October 2022

PURSUIT

OS 445

Enjoy the view. p. 36

TIARA YACHTS

43 LE

Powerful performance meets luxury. p. 40

TWELVE TRENDS

Here are a dozen features you’ll be seeing on more and more boats. p. 44

MOUETTE OR NOT?

Is a woody being restored at a Michigan boat shop really Charles Lindbergh’s old boat? p. 48

PORT OF CALL

Whitefish Point, MI: Enjoy the peace and quiet of nature in this U.P. destination. p. 50

PHOTO

A Little Inspiration

After two months of soaking up newborn snuggles with our sweet new addition to the family, I am back from maternity leave, just in time to jump into our October issue. It’s the perfect time of year to start planning some winter renovation projects for your boat — whether you envision an easy DIY or need some help with a professional upgrade.

One really cool professional renovation that hit our radar is E. J. Mertaugh Boat Work’s restoration of the Abel Hand, rumored to be Charles Lindbergh’s former boat (then called Mouette) (p. 48). We dive into the curious background of this gorgeous wooden boat that sat in storage for many years, and the work that EJMBW is doing to return it to its former glory.

If you need a little inspiration on how to add some cool features to your boat, check out our story “12 Boating Trends for 2023” (p. 44). Here, contributor Craig Ritchie makes note of a dozen things boat builders are incorporating into new models — from increased telematics and glass helms to multifunctional seating and more sun protection.

Even though the boating season is winding down, it’s not too late to visit one last port of call before taking the boat out of the water. Whitefish Point on Lake Superior’s “Shipwreck Coast” in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the perfect place to hit the reset button and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature (p. 50). From calming waterfalls and impressive lighthouses to some of the best shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes, Whitefish Point is a wonderful place to visit.

I hope this issue fills you with inspiration!

Cheers, Do you have a story idea you’d like to suggest? Email me at kbush@lakelandboating.com to share your ideas.

AREAS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE

Whitefish Point, MI p. 50

Boyne City, MI p. 56

CONTRIBUTORS

KEN KREISLER

A multi BWI awardwinning journalist, Ken began his nautical career while in high school, spending summers doing odd jobs in the boatyard of a local marina in Brooklyn, New York. He worked his way through undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate academic studies as the skipper of his own six-pack charter boat, and upon completion of his degree work, secured his first job as a writer in the marine industry and never looked back. Ken splits his seasonal time between the New Jersey Shore and West Palm Beach, Florida.

READ HIS STORIES FROM P. 32

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. 44

JANE AMMESON

Jane writes about food and travel and is the author of 16 books. Her travel book “Lincoln Road Trip: The Back-Roads Guide to America’s Favorite President” was a Bronze winner in the Travel Book category in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. Jane loves to sail and spend time on — and in — Lake Michigan.

READ HER STORY ON P. 48

HHH

HHH

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!

LAKE LENS

Though we’ve boated the Great Lakes for many years, we experienced our first trip to Mackinac Island in July of 2021. One morning, we hailed a horse and carriage to take us up to The Fort. While waiting in line for tickets, a woman asked, “Are you going to eat lunch here?” Why, we didn’t even know there was a restaurant! We ended up enjoying a table with the most beautiful view. Imagine our delight when, as we finished our lunch, a freighter crossed through the straits. A most unexpected and wonderful day!

—Katie Kolberg Memmel

CANINE CREW Sparty

We have been boating on Torch Lake and the Chain of Lakes since 1970. Sparty, our golden retriever, loves all things boating on our pontoon, Chaparral, Boston Whaler and 1950 Chris-Craft, which we keep on the water. He loves the water. He was named after the Michigan State Spartans. My husband, Bill, graduated from MSU in 1966. —Bill, Michele and Sparty Eppel, Bellaire, MI

CALLING ALL CANINE (AND FELINE) CREW!

We want to learn about your furry friends onboard! Send a short write-up with your pet’s name and your home city, as well as a highresolution photo (at least 1 MB) to: KBUSH@LAKELANDBOATING.COM. Please put “Canine/Feline Crew” in the subject line. If we publish your submission, you’ll win a Lakeland Boating hat!

Everyone Looks Great in 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, Nantucket red and khaki. One size. $24.95 + S&H. To order, visit LAKELANDBOATING.COM/STORE.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 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.

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, Jane Ammeson, Glenn Hayes, Jan Jeffery, Ken Kreisler, Capt. Frank Lanier, Craig Ritchie, Heather Steinberger, Kath Usitalo, Chuck Warren, Alan Wendt

BUSINESS STAFF

National Sales: Mark Conway Regional Sales: Patti McCleery

Accounting: Marguerite Wristen

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICE

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

INFO@LAKELANDBOATING.COM LAKELANDBOATING.COM

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

1555 Sherman Ave. / Suite 313 / Evanston, IL 60201 312-276-0610 x. 24 / Fax: 312-276-0619

CBAUHS@LAKELANDBOATING.COM

SUBSCRIPTIONS

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

O’MEARA-BROWN PUBLICATIONS INC

Vice President: Linda O’Meara Secretary: Timothy Murtaugh

Lakeland Boating (ISSN 0744-9194) Copyright 2022, 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.

EVENTS

SEPT 23 – OCT 2

Art Along the Lake: Fall Studio Tour Grand Marais, MN VISITCOOKCOUNTY.COM

SEPT 23 – OCT 16

Ontario Culture Days Festival Ontario ONCULTUREDAYS.CA

SEPT 30 – OCT 2

Door County Fall Lighthouse Festival Sturgeon Bay, WI DCMM.ORG

OCT 1

Beulah Fall Festival Beulah, MI CLCBA.ORG/EVENT/FALL-FESTIVAL

Charlevoix Leif Eriksson Day Row and Run Charlevoix, MI VISITCHARLEVOIX.COM

Island Wine Festival Put-in-Bay, OH VISITPUTINBAY.COM

Onekama Fall Fest Onekama, MI ONEKAMA.INFO/FALL-FESTIVAL

OCT 2

50th Annual Woollybear Fest 1 Vermilion, OH VERMILIONOHIO.COM/ WOOLLYBEAR-FESTIVAL

OCT 2 – 7 World Dairy Expo Madison, WI WORLDDAIRYEXPO.COM

OCT 6 – 29 (THURS-SAT)

Haunted Fort Night Thunder Bay, ON FWHP.CA

OCT 7 – 8

Chain O’Lakes Blues Festival Waupaca, WI WAUPACAMEMORIES.COM

Fort Fright at Michilimackinac Mackinaw City, MI MACKINACPARKS.COM/ FORT-FRIGHT

Tawas Point State Park Haunted Lighthouse Weekend East Tawas, MI MICHIGAN.GOV/DNR

Young State Park Harvest Festival Weekend Boyne City, MI MICHIGAN.GOV/DNR

OCT 7 – 9

Bayfield Apple Fest Bayfield, WI BAYFIELD.ORG/ BAYFIELD-APPLE-FESTIVAL

Michigan Hemingway Society Fall Conference Petoskey, MI MICHIGANHEMINGWAY SOCIETY.ORG

OCT 8 Frankfort Fall Festival Benzonia, MI FRANKFORT-ELBERTA.COM

Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival Marblehead, OH LAKESIDEOHIO.COM

Oktoberfest Alexandria Bay, NY THOUSANDISLANDS WINERY.COM

Oktoberfest Pentwater, MI VISITPENTWATER.COM

Pumpkinfest 2 Whitehall, MI WHITELAKE.ORG

Oak Harbor Apple Festival Oak Harbor, OH OAKHARBOROHIO.NET

Oktoberfest 3 Put-in-Bay, OH VISITPUTINBAY.COM

Pumpkin Patch Festival Egg Harbor, WI EGGHARBORDOORCOUNTY.ORG

OCT 13 – 16

Fresh Coast Film Fest Marquette, MI FRESHCOASTFILM.COM

OCT 14 – 16

Charlevoix Apple Festival Charlevoix, MI CHARLEVOIX.ORG

Fall Fest Sister Bay, WI SISTERBAYTOURISM.COM

OCT 15

Punkin Chunkin Clayton, NY 1000ISLANDS-CLAYTON.COM/ PUNKINCHUNKINCLAYTON

OCT 20 – 23

Family Weekend Grand Marais, MN NORTHHOUSE.ORG

Kohler Food & Wine Kohler, WI AMERICANCLUBRESORT.COM

Lakeshore Art Trail Art Show & Sale Port Credit, ON LAKESHOREARTTRAIL.COM

OCT 21 – 23

Mackinac Island Halloween 4 Weekend Mackinac Island, MI MACKINACISLAND.ORG

OCT 22

Halloween on the Bay Put-in-Bay, OH VISITPUTINBAY.COM

Oak Creek Fall Festival Oak Creek, WI OAKCREEKWI.GOV

OCT 22 – 23

Ellison Bay Arts Fall Art Crawl Ellison Bay, WI DOORCOUNTYNORTH.ORG

OCT 29

1000 Islands Halloween Festival Alexandria Bay, NY VISITALEXBAY.ORG

Boo at the Zoo 5 Racine, WI RACINEZOO.ORG

Thrills & Chills Sturgeon Bay, WI STURGEONBAY.NET

Trek & Treat Cape Vincent, NY CAPEVINCENT.ORG

BUZZ

Miller Ferry Adds New Boat to Fleet

Mary Ann Market is the newest vehicle and passenger ferry to join Miller Boat Line’s fleet, servicing Put-in-Bay, Ohio. The new boat is named in honor of the late company owner, matriarch and lifelong island resident Mary Ann Market (1935-2010). The drive on/drive off passenger and vehicle ferry is the fifth and largest vessel in the Miller Ferry fleet, measuring 140 feet long and boasting a capacity of up to 600 passengers and approximately 28 vehicles. Some features of the Mary Ann Market are ADA-guided designs of the main deck cabin; additional deck seating outdoors; panoramic views from the spacious upper deck; broad stairwells, audio/visual messaging; temperature-controlled interiors; and an upper deck enclosed cabin.

For more information, visit MILLERFERRY.COM.

SCUTTLE

BUZZ

Coast Guard Celebrates 232nd Anniversary

August 4, 2022, marked the 232nd anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard, originally created by Alexander Hamilton in 1790. This year, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Wilmette Harbor (95-39-06) honored its active duty brethren by delivering lunch and a special birthday cake to Station Wilmette Harbor, in Wilmette, Illinois.

The Speedster by Seven Seas Yachts — a luxury dayboat and yacht tender — is now available at Springbrook Marina & Yacht Sales in downtown Chicago. The tender is hand-built with details including a full marine-leather interior, custom gauges, chrome finishes and more.

The presentation team included (left to right in photo) Flotilla Commander Marc Pullman and Staff Officers Chris McAuliffe, Anita Lutkus and Frank Cavalier. The Auxiliary is composed of civilian volunteers. They are a key component of the Coast Guard and assist the active duty in promoting recreational boating safety.

The Auxiliary’s missions include search and rescue at sea, teaching recreational boating safety classes and conducting complimentary safety checks on recreational boats. The Auxiliary prides itself on being “Semper Paratus” — always ready!

BOATS

Formula Announces 387 Center Console Fish and Sport

The newly announced Formula 387 Center Console, available in Fish or Sport configurations, is designed for the angler or the dayboater.

Boasting a length of 38 feet, 7 inches and a 12-foot beam, the 387s are built on the 23-degree deadrise FAS³Tech hull. The 387 Center Console Fish (CCF) features include a custom-designed triple helm seat with folding armrests and electrically adjustable center

seat; dual 40-gallon, pressurized livewells aft; as well as port and starboard fishboxes. Just aft of the helm, the leaning post features an aft-facing mezzanine bench that slides away to reveal a Corian countertop, a bait rigging station with removable cutting board and a molded sink.

The 387 Center Console Sport (CCS) features a bow seating package and power-adjustable table as standard. The aft cockpit has a hinged, flip-down bench seat for sharing and connecting. The roomy swim platform plus trunk storage makes for in-water fun for all.

Comfort is key aboard the 387 CCF and CCS. Entering the cabin through the portside console door, three steps lead down to wood grain flooring and 6 feet, 4 inches of headroom. Features include an Ultraleather U-shaped lounge, a galley with Corian countertop, a concealed sink with cover, a stainless pull-out fridge and AC. Visit FORMULABOATS.COM.

GREAT LAKES NEWS BOATS MUST-HAVE BUZZ EVENTS BUSINESS

BRP Launches

Groundbreaking Rotax Outboard Engine

BRP is “transforming the boating experience” with the all-new Rotax Outboard Engine with Stealth Technology. Disappearing under the boat, and engineered not to be seen or felt, this new engine technology is a game-changer.

The new engine is initially offered in 115- and 150-hp configurations. It delivers the same advantages of a traditional outboard engine — such as price, performance, handling, ease of maintenance and full trim — with additional benefits: It’s hidden, it’s quiet and it’s efficient.

Partially submerged underwater, hidden underneath the boat, the engine is smooth and quiet at any speed. It doesn’t block the way at the stern and therefore frees up valuable space. The Rotax Outboard Engine is efficient, allowing for up to 20% improved fuel efficiency compared to traditional outboard engines. It’s also the cleanest combustion outboard engine in its class, with a 12% reduction in reportable emissions, and a 98% reduction in carbon monoxide at idle compared to leading outboard engine brands.

The new engines will be equipped on select 2023 Manitou and Alumacraft models.

For more info, visit BRP.COM.

Iguana Yachts Acquires WettonCraft

Two French boat builders have united; Iguana Yachts has acquired WettonCraft with the aim of expanding its offering and providing customers with a range of smaller and more affordable products.

“When I created Iguana Yachts in 2008, the amphibious capability was a personal need,” explains Antoine Brugidou, founder and CEO of Iguana Yachts.

“In 15 years, mindsets have evolved and we see more and more boaters who look for amphibious solutions… The acquisition of WettonCraft is part of our deep desire to facilitate access to the sea by generalizing amphibious technologies. Our ambition is to become the world No. 1 in this new high-potential market.”

For more information, visit IGUANA-YACHTS.COM.

Beneteau Debuts Antares 8 Fishing

The brand-new Antares 8 Fishing is a sleek, sporty model specially designed for anglers. The boat has exclusive equipment, including a clear cockpit for easy movement; a fishing station with professional quality rod holders at the rear; a fish tank with water circulation; three below-deck storage compartments, one of which can accommodate a fish tank; and an accommodation door on the starboard side to facilitate docking maneuvers.

For more information, visit BENETEAU.COM.

Seakeeper Ride Helps Reduce

Pitch and Roll

Seakeeper’s newest product launch offers the company’s first deviation from its line of gyro stabilizers. The new Seakeeper Ride eliminates up to 70% of underway pitch and roll motions on boats up to 35 feet, allowing for more safety, comfort and control for everyone aboard.

Seakeeper Ride controls mount to the boat’s transom below the waterline and use inertial sensing hardware and software to understand the boat’s behavior and deploy custom-designed rotary blades to create lift and manage motion. Seakeeper Ride’s added benefits include list control, auto trim, hole shot control and coordinated turn.

“Seakeeper has always been committed to bringing disruptive technology that represents a wholesale change from what’s currently available,” says Seakeeper President and CEO Andrew Semprevivo.

“Seakeeper Ride isn’t an incremental improvement; it transforms what it feels like to be on a running boat. We’re drastically changing the boating experience... again.”

Chris-Craft, Scout and Sportsman are the exclusive launch partners of Seakeeper Ride, and the new technology will be available on models as early as September 2022.

To learn more, visit SEAKEEPER.COM.

BOATS

Sea-Doo Launches Two New 2023 models

Sea-Doo is leading the way with two all-new premium personal watercraft (PWC) for 2023: The Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 and the Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex 300. The Explorer Pro 170 is the most adventure-ready, out-of-the-box PWC, fully equipped with uncharted water features and technologies. Adventure seekers can ride as a multi-day, selfcontained exploration package with its massive storage capabilities, fuel-efficient load hauling power and unmatched stability. Available exclusively through preorder, the Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex 300 takes PWC performance to a whole new level, complemented by the bold styling, carbon fiber components and a full package of upgraded features.

Organizers of the Cleveland Boat Show have announced that the 2023 event will take place at the I-X Center, where it’s been staged since 1986, on January 12 – 15, 2023.

“The Sea-Doo line of watercraft and pontoons has grown to fulfill the category of watersports fun,” says Alexandra Monti, Sea-Doo manager of global brand & content. “We noticed that riders were finding new and creative ways to expand the utility and fun of their PWC and that inspired us again this year. The new models we’re launching reset expectations for premium performance watercraft and adventure, and will make our customers rethink how far and how much fun they can have with Sea-Doo.”

Visit SEA-DOO.COM.

EVENTS

Great Lakes Grand Prix

The 45-foot MTI catamaran hull of Good Boy Vodka/ XINSURANCE, with driver Englishman Miles Jennings and Alex Pratt on the throttles, experienced a spectacular launch off of the 4- to 5-foot waves on the Lake Michigan race course at the Play Tradez presents the 13th Annual Great Lakes Grand Prix offshore race on August 7, 2022, in Michigan City, Indiana. The crew was not injured but sustained damage to the stern and transom on the boat. The ClassOne entry finished in 3rd place. The event was sanctioned by the APBA/OPA and Powerboat P1 racing associations.

—Paul Kemiel

BUZZ Find

Boat Dealers With Discover Boating’s

New Website

Discover Boating, powered by the NMMA and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), has launched a new interactive website to help boat buyers easily find nearby dealers.

The new Dealer Finder on DISCOVERBOATING.COM is a convenient tool to help site visitors search for and connect with nearly 3,600 boat dealers across the country.

“At Discover Boating, our role is to attract consumers to boating and to connect them with boat buying opportunities without hurdles and obstacles, and as seamlessly as possible,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA president. “Years in the making, this new Dealer Finder tool directly connects consumers to dealers. It gives them immediate access to the dealers and their product lines in their local communities, helping to improve the customer experience right from their very first click.”

Visit the site at DISCOVERBOATING.COM/DEALERS.

BOATS

Riviera to Showcase Three New Boats at Fort Lauderdale Boat Show

Australian boat builder Riviera Yachts will have three new boats on display at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show: The 78 Motor Yacht; 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition; and 465 SUV.

The 78 Motor Yacht offers options of an enclosed or open bridge deck and includes luxurious accommodation for up to 10 adults in four luxurious staterooms and crew quarters.

The 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition features three staterooms including a full-beam master amidships that offers head-height comfort and large hull windows. The Platinum Edition luxury appointments include premium fabrics, high-gloss walnut timber cabinetry and in-vogue lounges.

Lastly, the 465 SUV (pictured) offers a watersports cockpit, covered alfresco deck that expands the salon living space, three double staterooms, two generous bathrooms and multiple entertaining spaces.

Visit RIVIERAAUSTRALIA.COM to learn more.

PHOTO BY PAUL KEMIEL

BOATS

BRP Announces All-New 2023 Manitou Pontoons

Manitou’s 2023 lineup features eyecatching, sleek, modern designs and a quieter, more efficient ride with the brand-new Rotax Outboard Engine. The new aesthetic on the Cruise and Explore pontoons is courtesy of an aluminum transformation process exclusive to Manitou, and a redesigned bow offers a distinctive new lighting signature for navigation and docking lights.

Equipped with the Rotax Outboard Engine with Stealth Technology, offered in 115- and 150-hp configurations, new models offer the same advantages of traditional outboards, but with additional space, improved efficiency and a quieter ride. The new MAX Deck platform — available on pontoons equipped with Rotax Outboard Engines — provides 38 square feet of additional space. New switchback seating, a Trifold Bench with two-in-one functionality and a hidden table provide added space and comfort.

The redesigned helm features a standard 7-inch Garmin digital dashboard on Cruise models and 9-inch display on Explore models. The forward-folding Sport Biminis offer up to 12 feet of coverage and are rated up to 50 mph while underway. The Manitou Cruise comes in 20-, 22- and 24-foot lengths, while the Explore comes in 22-, 24- and 26-foot lengths.

To learn more, visit MANITOUPONTOONBOATS.COM.

Valhalla Boatworks is joining Yamaha Marine’s Rightwaters plastics recycling program, which partners with boat builders to return and recycle the protective plastic coverings that ship with its outboards.

Groupe Beneteau and Vision Marine Partner to Deliver Electric Outboard Powerboats

Groupe Beneteau has partnered with Vision Marine Technologies to bring electric outboard propulsion to several new models across its portfolio. Groupe Beneteau has been innovative in recognizing and adopting new electric technologies within its brands, and this latest partnership will ensure electric propulsion is also available for multiple outboard powerboat models.

“After the construction and thorough testing of a first, jointly developed prototype in early 2022, the objective is to bring to market a 100% electric boat and propulsion package” says Erik Stromberg, power and motor yacht product director for Groupe Beneteau. “The key to electrification is to have a full analysis of the customer use case. Many of the boats in our portfolio fit perfectly with a 100% electric solution. This solution is complementary and fully compatible with our other propulsion packages.”

The initial commercial offering of Vision Marine’s Vision E-Motion 180-hp powertrain system will be offered under the Four Winns brand, with electric technology expected to be offered at a later point by other brands under Groupe Beneteau. First deliveries of the new electric outboard models are expected in spring 2023.

To learn more, visit BENETEAU-GROUP.COM.

Hobie Releases All-New Mirage Passport R Series

Hobie has launched the newest additions to its 2022 product line: The Mirage Passport 12.0 R and the Mirage Passport 10.5 R. Powered by MirageDrive with Glide Technology and Kick-Up Fins, the new R Series models will be able to avoid obstacles with ease and navigate rocky or shallow waters thanks to the automatic retraction of Kick-Up Fins on impact and subsequent re-deployment once clear of the obstacle. With the rotomolded hull construction, available in Seagrass Green and Slate Blue, the new R models fuse a new sleek aesthetic with excellent performance and stability without sacrificing speed.

“Since 1950, Hobie has always strived to create fun, accessible experiences on the water,” says Kelley Woolsey, Hobie vice president of global sales, service and marketing.

The 2022 Mirage Passport 10.5 R retails for $1,649 and the Mirage Passport 12.0 R retails for $1,869.

For more information, visit HOBIE.COM.

Aquila Power

Catamarans is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. Over the last decade, Aquila has sold over 500 vessels throughout the world.

BOATS

Boston Whaler Introduces 280 Dauntless

Boston Whaler has announced the newest member of its award-winning Dauntless family, the 280 Dauntless. Sporting an all-new design from the keel up, state-of-the-art technology, sleek styling and exciting new features, the flagship 280 Dauntless is the ideal platform for all boating activities and completes the evolution of the Dauntless line.

“Boston Whalers are designed to open up your on-water world and the all-new 280 Dauntless expands on that with gusto,” says Kris Neff, president of Boston Whaler. “This is a no limits boat that puts adventure within easy reach. If you want to go for it, the 280 Dauntless won’t hold you back. See more, do more, enjoy more with the evolved 280 Dauntless.”

Features include an open bow that allows for free-flowing movement around the boat; a convertible helm seat with electric actuation that can quickly convert into an aft-facing seat; a large stern platform for ease of boarding, including a retracting boarding ladder on the starboard side; and an optional swim patio. The 280 Dauntless also features a large casting platform, a 19-gallon livewell, a large fishbox with pump-out, a deluxe leaning post with gyro stabilizer and more.

For more info, visit BOSTONWHALER.COM.

New Project Sets Out to Map Great Lakes

A Thunder Bay project on Lake Huron manned by NOAA scientists is just one in a series of projects whose goal is to map the bottom of all five Great Lakes. Named Lakebed 2030,

the overall project is supported by a coalition of academic and government organizations in the U.S. and Canada who hope to gain a better knowledge of the lakes, of which less than 15% has currently been mapped at high resolution.

High-resolution maps are essential for scientists to document the lakes’ physical characteristics and habitat types, track changes caused by invasive species and climate change, identify the safest shipping channels and uncover submerged artifacts.

The expansive project is predicted to take seven years and cost $200 million, according to a study. Once finished, Lakebed 2030 maps would not only be available to scientists and researchers, they would be open-source — available for boaters, fishers, historians and divers to all use to better explore the Great Lakes.

For more info, visit GLOS.ORG.

Now available in USA, Fratelli Aprea Sorrento 1890. Hand-built by generations of master craftsmen in the heart of the Mediterranean. Create your own private Italian island for delivery in North America.

BOATS

Malibu Launches 22 LSV

Meet the all-new Malibu Wakesetter 22 LSV, a “compact powerhouse” that’s available with tons of new custom options. At just under 22 feet, the nimble 22 LSV is easy to manage while creating world-class wakes and waves. Thanks to Malibu’s innovations like Surf Gate, Power Wedge III and the Wake Plus hull, the 22 LSV creates a perfect wake for wakeboarders and wakesurfers alike. New features include sharp side contours and an upgraded interior, including a walkover transom and Multi-View Wake Bench. The G5 Tower is the most advanced standard tower on the market and now folds lower for improved clearance. A patented Flip Down Swim Step makes re-entry from the water easy, and a high-res, 12-inch MaliView touchscreen offers the captain an elevated experience. For more information on the new 22 LSV, visit MALIBUBOATS.COM.

GREAT LAKES NEWS

Seabin Devices Will Be Installed

in Lake Erie

Keep Ohio Beautiful (KOB) has partnered with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Ohio Sea Grant and the Ohio Clean Marinas & Clean Boaters Programs to provide Seabins — a network of automated litter and debris removal devices — across the Lake Erie region. The funding for installing and maintaining four Seabin devices came from several Keep America Beautiful grants.

“Our exciting new collaboration with KOB and Ohio Sea Grant enables ODNR to use new technology to continue our efforts to protect the waters of Lake Erie,” says ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft’s Chief Glen Cobb. “Not only will boaters benefit by the removal of litter and debris, but cleaner waters are critical for all users.”

Two Seabins will be located at the Geneva Marina in Geneva and Mentor Harbor Yacht Club in Mentor. An additional two will be placed at marinas located near Huron and Lorain.

For more information, visit KEEPOHIOBEAUTIFUL.ORG.

SEABIN PHOTO COURTESY OF OHIO SEA GRANT

SureShade MTX Pull-Out Boat Shade

Protect your passengers from the sun with the easy-to-install SureShade MTX shade, a patented retractable shade system that operates with an easy pull-out and push-in mechanism. MTX is a stainless steel, self-supported manual pull-out shade available in a 6-foot extension length. Can be dealer- or DIY-installed, and is the ideal shade solution for aft or bow shade on boats under 45 feet. $4,356 (PLUS SHIPPING & INSTALLATION) AT SURESHADE.COM

GREAT GEAR

PlasTeak EZ Boat Sole

Email LAKELANDBOATING.COM to add your company’s new product news to Great Gear!!

One DIY project that’s sure to enhance the look of your boat is new interior flooring such as PlasTeak’s EZ Boat Sole by NautikFlor, which are durable planks that have locking edges for fast installation. The click-together PVC plank flooring is perfect for the confined areas in the cabin and galley. The material has a foam layer on the back of each plank that acts like a sound reducer and helps hide slight imperfections in the substrate. Each box has nine planks that are 48 ⅝ inches long and 7 ⅞ inches wide. $225/BOX AT PLASTEAK.COM

BOAT BLING Mild Soap Sauce

As materials evolve, upholstery options are enhanced, and with these enhancements come specialized care requirements. The proprietary Mild Soap Sauce formula is approved by leading OEM vinyl and upholstery manufacturers for specialty fabrics that prohibit the use of anything other than mild soap. If you have cooltouch vinyl, synthetic leathers, outdoor canvas or other unique specialty fabrics, Mild Soap Sauce is your solution. You can now clean with confidence without compromising your warranty. $25.99 AT WESTMARINE.COM

Boat

TowGo Trailer Backup Navigation System

New boaters can now properly launch a boat with confidence. TowGo is the world’s first and only aftermarket trailer backup navigation system that helps you backup your trailer like a pro. Using the included trailer hitch sensor, steering wheel sensor and smartphone app, you will be able to easily back up straight, around a curve or even do a 90-degree turn! $399 AT TOWGO.COM

Cal June Winter Spar Buoy

Glidecoat New Boat Bundle

Made of heavy-duty polyethylene, the Cal June spar buoy is designed for replacing mooring buoys during winter months. Resists wear from ice and harsh conditions, and is tapered to remain free in icy conditions. Features a hot-dipped galvanized bottom eye, a 2-inch blue retro-reflective top band, and a lifting eye for easy handling. Measures 36 inches tall, with a 6-inch bottom diameter and 4-inch top $69.99 AT DEFENDER.COM

diameter.

Keep your new boat looking like it’s fresh from the dealership with Glidecoat’s New Boat Bundle, which has everything you need to prep your boat for ceramic coating. Even factorynew boats will have visible swirl marks and light scratches. Quickly polish with Glidecoat Nano Polish, then remove any remaining polish residue, waxes or oils using Surface Wipe, and you’re ready for ceramic coating. Glidecoat Marine Ceramic Coating creates a hard-protective barrier over your boat’s surface that will maintain that showroom finish while making maintenance a breeze. $349.95 AT GLIDECOAT.COM

MUST-HAVE GOODIES AND GADGETS FOR EVERY BOATER

The Power of Wind

How to install a wind turbine.

Unlike solar panels, which require sunlight to operate, wind turbines have the potential to autonomously generate electricity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Here’s a look at the basics of choosing and installing one.

Wind turbine 101

While the output from a wind turbine can sometimes power equipment directly, marine installations will utilize batteries. Batteries not only provide a more constant power source (one that doesn’t fluctuate during changes in wind speed), but also allows users to store excess energy generated for later use.

Wind turbines are generally classified as either small rotor units (blade diameters less than 48 inches) or large rotor units (60 inches or more). Although they have less output, small rotor units have the advantages of reduced size, weight and lower start-up speeds (the wind speed a unit actually starts producing power). The benefits of large rotor units are increased power production upon reaching start-up speed and, in some cases, quieter performance.

The nature of wind

The main challenge confronting any wind generator is the unpredictable nature of wind itself. Wind generators are most effective in steady winds with your boat at anchor; however, the most sought-after anchorages tend to be sheltered from the very winds needed to generate power. This means the start-up speed of a wind generator and its output in lower winds (10-15 mph or less) can sometimes be more important than maximum rated output.

Multi-blade types have an advantage in this respect. Their smaller, lighter blades require less wind to start turning, meaning they’ll reach kick-in speed and start producing power sooner in light winds.

Since wind is an unpredictable animal, you might want to consider a hybrid system that combines both wind generators and solar panels. Cloudy days are often accompanied by higher winds, while sunny days often mean lighter air. Using solar and wind gives you the best of both worlds.

Wind turbines obviously depend on the presence of wind, but at some point (typically around 35 knots of sustained wind) you’re approaching too much of a good thing and will need some form of blade speed control mechanism to prevent physical damage to the unit. Also required is some form of voltage regulation to prevent battery overcharging. Some units have built-in regulators, while others rely on separate, external units installed as part of the system.

Braking or blade speed control can be accomplished in a number of ways. Some wind turbines have specially designed blades that “feather” or stall out at certain speeds, while others gradually turn away from the wind if it becomes too powerful.

The power of wind is another factor. If wind speed doubles, wind power (the amount of work it can do) increases eight-fold. This means that if you’re anchored in that nice, quiet cove, but every now and then a strong gust of wind blows through, the generator output can approach or exceed what you’d get while anchored in a steady, moderate breeze. This is where wind generators with larger blades and higher maximum outputs have the advantage, as they can generate more power quicker than smaller bladed units. The catch, however, is whether these puffs occur often enough to keep up with power demand.

Mounting options

“A wind turbine will work best in the wind,” notes Dettmer, “so it’s important to have the turbine high enough to be clear of curious fingers and other errant crewmember body parts, but to also take advantage of any laminar flow (unobstructed wind force) that might be available onboard. If the turbine is mounted too low, turbulent air may push the blades around, but you won’t get the best power generation.”

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.

“The Superwind 350 is a commercial-grade, autonomous wind turbine that utilizes auto-pitch control of the rotor blades,” says Mark Dettmer of Mission Critical Energy. “This allows continuous, unattended operation and full charging of batteries, rather than shutting down before batteries are completely charged, as many hobby wind turbines do.”

Most wind turbines also offer the option of installing an electronic stop switch, which essentially shorts out the unit and slows it down while allowing you to safely tie it off if required.

Stern poles are a popular mounting choice, as they hold the unit in place and ready for use anytime while keeping it up and out of the way. They consist of a stainless steel or aluminum tube about 2 inches in diameter firmly mounted with rail clamps, guy wires and/or rigid metal struts to provide diagonal support from the pipe to the deck.

Arcs are another choice that provide some excellent mounting options. They cost more than a pole, although the added expense of having one fabricated can often be justified, particularly if it will serve multiple purposes (e.g. for davits or antennas). ★

Networking Electronics

More information, more accessible than ever.

Marine electronics have become increasingly more complex and feature-rich over the last few years, and boats are seeing sophisticated networking and data sharing onboard becoming the norm. With a basic understanding of how equipment shares data and the necessary networking components, boaters can now have more information at their fingertips than ever before.

Data share

Marine electronics manufacturers have become more receptive to allowing their equipment to share data with other equipment; some even offer open-source software to enable other manufacturers’ products to be accessed and controlled through their multifunction displays. For example, you can now access an app on the homepage of some newer Simrad displays to control such things as ShadowCaster LED lights, and engine manufacturers are now utilizing adapters that allow full engine instrumentation and data to be viewed and configured on onboard MFDs. Other equipment can be networked via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and a smartphone or tablet can act as a full-functioning remote display. Wi-Fi networking can also allow you to monitor your boat from afar, giving notifications such as high-water levels, unauthorized movement or low battery warnings.

Connections

All this networking is possible due to a variety of networking solutions. Two primary connections to today’s marine systems are NMEA 2000 and Ethernet networking. Let’s say you are connecting two MFDs capable of sharing information. To share radar images, sounder images and charting information, you will need to make two types of connections between the displays: An NMEA 2000 connection for all the digital and non-graphic information, and an Ethernet connection for all the visual information.

The NMEA 2000 connections are made via a network backbone. Because this network is powered independently of the equipment it’s connected to, the backbone is made up of several components or pieces that all plug in together. You have a 12V power connection linked into the backbone. On each end of the backbone, there is a terminator plug that lets the system know there is nothing else beyond its location, and they complete the circuit on each

end. In between these, you have T-connectors that feed out to various equipment via a drop cable. Adding a component to this system is as simple as adding a T-connector and drop cable from the equipment to the backbone. Fortunately, NMEA 2000 is a standardized system created by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) and has been adopted by all the major marine electronics manufacturers. They all use the same data protocol and five-pin connectors. This means that all kinds of accessories and equipment can be easily added to a system so long as both are NMEA 2000 compliant. Images such as sounder screens, radar displays, and charting can all be shared between compatible multifunction displays using an Ethernet connection by simply having a direct cable between displays or by running through a network expander hub. Some manufacturers use a standard Ethernet plug just like you would find on a desktop computer, while others use a proprietary connection. Simrad, for example, uses its plug for Ethernet connections, while Garmin uses a waterproof version of a standard RJ45 Ethernet plug. More manufacturers are adding these connections to their displays even if they are standalone units in order to add devices such as radar to the display. These Ethernet networks work the same way a hard-wired Ethernet system works in any office or home.

Wireless networking Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also becoming commonplace on onboard electronics if you are looking for wireless networking. With these features, boaters can connect their smartphones and smart devices via an app to their onboard MFD and use them as fully functioning remote displays and controls. Software updates and route planning are now easily accomplished via these wireless connections, along with a bevy of other capabilities that could be an article on their own.

Connecting and integrating onboard electronics is now more accessible and robust than ever. This is true in the wiring and setup as well as the day-to-day operations of onboard systems. With a basic understanding of how marine electronics can be tied together, there is no reason not to maximize your onboard capabilities. Greater data integration and connectivity translate to a more relaxed and enjoyable time on the water. ★

GLENN HAYES is a marine writer and photographer whose background in the marine industry and in marine electronics spans almost three decades and many thousands of miles at sea traveling the world. He can be reached at HAYESSTUDIOS.COM .

Fresh Fabric

Do-it-yourself Bimini and vinyl tips to keep your fabric like-new.

Caring for the Bimini and all the boat’s vinyl components are easy projects to do. Dave Love from John’s Canvas, a custom canvas and vinyl designer in Beaufort, North Carolina, has some tips on how to keep the Bimini and boat’s vinyl looking good and performing great.

Bimini care

Love says that DIY boaters can easily treat and maintain the Bimini.

“One of my Grady White customers took care of his Bimini and it lasted for 20 years before he needed a new one,” he says.

Boat manufacturers use Sunbrella marine fabrics to cover their Biminis. The engineered woven fabric is breathable and UV resistant, allowing it to fade uniformly, and is covered with a protectant that sheds moisture.

Once a month or more, use a soft brush to wipe off any dirt or debris from the fabric and rinse it with clear water. Thorough cleanings may only be needed every two or three years. Biminis may be cleaned on the boat or removed for heavier cleaning, but don’t forget the cover — it works hard too. After each treatment, let the fabric air dry completely before using.

Treatments

For unknown or stubborn stains, mix ¼ cup of mild soap like Dawn into a gallon of warm water and lightly rub over it with a sponge, letting it soak into the fabric. Rinse thoroughly.

With grease, oil and paint (latex, oil-based) stains, apply cornstarch to absorb the substance and remove it with a straight edge. Clean the residue with detergent and warm water. Ink should be treated in small patches with 100% acetone followed by soap and water, then rinsed thoroughly. Iron rust should be treated with CLR and rinsed thoroughly.

Mildew may be treated with ¼ cup of dish soap plus 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and air dry.

Protectants

When water begins to drip through fabrics, that means it’s time to recoat the surface. Clean the surface, treat the stains, rinse and air dry completely before using the recommended treatment of 303 Fabric Guard. Follow the container’s instructions and spray so that it covers the tops of the thread fibers in a well-ventilated area. Don’t oversaturate it so that it drips. Let this air dry completely and repeat.

Boat vinyl types

There are also two types of boat vinyl that are easily taken care of: Isinglass curtains / clear vinyl and vinyl seat cushions. Both need attention because UV radiation can cause discoloration and weaken the material, causing them to crack.

Heavy-duty vinyl should last for years with general maintenance and care. Reduce possible punctures and cuts by adding a heavy towel or cover over the seats while moving tools, anchors or other sharp objects.

Cushions are also susceptible to stains: Fuel, rust, wine, blood, petroleum products, sweat and, worst of all, suntan lotions. The sooner these are treated, the less possibility these will be permanent.

To clean, wipe or blot the stain, then apply soapy water with a sponge but do not scrub. If that doesn’t work, make a paste with baking soda and water. Work into the stain and rinse with water.

Love recommends using Camco 210 Plastic Cleaner & Polish for vinyl and isinglass. After cleaning the surface, spray this across the exterior and wipe with a soft, clean cloth like a microfiber. Buff it to a bright look. It seals the surface with a protective coating that is also anti-static and anti-fogging.

Isinglass curtains, which are made of 40-gauge clear vinyl, carry an extra coating to resist scratching and yellowing. To clean, brush off dirt and debris, then use a little soapy water to get stubborn stains off.

Storage

She loves classic wooden boats, is an America’s Boating Club member and plays in the Intracoastal Waterway.

Sunbrella has specially engineered fabric fibers that will withstand repeated cleaning and disinfecting with bleach or other chemicals without fear of fading or degrading the fabric that won’t void the warranty.

For more information and how to clean other stains, contact Sunbrella (SUNBRELLA.COM).

Curtains take up a lot of space and should be stored lying flat to prevent scratches. John’s Canvas has a patented Clearstow Boat Curtain Storage Bag that works like a dust cover. It cushions and separates the folds of the curtain in a heavy-duty zippered bag that can be stored away, such as under a bed. It comes in a standard size for $118, which includes shipping, or in custom sizes (CLEARSTOW.COM). ★

HELEN AITKEN is a boating writer, photographer and former science educator from eastern North Carolina.

A Catcher’s Mitt for Your Boat

With SeaPen, Craig Freeman helped bring a truly innovative docking solution to the U.S. market.

The boating business gets in your blood. It starts with multigenerational recreational boating and growing up on the water. Then you find a way to do what you love for a living, and that journey just might lead to a game-changing opportunity.

Enter Craig Freeman.

On a steamy August morning in the South Carolina Lowcountry, I met Freeman at his Beaufort home to talk about a unique in-water, dry-dock solution for boaters. I’d heard of SeaPen and understood the gist of how it worked, but I didn’t quite grasp the game-changing part.

That changed when Freeman walked me down the steeply pitched ramp to his floating dock on Battery Creek, now several feet below the bluff at low tide. A large Scout sat in its SeaPen, hull afloat yet 100% dry in the slip.

My host grinned.

Origin story

Freeman grew up in Massachusetts, and he spent countless happy hours sailing with his grandfather in Perkins Cove, Maine. But boating was a recreational activity, not a vocation; after he earned his business degree, he joined the family construction business.

Yet the water called. He purchased his first

boat, a 16-foot 1974 Dreamliner, at the age of 21 and fixed it up over the winter.

“It was my first experience with powerboats, and the boat had problems with its decking,” Freeman recalls. “So I sold it, and then I bought and sold probably five or six more. At that point, my wife said, ‘You love boating, so why not sell boats for a living?’

“We could’ve stayed in Massachusetts, but when I woke up one morning to snow and cold, I thought, I just can’t do it,” he adds with a laugh.

The Freemans moved to Beaufort roughly 18 years ago, just as they were expecting the first of their two children. He purchased a local boat dealership and ran it from 2005 to 2016.

“We were a top five Chris-Craft dealer, but the Great Recession was rough on the business,” Freeman notes. “I learned a lot, though, and I’m grateful that those lessons came early in my career.”

One day, a client in Australia sent him a photo of what seemed to be a portable dry-docking solution. Intrigued, Freeman flew Down Under to meet Mark Barber of Dockpro; Barber’s father, Allan, invented the SeaPen a couple of decades earlier and started the company in 2004.

When Freeman flew home, he had a distribution agreement for North America in hand.

“Mark wanted to do it originally, but every U.S. market is so unique,” he says.

“How do you manage that from the other side of the world? This was a good solution.”

Freeman co-founded Solstice Docking Solutions to handle SeaPen sales, distribution and installation. In the early days, he and his team definitely faced some challenges. For example, in Australia, the average size of a recreational boat was 25 to 28 feet. In the U.S., that swelled to 38 to 41 feet.

“All of the marketing materials from Australia focused on small boats,” Freeman explains. “I didn’t have the boats I needed in the pens to show people what was possible. Luckily, I got a few clients who

Craig Freeman (left)

saw the potential, and then I could get the right pictures and content.”

The American boating industry took notice. In 2019, SeaPen won the Miami International Boat Show Award for Innovation. Before long, Freeman was working closely with premium brands — such as Scout Boats, Chris-Craft and Pursuit — and with dealers.

How it works

As I walked around the Scout, I could see the boat sitting on a net made of breathable, UV-stabilized, marine-grade rope held within a high-density polyethylene frame. This unsinkable enclosure ties to any fixed or floating dock, and it allows the boat to float at water level.

Underneath the netting is a growth-resistant liner that acts as a protective barrier between the boat and the water. When you want to take your boat out for a cruise, you use your remote control to instruct the system to drop the SeaPen’s rear gate. Water floods into the pen, and in less than 10 minutes, you can reverse out of your slip and get on your way.

Once you’re back in your slip, close the rear gate, and the SeaPen system will pump all the water away from your boat within about 45 minutes. Thanks to an integrated-weight system designed to maximize air flow and channel the water, the hull will dry completely.

There are significant benefits to this system. For starters, there’s no danger of the boat falling due to a boat-lift mechanical failure, or getting stuck in the air if the power goes out (the SeaPen can be operated manually if necessary). The boat can’t sink at the dock, and if there is heavy rain, the SeaPen’s smart pump detects the water and automatically pumps it out.

“The SeaPen also will contain any spills, and you won’t have the expense or environmental worries that come along with bottom paint,” Freeman adds. “Anywhere you need bottom paint, there’s a reason to do this. You won’t have to drive pilings. You won’t have to hire an electrician to install heavy 220 power, because this runs on 110. And it’s easy to maintain since you’re not dealing with mechanical components. You’re just letting air out.”

I also liked the SeaPen’s accessibility factor. It’s easy to get in and out of a boat when it’s floating at water level, there’s no danger of falling between the boat and the dock, and you can reach the entire hull for cleaning; just step into the SeaPen and walk around.

Freeman took me for a short spin so I could experience all of this for myself. Another benefit became crystal clear as we motored back into the

slip: You don’t have to nail your angle perfectly, the way you do with a boat lift or trailer. You can be slightly off, and the boat will still slide into place. No scrambling for lines and fenders, and no need for yelling.

“It’s like a catcher’s mitt for your boat,” Freeman says.

Leveling up

In the beginning, Solstice Docking Solutions could provide SeaPens within a 10-hour drive from Beaufort. Today, it has products from Maine to Key West, it works closely with the One Water dealer group and MarineMax, and it has its first Great Lakes-based dealer, M.E. Yacht Restoration in Holland, Michigan. The company also has broadened its reach in North America, completing installations in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Guatemala.

At press time, Freeman and his team were preparing for the fall shows, including the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, and for an exciting new product development.

“We have a cellular-based box and app coming in October,” Freeman reveals. “You’ll be able to operate your SeaPen with your smartphone and receive push notifications for all activities. The app will have a FAQ section, customer support through an auto-contact form, and even a technician portal so we can handle diagnostics and programming remotely.”

That is the way of the future, after all. Freeman and his team clearly understand that, and they are investing time and money in research and development. It’s worth it, he notes, because they have something special.

“We’re offering a real solution for people, not presenting a new problem for them to solve on their own,” he says. “Running a boat dealership was fun, but with SeaPen, I saw the opportunity to help more people. And how often do you have a chance to bring something 100% new — a real innovation — to the market?” ★

To learn more, visit SOLSTICEDOCKING SOLUTIONS.COM

HEATHER STEINBERGER is an award-winning writer/editor who has specialized in boating, travel and outdoor adventure for more than 25 years.

Fratelli Aprea 780 Tradizionale

Pride and tradition run deep.

The Fratelli Aprea 780 is a boat with both a heritage and tradition borne of a sturdy and robust working-class fishing boat design dating back to the 1800s — one that was a mainstay on the Amalfi Coast.

“Timeless elegance built by hand with artisanal craftsmanship is what makes these boats unique,” says Michael Sinacola, CEO of Fratelli Aprea USA.

Fratelli Aprea’s 780 Tradizionale is a totally modern, hand-built update of the historic gozzo, a double-ended, well-built and seaworthy craft known for its stability. One look at what this boat presents, both inside and out, is what sets her apart from any other. With charming good looks and a practical yet elegant interior, along with a single Yanmar 125-hp diesel pushing it semi-displacement hull at a top speed of 16 knots and a cruise of 12 knots, she is as good as it gets for a day out with the family and friends

or a weekend getaway. Either way, she is a definite head-turner wherever she goes.

Where every detail counts, her customization includes a convertible forward berth, a galley with custom countertops, your choice of fine hardwoods and fabrics, as well as attention to detail elsewhere. This is all courtesy of six generations of boat builders, all artisans, all using hand tools, with everything fabricated in house. And on that point, the 780 Tradizionale is built the old-fashioned way with no computers, lasers or assembly lines.

“Seaworthiness is built-in with our heritage of fishing,” Sinacola says. “What we have built here is a reputation based on pride of delivering a superior product to every client along with exquisite attention to detail by passionate and artistic people.”

Consider the Fratelli Aprea 780 Tradizionale if you are looking for a personal statement of ownership. ★

Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht

Built to enjoy.

Long a mainstay on the international boating scene, with a solid reputation of designing, engineering and building the kind of yachts able to take the tough waters of Australia and beyond, Riviera presents its 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition.

“Courtesy of her ingenious design, the new 4600 Sport Yacht presents a superb level of living, entertaining and accommodation spaces,” says Stephen Milne, Riviera brand and communications director.

Easily blending innovation, style and luxurious accommodations, the Riviera Design Team, in collaboration with 4D Designs, has equipped this yacht with three staterooms, including a full-beam master, lots of headroom and large windows all around to create a pleasing, well-lit interior.

Her sleek and dynamic exterior is only a prelude of what awaits as soon as you board. The boat is designed for maximizing your time while at the dock or underway, from the hydraulically operated

swim platform with optional slides for a tender up to 9 feet in length, to the cockpit garage, the main deck’s entertaining space with bbq, and the starboard, wraparound lounge. Overhead is a pair of sunroofs, while access to the spacious foredeck with its three sunpads is via either port or starboard sides.

“Being a Platinum Edition, the 4600 Sport Yacht offers an inspiring collection of fine appointments,” Milne adds.

The galley is to port and the helm is forward, also to port, where a comfortable and exciting space awaits. Fully forward and on the centerline is a dining area that is bathed in natural light during the day and appropriately lit at night.

Adding to the experience is the exceptional attention to detail, masterful fit and finish to all the woodwork, and ample storage space for those extended times away from the dock. And aboard this yacht, there will be plenty of those. ★

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA (w/ platform): 50'3" Beam: 15'5" Draft: 4'3"

Dry Weight: 42,329 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 555 gals. Water Capacity: 164 gals.

Std. Power: 2 x Volvo Penta D6-IPS650 480-hp MSRP: $1,346,400

Sea Pro 199 CC

New attitude.

The distinctive and highly recognizable Sea Pro logo on the aft corners of the 199 CC means you can be sure of performance, innovation and value. You also get peace of mind, courtesy of a well-built boat covered by one of the marine industry’s leading warranties.

“We use only top-quality resin, fiberglass and gelcoats in every model, regardless of size,” says Mike Youngblood, national sales manager for Sea Pro Boats.

The Sea Pro 199 CC’s South Carolina heritage is built to take the rigors of any kind of fishing you may wish. She is equally at home as a family dayboat, able to deliver fun and enjoyment on the water. And that is something veteran boaters Lisa Stressler and Randy Grow, the proud owners of a 199 CC, can readily attest to.

“We would try not to step on land if we had the choice,” Stressler says. “We are big boat

users and wanted something to plunk around in. She is easily trailered, stable underway, handles rough water well, and is set up for fishing with plenty of room for seven.”

The Sea Pro 199 CC is loaded with standard features, including Audison sound equipment and Simrad electronics, SeaStar power assist steering with 150-hp engines and up, manifold drain systems and high-volume cockpit drains, and “Sea Pro Connect” by Boat Fix — an app-based telematics system that monitors your boat remotely with a 24/7 customer service hotline.

You can also dress up your 199 CC with such options as a fiberglass T-top, a choice of nine hull colors, underwater lights, a removable bow table, outriggers and additional rod holders.

“Our 199 CC fills the niche for entry-level or in-the-know boaters,” Stressler says. “We did our research and knew what we wanted.” ★

Sunseeker Superhawk 55

Luxury and speed.

With a well-deserved reputation for a quality build along with outstanding interiors, Sunseeker has all but reinvented its Superhawk 55 performance yacht.

The highly anticipated return of the Superhawk line, missing since 2009, is fully achieved with this beautiful, updated speedster. Offering a sleek and eye-catching exterior, typified by dramatic lines and a profile that promises excitement with every outing, the Sunseeker Superhawk 55 is equally at home with day trips as well as extended times away from the dock.

“We are so excited to have a new model in the iconic Superhawk lineage,” says Jim Kehrig, Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales Sunseeker brand manager.

Whether inside or out, large windows all around allow ambient light to fill every space. Easily board aft, courtesy of the extended swim platform, where the space is filled with

comfortable lounging and dining areas, a dramatic centerline helm with full-beam wetbar just behind it, and portside door access to the expansive bow area complete with forward sunpads and additional seating. Below decks is a two-stateroom, two-head configuration, with an optional third cabin available as well.

While beautiful to look at, she also offers exciting speed and handling. Powered by a pair of Volvo Penta IPS 950 diesel inboards, this thoroughbred performer will, with proper sea conditions, have you speeding along at up to 38 knots.

“Playing in the bay with family, going to dinner with friends, overnighting at your favorite weekend port, or just cruising on a beautiful day, the new Superhawk 55 will be a great experience,” Kehrig adds.

The Sunseeker Superhawk 55 promises, and delivers, on everything you may want from a performance yacht of her size. ★

SPECIFICATIONS

LOA: 56'3"

Beam: 16'2"

Draft: 4'2"

Dry Weight: 48,017 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 476 gals.

Water Capacity: 114 gals.

Power: 2 x Volvo Penta IPS 950 diesel engines

MSRP: Contact dealer SUNSEEKER.COM

DEALER

Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales

St. Clair Shores, MI; Charlevoix, MI; Holland, MI; Grand Haven, MI; Spring Lake, MI; Chicago, IL; Marblehead, OH, Naples, FL JBYS.COM

PURSUIT OS 445

PURSUIT’S PICTURE WINDOW.

by Alan Wendt

Cruising along the St. Clair River just north of Detroit, I’m in awe of the estate homes and their megalithic picture windows. A parade of Great Lakes freighters, gleaming yachts and the procession of dayboats is a relaxing reward passed along generation to generation. This image is precisely what popped into mind as we boarded Pursuit’s magnificent new flagship, the Offshore 445 (OS 445). Eyes immediately focus forward to a single-piece, 11-foot-wide laminated windshield. Breathtaking, offering unobstructed views, this is an architectural achievement for a curved, framed windshield. Pursuit uses several such treatments throughout this new boat to welcome in natural lighting, while seamlessly supporting a bridge enclosure that envelopes the helm and most of the upper living space in a fully air-conditioned environment. Missing from view are the traditional welded pipes that so often support a hardtop.

FLAGSHIP FEATURES

As a flagship, the OS 445 is a collection of customerdriven focus group features and, not surprisingly, existing Pursuit owners make up the majority of booked orders for the next couple of years. As the model pronoun suggests, OS is built for more than a day of fishing offshore. Below decks are well-laid-out staterooms for overnighting and extended cruising.

The primary stateroom is built around an oversized island berth with a hybrid memory foam/innerspring mattress. Features like wood-lined his and her hanging lockers, matching under-berth slide-out drawers and a dedicated area for applying makeup check every box of an experienced cruising couple. Extra storage is found inside the island support, including storage room for up to four rods. And at the cost of competitive fishing tackle, that really is like stuffing money in the mattress. Both the main and guest stateroom have individual flat-screen TVs. The guest quarters are configured to remove the stigma of having to crawl into a berth beneath a deck; an abundance of headroom allows for dressing and moving about. The shower, head and sink vanity are to port and are easily shared by two people at once. A private door to the owner’s stateroom offers a modicum of modesty, but as lifelong boaters know, after the first 24 hours aboard, we all dispense with formalities.

What I did find useful was a hinged stairway that lifts, revealing a cavernous storage area in unused space aft of the staterooms. Pursuit pointed out this is an excellent area to store cases of water, additional gear or maybe even a spare set of props.

TO YOUR TASTE

Those props attach to a triple array of Yamaha’s beastly 425-hp V8 XTO Offshore outboards. With a 600-gallon fuel tank, range at cruise is around 350 statute miles with a cruise speed at 30.4 mph. At the helm, joystick control makes docking easy. Standard electronics include two whopping 22-inch Garmin MFDs connected to a 1000W CHIRP Transducer. Hull No. 1 was equipped with an onboard rear-facing camera, a FLIR thermal imaging camera, 4-foot open array radar and, of course, a read-out for every digital component onboard.

An area of major surprise and delight was an optional third flat-screen multifunctional device recessed in front of the co-pilot’s companion seat on the port side. My wife and I like to share the helm time, but after a long day of running, stormy weather, or feeling your way back to port in a sudden fog bank, having the ability for a second set of eyes to pull up a chart and independently zoom in or out without

affecting the skipper’s screen must be one of the best focus group ideas ever. If Pursuit added a second VHF here too, the odds increase for matrimonial bliss.

PURSUIT INNOVATION

Behind the helm seats, the guest seating area and galley — complete with a two-burner stove, a microwave and a two-drawer refrigerator/freezer — create a perfect place to enjoy the ride or entertain at the dock.

Separating the bridge deck from the aft cockpit is a yacht-like stainless framed door and half window that raises up, creating one with the water. The aft deck is tricked out for fishing, with ubiquitous in-floor fishboxes, livewells, a dive door to port, a bait prep area and rod holders. Outriggers on the OS 445 fold inward and neatly store above the hardtop bridge, creating very clean sightlines. A retractable shade slides out to cover a good portion of the rear-facing seat or the bench seat that folds neatly out of the way into the transom.

Another Pursuit innovation is in the transom fishbox. Here, Dometic created a custom refrigeration unit with coolant coils circulating behind the fiberglass finish. In all, there are three dedicated coolers onboard that can be adjusted to use as refrigerators or freezers.

Like most offshore boats today, the OS 445 includes a Seakeeper to smooth out the ride.

For those looking to catch rays not fish, a dual, built-in sunpad lounger is found on the forward deck. Further forward is a built-in bench seat for two, creating a third entertainment zone aboard. And for those who want to dip their toes in the water, the starboard side electro-hydraulic hullside beach platform is a great place to relax.

Performance? We had a flat day, at times washboard-style chop for testing. With the rear door and window open, the triple engines can be quite loud. Seal everything up and decibels drop dramatically, and smiles return to everyone’s face. Turns were solid; you did feel the chop when crossing wakes, but with the Zipwake dynamic trim control system, I can’t imagine anything but a full-blown storm ruining the ride.

This model will surely appeal to experienced boaters whose time on the water includes fishing; however, Pursuit expects the newest generation of boaters, those 45 and younger, are going to spend more time overnighting, vacationing aboard and possibly weekending with another couple. Not a seismic change on the buyer needle, but certainly one of the emerging social changes brought about by the pandemic. H

erched on the eastern shores of Little Traverse Bay, Harbor Springs and the surrounding Northern Michigan area is a terrific place to be a boater. With lots of nearby Lake Michigan ports to traverse, there can’t be many better places in the world to explore by water.

Docked at Walstrom Marine, I got a chance to sea trial the luxurious 2022 Tiara Yachts 43 LE matched with Mercury Marine’s new Verado 600-hp V12 outboards — the perfect package for such an adventure in this boating paradise. It’s hard to believe the words “outboard” and “luxurious” can be found in the same sentence, but the innovation and advancements behind these outboard engines is truly incredible.

The Tiara Yachts 43 LE is the perfect example of how well the two words can coexist. With the 600-hp Verado V12 outboards mounted at the transom, the boat gains all of the space-saving, high-performance benefits while sacrificing nothing at all.

The 43 LE does not look like a luxury powerboat that someone stuck outboards on just to keep up with the competition. It has a balanced appearance that makes the outboards look right at home, just like other models in the company’s sporty LS and LX lines.

BY CHUCK WARREN

A cross between a capable dayboat and luxury overnighter, the 43 LE is outfitted with standard features that create the best of both worlds with lots of room above and below for entertaining friends or getting away from the crowd.

The boat is easy to board, whether you are stepping through the starboard-side boarding door or onto the roomy swim platform made more usable by the large deck covering any cabling from the engines.

The platform is also well-designed for playing in the water, with enough real estate to make getting in and out easy and no need to know any dance moves to get to the cockpit.

Rich with features

In the aft cockpit, Tiara’s innovative rotating All-Sport Lounge Module sits in the middle of the space. Release the lock and the module spins to face aft, or create a social zone by turning 180 degrees to face other seating and create the most usable deck space possible.

The rotating seats also work in tandem with one of the Tiara 43 LE’s best features — the portside terrace. With the hull side folded down to create extra deck space, the rotating seats can be turned to have an unbroken view of the sunset without blocking the flow of foot traffic.

The patio also includes a port for the removable swim ladder, creating another easy way to get in and out of the water.

At the helm and in the mid-cockpit, plenty of seating can accommodate lots of guests, while twin cold storage drawers hold plenty of refreshments. There is lots of storage hidden throughout the space. A retractable cockpit TV is hidden in the hardtop, as is an aft sunshade.

Below and forward, the main cabin features a queen bed and lots of headroom, with loads of light pouring through the hullside windows. To starboard, the roomy head and separate shower provide plenty of space for cleaning up, while access to the mid-cabin guest quarters can be found to port.

Both spaces are bright and airy, and even provide plenty of privacy and room for four people to spend a comfortable weekend on the water.

Abundant treasures

The list of standard features on the Tiara Yachts 43 LE is incredibly impressive, and very welcome. There is no real need to add anything in order to create a beautifully appointed powerboat — it just comes that way.

A retractable sunshade at the aft end of the hardtop provides some escape from the heat, while a 9kw diesel generator can keep the electric grill hot, the flat-screen TV playing, or the heat or AC blowing whenever desired.

Other standard features include the anchor windlass, retractable power cord, bow thruster and the gorgeous

architectural teak and driftwood interior below. Twin 16-inch Garmin screens keep the captain informed and the boat pointed in the right direction.

Hidden gems

The Tiara 43 LE is a beautiful boat in its own right, but it is made even more so by the addition of Mercury’s engines. The Mercury Verado 600 engines provide something truly amazing to the package. The twin V12’s push the boat to nearly 55 mph at wide open throttle, with a comfortable cruise of about 43 mph.

The 43 LE’s ride and performance are impressive. The boat jumps quickly on plane with little bow rise and handles like a smaller boat, but the most incredible treat is the level of noise while underway.

There is none. Well, almost none.

With 1,200 hp at the transom, you might expect to yell across the cockpit to carry on a conversation. However, the 43 LE and Mercury 600 Verados are so incredibly quiet it’s hard to believe.

The boat has very little hull or wind noise either, making it easy to make use of the boat’s social zones for conversation whether sitting at the dock or flying across the water. Retractable isinglass doors make it even more quiet and help with climate control in the helm and mid-cockpit space.

Quick, quiet and luxurious — with the 43 LE sporting Mercury’s new Verado 600s, Tiara Yachts has added another truly beautiful jewel to its already impressive crown. ★

BOATING TRENDS FOR 2023

GREATER AUTONOMY

If there’s one area where we’ve seen huge advances recently, it’s in boats having greater degrees of autonomy. Where it used to take boat owners time to learn how to do even basic things, now most functions are completely automatic. Amenities like automatic trim adjust the engine while underway, so passengers enjoy a smooth ride without requiring any tinkering on the part of the driver. Similarly, today’s joystick piloting systems allow anyone to dock the boat like a pro the first time out, and without regard for the effects of winds, currents or boat wakes.

While fully autonomous, self-driving boats are still a few years off, they are definitely on the horizon with several boat and engine companies already working toward bringing the technology to market.

USB CHARGERS EVERYWHERE

In a world where we all rely so heavily on our mobile phones, portable tablets and digital watches, no one ever wants to run out of juice. That’s why boats today now come with more power outlets and charging options than ever.

Where most boats used to come with a single 12V outlet at the helm, today it’s far more common to find them with multiple USB ports located throughout the boat so that multiple devices can be charged at once. Wireless charging pads have also found their way onboard more and more boats, providing even greater convenience.

MAIN PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY; AUTONOMY

PHOTO COURTESY OF MERCURY MARINE; USB PHOTO BY CRAIG RITCHIE

Boating is getting easier all the time, and especially these days with record numbers of first-time buyers entering the market. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, more than 35% of all buyers last year purchased a boat for the very first time. What’s more, a surprising proportion of these new boaters come from families with no past history of boat ownership.

What this means is that there are a huge number of people entering dealer showrooms and walking the docks at major boat shows these days with no preconceptions of

what they should expect to see on a list of standard features. Overwhelmingly, new buyers are demanding the same comforts and conveniences onboard their boat that they already enjoy in their homes and their cars. The result is that they’re driving major changes in the way that boats are built and the way they’re being equipped.

So what are the hottest trends in boating today? Here are 12 examples of major shifts taking place in the market right now, and things to watch for next time you walk through a boat show or visit a dealership eyeing the new models.

CAMERAS EVERYWHERE

YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and a hundred other social media platforms confirm we like to stay in touch with friends, and particularly by sharing our daily activities. As a result, boats are increasingly being designed with integral cameras and mounts for capturing those moments. Most connect via onboard Wi-Fi to either a multifunction display at the helm or a remote app on a linked smartphone, allowing us to stream the day’s accomplishments live as they happen.

REMOTE CONTROL, ONBOARD AND OFF

While transom remotes for the onboard stereo have been around for a while, more recently wireless remote controls have caught on in a big way and are a fast-emerging trend on many boats. Wi-Fi technology allows wakesurfers to control the attributes of their surf wave right from a smart watch, for example, controlling its height, direction and pitch. Phone apps and digital switching capabilities now allow some boat owners to control onboard electrical functions from home — remotely turning on the power to the air conditioning and the onboard fridge, for example, so everything’s nice and cool by the time they arrive at the dock.

STABILIZERS FOR THE MASSES

It used to be that stabilizer systems only existed for cruise ships and huge luxury yachts. But now, wave-taming stabilizers can be found in boats down to around 20 feet. Gyroscopic devices, which mount out of sight in a floor cavity or unused storage compartment, spin at an incredibly high rate of speed to counteract choppy water, balancing the boat in the waves and reducing roll by up to 95%. Although they’re not cheap, the devices make such a difference in onboard comfort that they’re rapidly becoming table stakes on high-end boats. More recently, less expensive vessel attitude control systems like the Seakeeper Ride promise to eliminate up to 70% of pitch and roll while underway, truly bringing stabilization to the masses.

BUILT FOR KIDS

Today’s boats are more kid-friendly than ever, reflecting the fact that the vast majority of them continue to be bought for family fun. Amenities for little ones include features like extended swim platforms for a running start on wicked cannonballs and space for carrying toys like inflatable tubes or Lilypad rolls. Fast-drying woven floors better accommodate wet swimmers getting in and out of the boat than traditional carpet, while stain-resistant vinyls used in seating mean a dropped hot dog loaded with ketchup and mustard doesn’t turn into a permanent mess.

LOW MAINTENANCE, PLEASE

Busy families want to spend their time enjoying the boat — not cleaning it or maintaining it. That’s a big reason we’re seeing a steady move away from carpeted floors in boats and toward vinyls and PVC flooring like SeaDek. Apart from being more durable than carpet, synthetics are far easier to clean. End-of-day cleanups require nothing more than a quick squirt with a garden hose — or increasingly, a built-in onboard sprayer for this very purpose. The water simply runs out the floor drains taking all the sand and debris with it, leaving the boat looking like-new in just a few minutes.

INCREASED TELEMATICS

Making life aboard as easy as possible extends to keeping track of the boat’s usage. Increasingly, this is being left to an app on the owner’s smartphone, which tracks how much the boat is being used in order to keep tabs on its hours, so the app can let owners know when they’re coming due for basic maintenance items like oil changes. The app can even connect to the local dealership, so they can schedule the work when it’s most convenient to the boat owner. These apps are great, and replace the old dashboard logbook for good.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SEAKEEPER; SMOKERCRAFT, BOSTON WHALER; MERCURY MARINE

MORE SUN PROTECTION

Everybody likes to get out in the summer sun, but not to the point we start to burn. That’s why more and more boats today come with some sort of sunshade as a standard feature or a highly attractive option.

Hardtops, Bimini tops, pole shades and even power retractable awnings all provide a break from the midday heat, and are increasingly being included as standard features onboard new boats. But they’re also highly popular retrofit items that can be easily added to any vessel.

Probably the fastest-growing trend right now is the power Bimini top. Putting up the Bimini can be a chore for even experienced boaters, but the power top makes deploying or retracting the top push-button easy. Now that’s cool.

WASHROOMS

While washrooms on boats are nothing new, washrooms on smaller boats certainly are, and they’re a fast-growing trend in boating worldwide. Thanks to some innovative engineering, today increasingly smaller vessels like center consoles, pontoons and even inflatables come with facilities — a very welcome addition that’s appreciated by just about everyone.

MULTIFUNCTION SEATING

Big comfy seats are a great thing to have onboard, but they do eat up a lot of space on a boat. That’s why we’re seeing new approaches to seating that provide more functionality and better space utilization. Seats that fold out of the way when they’re not needed have become extremely popular, particularly on fishing boats where room in the cockpit is always at a premium.

But space-saving seating has even become popular on pontoon boats, where rear sun loungers can adjust to provide forward- or aft-facing seating as well, or fold up to become an onboard bar.

GLASS HELMS

Forget the old days of endless dials and gauges — boats today present all the information the driver needs on one or more touchscreen, multifunction displays. Styled like the cockpit of a jet fighter, these so-called glass helms not only provide a much cleaner look and simplified operation, but allow boat builders to present even more information in less space.

Using familiar smartphone-like gestures and icons, boaters can easily navigate through the glass helm menus to display engine data, GPS maps, fish finder information or just change the music on the stereo — all with just the flick of a finger. What’s more, because the helm has now been fully digitized, almost everything can also be remotely controlled through a phone app or even a smart watch. Talk about convenience! H

Abel Hand

BY JANE AMMESON

The history and traditions of Abel Hand, a classic Elco Motor Yacht said to have been purchased by Colonel Charles Lindbergh shortly after he famously flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean, are intertwined with the Portanova family who bought the 38-foot wood cruiser 42 years ago.

“I remember playing on the deck when I was little,” says Zeb Portanova, who was one year old when his parents, Wayne Portanova and Linda Hoges, bought the boat in 1980, bringing it to Les Cheneaux, an archipelago of 36 islands edging the southeastern shoreline of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in Lake Huron. Named by the French voyageurs who navigated these waters, Les Cheneaux translates to “the channels,” a much less romantic sounding name.

The Portanovas, who have a home on one of the smaller islands in Les Cheneaux, acquired Abel Hand nine years after it had undergone a $165,000 restoration. During those early years, Abel Hand was one of the most recognizable vessels in Les Cheneaux,

not an easy task in a region known for polished mahogany and teak classics as well as its annual Antique Wooden Boat Show held each August, which is now in its 44th year.

But life changes. The Portanovas divorced and Wayne, who now lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, kept the boat in Little Current, Ontario. Dry docked for 20 years, Zeb Portanova purchased Abel Hand from his father in 2021 and commissioned Brad Koster — who with his wife, Shelley, owns E. J. Mertaugh Boat Works (EJMBW) in Hessel, Michigan — to bring it back to its original glory, albeit with more modern conveniences.

“Restoring a wooden boat of this magnitude isn’t easy,” Portanova says about the project, which will take another year. “Only a handful of people have the knowledge and skill that’s required to do this job.”

A NATURAL MATCH

The history of EJMBW goes even further back than the Abel Hand. It was founded in 1925 by Gene Mertaugh, who made his company

the first franchised Chris-Craft dealership in the world by navigating his inventory up Lake Huron via compass one boat at a time, says Audrey Hoveland, the daughter of Brad and Shelley, who also works in the family business. Because of its proximity to Canada where liquor was legal, some of these boats were used during prohibition to smuggle booze to speakeasies on Mackinac Island just 17 miles away. Indeed, the Grand Hotel located on Mackinac acknowledges the days when it not only had a speakeasy but also slot machines — a colorful, though much different image than the one we have of the stately resort today.

But Abel Hand isn’t the only heritage watercraft in Les Cheneaux.

“Some boats have remained in the same ancestral boathouses that line the channels of Les Cheneaux’s islands,” Hoveland says.

“I knew of the Abel Hand and I was familiar with [the fact] that it had left for a time,” Koster says.

“When we had the boat taken to Mertaugh’s last year, people remembered

The Abel Hand on arrival at E. J. Mertaugh Boat Works in Hessel, Michigan.

Said to have been purchased by Colonel Charles Lindbergh shortly after he became the first person to fly solo around the world, it or a similar boat was used on his honeymoon with Anne Morrow.

FRAMED IN TIME

Photographers snapped shots of Mouette (another French term, this one meaning butterfly) showing it plying the waters off the East Coast, and they’re such masterpieces that they still sell online.

the boat from all those years ago,” Portanova recalls.

Mertaugh Boat Works is no longer a ChrisCraft dealer, but a full-service marina — one with a reputation for restoring wooden boats. “Our facilities boast a 75-ton travel lift, heated and cold storage buildings and Honda- and Yamaha-certified mechanics,” Hoveland says. “MBW is not only up to snuff for 21st century marine services but maintains a deep knowledge of the bygone era of wooden and antique boat building techniques and motors.”

MOUETTE OR NOT?

As for the true provenance of Abel Hand and whether it was originally the Mouette, the name Lindbergh gave his boat, is a mystery shrouded by time.

Newspaper articles from the late 1920s recount Lindy wearing dark glasses, arriving by boat to come ashore when honeymooning with his new bride, Anne Morrow. In 1979, a New York Times article identified Abel Hand as once being this boat, the Mouette.

An ad when it was for sale the next year, reads: “The Abel Hand is possibly the finest restoration of all classic yachts, with over a 22,000 man-hour restoration: Frames, planking, pilothouse, sole replaced. A relentless quest for perfection. The Abel Hand, originally christened Mouette in 1929, and rumored to have been built as the honeymoon yacht for Colonel Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow, is an historic masterpiece.”

The Portanova family believes the Abel Hand is the Mouette, but others are not too sure. One reason for the confusion is that at that time in Lindy’s life he was being hounded by fans and press and extremely secretive about acquiring the boat, which cost $10,750. But no matter whether Lindy and Morrow once owned this particular boat, it’s beyond magnificent, according to Koster.

“The boat is so unique, and structurally it’s in excellent condition,” Koster says, adding that EJMBW is installing all-new AC/DC systems, new hydraulic steering, a modern head and updated galley appliances.

THE ART OF RESTORATION

E. J. Mertaugh Boat Works has completed full restorations on all types of woodies. “Our vast portfolio includes an array of wooden boats from Garwood to Chris-Craft to Lyman to Thompson,” says Audrey Hoveland.

“We fully restored the very last wooden Matthews ever made, a 48foot cruiser; a Sparkman & Stephens sailboat named Annalise; a 1908 launch named Ooh La La, and countless others of all shapes and sizes.”

Other restoration work includes re-powering with a Cummins diesel motor, ZF gear and an Onan generator; new upholstery in forward and aft cabins; modern navigational equipment; refinishing all interior and exterior bright work; as well as new exterior teak decks and interior floor coverings.

“The helm is really spectacular — with an old-fashioned wood steering wheel, brass gears and a unique compass that’s original to the boat,” he continues. “The interior is varnished and painted wood. For me, it’s a really special and unique opportunity to work on this boat and it’s really great that it’ll be back in use by the family.”

For his part, Portanova is looking forward to creating memories similar to those from his own youth with his wife, Barbara, and their two young daughters.

“We have a family home on Boot Island,” he says, referring to the remote, isolated island with just a handful of homes and accessible only by boat. “I’m looking forward to being back onboard.” ★

Brad Koster, who with his wife, Shelley, owns EJMBW, describes the boat as being in excellent structural condition.

After 20 years in storage, Zeb Portanova hired Brad Koster, owner of EJMBW, to restore the boat to its former glory.

A classic Elco Motor Yacht, the 38-foot wood cruiser was purchased by the Portanova family 42 years ago.

On a sunny summer afternoon, the parking lot at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is filled with vehicles sporting license plates from more than two dozen states and a couple of Canadian provinces. But they don’t tell the whole story of who’s exploring the site.

“We get visitors from all over the planet,” says Corey Adkins, communications and content director for the non-profit museum at Whitefish Point. Given the remote location at the most northern point of Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula, “It’s curiosity, and maybe even a sense of adventure” that draws the crowds, says Adkins. “You have to want to be here.”

Whitefish Point, on Lake Superior’s “Shipwreck Coast,” is long on tales of mariners lost, natural wonders and spectacular skies, and short on hustle and bustle.

BY KATH USITALO

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK

WHITEFISH POINT, MI

PARADISE, MI

Lake Superior Sault Ste. Marie

The museum is an 11-mile drive north of the hamlet of Paradise, located at the top of the peninsula that shapes the natural harbor of Whitefish Bay. Every boat traveling to and from the Soo Locks, the navigational link between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, passes Whitefish Point and the 80-mile stretch of shoreline westward known as the “Shipwreck Coast.” It earned its ominous name because it’s the final resting place of more than 200 vessels. Many of the lost craft are yet to be located, but the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, with its 47-foot research vessel David Boyd, continues to seek out shipwrecks. In 2021, the team found nine ships, including the 172-foot schooner-barge Atlanta, which sank in 1891. Experienced recreational divers can explore 29 wrecks, at depths from 10 to 270 feet, that are protected by the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve.

Best known among Great Lakes shipwrecks is the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, the ore carrier that went down in a fierce storm on November 10, 1975, 17 miles northwest of Whitefish Point. Colossal waves and gale force winds certainly contributed to the loss, but there’s no conclusive explanation for what broke the boat in two and sent it, and all 29 crew members, 535 feet beneath the surface.

In 1995, an expedition retrieved the bell of the Fitzgerald and replaced it with a replica bearing the names of the lost men. The original bell is prominently displayed in the dramatically lit Shipwreck Museum, where exhibits and artifacts tell the somber stories of several wrecks. Catch the museum’s short film and additional exhibits in the Surfboat House, Navy Radio Building and Lightkeeper’s Quarters adjacent to the active beacon. The first lighthouse at the site was built in 1849 and was replaced in 1861 by the current tower, which is the oldest operating light on Lake Superior.

After touring the museum buildings, stroll the boardwalk to the beach, where rockhounds search for agates and others watch for passing freighters, or contemplate the majesty of Superior and what lies beneath.

Lighthouses and Yooperlites

Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state, and two are within close proximity of the tower at Whitefish Point. Southeast of Paradise in Brimley, the first Point Iroquois light, dating to 1871, served as a signal for freighters at the Soo Locks. It now operates as a museum. To the west of Whitefish Point, the remote Crisp Point Lighthouse is a bucket list destination for light lovers. Ellen Eskola Kehoe and Nancy Musser made the trek as part of a self-guided Great Lakes lighthouse tour. After a long,

TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF MUSEUM; MIDDLE AND BOTTOM PHOTOS BY KATH USITALO

Agate rockhounds at Whitefish Point

The original bell of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

slow, 18-mile drive on a gravel road, they reached the isolated light and climbed the 58-foot tower for views that Kehoe describes as “breathtaking.”

“It was so worth it,” she says. “It was the crowning achievement of our trip.”

Early this summer, Jan Hull Sartorius made her first visit to Whitefish Point with her son, Brian, and his children, ages 10 and 11. “It’s a different world,” she says of this corner of the U.P. “The kids learned to fish. We had a picnic lunch on the beach.”

A highlight was their search for fluorescent sodalite, which looks like a plain gray rock but emits an orange glow when hit with a UV light. In 2017 a local rock collector, Erik Rintamaki, found the first specimens when he was out at night searching for fluorescing agates. He discovered the glowing rocks and named them Yooperlites (U.P. residents call themselves Yoopers). They now draw throngs armed with black lights to Lake Superior’s shore (though it’s important to note that rock collecting isn’t permitted at Whitefish Point). The Sartorius family, after taking in a spectacular sunset and star show from the beach, was rewarded on their hunt for the glittering rocks.

“It was just beautiful,” Sartorius says of the overall experience. “Such a peaceful trip.”

Connect with nature

At her gallery and gift shop in Paradise, photographer Frances Czapski meets visitors who come to the area because of its wilderness qualities, and a surprising number who, she says, “Just stumble upon it.” Many say they cannot shake their impressions of Whitefish Point, and they just have to return. Czapski identifies with that.

Growing up, Czapski’s family visited the area every summer and, she says, “I always wondered what it would be like to live year-round in Paradise. I felt such a great connection to the natural world.”

The self-taught photographer is fulfilling her dream by selling prints, greeting cards, jigsaw puzzles and other gifts carrying her images.

“I love exploring the area with my camera,” she says. “Looking through the lens, I have been forced to slow down. I love that aspect of it, being able to get out, disconnect, listen to the lake, connect with nature.”

Czapski notices a trend of visitors staying longer in one place and getting to know it.

“There’s great value in seeing fewer places but experiencing them more,” she says. “Just to be out there in nature, being inspired by the intensity of Lake Superior and the remoteness of the area. You can get lost for hours and wander; just let time go. Not have a connection to technology, because it doesn’t always work. I think that’s a positive.”

Point Iroquois Light Crisp Point Lighthouse

Yooperlites (otherwise known as florescent sodalite)

The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory has documented more than 340 species of birds, including raptors, owls, waterbirds and songbirds, making it a popular birding destination for visitors to Whitefish Point.

Birds, berries and root beer Falls

In addition to its nautical history, Whitefish Point is an important stop for tens of thousands of migratory birds as they cross Lake Superior each spring and fall. WPBO, a program of Michigan Audubon, conducts annual migration counts and owl banding, which visitors can watch on select dates.

The forests of Paradise were logged out in the period from the late 1800s to the 1920s. The cut-over land proved ideal for wild blueberries that were so plentiful they were called “blue gold” and harvested and shipped to Midwestern cities. Although the industry declined during World War II, the fruit is still plentiful enough for Paradise to claim the title of Wild Blueberry Capital of Michigan, which is celebrated with a festival each August. The event features a blueberry brunch, blueberry pie, a juried art fair and live entertainment. Artist Mona Posinoff of Florida, who spends summers in the U.P., has exhibited her Beyond Fusion fired glass jewelry plus pottery pieces at the art fair. But, she says, “Let’s be honest, the blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream is really why we go to the festival. I mean, you just gobble it down.”

No trip to Paradise is complete without a visit to the 50,000-acre Tahquamenon Falls State Park, where the impressive Upper Falls rush over a 200-foot-wide, 50-foot drop. Steps lead down to viewing platforms for a closer look at the water, which has distinctive stripes of brown from tannins that leach from the cedar, spruce and hemlock in swamps drained by the river. Combined with foam created by the churning water, the “root beer falls”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF (TOP TO BOTTOM): TAHQUAMENON

FALLS FACEBOOK; WILD BLUEBERRY FEST FACEBOOK; WPBO FACEBOOK

Upper Tahquamenon Falls

Wild Blueberry Festival pie making

A bird’s paradise

nickname is understandable. It’s a short drive or four-mile hike to the Lower Falls, a series of five small cascades ideal for splashing and wading. A small island can be reached by rental row boats and a new 142-foot accessible pedestrian bridge. The park is open year-round, and the falls are spectacular framed by autumn color or winter’s ice formations.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Yes, there are cheeseburgers in Paradise, and much more on the menu. The Inn Gastropub & Smokehouse makes just about everything — including the ketchup — in house. The Reuben sandwich gets rave reviews for house-smoked corned beef and homemade kraut. Specials like roasted Hubbard squash ravioli with Frangelico cream, toasted almonds and brown butter sell out quickly. Everyone saves room for the carrot cake with caramel sauce and candied walnuts or Grandma Terri’s cheesecake. And that burger? The beef has bacon ground into the mix.

For fresh whitefish straight from Lake Superior, it’s hard to beat Brown Fisheries Fish House.

“Grandpa started the business in the 1930s” says Cathy Brown. “Dad started smoking fish in the 1970s.”

In 1992, Tom Brown opened a simple, seasonal restaurant that reminded him of fish shacks in Florida. The star of the menu is deep-fried whitefish caught fresh that morning, with homemade tartar sauce and Coleslaw on the side. If the day’s haul is good, the Fish House is open for lunch and dinner. Otherwise, the kitchen closes when the fish is gone. ★

Boyne City, MI

Inspired design just steps from the water.

Sunlight, a sophisticated, modern design and glorious views of Lake Charlevoix immediately envelop you as you step into this design-centric Boyne City home. Situated along 100 feet of Lake Charlevoix waterfront, the home is a lakefront paradise that is as inviting inside as it is outside.

Hand-selected interior design elements speak to the quality and care that was taken with every detail of this home. Brush-painted tile flooring, arched windows, hammered and polished brass and intimate lighting are just a few of the details that catch your attention.

Fully remodeled in 2019, the five-bedroom, six-bathroom home features a beautiful kitchen with new appliances, including a Sub-Zero refrigerator and double dishwashers. Expansive windows look out onto Lake Charlevoix, flooding the home with light and impressive views of the lake.

“When you step inside the front door, there’s an

immediate sense of splendor and sophistication, drawing you into the living area where big-picture lake views provide a serene backdrop, flooding the space with beautiful light,” says Realtor Pat O’Brien. “A spacious lakeside patio extends seamlessly from the main floor kitchen, and again from the lower-level living room where the bonfire pit, beach and dock are just steps from the glass doors. Unique architectural features and designer style make this lake house incredibly brilliant.”

An award-winning outdoor living space invites you to enjoy alfresco dining, waterfront fun, a fireside chat or a breathtaking sunset. At 5,916 square feet, this home offers the best of all worlds and plenty of space for family and friends, whether you’re looking to enjoy the splendor of Lake Charlevoix, set out from your personal dock for a day of fun on the lake, or relax in comfort surrounded by modern design and all the comforts of home. ★

Green Turtle Bay

A place like home.

The family friendly Green Turtle Bay Resort & Marina in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, sees its fair share of Loopers passing through as fall and winter arrive in the Great Lakes. Situated in a small boating community serving Barkley and Kentucky Lakes, Green Turtle Bay has been delighting visitors since it was purchased by William E. Gary III in 1984. Although Gary has since passed away and the marina has changed hands in recent years, its welcoming, family owned feel remains.

“Most people stop and they might want to stay a week — [then] they stay three or four months,” laughs Shane Hoffman, the harbormaster for Green Turtle Bay. “We’re just friendly... We want people to come and have a good time and make it their own boating community. That’s the way we want them to feel — like they’re at home when they come here.”

With around 500 total slips and a variety of transient slips, Green Turtle Bay has space for

everyone and a host of amenities, making it the ideal stop if you’re making the trip south from the Great Lakes to sunnier waters this winter. With an expansive boat works department, ship store, fuel, restrooms, showers and laundry facilities, and boat rentals, the marina offers all of the services you need, including a boat lift to service up to 80-footers.

A resort and condos offer even more amenities, with golf cart rentals, two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, and a spa where you can stop in for a massage, manicure or pedicure. Three restaurants provide plenty of dining options, and you can even catch live bands at the on-site Thirsty Turtle all the way into October.

All of these amenities, paired with excellent hospitality and customer service, make Green Turtle Bay a favorite destination for people from all over the country. If you’re headed south for the winter, stop in — you may just decide to stay for a while. ★

with

2021

Outstanding

Includes second battery,

&

REDUCED!

6

120V inlet, 4-speaker stereo, Garmin 943xsv w/ GT23 transducer, custom helm covers, retractable roll bar bimini, sundeck, EVA decking, fold-up seat, ski mast, handrail kit, and new epoxy barrier coating and bottom paint. 2021 Integrity Trailer included. Asking $104,499. Call Bob @616-843-1225. RYS

2003 SEASWIRL STRIPER 2601

WALKAROUND I/O Hardtop and enclosure added, plus fishing downriggers, Inverter, AC, GPS/ chartplotter, auto pilot, fish finder, VHF, Volvo 5.7L I/O with 745 hours. 2002 Load-Rite roller trailer. Currently in paid heated indoor storage. Available to show by appointment only. Anglers get it now and be ready for spring action! Reduced to $39,900. Call Mark @ 414-651-3100. RYS

1967 CHRIS-CRAFT ROAMER 37 ft LOA, aluminum hull. 454 Crusaders repowered two years ago. Located in Cheboygan, MI. Asking $40,000. Call 810-955-4065. NOV23

2014 RANGER TUGS 21EC Freshwater, low hours! Excellent cruising for couples, sleeps two in well-appointed cabin with helm chair and mates seat. Single stovetop burner, stainless steel sink, fridge w/freezer, stereo system, VHF, GPS/ chartplotter, and head with holding tank. Asking $59,999. Call Mark @ 414-651-3100. RYS

2021 WELDCRAFT 280 CUDDY KING 100%

freshwater, one owner. Twin Yamaha LF/ F250XCAs with DEC electronic controls, only 32 hours! Yamaha T9.9XPB kicker motor. Loaded, including windlass, Garmin chartplotter/sounder and radar, GT23 transducer, upgraded fuel, water and waste tanks, galley, rear transom door, aft station cabinet. Asking $259,900. Call Brent @ 616-402-0180. RYS

2017

ZODIAC MEDLINE 6.8 NEO Almost NEW!

BENETEAU GRAN TURISMO 46 Redesigned main deck and cockpit, which includes two large electrically reclining seats. Offers the handling ease of Beneteau’s previous smaller model, while making use of many of the details found in her 49' big sister. Asking $660,000. Contact Terry Godres at 920559-0730 or terry@centerpointesales.com. CNT

2019 CHRIS-CRAFT LAUNCH 28 GT Gently used gem! This Chris-Craft has spent her whole life indoors and in freshwater. With a total of 59 engine hours it is practically like buying a new boat! $220,000. Contact PJ Tamer at 262-424-9627 or pj@centerpointesales.com. CNT

1999 HATTERAS 48 SPORTFISH This Sportfish commands attention. She has been pampered in the Great Lakes for many years and shows extremely well. Her interior has been completely redone as well as recent replacement of the side view windows. $225,000. Contact Martin Kelsey at 920-559-0366 or martin@centerpointe sales.com. CNT

Boom Boom

1951 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman

Our entire family has always nurtured a love of old wooden Chris-Craft boats. It began with my late husband spending several weeks each summer riding in his grandfather’s boat in northern Minnesota on Lake Vermillion.

When my husband became a father himself, he acquired a 1951 22-foot Chris-Craft Sportsman, making him the second owner to ever captain the boat. We decided to name it Boom Boom for the special roar it makes. This boat has now entertained our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with countless little journeys across Lake Minocqua.

Two of my husband’s favorite activities were cruising around our lake with his morning coffee and spending his evenings watching the sunset on an adjoining lake with our daughter. Similar memories have been made throughout the rest of our family and will hopefully continue for generations to come. Boom Boom also happens to be the same model as the one featured in the movie “On Golden Pond” with Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda and Katherine Hepburn — a story filled with many parallel themes to ours.

Later, my husband found an old 1957 two-toned mahogany Capri Runabout model, which we later named Wild Oats. He turned this $500 wreck into a showpiece after spending two summers painstakingly restoring it with help from our two sons. All of this effort resulted in my husband winning the “Best Owner Restoration” award at the annual Antique Boat Show!

Most recently, one of our grandsons used Boom Boom to propose to his wife, demonstrating how our family’s love for Chris-Crafts is being carried on at the present time.

—Jan Jeffery, Minocqua, WI

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JAN JEFFERY