March 2016

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Features Boat Test: Pursuit OS 355 In pursuit of innovation. by Alan Wendt ...............................................................

Boat Test: Premier 310 Encounter A game changer. by Mike Menne .............................................................................

40 44

Innovation and Old-Fashioned Craftsmanship From humble beginnings more than 100 years ago, family-owned Smoker Craft Inc. thrives in our big box, corporate world by building well-made boats, imagined by spending as much time on the water as possible. by Craig Ritchie ..................................................................................................................

48

Drop Anchor

52 ★

Port of Call: Saginaw Bay, MI The Sunrise Coast: Michigan’s famed mitten silhouette is shaped by Saginaw Bay, a sparkling stretch of water that opens up to Lake Huron and is dotted with towns, ports, beaches, carpets of forests, rivers and trails. by Jane Ammeson ................................................................................................................

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56 Departments

ON THE COVER

From the Helm ...................................................................................................................... 6

No, you’re not dreaming. But the allnew Pursuit OS 355 is what your angler dreams are made of. This offshore model sets a new standard of perfection for the large outboard market. A singlepiece optically clear windshield, new seating arrangements and new exterior fabrics are among the 80 innovative features in this offshore.

Canine & Feline Crew ..................................................................................................... 8

@ lakelandboating.com ★ Shop boats for sale by owner ★ Place a classified ad to sell your boat

Calendar ................................................................................................................................. 10 Scuttle......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Shoreleave: Slate Islands ....................................................................................... 24 Great Gear ............................................................................................................................. 26 Don’t Hesitate to Renovate .................................................................................. 28 Electronics ............................................................................................................................ 30 Ask the Expert ................................................................................................................... 32 Safety First NEW COLUMN!................................................................................ 35

★ Peruse dozens of exciting destination stories

Boat Spotlights: Albemarle, Four Winns, Jeanneau & Robalo..... 36

★ Check out our most recent Boat Tests & Boat Spotlights

Lakeshore Life: Boyne City, MI .......................................................................... 64

★ Purchase our Great Lakes Cruising Guides ★ Access past issues with our online magazine

Marina Watch: Battery Park Marina .............................................................. 66

★ Stay current on all the latest Great Lakes news

Marine Marketplace .................................................................................................... 67

★ And much more!

Classifieds ............................................................................................................................. 83 Classic Crafts NEW COLUMN! ......................................................................... 84

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PHOTO COURTESY OF GREAT LAKES BAY CVB

The low down on anchoring in the Great Lakes. by John Wooldridge .............................................................................................................



C50 COMMAND BRIDGE

C43 COUPE

C40 COMMAND BRIDGE

C37 COUPE

C34 COMMAND BRIDGE


CARVER HULL DESIGNS LET YOU GO FARTHER, FASTER, AND WITH MORE COMFORT. The true measure of a boat is when you actually get out on the water. All the glitz and jazzy electronics are small comfort when you’re bouncing from wave top to wave top or wallowing in the troughs. That’s why Carver designs and builds boats for maximum cruising enjoyment, regardless of sea conditions. Even at the dock, we’ve taken measures to give you more room and a seamless indoor-outdoor living space designed especially for relaxed entertaining and overnight comfort. No wonder Carver Yachts is taking the marine industry by storm. Sea trial one at your Carver Yachts dealer today.

Modified V-hull with Plumb Bow: slices through head seas.

Knockdown rail: keeps water from running up the hull.

Hard chine: controls side-to-side rocking.

Lifting strake: provides added lift. 14-degree deadrise: lifts stern and increases speed.

CARVERYACHTS.COM

See The Difference.


FROM THE HELM by Kate Bush

Humble History

MARCH 2016 | VOLUME LXX, NO. 3

PUBLISHER Walter “Bing” O’Meara

T

he beginning of 2016 came and went as fast as I could blink. Luckily, the crew at Lakeland had a chance to attend a regional boat show: the Chicago Boat, RV and Strictly Sail Show. We were able to unroll our sparkling new banners with “70th Anniversary” proudly displayed, shake a few of our dedicated reader’s hands and meet some new Great Lakes boaters. It is always humbling to interact with those that so closely follow what we, and our talented contributors, have to say. We thank you all! The March issue marks an exciting time where we celebrate not only seven decades of publishing in the boating industry, but also tell the story of a boat builder who’s made quite an impact on our industry. Contributor Craig Ritchie wrote a brilliant profile on Smoker Craft Inc. (p. 48). This family-owned and operated company has been producing a variety of boats out of New Paris, Indiana for more than 100 years. Lakeland publisher Bing O’Meara and I had the honor of touring the Smoker Craft facility back in September, where we also hopped aboard a Starcraft pontoon and sport boat — talk about a hair-blowing thrill ride. Need a refresher course on anchoring? We’ve covered all the bases in our feature by John Wooldridge (p. 52). After reading, you’ll know the difference between a fluke and a plow anchor. And why don’t you put that new knowledge to use when you visit our featured port of call, Saginaw Bay (p. 56). Forming Michigan’s thumb silhouette, this stretch of water leads out to Lake Huron and is home to world-class fishing, natural wonders (including the uniquely-shaped Turnip Rock) and tall ships. Contributor Jane Ammeson guides us along the Saginaw Bay coastline, stopping at cities including East Tawas, Bay City and Caseville. But, let’s not forget that our magazine has been published for 70 years. That’s quite a feat. A fun historical fact of the month: our magazine has operated out of more than eight cities, including: Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Adrian, Michigan; Port Clinton, Ohio; Highland Park, Illinois; Evanston, Illinois; and Chicago, Illinois. We’ve covered a lot of ground. Think spring; the boating season will be here before you know it.

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS: You will ONLY receive renewal notices by mail directly from Lakeland Boating; we will NEVER contact you by phone or via a third-party company! You can renew by calling 800-827-0289 or visit our website, LAKELANDBOATING.COM, and click on the “Subscribe” tab. All renewals should be mailed back to: Lakeland Boating, PO Box 15396, B of ewar North Hollywood, CA 91615-9991. sc e

am

s!

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EDITORIAL STAFF Editorial Director: Kate Bush Assistant Editor: Sarah Kollmorgen CREATIVE STAFF Art Director/Production Manager: Christy Tuttle Bauhs CONTRIBUTORS Jane Ammeson, Helen Aitken, Elizabeth Altick, Glenn Hayes, Paul Kemiel, Capt. Frank Lanier, Mike Menne, Marty Richardson, Craig Ritchie, Gary Reich, Alan Wendt, John Wooldridge BUSINESS STAFF National Sales: Mark Conway Regional Sales : Patti McCleery Marketing Director: Linda O’Meara Accounting: Marguerite Wristen EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICE 630 Davis St. | Suite 301 | Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 312-276-0610 | Fax: 312-276-0619 E-mail: staff@lakelandboating.com Website: lakelandboating.com CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 630 Davis St. | Suite 301 | Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 800-331-0132, ext. 24 | Fax: 312-276-0619 SUBSCRIPTIONS P.O. Box 15396 | North Hollywood | CA 91615-5396 Customer Service: 800-827-0289 O’MEARA-BROWN PUBLICATIONS INC. President: Walter B. O’Meara Secretary: Timothy Murtaugh Lakeland Boating (ISSN 0744-9194), copyright 2016, is published eleven times per year (except December) by O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc. Editorial and advertising offices are located at 630 Davis St., Suite 301, Evanston, IL 60201; 312-276-0610. Annual subscription rates: United States, $24.95 per year; International and Canadian, $36.95 per year (11 issues), includes 7% G.S.T. tax (G.S.T. registration number 894095074-RT0001) and $12 postage included. Single copies are $4.99 for U.S. and Canada. Only U.S. funds are accepted. Subscription correspondence should be addressed to Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 15396, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5396 (U.S.), or call 800-827-0289. Known office of publication: 727 South Dearborn Street, Suite 812, Chicago, IL 60605. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER, please send all address changes to Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 15396, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5396. Lakeland Boating is a registered trademark of O’Meara-Brown Publications Inc., Evanston, Illinois. Published as Lakeland Yachting 19461955. Unsolicited work may be submitted at the author’s, photographer’s or artist’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 photos are courtesy of the manufacturer unless otherwise noted. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A


EVERY BOAT NEEDS A PROTECTOR.

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


CANINE/FELINE CREW

Pumpkin At the helm is Pumpkin, our 12-year-old Shih Tzu. She loves being on-board our Sea Ray 345 Sedan Bridge and keeps the geese away as best she can. We cruise Lake St. Clair, Huron and Erie.

We want to hear from you! E-mail us at STAFF@ LAKELANDBOATING.COM, or drop us a line at Lakeland Boating, 630 Davis St., Suite 301, Evanston, IL 60201. Opinions expressed in “Mail Call” are not necessarily those of Lakeland Boating. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Elwood Captain Hook Our cat, Captain Hook, has traveled thousands of miles with us on our 47 Atlantic motoryacht. He went with us to the Bahamas and then with me when I brought the boat to Michigan from Florida. —Patrick Avery, Holland, MI

—Gail and Mike Bailey, St. Clair Shores, MI

Calling all Furry Crewmembers! We want to learn more about your dogs and cats on board! Send a short write-up with your pet’s name, home city and state, as well as a high-resolution photo (at least 1 MB) to: STAFF@ LAKELANDBOATING.COM. Please put “Canine/Feline Crew” in the subject line.

This is Elwood, our BLB: “Boat Loving Bichon.” Elwood enjoys fishing, digging up rocks from under the water and dinghy rides while sporting his PFD. He usually sits on the front deck of our 330 Silverton Sportbridge while going up the river here in Milwaukee and greets other boaters and folks on shore. Elwood is fully trained to use the potty pad and will be starting America’s Great Loop in August 2016. —Mike Erstad

Want to Stay up-to-date on great lakeS boating neWS

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Subscribe to our e-newsletter and the latest Lakeland Boating magazine news will be sent directly to your mailbox once a week!

viSit lakelandboating.com to Sign up.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS by Kate Bush

MAR 2 – 6

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show Milwaukee, WI

3

JSSPORTSSHOW.COM

MAR 4 – 6

BAYFIELDWINTERFESTIVAL.COM

Greater Hamilton Home & Garden Show Hamilton, ON THEHOMESHOW.CA

1

MAR 5

EAA Hops & Props Oshkosh, WI

MAR 11 – 13

1

Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon Calumet, MI

Ultimate Sport Show Grand Rapids, MI

STJOETODAY.COM 2

5

SHOWSPAN.COM/USG

MAR 11 – 20

Canada Blooms: The Flower and Garden Festival Toronto, ON

GREATBEARCHASE.COM

3

MAR 17 – 20

Diva Days St. Joseph, MI

EAA.ORG

Sleeping Giant Loppet Pass Lake, ON

4

CANADABLOOMS.COM

MAR 24 – 26

Cottage & Lakefront Living Show Grand Rapids, MI SHOWSPAN.COM/CLG

SLEEPINGGIANTLOPPET.CA

Straits State Park: Winter Family Fun Day St. Ignace, MI MICHIGAN.GOV/DNR

MAR 12

Brew-Ski Festival Harbor Springs, MI BOYNE.COM

MAR 30 – APR 3

Progressive Insurance Northwest Sportshow Minneapolis, MN NORTHWESTSPORTSHOW.COM

The Slush Cup Mancelona, MI

Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K Traverse City, MI

SHANTYCREEK.COM

CHERRYFESTIVAL.ORG

Waukesha Art Crawl Waukesha, WI

6

EAA HOPS PHOTO COURTESY OF EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION; GREAT BEAR PHOTOS BY BROCKIT INC; DOOR CO PHOTO COURTESY DOORCOUNTYWINEANDCHEESE.COM

2

Bayfield Winter Festival Bayfield, WI

5

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Muskegon, MI

WAUKESHAART.COM

VISITMUSKEGON.ORG

MAR 6

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sturgeon Bay, WI

Michigan Cup Relays Grayling, MI

STURGEONBAY.NET

GRAYLING-MI.COM/EVENTS

4

MAR 12 – 13

MAR 9

Norfolk Wildlife Fest & Adventure Show Simcoe, ON

Classroom Paddling Huron, OH

NORFOLKCOUNTYFAIR.COM

MAR 10 – 13

6

Spring Boating Expo Novi, MI

SPRINGBOATINGEXPO.NET

WBAY Home & Garden Show Green Bay, WI HOMEANDGARDENSHOWGB.COM

MAR 11

Door County Wine & Cheese Gala Sturgeon Bay, WI DOORCOUNTYWINEANDCHEESE.COM ADD YOUR EVENT

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

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CANADA BLOOMS PHOTO COURTESY OF CANADABLOOMS. COM; ULTIMATE SPORT SHOW & COTTAGE & LAKEFRONT PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHOWSPAN

ERIEMETROPARKS.ORG


J e a n n e a u Ya c h t s 5 4 Innovation for Living The Jeanneau Yachts 54 is a luxury sailing yacht that sets a new standard for comfort and performance, with a remarkable level of innovation. Every attention has been given to each space and purpose. Her interior design by Andrew Winch is a brilliant rendition of form following function: elegance in action.

410.280.9400 info@jeanneau.com www.jeanneau.com Jeanneau Yachts 54 57 64


BUZZ

Aqualuma and Tides Marine Impress at Refit

The leading suppliers of refitting products, Aqualuma and Tides Marine, made a splash at the inaugural edition of the International Refit Exhibition and Conference in January. Aqualuma featured their LEDs at the event in Fort Lauderdale, which are the lights of choice for many of the world’s leading boat manufacturers, including MasterCraft, Hatteras, Sunseeker, Azimut and Beneteau. The Aqualuma LEDs feature cutting-edge technology, including the Gen 418 Series Thru-Hull Led (pictured), which illuminates some of the world’s largest superyachts. With a huge light output at an affordable price, the Aqualuma’s patented one-piece polymer housing can be serviced from inside the vessel. ABS-approved, compact Tides Marine Self Aligning SureSeal shaft seals connect to the vessel’s stern tube using articulating, single-convolution hose. The hose design automatically positions the SureSeal to the correct operating distance from the stern tube. For more information, visit AQUALUMA.COM and TIDESMARINE.COM.

SCUTTLE

GREAT LAKES NEWS | BOATS | MUST-HAVE | BUZZ | EVENTS | BUSINESS | PEOPLE & PLACES

PEOPLE & PLACES

B&E Marine Door County Getaway

Freedom Boat Club has reached the 100-club summit and expanded its nationwide fleet to include 1,000 boats. The boat club now has more than 10,000 members in 20 states and has doubled the size of their clubs over the past three years. For more information, visit

B&E Marine – Michigan City’s Sea Ray, Boston Whaler and Meridian Yachts dealer — hosted its “Door County Getaway” for their customers on July 18-26, 2015. After the group departed from Michigan City, they stopped at ports in Green Bay, where they toured Lambo Field, Port Washington, Manitowoc, Milwaukee (to enjoy Italianfest), Centerpointe Marine in Sturgeon Bay and Fish

FREEDOMBOATCLUB.COM.

JBYS team members from left to right: Ron Silvia, vice president of sales; Amy Krueger, president; Erik Krueger, vice president; Dave Ottenhoff, vice president of service ADD YOUR NEWS

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Email kbush@lakelandboating.com to add your company’s Great Lakes news to Scuttle!

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Creek Municipal, to ride segways in the park, partake in a fish boil and spend a day at Chamber Island. “We had a wonderful trip! There were nine boats in total and the weather was awesome. We visited some new ports this year and also some usual favorites. The group had a great time,” says Rob Benz, director of sales at B&E Marine.

BUSINESS

Posthumous Award for Greg Krueger It is with great respect and admiration that the Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales (JBYS) team accepted a very special award in honor of JBYS founder and past president, the late Greg Krueger, at the Sunseeker Dealer Conference in England. Sunseeker founder Robert Braithwaite presented the posthumous award to Greg’s daughter, Amy Krueger, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the Sunseeker brand. “I present this special Founders Award in honor of my best friend, Greg Krueger,” stated Braithwaite. Thanks to Greg’s passion and keen eye for excellence, JBYS is the oldest Sunseeker dealer in the United States and has received five Distributor of the Year Awards from the brand for sales growth and best in the world customer service over the years. Receiving these awards were notable highlights in Greg’s life, which he deeply cherished.


BUZZ

Mercury Unveils New Racing Outboard Meet Mercury Marine’s “sinister competitive relative” to the Verado 400R: The four-stroke race motor, ROS (Race Offshore). The racing outboard made its on-water debut at the Dubai Grand Prix back in November, and will power the XCAT class in the 2016 XCAT World Series race season. The ROS features the 400R powerhead mounted on an all-new race midsection, featuring the competition-proven Mercury Racing heavy-duty swivel clamp bracket assembly. A Sport Master gearcase transfers the ROS’s massive power to the water. Mercury Racing has also developed a new line of CNC cleaver propellers specifically for the ROS. For more information, visit MERCURYRACING.COM.

BUZZ

BUZZ

Snag-a-Slip Partners with Waterway Guide Media

Southwest Florida Yachts Adds to Charter Fleet

Have you heard of Snag-ASlip? They’re like the Hotels. com of the boating industry. The online company connects boaters with available slips nearby, while showcasing marinas in the same way that hotels are promoted. And now, the online boat slip reservation company that launched in June 2015 has announced a strategic partnership with Waterway Guide Media. The partnership includes a number of integrations, including an exclusive role as the sole slip booking engine on the Waterway Guide’s brand-new mobile app. The landmark partnership is the first of its kind since boat slip reservation technology entered the market. It serves as a signal that online slip booking is here to stay. In addition to Snag-A-Slip’s exclusive placement on the mobile app, the longterm partnership includes: An exclusive Snag-A-Slip filter on the Waterway Guide mobile app, so boaters can find Snag-A-Slip marinas easily; link integration with marina listings in the Waterway Guide Online Explorer; and shared date between the two companies to support real-time and accurate reservations for boaters. “We are so excited to announce our partnership with Waterway Guide,” says Snag-A-Slip founder Dan Cowens. “As boaters, we have long admired Waterway Guide and are truly grateful to have built a strong, and now formal, relationship with such an established and credible force in the boating industry. Ultimately, our companies share a similar goal, which is to make boating easier and more accessible to people who love the water.” Snag-A-Slip has nearly 100 marinas listed on its website, spanning from the Chesapeake Bay to Florida and the Great Lakes. The mobile-responsive website allows boaters to explore marinas by region, city or marina name, and then search for slips available based on travel dates, length, beam, draw and power requirements. They can book their preferred marina immediately and there are no booking fees associated. For more information, visit SNAGASLIP.COM

Experience True Love, aboard the Leopard 37, twin-engine powered catamaran — the newest boat in Southwest Florida Yachts power fleet. “True Love is fast and comfortable, and a great way to enjoy our delightful cruising area,” says co-owner Barb Hansen. “She has six berths and a U-shaped dinette with seating for six, plus dual air conditioning units.” There are two cabins and two heads. The hardtop flybridge offers excellent visibility with a full set of electronics. For more information, visit SWFYACHTS.COM

MyTaskit, a free web app for boat owners to help manage their boat, announced a subcontractor assignment feature, along with a number of other enhancements to the app. For more information, visit MYTASKIT.COM .

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SCUTTLE

BUSINESS

Bryan Ralston Joins LEMTA

The Lake Erie Marine Trades Association (LEMTA) has named Bryan Ralston as the newly created position of director of sales and marketing. “LEMTA is clearly going into a growth mode now,” says chairman of the association’s board of trustees, John Clemons, “and we are excited that Bryan is aboard to be a major contributor to our future, and that of the Ohio boating industry.” Ralston will be responsible for the development and marketing of LEMTA’s four current annual boat shows in Ohio and Indiana, including the Cleveland Mid-America Boat Show, Catawba Island Spring Boat Show, DEMO In-Water Boat Show at Cedar Point, and the Michigan City In-Water Boat Show. For more information, visit LEMTA.COM

MUST-HAVE

Kahlenberg Introduces KB-15 Electric Horn Listen up! Kahlenberg Industries’ KB-15 is a type-approved electric horn and hailing system producing a powerful horn signal for all types of vessels up to 65 feet. The KB-15 also creates voice amplification, “talkback” and wireless connectively to Bluetooth-enabled devices. In the past, boats between 40 and 65 feet in length were required to have two devices: a legal horn signal and a hailing function. The KB-15 combines these two devices into one powerful, approved horn tone and a hailing capability. The KB-15 includes a “black box” consolemounted control module, console-mounted speaker/ microphone and a high-input, marine duty speaker. For more information, visit KAHLENBERG.COM.

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BUZZ

Infinity Fabrics Unveils New Upholstery Line Beige, crimson, navy — pick a color, any color, with the new Superior vinyl upholstery line from Infinity Fabrics. Superior is a colorfast upholstery line for the marine and RV industries that carries a 7-year UV/ fade warranty. Available in 54-inch width, Superior is offered in leatherette and carbon fiber patterns in 51 different colors. The upholstery vinyl line resists pinking and yellowing with advanced antimicrobial technology. “We developed the best floor covering and thereby defined a new standard expectation for performance” says Steve Couch, owner of Infinity Fabrics. “We’re continuing that with Superior, the finest upholstery vinyl offered to the marine and RV industries.” For more information, visit INFINITYLWV.COM BOATS

Oceanis 41.1 Cruiser Launched

The all-new Beneteau Oceanis 41.1 made its mark at the Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show in February. The brighter, sleeker and customizable addition to the Oceanis family is a streamlined 41-footer that defines a new standard of openness. The modern yet realistic mid-sized cruiser features an ultra-sleek design and impressive equipment level. Six oversized hull windows bring in lots of natural light. It features a spacious cockpit, twin helms with folding helm seats and flip-down swim platform offering 22 squarefeet of access to the water. The model is available in 2and 3-cabin layouts, each with one or two heads. For more information, visit BENETEAUAMERICA.COM.



SCUTTLE

MUST-HAVE

Star Tron Ring Clean+ Motor Treatment

BOATS

Riviera Premieres 8 New Models at Miami Boat Show Renowned Australian luxury yacht builder Riviera rolled out the red carpet when they debuted eight new models during the Miami International Boat Show. The 5400 Sport Yacht (pictured) had its world premiere, while the 525 SUV Crossover had its U.S. debut. The 5400 Sport Yacht features a wide hydraulic boarding platform and electric-opening garage with enough room for a 10.8-foot tender. The boat’s expansive 122.7-square-foot cockpit includes a large forward-facing transom lounge. Completing Rivera’s luxurious line-up is the 57 Enclosed and 52 Enclosed Flybridges, as well as a 43 Open Flybridge, 445 SUV, 6000 Sport Yacht and 54 Daybridge. For more information, visit RIVIERA.COM.AU

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GREAT LAKES NEWS

Maritime Museum Restores Lens Sturgeon Bay’s Door County Maritime Museum recently restored the Fresnel lens. The light was originally installed in 1935 and formally housed in the Green Bay Entrance Lighthouse on permanent loan from the United State Lighthouse — it’s now shining a light on the museum’s campaign to build an 11-story tower on site. The light, dating back to 1880, is now situated in the lower lobby of the museum as part of an informational display on the tower project. The lens will sit enclosed atop the tower when it’s completed. The tower expansion will serve as an observational platform for the community’s stunning harbor and as an additional space for state-of-the-art exhibits for all ages. The tower will also include an expanded lobby, museum store and an elevator ride to the 10th floor indoor observation deck, with a 360-degree view of Sturgeon Bay. For more information, visit DCMM.ORG. BUSINESS

Beneteau Adds Wisconsin Dealer

Racine Riverside Marine of Racine, Wisconsin will serve as Beneteau America’s exclusive Beneteau sailboat dealer for Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. “Our new partnership with Racine Riverside Marine came to fruition at the perfect time,” says Beneteau America sailboat sales manager Chris Doscher. “We are thrilled with their performance right out of the gate. We are confident their professionalism and expertise will serve the Beneteau name extremely well and help them form long-time relationships with Beneteau owners”. Racine Riverside Marine (RRM) is a full-service dealership and marina founded in 1990. Their facility features 45 slips on the Root River, with direct access to Lake Michigan. RRM also offers a full-service marine store, expert service team and boat storage. For more information, visit RACINERIVERSIDE.COM or BENETEAUAMERICA.COM.

FRESNEL LENS PHOTO COURTESY OF DOOR COUNTY MARITIME MUSEUM

Keep your engines clean as can be, with Star Tron’s new Ring Clean+, which is formulated with the latest technology deposit control compounds, PLUS a proprietary enzyme package for the ultimate in cleaning power. Ring Clean+ is engineered to remove the toughest deposits from carburetors, fuel injectors, intake ports and combustion chambers. The formula helps improve fuel combustibility to help prevent formation of future deposits. What’s more is that it can also help improve fuel economy. The product can be used in all gas and diesel engines as often as needed to keep engines running smoothly. For more information, visit STARBRITE.COM.



SCUTTLE

BUZZ

MarineMax Partners with Galeon Yachts Luxury yachting in the U.S. has a newcomer: Galeon Yachts. MarineMax recently announced that they are partnering with Galeon Yachts to introduce the brand to the U.S. market and become the exclusive Galeon Yachts representative in the Americas. Galeon has been manufacturing yachts for more than 30 years and is known globally for their commitment to innovative designs and exceptional craftsmanship. MarineMax will carry 10 Galeon models from 38 to 66 feet, including the Galeon 500 Fly (pictured), which won the 2015 IBI Boat Builder’s “Innovative On-Board Solution” category. For more info, visit MARINEMAX.COM/GALEONYACHTS.COM

BUZZ

Carver and Marquis Add Midwest Dealer

Centerpointe Yacht Services is the newest dealer of Marquis and Carver Yachts. Centerpointe has three Lake Michigan locations: Milwaukee, Kenosha and Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, with a fourth location opening this spring in Holland, Michigan. The dealership will serve Marquis and Carver owners all around Lake Michigan, including the states of Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. “The addition of Marquis and Carver allows us to expand our portfolio and reach a market segment underserved in the luxury boating market,” says CenterPointe Yacht Services principal and general manager Craig Duchow. “A distinct advantage of Marquis and Carver yachts is that they are high-quality, Wisconsin-built yachts, which we intend to leverage as a sales tool with our Lake Michigan customers.” For more information, visit CENTERPOINTESERVICE.COM.

MUST-HAVE

Garmin Quatix 3 GPS Smartwatch

The standard wristwatch just got a whole lot smarter. Garmin recently unveiled its next-generation marine GPS smartwatch: the quatix 3. This watch builds upon all the features from the Garmin fenix line (multisport activities, smart notifications and more), but adds important cruising, fishing and sailing capabilities, along with a number of marine-specific features and watch faces preloaded onto the device.

TAG

Hinckley Acquires Morris Yachts

The wearable instrument wirelessly streams NMEA 2000 boat data from compatible onboard Garmin marine electronics, providing users with access to important sensor information like speed, depth, temperature and wind data. The quatix will retail in Q1 for $599.99 at GARMIN.COM.

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Downeast Maine yacht builder, Hinckley Yachts, has added Morris Yachts to its family. Hinckley acquired the assets of the sailboat builder in January and plans to continue Morris’ boatbuilding and service operations in Downeast Maine under the name of Morris Yachts, LLC. Both companies build quality yachts within a quarter-mile of each other in Trenton, Maine. In the new arrangement, about 380 craftsmen, engineers and technicians will work together to continue building these world-class yachts. Morris Yachts was founded 40 years ago and has built more than 300 sailboats. Morris owners will be welcomed at any of Hinckley’s east coast service yards from Maine to Florida. For more information, visit HINCKLEYYACHTS.COM


Images for illustrative purpose only

A BREAKTHROUGH IN SOLID STATE RADAR, QUANTUM DELIVERS SUPERIOR CHIRP RADAR IMAGING AND SIMPLE Wi-Fi CONNECTIVITY. 路 EXCLUSIVE FLIR ATX TM ADVANCED TARGET SEPARATION TECHNOLOGY 路 LIGHTWEIGHT AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT 路 EASY TO INSTALL WITH INTEGRATED Wi-Fi

WATCH THE VIDEO AT RAYMARINE.COM/QUANTUM


SCUTTLE

BUZZ

Navico, leader in marine electronics, has introduced a boatload of new electronics from its Lowrance, Simrad and B&G brands. The Lowrance Elite Ti Series Fishfinder/Chartplotter (pictured) is available in 5- and 7-inch displays and features CHIRP sonar, StructureScan HD and DownScan imaging. Lowrance also announced the HOOK Fishfinders, available in 4-, 5-, 7- and 9-inch displays. The HOOK line has two new affordable fishfinders: The HOOK-3x and HOOK-3x DSI. TotalScan Transducer for Lowrance and Simrad is new to the market, and is an all-in-one transducer that combines CHIRP technology with high-resolution StructureScan HD and DownScan Imaging technology. Building on the previously released GO7 standalone unit from Simrad is the GO7 XSE and GO5 XSE. B&G Vulcan 5 and Vulcan 7FS feature pinch-to-zoom capabilities, menus for quick and easy navigation and builtin GPS. For more information on all these new products, visit NAVICO.COM

BUZZ

Lakeland Photographer Featured in Book Michigan City-based photographer and longtime Lakeland Boating contributor, Paul Kemiel, knew he was onto something special on Halloween 2014, when he was traveling to the Michigan City Lighthouse in the midst of a windstorm. “I was aware of the pending weather front and made the trek to the lakefront with the goal of capturing the crashing 25-foot waves against the lighthouse from the 50mph winds. Putting my camera and lens in a plastic bag to guard from moisture, I used one of the stone pillars on the sidewalk leading to the pier as a protective barrier for my well being and for a stable base for the camera from the buffeting winds,” says Kemiel. Now, a photo from that collection is being featured in Photographer’s Forum Magazine’s latest book, “Best of Photography 2015.” The photo was selected as a finalist in the worldwide contest, which is based in Santa Barbara, California. The picture was among 10,000 submissions. Only the top 14 percent were published in the hardbound book. “As I was editing my photographs, this particular image stood out due to the raw power and peak action from Mother Nature’s impact that was captured in that moment in time.” says Kemiel. “The lighthouse is our iconic landmark that symbolizes Michigan City and Northwest Indiana, and that will garnish international attention from the exposure highlighted in this picture book. I am honored to be representing this celebrated structure with my photo.” — Photo and article by Paul Kemiel GREAT LAKES NEWS

Help Protect Our Water

Join the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and Illinois Department of Natural Resources in the fight against Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). These non-native species, including zebra mussels and silver carp, can harm the Great Lakes and can devastate lakes, rivers and streams. And we may be unknowingly aiding in the spread of these destructive hitchhikers. The “Be a Hero — Transport Zero” campaign reminds all boaters to remove, drain and dry your boat before leaving a water access. Follow AIS laws and regulations and do your part in becoming knowledgeable about AIS. Be sure to dispose of all unwanted bait and fish parts in the trash. Spread this information — not AIS! For more information, visit TRANSPORTZERO.ORG

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PHOTO BY PAUL KEMIEL

Navico Debuts New Technology



scuttle

buzz boats

MasterCraft Unveils NXT20 Global Edition It’s been awhile since MasterCraft has debuted an outboard towboat — in fact, it’s been more than 20 years. But the new NXT20 Global Edition, the latest newcomer to the entry-level NXT line, is finally here. This affordable yet high-quality towboat can truly do it all. The NXT 20 Global Edition sports one of the most innovative crossover hulls on the market today, ensuring powerful, responsive handling, while still being able to sculpt perfectly shaped waves. The new model comes standard with a 175-hp Mercury Verado outboard engine, with the option to upgrade to a 225-hp model. For more information, visit mastercraft.com.

Blue Gas Marine Partners with Dusky Marine

The 2016 Miami International Boat Show exhibited some of the latest and greatest technology in the marine industry, including the Dusky Marine 252, which featured Blue Gas Marine’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel-system technology. The boat, powered by a Suzuki outboard motor, was the first factory-built boat designed from the ground-up to seamlessly integrate the fuel system for the sport fishing market, while maximizing range. “With the ability to switch from gasoline to a natural gas energy source on the fly, our customers can have a fuel source that is both wallet and environmentally friendly, while maintaining the convenience of traditional gasoline when necessary,” says Michael Brown, vice president of Dusky Marine. “This hybrid system allows avid fisherman and boaters to significantly reduce their pollution output as well as their fueling costs, thereby allowing for more time on the water.” For more information, visit bluegasmarine.com or Dusky.com.

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by Marty Richardson Lake Superior

Exploring Lake Superior’s wild frontier.

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he Slate Islands — a circular group of eight rocky, forested islands about 6 miles in diameter — lie around 8 miles south of Ontario’s Lake Superior coastline. My husband, Jerry, and I made it a port of call during our circumnavigation of Lake Superior on Monarch, our 52-foot Halvorson raised pilothouse trawler. We approached the archipelago from an anchorage in Pulpwood Harbor in Pukaskwa National Park, about 40 nautical miles to the east. On our chart, the Slates appeared to be nothing more than a speck in the vastness of Lake Superior. But when we got up close, we felt we had entered an expansive primeval wilderness. Steep bluffs descend abruptly into breathtaking fjord-like channels, promising some interesting exploration by dinghy and ashore. Careful navigation In geological terms, the circular-shaped Slates were formed by the extreme impact of an asteroid millions of years ago — in fact, it’s the largest shattercone (or bullseye) known on earth caused by an asteroid. The striated, jagged and conical sections of Precambrian bedrock make navigating the Slates understandably tricky. Approaches to the heart of the islands are oriented mostly east to west, as the islands are grouped north and south. We kept a sharp eye out for day marks, both in the water and on shore, and highly recommend advance study of area charts and “Bonnie Dahl’s Superior Way: The Cruising Guide to Lake Superior” (LAKESUPERIORMAGAZINE.COM/SHOP/BONNIEDAHLS-SUPERIOR-WAY) , the area’s definitive cruising guide. Aside from the various rocks and shoals as you enter the

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archipelago, most interior spots have very deep water right to the shore, so anchorages are limited. We made several unsuccessful anchoring attempts in a number of areas where the water carried 40 feet of depth almost to land. The best gunkhole we found is Pike’s Bay on Patterson Island, accessible through a seemingly impossible narrow cut with a generous 8 feet of depth. The recommended passage is the south side of the island, located dead center in the channel, keeping the island to starboard as you enter. Use a bow lookout and proceed slowly. This beautiful hurricane hole is definitely worth the passage. Come and rest In the late 1980s the Slate Islands were designated an Ontario Provincial Park. Another anchoring spot to check out is a well-protected cove between Mortimer Island and Patterson Island, on McColl Island. Here, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources maintains a small camp and dock called “Come and Rest.” Predating the park, the cabin is considered an emergency shelter and is fitted with bunks, woodstove, fire pit and outhouse. For campers, there are also several campsites scattered throughout the wilderness park. Many campers are dropped off by charter boats from the mainland and stay for several days, exploring this beautiful park by kayak. The Slates were once an important part of the region’s forestry and mining industries, as evidenced by remnants of abandoned logging and mining camps. Extensive logging was conducted until as late as the 1930s. Now the islands most numerous residents — and Lake Superior area’s largest herd — are the woodland caribou. Contemporaries of the wooly mammoth, caribou crossed from the mainland during the especially harsh winter of 1907 when Lake Superior froze solid. As this was an extremely rare occurrence, the caribou are essentially marooned on the islands. Today, while mainland caribou have been pushed northward by road construction and habitat destruction, these predator-free islands remain home to a flourishing herd of around 200 caribou. They seem unafraid of people and will occasionally approach out of curiosity, even eating out of visitors’ hands (an activity discouraged by wildlife experts, as this makes

BOAT PHOTO BY MARTY RICHARDSON; ALL OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY THEPLANETD.COM

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SHORELEAVE


MOUNTAIN, KAYAK AND CABIN phOTOS COUrTeSY Of ThepLANeTD.COM; ALL OTher phOTOS BY MArTY rIChArDSON

the caribou more tame). The caribou share their habitat with a large population of snowshoe hares. A good location to spot caribou at dusk is McGreevy Harbor, which provides a nice anchorage in 17 to 20 feet of water behind a small island, just southwest of a burnt, derelict barge. Another caribou lookout is Lambton Cove, which almost bisects Mortimer Island. Anchoring here can be done only with a stern anchor and tying a bowline to shore-mounted rings. The shore of this cove features an abandoned mining shaft approximately 15 feet southeast of a prominent rock outcropping. After clearing the short entrance, the cave has headroom of about 6 feet, extends about 50 feet in and ends at a pool of water. Mortimer Island also features some interesting rock pits known as Pukaskwa Pits. Found on the mainland and dating back somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 years, the pits were allegedly constructed by ancestors of the Ojibwa, though the purpose of the pits remains a mystery. Beacon of light Venture to the southeast corner of Patterson Island at Sunday Harbour, and you can hike up to Lake Superior’s highest elevation lighthouse at 224 feet above lake level. Built

in 1903, the lighthouse has an unoccupied light keeper’s quarters and cement pier. The light hasn’t been staffed since the early 1990s, but it remains solar-powered thanks to the last light keeper’s family; they have a lease on the land and maintain the property and buildings, keeping them painted a fresh, bright red and white. If you visit, remember only shoal draft boats can approach the dock. Be cautious anchoring in Sunday Harbour, as the holding is not great. A better spot is found in Patterson Cove, or what the locals refer to as South Bay, which has better holding, wonderful seclusion and a great area to explore both by dinghy and on shore. As an “unmanaged” (no services, staff or fees) provincial park, the islands now mainly serve the interests of recreational boaters and fishermen, and the area is well known for excellent fishing. While just a few fishing camp cottages dot the interior shoreline, a park management plan for the future of the Slates Islands is currently being considered to ease access to these hard-to-reach islands. Departing the Slates, we headed to our next stop about 28 nautical miles west at Battle Island to continue our circumnavigation of Lake Superior. We were glad to have visited this special place now, while it’s still one of Lake Superior’s wild frontiers. H

Special thanks to theplanetd.com for photos. Check out a video of their Slate Islands adventure at lakelandboating.com

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SOLOROCK Folding Bike Forget those expensive folding bikes that will cost you your firstborn. With Cesy, the 20-inch aluminum folding bike by SOLOROCK, you’ll be pedaling in no time. Features 3-speed IGH (Inner Hub Gear Sram I-Motion 3) and folding hinges for top tube and handle post, while only weighing 27 pounds. Folds up to a size of 11.4 by 31.5 by 26 inches, so you can easily store in your boat. NOW ONLY $279.99 AT SOLOROCK.US

GREAT GEAR MUST-HAVE GOODIES AND GADGETS FOR EVERY BOATER. Defender Raymarine Quantum Q24C CHIRP Radome To see near or far, Defender’s Raymarine Quantum CHIRP Radar is sure to impress with its exceptional radar imaging. Using Quantum’s CHIRP pulse compression radar technology, the Q24C generates sharp images with less clutter and noise from other radars. What’s more: The radar is lightweight, energy efficient, and easy to upgrade with simple Wi-Fi connection. It’s hard to go wrong. $1,549 AT DEFENDER.COM

IPA Diesel Injector-Seat Cleaning Kit There’s no need to get your boat to a mechanic when you can remove and clean fuel injectors with your own two hands. This kit is ideal for removing carbon, rust and other debris from injector seats, bores and cups for most diesel applications. Available in brass and stainless steel, including 13 specialty brushes with 3-, 4-, and 6-inch brush lengths, 6-inch flexible and rigid extensions, driver handle and 400 assorted Swab-Eez, all in a blow-molded case. $189.95 AT IPATOOLS.COM

iBall Wireless Trailer Hitch Camera If the thought of hitching your trailer to your truck by yourself gives you the nervous sweats, fear no more: Outdoors Insight’s 5.8-GHz iBall Wireless Trailer Hitch Camera magnetically snaps onto your bumper, tailgate or hitch to help you correctly and easily connect. Features 120-degree field of view, is portable, and can even be submerged if you get a bit too close to the lake. $169.95 AT IBALLHITCHCAM.COM ADD YOUR GEAR

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Email kbush@lakelandboating.com to add your awesome product news to Great Gear!

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Eagle Creek Gear Totes West Marine’s updated tote bags might just be the most durable accessory for hauling gear. Constructed from water-repellent, abrasion-resistant Bi-Tech fabric and outfitted with sturdy handles, zippered pockets and reflective accents, this classic bag is perfect for heading to the beach, soccer practice, or as a flight carry-on. With three sizes and eight colors to choose from, even the pickiest fashionista is sure to be impressed. $59 AT WESTMARINE.COM

Refreshment Table Fire Pit Have you had one of those days where you just don’t want to get off your boat? With the Floating Fire portable fire pit, you can warm up after a long day’s cruise right on the bow! Yes, you heard that right. The portable Refreshment Table features a 16-inch fire pit built into an upholstered and padded table with remote adjustable flame control and shut-off valve, four drink holders, locking lid and two small storage comportments. Approved for use by the USCG and NMMA. 40,000 BTU fire that’s easy to operate. $1,099 AT PONTOONFIREPIT.COM


Add GEICO To Your Crew.

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Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2016 GEICO


DON’T HESITATE TO RENOVATE by Capt. Frank Lanier

The Porcelain Throne It’s time to upgrade your marine toilet.

A modern equivalent of the oaken bucket, portable gravity feed toilets are the simplest units to install.

Older toilets can be temperamental during operation, and cruising spares and repair parts can be difficult to locate.

A good example of a manual vacuum toilet, the Lavac can also be configured with an electric pump.

CAPT. FRANK LANIER is an award-winning journalist, boat maintenance guru and owner of Capt F.K. Lanier & Associates, Marine Surveyors and Consultants (captfklanier.com).

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hile it’s said the best two days of a boat owner’s life are when buying and selling, there’s a third that ranks right up there — the day that old, temperamental marine toilet gets replaced with a modern, efficient unit. Here are some options to consider when upgrading your own “seat of ease.” The number of styles to choose from may seem overwhelming at first, but marine toilets can be broken down into five basic types: gravity feed, manual pump, macerating, vacuum and composting. Gravity feed toilets work just as the name implies, with the unit positioned directly above an integral holding tank. Portable-type toilets are a common example. Bowl contents drain directly into a removable tank, which is later removed and dumped into the appropriate receptacle on shore. Flush water (if provided) is supplied by an internal reservoir. Some larger units, however, can be plumbed to draw flush water from the vessel’s freshwater system or to a deck fitting to allow remote pump-out. Gravity feed toilet prices range from less than $100 for basic units (such as Thetford’s Porta Potti 260B) to more than $500. Manual pump toilets utilize an integral hand pump to bring flush water into the bowl, where it mixes with the sewage and is then pumped clear. Installation requirements depend on the source of the flush water. If plumbed to draw flush water from your freshwater system, the installation will include a tie into that system. Systems utilizing “raw water” for flushing (i.e. the water your boat is floating in) will additionally require a below-the-waterline, through-hull fitting seacock and plumbing from the seacock to the toilet flush water intake. Some manual units also offer the option of conversion to an electric pump; Par, Groco, Wilcox-Crittendon and Raritan are all well-known manufacturers of this type of system. Prices range from around $170 to more than $500. Macerating toilets are designed to puree solid waste, much like a garbage disposal. An electric-powered “grinder” (aka macerator) typically uses blades to simultaneously chop and pump waste clear of the bowl. Flush water can be raw or from the vessel’s freshwater system. Jet action heads, such as the Royal Flush by Headhunter, use pressurized water jets to macerate waste. The price of a standard electric macerating toilet starts at around $450. Vacuum heads use an electric or manual pump to generate a vacuum in the system, which pulls sewage from the bowl to a holding tank when the toilet is flushed. The Sealand/ Dometic VacuFlush system is an industry standard in the electric vacuum head market. The Lavac “Popular Model” ($445) is a good example of a manual vacuum head, and one that can also be configured with an electric pump.

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

If you’re committed to having a “green” yacht, composting toilets utilize peat moss to turn waste into compost. As they’re completely self-contained, they can be an attractive alternative to traditional toilets. No plumbing is needed; however, they do require installation of a fan and vent pipe. Although early units were large and bulky, newer models, such as the Air Head ($1,029), have the same footprint as a standard toilet, making them a viable choice for most vessels. General installation tips Although you’ll always want to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, the following general tips apply to most toilet installations.

Location • Select a location that provides sufficient clearance around and above the toilet, ensuring that there’s room to operate the pump (if manual), conduct maintenance, etc. • Make sure the seat and lid can swing up and over at least 110 degrees to prevent closing when the vessel heels or pitches. Mounting • Select a mounting surface that’s flat, rigid and strong enough to provide adequate support. • The support area should be at least 2 to 3 inches wider and deeper than the base of the toilet and have sufficient clearance below the mounting surface to access and secure toilet mounting hardware. • Use properly sized, marine-grade mounting hardware: stainless steel through bolts, washers, self-locking nuts, etc. Hose • Use marine-grade, spiral reinforced, smooth bore flexible hoses for both inlet and discharge. If upgrading an existing toilet, you’ll want to replace the old hose as well, which could be a source of odor. • Secure all hose runs against movement, provide chafe protection as needed and install so that hoses don’t exert any leverage on toilet fittings (to avoid leaks later on). • Install double, marine-grade stainless steel hose clamps (where possible) at each fitting. • Install vented loops as required to prevent flooding. Finally, keep in mind that your toilet is only one part of your vessel’s sanitation system. Correct installation and maintenance of the system as a whole is essential for proper long-term operation and reliability. ★

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. FRANK LANIER

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Upgraded gravity feed toilets come with options such as plumbing for external flush water and deck pump-outs.


Navetta

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COME AND SEE

Generation 2016 A complete yachts range from 40 to 72 feet in the following categories:

Navetta Flybridge Sport Line Sport Yacht Istanbul (Turkey), Taipei (Taiwan), Palm Beach (USA), Hong Kong (China) and many other international events as listed at www.absoluteyachts.com/worldwide/boat-shows/

Find your closest Absolute dealer www.absoluteyachts.com /worldwide/absolute-dealers/


ELECTRONICS by Glenn Hayes

Plug It In Handy smartphone boating gadgets.

A sailboat as seen through a Seek CompactXR (right).

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

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Superpower vision We’ve all had times on-board when we wished we could see into the dark and discern objects in the water; or look at an engine and diagnose a problem before a catastrophic failure; or look through a bulkhead and detect a clogged line; or see an electrical issue before a burnout. Two companies now offer thermal imagers that connect to your smartphone. When combined with their apps, your phone transforms into a fully-functioning thermal imager. Models from Seek Thermal and FLIR can give impressive results and are far more than just cool gadgets to impress your friends. Using the latest infrared technology, their thermal sensors are made up of thousands of thermal pixels that can detect slight differences in temperature. This allows you to see in total darkness by creating an image on your screen based on temperature differences. With a Seek CompactXR thermal imager plugged into your smartphone (the mini USB on your Android or the Lightning connector on your iPhone), and with the Seek Thermal app installed, you can see out as far as 1,800 feet to detect objects in the water, such as floating debris, pilings and even your drunken friend who fell overboard after one too many. While both phone models offered by Seek and FLIR are somewhat limited in their outward range — and don’t compare to more powerful thermal scopes or fixed mounted thermal imagers — the main value of these devices is for troubleshooting and diagnosing problems on-board. They are excellent at finding electrical shorts or overloaded electrical connections, locating leaks in hidden areas, checking on cooling systems and possible blockages, and locating exhaust leaks. They are great for trailer boaters, too, as you can

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

A collection of phone wind and weather station devices.

use them to check on trailer and tow vehicle tires. If the temperatures are uneven, you know you have an issue that needs to be resolved. These imagers can even allow selection of crosshairs on the screen to a specific point and measure the temperature at that point. Breaks, bearings and tires all can be checked this way, and an issue can be resolved before it leaves you stranded — as I was able to do recently, using a borrowed FLIR ONE unit. Better than a wet finger Your smartphone can now be a top-notch meteorological tool, using wind meters that plug into your smartphone or connect through Bluetooth. Combined with well-designed apps, wind meters from Vaavud and Weatherflow can give boaters all the information he or she may need to enjoy time on the water. Vaavud offers a few models: the Mjolnir and the Sleipnir. The Mjolnir utilizes a two-cup wind vein and plugs into your smartphone’s headphone jack. It can measure winds between 4 and 48 knots, and boasts electronic-free technology by communicating directly with the magnetic field sensor in the phone. Combined with the Vaavud Wind Meter app, you end up with a display summarizing wind speed, barometric pressure, temp, wind chill and turbulence intensity (aka “gustiness”). Their other model, the Sleipnir, is more advanced and can read wind up to 78 knots, as well as wind direction. This model has a list of quality features, including compatibility with Lifeproof phone cases. Weatherflow has a couple of models available, with its popular WFANO-01A leading the way. Just plug it into the audio jack, open the app and you’re ready to go. You can measure wind speed, direction and gusts. It’s also compatible with popular apps such as iWindsurf, Fishweather, Sailflow, WindAlert and iKitesurf. Its next model, the WFANO-02, has all that capability and more, but transmits to the phone via Bluetooth for full, remote operation functioning as a miniature meteorological station. You have been warned. If you get to play with any of these devices, you may end up like me, thinking, “I’ve got to get one of these.” But if you do, you’ll wonder how you managed without it. ★

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SEEK THERMAL

’m dating myself here, but I can remember the first time I used a friend’s cell phone and was instantly hooked, thinking to myself, “I have got to get one of these.” Well, I recently saw some interesting gadgets that, when combined with your smartphone and an app, could prove incredibly useful for your time out on the water. They again had me thinking, “I have to get one for myself.”

PHOTO BY GLENN HAYES

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ASK THE EXPERT by Elizabeth Altick



Take us along for the ride!

Check out Lakeland Boating’s FREE digital issue archive at lakelandboating.com



BOAT SPOTLIGHT by Gary Reich

Albemarle 25 Express Downeast distinctiveness.

SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 25'2" Beam: 8'6" Draft: 1'10" Weight: 7,500 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 193 gals. Water Capacity: 23 gals. Power: T-250 hp Yamaha F250 outboards Base Price: $141,900 ALBEMARLEBOATS.COM

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hen you say the word “Downeast,” most folks think of Maine, Hinckley Boats and lobsters. But there’s another geographic Downeast in North Carolina, where some of the finest sportfishing boats in the world come from. Albemarle of Edenton, North Carolina is located just 75 miles northeast of the very waters that spawned the classic Carolina hull, designed to fish the rugged waters off the North Carolina Capes.The company’s Albemarle 25 Express is built with this mission in mind. The transom deadrise is an astounding 24 degrees. That means the Albemarle 25 can slice through waves like a knife, while still providing a nice, smooth ride. Paul Ochs, from Catawba Moorings (CATAWBAMOORINGS. COM; 419-797-4775) says, “The Albemarle 25 offers all of the comfort, protection and quality of a much larger boat in an easily trailerable package. The speed and efficiency of the Yamaha outboards combined with the classic Carolina design make this a perfect boat for tournament fishing, weekend excursions and island hopping with the family.” At 7,500 pounds, she’s still nimble and speedy. Standard power is supplied by two Yamaha F250 four-stroke

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

outboards, which give the Albemarle 25 a top end of 53.7 mph, with fuel consumption of 44 gph at that speed. A reasonable efficient cruise settles in around 24 mph, where fuel consumption drops to a very tidy 12.4 gph. On deck, the Albemarle 25 Express is all about fishing. Look around and you’ll find fish lockers, a livewell, tackle stowage areas, salt and freshwater wash-down fixtures, and plenty of rod holders. Though most folks who own boats with a utilitarian cuddy cabin like this one use the area more for rod and tackle stowage than sleeping, the Albemarle 25’s forward cabin is quite civilized, thanks to a large V-berth with filler cushion and a hanging locker to starboard. There’s also a cleverly disguised head that swivels out from a hidden compartment in the aft bulkhead. A small galley can be fitted as an option. Carolina genes make the Albemarle 25 Express a great boat for angling the open waters of the Great Lakes, but it also has enough comfort features for a couple to do short weekend cruises. Add in a nearly 400-mile range and you’re off to the races. ★


BOAT SPOTLIGHT by Gary Reich

Four Winns HD 270 Elegance exemplified.

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f you’ve been around the water for any length of time, you know that some deck boats out there are a bit challenged in the looks department. While their broad decks and high freeboard provide a ton of space inside, a deck boat’s design elements can also make building an elegant boat challenging. Four Winns took up that challenge and shattered it, with its new HD 270. Elegant lines are responsible for the HD 270’s pleasing aesthetic, from the beautifully drawn reverse sheer to the dramatic wraparound windshield that blends neatly into the gunwales. Though the HD 270 has a high freeboard, lines that taper both fore and aft along Four Winns’ exclusive double-chine Stable-Vee hull cleverly subdue it. The amount of room inside is astonishing, given the HD 270’s trailerable 8-foot, 5-inch beam. The layout Four Winns has tucked inside is quite clever. Back at the stern, an expansive swim platform with stowaway swim ladder will make getting in and out of the water easy. Lounging is easy here, too, with an aft-facing, two-person bench at the transom. The cockpit has a large L-shaped lounge, while two reclining captain’s chairs sit

behind the split console. An enclosed head is in the port console, while the helm is to starboard. Up forward is a huge U-shaped bow lounge with two forward-facing chaise lounges. A table can be inserted between for happy hour snacks or informal dining. The HD 270’s power plant options are as versatile as its deck layout. You can have the HD 270 in either inboard or outboard flavors, with engines from Mercury, Yamaha, Evinrude, Volvo Penta or MerCruiser. You might be worried about an outboard hogging up all that aforementioned room on the swim platform. No worries there; the outboard well only takes up a little more than a foot of space. If you’re going to use this boat for water sports, consider equipping it with a Volvo Penta engine and the company’s unique Forward Drive sterndrive, which safely tucks the Duoprops up under the stern and vents exhaust gases under the water — and out of your tubers, skiers and wakeboarders’ faces. If you’re looking for a deck boat with a ton of good looks, luxury, performance and ingenuity, the Four Winns HD 270 should definitely be at the top of your list. ★

SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 26'6" Beam: 8'5" Draft: 1'6" Weight: 5,400 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 70 gals. Base Price: $88,308 FOURWINNS.COM

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BOAT SPOTLIGHT by Gary Reich

Jeanneau Leader 46 Bigger is better.

U SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 46'10" Beam: 13'5" Draft: 3'7" Weight: 23,369 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 238 gals. Water Capacity: 106 gals. Power: T-435 hp Volvo Penta IPS600 pod drives Base Price: $571,000 JEANNEAU.COM

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ntil five years ago, the only Jeanneau boats most folks in North America knew about were the company’s expansive lineup of sleek sailboats. So it might surprise you to know that Jeanneau actually started out 55 years ago as a powerboat builder. Today, the company has huge a model range of power craft. The Leader 46 is the “Papa Bear” of Jeanneau’s express boat lineup, which also includes the Leader 8, Leader 36 and Leader 40. At first glance, we noticed that the Leader 46 shares many of the design cues and lines from its Prestige luxury motoryacht division. A chiseled appearance and a forceful stance give the Leader 46 an aggressive look, while a gracefully arched hardtop and soaring sheer line provide a bit of subdued elegance. Jeanneau has rigged the Leader 46 with an eye toward enjoying the outdoors. Jeanneau’s Paul Fenn says, “The Leader 46 is designed for fun in the sun. A large sliding sunroof, optional hydraulic swim platform, outside grill and plenty of places to hang in the sun are just a few of the defining features of this new model of ours.”

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Two steps up from the swim platform brings you to the bridge deck. Just to port is a large, aft-facing sunpad, while farther forward to port is a U-shaped dinette, with an adjacent L-shaped lounge to starboard. Convertible bench/ sunpad seating lie behind the wraparound windshield to port, and the helm is situated to starboard. Below is an open and airy layout, designed for two couples to cruise comfortably. The master stateroom is located mid-cabin, with its own enclosed head and shower, while the private guest stateroom is situated in the bow. It shares an enclosed head and shower through a main salon door. To port in the main salon is a dinette with plenty of room for four people, and the nicely-equipped galley is to starboard. Although several power plant options are available from the factory, there’s no doubt that American boaters will likely turn to the Volvo Penta IPS600 (twin 435-hp Turbo Diesels) as their first choice. Packed with stunning performance and luxury features to the nines, the Leader 46 is sure to impress. ★



BOAT TEST

Pursuit

OS 355

In pursuit of innovation. by Alan Wendt

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF OF PURSUIT PHOTO COURTESY

W

hen you test boats nearly every week for a living, you become leery of formulaic advertising boasting “new features,” “improved performance” or “innovative design.” But when Bruce Thompson, vice president of operations for Pursuit Boats, leaned over at a new products dealer meeting and personally wanted to point out the OS 355 with at least 80 significant design features and engine changes, out came the reporters pad, on went the polarized sunglasses, and I said, “let’s go.” I’ve known Bruce for 25 years; not just from his stellar career heading up design at Sea Ray and Pursuit, but as a father, fellow boater, angler and diving enthusiast. We’ve enjoyed many non-work boating weekends on the Great Lakes, in the Bahamas and Florida Keys. He’s creative (has six boat patents), inspirational and is a boater who actually develops new models based on real experiences, coupled with the latest building methods, materials and technology.

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Efficient workmanship

Brand new from the keel up, the OS 355 maintains tradition in offshore design, with calculated updates to the model it replaces, the OS 345. Perhaps the most stunning and visible improvement is a single-piece, laminated optically clear windshield. Sourced in Italy, the marine glass has curved double glazing composed of chemically hardened panes, offering one of the broadest, clearest, unobstructed helm views free of hardware extrusions on a boat this size. The glass is similar to panels used in European high-speed bullet trains. It won’t implode into tiny pieces like tempered glass, so it will keep water out of the boat in a catastrophic incident. Pursuit incorporated a number of lean manufacturing techniques during the recession. Among the processes, the entire hardtop and window enclosure are now engineered and assembled as a single piece in house. Comprised of fiberglass material infused with resin, the one-piece top is much stronger and lighter weight.

The back end

But I’m getting ahead of the tour, which begins at the transom where you board. With an industry-wide move to beefier outboards (even though they are dropping in weight), Pursuit experimented with finding a sweet spot not just for speed, but fuel consumption, performance and noise abatement. The solution, Thompson says, was a raised motor well to accommodate the twin 350 Yamaha engines. This required development of a patented transom reinforcement grid built on a five-ply resin infused composite transom system. While most of us just go and have fun, Thompson knows all too well that at some point you have to clear a prop tangled with monofilament, deal with someone else’s lost anchor rode, or worse yet, change a prop. By designing a catwalk free of steering cables and fuel lines, then creating an island pocket on the transom and providing enough room for the engine shaft to tilt forward and clear the water, you can easily accomplish these tasks without getting in the water. Not a big deal in the warm Florida Keys, but on Lake Michigan in May, even a member of the Polar Bear Club is likely to grimace. Should you go for a swim, on purpose or accidently, boarding is much easier with a four-step

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Fit for the captain

Phew! That’s just for starters when it comes to the innovation behind the Pursuit OS 355. On to the next treat: The raised bridge and semi-enclosed air conditioned/heated seating area. I’ve already mentioned the incomparable unobstructed view. Pursuit carefully listened to boaters moving up in size and those downsizing, and combined those thoughts into a most pleasing array of electronics, steering and seating. Aside from the captain’s swivel chair, no one else typically has an armrest. But this molded port bridge lounge seating sports a large backrest, folding arm, molded footrest and port articulating armrest. Far less showy is the helm. Twin flat screens, digital instrumentation, throttles, forward bow thruster joystick and rocker panel accessory switches (pleasantly arranged around the Teleflex tilt sport helm wheel with textured grip and control knob), signify that this boat is agile enough for single-handed piloting. Even your restless feet won’t get tired, thanks to a foldout fiberglass footrest/platform.

A place to rest

One look below inside the cabin, however, and it’s a pretty safe bet that you won’t be spending much time alone on the OS 355. The tongue-and-groove wood floor is as smooth as “Up Town Funk’s” fresh jar of Skippy. This tone-setter is an

invitation to relax after a fun afternoon spent exploring Traverse City, Mackinaw, or staying up for a glimpse of the lighthouse ghost at Presque Isle. Your James Bond moment is achieved with an electrically actuated, custom V-berth seating with fixed cushions that converts into a queen-size Berth. Not only does the bed accomplish a parting of the seas moment, but the solid wood table is also electrically actuated for height adjustment. Okay, so I’m easily amused. It’s still cool. Center stage, the portside galley comes complete with all the necessities: 240v dual burner glass cook top, microwave oven, 12v refrigerator, ample storage drawers and cabinets, sink and Corian countertop. Head and shower are starboard, while the full-size aft berth and 6-inch recessed wood framed, inner spring mattress promise a good night’s sleep. Here, you’ll also find dedicated storage for four rods — out of sight and away from temptation when you’re tied up in the marina.

It’s the little things…

“Now, what didn’t you see?” Bruce quizzes me. The answer is screws. Somehow, the design team at Pursuit has managed to hide darn near every fastener behind doorframes and surfaces to provide a big boat finish. And it’s not just above decks; as we crawled into the mechanical space, the innovation and attention to detail suggests Pursuit has made it a mission to not only comply with American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards but also exceed them. All water lines are home runs, eliminating known leak areas. Everything is labeled and color-coded. The electric system is built in house. Harnesses fit with no excess wire or crimps. You won’t see this, but everything is labeled on the backside of the separate AC and DC electric panels, making the technician who troubleshoots your boat a very happy camper. Assuming, of course, you have a problem. This near fanatical attention to detail is a hallmark of Pursuit. “We looked at 10 years of warranty data and removed nearly every failure area possible,” Thompson explains. “From something as simple as beefing up a door jam on the head to an inch-and-a-quarter to keep it super straight, to adding an extra hidden failsafe fireproof enclosure around the electric grill, every inch of this boat is truly new, innovative and designed for improved performance.” And with that, we finally cast off lines for a test ride. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed. Twin 350s made easy work of an unkind sea — the best conditions for nit picking. Honestly, they all run great when the water is flat. Despite my best efforts to create mayhem in the cockpit, with more twists than a weekend marathon of NCIS, the floor storage held watertight. Another Pursuit innovation: The inner liner stays dry, with water being managed before it can reach storage compartments. Bring a notepad to the dealer and see if you can find all 80 innovations. If the boat meets your budget and needs, I’ll bet you’re convinced long before you even get to 40. ★

SPECS

telescopic boarding ladder. That extra rung is much appreciated, as boaters of advanced years can attest. Adjacent to the port transom entry door is a lighted, 28-gallon Oceana Blue livewell, which can be pressurized to protect the bait from sloshing around. What’s unique about this positioning is the incorporation of the fold-down aft seat that neatly recesses into the transom wall. This accommodates a plush, supportive back bolster that doubles as a leaning rail and a comfortable seat when using the cockpit for dining and entertaining. The adjustable backrest is patented. An added bonus is the voluminous, deep storage area now created behind the aft bench. Use it as a fish box or for storage of fins, lines, hoses and anything else that comes aboard wet and needs to drain overboard. In true Ronco TV fashion — but wait, there’s more! Tucked away on the starboard side transom wall are two glide-out tackle drawers. A pair of identical molded single seats flanks the two steps up to the helm area. Underneath both is insulated storage and to port is the outdoor chef’s area. A Kenyon electric outdoor grill is flush-mounted into the cabinet, with sink, hot/cold faucet, cutting board and storage. In the cockpit sole, twin 68-gallon insulated fish boxes with separate diaphragm pumps (rather than macerators) to pass snaps, hooks and the like without clogging. All are supported by gas-rams and secured in place with heavy-duty 316L stainless steel latches. Just to keep everything and everyone clean, there’s a raw water outlet in the cockpit with quick-connect fittings and a 25-foot hose, plus a freshwater wash with hot/cold valve and pull-out sprayer.

Pursuit OS 355

Specifications LOA: 37'11" Beam: 12' Draft (motors up): 2'2" Weight (dry): 16,620 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 375 gals. Water Capacity: 50 gals. Max Power: 700 hp Base Price: Contact dealer PURSUITBOATS.COM

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BOAT TEST

PREMIER 310 ENCOUNTER BY MIKE MENNE

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF PREMIER

A game changer. LAKELANDBOATING.COM

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SPECS

Premier 310 Encounter

E

very so often, there’s a company that takes a chance in an attempt to change the game. Each year, manufacturers introduce new models, new graphic colors and new layouts. As the industry progresses — and consumers demand change — so does the availability of boat models and products offered. What we do not often see is something that shakes up the industry quite like the Premier Encounter. This never before seen, brand new 2016 model took some imagination and engineering to dream up. We’re all accustomed to pontoons and their ability to perform while carrying large numbers of passengers. Their open decks and modular floor plans (luxury seating, loungers, bars and multiple areas to entertain on the water) have become the preferred platform for boaters in recent years. They are like floating living rooms with seemingly endless amounts of outdoor space. Most every boat builder has followed this trend and has seen the size of their deck plans and options grow. But Premier stands out among its competition. Pushing the limits This luxury pontoon innovator consistently introduces cutting-edge features to the market, sometimes ahead of their time. But the company also actively works to push the limits of what is possible with product development, including their industry-first, 10-foot wide decks, PTX Performance Package, and now the Encounter, the first-ever center cabin pontoon. That’s right — they took the layout of a luxury day cruiser and built that layout into a pontoon boat. “We saw a need to design a boat that had the stability and luxury of a pontoon with the convenience and comfort of a cabin cruiser,” says Premier president Lori Melbostad. “This model performs like no other pontoon and features a very spacious interior cabin. It will satisfy our customers who like to spend as much time as possible on the water.” Escape the elements The Encounter — available in a 290 and 310 model — comes standard in a 10-foot wide layout. In order to support the new package,

Specifications LOA: 33'5" Beam: 10'2" Weight: 4,000 lbs. Person Capacity: 16 Max Power (PTX triple): 750 hp Base Price: Contact dealer PONTOONS.COM

Premier had to redesign its ever-popular PTX package and widen the tube to a 42-inch center tube. The center cabin actually uses the space from the center tube in its new floor plan with sleeper cabin. The cabin, located in front of the helm, includes a plush sleeper, complete with a mattress, custom bedding and pillow package. This area also makes room for a full head, deck hatch, convertible dining table and facing sofas. It’s an amazing space to get out of the elements or to spend a night on your pontoon. Families will love the features for longer boat rides with children; naptime and bathroom breaks are now possible while underway. Other features include Premier’s new Prosperity furniture, featuring the softest Heritage marine fabric known in the industry. This material is seen on only the finest of luxury yachts and maintains the yacht-like finishes. The topside of the boat has all of the features you’ve come to expect on a pontoon: there’s a front bench, integrated bow sun lounger and rear wrap-around seating area. These areas accommodate 14 to 16 passengers, making the layout of this pontoon truly unique. Industry-first innovations The Encounter is a futuristic and untraditional pontoon. Premier incorporated its new-for-2016 Duro rails into the boat; the new shape and bends give the Encounter a standout look. Evinrude’s new G2 E-Tec powered our test boat, mirroring the contemporary look of the boat. Looking back at the engines, we counted not twins but triple Evinrude 250 G2 E-Tecs. The triple engine feature is new for Premier in 2016 and another one of their industry-first innovations on a production

pontoon boat. The triple engine package, with a total of 750 hp, made this craft handle more like a sport boat than a traditional triple-tube pontoon. The increased power allowed us to instantly get the boat up on plane and use the handling benefits of the new 42-inch PTX triple tube. Its top speed pushed 60 mph and it’s a ride you will truly have to experience for yourself. Other standard features that we found throughout were high-end components, like a Zenith steering wheel, seagrass flooring, an Imperial galley with refrigerator, a front-mount camera and a refrigerated cup holder at the helm for the driver. Premier essentially thought of everything when they designed this pontoon; it’s a specialized boat designed for a specialty consumer. “Any boat lover has had those days when they can’t bear to say goodnight to a perfect sunset on the lake,” Melbostad says. “This model lets boaters expand their summers with a place to sleep, lounge or just get away from it all.” If you’re in search of a luxury pontoon company that pushes the limits with design and engineering, Premier is out there looking to change the game yet again. Their products continue to innovate and push the level of what boaters thought was possible with a traditional pontoon boat. If you’re seeking a pontoon boat model that allows you some of the comforts only found in traditional day cruising yachts, the Encounter is for you. If you’re looking for something else, chances are Premier builds it in one of their other 78 models. Here’s to changing the game again. Progress is a beautiful thing. ★

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and

innovation

Old-Fashioned

Craftsmanship

by Craig Ritchie Today

Smoker Craft 17 Millentia

Starcraft SCX 231 Wake Edition

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I

t’s hard to pinpoint exactly when the balance began to shift. At one time, the majority of boat manufacturers were family-owned operations run by people who felt they could build something better than the other guy, but somewhere along the way boating got big. As it is with so many other areas in life, multinational corporations and private equity firms, driven by shareholders with a keen eye on the bottom line, now own a growing number of boat companies. In our big-box, mass consumption world, the family-owned business doing what it loves has become a bit of an anachronism. Perhaps that’s why we all seem to enjoy seeing one defy the trend and not only survive, but thrive by competing on innovation and simple, old-fashioned craftsmanship. Smoker Craft Inc. — the New Paris, Indiana-based company that builds Starcraft, Smoker Craft, Sylvan, SunChaser and Starweld boats — remains a family-owned and operated private company that manages to successfully compete head-on with the largest international conglomerates in the recreational boating industry. It’s exactly the type of company that many business analysts wrote off as road kill with the 2008 financial crisis, yet today its business model is one that other companies — both within and outside the boating industry — are now eager to emulate. Having survived an economic crisis that took down banks and global giants, Smoker Craft has managed to thrive by carefully adhering to strategies and values that were established more than a century ago, and by spending as much time as humanly possible out on the water. “At the end of the day we’re all boaters,” says Peter Barrett, Smoker Craft’s senior vice president

PHOTOS BY CRAIG RITCHIE

From humble beginnings more than 100 years ago, family-owned Smoker Craft Inc. thrives in our big box, corporate world by building well-made boats, imagined by spending as much time on the water as possible.


First Starcraft Holiday model

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SMOKER CRAFT INC.

of marketing and corporate development. It’s hard to disagree, as we putt across northern Indiana’s Syracuse Lake in a new Starcraft SCX sport boat while Barrett, a passionate wake surfer, prepares to take a turn out back. “I like to surf and to water ski. Doug Smoker, our president, likes to fish. When we host our dealer meeting each year it’s all guys from the plant who are running the boats and taking dealers for demo rides. A lot of our design ideas come from staff who were out on the water and thought up a better way of doing something, or found a better place to locate some piece of equipment. A huge amount of the R&D results from the fact that so many people in our company are boaters themselves.” From humble beginnings It was Barrett’s great-grandfather, Arthur Schrock, who started it all. In 1903, Schrock went to work for the Star Tank Company in Middlebury, Indiana, manufacturing galvanized steel tanks for railroad and agricultural applications. After a short time, the company began making boats as well. The boats proved so successful that in due course the business was renamed Star Tank and Boat. Schrock bought a piece of the company, and when the original owner died in 1926 he bought the rest. Star Tank and Boat became Starcraft, focusing on boat production alone. Son Harold Schrock soon joined the business, first working in sales, then as its general manager, then as Starcraft’s president. While Starcraft built boats, in nearby Goshen, Indiana, the Smoker Lumber Company had developed a strong business selling oars and

gan Company be Star Tank s as a sideline at bo l stee e long it building ga ess. Befor ltural busin to its agricu e boats than tanks. mor was selling

1900s: lvTanheized

1920s: The Smoker Lumber Company developed a stro ng business selling oars and paddles, alon g with water skis and other mar ine acessories.

Smoker began to homes until diversify, building mobile aluminum pted ado ft rcra Sta . 1964 erial, as its primary building mat ce with based on employee experien also WWII fighter planes, but m. experimented with magnesiu

1950s:

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First Sylvan Deck Boats

Starcraft expanded to the 1970s, produce other products in campers. including snowmobiles and

1970s:

1980s: Starcraft introduced its first pontoon boats in the 1980s. 1990s: SunChaser boats joined the business in 1991.

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paddles; so much so, that in 1928 it renamed itself the Smoker Oar and Paddle Company. “We did a huge business in oars and paddles, and we stayed in that business till 1988,” says Doug Smoker, current president for Smoker Craft Inc. “We built wooden gunnels for Starcraft and a few other boat companies, too, but paddles were the focus. It was a very profitable business to be in.” Wartime contracts — Starcraft built wooden sculls while Smoker Oar and Paddle supplied the propulsion — proved lucrative, but business for both Starcraft and Smoker Oar and Paddle really took off in post-war America, as consumer demand for recreational products exploded. Starcraft’s aluminum boats were significantly lighter in weight than their wooden contemporaries and were better able to handle daily bumps and grinds. Competition was inevitable. “In 1963 we got into the aluminum boat business ourselves,” Doug Smoker says with a smile. “Our family had been around boats for a long time through the paddle company, so it made a lot of sense and was a good extension of our oar and paddle business.” Around the same time in nearby Wolcottville, Indiana, an entrepreneur named John Cripe had also entered the boat business by founding Sylvan Industries. Focusing on houseboats and pontoons, Sylvan quickly established a name for itself as a quality builder. Don’t poke the bear By 1966, Harold Schrock thought he’d had enough. He sold the business to a conglomerate named Bangor Punta, where he remained as president of the company’s marine group until 1969. “I enjoyed running Starcraft,” he said in a 2011 interview. “When I sold it, the only stipulation I asked for was to have a distributorship in Indiana. But then the people we had sold Starcraft to decided they didn’t want to use distributors any more, which put me and a lot of other people out of work. That made me very angry.” Unemployed and thoroughly steamed, Schrock went right back to doing what he knew best. He promptly bought Sylvan Industries and got back into the boat business. Although Smoker Craft’s aluminum boat business was doing well — the company had landed a lucrative contract with catalogue retailer Montgomery Ward in 1975 — its owners also began looking further afield.

PHOTO COURTESY PHOTOS COURTESYOF OF SMOKER CRAFT INC.

1960s: Smoker Craft entered the aluminum boat business in 1963, joining Starcraft to become a dominant brand.


The Team

PETER AND PHOTO COURTESY HAROLD OFPHOTOS BY CRAIG RITCHIE; DOUG AND HENRY PHOTO COURTESY OF SMOKER CRAFT INC.

“By that point my father and my uncle were ready to retire, while Harold Schrock wanted back into the boat business,” says Doug Smoker. “So he bought a controlling interest in the company. We consolidated the Sylvan name with Smoker Craft and assumed the pontoon business. We subsequently built a name for Sylvan aluminum boats, which followed a similar construction and distribution model that Starcraft had previously used.” In 1995, Smoker Craft received a fateful call from Brunswick Marine, which had acquired the Starcraft brand some years earlier and now wanted to sell. “Starcraft changed hands a few times since my grandfather originally sold it, and we were very interested in bringing that brand back into the family,” says Barrett. “Buying it back from Brunswick was very much a family heritage type of purchase.” Invested in the future The acquisition of Starcraft may have closed a family circle, but it also presented some management challenges to the company. “Starcraft had been fierce competitors with Smoker Craft and Sylvan for many years,” says Barrett. “It would have been easy to bring these hugely competing brands together and have it fail, for a number of reasons. But because people here are all genuinely proud of what they do, they have the ability to make it work.” “I truly do believe that the reason the company has been successful, as a family-run business competing in an industry full of big corporations, is because everyone here is personally invested in what they do,” says Doug Smoker. “I think the evidence of that is that we don’t have employees leave. We always joke that the only way for someone to move up the org chart is for someone else to die. But it amazes me that I still see people in the plant who started with us in the 1960s, and they’re still there, every day. They have so much experience and knowledge, and that goes right into the quality of the product we sell. On a management level, many of those people who run the company have a personal ownership stake, so the decision making process is faster. There isn’t the corporate red tape that can freeze a company in its tracks. This provides the agility you need to be able to satisfy niche markets and move quickly to provide what your customers are asking for.” That agility quite likely saved the company in 2008 when the US economy flat lined. “We had begun planning to further consolidate

these businesses in 2006, and the financial crisis of 2008 expedited things,” says Barrett. “We took a plan that was to be implemented over two years and completed it in just six months. If you can imagine the challenge of bringing four plants into one central location that rapidly, you can appreciate what an achievement that was.” Even more impressive is the fact that this happened while the company was abandoned by its bank, despite owning all of its assets and having no real debt. Simultaneously, some dealers had their loans called, leaving Smoker Craft on the hook for the repossessed inventory. It was a chapter of the company’s history Barrett says he will never forget. Part of the family In spite of the obstacles thrown in its path, the company survived. Today, Smoker Craft Inc. boasts around 500 employees and manufactures a diverse product offering within three distinct product segments: aluminum, pontoon and fiberglass. As an independent boat manufacturer, Smoker Craft works with no less than six engine suppliers — Honda, Mercury, Suzuki, Evinrude, Yamaha and Volvo Penta — along with numerous suppliers of components from steering wheels to gauges to electronics to trailers. The company’s agility allows for a level of mass semi-customization that many buyers find highly appealing in a one-size-fits-all world. “Our customers are tremendously important and we go to enormous lengths to make sure that they’re happy and that they know they’re part of the family,” says Doug Smoker. “We believe that personal relationships are critically important. It isn’t ‘us and them.’ It’s the manufacturer and the dealer and the end user, and we’re all in this together.” That situation isn’t about to change, as the next generation of family members — all boaters themselves — enters the business. Sales are up. A brand-new extension that effectively doubled the size of the company’s pontoon plant just opened last year, and is already running at near capacity. And as the North American demographic profile begins to shift, with boomers reaching retirement age and Gen Y starting families, the demand for affordable, well-made boats is projected to grow. With a 113-year heritage of making family memories, Smoker Craft Inc. looks to build on that incredible legacy by doing what it always has — competing on innovation and simple, old-fashioned craftsmanship. ★

Doug Smoker with grandson Henry

Peter Barrett

Harold Schrock

Arthur Schrock

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d PHOTO COURTESY OF

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ANCHOR PHOTO (RIGHT) BY STEW DEAN

the low down on

anchoring

in the great lakes. by john wooldridge

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOATUS

A

s the breeze touched my neck, I had the sense that something was wrong. I looked out at our cruiser, anchored off the miniscule beach of this tree-studded granite island, and watched as it rode gently to the anchor chain. And then it hit me.The orientation of the boat was wrong. Very wrong. I had set the anchor in a rocky, dense sand bottom — one that was described clearly on the chart, and it didn’t yield against the reverse pull of the outdrives. Our stern was pointed toward the island, right in the middle of a modest yet unprotected bay. We unloaded the kayaks and launched for the beach. All was well until an ever so subtle change of wind direction appeared. It wasn’t strong or gusty, and I nearly missed it. When the wind came, the boat began to swing to an angle that was more across the mouth of the bay than into it. And to my rising anxiety, I watched as it swung slowly and steadily towards a rocky outcropping nearby. I sprinted for the beach, launched a kayak with no regard for the cold water, and paddled as fast as I could to the stern of our cruiser. Once aboard, I went forward to release the snubbing line attaching the chain rode to a nearby cleat, actuated the deck-mounted windlass switch and watched as the anchor chain fed seamlessly through the bow roller and into the chain locker. After about 10 seconds, when I could see the outdrives were well clear of the rocks, I snubbed the anchor chain once again, then sat and watched my relationship to the shoreline to make sure that the boat wasn’t dragging the anchor.

As I sat on the foredeck, I pondered what had happened and wondered how I could have avoided such a near-damaging, possibly trip-ending experience.

In the beginning

For as long as humans have pushed a log out into the water on which to hold, or slipped a dock line to leave the land behind for commerce, or cast off a mooring line in search of adventure, we have always needed a foolproof way to reattach to the lake or ocean floor. We have used rocks in baskets, wooden hooks and a staggering array of metal designs to help ensure that our boats don’t drift away with wind, tide or current. We attached them to our boats with rope of some form to allow swinging with the wind or current, or changes of water depth, according to the tides. Today, our anchor rodes (as they are known) may be nylon rope, chain or a combination of the two.

Anchors aweigh

Most serious cruisers I know carry two anchors with them, on substantial lengths of chain, oftentimes stowed side-by-side in a large bow pulpit. Even if their boat might only carry one forward, they typically carry the other in a locker for those times when the already-mounted anchor may not be right for optimal holding in local bottom conditions. Generally speaking, those two types are plow anchors, like the well-known CQR, and fluke anchors, like the

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Plow/cqr

Responsive to wind/tide changes. Good for wide variety of bottoms.

fluke/danforth

Holds well in mud/sand. Lightweight. Struggles outside mud/sand.

Scope (aka ratio) guide

DEPTH: 10’

Short Stay 5:1

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Overnight 8:1

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buried, although much stronger winds might have caused it to break free. In that case, it could have reburied but, as you may experience, nothing is certain when it comes to anchoring.

Lessons learned

Part of the problem I experienced that day had to do with the scope (ratio of the chain rode to the depth of the water). I had anchored in about 10 feet of water and was confident of the set. In a typical light-wind, no-current situation, I would have let out about 50 feet of chain, so that the scope was 5 to 1, or 5:1. I didn’t know the depth of water from the sounder readings on my multi-function display (MFD) screen. However, since I had no markings on my chain rode to estimate the amount of chain rode I let out, I was judging by watching the amount of rode flowing over the bow rollers and trying to keep a count in seconds. Painted sections of chain or rope rode every 10 feet, or other markings, would have made the process much more precise. As it stood, I probably had payed out (let out) 80 to 100 feet or more of chain, which eventually put me far closer to the rocks than I had planned. One upside to having an all-chain rode with a ratio closer to 8:1 or 10:1 was that the weight kept the angle of the chain leading up to the pulpit much flatter. This increased the horizontal pull on the buried anchor. A shorter scope would have a steeper angle, with upward strain on the anchor that could have broken it out quicker. Some experienced cruisers attach a weight to the rode to keep the chain (or chain section of a combination rode with rope) laying flat on the bottom. Heavy Weather Others attach a long cable to a bow eye fastened just 10:1 above the waterline on the stem, attach one end of it to the rode, and then pay out until the bow eye and cable take up the strain. This also keeps the angle lower than running the rode from the deck. If securing the rode on deck, a snubbing line

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOATUS

popular Danforth, although there are interesting variations on each type. Both kinds have usefulness in rocky bottoms, though plow anchors are typically less prone to damage from rocks than fluke anchors. But the variety of anchor types is seemingly endless: Navy/kedge, grapnel, Delta/ wing, Bruce/claw and mushroom are among some of your choices, and each serves a different purpose. Plow types are considered to be better-all-around anchors that will work well in grass, mud and sand. They are typically heavier than the fluke-type anchors, which helps them reset when dragged, and they only store well on bow pulpits, making them the primary anchor on many cruising boats. A plow anchor usually falls on its side; it only rights itself when the boat is put in reverse and a strain is applied to the anchor chain or rope. Then it turns and sits on its bottom while the weight drives it into the bottom. Eventually it will bury itself in the bottom, creating maximum resistance against movement. Fluke types are lighter in weight, smaller in size and generally hold well in mud and sand. They can store flat on deck or vertically in a locker that’s deep enough to accommodate its long shank. Because the flukes are hinged, it can land on either flat side. When a strain is created, the points of the flukes will penetrate the bottom. Fluke-type anchors will also self bury until a maximum resistance against movement is achieved. Thinking back on my experience that day, I was glad to have a plow mounted on a pulpit as my primary anchor. Even as the wind direction changed, it apparently had stayed


more Anchors Navy/Kedge

Traditional style. Generally only used for large ships.

Grapnel

Good for river anchoring. Not ideal for long-term.

should be attached to a cleat before paying out another small amount of line so that the strain isn’t taken on the windlass itself. This is a long-standing habit of mine, and it has undoubtedly extended the usable life of the windlass in question.

Know the ropes

PHOTO COURTESY OF

If we had spent the night aboard in that pristine spot — whether to wait for a passing tow or because it was just too beautiful to leave — several things become vital. And the very first response, in all cases, is to obtain an accurate weather forecast. Next, there’s often a need to set a second anchor — particularly if your ability to maneuver to reset an anchor is restricted by damaged props. That aforementioned weather forecast can help you plan on where to set the second anchor, and what kind of increased scope you might need in stronger winds. Finally, a reliable anchor watch needs to be set. Traditionally, this would be a member of the crew keeping an eye on bearings for nearby landmarks, which if changed dramatically, demand preparation for maneuvering. Today’s MFDs allow you build a fence around your GPS-established anchored position and alert you if the boat moves too far away from that position. Trusting the degree of accuracy of your GPS is a matter of knowing its capabilities. More often than not, I will employ both; I’m not a very sound sleeper when anchored in an unfamiliar location. There are some very good references online and in print that will explain all the facets of safe anchoring and anchors in more detail than I can begin to address. My go-to reference is “Chapman Piloting & Seamanship,” now in its 67th edition. It is thorough, widely illustrated, clearly written and updated every couple of years to keep boat owners apprized of changes in every field of marine recreation. Yet, it is putting into practice the knowledge you have acquired that makes anchoring a safer part of enjoying your boat. Learn all you can, practice it whenever you get the chance and slip the lines when the time and weather are right. ★

Delta/wing

Holds well in most bottoms. Struggles in rock.

Bruce/Claw

Similar to plow, but lighterweight. Struggles in clay/hard mud.

Mushroom

Good for permanent moorings and soft bottoms.

top of the line Stone and rope. Admiralty. Stockless. Wishbone. CQR. Northhill. Danforth. These are just a few of the names of anchor types that have emerged over the centuries. And as you might imagine, the ideas that spawned these anchors never seem to stop evolving. Three companies that have continued the tradition of design, engineering and fabrication of anchors to increase safety and efficiency are presented here. They are representative of the new generation of anchor design.

Fortress “Our anchors were judged by the U.S. Navy to offer superior holding,” says Fortress Anchor’s Brian Sheehan, “holding on average over 200 times their own weight.” They are precision machined from high-tensile magnesium alloy, which is corrosion resistant. They are designed to disassemble for ease of storage or repair. Additionally, the owner can set two different fluke angles: 32 degrees for sand, mud or clay, or 45 degrees for soft mud. You can see them working on the bottom at FORTRESSANCHORS.COM.

Mantus Mantus Anchors are a variation on the traditional plow, but with the plowshare inverted to create a scoop. They are designed to set in very hard or grassy bottoms; have a semi-circular roll bar that turns them point-down under strain; can be disassembled and stored or repaired easily; and come with a lifetime warranty. Greg Kutsen designed the Mantus series of anchors after spending a number of years cruising in the Carribean antd trying out many kinds of anchors. To understand how they work, have a look at the videos posted on MANTUSANCHORS.COM.

Ultra “Ultra Anchors are highly polished 316L stainless steel,” says Ultra’s Randy Boelsems, who helped engineer the anchors and represents them here in the U.S. “As strong as they are beautiful, they are meant for the boat owner who wants the best, and are engineered to consistently selfright and set quickly.” They feature a very sharp, pointed, weighted concave fluke design that has earned the American Bureau of Shipping Type Approval. They also carry a lifetime warranty against bending, breaking, cracking or rusting. To see them in action, check out the videos at QUICKLINE.US.

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the

Tawas City Port Austin

Au Gres Ba

y

Caseville Bay Port

Linwood

Sa

gi

na

w

Pinconning

Sebewaing

Bay City

sunrise coast Michigan’s famed mitten silhouette is shaped by Saginaw Bay, a sparkling stretch of water that opens up to Lake Huron and is dotted with towns, ports, beaches, carpets of forests, rivers and trails. BY J AN E AMMESON

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PHOTO COURTESY OF EAGLE BAY MARINA

Eagle Bay Marina


PHOTO COURTESY OF BAYSAIL/TALL SHIP CELEBRATION

Tall Ship Celebration

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Tawas Point Lighthouse

Bay City Riverwalk

Bay Fest

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E

ach community along Saginaw Bay is unique and charming in its own distinct way: There are the small hamlets of Port Austin at the eastern-most tip; to Tawas Point on the western side of the bay’s entrance — nicknamed the “Cape Cod of the Midwest” with its Victorian-era lighthouse and warm shallow water that’s perfect for swimming; past towns such as Caseville and Au Gres; to bustling Bay City, situated where the 1,143-square-mile bay bottoms out. “It’s absolutely the best,” says Mark Nossal, a U.S.C.G.-licensed charter boat captain and owner of Absolutlee Fun Charters in Au Gres, who offers walleye and perch fishing aboard his 30-foot cruiser. Nossal is not only talking about the fishing but also the beauty of the area; during warmer months it’s lively with boaters coming to shore to visit art galleries and restaurants, and to enjoy the myriad of festivals, celebrations and outdoor activities in the port towns. “I’m not sure a lot of people know we’re here, but once they visit they’re hooked,” Nossal says.

On the water and close to the action

Upon entering Tawas Bay in the bight of Tawas Point, and within walking distance to Tawas Point State Park, you’ll find Jerry’s Marina. This warm, protected and friendly full-service marina is the perfect home base to explore the area and enjoy beautiful sunsets over the bay. They also offer a complete repair and service facility with factory-trained mechanics to keep you on the water. The free shuttle to and from Eagle Bay Marina in Standish transports gamers to the 34,000-square-foot Saganing Eagles Landing Casino — Saginaw Bay’s only casino. Take a chance on the 800 slots, as well as a variety of electronic table games. The casino’s Aerie Café, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, is open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday for late nighters.

TAWAS POINT LIGHTHOUSE PHOTO BY GEORGE THOMAS; PORT AUSTIN PHOTO COURTESY OF PORT AUSTIN REEF LIGHT ASSOCIATION; BAY FEST PHOTO COURTESY OF GREAT LAKES BAY CVB; RIVERWALK PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

Port Austin Reef Light


Appledore

APPLEDORE PHOTO COURTESY OF GREAT LAKES BAY CVB; MARINA PHOTO COURTESY OF BAY HARBOR MARINA

Marinas Situated on one of the deepest entry channels on Saginaw Bay’s eastern shore, the full-service Eagle Bay Marina has more than 60 slips and can accommodate boats up to 30 feet. For families, there’s a covered pavilion with grills. The ship’s store sells beverages and snacks, and offers kayak and canoe rentals. It’s about a 20 minute walk from both the 100-slip Liberty Harbor Marina, which can accommodate boats up to 60 feet, and Pier 7 Marina, Bay City’s oldest continuous operating marina, to the trendy downtown district and the Midland Street Business District. Both have a distinctive collection of shops, art galleries and restaurants housed in restored, commercial Victorian-era buildings. While there, be sure to take the time to stroll the riverwalk alongside the Saginaw River. Bay Harbor Marina, located just a short distance up the Saginaw River, is the areas largest, full-service marina. Bay Harbor has more than 350 slips, rack storage, a heated pool, basketball court, laundry and is just a few minutes from local restaurants, golf and shopping. Bay City is where you can sail aboard the Appledore IV. This tall ship is owned and operated by BaySail, a private non-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship of the Saginaw Bay and the Great Lakes. In addition to MainSail, the youth half-day sail training program (may be a fun thing for the kids to do), they offer day and dinner sails aboard the two-masted schooner as it plies the waterways from downtown Bay City, along the Saginaw River and into the bay. This year, the Appledore is part of the tri-annual Tall Ships Celebration in Bay City. The city was named Port of the Year in 2013 by Tall Ships America — organizer of the Tall Ships Challenge — and will serve as the backdrop to Michigan’s largest gathering of tall ships.

Au Gres Yacht Club Au Gres 989-876-8155

Bay Harbor Marina

AUGRESYACHTCLUBINC.COM

Bay Harbor Marina Bay City 989-684-5010 BAYHARBORBAYCITY.COM

Beadle Bay Marina Sand Point 989-856-4911 Blizzard Hills Marina Pinconning 989-879-4255 Eagle Bay Marina Standish 989-846-6065 EAGLEBAYMARINA.COM

Gambill’s Landing Pinconning 989-879-3303 Jerry’s Marina East Tawas 989-362-8641 JERRYSMARINA.COM

Liberty Harbor Marina Bay City 989-894-2800 BAYCITYMI.ORG

Linwood Beach Marina & Campgrounds Linwood 989-657-4415 LINWOODBEACHMARINA.COM

Pier 7 Marina Bay City 989-894-9061 PIER7MARINA.COM

Pointe Au Gres Marina & Campground Au Gres 989- 876-7314 PTAUGRESMARINA.COM

Port Austin Marina Port Austin 989-738-5075 Sunset Bay Marina Unionville 989-674-2668 SUNSETBAYMARINASAGINAWBAY.COM

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Williams Cheese

Absolutlee Fun Charters

Walleye capital of the world

Saginaw Bay is known as the “Walleye Capital of the World.” No, we didn’t make that up. That’s what Fritz Kuhlman of the Migizi Economic Development Company says when describing the superb fishing in Saginaw Bay. Beyond walleye, there’s bass, perch, salmon, pike and steelhead, just to name a few of the water’s denizens. For those who want to show off their prowess with a line and reel, sign up for the Fairhaven Township Fire Department 5th Annual Walleye War Tournament at the Bay Shore Marina in Bay Port. Add an extra $20 to the competition fee to compete for the Heaviest Walleye and Heaviest Trash Fish, a category that encompasses catfish and sheepshead. Because there’s nothing more delicious than freshly-caught fish, Captain Mark Nossal participates in the Catch and Cook — a program developed by several state entities to promote and encourage creative and safe marketing of Michigan’s Great Lakes sports fish by partnering the charter fishing industry with local restaurants. “I take it over to the Town and Country Lounge in town where they cook it up the way people want it — pan, deep fried or baked,” he says. “No matter how it’s cooked, the taste is phenomenal.”

Say cheese, please

Just a dot of a town on the western shore of Saginaw Bay, Pinconning is called “The Cheese Capital of Michigan” because this is where the Pinconning Cheese Company first opened in 1915. Aged 120 days, most of their cheese is sold throughout the region, but their original super sharp cheese is only available at the store in Pinconning. While there, check out the made-in-Michigan pops, including the classic Vernon’s Ginger Ale and Faygo’s Moon Mist, as well as pickled meats (another local tradition) like the smoked pickled bologna. Pinconning isn’t Saginaw Bay’s only tiny town with big cheese. The Williams Cheese Company, which is celebrating its 71st anniversary this year, is located

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COW PHOTO COURTESY OF ROADSIDEARCHITECTURE.COM; TURNIP PHOTO BY DAVID MARVIN; BLUES PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE; FISHING PHOTO COURTESY OF ABSOLUTLEE FUN CHARTERS

Bay City Blues on the River

Turnip Rock


Charity Island Lighthouse

Calendar of Events March 18-19 “Welcome Spring” Open House Weekend Bay City

YWCA Riverside Art Fest

March 20 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Bay City March 28 Community Band Spring Concert Tawas May 16 Arenac Community Funds’ 13th Annual Golf Outing Standish June 8 Annual YWCA Riverside Art Festival Bay City

in nearby Linwood. Still family-owned, the factory outlet is open seven days a week and offers cheeses such as peppercorn, bacon, swiss and caraway.

CHARITY ISLAND PHOTO COURTESY OF HOMEAWAY.COM; CAR SHOW PHOTO COURTESY OF GREAT LAKES BAY CVB; URBAN SALVAGE PHOTO COURTESY OF URBAN SALVAGE FACEBOOK PAGE

Calling all lighthouse lovers

The lights first went on in 1878 at the Port Austin Reef Light, which stands sentinel at the entrance to Saginaw Bay’s southern-most side. It was built to protect ships from the shoals of the treacherous Port Austin Reef. Renovated after being abandoned in 1953, the history of the lighthouse and the thin, needle-like peninsula jutting into Lake Huron can be discovered at the Port Austin History Center. With its red-roofed keeper’s house, the Tawas Point Lighthouse is located on a spit of land across the bay at Tawas Point. The building, which dates back to 1878, now houses a museum. Tours of the tower are offered from May to October. Abandoned but still revered, the Big Charity Island Lighthouse is the focus of one of the state’s top-rated water adventures. Sip a glass of wine (it’s BYO) and nibble appetizers during the hour-long ride to the 222-acre island in the middle of Saginaw Bay; it’s all part of the “1857 Island Lighthouse Dining Adventure Cruise.” Upon landfall, there’s a short walk to the light keeper’s house for dinner (perch for fish lovers, and carnivores can feast on tenderloin beef tips), followed by a tour, and then a cruise back to the mainland, which is perfectly timed with the setting sun. The light keeper’s home doubles as a vacation home between the months of May and October. The 5-bedroom home can sleep ten for $3,000 a week. Enjoy the view of Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron and Little Charity Island from the home’s wrap-around deck. For serious birders, take a breakfast and bird cruise to spot bald eagles and owls.

Natural designs

“Kayaking at Turnip Rock in Port Austin is on my bucket list,” says Dianna Stampfler, a certified travel ambassador for Promote Michigan.

June 18-19 Thumb Artists Studio Tour Port Austin to Caseville June 20 Fairhaven Township Fire Department 5th Annual Walleye War Tournament Bay Port June, July & August Tuesday Movies in the Park Bay City Wednesdays Apps & Ales Bay City July through August Fridays at the Falls Bay City June 18 Cheese Town Festival Pinconning

July 8-9 Cool City Car Show Bay City July 21-23 Downtown Sidewalk Days Bay City July Tall Ships Celebration Bay City July 31 Pickle Festival Linwood August 5-7 39th Annual Fish Sandwich Festival Bay Port August 12-22 Cheeseburger Festival Caseville August 13-14 Downtown Bay City’s reEvent Bay City August 13-14 Urban Salvage & Antique Show Bay City

June 30-July 2 Fourth of July Fireworks Festival Bay City July 7 Auburn Cornfest Auburn

Urban Salvage & Antique Show

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Caseville Cheeseburger Festival

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attracted over 50,000 — no small feat for a town with a year-round population of approximately 750. Beyond cheeseburgers, Caseville’s Thumb Brewery, located in a 19th century house downtown, features beers on tap, including the intriguingly-named Stone Brewing Arrogant Bastard Scotch Ale and Odd Side Ales Bean Flicker Blonde. Handcrafted stouts and ales, named after such region locales as Charity Island India Pale Ale and Bay City Light Ale, are on tap at Tri-City Brewing Company in Bay City. The three-day Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival started in 1978 and is now the largest eating event in Michigan’s Upper Thumb. Four dollars will buy you a fish sandwich so big that it takes both hands to eat it.

Tastes of the bay

From funky fun to the restoration of an old Vaudevillian theater and movie house, the art scene in Bay City boasts a wide range of galleries, studios and venues. “We’re very lucky because we have so many great artists and people who are dedicated to both the historic architecture and the arts here,” says Candace Bales, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority in Bay City. Bales includes the old State Theatre, now restored to

Who doesn’t love a great burger? Forbes reports that U.S. restaurants and cafeterias served 9 billion hamburgers in 2014. To prove this point in a more local way, when Caseville held its first Cheeseburger Festival in 1999 — a tribute to both Jimmy Buffet and the varieties of the meat patty and limitless toppings — some 5,000 people showed up. Last year, the 10-day event, which includes concerts and The Parade of Tropical Fools,

Local arts

“RENT” PHOTO COURTESY BAY CITY PLAYERS FACEBOOK; CHEESEBURGER PARADE PHOTO COURTESY CASEVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Bay City Players “Rent”

The aptly named Turnip Rock — think large, tree-covered top tapering down to a narrow point — is one of the must-stops on the Pointe aux Barques trail (PAB), a water kayaking route along a section of the bay’s mostly undeveloped shoreline that passes some of the prettiest rock formations in Lower Michigan. The water here is shallow, showcasing the flat rocks lining the bay’s floor, and with the perfect lighting the colors give off the intensity of a Caribbean sea. Kayak rentals are available, and the 7-mile round-trip paddle offers opportunities to also explore sea caves carved into stone cliffs. Wear water shoes (the rocks are slippery) to swim in the clear waters and bring along a disposable or waterproof camera for the many photo ops. Very experienced kayakers can opt to traverse two more miles across the open waters of Lake Huron to the Port Austin Reef Light.


its original Mayan-influenced architectural style, as one of the adornments of the downtown. She describes the 550-seat theater that first opened in 1908 as, “gorgeous and gaudy in the best sense possible.” Major attractions at the theater include movies and live entertainment, such as actor/writer and singer Jeff Daniels, a Michigan native who has performed there at least four times, and performances by the Bijou Orchestra, a group Bales describes as “designed to fit the stage.” “It is a community gathering when you go because people are so supportive,” she says. Another vital part of the city’s art domain is the Bay City Players, the longest continuously running community theater. The annual Thumb Artists Studio Tour meanders along the bay coast on Huron County/M25 between Port Austin and Caseville, where participating artists open their studios to visitors. Included are: the White Church Gallery, where owners Mike and Carrie Zaitz exhibit their works and other regional artists in the old Methodist church they’re in the process of renovating; and Bird Creek Farm, where you’ll find the works of Scott Hocking, a sculptor who specializes in site-specific installations, and realist oil painter David Tyndall. For more celestial adventures, visit the Delta College Planetarium in Bay City, which provides educational and entertaining shows for the public. Funded by NASA, the facility houses a state-of-the-art Planetarium Digital 360 theater, rooftop observation deck, computer lab and the two-story “Space Explorer’s Hall.” The planetarium also assists with astronomy courses for Delta College students. Between water and land, there’s much to see in and around Saginaw Bay. But you don’t have to take our word for it: come and see for yourself. ★

Serving Tawas Bay at Tawas Point Harbor for over 70 years! • 15-ton Marine travel lift • Mercury-certified dealer • SeaSonal dockage • Pontoon and Jet Ski rental • lake HoMe and cottage rental

989-362-8641 • www.jerrysmarina.com

Sea Ray sundancer ........$23,000 Bayliner 2950 ...................$14,900 Crownline 290 CR............$46,600 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer $39,900 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer $32,900 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer $26,500

29’ ’00 30’ ’92 33’ ’93 34’ ’95 35’ ’98 35’ ’91 36’ ’84

POWER BOATS Shamrock 290 ..................$72,000 Sea Ray Sundancer .......$25,500 Carver 33 Aft ....................$47,500 Silverton 34 C...................$44,900 Cruisers 3575 ...................$72,000 Sea Ray Sundancer .......$51,500 Carver 3607 Aft ................$32,750

36’ ’84 37’ ’88 40’ ’05 40’ ’96 41’ ’99 42’ ’87

27’ ‘09 Hunter Edge ....................$39,900 28’ ‘81 O’Day.................................$11,900 28’ ’82 O’Day.................................$15,500

28’ ’85 30’ ’84 31’ ’83 33’ ’86

SAILBOATS O’Day.................................$14,500 O’Day 30............................$16,500 Hunter ...............................$19,500 Laguna 33 ........................$19,500

35’ ’88 J Boats J/35 .....................$53,000 36’ ’99 Catalina 36........................$79,900 36’ ’88 Catalina 36........................$44,500

27’ ’96 29’ ’88 29’ ’01 29’ ’00 29’ ’97 29’ ’94

5309 E. Wilder Rd. Bay City, MI 48706

989-684-5983 • info@bayharborbaycity.com

Where the Road Ends, the Fun Begins!

Sea Ray Aft Cabin...........$32,900 Silverton Conv. ................$19,500 Meridian 408 ..................$219,900 Sea Ray 400 EC................$74,900 Silverton 41C..................$119,900 Chris Craft 426 .................$39,900

Details on all of our listings at

www.kellymarinesales.com

5309 E. WildEr rd. Bay City, Mi 989.684.5010

Only 15 mins from the Saginaw Bay, and no bridges • Close to Bay City’s finest restaurants and entertainment by boat or car • Family-friendly, marina-sponsored parties include cook-outs, picnics and live entertainment for all age groups • Pool, bathhouse and playscape for the children • State-of-the-art fire pits for evening relaxation and conversation • Laundry facilities • Free Wi-Fi • We cater to both power and sail boaters with dedicated service • Full-service repair department • Mid-Michigan’s only Premier Mercruiser Service Center • Advance Fiberglass Technology • Dockage to 70’ • Dry rack storage • Inside heated storage with upgraded LED lighting • Inside cold storage • Fuel dock with convenience store • Fuel discount program •

www.bayharborbaycity.com LAKELANDBOATING.COM

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LAKESHORE LIFE by Kate Bush

MORE INFORMATION Address 05175 Lake St. Boyne City, MI 49712 Specs Bedrooms: 5 Baths: 4 Square Footage: 3,126 Shoreline: 118 feet Price: $899,999 Contact Mark Snyder, Pat O’Brien and Associates Real Estate 231-675-7711 MARKSNYDERHOMES.COM

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Boyne City, MI Classic northern Michigan cottage.

I

t’s true what Ernest Hemingway wrote: “The best sky was in Italy or Spain and in northern Michigan in the fall.” In several of his highly renowned novels, Hemingway confirms that Boyne City and the Horton Bay community are sights to be seen — little slices of paradise. And word has it that Hemingway was also familiar with this property on the shores of Lake Charlevoix, as he reportedly used to bathe in the small pond, just a short walk from this 5-bedroom cottage. “This home has an absolutely gorgeous beach up in Horton Bay and it’s protected from northern prevailing winds,” says realtor Mark Snyder. “It has a deck out by the beach with a fire pit and dock for the boat.” Tucked in a serene setting among cedars and a running creek, the home is the epitome of a cozy, northern Michigan cottage. Recently renovated, the home has room for the whole family, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. It truly is one of those generational family properties,” Snyder says.

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The living room beckons you to curl up with a book, with its white paneled walls, postcard view of the water from the dining table and a wood-burning fireplace. Through the sliding doors off of the dining room lies the expansive deck, which spans the lakeside of the home. A winding, wooden walkway leads over the creek towards the 118-foot beachfront and beach deck. “This cottage is one of those places where you get your bedroom assignment, throw your duffle bag on the bed, take out your flip flops and run out the door,” says Snyder. The beach is sandy all the way out and the dock can easily accommodate a boat up to 26 feet. Located on Lake Charlevoix, with quick access to Lake Michigan and a short drive over to Hemingway’s beloved Walloon Lake, the home is a boater’s dream. “Within a very short distance of this home you have a world-class harbor in Round Lake, downtown Charlevoix and access to ports around the world,” says Snyder. ★.


Lakeshore Life

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MARINA WATCH by Kate Bush

MORE INFORMATION Address Battery Park Marina 701 E Water St. Sandusky, OH 44870 419-625-6142 BATTERYPARK.COM

Amenities Transient slips: Y Pump-out: Y Gas: Y Diesel: Y Lifts: Nearby* Launch ramp: Nearby* Engine repair: Nearby* Hull repair: Nearby* Marine store: Nearby Restaurant: Y Showers: Y Laundromat: Y *At Battery Park Marine Services

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Battery Park Marina Destination marina on Sandusky Bay.

D

ock your boat in one of the 650 floating slips; go for a swim in the heated swimming pool; take a bite out of mouth-watering ribs at the onsite restaurant, Damon’s Grill; watch thrill-seekers across the bay at Cedar Point Amusement Park; witness bald eagles nesting onsite; and take part in cornhole tournaments, sunset wine and cheese parties, and the Christmas in July event. Experience this and more at Battery Park Marina. Family owned and operated by the Pheiffer family since the mid-80s, Battery Park Marina is a destination marina on the shores of Sandusky Bay. “We are in the heart of vacation land,” says Battery Park Marina’s Laura Dahnke. “We are close to many local and regional landmarks. It’s a very peaceful marina for transient boaters who are going around Lake Erie looking for different ports to stay at. Our dock holders like the marina because it’s removed, peaceful, on the bay and away from busy life at home.” Located on a 5-acre wooded park, the marina offers

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picnic tables, benches, grills and a playground area — the perfect ingredients for summertime family fun. Friendly dockhands at the fuel pier pump out both gas and diesel, while nighttime security patrols the property to ensure the safety of boaters and their property. A convenient gift shop makes provisioning the boat for your dockside fiesta a snap. Oh, and on top of all that, the marina is a certified Ohio Clean Marina. “We are known for our peaceful atmosphere, the view and the location on the bay, and for its close proximity to the channel out to Lake Erie and the islands,” Dahnke says. Nearby, at Battery Park Marine Services, you’ll find plenty of space to store and repair your boat — you can even buy a “previously enjoyed” boat. The full-service repair facility offers indoor, outdoor and rack storage, along with engine, fiberglass, paint and detailing services. For a family getaway or a weekend retreat, pull into Battery Park Marina and create your next unforgettable adventure. ★


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sTingrAY

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198LX sTingrAY sPorT deCK 2015 closeoUt pricing

225Lr sTingrAY sPorT BoAT 2015 closeoUt pricing

235Lr sTingrAY sPorT deCK 2015 closeoUt pricing

BenningTon

BenningTon 21 sLX Premium 2016 in stocK

BenningTon 22 sFX 2016 in stocK

BenningTon 24 ssX 2016 in stocK

BenningTon 2550 gsrB 2015 closeoUt pricing

CresTLiner Hug indooer sHowro lowestom! pricing ! 2150 CresTLiner sPorTFisH 2016 in stocK


pursuit

2015 Chris Craft 28 Launch

2016 Pursuit DC 325

TW Merc 350 Mags B3X

Twin Yamaha F300 O/B

2016 Gran Turismo 38 Volvo 300 HP Diesels

2015 Pursuit DC 235 Yamaha F250 O/B

2015 Monte Carlo 4 Volvo IPS 500 Diesels

Largest regaL deaLer on Lake michigan

2016 Pursuit 310 Sport Twin Yamaha F300 O/B 4S

chris craft

excLusive beneteau powerboat deaLer for the great Lakes

2016 Chris Craft 25 Launch Merc 8.2L B3X

JUST ARRIVED!

2016 53 Sport Coup

TW Cummins Diesel 6.7L Zeus

2015 Chris Craft Carina 21

2015 Regal 32 Express

Merc 350 Mags B3 I/O

Twin Volvo Penta 300 HP

Large seLection of brokerage yachts & boats 64’ 1967 Burger 64......................................... $399,000 49’ 1997 Grand Banks 49 Classic .................... $475,000 48’ 1995 Ocean Alexander 456 3 Classicco ... $269,000 47’ 2000 Bayliner 4788 Pilot House MY......... $180,000 46’ 2006 Carver 46 MY ................................... $355,000 44’ 2003 Silverton 42 Convertible.................. $229,000 44’ 1997 Sea Ray 440 Express Bridge ............ $109,000 42’ 2013 Regal 42 Sport Coupe w/ 87 hours . $449,000 42’ 2003 Regal 4260 Commodore ................. $149,995 42’ 1999 Cruisers 4270 Express ...................... $144,900 42’ 1999 Cruisers 4270 Espirit ........................ $129,995 42’ 1987 Grand Banks 42 Classic.................... $209,000 42’ 1986 Carver 4207 ........................................$44,995 42’ 1984 Grand Banks 42 Classic.................... $217,500 42’ 1971 Grand Banks 42 Classic.......................$28,700 42’ 1968 Chris Craft 42 Commander .................$24,900 41’ 1996 Tiara 4100 Open .............................. $159,900 41’ 1996 Formula PC ........................................$99,500 41’ 1988 Sea Ray 415 Aft Cabin ........................$44,995 40’ 2004 Formula 40 PC ................................. $192,000

40’ 2003 Ocean Yachts Super Sport ............... $189,900 40’ 1997 Sea Ray 400 Sundancer ................... $128,000 39’ 2000 Silverton 392 Motor Yacht ..................$89,995 39’ 1998 Silverton 372 Aft Cabin .................... $104,999 39’ 1989 Sea Ray 390 Express Cruiser ...............$27,995 38’ 2013 Beneteau USA Gran Turismo 38 ...... $299,000 38’ 2006 Silverton Sport Bridge w/150 hrs ... $198,000 38’ 2004 Silverton 38 Convertible.................. $155,000 38’ 2000 Hunter (Freshwater) 380....................$87,400 38’ 2000 Cruisers Yachts 3870 Express...............$97,600 38’ 1998 Cruisers 3870 Express .........................$89,000 36’ 2004 Carver 360 SS................................... $199,000 36’ 1995 Catalina 36..........................................$68,400 36’ 1986 Gozzard 36 Cutter ...............................$88,600 35’ 1983 Grand Banks Classic ......................... $124,900 36’ 1980 Islander Yachts ....................................$19,200 35’ 2004 Silverton 35 Motor Yacht ................. $129,995 35’ 2004 Silverton 35 MY ............................... $119,900 35’ 2002 Cruisers 3572 Express .........................$49,900 35’ 1999 Silverton 351 Sedan Cruiser ...............$53,000 34’ 2007 Rinker 342 Express Cruiser .............. $109,000

Sturgeon Bay 77 South First Avenue • Sturgeon Bay, WI • (920) 746-1912 Martin Kelsey • 920 559 0366 • Martin@centerpointesales.com Terry Godres • 920 559 0730• Terry@centerpointesales.com Tony Peot • 920 493 4747 • Tony@centerpointesales.com

34’ 2006 Silverton 34 Convertible.................. $159,000 34’ 2005 Formula 34 PC ................................. $133,900 34’ 2001 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer......................$79,900 34’ 2001 Pursuit 3400 Express Fisherman ..... $114,995 34’ 1991 Pacific Seacraft 34 ..............................$83,900 34’ 1989 Sea Ray 34 Sedan Bridge ...................$27,995 34’ 1986 Tollycraft 34 Sundeck Cruiser .............$44,000 33’ 2003 Cruisers 3372 ......................................$92,500 33’ 1993 Hunter 33.5 .........................................$41,500 33’ 1988 Tiara 3300 Open..................................$55,000 32’ 2007 Rinker 320 Express Cruiser .................$59,900 32’ 1996 Wellcraft 32 Martiniqe .......................$29,500 32’ 1978 Pearson 323 Sloop..............................$20,900 32’ 1973 Grand Banks 32 Sedan .......................$16,500 31’ 2005 Formula 31 PC ................................. $109,000 31’ 1995 Mainship 31 SB...................................$39,900 30’ 2000 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer......................$49,500 30’ 1998 Cruisers 3075 Rogue...........................$34,950 30’ 1996 Rinker 300 Fiesta Vee .........................$21,800 30’ 1996 Chris Craft 30 Crowne .........................$19,995 30’ 1990 Cruisers 3070 Rogue...........................$13,500

30’ 1989 Tollycraft Sport Cruiser .......................$29,500 30’ 1983 Ericson 30 Plus....................................$19,900 29’ 2009 Glastron 289 GS...................................$59,900 29’ 2008 Sea Ray 290 Amberjack......................$99,995 28’ 1987 Cape Dory 28 Hardtop .......................$49,800 28’ 1987 Tartan 28 ............................................$29,500 28’ 1978 Carver 2 v860 Santa Cruise...................$7,500 28’ 1978 Cruisers Yachts Villavee.........................$6,900 27’ 1996 Sea Ray 27 Sundancer........................$24,900 27’ 1987 Regal Commodore 277XL ....................$4,500 27’ 1986 Catalina 27..........................................$17,500 27’ 1978 Cape Dory ...........................................$14,600 27’ 1947 PJ Stout Fella 27....................................$8,800 26’ 1993 Rinker 260 Fiestavee ............................$3,900 25’ 2013 Regal 2500 Bowrider w/Trailer .........$64,900 24’ 2002 Pacific Seacraft 24’ Dana ....................$88,900 24’ 1965 Columbia Contender ............................$5,400 22’ 1997 Pursuit 2270 Center Console ..............$20,800 21’ 2011 Zodiac Medline ...................................$45,900 16’ 2004 Alsberg Classic Double Cockpit...........$24,000

Milwaukee 700 South Water Street • Milwaukee, WI (888) 992-2487 John Niemann • 262 309 9579 •John@centerpointesales.com Tyler Wilkins • 414 248 9668 •Tyler@centerpointesales.com

www.centerpointesales.com

or call

Kenosha 21-56th Street • Kenosha, WI (888) 992-2487 Mike Montilino • 612 419 3772 Mike@centerpointesales.com

(888) 9-yachts


Southport Marina is a public marina that is privately owned and operated, located just north of the Illinois state line, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. our marina is surrounded by several new developments, like the Kenosha harbor Market, antique trolley car system, harbor Place housing development and numerous restaurants and pubs are within walking distance to the marina. Come join us and see what fun boating can be!

H H H H H H H H H H H H

AdjAcent to KenoshA’s FAmous hArbor mArKet WAlKing distAnce to KenoshA’s hottest restAurAnts And pubs Free pool, hot tub And indoor jAcuzzi Free WiFi Free pump-outs Fitness rooms privAte security convenient pArKing lAundry FAcilities premiere indoor storAge FAcility And outdoor storAge 75-ton trAvel liFt Full-service repAir depArtment

21 – 56th Street KenoSha, WI 53140 262-657-5565

WWW.SPMARINA.NET



Marine Services Corp. tWo great coMpanieS, one dedicated faMily. AZiMUT sALes AND service

services n Sale & Installation of Bow & Stern Thruster n Sale & Installation of Underwater Lights & Electronics n Gas & Diesel Engine Repairs by Certified Technicians n Buff & Wax n Fiberglass Repairs n Boat Transportation by Licensed Captains n Custom Work n Complete Boat Painting n Fully Stocked Parts Department n Ability to lift 150,000 lbs.

Ph: 708.841.5660 n www.marineservicescorp.com

55’ 2016 Azimut 55S

52’ 2009 Cruisers Yachts Sport Coupe

52’ 1988 Jefferson Monticello $159,000

T/Volvo’s NEW, Call for Price

50’ 1991 Sea Ray 480 Sundancer

47’ 2003 Silverton 453 Motor Yacht

47’ 2006 Carver 43

45’ 2007 Formula 45 Yacht

38’ 1998 Carver Santego

37’ 2007 Formula 37 PC

36’ 2005 Rinker 360 Fiesta Vee

35’ 1999 56 356 Carver Aft Cabin

3 IPS Volvo Diesels, Call for Price

$109,000

D-12 Volvo Penta, $695,000

Azimut 68 Fly Azimut 62 Flybridge Azimut 58 Fly Azimut 53 Fly Sea Ray 52 Sundancer Sea Ray 48 Sundancer Sea Ray 510 Sundancer Sea Ray 480 Sundancer Sea Ray 48 Sundancer Carver 43 Motor Yacht Sea Ray 440 Express Bridge Hatteras Double Cabin

2007 2007 2011 2013 2006 2006 2001 1991 2006 2006 1997 1982

$1,141,435 $949,000 $1,095,000 $1,250,142 $477,745 $411,430 $329,000 $109,000 $439,900 $299,000 $129,000 $88,000

Twin Cats, $299,000

$249,900

New York Ohio New York Maryland Missouri Ohio Chicago, Il Chicago, IL Ohio Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL

41’ 39’ 39’ 38’ 37’ 37’ 37’ 37’ 36’ 36’ 36’ 35’

Silverton Convertible Sea Ray Express 390 Sea Ray Express 390 Regal 3860 Commodore Larson Cabrio 370 Midcabin Sea Ray 370 Express Cruisers Sea Ray 370 Express Cruiser Silverton 37 Convertible Carver 36 Mariner Carver 36 Mariner Nova 36 Sundeck Carver Aft Cabin

1997 1986 1986 2002 2004 1997 1992 1989 2006 2006 1987 1999

$79,900 $31,500 $27,500 $115,000 $119,900 $49,000 $39,900 $39,900 $124,900 $124,900 $79,000 $79,900

Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago, IL

50’ 2016 Azimut 50 Fly

$359,000

$83,900

$158,000

Twin Gas, $64,995

70’ 62’ 58’ 53’ 53’ 51’ 51’ 50’ 48’ 47’ 44’ 43’

Marine services is chicagoland’s Premier service and storage Facility, located just 20 minutes south of chicago in Dolton, iL. Our Certified Service Technicians can provide expert mechanical service for your engines, drives and auxiliary systems. We share your passion for boating and can perform top quality hull and topside repairs. Our body/paint shop can accommodate yachts up to 65 ft, serving both sailboat and powerboat enthusiasts. Call us for estimates on your repairs!

34’ 33’ 33’ 32’ 32’ 31’ 31’ 29’ 29’ 29’ 28’ 19’

T 7.4 Mercs, $78,900

Sea Ray 345 Sedan Sea Ray Sundancer Sea Ray Sundancer Bayliner 320 Express Sea Ray 320 Larson 310 Cabrio Rinker 310 Fiesta Vee Rinker 280 EC Sea Ray 290 Sea Ray 290 Sea Ray Sundancer Chris Craft 19 Capri

1989 1999 1996 2008 2007 2006 2002 2008 1999 1999 1989 1956

$36,900 Chicago, IL $49,900 Chicago, IL $49,900 Chicago, IL $76,900 Chicago, IL $129,500 Chicago, IL $79,900 Chicago, IL $64,900 Chicago, IL $47,000 Channahon, IL $42,900 Chicago, IL $36,500 Chicago, IL $9,995 Chicago, IL $23,900 Chicago, IL

AZiMUT sALes AND service For more information or to list your yacht, contact our Sales Team at: 708.841.5660 or BW@eliteyachtschicago.com, KS@eliteyachtschicago.com or MW@eliteyachtschicago.com

For a complete list oF boats For sale, visit: eliteyachtSchicago.coM


be ill he w t ch s at a at y be 6 bo pla m oW 201 s l ew di a sh 0, N n t p at 7-2 o es o 1 W b rch a M

Quality Products • Friendly & Knowledgeable Personnel • Quality service

K toc s in

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Your Great Lakes Premier Yacht Dealership

belize 54 Db

5400 Riviera sport Yacht

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Visit WWW.baYmaRi n e.n et to see ou R com plete selection oF pRe- oWn eD boats

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2013 ocean alexander 65 pilothouse Mark Felhofer: 920-495-5567

2010 ocean alexander 58 pilot house Mark Felhofer: 920-495-5567

1999 cruisers Yachts 500 sedan sport Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

1982 Viking 44 motor Yacht Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

2013 sabre 42 salon express Mark Felhofer: 920-495-5567

2005 cruisers Yachts 420 express Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

2011 Rampage 41 express Bob Krohn: 920-493-1534

2006 Formula 400 super sport Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

2002 cruisers Yachts 3672 express Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

1998 carver 355 aft cabin mY Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

2004 cruisers Yachts 340 express Bob Krohn: 920-493-1534

1996 silverton 34 aft cabin mY Bob Krohn: 920-493-1534

2008 cruisers Yachts 330 express Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

2000 Four Winns 328 Vista Bob Krohn: 920-493-1534

2002 & 2003 cruisers 3275 express Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

2008 & 2009 cruisers 310 cX1 express 2011 cruisers 310 express w/ Diesels Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

2006 carolina classic 28 Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

door county, wi 920-495-5567

2005 crownline 275 ccR Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

2014 bennington R2375 Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

sales@baymarine.net www.baymarine.net

ab tender close outs! Chris DePrey: 920-366-4320

chicago, il 630-335-7826



CHeCK out ouR WeBsite FoR sPeCiAL BoAt sHoW PRiCiNG AND Demo/CLoseout sAviNGs!

Come visit us: Grand Rapids Boat show DeVos Place February 17 - 21, 2016

brokerage boats 9’ 1995 10’ 2013 15’ 2004 18’ 1995 18’ 2008 19’ 2014 21’ 2007 22’ 1965 22’ 2001 25’ 1989 26’ 2000 26’ 2012 27’ 1972 27’ 1987 27’ 1999 27’ 2000 27’ 2014 28’ 1987 28’ 1999 28’ 2002 28’ 2002 28’ 2013 28’ 2014 29’ 1984 29’ 2005 30’ 1978 30’ 1983 30’ 1987 31’ 1979 31’ 1990 31’ 1990 31’ 1995 32’ 1987 32’ 1989 32’ 1990 32’ 2001 32’ 2002 32’ 2003 32’ 2010 33’ 1989

Kawasaki Jet Ski 900 ZXi ................................. $1,000 Zodiac Cadet 285 ............................................ $2,700 Sea Doo Bombardier ........................................ $7,900 Donzi 18 Classic ............................................ $17,500 Caracal Center Console .................................. $19,900 Scarab 195 HO Impulse ................................. $33,500 Trophy 2052 Walkaround ............................... $22,900 Chris Craft 22 Dory ........................................ $39,500 Sea Ray 225 Weekender ................................ $19,900 Baja 250 Sport .............................................. $17,999 Regal 2660 Commodore ................................ $31,900 Cutwater 26 ................................................ $134,900 Uniflite 27’ Hardtop ........................................ $25,000 Tiara 270 ...................................................... $14,900 Larson 270 ................................................... $29,900 Baja 272 ....................................................... $29,900 Ranger Tugs R-27....................................Sale Pending Carver 28 Mariner / Voyager............................. $9,900 Bayliner Cierra Express 2859 ......................... $28,900 Bayliner 2855 Ciera ....................................... $31,900 Bayliner 2855 Ciera ....................................... $24,900 Cutwater 28 ................................................ $179,900 Cutwater 28 ................................................ $184,900 C&C 29 ......................................................... $20,500 Tiara 2900 Coronet........................................ $89,000 Hunter Cherubini 30 ...................................... $10,900 Pearson 303 ................................................. $19,500 Nonsuch Ultra................................................ $54,900 Bombay Clipper 31 ........................................ $19,000 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer................................. $26,900 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer................................. $21,900 Tiara Yachts 3100 Open - Hardtop! ................. $74,900 Bayliner 3218 Motoryacht .............................. $24,900 Marinette 32 Sport Fisherman ........................ $19,500 Carver 32 Convertible .................................... $19,900 Donzi 32 ZF .................................................. $39,900 Hunter 326 ................................................... $55,000 Hunter 326 ................................................... $52,990 Boston Whaler 320 Outrage ......................... $174,900 Trojan 10 Meter Mid-Cabin............................. $36,900

34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 35’ 35’ 35’ 36’ 36’ 38’ 38’ 38’ 39’ 39’ 40’ 40’ 41’ 41’ 41’ 41’ 42’ 43’ 44’ 44’ 45’ 45’ 45’ 46’ 47’ 48’ 50’ 52’ 52’ 56’ 60’

1982 1985 1987 1990 1992 1992 1996 1996 2000 2005 2005 1977 1998 2001 1986 2004 1989 2000 2002 1987 2005 1987 1997 1987 1995 1996 2000 2007 2000 1990 1996 1968 1995 1996 2002 2003 2000 1998 1987 2001 1983 2000

NeW zodiacs O’Day 34 ...................................................... $27,250 Sea Ray 340 Sport Fisherman ........................ $12,900 Hunter 34 ..................................................... $29,000 Silverton 34 Express ...................................... $31,900 Silverton 34 Convertible ................................. $29,900 Silverton 34 Express ...................................... $29,900 Mainship 34 Motor Yacht................................ $59,900 Mainship 34 Motor Yacht................................ $59,900 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer................................. $69,900 Mainship 34 Trawler .................................... $159,900 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer............................... $104,900 Chris-Craft 35 Double Cabin........................... $23,000 Fountain Fountain 35 ..................................... $59,900 Tiara 3500 Express..................................Sale Pending Mainship 36 Double Cabin ............................. $31,500 Carver 366 Motor Yacht ............................... $119,000 Bayliner Motor Yacht ...................................... $58,000 Cigarette 38 Top Gun - Patriot ...................... $129,900 Pursuit 3800 Express................................... $179,900 Sea Ray 390 Express Cruiser ......................... $29,900 Sea Ray 390 Motor Yacht ............................. $182,000 Hatteras 40 Motor Yacht................................. $94,900 Nova Trawler ................................................. $89,900 Hatteras 41 Convertible................................ $139,900 Silverton 41 Convertible ................................. $75,000 Silverton 41 Convertible ................................. $79,500 Tiara 4100 Open ......................................... $224,900 Tiara 4200 Open .....................................Sale Pending Tiara 4300 Open ......................................... $249,900 Post Marine 44 Sport Fisherman .................. $149,900 Silverton 442 Cockpit Motor Yacht ................ $129,900 Matthews 45 Yachtfish ................................... $44,900 Tollycraft 45 Cockpit Motor Yacht .................. $164,900 Sea Ray 450 ............................................... $133,000 Hunter 466 ................................................. $189,900 Sealine T47 ................................................. $289,900 Sea Ray 480 Sedan Bridge........................... $279,000 Sea Ray 500 Sundancer............................... $169,900 Hatteras 52 Convertible................................ $169,900 Tiara 5000/5200 Express ............................ $349,900 Hatteras 56 Motor Yacht............................... $325,000 Hatteras 60 Convertible................................ $679,900

10’ 2015 Zodiac Cadet 310 RIB PVC IN STOCK .....................$2,999 11’ 2016 Zodiac Bayrunner 340 PVC 25hp IN STOCK ..........$13,995 11’ 2016 Zodiac Yachtline 340DL NEO 30hp IN STOCK........$21,350 11’ 2016 Zodiac Yachtline 340DL NEO 40hp IN STOCK........$23,650 12’ 2016 Zodiac Yachtline 380DL NEO 40hp IN STOCK........$23,595 12’ 2016 Zodiac Yachtline 380DL NEO 50hp IN STOCK........$26,395 13’ 2014 Zodiac Bayrunner Pro 420 PVC 50hp IN STOCK DEMO ..$18,250 13’ 2015 Zodiac Pro Sport 420 PVC 40 hp IN STOCK ..........$17,900 13’ 2015 Zodiac Yachtline 420 DL NEO 60hp IN STOCK.......$25,495 13’ 2016 Zodiac Yachtline 420 DL NEO 60hp ON ORDER .....$28,900 15’ 2015 Zodiac Bayrunner Pro 500 PVC 70hp IN STOCK ....$22,395 15’ 2015 Zodiac Bayrunner Pro 500 PVC 70hp IN STOCK ....$23,495 15’ 2016 Zodiac Yachtline 470DL NEO 90hp IN STOCK........$35,900 16’ 2015 Zodiac Medline 500 NEO 70hp IN STOCK .............$31,900 17’ 2015 Zodiac Medline 540 NEO 90hp IN STOCK .............$38,983 17’ 2015 Zodiac Medline 540 NEO 90hp IN STOCK .............$38,983 17’ 2015 Zodiac Rec Pro 550 PVC 90hp IN STOCK .............$31,495 18’ 2015 Zodiac Pro Open 550 NEO 115hp IN STOCK DEMO .$41,900 19’ 2015 Zodiac Medline 580 NEO 115hp IN STOCK ...........$46,900 19’ 2015 Zodiac N-ZO 600 NEO 150hp IN STOCK DEMO ......$59,900 21’ 2016 Zodiac Medline 660 175hp ON ORDER ....................... TBD 21’ 2016 Zodiac Pro Open 650 NEO 150hp IN STOCK .........$53,900 21’ 2016 Zodiac Pro Open 650 NEO 175hp ON ORDER .......$59,900 22’ 2015 Zodiac N-ZO 700 Cabin NEO 300hp IN STOCK ...$118,495 22’ 2016 Zodiac N-ZO 680 NEO 200hp IN STOCK...............$86,525 24’ 2016 Zodiac Medline 740 250hp ON ORDER ....................... TBD 25’ 2016 Zodiac N-ZO 760 NEO 300hp IN STOCK............. $122,900 28’ 2016 Zodiac Pro Open 850 Optim. Neo Twin 250hp IN STOCK...$172,500

NeW raNger / cutWaters 21’ 21’ 23’ 24’ 25’ 26’ 27’ 27’ 28’ 29’ 30’ 30’ 31’

2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2016

Ranger Tugs R-21EC IN STOCK .......................$51,510 Ranger Tugs R-21EC IN STOCK .......................$54,097 Ranger Tugs R-23 ON ORDER ......................... $109,797 Cutwater 24 IN STOCK ................................... $99,900 Ranger Tugs R-25SC IN STOCK ..................... $139,086 Cutwater 26 IN STOCK ................................. $149,900 Ranger Tugs R-27 IN STOCK ......................... $175,900 Ranger Tugs R-27 IN STOCK DEMO ................ $169,900 Cutwater 28 IN STOCK ............................. Sale Pending Ranger Tugs R-29 Sedan IN STOCK DEMO ...... $244,900 Cutwater 30 Sedan IN STOCK DEMO .............. $279,900 Cutwater 30 Sport Top IN STOCK DEMO .......... $259,900 Ranger Tugs R-31 Sedan IN STOCK DEMO ...... $314,900

GRAND HAVEN, MI Brent Reed 616-402-0180 • Bob Lunt 616-843-1225 LASALLE, MI Paul Reed 419-304-4405 • Tim Manton 419-509-6948 • Chuck Hutchins 734-497-3721 RAcINE, wI Mark Derenne 414-651-3100

www.reedyachtsales.com



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

miam boat shoi w rebate availablse !

exclusive Prestige yachts dealer for the great lakes akes

2016 Prestige 680 Motor Yacht

Call for Special Pricing & Details

2015 Prestige 550 Flybridge

Immediate Delivery, Trades Welcome

2016 Prestige 500S Express

Immediate Delivery, Trades Welcome

2016 Prestige 420S Express

Immediate Delivery, Trades Welcome

lake michigan jeanneau yachts dealer

2016 Jeanneau 46 Leader

On Order for Spring 2016 Delivery

2016 Jeanneau 40 Leader

On Order for Spring 2016 Delivery

2016 Jeanneau 36 Leader

Immediate Delivery, Trades Welcome

2016 Jeanneau NC11

Twin Diesels, Immediate Delivery

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

2002 Sea Ray 46 Sundancer Trades Welcome $259,900

2005 Cruisers Yachts 500 Express Well Maintained $379,900

2007 Carver 41 Cockpit Motor Yacht Bow Thruster $199,900

2013 Prestige 500 Fly Bridge

Twin Volvo IPS Diesels $799,000

2011 Cruisers Yachts 48 Cantius

2008 Cruisers Yachts 420 Express

2006 Formula 34 PC

2004 Cruisers Yachts 540 Express

Garmin Elect., Sat TV $549,900

Trades Welcome $139,900

Twin 4240HP Volvos $209,000

Very Well Maintained $395,000

three great lakes locations to serve You seneca, illinois 623 W. River Road 866-418-6696

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

eastlake, ohio 200 Forest Drive 866-418-6696

www.springbrookmarina.com | sales@springbrookmarina.com

We resuget list y lts! boat our us to with day!


STINGRAY BOATS ARE AVAILABLE AT THESE GREAT LAKES AREA DEALERS USA DEALERS Anderson Boat Sales 6477 Highland Road Waterford MI 248-666-9922 andersonsboatsales.com

Basa's Marine 512 E N Frontage Rd Bolingbrook IL 630-739-2272 basasmarine.com

Buckeye Sports Center 4610 State Road Peninsula OH 330-929-3366 buckeyesportscenter.com

Duchow's Boats 400 Sussex Street Pewaukee WI 262-695-2800 duchowsboats.com

Grand Bay Marine 291 N US 31 S Traverse City MI 231-943-0333 grandbaymarine.com

Silver Lake Marine 4213 W Lake Road Silver Springs NY 585-237-5185 silverlakemarine.com

R C Congel Boats 8575 Brewerton Road Cicero NY 315-699-2144 rccongel.com

Pirate Cove Marina 4304 Rideau River Rd Kemptville, Ontario 613-258-2325 piratecovemarina.com

Rosseau Road Powersports 25 Blackstone & Crane Lk Rd Seguin, Ontario 705-378-5217 rosseauroad.ca

CANADA DEALERS Bala Cove Marina 1021 Gordon Street Bala, Ontario 705-762-1553 balacovemarina.com

Georgian Bay Haliburton Outdoor Leisure Marine 720 Balm Beach Rd 4355 Kennisis Lake Rd RR 1 5781 Highway 7 Midlan, Ontario Haliburton, Ontario Woodbridge, Ontario 705-527-7700 705-754-9262 905-851-3903 gbayyamaha.com haliburtonoutdoorequipment.ca leisuremarine.com

Mobile Marine Services 261 Hunter Road Grimsby, Ontario 905-730-4722 mobilemarineservices.net

North Country Marine 4201 Perth Road Kingston Inverary, Ontario 613-353-1577 northcountrymarine.com

TO LOCATE A STINGRAY DEALER IN ANOTHER AREA, VISIT STINGRAYBOATS.COM/DEALERS


Marine Marketplace

Anchorage Yacht Sales Brokers for Power & Sail

Lake Michigan’s exclusive Tidewater Dealer

TidewaTer center console boats

1995 Carver 440 afT CabiN

T-CuMMINs 6CTA, 2 CrANe DAVITs, HArD ToP aSking 165k

1990 CHriS CrafT 392 CONverTibLe

T-CrusADer 7.4L, MANY uPDATes, LoCAL fresHWATer aSking 74k

2006 fOrMULa 27 PC

T-MerC 350 MAG BIII, GeN, AIr/ HeAT, rADAr, LoADeD! aSking 70k

variouS modelS in Stock but alwayS changing, call uS for model availability 1815 ottawa beach road, Holland, MI 49424 • 616-399-6304 • aNCHOraGeYaCHTSaLeS.COM

Sharing your paSSion for boating Since 1946.

Walstrom Marine Basin Yachting Center AMAZING NEW AND PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED POWERBOATS FROM YOUR GREAT LAKES POWERBOAT EXPERTS

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44’ 2016 TIARA Q44 ADVENTURE YACHT w/2-IPS 600 VOLVO PENTA......$840,460 39’ 2016 TIARA COUPE.............................................................................ON ORDER 32’ 2016 CHRIS CRAFT LAUNCH w/2-VOLVO 380 HP ENGINES ...............$236,299 32’ 2016 PURSUIT 325DC.........................................................................ON ORDER 31’ 2016 TIARA w/2-CRUSADER 6.0L @375 HP ENGINES........................$322,649 31’ 2015 PURSUIT ST 310 SPORT w/2-300 YAMAHAS .............................$236,985 28’ 2016 PURSUIT S 280 SPORT w/2-250 V6 4.2L YAMAHAS ..................$181,426 28’ 2015 CHRIS CRAFT LAUNCH w/2-VOLVO V8-CE 320 HP ENGINES ........$174,761 26’ 2015 PURSUIT C 260 CENTER CONSOLE w/2-200 YAMAHAS ...........$158,721 25’ 2016 CHRIS CRAFT LAUNCH .............................................................ON ORDER 25’ 2016 CHRIS CRAFT CAPRI..................................................................ON ORDER 23’ 2016 PURSUIT 238..............................................................................ON ORDER 22’ 2016 CHRIS CRAFT LAUNCH .............................................................ON ORDER 21’ 2016 CHRIS CRAFT CAPRI..................................................................ON ORDER PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED BOATS 64’ 2008 HATTERAS CONVERTIBLE w/2-CAT C-32A @1,800 HP EA .....$1,755,000 63’ 2002 HATTERAS RAISED PILOTHOUSE MY w/2-3412 E CATS @ 1,400 HP EA ...............................................................$1,095,000 53’ 1999 CARVER VOYAGER PILOTHOUSE w/2-CUMMINS 450C @ 450 HP.....$365,000 53’ 1983 HATTERAS 53 EXTENDED DECKHOUSE MY w/2-DETROIT 8V71TI’s @450 HP EA ............................................$249,900 52’ 1999 TIARA 5200 EXPRESS w/2-CATERPILLAR 3406 DIESELS @800HP EA .....................................................................$359,000

WALSTROM.COM

LET OUR EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU

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52’ 1998 HATTERAS 52 SPORT DECK MY w/2 DETROIT 892 DDEC @760 HP EA..................................................................$359,000 44’ 2015 TIARA 44 COUPE w/2-VOLVO IPS 600 @435 HP .........................$795,900 44’ 1989 VIKING MOTOR YACHT w/2-6-71 DETROIT DIESELS @485 HP EA ... $144,900 43’ 2007 TIARA 4300 SOVRAN w/2-VOLVO IPS D6-600 @435 HP EA, OUR TRADE ........................................................................$395,000 43’ 2006 TIARA 4300 SOVRAN w/2-VOLVO IPS D6-500 @370 HP EA .....$385,000 42’ 1987 CHRIS CRAFT 426 CATALINA w/2-CRUSADERS MODEL 350 @350 HP EA .............................................................................. $74,900 42’ 1979 BERTRAM MOTOR YACHT w/2-MERCRUISER 454 @330 HP EA...$67,500 39’ 2008 TIARA 3900 SOVRAN w/2-VOLVO IPS 500 DIESELS @370 HP + JOYSTICK ....................................................................$359,900 39’ 2007 TIARA CONVERTIBLE w/2-CUMMINS QSC @540 HP ................$344,000 38’ 2006 CRUISERS 385 MY w/2-MERCRUISERS 8.1 HO, DTS, FWC @420 HP ...............................................................................$189,000 38’ 1999 CRUISERS 3870 ESPRIT w/2-MERCRUISERS 7.4L @310 HP .....$119,000 37’ 1996 SEA RAY SEDAN 7.4L MERCRUISER @ 340 HP ............................ $74,900 37’ 1992 SEA RAY EXPRESS w/2-MERCRUISERS 7.4L ................................ $38,500 37’ 1989 JEFFERSON 37 SUNDECK w/2-CUMMINS 6BTA5.9 @250 HP EA .....$85,000 36’ 2013 TIARA 3600 CORONET w/2-CUMMINS QSB @380 HP EA ........$469,000 36’ 2006 CHRIS CRAFT CORSAIR-HERITAGE EDITION w/2-VOLVO 8.1 GXI DP @420 HP ......................................................................$199,000 36’ 1989 CRUISERS 3670 ESPRIT w/2-454 MERCURY I/B’s @330 HP........ $44,500 35’ 1995 TIARA 3500 EXPRESS w/2-CUMMINS 420 HP DIAMOND ED. .....$154,900

HarBor SpringS, Mi 231-526-2141

CHeBoYgan, Mi 231-526-2141

SILVERTON CONVERTIBLE w/2-CRUSADER 454 @350 HP EA .... $30,000 LUHRS 342 TOURNAMENT w/2-CRUSADER 454 @350 HP EA ......$29,000 SEA RAY SEDAN BRIDGE w/2-MERCRUISERS 454 CID @340 HP EA...$34,500 GRAND BANKS TRAWLER w/FORD LEHMAN DIESEL @135 HP .......$75,000 TIARA 3100 OPEN w/2-CRUSADER 6.0L @375 HP EA ...............$299,000 TIARA 3100 CONVERTIBLE w/2-MERCRUISER @340 HP EA....... $39,000 TIARA 3100 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN w/2-CRUSADER 454 @350 HP EA...................................................................................... $30,000 30’ 1990 CAPE CLASSIC 30 SPORTS CRUISER w/CUMMINS 220.............. $68,500 28’ 2015 PURSUIT S280 w/2-YAMAHA 250’s V6 4.2L @250 HP EA .........$172,500 28’ 1999 PURSUIT 2860 DENALI w/VOLVO PENTA 7.4L DP @330 HP........ $33,500 28’ 1975 BERTRAM 28 FLYBRIDGE w/2-CRUSADER 5.7L @260 HP........... $27,500 28’ 1975 BERTRAM 28 FLYBRIDGE w/2-MERCRUISERS @233 HP............. $19,900 25’ 2008 CHRIS CRAFT LAUNCH w/VOLVO 8.1 GI DP @375 HP w/TRAILER...$79,500 24’ 1998 CROWNLINE 248CCR w/7.4L MPI w/BRAVO III OUTDRIVE ......... $15,900 21’ 73/78 BOSTON WHALER RIB SIDE OUTRAGE w/EVINRUDE E-TEC w/TRAILER ............................................................................. $42,500 20’ 2007 CHRIS CRAFT SPEEDSTER w/VOLVO 5.0 GXI MPI @270 HP w/TRAILER, OUR TRADE ................................................ $23,143 20’ 1999 WELLCRAFT EXCALIBUR w/5.7L MERCRUISER w/TRAILER ........ $12,500 20’ 1992 MAKO 201 CLASSIC w/200 HP YAMAHA TXRP w/TRAILER ....... $19,950 17’ 1967 CENTURY RESORTER w/318 CHRYSLER w/TRAILER + 3,000 LB. SHORE STATION LIFT ................................................................ $15,000 34’ 1989 34’ 1989 34’ 1988 32’ 1985 31’ 2013 31’ 1989 31’ 1984

BaY HarBor, Mi 231-526-2141

traverSe CitY, Mi 231-526-2141


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Fresh Water Power! 50’ 45’ 42’ 42’ 42’ 37’ 37’ 36’ 35’ 33’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 31’ 30’ 28’ 25’

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Bestway Trawler.......................$119,500 Matthews ...................................$45,000 Nordic Tug ................................$389,000 Sea Ray Sundancer diesel ..........$84,900 Bertram Flybridge MY gas .........$59,500 Regal 3760 ...............................$165,000 Sea Ray Express ........................$59,000 Carver Mariner .........................$129,000 Viking w/diesels .........................$49,000 Cougar 33 Offshore Racer .........$69,000 Nordic Tug ................................$185,000 Nordic Tug 32 ...........................$148,000 Marinette....................................$25,900 Tiara Flybridge ............................$42,000 Sea Ray Sundancer ....................$89,900 Bayliner 2855 .............................$14,900 Botnia Targa................................$34,000

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new boat clearance sale! all 2014/15 models clearance priced! liqUidatioN Priced!

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select Pre-owned / Brokerage / rePossessions / call For comPlete list 17’ 18’ 22’ 24’ 25’ 26’ 26 27’ 28’ 28’ 28’ 29’ 30’ 32’ 33’ 33’ 34’ 34’ 35’ 37’ 38’ 38’ 45’ 46’ 46’ 50’ 55’

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Larson Cimarron BR, Merc 3.0L MPI, trailer, full canvas, fish finder................................................................................................................$14,900 Hurricane Sun Deck Sport 188 I/O, 4.3L Merc, full canvas, stereo/CD, bimini, trailer New ....................................................................$29,900 Larson Hampton CC, 260HP Merc, full canvas, depth, enclosed head, nice ..................................................................................................$5,900 Cobalt 240 BR, 8.1L Volvo DP, SS tower, bow & cockpit covers, VHF, depth, nice .......................................................................................$32,900 Rinker 250 Fiesta Vee, 350 Mag BIII, camper canvas, depth, trailer.................................................................................................................$28,900 Yellowfin 26 Hybrid CC, T-200HP Yamahas, T-Top, trailer, just arrived New .....................................................................................................CALL Mastercraft X-80, Tournament Ski Boat, T-350’s, wake tower, trailer ..............................................................................................................$64,900 Rinker 276 Captiva BR, 385HP Volvo DP, Arch, RLS Pkg., loaded New ..........................................................................................................$74,900 Sea Ray Sundancer, T-4.3L Mercs, air/heat, Genset, camper, windlass, GPS..............................................................................................$59,900 Sea Ray 280 Sundancer, 496 Merc BIII, full canvas, air/heat, depth, VHF, arch...........................................................................................$49,900 Cruisers 2870, T-5.0L Mercs, low hours, air/heat, windlass, camper canvas................................................................................................$47,900 Rinker 290 Express, 385HP Volvo DP, arch, full canvas, air/heat, windlass New....................................................................................... $99,900 Sea Ray Sundancer, T-5.7L, Air/Heat, Arch, Full Canvas, Windlass .................................................................................................................$23,900 Rinker 320 Express, 5.7L Volvo DP, air/heat, Genset, full canvas windlass, low hours ...............................................................................$74,900 Cruisers 3372 Express, T-7.4L Mercs, full electr, cherry interior, newer canvas, windlass, clean..........................................................$67,900 Sea Ray Sundancer, T-7.4L, Air/Heat, Arch, Camper, Windlass, GPS, Nice Boat........................................................................................$39,900 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer, T-74.L Mercs, air/heat, camper canvas, windlass, full electr.............................................................................$79,900 Hallberg-Rassy Sailboat, Volvo Diesel, bow thruster, GPS/chart, roller furling, bimini ............................................................................$249,900 Carver 350 Mariner, T-350 MAG Mercs, air/heat, windlass, GPS, low hours................................................................................................$59,900 Cruisers 370 Express, T-8.1 Mercs, air/heat, Genset, full electr, arch, windlass.........................................................................................$129,900 Bayliner 3818, T-175HP Hino Diesels, air/heat, Genset, lower station, windlass..........................................................................................$54,900 Carver Santego, T-7.4L, air/heat, Genset, full electr, new canvas, upgrades ................................................................................................$64,900 Viking Convertible, T-485HP Detroit Diesels, only 900 hrs, air/heat, genset, central vac, full elec., clean .............................................$149,900 Hunter Sailboat, Yanmar 76HP Diesel, sails, bow thruster, Genset, radar/GPS, autopilot, dodger, air/heat .........................$149,900 Ocean Sunliner MY, T-671TI Detroits, air/heat, generator, radar, windlass, deck davit ..................................................... $79,900 Hatteras Sport Deck, T-6V 92s, full elec, TNT lift, hardtop dingy davit, clean, low hours ................................................$349,900 Sea Ray Sedan, T-6V92’s, air/heat, genset, bridge enclosure, washer/dryer, full electr, very nice..................................................... $199,900

MARCH 2016

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Ronco Plastics holding & water tanks

established in 1976, Ronco Plastics has made holding tanks for the auto, marine and RV industries for 40 years. The company, based out of Tustin, California, currently offers more than 500 tanks to the marine industry. Ronco is dedicated to providing fast, friendly service and ensuring their customers are provided with exactly the tank they need. All tanks are made in the U.S and made of non-toxic, FDA accepted, high-density polyethylene.

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Marine tanks are available in capacities of 3 to 280 gallons. Ronco’s complete mold shop is available for custom tooling and prototype work, including custom molds or O.E.M tanks for almost any boat or recreational vehicle. Holding and Water Tanks New Systems Auxiliary Systems Replacement tanks for Powerboats, Sailboats and Houseboats Made of non-corrosive polyethylene One-piece seamless construction Heavy wall density construction One-year limited warranty

Ronco-Plastics.net 714-259-1385

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Marine Marketplace

2016 28' Buddy Davis In Stock

1997 37' Silverton 372/392 Motor Yacht $84,900 “Specializ Larger Y ing in achts”

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ProPeller AnAlysis And rePAir Eliminate Vibration • Improve Speed • Use Less Fuel Are your propellers causing your boat to vibrate? Lose fuel or speed? Get a free propeller scan from Kahlenberg! • Replace propellers • Repair struts • Marine Machining

• Shafts and shaft repair • Shaft seals and bearings • Air horns and accessories

www.kahlenberg.com

920-793-4507 •

• Two Rivers, WI

PARTIAL LISTING BELOW Visit us on the web for more! 04 80' 09 70' 88 54’ 90 50' 98 48' 88 45' 89 44’ 88 44' 14 43' 03 43' 05 42' 74 42' 87 39' 85' 38' 67 38’

Hatteras Open Bridge T-1550HP DSL ..........SOLD! Davis Sportfisherman T-1825HP DSL.... $2,799,000 Egg Harbor Convertible T-750HP DSL...... $179,900 Cary Offshore Exp Quad 502s .................... $139,900 Ocean Supersport T-600HP DSL ............... $210,000 Bayliner 4450 PH MY T-250HP DSL .............$85,000 Viking Motor Yacht T-485hp DSL .............. $159,900 Viking Motor Yacht T-450HP DSL ................$99,900 Silverton Sport Bridge T-IPS Diesels ....... $649,000 Linssen 430 Grand Sturdy T-145hp DSL... $399,000 Silverton Convertible T-480HP DSL .......... $220,000 Uniflite Double Cabin T-DSL.........................$54,900 Sea Ray 390 Express T-340HP ......................$39,900 Bayliner 3880 Explorer T-250HP DSL...........$64,900 Chris Craft FB/Commander T-350HP ...........$32,900

97 86 78 14 10 95 87 90 85 10 05 01 16 85 06

37' 37’ 37’ 36' 35' 35' 35' 34' 34’ 33' 32' 32’ 28' 28' 27'

Silverton 372/392 MY, T-502s .........................$84,900 Egg Harbor Convertible T-350hp ..................$47,900 Tollycraft Convertible T-330HP .....................$29,900 Silverton Convertible T-315HP DSL .......... $439,000 Predator Express T-IPS600 DSL ................ $399,000 Carver 355 Aft Cabin T-320HP .......................$67,900 Egg Harbor Sport Fisherman T-350hp.........$47,500 Luhrs 3400 Motor Yacht T-270hp ..................$25,000 Silverton Convertible T-270hp.......................$32,900 Topaz Express T-440HP DSL....................... $299,900 Rinker 320 Express T-300hp ..........................$47,700 Intrepid 322 Cuddy W/TRL T-225HP.............$75,000 Buddy Davis Center Console T-250HP......In Stock Bertram Bahia Mar T-260HP.........................$29,000 Sea Ray Sundeck S-6.2L ................................$39,900

www.yachtworld.com/lakeandbay 9454 Park Row | Lakeside/Marblehead, Ohio 43440 | lakeandbay@roadrunner.com Phone/Fax: 419-798-8511

BERGMANN MARINE

ADDED SAfEty At thE Dock & on thE wAtEr

www.bergmannmarine.com

great gifts!

Charlevoix, MI 49720 • Phone 231/547-3957

22’ 1995 23’ 1990 24’ 1990 25’ 1997 26’ 2005 27’ 2007 28’ 2000 29’ 2004 30’ 1997 30’ 1978 33’ 1980

Four Winns 225 Sundowner..$ Wellcraft 233 Eclipse ............$ Hacker-Craft............................$ Larson 250 Hampton ............ $ Sea Ray 260 Sundancer...... $ Regal 2700 Bowrider.............$ Sea Ray 280 Sun Sport .........$ Sea Ray 290 Amberjack .......$ Century 3000 Walkaround .. $ O’Day Sailboat ........................$ Bertram Flybridge..................$

8,000 8,600 45,000 10,000 45,500 48,900 33,500 59,900 25,000 15,900 28,000

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Fiberglass – Woodworking Storage – Heated Storage

Selene

32’ 1983 Grand Banks 32 Sedan ........$ 94,500 36’ 1987 Tiara Convertible w/Dsls......$ 89,900 40’ 2006 Mainship Trawler....................$ 200,000 40’ 1994 Hatteras Double Cabin .........$ 110,000 43’ 2000 Black Thunder 430 SC ..........$ 125,000 42’ 2000 Provincial Downeast ........... $143,000 46’ 1999 Beneteau Oceanis 461 .........$ 169,900 46’ 1991 Silverton Motor Yacht...........$ 110,000 48’ 2006 Sea Ray 480 Sundancer ....... $ 480,000 50’ 1991 Sea Ray Sundancer ..............$ 99,900 65’ 2003 McKinna Pilothouse .............$ 675,000 Complete Mechanical Electrical Rigging – Haulout

Boarding Pole

Extra assistance boarding the boat. $79.99/$99.99 cAll Jim StEfAno

419-341-0432

Burgee Holder wave that flag. $59.00

nautical cross

Quickly tie-off fenders and tenders. $79.99/$99.99

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Chitwood Charters Grand Banks

Remanufacturerd transmissions in stock. Older transmissions our speciality.

50' & 53' Selene Passagemakers 36', 42', 48', 49' & 52' Grand Banks Trawlers • Sarasota, Florida • Hyatt/Ritz Carlton & Marina Jacks Docks • Florida’s Beautiful West Coast • White Sand Beaches • Investment Tax Shelter Available

800-769-1399 • www.chitwood-charters.com 82

MARCH 2016

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Distributors of the Drivesaver flexible couplings and mounts, oil coolers and dampers.

Dealer Inquiries Invited 2706 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI 49001 • 269-345-0629


Classifieds

1995 BAYLINER 3988 Fresh water, 500+ hours, twin diesels with generator. 2 heads, 2 staterooms, full galley. Asking $75,900, Motivated seller. Located on Catawba Island, Ohio. Call Craig: 419-341-0740. MAY16

@ lakelandboating.com SHOP Boats for Sale by Owner! PLACE a classified ad with our easy-to-use online system. Place your ad by FEBRUARY 15 to get into our April, May, June and July 2016 issues! This is PRIME selling season — don’t miss out!

1995 43’ TIARA Second owner, professionally maintained, 100% freshwater, always inside stored, 6V92TA w/1350 original hours, Onan, Sat/TV, excellent condition. Asking $239,000. Contact Bryan: 630-2409546 or bryreb@yahoo.com. MAR16

Place your ad online TODAY! It will go up online immediately at our ‘For Sale by Owner’ boat search! Learn more at lakelandboating.com.

2000 TIARA 4100 OPEN Freshwater, CAT 3208’s, 1100 hours, teak interior, newer Raymarine G Series display. Asking $224,900. Call Brent @ 616-402-0180. RYS

CRUISERS 2008 420 EXPRESS. Pristine condition. 289 hours on Twin 420hp Volvo 8.1 gas engines. Full electronics. Bow thruster. Door County. Asking $209,000. Contact Russ @ russ@spyglassmarine.com or call 630-842-4528. JUN16

2000 SEA RAY 450 EXPRESS BRIDGE Freshwater yacht, Barkley/Kentucky lakes. Yacht and twin Cummins 430hp: 812 hours since new. Total time: 240/120. Westerbeke: 215 total hours since new. Length: 51'4"; Beam: 14'8". LOADED. Enclosed bridge, 48-mile radar, GPS, marine radio, 50 amp cablemaster, spare set props, central Vac, washer/dryer, ice maker. 3 bed, 2 full baths with showers, full kitchen, 3 AC/heat, 4 color TVs, Ref/freezer. Pristine condition. Subject to prior sale or commitment or removal from market without notice. Only legitimate inquiries with name, address and phone number will be answered. $179,500 OBO. Call Frank Parrish: 618-713-2220 or frankit2@hotmail.com MAY16

1998 46’ VIKING SPORT CRUISER Freshwater, heated storage, low hours, 3208 Cats, Onan generator, 3 staterooms, 2 heads, full galley. NO BROKERS. Asking $315,000. Contact: tford@tmasphalt.com. MAR16

1965 CHRIS CRAFT 22 DORY CENTER CONSOLE Excellent condition, survey available. Asking $39,500. Call Mark @ 414 651-3100. RYS

A RARE 1990 TIARA 36 CONVERTIBLE Original owner, Lake Superior freshwater boat, stored indoors. Upper and lower stations. Twin 454 Crusader Gas Inboards, solid state ignitions, 1437 hours. Westerbeke 8.5 KW generator. Two Marine Air reverse cycle heat pumps. Electronics upgraded in 2010. New Garmin 3206 GPS up and down, new Pro Mariner 40-amp battery charger, Furuno video sounder. Equipped with Furuno radar, Robertson autopilot, Datamarine digital depth sounder up and down, anchor windlass, Icom radios, hailer, intercom. Asking $98,400. Contact 906250-6509 or fbieti@pasty.net. JUN16

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45’ 2005 420 SEA RAY SEDAN BRIDGE Twin 480s, fresh water, great shape, low hours. Located in Port Washington, WI. Asking $287,500. Visit www. lastdanceyacht.com for all the details. JUN16

2008 47’ RIVIERA 3 staterooms, 2 heads with separate showers, spacious lounge and bridge, upgraded TwinDisk Quickshift, Cummins QSM 11 engines, Freedom Lift dinghy lift with 11’ hardbottom, loaded. $599,000. Contact Rick: 705-340-1255 or rickriviera11@gmail.com. MAY16

YACHTS 2005 SEA RAY 290 AMBERJACK Full Raynav package, radar, etc. Twin 5.0 Bravo 3s. 370 hours freshwater. Located on Lake Erie. Asking $62,000. Contact Rick at 440-354-6713 or rick2qual@yahoo.com. JUN16

STORAGE 2000 TIARA 4300 OPEN CAT3196E, 660hp, full canvas, hardtop, newer electronics, many updates! Asking $249,900. Call Brent @ (616) 402-0180. RYS

HEATED BOAT STORAGE UNIT 105’ x 50’, epoxy floor, private bath & shower, private launch ramp and more. Unit 40 at Grand Haven Storage. $470k. Contact Lance at lanceodnl@hotmail.com. JUN16

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MARCH 2016

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CLASSIC CRAFTS by Kate Bush

Walloon 17

The 17-square-meter #19 has been in our family since 1953. It was the first one built after the end of World War II in 1945 or ‘46. During the war, Philippine mahogany was not available, and so #19 was built out of Honduran mahogany. #19 was owned by a gentleman in Charlevoix and was for sale when my grandfather (who was not a sailor) was looking for a more stable sailboat than the snipe that came with our cottage. The story was that the previous owner sent his chauffer down to wash the boat each day. My grandfather purchased #19 in the late fall of 1953 for $1,000, as no brand new 17s were available. My Dad was 15 at the time and he sailed the boat as helmsman from then on (usually against much older competition). #19 has won a significant number of series championships and has been raced every year on Walloon Lake since my grandfather purchased it. It remains the last racing wood boat in a fiberglass fleet. #19 is about 85 percent original, as no major restoration has ever taken place. We consider the boat a member of the family. My dad loved ADD YOUR BOAT

84

Email kbush@lakelandboating.com if you have a Classic Craft with a good story to share!

MARCH 2016

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to race it and never wanted to race another boat. — John Kirk Jr.

PHOTOS BY CAROLINE ALLEN

Part of the family.


DRIVER’S CASH sales event

JANUARY 11 -- MARCH 2016 JANUARY MARCH31, 31, 2016 for details: glastron.com

I BELIEVE THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING ON THE WATER AND BEING BEHIND THE WHEEL.

I AM NOT A BOATER.

© 2016, Rec Boat Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. ®/TM signifies trademarks of Glastron, LLC, its affiliates or suppliers.

The GTS 207 is the ultimate driver’s boat. Classic styling, modern muscle and hairpin handling. For a driving experience only Glastron® can deliver. Join the legion of drivers at Glastron.com



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