Walstrom Marine Docklines 2021

volume 43 | 2021

Celebrating the Boating Lifestyle

75 Years of Passion Celebrating 75 Years of Walstrom

The Mrs.

Family Matriarch’s Through the Years

Interview with Pursuit CEO, Jack Springer Building for the Future

231.526.2141

| walstrom.com

4

From the Wheelhouse

7

2020 Event Calendar

8

Employee Corner

10

Why I Do What I Do

12

Bay Harbor

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Ward Walstrom Jr, Tom Ervin, David Lesh, Dan Kimball, Scott Way, Rick Venner, Dave Lyle, Madeline Walstrom, Dwayne Stone, Sandy Frye, Heather Lake, Nicki Polan, Kurt Hartlieb, Andrea Lightfoot, Kate Conlon

14

News from Rivertown

16

Gaining Ground in Traverse City

18

The Charlevoix Way

HARBOR SPRINGS

19

Service & Storage News

22

The Fiberglass Solution

24

Fuel Savings

24

Emergency Service Anytime

26

Floating Island in the Caribbean in Michigan

28

Boats that Built Us

30

Ferry Tales into The Straits

32

75 Years of Passion

36

Mammoth Distillery

40

New Year, New Models

43

Torch Lake

44

Pursuit DNA

DOCKLINES Docklines is a publication of Walstrom Marine, Inc.

Yacht Sales

500 Bay Street, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com

Service, Parts & Storage

501 Bay Street, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com TRAVERSE CITY

Yacht Sales

228 N. US 31 S., Traverse City, MI 49684 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com

Yacht Sales

12935 S. West Bay Shore Drive, Suite 125, Traverse City, MI 49684 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com B AY H A R B O R

Yacht Sales

4197 Main Street, Bay Harbor, MI 49770 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com

46

The “Mrs.”

CHEBOYGAN

48

Aquatic Invasive Species are a Problem in Michigan

Sales, Service, Storage & Parts

50

What They Are Saying on the Water

113 E. State Street, Cheboygan, MI 49721 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com CHARLEVOIX

58 Previously Owned Boats 60 Tips From Our Corporate Captain

Yacht Sales

62 Giving Back: Building the Future of Health Care

Designed, produced and printed by Mitchell Graphics, Inc.

ON THE COVER: Second generation owner and operator,

All requests related to editorial contributions, advertising information, or to be placed on our mailing list should be addressed to Walstrom Marine, Inc. at 231.526.2141 or marketing@walstrom.com.

Ward Walstrom, Jr. and wife Mari Margaret take a cruise aboard a new 2021 25’ Chris Craft GT on Little Traverse Bay with daughter, Madeline, and son, Grant.

105 E. Clinton Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com

walstrom.com | 3

From the Wheelhouse on the water. It was fantastic to see waterways busy with boaters social distancing and enjoying the fresh air with family and friends. I sincerely hope you were among the many, on your vessel with your loved ones making new and happy memories.

2020 was certainly a year to remember for boaters.

From the ban on boating as we were gearing up for launching season, to the explosion of interest as new and longtime boaters searched for safe activities they could do with their families, it was a pleasure to watch the boating community grow and see just how strong it really is. The weather was certainly in our favor, with endless blue skies and sunny days to enjoy while

4 | walstrom.com

A “normal” summer season for me is filled with traveling both around and out of the country meeting with vendors and clients, squeezing as much as I possibly can into the small timeframe that the Northern Michigan Boating Season affords us. Due to the new restrictions I found myself at the office and at home far more, enjoying all that summer up north has to offer.

Standing on the dock at our Harbor Springs office overlooking Little Traverse Bay, I was reminded of a time I stood on the Lake Michigan shoreline with a client from Italy. Neither of us a stranger to gorgeous waterways, he turned to me, astonished, and asked where the other side was.

Surprise and laughter followed when I told him the distance to the other side. Being on and around the Great Lakes daily it can be easy to forget just how impressive they really are.

As with every year, I was amazed and impressed by our staff. The speed at which they jumped back into operations

post shutdown was truly something to behold, their attention to detail never wavering. I’ve said it before but it was doubly true this year; we really do have the best staff in the business. An exciting addition to our ranks was the acquisition of the former Traverse Bay Marine this spring. We happily welcomed their expert staff into the fold and worked diligently to bring the business, staff, and customers on board as we expanded our presence and offerings in Traverse City. We look forward to continuing to grow in the Traverse City area to better serve their boating community.

Last season was a great reminder of why we are so fortunate to be members of the Northern Michigan community and have access to so many gorgeous lakes, Great and inland, most right out of our back door. Boating truly is the original social distancing, and I am proud of Walstrom Marine’s 75-year stewardship of the lifestyle. Whether you are a firsttime boater or a lifelong member of the community, the memories and experiences onboard your vessel are priceless and we at Walstrom Marine will continue to make those dreams possible for many generations to come.

See you on the lake,

Tom Ervin President Walstrom Marine

Boating Made Easy Cheboygan Harbor Springs Bay Harbor Charlevoix

Traverse City

SALES | SERVICE | DOCKAGE | STORAGE PARTS | FUEL DOCK | RETAIL CLOTHING & GIFTS “Sharing your passion for boating since 1946” walstrom.com | 5

For over 40 years, Birchwood has afforded its members a truly unique northern Michigan experience nestled in the rolling hills of Harbor Springs. Established as a private, residential golf club community, Birchwood is proud to announce a monumental expansion of membership opportunities. Join now for unlimited access to Birchwood’s world-class amenities, including golf, without the requirement to own property.

Harbor Springs, Michigan (800) 915-0829 | www.birchwoodcc.com

2021

Event Calendar

January 16-24

Detroit Boat Show

February 17-21

Grand Rapids Boat Show

February 26-28

Gaylord Boat Show

March 19-21

Traverse City Boat Show

March 26

Tiara Factory VIP Event

March 25-28 May 14-16

Palm Beach International Boat Show Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Boat Show

May 22

Spring Preview, All Locations

May 29

Sea Ray Demo Day

June 17

Bay Harbor VIP Event

June 18-20 June 26

Bay Harbor Boat Show Women in Boating, Charlevoix

July 1

Blessing of the Fleet

July 2

Tiara VIP Showcase, Harbor Springs

July 10

Bridge Street Boat Show, Charlevoix

July 10

Women in Boating, Bay Harbor

July 17

Women in Boating, Harbor Springs

July 31-August 6 August 12-13 City August 14

Walstrom Cruise, North Channel Tiara VIP Event, Holland Women in Boating, Traverse

August 15

Bay Harbor Rendezvous

August 28

Lake Charlevoix Raft Up

September 6

Labor Day Event, Harbor Springs

September 16-19

Metro Beach Boat Show

October 8-10

42nd Annual Apple Fest

October 27-31

All events are subject to change, please check our website and social media pages for the most up to date events calendar and offerings.

62nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show walstrom.com | 7

Employee CORNER NEW HIRES

ERIN GALEAZZI

SHAWN ROBY

Erin joined our Harbor Springs team in July 2020 as the new Office Manager. She brings with her 20 years of experience in customer service.

When not at work, Erin can be found spending time with family and friends, golfing, or enjoying boating out on Burt Lake. She looks forward to learning more about the boating industry and growing with Walstrom.

Shawn Roby joined Walstrom Marine fresh out of the Road Warrior Truck Driving School. Shawn’s newly acquired CDL made him a perfect candidate for our yard crew. Shawn grew up and still lives in Roger City with his family.

Office Manager

ANDREA LIGHTFOOT

KATE CONLON

Andrea Lightfoot, a Petoskey local, joined the team in Spring of 2020. She graduated from Lake Superior State with a degree in Conservation Leadership. Her senior thesis was on the importance of the Clean Marina Program and educating fellow boaters. Working and living on yachts for 10 years, her love for boating and her extensive knowledge in the marine industry, has made her a valuable asset to our team.

Kate came on board in the spring of 2020, relocating to Harbor Springs from Mackinac Island with her husband and their dog.

She spent the prior four years working in the hospitality industry but is excited to return to her boating roots having grown up working at her parent’s marina in Hessel, MI. Kate has a Bachelors in Sociology from Michigan State University and is an avid Spartan fan.

Business Manager

CHENELLE HALL Service Writer

Chenelle Hall joined our team this summer as a Service Writer.

Chenelle comes to us with 10 years of management experience in the service industry. She currently resides in Brutus with her newlywed husband.

Although she does not have much boating experience, she loves the water and is very excited to learn more and expand her career with Walstrom Marine.

8 | walstrom.com

Executive Assistant & Marketing

PHIL JORDAN Service Technician

Phil Jordan began his journey at Walstrom Marine in 1988 after starting full time in the marine industry in 1986. He was among the first groups to ever receive an ABYC Master Technician certification and currently holds certifications in Mercury, Mercruiser, Volvo, and Yanmar. Phil grew up locally in the Harbor Springs area and is happy to be back at Walstrom doing what he loves.

Yard Crew

STEPHEN VANEK Service Writer

Stephen joined the Walstrom Team in January, 2020. He works in the service department and handles warranty claims for Walstrom customers. Stephen permanently moved to the Harbor Springs area from Elyria, Ohio where he spent twenty-two years in private law practice followed by six years as a judicial magistrate. After spending his summers here since childhood, he made a permanent move in North in January, 2019.

TOM MORSE Yard Crew

Tom Morse joined the Walstrom team in the spring of 2020. He is a valuable asset to our yard crew bringing with him a CDL. He has been a great addition to our team.

THIS COULD BE YOU!

Walstrom Marine is always looking for enthusiastic, motivated marine professionals in all departments. Contact hr@walstrom.com for more information.

Anniversaries

MILESTONE

BOB SMUTZ

Service Technician

15 years DAVID LESH

Director of Service

10 years JANA BEACH

Accounts Receivable

10 years HERMAN KINCAID Service Technician

5 years STEVE WOLFE Boat Sales

5 years

TRACY MEADOWS Service Technician

5 years

WELL-PAYING, FULL-TIME CAREERS in Boating Available

A

s many of us just sent our kids off to high school, college, the trades, or out into the workforce, I feel it is a great time to share some good news for those who may enjoy working in the boating industry in Michigan.

Like many other industries, the boating industry in Michigan has been faced with a workforce shortage for many years. The past 4 years, MBIA has been working with educational and workforce development partners to create opportunities for those interested in full-time careers in the boating industry. We are happy to announce that we now have programs available to students. The Great Lakes Boat Building School is scheduled to start their 12-month marine technician program this fall. They are currently at capacity but are creating a waitlist for next year. Macomb Community College is also scheduled to start their 5-week marine tech program in November. Registration is now open. https://www.macomb. edu/future-students/programs/marine-technician.html Important for all to know is that jobs in our industry are not seasonal. They are year-round, unless you specifically ask for seasonal. Marine technician training is suitable for all ages and backgrounds -- those straight out of high school and those in mid-life looking for a change or an exciting new career. Like automotive, newer boat service and repair involve computers more than tools. Currently there are shortages in all career categories, but the most critical shortage is for marine technicians, who can earn from $35,000 to $85,000 per year.

“We are pleased to have achieved these two programs on behalf of the industry,” said Nicki Polan, MBIA executive director. “We also hope to have Oakland Community College back up again soon, and to have a few other schools offering marine tech training in other parts of the state like Northern Michigan, West Michigan, Flint, Gaylord, and Big Rapids."

Michigan’s boating industry is big business. Michigan is the 3rd largest marine market in the country and in 2019 our state exceeded $1 billion in new boats, motors, trailers, and accessory sales. Boating has a $7.8 billion economic impact on our state’s economy every year. We’ve experienced ten consecutive years of growth, and with a growing market and an aging workforce there is an increasing demand for quality employees.

So, consider making your passion your profession. If you or your child is interested in boating, keep this in mind. Interested individuals should email us at BoatMichigan@mbia.org.

Discover more about the boating industry and industry careers under the resources section at www.boatmichigan.org.

walstrom.com | 9

Why I Do What I Do

By Andrea Lightfoot

Of four things I am certain in life: my love for Northern Michigan, boating, wine, and cheese. Aside from number 3 being strongly discouraged during the work day (and 4 depending on how strong the cheese is), Walstrom Marine checks all of my “love what you do, do what you love” boxes.

After I graduated from Lake Superior State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Conservation Leadership, I got an offer to turn my summer job into a year round position, living and working aboard a 72’ Hatteras. It wasn’t just the boats that I loved, it was the mentality. You honestly can’t be a sad person when you are boating, even when you have bad experiences: engine catching on fire, running aground, running out of fuel 1 mile off a rocky shore, no light in the inland waterway at 1am, trying to jump onto the boat we towed in 6 foot swells, going through the locks for the umpteenth time while it’s sideways raining.

I wouldn’t give any of these experiences up.

For all the bad that can happen with boats, the good outweighs it 100 times over.

10 | walstrom.com

My love of boating has lead me to Walstrom Marine. When I first joined the Walstrom team it was a time of change, and I wanted to be a part of that change. After a short time working with the sales and marketing teams I was fortunate enough to be offered the Business Manager position, a new role for the company. Everyday I wake up and I look forward to going to work.

My job requires a lot of multitasking and organization, two things I have always been very good at. I love being able to talk with so many different people throughout the day and I love being able to help others turn their boating dreams into reality.

As a business manager I am able to offer options such as financing, protective options for your vessel, extended warranties on your engines, and more. We are growing our list weekly to increase different financing options for different types of boaters as well as partnering with more establishments to bring you additional coverage options. We have always been here to make your boating experience more enjoyable and less stressful, and being a part of growing that aspect is a joy. Any closings, registrations, and vessel documentations are also done through me and my door is always open for a chat or any questions you may have.

On behalf of Walstrom Marine we are so excited to be able to offer a wider range of services in the same personal, family-owned style we’ve been providing the last 75 years.

Happy Cruising!

When the world changes, rely on us We can provide customized, comprehensive advice and guidance to help you stay on track and pursue your goals.

Call us to talk it through.

Rick Simonton, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, RMA® Senior Vice President Wealth Management Advisor Portfolio Manager 231.922.6825 richard_simonton@ml.com

The Simonton-Walsh-Hanosek-Mangum Wealth Management Group Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 333 West Grandview Parkway Suite 300 Traverse City, MI 49684 fa.ml.com/theswhmgrouptc

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Investment products:

Are Not FDIC Insured

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

May Lose Value

The Bull Symbol is a registered trademark of Bank of America Corporation.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S. Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks CIMA® and CPWA®. RMA® is a registered service mark of the Investment Management Consultants Association dba Investments & Wealth Institute.

MAP3016351 | AD-09-20-0036 | 472522PM-0520 | 09/2020 © 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

BAY HARBOR

By Dwayne Stone

W

alstrom Marine has been involved with Bay Harbor one way or another since day one in 1994, originally in charge of managing and helping develop the marina. In the early 2000s the Propellers lifestyle and resort store opened downtown and was a mainstay of the shopping and retail center. Yacht sales professionals Hi Stover and Dan Kimball both have long term ties to the Bay Harbor community, and are looking forward to transitioning the Propellers location into a new boat showroom.

12 | walstrom.com

Hi came to work for Walstrom Marine in 2005 and has spearheaded the Bay Harbor yacht sales location ever since. Passionate about all that is Bay Harbor, he is active in the Bay Harbor Church, the “In-Towners” winter group at the Yacht Club, and can often be found at the swim club on warm summer days with his family. Hi always has the pulse of what’s going on around town; guests and residents alike often stop in to ask him about the latest Bay Harbor news.

Dan’s family moved to the Petoskey area in 1994, about the same time Bay Harbor started to rise from the remains of an old cement quarry. His father was a banker, and was involved with mortgages for some of the first houses in the new development.

He can remember going to the original

office (now a private home) with his dad on weekends to drop off paperwork. His first real job was as a dock attendant at the marina – a position he kept throughout high school and college for seven summers.

Although the Propellers store has closed, Walstrom Marine remains committed to Bay Harbor. The former retail store has been transformed and will have a boat or two on display this summer. Plans are in place to create a Chris Craft design center in the Bay Harbor store, the first of its kind in Michigan. Dock occupancy in the marina is at an all-time high and property around town is selling quickly. Walstrom Marine, Hi, and Dan are looking forward to being part of a promising future partnered with Bay Harbor.

BAY HARBOR

YACHT CLUB

MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO DOCK YOUR BOAT

The Club is the hub for year-round amenities, programming, activities, and events!

From classes and clinics to cruises and concerts, there are endless opportunities for members of all ages to learn, play, and connect with neighbors and lifelong friends.

Exciting changes are happening at our Club as we strive to meet the evolving needs of our members, and continue Building on Perfection. Club renovations are well underway with expected completion in June 2021.

Learn about our renovation project, and seasonal and year-round membership opportunities by inquiring to 231.439.2112, or membership@bayharboryc.com.

Building on Perfection • • • • • • •

NOW OPEN! State of the art Wellness Center with integrated fitness and health programming and services.

Year-round indoor casual dining venue and sports bar.

World-class relaxation spa featuring a broad range of premier amenities and tailored services.

NOW OPEN! Year-round Kid’s Club to enhance an outstanding offering of junior programming.

New Aquatics Center featuring adult, family and children’s amenities, ample deck seating, and outdoor hot tub.

Expanded outdoor dining and bar offering unparalleled views of Lake Michigan.

Main floor gathering room for members, families, and friends.

BAY HARBOR YACHT CLUB 45º21’39’N 85º1’49’W bayharboryc.com

NEWS from Rivertown

By Heather Lake

The phrase “come hell or high water” dates back to the late nineteenth century.

It is a declaration of intent, professing determination to do whatever it takes to overcome difficulty or obstacles.

Everyone has been affected in some way by the challenges 2020 delivered, including Walstrom Marine.

The five-week closure of our facility, mandated by COVID-19, was unprecedented. With winter projects and service nearing completion and commissioning on the horizon, everything came to a sudden and unexpected halt in late March. When and how would we be

14 | walstrom.com

able to complete the jobs requested by our customers? With our storage buildings filled to capacity, we had full schedules for our technicians, and each week of the closure put us further behind. A few of us were able to work from home, answering phone calls and email messages, or check in at the office long enough to retrieve the mail or prepare bank deposits. We did our best to stay on top of things in a very uncertain time.

With a pandemic wreaking havoc across the globe, Walstrom Marine rose to the occasion to give back to the communities that support us, and donated cases of gloves to McLaren’s Cheboygan Campus and to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. The items were received with much appreciation and made everyone on the staff feel proud to be members of such a thoughtful and generous company.

When we finally returned to work, masks and social distancing were strictly adhered to, and we gave it our all to complete the winter jobs, commissioning, and get all the boats launched in a timely manner. We had a busy crew! A few jobs were postponed, but with hard work and determination, our team was able to deliver either on time, or with only a slight delay.

For the customers who opted not to launch their boats this summer due to COVID-19, Walstrom Marine graciously waived the summer storage fee in an attempt to ease any financial burden during an already difficult time.

Having made it through the “hell” of the closure and the ensuing long and busy days to get the season underway, we then had to deal with “high water.” Like many other marinas across the state, the water level in the Cheboygan River created issues at some of our docks, leaving the

junction boxes under water, resulting in no electricity. Because of this, we weren’t able to utilize sixteen of our slips, but once again, we made the best of the situation.

Our team is strong with great resolve and we pulled together to overcome the challenging start of the 2020 boating season. Several impressive projects were completed in Cheboygan, including the installation of new electronics and a custom dash panel in a 70’ Marquis Motor Yacht, as well as the removal of the entire aft section of its flybridge floor to redo the coring. Custom woodwork, electrical system updates, and the replacement of the galley appliances on a 75’ Burger led to a major paint job to be done during the 2020/2021 storage season.

Our service department remained busy throughout the summer and our storage buildings were filled for the 2020/2021 season earlier than ever. We even have a list of potential new customers interested in storing their boats with us for the 2021/2022 season!

It was a big day in mid-August when a barge arrived at our facility carrying the 82-ton Travelift from Walstrom Marine’s Harbor Springs location to swap with Cheboygan’s 70-ton lift. Cheboygan stores the larger vessels, so it was a logical move.

The crew watched as the lift was offloaded at its new home in Cheboygan. The loading of the 70-ton lift required a bit of finesse, but before long, it was gliding down the river on the barge, en route to Harbor Springs.

We made it successfully through hell and high water and came out on the other side. It is through adversity that we gain strength and prove what we are made of.

It was a historic year, with much conflict in the world and close to home. A severe storm in mid-July tore the roof off the back of Bishop Baraga Catholic school, causing extensive damage and flooding. In another gesture of goodwill, Walstrom Marine donated $10,000 to the rebuilding of the school, which is attended by the children of three of our employees.

As we begin our 75th year in operation, we thank you, our customers for your continued support and wish you good health in 2021. Be safe, and together, let’s look forward to the return of bright and carefree days!

walstrom.com | 15

Gaining Ground

in Traverse City

By Kate Conlon

T

o say that 2020 was an exciting year would nearly be the understatement of the century, but amidst the chaos and reopening directly in the middle of launching season, early last summer we closed on the acquisition of the former Traverse Bay Marine in Traverse City and began the process of onboarding staff, customers, and vendors. We happily welcomed the fantastic existing staff into the Walstrom fold, including a certified master Yamaha technician. General Manager, Joel Shoemaker, spent the summer working out of the new office to get a lay of the land and familiarize everyone with the Walstrom systems. Service Director, David Lesh, also spent time working at the new office having gained the most staff in the transaction and bringing a new parts manager onboard to join the team.

The addition of service and storage capabilities to our already present sales department has been a transition we have been looking forward to making for a long time. When Traverse Bay Marine, an established business with over 40 years of service, became available we knew the 16 | walstrom.com

fit was perfect. Though there have been the anticipated bumps of transitioning any established business, we know that bringing the level of excellence in boating we require from all of the Walstrom staff to the Traverse area was something that would be beneficial to customers new and old.

With the addition of Crest Pontoons and Lund Boats to our already impressive list of Pursuit, Tiara, Chris Craft, and Sea Ray we have a boat for everyone and three expert service departments to keep you safely on the water no matter where you might be boating in Northern Michigan.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our presence in the Traverse City area boating community and excited to offer

our unparalleled level of service to more boaters on both the Great Lakes and many surrounding inland lakes. Traverse Bay Marine proudly served the boaters of Traverse City for 40 years, and with the passing of the torch to Walstrom Marine we look forward to elevating the customer experience even more. It’s been a great success thus far and we look forward to many more years of service in the Traverse City area.” Tom Ervin, President.

We are open 24-hours a day online at walstrom.com and available by phone at (231) 426-2141. Stop in and see us at our new Traverse City location at 228 US-31 South. We look forward to serving you soon.

CHUCK NEW Boat Sales

Chuck has worked in the marine industry for 18 years. He has worked in all facets of the business and the experience has moved him from Ohio to the Chicago harbors and, most recently, to Traverse City, where Chuck has been a great asset as we grow our new location.

JASON SHAMEL

Service Technician

Jason is our Master Yamaha technician, beginning his marine career in 2000 before coming to the Traverse City location in 2014. He also holds certifications in Honda and Suzuski and has begun training in Volvo. Jason is from Houghton Lake where he still resides with his wife and three children.

KRISTI MORAWSKI Boat Detailer

Kristi has been with Traverse Bay Marine for the last five years and originally hails from Sterling Heights, MI. She is a perfectionist and is in charge of detailing vessels as well as the showroom. Kristi enjoys spending time in the woods and on the water and is an avid jet skier.

MATT MARCOUX

Service Manager

Matt is the Service Manager at our Traverse City location and has worked in the marine industry for over almost 20 years, spending the last six at Traverse Bay Marine. He was born and raised in Saginaw, MI and is the youngest of six children. Matt grew up playing sports and still plays in a competitive men’s hockey league today. He looks forward to growing customer relationships and sharing his passion for boating as a member of the Walstrom team.

MATT TARSNEY

Parts Manager

Matt (Tars) Tarsney is the Parts Manager in TC. He has been with Walstrom since July of 2020, joining our team directly following the acquisition. He comes to Walstrom with 10 years of experience in the marine and powersports industry. He was born and raised in the Traverse City area where he returned after living in the Upper Peninsula for over 10 years. He is an avid snowmobiler, maintaining a collection of vintage snowmobiles. He enjoys cruising the lakes around Traverse City with his children and is excited to grow in his position with Walstorm.

MITCHELL BEAR

Service Technician

Mitch is a resident of Houghton Lake where his lives with his wife and new daughter. He is an Air Force Veteran and served our country for four years. Before joining the Walstrom team, Mitch worked on several different parts of the assembly line at Four Winns. He has extensive knowledge of boats both inside and out. When he is not at work he enjoys spending time with his family, bird hunting, and fishing.

SANDY FRYE Boat Sales

A native of Harbor Springs, Sandy has spent a lot of time with family boating on Little Traverse Bay as well as the area’s many inland lakes.

After graduating from Hope College, he moved to Traverse City and worked in public education. Sandy joined the Walstrom team in March 2018 and is excited about the opportunity to help others grow their love of boating.

TOMMY MAYES

Service Technician

Tommy Mayes is the Walstrom Marine TC rigging specialist with 15 years of marine experience, six and a half of which have been with Traverse Bay Marine. He is an outdoor enthusiast who loves jet skiing in particular. Tommy is extremely passionate about his job and looks forward to continuing his marine certifications and education as a member of the Walstrom Marine team.

TRAVIS BECKETT

Service Technician

Travis has been with Traverse Bay Marine for 23 years and holds Master certifications in SeaDoo, SkiDoo, and Can-Am. He is from Traverse City where he still lives with his wife and six children. They love exploring the outdoors together as a family.

JOE CURTIS, JR. Yard Crew

Born and raised in Traverse City, Joe has been in the boating industry for the last 6 years bringing his love for the water to the job. He is the smiling face you will likely see dropping off your boat in the spring, one of the big components of his position with Walstrom Marine.

He is currently studying Freshwater Science at Northwestern Michigan College.

ERROLL BECKETT

Service and Parts Advisor

Erroll has been at Traverse Bay Marine for 32 years. In that time, he has held almost every position at the company, from Service and Parts Manager to Sales. Originally from Petoskey, he loves the Northern Michigan area and is an avid outdoorsman. He now can be found in the yard and office assisting where needed with a smile on his face. Aside from the business of the office he is occupied by his three children and nine grandchildren, six of who live in the area.

walstrom.com | 17

The Charlevoix

By Scott Way

A

s a young child living on a busy Northern Michigan highway, I was in awe of the big trucks that passed by my house each day. As a high school student, I thought I was living the dream to be able to drive trucks for income in the summer months and in the hours before and after school. By the time I graduated high school my desire to own a trucking company was so strong that I already had a plan in place to make it happen, and spent the next 35 years as a business owner. It was during those busy years that I realized I needed a hobby to relax and keep my mind secure and myself grounded. My wife agreed and told me I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted, but that she and the kids would be joining me.

This meant golf, riding Harleys, and skydiving were out! We considered buying a boat and I knew that if I could back a semi-truck up

18 | walstrom.com

WAY

in traffic on New York’s Long Island, I could handle piloting a boat. Buying our first boat allowed us to explore the small towns, the anchorages, and the incredible clear blue waters surrounding Northern Michigan... and it became what my family enjoyed doing the most!

I obtained my Captain’s license 10 years ago, sold my business in 2012, and enjoyed a short retirement of 30 days until I was asked to join the Walstrom team. For many years I had known the Walstrom name and reputation. Now I had the opportunity to see first-hand what was behind the name in this class act organization. Walstrom employs over 70 people in five locations covering Northern Michigan in its entirety. The Charlevoix sales office overlooking Round Lake in beautiful downtown Charlevoix has allowed Walstrom to increase their footprint, covering 54 miles of Lake Charlevoix shoreline which also includes Boyne City, East Jordan, and Ironton. Walstrom Marine

carries Tiara, Chris Craft, Pursuit, Sea Ray, Crest, and Lund lines. Whatever your boating needs or desires are, Walstrom has the boat for you and the ability to locally service those needs.

2019 proved to be a record year for sales throughout the Walstrom locations and 2020 surpassed those numbers, allowing us to get our clients out on the water to spend quality time with their families and the people that mean the most to them. The COVID-19 pandemic has made us all stop and consider what is truly important and how to maximize our time together. There is no better way to social distance than to explore new places on your boat or to drop an anchor and relax with your family and close friends on the most incredible waters of the Great Lakes. Please feel free to stop in to any of our locations or check us out on our Walstrom.com website to see the latest new and used inventory that we proudly represent.

SERVICE & STORAGE NEWS

By David Lesh

Four months ago we were preparing for the unknown, but we are happy to report that the past summer was our busiest on record and we are looking forward to a productive winter season. Our Harbor Springs, Cheboygan, and Traverse City crews were all at full capacity for the entire summer keeping up with a

backlog of service requests and a record volume of new boat sales.

Heading into haul out season we are planning to be at full storage capacity for all locations and our Harbor Springs location will have an additional 12,000 square feet of heated storage space thanks to a new building located at our Hoyt St. storage facility. The new building, completed in fall of 2020, will enable us to store taller profile boats than we’ve historically been able to accommodate at our Hoyt St. storage location.

At our Cheboygan location we have increased our Travel Lift capabilities to 75 metric tons to accommodate larger vessels

from around the Great Lakes. This was achieved by moving our 75 ton Travel Lift from Harbor Springs to Cheboygan via barge in August. The 70 ton lift that has been used at our Cheboygan location was then moved to Harbor Springs. Needless to say, driving a large piece of equipment onto a floating barge made us all nervous but our two crews made it look easy.

As we transition to winter lay up our Service Department crew are looking forward to getting your boat ready for the summer of 2021. From paint projects to engine rebuilds, fiberglass repairs to electronics installations, we will have all hands on deck working to prepare your boat for spring launch. Thank you for a great summer 2020!

walstrom.com | 19

Inquire today at bccfamily.com • 231-439-1600 • Harbor Springs, MI

Building your waterfront retreat.

Fleet of 8 Aircraft • Turbine & Twin Engine International Flights

“Whatever your aviation needs, North Country Aviation, Inc. can help.”

Charter • Management • Sales • Service • Repair

www.northcountryaviation.net 989-732-6192 dispatch@northcountryaviation.net

THE FIBERGLASS

SOLUTION Have you ever wondered what will happen to your fiberglass boat at the end of its beautifully long life? Most boat owners never see the end of their boat’s life as boats have become so durable they end up having a multitude of owners.

22 | walstrom.com

By Madeline Walstrom

F

iberglass boats were introduced into the market around the 1940's and became widely available to the public around 1960’s. The boating industry boomed shortly after, making high end, durable boats available to a range of income levels. Adding versatility and low maintenance to the list of perks, fiberglass quickly took the industry, over wood crafts. In 2019 there were about 12 million registered boats in the U.S alone, the vast majority of which are fiberglass.

With a life span of about 50 years it is no wonder we are just now asking ourselves what to do with fiberglass at the end of its life. Compounding the issue we have seen superstorms like Sandy destroy boats causing them to be left derelict for years after. Lack of regulation and funding leaves the environment and anyone enjoying the water to pay the price. More and more people are asking the question: What do we do with fiberglass when it is ready to be retired?

The Answer? We don’t retire it; we recycle it! There are companies emerging that are taking initiatives on recycling fiberglass at the end of its life. Eco-wolf Inc., started by Wolfgang Unger in Edgewater, Florida, has solved this issue of recycling old

fiberglass by turning it into new material.

The team takes scrap fiberglass and puts it into a grinder. They designed the grinder to withstand the abrasive nature of the material while maintaining the integrity of the glass or natural fibers. This allows the fibers to be transformed back into new products. The recycled fibers go through the eco-dispensing macerator which combines the recycled fiber with resin spray in calculated measurements.

This allows the fibers to be transformed into new products. The end product is sold as a material called Seacast, which can be used just like fiberglass for transom repair or an abundance of other uses. The owner of Invision Boatworks out of Saginaw, Michigan has been using Seacast for over

10 years and says he is never going back to regular fiberglass for transom repair after seeing such high customer and employee satisfaction. Other companies involved in fiberglass recycling include American Fiber Green Products, Global Fiberglass Solutions Inc. and RITMA out of Rhode Island.

In Michigan we see the need for recycling boats because of the growing number of abandoned fiberglass boats in boatyards and marinas. These boats degrade property values and are a hazard to the environment. The Emmet County Recycling Center and Transfer Station is known statewide for their ingenuity and forward thinking. The Director of Public Works in Emmet County Andrea Tolzdorf says, “Recycling is all about connecting

people who have the product to people that need it. With boating being such a big industry in Michigan we could see these connections start to be made with recycling fiberglass when the technology is available.”

The future of fiberglass is changing in the best way possible. With products like the Eco-Wolf grinder becoming more accessible and its recycled material more available on the market, it is exciting to think of what possibilities lie ahead to improve recycling fiberglass on the Great Lakes and around the world. For more information on this topic head to www.unitedbywater.org or contact Madeline Walstrom at 231-838-7736.

walstrom.com | 23

FUEL SAVINGS! ¢

25 off ¢ 25 off ¢ 50off

per gallon for DOCKING with us.

per gallon for STORING with us.

per gallon if you DOCK & STORE with us!

Walstrom Marine values its customers. Fuel discounts are one of our ways of saying thanks!

24 | walstrom.com

EMERGENCY Service Anytime

N

o matter how hard you plan or how much maintenance you perform on your boat in the winter months, there is always the possibility that you will need emergency after-hours support. To provide this support and to give our customers peace of mind, we’ve instituted an emergency after-hours call service. By calling our main number after hours, you will be directed to a local call service that will then notify one of our senior personnel of your situation. That Walstrom Marine team member will then call you directly to assess the situation and work to get your issue resolved as quickly as possible. In certain situations, such as life or death or fire, the call service will also ask you to notify the proper authorities by calling 911. Calls made after 10 pm that are non-life threatening will be returned first thing the following morning.

Thankfully this summer we have only had one instance where the service was necessary, a sinking boat in the Straits of Mackinac. We were able to get our crew onsite within 1 hour to haul the boat out of the water at our facility and assess the situation. We know that there will be more calls in the future but we hope that this new service will help you enjoy some additional hours of boating during our short summer season.

INTRODUCING THE CALYPSO 35

www.chriscraft.com CORSAIR

|

LAUNCH

| LAUNCH GT |

CATALINA

|

CALYPSO

Floating Islands in the Caribbean...

I N

By Alan Jones

For those who live in the Midwest and have dreamed of swimming and diving in the vodkaclear waters of the Caribbean, look no farther than your own backyard.

26 | walstrom.com

M I C H I G A N !

GRAND TRAVERSE BAY

Although Dave Kaplan had never owned a boat before, his wife Trina’s family had a Sea Ray Sundancer 370 they used to explore some of Lake Michigan’s greatest cruising destinations like Mackinac Island and Torch Lake. But living in Traverse City, they knew they had to have a boat of their own to cruise on scenic Grand Traverse Bay. “We were so used to Sea Ray’s quality we didn’t even look at different brands before buying our 230 SPX at Walstrom Marine,” said Dave. “It’s the perfect size boat for this area. We spend most of our time cruising in the Western Arm of Traverse Bay and usually only go as far as the tip of the peninsula, which bisects Grand Traverse Bay so it stays pretty calm, unlike the main body of Lake Michigan.

“My wife and son, Tanner work together with me in our insurance office,” said Dave,

“and after a hard day of work, we often head across the street, hop on the boat and immediately start relaxing. One of our favorite destinations is Power Island. The water surrounding it is really clear and we enjoy snorkeling there. In late June, it’s fun to look at the big smallmouth bass protecting their beds. Another anchorage we like to go to is Bower’s Harbor Cove where conditions are usually calm, making it a great place to spend the afternoon swimming and tubing. Our favorite waterfront restaurant is Harrington’s By The Bay.” “Because we like to spend a lot of time in the water,” said Dave, “the padded swim platform and submersible swim step are our Sea Ray’s favorite features. When the sun’s out, having lots of shade from the expansive Bimini top keeps us very comfortable when we’re spending the entire day on the water.”

CRYSTAL LAKE

WHY LAKE MICHIGAN LOOKS LIKE THE CARIBBEAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVERSE CITY TOURISM

THE ACCIDENT THAT MADE CRYSTAL LAKE A RECREATIONAL PARADISE

For those who haven’t visited Lake Michigan in a few decades, it may come as a shock to discover the lake is often as clear as any waters found in the tropics, making it ideal for scuba diving. While some of its increased clarity is the result of reducing runoff from surrounding agriculture, the main reason is the trillions of invasive zebra and quagga mussels than continuously filter the water. While the mussels have taken a toll on the native fish population — since the lack of nutrients in the water reduces the food forage fish eat — the mussel population has also been decreasing for the same reason.

Successful restocking efforts have added millions of Chinook, Coho, and steelhead salmon, along with brown trout, giving anglers plenty of action and good eating.

From high overhead, Crystal Lake looks like an 8-mile long infinity pool, separated from Lake Michigan by a narrow sliver of land.

True to its name, Crystal Lake’s spring-fed waters offer divers and swimmers fantastic visibility. Situated 25 miles southwest of Traverse City, Crystal Lake provides the perfect weekend getaway spot for Gus and Jennifer Andreasen, lawyers from Grosse Pointe, who own a cottage on the lake.

“Crystal Lake is an ideal place for boating and recreation,” said Gus. “The shoreline is sandy and slopes gently with no vegetation.

Where the water drops off, it changes color from turquoise to a deep indigo blue that makes you feel like you are in the Caribbean.

Another plus is there aren’t usually too many boats on the lake so it’s very relaxing and we often just drift in the middle and swim in the clear water.”

The Andreasen’s Sea Ray 210 SPX has proved to be the ideal boat for this relatively small lake. “We have four grown kids who like to join us and they are into waterskiing, wakeboarding and tubing,” said Gus. “The large swim platform on our boat makes it easy to get in and out of the water and the rear sunpad has a flip-up backrest, making it our favorite place to relax and watch the sunset while listening to the great sound system. This year, we were out on the water on the Fourth of July and enjoyed watching the fireworks.

Being a small lake there aren’t many places to go but we love tying up at the dock in Beulah and eating at L’Chayim Deli.”

Gustav Jr., his wife, Jessica, and their daughter, Violet

Before 1883, Crystal Lake had a rocky shoreline that wasn’t wellsuited for recreation, but that year, things changed when the Benzie River Improvement Company tried to create two canals to link it with with Platte Lake and Betsie Lake. During construction, a storm washed out a temporary dam, which drained the lake of 25 percent of its water. This lowered the water 20 feet and created a 21-mile sandy beach that circled the entire lake and accidentally transformed it into a recreational paradise.

walstrom.com | 27

BOATS that Built Us

A reflection of the boats and experiences that made the Walstrom Marine staff passionate members of the boating community.

KATE CONLON

Executive Assistant & Marketing Growing up, boating was not only a way of life, it was a necessary form of transportation, bringing my family from the mainland to La Salle Island in the Les Cheneaux Islands and back where my grandparents owned cottages. Most of the Les Cheneaux Islands in the Eastern Upper Peninsula are only accessible by water, which makes the boats of that area just as important as any car. My family very literally bought into the boating industry before I was born when my grandparents acquired E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works in the 80’s from the founding family. Eventually my parents would purchase the business and boating went from a big part of our lives to the center of our world.

My siblings and I were fortunate enough to have access to the work boats that were invariably hanging around the docks. Every day at 5:01 (after work of course) we’d be pulling away from the harbor with tubes, wakeboards, and friends in tow ready to make as much as we could out of the sunlight that was left. Fortunate indeed that we were hopping into work boats the equivalent of tanks, I don’t think we

lon

n Kate Co

28 | walstrom.com

Rick H e

ndrea Young A mily Fa ot and Lightfo ever passed a return inspection – sorry, Dad! Some of my most cherished memories are on those boats learning the finer points of boating without anyone to correct my every mistake (except maybe my sister).

I still commandeer a work boat at home from time to time, happily not docking at ramming-speed any longer but definitely still getting “pointers” from my sister when she’s home too. Northern Michigan is such a special place to grow up and call home, and experiencing it by water will always be my most favorite way to see it.

ANDREA LIGHTFOOT Business Manager

I was born and raised in Petoskey, Michigan and was on the lake as much as time allowed. Walloon Lake was where I spent most of that time. We had a 16’ Hobie Cat and my parents loved to sail with all three of their children in tow. We loved going on these sailing adventures and I have many fond memories from those golden days.

One such memory was a day we sailed down the West arm of Walloon to our friend’s place. We stayed late and when it was time to go, my parents shuffled us onto the trampoline and hoisted the main and jib. I cuddled up in a towel and soon drifted off to sleep. When I awoke, we

Andrea

Lightfo ot

iny

were still floating along, yet the wind had died. After a quick scan I found my parents, one on each pontoon, using their arms to paddle us along, laughing and enjoying the adventure.

This outing, and many more, helped build me into the boater I am today. I love all kinds of boating, yet sailing is close to my heart. These days you can find me on a Walloon 17.

RICK HEINY Parts Manager

Boating must be in my DNA because for as long as I can remember, it’s been a part of my life. Growing up, my summers were spent at my parents’ cottage in Holland, Michigan. My parents, sisters, and I spent countless hours boating, fishing, and water skiing on Lake Macatawa. We had a Tiara 2500 and a Chris Craft. Life was good!

I got my first boat when I was four years old, an eight-foot Ranger named Peter Puck by its former, hockey-enthusiast owners. While most kids my age were singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”, I was actually out paddling around the shoreline, the captain of my own ship. Those were memorable days, but I was already wishing for an outboard. The need for speed was already pulsing through my veins, and I knew it would impress the girls! A year later, my wish came true and I felt like the luckiest kid in the world!

I now live on Mullett Lake and have three boats, three Sea-Doos, and five Jet Skis. Not only do I still love boats and zipping across the water, I am privileged to be able to work in the boating industry, sharing stories and helping to make customers’ experience on Northern Michigan’s pristine lakes and rivers the best it can be.

Rick Ve n

ner

RICK VENNER Salesman

Making a living in the boating business has proven to be my best decision. I was not even double digits old when I first sailed off the beaches on Lake Michigan.

An affinity for open water took hold early, leading me from boatyard employment to sailing at some of the highest levels of competition, once having worked selling for North Sails and participating in over 25 races to Mackinac Island from Chicago.

My family and I have continued to enjoy time on the water with many different types of powerboats over the years. For fifteen years I was the owner/operator of a top rated Boston Whaler dealership.

Tiara Yachts was home for over five years as a business development manager when I decided to go to work for my favorite dealer, Walstrom Marine. The last eight years has been spent helping others get out on the water to enjoy it by selling for Walstrom Marine It is my goal to help make the boat buying and the ownership process a delightful one. See you on the water.

ner

n Rick Ve

walstrom.com | 29

FERRY TALES into The Straits

By Kate Conlon

An interview with Arnold Freight owner and operator, Veronica Dobrowolski, about the recent acquisition of Shepler’s Freight, being one of the first licensed female captains in the Great Lakes, and life on the Straits of Mackinac.

How long have you lived in Northern Michigan?

I’ve lived in Northern Michigan my whole life, and just turned the big “5-0” so there you go! I grew up in Cheboygan, built a house in Mackinaw City in 1998, and have recently become a resident of beautiful Mackinac Island as that is the location I spend my entire work day.

30 | walstrom.com

What got you started in the boating industry?

I grew up boating with my family on Mullett Lake in Cheboygan every Sunday during the summer and loved being on the water…swimming, water skiing, soaking up the sun. I always knew that boats were in my future. I have been a licensed captain for 27 years, having gotten my 100-ton Master’s License in 1993.

How has your role on the water evolved over the years?

The variety of experiences gained over time in the marine industry, from dock attendant to deckhand to becoming a captain when I was 23 and everything in between led me to see the marine transportation industry from all facets. These experiences took me from a role of employee, ultimately to a management position with Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry as their Dock/Human Resources Manager. It was a hard and long haul, with 23 seasons and many 80- and 90-hour weeks. The experience and lessons I learned were invaluable which prepared me for my next move with a competing ferry

boat business, Arnold Transit Company, a company with a history and tradition dating back to 1878, as their General Manager.

I currently am CEO/Co-owner of Arnold Freight Company, Manager/Co-owner of Pure Michigan Boat Cruises and General Manager of East Dock, LLC. I can honestly say short of being a mechanic, although at times I’ve had to turn a wrench to keep things moving, I have touched all aspects of the passenger and freight operations that currently serve the Straits Area. It has always been a work in progress and now I’m ready for the next step in an ever-expanding business environment.

There is never a dull moment, which comes with the typical job stressors but also with opportunities and challenges which I enjoy.

Tell us a little bit about your businesses, how they’ve grown, and what a “normal” work day looks like for you.

As I see you noted the word “normal” in quotes so you have some understanding that my work day is anything but normal. Arnold Freight Company carries approximately 75%

of the freight that comes to Mackinac Island and continues to expand its offerings through other vessels. Freight arrives by 6:00 am each morning on our freight boat, Corsair, a 92’ x 33’ vessel, typically starting with two semi-trucks of food for all the restaurants and businesses on the Island. This is followed by anything from construction materials, beverages, horses, hay, etc. – anything that may be needed by Island residents. We also service the US Mail, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Air aboard our fast landing craft, 906 Express.

I manage and schedule transient boats for dock space at the Coal Dock and the East Dock, a private yacht dock located next the State Harbor. My time is primarily spent on the Freight Dock, where I am preparing for cruises under our Sip n’ Sail banner, featuring an 81’ steel hull 90-passenger vessel which transports passengers along the Mackinac Island shoreline and under the Mackinac Bridge. The cruises feature live entertainment and a full-service beverage bar. This business also does private charters for any number of groups and occasions, such birthdays, anniversaries, wedding parties, and corporate events. I feel blessed to be cruising on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan on a daily basis…. it never gets old and all of the pictures on my phone prove that.

So, the “normal” day starts before 6:00 am many days and doesn’t end typically until after 10:00pm. There are few dull moments keeping the ships afloat, so to speak, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else, especially a desk!

I’ve crossed paths with and have become friends with over the years. The boating industry has also given me the opportunity to offer employment to many individuals. I have had the opportunity to hire over a thousand employees, many of them young and just starting out in the workforce. I have always had a strong work ethic and being able to instill the same and mentor young people in the ways of doing business has been very rewarding, especially when those same young people come back years later over to tell me how much of an influence I had early on in their careers. Several are still active in the marine industry and others are teachers, doctors, attorneys, etc. I feel honored to have been a small part of some of these young peoples’ lives.

the ropes from those most experienced and respected in the industry whenever possible.

A captain’s license can be as diverse as you wish to make it. I would strongly advise young people starting out to look outside the box and live your dreams and don’t get fenced in by stereotypical thinking about the role others think you should pursue.

Best piece of advice for someone looking to get their license?

Get as much experience on the water in as many different vessels as possible. Learn

What is it like owning and operating multiple successful businesses on Mackinac Island and working in the Straits daily?

I feel fortunate to be a part of the Mackinac Island community and owning and managing businesses in the Upper Peninsula.

We live in such a beautiful area! Our success is really built on customer relations and we have been fortunate to have a loyal customer base. Without such support and loyalty we wouldn’t realize the success we have.

PERSEVERANCE has been my key to success.

What is your favorite part about the boating industry?

Besides the obvious - water and boats what I enjoy the most is the diversity of my work and the people I get to meet from all over the world and from every walk of life.

There are so many nice people out there that walstrom.com | 31

75

YEARS OF PASSION

PASSION:

“A strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm or desire for anything.”

By David Lyle

It’s 1946. Millions of American servicemen and women have just come back from the war to save the world. They are unemployed, but victorious and happy to be home. Tom Brokaw would later call them “The Greatest Generation.”

So what does a discharged US Navy Lieutenant Aviator from Grand Rapids, MI. choose to do? Well, it seems he had a passion for boats. He talks to his Michigan State college roommate and they find a marina for sale In Northern Michigan. With some family financial support they take the leap. Walstrom Marine was incorporated in the State of Michigan in February of 1946.

Among the stockholders are some family,

32 | walstrom.com

some friends, a car dealer, and the son of a man who started a little company called IBM. The Walstrom family loved people and they loved being on the water. They rebuilt the old Melching Boat Works & Garage.

They added slips and they sold some boats.

They dug out a marina basin on the East end of Bay Street. They built some more slips.

They built the 1st condominium complex in Northern Michigan. They built some storage buildings and a service complex.

They rebuilt the Pier Restaurant, added the Pointer Room and Wheelhouse Lounge.

The water went down, they dredged.

The water went up and they put in floating docks. They sold some more boats.

Family members became Emmet County Commissioners, served on the Harbor Commission, presided over the Planning Commission and ran the local Kiwanis Club. They became elders in their church.

They supported the Boy Scouts and helped build the Nehemiah House in Petoskey.

They served on the Michigan Waterways Commission. They built an Equestrian center in Traverse City and the Michigan Dyslexia House in Harbor Springs. They helped start the Harbor Marine Patrol. They invented some award winning davits and manufactured them for years.

In their free time they built a marina in Cheboygan, MI from scratch with storage buildings, an office, restrooms, a work slip, and floating docks. They helped start Village of Hillside Retirement Home and Perry Farm

Village. They worked on marine industry councils and became Hatteras dealer of the year. They brought a family out of poverty.

They sold, serviced and stored some more boats.

They started with one location and now they have five. They were the first official “Clean Marina” in Michigan. They won some sales and service awards. They started with seven employees and now have seventy. They started with 50 boats and 50 customers and now store over 500 boats and have over 2,000 customers.

So how does a family start a business and succeed for 75 years? It starts and ends with passion. An extravagant fondness garnished with enthusiasm. Our corporate mantra is “Sharing your passion for boating since 1946”.

I know this story pretty well. You see, I was a Walstrom roommate at Michigan State too.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Lyle grew up in Kalamazoo and graduated from Michigan State University in l972. After a year sailing the Loop, he served for several years on freighters in the Great Lakes and across the Atlantic. He ran a ferry boat to from Copper Harbor to Isle Royal and was a US Customs officer in Detroit and Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

He started working for Walstrom Marine in l983 and became President in 2001. Since his retirement in 2016, David has been active on the Board of Harbor Springs Historical Society and Perry Farm Village.

He has given lectures on the Civil War and the history of Great Lakes Freighters.

walstrom.com | 33

Northern Michigan Landmark Lodging & Waterfront Dining

ENJOY OUR POPULAR

Alanson • Charlevoix • Harbor Springs • Petoskey staffords.com

2 FOR $48 3 Course Dinner 2 Salads, 2 Entrees, 1 Bottle of Wine, 2 Desserts Served Daily 4:30-6:00 PM

LIGHT BAR MENU AVAILABLE Brick Oven Pizzas • Burgers Raw Bar Oysters

DAYS A OPEN 7 TIL WEEK UN !

T MIDNIGH

DINNER HIGHLIGHTS Grey Gables

Bridge Street

Round Lake

Grey Gables Belvedere

DAYS A OPEN 7 TIL WEEK UN !

T MIDNIGH

Belvedere

Round Lake

Fresh Shucked East Coast Oysters John Cross Fisheries Whitefish Sea Scallops Homemade Mushroom Bisque Roasted Prime Rib Braised Lamb Shank Pan Roasted Norwegian Salmon

Bridge Street Wine & Spirits

Bridge Street Wine & Spirits

Olesons Plaza

Olesons Plaza

Bridge Street

Live Piano Player • Free Gem Car Shuttle From Downtown Celebrate your next birthday, anniversary or special occasion with us!

CHEF/OWNERS

231-627-6671

BridgeEast Street 227

Bridge Street Wine & Spirits

State St. • Cheboygan

Olesons 2 blocks east of the State Street Bridge Plaza

wifi hotspot

FREE, EASY, CONVENIENT PARKING! PULL-THROUGH TRAILER PARKING!

Grey Gables Round Lake

Belvedere

Belvedere

BEER & WINE • LIQUOR • GROCERIES • PIZZA Grey Gables DELI • LOTTERY • ICE • BAIT & TACKLE FIREWOOD • PROPANE TANK EXCHANGE Round Lake

Darren & Kelly Romano, Culinary Institute of America Graduates

Bridge Street

PREFERRED CATERING OF CASTLE FARMS OPEN YEAR-ROUND

Bridge Street Wine & Spirits Olesons Plaza

308 Belvedere Avenue, Charlevoix

231.547.9261

www.greygablesinn.com

231.526.8495 | searsarchitects.com

An Interview with Mammoth Distillery Founder and President, Chad Munger, about boats, booze, and the new tasting room at Bay Harbor.

MAMMOTH

36 | walstrom.com

By Dan Kimball

Can you tell us a little about why you chose to open your new location in Bay Harbor?

The decision to open our newest tasting room in Bay Harbor was an easy one. Our brand is, by necessity and by design, all about the Northern Michigan lifestyle and there is no better place to experience that than Bay Harbor. It has the best of everything that makes Northern Michigan so special: four season beauty, water everywhere, power boating, sailing, hiking, biking, golf, skiing, snow shoeing, and lots of small town charm so the atmosphere is a perfect fit for our brand. The folks in the area are also well know supporters of the eat local food movement which includes Mammoth as we use only Northern Michigan inputs in the spirits we make. In fact, we have even started our own farm and are currently growing many of the inputs we use.

How has the reception been to the Bay Harbor Tasting Room?

The reception in Bay Harbor has been unreal. It always takes at least a full year for a new location to get up to speed in terms of traffic and sales because it always takes time and effort just to let people know you are open. But, in this case, by our third week of operation we were as busy as our Traverse City location is on many nights. One advantage in Bay Harbor is that many locals and Bay Harbor residents had already discovered us in Traverse City, so it was easier for us to let them know what was going on up here. The folks that run Bay Harbor and the Petoskey Chamber of Commerce have also gone way out of their way to promote us and we can’t thank them enough!

How does the Bay Harbor Barrel Club work?

The barrel club is similar to a mug club but on steroids. We created the club to help us connect on a more personal and consistent level with people who have fallen in love with our products and staff (who are exceptional and create the experience that defines our company). For $400 you can become a lifetime member of the barrel club

which means that you recieve 20% off all purchases (products, classes, merchandise, everything). You also receive four bottles, two bottles each of our bourbon and rye whiskey, from barrels we put away specficially for our barrel club members when we open a new tasting room. Members also get early access to all new product releases, social events, and classes. Benefits are also good at any of our tasting rooms!

Would you be willing to share a little about your Chris Craft on Torch Lake?

We fell immediately in love with our 27 Launch. It checks all the boxes, it’s beautiful, designed and perfectly for the kind of cruising and guest oriented entertaining we do with our summer time guests. It’s quiet and handles the frequent Torch Lake chop with ease so we can enjoy boating even on days with rough water on the lake. It’s also been very reliable and simple to maintain which is critical when the season is so short.

The folks at Walstrom have also gone above and beyond. They have made unsolicited visits to make sure everything is working well and have even delivered supplies to us at the lake. We could not be happier - it’s the perfect boat for the job.

Tell us a little about the lifestyle of your business and how it intertwines with the north boating/vacationing lifestyle.

As I mentioned earlier we are a lifestyle brand and many, if not most, of our customers we first encounter when they are on vacation. Our products, when used in moderation, are a real part of lots of vacation activities or post activity relaxation - none more so than boating.

The experience and memories created by spending time on a boat are generally very positive and are often what people remember most when they return to their permanent home. Enjoying our product while boating, sailing, after skiing, by the campfire, etc. creates a real positive experience with our brand that would be very difficult to create if your first experience with Mammoth was only in a liquor store. When people associate our brand with their vacation or time spend in Northern Michigan, we are winning and are building what we hope will be lifelong relationships with our guests.

walstrom.com | 37

LU X U RY S P O RT I N M OT I O N

SET YOUR COURSE The first in its series, the 43 LE emphasizes the brand tenets Tiara Sport has become synonymous for: sport styling combined with luxurious amenities, dedicated social zones and thrilling performance. While the bow provides relaxation via a chaise lounge, the aft social zone shows off a rotating lounge with multiple locking positions and a built-in footrest.

A fold down terrace expands the cockpit and improves your access to the water. Entertainment features are found throughout, including the galley, grill and premium stereo system.

With two unique propulsion package options, the Tiara Sport 43 LE is built for performance. Your choice of Mercury or Yamaha engines combined with the Tiara Sport integrated electronics package provide power and control at the helm.

Visit your local factory authorized dealer or TiaraSport.com to learn more.

There’s no time like the present to brighten the future.

When a client’s best interests come first, as they always do at Greenleaf Trust, the future appears brighter. We holistically integrate return on investment with estate planning, trusts, retirement, risk mitigation, tax planning, charitable giving, and so on. Thanks to our culture of honesty and honor, and doing the right thing first, always, we’ve achieved 99% client retention, and $13 billion in assets under advisement. Our clients have a future, and they want it to be bright. To learn more, call John Welch or visit greenleaftrust.com.

financial security from generation to generation

traverse city 231.7 78.00 50 | bay harbor 231.439.5016 | greenleaftrust.com

New Year

NEW MODELS

TIARA SPORT, sister company to Tiara Yachts and both owned by S2

Yachts, had a smashing success with the outboard 34, 38 & 43 LS & LX models. Next around the corner for them is the 43LE. This boat will add to that indoor/outdoor appeal by having a very easy retractable sliding door feature, usually found only in their Yachts models. This will enable the owner to effortlessly share that indoor/outdoor experience on a large, shared entertaining area. Also worth noting is the spinning aft seating that is incorporated and will rotate toward the starboard dive door or portside drop-down terrace. Affixed to the transom and rotating aft seat is the transom grill that will give the owner options of grilling locations and views. This boat will quickly be the talk of the boating community and demand immediate attention. The boat was just introduced in the fall of 2020 and orders have already been placed for Lake Charlevoix & Harbor Springs boaters… be on the look-out!

40 | walstrom.com

By Dwayne Stone

The 2020 model year started with poise to say the least… but we carried on and found ourselves in the middle of a boating craze that most have never experienced. Those in the boating hospitality business found out that we were going to be busier than ever before!

Our long-time boating friends and family, and new to boating enthusiasts would emerge to make this the busiest season on record. Walstrom Marine is in the service business, that’s what we do. We service those who have that passion for boating and want to live that Up North lifestyle. We just happen to sell boats too!

Like the auto industry, boat manufacturers are always looking to enhance their current fleet and then offer new product to entice boaters to trade up or attract the boat buyer that may be new to the lifestyle. Of course, they have focus groups, surveys, and keep an open mind to the latest trends, colors & styles.

2020 brought a change to the way we live, the way we work, and the way we play.

Boat builders are listening and designing models that capture those needs and making changes that should allow their customers to better their user experience.

New technology, enhanced product refinement and better ergonomics are always under way. But one of the main ways manufacturers do this, is by going bigger!

They are always looking for ways to improve on hull design, ways to stretch the hulls or just build new and offer a new model.

PURSUIT boats will be building

on their legacy and DNA and what makes them best of breed in the center console market. Pursuit has introduced both the NEW S378 and NEW S478 models.

Although center consoles, both boats offer a great deal of cabin room and a unique “vista view” cabin window. The Pursuits can be utilized as sport or cruising boats. The windows to outside viewing are located on the in-console cabin, and because they line up perfectly in terms of width, height and positioning with two opposed hull-side windows, they admit an unusual amount of natural light. Adorned with generous sleeping and storage accommodations, either boat lends itself to going down to cool off in the AC, or having the ability to extend your use of the boats to accommodate overnighting with AC or Heat. What a win/win!

Both models are engineered with the functionality and entertaining in mind.

They are the best at optimizing and comingling the fishing and socializing zones.

Each boat has large forward seating that acts like its own social and entertaining space, so bring on the kids! And each boat has forward and aft facing seating areas in the cockpit. These seats are electronically movable so that the cockpit area can be closer and more intimate for socializing and dining, or open for water sports and fishing. Pursuit gives the owner complete freedom to have the best of both worlds.

CHRIS CRAFT

boats is debuting their New 2021 Calypso 35 model, and if it is anything like the past 35 GT flagship, it will be impressive! Chris Craft & Walstrom Marine have done really well with the large super luxury-day boat, 35 GT, and this new build should build on that success and give even more versatility.

The Calypso should serve our Northern Michigan boating lifestyle well, as she will have a fully enclosed windshield to give the indoor/outdoor feel…. Notice the theme?

She will have a power actuated center walk-through and sliding wind door. When the windshield opens, it encloses into the hard top, creating unobstructed views through both driver and passenger sides. With an optional helm air conditioning and heating system, the Calypso 35 offers maximum comfort for a great day on the water, with the flexibility to extend the season.

And we couldn’t forget the power, each boat can be powered by Yamaha Digital XF 425’s.

What a rush to drive these vessels! What a delight to dock!

The all New Yamaha Helm Master-EX gives the captain precise digital electric steering, effortless auto-piloting, and is a breeze to dock with its intuitive electronic joystick control. No previous experience necessary, seriously!

Walstrom Marine has had enormous success with the S368 and S408 (these New boat model predecessors) and we are excited to see what 2021 brings with the new models and all the fun Pursuit brings to the water.

These are just a few of the new models we are looking forward to in the new year.

Call, email or swing by the showroom for all the latest boats and designs. We are open year-round at all of our locations, and open 24 hours on the web at www.walstrom.com. walstrom.com | 41

PORT OF CALL |

TORCH

By Sandy Frye

Torch Lake, located in Antrim County in Northern Michigan, is famous for its clear, turquoise water. As the northernmost part of the Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed, Torch Lake has earned its reputation as arguably the most beautiful lake in the state (sorry Walloon!).

Torch Lake is Michigan’s longest inland lake at approximately 19 miles from end to end. It is also the state’s second largest inland lake (behind Houghton Lake) at approximately 18,770 acres. With a handful of public boat launches around the lake, there are plenty of options to start your day on the water.

PHOTO CREDIT:WITTBRODT WATERSIDE PROPERTIES

PHOTO CREDIT: IT’S WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHY

LAKE

Torch’s size makes it perfect for jetskiing, tubing, and wakeboarding. The sandbar at the south end of the lake is wellknown as a boater’s paradise for hanging out at anchor with friends and family.

While Torch Lake is arguably the most beautiful in the chain of lakes, there are others connected to Torch that can make for a great weekend of exploration. Start in Torch, venture south through the Torch River into Lake Skegemog, turn your heading west and into Elk Lake, and you can end the day walking the streets of Elk Rapids for a meal or evening entertainment.

Additionally, venture over to Clam Lake and onward to Lake Bellaire, and you can find yourself in beautiful downtown Bellaire for a visit to Short’s Brewing Company.

PHOTO CREDIT: TORCH LAKE SANDBAR FACEBOOK

walstrom.com | 43

By Jack Springer, Pursuit

There is nothing like the world of boating and being a boater. I have often said that one of the most beautiful and overwhelmingly calming experiences in life is being out on the water at dawn, as the sun begins coming up. I know many of you share that view and have hopefully experienced it several times this year.

Has anyone mentioned that 2020 has been a strange year? In many, many ways we can probably all say that. It has been a strange year for boating and the marine industry as well. You have probably seen it on your waterways with many more boats and people on the water. What has occurred has been nothing short of amazing. For the years after the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009, boating has been growing at a moderate pace for most segments. In the first quarter of 2020, when Covid-19 began taking effect, we did not know what would happen. On March 24th, we closed all of our plants, not knowing for sure when we would reopen. We implemented a number of changes to keep our teams healthy, kept paying them and we were reopened and fully operational in late April and early May. By the end of April, we were seeing a massive boat buying frenzy that grew every week well into August.

Normally, just after the 4th of July, sales of boats begin slowing. Now, in the latter part of the year, we can say April through August was one of the most prolific buying sprees of boats in history. Why is that though? The reason is simple. The adjustment that many families have had to make in their lives led them to discover what we all already know.

Boating is one of the very few activities

DNA 44 | walstrom.com

where we can get away with our children and families for hours at a time without the outside intervention of the world and technology. We can just enjoy each other, no texting, no calls, no gaming. Relationships are built, respect for each person is strengthened and we find out what makes us tick as a family unit. I have spoken to many parents who have turned to boating this year. Most were very busy in past years, going to select league baseball, hockey and other sports tournaments every weekend. What almost every one of them has said is that we have enjoyed the spring and summer so much as a family, that even if life does return to the normal “busyness” next year, we plan to scale back and spend time together. They have discovered what you may already know: you only have eighteen summers with those children.

Malibu Boats, Inc. owns the following brands: Malibu, Axis Wake Research (both wake sport boats), Cobalt Boats (I/O and Outboard boats) and Pursuit Boats (Outboard cruising and fishing boats). The Malibu brand began in 1982 and is now the largest skiwake manufacturer in the world with sales of four of every 10 boats in the towboat segment worldwide. Cobalt, one of the premier brands in marine has been around since 1968. We acquired Cobalt in 2017.

Introduced in 1977, Pursuit Boats has long had a reputation for building fishing boats with a focus on excellence and innovation.

Malibu acquired Pursuit Boats from S2 Yachts, Inc. of Holland, Michigan in October 2018. Pursuit and Cobalt represented what we desired in brands: premium brands building great boats who served their customers extremely well.

Pursuit has what we call Pursuit DNA. Every single person at Pursuit has a pride in the design and build of Pursuit boats that is clearly evident from the very first conversation. That pride and DNA is critically

important. What we have done in the last two years is invest in Pursuit. For a number of years at Pursuit, customer demand outpaced the capacity to build boats. In early 2019, we purchased 80 acres of land directly adjacent to the Pursuit plant, and in August of 2019, we broke ground for a new, state-of-the-art 180,000 square foot plant. This additional facility was completed in June of 2020 and is now operating as our large boat plant, while the original plant continues to build our boats under 32 feet in length. Our second investment in Pursuit was to provide the capital to aggressively expand new product development. In 2019 and 2020, we will have brought eight brand new models, from 23 feet to 42 feet, to market and we will continue that pace in the future.

As critical as product is, our dealer partnerships are just as important. We have recognized that fact for many years. For all of our brands, we have a great dealer network and we believe we have the best dealers.

Michigan is no exception and we are very proud of all of our dealers in Michigan and surrounding states. We are very fortunate for Pursuit to have Walstrom Marine as a phenomenal partner that embodies what a great dealer is in the sales and service to customers. The dealer relationship with the customer is an important one, and one

that I know is a priority to the entire team at Walstrom’s. In many ways, your dealer becomes like an extended family member and friend who shares in life’s great events.

I hope you have that relationship today with your dealer.

The future is bright, but without a doubt, the future is even brighter for those of us who have embraced the passion of boating.

There are very few activities like it. One of our core beliefs is to build the family because ultimately, the strength of our nation, our states and our cities is determined by the strength of family. Enjoy time on your boat, enjoy your family and friends and celebrate the freedom of being on the water the next time you are out.

walstrom.com | 45

the “Mrs.”

Mrs. Schlotman 46 | walstrom.com

By Ward Walstrom

On any given day in the summer of the 50’s and 60’s, it was not unusual to see a Rolls Royce or two parked inside the old Walstrom boathouse. When one pulled in, a chauffeur would get out and escort the “Mrs.” to her boat. The chauffeur would also drive the boat to Harbor Point since no cars were allowed.

Whenever the chauffeur would speak of the lady, he would say, “I’ve got to take “the Mrs.” back to the cottage now.” This was a polite and respectful way of not calling her by her name which everyone knew anyway. Other members of the family would refer to the family matriarch as “the Mrs.” or “the Madam” to show respect for their elders. The word “Mrs.” around town had a special meaning for a lady of prominent stature. The following were such ladies that graced Walstrom Marine.

MRS. SCHLOTMAN

Stella Dunbar Ford was first married to Joseph B. Schlotman. They built the “Stonehurst” mansion in Grosse Pointe in 1917. The Schlotmans owned a cottage on Harbor Point and a commuter docked at the Walstrom boathouse. Mrs. Schlotman had a chauffeur named Jimmy who would drive her over to the boathouse in her boat almost every morning. Then, he would chauffeur her in her Rolls Royce around town. Mrs. Schlotman usually wore a flowered dress and semi-high heels. Jimmy always dressed in a white pressed shirt, black pants, polished black shoes, black jacket and a black cap. When he was not driving “the Mrs.,” he would wash and polish the Rolls in the boathouse.

MRS. GAMBLE

Elizabeth Lowe Gamble was married to Sidney D. Gamble, grandson of James Gamble who, with William Proctor founded Proctor & Gamble in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Gamble’s boat was a 22’ Chris Craft Cadet, hull #1, and kept undercover at the Melching Boat House beginning in 1929 when it was purchased. Originally named “Nermie,” it was used to commute Mrs. Gamble and family from Harbor Point to town. Mrs. Gamble was called the “Madam” by the males in the household. When Ward Walstrom, Sr purchased Melching Boat Works, “Nermie” remained undercover for the next decade or more.

After Mrs. Gamble died, Walstrom Marine purchased “Nermie” from the Gamble family. It was re-named “Walswood” after Henry Walstrom’s farm just north of Grand Rapids and is still owned by the Walstrom Family. To this day, “Walswood,” is in original condition having never had any wood replaced or had any major repair.

Naturally, Mrs. Wallace was a die-hard Cardinal’s fan (Busch Stadium). Since her hairdresser was a bookie, Mrs. Wallace enjoyed an occasional bet. Audrey and Mahlon also loved fishing aboard “Half Fast” and one of their many guests was actor Andy Devine.

Mrs. Wallace and I had a standing bet on the World Series starting in 1968 when the Detroit Tigers played the St. Lous Cardinals. It was only $5 but if the National League won, the first thing Mrs. Wallace did when she returned for the summer is come in to collect her money. Incidentally, the Tigers won in ‘68. Mrs. Wallace had no need for a chauffeur because she loved driving her boat. She drove a l960’s station wagon ignoring anything that would implicate her to “high society” but I still remember her as “The Mrs.”

Mrs. Wallace

MRS. WALLACE

Audrey Wallace and her husband, Mahlon B. Wallace came from St. Louis and spent the summer in cottage #2 on Harbor Point. Audrey’s mother was Anna Busch of the Busch beer family. Mahlon was from the Wallace pencil family. Their boats, a 32’ Chris Craft Roamer and a 23' Chris Craft, both from the 50’s, were kept at the dock in front of the cottage. The “Edward A” was Mrs. Wallace’s commuter that she drove almost daily from Harbor Point at a moderate rate of speed to the boathouse.

Dave Price and I would gently inform her of her wake and to slow down to no avail.

walstrom.com | 47

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES are a

PROBLEM IN MICHIGAN The good news?

You’re part of the solution!

ZEBRA MUSSELS: Zebra mussels can filter out and eat large quantities of microscopic aquatic organisms and disrupt food chains in Michigan lakes.

They can also attach to boat hulls, docks, water intake pipes, and other animals. As you can see in this picture, zebra mussels have covered a clam in Douglas Lake.

Their habit of attaching to any available surface can make it difficult for other aquatic life to feed and move.

48 | walstrom.com

By Jennifer DeMoss, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Communications Director

Y

ou may have noticed that Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council has an ad with the words, “Clean.

Drain. Dry” in this issue of Docklines. That ad is about our commitment to preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species throughout Northern Michigan waterways. But what are aquatic invasive species? How can they damage Michigan’s economy, boating, and fishing? And what can we do about them? It turns out that there’s a lot that the Watershed Council, boaters, and other recreationists can do to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and help keep the waters we love healthy. So take the plunge with us and see how you can help protect the lakes you love.

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES

While boating or fishing, you may have spotted delicate ribbon-like leaves of eel grass, or heart-shaped pondweeds. Some plants you see floating beneath and on the water’s surface are native to Michigan.

These species have been here for thousands of years and animals might depend upon them for habitat or as a food source.

However, not all aquatic plants are healthy for the places they grow. An invasive plant species is one that is introduced from another area and ends up causing environmental and/or economic harm.

Take, for example, Eurasian watermilfoil.

It looks a lot like a native plant called northern watermilfoil, but it doesn’t act like it. As its name suggests, this watermilfoil is from Europe and Asia. As reported in the Science Around Michigan blog, Michigan Tech ecologist Kevyn Juneau regards this species as one of the most invasive aquatic species in Michigan. It can grow rapidly into dense mats that even animals can walk across and block out light for other aquatic species. It can also get tangled in fishing gear and boat motors, making it harder for people to enjoy water recreation. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent in the U.S. every year combatting this single invasive plant, which is well established in Burt, Long, Walloon, and Paradise Lakes.

Plants aren’t the only problem. You’re probably familiar with zebra mussels, a

Eurasian invasive bivalve that can remove almost every microscopic plant and animal from a body of water, disrupting entire food chains. Or rusty crayfish, which aggressively hunt fish and eat their eggs, while displacing native crayfish. These invasive species can take a toll on fisheries and reduce anglers’ and boaters’ enjoyment of our beautiful Michigan waterways.

WHAT ABOUT CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY?

The fact that aquatic invasive species are widespread throughout Michigan can be depressing. However, the good news is that we don’t have to let them colonize every body of water that we love. There are still lakes in Michigan that don’t have invasive species. The Watershed Council is dedicated to making sure that native aquatic species have a chance to thrive, and you’re already part of that effort.

Think about it this way: some of the invasives we encounter got here in ballast water, or because people released live bait into water bodies. Stopping the activities that got invasive species here in the first place can help prevent their spread.

And if you want to learn more about invasives and keep an eye out for them on your favorite lake, search for this web address (warning, the sea lamprey pictures might give you nightmares): https://www. watershedcouncil.org/aquatic-invasivespecies.html.

Thanks for being part of the solution to the invasive species problem in Northern Michigan. The Watershed Council couldn’t do it without you.

Below are some helpful tips you can use to maintain healthy waters for boating and fishing.

• C lean: When your boat leaves the water, it can harbor invasive species, even ones you can’t see. Remove visible mud, plants, fish, or animals from your boat, trailer, or other equipment (anchor, centerboards, props, etc.) before leaving the water body. You can also wash your boat off at home with hot water and a phosphate-free, biodegradable, non-toxic detergent, or a homemade detergent from items like vinegar and baking soda. Just make sure the wash water drains into the ground, and not into a stream or lake, and that you’re washing your boat before you enter a different lake.

• D rain all water from live wells, bilges, motor, transom, and other containers before leaving launch area.

• D ry: Allow your boat to dry for a minimum of 5 days in a sunny location before transferring into a new body of water.

• D o not release live bait or aquarium pets into any waters.

• V isit one of our mobile boat washing stations if you’re in the area. There are weekly posts about our boat washing stations on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ watershedcouncil. Watershed Council staff can wash your boat for free and offer lots of information and swag.

We have even more tips on boat maintenance for healthy waters at this webpage: https://www.watershedcouncil.org/ clean-boating.html EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL: Eurasian watermilfoil is considered one of the most invasive plants in the U.S. Hundreds of millions of dollars go into controlling its spread each year. It roots into the muck in the bottom of a lake and can spread through root runners or even plant fragments. Washing watermilfoil fragments off of boats is a key part of preventing its spread. walstrom.com | 49

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ON

the water

ANSWERS TO OUR QUESTIONS

ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE

“My wife Abby and I recently purchased a 2011 Tiara Sovran through Rick Venner at Walstrom Marine. I am in the sales business and I would like to highlight the character, integrity and service we received from Rick. We never felt pressured but rather fully informed to make a sound decision on our purchase. Rick has experience and a warm personality that made the experience enjoyable. The financial team handled everything necessary and made our transaction seamless and hassle-free.

We have done business with Walstrom Marine for years and we continue to get the best service and attention from their staff. Keep up the great work!” ~ Craig Witt

IT ALL STARTED AT A BOAT SHOW

“I had a great experience working with Walstrom and Scott Way on our recent Pursuit C238 purchase. After last season, I was thinking about upgrading from my 1997 Pursuit 2270 and I was doing a lot of research on different center console manufacturers/models. My son Ben is passionate about boating and was very active in our research - he had the Pursuit C238 at the top of his list and made sure I knew of any available. He was more of the ‘dreamer’ side of our team and I was more of a realist. When I would come up with a road block regarding value or functionality information, Ben would work to get answers as he was very motivated.

I think all the boat dealers in the Midwest received some emails from him. As we narrowed our search, Scott did a great job answering our many questions or concerns and he would often reply to an email within minutes. The rest of the family is extremely happy with our boat as well, and we have had a great summer using it on Lake Michigan.” ~ Mike DeWaard

“My Walstrom story began back at the 2020 Detroit boat show, where I fell in love with the Chris Craft Calypso 30 displayed by Walstrom Marine. Four hours later I was the proud new owner of a gorgeous boat! Fast forward three months, in the midst of a pandemic, we were excited to launch the boat on Memorial Day weekend in Harbor Springs. Our new adventures have taken us to Bay Harbor, Petoskey and even under the Mackinac Bridge, and all the way to the northwest corner of Burt Lake through the inland water way. Our 4-year old daughter loves our boat and we now have a new way to enjoy our time together and the splendor of Northern Michigan!

The Walstrom team, sales &service department, and the dockmaster have made ownership an amazing experience for our family. We already look forward to the 2021 boating season on Lake Michigan with our Chris Craft and the Walstrom team.” ~ Jeff MacMillan 50 | walstrom.com

OUR NEXT CHAPTER

“Barb and I got our start boating together back in 2001 onboard a Tiara 31 Open and in the last 19 years we have upgraded and sold off all of our vessels (and cottage in Harbor Springs), assuming our boating days were behind us when we purchased a home in Austin, TX in 2013 to be near our children. We have visited many beautiful places throughout the world, but few places compared to Harbor Springs so in the summer of 2020 we purchased a 2019 Tiara 44 Coupe through Dan Kimball. He was very patient in finding us the right vessel. In fact, all five boats that we have purchased have been through Walstrom Marine. We have always been extremely satisfied with the level of service, attention, and care we have received from the entire Walstrom Team. We look forward to the next chapter in our boating adventures in Northern Michigan.” ~ LeRoy Finch

SAVE THE DATE Prevent the Spread

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021 Join the Harbor Springs community for the 9th Annual Blessing of the Fleet on the harbor and Summer’s Launch Party at Walstrom Marine Showroom.

REGISTRATION & TICKETS

231.526.9771 • HarborSpringsHistory.org Harbor Springs Area Historical Society

ARRIVE. ENJOY. DEPART. Leave the setup/cleanup details to Rest Assured.

Leave the setup/cleanup details to Rest Assured®

of Aquatic Invasive Species

Clean all plants, animals, and mud from all equipment.

426 Bay Street Petoskey, MI 49770

(231) 347-1181

Drain all water from your boat, trailer, equipment, clothing, etc. before moving to a new location.

Dry everything thoroughly before transporting boat and gear to a different location.

www.WatershedCouncil.org/Clean-Boating Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the Great Lakes and waters of Northern Lower Michigan.

Year Round Services Monitor and inspect for security and peace of mind Buildings: Seasonal setup/ tear-down, cleaning, maintenance and repair, inside and outside Grounds: Complete care Accounting (for Associations)

Now Serving Private Homes | Condos | Cottages Condo and Homeowner Associations

In Your Area Harbor Springs | Petoskey | Bay Harbor Walloon Lake | North Side of Charlevoix

Contact LARRY OSWALD MANAGING PARTNER

loswald@restassuredpm.com 248-941-8501 2607 Charlevoix Ave Petoskey, MI 49770

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

www.restassuredpm.com

Fine Builders.

Inspired Interior Design.

FINE BUILDERS · INTERIOR DESIGN

231.526.9000 · Cottage-Company.com

Bearing the hallmark of one of real estate’s most iconic brands, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury offers you the power of a global network of 92,000 agents and 3,000 offices in 47 countries and territories around the world.

A network that can share the beauty of your distinctive property with an affluent audience worldwide.

Named the Number One Most Influential Real Estate Brand In Social Media,* we not only market our extraordinary homes to the world, we build relationships that endure with 112 Million video views on YouTube and Facebook, 80 Million Social Engagements and 1.7 Million Blog visits – and that was just in 2018.

More than 27% of traffic to the ONLY all-luxury real estate website – ColdwellBankerLuxury.com – was international, representing visitors from more than 200 countries, led by Canada, France, Brazil, Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Proprietary tools such as our flagship publications LUXURY Magazine and Homes and Estates (on newsstands across the globe) and an unrivaled global referral network are just a few of the reasons why Coldwell Banker Global Luxury is a truly extraordinary force in the luxury space.

Experience the power of true luxury.

COLDWELL BANKER GLOBAL

LL WE OLD

KER

BAN

C

SCHMIDT REALTORS

HO

S ME

D AN

BAL

H O M E S

GLO

A N D

CO

LDW

L I F E S T Y L E S

HO

ES YL ST FE LI

MEMBER SCHMIDT FAMILY OF COMPANIES

ELL

ME S

BAN

KER

AN D

GLO

BAL

LI FE ST YL ES

THE FLAGSHIP PUBLICATION OF

GLOBAL LUXURY

SM

SCHMIDT FAMILY OF COMPANIES

SCHMIDT FAMILY OF COMPANIES

TH E

FLA

GS

HIP

PU BL

IC AT

OF IO N

BAL GLOXU RY LU ANIES

OF ILY ILY T FAMIES MID FAM SCH COMPAN IDT

SM

OF

CO

MP

SC HM

172 E. Main Street Harbor Springs, MI 49686 231-526-1100

TH E

FLA

GS

HIP

PU BL

SCH

MID

T SC HM COM FAMILY PAN IES OF IDT FAM

ILY

OF

IC AT

IO

GLO N OF LU XUBAL RY CO

SM

MP

AN

IES

ColdwellBankerLuxuryMagazine.com

ColdwellBankerLuxury.com © 2019 Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

54 | walstrom.com

walstrom.com | 55

6332 Lower Shore Drive, Harbor Springs

The spectacular home is located on 200' of Lake Michigan waterfront in Harbor Springs and just completed construction. The home was designed by Nick White and being built

by Collie Construction. No detail was missed in the planning of this 10,803 Sq. Ft. home that includes seven bedrooms that are all suites plus an additional two half baths, an elevator to all floors, wide plank white oak floors, coffered ceilings, Custom gourmet kitchen with all high end appliances and catering kitchen perfect for hosting events for family and friends, lower level lounge with full bar and upper level lounge with a wet bar. Enjoy waterviews from every room in the home. The attached four car garage with built in cabinets offers great storage for all of your toys. Enjoy sunrises and sunsets from the private sandy beach. View 6332lowershore.com for more photos and info. $10,850,000

Walloon Lake | Bay Harbor | Lake Charlevoix | Burt Lake | Mullett Lake | Petoskey | Harbor Springs

THE #1 AGENT IN

NORTHERN MICHIGAN Let me help you find your next Up North property!

(231) 838-6700

PATLEAVY@KIDDLEAVY.COM

www.PATLEAVY.com

6325 Indian Garden, Petoskey

This is likely the most iconic home on Walloon Lake and is being offered for sale for the first time. The property sits on a total of 520’ of waterfront located on a point that allows panoramic views from nearly every room in the main house and guest house.

The main house has five bedrooms, four full baths, two half baths, three fireplaces, a beautiful sunroom and a gorgeous custom kitchen that is open to the main living room and is perfect for entertaining. Your guests will enjoy the beautiful finishes in each of the guest suites. Other features include hardwood floors, two offices, a billiards room with a bar in the lower level, a large stone patio with a built-in fire pit overlooking the lake, large dock and a beach cabana on the water by the sandy beach that includes a sitting area and a bathroom. The guest house is absolutely adorable and offers an additional two bedrooms and a large screened in porch. This is truly a one-of-a-kind property and photos don’t begin to do it justice! $9,800,000 The Main House alone can be purchased with 400’ of waterfront for $8,300,000. To view more information visit 6325indiangarden.com

*According to the NMMLS by volume

TO VIEW MORE PROPERTIES VISIT WWW.PATLEAVY.COM

Bay Harbor Waterfront

3990/3991 Peninsula Drive, Bay Harbor 4 bedrooms that are all suites | Custom Private Dock 122’ on Lake Michigan and 130’ on Bay Harbor Lake $6,200,000

100’ on Burt Lake

Bay Harbor Water Views

Mackinac Island Water Views

8798 W. M-68, Indian River 7 bedrooms - 4 1/2 baths 5,191 Sq. Ft. - Private dock

872 Bluffs Court, Bay Harbor 6 bedrooms - 5 1/2 baths 5,800 Sq. Ft. - Three car garage

3826 Cedar Point, Mackinac Island 4 Bedrooms - 4 1/2 baths 4,500 Sq. Ft. - Lots of privacy

$2,150,000

Walloon Lake Waterfront

1937 Killarney Shores, Petoskey 6 bedrooms | 4 1/2 baths | 5,000 Sq. Ft. 100’ of waterfront | Three car garage $2,499,000

$1,599,000

$1,329,000

Bay Harbor Water View

5604 Coastal Woods Court, Bay Harbor 5 Bedrooms - 5 full bathrooms, 3 half baths 7,255 Sq. Ft. - Expansive golf and water view $2,495,000

previously owned

boats

For a complete list of our new and previously owned boats, please visit www.walstrom.com

11’ 2011 Brig 340

20’ 2008 Sea Doo Utopia 205

22’ 1986 Century Fiero

22’ 1990 Larson Delta Sportcruiser 215

22’ 1990 Larson Delta Sportcruiser 215

22’ 2008 Chris Craft Launch 22

27’ 1992 Sea Ray 270 Weekender

27’ 1994 Formula F-2 PC

28’ 2013 Chris Craft Launch 28

29’ 1992 Global Seacruiser 290

30’ 2007 Tiara 3000 Open

31’ 2007 Tiara 3100 Open

32’ 2001 Intrepid 322 Cuddy

32’ 2016 Pursuit DC 325

32’ 2017 Boston Whaler 320 Vantage

33’ 1994 Sea Ray 330 Express

33’ 2007 Chris Craft Corsair 33

33’ 2015 Hacker-Craft Limo Tender

35’ 1995 Tiara 3500 Express

35’ 2001 Tiara 3500 Open 001

58 | walstrom.com

35’ 2019 Regal 35 Sport Coupe

36’ 1969 Chris Craft Cavalier

36’ 2006 Chris Craft Corsair 36

36’ 2008 Tiara 3600 Open

37’ 1999 Tiara 3700 Open

37’ 2018 Carver 37 Coupe

38’ 1974 Hatteras 38 Double Cabin

40’ 1982 Albin Trawler

40’ 2008 Formula 400 Super Sport

42’ 1977 Bertram 42 Motor Yacht

44’ 2003 Carver 444 Cockpit

46’ 2011 Grand Banks Eastbay SX

48’ 2006 Sea Ray Sundancer

52’ 2006 Sea Ray Sundancer

57’ 2018 Sunseeker Predator 57

58’ 1998 Sea Ray 580 SSS

Call 231-526-2141 for more information. walstrom.com | 59

Captain Kurt’s

B ATING TIPS Boats are very sophisticated pieces of equipment. The more familiar you are with the systems on board your boat, the better prepared you’ll be when it’s time to cast off the lines and head out on your voyage. Here are some tips to keep your boat running properly and maximizing your enjoyment on the water.

POWER UP • After you get back to the dock and re-connect shore power, verify your battery charger is on. The systems on today’s modern boats are very sensitive to voltage and can cause various alarms if the batteries are slightly low. Try to keep batteries fully charged as often as possible.

• Maintenance free, AGM batteries don’t need any special attention, but lead acid batteries require the addition of distilled water to each cell. Be sure to check the water levels at least once a summer (though no harm in checking more frequently) and fill each cell to about 1” from the top.

60 | walstrom.com

KEEP COOL • Basic maintenance will keep your A/C running and your boat nice and cool in the summer heat.

• Check the sea strainer for debris and clean it if necessary.

The strainer is a filter that will collect sea weed, grass, leaves, etc. before these things reach the A/C pump. A clogged strainer will limit water flow to the pump and hinder its capability to pump throughout the rest of the A/C system.

• Periodically check and clean return air filters. This is especially true if you have pets on board. A dirty filter can turn your A/C compressor into a block of ice!

• If you don’t want to have A/C running constantly while you are out of town or away from the boat for a while, use the “Dehumidify” function. This keeps the fans blowing, while only occasionally turning on the compressors for cooling.

You will use less energy and keep the cabin free of mold and mildew.

BY THE BOOK • Your engines and/or generator will have a maintenance guide in the owner’s manual. It’s important to stick to the service schedule provided by the engine manufacturer, including the break-in service on new engines.

DOCKLINES Docklines is a publication of Walstrom Marine, Inc.

Index of Advertisers Bay Harbor Yacht Club ������������������������������������������������ 13 Birchwood Country Club ����������������������������������������������� 6 Birchwood Construction ��������������������������������������������� 20 Chris-Craft ������������������������������������������������������������������� 25 Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors ������������������������������53 Cottage Company ��������������������������������������������������������� 52 Global Marine Insurance Agency ���������������������������������64 Greenleaf Trust ������������������������������������������������������������ 39 Grey Gables Restaurant & Catering ����������������������������34 Harbor Springs Area Historical Society ����������������������51 Kidd & Leavy Real Estate, Pat Leavy ���������������������������56 Merril Lynch Wealth Management ����������������������������11 North Country Aviation ���������������������������������������������� 21 Pursuit Boats ������������������������������������������������������������������ 2 Rest Assured Property Manangement ������������������������51 Sea Ray ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 42 Sears Architects ������������������������������������������������������������ 35 Stafford’s Hospitality ��������������������������������������������������� 34 The Store - Cheboygan ������������������������������������������������ 34 Tiara Sport USA ������������������������������������������������������������ 38 Tiara Yachts ������������������������������������������������������������������ 63 Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council ������������������������������51

walstrom.com | 61

GIVING BACK | Building the Future of Health Care In 2020, Fortune/IBM Watson Health named McLaren Northern Michigan one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals, and for the third year in a row, a 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospital.

Philanthropy has always been key to the success of McLaren Northern Michigan.

Thanks to the generosity of community members who believe that access to exceptional health care is a priority, McLaren Northern Michigan remains on schedule to open its new wing on the Petoskey campus next summer.

increased privacy and safety, new bedside telehealth and virtual nursing care, and many other features to improve communication and comfort.

“Smart Rooms” consist of advanced technology and equipment to give patients more control of their environment, greater access to their care team and medical information,

The expansion project features:

7

• 170,000 sq. ft. new wing

6 5

• 92 new private patient rooms • Intensive Care Unit expansion

3

from 18 to 24 rooms

• New, larger operating rooms • Many current patient rooms

4

2 1

converted to private rooms

Smart Technology is Crucial for the Future of Health Care With the new wing taking shape, McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation is raising funds to equip every hospital room with “smart technology” to give patients the most effective tools in the fight against COVID-19 and other life-threatening illnesses.

Implementation of smart technology is contingent upon charitable support.

For information

on giving to McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation, please call 231-487-3500 or visit McLarenNorthernBuilds.org

On the Smart Room diagram above, red dots indicate equipment and technology that integrate for an optimal healing experience.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Real Time Asset Tracking System Stryker iBed Wireless Bedside Tablet Smart ID Badge

5. Patient Room Door (Electronic Display) 6. Flat Screen TV— interfaced with the Banyan Virtual Care Platform 7. Electronic White Board

“Intensive Care Units are a vital part of our hospital in controlling viruses such as Covid-19. We hope you will join Walstrom Marine in supporting McLaren in this project.” ~ Ward and Mari Margaret Walstrom

Photo of Walstroms

C49 C

O

U

P

E

ELEGANCE IN EVOLUTION The 49 Coupe blends classic Tiara Yachts legacy with a contemporary balance of materials and improved layout, increasing social zones while maximizing seating and comfort. A single level salon offers unparalleled height, 360 degree visibility, cross conversational seating and a generous 48’’ wide helm seat. Accommodations for up to six guests await below deck. Continuing our longstanding partnerships with Volvo Penta® and Garmin® electronics, the C 49 offers glass cockpit, joystick control and current marine navigation technologies.

EXPERIENCE ELEGANCE IN EVOLUTION ABOARD THE NEWEST MODEL IN THE TIARA YACHTS COUPE LINEUP AT TIARAYACHTS.COM OR YOUR FACTORY AUTHORIZED TIARA YACHTS DEALER. IT’S MORE THAN PERFECTION. IT’S TIARA ELEGANCE IN EVOLUTION.