Stay Safe, Boaters!

As we all know, the Great Lakes region is a boater’s paradise, with its vast stretches of water and stunning scenery. But with the thrill of exploring these waters comes the responsibility of ensuring safety for everyone onboard.

One of the most important safety measures is wearing a life jacket, regardless of whether you are an experienced swimmer or not. The Great Lakes can be unpredictable, and a life jacket can save your life in case of an emergency. Also, check the weather forecast before setting sail. The weather can change rapidly, and it’s important to know what to expect and plan your trip accordingly.

It’s also essential to follow proper navigation rules and use caution when operating your boat. And one new Chicago-based organization, Boat Safe Chicago, is hoping to encourage more boaters to practice safe boating by providing practical, low-cost safety training (p. 36). Read about the group’s mission to make the Windy City’s waters safe for all.

With its roots in Chicago, Holland, Michigan’s family owned Eldean Shipyard has been in business since 1973 (p. 38). Fun fact: Herb Eldean Sr. was the former Chicago Harbormaster! Offering storage, maintenance and repair services for its tight-knit community of boaters, the shipyard has a lot to celebrate for its 50th anniversary!

Use your safe boating skills while cruising to Midland, Ontario (p. 42), a charming town on the shores of Georgian Bay that’s known as the gateway to the 30,000 Islands. Midland offers a wide range of outdoor activities and cultural experiences. Just be warned: After reading this Port of Call, you’re going to have a strong desire for your very own butter tart. Stay safe on the water!

ALAN WENDT

Alan is a past president of Boating Writers International, and cochair of judging for the Innovation Awards at the Minneapolis and Miami Boat Shows and IBEX, the largest technical marine event in North America. Born in Cleveland, he is one of the chief architects of the Women on Water, Getaways! and Adventures cruising programs. Wendt is also a licensed pyrotechnician and choreographs fireworks shows for waterfront displays on the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve.

READ HIS STORIES ON P. 28 AND P. 32

HHH

CHUCK WARREN

Do you have a story idea you’d like to suggest?

Email me at kbush@lakelandboating.com to share your ideas.

36

Chuck is a lifelong boater with experience on the waters of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and the Great Lakes. During his 25-year marine industry career he has been an offshore powerboat racing team driver, chief engineer aboard a research vessel and captain of a sunset cruise. Currently a captain for hire in Holland, Michigan, Chuck lives on his 40-foot Sea Ray in the summer, while winters are split between the West Michigan lakeshore and wherever his 33foot motorhome takes him.

READ HIS STORY ON P. 38

CRAIG RITCHIE

Born in Toronto, Craig named his first boat Bed in order to explain occasional absences from work. Whenever anyone asked, he would cough loudly and mumble about having spent the day in Bed. The key, he says, was to never forget the sunscreen.

READ HIS STORY ON P. 42

I want to tell you how much I enjoy Lakeland Boating. I’ve lived in Phoenix since 1978 but was born and raised in Toledo, spending lots of time on Erie’s Bass Islands and up in Cedarville, Michigan. I still love and miss the Great Lakes, and every issue takes me home. I’ve owned five boats on the desert lakes out here and have captained many houseboats on Lake Powell, but “HOMES” is still the best, and I truly appreciate Lakeland Boating bringing it all back to me in the desert. Thanks for all you do, and I can’t wait for the next/every issue.

Bylow

LAKE LENS

We want to see the gorgeous Great Lakes from your point of view! Send a high-resolution photo (at least 1 MB) and a short write-up about that photo to KBUSH@LAKELANDBOATING.COM. Please put “Lake Lens” in the subject line. If we publish your submission, you’ll win a Lakeland Boating hat!

Need a gift for your favorite boater?

Our Lakeland Boating hat is constructed from soft cotton twill for a great fit. Leather band adjustment in back with antiqued brass closure. Available in weathered navy and Nantucket red. One size. $24.95 + S&H. To order, visit LAKELANDBOATING.COM/STORE.

PUBLISHER

Linda O’Meara

PUBLISHER IN MEMORIUM

Walter “Bing” O’Meara

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editorial Director: Kate Bush

Assistant Editor: Abby Thorpe

CREATIVE STAFF

Art Director/Production Manager: Christy Tuttle Bauhs

CONTRIBUTORS

Helen Aitken, Glenn Hayes, Capt. Frank Lanier, Craig Ritchie, Don Taylor, Danica Uzelac, Chuck Warren, Alan Wendt

BUSINESS STAFF

National Sales: Mark Conway

Regional Sales: Patti McCleery

Accounting: Diane Fairchild

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICE

1555 Sherman Ave. / Suite 313 / Evanston, IL 60201 312-276-0610 / Fax: 312-276-0619

INFO@LAKELANDBOATING.COM

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SUBSCRIPTIONS

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P.O. Box 386, Lincolnshire, IL 60069 847-504-8475

O’MEARA-BROWN PUBLICATIONS INC

President: Linda O’Meara

Secretary: Timothy Murtaugh

Lakeland Boating (ISSN 0744-9194) Copyright 2023, by O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc. is published eleven times per year (except December) by O’MearaBrown Publications, Inc. • Business/Accounting and Editorial Offices: 1555 Sherman Ave. Suite 313, Evanston, IL 60201, 312-276-0610. • Call 847-5048475 to subscribe. Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 386, Lincolnshire, IL 60069 (U.S.). Annual subscription rates: United States: $24.95 per year; International and Canadian: $39.95 per year, includes 7% G.S.T. tax (G.S.T. 894095074-RT 0001) and $12 postage included. Single copies are $4.99 for U.S. and Canada. Only U.S. funds are accepted. Periodical postage paid at Evanston, IL and additional mailing offices. • POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 386, Lincolnshire, IL 60069. • Lakeland Boating is a registered trademark of O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc., Evanston, IL. Published as Lakeland Yachting 1946-1955. • Unsolicited work may be submitted at the creator’s own risk. Lakeland Boating assumes no responsibility or liability for unsolicited material. All submissions must be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope with sufficient return postage. All published photos are courtesy of the manufacturer, unless otherwise noted.

WE

E-mail us at KBUSH@LAKELANDBOATING.COM or drop us a line at Lakeland Boating, 1555 Sherman Ave., Suite 313, Evanston, IL 60201. Opinions expressed in “Dock Box” are not necessarily those of Lakeland Boating. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

MAY 5 – 14

Biggest Week in American Birding Oak Harbor, OH BIGGESTWEEKINAMERICAN BIRDING.COM

MAY 6

Can2Can Fishing Tournament Harbor Beach, MI BLUEWATER.ORG

Derby Day Kelleys Island, OH KELLEYSISLANDCHAMBER.COM

Derby Day Soiree Mackinac Island, MI THEISLANDHOUSE.COM

Door County Half Marathon Fish Creek, WI DOORCOUNTYHALFMARATHON.COM

Rotary Shipyard Tour 1 Sturgeon Bay, WI STURGEONBAY.NET

Wisconsin Marathon 2 Kenosha, WI WISCONSINMARATHON.COM

MAY 6 – 14

Tulip Time Festival 3 Holland, MI TULIPTIME.COM

MAY 9

Blessings of the Fleet Put-in-Bay, OH VISITPUTINBAY.COM

MAY 12 – 14

Jeep the Mac St. Ignace, MI STIGNACE.COM

MAY 13

Fort2Fort 5-Mile Challenge Mackinac Island, MI RUNMACKINAC.COM

Island Garage Sale Put-in-Bay, OH VISITPUTINBAY.COM

Lexington Fishing Tournament Lexington, MI BLUEWATER.ORG

Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference Milwaukee, WI MWSC.WILDAPRICOT.ORG

Pewaukee Kiwanis RiverRun 4 Pewaukee, WI PEWAUKEEKIWANIS.ORG

MAY 18 – 20

Chequamegon Bay Birding and Nature Festival Ashland, WI BIRDANDNATUREFEST.COM

MAY 18 – 21

National Morel Mushroom Festival Boyne City, MI BCMORELFESTIVAL.COM

MAY 18 – 22

Canada Appreciation Weekend Alexandria Bay, NY VISITALEXBAY.ORG

MAY 19 – 21

Midwestern Model Ships and Boats Contest Manitowoc, WI WISCONSINMARITIME.ORG

Zoo-De-Mack Harbor Springs & Mackinaw City, MI ZOO-DE-MACK.COM

MAY 20 – 21

Great Lakes Boating Festival Grosse Pointe Shores, MI GREATLAKESBOATINGFESTIVAL.COM

The Kite Festival at Grand Haven Grand Haven, MI FACEBOOK.COM/KITEFESTATGH

MAY 20 – 26

National Safe Boating Week Nationwide SAFEBOATINGCAMPAIGN.COM

MAY 25 – 29 Walleye Festival Port Clinton, OH PORTCLINTONCHAMBER.COM/ WALLEYE-FESTIVAL

MAY 26

Blessing of the Fleet South Haven, MI MICHIGANMARITIMEMUSEUM.ORG

MAY 27

Bayshore Marathon Traverse City, MI BAYSHOREMARATHON.ORG

Le Grand Du Nord Grand Marais, MN HECKOFTHENORTH.COM

Native American Festival St. Ignace, MI STIGNACE.COM

Petoskey Stone Festival Eastport, MI PETOSKEYSTONEFESTIVAL.COM

Stafford’s Top of Michigan Marathon Charlevoix, MI TRAILSCOUNCIL.ORG

MAY 27 – 28

30th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Arts and Craft Show Tawas City, MI TAWAS.COM

Maifest Jacksonport, WI JACKSONPORT.NET/MAIFEST

Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair Sturgeon Bay, WI STURGEONBAY.NET

MAY 27 – 29

Memorial Weekend Derby Pentwater, MI PENTWATERPSA.ORG

MAY 28

Blessing of the Fleet Alexandria Bay, NY VISITALEXBAY.ORG

MAY 31 – JUNE 4

Aldo Leopold Festival Hessel, MI ALDOLEOPOLDFESTIVAL.ORG

Scandinavian manufacturer Nimbus Group announced it has acquired Edgewater Power Boats, known for its center console and dual console boats made for families and anglers. The new partnership will expand Nimbus’ reach in the U.S.

“With this collaborative partnership, we will set a strong standard for boatbuilding,” says Jennifer Butera, president and CEO of EdgeWater Power Boats. “Our companies share the same sensibilities geared towards providing sincere commitment to our customers and their families. The Nimbus Group is aimed at growth, and it seems limitless.”

For more info, visit EWBOATS.COM and NIMBUSGROUP.SE.