Scuttle

BUZZ

Suzuki Creates Engine System to Remove Microplastics From Water

Suzuki has developed the world’s fi rst microplastics collection system for outboard motors, which fi lters pollutants from engine cooling water before returning to waterways.

The device is designed for easy installation under the cowling of selected Suzuki outboard models 40 hp and up. It works by fi ltering water after it has passed through the engine’s cooling system and before it’s returned to the body of water. Because of its innovative design, the system does not impact the driving performance or cooling effi ciency of the engine. The fi ltering system is able to collect a wide variety of microparticle pollution, including urethane, nylon and wood chips, which pose a danger to aquatic life.

For more information, visit SUZUKIMARINE.COM.

SCUTTLE

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

The Apostle Island’s Shaw Point Historic District on Sand Island in Lake Superior has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation honors Shaw Point’s history as a commercial fish camp and farm, as well as a summer resort. NPS.GOV.

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BUZZ Over $65,000 Raised By Boyne Thunder

Despite the cancellation of the 17th Annual 2020 Boyne Thunder Poker Run due to COVID-19, the event raised more than $65,000. The benefitting organizations, Camp Quality, Challenge Mountain and Boyne City Main Street, reported being able to maintain socially distanced and virtual programming with help from the funds received.

“The generosity of everyone involved is a great testament to the event and our community. This is truly amazing,” says Kelsie King-Duff, executive director of Boyne City Main Street.

The event has raised almost $1.2 million since its inception in 2004. It showcases 120 high-performance boats from all over the country, roaring through the waters of Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan on a 130-mile excursion in search of the best poker hand. The 2021 event will take place on July 9 - 10.

For more information, visit BOYNETHUNDER.COM.

BUSINESS

MarineMax Acquires Skipperbud’s

In early October, MarineMax announced it had acquired Illinois-based SkipperBud’s and its affi liate, Silver Seas. SkipperBud’s has a rich history in the Midwest, having been founded over 60 years ago, growing to 18 locations around the Great Lakes region, including eight marinas, as well as additional locations in Florida, Washington and California.

“We have been long-time industry partners of MarineMax and have similar values of taking care of our customers and our team,” says SkipperBud’s President Mike Pretasky, Jr., who has led the company for the last 14 years. “We are excited about joining the MarineMax team. Gaining access to their exclusive brands will further drive our growth, especially in larger yachts. The combination of both organizations enables SkipperBud’s to take advantage of multiple growth opportunities in the future.”

For more information, visit MARINEMAX.COM and SKIPPERBUDS.COM.

MUST-HAVE

Track Your Boat With Garmin’s New OnDeck Remote Connect

Be in the know with Garmin’s new OnDeck System, a remote monitoring and management solution that gives boaters 24/7 access to critical and timely information about their vessel.

When paired with the ActiveCaptain app, OnDeck keeps users connected to their vessel by monitoring the boat’s battery status, bilge activity, door/hatch sensors, GPS location and more. For extra peace of mind, notifications can even let the user know if the boat has moved into or outside of a custom geo-fenced area.

“OnDeck is a comprehensive vessel monitoring and management tool designed to deliver important information about your boat directly to your fingertips, so you’ll always know that it’s safe, secure and ready for your next adventure,” says Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “A practical solution for every type of boat, from center consoles and bass boats to sailboats and trawlers, our customers can feel more confident monitoring and protecting their investment with an OnDeck System onboard.”

The OnDeck System is compatible with the several GPSMAP models and costs $849.99 (not including the required subscription plan).

To learn more about the Garmin OnDeck System, visit GARMIN.COM/MARINE.

BOATS Boston Whaler Announces 240 Vantage Boston Whaler introduced the newest addition to its award-winning Vantage series during a September 3 Facebook Live event, highlighting the functionality of the new 240 Vantage. The 240 is designed to serve a wide range of boating activities, from fishing and cruising to watersports, entertaining and beaching. A variety of seating options — from plush bow lounges to the foldaway aft seat and convertible portside lounge seating — make the 240 Vantage an ideal boat for entertaining and relaxing, while the insulated in-floor fishbox, stainless rod holders and enclosed rod storage in the console help easily convert the boat for fishing.

For more information, visit BOSTONWHALER.COM.

GREAT LAKES NEWS

Breaker II Joins NY Fleet, Helps Clear Ice and Prevent Shoreline Flooding

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently welcomed the Breaker II to the fleet of boats that helps install the Lake Erie-Niagara River ice boom each year — a series of 22 spans of steel pontoons that stretch the mouth of the river and help prevent large ice formations from forming.

“The Breaker II tugboat will play a vital role in generating power and mitigating the impacts of shoreline flooding along the Niagara River,” says Governor Cuomo. “In just a few short months, this boat will help install the region’s iconic ice boom, which will help prevent large ice flows from inhibiting the generation of clean hydro electricity to power our state, and limit ice build-ups that can cause shoreline flooding.”

Custom-designed by Bristol Harbor Group for the New York Power Authority, the Breaker II tugboat recently arrived at its home in Buffalo, New York, from the shipyard in Rhode Island. It’s specially designed with a bow made of high-grade steel to cut through ice, and its primary function will be to help install and uninstall the ice boom each year.

To learn more, visit GOVERNOR.NY.GOV/NEWS.

BUZZ

Experience “BoatPlay” with the Wavve Boating App

Monitor your location in real time and see other friends out on the water with the brand-new Sea-Doo GTX Limited featuring the Wavve Boating app. Sea-Doo has connected with Kingston, Ontario-based Wavve Boating to revolutionize the driver experience aboard its personal watercraft.

Wavve Boating helps optimize the water experience with customizable nautical charts, and community-centric features like crowd-sourced points of interest, top-rated routes and real-time location tracking, all displayed on the built-in, full-color Sea-Doo GTX Limited digital screen. Download the app, then simply connect your phone via Bluetooth or USB and the Wavve Boating app will automatically display on the Sea-Doo’s built-in display.

Wavve Boating is currently available for mobile use on both Apple and Android devices, and offers two subscription options of $4.99 per month or $19.49 per year.

For more information, visit WAVVEBOATING.COM.

Oswego, New York, has opened the new, public Lakeside Park on the shores of Lake Ontario. Thanks to a $100,000 grant from New York State, the park has a new volleyball court, benches, pavilion, picnic tables and kayak launch.

BUZZ Hamilton Harbour Welcomes TS Playfair The TS Playfair has provided sailing training and experiences to groups of students for 48 years; the ship will soon make its permanent home in Hamilton Harbour on Lake Ontario, thanks to efforts from the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) and the volunteer-run charitable foundation Brigs Youth Sail Training. “We have watched the tremendous redevelopment of the Hamilton Harbour for years and couldn’t think of a better port for TS Playfair where Great Lakes maritime history is celebrated in Canada’s busiest Great Lakes port,” says Brigs Board Chair Francis Clegg, who spent five years as a teenager onboard TS Playfair, rising to the rank of watch officer.

Specially built in Kingston, where she was christened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, TS Playfair is a 33-ton, steel-hulled, two-masted, squarerigged, 72-foot brigantine that was specifically built to provide sailing training, and is manned by a team of students between the ages of 13 to 18.

To learn more, visit HOPAPORTS.CA.

BOATS Absolute Unveils 2021 50 Fly The new Absolute 50 Fly offers a great combination of size, comfort and livability. The interior of this 2021 model features unimpeded views, thanks to a lack of pillars and wide windows. Plenty of seating outdoors on the versatile aft cockpit mean guests have their pick at lounging spaces. The cockpit connects to the galley, where a sofa transforms into a sun lounger.

The flybridge features a table surrounded by a sofa, a full kitchen area and a double steering position. When you take a break to anchor, relax on the bow’s sunbathing area.

Inside, the 50 Fly boasts a bright, finely furnished interior. Accommodations include a full-beam master cabin with cabinets and several stowage spaces, as well as large windows for an incredible sea view. The VIP cabin has its own ensuite head that can also be accessed from the hallway. The third guest cabin has two berths and a walk-in closet, and the aft crew cabin can be used for extra guests.

For more information, visit ABSOLUTEYACHTS.COM.

GREAT LAKES NEWS

Lower Menominee River Delisted as “Area of Concern”

Once one of the 43 most polluted areas on the Great Lakes, the Lower Menominee River in northeastern Wisconsin is no longer an area of concern, thanks to 30 years of efforts to restore the river.

For years, coal tar, paint sludge and arsenic were widespread pollutants in the waterway, which flows into Green Bay on Lake Michigan. Industrial regulations and river cleanup helped to restore the waterway, and habitat restoration projects were recently completed as well. Funding for the cleanup was provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

During its restoration, millions of pounds of contaminated sediment and hazardous waste and hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of contaminated sediment and coal tar were removed from the river.

To learn more, visit WISFARMER.COM.