Lakeland Boating April 2013

ExpLORING THE LES cHENEAux ISLANdS ApRIL 2013

Huron | ontario | MicHigan | EriE | SupErior NOT EASy BEING GREEN

Fighting algae on Lake Erie p. 34

Arrr:

pirates in the Great Lakes p. 38

dOcKS:

What’s right for you? p. 42

LA

KELA N

DB

MCY GeMINI 60

O

AT

I N G .C O

sUPersPorT

M

1,000s

p. 30

of boats

For sale

DISPLAY UNTIL APRIL 30, 2013

Spotlight on BOSTON WHALER | HARRIS FLOTEBOTE | REGAL | VIKING

BIG SPECIFICATIONS COMPACT DIMENSIONS

SUPER

BRIGHT

LED Ready to Rock! Fusion Marine Audio Control

Great visibility in all conditions

Intuitive LightHouse User Interface

Go Wireless with Raymarine Apps and optional Wi-Fi

Advanced fuel management and monitoring

Optional built-in, dual-frequency, 600W ClearPulse® sonar

Powerful, go-anywhere, navigation; the new a-Series delivers the speed and simplicity of Raymarine technology in a sleek 5.7” touch screen display

Explore the new a-Series online. raymarine.com/lak

CUSTOM YACHTS OF DISTINCTION SINCE 1863

When expertise matters

New Yacht Construction, ReďŹ ts, Repair and Maintenance

+1 920.686.5117 | sales@burgerboat.com | burgerboat.com |

|

|

|

CUSTOM BUILT IN THE USA

contents

Departments From the Helm Mail Call Calendar

4 6 8

10 Scuttle

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

18 20 22 23 24 25 26 60 62 64 88

48

les cheneaux islands Brimming with beauty and a storied maritime history, the Les Cheneaux Islands in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are a boater’s dream. by Elizabeth Fels

Features 30 Gemini 60 SuperSport The dream of a twin-hulled sport yacht becomes reality. by Bing O’Meara

34

it’s Not Easy Being Green Lake Erie struggles to fight an infestation of harmful blue-green algae.

by Elizabeth Altick

25

38

a pirate’s life for Me Jon Paul Van Harpen knows a thing or two about peg legs, pillaging and buried treasure.

by Heather Steinberger

42

2

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

Shoreleave Renovations Electronics Corke Board Ask the Expert Gearing Up Boat Spotlights: Boston Whaler, Harris FloteBote, Regal and Viking Lakeshore Life Marina Watch Great Buy Above the Waterline

on

the Cover

The Gemini SuperSport line from Meilahn Custom Yachts LLC is named for the Gemini Constellation, the twins Castor and Pollux of Greek mythology.

It is therefore appropriately named, donning twin hulls that make this sport yacht an exotic sight on the water.

Owners can customize this floating palace to their heart’s content, including individual selection of electronics, entertainment systems, woods, countertops, flooring and exterior colors.

@ lakelandboating.com • Search 1,000s of new and used boats for sale • Purchase our Great Lakes Cruisings Guides • Access past issues with our online magazine

Dock Decisions

• Place a classified ad to sell your boat

Choosing the dock that’s right for you.

by Michael Hauenstein

• Find advertising information • And much more!

cover photo by jim raycroft ; boathouse photo by alex watson © 2013

from the helm

‘The Snows’ Must Go On

April 2013 | Volume LXVII, No. 4

Publisher Walter “Bing” O’Meara editorial staff Editor: Lindsey Johnson Editor-at-large: Heather Steinberger Creative staff Art director/production manager: Christy Tuttle Bauhs

T

his month we invite you to join us as we visit a special place: The Les Cheneaux Islands (affectionately known as “the Snows” by some), a group of 36 islands located in Lake Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

New Lakeland Boating contributor Elizabeth Fels has done a wonderful job bringing this beautiful area into focus for us. Read her story on page 48.

In delivering these in-depth “Ports of Call” to you each and every month, we get the opportunity to meet some terrific people.

During our search for photography for the Les Cheneaux story, we were directed to Alex Watson, a summer resident whose work appears on woodyboats.com, a publication that caters to classic boat aficionados, of which many live in Les Cheneaux. I’ll share with you a couple of quotes from Alex that I particularly like, which, in my mind, truly capture the essence of the area: “Boats here are not considered collectibles or valuable assets. In a monetary sense, the beloved family dog is a closer analogy.”

“Boats here become part of the cottages, family members, and, above all, become the best part of children’s memories.”

For our boat test this month, we feature the Gemini 60 SuperSport from Meilahn Custom Yachts (MCY) on page 30. MCY is a firm founded by two Chicago-area brothers with guts, money and enough perseverance to build a pyramid if they thought it was a good idea — and I’m confident they could build the best one ever.

MCY offers Motoryacht, Sport Fisherman and SuperSport models, all situated on a planing PowerCat platform.

In some pretty crazy recent news, several winners of the World Ice Fishing Championship were ushered off to their rooms at the Plaza Hotel in New York City following results of the competition. An official from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency ordered them to provide urine samples for a test to look for steroids and Human Growth Hormone — drugs you would not traditionally associate with ice fishing.

4

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

Contributors Elizabeth Altick, Marge Beaver, Christopher D. Bogenschutz, Bertha Carr, Mark Corke, Brenda Culler, Elizabeth Fels, Suki Finnerty, Jessie Hadley, Mike Harris, Michael Hauenstein, Linda Henderson, Diane Hires, Paul Kemiel, Audrey Koster, Capt. Frank Lanier, Roger McAfee, Bonnie Mikkelsen, Amy M. Polk, Jim Raycroft, Tim Schultz, Capt. Tom Serio, Colleen H. Troupis, Dave Wallace, Alex Watson business staff Advertising sales representative: Mark Conway Regional/classified sales manager: Patti McCleery Marketing director: Linda O’Meara Accounting: Tracy Houren

Lakeland Boating publisher Bing O’Meara basks in the warm glow of satisfaction (and Florida sunshine) after testing the Gemini 60 SuperSport from Meilahn Custom Yachts.

Seems the leaders of the sport have started a long shot bid to take ice fishing to the Olympics. If they do get accepted into the games, competitors would have to submit to the same exams that world-class sprinters and weight lifters must endure.

Two golfers tested positive for banned substances out of the 76 screened in 2011. That same year, one chess player tested positive, as did two bowlers, eight roller sport athletes, and one tug-of-war competitor. My advice: Start drinking!

Finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t wish happy anniversaries to the following manufacturers and boat dealers, each of whom have been wonderful supporters of the magazine over the years: Cruisers Yachts (60th), Viking Yachts (60th); B&E Marine in Michigan City, Indiana (60th); and Onekama Marine in Onekama and Bay Harbor, Michigan (50th).

Think Spring!

editorial & advertising offiCe 727 South Dearborn | Suite 812 | Chicago, IL 60605 Phone: 312-276-0610 | Fax: 312-276-0619 E-mail: staff@lakelandboating.com Website: lakelandboating.com Classified advertising 727 South Dearborn | Suite 812 | Chicago, IL 60605 Phone: 800-331-0132, ext. 21 | Fax: 312-276-0619 subsCriPtions P.O. Box 15396 | North Hollywood | CA 91615-5396 Customer Service: 800-827-0289 o’meara-brown PubliCations inC. President: Walter B. O’Meara Secretary: Timothy Murtaugh Lakeland Boating (ISSN 0744-9194), copyright 2013, is published eleven times per year (except December) by O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc. Editorial and advertising offices are located at 727 S. Dearborn St., Suite 812, Chicago, IL 60605; 312-276-0610. Annual subscription rates: United States, $24.95 per year; International and Canadian, $36.95 per year (11 issues), includes 7% G.S.T. tax (G.S.T. registration number 894095074-RT0001) and $12 postage included.

Single copies are $4.99 for U.S. and Canada. Only U.S. funds are accepted. Subscription correspondence should be addressed to Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 15396, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5396 (U.S.), or call 800-827-0289. Known office of publication: 727 South Dearborn Street, Suite 812, Chicago, IL 60605. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER, please send all address changes to Lakeland Boating, P.O. Box 15396, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5396. Lakeland Boating is a registered trademark of O’Meara-Brown Publications, Inc., Chicago, Illinois. Published as Lakeland Yachting 1946-1955.

Unsolicited work may be submitted at the author’s, photographer’s or artist’s own risk. Lakeland Boating assumes no responsibility or liability for unsolicited material. All submissions must be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope with sufficient return postage.

Printed in the U.S.A

photo by suki @ yachtingtoday . tv

GET THE

MOST

{

}

OUT OF YOUR BOAT

No matter why you love to boat, at Progressive, it’s our job to make sure you can keep doing it. That’s why we offer some of the most comprehensive policies around, including disappearing deductibles and small claims forgiveness. So you can get the most out of your boat, sunset after sunset, year after year.

LOCAL AGENT | PROGRESSIVE.COM Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Disappearing deductible feature is subject to policy terms, and is not available for all boats and coverage selections. Available in most states. 12D00593 (10/12)

mail call

Begin your relationship at these Midwest Dealers

A King on His Throne My son, Zach Beery, captured this photo recently of his son, Holden, who turned 4 years old in March, at our home (we’re his grandparents). The “throne” library is where my husband, Jay, does his important reading, and our grandson has apparently followed in the family tradition.

We are longtime subscribers to Lakeland and boat mostly in Grand Traverse bays and the Lake Charlevoix and straits areas. We have a 27-foot Carver Montego that we enjoy so much we named her the Clara T, after my mother. We love your magazine and hope we’ll be boating for many years yet.

—Sally Beery, Traverse City, MI

SPRING BROOK MARINA, INC. 623 W. River Drive Seneca, IL 61360

815-357-8666 —————— SKIPPERBUD’S - MARINA DEL ISLE 6801 E Harbor Road Marblehead, OH 43440

419-732-2587 —————— SKIPPERBUD’S - GRAND HAVEN 11 Harbor Island Drive Grand Haven, MI 49417

616-997-2628 —————— SKIPPERBUD’S - BELLE MAER 41700 Conger Bay Drive Harrison Township, MI 48045

586-954-3100 —————— SKIPPERBUD’S - QUARTERDECK MARINA 705 Quarterdeck Lane Sturgeon Bay, WI 54232

920-746-8200 —————— SKIPPERBUD’S - OSHKOSH 1351 Egg Harbour Lane Oshkosh, WI 54904

920-231-3200 —————— SKIPPERBUD’S - PEWAUKEE 1030 Silvernail Rd Pewaukee, WI 53072

262-544-1200

Dock Dogs These photos were taken aboard my Sea Ray 400 Express Cruiser. Anyone that cruises by Pier 33 in St. Joseph, Michigan always gets a kick out of seeing my dogs in the pool. The white dog, Tasha, is 14 years old and is part Collie, part Golden Retriever. She will lay in her pool for hours on end. In fact, Tasha will even fall asleep in the pool! The other dog, named Kiko, is a 5-year-old Shiba Inu who loves boating and the beach. When we’re cruising out on Lake Michigan, we put the pool inside the cockpit area so Tasha can lay in it. The two dogs are best buds and can’t be separated.

—Rob Orlaske, St. Joseph, MI

Thanks be to the Readers Many thanks to Roger Giles of Knoxville, Tennessee for sharing my lobster boat dreams of fantasy achievements in life, with pleasure rather than regret. And a nod to George Wilson of Egg Harbor, Wisconsin for laying my “Coastie” concern to rest, at long last. Thank you, George. I can finally find restful sleep after all these years of pursuing a phantom frustration.

—Dave Wallace, Grand Rapids, MI

Play “Name Game” and Win!

We’re always on the lookout for interesting and inventive boat names! Send a short write-up, along with your name, your boat’s name and your home city and state, as well as a high-resolution photo of your boat (at least 1 MB) to: staff@ lakelandboating.com. Don’t forget to put “Name Game” in the subject line. If we publish your Name Game submission in a 2013 issue of Lakeland Boating, you’ll receive a FREE Kanberra Gel gift basket valued at $99, courtesy of the folks at Kanberra. Made with all-natural ingredients like Australian tea tree oil, this semisolid, biodegradable gel dissipates when exposed to air, breaking down mildew, mold and viruses in a fragrant eucalyptus lemon scent.

Visit CruisersYachts.com or call 920-834-2211

58202_CY_45_CANTIUS

6STRIP LAKELANDBOATING.COM | ApR i l 2013 AD__LBM 2.375x9.625

Got something to say?

E-mail us at staff@lakelandboating.com, or drop us a line at Lakeland Boating, 727 South Dearborn St., Suite 812, Chicago, IL 60605. The opinions expressed in Mail Call are not necessarily those of Lakeland Boating. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

l Al

te wa

naturally. Intro d uc s flow y a in rw

gt

he fir st ya c

ht to

pe

rfe ct the

n a tu

ral flow between in

The New 45 Cantius.

d oo ra nd

ou t do

or g. in iv

l

The revolutionary 45 Cantius looks and feels unlike any other yacht, ever. Because it was designed to erase the limitations between the great outdoors and its fabulously appointed indoors. Infinitely expanding your experience, and fully integrating the feeling of your lavish onboard lifestyle with the beauty and enchantment of the natural world. The 45 Cantius embraces the light with a full glass enclosure and provides unprecedented sight lines.

And features a spacious integrated entertainment area that seamlessly blends together the cockpit, galley, upper salon and helm through 114� of open access. And the revolution continues with a power-activated sunroof.

An unprecedented 6’ retractable hardtop/sun shade for complete cockpit area coverage. All amenities specifically designed to eliminate canvas. Plus, a multi-purpose entertaining/cinema area below deck.

To learn more about the amazing 45 Cantius, visit CruisersYachts.com or contact KCS International Inc. 920-834-2211

calendar of events

Any boat.

Any size.

Any budget.

Starting at just $129

April 5 – 7

April 14 – 21

Spring Cottage Life Show Mississauga, ON

Duluth Restaurant Week Duluth, MN

cottAgelife.com

downtownduluth.com

Traverse City Boat & Outdoor Show Traverse City, MI

April 19

trAversecityboAtshow.com

Chilly Blues Fest Grand Haven, MI visitgrAndhAven.com

April 6 Gitchee Gumee Brew Fest Superior, WI

Pro Series HD UNDERWATER LED

trAvelwisconsin.com

25th Annual Brown Trout Fishing Tournament Baileys Harbor, WI

April 6, 13 & 20

bAileyshArbor.com

Model Boatbuilding Classes for Kids Port Huron, MI Achesonventures.com

April 6, 13, 20 & 27 Spring Blossom Trolley Tour Door County, WI doorcounty.com

April 12 – 14 Hybrid Series UNDERWATER LED

1000 Islands-Clayton Spring Boat Show Clayton, NY 1000islAnds-clAyton.com/boAtshow

Up North Lake & Cottage Show Traverse City, MI tccottAgeshow.com

April 13 Amphibian Pro Series UNDERWATER LED

April 19 – 21

Don Lubbers Cup Regatta Spring Lake, MI

Douglas County Fish & Game League Sports Show Superior, WI dcflg.org

April 20 – 21 Main Channel Marina Open House Syracuse, IN mAinchAnnel.com

April 23 Chicago Sea Scout Spring Benefit Chicago, IL 2013lAunch.eventbrite.com

April 26 Freeland Walleye Festival Freeland, MI freelAndAreAchAmber.com

visitgrAndhAven.com

Live near the 1000 Islands? Don’t miss the 1000 Islands-Clayton Spring Boat Show April 12-14.

Amphibian T-Series UNDERWATER & ABOVE LED

UW LED LIGHTING LIGHT. YEARS AHEAD.

OceanLED.com | 954-523-2250

8

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

Apr i l 2013

photo by christopher d . bogenschutz

The all-new Crowne Series for 2013 takes the Harris® FloteBoteTM flagship to the top of its class. Prepare to turn heads... the world of luxury pontoons has never seen anything quite like this before.

These sophisticated, aerodynamic flagships of the Harris FloteBote fleet provide innovative design and ground-breaking technology which makes Crowne the National Marine Manufacturer Association’s (NMMA) winner of the 2013 Innovation Award. A spacious and powerful pontoon built to entertain, relax or just play long days under the summer sun features exquisite detailing created from premium materials and expert craftsmanship.

The most prestigious pontoon on the water didn’t get here by chance.

It is manufactured by Harris FloteBote the original luxury pontoon manufacturer with more than 55 years of expertise and winner of the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award for 10 consecutive years. Harris FloteBote provides the ultimate memory-making platform for your family and friends.

Scuttle

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

This spring, Tin Fish restaurant is opening up a new location on site at Jefferson Beach Marina in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. The restaurant will be open year round for boaters and landlubbers alike. For more information, visit

great lakes news

Race to Save the SS United States The clock is ticking to save a genuine American icon: The SS United States. This majestic ship still holds the record for the fastest transatlantic voyage from New York to England set back in 1952. Today she’s docked in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a dilapidated state, in danger of becoming no more than a heap of scrap metal sold off bit by bit. But conservationists who treasure the ship are determined to not let that become her tragic fate.

After her decommissioning as a working passenger ship in 1969 and ownership changing hands several times in the decades since, the SS United States Conservancy, the group determined to save the massive ship, received a generous donation of $5.8 million in the summer of 2010 from Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest. That pledge of support included $3 million to purchase the ship and another $2.8 million to maintain her for approximately 20 months. With those funds running out and the 20 month time-frame expired, the Conservancy is seeking further donations to help meet its larger goals for the SS United States: To solidify a final home port for the ship and convert her into a museum, hotel and conference center. The estimated cost for such a renovation/restoration? A whopping $150 to $300 million. The Conservancy is eagerly seeking donations to help keep the ship’s future afloat.

For more information and to donate to the cause, visit ssusc.org; or, sponsor a small “piece” of the renovation project by donating online at

tinfishrestaurants.com.

savetheuniteDstates.org.

10

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i L 2013

great lakes news

michigan Lawmakers seek Dredging relief The Michigan state Senate is considering a proposal to earmark $30 million from the state’s “rainy day” fund and allocate the money for emergency dredging of harbors and waterways this year to alleviate statewide low water levels that threaten Michigan’s boating industry, according to a report published on The Detroit News website, Detriotnews.com.

The proposal was unveiled in early February as part of a plan to deal with the long-term and recurring need to dredge the state’s 90 recreational harbors that cater to recreational boaters, the website reports. The Senate is also reportedly looking into financing options that include tapping the Michigan Department of Transportation budget and the Natural Resources Trust Fund for the necessary money to dredge.

“Everything is on the table,” State Senator Geoff Hansen (R-Hart), who is taking the lead on this issue, was quoted as saying in the news report.

ss united states photo courtesy of ss united states conservancy

scuttle

race speeds into indiana The shores of LaPorte, Indiana will come alive with the sounds of high horsepower outboard motors this summer when the F1 PROP Tour comes to Northwest Indiana for the inaugural Maple City Grand Prix.

The event will be held May 31-June 2 on LaPorte’s Stone Lake, just 10 miles south of Michigan City, Indiana and 30 miles west of South Bend, Indiana. It includes two classes of racing: F1 and F Light boats.

The Maple City Grand Prix will be LaPorte County’s second powerboat race, jumping on board with the annual Great Lakes Super Boat Grand Prix offshore race, held each August on Lake Michigan in Michigan City. Officials say the race will be a boon for LaPorte and add to what is fast becoming one of the Midwest’s premier areas for boat racing.

For more info, contact the La Porte County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-634-2650 or visit laporte.com.

boats

GIBBS Introduces First High-Speed Amphibian The world’s first high-speed sports amphibian — the GIBBS Quadski — recently debuted at the Miami International Boat Show in February. The Quadski transitions from land to water in less than 5 seconds and reaches planing speed just as quickly.

It’s a one-of-a-kind in the marketplace, company founders maintain. “Quadski represents an entirely new form of transportation,” says Alan Gibbs, founder of Gibbs Technologies and Gibbs Sports Amphibians and one of the two entrepreneurs behind the engineering and production of the vehicle. “It’s the only sports amphibian in the world capable of reaching speeds of 45 mph on both land and water.”

Developed and built right here in the Great Lakes (Auburn Hills, Michigan), it took an investment of more than $200 million and nearly 2 million man hours to bring the Quadski vision to fruition. The Quadski features a durable, yet lightweight (1,300 pounds) composite hull, patented water-jet technology, and BMW Motorrad engine and transmission and is available in five colors — red, yellow, blue, silver and black.

And the price tag for this revolutionary craft? Around $40,000.

For more information, visit gibbssports.com.

We’ll Be There When You Need Us Low-Cost, Trustworthy Towing ONLY $67 Red is ready 24/7 when you need assistance on the water.

Call or Go Online Now to Join

Our captains are licensed, trustworthy and all around nice guys. With over 600 boats in 300 ports, we’re only a quick call away. Just show your BoatU.S. Membership card for payment on the water.

FREE BoatU.S. Towing App! Battery Jumps 24/7 Dispatch Service Fuel Delivery Over 500,000 Members Soft Ungroundings 25 Member Benefits

1-800-888-4869 BoatUS.com/towing

Unlimited towing details and exclusions can be found online at BoatUS.com/towing or by calling.

LakelandBoating_4c_7.75x4.625.indd 1 racing photo by paul kemiel

2/20/13 12:22 PM april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

11

scuttle

buzz

grand banks names new great lakes dealers

Happy 50th anniversary to Onekama Marine Inc., with locations on Portage Lake in Onekama, Michigan and in Bay Harbor!

From just a single dock and small building in 1963, Onekama has grown into a third-generation family business offering new and used sales, service, dockage, and storage.

Learn more at

must - have

Lifesaving App Gains Popularity

must - have

yanmar Joystick control Yanmar America has jumped on the marine industry’s increasingly popular joystick bandwagon with the introduction of its new joystick control system at the 2013 Miami International Boat Show in February. The joystick lets boaters effortlessly execute sideways and diagonal movement, as well as complete rotation within a boat length to assist in docking and other maneuvers. It includes the entire control system, steering controls, color digital displays with NMEA2000 or J1939 gauge output, and all cabling and wiring.

Part of Yanmar’s self-designed Vessel Control System, the joystick works with the new Yanmar 8LV 320 hp and 370 hp diesel sterndrives in twin applications. Additional joystick control products are planned for other Yanmar diesel engine models.

For more information, visit yanmar.com.

onekamamarine.com.

12

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

Grand Banks Yachts recently appointed two new dealers to represent its lines in the Great Lakes: Bay Marine of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and Galati Yacht Sales of Holland and Harrison Township, Michigan.

Centrally located on Lake Michigan’s Door Peninsula, Bay Marine is a second-generation family dealership that brings more than 45 years of sales and service experience to Grand Banks owners and buyers.

With its two Michigan locations and a well-established name throughout the Eastern Seaboard, Gulf Coast and beyond, Galati is the largest “Five Star Re-Certified” dealer in the marine industry and has represented Grand Banks at five of its other dealership locations, from Tampa, Florida to Orange Beach, Alabama.

Both Galati Yacht Sales and Bay Marine are expected to help strengthen Grand Banks’ sales presence and stellar reputation throughout the Great Lakes region.

For more info, visit grandbanks.com, baymarine.net, or galatiyachts.com.

|

apr i l 2013

Intelligent Maintenance, the company best known for its sailing maintenance software, recently passed a major milestone: The 1,000th download of its Man Overboard (MOB) App designed for the Apple iPhone.

“A man overboard situation happens more often that you think,” says Adrian Stanway, CEO of Intelligent Maintenance and an experienced sailor. “The problem is that even at quite low speeds, the boat can be 500 yards from the person in less than a minute. The remaining crew just cannot see the person at that distance and against the background of waves. It’s always life threatening, and, sadly, often fatal.”

The MOB App is a helpful solution to an emergency MOB situation, or use it as practice for emergency prep.

It’s simple to use. Hit the MOB button, use the on-screen coordinates to call the U.S. Coast Guard, then follow the big on-screen arrow to get back to the MOB point.

Intelligent Maintenance’s MOB App is available for download through Apple iTunes at a cost of $1.99 or on the company’s website, intelligentmaintenance.com.

MORE

CRAFTSMANSHIP FLEXIBILITY PERFORMANCE FREEDOM

INTRODUCING OUR NEWLY EXPANDED LINE S380

F380

S450

F450

F490

C490

T50

T60

For over 40 years Sealine has pushed the boundaries of design — both inside and out. As a testament to that dedication and the unveiling of our new award winning F450, we are proud to announce our newly expanded line.

To learn more about Sealine, visit us at sealine.com/sya

SPACE | LIGHT | INNOVATION | ENGINEERING SEALINE YACHTS AMERICA | HARBOUR TOWNE MARINA, DANIA BEACH, FL 33004 | 954-534-7949 | SYA@SEALINE.COM | WWW.SEALINE.COM/SYA

scuttle

n O t s i s In

Island Marine Fuel of Newport Beach, California was recently named 2012 ValvTect Marina of the Year. Based in Northbrook, Illinois, ValvTect Petroleum Products is the nation’s leading supplier of fuel additives to marinas across the country. boats

Harborside Marine Debuts HarborCraft 40 Harborside Marina of Wilmington

FRESH WATER ANODES

Magnesium

• Super Light-Weight • Enviro-Friendly • OEM Recommended

Scan for a dealer near you

www.martyranodes.com

14

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

(Channahon), Illinois has launched its brand new trimaran coastal cruiser: The HarborCraft 40.

The 40-foot trimaran has a 12-foot beam and is an ideal cruiser for entertaining family and friends, whether it be for an afternoon jaunt or an overnighter. Notable features include a spacious sun deck, comfortable sleeping accommodations for four, air conditioning, large head with shower, gas stove, refrigerator, and gas water heater.

Standard power on the HarborCraft 40 is twin 115-hp Evinrude E-Tecs; optional upgrades include twin 130- or 150-hp E-Tecs, also from Evinrude.

For more info or to review the sea trial video, visit HarborsiDeMarina.CoM.

buzz

Kanberra Gel Available Through Catalina Yachts Online Loyal and new customers alike looking to get their Kanberra Gel and Kanberra Spray fix online can now do so through a new venue: The Catalina Yachts Store, CatalinayaCHtsstore.CoM .

Founded in 1970, Catalina Yachts is a leading sailboat builder in the United States, with locations in California and Florida.

Yacht owners and boat lovers around the world have found Kanberra’s all-natural air purifiers to be an ideal solution both inside and outside the cabin when protecting against mold, mildew and bacteria during and off-season. Kanberra products are available through several retailers across the country, as well as on the company’s website, kanberragel.CoM.

scuttle

must - have

Magnesium Sacrificial Anodes Don’t sacrifice your boat — or the environment; attach sacrificial magnesium anodes from Martyr to your boat’s bottom to protect against corrosion below the waterline.

Traditional zinc anodes can be harmful to aquatic life, as they contain trace amounts of the heavy metal cadmium — and elevated levels of cadmium and zinc have been deemed toxic to the marine environment. Magnesium is a safe and effective alternative.

CMP, Martyr’s parent company, is the only magnesium anode manufacturer that offers a full line of material-certified magnesium anodes. Martyr offers several other options, including die-cast zinc and aluminum anodes, but for exclusive fresh water usage, magnesium is best. A package retails for between $64.99 and $119.99.

For more information, visit martyranodes.com

Barracuda

Gran Turismo

Swift Trawler

buzz

Beneteau names centerPointe as Western Great Lakes dealer CenterPointe Yacht Services, with locations in Sturgeon Bay, Milwaukee, and Racine, Wisconsin, was recently named the latest dealer for Beneteau Powerboats in the Western Great Lakes Region. CenterPointe will carry the Barracuda 9, Swift Trawler and Gran Turismo lines.

“With three sales and service facilities [in Wisconsin], the choice of a partner like CenterPointe Yacht Services was self evident,” says Laurent Fabre, president of Beneteau America. “CenterPointe’s unmatched facilities in the Great Lakes and excellence in customer care will ensure Beneteau Powerboats prospects and owners enjoy excellent service and personalized attention.”

For more information, visit Benete au.com or centerPointeservice.com.

aPriL 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

15

scuttle

KARA-B-N

name game

MONARCH Our boat is a 1993 52’ Halvorsen Island Gypsy RPH trawler. We knew the name for the boat before we even found it. Our plan was to become full-time cruisers and pilot a boat from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico and back, making many trips. It seemed fitting to name the boat after the fragile butterfly that, with unerring navigation, makes that same trip over multiple generations.

— Jerry & Marty Richardson, Detroit, MI and Marathon, FL

I wanted to name my Starcraft Islander after my daughter, Kara. Our last name begins with a “B” and ends with an “N.” I sometimes refer to my crew as “Pirates.”

— Ron Bunton, Montague, MI

FISHIN’ IMPOSSIBLE!

tag

Utopia Head Serifa Sidebar

Sidebar text

or

Something super interesting about any thing can go in this columnteresting about any thing can go in this columnteresting

The Sea Ray Amberjack was built for fishing, but we like it because of the roomy cockpit, seaworthiness and large swim platform. We came up with the name because we don’t want to give anyone the impression that we actually use the boat for fishing.

— John & Kris Kennaugh, Elk Rapids, MI

OFFLINE

Since my work life is spent on the internet building and hosting web-based applications, Offline seemed the appropriate name for our 2006 Regal 2565.

— Jack Massari, Nashville, TN

16

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

VISIT THESE SCOUT DEALERS: Erickson Marine 11721 Point Douglas Rd. Hastings, MN 55033 Phone: 651-437-6159 jon@ericksonmarine.com www.ericksonmarine.com 195 SPORTFISH

Pier 33 250 Anchors Way St. Joseph, MI 49085 Phone: 269-983-3333 tc@pier33.com www.pier33.com

Shoreline Boat Center 225 DORADO

509 Commercial Ave Green Lake, WI 54941 Phone: 920-294-3145 rmeiborg@shorelineboat.com www.shorelineboatcenter.com

South Shore Marine 1611 Sawmill Parkway Huron, OH 44839 Phone: 419.433.5798 tom@southshoremarine.com www.southshoremarine.com 275 LXF

We raise the bar.

We set the standard.

We are the benchmark.

From inshore to offshore, we produce 30 of the toughest, sexiest, highest performing and most fuel efficient models on the water. We’re driven by decades of boatbuilding experience and a passion to be the best. Revolutionary hull technology, industry-pioneering design elements, 100% hand-laid fiberglass and dependable Yamaha power are behind every boat we build.

320 LXF

210 DORADO

You haven’t fished until you’ve fished in a Scout. But don’t take our word for it. Log on to www.scoutboats.com and check out the testimonials on our Customer Chronicle page.

191 BAY BOAT

MODELS SHOWN WITH OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT.

shoreleave | by Michael Hauenstein

Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum/ USS Edson

Reconnecting the Saginaw River area with its shipbuilding heritage.

V

The USS Edson at its temporary mooring site in Essexville, Michigan, where crews have worked to refurbish the retired Navy destroyer ahead of its move to permanent dockage in nearby Bangor Township.

isitors to the Saginaw Bay, Michigan, area have a new attraction to add to their must-see list: The USS Edson, a retired Navy destroyer and current museum ship that arrived on the Saginaw River late last summer. The 418-footer, currently undergoing refurbishment in Essexville, Michigan, will soon float to permanent dockage in Bangor Township at the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum (SVNSM).

Although the Edson was built at Bath Iron Works in Maine and served mostly in the Pacific, SVNSM president Michael J. Kegley says it creates an important connection to the Bay area’s shipbuilding past.

“At one time, there were five shipbuilding companies in this community,” says Kegley, who served in the Navy for more than 28 years. The last such builder, Defoe Shipbuilding Company, built numerous naval ships in its history but went out of business for lack of work in 1976, he says.

“We want to commemorate the shipbuilding past, and of course the sailors who have sailed the various ships throughout history,” says Kegley.

From Vietnam to Bay City The USS Edson (DD-946) served from 1958 to 1988, seeing considerable action during the Vietnam War before becoming a museum ship owned by the Intrepid Sea, Air

18

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

and Space Museum in New York City. In 2004, it made way for other exhibits at the Intrepid Museum and went to dry dock for repairs.

Fast forward to last summer, when the Edson traveled from the East Coast, via the St. Lawrence Seaway and through the Great Lakes, to receive a hero’s welcome in Bay City. Hundreds of spectators, including members of the local community and former crewmembers from across the country, were on hand to see it arrive on August 7, 2012.

“When the ship arrived here, we had an estimated count of 600 to 800 people, let alone the boats that followed her in, and sailors from as far away as Washington State just to see her come in and tie up,” says Kegley. In addition, he says, 600 to 700 people attended a Veteran’s Day ceremony at the ship.

“Even though the ship has been here — where it sits in Essexville — since August, people just drive in 24/7,” says Kegley. “All day and all night, there are people in and out.”

All signs point to the museum being a popular attraction.

“We’re going to be an economic boon to the community,” says Kegley, noting that the Edson’s permanent dockage is located near the area’s busiest bridge. “When you’ve got a 418-foot ship, 45-foot wide that stands 112-foot in the air, it’s going to be kind-of hard to miss.”

photos courtesy of saginaw valley naval ship museum

shoreleave

Community support Immediately upon its arrival in Essexville, the SVNSM crew and a throng of volunteers went to work refurbishing the Edson, Kegley says, and it’s now ready to receive electricity. Meanwhile, the pier in Bangor Township is ready to receive the ship.

The ship resided in brackish water from 2004 to 2012 and is marked by rust on its decks and streaks down its hullsides.

“It looks worse than it really is,” says Kegley, noting that the interior of the ship is in mostly good shape, save for some peeled paint and loose tiles here and there. “You’ve got to remember, she was a museum ship in New York for 14 years, so there was a lot of work done on her while she was there.”

To wit, the Intrepid Museum put in $800,000 in repairs in the early 2000s, he says.

While the ship was in dry dock in New York, repair crews X-rayed the hull and replaced steel plates as necessary.

Refloated in May 2004, it then traveled to Philadelphia, where it stayed until last summer. The SVNSM’s crew of volunteers has been dedicated to returning it to museum condition.

“You know what happens when you leave a house sit for eight years?” Kegley asks. “Well, the same things happen to a ship.”

The remaining work includes finishing, priming, and painting the exterior. One side of the ship is done, in fact, and Kegley says it looks great. The aluminum superstructure, meanwhile, doesn’t rust but does chalk, and volunteers have been hard at work refurbishing all aspects of the Forrest Sherman-class destroyer.

Union workers — including painters, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and iron workers — have donated their time to make this all possible. Take, for example, the refurbished oil and gas pier in Bangor Township that will become the Edson’s permanent home: The efforts of volunteer workers and a generous donation of treated-wood decking from the Straits Corporation of Bay City means the museum gained a $250,000 refurbished pier for a cost of just $800.

“The only things we bought were drill bits and deck screws to fasten the deck to the steel pier,” says Kegley. “The original pier was at least 75 years old, but now it looks like it was just built.”

Winter slowed down progress on refurbishment, but the ship is on pace to open to the public on a daily basis later this spring.

“If the weatherman cooperates, we want to do some more refurbishing of the ship itself — we want to paint the hull,” says Kegley. “Now, with the weather the way it is, the USS Edson is the biggest freezer in Bay County. It’s hard to work with it this cold.”

With a view toward warmer-weather months, the Edson’s events calendar is beginning to fill up nicely with birthday parties, Scout troop visits, business events, and reunions, including the USS Edson DD-946 Association reunion.

The museum will generate income from events, admission revenue, and souvenir sales, says Kegley, who is also seeking additional funds through donations.

“We need funding,” he says. “We need people to come and donate money.”

Currently, visitation is by appointment only, but it will be open daily once the museum is up and running this spring.

Kegley says the museum should be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with admission fees of $10 for adults and $8 for children.

Kegley advises visitors to wear appropriate footwear to the ship — no flip-flops — as there is climbing.

‘Not just for old sailors’ The museum’s mission, and the purpose for bringing the ship to Saginaw, goes beyond preserving history.

“This venue here is not just for old sailors and people to tell sea stories, it’s also an educational resource,” says Kegley. “We’ve got 42 different school systems within a 50-mile radius of Bay County that have stated that they’re going to bring their students to the ship for classes.”

To ensure that educational programs are up to snuff, the museum enlisted a retired teacher to rewrite educational modules — for example, there is a science module on magnetism geared toward second-graders — to meet state requirements for K-12 students, Kegley says. The modules include student workbooks and teachers’ guides.

The museum also plans to hire retired educators to work aboard the ship.

“What better of a field trip than to come and see this beautiful ship?” asks Kegley, who sees an additional benefit of bringing young people on board a real Navy Destroyer for class.

“There’s a lot of kids out there today that don’t realize that their freedoms didn’t come for free,” he says.

While the ship is the main attraction, the museum will also have 20,000-pound and 14,500-pound anchors on display along with 5-inch/54-caliber gun barrels, which will be displayed as a memorial.

“The love of the Navy and ships is why I devoted a good portion of my life to this project,” Kegley says of a process that started in 1997 and is just now coming to fruition. In addition to Kegley, who as an aviation sailor rose to the rank of chief petty officer, the museum’s board of directors counts veterans of not just the Navy but also the Air Force, Army, and Marines among its members.

“Our volunteers that we have are very dedicated people, and they have some expertise that can’t be beat,” says Kegley.

For more information, visit

Several hundred people turned out for a Veteran’s Day ceremony at the Edson last fall. The Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum will make the ship available as a special events venue for private parties, businesses, and other organizations in 2013.

<_ T ha veternk you, ans!

ussedsoN.org. LB

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

19

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

Well Grounded

RuSTy CHAiN: Lack of maintenance can result in the dreaded “chain ball from Hell.”

Tips for proper ground tackle maintenance.

W

hether an adamant stink-potter or the most vociferous of rag-bagging blow boaters, there’s one need all boats have in common: The ability to anchor safely and securely. Unfortunately, the other thing they often have in common is poorly maintained or unserviceable ground tackle. Here’s a few inspection and maintenance tips to help make sure your ground tackle doesn’t let you down when you need it most.

Your anchoring system is only as strong as its weakest component, which includes not only the rodes, but also shackles, splices, chains, mooring bitts, cleats — in short, any gear used to secure your boat while at anchor. Proper maintenance includes inspection of these as well as pulling the rode and laying it out for thorough examination at least annually.

ANCHOR WOES: This anchor experienced extreme side loading, likely the result of hanging — and the owner’s follow-on efforts to dislodge it by circling. Although it may be tempting to try and straighten it out by applying heat or some other means, any such repair will invariably result in a weaker anchor and should not be applied; the anchor also shouldn’t be used in its current state.

The best option here is replacement.

Anchors and anchor rodes Let’s start with the anchor itself. Are there bent flukes, shanks, or other such damage? If galvanized, is the coating in good shape, or are there areas of rust and corrosion? Another consideration is the anchor’s type and size. Is it physically large enough for your boat and suitable for the type of bottom likely to be encountered? Many vessels carry a primary (working) anchor and secondary anchor of a different style to provide additional options when anchoring in various bottom types.

Next up is inspection of the anchor rode, which will be either all chain or a combination rode (i.e. nylon rope and chain). Although you can bend rope rode directly to an anchor, it’s not recommended. A length of chain

protects against chafe and adds weight to a combination rode, which both increases horizontal pull and helps the anchor to remain set.

As for the rope portion of the rode, three-strand nylon is most common. It’s strong, provides more elasticity than braided line (to absorb the sudden loads and jerks of a boat bouncing around), is more easily spliced, and is cheaper.

Start by inspecting the chain-to-anchor connection. Chain can be attached directly to your anchor using an anchor shackle, but if there’s a chance the vessel will shear or swing in circles (particularly when laying to a single anchor) consider installing an anchor swivel.

Combination rodes For combination rodes, inspect the rope-to-chain connection, which will be made via a rope-to-chain splice or by using an eye splice and thimble (which, in turn, will be attached to the chain portion via an anchor shackle). Bulkier than a direct rope-to-chain splice (yet simple and reliable), eye splices should have a minimum of six full tucks and be seized at each end while the eye is under tension (to prevent the thimble from falling out should the eye stretch when placed under load). Ensure all shackles are properly sized and that all screw pins are moused (secured) with stainless steel wire (a requirement for all chain rodes as well).

Check rope rodes for wear, hard spots (due to heatgenerated friction caused by placing a kinked line under load), cut strands, aging, discoloration, etc. Chafe is a rope rode’s worst enemy, so you’ll also want to check hawseholes, chocks, cleats, windlasses, etc., for burrs, sharp edges, protruding hardware, or anything else that can cause rode damage.

Chain rodes

BAd THimBLE: Galvanized tear drop eyes or rope thimbles are often used to join rope to chain in combination anchor rodes. Corrosion is a common cause of failure (left), but not the only problem. They’re not recommended for use in storm anchor rodes and other high-load systems, as they have a tendency to twist under extreme loading, possibly cutting and damaging the fiber part of the rode (middle). if thimbles are used, ensure they are spliced under tension and properly secured with whipping thread, or they may work themselves loose (right).

20

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

Apr i l 2013

While chain is tougher than rope, it’s not maintenance free. Start by storing your chain clean and keeping it as dry as possible, both of which reduce corrosion and help keep the smell of Davy Jones out of your (chain) locker.

Avoid exposing your chain to preventable chafe, such as pulling your chain along that concrete dock while laying it out for inspection.

Dragging your chain over abrasive surfaces removes the galvanized coating and eventually leads to rusting. Chain should be swapped end-for-end annually to promote even wear of the galvanized coating. Chain should be replaced or re-galvanized once rust begins to appear;

photos by capt . frank lanier

don’t hesitate to renovate Hardware: Not only does anchor rode hardware need to be properly sized (1), but it needs to be properly installed. This anchor swivel (2) is reversed — as installed, the jaw end will likely break under load or, at a minimum, bend the swivel pin as the boat sheers at anchor. The mousing for this screw pin shackle (3) should secure the pin to the shackle, not the chain. This wire will eventually break due to flexing caused by chain movement. Finally, don’t forget to include deck hardware (cleats, chocks, etc.) in your inspection (4).

1

however, this should be done no more than twice, after which the chain should be replaced.

If you have to splice chain, the three most common methods are the riveted joining link, the double jaw midlink, and the quick connect link (never try to modify chain length by using bolts or spikes to join links). The riveted link is a permanent splice that looks and functions like any other link in the chain if sized and installed properly. The double jaw midlink is roughly the same size of a normal link, but unlike the riveted link is removable and can be used for both temporary and permanent splices. The quick connect link should be viewed only as a temporary splice — they’re also a bit harder for your windlass to digest, as they’re roughly 60 percent larger than the other links of the chain they’re sized for.

Chain shackles are another option used to join shots or

2

3

4

lengths of chain. True chain shackles are U-shaped (allowing them to act more like a chain link), as opposed to anchor shackles, which are more C-shaped to provide greater freedom of movement when joining rope eye splices to chain.

Chain rodes should be pulled and inspected at least annually (depending on use), but particularly after exposure to severe loading. Loading on a chain rode isn’t very high under normal conditions; however, damage can occur when the chain is wrapped around an object (rock, wreck, etc.) and placed under tension. If you find your chain slipping or jumping out of the windlass wildcat (chain wheel) more than it typically has in the past, it could be a sign that some of the links have been damaged and the chain may need replacing.

Finally, don’t forget that all chain rodes require the use of an elastic bridle or nylon snubber — both to act as a shock absorber between anchor rode and vessel and to remove anchoring loads from the windlass. LB

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

Boating...You Love It, We Know It At BoatU.S., we know what coverages boaters need for the best protection on the water

From an array of policies, developed for boaters by boaters, to our acclaimed Damage Avoidance Program, coverage from the BoatU.S. Marine Insurance Program lets you do what you love with complete peace of mind.

Policies for All Boats — Yacht to PWC Diminishing Deductibles Coverage for Fishing and Watersports Equipment 24-7 Claims Service from Boating Experts Flexible Payment Plans

For a fast, free quote, call

1-800-283-2883 mention priority code 4832

All policies subject to limits and exclusions.

or visit BoatUS.com/insurance

LakelandBoatingMag_4c_7.75x4.625.indd 1

2/20/13 9:56 AM april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

21

electronics | by Roger McAfee

Green is Good The search for affordable fuel alternatives goes “green.”

A

s the price of fuel rises, boaters continue to examine ways of reducing vessel operating costs. This search led to production of the most efficient internal combustion engines ever — both gasoline and diesel models. This ingenuity, combined with the desire of many boaters (and motorists, for that matter) to reduce their carbon footprint encouraged development of electric drive systems used on many small harbor tour boats throughout North America and Europe. Electric drive systems are excellent for these commercial applications, as the boats can sit and charge all night long, topping off their batteries for the next day of use.

Boaters wanting to reduce operating costs and make a “green” statement likewise resulted in development of two all-electric outboard engines: The Torqeedo “Deep Blue” 80 hp and the Campion “E-Fusion” 180 hp. I’ve operated both of these motors, and both are real outboards that can do real outboard things — fishing, cruising, tubing, wakeboarding, and generally having a good time on the water. Current battery technology, however, is the limiting factor with respect to time of use and range.

But we’ve still come a remarkably long way in a short amount of time. Just two years ago, electric outboards were limited to low-powered units used for strategically positioning a boat for fishing, or in lakes where gasoline outboards were not permitted.

The Deep Blue and E-Fusion motors are quantum leaps forward in the world of non-petrol outboards.

The push for a smaller carbon footprint has helped “green” the marine industry!

GreenPad: The future of cruising Today, the world has a couple of European production hybrid yachts made under the Greenline marquee — a 33-footer and a big sister 40-footer. While I have tested the 40, this column is not a boat test; it drills down more specifically to the way new electric and hybrid drives are beginning to demonstrate the onboard condition of batteries, engines, fuel, and water while also providing positional and navigational information for captains and crew.

The Greenline models have adapted the Apple iPad — they call it a GreenPad — to display information developed by the computer-controlled diesels on board. This type of setup had previously only been available on superyachts and has trickled down to 100-footers in the last few years; however, it has not been an option on boats in the 30-foot category. Until now, that is.

The Greenline 33 is the smallest production cruiser available with this feature. The tablet computer also displays the current condition of all the boat’s batteries.

Roger McAfee has been boating for more than 60 years. He contributes to many of North America’s boating magazines and judges the industry’s Innovation Awards.

22

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

APr i l 2013

GreenPad continuously updates the amount of juice generated by the solar panels on board. During my test of the Greenline 40, it was raining heavily and the sky was dark and cloudy. There was no apparent solar energy being produced.

The rain continued, but suddenly the sky brightened and instantly GreenPad showed two amps of charge being generated — even though rain continued to pour down. The computerized system on board responded lightening-fast to changing environmental conditions. This will surely make for better, safer and more comfortable boating in the long run.

GreenPad has full chartplotter and navigation capability.

Using Google chart overlays will certainly keep the skipper up to date on weather patterns.

But Greenline hasn’t stopped there. With the appropriate apps, GreenPad can make Skype calls, operate as a photo or video display, and stream video, including movies and music, to flat screen TVs and sound systems on board. It can also receive e-mails when cellular or satellite service is available and open and edit Microsoft Office files. It even lets you communicate with other Greenline owners worldwide.

Not to mention all this activity can conveniently be stored on a 4-gig SD card.

Brave new world It looks like this is just the tip of the “green marine” iceberg.

At the Miami International Boat Show back in February, builders displayed components for a 300-hp all-electric outboard and plans for a 60-foot all-electric yacht.

As the industry continues to push for more efficiency and a smaller carbon footprint, displays employing GreenPad technology and capability will be in high demand.

I’d bet some real green on it. LB

by Mark Corke | Corke Board

Safety First How to best maintain a safe and seaworthy boat. il the o e k c e _ Ch or < e befhe m i t each start t you otor! m

I

once recall heading out on a friend’s boat that was far from what I’d consider well maintained. Nothing seemed to work as it should, and regular pumping was required to keep most of the water on the outside of the boat. Although I got back to the dock in one piece, I must say that sail was anything but relaxing; I seemed to spend all my time wondering what was going to break next.

There are U.S. Coast Guard rules about what safety gear you must have on board your boat: Flares, PFDs, fire extinguishers, that sort of thing. But most of the rules concern items that you use only once you’ve found yourself in dire circumstances. A safe and seaworthy boat is essential if you want to stay out of the papers for all the wrong reasons and not wind up as just another statistic.

General overview With a new boating season almost upon us, now’s a good time to tackle all those little jobs that you put off through the winter. Readying the boat for spring means making sure that it’s generally clean and tidy, but you should also check all the onboard systems before you head out for that inaugural cruise. I’m a believer in lists; they help a great deal in making certain that nothing is overlooked. Jotting down a checklist as you go through the boat is a great memory aide for the next time you go through this same process.

Assuming the boat was dry docked for winter, look over the outside of the vessel for any obvious signs of damage.

Are all the parts screwed on as they should be? That means boarding ladders and swim platforms should be in good shape and well attached to the boat. Check cleats, lifelines, stanchions, and anchors for any problems, noting areas that need work or inspection by an expert. If you have a sailboat check all the rigging, especially at deck level, which often rusts behind rigging tape. Run a gloved hand up the rigging wire ropes as far as you can go, checking for frayed or ruptured strands. They’re called “meat hooks” for a reason; that’s why you need to wear gloves.

Instruments and engine Moving into the cockpit, check that the compass, VHF radio and other instruments are all working. You might be able to manage without radar, but the compass should definitely be in good working order.

Check the engine, paying special attention to the water level in the heat exchanger if your motor is so equipped. Make sure to check the oil each and every time you go out — before you

photos by mark corke

start your motor. Do you have enough fuel? More call-outs for TowBoatUS are related to boats running out of fuel and engine-oriented problems than any other situation. Typically, many of these disasters could have been avoided by simply keeping an eye on the amount of fuel in the tank.

Check the bilge area; keeping it dry will help alert you to sudden rising water levels. And while you have the floor boards up, check the seacocks. Make sure they’re all operational and can be turned off in an emergency.

Preliminary checks and paperwork All too often I see folks turn up at the marina, load up the cooler on board, start the engine, and head out — without even the most perfunctory of checks. If all the aforementioned sounds like a lot of unnecessary work before taking a routine cruise, then you’d be dead wrong.

Performing these simple checks and balances could save you a lot of heartache — and expense.

Make sure that all of your paperwork is in order. The boat should be registered with the local DMV, in which case you must display the registration numbers on either side of the bow; or, if the boat weighs more than 5 tons, you can have a USCG documented vessel, meaning there is no need to display numbers.

Either way it is a requirement to keep your boat’s registration document aboard while operating the boat. Other essential paperwork to keep handy is your insurance certificate.

Anything larger than, say, a kayak should be insured at a minimum for third-party liability. LB

aPrIl 2013

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. After loading up your gear for the day, go down your routine checklist to make sure the boat is ready to hit the water.

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

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

23

ask the expert | by Elizabeth Altick

Dock Dish EZ Dock’s Dustin Imel outlines the advantages and applications of well-engineered modular docks.

LB: Why do boaters choose modular docks?

LB: Can one person install modular docks?

Imel: Lightweight modular docks are specifically designed for easy, do-it-yourself assembly. They offer flexible arrangement options and can be reconfigured as needs change.

Imel: Absolutely. Docks such as ours are truly simple to assemble with very few tools. We offer a complete library of owner’s manuals and highly trained and experienced dealers who provide their expertise.

LB: What are the most common applications for modular docks?

Imel: The uses of modular docks are virtually endless. They are great for residential docking on lakes, rivers and at the seaside.

Marinas large and small find them handy. Our customers include restaurants, parks, camps, hotels and resorts, nature preserves, and rowing clubs. Because they’re so easy to transport and put together, they’re the perfect choice for special events.

Contact EZ Dock Inc. 878 E. US Hwy 60 Monett, MO 65708 888-654-8168 417-861-8094 ez-DoCk.Com

LB: What kinds of boats are best suited for modular docks?

Imel: They are appropriate for most boat sizes and hull types. As long as there are proper moorage conditions, the best dealers work closely with customers to design systems to meet customers’ individual needs. In our case, when it comes to keeping a boat high and dry, we can lift boats up to 24 feet and 5,000 pounds. We also just released a drive-on pontoon lift that’s the first of its kind on the market.

LB: How many docks can be put together?

Imel: There are infinite possibilities. You can start off with a very small platform, then expand to any number of components whenever necessary. Disassembly and reconfiguration are not difficult. We have many customers that rearrange their system and add or subtract annually, depending on their needs.

LB: What are the best deck materials to use?

Imel: There are many decking materials on the market today.

The best are corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free, such as polyethylene. Far too many times I hear stories from traditional dock owners who spend their summer months replacing the decking on their wooden docks. We want our customers to enjoy the waterfront and spend their time in a swimsuit, not a tool belt. That’s why we only use materials that are well-suited for the marine environment, such as polyethylene, rubber, nylon, and stainless steel hardware.

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

24

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i L 2013

LB: What is the most severe weather these docks can withstand?

Imel: With a properly designed anchorage system, modular docks stand up to most rough-water conditions. I often receive letters and e-mail from customers telling us about severe weather and even hurricane conditions that their dock systems have successfully withstood.

LB: Can lightweight modular docks stand up to ice?

Imel: This is a very common question, and the answer is yes. The effects of ice and standard freeze-in conditions will not have any effect on marketleading products. However, caution and planning should play a role when considering leaving your docking system in an environment that can have moving ice. It’s not the ice, per se, but the movement of ice that can cause issues with any docking structure.

LB: Can the docks be removed from the water for storage?

Imel: Yes. They are very easy to take apart and store. That’s the whole purpose of modular docks. They are easy to assemble, reconfigure and can be removed from the water when necessary. The main concern is that the system is properly anchored. Local dealers can help you find the system that will best meet your needs — now and in the future. LB Founded in 1991, EZ Dock is a leading manufacturer of high-quality modular floating docks, boat and PWC lifts, and accessories. Combining strength and stability with light weight and low maintenance, the patented designs have applications in both the commercial marine and residential markets.

photos courtesy of ez dock inc .

by Lindsey Johnson | GEARING UP

Bedol Water alarm Clock Who needs batteries when you have... water?! That’s right; the Bedol Water Alarm Clock runs on good ol’ fashioned H2O. Simply fill it with water and watch it work. This eco-friendly timepiece features a modern “water droplet” design and alarm function and is available in five colors: Blueberry blue, kiwi green, tangerine orange, plum purple and smoke gray. $26 at BeDolWhatSnext.CoM

GREAT GEAR Must-have goodies and gadgets for every boater

Clarks Craft Mast Deck Shoes Be stylin’ this boating season with the new Craft Mast deck shoes from Clarks. This handsome men’s slipon shoe has a rich upper crafted of premuim brown leather. It features suede lining for enhanced comfort and a natural crepe outsole for cushioning and long wear. $139.99 at ClarkSuSa.CoM

Groco Sweettank System Stop holding tank odors sans chemicals or filters with the Groco SweetTank system. This odor neutralization kit eliminates smells by inducing a continuous flow of air into the holding tank via a submerged bubbler, creating an oxygen-rich environment where anaerobic bacteria can’t survive. $314.99 at DeFenDer.CoM

Interlux Micron CF The latest in its Micron antifouling line of paints, Micron CF (Copper Free) from Interlux offers the benefits of a copperfree product with the performance of a topquality bottom paint.

Advantages include multi-seasonal usage, reduced maintenance and increased fuel efficiency. $239.99 at yaChtpaInt.CoM

accon Marine Quick Store System Small mesh pockets are perfect to stash items on board so they’re handy, yet don’t get misplaced or accidentally tossed into the drink. Pockets attach to Accon Quick Release Drink Holders. Easy installation and low maintenance. $25.69 anD up at aCConMarIne.CoM

raymarine Dragonfly Sonar GpS Ideal for smaller boats, the new Dragonfly Sonar/GPS from Raymarine is a dual-beam CHIRP sonar and GPS chartplotter all in one and comes complete with its own dual-beam transducer. The unit is available with Navionics Silver or Gold downloadable chart packages. $649.99 to $719.99 at rayMarIne.CoM

aprIl 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

25

boat spotlight | by Capt. Tom Serio

Boston Whaler 270 Dauntless T

The biggest and baddest Dauntless yet.

he name Boston Whaler is synonymous with sturdy fishing platforms of the unsinkable variety. With a range from 11-foot Sport tenders to the 37-foot Outrage, there’s a Boston Whaler for every taste. And in case that wasn’t enough, enter the latest in the Dauntless series: The 2013 270 Dauntless.

Why another Dauntless (there are four others, ranging in size from 17 feet to 23 feet)? Because there’s more of everything in it.

“With this boat, you’ll get more space, more storage, upgraded helm seating and leaning post, and you can cruise farther thanks to its size and larger fuel capacity,” says Jeff Vaughn, Boston Whaler’s vice president of sales, marketing and customer service.

For example, the helm seat also doubles as a leaning post, with a cooler, rod holders, storage, and grab rail. Add in a 30-gallon livewell or three-drawer storage compartment, sink with fresh water, pull-out sprayer, and more, and you’re ready for the day.

The integrated hardtop will shield harmful rays during the day and produce rays at night, thanks to the cockpit lights.

Also noteworthy is the generous space allotment in the boat’s bow area. There’s room for a new forward-facing

bostonwhaler.com

26

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

Specifications LOA: 27'4" Beam: 9' Draft: 1'5" Weight (Dry/no engine): 4,800 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 152 gals.

Water Capacity: 18 gals.

Base Power: 300 XXL L6 DTS Mercury Verado 4-stroke Optional Power: 150/200/225 CXL Mercury Verado 4-stroke Base Price: Contact dealer console seat with armrests as well as forward port and starboard seating, which have folding backrests. Access to the anchor gear is a snap, as line/chain are stored in a dedicated locker with overboard drain.

Aft is Boston Whaler’s renowned stern seat. With the backrest up, it’s a full-width bench seat. Fold down the backrest and it converts to a wide casting deck. Fish on!

Storage is plentiful for all the toys, from fishing rods to skis to wakeboards to gear for the entire day.

Boston Whaler packs a lot into the standard features, including swim platform with ladder, center console with compass, stainless steering wheel, leaning post, bilge pump, and more. Customize your ride with options such as cockpit fridge, rod/tank holders, washdown system, satellite radio, hardtop with electronics box, trailer, and Raymarine electronics package.

Boston Whaler may be adding to the Dauntless line, but the 270 Dauntless is the biggest, baddest one in town. Get on board and check it out. LB

by Capt. Tom Serio | boat spotlight

W

Specifications LOA: 26'9" Beam: 8'6" Tube Diameter: 25" Weight: 4,300 lbs.

Fuel Capacity (2 tubes/PIII/XTR): 32/50/45 gals.

Water Capacity: N/A Power: 90 ELPT 4S EFI outboard Base Price: $60,960

a

mongst the varied line of pontoon boats that Harris FloteBote builds, the new, luxurious Crowne 250 is worthy of a king’s ransom.

Just by looks alone, the Crowne 250 is a departure from standard pontoon styling. Catching the eye is the integrated arch and hull lines that allows this craft to, as Harris puts it, “Make a grand statement about who you are.”

With a bowrider-type layout, the 250 offers lounging/ entertainment space, an ergonomic helm station, and cool lighting options. If you really want to make a statement, the fully tricked-out version with all the options will make you the envy of the waterway.

A departure from other craft of this type is the sport arch.

Sweeping forward, the arch contains overhead LED lights, sun shades and a Bimini.

Bring the crowd, as there’s plenty of seating in the bow complete with cushioned side seating and adjacent back rests so you can face forward and stretch. At the aft end are

I N N E R

Harris FloteBote Crowne 250 dual lounge seats with arm rests, cup holders, and a great view of where you’ve been. A safety rail runs across the transom with a center gate for access to the swim platform.

Socializing is easy with the entertainment bar that offers tiered counter space, built-in sink, appliances, and two bar stools.

Beauty runs deeper than just the skin. Underfoot, Harris FloteBotes have a multitude of performance options that enhance turning radius and planing, boost holeshot, and increase speed. On the Crowne 250, just like on many other models, Harris uses an optional center pontoon with a V-hull-like running surface to improve maneuverability and handling. Strategically placed lifting strakes add to the driving and riding pleasure. Choose from either the XTR (Extreme Turning Radius) or the PIII (Performance III) packages and the 250 will certainly be turning heads — on and off the boat.

Accent lighting includes illuminated drink holders and speakers and underdeck rope lighting. Faux teak flooring, teak table, and touch screen helm controls add to the experience.

You’re sure to get the royal treatment aboard the Harris FloteBote Crowne 250. LB

april 2013

Not your father’s pontoon boat.

harrisflotebote.com

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

27

boat spotlight | by Capt. Tom Serio

regal 3200 bowrider A

Enjoy day yachting at its finest.

s bowrider-type boats go, Regal Boats has one of the largest. Measuring in at a firm 32 feet, the aptly named 3200 Bowrider brings that larger boat feel to a fun and spry open layout ride.

Look at the profile of the 3200 and you’d swear it’s a cuddy cabin, evident by the hull-side porthole window, generous freeboard and folding “Power Tower” arch.

But once on board, it’s all about soaking up the environment around you, unhindered by hull sides or other obstructions.

Regal categorizes the 3200 as the ideal boat for “day yachting,” and they’re definitely on to something. With seating and space for up to 18 passengers, open entertaining is what it’s all about.

First, the transom dual Ultralounge seats adjust to six different positions depending on relaxation desires. There are two forward-facing seats in front of the dual consoles, as well as seating across the bow to either face aft or curl up and watch the water skim by.

Operation of the 3200 is from the starboard side helm console.

A vinyl-wrapped, hand-stitched dashboard encases the gauges, radio, tilt steering wheel, and optional Garmin GPS and VHF radio. The helm seat is bolstered and large enough for two.

Being this close to Mother Nature may have her calling periodically, and Regal has the solution. There’s an

regalboats.com

28

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

Apr i l 2013

Specifications LOA: 32' Beam: 10'4" Draft (Drive up/down): 21"/35" Weight (Dry): 9,000 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 153 gals.

Water Capacity: 30 gals.

Power: T-Volvo V8 or T-Merc Base Price: Contact dealer or customize online

enclosed head, complete with black cherry finished cabinets, basin-style sink, electric toilet with pump-out fittings, and soft step flooring.

Want to drop anchor? There’s no stubbing toes on the gear as it’s safely and neatly contained in a locker, and the anchor deploys through a stern anchor roller.

Options abound with the 3200 Bowrider, so pricing the model for this story was tricky — but it won’t be for you.

Regal’s website offers an option that lets you design your own Regal online. Clicking on the 3200 at regAlboAts.com starts the process, where you can select everything from boat color to the 15 or so engine options and interior/exterior choices, as well as navigation and entertainment options.

A sidebar screen registers your picks so you can keep an eye on the bottom line while adding to the top end. LB

by Capt. Tom Serio | boat spotlight

Specifications LOA: 63'1" Beam: 18'11" Draft: 5'1" Weight: 92,175 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 1,800 gals.

Water Capacity: 302 gals.

Power: 2-CAT C32-A 1925 hp Base price: Contact dealer

Y

ou can tell a lot about a boat by its numbers. For Viking Yachts, they add up like this: In business for 49 years, an 810,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in New Jersey, more than 100 yachts built annually, and have delivered 4,000 yachts to date, from 42 to 82 feet.

One more important number to consider: 62. As in the Viking 62 Enclosed Bridge (EB).

An enclosed bridge brings a new dynamic to the boating experience. It offers a quieter ride, shields from the elements, adds security, and can be a nice place to hide out. Viking has delivered by capping its 62 Convertible, complete with an L-shaped lounge and table aft of the helm station.

It’s all Viking through and through. A spacious salon yields an L-shaped settee to port, with an entertainment center housing a 46-inch flat screen TV. A floating-step circular staircase accesses the enclosed bridge.

Separated by a granite-topped serving island complete with two built-in stools, the galley blends cleanly into the rest of the salon. Under-counter, draw-style fridge and freezers as well as other appliances and cabinet doors are finished in matching wood.

Viking 62 Enclosed Bridge Depending on need, the 62 EB can be configured with three or four staterooms. With three, each cabin has an en-suite head with shower stall. With the four-room layout, the two port staterooms share the port head.

Either way, the VIP stateroom is in the forepeak with a queen-sized, walk-around berth and the master is amidship, with queen berth, credenza and 32-inch television.

Dance around in the 172-square-foot cockpit. This is a purebred fish-fighting machine, tricked out with rod holders, washdown systems, transom fish box, storage lockers, chair mount, and way more.

Keep the lights on with the standard 27.5 kW Onan gen set. And keep the seas at bay with an optional Seakeeper gyro stabilizer. Viking builds in a mount so the Seakeeper can be added on order, or later on down the road.

Viking has kept the exterior lines on this boat true to traditional Viking styling with a smooth flowing sheer from tip to end. Blacked out forward windows allows the 62 EB to fight any seas.

“This boat is without a doubt the finest performing sea boat that Viking has ever built,” says Greg Krueger, president of Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, exclusive Viking dealer in the Great Lakes (866-490-5297; JBYS.com). “It’s dry, soft, fast and agile. At 32 knots in 3- to 5-foot head seas, the handling is truly unbelievable.”

All good numbers, indeed. LB

april 2013

Boating by the numbers.

vikingyachts.com

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

29

boat test

Meilahn Custom Yachts

Gemini 60 SuperSport 30

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

The dream of a twin-hulled sport yacht becomes reality.

By Bing Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara | Photos by Jim Raycroft april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

31

J

eff and Dave Meilahn had an idea. It was to build a luxurious twin-hulled, shallow draft vessel offering zero interruption to the interior living space using a wider-than-usual beam. Sounds like a tall order, I know; but the idea morphed into a dream, and from it Meilahn Custom Yachts LLC was born.

The Meilahn brothers chose Stuart, Florida to set up shop because of its well-earned reputation as a boatbuilding Mecca, including an established and highly skilled marine workforce. It’s also home to Steve French and his superb team of naval architects at Applied Concepts Unleashed, the company Dave eventually brought on board to design his dream boat.

I asked Dave Meilahn if there was something specific he wanted from French that he couldn’t necessarily get from another designer.

“Steve does not like straight-line design,” Meilahn explained. “He’s known for his curves. He always asks, ‘Would you like a woman with straight lines?’”

The aft portion of the yacht consists of three decks: The helm deck, the hot tub deck, and the cockpit deck.

A centerline helm station with two captain’s chairs adorn the helm deck. Here, a captain has full and unobstructed access to the boat’s electronics control center, which is customizable to an owner’s specific desire. A dinette lounge with seating for six keeps friends and family close while underway, and guests can take full advantage of the amenities located here, including wet bar with refrigerator, ice maker, sink, and refuse drawer. The retractable hardtop has twin opening sunroofs to let light flood in during the day, or permit stargazing at night.

Six people can lounge comfortably and in style while soaking in the hot tub located on Gemini’s aptly named “hot tub” deck, which was properly designed for both indoor and outdoor living at its finest. If an owner prefers, this hot tub deck can instead be converted to a dinghy garage perfect for storing a sizeable tender or fun water toys.

Dave made it a point to show me the results of French’s philosophy on the finished product, appropriately named the Gemini 60 SuperSport in honor of her twin hulls (think of the twins Castor and Pollux of Greek mythology) capable of speeds upwards of 45 mph.

Curves, indeed, are plentiful on this goddess of a vessel: Seating on the open aft deck is curved, the cockpit deck tables have curvature — no right angles are anywhere to be found on this heavenly body.

The boat feels soft and luxurious as a result, and she welcomed me aboard with open arms.

I happily and eagerly accepted her invitation.

I was anxious to see for myself what happens when a dream becomes reality.

The boat’s cockpit deck brings a gourmet galley out into the open air and includes a built-in grill, SubZero two-drawer refrigerator/freezer, and Cambria quartz countertops. A lounge/dinette area with hi-lo table easily seats six. Triangular-shaped sun sails provide shade from canopy to transom.

Enter Gemini’s salon by descending the wide stairway to the elegant open salon. The galley occupies the port side of the spacious living area and features easy-on-the-eyes curved marble countertops and stools. A small loveseat faces aft, while a complementary L-shaped settee faces forward. Each features smooth white leather trim of the supple quality you’d expect on a luxurious vessel such as this.

The galley is well equipped with a stovetop, built-in upright refrigerator, and sink — just steps away from guests for easy access.

The master and VIP staterooms each have hanging lockers, bureaus and built-in night stands, providing ample storage for owners and guests.

Queen-size pedestal beds are positioned to face the sizeable entertainment centers. The master stateroom has its own ensuite head, and the VIP head is accessible via a convenient gangway that also leads to the day head.

Luxurious accommodations I boarded Gemini from her stern’s oversized, hull-to-hull swim platform. As you approach the stern, the aft section of the yacht looks like a giant cutaway. The hardtop begins at the windshield and dramatically slopes downward.

Approaching her from the stern, Gemini appears massive; possibly upwards of 80 or 90 feet in length. The oversized swim platform is molded to the stern and her two hulls are hidden from view, creating the illusion of a single, mammoth hull from certain vantage points.

At the helm, you enjoy 360-degree visibility.

The wrap-around windshield is enormous, slanting into oblivion as you look forward and out onto the horizon.

32

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

Fast and agile One of Dave Meilahn’s goals for this boat was to have Gemini be fast and agile. He was successful, thanks to the twin Yanmar 900-hp diesels, coupled with Twin Disc QuickShift transmissions with e-Troll and Arneson ASD 12 surface drives.

Meilahn Custom Yachts Gemini SuperSport 60

A Northern Lights 20kW generator keeps things running smoothly and comes standard.

At its top end, the Gemini 60 SuperSport will reach speeds of 45 mph. The stability is remarkable, even while taking tight turns and making figure 8s. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no leaning whatsoever; she remains consistently level.

The Gemini 60 SuperSport has been specifically designed for maximum enjoyment of both indoor and outdoor living, and she delivers in spades. She can go almost anywhere with her 3-foot, one-inch draft, and her plush and luxurious accommodations belowdecks are truly fit for the gods.

This is one tough, sleek yacht capable of handling anything that mankind or Mother Nature throws her way. Not unlike some women I know. LB

helm photo by suki @ yachtingtoday . tv

Standard Equipment Anigre quartered interior; quartz counters; dishwasher; convection/microwave oven; refrigerator/freezer; garbage disposal; ample storage; seating for 10 w/ two bar stools; entertainment center w/46" TV, Blueray and satellite; navigation interface w/remote keyboard; master stateroom w/queen walkaround bed, settee and entertainment center w/24" TV; VIP stateroom w/ queen walk-around bed, night stands and entertainment center w/24" TV; VIP head w/Avonite counters and Groh rainwater shower w/seat; washer/dryer in companionway; central vacuum system; six-person hot tub; center line helm station w/ two captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chairs; dinette lounge w/seating for six; hot tub deck seats 10; cockpit deck seats five; 36" outdoor TV/ entertainment center; complete outdoor galley incl. grill, sink, SubZero refrigerator/ freezer and refuse drawer; dive platform.

Specifications LOA: 60' Beam: 19'3" Draft: 3'1" Displacement: 57,500 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 1,100 gals.

Water Capacity: 125 gals.

Power: T-Yanmar 900 hp diesels Base Price: Contact manufacturer meilahncustomyachts.com

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

33

itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not easy being

n e e r g

by Elizabeth Altick

34

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

satellite photo courtesy of nasa

Lake Erie struggles to fight an infestation of harmful bluegreen algae.

D

espite its many manmade woes, Lake Erie is remarkably resilient. In pre-industrial times it was presumably pristine.

By the 1960s the lake was at death’s door. Over the next decades, against all odds, it came back to life.

But in 2002, Lake Erie relapsed.

“Lake Erie is the canary in the Great Lakes’ coal mine,” says Sandy Bihn, an environmental activist who works with the economic interest group Lake Erie Improvement Association (LEIA), dedicated to promoting healthy, sustainable waters on the shallowest, most biologically productive of the Great Lakes.

And with words like “eutrophication” and “dead zones” used to describe the lake’s precarious condition, the canary must be feeling faint.

One would have thought the Erie ecosystem hit bottom when the Cuyahoga River burst into flames in 1969. Three years later, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Clean Water Act were established, and pollution began to be remediated. Things were looking good until one of the lake-slayers returned — the toxic cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae.

The worst outbreak in decades occurred in 2011. According to the Ohio EPA, a Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) has different colors and looks, none of which are very appealing. They can be “green, blue-green, brown, white… and black. They can look like film, crust or puff balls at the surface. They also may look like grass clippings or dots in the water. Some HABs look like spilled paint, pea soup, foam, wool, streaks, or green cottage cheese curd.”

Causes and effects Blue-green algae is harmful to humans, pets and wildlife. According to the World Health Organization, “Disease due to cyanobacterial toxins varies according to the type of toxin and the type of water or water-related exposure (drinking, skin contact, etc.).”

Humans are affected with a range of symptoms including skin irritation, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle and joint pain, blisters of the mouth, and liver damage. Swimmers in water containing cyanobacterial toxins may suffer allergic reactions, such as asthma, eye irritation, rashes, and blisters around the mouth and nose. Animals, birds and fish can also be poisoned by high levels of toxin-producing cyanobacteria.

rock photo by brenda culler courtesy of ohio sea grant / stone laboratory

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

35

“The blooms start each year in Maumee Bay of western Lake Erie, near the mouth of the Maumee River,” says Justin Chaffin, Ph.D., senior researcher with Ohio Sea Grant. “Lake Erie is the shallowest Great Lake, which means it warms up the quickest and reaches the greatest temperatures. The Maumee drains the largest watershed in the Great Lakes basin, which is 85 percent agricultural. Cyanobacteria require high nutrient concentrations and warm water temperatures. Western Lake Erie is shallow, warms quickly, and receives heavy nutrient loads.”

The main guilty nutrient is phosphorous, doing what it does best: Fertilize, which is fine on land but highly destructive in water. Since the 1970s, phosphorous has been limited in agricultural fertilizer and detergents and reduced from specific sources such as waste-treatment plants. But the clean-up trend was reversed by rapid changes at the dawn of the 21st century.

“Increased development with a lot more pavement, houses and storm drains, destruction of wetlands, thousands of miles of drain tiles in farm fields, new types of fertilizer, application rates, and very large equipment contributed to the phosphorous load,” Bihn explains. “Worsening the situation is the practice of putting thousands of animals in

Excessive amounts of nutrients — primarily phosphorous — are mostly to blame for the blue-green algae blanketing parts of Lake Erie’s surface. Changes to the Lake Erie ecosystem are also a contributing factor, including the introduction of zebra and quagga mussels.

confined spaces that create massive amounts of manure applied to the land, including on frozen ground.”

Chaffin sheds further light on the causes of algae blooms.

“Since 1995, there have been many changes to the Lake Erie ecosystem,” he explains. “Zebra and quagga mussels invaded, and they contribute to the problem by filtering out the good algae and spitting out the cyanobacteria. The mussels also excrete dissolved reactive phosphorus and ammonium, which favors cyanobacteria.

“The mayflies that disappeared when the lake appeared dead are back, their larvae stirring up lake sediments that can release phosphorous into the water,” Chaffin continues. “The largest impact has been the increasing loading rate of dissolved phosphorous from the Maumee River, a form that is easily used by algae.

“Often overlooked,” he says, “is the fact that bioavailable nitrogen has increased worldwide and contributes to cyanobacterial problems.”

Lake Erie and beyond Erie is not the only Great Lake experiencing algae blooms.

Keith Schneider, senior editor of Circle of Blue, wrote on its website: “Blue-green algae mar the waters of Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The western shoreline of Lake Michigan, from Kewaunee, Wisconsin, to Sturgeon Bay, is an almost unbroken green runway of algae, in some places about a foot thick. And while Platte Bay [was] mostly clear of algae this [past] summer, little ghostly green tendrils

Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) can affect beaches, too, like this one on Kelleys Island, Ohio.

36

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

photos courtesy of noaa

float in the water like jellyfish. They brush against your arms as if to say, ‘Remember us; we’re still around.’”

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported cyanobacteria on Lake Superior beaches from Cornucopia to Little Sand Bay last July.

“Blue-green algae blooms are extremely unusual in Lake Superior because the water is generally very low in nutrients and cold; however, the floods in June flushed nutrients and sediment from the land into the lake,” according to the Wisconsin DNR. “Combined with the warm weather, conditions may have been just right for the algae to multiply.”

Blue-green algae blooms in Ramsey Lake in Sudbury, Ontario are causing concern about how it might affect drinking water and recreational use of the lake. According to the Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee, “Studies have shown that up to 50 percent of the phosphorus in stormwater runoff is from lawn application of fertilizer.” Many lawns and streets in Sudbury drain directly and untreated into Ramsey Lake.

To reduce the introduction of phosphorous, the city enacted a bylaw to restrict lawn fertilizers containing it as an ingredient.

Residents were instructed to use fertilizer with a “0” in the middle indicating no phosphorous, such as 30-0-10. The city also suggested establishing natural shoreline buffers and to wash cars at a commercial carwash instead of on the driveway.

Minimize the spread Summarizing what can be done to minimize blue-green algae, LEIA’s Bihn shares these guidelines: “Reduce all sources of phosphorus coming into Lake Erie from agriculture, wastewater, manure, storm sewers, lawn fertilizers and failing septic systems. Keep the water on land to slow runoff so that phosphorus sources stay put and do not go in the water.

Do not allow manure and fertilizer to be placed on frozen ground. And protect our valuable wetlands.”

For more information on how to prevent the spread of blue-green algae on Lake Erie and how you can help, contact the Lake Erie Improvement Association at 800-551-1592 or visit LEIA’s website, lakeerieimprovement.org. LB

In Maumee Bay, Tom Bridgeman, a Universty of Toledo professor, runs his fingers through the microcystis algae to show how thick it is.

Keep-Away Ohio EPA recommends the following measures to avoid contact with blue-green algae:

> Never swallow any lake or river water, whether you see HABs or not.

> Stay out of water that may have a HAB.

> Do not let pets lick HAB material from their fur or eat HAB material.

> If you plan to eat the fish you catch, remove the guts and liver and rinse fillets in tap water before eating. > After swimming or wading in lake water, even where no HABs are visible, rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible. > See a doctor if you or your children might be ill from HAB toxins. If your pet appears ill, contact your veterinarian.

> Do not drink or cook with lake water. > Do not let your children or pets play in HAB debris on the shore. > Other activities near the water such as camping, picnicking, biking, and hiking are safe. If you are picnicking, wash your hands before eating if you’ve had contact with lake water or shore debris.

top right photo by diane hires / the toledo blade ; pier photo courtesy of noaa

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

37

Wisconsin native Jon Paul Van Harpen is a writer turned underwater explorer turned museum curator who knows a thing or two about peg legs, pillaging, and buried treasure… and is eager to share it with the world.

Arrr.

R

esidents of Door County, Wisconsin, know him as a former newspaper writer who has introduced them to the treasures of the underwater world through columns in The Door County Advocate and The Peninsula Pulse.

Shipwreck buffs with a soft spot for northeast Wisconsin know him as the author of the book “Door Peninsula Shipwrecks.” But those who have run across the name Jon Paul Van Harpen may not be aware that he is a longtime diver, underwater photographer and researcher with a passion for colonial history whose interests have taken him from the Great Lakes to the Florida Keys and back.

This onetime participant in the PBS series “History Detectives” also has a distinct talent for museum curation.

In fact, Van Harpen is the man responsible for the Door County Maritime Museum’s current exhibition “Pirates — Ship to Shore,” the sequel to 2007’s wildly popular “Pirates!”

The exhibition is on display at the museum’s Sturgeon Bay location through January 2014.

One might imagine that a man who could assemble such an impressive pirates show, and whose gruff voicemail greeting actually ends in “Arrr,” might have been a diehard pirate fan as a kid. Not so, says Van Harpen. In fact, his

childhood interest in pirates began and ended with Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous 1883 adventure novel.

“When I was fairly young, maybe third or fourth grade, my sister-in-law gave me a Reader’s Digest Condensed Book with ‘Treasure Island’ in it,” recalls Van Harpen, who grew up in Menasha, Wisconsin, the grandson of an Escanaba Line trainman. “It was difficult reading at that age, but I got into it. I really was interested in learning the sailing terms.”

What Van Harpen really came to love as a youngster was the nascent sport of scuba diving. The year was 1969, and Van Harpen said it was a very weird year. His parents were both in the hospital for separate surgeries, leaving the 10-year-old boy and his 16-year-old sister largely on their own; not only did they get discharged simultaneously, his brother returned from Vietnam, a survivor of the deadly Tet Offensive, that same day. It was July 20 — and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.

“Just a week later, they raised the (1846 schooner) Alvin Clark in Green Bay,” Van Harpen says, laughing. “To me, anything was possible!”

Underwater exploration Deeply inspired by all of this, the young Van Harpen crafted a dive knife out of a hunting knife, got a mask and fins and taught himself to free dive on nearby lakes. In 1970, while on vacation in Escanaba, Michigan, the boy saw the Clark out of the water for the first time — and he was enthralled with the idea of wreck diving.

“My cousin was a U.S. Navy diver, and I went scuba diving with him at age 11,” Van Harpen remembers. “I got certified at 13 (in Neenah, Wisconsin), which made me the youngest person ever to go through the program without a parent or guardian.

And shipwrecks were really what drew me into the sport.”

Diving did take a back seat for a little while in his youngadult years, he says, as he pursued offroad racing, got married and later divorced. And then the water beckoned once again; he returned as a dive master and ardent preservationist working to protect shipwrecks that remained at the bottom of Lake Michigan.

38

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

all photos by tim schultz

A

Pirateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life

By Heather Steinberger

for Me april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

39

“I got into the preservation movement in 1986,” Van Harpen says.

“I also was technically the last diver to do anything with the Clark.”

Van Harpen was there when the investors who purchased the decaying schooner from former owner Frank Hoffman decided to move the ship. A drain gave way, and Van Harpen found himself diving in zero visibility with hay and 40-pound sandbags to fill that drain.

“In zero viz, you actually close your eyes to waken your other senses,” he says.

Sadly, despite their efforts, the Clark’s life was at an end. Without an adequate conservation plan and funding, she continued to deteriorate and was bulldozed just a few years later. Van Harpen’s career, however, was on the rise. He got involved with a little bit of everything in the dive world, including salvage, research, mapping and underwater photography and film footage. He also remained a major player in underwater preservation, bringing in former Wisconsin State Representative Larry Swoboda to help craft legislation to protect shipwrecks from those seeking salvage trophies or those wanting to strip woodwork for other uses.

“The federal Abandoned Shipwreck Act became law in 1987,” Van Harpen comments. “We got the state law passed in Wisconsin in 1991.”

He remained dedicated to shipwreck preservation, attempting to catalog wreck sites and attract state monies for the Wisconsin Shipwreck Preservation Society. Ultimately, the Wisconsin Historical Society took it over, also establishing the state’s Maritime Trails program.

40

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

Pirates: The introduction

Van Harpen’s interests took him beyond the Great Lakes as well.

From 1987 to 1990, he lived in Florida, working with the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society in Key West.

“I was only supposed to go for a three-month internship,” he notes.

“I’d met Mel Fisher’s head archaeologist, Duncan Matthewson, at the Our World Underwater show in Chicago. We talked about the Atocha — it was only a year after they’d found the mother lode (aboard the wreck of the Spanish ship which sank off the Florida Keys in a 1622 hurricane) — and by the end of the conversation, he wanted to come to Wisconsin for projects, and I had the internship!”

During his time with Mel Fisher’s organization, Van Harpen says he never got involved in salvage work. He was there strictly to work in the archaeology department.

“I wasn’t into the pirate end of it,” he admits. “I liked the colonial history and artifacts.”

Fast forward to 2006. The Door County Maritime Museum was interested in capitalizing on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie franchise and the public’s burgeoning fascination with pirate history.

The museum asked Van Harpen to step in as a consultant for the exhibit, which would be christened “Pirates!”

“That exhibit dealt with the three Spanish fleets that sank off Florida in the 17th and 18th centuries,” Van Harpen explains. “We wanted to explore how the treasure was moving around. Spain was a major force in global shipping; really, this was the first time we had a global economy, with these vessels moving between Asia, the Middle East, China, Europe and the New World.”

As consultant, Van Harpen handled all the artifacts, working with the State of Florida in Tallahassee, the Milwaukee Public Museum, the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay, the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society in Key West, and the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort to secure items for the exhibition.

“Pirates!” would go on to break all of the Door County Maritime Museum’s attendance records during its eight-month run, with parents commenting that their kids were dragging them to the museum to see the show. So, when museum staff decided to open the new pirate-themed exhibition in May 2012, they approached

Van Harpen again. This time, however, he would be the curator.

“The biggest difference with ‘Pirates — Ship to Shore” is that it has a more general theme than the first exhibit,” Van Harpen explains. “We wanted to give people a real walk through history.”

Pirates: The exhibit To that end, there is only one artifact display cabinet in the entire exhibit.

The rest is devoted to storefronts in a recreated Nassau, Bahamas.

“We based our waterfront community on Nassau instead of Port Royal because it really was a pirate capital,” Van Harpen says. “It was a no-man’s land. The United Kingdom didn’t invest a lot, so the pirates took over. It was called the Pirate Republic, and Blackbeard was actually supposed to be governor!

“People usually are amazed to learn how governments all had their hands in piracy,” he adds.

Stores include a gun shop, with original weapons from the Milwaukee Public Museum, the Neville Public Museum, and the State of Florida; an assayer’s office, displaying replicas of New World treasures being shipped back to Europe; a display of real Spanish coins from the State of Florida; a ship’s chandlery with navigational devices from the State of Florida, the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc; an authentic pub; an interactive jail; and a costume room so that visitors will be properly attired as they stroll village streets.

“We also have a general store, so we can show people that pirates didn’t just steal treasure,” Van Harpen observes. “They also stole wine, liquor, medicine — anything of value.”

While the waterfront community is striking, the highlight of the exhibition is the pirate ship Fortune, loosely based on the Royal Fortune. Van Harpen’s company, Pirate Exhibits Ltd., contracted to build the ship, which took six months to design and a year to construct.

“The museum gave us the rental price of the exhibit, and we had to build to that price,” Van Harpen says. “They had the cannons already, which helped. The ship is 32 feet long, 12 feet high and 10 feet wide… which made it really interesting to get it up a stairwell to the second floor!”

The ship was built in 12 major sections. Van Harpen said he drew heavily on his degree in marine drafting and design, which

he earned locally in a program that trained students for work at Sturgeon Bay’s shipyards.

But his business, which he formed with friend and former Door County Maritime Museum curator John Moga, was not a new one.

The duo started Pirate Exhibits Ltd. in 2010, when the National Marine Manufacturers Association was looking for something different for its boat shows that season.

“John and I became partners, and we did four shows that year,” Van Harpen says.

Now, however, the company’s assets are tied up in Sturgeon Bay and are unable to travel. Eventually, when the exhibition ends next winter, Van Harpen says they’ll have to find a new home for all the materials.

“The good news is that we won’t have to build from scratch,” he says, chuckling. “And we can rent it out for a quarter of the cost of building new.”

So, what’s next for Van Harpen, as he awaits the next chapter for Pirate Exhibits Ltd.? He says he’d like to do some more writing.

“I like the writing better than the publishing,” he said with a laugh.

“Maybe I’ll do more books, maybe I’ll do columns again. And I feel very reflective about the Alvin Clark, about what we learned and what we’re still learning. I enjoyed working with the Clark, despite what happened. And now I’d like to see one home for the remaining artifacts and the documentary film footage.”

One thing is certain. Whether it’s with pirate exhibits, books, newspaper columns, diving, research or preservation, Van Harpen will keep busy pursuing his interests. With a finely tuned sense of history, plenty of engaging stories, a ready laugh... and the occasional “arrr.” LB

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

41

Dock Decisions

by Michael Hauenstein

Choosing the dock that’s right for you.

42

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

photo by alex watson © 2013

I

n many ways, choosing a dock is all about harmony: A dock should be in harmony with your boat, your waterfront home, your family and friends, your shoreline and underwater topography, your local regulations and restrictions…. Though some are out of your hands, many are within your control.

Whether you’re looking for a dock that will stay put for 40 years or one you can remove when the seasons change, the goal is to find the right mix within a matrix of cost, strength, durability, function, adaptability, ease of maintenance, and appearance.

Perhaps it’s best to think of it as a series of choices leading you to the ultimate dock for your circumstances. The good news is there are many choices, some of which we’ll detail — along with relevant news and new products from several leading dock manufacturers — in this article.

We’ll begin by taking a look at the different types of docks that are available, from permanent docks to removable, or seasonal, docks.

The Permanent Dock: Crib Docks and Driven Pilings If permanence and stability are the name of the game, it’s hard to argue with the (literally) rock-solid foundations of a crib dock. The crib, in this case, is a large timber box set on the lake bottom and filled with rocks. Cribs rise well above the surface of the water.

Wooden stringers and then deck boards are installed atop the cribs.

Breezeswept Docks, based in Cedarville, Michigan, among the picturesque Les Cheneaux Islands, is known for building high-end crib docks befitting the area’s rustic beauty

This dock, built by Breezeswept Docks, incorporates seven massive, stone-filled cedar cribs, 65 cedar log piles, and floating docks from Flotation Docking Systems. To read a firsthand account of this dock project, visit woodyboater.com and scroll down for the February 8, 2013 blog post written by Alex Watson.

(breezeswept.net).

“We build docks the old-fashioned way,” says Breezeswept owner Bob Dunn. “They withstand a lot of ice and they last a long time.”

Breezeswept’s traditional timber boat docks are designed to last two generations, according to the company. They’re built

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

43

Take into consideration the fact that ice can lift the piles, resulting in damage to the dock, when deciding which type of permanent dock is right for a given location.

Permitting concerns — chief among them state and local ordinances covering environmental impacts — may also hinder installation of a permanent dock, and should be factored into any dock installation.

Nonpermanent Stationary Docks

with Northern white cedar log cribs and pilings; the cribs are filled with natural limestone. Above the water, Breezeswept uses cedar or treated Southern yellow pine for decking.

As you might expect, these high-end custom docks come at a premium: Dunn says that for a representative installation, with a pier reaching out 100 feet from shore, a one-slip dock could cost $60,000 and a two-slip dock might run $80,000.

In the end, however, Dunn says you get what you pay for.

Given the length of most recreational boat docks, a series of cribs is required; they are spaced apart to allow water to flow around them. When looking for a permanent dock to contend with currents and ice floes, a crib dock might be your best bet — and it sure looks prettier than a concrete pier.

In more protected areas, pilings can be used without rock cribs to achieve this classic look. In this type of dock, a deck surface is connected to timber, steel, or synthetic piles that have been driven several feet into the lakebed.

ShoreStation has given the sectional dock a makeover with the attractive new ShoreBridge dock (top).

As pictured, the dock has an estimated price of $10,500, not including posts. The Connect-APort 2XL from ConnectA-Dock is a new drive-on personal watercraft dock designed for today’s larger PWCs (bottom).

44

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

Freestanding docks and other nonpermanent docks are lighter than permanent docks, presenting lower initial cost plus easier installation and, of course, removal. Removable stationary docks typically use steel or aluminum pipes for support, which either stand on feet or are driven into the lakebed depending on the size of the boat and local conditions. For ease of removal, and if conditions allow — a gradually sloping shore and lightweight boat — rollers can be used in lieu of the aforementioned feet.

A variety of decking materials can be paired with many stationary dock frames, including wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum.

However, a knock on this type of dock in the past has been its looks. ShoreStation plans to change that perception with its ShoreBridge Dock (shorestation.com).

“Our new ShoreBridge dock system was designed with looks in mind,” says Eric Johnson, national sales and marketing manager for ShoreStation. “It allows consumers to make a statement and have their waterfront layout stand out from the rest.”

ShoreBridge is modular, with different size sections, including corners, and can be outfitted with a host of compatible accessories such as ladders, benches, solar light towers, and bumpers. In addition, ShoreStation incorporates cosmetically appealing rounded edges, arches, and designer colors.

“The arch truss design and sand beige decking give it a warm and inviting appearance that really makes it an extension of their home rather than just a dock,” says Johnson.

“Along with aesthetics, we also engineered it for safety. With our ‘foot-friendly’ aluminum decking, you don’t have to worry about splinters, burning feet, slipping, or unstable footing.”

The company recommends selecting the leg style for the ShoreBridge dock based on the following criteria for most lakefronts: Roll-in and freestanding supports for water depths up to about 8 feet, and driven pipe for depths to 12 feet.

ShoreStation, owned by Midwest Industries Inc. of Ida Grove, Iowa, also offers floating docks — a great solution for deeper water.

Floating Docks: Eminently Adaptable High-end crib dock builder Breezeswept recently completed a major dock installation project working hand-in-hand with their neighbors at Flotation Docking Systems Inc., also of Cedarville, Michigan (flotationdocking.com).

FDS’s heavy-duty floating docks combine treated lumber with galvanized steel structural components.

This combination of fixed and floating gives the owner the best of both worlds: A large L-shaped pier, built on a solid foundation of rock-filled cribs, connected to floating finger docks that make boarding and disembarking from a small fleet of classic wood runabouts a snap regardless of water levels at any given time.

Floating docks are a great choice for bodies of water with fluctuating water levels, or deeper water where a stationary solution is less feasible. Also, depending on the bottom type at your waterfront — a mucky bottom, for example — you might find a floating dock more appealing.

The impermanence of the floating dock is one of its greatest assets: It’s easily removable in the face of changing weather and also reconfigurable to meet the boat owner’s changing needs.

“We do a lot of work in these areas because you’re going to have a ton of water fluctuation and ice floes and so on, and that’s really our home-run market,” says Allan Eva, vice president of Cleveland, Ohio-based Jet Dock Systems, which builds

modular floating docks and drive-on dry docking solutions (jetdock.com). Systems like Jet Dock can be reconfigured with a few hand tools, he says, and can be left in the ice over winter or removed if moving ice is a problem. A standalone mooring system is available, too, so that the floating docks do not need to rely on an existing structure for installation.

In some instances, homeowners leave their floating docks in the water over the winter but remove the gangway connecting the dock to land, instead tying the dock off with lines to allow for some play as water levels fluctuate or ice moves in.

Undeniably, the floating dock market offers plenty of customer choice, including a number of highly innovative modular systems.

Pier Genius is a floating dock manufacturer that offers what it calls an Anti-Sway Tube Frame. The company’s tagline is “the floating dock that feels like a stationary,” and this steel frame is designed to minimize the sway, or side-to-side

april 2013

Modular floating docks, like those from Jet Dock (top) and EZ Dock (bottom), can be configured and expanded to fit the needs of homeowners and marinas alike.

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

45

bending and twisting motion, common to many floating dock systems (piergenius.com). Body weight and wind loads are two contributing factors to sway, and Pier Genius’ steel frame is designed to combat these by being stiffer than the competition.

“We are unique in that we only sell steel frames made with tubing rather than angle iron,” says Jesse King, president of Woden, Iowa-based Pier Genius. “The impacts are greatly improved strength and stability. The frame is so strong we are in pre-production phase of another new product, which is a floating boat lift and dock that will use the frames as a structural entity.”

King says buying the lift and dock can lead to savings of up to 50 percent compared to buying them separately. Pier Genius offers a 25-year warranty on its steel frames. General pricing is around $100 a linear foot, King says. What’s more, basic dock installation only requires a 3⁄8-inch socket wrench to connect the steel frames to the floats; each section of frame, including decking, weighs about 150 pounds, while the plastic floats weigh 48 pounds apiece. Once connected, these are

This floating dock has been outfitted with a canopy, power pedestal, and a pair of drive-on PWC docks (top). The stiff steel frame of this Pier Genius floating dock greatly increases its stability (bottom).

46

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

simply floated into place and then attached to shore and/or to pipes driven into the lakebed.

Similarly, the floating dock systems manufactured by Connect-A-Dock Inc., of Atlantic, Iowa, require only a 9 ⁄16-inch socket to assemble (connectadock.com). The plastic docks, which can be put together without getting into the water, are fully modular.

“You can reconfigure them so you’re not stuck with one shape,” says John Krogman, director of sales and marketing for Connect-A-Dock. “Your dock can change from year to year.”

The company offers two series of floating docks: The low-profile 1000 Series with a 7-inch freeboard, and the higher-profile 2000 Series for bigger boats and larger bodies of water, with an 18-inch freeboard.

“The biggest advantage of Connect-A-Dock, besides its stability, is that we provide two different profiles of dock,” explains Krogman. “Our docks are good for just about any application, whether it’s a small pond up to larger boats and even marina systems.”

In addition, owners can outfit the company’s docks with an assortment of accessories; Connect-A-Dock even sells direct from its own marine accessories retail website at docksuppliers.com.

“We sell anything from inflatable toys to cleats to power pedestals, as well as Connect-A-Dock accessories,” says Krogman.

The latest product from Connect-A-Dock is a new drive-on dock for personal watercraft called the Connect-A-Port 2XL. “It’s one of the longer units on the market, and it’s designed to accept the newer PWCs with their deeper vee hulls and bigger, longer, and heavier designs,” says Krogman. The Connect-A-Port 2XL is available in six colors and its rollers can adjust to accommodate changes in PWC hull designs in the future, he adds. The manufacturer suggested retail price is $1,899.

EZ Dock of Monett, Missouri, another manufacturer of modular floating docks and drive-on docking systems, uses

composite plastic materials to meet customer demands for low maintenance and longevity (ezdock.com).

Be sure to take your boat size, local water conditions including wave action, and potential wind exposure into the equation when analyzing the purchase of a floating dock.

This brings us to another advantage held by floating docks in today’s boating environment: Adaptability to low lake levels.

Low Water, Severe Storms Impacting Dock Industry As boaters are now well aware, low water levels in the Great Lakes have hampered access in recent years and are forecasted to continue to do so, while at the same time an increase in severe storms has seemingly swept across North America.

Breezeswept Docks owner Bob Dunn says that his company, which prefers to use rock-solid crib dock construction, has been forced to build some removable timber docks because of the low water situation in the Great Lakes. Other dock manufacturers, too, have responded to the water level and weather situations.

Many of these same companies offer boatlifts. One of them, Bulmann Dock & Lift, based in Boyne Falls, Michigan, has added a low-water boatlift to a product lineup that also includes all-aluminum stationary, floating, and rolling docks with vinyl decking (bulmanndock.com).

“We redesigned our boatlift line to accommodate the shallower water — we can literally put the lift beam on the lake bottom,” says company owner Steve Bulmann. “Right now every bit counts because the water levels are so low.”

The ability to simply add more sections is a point in favor of nonpermanent, modular docking systems such as Bulmann’s. He says customers are buying an extra 100 feet of dock right now because of the low water.

“They’re modular, so people will be able to use them when the water comes up and they don’t need the length,” he says. They could change the configuration to make an L-shaped dock into a U-shaped dock, for example.

construction photo by alex watson © 2013

At the same time, manufacturers are also responding to the threat of extreme weather in the form of severe storms.

Merco Marine builds floating docks comprising galvanized steel truss dock frames and wood or composite decking materials (mercoboatdocks.com). The latest trend from this Wellsburg, West Virginia-based manufacturer, which offers both ready-made custom docks and custom dock kits with installation instructions for commercial and private customers, is docks built to survive bad weather.

“If designed correctly, a dock can be manufactured to last 30-plus years,” says Merco’s Dan Otto.

He says he is hearing more and more success stories lately.

“These customers are all over the country and have survived hurricane after hurricane,” Otto says.

While you might be more concerned about a severe thunderstorm on a Great Lakes afternoon than that hurricane, it’s prudent to keep heavy weather in mind when weighing up a new dock installation. LB

april 2013

A stationary dock, like this ShoreBridge, can be customized with different shapes and sizes of dock sections and compatible accessories to meet your family’s needs (top). Installing a permanent dock is labor intensive, but it’s hard to argue with the results (bottom).

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

47

Saint Martin Bay

Michigan Upper Peninsula

Hessel

Cedarville

Drummond Island

Les Cheneaux Islands Mackinac Island

Lake Michigan

Lake Huron

les

Mackina Bridge c

St. Ignace

Bois Blanc Island

Ma c Citkinaw y

Michigan Cheboygan

48

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

boathouse photo courtesy of puremichigan . org ; beach photo by amy m . polk ; wooden boat photo by alex watson Š 2013

cheneaux Brimming with Beauty and a storied maritime history, the Les Cheneaux isLands in miChigan’s upper peninsuLa are a Boater’s dream.

By eLizaBeth FeLs

aerial photo by marge beaver / photography plus

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

49

A

long the north shore of Lake Huron in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula lies an archipelago of 36 islands called Les Cheneaux. While the actual meaning of Les Cheneaux remains murky, most accept a loose translation from French meaning “the channels.”

The archipelago is like a country village woven together by water instead of lanes. The islands are knit together by the channels, and the islands themselves soften the winds and calm the sometimes rough water of the “big lake,” Huron. All this makes it an ideal area for boating, especially for fans of classic wooden boats.

The Ojibwa (Chippewa) and Ottawa Indians were the original residents of the Les Cheneaux region, followed

by European explorers, missionaries and fur traders, who realized the region’s value as a central location in the Straits of Mackinac, between the St. Marys River, DeTour passage and the St. Lawrence River; all of which gave access to the ample fur, timber and lands of the north.

It wasn’t until the 1880s that the timber and land of the Upper Peninsula became seriously attractive and available for acquisition. This area became important not only in the development of Great Lakes commerce, but also in the development of summer tourism.

The clean air and abundant fishing coaxed thousands of visitors from big cities, who came to escape pollution and heat by spending their summer in the dozen or so hotels and boarding houses that sprung up around the islands. The hotels were replaced by motels and cabin resorts still here today. These lodging options emerged as tourists increasingly drove to Les Cheneaux, taking advantage of the 1957 opening of the Mackinac Bridge over the Straits of Mackinac. More than 5 miles long, the bridge connects the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to the Upper

50

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

Peninsula, ending a lengthy ferry ride tourists used to take across the Straits to reach the UP. Once across the bridge, an easy and scenic drive north on I-75 and east along M-134 brings you into Les Cheneaux.

Hessel, MI There are two small villages that anchor the islands: Hessel and Cedarville, Michigan. Hessel has several boat-friendly businesses, including the Hessel Public Marina, which is open Memorial Day through Labor Day and sometimes later in the fall if weather permits. It offers 24 slips with water hook-up and electricity, showers, pump-out service, laundry, and public launch ramp. Slips can be rented daily or for extended periods. There’s a gazebo and picnic tables for gathering.

Across from the marina is the E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works. An important fixture on the waterfront since 1925, Mertaugh’s was the first Chris-Craft boat franchise. Today, Mertaugh’s is a full-service marina and boatyard, with heated storage for boats up to 60 feet. Mertaugh’s, which is open year round for seasonal access, sells and services a wide range of boats, from classic wood to contemporary aluminum, and also carries clothes and cruising provisions.

On the western edge of Hessel is Classic and Antique Boats. Founded and operated by Mertaugh family members with 80-plus years of wooden boat experience, the company maintains and restores around 250 boats, of which half are the area’s classic wooden ones.

As word of their award-winning restorations spreads, Classic and Antique Boats are in demand to restore some of the finest antique boats in the country, including those of clients in neighboring states and Canada.

Hessel offers several lodging options, so close they are within sight of the marina. All offer picnic areas, grills, beaches, and comfortable cabins.

The Hessel Grocery and Deli has take-out and sit-down service, plus an ice cream shop and take-out window, making the sweet treat handy for everyone.

Hessel Bay Inn restaurant’s outdoor deck lets you

hawk photo by elizabeth fels ; kids boating photo by alex watson © 2013; fisherman photo by bertha carr

eat and watch the boats coming and going on Hessel Bay. Up the street is The Islander, a historic pub, which still has some of the old furnishings from its former life as an ice cream and confection shop more than 100 years ago.

An increasingly important fixture in the area is Woods & Water Ecotours (woodswaterecotours.com), which rents kayaks and fishing kayaks, offers kayak lessons for people of all ages (including children), and provides well-guided tours of the area’s remarkable hidden harbors. Woods & Water also rents bicycles and provides road or path tours. All of this is in short walking distance for the boater.

Cedarville, Mi Cedarville is just 3 miles east of Hessel by road, or an interesting boat ride through the channels to the public dock or one of the many marinas in town. Downtown Cedarville offers a public dock with a park and gazebo, where events like Art in the Park are held Labor Day weekend.

Full-service marinas in Cedarville include Cedarville Marine, Tassier Boat Works and Viking Boat Harbor. All provide seasonal and transient slip rentals and storage, fuel, maintenance, and restoration services. Viking also offers diving and scuba services.

Of particular note in Cedarville are the area’s two cool museums: The Les Cheneaux Historical Museum and the Les Cheneaux Maritime Museum. These aren’t stodgy, dusty forgotten buildings and collections. The former is based in a vintage log structure, while the latter is in a large, vintage boathouse. The Historical Museum houses American Indian historic crafts,

kayak photo by jessie hadley / woods & water ecotours ; maple syrup photos by amy m . polk bird watching photo by bonnie mikkelsen

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

51

quilts, and artifacts and other pieces of the area’s colorful native, logging, and summer hotel and cottage history. The Maritime Museum is totally devoted to Les Cheneaux’s rich boating history, displaying classic and antique boats, a wide range of marine artifacts, photos, and exhibits, and a maritime library. When you come to the area, these are must-sees.

Tassier Sugar Bush, just north of Cedarville, is a familyowned maker of maple syrup and a line of delicious maple confections, including sugar, candied nuts, cream and more. Syrup is made during March and April, but the charming retail shop is open year round.

BoatBuilding tradition lives on One of the most significant results of the devotion to and passion for boating in Les Cheneaux is the Great Lakes Boat Building School. It is the only licensed, non-profit school of its kind in the Midwest.

The building itself was architecturally designed and constructed to ‘complement’ the Les Cheneaux Islands with a handsome, 12,000-square-foot facility on the Cedarville waterfront. In just six remarkable years, the Great Lakes Boat Building School has contributed much to the Les Cheneaux

community and Great Lakes region in the preservation of maritime heritage.

The faculty is led by Patrick Mahon, head instructor and program director of the school. He has impressive credentials starting with an apprenticeship in London, England. Mahon’s assistant, Kee Prins, heads up the secondyear program and also is an accomplished boatbuilder, having had his own shop in the Netherlands.

The students are quite diverse in background and age, varying from 18 to 80, bringing to the school a wide array of education and skills. One of this year’s students has studied maritime archaeology and theoretical reconstructions of ancient ships. In addition to studying in Wales, she assisted in Norway building a Viking burial ship using only Viking-period tools.

This summer, along with artisan workshops in woodworking and metal casting, students are teaming up with Chesapeake Light Craft for a variety of one-week workshops in building your own boat.

antique Wooden Boat shoW Another August event is the Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show — the high and holy day of the community’s year.

It has been held in Hessel since 1978, always on the second Saturday of August, and is sponsored by the Les Cheneaux

Chasing the ClassiCs Don’t miss Les Cheneaux’s Antique Wooden Boat Show.

The Les Cheneaux Island’s 36th Annual Antique Wooden Boat Show takes place this year on August 10. Terrific scenery, a crafty Festival of Arts, delectable food, and, best of all, hundreds of beautifully restored wooden boats join forces in Hessel, Michigan for a day of fun for all ages.

The festival is accessible by way of land: North of St. Ignace on I-75, exit on M-134 and head east 17 miles. By air: Fly into Hessel Airport and catch a ride down to the show (please make reservations through the Les Cheneaux Historical Association). By sea: Travel north of the Straits of Mackinac through the West Entrance of the Les Cheneaux Islands into Hessel.

If you’re looking to enter your antique wooden boat in the show, there’s a $30 entry fee. The application can be downloaded from the Historical Association’s website, lchistorical.org/boatfest.html .

Need to fulfill your nagging pang for

52

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

whitefish? Most would recommend starting at the Cedarville Trojan Booster Club’s whitefish and chicken dinner in downtown Hessel, at Mertaugh Boat Works’ storage building on Friday night before the boat show. The fish is hand-breaded, fresh and local — and a great way to kick off your boat show weekend.

Saturday morning, as early as 6 a.m., vendors are putting up their tents and the boat show spirit is palpable. Looking out over the foggy bay, cruisers and sailboats filled with eager antique boat lovers await their shuttle over to the shores. They, along with spectators on the mainland, all wait for boat show entrants to dock their prized antiques and perhaps catch the first glimpse of a winning craft.

Getting up early can really awaken one’s appetite. Head back over to Mertaugh’s, where from 7 -11 a.m. you will find the Les Cheneaux Lions Club flipping their flapjacks at the pancake breakfast. Many come seeking a sugar buzz to fuel them for a day

boatbuilding photos by amy m . polk ; wooden boat show photo by alex watson © 2013

Historical Association. Proceeds from the event support the association’s two museums.

More than 300 volunteers devote time and effort to the Les Cheneaux Boat Show’s success.

As many as 10,000 boaters and visitors come to the show. Wooden (and lately a few “classic glass”) boats of all types are entered, from dinghies to cruisers, sailboats to canoes; all have their own class at this show. And all have their own stories.

Les Cheneaux is a place full of stories, and the wooden boat show has an unusually rich collection of them. 2012’s “Best in Show” was an incredible 1949 Hacker race boat, discovered in a field. Don Morin bought and restored it, turning the vessel into a long, sleek wooden needle. Shmoo, a 1950 Ray Green sailboat, won the sailing class after having been rescued from being a flower container in someone’s yard. The cruiser class was captured by Jenny Clark, a 55-foot, drop-dead gorgeous Trumpy. Captains Mark and Donna Randall bring her to Les Cheneaux for personal cruises and the boat show. They also share their love of Les Cheneaux through their cruise business, Classic Yacht Charters, giving everyone the rare opportunity to ride a luxurious wooden yacht through the channels — an adventure not to be missed.

Alongside the Antique Wooden Boat Show is a fabulous Festival of Arts, featuring a juried collection of artisans from around the Midwest offering a span of work — from jewelry, to rugs, to lamps, to clothing… even some bags and travel accessories made of recycled sails.

There’s pottery and photography, paintings, writings, glass works, and more. Live music is performed at the marina in the center of the show.

Island actIvItIes To enjoy Les Cheneaux’s quieter side, come any time other than boat show week.

Cruise past the area’s scores of colorful, sometimes-weathered and charming boathouses and rustic cedar crib docks. Built to tether, protect and store the area’s 400 or so classic

filled with romping down docks and vigorously inspecting dinghies, rowboats, canoes, launches, sailboats, utilities, runabouts, and large cruisers. Sausage and beverages come with breakfast, and real Tassier Sugar Bush maple syrup is available for purists.

Boat show gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday, leaving time to buy a boat show t-shirt or sweatshirt and scope out your favorite boat before the main event starts. Admission is $7 for ages 12 to adult, and free for children under 12. Sorry, no dogs allowed, but Doggy Styles Pet Resort in nearby Cedarville will take great care of your furry friends for the day.

Simply call them at 906-484-2194.

The Festival of Arts is in full swing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are exponential amounts of exploring to be had up and down the harbor between Mertaugh Boat Works and the Hessel Public Marina, where approximately 70 artists show off their goods. Jewelry, wooden toys, photography, blown glass, furniture, pottery, sail cloth bags, maple syrup goods, and anything in between is on display and provides a multitude of original gift ideas for friends and loved ones.

For the self-efficient boatbuilder and restorer, Dockside Traders offer a great service by supplying antique wooden boat gadgets — like that missing steering wheel you’ve been searching for — and other miscellaneous materials.

These vendors are located behind Mertaugh Boat Works.

To best check out the boats on display, access the docks

next to the launch ramp behind Mertaugh Boat Works, as well as at Hessel Marina. More than 130 boats are docked in and around the harbor, elegantly displayed, shiny and restored to the perfection achieved at the factory years ago. Many have stories to tell and are complete with photographic documentation of the restoration process.

If you’ve made it to the show for the weekend without a boat of your own, don’t fret; you don’t have to miss out on the channels! Take a tour on one of the Arnold Transit Company’s ferries. You can purchase tickets and board at the Hessel Marina pier for one of two leisurely tours of the scenic Les Cheneaux Islands. The historic area has much to offer. Experience where some of the first Chris-Crafts took to the waters, the roves of original crib docks and boathouses under which they lived, and how their presence was key in the functionality of living off the mainland in a remote part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

By 4 p.m., judges will have deliberated and decided it’s time to announce the winners of each boat category at the show. Gather ’round the gazebo at Hessel Marina to hear the good news. Winners are awarded a plaque and, of course, bragging rights.

For more information about the Antique Wooden Boat Show, contact the Les Cheneaux Historical Association at 906-484-2821, or the Les Cheneaux Islands Area Tourist Association at 906-484-3935.

— Audrey Koster

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

53

54

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

wooden boats (making Les Cheneaux Islands a top old boat haven in the nation), they dispel the notion that such structures clutter a shoreline. Rather, their simple beauty

on the water. The Les Cheneaux Yacht Club was incorporated in 1940 to promote sailing and boating in Les Cheneaux and hosts the competitive Ensign sailboat races in July and

evokes warm feelings of permanence and simpler times. As you cruise past, you’ll see kids fishing and swimming off them, Retrievers wagging their tails beside them, and the shiny transoms of vintage boat after vintage boat peeking out from under them.

If your travels involve an overnight stay in Les Cheneaux and the weather cooperates, you’ll be treated to an extraordinary natural planetarium. Because the islands are in a rural setting, far from any urban sprawl, there is little light pollution. You can watch the Milky Way swirl past, Orion hunt his prey, and Ursa Major forever inching north. Especially in August, meteors will streak overhead like matches struck for fire.

On an especially cool, clear, moonless night, you’ll wonder at the reflections of these galaxies and constellations in the glassy smooth waters of the bays and harbors.

Camping is popular here, and most of the campgrounds are on the waterfront and have docks. Government Island is reachable only by boat and offers rustic camping with fabulous views of Lake Huron. Government Bay is a popular mooring spot for yachts and cruisers, especially during the summer. For modern camping, Cedarville offers two waterfront campgrounds with full amenities: Loons Point or Cedarville R.V. Park. Hessel offers the Kewadin Campground, convenient to Kewadin Casino on Three-Mile Road.

There are many hiking trails that are beautiful in all seasons, and less than a mile or two from the docks in Cedarville or Hessel. These trails are perfect for birding. The north shore of Lake Huron provides important habitat and food for a host of migrating birds. The warbler migration is an important draw for birders, and by early summer more than 15 species of warblers can been seen, and heard — singing like a colorful mixed choir.

Sailing races are an important summer tradition, and watching the races is a wonderful way to spend a summer day

August. The club’s Ensign fleet is the largest in the country, and in 2010 it held the National Ensign Regatta.

For golf, Les Cheneaux offers two options. The Les Cheneaux Golf Club in Cedarville was started in 1898 on Snows Channel, and is the oldest continuously-played course in Michigan. Golfers can get there by road or boat.

Hessel Ridge Golf Course is an 18-hole course north of Hessel, gently carved into the hardwood hills. A small airport is directly across from the course, and some golfers choose to fly in. For drivers, the course is conveniently located on Three-Mile Road, which also leads to Hessel’s quaint Kewadin Casino and the rustic Runway Bar, a little further north.

The Les Cheneaux Library, located a mere 100 yards from the Cedarville marina, can be your salvation should the weather interrupt your outdoor plans. It’s a warm, inviting, wooden, naturally lit space, featuring a beautiful mural of the area’s sights, seasons and pastimes. The Library is wi-fi enabled, so the choice is yours: Pass a few hours reading, catching up on your e-mail, check out the news, and, if you’re a kid (or a kid at heart), play a few online games.

apr i l 2013

Island accommodatIons There are more than 20 different lodging options available in the Les Cheneaux area, offering a range of experiences from bed and breakfast to waterfront cottages complete with sandy beach and bonfire. Prime season is all too fleeting, so you might want to book ahead to ensure availability.

When hungry, Ang-gio’s has Italian specialities. Snow’s Bar and Grill is home of the famous “Snows Burger.”

Bumpa’s Lounge has a nautical atmosphere and hosts its popular Dollar Beer Day on Thursdays. Cattail’s is a waterfront tavern with an extensive menu and outdoor dining. Pammi’s is know for its soups, salads and unusal sandwiches.

boathouse photo by alex watson © 2013 nautical art fair photo by amy m . polk

a s are —> k a y a o K way t! t a e re gr explo

When the snoW flies Although summer is Les Cheneaux’s busiest time, vacationers who miss the quieter season really miss what this community is all about. Winter and fall offer hunting and ice fishing beyond compare, drawing sportsmen from all over the region. Snowmobiles have more than 100 miles of trails through the woods and several more miles over the icy channels. Snowshoers and cross-country skiers have just under a dozen trail options throughout Les Cheneaux. The community also stages several winter events, from ice fishing contests to vintage snowmobile races. The annual Snowsfest, held each President’s Day weekend in February, offers more than 20 activities, including a fabulous chili cook-off, art show, games, ice fishing, poker run, pub crawl, and much more.

Ice boating or “ice sailing” has become a really popular sport in Les Cheneaux, and some of the bays around the islands are ideal for it. Watching them race is like seeing a flock of beautiful birds with the most balletic speed and agility.

At the end of the day in Les Cheneaux, it’s all about the water — near it, in it, or on it. LB

About the author Elizabeth Wolf Fels is an international photojournalist whose photography hangs in homes, resorts, clinics and hospitals. Her articles have appeared in newspapers and journals. She owned and operated The Village Idiom, a well-loved used bookstore in Hessel, Michigan where she lives with her dog, Fox, an Airedale.

kayaks photo by linda henderson

resources Les Cheneaux Islands Area Tourist Association 906-484-3935 lescheneaux.org Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce 906-484-3935 lescheneaux.net The Les Cheneaux Visitor Center 680 West M-134 Cedarville, MI Les Cheneaux Historical Association 906-484-2821 lchistorical.org Little Traverse Conservancy landtrust.org UP Travel uptravel.com

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

55

Hessel On The Lake FOR SALE: Lakefront cottages on Lake Huron, in the heart of the beautiful Les Cheneaux Islands ★ NEW deep-water crib dock, boat slips up to 36 feet, power and water ★ Underground utilities, municipal sewer ★ Over 300 feet of beautiful common beach and grounds ★ Short walk to stores, dining, bars and more! ★ Vacation rentals also available.

www.hesselonthelake.com / 906.484.2440 / manager@hesselonthelake.com

Attention Entrepreneurs! Follow the dream... Live, Work and Play in the Les Cheneaux These commercial opportunities, on or near the water, also include a residence.

Renowned boat yard This full-service boatyard has an outstanding reputation for boat restoration and maintenance.

Business includes slip rental, gas, storage, repair and maintenance, plus a mini ship’s store. A 1-bedroom apartment serves as owner’s home or rental unit. $495,000

Restaurant & Tiki Bar A delightful restaurant with an outdoor Tiki Bar and deck overlooking Hessel Bay and the public marina. 5 bedroom, 2 bath home with multi-level decks and 2 car garage. $579,000

Apartment building w/retail space This commercial building offers excellent rental history with four apartments, plus two retail units. One leased retail unit: a deli, pizza, coffee café, is also listed separately. Building: $175,000 Deli: $64,500

Diane Patrick is the Les Cheneaux and Eastern Upper Peninsula Waterfront Specialist. Let her expertise help you find that perfect cottage. Need a boat to go with that cottage? Diane’s boat brokerage agency can help you find that boat too!

56

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

Heated shop with 3 bedroom home This 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a wooded backyard has undergone extensive remodeling and is in move-in condition. Property includes a 1200 sq. foot shop, ideal for a small repairtype business. $154,900

Diane Patrick Associate Broker 906-484-5555 dianepatrick@lighthouse.net www.landnseasales.com

Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors 411 W. M-134 Cedarville, MI 49719

Choose your path

Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Upper Peninsula

UPtravel.com

VIKING BOAT HARBOR Specializing in Antique and Wooden boats, restoration, sales and storage.

> Brokerage Boat Sales, offering New and Quality pre-owned boats > Complete Gasoline & Diesel Engine Maintenance > Complete Re-Powering (Gas & Diesel) > Inboard/Outboard Drive Repairs > Towing, Raising, Emergency Repairs > Electrical System Repairs > Major & Minor Fiberglass Repairs > Marine Travelift up to 60 feet & 50 tons > In-Yard Mobile Crane Service

> > > > > >

Arc, Heliarc & Gas Welding Shrinkwrapping & Shrinkwrap Storage Complete Woodworking and Refinishing Classic Restorations Spar Stepping & Rigging Diving Services Available

Upon Request We Can Arrange For: > 48-State Boat Transportation > Emergency Air Freight Pickup > Sail Repairs & Custom Canvas Work > Upholstery Service

www.vikingboatharbor.com | 906-484-3303 | viking@cedarville.net

Begin your vacation at your destination-store in Hessel!

Bay Point Lodge Gorgeous Retreat on LaSalle Island

Brad & Shelley Koster, owners • • • • •

Deep-water port Powercat boats Stanley boats Restoration Storage (heated, cold, outside, shrink wrap) • 60-ton marine travel lift • Dockage

• Mercury, Mercruiser, BRP and Yamahacertified technicians • Pontoon rentals • Cottage rentals • New dock system (16 - 30’ docks) • Transient docks

• Ship store • Summer store hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m • Clothing • Fuel dock • Antique Wooden Boat Show • Long-term parking

This traditional 1929 lodge-style cottage encompasses 54 acres and 2,800 feet of shoreline. Bay Point’s meticulously maintained 5,800-sq.-ft. log home features 4 fireplaces, 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, formal living & dining room, casual family rooms, an office plus property extras. The property also boasts a 2 bedroom guest cottage, workshops, double slip boathouse, two crib docks, and a sandy beach area. A 22’ Chris Craft Utility and a 33’ Egg Harbor cruiser, plus most home furnishings, are also included.

To truly appreciate this unique opportunity you must see for yourself! Go to www.baypointlodge.com for an interactive floor plan, detailed photos of each room, the furnishings and boats. Complete contact information provided online. $1,900,000.

906-484-2434

www.mertaughboatworks.com

58

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

www.baypointlodge.com

Boat House Point is a Les Cheneaux treasure!

This unique property boasts a finished 2-slip boathouse — complete with guest quarters that include a bedroom, full bath and sitting room — is capable of storing your Woody year round. The newer log home features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3 stone fireplaces, granite foyer floors, a water-

fall and oak floors throughout. Store your vintage cars in the finished 3 car attached garage, and your other toys and equipment in the 30’ X 40’ storage garage. Plenty of room for that motor home too. This is a Collectors Dream House! $995,000

Diane Patrick is the Les Cheneaux and Eastern Upper Peninsula Waterfront Specialist. Let her expertise help you find that perfect cottage. Need a boat to go with that cottage? Diane’s boat brokerage agency can help you find that boat too!

...in the heart of the beautiful Les Cheneaux Islands Indoor Pool Continental Breakfast • Free WiFi

Diane Patrick Associate Broker 906-484-5555 dianepatrick@lighthouse.net www.landnseasales.com

Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors 411 W. M-134 Cedarville, MI 49719

Les Cheneaux Islands

•

•

906.484.2266 www.cedarvillelodge.net

John Griffin 800.861.0033 toll free • 906.484.2022 direct johngriffinrealestate@yahoo.com

JohnGriffinrealestate.com

tassier boat works

Schmidt Realtors P.O. Box 411, 101 W. M-134 Cedarville, MI 49719 Each office independently owned and operated

Cedarville Marine

Jim & Marti Hart • Dan & Alice Smith, Owners

specializing in Restoring, Rebuilding and Refinishing Antique and Classic Boats Gas • Oil • Marine Supplies • Storage

Full-Service Marina & Ship’S Store on the WaterFront

1011 S. Islington Rd., Cedarville, MI 49719 906-484-2573 • tassierbtwks@cedarville.net www.tassierboatworks.com

906.484.2815

100 Hodeck St., Cedarville, MI www.cedarvillemarine.com cedarvillemarine@centurytel.net

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

59

lakeshore life | by Colleen H. Troupis

n owck! ur do o Y e _ at < riv p

Arcadia, Michigan More Information

Enjoy inland lake living and easy access to Lake Michigan.

S

ituated on a small peninsula on Arcadia Lake, just a short five-minute boat ride from Lake Michigan, this Cape Cod-inspired home is perfect for any water lover.

The home was custom built in 1999 by its current owners.

“It was designed to maximize the views of the water from every room,” says Harold Case, who, along with daughterin-law Tammy, is the listing agent for the property.

The main level features a four-season sunroom, perfect for enjoying those views, as well as a formal dining room, study, living room, great room, double-sided fireplace, master suite, kitchen, laundry, and half bath.

The walkout lower level includes three additional bedrooms, two baths, family room, storage area and a beautiful outdoor patio, which features a stone floor, open truss ceiling and hand-crafted blinds that help redirect sunlight.

Throughout there are beautiful hardwood floors and natural cherry cabinets, as well as granite countertops, 9- and 10-foot ceilings, and an attached two-car garage.

Outside, the detailed stonework and beautiful landscaping

Address 3014 Grebe Ct. Arcadia, MI 49613 Specs Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 3.5 Square Footage: 4,000 Acreage: 0.80 Shoreline: 172 feet Price: $999,000 Contact Tammy Case Coldwell Banker Schmidt-Benzie 231-357-1445 tammycase.com

60

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

Apr i l 2013

make the home’s exterior as remarkable and appealing as its interior. “It’s a master gardener’s dream,” Case says. “There is beautiful, lush landscaping with many different perennials.”

The home enjoys a prime spot on a cul-de-sac in Point Arcadia, a development that boasts perks including tennis courts and a community clubhouse with a small kitchen and meeting rooms.

And the water is right in your backyard. A private dock, 172 feet of Arcadia Lake frontage and deep-water access to Lake Michigan make the property perfect for boaters.

In addition, “there is a sandy beach located beyond the seawall,” Case says.

Arcadia is a charming, small harbor town and just minutes from Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club. “It would be a great vacation home or primary residence,” he says. “It depends on your current lifestyle. It could be both — second now, primary later.

“Not many homes can enjoy the features of an inland lake and have the access to enjoy the features of Lake Michigan,” Case says. LB

photos courtesy of tammy case

www.Waterfront-LuxuryHomes.com 475 S. LakeShore Dr., LuDington 125’ of Lake Michigan Frontage $2,495,000

ReAL eSTATe

Call: 616-355-6387

OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE pHOTOS OF THESE AND OTHER WATERFRONT pROpERTIES:

627 S. LakeShore Dr., LuDington 100’ of Lake Michigan Frontage $1,295,000 Lake Michigan low bluff year-round or vacation home with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, built by Harbor Design in 2005. This quality custom built nearly 5000 square feet home features amazing views of the channel, Lake Michigan and Pere Marquette Lake & the Badger & is near a marina just south of Ludington and north of Pentwater. Fabulous sandy beach sunsets & lots of activities for yearround fun. MLS#: 13007111

Low bluff frontage with 2.3 acre lot just south of Ludington channel. A Lake Michigan home with 5 BD, 5 BA and 6,906 sq. ft. of finely crafted finishes.

Elegance beyond expectation. You’ll enter this magnificent home under a three row brickwork compound arched portico, 8 ft. four paneled oak doors. Into an impressive Federal entryway! MLS#: 10016742. TEXT: GOTO ACG41 to 95495

Waterfront Real Estate Specialists WOODLAND SCHMIDT 466 E. 16th Street, Holland MI 49423

02/18/13

Each Office is Individually Owned and Operated.

ANDREA CROSSMAN

KERSH RUHL

DEE

MIKOS-GRAVES

LLB-Crossman Feb 2013.indd 1

Your Lake Michigan

Dream Home is Waiting!

CHRISTI VOLLINK

2/19/13 4:54 PM

Enjoy panoramic views from every window of this beautiful

4,217 sq. ft. Cape Cod-style home.

Located on 1/2 acre with Lake Michigan frontage and a 130 ft. private, deep water slip on the entrance channel to Kewaunee, Wisconsin’s

amazing home at

LakeMichiganDreamHome.com

LakeMichiganDreamHome.com

or call (920) 420-3553 to

experience it for yourself!

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

61

Please support our advertisers!

outstanding deep water harbor—this is a boater’s dream! Explore this

MARINA WATCH | by Colleen H. Troupis

<_ Just a short walk from downtown Racine !

ReefPoint Marina

More Information

Easy access to Lake Michigan and beyond.

ReefPoint Marina #2 Christopher Columbus Causeway Racine, WI 53403 262-633-7171 reefpointmarina.org

S

itting within Racine Harbor at the mouth of the Root River, ReefPoint Marina is a short walk from downtown Racine’s many restaurants, shops and museums.

“ReefPoint Marina is fortunate to have deep water,” says marina manager James Metzger. “It’s a safe deep-water harbor located several blocks from downtown Racine.” And Racine itself offers boaters an ideal location on Lake Michigan, just 45 minutes from Milwaukee and an hour from Chicago.

The 25-year-old marina offers complimentary high-speed wireless internet access as well as a shower/restroom facility on each of its two fixed piers and a fuel station with sanitary pump-out. The main building features a convenience store, boater’s lounge, laundromat, and a restaurant that is being remodeled and is slated to reopen in early spring.

“ReefPoint Brew House will offer specialty sandwiches during the day and an upscale steak and seafood menu in the evening,” Metzger says. “Craft beers will be featured in the bar areas.”

Outside there is a heated swimming pool, two whirlpools and a picnic area with grills. The award-winning North

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

62

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

APR I L 2013

Beach is located just a mile north of the marina and is easily reached via the public marina/river walkway.

“At the end of the park and at the harbor entrance, a lookout structure was constructed where the public can watch boats enter and leave Racine Harbor,” Metzger says.

The marina boasts a whopping 920 slips ranging in length from 30 to 60 feet with tie-up for larger boats available at the T-docks. Transient slips are available, but advance reservations are strongly recommended.

A public launch ramp is located directly south of the marina, and a recently expanded marine store is less than a mile away.

While the marina does not offer engine or hull repair, there are several all-service marinas in the Racine Harbor/ Root River area that do.

There’s no doubt ReefPoint Marina is a great spot for exploring all that downtown Racine has to offer, including the Racine Civic Centre, Racine Art Museum and Racine Heritage Museum, as well as Monument Square — a popular spot for live music in the summer. LB

photos courtesy of reefpoint marina

great buy

‘37 Baltzer-Jonesport Specifications

W

Snap up this stunning head-turner.

ho doesn’t want to own a piece of history? Well, now you can, thanks to Ohio couple Dave and Susie Koffel, who are selling their 1937 32' Baltzer-Jonesport.

This all-original cabin cruiser has had only five owners since its birth nearly 80 years ago. The Koffels purchased her back in 1987, when she was homeported on New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee.

In 1988, she underwent a yearlong renovation in the capable hands of Mike Bays at Newkirks in Union Lake, Michigan. Bays and the Koffels have done business together for 30 years through the couple’s business, Koffel’s Place, a pair of shops specializing in auto race engine building, collector vehicle restoration, and antique and current race boat engine building. Needless to say, the Koffels babied the Baltzer-Jonesport, appropriately dubbed The Escape.

This boat, which spent its life securely tucked inside a boathouse, has all the vintage goodies with the right touches of “modern” peppered throughout, including updated instrumentation, radio gear and Bose sound system. During her renovation, she received a complete engine and transmission swap. Now powered by a Chrysler Marine 360 and sporting a Velvet Drive Transmission, she only has 100 hours on the new setup. The Koffels are selling her with the original Kermath Sea Queen engine and transmission, which they have kept in dry storage. For a couple that deals in boat and engine parts, you can bet that the condition of the mechanicals is impeccable.

But it’s not just the mechanicals that the Koffels paid close attention to on this cherry of a vessel. The pair are sticklers for

ladyben.com

Contact Dave & Susie Koffel Sandusky, OH 419-433-5958 (office) 419-433-8806 (home) dskoffel@aol.com

64

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

LOA: 32' Beam (Approx.): 9' Draft: N/A Weight: N/A Fuel Capacity: 60 gals.

Water Capacity: 30 gals.

Power: Chrysler Marine 360 Price: $79,900 originality; they made sure nearly all aspects of the vintage boat stayed that way. The Baltzer-Jonesport is 100 percent original above the waterline with all of its native wood, window glass and trim in tact. She has been obsessively maintained; this includes a routine annual maintenance schedule.

The boat features a totally re-varnished inside, periodappropriate upholstery with matching Naugahyde cushions and carpet, and all pictures, lampshades, and galley and head fixtures are either original to the vessel or period correct, as are the matching comforters. Her hullsides are painted annually, and she’s had both fuel tanks refurbished.

Additional features include the Halon fire system throughout, hand-striped gold accents in genuine gold leaf and a complete electrical re-wiring to accommodate 12V accessories, including dual batteries. For an older gal she’s even rather peppy, capable of cruising along at 20 knots or faster.

The boat is currently docked at a boathouse the Koffels had specially built for her in Sandusky, Ohio, on Lake Erie.

It can be shown by appointment.

Don’t let this uniquely and meticulously maintained gem escape! LB

North Point Marina Station

North Point Marina npmonline.com

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

NORTH POINT MARINA 847.746.2845 ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

We Are Surrounded by Nature!

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

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

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

PRESTIGE 550 FLYBRIDGE

2009 32’ Crownline w/joystick $159,000

2009 36’ Carver 360 Mariner $189,000

2003 38’ Silverton $179,000

2006 39’ Carver 39 MY $180,000

2008 40’ Regal Express IPS $239,000

2001 41’ Regal Commodore Diesel $164,900

2009 42’ Cruisers 420 Coupe IPS $365,000

2005 44’ Cruisers 440 Express Diesel $269,000

2003 50’ Cruisers 5000 Sedan Sport $399,000

www.springbrookmarina.com

|

815-357-8666

Call Ser for Specviaice ls!

Elite Yachts

Marine Services Corp.

Committed to honest reliable service Serving the Chicagoland area

Chicagoland’s premier service and storage facility

TRADE-INS WELCOME! ALL REASONABLE OFFERS ACCEPTED!

67’ 1989 Hatteras Cockpit Motor Yacht T-12V71TA DD (diesel), $495,000

TRADE-INS WELCOME! ALL REASONABLE OFFERS ACCEPTED!

59’ Marquis Markham Edition Pilothouse T-Volvo D12 EVC (diesel), $950,000

ALL REASONABLE OFFERS ACCEPTED!

63’ 1991 Skipperliner 630 Motor Yacht, Charter Boat, T-Merc (diesel), $144,000 LOOKING TO TRADE DOWN!

52’ 2009 Cruisers 520 Sport Coupe T-D12 Volvos (diesel), $799,000

46’ 1979 Hatteras 460 Sport Fisherman T8V71T1 DD (diesel), $124,900

Sister Ship

48’ 1991 Sea Ray 480 Sundancer T-DD 671TI (diesel), $99,000

45’ 2008 Mainship Pilot 45

T-D-Yanmar’s (diesel), $359,000

47’ 2006 Carver 43 Motor Yacht T-C7 Cat’s (diesel) $379,000

45’ 2007 Formula 45 Yacht

46’ 1985 Viking 46 Convertible T-8V92 DD (diesel), $119,000

44’ 2001 Trojan 440 Express

T-Volvo Pentas (diesel), $449,000

T-Volvo Penta 74EDC (diesel), $199,000

38’ 2001 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer,

Sister Ship

42’ 1997 Sea Ray 420 Aft Cabin

41’ 1997 Silverton Convertible

38’ 2002 Regal 3860 Commodore

37’ 1997 Sea Ray 370 Sundancer

36’ 2005 Rinker 360 Fiesta Vee

36’ 1987 Nova 36 Sundeck Trawler T-TAMD 41A Volvos (diesel), $89,900

T-Crusader 6.0 MPI, $155,000

35’ 2000 Formula 353 FasTech

35’ 2000 Carver 356 Aft Cabin

31’ 2006 Larson 310 Cabrio

30’ 2007 Rinker 300 Express

T-D3116 Cats (Diesel), $129,000

T-Merc 7.4L, $77,900

T-Merc 502’s, $74,900

T-502 XL Crusaders, $109,000

T-Merc 496 MAG, $114,900

T-Merc 7.4L, $89,900

T-8.1L Gxi Volvos, $119,000

T-Volvo Penta 5.7L, $99,000

T-Merc V8 Horizons, $124,900

35’ 2006 Carver SS 35

T-Merc 5.0 MPI, $79,900

For more information or to set up an appointment, contact Elite Yachts or Barbara Walsh

www.yachtworld.com/eliteyachtbrokerage | 708.841.5660 | email: yachts98@sbcglobal.net

www

Northport Bay Boat Yard NORTHPORT, MICHIGAN

Moo

Located on Northern Lake Michigan

2 rings013 Avai lab

le

10% Discount to all NEW Heated and Cold Storage Customers

77 TON LIFT CAPACITY • Authorized Gas & Diesel Sales and Services • Hull Painting and Varnishing • Re-Finishing • Engine Re-Powering

• Inside Heated & Cold Storage • Outside Mast-Up Storage • Open Year Round • MerCruiser, Yanmar & Volvo Penta Dealers

WWW.NPBBY.COM

www

Take a Video Tour!

231-386-5151

RangeR R-21eC & R-25SC IN STOCK!

zodiaC medline 580 & 540 IN STOCK!

CutwateR 30 ON Order!

zodiaC n-zo 680 IN STOCK!

2013 Cabo 44 HtX IN STOCK!

CutwateR 28 IN STOCK! CutwateR 26 ON Order!

HatteRaS 60 mY avaIlable NOw!

RangeR R-31 IN STOCK!

zodiaC baYRunneR pRo 500 neo IN STOCK!

Powerboats 13’ 2013 Zodiac Yachtline 420 DL NEO .................... $29,900 13’ 2013 Zodiac Bayrunner Pro 420 PVC...................$22,900 15’ 2013 Zodiac Bayrunner Pro 500 NEO ..................$26,925 15’ 2013 Zodiac Bayrunner Pro 500 NEO ..................$26,925 15’ 2013 Zodiac Bayrunner Pro 500 NEO ..................$26,925 15’ 2013 Zodiac Yachtline 470DL NEO ......................$37,900 17’ 2013 Zodiac Medline 540 NEO............................$38,900 19’ 2013 Zodiac Medline 580 NEO............................$54,900 19’ 2013 Zodiac N-ZO 600 NEO ...............................$68,900 21’ 2013 Ranger Tugs R-21EC ..................................$54,337 21’ 2013 Ranger Tugs R-21EC ..................................$54,337 22’ 2003 Donzi 22 ZX ........................................Sale Pending 22’ 2012 Scout Boats 225 Dorado ......................Sale Pending 22’ 2013 Zodiac N-ZO 680 NEO ...............................$84,900 24’ 2000 Sea Ray 245 Weekender ............................$25,900 24’ 2005 Stingray 240 CS ..........................................$9,900 25’ 2013 Ranger Tugs R-25SC................................$149,900 26’ 1988 Chris-Craft 262 Amerosport .........................$8,900 26’ 2013 Cutwater 26 ............................................. On Order 27’ 2005 Sea Ray 270 Amberjack .............................$49,900 27’ 2013 Ranger Tugs R-27 ..................................... On Order 28’ 2013 Cutwater 28 ............................................$198,086 29’ 1992 Tiara 290 Sport ........................................ $29,900 29’ 2001 Wellcraft 290 Coastal...........................Sale Pending 29’ 2005 Tiara 2900 Coronet..................................$109,000 30’ 1978 Sea Ray 30 ...............................................$12,500 30’ 2001 OSPREY 30’ offshore pilothouse ...............$114,900 30’ 2006 Rinker 300 Express Cruiser ........................$64,900 30’ 2013 Cutwater 30 ............................................. On Order 31’ 1995 Chaparral 31’ Signature .............................$29,900 31’ 1998 Tiara 3100 Open .......................................$92,500 31’ 1999 Tiara 3100 Open - Hardtop ........................$99,900 31’ 2013 Ranger Tugs R-31 ....................................$333,092 32’ 1990 Carver 32 Convertible ................................$29,900 32’ 2002 Four Winns 328 Vista .................................$64,900 33’ 2001 Donzi 33 Daytona ................................Sale Pending 34’ 1986 Sea Ray 340 Sport Fisherman ....................$27,900 34’ 1992 Formula 34 PC ..........................................$45,900 34’ 1992 Silverton 34 Convertible .............................$35,900 34’ 1995 Silverton 34 ...............................................$57,900 34’ 2006 Formula 34 PC ....................................Sale Pending 35’ 1999 Tiara 3500 Express ..................................$159,900 35’ 2005 SCOPINICH 35’ Express Tournament SF ....$269,000 37’ 1988 Bertram 37 Convertible ............................$119,900 38’ 2003 Fountain Express Cruiser ..........................$139,900

38’ 39’ 39’ 39’ 40’ 40’ 40’ 40’ 40’ 41’ 41’ 41’ 42’ 43’ 44’ 45’ 48’ 48’ 48’ 48’ 50’ 50’ 51’ 53’ 58’ 61’ 74’ 75’

2008 1985 1986 1990 1987 1993 1995 1997 1998 1987 1995 2007 1978 1990 2013 1968 1977 1981 1989 2004 1997 2000 1997 1974 1978 1981 1992 2000

R-27 May delIvery!

Donzi 38 ZSF...........................................$189,900 Sea Ray 390 Sedan Bridge .........................$29,500 Sea Ray 390 Express Cruiser......................$38,900 Sea Ray 390 Express Cruiser......................$59,900 Hatteras 40 Motor Yacht ...........................$109,900 Sea Ray 400 Express Cruiser......................$69,000 Tiara 4000 Express ..................................$149,900 Sea Ray 400 Sundancer...........................$124,900 Carver 405 Aft Cabin ...............................$129,900 Hatteras 41 Convertible ............................$159,900 Silverton 41 Convertible ...........................$109,000 Albemarle 410 Express Fisherman ............$369,900 Post 42 CONVERTIBLE ...............................$59,900 Tiara 4300 Convertible .............................$134,900 Cabo Yachts 44 HTX .............................$1,199,900 Matthews 45 Yachtfish ...............................$59,900 Hatteras 48 Long Range Cruiser ...............$199,000 Hatteras 48 Motor Yacht ...........................$184,900 Chris-Craft 480 Catalina ............................$90,000 Silverton 48 Convertible .......................Sale Pending Hatteras 50 Convertible ............................$499,900 Hatteras 50’ Convertible ...........................$499,900 Sunseeker 51 Camargue Express .........Sale Pending Hatteras 53 Convertible ............................$149,000 Hatteras 58 Motor Yacht ...........................$229,900 Hatteras 61 MY Custom aft deck .............$359,000 Hatteras 74 Sport Deck Motor Yacht..........$595,000 Hatteras 75 Cockpit Motor Yacht ............$1,595,000

Sailboats 26’ 1998 Hunter 26 Water Ballast .............................$22,000 27’ 1986 S2 27 .......................................................$10,500 27 1977 Columbia 8.7 ..............................................$11,500 30’ 1985 Catalina Sloop ...........................................$19,900 30’ 1986 Ticon Yachts 30’ Sloop ...............................$22,500 30’ 1987 Catalina 30 Mark 1 ....................................$24,900 32’ 1976 Maxi 95 ....................................................$24,500 35’ 1985 C&C 35 Mark III .........................................$35,500 35’ 1987 J Boats J/35........................................Sale Pending 35’ 2003 Hunter 356 .................................................$93,500 39’ 1982 CORBIN 39 ..........................................Sale Pending 39’ 1991 Beneteau 390............................................$79,900 40’ 1988 Tartan 40 ............................................Sale Pending 44’ 2005 Hunter 44 AC...........................................$187,500

GRAND HAVEN, MI Brent Reed 616-402-0180 • LASALLE, MI Paul Reed 419-304-4405, Tim Manton 419-509-6948, John Clark 734-755-5902, Chuck Hutchins 734-497-3721 TRAVERSE CITY, MI Brad Thompson 231-668-9868 • RACINE, wI Mark Derenne 414-651-3100

www.reedyachtsales.com

MARINE MARKETPLACE

CenterPointe Yacht Services Door County

Milwaukee Kenosha

We provide everything that Lake Michigan boaters need, including the finest marina slips, heated storage, dry rack, shipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store, and complete mechanical and cosmetic service. We specialize in refits, insurance work, and diesel/ gas engine repair. And we offer mobile service at your dock from Chicago to Door County.

In Stock!

2013 Regal 35 Sport Coupe O $39,nly 900

2013 Pursuit S 280 Sport

Please support our advertisers!

LARGEST REGAL DEALER ON LAKE MICHIGAN

2013 Regal 42 Sport Coupe

2012 Pursuit 200C

S e l e c t B r o k e r a g e Ya c h t S

2005 59 Marquis MTU 825hp diesels, $695,000

2007 Tiara 3900 Sovran IPS 500 diesels $359,000

For a complete list of brokerage and pre-owned boats, visit

2003 Meridian 341 Merc 6.2L $96,500

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

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

75

MARINE MARKETPLACE

Full Service Family Fun—in the Sun! Largest docking facilities on Lake Wawasee n 200 Wet Slips n Restrooms & Showers n Ramp & Dumping Services n Picnic Area n Ship Store: Oakley, Malibu and more!

Storage n Outdoor storage n Room for 600 boats indoors Pontoon Rental n Call for availability and prices Authorized Service for n Sea-Doo n Mercruiser n Mercury n Pleasurecraft n Volvo Penta n Indmar n Yamaha Selling Outboards by n Mercury n Yamaha

Lake Wawasee | 720 S. Lakeside Drive, Syracuse, IN | 866-856-2628

mAinchAnneL.cOm

The ULTIMATE Tender Lift Solution

Please support our advertisers!

The freedom to use your watercraft where and when you want with just the touch of a button!

FreedomLift® is the ideal solution for transporting your tender or PWC. n Installs independent of your swim platform n The ONLY lift with easily removable lift arms n Features wireless, hydraulic remote control operation n Lifting capacity of 800+ lbs. n Innovative design better than old-style platform lifts

See our dynamic video and digital portfolio on the web:

www.freedomlift.com

76

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

Call our Michigan Office: 616-784-8759 US Patent #6,474,256

Our market includes all of the US and Canada extensive marketing plan

Buy now!!ed many reduc prices!

list your trawler with us!

ChECk OUT ThE ALL-NEW 33-fT ALUmiNUm TrAWLEr!

★ VALUE ★ EffiCiENCY ★ SimPLiCiTY ★ COmfOrT

Launching june 2013! see our website for more info

MARINE MARKETPLACE

The Leading Source to BUY or SELL your Trawler

coastalfinancial

BOAT LOANS confidential SERVICES

simple

REQUIREMENTS

43 Saberline 1996 $299,000

42 Grand Banks 1993 $239,000

clear

COMMITMENTS

great

RATES

41 President 1987 $85,000

41 Roughwater 1982 $70,000

1-888-887-boat (2628)

Regional Office: Holland, MI 40 T Mainship 2004 $229,000

40 Halvorsen 1996 $288,000

39 Mainship 2002 $175,000

SALE PENDING

36 Monk 2002 $205,000

34 American Tug 2004 $259,000

Loans from $5,000 to $5,000,000.

Low down payment programs available.

Refinance NOW— Rates are currently at 8-year lows!

34 Marine Trader 1997 $89,000

We know the water is always calling

32 Nordic Tug 2000 $179,000

31 Camano 2001 $89,000

32 Nordic Tug 1999 $168,500

26 Nordic Tug 1981 with trailer $66,000

25 Ranger 2007 with trailer $115,000

See our webSite for more liStingS!

trawlersmidwest.com 920-894-2632 • 866-375-1633

Please support our advertisers!

33 Aluminum 2008 $85,000

New w Used w Refinance Limited Charter w High Performance

www.coastalfinancialcorp.com april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

77

MARINE MARKETPLACE

1815 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland, MI 49424

Ph: 616-399-6304 • Fax: 616-399-6329

Brokers for Power & Sail

www.anchorageyachtsales.com

Trades Considered!

1991 Californian 45 MotorYacht T-CAT 3208’s, 1 Owner, Freshwater, Nicest you’ll find anywhere! Ask 179k

1988 Chris Craft 422 Commander T-Detroit 6-71’s Absolutely Beautiful condition throughout! Ask 139k

2009 Tiara 3900 Open T-QSC 600hp, 15’ Beam! Hard Top, Thruster, Loaded, Just like new! Ask 549k

1989 Carver 38 Aft Cabin T-7.4L Crusaders, Generator, C-80 Radar/ plotter, Aft deck hard top, SAT TV Ask 74k

2000 Four Winns 338 Vista T-Volvo 7.4L, Low hours, Cherry int, Stamoid canvas, Mint condition! Ask 79k

Please support our advertisers!

1993 Viking 54 Sports Yacht T-MAN Diesels, Stabilized, Thruster, Enclosed bridge, 3 Strm, Dinghy, Ask 340k

78

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

MARINE MARKETPLACE

Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Newest Premier Pontoon Dealer Premier 25 Grand Majestic

2009 1999 2000 2007 2006

Select Pre-owned Favorites...

Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht ................... $585,000 Tiara 4100 Open................................ $199,900 Carver 396 Motoryacht ..................... $139,900 Albin 35 Command Bridge ................ $179,000 Rampage 33 Express ......................... $220,000

ONEKAMA MARINE, INC. Box 210, Portage Lake Onekama, MI 49675 Phone: (231) 889-5000 www.onekamamarine.com steveb@onekamamarine.com

2005 2011 2003 2007 2011

Rampage 33 Express ......................... $169,900 Chaparral 290 Signature ................... $131,000 Boston Whaler 275 Conquest................. $74,900 Trophy 2352 Walkaround ................... $44,900 Parker 2120 Sport Cabin ..................... $56,995 LAKE MICHIGAN YACHT SALES 801 Front Street, Suite B Bay Harbor, MI 49770 Phone: (231) 439-2675 www.lakemichiganyachtsales.com mattm@lakemichiganyachtsales.com

Please support our advertisers!

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

79

MARINE MARKETPLACE

“Let us earn your business” • Quality Products “IT’S SIMPLE” • Quality Service • KnowledgeableYour Staff • Friendly Personnel Great Lakes Premier Yacht Dealership 65’ 52’ 52’ 50’ 51’ 50’ 48’ 46’ 44’ 43’ 42’ 42’ 40’ 40’ 38’ 38’ 38’ 37’ 36’ 36’ 35’ 35’ 35’

2013 Ocean Alexander 65 Pilothouse 2007 Cruisers Yachts 520 Express 2005 Ocean Alexander 52 Sedan 2002 Cruisers Yachts 5000 Sedan Sport 2000 Navigator 5100 Pilothouse 1975 Renco 50 Flybridge 1976 Hatteras Long Range Cruiser 2008 Cruisers Yachts 460 Express 2013 Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht 2003 Cruisers Yachts 4370 Express 1969 Chris Craft 42 Commander 2002 Cruisers Yachts 4270 Express 1990 Tollycraft 40 Sport Sedan 2006 Formula 400 Super Sport 2000 Cruisers Yachts 3870 Express 1985 Chris-Craft 382 1979 Uniflite Sedan 2005 Cruisers Yachts 370 Express 1991 Tiara 3600 Convertible 2006 Tiara 36 Open 2002 Silverton 352 Motor Yacht 2000 Tiara Yachts 3500 Open 1997 Cruisers Yachts 3575 Express

33’ 33’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 31’ 31’ 30’ 30’ 29’ 29’ 27’ 27’ 26’ 26’ 26’ 25’ 25’ 20’ 18’

2008 Cruisers Yachts 330 Express 1998 Cruisers Yachts 3375 Express 2003 Cruisers Yachts 320 Express 1996 Carver Yachts 325 Aft Cabin 1993 Chris Craft Express 1990 Regal 320 Commodore 1970 Marinette Express 2012 Formula 310 SS with Trailer 2005 Crownline 316 Bowrider 2005 Cruisers Yachts 300 Express 2000 Cruisers 3075 Express 2002 Shamrock 290 WA 2001 Shamrock 290 WA 2005 Regal 2765 Commodore 2003 Sea Ray 270 Sundeck 2009 Robalo R260 CC with Trailer 2004 Monterey 265 Cruiser with Trailer 1997 Chaparral 260 Sitgnature 2007 Campion Sport Cabin 1989 Cruisers Yachts 2530 Barnegat 1931 Chris Craft “Triple” 1953 Chris Craft Utlitiy

www.baymarine.net • sales@baymarine.net

155 E. Redwood Street • Sturgeon Bay, WI 920-743-9560

BOAT LOANS Lake Effect Financial Services, llc

Please support our advertisers!

William Otto, III 2907 S. Horseshoe Dr., Grandville, MI 49418 ph: 616-538-5777 cell: 216-577-1460 email: billotto3@gmail.com Originating agent for:

80

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

MARINE MARKETPLACE

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

discounted new boats 2006 43' Egg Harbor SportYacht

1991 50' Sea Ray 500 Sundancer

$495,000

$119,900

RICK

TED PAT

Lake & Bay Y A C H T

“Specializing in Larger Yachts” 09 98 10 06 91 88 86 81 88 13 06 81 02 83 03 88 86 03 89

70' 53’ 52’ 52’ 50’ 46' 46’ 45' 44’ 43’ 43’ 43’ 42’ 42’ 41' 40’ 39’ 37’ 37’

Davis Sportfisherman T-1825HP Dsl........ $3,295,000 Navigator Classic Custom T-430HP ............ $349,000 Davis Sportfisherman T-1360HP Dsl........ $1,300,000 Tiara Sovran Salon T-865HP DSL................. $629,900 Sea Ray Sundancer T-550HP DSL ..............$119,900 Sea Ray Convertible T-550HP Dsl ............ $119,900 Ocean Sunliner T-450HP DSL ....................... $105,000 Magnum Marine Exp T-735HP DSL .......$125,000 Tollycraft CPMY T-350HP ..................................$97,900 Silverton Convertible T-460HP DSL ......$650,000 Egg Harbor SY T-700HP DSL ......................... $495,000 Viking Double Cabin T-310HP DSL .................$79,900 Egg Harbor SY T-535HP DSL ......................... $325,000 Bertram Convert. T-435HP DSL .......................$75,000 Silverton Sport Bridge T-425HP ............$179,900 Hatteras Motor Yacht T-375HP DSL............ $129,900 Marinette Convertible T-350HP ...............$54,900 Cruisers 3772 Express T-385HP ...................$109,900 Trojan 11 Meter Conv T-350HP ........................$49,900

88 86 78 13 05 88 83 10 04 02 97 96 89 87 10 95 06 93

37’ 37’ 37’ 36’ 36’ 36' 36’ 35’ 35’ 35’ 35’ 35’ 35’ 35' 33’ 33’ 29’ 29’

2012 Boston Whaler 170 Super Sport

2012 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck

PARTIAL LISTINGS BELOW visit us on the web for more!

S A L E S

Current Pre-owned Powerboats: for complete specs & more photos visit IrishBoatShop.com 58’ 50’ 45’ 38’ 37’ 37’ 37’ 36’ 35’ 34’ 32’ 31’ 30’ 29’

Egg Harbor Convertible T-340HP ............$79,900 Egg Harbor Convertible T-350HP ....................$79,900 Tollycraft Convertible T-330HP ................$49,900 Silverton Convertible T-315HP Dsl............... $399,900 Tiara Open T-385HP ......................................... $209,900 Tiara Open T-350HP...................................$49,900 Egg Harbor Tournament Fish T-350HP ..........$34,900 Predator Express T-IPS600 Dsl....................$475,000 Predator Express T-450HP Dsl.....................$195,000 Cruisers 3572 Express T-385HP .....................$97,900 Silverton 351 Sdn/Cr T-350HP ..........................$57,900 Carver 355 Motor Yacht T-320HP....................$79,900 Ocean Super Sport T-350HP ............................$72,000 Egg Harbor Sportfisherman T-350HP .......$57,000 Topaz Express T-440HP Dsl ........................... $375,000 Sea Ray Sundancer T-300HP...........................$54,200 Tiara Coronet T-330HP .......................................$99,900 Tiara Open T-5.7L.................................................$59,900

Tiara 5800 Sovran ’11 .....................$1,620,000 Sea Ray 500 Sedan Bridge ’05.........$439,000 Californian 45 Aft Cabin ’90 ..............$184,000 Grand Banks Eastbay 38 ’01 ............$275,000 Sea Ray 370 Express Cruiser ’98 .......$98,000 Sea Ray 370 Express Cruiser ’92 .......$49,900 Formula 370 SS ’06 ............................$205,000 Monk 36 Trawler ’01 ..........................$210,000 Chris Craft 350 Catalina ’81 ................$28,000 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer ’99 ...............$74,900 Four Winns 328 Vista ’00.....................$74,900 Tiara 3100 Open ’00 ...........................$149,900 Sea Ray 300 Sundancer ’86 ...............$16,900 Tiara 2900 Coronet ’99....................... $59,950

231-526-6225

cvx@irishboatshop.com

hs@irishboatshop.com

www.IrishBoatShop.com

Phone/Fax: 419-798-8511

S

400 Bay Street Harbor Springs MI 49740

231-547-9967

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

N

Sea Ray 270 Sundancer ’98 ...............$26,500 Glacier Bay 2670 Isle Runner ’07 ......$94,000 Celebrity 268 Crownline ’87..................$9,950 Chris Craft Sportsman ’48 ................$109,900 Osprey Fisherman LC ’05 .................. $82,500 Cobia 234 Center Console ’03 ............$21,900 Sea Ray 240 Sundancer ’04 ...............$34,900 Regal 2400 Bowrider ’04 .....................$29,999 Stamas V24 ’77 .......................................$5,400 Sealegs 7.1M ’12................................$139,000 Pulsifer Hampton ’88 ...........................$34,900 Sea Ray Sundeck ’01 .......................... $5,500 Seaway 18 Sportsman ’12 ..................$31,900

13000 Stover Rd. Charlevoix MI 49720

www.yachtworld.com/lakeandbay

N

27’ 26’ 26’ 25’ 24’ 24’ 24’ 24’ 24’ 23’ 22’ 19’ 18’

RTHSH

MARINA IN ST OC

K!

Year round, Full service marina

OR E

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

YEllOwfin YAChtS

K!

> Only Midwest Distributor > Authorized Sales & Service 44’ 1995 Carver 440 Aft Cabin

40’ 2003 3970 Cruisers Express

select Pre-owned / Brokerage / rePossessions / call For comPlete list

april 2013

|

rePos 27' '90 Carver Santego 37’ ‘90 Silverton Conv.

38’ ‘06 Regal Commodore 39’ ‘06 Silverton MY 46’ ‘04 Cigarette

MORE ARRiving wEEklY!

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

81

Please support our advertisers!

30’ ‘07 Tiara 3000 Open, T-8.1L MPI Crusaders, low hrs, full elec., radar, air, hardtop, ext platform ... $154,900 31’ ‘01 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer, air/heat, new canvas, GPS/chart, T-350 Mag V-Drive Mercs, low hrs.......$68,900 35’ ‘99 Carver 350 Mariner, one owner, low hours, full elec, T-7.4L Mercs, air/heat .......................................$74,900 36’ ‘03 Carver Sport Sedan, T-8.1 MPI Volvos, air/heat, Genset, GPS/chart, clean and well maintained .............$137,900 39’ ‘03 Cruisers 3970 Express, hardtop, Genset, hull elect., cherry int., loaded 1-owner, fresh water.... $159,900 40’ ‘03 Formula PC, loaded, air/heat, genset, full elect, bow thruster, 382, hours, T-8.1 Mercs..................$169,900 40’ ‘98 Sea Ray SDA, Diesel T-CAT 3116, air, gen, windlass, new canvas, full elec.......................................$119,900 41’ ‘99 Maxum 4100 SCA, loaded, air, Genset, central vac, full elect, new canvas, Cummins diesels....$159,000 42’ ‘01 Cruisers 4270 Exp, T-375 hp Volvo diesels, 1 owner, air/heat, gen, full elec, clean ..........................$179,900 42’ ‘89 Sea Ray 420 Sundancer, T-370 Cummins, hardtop, full elec, air/heat, Genset..........................$79,900 44’ ‘95 Carver 440MY, Diesel T-CAT 3116, full elec, gen, loaded, clean, fresh water .....................................$129,900 44’ ‘03 Carver 444 Cockpit MY, Only 215 hrs on T-370HP Cummings, loaded, sat tv, full electr, bow thruster...$229,900 50’ ‘96 Hatteras Sport Deck, T-6V 92s, full elec, TNT lift, hardtop d ingy davit, clean, low hours ..............$349,900 53’ ‘81 Hatteras Motoryacht, 8V-71TI’s, rebuilt engns, updated int. & appliances, stabilized, full elect........$189,000

MARINE MARKETPLACE

Trident Funding

Boat Loans Please support our advertisers!

Purchase Refinance Pre Approval Low Rates

Serving Boat Buyers Nationwide

Fresh Water Power!

55’ 50’ 42’ 42’ 41’ 40’ 40’ 38’ 38’ 37’ 37’ 37’ 37’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 33’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 31’ 30’ 29’ 28’ 27’ 27’

‘90 ‘03 ‘85 ‘87 ‘97 ‘96 ‘59 ‘00 ‘98 ‘07 ‘04 ‘01 ‘00 ‘01 ‘03 ‘88 01’ ‘98 ‘91 ‘05 ‘89 ‘81 ‘03 ‘79 ‘02 ‘92

Fleming Motor Yacht ........................$540,000 Sea Ray Sundancer Diesel ...............$449,000 Chris Craft Catalina 426 .....................$98,900 Jefferson Sundeck .....................Sale Pending Maxum Diesel ....................................$84,000 Sea Ray Express Cruiser ....................$69,900 Chris Craft Sea Skiff ...........................$35,000 Sea Ray ............................................$134,900 Wellcraft Scarab .................................$65,000 Nordic Tug ........................................$360,000 Nordic Tug ........................................$315,000 Nordic Tug ........................................$265,000 Nordic Tug ........................................$220,000 Powerquest 340 Viper .......................$91,000 Sea Ray Sundancer ..........................$116,000 Sea Ray Express ................................$29,900 Formula Sun Sport .............................$65,000 Nordic Tug 32 ...................................$123,900 Carver Mariner (pictured) ...................$33,000 Boston Whaler Conquest .................$134,900 Tiara Flybridge ....................................$47,500 Carver Aft Cabin .................................$12,000 Tiara Coronet ......................................$89,900 Chris Craft Catalina ..............................$9,900 Sea Ray Sundeck Bowrider................$39,000 Sea Ray Weekender ..........................$19,900

FEATURED LISTING

‘91 Carver Mariner 32’, $33,000

1-888-386-3888 Vincent Luzietti Robert Dunford, Jr.

82

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

harborviewyachtsales.com

www.bergmannmarine.com Remanufacturerd transmissions in stock.

Older transmissions our speciality.

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

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

Propeller Optimization & Repair Bring your propellers to Peak performance

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

419-433-9550

www.NorthCoastPropTech.com

20’ 22’ 23’ 26’ 26’ 26’ 27’ 27’ 28’ 28’ 28’ 31’ 33’ 33’ 33’

2008 Boston Whaler Dauntless ....... $ 1990 IMP 220 Walkaround ................ $ 1992 Sea Ray Sundancer .................. $ 1957 Chris-Craft Sport Express ........ $ 2003 Regal 2665 Commodore ........... $ 1973 Nimbus 26 Express .................... $ 1971 Cal Sail......................................... $ 1975 Cape Dory ................................... $ 1979 Cruisers 288 Villa-Vee .............. $ 1998 Sea Ray 280 B/R ........................ $ 2001 Four Winns 285 ........................... $ 1999 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer............ $ 1983 Bertram Flybridge ...................... $ 1938 Chris-Craft 332 Express............ $ 2002 Wellcraft 330 Coastal ............... $

Call 10,500 9,500 49,900 26,000 40,000 7,000 Call 18,500 29,900 32,000 59,000 49,900 15,000 74,900

34’ 34’ 35’ 35’ 36’ 36’ 37’ 38’ 42’ 42’ 43’ 43’ 47’ 55’ 65’

2004 MJM Yachts Hardtop............... $ Call 2008 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer ........... $ 178,000 1990 Sea Ray Sundancer .................. $ 42,000 1995 Trojan 350 Express .................... $ 39,999 1986 Catalina Stnd. Rig ..................... $ 49,500 1987 Tiara Convertible w/Dsls .......... $ 114,900 1977 Endeavour Ketch ....................... $ 34,000 2000 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer........... $ 119,000 2000 Provincial Trawler...................... $ 169,500 1962 Matthews Stock Cruiser........... $ 33,000 2000 Black Thunder 430 SC .............. $ 159,000 1995 Tiara 4300 Open .......................... $ 199,900 1973 Chris Craft Commander............ $ 135,000 1995 Sea Ray 550 S/D......................... $ 160,000 2003 McKinna M/Y ...................................$ 775,000

Fiberglass – Woodworking Storage – Heated Storage

22’ ‘88 24’ ‘99 25’ ‘95 25’ ‘89 25’ ‘88 26’ ‘01 26’ ‘03 27’ ‘92 28’ ‘83 29’ ‘88 29’ ‘87 29’ ‘95 30’ ‘88 30’ ‘97 32’ ‘77

Power Boats Pursuit 2200 CC................. $9,500 Rinker 242 Fiesta ............ $18,500 Four Winns 258 ............... $17,500 Cruisers Holiday ............. $12,000 Bayliner 2560 .................. $12,000 Bayliner 2655 .................. $32,500 Four Winns 268 ............... $42,500 Sea Ray Sundancer ....... $17,500 Carver 28 Riviera ............ $11,900 Bayliner 2950 .................. $14,900 Cruisers Sea Devil ......... $18,900 Sea Ray Sundancer ....... $33,900 Sea Ray Sedan ............... $19,900 Maxum 300SCR .............. $32,900 Trojan F-32....................... $14,500

32’ ‘05 33’ ‘95 33’ ‘78 34’ ‘79 34’ ‘01 35’ ‘94 36’ ‘88 36’ ‘87 36’ ‘87 36’ ‘82 37’ ‘95 37’ ‘78 37’ ‘95 38’ ‘92 38’ ‘82 38’ ‘04

MARINE MARKETPLACE

BERGMANN MARINE

Charlevoix, MI 49720 • Phone 231/547-3957

Complete Mechanical Electrical Rigging – Haulout

Twin Vee Cat ................... $69,900 Sea Ray Sundancer ....... $54,900 Carver Voyager .............. $17,500 Mainship Sedan ............. $27,500 Sea Ray 340..................... $95,500 Carver 350 Aft ................. $65,900 Sport Craft Pesca........... $29,900 Carver 3607 Aft ............... $41,900 Carver 3607 Aft ............... $45,900 Carver 3607 Aft ............... $29,900 Sea Ray 370 EX ............... $74,900 Vinette Steel Trawler..... $39,900 Cruisers 3775 .................. $69,900 Cruisers 3850 .................. $79,900 PT Trawler ....................... $79,500 Regal 3880 ..................... $165,900

5309 E. Wilder Rd. Bay City, MI 48706

989-684-5010 • info@bayharborbaycity.com

39’ ‘88 40’ ‘94 40’ ‘87 42’ ‘87 42’ ‘87 42’ ‘78 42’ ‘82

Sea Ray 390..................... $48,900 Mainship Sedan ........... $119,900 Hatteras Motor Yacht .. $115,500 Carver Aft ........................ $79,500 Chris Craft 427 ................ $78,550 Grand Banks Classic ..... $84,900 Bertram FBMY .............. $119,900

25’ ‘84 27’ ‘73 33’ ‘74 35’ ‘88 36’ ‘74 36’ ‘78 38’ ‘86

sail Boats Catalina.............................. $8,500 Catalina.............................. $8,750 Pearson 33 ...................... $24,900 J 35 ................................... $53,000 PJ Steadfast 36 .............. $31,500 C&C 36 ............................. $29,900 Irwin 38 CC MK II ........... $75,000

Details on over 150 listings at

www.kellymarinesales.com

Marine Banking Services Financing Boats in the Great Lakes & Nationwide for 35 years

Loans from $35,000 to $5,000,000 For Qualified Buyers

Low Rates • New or Used • We arrange Surveys & Ins. USCG documentation • Ask about refinance rates

For personalized service contact DENNIS J. SPOLJARIC dennis@marinebanking.com

www.marinebanking.com

1-800-709-5100 (Illinois) 708-489-0588 (Indiana) 219-365-0622

• Latest Innovation • The Look of Natural Wood • Durability of Aluminum More AluM idock Products Leg Docks • Floating Docks • Boat Hoists • Stairways • Gangways Custom Applications • Marina Planks

www.alumidock.com • 800-532-3557

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

83

Please support our advertisers!

45 YeArs of AluMinuM dock Building exPerience

classifieds: Boats for sale

Place your classified ad Online at lakelandboating.com 23’ 1988 Slickcraft SS237 260-hp Mercruiser, 492 hrs., Eagle tandem axle trailer, one owner, complete documentation. $12,500. Northport, MI. 317-370-8705 or lhgardner@me.com. JUL13 32’ 2005 320 crUiSerS eXPreSS Mid-caBin T-320 Volvo Inboards. Only 150 hrs. New bottom paint. Excellent condition. $99,900. 262-652-8866, captjimsyachts.com CJ, may13

25’ 2011 hUnt harrier Single 300-hp Yanmar diesel with 71 hrs. Bow thruster, full canvas enclosure, Garmin 5212 Chart, “V-berth” with head. Wet bar with refrigerator.

Swim platform. Kept under cover, clean. Located in South Florida. contact wayne cannava 954-646-5099, wayne@gilmanyachts.com JUL13

30’ BaYliner cierra 2000 T-Merc IO’S w/ 218 hrs.

Central air/heat. Many extras, incl. tandem trailer. $32,500.

E-mail to see more photos: weboshka@gmail.com, 920-847-2456 apr13

1997 Crownline 330 express 1999 tiara 3100 OPen Freshwater. New hardtop and canvas (2011). Crusader 7.4 MPI’s with 840 hrs. Teak Interior. Asking $99,900. call Brent @ reed Yacht Sales (616) 402-0180 ryS 1989 Slickcraft 279Sc 330 hp, SS prop, water heater, video depthsounder, marine radio, camper canvas, and much more. Well kept. Dual axle float on trailer. $13,500.

651-470-7548 apr13

Please support our advertisers!

2005 tiara 2900 cOrOnet Freshwater, new canvas and Clarion Stereo (2012). Crusader 8.1L MPI, 385 hp, 565 hours. Call Now! Asking $109,900. call Mark derenne @ reed Yacht Sales (414) 651-3100 ryS

1982 30’ carver Sedan New engines and rebuilt transmission. Stand-up shower, new sofabed, two refrigerators, bar. Extras. Excellent buy. 517-669-9159

JUL13

1997 crOwnline 330 eXPreSS crUiSer Midcabin, T-260 hp MerCruiser 5.7L Bravo III drives, air/heat, generator, cockpit ice maker, large swim platform, 2008 Garmin 8.4” chart, 18HD radar, GPS, VHF. 2013 new bottom paint. Located in MI. $49,000.

616-443-9759. JUL13

1997 Sea raY 330 SUndancer T-7.4 MPI (340 hp) V-drives, Raymarine electronics, one owner, meticulously maintained, freshwater, heated storage. 10’ Zodiac. $58,900. 616-402-4087 or 616-402-4088 JUN13 1987 31’ tiara flYBridge Completely rigged for Great Lakes fishing. Full complement of electronics.

Excellent condition. Asking $49,000. call 920-265-3270 or captjohn652@gmail.com. JUL13

31’ 2004 310 dOral T-320 hp Bravo III’s, low hrs., one owner, generator, radar, GPS, plotter. Excellent condition. $99,900. 262-652-8866, captjimsyachts.com CJ, may13

1998 crUiSerS YachtS 3375 eSPrit Original owner, freshwater, tow truck and trailer available. T-7.4 inboards, full electronics, generator, new canvas. $59,900.

262-781-6598 or happely2@aol.com apr13

2001 Mainship ruM runner 2001 MainShiP rUM rUnner 30’ 250 B Cummins, 560 enging hrs., stored inside winter/ summer. Like new, many extras. $88,000. call 920-517-3304 or 920-921-5038. aUG13

84

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

1995 carver 310 SantegO Very good condition, I/B T-Crusaders, low hrs., new interior, A/C heat. Sleeps six.

Great weekender with many extras. $28,000 OBO. Phil 312-343-8073, scubaman18@comcast.net JUN13

1989 Sea raY 34 SUndancer Only 688 hrs., air, newer canvas, new interior carpet. Mint! $28,900. Anchorage Yacht Sales, 616-399-6304, boats@aysboats.com apr13

classifieds: Boats for sale

place your classified ad ONLINe at lakelandboating.com 2006 FORMuLA 34 pC One owner, 100% freshwater, excellent condition. Merc 8.1L HO, 420 hp gas w/200 hrs. Generator, full electronics, full canvas, cherry interior.

Turnkey! Asking $164,900. Call Brent @ Reed yacht Sales (616) 402-0180 RYS

35’ 1986 SeNATOR SuNdeCK Very fuel efficient, economical trawler. T/diesels. Autopilot, radar, GPS, A/C, heat, dripless shaft seals. Always freshwater. Well maintained and clean. $69,500. 734-789-7534, boatislife@gmail.com JUL13

2008 3760 RegAL MId CABIN expReSS T-8.1 Volvo Dual Props, low hrs., hardtop, generator. $169,900.

262-652-8866, captjimsyachts.com CJ, MAY13

1987 36’ TIARA CONVeRTIBLe Heated storage, proserviced, 350 hp (910 hrs.), generator, all electronics, teak interior, 2 staterooms, 100% freshwater. Excellent condition.

Photos available. Reduced $79,900. 616-340-7300 JUN13

2001 37/39 NORdIC Tug. Bristol! Never in salt. Stored indoor heated since new. Best overall value in the country @ $285,000. Long-range cruise equipped. George Wilson/ owner 920-495-9662 or gtandmj@hotmail.com JUL13 1994 FOuR WINNS 365 expReSS Cummins diesels, generator, Lowrance GPS/Fishfinder. Radar. Freshwater/ heated storage. $79,500. More information/photos at diyachthaven.com or call 906-647-2400. JUN13

ced!

Redu

2000 380 Sea ray Sundancer 1999 TIARA 3500 OpeN LOA 35’6”, beam 13’3”, 7.4 Crusader Gas Engines w/485 hrs. Canvas like new, full electronics, teak/holly sole, air conditioning. Professionally maintained Lake Erie boat. $128,900. 419-433-8071 or pewman@mac.com APR13

Reduc ed!

2000 SeA RAy 380 SuNdANCeR T-7.4 Merc. HorizonsGarmin. 2010 GPS, low hrs. (280). Excellent. Like new, new canvas. Best offer. 315-469-1712 days, 315-476-3901 eve and weekends MAY13

37’ 1993 CARVeR MOTOR yACHT T-7.4 Crusaders, generator, new canvas, full electronics, very good condition. Owners retiring. $87,900. 262-652-8866, captjimsyachts.com CJ, MAY13

1980 35’ VIKINg CONVeRTIBLe 454 Crusaders, Kohler Marine Airs, fully equipped w/numerous upgrades.

Freshwater, covered slip. $35,900. 513-574-1585 JUN13

2000 SILVeRTON 352 AFT CABIN My Excellent condition. 7.4L inboard Mercs w/low hrs. (700). Only in freshwater. Motivated seller, free delivery on Great Lakes.

Spacious Interior w/ 2 staterooms and 2 heads, dual access bridge, electronics, etc. $99,000 OBO. Contact TomK4428@gmail.com or 814 572-4982 JUN13

1996 372 SILVeRTON AFT CABIN T-8.2 Crusaders, generator, electronics, fresh bottom paint, canvas in good condition. $89,900. 262-652-8866, captjimsyachts.com CJ, MAY13

Please support our advertisers!

1995 SeA RAy 370 SuNdANCeR Loaded for cruising.

Generator, plotter w/radar, hailer w/fog horn, VHF w/ DCS, 10’ rib w/15 hp on davits, camper back w/screens, 454’s w/600 hrs. Professionally serviced/heated storage.

Sturgeon Bay, WI. $82,500. 608-274-3448. JUL13

1995 SeA RAy 400eC Total refit inside and out (2005).

Loaded incl. genset. Pictures and survey available. $99,000. 231-313-2191 JUL13

40’ 1967 CHRIS CRAFT CORINTHIAN Rare awesome award-winner. Needs nothing. Nov ‘08 survey. Please, serious inquiries only. 586-243-6861 JUN13

a p ril 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

85

classifieds: Boats for sale

place your classified ad ONLiNE at lakelandboating.com 2000 SEA RAy 410 SUNDANCER T7.4L Merc MPI Horizons.

Generator w/full electronics. In excellent condition. Reduced to $115,000. 814-881-0326, fpetruso@aol.com JUL13

Reduc ed!

2005 OCEAN ALExANDER 54 LOA T-500 hp Yanmars w/330 hrs. Dual stations, full Raymarine electronics,12KW gen, air, Zodiac H/B, deluxe bridge. $495,000.

920-739-7668 JUL13 1968 46’ CHRiS CRAFT ROAMER (ALUMiNUM) New exterior paint and extensive interior redecorating in 2011.

Attention getter continuously upgraded by same (now two-boat) owner last 24 years. Strong Ford 427 engines.

Located in Detroit. $99,500. Contact Mark at 248-514-4250 or e-mail oakliftm@mi.rr.com for photos/specs. MAy13

Reduc ed!

2000 REgAL 4160 ExpRESS 42 feet, Volvo diesels w/250 hrs. Full electronics, two heads/ staterooms, generator.

Excellent condition. 231-941-1284 JUN13

2005 gB EastBay 49 sEDan 2005 gB EASTBAy 49 SEDAN Single owner!

Custom hard enclosure! Flag Blue hull! Only 335 hrs. Always fresh water! $689,000. Contact Mike@ WaypointMarineSales.com, 419-344-7518. JUL13

55’ 1990 viKiNg MOTORyACHT Desirable (4) stateroom layout. On-deck galley, walk-in engine room, private master w/king berth. Traditional teak interior, upgraded digital stabilizers, bow thruster. Must-see exceptional gel coat.

Fresh water 98% and shows. Located in the Great Lakes.

Realistic seller. Contact Wayne Cannava 954-646-5099, wayne@gilmanyachts.com JUL13

2007 42’ iSLAND piLOT 435 with IPS. Excellent condition.

Go to greatyacht.blogspot.com for details. $399,000.

248-787-2400 JUL13

42’ 1996 HATTERAS COCKpiT MOTORyACHT T-420 hp Cats, low hrs., new bottom paint and canvas.

Excellent condition. $259,900. 262-652-8866, captjimsyachts.com CJ, MAy13

2002 51’ SEA RAy SUNDANCER T-3196 CATS T640 hp, 470 hrs. Loaded. Submersible platform. Sat TV. Immaculately clean. $359,900. 262-652-8866, captjimsyachts.com CJ, MAy13

40’ ELLENWOOD LANDiNg SLip Drive-up slip #6 in Montague, MI w/greenway, picnic table and grills. Two fabulous club houses and pool. Rent for $2,000 OR buy for $2,000 annually for 7 years!

Call Wayne at 517-402-6948 MAy13

Charters

Please support our advertisers!

BAREBOAT CANADA’S FABULOUS NORTH CHANNEL, LAKE HURON. 25 power and sailboats, 27’-50’. Cruise and learn, skippered. Canadian Yacht Charters, Gore Bay, Ontario. 800-565-0022. E-mail: info@cycnorth.com, cycnorth.com RUC

1986 CHRiS CRAFT 422 COMMANDER. Immaculate, motivated seller. Diesels, heat/AC, generator, low hours. Best value on the Great Lakes! Call or text 616-389-0747. JUL13

1978 43’ viKiNg MOTOR yACHT T-Detroit Diesels, generator, 11’ Whaler w/davit, windless, washer and dryer, new top and carpet. Extremely well-built boat. Cruise ready. Excellent buy at $59,999. Soo, MI. Call pat at 906-630-2448 JUN13

86

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

|

apr i l 2013

1990 53’ JEFFERSON MARqUESSA walk around.

Detroit 6V92s, 3 staterooms, 3 heads. Extensive remodel/ upgrades. Custom pilothouse. Zodiac. Never salt. arkatie.com, 612-850-2000 JUN13

! uced Red

STUNNiNg 2000 54’ NEpTUNUS ExpRESS Fullyequipped, powerful and rare C-12 Caterpillars w/low hrs.

Never in salt water. Luxurious leather and cherry wood throughout, well-maintained, everything works and ready to go for summer! Steal it for $325,000. Contact Charles: 312-793-5480; lporter@court.state.il.us. JUL13

powerboat 1985 CARvER 3227 CONvERTiBLE Superbly maintained and runs great! 3000 hours trolling, includes electronics/updates/bottom paint. Great for cruising/fishing. margaretelchuk2@gmail.com for photos/specs. JUL13 rEDUCED! 1996 CARvER 370 Aft Cabin, T-454 EFI Crusaders, 650 hrs. Gen set w/70 hrs. Lots of space for 6.

Pictures available. Excellent condition. 419-367-8646 JUL13 1993 40’ MAiNSHip SEDAN BRiDgE. Fresh water only. 7.4L XL Crusaders w/ V drives @ 840 hrs. Meticulously maintained. Fully equipped and instrumented. Bridge is fully enclosed. Includes 10” RIB. $90,000. Call 248-321-7985. JUL13 rEDUCED again! ‘95 500 DA SEA RAy Heated storage, T-550 Detroits. 502 hrs. Clean and equipped.

Freshwater only. $185,000 OBO. 216-469-7000 APR13

“All my leads came from Lakeland Boating, and I sold it through Lakeland Boating.”

— Wayne Cannava of Gilman Yachts, former broker of a 1989 54’ Hatteras

classifieds: Boats for sale

! d l So

The Best Way to Sell Your Boat Fast!

Order online at lakelandboating.com or mail in this form. All online orders will receive a free online listing!

Order FOrm place my classified ad in the following issues: o January o February o March o April o May o June o July o August o September o October o November/December Category (only one per ad):

o Power o Sail o Other

20 words should include length, year, make, model, features, price, phone and e-mail address.

Don’t forget your phone number!

4-Month Special

20 Words With 1 Photo: $250 Without Photo: $150 Additional words are $1.50 each

Monthly Rates

20 Words With 1 Photo: $90 Without Photo: $40 Additional words are $1.50 each

Order online or mail this form to:

Lakeland Boating Classifieds 727 South Dearborn, Suite 812 Chicago, Il 60605

payment: We accept Visa and MasterCard and checks ONly for mail-in orders Name Address

Questions? Call 800-331-0132 x. 24 classifieds@lakelandboating.com

City

State

Day phone

Please support our advertisers!

Free online listing only applies to ads placed online. Sorry, but no refunds once the ad is placed. Photos will be returned only if you enclose an SASE. Lakeland Boating reserves the right to edit copy for spelling, length, format, etc.

Zip

Evening phone

E-mail Visa/MasterCard number

Expiration date

Name as it appears on credit card

Amount enclosed

deadlines:

maY issue is march 15; JUNe issue is april 15.

Ads received after deadline are automatically placed in the next issue.

april 2013

|

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

87

above the waterline | by Dave Wallace

My Top 10 The greatest tech achievements in my boating career.

I

t’s no secret to regular Lakeland Boating readers that I’ve been involved with boating since the introduction of the outboard motor. As I look back and reflect on all the improvements in technology I’ve experienced over the years, I was inspired to create a list of those things that impacted my enjoyment of boating the most. Those of you who’ve come into the sport more recently may wonder what all my excitement is about. Here’s my attempt to explain it.

The top of my list is really a composite of three closely related advances in outboard technology. The shear pin, the recoil starter, and the shifter. Before these three came along, my first outboard was a pain to start — it had to be swiveled around 180 degrees to go backward — and required prop repair after striking every submerged stump or log.

The inboard ski boat. Our introduction to waterskiing involved the most powerful outboard available at the time: A 10-hp Mercury. Even though we were lightweight youngsters, it took a groin-pulling effort to get out of the hole. In the mid-40s, our dad upgraded us to a molded plywood inboard that could easily handle three skiers at a time. It ruled our river until we grew up and moved away.

Uniform shore power. Our early experience with Great Lakes cruising was truly primitive by today’s standards. Very few boats were even wired for shore power, and those that were quickly discovered that hardly any two marinas used the same receptacle configuration. At one time I remember carrying at least three different adapters and lots of extension cords. Bless uniformity and that big yellow cable!

RDF (radio direction finder). Learning to navigate with paper charts, parallel rules and dividers to measure distance was an interesting challenge even in good weather. Once out of sight of land, or in fog, navigation became a complex issue of time and speed, mixed in with jangled nerves. My first RDF was as bulky as a wind-up record player and home built from a kit, but at least it worked.

Depth sounders. Simple versions came along about the same time as RDF. Since we tended to do a lot of running offshore, we never knew when the sandbar might be intruding on our course. On our first boat we actually made do with the same lead-line technique used

by Christopher Columbus and all the other explorers eager to avoid grounding as they approached a distant shore.

Inflatables. In the beginning, dinghies were nothing more than undersized rowboats. There were usually towed astern and required constant attention. They were

1

2

3

4

5

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

88

LAKELANDBOATING.COM

6

|

apr I l 2013

also very tippy during boarding or unloading, particularly since the concept of the swim platform on cruising boats had yet to be popularized. Inflatables solved all that. The first generation boats were pretty floppy, but over the years they matured into seriously dependable and comfortable outboard-powered cruisers in their own right.

Bow thrusters. Not every cruiser is blessed with twin engines. None of ours ever were. Until the affordable bow thruster was introduced, I would rather have a root canal without Novocain then stern into a slip, especially in a crosswind. The bow thruster saved our marriage.

Radar. This choice should come as no surprise. The Great Lakes are famous for fog and giant freighters.

Before radar I had cruising nightmares. What a difference a little green blip makes!

I’m combining the last two because they are closely related. Air-conditioning and cable TV signaled the ultimate retreat from being a manly skipper in a sun-drenched, fly-infested flybridge, making summer cruises more like an extension of a long weekend at home.

If you’re wondering why I didn’t include satellite navigation, it came too late in our boating career to make the same life-changing impact of those listed above. Like all senior citizens love to say to the younger generations, “You really had to be there to understand.” LB

7

8

9/10

illustration by mike harris

STINGRAY BOATS ARE AVAILABLE AT THESE GREAT LAKES AREA DEALERS USA DEALERS Silver Lake Marine Thomson Marine Anderson Boat Sales Buckeye Sports Center Carl Stirns Marine Fremac Marine Sales Gamble Distributors Grand Bay Marine 4213 W Lake Road 5425 Racetrack Rd 6477 Highland Road 4610 State Road 640 N Broadway 1801 Route 31 291 N US 31 S 37231 NYS Rt 3 Silver Springs NY Sheboygan WI Waterford MI Peninsula OH Aurora IL Bridgeport NY Traverse City MI Carthage NY 585-237-5185 920-457-8855 248-666-9922 330-929-3366 630-896-3050 315-633-2661 231-943-0333 315-493-2270 andersonboatsales.com buckeyesportscenter.com stirnsmarine.com fremacmarine.com gamblespartsonline.com grandbaymarine.com silverlakemarine.com thomsonmarine.com

CANADA DEALERS Bala Cove Marina 1021 Gordon Street Bala, Ontario 705-762-1553 balacovemarina.com

Brennan Marine Ltd 67 Mill Street Gananoque, Ontario 613-382-3137 brennanmarine.ca

Leisure Marine 5781 Highway 7 Woodbridge, Ontario 905-851-3903 leisuremarine.com

Makin' Waves Marine 29720 Hwy 62 N Bancroft, Ontario 905-977-8759 makinwavesmarine.com

Xtreme Marine London 2024 Westchester Bourne London, Ontario 519-641-0505 xtrememarinelondon.com

Pirate Cove Marina 4304 Rideau River Rd Kemptville, Ontario 613-258-2325 piratecovemarina.com

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

ADVE RTISE I N

CALL 800-331-0132 FOR MORE INFORMATION