Lakeland Boating May 2014

PORT OF CALL: clayton, new york may 2014

Huron | ontario | MicHigan | EriE | SupErior

avalon windjammer Taking ponToons To a new level p. 30

not your daddy’s ‘toon:

need a lift?:

T I NG . COM OA

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Bennington builds a pontoon for today’s boaters p. 34 drive-ons take the hassle out of docking p. 38

1,000s of boats

For sale

spotlight on safety:

DISPLAY UNTIL MAY 31, 2014

Spotlight on

what all boaters need to know p. 40

glastron | larson | monte carlo | sea-doo

GET THE

MOST

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OUT OF YOUR BOAT

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contents

Departments From the Helm Name Game & Calendar

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Scuttle

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Great Lakes News, Boats, Must-Have, Buzz, Events, Business

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a river runs to it The Upstate New York coastal community of Clayton is the “Antique Boat Capital” of the Great Lakes, gateway to the world-famous Thousand Islands, and home to the best history, culture and scenery the region has to offer.

by Kim Lunman

Features 30

avalon Windjammer 24 Taking pontoon boats to a whole new level. by Chris Caswell

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Turning the Tide on Pontoons Bennington’s 2575 QCW I/O Mahogany Edition breaks rank with a pontoon’s oft mislabeled “redneck party barge” image and opens up a whole new world of class, comfort and style to today’s boaters.

by Gary Reich

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Check whatever preconceived notions you may have about pontoon boats at the dock, because the Avalon Windjammer 24 is about to change the way you think about these boats forever.

Think luxurious and upscale; not backyard and barge-esque. With a boatload of options, this floating palace can be customized to your heart’s content, including seating arrangements, changing rooms, power options, and oh-so much more.

Whether you fancy skiing and wakeboarding or just lounging and relaxing, you can do it all aboard the Windjammer 24.

@ lakelandboating.com

Let There be Lift Drive-on lifts take the hassle out of docking. by Kate Bush

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Gearing Up Corke Board Don’t Hesitate to Renovate Ask the Expert Boat Spotlights: Glastron, Larson, Monte Carlo, Sea-Doo Lakeshore Life Marina Watch Marine Marketplace Classifieds Above the Waterline

• NEW! Great Lakes Boat Search at lakelandboating.com • Search boats for sale by owner

Knowing the Ropes

• Purchase our Great Lakes Cruising Guides

Educated boaters who understand the “rules of the road” are more likely to have a safe and enjoyable on-water experience. by Sam Insalaco

• Access past issues with our online magazine • Place a classified ad to sell your boat • Find advertising information • And much more!

photo by michael folsom

198LE SPORT BOAT VIDEO

SEE THE 198LE SPORT BOAT IN ACTION

Scan the QR Code with your smart phone, or visit StingrayBoats.com/198LE

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Take a test drive in a STINGRAY before you buy. It's not just the price that will impress you.

TO VIEW OUR ENTIRE MODEL LINE, VISIT STINGRAYBOATS.COM Price includes base 198LE with 4.3L Carb power option; price does not include options, freight charges, dealer prep, taxes, title, or registration.

Prices are subject to change without notice or obligation. All prices shown are in US dollars. Photos shown are stock photos and include optional equipment. Offer valid at participating STINGRAY dealers. Contact an authorized STINGRAY dealer for more details.

from the helm

April 2014 | Volume LXVIII, No. 4

Publisher Walter “Bing” O’Meara editorial staff Editor: Lindsey Johnson Editor-at-large: Heather Steinberger Associate editor: Kate Bush

< _ Bing’s cott age!

Loving the Island Life I

sat down the other day to write my publisher’s note for the May issue when the phone rang. It was Mark Conway, our advertising sales rep. He called knowing how fond I was of Skip Allen Sr., publisher emeritus of Southern Boating magazine, to let me know he had passed away. Mark saw the notice in Soundings Trade Only, with the headline “Industry Mourns Marine Magazine Publisher.”

Like all the others who considered themselves friends of Skip, I stopped what I was doing and sat back with a lump in my throat, remembering the last time I had spoken with him.

It was about a year ago, and when we finished the business end of the chat he said, “Next time you’re in Fort Lauderdale, give me a call and we’ll go out to dinner and catch up.”

Unfortunately, that dinner never happened.

I was not able to make the trip. I regret missing the opportunity, as I can’t think of anything else I would rather do than have a nice meal with a good colleague and friend and swap stories about our Grand Banks days.

My heartfelt condolences to the Allen family.

He will be truly missed.

This month’s port of call is Clayton, New York, situated in the heart of the Thousand Islands. I’m excited about this story for a couple of reasons: One, it was written by Kim Lunman, who is a terrific writer and always does a great job capturing the

spirit and essence of a place; and two, Linda and I own a cottage there. We haven’t been able to visit as much as we like these last few years, nor have our kids, grandkids or the dogs.

We found Clayton and the Thousand Islands through our friends Fred and Stephanie Kaufhold.

When we first met them they were cruising the East Coast, and after a couple of seasons they made their way up to the Thousand Islands. The Kaufholds invited us to join them for the Antique Boat Show, which we did. We liked the area, and when they showed us Round Island we fell in love. There was a property for sale with a cottage and two deep-water docks, and we immediately knew we wanted it.

“Salties,” as the big freighters are often called, are spectacular to watch transiting the St. Lawrence River. On the island there’s always a breeze, fabulous sunsets and skies filled with stars.

I would also like to take the opportunity this month to introduce a new addition to the Lakeland Boating staff. Kate Bush has come on board as associate editor. Kate, a recent Michigan State grad, is a lifelong boater who does most of her boating on Torch Lake and the Grand Haven Harbor area of Michigan. We welcome her aboard.

Summer’s right around the corner!

notice to subscribers: You will ONLY receive renewal notices by mail directly from Lakeland Boating; we will NEVER contact you by phone or via a third-party company! You can renew by calling 800-827-0289 or visit our website, lakelandboating.com, and click on the “Subscribe” tab. All renewals should be mailed back to: Lakeland Boating, < — PO Box 15396, North Hollywood, CA 91615-9991.

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ew of are sca ms!

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Creative staff Art director/production manager: Christy Tuttle Bauhs Contributors Elizabeth Altick, Mark Bauhs, Chris Bogenschutz, Chris Caswell, Ian Coristine, Mark Corke, George Fischer, Michael Folsom, Mike Harris, Sam Insalaco, David Kingma, Capt. Frank Lanier, Kim Lunman, Gary Reich, Capt. Tom Serio, Matthew Stephan, Colleen H. Troupis, Dave Wallace, Alan Wendt business staff Advertising sales representative: Mark Conway Regional/classified sales manager: Patti McCleery Marketing director: Linda O’Meara Accounting: Marguerite Wristen editorial & advertising offiCe 727 South Dearborn | Suite 812 | Chicago, IL 60605 Phone: 312-276-0610 | Fax: 312-276-0619 E-mail: staff@lakelandboating.com Website: lakelandboating.com Classified advertising 727 South Dearborn | Suite 812 | Chicago, IL 60605 Phone: 800-331-0132, ext. 21 | Fax: 312-276-0619 subsCriPtions P.O. Box 15396 | North Hollywood | CA 91615-5396 Customer Service: 800-827-0289 o’meara-brown PubliCations inC. President: Walter B. O’Meara Secretary: Timothy Murtaugh Lakeland Boating (ISSN 0744-9194), copyright 2014, is published eleven times per year (except December) by O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc. Editorial and advertising offices are located at 727 S. Dearborn St., Suite 812, Chicago, IL 60605; 312-276-0610. Annual subscription rates: United States, $24.95 per year; International and Canadian, $36.95 per year (11 issues), includes 7% G.S.T. tax (G.S.T. registration number 894095074-RT0001) and $12 postage included.

Single copies are $4.99 for U.S. and Canada. Only U.S. funds are accepted. Subscription correspondence should be addressed to Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 15396, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5396 (U.S.), or call 800-827-0289.

Known office of publication: 727 South Dearborn Street, Suite 812, Chicago, IL 60605. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER, please send all address changes to Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 15396, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5396. Lakeland Boating is a registered trademark of O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc., Chicago, Illinois. Published as Lakeland Yachting 1946-1955. Unsolicited work may be submitted at the author’s, photographer’s or artist’s own risk. Lakeland Boating assumes no responsibility or liability for unsolicited material. All submissions must be accompanied by a selfaddressed envelope with sufficient return postage.

Printed in the U.S.A

W e l c o m e

t o

o u r

B e a c h

Every Palm Beach Motor Yacht is meticulously handcrafted and customised to create a vessel unique to its owner. Our luxury motor yachts are designed to maintain their timeless beauty and integrity for generations. Available in 45, 50, 52, 55 and 65 ft in both fly bridge and sedan configurations the Palm Beach quality, craftsmanship and impeccable style is without compromise.

See the Palm Beach: • • • •

CIC Yacht Club Boat Show, May 2-4 Grosse Point Yacht Club Show, May 9-11 NMMA Chicago In Water, June 5-8 Bay Harbor In-Water Boat Show, June 13-15

Palm Beach will also host special events and Sea Trials from our USA Headquarters at the Yacht Basin in Holland, Michigan, as well as Lake Charlevoix.

www.pbmotoryachts.com Holland, Michigan / Toll Free: (877) 291-4220 / Cell: (941) 735-1756 / Email: Dave@PBMotoryachtsUSA.com

name game & Canine Crewmember

BOOIHANA & Booey

Have a great Name Game or Canine/ Feline Crewmember?

Send us a short write-up that includes your boat or pet’s name, home city and state, as well as a high-resolution photo (at least 1 MB) to: staff@lakelandBoating.coM. Please type “Name Game” or “Canine/Feline Crew” in the subject line of your email.

If we publish your submission you can win one of the following prizes: A gift basket from Kanberra Gel for “Name Game” submissions; or a gift pack from Mobile Clean & Go for “Canine/Feline Crew” submissions.

I wanted to submit a picture of my 51⁄2 -year-old Pomeranian, Booey (pronounced like “buoy”). He loves boats! Here, he can be seen standing on the bow as I idle through the bays in Lake St. Clair. Booey is always eager to say “hi” to people on the water.

As you can see, my boat’s named BOOIHANA, after the old race boat BENIHANA, but with a spin…

Booey’s name in it! His photo on the side of the boat gets great laughs.

—Ed Seyler & Booey, Harrison Township, MI

_ Heeeeere’s < Booey!

BUSHEL OF FUN When naming our family boat, we were running our apple orchard, Armadas Apple Orchard, in Michigan. The consensus was to name it Bushel of Fun. There are five apples for our original family, and we add one with each new addition. —Steve Nikkel, Richmond, MI

CACCHEN The picture of my boat, Cacchen, with a group of my fishing friends displays the essence of the name. I upgraded to this Chris-Craft Commander in 1992 and wanted a short, simple name with only two syllables. I wanted a name that’s easy to say and understand on the marine radio. I found the name in the dictionary under “ketch,” which is a type of sailboat. The name has served me well as I ply the waters of Lake Superior out of Black River Harbor. —Capt. Bud Johnson, Ironwood, MI

Calendar May 2 – 4

May 4

May 17

May 25

Antique Boat Museum Symposium Clayton, NY

Nautical Mile Open House St. Clair Shores, MI

Spring Fling Festival Baileys Harbor, WI

Eldean Shipyard Cookout Macatawa, MI

aBM.org

nauticalMile.org

BaileysharBor.org

eldean.coM

May 3

May 4 – 6

Can2Can Fishing Tournament Harbor Beach, MI

Catawba Island Boat Show Port Clinton, OH

Zoo-De-Mackinac Harbor Springs & Mackinaw City, MI

Lost Boat Ceremony Muskegon, MI

Mackinawcity.coM

Michigan.org

Michigan.org

catawBaislandBoatshow.coM

May 5

May 17 – 23

Lexington Salmon and Trout Fishing Tournament Lexington, MI

National Safe Boating Week Nationwide

St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade St. Clair Shores, MI

safeBoatingcouncil.org

scsparade.coM

sanduskyMaritiMe.coM

May 22 – aug 28

May 25 – 26

May 16 – 17

Riverfront Concerts South Haven, MI

Ghost Tours of Door County Door County, WI

south-haven.coM

doorcountytrolley.coM

May 24

May 25 – 27

Michigan.org

Rotary Shipyard Tours Sturgeon Bay, WI

Sandusky Area Maritime Assoc.

Annual Meeting and Dinner Sandusky, OH

May Days and International Museum Day Sandusky, OH

dcMM.org

May 3 – 4 In-Water Boat Show Sylvan Lake, MI

sanduskyMaritiMe.coM

May 16 – 18

ocBcinfo.coM/Boatshow

Great Lakes Kite Festival Grand Haven, MI

Spring Sip and Savor Suttons Bay, MI

Michigan.org

Michigan.org

Pedal and Paddle Bicycle Tour Three Rivers, MI

May 3 – 10 Tulip Time Festival Holland, MI

Michigan.org

tuliptiMe.coM

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Mackinaw Memorial Bridge Race Mackinaw City, MI

Fort Michilimackinac Pageant Mackinaw City, MI

Mackinawcity.coM

fMpcfestival.org

May 24 – 25

May 30 – june 2

Maifest Jacksonport, WI

Mayfest Chicago Chicago, IL

jacksonport.org

Mayfestchicago.coM

Want your event included in our Calendar of Events?

Go to lakelandBoating.coM/great-lakes-events to submit information.

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Scuttle

Great Lakes News | Boats | Must-Have | Buzz | Events | Business | USCG OpSums great lakes news

s.s. Badger Continues Work to improve ash discharge

The Great Lakes Historical Society will officially open the National Museum of the Great Lakes Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. in Toledo, Ohio. Among the exhibits on display is the newly restored 618-foot freighter Col. James M. Schoonmaker (formerly the Willis B. Boyer). For more info, visit inlandseas.org.

The beloved old-style “bell boat” and last Great Lakes coal-fueled car ferry, the S.S. Badger, is undergoing some radical improvements.

The 411-foot Badger, now in its 60th year of service, travels between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin and has proven a vital link for Great Lakes tourists and trucked freight.

The Badger was almost shut down in 2012 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). At that time, the ferry was burning 55 tons of coal per day that dumped a whopping 4 tons of coal ash into Lake Michigan, according to a recent report by the Chicago Tribune. EPA agreed to extend the boat’s permit, but only for two years, giving the Badger time to clean up its act.

In a consent decree signed October 2013, Lake Michigan Carferry Service promised to end the ash discharge by the 2015 season and, in the interim, use stoker coal, which produces less ash and has a lower mercury content.

Improvements on the Badger are already underway, according to the ferry’s social media sites. The ship released a report, published on EPA’s website, that maintains the former boiler fronts and all eight original stokers were removed, drawings were submitted for the replacement of the boiler fronts, and the electrical distribution system was upgraded. A descriptive photo timeline of all of the ferry’s improvements will eventually be featured on the S.S. Badger’s website.

For more information, visit ssbadger.Com or epa.gov.

boats

palm beach Unveils “great lakes edition” Palm Beach Motor Yachts recently underwent a few adjustments with its popular PB 45 model and emerged with a new “Great Lakes Edition” of the much-sought-after design.

As tested in Lakeland Boating’s March 2013 issue (p. 30), the PB 45 is a luxury vessel with contemporary styling and familyfriendly features. With its new Great Lakes Edition, Palm Beach tweaked the boat to more specifically accommodate the Great Lakes cruising market, including a different interior layout, cockpit and colors.

The boat will be featured at several upcoming Great Lakes boat shows: Catawba Island Boat Show, May 2-4; Grosse Point Yacht Club Boating Festival, May 16-18; Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show, June 5-8; and Bay Harbor In-Water Boat Show, June 13-15.

For more information on the PB 45, visit pbmotoryaChts.Com.

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great lakes news

Lake Michigan Water Levels Rebounding According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Lake Michigan water levels are on the rise and will continue rising come spring and summer. Just one year ago, in January 2013, lake levels were at an all-time low, plummeting 28 inches below average.

Following a seemingly endless winter, 92 percent of Lake Michigan was covered with ice, which prevented evaporation. According to USACE, the abundance of ice mixed with upcoming warmer temperatures means that water levels could approach normal levels for the first time in 15 years.

Boaters and business owners on and around Lake Michigan hope that the increase will lead to heightened interest from tourists and safer boating.

s . s . badger and water level photos by mark bauhs

boats

events

Trawlers Midwest Releases Second Eco-Trawler

Antique Boat Show Turns 50

Following the success of its initial Eco-Trawler launch, Trawlers Midwest of Manitowoc, Wisconsin has announced its second Eco-Trawler is near completion.

Eco-Trawler Hull No. 1 is a 33-foot welded aluminum, custom-built trawler.

The Antique Boat Museum (ABM) in Clayton, New York recently opened exhibitor registration for the historic 50th annual Antique Boat Show & Auction, which will be held August 1-3.

ABM will celebrate this historic year of the longestrunning boat show in the nation by offering 10 days of events, capping off the festivities with the Antique Raceboat Regatta August 8-10.

Boat show registration is open until May 15, but space is limited. For more information, visit ABm.org.

great lakes news

Army Corps to Dredge Great Lakes The second iteration of this design includes interior foaming with soundproofing, floatation and thermal protection for heating and cooling. The boat features twin 50-hp Evinrude E-Tecs and the traditional interior comfort for which Trawlers Midwest is known.

Eco-Trawler Hull No. 2 is designed to be low maintenance and easily trailerable. She sports a large cockpit, ample storage areas and a settee to port.

For more information, visit TrAwlErSmidwEST.com.

Close to $18 million has been given to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in 2014 for projects in Michigan and Wisconsin, according to a recent article published in The Detroit News. About $3.37 million of that funding is designated for new dredging projects in Michigan, according to the article.

Coral Gables Yachts of Holland, Michigan added 25,000 square feet to its indoor heated boat storage facility.

Now, Coral Gables will be better able to handle customers’ needs for storage and maintenance. For more information, visit corAlgABlESyAchTS.com.

buzz

Eldean goes Solar

This spring, Lake Macatawa’s Eldean Shipyard will invest in a 66-kW solar panel grid system mounted to the roof of its boat storage facility, which houses close to 300 boats.

It’s part of Eldean’s energy-saving plan in cooperation with Consumers Energy Experimental Advanced Renewable Program (EARP). Consumers Energy will buy the energy produced and sell it to its customers.

Hoekstra Electric of Hamilton, Michigan, one of Eldean’s boat-slip customers, will install the system beginning in early April. Expectations are for the system to be operational by June 1.

For more information, visit EldEAn.com.

dredging photo courtesy of white lake dock & dredge

In recent years, the Great Lakes have experienced well-below-average water levels, causing many waterways and harbors to fill with silt. One year ago, the State of Michigan created emergency dredging programs for 59 municipal ports.

The approved USACE work includes $1 million for dredging the Black River near Port Huron; $1.54 million for existing dredging work in Grand Haven, Monroe Harbor and Saginaw; and $1.5 million for dredging in St. Joseph Harbor, among many other projects, according to The Detroit News article.

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must - have must - have

Boat Lift Helper Created by a boater who was sick and tired of the hassle that came with installing, repositioning and removing boat lifts each season, Boat Lift Helper is a new flotation system that eases the burden of lift management.

The system is simple and allows boaters to float their boat lift in and out of the water in a jiffy. Boat Lift Helper attaches to your lift with adjustable brackets that fit any lift design, and inflatable air-lift bags mount to the boat lift so you can easily reposition it without ever getting in the water.

Made of industrial-grade materials, Boat Lift Helper is guaranteed not to rust and can withstand heavy weight.

For more information, visit boatliftHelper.com.

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Hurley Dinghy Davit System

Long gone are the days of complicated dinghy retrieval.

The new hassle-free Hurley Dinghy Davit System allows for easy storage and launching of your dinghy, thanks to an adjustable and removable arm system designed for use with multiple hull types.

Made of marine-grade polyethylene, the Dinghy Davit System is strong, has a quick release and reduces friction during launch and retrieval. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mounted on the swim platform and is easily installed.

For more information, visit Hurleymarine.com.

THE ALL-NEW CARVER C40 MO R E T H A N YO U ’D E X PEC T, F O R L ES S

The all-new American-made Carver C40 offers you a lot more yacht for a very attractive price. More efficient and quiet performance from twin diesel inboard engines that can deliver top end speed of 34 mph. More comfort provided by the huge command bridge, two heads (master with stall shower) and two very private staterooms. More room to entertain with a floor plan that integrates the galley, salon and cockpit. The Carver C40—more than you’d expect, for less.

C A R V E RYAC H T S .C O M

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must - have

boats

Boston Whaler 345 Conquest Wins Innovation Award The Boston Whaler 345 Conquest Pilothouse not only features luxurious amenities and signature Whaler sportsfishing capabilities, but it’s also been officially recognized for its innovative enclosed helm.

Whaler took home a 2014 National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award in the Furnishings and Interior Parts Category for its impressive 345 helm, which, with the push of a button, transforms the forward berth dining table into a queen-sized bed.

According to Boating Writers International (BWI) judge Nigel Calder, who was one of seven marine industry journalists/experts that evaluated this years’ Innovation Award entries, the groundbreaking Conquest design is “the James Bond of beds.”

Additional features on the 345 include a cockpit wet bar and spacious galley, making it an ideal boat for offshore fishing and entertaining.

For more information, visit BostonWhAler.Com.

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Earth Wind and Flowers Boat Mist As boaters commonly experience, when heat combines with water in enclosed cabins an unpleasant, musty smell results. Spray away stale cabin odors with Boat Mist from Earth Wind and Flowers, a 100 percent natural fragrance made of essential oil and flower essences.

Boat Mist has a bright, refreshing orange blossom scent, with a hint of lemon zest.

It can clear out any unpleasant smell on board, replacing it with therapeutic fragrance.

The spray is available online through the Earth Wind and Flowers website and retails for $29.99.

For more info, visit eArthWIndfloWers.Com.

S TA N D A R D

903 Michigan Ave | Alma, MI 48801 | 800.334.2913 | www.tahoepontoons.com

LIKE US ON FA C E B O O K

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buzz

Elite Yachts to Represent Azimut Yachts

buzz

Grand Banks, NW Explorations Partner Grand Banks Yachts has appointed NW Explorations of Bellingham, Washington as an official Grand Banks Authorized Service Center, as well as its first authorized Purchase-for-Charter company. NW Explorations offers a full marine service department comprised of highly skilled technicians, many of whom are certified by the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC).

“We are thrilled to expand our long-term relationship with Grand Banks Yachts, as we have maintained a substantial Grand Banks charter fleet for more than three decades,” says Brian Pemberton, NW Explorations owner.

“We know these boats intimately, and this summer we will be taking a floatilla of Grand Banks’ across the Gulf of Alaska and into Prince William Sound, cruising for nearly 5,000 miles. The comfort and reliability of these boats for extended cruises are legendary. We are very excited to sell and commission new Grand Banks’ in our fleet.”

For more information, visit grandbanks.com or

Elite Yachts of Dolton, Illinois, located just outside of Chicago, announced it will represent Azimut Yachts in the Great Lakes, in partnership with MarineMax. Elite will display at least one Azimut on K Dock in Chicago’s Burnham Harbor to participate in a variety of events it plans to host throughout the summer season.

“The Chicago market is prime for new and exciting yachts,” says Elite founder Barbara Walsh. “Chicago boaters are always looking for new products of Azimut’s caliber, and our partnership with MarineMax and Azimut is a perfect tie-in with the level of sales and service professionalism we have built over the last 31 years.”

For more information, visit eliteyachtschicago.com.

nwexplorations.com.

THE BEACHLAUNCHER Your boat-launching solution INLAND LAKES | RIVERS | OCEAN BAYS | SOUNDS The Beachlauncher is a remote-controlled, self-propelled boat launching vehicle designed to overcome the challenges of conventional systems such as marine rails, docks and cumbersome lifts. Avoid long lines at the marina or launch ramp and enjoy more time on the water with family and friends.

• 16- 29 ft. custom units to 10,000 lbs.

Worldwide Dealership Opportunitie s Available

American Made in Milwaukee, WI

414-788-1562 Watch The Beachlauncher in action at

www.thebeachlauncher.com

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sleeping bear dunes photo courtesy of traverse city tourism

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buzz

Mercury Named 2013 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year

must - have

navionics Boating app Navionics, an industry leader in recreational boating content and location-based services, recently released a new boating app called Navionics Boating available for Apple devices. This app replaces the older version, Marine & Lakes, and combines the function of 20 different apps into one, easy-to-use app.

The free Navionics Boating app now supports in-app purchases of enhancements like Nav Module and Autorouting. It also offers detailed GPS chartplotters and new charts seamlessly blended together with existing charts to form one extensive, regularly updated collection.

For more information, visit navionics.com/en.

24 center console

runabout

26 center console

(401) 396-5173 www.vanquishboats.com vanquishboats@gmail.com

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Congratulations to Mercury Marine! The company was recently presented with the 2013 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year award. It so happens that the Fond du Lac-based company celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2014. To date, it has manufactured more than 11 million boat engines and provides roughly 3,100 Wisconsin jobs.

For more information visit mercurymarine.com.

DUAL CONSOLE

Select Territories Available For Dealers

1 Washington St. Newport Shipyard Newport, RI 02840

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TAKE THE EASY ROUTE

Series • Completely redesigned for clarity and simplicity, e-Series with LightHouse II makes everything easier • More Powerful with smarter touch controls and all new features • Navigate with new LightHouse vector and raster charts • Point and Steer with Evolution’s 9-axis autopilot control • Connect anywhere onboard with Wi-Fi and Raymarine mobile apps

For more information, go to www.raymarine.com

GEARING UP | by Kate Bush

Pelican Products ProGear 2350 LED Flashlight Need light in a flash? Then reach for the handy, pocket-sized Pelican ProGear 2350 LED flashlight. Compact yet powerful, the light is juiced by a single AA battery (included), weighs just 3.75 ounces and has three modes (high/strobe/low). The super-bright LED light provides up to 100 lumens for 1 hour, 45 minutes in “high” mode. Features anodized aluminum, non-slip knurled pattern and removable clip. $39.95 at PELicanProGEar.com

GREAT GEAR Must-have goodies and gadgets for every boater Defender spinlock Deckvest Lite 170n automatic inflatable Lifejacket Who says safety has to be boring? The Spinlock Deckvest is an inflatable that combines safety, function and comfort — all in an attractive, stylish package. This vibrant, ultra lightweight life jacket is perfect for inshore sailing and powerboating. Features automatic inflation, which can convert to “manual only” firing with a conversion kit, and has a clipping area for your PLB and VHF. Available in Pink, blue, black and white. $189 at DEFEnDEr.com

mPower Technologies Jump it If you’re sick and tired of clunky, junky jumper cables, ditch the mess and opt for the clean and compact Jump It from mPower. Premiering at the Miami International Boat Show, Jump It is the industry’s bite-sized jump-starter, small enough to easily stow inside a boat’s tight storage compartments, yet strong enough to jump a 12-volt battery. Piece of mind that fits in your pocket. $109.95 at mPowErTEch.com

otterBox Preserver series waterproof Phone case Cell phones are a must-have piece of equipment aboard your boat. Protect it from the elements with the sleek new OtterBox Preserver Series Waterproof Phone Case. The slim, two-piece case ensures your phone stays dry while enjoying a day out on the water.

Designed to sustain drops of up to 6.6 feet below the water for an impressive 30 minutes. Available for Apple iPhone 5/5s and Samsung Galaxy S4. $89.95 at oTTErBox.com

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west marine Portable Gunwale-mount Boarding Ladder

acr Electronics rapidDitch Bags When trouble strikes, there’s often no warning. Be prepared in a moment’s notice with the new RapidDitch Bags from ACR. The bags come in two sizes, RapidDitch and RapidDitch Express, and securely fit your EPIRB, VHF radios, flares, signaling devices, personal ID, and other related safety gear. The bag’s straps transform into two, 4-foot safety harnesses that attach to life jackets and keep folks together in the water until help arrives. $69.99 To $89.99 at acrarTEx.com

It’s never been easier to get all hands on deck, especially in an emergency situation!

This lightweight and portable ladder from West Marine hooks right over your boat’s gunwale, complete with ladder standoffs for ease of boarding. It folds flat and floats if accidentally dropped overboard. Ultra Traction treads are easy on the feet. Also great for swimming and skiing. $64.99 at wEsTmarinE.com

We raise the bar.

We set the standard.

We are the benchmark.

From inshore to offshore, we produce 30 of the toughest, sexiest, highest performing and most fuel efficient models on the water. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re driven by decades of boatbuilding experience and a passion to be the best. Revolutionary hull technology, industry-pioneering design elements, 100% hand-laid fiberglass and dependable Yamaha power are behind every boat we build. Our models are loaded with family-friendly amenities as well as abundant fishing and entertaining features.

Log on to www.scoutboats.com and check out the testimonials on our Customer Chronicles page.

VISIT THESE SCOUT DEALERS

320 LXF

Cal Marine, Door County Sister Bay, WI 920-854-4521 Cal Marine, Chicago Chicago, IL 630-474-0145 Erickson Marine Hastings, MN 651-437-6159 South Shore Marine Huron, OH 419-433-5798

www.scoutboats.com

Models shown with optional equipment.

275 Dorado

191 Bay Scout

195 Sportfish

corke board | by Mark Corke

A Flare for Safety What skippers should know about carrying flares on board.

F

lare is actually a bit of a misnomer. A more accurate description for this vital piece of safety equipment would be “visual signaling device,” because that’s basically what it is (and does). U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regulations stipulate what specific safety gear boat operators must carry on board at all times, but keep in mind that these are the minimum requirements; a prudent skipper will always ensure that he or she has more than the bare minimum aboard.

USCG mandates that recreational vessels must carry visual distress signals approved for both daytime and nighttime use on board at all times. Here’s how USCG spells out the details: “For pyrotechnic devices (handheld or aerial red flares, floating or handheld orange smoke, and launches for aerial red meteors or parachute flares), a minimum of three is required in any combination that totals three for daytime and three for nighttime use. Three day/night devices will suffice. Devices must be in serviceable condition; dates not expired and stowed accessibly. Exceptions are open sailboats less than 26 feet long and not equipped with propulsion machinery, and manually propelled boats; both are required to carry only night signals.”

It’s worth noting the sailboat exception to carrying flares.

Also, human-powered vessels such as canoes, kayaks and rowboats are likewise not required to carry flares; however, carrying some form of visual signaling devices aboard no matter the craft could quite possibly save a life. And for boats that are legally required to carry flares, it’s best to hedge your bets and do more than the minimum. I recommend carrying at least six, as opposed to just three.

Flare types Flares are expensive, so it pays to make sure you take care and select the appropriate types. They can be broken down into three different color categories: Red, white and orange.

All flares are designed to attract attention, but different colors indicate various levels of distress.

Red flares signal that you are in imminent danger and require immediate assistance. They’re often referred to as “parachute flares.” Once fired, they fly up into the sky and burn with an intense red light before slowly drifting back down, their decent arrested by an attached parachute.

Orange flares are designed for pinpointing your location.

They give off clouds of intense orange smoke, but do not shoot up into the sky like fireworks; rather, they are meant to be hand-held or float on the water (depending on the exact style and make) to guide rescuers to your specific location.

White flares may be of the parachute or handheld variety.

Intended merely as a means to alert others that you are there, these flares are often called “anti collision flares” and do not necessarily indicate you have an immediate problem. When I’m out sailing, I like to stash a couple of white flares in the cockpit. A small sailboat is difficult to see from the bridge of a large ship, and if there’s any risk of collision and I’m unable to raise the passing vessel on the VHF, then the white flares are my last line of defense to avoid being run down.

Flare alternatives Flares come in several different shapes, sizes and colors. When purchasing, be sure to read packaging labels carefully and make certain you’re picking up the correct type and color for your particular needs and vessel (cruising boat, bowrider, sailboat, canoe, kayak, etc.).

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Most flares are designed for use during day and night, and with good visibility they can be seen for many miles. At one time, they were the only means of signaling any form of distress; but of course all that changed with the advent of VHF radio.

One drawback to using flares is that even if you discharge one, you have no way of knowing if it’s been spotted. Obviously, circumstances will dictate; but

photos by mark corke

corke board

in crisis my first course of action would be to try and raise the alarm on the VHF radio and save the flares until I was sure someone was within range to actually see them.

Pyrotechnic flares are still the best choice, but changes are afoot. I’m familiar with at least one company, ODEO (odeoflare.co.uk), that engineered the concept of using ultra-bright LED lights to replicate a red handheld flare. ODEO claims that the flare’s batteries, which have a shelf life of 14 years, will give off an intense red light for a continuous 5 hours — far better than the 30 seconds you might get with a conventional pyrotechnic flare.

Unfortunately, ODEO is not yet SOLAS- (Safety of Life at Sea) or USCG-approved, so although there’s nothing to stop you from having one aboard, it won’t comply with current USCG regulations. For now, an ODEO flare can only be carried in addition to (not as a substitute for) pyrotechnic flares.

_ <

Flares can be purchased at nearly any marine supply

flares may sit on the shelf for long periods of time, so take care you’re not purchasing ones set to expire in 18 months. Generally speaking, look for an expiry date of 3 years from the date of purchase.

In addition to traditional flares, often you’ll see versions that look like a shotgun cartridge you fire from a plastic pistol.

These are great for inshore travels or to carry as backup in a rowboat or canoe, but their small size and short burn time makes them less suitable for offshore trips or for use on larger boats that will be venturing out on extended voyages.

As a final note, don’t stuff flares in the bottom of a locker or the

store, but examine packaging carefully to ensure you’re buying the correct type. Also — and this is critically important — flares expire, so always check the date that must, by law, be stamped on the side of each unit. Some

deepest, darkest recesses of the boat. Keep them easily accessible at all times, and make sure you’ve read and understand how to use them in an emergency. When you’re cold, wet and in a panic is not the best time to be reading instructions. LB

Buying flares

may 2014

your Keep easily flaresssible! acce

Mark Corke is an accomplished journalist, author and sailor. He’s the creator of the popular blog onboardwithmarkcorke.com, which focuses on various DIY boating projects.

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don’t hesitate to renovate | by Capt. Frank Lanier

Spring Into Safety Top three expert suggestions to stay safe on the water.

S

pring commissioning is the perfect time to confirm or rethink your commitment to onboard safety. Here are three suggestions for boating safety that are not only easy to implement, but also will keep you and your passengers safe throughout the year.

Install an automatic fire extinguishing system When it comes to engine fires, the most natural reaction is also the worst: Opening up the compartment to see what’s going on. Doing so provides a rush of oxygen that could easily turn a smoldering fire into an abandon ship-type conflagration.

The safest way to avoid this is by installing an automatic fixed extinguishing system.

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) recommends installation of a suitable “clean agent” fire suppression system on all inboard and sterndrive vessels.

Dry chemical powder is effective, but the residue is difficult to remove and highly corrosive; in some cases, it can actually cause more damage to the engine than the fire itself. A clean agent system not only kills the fire without damaging the engine and components, but in many cases the engine can be restarted (after correcting the initial cause of the fire), allowing the vessel to return to port under its own power.

Fixed fire suppression systems can be customized for your particular vessel, but preengineered, off-the-shelf systems are cheaper and easier to install. Halon was the clean agent of choice in the past; however it’s also an ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbon and its production has been banned since the mid-90s. Today’s systems use “greener” alternatives, such as FM-200 or FE-241.

If you already have one… Have the system inspected and tagged every year by an authorized service facility. Existing Halon systems can remain in use, but these systems will require replacement with newer agents if discharged or found to be defective.

Buy an EPIRB or PLB An EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) or PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) is probably the single most important piece of gear you can have on your person or in your ditch bag when the feces hits the rotary oscillator. Nothing takes the “search” out of “search and rescue” like an EPIRB or PLB, particularly one with built-in GPS. Many units also transmit a 121.5 MHz signal, which helps rescuers hone in on your location. With units available for less than $200, even the most tight-fisted boater can afford to add a PLB to their arsenal of onboard safety equipment.

If you already have one… As required by law, always register your boat’s PLB or EPIRB unit with NOAA at BEaconREgIStRatIon.noaa.gov. This tells search and rescue organizations who they’re looking for (if your unit is activated) and who to call to verify that it’s not a false alarm. Verify your information annually and don’t forget to update any changes (contact phone numbers, sold units, etc). For extended cruises, use the “Additional Data Field” to provide information such as number of passengers, special considerations (medical issues), etc.

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photos by capt . frank lanier

don’t hesitate to renovate

Other excellent ideas include conducting a self-test of the unit on a regularly scheduled basis (and prior to each trip), as well as checking the expiration dates for batteries and hydrostatic release units at least annually.

Purchase a life raft Like grizzly bear pepper spray and supplies for the zombie apocalypse, a life raft is another item that’s purchased in the hopes it’ll never be needed. Designed to keep crew forced to abandon ship alive until rescued, a life raft provides both protection from the elements and creates a larger, more visible target for rescue personnel. While abandoning ship into a life raft should always be a last resort, knowing you have a life raft at the ready can provide peace of mind to all on board.

If you already have one… Ensure the raft inspection sticker is current and that the hydrostatic release mechanism isn’t expired. In addition to attending to the testing and repacking of your life raft whenever possible (to familiarize yourself with its operation), another good idea is customizing its contents. A waterproof handheld VHF or extra rations are just a few examples of good-to-have items in an emergency.

Another is an Automatic Identification System (AIS) Search

and Rescue Transponder (SART), such as the Kannad Marine SafeLink or McMurdo Smartfind S5 units. Both units transmit GPS location, range and course to all vessels in the area equipped with AIS receiver equipment. LB

Capt. Frank Lanier is an award-winning journalist, boat maintenance guru and owner of Capt. F.K. Lanier & Associates, Marine Surveyors and Consultants (captfklanier.com).

Safety is Priceless (No, Really, It Is!) Boating safety doesn’t always have to cost money. Here are some other recommended New Year’s resolutions you can implement at no cost: Practice safety drills: Nothing can better prepare you and your crew for an emergency than regular safety drills. Draft up basic instructions for events such as fire, man overboard (MOB), sinking, etc. and discuss safety equipment location and procedures with everyone on board. Assign roles and responsibilities to crewmembers where appropriate and make sure everyone knows what’s expected of them in an emergency. Mix it up a bit to make drills more interesting

and to better prepare for those “out of the box” situations (the captain as the MOB, for example). Don’t forget to include younger crewmembers as well — teaching your 10-year-old how to make a distress call instills confidence and may just save your life!

File a float plan: From a safety standpoint, letting a responsible person on shore know where you’ll be boating and when you plan on returning is a no-brainer. A float plan not only ensures that search and rescue agencies are notified in a timely manner in the event of an emergency, but also speeds up response times by narrowing down the search area. Free float plan forms are available for download

at Float Plan Central (FloatPlancentral.org).

When filing a float plan, make sure the information provided is both detailed and accurate. Avoid last minute, on-water changes in boating destinations, launch ramp, etc. unless you can contact and update the person who’s maintaining your float plan ashore. conduct a safety brief before each trip: A pre-departure safety brief is always a good idea, especially with new folks on board. Cover the basics, such as the location of safety equipment (fire extinguishers, life jackets, first-aid kit, etc.), but don’t be afraid to include

additional topics, such as use of the VHF radio. Post a diagram of the vessel that shows were everything is, from seacocks to fire extinguishers.

— F.L.

may 2014

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Because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not the only ones who love wind in our hair.

What are you Waiting fo r?

Find your perfect boat at boatsearch.lakelandboating.com P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F B AY L I N E R

by Elizabeth Altick | ask the expert

A Jumping-off Place Scott Samuelson, owner of Swim Platforms Inc., discusses making an inexpensive investment in fun.

LB: What size and type of boat is appropriate for a custom swim platform?

Samuelson: We build custom swim platforms that fit most powerboats ranging from 16 to 50 feet. They usually extend the existing platform and are popular on most boat models, from runabouts and overnighters to sport cruisers and yachts.

The extended platform covers the boat’s outdrive, making your on-water experience safer and more enjoyable.

LB: How do you go about selecting the right platform for a particular boat?

Samuelson: We consider the boat’s length, hull design and overall appearance. The goal is to complement the boat’s design and have the swim platform look like it was meant to be there.

LB: What measurements should I provide?

Samuelson: We offer more than 700 listings of boats.

Although we have custom molds and templates for most models, measurements are occasionally needed. If we have not built a particular model, we’ll assist the customer in obtaining any information needed.

LB: How are platforms attached to the boat?

Samuelson: Our swim platforms are “model-specific” and molded or shaped to fit the transom. They are thru-bolted to the transom or stern. Some platform models require stainless steel support brackets and down rod support tubes.

We supply all the hardware for each specific platform model.

CONTACT Swim Platforms Inc. 3220 S. 38th St. Phoenix, AZ 85040 602-431-8225

LB: How can platforms be customized?

LB: Are there different types of platforms?

Samuelson: There are several types. The most common are built in molds using fiberglass and resin; ours are fiberglass.

There also are aluminum platforms, most commonly tubular and powder coated. Wood platforms are usually teak or made of a recycled plastic material that has the appearance of teak.

e abl d r o Aff fun!

LB: How much weight can a swim platform support?

Samuelson: Our swim platforms are conservatively rated by model. Three or four people fit comfortably. Also, the engine’s exhaust system should be considered. Overloading the stern or any platform can compromise the exhaust’s design and function.

LB: How does the platform affect fuel efficiency?

Samuelson: The safety benefits (extending the platform over most props) and the additional room will far outweigh any loss in fuel efficiency. Most platforms weigh about 100 pounds.

LB: Are swim platforms hard to install?

Samuelson: About 70 percent of our customers install their own platforms with the help of a family member or friend.

We supply installation hardware and guidelines for each boat model. Some boat owners prefer to have a local marine shop install them, which typically costs between $300 and $800.

photos courtesy of swim platforms

Samuelson: We offer a range of options, including stainless steel molding, LED underwater lights and barbeques with recessed mounting base. Our unique handle packages come in two easily-inserted styles. Two-tone gelcoat is available in many colors.

sWImPLAtforms.com

LB: How do I ensure the color will match my boat?

Samuelson: We have most manufacturers’ colors on hand, and gelcoat aging has been taken into account.

LB: Will it affect trailering and docking?

Samuelson: You should not have towing changes; however, you should be cognizant of the additional boat length while docking and rafting up. Our platform designs taper inward on the aft corners, allowing for easier dock maneuvering as well as complementing the boat’s design.

LB: What’s the average price range?

Samuelson: Most runabout extended platform packages are $1,095 to $1,395. Mid-range cruisers average $1,295 to $1,795. Larger platforms can run $3,500. We offer full quotes through our website.

LB: Does a swim platform add value to the boat?

Samuelson: Yes, it certainly does. One of our boat dealer customers ordered five platforms for boats in inventory, knowing that’s what customers are looking for. LB

mAy 2014

Elizabeth Altick specializes in recreational marine, cultural and humaninterest subjects. She was formerly executive editor of a recreational boating magazine.

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boat spotlight | by Capt. Frank Lanier

monte carlo 5 T

Distinctive styling with a flair for quality and value.

urns out “they” were right all along: Size doesn’t matter — when it comes to style, that is. For proof of this, look no further than the new Monte Carlo 5 (MC5) from the Beneteau Group, which made its U.S. debut in October 2013.

Although there is a family resemblance to the top-ofthe-line models offered by Monte Carlo Yachts, the MC5 is in a class all its own — and one that could be a new trend in mid-size cruising powerboats, along with its sister, the MC4, which was launched in Cannes, France.

“We wanted to send out an instantly understandable signal,” says Carla Demaria, general manager of Beneteau and president of Monte Carlo Yachts. “We are convinced that the design of this new fleet will leave a deep mark on the boating industry.”

Pairing the French group’s industrial know-how with the best in the tradition of Italian nautical design, the Monte Carlo is a natural extension of MCY’s under-65-foot philosophy of style and cutting-edge technology. The result: A three-stateroom, two-head cruiser with flying bridge that sports details and amenities designed to appeal to both new buyers looking to move up, as well as veteran big-boat owners looking to downsize.

In addition to its innovative hull design and top-ofthe-line construction materials, highlights of the MC5 include a transom galley, optional crew cabin and a third

montecarlo5.com

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Specifications LOA: 49'10" Beam: 14'1" Draft: 3'10" Weight: 32,840 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 344 gals.

Water Capacity: 174 gals.

Power: Volvo IPS 500/Volvo IPS 600 Base Price: Contact dealer

set of engine controls located in the cockpit. Interior furnishings are tastefully accented with leather upholstery and teak slatted cockpit and galley floors.

Captain and crew alike will appreciate the air-conditioned flying bridge, a large, hospitable refuge from the elements that provides a full view of the lake. Sun worshipers will find an ample lounging area forward, while those seeking more active entertainment will love the large hydraulic swim platform, which provides easy stowage and access to a Williams Jet-type tender or personal watercraft.

Power options include Volvo IPS power — either IPS 500 or IPS 600 — with the larger engines providing a top speed of 30 knots. For more information, contact CenterPointe Yacht Services at 888-9-YACHTS or cenTerpoinTeservice.com LB

by Alan Wendt | boat spotlight

Specifications LOA: 21'10" Beam: 8' Draft: 14" Weight (approx.): 2,700 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 49 gals.

Water Capacity: N/A Base Power: 200 hp Rotax 4-TEC 1503 Base Price: $29,619 w/200 hp Rotax (incl. Glastron custom trailer)

R

ed is an emotionally intense color. Advertisers who study human responses to color note that red enhances metabolism, increases respiration rate and raises blood pressure.

Red has high visibility. Think stop signs, Taylor Swift’s lipstick and, starting this summer, Glastron’s new GT 207 jet boat.

Face it: A red hull screams speed, even before you leave the dock. Powered by BRP’s proven Rotax 4-TEC 1503 jet propulsion system, this 21-foot boat is up on plane in an instant without the feeling you’re on a Slip’N Slide.

For those familiar with personal watercraft, you know how much slipping and sliding enhances the fun quotient — at least for the first 20 minutes. Now put that jet engine concept into a boat, and you get a pretty intense, high-performance machine, designed to provide thrills and excitment. But comfort is of the utmost importance, and on that front Glastron’s got you covered.

The GT 207 is built on the Glastron SSV hull that boasts a deeper entering V-bottom that carves through the water for stability; and for sport, it lets you feel the G forces in a near-WOT (wide open throttle) turn.

For Glastron, jets fit well into the brand’s recent restyling,

Glastron GT 207 which emphasizes “fun and adventure,” notes Roch Lambert group president, Rec Boat Holdings, which includes Glastron.

Measuring 21 feet, 10 inches in length, the GT 207 delivers more than speed. Wakeboarders benefit from additional space with the low profile extended swim platform while getting ready to enter the water. Transom seating, popular on today’s sport boats, features plush upholstery with angled backrests. Having just replaced a cushion on my boat that everyone steps on getting in and out, I’m a big fan of Glastron’s non-skid walk-through into the cockpit.

The oversized cockpit offers plenty of legroom via typical lounge seating with a swivel helm seat, although I would select the optional bolster seat for times when a few extra inches of height benefit site lines.

Safety will resonate with families, especially those with young children. Unlike an outboard or sterndrive, there’s no propeller near feet or hands on the GT 207. Drafting a scant 14 inches, jet boats are popular for those who operate in shallow areas. You do need to steer clear of weeds, since they can clog the pump intake, but why go there in the first place?

If you plan on lots of watersports, the optional hinged wakeboard tower is a must, and probably the upgraded stereo with subwoofer. If we can’t hear you from shore, why bother? Okay, a bit facetious… but with a hot rod this good looking, the sound upgrade just seems natural. LB

may 2014

Red-hot styling that’s impossible to miss.

glastron.com

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boat spotlight | by Alan Wendt

Specifications

Larson Escape 25 B

Broadway meets the waterway.

efore Julie Andrews captivated us as Maria in The Sound of Music, she seduced Broadway audiences as betrothed Guenevere singing “The Lusty Month of May.” After a weary winter, you’re forgiven for going “blissfully astray” from tradition and falling madly in lust with Larson’s new hybrid pontoon, the Escape 25.

Drawn in by cat eye-like blue LED lighting imbedded in a stylish bow and strip lighting strategically placed to cast a dramatic mood, interior designers present a choreographed array of sumptuous seating ensembles for, as the song goes, “ev’ry frivolous whim.”

Starting forward with a four-position couch that converts to a full-size sun lounger, rear couch, to the more living room-like twin recliners on swivel, every inch of space creates a cozy feeling. There are 11 seating options in all. Triple tone vinyl carries a theme of color and texture throughout, including the raised fiberglass helm.

Forward, a granite-like surface table with dropdown leafs gives you passing room space when moving on and off and provides ample room for serving a feast underway. Option Two is for a smaller profile table where the countertop is surrounded by a layer of padding and slides open to reveal an ice chest that can roll on and off the boat.

Opposite the helm is a wet bar, table-leaf combo with options for a 12-volt Isotherm refrigerator, and push-button-start gas

larsonescape.com

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LOA: 32'8" Beam: 8'6" Draft: N/A Weight: 3,447 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 35 gals.

Water Capacity (carry-on tank): 5 gals.

Power (max): 175 hp Price: $58,900 w/Yamaha 150 hp grill. Add the flat screen TV, and somebody please find a way to drive this puppy into my living room at home!

“We knew that competing with well-established luxury pontoon manufacturers, this boat would have to be different,” says Ron Sahr, Larson’s director of engineering. “So we went for memorable aesthetics and introduced new engineering we call TTT — Tapered Tube Technology.”

Unlike round aluminum tubes on most pontoons, these .090-inch-thick tubes resemble the shape of a U-bottom, yet hide a nifty structural design that’s a blend of aerospace and marine physics. The TTT concept is more of “riding on a rail” and offers the stability of a V-hull.

“With no bracketing, more air flows freely under the deck,” according to Sahr, “allowing for more lift, better control and a nice bump in fuel economy.” Strategically placed chines, fabricated as part of the tube rather than welded in place, add to the lift and deflect spray for a controlled, dry ride.

Larson offers Evinrude, Mercury, Suzuki and Yamaha outboards up to 175 hp, and the Escape comes in twin or triple ’toon configurations. With a list of options too numerous to contemplate, including the pop-up Cabana, the Escape will have you singing, “It’s May! It’s May! The month of ‘yes you may.’” LB

by Capt. Frank Lanier | boat spotlight

Specifications (Rec Lite Model) LOA: 110" Beam: 46" Weight: 405 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 7.9 gals.

Base Power: Rotax 900 ACE Base Price: $4,999

W

hile cheap and easy are not part of your typical watercraft advertising lingo, they work together beautifully to describe the new Sea-Doo SPARK. With a base price of less than $5,000 (40 percent less than competitive models), the “cheap” part refers to affordability rather than quality. It also refers to operation — with 35 percent better fuel consumption than its closest competitor, you’ll save money on gas, too. As to easy, let’s take a look at what the SPARK brings to the table.

First would be super lightweight construction. Made from a new, custom material, the SPARK is literally half the weight of the competition and can easily be towed behind many popular compact sedans.

It’s also very compact, meaning it can fit into most garages for easy storage. Don’t let the size fool you, though, as the Sea-Doo SPARK still comes in options to seat up to three people.

Easy stopping is another benefit. With the world’s first and only Intelligent Brake and Reverse system, the SPARK allows you to stop up to 100 feet sooner than competitors’ models.

Sea-Doo SPaRK With several bold, playful colors to choose from, SPARK also is easy on the eyes. Add any of 20 custom Attitude Graphic Kits, and you’ve got a Sea-Doo SPARK that screams personal style for any and all boaters.

SPARK’s Rotax 900 ACE engine uses just 1.94 gallons of fuel per hour on average, making operation easy on the wallet. The higher-horsepower, faster-accelerating Rotax 900 HO ACE uses just 2.4 gallons, lending itself to hours of uninterrupted fun.

“The SPARK is a trendsetting and innovative product that offers the most fun, unique experience on the water today,” says Julie Tourville, marketing director, North America, for Sea-Doo watercraft. “It’s the perfect way to introduce the Sea-Doo SPARK to the United States.”

It’s a feeling echoed by the panel of judges at this year’s Miami International Boat Show, where the SPARK received a NMMA Innovation Award in the PWCs and Jet Boats category this past February.

After test driving the SPARK, Judge Ann Dermody of BoatU.S. commented, “Four hours later, I can still taste the adrenaline.”

No matter if you’re an adrenaline-seeking water sports enthusiast or a family looking to add some fun to that summer vacation, there truly is something for everyone to love about the new Sea-Doo SPARK. LB

may 2014

Water fun for the masses.

sea-doo.com

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boat test

AvAlon Windjammer 24

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Taking pontoon boats to a whole new level.

by ChrIs Caswell

I

f you’ve been Rip Van Winkling for a decade or so, you probably still think of pontoon boats as “Ma ’n Pa barges.” You are so out of it, dude, but the 24-foot Avalon Windjammer is the perfect example of what’s making pontoon boats the hottest growth segment in boating.

Luxury pontoon boats, like the Windjammer, are a lot like picking up your living room and putting it on the water, except, in my case, the Windjammer is a lot more comfortable than my living room! Lounges for sprawling, walk-around space, a stand-up privacy area for changing out of wet bathing suits: Pontoons provide a host of amenities not found on runabouts, and that’s one of the reasons many runabout owners are moving into pontoon boats.

Besides, you can take your entire extended family plus some of the neighbors for an afternoon out on the water. You won’t be crowded and you don’t have to look over your shoulder for the Harbor Patrol to ticket you for overloading. The 24-foot Windjammer is rated to carry 13 people (that’s a football team’s starting lineup, plus two coaches), or a maximum “people weight” of nearly a ton. Even with chunky Aunt Edna planted in the stern, you still can carry all your friends.

Even better, they all have a place to sit. Standard layout for the 24-foot Windjammer has a large, L-shaped settee with table on the port side next to the helm, a curving couch forward on the port side and an even longer one forward of the helm to starboard. And if your concept of a pontoon boat is rickety folding chairs, well, think again. The Windjammer has beautifully upholstered plush seating using 50-gauge vinyl for long life and a supple feel. Each of these couches has a recliner backrest, with two facing forward and one facing aft. Talk about decadence!

Family-friendly versatility One of the biggest changes in pontoon boats is in their performance. Sure, you can still putt along on an evening cocktail cruise, but if the kids want some high-speed waterskiing or wakeboarding, the Windjammer has plenty of power to yank several boarders out of deep-water starts.

To go with that performance, the shape of pontoon boats had to change and, here again, the Windjammer is a fine example. You can choose two pontoons — or “logs” as they’re called by insiders — just like the classic pontoon boat; but the new thing is triple pontoons, or “tritoons.” The extra pontoon adds to the strength, stability and load carrying capability of the craft, of course, but it also immensely improves boat handling.

photo courtesy of avalon

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We’ll talk about performance in a moment, but with the Honda 250 VTEC outboard on our test Windjammer, you can expect speeds of 45 mph-plus, depending on your load. Crank the wheel over, and the tritoon shape of the Windjammer tracks smooth and solid, no matter how tight the turn. More about this in a bit.

That performance leads to another reason that many families are abandoning runabouts in favor of pontoon boats: Versatility. Our Windjammer could do everything a runabout could do, all tailored perfectly with a few checks on the options list. You can order smaller engines, but the four-stroke Honda 250 on our test boat gives you a good top speed, excellent torque for pulling skiers or wakeboarders, and surprisingly good performance, especially if you back the throttle off to speeds in the mid-20s.

You’ll still get there fast, but you won’t melt your gas card in the process.

You can get a wakeboard tower for a high tow point, and that includes board racks and stereo speakers. Our test Windjammer had a ski tow bar that was a work of stainless steel art, but it also had the strength of a NASCAR roll bar — and it lifted the towline above the outboard!

If wakeboarding isn’t your thing, well, Avalon can tailor the Windjammer to your tastes, from a wine rack to a camper enclosure; wet bar to water misting system for hot days; and refrigerator to barbecue grill.

Engineered to perfection Let’s take a look underneath our Windjammer to see some pretty clever engineering. First, the welding was impeccable, and Avalon uses only 0.090-inch, marine-grade aluminum alloy for the pontoons. These are connected with top hat-shaped crossbeams bolted to the industry’s only double full riser assembly using stainless steel bolts. The motor pod is even thicker, at .190 inches and double-bolted, while the 2-inch-thick transom is sheathed and fully welded. Take my word for all this tech talk: This is one tough boat!

But as with every boat, it’s the shape of the hull that is critical, and our test boat had the proprietary Avalon Waveglider high performance system. Using its triple pontoon hull, each of the two full-length outer pontoons has Waveglider lifting strakes welded to the round pontoon. These strakes have been

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hydrodynamically designed with a slight curve that cups the water and lifts the hull for less drag. This means more speed, better economy and better handling.

Our test boat went one better, having the optional Waveglider 5x7 Turning Package, which allows sharper turns and improves speed even more. The essence of this handling improvement is upgrading the center pontoon from 25 inches to 27 inches. This package is a smart choice, because it also includes electric power-assisted steering, the previously mentioned ski tow bar and waveshields on the pontoons. The waveshields are a smart addition, since they knock down spray and water when you go through a wake.

Oodles of options The skipper of the Windjammer lives in lordly comfort, especially with the options on our test boat. The helm itself is a tidy fiberglass console to port with a neatly arranged dashboard in a glossy, burled wood finish. Honda analog gauges give you tach, trim, volts and fuel, while a row of neatly labeled and backlit rocker switches control all the electrics. I liked the pair of trays for holding sunglasses, cell phone or “stuff,” and the tilt wheel was pleasantly fat and perfectly placed.

Centered in the dash was a Garmin echoMap 50s, an option that combines chartplotter and fishfinder to provide everything you need for safe running.

Our test boat had the raised helm platform to lift the entire console and seat a few inches, which gives the skipper a clear line of sight over the heads of those on the forward couch. The standard helm seat had been upgraded to the high-backed Admiral, which is the very essence of comfort — and fully adjustable, including swivel.

Other options on our test boat included the full flooring in a faux teak-and-holly planked look that was cool in the sun, easy on the eyes and provided an outstanding grip for both bare feet and shoes. Mood lights were another nice option, casting pale blue lighting from underneath the seats onto the deck, but I had to giggle at the lighted cup holders. Do I really need landing lights for guidance to put my beer down?

Our boat also had the premium sound system with the standard waterproof Jensen AM/FM/Bluetooth stereo in the helm console. With USB output for playback of MP3 files, the unit puts out 160 watts into speakers in the couch bases. I wasn’t brave enough to crank up the volume but, with speakers the size of Volkswagen hubcaps, plenty of tunes pumps through this ’toon.

Standard equipment includes an incredibly sturdy Bimini top with 1 1⁄4-inch square frames and one-touch, quick-release fittings. You can order a variety of tops, including electric, but one option tickled my fancy: An umbrella to shade the forward couches. How stylish!

The big sun pad across the stern actually hides a cleverly designed changing room. Lift one of the cushions on gas lifts, swing out the curtain and voila! You’ve got a private room for getting out of a wet bathing suit. Very slick, and it takes up no space when you don’t need it.

AvAlon WindjAmmer 24 Specifications LOA: 25'5" Beam: 8'6" Pontoon Length: 24' Deck Length: 24' Weight (dry): 2,250 lbs.

Max Persons: 13 Max Persons Weight: 1,850 lbs.

Power: Honda 250 VTEC outboard Base Price: Contact dealer avalonpontoons.com

All-smiles performance Let’s talk get-up-and-go. With the Honda 250, which uses the Honda Variable Valve Timing Electronic Control (VTEC) to blend power, torque and efficiency across the power scale, the engine also has the Honda Boosted Low Speed Torque System (BLAST), which improves holeshot acceleration during hammer-down moments pulling skiers.

We weren’t able to get any flat-out speed runs because we were on a narrow canal, but 40-plus with four aboard is no surprise. Even better, at around 20 mph, you’ll be getting better than 3 mpg, so an afternoon on the water isn’t going to test the budget.

Combining versatility, carrying capacity and sheer comfort, the Avalon Windjammer 24 is going to appeal to a wide spectrum of boating families: Those with pontoon experience, those shifting over from runabouts and those getting into boating for the first time.

I found it hard to stop smiling while aboard the Windjammer, and you will, too. LB

photos by capt . tom serio

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Turning the Tide on Pontoons

Bennington’s 2575 QCW I/O Mahogany Edition breaks rank with a pontoon’s oft mislabeled “redneck party barge” image and opens up a whole new world of class, comfort and style to today’s boaters.

by Gary Reich 34

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Bennington’s 2575 QCW I/O Mahogany Edition takes the traditional idea of a pontoon boat and turns it on its head. Rich mahogany paneling and luxurious appointments with a 50-mph top-end speed challenge people’s preconceived notions of what a pontoon boat should look and feel like.

B

oating, no matter where or how you first get involved, is a passion of transitions. In my case, the love affair began in an old, beat-up, 12-foot Sears Gamefisher that my family affectionately called “Old Greenie.” By the time I entered my twenties, I’d graduated to sailing and sailboats, living and cruising aboard a Columbia 8.7 for many years.

And by my mid-thirties, I’d ditched sailing altogether in favor of all sorts of powerboats. But it was the latest transition in my mid-forties that scared me the most —I actually imagined myself owning a pontoon boat.

Pontoon boat renaissance

As a bit of backstory, I’d sort-of been coached that pontoon boats were fodder for hillbilly picnics and redneck shotgun expeditions for Asian carp on inland rivers when I began crafting boat reviews about a decade ago. That was until a freelance job found me testing one out on camera at the Miami International Boat Show this year. Once the video shoot was over, I remember looking at our producer and saying, “You know, if I had a lake house, this is what I’d get.” As I said it, I had a hard time dealing with the words that were coming out of my mouth.

Well, if only to assuage my ego, it turns out I’m not the only person who’s changing the way they think about pontoons.

The pontoon market in the United States is in the middle of a full-blown renaissance, with sales figures growing by leaps and bounds every year. One industry trade publication recently coined the term “Pontoon Proliferation” to describe it.

But why is a segment of the boating market that’s often been looked down upon by many boaters suddenly resurging?

Let’s look at some reasons why, and then look at a boat that’s designed to change every preconceived notion you might have about pontoon boats — the Bennington 2575 QCW I/O Mahogany Edition.

photos courtesy of bennington

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Not your grandfather’s pontoon So I know what you’re likely thinking right about now is something along the lines of “Pontoon boats are ugly, slow, unattractive, and cumbersome — no, thanks.” While beauty certainly is in the eye of the beholder (and no, pontoon boats don’t have Hinckley Picnic Boat lines), today’s modern pontoons are anything but slow and cumbersome.

What if I told you that some pontoons have a 50-mph top-end speed? Not slow, by any measure. Remember that reputation pontoons have for being about as easy to turn as a cruise ship? Maybe in days gone by, but today you’ll find that pontoons have underwater running surfaces

Seating and upholstery in the Bennington 2575 QCW I/O Mahogany Edition are geared toward comfort, relaxation and soaking up the sun. Pictured above are the two aft-facing deluxe lounges at the stern. Below, a swiveling captain’s chair, C-shaped dinette and command helm highlight the middle section.

with lifting strakes, keels and tubes that make them quite nimble. Technology has changed a class of boats that were essentially a backyard patio mounted on a couple of aluminum tubes into a collection of capable watercraft that are fast, efficient and fun to operate.

Don Vogel, director of marketing for Bennington, an Elkhart, Indiana-based pontoon boat builder, says that several factors are leading people’s change in attitude toward pontoon boats.

“Lots of people might think that we’re being flooded with orders from retirees or older buyers, but that’s simply not the case,” Vogel explains. “Our market is very diverse, filled with buyers ranging from young to old to somewhere in between.

“People are not only looking for less of a maintenance commitment when it comes to boats — they also want to do things such as wakeboard, water ski, tube or just enjoy being on the water,” he adds.

When I asked Vogel if he’s seeing many converts from the fiberglass boat market, he was enthusiastic in his answer.

“Absolutely,” he maintains. “People are seeing that they don’t really have to sacrifice their fishing, watersports or much of anything when they switch to a pontoon boat from a fiberglass watercraft. And no one thinks of a pontoon boat as a replacement for cruising boats. The idea is to get out on the water and enjoy it, less the hassle factor some fiberglass boats can come with.

“And with prices ranging from the teens to the high-100s, there’s pretty much a pontoon for every budget,” Vogel says.

So at this point, you might be wondering what that mid-$100,000 pontoon boat looks like, and what one gets at the top end of the pontoon market. Well, Bennington’s 2575 QCW I/O Mahogany Edition is a good example.

Breaking the mahogany mold

When I fist saw Bennington’s Mahogany Edition at this year’s Miami International Boat Show, it reminded me of those old wood-paneled station wagons of the late 1950s that surfers used to drive, complete with surfboard strapped on top. There’s mahogany everywhere — on the swim platform, down both sides and even up forward.

An especially beautiful aspect of the design is the way the mahogany seamlessly wraps around the bow of the boat, creating a sleek, tapered profile.

But why build a pontoon boat like this? Isn’t the idea of a pontoon boat less maintenance?

“The thought behind the Mahogany Edition was to create something different,” Vogel explains. “Each year we try to introduce a model that is innovative and pushes the envelope of what we can do with these boats. Last year it was a 25-footer with a wakeboard tower. This year, we decided to introduce a pontoon boat loaded with wood, a really luxurious deck layout and tons of features. It’s at the upper end of our price range at around $138,000 to start,

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but there’s not much in the way of options for this boat; almost everything is standard.”

Remember that pontoon performance I was talking about? The 2575 QCW I/O Mahogany Edition comes with Bennington’s Elliptical Sport Package (ESP), which enhances the planing and handling characteristics of the boat. It adds a center pontoon of Bennington’s patented elliptical design (that makes three pontoons total on this boat), lifting strakes, outer pontoons with performance foils, reinforced splash fins, heavier gauge pontoons all around, solid, round keels on all pontoons, hydraulic steering, and an under-deck wave shield.

The lifting strakes are designed to add bow lift, which result in increased ride comfort in choppy conditions, but they also improve overall top speed. That elliptical tube design not only adds 1,000 pounds of buoyancy per tube, but makes the boat sit higher, adding another top-end speed advantage. The inherent wider design of those elliptical tubes also means greater deck platform rigidity. And the wave shield? That keeps water from riding up the pontoons onto the underside of the decks, reducing noise. Those solid keels help turn the Bennington in impressive form.

There are options for power, and a Yamaha F350 outboard is one of them. Performance with the Yamaha power plant is impressive, as you might expect. Top-end speed at wide open throttle comes at 6100 rpm and 50.1 mph, where you’ll be slurping up quite a bit of fuel (32.8 gallons per hour, to be exact). But throttle back and settle into a reasonable cruise speed of around 18 mph, and you’ll only sip 5.5 gallons of fuel per hour from the tank.

Pontoon party platform

One of the many things that attract folks to pontoon boats are the relaxing and lounging aspects of the platform, and there’s no shortage of them on Bennington’s QCW design.

Up forward are two luxuriously upholstered deluxe lounges that are as comfortable and spacious as any piece of furniture in my home. Those comfy lounge/bench seats wrap around the forward end of the cockpit to form a U-shaped gathering area for several guests. It’s much like the way corner booths are set up in a restaurant, sans the table. The center tube on this boat is wide enough to allow for some gear storage, which is reached through an in-deck hatch mounted into the boat’s forward seating area.

Speaking of that table, the mid-section of the Bennington has a C-shaped dinette with more comfortable seating and a wood table. Across from the dinette to starboard is the helm.

Think about Captain Kirk “taking the Conn” (you know, that big, comfortable chair he runs the Starship Enterprise from during a “Star Trek” mission?) and you’ll get an idea of what the Bennington 2575 QCW helm looks like.

The helm’s centerpiece is a large, exquisitely upholstered and comfortable swiveling captain’s chair with fold-up

The forward section of the Bennington 2575 QCW I/O Mahogany Edition is all about lounging and relaxation. There are two convertible deluxe lounge seats with armrests and an expansive, C-shaped seating area where family and guests can work on their loafingabout skills.

arms, knee and head bolsters, and embossed seat back and bottom. Engine instrumentation is up high on the helm console where it belongs, while an array of switches is within easy reach along the bottom edge of the helm console.

There’s a Sony multifunction satellite radio/entertainment controller to the lower left (I counted 10 speakers on this boat), while a Garmin Offshore GPS unit is installed flush into the upper right-hand side of the console.

Turn your attention toward the aft section of the 2575 QCW I/O Mahogany Edition, and you’ll find two, purpose-built, aft-facing deluxe lounges set inside a nicely welded set of stainless steel rails. All said, there’s room for 12 people aboard with enough drink holders to accommodate one beverage per guest, much like a modern sport utility vehicle. The whole package is comfortable, luxurious and inviting. It made me want to take a nap right in the middle of the Miami Beach Convention Center.

All said, it would be hard to find a more luxurious pontoon package than the Bennington 2575 QCW I/O Mahogany Edition, although I did spy a Harris Flotebote Crowne 250 design with proximity alarms for docking and twin outboards with joystick control. Price — about $180,000, the most expensive pontoon boat on the market.

OK, deep breath and repeat after me: “It’s OK to like pontoon boats. It’s OK to like pontoon boats. It’s OK… ” Sure, they’re not for everyone; but an ever-expanding number of boaters are discovering the virtues of pontoon boating. Whether it’s their capacity to tow tubes, the maximization of relaxation space, or the ability to beach them against a sandy shore at happy hour, there’s certainly a lot to like about these “party platforms.”

Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a lake house with my name on it somewhere, and I have a pontoon boat to buy. LB

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by Kate B

ush

Let there Be Y

Drive-On

ou’ve just enjoyed a delightful, sun-kissed summer day out on the boat, and as you head for home now comes the hard part — docking. You near the dock’s edge, slow your speed and brace for impact. You shut the engine, keep your wheel straight, and as you approach the submerged machinery that is your boat lift, you do a few last-minute maneuvers on the steering wheel before jumping off onto the dock to tie your lines. Sometimes you luck out on the first try and land a perfect, centered spot; but chances are, not so much. Often it takes several tries repositioning the boat before getting it just right and safely tying up for the evening.

Imagine if you could simply drive your boat onto a floating platform, much like driving onto a trailer; one that does not require hoists, fluctuates with the water levels, and is just as easy to install as it is to remove.

Welcome to the world of drive-on lifts! Drive-on lifts come in several different shapes and sizes, each with unique functionality and purpose, but they all have one thing in common: They help make docking easier and more graceful.

Lifts taKe the hassLe Out Of DOcKinG.

JetDock makes docking effortless with its line of modular, drive-on lifts. These are an ideal choice because they can be configured and reconfigured to accommodate many different types of boats, from PWCs to U.S. Coast Guard Response Boats (pictured).

Goes with the flow A major (and unique) differentiator among drive-on and standard stationary and piling mount lifts is that drive-on lifts float and fluctuate with the water level. After this glacial winter, the Great Lakes may experience higher-than-normal water levels come spring due to melting ice. A fluctuating lift that ebbs and flows with water levels could provide a great convenience for Midwest boaters this summer.

t f i L

“As the water fluctuates, your floating dock structures are going to float with it,” says Dustin Imel, engineering manager of EZ Dock, a manufacturer of flexible, floating personal watercraft (PWC) and boat lifts for more than 20 years. “What this does is it gets boaters as close to the water as possible and creates a safer and more visually pleasing style of dock.”

But every boater, regardless of location, knows all too well the headache that comes with boat dock and lift installation, repositioning and removal. Another bonus of many drive-on lifts is easy maintenance and installation.

“With EZ Dock, we want people to spend more time in swimsuits and with fishing poles, instead of wearing a tool belt,” Imel says.

Most of these docks and lifts, including EZ-Dock, JetDock and Merco Marine’s PWC Air Lift, are easily assembled, require little upkeep once installed, and can, in most cases, be left in the water year round. While the 2013-14 “snowpocalypse” in the Great Lakes region might not have provided the ideal conditions to test seasonal durability of drive-on lifts, milder winters have the potential to be virtually maintenance free.

“The EZ Dock is shaped similar to the standard ice cube tray: Upside-down pylon formation, creating a very durable structure,” Imel explains. “So when we bring our system into ice conditions, it does not pose any problems. The problem comes in when you have moving ice in high current areas and you have drifts, and in those situations we do recommend that dock sections be pulled out in wintertime.”

One size (mostly) fits all So you might be wondering: What type of boater is ripe for a drive-on lift? The answer is pretty much anyone who owns waterfront property. The beauty of the drive-on lift’s design is that if a boater has adequate space on his or her waterfront property and thewater is deep enough, drive-ons are a perfect fit. Most hull designs under 25 feet, from pontoon boats to PWCs, will sit comfortably atop drive-on lifts.

JetDock, a leading manufacturer of float-on lifts, builds static, air-assisted and multi-hull float-on lift designs and says the flexibility you get with drive-ons is a big advantage.

“The JetDock is a modular unit, which means that you

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photo courtesy of jet dock

t can accommodate any kind of boat, and it can be changed in the future and reconfigured,” says Jim Krause, JetDock’s Great Lakes dealer.

When you get to the bigger, heavier boats, Krause explains, JetDock has engineered an intelligent solution. “With boats above 25 and 26 feet, you would end up putting in an air-assist — a bladder-like unit that allows the back of the dock to sink down and the pump pulls it up under the water,” he says.

If you own a PWC and are in the market for a lift that combines smooth docking and performance, Merco Marine offers Air Lift, a 6-foot by 12-foot floating-style PWC lift that easily attaches to your existing floating dock and features a remote-controlled air pump that can raise your PWC while in operation.

“One big difference is that the Air Lift has a remote control,” according to a representative of Merco Marine. “A lot of other PWC lifts are manual; you have to drive-on, get off the watercraft, get on the dock and winch up, or hit some kind of switch.” With Air Lift, Merco says, “All you have to do is hit the remote and our lift will pump up; you just drive on.”

Drive-on advantages Most drive-on lifts and docks are easily installed. They’re often referred to as “a dock in day” because many — including those manufactured by JetDock, EZ Dock and Merco — are preassembled and snap in place with few tools. Once assembled, you simply drive your boat onto the lift, and the rollers do the rest. The boat is completely lifted out of the water, avoiding bottom growth and organic matter.

“The protection comes from keeping the boat completely away from any contact with the water when docked,” Krause

photos courtesy of ez dock and merco marine

explains. “Since no contact with the water exists, there is no chance that organic matter or slime can grow on the bottom surfaces as they would with a boat left in the water — even if it is coated with antifouling paint.”

Drive-on lifts not only protect the bottom of your boat, but also are kind to your fuel budget.

“By keeping the bottom completely clean and free of marine fouling, the boat has less drag and therefore burns less fuel,” Krause says. “A dirty boat bottom can cost from 5 to 20 percent [more] in fuel costs.”

While at first glance drive-on lifts may not seem like the most economical choice — as they fit squarely in the middle price range for boat lifts — they actually are more attractive than hoist lifts when you factor in the cost of dredging, permits, maintenance fees and resale value.

“It is a versatile option,” maintains Krause. “People change boats on average every four to five years, so, unlike a hoist, these things have some value when you want to sell them. They are the easiest option to deal with.” LB

may 2014

Drive-on lifts are safe to use, generally easy to install and look visually appealing for waterfront boaters/homeowners.

EZ Dock offers several different configurations for small boats, pontoon boats and PWCs (above).

Merco Marine’s Air Lift is exculsive to PWCs (left) and makes docking as simple as pushing a button. You literally hit the unit’s remote control, and it does the rest!

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ry 21/2 Hours

s injured or killed in a boating accident

Knowing Every 2 Hours the Ropes 1/2

of Drowning

ting accident

someone is injured or killed in a boating accident

by Sam Insalaco

Without a life jacket

1 in 11

Educated boaters who understand the “rules of the road” are more likely to have a safe and enjoyable on-water experience.

Boating Accidents that are...

Attributed to operator error, poor judgement or inexperience

56.9% Caused by boaters who consider themselves “very experienced”

Chance of Drowning

E

in a boating accident

ach spring, members of the United States Power Squadrons (USPS), along with other boating safety organizations, begin their annual boating safety awareness and education campaigns. Already Without a life jacket While wearing a life jacket some readers are probably thinking, “Not another boating safety article; I know all about boating!”

Too often we see this attitude in boaters, but unfortunately the accident statistics tell a far different story.

Based on the 2012 National Recreational Boating Survey (the most recent data available), an estimated 74-plus million boating participants in 21-plus million boats (including 6.4-plus million human-powered craft) plied U.S. waters. That same year, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) reported 4,515 boating accidents (with 3,000 injuries and 651 deaths), 56.9 percent of which were attributable to operator error, poor judgment or inexperience. In addition, 63.4 percent of all boating accidents were caused by boaters who considered themselves “very experienced.”

So… what do all these numbers means? Bottom line: Many boaters aren’t as “experienced” as they claim.

1 in 66

U.S. Boat Owners who say that they...

63.4%

1 in 11

Boating Accidents

Numbers don’t lie

Of the roughly 63 percent of boaters who were involved in boating accidents 2012, it turns out that in are... only four out of 10 had actually taken a boating safety course — less thantohalf the boaters Attributed operator error, on poor judgement or inexperience the water that year — and likely it was a basic course at that. Imagine a Wal-Mart parking lot on a Saturday afternoon with no arrows or lines on the pavement and cars left to go any place in any direction. This scenario virtually mimics the same conditions boaters encounter at most popular weekend boating venues.

Without a boating safety course under one’s belt, Caused by boaters who consider the boat’s operator has no“very understanding of the themselves experienced” “rules of the road” (how to respond appropriately when encountering or overtaking other vessels) or aids to navigation.

56.9%

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42.6%

63.4%

Have taken a boating safety course

Are “very experienced”

63.4%

photo and graphics courtesy of the u . s . coast guard

Every 21/2 Hours

someone is injured or killed in a boating accident

Every 21/2 Hours

someone is injured or killed in a boating accident

Chance of Drowning in a boating accident

“But I took a 3-hour course online,” you might retort.

While it may meet minimum state requirements, you didn’t While wearing a life jacket learn to drive a car in three hours, and unlike a car a boat won’t stop on a dime and can unexpectedly move with the wind and current. Similarly, what “your buddy” taught you about boating may or may not be correct based on his or her boating safety training record. in a boating accident Safe boating is more than having a general understanding of boating practices.

It requires you to be proficient through Without a life jacket While wearing a life jacket Rank Contibuting Factor an ongoing process of updating your boating knowledge 1 Operator inattention and practicing boating skills in three general categories: 2 Operator inexperience Taking boater education courses (basic and advanced) and 3 Improper lookout staying current with watercraft laws in your boating area; 4 Machinery failure developing an understanding of your boat’s capabilities 5 Excessive speed and boating domain (boating area, anticipated conditions, 6 Navigation rules violation 7 Alcohol use techniques to properly manage those conditions with your 8 Force of wave/wake who say that they... watercraft, etc.); and practicing throughout the season to 9 Weather maintain operating proficiency (and confidence) under 10 Hazardous waters most circumstances encountered.

Without a life jacket

1 in 66 Chance of Drowning

1 in 11

Top 10 Known Primary Contributing Factors of Accidents

1 in 66

1 in 11

U.S. Boat Owners

U.S. Boat Owners who say that they...

Accidents 581 417 391 346 310 290 280 228 221 184

Injuries 359 303 278 115 288 236 227 that204 are...

103 92

Boating Acciden

Attributed to operator error, poor judgement or inexperience

Boating Accidents that are...

Deaths 47 51 13 10 31 13 109 6 43 57

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Value of boater education When operating your boat, you are in command. You are legally responsible for the lives and well being of those on board, and others if you are involved in a collision — whether on another boat, in the water or on land. Boating safety courses impart the basics and techniques to operate your vessel responsibly and increase your confidence, resulting in less anxiety underway and more fun and enjoyment on the water.

Condensed-format basic boating safety courses (both 3-hour and day-long events) are convenient, but significantly limit the information presented and collaborative interaction time with the instructor. A better investment is a weekly, 2-hour session in an 8-week, NASBLA-approved boating safety course, such as USPS’ America’s Boating Course (ABC). ABC not only provides the necessary supplemental information, but your instructor becomes a credible contact for future boating questions and advanced course needs.

If you’re questioning whether or not you need advanced courses, you should be aware that they can result in reduced insurance premiums from most boat insurers and serve as demonstrated competency for boat rentals in the U.S. and

Canada, providing exceptional recreational opportunities outside your boating area. It’s essential to understand how to correctly read charts, find safe water and plot waypoints to develop routes — all elements included in a piloting course.

You’ll also learn the concept of dead reckoning, the process of calculating your current position using a previously determined position or fix by advancing that position based upon known or estimated speeds over an elapsed time and course direction.

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are great supplemental tools to have on board, but batteries die and electronics fail — sometimes when you need them most. Knowing how to dead reckon, you can stay on course and find your way safely back to port.

Knowing the “rules of the road” Regarding watercraft regulations, it’s important to note that more than one set normally apply. USCG defines boating regulations nationally (the COLREGS), for both International and Inland Rules.

Not sure which to use and when each is applicable?

They’re explained in detail at the USCG Navigation Center, navcen.uscg.gov/?pagename=navRulescontent. Each state also has its own watercraft regulations, and these are searchable online as well.

To be fully compliant, you must be familiar with and understand both sets of regulations as they apply within each state and boating domain. Keep copies of the COLREGS and your particular state’s watercraft regulations on board for easy reference. Both are available in paper and electronic formats.

If you own a paddleboat (canoe, kayak, paddleboard, etc.) or use a floating tube, states may or may not have specific operation or registration requirements; at a minimum, however, all vessels are required to follow regulations in the COLREGS.

Know thy domain River boating, inland lake boating, Great Lakes boating, and bluewater boating are all different. While the same boat can be used in all four domains, the knowledge and skills prerequisite to ensure safe passage are markedly different, and successful operation in one domain doesn’t assure proficiency in another.

Besides the general watercourse, there are unique factors (wind, waves, current, weather, depth constraints, etc.) that often present very different conditions in one domain than in another. Operational considerations such as the presence of commercial traffic, distance to safe harbor and the nature/ duration of your voyage add another layer of complexity.

Prudent skippers not only understand their vessel’s limitations

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USPS Celebrates 100 Years

in each domain, but also the anticipated factors and operational considerations for their voyage. Armed with this knowledge, they easily recognize variables that will change conditions and know how to respond appropriately to ensure safe passage.

In 2010, 64-year-old Lyn Morgan made the 5,300-mile Great Loop trip solo in just 57 days on his 24-foot Premier S-Series pontoon boat (see Lakeland Boating article, “Toonin’ Around,” October 2010, p. 28). He safely accomplished the voyage because he understood his vessel’s requirements/ limitations and spent 8 months researching and planning his trip over the different boating domains he would encounter.

You can gain this experience with time, but there are advantages to compressing your learning curve by joining a boating club — particularly one that is recognized for providing boater education courses within these various domains. Yacht clubs, marinas and cruising clubs are great social vehicles for enjoying your boat, but may fall short in vetted classroom and on-water training capabilities. If you’re just starting out, or looking to change boating domains or boat types, joining a boat club like USPS can quickly get you up to speed.

Put knowledge and skills to the test Unless riding a personal watercraft, most boaters don’t wear life jackets while underway — and certainly not while docked and cleaning their boat or moving cargo aboard.

When I inquire about wearing a life jacket, most boaters say, “I keep the life jacket close by, and if I need it I’ll put it on.”

Unless you’re planning your own emergency, this thinking is seriously flawed. Most boaters don’t ever intend on going into the water, but when they do it happens in less than a second from an unexpected slip, trip or fall off the dock or deck — with no opportunity to don a life jacket.

Buy a comfortable, auto-inflatable or other Type III life jacket and always wear it while cleaning or loading your boat, fueling and underway. As the old adage goes, “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Operating your boat at close quarters will hone your handling skills. Regularly practice keeping your boat in place; not allowing it to move with wind and current.

Practice docking in slips with different geometries and wind directions. Rather than practicing at your marina, start at nearby locations where boat traffic is light and there’s plenty of room to maneuver. Once you’re comfortable, ratchet up the complicated factor in heavier-traveled areas — ones with recreational and commercial traffic.

Organized in 1914, the United States Power Squadrons (USPS) is America’s largest nonprofit boater education organization dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable, teaching classes in seamanship, navigation and related subjects. Our members are boating families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education and other boating-related voluntary civic services.

USPS has nearly 40,000 members organized into more than 400 squadrons across the country and in some U.S. territories. We enjoy participating with our fellow members and other boaters on the water.

USPS has been honored by three past U.S. presidents — Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt and George H.W. Bush — for its civic contributions during two world wars and in peacetime.

A complete history of USPS can be found online at usps.org/national/ historian/uspshistory.html.

— S.I. And always designate a lookout from your crew. Having a lookout greatly reduces stress on the helmsman and just so happens to be Rule 5 of the COLREGS. Regularly practice performing man overboard (MOB) drills by throwing a life jacket or other floating object off the boat while underway and recovering it. Train your crew to shout “Man overboard!” loudly enough to alert the helmsman, keeping their eyes on and pointing at the object in the water, so as not to lose sight of it while directing the boat back to the area. Always approach the object in the water downwind and move upwind toward it to avoid accidentally drifting over. In addition, determine how to safely move an injured adult from the water onto the swim platform or into the boat, and, if needed, purchase the ancillary equipment to do so.

If you’d like help sharpening these hands-on skills or improving your operational proficiency, USPS provides both classroom and on-water training for skipper and crew. The Power Squadrons also offer seminars, such as Partner-InCommand, to help your crew return safely to harbor if the primary skipper becomes disabled underway.

For more information, visit usps.org to locate a Power Squadron near you or contact Sam Insalaco, Ohio Liaison, Government and Partner Relations Committee, United States Power Squadrons, at 216-272-3964 or greatlaker1@gmail.com. LB

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River Runs to it. a

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The Upstate New York coastal community of Clayton is the “Antique Boat Capital” of the Great Lakes, gateway to the world-famous Thousand Islands, and home to the best history, culture and scenery the region has to offer. by kim lunman

photo by matthew stephan

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W

hat Clayton, New York lacks in population it more than makes up for in history, culture and natural beauty. This picturesque village of 2,000 is perched atop a peninsula on the mighty St. Lawrence River, along the world-famous Thousand Islands. Its harbor is home to ships, yachts, St. Lawrence skiffs and antique wooden boats with whimsical names like Gadfly, Zipper and Pardon Me. Classic wooden boats and boatbuilding is a major part of this region’s waterscape. Restored antique boats such as Chris-Crafts, Hutchinsons, Lymans and Gar Woods are common sights along these spectacular shores. Not to mention powerboats, freighters, skiffs, canoes, tall ships, ferries, kayaks and sailboats. But antique boats and the love affair with them are a big part of what make Clayton such a special place, rich in culture and teeming with history of bygone eras.

Venice of America

Clayton is a nautical town nestled on a storied stretch of the St. Lawrence River. Its location along the eastern edge of Lake Ontario overlooking the river makes it a prime destination in the Thousand Islands, which includes a total of 1,865 islands between Cape Vincent and Morristown, New York, across from Kingston and Brockville in eastern Ontario.

It’s hard to ignore Clayton’s heritage when you explore this river town. The St. Lawrence hugs the village’s shoreline, offering a spectacular vista of boats and ships gliding past islands.

“It is known as the ‘Venice of America,’” says artist Michael Ringer, a renowned sculptor and painter who owns Michael Ringer’s St. Lawrence Gallery in Clayton. “Everything is about boating here.” The international headquarters for the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS), the largest society in the world dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of classic wooden boats, is based in Clayton.

The village became a summer resort for the rich and famous when America’s wealthiest business barons discovered this cottage colony more than a century ago.

You don’t have to go too far to see reminders of the Gilded Age in the 1880s and early 1900s. Take a stroll along the main street, Riverside Drive, and you’ll see remnants of one of the region’s first castles on Calumet Island. Tobacco tycoon Charles Emery, of New York’s American Tobacco Co., built the castle retreat on Calumet Island in 1894, directly across from Clayton. It later succumbed to a fire, but its original 82-foot water tower still stands, along with its original boathouse and caretaker residence.

Fame first befell this region more than a century ago, when a well-publicized 1872 visit to the Thousand Islands

by U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant put this place in the international spotlight. Grant was hosted by George Pullman, who manufactured the Pullman railway sleeping car. The industrialist built Castle Rest, a castle on Pullman Island in an area dubbed Millionaire’s Row, located just off Alexandria Bay.

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sunset photo by ian coristine ; kon - tiki photy by michael folsom

Kingston Clayton

Lake Ontario Pulaski Oswego

Rochester Syracuse

museum photo by chris bogenshutz

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Back then, residents from New York City took railway cars to Clayton to visit their summer retreats. A famous vaudevillian and actress named May Irwin also made Clayton her home during the same era, building a pink mansion on Club Island and inviting guests like baseball star Babe Ruth. Millionaires from New York City like George C. Boldt, owner of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and Frederick Bourne, president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, also built castles on islands near here. Bourne’s Singer Castle on Dark Island and Boldt’s never-lived-in, 120-room Boldt Castle on Heart Island are open to the public and are among the area’s top tourist attractions. Boldt abruptly halted constructing the castle after his wife, Louise, died of a heart attack in 1904 at just 42 years old. The structure stood vacant for decades. Today, the castle is being brought to life by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, as part of a $30-million restoration project.

Boldt’s luxurious 106-foot houseboat, La Duchesse, is an exhibit at the Antique Boat Museum. It was donated by the late Andrew McNally of Chicago.

Singer Castle, a 28-room castle that was built as a fishing and hunting lodge for Bourne, offers daily tours and also rents out the Royal Suite overnight to visitors.

Antique Boat Capital

This northeastern port of call also is a world-renowned capital of classic boats. Clayton is home to the Antique Boat Museum (ABM), the town’s anchor tourism attraction drawing visitors from around the globe to take in its collection of more than 320 vintage vessels.

ABM is oft referred to as the “premier freshwater nautical museum in North America,” according to Frederick (Fritz) Hager, ABM executive director. The extraordinary exhibits offer a fascinating voyage into the floating history of the Thousand Islands, and the best part is you don’t have to stay on shore to explore. The museum also offers rides aboard its fleet of classic wooden tour boats and St. Lawrence skiffs.

Taking a tour around the Thousand Islands aboard these vessels is both an exhilarating and breathtaking experience, and one not to be missed.

The museum’s in-water fleet of classic antique boats offers “Ride the River” tours for a fee, giving visitors a trip through the Thousand Islands in style. The fleet includes a vintage-style commuter named Gadfly, a 33-foot Hutchinson Sedan Cruiser built with Mexican mahogany, and Teal, a 28-foot Gar Wood runabout, among others. It’s a chance to explore Clayton by water and get a closer look at nearby private islands and Rock Island Lighthouse, a historic lighthouse once operated by Thousand Islands pirate Bill Johnston. The lighthouse is open for public tours.

Another nearby island, Round Island, once housed the 300-room New Frontenac Hotel; sadly, it burned down in 1911. Famous guests included J.D. Rockefeller and the Duke of Newcastle. Its original U.S. Post Office still stands

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on the island, which is lined with 19th-century cottages and boathouses. Nearby Grindstone Island boasts one of the largest sandy beaches in the Thousand Islands.

More to Explore

There’s no doubt that classic and antique wooden boats on display at the Antique Boat Museum are Clayton’s biggest tourist draw. This year marks the 50th anniversary of ABM’s annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, being held August 1-3.

The event attracts thousands of boat enthusiasts, locals and tourists annually to the museum’s sprawling waterfront campus.

This year, in honor of the 50th consecutive show, the event is being extended by seven days. Activities surrounding the show and 50th celebration will take place through August 10, including the annual Race Boat Regatta scheduled August 8-10.

But there’s a lot more to explore here than just boats. Enjoy Clayton’s idyllic downtown waterfront, lined with shops and restaurants. For a small town, there’s plenty to discover. Bella’s, a bakery and bistro located in a building once occupied by a tour boat company, serves gourmet sandwiches named after local islands. The patios here and at nearby Channelside Restaurant serve up great meals and scenery, with a passing parade of boats and the best views of Calumet Island.

Michael Ringer’s St. Lawrence Gallery offers a unique

opera photo by george fischer ; barge photo by ian coristine

boat show photo by matthew stephan ; race boat photo courtesy of the antique boat museum

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collection of books, art and paintings that capture the beauty of the Thousand Islands.

Clayton’s history is literally on display inside Corbin’s River Heritage. The shop carries historical photographs and a collection of Thousand Islands books.

Two other museums worth checking out are the Thousand Islands Museum and the Thousand Islands Art Center, home of the Handweaving Museum. Just east of Clayton on Route 12 is Captain Spicer’s Gallery and Gifts, worth a stop for its collection of stoneware, artwork and books.

Nearby Clipper’s Restaurant and Foxy’s on the waterfront at Fishers Landing are local favorites.

Back En Vogue

Clayton has made a comeback in recent years as the community restores its landmark buildings, including the Clayton Opera House, a nationally registered Historic Place and century-old, 525-seat theater. And now, a new, 105-room 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel overlooking the waterfront is set to open this summer in the village — along with 50 new boat slips for visitors.

“We’re encouraging people to make it more than a day trip,” says Clayton Mayor Norma Zimmer.

Resources Clayton Chamber of Commerce 1000islandsclayton.com

Antique Boat Museum abm.org

1000 Islands International Tourism Council visit1000islands.com

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Clayton has been named one of the nation’s “Best Small Towns” by Coastal Living magazine and ranked among the “Top Ten Coolest Small Towns in America” by Budget Travel magazine. The New York Times chose it as one of its “25 Northeast Getaways.”

For guided boat tours check out Clayton Island Tours, located along the village’s main street. The landmark Thousand Islands (TI) Inn restaurant claims to have the original recipe for Thousand Island Dressing. It’s attributed to a local fisherman’s wife named Sophia LaLonde, who came up with the recipe in the early 1900s. She’s said to have concocted the tangy dressing for dinners hosted by her fishing-guide husband, George LaLonde.

The TI Inn will be opening this summer with a refurbished upscale restaurant, boutique hotel and piano bar. Today, fishing tours from Clayton for bass, perch, walleye and muskie still remain popular.

If you’re a cheese lover, you won’t want to miss 1000 Islands River Rat Cheese, a store that offers delicious cheese, spreads, curds and chocolate, among other tasty treats. Pair local cheeses and wines and sample local award-winning vintages at the Coyote Moon Vineyards Wine and Craft Beer Store.

Clayton is home to the first regional micro-distillery in the Thousand Islands. Clayton Distillery produces premium-grade distilled products from locally-grown grains and fruits. The distillery will host the first-ever Whiskey Wingding July 19. The event will feature food made with their products and tastings of their spirits, as well as offerings from other local wineries and breweries.

Peruse the Porch & Paddle for its selection of contemporary cottage decor and river-inspired gifts. Lyric Coffee House, the village’s historic, century-old movie house, has been

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transformed into a chic wireless coffee shop and restaurant.

Take in one of the live performances and amazing acoustics at the Clayton Opera House. Or explore other shops featuring local artisans, jewelry and souvenirs.

Island Hopping

Just south of Clayton, in a renovated boat house on Bluff Island, one can enjoy an unforgettable shopping experience at the Boateak. Here, you will find unusual art and craft products, river memorabilia, antiques and gifts for any occasion. This is truly a shopper’s paradise not to be missed!

If you have time, there are several neighboring Thousand Islands villages and towns that are just a short jaunt either by boat or car. There’s Alexandria Bay, which overlooks Heart Island’s Boldt Castle. It’s a bustling tourism hub that includes Uncle Sam Tour Boats, restaurants and souvenir shops. A drive west along Route 12 will take you to another coastal town, Cape Vincent, where the river meets Lake Ontario.

Cape Vincent is known for its historic Tibbetts Point Lighthouse, built in 1827. The iconic landmark is a beacon for tourism and features a hostel. It’s also known for an annual French festival celebrating its French heritage and connection to exiled emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

Thousand Island Park at Wellesley Island, which can be accessed by the Thousand Islands toll bridge, offers another nearby day trip just east of Clayton. Step back in time here, where preserved, porch-adorned heritage gingerbread cottages line streets with names like Paradise and Rainbow. Residents here aren’t in a hurry. They get around on golf carts. A historic pavilion offers sweeping views of the St. Lawrence and Rock Island Lighthouse.

If you fall in love with this special destination, Thousand Islands Realty can provide you with in-depth knowledge of the market, available properites and a window into the unique lifestyle this area offers.

Clayton not only takes you into the heart of the Thousand Islands, but into a world of antique wooden boats and the best place of all to see them: A real river town with the best classic boat collection in North America. LB

About the Author

Kim Lunman is the owner and publisher of Island Life Magazine, a glossy publication distributed annually every May in northern New York and eastern Ontario. Lunman, an award-winning Canadian journalist and writer for Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper, returned to her river roots in her hometown of Brockville and founded Island Life Magazine four years ago. She recently launched an online edition of Island Life, islandlifemag.ca, and is also a member of the non-profit thousandislandslife.com. An avid kayaker and novice boater, Lunman enjoys exploring the Thousand Islands each summer in her Brockville backyard: The river overlooking New York State.

photo by matthew stephan

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The

A River Adventure To visit The Boateak, one can motor, row, sail or swim... but not drive!

Located on Bluff Island off of Clayton in a renovated boat house built in 1900, The Boateak offers a unique shopping experience that you will surely want to include when you explore the 1000 Islands.

A part of river history since 1982, The Boateak features a wide variety of unusual arts, crafts, jewelry and antiques.

They are the home of The River Bracelet, designed each year

by Cookie Tomaiuoli Sanborn. The 2014 River Bracelet is titled “Guided Passage.”

nday and Thursday Fresh cheese curd every Mo

1000 islands “river rat” cheese

plain, garden herb, hot pepper and horseradish curd and try our new toasted onion cheddar!

Stop in and check out our local products: pastabilities, canales sauces, chef Williams salsas, chamberlain spreads, sillman Jams, arthur marcs products, rome groWn olives, honey, maple syrup and maple cream from Jefferson and leWis county, neW hope pancake mixes, martin’s pretzels, turkey Joints, thousand islands dressing, croghan bologna, croghan candy, adirondack summer sausage, slab bacon, smittys seasonings, st. laWrence valley coffee, local river perch, laWrence family beef sticks, beef Jerky and 4 paWs dog treats. open 7 days a week!

242 James street, clayton ny 13624

315-686-2480

net

www.riverratcheese.

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Bluff Island in Clayton, New York Open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Opening Memorial Day Weekend www.theboateak.com 315-686-3190

306 James St. Clayton, New York

315-686-5500 TiHomes4Sale.com

A Boater ’s Dream

This Clayton home features 328’ of waterfront, offering deep-water protected dockage in a small bay of the St. Lawrence River. Year-round living in this 3 to 4 bedroom, 3 bath home with 2 car attached garage. $359,000.

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Charming River Home

This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home, situated on 1.7 acres with 200’ of St. Lawrence river frontage, is a must see. To appreciate the many fine features — such as the gourmet kitchen, luxurious master suite and stone and stamped concrete patio — visit our website. $448,900. Recorded Info Line: 800-539-0258 Ext: 1225

Melanie Curley, Lic. R.E. Broker / Direct: 315-778-2458 / thousandislandsrealty@gmail.com

lakeshore life

| by Colleen H. Troupis

e _ Don’t let ththis < l you... snow foo perfect is the r d summe spring anape! esc

Spring Lake, Michigan

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Escape from it all at this comfortable, private retreat.

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ituated on more than 2.5 acres, this retreat- style home boasts 165 feet of prime Spring Lake frontage. It’s a perfect place to unwind at the end of a long day — or to relax and escape on the weekends.

Built in 2013, the home was designed with comfort in mind.

“It’s a cozy cottage with higher-end finishes,” says Dan Kelsey, who, along with wife Nicole, owns the home. “We wanted something very comfortable to live in that was well appointed.”

It’s a careful balance, but one they got just right — from the coffered ceilings to the solid bamboo floors throughout.

Upon entering the home, you can see straight through to the lake. The main level boasts a sunken great room with large fireplace, dining room and an upgraded chef’s kitchen designed by prestigious local firm Straight Line Design. It also features the impressive master suite, with its luxurious all-marble bathroom that includes a large tub, shower with rain head and walk-in closet. There’s even an attached three-car garage.

Upstairs are two bedrooms, a bathroom and a large bonus

Address 18809 N. Fruitport Rd. Spring Lake, MI 49456 Specs Bedrooms: 3 Baths: 2.5 Square Footage: 2,800 Acreage: 2.63 Shoreline: 165 feet Price: $1,400,000 Contact Mary Zeppenfeld Andrea Crossman Group 616-355-6387 waterfront LuxuryhoMeS.coM

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room. “For us, it’s a place for the kids to do their homework and for all of us to play music and watch movies,” Kelsey says. “It overlooks the water as well.”

The unfinished lower walkout level is currently used for storage, but could easily be finished by simply putting up drywall. “There’s space for a gym, bar area, two bedrooms and a full bath,” says Kelsey.

There also are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of the outstanding views and the outdoors. Situated off the kitchen and breakfast nook is a screened-in porch with wood-burning fireplace. There’s also a large deck that overlooks the water, as well as three brick terrace landings that lead down to the lake.

On the lake is a permanent deepwater dock able to accommodate two boats up to 60 feet. “We’re on the north end of Spring Lake, and having access to Lake Michigan is great,” Kelsey says. “It only takes about 20 minutes to get to the big lake.

“The combination of the waterfront and the amount of acreage we have here is pretty rare.” LB

photos by david kingma

www.Waterfront-LuxuryHomes.com 883 S LakeShore Dr, LuDington, Mi 49431

1901 S LakeShore Dr, LuDington, Mi 49431

101’ of Lake Michigan Frontage

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Panoramic Lake Michigan views await you from this totally updated home on the Buttersville Peninsula with walk out, no bluff private frontage to the big lake on one side, and views of Pere Marquette lake and marina access on the other. There is no better location if you are a water lover and are looking for easy access to the beach and classic sunsets. Extensive landscaping can be enjoyed while watching the waves splash, and boats coming in and out of the channel from the maintenance free deck and lakeside porch. MLS#: 13055207

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Remarkable views of Lake Michigan and stairs down to your 135 feet of private sandy beach frontage. Interior features include 9 foot ceilings on all three finished levels, Kolbe & Kolbe windows, and urethane Insulation. Exterior is maintenance free complete with metal roof. This property is one of a kind with 1.54 acres to enjoy your own Lake Michigan retreat and just minutes from the historic downtown Ludington and entertainment and the quaint Village of Pentwater. MLS#: 13060497

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Calm Waters of the South Arm

Sunny-side up!

Lovely, sun-filled home with amazing views of the deep-water Lake Charlevoix Narrows. Soaring windows flood the rooms with natural light while lake reflections cast a spell on the high ceilings. A cozy fireplace adds warmth to the living room. The combined kitchen and dining area are chef- and guest-friendly, both accessorized by lake views. A sunroom off the kitchen provides summer ambiance all year long. First floor master suite, and a spacious second story currently dedicated to craft or hobby workrooms – which could easily become the coveted bedrooms. Lower level with abundant living space, 4+ bedrooms, storage, and direct access to the deep-water mooring at the water’s edge.

232’ of frontage, and 45 acres. $1,399,000.

To view all northern Michigan properties, visit us on the web:

PatOBrien.com

PatOBrienVacationRentals.com

Contact

Pat O’Brien Broker/Owner 231-675-6677

128 Water Street Boyne City, MI 49712 231-582-1700 (p) 231-582-1714 (f)

Real Estate

marina watch | by Colleen H. Troupis

<_ J minut ust 15 Lake es from Michi gan!

Seng’s Marina

More Information

A sense of family and community permeate this Manistee marina.

Seng’s Marina 47 Lake St. Manistee, MI 49660 231-723-9444

S

ituated on Manistee Lake, just a 15-minute ride down the Manistee River Channel from Lake Michigan, Seng’s Marina in Manistee, Michigan sits back in a well-protected cove.

The family-owned and -operated marina has been providing top-notch customer service to locals and transients for nearly 30 years, making enhancements along the way.

Today, the fenced, gated marina boasts picnic tables, grills, a fire pit, restrooms, a fish cleaning station, courtesy bicycles, and much more. “It’s a park-like setting,” says owner Jeff Seng, whose father, Bill, started the marina in 1986. “It’s a beautiful place — we’re very proud of it.”

There are 98 slips at the marina that can accommodate boats from 30 to 60 feet. There’s also a spot for up to a 108-footer. Seng says they try to hold seven slips for transients, but reservations are highly recommended.

Seng’s Marina’s robust service department can handle everything from replacing engines and transmissions to fiberglass and canvas repair and carpet installation. There’s also plenty of storage onsite, including 52,000 square feet

SengSMarina.coM

Amenities Transient slips: Y Pump-out: Y Gas: Y Diesel: Y Lifts: Y Launch ramp: Y Engine repair: Y Hull repair: Y Marine store: Nearby Restaurant: Nearby Showers: Y Laundromat: Y

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LAKELANDBOATING.COM

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May 2014

of indoor heated storage, 62,000 square feet of indoor cold storage and 70,000 square feet of outdoor storage.

And it’s all located just a few blocks from historic downtown Manistee — the Victorian Port City — with its picturesque Riverwalk, charming restaurants, movie theater, shops and more. Its summer concert series, Roots on the River, includes free live music every Thursday night.

Seng’s Marina hosts several events throughout the season, including picnics on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Their 2014 summer kickoff will take place June 21 — they’re hosting a float-in movie. Giving back to the community is important to the marina, too. Each May, Seng’s Marina hosts Tight Lines for Troops, a fishing tournament for 300 veterans.

They also fund the Eva Seng Memorial Good Works Scholarship, in honor of Seng’s late wife. The scholarship recognizes outstanding volunteer service among high school seniors.

There’s no doubt it’s a special place. “We like to please everyone,” Seng says. “I always say that if people come here as transients, I’ll get them to come back.” LB

photos courtesy of seng ’ s marina

Discover

meandering channels and safe harbors, picturesque bays and boathouses, sailing regattas and wooden boats, kayaking, quaint cottages, summer estates and island living where channels and trails replace roads.

lakeshore life

From Hessel to Cedarville…

36 Islands where“Life

is better with Water”

If our islands sound intriguing, you belong in Les Cheneaux.

Call Diane Patrick to find your quaint waterfront cottage, luxurious summer home or cabin in the woods. Starting at $89,000.

906-484-5555 DianePatrick@lighthouse.net www.landnseasales.com

Les Cheneaux Islands:

101 W. M-134 Cedarville, MI 49719

Enjoy the simple life in small town USA

Please support our advertisers!

may 2014

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LAKELANDBOATING.COM

59

NEw & BRokERAGE

YACHT SALES

Selling your boat? Call Reed Yacht Sales...

We need nice, clean, freshwater listings!

BRokERAGE YACHT SALES

2008 HaTTeras 54 CoNVerTible

2006 Marquis 59

2006 sea ray 44 suNdaNCer

2008 Tiara 4200 opeN

2013 Cabo 40 HTX

18’ 18’ 23’ 23’ 24’ 25’ 25’ 25’ 26’ 26’ 27’ 27’ 28’ 28’ 28’ 28’ 29’ 29’ 30’ 30’ 30’ 30’ 30’ 30’ 31’ 31’ 31’ 31’ 31’ 31’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 33’ 33’ 33’ 33’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 34’

2004 Sea Ray 180 Sport ........................... $17,000 1985 Century Resorter .............................. $17,900 1996 Formula 232 LS ............................... $16,900 2000 Donzi Z23 Sport ............................... $34,900 1996 Bayliner 2452 .................................. $14,000 1984 Catalina 25 ........................................ $6,800 2005 Pursuit C 250 CC ............................. $59,900 2008 Crownline 250 CR ............................ $44,900 1998 Hunter 26 Water Ballast .................... $22,000 1999 Monterey 262 .................................. $24,500 1995 Sea Ray 270 Sundancer ................... $18,900 2005 Rinker 270 Fiesta Vee....................... $38,900 1990 Carver 28 Mariner / Voyager ............. $13,900 1991 Bayliner 2655 .................................... $7,500 2000 Pursuit 2860 Denali ................... Sale Pending 2005 Chris Craft Corsair 28 HE .................. $94,900 1992 Tiara 290 Sport ................................ $24,900 2006 Hydra-Sports 2900 VX CABIN............ $94,900 1978 Sea Ray 30 ...................................... $12,500 1978 Sea Ray 30 Express Cruiser .............. $12,000 1984 Ticon 30 .......................................... $22,000 2001 Osprey 30’ Offshore PH .................... $99,900 2003 Hunter 306 ...................................... $48,500 2007 Tiara 3000 Open ............................ $139,000 1978 Silverton 31 Convertible ...................... $9,900 1983 Tiara 3100 Open .............................. $29,000 1988 Pearson 31 ...................................... $32,900 1995 Chaparral 31’ Signature.................... $17,900 1997 Cruisers 3075 Express ..................... $29,900 2011 Pursuit OS 315 Offshore ................. $209,900 1979 Ontario 32 ................................. Sale Pending 1987 Bayliner 3218 Motoryacht................. $32,000 1989 Carver 3227 .................................... $33,200 1990 Carver 32 Convertible ....................... $29,900 2002 Four Winns 328 Vista ....................... $59,000 2005 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer ................... $99,900 2010 Boston Whaler 320 Outrage ............. $199,900 1978 Chris-Craft 33 Catalina ..................... $15,900 1985 Nauticat 33 .................................... $102,000 1988 Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman ............. $74,500 2005 Hunter 33 ........................................ $84,900 1979 Mainship 34..................................... $39,900 1983 Hunter 34 ........................................ $29,900 1983 Sea Ray 34 Sedan Bridge ................. $16,900 1984 Sea Ray 34 Express Cruiser .............. $14,900 1986 Sea Ray 34 ...................................... $19,900

34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 35’ 35’ 36’ 37’ 38’ 38’ 38’ 40’ 40’ 40’ 41’ 41’ 41’ 41’ 42’ 42’ 44’ 44’ 45’ 45’ 45’ 46’ 48’ 50’ 50’ 50’ 50’ 50’ 51’ 52’ 52’ 52’ 54’ 55’ 59’ 61’ 61’ 64’ 67’ 74’

1986 1989 1990 1995 2000 2005 1998 2000 2006 1987 1989 1996 2002 1987 2002 2013 1987 1995 2005 2007 1990 2008 2006 2006 1968 1996 1998 2002 1989 1991 1997 2000 2003 2004 2002 1999 1999 2006 2008 1974 2006 1981 2003 2006 1989 1992

Sea Ray 340 Sport Fisherman ........... $21,900 Ericson Olson Sloop.......................... $37,500 Silverton 34 Express ......................... $37,500 Silverton 34 ..................................... $49,900 Sea Ray 34 Sundancer ..................... $79,900 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer ................. $119,900 Carver 350 Mariner .................... Sale Pending Tiara 3500 Open ............................ $179,900 Tiara 3600 Open ............................ $199,900 Trojan 11 Meter Express ................... $59,900 Sunrunner Marine 380 Sunbridge ..... $39,900 Donzi 38 ZX ..................................... $54,900 Cruisers Yachts 3870 Express ......... $134,800 Hatteras 40 Motor Yacht ................. $109,900 Formula 400 Super Sport ............... $139,000 Cabo 40 HTX ................................. $799,900 Hatteras 41 Convertible .................. $149,900 Silverton 41 Convertible .................... $93,000 Hunter 41 Deck Salon..................... $167,999 Albemarle 410 Express Fisherman ...... $334,900 Sea Ray 420 Sundancer ............. Sale Pending Tiara 4200 Open ............................ $499,900 Sea Ray 44 Sundancer .................. $299,900 Tiara 4400/4700 Sovran ............ Sale Pending Matthews 45 Yachtfish ..................... $49,900 Sea Ray 450 .................................. $139,999 Sea Ray 450 Sundancer ................. $169,900 Hunter 466 .................................... $189,900 Chris-Craft 480 Catalina ................... $79,000 Sea Ray 480/500 Sundancer ............ $89,900 Hatteras 50 Convertible .................. $474,900 Hatteras 50 Convertible .................. $499,900 Tiara 5000 Open ............................ $499,900 Hatteras 50 Convertible .................. $649,900 Sea Ray 510 Sundancer ................. $299,900 Hatteras 52 Cockpit MY .................. $389,900 Tiara 5000/5200 Express ............... $389,900 Tiara 5200 Sovran Salon ............ Sale Pending Hatteras 54 Convertible ............... $1,349,900 Islander Yachts Islander 55 ......... Sale Pending Marquis 59 .................................... $799,900 Hatteras 61 MY Custom AD ........... $359,000 Viking Sport Cruisers 61 Flybridge ....... $549,900 Hatteras 64 Motor Yacht .............. $1,599,900 Hatteras 67 Cockpit MY .................. $459,000 Hatteras 74 Sport Deck MY ............. $595,000

www.reedyachtsales.com

We have inventory — Call now to schedule an appointment!

ZodiaC N-Zo 760

CuTwaTer 30 sporT Top

ZodiaC bayruNNer 500 pVC

ZodiaC MedliNe 540

ZodiaC yaCHTliNe series

CuTwaTer 26 & 28

raNger r-27

CuTwaTer 30

raNger r-31 sedaN

NEw YACHT SALES NEW CUTWATER BOATS IN STOCK 2014 Cutwater 26 2014 Cutwater 28 2014 Cutwater 30 2014 Cutwater 30 Sport Top NEW RANGER TUGS IN STOCK 2014 Ranger Tugs R-21EC 2014 Ranger Tugs R-25SC 2014 Ranger Tugs R-27 2014 Ranger Tugs R-31 Sedan

CABO YACHTS AVAILABLE NOW 2014 Cabo 40 Express 2013 Cabo 44 Express 2014 Cabo 44 HTX HATTERAS YACHTS AVAILABLE NOW 2013 Hatteras GT54 2014 Hatteras GT60 2013 Hatteras GT63 Enclosed Bridge 2014 Hatteras GT63

NEW ZODIAC BOATS IN STOCK 2013 Zodiac Zoom SB 350 Plywood 2013 Zodiac Zoom SB 450 ALUM 2014 Zodiac Cadet 310 RIB PVC 2010 Zodiac MK2C Futura FR or HD 2014 Zodiac Yachtline 340 DL NEO 2014 Zodiac Yachtline 380 DL NEO 2014 Zodiac Yachtline 420 DL NEO 2013 Zodiac Bayrunner Pro 420 PVC 2014 Zodiac Bayrunner Pro 420 PVC 2013 Zodiac Bayrunner Pro 500 NEO

2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014

Zodiac Bayrunner Pro 500 PVC Zodiac Medline 500 NEO Zodiac Medline 540 NEO Zodiac Medline 580 NEO Zodiac Pro Open 650 NEO Zodiac N-ZO 600 NEO Zodiac N-ZO 680 NEO Zodiac N-ZO 760 NEO

GRAND HAVEN, MI Brent Reed 616-402-0180, Bob Lunt 616-843-1225 LASALLE, MI Paul Reed 419-304-4405, Tim Manton 419-509-6948, Chuck Hutchins 734-497-3721 TRAVERSE CITY, MI Brad Thompson 231-668-9868 • RACINE, wI Mark Derenne 414-651-3100

www.reedyachtsales.com

Grand Isle Marina: clean, safe, secure and operated by friendly, experienced staff.

We offer brokerage sales of vessels 14 to 140 feet.

Dockside parking & picnicking n Pool & patio n Kids play area n Basketball court n Bike path to Tri-City area n Cable television & Wifi n Four bath houses with laundry n Secured parking with gate pass n Water and electric included n On-site service department n Fuel dock and convenience store n

GRAND ISLE MARINA guarantees the slip rate you sign up for in 2014 until 2020! We guarantee your rate will stay the same for five years, no matter what size boat you buy in the future. Sign up a 31-footer but upgrade to a 40-ft boat within five years, and your rate will be based on the 31-foot rate!

New customers will also receive $1000 off the regular posted rates for the year 2014. Discount can be used only once, and applies to customers who have not slipped at GIM for at least five years.

Existing customers renewing in 2015 will also be granted the same opportunity! The posted rate is guaranteed for the next five years, until 2020. This rate applies to existing customers renewing in 2015.

Early pay discounts at the end of the season apply for options such as signing up for both slip and storage, or to slip only, with payments made by October 15. Read the reverse side or ask a Grand Isle Marina representative for details.

IN/OUT SERVICE: Act Now! New customers are eligible for a 25% discount off of our regular posted rates (including customers returning after a five year absence). n Quick launching n Extended summer hours n Free jump starts n Free wash area n Unlimited haul-out and launch n Reduced rate transient slips

The Best Value on the Lakeshore!

2014 SEASONAL SLIP & IN/OUT RATES GRANDISLEMARINA.COM 616.842.9330

2 014 & 2 01 5 S E A S O N A L S L I P R AT E S $1000 discount for new customers their first year!

30’or less .......$2,935 31’ .................$3,035 32’ .................$3,135 33’ .................$3,234 34’ .................$3,334 35’ .................$3,434 36’ .................$3,533 37’ .................$3,633 38’ .................$3,733 39’ .................$3,833 40’ .................$3,932 41’ .................$4,032 42’ .................$4,132 43’ .................$4,232 44’ .................$4,331

45’ .................$4,431 46’ .................$4,531 47’ .................$4,631 48’ .................$4,730 49’ .................$4,830 50’ .................$4,930 51’ .................$5,030 52’ .................$5,129 53’ .................$5,229 54’ .................$5,329 55’ .................$5,429 56’ .................$5,528 57’ .................$5,628 58’ .................$5,728 59’ .................$5,828

n A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a specific slip by October 15, 2014. n Slip rental includes cable, wireless internet, water, electric, phone outlet, slip-side parking and dock-box.

60’ .................$5,927 61’ .................$6,027 62’ .................$6,127 63’ .................$6,227 64’ .................$6,326 65’ .................$6,426 66’ .................$6,526 67’ .................$6,626 68’ .................$6,725 69’ .................$6,825 70’ .................$6,925 71’ .................$7,025 72’ .................$7,125 73’ .................$7,224 74’ .................$7,324

75’ ................ $7,424 76’ .................$7,523 77’ ................ $7,623 78’ .................$7,723 79’ .................$7,823 80’ .................$7,922 81’ .................$8,022 82’ .................$8,122 83’ .................$8,222 84’ .................$8,321 85’ .................$8,421 86’ .................$8,521 87’ .................$8,621 88’ .................$8,721 89’ .................$8,820

n “B” docks are available for $1,990. First time customers eligible for 25% off (excludes cable, slip-side parking and dock-box). n 25% discount if slip is paid in full with winter storage by October 15, 2014.

90’ .................$8,920 91’ .................$9,020 92’ .................$9,119 93’ .................$9,219 94’ .................$9,319 95’ .................$9,419 96’ .................$9,518 97’ .................$9,618 98’ .................$9,718 99’ .................$9,818 100’ ...............$9,917 101’ .............$10,017 102’ .............$10,171 103’ .............$10,217 104’ .............$10,316

n 10% discount if slip is paid in full by October 15, 2014 (excluding winter storage). n 5% discount if a $500 deposit is received on a 2015 slip by October 15, 2014.

2 014 I N / O U T R AT E S 25% discount for first time customers

Boat Length Jet Ski 14’ 15’ 16’ 17’ 18’ 19’ 20’ 21’ 22’ 23’ 24’ 25’ 26’ 27’ 28’ 29’ 30’ 31’ 32’ 33’

Summer Rate $895 $926 $985 $1,044 $1,103 $1,162 $1,221 $1,280 $1,339 $1,398 $1,457 $1,516 $1.575 $1,634 $1,693 $1,752 $1,811 $1,870 $1,929 $1,988 $2,047

+

Winter Storage $150 $299 $313 $328 $382 $399 $415 $456 $474 $518 $537 $556 $604 $624 $645 $665 $685

=

Total Annual Rate $1,045 $1,225 $1,298 $1,372 $1,485 $1,561 $1,636 $1,736 $1,813 $1,916 $1,994 $2,072 $2,179 $2,258 $2,338 $2,417 $2,496

n Contract Period: The contract period is for 12 months beginning with the first day of service. The contract renewal date will be 12 months from that date. We do not pro-rate during the summer season.

Contracts that start on or after May 1, 2014 are due in full. n With Winter Storage Option: Contracts with winter storage (beginning September 16, 2014) will have a two payment option. The first payment will be 50% deposit, with the balance of the contract due before May 1, 2015. Your boat must be at the Marina by September 15, 2014 and removed by September 15, 2015 unless the contract is renewed. n Without Winter Storage Option: A non-refundable $500 partial contract payment is required to reserve In/Out Service for 2014. The balance must be paid prior to May 1, 2014. Your boat may be brought to the marina to initiate service on or after May 1, 2014 and after full payment of the contract balance. Boats not having the winter storage option must be removed on or before September 15, 2014. n $50/Night Transient Rate for In/ Out: Except holidays and Coast Guard weekends.

‘Everyone has dreams.

But it is what you do with these dreams that is important.

Dreams, once you make the decision to act on them can become reality.’

—Glynis Nunn

Dream Big. Join us for the Chicago In-Water Boat Show June 5-8, 2014 at 31st Harbor We proudly represent these brands:

Sales | Service | Storage Door County 920.854.4521 | Chicago 630.474.0145 | www.cal-marine.com

Beacon Marine Group

Family owned and serving the boaters oF the great lakes For over 50 years

Spring Brook Marina Largest selection of New, Used & Brokerage Boats in the Midwest | Parts & Service | Dockage | Storage

2014 Prestige 450S Express Call For Special In Stock Pricing at our Eastlake, Ohio Location

2014 Prestige 500 Fly Bridge Call For Special In Stock Pricing

2014 Prestige 450 Fly Bridge Call For Special In Stock Pricing

exclusive Prestige / Jeanneau Powerboat dealer For the great lakes

special rebates on all new boats

2013 Cruisers Yachts 45 Cantius Call For Special Pricing

2014 Jeanneau Leader 40 Express Call For Special Pricing

2012 Cruisers Yachts 48 Cantius “New Boat Demo” $699,000

2014 Cruisers 328 Black Diamond Call For Special In Stock Pricing

2008 Cruisers 390 Sport Coupe $259,900

2013 Cruisers Sport 238 Bow Rider $55,900

2004 Cruisers 400 Express $159,000

1995 Hatteras 54 Convertible “Below Market Value” $349,900

2009 Cruisers 420 Sport Coupe $299,900

www.springbrookmarina.com

|

815-357-8666

We resuget list lts! boat ywour us tod ith ay!

on iz or H 8 e8 exclusiv e Great Preferre Lakes d Partne r

Quality Products • Friendly & Knowledgeable Personnel • Quality service Your Great Lakes Premier Yacht Dealership

Horizon e56

54 belize

Grand banks 46 eastbay

ViSit www.baymari n e.n et tO See Ou r COm PLete SeLeCtiOn Of Pre- Own eD bOatS

2013 ocean alexander 65 Pilothouse, $2,590,000 Dealer demo - trades encouraged

2012 riviera 5800 Sy $1,590,000 Triple Volvo Penta IPS – Loaded!

2004 56 viking convertible $1,050,000 Rare mezzanine seating - loaded

2007 cruisers yachts 520 express $495,000 Fresh water only - trades encouraged

ocean alexander 52 sedan $449,000 Motivated seller - bring offers

2007 navigator 5100 $599,000 Custom layout - loaded with options

2002 Cruisers yachts 5000 Sedan $329,000 Rare hardtop, Caterpillar power & preferred interior

1995 Ocean yachts 48 SS $239,000 3 stateroom, 2 head - fish or cruise

1998 Cruisers yachts 4270 express $139,000 2000 Cruisers yachts 3870 express $119,900

1985 grand banks 42 classic, $194,000 Twin Ford Lehman 135hp - Always fresh water

1990 sea ray 420 sundancer $69,000 Caterpillar Power - Clean, 1 Owner

2005 Cruisers yachts 370 express $149,000 1997 Cruisers yachts 3575 express $79,900

2005 cruisers yachts 340 express $99,900

2005 Crownline 316 LS $59,900 Twin engine - open bow – fresh water only

2004 cruisers yachts 280 cXi $64,900 Fresh Water Only! Impeccable Condition

2005 monterey 270 cruiser $49,900 Custom Trailer - Showroom Condition

2008 Carver 36 Super Sport $169,000 Low hours - fresh water only - motivated seller

2011 Cruisers 310 express Diesels $165,000 New 2013 Cruisers 310 Express gas - close out

door county, wi

2002 Silverton 352 my $105,900 Spacious Aft cabin with all the extras

2001 Shamrock 290 walkaround $49,900 2002 shamrock 290 walkaround $54,900

w w w. b ay m a r i n e . n e t sales@baymarine.net / 920-495-5567

chicago, il

North Point Marina Station

North Point Marina npmonline.com

Your Summer Family Destination Nestled in pristine nature preserves, visitors can relax in a tranquil, serene environment. With long sandy beaches for swimming or strolling, hiking & biking trails and picnic areas with grills. Visitors will find a Charter fishing fleet, handicap accessible fishing pier and a fish cleaning station. All only minutes away from major area attractions, including a complimentary shuttle bus and trolley service to nearby shops and restaurants

NORTH POINT MARINA 847.746.2845 ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

We Are Surrounded by Nature!

Spring Bluff nature preserve on the north and east side, and Illinois Beach State Park nature area on the southwest side

701 North Point Drive Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096 Conveniently located midway between Chicago & Milwaukee

CenterPointe Yacht Services Sturgeon Bay | Milwaukee | Kenosha

We provide everything Lake Michigan boaters need, including the finest marina slips, heated storage, dry rack, ship’s store and complete mechanical/ cosmetic service. We specialize in refits, insurance work and diesel/gas engine repair. We also offer mobile service at your dock from Chicago to Door County.

exclusive beneteau powerboat dealer for the great lakes Arriving May 2014: beneteau Mc5

Call for details!

2013 Gran Turismo 44 Volvo 370 HP Diesels $499,000 Factory Demo

2014 Gran Turismo 38 Volvo 300 HP Diesels $419,000

2014 Swift Trawler 44 Volvo 300 HP Diesels $589,000

2014 Swift Trawler 34 Cummins 435 HP Diesel $389,000

large selection of brokerage yachts and boats 65 1946 Peterson Builders Custom Schooner ..385,000 58 2004 Cruisers Yachts 540 Express.................459,900 58 1988 Vantare 58 Motor Yacht ......................329,000 53 1999 Sea Ray 480 Sedan Bridge ..................299,000 53 2008 Sunseeker Portofino 53 ......................825,000 52 2007 Cruisers Yachts 520 Express.................595,000 51 1997 Sunseeker Camargue 51 .....................189,000 50 2000 Carver 506 Motor Yacht.......................279,995 50 1999 Cruisers Yachts 5000 Sedan Sport.......199,000 50 1995 Sea Ray 500 Sedan Bridge ..................169,995 50 2007 Silverton 50 Convertible .....................599,995 48 1995 Ocean Alexander 456 3 Classicco .......275,000 48 1985 Ocean Alexander 48 Yachtsman .........167,500 48 1999 Ocean Alexander 480 Sport Sedan.....279,000 48 1997 Ocean Yachts 48 Super Sport ..............239,000 44 2004 Carver 44 Cockpit MY Ext. Salon .........259,995 44 2010 Carver Sojourn ....................................449,000 43 2008 Cruisers Yachts 420 Express.................297,000 43 1988 Nauticat 43 Pilothouse .......................234,000 43 2001 Ocean Yachts 43 Super Sport ..............179,900 42 1998 Carver 405 A Cabin MY.......................149,000 42 1987 Carver 42 Motor Yacht.........................114,995 42 2006 Carver 42 Super Sport .........................315,000 42 1968 Chris Craft 42 Commander....................55,000 42 1999 Cruisers Yachts 4270 Esprit..................144,995 42 1971 Grand Banks 42 Classic .........................59,500 41 2003 Carver 410 Sport Sedan ......................189,000 41 2002 Carver 410 Sport Sedan ......................219,995 41 2005 Sea Ray 390 Sundancer ......................195,000

41 1988 Sea Ray 415 A Cabin.............................78,495 41 1988 Sea Ray 415 A Cabin.............................69,900 41 1984 Sigma 41 ...............................................39,000 40 2004 Formula 40 PC .....................................230,000 40 2002 Cruisers 3870.......................................169,000 40 2004 Luhrs 40 Open .....................................249,995 40 1989 Luhrs 400 Tournament..........................68,900 40 1996 Silverton 402 Motor Yacht ....................89,500 40 1998 Trojan 400 Express ................................69,995 39 2008 Tiara 3900 Sovran ...............................360,000 39 2008 Tiara 3900 Sovran ...............................339,000 39 1986 Sea Ray 390 Express Cruiser..................26,900 39 1998 Silverton 392 Motor Yacht ....................95,600 38 1981 C&C 38 Landfall.....................................48,900 38 1998 Carver 38 Santego.................................79,995 38 2005 Carver 38 Super Sport .........................169,900 38 1998 Cruisers Yachts 3870 Express...............115,000 38 1992 Sea Ray 38 Sun Sport............................49,995 37 2008 Formula 37 PC .....................................199,000 37 1998 Silverton 372 Motor Yacht ....................92,500 36 2004 Carver 360 Sport Sedan ......................199,000 36 1990 Carver 3608 A Cabin .............................64,995 36 1982 Grand Banks 36 Classic .......................127,500 36 1981 Grand Banks Classic ............................117,000 36 1981 S2 11.0A ................................................49,500 36 1988 Trojan F-36 Convertible.........................36,995 35 2006 Cruisers Yachts 320 Express...................75,000 35 1996 Tiara 3500 Express ..............................119,000 35 2002 Tiara 3500 Express ..............................169,000

sturgeon bay 77 South First Ave. • Sturgeon Bay, WI • (888) 992-2487 Martin Kelsey • 920-559-0366 • martin@centerpointesales.com Terry Godres • 920-746-6238 • terry@centerpointesales.com Tony Peot • 920-746-6236 • tony@centerpointesales.com

35 1998 Bayliner 3587 Motoryacht ....................74,000 35 2003 Carver 350 Mariner ...............................99,900 35 2002 Cruisers 3572 Express............................99,900 35 1992 Doral Boca Grande 350 .........................38,500 35 1991 Doral Boca Grande 350 MCI ..................32,500 35 1989 Luhrs Alura ............................................39,500 35 2008 Monterey 350......................................185,000 35 2006 Regal 3560 ..........................................129,000 34 1987 Bayliner 3416 Trophy ............................23,500 34 2003 Cruiser’s Inc 3372 ..................................97,000 34 1989 Sea Ray 34 Sedan Bridge ......................29,995 34 2007 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer ......................159,000 34 1983 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer ........................11,995 34 1987 Silverton 34 Convertible .......................27,995 34 1989 Silverton 34C .........................................31,995 34 1989 Trophy 3486 Bayliner Trophy ................44,900 33 1987 Chris Craft 336 Amerisport...................18,900 33 2009 Cruisers 330 Express............................164,900 33 1996 Cruisers 3375 Esprit...............................39,900 33 2000 Cruisers Yachts 3375 Express.................59,000 33 2005 Regal 3350 Sport Cruiser ......................69,900 33 1992 Sea Ray 330 SD......................................32,000 32 1989 Carver 32 Mariner .................................36,995 32 1973 Grand Banks 32 Sedan..........................21,500 32 1977 Trojan F-32 ............................................19,000 32 1985 Wellcraft 32 St Tropez ...........................14,995 31 1990 Carver Montego 31 ...............................29,995 31 1995 Cruisers 3175 Rogue .............................25,000 31 1987 Pearson 31 ............................................26,000

31 1990 Slickcraft 310SC ....................................24,900 31 1997 Tiara 3100 Open....................................73,500 30 1980 Bayliner 305 Buccaneer .......................17,900 30 1996 Chris-Craft 30 Crowne ..........................26,999 30 2006 Cruisers Yachts 300 Express...................74,900 30 2001 Mainship 30 Pilot Rum Runner ............74,900 30 2003 Mainship Pilot 30-II Sport Sedan .......115,500 29 1966 Columbia MK II......................................29,000 29 1997 Regal 292 Commodore .........................36,995 28 1987 Cape Dory 28 Hardtop..........................61,000 28 1985 Cape Dory Cape Dory Trawler ...............33,900 28 1991 Carver 28 Mariner / Voyager .................24,995 28 1978 Carver 2860 Santa Cruise ........................9,950 27 1989 Bayliner 2755 Ciera .................................9,200 27 1976 Catalina 27 ..............................................8,500 27 1930 Elco Marinette Cruiser ...........................29,900 27 1999 Formula 27 PC .......................................29,500 27 1947 Palmer Johnson Stout Fella 27 ...............9,900 25 2007 Glastron 259GTS....................................39,900 25 1991 Mako 250 ..............................................20,000 25 1994 Rosborough RF-246 ..............................51,900 25 2011 Sea Ray 250 SLX ....................................59,900 24 1965 Columbia Contender ...............................5,500 24 2008 Everglades ............................................79,900 24 2013 Sylvan Mirage 8524 LZ..........................29,900 23 1998 Custom- Built Sakonnet 23...................11,500 22 2004 Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless ..............39,995 20 2012 Pursuit C200 ..........................................44,900 13 2009 Boston Whaler Ventura SS 130 .............13,900

Milwaukee 700 South Water Street • Milwaukee, WI • (888) 992-2487

kenosha 21-56th Street • Kenosha, WI (888) 992-2487

John Niemann • 262-309-9579 john@centerpointesales.com

Mike Montilino • 612-419-3772 mike@centerpointesales.com

www.centerpointesales.com or call (888) 9-YACHTS

www

Northport Bay Boat Yard Northport, MichigaN

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10% Discount to all nEw Heated and cold Storage customers

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Two greaT companies, one dedicaTed family. chicagoland’s Premier service and storage Facility, Located Just 20 Minutes south of chicago in Dolton, iL services n Sale & Installation of Bow & Stern Thruster n Sale & Installation of Underwater Lights & Electronics n Gas & Diesel Engine Repairs by Certified Technicians n Buff & Wax n Fiberglass Repairs n Boat Transportation by Licensed Captains n Custom Work n Complete Boat Painting n Fully Stocked Parts Department n Ability to lift 150,000 lbs.

60’ 1996 VIking Cockpit Sports Yacht Twin MAN Diesels, $419,000

50’ 2000 Sea Ray Sundancer 500

service Our Certified Technicians can provide expert mechanical service for your engines, drives and auxiliary systems. We share your passion for boating and can perform top quality hull and topside repairs. Our body/paint shop can accommodate yachts up to 65 ft, serving both sailboat and powerboat enthusiasts.

Call us for estimates on your repairs!

Ph: 708.841.5660 n www.marineservicescorp.com

56’ 1999 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge

53’ 1994 Ocean 53 Super Sport

48’ 1991 Sea Ray 480

47’ 2006 Carver 43 Motor Yacht

Twin Cats, $299,000

T-DD 8V92s (diesel), $224,900

50’ 2003 Cruisers Sedan Sport T-Volvos, diesel, $319,000

47’ 2004 Formula 47

Twin Cat’s(Diesel), $199,900

T-Detroit Diesels, New Radar, $109,000

46’ 1979 Hatteras 460 Sport Fisherman

46’ 2000 Sea Ray Sundancer 460 Twin Cat’s (Diesel), $174,900

T-Volvo Pentas (diesel), $345,000

44’ 1996 Trojan 440

43’ 2008 Azimut Flybridge

41’ 1997 Silverton Convertible

38’ 2002 Regal 3860 Commodore

36’ 2006 Carver Mariner

36’ 1986 Hatteras Sedan

33’ 2005 Carver 33SS

T8V71T1 DD (diesel), $124,900

T-C7 Cat’s (diesel) $349,000

45’ 2007 Formula 45 Yacht

T-Cummins 600 hp diesels, $325,000

44’ Trojan 440 Express

T-Volvos, low hours, $199,000

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Twin Cummins, low hrs, Teak, $149,900

36’ 2005 Rinker 360 Fiesta Vee Twin Merc’s w/gen, $98,900

Twin Cummins, $439,000

Twin Crusaders w/gen, low hrs, $139,900

For more information or to set up an appointment, contact Elite Yachts at: 708.841.5660 or yachts98@sbcglobal.net

4 T-Crusaders, $79,900

T-Cruisers, low hrs, $64,500

T-8.1L Gxi Volvos, $119,000

T-Crusaders $149,000

For a complete list of all boats for sale, visit our website at: www.yachtworld.com/eliteyachtbrokerage

STINGRAY BOATS ARE AVAILABLE AT THESE GREAT LAKES AREA DEALERS USA DEALERS Anderson Boat Sales 6477 Highland Road Waterford MI 248-666-9922 andersonboatsales.com

Buckeye Sports Center 4610 State Road Peninsula OH 330-929-3366 buckeyesportscenter.com

Carl Stirns Marine 640 N Broadway Aurora IL 630-896-3050 stirnsmarine.com

Fremac Marine Sales 1801 Route 31 Bridgeport NY 315-633-2661 fremacmarine.com

Gamble Distributors 37231 NYS Rt 3 Carthage NY 315-493-2270 gamblespartsonline.com

Grand Bay Marine 291 N US 31 S Traverse City MI 231-943-0333 grandbaymarine.com

Silver Lake Marine 4213 W Lake Road Silver Springs NY 585-237-5185 silverlakemarine.com

CANADA DEALERS Haliburton Outdoor Makin' Waves Marine Mobile Marine Services North Country Marine Pirate Cove Marina Sturgeon Woods Marine Bala Cove Marina Leisure Marine 4201 Perth Road 29720 Hwy 62 N 261 Hunter Road 4304 Rideau River Rd SW Trailer Park, 1129 Conc C 1021 Gordon Street 4355 Kennisis Lake Rd RR 1 5781 Highway 7 Leamington, Ontario Kingston Inverary, Ontario Kemptville, Ontario Haliburton, Ontario Bancroft, Ontario Grimsby, Ontario Bala, Ontario Woodbridge, Ontario 519-322-3790 613-353-1577 905-977-8759 905-730-4722 613-258-2325 705-762-1553 905-851-3903 705-754-9262 sturgeonwoods.com balacovemarina.com haliburtonoutdoorequipment.ca leisuremarine.com makinwavesmarine.com stingrayboats.com/l3m4e8 northcountrymarine.com piratecovemarina.com

TO LOCATE A STINGRAY DEALER IN ANOTHER AREA, VISIT STINGRAYBOATS.COM/DEALERS

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SALE PENDING

42 Grand Banks 1993 $217,000

41 President 1987 $79,000

39 Mainship 2002 $148,000

36 Albin 1981 $69,900

34 American Tug 2006 $299,000

33 Custom Aluminum 2008 $78,000

32 Nordic Tug 1999 $159,000

32 Vinette Steel 1977 with trailer $44,900

32 Fales Seeker 1974 $48,000

30 Willard 1974 $80,000

29 Dyer 1984 $76,000

27 Skagit Orca 2006 $80,000

25 Ranger Tug 2008 with trailer $99,000

25 Ranger 2007 with trailer $99,000

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* 63’ 2014 HATTERAS GT 63 CONVERTIBLE w/2-CAT C32A @ 1,900 HP EA HCYC ................................$3,647,000 * 60’ 2014 HATTERAS GT 60 CONVERTIBLE w/2-CAT C32A @ 1,900 HP EA HCYC ................................$3,185,220 * 54’ 2013 HATTERAS GT54 CONVERTIBLE W/2-CAT C 32 A @ 1,600 HP EA HCYC ..............................$2,364,502

31’ 2014 TIARA 3100 CORONET w/2-CRUSADERS 6.0L @375 HP FLAG BLUE HULL; HARDTOP; A/C, 40” SWIM PLATFORM; TEAK COCKPIT TABLE; GARMIN ELECTRONICS PKG; REMOTE SPOTLIGHT.........$376,820

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* 63’ 2013 HATTERAS GT 63 EB CONVERTIBLE w/2-CAT C32A @ 1,900 HP EA HCYC ..........................$3,749,292

* 31’ 2014 PURSUIT ST 310 SPORT W/2-YAMAHA F300 OUTBOARDS @ 300 HP EA. BASE PRICE:.......$244,695 * 28’ 2014 PURSUIT S 280 SPORT w/2-YAMAHA F250 OUTBOARDS @250 HP EA. BASE PRICE:...........$178,570 * 26’ 2014 PURSUIT DC 265 DUAL CONSOLE w/YAMAHA F350 4-STROKE @ 350HP. BASE PRICE:.......$132,085

* 50’ 2014 TIARA COUPE w/2-VOLVO IPSII 950 w/JOYSTICK PLUS CONTROL-NEWEST TIARA MODEL BASE PRICE: .................................................................................................................................$1,377,725 * 25’ 2014 CHRIS CRAFT LAUNCH 25 w/VOLVO V8-C DP @320 HP. BASE PRICE: .....................................$103,976 * 39’ 2014 TIARA 3900 CORONET w/2-CUMMINS QSE 8.3L @ 550 HP EA BASE PRICE: .........................$847,250 * 23’ 2014 CHRIS CRAFT CATALINA 23-PLAS TEAK EDITION w/YAMAHA 4-STROKE. BASE PRICE:.........$85,438 36’ 2014 TIARA 3600 CORONET w/CUMMINS QSB @380 HP w/HARDTOP; GENERATOR; BOW THRUSTER; * 21’ CUSTOM METALLIC PAINT; A/C; GARMIN ELECTRONICS PACKAGE .............................................SOLD 21’ * 36’ 2014 PURSUIT SC 365 SPORT COUPE w/2-YAMAHA 350 HP, BASE PRICE: ......................................$408,576 21’ * 32’ 2014 CHRIS CRAFT LAUNCH 32-HERITAGE TRIM EDITION w/2-VOLVO V8-CE DP, EVC FWC w/JOYSTICK 21’ @ 380 HP EA. BASE PRICE: .................................................................................................................$216,586

2014 CHRIS CRAFT CAPRI 21-HERITAGE TRIM EDITION w/VOLVO V8-C DP @320 HP. BASE PRICE: ........$70,212 2014 CHRIS CRAFT CAPRI 21-HERITAGE EDITION w/VOLVO 5.7L GXIC @320 HP .................................SOLD 2014 CHRIS CRAFT CARINA w/270 HP VOLVO CASHMERE HULL w/TRAILER. SPECIAL: ..................$79,965 2014 CHRIS CRAFT CARINA w/270 HP VOLVO DARK GRAPHITE HULL w/TRAILER ..............................SOLD

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Fleming ...........................................$469,000 Matthews ............................................78,000 Hatteras 43 Motor Yacht Aft cabin ......116,900 Nordic Tug ........................................479,000 Ocean Alexander ..............................175,000 Regal 4160 ........................................159,900 Wellcraft Scarab .................................55,000 Sea Ray ............................................. 129,900 Diesel Duck Trawler............................79,900 Regal 3760 ........................................219,900 Nordic Tug ........................................269,000 Trojan ..................................................89,900 Viking w/diesels..................................58,000 Sea Ray Weekender ...........................31,000 Viking ..................................................75,000 Boston Whaler Conquest...................99,900 Nordic Tug ........................................169,900 Rinker ................................................ 108,000 Grady White........................................64,900 Mainship .............................................74,500 Mainship .............................................71,000 Tiara.....................................................59,900 Tiara.....................................................79,900 Cruisers ...............................................49,900 Chris Craft Catalina ..............................6,900 Sea Ray Sundancer ............................79,900 Regal ...................................................39,900 Crownline............................................40,900 Boston Whaler ....................................10,800

FEATURED LISTING

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821 W. Savidge, Spring Lake, MI 49456 Sales: 616-604-0234 / Marina: 616-842-1488 www.northshoremarina.com

YellowfiN Yachts > Only Midwest Distributor > Authorized Sales & Service

43’ 2007 Tiara Sovran

36’ 2003 Carver Sport Sedan

select Pre-owned / Brokerage / rePossessions / call For comPlete list 28’ 29’ 30’ 32’ 32’ 35’ 36’ 37’ 39’ 39’ 39’ 41’ 42’ 43’ 43’ 45’ 46’ 50’

‘03 ’00 ‘03 ‘04 ‘94 ’94 ‘03 ’96 ‘03 ‘03 ’94 ‘99 ‘91 ’07 ‘73 ‘90 ‘86 ‘96

Regal 2860 Commodore, T-4.3L Volvo DP, air/heat, low hours, camper canvas, radar, windlass .... $51,500 Regal Commodore, T-5.0L EFI Mercs, camper canvas, air/heat, GPS, low hours, very clean ......... $44,900 Rampage 30 Express, T-8.1L Mercs, full elect, air/heat, genset, autopilot, fish ready....................... $89,900 Cruisers 320 Express, T-6.2L Mercs, 140 hrs, fresh water, air/heat, GPS/chart, full canvas, clean $72,900 Maxum 3200 SCR, T-7.4L Mercs, air/heat, Windlass, camper canvas,gps, teak/holley salon floor $34,900 Carver Aft Cabin, T-7.4L Crusaders, air/heat, low hours, full elec, clean, aft deck hardtop ............. $59,900 Carver Sport Sedan, T-8.1 MPI Volvos, air/heat, genset, GPS/chart, clean and well maintained. $134,900 Sea Ray Sundancer, T-7.4L Mercs, air/heat, newer canvas, full elec, shows very well ................... $79,900 Cruisers 3970 Express, hardtop, genset, full elec., cherry int., loaded 1-owner, fresh water ....... $149,900 Carver 396 Aft Cabin Ext. Salon, T-8.1L Crusaders, air/heat, genset, radar/GPS, full canvas, Windlass..... $129,900 Carver Cockpit MY, T-7.4L Crusaders, air/heat, full elec, aft deck hardtop, new salon carpet, lower station .....$69,900 Maxum 4100 SCA, loaded, air, genset, central vac, full elec, new canvas, Cummins diesels ....... $144,900 Baja ES, Triple 420HP Mercs, low hours, air, genset, arch, shows well ............................................... $39,900 Tiara Sovran, T-500 Volvo IPS, full elec, dual E-120’s, genset, Cablemaster, low hours, fresh water ......$399,900 Hatteras Motoryacht, T-671 Detroits, air/heat/ genset, elec,.................................................................. $49,900 Viking Convertible, T-485HP Detroit Diesels, only 900 hrs, air/heat, genset, central vac, full elec., clean ...$174,900 Ocean Sunliner MY, T-671TI Detroits, air/heat, generator, radar, Windlass, deck davit ................... $89,900 Hatteras Sport Deck, T-6V 92s, full elec, TNT lift, hardtop dingy davit, clean, low hours ............... $349,900

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Marina Features Marina Office 905-668-1900

www.whitby.ca marina@whitby.ca

The Town of Whitby

offers all of the amenities of a large urban center with a small town friendly atmosphere! The marina is surrounded by acres of parkland linked by waterfront trails.

• Large harbour with easy lake access.

• Accommodation for vessels up to 70 ft.

• 6100 sq ft Club house w/private boater washrooms, showers, kitchen, laundry.

• Boater pub nights and special events.

• FREE daily Toronto newspapers • FREE use of propane barbecues • FREE use of bicycles and kayaks • Gas, diesel, ice and pump-out • Quality public launch ramp • Quality steel tube floating docks with spacious channels & slips • Friendly staff and management

Call us for the latest info on Whitby Harbor Day, July 26, 2014

Located 23 Nautical Miles East of Toronto Harbour

Includes fireworks, live music, great food, waterski shows, children’s activities, parade of lights, etc.

We monitor VHF channel 68

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Be sure to visit: • Ajax Downs Slots and Horse Racing • Empire Theatres Centrum • Historic Downtown Whitby’s great restaurants and pubs • Local walk to plaza with restaurants, groceries, Tim Hortons, liquor store...

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There is a time in life when the joy of travel is just getting there in style.

No matter where your cruising dreams lead, the New Marlow Mainship 32 offers a perfect balance of comfort, seaworthiness and economy, so you can enjoy the ride for years to come.

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SaIl Alerion Express • J-Boat • Precision • Laser Performance lIfeStyle Patagonia • O’Brien • Puma • Gill • Rip Curl • Slam

featured listings!

2014 28' Buddy Davis Great Lakes Debut at CIC Show, May 2-4th

1995 34' Phoenix Convertible, Cat Diesels $84,900 “Specializ Larger Y ing in achts”

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Lake & Bay 2005 Sea Ray 290 Amberjack

Y A C H T

2000 Uniesse 48 Open

S A L E S

Current Pre-owned Powerboats / For complete specs & photos visit IrishBoatShop.com 58 Tiara 5800 Sovran ’11 .................... $1,350,000 52’ Sea Ray 520 Sedan Bridge ’06........ $485,000 48’ Uniesse 48 Open ’00 ......................... $369,000 45’ Sea Ray Sundancer ’10 ................... $475,000 32’ Four Winns 328 Vista ’00.................... $74,900 32’ Wellcraft St. Tropez 32 ’86................. $15,000 31’ Sea Ray 310 Sundancer ’09 ............ $139,500 30’ Sea Ray 300 Sundancer ’06 .............. $79,000 30’ Sea Ray 300 Sundancer ’86 .............. $13,900 29’ Sea Ray 290 Amberjack ’01............... $53,500 29’ Sea Ray 290 Amberjack ’05............... $64,600 28’ Cruisers 288 Villa-Vee ’79.................... $13,500

28’ Boston Whaler 28 Conquest ’01......... $49,000 28’ Bertram 28 ’75 ..................................... $112,000 26’ Four Winns 265 Vista ’93 ..................... $12,500 26’ Celebrity 268 Crownline ’87 .................. $9,950 23’ Sealegs 7.1M ’12 ................................ $132,900 21’ Seaway 21 Seafarer Cuddy ’12 .......... $58,500 21’ Boston Whaler 21 Outrage Rib-Side ’72 ....$64,000 20’ Crownline 202 CC ’97 ........................... $10,900 20’ Wellcraft Eclipse 2000 S ’98 ................. $9,900 19’ Classic 190 ’89......................................... $3,950 18’ Larson 186 Sensa ’06 ........................... $14,900 18’ Eastern 18 Center Console ’12 ........... $23,900

13000 Stover Rd. Charlevoix MI 49720

231-547-9967

cvx@irishboatshop.com

400 Bay Street Harbor Springs MI 49740

231-526-6225

PARTIAL LISTING BELOW Visit us on the web for more!

09 98 91 90 86 81 88 14 14 06 95 74 95 86 88 86 03 88 89

70' 53’ 50’ 50’ 46’ 45' 44’ 43' 43' 43’ 42’ 42' 41’ 41’ 40’ 39’ 38’ 38’ 37’

Davis Sportfisherman T-1825HP Dsl........ $2,990,000 Navigator Classic Custom T-430HP ............ $279,900 Sea Ray Sundancer T-550HP DSL................$94,900 Cary Offshore Exp Quad 502s ....................... $179,000 Ocean Sunliner T-450HP DSL ....................... $105,000 Magnum Marine Exp T-735HP DSL .........$99,900 Viking Motor Yacht T-450HP DSL................ $149,900 Silverton Sport Bridge T-IPS Diesels.......... $705,000 Silverton Convertible T-480HP DSL ............. $583,000 Egg Harbor SY T-700HP DSL ...............................SOLD Egg Harbor Conv. T-485HP DSL.....................$177,500 Uniflite Double Cabin T-DSL............................$79,900 Silverton Convertible T-502s ............................$87,000 Chris Craft FB/MY Commander T-300HP DSL....$69,000 Hatteras Motor Yacht T-375HP DSL.............$119,900 Marinette Convertible T-350HP ...............$49,900 Regal 3880 FB/SDN T-420HP..........................$142,900 Chris Craft 381 Catalina T-350HP ....................$34,900 Trojan 11 Meter Conv T-350HP ........................$39,000

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available!

> All types of boats: power, sail or paddlecraft > Beginner and advanced courses, plus on-water training available > Coast Guard and NASBLA approved > Meets state licensing requirements > Reduces boat insurance premiums

to find a Squadron near you, viSit

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Egg Harbor Convertible T-350HP ....................$79,900 Tollycraft Convertible T-330HP ................$49,900 Silverton Convertible T-320HP DSL ............. $450,000 Cruisers 3650 MY T-310HP............................... $69,900 Predator Express T-IPS600 Dsl....................$399,000 Predator Express T-450HP Dsl.....................$249,500 Tiara Express T-370HP DSL ........................... $139,900 Silverton 351 Sdn/Cr T-350HP ..........................$49,900 Egg Harbor Sportfisherman T-350HP .......$57,000 Buddy Davis Center Console T-350HP ....... $289,000 Phoenix SFX T-375HP DSL ......................$84,900 Egg Harbor Conv. T-350HP ...............................$89,900 Topaz Express T-440HP Dsl ........................... $329,000 Chris Craft 33 Crowne T-235HP .......................$25,900 Marinette FB/SDN T-225HP .............................$24,500 Silverton 310 Express T-350 Mag....................$44,900 Buddy Davis Center Console T-250HP.........On Order Bertram Bahia Mar T-260HP ...........................$39,900 Rinker Fiesta Vee W/TRL S-350 Mag.............$46,000

P.O. Box 237 | Marblehead, Ohio 43440 | lakeandbay@roadrunner.com

www.IrishBoatShop.com

Boater education & Safety courSeS

37’ 37’ 36' 36' 35’ 35’ 35’ 35’ 35' 34' 34’ 34' 33’ 33' 32' 31' 28' 28' 27'

www.yachtworld.com/lakeandbay

hs@irishboatshop.com

Take the finest

86 78 14 96 10 04 99 97 87 14 95 90 10 92 88 98 14 85 04

Phone/Fax: 419-798-8511

Located on beautiful Lake Charlevoix

1.5 miles north of the C-48 & M-66 junction 02474 M-66 S., EaSt Jordan, MI 49727

FULL SERVICE MARINA GAS DOCK BOAT RENTALS DOCK & HOIST SALES BOAT REPAIR INDOOR STORAGE

231-536-2672

www.swanvalleymarina.com • swanvalleymarina@gmail.com

Remanufacturerd transmissions in stock.

Older transmissions our speciality.

Distributors of the Drivesaver flexible couplings and mounts, oil coolers and dampers.

Dealer Inquiries Invited 2706 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI 49001 • 269-345-0629

Propeller Optimization & Repair Bring your propellers to Peak performance

• Increase speed • Reduce fuel consumption • Eliminate propeller induced vibration • Enable sync of multiple engines 2401 Sawmill Parkway Suite1 Huron, OH 44839

419-433-9550

www.NorthCoastPropTech.com

2012 Yamaha WaveRunner............... $ 10,500 2000 Four Winns 180 Horizon ........... $ 11,900 1984 Shamrock..................................... $ 15,000 1990 Elite Craft Riviera........................ $ 29,500 1990 IMP 220 Walkaround ............... $ 8,500 1973 Nimbus 26 Express .................... $ 38,500 2007 Sea Ray Bow Rider ................... $ 49,000 1971 Cal Sail......................................... $ 7,000 2000 Sea Ray Sundancer .................. $ 27,500 2001 Four Winns 285 ........................... $ 32,000 1978 O’Day Sailboat ............................ $ 17,900 1999 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer............ $ 59,000 2001 Tiara 3100 Open .......................... $ 116,900

33’ 36’ 36’ 37’ 40’ 43’ 43’ 46’ 46’ 46’ 47’ 65’

1938 Chris-Craft 332 Express............ $ 15,000 1986 Catalina Stnd. Rig ..................... $ 49,500 1987 Tiara Convertible w/Dsls .......... $ 114,900 1998 Sea Ray Express ........................ $ 98,500 1994 Hatteras Double Cabin ............. $ 125,000 1995 Tiara 4300 Open .......................... $ 174,900 2000 Black Thunder 430 SC .............. $ 159,000 2000 Sea Ray Sundancer .................. $ 189,000 1999 Beneteau Oceanis 461 ............. $178,000 1991 Silverton Motor Yacht............... $ 125,000 1973 Chris Craft Commander............ $ 110,000 2003 McKinna Pilothouse.................. $ 699,000

Fiberglass – Woodworking Storage – Heated Storage

POWER BOATS 25’ ’88 Bayliner 2560 ................... $9,000 26’ ’01 Bayliner 2655 .................. $32,500 26’ ‘90 Four Winns 265 Vista ..... $14,500 26’ ’03 Four Winns 268 ............... $42,500 28’ ’97 Thompson 28 Santa Cruz...$23,900 29’ ’86 Cruisers 296 Avanti ........ $19,900 29’ ’88 Bayliner 2950 .................. $14,900 29’ ‘90 Cruisers 2970 Esprit........ $21,500 29’ ’94 Envision 29 Combo ......... $31,900 29’ ’95 Envision 290 .................... $24,900 30 ’88 Sea Ray Sedan ............... $18,500 32’ ‘77 Trojan F-32....................... $14,500 32’ ’05 Twin Vee Cat ................... $59,900 33’ ‘95 Sea Ray Sundancer ....... $49,900 33’ ’74 Chris Craft Coho ............. $21,000 33’ ’78 Carver Voyager .............. $17,500

34’ ’79 36’ ‘88 36’ ’92 37’ ’96 37’ ‘95 37’ ’94 37’ ‘78 37’ ‘95 37’ ’97 38’ ’85 38’ ‘04 39’ ‘88 40’ ‘94 40’ ‘87 41’ ’86 42’ ’04

Complete Mechanical Electrical Rigging – Haulout

Mainship Sedan ............. $27,500 Sport Craft Pesca........... $24,900 Carver 3608 Aft ............... $64,900 Sea Ray FB/SDN ............ $69,900 Sea Ray Express ............ $64,900 Sea Ray FB/SDN ............ $62,000 Vinette Steel Trawler..... $29,900 Cruisers 3775 .................. $59,900 Sea Ray 370 Motor Yacht ..$94,900 Chris Craft 381 ................ $51,000 Regal 3880 ..................... $165,900 Sea Ray 390..................... $37,900 Mainship Sedan ........... $119,900 Hatteras Motor Yacht .... $99,900 Sea Ray 410 Aft .............. $63,500 Tiara 42 Open ................ $310,000

5309 E. Wilder Rd. Bay City, MI 48706

Serving the Great Lakes with locations in Mentor & Catawba

ng & holstery ogy tops erings

Specializing in Restoration of Marine Interiors • Soft Furnishings • Mattresses & Bedding • Custom Furniture & Reupholstery

• Lighting & Technology • Cabinets & Countertops • Flooring & Wall Coverings

(440) 255-3688 • www.FreshwaterGills.com

42’ ’87 42’ ‘78 46’ ’01 46’ ’04

Chris Craft 427 .............. $78,5500 Grand Banks Classic ..... $84,900 Carver 466 MY .............. $198,000 Carver 460 Voyager ..... $339,900

24’ ’78 25’ ‘84 27’ ‘73 33’ ’74 34’ ’08 36’ ’74 37’ ‘92 37’ ’80 38’ ‘86

SAIL BOATS S2 7.3 .................................. $9,900 Catalina.............................. $8,500 Catalina.............................. $8,750 Pearson 33 ...................... $24,900 Benteau 342 .................. $120,000 PJ Standfast 36 .............. $31,500 Hunter Legend ................ $71,900 Endeavor 37 .................... $34,900 Irwin 38 CC MK II ........... $75,000

Details on all of our listings at

989-684-5010 • info@bayharborbaycity.com

nteriors

ba

10’ 18’ 20’ 20’ 22’ 26’ 26’ 27’ 27’ 28’ 30’ 31’ 31’

MARINE MARKETPLACE

BERGMANN MARINE

Charlevoix, MI 49720 • Phone 231/547-3957

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may 2014

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LAKELANDBOATING.COM

85

clAssifieds: BoAts for sAle

lakelandboating.com/great-lakes-classified-ads

Shop for Boats for Sale by Owner! place a classified ad with our easy-to-use online system!

S

D ol

35’ 2003 silverton 35c LOADED! Bow, ster n thrusters; engine remote; Raymarine electronics; 385 Crusaders (2); St. Croi x davits; Sea Eagle ding hy; shower; low hours; one owner; fres

Cincinnati, OH. $83,00 0. (513)

Place your ad by April 15 to get into our prime SUMMER selling season issues: June, July, August and September!

2008 croWnline 250 cr MerCruiser 5.7 Bravo III, 210 hours, freshwater, trailer, cockpit cover, full camper enclosure. Asking $44,900. call tim @ 419-509-6948. RYS

Please support our advertisers!

26’ 2012 bayliner 266 discovery Only 81 hours!

Bottom coated, fish graph, navigation GPS, new trailer.

In perfect condition and ready for the water! Asking $62,000. contact troyheald@gmail.com or 612-940-5672. JUN14

1994 30’ carver 300 aFt cabin Excellent condition, T-350 Crusaders with 557 hours, new interior & canvas.

Recent survey; always Lake Michigan. Two-boat motivated seller. $34,500. call dave 231-342-2152 or dksanger542@ yahoo.com. JUN14

1989 tiara 3100 convertible T-340hp Merc cruisers, 700 hours, dual stations, excellent condition. Fresh water only! Asking $49,000. call 231-432-0358. MAY14

!

hwater only.

516 2636

OCT13

2001 mainship pilot 34 Custom hardtop, 3.5 KW generator, AC, 370 Yanmar 950 hrs, Weaver davit, custom cover, superbly maintained, heated storage. $99,000.

207-671-8098. AUg14

36’ 1963 chris-craFt roamer Rare aluminum hull.

One of only 11 made. Always freshwater, Chrysler 440s just rebuilt/10 hrs. Extensive like-new canvas. $45,000. call 920-574-0415. AUg14

ced!

Redu

1984 bertram 26’ sport Twin V6 inboards, 10-ft beam. Dinette galley option, many other options. Shows like new. Three sets of canvas. Located Lake St. Clair.

313-882-9613 AUg14

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may 2014

31’ 1987 tiara Flybridge Loaded with electronics and fishing equipment. Excellent condition. $46,000. call 920-265-3270 or email captjohn652@gmail.com for more information. JUL14

1994 Four Winns 365 express Cummins diesels, generator, Lowrance GPS/fishfinder. Radar. Freshwater/ heated storage. $66,900. More information/photos at diyachthaven.com or call 906-647-2400 JUL13

classifieds: Boats for sale

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Reduce

Reduc ed!

2006 MaRqUiS 59 MTU Series 60, 825hp, freshwater, bow and stern thrusters, underwater lights, LED lighting, transom and portside doors. Loaded! Must see. Asking $799,900. Call Brent @ 616-402-0180. RYS 1980 35’ ViKing COnVeRTiBLe 454 Crusaders, Kohler Marine airs, fully equipped w/numerous upgrades.

Freshwater, covered slip. $35,900. 513-574-1585 AUG14

2000 Sea Ray 450 expReSS BRidge Total length 51’4”, beam 14’8”. Twin Cummins 430 hp, only 775 total hours since new yacht, 3 staterooms, 2 full baths w/showers, pristine condition, many options. Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley freshwater yacht. Asking $179,500 firm. Contact Frank at 618-713-2220 or frankit2@hotmail.com. JUN14

BOaThOUSe FOR SaLe New construction, 20’ x 50’ boathouse. Located on the Black River in Port Huron MI, near St. Clair River. Call 810-300-6339. JUN14

37’ 1985 C&C CML37 TRawLeR T-165 Volvo Diesels, Onan gen, windlass, radar, GPS, stereo/CD, 2-VHF, freshwater, dual stations, 2 heads, full enclosure, low hours. $95,000. s93570@aol.com, before 5/15: 912-5988623 after 5/15: 705-859-3990 AUG14

1999 450 Sea Ray SUndanCeR Extremely clean and updated boat. T-450 hp Cats with 400 hrs, always freshwater and heated winter stored. Motivated two-boat owner looking at all offers! Call don at 586-738-5357 for additional details. JUN14

2000 Sea Ray 380 SUndanCeR T-7.4 Merc. Horizons, Garmin 2010 GPS, low hours (305), always in freshwater.

Excellent. Like new, new canvas. Best offer. 315-469-1712 days, 315-476-3901 eve and weekends. JUN14

BaReBOaT Canada’S FaBULOUS nORTh ChanneL, LaKe hUROn 25 power and sailboats, 27’-50.’ Cruise and learn, skippered. Canadian Yacht Charters, Gore Bay, Ontario. 800-565-0022. e-mail: info@cycnorth.com, cycnorth.com. RUC

Powerboats

ced!

Redu

2000 380 Sea ray SundanCer

Charters

39’ 1984 Sea Ray Sedan BRidge Twin 350 hp Crusaders. Fully equipped Raymarine electronics, professionally maintained and in very good condition.

Located in St. Joseph, Michigan. Call 765-662-3485 or email pegs_waylons@yahoo.com. JUL14

52’ 2007 ViKing SpORT yaChT Shows like new with low hours. For more information please visit www.52vikingyacht.com. JUL14

Reduc ed!

Reduc 1993 40’ MainShip Sedan BRidge ed!

Freshwater only. 7.4L XL Crusaders w/V drives @ 840 hrs. Meticulously maintained.

Fully equipped and instrumented. Bridge is fully enclosed. Includes 10’ RIB. $65,000.

Call 248-321-7985. MAY14

CAPT. LARRY LOWE WILL MOVE YOUR BOAT Great Lakes, East Coast, Mississippi or Gulf.

Power or sail. Free quotes. Resume on request.

614-314-9439 afterglowe15570@gmail.com

2005 OCean aLexandeR 54 LOA T-500 hp Yanmars w/380 hrs. Dual stations, full Raymarine electronics,12kW gen, air, Zodiac H/B, deluxe bridge. $449,000.

920-739-7668. JUN14

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Transport Your Boat

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1990 BayLineR 3888 This is a must-see vessel! Kept with open checkbook. One of the cleanest 3888’s on the market. New canvas and eisenglass on flybridge. Always freshwater, Lake Superior in Duluth, MN. Asking $55,000 or best offer. Call 612-751-5400. MAY14

JUL14

Air-Ride Equipment Vessels up to 50’ “Serving the Great Lakes and All Points South”

2008 TiaRa 4200 Open Cummins QSM11, 715hp, 420 hours, freshwater, mint condition, loaded with many options and customs, Plan A – 1SR/1 Head, Furuno NAV NET electronics. Reduced to $499,900.

Call Brent @ 616-402-0180. RYS

56’ OCean 2001 eB Twin Caterpillar, original owner, professionally maintained, boathouse kept year-round, freshwater only. Located in Michigan. Call Randy 586-484-8211 or randy@southrivermarine.com. JUN14

Port of Call Yacht Transport Inc. Atlanta, GA & Chicago, IL

800-922-8332

may 2014

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MAY14

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

87

above the waterline | by Dave Wallace

Tow, Tow, Tow Your Boat Lessons learned from an amateur towboat operator.

D

—> Kids: Don’t t try this a home!

Dave Wallace has been boating in the Great Lakes for more than 35 years. He’s written for Lakeland Boating since 1993 and helped develop Lakeland Boating’s Ports o’ Call cruising guides.

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LAKELANDBOATING.COM

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uring my childhood on the Thornapple River, my rowboat became a towboat — pretty much on a regular basis. When I finally hung an outboard off the transom, my towing service became much more efficient and labor-free. Hardly a summer’s day went by without some transient fishermen bending a prop or severing a shear pin, courtesy of the submerged stumps standing guard over the area’s most promising fishing grounds.

Still, they kept coming back for more — mostly because the 6-mile stretch of deep water created by our two local power dams was deep enough to support teeming schools of bass and bluegills.

During the summer, this prized fishing ground drew a daily parade of visiting “food fishermen,” who shared the joy of filling their limit with the sorrow of losing their motive power.

Because these transient fishing boats were relatively small and light, and my towing speed was about one notch above swimming, I did my towing the old fashioned way: With a long line stretching from their bow to my stern.

Rear-end collisions were never a threat.

When I transferred this innocent (and ignorant) towing experience over to Lake Michigan, I quickly learned that using my old, long-line towing technique for rescuing lake-size fishing boats or family-size cruisers was not only unadvisable, but also could become very expensive.

I got my first lesson — and my graduation — all at the same time in Frankfurt, Michigan. We were already settled in at the marina when I overheard the Coast Guard talking with the skipper of a disabled boat being towed through the nearby channel. Knowing that the Coast Guard cutter was probably too large to complete the tow to a slip inside a marina, I cut in on the conversation and offered to finish the job.

At the time, my auxiliary was a 10-foot inflatable with an 8 hp outboard. Virtually no mass at all. The Coast Guard crew threw me the towline. I hooked it over my tiny transom and continued on into the municipal marina, where an open slip awaited — right next to the fuel dock. With nary a thought of the consequences, I steered the dinghy into the slip, which dead-ended at the shoreline. As I glanced back with a smile of satisfaction, I suddenly realized that the 42-footer I had been towing still maintained enough momentum to crush and sink me as I floated there, absolutely helpless inside the slip.

maY 2014

The only thing that saved me was the swift reaction of the fuel dock crew, who grabbed lines being tossed by passengers on the incoming cruiser and secured them while I darted out of my death trap, with mere inches to spare.

Since then, I’ve had at least four other opportunities to bring disabled cruisers safely into port and in a slip.

I still had the same lightweight, fragile dinghy, but I’d since learned the option of “side-by-side” towing. In most cases, we didn’t even need to tie the dinghy to the cruiser with lines. Crewmembers simply leaned over the rail and held on until their bow was committed to the slip.

At that point, they simply tossed the lines back into my dinghy — without struggling with knots.

It was so easy, it was almost fun.

I’m sure my old neighbors from the Thornapple River would be proud.

My marine insurance agent would be relieved. And my fragile inflatable would live to tow another day. LB

illustration by mike harris

Imagine your

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