Sea Ray Living - Vol 16 Iss 04

SEA RAY

LIVING LAUNCH INTO LIVING

VOLUME 16 ISSUE 04

THE ADVENTURE ISSUE WAKEBOARD IN COLORADO | TRAVEL TO COLOMBIA ROCK OUT IN MARYLAND | EXPLORE THE COAST OF MAINE

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Optional equipment shown. ©2015 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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THE NEW CANYON IS HERE.

S E A R AY L I V I N G

CONTENTS

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SPOTLIGHT

SET A COURSE FOR EXCELLENCE

Sea Ray’s new SLX models are calibrated to delight on all levels, through innovations that instill pride, and design choices that ensure comfort and contentment.

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VOLUME

16 ISSUE 04

20 30 40 50 60

ALL ABOARD

A Sea Ray 270 Sundeck fosters family togetherness in Grand Junction, Colorado. Six cousins and their parents bond over a mutual love of wakeboarding, water-skiing, sightseeing and getting away from everyday distractions.

PORT CITY TO THE WORLD

Cartagena, Colombia, serves the maritime needs of major transporters and Sea Ray boaters alike. From the charms of the walled Old City to the modern-day pleasures of downtown, visitors and locals find no shortage of entertainment.

A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

The islands off the wild coast of Maine provide the Erb family a wealth of opportunities to explore using their 350 Sundancer, whether they’re pulling up to an undeveloped island or capturing a new lighthouse for the photo album.

MARYLAND ROCKS

An AC/DC tribute band guitarist really knows how to play—both on stage and onboard his Sea Ray 350 SLX. River gatherings with his family and friends have a way of bringing out every passenger’s spirited side.

N E W Z E A L A N D B Y WAY O F C H I C A G O

Sea Ray and Nobilo Wines treat a group of winners to a weekend on the town, taking in the Windy City’s impressive skyline (as seen from a 470 Sundancer), sinking their teeth into New Zealand cuisine and savoring the perfect wine for the occasion.

08 LIFE

Enhance your Sea Ray lifestyle with the Life Collection—a sampling of finely crafted 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

It’s no surprise that Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, holds a wealth of boating opportunities.

The experience is even richer when you combine a sleek Sea Ray SLX with a sophisticated GMC vehicle.

72

HORIZONS

The all-new Sea Ray Owners Club will celebrate, connect and empower Sea Ray owners like never before, with 24/7 access to personalized boat information, a calendar full of local events and a vibrant new online community.

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S E A R AY L I V I N G

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Sea Ray Living

VOLUME

16 ISSUE 04

I’m willing to bet that what you care about most in a boat can’t be pinned to any one component, but rather to something simultaneously less tangible and more important: how it makes you feel. The sum total of a boat should add up to more than its parts, because in the end what we remember and cherish most are our experiences, not our possessions.

Of course, the way to deliver that elevated experience is by focusing on each of those parts very, very closely. At Sea Ray, we pride ourselves on paying attention to every last detail of every last boat we make. Excellence, after all, does not happen by accident; it happens through a series of considered choices.

That approach has earned us many accolades over the years, from Customer Satisfaction Index Awards based on direct owner feedback, to Innovation Awards lauding the ingenuity of our design and engineering team. And that approach has fueled a series of new models we are thrilled to preview in this issue—the new SLX lineup (page 66).

The SLX Experience satisfies on all levels, eliciting emotions like pride, confidence and contentment. For example, it’s not just easy to operate the helm’s Dynamic Display touchscreen; it’s fun. The new Hydraulic Swim Platform doesn’t just make it easier to enter and exit the water; it gives you and your guests another place to gather, relax and soak up your surroundings. That 350-hp MerCruiser® engine not only performs beautifully, it also gives you the power to choose your own adventure.

These and hundreds of other components were carefully designed and chosen to play a role in your happiness. It’s no accident that you’ll find yourself smiling when you step onboard. Because every choice that went into that new Sea Ray was motivated by a commitment to your enjoyment.

For proof, look no further than the pages of this magazine, where we profile customers across the country and around the world who have tapped into the joys of Sea Ray life. And after you’ve finished reading, I encourage you to head online to ownersclub.searay.com, where our brand-new Sea Ray Owners Club community is now active. It’s one piece of a much larger Owners Club program, one that embraces the many wonderful aspects of belonging to the Sea Ray family.

After all, Sea Ray ownership isn’t defined by the simple fact of owning a boat; the experience adds up to so much more.

At Sea Ray, we pride ourselves on paying attention to every last detail of every last boat we make. Excellence, after all, does not happen by accident; it happens through a series of considered choices.

Tim Schiek President, Sea Ray Boat Group

4

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Photo courtesy of SeaRay

Photo courtesy of SeaRay Photo courtesy of SeaRay

FREE DISH Network® or DIRECTV® receiver FREE included with® DISH Network ® every model!* or DIRECTV FREE receiver DISH Network® ® included with or DIRECTV every model!* receiver included with every model!*

“ ““

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Ken Caine the worked Owner, M/Vstopping.

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” ””

Owner, M/V Gorgeous Moose,

— Capt.

48-footKen Sea Caine Ray

Introducing the new TracVision TV-series Owner, M/V Gorgeous Moose, 48-foot Sea Ray Introducing thejust new TracVision TV-series The best got even better.

Introducing the new TracVision TV-series Sophisticated technology hundreds Simple tobetter. install and easy to use The bestforjust got even of channels of crystal-clear HDTV Sleek IP-enabled TV-Hub delivers easy The best just got even better. setup and operation Sophisticated technology for hundreds Simple to install and easy to use Ultra-fast satellite acquisition ®

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deviceand or laptop setup operation Sleek IP-enabled TV-Hub delivers easy Friendly user interface from any mobile setup and operation device or laptop Friendly user interface from any mobile device or laptop

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For all the details, visit: KVH, TracVision, and the unique light-colored dome with dark contrasting baseplate are registered trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc.

*DISH Network or DIRECTV receiver sent separately; requires pre-activation of service. See www.kvh.com/tvreceiver for details.

©2015 KVH Industries, Inc.

Official Satellite Partner of

Friendly user interface from any to mobile Sleek IP-enabled TV-Hub delivers easy Simple to install and easy use

SATELLITE TV PRODUCT AWARD SATELLITE TV PRODUCT AWARD

tracvision.com/TVseriesSea For all the details, visit: tracvision.com/TVseriesSea

*DISH Network or DIRECTV receiver sent separately; requires pre-activation of service. See www.kvh.com/tvreceiver for details. ©2015 KVH Industries, Inc. KVH, TracVision, and the unique light-colored dome with dark contrasting baseplate are registered trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc.

*DISH Network or DIRECTV receiver sent separately; requires pre-activation of service. See www.kvh.com/tvreceiver for details. ©2015 KVH Industries, Inc. KVH, TracVision, and the unique light-colored dome with dark contrasting baseplate are registered trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc.

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VOLUME 1 6

ISSUE 04

CONTRIBUTORS 3 1

3

Jennifer

2

4

1 Mike

Calabro

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 captured a fun-loving crew in Colorado, spent time with an avid guitarist near Chesapeake Bay and even traveled to South America.

2 William

Randolph

Minneapolis-area journalist William Randolph has contributed to wide-ranging publications including the Star Tribune and Inside Voice. For this issue, he takes readers on a journey to Colombia.

Chesak

Jennifer’s Sea Ray Living adventures have taken her all over the world. Her writing has appeared in Trail Runner, Field & Stream online and many other publications. For this issue, Jennifer got to know Sea Ray boaters all around the country, from Colorado to Maryland to Maine.

4 Clover

Smart

A writer and blogger 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 explores a few of the 10,000-plus lakes that earn Minnesota its nickname.

Tim Schiek President | Brad Anderson Vice President–Marketing & Planning | Matt Guilford Vice President of Marketing

SEA RAY

LIVING

magazine

President, Publisher Douglas Leik | Account Executive Annie Brown Editorial Director Randy Hess | Managing Editor Amy Wideman | Senior Content Editor Elli Purtell Editor at Large Jennifer Chesak | Editor at Large Alexa Poteet | Editorial Intern Monica Park Creative Director Russell Duncan | Digital Creative Director Kraig Devenport Production Director Robyn Bendle | Art Director Kelly Mairs | Graphic Designer Brittany Huisenga Contributors William Randolph, Clover Smart Photographers Mike Calabro, Jim Gallop, Robert Glover, Richard Steinberger

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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 Tel: 312-822-9266 Fax: 312-822-9268 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 © 2015 Sea Ray Boats.

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Each decanter takes four generations of Cellar Masters over 100 years to craft. www.LOUISXIII-COGNAC.com ©2015 E Rémy Martin & Co., LOUIS XIII® Grande Champagne Cognac, 40% Alc./Vol., Imported by Rémy Cointreau USA, Inc., New York, NY. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

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ONE CENTURY IN A BOTTLE

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

LI FE LIFE & TIMES:

TRAVEL TO CARTAGENA

A center of political and economic activity for centuries, the port city of Cartagena is rich in historical significance and modernday charm. Its colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and today it draws visitors from around the world with its remarkably well-preserved landmarks, notable religious monuments, colorful local culture and epic ocean views.

Located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Cartagena is blessed with an average temperature of 81°F and 2,500 hours of sunshine a year, making its sprawling beaches all the more inviting. Inland, an abundance of acclaimed restaurants, art galleries, lively bars and cafes galore encourage locals and tourists alike to eat, drink and be merry.

Read about a 370 Sundancer owner and his home city on page 30.

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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.

PACK MENTALITY Explorer No. 239

Classic Ghurka styling meets a thirst for adventure in this ruggedly beautiful leather backpack, whose roomy interior can accommodate everything you need for a weekend on your Sea Ray. Vintage leather and brass hardware lend durability and good looks. ($1,595; ghurka.com)

DIAMONDS AND PEARLS 18K White Gold Ring

Boasting a 1 carat aquamarine stone, .62 carats of diamonds and an exotic black pearl, this Koesia sparkler catches the light and the imagination. By daylight or on a sunset cruise, the pearl’s iridescent surface reflects undertones of charcoal, dark green and even rose. ($3,900; jamesedition.com)

MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD Writers Edition Leo Tolstoy Rollerball

From the premier house of luxury writing instruments, Montblanc, comes a tribute to Russian literary master Leo Tolstoy. The hammered optic of the pen’s silver-coated barrel represents hard work, while the blue and gray reflect the colors of his writing studio. ($840; montblanc.com)

TIME TO GO

Nautical Titanium Watch

or a leisurely swim, you’ll never lose track of time. ($240; watchco.com)

vol. 16 issue 04

With its titanium case and sharp contrast dial, Bertucci’s Men’s A-4T watch is water-resistant to 100 meters, with a statement-making nylon strap that dries quickly upon returning to the surface. During a dive

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S E A R AY

LIFE

AS THE WORLD TURNS Cork Globe

Map out where you’ve cruised or where you dream of traveling on this whimsical cork globe, perched on a stainless-steel stand. Use the colored pushpins to attach photos, tickets and mementos, and celebrate the spirit of adventure with every turn. ($129; uncommongoods.com)

NAVIGATION STATION

Dutch Admiralty Ship’s Throttle Post Clock This vintage replica evokes the throttle posts found on seagoing vessels of centuries past. From its authentic throttle-position face to its riveted glare shield and swivel mount, this is the clock to keep your mind on the water, even when stuck at your desk. ($325; nauticalluxuries.com)

DOMO ARIGATO

Sea Ray Living

Wooden Cubebot

Inspired by the Japanese Shinto Kumi-ki puzzles, designer David Weeks’s Cubebot is a non-traditional take on the toy robot. The figure’s durable hardwood limbs and elastic-band “muscles” can hold many jaunty poses—until it’s time for rest, at which point he folds into a perfect cube. ($15; designpublic.com)

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L E C H E M I N D U TA L E N T

GARANCE THIÉNOT Ambassadrice et propriétaire de la Maison

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S E A R AY

LIFE

SAY CHEESE

Mirrorless Digital Camera This covetable mirrorless Leica camera features a solid aluminum-alloy unibody design and user-friendly LCD touchscreen.

Its 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor captures high-resolution video and still images in a wide variety of lighting situations. Think sunrise off the bow, followed by cannonballs at high noon. ($1,628; bhphotovideo.com)

LISTEN CLOSELY Aedle VK-1 Headphones

The latest audio technology meets the best of traditional craftsmanship in Aedle’s VK-1 high-performance headphones.

Titanium-neodymium transducers in a minimalistic aluminum body are wrapped in genuine lambskin leather, resulting in a marriage of style and performance not unlike your Sea Ray. ($350; shop.sightandsoundgallery.com)

BACKPACKER’S BEST FRIEND The Fogo

Sea Ray Living

This clever gadget combines three essential outdoor devices—flashlight, GPS and walkie-talkie—into one compact, waterproof package. Plus, it can charge up a smartphone and even send an alert if you need help. Ideal for gearheads with a soft spot for nature. ($220; fogo.io/store)

VIEW FROM ABOVE Panono Explorer Edition

Toss it into the air and the Panono camera creates a full 360° x 360° panorama, stitching together up to 600 images to form a single, stunning shot. When synched, your smartphone or tablet will take you right into the middle of your panorama, then let you share via social media.

Enjoy the view. ($1,499; shop.panono.com)

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EXPERIENCE THE SPIRIT OF THE VALLEY Introducing the NEW Montecristo White Series Vintage Connecticut Its vintage 2008 Connecticut Shade Wrapper, nurtured on Montecristo’s company farms in the Connecticut River Valley USA, is prized for its silky texture and delicate taste.

Creamy smoothness, rich aroma and complex flavor sensations

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S E A R AY

LIFE

ROLL WITH IT Leather Travel Tube

Pack up to four watches in this handsome, handcrafted leather travel roll. A soft insert and lining protect your favorite timepieces, while a solid aged brass or elliptical-polished steel buckle keep the tube securely closed. ($250; shop.hodinkee.com)

NOTE TAKER The Adventure Log

A pocket notebook for the detail-oriented traveler, The Adventure Log from Word Notebooks keeps entries neatly sorted. With spaces to jot down dates and locations, conditions and companions, it’s a perfect place to organize thoughts and keep memories close at hand. ($10; jetpens.com)

GOLDEN SHAVE 24K Gold Razor

Designer Thom Browne has partnered with shaving brand Harry’s to produce something equal parts tool and sculpture. Browne’s iconic red, white and blue striping complements a luxurious plated gold handle, topped by 5-blade head. Each razor comes packaged in a suede-lined leather case. ($250; barneys.com)

TECH SAVVY

Sea Ray Living

GMC Sierra Denali

The 2016 Sierra Denali has the power and technology to transport you to far-flung destinations. But “off the beaten path” doesn’t have to mean “off the grid.” A new suite of available technology, including Apple CarPlay1 compatibility, keeps you connected while on the road. Apple CarPlay links your smartphone to the Sierra Denali’s IntelliLink system2, allowing you to easily send, read and reply to text messages, make calls, and listen to voicemail. Access Apple Maps to chart your path and listen to iTunes radio while you follow it.

Visit gmc.com for more information.

1 Vehicle user interface is a product of Apple® and its terms and privacy statements apply.

Requires compatible smartphone and data plan rates apply.

2 Full functionality requires compatible Bluetooth and smartphone. Some devices require USB connectivity.

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LIFE

D E S T I NAT I O N S

MINNESOTA’S MAGIC For a wealth of boating opportunities, look no further than the Land of 10,000 Lakes

Home to the northernmost point in the lower 48 states, Minnesota has its share of bitterly cold weather and rugged landscapes. Yet with even more bodies of water than its nickname suggests, the Land of 10,000 Lakes is rich in geographical and historical wonder—and long on appeal to boaters lucky enough to travel by Sea Ray and trailer by GMC Yukon SLT. Here are just a handful of the state’s many celebrated spots.

WRITTEN BY CLOVER SMART TRAILERING PHOTOS BY MIKE CALABRO

Sea Ray Living

GULL LAKES One of the largest and most popular in the Brainerd area, the Gull Lakes chain comprises 13,000 acres and includes eight lakes and two bays, connected along their northern border by a series of channels. Cragun’s Marina, a full-service, lake-level marina located on Steamboat Bay, is a great place to launch your Sea Ray adventure. Archaeology buffs will appreciate the significance of the area, too: About half a mile down the Gull River from the lake’s outlet is Gull Lake Dam, where more than a dozen burial mounds have been discovered under the site, all thought to have originated from the Woodland American Indian tribes and dating back to at least A.D. 200. The burial mounds have earned the location a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

MILLE LACS LAKE Less than two hours on I-94 W to US-169 N from Minneapolis is Minnesota’s second-largest inland lake, Mille Lacs. This beautiful body of water was once host to large steamboats, timber and hauling supplies before slowly giving way to more 21st-century pursuits, including topshelf recreational boating. Drop your Sea Ray at any one of the many marinas, resorts or public boat launches, then cruise in search of a quiet cove to call your own. Overhead, soaring eagles, osprey and gulls keep boaters company, and below the surface smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskie tempt anglers. Don’t hesitate to pack your tubes or wakeboards; Mille Lacs welcomes those with a need for speed. (It also hosts regular sailing regattas and sailboard competitions.) Off-water, venues ranging from the sparkling Grand Casino to the educational Historical Society Museum offer something for every taste. Yet nature remains the biggest draw, as the many smaller surrounding lakes contribute to the sense that there truly must be at least 10,000 of them nearby.

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Trailer a Sea Ray SLX behind a GMC Yukon SLT and prepare to enjoy the best of Minnesota’s natural wonders.

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Sea Ray Living

LAKE MINNETONKA Just 20 miles west of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Lake Minnetonka provides a smooth transition from city life to wilderness. A sweet Midwestern cottage culture marries nicely with holdovers from the Victorian era, when the lake first became home to grand, genteel hotels and inland steamboats. Sea Ray boaters will find more than 10 public launch ramps and several full-service marinas to choose from, and watersports fans will appreciate that the lake’s maximum 113-foot depth means warmer temps than in the neighboring Great Lakes. Take time to explore Minnetonka’s extensive shoreline, with its dozens of bays and winding channels. Keep your eyes peeled for Lou, the elusive giant sturgeon with the Loch Ness-like reputation. (Sightings have been reported since the 1980s.) A word of caution: Minnetonka is one of the region’s most popular lakes, so consider visiting midweek. For any service or sales needs, MarineMax has locations in Rogers and Bayport, each just a hop, skip and a jump away.

LAKE OF THE WOODS To really get away from it all, chart a course for the north and don’t stop until you reach Lake of the Woods, on the Minnesota-Canada border. The “Walleye Capital of the World” delivers stunning views to accompany the serious fish population, so even if you’ve never touched a rod and reel, there’s plenty to occupy your attention. The adjoining Rainy River offers several boat landings with full access, as do a variety of resorts on the south end of the lake. In the warmer months, favored outdoor activities include hiking, birding, wildflower viewing, and harvesting the abundance of chokecherries, blueberries, strawberries and morel mushrooms that grow here. Consider it insurance against running out of snacks. SR

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ALL ABOARD

A SEA RAY 270 SUNDECK FOSTERS FAMILY TOGETHERNESS IN GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO

WRITTEN BY

JENNIFER CHESAK PHOTOGRAPHED BY

MIKE CALABRO

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Sea Ray Living

“Some of my most cherished memories are of learning to water-ski and of being on the water with my cousins.

It was such great family time.”

F

rom an observer’s point of view, a Sea Ray is loaded with impressive details, from breakthroughs in navigation and propulsion technology, to design considerations that push the envelope for comfort and style. Turns out an owner’s perspective takes these observations and doubles down. Because beyond the built-in wow-factor, there’s something even more magical about the experiences a Sea Ray makes possible. Corralling the family for a day of fun on the lake, playing hard until sundown, and heading home with a vibrant new set of shared memories—there’s nothing else like it.

Cristin Groves and her sister Jodie Squirrell wanted to tap into that feeling when, along with their respective husbands, Brian and Sid, they decided to co-buy a 270 Sundeck last summer. “We grew up near a lake in Oklahoma,” Cristin says. “Some of my most cherished memories are of learning to water-ski and of being on the water with my cousins. It was such great family time.”

Cristin counts out the family members in her head. “I’m pretty sure that with all the cousins, Dad had about 10 of us kids he had to pull around that lake.”

So far, the sisters’ goal to engage their own families in sun-drenched memory-making seems to be working. “They love it,” Cristin says of the kids. “They get onboard and it’s like they leave all of their other life behind— their friends, their electronics. And we get to spend some real quality time together.”

That’s the thing about a boat. It’s a time capsule, one that takes a family back to easier days when entertainment didn’t involve a tablet or a smartphone. Maybe it’s the way the sunlight glints off the sand or shimmers off the lake, or the way the horizon knits together two perfect shades of blue. Whatever it is, getting out on the water really does a little magic trick on the mind, forcing it to be in the moment—rather than worrying about an overload of schoolwork, friends who’ve been unfriendly, or any other thing that plagues the teen or preteen mind.

Cristin and Jodie know this peace from their childhood firsthand, and they want to provide a similar place of serenity and solidarity for their kids. After all, those early days of boating together helped them bond as sisters and forge a closeness that remains today. They remember howling in laughter together at their first attempts to get up on skis and the subsequent biffs when they each got a little braver and attempted to jump the wake. They also remember being so delightfully exhausted at the end of a hard day of playing on the water that their minds had no energy left to fret about boys or other woes.

“We’re really trying to create that experience that we had,” Cristin says. “And especially with the kids getting older, we want to keep that connection with them.”

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Rio (left) and Lauren settle into the Sundeck’s inviting aft seats and begin the countdown to watersports action.

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Sea Ray Living 24

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That’s the thing about a boat. It’s a time capsule back to easier days, when entertainment didn’t involve a tablet or a smartphone. vol. 16 issue 04

(Clockwise from top left) Rio enjoys a moment of zen; Cristin and Brian snuggle up in the spacious bow; and the girls put the Sea Ray’s swim platform to good use, as Cristin looks on.

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Sea Ray Living

“ It’s just gorgeous down there. We’ll go out and cruise through the different coves and then find a good spot to wakeboard.”

The Groveses, who live in Grand Junction, Colorado, have three daughters: Landri (14), Rio (12) and Lauren (12); the Squirrells, who live in Boulder, have three boys: Rylan (17), Kyler (14) and Carder (7). “It fits all of us comfortably with all our gear,” Cristin says of the 270 Sundeck. “We wanted a boat that could hold both of our families, still be a comfortable ride, and allow us to do all the fun stuff we like—tubing, wakeboarding, water-skiing. It just fit our needs.”

They were drawn to the Sea Ray brand for their first family boat because Brian had owned a Sea Ray when he was in his 20s and couldn’t say enough good things about it.

“Sea Ray has a great reputation,” Cristin adds.

When they bought the boat in July from Sundance Marine in Grand Junction, they were eager to enjoy the rest of the summer on the water. The Groveses say Sundance accelerated the process to accommodate them, and also helped with their unique experience of co-ownership. “They’ve been just great and have really taken care of us,” Cristin says.

Colorado’s many reservoirs give the Groveses and the Squirrells plenty of options for quick launching, but they love trailing the three hours to Lake Powell. They stay at Defiance House Lodge in Bullfrog, Utah, and launch at Bullfrog Marina. “It’s just gorgeous down there,” Cristin says. “We’ll go out and cruise through the different coves and then find a good spot to wakeboard. The kids like to jump off the back of the boat and swim.

And sometimes we’ll cruise down the main channel and hang out.”

Brian and Cristin own and run their own business, ASCO Masonry. This affords their family the flexibility to take off for occasional long weekends at Powell, where they’ll meet up with Jodie, Sid and the boys. The cousins help one another work on their wakeboarding skills, a sport they learned together over the summer. Meanwhile, the parents can relax, catch up with one another and simply enjoy the sun and scenery. Of course, Cristin’s not above schooling the kids on how to waterski.

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(Above) Landri pauses to appreciate the moment. (Previous page) Cristin enjoys a pull, and a snuggle with Landri.

(Following page) The girls indulge in a few obligatory selfies; Brian commands the helm.

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Sea Ray Living

The cousins help each other work on their wakeboarding skills, a sport they learned together over the summer.

Back home in Grand Junction, the Groveses lead busy lives. Landri plays volleyball and basketball, Rio lacrosse and Lauren soccer. Getting away to Powell isn’t always feasible once school starts, so the family relies on the local reservoirs for quick, early-evening launches. Highline Lake State Park, right in Grand Junction, is great for watersports, but visitors can also hike the surrounding trails.

Another local favorite is Sweitzer Lake State Park in nearby Delta, Colorado. The small lake is a wakeboard and water-ski haven, but the Groveses also enjoy the designated swimming area and the picnic sites for barbecuing. When they head to Boulder to visit the Squirrells, they can drop in at any number of reservoirs in the foothills.

“We haven’t had any problems trailering the Sundeck,” Cristin says. “It’s so easy.”

The region typically serves up about five months of boating weather a year and of course the families stretch the season as long as they can. But when it’s time to put the boat away for the cooler months, they simply turn their attention to the rest of state’s great offerings. “Colorado has so many outdoor experiences and opportunities,” Cristin says.

“In the winter, we go snow skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing. We love it.”

And while summertime lures them outdoors with plenty of other activities including hiking, mountain biking and trail running, being out on the Sea Ray remains their clear favorite. After all, the boat has that unique power to hold everybody together. Cristin says it’s no contest; boating is, and always will be, her favorite. SR

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PORT CITY TO THE

WORLD CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA, SERVES THE MARITIME NEEDS OF MAJOR TRANSPORTERS AND SEA RAY BOATERS ALIKE

WRITTEN BY

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WILLIAM RANDOLPH

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

MIKE CALABRO

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C Cartagena owes much of its considerable beauty to its rather uneasy past. What is today a bustling Caribbean port city began in the sixteenth century as a sort of relay station for Spain, a place where precious stones and other riches plundered from the New World awaited transshipment from South America to the mother country. Its extensive fortifications are still present, studded with cannons, and help to underscore its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They also suggest that perhaps plundering wasn’t history’s safest profession.

Cartegena has emerged as a prosperous hub, with several major open ports surrounded by vast suburbs and high-rise buildings.

Sea Ray Living

These days, the shipping traffic is much more respectable, and the stone walls and fortresses are targeted by tourists’ cameras instead of enemies’ sights. From centuries of strife, Cartegena has emerged as a prosperous hub, with several major open ports surrounded by vast suburbs and high-rise buildings. Yet the charms of the walled old town have remained virtually unchanged, and the area’s greatest asset— the water—continues to be the focal point around which nearly all else revolves.

(Opposite) 370 Sundancer owner Edgar Mercado soaks up views of Cartagena’s old walled city and the sparkling harbor. (Previous page) The Cathedral of San Pedro Claver.

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(Opposite) Edgar commands the helm of his Sea Ray. (Above, top) A vendor shoulders his wares, a box of fresh agave.

(Above, bottom) One of many lookouts along the colonial fortifications.

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To a Sea Ray owner in this region, the city’s fairy-tale good looks should be enjoyed not just from within but from without. The modern skyline sparkles at midday and lights up colorfully against brilliant sunsets, best viewed from the bay. For 370 Sundancer owner Edgar Mercado, owning a boat is a nobrainer; whether hosting a group of friends or enjoying a solitary cruise, there’s no better way to engage with the natural splendor than

by Sea Ray. Even so, one can’t deny the considerable treasures on land. Behind those colonial walls lie a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies dripping with bougainvillea, and ornate churches casting welcome shade over sunwarmed plazas. Personal touches flourish— door knockers carved into sea horses, lizards, frogs or lions, for example, speak to the rich cultural heritage. That so many 500-year-old fortresses, churches and monasteries remain admirably intact is a testament to the skillful military and civil architecture of the Spanish, and fortunately, a great number of these sites are open to the public.

The old town really begins to heat up after dark, as the numerous clubs and upscale restaurants swell with crowds. Foodies will find plenty to love; seafood plays a starring role, naturally, in the form of ever-present ceviche. Colorful cocktails featuring local fruit and strong spirits help the citrus-soaked shrimp, lobster and fish go down even easier—and have a way of extending the night for otherwise-shy visitors.

Conveniently, local Sea Ray dealership Todomar Marina is located in the tourist sector of Bocagrande, just minutes from historic downtown. The full-service facility offers repair and maintenance services, boat storage and more, all manned by an attentive staff. A ship’s store onsite sells everything from sunglasses and tees to fishing poles and electronics.

Sea Ray Living

Behind those colonial walls lie a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies dripping with bougainvillea, and ornate churches casting welcome shade over sun-warmed plazas.

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(Opposite, center) Jonathan Avila helps guide the day’s “photo boat,” a 510 Sundancer provided by Todomar Marina. (Opposite, left) The Cathedral of Cartagena. (This page) Brightly colored snapshots of life in Colombia’s port city.

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(Top) Todomar’s sleek 510 Sundancer glides past the old town walls.

(Above) Vibrant bougainvillea line a path to the University of Cartagena’s picturesque tower.

Bocagrande has often been compared to Florida’s Miami Beach, in all its shiny, fashion-conscious glory. Certainly the peninsula is home to an abundance of chic restaurants, trendy cafes, art galleries and stylish residents. The row of luxury condos lining the area demonstrates the rising prosperity of late.

Until recently, an enormous statue of the Virgin Mary sat out in the middle of the harbor, serving as a counterpoint to the ubiquitous modernity. This remembrance of the Virgin of Mount Carmel, the patron saint of drivers and navigators, had stood since 1983—until it was struck by lightning this past August, shattering the sculpture and throwing all but her feet into the surrounding water. Some may have seen it as bad omen, but others took it as proof that the protecting force was doing her job: Not a single ship was impacted by the occurrence.

Safely out of the lighting’s strike path but little more than a stone’s throw from downtown, a pair of islands presents boaters with additional opportunities to explore.

The beautiful Tierra Bomba Island sits at the mouth of the bay, and offers miles of shoreline, mango groves and the 250-yearold military forts of San Jose and San Fernando. Across the channel from Tierra

Bomba, Baru Island offers an idyllic escape from the buzz of Cartagena, with its pristine white-sand beaches, lush vegetation and relatively affordable resorts. Best of all for Sea Ray owners, Baru and Tierra Bomba are somewhat difficult to get to—unless you happen to own a boat.

Further offshore, the San Bernardo Archipelago gives Edgar and his Sundancer a peaceful destination for weekend escapes.

Cartagenans make the two-hour trip to Boquerón Island, Panda Island and others in search of the quiet beaches, crystal-clear water, extensive plant life and protected coral reefs that make up the archipelago. (Sea turtle sightings are an added perk.) Beyond, the islands of Múcura and Tintipán mark a trail out into the yawning Caribbean. And from there, the number-one destination is the horizon.

For as many charms as Cartagena holds, its biggest selling point hasn’t changed since the days of the Spanish explorers: By boat, it will always be a gateway to the world. 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. Š 2015 Constellation Imports, Gonzales, CA

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5/21/15 4:49 PM 12/17/15 3:18 PM

DIAMOND

in the ROUGH

THE ISLANDS OFF THE WILD COAST OF MAINE PROVIDE THE ERB FAMILY A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE USING THEIR 350 SUNDANCER

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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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Sea Ray Living

A

Adventure has always been a part of Lindsay and Kelsey Erb’s love of the water. When the sisters were younger, they were content to spend hours in a tidal pool catching hermit crabs and scouring for sea glass. Now, however, they require an element of challenge.

For example, the girls wanted to know if it was possible to visit all of the lighthouses in Maine, recalls their father, Dave. “Sure! Why not?” he says with a laugh. After all, the family does have a Sea Ray 350 Sundancer at their disposal. While plenty of the state’s lighthouses are accessible by land, many of them can be reached only by boat. So the Erb family has vowed to visit as many as they can. “That’s become one of our passions,” Dave says. “Lighthouses are everywhere. In fact, we’ve been boating for about 14 years, and even this summer we found a new one.”

Over the course of those 14 years, Dave and his wife, Nancy, have owned four Sea Rays. They started out with a 260 Sundancer, moved up to a 320 Sundancer, switched to a 360 Sedan Bridge model, and then returned to the Sundancer line with their 350. “Sea Ray has a great reputation, and that’s what initially attracted us to the brand,” Dave says. “And the Sundancer has a great look to it. We love the lines.”

Perhaps of most importance—at least to 14-year-old Lindsay, a practiced gymnast—is that the boat has ample space and various platforms for jumping into the water and performing her acrobatics. “She spends more time upside down than right-side up,” Dave says.

The Erbs purchased all of their Sea Rays from Port Harbor Marine in Portland. “They are outstanding,” Dave says of the dealership. “They’re very knowledgeable and have a passion for what they do.”

The Erbs live in Scarborough but keep their boat at Port Harbor Marine’s Spring Point Marina. There’s a strong communal quality that makes the marina an inviting place to hang out. “Undoubtedly the other boaters there have stories to tell of places they’ve been, or tidbits of boating knowledge to share,” he explains.

“It’s added to our social life.”

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Sisters Lindsay and Kelsey Erb give pup Annie some love. All three are more than happy to devote weekends to roaming Maine’s fascinating coast on the family’s Sundancer.

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Sea Ray Living

Probably of most importance—at least to 14-year-old Lindsay, a practiced gymnast—is that the boat has ample space and various platforms for jumping into the water and performing her acrobatics. “She spends more time upside down than right-side up.”

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The Erbs mostly use their Sea Ray for exploring the Maine coastline, which features many great ports of call and beautiful outlying islands. “There’s so much to explore,” Dave says. “You can head up to Penobscot Bay. Really, it’s hard to go to the same place twice, and there’s so much you couldn’t even see without a boat.”

Whether they’re heading out for a fullfledged summer vacation or just a weekend jaunt, the 350 Sundancer has served them well. “It’s the perfect size for a family of four,” Dave says. “It gives you the ability to do day trips, but more importantly, overnights as well.” Every year the Erbs take a two-week vacation where they live fully onboard the boat, traveling from destination to destination. “The 350 is great for spending that much time onboard,” he says.

Eleven-year-old Kelsey does have one serious complaint about the Sundancer, however, and it’s that she can’t fit a horse on it. She loves everything equestrian and is an avid rider when she’s back on land. The family dog, Annie, a rescue, always joins the party, though, and seems just as happy on the Sea Ray as the rest of the Erb crew.

“ There’s so much to explore. Really, it’s hard to go to the same place twice, and there’s so much you couldn’t even see without a boat.”

When it comes to indulging the girls’ sense of adventure, Dave and Nancy appreciate that the Sundancer’s intuitive electronics take the guesswork out of maritime travel.

“We feel very safe on the boat,” Dave says.

“That’s important, particularly with kids. We cover a lot of ground and are well offshore.

You really rely on the boat, and I’ve always had confidence in our Sea Ray.” On day trips, the Erbs often head to a swath of land called Jewell Island in Casco Bay. The girls have a keen appreciation for the island’s history, and love to climb the military towers left over from WWII. There’s even a bunker that’s rumored to be haunted. On the northeast side of the island, the Punchbowl is a gigantic tidal pool where, at low tide, the girls like to catch and release crabs, eels, starfish and baby lobsters.

Sometimes the family drops anchor in Cocktail Cove, a popular gathering spot.

“I’m sure every island has one of these,” Dave says with a laugh. “There isn’t much on the way to Jewell; you might see a few boats here and there, but once you get to the cove, there’s always a dozen boats, and you make instant friends.” Dave and Nancy enjoy the chance meetings with fellow Sea Ray owners, especially when another couple has kids for their girls to hang out with. “It’s great because with boating, everyone is in a pretty good mood.”

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Whether keeping an eye peeled for new lighthouses, launching their standup paddleboards, or just relaxing with a good book, the Erbs savor every moment at sea.

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Closer to home, Great Diamond Island is an ideal day trip for the Erbs. Inevitably the girls launch their standup paddleboards and explore Diamond Cove. “I think the cove is one of the prettiest places on earth,” Dave says. The paddleboards became part of the family’s boating repertoire when the girls started to approach their teens and Dave and Nancy were concerned they wouldn’t want to spend as much time with their parents.

Turns out that Dave and Nancy like the boards, too. And sometimes one of them will go out with one of the girls, leaving the other for some quality time with Mom or Dad. “We learned right away that as the kids grew, the activities had to evolve, too,” Dave explains.

Part of that evolution simply involved giving the girls space to develop their own traditions on the boat. For example, Lindsay enjoys lounging on the sunpads on the bow and taking some time to herself. “With the layout, there are really numerous hangout spots,” Dave says. “And if the girls are on the bow, and we’re in the cockpit, it’s like you’re in two different worlds. Even though the boat’s only 35 feet, the kids really appreciate that privacy.”

Nancy grew up boating and has fond childhood memories of being on the water with her family, so she’s the one who suggested they start creating the same lifestyle for their kids. Although it’s possible to have Wi-Fi onboard the Sundancer, the Erbs opt not to. They simply make it a point every few days (when on longer trips) to pull into a marina that offers it. “In this day and age,” Dave says, “it’s often hard to get your kids to unplug, but as long as they know the Wi-Fi will eventually come back, they love getting out on the water. We’ll take all the sacred family time we can get with them.”

Whatever adventure the girls dream up next, Dave and Nancy are more than onboard. SR

“ With the layout, there are really numerous hangout spots. And if the girls are on the bow, and we’re in the cockpit, it’s like you’re in two different worlds… the kids really appreciate that privacy.”

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MARYLAND

WRITTEN BY

JENNIFER CHESAK PHOTOGRAPHED BY

MIKE CALABRO AN AC/DC TRIBUTE BAND GUITARIST REALLY KNOWS HOW TO PLAY—WHETHER ON STAGE OR ONBOARD HIS SEA RAY

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“ IT’S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP IF YOU WANNA ROCK ’N’ ROLL,” OR SO THE SONG GOES, BUT MARYLAND-BASED SEA RAY OWNER MIKE DIMAYO IS FLYING HIGH AS THE RHYTHM GUITARIST AND BACKUP VOCALIST FOR AC/DC TRIBUTE BAND HIGH VOLTAGE. By night, Mike morphs into his alter ego, Malcom Young. Malcom founded the original AC/DC with his younger brother Angus, a self-proclaimed problem child known for not only his high-pitched stadium-rock lead guitar but also his characteristic school-boy uniform and a duck walk that electrified an already-amped crowd. The now Hall-of-Famer brothers released their first album, High Voltage, 40 years ago. At festivals, biker bars, charity events, casinos, private bookings and more, Mike DiMayo’s band pays homage to the rockers’ well-known songs like “Back in Black”

Sea Ray Living

and “T.N.T.”

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(Previous page) Mike and Ellen appreciate the 350 SLX at rest as well as at full throttle. (Above) When the band gets together on the boat, a little rowdiness and a whole lot of fun ensue. Thanks to the Sea Ray’s 18-person capacity, nobody’s ever relegated to the tour bus.

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“When you compare Sea Ray boats to other brands, I think the fit and finish and the design, in my mind, equate to top quality.”

“Well, you know, who doesn’t love AC/DC?” Mike says. “When we perform, the audience is so cool. There are people who are singing every word to every song. And there are young people who are into the band, too.

AC/DC spans generations. Everybody knows ‘You Shook Me All Night Long,’ and who hasn’t heard ‘Thunderstruck’ at a sporting event?”

When he’s not screaming about dirty deeds or the highway to you know where, Mike can be found relaxing at his Tred Avon River home in Easton, Maryland, where he and his wife, Ellen, keep their 350 SLX, their second Sea Ray purchase.

The DiMayos first bought a 270 SLX after doing their research at area boat shows.

“When you compare Sea Ray boats to other brands, the fit and finish and the design, in my mind, equate to top quality,” Mike says.

Mike, originally from Brooklyn, New York, and Ellen, originally from Windsor Locks, Connecticut, met on the first day of freshmen orientation at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They got married after graduation and have been together ever since.

The couple lives in Monkton, Maryland, but recently bought a new river home, a historical estate in Easton called Lakewood.

The home sits directly across the Miles River from St. Michaels, a quaint port of call with boutique shops, restaurants and great views. They are working on renovations to the property over the winter and then will sell their current Easton spot. They used to have a home in Ocean City right on the bay, but after a decade of hanging out in the loud and crazy area—a place where High Voltage performs often—they opted for Maryland’s quieter eastern shores.

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The new river home will carry on the tradition of summer gatherings on the shore with their four adult children. “We spend almost every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day in Easton,” Mike says. Next summer, their new—and first—grandchild, McKayla, will join in on the fun.

Right now, because of scheduling constraints, the DiMayos enjoy short trips on the river system rather than heading out onto Chesapeake Bay. “For us, boating on the rivers means smooth water, awesome scenery and great restaurants,” Mike says. “We like to go eat crabs and take our time cruising back watching the sunset.”

Of course, they like to shoot to thrill every now and then, too. “When you throttle that thing up, it really flies,” Mike says. “The SLX line goes fast. They perform so well, and the boat is quiet.” The DiMayos laud the 350’s amenities like the larger head, a refrigerator and a grill for entertaining. Mike also appreciates the fact that he’s never had a problem. “With both of our Sea Rays, when we have our time to use them, they are pretty much flawless. I like that I can just lower the lift, turn the key and start it.”

If his schedule slows down in the future, Mike says he’d love to look into getting a larger Sea Ray model for overnighting, but for right now, the sportier SLX just fits their lifestyle perfectly.

Sea Ray Living

The High Voltage crew piles onto the DiMayos’ SLX and prepares for departure. As the lyric goes, there ain’t nothin’ that they’d rather do.

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“With both of our Sea Rays, when we have our time to use them, they are pretty much flawless. I like that I can just lower the lift, turn the key and start it.�

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Sea Ray Living

“I’ll tell you, every single person in our band is a very accomplished musician.

We would not perform in public for about eight months until we were comfortable we could deliver a sound as true to the band as possible.”

In addition to quality family time, Mike likes to use the boat for chilling out with his band members—some of whom alternate because of the group’s hectic schedule: Greg Kuta, Ross Hancock, Francis Crouse, Eddie Pumphrey, Mike Davis and Mark Boner, Jr. The band came to fruition about seven years ago at a New Year’s Eve party when Mike DiMayo and Greg got to talking about putting a band together. “I said, ‘It’s gotta be AC/DC,’” Mike recalls. The two of them recruited other musicians and then set to work rehearsing the distinct AC/DC sound until their throats hurt and their fingers bled.

“I’ll tell you, every single person in our band is a very accomplished musician,” Mike says.

“We would not perform in public for about eight months until we were comfortable we could deliver a sound as true to the band as possible.”

Mike has always been a diehard fan of the original band and has seen them perform numerous times. When it came down to the decision of where to put the AC/DC pinball machine he’d acquired, he immediately moved the conference table and chairs out of his office, found a spot for the game and never looked back.

Mike channels his passion for rock into raising money for good causes. He is the Board Chairman for the Casey Cares Foundation, which provides programs for critically ill children and their families across a five-state region. High Voltage performs at the foundation’s annual Rock & Roll Bash; this year they shared the stage with Night Ranger.

Mike’s high energy and philanthropic efforts are the exact reasons why when High Voltage takes the stage, the audience loves to shout, “For Those About to Rock, We Salute You!” And it’s a spirit that carries over perfectly to the water. SR

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12/17/15 3:18 PM

NEW ZEALAND by way ofCHICAGO

SEA RAY AND NOBILO WINES TREAT A LUCKY GROUP OF WINNERS TO A WEEKEND ON THE TOWN

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MONICA PARK MIKE CALABRO

WRITTEN BY PHOTOGRAPHED BY

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Sea Ray Living

O

ne of Chicago’s bestkept secrets is how beautiful the city is from the water. Five winners of the Ultimate New Zealand Experience sweepstakes got to take in that view firsthand in September during a three-day event hosted by premier New Zealand winemaker Nobilo Wines, in partnership with Sea Ray. Thousands of aspiring oenophiles had entered the contest earlier in the year in hopes of winning the ultimate prize: round-trip flights to the Windy City for the winner and a guest to enjoy three nights at the Langham, one of downtown Chicago’s landmark luxury hotels; a Sea Ray yacht cruise along the Chicago River; $500 in spending money; bottles of Nobilo’s renowned Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir; sailing jackets courtesy of Nobilo Wines; and a uniquely New Zealand-themed gourmet dinner, hosted on the rooftop of the lovely Celeste Restaurant and prepared by celebrity New Zealand chef Kayne Raymond.

“The event was a chance for us to show our guests how special New Zealand is, particularly the wine,” says Anna Hine, marketing manager at Nobilo Wines. “The country’s unique climate makes it famous for having the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world and perfect for harvesting more temperamental grapes like Pinot Noir. Nowhere else in the world can they produce Sauvignon Blanc with such intensity of flavor.

“New Zealand is a beautiful country where you are never more than 75 miles from the ocean,” Anna continues, “so being on the water on a Sea Ray and enjoying the outdoors really speaks to our culture.”

“ The event was a chance for us to show our guests how special New Zealand is, particularly the wine. The country’s unique climate makes it famous for having the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world…”

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(Above) New Zealand Chef Kayne Raymond pours a glass of Nobilo’s trademark Sauvignon Blanc for one of the guests, demonstrating the steady hand that comes with years of culinary training.

(Opposite) The lucky contest winners settle into their chariot for the weekend, a new Sea Ray 470 Sundancer, and take in Chicago’s soaring architecture.

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“ Just having an opportunity to see the city architecturally from that viewpoint was incredible, with the beautiful weather and a glass of wine in hand.”

“Just having an opportunity to see the city architecturally from that viewpoint was incredible, with the beautiful weather and a glass of wine in hand,” Tony enthuses. “It was a beautiful day. We can’t thank everyone enough. Chef Kayne was unbelievable and Anna—it was like meeting a new friend. The whole group of people putting on the entire experience was five-star. I don’t know what else we can say other than that it was amazing and we are so thankful.”

Prizewinners Jan and Darrell Danielson, from Oregon, echoed Tony’s thoughts. “It was a trip we will remember and cherish for years to come,” Jan says. “Thank you again for making this extraordinary trip and its many memories possible for us.”

Due to the great success of the Chicago event, as well as last year’s Experience in New York City, Nobilo plans to continue the annual sweepstakes, though the location for next year has yet to be determined. Watch for an upcoming issue of Sea Ray’s digital newsletter, LaunchPad, for further details. SR

Sea Ray Living

To complement these fine wines, Chef Raymond, the charming New Zealander best known for his role on BBC’s No Kitchen Required, created for his guests a five-course meal with classic New Zealand culinary elements, including a smoked trout salad, mussel fritters, rack of lamb and pavlova, a traditional New Zealand dessert.

“The dinner was incredible,” says sweepstakes winner Donna Meyers, who was accompanied by her husband, Tony. “It might have been the best meal of my life.

The food was like artwork. There was good conversation. The wine paired with the food was excellent.”

“It really was a fabulous dinner,” Tony adds. “Everything was nicely done, well thought out. What an incredible experience mixing New Zealand food and wine.”

A highlight of the trip was a leisurely cruise down the Chicago River on a 470 Sundancer, provided by Chicagoland Sea Ray dealer Skipper Bud’s. Onboard, the guests were treated to appetizers as well as New Zealandinspired cocktails infused with Nobilo wines created by Celeste Kitchens.

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VOLUME 16 ISSUE 04

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

SET A COURSE FOR EXCELLENCE WRITTEN BY RANDY HESS | PHOTOS BY RICHARD STEINBERGER AND JIM GALLUP

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Sea Ray Living

Sea Ray relaunches its lineup of premium SLX sport boats with one destination in mind.

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s a builder of premier boats, Sea Ray could hardly pick a better true north than “Excellence.” And when the company decided to reinvent and relaunch its SLX line of premium sport boats, that was exactly the heading. Which begs the question, what is excellence?

Where does it come from, and what purpose does it serve?

For Sea Ray, excellence is a product of intention, a culmination of the right choices made for the right reasons. It is the result of ambition, insight, diligence and artistry equally applied. For a boat to be truly excellent, it must do more than merely satisfy. It must delight on all levels, and simultaneously. Performance, convenience, innovation, ease—with SLX, Sea Ray has calibrated these qualities for maximum impact, producing a line of luxury sport boats unlike any other.

But the truth is, reinventing a new standard in sport boating doesn’t start by focusing on boats, per se. It doesn’t start by saying, “hey, we could smooth this edge” or “let’s add this component.” It starts by thinking about how a boat is experienced. Or more specifically, with a question: “What kind of experience do we want our owners to have?”

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Sea Ray Living

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350 SLX

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“Every attribute that we perfected, every detail that we got just right, was with an eye for the complete experience.”

Step aboard and your appreciation for SLX’s aesthetics deepens.

The ergonomics invite long, leisurely days with friends and family, relaxing comfortably on sculpted multi-density foam seats. Premium wet bars—with available electric grill and underseat refrigerator options—keep appetites sated, while beautifully finished heads provide added comfort.

On a sport boat of this caliber, there’s no avoiding the pull of the helm and its user-friendly interface. Sea Ray’s brilliant new touchscreen Dynamic Display, standard on the 310 SLX and available on most models, provides fingertip control of many of the boat’s systems while upping the “high-tech cool” factor. Precise placement of all controls—including further empowerment by Mercury’s Digital Throttle & Shift, and available Smart Tow and, on twin-engine models, Axius joystick control—and the inviting over-built helm chair excites your impatience to match SLX’s. For all the comforts and amenities offered your guests, a quick burst of throttle makes it clear that this is a driver’s boat. The Grip 6 hull hugs every curve, keeping firm hold in the tightest turns. Chop is easily tamed and re-entry in heavier seas is gentle as you go.

vol. 16 issue 04

If you want owners to feel a sense of control, you perfect attributes like power transfer, hull dynamics and a user interface that informs and empowers the captain. If you want them to feel comfortable, you enhance ergonomics, seating and all-day accommodations like premium heads and wet bars. To help them feel proud to own their boat, you refine its aesthetics and include Next Wave technologies that provide cutting-edge capabilities. To maximize joy, you concentrate on features that support social dynamics and interaction with nature.

And to wrap it all up, you ensure their confidence with the industry’s best warranty and the support of the best dealers.

This is the approach Sea Ray has taken to develop and relaunch SLX lineup. To maximize all these feelings—control, comfort, pride, joy and confidence—Sea Ray has orchestrated a system of systems that seamlessly addresses all of them. An excellent boat must be excellent in each of its aspects, and even more so in whole. From 23 to 35 feet, Sea Ray has created a family of thoughtfully composed boats that deliver a beautiful and coherent ownership experience.

“SLX is a collection of sport boats like no other,” explains Sea Ray President Tim Schiek. “Every attribute that we perfected, every detail that we got just right, was with an eye for the complete experience. Our goal was to design beautiful boats that are fantastically comfortable as they astound you with their performance. Plus, they provide complete peace of mind with their quality and peerless warranty. The SLX experience is all of these things working in concert, and it must be experienced in person to be fully appreciated.”

So about that experience. Walking up the dock, the first thing you take in are the lines of the new SLX models. These are serious boats, with heft, presence and elegance, but there is an appreciable impatience here too, as they strain at their lines, ready to leap on plane and rip across the surface. Those lines are edgy and athletic, fierce bone structure and strong musculature, but dressed to impress in supple upholstery, tasteful bling and visionary technology. SLX makes a statement about how you see the world, and affects how the world sees you.

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But the SLX models are ideally suited for idyll, as well. With the ignition switched off and the party turned on, SLX delivers another kind of excellence. The happiness you and your crew feel is no accident. Settling into the bow, cooling off in the cockpit beneath the hardtop’s extended shade, easing into the comforts of the transom loungers or using the Submersible Hydraulic Swim Platform as your personal beach, you realize you are experiencing joy without limits on a boat without limits. Because if anything should be unrestrained, it is the happiness you enjoy with family and friends in the wonders of the great outdoors.

With life so good, it might be natural to worry about what could go wrong. But Sea Ray has taken care of that, too, with the industry-best SURPA5S 5-year factory warranty covering you from bow to stern, and Mercury® providing additional coverage on your power train.

Sea Ray’s dealers are also consistently rated as delivering better customer satisfaction than those of every other marine manufacturer.

Peace of mind is one more feature of these boats that works in tandem with the rest to deliver an incredible overall experience. It truly is orchestrated excellence.

“ It’s a product of ambition, talent, passion and countless hours of precise, careful craftsmanship.”

“In the new SLX, we’ve composed a work of true greatness,” Schiek says. “It is both refined and powerful, fantastic piece by piece and in whole. It’s a product of ambition, talent, passion and countless hours of precise, careful craftsmanship. And all orchestrated for maximum impact. SLX inspires confidence, ensures comfort, boosts pride and maximizes joy. You have to experience it.” SR

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w a t e r. we live to be on the

Sunbrella® is a registered trademark of Glen Raven, Inc.

Enjoy your time on the water with friends, family and the world’s most trusted marine fabric. Sunbrella® is proud to sponsor the US Sailing Team Sperry. Watch the journey to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in a new web series at sunbrella.com/uncharted

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S E A R AY

HORIZONS A BRAND-NEW WAY TO ENJOY SEA RAY

The all-new Sea Ray Owners Club is designed to celebrate, connect and empower Sea Ray owners like never before. The new club sets the standard in owner support with well-organized technical information, exclusive savings and offers from major marine partners, member profiles, peer-to-peer advice, and access to Sea Ray-sponsored gatherings and events all over North America. No matter the vintage of your boat, if you own a Sea Ray, you belong in the Sea Ray Owners Club. Visit the Sea Ray Owners Club online community at ownersclub.searay.com.

SEA RAY OWNERS CLUB

SEA RAY OWNERS CLUB

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a MaSterpiece

100 y e arS in the Making

It takes 70 years to grow the oak trees that make our casks. Then a further stretch of time spent aging bourbon.

Only then can the casks reach Glenfiddich to be rebuilt and filled, then set aside again. In the case of Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old, for more than a quarter century. The result is rich, balanced and full of character.

In a word, excellent.

Skillfully crafted. enjoy reSponSibly.

Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 40% Alc./Vol. Š2014 Imported by William Grant & Sons, Inc. New York, NY.

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