New Lake Michigan Trail Connects Chicago to New Buffalo

Smokestack from Phoenix Shipwreck Found in Lake Michigan

More than 175 years after the sinking of the SS Phoenix, one of the deadliest shipwrecks on Lake Michigan, the ship’s smokestack was found at the bottom of the lake just off the coast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Dutch podcaster Joske Meerdink and filmmaker Diny van Hoften visited the Sheboygan area in July 2022 to research and tell the story of the Phoenix, which sank on November 21, 1847 while carrying over 225 passengers, including 175 Dutch immigrants who planned on settling in the area. The ship burned and sank after a fire broke out onboard, and fewer than 45 passengers survived.

Meerdink and local shipwreck diving expert Steve Radovan enlisted the help of Tamara Thomsen, archaeologist at Wisconsin Historical Society and diving team member, who found the smokestack.

Meerdink’s podcast and Van Hoften’s documentary, both called “De Ramp met de Phoenix,” which translates to “The Phoenix Disaster,” are available at GLD.NL/PHOENIX.

New Boat Brand, Phenom Yachts, Launched at FLIBS

Imagine riding your bike safely from Chicago all the way to Michigan. Thanks to a $17.8 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant, combined with fundraising efforts, this dream is becoming a reality. Called the Marquette Greenway Trail, the 58-mile non-motorized trail will connect Michigan’s town of New Buffalo to Chicago’s South Side (which ultimately connects to the Chicago Lakefront Trail). Twenty two miles of the trail are already built, and 32 miles are mapped out and fully funded. Funds for the last four mile stretch of the trail — from the Indiana state line to downtown New Buffalo — were just raised at the end of 2022, thanks to a fundraiser hosted by Friends of Berrien County Trails.

According to Friends of Berrien County Trails, the goal is to complete the Michigan portion of the Marquette Greenway in 2025. The entire trail, from Chicago to New Buffalo, could be finished in 2027.

Visit BERRIENTRAILS.ORG.

Combining the attributes of family, fishing, luxury and performance into one center console is no easy feat, but Phenom Yachts aims to do just that. The new high-end center console yacht manufacturer made its debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last October.

The brand’s first models are the Phenom 34 and 37. For buyers wanting a more family friendly boat, the Phenoms can be designed with luxurious convertible aft seating, custom triple seating at the helm, as well as optional bow seating with actuated bow table. If customers want a hardcore fishing machine, they can choose an open bow with dual side-entry doors and a revolutionary fully automatic pressurized livewell system named NextStep Livewell System.

Other features include wider beams (10 feet, 5 inches on the 34, 11 feet, 2 inches on the 37), triple custom air-conditioned helm chairs on electric slides and Phenom’s NextStep Stepped Hull. Powering the Phenom 37 will be either twin 600-hp or triple 400-hp Mercury Outboards with an estimated range of over 400 miles on a full tank and a top speed over 70 mph.

Pricing for the Phenom 34 starts at $695,000, while pricing for the 37 starts at $895,000.

For more info, visit PHENOMYACHTS.COM.

Boats

MJM 4 Premieres at Newport Boat Show

During the 2022 Newport International Boat Show, MJM had the world-premiere of its brand-new MJM 4, an impressive day yacht featuring four social zones and a galley-up layout.

Below deck, the MJM 4 features a large V-berth, as well as a double berth amidships and a full private head with an enclosed shower. With the protection of an indoor/ outdoor pilothouse, innovative spacious layout and exceptional stability, the boat is all about style, comfort and fun. A business-class helm sofa, joystick docking and Skyhook station keep the captain comfortable, while an aft cockpit daybed is the ideal space for guests to relax. A portside walkway leads to spacious bow seating. The MJM 4 reaches a top speed of 53 mph when equipped with triple Mercury 300-hp Verado outboards.

For more information, visit MJMYACHTS.COM.

Wes Dilworth Celebrates 46 Years of Selling Family Boating Fun

Wes Dilworth, a northern Michigan yacht broker, is celebrating 46 years of selling family boating fun. Dilworth has understood boats from an early age, and can find the right boat for you. He bought his first boat at the age of 13, from money mowing lawns. At 16, he joined Irish Boat Shop both in Harbor Springs and Charlevoix doing all yard activities. He stayed with Irish Boat Shop for 17 years, ending his last seven years as the Irish Boat Shop (Charlevoix) sales manager.

Dilworth sold his first boat professionally in 1977. In 1987, he founded Dilworth Yacht Brokers, and has been a full-time yacht broker in Boyne City, Michigan, on Lake Charlevoix, ever since. Dilworth is now Michigan’s longest-serving full-time professional yacht broker.

For more information, visit DILWORTHYACHTS.COM.

RAILBLAZA C-Tug R Kayak Cart

RAILBLAZA has launched its new C-Tug R kayak cart with Kiwi Wheels. The C-TUG R now fits a wider selection of kayak profiles, including pontoon hulls. The new cart features a pair of 20-inch hull rails that allow you to adjust your cart to the perfect position, to reduce your pulling load and make it easier to get your canoe or kayak to your destination. Assembles and dismantles in seconds and stows easily in a kayak or canoe hatch. The Kiwi Wheels are puncture-free with high-grip rubber tread. Weighs 8.8 pounds with a 220-pound loading capacity. $169.99 AT RAILBLAZAUSA.COM