Boats that Built Us

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

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

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.

JAMES MESTDAGH

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 restored 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