August 2023

Features

Now available in the U.S., the Nimbus brand is taking the Great Lakes by storm, showing off its sporty Scandinavian lines and impressive performance. The brand’s new Weekender W9 showcases its intelligent design as a family dayboat, with a cabin suitable for a quick overnight, a cockpit galley and seating area, and a large foredeck lounge. Check it out!

@

★ Stay current on all the latest Great Lakes news

★ Peruse dozens of exciting destination stories

★ Check out our latest Boat Tests & Spotlights

★ Place a classified ad

★ Shop boats for sale by owner

★ Purchase our Great Lakes Cruising Guides and Lakeland Boating hats

★ Access past issues with our online magazine

★ Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter

★ And much more!

Trailerable Adventures

Before summer is technically over and before the kids head back for a new school year, now is the perfect time to load your boat onto the trailer and take off for a weekend getaway. Try an inland lake nearby that you haven’t yet visited! Or, if you’re open to a longer trip, columnist Heather Steinberger has a list of eight trailerable destinations a little farther afield, from Lake of the Ozarks and the Finger Lakes to the Great Salt Lake and Lake McConaughy (p. 22). The trailerable adventures are endless!

We have not one, not two, but three boat tests for you this month. Our writers completed sea trials on the sporty, Swedish Nimbus Weekender W9, which will turn heads for its unique style and bold performance (p. 26); the Blackfin 400CC, which is a “real turn-key fishing platform” (p. 30); and the Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer, which is a great option for those who are as serious about fishing as they are about fun (p. 34).

The Manitou Explore 22 MAX pontoon was the perfect vessel to host contributor Heather Steinberger and photographer husband Richard Steinberger for the day as they explored Florida’s Port Canaveral and surrounding areas (p. 38). Space, in its many meanings, is top of mind in this feature. The innovative Rotax S150 stealth outboard engine tucks neatly underneath the MAX Deck swim platform, offering boaters a massive amount of space to lounge by the water (while cruising by the Kennedy Space Center or SpaceX operations).

If you’re a big antique boat fan, then you’re likely familiar with Clayton, New York, and its popular Antique Boat Museum (p. 42). But did you also know that this Thousand Island town was voted “Best Small-Town Cultural Scene” by USA Today, or that it has a vibrant restaurant scene? Learn more in this month’s Port of Call.

See you on the water!

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

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

AREAS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE

CONTRIBUTORS

KEVIN KOENIG

Kevin is an awardwinning journalist living and working in Greenwich, Connecticut. His 14 years in the marine industry have helped him live a fulfilling and adventure-laden life thus far.

READ HIS STORIES STARTING ON P. 24

HHH

CHARLES PLUEDDEMAN

Charles has been writing about marine engine technology, high-performance and trailerable powerboats since 1986. He lives in Wisconsin and still loves to smell twostroke exhaust in the morning.

READ HIS STORY ON P. 26

HHH

HEATHER STEINBERGER

Heather is an awardwinning writer/editor who has specialized in boating, travel and outdoor adventure for more than 25 years. She grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and enjoys powerboating, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding with her husband, professional photographer Richard Steinberger, and daughter, Johanna.

READ HER STORIES ON P. 22 AND 38

Northport, MI p. 48

Clayton, NY p. 42

Gull Lake MarineSouth Haven p. 50

Letter to the Editor

I have been a subscriber to Lakeland Boating for many years and enjoy the articles, especially the Ports of Call. In the June 2023 issue, I must take an exception to the article. As this is a boating magazine, it really should have been noted about what type of services/marina is in Grand Marais, Michigan — or I should say, the lack of a marina.

While Grand Marais is a wonderful little town with wonderful attractions and natural beauty, there is a lack of slips and dock space. It should be noted that there are no slips or docks but rather just a breakwall that boats can tie up to.

As a member of the Great Lakes Cruising Club, we have access to the club’s harbor reports. For Grand Marais, it says — and this is quoted directly from the Harbor Report for Grand Marais — “The dock is a 180-foot breakwall at the west end of the harbor. The depths at the dock in 2021 varied from 8 to 6.5 feet. The most depth is closest to the boat ramp. There is room for several boats, and the harbormaster may permit boats to raft two deep. Call ahead to put a hold on space along the breakwall. There are no slips.”

As an avid boater who has traveled Lake Superior with our boat, it is important to point out what is available when you mention a port or city in your Ports of Call articles.

—Leonard Buchanan

Correction

In the June 2023 issue of the magazine, we did not provide photo credit for the cover image, which featured the Riviera 4600 Sports Yacht and 46 Sports Motor Yacht. The photo should be credited to Scott Sanders. Thank you Scott — we regret the oversight.

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 or Nantucket red (khaki sold out). One size. $24.95 + S&H. To order, visit LAKELANDBOATING.COM/STORE.

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, Bryan Huntley, Kevin Koenig, Capt. Frank Lanier, Charles Plueddeman, Capt. Tom Serio, Heather Steinberger, Maggie Steiss, Chuck Warren

BUSINESS STAFF

National Sales: Mark Conway

Regional Sales: Patti McCleery

Accounting: Diane Fairchild

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

President: Linda O’Meara

Secretary: Timothy Murtaugh

Lakeland Boating (ISSN 0744-9194) Copyright 2023, 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.

JULY 22

Toledo Antique & Classic Boat Show Toledo, OH TOLEDOBOATSHOW.COM

JULY 27 – AUG 5

Baroque on Beaver Island Beaver Island, MI BAROQUEONBEAVER.ORG

JULY 28 – AUG 6

Coast Guard Festival Grand Haven, MI COASTGUARDFEST.ORG

JULY 31 – AUG 11

Washington Island Music Festival Washington Island, WI WASHINGTONISLAND MUSICFESTIVAL.COM

AUG 2 – 6

Elk Rapids Harbor Days Elk Rapids, MI ELKRAPIDSHARBORDAYS.ORG

AUG 3 – 5 Spirit Valley Days Duluth, MN SPIRITVALLEYDAYS.COM

AUG 3 – 6

Grand Marais Fisherman’s Picnic Grand Marais, MN NORTHSHOREVISITOR.COM

AUG 4 – 5

1000 Islands Kingston Poker Run Kingston, ON POKERRUNS.CA/KINGSTON

Vintage Ohio Wine Festival Kirtland, OH VISITVINTAGEOHIO.COM

AUG 4 – 6

Annual Antique Boat Show & Auction Clayton, NY ABM.ORG

Blue Water Sandfest Port Huron, MI BLUEWATERSANDFEST.COM

Chalk the Block 1 St. Joseph, MI STJOETODAY.COM

Door County Classic and 2 Wooden Boat Show Sturgeon Bay, WI DCMM.ORG

I-LYA Sail Regatta Put-in-Bay, OH I-LYA.ORG

Michigan Lighthouse Festival Alpena, MI MICHIGANLIGHTHOUSE FESTIVAL.COM

AUG 4 – 7

Canal Days Port Colborne, ON PORTCOLBORNE.CA

Kempenfest Barrie, ON KEMPENFEST.COM

AUG 5

30th Annual Classic Car Show Port Clinton, OH PORTCLINTONCHAMBER.COM/ CAR-SHOW

August Cup Sailing Race 3 Lakeside, OH LAKESIDEOHIO.COM

Boats on the Boardwalk 4 Traverse City, MI WWCACBS.COM

Tawas Uncork’d Wine, Food & Ale Festival East Tawas, MI TAWAS.COM

AUG 5 – 6

Thunder on the Niagara North Tonawanda, NY THUNDERONTHENIAGARA.COM

AUG 5 – 12

Shoreline West Bicycle Tour Montague, MI to Mackinaw City, MI LMB.ORG

AUG 9 – 13

Door County Fair Sturgeon Bay, WI DOORCOUNTYFAIR.COM

AUG 10

Pentwater Homecoming Celebration Pentwater, MI PENTWATER.ORG

AUG 10 – 12

Music & Craft Festival Grand Marais, MI GRANDMARAISMICHIGAN.COM

AUG 10 – 13

National Blueberry Festival South Haven, MI BLUEBERRYFESTIVAL.COM

AUG 11

All Classics Festival Huron, OH LYMANBOA.COM

AUG 11 – 13

Orillia Waterfront Festival Orillia, ON ORILLIA.COM

AUG 11 – 20

Bill Johnston’s Pirate Days Alexandria Bay, NY VISITALEXBAY.ORG

AUG 12

40th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest Grand Haven, MI GRANDHAVENCHAMBER.ORG

45th Annual Les Cheneaux 5 Islands Antique Boat Show and Festival of Arts Hessel, MI LCIBOATSHOW.COM

Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair Charlevoix, MI CHARLEVOIXWATERFRONT ARTFAIR.ORG

Door County Festival of 6 Fine Arts

Sister Bay, WI SISTERBAY.COM

Great Lakes Surf Festival Muskegon, MI GREATLAKESSURFFESTIVAL.COM

AUGUST 12 – 13

75th Annual Top O’ Michigan Outboard Marathon Alanson, MI TOMORC.ORG

AUG 14 – 15

Brewha! Craft Beer Festival Thunder Bay, ON BREWHAFESTIVAL.COM

AUG 14 – 20 U.P. State Fair Escanaba, MI UPSTATEFAIR.NET

AUG 16 – 20

Venetian Festival Lake Geneva, WI VENETIANFEST.COM

AUG 18 – 19

Big Splash Raffle Sandusky, OH BIGSPLASHRAFFLE.COM

AUG 19

Art on the Riverfront Grand Haven, MI VISITGRANDHAVEN.COM

Gitchi-Gami Trail Association North Shore Bike Ride Two Harbors, MN GGTA.ORG

GLACBS Pewaukee Lake Rendezvous Pewaukee, WI GLACBS.ORG

HarborPark Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festival Kenosha, WI MAHONEFUND.ORG

Hastings Waterfront Festival Hastings, ON HASTINGSFESTIVAL.CA

Port Clinton Lighthouse Festival Port Clinton, OH

PORTCLINTONLIGHTHOUSE.ORG

Port Sanilac Antique Boat Show & Vintage Festival Port Sanilac, MI MICHACBS.COM

Suds on the Shore Ludington, MI SUDSONTHESHORE.COM

VanderLeek Cup Hospice Regatta Holland, MI VANDERLEEKCUP.COM

AUG 19 – 20

Art at Bayfront Park Duluth, MN ARTINBAYFRONTPARK.COM

Chicago Air & Water Show 7 Chicago, IL CHICAGOAIRANDWATERSHOW.US

St. Clair Art Fair/Jazz Festival St. Clair, MI STCLAIRART.ORG

TugFest Georgian Bay Midland, ON TUGFESTGEORGIANBAY.COM

AUG 24 – 26

HarborFest Marquette, MI MARQUETTEWESTROTARY.ORG

AUG 24 – 27

Bassmaster Elite on the St. Lawrence Clayton, NY 1000ISLANDS-CLAYTON.COM/BASS

Rockin’ the Bay Alexandria Bay, NY VISITALEXBAY.ORG

AUG 25

Rock the Boat South Haven, MI MICHIGANMARITIMEMUSEUM.ORG

AUG 25 – 26

10th Annual Balloons Over Bellaire Bellaire, MI SHANTYCREEK.COM

Lake George Rendezvous Lake George Village, NY ACBS-ADC.ORG

Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival Superior, WI SUPERIORDRAGONS.ORG

Porcupine Mountains Music Festival Ontonagon, MI PORKIESFESTIVAL.ORG

AUG 25 – 27

Blues by the Bay East Tawas, MI TAWAS.COM

Fudge Festival Mackinac Island, MI MACKINACISLAND.ORG

Rendezvous at the Straits Powwow St. Ignace, MI STIGNACE.COM

AUG 25 – SEPT 3

Salmon Spectacular Fishing Derby Owen Sound, ON SYDENHAMSPORTSMEN.COM

AUG 26

Blue Water Traditional Pow Wow Port Huron, MI BLUEWATER.ORG

Burning Foot Beer Festival Muskegon, MI BURNINGFOOT.BEER

Death’s Door Barbecue Washington Island, WI DEATHSDOORBBQ.COM

Gull Lake Classic Lake Shore, MN ACBS-BSLOL.COM

Pentwater Wooden & Classic Boat Show and Parade Pentwater, MI PENTWATERYACHTCLUB.COM

BOATS

Riviera Announces New 58 Sports Motor Yacht

During the 2023 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Riviera announced its brand-new 58 Sports Motor Yacht (SMY), which will premiere in late 2023. The 58 SMY joins the Sports Motor Yachts line, which began six years ago with the launch of the 68 and now features six models.

Features of the 58 SMY include an all-water sports cockpit, walk-around side decks, a foredeck lounge and entertaining zone, all-weather alfresco deck entertaining, and a spacious, luxurious salon with an internal staircase to a fully enclosed, air-conditioned flybridge and state-of-the-art helm.

Accommodations include three staterooms and three bathrooms. The luxurious full-beam primary suite has a private bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, as well as an optional breakfast bar and fridge. For more information, visit RIVIERAAUSTRALIA.COM.

SCUTTLE

The double centerboard schooner Boaz — which was built in 1869 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and sank off the coast of Door County in 1900 — has been added to the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places. The shipwreck lies at the bottom of 8 feet of water in North Bay.

The Antique Boat Museum (ABM) — North America’s premier freshwater boating museum based in Clayton, New York — will host the 59th Annual Antique Boat Show & Auction on Saturday, August 4.

The auction will begin at 1 p.m. and will feature a variety of boats and boating objects from fiberglass to wood, turnkey to projects. A list of the auction items and more information on the auction is available at ABM. ORG/EVENTS/ANTIQUE-BOAT-SHOW-AND-AUCTION.

EVENTS

Save the Date: Chris-Craft Commander

Club 2023 National Rendezvous

Hundreds of Chris-Crafts old and new will gather at Cedar Point Marina on August 18-20. The ChrisCraft Commander Club invites all Chris-Crafts “big or little, pristine or patinae” to its National Rendezvous on Lake Erie.

The weekend will consist of boat tours, socializing, optional amusement park experience and more. Participants can spend the weekend exploring Cedar Point and Sandusky. Located along Sandusky Bay, Sandusky has been named the Best Coastal Small Town in America. This growing destination is home to the world-class amusement park, Cedar Point. In season, ferries and island-hopping cruises depart from downtown daily, including an international ferry terminal offering daily trips to Canada’s Pelee Island.

Sandusky surprises with its beautiful parks, downtown architecture and wealth of history, including its role in the Underground Railroad. Downtown Sandusky offers delicious dining options, quaint shops, art galleries, numerous attractions and the historic Sandusky State Theatre.

For more information, visit COMMANDERCLUB.COM/ PAGE/RENDEZVOUS-EVENTS.

GREAT LAKES NEWS BOATS MUST-HAVE BUZZ EVENTS BUSINESS

BOATS

Cobalt Introduces New R35 Outboard

Complementing the recently introduced R35 Sterndrive, Cobalt Boats’ brand-new R35 Outboard is a yacht-certified luxury runabout, available with up to three Yamaha or Mercury engines. The R35OB is available with thoughtful touches such as a side entry door, a premium Harman Kardon Audio system and a Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilizer. Standard amenities include a Garmin glass cockpit with multiple touchscreen displays, ultra-fast USB-C charging stations, a wealth of storage space and cupholders, and a cabin with room for a queen-size bed, as well as an entertainment center that incorporates a smart TV, music player and gaming console.

Other new options found on the R35OB are Cobalt’s patent-pending AutoDeploy Galley, which rises and opens from a solid bench seat at the touch of a button; a Helm Watch display that offers passengers access to charts and cabin controls on a dedicated Garmin screen; a built-in combination deep freezer/fridge with an adjustable temperature range from 0 to 50 degrees; and a FLIR compact thermal camera that provides an added level of safety and situational awareness.

For more information, visit COBALTBOATS.COM.

Sailing Icon Harry “Buddy” Melges Dies at 93

Harry “Buddy” Melges Jr. — considered to be one of the greatest competitive sailors in the sport of sailing — passed away on May 18, 2023, at the age of 93.

Glass

City Metropark in East

Toledo, Ohio, had its Phase 2 grand opening in June. The park now features a restaurant, Market Hall, The Ribbon roller and ice skating trail, naturethemed children’s play areas, art installations and 3 miles of trails.

BUSINESS

MarineMax Adds Minnesota Dealer to Network

C&C Boat Works, a full-service boat dealer in Crosslake, Minnesota, has joined the MarineMax family.

For more than 60 years, family-owned C&C Boat Works has provided Minnesota’s Whitefish Chain of Lakes with great customer service and premium brands. The dealership features boats from Barletta, Cobalt, Harris and Nautique, among others. With over 1,000 feet of lake frontage, C&C Boat Works has indoor and outdoor storage for more than 600 boats, complementing its service and storage operations with full-service marina amenities.

“We are excited to welcome C&C Boat Works to the MarineMax family,” says Brett McGill, MarineMax CEO and president. “This is a business we have known for many years, one that shares our team-focused culture and dedication to service excellence. The addition of C&C Boat Works, which follows our 2021 acquisition of Nisswa Marine, enhances our ability to serve customers and realize further efficiencies across our operations in the region.”

For more info, visit CCBOATWORKS.COM.

Born on January 26, 1930, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Buddy dedicated his life to the pursuit of excellence on the water. Growing up on Delavan Lake, he honed his skills sailing the boats crafted by his father, Harry Melges Sr., at Melges Boat Works. Over his eight-decade career, Buddy advanced the sport and etched his name into the annals of sailing history. Buddy soared to Olympic glory, earning a gold medal in the Soling class in 1972 and a bronze medal in the Flying Dutchman class in 1964.

On the national stage, Buddy captured the E-Scow national championship five times, triumphing in 1965, 1969, 1978, 1979 and 1983. He also won the North American Men’s Sailing Championships and the Clifford D. Mallory Trophy in 1959, 1960, and 1961.

In 1992, Buddy achieved the ultimate success, helming America3 to victory alongside Bill Koch, securing the America’s Cup and marking one of his greatest accomplishments during his storied career.

In 2001, Buddy was inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to the prestigious event. Additionally, in 2002, he was inducted into the Inland Lake Yachting Association Hall of Fame, a testament to his impact on inland lake sailing. His induction into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, and the World Sailing Hall of Fame in 2007 solidified his enduring legacy and celebrated his remarkable contributions to the sport.

As a member of numerous clubs, including the ILYA Bilge Pullers (oldest surviving member), Lake Geneva Yacht Club (member No. 1), Chicago Yacht Club, Columbia Yacht Club, Milwaukee Yacht Club, Texas Corinthian Yacht Club and Little Traverse Bay Yacht Club, Buddy exemplified his commitment to the sailing community.

Buddy leaves an enduring impact on the sailing community. To honor Buddy’s memory, donations can be made to the Geneva Lake Sailing School in the name of the Buddy Melges Sailing Center.

Highfield Boats USA Opens New Michigan Facility

The world’s leading manufacturer of aluminum-hull rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), Highfield Boats, has opened its new 50,000-square-foot warehouse and rigging facility in Cadillac, Michigan. This state-of-theart, strategically located facility will enable Highfield Boats USA to efficiently deliver turn-key RIBs to its dealer partners and customers across North America. The facility is already operational.

“We are thrilled to take advantage of this opportunity to open a centrally located U.S. facility,” says Christophe Lavigne, president of Highfield Boats USA.

For the upcoming 2024 model year, Highfield will introduce a series of new models, including an expanded line of Sport RIBs and the launch of a new series of electric boats.

For more info, visit HIGHFIELDNORTHAMERICA.COM.

Great Lakes Surf Festival Returns to Muskegon

On August 12, the popular Great Lakes Surf Festival returns to Pere Marquette Beach in Muskegon, Michigan.

For 2023, event-goers will be able to learn how to surf and paddleboard, and practice yoga directly on the beach. There will also be music, food and a raffle. Several surfboards and paddleboards will be given away, along with a surfing trip for two to Costa Rica’s Witch’s Rock Surf Camp located in Tamarindo, Cost Rica.

The festival is in conjunction with Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Tommy’s Boats, which will be making artificial gentle waves to simulate small ocean waves. These conditions will be ideal for those seeking a gentle way to learn a variety of board sports.

“We are excited to see the Great Lakes Surf Festival grow and to have the support from our sponsors, the surf and paddleboard industry, and our amazing community,” says event co-founder Joe Bidawid. “We have one of the most beautiful venue locations on the Great Lakes, in Pere Marquette Beach, and we encourage anyone interested in a fun and familyfriendly beach day to come out and join us”

Find more information at GREATLAKESSURFFESTIVAL.COM.

Onekama Marine Celebrates 60 Years

What began as a dream for Walter and James Mrozinski in 1963 has since become a thriving family business. Now in the third generation of ownership, Onekama Marine — based in Onekama, Michigan, on Portage Lake, which connects to Lake Michigan — had humble beginnings.

“When my grandpa and my dad started the business, only a small mechanical building and a dock existed on the property,” says President Matt Mrozinski.

Through hard work and a focus on service the Mrozinski family turned Onekama Marine into the multifaceted company it is today. Onekama Marine offers comprehensive sales and service experience. Its current Michigan facilities include marinas located in Onekama and Manistee and a sales facility, Lake Michigan Yacht Sales, located in Bay Harbor.

“We want to offer everyone a seamless experience from the first day they dream of becoming a boater and beyond. We hope to build relationships that last as our customers become seasoned and fall in love with boating.” Mrozinski says.

Onekama Marine offers everything from Riviera, Belize, Four Winns, Wellcraft and Tahoe Pontoons to an inventory of used boats.

For more information, visit ONEKAMAMARINE.COM.

BOATS

Maritimo Launches New S75 Sedan Motor Yacht

The new S75 Sedan Motor Yacht delivers Maritimo pedigree and performance in a sleek, graceful package with a commanding presence.

“The global launch of the S75 heralds the start of Maritmo’s 20th Anniversary celebrations,” says Tom Barry-Cotter, managing director of Maritimo. “And what could be more fitting in our 20th year than releasing this grand vessel? The S75 is the epitome of everything that is Maritimo.”

Onboard, space and style define this new model. A large forward outdoor lounge incorporates a free-standing sun bed and forward-facing lounge, while the large rear Adventure Deck offers loads of space for your favorite water and boating activities.

The upper cockpit deck and alfresco lounging area offers full protection when needed, thanks to an extended hardtop. Indoors, a well-designed galley delivers function and style with loads of storage, while the salon’s expansive windows offer views from all sides.

Below deck, a spacious primary stateroom and ensuite and additional forward and starboard staterooms offer space and comfort for all aboard.

To learn more, visit MARITIMOAMERICAS.COM.

EVENTS

Save the Date: VanderLeek Cup Hospice Regatta

Don’t miss this year’s VanderLeek Cup Hospice Regatta on August 19, sponsored by Fortress Stabilization Systems. Started in 2007 as a sailing race to honor the late Paul VanderLeek, this event has grown to become Hospice of Holland’s largest annual fundraiser. Hosted by the Yacht Basin Marina and Macatawa Bay Yacht Club in Holland, Michigan, the day’s festivities include a sailboat race, a dinghy poker run, a catered dinner, live entertainment, raffles, live and silent auctions, and more.

The day begins with a skipper’s breakfast, a sailing race, and an ice cream social following the race. Later in the day is the Dinghy Poker Run, followed by the Boat Barn Party, the most highly attended portion of the day. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. and include a catered dinner from Donkey Taqueria, auctions, raffles, drinks and dancing. Tickets are $45 per person for dinner and admission and $25 for general admission only. Dinner tickets are limited.

All proceeds for this event go to fund Hospice of Holland’s programs and services.

For more information, visit VANDERLEEKCUP.COM.

GoBoat 2.0 Havana

With a unique circular shape, GoBoat combines the best of a paddleboard, kayak and powered boat into one unique, affordable package. This PWC is easily portable, deflates into a carry bag, weighs only 57 pounds, includes a detachable seat and an electric trolling motor that cruises at 5 mph, and is made of a durable, proprietary AirCore composite. Batteries not included. Also available in a 55-inch Mini model for kids. $1,076 AT GOBOAT.COM

GREAT GEAR

Lake Erie Lighthouse Sweatshirt

Show off your love for Great Lakes lighthouses with this soft and cozy sweatshirt, which prominently showcases the popular Marblehead Lighthouse located in Marblehead, Ohio. Features a crewneck collar with an overall relaxed fit that’s available in standard unisex sizes. Made in the U.S. and screen-printed in Ohio. $59.95 AT WHEREIMFROM.COM

BOTE Breeze Aero SUP

Great for first-time SUPers, the BOTE Breeze Aero is an extremely lightweight (only 20 pounds!), inflatable stand-up paddleboard that provides endless on-water fun. Crafted with AeroULTRA technology (military-grade, single-layer PVC), the hull of the Breeze is durable and rigid once inflated. It’s now available with MAGNEPOD, a magnetic base that makes securing your BOTE magnetic accessories a snap. Purchase comes with paddleboard, paddle, removable center fin, repair kit, hand pump and travel bag. Available in three styles and two sizes (10'8" and 11'6"). $699 (10'8") AT BOTEBOARD.COM

ECOXGEAR ExtremeTower Battery-Powered Tower Speaker

Meet the marine industry’s first lithium-ion battery-powered marine tower speakers. Features a quick-release 360-degree rotating mount (patent pending) that allows users to effortlessly transition their speakers from the boat to the beach in a matter of seconds. The speakers also showcase SoundExtreme’s exclusive integrated customizable LED technology known as LEDcast. Built with IPX7 patented waterproof technology and available in white or black.

FROM $599 - $1,199 AT WESTMARINE.COM

Tactacam Solo Xtreme POV Camera

SRD20 Graphene Ceramic Spray Protectant

Infused with nanotechnology, SRD20 provides the best protection — and shine — for your boat. Outperforming traditional waxes, spray ceramic polymers and sealants, SRD20’s advanced liquid formulation allows it to be easily applied. Simply spray it on, spread it evenly with an applicator pad or folded microfiber, let flash, and buff dry to leave behind a protective ceramic coating that lasts for months — no hard buffing or machines required. It can be used on all parts of the hull, above or below deck, and can even be applied in full sun. $33.99 AT SRD20.COM

Capture any onwater adventures with the easy-to-use Solo Xtreme camera. The camera takes videos in Wide Quad HD, 1080p 60fps, offers customizable modes and is compatible with the Tactacam remote. Also features 8X zoom, image stabilization, one-touch operation and a waterproof (up to 30 feet) design. An optional ultrawide lens ($24.99) screws onto the front of the camera, providing users with an even wider view. $199.99 AT TACTACAM.COM

Boaters strive to be as self-reliant as possible on the water, but often fail to employ the same philosophy of preparedness while trailering, launching and retrieving their vessel. Here’s a look at some common boat trailer issues, along with tips on how to keep them from ruining your boating day.

In the driveway

It’s a beautiful day to go boating. After backing up to the trailer, you grab the trailer jack handle to lift up the hitch and it breaks off in your hand (or the mechanism is rusted solid and inoperative). If this happens, you can use your vehicle jack to help lift the trailer into position. Simply place the jack beneath a sturdy section of the tongue or frame (as near as possible to the center behind the trailer jack) and crank away. If your vehicle jack doesn’t have enough reach to lift the trailer tongue to the correct height, use a couple of wood blocks to extend its reach.

Once the trailer is connected, you pull out of the driveway and notice the trailer is bouncing and the left tire is dragging. The likely cause of this is a stuck brake, a common issue resulting from corrosion. Nonplussed, you grab a small mallet and give the offending wheel a few whacks, which dislodges the rust and frees the brake. Another trick is to back up a few feet, brake hard, then pull forward and brake hard — doing this a couple of times may also get you rolling again. Another possible temporary fix is spraying the rotors with WD-40, which will hopefully let you limp along until you can find a nearby repair shop. If you chose to do this, be sure to stop often to let the brakes cool down (so as not to burn out the rotors or drums).

On the road

You finally make it to the open road, but quickly notice the trailer has a tendency to fishtail at highway speeds, particularly when passed by a larger vehicle. Fishtailing is a sideways, seesawing motion typically caused by improper weight distribution, either from equipment loaded in the boat or from a trailer that is not properly adjusted for the boat /load itself.

If swaying occurs, steady the steering wheel, gradually reduce speed and (if an option) apply only the trailer brakes. What you don’t want to do is increase speed, attempt to steer out of a sway situation, or slam on the brakes (which could cause jackknifing).

The Trouble With Trailers

How to deal with common boat trailer issues.

Fishtailing can typically be corrected by adjusting the weight distribution of your tow. As a general rule, roughly 60% of the boat’s weight should be located on the front half of the trailer, with 10 % of the total weight of the tow (boat, motor, gear) on the trailer hitch.

At the ramp

You make it to the ramp, launch your boat and finally get out to enjoy that day on the water. While heading back to the ramp, you look back over the day’s events and wonder what else could go wrong — unfortunately, you’re about to find out.

As the ramp comes into view, the engine begins to sputter and stall. A stiff wind also springs up on your beam threatening to blow you down on those jagged rocks should the engine quit as you approach the ramp. Thinking quickly, you cleat off a ski rope near the bow and lead it under the railing back to the helm. As you approach the ramp, the engine does indeed die, and you quickly toss the ski rope to a good Samaritan on the dock, who then safely pulls you in.

After backing the trailer down the ramp, you begin pulling out the winch strap to help load the boat and the strap breaks where it’s attached to that rusty hook eyelet. If the webbing is strong and in otherwise good shape, you can tie it to the hook (if undamaged) or directly to the bow eye using a bowline or similarly strong knot. If the remainder of the webbing is unusable due to condition or length, a tow line, trailer securing strap or length of nylon rope will also work.

You’re finally able to reattach the hook with a bowline and winch your boat onto the trailer. But wait, there’s one last obstacle to surmount before the day is done. After hopping into Ol’ Blue and throwing her into drive, you hear the whir of spinning tires. If the ramp is slick due to exposed algae, place a traction matt or bucket of coarse sand beneath the tires to help increase traction. Another option is adding weight over the rear tires.

If you have a tow strap, attach it to the front of your truck and ask that good Samaritan to give you a little tow assist. Like spotting someone when weight lifting, it doesn’t take much assistance to make a big difference. Worst case, you may have to unload the boat from the trailer to get up and out. You should have no issue getting up the ramp once the boat is off the trailer. ★

FRANK LANIER

PHOTOS BY CAPT. FRANK LANIER

If unable to retrieve your boat due to a slippery ramp, you may have to unload and try a different ramp or ask for “spotter” assistance.

Always ensure the trailer safety chain is attached prior to hitting the road.

Check the condition of your winch strap regularly to head off failure.

Have an action plan in place should problems arise when departing or returning to the dock.

CAPT. FRANK LANIER is an award-winning journalist, boat maintenance guru and owner of Capt F.K. Lanier & Associates, Marine Surveyors and Consultants. Check out his new YouTube channel “Everything Boats with Capt Frank Lanier.” CAPTFKLANIER.COM.

Focus on the Fish

A look at today’s advanced trolling motors.

Gone are the days of steering with your knee at the boat’s bow or sitting with your fishing pole in one hand and the trolling motor’s tiller in the other. Today’s trolling motors are almost like having a second captain onboard, taking you exactly to where you want to go and allowing you to concentrate on getting that lure in just the right spot.

Manufacturers such as Motorguide, Minn Kota, Rhodan, Power Pole, Garmin and Lowrance all make trolling motors that will make your days fishing even more enjoyable and productive. If you are shopping for a trolling motor, there are a few things to consider.

Power match

Matching the power of the trolling motor to your particular boat is extremely important. The more power or thrust the trolling motor has, the larger the battery bank you need to drive it. The 12V systems typically in the 50-pound thrust category only require a single battery, whereas those in the 80-pound thrust range require a 24V system, and those in the 100-pluspound thrust category require a 36V system.

With the advent of lithium batteries, there are now single-battery options in 24V and 36V. They are a great option for reducing weight and wiring complications, but they can be quite expensive. While most trolling motors are voltage specific, some such as Power Poles’ new MOVE and MOVE ZR trolling motors are both 24V- and 36V-capable.

You also want to ensure your trolling motor’s shaft length is sufficient to keep the propeller in the water, even in choppy conditions where the bow may be rising and falling (for bow-mounted trolling motors).

Drop anchor

Next, consider the technology you want in your trolling motor. One of the most popular features of trolling motors these days is the spot lock or spot anchor feature. This utilizes a GPS and heading sensor, allowing the bow-mounted trolling motor to keep the boat in a specific spot, acting like a virtual anchor. This feature alone has increased the popularity of having a new trolling motor onboard and explains why you can now see trolling motors not only on smaller fishing boats but also on the bows of some large multi-engine center consoles.

The advantages of this feature are obvious while fishing and are worth the added cost. This virtual

anchor works well, even in windy conditions and in current. The GPS constantly updates the motor, automatically adjusting thrust and direction to keep you in position. Many consider this a must-have, and some only have a trolling motor for this purpose.

Autopilot

Some modern trolling motors also include features similar to autopilot. These include heading automatically to a selected waypoint, running a pre-determined route, and even following a specific depth range. When combined with the right chartplotter, some models even have the ability to approach a waypoint and stay a certain distance from it in anchor lock mode so as not to spook fish that may be on that structure.

These features are all accomplished by interfacing with onboard chartplotters and relaying information from the display to the trolling motor. Some models will work better and interface easier with certain manufacturers’ displays. Utilizing a Lowrance Ghost trolling motor with Lowrance chartplotters and fish finders or a Garmin Force trolling motor with Garmin displays will interface and share features potentially easier than mixing brands. That is not to say that connecting a Motorguide or a Minn Kota Ulterra or Terrova to any brand of display that will interface doesn’t produce more than satisfactory results. They are designed and built to work well with all NMEA 2000-compatible displays. The key is to look for a motor that can accomplish what you want while interfacing with the displays you have onboard.

Wireless control

Many of these newer trolling motors have wireless controllers and high-tech foot controllers. These can come in the form of wireless fobs that can be worn on a lanyard and even wireless foot controls. Some foot controls, such as the Lowrance Ghost, have programmable buttons for features such as anchor lock. Some of the new Power Pole Move trolling motors even come with wireless foot control switches separate from the standard foot controller and allow placement anywhere onboard. If you are moving up from a cable-controlled foot control, the models from Garmin, Lowrance and Power Pole have all been engineered to have a feel and responsiveness similar to cable controls, creating a shallow learning curve. ★

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 .

The Lowrance Ghost Trolling Motor

Power Pole’s new MOVE Trolling Motors

Keep On Rolling

Trailer tire maintenance.

Since I live close to the water, it’s not uncommon to see trailered boats in a distressed situation at the dock or on the road. The latest one I witnessed was of an oversized boat sitting on a multiple-axle trailer in a parking lot, leaning precariously close to the pavement with two flat tires side-by-side. Was the boat extra heavy on one side? Were the tires bald, had worn tread or dry-rotted? Was the air pressure not at its maximum PSI? A seasoned boater would have known to check things out before trailering it any distance.

Believe it or not, flat tires are the No. 1 reason for requiring trailer assistance, and most failures are caused by insufficient tire pressure — a small thing to rectify. The tire size and type of tire used will determine the trailer’s load capacity and the amount of stress the leaf springs are able to withstand. Ultimately, the right tires are crucial for getting your boat safely to and from your water destination.

Tire basics

Extensive information is provided along the sidewall of each tire as a series of letters and numbers. Trailer tires should not be regular light truck or small engine types. Instead, they should be special trailer tires labeled with “ST.” These have stronger cords and stiffer sidewalls.

Tire cords are tubes of polyester and nylon or possibly steel (as in “steel-belted radials”) that reinforce the strength and stability for a smoother ride. If they pop out, the tire is useless.

Sidewalls keep the tire’s internal components in place and provide lateral stability for the trailer if the tires are inflated uniformly and to the correct pressure.

The sidewall shows the manufacturer’s name, a four-digit number for the week and year of production, tire width, the ratio of height to width and wheel diameter. “D” is for “Bias ply,” and “R” means “radial.”

Radial tires are more expensive but are the best for resisting heat buildup, and offer a greater load capacity, a softer ride and better fuel efficiency, especially for long-distance trailering. All the tires should be the same size and type appropriate for the trailer.

Inspection

Check the tires often for wear, flat spots, balding and side cracks caused by dry rot; even long-term sun exposure affects tires. Since small tires rotate more, uneven wear from extra weight, bent

axles and under-inflation happen more often.

Test for good tread by placing a penny inserted upside down in the groove. If you see Lincoln’s head, the tire needs replacing. Further, the National Transportation Safety Board recommends replacing tires more than six years old.

Most tires have a running speed of 65 mph — any faster, and the load capacity is reduced by 10%. Lastly, never run on flat tires — it could destroy the wheelbase.

Pressure

Radial tires need inflation to the maximum PSI, as listed on the sidewall. Check the tires before and after traveling long distances because road heat, friction and weather conditions may increase tire pressure above the suggested safe limit.

Sometimes the valve stem will lose air; press against it and listen for noise. Even during long-term storage, tires may lose pressure.

Maintenance

Trailers may not come with a spare tire, yet carrying one that matches the others with the correct pressure is prudent. It should be readily available, checked often for usability and stored vertically. If it’s been used, replace it with a new one.

Keep a toolbox equipped with a lug wrench, extra grease for the bearings, and a jack to fix a flat. Don’t forget a tire gauge and an emergency can of air. Before getting on the road, tighten the lug nuts with the proper foot-pounds of torque indicated by the manufacturer and tighten them every 50-100 miles.

Care

Tire treads are important to divert water away from the road’s surface, grip the road and stabilize the trailer’s movement. Treads pick up rocks, screws, sticks, broken glass and other small objects, inhibiting the tires’ effectiveness or causing a flat. Sidewalls are weakened by dry rot or scraping them against objects as the trailer moves. Where plugs might repair a flat tire, they can’t be used on sidewalls.

After washing the boat and trailer, rinse the tires, inspect the tread and sidewalls, and remove any debris. 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. Her website is HELEN AITKENWRITER.COM

SURFACE

BY HEATHER STEINBERGER

Turn Your Road Trip Into a Land Cruise

Eight destinations for extra fun and adventure this summer.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw Lake McConaughy. It shimmered like a cool blue eye in the blistering prairie heat.

Boats dotted the vast expanse of water behind the Kingsley Dam, and on the distant shore, white-sand beaches teemed with water toys, campers and countless summer merrymakers. I had no idea such magic existed just a few miles north of Ogallala, Nebraska — a familiar waypoint for those traveling Interstate 80 between Omaha and Denver.

In a lifetime of summer road tripping, I’ve visited many of America’s inland lake destinations. Some are well-known hotspots, others are hidden gems, and they’re all worth visiting.

Here are eight of my favorites on or near major road trip routes. All lie within easy reach of the Interstate highway system, which means that summer road trip easily can turn into a land cruise. So hitch up your boat, budget a little extra time, and add a new dimension of fun and adventure to your boating life.

Road trip to the Rocky Mountains

■ What: Lake McConaughy 1

■ Where: 9 miles north of I-80 and the city of Ogallala, Nebraska, just northeast of the Colorado border. Fed by the North Platte River and tucked against the southern edge of the Nebraska Sandhills (designated a National Natural Landmark in 1984), this 22-mile-long, 4-mile-wide reservoir affectionately known as “Big Mac” offers nearly 36,000 acres of surface water and 76 miles of shoreline. This is an unexpected Great Plains watersports mecca, with 15 public boat ramps, fishing guide services, professional parasailing and kiteboarding operators, and PWC rentals. Visitors can take advantage of a variety of lodging options near the lake, from state and private campgrounds to house and RV rentals. You also can book a hotel room near I-80 in Ogallala; it’s a short drive to the lake.

Road trip to the Black Hills

What: Lake Oahe 2

Where: Between I-90 in South Dakota and I-94 in North Dakota, stretching between the state capitals of Pierre and Bismarck. At Lake Oahe, the country’s fourth-largest

reservoir, you can explore the same remote country that challenged Louis and Clark; fish for walleye, pike and smallmouth bass; and even plan a multiple-day adventure. The 231-mile-long lake has 2,250 miles of shoreline and offers a whopping 51 recreation areas, with opportunities for camping, hiking, biking, swimming and watersports.

A great place to start is Spring Creek Resort & Deep Water Marina (pictured), which has transient slips and a launch ramp. Additional ramps dot the lakeshore. Just be aware of the weather forecast; summer storms on the prairie are no joke.

Road trip to the Pacific Coast

■ What: Great Salt Lake 3

■ Where: Adjacent to I-80 in northwestern Utah.

At 75 miles long and 35 miles across at its widest point, the Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River and the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. It sits at an altitude of 4,200 feet.

Boating is year-round here (with 5-27% salinity, the lake never freezes). You can explore Antelope Island State Park, with its resident populations of bison, mule deer, pronghorn and bighorn sheep; amenities include a marina, a restaurant, horseback riding, camping and both mountain biking and hiking trails.

Also, check out Fremont Island, which is now under public ownership. It features a wild-horse preserve, petroglyphs, homestead ruins and a cross carved by 19th-century explorer Kit Carson.

Road trip to the Northeast

■ What: Finger Lakes 4

■ Where: South of I-90, in a triangle between Syra cuse, Rochester and Elmira-Corning, New York.

In this triangle, 11 glacial lakes offer roughly 134,000 acres of pristine waterways to explore. Cayuga and Seneca lakes are among the deepest in the country at 435 and 618 feet, and they’re nearly 40 miles long.

Take advantage of mountain biking, hiking, camping, rock climbing, paddling, whitewater rafting, golf and the area’s rich wine country. Fish for trout and salmon in the deep, cold-water lakes and bass, walleye, perch, pike, musky and panfish in the warm-water ones. Add the amusement and water parks to your bucket list, and don’t forget your camera — the region is dotted with gorges, overlooks and waterfalls.

■ Where: Lake George 5

■ Where: Along I-87 at the base of New York’s Adirondack Mountains.

Long, narrow Lake George drains northward into Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River. Fondly called “The Queen of the American Lakes,” it stretches from the town of Lake George in the south to Ticonderoga in the north.

Three miles wide and 32 miles long, this glacial lake is known for its old-growth forests and some of the best recreational boating in the Northeast. It also features a two-story fishery. You’ll find salmon and lake trout at the 50- to 180-foot levels, and pike and bass in the shallows. What’s more, you’ll find a network of hiking trails that runs more than 50 miles.

Road trip through the South

■ What: Lake of the Ozarks 6

■ Where: Central Missouri, reachable from I-70 and I-44.

This 55,000-acre lake is often called “The Magic Dragon” due to its 1,200 miles of shoreline and four labyrinthine arms. Start your adventure at Big Thunder Marine’s Ozark Yacht Club in Jennings Branch Cove, near the Bagnell Dam Strip and its many shops, restaurants and attractions.

The marina has covered and open-dock slips, plus a fuel dock, pump-out station, cafe, ship’s store and clubhouse. While you’re there, go waterskiing, wakeboarding or tubing; drop the hook for swimming and sunbathing; or fish for bass, catfish, walleye and bluegill.

You’ll also want to visit the Horny Toad Entertainment Complex at Camden on the Lake, known for its nightlife. Other memorable waypoints include Coconuts Caribbean Bar & Grill in Gravois Mills and Lake Ozark’s Lodge of the Four Seasons.

■ What: Lake Cumberland 7

■ Where: 70 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky, between I-65 and I-75.

At full pool, this reservoir offers more than 1,200 miles of federally protected shoreline and more than 63,000 acres of surface water. While it’s considered to be the country’s No. 1 destination for houseboating — more than 1,500 ply its waters — it’s also perfect for camping, hiking, resort vacations and every type of watersport imaginable.

The lake hosts the Lake Cumberland Thunder Run in June and the Lake Cumberland Poker Run in September, is home to two Kentucky State Parks and is a major fishing hotspot, renowned for its striped bass (especially the state record 58-pounder, caught in 1985). Just don’t forget about all the trout, sauger, walleye, sturgeon, crappie, bluegill and catfish.

■ What: Lake Lanier 8

■ Where: 30 miles northeast of Atlanta city limits, between I-75 and I-85.

Lake Lanier lies just northeast of the booming Atlanta metro area, and it’s a perfect stopover for those bound for Florida. Unsurprisingly, this hotspot receives more than 7.5 million visitors each year.

Home to two of the largest freshwater marinas in the world, Holiday Marina in Buford and Aqualand Marina near Flowery Branch, this 38,000-acre reservoir has 692 miles of shoreline at normal water levels, as well as 10 marinas, 90 parks (23 include swim beaches), and approximately 50 public launch ramps.

Host of the 1996 Summer Olympics’ rowing and sprint canoeing events, the lake has an active canoe and kayak club, a thriving sailing community, and plenty of opportunities for anglers to catch bass, black crappie and walleye. Then there are the public parks, shoreside restaurants and memorable destinations like the 1,200-acre Lanier Islands (don’t miss the water slides at Margaritaville). ★

HEATHER STEINBERGER is an award-winning writer/editor who has specialized in boating, travel and outdoor adventure for more than 25 years.

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 33'8"

Beam: 10'

Draft: 13.5"

Dry Weight: 11,787 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 230 gals.

Water Capacity: 31 gals.

Std. Power: 2 X Mercury

Verado 300

Base MSRP: $599,890

CHRISCRAFT.COM

DEALERS

Buckeye Sports Center

BUCKEYESPORTSCENTER.COM

CenterPointe

Yacht Services

CENTERPOINTESERVICE.COM

Gage Marine GAGEBOATS.COM

Tower Marine Boat Sales

TOWERMARINE BOATSALES.COM

Walstrom Marine

WALSTROM.COM

Chris-Craft Calypso 32

The new classic.

There are few names in American boatbuilding that have the cache of Chris-Craft. Founded in Algonac, Michigan, way back in 1874, the builder has been turning out iconic vessels for a century and a half, and has become synonymous with on-the-water style, attention to detail and high build quality.

The builder’s latest release is the Calypso 32. That boat sits towards the upper end of the Calypso line, which also includes a 24, 27, 30 and 35. The 32 has sleek and classic lines featuring a gently undulating sheerline that makes this boat instantly recognizable from afar. Powered by standard twin 300-hp Mercury Verados, the 32 has more than enough giddyup to get you to your favorite sandbar or dockside watering hole in no time. A sturdy inward-opening dive door makes for easy access into and out of the water — great for watersports. Rod holders and a transom

livewell mean this boat is also an agreeable platform for anglers. A wide-open cockpit has enough space for reeling in fish and also for just simply hanging out, thanks to a portside aft-facing lounge chair.

An amidships Kenyon cooktop and sink sit atop an Isotherm refrigerator, handling the brunt of the entertaining duties on this vessel. A dual-console setup at the helm means that the captain is well protected from the elements and also never lonely thanks to the companion seating to port. The boat has Chris-Craft’s signature bow lounge — an excellent place to relax while underway or on the hook, and a design feature that greatly increases this boat’s ability to host a party in style.

With well-thought-out design and top-tier styling, the Calypso 32 is a worthy boat to carry on the Chris-Craft name. ★

Stingray 253CC

The do-everything boat.

Stingray Boats may build its products in small-town South Carolina, but the builder’s name rings out worldwide.

“We have a big presence on the East Coast and in the Great Lakes, of course,” says Drew Gantt, the company’s director of engineering, “but we have boats anywhere you can think of. We even have a few on the Nile.”

Stingray’s latest offering is the 253CC, a 25-foot center console that offers boaters a lot to like. Most Stingrays are cruising vessels first, but the 253CC is a bit different in that it was built to cruise and fish equally.

“People think of us as a builder of family boats, which we are, but you can definitely fish this model,” says Gantt.

He then proceeded to tick off a number of fishy features that would make any angler smile. The 253 has an optional trolling motor harness in

the bow, twin macerated fishboxes in the cockpit sole and a 20-gallon livewell. There’s also a small bow lounge up front and flip-down seating at the transom, meaning the 253CC can comfortably carry a relatively large group of people.

Underway, the Stingray is a treat. With twin 150-hp Yamahas the boat has a 48 mph top end. And with soon-to-come 200-hp engines, she will do close to 54 mph, according to Gantt.

“We are also really proud of our fuel-burn numbers,” he says. “At 30 mph this boat burns 2.5 mpg at cruise, loaded. It’s a function of our patented hull design. We call it a Z Plane; it’s got variable deadrise with running strakes angled in a Z-type pattern that creates lift without drag.”

With fishing and cruising bona fides like these, it’s no wonder that Stingray boats find a home wherever they may roam. ★

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 25'3"

Beam: 9'1"

Max Draft: 18"

Weight (w/ 2 X 200 hp engines): 5,600 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 128 gals.

Water Capacity: 13 gals.

Max Power: 2 X 200 hp

MSRP (w/ 2 X Suzuki DF150): $143,234

STINGRAYBOATS.COM

DEALERS

Visit STINGRAYBOATS.COM to find your local dealer.

Nimbus Weekender W9 by

PlueddemanCharles

Born on e Baltic.

It takes just a quick look at the 30-foot, 8-inch Nimbus Weekender W9 to guess that this interesting walk-around cuddy was not conceived in North America. The cold, open waters and high fuel prices of its native Sweden, and the value of utility and quality to the Swedish culture, influence a design created by the largest boat manufacturer in Scandinavia. For example, American boat brands often tout a level sole from transom through the cockpit to facilitate movement through the boat. So of course, I tripped when stepping from the starboard walkway of the W9 to her cockpit because I was not expecting there to be a sill to step over. The sill is intended to divert water from the walkway away from the cockpit, just one design requirement of the CE Class B Ocean certification the W9 has earned.

Classy yet stout

Nimbus boats have been available in North America, but each example was imported by the dealer. Nimbus Boats USA was created in 2022 to facilitate a more efficient importation and to support a growing dealer network in the United States. This W9 model shares its 9.35-meter double-step hull with T9 Tender center console and C9 Commuter pilot house models. The W9 Weekender we ran out of CenterPoint Yacht Services in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is intended to be a family dayboat, with a cabin suitable for a quick overnight or tired children, a cockpit galley and seating area, and a large foredeck lounge — an alternative to cabin-less center consoles or walk-around cuddy models designed primarily for angling. The 9 Series is manufactured in Poland of hand-laid fiberglass cored throughout with Divinycell PVC rigid foam. In the U.S. market, the W9 will only be offered with a single Mercury Verado outboard from 250 to 350 hp.

The outboard is flanked by a pair of 5-foot-deep boarding/ swim platforms, with a 1-foot walkway forward the motorwell for easy movement from side to side. The hull sides extend along the platforms, with just enough left open aft for a step from the dock. This securely encloses the platform area and makes space for a stowage bin in the gunwale of each that will hold both lines and fenders. The burly latches on the lids, the boarding ladder with grabrail and the massive 10-inch cleats set the tone for a boat that appears and feels stout throughout.

The cockpit is designed for sit-down conversation and dining, with an L-shape couch wrapped to port and elbow room for four adults at a solid teak table that pivots and folds to ease movement forward. The aft seat backrest folds down to create a sun lounge. In Europe, this is often used as a second berth. There’s a large lift-out molded dock box below this seat. In the finished bilge below the dock box are three batteries, the fuel filter, and the Mastervolt ChargeMaster, which is a component of optional shorepower. The rigging here is expertly detailed. The table pedestal is mounted to another hatch to access the optional Isotherm water heater and 14.8-gallon freshwater tank. The hatch can be opened with the table in place.

A galley console forward to port contains a sink and space

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 30'8"

Beam: 9'8"

Weight: 6,173 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 84.5 gals.

Water Capacity: 14.8 gals.

Power (as tested): Mercury V8 Verado 300 outboard

Price (as tested): $281,951

NIMBUS.SE

for an optional propane cooktop, with a refrigerator below. Glass-sided drawers in the console are stocked with classy Nimbus monogrammed dinnerware, glasses and flatware.

Creature comforts

Nimbus pays special attention to helm ergonomics. Adjustable side-by-side seats feature deep side bolstering and flip-up bottoms. The dash has a very nice glare-free finish. Our boat was equipped with an optional 16-inch Simrad MFD plus a 4-inch Mercury VesselView display. Controls for the standard Zipwake Dynamic Trim interceptors and a bow thruster flank the wheel.

Glass-filled sail panels enclose the helm and galley areas, surrounded by a rather thick structure that curves gracefully and is designed to support the optional T-top that completely covers the cockpit and has a canvas sunroof opening.

It’s an easy step down past the sliding door to the cabin, which features 4 feet, 8 inches of headroom, a small closet and a very spacious double berth measuring more than 6 feet wide and long and a full 3 feet wide forward. The head compartment below the helm is a very bright space with overhead and side ports. A sink and ceramic head are standard. There is a rinsing shower at the swim platform. The cabin is trimmed with oak veneer, and the overhead is covered with a neat-looking molded composite cover.

View the W9 closely from the dock and realize that the deck is asymmetric — the house has been offset to port. This creates a 14-inch-wide main walkway to starboard and a 5-inch walkway to port. The large optional sunpad over the cabin may be the main lounging spot on the W9, and a foredeck sunshade is available if the boat is equipped with a T-top. A huge rode locker holds an optional windlass plus a pair of fenders, for which clips are provided.

Sea trial

A stiff chop greeted us on Sturgeon Bay — perfect conditions to judge the W9 ride. The running surface features a rather plum stem intended to stretch out the water line; it also enables that large rode locker, the wide forward berth and a pair of deep steps intended to aerate the hull and reduce drag. The 9-foot, 8-inch beam is rather narrow for a boat of this length, at least in the American market. It’s all designed to combine seaworthiness and a smooth, dry ride with optimized fuel economy. With auto interceptors and trim engaged, we were left to throttle and steer. Testing with a Mercury Verado 300, fuel economy was good at a relatively high speed, better than 2 mpg from 4500 to 5500 RPM and about 33 to 43 mph, for a range of about 160 miles. Top speed was about 46 mph. Overriding the Mercury Active Trim brought the bow down into the chop and smoothed out the ride. The boat carved some nice high-speed turns with no skipping or other awkward step-hull behavior. Enough air passes through the gap between the windshield frame and the T-top to keep the helm ventilated. The wide windshield pillars do sometimes obstruct the view forward from the helm.

Let’s close by raving about the absolutely outstanding fit and finish. Every component is top-notch and there’s not a rough edge, frayed seam, loose wire or wavey finish anywhere on this boat. The caulked seams in the cabin are an exercise in perfection. The attention to detail we can see bodes well for those details we cannot. This boat is a little quirky in a fun Scandinavian way. If you appreciate functional design and solid quality, check out the Nimbus W9. ★

Nimbus Weekender W9

CE Ocean rating means it must have solid construction, be self-bailing and be capable in cold, challenging Scandinavian conditions — perfect for our Great Lakes.

Single outboard power delivers good performance and reduces maintenance. Outstanding materials, components and fit-and-finish throughout.

Wide starboard walkway eases movement forward.

Bow rail should extend further aft; there’s a moment along the walkway when there’s nothing to grab. The cockpit feels a bit cramped compared to American day cruisers.

Blackfin 400CC r by

Capt Tom Serio

Taking the best and making it better

SIrewrote this article several times, unsure how to introduce this new boat. I started each by expounding on the success of Blackfin Boats, how Blackfin has delivered one tough yet exciting boat in its new 400CC (Center Console), how it does this by holding the line on its pedigree and by adding features not always found on other fishing boats. And not to mention that Blackfin is celebrating its 50th anniversary — kudos to its longevity. That’s all good information, but I was concerned that readers may see it as blah, blah, blah.

Let me break form and tell you how I really feel about the Blackfin 400CC after having seen it for the first time and being able to cruise the ocean for some speed numbers and hands-on operations.

My impression: WOW! — what a beautiful boat that is intelligently laid out, fun to drive and doesn’t mince the advertised words.

We all know there are a lot of boats out there that claim they can do it all. The trouble is, if you focus on doing it all, it can be hard to be doing one thing great. When looking at the Blackfin brand and checking out the models on its website, you can see that each model’s initial highlights are a bold claim: Each one excels at fishing, leaving everything else to be secondary. The new Blackfin flagship is the embodiment of what they do great.

Introduced earlier this year, the Blackfin 400CC has the lines that make it attractive, the fishing features to make it exciting and the power to get the adrenaline flowing.

I have the power

Bolted onto an extended platform are four 400-hp Mercury 5.7L V10 Verado outboards (max power is 1,600 hp). Those power plants can and will get you to the fishing grounds and back quickly. Not that you need to run wide open all the time, but it is nice to run at the head of the pack at 55 knots/63.3 mph, which, because of our conditions during our sea trial, was just short of Blackfin’s 70 mph performance data. At 4500 RPM, the 400CC jumps out of the water and propels like a rocket, offering 39.2 knots/45 mph with a fuel burn of 67.9 gph for all four motors combined. Pull back to 2500 RPM for a 24.9 gph burn and 10.8 knots/12.4 mph speed for better efficiency.

Supporting that speed is a Michael Peters Yacht Design deep hull (23-degree transom deadrise) with twin steps incorporated. Stepped hulls reduce wetted running surface as well as drag, improve fuel efficiency and enhance the trim angle.

Sit down and hold on

For your riding comfort, the 400CC comes with two rows of tiered seating. The forward row has a center helm seat (power adjusted) flanked by two more. The next row has three seats and is positioned a bit higher to see over the heads in front. All are heated, have footrests, are bolstered with lumbar support and include armrests. The second row has storage, USB charging ports, grabrails and drink holders. Anyone who has fished far offshore or had to buck big seas knows that comfort is key. Hey, let’s fight the fish and not the ride.

Additional seating is in the open bow along the forepeak with ample backrest cushioning. There is a forward console lounge with armrests and cupholders, perfect for days cruising with the family.

As a true center console fishing machine, the action can occur anywhere, so there are rod holders in the wide gunwale tops, padded coaming that rings the high gunwales and grabrails to keep you onboard. “Gunwale height runs from 27 inches aft to 38 inches fore with toe rails to aid in comfort,” explains Mason Cummings, Blackfin’s director of engineering.

Probably the coolest feature is the transom-mounted “rumble seat.” Affixed to the top of the transom over the baitwell, this seat

offers a unique perspective as it’s higher than a typical transom seat, has a very sturdy metal frame and a high, wraparound cushioned backrest. Mounting the seat on the transom results in more cockpit space. And the seat is on a slide bracket and can be turned around to face aft. It’s worth the price of admission.

Don’t worry about fumbling around with it to get at the bait. The middle of the seat cushion tilts up to access the well.

Fish on!

For the fishing aficionado, this rig is packed with what you need. You’ll run out of rods before you run out of rod holders as they are everywhere, including 14 in the hardtop frame alone. The 70-gallon aft baitwell, 30-gallon bow well, 160-gallon in-deck fishboxes and portside deck door are thoughtfully integrated.

An aft prep station does it all. It gives access to the hardtop or optional half tower. Flip the lid and there’s a huge prep area to rig lines, cut bait, store lures, hold tools — you get it. There’s more. Close that lid and flip up the next level of the station to reveal an electric grill, fiberglass sink and faucet, and can/bottle holders. Below are four storage drawers and twin pull-out 45-quart Yeti coolers on tracks. You can take that catch from sea to table in one swoop.

Operation of the 400CC is easy and ergonomically pleasing. The helm features twin 24-inch Garmin multifunction displays, banks of rocker switches mounted next to the screens and not across the dash (less likely for someone to hit and looks much cleaner), tilt steering, Zipwake trim control and throttle controls. The hardtop has space for electronics such as VHF radios and Mercury engine displays. And that hardtop is well sized and rock solid thanks to the powder-coated aluminum framing and integrated three-sided windshield unit.

Featured features

Forward of the helm is a roomy cabin with 6 feet, 2 inches of headroom, complete with a fill-in berth, rod storage, vessel sink (there’s a 4.5-gallon hot water heater), coffee maker, microwave, wine cooler and 22-inch TV. The head has a toilet with a teak seat, a vessel sink and a separate shower stall with a lighted shower head. With so many cabin amenities, it’s easy to be on the water all day and make the conversion to an evening dinner.

One other thing I like about the Blackfin 400CC, it comes chock full of standard items, including radar, FLIR and outriggers. More features include in-deck storage for dive tanks, aft door, storage all over, welded boarding ladder, double-stitched diamond patterns on upholstery, wireless charging and more.

Everything else mentioned comes with it, making the 400CC a real turn-key fishing platform. Oh, and it’s great for cruising too, if you’re into that.

Put the WOW! back in your life with the Blackfin 400CC. ★

Blackfin 400CC

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 42'8"

Beam: 12'

Weight (dry w/o engines): 20,000 lbs.

Draft (up/down): 2'8" / 3'3"

Fuel Capacity: 475 gals.

Water Capacity: 100 gals.

Power: 4 X Mercury V10 outboards

MSRP: Contact local dealer

BLACKFINBOATS.COM

16K BTU cabin AC is a real refresher.

Built-in steps on the sides of prep station to aid with boarding.

The transom-mounted “rumble seat.”

JL Stereo package with 10 speakers, four subwoofers. Would like to see a center grabrail on the forward lounge seat.

Watch the video at LAKELANDBOATING.COM!

Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer

DOUBLE DUTY. BY

CHUCK WARREN

With more than 60 years of history in its wake, Greenville, North Carolina-based boating icon Grady-White has built a stellar reputation on a foundation of quality, reliability, innovation and performance.

Whether you’re looking to fish close to shore for perch or walleye or want to run out to deep water chasing summer salmon, Grady-White has spent decades building generation after generation of tough but agile fishing vessels made to match every sportfishing desire.

The company also maintains one of the industry’s highest customer satisfaction levels through close relationships with its customers and dealers, and listening to what they have to say.

LEGENDARY FISHING MACHINE

While the boat builder has always been known for an uncompromising commitment to quality and craftsmanship, it might have been challenging to use a word like luxurious while describing a Grady-White in the past. Terms like tough, reliable and sturdy would have been far more fitting.

However, Grady-White’s new models regularly draw lasting looks from boaters with much less interest in fishing and more desire to purchase a single boat that can take on the fishing crew in the morning, get the kids out wakeboarding in the afternoon, and comfortably shuttle friends and family to the evening’s sunset cruise. Simply put: Grady-Whites are now luxury boats.

The Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer (CE) is not only capable of performing all of these tasks, but it has given up nothing to fit these needs. The 281 CE may offer pretty hull colors, underwater lighting and a ski arch, but it is every bit the legendary fishing machine as Grady-White models from previous decades.

SEE FOR MYSELF

I really wanted to see this boat for myself, so I took a ride down to Huron, Ohio, to meet Grady-White’s marketing pro, Katie Creech. Katie had lined up a test ride in the 2023 281 CE — courtesy of Grady-White dealer South Shore Marine.

At the Huron Boat Basin, South Shore Marine’s captain, Nick Elders, was waiting at the helm while we took in the boat’s

beautiful lines and striking, pale blue hull color. Look close and you’ll see a familiar profile that brings back memories of your grandparent’s Grady-White and the summer you spent at their lake house.

The 281 CE is built on Grady-White’s proprietary SeaV2 hull. Designed exclusively for Grady-White, the SeaV2 hull features — in Grady-White’s own words — a “continuously variable vee” hull that starts with a lesser degree of deadrise at the transom and gradually sharpens into a deep-V design at the bow, providing a soft, dry ride.

Although the 281 CE is available with a single Yamaha 425-hp engine, our test boat featured two Yamaha 300-hp outboards.

It seems easy to question the demand for a single-engine option, but the lone 425-hp outboard will push the 281 CE to a very respectable 50 mph wide-open while using less fuel to do it. Other benefits include a lower purchase price, weight savings and lower maintenance costs.

BUILT FOR FUN

Onboard, Grady-White’s world-renowned build quality is easy to see. So is the boat’s sportfishing lineage. Rod holders and rocket launchers are everywhere you look, while flush-mount cleats ring the boat. Two huge, 70-quart fishwells are hidden beneath the forward seating. An 18-gallon livewell waits at the transom while an optional 38-gallon livewell can be found in the back of the leaning post.

True to its nature, the 281 CE includes lots of accessories that make fishing more fun. Hidden tackle boxes fill cabinet drawers, a 296-quart cooler fits under the console, and there is plenty of rod storage in the gunnels.

But it’s equally easy to see that this boat was also built for comfort and fun. There is plenty of room to move around the boat, and passengers will find all kinds of extremely comfortable and innovative solutions waiting. Seatbacks swing to provide a wide variety of adjustments, easily converting benches into comfortable lounge seating.

At the helm, our test boat featured some popular options like Yamaha’s Helm Master EX joystick controls and twin

Garmin touchscreen displays. A door on the helm’s port side exposes a roomy head complete with a VacuFlush toilet.

The 281 CE is packed with creature comforts, but its best feature could be easily overlooked. With the touch of a button, several feet of hullside folds down to create the Sport Deck. The platform creates an extra swim platform, and the removable ladder with dedicated storage helps passengers get back onboard easily.

BONE-DRY RIDE

Whether rigged with the twin 300s or the single 425-hp engine, the 281 CE cruises at approximately 29 mph. However, at wide-open throttle, the twin 300s win out with a top speed of 57.5 mph — nearly an 8 mph advantage over the single 425.

Throttle up and the boat jumps out of the water with very little bow rise before quickly flattening out on plane. Grady-White’s SeaV2 provides terrific performance with tight, smooth turns, no skipping and a bone-dry ride.

This boat is a perfect example of a company’s ability to aim at and hit multiple targets. With the 281 CE, Grady-White has created a high-performance center console that can hunt big fish in the morning and tow wakeboarders all afternoon.

The bottom line is Grady-White built a boat capable of meeting a wide variety of wants and needs so that everyone can climb aboard and spend a great day on the water. Whether you are serious about fishing or serious about fun, the 2023 Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer can pull double duty and handle both tasks with ease. ★

GRADY-WHITE 281 CE

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 27'7"

Beam: 9'4"

Draft: 1'7"

Weight: 5,650 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 160 gals.

Water Capacity: 18 gals.

Max Power: 600 hp

MSRP: Contact dealer GRADYWHITE.COM

DEALERS

South Shore Marine SOUTHSHOREMARINE.COM

Demasdon’s Boat Works DESMASDONS.COM

Drummond Marine DRUMMONDMARINE.COM

Jerry’s Majestic Marine JERRYSMAJESTIC.COM

The Boat House BOATHOUSEH2O.COM

Roomy enclosed head. Huge storage space below forward center seat.

Would be nice to have dedicated step pads on gunnels for easier dockside boarding. Watch the video at LAKELANDBOATING.COM!

SPACE

OUT

Exploring Florida’s

Space Coast aboard a Manitou pontoon.

STORY BY HEATHER STEINBERGER

PHOTOS BY RICHARD STEINBERGER

IT WAS

OBVIOUS

we weren’t going to reach the Canaveral Lock before the storm hit. Angry purple clouds roiled the western sky, and with every passing minute, they seemed much closer.

We spun 180 degrees and pointed the Manitou Explore 22’s nose eastward. We slipped past Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, and then Carnival’s Liberty; both would be departing Port Canaveral soon, bound for the Bahamas and the lower latitudes.

Already, we could see newly embarked passengers buzzing along the decks. Some waved from balconies or windows as they saw us cruise past, far below their staterooms.

Just east of Liberty, we quickly tucked into the Freddie Patrick Park Boat Ramp basin and nestled the Manitou’s starboard bow against the top of the dock. Then we let the north wind, now blowing like stink, push our aft end backward.

In a matter of minutes, we were firmly secured to the dock, protected by Port Canaveral’s massive Terminal 3 to the west and the higher Jetty Park Campground to the east. Just in time, as the first raindrops began to fall.

I was helping my teenage daughter step onto the dock when I detected movement out of the corner of my eye. A green sea turtle glided to the surface, took a sip of air and paused, as if he too were waiting to see what the weather would do next.

We didn’t have to wait long. The heavens unleashed, and we dashed to the nearby Water’s Edge Cafe, grateful and laughing. There is no better way to experience a new place than by water, at the helm of your own ship.

Aboard a next-level pontoon

When we arrived at the Kelly Park East Boat Ramp earlier, we knew inclement weather was likely. It had been forecast for days with a massive low-pressure system churning offshore, so we were delighted to find a sparkling morning with clear skies and warm sunshine.

Our ride for the day was a 2023 Manitou Explore 22 MAX with the Switchback cockpit configuration. Before we put her in the water, I took a little extra time to get acquainted with her, because this pontoon boat is absolutely next-level.

Lansing, Michigan-based Manitou uses a proprietary manufacturing technique to form the cruising pontoon’s body with durable, curved aluminum wall panels. This allows stylish, ultramodern automotivestyle shaping without the extra weight that would come with traditional fiberglass and gelcoat construction. The panels also are easy to replace in the event of any damage — as easy as replacing a car bumper.

The Manitou Explore 22 is actually a tri-toon, with a deeper center sponson. I took advantage of the boat’s time on the trailer, ducking underneath to see the sponsons for myself. Its design utilizes what Manitou calls “V-Toon” technology. Each sponson’s reinforced nose cone is designed with a sharp leading edge, which provides a flatter, smoother ride.

This particular Manitou Explore 22 featured a Rotax S150 outboard engine, which is lighter than a traditional outboard and provides better torque. It’s also a stealth outboard, oriented horizontally. This allows you to enjoy the MAX Deck swim platform, which has a whopping 38 square feet of unobstructed space.

I’ve written articles in the past about the pros and cons of outboard-powered boats. While the Manitou Explore 22 is available

with a traditional outboard, the Rotax ensures that losing valuable real estate at the transom no longer needs to be part of the equation.

The MAX Deck made our Manitou a “22+4.” The 22 is cockpit length, while the extra 4 feet comes from that expansive swim platform.

In addition, our boat had a 12-foot Sport Bimini on a tubular aluminum arch, a rock-solid installation rated to 55 mph. Smoky panels in the arch maintain a sleek look without hindering visibility.

I noted the inviting Switchback loungers, which can face fore or aft; the comfortable, custom-molded cushions; the array of cupholders and USB outlets; impressive storage for water toys; and the woven cockpit flooring that is soft for bare feet and will stay cool on hot days. I also appreciated the Garmin touchscreen display with all digital switches and gauges, which definitely has an automotive feel.

The Manitou Explore 22 is made for luxurious day cruising, and I couldn’t wait to splash her.

Cruising the Banana River

Our first waypoint for the day was the Banana River, which actually isn’t a river at all; it’s a 31-mile brackish lagoon that lies between Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island on Florida’s east coast. Its northern reaches lie within Kennedy Space Center, and in the south, it merges with the Indian River Lagoon.

This rich ecosystem includes seagrass beds, mangroves, salt marshes, oyster bars and mudflats, and it’s laced with spoil islands from the dredging of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in 1951-1961. This is the place to be for boating, fishing (think: Snook, redfish and trout), bird- and wildlife-watching, hiking and camping.

We glided out of the boat ramp basin. With a wide-open expanse

of water ahead, I stood at the helm and throttled up. The Manitou Explore 22 smoothly rose onto plane, and with a slight trim adjustment, we were racing southward. Then I spun the wheel.

Instead of skittering and slapping through the turn, the Manitou dug in, performing like a traditional boat rather than a pontoon. Pleased, I pointed her northward into a freshening breeze.

That’s when two things became readily apparent. First, the Banana River has an average depth of about 4 feet; that means any wind will create significant chop. Second, the Banana River is a crabbing hotspot, and whitecaps make crabpot buoys much harder to see.

Our straight-line cruise was now more of a slalom exercise, but I was impressed with the Manitou’s beautiful handling. She was responsive, immediately carving turns as requested, and she gave us a flat, smooth ride despite the toothy chop.

We cruised underneath the Beachline Expressway, hoping to get a better view of Kennedy Space Center and the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building. Alas, we hit the Banana River’s “No Motor Zone.”

A disappointment, to be sure. But this is a good thing for space center security, and it provides a much-needed sanctuary for wildlife, including the resident manatee population.

So we turned back, and just before the Beachline bridge, we turned to port and entered the Canaveral Lock — the Banana River’s only outlet to the Atlantic. It operates from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week, monitors marine VHF radio channel 13, and is free for vessels drawing up to 12 feet.

Locking through

Opened in 1965, the Canaveral Lock is the largest navigation lock in Florida. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it was built larger than planned to allow passage of the Saturn rocket’s first stage; today, lock traffic still includes booster rockets.

I had never experienced a lock, so I was excited to see how this would work. The first thing I spotted was what appeared to be a massive black fence leading toward the lock itself. This is the fender system, which serves as a waiting room.

We approached with the fender system to starboard and pulled the throttle back to neutral, allowing the wind to push us in. We tied up to the helpfully placed cleats, unclipped our fenders from the LinQ System brackets on the rail to protect the Manitou in the lumpy, rolling water, and waited for the red light to turn green.

My daughter shouted and pointed. I caught the slap-slap of two tails as a pair of manatees rolled and disappeared beneath the surface, and then my husband called, “It’s opening!”

I turned back to see the lock’s west gate slowly open. A rush of water spilled through, to the dismay of a duck who immediately and unsuccessfully tried to swim upstream. (He was in no danger, as the normal maximum difference in water levels is just 3 to 4 feet.)

When the gate stopped moving, the light turned green. We motored slowly into the boxlike lock and tied up again to the fender system. After another wait-for-the-light exercise and a wave from the lock operator, we motored through the east gate to enter Port Canaveral.

It was like cruising into a different world. The water was different, turquoise rather than dark; almost immediately, three dolphins surfaced next to the Manitou with a whoosh. Then I looked up.

Exploring Port Canaveral

To port, in the West Basin, I could see Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas and the Disney Wish. Farther down, between the Middle and East basins, I could see Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas and Carnival’s Liberty. In between were the U.S. Naval Ship Waters, SpaceX operations, fishing charter outfits, marinas, boat repair and storage yards, and so much more.

This past spring, the Florida Ports Council announced that Port Canaveral is now the world’s busiest cruise port, with more than 4 million multi-day passengers setting sail in 2022. As it turns out, it’s also a thriving working port for a variety of other interests.

That means if you love boats, you’ll love being here.

All four cruise ships were scheduled to depart that afternoon, but at this hour of the morning, they sat quietly awaiting their scheduled passenger embarkation times. We cruised slowly past each behemoth, marveling at its sheer size. Many hundreds of balconies marched skyward. Windows and portholes gleamed, empty deck chairs lined the railings, and sky-scraping waterslides and movie screens promised happy days ahead. It was as if a collection of all-inclusive resorts had jumped into the water and decided to float.

Past the West Basin to port, we spotted the SpaceX logo on two workboats, the charmingly named Shannon and Doug. Shannon is a Dragon recovery ship, while Doug is used to retrieve reusable assets such as rocket boosters. In fact, we even spotted a recovered booster in the work yard near the boats.

As a Gen-Xer who watched the first space shuttle launch as a child, I felt a surge of excitement. This is where the magic happens, right here on Florida’s Space Coast. This is where a rocket can actually return to Earth, where X marks the spot.

It was hard to tear ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of port activity, but stomachs growled, and waterfront eateries beckoned. We pulled into Grills Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar for a hearty lunch amid a merrymaking crowd.

Unexpected treasures

I’m not quite sure exactly when the weather turned. When we placed our orders, I could gaze across the sunny docks to see a

sky dotted with puffy, white clouds. However, the sun had vanished by the time we paid the bill, and the wind howled.

The original plan was to make a run for the lock and make it back to the Kelly Park East ramp before all hell broke loose. That clearly wasn’t going to happen, so we quickly put together our Plan B.

As it turned out, landing at the ramp adjacent to Jetty Park couldn’t have happened at a better time. By now it was afternoon, and for two of the four cruise ships in port, it was go time.

Liberty pushed back first, followed by Independence of the Seas. The sideways downpour eased to a lighter rainfall, and the lightning danger had passed, so we walked to the water’s edge to see them off.

Music floated toward us from the top decks, where the formerly dark movie screens now proudly announced “Sail Away!” Despite the weather, crowds lined the railings, beaming and waving.

A shadow pulled my attention away. A manatee slowly glided into view, making a wide, lazy turn from the main channel into our little basin. He slid into the shadow of the dock.

As I scanned the water searching for him, I got a different surprise: Two green sea turtles, in no particular hurry, hovering in the shallows. Maybe our old companion brought a friend to see us.

I looked up to see the receding stern of Independence of the Seas. Perhaps the passengers were heading belowdecks to organize their warm, cozy staterooms, preparing for their first meal at sea and anticipating the ports of call to come.

Yet I didn’t feel envious. As thousands of them looked forward, I felt privileged to be immersed in this one place.

For so many, Port Canaveral is a jumping-off point. For us, it was a destination, one that gave us a more intimate experience than passing-through travelers will ever have. H

St.LawrenceRiver

by Maggie Steiss

AUSA Today’s 10 best readers choice named Clayton, New York, the “Best Small-Town Cultural Scene” in 2022 and it’s easy to see why. This town has so much to offer.

Originally a hunting ground for native tribes, Clayton was first settled by French explorers in the 1820s. Its first major industry was lumber. Shipbuilding was a natural extension of that industry and was needed to traverse the many waters surrounding this region. One popular boat that originated in the Thousand Islands region was the St. Lawrence Skiff, developed around 1868 and the boat of choice for fishing guides

of the time. Simon Johnston was one of the area’s prominent shipbuilders, whose home is now the popular Hops Spot eatery.

In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant came to visit American engineer and industrialist George Pullman at his home on Pullman Island. He was joined by a large entourage, including members of the press. The subsequent news stories sparked interest in the Thousand Islands. New hotels sprung up. The Clayton railway depot opened in 1873. Passengers came by steamboat and rail, launching just the beginning of Clayton as a tourist destination.

CLAYTON

Kingston

Lake Ontario

Oswego

Pulaski

If you like powerboats, shopping, restaurants and an abundance of stories filled with colorful characters and captivating history, then a visit to Clayton, New York, is in order.

Gone now, The Frontenac Hotel on Round Island was once a grand destination for the elite that came to the Thousand Islands during the Gilded Age. In 1898, tobacco king Charles Emery of Calumet Island purchased a controlling interest in the hotel. It was turned into one of the largest hotels in the country. It boasted a polo field and tennis courts, among other amenities. Unfortunately, in 1910, as Emery watched from his home on Calumet Island, it burned to the ground. Ironically the fire is believed to have started by a cigarette — the very product that had made Emery his fortune.

To learn more about the history of Clayton, visit the Thousand Islands Museum. It has displays of bygone eras, a library of books for research and a whole floor dedicated to duck decoys.

By water .

Perhaps the most special place in Clayton is the Antique Boat Museum (ABM), showcasing on-water treasures from birch bark canoes to racing boats in its spacious campus on the St. Lawrence River. It’s also home to La Duchesse. Built in 1903 by George Boldt and later owned by E.J. Nobel (inventor of Life Savers candy), followed by Andrew McNally, La Duchesse is a charming houseboat with a colorful history. As you tour her, you experience the elegance her illustrious owners and guests would have felt. This year marks La Duchesse’s 120th anniversary, as well as the 75th anniversary of Pardon Me, considered the world’s largest runabout.

The ABM doesn’t just have displays, they are also a hands-on museum with workshops, education programs, restorations, boating classes and several

annual events, like the popular Antique Boat Show & Auction in August. They offer boat rides and sunset cruises and are dedicated to celebrating and keeping alive the tradition of antique boats. One fun thing to do here is to take a speedboat ride, wind in your hair as you zip through the water, with a knowledgeable captain who will make several stops to tell you stories of the area. There is so much to this wonderful museum, make sure you allot plenty of time to take it all in.

When it comes to speed on the water, Clayton has a long history of racing. It’s highlighted in the Quest for Speed exhibit at the ABM. The tradition continues today with the annual 1000 Islands Charity Boat Poker Run.

Another way to hear the stories of Clayton and the area is to take a boat tour with Clayton Island Tours. I took the glass bottom boat tour to Rock Island Lighthouse, where we also saw a shipwreck and the submerged remains of the huge dock that serviced the Frontenac Hotel. The lighthouse is a bit of a climb — although easier than some that I have visited — but it’s definitely worth it.

The first Rock Island Lighthouse was built in 1847 and was mounted on the roof of the keeper’s house. In 1884, a new Victorian-style keeper’s house was built on the island and the lighthouse stood alone. Cows and chickens were kept to feed the keepers and their families. Perhaps one of the most roguish keepers was Bill Johnston. A notorious pirate, he was at one point arrested and jailed and later pardoned by President William Henry Harrison. It was after this pardon that he became the Rock Island Lighthouse keeper between 1853 and 1861.

Clayton Island Tours also offers the Boldt Island and

Antique Boat Museum

Walking Tour from the Thousand Islands Museum

Pardon Me

Two Nation Tour, exploring both U.S. and Canadian waters, sunset cruises on the St. Lawrence River, as well as private tours.

If you want a more intimate tour, check out Your Wave Tours. Up to six people can take a pontoon boat tour with your own knowledgeable captain. The tours are a bit pricey but not so bad when the cost is divided.

Food & libations.

Before you start out on your day, whether it be sightseeing or fishing, fuel up at one of the breakfast places like Koffee Kove, which has been around for 51 years. One bite and it’s easy to taste why it is so popular. I had the strawberry pancakes and couldn’t believe the generous amount of whipped cream on the top. Bella’s, with a patio on the river, is another popular spot.

After a busy day exploring, there are some good options for dinner. Along Riverside Drive is Channelside and Di Prinzio’s, both with patios. Di Prinzio’s is known for its homemade pasta. Across the street — also with a patio and located in the historic Johnston House — is The Hops Spot. You can’t miss this historic location with its green exterior and Italianate-style architecture.

The Clipper Inn is a little bit farther of a walk but is well worth it. It has been family-run for over 45 years, offering a dining room, a lively bar and a motel. The owner, Chef Michael Simpson, is a friendly man whose family has been in the area for generations. His grandparents worked for some of the largest

establishments in the area, including the Thousand Islands Club on Wellesley Island, owned by E. J. Noble. Stop by Wood Boat Brewery to try its wide selection of beers. Pizza is a popular menu item and it looked delicious. I highly recommend the jalapeno poppers; unlike the breaded type, these were wrapped in bacon and served with a raspberry balsamic sauce.

Speaking of local libations, two spots spring to mind: Saint Lawrence Spirits and Coyote Moon Vineyards. Both have tasting rooms right on Riverside Street, as well as their locations nearby.

The region’s first micro-distillery, Clayton Distillery, is another spot not to be missed for a tasting of various spirits. Located on Route 12, its premium-grade products are made from locally grown grains, which are double distilled in a 250-gallon copper still. This nautical-themed distillery offers samples of its vodka, gin, bourbon, flavored whiskey, moonshine, limoncello and liqueurs. There is even a slushie bar where you can order a bourbon cream cold brew coffee or bloody mary cocktail.

Retail therapy.

Clayton also has some excellent stores, with something for everyone, even Christmas lovers. Karla’s Christmas Shoppe has a wide selection of ornaments, many with nautical themes. For a good read, check out The Little Bookstore, offering a great selection of local authors. For chef’s, there is 1000 Islands Cruet and River Rat Cheese. Golden Cleat has exquisite handmade

Rock Island Lighthouse Bella’s

Clayton Island Tours

Chef Michael Simpson and The Clipper Inn crew

Johnston House and The Hops Spot

Resources.

1000 Islands

International Tourism Council

800-847-5263

VISIT1000ISLANDS.COM

Clayton Chamber of Commerce

800-252-9806

1000ISLANDS-CLAYTON.ORG

Antique Boat Museum

315-686-4104

ABM.ORG

Bayside Marina

315-686-2121

BAYSIDE-MARINA.COM

Boathouse Marine

315-486-5317

BOATHOUSEMARINELLC.COM

Clayton Harbor Municipal Marina

315-686-6010

TOWNOFCLAYTONNY.GOV

Clayton Marina Sales and Service, Inc.

315-686-3378

CLAYTONMARINA.COM

French Bay Marina

315-686-5574

FRENCHBAY.COM

jewelry, and River Magic has fun crafts. For a new addition to your wardrobe, stop at Hilda’s the Next Generation, and to find the perfect gift, try Porch and Paddle, and The Mason Jar.

Theater & art

Thousand Island Dressing — yes, it was developed here and named after the region, but there are different versions of the story. One version has George Boldt’s chef at the Waldorf-Astoria throwing the ingredients together because they were out of salad dressing. Another version has Sophia LaLonde as the creator; legend has it that she created the recipe as a fish sauce for her fishing guide husband’s shore lunch. May Irwin, a famous vaudeville performer, was said to favor the sauce and passed it on to friends.

Irwin was an early performer at the Clayton Opera House. The cornerstone was laid in 1903 and the opera house was completed in 1904. Irwin performed in 1905. Since then, the opera house has been a cultural hub for the town, in one form or another.

Theatre arts are certainly not the only form of artistry in Clayton. The Thousand Islands Art Center: Home of the Handweaving Museum offers exhibits and a wide range of classes — everything from the weaving it’s known for to painting, paper art, basketry, jewelry, glass arts and more. It also has a separate pottery studio.

Clayton has several other studios as well, including Tisa Gallery and the Inner Harbor Studio. The Michael Ringer St. Lawrence Gallery is on Riverside Dr., as is the Brian Lister Studio.

Boating & fishing.

Now for the main attraction: Boating. One thing you will notice in Clayton is that the powerboat is king. For those visiting, there are several marinas. The Clayton Yacht Club has reciprocal agreements with other clubs, offering good food and a children’s playground.

The Clayton Harbor Municipal Marina is right beside the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel. The hotel’s Seaway Grille is another great spot for dining.

Other marinas in Clayton include Bayside Marina, Boathouse Marine and French Bay Marina.

If you are stopping for a meal or shopping you can tie up at the docks right on Riverside Dr. It’s free and the suggested time limit is three hours. This is also where you clear customs if you are coming from Canada. Clayton has the distinction of having a dock large enough to accommodate cruise ships — something that certainly helps the town prosper. Nearby Alexandria Bay is hoping to develop a similar dock.

Clayton has been “the spot” for fishing for more than 200 years. Back then, fishing guides would take wealthy passengers out in the St. Lawrence skiffs. It was often a very formal affair. Today, of course, things are much more casual. It’s unlikely to find someone fishing in a suit or a fancy dress. But fish people will. From their boats, from the docks or on a fishing charter, fishing is a major activity, and not just in summer. Ice fishing is a popular winter activity, and it’s not unheard of to see cars on the thick ice. Northern pike, walleye, bass and perch are just some of the fish that swim in the river water. Prized above all is the muskellunge (muskie).

Whether you come for the fi shing, the culture, dining, shopping or one of the many festivals, Clayton will not disappoint. ★

Bayside Marina

Thousand Islands Art Center

Signman Fishing Charters

Riverside Drive docks

Downtown

JUN 1 – OCT 12 (Thursdays)

Clayton’s Farmer’s Markets

JUL 6 – AUG 31 (Thursdays)

Summer Concert Series

AUG 4 – 6

58th Annual Antique

Boat Show & Auction

AUG 12 – 13

1000 Islands Art & Craft & Antique Festival

AUG 24 – 27

Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River

SEPT 16

Vintage & Classic Street Meet

OCT 21

Punkin Chunkin Contest

NOV 9

Clayton Celebrates

NOV 25

Small Business Saturday, Shop Clayton!

NOV 30

Village of Clayton’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

DEC 2

“Christmas In Clayton” & 61st Annual Christmas Parade & Fireworks

DEC 2 – 26

6th Annual Holiday Window Display & Storefront Decorating Contest

ADDRESS

7150 NW Bayshore Dr.

Northport, MI 49670

SPECS

Bedrooms: 5

Baths: 5

Square Footage: 3,998

Acreage: 2.6

Water Frontage: 270 feet

Price: $2,795,000

CONTACT

Mark Snyder

Pat O’Brien & Associates

Real Estate

Cell: 231-675-7711

Office: 231-547-7701

PATOBRIEN.COM

Northport, MI

Views on the bay with room to play.

Welcome to your private getaway on Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan. Situated on 2.6 acres, this 3,998-square-foot log home offers plenty of space to unwind and soak up a Northern Michigan summer with friends and family. Boasting cathedral ceilings and large windows, you can enjoy a sunrise from the sunroom, listen to the sounds of the lake, or head to the large back deck to take in sweeping views of Grand Traverse Bay below.

Five beds, five baths and a large modern kitchen hint that this home was designed for entertaining, while the natural log architecture, big fieldstone fireplace and rustic yet updated finishes add additional charm. A bonus room on the main level provides extra space for kids or guests, while the lower level is yours to imagine as an entertainment space or hobby room, with doors leading out to a private beach path.

Outdoors, head down to 270 feet of private,

sandy beach for some fun in the sun. Cozy up by the outdoor firepit at the end of a day by the water and take in the night sky. Just a few minutes from the conveniences of downtown Northport, this private space feels peaceful and miles away from the crowds.

Located in Northern Michigan’s scenic Leelanau wine country, there is plenty to see and do nearby — if you’re willing to leave the beach and your own secluded slice of Lake Michigan.

“Leelanau County is a burgeoning place among the Great Lakes. It’s wine country, boating wonderland and small-town charm rolled into one,” says agent Mark Snyder. “Here’s a handsome log home at the heart of it all.”

A three-car garage makes it easy to store all of your summer toys, and the home can serve as an income-producing vacation rental when you’re not there, accommodating up to 20 guests. Welcome to the lake life! ★

Gull

Gull Lake Marine - South Haven, MI

Selling fun, family time and memories.

AMENITIES

Transient slips: N

Pump-out: Y

Gas: Y

Diesel: Y

Lifts: Y

Launch ramp: N

Engine repair: Y

Hull repair: Y

Marine store: Y

Restaurant: N

Showers: Y

Laundry Facility: N

Just a five-minute boat ride from Lake Michigan, Gull Lake Marine sits at the mouth of the Black River, with quick access to charming downtown South Haven, Michigan. The fourth and newest location of Gull Lake Marine — a family-owned marina and boat dealership that’s been in business since 1911 — builds on decades of experience delivering boating fun to Michigan families. After an extensive search that kept them returning to South Haven, the location was chosen for its access to Lake Michigan and notable community and boating enthusiasm.

“The community has a tremendous boating spirit that we gravitated towards for our fourth location,” explains Site Manager Matt VanDam, who’s been in the business for over 20 years.

Gull Lake Marine is the only full-service marina offering sales, service and parts in South Haven. In addition to 48 deep-basin seasonal slips, in/out service on the Black River and storage facilities,

the business also has a pro shop with a variety of parts, gear and accessories; offers a launch basin, mast-rigging system and 35-ton travel lift; and can accommodate mobile dockside service, detailing, and fiberglass and gelcoat repair.

This location is also a full-service dealer offering new and pre-owned boats from brands like Boston Whaler, Malibu, Pioneer, Harris and more.

The marina is a short walk from the charming downtown. Dock your boat, grab some supplies and gas, and head out on foot to enjoy some boutique shopping, dining and downtown fun.

New for summer 2023, the marina offers a new sales display area along Dyckman Road with new retail clothing options, as well as a Carefree Boat Club and a rental fleet — delivering fun for every visitor, even if you’re in need of a boat!

“All of our locations are known for creating family time and memories on the water,” VanDam says. ★

2021 ZODIAC MEDLINE 6.8 NEO 100% freshwater, one owner. Yamaha F250XB, only 62 hours. Loaded, plus Garmin 943xsv chartplotter/sounder and transducer, a Fusion Apollo MS-RA770 Bluetooth stereo. Custom Integrity tandem axle aluminum 7,000-lb capacity trailer, custom helm, helm seat, and aft seat grey WeatherMax covers included. Asking $96,900. Call Brent @ 616-402-0180. RYS

2018 CHAPARRAL 307SSX Freshwater, one owner. With Axius Joystick, docking this boat is a breeze. The joystick also includes Skyhook and autopilot. 196 original hours on twin 430-hp 8.2s paired with Bravo 3 X drives. No trailer. Asking $173,900. Contact PJ Tamer 424-424-9627 or pj@centerpointesales.com. CNT

2016 REGAL 1900 ES BOWRIDER includes trailer, mooring, cover, cockpit floor covers, and fusion stereo. Lots of room for a 19-foot boat with a nice layout and generously sized swim platform. Fits nine adults and room for storage. Price includes trailer package. Asking $29,999. Call Bob @ 616843-1225. RYS

1987 CHRIS-CRAFT 362, T-270hp Crusaders, AC/ heat, generator, GPS/map, sum log, depth sounder, VHF, 2 staterooms, 2 heads/showers. Full Bimini enclosure, microwave, stove, refrigerator, boathouse kept. Asking $48,000. Call 419-366-4279. AUG23

368 S 100% freshwater, always heated indoor storage. Triple F300 Yamaha, less than 200 hours, all freshwater trolling, covers, wind/splash curtains, awning. $519,000. Complete list of options available. NO brokers. Contact

or 814-440-8064. JUL23

2019 NORTHCOAST 235 CABIN Freshwater only. Nice navy hull with Simrad radar chartplotter VHF radio speed and depth. Includes custom Integrity aluminum tandem axel trailer. Asking $94,999. Call Chuck @ 734-497-3721. RYS

1967 CHRIS-CRAFT ROAMER 37-foot LOA, aluminum hull. 454 Crusaders repowered two years ago. Located in Cheboygan, MI. Asking $30,000. Call 810-955-4065. SEP23

2021 CROWNLINE 265 SS Just in! Beautiful trade-in, 50 hours. Matching tandem axle trailer and a pump-out head. Powered by a Mercruiser 6.2L 300-hp, plenty of power for watersports. Full sun bed with filler cushions included. Asking $104,900. Contact PJ Tamer 424-424-9627 or pj@ centerpointesales.com. CNT

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. Asking $599,764. Contact Terry Godres at 920559-0730 or terry@centerpointesales.com. CNT

Water World

1976 Chris-Craft Commander 45' Tournament Fisherman

Our Water World story began in early 2015 when I found her one sleepless night advertised on the Chris-Craft Commander Club boats for sale section. For me, it was a “had to have it” moment. My dream was always to own a 40-plus-foot boat. At the time, we owned a very beautifully restored 1964 Chris-Craft 38-foot Commander Flybridge Express. My wife, Julie, asked me if I could part with OnTime, since she had turned out so well, and my answer was, “For this boat, I could.” Water World was in Muskegon, Michigan, when we found her. The previous owners vacationed on her and delivered her to Clinton River near Lake St. Clair in September 2015. Our delivery to Sandusky, Ohio, meant crossing Lake Erie, and that crossing can get very rough. We crashed through 8-plus-footers in 35-knot winds and pouring down rain, so we learned early on how seaworthy Water World was. We had many names picked out, but after that, we decided to keep the name.

The restoration process began that fall, as we found Sandusky to have plentiful inside heated storage — perfect for my plans. The previous owners had already begun restoring the interior, and the boat had always received proper owner care, but my goal was to make her even better. We started with upgrades to interior varnish, bunks, floors, engines, genset, genset enclosure, etc. The gelcoat is original and has been buffed and maintained professionally. Above the gunwale, there have been many upgrades, including

applying Imron to the inside rails and windshields. The teak rails were completely stripped and brought back to a better-than-new state, sporting 12 coats of varnish and yearly maintenance coats. The swim platform was stripped and finished with 12 coats of varnish; it, too, gets annual maintenance coats. The 1-mile ray was removed and restored, and a more modern wireless spot was added to the bow pulpit. All bilges have been painted. Electrical systems were upgraded, and a new Raymarine radar/GPS system was installed on the upper and lower decks. All new canvas has been installed, and a bridge enclosure and aft brow were added.

Recently, the bottom was sandblasted and barriercoated, using a new multi-season bottom paint. All cockpit hatches have been repaired, and the back deck received a new coat of Imron. The aft cabin bulkhead was upgraded with ¼-inch teak and 12 coats of varnish.

Water World sails the waters of Sandusky Bay, western Lake Erie and the Lake Erie islands. But we have had her as far north as Killarney, Ontario, in the North Channel and Georgian Bay. She was recently selected to be the flagship of the Chris-Craft Commander Club national rendezvous that will be held this August 18-20 at Cedar Point Marina. Stop by the show and visit Water World and all the other beautiful Chris-Crafts that will be in attendance.

— Bryan Huntley, Sandusky, OH

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRYAN HUNTLEY