Boats that Built Us

Kate Conlon 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

Young Andrea Lightfoot and Family

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 Lightfoot Rick Heiny

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 Venner

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.

Rick Venner