FROM THE HELM B Y K AT E B U S H
CONTRIBUTORS
The Home Stretch
KEN KREISLER
I
don’t know about you, but after a summer spent primarily out on the water, I find myself in withdrawal, increasingly antsy to be in the sun, motoring over waves, cruising to favorite anchoring spots. Just a few short weeks until the Great Lakes boating season begins. Or if it’s anything like last year (when my family launched the boat on May 1), we’re in the home stretch! So, while you wait for the moment you can finally launch your boat, flip through this issue and be inspired by cool innovations in the boat industry. Think thermal imaging (p. 22); Mercury Marine’s new groundbreaking V12 outboards (p. 8); hydrofoil technology on tenders and electric boats (p. 36); and more. For those with wanderlust, check out the Port of Call on Manistee, Michigan, which offers some of the prettiest sand beaches in the Mitten State, a charming downtown and a rich history — literally (p. 42). Legend has it that back in the Victorian ages, there were more millionaires per capita in this thriving lumber port than anywhere in the country! Also, as a reminder, in celebration of our 75th anniversary, we want to hear from you. If you’re a new or a longtime subscriber to Lakeland Boating, we’d love to highlight some of your memories of the magazine: How you used to read the magazine as a child, your favorite features we’ve published over the years, how we helped you find the perfect boat, etc! Send your stories to KBUSH@LAKELANDBOATING.COM. See you out on the water soon!
Do you have a story idea you’d like to suggest? Email me at kbush@lakelandboating.com to share your ideas.
A multi BWI awardwinning journalist, Capt. Ken began his nautical career while in high school, spending summers doing odd jobs in the boatyard of a local marina in Brooklyn, New York. He worked his way through undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate academic studies as the skipper of his own six-pack charter boat, and upon completion of his degree work, secured his first job as a writer in the marine industry and never looked back. Capt. Ken splits his seasonal time between the New Jersey Shore and West Palm Beach, Florida. READ HIS STORIES STARTING ON P. 24 HHH ALAN WENDT
Alan is a past president of Boating Writers International, and co-chair of judging for the Innovation Awards at the Minneapolis and Miami Boat Shows and IBEX, the largest technical marine event in North America. Born in Cleveland, he is one of the chief architects of the Women on Water, Getaways! and Adventures cruising programs. Alan is also a licensed pyrotechnician and choreographs fireworks shows for waterfront displays on the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve. READ HIS STORY ON P. 32
AREAS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
HHH KIM SCHNEIDER
Manistee, MI p. 42
Munson Marine p. 20
Sandusky, OH p. 48
Spring Brook Marina p. 40
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Erie Marine Sales p. 50
Kim writes — and sails — from her home base in Suttons Bay, Michigan. The award-winning author of “100 Things to do in Traverse City Before You Die” and contributor to multiple magazines, newspapers and websites is considered an expert on Midwestern travel and finds herself most at home on or near the water. READ HER STORY ON P. 42
