitors through the region’s past, from the first permanent residents,

Harbor Springs Historical Society

P H O T O S O N T H I S S P R E A D C O U R T E S Y O F ( C L O C K W I D E F R O M T O P L E F T ) : M I C H I G A N .O R G ; M I C H I G A N M U N I C I PA L L E A G U E ; H I G H L A N D S AT H A R B O R S P R I N G S ; B I L LY W I L S O N ; S T R E E T M U S I Q U E FA C E B O O K ; H A R B O R S P R I N G S A R E A H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y FA C E B O O K ; S TA F F O R D ’S W E B S I T E

Highlands at Harbor Springs

the Odawa, to the missionary era, post-Civil War homesteading, logging and tourism. The town’s reinvention to draw wealthy travelers might be called the “first Pure Michigan campaign,” Wemigwase says. The name changed from Little Traverse to Harbor Springs in 1881 to emphasize both the deep harbor and health benefits of clean air and natural springs. The city gave away land to people wanting to start cottage enclaves as a way to populate the area, and most became so exclusive that, according to Pointer Captain Dave Crowley, enclaves like Harbor Point require five sponsors by residents to live there and have rejected plenty of notable celebrities to “keep out the paparazzi.”

You’ll see the enclaves up close with a history lesson layered throughout by taking a ride on Pointer, a restored wooden beauty, now docked at Stafford’s Pier Restaurant. For more than 30 years, Pointer shuttled residents of Harbor Point from town to their cottage homes. Cars are still not allowed on the point, and when not traveling by water, residents often shuttle belongings in by horse and carriage.

Crowley, an avid storyteller, also has fun facts that come in handy when planning the rest of your trip in Harbor Springs. As you pass the city beach, for example, he notes that water here is seven degrees cooler than the bay thanks to the natural springs that shoot in 36-degree water. Artesian springs also feed downtown water fountains.

You may also catch a bit of the lifestyle past and present as you pass the Little Traverse Yacht Club and lawn parties with a “Great Gatsby” vibe.

Shay Hexagon House and Aha

2022 SIGNATURE EVENTS The Harbor Springs Farmers Market brings live music, produce, baked goods, lavender, fruit, flowers and more to the corner of State and Main (Wednesdays and Saturdays starting May 28).

Street Musique brings musical entertainment and fun with buskers that may combine a blues band, hoedown and Street Musique magicians at various downtown stops (every Thursday through summer).

Little Bay Live features live music from small ensembles from the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra at the Marina Park, 4-6 p.m. (some Sundays), while other Sundays feature Rivertown Jazz.

The Blessing of the Fleet is an annual kickoff to summer hosted by the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society, with a boat blessing, parade, waterfront displays and music (June 30).

Shay Days (July 15-16) celebrates early inventor Ephraim Shay and inventions like his famous geared locomotive. Event includes tours of his hexagonal house, family friendly games, crafts and more.

Taste of Harbor Springs, held in a big tent at the Blessing of the Fleet waterfront, lets visitors sample the cuisine of most area restaurants (September 17).

The Harbor Springs Festival of the Book is a three-day celebration of readers, writers, books and literary craft, and it features lectures by nationally published authors and illustrators (September 23-25).

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Little Traverse Bay Ferry

Highlands at Harbor Springs Segway tour

Boyer Glassworks

Stay awhile

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Howse’s Fudge

preparations of whitefish and steak with a bay view, and Pierson’s Grille and Spirits is a must-visit for its casual apres ski vibe and theme.

Downtown fun

Shopping is not just an option downtown; it’s a pilgrimage for many who seek out galleries great for art and jewelry lovers.

Belle Aquatic and Elizabeth Blair Fine Pearls offer luxury pieces, and Knox Galleries has collectable sculptures.

You’ll watch artisans in working studios at Boyer Glassworks Studio and Gallery and Little Traverse Tileworks. And no worries if you forgot your beach read or want a tome set in the region; Between the Covers has you covered.

For fun in the evenings or on a

rainy-day afternoon, the restored Lyric Theater tells stories through the screens in its three cinemas, as well as in its décor. Artist Glenn Wolff painted one mural to resemble local railroad passenger cars of the ’20s, while another mural offers the feel of a ship traversing the bay between Harbor Point and downtown. The theater also offers craft beer and popcorn with real butter.

If you want to venture out, golfers can choose from four championship courses and the nine-hole Par 3 at the Highlands at Harbor Springs. Those who don’t golf can instead zipline across the mountain, ride a horse to a hill-top vista or take a Segway tour. Call ahead to get a ride from the marina to the resort.

Private (or pre-planned) tours are also

PHOTOS ON THIS SPREAD COURTESY OF (CLOCKWIDE FROM TOP L E F T ) : L I T T L E T R AV E R S E W H E E LW AY FAC E B O O K ; H I G H L A N D S AT H A R BO R S P R I N G S ; P O N D H I L L FA R M FAC E BO O K ; BOY E R G L A S S WO R K S FAC E BO O K ; H OW S E ’S F U D G E FAC E BO O K

The town’s boating tradition is evident at stops like Walstrom Marine and the Irish Boat Shop. Both offer transient dockage (and most anything you need), as does the municipal marina. The municipal marina also offers courtesy rides to area grocery stores. But to see more, bring or rent a bike. The Little Traverse Wheelway offers paved travel from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix, and one popular trip is the 24-mile one-way trek to Petoskey with a boat ride back via the Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company.

Ferries make the triangle between Harbor Springs, Petoskey and Bay Harbor throughout the day, harkening back to the town’s early ferry days.

Dining is a destination here, and an easily walkable one, whether you’re looking to pack a picnic or have a romantic dinner out. Small Batch at the Cupola is an upscale breakfast favorite for lemon ricotta pancakes or gourmet versions of an eggs Benedict. Sandwiches at Gurney’s Harbor Bottle Shop have a local cult following and are a perfect picnic choice. And dessert tends to be casual but memorable when it’s chocolate from Howse’s Fudge, a scoop on a Yummies cone or a famous Tom’s Mom’s Cookie — chocolate chunk cookies with various twists made with a recipe started by a guy named Tom. For dinner, you’re on the water, literally, at Stafford’s Pier. It was built on pilings in the 1920s when it served as a boathouse for the Harbor Point water taxi. The New York Restaurant, another prohibition-era favorite, offers elegant

RESOURCES Harbor Springs Chamber of Commerce HARBORSPRINGSCHAMBER.COM

231-526-7999

Harbor Springs Area Historical Society HARBORSPRINGSHISTORY.ORG

Pond Hill Farm

231-526-9771

Harbor Springs Marina

CITYOFHARBORSPRINGS.COM

available along the friendly Petoskey Wine Trail, one with 17 stops joined by rolling country hills — and with plenty of recent buzz. Try wine from the signature grape, the Marquette, a cold-hardy relative of Pinot Noir that’s taken recent awards including best dry red in Michigan. At Harbor Springs’ Pond Hill Farm, you’ll pass grapes draping the hillside and have the options of wine, microbrews or

dining from produce grown here, or maybe even a chance to feed the on-site animals. The region’s vibe beckons you to relax and stay awhile, Crowley notes, and it all starts with the arrival.

“I love the sheer beauty of pulling into such a charming harbor, especially if the bay or Lake Michigan is rough,” he says.

“It’s like flipping a switch. Everything calms down, and I just feel really content.” ★

231-526-5355

Irish Boat Show

IRISHBOATSHOP.COM

231-526-6225

Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau PETOSKEYAREA.COM

231-348-2755

Walstrom Marine WALSTROM.COM

231-526-2141

HARBOR SPRINGS

TRAVERSE CITY

CHARLEVOIX

400 Bay St. Harbor Springs, MI 231-526-6225

988 W. Commerce Dr. Traverse City, MI 231-242-1922

13000 Stover Rd. Charlevoix, MI 231-547-9967

YOUR PREMIER NORTHERN MICHIGAN BOATYARD SINCE 1961

Harbor Springs

www.IrishBoatShop.com LAKELANDBOATING.COM

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BOAT BIZ

BY ABBY THORPE

Buffalo, NY

Youngstown, NY

MORE INFORMATION RCR Yachts 223 Lockport St. Youngstown, NY 14174 716-745-3862 RCRYACHTS.COM

1972 2022

CELEBRATING

50 YEARS

POWER & SAIL

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RCR Yachts

Celebrating 50 years serving boaters the right way.

W

hen Bob Reece and Don Finkle first started RCR Yachts in Youngstown, New York, 50 years ago, the team consisted of three: Reece, Finkle and Reece’s wife, Jane. The business was strong on manual labor and short on modern machinery, but the partners loved boating and the business, and had a vision for the future.

RCR was born out of Youngstown Boat Company. When Reece purchased the boatyard and boat sales business and invited Finkle to join him in business, the company specialized in storage, service and sales of only sailboats. In the 1990s, the company expanded into powerboats as well.

As RCR celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, plenty has changed from those early years, but the heart, passion for boating and commitment to understanding boaters’ needs hasn’t budged. The company has grown considerably and now offers dockage, service and sales in Buffalo, New York;

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

moorings, launch, service and sales in Youngstown; as well as sales offices in Rochester and Sodus Point, New York; Erie, Pennsylvania; and Sandusky, Ohio.

“Our goal was always to be close enough to our customers to get to know them and the areas they do their boating,” says Finkle, co-owner and CEO. Since the very beginning, RCR has operated boatyards and provided service work in addition to sales, giving them the opportunity to commission, deliver and service what they sell, as well as a hands-on understanding of the boats and brands.

RCR’s customers are loyal and know they’ll get first-rate service from a dedicated staff.

“Our success over the years has been the result of having such a fine staff working here. They care, they are boaters themselves, and many are avid sailboat racers too,” Finkle says with a smile. “It has been a wonderful ride for the past half-century. We would not trade it for any other line of work.” ★

LAKESHORE LIFE

BY ABBY THORPE

ADDRESS 315 Barber St. Spring Lake, MI 49456 SPECS Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 3.5 Square Footage: 3,483 Water Frontage: 123 feet Price: $1,545,000 CONTACTS Sandi Gentry The Sandi Gentry Team, RE-MAX 616-935-1150 SANDIGENTRY.COM

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Spring Lake, MI

A bright, waterfront haven with panoramic views of Spring Lake.

S

ituated at the tip of Verplank Point on a private peninsula, this stunning lakefront property was built for lake excursions, sunset viewing and enjoying all that West Michigan has to offer.

Completely renovated, the two story walk-out home features a bright, spacious interior offering incredible panoramic views, lake vistas from every bedroom and loads of natural light.

The main floor “features a great room with wall to wall windows and French doors opening to the large wraparound deck,” explains agent Sandi Gentry. Also on the main floor is a new spacious, gourmet kitchen with white cabinetry, quartz countertops, a butler’s pantry and stainless steel appliances. Cozy up in the great room by the large stone fireplace surrounded by windows, take in the sunshine and views from the light and airy sunroom, or step outside onto the large

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

wraparound deck to enjoy the breathtaking 180-degree views of Spring Lake.

The upper level features a primary ensuite with a large walk-in closet and spacious bath, two additional bedrooms and a full bathroom. This layout offers plenty of space for guests. The lower level boasts a large family room with a second fireplace and a wetbar — the ideal space to invite friends over for game night — as well as an additional bedroom and a full bathroom.

Outside, 123 feet of Spring Lake frontage, including a sea wall and a dock, invite you to take advantage of the lake during the warmer months, with Lake Michigan just a short cruise away.

In addition to the recent renovation, brand-new windows are already paid for and will be installed.

It’s the “perfect year-round home or seasonal cottage with close access to Lake Michigan,” Gentry adds. H

MAR I N E MAR K ET PL AC E

ONEKAMA MARINE, INC.

LAKE MICHIGAN YACHT SALES

Onekama, MI • (231) 889-5000 www.onekamamarine.com

Bay Harbor, MI • (231) 439-2675 www.lakemichiganyachtsales.com

Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht Platinum ON ORDER!

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!

Four Winns HD3

Wellcraft 262 Fisherman

NEW & IN STOCK

ON ORDER

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F I V E L O C AT I O N S

BENETE AU P O W E R BO ATS AVAILABLE SPRING!

BLUE: C100 M70

JUST ARRIVED!

2022 ANTARES 11

AVAILABLE NOW!

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BENETEAU

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AVAILABLE MARCH!

2022 DC 246

2022 DC 266

NAUTICSTAR

2022 28 XS

2021 2102 LEGACY

2022 2602 LEGACY

2021 231 HYBRID

BROK E R AG E

2002 GRAND ALASKAN 64 $749,999

1988 VANTARE 58 MY $224,500

1985 MAIORA 55 $139,000

1990 HATTERAS 48 $225,000

1989 MARINE TRADER 47 MY $124,500

2017 BENETEAU GT 46 $660,000

1992 OCEAN ALEXANDER 46 $229,900

2009 SABRE 386 $179,000

2021 REGAL 38 GRANDE COUPE $650,000

1999 CARVER 370 VOYAGER $89,995

2008 SEA RAY 330 $149,999

2014 CRUISERS 310 EXPRESS $120,000

STURGEON BAY: South First Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI, (920) 746-1912 • Martin Kelsey: (920) 559-0366, Martin@centerpointesales.com • Terry Godres: (920) 559-0730, Terry@centerpointesales.com • Tony Peot: (920) 493-4747, Tony@centerpointesales.com • MILWAUKEE: 700 S. Water Street, Milwaukee, WI, (888) 992-2487 • PJ Tamer: (262) 424-9627, Pj@centerpointesales.com • KENOSHA: 21-56th Street, Kenosha, WI, (888) 992-2487 • Mike Montilino: (612) 419-3772, Mike@centerpointesales.com

WWW.CENTERPOINTESERVICE.COM OR CALL (888) 9-YACHTS

In Stock and Available!

2022 Riviera 66 Belize Daybridge

2022 Riviera 54 Belize Daybridge

2022 Riviera 505 SUV

2022 Sabre 45 Salon Express

INTRODUCING CREVALLE BOATS “Crevalle builds high-quality, reliable boats for families and fishing enthusiasts who enjoy the boating lifestyle. We achieve this by hiring, training and supporting builders who understand the importance of quality, reliability and customer satisfaction. We build every boat with two customers in mind: Our dealers and our buyers — and our sole intention is satisfying both every single day. We are dedicated to building boats our dealers are proud to represent and our customers are proud to own.”

2022 Crevalle 26 HBW

WWW.BAYMARINE.NET • SALES@BAYMARINE.NET

* Not all brands sold at all locations

NEW & USED INVENTORY 97 66 66 64 56 54 53 50 45 45 44 43 42 40 39 38 37 37 37 36 35 34 34 34 34 33 33 33

2001 2022 2021 1984 1985 2022 1979 2022 2022 1995 1999 2015 2014 1996 2010 2009 2006 2016 1998 2001 2011 2001 2020 2019 2001 1991 2006 2014

Broward Motor Yacht ................................ $2,000,000 Riviera Belize 66 Daybridge .................................... call MCY 66........................................................................... call Skipperliner .....................................................$699,000 Hatteras 56 MY...............................................$279,000 Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge .................................... call Hatteras 53 Yacht Fisherman.....................$180,000 Riviera 505 SUV........................................................... call Sabre 45 Salon Express............................................ call Bayliner 4587 Motoryacht ..........................$125,000 Baja 442............................................................$115,000 Custom Houseboat ......................................... $49,000 Viking 42 Sport Coupe.................................$799,000 Tiara Yachts 4000 Express..........................$200,000 Sea Ray 390 Sundancer..............................$319,999 Fountain Sportfish CC...................................$224,000 Silverton 34 Convertible..............................$165,000 Formula 37 Cruiser........................................$369,000 Sea Ray 370 Sundancer..............................$119,999 Carver 350 Mariner ......................................... $84,900 Sea Ray 350 Sundancer..............................$215,500 Cruisers 3470 ................................................... $99,900 Pursuit 325 Offshore ....................................$389,999 Grady-White Canyon 336 ...........................$445,000 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer................................ $90,000 Tiara 3300 Open...............................................$74,900 Formula Sun Sport.........................................$130,000 Cobalt 336........................................................ $174,500

32 30 31 28 26 26 24 24 24 24 23 22 21 21 20 20 20 20 16 15 13 13 12 11 11 10 8

2014 2005 2003 2017 2021 2022 2022 2022 2021 2022 2022 1990 2002 2004 2009 2012 2004 2020 2022 2022 2021 2021 2022 2013 2022 2022 2017

Chris Craft 32 Corsair....................................$249,900 Pursuit 3070 Offshore.................................... $89,999 Sea Ray 280 Sundancer................................ $59,999 Axopar 28 T-Top..............................................$129,999 EdgeWater 262CC .........................................$245,999 Crevalle 26 HBW......................................................... call EdgeWater 245CC ...................................................... call Crevalle 24 HCO ......................................................... call Robalo 246 Cayman.....................................$129,500 Qwest LS 824 .............................................................. call EdgeWater 230CC ...................................................... call Pursuit 2100 CC................................................$12,900 Monterey Expolorer Sport ..............................$10,500 Boston Whaler 210 Outrage ........................ $45,000 Starcraft Aurora 2000 I/O............................. $36,000 Regal 2000 Bowrider...................................... $30,000 Ebbtide 200 ........................................................$24,500 Malibu 20VTX ..................................................$104,950 Qwest Edge 816 CTR ................................................ call EdgeWater 158CS.............................................$32,504 Boston Whaler 130SS .................................... $23,999 Novurania 400 DL............................................$48,247 AB Inflatables Mares 12 VSX................................... call Walker Bay Generation 360.......................... $17,999 AB Inflatables Mares 11 VSX................................... call AB Inflatables Mares 10 VSX................................... call 2017 Gala F270 ...................................................$4,200

Let Us Sell Your Boat! Contact One of Our Seasoned Brokers Today!

BAY MARINE’S BROKERAGE TEAM

Ron Durchin Illinois 847-980-4975

Gentre Vartan Illinois 312-656-4470

Sara Osheroff Illinois 630-362-6317

DOOR COUNTY YACHTING CENTER STURGEON BAY, WI 920-743-6526

Matt Felhofer Illinois 920-495-7125

Chris DePrey Wisconsin 920-366-4320

Bill Carlson Wisconsin 906-202-0014

CHICAGO YACHTING CENTER WAUKEGAN, IL 847-336-2628

Mark Felhofer Wisconsin 920-495-5567

Kyle Mills Florida 941-391-4484

Danielle Harangody Florida 561-601-6870

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FORT MYERS, FL 239-295-4332

SPRING DELIVERY | ONLY ONE OF EACH AVAILABLE | AVAILABLE SPRING 2022

Regal 42 Grande Coupe

Regal 38 Grande Coupe

Regal 38 SAV

Regal 36 Grande Coupe

Regal 36 LS Bowrider

Regal 2800

Regal 28 Express

Regal LS6

Regal LS6 Surf

Regal LS4 Surf

630-739-2272 CALL FOR A PRIVATE SHOWING | SCHEDULE A FACETIME WALK-THROUGH | STOP IN ANY TIME!

CHICAGO’S BIGGEST BOAT SHOW IS AT BASA’S! ONCE GONE, NOTHING UNTIL 2023 SEASON!

Cobia 201 CC

Cobia 220 CC

Cobia 220 DC

Cobia 240 CC

Cobia 240 DC (2 available)

Cobia 262 CC

Cobia 280 CC

Cobia 301 CC

Cobia 320 CC

BASASMARINE.COM MAIN LOCATION Basa’s Marine, 512 E. North Frontage Road, Bolingbrook, IL

MICHIGAN LOCATION Basa’s at Oselka Marina, 514 W. Water Street, New Buffalo, MI

VISIT US IN CLEVELAND!

CLEVELAND BOAT SHOW MARCH 17 - 20, 2022 | I-X CENTER

WELDCRAFT 20 ANGLER XT

RANGER TUGS R-23

NORTHCOAST 255 CABIN HARDTOP

ZODIAC OPEN 6.5

NORTHCOAST 230 CC DV

ZODIAC YACHTLINE 360 DL

MAG BAY 42 HARDTOP EXPRESS

WELDCRAFT 202 REBEL HARDTOP

BROKERAGE BOATS 26’ 29’ 29’ 29’ 31’ 32’

2003 2006 2008 2018 2019 1985

Seaswirl Striper 2601 Walkaround I/O.................................$45,000 Wellcraft 290 Coastal ........................................................$89,000 Hacker-Craft 29 Long Deck Gentleman’s Racer .................$139,900 Ranger Tugs R29 CB Luxury Edition sale pending ..........$285,900 Ranger Tugs R31 CB LE sale pending ...........................$359,500 Carver 3207 .....................................................................$30,000

32’ 33’ 36’ 43’ 46’ 56’

2011 Legacy 32 MKIII..................................................................$165,000 1976 C&C 33.............................................................................$22,000 1984 Morgan 36........................................................................$26,900 2014 Tiara Yachts 4300 Open...................................................$699,900 2002 Hunter 466 .....................................................................$150,000 1983 Hatteras 56 Motor Yacht sale pending ..........................$299,900

FIND A COMPLETE LIST OF INVENTORY INCLUDING NEW, USED AND BROKERAGE BOATS AT WWW.REEDYACHTSALES.COM

GRAND HAVEN, MI • Brent Reed 616-402-0180 • Bob Lunt 616-843-1225 LASALLE, MI • Chuck Hutchins 734-497-3721 • Matthew Bolt 734-735-1948 RACINE, WI • Mark Derenne 414-651-3100

www.reedyachtsales.com

MAR I N E MAR K E T PL AC E

TR IDENT

FUNDING

Specialis t s in Marine Financ e

BOAT LOANS

SERVING BOAT BUYERS NATIONWIDE

• Purchase • Refinance

•

Pre-Approval • Low Rates

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888-386-3888 WWW.TRIDENTFUNDING.COM ADDED SAFETY AT THE DOCK & ON THE WATER

GREAT GIFTS!

BOARDING POLE

Extra assistance boarding the boat. $100

CALL JIM STEFANO

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!

419-341-0432

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BURGEE HOLDER Wave that flag. $80

NAUTICAL CROSS

Quickly tie-off fenders and tenders. $100

| WWW.NAUTICALCROSS.COM

SUMMER IS COMING!

Contact us by MARCH 15 to get into our May, June, July and August 2022 issues!

REDUCED!

2005 18' SEA RAY SPORT BOWRIDER Bimini top, 236 hours. Excellent condition, kept on boat lift during summer and heated inside storage in the winter. Located in Harsens Island, Michigan. Asking $12,000. Call or text 248-875-3770. MAY22

2019 TIARA 38LS Triple 350 Yamaha, 200 hours, Helm Master and Seakeeper.

Great condition. $629,000. Contact doubledproperties01@gmail.com. APR22

2008 HACKER-CRAFT 29 LONG DECK GENTLEMAN’S RACER 100% freshwater, one owner in excellent condition! Powered by Crusader 8.1 ltr. gas engine. Always kept in indoor heated storage in winter and boat shed during summer. Includes 2017 Manning tandem axle paint steel trailer. Asking $139,900. Call Brent @ 616-842-8899. RYS

1999 HATTERAS 48 SPORTFISH This Sportfish commands attention. She has been pampered in the Great Lakes for many years and shows extremely well. Her interior has been completely redone as well as recent replacement of the side view windows. $225,000. Contact Martin Kelsey at 920-559-0366 or martin@centerpointe sales.com. CNT 2008 SEA RAY 330 Fully loaded, clean, freshwater, two-owner boat since new. Camperback Bimini top redone only one year ago. Big block 496 engines, Axius joystick with Skyhook, generator, full teak flooring and electric cockpit grill. $149,999.

Contact PJ Tamer at 262-424-9627 or pj@ centerpointesales.com. CNT

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!

2021 WELDCRAFT 20 ANGLER XT New! Super-comfy seating for six people, reverse chine, extruded gunwale, welded downrigger brackets and convertible top with side curtains are all standard.

Hydraulic Steering and Sport Interior Package are just a few of the options included! Call for details.

Asking $58,945. Call Matt @ 734-735-1948. RYS

C L AS S I F I E D S

Advertise your boat, slip or property with us!

SOLD! 2003 SEASWIRL STRIPER 2601 WALKAROUND I/O Hardtop and enclosure added, plus fishing downriggers, Inverter, AC, GPS/ Chartplotter, Auto Pilot, Fish Finder, VHF, Volvo 5.7L I/O with 745 hours. 2002 Load-Rite roller trailer. Currently in paid heated indoor storage.

Available to show by appointment only. Anglers get it now and be ready for spring action! Asking $45,000. Call Mark @ 414-651-3100. RYS

2017 BENETEAU GRAN TURISMO 46 Redesigned main deck and cockpit, which includes two large electrically reclining seats. Offers the handling ease of Beneteau’s previous smaller model, while making use of many of the details found in her 49' big sister. Contact Terry Godres at (920) 559-0730 or terry@centerpointesales.com. CNT

TO ADVERTISE IN CLASSIFIEDS:

2006 WELLCRAFT 290 Outstanding opportunity to own a highly desirable Wellcraft 290 Coastal Hardtop Walk Around. Full cabin with enclosed head, full marine electronics and twin Evinrude 250 hp outboards. Asking $89,000. Call Mark for all the details @ 414-651-3100. RYS

Visit LAKELANDBOATING.COM/ CLASSIFIEDS for details and to submit your materials. Payments cannot be accepted online. We will contact you for payment once your ad proof is approved. Questions?

Email Christy at CBAUHS@ LAKELANDBOATING.COM.

2014 SAILFISH 240CC Excellent condition.

Full Raymarine electronics including autopilot, 300 hp Yamaha four stroke. Under 300 hrs.

Located in Vermilion, OH. Asking $70,000. Email cblgolf62@gmail.com or call 440-864-2232 for more info. SEP21

FOR MORE INFO ON ADVERTISING IN LAKESHORE LIFE & MARINE MARKETPLACE Contact Patti McCleery 312-276-0610 x. 21 pmccleery@lakelandboating.com

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APRIL 2022

63

CLASSIC CRAFT

Loose Shoes

ADD YOUR BOAT! Email KBUSH@

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

if you have a Classic Craft with a great story to share!

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A P R I L 2022

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My dad, Peter Grimm, a career yacht broker, bought Loose Shoes in 1985 from a friend in Door County, Wisconsin. The owner had bought the boat intending to restore her.

She had been taken apart and stored in a barn, but no work was done. My dad bought her, brought the hull home, and began to puzzle the pieces and hardware back together.

One of the hardest jobs was lining up all the bronze screws as he put the interior back together. My mother, Nancy, worked tirelessly to restore the leather interior. Ultimately, they replaced the linoleum floor because the original was in bad shape. They were able to find vintage linoleum to try to keep it authentic. Dad was quite good at the engine mechanics and was able to do most of the engine work himself. A local boatyard did the varnish to make her beautiful.

Dad’s inspiration for the boat was his next-door neighbor who had the same Chris-Craft model but one year older, named Edjeken. It has always been owned by the same family and kept in a boat house on a dolly; railroad tracks carry the boat in and out of the water.

Loose Shoes originally had a hardtop, but when Dad restored her, he left off the top and found a windshield that fit perfectly. The two boats were identical except one had a green leather interior and the other red. In 1998, both Loose Shoes and Edjeken were trailered in the Egg Harbor 4th of July parade with the sign “100 years of boating in Door County.”

Once Loose Shoes was restored, our family used it throughout the summer. We often took it with our friends and their boats out to Chambers Island to picnic. We waterskied behind the boat; you had to really hang on as you waited for her to get up out of the water and onto a plane. My favorite was just joy-riding on Green Bay with my dad. If it slowed too quickly, a large wave would spray into the back of the cockpit, soaking an unsuspecting passenger.

Mom and Dad took some overnight trips across Green Bay to Michigan. Of course, they watched the weather forecast closely because there’s no shelter in Loose Shoes.

My dad enjoyed showing her in antique boat shows and won a couple of Best of Show awards for the restoration. He even trailered Loose Shoes down to his home in South Florida and showed her in Mount Dora.

In 2015, when my dad was no longer able to use her and keep up with her maintenance, he sold her to a collector in Michigan who has done a complete restoration of his own. The new owner sent photos of her, and Dad was very pleased that she was being treated so well.

Loose Shoes was a very significant part of our family for 30 years. I will always be grateful for that season in my life.

—Karyn Grimm Herndon, Wilmette, IL

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PHOTO COURTESY OF KARYN GRIMM HERNDON

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