MARCH 2025

FORMULA

457 CCF

Fish, sleep, repeat.

CRUISERS 57 FLY Fly away.

LOW BRIDGE, EVERYBODY DOWN

An adventure on the Erie Canal.

SPOTLIGHTS

PORT OF CALL

Kenosha, WI: Visit for museums, cheese, fish and the great outdoors!

No shortage of museums to explore and fish to catch!

FEATURES

26 Formula 457 CCF

For when seas get rough. By Mike Burns

30 Cruisers 57 FLY Balance by intention. By Ken Kreisler

34 History’s Canal

Bonding with the Erie Canal. Story by Mark Stevens

Photos by Sharon Matthews-Stevens

38 Port of Call: Kenosha, WI Keeping it Reel: Historic lighthouses, fascinating museums and plenty of ways to enjoy Lake Michigan await you in the perfect Wisconsin harbor town of Kenosha, just over the Illinois border. By Mira

Temkin

ON THE COVER

Formula is back with a new 457 center console, this time tailoring the boat specifically for anglers! Check out all the fishing features this boat offers — from an optional tower and upper helm station to tons of livewells and fishboxes — all while boasting comforts that cruisers will also appreciate.

DEPARTMENTS

From the Helm 6 Dock Box 8

Calendar 10

Scuttle 12

Great Gear 18

Marine Maintenance 19

Tech Deck 20

Life on the Loop 21

Boat Spotlights: Boston Whaler, Hurricane, Navan, SACS 22

Lakeshore Life: Spring Lake, MI 46

Boat Biz: FreedomLift 48

Marine Marketplace 51 Classifieds 63

Classic Craft 64

PHOTO BY NICK KLEIN

1

1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents

2. Accidents can happen to anyone

With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected nancially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.

3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments

When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to speci ed limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.

Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

ve things you should know about boat insurance

Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are ve things to know about boat insurance.

4. Most lenders require boat insurance

If you nanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.

5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages

Ever worry about getting stuck on the water?

Progressive’s Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage** can help. It’s an additional coverage that steps in if your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, paying for on-water towing, jump starts, soft ungroundings, and fuel delivery. Fuel cost isn’t included.

Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your voyage. Cruise with con dence thanks to Progressive Boat insurance. Because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.

Scan to get a quote in as little as 4 minutes. Go to

to learn more.

Between the Waypoints

After an exceptionally cold and snowy January here in Michigan while we send this issue to press, it’s quite refreshing to see photos of boats on the water and read about cruising adventures. Our chance to get back on the water is quickly approaching for those of us in the Great Lakes!

One fun feature this month takes place on the historic Erie Canal (p. 34), which admittedly I did not know too much about until reading Mark Steven’s first-hand account of his charter boat experience. He visits towns along the canal, all equally as charming as the one that came before, while maneuvering the locks, learning about the area’s history and relishing in the picturesque journey between each waypoint.

Another Great Lakes waypoint to add to your list is Kenosha, Wisconsin, known for its iconic historic streetcars that are still in action today, its standing as the salmon and trout capital of the state, its abundance of museums and so much more (p. 38). Just a few more months until we’re back on the water... Think spring!

Do you have a story idea you’d like to suggest? Email me at kbush@lakelandboating.com to share your ideas.

MIKE BURNS

Having been a captain for over 40 years, Mike has completed the Great Loop, several runs up and down the Eastern Seaboard and the Bahamas, extensive parts of the Caribbean, and has even compiled some sea time on the North Sea. Mike owns the yacht brokerage North South Yacht Sales, based in Toronto, Ontario. Not much of a fan of the cold weather, he and his wife spend most of the winter months aboard their 48' Sea Ray based in Fort Lauderdale, where Mike also works as a licensed Florida yacht and ship salesperson.

MARK STEVENS

Mark and his wife, Sharon, keep their boat on Lake Ontario in Toronto. Though Mark is best known for his stories about cruising the Caribbean, he’s always eager to explore must-do boaters’ destinations closer to home.

MIRA TEMKIN

Mira is a Chicago-based travel writer who’s been writing about exciting destinations throughout the U.S. and across the globe for more than 25 years. She loves to travel with her grandchildren, especially cruising. Sharing new experiences with them is her greatest thrill in the latest travel trend called “gramping.”

READ HER STORY ON P. 38

DOCK BOX

MAIL CALL

I just finished the November/December 2024 issue of Lakeland Boating. It is my first exposure to the magazine in many years. Back in the mid-1970s, I had several articles in Lakeland Boating and I am pleased to see that your issue is balanced, with people doing things with their boats and boaters going to interesting places, rather than a magazine full of advertisements masquerading as boat tests. I found it a pleasure to read this well-balanced issue. Thanks so much for the good work!

—Mark Peacock

Name Game

NAME GAME

Salty Hawk

Naming my Scout 215 XSF center console comes from a three-fold process seeking to: 1) define its captain (me) as being a crusty, old salt having spent a lifetime in the marine industry following a four-year stint in the USCG; 2) define its saltwater location in Beaufort, South Carolina; and 3) shortening my last name from Hawkins to “Hawk.” If you look closely at the lettering and logo, it mimics that of saltwater dripping/crusting — at least that was the design attempt!

—Bruce Hawkins, Beaufort, SC

We’re always on the lookout for clever and interesting boat names! Send us a short write-up about why you chose your boat name, along with your name, your home city and state, and a high-res photo of your boat (at least 1 MB). Send to KBUSH@LAKELANDBOATING.COM and put “Name Game” in the subject line.

LAKE LENS

There is nothing more relaxing than being on an island. The Lake Erie islands are so inviting, and there is no better place to be than Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island.

—Jeffrey Tate

Lake Lens

We want to see the gorgeous Great Lakes from your point of view! Send a high-resolution photo (at least 1 MB) and a short write-up about that photo to KBUSH@ LAKELANDBOATING.COM. Please put “Lake Lens” in the subject line. If we publish your submission, you’ll win a Lakeland Boating hat!

� WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Email us at KBUSH@ LAKELANDBOATING.COM or drop us a line at Lakeland Boating, 1555 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201. Opinions expressed in “Dock Box” are not necessarily those of the Lakeland Boating. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

MARCH 2025

VOLUME LXXIX, NO. 3

PUBLISHER

Linda O’Meara

PUBLISHER IN MEMORIUM

Walter “Bing” O’Meara

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editorial Director: Kate Bush

Assistant Editor: Abby Thorpe

CREATIVE STAFF

Art Director/Production Manager: Christy Tuttle Bauhs

CONTRIBUTORS

Jordan Bohonek, Mike Burns, Glenn Hayes, Ken Kreisler, Capt. Frank Lanier, Patti McCleery, Sharon Matthews-Stevens, Mark Stevens, Mira Temkin, Chuck Warren, Alan Wendt, Tim & Jamie Wood

BUSINESS STAFF

National Sales: Mark Conway

Director of Business Development: Joe D’Onofrio

Accounting: Diane Fairchild

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICE

1555 Sherman Ave. / Suite 313 / Evanston, IL 60201 312-276-0610

INFO@LAKELANDBOATING.COM LAKELANDBOATING.COM

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

1555 Sherman Ave. / Suite 313 / Evanston, IL 60201

CBAUHS@LAKELANDBOATING.COM

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Lakeland Boating

P.O. Box 386, Lincolnshire, IL 60069 847-504-8475

O’MEARA-BROWN PUBLICATIONS INC

President: Linda O’Meara

Secretary: Timothy Murtaugh

Lakeland Boating (ISSN 0744-9194) Copyright 2025, by O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc. is published eleven times per year (except December) by O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc. / Business/Accounting and Editorial Offices: 1555 Sherman Ave. Suite 313, Evanston, IL 60201, 312-276-0610. / Call 847-504-8475 to subscribe. Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 386, Lincolnshire, IL 60069 (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 386, Lincolnshire, IL 60069. / 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 selfaddressed envelope with sufficient return postage. / All published photos are courtesy of the manufacturer, unless otherwise noted.

CALENDAR

� ADD YOUR EVENT! Email KBUSH@ LAKELANDBOATING.COM to add your event to our Calendar page.

FEB 21 – 23

RV & Boat Show

Oshkosh, WI RVBOATMAINEVENT.COM

Wisconsin Fishing Expo Madison, WI WIFISHINGEXPO.COM

FEB 22 – MAR 1

Harbor Springs Restaurant Week Harbor Springs, MI HARBORSPRINGSCHAMBER.COM

FEB 26 – MAR 2 Kingston Canadian Film Festival Kingston, ON KINGCANFILMFEST.COM

FEB 28 – MAR 2

CopperDog 150 Calumet, MI COPPERDOG150.COM

MAR 1

1 Sleeping Giant Loppet Pass Lake, ON SLEEPINGGIANTLOPPET.CA

2 Suds & Snow Traverse City, MI TCSUDSANDSNOW.COM

MAR 4

Maritime History on Tap Marquette, MI MQTMARITIMEMUSEUM.COM

MAR 7 – 9

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show Milwaukee, WI JSSPORTSSHOW.COM

MAR 8

Mt Ashwabay Spring Carnival Bayfield, WI MTASHWABAY.ORG

The Slush Cup Mancelona, MI SHANTYCREEK.COM

U.P. Health System Great Bear Chase Calumet, MI GREATBEARCHASE.COM

MAR 9 – 15

Marquette Restaurant Week Marquette, MI DOWNTOWNMARQUETTE.ORG

MAR 13 – 16

Progressive Novi Boat Show Novi, MI NOVIBOATSHOW.COM

Ultimate Sport Show Grand Rapids, MI SHOWSPAN.COM/USG

MAR 14 – 16

Traverse City Boat Show Traverse City, MI TRAVERSECITYBOATSHOW.COM

MAR 15

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sturgeon Bay, WI STURGEONBAY.NET

MAR 21 – 23

Northwest MI RV & Camping Show Traverse City, MI

MICHIGANRVAND CAMPGROUNDS.ORG

MAR 22 – 23

3 Sweetwater Harvest Festival Midland, ON WYEMARSH.COM/SWEETWATER

MAR 28 – 30

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

Hinckley has appointed Gavin McClintock as its new CEO. McClintock previously served as CFO for Safe Harbor Marinas and as founder of the marina group Tidekeeper.

SCUTTLE

Spring Brook Marine Group Opens New Location in West Michigan

Spring Brook Marine Group announced the grand opening of its new location at Adelaide Pointe in Muskegon, Michigan, offering the group a central hub to help serve the West Michigan boating community.

The expansive 7,000-square-foot showroom will showcase a selection of industry-leading boats, while offering a place to host events, including the grand opening this spring.

The new location will be led by Adam Lamb, an experienced yacht broker and industry veteran as sales operations director, and Lee Oppenhuizen, a 200-ton master captain, as a sales consultant. Spring Brook’s new showroom is designed to attract clients, host events and showcase the finest luxury yachts on the market.

The grand opening in spring (dates not yet announced) will have boats on display, refreshments, light bites and live music. It’s an opportunity for the community to explore the new facility and meet the team behind Spring Brook Marine Group’s latest milestone.

To learn more, visit SPRINGBROOKMARINA.COM.

Great Lakes News Boats Must-Have Buzz Events Business

Bayliner Boats Unveils All-New V20 Series at the Chicago Boat Show

Bayliner Boats has launched its all-new V20 series, featuring the V20 outboard and V20i inboard models. Replacing the popular VR5 Bowrider Series, the V20 Series introduces a sleek, sculpted hull, a spacious new deck layout and an array of premium features.

Key features of the V20 Series include a wide aft cockpit with easy access to large swim platforms, an easily convertible bow area and ample storage. There’s also tons of tech onboard, including inductive phone chargers, VesselView link and a Simrad GO9 screen.

The V20 Series is available with multiple packages, optional upgrades, and premium design and hull color choices. Learn more at BAYLINER.COM.

Great Lakes Maritime Academy Gets Historic Tugboat

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) has donated historic tugboat Robinson Bay to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, based in Traverse City, Michigan. This vessel, originally built in 1958, will now serve as a training platform for the academy’s maritime students, fostering the education of future mariners.

“By placing this iconic tugboat in the hands of an institution dedicated to maritime excellence, we are ensuring that the Robinson Bay remains an active part of the Great Lakes maritime community, contributing to both its legacy and its future,” says GLS Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht. “We look forward to witnessing how the academy utilizes this vessel to promote stewardship and education on the Great Lakes.”

The tugboat is currently undergoing shipyard maintenance to remove the upper pilothouse and will be delivered to Traverse City this spring.

For more information, visit NMC.EDU.

GREAT LAKES NEWS

EVENTS

Muskegon Boat Show Sets New Late Spring Dates

Mark your calendars for May 16-18, 2025 for the Muskegon Boat Life

Adelaide Pointe Boat Show, which will take place at Adelaide Pointe Marina in Muskegon, Michigan. Explore a vast array of local vendors offering everything you need for a perfect day on the water while enjoying live music on the main stage, savoring delicious food from Muskegon Brewing Company and sipping refreshing drinks at the dedicated Boat Show Tent. Immerse yourself in the vibrant boating community, connect with experienced boaters, and kick off summer in style at West Michigan’s only in-water boat show.

Azimut-Benetti Group Founder Paolo Vitelli died at the age of 77 on December 31, 2024. Vitelli founded Azimut in 1969 and acquired Benetti in 1985, later forming the AzimutBenetti Group.

GREAT LAKES NEWS

Wisconsin Gets $10 Million in Grants to Strengthen Ports

Visit MUSKEGONBOATSHOW.COM.

BOATS

Sirena 60 Announced at boot Dusseldorf

Show

Sirena Yachts announced its new model, the Sirena 60, during the boot Düsseldorf 2025 boat show.

The new yacht, which replaces the successful Sirena 58, will feature more space for lounging, an upgraded flybridge design, better storage and remodeled exterior spaces at the bow and stern.

The 60’s new transom design creates more space on the swim platform, while the larger openings in the bulwarks provide easier access to the dock. The windows in the main salon are larger than the 58’s, and the foredeck lounge offers new upholstery and a smart floating backrest. The newly redesigned flybridge has a reimagined dashboard and pilot seats, a new Corian worktop in the bar unit and a sunpad with a convertible headrest.

Inside, the galley has grown nearly 20%, while the indoor helm station has new ergonomically designed pilot seats and a pantograph door leading to the side deck. The yacht will still have three large cabins below.

The new boat will make its world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2025. Visit SIRENAYACHTSUSA.COM for more information.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, announced Harbor Assistance Program grants totaling more than $10 million for five harbor maintenance and construction projects in La Crosse, La Pointe, Marinette, Green Bay and Manitowoc. Improvements will help strengthen supply chain reliability, support waterborne freight, and assist with economic development in Wisconsin’s coastal communities.

“As billions of dollars of cargo move through our ports each year, maintaining and improving these critical parts of our state’s infrastructure is exceedingly important to ensuring Wisconsin’s businesses and producers can get products to market and we can keep building the 21st-century infrastructure we need to compete in a global economy,” says Gov. Evers.

Projects supported by the over $10 million in Harbor Assistance Program grants include: $808,000 for the Town of La Pointe Harbor Commission and the Madeline Island Ferry to construct pile clusters, modify the ferry landing, and dredge harbors used by the ferry; $2.3 million for Hanke Terminals in La Crosse; $3 million for Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette to dredge, repair dock walls, and install mooring bollards and fenders; $2 million for the Port of Green Bay and the Fox River Port Development Site to install a dock wall, dredge, fill behind a bulkhead and regrade property; and $1.8 million for City Centre LLC, in Manitowoc to construct a load-out pad on the Manitowoc River.

GREAT LAKES NEWS

Manistee Riverwalk to Get $1.65M in Upgrades

The northern Michigan town of Manistee is set to get a $1.65 million makeover. The construction, which is expected to start in March and be completed by September, will focus primarily on the 1.5-mile riverwalk, according to an MLive article.

The riverwalk runs along the Manistee channel and leads pedestrians past shops, restaurants, marinas and more on the way to the Lake Michigan beach. According to the MLive article, work will include replacing lumber decking; painting railings and light posts; adding ADA-compliant sidewalk access; constructing rain gardens; and placing historical, cultural and directional signage.

MUST-HAVE

Yamaha Expands Electric HARMO Outboard Line

Yamaha has kicked off 2025 with new product offerings including an expansion of its HARMO line, now available in single and twin configurations, a Steering Assist Tiller Handle for F200 and F150 outboards, and new color options for midrange models.

“The expansion of HARMO allows boaters to enjoy quiet yet palpable thrust in single or twin, fully electric applications with industry upgrades in boater convenience and confidence,” says Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit President Ben Speciale.

With a 9.9-hp gasoline-powered equivalent rating, the HARMO Electric Outboard is offered in 20- and 25-inch shaft lengths. For boater convenience, HARMO single and twin outboards have the option of using lithium-ion batteries or Yamaha-approved traditional batteries. Expected availability is early spring 2025. Visit YAMAHAOUTBOARDS.COM.

BOATS

Maxim Yachts Introduces the Max 44 R

Maxim Yachts announced the new Max 44 R at boot Düsseldorf 2025. Powered by triple 400-hp Mercury Verado V10 outboard engines, this daycruiser exceeds a top speed of 50 knots. An optional setup with three 450-hp Yamaha engines will also be available.

The main deck is designed to be a versatile space, featuring two foldable tables that can host up to 10 people and four sofas (one of which is equipped with two portable refrigerators), as well as 16 cup holders.

The helm area includes a carbon fiber steering console with seating for four and is equipped with two 16-inch Garmin screens and 11 analog gauges.

The carbon fiber hardtop is integrated with a JL Audio system. The galley is equipped with a cooktop, a sink and two large refrigerators, with the option to install up to four refrigerators and an ice maker. Below deck, there are two double cabins, one of which can be converted into a relaxation area.

The boat had its world premiere at the 2025 Miami Boat Show in February.

Learn more at MAXIM.YACHTS.

GREAT GEAR

1. Xtratuf Men’s Kiata Drift Shoes

Don’t risk slipping on the dock! Get shoes with great traction, like a pair of the new Kiata Drift shoes, made with a quick-dry, breathable, unlined engineered upper and a full lace-up system for a customized fit. The Kiata’s TUFGRP outsole provides SRC-rated slip resistance and remains non-marking. There are also pull loops for easy on and off. A high rebound cushioned midsole provides all-day comfort and support, while a perforated insole promotes underfoot circulation and moisture control. Available in two colors.

$115 AT XTRATUF.COM

2. Seachoice Dock Cart

Make your trips down the dock more efficient with this Dock Cart — a durable, rugged workhorse for transporting heavy loads to and from your boat. It sports a spacious 5-cubic-foot capacity bin and easily handles loads up to 350 pounds. Features 20-inch maintenance-free airless tires and a double-welded, powder-coated steel frame. Quick assembly — no special tools required. Bin measures 42 inches long, 22 inches wide and 10.5 inches deep. $314.99 AT DEFENDER.COM

Must-have goodies, gadgets and more for every boater

3. Meguiar’s Hybrid

All Surface Sealant

Ceramic

A little bit goes a long way with this cuttingedge formula that delivers ultra-durable hybrid ceramic protection for your boat. Simply spray on, spread and buff off — it’s as easy as that! Designed to be a durable and protective barrier on fiberglass and gelcoats but is also safe for use on paint, metal, vinyl and glass. It also boosts gloss, beading and much-needed protection from UV damage.

$21.99 AT MEGUIARSDIRECT.COM

4. IOSSO Seam Sealer

Seam Sealer has been refreshed for 2025 with new retail packaging and a new PFAS-free formula, meaning the product is safer for people and the environment! This product prevents most seams onboard from leaking, including cotton, polyester and synthetic woven fabrics. Ideal for boat covers, awnings and more. One bottle covers about 50 feet of seams. Made with a nonsilicon formula, now with a UV inhibitor.

$12.95 AT IOSSO.COM

5. Mantus Marine Anchor Snubber Lines

These strong and durable snubber lines ensure that your anchor stays put and your boat stays intact. Snubber lines absorb the strain of the chain rode from wind gusts and waves while reducing the wear on the boat. There is no noise, no chain jerking or snagging on the foredeck. Uses heavy-duty 316L stainless steel thimbles. Chain Hook sold separately. Available in three sizes: Small, for boats 30-40 feet; medium, for boats 4050 feet; and large, for boats 50-70 feet.

FROM $147.99 TO $327.99 AT WESTMARINE.COM

6. “Fishing Activity Book for Kids”

With 50 creative projects to inspire curious anglers, this book is designed to get kids ages 8-12 hooked on fishing! Author David Lisi teaches kids everything they need to go fishing, from choosing their line and setting up their rig to properly casting their rod and safely removing hooks. Readers will learn all about tackle and proper fishing techniques as well as patience and respect for Mother Nature. It will also help kids locate the best fishing spots, get creative, think outside the box, and discover fishing tips and fun facts.

$13.99 AT AMAZON.COM

By Capt. Frank Lanier

Repair vs. Replace

Should you repair or say sayonara to your old generator?

Your old, unreliable generator has failed yet again, dashing plans for that long-planned family cruise. It’s not the first time the generator has done you wrong. A day of reckoning in the form of a complete overhaul is long overdue, but is repair or replacement the better option? Here’s a look at what to seriously consider when deciding whether to overhaul or upgrade your old Edsel of a generator.

Factors to consider

If facing major engine or electrical repairs to a generator over five years old, replacement should at least be considered. Depending on the extent of the repairs, you may find that the cost of replacement versus repairs is not that far apart. Below are some other factors that can effectively reduce this gap even further.

Locating parts for an older, outdated generator can be an ordeal. The same is true of finding someone with the knowledge to install them, as well as work on your generator in the future.

panels (precise monitoring information, error codes to assist with troubleshooting, etc.) are two instant benefits when installing a new generator.

Other vessel upgrades

If your future plans include the installation of new, power-hungry equipment (such as another air conditioning unit or that new gyrostabilizer you’ve been eyeing), your old generator may not be able to meet the additional power requirements. Replacing it with a more powerful unit may be just the ticket to take your boating experience and enjoyment to the next level.

Replacing an old generator allows you to enjoy the latest technology, from greener footprints and improved fuel efficiency to less vibration and quieter operation. These benefits will also typically be delivered in a smaller, lighter package than your existing generator — one that may also provide easier access for maintenance (such as having all service points located on one side).

Today’s diesel generators are cleaner emissionwise than those from even five years ago. In addition to the green side of things, one of the most visible benefits offered by a new generator is the use of digital remote-control panels. Simple on/off switches have evolved as manufacturers hop on the digital panel express.

Digital technology such as NMEA 2000 allows “electronic” (digital) generators and other products that are NMEA 2000 certified to communicate across the same network. This means more information is available to the owners of today’s generators. Ease of installation, coupled with the plethora of information provided by these modern

If you decide to replace your generator, always consult the manufacturer or an authorized representative as part of the selection process to determine which model best suits your current (and future) power needs. A generator that’s too small will be constantly laboring to meet demands, leading to poor performance and a shorter service life. Conversely, installing a generator that’s too large (the “bigger is better” syndrome) will lead to “underloading” problems, such as carbon buildup in the engine, incomplete fuel combustion and overall inefficient operation.

Long-term goals

How long you plan on keeping the boat and your future plans (such as extended cruising) are also things to consider when contemplating repair or replacement. For those planning to sail off into the sunset in search of paradise and tropical drinks with those little umbrellas in them, the peace of mind that comes with replacing an aging, questionable generator can be a significant factor.

The bottom line…

While important, the decision to repair or replace extends beyond simply comparing the price of installing a new generator with the cost of repairing your current unit. After all, if you do a complete rebuild on a 10-year-old generator, at the end of the day, you still have a 10-year-old generator — one with the trouble of finding parts and without the warranty provided with a new generator.

Oil in the pan = time to upgrade

Is it time to upgrade?

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

Shiny new Westerbeke 5.0 BCDB

TECH DECK

By Glenn Hayes

Charge, Inflate & Seal

Unique offerings from Scanstrut.

We all like the comfort and convenience of technology in our everyday lives. This is also true for the little things that can make our time on the water much more pleasurable. Fortunately, there are companies out there that spend all their time looking for ways to make boating more straightforward and even more fun.

Some of this technology is finding its way into the standard list of features for new boats, but many can also be added to your existing boat. One such company that strives to improve time on the water is Scanstrut. With facilities in the U.K. and U.S., this company is well known for its wide array of electronic mounts for equipment, such as radar and antennas like those from Starlink. If you have electronics you need a mount for, chances are Scanstrut has a few different offerings. But its product range also includes an innovative line of chargers, air supply and waterproof seals — all designed in-house.

Recharge

Scanstrut’s chargers are not for charging the boat’s batteries but can charge a piece of equipment your teenager would say is the most important onboard: The cellphone. Its wired chargers come with a USBstyle connector and offer the world’s first waterproof USB rapid charger, along with other wired chargers designed for the harsh marine environment.

Scanstrut also has a line of wireless chargers that are as simple and stylish as they are innovative. Offering two versions, a single-coil 10-watt charger and a three-coil 15-watt charger, this wireless line is broken into three categories.

The first is its Mount and Charge Line. These are composed of chargers that mount to a surface in various ways, and the phone is held in place while charging so it doesn’t bounce around in heavy seas. These models include Active, Edge, Nano and Arura. The first three are flush and bracket-mount chargers that retain the phone while charging it wirelessly. The Arura is a small, recessed wireless charger that retains the phone with a front-loading spring clip. All can charge a phone rapidly utilizing a built-in 10-watt wireless charger while holding onto it in rough seas.

If you want a wireless recessed charger at your helm or elsewhere on the boat, Scanstrut has those, too. They are the Catch, Nest and Cove. All are designed for your phone to rest out of the way,

tucked in their little cubbies while charging. These chargers are available in 10- or 15-watt versions.

Scanstrut also has a line of flat wireless chargers that can be mounted under, on top of or flush with a surface. These sleek chargers are called the Hidden, Surface and Sub chargers, and are available in 10and 15-watt versions.

Inflate

Scanstrut’s innovation extends beyond mounts and chargers; it has also developed an award-winning built-in air inflator that can quickly inflate and deflate all your towable water toys, inflatable tenders, swim decks and paddleboards.

The Atmos integrated air station is a small, unobtrusive, self-contained air supply system with a polished, well-designed look. It can be permanently flush-mounted almost anywhere and can inflate a standard towable tube in under 3 minutes and deflate it in one minute. A standard SUP can be inflated in 6 minutes. With the Atmos, there is no longer a need to clip a bulky pump to a battery or wear yourself out with a manual pump. Open the device’s small door, attach the hose and dial in the required PSI; that’s all there is to it.

Seal

Scanstrut also produces a line of cable seals with something for every need to control necessary wires coming through the deck, bulkhead or dash. These aren’t just your ordinary seals, however; they are entirely self-contained, waterproof and produce a secure and dry seal for cables up to .59-inch diameter, and some will even work with multiple wires of varying gauges.

Gone are the days of trying to seal cable fittings with silicone and having water seep in through wire holes. If you have a cable that must pass through a surface on your boat and you have a leak (or will eventually have a leak), utilizing one of the vast array of offerings from Scanstrut will result in a bone-dry fitting and put an end to those leaks.

Scanstrut Cove

Scanstrut Surface

Scanstrut Hidden

Scanstrut Atmos

Scanstrut Edge

LIFE ON THE LOOP

By Jordan Bohonek

Floating School

Homeschooling your kids while on the Great Loop.

Traveling the Great Loop, you will find an overabundance of incredible people. People in the towns, at the marinas, but best of all, the people you leapfrog with as they complete the same journey you are on. Our family was an anomaly in the Loop community, with kids being the smallest subset of passengers on Loop vessels. I believe there have been less than 100 kids to ever complete the trip!

Completely altering life for our school-aged kids while living aboard was intimidating. The idea of not waiting for the bus each morning, having parentteacher conferences or attending school-sponsored sporting events each week was a foreign concept. I also worried “what will everyone think” when we launch into this crazy adventure and take our kids out of the conventional education that most of our friends and family are accustomed to.

We have learned so much as parents during this trip, and I think we can now debunk some common misconceptions that can come into play when you consider homeschooling kids while on the Loop.

MYTH 1: Homeschooled kids lack social skills

Reality: One of the most pervasive myths about homeschooling is that homeschooled kids are socially isolated. Maybe our kids are different than some, but I enjoy watching them sit down with not only other kids of all ages but adults just the same and having conversations about life and our travel experiences.

We have found that there are so many avenues for homeschooled kids to be involved in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, theater and community service, which help develop strong social skills and allow them to be well-rounded in terms of social interaction.

MYTH 2: Parents aren’t qualified to teach

Reality: While not all parents are certified teachers, many homeschooling parents take their role seriously and invest time in learning how to teach effectively. In our classroom, we use a variety of educational resources, such as online curricula, textbooks and educational software to provide a comprehensive education. The individualized attention that homeschooled children receive can lead to a deeper understanding of subjects and a more personalized learning experience. We also allow our kids to learn about what interests them, which has proven to give them a hunger to learn more.

MYTH 3: Homeschooled kids miss out on real-world experiences

Reality: This one makes me laugh! When we pulled our kids from public school and met with their teachers, the common remark was that the teachers were excited that they were about to learn more on this trip than they could ever learn in the four walls of a school building. Their textbooks have truly come alive in the 7,000 miles underway on our boat at Washington D.C. monuments, the White House, Annapolis Naval Academy, the Culinary Institute of America, West Point, as well as maritime museums all along our trip!

Homeschooling can provide ample opportunities for real-world learning. We have taken full advantage of flexible schedules to explore all of these places as a family and formed not only memories that will last a lifetime but real-life experiences to reaffirm what is in the written text of the history books.

MYTH 4: Homeschooling fails to prepare kids for college or the workforce

Reality: Research shows that homeschooled students often perform well academically and are well-prepared for college and the workforce. We were thrilled (and thankful) when we used California Achievement Testing to see that our kids have truly thrived with this new way of learning. Colleges and universities increasingly recognize the unique strengths of homeschoolers, as we found out during our visit to West Point, where there is a growing number of homeschooled kids every year. The recruiters we talked with said that they recognize independent learning skills, creativity and strong work ethic from homeschooled students, and they find that they notably stand out for their ability to think critically and adapt to various situations.

In the end, homeschooling is not only a dynamic and flexible educational option that can provide a rich and fulfilling learning experience for children, but it can also empower families to make a transient lifestyle possible. By debunking these common myths, we want to help others better understand the positive reality we have witnessed as a homeschooling family. Through social engagement, real-world learning and academic success, homeschooling has proven to be a viable and effective educational choice for our family, and one that we intend to continue for our children’s academic careers.

Are you thinking of this lifestyle? Reach out. We’d love to give you some support in your transition!

JORDAN BOHONEK

Originally from southern Minnesota, Jordan now lives on a boat with his family. He combines his love for the water with his passion for helping others find vessels as a yacht broker, enabling them to live their dream on America’s Great Loop. Follow along the Bohonek’s Great Loop journey at their Facebook page “Live the Dash | Traveling America’s Great Loop.”

BOAT SPOTLIGHT

By Chuck Warren

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 33'2"

Beam: 10'2"

Draft: 22'

Dry Weight: 9,000 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 300 gals.

Water Capacity: 40 gals.

Max Power: 800 hp

Base Price: $415,236

BOSTONWHALER.COM

DEALERS

Irish Boat Shop

Marine

Boston Whaler 330 Outrage

Inspire confidence.

Since 1958, Boston Whaler’s reputation for exceptional quality and unsinkable construction has made it one of the most recognizable names in the marine industry. The company’s commitment to safety and innovation has made Boston Whaler a favorite among old salts and new boaters alike.

More than just a center console, the 2025 Boston Whaler 330 Outrage was designed to meet the needs of serious anglers while also providing comfortable accommodations for spending a day on the water.

“The Boston Whaler 330 Outrage combines the best of offshore fishing and luxury cruising in one seamless package,” says Jack Hodge, vice president of sales at Irish Boat Shop in Northern Michigan. “It’s designed to inspire confidence and deliver incredible experiences on the water.”

With lots of rod holders, a 50-gallon livewell and plenty of storage for preserving the catch, there is no shortage of features for chasing big fish. Dedicated

anglers will appreciate the pop-up transom cleats, rod storage in the gunnels and the self-bailing cockpit.

The 330 Outrage can also be configured with a list of optional fishing packages that include upgraded electronics, outriggers and a casting platform.

The 2025 Boston Whaler 330 Outrage also provides plenty of creature comforts. Cushy forward and aft seating areas provide space to relax in the sun, while the roomy head below the console makes it easy to stay out on the water all day.

With twin Mercury 400 Verado V-10 engines running at 4000 RPM, the 330 Outrage will cruise at 34 mph. At wide open throttle, the big outboards will push the boat toward a 58 mph top speed.

Whether you’re chasing game fish offshore or enjoying a day in the sun with family and friends, the 2025 Boston Whaler 330 Outrage delivers on the company’s commitment to quality, performance and comfort.

BOAT SPOTLIGHT

By Chuck Warren

Hurricane SunDeck 3200

A whole new class.

Established in 1974, Hurricane has become a leader in the deckboat market by delivering quality boats at an exceptional value. Carrying on its legacy of versatility and innovation, the all-new SunDeck 3200 has set the course for 2025 as Hurricane’s flagship model.

“Our design team applied learnings from our decades of experience building reliable and comfortable deckboats and reached for the stars to create the perfect boat for an entirely new segment,” says Jeff Kinsey, Godfrey and Hurricane’s business leader.

At 32 feet in length, the SunDeck 3200 is the largest boat in Hurricane’s lineup and was designed specifically for outboard power. The boat has a balanced layout with lots of deck space, comfortable bow seating and a roomy cabin. Twin outboard packages also give the boat plenty of power, with top speeds in the 50s.

The SunDeck 3200’s list of standard features includes dual 12-inch displays, an anchor windlass, cabin and cockpit refrigerators, JL Audio and a 32-inch smart TV.

Although the boat comes well-equipped, the SunDeck 3200’s long list of upgrades includes SeaKeeper 2 stabilization, a power sunshade and joystick docking.

Below, the well-appointed cabin is bright and airy, with large hullside windows, opening portholes and an incredible 6-foot, 3-inch headroom. The enclosed head provides more than enough room for a weekend away or even longer adventures.

“We are beyond thrilled with how the 3200 looks and performs and are confident our customers will be clamoring to get out on one,” Kinsey says. “Their friends and family will be fighting for an invitation to spend a day on the water on this gorgeous, comfortable and capable vessel.”

With an incredibly versatile layout and a long list of standard features, the 2025 Hurricane SunDeck 3200 is a great choice for any lifestyle. This new model makes it easy to see why Hurricane has maintained its position at the top of the deckboat list.

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 32'

Beam: 10'6"

Wet Weight: 16,000 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 248 gals.

Water Capacity: 30 gals.

Max Power: 1,000 hp

Base Price: $385,202 HURRICANEBOATS.COM

Marine

BOAT SPOTLIGHT

By Chuck Warren

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 33'7"

Beam: 9'10"

Draft: 2'1"

Dry Weight: 8,021 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 105 gals.

Water Capacity: 21 gals.

Max Power: 600 hp

Base MSRP: $249,800 NAVAN-BOATS.COM

DEALERS

B&E Marine BEMARINE.COM

Colony Marine COLONYMARINE.COM

Walstrom Marine WALSTROM.COM

SNavan S30

Hit the mark.

ince launching at the 2023 Cannes boat show, Navan has been making a splash. Designed and constructed by marine industry powerhouse Brunswick, the boats are built from end to end under the company’s roof.

With a perfect match of function and form, the new Navan S30 uses unique design details to pack a ton of popular features into a beautiful package.

“We are excited to represent the Navan brand on Lake Michigan,” says Rod Bensz, director of sales at B&E Marine in Michigan City, Indiana. “The boat performs great! It’s fast, it has very little bow rise, if any, and it really carves the turns with its patented T-step hull design.”

Navan’s innovative hull offers reduced drag for quicker planing, better handling and improved cruising efficiency while still maintaining a smooth, safe ride.

“I encourage people to take it for a spin,” Bensz says. “They will be amazed.”

Roomy cabin space is an unexpected treat in a 33-foot center console, but the Navan S30 delivers. Below, a bright, comfortable space with large hullside windows and an enclosed wet head provides more than enough room to spend a weekend away.

The Navan S30 includes some unique design features, like the two-way convertible cockpit seating. Flip the bench seat to face aft to also access the boat’s preparation center, which can be upgraded to include an electric grill. Like the boat’s optional heat and air, the grill draws from a dedicated battery bank and inverter system that eliminates the need for a generator.

Navan’s huge selection of upgrade packages for the S30, including single or twin Mercury engine options up to 600 hp, make it easy to configure a boat that matches any lifestyle. No matter what the target, the 2025 Navan S30 can hit the mark.

BOAT SPOTLIGHT

By Chuck Warren

SACS Rebel 50 G Leader of the pack.

In recent years, the desire for luxury RIB models has exploded, with bigger, faster and more comfortable models hitting the water every year. Leading the pack, Italian RIB builder SACS has created the 2025 Rebel 50 G — the newest addition to its growing line of luxurious maxi RIBs.

Currently, Great Lakes’ Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales is the only U.S. dealer for SACS and the first to offer the 2025 Rebel 50 G to the American market.

Instead of inflatable tubes, the Rebel 50 G features SACS’s D-Fender technology. The D-shaped antishock design creates a full-length, foam-filled Hypalon fender system that keeps the hull protected from impact with docks and other boats.

The 2025 SACS 50 G’s elegant, sporty style and unique hull design immediately set it apart from any boat on the water. A sleek hardtop with electrically retractable windows protects the helm and salon, where plenty of seating, a pop-up

TV and a galley complete with a sink, stove and refrigerator comfortably accommodate guests.

Below, the forward queen-size main and midship guest cabins are truly beautiful, with light colors, plenty of space and huge hullside windows that let in lots of light. With the touch of a button, the twin guest cabin bunks can be combined into a single full-size berth.

The long list of standard features on the 2025 SACS Rebel 50 G includes an anchor windlass, retractable mooring cleats, forward and aft seating and sunpads, as well as joystick docking controls.

Powered by Volvo’s IPS pod drive systems, the 2025 SACS Rebel 50 G is fast and agile, with cruising speeds around 32 mph and a top-end speed that climbs over 40 mph. Equally suited for use as a cruiser, dayboat or superyacht tender, the Rebel 50 G combines the benefits of a fiberglass hull with the best features of a RIB.

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 50'2"

Beam: 16'7"

Draft: 4'4"

Weight (w/ engines): ~46,000 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 2 x 248 gals.

Water Capacity: 119 gals.

Std. Power: 2 x Volvo IPS950 725-hp diesels

Base Price: Contact dealer SACSMARINE.COM

DEALER

Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales St. Clair Shores, MI; Charlevoix, MI; Chicago, IL; Holland, MI; Grand Haven, MI; Spring Lake, MI; Marblehead, OH; Naples, FL JBYS.COM

BOAT TEST

By Mike Burns

Formula 457 CCF

For when seas get rough.

Formula Boats has long been a premier powerboat builder since the early 1960s. With roots in performance boats and offshore powerboat racing, the builder has recently focused on high-performance, luxury crossover-style family dayboats and weekenders. In 2022, the company opted to re-enter the booming center console market with its 2023 387 CCF (Center Console Fish) and 387 CCS (Center Console Sport). In 2024, Formula introduced the expansion of this line with the 457 CCS, followed by the 457 CCF.

Exceptional quality of fit and finish Seakeeping capabilities and ease of handling, even at WOT

Use of bow thruster was occasionally needed in addition to joystick when maneuvering in tight quarters

Distortion on the main windshield when wearing polarized sunglasses

Formula 457 CCF

Fishing machine

The Formula 457 CCF is the same boat as the CCS from the helm forward, but from the second row of seats to the transom, the 457 CCF is a complete fishing machine. She’s built for anglers who demand high performance and durability in offshore environments, even when seas get rough.

With generous deck space, ample fuel capacity and impressive range, she is designed to maximize fishability. An optional tower and upper helm station are ideal for sight fishing, while two pressurized 50-gallon livewells, in-deck refrigerated fishboxes complete with macerators (the portside fishbox is fitted with an optional 20-pound-per-hour ice maker) and an extensive tackle/rigging station amidships make this boat exceptionally well-suited for serious anglers. Under the tackle station, you’ll also find a power-assisted retractable mezzanine bench that doubles as a cooler.

The exterior is characterized by Formula’s meticulous attention to detail, with premium finishes and stainless steel accents throughout. Our test boat was also fitted with highly attractive teak accents at the helm and throughout the cockpit. The boat’s aerodynamic windshield not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also provides optimal wind protection for passengers seated in the cockpit. With a flip of a switch, the window opens, which is ideal for slower cruising speeds. The only notable downside to the windshield setup is that there is a slight distortion visible while wearing polarized glasses.

Formula’s length and beam make for a roomy cabin below deck that includes a double berth, which converts from a C-shape lounge. The cabin is nestled into a cheerily lit (with recessed LED lighting and overhead and forward portlights) arrangement with a large head compartment with shower, and an abbreviated galley with microwave, coffee maker and fridge.

Through its paces

Meeting up with the boat in North Miami, and with one of the livewells stocked with bait, we set out and had an uneventful run through the Haulover Inlet (yes, the one you may see on YouTube), and cruised offshore to get our lines wet. We had no luck landing a sailfish or a nice tuna for lunch, but we did snag a couple of small ones, just to say we did catch something.

When stopped for bottom fishing, the hull naturally lies beam into the seas. This can make for some of the most uncomfortable sea conditions. Fortunately, the relatively wide beam, solid displacement and standard gyro stabilizer Seakeeper 6 (which definitely earned its keep) kept the hull relatively stable.

Pulling up the lines, we ran south to the sheltered waters of Biscayne Bay to put the 457 further through its paces. The only power option available is a set of triple Mercury V12 600-hp outboards. From an idle position, the 457 climbed onto plane in just under 8 seconds. Once we reached about 3500 RPM, the Mercury V12 600s

“switched gears.” First gear has a 20% reduction in gear ratio. This leverages the engine’s torque to propel these big boats out of the hole and up on plane. The motor then shifts into second gear automatically, dropping the RPM for better fuel economy. The shift is so fluid that you don’t notice it, especially as a passenger. As an added bonus, the naturally aspirated motors are quiet with no turbo whining away. As we approached 4500 RPM, we settled into a comfortable cruising speed of 35.5 mph. Turning was effortless, and we were able to complete full 360s within our wavelength. Setting up for some high-speed runs, the normal instinct would be to start trimming out the motors as the bow has a tendency to dip and increase drag. Not so with the 457. Pushing the throttles to the stop, and with no adjustment of motor trim, we hit an impressive 58 mph at 6422 RPM. What was equally impressive is that the tight and controlled cornering felt just as solid at WOT; no matter how aggressive the turn was, we could not break the hull free. It was truly a “set it and forget it” setup when it comes to throttle control. A slight trim tab was needed to counter for a crosswind, but this has to be one of the most user-friendly boats in its class to operate. For added protection at higher speeds, an innovative and proprietary Wind-Armor “wind and spray” electric-powered door system folds out on either side at the push of a button and helps make runs into the wind and spray offshore more comfortable.

handle it all

We weren’t surprised by its performance — every Formula that I’ve tested over the years offered a high-performance experience thanks largely to the FAS³Tech design and engineering. Instead of stringers and bulkheads laid into the hull and storage buckets glued in place, Formula builds a one-piece stringer grid that melds to the hull in a single piece and includes all fishboxes, dry-storage compartments and machinery access to the bilge, plus ample wire chases for a nearly unlimited array of accessories. The boat is filled with gadgets such as inductive cellphone charging brackets (including one in the head!), electrically adjustable seats and cupholders everywhere. The bow section features a retractable table that also converts this area into a comfortable lounge area.

Heading back to the dock, we navigated through a relatively narrow channel and commenced a 180-degree turn to line up with our slip on the seawall. Utilizing small movements on the joystick, we turned within our own length; however, when rotating, we seemed to feel a bit of resistance in the turn and utilized the bowthruster to help ease us around. Once parallel with the dock, simple nudges of the joystick slid us sideways, gently landing us in our slip.

Formula has exceeded itself creating a center console that offers up comfort and style while still satisfying the needs of the serious angler. Whether you’re planning a cruise with friends and family or an ambitious offshore fishing trip, this boat offers the flexibility, power and elegance to handle it all.

BOAT TEST

By Ken Kreisler

The new CRUISERS 57 FLY awaited me at the MarineMax service center in Miami, Florida. The morning was, so far, sunny with an obvious and persistent breeze. Docked stern to, and noticeably within a tight fit of the finger docks to either side, the first thing I observed was how well-proportioned she looked. From bridge deck to main deck to swim platform aft, her exterior lines were clean, balanced and easy on the eye — one of many things Cruisers has been noted for since it began its boat building back in 1953.

ENTERTAINMENT SPACES

It was quite easy to set foot on her teak decks from either side of the dock and step inside. The cockpit offers plentiful seating aft courtesy of a C-shape arrangement around a large dining table. With its proximity to the galley, this area presents the kind of alfresco dining opportunities limited only by your imagination. In addition, there is a large deck hatch for access to the engine room, an IPS joystick to port for easy docking and an additional boarding door to starboard. The large overhead provides shade for the entire area.

BALANCE BY INTENTION. CRUISERS 57 FLY

Boarding from the aft end via the massive veranda whose mid-section hydraulically lowers into the water and is chocked for a tender or PWC, there is a wide stairway to starboard for easy and safe access to the cockpit. In addition, there is access to a head/crew quarters to port, which provides a space for watersports participants to dry off before entering the main deck, and an electrically operated fold-away lounge, sure to be a hit with family and friends.

fold-away lounge, sure to be a hit with

The starboard door locks in the open position, and with the bi-fold door also open, the cockpit and interior are one. As I began to step inside, I couldn’t help but notice the large, hinged window just off to port separating the galley from the cockpit.

“That design helped us to bring both the outside and interior of the boat together,” says Matt VanGrunsven, director of marketing for Cruisers Yachts, as he effortlessly lifted the window and locked it in place.

But there was much more to see here, and this would become the unifying theme for my time aboard the Cruisers 57 FLY.

After sliding the large portside galley window open, we stepped outside and easily deployed a section of the hull with the push of a button. The unfolding veranda with a safety guardrail transforms the area while at anchor into an informal outdoor dining space with service from the galley. A pair of bar stools, locked into place and stored in the engine room when not in use, provides the seating. The extended veranda can also do double duty during watersports.

Stepping into the galley reveals a well-planned-out space with wide countertops, full appliances, including a pair of refrigerators, freezer and stovetop,

and like everywhere aboard, abundant storage. This is the kind of area capable of fulfilling your needs from serving anything from a snack to a formal sit-down dinner.

Supplying comfortable and exciting entertainment spaces aboard the 57 FLY was paramount in its design, and to that end, the bow area joins the rest of the yacht in its offerings. Accessed by either side via wide walkways, and surrounded by robust stainless rails, the bow presents an oversized sun lounge capable of transforming the area into a seating space with opposing lounges and tables for dining opportunities. An optional bow shade is available. The windlass and full chain are in the anchor locker.

Saving the best for last, the flybridge, accessed from the starboard side of the cockpit and up a wide staircase, is an impressive space featuring a substantial hardtop, seating for 12 at a U-shape settee, a hi/low table, another three-person seating area forward and plenty of storage. Cruisers also provided a full galley up here with refrigerators and a sink. An optional ice maker, an additional refrigerator and a grill will make any dining experience a memorable one. And with the upper helm to starboard, with its pair of 16-inch

Garmin touchscreens, the flybridge is one of the essential attention-getting areas of the yacht and a great entertaining space.

STEP INSIDE

“In trying to create that all-important balance to the 57 FLY, no matter where aboard, we first fabricated a full-size floor model to make sure the flow was just right,” VanGrunsven says.

That information was quite evident and realized in the salon, which showcases a balance of light from extra-large windows and a floor plan that provides maximum use for entertaining and gathering.

“The 57 FLY has an amidships beam of 16 feet, 6 inches, and combined with her 57-foot LOA, we used the area to achieve our end goal,” VanGrunsven adds.

Seating and dining are located to port with a hi-low table easily transforming the space into a large berth. Opposite is a couch and just forward is the lower helm. Featuring a two-person bench seat and a console with plenty of room for a pair of 19-inch Garmin touchscreens with controls and switches, including joystick and autopilot, all within easy reach, the helm will serve the driver well should the weather

CRUISERS 57 FLY

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 57' Beam: 16'6" Draft: 4'4"

Dry Weight: 58,000 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 611 gals.

Water Capacity: 150 gals.

Power: 2 x 725-hp Volvo Penta IPS 950 diesel engines

Price: Contact dealer CRUISERSYACHTS.COM

DEALERS

SkipperBud's SKIPPERBUDS.COM

Crate’s Lake County Boats CRATESBOATS.COM

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WATCH THE VIDEO AT LAKELANDBOATING.COM �

The oversized windows bring the outside in

Blending cockpit space with galley and port veranda

Aft platform seating area with electrically operated hide-away lounges

Seamless operations between IPS and bow thruster for tight quarter docking maneuvers

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Needs an extra grabrail on the stairway from cockpit to flybridge

conditions go south while topsides. Views into the seaway forward and to either side are excellent due to the large windows.

Given her profile as a serious traveling yacht, Cruisers’ design and engineering teams were able to create something special in the staterooms. Accessed via a centerline stairway forward in the salon and into an impressive foyer, the VIP quarters, full beam primary and guest staterooms are all outfitted for comfort and roominess with an overabundance of storage space and pleasing décor. All staterooms have 32-inch televisions and large windows. The day head, with a separate shower, has private access to the VIP while the primary has an ensuite, also with a separate shower and a wine cooler. A single-unit washer/dryer can be found in the primary stateroom.

A large deck hatch, positioned just before entering the main salon, easily opens with the assistance of heavy-duty rams and gains access to the engine room using a straight up and down stainless ladder. Once on the deck, I found more than adequate room to move around and noticed easy access to all critical maintenance areas including fluid checks on the mains, generator, strainers, Seakeepeer 9 gyro, pumps, hoses and all other systems requiring daily servicing. For the hands-on owner or skipper, it’s quite a workable space with no visible knucklebusting, knee-scraping or elbow-whacking spaces where the use of tools is required.

PERFORMANCE

Even getting out of quite the tight dock spot, the balance between the power plants and the helm commands was as prompt as it gets, and we were soon setting up for the first of two speed trials.

After an average of two runs, down and upstream, and noting we got up on plane at about 1900 RPM, the twin 725-hp Volvo Penta IPS 950s came in at about 34.7 mph (30.15 knots) turning a WOT of 2560 RPM. At 2400 RPM, perhaps our best cruise at 31 mph (26.94 knots), resulted in an estimated range of about 250 nm. Of course, at 1000 RPM, with a speed of about 10 mph (8.69 knots), we calculated a range of about 695 nm — not bad if you’re putting along the Intracoastal and all those no-wake zones.

Balance is intentional aboard the Cruisers 57 FLY, a yacht that will introduce the new FLY Series for this esteemed builder. Other models planned for future launch include smaller and larger units in the lineup, and all will be designed and engineered to balance the space between the exterior and interior.

If a fully found cruising yacht is up on your radar screen — one with a long list of standard and premium options, making your yacht a personal statement of ownership — set up a visit and sea trial. Your time will be well spent, and perhaps a new chapter of your boating adventures will begin.

Story by Mark Stevens / Photos by Sharon Matthews-Stevens

History’s Canal

Bonding with the Erie Canal.

Nerves jangling, I reverse Onondaga off a dock on the Erie Canal. I’m hoping to skipper this purpose-built canal boat through these waters for the next four days.

But first I need to prove myself.

Brian Kennan, the owner of Erie Canal Adventures, the company that charters these boats, is aboard and he’s watching my every move to ascertain my skill level.

I execute several maneuvers and we make for Lock 30, dead ahead. We affix Onondaga’s docklines to cables attached to the wall as the gates close behind us and millions of gallons of water fill the chamber.

We successfully negotiate the locks and cruise back to the Erie Canal Adventures docks. Keenan steps ashore.

“Enjoy the canal,” he yells as I shift into reverse.

History’s canal.

Clinton’s Folly

I’m both a boater and a history buff, so the Erie Canal has long been on my radar. When I discover a company called Erie Canal Adventures, I almost immediately book a charter. Thanks to them, I’d be able to explore the canal in comfort.

For years, I’ve replayed that seminal folk song, “Low Bridge, Everybody Down,” in my head. This week, I learn the backstory. When the railroad came through, they built bridges spanning the canal. Barges piled high with cargo were in competition with the railroad so the latter kept their bridges low, limiting the boats’ cargo capacity. This meant more business — and money — for the railroad.

In addition to this bridge history, I would learn even more Erie Canal history.

Prepping for departure on a canal charter

In 1816, New York Governor DeWitt Clinton shared his vision of a waterway joining the Hudson River to Lake Erie. Many of his contemporaries laughed at him.

No graders, no bulldozers, no power tools, a landmass of more than 300 miles and an elevation differential of more than 500 feet separating both waypoints, necessitating the construction of 83 locks and 18 aqueducts.

No wonder they called it “Clinton’s Folly.”

But build it they did, and the canal opened 200 years ago this October.

According to Dan Wiles, director of the Port Byron Erie Canal Heritage Park, “the canal transformed trade and settlement.”

During a stop at this historic site after leaving Onondaga behind, we did a deep-dive into canal history thanks to Wiles.

“It opened the west to immigrants,” he tells us, escorting us through the site, “and lowered freight costs by up to 90%.”

A stagecoach from Albany to Buffalo took two weeks, but “Packet boats covered that distance in five days,” he says.

No one’s laughing at Clinton now.

Bonding with the canal

During our pre-trip briefing, Keenan suggests a float plan.

“If you want to do your meals onboard and really get away from it all, go east,” he says. “Go west for that European canal feeling. Think microbreweries, wineries, great restaurants right on the canal.”

We take his advice heading west, but after a mere half-hour off the dock I feel like we’ve already gotten away from it all. A blanket of green nuzzles that first section of the canal. Think pines and cedars, think towering trees clad in hanging emerald vines.

Trembling aspen with glittering silver dollar leaves line the

The lift bridge at Fairport

Port Byron Erie Canal Heritage Park

starboard shore. A collection of rudimentary cottages and rickety deserted docks, some barely standing, lounge off our port beam. We could be on a Louisiana bayou.

Even before achieving landfall at day’s end, we see four or five great blue herons, deer on three different occasions and two other boats.

When we cross the Genesee River, steering against a strong current, we enter a shallow canyon of limestone — the same landform that forms the Niagara Escarpment. We pass the occasional tiny waterfall.

We negotiate Locks 32 and 33, the first nervously, the next with panache.

Now we’re “canawlers.”

Our passage leads us through miles of parkland. Sometimes we share the water with kayakers. Sometimes we watch bikers zipping along the omnipresent towpath where mules once towed barges.

Even as we watch, I replay that song’s lyrics in my head: “I’ve got an old mule and her name is Sal, 15 years on the Erie Canal.”

Without a doubt, we’re cruising history’s canal. But for hours at a time, we feel like we’re cruising paradise. We’ve begun to bond with the canal. And that’s not counting the allure of some irresistible waypoints along the way.

Irresistible waypoints

Moments after tying up to the do ck a Pittsford, just past a collection of weatherbeaten historic buildings off our starboard beam, I look across the water at a congregation of buildings hugging the shore: Aladdin’s Natural Eatery with its rambling shoreside two-story porch, a couple of boutiques and a microbrewery named Lock 32.

I’m really starting to bond with the canal.

First thing next morning, my wife, Sharon, and I climb the steps leading up from a pier-side bandstand to stroll the village.

We pass a brick building, once a hotel, that was built in 1812. We walk to the Phoenix building, an early 18th century hallmark of Federal-style architecture. This port is recognized as New York State’s oldest incorporated village.

Next, we opt for some exercise, making use of the bikes provided by Erie Canal Adventures. We trace the route of the towpath, biking into the forest at Erie Canal Nature Preserve. I round a corner and come face-to-face with a deer 10 feet away.

Learning to negotiate the locks during a predeparture check

Biking the towpath near Pittsford

Mark Stevens at the helm of Onondaga

A sculpture dedicated to the role of mules in canal transport

A live concert canalside at Fairport

I savor that magical moment even as we make our way back to town, stopping for a well-deserved ice cream at Pittsford Farms and Dairy, yet one more historic building.

Pittsford is, in short, an irresistible waypoint.

The next night finds us tied up alongside a tiny but attractive park at Spencerport. We arrive too late to explore the Spencerport Depot Museum and too early for the weekend’s annual German Fest, but we do discover an appealing dinner spot, dining waterside at Clutch on the Canal.

Fairport, in contrast to the soporific charm of Spencerport, is downright hopping. Restaurants hug the shore hard by a buntingdecorated lift bridge; shops in period buildings abound.

Dinner tonight is a stroll up from the canal, in a development called the Cannery, boasting a delightful restaurant called Compané Trattoria (don’t miss the pizza), three breweries and even a distillery. After dinner, we stop to enjoy the riffs of a live jazz band playing in a canal-side park.

That’s when I have my epiphany.

Roughly 200 villages and towns are scattered along the waterway and we’ve visited only four. But each has been unique, appealing and welcoming, so it’s hardly a big leap to assume the other settlements here are equally worth a visit.

I’ve truly begun to bond with the Erie Canal.

History’s canal

On the night before we boarded Onondaga, we stayed in a nearby village called Palmyra. Early the next morning, we strolled the historic town, billed as “Queen of the Erie Canal Towns.”

We visited the nearby Erie Canal Depot museum, we paused to reflect at a place called “Bloody Corners,” so named because “canawlers” once fought here, battling for coveted jobs on the boats that passed by so long ago.

We approached a pedestrian bridge, stopping halfway across, serenaded by a choir of birds and the plaintive call of a train horn.

Reflecting on the history we were about to experience firsthand, the 200 years of stories we couldn’t wait to hear, my wife and I gazed at the waters flowing below the bridge.

The waters of history’s canal.

Float Plan

The Erie Canal, an integral part of the Great Loop for many boaters, forms part of the New York State Canals System, which also includes the Oswego, Champlain and Cayuga-Seneca canals. Its website offers important boating information, from canal “rules of the road” to Notices to Mariners. Visit CANALS.NY.GOV.

Given the fact that the canal opened 200 years ago this October, visit this summer and expect a wealth of related celebrations and festivals. For updates — or just a great history lesson thanks to the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor — check out ERIECANALWAY.ORG/BICENTENNIAL.

Erie Canal Adventures offers a fleet of 11 canal boats — some perfect for families, some better suited to couples. You can charter for two to three nights or bond with the canal with a seven-night adventure. For rates and availability, view ERIECANALADVENTURES.

The view from the dock at Pittsford

Learning about canal history at Palmyra

A fleet of Erie Canal Adventures boats beginning their adventure

PORT OF CALL

By Mira Temkin

North Pier Lighthouse

K EEPING IT R EEL

Historic lighthouses, fascinating museums and plenty of ways to enjoy Lake Michigan await you in the perfect Wisconsin harbor town of K ENOSHA, just over the Illinois border.

Aprime beach lakefront and delightful downtown dotted with restaurants, bars and shops make Kenosha, Wisconsin, a special destination. Kenosha is the kind of place where you’ll feel right at home thanks to its warm, Midwest hospitality and cool things to do. If you want to catch a line on premium sportfishing, Kenosha is the salmon and trout capital of the state. Let’s dive in.

Hit the beaches!

Kenosha offers five public beaches, so you can hang out wherever you want; sit on the beach, swim or just watch the waves roll in. They include Alford Park and Beach, Eichelman Park and Beach, Pennoyer Park and Beach, and Southport Park and Beach. Walk along the waterfront and admire the sculptures created by local artists. For a little shade, Simmons Island Park and Beach has beach umbrellas (for rent) for sun protection and is lined with swaying palm trees to create a tropical feeling. Kids will love the two playground areas.

New on Simmons Island is the Kenosha Beach House, reopened in 2024, which offers a variety of food, beverages and convenience store items for beachgoers. There’s also a beer garden where you can sit and relax with a brew and look out at the exquisite views of Lake Michigan. You can also rent bikes here and enjoy a beach bonfire, yoga, games and live music. Check out Lakeshore Pedal Tours for group bike rides from the venue. To celebrate the joys of summer, the Beach House also hosts many family-friendly activities like a BBQ Cook-off, Nature Art Festival and LakeFest featuring the Venetian Night Boat Parade.

Tour the lighthouses

Kenosha boasts two lighthouses that stand as beacons in the night, one of which is still in operation for navigational assistance.

The Southport Light Station Museum features the lighthouse, built in 1866, and the lightkeeper’s house. Visitors can climb the 72 steps to the top of the tower in season from May to October. Look out of the Lighthouse Tower on a clear

Southport Light Station Museum

Kenosha Beach House

Kenosha Community Sailing Center duck pedal boat

THINGS TO DO NEARBY

Neighboring towns around the Kenosha area include Racine and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which also border Lake Michigan. Architecture buffs will enjoy scouting out the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings in Racine like the S.C. Johnson Wax Headquarters building. Driving distance to Milwaukee is about 44 minutes where you can explore its famous Milwaukee Art Museum, catch a Brewers game and visit the remarkable HarleyDavidson Museum. Or head out to the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets for big bargains in Pleasant Prairie. Kenosha is also the last stop on the Metra Union Pacific North line train from Chicago, the perfect way to head into the city without a car.

Southport Marina

Simmons Island Marina

S.C. Johnson Wax Headquarters

day and you can even see the Chicago skyline. Climbing the lighthouse costs $10 per person ages 12 and up, and $5 for children 8 to 11 ( you must be 8 or older to climb).

Take a complimentary tour of the lightkeeper’s residence, which is now a maritime museum. You’ll take a step back in time as the home has been restored to its authentic 1908 décor. See the original Fresnel lens, learn more about the shipwrecks buried in the lake, as well as the first and only female lighthouse keeper, Lorinda Merrill.

The North Pier Lighthouse still operates as a lighthouse for Kenosha Harbor and also serves as a studio and gallery for local artists.

Two full-service marinas

Kenosha offers Simmons Island Marina and Southport Marina with transient boat slips available. Located near Simmons Island Park and operated by Great Lakes Yacht Sales, Simmons Island Marina has 142 slips and five launch ramps for powerboats only from April 15 to October 31, 2025. Amenities include electricity, restrooms, showers and laundry. Go fishing from the pier at Simmons Island Marina.

Charter sport fishing for salmon and trout is big here with the Kenosha Charter Boat Association (KCBA) leading the way out of the Simmons Island Marina. Kenosha is recognized as the salmon and trout capital of Wisconsin with the highest catch rate per hour. With the KCBA, you’ll enjoy expert licensed captains, large, comfortable boats, and convenient morning and afternoon departures.

Southport Marina offers 435 boat slips with free Wi-Fi and cable, a pool and hot tub, along with showers and laundry

Dinosaur

Discovery Museum

Electric streetcar

Southport Light Station Museum

Charter fishing

2025 EVENTS

SATURDAYS (MAY – OCT): If you’re docking on a Saturday, hit up the two downtown markets: Kenosha HarborMarket and Kenosha Public Market. Stock up on fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, cheese, eggs, artisan breads and baked goods from local purveyors.

THIRD SUNDAY (JUNE – OCT): The Kenosha Art Market features more than 70 local artists, live music and food trucks at Union Park.

MAY 3: Wisconsin Marathon is billed as the “Cheesiest Marathon.”

JULY 22 – 27: The Kenosha Homecoming Car Show only happens once every three years.

JULY 25 – 27: The annual Taste of Wisconsin opens in Kenosha for a three-day festival, right at the lakefront. It’s all about the beer, brats and free music.

AUGUST: The HarborPark Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festival takes over Kenosha’s lakefront to raise money for the Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Fund.

JULY 10 – 13: Celebrate the 122nd Anniversary Homecoming at Uke’s Harley-Davidson and in the community with a Motorcycle Ride and After Party in the Park.

facilities. Winter storage and boat repair facilities are located on the premises. The Kenosha Community Sailing Center is an excellent resource, offering kayak, stand-up paddleboard and duck pedal boat rentals. For those in the market for a new boat, CenterPointe Marine has a location in Southport Marina, selling new models from Beneteau, Nimbus, ChrisCraft, Godfrey and more, along with pre-owned boats.

History and museums

From history buffs to dinosaur lovers, Kenosha offers several fascinating museums that teach and inspire. The Civil War Museum, Dinosaur Discovery Museum and Kenosha Public Museum — all Smithsonian Institution Affiliates — are free (although the Civil War Museum charges a fee for its main exhibit). Visitors can learn more about the area’s past at the free Kenosha History Center. The Dinosaur Discovery Museum showcases meat-eating dinosaurs. Aimed at kids is “Little Clint: The Story of a Baby Dinosaur.” This 3-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex was excavated in southeast Montana. Kids can learn everything about him from his hatching during the Cretaceous period to his arrival at the museum. This interactive exhibit includes puzzles, activities and a dinosaur dig ideal for children ages 3-10. Why is there a Civil War Museum in Wisconsin? This unique museum focuses on the soldiers from the Upper Midwest and their experiences during the war. These states sent over one million men for the Union army, while the people who stayed home provided food and supplies necessary for victory. Listen to their personal stories and the impact the Civil War had on the home front.

HarborMarket

HarborPark Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festival

Art Market

Harley-Davidson Anniversary Homecoming

Wisconsin Marathon

The Kenosha Public Museum is a natural sciences and fine arts museum that opened in 1933. The museum’s collections have grown to over 80,000 pieces, including 1,200 works of fine art. Explore world cultures, Native American history and countless fossils, which is like looking back on millions of years of history.

Electric streetcars were all the rage back at the turn of the 20th century but were retired in 1932. The Kenosha city fathers thought they would add a touch of nostalgia and serve as additional transit, so they were brought back into operation downtown in 2000. Each of the streetcars is named for a different city.

Today, your family can ride on these authentic electric streetcars that travel around a 2-mile loop by the lakefront. As a bonus, you’ll get a scenic tour of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Fare per loop: $1 for ages 13 and older; 50 cents for ages 5 to 12; 4 and under is free; and $3.50 for an all-day pass. Exact change is required.

It’s a foodie town

Wisconsin is known for its abundant natural resources, which is why it’s called “America’s Dairyland.” More than 600 kinds of cheese and cheese products are made throughout the state. In Kenosha, craft beer, fried cheese curds and bratwurst reign supreme in this culinary capital, giving you a taste of Wisconsin’s finest.

You can’t go too far in Wisconsin without stumbling on an authentic Wisconsin brewery. The Kenosha Brewing Company is famous for its giant calzones, Friday night fish fry and Saturday night smoked rib dinner. Local ales include blonde, red and hard seltzer.

Captain Mike’s Beer and Burger Bar is a great place to chow down,

Kenosha Brewing Company live music

Kenosha Kingfish game

Mars Cheese Castle

Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum

Visit Kenosha VISITKENOSHA.COM

Kenosha Charter Boat Assoc. KENOSHACHARTERBOAT.COM

R ESOURCES

Kenosha Public Museum MUSEUMS.KENOSHA.ORG

Southport Marina SPMARINA.NET

Simmons Island Marina GLYSINC.COM

which is distinguished for its great selection of Kobe and grass-fed burgers. Check out its Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup or create your specialty mac and cheese by adding your favorite meats, cheeses, vegetables and sauces to the mix. There’s a great selection of local beer, too.

At Fin and Ale, you catch ’em and they’ll cook ’em with the Shore Lunch, or smoke your catch and bring it all home.

CenterPointe Marine CENTERPOINTESERVICE.COM

Mars Cheese Castle is an experience that is not to be missed. It looks like a castle and you’ll be treated like royalty as you shop. If you’ve never tried authentic cheese curds, this is the place to s-t-r-e-t-c-h them out. Stop in the Mars Cheese Castle restaurant for sandwiches, burgers and beer.

Other attractions

Walk through the beautiful grounds of the Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum while enjoying its full slate of activities. Kenosha offers more than 150 miles of dedicated bike lanes and signed routes in Kenosha County, including the Kenosha County Bike Trail, the Pike Bike Trail, and mountain bike trails at Silver Lake Park. Get your hiking boots ready to walk the 4 miles of hiking trails at the Bristol Woods Park in nearby Bristol, Wisconsin.

Enjoy America’s favorite pastime at a Kenosha Kingfish game played at the historic Simmons Field from May to August. The Kenosha Kingfish team plays in the collegiate summer Northwoods League and offers a chance to get up close and personal with these college athletes while cheering on the crack of the bat!

Kenosha offers visiting boaters a chance to step back in time, while also enjoying the beautiful natural Wisconsin lakeshore and a bounty of attractions. Dock your boat and stay awhile!

LAKESHORE LIFE

By Abby Thorpe

ADDRESS

16076 Highland Dr. Spring Lake, MI 49456

SPECS

Bedrooms: 7

Baths: 7

Square Footage: 7,826

Acreage: 1.3

Shoreline: 115 feet

Price: $2,590,000

CONTACT

Sandi Gentry

RE/MAX Lakeshore

616-935-1150

SANDIGENTRY.COM

DSpring Lake, MI

Exquisite lakefront luxury awaits.

iscover the ultimate lakeside sanctuary with over 7,800 square feet of living space, set on just over 1 acre with this stunning custom-built DeHaan masterpiece,” says the listing from Sandi Gentry of RE/ MAX Lakeshore. “This exquisite property is a rare gem, perfectly designed for those who crave luxury, tranquility and the vibrant lifestyle of waterfront living.”

Nestled on 1.3 acres, this custom home offers 115 feet of prime Spring Lake frontage to soak up the summer season and set out on lakeside adventures.

The home wows from the moment you walk through the front door into the mahogany-floored grand foyer. A spacious living area with high ceilings boasts expansive views from the many windows, flooding the space with beautiful natural light. The gourmet chef’s kitchen includes a butler’s pantry, custom wood cabinets and top-of-the-line appliances. A wetbar connects the living and family room, which leads to an expansive outdoor deck that was designed for entertaining.

A stunning owner’s suite includes a three-sided fireplace, a full ensuite bathroom and closet, and a private balcony with access to the outdoor hot tub. An adjacent wood-paneled office provides an easily accessible private space to work. On the second level, four bedrooms and two bathrooms offer space for family and friends. A downstairs rec room features a billiards room, theater, pub-style kitchen and wine cellar.

An impressive list of amenities includes a wholehouse generator, multiple fireplaces, double dishwashers and more. Enjoy plenty of storage and parking with the four-car garage.

“Step outside to enjoy your private oasis, where beautifully landscaped grounds feature a stunning two-level water fountain that dazzles both day and night with its fire feature,” Gentry adds.

Stroll down the pathway to the private boathouse and dock beyond, where a boat lift offers easy access to Spring Lake and out to Lake Michigan.

BOAT BIZ

By Abby Thorpe

FreedomLift

Revolutionizing the tender management system.

Before FreedomLift, many tender management systems were expensive, heavy and unreliable, often with a high failure rate. Fast forward to 2001, and FreedomLift brought some much needed change to the market. After viewing a system an engineer had designed and developed for his Sea Ray 50 Sundancer, Gregory Vogel and Robert Zwiers acquired the rights to the patent in North America, and FreedomLift was born.

FreedomLift delivers a lighter, stronger system that provides exceptional reliability for a best-inclass tender management solution. Vogel and Zwiers started with 10 systems in the original test phase. The product was a resounding success, and today the company is on its fourth-generation model, with virtually all aspects upgraded.

The revolutionary system hydraulically elevates a tender higher above the water with the touch of a button on the wireless remote. It also features removable Lift Arms for when boaters are not carrying

their tender. FreedomLift’s are custom made to fit most inboard or pod-powered boats. And best of all, you can board and lift the tender while still onboard the tender.

“There are many less expansive, manual ways to carry a tender, but there’s none easier,” says Vogel. “We think of it as an elegant solution.”

FreedomLift works with various boat manufacturers to offer its lifts as a factory option, including Sabre Yachts, Grand Banks, Palm Beach, Marlow and others. Its lifts are also available direct to consumers and through dealers in specific markets, making it possible for boaters to add a FreedomLift after market.

“What sets us apart is that ongoing customer service is our 100% focus. We are proud of the fact that we’ve had many repeat customers, and that’s what’s given us the ability to succeed,” Vogel adds.

FreedomLift can be found at many of the large boat shows across the country, including the Palm Beach Boat Show in March.

Cobia 220 DC

Cobia 220 CC (demo)

eepurl.com/byR_WX

BUH-BYE

TIME TO PLAN FOR THE 2025 BOATING SEASON

2022 ZODIAC YACHTLINE 490 DL w/ Integrity Trailer. Low hours, freshwater, turbo swing, sounder, stereo, cover, loaded! Asking $36,999. Call Brent @ 616-402-0180. RYS

2005 SEA RAY 200 SELECT Excellent condition, freshwater boat! Merc 5.0l B3, 357 hrs, dual battery. Bimini, travel & storage covers, stored on covered lift, heated garage, tandem trailer with folding tongue. Maintenance records available. Asking $22,500. Call/ text Brad @ 319-573-4008. MAR25

2023 PURSUIT DC 246 Fresh low-hour trade! On a trailer and ready for an adventure. Low hours on a Yamaha F300 (16 hours) and is properly equipped with the latest tech. Contact for more information or to set up an appointment to see at our Milwaukee location. Asking $159,000. Contact PJ Tamer for more information at pj@centerpointesales.com or 262-424-9627. CNT REDUCED!

2023 FOUR WINNS H260 Check out this almost-new Four Winns H260. Gray with Mercruiser 6.2L 350-hp, only 10 hours on the engine. Tandem axle custom trailer, floor storage, anchor locker, head with sink, depth finder, docking lights, ski/wakeboard tower with Bimini top, JL Audio system, lots of under-seat storage, stainless steel cleats, swim platform and much more! Asking $98,986. Contact info: tom@ centerpointesales.com or 414-232-2955. CNT

2004 BOSTON WHALER 270 OUTRAGE Cruise or fish — this boat can do it all. Ready to go w/ twin Mercury Optimax 225-hp outboards, Fosgate stereo w/ Bluetooth, Bluave amps with 8 Bluave speakers, Icom VHF marine radio w/ antenna, Lenco trim tabs, NOCO Genius Gen Pro Dual Bank Battery Charger. Comes with Vantage tri-axle trailer. Asking $52,900. Call Bob @ 616-843-1225. RYS

2021 RANGER TUGS R- 29 COMMAND BRIDGE LUXURY EDITION One owner, 100% freshwater. Single Volvo Penta D4-320hp diesel with only 30 hours. Generator, AC, full Garmin electronics, two full helms, epoxy barrier coating and bottom paint. Professionally buffed, waxed and detailed, plus full engine, generator and transmission service including new impellers. Asking $299,999. Call Brent at 616-402-0180. RYS

2013 PURSUIT ST 310 SPORT Freshwater, 409 hours. Well maintained, buffed and waxed in July. Twin 4 Stroke 300HP Yamaha Outboards, Lenco trim tabs, Raymarine touchscreen electronics. Wraparound bow seating, ready to fish! Asking $169,900. Call Elijah at 920-973-5955. BAY

2018 RANGER TUGS R-31CB LE Designed with comfort in mind, and gets you there with minimal stress. Electric windlass, Volvo D4 300 diesel engine, generator, Bimini top and more! Two cabins and ample space throughout. The comment is usually “I can’t believe that this is a 31.” Asking $295,000. Call Chuck @ 734-497-3721 RYS

2009 WINDSOR CRAFT 36 HARD TOP

Live the romance of the golden age of boating! Teak floors, rosewood dash panel and mahogany all around. Large galley cooktop and day grill. Power sunroof to enjoy a warm breeze on a perfect summer evening. Twin Volvo 5.7 Gi sterndrives with only 186 hours. Asking $239,000. Contact Chris DePrey @ 920-366-4320. BAY

36' 2022 BENETEAU ANTARES 11 FLY Excellent opportunity, 100% freshwater, well-maintained. Popular Beneteau model. Options include: joystick w/ autopilot, Panda generator, AC, Garmin elect. incl. radar, VHF, plotter. Full galley, 2 staterooms, head w/ separate shower. Asking: $399,000. Contact Joe today 414-7930195 or joe@centerpointeservice.com. CNT

Visit LAKELANDBOATING.COM/ CLASSIFIEDS for details and to submit your materials. Payments cannot be accepted online. We will contact you for payment once your ad proof is approved. QUESTIONS? Email Christy at CBAUHS@LAKELANDBOATING.COM.

2010 SEA RAY SUNDANCER 40 Original owner, well cared for, freshwater only, indoor winter storage. Cummins Diesel QSB 5.9 425 HO, 1,225 hours. 2018 Raymarine p70s/p70RS Pilot Autopilot Controller, 2019 Intellian i2 Satellite TV Dome, 2021 Raymarine Axiom Chart Plotters, 2023 Raymarine 418HD Radar. 2019 cockpit carpet, 2020 new canvas, 3 ACs, 3 TVs, hardwood cabin flooring. Asking $295,000. Contact Pete at pete@ hartwoodrealestate.com or 716-864-1755. APR25 TO ADVERTISE

Good Ole Girl

Correct Craft 1988 23' Fish Nautique

In 2017, when my wife, Jamie, and I moved to Lake Murray, South Carolina, I began making my case for why we should purchase a tritoon boat. Jamie — knowing I grew up boating on Lake Michigan traveling port to port on my parent’s 1961 25-foot Chris-Craft Cavalier and knowing I’d owned a couple boats with “personalities” in the past — thoroughly questioned me about my choice. She knows me well, and knows I like unique things; a tritoon, in her opinion, was not unique nor my style.

So, with that, off we went on a beautiful spring Saturday morning to the local boat show to weigh our options. Right away, I spotted what I thought to be the perfect tritoon. It was the Cadillac edition, and I knew it was the one for us! With some persuading, Jamie agreed, and we purchased our brand-new tritoon.

While we enjoyed the comfort of that boat for two seasons, I always felt as though I was driving a barge that looked just like everyone else’s barge on our lake. Inspired by my brother’s beautifully restored 1968 Chris-Craft Lancer, my paradigm shifted to the notion that we needed a vintage boat. A neighbor friend, also with a vintage ChrisCraft, pointed me toward a Correct Craft Fish Nautique.

Correct Craft, known for its inboard direct drive skiboats, manufactured the 23-foot center console Fish Nautique from 1978 to 1989. As luck would have it, I found my 1988 restoration project about 20 miles from our

home and we named the boat Good Ole Girl. It needed some work, but I was certain this was the boat for us! She had good bones and a new, recently installed PCM 6.0. It just so happens, PCM is only a few miles from where we live, and the president of the company is a good friend. I took this as a sign and knew it was meant to be!

Her makeover began, and over the next 8 months I tore her apart. She got a beautiful coat of Awlgrip Carinthia Blue, an Oyster White boot stripe and a Vivid Red bottom. I refinished the teak pieces, re-chromed some items, reconfigured the dash, added Simrad GPS and trim tabs, along with an all-new leaning post, a stern folding seat, cushions, backrests, underwater lights, a fuel tank and so much more.

I’ve owned other boats in the past, but none compare. I think my love for this Good Ole Girl runs deep because of the hands-on work I enjoyed while giving her new life. Folks are constantly stopping us on the lake to ask about her or to just let us know they love our boat. She is truly unique. By the way, Jamie loves her too, and we have proclaimed more than once that “she’s a keeper!”

P. S. If you’re interested in how she got her name, she was named after a van I drove for over 400,000 miles! Check out that “Good Ole Girl” story, written by Jamie, at MYSOUTHERNSTORIES.COM/NOTESFROMTHEROAD/ GOODOLEGIRL.

—Tim & Jamie Wood, Lake Murray, SC