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Great Lakes Boating magazine, serving all who cruise the great lakes and inland waterways. Where boaters get their news.
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Great Lakes Boating Study?
PORTRAIT OF PETOSKEYA-LURE-ING PLASTIC
June 2009
p56
MIGHTY MERIDIAN
Display until July 15, 2009
greatlakesboating.com
For all who cruise freshwater seas & inland waterways
Wheee!
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Nothing beats a weekend on the boat. ®
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NORTH POINT MARINA • 847.746.2845ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES701 North Point Drive • Winthrop Harbor, Illinois 60096Convenient ly located midway between Chicago and Milwaukee
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With unequaled amenities, the best kept secret on Lake Michiganhas affordable slip rates that include water, electricity, extensive television channel line-up, free pump-outs, dock lockers and carts, 24-hour security and much more... all with no taxes or surcharges.
Enjoy the luxury generous restricted parking and plentiful, clean and convenient privatebathhouses with showers and laundries - all within steps of your dock!
Wide fairways compliment a protected floating dock system with slips from 30 to 60feet and end-ties to accommodate mega-yachts.
A world-class vacation retreat where slipholders are catered to inthe atmosphere of a luxury resort. Activities abound and slipholders havea spirit of community with dock parties, regattas, cookouts and neighborly camaraderie.Complimentary shuttle bus and trolley service to nearby destinations.
Nestled in pristinenature preserves,slipholders can relax ina tranquil, serene marinawith a record of safety secondto none!
Compare our on-site amenities: yacht club, restaurant and bar, long sandy beachesfor swimming or strolling, hiking and biking trails, basketball/volleyball courts, playgrounds, picnicareas with grills, charter fishing fleet with full fishing amenities, complete boat maintenance andrepair, launch ramps, fuel and winter storage options.
A dreamdestination for boaters Located right into the heart of Québec City’s
historic and sightseeing area, the Port of Quebec Marina is an unforgettable destination.
Numerous festivals and events are held throughout the summer in this romantic and lively city.
415 slips with 30, 50 or 100 amps, wifi, pool, restaurant, BBQ, laundry room, fuel and diesel, sanitary pumping station, 24 hours security, 50t. travelift and launching ramp, dismasting crane, storage, parking, car rental, marine store and more.
www.marinaportquebec.ca
FOR INFORMATION OR RESERVATIONT 418.648.2233 F 418.648.5598 [email protected]
Look For the RED Boats of TowBoatU.S.
*Service provided during normal boating seasons. Details and exclusions can be found online at BoatUS.com/towing or by calling.
You have towing service for your car, shouldn’t you do the same for your boat?
The unfortunate fact is that at some point you just might need it. And with the average price of a tow around $600, spending a little now will save you the hassle and expense later.
For just a fraction of the cost of a tow, $135 for saltwater boaters and $53 for freshwater, you can purchase Unlimited towing and cover all your bases.
To join BoatU.S., call
800-888-4869 or visit BoatUS.com
On-the-water towing, soft ungroundings, jump starts & fuel delivery
Applies to all recreational boats you own, borrow or charter
24/7 dispatch and assistance
No claim made on your hull insurance
PU
BL
ISH
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04 GLB | May/June 09
F. Ned Dikmen
Karen Malonis
Ted McDermott
William D. AndersonJoseph S. GulottiJennifer McKay
Justin HoffmanMila Ryk
Justin Hoffman
Publisher & Editor in Chief
Managing Editor
Assistant Editor
Contributing Writers
Graphic Design
Web Design
GREAT LAKES BOATING® Magazine (ISSN 1937-7274) ©2009 is a registered trademark (73519-331) of Chicago Boating Publications, Inc., its publisher 1032 N. LaSalle Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60610.
For editorial inquiries, contact Great Lakes Boating
Magazine at 1032 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL 60610. p 312.266.8400 or e [email protected]
Online subscription rates are $18/year, $30/two years or $36/three years and are available at greatlakesboating.com. Great Lakes Boating Magazine is available at any of the distribution centers and newsstands in areas surrounding the Great Lakes. Postmaster should forward all undelivered issues to Great Lakes Boating
Magazine, 1032 N. LaSalle Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60610.
All manuscripts should be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Great Lakes Boating
Magazine is not responsible and will not be liable for non-solicited manuscripts, including photographs. Great Lakes Boating Magazine does not assume liability or ensure accuracy of the content contained in its articles, editorials, new product releases and advertising. Inquiries may be directed to the authors through the editorial offi ce. Products, services and advertisements appearing in Great Lakes Boating
Magazine do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of their safety by Great Lakes Boating
Magazine. Material in the publication may not be reproduced in any form without written consent of the Great Lakes Boating Magazine editorial and executive staff. Past copies may be purchased by sending a written request to the offi ces of Great Lakes Boating
Magazine. For reprints contact: FosteReprints, p 800.382.0808 or f 219.879.8366.
READERS!GREAT LAKES BOATING MAGAZINE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE
ONLINE
Advertising | Sales Inquiries p 312.266.8400 • f 312.266.8470e [email protected]
Michigan | Ohio M2Media CompanyMark Moyer • p 248.840.0749e [email protected]
Come all to the new boating season,
where you’ll find wonderful weather
for the next six months. That is just
enough time to enjoy all the boating
you can handle. The winter around the
Great Lakes has been reflective of the
economy. According to the Old Farmer’s
Almanac 2009, we’re in for a beautiful
summer. So can the economy keep
pace with the weather?
Everyone knows there has been a blip in
the boating world: fewer visitors to boat
shows and fewer boats in the marinas.
That should turn around. Gas prices are
way down this year, almost half of what
they were last year. No one will have
to sit in the marina and pretend they’re
enjoying their permanently moored
boat. They can take it out on the water
to the places they’ve been dreaming of.
What is needed this summer to help
revive the economy is boaters on boats.
You will be hard-pressed to find a more
economical way to experience boating.
In Chicago, a slip can be rented for
$300 to $500 per month for a 30- to 35-
foot boat. Compare that to the million
dollar condos listed by realtors.
Is there a cheaper way to bond with
your children? Can you find an easier
way to make weekend getaways to
faraway destinations? Boating provides
you with the ability to make your family
closer and stronger. We’re reminding
you that enjoying life is important. And
we’re saying boating is the best cure for
your anything-bad blues.
I have always believed that the perfect
boat blends cruisability and livability.
We are taking a look at three sedans
from Meridian Yachts that provide
cruising comfort and amenities
while addressing the need for solid
performance, smooth handling and
functional design. One of those
distinctly American sedans featured
in this issue may prompt you to get
out and join others on a cruise to a
neighboring port or beyond.
This issue also includes a personal
account of a letter in a bottle. Renew
your hope in the future with this
wonderful tale of a bottle tossed
overboard, which was found several
years later.
Also in this issue we’ll take you to
see the best of Petoskey, Michigan.
It’s a wonderful place to visit and get
Petoskey stones, which are fossilized
coral stones found in the bay. Our
fishing feature on plastic worms, tube
baits and rigging styles urges anglers
to experiment with these lures. We
also did what you could not: asked the
tough questions about the “Great Lakes
Boating Study.” You’ll be surprised by
the answers we got.
It’s been several months since you’ve
been able to relax on the water with our
magazine. We hope you’re doing just
that right now. If not, take your boat out
this weekend.
Why wait to pick up the magazine
when you could read it sooner on your computer for FREE
GREATLAKESBOATING.COM/REGISTER
SIGN UP NOW AT
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Power that’s responsive to the throttle. Reduced fuel consumption. Historically lower
maintenance. You’ll find all this and more in any Honda four-stroke. Engines so good they’re
backed by the best standard warranty in the business. You owe it to yourself to check out
hondamarine.com or call 800.426.7701 for a free brochure. See your Honda Marine
Dealer for attractive financing available through American Honda Finance Corporation.
© 2008 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a personal flotation device while boating and read your owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels.
World Cat 230SF/Honda BF150s
TA
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06 GLB | May/June 09
DEPARTMENTS
14FEATURES
IN THE NEWSIN THE NEWS
• GREAT LAKES 30• FISHING 32• YACHT CLUBS 34• MARINAS 36• CRUISING 38• NATIONAL 40• SAILING 42
DEPARTMENTS
• PUBLISHER’S NOTE 04• LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 07• EDITORIALS 08• NEW BOATS 44• NEW PRODUCTS 46• BOAT CARE AND FEEDING 48• BOATKEEPER 50• MARINE MART 54• EVENTS CALENDAR 55• ADVERTISERS INDEX 56
2618
22
Meridian 341 SedanMeridian’s commitment to the concepts of cruisability, livability and functionality are evident in the 341 Sedan. The salon offers living-room-style seating that provides a home-like environment. Its two-tier integrated window system bathe the yacht’s interior with natural light, from salon and galley to staterooms and heads.
The galley is the heart of the yacht, just as the kitchen is to a home, so Meridian has integrated the galley into the salon while maintaining its distinct functional space with state-of-the-art appliances, generous storage and plenty of countertop space. Other cruiser-friendly amenities include fully equipped entertainment centers with LCD televisions, CD/DVD players and stereo systems, with Sirius® and KVH TracVision satellite systems available.
The two staterooms allow families and couples to cruise together while enjoying privacy, comfort and convenience. Thre’s plenty of room so that all aboard may enjoy time together and apart.
Its exclusive Total Command® system integrates bow- and stern-thruster operation and throttle control in a single, user-friendly joystick.
The 341 offers underwater exhaust; the most reliable, best-performing power systems available; and sophisticated fabrics packages that enhance the yacht’s inviting atmosphere.
Experience for yourself why Meridian Yachts is the best-selling brand of bridge
boats in America.*
Meridian Boats1st Tennessee Plaza800 Gay StreetSuite 1300Knoxville, TN 37929(865) 971-6313
meridian-yachts.com
* According to Statistical Surveys Incorporated
35’10” 12’6” 3’4”250 gals
LOA:
BEAM:
DRAFT:
FUEL CAPACITY:
OTC
SPOTLIGHTSSPOTLIGHT
• LETTER IN A BOTTLE 22
FEATURES
• MERIDIAN YACHTS 10• Port of Call: PETOSKEY 14• BOATING STUDY? 18• PLASTIC LURES 26
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greatlakesboating.com | 07
Taste of the Great Lakes BenefitOn behalf of the Alliance for the
Great Lakes, I would like to thank
you for your advertising contribution
in support of the 2009 Taste of the
Great Lakes benefi t that will be held
on June 11.
The funds raised from this event
will support the critical work of the
Alliance, which works to ensure
a healthy Great Lakes for all
generations by educating citizens of
all ages about lake issues, restoring
fi sh and wildlife habitats, preserving
water quality and keeping the
beaches clean.
Cameron Davis
President
Alliance for the Great Lakes
Chicago, Illinois
SOS from U.S. Brig NiagaraThe Flagship Niagara's sailing
program is in danger of being shut
down. The Pennsylvania Historical
and Museum Commission (PHMC)
is considering cutting funding for
the ship's sailing program, which
is guaranteed to diminish the
ship’s volunteer program. Niagara
volunteers donate more than $100,000
worth of volunteer maintenance
services to the ship each year.
If the ship stops sailing, the
volunteers will stop volunteering. The
ship has represented Pennsylvania
and Erie and retold its famous history
to more than 650,000 people since
1992. Her sailing program has grown
at a rate of 25 percent per year since
the ship became a Sailing School
Vessel in 2005. The program is now
almost completely self-suffi cient. If
the PHMC will agree to maintain the
ship, the Flagship Niagara League
(FNL), which is the 501 c3 non-profi t
organization that is chartered to
support the ship, can maintain the
sailing program through earned
income alone. This drive for support
will ensure that the earned income is
supported by local contributions that
will guarantee the survival of the ship.
The goal is to raise $200,000 by
September 14 of 2009.
An individual membership for the
Flagship Niagara League is only
$25. Visit brigniagara.org to join and
petitiononline.com/10Sep13/petition.
html to sign a petition that will be
sent to the Pennsylvania Historical
and Museum Commission.
The Commission has agreed to allow
the ship to keep sailing if the FNL can
generate more support for the ship
and the ship’s sailing program.
Visit causes.com/FlagshipNiagara
for updates.
Claudia Bankert
Chagrin Fall, Ohio
From the Finger LakesThe purpose of this note is
to compliment you on your
fi ne publication.
We are a small on-the-water marina/
boat dealership with a keen interest
in continually being updated on new
products and the industry. We also
have some local boatbuilding history
with the old Penn Yan boatbuilding
facility literally in our backyard.
My staff and I are very excited to have
exposure to the well-researched,
thorough and detailed information in
your magazine.
John Flick
Morgan Marine
Penn Yan, New York
Fight Against Increased EthanolOn March 6, 2009, a new
pro-ethanol lobbying organization
called Growth Energy and 54 ethanol
manufacturers formally requested that
the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) increase ethanol blend levels
in gasoline up to 15 percent (E15). As
is required by law, EPA on April 21
published a Notice for Comment in the
Federal Register, beginning a 30-day
public comment period.
There are 18 million boats currently
in operation in the U.S., and none of
them has been designed, certifi ed
or warrantied to run on anything
above E10, the current maximum
legal blend level.
The National Marine Manufacturers
Association has set up a website
(capwiz.com/nmma/issues/alert/?ale
rtid=13199386&PROCESS=Take+A
ction) where you can easily send an
email to the EPA and request it deny
the increase.
Ethanol advocates are mobilizing their
forces to submit 20,000 favorable
comments about E15, so log on to
capwiz.com/nmma/issues/alert/?aler
tid=13199386&PROCESS=Take+Act
ion, scroll down the page and submit
your thoughts BEFORE MAY 21!
Boaters know very well that increased
ethanol blends will cause performance
problems with their boats and
engines, increase maintenance costs,
potentially pose safety risks and
increase air pollution. E15 will also
void manufacturer warranties.
Lake Erie Marine Trades Association
Westlake, Ohio
Send a letter to the editor, and tell us
what you think. [email protected]
08 GLB | May/June 09
ED
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BOATING STIMULATEDGreat Lakes Boating Federation hails the grants recently awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program. Th is is a small step in the right direction, but there is a lot to be done.
More than $12.5 million has been granted to 11 states for 14 boating infrastructure projects. An additional $3 million will be released at a later date to 40 states willing to match smaller, non-competitive grants.
Not only is it about time the region receives funding to improve the boating infrastructure, but it makes sense since funding for the BIG program comes from boaters themselves, who support it through excise taxes on certain equipment and boating fuels.
Th e grants prove the government believes in the benefi ts of boating, but more needs to be done. Th ere are harbors to be dredged and a new study needs to be completed to show the real strength of boating.
Recreational boating suff ers from many years of neglect. Th e U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) refuses to dredge recreational harbors while endlessly dredging commercial harbors, despite the fact that recreational boaters generate four times as much regional economic impact.
Consider the USACE spent approximately $34.5 million last year to dredge harbors in the Buff alo, Chicago and Detroit
districts combined. Commercial shipping is drying out but the dredging continues, while recreational boat harbors suff er. One report suggests that Great Lakes recreational harbors could be dredged for a mere $5 million per year. Let’s do the math: $34.5 million to produce $4 billion in commercial economic impact, or $5 million to produce $16 billion in recreational impact. Th e numbers speak for themselves.
Because boating is one of our country’s favorite pastimes, the Great Lakes Boating Federation believes the government should also reconsider their dredging policies. Recreational boating has been making millions of people happier, improving local economies and creating stronger families for decades while the USACE has been spending its time and money on big business. It is time to change.
Recreational boating needs a study to provide accurate numbers on today’s economic impact. It seems litt le to ask Congress to spend $0.5 million to $1 million to conduct a proper study of the recreational boating economic impact on the Great Lakes. Th e recently released study was supported by data more than fi ve years old (some of which was changed between draft s) and used only one-tenth of the funding it was allocated. It is likely the fi ndings will prove recreational boaters have an even larger impact than we believe today.
It’s time; we deserve our day in the sun.
HELP GREAT LAKES BOATING BETT ER SERVE YOUGreat Lakes Boating is working to keep the magazine available with strong content while att empting to stay healthy. You can help us through our time of adaptation.
Rather than only fi nding us in print, you can also fi nd us online. Perhaps you get your copy at a local marina or yacht club. But why wait for the issue to be printed and delivered? You can go to our website and read a virtual version of our print magazine. You can also read updated stories each week as we release the stories in a traditional web format, sometimes including extra features with the story.
Th e transition from print to web can be daunting. It is certainly a challenge for us at the magazine. We are continually thinking of ways we can give you more in this new format. Our aim is to provide you instantly with an even more interactive and even more useful experience with our magazine. We want to make sure you continue to get what you’ve come to love: the writing style and subject matt er. We do want to enrich your experience in ways the print cannot: links between related stories,
searchability and instantaneous availability. Also, the digital format will allow us to bring you more photographs and more of the stories you like best.
In adapting with us, you’ll prove how strong Great Lakes boaters’ environmental stewardship is. We’ll be using fewer trees by not printing the magazine, and we’ll be saving other natural resources that would be used in the production and shipping of our magazine. All this at no cost to you.
What we’re asking for right now, is for you to register with your email to gain access to the virtual magazine. You’ll fi nd it is just as wonderful. And we promise you more changes to improve your Great Lakes Boating experience.
greatlakesboating.com/register
Ag ree? Disag ree? Want to Comment?
Sha re you r t houg ht s on t he redesig nedg reat la ke sboat i ng.com
greatlakesboating.com | 09
Th e future of the real boat shows we have come to know for decades is about to change and transform into the virtual: the Online Virtual Boat Show. Why wait for a boat show to come to your area that will cost you money to att end and only showcase a few boat lines. Instead you could visit our own show on your computer at any time that’s convenient for you.
In the next few weeks you will have access to view our Virtual Boat Show, presented by the Great Lakes Boating Federation. Th e virtual showcase is where visitors can learn about new vessels from more than 100 manufacturers. On this community web site you can also learn how to att ain premium boating accessories and services at reduced rates.
You can search or browse. You can also learn about other topics related to owning a boat, such as insurance and lending. When you fi nd your new boat, the site will help you fi nd a nearby dealer. greatlakesboatingfederation.com/abs
A ROAD FLOTILLA – TRY IT!Guest editorial by Van W. Snider, Jr., CAEPresident, Michigan Boating Industries Association
In my previous position I managed the Marine Industries Association of South Florida in Fort Lauderdale. I had the opportunity to work with the Bahamas Tourism Offi ce on what was called “Bahamas Boating Flings.”
Boating Flings are the Bahamian equivalent of a road trip, but instead of cars, folks use boats. A lead boat and captain leads the way for a fl otilla of pleasure craft on a journey from Florida across the Gulf Stream to beautiful Bahamian islands. Aft er the simple crossing, everyone can relax on white powder beaches or enjoy an itinerary fi lled with exciting activities and still have enough time to snorkel, scuba dive and fi sh. Flings start on Wednesday and end on Sunday during the summer from June through August.
Th e Association provided the lead boat with captain and also coordinated the voyage across the Gulf Stream, while the Bahamas Tourism Offi ce coordinated activities in port and on the island. Someone, of course, had to make the trip representing the Association so, only out of the goodness of my heart, I volunteered and sacrifi ced the time. And yes, I tried not to miss one.
Let me be candid. Th e Association got involved because we knew many boaters had no experience cruising to the Bahamas and by gett ing them to experience a boating fl ing, they would want to do it again. Hopefully, this would convince them to purchase a larger boat to take advantage of the cruising opportunities available in the region.
So why do I want to tell the Bahamas Boating Fling story? I am convinced a large number of boaters are not experiencing the variety of boating opportunities available to them.
With the start of the boating season, I suggest boaters plan their boating season with the intent of experiencing other boating destinations and experiences. Marinas, boat dealers,
boat manufacturers, boat clubs and yacht clubs oft en schedule rendezvous to diff erence marinas or ports of call. Many manufacturers work together with their dealer representatives and plan wonderful cruises to fun destinations. Make a few calls or check out the web for potential boat trips to take advantage of these opportunities.
I have always wondered why rendezvous are directed to only larger boats that have accommodations for living aboard. Why don’t dealers, who represent trailerable boat lines, also off er destination trips for a group of trailerable boat owners (their customers) and do a road fl otilla to a far away and new boating destination?
Another option is to get eight or 10 boat owners together, plan a road trip trailering their boats to a specifi c location for a two- or three-day boat outing, and meet at one central location to start the trip together on the highway. Coordinate motel or hotel reservations at your destination and parking for boats with boat trailers. Each day everyone launches for a full day of boating activities in that location, experiencing a new location and fun things to do. It may be possible to arrange for dockage at a harbor or commercial marina in the area so each of you don’t have to launch and retrieve every day. Your road fl otilla might consist of personal watercraft and jet boat owners, ski boat owners, fi shermen and women, day-sailors, run-abouts, or a mix. In Michigan you’ll have a hard time deciding on a destination because Michigan has so many to choose from.
When you hear rendezvous or fl otilla cruise, you’re not excluded just because you don’t have a 42-footer. Pick your boating destination and coordinate with friends for a road fl otilla to a new boating experience.
Try it; I think you’ll enjoy visiting other fresh-water Michigan boating opportunities and creating fond memories.
BOAT SHOWS GOING VIRTUAL
meridian-yachts.com
341 Sedan
This big cruising yacht in an effi cient midsize package boasts
a sleek profi le and nimble performance.
The salon offers living-room-style seating with an L-shaped
lounge with double incliners, and its two-tier integrated
window system provides unbroken views of the horizon. The
salon space includes a bottle-storage cabinet, an adjustable-
height dining table and an entertainment center with 20-inch
LCD TV, AM/FM radio, CD/DVD player, Sirius® satellite radio,
four speakers and salon and bridge remote control.
The galley has been designed to be part of the salon living
space and features solid cherry-wood cabinetry, an AC/DC
refrigerator/freezer, a recessed electric glass cooktop with
two burners and cover, a microwave, custom countertops
and mahogany fl ooring.
The two-stateroom fl oor plan easily accommodates
families or a second cruising couple. The forward master
accommodations feature cherry wood, a large double berth
with pillowtop mattress, two illuminated hanging lockers,
reading lights and ample storage.
The guest stateroom features cherry wood with gloss fi nish,
a double berth with pillowtop mattress, hanging locker and
access to additional below-deck storage.
The head features a cherry-wood vanity cabinet, separate stall
shower and full-standing headroom.
The fl ybridge and bridge helm station incorporate an
adjustable captain’s chair, L-shaped lounge seating, Bimini
top, tilt steering, fl ush-mounted compass, VHF and depth
sounder. Instrumentation also includes Meridian’s D.O.C.®
(Docking On Command®) system, which integrates bow- and
stern-thruster operation from a single, user-friendly control.
For additional cruising safety and convenience, the
fl ybridge has a companionway hatch and wide molded-in
stairs to the cockpit.
A two-year manufacturer’s Express Limited Warranty on all
systems and components not covered by other warranties
is offered on all Meridians. Meridian also offers fi ve years of
blister protection and 10 years of hull and deck protection on
all its models.
Overall LengthBeamDraft
Fuel CapacityWater Capacity
35’10”
12’6”
3’4”
250 gals.
90 gals.
The 391 Sedan seamlessly blends performance and styling
with cruisability.
The cherry-wood salon, with its 360-degree views, incorporates
a leather double incliner, adjustable telescoping solid-cherry
table, raised dining area and an entertainment center with 20-
inch LCD TV, AM/FM radio, CD/DVD player, Sirius® satellite
radio, four speakers and salon and bridge remote.
Integrated into this living space is a galley, which features
solid-cherry construction, mahogany fl ooring, double sink,
AC/DC refrigerator/freezer, two-burner electric glass cooktop,
convection oven/microwave, custom countertops and a
lighted corner cabinet with carousel. A full lower helm station
is also available.
There are two large staterooms and separate shower and head
compartments. Located forward, the master accommodations
provide an island double berth with pillowtop mattress, custom
countertops, two hanging lockers and reading lights. The guest
accommodations, located amidships, feature an island double
berth with pillowtop mattress, hanging locker with light, courtesy
reading lights, stand-up dressing area and plenty of storage.
To port is a head and a separate shower compartment across
the companionway to starboard. The head has a mirrored
medicine cabinet and a cherry vanity cabinet with molded sink
and storage underneath.
On the fl ybridge deck, there’s an adjustable captain’s chair
with fl ip-up bolster, L-shaped lounge seating, Bimini top,
wood-grain dash panel, fl ush-mounted compass, VHF and
depth sounder, and Meridian’s Total Command® system, which
integrates bow- and stern-thruster operation and throttle
control in a single joystick.
Other touches include the fl ybridge overhang, which ensures
additional topside room; a stairway hatch in the cockpit
and hinged, molded-in steps that provide stand-up access
to the engine room; and generator access hatches that
accommodate routine service.
The fl ybridge has a companionway hatch and wide molded-
in stairs to the cockpit. Like the rest of the 2009 Meridian
fl eet, the 391 offers standard underwater exhaust; the best-
performing power systems available; and sophisticated
fabrics packages.
391 Sedan
Overall LengthBeamDraft
Fuel CapacityWater Capacity
40’11”
13’11”
2’9”
350 gals.
125 gals.
The 441 Sedan Bridge is a natural evolution of Meridian’s
popular 411 Sedan.
Sporting a new hull, deck, bridge and shearline, the 441 has
more aggressive profi le lines than its predecessor.
The full-beam salon incorporates opposing seating, creating
a living-room-style environment for entertaining or relaxing.
It also boasts a dry bar, new ceiling detail with Ultra-Flow
comfort air system and a deluxe home theater system.
The wide-open fl oor plan creates unbroken lines of sight
between the salon, the yacht’s dedicated dinette and the
full-service galley, which includes a full-size, dual-voltage
refrigerator/freezer, three-burner cooktop and built-in
convection microwave. The integrated two-tier window system
ensures improved visibility from all these interior areas.
Its two-stateroom, two-head layout provides a gracious
master suite, located forward, with a queen-size island berth,
innerspring pillowtop mattress, two cedar-lined hanging
lockers, reading lights, TV/DVD entertainment system and
private en-suite head facilities. The amidship guest stateroom,
which spans the yacht’s 14-foot, 2-inch beam, features a
double berth, full-size hanging locker, vanity and settee, TV/
DVD and plenty of storage.
On the bridge deck is a standard wet bar, a multiple-use
table and a sun lounge that can be easily stowed beneath the
bridge deck’s L-shaped seating.
The ergonomically designed helm accommodates two 12-inch
monitors, two 4-in-1 gauges and two 5-inch tachometers. It
also provides convenient hinged access for servicing. Other
touches include a bridge-to-cockpit companionway hatch,
wide molded-in steps to the cockpit, stand-up access to the
engine room from the cockpit, electrical panels located at eye
level and standard underwater exhaust.
The 441 offers standard 5.91 380-horsepower Cummins QSB
V-Drives, while T 425-horsepower and T 480-horsepower
Cummins QSB V-Drives are available.
The Total Command™ Integrated Vessel Control System
is a low-speed, close-quarters operation system that fully
integrates control of the yacht’s thrusters, transmissions and
engines with a single joystick. It also provides for independent
actuation of bow and stern thrusters via a switch pad.
441 Sedan Bridge
Overall LengthBeamDraft
Fuel CapacityWater Capacity
47’2”
14’3”
3’1”
432 gals.
150 gals.
Boatel Storage System by:
Golden Giant, Inc. www.goldengiantmarina.com 1.800.828.1209
14 GLB | May/June 09
Overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay on the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, you’ll find Petoskey, a quaint resort community with unmatched beauty and charm. This Great Lakes playground is a four-season destination, luring thousands of visitors to Little Traverse Bay every year.
By Jennifer McKay
Quaint
greatlakesboating.com | 15
It is where “light
shines through
the clouds” in the
language of its original
inhabitants, the Odawa.
Living between Harbor
Springs and Cross Village,
they once represented the largest concentration of
natives in Michigan. The region’s splendor attracted
settlers and resorters, including the United
Methodist Church, who in 1875 founded Bay View.
As many as seven generations of original members
maintain these Victorian-era cottages at the
colony, and the Bay View Association has earned a
designation as a National Historic Landmark. The
family of American literary icon Ernest Hemingway
was also among early vacationers. Hemingway
spent his youthful summers exploring woods and
waters and later used those experiences in his Nick
Adams stories.
Among the attractions are the historic Gaslight
District in downtown Petoskey, home to art
galleries, restaurants, cafes, taverns and shops.
Petoskey offers one-of-a-kind shops with
handmade jewelry, natural foods, rustic furnishings,
a wide array of apparel, antiques, locally-produced
art, literature, some of the finest confections and
jams, restaurants and coffee shops.
A short walk away is Bayfront Park, where a historic
train station has been converted into the Little
Traverse Historical Society Museum. Bayfront
Park is also the setting for the Festival on the Bay,
the biggest event of the year, held every August.
Among the multitude of activities, music lovers
can enjoy an extensive slate of live performances,
children can play at the Children’s Area, and
everyone can watch the street performances during
the Sunset on the Bay.
PetoskeyAt the heart of Bayfront Park is the City’s 100-slip
marina offering all the amenities a boater could
want. Other marinas found along Little Traverse
Bay include Bay Harbor Lake Marina at Bay
Harbor; Walstrom Marine, Irish Boat Shop and
the Harbor Springs Municipal Marina in Harbor
Springs. Of special note, all of these marinas
in Little Traverse Bay are designated as Clean
Marinas. Having all of the marinas on the Bay
receive the designation shows that these marinas
understand that good stewardship of our water
resources directly impacts not only the economic
vitality of these Northern Michigan communities,
but the future of recreational boating as well.
There are also plenty of marinas on the numerous
inland lakes in Northern Michigan. On special
interest is the Inland Waterway. The 38-mile
waterway has been called “one of the most
beautiful small boat trips in the country.” It begins
in Crooked Lake, connects via Crooked River with
Burt Lake to Indian River, then to Mullet Lake.
Finally, it connects to the Cheboygan River out to
Lake Huron. Whether you prefer the serene inland
waters, the sparkling bay or the open waters of the
Great Lakes, the Petoskey area offers boating at
its best. And for those who can’t bring their own
boat, rental options are always available.
Recreation and natural resources go hand-in-
hand in the Little Traverse Bay area. The “Up
North” outdoors provides some of the finest
recreational opportunities known. In addition to
boating, summers are full of golfing, picnicking,
Frisbee golf, waterskiing, camping, fishing and
more. The Little Traverse Wheelway, a 26-mile
paved multi-purpose trail, provides a scenic and
safe route for walking, inline skating and biking.
From the northern expanse of Wilderness State
Park and Petoskey State Park to smaller gathering
16 GLB | May/June 09
places such as Magnus Park and Bear River Park,
wide open beaches and fishing spots are easy to find
and enjoy. Or you could just spend time at the shore
and enjoy the summer breezes that skim across the
bay. You may come across a Petoskey stone; this
unique, 350-million-year-old fossilized coral and the
state stone of Michigan can be found scattered along
beaches throughout the area. Whenever you visit,
don’t miss the Petoskey sunset. Coined the “million
dollar sunset,” it is guaranteed to be one of the most
breathtaking, magnificent sunsets on earth.
After a day of fun on the water, there is still plenty of
entertainment when the sun goes down. Whether you
are looking for an old-fashioned pub atmosphere,
lacing up your dancing shoes to local bands, a casual
night out with great fare or gaming at a world class
casino with nearly 1,500 slots, dozens of table games
and a poker room—from trendy to traditional, the
entertainment options are endless.
Directly across the bay from Petoskey lies another
distinct and picturesque community, Harbor Springs.
Harbor Springs was founded about a century ago with
clear water and a harbor for boating fun; the same
still holds true today. The natural harbor of Harbor
Springs and the fantastic waters of Little Traverse Bay
and Lake Michigan combine for spectacular sailing.
On the waterfront of Harbor Springs is the Little
Traverse Yacht Club that hosts its annual regatta
each July, af fectionately known as Ugotta Regatta,
which also included in the Rolex U.S. IRC National
Championships in 2008.
Just west of Petoskey is Bay Harbor. Situated on
five miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Bay Harbor
encompasses a world-class hotel, conference center,
equestrian facility, golf course and marina. The
deep water harbor accommodates yachts from small
runabouts to vessels up to 200 feet in length with
luxurious amenities and a private yacht club. Bay
greatlakesboating.com | 17
Harbor offers a nautical lifestyle with a variety of
annual events including an In-Water Boat Show and
Vintage Car and Boat Festival.
A lit tle farther south is Charlevoix. Its setting in
the midst of Lake Michigan, Lake Charlevoix and
Round Lake provides a magical appeal that has
attracted guests for more than 100 years. A working
drawbridge raises and lowers to let the boats
through to a great harbor and a lot of yachts make
use of it. Charlevoix is also the departure point
for the ferry that runs to Beaver Island, 35 miles
northwest in Lake Michigan.
Approximately 60 miles from Petoskey is the famous
Mackinac Island. Limited to transportation of horse
and buggy, bicycle or foot, it has escaped the vast
changes of time. Whether you make a day trip or
dock for a few nights, you can step back in time and
explore the historic Fort Mackinac, enjoy the hustle
and bustle of the downtown, try the dif ferent varieties
of homemade fudge or relax at the Grand Hotel,
famous for the movie “Somewhere in Time.”
Just as each snowflake is unique in design, the
character of Little Traverse Bay in Northern Michigan
is unparalleled. People come to the area to soak in
the rich views, breathe the clean air, eat at world-
class restaurants and shop in the specialty shops
and boutiques of the historic downtowns. Each
hometown features the gorgeous beaches, the many
warm-weather festivals, the fine food and local
wine, the spectacular golf courses and, best of all,
the unsurpassed freshwater boating and fishing. It
is definitely worth it to make the trip “Up North.” It
is so special, Ernest Hemingway referred to it as a
“priceless place.”
Marinas in Little Traverse Bay, Michigan:
City of Petoskey Marina
Bayfront Drive, Petoskey, MI 49770(231) 347-6691ci.petoskey.mi.us Reservations:(800) 447-2757midnrreservations.com
Bay Harbor Lake Marina
Front Street, Bay Harbor, MI (231) 439-2544bayharbor.com/lakemarina
Harbor Springs Municipal Marina 250 East Bay StreetHarbor Springs, MI 49740(231) 526-5355
Walstrom Marine
Harbor Springs
105 W. Bay StreetHarbor Springs, MI 49740(231) 526-2141walstrom.com
Irish Boat Shop, Harbor Springs
400 E. Bay StreetP O Box 259Harbor Springs, MI 49740(231) 526-6225Toll Free (888) 578-2628 (BOAT)irishboatshop.com
For a full list of marinas and harbors, including information on boat rental options, contact the Petoskey Area Visitor’s Bureau. The Visitors Bureau will also be able to provide you with complete information on things to do and places to stay.
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau401 East Mitchell StreetPetoskey, MI 49770(231) 348-2755 or (800) 845-2828petoskeyarea.com
All photos courtesy of
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
18 GLB | May/June 09
By Ted McDermott
BOATING
It may seem irrelevant to you,
a matter better left to policy makers and
activists, but a recently released study of recreational
boating on the Great Lakes could have a large and direct impact on the
basic, everyday way that you boat.
©H
arris Shiffm
an/123RF
Great
greatlakesboating.com | 19
DD oes your home harbor need dredging? Are
your cruising grounds polluted? Are local fi sh
populations declining? Is the price of a new
vessel out of reach due to taxes?
Are the docks at your local marina deteriorating?
If your answer to any of these questions is “yes,”
or if you feel in general that your interests as
a boater are being ignored in favor of those of
commercial shipping and environmentalists,
then the “Great Lakes Recreational Boating
Main Report,” as it is offi cially called, is of grave
importance. Its fi ndings could decide the fate of
our pastime.
So what did the report, which was released at the end of last
year, fi nd? In short, it concluded that an “average of 911,000
boaters visit the Great Lakes annually” and that they support
60,000 jobs and have an estimated annual economic impact
of $9.4 billion. Upon fi rst glance, that seems like a lot. But
when one compares these fi gures to those released on July
11, 2007 by the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) as part of
a “summary report,” the offi cial data makes boating look
relatively minor.
The summary report found that “the 4.3 million
recreational boaters registered in the eight
Great Lakes states generate nearly $16 billion in
spending on boats and boating activities
in a single year” and that this “spending
directly supports 107,000 jobs.”
So, what accounts for the huge
discrepancy? What changed so signifi cantly
and quickly to account for a loss of
approximately 3.4 million boaters, 47,000
jobs and more than $6 billion?
According to Terry Long of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (ACE), “As the project goes through different
levels of review, we had comments that came out of that
review and so we made adjustments based on those
comments and that differed obviously from what
the GLC had.”
The changes, says Long, resulted not from new data but
from how the region was defi ned.
“Are you looking at the entire state border to border, or
are you looking at the region along the lake? That’s where
BOATING STUDY?STUDY?Great LakesLakes
20 GLB | May/June 09
the discrepancy came. We said, ‘The guy on the west side
of [Wisconsin] isn’t going to drive across the state to put his
boat in on Lake Michigan.’ It became a question of how the
basin or the state was defi ned. . . . Rather than account for
the entire state, only the watershed area would count.”
So whereas the GLC draft report used data sets that included
the Mississippi River, Long Island Sound, interior lakes and
other bodies of water beyond the Great Lakes, the ACE
counted only the use of Great Lakes shallow draft harbors.
Despite this explanation, some are questioning the validity
of the study, which has traveled a long and rocky road on its
way to fi nal completion. It was commissioned 10 years ago,
as part of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of
1999, which authorized the “Great Lakes Boating Study” and
mandated that it be completed “no later than 18 months after
August 17, 1999.” The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, through
its Detroit District, was charged with allocating the funds to
conduct the study. ACE, in turn, contracted with the Great
Lakes Commission to produce it. Why?
“At the time, back in 1999,” said Long, “it was with our
understanding that the GLC had a lot of contacts in the Great
Lakes area. We thought it would be advantageous to bring
them in to do the research. It was more an effi ciency thing.
They had a more broad overall access to groups. They dealt
with a lot of boating groups and companies that we don’t
have access to readily. The thought process at the time was
that they would do some of the work for us.”
According to Long, the fi rst monies for the study weren’t
allocated until 2002, when $208,400 was given. During the
fi rst year of funding, $57,522.58 was expended. The next year,
another $125,463.73 was spent. In 2004, the year the GLC
gathered the data, a further $220,413.69 was allocated. And
another $39,947.93 was allocated over the next three years,
bringing the total cost of the study to $443,347.93.
The delay in starting the study was due to the fact that funds
were not allocated until 2002, making it impossible for the
ACE to meet the bill’s deadline, according to Long. “Eighteen
months comes with a caveat that you are fully funded,” he
said. “If you don’t have funds, you can’t fi nish it.” Then once
the study was completed, it had to be approved by the Offi ce
of Management and Budget and the Secretary of the Army,
which didn’t come until December 15, 2008.
Even with the delayed funding and bureaucratic hurdles,
some are asking why it took six years from the initial
allocation of funds to submit a fi nished report and why
it was so costly. In a press conference on July 11, 2007,
Dave Knight of the GLC stated that the actual cost of the
study was $203,400 and that a fi rst draft was fi nished in the
summer of 2005. If one takes those fi gures as gospel, there
is a $240,000 difference between the funds allocated for the
study and the money spent to conduct it.
In addition to questions about the time and money spent
on the study, concerns also have been raised about
the methodology. The data that informed the study was
“collected from Great Lakes boaters who are members of
the National Boater Panel.” The National Boater Panel was
a voluntary online survey, not a random sample taken from
the entire population of Great Lakes boaters. As a result,
questions about the statistical reliability of the survey results
have been raised.
But why do questions about statistical reliability, federal
allocations of funds and study timelines matter to the average
boater? The answer is in the cover letter John Paul Woodley,
Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), included
when he submitted the fi nal report to Representative Nancy
Pelosi, D-California, and Congress.
“From a federal perspective,” he wrote, “boat harbors serving
primarily or solely recreational users do not produce high
priority outputs, as do harbors and waterways that support
high volumes of commercial traffi c. Therefore, the President’s
budget continues to give priority to those harbors and
waterway segments that support high volumes of commercial
traffi c and signifi cant commercial fi shing, subsistence and
public transportation benefi ts.”
In other words, recreational boating has a smaller
economic impact than commercial shipping, so the federal
government should spend its money maintaining and
improving the infrastructure of the latter at the expense of
the former. For average, everyday boaters, that could mean
deteriorating docks, shallow harbors and polluted waters.
The “Great Lakes Recreational Boating Main Report” may
seem a complicated document better left to the experts, but
its impact could be felt at docks and on decks around the
Great Lakes.
Amidst all of this, I set sail with my Aunt Dora shortly
after noon on June 15, 1969 on the T/N Raffaello, an
Italia Line ocean liner of luxurious splendor. We put
out to sea from Pier 82, one of the numerous piers
that fingered out into the murky waters of the Hudson
River on Manhattan’s West Side. It was a warm Sunday
afternoon and a brilliant sun reflected off of the Empire
State Building, which stood out among the countless,
less characteristic skyscrapers that made up the
skyline. At the furthest point west on 42nd Street, all the
sounds of a great metropolis were carried on a humid
breeze. As we lif ted anchor, the noise of the city’s traffic
was drowned out by the deep, drawn-out sound of the
ship’s powerful foghorns.
After a few days at sea, I began to get homesick. The
feeling quickly passed, however, as the next several days
were filled with eating and swimming and running, playing
with new friends and going to sleep way past my bedtime.
During one of those days, Aunt Dora had an idea.
Somewhere north of Spain’s volcanic Canary Islands off
of the northwest coast of Africa, she encouraged me to
believe in magic and to dream the impossible. She told
me that if I put a note in a bottle and threw it into the sea
that surely someone would find it in some distant time, in
some distant land. Captivated by that magical possibility,
I got a thin sheet of the ship’s blue stationery from the
cabin’s desk and began to write.
Below a line drawing of the ship and Raffaello written
in cursive characters, I began my letter promising to
22 GLB | May/June 09
I was an energetic eleven-year-old, and I could sing every Beatles song from memory. My favorite song was “Help!,”
which I played over and over on my four-track tape player. That year Richard Nixon fi nally won the presidency after two failed efforts and inherited a raging Vietnam. Jimi Hendrix played a psychedelic version of “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Woodstock Festival that summer, and rioting and discontent gripped many American cities.
Magic in the BottleBy Joseph S. Gulotti
Joseph Gulotti with his Aunt Dora, her husband and his two sisters.
anyone who found my letter a reward. I stuffed the
tightly rolled up treasure into an empty wine bottle
and sealed it tightly with a cork. That evening, after
dinner, I tossed the bottle overboard. I watched it bob
on the waves until it disappeared into the loneliness
of the sea. As it faded from view, so did its memory.
Until . . .
One day in March of 1972, the postman delivered
a letter addressed Joseph Gulotti, Esq. 92-11 52nd
Avenue, Elmhurst, New York 11373, USA. I rarely
received any letters, and that one wasn’t like any
letter I had ever seen. There was no envelope;
instead, it was a single thin sheet of letter paper that
when carefully unsealed showed the contents of the
correspondence on one side and the address written
on the other. Just above the address was a yellow and
brown stamp that pictured men building a boat out of
wood. In the corner of the stamp was the likeness of
the Queen of England. I was so excited. Beside the
stamp, it read “par avion aerogramme”; and below
that, printed to the character of a triangle, was the
outline of the southern coast of Florida, Jamaica and
Puerto Rico. Within the triangle were several small
dots labeled Turks and Caicos Islands, West Indies. I
had no idea what to expect when I opened it.
To my disbelief and with complete astonishment,
years after I had cast my wine bottle into the ocean I
read the words “On 19 March 1972, I found a bottle on
. . . .” It was so unexpected, so impossible, but it was
true. Someone really did find my bottle in a distant
time on a distant land.
I ran down the stairs as fast as I could and burst into
Aunt Dora’s apartment. Dozing in her chair quietly
listening to Vivaldi on her Victrola, she was startled at
my unexpected entrance.
I began to read her the letter. “I found your bottle on
Great Sand Cay with your note in it. This particular
Cay is uninhabited and the purpose for our visit
there was just for an outing. You offered a reward,”
it continued, “however, rather than sending me the
reward I would appreciate it if you would send me a
letter telling me when you dropped the bottle in the
ocean. I hope you had a good trip.” It was signed,
“Sincerely, William C. Bivin.”
As if protected by the Greek God of the sea Poseidon
himself, my bottle was found unbroken and perfectly
sealed on a sandy beach almost four thousand miles
away from where I had dropped it into a devouring
sea three years earlier.
To my relief, the traveler who discovered my bottle
had relinquished me of my promise of a reward and
instead rewarded me by taking the time to write to me
and show me that miracles were possible, if you only
wish hard enough.
On March 19, 1993, twenty-one years to the day
when my bottle was discovered, I experienced
another miracle. On that day my wife Cornelia and I
were blessed with the birth of our only child, April.
Years later, when she was no older than I was when
I threw my bottle into the sea, she closed her eyes,
made a wish and tossed her own bottled message
off the deck of a boat while cruising the tranquil
waters off the Ionian Sea. Perhaps Poseidon will
once again deliver a child’s dreams of magic and
wonder to a distant shore and into the hands of
someone else on an outing.
greatlakesboating.com | 23
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tock
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o.co
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By William D. Anderson
Plastic worms and tube baits are some of the most popular baits around. There are many
different t y pes of plastic baits that come in many shapes and sizes. So how do you choose the
right one? Some have salt impregnated tails, bio-scents, rattles, f lash; and some claim to out fish live
bait. All of them will catch fish at one time or another. So how do you know which one to throw on any given day?
greatlakesboating.com | 27
“You may feel a slight tap or notice
the line moving off to one side.”
There are two popular ways of rigging plastic worms and tubes. The most popular way to rig a plastic worm is the Texas style. A bullet style weight is threaded onto the line, which is tied directly to the hook. The hook is threaded through the tip of the worm, pulled down and re-inserted into the body of the worm so that the hook is weedless. In some cases a small bead is threaded onto the line between the weight and the hook to protect the knot. It is also done to add noise to the rig to help fi sh fi nd the bait in murkier water.
Texas rigs are better for fi shing heavier cover. The weight will stay closer to the worm and is less likely to get wedged between a branch or a rock. Using heavier line with a Texas rig will allow you to pull a fi sh out of cover before he has a chance to wrap your line around a branch or stump. Casts should be long enough so that you don’t spook the fi sh, but not too long so that you lose the sensitivity due to line stretch. Start out by moving the worm very slowly. You may feel a slight tap or notice the line moving off to one side. That’s your signal to set the hook.
The second most popular way to rig a plastic worm is the Carolina method. This consists of a heavy barrel or cone sinker threaded onto the line first. The next section consists of a couple of bearings, then a ball bearing swivel followed by up to three feet of leader material. Many anglers make their own Carolina rigs, while others prefer to purchase ready-made rigs. Whichever you choose, the leader material should be of less tensile strength than your line so that when you snag, all you lose is a hook rather than the entire rig.
A Carolina rig is a better choice for deeper water. You can make longer casts with it and drift across a large area
while keeping in contact with the bottom. The feeling transmitted back through the line will tell you
exactly what the bottom contents is. Pay attention to the
vibrations you feel just before a fi sh picks up your bait because that will tell you what type of content they are favoring.
Plastic tubes are just as versatile as plastic worms and come in as many shapes, colors and sizes. Tube baits can be fi shed so they imitate baitfi sh or crayfi sh. You can ad rattles to tube baits so they are easier to fi nd in murky water. Just like worms, they will give you a good idea of what the bottom content is made up of if you are using the right line.
When using a tube to imitate a crayfi sh, it’s best to choose a bait that looks as close to the real thing as possible. Crayfi sh tend to change colors throughout the year and knowing what color the natural bait is will help you choose the right color. Bass can also be feeding on minnows, perch, gobies, shad or any other type of baitfi sh. If you are using a tube to imitate baitfi sh, knowing what bait they are feeding on will help you choose your presentation. Tube baits are great because they are almost 100 percent weedless and you can get them into heavy cover where baitfi sh tend to hide from predators.
Tubes are generally rigged with a hook that is made specifi cally for tubes. These hooks always point up and may or may not have a weight built into them. I will generally use what’s known as a vertical drop hook and rig them weedless. This allows them to drop vertically while keeping the weight concealed inside the tube. The tip of the hook is re-inserted into the top of the bait so that it doesn’t get hung up on anything else. I can also add a rattle just below the eye of the hook to give it more sound and weight.
Many anglers use fl uorocarbon or braided lines for fi shing plastics baits because they have less stretch and offer more sensitivity. Their ability to transmit vibrations gives the angler the ability to tell exactly what the bottom content is and what types of structure they are fi shing. They also hold up better to the rough conditions found where one would normally fi sh plastic baits. Because your line will come in contact with rocks and branches, you should perform the
“knot test” every few casts. Grab the bait in one hand and then grab the line just above
28 GLB | May/June 09
“There are as many ways to fi sh plastics as there are types of plastics.”
the bait with two fi ngers and run your hand up, if you feel any abrasions, cut the line off above that point and re-tie. Another test you should perform is to grab the lure in one hand and grab the line a couple feet above the lure and give it a good tug. If it breaks, you know it was time to re-tie. Better to fi nd out that way than by losing a good fi sh.
Fluorocarbon lines also sink faster than monofi lament line and allow you to use lighter weights. In general you should use the lightest weight possible. This will help avoid snags and allow your baits to swim more naturally. Bass will often inhale a plastic worm rather than strike it aggressively so the bite might be undetectable. Using a lighter weight and more sensitive line will help an angler feel these “light” bites.
There are as many ways to fi sh plastics as there are types of plastics. Worms can be allowed to drop and free fall, they can be dragged along the bottom, or they can be hopped and twitched. You can swim a tube bait like a you would a crank bait or fi sh it like a plastic worm. If one presentation doesn’t work, keep trying different ones until you fi nd the one that does.
Regardless of how you fi sh a plastic bait, you will want to use a fairly heavy-duty rod. The rod should have enough backbone to give you a good solid hook-set. With tubes, you can usually pull back sharply to set the hook. With Texas-rigged worms you will often have to reel down to a 3 o’clock position then pull up sharply to 12 o’clock. With a Carolina rig, the hook set is generally more of a sweeping motion to one side or the other. Bait-casting rigs are usually preferred for fi shing plastic baits although many pros will use spinning gear to pitch tubes far back under docks.
One last word of caution about plastic baits: Never mix them up in your tackle box. The different types of plastic can react with each other leaving you with one big gooey mess and a ruined tackle box. Keep your plastic baits in their original containers and they will last a lot longer.
Plastic bait images by Trigger X. Other photos by William D. Anderson.
30 GLB | May/June 09
Great Lakes
30 GLB | May/June 09
A U.S. government report shows a notable increase in
the number of ballast tank inspections of oceangoing
commercial ships entering the Great Lakes St. Lawrence
Seaway System from outside U.S. or Canadian waters. Ship
operators also improved their compliance with ballast water
requirements in 2008 compared with 2007, the report says.
“The 2008 Summary of Great Lakes Seaway Ballast Water
Working Group” released by the U.S. Coast Guard examined
the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Seaway System ballast water
ship inspection program. The report fi nds that 99 percent
of all oceangoing ships bound for the Great Lakes Seaway
System ports from outside U.S. or Canadian waters in 2008
received a ballast tank exam, compared with 74 percent
in 2007. Moreover, the report found that 98.6 percent of all
ships were in compliance with ballast water management
requirements, compared with 95 percent in 2007.
In 2008, the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development
Corporation implemented regulations requiring all
oceangoing ships with no ballast in their tanks to conduct
saltwater fl ushing of their empty ballast water tanks before
arriving in the Seaway.
greatlakes-seaway.com
IMPROVEMENT IN BALLAST WATER INSPECTION PROCESS
WATER EXHIBITION IN CHICAGO
Though boaters are constantly reminded of how important
water is, a new exhibition at Chicago’s Field Museum is an
eye-opening look at how truly vital this substance is. The
summer 2009 exhibition, Water, is a timely, in-depth, thought-
provoking experience for the whole family, focusing on how
we use water and the future of this natural resource. The
7,500-square-foot exhibition illuminates many challenges
various cultures encounter with water and explores the many
ways water shapes life on Earth, making our planet livable.
The Field Museum is one stop on the exhibition’s
international tour, and the Chicago presentation features
unique elements that focus visitors’ attention on the area’s
largest source of fresh water: Lake Michigan.
The exhibition incorporates numerous hands-on interactive
experiences, including a simulation of a river dam, a 3-D
theater, immersive dioramas and a seven-foot globe featuring
a multimedia presentation on the global nature of water.
Gold Pass tickets to Water include basic admission to the
Field Museum and are priced at $23 for adults, $20 for
seniors and students with ID and $13 for children three to 11.
Discounts are available for Chicago residents.
fieldmuseum.org // (866) FIELD-03
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greatlakesboating.com | 31
MICHIGAN CITY GETS SUPER BOAT RACE
Super Boat International Productions (SBIP) has added a
race to this year’s schedule in Michigan City, Indiana. Called
the Great Lakes Grand Prix, the race will be held August 9.
Spectators will be able to watch the sleek, fast machines from
a viewing area in Washington Park, which is on the southern
shore of Lake Michigan.
On the Saturday before race day, fans are welcome to
join the teams to get an up-close look at the racers,
their boats and their equipment. And after the race,
spectators are welcome to visit the dry pit area,
where the teams will be given their awards.
Michigan City is one of many stops of the 2009 SBIP
season. Before Indiana, there will be a number of
races at various Florida locations. Afterward, the
super fast boats will speed off to New York City and
North Carolina before returning to Florida, where the
World Championship race will be held in Key West.
superboat.com
Photos courtesy Jason L Miller, LaPorte County CVB
NEW FUNDS TO PREVENT INVASIVE SPECIES
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BAY BREEZE ADDS SALES ASSOCIATETraverse City, Michigan’s Bay Breeze
Yacht Sales has announced that
Catherine Allchin has joined the
company as a sales associate. Catherine
comes to Bay Breeze with a lifetime of
experience in the boating industry.
“I really enjoy the process of helping
others create memories on the water,
there is nothing like it! It has to be fun.”
A hard worker who really enjoys what
she does, give her a call if you are
moving up, down or out of the boating
lifestyle, Catherine will be happy to
assist you in your boating needs. She
can be reached by phone at the Bay
Breeze toll free number (866) 941-5884
or on her cell at (231) 883-7645. Visit the
Bay Breeze web site to see both new
and used boats for sale. baybreezeyachtsales.com
Nearly $1 million in new federal money will go toward preventing the
introduction of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes by funding the Great
Ships Initiative (GSI), a collaborative effort to hasten shipping free of invasive
species on the Great Lakes.
GSI generates much needed independent evaluations of proposed ballast
treatments performance and toxicity in fresh water. As regulatory authorities gear
up to require ballast treatment prior to discharge into natural waters, the research
outcomes are of keen interest regionally, domestically and internationally.
Invasive species cause signifi cant economic and environmental damage to
aquatic systems globally, including the Great Lakes. Commercial saltwater ships
account for the majority of new introductions of aquatic invasive species in the
Great Lakes, and all ships that ply the system are potential vectors for the spread
of invasive organisms once they are introduced.
Proposed treatment systems include ozone, ultra violet irradiation, chemical additives,
deoxygenation and fi ltration, usually in some combination.
32 GLB | May/June 09
Fishing
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division
of Wildlife, has entered into a contract with The Active
Network, Inc. to build and implement a Web-based license
sales and game check system. This new system will replace
the existing, hunting, fi shing and trapping license/permit
sales system on March 1, 2011.
The new system will incorporate better management and
integration of license sales information, hunter education,
publication distribution and tracking, special permitting
initiatives, controlled hunt allocations, arrest report tracking
and improved game check processes—all in real time. Prior
to the March 1, 2011 implementation date, a number of pilot
projects will be implemented in order to ensure the new
system’s readiness.
Hunters, trappers and anglers will see minor changes in
the appearance of their license, but the licensing process
will remain the same. Deer and turkey hunters will be
introduced to a new system that will allow them to easily
and conveniently check game at a license vendor, by phone
or on the Internet.
wildohio.com
On June 27, kids ages seven to 15 will have a chance to try
their luck fi shing out on Lake Michigan. And no matter how
big their catch, all young participants will receive prizes for
their efforts, along with food and beverages.
Many area establishments have made this event possible,
including The Wharf Bait & Tackle, Miesfeld’s, Thompson
Marine, The Sheboygan Outboard Club, Local 833 UAW,
Daane’s Siding & Roofi ng and Trout Unlimited.
There is limited availability for children whose parents do
not have a boat, and children must be registered by
June 21. Admission is free.
(920) 458-4406
ONLINE LICENSE AND GAME CHECK SYSTEM TO LAUNCH IN 2011
SHEBOYGAN JUNIOR COHO DERBY
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has made available
$593,089 in federal funding for fi sh and wildlife restoration
projects in the Great Lakes Basin. The projects will be
matched by $278,810 in partner contributions, and will
focus on the rehabilitation of sustainable populations of
native fi sh and wildlife and their habitats.
The grants are funded under the authority of the
Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act,
which provides assistance to states, tribes and
other interested entities to encourage cooperative
conservation, restoration and management of
native fi sh and wildlife resources and their habitat
in the Great Lakes Basin.
Ten projects were selected for funding with
2008 funds. Grant recipients include Ducks
Unlimited, Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), Michigan DNR, Michigan State
University, Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality, Superior Watershed Partnership and the
University of Illinois.
Project proposals are developed by interested entities
and sponsored each year by tribes and states in the Great
Lakes in response to a request for proposals from the
Service.
fws.gov/midwest
MONEY AVAILABLE FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION
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greatlakesboating.com | 33
MICHIGAN DNR TO CONTINUE LIMITED WALLEYE PRODUCTIONThe Michigan Department of Natural Resources will continue
limited production of walleye fry for the 2009 season as a
precaution against spreading viral hemorrhagic septicemia
(VHS) into inland waters.
VHS has been found in various parts of the Great Lakes
and connecting waterways, which is where the best walleye
broodstock sources are located.
Fisheries staffers will take eggs and milt from walleyes in the
Muskegon River and Little Bay de Noc. The Saginaw Bay/
Tittabawassee strain will not be used again this year. Only the
Thompson State Fish Hatchery will be used to incubate eggs
as it maintains a separate facility that will prevent the spread
of potential VHS into steelhead-rearing facilities should
infection occur.
Currently, there is no proven method for disinfecting walleye
eggs. All adult brood stock will be tested for VHS, as will
samples of walleye fry and fi ngerlings before they are
stocked. In 2009, fi ngerlings will be stocked only in inland
lakes that have no inlets or outlets, or into lakes with no direct
connections to the Great Lakes. No fi ngerlings will be stocked
in the Lake Superior watershed.
michigan.gov/dnrfishing
The round goby is dominating large
areas of the Great Lakes and
connecting waterways. Gobies breed
profoundly and eat immense quantities,
causing unbelievable changes to the
base of a food chain that supports
the Great Lakes $7 billion sport and
commercial fi sheries.
New research conducted in Green
Bay, Wisconsin, found that gobies
were hogging tiny aquatic organisms
that other fi sh species need to survive.
Benefi cially, they also feast on zebra
and quagga mussels, both also invasive
species. This is a double-edged sword:
shrinking mussel populations reduce
noxious algae blooms, but the mussels’
shells are often colonized by desirable
aquatic organisms that fi sh eat.
Gobies, native to eastern
Europe, were fi rst
discovered in the St. Clair
River in 1990. Today, about
10 million pounds of gobies
live in Lake Michigan. That
is nearly one-quarter, by
weight, of all bait fi sh in the
lake. They have been found
in all fi ve Great Lakes
and in rivers in all eight
surrounding U.S. states.
Gobies are a food source for some
larger fi sh species, including bass and
walleye. But the invaders also are a
conduit for a naturally occurring toxin
that causes botulism,
or food poisoning.
The proliferation of gobies in Lake
Michigan has prompted some anglers
to speculate that the invaders could
become a new food source for salmon.
Experts said that is unlikely because
gobies are bottom-feeders and salmon
aren’t, so their paths rarely cross.
SPREAD OF ROUND GOBIES Dave B
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TO ADVERTISE IN
GLB please email:
Yacht Clubs
34 GLB | May/June 09
On Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14, the Milwaukee Yacht Club (MYC) will host the Milwaukee Bay Challenge as a
benefi t for America’s Second Harvest of Wisconsin.
The Milwaukee Bay Challenge regatta is open to all LMPHRF and one-design boats that meet the requirements in the
Notice of Race, which is available at the club website. Eligible boats may mail in an entry form, but there will also be
on-site registration available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday or on Saturday until 8:30 a.m.
All skippers and crew are requested to bring at least one non-perishable food item to MYC at registration on Friday, or
sometime during the day on Saturday or Sunday to the MYC Offi ce. Those who do contribute will be given a wristband
for free beer at the post-race party on Saturday.
The Bay Challenge is an opportunity for sailors from around Milwaukee Bay and beyond to race together and
contribute to charity.
milwaukeeyc.com
The Green Bay Yacht Club (GBYC), located at the mouth of
the Fox River, was fi rst incorporated in 1872, making it one of
the oldest on the Great Lakes. Today the organization boasts
more than 200 members and has an attractive clubhouse
with full bar and kitchen facilities. The harbor offers 83 slips,
a 25-ton travelift, gas dock and pump out with seasonal and
transient docks and winter storage available.
There are two membership levels: boating members who have
access to the docks and harbor; and social members who
just want to enjoy the boating environment and clubhouse.
The club is a “participatory” organization with members
volunteering hours to manage and maintain the building and
grounds. The resultant cost savings make the GBYC one of
the best boating bargains on the lakes.
The club is particularly proud of the historic Grassy Island
range lights that grace the entrance to the GBYC Harbor. The
two lighthouses were built in 1872 on the
island one and one-half miles north of
their current site. They guided ships into
the port of Green Bay for many decades
until they were decommissioned and
ultimately relocated to the club in 1966.
Members and volunteers have donated
many dollars and countless hours to
restoring the lights. Their efforts have
been rewarded with the lights now placed
on both the State of Wisconsin Registry of
Historic Sites and the National Registry of
Historic Places.
A host of activities fi ll the club’s social calendar throughout
the year. The upcoming Mothers’ Day Brunch is one of the
most popular, featuring an elaborate buffet, dinner music
and champagne for moms. Also in May, the club hosts
the annual Welcome Aboard/Launch party to celebrate
the start of a new boating season. A Poker Run, Luau and
a Dinghy Poker Run are among the annual summer fun.
There is typically at least one party each month in addition
to weekly activities like Happy Hour, Packer Game Day
specials, NASCAR specials and other opportunities to share
camaraderie with fellow boating enthusiasts.
The GBYC is an affi liate of the Lake Michigan Yachting
Association and offers reciprocal privileges to other
LMYA members. For transient slip availability or additional
information contact the club.
greenbayyachtclub.com
MILWAUKEE BAY CHALLENGE
YACHT CLUB PROFILE: GREEN BAY YACHT CLUB
greatlakesboating.com | 35
YC
Situated on fi ve miles of Lake
Michigan shoreline between
Petoskey and Charlevoix,
the Bay Harbor community
encompasses luxury homes,
a world-class hotel, a
conference center, a marina,
an equestrian facility, a golf
course and a 23,000 square-
foot yacht club. The yacht
club has 545 members, who
enjoy many exceptional amenities.
This July, Bay Harbor Yacht Club will unveil the Lange Center, expanding
the club to 61,000 square feet. Included in the new building are 50
percent more space for the fi tness club and a 10,000 square-foot
ballroom. The ballroom will be used specifi cally to host special events
and private functions for members and guests of Bay Harbor.
Construction on the structure began in September, and is expected to
be complete by May. It will not be formally unveiled, however, until late
July, during the annual Baynanza event. The project was funded mostly
through private donations.
bayharboryc.com
CLEVELAND RACE WEEK
Cleveland Race Week (CRW), June 20-28, 2009, will be held
at the Edgewater Yacht Club for the fi rst time. Race organizers
are expecting to have at least 200 boats from more than 20
classes registered during the entire event. CRW is an Inland
Lake Yachting Association counter for the Traveler Series.
The event will begin on Saturday, June 20 with
one design racing. Specialized racing will be held
during the week including CR914 and Soling One
Meter racing on the evening of June 22, a women’s
night of racing on June 23 and a full day devoted to
junior racing on June 24. Thursday, June 25 begins
the off-shore class racing with the North Coast
Mather Race, and Friday, June 26 is the Stewart/
Jones Schnur Race. Saturday, June 27 will be the
46th running of the 50-plus and Kidd Memorial
Race, and Sunday fi nishes the event with the
McCrone Memorial Race.
Edegwater Yacht Club (EYC) is located on Lake Erie adjacent
to the 117-acre Cleveland Lakefront State Park, at the western
end of the fi ve-mile-long main harbor. EYC was chartered in
1914 as a non-profi t organization dedicated to promoting the
sport of boating.
ewyc.org/CRW2009
PETOSKEY’S BAY HARBOR YC TO EXPAND
36 GLB | May/June 09
MarinasNEW OWNER OF HARBOR HILL MARINA
Local businessman Jerome Morgan is now the sole owner of
Harbor Hill Marina, long renowned as one of Detroit’s most
popular marinas. The purchase marks another historical
moment in Detroit as it joins a select number of cities that
have marinas owned and operated by African-Americans.
The business transaction comes at a time when the Motor
City is struggling with a down turn in the economy. Morgan’s
purchase of Harbor Hill Marina will complement the upscale
Morgan Waterfront Development Homes that he has built next
to the marina.
Morgan, an avid boater himself, understands what boaters
like, want and expect in a marina, and he is determined to
make Harbor Hill a premiere boating resort. Slated projects
include developing the marina into a resort, providing full
marina services and adding such amenities as a restaurant,
tiki bar, gift shop, playground, covered pavilion, fi tness
center, sauna and game room. The marine will also provide
accommodations for concerts, private parties and other
major events, as well as offer shuttle service to downtown
Detroit venues.
Morgan and his team also plan to reach out to the community
through “Give Back” programs that include working with local
charities and youth programs.
harborhillmarina.com
BUFFALO BOAT HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s (NFTA) Boat
Harbor will receive $1 million in improvements by mid-May,
when the marina opens.
Three steel docks, which were damaged during a severe
storm last fall, are being restored. Heavy winds and waves
last September pulled the docks from their moorings, twisting
them out of shape. They have been repaired, sandblasted
and repainted making them look like new.
The steel docks account for more than one-half of the public
marina’s 1,019 slips. The NFTA will have completed repairs
and resurfacing of docks servicing a total of 328 slip holders
in time for the marina’s opening on May 15. Work on the
remaining docks, which have slip space for another 231
boaters, will be completed in spring 2010.
The refurbished docks are expected to have an additional
life span of 10 years. The total cost of the dock upgrade
project is $544,000.
This season’s NFTA Boat Harbor work will also include
electrifi cation of the “L” dock, which accommodates 66
boaters. A new marina fuel tank will also be installed at a cost
of $300,000.
nfta.com/boatharbor.asp
greatlakesboating.com | 37
RED ROCK MARINA ENHANCEMENTS
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation is
providing $415,600 to the municipality to expand and
improve the capacity at the Red Rock Marina. The marina
is located on the western shore of Nipigon Bay in northern
Lake Superior. An innovative breakwall, which integrates
fi sh and wildlife habitats into its design, protects the
50-slip marina.
Beginning in May 2009, several improvements
will enhance the marina. The fueling peninsula
dock will be extended to accommodate larger
boats and on and off loading of supplies. Two
new spines with slips for 16 vessels larger than
40 feet will be constructed. Dredging will also
create a safe lane for the larger boats.
New effi cient electrical pedestals, a high-end
surveillance and security system and larger
diesel fuel tanks will be installed as part of the
project. The work is expected to be completed
by October 2009. The marina will remain open during the
construction with very little disruption.
Another enhancement project is planned for the near
future to construct a new Waterfront Centre. The building
will house washrooms with showers, laundry facilities, an
interpretive area, a performing arts venue and storefronts.
redrocktownship.ca
E n s u r i n g a L i v i n g R e s o u rc e f o r a l l G e n e r at i o n s
E n s u r i n g a L i v i n g R e s o u rc e f o r a l l G e n e r at i o n s
SIP, SAVOR& SMILEThursday, June 11, 2009Eat, drink, bid on great packages, enter a raffle, enjoy live music and help celebrate another year of hopeful progress.
Bid online at greatlakes.cmarket.com
Shaw’s Crab House21 East Hubbard, Chicago 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Tickets at the door, online at greatlakes.org or call 312-939-0838.
TASTE OF THE GREAT LAKES
W.F. Baird & Associates has been awarded a $1.2 million contract from
the city of Gary, Indiana to design a marina in Buffi ngton Harbor. The
money for the project comes from the Lake Michigan Marina Development
Commission, which had set aside state tax dollars for the development
of marina projects about 15 years ago. The cities of East Chicago,
Hammond, Michigan and Portage have already used money from the fund
to build marinas.
The fi rst phase of the project will include 110 season slips, 37 transient
slips, a fuel dock and a harbor-front walk. It is expected that 460 seasonal
slips will be added during the second phase of the project.
W.F. Baird received $12,900 from the city of Gary in 2007 to conduct a
market and economic analysis for the marina development. Once the
company receives the $1.2 million, there will be about $500,000 remaining
in the development fund, which may force the city to seek other funds in
order to build the marina.
GARY HIRES DESIGN FIRM FOR MARINA
JOIN US!4.5 MILLION BOATERS
NOW HAVE A VOICE
(312) 266-8408 // GREATLAKESBOATINGFEDERATION.COM
38 GLB | May/June 09
Cruising
Celebrating its 25th anniversary
in 2009, Southwest Florida Yachts
announced that sail and power-yacht
charters of three days or more will
receive two free days of cruising time
for cruises between May 1 through
December 13, 2009 and for the same
period in 2010.
In addition, high season charters of
three days or more between December
14 and April 30 will be rewarded with
one free extra day of cruising and
sailing, said Barb Hansen of Southwest
Florida Yachts.
Southwest Florida Yachts charters
power yachts from 28 to 43 feet and
sailing yachts from 24 to 34 feet long
for cruising and sailing the nearshore
Gulf of Mexico and the inland waters
between the Florida barrier islands of
Sanibel/Captiva and the village of Punta
Gorda on Charlotte Harbor.
Charterers enjoy cruises 12 months a
year through a barrier island paradise
featuring tropical birds and sea-life
such as manatees and dolphins.
Magazine articles have ranked
Southwest Florida among the top 10
yacht sailing and cruising areas in the
world and the barrier islands of Sanibel
and Captiva as among the best islands
to visit for their ambiance, beaches,
friendliness, restaurants and scenery.
swfyachts.com // (800) 262-7939
On August 22 to 23, Bob Bitchin, editor and publisher of
Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine, will present an Advanced
Cruising Seminar at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic,
Connecticut. The seminar is comprised of 16 hours of
easy-to-assimilate sections that cover the selecting of the
right vessel, preparing your boat for cruising, safety at sea,
communications, provision, route planning, weather and
cruising with children.
That same weekend, Lee Chesneau, one of the world’s
leading authorities on marine weather, will present an
Advanced Weather Seminar. The Advanced Weather
Seminar is a two-day basic essentials of marine weather and
forecasting workshop that will teach mariners the rudiments
of forecasting and knowing weather patterns.
The seminars will run simultaneously, so you can choose
the one that is right for you. But the seminars are only two
days. Admission price includes books, buffet lunches and
Saturday’s waterfront party including buffet dinner and an
Eric Stone concert, as well as a three-day pass for Mystic
Seaport Museum.
seafaring.com // (888) 8-WE SAIL
LAKE ERIE INTERCLUB CRUISEThe Lake Erie Interclub Cruise is one of
the few events in the world that provides
international country-to-country and port-
to-port distance racing for its participating
yachts. This year’s event, raced by boats
from the United States and Canada, will
be held from June 26 to July 1.
In addition to the racing and cruising,
the regatta provides plenty of time
to experience the hospitalities of the
participating clubs: Buffalo Yacht Club,
Buffalo Canoe Club, Dunkirk Yacht Club,
Erie Yacht Club, Sugarloaf Sailing Club,
Buffalo Harbor Sailing Club and the Port
Dover Yacht Club.
erieinterclub.com
FREE CRUISING DAYS
CRUISERS’ SEMINAR WEEKEND
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View of 2008 race taken from Powder Hound
greatlakesboating.com | 39
Royal Plantation Island, a 50-acre
private island located at Fowl Cay in
the heart of the Bahamian chain of the
Exumas, is now offering two exclusive
deals to cruising yachtsmen, charter
captains and crews.
Seafarers in need of a night on dry
land are invited to experience dinner at
the exclusive retreat with the Escape
Offshore package. Priced at $100/
person, the package includes
unlimited premium cocktails, wine and
champagne in addition to a fi ve-course
dinner at the resort’s Harbour Club
restaurant or Limestone Terrace. The
fi ne dining Harbour Club places diners at
the center of the ocean, under a vibrant
Bahamian sky. After dinner, guests are
invited to enjoy their cocktails or a round
of billiards at the adjoining bar.
For those individuals seeking a full day
away from the sea, Royal Plantation
Island has created the Drop Anchor &
Spend the Night at Royal Plantation
Island at Fowl Cay package inviting
guests of the island to choose from a
one-, two- or three-bedroom private
villa and enjoy fully catered breakfast,
lunch and dinner. Villa rates start at
$995 per night.
royalplantation.com // (242) 357-0095
THE BRUCE COAST LIGHTHOUSE TOURStretching from Point
Clark, Ontario, Canada in
the south to Tobermory in
the north, the Bruce Coast
Lighthouse Tour features 15
distinctive lighthouse and
marine heritage sites along
the shores of Lake Huron
and Georgian Bay for you to
explore. Plan to spend a week
(or more) and tour the scenic
communities surrounding
each site. Climb a 150-year-
old Imperial Tower, become an assistant keeper at Cabot
Head or Flowerpot Lightstation, view the Ghostly Guardians
of the Bruce Coast exhibit at the Bruce County Museum and
Cultural Centre and take a glass-bottom boat cruise to see
real shipwrecks. The Bruce Coast is 854 kilometres long and
is home to Fathom Five National Marine Park.
You can begin your tour at the Point Clark Lighthouse and
meander along the Lake Huron shoreline (2 to 3 days). After
touring the Tobermory sites, head back down the Peninsula
along the Georgian Bay side and end your tour with the Cape
Croker Light (2 to 3 days).
brucecoastlighthouses.combrucecoastlighthouses.com
DROP ANCHOR AT ROYAL PLANTATION ISLAND
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Kincardine Lighthouse Point Clark Lighthouse
40 GLB | May/June 09
NationalSecretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced more
than $12.5 million in competitive grants that will be awarded
to California, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, North
Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and the State
of Washington for 14 boating infrastructure projects. The
grants, which will help fund construction of docks, boat
slips and other facilities to support recreational boating, are
made available through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s
Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program.
Funding for the BIG program comes from the Sport Fishing
and Boating Trust Fund, formerly known as the Aquatic
Resources Trust Fund, which is supported by excise taxes
on certain fi shing and boating equipment and boat fuels.
The Service will also release approximately $3 million to
40 states willing to match a smaller, non-competitive grant
program known as BIG Tier One funding.
Boating Infrastructure Grant funds are used to construct,
renovate and maintain tie-up facilities with features for
transient boats (those staying 10 days or less) that are
26 feet or more in length and cannot be transported by
trailer. The funds are also used to produce and distribute
information and educational materials about the program.
fws.gov
SEAWAY RECEIVES FUNDING
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Saint Lawrence
Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) will initiate
its planned 10-year program this year to modernize the
infrastructure of the U.S. portion of the St. Lawrence
Seaway, following President Obama’s signing of the
omnibus appropriations bill that includes a total of $31.8
million for the Seaway.
The enacted funding includes more than $17 million
allocated to 17 projects under the Seaway’s Asset Renewal
Program (ARP). A signifi cant amount of the ARP funding in
FY 2009 will benefi t the regional economy surrounding the
two U.S. locks in Massena, New York.
“After 50 years of continuous use, the U.S.
Seaway infrastructure needs signifi cant capital
investment,” said U.S. SLSDC Administrator
Collister Johnson, Jr. “By enacting this law,
President Obama and the U.S. Congress have
recognized the vital importance of the St. Lawrence
Seaway to the North American economy.”
Over the next decade, the ARP will focus on improving
aging Seaway infrastructure, conducting maintenance
dredging, investing in new technologies, purchasing new
equipment and refurbishing old facilities. This will be the
fi rst time in the Seaway’s history that a coordinated effort
to repair and modernize the U.S. Seaway infrastructure has
taken place.
ARP also will complement the asset renewal work already
underway on the Canadian portion of the St. Lawrence
Seaway System. None of the ARP projects will result in
increases to the authorized depth or width of the navigation
channel or to the size of the existing U.S. locks.
MAJOR BOATING GRANTS FOR 11 STATES
greatlakesboating.com | 41
Once again this boating season, the U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons have
teamed up to offer free Vessel Safety Checks (VSC) to all
interested boaters.
Qualifi ed vessel examiners inspect boats to ensure that
required safety equipment is present and in functional
condition. The examiners also check for any basic
mechanical problems, make sure registration and
documentation are current and offer information on a
variety of boating safety issues.
The VSC is performed free of charge and without any legal
obligations or penalties. If a potential problem or violation
is discovered, the examiner
will give the boater options and
information for correcting it.
Vessel Safety Checks are available
on coastal waters, lakes and rivers
across the country. The volunteer
examiners will make themselves available
to schedule a time and place for the VSC that
is convenient for the boaters. These safety checks can be
performed on any kind of watercraft—kayaks, canoes, and
personal watercraft to large cabin cruisers and sailboats.
vesselsafetycheck.org
FREE VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS
VOLUNTEERS REMOVE SEVEN MILLION POUNDS OF MARINE DEBRIS
The Ocean Conservancy has released “A Rising Tide of
Ocean Debris and What We Can Do About It.” The report
features the organization’s annual Marine Debris Index,
which is the world’s only country-by-country, state-by-
state analysis of trash in our ocean and waterways.
The trash was collected and the data recorded by
the nearly 400,000 volunteers around the world who
combed their local beaches and waterways during the
23rd International Coastal Cleanup, the largest volunteer
effort of its kind. Volunteers removed 6.8 million pounds
of debris from 6,485 sites in 104 countries and 42 U.S.
states and the District of Columbia with a common
mission of improving the health of the ocean. This year’s
report zeroes in on the hazardous impacts of trash on
wildlife and the resilience of our ocean in the wake of
rising sea levels, global warming and acidifi cation, some
of the most serious effects of global climate change.
“Trash doesn’t fall from the sky, it falls from our
hands,” said Vikki Spruill, president and CEO of Ocean
Conservancy. “Humans have created the problem of
marine debris, and humans should step up and solve it.”
Ocean trash is one of the most widespread pollution
problems of our time, and the report goes beyond the
numbers to identify the sources of the pollution and make
a series of recommendations to stop marine debris.
oceanconservancy.org
42 GLB | May/June 09
SailingBayview Yacht Club and Chicago Yacht Club have announced
that they will jointly sponsor a 490-nautical-mile sailing race
known as the “Super Mac” in July. The start of the Super Mac
will coincide with the start of the 101st Chicago Yacht Club Race
to Mackinac on July 18, 2009. The Super Mac will fi nish in Port
Huron, Michigan, and serve as a feeder race for the 85th sailing
of the Bayview Mackinac Race, which will start on July 25, 2009.
The Super Mac was last run in 2000, starting in Port Huron
and ending in Chicago. This year, the Super Mac will reverse
course, beginning in Chicago, head up Lake Michigan, through
the fi nish line of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac,
cross to the north of Bois Blanc Island and continue on through
Lake Huron. The Super Mac will fi nish in front of the Acheson
Venture’s Maritime Center at the intersection of the Black and
St. Clair rivers and across from the Port Huron Yacht Club in
Port Huron, Michigan.
“The ‘Super Mac’ will offer a
unique challenge to sailors
around the world,” Frank
Kern, Chairman of the
Bayview Mackinac Race,
noted. “This 490-nautical-
mile event will be the
world’s longest and most
challenging freshwater race
in 2009,” Kern added. “We
are proud to collaborate with Bayview Yacht Club on the 2009
Super Mac,” Greg Miarecki, Chairman of the Chicago Yacht
Club Race to Mackinac, said.
All entries must be offi cially entered and participate in the
Chicago Race to Mackinac to qualify for the Super Mac.
Registration began April 9. The entry fee is $135 per yacht.
chicagoyachtclub.org/racetomackinac // byc.com/mack
The Racine Yacht Club will
host the 22nd annual Hook
Race from Racine, Wisconsin
to Marinette and Menominee
Yacht Club in Menominee,
Michigan on July 18.
The fi rst HOOK Race was
sailed in 1984 with 12 boats
racing from Racine, Wisconsin
to Menominee, Michigan. In 1986 the fi nish location was
changed to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. This year the race will
return to the M&M Yacht Club in Menominee for the fi nish.
There will also be a separate race for racers in a Double-
handed Category.
The HOOK Race is a challenging 197.4-nautical -mile race
that begins in Racine and ends near Door County, the “Cape
Cod of the Midwest.” The HOOK Race combines strong
competition with the navigational challenge of Death’s
Door. Finishing the race so close to Door County provides
opportunities for cruising vacations afterwards. This Category
3 race is open to all sailboats eligible to make a race of this
distance and duration, with full regard to the safety of the
vessel and crew.
racineyachtclub.org
TOP-TIER WOMEN RACERS RETURN TO MARYLAND
World-class match racing comes to Maryland from May 26 through 30, when the
top international women match racers are scheduled to compete in the 18th Annual
BoatU.S. Santa Maria Cup. Hosted by Eastport Yacht Club and sponsored by BoatU.S.,
the regatta is a must-enter for women competing in match racing, a fast-paced duel
between two sailboats that often sees the winner crossing the fi nish line just inches
ahead of the challenger.
Each skipper leads a handpicked crew of three. Over the course of three days a series of
round-robin heats, each lasting about 15 minutes, will determine who goes to the fi nals on
Saturday, May 30. Unlike sailing races where big budgets and expensive hi-tech boats can
have an advantage, these match racers will take to the Chesapeake Bay course in identical
J-22 (22-foot) sailboats.
santamariacup.org
HOOK RACE
BAYVIEW YACHT CLUB AND CHICAGO CLUB TO STAGE SUPER MAC
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greatlakesboating.com | 43
QUEEN’S CUPSM RACEThe 71st sailing of the
Queen’s Cup Race from
the Southern Shore Yacht
Club (SSYC) in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin to the Muskegon
Yacht Club in Muskegon,
Michigan will be held
on June 26, 2009. It is
expected that between 180
to 200 boats will participate
in this over-night race.
New to the race for 2009 is a short-handed division. This
division will be open to monohull entries with a maximum
crew size of two. Self-steering devices will be allowed,
harnesses must be worn and the crew must be tethered
whenever on deck. Boats will be scored using their
DHCP ratings.
The race is open to boats of the LMPHRF, LMPHRF multihull
and one-design classes that meet the following restrictions:
a) 10 entries are required for a one-design class,
except three entries for the GL 70 class. If the minimum
requirement is not met, the entries may be assigned to the
PHRF fl eet.
b) Five multihull entries are required for there to be a
multihull fl eet.
c) Five entries are required for the short-handed division.
Registration will take place from
11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, through 3:00 p.m. on
Friday. The Queen’s Cup Cocktail Party will be held on
Thursday, starting at 6:00 p.m.
Milwaukee’s Summerfest celebration will be going on
that Thursday and Friday. Shuttle buses will be running
between the Summerfest grounds and SSYC both days.
Muskegon Yacht Club will host the fi nish.
ssyc.org/queenscup
Bay Breeze Yacht SalesBROKERAGE
POWER43 Carver 404 2000 Stellar Condition, Loaded $169,900
42 Nordic Tug 2008, Loaded, NEW Reduced $659,900
40 Regal 402 1997 Owner Motivated $119,000* Call
37 Nordic Tug 2007 Loaded, NEW Reduced $435,000
37 Nordic Tug 1998 Gen, A/C, Electronics $299,000
32 Nordic Tug 2009 NEW, Well Equipped MSRP $337,300
32 Nordic Tug 2002 Gen, A/C, Radar $209,000
31 Maxium 2002Well Equipped, Full Enclosure $79,000
30 Mainship Pilot Hardtop 2002, Low Hours $85,000
27 Tiara 2700 1984 Fresh Water, Ready to Fish $29,900
25 Ranger Tug 2008 Loaded, NEW, 110 Yanmar,
Gen, A/C, Trailer, Radar $139,000
25 Ranger Tug 2008 Loaded, 36 hours, Radar,
Gen, A/C, 150 HP Cummins $145,000
25 Rosborough 246, 2004, 150 Yamaha, 8HP Troll,
Gen, A/C, Radar, Trailer $84,000
22 Crownline 220EX, 2009, Deckboat, 32 Hours,
Like New $67,000
SAIL43 Beneteau 1987, Roller Jib, 200hrs on New Engine $92,000
32 Beneteau 323 2004, Great Boat, Well Equipped $78,000
28 S2 8.6 1984 Good Condition, Great Starter Boat $18,000
BAY BREEZE YACHT SALES
12935 W. BAY SHORE DR. SUITE 125
TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49684
TOLL-FREE: 866.941.5884; 231.941.5884
FAX: 231.941.9548
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WWW.BAYBREEZEYACHTSALES.COM
RANGERTUGS
21’ 25’ 29’TrailerableTrawlers
NORDICTUGS
26’ 32’ 37’42’ 49’ 54’
Classic CruisingTrawlers
ARE YOU UP TO DATE ON GREAT LAKES NEWS?
WE ARE.
GET DAILY UPDATES AT NEWS.GREATLAKESBOATING.COM
44 GLB | May/June 09
CROSSCURRENTNE
WB
OA
TS
CROSSCURRENT U.23 CARBON ULTRA RIGID INFLATABLE
Capable of achieving speeds of 45 knots, the U.23 maintains stability and a
comfortable ride at high speeds under reasonable load and conditions. The craft’s
teak deck offers accommodations for sunning, sitting and entertaining. The rear
seat lounge and leaning post convert to a 3.9-foot-wide sun bed or bench and table for meals, while the front platform
extension provides another, more spacious, sunbathing area. The hard-top arch design offers sun protection, an overhead
compartment for installing electronics, support for fi shing and sun shade poles, mounting for audio speakers and nighttime
deck lighting and a mounting point for a wake boarding tow line. The deck of the U.23 slopes rearward for easy cleaning
and self-bailing and a telescoping swim ladder is nested under the port platform. The craft’s driving console opens for easy
access to the integrated icebox and tube infl ator pump.
The U.23 is rated to carry a maximum of fi ve people in wind conditions not exceeding 42 mph and waves up to 13 feet, and
a maximum of 12 people in wind conditions not exceeding 28 mph and waves up to 6.5 feet. The U.23 Carbon is protected
by a 5-year hull and tube warranty.
With twin diesel Volvo D6 engines (370 hp each), the boat cruises at 25 knots.
crosscurrentmarine.com
CrossCurrent Marine’s U.23 is a rigid inflatable boat constructed of
proprietary carbon and Kevlar® epoxy composite. Lightweight and ultra-
durable, it is well equipped for coastal cruising or excursions in open water
and is perfect for scuba diving, fishing, water skiing or wakeboarding.
NORDICNORDICTUG 26
greatlakesboating.com | 45
Powered by a 110 hp Volvo D-3 diesel engine with electronic-controlled high pressure common rail fuel system, the Nordic
Tug 26 today is as fuel effi cient as its predecessor. Take a leisurely cruise and burn a meager 1.1 gph at 6.8 knots and 2.1
gph at 8 knots, or for quick weekend getaways, take her up to a top speed of 13.5 knots.
With room to sleep four, including a forward stateroom with a wet head plus a convertible salon settee, the Nordic Tug 26 is
a great choice for couples and small families.
For pricing and build schedules, contact your local dealer. Dealers are listed on the Nordic Tugs website at nordictugs.com/
dealer.cfm.
nordictugs.com
With an overall length of 26 feet 4 inches, a 9-foot 6-inch beam
and 39-inch draft, the 2009 Nordic Tug 26 offers the consumer a
pocket-trawler with classic Nordic Tugs styling, manufactured using
today’s materials and technology. Just like its larger siblings, the
Nordic Tug 26 features a solid fiberglass hull, with full-length keel
and stainless-steel shoe and rudder.
for in
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46 GLB | May/June 09
NE
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S
Dichrome offers a complete line of custom glass knobs
for watercraft. Available in a wide variety of colors and
styles, each knob is fashioned by artists from hand-
blown glass. There are 16 different thread pitch options
in standard and metric measurements.
The full assortment of patterns and designs can be
viewed on the online catalogue.
Prices range from $40 to $200. Knobs are guaranteed to
fi t and come with a money-back guarantee.
dichrome.com // (877) 937-4420
Hardline Products® 3-D dome Decal
Number Kit™ gives a poured polyurethane
coating to registration numbers for a
luxurious three-dimensional look.
The kit is specially designed for users
to easily cover the factory matched™
decals with a thick transparent, poured
polyurethane coating.
Easy step-by-step instructions guarantee
crystal-clear dome effects for the decals.
The dome material goes on as a thick
liquid coating that spreads only to the
edge of the marine-grade vinyl decal and
cures in 24 hours.
Every kit includes Sticker-On!™ Decal Application fl uid.
Sticker-On! is a high-performance adhesive that allows
the decals to be applied with no bubbles
or wrinkles.
The 3-D decals, which are saltwater safe
and will not yellow, also resist dents,
fading and scratches. The kit includes
138 decals, A-Z (minus Q and I), 0-9,
doming cartridges, Sticker-On! and
detailed do-it-yourself instructions. The
design meets USCG guidelines when
installed correctly.
Available in six different color
combinations: blue/black, white/black,
silver/black, red/black, solid black and
solid white.
The kit retails for $64.99.
hardlineproducts.com // (805) 581-4700
3-D DOME REGISTRATION KITS
CUSTOM KNOBS FOR YOUR BOAT
TAG Heuer Eyewear’s Speedway sunglasses feature a lightweight
titanium alloy frame, shock-resistant polycarbonate lenses and
super-adherent elastomere tips for a sure grip and long-wearing
comfort. The lenses offer ophthalmic-quality and 100 percent UVA
and UVB protection.
All TAG Heuer Eyewear lenses are shatter-resistant, ultra-light and
provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection.
tagheuer.com/eyewear
TAG HEUER SPEEDWAY EYEWEAR
Utilizing a sapphire jewel suspension
bearing, large fi n/low inertia vane and
easy-to-read, fully-adjustable tacking
tab system, the 15-inch Windex Vane
from Davis Instruments is ideal for
racing and cruising sailboats from 15
feet to more than 100 feet.
This vane works in as little as 2/10 knot
wind. It registers the smallest air puffs
and is highly-responsive to breeze
changes. Extensively tunnel tested at
wind speeds up to 80 knots, the sturdy
vane will provide years of trouble-free
service when installed correctly.
Highly visible, the Windex Vane has a
refl ective underside for night viewing.
Simple to install, it includes a through-
bolt or tap mounting socket, as well as
stainless steel studs, washers and nuts.
Extending above the vane, a bird-proof
spike keeps birds from landing.
The retail price of the 15-inch Windex
Vane is $59.99. The Windex Series also
includes models for whip antennas and
small boats and dinghies.
davisnet.com // (510) 732-9229
WIND INDICATOR
EvrSafe Gas Detection System from
Sea-Fire Marine accurately detects
and measures a variety of toxic
gases, including CO, nitrogen dioxide,
hydrocarbons, LPG, butane and smoke.
If a hazardous gas is discovered, the
system will alert crew and passengers
via audio and visual alarms before it
reaches problematic levels.
Its central processing unit (CPU) can
audibly instruct crew with spoken
commands to open specifi c hatches
or vents to remove or disperse gases.
If contamination creates a dangerous
situation, the CPU can also activate
external equipment, such as fans,
pumps and generators, to bring air
quality back to acceptable levels.
Customizable to any vessel, the
EvrSafe system is easy to retrofi t. Four
sensors come standard with the unit,
which are simple to install in various
areas of the boat. Up to 130 sensors
can be attached to the system.
The EvrSafe LCD display provides a
view of the entire vessel’s layout. It
offers large easy-touch icons, access to
the operations manual, rolling displays,
color-coded alerts, emergency
checklists and sensor confi gurations.
The EvrSafe Gas Detection System
has suggested retail prices starting at
around $995.
sea-fire.com // (800) 445-7680
PROACTIVE TOXIC GAS DETECTION
Cobra incorporates useful features
into its handheld and fixed mount
VHF radios.
Its MR HH425 handheld model lets
users seamlessly switch between
VHF and GMRS bands with the push
of a button. The MR F300 BT is the
only waterproof handset on the
market featuring Bluetooth® wireless
technology, allowing boaters to
transmit non-emergency cell phone
calls loud and clear. This unit also
employs Cobra-exclusive MicroBlue™
noise-canceling technology for
crystal clear communication.
The company’s HH425 handheld
VHF radio and F80 fi xed mount
radio feature exclusive Rewind-
Say-Again™ technology, a digital
voice recorder that allows users
to replay the last 20 seconds
of audio. All fi xed mount and
handheld radios are equipped with
noise-canceling technology.
The MR HH45 retails for $169.95, the
MR F80 and the MR F300 are priced
at $189.95 and the MR HH125 (seen in
the photo) is $79.95.
www.cobra.com/marine // (773) 889-8870
COBRA MARINE VHF RADIOS
greatlakesboating.com | 47
Kiwi® Camp Dry® Heavy Duty Water Repellent provides superior water resistance on
lether, suede, canvas and other heavy outdoor materials. Its formulation contains silicone
for tough, long-lasting water protection while allowing materials to breathe. It is ideal for
use on boots, tarps, boat covers and outdoor/camping gear.
Kiwi Camp Dry Performance Fabric Protector repels water, dirt and stains on many types
of fabric including lightweight, light-colored synthetic, nylon and high-performance
fabrics like Gore -Tex®. It has an advanced polymer, non-silicone formula that creates a
surface barrier, dries quickly without darkening and discoloring materials and maintains
the appearance and breathability of articles. It can be used on all fabrics and apparel
such as coats, jackets, fl eeces, hats, gloves, light-colored footwear and outdoor furniture.
Both products, which have a suggested retail price of $6.99, are safe to use outdoors.
kiwicampdry.com // (800) 392-7733
Verifi ed by engine manufacturers and American Society
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) tests, the new ValvTect
Ethanol Gasoline Treatment is proven to stabilize
gasoline, prevent corrosion, control moisture to help
prevent phase separation, reduce octane loss and clean-
up carbon deposits.
Ethanol gasoline destabilizes quickly and can prevent
starting, cause stalling and plug fuel fi lters. ValvTect
Ethanol Gasoline Treatment is test proven to stabilize
fuel for up to one year. Under ASTM test procedures, it
improved fuel stability 130 percent more than enzyme
fuel treatments. In the ASTM Water Interface
test, ValvTect’s additive was 50 percent more
effective than enzyme-based additives, thereby
better reducing the chance of phase separation.
Additionally, ValvTect was substantially more
effective at preventing rust and corrosion.
ValvTect Ethanol Gasoline Treatment is available
at West Marine stores and other marine supply
dealers in a 12-ounce bottle that treats 120
gallons of fuel.
valvtect.com // (800) 728-8258
BO
AT
CA
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& F
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DIN
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48 GLB | May/June 09
CAMP DRY WATER REPELLENT AND FABRIC PROTECTOR
JT-4 Synthetic 4-Cycle Outboard Marine
Motor Oil SAE 10W-40 can tackle the
harshest of marine environments with
its special synthetic additive system that
provides optimum high and low temperature
protection. This balance of synthetic
components enhances fuel economy and
improves high temperature thermal and
oxidation stability.
The formulation contains premium synthetic
base oils and a special additive system that
is designed to provide superior rust and
corrosion protection, excellent low- and high-
temperature performance, scuff/wear protection
and engine cleanliness.
Recommended for use in four-cycle outboard
marine engine applications requiring an API SL,
JASO MA or NMMA FC-W quality oil, this oil is
designed for use in Evinrude, Honda, Mercury
Suzuki, Yamaha and other original equipment
manufacturers’ marine four-cycle engines. It is
not for use in two-cycle engines.
mystiklubes.com
MYSTIK JT-4 SYNTHETIC 4-CYCLE OUTBOARD MARINE MOTOR OIL
ETHANOL GASOLINE TREATMENT
greatlakesboating.com | 49
Dr. Shrink has introduced its new and inexpensive DS-683WP
Wind-Powered Vent.
With effi cient blades and anemometer cups, this vent moves
air under the shrinkwrap cover with even the lightest of breezes
and can circulate air 24 hours a day at no cost. The cups can be
rotated to either deliver air or remove it, maximizing air fl ow under
the wrap and eliminating moisture buildup.
Easy to install, the base of the vent is self-adhesive. With more
than 15 square inches of sticking power, each DS-683WP will
remain in place. They can be purchased with or without screens
in the base.
Available in white or blue, the DS-683WP Wind-Powered Vent has
a retail price of $4.25.
dr-shrink.com // (800) 968-5147
WIND-POWERED VENT INCREASES UNDER COVER AIR FLOW
SCRATCH SOLUTIONQuixx High Performance Paint Scratch Remover is a simple two-step repair system that
works easily to permanently remove scratches from painted surfaces. In the fi rst step, a
patented compound works with the paint material surrounding the scratch to permanently
remove the scratch from the surface. The second step restores the fi nish to its original shine.
It is available at retailers nationwide for $19.95.
Quixx High Performance Acrylic Scratch Remover quickly and easily removes scuffs,
scrapes and scratches from acrylic glass and Plexiglas® surfaces including car headlights,
dashboard, wood trim, motorcycle windshields, RV or boat windows and other acrylic
household items. It is available for $14.95 at retailers nationwide.
Both products are also environmentally friendly. They do not use volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), which contain high vapor pressures that are
harmful to the environment.
quixx.com // (305) 261.6755, ext 203
INFLATABLE BOAT CLEANERMeguiar’s® Infl atable Boat Cleaner™ removes oil, grease and ocean grime from your infl atable
boat without damaging its surface.
Meguiar’s environmentally safe and biodegradable formula removes dirt, bird droppings, oil and other
stains to restore your boat to like-new condition. It is perfect for rigid infl atable boats (RIB), non-rigid
infl atable boats and even kayaks. Simply spray product directly on the surface and allow it to work
into the soiled area for 15 to 20 seconds. Wipe dry with a 100 percent cotton terry cloth towel and the
surface will look brighter, cleaner and feel as good as new.
A 16-fl uid-ounce spray bottle of Infl atable Boat Cleaner retails for $14.99.
meguiarsdirect.com // (800) 347-5700
50 GLB | May/June 09
BO
AT
KE
EP
ER
1 Run Mean & LeanLighten the load whenever possible by taking along only
essential gear and supplies. If you’re going on a one-day
of fshore trip, don’t pack enough gear and supplies onboard
for a six-day cruise. By limiting the amount of rods and
reels, tackle boxes, ice chests and the like, you’ll reduce
the weight and drag of your vessel significantly. Not only
will you burn less fuel, you should experience notable
improvements in handling and performance as well.
2 Distribute Weight EvenlyIn addition to reducing the weight of your craf t by
eliminating unnecessary equipment and excess “baggage,”
distributing onboard gear evenly will also help you get
more out of every gallon. If your boat is listing to one side
or the bow is weighted down due to improper placement
of onboard gear, your fuel ef ficiency will suf fer. Instead,
make certain that all onboard equipment and accessories
are properly distributed and balanced. This will help ensure
both a smoother ride and increased mileage.
3 Put Technology on Your SideA quality onboard fuel computer will help you ef ficiently
manage what you have in your tank by supplying accurate,
real-time readings of how much fuel you are using at any
given moment. This is a highly desirable alternative to the
notoriously inaccurate fuel gauges that come standard on
many boat models.
4 Tune Her UpRegular engine maintenance and tune-ups will contribute
greatly to your boat’s overall fuel ef ficiency. If your motor
is not operating the way it should, chances are the system
will be working overtime and consuming more fuel. Have
a professional marine technician overhaul your engine
at least once a year. Also make sure you are running
your boat within the rpm range recommended by the
manufacturer for optimum fuel ef ficiency. In addition to
proper engine maintenance, check other components of
your craf t’s propulsion system, such as the propeller, for
fuel-robbing defects. An improperly sized or bent prop can
also contribute to fuel inef ficiency.
IMPROVE
EFFICIENCYFUEL
Today’s higher prices for diesel and gasoline make squeezing the most out
of every drop of fuel more important than ever. Besides the money-saving
factor, you’ll want to ensure that you have maximum range capability each
time you fill up your tank. So what steps can you take to optimize the fuel
efficiency of your boat and motor? Here are some useful tips:
greatlakesboating.com | 51
Making WavesJefferson Beach Marina…Anchor of the Nautical Mile
A Destination Within A DestinationCome ashore and ride the shuttle or walk to the St. Clair Shores Nautical Mile,
where you can experience local shopping, dining, special events and attractions.
Jefferson Beach Marina is a full service marina with fuel dock, service center, wireless internet, shower facilities, on-site restaurant and much more
Lat: 42° 28.05’ Long: 82° 52.52’
5 Time For a TrimInstalling a quality trim-tab system on your boat will
not only improve the ride of your boat, it will help you
go farther on a tank of fuel. Trim tabs allow you to
make necessary adjustments to the way your boat cuts
through the water, planes and handles. By adjusting
your trim according to boat speed/load and the current
water conditions, you will help optimize performance
and save fuel.
6 Don’t Carry Along Unwelcome GuestsThe hulls of boats kept in the water of ten have many
“cling-ons,” which resemble coral jungles. If you are
carrying a small ecosystem of algae, barnacles or
other marine growth on your hull, you will definitely
experience fuel-consuming drag when under way.
Regular inspections of your boat’s underside, along with
the use of anti-fouling paint and anti-fouling cleaners,
will help prevent unwelcome guests from hitching a ride.
7 Drain That WaterThe water in your boat’s bait tank and live wells can add
a surprising amount of weight to your vessel. Instead
of heading home at the end of the day lugging along
all this extra weight, empty your tanks of unnecessary
water (and bait) before making that long run back to the
docks. You’ll lighten your overall load significantly and
get better mileage.
Article provided by BoatersWorld.com
Photo courtesy of Livorsi Marine
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Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) is a serious disease of freshand saltwater fish recently found in the Great Lakes region ofthe United States and Canada.
VHS spreads when infected fish and water are moved intounexposed lakes and rivers.
You Can Help Stop the Spread
• Thoroughly clean and dry fishing equipment, bait buckets,boats, and trailers before using them again.
• Empty all water from equipment before transporting.
• Remove all mud, plants, and aquatic life from equipment.
• Do not move fish or plants from one body of water to another.
• Do not introduce fish of an unknown health status into populations of farmed fish.
A deadly fish disease is on the move...HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF VHS
United States Department of AgricultureAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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POWERBOATS20’ Sea Ray w/Cuddy: Skis, LJS,
extras. 4.5L 185 Merc I/O, new batteris.
EZ Loader trlr w/new electric brakes.
Kalamazoo, MI. (269) 375-0802 or
(269) 365-2614.
1995 Sea Ray Sundancer 250: Very
good condition, 5.7L Merc Bravo II,
camper, head, color chartplotter, Eagle
custom trailer. (231) 758-4186. $22,900.
1986 Tiara 2700 Continental: Twin
260 hp, 265 hours, generator, AC/heat,
trailer, newer canvas, Humminbird
GPS system, Interlux 2000 barrier coat,
VC17. (414) 651-3100. $18,900.
1984 272 Formula: Black/silver, new
10,000 lbs. Trailer, new interior, twin
5.7 Mercs. Boat shows like new. New
cockpit cover, low hours, extra drive.
(231) 750-4734. $14,895.
1994 Tiara 29’ Open: Excellent
condition. Twin Crusader 350s.
Raytheon electronics (radar, autopilot,
VHF/hailer, video echo sounder.) New
canvas. Electric planner board reels,
rod holders, much more.
See www.LokeLures.com homepage.
(586) 725-5911. $79,900 OBO.
(see photo below)
2005 Sea Ray Amberjack 290: Like
new, fresh water only and stored inside
on a rack. T-350 Magnum Horizon
V-drives, Ray Marine 435i GPS, chart-
plotter and more. Less than 30 hrs. of
use. (716) 754-1183. Asking $135,000.
2002 Mainship Pilot 30: Hardtop
presently located in Pine Island,
Florida. 240 hp Yanmar, electric stove,
Nova cool fridge and only 197 hours
since new. (866) 941-5884. $85,000.
(see photo below)
2002 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer: Like
new. Twin 350 MPI Horizons/v-drives.
Low hours. New canvas ’08. Radar/
GPS/heat-ac. (414) 573-9500. $119k.
1989 32’ Wellcraft St. Tropez: 450 hrs.,
454s, generator, air/heat, chartplotter,
windlass, driplass, 4-blade nibral, VC
paint. Call (734) 284-5186, lahey08@
yahoo.com. Reduced $33,900.
1989 Cruisers 3270 Express Cruiser:
Twin Crusaders 350, galley, head,
chartplotter, side imaging sonar, low
hrs.— 450, fresh water only.
(312) 371-3381. $29,000.
1985 Trojan International 10 meter:
Twin 454 Crusaders, factory options,
radar, fully self-contain, windlass,
electronics, sleeps six, air-heat, full
camper top, closed water system, exc.
condition. (517) 423-7836.
2002 Larson 330 Cabriolet: Twin
economical 5.7L Volvo duo-props.
Stored heated indoors winters since
new. Near new condition. Bayfi eld, WI,
[email protected] or (715) 779-3153.
$64,950.
1986 Chris Craft 336 Commander:
Needs TLC. Port side V-drive and
engine need work. A/C-heat needs
work. (773) 454-2027. $10,000.
1987 10.8 Meter Trojan International:
Twin 350 Crusaders, good shape,
outriggers, new interior carpet. Lots of
extras. Motivated seller. Sandusky, OH.
Contact mysticfl [email protected]
or (330) 995-6088.
1973 36’ Unifl ite: Double cabin,
twin 440 Chryslers, generator, air
conditioning, two heads.
Call (440) 759-8145. $29,000 OBO.
1960 40’ Chris Craft Sea Skiff: Twin
Lincoln engines. Lots of teak. Sleeps 6.
Full galley. Always stored inside during
winter. Well maintained. Bid aft deck.
Phone (815) 223-7878. Asking $25,000.
1995 Tiara 40 Mid-Cabin Express:
Cummins 420s, 400 hrs., 9kW Onan,
extended swim platform, cockpit air,
ash interior, fully equipped.
(313) 949-4392. $239,000 or offer.
2000 Carver 404: Stellar condition with
all options. Stored indoors winters and
needs nothing. Full canvas and ready
to entertain.
(866) 941-5884. $169,000.
(see photo below)
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JANUARY
IOWAMAY 15-17“That Was Then, This Is Now” Boat ShowMississippi Riverfront ParkMuscatinemuscatineboatshow.com
MARYLANDMAY 23-24Annapolis Nautical Flea Market500 Farragut RoadAnnapolisusboat.com
MAY 29-31The Yacht Show at National Harbor137 National PlazaNational Harborusboat.com
MICHIGANMAY 29Grand Haven Offshore ChallengeChinook PierGrand Havengrandhavenoffshorechallenge.com
JUNE 19-21Bay Harbor In-Water Boat ShowBay Harbor Lake MarinaBay Harborbayharbor.com
JUNE 26-2824th Annual Boat Show “Where It All Began”Algonac Harbor ClubAlgonacantiqueboat.com
JULY 10-11Boyne Thunder Poker RunBoyne City MarinaBoyne Cityboynethunder.com
MINNESOTAMAY 16Solar Boat RegattaBeach at Phalen ParkSt. Paulsolarboatrace.net
JUNE 14Parade of BoatsCentennial Lakes ParkEdinaedinamodelyachtclub.org
NEW YORKMAY 23Snake River Wooden Boat ShowWilson Bridge boat accessWilsonwoodenboatpeople.com/events
JUNE 12-14Lake George Donzi Classic Club Spring DustoffVarious locationsLake Georgelgdonziclassic.com
JUNE 20-21Clearwater Festival & Great Hudson River RevivalCroton Point ParkWestchester Countyclearwater.org
JUNE 25-28Trawler FestMitchell Park and MarinaGreenportpassagemaker.com
OHIOJUNE 13-14North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing FestNorth Coast Harbor, Voinovich ParkClevelandboatingfest.com
greatlakesboating.com | 55
2001 42 Regal Commodore 4160:
300 hrs., Volvo diesels. Large galley,
two staterooms, two heads. Full
Raymarine, color plotter, radar. Zodiac
on roller bunk. Perfect condition.
Contacct Rick at (231) 941-1284.
2001 420 Sea Ray Aft Cabin: Volvo
diesels, fast and economical. 3
staterooms, 2 full heads, all the
options. Great 2 couple/family cruiser.
(716) 864-1755.
1996 42 Fountain Lightning:
Fresh water only, stored inside when
not in use. Full camper top w/bimni
and 3 boat covers. Triple HP500s.
Very Clean! Email bfi scher@
hiltonstorage.com for info.
(see photo below)
2004 459 Meridian Cockpit Motor
Yacht: Spacious, luxurious, quiet,
powerful, fast, Safe! Sleeps 6. Perfect
for cruising/entertaining. D.O.C. makes
docking EASY! LOADED! Tender/15 hp
OB, SatTV, Inverter. T370HP diesels.
Call (770) 992-1416.
(see photo below)
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GLB MagazineAdvertiser Index
Atlantic-Meeco 21
Bay Breeze Yacht Sales 43
Boat U.S. 03
Chicago Park District 24
Dept. of Agriculture 53
Essex Credit BC
Foremost Insurance IFC
GLBF 52
Golden Giant 13
Jefferson Beach 51
Meridian Yachts 25
North Point Marina 01
Quebec City Marina 02
Seng’s Marina 29
Taste of Great Lakes 37
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council 35
Totally Clean Marine 33
Trawlers Midwest 29
VisitRochester 05
Waukegan Harbor IBC
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JUNE 18-21Windsor/MacRay GetawaysMentor & Port Clintonmarinemax.com
(440) 974-9231
(419) 797-4492
JUNE 20Caesar Creek Lake Fest and Outdoor ExpoCaesar Creek State ParkWaynesvillesailcincinnati.com
JUNE 20-28Cleveland Race WeekEdgewater Yacht ClubClevelandewyc.org
JUNE 27Summer SplashWalborn ReservoirAlliancestateparks.com
PENNSYLVANIAMAY 29-30Council of American Maritime Museums ConferenceErie Maritime MuseumEriecouncilofamericanmaritimemuseums.org
WISCONSINMAY 15-17Midwestern Model Ships and Boats Contest and DisplayWisconsin Maritime MuseumManitowocwisconsinmaritime.org
JUNE 19-21LMYA Wisconsin Region RendezvousHarbor Centre MarinaSheboyganlmya.net
CANADAMAY 23Don’t Rock the BoatCollins Bay MarinaKingston, OntarioCollinsbaymarina.com
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEKMAY 16-22
56 GLB | May/June 09
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