Sea Ray Living Vol. 17 Issue 03

SEA RAY

LIVING LAUNCH INTO LIVING

VOLUME 17 ISSUE 03

THE NATURAL WONDERS ISSUE EXPLORE BIG SKY COUNTRY | CRUISE AROUND VANCOUVER, BC RECHARGE IN NORTH CAROLINA | MEET THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE

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REFINED NOT RESTRAINED.

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THE ACADIA ALL TERRAIN HAS ARRIVED. Get away from it all without roughing it. The first-of-its-kind 2017 Acadia All Terrain balances off-road capabilities with a comfortable cabin. To help carve your own trail, an advanced

Shown with dealer-installed accessories. ©2016 General Motors. All rights reserved. The marks appearing in this ad are the trademarks or service marks of GM, its subsidiaries, affiliates or licensors.

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All-Wheel-Drive system makes it possible.

S E A R AY L I V I N G

CONTENTS

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SPOTLIGHT

SITTIN’ ON TOP OF THE WORLD

The Beach Boys knew where catching a wave could put you, but they never could have imagined the SLX-W 230. Sea Ray’s revolutionary new sport boat elevates wake surfing possibilities o a whole new level through breakthrough design and performance technology.

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22 32 40 50 60

PERSONAL BEST

A Sundancer 280 has brought a new kind of peace to Joe Stanley’s life—and made him the most popular man on the lake. Spending nights onboard his Sea Ray on Colorado’s scenic Chatfield eservoir is a surefi e way to enjoy pleasant mornings.

LOVE OF A LIFETIME

For Sea Ray owner Russ Klein, boating has been a passion since childhood. A new SLX 350 continues to deepen his excitement and makes for great bonding time with his wife, Susan, and their grandchildren.

WORLD-CLASS CITY

Vancouver, British Columbia, shines as a place with something for everyone—including a family of adventure-ready Sea Ray L650 owners. From their on-water perspective, it’s easy to see how the destination earned its nickname, “City of Glass.”

B I G S K Y S TAT E O F M I N D

With its crystal-clear, glacier-fed lakes, Montana’s Flathead Valley serves as an ideal playground for a pair of West Coast transplants looking for a slower pace of life with the ability to rev things up on their SLX 210.

L I F E O F T H E PA R T Y

California’s Sun Country Marine hosts an epic #SeaRaySummer bash, headlined by two L-Class yachts and a James Bond-inspired vehicle, and attended by a fabulous crowd of fun-seeking guests.

08 LIFE

Enhance your Sea Ray lifestyle with the Life Collection—a sampling of finely c afted goods, delectable edibles and desirable experiences, assembled by the editors at Sea Ray Living.

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D E S T I N AT I O N S

Maine delights with its serene lakes, thick woodland, diverse wildlife species and bountiful natural beauty. A social Sea Ray Sundeck and a professional-grade GMC® vehicle provide the all-access pass.

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PROFILES

A group of Sea Ray Sundancer owners takes in the sights of Washington, D.C., during Prince William Marina’s annual Cherry Blossom Cruise, a leisurely tour of the Potomac River.

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S E A R AY L I V I N G

WELCOME LETTER VOLUME

17 ISSUE 03

Welcome to the latest issue of Sea Ray Living. As we head into a new year, there’s a feeling of excitement, a promise of good things to come. There’s nothing quite like a fresh beginning to fill us with optimism and renewed energy.

At Sea Ray, the wave of energy and innovation continues to build, with a series of new models featuring design and technology breakthroughs unlike anything you’ve ever seen. For starters, we are thrilled to debut the SLX-W, a remarkable wake surfing boat that’s rewriting the rules for capability and performance (see page 66). Wake surfing is making huge gains in popularity, thanks in part to a gentle learning curve that makes getting into the sport easy. The SLX-W is designed not only to bring out your inner athlete, but also to make cruising, coving and hanging with friends totally comfortable and effortlessly enjoyable.

We’re also proud to introduce additions to the iconic Sundancer lineup that further expand the possibilities for entertaining, overnighting and celebrating the great outdoors. We’ve listened to your feedback and continue to expand our offerings with features tailored to specific needs and preferences. And in 2017, you’ll soon see a bold new model that reimagines what a cruiser can be and do.

On the yachting front, our acclaimed L-Class lineup has grown as well. We introduced the L550 Fly in November at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show; in the year ahead, the Fly gains a sleek express counterpart with the introduction of the L550.

Both yachts brilliantly combine a modern aesthetic, gracious livability and impressive performance, and we’re pleased to offer true luxury in a new size.

The goal of each Sea Ray model is to empower and enhance your boating lifestyle, whatever your favorite activities may be. In this issue, you’ll meet Sea Ray owners who are out there enjoying their boating lives to the fullest, from a couple in North Carolina bonding with their grandkids on an SLX 350 (page 32), to a family in Vancouver soaking up the city’s glorious sights on their L650 (page 40). You’ll also find ideas and inspiration for new places to trailer your boat (page 16), products to complement your time on the water (page 20), and hints at what’s to come from Sea Ray in 2017.

Optimism and enthusiasm have a way of being contagious, so we value the energy exuded by the Sea Ray community. We hope the year ahead finds you more excited about boating than ever.

Sea Ray Living

At Sea Ray, the wave of energy and innovation continues to build, with a series of new models featuring design and technology breakthroughs unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Brad Anderson President and General Manager, Sea Ray Sport Boats & Sport Cruisers

Scott Ward President and General Manager, Sea Ray Sport Yachts & Yachts

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Design + Performance™ and Legendary Performance Fabrics™ are trademarks and Sunbrella® is a registered trademark of Glen Raven, Inc.

L E G E N DA R Y P E R F O R M A N C E FA B R I C S ™ S U N B R E L L A .C O M

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FA D E P R O O F / E A S Y C A R E / B L E AC H C L E A N A B L E

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ISSUE 03

CONTRIBUTORS 1

2 many other publications. For this issue, Jennifer explores the breathtaking city of Vancouver, BC, and the big-sky charms of Montana with a few residents and their respective Sea Rays.

3 Cassie &

Wesley Wright

3

4

1 Mike

Calabro

“Personal Best” page 22 “Big Sky State of Mind” page 50 An adventure photographer and regular contributor to Sea Ray Living, Mike has documented subjects that include piranha fishing in the Amazon and grizzly bear watching in Glacier National Park. For this issue, Mike spent time with a fun-loving owner and his loyal pup in Colorado and toured Montana’s Flathead Lake on an SLX 210.

2 Jennifer

Chesak

“World-Class City” page 40 “Big Sky State of Mind” page 50 Jennifer’s Sea Ray Living adventures have taken her all over the wrold. Her writing has appeared in Trail Runner, Field & Stream online and

“Love of a Lifetime” page 32 Cassie and Wesley are a photo team out of Athens, Georgia.

Focusing on sports, lifestyle and travel, they enjoy the challenge of photographing a wide array of subjects—from hulking football players to vacationing families.

For this issue, they spent time with a Sea Ray SLX 350 owner on Lake Norman in North Carolina.

4

Clover

Smart

“Life of the Party” page 60 A writer and editor based in Madison, Wisconsin, Clover’s work has appeared in many online publications. When not writing, she prefers to be outdoors, biking or hiking with her Standard Poodle-mix, Shorty.

In this issue, she reports on a #SeaRaySummer gala event featuring two L-Class yachts.

Brad Anderson President and General Manager, Sport Boats & Sport Cruisers Scott Ward President and General Manager, Sport Yachts & Yachts | Shelby Kirby Director of Marketing

SEA RAY

LIVING

magazine

President, Publisher Douglas Leik | Editorial Director Randy Hess Managing Editor Amy Wideman | Senior Editor Elli Purtell Editor at Large Jennifer Chesak | Editor at Large Alexa Poteet Creative Director Russell Duncan | Digital Creative Director Kraig Devenport Art Director Justin Goode | Graphic Designer Brittany Huisenga Contributors Clover Smart, Colleen Tolan Photographers Mike Calabro, Robert Glover, Mike Jones, Cassie Wright

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Sea Ray Living is published for Sea Ray Boats by Dino Publishing LLC. Any correspondence should be directed to: Dino Publishing, 350 W. Hubbard St. Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60654 www.dinopublishing.com email: dleik@dinopublishing.com The opinions expressed in this magazine are not to be considered official expressions of Dino Publishing or Sea Ray. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all editorial or advertising matter. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or artwork. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph, or ­illustration without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright © 2016 Sea Ray Boats.

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7279 - NAM Generations Daughter - SeaRay_11.875 x 9.375 16/12/2015 09:09 Page 1

Micron: Generations of Innovation Every parent hopes their children will do well and have a better life than they did. At Interlux, we feel the same way about the products we make.

With each new advancement and generation of Micron® Technology comes better performing, higher quality solutions. Innovation is a tradition we are proud to have carried on for over 30 years.

From the long lasting and always dependable Micron CSC to our new, powerful water-based Micron Optima with Activated Biolux®, we build on our past success to deliver state of the art protection today.

Whatever the year, you know you’ll always have the latest and best in Micron Technology.

Scan the code with your smartphone to watch our brand new Micron film.

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All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2015.

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[ S E A R AY L I V I N G ]

LI FE LIFE & TIMES:

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA With eagles soaring overhead, jagged mountains framing its perimeter and ocean waves lapping at its shores, Vancouver’s natural charms abound. These elements combine to form a stunning backdrop for the modern glass-towered metropolis, where lucky residents can enjoy the best of both urban culture and outdoor recreation without ever leaving their postal code. Fine dining celebrates the bounty of the sea, while art galleries and museums spotlight a diverse cultural heritage. From Chinatown to the Stanley Park Seawall, Grouse Mountain to the Granville Island Public Market, the list of things to see, smell, taste and do goes on and on.

For Sea Ray owners, Vancouver is a launching pad for endless adventures.

A cruise up to the Gulf Islands rewards boaters with incredible coastal hiking opportunities and wildlife sightings galore. To the south, the San Juan Islands of Washington state offer their own considerable charms. And beyond, the sprawling Pacific underscores the romantic notion that, while the world may be vast, the water will always connect us all.

Meet a family who explores Vancouver by way of an L650 yacht on page 40.

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S E A R AY

LIFE

THE COLLECTION A taste for the finer things is what brought you to Sea Ray. To further cultivate your boating lifestyle, we bring you the Life Collection. Selected by the editors of Sea Ray Living, the Life Collection includes exquisitely crafted goods and covetable experiences—in short, a guide to the well-lived life, both on and off the water.

ALL IN THE WRIST Turquoise Cuff Bracelet

Channel the colors of the earth and sea with this sterling silver and turquoise cuff. Measuring 1-1/2 inches tall and rimmed in delicately etched metal, it’s a statement piece that encourages waving to fellow boaters as they cruise past. ($885; turquoisecanyon.com)

CASE-BY-CASE BASIS

GARRISON No. 147 | Vintage Black Leather Briefcase Whether your office

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Breitling Avenger II Seawolf Men’s Watch Powerful style teams with exceptional performance in this professional diver’s model, water-resistant to a remarkable 10,000 feet and equipped with a rotating bezel, a screw-lock crown and a valve that equalizes pressure differences between the inside and the outside of the case. ($2,868; watchmaxx.com)

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is on land or on your Sea Ray, the Garrison No. 147 briefcase projects strong practicality and handsome refinement. Two exterior flap pockets feature signature brass-point and leather-tab closures, and a large main compartment accommodates legalsized documents or a laptop. ($1,497; ghurka.com)

NOT ON MY WATCH

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S E A R AY

LIFE

BEACH READING

The French Riviera of the 1920s This photo-biography celebrates the carefree era when mythic personalities including Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso and Igor Stravinsky, among others, gathered along the Mediterranean to dream and create.

Featuring images and artwork from personal archives. ($195; assouline.com)

LIFE’S UPS AND DOWNS UP A CREEK

Hand Painted Paddles These colorful wooden canoe paddles are made from beautiful Canadian maple wood and hand-painted in a variety of patterns and shades inspired by nature. Bring new pizazz to your stand-up paddleboarding sessions, or hang on the wall for year-round inspiration. ($213.29; ropesandwood.com)

Wooden yo-yo

A classic toy for children and adults alike, Son of a Sailor’s bright two-toned yo-yo looks even more cheerful when spinning.

Heavy-duty varnish and solid wood make this a toy intended for rough-and-tumble use. Practice makes perfect! ($28; sonofasailor.co)

CHECK MATE Sea Ray Living

Lucite Chess Set

Glamour and geek combine to perfect effect in Jonathan Adler’s oversized Lucite chess set. Channel ’70s chic as you get your game on, or display in the salon of your Sea Ray to make a statement that says, “I’m as smart as I am stylish.” ($795; jonathanadler.com)

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#GETOUTHERE

BYOB (BRING YOUR OWN BOAT)

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED

$300

Out here, all you need is a boat and a thirst for adventure. From Bimini to The Abacos to Eleuthera to Harbour Island, use your $300 fuel credit to chart your own course across The Bahamas Out Islands.*

Boating Fuel Credit

Discover all our latest specials at BYOBMyOutIslands.com

ABACOS

ACKLINS

ANDROS

BERRY ISLANDS

BIMINI

CAT ISLAND

CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA

EXUMAS

HARBOUR ISLAND

LONG ISLAND

SAN SALVADOR

*One instant $300 fuel credit per stay at a certified and participating marina combined with a 4-night minimum consecutive stay at a participating BOIPB member hotel. Not combinable with any other credit promotions.

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S E A R AY

LIFE

SOUNDS GOOD

Marshall Audio Stanmore Bluetooth Speaker System Enjoy powerful sound and Bluetooth audio streaming with Marshall’s Stanmore system.

With an output of up to 80W of total power, this compact speaker pairs seamlessly with smartphones and tablets, treating your playlist to the amplification it deserves. ($299;bandh.com)

CALL ME MATEY

CLIC Wooden Case for iPhone Protect your phone from inevitable contact with the deck with the cherrywood CLIC case. It’s designed for ultimate drop-proof protection, thanks to an internal 3D rubber mesh and shock-absorbing bumpers.

Available for iPhone 6 and higher. ($30; bespokepost.com)

POINT AND SHOOT Belair X 6-12 Jetsetter

Who says panoramic medium-format analog cameras have to be the size of a small car? The Belair X 6-12 collapses into a convenient and portable size, capturing professional-grade panoramas without all the heft or hassle. ($299; lomography.com)

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE Sea Ray Living

Beacon Lantern

Shed light on your journey with the Barebones Beacon. A smooth dimming feature allows you to brighten a room or set the mood, while a rechargeable battery with charge-life indicator ensures you’ll never be left in the dark. ($45; barebonesliving.com)

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MontecristoFamily Ad 2 (SeaRay).qxp_Layout 1 10/11/16 11:23 AM Page 1

Montecristo. An icon since 1935.

Lucrecia Valdez Master Roller 36 years of experience

Montecristo.com

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S E A R AY

LIFE HAVE WINE, WILL TRAVEL

Leather-Handled Wine Carrier Never again show up to a docktail party with some basic BevMo! bag — or without your corkscrew. This gorgeous leather holder, complete with a clip-on bottle opener, will be the talk of the dock. Available in Light Brown or Mahogany. ($65; food52.com/shop)

IT’S HUMIDORABLE!

PARTIDO No. 214 | Chestnut Leather Handcrafted in hardwood and wrapped in full-grain leather, the Partido is a bespoke humidor made in the classic tradition. Lined in Spanish cedar interior panels, the case protects up to 35 of your favorite cigars. ($3,500; ghurka.com)

TWISTED WRISTER Quartermaster Bracelet

The Quartermaster Collection’s bracelets are hand-knotted in Rhode Island from locally twisted high-quality leather cord, creating a natural weathered look befitting any captain. An antiqued rhodium-coated brass anchor charm completes the look. ($58; kieljamespatrick.com)

PICKUP AND GO

Sea Ray Living

GMC Sierra Denali

Signature Denali accents and bold lines make the 2017 GMC® Sierra® Denali® a head-turner, but that’s not the only reason you’ll want to drive it. A comprehensive array of driver-alert technologies, including Forward Collision Alert and Lane Keep Assist, add peace-of-mind, while sophisticated touches throughout the vehicle including chrome door handles, mirror caps and side moldings reflect your good taste. For the boat launch or a big night in the city, the Sierra Denali is one sweet ride.

Visit gmc.com for more information.

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Images for illustrative purpose only

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WATCH THE VIDEO AT RAYMARINE.COM/QUANTUM

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LIFE

D E S T I NAT I O N S

REMOTE POSSIBILITIES Maine delights with its serene lakes, thick woodland and diverse wildlife species.

Sea Ray Living

Fewer areas in the United States boast the remoteness that Maine does. Despite its proximity to the bustling cities of the East Coast, Maine quickly becomes a quiet, forest-laden wonderland with just a few hours’ drive inland. Between the heavy flora and rugged mountains, you’ll discover deep, wide and pristinely clear lakes that offer everything from watersports to bird watching. Head out in a GMC® Yukon® Denali® with an SDX 240 in tow, and behold the state known as much for its pine trees and moose population as its coastline and lobster.

SEBAGO LAKE Before heading off the beaten path, stop by Port Harbor Marine in South Portland to take care of any needs you may have. When you’re ready to hit the road, drive about 45 minutes northwest to Sebago Lake. The state’s second largest lake, Sebago boasts 105 miles of shoreline and depths of up to 316 feet deep, carved by Ice Age glaciers.

Launch from one of the lake’s two public boat launches and pick your activity of choice. Fishermen can cast a line for trout, largemouth bass, walleye and landlocked salmon, while adventurers can ski or wakeboard with views of the surrounding Sebago Lake State Park. When you’ve had your fill of time on the water, get your blood pumping with a hike or bike ride through the surrounding trails, and spend the night at the park’s 250-site campground.

FLAGSTAFF LAKE Head northeast to Flagstaff Lake, a 20,300-acre reservoir imbued with history. In 1950, the Long Falls Dam impounded the Dead River to enlarge the original Flagstaff Lake to a much larger body of water that could produce hydropower electricity. The new waters overtook the townships of Flagstaff, Bigelow, Dead River and Carrying Place, submerging their buildings, signs and everyday possessions (which hikers have stumbled upon in the years since). Today, you can access the lake through six boat launches, and float over the underwater ghost towns. Hike part of the Appalachian Trail and set up camp amid the heady red pines. For more on the area’s unusual history, visit the Dead River Area Historical Society, which displays a collection of memorabilia from the townships’ past.

WRITTEN BY ELLI THOMPSON PURTELL TRAILERING PHOTOS BY MIKE CALABRO

TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE With first-class seating and signature style, the GMC Yukon Denali sets the standard for refinement and innovation, much like the SDX 240 it’s towing.

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Sebago Lake

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Moosehead Lake

Sea Ray Living

MOOSEHEAD LAKE Moosehead Lake, the state’s largest, consists of hundreds of miles of shoreline and more than 300 islands that allow for privacy and solitude, despite the lake’s popularity. Several public launches provide easy access, and a handful of resorts and restaurants maintain docking. Keep an eye out for an array of birds—including rare species like the boreal chickadee and the black-backed woodpecker—as well as black bear, foxes, otters and the lake’s namesake moose.

Hire a guide for excellent fishing, or bike the surrounding trails. The display of wildlife and breathtaking vistas will make it hard to leave, and thanks to the lake’s lack of a mooring law, you won’t have to. Drop anchor to watch the sunset and stay until the stars appear.

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CHESUNCOOK LAKE Continue even farther northeast to get a taste of the beauty that inspired Henry David Thoreau’s book The Maine Woods. Chesuncook Lake, which was formed by the damming of the West Branch Penobscot River, boasts 25,183 uninhabited acres. An hour’s drive from the nearest town, Chesuncook Lake affords peace and quiet, without sacrificing access. Use the lake’s public boat launch on the south end to cruise the lake and take in views of Mount Katahdin, the endpoint of the Appalachian Trail, which towers in the distance. Then take a deep breath and revel in the feeling of true remoteness. SR

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DIVE IN TO A LOW-INTEREST BOAT LOAN.

Essex Credit, a division of Bank of the West, has affordable boat loan

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stress-free, so you can look forward to what’s really important — enjoying your boat. Changing market conditions can affect rates, so act now to take advantage of our low APRs.

APR is fixed for the life of the loan. Lower rates with shorter loan terms are also available.

Rates are accurate as of Dec 2, 2016. See our website for current rates and terms, as well as financing for Live-Aboards, older boats and loan amounts below $25,000.

Apply online today. www.essexcredit.com/sroc (866) 377-3948

NEW - USED - REFINANCE

WE ALSO OFFER: Live-Aboard financing | Loans for older boats (1919–1996) | Loans for part- and full-time charters *Estimated APR (Annual Percentage Rate). Subject to consumer loan program requirements and credit approval. Certain fees, closing costs, and restrictions may apply. APR applied to the loan is the APR in effect on the date the application is received and is valid until 30 days after the loan is approved. APRs may vary with loan term. Boat must be 1997 model year or newer; for boats model year 1997 to 2006, add .25% to above rate. Maximum loan-to-value is 90%. Maximum loan term based on model year, loan amount, loan type, and lender guidelines. Other rates with different loan terms are available. Example of a recreational use Boat loan: A 10 year fixed-rate $55,000 loan. Based on an APR of 4.29%, this loan has 120 monthly payments of $564.46 each.

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

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© 2017 Bank of the West. NMLS ID# 19116

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LIFE

PROFILES

CHERRY TREES IN BLOOM Sea Ray owners take in the sights of the nation’s capital in spring.

Sea Ray Living

Beautiful natural scenery and a lush landscape may not immediately come to mind when you think of America’s capital. After all, this is the home to regal government buildings, a plethora of monuments and one very famous white house. But if you’ve experienced the Cherry Blossom Cruise, you know there’s a whole other side to this historical city. Every year, Prince William Marina hosts a trip up the Potomac River to see the pink-hued cherry blossoms adorning Washington, D.C., and this year offered some especially spectacular views.

Tom Payne, a Prince William Marina customer, took part in his third Cherry Blossom Cruise this year on his 2011 Sundancer 330, aptly named Common Sense. Tom, originally from Baltimore, became a boating convert one day after walking into Costco, where he bumped into Dave Strickland of Prince William Marina. “Dave was kind and helpful and wasn’t interested in selling me a product but really understanding what would fit our needs,” Tom describes. “He and Prince William are the reason we ended up buying a boat.”

The Sundancer and Prince William have also played a part in many of Tom’s happy memories with his son, Nate, who lives in Pennsylvania. “We always try to find time together,” Nate says. “Time with my father is really important to me.

Him having the boat has been a really good way for us to hang out as a family.”

WRITTEN BY COLLEEN TOLLAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY NATE PAYNE

The Cherry Blossom Cruise is one such memory. D.C.’s cherry trees follow a somewhat unpredictable blooming schedule. Typically, the trees blossom near the end of March or in early April, with the average peak day falling on April 7. After the blossoms have made their appearance, Sea Ray owners depart from Prince William Marina, located south of D.C. in Woodbridge, Virginia. The contingent of boats follows the Occoquan River out to Belmont and Occoquan bays, and then snakes north on the Potomac.

The most vivid and plentiful blossoms swathe the trees surrounding D.C.’s Tidal Basin, with the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument adding extra interest to the background. Prince William Marina customers use the idyllic scenery as a backdrop for photos of their Sea Rays.

Tom, who owns a photography business, has even offered his services in the past, choosing the time of day for optimal lighting and mapping out the perfect path on the Potomac for boaters to follow as he snaps photos.

The pink flowers generally last 1-2 weeks, giving area boaters a relatively quick window to view the magic.

Thankfully for Prince William customers, marina events happen year-round, including a chili cook-off, a dock crawl and the Patriot Cruise & Salute honoring veterans and current service members.

But for those precious few days when the cherry blossoms are out in full force, boaters soak up a view of the capital that’s free from the buzz of large tourist groups, honking horns from frantic traffic, and the never-ending lines at museums and cafes. Not much beats the peace and quiet onboard a Sea Ray with the hope of spring and a new boating season evident in the beautiful blizzard of pink. SR

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“We always try to find time together. Time with my father is really important to me. Him having the boat has been a really good way for us to hang out as a family.�

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PERSONAL

BEST A SUNDANCER 280 HAS BROUGHT A NEW KIND OF PEACE TO JOE STANLEY’S LIFE—AND MADE HIM THE MOST POPULAR MAN ON THE LAKE.

ELLI THOMPSON PURTELL PHOTOGRAPHED BY M I K E C A L A B R O WRITTEN BY

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L

ittleton, Colorado, like much of the state, revolves around the great outdoors. With 300 days of sunshine to work with, its residents don’t waste a lot of time inside. Instead, they’re hiking, fishing, swimming, skiing and snowshoeing. This past summer, Joe Stanley, owner of a new Sundancer 280, raised the bar even higher when it comes to being one with nature, spending no short of 60 nights onboard his Sea Ray on Chatfield Reservoir.

Sea Ray Living

“It wasn’t really a goal or anything when I set out,” Joe says. “But halfway through the summer, once I got to 30 or 40 nights on the water, I did a calculation to see how many nights I could be out there before the end of the season.

It ended up being 60.” Each of those 60 nights led to 60 peaceful mornings, waking up to views of the beautiful foothills southwest of Denver, and the calming whoosh of brightly colored hot air balloons floating past.

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When paired with a Sundancer 280, Colorado’s scenic Chatfield Reservoir keeps Joe Stanley running at maximum levels of Zen. Wildlife sightings, ample sunshine, low-maintenance boat ownership and the companionship of his adopted Sheltland Sheepdog, Bentley, also contribute to the peaceful state of mind.

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Sea Ray Living

“The marina life is phenomenal. I’ve been out here for 16 years and have gotten so many friends from that. Everybody knows everybody. We do potluck dinners, Sunday brunches, karaoke nights…

You can go out there without any plans, and there’s always something to do.”

Chatfield State Park boasts nearly 4,000 acres and calm winds ideal for hot air balloon launching. The picture-book scenery also makes for great snapshots. Joe, who has owned a custom furniture business for more than 25 years, started a photography business 6 years ago. Believing that photography “shouldn’t be seen; it should be felt,” Joe focuses on abstract images that stir up emotion, and he recently had a display at the Denver Design Center. But when it comes to his days on the water, he takes a break from his professional and artistic approach to photography and focuses on capturing the memories that enrich his life year after year in his active and close-knit Chatfield Marina community.

“The marina life is phenomenal,” Joe says.

“I’ve been out here for 16 years and have gotten so many friends from that. Everybody knows everybody. We do potluck dinners, Sunday brunches, karaoke nights… You can go out there without any plans, and there’s always something to do.”

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Sea Ray Living

The Sundancer has earned Joe a certain degree of local fame, earning appreciative stares and friendly nods from fellow boaters on the reservoir. Decked in lights for the annual Fourth of July parade, the boat is even more eye-catching.

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Joe decided on a Hawaiian theme for the three-day holiday event, decorating his Sundancer 280 with palm trees, playing Hawaiian music and even donning a grass skirt. Not surprisingly, his slip is at the P Dock, known affectionately as the Party Dock.

But despite what its name implies, that’s not the only reason people stop by to pay him a visit these days. Instead, it’s Joe’s new Sundancer, which continues to capture people’s attention from across the lake with its sleek lines and fetching black side windows.

“The dark glass windows are a drawing point,” Joe says. “Everyone seems to know me out on the lake. They say, ‘Oh yeah, you got the new Sea Ray!’”

Joe purchased the Sundancer 280 through Sundance Marine in Grand Junction, Colorado, after first laying eyes on it at the Denver Boat Show in February 2016. A lifetime lover of boats and the water, Joe has owned five other boats over the years, moving up by 2- or 3-foot increments each time. He originally had his sights set on a 26-footer from another brand when considering his most recent upgrade, but construction delays prevented it. Fate seemed to continue having a hand with how it revealed the Sundancer 280. “I turned the corner at the boat show, and there’s the Sea Ray and I thought ‘Ohhh my gosh,’” Joe says. He was instantly sold.

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Chatfield Marina was built in 1982 with just 13 rentable slips. Today, there are 320 slips, and they’re sold out every boating season, which here runs from April 1 to October 31. Joe enjoys entertaining friends onboard, barbecuing and making cocktails.

The reservoir’s 3,000 acres have two different no-wake zones that are perfect for dropping anchor, floating on rafts and swimming in the warm water. An active email list keeps all the marina members in the loop about upcoming events and parties, including the highly successful Fourth of July parade of lights, where more than 40 boats float around the lake, rimmed in twinkling strands.

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Sea Ray Living

“When I first got it, it was the big popular rage out on the lake,” Joe says. “I gave tours to 50 or 60 people. One of my friends loved it so much, he went out and bought one.”

Joe loves the Dynamic Running Surface and the big 8.2L engine. “It really gets up and moves,” he says. He took delivery on Lake Powell and put it through its paces for more than 7 hours. “It performed flawlessly,” he recalls. “I was going full speed and took a hard right turn. It was really stable. It felt like a sports car.”

Joe’s first experience with Sundance Marine was equally satisfying. He bought the 280 from sales manager Scott Schilling and has worked with service manager Gus Anest ever since.

“Everything from initial contact to delivery to setup and walkthrough was just wonderful,” Joe says. “They’ve showed me how everything works and have been there if I have questions about anything. I’ve gotten to know them and they’ve become friends. ” Joe also loves the Sundancer 280 for its conduciveness to socializing and entertaining—essential for his life on Chatfield Reservoir. “I like the configuration,” he says.

“One of the big selling points for me was the captain’s chair that flips and faces the rear.

You can fit eight people on the aft deck and face each other and converse. On a smaller lake, you might take out just your family. But here it’s just such a community. We sit on the dock for hours and talk.”

With everything he needs just an 18-minute drive from home, Joe doesn’t have any big plans to trailer the Sundancer 280 anywhere else at the moment. But for all the socializing he does, Joe gets to escape in solitude plenty, with only the company of his recently adopted rescue Sheltie named Bentley. “I picked him up from the pound, went to get food, and then we went to the lake,” Joe says. “He was a little bit timid and shy at first, but he has really taken to boating. He just loves it.

As my friends like to say, he’s gone from the poorhouse to the penthouse.”

The “penthouse” likely refers to the Sundancer 280’s spacious cabin with large windows and skylight that let in copious amounts of natural light. And when the sun sets, the cabin is the coziest place to unwind.

“I love to spend nights out there,” Joe says. “I bring a good book, cuddle up with that, read.

Maybe watch some TV. It’s a fun, relaxing and quiet time for me.”

With a statement like that, one gets the sense that next boating season, Joe might just beat his own overnighting record. SR

“I love to spend nights out there. I bring a good book, cuddle up with that, read. Maybe watch some TV. It’s a fun, relaxing and quiet time for me.”

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Photo courtesy of SeaRay

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LOVE of a LIFETIME

FOR SEA RAY OWNER RUSS KLEIN, BOATING HAS BEEN A PASSION SINCE CHILDHOOD; A NEW SLX 350 CONTINUES TO DEEPEN HIS EXCITEMENT

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AMY WIDEMAN CASSIE WRIGHT

WRITTEN BY PHOTOGRAPHED BY

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G

Growing up in Babylon, a small town on New York’s Long Island, Russ Klein never lacked for exposure to the water. “I spent all of my childhood summers on Great South Bay. Our summer home was on Oak Island, just west of Fire Island,” he recalls. “Isolated from electricity, telephone, automobiles and so forth, my friends and I invested countless hours exploring the salt marshes of the bay area.”

College graduation in 1969 brought that chapter of his life to an end, and it would be another 30 years before Russ found his way back to boating. While living and working in the Burlington, Vermont, area of Lake Champlain, he and his wife, Susan, decided it was finally time. They found themselves in a lightly used 32-foot express cruiser, “a big step up in size considering my long absence from active boating,” Russ says. “But like riding a bike, the skills came back quickly and we were enjoying Lake Champlain in no time.” Not long after, they upgraded to a 36-footer they spotted during a road trip in Canada.

At this point Russ began to feel the need for more formal boating education and enrolled in an extensive course to earn his U.S. Coast Guard Master’s (100Ton) captain’s license. And if that wasn’t enough, he also completed all available courses offered by the United States Power Squadron and now holds its highest grade of Senior Navigator (SN).

Sea Ray Living

As childhood summer vacations go, it was an idyllic location, and a surefire way to nurture the boating gene. Russ’s father, a retired World War II Navy serviceman, taught him the basics early on, and by age 12, Russ was determined to find a vessel to call his own. He soon adopted a paper route that netted him a cool $8 a week.

“That was good money for a 12-year-old kid in 1959!” he says.

After he had saved up $100, his dad found him a well-used plywood runabout for purchase. The price was right, though some of the boat’s latent potential had to be coaxed out. “I repainted and repaired the boat completely,” Russ says. “It took a lot of work, but by the start of that next summer, I was on cloud nine.” The runabout carried him through several seasons of adventure and exploration.

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Russ Klein fell hard for the SLX 350, and it wasn’t long before his wife, Susan, was fully onboard with the purchase. The couple savors their time together on Lake Norman.

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Sea Ray Living

(Top) Susan, Russ and their good friend Alan Savage gather in the cockpit, feasting on charcuterie and grilled shrimp, served hot off the Sea Ray’s electric grill (above).

The stage was almost set for another boat upgrade, but first they needed…a new stage. So when the Kleins relocated to Lake Norman, North Carolina, in 2003, the Sea Ray chapter of their lives was practically inevitable.

“We gradually accepted the fact that a 36-foot cabin cruiser was not the best boat for those of us living right on a lake favoring jet skis and runabouts,” Russ explains. “That was, until I attended the Mid-Atlantic Boat Show in Charlotte in February 2016…”

You could say it was love at first sight.

“I saw the SLX 350 model at the show and instantly knew it was the boat for me,” Russ recalls. He made a beeline for the gorgeous new sport boat, only to have it sold to another customer before he could close the deal. But luckily he had wound up in good hands with Hall Marine, the area Sea Ray dealership.

“The team at Hall Marine could sense my interest and followed up to advise me that they had another boat in the queue for production, which could be configured to my needs and delivered before the Memorial Day holiday,” Russ recalls with a hint of relief. “I jumped on the opportunity.”

Not the type to sit idly by while his dream boat was being crafted, Russ requested a factory tour during the SLX 350’s production cycle, which Sea Ray happily arranged. “It was exciting to see the actual boat I ordered being built,” Russ enthuses. “The team at the Sea Ray plant in Vonore, Tennessee, spent over four hours taking me through the factory, ending with a sea trial on the boat immediately in front of mine in production.”

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“The tour and sea trial clearly exceeded my excitement quota. I’ve been boating for over 65 years and can attest to the superior Sea Ray product.”

By the time he headed back to Lake Norman, there was no question he had made the right choice. “The tour and sea trial clearly exceeded my excitement quota,” he says. “I’ve been boating for over 65 years and can attest to the superior Sea Ray product.”

And how did Susan react to Russ’s excited phone call from the floor of the boat show? “I was violently against it!”

Susan says of the SLX, laughing. “But now, I like it very much.”

“He did well,” she adds. “It’s the first one he picked out without me.”

These days the Kleins keep their SLX 350 in a slip behind their house on the lake.

They enjoy hosting friends on the boat, grilling seafood in the cockpit, popping open a bottle of wine and sharing stories until long after the sun goes down. They’re also fond of firing up the twin MerCruiser® Bravo III engines to explore the far reaches of Lake Norman. And Russ raves about the Axius® joystick that makes docking effortless when the time comes to return to their slip.

Another feature of the SLX 350 that comes in handy is the easy line-flushing capability, which allows Russ to pressurize the cooling system and expel the water during cold snaps. “Here in our area, it can be 15 degrees overnight and then the next day it might be 70. So it’s great that I don’t need to have a professional in there to winterize it,” he says. “We can keep it on the lift, and if we get a nice day, it’s ready to take out again.”

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(Opposite, bottom right) Russ and Alan kick back on the SLX 350’s transom lounge; (left) the friends blast across Lake Norman in their respective Sea Rays; (below) pup Maxwell knows a good perch when he finds it.

The Kleins enjoy hosting friends on the boat, grilling seafood in the cockpit, popping open a bottle of wine and sharing stories until long after the sun goes down.

Susan names the SLX 350’s submersible hydraulic swim platform as a favorite feature, particularly for Savannah. “She’ll sit on her dad’s lap and kick her legs in the water,” she says.

They enjoy taking Savannah (2) and her older siblings, Makenzie (12), Aeden (9) and Logan (7), to nearby beaches and islands, soaking up the best of lake life.

That includes packing quarter sandwiches and potato chips and having picnics on the transom, Susan explains. “It’s a great boat for the kids. It’s very comfortable.”

And even when Susan and the family aren’t up for a cruise, Russ is more than happy to keep the SLX from gathering dust. “It’s getting lots of use,” he says with a smile. After all, he’s come a long way since that plywood runabout paid for with paper route money. SR

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Lake Norman affords them lots of opportunities to cruise with other boat owners on those nice days. One of their good friends, Alan Savage, often joins them on his own Sea Ray, a Sundancer 320. His loyal pup, Maxwell, hates to be left behind, and can usually be found cozied up with Alan at the helm. That is, when he’s not leaping off the swim platform to paddle around.

But the Kleins’ favorite passengers have to be their grandkids. Their son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Anne, live across the lake and visit regularly.

“Savannah, the youngest, has learned that our house is where you come to go boating,” Susan says. “She’ll come right inside and point out to the slip with her arm and her little finger out, going ‘Uh! Uh!’ She’s barely speaking yet but she knows she loves the boat.”

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WORLD -

CLASS

CITY Vancouver shines as a place with something for everyone— including these adventure-ready Sea Ray L650 owners

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WRITTEN BY PHOTOGRAPHED

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JENNIFER CHESAK

BY R O B E R T G L O V E R

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Vancouver frequently ranks among the top 10 best places in the world to live. The Economist, for example, ranked it third in 2016. Vancouverites don’t need rankings, however, to know just how great their city is. They can simply look out the window on their morning commute, which, no matter where they’re heading, will likely offer a mix of shoreline vistas and mountain panoramas.

And when work gives way to leisure time, residents have a full menu of options to choose from, including skiing and snowboarding, hiking and cycling, and pretty much any water activity that makes them happy. For Jake Wei and Angela Du and their son, Jerry (8), free time means getting onboard their new Sea Ray L650. Yachting itself is a whole new adventure for these Beijing transplants.

“We used to live in mainland China where we didn’t have access to oceans and harbors,” Angela says. “Vancouver is a nice harbor city. We wanted to try something different. We actually don’t know much about living on the water, but we are going to explore.”

Angela is referring specifically to all the overnighting the family plans to do once they get more acquainted with their Sea Ray, which they bought from M&P Mercury Sales Ltd. “They are so kind and helpful,” Angela says of the dealership. “We wanted to buy the most luxurious yacht within 70 to 80 feet. We found the Sea Ray L650 superior to other brands.”

So far the family has enjoyed using the L-Class yacht to throw parties and take friends out, and often hosts workrelated dinner cruises for Jake, a seasoned entrepreneur working in the media and entertainment industry. Angela likes the spacious foredeck seating and table up in the bow, which she says can accommodate plenty of guests.

Plus, inside and out, the Sea Ray has a sophisticated design aesthetic made to impress. “The L650’s interior is modern and fashionable,” she says, “and the outline curve is sexy and sleek.”

(Top) Jake Wei poses on his L-Class yacht’s expansive swim platform.

(Above and right) From an on-water vantage point, it’s easy to see how Vancouver’s glittering skyline earned the nickname “City of Glass.”

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“ The L650’s interior is modern and fashionable. And the outline curve is sexy and sleek.”

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Because of its accessibility from their slip in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour, Indian Arm has become a favorite journey for Jake and Angela. “The water is calm and peaceful,” Angela says.

Looking back at the harbor, located close to downtown, the family can take in the city’s dramatic skyline. Meanwhile the historic Lions Gate Bridge, which the Guinness family (of Irish stout fame) built, soars overhead. The bridge—officially named the First Narrows Bridge because it spans the first narrows of the inlet—earned its more creative name from two nearby mountain peaks: West and East Lion. A pair of cast-concrete lions mark the bridge’s south approach.

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The yacht certainly turns the heads of the kayakers at the mouth of Indian Arm, a glacial fjord that lies just minutes from the city. The fjord extends north of Burrard Inlet. Once a boater rounds the corner to go up the arm, sheer granite cliffs and steep wooded slopes make up the scenery. Indian Arm’s rugged terrain lacks commercial development, not only because it’s protected, but also because much of the land is impassable, with minimal access via logging roads.

Because of its accessibility from their slip in Coal Harbour, Indian Arm has become a favorite journey for Jake and Angela. “The water is calm and peaceful,” Angela says of the fjord. “And on the way, we get to also have beautiful sightseeing of Vancouver.”

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Sea Ray Living

Once on Indian Arm, Angela and Jake make it a point to head to their favorite spots. “It has a famous waterfall,” Angela says. She’s referring to Granite Falls, which is located on the east side of the north end and is the largest waterfall in the region. It tumbles 150 feet, plunging into small pools over rocks. Another impressive site is Silver Falls, which gushes over a cliff like a spout.

It’s tucked in a small cove on the west side of the fjord, so it’s easy to miss when cruising by—and that might be for the best.

Oral history of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation indicates that looking at the falls could make you “dizzy and all twisted up.”

In fact the fjord is steeped in legend, with tales of an evil serpent named Scnoki that at one time spanned Burrard Inlet like a bridge. The creature is said to have had heads at both ends that held fast to the rocks. Legend holds that he terrorized the people until one day a brother-and-sister team used spears to chase him from the cliffs. The serpent is said to have retreated to Lake Buntzen.

Scnoki’s tale is just one of the many serpent legends that exist about the fjord, and although it’s commonly known as Indian Arm, the area is officially called Say Nuth Khaw Yum Provincial Park, a name that means “Serpent’s Land.” The TsleilWaututh Nation and the Province of British Columbia manage the park collectively to protect the landscape, wildlife, waters and the important archaeological sites within. If they look closely at the cliffs flanking the fjord, visitors to Indian Arm can see various pictographs left by the Tsleil-Waututh.

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Sea Ray Living

(Top) For 8-year-old Jerry, presiding over the L650’s bow lounge, the Sea Ray is a floating playground and an all-access pass to the great outdoors.

At Indian Arm’s northern terminus lies the historic Wigwam Inn (built in 1909), which has hosted John D. Rockefeller and maybe even Al Capone—if the rumors are true. The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club now owns the place and operates it as an outpost for members. Alternatively, for those seeking a rugged, secluded spot among the hemlock, cedar and fir trees, North Big Twin Island, a granite landmass on the fjord, offers up rustic camping platforms with spectacular views.

The ability to enjoy a place like Indian Arm is reason alone to rate Vancouver a great place to live. Its beauty, access to a wide variety of recreational opportunities, and relatively temperate climate all play a part in the city’s popularity.

Angela cites Vancouver’s ranking as one of the reasons the family moved here from Beijing 20 years ago, along with its rich culture and proximity. “Vancouver is close to China,” she says. “It has many Chinese restaurants and stores. Living in Vancouver is quite convenient for Chinese-speaking people.”

The family initially traveled back and forth from China to Canada and at one point even moved back to Beijing. But Vancouver drew them back this year, and now they look forward to exploring the area extensively on their L650. Regarding the city’s ranking, Angela says Vancouver is number-one in her book for both work and play. With so many appealing qualities, the city deserves every accolade. SR

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PAIRS WELL WITH A

FREE SPIRIT

lake wakatipu, queenstown, new zealand www.nobilowines.com follow us at facebook.com/nobilowines Please enjoy our wines responsibly. © 2015 Constellation Imports, Gonzales, CA

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BIG SKY STATE OF MIND MONTANA'S FLATHEAD VALLEY SERVES AS PLAYGROUND FOR A PAIR OF WEST COAST TRANSPLANTS LOOKING FOR A SLOWER PACE OF LIFE WITH THE ABILITY TO REV THINGS UP ON THEIR SLX 210.

WRITTEN BY

JENNIFER CHESAK PHOTOGRAPHED BY

MIKE CALABRO

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TIM AND MARIA

Howard moved to northwestern Montana with a plan: to enjoy the boating life.

Shortly after moving in the summer, they bought their Sea Ray SLX 210 to use on Flathead Lake, Whitefish Lake and Hungry Horse Reservoir, all which are less than a half hour’s drive from where they live.

Maria learned of Sea Ray’s excellent reputation early in life. “My dad raised me on boats and fishing,” she says of a childhood spent on various coasts while her father worked as a design engineer for oil rigs. He taught her the merits of the brand. “Sea Ray was always held as number one for us,” she explains. “He always talked about the comfort, the way a Sea Ray held up to the waves, the structure. You can take one anywhere.”

The SLX had everything Maria and Tim were looking for in a boat. “I love the fit and finish and the colors,” Maria says. “It’s very classic-modern. It’s not obnoxious. I’m not that kind of person.”

She takes a minute to think about what she’s just said and laughs. She admits she’s not into flash most of the time but loves being able to access her wild side and turn heads when the mood strikes.

“It has the extra exhaust on it,” she explains. “So I can flip the switch and make it sound like a beefy sports car. It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

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The Flathead Valley, their destination of choice, has much to offer water lovers in the form of seemingly endless, clear, glacial-fed lakes. Plus, the region provides access to the wilderness and the peace that goes along with it.

The Howards live on half an acre, and even though it’s in a residential development in Kalispell, it backs up to a creek. “We see bear and deer,” Maria says. “I have a pheasant that shows up every day. We see woodpeckers, turkeys and an owl that shows up regularly. It’s the simple things.”

With their son, Michael (26), currently serving in the United States Navy, and their daughter, Christina (23), working as a hairstylist in Bellevue, Washington, the Howards had officially become emptynesters by the time they began plotting their move to Montana from Seattle.

Tim had retired from driving truck for the heavy construction industry, and Maria had the ability to work remotely, so their path was clear. “We wanted to slow down and enjoy life while we still can,” Maria says. “Montana had what we wanted both in value and lifestyle.”

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Sea Ray Living

“Sea Ray was always held as number one for us.

My dad always talked about the comfort, the way a Sea Ray held up to the waves, the structure.

You can take one anywhere.”

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Sea Ray Living

The Howards say that their primary goal for retirement is to take it all in— every moment—and boating gives them many opportunities to do that. “You get to see things from a new perspective,” Maria explains. “When you’re driving down the road, you only get to see one side of a picture. But every time you go out on the water, it’s going to be different.”

That’s especially true on a lake like Flathead, which, in the contiguous United States, is the largest freshwater lake by surface area west of the Mississippi River. It’s an expanse that can seem excitingly overwhelming.

“It’s huge,” Maria says. “There are so many places to explore, and I don’t think you’re ever going to get to see everything.”

Flathead is great for fishing, which pleases Maria; she can catch whitefish, lake trout and northern pike. Tim, who has always been into watersports, is eager to try out the kneeboard, wakeboard and pull-behind inflatable the couple recently purchased.

“You get to see things from a new perspective.

When you’re driving down the road, you only get to see one side of a picture. But every time you go out on the water, it’s going to be different.”

The Howards plan to explore places like Wild Horse Island, a large protected day-use area. The Salish and Kootenai nations used the island to pasture horses and keep them safe for centuries. The area currently has five wild horses, but it’s also teeming with bighorn sheep, mule deer and birds, including bald eagles. And, as a reminder of the region’s storied history, pictographs and petroglyphs from thousands of years ago decorate cliffs on Flathead’s western shore in a spot called Painted Rocks.

Both Wild Horse Island and Painted Rocks can only be accessed by boat.

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For trailering across Big Sky Country or cruising into undiscovered corners of Montana’s lakes and rivers, the Howards’ SLX 210 is the ideal off-off-road vehicle.

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Maria says she enjoys living in Montana because “every day is like camping.” She’s referring to the wildlife she gets to see out her picture window, but having the boat takes the concept a step further, since the Howards can venture to secluded places.

They opted for the sleek SLX rather than something larger to ensure maximum accessibility: “We figured, why not get a boat that can go where other people can’t go?” Maria says.

Since they bought their Sea Ray late in the season, they only had the chance to enjoy it a few times before having to winterize it. “Next summer is when we’ll really get into the meat and potatoes of it all,” the pair agrees. As for Montana winters, some people might cringe at the thought, but luckily the Continental Divide and the large lake work in tandem to keep northwestern Montana in check when it comes to the harsh weather other parts of the state can experience.

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Sea Ray Living

As a reminder of the region’s history, pictographs and petroglyphs from thousands of years ago decorate cliffs on Flathead’s western shore in a spot called Painted Rocks. Both Wild Horse Island and Painted Rocks can only be accessed by boat.

So although the area gets plenty of snow to please skiers, it doesn’t get frigid, blustery or stormy too often.

Besides, Maria admits, “That’s what we signed up for. In western Washington it can get wet, cold and miserable. Here, it’s a dry cold, and if you’re covered up, you’re fine. Wet gets into your bones.”

The region offers more to do than just boating, of course. The Howards have enjoyed driving guests on Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road.

The road opens and closes throughout the winter, depending on snowfall and weather conditions. “It’s always an adventure,” Maria says. “What’s so crazy is that there isn’t much of a guardrail.

I was driving last time we went from west to east, and I was saying, ‘Thank goodness I can’t look down!’”

In northwestern Montana, Mountain Auto & Marine is the place to buy a Sea Ray, so that’s where they bought the SLX. In doing so, they gained more than just a great boat. “They’ve become friends,” Maria says of the team there.

“They’ve done everything for us. They treat you like family.”

The crew actually helped the Howards choose a unique name for the boat. Maria wanted something special, and since they are a family of mostly Scorpios (with birthdays in November), they came up with 8th Sign. “Water is supposed to be very grounding for Scorpios,” Maria says. “The SLX is 21 feet, and my birthday is on the 21st. It all just seemed to fit.”

Indeed, having a boat to call her own does seem to have centered Maria. She describes being out on the water as a sense of peacefulness. “There’s so much more involved in it than that, though,” she says. “You have the scenery and the calmness, but you also have the motion of the water.” She pauses for a second before adding, “And yet, when you want to fly across the lake, you kick it, and it just goes!” SR

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Life of the Party

CLOVER SMART PH OTOG RAPH S COU RTESY OF I N T E R L U X E G R O U P WRITTEN B Y

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CALIFORNIA’S SUN COUNTRY MARINE HOSTS AN EPIC #SEARAYSUMMER BASH, HEADLINED BY TWO GORGEOUS L-CLASS YACHTS

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It was the recipe for a perfect summer bash: breathtaking waterfront location; premium cocktails and hors d’oeuvres; a glamorous guest list representing the top tech, wealth management and real estate companies in the country; and not one but two L-Class yachts, docked within easy viewing distance. Add the clear blue skies, pleasantly warm temperatures and a gentle Pacific breeze and there was no denying: California knows how to party, and Sun Country Marine’s #SeaRaySummer gala was a prime example.

Peckham’s mahogany-paneled library, dramatic formal dining room and stonefloored atrium with pyramid-glass ceilings were just a few of the fabulous rooms through which guests could drift and mingle. The master bedroom alone has two balconies, ideal for gazing out at Shelter Island and the Peninsular Mountain Ranges beyond—a quintessential West Coast view if ever there was one. Without question, the classic architecture, local materials and natural landscaping are authentic Southern California, through and through.

“The setting was spectacular. San Diego is beautiful, but the estate took it to another level,” raved a guest who traveled in from Las Vegas for the event. “It’s one of my favorite locations in San Diego!” added Jonathan Schneeweiss, another satisfied attendee.

Sea Ray Living

The party was hosted this August at the Peckham Estate, a $13 million property listed by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Point Loma, California, overlooking San Diego Bay. Designed in the 1920s by William Templeton Johnson, the architect behind Balboa Park, the property’s mansion has been meticulously restored, right down to the push-button light switches and hand-painted beam ceilings. The main building is surrounded by historic tiled fountains, tennis courts, a pool house, and plenty of blooming plants and palm trees, lending a regal-yet-laidback atmosphere.

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San Diego’s Peckham Estate was an ideal setting for an August bash. Guests could stroll from the property’s mansion to the private dock, where two L-Class yachts awaited. Champagne toasts, fancy finger foods and a fun-loving crowd all contributed to a festive atmosphere.

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“The L650 is truly a head-turner. Sharp lines, beautiful colors, lots of light and very useful and creative space. Entertaining onboard would be not just grand, but epic!”

Raymarine ® ProAmbassador Captain Tom Petersen, who was there to demons trat e and di scuss t he boat s’ cutting-edge navigation technology with interested customers, attended the party with his wife, Anita. The couple owns a 55-foot Sundancer and had nothing but compliments for the models on display.

“The L650 is truly a head-turner,” Tom said. “Sharp lines, beautiful colors, lots of light and very useful and creative space.

Entertaining onboard would be not just grand, but epic!”

Sea Ray Living

Behind the home, an L650 and L650 Fly were tied up to the property’s private dock, beckoning guests into their palatial salons.

Sun Country Marine’s Vice President of Operations, Greg Glogow, and Sea Ray President and General Manager of Sport Yachts and Yachts, Scott Ward, were on hand to answer questions and point out notable features of the yachts, from the sunlit salon and galley, to the lavish staterooms, to the Fly’s expansive and social flybridge.

“We had a great time discussing the yachts with our guests,” Greg said. “In particular, we saw a lot of natural interest and curiosity about the propulsion and navigation systems, various options for personalization of the living spaces, and the design process behind Sea Ray’s L-Class.”

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(Below) The James Bond edition Aston Martin DB9 GT, a car worthy of 007 himself and a welcome addition to the gathering. (Bottom) Palm trees around the property accentuated the laid-back SoCal mood. (Opposite) Colorful cocktails, outgoing guests and two floating VIYs (Very Important Yachts).

The bar served brightly hued cocktails featuring organic St. Petersburg Vodka and adorned with fresh herbs and flowers, as well as with craft beers from local brewery Karl Strauss. Circulating on trays were glasses of sparkling Champagne Thiénot— just the thing for raising a toast to an unforgettable event.

“The party was wonderful, start to finish,” Greg sums up. “From the weather to the location to the people who attended, things could not have gone better. We look forward to hosting another one soon.” SR

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James McGowan, marketing manager at FLIR Systems (Raymarine’s parent brand) noted that the L650s’ sleek, multifunctional navigation systems are a natural fit for Sea Ray. “Where many yacht electronics systems look like a hodgepodge of dissimilar devices, Raymarine’s gS-Series matches the modern styling found on L-Class yachts,” James explained. “The experience is designed to be immediately intuitive, with easy access to commonly used features and functions.”

Back on land, additional “wow” factors at the party included head-turning luxury sports cars furnished by Aston Martin San Diego. The DB9 GT Bond Edition vehicle— pure automotive muscle and sophistication draped in liquid Spectre Silver—was open to guests craving a hit of adrenaline. Unique “007” badging and bespoke Bond-themed accessories hinted at the 6.0-liter V12 power plant under the hood, capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds.

And what better way to round out the evening than with a premium cocktail and a bite of something decadent? Guests were treated to a full spread of gourmet hors d’oeuvres: slow-roasted brisket served on kettle-cooked chips, fresh seafood with citrus salsa, mango-matcha layered tiramisu, rich chocolate mousse, and on and on.

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VOLUME 17 ISSUE 03

S E A R AY S P O T L I G H T

SITTIN’ ON TOP OF THE WORLD WRITTEN BY RANDY HESS | PHOTOS BY MIKE JONES

Sea Ray Living

The Beach Boys knew where catching a wave would put you, but they never could have imagined the SLX-W 230.

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aking waves” is generally advised against, a sure way to stir up trouble, call too much attention to yourself and invite well-earned grief. But that’s just not so aboard Sea Ray’s new SLX-W 230, a premium sport boat that’s riding—and making—the wave of the future.

You see, making the perfect wave is this boat’s true specialty. It does a lot of other things great, as we’ll highlight in a minute; but wow, what an awesome right- or left-curling wave this SLX-W piles up. In case you’ve been asleep these last five years, wake surfing has exploded on the scene, a way to throw gnarly tricks hundreds of miles from any coast. Having complete control of the wake and because of wake surfing’s slower running speeds, it provides perfect multi-skill-level and multi-generational fun. No pain, lots of gain. Sea Ray has been serving wake sports fans for decades, and the SLX-W adds a beautiful wrinkle to those good times.

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Sea Ray Living 68

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“We started with the SLX family’s unique dedication to Orchestrated Excellence, then added thrilling new wake surfing technology and design to achieve the perfect boat for wake sports, coving and cruising.

The SLX-W delivers pure enjoyment with nothing sacrificed.”

“But SLX-W is much more than just a boat for board riders,” Brad explains. “With thoughtful amenities for all-day coving and comfortable cruising, the SLX-W is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.”

Like every SLX, and unlike traditional tow boats, the SLX-W 230 features premium fit and finish, innovative technology and advanced comfort. These are why it also excels at cruising and coving. Take it on the run to restaurants up the shore, or settle into a quiet cove and chill out for the afternoon.

The cockpit is spacious and inviting, with versatile U-shaped seating perfect for hanging with friends or keeping an eye on the athlete behind the boat. Attention to detail is unwavering; luxury elements include modern contrast-stitch upholstery and softtouch surfaces. Intuitive storage placement throughout the boat is designed to accommodate loads of personal belongings and gear, while a Bluetooth-compatible stereo system makes music enjoyable at any speed.

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“This is the ideal boat for active families seeking to maximize their time on the water,” says Brad Anderson, president and general manager of Sea Ray Sport Boats and Cruisers. “We started with the SLX family’s unique dedication to Orchestrated Excellence, then added thrilling new wake surfing technology and design to achieve the perfect boat for wake sports, coving and cruising. The SLX-W delivers pure enjoyment with nothing sacrificed.”

Wake surfing tosses off the tow rope of wakeboarding, water skiing, kneeboarding or tubing, and replaces it with the natural propulsion of a boat-generated curl. The SLX-W’s awesome surfing wakes come courtesy of the boat’s 2,000 pounds of integrated ballast, proprietary WakeTech™ wake-shaping plates, Sea Ray’s high-performance deep-V hull, and a V-drive TowSport engine from Mercury® that moves the propeller farther forward beneath the hull while maintaining cockpit space. Every wake parameter— size, shape, left/right break—is controlled through The SLX-W’s Dynamic Display™ screen, with numerous presets for different riders and easy adjustments on the fly. Wakeboarders, water-skiers and other riders will love wakes customized for them, as well.

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Sea Ray Living

If you’re cruising for miles, don’t worry about the choppy, waterslapping ride of typical tow boats. The SLX-W features Sea Ray’s precision-engineered deep-V hull design — honed during hundreds of hours of development and testing, and available with Dynamic Running Surface™ — for an incredibly smooth ride and predictable handling. Available integrated joystick control provides for intuitive command and effortless docking, and enables quick pivots ideal for riders new to tow sports.

The functional and stylish tower option folds forward for transport and storage, plus it adds board racks and optional audio speakers.

Aft, a wide, center walk-through transom makes the water accessible for everyone, and a submersible swim step makes it easy to get in and out or just soak. Thanks to the boat’s deep hull and brilliant ergonomics, it feels larger than its size and totally secure.

But back to surfing, the SLX-W can’t be beat. The ballast system is entirely contained within the hull—far more sophisticated than space-robbing ballast bags—and adjusting the amount and location of ballast takes just a finger swipe. The cavernous transom trunk swallows boards whole. And the SeaDek matting on the swim platform treats boards, feet, knees … everything … gently.

“With its incredible versatility, superior fit and finish, and unprecedented wake technology, the SLX-W fulfills a bold new vision for wake sports capability,” Brad says. “The wave of the future is here.” SR

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Brand New Look.

LAKES BOAT AT

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Old Fashioned Quality.

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Celebrating six decades of quality marine canvas and superior customer service.

When it’s time to replace your canvas, go directly to the company that Sea Ray trusts. Celebrating 60 years as a leading marine canvas supplier, Great Lakes Boat Top has more than 22,000 original canvas patterns so your new canvas fits and looks as good as it did on the showroom floor. Request a no obligation quote online or call one of our canvas experts to confirm that we have your pattern available.

Whether you enjoy long weekends in a secluded cove on your Sea Ray or day trips enjoying watersports, you can count on canvas from Great Lakes Boat Top to make your boating experience more comfortable.

Through March 31, 2017, Sea Ray owners get 20% off any replacement canvas orders by using promo code: SRLWin17.

• Original canvas patterns dating back to 1993.

• Fast turnaround — ships within 7 - 10 business days.

• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and superior customer service.

• Bimini tops, cockpit covers, bow/tonneau covers, full enclosures and much more.

• Sturdy construction and marine hardware.

• Industry-leading Sunbrella canvas with a 10-year fabric warranty.

Offer available to retail customers only. Not valid in conjunction with other promotional offers. Expires March 31, 2017.

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S E A R AY

HORIZONS PURE HARMONY. PURE L-CLASS.

Sea Ray unveiled a spectacular addition to the L-Class lineup, the L550 Fly, at fall’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Coming in 2017, this sophisticated flybridge yacht meets its sleek express counterpart: the all-new L550. By removing barriers to connection and perfecting the combination of style and substance, each L550 model is a substantial yachting achievement that will place you fully and harmoniously in the moment.

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