Walstrom Marine Docklines 2022

volume 44 | 2022

Celebrating the Boating Lifestyle Future of Boating An Interview with Thomas Slikkers

Boats That Built Us Where the Love Began

A Walk on the Water Building the Harbor with Fred Walstrom

231.526.2141

| walstrom.com

4

From the Wheelhouse

7

2022 Event Calendar

8

Employee Corner

DOCKLINES

13

Queen of Clean

Docklines is a publication of Walstrom Marine, Inc.

14

News from Rivertown

17

New Technology

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Ward Walstrom Jr., Tom Ervin, David Lesh, Dan Kimball, Scott Way, Dwayne Stone, Heather Lake, Kurt Hartlieb, Andrea Lightfoot, Kate Conlon, Jackie Miller, Ellen Auten

20

Local: An Interview with Colin Brow

23

The Charlevoix Way

25

New Partnership

HARBOR SPRINGS

26

Boats that Built Us

Yacht Sales

28

The Legacy Continues

31

Investing In Your Investment

32

Introducing MJM

34

A Walk on the Water

37

Meet Our Tiara Rep

TRAVERSE CITY

38

Crossover: Built to Fish and Play

Sales, Service, Storage & Parts

41

Traverse City: A Boater’s Wonderland

42

New to the Neighborhood

46

Boaters on the Frontline

12935 S. West Bay Shore Drive, Suite 125, Traverse City, MI 49684 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com

48

Pure. Pursuit.

52

Commanding a Presence

B AY H A R B O R

54

Crest: For the Days that Matter Most

Yacht Sales

58

Something for Everyone

60

Built for the Bold

64

CEO Spotlight - Thomas Slikkers

66

The Leon Legacy

69

The Value of Brokerage

70

What They Are Saying on the Water

72

Restaurant Guide

500 Bay Street, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com

Service, Parts & Storage

501 Bay Street, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com

228 N. US 31 S., Traverse City, MI 49685 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com

Yacht Sales

801 Front St, Bay Harbor, MI 49770 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com CHEBOYGAN

Sales, Service, Storage & Parts

113 E. State Street, Cheboygan, MI 49721 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com CHARLEVOIX

Yacht Sales

{New Feature}

78 Previously Owned Boats

105 E. Clinton Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720 231.526.2141 • boats@walstrom.com

83 84

Captain Kurt’s Boating Tips

Designed, produced and printed by Mitchell Graphics, Inc.

85

Fuel Savings & Emergency Service Anytime

All requests related to editorial contributions, advertising information, or to be placed on our mailing list should be addressed to Walstrom Marine, Inc. at 231.526.2141 or kconlon@walstrom.com.

Brenda Andrews: Momma Bear & Giving Back

ON THE COVER: Tiara Yachts’ All-New 48 LS - Largest in fleet ( flagship) walstrom.com | 3

From the Wheelhouse reminders of why we are so fortunate to have Northern Michigan. Whether you are here for a long time or a short time, it’s the reset button we all need.

It’s hard to believe that we could possibly have had another year like 2020, but 2021 proved to be just that. The boating industry continued to surge, adding new boaters to the ranks and seeing more vessels out on the bay than ever before. Hearing the laughter of children coming back into the harbor with their families after a day on the lake and seeing friends and family gather on their vessels, it was yet another summer of

4 | walstrom.com

This year we said an unexpected “goodbye” to beloved staff member, Brenda Andrews. Brenda was with Walstrom Marine for 14 years, beginning her career in our Propellers store before moving into our accounting department. Most recently Brenda had taken on the role of human resources manager, adding a title to the job she already performed as friend, advisor, and confidant to our staff – most of all, myself. Brenda was always quick to lend a hand or an ear to anyone in need and was, most importantly, unfailingly kind. We have all felt her absence this year and will miss her very much here at Walstrom Marine.

Our hearts go out forever to her family members who lost a wonderful mother, wife, and daughter.

2021 was also a year of exciting change having welcomed new partners to the 75-year institution that is Walstrom Marine. Continuum Ventures, Colony Marine, and the James Mestdagh Family joined the Ward Walstrom, Jr. family to ensure another prosperous 75 years of business. The partnership brings together a group of avid boaters and businessmen who collectively have 200 years of success

running family-owned businesses. It’s an exciting time for all of us to gain more support and resources as we grow in an ever-changing market.

I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight our staff, who continue to work harder with smiles on their faces through busier and busier times. In a world where staff shortages are the norm, I am thankful every day for dedicated team members at our locations from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron who prioritize great service for everyone who walks in our doors.

Getting out on the water and unplugging from phones and TVs has never been more vital to health and happiness than it is now. If there’s one thing that the world agrees on, it’s that, as can be seen from the number of new boaters we are adding to the pastime every day. Whether you are a day tripper or an overnighter, an inland boater or a Great Lake cruiser, you are guaranteed a good day when you are at the helm looking out onto an expanse of water in the sunshine with your loved ones.

2021 made me realize that these moments and memories are not forever, and there is no time like the present to begin making them.

See you on the lake,

Tom Ervin President Walstrom Marine

Boating Made Easy Cheboygan Harbor Springs Bay Harbor Charlevoix

Traverse City

SALES | SERVICE | DOCKAGE | STORAGE | PARTS | FUEL DOCK “Sharing your passion for boating since 1946” walstrom.com | 5

DISCOVER THE LIFESTYLE

World Class Recreational Facilities in a Picturesque Setting Nestled in the rolling hills of northern Michigan, Birchwood offers an unparalleled lifestyle opportunity. Not just a country club, Birchwood is a private, residential community offering luxury, resort style amenities for all ages. The 1,600 acre association boasts 27 holes of picturesque northern Michigan golf, nine Har-tru clay tennis courts, four pickleball courts, multiple dining facilities, fitness center and an array of social activities.

An abundance of trails for hiking, snow shoeing and cross country skiing offer four seasons of recreational bliss throughout the Birchwood campus.

To learn more about the Birchwood Lifestyle inquire today at (800) 915-0829 or info@birchwoodcc.com

600 Birchwood Drive, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 | (231) 526-2166 | www.birchwoodcc.com

2022

Event Calendar

January 12-16

Chicago Boat Show

February 16-20

Grand Rapids Boat Show

February 16-20

Miami International Boat Show

February 25-27

Gaylord Boat Show

March 18-20

Traverse City Boat Show

March 24-27

Palm Beach International Boat Show

June 16 June 17-19

Bay Harbor VIP Event, BHYC Bay Harbor Boat Show

July 15

Bay Harbor Rendezvous

July 16

Women in Boating, Bay Harbor

July 23

Women in Boating, Harbor Springs

Exact Dates TBD

Tiara VIP Event, Holland

August 13

Women in Boating, Traverse City

September 5

Labor Day Event, Harbor Springs

September 15-18 October 26-30

All events are subject to change, please check our website and social media pages for the most up to date events calendar and offerings.

Metro Boat Show, Lake St. Clair Metropark 63rd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show walstrom.com | 7

KEVIN FLOOD

BRANDON HYATT

Kevin Flood joined the team after graduating from the Great Lakes Boat Building School in September of 2021.

Kevin comes from Harrison Township, Michigan, where he grew up racing sailboats on Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair.

He has previously worked as a heavy equipment mechanic, as well as a video technician for MOPAR service videos.

He is excited to expand his education in the marine field, continuing a long family history of working in and around boats.

Brandon joined the Walstrom Marine team in June of 2021. In his role as dockhand, he works directly with our Harbor Springs dockmaster, Scott Sutliff, assisting him wherever help is needed. This means working at the gas dock, helping at the docks in the basin, washing boats and anything else. Before this, Brandon worked in customer service for several months. Brandon is from the Petoskey area, where he went to school. In his free time Brandon likes to watch sports and relax.

Service Technician (HS)

Employee CORNER

By Jessica Karr

NEW HIRES ELLEN AUTEN

Marketing Coordinator

Ellen is a Harbor Springs local. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s in Advertising and minor in multimedia design.

She has 3 years of professional experience in marketing throughout Northern Michigan and she experienced an internship abroad in New Zealand. She loves getting outside in her free time: camping, hiking, traveling, and backpacking. Ellen’s grandfather was also a Marine Technician for over 20 years at Walstrom Marine, Harbor Springs!

NATHAN BAUER Yard Crew (HS)

Nate joined the team in May of 2021 and has proven he can handle anything. He is part of the yard crew team, has a CDL and will work on detailing boats. He brings with him 5 years of equipment experience. Nate spends time with his fiancée and two children in his free time.

8 | walstrom.com

HUDSON FUSSELL Service Technician (HS)

Hudson joined our team in the fall of 2021 after finishing a year at the Great Lakes Boat Building School in Cedarville, Michigan. Hudson was previously a salmon fishing guide in Alaska for two seasons before discovering a different passion, which was working on boats.

JOE GALLAGHER Salesman (TC)

Joe comes to us from the Gull Lake area where he grew up boating. All of his job paths have pointed to the marine industry so it’s no wonder he ended up with us!

Joe is a graduate of Western Michigan University and moved to Traverse City in May of 2021 to join our sales team. In the summer he enjoys wake surfing and hanging out on the boat with his friends and family.

Dockhand (HS)

VICTOR GIACOMAN IT Coordinator

Victor has been in the IT field since 2017, in a variety of roles.

He is from Tennessee originally, but has lived in various locales throughout the years, including El Salvador, Washington State, and Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He spends his free time hanging with his younger siblings, and also with his dog Ella, a highly energetic Vizsla.

STEVE JOSLIN

Service & Parts Advisor (TC)

Steve was born and raised in Traverse City.

He grew up on the water and is an avid boater and fisherman.

In his spare time, he is the Tournament Director of the Benzie Fishing Frenzie tournament. Steve also has a 7-year-old yellow lab named Costa.

JERRI JULIAN

MARK LEWIS

CAMERON ORTIZ

Jerri started with Walstrom in the fall of 2021. She is originally from Asheville, North Carolina and moved to Northern Michigan in 2011. She and her husband enjoy fishing, camping, kayaking, boating and traveling in their free time.

Mark is our new parts coordinator working out of the Harbor Springs location. He comes to us with several years of marine parts and service experience, along with a diverse business background. Mark has lived in Northern Michigan for 15 years, before that spending time in southwest Michigan, Colorado and California and is originally from northwest Indiana. On his time off, he enjoys hiking, camping, fishing and riding ATVs in the amazing trail systems of Northern Michigan.

Welcome Cameron, who brings experience to the Cheboygan Team with his knowledge specializing in fiberglass repair. He is an overall, wellrounded technician.

He has been in the boat industry for the past 6 years. Cameron moved to Northern Michigan 10 years ago, is newly married and enjoys the outdoors, especially camping.

Service Advisor (Cheb)

JESSICA KARR Human Resources & Payroll Manager

Jessica is our new Harbor Springs based human resource and payroll manager.

Jessica has over 15 years of payroll and HR experience, spending the last eight years working in Charlevoix. Originally from Mount Pleasant, Michigan and a Central Michigan University graduate, Jessica spent time in Ft. Collins, Colorado and Boston, Massachusetts before moving to Petoskey in 2013. During the weekends Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and two young girls on the beaches, campgrounds and hiking trails of Northern Michigan.

NIKKI LANDON Service Advisor (HS)

“I am honored to work and be part of the greatest team ever.”

Working with and assisting customers with their passion for boating for over 16 years is something Nikki has grown addicted to and is a people pleaser to a fault. She is thankful for the privilege of meeting some amazing people in the Harbor Springs area in the boating world who have become great friends and acquaintances throughout the years. In her spare time, she is “the crazy sports mom” who never misses her son’s games. She also enjoys outdoor activities and hanging with her sons, family and friends.

Parts Advisor (HS)

JACQUELYN MILLER Office Manager (HS)

Jackie is our new office manager & inventory controller at our Harbor Springs location. Jackie was born and raised in the Gull Lake area where she worked at her parents’ marina. She’s a graduate of Michigan State University and when not on the water, she enjoys exploring Northern Michigan with her pup, Rosie!

JANE MOHME Controller

Jane joined Walstrom in May of 2021.

She brings with her more than 20 years’ experience in finance and accounting, the last 5 of which have been in the marine industry. She is originally from St. Louis, but after spending childhood summers with her family in Harbor Springs, she decided it was time to make Harbor Springs her permanent home in 2013 and hasn’t looked back since.

When not working, she enjoys spending time on the water, working in the yard or with family and friends.

Service Technician (Cheb)

JACKSON PIERCE Service Technician (TC)

Jackson is the newest employee hired in Traverse City as a technician.

Jackson’s professional background is the automotive industry and brings a new light to the boating industry. He has great energy and his willingness to learn is outstanding.

MATTHEW SCHWARZE Salesman (TC)

Matt joined the Traverse City sales team in November.

He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a BA in Marketing. Matt has previous experience in manufacturing consulting, construction business, and a few years owning his own business. Being outdoors is Matt’s favorite hobby, and he enjoys taking boat rides in Omena Bay with his wife Danielle and two daughters.

Employee Corner continued on next page walstrom.com | 9

Employee CORNER Continued from previous page

ERIKA PRICE

KURT ZINKE

Erika recently relocated to Northern Michigan from Waterford, Michigan with her two sons and cat.

Erika has worked in the financial industry since graduating high school, ranging from banking to financial investment services. Her hobbies include snowboarding and spending time with her children. Erika dove in as our accounts payable clerk and is enjoying all aspects of the new position.

Kurt joined our team in October of 2020. Born and raised in Northern Michigan, he started his mechanic career as an ASE Master engine machinist just out of high school.

Kurt started in the Marine Industry in 2005 and has obtained multiple certificates in Mercruiser, Volvo, Evinrude, and Suzuki.

He is married with three children and two Great Danes! Kurt would be out salmon fishing every free moment if he could.

Accounts Payable (HS)

CATHY WARD

Accounts Receivable (HS)

Cathy came on board in April of 2021, having a background in banking and accounts receivable for the last five years.

She is a lifelong Northern Michigan resident, raising three children alongside her husband, and has welcomed a granddaughter, who all live in the area. Cathy loves to ride ATVs and spend as much time as she can exploring the woods.

Service Technician (Cheb)

THIS COULD BE YOU!

Walstrom Marine is always looking for enthusiastic, motivated marine professionals in all departments. Contact hr@walstrom.com for more information.

MILESTONE Anniversaries MIKE HUTTO

BRIAN LENTELL

ART LANGOLF

10 years

5 years

5 years

JONATHAN TAYLOR

CHARLES NEW

SCOTT WAY

5 years

5 years

Service Technician, Harbor Springs

Service Technician, Harbor Springs

5 years 10 | walstrom.com

Service Technician, Cheboygan

Salesman, Traverse City

Service Technician, Cheboygan

Salesman, Charlevoix

Inquire today at bccfamily.com • 231-439-1600 • Harbor Springs, MI

Building your waterfront retreat.

231.526.8495 | searsarchitects.com

THE QUEEN OF CLEAN Celebrating 16 Years

By Ellen Auten, Marketing Coordinator

Many who frequent the docks of Walstrom Marine, Harbor Springs in the summer months will be familiar with the friendly face of Margaret Groenevelt, our lead detailer.

Margaret has worked for Walstrom Marine for over 16 years and counting!

To celebrate her 16 years, Margaret shared her journey at Walstrom Marine, what she loves most about her job as lead detailer, and some advice for upkeep on your boat.

Before Walstrom Marine, Margaret grew up in the Grand Haven area and was always near the water. Her parents, four brothers, and Margaret moved north to Harbor Springs in 1977 – her sophomore year of high school. She became friends with Steve Murchie, a now Walstrom Marine veteran of 32 years. While in search of a new career after many years as the lead cook at a local community program, Margaret heard of an opening with Walstrom Marine through her friend, Steve, who had at the time been with Walstrom for about 16 years. After a “threeday trial period” to make sure it was the

right fit, Margaret decided Walstrom Marine was her new home away from home.

In the beginning, Margaret’s days with Walstrom were spent alongside Steve on the yard crew. With this position they tackled boat launches, haul-outs, bottom washes, exterior detailing in the off-season and more. During her time with the yard crew, she remembers fondly all of the practical jokes they would play on each other. “They would scare the living daylights out of you,” as they would jump out from behind boats in the storage buildings.

The jokes didn’t stop there and between that and the genuine comradery among the crew, it kept her coming in each day.

After the early years with the yard crew, Margaret’s role eventually evolved to where help was needed – detailing.

Starting out on the detailing crew she worked under then lead detailer, Sandy (also known as “The Sarge” to the crew), who taught her the ins and outs of detailing boats large and small. Eventually, she took on the title of lead yacht detailer with Walstrom Marine, Harbor Springs. This meant running her own crew in the busy summer months. “When you have a good team, it really helps the days go by and makes things a lot more fun.” Where there are boats, they will need to be cleaned.

Which is why in the winter months, there is no shortage of work.

Margaret comes by her tireless work ethic honestly, which she learned from her parents. Her father held a chef position at Boyne Highlands for nearly 20 years and her mother didn’t retire until she was 73. “It’s in my blood,” Margaret said with a smile. With

no plans to retire on the horizon, Margaret is looking forward to how her role will transform even more with Walstrom Marine.

After maintaining boats for so many years, Margaret Groenevelt has a bit of advice. “Don’t let it go too long. It doesn’t hurt to spray it out once a week. Just keep up on it so that when you want to pay for a cleaning your eyeballs don’t fall out.” The best way to keep your boat looking like the day you brought it home, is to take care of it. We’re always here to help maintain.

Walstrom Marine provides detailing services at all of our service locations: Harbor Springs, Cheboygan and Traverse City.

walstrom.com | 13

News from Rivertown

NEWS

By Heather Lake Office Manager, Cheboygan

We look forward to it each year: longer days, warmer temperatures, and bright, sunny skies. The arrival of springtime is good for the soul, offering a sense of renewal as everything in nature reawakens and the blanket of snow is cast off until next year. Each spring, we see the excitement on the faces of our customers as they eagerly await another season of relaxation on their boat, but perhaps the greatest thrill of all is experienced by children.

14 | walstrom.com

from Rivertown

Children possess a sense of wonder which can make a somewhat ordinary event seem almost magical, and their enthusiasm is often contagious. When Tom and Mary O’Hare’s boat was launched, it was a family affair with their children and grandchildren present. The grandkids were fascinated as they witnessed the Travelift lowering the boat gently into the water. Then came the thrill of going aboard for the first time of the season!

They were treated to a trip to Mackinac Island, which is eight-year-old Jack’s favorite destination. The kids sometimes get to sit with their “Pipi” as he captains the boat, and he’ll tell them things they can do to help, such as turn on the blowers, start the engines, and turn on the batteries. Six-yearold James affirms, “But we can’t touch the buttons!” (Unless given permission to do so).

James likes the way the waves rock the boat back and forth at night and thinks it’s fun that one can prepare meals in the galley while the boat is underway. The boys enjoyed sitting with their cousins on the bow of the

boat, traveling down the Cheboygan River, through the locks, and out into Lake Huron for their Mackinac Island adventure, and the memories of those moments spent with family will likely resonate well into the future as they anticipate subsequent outings.

Those personal stories are reminders to us of why we do what we do. We want to help create memories. We enjoy learning about our customers, whether they have been with us for year or even decades, are new to Walstrom, or perhaps traveling the Great Loop and just passing through for a single season. We appreciate the opportunity to be part of their story, helping to get them on their way as quickly as possible when service needs arise, welcoming customers for dockage and storage, and making modifications and upgrades to boats to transform the owners’ visions into reality.

2021 UPDATES In 2021, some of our more noteworthy accomplishments were an extensive “Phase One” paint job on a 1974 75' Burger,

entailing paint work on the hull, fly bridge, and cabin house. In 2022, “Phase Two” will include finishing the cabin, fly bridge, and the top side. Our technicians have also been busy with multiple Seakeeper installations, and some complete updates of new electronics.

We’ve welcomed new technicians to our staff, and they continue to receive online training and to attend in-person training in order to be educated about new techniques and new products on the market.

Our storage buildings filled sooner than ever before for 2021. Just days into June, we began a waiting list for heated storage which grew to include over forty boats. We were only able to accommodate a few people on the waiting list, with boats being sold that had already been under contract. Watch your email in early 2022 for storage contracts for the 2022/2023 season, and return them as soon as possible to ensure that you will have a space to store your boat with us next year.

As we begin our 35th year of operation at our Cheboygan location, we look forward to continued growth, and the opportunity to be part of your boating experience and stories.

Approaching the Cheboygan lock.

Launch day for the O'Hares.

DAYS A OPEN 7 TIL WEEK UN !

T MIDNIGH DAYS A OPEN 7 TIL WEEK UN !

T H MIDNIG

BEER & WINE • LIQUOR • GROCERIES • PIZZA DELI • LOTTERY • ICE • BAIT & TACKLE FIREWOOD • PROPANE TANK EXCHANGE

231-627-6671 227 East State St. • Cheboygan 2 blocks east of the State Street Bridge

wifi hotspot

FREE, EASY, CONVENIENT PARKING! PULL-THROUGH TRAILER PARKING!

walstrom.com | 15

ARRIVE. ENJOY. DEPART. Leave the setup/cleanup details to Rest Assured.

Leave the setup/cleanup details to Rest Assured®

Year Round Services Monitor and inspect for security and peace of mind Buildings: Seasonal setup/ tear-down, cleaning, maintenance and repair, inside and outside Grounds: Complete care Accounting (for Associations)

Now Serving Private Homes | Condos | Cottages Condo and Homeowner Associations

In Your Area Harbor Springs | Petoskey | Bay Harbor Walloon Lake | North Side of Charlevoix

Contact LARRY OSWALD MANAGING PARTNER

loswald@restassuredpm.com 248-941-8501 2607 Charlevoix Ave Petoskey, MI 49770

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

www.restassuredpm.com

“The Hamptons of Michigan” Craig K. | Google Review

2022 Seasonal & Transient Dockage Available • Deep Water Protected Harbor • First Class Amenities Steps to Shopping, Dining & Events in the Village at Bay Harbor

231-439-2544 • bhlm@bayharbor.com • bayharbor.com

Reservations powered by

48 LS

New Technology

By David Lesh, Service Director

Outboard engines continue to push the performance envelope and Mercury’s new 600 horsepower Verado just gave it a big shove. The new 7.6 liter naturally aspirated V-12 is Mercury’s most powerful

SEA RAY SXO 400

engine ever and it introduces a list of design features that other manufacturers are sure to emulate.

For starters, the lower gearcase turns independently of the main engine. This allows the lower unit to turn 45 degrees each way when most outboards are only able to turn 30 degrees. This results in increased maneuverability in close quarters, especially when combined with the joystick function which allows multiple gearcases to turn in different directions. Having the main engine stationary also saves space on the transom since there is no longer a need to accommodate the side-to-side movement of the engine when turning.

The industry’s first two-speed automatic transmission produces higher torque to help during acceleration and also a slower first gear prop speed for better maneuverability when docking.

The shifting between gears as the engine accelerates is nearly imperceptible.

Mercury engines are already very quiet and this is further enhanced with the

integration of their new transmission. The new 600hp Verado is the quietest highhorsepower outboard to ever be built.

All of these cutting-edge features, along with the unique styling of the new 600 Verado, will push the large outboard industry to a new level of performance. We are eager to see the new 600 Verado as they begin to arrive on our larger Tiara, Pursuit, Chris-Craft and Sea Ray boats we sell and service. walstrom.com | 17

s t i a w a e c n e Your experi

Presenting live events

across the full spectrum of the performing arts on the shores of Lake Michigan.

TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION at 231.439.2610 or greatlakescfa.org 800 BAY HARBOR DRIVE BAY HARBOR, MI 49770 tickets@greatlakescfa.org

Interiors that inspire.

Visit our Design Studio & Furniture Store Downtown Petoskey for latest styles and arrivals!

An Interview with Colin Brow of Local in Bay Harbor as it becomes a staple of Main Street for locally sourced ingredients and cocktails.

By Jasmine Turner, Social Guru 4 You

WHAT WAS YOUR DECISION PROCESS IN BRINGING YOUR RESTAURANT TO BAY HARBOR? For me, it just made sense. We saw a huge opportunity to bring the local atmosphere to Downtown Bay Harbor and introduce sustainable, consistent business to the main street of Bay Harbor year-round. The goal? Bringing locals and out-of-towners alike to support and grow our community. Our philosophy was to bring elements of Petoskey and the surrounding areas to our restaurant, and to provide locally sourced ingredients that were grown and produced by locals themselves. Growing up in what you Northern Michiganders call, “Downstate” I have always had a passion for this small community. The quaint downtowns, local farmers markets, beautiful Little Traverse Bay, and of course, the people. There is truly nothing quite like living in Northern Michigan if you ask me.

So, when deciding on whether we wanted to open a restaurant downtown Bay Harbor, it was a simple no-brainer: Yes!

20 | walstrom.com

WE’VE NOTICED YOU PUT A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY INTO THE FACADE AND INTERIORS OF YOUR RESTAURANT. WHAT WAS YOUR CREATION PROCESS AND WHY? The interior of our space was designed by a local designer, Dawn Whyte with Designs By Dawn, who has a beautiful showroom in the Downtown Petoskey District. Of course, it was very important to us to have a local designer work on our space. Dawn’s intention was to create a new and inviting space that blends both contemporary and classic elements into one to create a dining destination with a powerful aesthetic impact that will leave an impression. Lush green and natural tones and textures mixed with a boathouse aesthetic is the perfect combination for this Northern Michigan restaurant located along the Bay Harbor Marina.

WHAT MENU ITEMS SHOULD WE LOOK FORWARD TO TRYING?

One of our staff favorites is the Grilled Chicken Sandwich. My personal favorite, of course, is the Tomahawk Steak with our House Steak Sauce. I have to mention our Burrata salad, which is a fan favorite as well. Truly, we have a dish for everyone. We feature a fine selection of meats including Wagyu Beef, starters for everyone, and locally crafted cocktails. Each dish is chefdriven and inspired by locally sourced ingredients. As the seasons change, so will our featured menu items. We are currently looking forward to putting together our Fall menu for you to enjoy.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR PRIVATE EVENT OFFERINGS.

Northern Michigan is all about events!

We wanted to add to the wonderful list of venues and restaurants you can choose from when planning your Northern Michigan event. From anniversary parties and work events, to rehearsal dinners and engagement parties, we’ve done it all! Our summer has been jam-packed with private events, and we hope to see this trend continued into the summer of 2022.

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER LOCAL RESTAURANTS?

One thing that sets us apart is our consistent lineup of local bands. This was very important to us when starting our planning process. So much so that we created space both indoors, and on our large dining patio for our local musicians to come and perform. So far this year we have had The Pistil Whips, Levitator (aka Cowboy Killers), Ty Parkin, and more! Live music and private events are something we will continue throughout the seasons. We invite you to join us for a locally sourced meal, a locally crafted cocktail, and tunes from many of our local musicians.

walstrom.com | 21

GREY GABLES RESTAURANT Grey Gables Belvedere

Round Lake

Bridge Street

Bridge Street Wine & Spirits Olesons Plaza

Serving Charlevoix since 1936 OPEN FOR DINE-IN OR TAKE-OUT

308 Belvedere Ave., Charlevoix | 231.547.9261 www.greygablesinn.com

PHOTO CREDIT: VISIT CHARLEVOIX

THE CHARLEVOIX

By Scott Way, Salesman

C

ongratulations to Charlevoix, voted #1 for Best Harbor in the United States! Charlevoix topped 335 locations across the country for this prestigious title, though for those of us lucky enough to call Charlevoix home it truly comes as no surprise. From Round Lake to Lake Charlevoix, inland lakes to big water access, the endless summer activities and boating possibilities are why Charlevoix has been number one in the hearts of many for a long time.

For those not as familiar with the Charlevoix boating scene, the typical winds blow from the north, northwest so boaters are often seeking protection from what Lake Michigan can offer on windy days. Lake Charlevoix, with its sixty miles of shoreline, offers boaters the chance to extend the days available to really get out to enoy your boat. Lake Charlevoix offers terrific anchorages with either a sandy or muck bottom surface that’s good for holding and can be forgiving if you get too shallow. Round Lake, on which downtown Charlevoix is situated, connects Lake Michigan to Lake Charlevoix. This basin area bids great anchorage as well, just

make sure you’re hooked onto the bottom as depths can exceed 50 feet.

Dazzling views and top-notch boating are a few of the obvious highlights of Charlevoix, but the people here are on par with the impressive scenery. Local or seasonal, I am fortunate enough to know many and meet new faces each year as people meander down to the waterside to take in the views, where our Walstrom Marine office sits. It’s through these interactions that I’ve had some of the more memorable experiences in my time at Walstrom. One time, I recall loaning my truck to a boater in need, who then proceeded to “borrow” the wrong truck from the lot for the day. Or, the early Spring Day I was training a couple to use the Joystick on their new boat only to have the longtime designated Captain (i.e., husband) be relegated to dock line duty when his wife proved vastly better at the sensitive control. Every season cultivates new, cherished experiences with our clients and friends. Just this summer at the annual Apple Fest, we moved our Tiara 44 Flybridge to the Charlevoix dock to see if we could stir up interest as it had been in stock for a couple of weeks. I had just finished tying her up to the dock, only to have a gentleman come up and exclaim he

WAY

couldn’t believe we had one! He had been looking for this specific Tiara Flybridge and had accidentally overlooked it on our website. The paperwork was drawn up that afternoon – it was the shortest display I’ve ever had.

Tourism in Northern Michigan has continued to soar these last few years and Charlevoix has been no exception, drawing thousands of new visitors in search of blue sky, clear water, good food, and plenty of activities for the whole family. While some may find this continued growth a little daunting, it’s the friendly faces that call our town home who will make sure Charlevoix always retains its small-town soul. The views will continue to awe us, the boating will continue to inspire us and I sure look forward to taking it all in and sharing it with you from our little office on the harbor. So, next time you’re in Charlevoix stop on in to say hi and tell me one of your stories. You will find us down by the Charlevoix City Marina office at 105 East Clinton.

See you on the water!

walstrom.com | 23

More Than Just A Place To Dock Your Boat

WELCOME TO OUR AWARD-WINNING, NEWLY RENOVATED CLUB. Prioritizing community and wellness, Bay Harbor Yacht Club has undergone over $13.5 million worth of renovations in the past year as part of its Building on Perfection renovation and expansion project. Contemporary modern design, exquisite new and redesigned amenities, and elevated service have officially enhanced this magnificent setting. Create cherished memories that will last a lifetime with Club membership.

BHYC Members can now enjoy: • • • • • • • •

Newly-renovated facilities with unparalleled Lake Michigan views.

Aquatics Center featuring a competition-length pool, whirlpool, and children’s splash pad.

Wellness Center with state-of-the-art equipment and integrated fitness programming.

Relaxation Spa offering massage therapy and luxury spa treatments.

Upscale dining in our newly designed Bay View Dining Room and Harbor View Lounge.

Casual dining at our brand-new Grille Room, expanded Quarter Deck, and Beach House.

Year-round social activities, events and programming for adults and juniors.

Racquets Center featuring Har-Tru Clay tennis courts, Pickleball, and Platform Tennis.

BAY HARBOR

YACHT CLUB 45º21’39’N 85º1’49’W

To learn more about membership opportunities, please contact Membership Services at: 231.439.2112 membership@bayharboryc.com bayharboryc.com

NEW

P A R T N E R S H I P 2021 was another year of growth for Walstrom Marine. We proudly announced the investments of Continuum Ventures, Pete Beauregard, and James Mestdagh as part of the company’s long-term succession plan.

Continuum Ventures, an investment management company for the Doug and Maria DeVos family, assumed a majority ownership stake in Walstrom Marine. Both Pete Beauregard, Jr. of Colony Marine and the James Mestdagh family assumed a minority ownership stake. The Ward Walstrom family will remain actively involved as a minority owner and Tom Ervin remains in his role as President.

“We are proud to celebrate our 75th anniversary this year, and in forging these partnerships, we are setting up the business for long-term success over the next 75-years,” said Ward Walstrom, Jr. “This will usher in a new era of boating that gives us greater potential for growth and the opportunity to better meet the needs of an ever-changing market.”

This partnership has brought together a passion for the industry, aligned values, and nearly 200 years of combined experience managing familyowned businesses.

“Boating, Northern Michigan, and the Great Lakes are near and dear to our family and our hearts,” said Doug

L-R: Tom Ervin, Pete Beauregard Jr., Paul W. Smith, Mike Cazer, James Mestdagh DeVos, founder of Continuum Ventures.

“We are honored to now be part of the Walstrom family and look forward to working with Colony Marine and the Walstrom team to be good stewards of this amazing business and company.

We are passionate about and interested in growing our presence in the marine industry and are excited for this great partnership.”

Pete Beauregard, Jr. and Colony Marine are thrilled to join the Walstrom family, as this partnership further expands their presence on the Great Lakes and enhances their ability to

service customers. “Walstrom Marine is a leader in our industry and has an exceptional track record of superior service, representing many of the best brands in the industry,” said Pete Beauregard, Jr., CEO/Owner of Colony Marine. “We look forward to working with Continuum Ventures and Walstrom Marine in serving the Great Lakes and growing the business.”

Under the new partnership, the company will continue to operate under the Walstrom Marine name, honoring the strength and reputation of the brand and the 75-year history of success.

walstrom.com | 25

BOATS that

BUILT US

A reflection of the boats and experiences that made our new owners and partners passionate members of the boating community.

Doug Devos and son, Dalton

26 | walstrom.com

DOUG DEVOS Some of the earliest and greatest memories from my childhood were sailing with my family. When I was very young, we’d head to Saugatuck, climb aboard our Columbia 50, Windquest, and head for the open water of Lake Michigan. I knew how to sail before I knew how to drive. I learned how to tie a bowline before I knew how to tie my shoes. To this day, I feel more at home on the water than I do on land.

Those early years of boating had a huge impact on my life. But so have more recent years, mainly because of who is with me.

My wife, Maria, and I introduced our kids to the joy of boating as soon as we could! They took to it like ducks to water. Watching them experience the joy of being on the water together has deepened my own love for this precious pastime. When I step on the deck with my family, I’m transported into the past, while watching the future

JAMES MESTDAGH

unfold before me.

When I was about 10, my dad and my brothers started racing the family sailboat on Lake Michigan. I still have the sailboat racing addiction! While we have usually raced in the Great Lakes, in recent years we have also sailed in the Mediterranean. In 2015, our son Dalton spent the summer racing in Europe. I managed to make it to the Copa del Rey Regatta in Spain, where Dalton and I decided that we would split the driving responsibilities. We each drove each half of the regatta – and we won! Winning was the second-best experience of the Copa del Rey. The first: sailing with my son.

Boating has always been synonymous with family. Now I’m honored to have a new extended family: The Walstrom Family.

As the company’s new majority owner, I couldn’t be more excited to explore the marine and boating scene in the Great Lakes with all of you. Like me, I know you have plenty of your own stories on the water. We don’t just want to hear those stories, we want to make more of them, together!

After all, that’s what families do.

Growing up on the shores of Lake St. Clair, I had no choice but to fall in love with the beauty and tranquility of the water. I was able to go boating with grandparents, parents, friends and then my wife, Kristine and son, JT. Each decade brought special memories to enjoy.

I’ve been fortunate enough to oversee the builds of our family boats in the United States and Europe.

After the deliveries of each boat, our family explored the Mediterranean and other beautiful parts of the world. Included in these amazing adventures are trips from Michigan to Florida through the lock systems, enjoying the East Coast waters as well as the South on these journeys.

My family and I also spend as much time as possible in Northern Michigan, soaking in the uniqueness of Little Traverse Bay as well as The North Channel, making memories with family and friends.

All of these boating experiences have afforded me the opportunity to learn and watch the boating industry grow and change. It has always interested me and I (as well as Kristine and JT) am now honored to be a part of the Walstrom Family. Ward, Doug, Pete and I feel blessed and we are excited to watch the Walstrom future and the boating world unfold.

James Mestdagh Family

PETE BEAUREGARD, JR. As a kid growing up in Algonac, Michigan and my father owning Colony Marine, I have been around boats my entire life. In the ‘60s, we were a Chris-Craft and Sea Ray dealer. One day my dad brought home this new model Sea Ray, a 1969 Sea Ray 19-foot Pachanga, and I thought that it was the coolest boat that I had ever seen.

I remember thinking to myself, one day I will be successful enough to buy one of those! Fast forward to 2015, I found the exact boat I remember my father bringing home! I bought the 1969 Pachanga. She was just like I remembered and had my team at Colony completely restore it. I still love taking it out once in a while, bringing back all of the memories of my childhood.

ABOVE: Colony Marine in Algonac, MI RIGHT: 1969 Sea Ray Pachanga walstrom.com | 27

SLX 400

SUNDANCER 370

THE LEGACY continues Get to know Sea Ray’s New Sundancer® 370 Outboard

By Sea Ray Boats

S

ince 1959, Sea Ray® has been well known for its distinctive style, superior quality boats and perfectly crafted moments out on the water.

In early 2021, Sea Ray kicked off a new era and celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Sundancer Series with the launch of the Sundancer 370 Outboard. A fusion of performance and beauty, the award-winning model is continuing the legacy of the Sundancer line while setting a new standard in luxury sport cruisers. It’s also the first boat to embody Sea Ray’s new design language established to help direct the future of its designs. Get to know the Sundancer 370 Outboard and explore how it’s leading the next generation of Sea Rays.

To craft the first-of-its-kind Sundancer 370 Outboard, Sea Ray started by

28 | walstrom.com

producing a fresh set of principles to guide the design of every new Sea Ray model. The goal was to reimagine the core characteristics of the brand while keeping the essence of Sea Ray that boaters know and love intact. As a result, the team selected four attributes: sleek, confident, athletic and distinctive. Built from bow to stern with the new design language, the Sundancer 370 Outboard is the inaugural vessel to represent the new aesthetics.

You’ll instantly recognize Signature Sea Ray design elements incorporated throughout the boat like the classic hull curve, dynamic center crease, elegant profile and integrated Sea Ray badge.

As a truly versatile vessel, the Sundancer 370 Outboard combines the best parts of a cruiser, bowrider and coupe. It’s built for adventures and how you experience boating – like fun outings with family members and

SUNDANCER 370 CABIN friends. Multiple social zones throughout the boat have been expertly crafted for comfort and conversation, whether you plan to enjoy a romantic weekend getaway or a day out on the water with the kids.

The U-shaped cockpit is ideal for meals or entertaining with a wet bar and upgrades including an electric Kenyon grill, refrigerator and teak tables. Providing seating for up to five adults, the bow is a place guests will want to gather. For extra functionality, a teak table or filler cushion can be added to the bow to create a dining area or an expansive sun lounge. At the transom, the three-position seat easily transitions from a hard-back surface to an aft-facing seat. A filler cushion is also available to extend the seat to a relaxing sunpad.

Every inch of the boat has been thoughtfully considered to maximize space and function. The broad fiberglass hardtop provides protection from the elements with your choice of a standard open or enclosed coupe configuration. An opening panoramic skylight, automated extended cockpit SureShade® and bow sunshade are also available. The port-side walkthrough with a gas-assisted door makes accessing the bow, as well as moving from one social area to another, effortless. Storage is optimized with 66 cubic feet of space, including transom Stow and Go Fender Storage, to securely stow fenders, lines and gear for quick use later.

Below deck, the Sundancer 370 Outboard features chic yet friendly design elements. The cabin is luxuriously appointed with inviting amenities and spa-like finishes.

Hull-side windows and a skylight welcome in natural light, and the spacious head is equipped with a separate shower and vessel sink. The forward V-berth lounge area with a plush L-shaped couch and smart TV offers a cozy spot to share a movie night. The galley has a microwave, refrigerator, sink and solid-surface countertop to prepare drinks, snacks and meals. When it’s time

for bed, the L-shaped couch converts into a sleeper for two, and the mid-berth features fill-in cushions to form a sleeper for two.

Kids will love hanging out or gaming in the mid-berth with U-shaped seating and optional smart TV. The Sundancer 370 Outboard also presents a variety of innovative technologies to elevate the boating experience. It’s propelled by powerful triple Mercury® 300 Verado® outboard engines with Joystick Piloting and SmartCraft® Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS). For superior performance, it offers Active Trim control & monitoring and optional Dynamic Running Surface™.

Showcasing the latest in intelligent command, the helm is equipped with a Digital Dash™ featuring standard dual 16″ Simrad® NSO evo3 touchscreen displays.

Other highlights include Mercury Marine® VesselView® Mobile, CZone® digital switching and a Fusion® audio system with an Apollo RA770 touchscreen display. The boat can also be upgraded with electronics like a Simrad HALO24 radar, Seakeeper® 3 gyroscope stabilizer, 1st Mate™ Marine Safety & Security System, and an LED RGB-W color-changing lighting package.

With the newly released Sea Ray+ mobile

app, owners can access resources such as real-time GPS tracking, onboard system monitoring, documentation storage, boating checklists, weather information and FAQs. If you’re curious about other offerings in Sea Ray’s lineup in addition to the Sundancer 370 Outboard, several topof-the-line models have been making waves with eye-catching style, next-level features and unrivaled sterndrive and outboard performance. Available with an optional open coupe or coupe hardtop, the Sundancer 320 is perfect for quick overnight getaways. Onboard space is maximized in three large zones: a robust lounge area, open cockpit, and expansive cabin with a galley and deluxe head. If entertaining is more your preference, the SLX 400 (known as “The Entertainer” for its ample social and entertainment areas) includes a best-in-class layout, fold-down swim terrace, generous cabin and high-end amenities. For exciting day trips spent with friends out on the water, the yacht-certified SLX 310 offers a spacious cockpit, wet bar entertainment center and comfortable convertible sunpad.

To learn more about the Sundancer 370 Outboard and Sea Ray’s complete lineup of boats, visit SeaRay.com.

SUNDANCER 370 COCKPIT

walstrom.com | 29

There’s no time like the present to brighten the future.

When a client’s best interests come first, as they always do at Greenleaf Trust, the future appears brighter. We holistically integrate return on investment with estate planning, trusts, retirement, risk mitigation, tax planning, charitable giving, and so on. Thanks to our culture of honesty and honor, and doing the right thing first, always, we’ve achieved 99% client retention, and over $16 billion in assets under advisement. Our clients have a future, and they want it to be bright. To learn more, call John Welch at 231.922.1428 or visit greenleaftrust.com.

Traverse City Bay Harbor | greenleaftrust.com

By Andrea Lightfoot, Business Manager

W

alstrom Marine is proud to be a full-service, one-stop shop for all things boating.

From the sale of your boat, to dockage, service, and storage, we pride ourselves on being there every step of the way. As our dealership continues to grow, we are able to expand our services. This gives you a wide range of new options to add value to your boat before you even close on the sale. In just the past year our financing options have expanded, our extended warranty options are more diverse, and Ultimar (a protective product we apply to your boat) is becoming one of our most popular additions to boat purchases.

One of our most exciting expansions since I’ve come onboard has been growing our in-house financing options. The lenders we work with all have their own benefits specialized to the specific vessel being financed, from Tiaras to Jet Skis.

Our job is to make sure you’re getting the best rate and terms available. We also have the ability to get you pre-qualified for financing, even if the boat you are interested in is on order. Why does this matter? It allows you to keep your money

INVESTING IN YOUR INVESTMENT in your pocket, set up a payment plan, and transition seamlessly into boat ownership from the moment when the boat is delivered, without the need to move funds around when the boat arrives. Working with Walstrom Marine eliminates the backand-forth you would otherwise have with a bank or credit union as I negotiate on your behalf based on your needs and wishes.

Once approved, we set up the closing – a quick ten-minute process, and then I handle the rest. As the business manager I work directly with the sales department, service department, lenders, and State of Michigan to take the stress out of buying a boat: getting it funded, titled, documented, registered, name installed and MC numbers prepared for application.

Extended warranties are not just for used boats. We offer warranties from one year to three years for new and used boats, on top of the warranty coverage already included from the manufacturer, extending it by up to eight years once combined. You have the option to even choose the warranty that best benefits you and your needs. Adding a warranty takes the sting out of unexpected costs down the road after the original warranty has expired. Replacing an engine, generator, or even just a simple fuel line can be costly.

Small projects can become expensive too.

Depending on location they may have to pull the entire engine to replace one part.

Without a warranty in place, it can end up costing you a lot more than what you plan.

We like to keep the headache of owning a boat out of the equation.

There are also protectant options not

only great for boat buyers, but sellers and current boat owners alike. Imagine you’re thinking of selling your five-year-old boat, and you have a prospective buyer who is hesitant to purchase a used boat. They sea trial your boat with one of our brokers who points out that the hullside has no scratches or discoloration, the seats are not stained or punctured, and there is no smell or sign of mildew or mold on the boat. The buyer thinks you must have never used the boat! In reality, you’ve used it every weekend since you bought it. But since you had our protectant option, Ultimar, applied to your boat, it still sparkles like new. You took full advantage of the warranty to keep your boat free of visual defects that can depreciate your boat’s value. The resale value increases because your boat is so clean and you didn’t have to worry about constant strenuous upkeep while you owned it. Ultimar took all the hard work out of keeping your boat looking like-new.

As the business manager, I am here to facilitate making the purchase of your boat as easy as possible, offer you extended warranties for a worry-free investment, and provide Ultimar to keep your boat looking like the day you first set sail. I’ve seen firsthand how expensive boat repairs can be without warranty and I want to help you keep those out-of-pocket costs down.

Everyone, especially potential buyers, notices the difference between a boat that is well kept and one that is not. We are proud to continue to be your one-stopshop for all things boating, and we share your passion for making your boat dreams come true!

walstrom.com | 31

INTRODUCING

53z

By Chris Hughes, MJM Yachts

MJM Yachts has become a prestigious icon of premium, high-tech performance yachts.

Family owned and operated, MJM designs and builds inboard and outboard models in the Carolina Downeast style. They are known for their high-tech construction, a blend 32 | walstrom.com

of superior epoxy composite materials and advanced engineering. By combining state-of-the-art processes and ultra-stable and efficient hull geometry, MJMs have become world famous for their smoothness of ride, exceptional handling, and high-speed cruising comfort.

When Founder Bob Johnstone, also the co-founder of J-Boats, was looking for a powerboat after his long career in sailing, he applied what he had learned when it came to lightweight, strong, and efficient boat design. Equally important were the looks and lines of his new idea. These boats needed to be beautiful. Taking inspiration from the capable Downeast flat deck boats of the northeast, the classic and impressive PT (patrol torpedo) boats of WWII, and various other performance style boats – the core of the MJM design was imagined.

To turn this idea into an actual boat required the help of a naval architect, and with the advice of son, Peter Johnstone, Bob partnered with Doug Zurn, utilizing his eye for sleek-looking designs with efficient hulls. And so, the MJM became a reality with the first model, built the 34z in 2002.

Since then, the brand has evolved through various models to include the 29z, the 36z, and then, the first ISO Cat “A” Ocean rated 40-foot model, the 40z.

For many in the yachting community, the 40z is considered the world’s best couples cruising yacht. Her speed, efficiency, ease of handling and innovative layout solved many of the problems that had existed in cruising boats up until that time.

There were several key elements that made the MJM popular. First was their epic handling and sea-kindly stability. Another was the safe and confident feeling an MJM provided to its owners when boating in less-than-ideal conditions. Many owners have told a tale of being thankful they were in an MJM when the weather turned on them, voicing the confidence and knowledge that they would make it to their destination in comfort and without worry.

Each new model incorporates several core features that have made MJM so popular, such as side boarding doors at floating dock level, excellent visibility from the helm, a flush deck layout, and superb stability. One of the most enjoyed features is the MJM indoor/outdoor pilot house.

Having the ability to open the electric front windows, roll up or sliding glass sides and remove the aft section, which creates a ‘summer porch’ on the MJM, allowing one to enjoy the surroundings of each new destination. There was also the purposeful and added benefit of being able to enjoy boating more with this design. If the weather becomes threatening, other boaters would pack up and head home knowing they had to get ahead of the coming storm. In an MJM, you could enjoy a few more hours of sun, then simply button up the pilothouse and head back to port in climate-controlled comfort. Thus, allowing MJM boaters to get out on the water earlier in the season and stay out longer in the fall.

Another breakthrough for MJM was the 50z, widely-hailed as the most capable liveaboard express cruiser in her class.

Easily singlehanded and also a Cat “A” Ocean-rated vessel, the 50z can go from having breakfast in New York to an early

3z

dinner in Annapolis in just over seven hours. Even more impressive, she would do all of this while burning only 310 gallons of fuel.

Working with son Peter, one of the last models Bob brought to market was the 53z – the largest outboard-powered express cruiser. A next-generation version of the 50z, the 53z incorporated a redesign that saw a new, second master ensuite as standard and a walkthrough transom redesign. This inevitably led to a diesel POD drive version called the 53zi, now considered the most efficient and capable cruising and entertaining yacht in its class.

With Peter Johnstone now at the helm of MJM, progress started to move quickly.

First, was the introduction of the 43z, an outboard family day yacht ideally suited for today’s boating lifestyle and needs. With classic MJM performance characteristics, the 43z became one of the most popular models in the age of larger outboard luxury yachts. Always firmly in the cruising market, the 43zi, a diesel POD drive soon followed which enjoyed rave reviews from across the globe.

Next in Peter’s plan was a focus on capabilities; this meant being able to embrace the changes in technology to stay

53z Aft Cockpit

on the cutting edge of manufacturing from an engineering, process, and materials point of view. To do so, he created a new facility in Washington, North Carolina with over 200,000 square feet of space from which MJM can continue to expand their innovative designs.

During manufacturing, the seesaw between process technology and materials innovation is a constant. While vacuum infusion has been around for decades, it has evolved to now take advantage of advancements in materials. Abiding by the mantra: lighter, stronger, faster, more efficient, the new generation of MJMs relies on a proprietary epoxy resin formulation, combined with the latest in coring materials and specially engineered tri- and quad- axial linear E-glass. Utilizing a special process that includes post curing, a level of precision is achieved that makes an MJM stand apart.

The special formulation epoxy resin and E-glass are brought together through the vacuum infusion process, allowing for several important points of precision.

The first being that the process eliminates the possibility of air voids, no matter how small. Next is the ability to exactly control the E-glass-to-resin ratio, achieving the optimum 60:40 blend. Finally, the application of a vacuum compacts and

Continued on page 36 walstrom.com | 33

Walk Water

Walstrom Dock & Dredge today, operated by Andy Stillings and Zak Jones

A ON THE

By Ward Walstrom, Jr.

U

nless you’re divine, walking on water requires a dock. That involves piling, timbers, and decking. Someone has to figure out how to drive pilings that support the dock. There are few blokes cut out to be pile drivers. Harbor Springs had a few, Fenton Roe and Fred Walstrom were two. They had the passion and desire to build docks so others could walk on water.

The evolution of pile driving started with the horse and then transitioned to steam.

Next were air hammers on leaders held by cranes. The diesel hammer came later.

Presently, vibration hammers are used. The advantage is that

if dock materials are not straight, they can be easily vibrated back out and re-driven.

Cranes have evolved to joysticks and hydraulics. Battery-powered hand tools have replaced electric cords around water for safety.

Any serious conversation about pile driving and dock building around Harbor Springs should include the name Roe. A 1905 abstract shows the Roe brothers owning the commercial dock extending from the Depot.

Robert Roe owned the dock and building called, “The Boathouse” – later owned

by Henry Melching and sold to Walstrom Marine. Robert’s son, Old Jim Roe lived on Main Street. He smoked a cigar and hung out in Earl’s Barbershop. Young Jim (Jimmy), his son, worked for Walstrom Marine doing

dock work. Edward Fenton (Fent) Roe was Old Jim’s other son. The Roes began to build docks for large boats carrying freight and passengers. Docks were also needed for the saw mills at the Little Harbor Club site and off Zoll Street. The harbor was busy with commerce because it was very deep and naturally protected.

According to Fent Roe, the first barge was wooden and had a set of 20-foot fixed vertical leaders on the end with a drop hammer. On the barge, a horse walked around in a circle turning a wheel that pulled the hammer to the top of the leaders. Piling was floated to the job. A mechanism tripped the hammer from the top which dropped on the piling.

Ward Wa lstrom, S r (T Old Jim R oe (Far R hird from Left) ight) app rox. 1950

Fent Roe Pile D river approx. 1

950

34 | walstrom.com

r, 1965 ile Drive P m o r t Wals

5

ck, 196 Buhl Do

Around 1920, the next major improvement that replaced horse power was a coal-fired boiler and a steam engine that ran a winch to pull up the hammer.

Fent Roe had a steam driven pile driver and built many of the docks in the harbor from early 1900s to the mid-1960s. As residential cottages began to appear around the shore, Fent built private docks for tourists. He docked his equipment next to the city beach for easy access during this busy time. At this time, he also had his own property with a dock, which is now the current Sales Center at Walstrom Marine.

Developments continued in the 1950s as Fred drove the wood wall in front of Zorn Park and the steel bulkhead for the city in front of the old tennis courts.

In 1960, Ward Walstrom, Sr. bought a small, 3/4-yard Insley crane and hired Roger Kieser to dig the boat basin that once was the Carey Saw Mill. Neither he nor Roger had ever operated a crane, so Ward’s story was they “got in the crane and started pulling levers.”

Fent Roe became friends with Fred Walstrom when he was looking for someone to take over his business. Fent was a good mentor to Fred. Fred recalls, “He was a crusty character who didn’t mince his words. When asked a simple question, he would answer either ‘hail yes’ or ‘hail no.’ He was a chain smoker, an acceptable vice around his smoky pile driver. Fent told me ‘You don’t have to buy new piling. Just pull out an old pile and turn it upside down and drive it again and charge for a new pile,’ a practice I would never agree to. There was a lot of spitting, sweat, and cussing on the job. One of the final jobs he held was driving the wood piling and wall around the Walstrom basin around 1961. The piling were local hardwoods cut outside of town.”

According to Fred, “My first dock job was with Mick Phillips in 1958. Wearing Aqua Lungs, we cut off six pilings with a crosscut saw under water at Sudler’s dock

Fred Walstrom , 1979 for $20 apiece.”

Building was in Fred’s blood from an early age, starting with a steel erector set in his childhood home which eventually advanced to a two-story tree fort in his backyard.

Walstrom Marine bought Frank Sears Dock & Dredge in 1965, naming it Walstrom Dock & Dredge. It included a barge with crane and a pile driver with coal boiler and steam engine. Both barges had spuds to hold them in place. It was a huge advantage that they didn’t have to be tied.

Also the historically known tug “Ottawa” was included, along with its foreman, Lloyd Spears. In the summer of that year, Fred built his first steel dock for Larry Buhl.

Around 1967, with a barge, crane and air hammer, Fred drove 60-foot piling for the Pier Pointer Room and a steel sheet wall around its south perimeter. One challenge during this job was a large flowing spring that had to be diverted out the wall.

By the 1970s, Fred had replaced the wood wall around the basin with steel H-piles and precast concrete. As a civil engineer, he designed all the parts and re-rod. By then, pile driving had advanced to the diesel-driven hammer. It was easily recognized by its smoke and sound, ‘kachunk, ka-chunk.’ He designed all the buildings and docks for Walstrom Marine.

With his gift for building and keen eye, he designed the new west building using laminated wood beams that were more attractive and environmentally friendly.

The construction around the bay didn’t stop there. Fred removed the Coast Guard dock at the end of Harbor Point.

This made many of the cottage owners there recognize his talent and then contract him to build their docks. He removed the Pointer Dock at the hotel site. He drove all the steel sheeting on the Point. The Little Harbor Club dock

January 19 9 new wall. (L 3, celebrating the last -R) Chuck M sheet for orrow, Tom Wiseman, Doug Press ler, Fred W alstrom, Randy Lau er, Ward W alstrom, Jr. and the docks and bulkheads in Boathouse row were rebuilt by him. The floating breakwater for the city and the steel wall for Irish Boat Shop was installed by Fred.

He rebuilt the timber dock for Roaring Brook and the circular steel cell on the end. Other accomplishments included a steel cell dock on Lake Charlevoix and the docks around Harbor West in Traverse City.

“My crew worked summer and winter,” Fred explains. “We allowed the barge to freeze in at a location and used the ice as a work platform. We also cut ice from around docks in the winter before bubblers. Some of the tools essential for dock building were timber tongs, pike poles, come-a-longs, spuds, jet pumps, winches, air hammers, and underwater chainsaws.”

Fred remembers his most challenging and rewarding project, “Building the main dock and covered roof over the slips at the Boat House in 1977. We drove steel pipe and used precast concrete. I had to design a special roof frame to be high on one side to shed water to other side. The challenge was to design for wind load because it was similar to an airplane wing with more wind up than down. I had to design the connections for the wind load

Continued on next page Boathous e

New Roo f,

1977

walstrom.com | 35

A Walk On The Water

Introducing, MJM Yachts Continued from page 33

Continued from previous page too. Then I had to use 60 foot piling because the first 47 feet of lake bottom was nonbearing silt. I drove the piling with only a 45 foot boom on the crane. The piling had to be floated and 10 feet had to be in the water.

The top had to be in the exact location using a transit. My training in civil engineering was another tool.”

Sometimes things didn’t go according to plan, recalls Fred. “Around 1967, the boom up lever was left in gear when the crane was turned off. The next day, the operator started it from the back and by the time he got to the front, the crane tipped over.

Another time, we were picking up a spud with the crane when the chain broke and the boom toppled over the crane. At the time, we were a subcontractor building steel cells for Penn Dixie Cement Plant. At another subcontractor job building a runway on Mackinac Island, we got caught in a storm and had to cut the barge loose. It ended up on the beach at Brevort.”

Fred continually engineered everything to be stronger than normal. I knew that whatever he built would be better and last longer. He is a visionary. For example, he understood floating docks would eventually replace fixed docks. Fred built the first boathouse at Bay Harbor. “It was challenging to drive piling and sheeting through shot rock that had to be very precise,” he describes.

For most of his life, Fred Walstrom built or rebuilt the majority of the docks in and around Harbor Springs. Because of his engineering skills, determination, and eye for perfection, these docks are still standing – some even built 40-50 years ago. When you walk on the water, you will see them.

Fred & Wa rd 36 | walstrom.com

Walstrom

bonds these elements into high-strength unitized parts. The last step is to post cure (or bake) the hull, deck, and pilothouse structure, in a proprietary process requiring exact temperature controls and timing. The post-cure process increases the overall laminate strength by 30%.

With the new facility up and running, the first boats off the assembly line provided a bit of a surprise. While expecting improvements, the new decks were 35% lighter and the hulls 20%. This helped to lower the already impressive vertical center of gravity (VCG), resulting in increased stability.

Then it was time to shake things up with a new model, unlike anyone had seen from MJM before. The 3z was a departure from the standard line of thinking for MJM, but not for boaters.

With boating habits changing with the times, many boaters had less time to enjoy on the water. Many day boaters wanted to have the same luxuries of stability, comfort, and performance that an MJM provided, but they weren’t looking for cruising yachts. The 3z is a very special Dual Console. She has the same DNA as all MJMs but offers a new

boating experience for day yachting; incredible ride comfort, big water smoothness not found in any boats in this class, and a layout that connects three social zones for all aboard to enjoy. The 3z can best be described as “changing day boating,” the way luxury performance car manufacturers Porsche and Bentley changed the sport utility market.

Always looking to give boaters the very best, Peter turned his eye to the next model, the 4z. This is an open bow design like the 3z, but larger. She provides the entertaining and day boating capabilities of the 3z, but now adds the cruising comfort of the famous 40z with liveaboard accommodations.

Able to sleep four in a large V-berth and amidships berth, the 4z also has a yacht size head with glass-enclosed shower.

Unique for an MJM to date, the 4z is a galley up design, keeping everyone in the center of the action and making the most of the indoor/outdoor pilothouse design.

There are many more innovations on the horizon for MJM, but one thing will never change: MJM remains the most prestigious brand in its class and will always exemplify the very best that yacht building can be.

Meet our TIARA R E P R E S E N TAT I V E

An Interview with Sue Kane

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR TIARA YACHTS AND HOW HAS YOUR JOB POSITION TRANSITIONED? Thinking about this has made me realize that I have worked at Tiara for more than half my life! This past May, I celebrated 37 years here, and I find it hard to believe it has been that long. My journey at Tiara started in our customer relations department where I began as the administrative assistant which quickly evolved into becoming a customer service/ technical representative. Several years later, I joined the sales team in an internal sales management position where I could use my knowledge of our products to assist dealers and our outside sales team with new boat sales. Currently, I enjoy my position on our sales team as a business development manager for the Midwest, West Coast, Canada, Europe, and other

parts of the world outside of the U.S. My main responsibilities are to work with our current dealers in those territories to grow their business, help them plan for growth based on our corporate goals, keep them abreast of current and new product development, and strategize for new opportunities. Also, I work to establish new dealers in any of these market areas where our brand is not currently represented.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? We are constantly reviewing our manufacturing processes and looking for ways to improve and streamline.

Every time I go out into the plant, I learn something new about our processes and new materials we are using. It is exciting to see changes develop even on a weekly basis. I love working with our dealers and helping customers build their dream boat. So many times, I hear, “I have always wanted a Tiara,” and it is such an honor to work with my dealers and their customers to make their dream a reality. I thrive on the everyday challenges of this business and the thrill of seeing someone so happy when they set foot on their boat. When I first started here, my boss said, “The last person that needed a boat was Noah,” and that is something we have to remember every day. We sell dreams and we sell fun and that is what motivates so many of us!

"We sell dreams and we sell fun and that is what motivates so many of us!"

WHAT MAKES TIARA STAND OUT FROM THE REST OF THE BOATING INDUSTRY?

passion for designing and building the best and that makes everyone in the company want to give 150% of ourselves. From our hull designs, to our performance criteria, to our manufacturing processes, to the quality of the products, to the relationships we build with our customers and our dealers – there is passion, love, and pride in what we do, through and through, every step of the way. Our brand continues to evolve with not only our inboard products, but also our outboard models continue to grow. Our latest introduction of our 48LS with triple Mercury V12 600hp outboards has been a resounding success and we are continuing the growth with our inboard models as well.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF WORK? I love being on the water and we often vacation in Northern Michigan where my dad taught me how to sail. Growing up, we always had a sailboat or a power boat, so boating has always been a part of my life. I’ve been riding horses since my grandpa bought me a pony when I was four years old. I showed competitively in hunters/jumpers until I was in my late 30’s and that has been my passion outside of work. Now, while I still do some training, I ride for pleasure and just enjoy the time I get to spend at the barn with my horse.

My husband and I also have two Great Pyrenees dogs that keep us busy.

First and foremost is our heritage and that is the Slikkers family. We are family owned and have been a Michigan-based company since the beginning. How many boat manufacturers can say that their founder comes to work every day and has the vision to create that what Leon Slikkers does? He has an unending desire to improve and challenge our team and our designs. The family has instilled in us, their

walstrom.com | 37

CROSSOVER BUILT TO FISH AND PLAY Behind the Design with Product Managers Rory Wiebe and Dan Anonen

Sporty. Flashy. And a fishing virtuoso.

The Lund Crossover brings it all to the table for lakeloving families and die-hard big-water anglers. There’s almost nothing this boat can’t do.

We interviewed the master boat designers behind this fantastic family boat—Lund Project Managers Rory Wiebe and Dan Anonen—to understand the drive behind the concept and build of this versatile boat.

38 | walstrom.com

Q

WHAT’S THE HISTORY OF THIS MODEL?

A. The Crossover was first introduced in 2012 as a family-friendly fishing boat. In the years since, it has evolved into the industry’s premier Fish and Ski aluminum boat through continual improvement based on customer feedback.

Q

WHAT MAKES THIS BOAT EQUALLY APPEALING TO BOTH ANGLERS AND FAMILIES?

A. The large cockpit and smooth ride of a Deep-V style boat makes it conducive to both family enjoyment and fishing. We’ve added a balance of comfort and angling features that don’t interfere with each other, yet provide everything needed for both.

Q

HOW DOES THE CROSSOVER MANAGE THE STORAGE NEEDED FOR FISHING AND RECREATION?

A. We’ve redesigned the center rod storage to hold 10 rod and reel combos. This is possible because the compartment is offset lower into the boat so the top half is under the bow deck and the bottom half is under the floor.

The center in-floor storage in the cockpit is massive—big enough for wakeboards, skis, and more.

Add in the other storage compartments in the bow and aft deck, and you’ve got room for all your gear no matter what you want to do on the water.

Q

WHAT MAKES THE CROSSOVER A TOP-OF-THELINE BIG WATER FISHING BOAT?

A. A deep cockpit that’s easy to move around in. A transom ready for a kicker outboard. Massive rod storage. Lund’s legendary IPS® (Integrated Power Strake) hull.

All these things combine to make the Crossover a formidable fishing boat.

Q

WHAT ABOUT THE IPS HULL MAKES IT BETTER?

A. IPS stands for Integrated Power Strake. The formed-in strakes— longitudinal ridges running up the hull—mean the boat tracks well, knocks down spray, and rides smooth. Lund pioneered and perfected the art of double-plated riveted aluminum hulls, which are straighter, more durable, and smoother riding than any other aluminum hull.

Q

HOW DOES THE CROSSOVER DIFFER FROM OTHER FISH AND SKI BOATS AROUND THE INDUSTRY?

square inch of volume to maximize storage space. And of course, Lund’s legendary twin-plated IPS hull is known across the continent as the most durable, best-performing hull in the industry.

The Lund Crossover was designed for cross-purposes—to entertain family and friends and to pursue and catch the fish of your dreams.

With sizzling new graphics and a number of bold color choices, it’s poised to turn heads and set hooks.

For more details, visit lundboats.com

A. We’ve done storage better than any other Deep-V aluminum boat company, using every available

walstrom.com | 39

84°98′75″W | 45°43′6″N

F O R

A

C H A N G E

O F

P A C E .

The Sundancer 370 Outboard is built for adventure. Spend days exploring new or familiar shorelines, and sleep surrounded by the tranquility of the water. Your next escape is waiting at the dock whether you want to get away for the day or overnight. Visit searay.com.

40 | walstrom.com

06 10 2022

C O U R S E

|

A

19:53 EDT

S E T

T R AV E R S E C I T Y

A Boater’s W nderland E N D L E S S B O AT I N G O P P O R T U N I T I E S O F F E R S O M E T H I N G F O R E V E RYO N E - W I T H A C H E R RY O N TO P

By Joel Shoemaker, General Manager

The first of May will mark Walstrom Marine’s 5-year anniversary in Traverse City, and we couldn’t be more excited for the next five and beyond. Traverse City is widely recognized for its farm fresh food and local wines, fine soft sand beaches, places to vacation (and stay-cation), and also places to start a business, but the abundance and ease of access to fresh, clean, turquoise waters is the centerpiece of the community.

Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Antrim, and Charlevoix counties create the impressive shoreline that encompasses the nearly 300 square miles of East and West Grand Traverse Bay, but also host many stunning

inland lakes with tremendous boating opportunities. The variety of options from fishing to day boating, cruising, and port hopping are endless, and many could be visited in a weekend or even a single day.

Walstrom Marine took note and fell in love with all the boating amenities and options available to the boating enthusiasts in the area.

We’ve combined our 75 years in the Northern Michigan boating business and paired it with the growing boating scene in and around Traverse City to select a lineup of products and services for every boater.

Adding premium brands such as Lund Boats, Crest Pontoons, NauticStar Boats, and Qwest Pontoons to our portfolio of brands (Sea Ray, Chris-Craft, Pursuit, and Tiara) has been a huge success and we are so proud to represent them. Our goal is to get you onto the water in the boat that is right for you and your family, no matter what type of water activities you like to do.

We have fishing and pontoon boats starting at 14 feet for the smaller inland waters, Lund Fishing Boats up to 20 feet if you’re serious about catching fish, and pontoons and tri-toons that will amaze you from two Michigan-made companies. Our NauticStar

brand of fiberglass center console and our dual console boats truly offer you the ability to navigate between inland lakes and off shore fishing or cruising.

Many years ago, Walstrom Marine recognized our dealership needed to provide the highest level of customer service both at the time of the sale and equally, after the sale. Our service team in Traverse City continues to grow and has developed into the most talented group of technicians anywhere in area. From paint and gel repair, to engine diagnostic and complete re-rigs of engines or equipment, you can expect that we have an expertly trained in-house staff who will perform the services you need. Just like all of our dealership locations, we are committed to boating year-round. Winter maintenance projects, boat storage, and boat shows keep us busy in the winter months. We continue to actively pursue adding additional indoor storage buildings to keep your boats safe while they’re tucked away for the season.

Next time you find yourself in Traverse City, stop in and see the line-up of in-stock product, truly a collection of the most premium boat brands and newest models found anywhere. walstrom.com | 41

NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD New Outboard Power & New Flagships Coming to Our Area Soon!

48LS

42 | walstrom.com

By Dwayne Stone, Sales Manager

T

iara Yachts and Pursuit Boats have recently added “Flagships” (largest of the fleet) to their offerings and you will be seeing them soon! Sea Ray already produces the large luxury cabin & bow-rider 400SLX (their flagship), but they are now offering big power: the Mercury 600hp Verado V12s, available now. Walstrom Marine has already placed many Sea Ray 400SLXs on the water in Northern Michigan with 450 horsepower Racing Mercury engines, but soon you will be seeing the latest and greatest from Mercury – the V12 600hps powering the 400SLX! Tiara Yachts’ 48LS with Mercury 600hp Verado V12s first debuted at Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL, and then locally at our own Bay Harbor Boat Show in June of 2021. Walstrom Marine has been very fortunate to earn a generous allocation of Tiara Yachts’ production slots and they will begin delivering into our area beginning Spring of 2022. These larger engines are a game changer, allowing builders to stretch their imaginations – building bigger and better, with more and more size. The Tiara 48LS (Luxury-Sport) is the largest outboardpowered model the company has ever built.

Continuing on their tradition of industry leading innovation and design, Tiara has fully integrated the 600 V12s with their electronics package, which is also equipped with industry leading Garmin Navigation.

This new 48-foot build is very quick at cruise, near 40mph, depending on your preference and seas. It truly reminds me of a commercial sewing machine. You can faintly hear the smooth and precise hum, but do not see much happening. The engines are extremely quiet, very still, and always give the feeling of having more than enough power when needed – just the way I like it! The new power and new designs are allowing Tiara Yachts to reach new production records and expand their market share. Their outboard offerings are noted throughout the industry and you will be seeing the All-New 48LS very soon. Walstrom Marine is proud to announce we have boats going into Bay Harbor Yacht Club, Harbor Springs Boathouse, Lake Charlevoix and other Northern Michigan ports!

Akin to the Tiara Yachts 48LS being Tiara’s largest outboard boat built to date,

Pursuit Boats is also stretching their portfolio to introduce the All-New S428 that is equipped with quad Yamaha 425 XTOs. In previous Docklines articles, I have written about Pursuit’s recent land acquisition and expansion of their manufacturing facility in Ft. Pierce, FL. I am happy to report those actions to expand are paying off! This is Pursuit’s largest boat to date and my guess is we’ll be seeing even larger builds in the future. There is plenty to like about this new design: an industry first electric sliding galley area, drop-down side platform, and a second row of powered convertible seats…in the cockpit! If you collapse the seats, electrically push the galley back, and remove the table, you end up the largest aft cockpit in its class.

You have the room to perform morning yoga, haul in that afternoon record-breaking

catch, and still use it as a mini dance floor in the evening! The S428 is a truly elegant day cruising boat that can still get you to and from the fish if you have those desires.

And to get you there, Pursuit Boats has selected quad Yamaha 425 engines. These are the largest engines currently offered by Yamaha and they work in perfect unison with the S428. Pursuit Boats have always been Yamaha-powered vessels and pride themselves on building the boat around the power. This S428 is no different. You will be impressed with the 60 mph she can achieve, the amenities, and innovation she offers. Walstrom is proud to say we’ve been allocated and sold a few Pursuit S428s already! They, too, will be showing up at your local ports and racing across our Northern Michigan waters soon!

If you collapse the seats, electrically push the galley back, and remove the table, you end up the largest aft cockpit in its class.

S428

walstrom.com | 43

The largest outboard powered Tiara Yacht ever built; the 48 LS builds on the legacy of the LS series. Luxury is amplified from bow to stern through unexpected details and refined yacht aesthetics.

In partnership with Mercury, the 48 LS boasts the all-new Verado® V12 600hp engines. With the unwavering strength of a V12 powerhead, sophisticated sound-dampening technology and innovative advancements in steering and control, the 600hp Verado® engine delivers the ultimate outboard-driving experience.

LUXURY AMPLIFIED. TIARAYACHTS.COM

BOATERS on the FRONTLINE Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council’s Monitoring Programs Coordinator Caroline Keson demonstrates how to use lake monitoring equipment at Petoskey’s waterfront.

By Jennifer DeMoss, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Communications Director

O

nce a week between early summer and fall, Bob Stetler throws an orange kayak on top of his car and heads from his house on Lake Charlevoix to Nowland Lake.

He passes through rolling hills and farmland before reaching the boat launch and hitting the water. After admiring flourishing wetlands and looking for nesting loons, Stetler begins his weekly routine. He drops a Secchi disc (a black and white disc attached to a tape measure) into the water to measure water clarity. He takes Nowland’s temperature. Every other week, he drops a cement-weighted bottle into the lake for a water sample. He repeats the same process in Lake Charlevoix’s South Arm from a 20’ Sea Ray, sometimes with family members in tow. Why does he go through all this trouble? An avid boater, Stetler has been a volunteer lake monitor with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council for the past five years.

46 | walstrom.com

of Protecting Northern Michigan Water Quality

Since its inception, the Watershed Council has been a fan of boaters. While conservation groups sometimes get a reputation for not supporting recreation, that’s the furthest thing from the truth for us and many other organizations. In fact, we depend on boaters. Some of you have been the eyes and ears of our lakes for decades.

Stetler has been a seasonal Lake Charlevoix resident for around 40 years, and he has a background in limnology, the study of freshwater lakes. For him, it’s difficult to live within the watershed and not pay attention to the environment.

Especially since the lakes and rivers within our service area drain into Lakes Michigan and Huron, affecting an enormous source of drinking water, fisheries, and recreation opportunities.

“The biggest thing I’ve noticed is the degree of environmental challenges stressing aquatic ecosystems in Michigan,” said Stetler. “We’ve watched the aquatic flora and fauna change dramatically since we’ve lived here. The effects are visible and real to those who know what they’re looking at.”

We count on boaters and shoreline property owners like Stetler for a variety of reasons. They are on the frontlines of environmental issues that affect the lakes.

For instance, an algal bloom in one of our lakes has the potential to harm residents’ well-being and property values. Nutrient pollution from leaky septic systems can contribute to algal blooms. Lawns with deep-rooted native plants near the shoreline can help prevent pollution from excess nutrients, while short lawn grasses allow stormwater laden with pollutants to gush into the lakes. Since the watersheds in our four-county service area drain into Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, these problems are interconnected and go beyond a local scope.

“The actions taken by people who use and live on Northern Michigan lakes have a huge impact on lake health,” said Watershed Council Associate Director, Jen Buchanan. “We want boaters and other recreationists to spend time on our lakes and take steps to protect and enjoy them well into the future.”

Volunteer Lake Monitor, Dean Ginther,

Rich Crothers lowers a Secchi disc into a lake.

Monitors use these discs to record water clarity.

has been visiting Elk Lake since he was six months old. His great-grandfather built a home on the lake in 1906, and Ginther lives on property his great-uncle purchased in 1931. He’s been sampling lake water on Elk Lake for around a decade, and he and his wife often take out their yellow and white Stingray to collect data.

“These are very unique and beautiful lakes, and anything we do to protect and preserve them is good for us and future generations,” said Ginther about his volunteer work.

Whether you’re a legacy homeowner like Ginther or new to the area, an avid inland lake fan or a big lake devotee, there are four steps you can take to protect the waters you cherish and protect your

investment in the area. First, you can join the Watershed Council’s Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program by calling 231-3471181 or emailing info@watershedcouncil. org. Ginther mentioned that he likes to get a sense of how Elk Lake changes over time through monitoring work, and he gets to involve his grandkids in citizen science. There’s also more information on our website: www.watershedcouncil.org/ volunteer-lake-monitoring.

Second, clean boating principles are hugely important. Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels, among other invasives, love to hitchhike on boats and spread from lake to lake. Invasive plants can crowd out natives, get tangled in boat propellers, and take over swimming areas. As Burt Lake-boater and volunteer monitor, Steve Reh, says, “We want boaters who move between lakes to clean, drain, and dry their boats prior to moving on to another lake since invasive species are a real risk we have up here.”

Third, dispose of unused baitfish on land or in the trash. If you collect baitfish from a body of water, only use it in that

Prevent the Spread

body of water. Invasive fish species, such as round gobies, are sometimes used as bait and transported from lake to lake, where they eat the eggs and young of native fish and displace them, wreaking havoc on the native ecosystem.

Fourth, shoreline property owners have a lot of power when it comes to protecting lake health. Whether on Lake Michigan or inland lakes, septic systems need to be regularly pumped and inspected to prevent nutrient pollution. The threat of harmful algal blooms, which septic nutrients can feed, became a reality on Lake Superior this summer, and it’s something we’d all like to avoid in our waters.

Boaters help make the Watershed Council’s work possible. Thanks for protecting Northern Michigan’s precious waters while you’re out there having a great time. While you’re at it, be sure to check out www.mishorelandstewards. org for some great tips on maintaining a healthy shoreline.

Volunteer Lake Monitor John Fowler prepares to lower a water sampler into Pickerel Lake.

The sampler has a small mouth so that water trickles in, making it possible to sample the water column at different depths.

of Aquatic Invasive Species

Clean all plants, animals, and mud from all equipment.

426 Bay Street Petoskey, MI 49770

(231) 347-1181

Drain all water from your boat, trailer, equipment, clothing, etc. before moving to a new location.

Dry everything thoroughly before transporting boat and gear to a different location.

www.WatershedCouncil.org/Clean-Boating Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the Great Lakes and waters of Northern Lower Michigan.

walstrom.com | 47

PURE. PURSUIT.

48 | walstrom.com

By Pursuit Boats

What does Pure. Pursuit. mean to us? It means each and every one of our boats are engineered to yacht-caliber standards.

These truths unite in the Pursuit Trifecta of Ownership: Unrelenting Performance that is Built with Integrity and a Refinement Beyond Compare.

This is what we strive to offer you.

When you think of Pursuit Boats we want you to think of quality – both inside and out.

Our boats are meticulously engineered and designed and with the end user in mind – our loyal owners.

We also have a commitment to growth.

As you may know, last year we began building boats in our new 182,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility which joins Pursuit’s original 250,000 square foot facility in Ft. Pierce, FL. This increased

S 428

DC 246

S 358

manufacturing and support space has enabled us to increase production in order to meet the growing market demands.

We are proud to offer 14 models in the Sport, Center Console, Dual Console and Offshore series ranging in size from 23 to 43 feet. Each model is grounded in what the most discerning customers expect, guided by the expertise and passion of Pursuit’s naval architects and marine professionals, dealer partners and experienced owners.

THIS PAST YEAR, WE HAVE INTRODUCED THREE NEW MODELS:

The flagship of our popular Center Console Sport Series, and the largest Pursuit built to date, was introduced in October of last year – the iconic S 428. With an LOA of 43'9" and a 13' beam, the size, power and amenities built into the boat, deem her the epitome of a legend—combining the versatility of the sport in unrivaled style and comfort. The S 428 is the perfect flagship representation of what Pursuit delivers to the center console market – the ability to cruise, entertain, and fish with every detail designed to go beyond your expectations.

Next, our new family-friendly Dual Console, the DC 246 was introduced in March at the Palm Beach International Boat Show. The DC 246 with an LOA of 25' 8" and a 8'6" beam, offers a multitude of social zones for your crew including ample bow seating with an optional table and sunpad, fold-away transom seating, an extendable cockpit lounge and companion seating near the helm. Fold away the cockpit seating and the boat is instantly fish ready, with gunwale mounted rod holders, a 15-gallon recirculating livewell and a 31-gallon insulated fish box in the transom making her as versatile to fish or cruise as all the other models in the DC family.

And finally, our newest addition to the Sport family, we welcome the S 358 Sport to our fleet. With an LOA of 37' 4" and a 11' 4" beam, the boat includes an oversized fiberglass integrated hardtop and tempered safety glass windshield system, classic sheer lines, through-stem anchor system and integrated transom extensions that the Sport line is known for. The new Pursuit model is the only center console in the 34' to 35' market to have an enclosed head.

For a day of fishing, a wide-open cockpit

features all the amenities needed, including a 32-gallon livewell, 12 rod holders, easily accessible tackle center, in-floor insulated fishboxes and a standard hull-side door.

Known for building functional versatility into its boats, Pursuit’s cockpit is as ready to entertain as it is to fish. The S 358 is the only boat in its class with a split foldaway mezzanine seat. Ruggedly refined, and as versatile as her predecessors, the new S 358 delivers superior performance and fishability.

With timeless designs and yacht-caliber execution, every detail matters when we engineer and build our new models. And we feel that our commitment to integrity shines through every inch of our craftsmanship.

“Pursuit has been manufacturing our award-winning luxury fishing and cruising boats since 1977. And as a company, we continue to evolve and grow,” says Pursuit Boats’ President Bruce Thompson. “Pursuit wants to get people on our boats where they can enjoy quality time with friends and family. And every Pursuit owner can be assured that their boat is hand built under the guiding principles that make a Pursuit a Pursuit.”

And Pursuit would not be Pursuit without our valued network of dealers.

We truly appreciate our dealers’ focus on excellence, culminating in a stellar experience for customers and our owners.

We thank Walstrom Marine and its talented staff for offering only the best experience to current and prospective Pursuit customers.

This embodies Pursuit’s ‘customer for life’ attitude.

As we look forward, we can see our future is bright. We know that as a company we are fortunate to have loyal owners who love our boats and we thank you all.

We recognize quality time spent on the water with family is priceless. The ocean breeze, the sparkle of the water, the sound of laughter, and a lifetime of memories.

Whether you use your Pursuit for cruising, fishing or watersports - you have the opportunity to enjoy your time and choose your own destination. Maybe you are a new owner or have had your Pursuit for decades – either way we are happy to have you as part of the Pursuit family.

Our products, our dealers and our owners make us - Pure. Pursuit.

walstrom.com | 49

SUBS - PRODUCE - CHOPS - SEAFOOD BEER - WINE - ITALIAN SPECIALTIES - MORE

MAY 15th - OCT 15th | 7 DAYS A WEEK 4189 MAIN STREET BAY HARBOR, MI 231-489-7555 SHOPSALVATORES.COM

AWARDED #1 STEAKHOUSE IN MICHIGAN Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator 2016 - 2021

CHOP HOUSE SPORTS BAR WINE CELLAR OPEN YEAR-ROUND | 7 DAYS A WEEK 3018 M-119 HARBOR SPRINGS, MI 231-242-4777 VERNALES.COM

The center of your financial life is all in the family Let us help you take care of what matters most Getting to know you and what you care most about — planning for college, taking care of an elder family member, passing a legacy to future generations, buying a boat — is so important. Once we understand your priorities, together, we can help you pursue the goals you’ve set for yourself and your family. Call to learn more today.

The Simonton-Walsh-Hanosek-Mangum Wealth Management Group Rick Simonton, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, RMA® Senior Vice President Wealth Management Advisor Portfolio Manager Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 333 West Grandview Parkway Suite 300 Traverse City, MI 49684

231.922.6825 richard_simonton@ml.com

fa.ml.com/theswhmgrouptc

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value The Bull Symbol and Merrill are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S. Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks CIMA® and CPWA®. RMA® is a registered service mark of the Investment Management Consultants Association dba Investments & Wealth Institute. © 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

MAP3749760 | AD-09-21-0134 | 471089PM-0821 | 09/2021

COMMANDING A PRESENCE The Chris-Craft Launch 35 GT & Calypso 35

By Chris-Craft

The largest models in ChrisCraft’s 2022 lineup stand at 35 feet overall. Across two model lines, the Calypso 35 and Launch 35 GT are nothing less than works of art. These two models are both stylish and functional, offering amenities for just about anything you’d like to do on the water.

52 | walstrom.com

THE CALYPSO 35 As the latest addition to the Chris-Craft model offering, the Calypso 35 commands a presence wherever she goes. Her 11’ beam provides an exceptionally spacious layout, and also puts her in the Yacht Certified category in regard to passenger capacity.

The fully enclosed windshield with a power actuated center walk-through and pocket sliding wind door allows for a completely climate-controlled cockpit with available air conditioning and heat. When the windshield opens, it encloses into the hard top, creating unobstructed views through both the captain and passenger sides. An internally mounted SureShade covers the entire aft cockpit when deployed.

The expansive bow area with quilted side pockets has abundant storage, including a dedicated fender rack and line hangers.

A power actuated table rises out of the floor at the push of a button, creating a convenient dining area and social zone.

The cockpit offers room for plenty with a multi-position rear facing lounge, foldout aft seating with high seat backs, and large twin helm seats with fold down armrests embellished in stainless steel. The cockpit galley is equipped with a concealed refrigerator, storage, sink with hot and cold water, and an optional grill. On the port side of this dual console, there is a spacious head and shower, and to starboard, a comfortable cabin with two storage lockers, shelf storage and a built-in TV - allowing for anything from a cocktail cruise to a full weekend getaway.

At the helm, ebony walnut accents frame the flush mounted dual 12” Garmin multifunction displays. Joystick steering and

docking controls, along with an optional bow thruster, make this seaworthy yacht easy to maneuver. The optional Seakeeper Gyro Stabilizer ensures a smooth ride in rougher seas.

The innovative features and classic design of the Calypso 35 make for a boat that is versatile and functional. Whether you’re spending the day or night, the possibilities aboard the Calypso 35 are endless.

THE LAUNCH 35 GT A defining characteristic of the Launch GT series is the ability to customize many options beginning with your selection of either Sterndrive or Outboard propulsion, depending on your boating preferences.

Additional features aboard the Launch GT line include a walk-through transom, starboard side boarding door and multiple top options to choose from.

The Launch 35 GT is capable of serving as a cocktail cruiser for entertaining or as a means to escape on your weekend getaway.

Just forward of the helm, an air-conditioned berth with closet, storage and television adds to the vessel’s immense functionality.

To the port is a large head featuring a Tecma porcelain system with dockside pump out, vessel sink, built-in hardware, storage and plenty of headroom.

At the helm, a Brazilian varnished mahogany steering wheel with wrapped leather is the focal point that it is hard to take your eyes off of. A fully integrated helm with twin 10” Garmin displays come standard, allowing you to easily control and adjust all systems onboard. Upgrade to helm air conditioning vents to create a cool space on those hot summer days.

The owner has the option of a painted hardtop with a SureShade that extends with the push of a button. With the option of boarding the boat through the dive-door or walk-through transom, you'll find a large rear sun pad, another distinguishing feature of the Launch GT line. Varnished mahogany accents can be found throughout the boat displaying Chris-Craft’s strong devotion to craftsmanship.

As with all Chris-Crafts, the Launch 35 GT can be customized by you to reflect your personal style and preferences. Every Chris-Craft has a classic touch of teak and mahogany, but you may choose to upgrade to the Heritage Trim or Heritage Edition and

add even more handcrafted teak. ChrisCraft offers a wide variety of hull colors to choose from as well, available in gelcoat or paint. Painted hulls are a signature element of Chris-Craft that the manufacturer takes a great deal of pride in, and that most every customer opts for.

In short, there simply is nothing else like the Launch 35 GT, and you won’t see anything on the water that is remotely as functional or beautiful.

CALYPSO 35

LAUNCH 35 GT

walstrom.com | 53

FOR THE DAYS THAT MATTER MOST

By Crest Pontoons

Crest Pontoons is passionate about giving you the best days on the water with those who matter most, and your best days start with the best materials. Crest has three separate families of customizable pontoon boats, and each offers highquality tubes, robust rails and the industry’s best deck construction to provide everything you need to enjoy your ride with confidence.

Since 1957, Crest Pontoons has provided boaters and their families the on-water experiences and memories second to none. When Crest builds their 54 | walstrom.com

boats, they take into account the things they know to be a value to all of us boaters.

Crest continues to prioritize quality and innovation and offer a level of comfort, style and safety that is unparalleled in the industry. When they combine their passion for boating with their team’s unmatched industry expertise, they deliver to a higher standard and produce the finest pontoons on the water. Every detail on board a Crest pontoon has been carefully designed to enhance the boating experience. Many features that are considered upgrades on other manufacturers’ boats come standard on every one of Crest’s models.

The Classic Family is the most popular line of pontoons and tritoons for Crest, and comfort and performance are at the forefront of features onboard each model in this signature lineup. This family of pontoons has multiple models: Classic LX, Classic Fish, Classic DLX and the Classic Platinum. As with any Crest, each of these models has numerous floorplans that can fit the whole crew no matter the occasion.

The Caribbean Family boasts

unprecedented performance and modern styling to deliver unforgettable days on the water. With sleek lines, an optional tower, unique color combinations, and topquality construction, the Caribbean Family guarantees a premium pontoon experience.

There are three models in the Caribbean lineup: Caribbean LX, Caribbean RS and Caribbean Platinum.

The Luxury Family represents the pinnacle of lavish amenities, unprecedented performance and comfortable convenience.

Featuring the Continental, Continental NX, and Savannah models, this lineup anticipates every need and desire to ensure the most reliable and luxurious on-water experience. With thoughtful options, an industry-first integrated dual windshield, premium upholstery and audio upgrades, the Crest Luxury Family is certain to surpass all expectations.

The newly redesigned Continental and Continental NX showcase innovation and style through an impressive lineup of standard features, luxurious upgrades, and spacious seating configurations guaranteed

to exceed every boater's expectation. Both Continental models are where industryleading and on-water performance meets unmatched comfort. Heads will turn to see the industry-first integrated windshield and walk-through platform. The Continental NX is ready to power your next big adventure with the ability to customize seating, entertainment, and performance options that include twin engines for a combined 800 horsepower.

The Savannah is the ultimate expression of innovation. As the flagship model in both performance and style, the Savannah beautifully paints the picture of everything a pontoon should be. Artfully advanced, the Savannah is the embodiment of elegant form merging with thoughtful function — down to the very last detail. With the Savannah’s modern design, the closer you look, the more impressed you’ll be with its structural superiority and innovation.

From careful, precise stitching to premium instrumentation, every detail is carefully inspected and crafted with you in mind.

From the very start of your boat design to the first day on the water in your Crest, each powder-coated railing, sealed tube chamber and Captain’s chair has been custom made. Because of their vertically integrated facility, the entire boat building process can be controlled all under one roof.

Down to the custom composition of the ergonomically built helms and the precise

CLASSIC FISH 200

250 CONTINENTAL 270 CONTINENTAL NX

placement of each light, speaker, steering wheel and seat, comfort and quality is at the forefront of the production process.

Skilled engineers have taken the knowledge obtained from years of constructing the finest pontoons on the water to continuously strive to deliver a structurally sound and beautifully designed series of boats.

From entry level boats to the dualengine cruisers, Crest’s vast production lineup is sure to satisfy everyone. It doesn’t stop there; there are various layout configurations for each model making their boats customizable to suit the needs of every type of family.

Whether it’s excellent craftmanship, superior engineering or reliability, quality is what they do. It’s who they are. It’s Crest.

walstrom.com | 55

The "Up North" Real Estate Experts

KNOWLEDGABLE LOCAL TRUSTED DEDICATED Bill Dickson | Connie Warner | Charity Furhman | Dave Uutinen | Erin DeFrain Gill Whitman | Jaimie Pierce | Joy La adie | Lee Tegland | Lynn ess Keegan Pszczolkowski | Matt Summers | Matt Sura | Mindy zen erger | Pam Fochtman Roxie Beach | Sally Teal | Sandra Gay | Shelly Hol rook | Tim Hayner | Tom Mooradian

231.526.9800 | 102 E Main St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 | HHSMI. M

Northern Michigan Landmark Lodging & Waterfront Dining

ENDLESS FUN ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES Designed with flexibility in mind, Qwest Pontoons offers an endless array of models and floorplans.

Find your Qwest at www.QwestPontoons.com

©2021 Apex Marine Inc.

Alanson • Charlevoix • Harbor Springs • Petoskey staffords.com

A unique Northern Michigan experience working with local farmers and artisans.

Michigan Lavendar Massage • Hot Petoskey Stone Massage • Custom Facials • Reiki 301 W Lake St, Harbor Springs, MI | 231.242.4818 | Book Online: FryeMassage.com

Quality boats for recreation or hardcore fishing, Apex Marine has

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

By Qwest Pontoons

Mark Dupuie probably never thought that playing softball in a local tavern league could lead to owning three brands of boats right here in Michigan.

Apex Marine proudly offers Qwest, Angler Qwest, and Polar Kraft brands being built in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that now covers 120,000 square feet.

58 | walstrom.com

Softball player Mark Dupuie really ended up swinging for the fence.

“I had been working at Playbuoy Pontoons (currently known as Avalon/Tahoe brands) since 1984,” Dupuie said. “I come from an accounting background and worked in several capacities but ended up as the director of sales. I played softball with a guy, and he asked me to come take a look at a new concept he had in pontoon boats.”

Dupuie arrived at the barn of Doug Mellinger, a man known locally as one of the best welders in the area.

“These were small, six- and sevenfoot-wide pontoon boats that Doug called the Gillgetter series,” he said. “As a favor, I brought dealers I knew to Doug’s facility, and nearly every one of them ordered Gillgetters.”

Dupuie ended up buying the small brand in 2003 with yearly sales of the pontoons at about 230 units. Today, they move around 3,500, but the success of the

Gillgetter was just scratching the surface of the growing company.

Even though the Gillgetter was small, he loved how stable they were, and how much room that had to offer compared to deep V’s and flat bottoms of the same length. He knew that the market for a “mini” pontoon was finite. So, after a lot of R&D, late nights and endless pots of coffee, Dupuie brought Qwest Pontoon Boats to life in 2005.

He wanted something that wasn’t already on the market.

“I wanted stability and the tritoons proved awesome for that in rough water,” he said. “But I wanted something that an entire family could enjoy, even with a couple friends, and if they wanted to fish or simply cruise they all could be happy.”

Mission accomplished, and with class to boot. The Qwest line was not developed to be entry level. It might even be considered a rig that someone “moves up” to after

figuring out what they’re missing and what was skimped on by an entry-level vessel.

In 2005, Dupuie made another move by bringing on his brother, Brad, who had been an engineer in the automobile industry. Both brothers were angling fanatics and wanted to take the pontoon boats to the next level in terms of having rigs that were specifically designed for anglers - even tournament anglers.

“We had the advantage of having owned glass boats, aluminum boats, of varying hull types and found out how they ran in rough water, shallow water, and rivers,” he said. “We wanted something that did all of the above, with more space and safety, while STILL being family-friendly.”

Angler Qwest wasn’t just a new fishing pontoon, it was a new category. They were so innovative that Angler Qwest won the Innovation Award in the pontoon segment at the 2015 Miami International Boat Show.

These boats weren’t standard pontoons with a fishing seat and a skimpy livewell; they were actually designed for specific species, and even to some degree, regions.

“We have models that are for trolling, stripers down south, catfish, panfish, crappie, and hybrids that can work out for about anything,” he said. “They have been very well received.”

Done yet? Nope. It was time to add a conventional fishing line to Apex.

“Polar Kraft has been around since 1951”, he said. “I was familiar with the brand and knew they were financially distressed. What sold me were the people who worked there in the trenches. Some had been there for decades and took pride in their work. I knew we could fix the management problems. It was the workers and the brand’s tough reputation that attracted me.”

With the buying power of three brands Apex has the ability to buy raw materials at better prices and has the clout to GET materials when inventory among the industry is scarce.

“We strive not to become complacent in our engineering, our equipment, or our manufacturing processes,” Dupuie said. “If we need new CNC machinery or robotics, we invest in these technologies because, in the long run, it pays for itself.”

LS 822 SPLASH BAR

ANGLER QWEST PRO TROLL

walstrom.com | 59

BUILT BOLD FOR THE

Bay Boat

By NauticStar Boats

B

oating isn’t a hobby, it’s a lifelong passion that delivers the promise of a new adventure every time you’re out on the water. NauticStar Boats delivers on that promise-not eventually, but right now. NauticStar Boats aim to make the entire boating lifestyle attainable for everyone so you can turn your obsession for the water into unique new experiences for you and your entire family. With savvy engineering and construction, thoughtful design and comfort, and a lineup that has the most value in the market, every model NauticStar Boats builds offers an unbeatable experience that is attainable, approachable, and reliable. NauticStar is here for lifers like us-the families and fishermen who know what they need to capture the experience they want most.

The “Star” in the NauticStar name is more than just a piece of the logo. The star represents the way NauticStar approaches 60 | walstrom.com

boat building and customer relationships.

It represents NauticStar’s commitment to the highest standards for strategy, use of technology, relationship with customers, and aspiration to deliver results.

NauticStar is located on 17 acres in Amory, Mississippi with over 200,000 square feet of production space currently producing multiple models ranging from 19 to 32 feet. Whether your passion is inland or offshore fishing, family recreation on the water, or both, NauticStar aims to please all boating enthusiasts All NauticStar models are designed to get you there with comfort, style, and the best ride in the industry. With the most versatile lineup, NauticStar gives customers a spectrum of options to fit their boating needs. All NauticStar Boats’ products combine family-friendly amenities with on-water activity options for serious boaters and fishers. Every model guarantees the best value for every customer, whether you’re fishing, watersports, cruising, or socializing.

BAY BOATS NauticStar bay boats have an unequaled value that makes it the No.1 best-selling bay boat in the USA. When it comes to trophy catches, fishermen know that the right boat makes all the difference. With upgraded standard features, unmatched durability and tournament-ready options, our bay boats deliver the best fishing experience for serious anglers. Bay boats come standard with a performance system that is unrivaled in boats ranging from 19 to 24 feet. Combine this with industry leading Yamaha four-stroke outboards and you will get out of the hole fast with power, stability, and top-end performance that will have the competition trailing in your wake.

Whichever NauticStar Bay boat model you choose, you’ll be secure in the spacious and stable deck and have excellent fishability benefits.

The Offshore series packs fishability features onto an all-purpose adventure platform. A tournament-class, ergonomic layout makes way for multiple fishing and

casting conditions. NauticStar’s Offshore boats meet the demands of serious fun on the water, too.

The Legacy boats are designed as fishing boats that meet the demands of inshore and offshore fishing as they offer a soft ride even when the waves kick up and they also serve as an entertainment vessel. Take friends for a dockside dinner, head out on a dive excursion, or load up the family for a beach day at a barrier island. Everyone will have a comfortable, fun, and dry ride. By both measures, it gets the job nicely done.

shore fishing in the morning, then to the sandbar or tubing in the afternoon. Hybrid boats fit the family who enjoys fishing but also wishes to utilize them for recreational family time.

watersports and have the comforts required for family and friends to lounge and entertain on the boat. Each boat features a saltwater-ready deep V hull, stylish efficiency, and a layout amply comfortable

DECK BOATS NauticStar’s deck boats offer inland family fun and entertainment. These versatile boats are built to handle most

Hybrid Boat

HYBRID BOATS Customers looking to purchase a hybrid hoat are mainly bay boat fishermen who need to get into skinny water like a bay but also want the comforts of a deck to satisfy the family. NauticStar understands that families often have varied interests and some members may not be as interested in fishing. They would rather be comfortable, but no one needs to compromise with a NauticStar hybrid boat. With models ranging from 19 to 25 feet, the hybrid boat combines both bay and deck-style platforms and features ergonomic center console designs. They deliver the softest, driest ride for all-day enjoyment. Go from fishing to cruising instantly with plenty of amenities and passenger features. These boats have the ability to take the family inland or near-

Deck Boat

for cruising and entertainment. Whether cruising, tubing, fishing or pulling skis, deck boats offer a little bit of everything.

Your time on the water is everything to innovated engineers at NauticStar Boats. NauticStar’s superior craftmanship, composite construction and trusted warranty ensure that no matter what the day brings, your NauticStar boat is ready.

To learn more about the experience you deserve as a boat shopper, visit www. nauticstarboats.com.

walstrom.com | 61

Fresh, coastal interiors by Kelly Konoske 231.526.9000 · Cottage-Company.com

Fleet of 8 Aircraft • Turbine & Twin Engine International Flights

“Whatever your aviation needs, North Country Aviation, Inc. can help.”

Charter • Management • Sales • Service • Repair

www.northcountryaviation.net 989-732-6192 dispatch@northcountryaviation.net

FUTURE OF BOATING What does it look like?

CEO Spotlight, An Interview with Thomas Slikkers WHAT IS TIARA YACHTS DOING TO KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGES IN BOATING? We believe the future of boating is very bright. As with most major activities in life, they are significantly influenced by technology, culture and lifestyle. We invest a lot of time trying to understand how our customers want to use their boat and then interpret that into a package which best provides an enjoyable and luxurious experience around that chosen lifestyle.

Tiara Yachts has always focused on building high-quality products and providing a great experience to our customers. Those items require a lot of intentionality from our design and engineering teams. It’s not just about adding popular features, it’s fully integrating them into the boat so they are a natural part of design’s intent. Additionally, we look for ways our brand can remain relevant, meaning we avoid fads or short-

64 | walstrom.com

term changes and cling to our DNA as we adjust to lifestyle shifts.

It’s a challenge, but something we gladly embrace. Technology has brought a lot of change to boating and not all technology is created equally. There’s a fine line between using your customer base as a group of guinea pigs and delivering great product which is fully vetted and supportable. The sheer amount of material options and technical upgrades currently available could fill several pages. Understanding your customer and what they expect and desire helps to narrow the list.

We also understand the importance of working in partnership with great vendors and suppliers. As we continue to develop new products, our key engine partners (Mercury on the outboard side and Volvo Penta on the inboard side) are instrumental in helping us. Our recent launch of the 48 LS was a great example of our company designing a yacht from scratch; a purpose built, fantastic day yacht capable of longer weekends and powered exclusively by the new Mercury Verado V12 600s. It

was a wonderful collaboration between our organizations. Similarly, you will soon be hearing more about our all-new EX 55 which will be the first of a new inboard series from our company, powered exclusively with Volvo Penta IPS. If you have a chance to see the 48 LS, you cannot help

48 LS

48 LS

but be impressed, and similarly the EX 55 will not disappoint. Both are loaded with great content, yet remain true to the Tiara Yachts’ brand and DNA. Stay tuned to our website and social media outlets for more information.

WHAT MAKES TIARA YACHTS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BOAT BUILDERS?

Tiara Yachts is different because our corporate philosophy and DNA are different.

My father nurtured a long-lasting legacy built upon delivering high quality products that exceeded the customer’s expectations.

That expectation spans across performance on the water and at the docks, features which aid in supporting a great experience rather than checking a competitive box, reliability and durability, innovation, quality, and support from a factory team that is equally interested in caring for the customer and product well into the future.

My father told many people that he wanted Tiara Yachts to be the best, not the biggest. By focusing our organization on those elements rather than simply boat volume, we believe we can, and do, deliver better product and ultimately a better experience on the water.

WHY ARE THERE SO FEW U.S. BUILT INBOARD BOATS?

Overall, there are a couple of factors playing into this segment. The first is more obvious; over time, outboard power has slowly taken over as the power of choice.

They are largely Four Stroke, quiet and very smooth. Additionally, they have significantly

expanded their horsepower which makes them eligible for larger products. Twenty years ago, outboard powered boats were largely limited to 30’ and under. Today, there are boats at 50’+ with outboard power.

They’ve also made huge improvements on reliability. Thus, we’ve watched the outboard powered product slowly “cannibalize” boats in the 30’ – 45’ segment.

The second reason has to do with a shift in boating lifestyle. More and more boating today is centered around day-boating. Grab the kids, grandkids, your favorite snacks and beverages and go play on the water for the day. This caters to a shift in how space on the boat is allocated while we see a decline in longer cruising trips and an increase in day-boating. The shift in lifestyle is pushing for more outside space and flexibility, while the inside space needs to be adjusted accordingly.

As a result, some of the larger U.S. brands have chosen to vacate the inboard space. Tiara Yachts continues to participate in both the outboard and inboard segments as we feel there is a need for inboard product. Our product portfolio looks far different today than it has in our past, but we believe we’ve adapted well to the market shifts while remaining true to the essence of the Tiara Yachts brand.

ARE “CRUISERS” STILL IN TIARA YACHTS’ PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

Absolutely. We have several in our portfolio today and as mentioned earlier, we’re developing the EX 55, the first of a

new series. If you look at our history, this is not the first time we’ve done this as a brand.

Early followers saw Tiara Yachts as inboard Opens: a unique model configuration which began in 1978 with the 3100 Open: a model now viewed as a classic. In 2004, due to lifestyle shifts, Tiara introduced the Sovran series as a more family-oriented cruising vessel. In 2013, we saw another shift from the Open series with the birth of the Coupe series which was developed, once again, to adjust to the lifestyle shifts that were more common in custom home building. Today, the Coupe series represents much of our inboard business, but we see the opportunity to capitalize on some shifts again.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOATING TIMES AND AREAS?

We love boating in West Michigan, and often hang out and play in the Holland area which is our home port. We enjoy finding a quiet spot to anchor and hang out for the day, swimming in Lake Michigan and enjoying evening cruises to watch the sunset.

Without exception, our favorite area to spend time is Northern Michigan and The North Channel. Summers take on a whole new meaning up there. Picturesque towns, quaint harbors, lush green shorelines, and, of course, an entire eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan that has beaches which are second to none. We are blessed to have the Great Lakes as our playground.

walstrom.com | 65

CAREER IN THE MARINE INDUSTRY Leon Slikkers, a marine industry pioneer, whose career building boats dates back to the 1940s, announced his retirement from Tiara Yachts in September of 2021. An industry trendsetter who bucked conventional wisdom when it came to building boats out of fiberglass instead of wood, Slikkers, now 93, founded S2 Yachts in 1974. The company initially focused on trailerable sailboats, but as it grew – armed with greater access to capital and Slikkers’ unrelenting drive to innovate in a highly competitive industry, S2 began building power boats shortly thereafter. That eventually led to the creation of Tiara Yachts, an industry leader in mid-sized luxury yachts that currently employs over 600 people at its state-of-the-art 800,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Holland, Michigan.

Leon Slikkers’ career began as a carpenter for Chris-Craft in 1946. In the mid-1950s, he took a risk, selling his home to raise capital to start building mahogany runabouts under the name of Slickcraft Boat Company.

Shortly after starting Slickcraft, he began experimenting with fiberglass and composites.

He sold Slickcraft to AMF, Inc. (American Machine and Foundry) in 1969 and remained as its president for four years, before founding S2 Yachts with a sole focus on sailboats.

In 1976, S2 began manufacturing sport boats under the Tiara brand and, in 1978, added Pursuit sport fishing models to its catalog. Customers quickly embraced the products, and a variety of improvements and new models have been added over subsequent decades

The Leon

LEGACY

By Tiara Yachts

66 | walstrom.com

Leon & Delores early 1950s

to solidify the company’s market-leading position.

“This company, its rich history and all that it has accomplished wouldn’t have been possible if not for the vision, passion and unyielding entrepreneurial drive that our father has demonstrated for a lot of decades,” said Tom Slikkers, CEO and President of Tiara Yachts, a position he’s held since 2012. “His dedication to excellence and the translation of his passion for boat building across three generations will be a lasting legacy as we continue to provide exceptional customer service and highly specialized products.”

EXPANSION OF LUXURY OUTBOARD PORTFOLIO, CELEBRATION OF INBOARD HERITAGE From the company’s earliest days, Leon’s drive to address customers’ wants and needs through cutting-edge design and engineering processes shaped Tiara’s culture of innovation and quality. In recent years, he saw increasing demand for larger, outboard-powered products with more luxurious appointments. That led to the company’s move in 2017 to develop a suite of outboard-powered boats that meshed the luxury, quality, utility and performance of the company’s inboard series. Since then, its luxury outboard portfolio has skyrocketed in popularity, leading to the launch of the 48 LS, the flagship of the LS Series, in February 2021, making it the largest outboardpowered model offered to date. Given the impressive length of Leon Slikkers’ career, it’s been said that he has built more quality boats than anyone in the history of the industry.

“It was with our father’s foresight and vision that we made the critical decision to pursue a Tiara-inspired outboard luxury brand,” said Bob Slikkers, Senior Vice President of Operations. “That we’ve been able to embrace and so quickly adapt to those changes is a credit to our father’s original vision combined with the skill and dedication of our design, engineering, manufacturing and sales teams. We set out to do something bold for our company and our brand, and we successfully pulled it off, a true testimony of our leadership team and their ability to achieve greater success in the future.”

The latest and perhaps boldest example yet of the company’s efforts to design and

innovate around customer needs will occur in 2022 when Tiara Yachts launches a state-ofthe-art 55-foot inboard yacht, a thoughtfully engineered combination of its LS and Coupe series that represent Tiara’s most personalized and technically advanced product. The long-range luxury vessel will feature multiple modules to customize the cockpit arrangement to suit each customer’s personal boating lifestyle, whether it be entertaining or fishing, with several seating configurations and luxury features such as a summer kitchen and al fresco dining.

GROWTH FUELS NEXT-LEVEL INVESTMENT

Tiara Yachts has experienced impressive growth in recent years. The company’s revenues are on pace to more than double during the 2017 to 2022 timeframe. With zero debt, the family will continue to make more smart investments to leverage its success for future market share growth.

“The company was founded on the idea of creating a delightful boating experience for its customers. Everything we do is driven to support that mission, so that doesn’t leave any room for complacency,” said David Slikkers, the company’s director of government relations. “We are continuously innovating and reimagining every part of our business, from design to engineering to manufacturing to sales and customer service.

Every day we come to work looking for new ways to delight our customers.”

Manufacturing in the 21st century brings many opportunities to make continuous improvements in processes, from use of robotics and ultraviolet curing to deploying 3D printing. The company’s close-molded process journey which started 20 years ago,

is accelerating as more benefits are realized.

This includes utilization of advanced woven fibers and carbon composite materials which reduces weight and improves performance, while creating a safer and cleaner working environment for the employees, potentially reducing VOC emissions by 70 percent.

“Our sophisticated manufacturing methods are parallel to those used in the aerospace and defense industries, where precision is critical – giving us a competitive edge when it comes to recruiting new employees who want to be a part of a technology team,” said Kelly Slikkers, Director of Manufacturing and Quality. “Our grandfather founded this company in part on the historic craftmanship of Western Michigan combined with our commitment to providing rewarding career paths. Our strategic investments in people, process and products in recent years will help us attract the best and brightest minds, while positioning our company and brand for an exciting next chapter.”

LEGACY, HERITAGE AND COMMITMENT

The Tiara Yachts legacy is a generational one, proudly producing an American Made product with a story that Leon began, and his family continues. That legacy extends through the family of employees who have chosen to build their career at Tiara, returning to work for a value-driven company year after year.

Tiara Yachts are built with passion and commitment to the highest quality, set to last a lifetime. Each Tiara owner is the representation and continuation of the legacy Leon created enjoying the ultimate offshore and outdoor adventures with their families and friends.

The Slikkers Family: (back row, from left) Alex, Tom, Tim, Bob; (front row, from left) Kelly, Leon, David walstrom.com | 67

© 2021 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

PLOT YOUR PARADISE. FIND YOUR COVE.

A higher-resolution IPS display and edge-to-edge glass that is as beautiful as it is functional.

You can also control your music from the display using Fusion-link.

Start plotting.

GPSMAP® 1243 Available in 7”, 9” or 12” displays

The Value of Brokerage

Is it really worth it?

By Dwayne Stone, Sales Manager

The thought of selling your boat may bring some anxiety and trepidation, but with the help of an industry expert you will feel anything but anxious.

There are many reasons to choose Walstrom Marine as your boat broker. We handle all the paperwork, get the boat properly advertised and marketed, field and qualify all the incoming calls, and ultimately perform in-person presentations. That is just the beginning. After an offer is written, presented, and agreed to, that is when much of the value in brokering really begins to appear.

A Walstrom Marine broker is the glue that holds the sale process together. They are the quarterback that helps the deal through the offer stage, negotiations to an agreed price, demo rides, staging, hoist and survey, and then finally overcoming any survey objection/remedies to move towards closing, should there be any.

And like any good quarterback, there is a team and coach that surrounds that important player. Walstrom Marine has the connections to financing, insurance, service writers, yard crews, and a trained, dedicated staff behind them to assist the whole process: • Determine market value • Showings • Sea trials • Closing paperwork • New buyer financing • Fraud protection • A smooth closing

Our brokers not only facilitate the deal from start to finish, they can also be instrumental in finding your next boat. If all comes together in a timely manner, your brokered boat can actually be traded in toward your new vessel purchase, possibly even saving some money in taxes. That is a definite win-win, which is always our goal.

So, whether you are leaving the boating industry for a while or looking to change boats, a professional broker is always better than selling your vessel alone.

At Walstrom Marine, it’s what we do, and it’s what we’ve always done.

HERE'S WHY YOU WILL FEEL SECURE WORKING WITH US: • Our participation in major brokerage websites allow consumers worldwide to view your listing.

• Walstrom.com receives 100,000 visits per month on average.

• Our full-time sales staff serve the Harbor Springs, Cheboygan, Bay Harbor, Charlevoix, and Traverse City areas.

• We share pictures and specifications for your boat in real time.

• Our sales staff is professional, knowledgeable, and incentivized to sell your boat.

• We are the largest broker in the Northern Michigan boating area and we co-broker through the entire United States.

• We will help you receive top dollar for your boat.

• Over 200 boats were sold in 2021!

• Our team has the experience and financial wherewithal to do complex deals, pre-sell your brokerage or tradeins and get you the most desirable outcome.

Contact Walstrom Marine and ask about brokerage services today! We guide you throughout the entire sales process, which makes selling your boat easy. Remember, the answer is always, “YES”!

TESTIMONIALS “Robert Rogier helped with both my old boat sale and my new boat purchase. I was very impressed with his professionalism as well as every other Walstrom team member I dealt with. I would definitely work with Walstrom again in the future and heartily recommend both Robert and Walstrom to others.”

- Brian G.

“I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all you did to help us close the sale on our boat in such a short timeframe. Your very detailed email yesterday with all the paperwork was a tremendous help to understand what we needed to do.”

– Tony B. “Within a week of the boat being listed I began getting updates of the interest in the boat and within a month the boat was under contract. The details to close like sea trial and survey were handled by Steve and the Walstrom staff. The closing was seamless and the boat was delivered to Harbor Springs for prep and shipment to Boston. The entire experience was very professional and well defined.

I would recommend this team to anyone interested in selling their boat.”

– Bud S.

walstrom.com | 69

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ON

the water Fantastic

EXPERIENCE “We’ve had a delightful introduction and indoctrination to our 2021 Chris Craft Launch GT 31 from the entire team at Walstrom Marine.

From our initial contact, around April 15 of this year, through your nicely organized website, and almost immediate response from Steve Wolfe (yacht sales) to our most recent conversation with Cathy Ward (accounts receivable), everyone has been just terrific. Our primary residence is in San Antonio, Texas but in the summer, you will find us on Mullett Lake, so the actual purchase and delivery of our boat was on a tight timeline. Steve Wolfe did an outstanding job at having everything prepared for our visit to the Harbor Springs showroom to purchase the boat. Andrea Lightfoot (business manager) was on hand and presented all the documents in a comprehensive fashion. After the transaction was complete, the fun began! And it did! We can’t thank Captain Kurt Hartlieb III (delivery captain) enough for his day of instruction and continued willingness to take phone calls from us when we have “a question probably only Captain Kurt can answer!”

We are happy to call Walstrom Marine, Cheboygan, our home marina, as the service and storage of our boat happens there! Dave Cope (service manager) has built a great Cheboygan team and we are so impressed with his excellent attitude and the support we also have received from Heather Lake (office manager). Dave and his Cheboygan team have already bailed us out of operational issues on more than one occasion and constantly remind us that we are on our boat to have fun! Overall Walstrom Marine has been a fantastic experience!”

~ John & Carol Washbish 70 | walstrom.com

I truly did hit

THE JACKPOT

“I had Googled Sea Ray dealers in Florida because I live in Trinidad in the Caribbean. I spent most of my week contacting a list of dealers that I had found on the internet. Each number I called would put me on to another number and most numbers had no answer. I even found and called the Sea Ray dealer in Puerto Rico.

After spending two days calling, I did get through to someone who took my email address. I thought that I had hit the jackpot only to realize no one was responding to my emails. So, I started my search again. This time I decided to look closer to the Sea Ray factory which is further from me. This time I truly did hit the jackpot. I called Walstrom Marine and was connected to Rick. Rick listened to all my needs and assured me that he would answer my email. Sure enough, within minutes, Rick had responded. Everything I needed Rick has sourced and shipped out to me in the quickest possible time.

He really goes above and beyond and I can’t stop singing his praises.

Rick is really THE BEST!”

~ Monique Nobrega

THANK YOU, Walstrom

“A special thank you to the crew at Walstrom Marine. Ordering a boat during COVID was no easy task. Scott Way showed great patience in getting the boat ordered and kept us in the loop as it was being built. Learning the nuances of a bigger boat comes with its own challenges. Captain Kurt Hartlieb spent a 12 plus hour day with us, proving you CAN teach an old dog new tricks, showing me everything I needed to know about the boat to give me confidence and keeping my family and others safe. He gave me his mobile number and asked I call him anytime with questions. Scott Sutliff, the dock master at Walstrom, was very kind and helpful when we stayed the night at the marina. Scott keeps the marina in tip top shape, the place is spotless. Nikki Landon, in the Harbor Springs service department, made it easy for me to winter the boat and make plans on taking the boat out next year. This truly has been the best boating experience we have had as a family since we bought a cottage up here 13 years ago. Thank you all for “walking the walk” when it comes to service and support during and after the sale.”

~ Brig and Fran Sorber

THEY KNOW ME

By my name

“This spring I began searching for a new boat and as luck would have it, there was one located just down the road from my house in Traverse City that fit the criteria I was looking for: a Lund Pro Guide 1775. I reached out to Walstrom Marine and was immediately contacted by salesman, Matt Schwarze. Matt was on top of everything from start to finish and worked tirelessly to help me find the accessories I wanted, despite them being very hard to find due to COVID. Tommy, the technician, rigged everything just right and after several months’ use, the boat continues to be outstanding. Every time I walk into the marina, they know me by my name and the service after the sale has been incredible. I am so happy that I have a local marina that is as great to deal with as Walstrom has been. I would highly recommend them to anyone!” ~ Kory Boozer walstrom.com | 71

RESTAURANT B = BREAKFAST

L = LUNCH

D = DINNER

HARBOR SPRINGS Stafford’s Pier

Part of a historic complex, this seafood spot has 3 distinct indoor spaces & an outdoor deck.

staffordspier.com • 231.526.6201 102 E Bay Street • BLD The New York

Locally sourced American cuisine & an ample wine list presented in an elegant historic venue.

thenewyork.com • 231.526.1904 101 State Street • D Bar Harbor

Local favorite downtown watering hole offering burgers, fresh salads and more.

@BarHarbor1894 - Facebook • 231.526.2671 100 State Street • LD Pierson’s Grille & Spirits

Classic American pub grub & drinks served in a casual, ski-themed locale with outdoor seating.

piersonsgrille.com • 231.526.2967 130 State Street • BLD Willow

The food is simple, but creative and refined, with a lean on Midwestern roots and an expansive culinary rapport.

willowharborsprings.com • 231.412.6032 129 E Bay Street • D Turkey’s Café & Pizzeria

Locally famous pizza, sandwiches and burgers...familyfriendly and family-owned for over 45 years!

turkeyspizzeria.com • 231.526.6041 250 E Main Street • BLD Gurney’s Deli

Located inside Gurney’s Liquor Store, they offer deli sandwiches that are a local favorite! Cash and To-Go only.

gurneysbottleshop.com • 231.526.5472 215 E Main Street • L The Paper Station Bistro

Bistro dining in Harbor Springs.

paperstationbistro.com • 231.242.4680 145 E Main Street • LD Small Batch at the Cupola

We use only the finest ingredients for a delightful culinary experience!

smallbatchharborsprings.com • 231.242.4686 340 State Street • BL Piper’s Mighty Good Pizza

Family-owned – pizza, grinders, pasta, salads, and more.

Sauce and dough are handmade daily, in-house.

pipersmgpizza.com • 231.348.6900 974 W Conway Rd • LD

72 | walstrom.com

WATERVIEW

guide

ALCOHOL SERVED

BC Pizza

No-frills pizza chain with a wide menu of specialty pies, salads, subs, build-your-own pasta & more.

www.bc.pizza • 231.526.2424 930 State Street • LD

CHEBOYGAN Cheboygan Brewing Co

We feature a variety of craft beer with great outdoor seating options. We encourage people to bring their own food from local restaurants to enjoy.

cheboyganbrewing.com • 231.268.3218 101 N Main Street • Duncan City Pizza

Ingredients matter. We offer salads, subs, pasta, and our specialty is our pizza. Every dish is made with fresh high-quality ingredients!

duncancitypizza.com • 231.597.5400 630 N Main Street • LD Mulligan’s

Family friendly restaurant with 16 Rotating Craft Beers, Specialty Burgers, Salads, Tex-Mex, Steaks, Smoked Ribs & Specialty Pastas.

mulliganscheboygan.com • 231.627.2459 320 N Main Street • LD Nauti Inn Barstro

A classic casual space to gather and enjoy creative dishes, quality spirits, and a thoughtful wine list in warm ambiance among friends.

nautiinn.com • 231.668.8250 330 N Main Street • D Nourish

Quality food at a fair price. We use ingredients we are proud of - no fillers, just wholesome meals made from scratch with lots of love.

nourishnorthernmichigan.com • 231.268.3221 329 N Main Street • BL Pier M33

Indulge yourself in an upscale dining experience unlike any other on the Inland Waterway!

Pierm33onthecheboygan.com • 231.268.3336 9500 M-33 • LD The Queen’s Head Wine Pub

Discover a warm atmosphere, incredible food, and the most complete wine selection one could ask for. Bring your hunger, thirst, and leave feeling like part of the Royal Family.

thequeensheadwinepub.com • 231.445.7101 250 N Huron Street • D

BAY HARBOR & PETOSKEY Maple + Batter

New trendy brunch bistro serving delicious breakfast specialties and cocktails.

mapleandbatter.com • 231.753.2122 4165 Main Street, Bay Harbor • BL Knot Just A Bar

Tavern-style marina venue offering an American menu & a full bar with views over the water.

knotjustabar.com • 231.439.2770 820 Front Street, Bay Harbor • BLD Local

Casual fine dining with one-of-a-kind views, accompanied by meals made with local and seasonal ingredients.

localbayharbor.com • 231.881.9134 795 Front Street, Bay Harbor • LD Vintage Chophouse

Stylish American steakhouse at the Inn at Bay Harbor with Michigan wines & microbrews.

innatbayharbor.com 231.439.4051 3600 Village Harbor Dr, Bay Harbor • LD The Sagamore Room

Breakfast and brunch classics, reimagined favorites, plus a breakfast buffet, with both indoor & outdoor seating.

innatbayharbor.com • 231.439.4059 3601 Village Harbor Dr, Bay Harbor • BL Chandler’s – A Restaurant

The menu varies daily with regard to seasonality, incorporating local fare and fresh cuts of fish and beef. Brunch SAT & SUN Only.

chandlersarestaurant.com • 231.347.2981 215 ½ Howard Street, Petoskey • BLD Sam’s Graces Café

Bright, quaint bakery & cafe serving breakfast, sandwiches, pizzas & other light eats.

samsgracescafe.com • 231.489.8278 324 E Mitchell Street, Petoskey • BL Thai Orchid

Casual Thai cuisine serving traditional fare, such as noodles & spicy curries, with beer & wine.

thaiorchidpetoskey.com • 231.487.9900 433 E Mitchell Street, Petoskey • D City Park Grill

Situated in one of Petoskey’s oldest buildings (1875), this Victorian-era pub serves up a global menu amid live music.

cityparkgrill.com • 231.347.0101 432 E Lake Street, Petoskey • LD Noggin Room Pub

In the lower-level of Stafford’s Perry Hotel, offering casual and comfortable atmosphere.

nogginroom.com • 231.347.4000 118 Lewis Street, Petoskey • D Mitchell Street Pub

Vintage-inspired pub filled with antiques; a retro jukebox & peanut shells tossed on the floor.

mitchellstreetpub.com • 231.347.1801 426 E Mitchell Street, Petoskey • LD

Beards Brewery

Local brewery offering a variety of brews, pizza and more.

beardsbrewery.com • 231.753.2221 215 E Lake Street, Petoskey • LD Duffy’s Garage and Grille

Two-story pizzeria pub with exposed brick, rustic wooden tables and two-story outdoor seating. duffysgarageandgrille.com • 231.348.3663

317 E Lake Street, Petoskey • LD Tap 30

Featuring 30 rotating taps. Their kitchen creates unique comfort food with a twist – something for the whole family.

Tap30.com • 231.881.9572 422 E Mitchell Street, Petoskey • LD The Backlot

Features an outdoor beer garden and several food trucks, each offering their own street food, picnic-style menus!

thebacklotpetoskey.com • 231.881.9933 425 Michigan Street, Petoskey • LD Pour – Kitchen & Bar

Carefully selected ingredients, prepared from scratch daily; offering a new & unique dining experience. Featuring a 60-draft line-up with over 50 wines by the glass.

pourpetoskey.com • 231.881.9800 422 E Mitchell Street, Petoskey • D Julienne Tomatoes

Expect great recipes using locally grown ingredients. Great food, fresh baked goods, and housemade soups.

juliennetomatoes.com • 231.439.9250 412 Howard Street, Petoskey • BL Parkside Deli

Gourmet sandwiches, soups, homemade bread, salads, and baked goods. Located steps from Pennsylvania Park.

parksidepetoskey.com • 231.347.1620 313 Howard Street, Petoskey • L Symons General Store

Gourmet sandwiches and salads made fresh to order.

symonsgeneralstore.com • 231.347.2438 401 E Lake Street, Petoskey • BL Mighty Fine Pizza

Storied, mom-&-pop nook making pizza with gourmet toppings, plus sandwiches & daily specials, to-go only.

mightyfinepizza.com • 231.347.3255 222 E Mitchell Street, Petoskey • LD Jose’s Authentic Mexican

Family-owned restaurant, serving hearty Mexican dishes in comfy digs.

@jJosesPetoskey - Facebook • 231.348.3299 309 Petoskey Street, Petoskey • LD

CHARLEVOIX Stafford’s Weathervane

Renovated grist mill serving regional cuisine with outdoor deck.

staffordsweathervane.com • 231.547.4311 106 Pine River Ln • LD

Continued on next page walstrom.com | 73

Continued from previous page Bridge Street Tap Room

A relaxed alehouse with water views featuring local craft brews & an area-sourced bar menu.

bridgestreettaproom.com • 231.437.3466 202 Bridge Street • LD Grey Gables Restaurant

Variety of New American dishes served in elegant Victorian surrounds at the Grey Gables Inn.

greygablesinn.com • 231.547.9261 308 Belvedere Avenue • D The Villager Pub

Our menu selection and reasonable prices makes us a perfect match for families, couples on dates, and just about anyone else.

thevillagerpub.com • 231.547.6925 427 Bridge Street • LD Charlevoix Pizza Co.

Scratch-made dough, fresh ingredients prepared daily.

charlevoixpizzacompany.com • 231.437.6300 311 Bridge Street • LD The Cantina

Constantly changing menu, honoring classic cooking and modern interpretations of Pacific Coast cuisine.

cantinacharlevoix.com • 231.437.3612 101 Van Pelt Place • LD That French Place

Creperie, French style bakery, & cafe that uses local ingredients.

thatfrenchplace.com • 231.437.6037 212 Bridge Street • BL Terry’s of Charlevoix

Offers excellent full course dinners in a warm, casual dining atmosphere.

terrysofcharlevoix.com • 231.547.2799 101 Antrim Street • D The Landing

Located in the calm and secluded Ironton Cove, and situated next to the Historical Ironton Ferry.

thelandingcharlevoix.com • 231.547.9036 10231 Ferry Rd • LD

BOYNE CITY Cafe Santé

Old-fashioned bistro with a patio serving escargot, wood-fired pizzas, Belgian brews & more.

magnumhospitality.com/cafesante • 231.582.8800 1 Water Street • BLD Stiggs Brewery & Kitchen

Burgers, sandwiches, salads and more! Boyne City’s only brewery, with 30 house and Michigan craft beer choices.

stiggsbrewingcompany.com • 231.497.6100 112 S Park Street • LD Lake Street Market

Gourmet sandwiches and soups, great pizza available at their deli.

lakestreetmarket.com • 231.582.4450 306 S Lake Street • LD

Lake Street Pub

American Style Pub located in the heart of Boyne City, Michigan. Simple food using local ingredients.

lakestreetpubboyne.com • 231.497.6031 202 S Lake Street • LD Red Mesa Grill

Mexican, Caribbean, South American, Central American; all of the flavors of Latin America are celebrated here.

Offering traditional dishes and exotic specialties alike.

magnumhospitality.com/redmesaboynecity 231.582.0049 117 Water Street • LD Sunnyside

The menu focuses on creating from-scratch comfort foods sure to please the local and visitor alike.

sunnysideboyne.com • 231.497.5050 113 Water Street • BL Boyne City Tap Room

Casual taproom offering lots of craft beer, cocktails & American eats, plus a shaded brick patio.

bctaproom.com • 231.459.4487 220 S Lake Street • LD

TRAVERSE CITY West End Tavern

Artisan pizza oven, a 40 chicken rotisserie, and an outstanding view of West Bay.

westendtaverntc.com • 231.943.2922 12719 S W Bay Shore Drive • LD Apache Trout Grill

Known for seafood & ribs, this cozy spot offers a chic hunting lodge feel & bayside patio dining. Brunch on Sundays!

apachetroutgrill.com • 231.947.7079 13671 S W Bay Shore Drive • BLD Sorellina

Both authentic Italian favorites and contemporary Italian culinary interpretations.

sorellinatc.com • 231.421.5912 250 E Front Street, Ste. 110 • D Slate

Relaxed choice spotlighting artful plates of traditional Italian fare, plus house-infused vodkas.

slatetc.com • 231.421.5912 250 E Front Street • D Mackinaw Brewing Co

Restaurant & brewpub with handcrafted beers, smoked meats, steaks, fish, sandwiches & a full bar.

mackinawbrewing.com • 231.933.1100 161 E Front Street • LD North Peak Brewing Co

Hearty pub fare & house-brewed beers served in an 1899 building that once housed a candy factory.

pub.northpeak.net • 231.941.7325 400 W Front Street • LD The Towne Plaza

Contemporary eatery with a leafy outdoor seating area, featuring a seasonal, pork-centric menu.

thetowneplaza.com • 231.929.0900 203 Cass Street • BL

74 | walstrom.com

Red Ginger

Upscale, chef-owned spot offers small plates of light Pan-Asian cuisine & signature cocktails.

V.I. Grill

Charming grill with a patio offering American comfort chow, pizza & salads, plus local brews on tap.

EatAtGinger.com • 231.944.1733 237 E Front Street • D Brasserie Amie

Award Winning French-style Brunch, amazing craft coffee menu, craft cocktails, mimosas, 20 beer taps and fine wines!

vigrill.com • 231.271.3300 201 N Street Joseph Street, Suttons Bay • LD Boone’s Prime Time Pub

Cozy, cabin-style spot offering hand-cut steaks & other down-home American plates.

brasserieamie.com • 231.753.3161 160 E Front Street • BLD Harrington’s By the Bay

Seafood & steaks in an airy, rustic venue with nautical decor, a stone fireplace & a bay view.

boonesprimetimepub.com • 231.271.6688 102 N Street Joseph Street, Suttons Bay • LD Hop Lot Brewing

Unique outdoor beer garden features a host of campfires, picnic tables, outdoor games, and more.

harringtonsbythebay.com • 231.421.9393 13890 S W Bay Shore Drive • LD Boone’s Long Lake Inn

Steak & seafood house in an old mill serves legendary prime rib amid live music on weekends.

hoplotbrewing.com • 231.866.4445 658 S W Bay Shore Dr, Suttons Bay • LD The Cove

Located above and below the Leland Dam at the head of Leland’s Historic Fishtown overlooking Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands.

BoonesLLI.com • 231.946.3991 7208 Secor Rd • D Bubba’s

Bar/eatery known for unique burgers & diverse beer options plus daily happy hour on food & drinks.

thecoveleland.com • 231.256.9834 111 W River Street, Leland • LD Bluebird

The menu contains many timeless favorites, and the nightly specials offer our chefs the opportunity to try new ingredients and cooking styles.

TCBubbas.com • 231.995.0570 428 E Front St• BLD

bluebirdleland.com • 231.256.9081 102 E River Street, Leland • LD

Amical

Eclectic European cuisine prepared in their open kitchen and served in the cozy dining room or on our vibrant street-side patio.

amical.com • 231.941.8888 229 E Front Street • D

Lake Ann Brewing Co

A rotating list of craft beer & ciders, plus wine and bar snacks.

Bringing your own food from a local restaurant is encouraged.

lakeannbrewing.com • 231.640.2327 6535 First Street, Lake Ann •

Hopscotch Brick Oven & Taproom

Hot brick oven pizzas, innovative small plates, and wonderful smoked meats.

hopscotchbrickovenmi.com • 231.252.4718 2032 US-31• LD

Stormcloud Brewing Co

Casual spot known for Belgian-style craft beer & flatbread pizza, plus meat, cheese & pickle plates.

stormcloudbrewing.com • 231.352.0118 303 Main Street, Frankfort • LD

Jolly Pumpkin TC

Offers a rustic atmosphere marked by fireside warmth and earthy woods in a comfortable cottage-like setting.

TraverseCity.JollyPumpkin.com • 231.223.4333 13512 Peninsula Drive • LD

Boone Docks

All-American menu offers a variety of steaks, fish, soups, salads and sandwiches. Just two miles from the Sleeping Bear Dunes!

boonedocksglenarbor.com • 231.334.6444 5858 S Manitou View, Glen Arbor • LD

Boathouse Restaurant

Sunday brunch, cocktails by the fireplace, or dinner during our exclusive sunset views make your dining experience a memorable one.

Art’s Tavern

Known for their burgers and big personality, they’ve been here since 1934, serving generations of locals and visitors.

boathouseonwestbay.com • 231.223.4030 14039 W Bay Shore Drive • D Brew

This café serves as a gathering point where locals can socialize while enjoying a beverage or light meal.

brewtc.com • 231.946.2739 108 E Front Street • BLD

LEELANAU PENINSULA AREA Wren

A simple yet ever-changing menu built upon the best products that Northern Michigan has to offer.

wrensuttonsbay.com • 231.271.1175 303 N Street Joseph Street, Suttons Bay • D

artsglenarbor.com • 231.334.3754 6487 Western Ave, Glen Arbor • BLD Blu

Panoramic views of Sleeping Bear Bay and the Manitou Islands. Offers fine dining with a modern interpretation.

glenarborblu.com 231.334.2530 5705 S Lake Street, Glen Arbor • D Vita Bella

Authentic Italian restaurant with wood-fired pizza, homemade Italian favorites and amazing Italian desserts.

vitabellakitchen.com 231.399.0035 320 Main Street, Frankfort • LD

walstrom.com | 75

76 | walstrom.com

walstrom.com | 77

previously owned

boats

For a complete list of our new and previously owned boats, please visit www.walstrom.com

54' 2016 Bracewell Custom 54 Motoryacht

47' 2015 Sea Ray 470 Sundancer

45' 1990 Carver Californian 4508

44' 2018 Tiara C 44 Coupe

44' 1981 Nordic Sailboat

41' 2014 Cruisers Yachts 41 Cantius

39' 2019 Tiara C 39 Coupe

39' 2017 Tiara C 39 Coupe

38' 1994 Sea Ray 380 Sun Sport

38' 1974 Hatteras Double Cabin

36' 2013 Tiara 3600 Coronet

36' 2012 Grady-White Canyon 366

35' 2018 Sea Ray 350 Sundancer Coupe

35' 2017 Scout 350 LXF

35' 2016 Boston Whaler 350 Outrage

35' 2002 Tiara 3500 Open

35' 1998 Tiara 3500 Express

33' 2012 Sea Ray 330 Sundancer

31' 2016 Formula 31 PC

31' 2007 Pursuit C 310

78 | walstrom.com

31' 2001 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer

30' 2019 Monterey 305 SS

30' 2007 Tiara 3000 Open

28' 2008 Chris-Craft Launch 28

27' 1996 Sea Ray 270 Sundancer

25' 2014 Zodiac N-ZO 760 NEO

25' 2009 Ranger Tug RC 25

25' 2001 Maxum 2500 SCR

25' 1995 Four Winns 258 Vista

24' 2006 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck

22' 2012 Boston Whaler 220 Outrage

22' 2006 Kayot V220

22' 2005 Grady-White Seafarer 228

22' 2005 Grady-White Seafarer 228

22' 1952 Chris-Craft Sportsman U-22

22' 1929 Chris-Craft Cadet

Call 231-526-2141 or scan the QR code for more information and our most up-to-date inventory.

walstrom.com | 79

Bay Harbor Waterfront

6494 Bay Ridge Drive, Bay Harbor With a perfect view of Lake Michigan’s turquoise blue waters from every room, this home offers endless ways to savor luxury and privacy. Nestled on approximately 1.25 acres of land for a timeless, organic feel and a most expansive view of Little Traverse Bay. The home’s distinctive exterior combines solid stone masonry, limestone and cedar shake.

This right-sized home of approximately 6,500 square feet offers the best views and the most privacy of any home in Bay Harbor. The Craftsman-designed interior features walnut woodwork accented with stone walls and fireplaces in a unique design-build project by Glennwood Custom Builders. Four luxury private bedroom suites, 4.5 baths and an open floor plan create convertible spaces for additional guests and entertaining. Homeowners and guests alike will look forward to the 500 bottle wine cellar and a cozy room appointed for elegant dinners. The lower level includes a Family Room with a generous 10’ beamed ceiling, a large screen TV with surround-sound, music and a great Bar with complete kitchen amenities for casual dining. Outdoor entertaining is easy with the grill integrated into the limestone chef’s counter and buffet. You’ll enjoy all the possibilities for alfresco dining to sunset cocktails on the bluestone Veranda and flagstone patios, while surrounded by a mature landscape with ledge stone walls and native plants. An infinity edge pool/ spa overlooks the 150 feet of tranquil Lake Michigan waterfront. Stone stairs accent a gentle slope to the rocky beach where you can enjoy coffee at sunrise, swimming and sunbathing during the day, and drinks and music at sunset. The opulence, comfort and unparalleled craftsmanship of this home are sure to create captivating memories for you, your family and friends for years to come. Offered mostly furnished. $7,299,000

Walloon Lake | Bay Harbor | Lake Charlevoix | Burt Lake | Mullett Lake | Petoskey | Harbor Springs

(231) 838-6700

THE #1 AGENT IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN IN 2020 WITH $137 MILLION SOLD!

PATLEAVY@KIDDLEAVY.COM

Bay Harbor Waterfront

This majestic lakefront estate with expansive waterfront views and direct access to 136' of Lake Michigan is one of the finest homes in Bay Harbor. Designed with intent, style and with every detail in mind, this home is being sold fully furnished. Enjoy the outdoor dining with a retractable awning and overlook panoramic water views from nearly every room in the home along with gorgeous sunsets from expansive stone patio that leads to the lake.

Additionally, there's a side deck with a spiral steel staircase adding further character to exterior. The home offers six bedrooms; all en-suites plus two half baths with wood plantation shutters and nearly 9,500 total sq. ft. Throughout the main level of this home you'll discover flawless Travertine tile and old world craftsmanship on the interior walls. The gathering room just off the kitchen features 19th century wood beams from New England. The exterior lake front features three levels of entertainment activity areas including lush lawn, sandy beach and stone shore area. Specially engineered three tier lakefront retaining wall system with sea wall and stone steps leading into the water. Additional features include high quality finishes: hand cast bronze hardware, handmade doors, custom railings, walnut floors, hand-fired tile floors and blue stone patio in the Master bedroom. Radiant floor heat in lower level, security system, two ice makers located in the kitchen and bar areas, a water leak monitor system, new TV/Audio Control 4 System throughout the home, four fireplaces, all hickory trophy room/den, Grabill cabinetry, Lutron lighting, Wolf appliances, elevator, heated garage and much, much more. Being known for the remarkable construction quality of the residence both inside and outside, this home is truly a special opportunity! $5,900,000 *According to the NMMLS by volume

5132 Coastal Ridge Court, Bay Harbor

TO VIEW MORE PROPERTIES VISIT WWW.PATLEAVY.COM

Bay Harbor Waterfront

7104 N. Preserve Drive, Bay Harbor 6 Bedrooms, 6 Bathrooms, 2 Half Baths 10,000 Sq. Ft. | 150’ of Waterfront $4,599,000

For more than 22 years, Pat Leavy has been helping families create memories in beautiful northern Michigan. With boundless energy, perseverance, and a great staff, Leavy has become the No. 1 agent in the state of Michigan, with more than $137 million in sales in 2020.

Leavy doesn’t just show houses; he introduces clients to the sandiest waterfront, the cottage on Walloon Lake with a storied history, his secret morel hunting ground, or his favorite bartender. He believes a home Up North is a lifestyle, not just a house. If your objective is to sell your property, Leavy has attained the leading position as the Realtor of choice for top properties in Petoskey, Bay Harbor, Walloon Lake, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, and Boyne City. Whether you’re looking for a home Up North or selling a property, begin your conversation with Pat Leavy, a true expert in northern Michigan real estate.

225’ on Walloon Lake

Lake Michigan Waterviews

4454 Cottage Grove, Petoskey

11649 Summerhill Way, Charlevoix

$2,659,000

$1,499,000

Nearly 5 acres with pristine sandy waterfront. Sunset views

3 bedrooms - 2 full baths, 2 half baths 3,616 Sq. Ft. - Three car garage

OWN YOUR @NAUTICSTARBOATS

ADVENTURE

WWW.NAUTICSTARBOATS.COM

BRENDA ANDREWS “Momma Bear”

By Ward Walstrom, Jr

B

BRENDA ANDREWS renda Andrews wore many November 17, 1972 hats, more than most of us.

April 16, 2021 She began her Walstrom career in our store, Propellers, and soon after became its accounting manager. Brenda started assisting Walstrom Marine with accounts payable and payroll, along with the accounting for Walstrom Dock and Dredge. Soon she became responsible for the employee health care plan, which led to her full-time position as human resources director. In this role, she was responsible for the administration of company policy across all employee related matters for all locations.

Along with her work duties, Brenda was the ‘Director of Fun’ for our team! She baked cookies and cakes, organized birthday lunches, special events, retirements, and open houses. Brenda organized the food for our annual tug ride with our in-house chefs. She had a lot of fun feeding us.

Everyone knew Brenda as our Momma Bear. She was always kind and gentle, keeping a watchful eye. But at any sign of trouble, she could go into full battle for her cubs.

In 2020, Brenda was the recipient of the Greg Krueger Scholarship Award through the Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation - one of the highest honored recipients.

Ward Walstrom recalls, “Brenda did it all. She was loyal, and took her job to heart. She was a beautiful person inside and out. She had a heart of gold, and was a 5 star All-American. She can’t be replaced; there will never be another Brenda, but she can still be our example to follow. Be your best, go back to school, keep improving your skill, always be kind and gentle to everyone and help them be their best.”

Tom Ervin says, “Brenda was quite a valued employee, and more than that, I considered her a very good friend. She was always there for our team. They trusted her, they looked to her for advice. And Brenda was always looking to better the organization and herself. Brenda came to me a few years ago and asked what type of training might benefit herself, our organization, and further her career with Walstrom Marine. We talked about accounting courses and came to realize the best thing was to work on an accounting degree. She was hesitant because it had been a long time since school and she didn’t think she was up for college-level courses but she was willing to take on the challenge. She fought and worked her way through it and was so proud. She’d get an A and come and tell me.

When she had a tough class and had some questions, I could help her and point her in the right direction. When she finally received her degree, she was so very proud of what she accomplished and so was I. I can’t think of a better friend or person in the organization than Brenda. Thank you, Brenda, for all you’ve done for us and me.”

GIVING BACK Supporting the Education of Future Industry Professionals

In 1986, MBIA created the Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation (RBIEF) with the mission: “Advancing opportunities for scholarships and training benefiting Michigan’s marine industry.”

This program specifically offers financial assistance through full or matching tuition and program funding for MBIA members, member’s employees, family, and students.

Our former employee, Brenda Andrews, received the 2020 Greg Krueger Scholarship Award through RBIEF–one of the highest honored recipients. Over the last 35 years, the RBIEF scholarship has awarded more than $391,000 to recipients.

“The MBIA’s mission is to advance, protect and promote the recreational boating industry in Michigan. In its efforts to advance the industry, MBIA is committed to supporting relevant education and training opportunities to those looking to pursue a career in the marine industry, and to those who are currently working in industry and want to further develop their skills.”

With the boating industry having such a large impact on Michigan’s economy, about $7.8 billion, the mission of this scholarship has a large bearing on not just individual careers.

The boating industry employs more than 58,000 people in Michigan alone. So as the industry grows and those who enjoy being on or near the water find their career path, the need for financial help will also increase.

Careers in the boating industry include but are not limited to: boat captain, technician, marine mechanic, dock worker, dock master, parts manager, sales representative, sales manager, boat detailing, fiberglass technician, gel coat specialist and yard crew.

Walstrom Marine has now created a RBIEF scholarship in Brenda’s memory, The Brenda Andrews Scholarship. To donate to this fund please follow the link at the QR Code on this page.

For additional information on who is eligible, how to apply and ways to donate please visit: MBIA.org/page/RBIEF

If you have additional questions, please contact: Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation (RBIEF) C/o Michigan Boating Industries Association 8625 Richardson Rd. Commerce Twp., MI 48390 734.261.0123 or boatmichigan@mbia.org

“Everyone knew Brenda as our momma bear.” walstrom.com | 83

Captain Kurt’s

B ATING TIPS When we think of a great day out on the water, we are typically thinking about cruising along with our family and friends on a beautiful Northern Michigan summer day. Anchoring out for lunch, swimming, fishing, water sports, or simply going out for a cruise are very rewarding activities.

Many boaters don’t have the condition of their fire extinguishers, smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors as a top priority, but they should all be periodically checked to make sure they are up to date and functioning properly.

CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY • Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless, odorless gas that is emitted in exhaust from combustion engines. Though a diesel can produce CO, it is mainly a concern with gasoline engines.

• CO gasses can get trapped under a swim platform, so it’s important to always shut the engine down if people are swimming or lounging in this area. These gases can also get sucked into the helm area of an open boat, so make sure the helm area has proper ventilation. Avoid operating with all of the canvas up as this can potentially trap CO at the helm.

• Your boat’s CO detectors are usually tied into the house batteries. If the boat’s batteries go low, the CO detectors will “chirp.”

• Typically, CO detectors have a seven-year life span, after which they will “chirp.” indicating they need replacement.

84 | walstrom.com

SMOKE ALARMS • Smoke alarms are typically powered by their own battery and not by the boat’s service batteries. This makes battery replacement more convenient.

• They can be tested with smoke detector tester aerosol spray. This can be found at your local hardware store.

• Smoke alarms should be mounted in each cabin on board.

FIRE SYSTEMS • An inboard or inboard/outboard powered boat will have a fixed fire system mounted in the engine room or engine compartment. These systems need to be inspected and recertified annually. They are designed to go off automatically when a set engine room temperature is exceeded, but will also have a manual back-up.

• Place portable fire extinguishers in locations where they would be easy to access in an emergency. Locations on board such as the galley, cockpit, and in each stateroom are great places to have them.

• Class ABC portable fire extinguishers are very versatile and can be used on common combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical fires.

FUEL SAVINGS! ¢

¢

¢

25 25 50 off

per gallon for DOCKING with us!

off

per gallon for STORING with us!

off

per gallon if you DOCK & STORE with us!

Walstrom Marine values its customers.

Fuel discounts are one of our ways of saying thanks!

DOCKLINES Docklines is a publication of Walstrom Marine, Inc.

Index of Advertisers Bay Harbor Lake Marina ���������������������������������������������� 16 Bay Harbor Yacht Club ������������������������������������������������ 24 Berkshire Hathaway ���������������������������������������������������� 56 Birchwood Construction ��������������������������������������������� 11 Birchwood Farms Golf & Country Club ������������������������ 6 Bulmann Dock & Lift ��������������������������������������������������� 86 Chris-Craft ������������������������������������������Inside Back Cover Cottage Company ��������������������������������������������������������� 62 Crest Pontoons ������������������������������������������������������������ 86 Exit Waterway Realty ��������������������������������������������������� 86 Frye Massage ��������������������������������������������������������������� 57

EMERGENCY Service Anytime No matter how hard you plan or how much maintenance you perform on your boat in the winter months, there is always the possibility that you will need emergency after hours support.

Garmin Marine ������������������������������������������������������������� 68 Global Marine Insurance ������������������������������ Back Cover Great Lakes Center for the Arts ����������������������������������18 Greenleaf Trust ������������������������������������������������������������ 30 Grey Gables ������������������������������������������������������������������ 22 Gurney’s Bottle Shop ��������������������������������������������������� 86 Kidd & Leavy ���������������������������������������������������������� 80-81

To provide this support and to give our customers peace of

McBride Remodeling ��������������������������������������������������� 86

mind, we’ve instituted an emergency after-hours call service.

Merill Lynch ������������������������������������������������������������������ 51

By calling our main number after hours, you will be directed

NauticStar Boats ���������������������������������������������������������� 82

to a local call service that will then notify one of our senior personnel of your situation. That Walstrom Marine team member will then call you directly to assess the situation and

North Country Aviation ������������������������������������������������ 63 Pursuit Boats ��������������������������������������Inside Front Cover

work to get your issue resolved as quickly as possible. In certain

Quiet Moose ���������������������������������������������������������������� 19

situations, such as life or death or fire, the call service will also

Qwest Pontoons ���������������������������������������������������������� 57

ask you to notify the proper authorities by calling 911. Calls

Rest Assured Property Management ���������������������������16

made after 10 pm that are non-life threatening will be returned first thing the following morning.

In the summer of 2021, we had a few instances where this service came in handy for our customers. The services

Sea Ray Boats ��������������������������������������������������������������� 40 Sears Architects ������������������������������������������������������������ 12 Stafford’s Hospitality ��������������������������������������������������� 57

were provided between our Harbor Springs and Cheboygan

The Store - Cheboygan ������������������������������������������������ 15

locations. In all instances, our team was able to follow up with

Tiara Yachts ������������������������������������������������������������ 44-45

a phone call and bring our customer’s vessels in for repairs. Just

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council ������������������������������47

as we had hoped, we are able to help our customers enjoy our short summers a little more by giving them this piece of mind.

Vernales/Salvatores ���������������������������������������������������� 50 walstrom.com | 85

For The Days That Matter Most

Northern Michigan's Premiere Dock and Lift Manufacturer

Bulmann Dock & Lift 175 Magnet Drive, Boyne City, MI 49712 www.bulmanndock.com 231.582.5020

"Walking on water since 1998"

MADE IN MICHIGAN SINCE 1957 CRESTPONTOONBOATS.COM

Give us a call!

For all of your real estate needs.

6301 M-68 HWY, STE E Indian River, MI 49749

(231) 238-2440 | www.exitwaterway.com

Better than the boat (almost) Craft a home you love as much as being on the water with McBride Remodeling’s award-winning home improvement and property management team.

We specialize in: • Outdoor Spaces • Guest Suites • Whole-Home Renovations

GURNEY’S • 215 E. Main Street • Harbor Springs, MI 49740 • 231.526.5472

• Kitchens and Bathrooms

• Property

Management

McBride Remodeling

231-348-2749 | McBrideRemodeling.com

INTRODUCING INTRODUCING THE THE CALYPSO CALYPSO 35 35

www.chriscraft.com www.chriscraft.com LAUNCH LAUNCH

|| LAUNCH LAUNCH GT GT ||

CATALINA CATALINA

||

CALYPSO CALYPSO

Boats Yachts Marine Business

Our Marine Insurance Specialists Have You Covered • Enhanced coverage options • Agreed Value coverage available • Custom-tailored policies

Call to compare today!

231.932.4070 800.748.0224 sales@globalmarineinsurance.com globalmarineinsurance.com

12935 West Bay Shore Drive, Suite 205 Traverse City, MI 49684