Whaler Volume 2 Issue 1

whaler THE

B O S T O N

UNSINKABLE

W H A L E R

LEGEND

B O A T S

volume 2 issue 1

M A G A Z I N E

www.bostonwhaler.com

You can’t engineer intuition.

We don’t design by chance here at Saab. Our Scandinavian heritage doesn’t allow it. One look at the all-new 9-5 Sport Sedan and you’ll feel exactly what we mean. Inside, every gauge has a purpose. Every instrument, thoughtfully placed. Like the available Pilot Head-Up Display system that offers customizable content, allowing you to tailor the information illuminated before you. And the available simple-touch LCD screen with an interface specifically designed for intuitive use. This is the level of design Saab drivers have come to expect, in what many are calling the most advanced Saab ever. The all-new 9-5 Sport Sedan. Everything you could possibly wish for. Exactly where you wish it to be. As only Saab can bring it to you.

See where Saab is headed next, visit saabusa.com.

L whaler president’s le er Keeping the legend growing.

President, Boston Whaler

Tim Schiek

Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Customer Service

Jeff Vaughn

WHALER

Legendary Innovation

Magazine

President/Publisher

Douglas Leik

Account Executive

Annie Brown

Anyone who has owned a Boston Whaler knows that we lavish them with innovative features. Innovation has long been a hallmark here. But I prefer the verb form, “innovate,” and think that’s the true tale of this company.

Editorial Director

Randy Hess

Managing Editor

Roger Kamholz Editor-at-Large

Jennifer Chesak Associate Editor

Elli Thompson

Editorial Assistant

Nick Weldon

Sometimes I fear that Whalers are only revered for their classic styling and well-proven unsinkability. When Richard Fisher built the first Boston Whaler, he started with an innovative idea—the Unibond hull—and that hull quickly made the boats legendary. Really, he was demonstrating that Boston Whaler would not be constrained by tradition. With that first boat he set a precedent, launching a culture of innovation at Boston Whaler that continues to this day. Whalers are still unsinkable and boast classic designs, but they also have more good ideas per foot than any of our competitors’ boats. See what I mean on page 14.

As further proof, look at the four new Outrage models introduced in the past few years.

Our flagship 370 Outrage, plus the 320, 280 and 220 Outrage models represent a whole new generation of center consoles from Boston Whaler. The continued evolution of this venerable line demonstrates the innovative strengths of our product development staff. I urge you to check out an Outrage at your next opportunity.

Of course, innovative features mean nothing without real-world benefits. This magazine is full of stories about the experiences that owners have aboard their Boston Whalers; from Chesapeake Bay to northern Idaho, our boats are an important part of owners’ lives in a way that is unique to Boston Whaler. Read on to see for yourself.

By the way, I’m Tim Schiek, the new president of Boston Whaler.

Our boats are an I’m assuming the reins from my good friend John Ward, who has important part of taken his considerable skill and charisma to Hatteras and Cabo Yachts. owners’ lives in a way I plan to keep Boston Whaler’s focus on innovation, just as John and that is unique to generations of Boston Whaler employees have done before me, all the way back to Richard Fisher. I hope to see you on the water.

Boston Whaler.

Tim Schiek

President — Boston Whaler

Creative Director

Russell Duncan

Production Director

Kraig Devenport Art Director

Robyn Bendle Photographers

John Bildahl, Barbara Bourne, Mike Calabro, Steven J. Conway, Jamie Elvidge, Robert Glover, Bill Schild, David Witty

Whaler magazine is published two times a year for Boston Whaler

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 Boston Whaler. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all editorial or advertising ma er. 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 wri en permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright © 2011 Boston Whaler.

whalermagazine

Contents

volume 2 issue 1

features

16

Eco Location

A Costa Rican ecolodge employs environmentally friendly Boston Whalers for deep-sea fishing excursions.

22

Whaler Warriors

Whaler owners treat war veterans to an unforgettable fishing outing.

28

Secret Weapons

A family grows closer during weekend retreats fishing Idaho’s Pend Oreille River on their 150 Montauk.

34

The Perfect Pedigree

A bird dog trainer enjoys man’s other best friend—a Boston Whaler—while boating on the storied Chesapeake Bay.

40

An Outrageous Commute

Here’s an enviable ride to work: cruising across Lake Erie in a 280 Outrage.

Up to the Challenge

d e pa rt m e n ts

04

Navigate e ultimate demo, cruise tips, a landside legend, paint that protects and more.

on the cover:

12

12

Adventure A custom commercial-hull Whaler gives a father and daughter confidence to explore rough Pacific waters.

A 240 Outrage out of Costa Rica’s Crocodile Bay Resort plies Pacific waters for elusive roosterfish. Cover Photo by Barbara Bourne

44

Lake Watch

Custom Whalers patrol the vast waters of Lake George in upstate New York.

14

Satisfaction Whaler grows its legend through a commitment to innovation.

Enjoy the Shady Side of Boating

Whether you are a current Conquest or Outrage owner—or simply hope to become one— additional sunshade will help you enjoy your boating experience even more.

In the spirit of Boston Whaler’s ongoing commitment to innovation, SureShade offers the option of adding a retractable shade that integrates naturally with your boat’s top and can stand up to extreme marine conditions. Whether you are lounging in your cockpit or furiously pursuing a trophy fish, shade can be extended for uninhibited comfort or conveniently retracted for catching some rays or stargazing.

The self-supported design of SureShade is unlike any other sunshade system in the boating industry, making it the perfect choice for Boston Whaler owners who enjoy innovative boat features.

SureShade… extending innovation in boating.

Available as a factory-installed option on the 370 Outrage or installed after-market on other models. Contact your Boston Whaler dealer for details.

Contact a Boston Whaler dealer today at www.bostonwhaler.com, or visit www.SureShade.com to learn more.

hooks, news, gear and info

navigate whaler

volume 2 issue 1

B

It’s All Here Whaler’s one-of-a-kind large boat demo program

BOATERS IN THE MARKET for a large Boston Whaler likely have much in common: discerning tastes, a passion for the water, a desire to explore.

Your needs, however, vary widely depending on where you boat—say, Cape Cod versus the Caribbean—and your intended applications.

Whaler’s large boat on-demand demo program presents the solution.

Prospective owners can schedule a demo at Boston Whaler’s headquarters in Edgewater, Florida, complete with a factory tour and a trial run on a fully featured 345 Conquest or 370 Outrage. Customers get a unique opportunity to check out the gamut of available options and grill the Whaler product experts in a hands-on, personal setting. “The beautiful thing about these boats, since they have all available options installed,

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To schedule a large Whaler demo, contact your local dealer. is that if the customer has a question about what something looks like and how it works, we can show them,” says Wil Rogers, Whaler’s large boat business manager. “You might also discover an option that you’d never considered for yourself before. Customers come to the plant, do a demo and are able to go home and make a fully informed decision.”

The Early Whaler

Deep-sea anglers know that in order to catch an early-morning feeding frenzy miles off the coast, you need to shove off long before the day’s first light.

Cruise Essentials Jim Park, director of sales and marketing at Boater’s Choice Insurance, has been advising boaters for years on how to prepare for their cruising excursions so they stay safe and their journeys are always rewarding. Here, Jim highlights some of the most important things to keep in mind when getting ready for your next big trip: • Take Coast Guard or United States Power Squadron classes on cruise planning, navigation and basic engine maintenance before any long cruise.

• Have your Whaler’s engine and electronics inspected, back up your GPS navigation with paper charts, and bring basic spare engine parts, oil and coolant.

• Carry a stock of emergency food and water and a PFD for every person onboard.

• At many marinas, dock space is limited; if you plan on docking overnight, call ahead to make reservations.

• Create a float plan and leave it with a family member, your home marina and any stop along your route.

• Be sure your current insurance plan will cover your boat if a loss should occur on your trip. Some plans require you stay within a predetermined area in the event you need to make a claim. Call Boater’s Choice at (800) 768-2121, and an underwriter will help review your current policy and offer alternatives, if necessary, to cover your trip.

Enhance your predawn—and twilight—pursuits with Raymarine’s superior thermal imaging systems.

Raymarine’s E-Series Widescreen multifunction navigation displays illuminate other boats, floating debris and channel markers in pitch darkness from your Whaler’s dashboard when paired with a T-Series thermal night vision camera (available a ermarket, visit www.raymarine.com). The E-Series Widescreen features a simple user interface with one-touch access to everything from a chartplo er to radar to a convenient thermal camera application, available right from your display’s home screen. Raymarine’s safe and convenient E-Series display matched with a T-Series thermal camera gives you the confidence you need to cover long distances in the dark and extend your fishing day.

To order, visit www.raymarine.com.

G

bayou brigade Governments and organizations worldwide have turned to Brunswick Commercial and Government Products for custom-cra�ed Boston Whalers, due to the brand’s rocksolid reputation for performance and unsinkability. The Unsinkable Legend’s latest call to duty: patrol the complex waterways of Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recently added seven Boston Whaler 32-foot Justices for coastal and offshore law enforcement, and to aid in the Gulf oil spill cleanup. The cra�s feature a custom bow pusherknee system to help officers board larger boats, and FLIR thermal optics for nigh�ime search-and-rescue missions. Twin 300-hp Mercury Verado® engines allow each Justice to top 50 mph and travel 400 miles without refueling.

“With our increased demands of patrolling coastal and offshore waters,” LDWF Maj. Joey Broussard says, “these seven new boats were put to work right away and will serve the public and department for a long time.”

markyourcalendars!

Boston Whaler’s annual Bahamas Rendezvous is back! From June 15 to 19, owners will join the Boston Whaler crew, led by unofficial master of ceremonies Wil Rogers, in a caravan from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Bimini Sands Resort in South Bimini. “I’m really looking forward to seeing our repeat owners again,” says Wil, who’s piloted the lead Whaler for every Rendezvous to date. “For newcomers, it’s a chance to make this amazing trip within the safety of the large group. It’s a great opportunity for us to get together, talk boats and achieve something that’s a milestone in a lot of people’s lives—leaving the U.S. in a boat and going to another country.” For more information and to register, visit www.bostonwhaler.com.

Dock Solid You love fishing aboard your Boston Whaler, but launching from rickety docks in tight spaces? Not so much. Enter EZ Dock, a solid, safe, virtually maintenance-free docking unit. EZ Dock is a modular docking system made of heavy-duty polyethylene sections with patented flotation chambers and recycled rubber couplers that link the sections together. The dock sections are easy to install and come in various shapes and sizes, allowing for a customized dock that perfectly fits your shore space, water conditions and the size of your Whaler. The slip-resistant, cool-to-the-touch sections are made of virgin polyethylene with UV stabilizers that withstand even the most rugged outdoor environments. “The strength and durability of EZ Docks ensure that they’ll be around for the long haul,” says Curtis Downs, general manager of EZ Dock. “You won’t have to deal with rusty nails, bolts or decaying wood again, helping protect the very water you fish on.”

For more information on EZ Dock and how it could improve your boating lifestyle, visit www.EZ-Dock.com.

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a lux touch Owning a Boston Whaler unlocks a boating lifestyle like none other on the water. Protect your precious investment with Interlux’s premium antifouling paint, Micron® 66. Micron 66 is a long-lasting, Self-Polishing

Copolymer (SPC) with Biolux® that provides unprecedented antifouling protection for saltwater use. Micron technology polishes and becomes smoother with use, improving your boat’s performance by reducing

drag, fuel consumption and emissions. Interlux, North America’s leading supplier of boat paint maintenance

solutions, invests heavily in research and development, puts its engineers through rigorous technical training, and relies on scientific expertise to produce its award-winning Micron line. Your Whaler is your baby, and nothing is too good for it; so treat it to the best in antifouling protection: Micron 66.

For more information and to see Interlux’s full product lineup, visit www.yachtpaint.com.

No Urban Legend Not all boats are built alike, and the same goes for outboard engines. Mercury’s BigFoot outboard line provides a unique mid-range power solution for Boston Whaler owners looking to maximize performance on the water. Whalers boast brawn that provides classic unsinkability, wide footprints for incredible balance and maximum onboard space for a fishfight. Mercury developed its BigFoot line with a taller gearcase and oversized components to accommodate the distinct traits of a serious on-water platform and performer—namely, your Boston Whaler. The BigFoot’s gears and sha�s are up to 33 percent larger than competitors’ components for superior reliability and durability, and its prop has 20 percent more surface area to generate optimal thrust and maneuverability.

Feel the difference with a BigFoot outboard—the advantages are very real. For more information on Mercury’s engines, visit www.mercurymarine.com.

The Eco Edge Mercury’s SmartCra�™ ECO-Screen is a cu�ing-edge feature of the MercMonitor digital vessel monitoring system that tells you what you need to do, as a boater, to obtain the best fuel economy for your application. The ECO-Screen (available a�er-market, visit www.mercurymarine.com) does this by constantly monitoring engine rpm, boat speed, fuel consumption and engine trim. When your boat’s se�ings are achieving the best possible cruising efficiency, the ECO-Screen’s easy-to-read, multi-color screen will turn green; the screen will flash yellow and offer simple instructions if any adjustments can be made to optimize fuel economy (i.e., trim up or down). Boating efficiently—and thus saving money at the pump—has never been so easy.

Spring Into Action THE WINTER DOLDRUMS HAVE given way to spring sunshine, meaning it’s time to start preparing for the new boating season! If you’re looking to create room in your budget for fun onwater activities or your first big cruise, turn to Essex Credit Corporation for refinance rates for your Boston Whaler.

Whaler owners who refinance with Essex Credit this spring can take advantage of a $300 coupon to help defray closing costs if the loan application is submitted by June 30, 2011, and the loan closes by July 15, 2011. Speak with one of Essex Credit’s friendly and resourceful refinance professionals to learn more about the company’s fast and easy approval, extended payment term options and other benefits. “The time to act is now,” says James Barron, a senior vice president at Essex Credit. “Industry rates are beginning to go up, and we want to help Whaler owners jump on our low rates by cutting down the barriers of upfront costs.”

T

To take advantage of this offer, visit www.essexcredit.com/bw or call (866) 377-3948.

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the thrill of sport

To boaters, the Boston Whaler name assures certain things on the water: trademark unsinkability, a boundless capacity for adventure, a premium experience. Why should you expect anything less from your Whaler’s landside counterpart? Enter the all-new Saab 9-5 Sport Sedan, the perfect road-going complement to your beloved Whaler.

The 9-5’s story, like Whaler’s, is steeped in legend. The 9-5, born in Sweden, draws inspiration from its homeland’s famed designs and returns to Saab’s storied roots with contemporary aircra -inspired lines. Take the wheel and witness firsthand the sport-tuned ride and thoughtfully appointed interior, much like aboard your Boston Whaler. You and your crew will cruise from door to dock and back again in absolute comfort.

Mirroring your premium Whaler experience, the 9-5 shines in its conveniences. The U-Rail CargoTrack is a fine example: a unique cargo management system that helps maximize the 18.2 cubic feet of luggage compartment space while keeping items secure. With U-Rail, packing for weekend adventures aboard your Whaler is free of compromise and headaches. Driving a er nightfall is safe and simplified thanks to Night Panel, while the thoughtfully designed, aircra inspired wraparound cockpit rounds out your gracious door-to-dock experience.

For more information on the all-new 9-5 Sport Sedan, visit www.saabusa.com.

Keeping It Cool As you look ahead to the coming boating season, visions of sunshine and sparkling waters surely dance in your head. And while items like sunglasses, hats and sunscreen are crucial for enjoying long days on the water under a hot sun, nothing quite compares to the cool respite of shade. SureShade, makers of retractable sunshade systems, offer a canvas option on the 370 Outrage that delivers both comfort and convenience. At the touch of a bu�on, their automated sunshade system can be extended for full-deck shade coverage or retracted for catching a few rays. Additional sunshade systems will be available in the near future. The selfsupported framework seamlessly integrates as a natural extension of your boat and can be added a�ermarket; contact your local Boston Whaler dealer for details.

Visit www.SureShade.com for more information.

A Perfect Pair BOSTON WHALERS ARE WELL KNOWN for their durability and classic looks. Their owners are discriminating when it comes to quality equipment and gear that can stand up to the test of time and look good while doing so. The Sperry Top-Sider Anti-Shock and Vibration (ASV) Collection is crafted with the hardcore angler and boater in mind. The innovative design of the shoe’s midsole absorbs shock and disperses vibration, making a long day on the water more comfortable.

“I can feel the arch support,” says John Nagle, a captain at Florida’s MarineMax Sarasota. “I’ve worked here for nearly two decades and my feet and back ache. I can feel the difference with these.”

Know of a good Boston Whaler story that calls for ASVs? Send info to whalermag@dinopublishing.com. If we cover it, we’ll outfit you with a free pair.

For more information about the ASV Collection, visit www.sperrytopsider.com/asv.

Gear Up

Can’t Be Beat Boston Whaler isn’t called the Unsinkable Legend for nothing—Whaler builds its boats to handle the roughest poundings out on the water and keep on going.

The same toughness applies to DieHard Marine & RV ba�eries. Just like Boston Whalers, which have been run through a list of punishing tests—sawed in half, pummeled with gunshot rounds—to prove their safety and reliability, DieHard takes its ba�ery trials to the extreme. In its popular “Torture Tests” web series (www.diehard.com/torture-labs), DieHard shows off the robust durability and unmatched power of its Platinum ba�eries. DieHard Platinum Marine & RV Ba�eries are truly indestructible. To view the “Extreme Toughness” torture test, scan this tag with your smartphone.

Don’t have the app? Go to www.ge­ag.mobi.

The perfect match for your unsinkable Boston Whaler: a versatile, all-conditions Float-Tech convertible PFD jacket. Available in a variety of color combinations, the jacket combines a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest with rugged yet comfortable and stylish outerwear—an ideal choice for both deep-sea fishing action and an evening harbor cruise. A Float-Tech jacket’s outer shell not only is a lightweight, waterproof windbreaker, but it also conceals a removable life vest that auto-inflates via a CO2 tank within five seconds if submerged. The vest can also be filled orally or deployed with a pull on its lanyard. The Float-Tech jacket allows you to fish and maneuver onboard freely, and with zip-off sleeves, the jacket quickly converts to a vest, too. Remove the PFD with ease when you trade the sea for the shore.

It’s a legend in the making. For more information and to order a jacket, visit www.floa�ech.com.

www.bostonwhaler.com

The Boston Whaler website is a great resource for digging in deeper to each of Whaler’s boat lines. Here is a look at the fresh ideas that make Outrages the most innovative center consoles on the water.

Outrage • 190 Outrage • 220 Outrage • 250 Outrage • 280 Outrage • 320 Outrage • 320 Cuddy • 370 Outrage

Running from 19 feet to more than 37 feet, Boston Whaler Outrages offer the ultimate offshore fishing and cruising experience. And with four new Outrages introduced in the past several years, the innovation just keeps coming. These new models sport all-new hull designs delivering remarkable performance and superior ride. Wide beams and a center-console design provide unmatched spaciousness and an ideal layout for fantastic fishing and entertaining. A new center console execution more closely integrates the hardtop and the windshield for greater weather protection and visibility while underway. The unit’s smart footprint maximizes onboard room. Deluxe bait-prep areas, ample and well-designed tackle storage and fold-down trolling seats demonstrate how serious Outrages are about angling. These Whalers are packed bow to stern with new ideas for maximizing your comfort and making fishing easier and more fun.

Super Sport

Montauk

Dauntless

Conquest

• 110 Sport

• 150 Montauk

• 180 Dauntless

• 235 Conquest

• 110 Tender

• 170 Montauk

• 200 Dauntless

• 255 Conquest

• 130 Super Sport

• 190 Montauk

• 230 Dauntless

• 285 Conquest

• 150 Super Sport

• 305 Conquest

• 170 Super Sport

• 345 Conquest • 345 Open

Catch the Fever

It’s that time of year again. e mercury’s rising, the sun is breaking through the clouds and all you can think about is hitting the water in your Boston Whaler. Share that fever with other Boston Whaler owners on Whaler’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/whalerownersclub. It’s the perfect forum to ask questions of Boston Whaler, enjoy prizes and giveaways, and check out pictures and videos of Whaler products and events. is summer, compete in the Boston Whaler online fishing tournament on Facebook. Check back often, and bring shots of your catches to join in on the action!

To check out all of Boston Whaler’s social media pages, visit www.bostonwhaler.com and follow the links.

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NOBODY KNOWS MARINE

ELECTRONICS B E T T E R T H A N R AY

NE W

Because Ray knows marine

Automatic Bird Mode radar that spots birds feeding on bait fish

sonar shows you the game fish and Satellite TV shows you the game

QUALIT Y START BUILDING YOUR RAYMARINE DREAM SYSTEM AND SAVE THROUGH JULY 4TH 2011

Thermal night vision will show you the way home after the sun goes down

I N N OVAT I O N

TRUST

Trust Ray to deliver innovative technologies backed by the best warranty in the industry

Je van Steenbergen and his daughter, Nicole, know their commercial-hull Whaler Challenger can handle whatever British Columbia’s Gulf Islands waters dish out.

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whaler

adventure

Up to the Challenge

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A father and daughter pursue some extreme leisure in British Columbia’s Gulf Islands Story and photo by Jamie Elvidge

“this isn’t a glamour boat,” Jeff van Steenbergen says

of his 2008 custom commercial-hull Boston Whaler Challenger, Pacific Adventure. “It’s designed to be safe, reliable…something that’s ready to go when I am.”

As co-founder of a major energy-sector private equity firm, Jeff, who’s based in Calgary, Alberta, is constantly jetting around the globe on business. When he has a window of free time, he drops into the family’s Gulf Islands home for a quick hit of relaxation. e key to keeping that door open year round is the Challenger. “I wasn’t looking for a family boat,” Jeff says. “I was looking for a tough SUV for the water…a boat that we could drive day or night, in any weather condition, across the seasons.”

Usually tapped for Coast Guard, police and fireboat duty, the Challenger model might not be a common choice for civilian use, but Jeff exploits the 27-footer’s extreme capabilities in British Columbia’s often-brutal boating environment. “is Whaler has exceeded all of my expectations in the way it handles the full range of conditions,” reports the loyalist, who has a 40-year history with the brand. “It’s safe, reliable and totally predictable.”

After much tutelage from Dad, Jeff’s 26-year-old daughter, Nicole, recently acquired her boating license and will do her first solo piloting of Pacific Adventure this summer.

“If you’re going to run a boat, you’ve got to know how to use it,” Jeff says of his intense teaching style. “It’s about building experience, not just having the license.” Nicole gained a little real-world experience on Christmas Eve, when the two crossed from Vancouver Island to their home on South Pender Island at night in a raging gale. “Winds were

“

gusting to 55 knots,” he says. “We really had a chance to test the boat’s capabilities, and it performed exactly as expected.”

With the help of dealer M&P Mercury in Vancouver, plus Anchor Marine in Victoria, Jeff was able to create his dream navigation suite, which includes dual chartplotter radar, FLIR infrared night vision, principal and backup VHF radios, and a satellite phone. In addition to the optional twin supercharged Mercury engines, two of Jeff’s favorite custom features are his Magnalight high-intensity LED emitters, which provide penetrating light on the darkest, stormiest of nights, and the dual Shockwave high-performance, open-water seats, which he says, “take a lot of the sea out of the ride.” Also onboard are Mustang floater jackets and a life raft— although Jeff acknowledges he’s unlikely to use the latter. “is Whaler is a life raft,” he says.

Pacific Adventure is underway “every spare moment we have,” Jeff says, and the boat’s duties vary as much as British Columbia’s weather patterns. One day the Challenger might be a platform for viewing pods of Pacific orca; the next it could be assisting in an offshore marine rescue, a not-uncommon occurrence. e owner’s favorite thing to do with his heavy-hull Whaler? “My wife, Kim, and I do date night on the boat,” Jeff says.

“We take it over to Vancouver Island for dinner and a movie, and we never have to worry about what time we get back.”

While it may not be a “glamour boat,” this Whaler’s advantages are positively alluring.

”

I wasn’t looking for a family boat, I was looking for a tough SUV for the water…a boat that we could drive day or night, in any weather condition, across the seasons.

Electrically actuated sun shades, convenient dive doors and integrated hardtopwindshield systems are just a few of the innovations Boston Whaler has worked into its latest models. And there’s always more to come.

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whaler

innovation

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The Idea Factory

Boston Whaler has never sat on its laurels; from the first boat to the most recent, you’ll find new ideas aplenty Story by Randy Hess

The difference between “innovation” and “innovate” is the difference between “fish” and “fishing.” Remember that Chinese proverb, when you give a man a fish he eats for a day, but when you teach him to fish he eats for a lifetime?

Boston Whaler embraces innovations—this company is definitely about the fish, too!—but it was founded as a company that innovates, fishing for new ideas every day.

Richard Fisher, the company’s founder and the guy confidently sitting in that first boat being sawn in half, was an inveterate inventor and craftsman. He was constantly coming up with new ideas and ways to do things, and instilled that in the company’s ethos. The result of all that innovating? Lots of innovations—lots of fish. Here are some of the current catch you’ll see on Whalers.

•Made in the Shade4

Fishing happens. When we’re lucky, it happens in the sunshine. Whaler hardtops and biminis can provide some relief, but it sure would be nice to extend that shade over more of the cockpit. Now you can, because Boston Whaler worked with a company called SureShade to integrate electrically actuated (and manual) cockpit sun shades into its hardtops. The sun shade can be ordered as a factory-installed option on the 370 Outrage, ensuring near-seamless integration with your hardtop. SureShade and Whaler have also worked together to offer an aftermarket installation on the 345 Conquest and the 320 Outrage. “We’re always looking for ways to increase our owners’ comfort,” says Ron Berman, Whaler’s vice president of product development and engineering. “Extra shade on a blazing hot day does just that.”

•Stow and Go4

Owners who trailer their Whalers are used to putting them in the garage, but Ron and his team decided to reverse

engineer it, putting the garage into the Whaler. “All boat builders scrape and claw for little spots of storage here and there,” he says. “It always feels like an afterthought, a little awkward or inadequate. With the Gear Garage on the 370 Outrage, we make storage easy, vast and simple, allowing you to enjoy more of your time on the water.”

•tower of power4

All Dauntless models can add the All-Activity Tower option, which provides the perfect setup for fishing and watersports. This patented option does triple duty: it supports a poling/fishing platform with two rod holders, carries skis and wakeboards, and provides a raised ski pylon. “The Dauntless line is our Swiss Army knife,” Ron says. “It’s able to handle any pleasure boating or fishing activity, and the All-Activity Tower helps deliver on that promise.”

•top if off4

Boston Whaler’s exclusive hardtop/windshield systems provide outstanding visibility and keep the elements at bay, yet still deliver easy access to controls. These newly redesigned units are supported by recessed legs to save space and extruded metal frames to enhance forward visibility.

Automotive-style bonded glass delivers great weather protection while power-actuated vents ensure you have the ventilation needed to keep everything crystal clear.

• o p e n- d o o r p o l i c y 4

Some of the best ideas come from Whaler owners. Whaler heard customers say they would like another dock-level spot for getting on and off the boat, whether at the dock or on the water, to make it easier when your arms are full or you have scuba gear on. On the 370 Outrage, the product team came up with a brilliant Dive Door, which makes ingress and egress as easy as you please. Time to put out the welcome mat.

Richard Fisher, the company’s founder, was an inveterate inventor and craftsman.

He was constantly coming up with new ideas and ways to do things…

ecolo cation costa rica’s osa peninsula proves a fisherman’s paradise and an explorer’s dream wrapped up in the ecological adventure of a lifetime Story by Jennifer Chesak

• Photos by Barbara Bourne

T The

Osa Peninsula

is something of a paradox.

Jaguars or pumas could pounce from the shadows here, or i could misstep while hiking and slip down a steep slope. i could upset a coral snake or a poisonous spider.

On the other hand, it’s just as delicate a place as it is rugged. endangered species and plants make this large-yet-small peninsula home, and i’ve never before seen water so pure. e impossibility of such a place—so robust and fragile at the same time—leaves a visitor conflicted. as much as i want to shout to the world about it, i want to shelter it, too. e more time i spend on the Osa, the more i understand the need for ecotourism and what ecolodges here hope to accomplish. howler monkeys call out in the predawn light, and the heady scent of ylang-ylang hangs on the morning mist. nature bewitches here, and i find myself imagining all the materials i’d need to build a cabina on the beach where i could live entirely off the grid. some people do this on the Osa, harnessing the sun for solar power and rainforest waterfalls for hydroelectricity. ey plant gardens for nearly complete sustainability. anks to several different ecolodges, anyone can experience the secrets of the Osa—including temporary off-grid living—without relinquishing creature comforts or even luxury.

Crocodile Bay Resort is both Costa Rica’s premier fishing destination and a committed proponent of ecotourism. its fleet of Boston Whaler boats serves anglers of all stripes for nearshore and offshore excursions alike. While not off

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the grid, Crocodile Bay is a great stepping-off point for those seeking ecotourism on the Osa and adventures within the peninsula’s lush Corcovado national Park. “sportfishermen can be conservationists,” says Todd staley, Crocodile Bay’s fishing director. Claiming the country has focused most of its green efforts so far on land-based projects, Todd is among the pioneers in Costa Rica pushing for responsible sportfishing. “Costa Rica hasn’t gotten its feet wet,” he says. “it needs to think in terms of marine conservation, too. Our ecolodges need to ask themselves, What’s on the table and how was it caught?” Todd manages these issues for Crocodile Bay. Much of the fishing is catch-and-release, and what does make it to the grill at the dinner buffet has been closely monitored.

Todd also reaches out to other ecolodges and their chefs up the peninsula, encouraging similar practices.

Crocodile Bay prides itself on guiding with Whalers. While known for their safety, reliability and unsinkability, Boston Whalers are also gaining a name for the eco-friendly manufacturing processes employed during production, such as low-emissions gelcoats and ozonefriendly blowing agents. (To learn more, visit www.bostonwhaler.com.) Boston Whaler employees have been visiting

(Clockwise from above) Wisconsin farmers Brian Benchez and Karen Gordon have made multiple trips to Costa Rica’s Crocodile Bay Resort, as much for great Pacific fishing as for the resort’s environmentally friendly approach to the sport; a Boston Whaler 240 Outrage from Crocodile Bay’s fishing fleet; adjusting to the pace of life in Costa Rica; Crocodile Bay’s pristine grounds boast many varieties of local flora; and the jigsaw coastline of the Osa Peninsula.

Crocodile Bay for years, gleaning inspiration from the Osa. From the United States, the Osa Peninsula is easily accessible via a flight into San José and then another short hop to its main town, Puerto Jiménez. Crocodile Bay handles everything from there.

Some people plan for two or three days of fishing and allow a day for an ecotour, during which they can view the flora and fauna. Many ladies book time at the spa. Men do, too, in anticipation of knotted muscles after a long fight with an uncooperative sailfish. e jacuzzi and pool with swim-up bar draw guests in, as well.

On my first morning at Crocodile, Todd organizes the boat crews and sends me out with a Wisconsin couple, Brian Benchez and Karen Gordon, on a Boston Whaler 240 Outrage. e husband and wife have topped the resort’s leaderboard for three days in a row, and they can’t wait to tackle nearshore hotspots today.

Hugging the east coast of the peninsula, we head southwest toward the mouth of the Golfo Dulce, a pristine tropical fjord that separates

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the Osa from the Costa Rican mainland. Locals from Puerto Jiménez line-fish from shore—sans rod and reel—while their families play on a stretch of sand and cool off in the tepid water. Jungle-clad mountains feed the Golfo Dulce with mineral-rich river water that is credited for the exceptional fishing. Strong upwelling from the Pacific is a contributing factor, as well. The Golfo Dulce is one of the deepest gulfs in the world at nearly 10,000 feet in some spots. It was a favorite haunt of environmentalist and underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau.

Near the mouth, sea kayakers brandishing rods and reels swarm around a large rock outcropping, knowing the structure as a grouper haven. Brian and Karen, now on their fourth trip to Crocodile Bay, crisply cast for roosterfish using blue runners and sardines as bait. e captain trolls the boat, carefully maneuvering the wayward currents around the rock and nearby kayakers. “is boat is more personal to the water,” says Brian, impressed by the Whaler’s finesse. “You get up closer to the fish.”

Brian and Karen own and operate an organic farm in eastern Wisconsin. “It’s just a good way of life,” Brian says. He had always wanted to come to Costa Rica when he was in college. “I knew it was an eco-minded place,” he explains. Now he returns every year because Crocodile Bay offers an experience like none other. “e people, the hospitality,” Karen adds, “they just treat you like royalty.”

Jungle-clad mountains feed the Golfo Dulce with mineralrich river water that is credited for the exceptional fishing.

Suddenly, she spots a rooster going for her bait. e roosterfish is known to come up and circle before the strike. Setting the hook too soon can mean a lost fish, as roosters have small mouths. “I knew I wasn’t supposed to do that, too,” she says, a little bummed out she missed the fish.

Karen’s a natural angler after years of practice on Lake Michigan and Horseshoe Lake, which is near their farm. She spreads out from Brian and begins casting from the bow. “I want one,” she says. For a minute, I think she means a big rooster. But she spreads her arms wide, gesturing to the Whaler. “is would be perfect for us.” e captain fires up the twin 115-hp Mercury FourStrokes, and we move on to a spot farther up the Pacific coastline. A grouping of tiny thatched roofs peeks above the jungle canopy, and I wonder aloud if people live there. I’m told the huts are part of an ecolodge “at the end of the road”—if you can call the two tire ruts that lead there a road. I vow to pay a visit when my time at Crocodile Bay concludes.

Many lodges on the Osa—everything from lavish cabins to glorified tents—promise an ecologically friendly experience. Crocodile Bay is steps beyond a thatched hut—think blessedly air-conditioned rooms. It does, however, offer guests close-up looks at the nature here. A tour of the grounds takes me through a medicinal garden growing thick with indigenous herbs and flowers. Heliconia and ornamental ginger seem to bloom everywhere. A white ibis greets me, and while I look for crocs in the river, a sea turtle swims up instead. Delicate serenity practically percolates from the very ground.

I bid Mr. Turtle farewell, as my guide has arrived to shuttle me to the “end of the road.” is requires a sturdy SUV, due to the unforgiving terrain and many river crossings. Along the way, we stop so I can gawk at white monkeys, squirrel monkeys and spider monkeys—terribly named but terribly cute. We pick up artisanal cheeses at a dairy farm in the lowlands to take to the lodge’s chefs. Our vehicle is practically vertical before we finally reach Luna Lodge, owned and operated

by Lana Wedmore. Her place offers yoga, hiking in Corcovado park, and incredible views of the rainforest and ocean.

In the evening I seal myself behind mosquito netting in my thatched roof cabina. I can hear the surf thundering violently onto the beach. I’m starting to see the wildness and fragile beauty of this place less as a paradox and more a singular expression of all its natural forces. “e more you participate in and promote ecotourism, the more you help with preservation,” Lana reassures me in the morning as we watch a pair of scarlet macaws fly above the canopy. I agree. You can feel guilty feasting your eyes upon the Osa. But doing so alongside people like Todd and Lana puts you at ease. As more visitors discover its secrets—whether trekking through rainforest or fishing the Pacific aboard Boston Whalers—you know they remain well-protected.

Guided nearshore fishing excursions yield encounters with feisty roosterfish and friendly kayakers alike. The broad, deep-V hull of a Boston Whaler Outrage proves ideal amid ever-changing conditions out on the Pacific, much like a sturdy hammock handles the ever-present custom of siesta.

To see more of the Osa Peninsula, scan the smartTag at le with your smartphone. Don’t have the app? Go to www.ge ag.mobi.

whaler

warriors Boston Whaler 240 Outrage owners volunteer to take wounded soldiers fishing as part of their recovery ( )

Story by Jennifer Chesak | Photos by Mike Calabro

While serving in Iraq,

Jason March (38) was shot behind the right ear by a sniper. Eric Allen (34) suffered a brain injury. Shane Ray (33) was on night patrol when his vehicle ran over two anti-tank mines; his vehicle caught fire, and more than 60 percent of his body suffered burns. e physical injuries of many United States soldiers have been or are being treated, several have begun to heal, and yet many troops still battle gaping, intangible wounds.

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects 11 to 20 percent of veterans returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. e Warrior’s Weekend, held annually in Port O’Connor, Texas, pairs soldiers with volunteer anglers and boaters who are willing to donate their time and vessels for a fun day out on the water. Some soldiers who attend Warrior’s Weekend suffer from PTSD, while others are in wheelchairs or have burns. Many have both PTSD and physical wounds. “Camaraderie is what drew me to the military,” says Kimberly Geofrey-Clary (28), who struggles with PTSD, “and it is what motivates me to get well.”

Boston Whaler 240 Outrage owners Mark and Kelly Sexton of Houston were drawn to the event for the opportunity to reach out. “Being able to pay back those guys for their duty, for fighting for our freedom,” Kelly explains, holding back tears, “we drop everything we have going on that weekend to make sure we are available.”

Mark and Kelly are gearing up for this year’s Warrior’s Weekend, which takes place in mid-May. Last year, they spent the day on the water hosting Colin Dudziak (28), his wife, Jamie, and Cory Linkous (22), who was wounded when something hit his vehicle and a metal rod became lodged in his hip. “I grew up in the country,” Cory says, “and fishing is something I’ve always done.” With rehabilitation taking up his days, he has been unable to log much time with a rod and reel.

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He suffered kidney and liver failure and spent a grueling year recovering at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, doing everything from physical therapy to steroid injections and dialysis.

“I feel like we are letting them experience something that a lot of them don’t normally get to do,” Kelly says. “It makes them feel like they are a part of our world again.”

Cory says his injuries and recuperation have only solidified his drive to keep his country safe. He is medically retired from the U.S. Army, but he has plans to eventually work for Homeland Security.

Like Cory, Eric says a day of fishing helps get his mind off things. Eric grew up fly-fishing the Gallatin River in Montana. His brain injury caused speech and short-term memory problems in addition to PTSD. Now he

Mark and Kelly Sexton of Houston use their 240 Outrage to entertain wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Most are well into their physical healing processes, but still deal with PTSD and extended stays at physical therapy facilities a long way from home.

For a slideshow from Warrior’s Weekend, scan the smartTag above with your smartphone.

Don’t have the app? Go to www.ge ag.mobi.

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uses a smartphone to remind him to take medications and attend doctors’ appointments. “ings that people take for granted,” he explains, “I’ve had to relearn how to do.” As he continues to recover in San Antonio, he and his wife are planning to get a boat.

Shane spent three years in physical therapy. Now he fishes whenever he gets the time, and volunteers as a greeter at the information desk at Brooke Army Medical Center, where he was treated. He sees many other soldiers going through their recovery struggles. His words of advice: “You need to be able to talk about your injury to be able to heal.”

Shane’s motto speaks to one of the goals of Warrior’s Weekend. “It’s all part of the healing process,” says Sgt. Ronnie Gullion, who completed tours in Bosnia and the Persian Gulf. “You get to share your story with somebody.” Ronnie was diagnosed with a combat-related illness that caused liver disease. He went through four rounds of chemotherapy. His illness prevents him from returning to active duty, and Ronnie’s doctors advised him not to work at all. But that didn’t stop him. “I believe I should earn my money,” he says. So he came up with a creative solution. He invented a volunteer position for himself at Fort Campbell in Kentucky to aid soldiers in recovery. He pairs soldiers with volunteers and organizations looking to take veterans out hunting or fishing. His program, called HOOAH, which stands for Healing Outside of a Hospital, is part of the U.S. Army’s Warrior Transition Unit. “A lot of these guys have hunted and fished before, and then they end up somewhere to recuperate and they don’t have a fishing pole with them,” Ronnie explains, “and it turns out, there are a lot of people out there willing to help.” at’s where the Sextons and their Boston Whaler come in. “We kind of stumbled into Warrior’s Weekend,” Mark says. e Sextons were taking their Whaler out to Port O’Connor three years ago when the

“

”

Our goal is to wear you out, and I’m not talking

about you working. I’m talking about you catching fish. event was taking place. ey took a closer look and were immediately in awe of the soldiers and their stories. e Sextons vowed to volunteer the following spring. “It’s the biggest event of our year,” Mark says. e Sextons’ 240 Outrage is one of the larger fishing boats that attends Warrior’s Weekend, and is a coveted vessel because it can hold a soldier’s whole family. Often a veteran must recover far away from where his or her family lives, and Warrior’s Weekend, which buses family members in, provides an opportunity to bring them together.

Mark and Kelly had been eyeing the Whaler brand for quite some time. “We’d been looking at several of them for three years prior,” says Mark, who knew he wanted an Outrage. “I’m a center console guy. And we’ve always wanted a Whaler because of its reputation, the unsinkability and that they are virtually indestructible.” at characteristic reliability kept the Sextons from having any qualms about looking for a used Whaler. “We knew it would be in good shape,” Mark says. e couple found their 240 Outrage at a government auction. It had been used in the Coast Guard for homeland security purposes. “I love the boat,” Mark adds. “I just really like the floor plan.” e 240 Outrage’s layout easily accommodates the Sextons and a large crew of soldiers eager to catch fish. Mark and Kelly relish the

chance to spend the day giving back, though they wish they could do even more. “I feel like we are not doing enough as a country,” Kelly says. “Just listening to their stories and what they go through… I have a nephew on his third tour.”

“We enjoy being given the opportunity to do the work,” Mark says, explaining a day onboard. “Our goal is to wear you out, and I’m not talking about you working. I’m talking about you catching fish. Your arms will be tired.” e If you would like to volunteer to Sextons head out early to take wounded soldiers hunting Sunday Beach and load or fishing, visit www.wwiaf.org or their baitwell with menwww.friendsofamericanheroes.org. haden, so they have plenty of live bait before the buses show up with the soldiers. Last year, the crew hooked up with several bull reds and some whitetip and sandbar shark. Colin even caught a giant stingray.

For Afghanistan veteran Paul Roberts, who suffered burns when his truck was hit with an explosive device, the benefits of such a day are better than any pill. “You get to spend time with your buddies out on the water,” he says. “ere’s a little bit of competition and you forget about your worries.”

wea ons s •e •c •r •e •t

Story by Nick Weldon

Photos by Mike Calabro

lifelong angler mark mackin has three keys to catching fish: katie, hannah and sara, his daughters

R

Rolling evergreen hills, sparkling water and the deafening absence of city bustle

quickly explain why the Mackin family chose this location for their weekend escape. Their place on the Pend Oreille River faces a pine-coated knoll to the south. At its base is an open field where horses pluck at the grass. Across the river to the north, their cabin looks out toward tree-laden Strong Island; in between, the late afternoon sunlight plays upon the water’s rippling surface.

First to greet the photographer and me, out by the trampoline in the

front yard, is Melanie, the family’s 5-year-old Labrador retriever. Mark, his wife, Patty, and their three daughters, Katie (21), Hannah (16) and Sara (14), aren’t far behind. They’ve got the grill fired up for porterhouse

steaks, and Patty has prepared a crisp salad and a savory walnut and goat

cheese dip for starters. “My mom’s Italian,” Katie says with a laugh. “So when she makes food for everyone, you have to eat.”

When the Mackins make the drive up from their home in Spokane,

Washington, to this cottage just across the Idaho state line, there’s just one simple rule: Have fun. The weekend excursions build such anticipation that they’ve clocked the time it takes for their busy home lives to dissolve into this mountain-fresh bliss. “It’s exactly one hour,” Patty proclaims. “Doorstep to doorstep.”

Mark’s also invited Doug and Michelle Trudeau for the evening cookout; Doug, manager of Trudeau’s Marine in Spokane, sold Mark his Boston Whaler 150 Montauk, and is a good friend. “Trudeau’s has been around a long time,” Mark says. “They’re a family-run business that has a very strong presence in this region.”

The topic of conversation drifts from Gonzaga University men’s basketball—both the Mackins and Trudeaus hold season tickets—to the

work the family has done on their charming river property to the range of boating destinations within reach from here. Mark pulls out a vintage map of the area to demonstrate the latter. “There are 130 miles of boatable water in either direction, or in just 40 minutes, you’re in Sandpoint,” he says, noting their proximity to the resort town on the banks of mighty Lake Pend Oreille. “In this area, with the abundance of outdoor possibilities, you could go out every weekend of your life and see something different every time. That’s special.”

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(Clockwise from here) Melanie greets her guests; Mark, Hannah and Sara take to the river; the Mackins’ cozy river co age; Mark gives Hannah a go at the Montauk’s helm; Sara relaxes in the bow.

There’s plenty to enjoy here at the cabin, too. “This is just a nice place to come up and hang out,” Mark says as we munch on Patty’s appetizers.

A look around reveals a big two-car garage brimming with fishing rods and gear; a hammock slightly swaying in the evening breeze; intricate rockwork framing a miniature beach and fire pit; and beyond the sand, a spacious dock that’s currently hosting three boats, including the Montauk.

Mark, who owns a mechanical contracting company in Spokane, has done all the landscaping himself, and his daughters helped him build the dock. “We’ve been trying to utilize our Sunday nights out here,” Mark says with a smile. “We like our Sunday nights.”

Soon the discussion shifts to fishing, a subject that grips the Mackins even stronger than Gonzaga hoops can.

“I just love fishing,” Mark says. “If it’s as big as a goldfish, I’ll light a cigar like it’s the World Series!” Mark’s angling passion began when he was a child growing up in Alaska, Patty explains, where he and his parents lived for 10 years. Now he shares this zeal with his daughters.

“My girls started fishing young,” Mark says, chuckling. “They went from Pampers to pull-ups to waders.”

With the dock out back, they can keep the Montauk at the ready for when the mood strikes, which is often. The family takes pride in keeping the 150 in tip-top shape. I note its spotless condition, and Katie quickly interjects, “I clean it!” A playful argument ensues over who tends to the Montauk the most, though Mark admits that it doesn’t really require a whole lot of effort. “The maintenance is so easy,” he says.

“You hose it out, scrub it, and the blood, fish guts and whatever else gets in there just flushes out the back. People always ask, ‘How do you keep it so clean?’ I say, ‘A hose!’”

Patty notes that the Montauk’s great repair isn’t the only thing that garners attention. The Whaler brand itself turns heads. “We get a lot of compliments on our Whaler,” she says. “It’s like the Cadillac or Harley of the boat world.” Doug, whose family also owns a dealership in Portland, Oregon, says the brand has a rare aura that makes it stand out in a crowd. “It’s the one boat that when you’re filling up, people will walk across and say ‘Wow, that’s a Whaler!’” he says. “Very few boats get that kind of recognition.”

The Mackins have plans to take the hardy Montauk much farther than the waters near their dock on the river. “I’ve got property in Canada,” Mark says. “I needed something seaworthy to get me there and back—something that could handle heavy-duty water.” This summer he plans to trailer the 150 across Washington to the Pacific Ocean, and then pilot it all the way up the coastline to Sitka, Alaska, a favorite deep-sea fishing area going back to his childhood. “We’ve caught 30-pound kings up there, 60-pound halibut, used crab pots to pull in 30 pounds of crab,” he says. “You’re up cutting and cleaning all night long. And you’re not talking poundage, you’re talking tonnage.”

The family enjoys staying close and fishing the Pend Oreille River just as much, though. Mark tells the story of the time Sara caught what he swears was the biggest bluegill he’s ever seen, right off the dock. Sara admits she recently saw a pretty big one at the local Cabela’s. “Was it bigger than yours?” Mark asks. She shakes her head no. “See! It was probably a state record!” Mark says.

All the talk of fish and that Montauk out back has quickly overshadowed the impending feast. Mark and his daughters have caught the fishing bug, so the steaks must wait. The girls grab rods out of the garage while Mark heads toward the dock to fire up the Whaler. I mention to

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At their Pend Oreille River retreat, the Mackins trade time relaxing onshore—in hammock or around the grill—with powering their Montauk up and down the river in search of fish and adventure.

Mark that we recently had a photo shoot with a professional angler who couldn’t muster a photo-worthy catch. His eyes light up, and as his daughters board the Whaler he tells them, “Come on girls, we’ve got to beat the pro!”

Mark wheels the 150 around and powers its 60-hp Mercury toward buoy No. 4 on the western tip of Strong Island. The stateprotected island features countless little nooks that are fish havens, making it a favorite spot for the Mackins. Within minutes, Hannah nabs a fish. “Nice going—that’s one!” Mark exclaims. “We’re right in the honeyhole here!” The girls laugh at their dad’s enthusiasm.

Moments later, Sara reels in another. Mark stands at the helm of his Whaler with a proud grin, watching his daughters cast their lines. They fish for a while longer, but soon the sun begins to dip behind the tree line, signaling a return to the dock. A faint hint of seasoned meat in the air confirms that it’s time to eat.

But as Mark turns the bow of the Montauk toward the cabin, we see Katie on the dock, cranking a reel and shouting, “I got one!” Another fish on. “Bring it around for the camera,” Mark says as he steers the Whaler parallel to the dock. She walks the rod around, and Mark plunges his hand into the water and pulls out the biggest catch of the night. “Way to go, Katie!” In the next 10 minutes, she snares two more.

Though the crew could fish all evening—and they have—dinner is ready, so they finally relent and pack it in. “I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve,” Mark says as we tie up. “My girls are my top-secret weapon—they catch all the fish.”

Patty welcomes us back with juicy porterhouse slabs covered in sautéed mushrooms, with rice and steamed broccoli. All the chatter about the evening’s brief angling excursion quickly subsides as we savor the main course. Well, everybody except Mark and his daughters. For them, this is dessert.

•

Story by Jennifer Chesak

| Photos by John Bildahl

W When looking for a good bird dog, a hunter wants a pup bred from top lineage. He also wants a loyal companion that’s smart, reliable and healthy.

As an avid bird dog trainer, Vince Petede knows what to seek in man’s best friend. Not surprisingly, the same characteristics translate to what a man wants in his fishing boat.

Vince, who lives in Washington, D.C., and primarily boats on the Chesapeake Bay, owns a Boston Whaler 235 Conquest. As we launch out of Matapeake Bay, Vince praises Whalers for their safety, reliability and quality alongside their legendary unsinkability. “ose are the reasons I like Whalers,” he says. e launch near the Matapeake Fishing Pier is on Maryland’s Kent Island. Kent is the largest island in Chesapeake Bay and houses one of the oldest English settlements in the United States. e lighted pier, which used to be a ferry landing, stretches out 650 feet and is open 24 hours a day. Anglers typically line it year round, but on this late spring morning with the sun hiding tentatively behind thin gray clouds, Vince has ample room to launch.

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(Clockwise from le ) Ben’s always up for a ride on the Conquest; Vince can take his Whaler anywhere on the Chesapeake, whether it’s to a waterfront restaurant like Harris Crab House or near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge for some fishing; the 235 Conquest has plenty of room for Vince, Ben, and any family and friends Vince invites onboard.

When the sun draws boaters and fishermen to the bay in droves, Vince doesn’t have to fight for elbow room. anks to his Conquest, he can access the entire bay. “I wanted a larger boat that I could take anywhere on the Chesapeake,” he says. “I wanted the ability to go out on the open water.” at said, Vince has yet to train his beloved Labrador retriever, Ben, to help him launch and dock the Whaler, so he needed to make sure his new boat was manageable. “e 235 Conquest is a nice fishing platform and the largest I wanted to put in by myself. I spend about 50 percent of the time on my boat alone,” he explains, though his favorite four-legged crew member frequently tags along. Vince also enjoys sharing his Conquest with friends and family, as it’s perfect for a fun day on the water.

Often his grandkids, twins Jason and Tora (3) and Mark (1), come over from northern Virginia to join him for a little fishing. “I wanted a safe boat,” Vince says. “at’s why I bought a Whaler.” To echo just how precious his little cargo is, Vince named his boat IPTKWS, which stands for “I Promise is Kiss Will Stick.” e line is from a story, “e Kissing Hand” by AudreyWood, which he read to another of his grandsons, who passed away from cancer. “My daughter asked to put those initials on the boat so that he’ll always be safe,” Vince says with a bittersweet smile.

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“I wanted a larger boat that I could take anywhere on the Chesapeake.

I wanted the ability to go out on the open water.”

Vince uses his Whaler year round on the Chesapeake. Aside from fishing all spring and summer, the Whaler comes in handy throughout bird season, which runs from October to February. e only month he doesn’t use his Conquest much, he says, is January. Duck hunting season, which begins in the fall, is perhaps Vince’s favorite time of year—and certainly Ben’s. Fall is when the retriever gets to show off his skills—a perfect combination of excellent natural instinct and learned commands—continually refined in the off-season with master and treat-provider, Vince.

Each autumn, the duo makes frequent trips to Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area and its thick surrounding marshes. Vince can

Vince uses his Conquest nearly year round.

During the fall, he takes Ben to the Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area to hunt several species of duck.

access the bay from a public boat ramp on Elliot Island. Here, hunters can take advantage of the copious waterfowl in accordance with season rules. A variety of duck species occupies the inland ponds as well as the bay and river shorelines of the extensive wetlands system. Bald eagles, osprey, deer and muskrat add to the lively, straight-out-of-a-Disneymovie environment. e wildlife chorus keeps Ben entertained, but the well-trained fellow stays ever alert to Vince’s needs while in the hunting arena. Once the job is done, Ben enjoys some well-earned naptime on the roomy Conquest next to the captain.

Before the 235 Conquest, Vince owned a 170 Montauk and a 190 Montauk. He’s been loyal to the Whaler brand because it’s been just as loyal to him. “My Whalers have held up well,” he says.

“They’re terrific boats, and I like this one very much.” While he’s had confidence in the sturdy construction of his Whaler boats, Vince keeps returning to the brand because he also has confidence in his Whaler dealer. Rick Boulay, of Chesapeake Whalertowne in Grasonville, Maryland, sold Vince his Boston Whalers, and Vince says the team at Whalertowne has never left him hanging. “Any time I have an issue,” he says, “they get me back on the water. It’s a great dealership, and they’re very enthusiastic about the product.”

He bought his first Whaler, the 170, five years ago. “I’ve been fishing for 30 years,” he says, “and through friends, I’ve had access to boats.” Now Vince has complete independence to head out for striped bass, bluefin tuna and flounder whenever the urge strikes.

Vince maneuvers the Conquest north toward the Bay Bridge.

The incredible engineering feat, which ranks among the longest overwater structures in the world, dazzles with even more grandeur beneath the slivers of light now breaking through the clouds. Kent Island is its eastern terminus, and over the years the bridge has aided tourism and increased the population of Maryland’s “Eastern Shore” towns. e Bay Bridge has proven fruitful not only for routing traffic, but also for concentrating fish. Rockfish, as striped bass are called in the Chesapeake region, love structure. To the rockfish and the anglers who stalk them, the Bay Bridge’s piers are pure architectural genius.

Vince plies the waters near a piling for a while, telling me more about why his Conquest has served him well so far. Praise, praise and more praise emanates from his mouth, and I’m certain Vince would toss one of Ben’s jerky treats to his Conquest, if the beloved Whaler could somehow accept it.

An

OUTRAGEOUS

COMMUTE Eric Moilanen takes his Boston Whaler 280 Outrage to work every day across Lake Erie Story by Jennifer Chesak

• Photos by Mike Calabro

We all do things to enhance our morning commute. We sip lattes while maneuvering six lanes of traffic, read novels while negotiating space on the train or tune into our favorite podcasts while waiting for the bus. Some of us even eschew the usual modes of transportation, roll our business clothes into a messenger bag and pedal ourselves to the office. Eric Moilanen takes commuting to a whole new level when he boards his Boston Whaler 280 Outrage in the Lake Erie Islands area and heads to work in Monroe, Michigan.

Catawba Island, Ohio, and a Sea Ray 44 Sundancer serve as home base for Eric, his wife, Heidi, and their two rescue dogs, boxers J.B. and Blaze. “ey come to work with me every day,” says Eric of his pooches. “ey’ll jump into the Whaler and wait for me.” e Moilanens refer to their Sea Ray as e Dog House. Eric owns his own aviation security company and learned that when staying on e Dog House, he could get to his office in Monroe by water and Whaler much faster than by truck and traffic jam. Or as he puts it, “It’s a lot more fun to drive a boat than a truck. e Whaler always gets me there. And if I’m going to use a boat to commute across open water…” Eric pauses, nodding his head.

It’s understood that he doesn’t have to finish his sentence; everyone knows that Boston Whalers are reliable, not to mention unsinkable.

Despite the fall breeze, we’re relishing a smooth cruise across open water now, and with the super quiet twin 250-hp Verado® engines, we’re even able to enjoy a conversation at a normal volume.

Eric’s father had grown to trust the legendary brand and passed his unwavering faith on to his children. “He just thought it was a great boat for his kids to be running around on,” Eric says, recalling childhood memories aboard his father’s 130 Sport. “e safety, the unsinkability...” he continues. “We didn’t have a cover for it. We’d just pull the plug out of it, and it would rain, and we knew it wouldn’t go down.” Eventually, the family purchased other Whalers, and the iconic name became one that Eric would trust when it came time to buy his own boat for navigating Lake Erie. e family’s trust in Boston Whaler runs parallel to their trust in their dealership, Colony Marine. “Colony is second to none,” Eric says.

“Dad was buying boats from Pete Sr. when Pete Jr. and I were just kids,” he adds, referring to the Beauregard family. In fact, Eric often commutes up to Colony Marine on his 280 Outrage just to have lunch with Pete Jr. “It was a fluke that I set my office a mile from the Monroe Marina,” he says with a laugh.

Eric’s visit to Colony today is unfortunately to put the Whaler in winter storage. ankfully, he also gets to indulge in a visit with his old friend Pete to help ease the pain. “You couldn’t ask for a nicer family to do business with,” he says, cruising toward the marina on Lake

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St. Clair. Shoreline trees relinquish their copper leaves to the wind, and Canada geese fly overhead, their formations clearly pointing south.

Lake St. Clair is accessible from Lake Erie via the Detroit River.

Grosse Pointe is on the way to Colony Marine, so Eric pulls near shore to swing by the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. His Outrage flies an oversize American flag in honor of friends fighting overseas. “I can’t express my gratitude enough that they do that over there, so that we can do things like this over here,” he says, alluding to his passion for boating. Eric maneuvers the boat around nearby Fords Cove for a close-up view of the fall foliage before heading north to Colony Marine’s St. Clair Shores location.

Colony Marine has been selling boats in the region for more than 50 years, and three generations of the Beauregard family have partaken in the company’s popular group Rendezvous in amazing Great Lakes locations. Colony Marine’s Fun Crew leader Deb DeBusscher

Eric Moilanen puts his 280 Outrage through its paces every day, commuting from the Lake Erie Islands area of Ohio, across the western end of Lake Erie to Monroe, Michigan.

meticulously organizes the trips. “I can’t say enough great things about the Rendezvous,” says Eric, who has attended with Heidi and the boxers. e customers are led caravan-style from a Colony Marine location to the Rendezvous point by a skilled captain and a service technician. Some longer Rendezvous include multiple stops, so attendees can see and do even more on their vacations. Deb and the rest of the Fun Crew plan docktail parties, dinners, outings and games.

Attendees even find themselves in costumes months before Halloween gives them an excuse. e down-to-earth Beauregards participate, wearing cowboy hats and giant belt buckles—or whatever outfits match the theme. ey enjoy getting to know their family of customers better and better every summer.

When we arrive at Colony, a crew assembles at the dock to help Eric turn in his Whaler for the season. Pete Jr. waves hello to his old friend and smiles as he grabs a line. Simultaneously, Eric and Pete pull their jackets a little tighter against the wind. Signs of the approaching winter are palpable, and the two can’t wait for a hot meal and a chance to catch up. e Outrage is actually Eric’s second Whaler; he owned a 220 Dauntless prior. “We bought the Dauntless because it has a much shallower draft and is open for running around to different restaurants,” he recalls. But he only had the Dauntless for one year before getting the Outrage, on which he’s already logged 185 hours in one season, thanks to his daily commutes April through October. “ere’s been a lot of days when there’s not much traffic,” he says. “People have been surprised at the weather we take it out in, but it has the best-riding hull.

Plus, I’ve got the three-sided glass enclosure to protect me.”

In addition to commuting, Eric and Heidi use the 280 Outrage for day trips to explore the Lake Erie Islands and beyond. “e area has a small-town kind of feel,” he says. “It’s a very relaxed, comfortable place

to spend your time.” ey also use their Whaler for entertaining friends. “I get made fun of so much,” Eric jokes with Pete Jr., “because I don’t own a fishing rod and I’ve got this awesome Boston Whaler.”

Fishing has simply never appealed to Eric; he’d rather just kick back.

His dad, however, has decked out his own 270 Outrage with all the necessities. “He’s got this ’rigger and that ’rigger,” Eric says. “But all of the things that make it a great fishing boat make it a great entertaining boat. e insulated livewells hold ice really well. When you use it that way, it really is fantastic.” And for commuting, it can’t be beat. Just idle out of the marina, flip over the throttle and hit the open water.

Lake watch Story and photos by Roger Kamholz

the lake george park commission marine patrol relies on a fleet of boston whalers

to protect the environment and keep boaters safe

L

Lake George is the picture of serenity.

Beholding the dreamy sweep that surrounds me, the ravishing blues and greens, it’d be hard to come to any lesser conclusion.

But then again, I look at the lake as a visitor, an admirer. Sgt. Cindy DeLappa, a 20-year veteran of the Lake George Park Commission Marine Patrol—who has graciously granted me a ride-along this morning—can’t be so casual with her view. As one of the lake’s sworn protectors, serenity is her perhaps-impossible goal.

Lake George hides among upstate New York’s Adirondack Mountains, and although the 32-mile-long lake welcomes thousands of vacationers each year, it can still feel like your own precious secret. e lake is as beautiful as it is clean; in fact, it supplies drinking water to the surrounding region. On a given summer day, there may be upward of 10,000 boats afloat on it. With that kind of volume, preserving Lake George’s ecological integrity and the safety of the public who enjoys it are critical issues to state and local authorities.

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“It takes the waves well. If I have to go out in a storm, I never worry about it. I’m never going to have a problem with this boat.” e Lake George Park Commission, established shortly after the lake and surrounding area were declared a New York State Park in 1961, is one of the key agencies working to keep the lake pristine and safe. Among the Park Commission’s objectives are to maintain the lake’s impeccable water quality and “encourage cooperation among the many public and private entities whose common goal is the lake’s preservation,” as its mission statement reads. e Marine Patrol unit, which is responsible for law enforcement, will pass an important milestone in 2011: this year marks 50 years of continuous service on Lake George.

Cindy has taken me out on the lake aboard her patrol craft, a Boston Whaler 21 Justice, which she’s captained for six seasons. e Justice series is part of Whaler’s specially designed fleet for commercial and government use, and Cindy’s 21 is one of several trusty Whalers the Marine Patrol employs to canvass Lake George’s 44 square miles of water. In the unlikely event you wanted more proof that Whalers are rugged workhorses, capable of shrugging off the toughest punishment, observing the Marine Patrol’s fleet in action should do the trick.

“It’s so easy to operate,” Cindy says of her Justice. “It takes the waves on Lake George well. It’s very easy to work out of. If I have to go out in a storm and we’ve got three-footers, I never worry about it. I’m never going to have a problem with this boat.” at confidence is rooted in the Justice series’ deep-V hull design—which will cut through bad chop, remain balanced and keep passengers dry—not to mention

Boston Whaler’s legendary reputation of unsinkability. e Marine Patrol officers also call on their vessels to precisely negotiate tight channels and clustered boats—a common sight on Lake George’s many popular bays—and the Justices don’t disappoint. “I can go anywhere in this boat,” Cindy adds. For the upcoming season, the Marine Patrol added yet another Whaler to the fleet, a new 24-footer complete with radar, which will be utilized for both day and nighttime patrolling.

Earlier this morning, we departed the Marine Patrol’s boathouse on Green Island, best known as home of the historic Sagamore, a grand hotel and resort dating back to 1883. One of the busiest swaths of the lake falls under Cindy’s watch. She takes me on a tour, pointing out island camping and picnic sites, historic structures and boaters’ favorite coves for swimming. e incredible beauty can be hypnotizing—so much so that the sudden clap of sirens startles me.

Being on the clock, Cindy hadn’t ever stopped patrolling throughout our ride, and had spotted a young man aboard a personal watercraft going too fast too close to shore. She pulls the 21 up alongside him, asks a few questions, verifies that his registration is current

Sgt. Cindy DeLappa patrols the mountain-ringed waters of Lake George aboard her Boston Whaler 21 Justice. The Lake George Park Commission Marine Patrol is charged with keeping the lake pristine and safe. Scan the smartTag below with your smartphone to see video from the Justice’s Lake George patrol.

Don’t have the app? Go to www.ge ag.mobi.

and ultimately lets him off with a warning. “We have a lot of people who come up who are very unfamiliar with the area and boating,” Cindy tells me later. “People are out of their comfort zone up here, so we’re here to make sure they’re OK.” In the past year, Cindy and her fellow Marine Patrol officers have responded to a host of calls in which swimmers, boaters, campers and kayakers have needed emergency assistance. “It’s not accident-proof,” Cindy says of lake recreation. “People think they are on a ride at Disney World and nobody gets hurt, but they get in boats and do silly things, and they do get hurt.” In one incident this past July, Officer Bob Sutphen saved two men whose canoe had capsized and were in danger of drowning. He was able to pull them out of the water, right their canoe and return them safely to shore with canoe in tow.

During rescues and assists like these, the Whalers earn their keep.

“I have the dive door, which is worth its weight in gold,” Cindy points out. “I can pop the door out and grab a kayak, right it and put the people back in it, and never have to lift it over the side. at’s very, very nice.” e Whalers prove their usefulness another way, too: by never quitting. When Cindy first started with the Marine Patrol, the unit was still using 17-foot Whalers that had endured more than 10,000 hours of use. “We haven’t found another boat that is going to hang in there like that,” she says. “ey seem to really last for us.”

In addition to its mission to improve boater awareness and public safety on the lake, the Marine Patrol works alongside fellow state agen-

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cies like the Department of Environmental Conservation to maintain Lake George’s outstanding water quality and the surrounding area’s ecological stability. New York State classifies the lake as an AA-Special water body, meaning it is suitable for use as a drinking water supply.

Given that designation, Cindy notes, “We have a lot of things to enforce that might not be the norm. We have to inspect all the large cruisers to make sure they aren’t discharging gray or black water into the lake.” e lake’s worst biological threats are invasive species like Eurasian water milfoil, zebra mussels and a relative newcomer, the Asian clam. A coordinated effort among authorities, plus a little luck, has kept these pests at bay. Milfoil patches are mapped and hand-harvested, and “as far as zebra mussels, we’ve found some colonies but they don’t seem to be reproducing,” Cindy explains. Supposedly, the lake water’s low calcium content has slowed the zebra mussels’ spread. e Asian clam was only discovered last year and thankfully seems to be contained to just one area, at the lake’s south end. “It takes a lot of work and a lot of people to keep it that way,” Cindy says of Lake George’s environmental balance. Without constant vigilance, what so many consider a natural treasure would be lost.

For many of the Marine Patrol officers, that vigilance has a personal component; they grew up in the area and still call it home—making Lake George a de facto backyard. “You have to be dedicated, given all the hours and long shifts,” Cindy says. “Every person on the patrol loves the lake, they love to be out there. You have to.”

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