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MAY 2020
BELIZE 66 DAYBRIDGE
A fun-to-drive luxury vessel. p. 30
PURSUIT DC 326
ANCHORING FOR DUMMIES
LIFT IT UP
PORT OF CALL
Fish and cruise in style. p. 34
DISPLAY UNTIL MAY 31, 2020
Today’s boat lifts offer boaters sleek, versatile and innovative ways to protect their investment. p. 38
The A to Zs on how to anchor safely. p. 42 Port Clinton, OH: This Lake Erie city is centrally located to enjoy all that the Western Basin has to offer. p. 46
S PO TLIG HT S AVIARA ★ BOS TON WH ALE R ★ JEAN N EAU ★ S EA R AY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Features
Boat Test: Belize 66 Daybridge
Delivering comfort and pizazz. by Arnie Hammerman .............. 30
Boat Test: Pursuit DC 326
Raising the bar even higher. by Alan Wendt................................ 34
Need a Lift?
Boat lifts of today are sleek, multipurpose, and focus on both form and function. by Sarah Kollmorgen ........................ 38
Anchoring 101
A beginner’s guide to the art of anchoring. by Felicia Schneiderhan .......................................................42
Port of Call: Port Clinton, OH
ON THE COVER
Contributor Arnie Hammerman, who sea trialed the new Belize 66 Daybridge, as well as its sistership, the Belize 66 Sedan (featured in our May 2019 issue), writes that this model “shares many great features with the Sedan but has added benefits.” Those benefits include expanded usable interior space in the main deck, a roomy daybridge with excellent visability and several cabin configurations below.
46 Departments
From the Helm......................................................................... 4 Dock Box................................................................................... 6
Calendar ................................................................................... 8 Scuttle............................................................................................10 Great Gear ............................................................................ 18
Don’t Hesitate to Renovate................................................ 20 Electronics ............................................................................. 22
LAKELANDBOATING.COM HAS A NEW LOOK! ★ Shop boats for sale by owner ★ Place a classified ad ★ Peruse dozens of exciting destination stories ★ Check out our latest Boat Tests & Spotlights ★ Purchase our Great Lakes Cruising Guides and Lakeland Boating hats ★ Access past issues with our online magazine ★ Stay current on all the latest Great Lakes news ★ Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter ★ And much more!
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Safety First ............................................................................. 23
Beneath the Surface............................................................ 24 Boat Spotlights: Aviara, Boston Whaler, Jeanneau, Sea Ray ....................................................... 26 Lakeshore Life: Lakeside-Marblehead, OH ..................... 52
Marina Watch: Catawba Moorings ....................................54 Marine Marketplace ............................................................. 55 Classifieds .............................................................................. 71 Classic Craft .......................................................................... 72
PHOTO BY GREG AYLSWORTH
Northern Exposure: Port Clinton, Ohio, is a Lake Erie boating town extraordinaire. by Damaine Vonada ................ 46
FROM THE HELM
CONTRIBUTORS
B Y K AT E B U S H
Calm in the Storm I
ARNIE HAMMERMAN
t’s the end of March as we work on this current issue, and what a wild month it has been! Because of COVID-19, it feels as though the world has come to a collective halt. We want to thank our many advertisers and subscribers for your continued support during these tough times. Despite stay-at-home orders in place in Illinois, we are fortunate to continue publishing our magazine as scheduled, promoting the many Great Lakes businesses, boatbuilders and marine industry partners in the process. In light of these recent and uncertain times, we strive to be a source of distraction and repreive. We aim to be the calm in the storm, cultivating excitement for the quickly impending boating season. Now, more than ever, we need to focus on the positives and set our sights on the future — on a brighter horizon. Take advantage of this time spent indoors to get inspired for your next boating adventure! I also want to share that, following this issue, I will be taking a two-month maternity leave as I expect my first child! Lakeland Boating’s former assistant editor and talented writer, Sarah Kollmorgen (check out her feature “Need a Lift?” on p. 38), will be stepping in as editorial director while I am away. You will be in great hands with her behind the helm. I expect to return in June — right as the cruising season heats up. Wishing you all safety and health during this time!
Do you have a story idea you’d like to suggest? Email me at kbush@lakelandboating.com to share your ideas.
AREAS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
Arnie grew up on Lake Michigan and learned to boat cruising extensively with his family. At the age of 23, he got his first USCG Masters License and has run private yachts, charters and deliveries ever since. He has worked in marine publishing for over 20 years, touring factories, attending boat shows, and reviewing and testing vessels around the world. Read his story on pgs. 30-33
HHH
SAR AH KOLLMORGEN
Sarah is a writer based in Chicago. She first gained a love of boating on the Chesapeake Bay and now spends her free time exploring the Chicago lakefront. When she’s not writing, she’s roasting coffee. Read her story on pgs. 38-41
HHH
FELICIA SCHENIDERHAN
Felicia, her husband, Mark, and their three tsunamis explore Lake Superior aboard their 38-foot Marine Trader trawler, Mazurka. Their early liveaboard adventures are detailed in her memoir “Newlyweds Afloat.” You can read more of her work at FELICIASCHNEIDERHAN.COM. Read her story on pgs. 42-45
HHH
DAMAINE VONADA
Ohio-based travel writer Damaine has been boating since she was a teenager and has never met a lighthouse, a perch sandwich, or a wooden runabout that she didn’t love. Read her story on pgs. 46-53 Port Clinton, OH p. 46
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LAKELANDBOATING.COM
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DOCK BOX
CANINE CREW
MAY 2020 | VOLUME LXXIV, NO. 5 PUBLISHER Walter “Bing” O’Meara EDITORIAL STAFF Editorial Director: Kate Bush Assistant Editor: Amanda McDonald CREATIVE STAFF Art Director/Production Manager: Christy Tuttle Bauhs CONTRIBUTORS Helen Aitken, Arnie Hammerman, Glenn Hayes, Sarah Kollmorgen, Capt. Frank Lanier, Bill Mack, Craig Ritchie, Felicia Schneiderhan, Heather Steinberger, Damaine Vonada, Alan Wendt BUSINESS STAFF National Sales: Mark Conway Regional Sales: Patti McCleery Marketing Director: Linda O’Meara Accounting: Marguerite Wristen
Sophie and Lucie
Here are our two rescues, Sophie, the doxie, and Lucie, the terrier, waiting for the pizza guy to show up on our boat. They have been all over Lake Michigan and are now residents of Beaver Island, Michigan. We tell them they won the doggie lottery! —Cal and Susan Sprik
EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICE 1555 Sherman Ave. / Suite 313 / Evanston, IL 60201 312-276-0610 / Fax: 312-276-0619 STAFF@LAKELANDBOATING.COM LAKELANDBOATING.COM
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 1555 Sherman Ave. / Suite 313 / Evanston, IL 60201 312-276-0610 x. 24 / Fax: 312-276-0619 CBAUHS@LAKELANDBOATING.COM
CALLING ALL CANINE (AND FELINE) CREW!
We want to learn about your furry friends onboard! Send a short writeup with your pet’s name and your home city, as well as a high-resolution photo (at least 1 MB) to: STAFF@LAKELANDBOATING.COM. Please put “Canine/Feline Crew” in the subject line. If we publish your submission, you’ll win a Lakeland Boating hat!
Everyone looks great in a Lakeland Boating hat! Need a gift for your favorite boater or your self? Our Lakeland Boating hat is constructed from soft cotton twill for a great fit. Leather band adjustment in back with antiqued brass closure. Available in weathered navy, Nantucket red and khaki. One size. $24.95 + S&H. To order, visit LAKELANDBOATING.COM/STORE.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
E-mail us at STAFF@LAKELANDBOATING.COM or drop us a line at Lakeland Boating, 1555 Sherman Ave., Suite 313, Evanston, IL 60201. Opinions expressed in “Dock Box” are not necessarily those of Lakeland Boating. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
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SUBSCRIPTIONS P.O. Box 15396 North Hollywood, CA 91615-5396 800-827-0289 O’MEARA-BROWN PUBLICATIONS INC President: Walter B. O’Meara Secretary: Timothy Murtaugh Lakeland Boating (ISSN 0744-9194) Copyright 2020, by O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc. is published eleven times per year (except December) by O’MearaBrown Publications, Inc. • Business/Accounting and Editorial Offices: 1555 Sherman Ave. Suite 313, Evanston, IL 60201, 312-276-0610. • Call 800-8270289 to subscribe. Subscription correspondence should be addressed to Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 15396, North Hollywood, CA 91615 (U.S.). Annual subscription rates: United States: $24.95 per year; International and Canadian: $39.95 per year, includes 7% G.S.T. tax (G.S.T. 894095074-RT 0001) and $12 postage included. Single copies are $4.99 for U.S. and Canada. Only U.S. funds are accepted. Periodical postage paid at Evanston, IL and additional mailing offices. • POSTMASTER: please send address changes to Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 15396, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5396. • Lakeland Boating is a registered trademark of O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc., Evanston, IL. Published as Lakeland Yachting 1946-1955. • Unsolicited work may be submitted at the creator’s own risk. Lakeland Boating assumes no responsibility or liability for unsolicited material. All submissions must be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope with sufficient return postage. All published photos are courtesy of the manufacturer, unless otherwise noted.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAY 1 – 2
St. Clair River Marbleye Classic St. Clair, MI
BROCKVILLEMULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL.COM
Zoo-De-Mack 3 Harbor Springs & Mackinaw City, MI
Put-in-Bay Spring Fling Put-in-Bay, OH
MAY 2
Harbor Beach Can-2-Can Fishing Tournament Harbor Beach, MI HBCAN2CAN.COM
Lexington Derby Days Lexington, MI
VILLAGEOFLEXINGTON.COM
MAY 2 – 3
Spring Sip & Savor Leelanau, MI LPWINES.COM
MAY 9
Ohio Safe Boating Class Huron, OH
HURONLAGOONS.COM/EVENTS/ SAFEBOATINGCLASS
Pewaukee Kiwanis RiverRun Pewaukee, WI PEWAUKEEKIWANIS.ORG
MAY 9 – 17
Kenosha Craft Beer Week Kenosha, WI
KENOSHACRAFTBEERWEEK.COM
MAY 12
Blessing of the Fleet Put-in-Bay, OH
VISITPUTINBAY.COM
MAY 14 – 17
National Morel Mushroom Fest 1 Boyne City, MI
BCMORELFESTIVAL.COM
MAY 15 – 16
Empire Asparagus Festival Empire, MI EMPIRECHAMBER.COM
MAY 15 – 17
Great Lakes Boating Fest 2 Grosse Pointe Shores, MI
BLUEWATER.ORG
ZOO-DE-MACK.COM
MAY 16
1
OMPWINETRAIL.COM
2
Old Mission Blossom Day Traverse City, MI
MAY 16 – 22
National Safe Boating Week
SAFEBOATINGCAMPAIGN.COM
MAY 21 –25
Port Clinton Walleye Festival Port Clinton, OH
PORTCLINTONCHAMBER.COM
MAY 19
Ride a Charter Boat Day Sheboygan, WI VISITSHEBOYGAN.COM
MAY 22 – 23
Native American Festival St. Ignace, MI STIGNACE.COM
MAY 22 – 24
Door County Festival of Nature Baileys Harbor, WI
MAY 23 – 24
MAY 23
JACKSONPORT.ORG/MAIFEST
RIDGESSANCTUARY.ORG
FACEBOOK.COM/KITEFESTATGH
Model Ships and Boats Contest Manitowoc, WI WISCONSINMARITIME.ORG
ADD YOUR EVENT! Visit LAKELANDBOATING.COM/ GREAT-LAKES-EVENTS to add your event to our Calendar of Events page!
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Maifest Jacksonport, WI
Bayshore Marathon Traverse City, MI
Warblers on the Water Beaver Island, MI
Festival of Races Petoskey, MI
MAY 23 – 25
BAYSHOREMARATHON.ORG
TRAILSCOUNCIL.ORG
Memorial Day Sailing Race Lakeside-Marblehead, OH LAKESIDEOHIO.COM
Northport Cars in the Park Northport, MI NORTHPORTCARSIN THEPARK.COM
Petoskey Stone Festival Eastport, MI
PETOSKEYSTONEFESTIVAL.COM
GREATLAKESBOATING FESTIVAL.COM
The Kite Festival at Grand Haven Grand Haven, MI
DO UB LE -C HE CK BE FO RE YO U GO ! Due to COVID-19, information may beevent of date. Confirm detout with event organizerails s.
3
BEAVERISLANDBIRDINGTRAIL.ORG
Amateur Salmon and Trout Fishing Derby Pentwater, MI PENTWATER.ORG
MAY 24
Blessing of the Boats Muskegon, MI
VISITMUSKEGON.ORG
MAY 29 – 31
ABM & ACBS Symposium Clayton, NY ABM.ORG
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F : 1 . B C M O R E L F E S T I VA L .C O M ; 2 . G R E AT L A K E S B O AT I N G F E S T I VA L FA C E B O O K ; 3 . ZO O - D E - M AC K I N AC , I N C . FAC E BO O K
Brockville Multicultural Festival Brockville, ON
BUZZ
Celebrate Bitter End Yacht Club’s 2020 Comeback
The famous Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands may have shuttered when Hurricane Irma struck the island in September 2017, but the Bitter End crew plans a comeback later this year. Support the yacht club by purchasing items — including men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, hats, totes and more — from its online shop, Bitter End Provisions. With every purchase, $1 will go toward stewarding the oceans and communities surrounding the oceans. Check out the online store at BITTERENDPROVISIONS.COM.
GREAT LAKES NEWS
Flagship Niagara League, which hosted the Tall Ships Erie festival in Erie, Pennsylvania, last August, was awarded the Port of the Year Award by Tall Ships America. The four-day event brought in 12 tall ships and tens of thousands of attendees.
BOATS
MUST-HAVE
BUZZ
MAY 2020
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BUSINESS
PEOPLE & PLACES
GREAT LAKES NEWS
Enbridge Selects Contractors For Great Lakes Tunnel Project
The company responsible for the proposed Line 5 tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac, Enbridge Energy, announced on March 6 that it had selected contractors for the project despite pending legal issues. The news comes only one day after For the Love of Water (FLOW) in Traverse City, Michigan, filed formal complaints to the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority asking for the project to be halted. The Corridor Authority met on March 6 to discuss the tunnel project and oil pipeline. Enbridge says they selected Michigan-based construction company Jay Dee Contractors Inc. to construct the tunnel, which will house a new Line 5 pipeline, and engineering ADD YOUR NEWS! company Arup will help Email KBUSH@LAKELANDBOATING.COM design the project. to add your company’s Great Lakes News to Scuttle!
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LAKELANDBOATING.COM
FLOW argues that the project should not move forward until all legal authorization has been obtained. “The oil tunnel negotiators and parties’ attempt to bypass the Great Lakes Submerged Lands Act (GLSLA) and the public trust law constitute one of the most egregious attacks on citizens’ rights and sovereign public trust interests in the Great Lakes in the history of the State of Michigan,” says FLOW Founder and President Jim Olson. Despite this, Enbridge says the construction of the new tunnel (which will replace twin pipelines that have been in operation since 1953) will begin in 2021 and be in service by 2024. To learn more about FLOW’s formal comments, visit FORLOVEOFWATER.ORG. To learn more about Enbridge’s announcement, visit ENBRIDGE.COM.
PHOTO BY JOSHUA BACHAND
SCUTTLE
What a sweet ride. With the new GTI™, you can listen to your favorite tunes, take whatever you need with larger front storage and the LinQ attachment cargo system, plus you’ll enjoy a bigger swim platform and improved stability.
Discover yours at Sea-Doo.com
®
© 2020 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. , TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affi liates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. Carefully read the operator’s guide and safety instructions. Observe applicable laws and regulations. Always wear appropriate protective clothing, including a personal flotation device and wetsuit bottoms. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. See your authorized BRP dealer for details.
SCUTTLE
BOATS
Sirena Yachts Announces New 58 Coupe As a direct response to Sirena Yachts’ customers who desired an express-style yacht, the new 58 Coupe features a single-level deck from aft cockpit to helm; a bright and airy salon; a full-beam galley; and a hull designed by naval architect German Frers. “This yacht is for anyone looking for a sleeker exterior profile or for couples who prefer not to have a flybridge but do admire the build strength and design details in Sirena’s existing 58,” says Sirena’s director of North American sales, Constantinos Constantinou. The yacht has a range of more than 850 miles at speeds of 10 knots, and a top-speed of more than 26 knots. Below is a three-cabin arrangement, ideal for cruisers, including a forward owner’s stateroom. For more information, visit
NMMA Backs Minnesota Bill Establishing 200-Foot Wakesurfing Setback
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) supports a bill recently introduced to the Minnesota House of Representatives and the State Senate that would mandate a 200-foot setback from the shoreline for wakesurfing in Minnesota. The NMMA calls the bipartisan legislation effort “clear, consistent and effective:” Clear, because “200 feet is the length of a hockey rink and is easily identifiable to boaters and enforcement officers on the water;” consistent, because “the proposed legislation is consistent with existing PWC statutes and will ensure equal expectations for all enjoying Minnesota’s waterways;” and effective because “a leading wake scientist determined that a 200-foot setback prevents wakes from having a consequential impact on shorelines and structures.” To learn more about the NMMA’s response to the bill, visit NMMA.ORG.
PHOTO BY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2019.
SIRENAYACHTS.COM.
BUZZ
10391/1219
SCUTTLE
GREAT LAKES NEWS
Grant Money Means Changes for Lake Ontario’s IJC Plan 2014 In March, the International Joint Commission (IJC) received a grant of $1.5 million from the U.S., plus an anticipated $1.5 million from Canada, to investigate possible improvements that could be made to Lake Ontario outflow regulation activities. Conducted by the IJC’s Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management (GLAM) Committee, the 18- to 24-month investigation will gather information in order to determine if there are any changes that could be made to the regulation Plan 2014 to help manage the extreme water levels and river flows in the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system. On March 11, the IJC announced that they would amend its Plan 2014 to allow for additional increases to the rate of water removed from Lake Ontario through the spring. Many Lake Ontario lakeshore residents have blamed IJC’s Plan 2014 for not controlling the high water problems, leading to flooding, and waterfront and property damage. To learn more about the investigation, visit IJC.ORG. BUZZ
Boston Whaler’s Yami Hu Receives STEP Ahead Award
PHOTO BY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Yami Hu, the director of strategic planning at Boston Whaler, received the 2020 Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Award. Hu joined Boston Whaler in 2016 and has held a number of positions in strategy
development, manufacturing and distribution support, and commercial operations. “I am honored and humbled to be recognized with the STEP Ahead Award,” Hu says. “I have spent my entire career challenging myself to be the best person I can be and to be recognized by my peers is an incredible honor.” For more information on other 2020 STEP award winners, visit THEMANUFACTURINGINSTITUTE.ORG.
For over a century, a league of canned crusaders have been fighting to keep boats safe from barnacles, slime, algae and other aquatic evils that rob your boat of its true performance. With advanced know-how and unique capabilities, each antifouling is tailored to different conditions, and has the power to defeat fouling in all its forms. Micron® CSC is a highly dependable and steadfast polishing antifouling for boaters, boatyards and builders, providing heroic protection in all waters and trusted by boaters and boatyards everywhere. Its polishing action wears away at a controlled rate, reducing paint build-up and achieving consistent performance across multiple seasons in all waters.
For super-powered antifouling protection and proven performance, choose Interlux®.
The hero your boat deserves! interlux.com
SCUTTLE
BUZZ
The newest model in Beneteau’s collection, the Gran Turismo 32, provides boaters a transition from dayboat to express cruiser, offering the benefits of a large, open boat with a protective hardtop for extended trips. This new model includes an open-concept layout with forward sunpads, a large helm with seating for four, a climate-controlled covered cockpit, a fully fitted galley, a large windshield, semi-walkaround bow and more. Below, the GT 32 offers two double berths and a separate shower with an independent head. The main central cabin and aft cabin are both full-beam. The boat reaches a top speed of 42 mph thanks to engine options up to 600 hp and the AirStep Hull. Options include the Mercury Joystick Piloting system and a bow thruster. To learn more about the model, visit BENETEAU.COM.
MUST-HAVE
Three Brands Collab on a Connected Fishing Experience
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula may soon require visitors to pay an entrance fee, according to the Detroit Free Press. We will provide updates on this as more details become available.
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Anglers will have a new way to plan, record and relive fishing experiences, thanks to a collaboration of ANGLR, Lowrance and Abu Garcia technology. Connect the new Abu Garcia Virtual Rod and compatible Lowrance chartplotter or fish finders to the ANGLR smartphone app, and you’re able to record fishing coordinates, weather, water trends, photos and more all by simply clicking on the bottom of the fishing rod. “We are really excited about the strength of the ANGLR platform to be able to support this one-of-akind collaboration,” says Henry Gnad, ANGLR CEO. “For the first time the technology exists, both in Abu Garcia’s Virtual Fishing Rod and Lowrance’s premier fishfinders, that when connected with our app anglers can auto-record fishing trips, without missing a second of the action and save the entire story in the palm of their hand to retell for the rest of their lives.” For more information, visit ANGLR.COM, LOWR ANCE.COM or ABUGARCIA.COM.
LAKELANDBOATING.COM
Golden Dock Stabilizer From Golden Boat Lifts Wins Innovation Award
The NMMA and Boating Writers International (BWI) presented Golden Boat Lifts with the Innovation Award in the Docking & Fendering Equipment category at this year’s Miami International Boat Show. The product stabilizes wobbly floating docks and minimizes heaving, movement and lifting due to wind and wave action. Unlike traditional pile hoops, the Golden stabilizer only moves vertically. “We’re pleased to be honored with this award,” says Bill Golden, president and CEO of Golden Boat Lifts, Golden Marine Systems and Golden Manufacturing. “This is a serious game-changer for any floating dock, whether it’s private or public, recreational or commercial.” The product is made in the U.S. from 6061-T6 marinegrade aluminum and 300-series stainless steel hardware. The stabilizer can accommodate any pile diameter. For more information, visit GOLDENBOATLIFTS.COM.
EVENTS
Changes Made to Port Huron-toMackinac Island Sailboat Race This year’s July 11 start of the Bayview Yacht Club Port Huron-to-Mackinac Island sailboat race will feature more varieties of boats, as sport boats, or modern planing boats, are able to participate for the first time. “This class responds to the need to start bringing a younger demographic to sailing, and they will definitely bring an extra level of excitement to the race,” says Chris Clark, 2020 Bayview Mackinac chair. The race also has a new 2020 presenting sponsor: Detroit-based Atwater Brewery. In years past, the race was sponsored by Bell’s Brewery. The event begins in Port Huron and has two courses: The shorter Shore Course covers 204 nm along the Michigan shoreline heading west to the Mackinac Island finish line; and the longer 259 nm Cove Island Course takes sailors around a buoy off the tip of the Bruce Peninsula in Canadian waters before heading west toward the finish line. For more information, visit BYCMACK.COM.
PICTURED ROCKS PHOTO BY SARAH BOUDREAU; SAIL PHOTO BY JIM SORBIE
BOATS
Beneteau Releases Gran Turismo 32
SCUTTLE
GREAT LAKES NEWS
Anglers in New York have a set of changes to their fishing season. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has adopted new regulations, effective immediately, that include moving the opening of the Lake Ontario/Lower Niagara River lake trout season a month earlier to December 1 (formerly January 1) and moving the closing date to October 1. Other regulations include: Limiting the daily creel rainbow trout/steelhead catch to two fish per day in Lake Ontario; increasing the minimum size limit for rainbow trout/steelhead to 25 inches during the winter; and opening fishing year-round on Spooner Creek and tributaries in Erie County, as well as the North Branch Clear Creek and tributaries. “DEC received comments from more than 550 anglers on our proposed regulations, and most were highly favorable, which reflects the importance of working with the fishing community to develop regulations that are protective of the resource and continue to offer quality fishing opportunities,” says Commissioner Basil Seggos. “We greatly appreciate the public’s support for our efforts to make New York’s world-class Great Lakes fishing even better.” To learn more about the new regulations, visit DEC.NY.GOV.
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PHOTO BY JAKOB OWENS
New York DEC Announces New 2020 Fishing Regulations
LOVE THE LOOK OF THIS HELM?
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GPSMAP® 8600 SERIES WITH WITH AUTO GUIDANCE
1
10”, 12” OR 16” TOUCHSCREEN FULLY
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Auto Guidance is for planning purposes only and does not replace safe navigation operations. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. ©2019 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
1
Orion Locator PLUS 4 Marine Signal Kit
This great starter kit has everything Great Lakes boaters need to fulfill the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) distress flare requirements for day or nighttime use. The kit comes with four USCG-approved hand-held red flares, one USCG-approved distress flag for daytime signaling and one SOLAS-approved safety whistle with lanyard. All these items are packed in a water-resistant, floating, compact case that lays flat and stores easily. $79.90 AT AMAZON.COM
GREAT GEAR MUST-HAVE GOODIES AND GADGETS FOR EVERY BOATER
myCharge Adventure H20 Portable Charger
Never be without a charge. This waterproof, portable smart device charger allows you to spend the day on the water without the worry of running out of juice — especially in case of emergencies. The charger’s insulated, rubberized exterior case protects it from extreme weather temperatures and is portable with a built-in carabiner. Features up to four extra charges and two built-in USB ports, so you can charge your phone and tablet at the same time! $39.99 AT MYCHARGE.COM
Torqeedo Travel 503 CS Electric Outboard Motor
This electric motor has less draw and more range. Exclusive to Defender, the upgraded 915-watt-hour highcapacity battery is a great option for an inexpensive, fume-free, lightweight (only 28 pounds!) and easy-to-handle dinghy motor. Features include auto-kickup in case of grounding, a USB port to charge and a real-time tiller information display. $1,695 AT DEFENDER.COM
OCEAN SAFETY Jonbuoy Danbuoy & Horseshoe
Be prepared for man overboard situations with this danbuoy and horseshoe combo. The Jonbuoy automatically inflates once dislodged from the housing unit and features innovative Glo Lite retroreflective fabric technology that allows the danbuoy and horseshoe to be highly visible, which aids during nighttime recovery. Newly redesigned to feature a steamlined, high-impact case. $574.99 AT ADD YOUR GEAR!
WESTMARINE.COM
Email KBUSH@LAKELANDBOATING.COM to add your company’s new product news to Great Gear!
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LAKELANDBOATING.COM
Yeti Colster Slim Can Insulator
Crack a White Claw or other hard seltzer of choice, then keep it cool all day in this Yeti Rambler Colster insulator can. The new 12-ounce slim design features doublewall vacuum insulation and No Sweat Design to keep your hands dry. The updated Load-and-Lock Gasket only requires an easy quarter-turn to secure your drink in place. Made of 18/8 stainless steel, which resists dents and drops. Available in eight color options, including pacific blue, coral, seafoam and stainless steel. Dishwasher safe. $24.99 AT YETI.COM
OLAS Guardian
New for 2020, this engine kill switch keeps you, your passengers and canine crewmembers safe in case someone goes overboard by killing the engine within two seconds! The waterproof Guardian can connect with up to 15 OLAS Tags or Float-Ons, and features an emergency light and 85 decibel alarm. Control the unit by connecting it to the free ACR OLAS mobile app. The Guardian provides coverage for vessels up to 50 feet, and that coverage can be extended for use on vessels up to 80 feet using the OLAS Extender. $249.95 AT ACR ARTEX.COM
WHEN SEEING RED IS A GOOD THING
Lake Michigan
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Can You See Me Now?
D
Electronic flares
While Coast Guard approval for nonpyrotechnic visual distress signals is currently limited to the distress flag and electronic SOS distress light, that doesn’t mean true electronic flares are not being developed. Products such as the MK 3 LED flare by ODEO and the rescueME EDF1 electronic distress flare will hopefully see approval as an alternative to pyrotechnic flares at some point. Although not currently U.S. Coast Guard-approved, both are effective, reusable, long lasting and, in my opinion, are more recognizable as a visible distress signal than an SOS distress light. Safety-conscious mariners should not hesitate to carry them in addition to the required, currently approved visual distress signals; there are no restrictions for carrying alternative electronic signal devices, and Coast Guard approval is not required to use them.
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espite the importance of modern visual distress signals such as EPIRBs and Digital Selective Calling (DSC), old-school options remain both relevant and are the only type of distress signals boaters are required by law to have onboard. Here’s a look at the types of approved visual distress signals available, along with the pros and cons you should know about each. Visual distress signal basics: Visual distress signals fall into two broad categories: Pyrotechnic and non-pyrotechnic devices. These can be further divided into day and night use, although some are suitable for both. Examples of pyrotechnic devices include red flares (hand-held or aerial), orange smoke flares and canisters. Non-pyrotechnic signals include any other type of visual distress signal, from signal mirrors to distress flags. In order to satisfy the minimum federally mandated requirements, each signaling device must be U.S. Coast Guard or SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) approved, with any combination of pyrotechnic and/or non-pyrotechnic distress signals totaling three for day use and three for night use. Meeting the minimum requirements, however, does not mean you’re carrying all the signaling devices you’ll want onboard. Like winning lottery numbers, you can’t have too many emergency signaling devices when the need arises. In my opinion every vessel should carry at least double what’s required by law — more when coastal or offshore cruising. Pyrotechnic signals: Flares are relatively inexpensive and a popular choice with boat owners, who typically meet U.S. Coast Guard carriage requirements with red hand-held or aerial flares suitable for day and night use. SOLAS flares are approved by the International Maritime Organization for use on the high seas. While more expensive, they typically exceed U.S. Coast Guard standards for luminosity and burn time. Many recreational boaters choose SOLAS devices for the added margin of safety they provide. If you choose the less expensive U.S. Coast Guard-approved flares, do yourself a favor and buy additional spares with the money saved. Flares are required by law to have a 42-month service life and have their expiration date stamped on them. If you’re a typical boat owner, you probably have a number of expired flares onboard for “back-ups”
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(everyone hates throwing away things they had to buy, but didn’t use). While they can remain operational years past their expiration date, the chemicals used in flares will deteriorate over time, so don’t be surprised if your expired back-ups are harder to light, have shorter burn times, decreased altitudes or simply fail to work when the time comes. For reliable back-ups, carry spares that are within their expiration date. Flares make excellent distress signals, but they do have drawbacks. They can only be used once and can cause personal injury and property damage if not handled properly. Flares generate molten slag while burning, so hold them well overboard when firing or lighting them and during use. Aerial flares and launchers should be treated with the same respect as firearms. Some states may even consider the pistol launcher for meteors and parachute flares to be a firearm, so ask about local laws when purchasing. Non-pyrotechnic signals: The only U.S. Coast Guard-approved, non-pyrotechnic visual distress signals are the Orange Distress Flag and the Electric Distress or SOS light. The distress flag is a day signal consisting of a black square and ball on an orange background. Size-wise, it has to be at least 3 feet by 3 feet and marked as meeting Coast Guard requirements in 46 CFR 160.072. While flares are considered more effective by many, distress flags have the advantage of working without your intervention for as long as they are displayed. You can also significantly increase their visibility by attaching them to a paddle or boat hook and waving them about or by flying them from the highest point on your vessel. Electric distress lights are for night use only. They must automatically flash the international SOS distress signal (three short flashes, three long flashes, three short flashes) and be labeled as meeting Coast Guard requirements stated 46 CFR 161.013. Ordinary flashlights are not acceptable substitutes for an electric distress light, as they must be manually flashed and are normally not bright enough. Modern versions of the electronic distress light include the Orion Electronic SOS Distress Beacon Kit and the Sirius Signal C-1002 SOS distress light with day signal flag. Two things to note about both of these products. First, they are not “electronic flares;” despite some advertising claims
PHOTO COURTESY OF COAST GUARD NEWS
The ABCs of visual distress signals.
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you may see, they are distress lights. Secondly, they are approved for nighttime use only, which is why both come with a distress flag. This combination enables them to meet carriage requirements for day and nighttime emergency signals.
Although not Coast Guard-approved, one of the best all-around, nonpyrotechnic distress signaling devices is a signal mirror. Compact and simple to operate, signal mirrors have proven their worth in numerous rescues. In normal sunlight, flashes from a good signal mirror can be seen up to 50 miles away depending upon atmospheric conditions (the record distance during an at-sea rescue is 105 miles). They even work on bright overcast days and moonlit nights to an extent. While there are reportedly cases where sailors have been rescued using the reflective holographic sticker on their credit card, don’t be tempted to rely on that or an old CD. Spend a little money and get the real thing. Finally, distress signals won’t do you any good if you can’t find them in an emergency. Store them in a red or orange watertight container marked “Distress Signals” and keep it in a dry but readily accessible place. ★
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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MAY 2020
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ELECTRONICS BY GLENN HAYES
New Safety Tech
PHOTOS BY GLENN HAYES
Advancements in technology ensure safe boating.
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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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McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS EPIRB Recent changes in regulations for commercial vessels have created a new type of EPIRB that will facilitate faster, more precise rescues of vessels in distress, as well as creating better awareness of false activations. McMurdo has introduced its new SmartFind G8 AIS EPIRB, which is the first approved and available EPIRB in a new class that meets recently regulated SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) requirements that will go into effect July 2022. This innovative EPIRB will not only work transmitting to the global system of COSPAS SARSAT satellites via 406MHZ, but will also work with GNSS networks, such as USA’s GPS, Europe’s Galileo, Russia’s GLONASS and China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. By working with all of these systems, the SmartFind G8 is a truly global EPIRB that can lock in position through a range of navigation systems any time, anywhere globally. What makes the EPIRB truly unique is its built-in Automatic Identification System (AIS). The SmartFind G8 will send out an emergency AIS signal that can be detected by nearby vessels equipped with AIS. The EPIRB will still send the emergency signal via satellite with coordinates of where the beacon is located. By also transmitting on AIS, nearby vessels within range will be aware instantly of the emergency and can respond accordingly. The transmission of this AIS distress signal can also allow for faster rescues due to an accurate acquisition of location by responders. An added benefit of an EPIRB with AIS capability is better detection of false activations. If there is a false activation, those nearby vessels can
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confirm that search and rescue is not needed and can free up this precious resource from a false call. These new EPIRBs are designed to result in faster and more accurate rescue responses. Previous classes of EPIRBs would transmit via satellite but would rely on the 121.5 homing signal to help rescue personnel narrow down their search, which could take longer to accomplish and wouldn’t happen until search and rescue arrived in the vicinity of the emergency. Shakespeare INFL8-5 Inflatable VHF Antenna Another innovative safety product that has been introduced recently is Shakespeare’s INFL8-5 Inflatable VHF Antenna. While not as technologically advanced as the G8 EPIRB, its simplicity and ease of operation makes the antenna a no-brainer for anyone venturing out onto the water. While there are other emergency antennas on the market, this new inflatable model can outperform many of them. Supplied in a bright, highly visible fabric pouch, the antenna can be instantly inflated via a CO2 cartridge to its full 5-foot length. It can also be inflated with a manual inflation valve similar to those found on inflatable life jackets. Once inflated, this new antenna can be attached to stays, towers, etc. via the attached hook and loop straps or grommets. If inflated with the CO2 cartridge, the antenna is even capable of being free standing. With 3db of gain, this antenna can perform similarly to permanent antennas of a comparable size with the advantage of being attached anywhere. It comes with 20 feet of RG-174 cable attached and a PL259 connector. This connector will plug into most fixed-mount VHF radios. It’s also supplied with an SMA adapter cable that will allow it to connect to many handheld VHFs. Because of its compact size when deflated, this new Galaxy INFL-8 antenna not only serves as an emergency antenna onboard but is also a good option for kayaks, small craft, dinghys, inflatables and jet skis. ★
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCMURDO
hile being on the water is all about having fun and enjoying your time afloat, it’s also prudent to be prepared for an emergency you hope never happens. Fortunately for today’s boater, there is an ever-increasing amount of safety equipment available that can turn a boating emergency from a tragedy into a great story for the grandkids. Products like emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) and emergency communication equipment have improved over the years and are more affordable and readily available to boaters.
SAFETY FIRST BY HELEN AITKEN
Rent Responsibly
How to safely rent a boat for a day of on-the-water fun.
P H O T O B Y G A U TA M K R I S H N A N
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orget commercial cruises on the St. Lawrence Seaway and Mississippi River or in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. My dream is to rent a sleek wooden boat and traverse the canals between Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland, and eventually cross over the rotating boat lift called the Falkirk Wheel. Not ready for an adventure in Scotland but still want to rent a boat closer to home? Here are some things to consider, with safety in mind. Knowledge first When I loan something, it’s in the best possible condition. After all, it’s a reflection of how I keep things and it sets my expectations for having them returned in good shape. Sometimes what comes back might not be great — or maybe it’s never returned at all. Likewise, a boating rental agreement is designed to protect both parties. Every boat rental company is different, but all must adhere to U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) safety regulations or risk getting shut down with fines and/ or jail time. Rentals vary by company and state. Check the company’s reputation via online reviews. Study their rental agreement and cancellation policies. Some rental companies allow you to rent boats by the hour, with more time usually being cost-effective; however, full-day rentals may be standard. Advance registration with a credit card deposit is typical but may be non-refundable, even for bad weather cancellations. Ask that the deposit is applied toward a future rental. Then it’s time to decide on the boat; know its capacity before inviting the neighborhood. Equipment check Request a VHF radio or mounted radio and know how to use it in an emergency. Also, ask how to handle a problem or breakdown on the water, especially if towing is needed. Request charts or a chartplotter and get information on dangerous or off-limit areas. Also, ask if you can rent equipment like tubes or waterskis, or if you can bring your own onboard. Never go on a boat that doesn’t meet the minimum USCG boating requirements and doesn’t have a current registration or boat registration numbers on the boat. The renter may be responsible for any and all damages that happen while renting the boat. A
damage deposit fee may be added to the credit card while other damages are assessed afterward. Finally, check your homeowner policies, as a precaution. Customer responsibilities What’s included with the fee? How about gas? Is the boat clean and stocked with appropriate serviceable gear? Never assume you know how to use boat equipment, so ask for tutorials. Locate the first aid kit, fire extinguisher and life jackets. Even better, wear the life jackets at all times. The captain/renter is responsible for the safety of the passengers and is expected to follow the Rules of the Road, be responsible with alcohol usage, adhere to the rental company’s policies and USCG boating standards, and practice courteous boating. States vary in age restrictions to rent boats, either 18 or 21 years old, but all require a valid driver’s license and boating certificate, obtained from the U.S. Power Squadrons, Coast Guard Auxiliary, or an unexpired commercial license by the state or Coast Guard.
Online Resources Rules of the Road
DCO.USCG.MIL/NAVRULES
Rental Boat Safety
RENTALBOATSAFETY.COM
Boat Beat
BOATBEAT.ORG
GetMyBoat
GETMYBOAT.COM
Boat responsibly
1. Check the weather and make an informed
decision to go out or not.
2. Allow for ⅓ tank of gas going out, ⅓ gas
coming back in and ⅓ tank for emergencies.
3. Establish a float plan. Get company phone
numbers and leave your cell phone numbers.
4. Check for current signal devices and a charged
fire extinguisher.
5. Be prepared for outdoor-related problems
like sunburn and windburn, bring along medications, and stay hydrated with water. 6. Return the boat early to keep from paying extra fees and to remove your belongings and trash. Notify the company of any problems you encountered or things that need to be upgraded, like refreshing the first aid kit. 7. If you feel the boat isn’t working in good condition, return it and negotiate a refund. After all, safety is the first priority. Using some research and common sense, renting a boat for a fun day on the water can be done with safety in mind, even for Scotland’s canals. My putter is ready. ★ ❖
HELEN AITKEN is a boating writer, photographer and science educator from eastern North Carolina. She loves classic wooden boats, is a U.S. Power Squadrons member and plays in the Intracoastal Waterway. Visit her website at AITKENHELEN.COM.
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BENEATH THE SURFACE B Y H E AT H E R S T E I N B E R G E R
No Boating For MJ
Are cannabis and THC-laced products legal in your state? It’s different on the water.
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t press time, the coronavirus pandemic was wreaking havoc on everything in our world, from the economy to our ability to gather with loved ones. Yet boating season is just around the corner, and we’re all hopeful that life will resume some degree of normalcy as spring gives way to summer. To that end, we at Lakeland Boating would like to explore an issue that has been in the news quite a bit (at least until COVID-19 exploded on the scene): The legality of recreational cannabis use (widely known as marijuana) and possession in certain states, and what that means for boaters. Are the rules different when you cast off the docklines and head offshore? Cannabis while underway The answer is a big, resounding yes. Once you motor into a navigable waterway, it’s a whole different ball game. Such waterways — from the Great Lakes to major river systems — fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. government, not the individual states. “The federal government has zero tolerance for marijuana,” says Terry Krieg of Advantage Marketing Solutions in Novi, Michigan. “I’m a longtime boater, I belong to two yacht clubs, and my firm works with the marine industry, so I’ve followed this issue with interest.” Noting that he is not an attorney, “just a curious boater,” Krieg also observes, “If you’re boarded by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), it’s not the first thing they’re looking for, but they are looking. Right now, they’re not making it their No. 1 catch situation. But they could, and the law is on their side.” Lieutenant Amy Hockenberry, chief of enforcement and station manager for the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, agrees with this assessment. If boarding officers have reasonable suspicion or probable cause, she says, they will act on it. “Safety and education are our priorities, not kicking down doors to look for drugs, unless we have intelligence-driven data or the boarding officer uses his or her authority based on what was observed, located, or tested,” she explains. “We want to see people enjoying the water, boating safely and being educated on the rules associated with operating a boat in the water.” The USCG has the authority to board any boat subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. at any time, in any place. It does not require a warrant, nor does 24
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it require probable cause. It could board a vessel simply to conduct a recreational safety boarding, in which the boarding officers check for required items, such as life jackets, state/certificate numbers, fire extinguishers and visual distress signals. “If we see you operating a boat while drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana, then we will board your boat, conduct a recreational safety boarding, and evaluate our next course of action for the illegal activity observed,” Hockenberry says. “While aboard, if we observe or detect marijuana use, we will inquire and start an investigation. We will test the marijuana, seize it, and cite the owner/ operator and passengers accordingly.” A field sobriety test most likely will be conducted, and the citation varies depending on how much is located and the results of the investigation. The USCG can cite you for Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (MDLEA) 46 USC 70503, for manufacturing, distributing or intending to distribute or manufacture, which is a felony. It can also site you for (MDLEA) 46 USC 70506(c), knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled substance, which is a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation. At anchor and at the dock Although you might have heard otherwise, anchoring isn’t the same as being on land. You don’t suddenly switch to state laws just because you’re on the hook. “Here, too, we’re coming at this from a safety perspective,” Hockenberry says. “You had to get there somehow, and you still have to get back home.” Krieg notes that reasonable questions do arise regarding boats in their slips at the marinas. The boat is floating, but it’s tied to the dock, and the dock is connected to land. “We still have those questions, and at this point, I’m not sure if we have answers,” he says. “I suspect the dock issue may be defined by court cases happening down the road, but for now, it’s ambiguous. I would tell boaters to err on the side of caution.” According to Hockenberry, the USCG’s first priorities for dockside boaters will be, again, to educate and to ensure safety. “If you’re at the dock, and we see or smell marijuana, we’re going to talk with you,” she says. “You’re in the water, even if you’re not underway, and we want to determine what your intentions are.
PHOTO BY GRAS GRUN
This isn’t a ‘gotcha’ situation. If your intentions are pure, or if you’re not fully informed on this issue, we’ll sense that and we’ll handle the situation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the rules and regulations. At the end of the day, if we board your boat and locate an illegal substance, we will seize the substance and cite accordingly.” Tips for boaters What if you have a prescription for medical marijuana? Hockenberry says to be sure you have your medical card on you — and that you don’t have more than the prescribed amount of cannabis aboard. “If we do board your boat, we’ll be checking IDs and verifying everyone’s information,” Hockenberry says. “If you don’t have your card, we can’t verify the prescription belongs to you. And if you have more than your allotted amount, it may look as if you have an intent to sell. Again, we have no means to verify the accuracy of the medical prescription card; all we are doing is checking it against your ID.” She reminds boaters that the owner/operator is responsible for the vessel and all those aboard. Krieg agrees, noting that it’s not as simple as seeing or smelling a joint anymore. In an era of
THC-infused edibles and cocktails, boat operators might not know who has what. Skippers can also post clear notification in their boats: No illegal drugs. Krieg’s firm has created a “Zero-Tolerance” sticker that covers cannabis, other drugs and weapons (available at BOATERSLOCKER.COM). “The label makes it clear that you and the USCG are in agreement on zero-tolerance policies,” he says. In the end, other than exceptions for medical users that would have to be approved by a higher boarding officer authority, the USCG guidance is simple: Don’t bring cannabis aboard, period. “Just don’t do it,” Hockenberry says. “Leave it at home. There are lots of you, and there aren’t so many of us who are out enforcing laws. Do the right thing, even when nobody is looking. We just want to keep our waterways safe.” ★
HEATHER STEINBERGER is an award-winning writer/ editor who has specialized in boating, travel and outdoor adventure for more than 20 years. Visit her website at WRITEONLLC.COM.
GET READY FOR BOATING SEASON! HELP PASS THE DAYS SPENT INSIDE BY VISITING LAKELANDBOATING.COM! • PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP • RESEARCH YOUR DREAM BOAT • CHECK OUT THE LASTEST GREAT LAKES NEWS
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MAY 2020
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BOAT SPOTLIGHT BY CRAIG RITCHIE
SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 40’7” Beam: 12’3” Draft: 2’10” / 3’8” Weight: 23,800 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 357 gals. Water Capacity: 53 gals. Base Power: 2 x Ilmor sterndrives MSRP: Contact dealer AVIAR ABOATS.COM
DEALER MarineMax Port Clinton, OH 419-797-4492 MARINEMA X.COM
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Aviara AV40 Luxury redefined.
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escribed as a “fusion of style, modern comfort and quality details,” Aviara’s remarkable AV40 turns heads with dual folding deck terraces that extend on both starboard and port sides at the push of a button, stretching the 12-foot beam to over 17 feet and adding an incredible 33 square feet of cockpit space. The aft cockpit makes the most of all that real estate with gas-actuated bar stools, flip-up lounge seats on the sunpad, and plenty of space to unwind on the swim step itself. There’s additional seating in the forward cockpit, along with a standard grill, refrigerator, wetbar and entertainment center, which can be upgraded to dual electric grills and refrigerators. There’s also an insulated cooler on slides, an available retractable cockpit TV, heated seats for those cool evenings, RGB lighting, a power sunroof overhead and custom SeaDek flooring underfoot. The spacious helm on the AV40 features a full glass dash with a comfortable triple-wide helm seat.
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Owners can choose from two propulsion options: Twin Ilmor sterndrives or triple Mercury outboards, both with standard joystick control. The Klipsch audio system in the AV40 deserves special mention, including its innovative dashboard speakers. A portside passage leads to the inviting bow, with its luxurious seating, built-in cooler, plenty of cup holders and stereo speakers, creating a great spot to enjoy the summer sun. More than a dayboat, the AV40 is also ideal for weekend getaways with the kids. “The spacious cabin is a perfect place to relax away from the elements,” says Rob Nye, sales and brand manager at Aviara Boats. “It sleeps four with a convertible lounger and a queen-size memory foam mattress in the mid-cabin.” A belowdecks galley with a refrigerator and optional microwave, a 43-inch TV with soundbar, a skylight, a separate wet head and standard air conditioning all guarantee enjoyable nights away. ★
BOAT SPOTLIGHT BY CRAIG RITCHIE
Boston Whaler 280 Vantage The unsinkable legend for active families.
R
iding on an all-new hull designed to make the most of today’s high-performance engines, Boston Whaler’s 280 Vantage delivers a fresh take that is tailor-made for the Great Lakes. Stepping aboard couldn’t be easier with the standard portside dive door. Plush seating throughout the spacious aft cockpit invites guests to get comfy, including a neat transom seat that folds away when not required. A standard starboard-side prep station — complete with a sink and cutting board — says fishing to the anglers and cocktails to everyone else. A pair of 30-gallon fish boxes in the cockpit sole also pull double-duty, accommodating the day’s catch or gear. The versatile portside lounge provides forward- or aft-facing seating, or can lay flat to transform into a sunpad. Lifting the aft seat cushion creates another lounge option. A discreet metal bracket in the seat base accepts a removable cockpit table, providing a great space to relax and watch the sunset in comfort.
Drivers get spoiled by the helm, which has plenty of space for a choice of available Raymarine touch-screen displays. Joystick piloting is also available as a popular and worthwhile upgrade, while a standard hardtop overhead provides a welcome escape from the midday sun. The passenger console houses a porcelain head with a vacu-flush toilet. There’s also a sink, solidsurface counter and residential-style faucet. Step through the elegant walk-through windshield and you’ll find spacious wraparound seating in the bow, complete with cup holders, a control head for the stereo and a trash chute in the helm console. Recessed stainless steel rails offer security without getting in the way, while a freshwater shower, fed by a 20-gallon system, comes with both bow and stern sprayers. A bow anchor locker, complete with a windlass, also conceals a retractable bow boarding ladder for the ultimate in convenience. ★
SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 27’9” Beam: 9’6” Draft: 21” Weight: 6,700 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 185 gals. Base Power: 2 x Mercury 250-hp Verado MSRP: $242,703 BOSTONWHALER.COM
DEALERS B&E Marine
BEMARINE.COM
Beacon Marine
BEACONMARINELLC.COM
Colony Marine
COLONYMARINE.COM
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MAY 2020
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BOAT SPOTLIGHT BY CRAIG RITCHIE
SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 29’11” Beam: 9’9” Draft: 2’1” Weight: 5,247 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 140 gals. Power: 2 x 200 hp MSRP: Approx. $125,000 JEANNEAUAMERICA.COM
DEALERS Larsen Marine
LARSENMARINE.COM
Traverse Bay Marine
TRAVERSEBAYMARINE.COM
Central Marine Midland CENTR ALMARINE.CA
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Jeanneau Leader 9.0 CC Master of all trades.
S
tretching 29 feet, 11 inches in length and riding on a roomy 9-foot, 9-inch beam, Jeanneau’s Leader 9.0 CC is more than just a spacious and versatile dayboat — it’s also a terrific weekender that can easily handle overnight getaways with the family. Step aboard and you’ll be quickly impressed with the abundance of deck space in both the bow and stern cockpits. The aft cockpit features an inviting lounge seat across the transom, plus a pull-out seat to starboard that retracts into the gunnel when no longer needed. Available cockpit tables include a traditional model with removable legs, or a retractable model with telescopic legs that collapse to support a large aft sunpad. A huge in-floor lazarette stows bulky gear, or provides space for adding a generator or Seakeeper if desired. Up in the bow, a large central sofa forward of the console is the ideal place to stretch out, while an aft-facing wraparound bow seat creates a
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delightful, private area for conversations. Generous storage is found under each of the seat bases. The helm is designed for comfort, with tilt steering, plenty of space for available Garmin 9- or 12-inch screens, a VHF, engine instrumentation, cup holders and storage for small items. It also includes something you don’t often see on a center console: A sliding door that leads below to the spacious cabin, complete with a large forward double berth and a separate head compartment with a marine toilet, sink and shower. Available with twin 200- or 300-hp engines, the 9.0 CC offers thrilling performance with its modern Michael Peters-designed hull. “Because Jeanneau has had this model available in Europe for several years, they’ve positioned this boat at about $75,000 to $100,000 less than competing models,” says Larsen Marine’s Paul Petersen. “It’s a remarkable value for a well-designed, great running boat.” ★
BOAT SPOTLIGHT BY CRAIG RITCHIE
Sea Ray SLX-R 400e Outboard High-class meets high-tech.
U
nveiled at this year’s CES show in Las Vegas, Sea Ray’s all-new SLX-R 400e Outboard model sets an entirely new standard for high-tech on the water. The new model takes all of the remarkable features from the original SLX 400 Outboard model and adds its own enhancements, including special-edition shadow metallic gel paint, upgraded upholstery with contrast stitching, red underwater lighting and red accent lighting throughout. But it retains the original’s luxurious seating for 22, belowdecks accommodations for four, dedicated paddleboard storage in the stern, and Sea Ray’s drop-down swim terrace that forms a massive aft cockpit patio. A fully customizable cockpit galley — with the option for two fridges, one fridge and storage, or one fridge and a wine cooler — and a customized cooking area with optional grills takes entertaining to an entirely new level. The R designation in the new boat’s name refers to its power, in the form of three Mercury Racing 450R
outboards with joystick piloting. Those combined 1,350 ponies push the big Sea Ray to 65 mph, giving it the power to explore distant ports of call with ease. An exclusive glass dash helm with dual NSO evo3 16-inch touch-screen displays and a standard Fusion Apollo RA770 marine audio system give the boat a clean, contemporary look while keeping operation easy and intuitive. The boat also comes standard with the Sea Ray Connect remote monitoring system powered by Nautic-On. “As stunning as the boat looks and as amazing as the 450R Mercury Racing outboard engines sound, one of the greatest things about the SLX-R 400e Outboard is what you do not see or hear,” says Ritch Ragle, director of North America sales. “Replacing the generator with the Fathom e-Power system allows for whisper-quiet operation of all your electronic accessories, and a full day or night on the water without the hum of a generator and the additional fuel consumption.” H
SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 41’11” Beam: 12’1” Draft: 45”/32” Weight: 18,537 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 375 gals. Standard Power: 3 x Mercury Racing 450R MSRP: Contact dealer SEAR AY.COM
DEALERS B&E Marine
BEMARINE.COM
Colony Marine
COLONYMARINE.COM
SkipperBud’s
SKIPPERBUDS.COM
MarineMax
MARINEMA X.COM
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BOAT TEST
Delivering comfort by Arnie Hammerman and pizazz. 30
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Belize
BELIZE 66 DAYBRIDGE S P E C I F I CATI O N S LOA: 69’3” Beam: 17’11” Draft: 5’5” Weight: 84,911 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 1,188 gals. Water Capacity: 185 gals. Standard Power: 2 x Volvo Penta D13 1350 MSRP: $3,622,977 RIVIER A AUSTR ALIA.COM
DEALERS Bay Marine
Styling that stands out. Solid performance; smooth and comfortable even in rough conditions. Full-beam master and multiple cabin layout options. Attractive finishes with multiple gathering areas. Tender garage discreetly holds a 10-foot, 6-inch RIB with a 40-hp Yamaha.
BAYMARINE.NET
Lake Michigan Yacht Sales
LAKEMICHIGANYACHTSALES.COM
Onekama Marine
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BELIZE
ONEK AMAMARINE.COM
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66 Daybridge LAKELANDBOATING.COM
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he Belize 66 Daybridge made a big splash during her American debut at the 2019 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, a year after the Sedan version arrived (check out Lakeland Boating’s story in May 2019, p. 40). The new Daybridge model shares many great features with the Sedan but has added benefits. The bridge expands the usable interior of the main deck by converting the lower helm station into more living space. The Daybridge provides unprecedented visibility when cruising, as well as an open helm station. A retractable sunroof in the hardtop affords protection from the elements or can bring sunshine to the helm and adjacent seating. The entire bridge is a large, comfortable lounging and gathering area where owners and guests can relax away from the dock, or ride along near the helm underway. The Belize line is designed to have a distinct look and feel,
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which clearly carries through the 66 Daybridge. The sporty, slightly retro styling features high bulwarks forward, a near plumb bow and distinctive rounded hullside portholes. Decks flow gracefully back to the Daybridge where the hardtop neatly matches the overhang of the cockpit coach roof below creating a smooth, sculpted look. Other Belize hallmarks are bountiful accommodations, luxurious finishes, and boats that are easy to operate and fun to drive.
A true test
To run the Belize 66 Daybridge I met up with Chris McCafferty, international sales director for Riviera and Belize, on an overcast, blustery November morning in Stuart, Florida. The Belize 66 is a substantial vessel, 69 feet, 3 inches overall, with a beam of 17 feet, 11 inches, and a dry weight of 85,000 pounds. In a tight slip with gusts of wind straining our lines, things looked precarious, but getting
out of the slip and turning the boat on axis 360 degrees proved easy. McCafferty used the IPS joystick wing station in the cockpit and I carefully removed the lines from the pilings, hauling up fenders as we crept out under control. We then safely pirouetted through the wind, demonstrating that two people can easily handle this boat. Eyeing the relative calm of the protected waterway to port, McCafferty halfheartedly asked me if I wanted to stay inside. He knew I wanted to test the inlet since facing adverse conditions is a rarity when reviewing boats. Having just delivered a powerboat from New England, I understood how rough it could be outside St. Lucie Inlet and wanted to see how the Belize would manage. The wind blew steadily at 18-25 mph, gusting to 30 mph. Large waves piled up on the bar as we cruised out at 22 mph. Having grown up on Lake
Michigan, I have experienced short wave periods and steep chop, and this was an excellent test of difficult conditions comparable to those on the Great Lakes. Once outside, 6- to 9-foot waves plowed into our bow, but the Belize trudged through without a shudder. The boat has a bridge clearance of 25 feet, 2 inches, and we were 15 feet off the water on the substantial Daybridge but barely rolled thanks to the hull form and a Seakeeper 16 gyrostabilizer. The motion felt fine and spray didn’t make it up to the helm where we sat protected. Having proven enough, I nodded to McCafferty. Finding an opening in the wave pattern, we turned quickly across the seas and headed downwind. I took the helm, carefully surfing back in with a quartering sea — this was fun! Twin Volvo Penta IPS 1350s at 1800 RPM pushed us at a safe cruise of over 20 mph at 64% load, burning 51 gph.
Back inside the inlet, we continued testing in the relative calm. Starting from a dead stop, acceleration was smooth coming up on plane with little perceptible hump. Decelerating down from speed, we glided easily, passing underneath a bridge without pushing much water. Running figure-eights at 28 mph, the boat leaned gently in and lost less than 5 mph, even during hard cornering. Turn diameter was a tight two boat lengths, and lost speed resumed rapidly once centered. Overall, the Belize 66 Daybridge handles exceptionally well and is a pleasure to run.
Checking boxes
When it comes to accommodations, the Belize 66 delivers. Several cabin layouts are offered with three or four cabins and optional crew quarters. The boat I tested had the “Presidential” full-beam King bed master, which measured a roomy 150 square feet. Six feet, 3
inches of headroom was fine for me but could be limiting for some. The master head is also full beam and features a spacious rain shower. The main deck of the Belize 66 offers a cozy cockpit seating area equipped with a fridge, icemaker and outdoor BBQ adjacent to a sizable, fully equipped galley. The foredeck bow lounge has adjustable-backed cushioned seating, a table, speakers, drink holders and a sunshade. Built to exacting standards, Australian engineering combines with Taiwanese craftsmanship delivering proven quality. The finish is luxurious and well-appointed throughout, with high-end furnishings, satin-varnished American walnut panels, plush upholstery and stainless steel accents. For anyone in the market for a boat this size, the Belize 66 Daybridge checks a lot of boxes and is worthy of a serious look. H
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BOAT TEST
PURSUIT DC 326
S
o much effort is made to create multifunctional boats for families today that the notion of singlehanded boating gets lost for fear of crossing the dreaded “politically incorrect” meridian. I know the wife would never grant me permission to buy a boat without, say, 12 months of advance consultation, including side trips to the Magnificent Mile that always seem to end with a skillet of Bandera cornbread and a Hendricks gin martini. Now, mention that you want said boat for the occasional
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solo Saturday trip and that skillet becomes an unwelcome explanation point. Upon returning from a test ride on the inspired Pursuit Dual Console (DC) 326, I realize this is indeed the perfect boat for social distancing, yet is also ideal for couples with small kids who savor an escape from traffic. And, yes, it also has a functional layout for the skipper to easily handle all seakeeping tasks by himself should the opportunity ever arise. Just saying.
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F P U R S U I T B OAT S
RAISING THE BAR EVEN HIGHER.
BY ALAN WENDT LAKELANDBOATING.COM
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CRUISE COMFORTABLY Pursuit took some risks by replacing its immensely popular 325 model with this modernized version that features a fully integrated fiberglass hardtop with a walkthrough tempered-glass windshield. This creates a clear path for the skipper to quickly go forward to retrieve the anchor or dash to the stern when they sense fish on the hook. In all, there are five vertical rod holders in the transom and four more in the gunwale that complement the lighted Oceana Blue 28-gallon recirculating livewell and insulated fish boxes in the cockpit sole, complete with independent pumps with overboard discharge. The cockpit tackle center includes three Plano box storage compartments behind the aft-facing seat backrest. Below deck is dedicated storage for four rods and a padded fishing reel protector. But, as I said, this is a family boat that just happens to be fish-friendly. And, with a range of 297 miles, it’s also a summer cruiser that tops out at 48 mph thanks to twin Yamaha F300 outboards. From Chicago to Milwaukee in under three hours at cruise speed, or a one-tank trip to Door County. The possibilities are endless. To make any ride comfortable, Pursuit dedicated a team of seamstresses to match the right amount of cushion in just the right places. The foldaway cockpit seating has a flip-up backrest that extends to cushion your shoulders, not just the lower back. They crafted cockpit upholstery with Dri-Fast foam and mesh backing. Up front, the molded forward bow seating includes flip-down armrests with insulated storage below. Even the double-wide captain’s bench seat is equipped with foldable armrests, fore and aft adjustments, and a swivel base that allows everyone to be part of the social zone (when at rest, of course). CONSTRUCTION INNOVATIONS Time and technology bring about new construction materials and techniques. The DC 326 sports a new anchor roller that brings the anchor flush to the bow and a self-righting anchor shackle to simplify retrieval. The locker is flush-mounted and has a fiberglass lid to conceal the horizontal windlass and fresh or raw water washdown. Inside, an LED light illuminates the locker, which is a useful new feature. Pursuit integrated new hardtop structural supports to tie the entire boat together for a firm, reassuring feel underway, while also creating a powerful design element. The structure supports radar, antenna and outrigger locations, and underneath sports four tri-color LED lights and stereo speakers. Our test boat included the custom hardtop with electric retractable sunshade with one-touch operation. There is also a stowable forward sunshade. Now, the helm is an interesting story. Featuring the latest seamless glass look made famous by Garmin, there are twin multifunction displays, a double row of rocker accessory switches and Yamaha’s Helm Master joystick. 36
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Garmin has a dedicated factory technician who works at the Pursuit plant and installs the electronic components, makes all the final terminations, and initiates and tests the entire system. The benefit is you get an extra year of warranty, confidence of a job done right, and Pursuit has found none of the failures at delivery that plague other manufacturers. How is that for improved quality and reliability? And if that’s not enough, you also get a free orientation from a Garmin-certified rep. An interesting footnote: The entire boating industry is noticing that customers want nearly every option available, from the electric grill to heat and AC in the helm area in order to extend comfort and the cruising season. A strong economy and bang for the buck are driving some manufacturers to include these options as standard equipment. Bruce Thompson, president of Pursuit, says many customers who are downsizing from larger yachts are accustomed to the features, but they want them on smaller, easier to handle boats that require less maintenance. “We’re also seeing newer boaters who appreciate technology interfaces and timeless designs in the boats we are building,” Thompson says. “They see functional, creative features like our starboard-side door entry and right next to it an integrated fiberglass step for boarding or the walkthrough transom door, and they recognize the effort, passion and purpose.” SAVING SPACE Boaters are also showing an interest in overnighting. Rather than cram the typical cabin features below deck, Pursuit put together a molded entertainment center with sink, cold water faucet, trash can and cutting board in a tidy package in the cockpit and even changed up the refrigerator package with a 12V 2.3-cubic-foot stainless steel drawer refrigerator. To save space, the custom molded cockpit table and forward cockpit table have dual mounting locations and dedicated storage. That frees up space in the cabin for convertible berthing accommodations and seating. The head is positioned starboard, and features a vacuum-flush electric marine head with an elongated bowl connected to a holding tank with pump-out, a designer sink with Corian countertop and a vanity mirror. Grill, Fridge, Bed, Bath and Beyond — summer adventure awaits. Pursuit was acquired a couple of years ago by Malibu Boats, and the parent company is investing heavily in funding new product development, building a 182,000square-foot facility and incentivizing all employees, not just those who have been on the team for years. “The DC 326 is a prime example of our efforts,” Thompson says. “We are letting new product drive the business. Previously the life of our boat models was about five and a half years. Now we are updating every two years and replacing a great boat with an even greater boat.” ★
PURSUIT DC 326 S P E C I F I CATI O N S LOA: 34’6” Beam: 10’10” Draft (up/down): 2’/2’11” Weight: 12,900 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 300 gals. Water Capacity: 30 gals. Max Power: 600 hp MSRP: $331,050 (w/ 2 x Yamaha F300 Engines) PURSUITBOATS.COM
DEALERS Centerpointe Yacht Services
Garmin technician installs and tests electronics at factory. Extra grab handles in transom peninsula seating.
CENTERPOINTESERVICE.COM
South Shore Marine
SOUTHSHOREMARINE.COM
Walstrom Marine WALSTROM.COM
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HydroHoist
(Above) HydroHoist offers drive-on floating lifts for PWCs, including the HP Extreme lifts. (Below) Michigan-based Bulmann Dock and Lift has a wide array of heavy-duty aluminum lifts for boats of many sizes. (Opposite page) EZ Dock offers floating lifts that allow boaters to create a customized setup for all their watercraft.
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Versatility
Many lift manufacturers have listened closely to customer and dealer feedback to ensure they’re producing lifts that match current boating trends. For example, Chris Binger, marketing manager at Bulmann
Dock and Lift based out of Charlevoix, Michigan, says that the company has noticed a large uptick in lifts for pontoons and boats with towers, as the pontoon and wakeboard markets boom. In fact, many boat lift companies have recently expanded their catalogues to provide lifts for several types and sizes of boats. Take Golden Boat Lifts. This Floridabased manufacturer specializes in welded aluminum boat lifts for boats of all sizes, including its two new lifts for personal watercraft (PWC). The company also enjoys tackling challenging custom boat lift projects, such as boathouse and sailboat lifts. In 2017, Golden Boat Lifts designed and built two custom 7,000-pound-capacity Golden Elevator Lifts (created for areas without pilings) in the Panama Canal. The lifts travel up to 30 feet due to extreme water rise in the lock.
A L L P H O T OS C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FAC T U R E R
Bulmann Dock and Lift
he boating world has seen its fair share of innovation over the past several years; in fact, many of those innovations fill our pages in our monthly boat tests. However, innovation in the boating industry isn’t just about the vessels themselves. Boat lifts are a sometimes overlooked technology that have transformed over the past several years. Gone are the days of propping your boat on a clunky eyesore; today’s boat lifts are sleek, multipurpose, high-tech, and focus on versatility, ease of use, gadgets and aesthetics.
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LIFT? Boat lifts of today are sleek, multipurpose, and focus on both form and function. BY SARAH KOLLMORGEN
EZ Dock
Not all of today’s manufacturers work in such extreme applications, however. EZ Dock’s EZ Kayak Launch is made specifically for those looking to easily get in and out of the water from their kayak or canoe. The one-piece design features built-in paddle notches so beginners and advanced kayakers alike can launch and dock with ease. For HydroHoist, which has headquarters in Claremont, Oklahoma, and operates internationally, versatility involves more than accommodating a range of different boats; the lifts themselves must be multipurpose. Take the company’s new HarborHoist lift. It’s a free-floating lift that allows boaters to tie it to the dock with ropes or use a conventional mooring system. It’s also designed to operate in saltwater, brackish water and freshwater. Not only does the HarborHoist work in most slip configurations, it can accommodate
most boat styles, such as pontoons, tritoons, wake, inboard and V-hull, and is capable of lifting 25,000 pounds. “It’s definitely the most flexible, most user-friendly lift we have,” says Mick Webber, CEO at HydroHoist. “It allows us to operate anywhere in the world.”
Ease of use
Perhaps the greatest driver of innovation in lifts is ease of use. Whether through accessories or the structure of the lift itself, many manufacturers are looking for ways to make lifts as easy as possible to operate. Consider the growing popularity of floating boat lifts. A report by Zion Market Research predicts that the global market for floating docks and drive-on boat lifts will reach $470 million by 2024. These floating lifts are made up of lightweight, durable and modular pieces that literally float on top of the water, making them
ideal for both deep and shallow water applications. They are simple to operate and easy to step on and off. Jet Dock is a Cleveland, Ohio-based company that specializes in a wide range of floating boat lifts and drive-on docking systems. Jet Dock claims that floating docks are easier to maintain and customize as your boating needs change due to their modular design. You can find a floating lift from Jet Dock for just about any application, too: Kayaks, PWC — these floating Lego-like docks even hold pontoons. Most of Jet Dock’s floating lifts are completely electricity free — you simply drive your boat up on the lift and you’re done. For Binger, it’s this simplicity that customers are looking for. While Bulmann Dock and Lift does not produce floating lifts, they focus on creating designs that are incredibly easy to use regardless of boating experience. “It’s all about convenience, being
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A L L P H O T OS C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FAC T U R E R
HydroHoist
simple and working when you need it to,” Binger says. While you might think this means more tech and more gadgets, Binger says that’s not always the case. In fact, he says that at Bulmann Dock and Lift they’ve noticed a considerable percentage of customers opting for more manual, less tech-heavy lifts. “They go with the tried and true versions,” he says. Golden Boat Lifts Some lifts, like the Bulmann Dock and Lift (opposite, top left), are more standard, while others, like the HydroHoist (this page, top) and Jet Dock (opposite, top right), provide boaters a floating lift that can fluctuate with water levels. Other lifts, like the Golden Boat Lifts (above) and No Profile Boat Lifts (opposite, bottom right) offer more sleek, streamlined solutions. The SunStream SwiftShield cover (opposite, bottom left) is a great solution to quickly cover your prized possession.
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Gadgets galore
But just because a lift is easy to use doesn’t mean it can’t have fun gadgets and accessories! Webber considers remotecontrol capabilities to be one of the biggest trends in lift innovation today. At HydroHoist, Webber says they’re working on Bluetooth enhancements in its lift
control boxes. He thinks lifts can be more user-friendly if they incorporate technology that we are already using in our daily lives. “Customers want the ability to use their phone to control their hoist when they’re not right in front of it, maybe as they’re walking down the dock,” he says. Depending on where you look, you can find lifts that boast solar panels, remotecontrol capabilities and other gizmos. However, one of the most in-demand accessories on the market today, according to Webber and Binger, are canopies. “[Boaters] want to pull into the canopy and have it completely protect their boat,” Binger says. “Boats are such an investment; it’s all about protecting that investment.” Bulmann Dock and Lift produces two types of canopies: A standard canopy
and a high-rise canopy for high-profile boats, such as those with board towers, radar arches, Bimini tops and center consoles. Bulmann Dock and Lift uses TOP GUN fabrics, which are designed to keep boats protected in both rain and shine. As an added bonus, Bulmann Dock and Lift’s canopies come in more than a dozen colors. SunStream is another lift company with accessories on its mind. While SunStream has pioneered hydraulic, solar and remote-controlled boat lifts for years, the company’s semi- and fully-automatic boat covers, called the SwiftShield, are proving a popular, effortless way to cover your boat without breaking a sweat.
Aesthetics
Versatility, ease of use and new technology innovations are all nice. But sometimes, you’ve got to think about style. “Form is very important now,” Webber says. “We need to move away from form being utilitarian and make it more pleasing to the eye.” To that end, Webber says HydroHoist follows the saying, “Fit, form and function” in developing all products. They aren’t the only ones; several lift manufacturers are looking into ways to make lifts not only user-friendly, but also aesthetically pleasing. No Profile Boat Lifts by Way Marine Design takes this to heart. This company’s “invisible” boat lifts conceal all mechanical
Bulmann Dock and Lift
Jet Dock No Profile Boat Lifts
PHOTO BY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
SunStream SwiftShield cover
gear, metal beams and wiring to create a sleek, sophisticated design that allows users to simply walk up to and onto their boat without stepping over any parts. No Profile Boat Lifts has several designs: The Deuce platform lift can accommodate multiple vessels on a single platform, while the Cradle Lifts use catwalks in a minimalist design. All No Profile Boat Lifts use hydraulic power. Buying a boat is a big investment. Thanks to recent innovations in boat lifts, there are more choices than ever to find a lift that not only protects that investment, but fits your boating lifestyle, environment and stylistic preferences. ★
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ANCHORING
A beginner’s guide to the art of anchoring. BY FELICIA SCHNEIDERHAN
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“S
o, you want to try anchoring?” my husband, Mark, asks me. In more than a decade of boat life, never once had I stood at the bow and let the anchor down. This was Mark’s job. I liked to be at the helm, following his direction to steer the boat to port or starboard, keeping on eye on the depth and the other boats anchored around us. But on this day, a gorgeous, calm day at Sand Island in Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands, I say, “Sure.” I stand at the bow, ready to launch our Bruce anchor to its resting place on the sandy bottom 10 feet beneath us. Our three kids collect behind me, eager to watch Mom anchor for the first time. How hard can it be? I loosen the windlass (the winch used to lower and raise the anchor). The anchor chain rushes out with the full force of an April rain shower. We take a collective step back. I have no idea how to stop the 100 feet of chain pouring out. I look up at Mark on the flybridge, afraid that I have broken the anchor and wrecked our trip (I can go straight to the most dramatic consequence when something goes awry). He shrugs his shoulders. “Just wait for it to run out,” he says calmly. One hundred feet of chain is followed by 50 feet of rope, until finally there’s nothing left. Mark
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starts to give me directions to raise the anchor, but my hands are shaking; I am done trying new stuff for the day. I resume my place at the helm while Mark brings up the anchor and resets it, maintaining control of the windlass, gradually loosening and tightening it to release just the right amount of chain. So, for all you fellow anchor newbies out there, here’s a beginner’s guide to the art of anchoring using the lessons I learned.
WHY ANCHOR?
Why go through all the trouble of anchoring when you can easily tie up to a dock and hop onto land? Besides the logistics — there might not be a dock, or the dock may be full — there’s the romance of swinging on a hook. There’s nothing like being completely surrounded by water, feeling the gentle sway. Anchoring can provide a little more privacy, even in a crowded harbor. And it gives us more mobility to stay where we like. It’s important to know how to anchor for safety reasons, too. On Lake Superior, for example, sudden, dense fog or foul weather can force a crew into a safe harbor where there may not be services or even a dock. Your vessel needs two anchors that are ready for use in case of a safety situation, like losing
PHOTO COURTESY OF RIVIERA
1 1
POPULAR ANCHORS FOR THE GREAT LAKES
MOST POPULAR Boats under 21’
DANFORTH/ FLUKE: Holds well in mud/ sand. Lightweight. Struggles outside mud/ sand.
MOST POPULAR Boats 21’ to 50’
DELTA: Holds well in most bottoms. Struggles in rock.
STRONGEST
ROCNA/SPADE: Highest holding power but expensive. BRUCE/CLAW: Holds well in most bottoms. Struggles in clay/hard mud.
MUSHROOM: Good for permanent moorings and soft bottoms.
PLOW/CQR: Responsive to wind/ tide changes. Good for a wide variety of bottoms. GRAPNEL: Good for river anchoring. Not ideal for longterm anchoring.
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HOW TO ANCHOR Wind
Anchor digging in
WHAT’S ON THE FLOOR?
Boat in reverse
SAND is one of the best bottoms for anchoring. It’s good for setting a strong anchor, for all kinds of anchors. Best styles for sand are Danforth and fluke anchors. We consistently have good luck with a Bruce.
ROCK depends more on where you drop the anchor than on the anchor type. Grapnel and plow anchors — like the Bruce, CQR and Delta — have a strong structural strength and work best. CLAY, SHALE and GRASS are the hardest bottoms to anchor in. The anchor’s weight is more important than design for digging deep and holding. Delta and CQR are known for piercing plant life, but be careful that the underwater garden doesn’t give you a false setting.
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power. In her book “Superior Way,” boating expert Bonnie Dahl recommends keeping a third anchor onboard, as the floors of many lovely anchorages can be riddled with rock or debris just waiting to steal your anchor. And, Dahl points out, make sure to have at least two different types of anchors onboard for the variety of situations that can arise (see sidebar on p. 43).
A SIMPLE START
Let’s start with a basic anchoring in calm water with a sandy bottom. There are a few things to do before you slowly loosen that windlass or toss the anchor. First, check the weather — especially the wind direction. Are you staying overnight? Make sure to find out if the wind is predicted to shift. Falling asleep on a hook in calm water is lovely — until you wake up in the middle of the night to find the wind has shifted and you’re rolling like crazy. Select the harbor you anchor in based on wind direction for the length of your stay. As you approach the harbor, watch where other boats are anchored. Which direction are they pointing? Are they all over the place or turned into the wind? This will give you a good sense of the wind direction and where to position your vessel. Note the water depth, watch the charts for how quickly the depth changes, and know the draft of your boat. With one anchor, your boat will likely move in a radius around the anchor, so make sure you have a wide enough radius so you won’t hit the bottom or another boat. How far from another boat should you be? “Far enough that I don’t hear them talking,” Mark says. Make sure the windlass is working before dropping anchor; it’s a pain to realize too late that
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you have to haul up an anchor by hand. Clear the area on deck; you don’t want anything — or anyone — getting caught in the anchor chain as it’s going down. Our kids love watching the anchor go down, but they know to stand a few feet back. This moment requires extra attention, as a windlass is one of the more dangerous pieces of equipment onboard. Make sure there is nothing behind your boat (like a Zodiac raft). It’s best if one person deploys the anchor and someone at the helm maneuvers the boat and watches for trouble. You’ll need to let out a fair length of chain, called the “scope;” about five to seven times the length of the bowsprit to the seafloor is a good rule of thumb (see graphic above). So if the depth of the water is 7 feet, for example, and it’s 3 more feet from the water surface to the bowsprit where the anchor rests, it’s advisable to deploy 70 feet of chain. Once the anchor hits the floor, shift into a slow
PHOTO COURTESY OF SEA RAY
MUD needs anchors with a larger fluke area and wider shank-fluke angle, which enable the anchor to set deeper where the mud has greater shear strength. And since mud often lies over another material, an anchor that can dig deeper into the next floor layer will hold stronger. Fluke anchors are recommended.
Short Stay 5:1
DEPTH: 10’
SCOPE GUIDE ’
50
Overnight 8:1
’
80
Heavy Weather 10:1
’
100
WHAT’S THE SCOPE?
Scope is defined as the ratio of the length of an anchor rode from the bit to the anchor shackle and the depth of the water under the bow of the boat measured from deck height. According to BoatUS, scope calculations must be based on the vertical distance from the sea bottom to the bow chock or roller where the anchor rode comes aboard. Most anchor manufacturers recommend that a scope of 7:1 ensures the anchor’s holding power. When in doubt, more scope is better than less. And then there’s the practical side: While a 7:1 scope is ideal, a crowded cove can inspire boaters to go with 3:1 or 4:1 scope. In these scenarios, you can securely set the anchor, and then shorten the scope as needed.
begin raising the anchor. The momentum of the boat moving forward assists the windlass in getting your hook onboard.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SEA RAY
TRICKIER SITUATIONS
reverse; this will set the anchor. Until it’s set, your boat is not secure and will drift. At some point you’ll sense tension on the chain. Shift to idle, and the boat will swing so that the bow points into the wind. You can feel the sense of being caught. Once your anchor is set, take precautions to make sure it stays set. A GPS or chartplotter with an anchor alarm will alert you if the boat swings too far from its original position. You may have to adjust it so the alarm is not ringing in the middle of the night when there’s not really a problem. Your depth sounder can also alert you if the depth changes considerably. And then there’s simply paying attention. If you start to drift, or if another nearby boat inches too close, it’s time to haul up the anchor and give it another go. When it’s time to raise the anchor, start the boat and motor towards the anchor’s location as you
Of course, waves are not always calm, the floor is not always sandy, and the harbor is not always spacious. There are a variety of more extreme anchoring scenarios to practice and prep for. For example, deploying two anchors will better secure your boat. In a small anchorage where you need to restrict the boat’s natural wandering, you can set one anchor close to shore and a second anchor in the other direction. You can also set two anchors off the bow, which will reduce the arc of movement but still lets the anchors hold even if the wind shifts and the boat pulls against them. And then there’s the greedy floor that won’t give you back your anchor. We encountered this at Devil’s Island in the Apostles, when the rocky bottom snagged our Bruce anchor. Pulling at an angle would only lodge it deeper, so Mark’s solution was to maneuver the boat directly on top of the anchor and let the waves lifting and lowering the bow naturally jimmy the anchor loose. The lake didn’t win... that time. Anchoring is an art, and developing your nautical intuition takes time and practice. But when you’re swinging on a secure hook, surrounded by water, there’s nothing better. ★
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PHOTO ISTOCK
PORT OF CALL
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Toledo
Put-in-Bay Catawba Island
West Harbor East Harbor
Port Clinton, Ohio, is a Lake Erie boating town extraordinaire. by Damaine Vonada
Northern
Exposure
PORT CLINTON
Kelleys Island Lakeside Marblehead
Sandusky Huron
L
ocation, location, location. While that mantra rules real estate values, Great Lakes boaters apply it to coastal towns as well. Use the location gauge to assess Ohio’s coastline and it’s obvious that Port Clinton enjoys a first-rate neighborhood in Lake Erie’s Western Basin. Nature made Port Clinton a boating town. As the glaciers that created Lake Erie retreated, they left behind a long peninsula crowned by a constellation of islands whose hard limestone bedrock withstood the massive ice sheets’ enormous weight and meltwater. Today, the Marblehead Peninsula and Bass Island archipelago punctuate Ohio’s shoreline roughly halfway between Cleveland and Toledo; at the place where the peninsula merges with mainland and where the Portage River meets Lake Erie sits Port Clinton.
Geographic jackpot
Despite having just over 6,000 year-round residents, Port Clinton is Ottawa County’s only city, as well as its county seat. In land, Ottawa ranks among Ohio’s smallest counties, but because it encompasses the Marblehead Peninsula and Bass Islands, Ottawa County claims bragging rights to the most lakeshore — 94 miles — in the state. Thanks to that geographic jackpot, Port Clinton is the hatchway to a boating, fishing and vacation playground par excellence. “Around Port Clinton, people are always doing something related to boating,” says Jill Bauer of Lake Erie Shores & Islands, a destination marketing organization that covers Ottawa County. “You see countless power cruisers, charter fishing boats, trailered boats, sailboats, and even kayaks and rented pontoons on the Portage River.” Not surprisingly, marinas are everywhere, and locals often boast that Port Clinton has more docks than people. “This area has the highest concentration of marinas on Lake Erie, and they’re clustered in the protected waters of inlets,
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East Harbor Beach
Safe Harbor Marina
coves, harbors and the Portage River,” says Mike Monnett, who manages three lakeside state parks near Port Clinton: East Harbor, Catawba Island and Marblehead. Positioned along a thumb of land attached to the mainland by a narrow causeway, the Catawba Island Park caters to fishermen, while the Marblehead Peninsula Park is home to the iconic Marblehead Lighthouse that appears on Ohio license plates. East Harbor sprawls across a nearby appendage of the peninsula and is a favorite with boaters because of its full hook-up marina and 1,500-foot-long beach. “It’s one of the best natural sand beaches on Lake Erie and has a gradual slope that’s great for swimming,” Monnett says. “People like to anchor in sandbars on the fringes of the beach, then spend the day picnicking on their boats and swimming or rafting over to the beach.” To help boaters find marinas that meet
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their needs, Lake Erie Shores & Islands provides regularly updated directories. For transient slips, choices range from SkipperBud’s, a full-service marina and boat dealer; to Tibbels, a family-operated marina that offers fishing charters; to Brand’s Marina on the Portage River near downtown Port Clinton’s drawbridge; to the family friendly Safe Harbor Lakefront Marina, whose amenities include ultra-modern floating docks, a heated pool, a game room and food trucks throughout the summer. Facilities like the Port Clinton Yacht Club and Lakefront Yacht Club also offer guest dockage to I-LYA or AYC members. Of all the vessels that cruise by Port Clinton, however, none commands attention quite like the Jet Express ferry, which docks on the Portage River and literally brings boatloads of tourists to town. Since the ferry usually departs for South Bass Island about every 45 minutes, watching the Jet Express — and the passengers
likely to party hearty in the village of Put-in-Bay — is practically a summertime ritual. Folks tie up at the Jefferson Street Pier or grab a bench in adjacent Waterworks Park for the onlyin-Port Clinton spectacle of the drawbridge yawning wide open as the Jet Express grandly wends past riverside residences, restaurants, pubs and bait-tackle-head boat businesses until the river dissolves into Lake Erie and the ferry zooms off toward the island.
Walleye capital
Perhaps Port Clinton’s defining characteristic is that it charts its own course. Other towns, for example, put up monuments to presidents, patriots and pioneers, but Port Clinton pays tribute to a fellow who invented a fishing lure. His name was Dan Galbincea, and in the 1950s, he created the Erie Dearie, a weight-forward spinner designed to attract walleye. Not only did the Erie Dearie became the nation’s best-selling
JET EXPRESS PHOTOS BY LANCE WOODWORTH; EAST HARBOR BEACH AND MARBLEHEAD LIGHTHOUSE PHOTOS C O U R T E S Y O F L A K E E R I E S H O R E S & I S L A N D S ; S A F E H A R B O R M A R I N A C O U R T E S Y FA C E B O O K ; A R T S I N T H E PA R K P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F P O R T C L I N T O N A R T I S T S C LU B ; R I V E R F RO N T L I V E P H O T O C O U R T E S Y FAC E BO O K
Jet Express
Arts in the Park
Marblehead Lighthouse
Jet Express ferry under raised drawbridge
Port Clinton 2020 Events Calendar ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Riverfront Live
Thursdays in May to September: Riverfront Live May 20: Fishing with the Mayor May 21-25: Walleye Festival June 13: GPCAAC Arts & Craft Show June 21: Father’s Day Cruise-In Car Show July 9: Sunset Cruise July 20: Ottawa County Fair August 1-2: Arts in the Park August 1: Jerry Lippus Memorial Classic Car Show August 15: Port Clinton Lighthouse & Maritime Festival August 15: Antique & Classic Wooden Boat Show September 4-6: Perch, Peach, Pierogi & Polka Festival September 11-12: Rock the Light Music Festival October 1: Grapes and Grains October 31: Halloween Pub Crawl and Ball
■ December 5: Community Christmas
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Wylie, Sr.
walleye lure, but Captain Dan also secured Port Clinton’s reputation as the “Walleye Capital of the World” by launching the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association. The town’s memorial to Captain Dan is Erie Dearie Park, a pocket of green space beside Waterworks Park. In true Port Clinton style, Erie Dearie Park has no statue of Captain Dan, but instead features the wood transom from his Lyman fishing boat. Because it’s shallow, warm and nutrientrich, Lake Erie possesses more fish and more varieties of fish — primarily walleye, yellow perch, bass and channel catfish — than the other Great Lakes combined. The Western Basin, in particular, is so productive that it has spawned a thriving recreational fishing industry exemplified by Wylie Walleye, a 20-foot-long, LED-illuminated fiberglass fish that rings in the New Year in Port Clinton by falling from the sky at midnight. A retired version of the faux fish —
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locally known as Wylie, Sr. — often appears in parades but usually can be found outside the Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center-West (on State Route 53, southeast of Port Clinton), where he frequently hooks visitors looking for a photo op. Besides the quirky New Year’s Eve Walleye Drop, Port Clinton holds a Memorial Day Weekend Walleye Festival in Waterworks Park, and every Labor Day weekend the town’s Knights of Columbus council hosts its Perch, Peach, Pierogi, & Polka Festival — a unique and toe-tapping event that celebrates the bounty of the lake and the land, as well as the eastern European ethnicity of many locals.
Invading Port Clinton
The earliest people on Lake Erie’s south shore were Native Americans, such as the Ottawa, who fished, hunted and trapped in what is now the Port Clinton area and participated in the French fur trade during
the early 1700s. The tribe’s name, which translates to “trader,” was adopted for Ottawa County. Although the Indians were rapidly displaced by white settlers after the War of 1812, legend has it that the spirit of the Ottawa brave Nabagon still watches over Catawba Island. Upscale condos and developments likewise supplanted Catawba Island’s once-prolific vineyards and peach orchards, yet two exceptional establishments deliver singular experiences that reflect its agricultural heritage. The vintage Gideon Owen Wine Company (formerly Mon Ami Restaurant and Historic Winery) dates to the 1800s, while the recently opened Twin Oast Brewing is a multifaceted farm, gathering place and entertainment venue complete with peach and apricot orchards, craft beers, a locavore menu and stunning architecture. Port Clinton, curiously enough, was named for New York governor DeWitt
TWIN OAST PHOTO COURTESY LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS; WYLIE PHOTO COURTESY WALLEYE F E S T FA C E B O O K ; E R I E D E A R I E P H O T O C O U R T E S Y P O R T C L I N T O N .C O M
Twin Oast Brewing
P O P C O R N P H O T O C O U R T E S Y G R E AT L A K E S P O P C O R N FAC E B O O K ; OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS
Great Lakes Popcorn
Walleye Drop
Clinton, who brought economic prosperity to his state by masterminding the Erie Canal. In the late 1820s, Ohio was building its own canal system, and land speculators platted a village at the mouth of the Portage River that they ambitiously christened Port Clinton in hopes of capturing a canal terminal. The canal, alas, never came, and Port Clinton never boomed into a Buffalo or Cleveland. But French, Danish, German and Slavic immigrants did come. They took advantage of the region’s abundant resources (limestone; gypsum; flat, fertile soil; a Great Lake; and a long, lake-induced growing season) and built the deep-seated local industries that are now illustrated in four murals that grace the rotunda of Port Clinton’s courthouse: “Quarrying,”
“Farming,” “Fruit Growing” and “Fishing.” Also inside the 1901 courthouse is the “Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie” mural that salutes a War of 1812 battle near South Bass Island. America’s Oliver Hazard Perry famously defied the odds, trounced a British fleet, and preempted enemy invasions of Ohio and neighboring states. Nowadays, of course, boaters and vacationers invade Port Clinton, but many of them may perceive the town as merely an access point for the lake or islands. That’s a mistake, according to Brian Shifflet,
who grew up in Port Clinton and handles visitor services at Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center-West. “If you have that mentality, you’re missing out on lots of good things,” he says. “There’s more happening on the mainland than people realize, and you should definitely take time to explore it.” Although it hums with tourists on holiday weekends, Port Clinton is generally quieter and slower-paced than Put-in-Bay, and while national fast food and retail chains — including a Walmart that sells live bait
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PHOTO COURTESY LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS PHOTO COURTESY LISTENING ROOM & I S L A N D H O U S E FAC E BO O K ;
Lakefront Preserve
The Listening Room
The Island House Hotel
and posts a daily wind, wave, weather and walleye report — certainly exist, the town looks and feels as laid-back and unassuming as a summer afternoon. “Downtown Port Clinton is very historic and has a retro quality with lots of nice shops that are mostly mom and pop places,” says hometowner and Safe Harbor General Manager Lee Meinke. “It’s still small-town America.” Indeed, Port Clinton is so walkable that just blocks from the Jet Express dock, you can enjoy freshly made quiche, scones, soups and sandwiches at the cottage-like Coffee Express (tip: Check the chalkboard for daily specials), and then head next door to Lilly & Gert’s, a chock-full-ofsurprises shop where old-school Lake Erie postcards and antique milk glass share shelves with owner Dina Rodgers’ handcrafted jewelry. On Madison Street, the Lake Erie Candle Company’s seasonal
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store carries nautical candles (think musky Lake Erie Sunset or refreshing Boater’s Paradise) made by the Buczkowski family. The Great Lakes Popcorn Co. produces snacks in 30-plus flavors, including sweet Vanilla Butternut and spicy Wild Walleye. And tiny Ala Carte Café serves tremendous steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, and home fries. If nothing else, order the homemade cinnamon coffee cake; moist and flavorful, it’ll top anything your grandma used to make. Though The Island House Hotel has anchored Perry Street since 1886 and accommodated the likes of President Taft, General McArthur, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, OurGuest Inn & Suites currently brings nationally known performers, such as soft rock singer Jon Pousette-Dart and country songwriter Will Hoge to The Listening Room, an intimate,
in-house venue that’s Port Clinton’s answer to Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe. Both September’s Rock the Light Music Festival and August’s Port Clinton Lighthouse & Maritime Festival take place on the town’s remarkably undeveloped and uncommercialized lakefront. The area hugs the shoreline for nearly a mile and features a trio of contiguous natural attractions — Waterworks Park, the Lakefront Preserve wetlands and birding hotspot, and a popular municipal swimming beach — that form an esplanade laced with walkways and accented by the restored Port Clinton Lighthouse. From 1896 to 1952, that lighthouse stood sentinel at the juncture of river and lake, and if you climb its winding wooden stairs and step onto its lofty deck, you’ll be rewarded with splendidly scenic views and a fine perspective on Port Clinton’s enduring, inimitable and unforgettable connection to Lake Erie. ★
ADDED SAfEty At thE Dock & on thE wAtEr
linton Area C t r PoChamber of Commerce
great gifts!
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
| www.nauticalcross.com
Visit us at...
www.portclintonchamber.com Coupons * Events * Information
Resources ■ Lake Erie Shores & Islands: SHORESANDISLANDS.COM ■ Main Street Port Clinton: MSPC.SNAPPAGES.COM/HOME.HTM ■ Port Clinton Chamber of Commerce: PORTCLINTONCHAMBER.COM
110 Madison Street Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 419-734-5503 info@portclintonchamber.com
25
ng Celebratirs 28 yea ss e in busin
PHOTO COURTESY LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS
SkipperBud’s
2020 28 Buddy Davis IN STOCK! “Specia ing in Larger Yliz achts”
ICK
TED PATR
Marina Facilities
Lake & Bay
■ Brand’s Marina BR ANDSMARINA.COM
Y A C H T
S A L E S
■ Catawba Moorings CATAWBAMOORINGS.COM
■ Lakefront Yacht Club LAKEFRONTYACHTCLUB.COM
■ Port Clinton Yacht Club PORTCLINTONYACHTCLUB.COM
■ Safe Harbor Lakefront Marina LAKEFRONTMARINA.COM
■ SkipperBud’s (Marblehead) SKIPPERBUDS.COM
■ Tibbels Marina (Marblehead) TIBBELSFISHING.COM
PARTIAL LISTING BELOW Visit us on the web for more! 00 79 89 04 96 88 03 05 87 19 19 86 92 03 01
67' 58’ 50' 46' 45' 45' 44’ 43’ 43' 42' 42’ 42' 41’ 38' 37'
Croswait Sportfisherman T-1350hp Dsl...... SOLD! Hatteras Yacht Fish T-430HP Dsl ............$199,000 Bertram Convertible T-735HPDsl............... $189,900 Carver 460 Voyager T-480hp Dsl ....................SOLD! Cherubini Indpd.Trawler T-250hp Dsl...........SOLD! Bayliner 4550 MY T-220hp Dsl....................$74,900 Cruisers 4450 MY T-480HP DSL...............PENDING Egg Harbor Sport Yacht T-700hp Dsl ........SOLD! Hatteras Motor Yacht T-485hp Dsl............SOLD! Buddy Davis Cntr Console Trip-425hp....$799,900 Buddy Davis Cntr Cnsole Quad 400hp......SOLD! Chris Craft 426 Catalina T-350hp................$49,900 Silverton Aft Cabin T-502s ...........................SOLD! Regal 3880 Commodore T-420hp ............$124,900 Intrepid 377 WA Trip-300hp.........................SOLD!
99 92 91 86 60 95 20 04 01 94 19 08 20 74 19
37’ 37' 37’ 37’ 36' 35' 34' 34’ 34' 34’ 34’ 31’ 28' 24' 28’
Cruisers 3750 MY T-385HP..............................$99,900 Sea Ray 370 Sundancer T-340hp...............$49,900 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge T-340hp .................SOLD! Egg Harbor Convertible T-350hp.............. $30,000 Chris Craft Constellation T-185hp..............$39,900 Carver 355 Aft Cabin T-454 ..........................$59,900 Buddy Davis CC T-425hp..................... ON ORDER Rinker 342 Fiesta Vee T-300HP.......................$69,900 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer T-320hp...............$71,500 Silverton Motor Yacht T-454s.........................$49,900 Buddy Davis Cntr Cnsole Twin 425hp.......SOLD! Pursuit 315 Offshore T-250hp......................SOLD! Buddy Davis ..............................................IN STOCK Lyman Sportsman S-225hp.........................$27,900 Buddy Davis Center Console T-300hp......SOLD!
www.yachtworld.com/lakeandbay 9454 Park Row | Lakeside/Marblehead, Ohio 43440 | lakeandbay@roadrunner.com Phone/Fax: 419-798-8511
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LAKESHORE LIFE B Y K AT E B U S H
ADDRESS 3706 East Baycliffs Dr. Lakeside-Marblehead, OH 43440 SPECS Bedrooms: 3 Baths: 2 full, 1 half Square Footage: 4,387 Acreage: 0.53 Price: $849,000 CONTACT Peter Grant Keller Williams Elevate 419-366-8358 PETERGR ANT@K W.COM
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Lakeside-Marblehead, OH
Boater’s paradise overlooking a former quarry on Johnson’s Island.
I
f you’ve ever wanted to live on an island — one with a fascinating history, nonetheless — now is your chance. Johnson’s Island is a significant Civil War site, having once been used as a Confederate prisoner of war depot. It was later transformed into a pleasure resort in the 1890s, and then, in the early 1900s, the island was used for a quarrying operation. As you’re perched high above the former quarry, relaxing on the outdoor patio of this beautiful three-bedroom, colonial-style home, you have a bird’s-eye view of Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie and its famous islands, including Cedar Point. Steps lead down to a private, 50-foot dock, allowing boaters to quickly motor out to all of Lake Erie’s summer hotspots. This custom-built home in the luxury Baycliffs development is designed for entertaining. Gather in the kitchen around the spacious granite-topped island, embellished with grapevine details that
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are etched into the many wood cabinets. Natural light floods this space thanks to six large windows spanning the entire back wall. An open layout allows even more guests to be near the chef in the cozy living room, which features a stone fireplace and rich wood media cabinets. The home’s 4,387 square feet includes a master suite outfitted with a private, water view balcony and spacious ensuite with double vanity and soaking bath. Two guest rooms share a Jack and Jill-style bathroom. The grandchildren will enjoy the bonus room with a fireplace, providing plenty of space for a pool table, toys, games — even bunk beds if you need to accommodate more guests. The unfinished basement provides a blank state that allows new owners to design a space all their own. At the end of a warm spring day, grill up some burgers as you take in a first-class Lake Erie sunset on this historic, one-of-a-kind island. H
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MARINA WATCH BY AMANDA MCDONALD
CATAWBA MOORINGS 2313 NE Catawba Rd. Port Clinton, OH 43452 419-797-4775
CATAWBAMOORINGS.COM
AMENITIES Transient slips: Y Pump-out: Y Gas: Y Diesel: Y Lifts: Y Launch ramp: Y Engine repair: Y Hull repair: Y Marine store: Y Restaurant: Y Showers: Y Laundry facility: Y
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Catawba Moorings
Centrally located and full of amenities.
C
onvenience is key, and if you’re in search of a Lake Erie marina that’s centrally located, look no further than Catawba Moorings. “We’re seven and a half miles from Put-In-Bay, five from Kelleys Island, five from Cedar Point, with access to Detroit, Toledo and Cleveland by boat,” says Rockey Piacentino, the owner of Catawba Moorings. “We’re about as centrally located as you can be.” The marina prides itself on being family owned since 1987 and a clean marina. Name an amenity and they have it: Floating finger docks, floating drive-up docks and stationary drive-up docks; 180 slips for boats up to 58 feet; winter storage (inside and out, heated and unheated); a fuel dock; a sea store; laundry; internet; picnic area; and an office space. Need a repair? They can take care of that too — no matter if it involves mechanical, fiberglass, electrical, rigging, hardware or a paint touch-up.
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Sit by the heated pool with a beverage and sandwich from the private clubhouse kitchen and bar while your boat is being repaired. The marina offers transient slips for visitors, but be sure to call ahead for reservations. There are also many events for boaters and their guests scheduled throughout the summer, which makes stopping at Catawba Moorings an easy choice. Maybe that stop means a little shopping for your next boat. Catawba Moorings has been in boat sales since 2001, selling new Regulator and World Cat models, as well as pre-owned boats. With its close proximity to so many Lake Erie destinations, the east-facing Catawba Moorings is a must-stop this summer, especially if you like sunrises, freshwater and adventure. “It’s the most beautiful time of the year in the Great Lakes,” Piacentino says. “The water is blue and the islands are open.” ★
OPEN FOR BUSINESS! w w ww
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Life is better with a boat! CALL OR EMAIL YOUR BAY MARINE CREW ANYTIME Ron Durchin 847-980-4975
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VISIT WWW.BAYMARI N E.N ET
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TO SEE OU R COM PLETE SELECTION OF PRE- OWN ED BOATS
FEATURED LISTINGS 66 65 65 65 61 58 56 54 54 53 52 50 50 44 46 45 45 45 45 44 44 40 42 42 41 42 42 42 41 37 40 38 38 38 36 37 37 37 35 35 35
2020 2019 2013 2008 1984 1988 1985 2020 2011 1980 2007 2012 2003 2009 2011 2020 2007 2004 1988 2020 2013 1996 2014 2007 2004 2002 1996 1984 2019 2005 2005 2020 2000 1991 2007 2020 2008 1997 2006 2005 1999
Belize 66 Daybridge..............................................................Call Monte Carlo Yachts 65 Motor Yacht ................$2,850,000 Ocean Alexander 65 Pilothouse .......................$1,845,000 Princess V65............................................................... $789,000 Hatteras 61 Cockpit MY .......................................... $385,000 Vantare 58 Flush Deck Motor Yacht.................... $225,000 Hatteras 56 Motor Yacht......................................... $299,000 Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht.....................................................Call Sea Ray Sundancer 540 ......................................... $699,891 Hatteras 53 Motor Yacht......................................... $249,500 Cruisers Yachts 520 Express.................................. $399,892 Beneteau America Sense 50 ................................ $369,995 Sea Ray 500 Sundancer ......................................... $339,994 Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht........................................ $489,998 Regal 46 Sport Coupe..............................................$379,999 Sabre 45 Salon Express .......................................................Call Ocean Alexander 45 Sedan................................... $399,000 Cruisers Yachts 455 Express Motor Yacht ......... $249,000 Viking 45 Convertible ...............................................$159,000 Riviera 445 SUV .....................................................................Call Beneteau Gran Turismo 44 ................................... $369,893 Silverton 402 Motor Yacht ........................................$69,000 Regal 42 Sport Coupe............................................. $439,000 Cruisers Yachts 420 Express...................................$219,000 Cranchi Endurance 41..............................................$114,998 Cruisers Yachts 4270 Express ............................... $145,000 Ocean Alexander 423 Classicco............................$279,500 Bertram 42 Motor Yacht ......................................... $109,000 Back Cove 41 ..............................................................$734,999 Cruisers Yachts 370 Express...................................$129,999 Cruisers Yachts 405 Express Motoryacht .......... $189,000 Sabre 38 Salon Express ......................................................N/A Sea Ray 380 Sundancer ............................................$99,000 Fountain 38 Sport Cruiser ......................................... $29,998 Sea Ray 36 Sedan Bridge....................................... $169,900 Back Cove 37 ..........................................................................Call Four Winns 378 Vista............................................... $184,995 Bayliner 3788 Motoryacht........................................... 66,899 Regal 3560 Commodore ........................................$119,000 Regal 3560 Commodore ....................................... $109,998 Carver 350 Mariner .....................................................$69,900
DOOR COUNTY YACHTING CENTER, WI 920-743-6526
35 34 34 34 34 34 33 33 31 32 32 31 31 31 30 30 30 29 28 28 28 26 26 24 24 24 24 24 23 22 22 22 21 21 21 20 21 19 17 15 12
1988 2020 2006 2006 1989 1984 2000 1999 2014 2005 1989 2000 1994 1990 2000 2003 1979 2006 2019 2005 2002 2020 2008 2012 2020 2016 2007 2003 2003 1996 1996 1989 2016 2001 2001 2020 2019 2017 2019 2019 2011
Viking 35 Convertible..................................................$49,000 Back Cove 34O.......................................................................Call Sea Ray 340 Sundancer ..........................................$124,900 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer ......................................... $109,998 Luhrs 342 tournament............................................... $14,900 Tollycraft 34 Tri Cabin ................................................. $24,900 Cruisers 3375................................................................$64,996 Cruisers 3375................................................................ $28,999 Larson 315 CABRIO .................................................. $119,997 Tiara 3200 Open........................................................$170,000 Carver 32 Convertible................................................. $16,000 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer ............................................ $39,900 Spirit Equalizer Spirit 31.............................................$44,900 Sea Ray 310 .................................................................. $19,000 Pursuit 3070 Offshore................................................$84,900 Rampage 30R Express ...............................................$69,000 J Boats J30 ........................................................................$9,900 Four Winns 290 Horizon ........................................... $44,897 Edgewater 280CC..................................................................Call Carolina Classic 28 ...................................................... $79,000 Four Winns 280 Horizon ........................................... $22,900 Edgewater 262 CX.................................................................Call Sea Ray 260 Sundancer ............................................ $53,995 Cobalt 242 .....................................................................$64,999 Edgewater 248 CX.................................................................Call Yamaha Boats 242X E-Series...................................$69,900 Bayliner Discovery 246 .............................................. $29,000 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck ................................................ $25,900 Bayliner 2252 Ciera Classic ...................................... $12,900 Shamrock 220 Stalker ................................................ $24,900 Shamrock 220 Stalker ................................................ $23,498 Grady-White Seafarer 22 ........................................... $19,899 Stabicraft Stabicraft 2050 .......................................... $58,000 Larson 213 O/B ........................................................... $10,900 Lund 2150 Baron Magnum Gran Sport IO.......... $34,900 Edgewater 208CC..................................................................Call Recon 2185 DCX ......................................................... $59,000 Scarab 195 Impulse.................................................... $39,999 Edgewater 170CC ..................................................................Call Edgewater 158CS ..................................................................Call AB Inflatables Nautilus 12 DLX................................ $12,900
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CHICAGO YACHTING CENTER, IL 847-336-2628
F I V E L O C AT I O N S
BENETE AU P O W E R BO ATS
BLUE: C100 M70
SWIFT TRAWLER 35
SWIFT TRAWLER 47
GRAN TURISMO 40
SWIFT TRAWLER 44
ANTARES 23
ANTARES 21
C ARV E R YAC HTS
C52 COUPE
C34 COUPE
42 MARQUIS
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38 GRAND COUPE
42 GRAND COUPE
CH R I S - C R AF T BO ATS NEW MODEL
23 LAUNCH
28 GT
NEW MODEL
30 LAUNCH
35 GT
P URS UI T BO ATS NEW MODEL
DC235
DC266
S328
BROK E R AG E
2007 65 MARQUIS $1,150,000
1987 GRAND BANKS 46 CLASSIC $189,000
2019 BENETEAU GRAN TURISMO 50 $935,000
2005 CARVER 56 VOYAGER $499,995
Actual Hull: White
2014 TRUE NORTH 38 $299,000
2019 PRESTIGE 520S $1,059,900
1997 VIKING 58 CONVERTIBLE $299,999
2018 CARVER C52 COUPE $925,000
2014 MERIDIAN 391 $359,000
2013 BENETEAU GRAN TURISMO 38 $299,000
1997 SEA RAY 500 $139,995
2004 CARVER 466 MY $299,995
PONTOON & DECK BOAT BLOWOUT EVENT APRIL 29 - MAY 10 _ Call for Details _ STURGEON BAY: South First Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI, (920) 746-1912 • Martin Kelsey: (920) 559-0366, Martin@centerpointesales.com • Terry Godres: (920) 559-0730, Terry@centerpointesales.com • Tony Peot: (920) 493-4747, Tony@centerpointesales.com • MILWAUKEE: 700 S. Water Street, Milwaukee, WI, (888) 992-2487 • John Niemann: (262) 309-9579, John@centerpointesales.com • Tyler Wilkins: (414) 248-9668, Tyler@centerpointesales.com • KENOSHA: 21-56th Street, Kenosha, WI, (888) 992-2487 • Mike Montilino: (612) 419-3772, Mike@centerpointesales.com • WEST MICHIGAN: 430 W. 23rd St, Holland, MI • Brandon Ricci: (616) 405-1715, Brandon@centerpointesales.com
WWW.CENTERPOINTESERVICE.COM OR CALL (888) 9-YACHTS
NEW 231DC Sport Deck
STINGRAY BOATS ARE AVAILABLE AT THESE GREAT LAKES AREA DEALERS USA DEALERS American Marina & Motor Sports 830 E. Green Bay St Shawano WI 715-526-4300 buckeyesportscenter.com
CANADA DEALERS
Bill's Boat Works 187 Wilmuth Ave Lackawanna NY 716-824-7181 billsboatworks.com
Anstruther Marina 23 Fire Route 63 Apsley, Ontario 705-656-4783 anstrutherlakemarina.com
Leisure Marine 5781 Highway 7 Woodbridge, Ontario 905-851-3903 leisuremarine.com
Boat Guys 104 W Lake Road Maryville NY 716-753-3913 chautauquamarina.com
CenterPointe Boat Svcs 400 Sussex Street Pewaukee WI 262-333-0700 centerpointeservice.com
Grand Valley Marine 3711 28th Street SW Grandville MI 616-538-2460 grandvalleymarine.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
Meyer RV of Syracuse 8575 Brewerton Rd. Cicero NY 855-841-3846 meyerrvsuperstores.com
Munson Marine 501 Grand Avenue Fox Lake IL 847-587-4902 munsonmarine.com
Wonderland Marine West Inc. 5796 E. Grand River Ave Howell MI 517-548-5422 wonderlandwestmarine.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
TO LOCATE A STINGRAY DEALER IN ANOTHER AREA, VISIT STINGRAYBOATS.COM/DEALERS
MAR I N E MAR K ET PL AC E
Chitwood Charters & Yacht Brokers With over 40 years of experience, Captain Jerry L. Chitwood for brokerage, charter or sales is the smart choice. For pricing, options and more details, visit our website or call!
FOR SALE
53’ SELENE TWIN
CHARTER or FOR SALE 42’ Grand Banks MTY
CHARTER or FOR SALE 36’ Grand Banks
800-769-1399 • WWW.CHITWOOD-CHARTERS.COM
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!
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MAR I N E MAR K E T PL AC E
Fresh Water Power! 45’ 42’ 42’ 40’ 36’ 36’ 35’ 34’ 32’ 32’ 31’ 30’ 30’ 26’ 26’ 22’
‘69 ‘91 ‘86 ‘67 ‘02 ‘89 ‘97 ‘81 ‘99 ‘95 ‘16 ‘02 ‘86 ‘04 ‘00 ‘01
Matthews................................... $74,500 Sea Ray Sundancer....................$64,900 Ocean Alexander 42’ Classico...$155,000 Chris Craft .................................. $84,900 Sabre 36’ MKII Express........... $155,000 Carver Aft Cabin......................... $38,900 Carver Mariner ........................... $59,900 Silverton ..................................... $14,900 Regal 322 ................................... $34,900 Downeaster ..............................$149,900 Hunter Marlow 31 motivated! ....$119,000 Mainship Pilot ............................ $69,000 Sea Ray Weekender.................. $15,900 Rinker Fiesta Vee ...................... $28,900 Four Winns 268 ......................... $24,900 Larson 220 Sport Cabrio............ $12,000
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1985 Ocean Alexander 42 Classico $155,000
VINCENT LUZIETTI
harborviewyachtsales.com
WWW.TRIDENTFUNDING.COM
BERGMANN MARINE
www.bergmannmarine.com 38’ 2018 Fountain 38CC ..................... $305,000
20’ 1995 Sea Ray B/R .............................$8,700
39’ 1987 Sea Ray Express .................. $32,000
24’ 1994 Sea Ray B/R, no trailer ....... $10,700
39’ 1984 O’Day....................................... $24,500
25’ 1959 Chris-Craft Sportsman ....... $59,999
39’ 1983 Lindmark Trawler 39............ $60,000
25’ 2007 Cobia 254 Center Console....$46,000
46’ 1999 Beneteau Oceanis 461 ..... $169,900
36’ 1987 Tiara Conv. ............................. $69,900
48’ 2002 Fairline Targa 48 ................. $259,000
36’ 1984 Catalina..........................................Call
50’ 1986 Chris-Craft Constellation ... $169,000
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Fiberglass – Woodworking Storage – Heated Storage
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ROBERT DUNFORD, JR.
888-386-3888
Charlevoix, MI 49720 • Phone 231/547-3957
13’ 2014 Boston Whaler ..................... $14,000
•
Complete Mechanical Electrical Rigging – Haulout
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C L AS S I F I E D S
Advertise your boat, boat slip or Contact us* by April 21 to get into our property with us! June, July, August and September 2020 issues! We shall boat again!
2016 RANGER TUGS R25SC original R–25 with 50-square-ft of aft deck space. Self-bailing cockpit ideal for fishing or outdoor relaxation, transom door to full swim platform. Standard bow and stern thrusters, call for all the details! Custom trailer included. Asking $127,900. Call Matt @ 734-735-1948. RYS
1998 SEA RAY 370 SUNDANCER T-Mercruiser 7.4L MPI, 950 hours, generator, autopilot, windlass, radar, electric engine hatch, VacUFlush head, black canvas. Asking $74,900. Call 616-399-6304. ANC 1978 O’DAY 30 Freshwater, 15HP Yanmar Diesel. Main, furling jib, storm jib, cruising spinnaker, jackstrands, cradle. Stored inside, Charlevoix. Asking $8,000 as-is. Call/Text: 517-316-5885 JUN20
Reduced
1986 JEFFERSON 45 MOTORYACHT T-3208 CATS, large aft deck under hard top, beautiful teak interior, Stamoid top with new Isenglass, walkaround aft bed, ext swim platform. Asking $119,000. Call 616-399-6304. ANC
1986 ISLAND PACKET 27 Freshwater one-owner trade-in, in very good condition. Large 27’ Liveaboard Cruiser includes the original manufacturer cradle. Asking $24,900. Call Mark at 414-651-3100. RYS
2002 3372 CRUISERS YACHTS Original owner, stored indoors. Low hours (350). Twin 6.2 Merc’s, Express Cruiser. Excellent condition. Used very little as I was a Prison Warden that worked long hours! Selling due to neck surgery. First $59,900 takes it, same boats are out there for $69,900. Contact frank.elo@aol.com or 231-510-4041. MAY20
2012 SEA RAY 470 SUNDANCER Cummins 480s Zeus drives, 100% freshwater, only 325 hours, joystick, skyhook, hydro platform, 18k tender included. Best of everything! Asking $499,000. Call 616-399-6304. ANC
Reduced
2014 RANGER TUGS R-27 Two owner, 100% freshwater, excellent condition. Indoor heated storage, 429 hours on Volvo D3, 200hp diesel engine. Garmin navigation package, bow & stern thrusters, AC/heat. 2015 Integrity aluminum custom trailer included! Asking $139,900. Call Brent @ 616-402-0180. RYS
* Visit LAKELANDBOATING.COM/ CLASSIFIEDS for details and to submit your materials. Payments cannot be accepted online. Christy will contact you for payment once your ad proof is approved. Please email CBAUHS@LAKELANDBOATING.COM
for more information!
SLIPS AVAILABLE IN THE APOSTLE ISLANDS ON LAKE SUPERIOR. Roys Point Marina has slips for annual lease or 99-year proprietary lease. Contact harbormaster@royspoint.com or 608467-2320. MAY20
REAL ESTATE
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!
2020 TIDEWATER 272 CC Twin Yamaha digital 200hp Optimus steering, side door, windlass, electric bow table, electric head, huge flare. Awesome seating, includes trailer! Asking $132,000. Call 616-399-6304. ANC
1999 35’ TIARA 35 OPEN Low hours, freshwater Great Lakes boat, super clean, Ratheon electronics package, gas motor, generator. Lightly used, never slept on. Asking $115,000 OBO. Contact Bill at 586-598-5000. MAY20
DOOR COUNTY PROPERTY Yacht Harbor and shoreline property in Door County, Wisconsin. 21 acres with southern exposure on Lake Michigan. 1,200 feet of shoreline with a deep harbor that can accommodate vessels in the 80' range. Price: $1.45 million. For additional information, contact Dan at 312-998-9010, or email dkaniff@gmail.com. MAY20
LAKELANDBOATING.COM
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CLASSIC CRAFT
Bambi
Bambi is a 1929 Chris-Craft Model 14 Hull No. 3021 Triple Cockpit Runabout. The boat is powered by its original engine, a 1929 Chris-Craft A70 V8 850-cubicinch 225-hp, with serial number 146. She was one of 169 28-foot custom runabouts made by Chris-Craft between 1929 and 1931. She was delivered to Fish Creek, Wisconsin, on May 28, 1929. The name Bambi was on the transom and the Federal Number W-1505 was on the bow. These were reproduced at the time of refinishing in 23-karat gold leaf. If you look closely on both sides of the windshield, you will see one of the boat’s unique features: A triangularshaped wood frame window. This was a special feature that not all of the boats had. I bought Bambi in 2016 and, at that point, the hull had been redone but there were no seats, engine, gauges or hardware. My goal in restoring Bambi was to keep her to the highest standards and as original as possible. The original engine was at a shop in Detroit being rebuilt and, because the A70 engines were so rare, the rebuilder had to make a lot of the parts. When the boat was finished, we launched her in Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio. We finished the boat a week before she won a Platinum Award at the 2019 ACBS International Show in Alexandria Bay, New York. I truly believe we are just caretakers of these old boats. How long could that boat of mine last if it’s taken care of and not left to sit out in the weather? Could it last another 100 years? Maybe, I don’t know. With proper care, they could last a very long time. After all, she’s already 90 years old. The way I see it is that we are preserving history and saving literal works of art. It’s a service to society, if you will. I am honored to be able to do that to ADD YOUR BOAT! the degree than I can. Email KBUSH@LAKELANDBOATING.COM if you have Classic Craft with a great story to share! —Bill Mack, Marblehead, OH
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL MACK
1929 Chris-Craft Triple Cockpit Runabout.
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