Great Lakes Boating December - January 2012

showcase

FREEBoat Adp54

Display until March 15, 2012

BOATING GOES GREEN

HOLIDAYGIFT GUIDE

CHICAGO RIVERRENEWED

ERIE-SISTIBLY

GREAT LAKES

SOBA FOR ACCESS

greatlakesboating.com

January 2012WHERE BOATERS GO FOR NEWS

Cruisers Cantius

04 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

PU

BL

ISH

ER

’S N

OT

E

GREAT LAKES BOATING® Magazine (ISSN 1937-7274) ©2012 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]

Great Lakes Boating Magazine is available online at greatlakesboating.com and 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.

Advertising | Sales Inquiries Neil Dikmenp 312.266.8400 • f 312.266.8470e [email protected]

Michigan | Ohio M2Media CompanyMark Moyer • p 248.840.0749e [email protected]

It is hard to judge the 2011 boating season. In some places it lingered with an enjoyable Indian summer, while others saw it quickly vanish as soon as autumn leaves began falling. With holiday gatherings now underway, we shall reminisce on it with family and friends.

With the new year about to arrive, we look to the future—the future of our pastime, the environment in which we enjoy it, and the products and vessels we use. This much is certain, the time has come to get excited about the greening of boating. Our industry has done well in developing high-quality environmentally friendly products and following more environmentally friendly practices, and now it’s time to get serious about vessels that run on clean, renewable energy. In this issue, we examine which alternative energy sources are most viable and how close they are to powering boats in the mainstream.

In the spirit of renewal, environmental stewardship and making the waters enjoyable for all, we also learn about Chicago’s plans to revitalize the Chicago River with four new boathouses and continued cleanup efforts. This project promises to create jobs and make the city’s “other shoreline” a gathering place.

Another feature acquaints you with State Organization for Boating Access (SOBA). While you may not be familiar with that name, it’s likely you’ve encountered SOBA’s work. As a guardian angel for boating access,

it ensures that all states get involved in maintaining the accessibility and sustainability of recreational boating.

For those who plan to participate in off-season boating, the U.S. Coast Guard offers tips for planning safe trips and practicing emergency preparedness. For those left looking forward to 2012, we check in with our friends at Cruisers Yachts to learn more about their 2012 41 Cantius sports coupe. Our Port of Call takes us to Erie, Pa. As you plan next season’s travels, consider this vibrant, historic maritime community on Lake Erie.

As we wrap up 2011 and toast 2012, Great Lakes Boating wants to remind you that recreational boating needs you more than ever. During this economic meltdown we have lost many boaters due to unemployment and a lack of discretionary funds to support the boating lifestyle. Not so long ago there were 16 million boaters all across our nation in fresh- and saltwater seas. We are now informed that the number of registered boaters is near 12.5 million—a considerable loss indeed.

You can help Grow Boating through word of mouth. Share your stories and praise the joys of this family sport and hobby. Remind others that boats provide wonderful second homes in the summertime. Tell everyone you know why our great pastime is worth pursuing.

To help preserve boating and angling on the Great Lakes, join the Great Lakes Boating Federation, a voice that advocates the recreational boating and sportfi shing lifestyle.

We wish you the happiest holidays and a prosperous new year! We are especially looking forward to our May/June issue, which will mark our 30th anniversary.

F. Ned Dikmen

Karen Malonis

James AdamsJohn MalatakSteve Miller

Jenifer Fischer

Mila RykAndrea Vasata

Dmitriy Pisarev

Publisher & Editor in Chief

Managing Editor

Contributing Writers

Assistant Editor

Graphic Design

Web Master

WHERE BOATERS GO FOR NEWS

VISIT THE NEW

GREATLAKESBOATING.COM

GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK

IMPROVED AND MORE MOBILE FRIENDLY

[email protected]

06 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

TA

BL

E O

F C

ON

TE

NT

S

DEPARTMENTS

14FEATURESFEATURES

• CRUISERS YACHTS 12 • PORT OF CALL: ERIE, PA 14• SOBA 18• THE GREENING OF BOATING 22

IN THE NEWSIN THE NEWS

• GREAT LAKES 36• FISHING 40• MARINAS 42• CRUISING 44• NATIONAL 46• SAILING 48

DEPARTMENTS

• PUBLISHER’S NOTE 04• EDITORIALS 08• LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 10• NEW PRODUCTS 50• BOAT CARE AND FEEDING 52• MARINE MART 54• EVENTS CALENDAR 55• ADVERTISER INDEX 56

18

3034

The sporty 41 Cantius is the sister

yacht to the 48 Cantius Sports Coupe

launched by Cruisers Yachts in 2010.

The upper salon accommodates six

adults with its standard double helm

seat. It also features a companion seat

and 6 feet 4 inches of headroom. The

navigation center offers the captain

unmatched visibility and complete

control of the vessel. Volvo Penta IPS

engines with joystick are standard.

The stern has an L-shaped seating area

with a hi-low table and a transom bar

with two removable bar stools on the

swim platform. Designated storage is

found beneath the L-shaped seating.

Natural light pours into the galley

through the open dash. The galley

is equipped with a stainless-steel

refrigerator and freezer, microwave/

convection oven, two-burner electric

stove, single sink and storage areas.

The boat has three strategically placed

air conditioning and heating units.

The 41 boasts two staterooms and heads.

The guest mid-ship suite features a split

bunk arrangement that converts to a

queen-size berth and a private wet head

with dedicated vanity area outside of

the head. The master stateroom has a

queen-sized island berth with a foam

mattress, full-length cedar-lined closets,

and built-in drawers beneath the berth.

The forward head features a separate

shower stall and a storage area.

Cruisers Yachts804 Pecor StreetOconto, WI

920-834-2211

www.cruisersyachts.com

SPOTLIGHTSSPOTLIGHTS

• GIFT GUIDE 26• OFF-SEASON BOATING 30• CHICAGO RIVER 34

42’8” 13’0”

10’6”40” 300 gal.

LOA W/INTEGRATED SWIM PLATFORM:

BEAM:

BRIDGE CLEARANCE W/HARDTOP:

DRAFT, IPS:

FUEL CAPACITY:

Cruisers Yachts 41 CantiusOTC 41 Cantius

Kiss the status quo goodbye. The new 41 Cantius.

The incredible new 41 Cantius was ergonomically designed to put everything within easy reach. Such as sumptuous food, lively conversation and interesting friends. Its revolutionaryopen-concept design was made for entertaining guests, by inviting interaction and keeping everyone onboard engaged in the conversation. Plus, it also features the most advanced technology and amenities to make your 41 Cantius the most happening venue in town. Your weekends, and your life will never be the same. To experience the extraordinary new 41 Cantius, visit your dealer or go to CruisersYachts.com/glb

Scan this QR code for behind-the-scenes video of the new 41 Cantius.

08 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

ED

ITO

RIA

LS

ED

ITO

RIA

LS

As boaters, we must be good stewards of the waters. Aft er all,

it is in our best interest to keep them clean and welcoming

for our recreational pursuits and enjoyment. Our desire to do

so remains evident when we abide by the Clean Boating Act,

support the establishment of Clean Marinas and work to halt

the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Our conservation eff orts extend beyond our actions, however.

They increasingly spill over into what we buy. Recent years

have seen more eff ective and economical marine products at

consumers’ fingertips, and boaters seem eager to use them.

Naturally, this leaves us to question whether boaters are ready

to embrace green forms of power.

As it stands today, sail boating remains much greener than

power boating. While electric boats are another means of

enjoying our pastime without fossil fuels, they also cater to a

segment of the population looking for a mellower experience—

those who use them as second boats for spending time in the

harbor at rates of speed not much beyond 5 mph. Th ose with

recreational powerboats seek to cruise at average speeds of 15

knots, and at present, fossil fuels remain their best option in

doing so.

Currently, lead-acid batt eries are the most widely available

alternative energy source; however, they are heavy and last

only a year or two. Th e most advanced batt eries, lithium-ion

batteries, are making headway to compete with gasoline

and diesel fuels in an att empt to bring the clean and green

renewable energy to powerboats.

Many would be surprised to hear electric engines can not only

match their diesel counterparts in speed and acceleration,

they are also more efficient. Without pistons and exhaust

gases, about 90 percent of the energy available in a lithium-ion

batt ery may be used to propel a boat. Diesel engines can only

use 35 percent of the energy available.

In a pound-for-pound comparison between a diesel engine

and a lithium ion batt ery, the performance would be almost

identical; however, the shortcoming is that the total energy

available in the batt ery would only take you about half the

distance of a boat run on fossil fuels. That means more

batt eries needed to go the same distance, which adds more

weight, which ultimately decreases performance.

Lithium-ion batt eries have a long way to go when it comes to

being a viable option; they cost tens of thousands of dollars,

have an uncertain lifespan, and are not widely available to the

general public.

And what about wind and solar energy? Th ey may be naturally

available, but they still require the right technology to viable

sources of power—both functionally and economically.

Comparatively speaking, fossil fuels remain far less expensive.

If we can decrease our reliance on fossil fuels, why is it taking

so long? In the end, it comes down to economics and research.

More research needs to be done if we are to make alternative

energies viable, aff ordable and widely available. It would seem,

only cost can help them compete with fossil fuels.

Looking at the rate of progress being made, it would seem we

are quite a ways off from powetrboats that run by means other

than fossil fuels. In the meantime, we must remain vigilant

in our efforts to care for the lands and waters we frequent.

Boating offers great freedom and a way to be out in nature

with friends and family. If we wish to share this pastime with

our children and grandchildren, it is in our best interest to act,

purchase and vote accordingly.

Help Boating Get Green

Agree? Disagree? Want to Comment?Email your thoughts to lett [email protected]

greatlakesboating.com | 09

Twenty years ago when the nine Chicago harbors, home to 5,000

boaters, were constantly in the news. Mooring spaces were in hot

demand, and to get one for the summer was no easy task. In order

to seek a mooring, you had to currently own a boat and then had

to place your name on a waiting list, which you were told, was

longer than the eye could see. When a mooring was secured, the

majority of harbors were equipped with an odd congregation of

buoy can and star dock accommodations that required the use

of a dinghy to get to one’s boat. Th ere were many stories about

a fast-track means of gett ing mooring spaces, and there were as

many stories that found their way into investigations and courts

of law.

However, those days have ended. Now, for the first time in

history, you can walk in with dignity, demand to see the slips

available, and choose one that will fit your needs. There is a

new harbor at 31st Street that will accommodate 1,000 boats of

assorted sizes. We have learned that next year, it is expected that

40 percent of the harbor will be fi lled with happy occupants.

To find available boaters and lure them to come from other

harbors to rent a mooring at twice what they pay elsewhere

may be one tall order. Th e days of boaters waiting in line for

moorings are over and gone, and the way to fi ll a harbor now

is to steal clients from another.

Many boaters call our editorial offi ce and inquire whether we

know the rate hikes they will see when their contracts arrive.

Even though it is not official, we have learned that, at least

two premium harbors, Burnham and DuSable, will escalate

by 3 percent, while the rest of the harbors will not see any rate

increases in 2012.

Boats are recreational items oft en deemed unnecessary during

these diffi cult economic times. Many know that the boating

industry is the fi rst to fall and the last to recover during a

recession. And when it does recover, it comes face-to-face with

the next recession. Many consider boats to be toys of the rich,

but most are near two decades old and worth less than $20,000.

The largely middle-class population that enjoys this pastime

will not—and cannot—keep paying more and more with each

passing year.

There is no doubt it is now a boaters’ market with many

options available, from a bank-repossessed boat acquired at a

small fraction of its value to moorings at about $60 per lineal

foot at almost all harbors in southern Lake Michigan except

Chicago. Chicago is an exception because it considers much

added value in pricing its moorings at $140 per lineal foot,

nearly twice that of nearby harbors.

Chicago still has some of the old-style cans and star docks in

operation. Th ey command lower mooring fees that appeal to

frugal-minded boaters, but they are located in off -the-beaten

path harbors.

As lawmakers and tax collectors peer through their periscopes,

boats have become exceedingly att ractive as a revenue source in

recent days. Taxing bodies like the Chicago Park District and

others will think twice before they tweak their numbers one

notch higher believing that boaters are willing to pay their raised

property taxes.

More than 20 years ago, the Chicago Park District and City of

Chicago raised mooring rates to unimaginable levels compared

with adjacent harbors in Illinois and other states. In what was a

total surprise to the park district and city, nearly 2,000 owners

of large craft s 27 feet in length and longer, picked up and slipped

away to less expensive harbors nearby.

Unlike real estate owners who must bite the bullet and sit when

taxes are raised, boaters do not have to tolerate such impositions.

The Chicago Park District will have to weather the storm of

boaters’ unpredictable actions. Th is group earned the name “the

slippery bunch” 20 years ago, and they can do it again.

Boaters’ Market

10 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

LE

TT

ER

S T

O T

HE

ED

ITO

R PRIVATE MARINAS NEED CORPS OF ENGINEERS, TOO

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has abandoned the

dredging and maintenance of harbor structures within ports

receiving less than 1 million tons of cargo a year; a move

that has been attributed to federal budget cuts. I understand

that the Corps’ mission is to provide services in support of

commercial shipping, but in turning its back on these ports,

the Corps ignores the billions of dollars generated by private

boat operators who also depend on these same structures

and dredging—a deeply disheartening action.

The federal government established the Harbor Maintenance

Trust Fund as a tool to ensure continuing maintenance of

harbor structures and channel dredging. This was funded

by a tax placed upon shippers on a per ton basis. To my

understanding, it carries a balance of $5.5 billion and yet goes

relatively unused. Currently there are two pieces of legislation

working their way through Congress (HR 104 and S 412)

intended to ensure these funds are used only for their original

intended purpose. The Waukegan Port District has joined with

the Great Lakes Small Harbor Coalition to help bring these

efforts to fruition. It is painfully obvious that the use of these

funds would most assuredly eliminate the bulk of shallow

drafts and deteriorating infrastructure throughout all of

the Great Lakes.

The fact that federal grant money is available for constructing

new transient docks but, it would seem, not for upgrading

existing marine infrastructure, disappoints a vast majority

of the boating community. I am aware of some projects in

surrounding areas where grant monies were apparently used

to construct transient dockage in numbers that seem to be far

in excess of actual demand, while existing marinas must fend

for themselves. If harbor operators are forced to not only

maintain their own infrastructure but also carry the additional

burden of maintaining breakwalls and channel dredging

formerly undertaken by the Corps of Engineers, it is diffi cult

to foresee how once profi table harbors can continue.

Funding sources for upgrading and maintaining existing harbor

infrastructure must be located—and quickly. If this matter is not

met with urgency, the consequences will harm everyone from

the boating public to the businesses that serve them to the

shipping community.

Brion O’ Dell, Harbor Manager

Waukegan Port District

Waukegan, Ill.

Prin

cecr

aft

Boat

s In

c. 2

012,

a B

runs

wic

k Co

mpa

ny.

A Princecraft boat is the ultimate way to enjoy perfect moments with family and friends.Pioneers in terms of design and craftsmanship, our lines of pontoon boats, fi shing boatsand deck boats have been delivering the best pleasure craft on the market since 1954.Call us at 800.395.8858 or on-line at princecraft.com to fi nd your nearest dealer.

COME SEE OUR LINE OF ELECTRIC POWERED BOATS AT PRINCECRAFT.COM

Informations and Tips

12 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

Christens

LOA w/integrated Swim Platform

BeamBridge Clearance w/hardtop

Draft, IPSFuel Capacity

42’8”

13’0”

10’6”

40”

300 gal


C ruisers Yachts, Wisconsin’s premier manufacturer of

luxury yachts, held a dealer meeting on Sept. 12 and

13 at the company’s headquarters in Oconto, Wis.

More than 100 dealers and guests attended the meeting,

with dealers from six different countries represented.

During the dealer meeting, which took place in the factory

showroom that was unveiled last year, Cruisers Yachts

also introduced a completely redesigned website. Moving

from a Flash-developed Web core to a dynamic content-

based system, the website is easier to navigate, allows

users to explore models, provides up-to-date information

on boat shows, news and brand messaging and has social

networking capabilities. Key features include large-format

photographs, featured content area on the home page,

mega menus and a suggestive search.

“Like our yachts, we’ve designed a website focused on

elegant simplicity. I encourage boaters to take a look at

the new site and see how the added features and functions

directly refl ect our Web-savvy customer base,” said Russ

Davis, director of sales and marketing at Cruisers Yachts.

Crate Marine was the recipient of this year’s coveted

Dealer of the Year Award. Crate Marine has fi ve locations

throughout Ontario and Quebec. They provide full marine

sales and service and have been in the Cruiser Yachts family

for three years.

The annual gathering also featured Cruisers Yachts christening

of the 2012 41 Cantius sports coupe.

“Last year, our customers were inspired by the revolutionary

new 48 Cantius,” Davis said. “The yacht symbolizes a new

attitude and our unyieldiwng drive to continually innovate;

changing not only how we design yachts but in the way

we do business. Cruisers Yachts is positioned well for the

fi ercely competitive years ahead.”

Building on the momentum created by last year’s breakout

48 Cantius model, Cruisers Yachts introduced the 41 Cantius.

This model 41 Cantius showcases a fi rst for Cruisers Yachts:

a swim platform entertaining area with two removable bar

stools, as well as other quality features such as double salons,

a full enclosure tri-slide glass door, two staterooms and heads,

Volvo Penta IPS propulsion and customizable options.

cruisersyachts.com

14 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

Erie, Pennsylvania’s fourth largest city, lies on

beautiful Presque Isle Bay, one the world’s best-

protected harbors, surrounded by a seven-mile

peninsula. As Pennsylvania’s only Great Lakes Port City, Erie

has an extensive maritime history. Central to the Pittsburgh-

Cleveland-Buffalo triangle, Erie is within 500 miles of

more than half of the U.S. population and is accessible by

automobile, boat, plane, train or bus.

PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK

The sandy surf beaches at Presque Isle State Park along

Lake Erie help to make tourism Erie’s second largest industry,

next to manufacturing. Sailing, swimming, hiking, biking, kite

fl ying and fi shing are popular on Lake Erie as are ice fi shing,

ice sailing and cross-country skiing. Presque Isle, French for

“almost an island,” has been designated a National Natural

Landmark due to its unique ecological composition and

diversity with rare and endangered species of wildfl owers

and more than 428 species of birds.

With its seven miles of sandy beaches and world-class

sunsets, Presque Isle State Park is regarded as one of

Pennsylvania’s top vacation destinations. More than 4

million visitors travel here annually to enjoy its unique blend

of natural beauty and recreation, year-round. Condé Nast

Traveler magazine names Presque Isle as one of the nation’s

“Top 100 Swimming Holes” and 13 designated swimming

areas give visitors several places to cool off on a hot summer

day. The lagoons, Gull Point and Presque Isle Bay, may be

explored on pontoons, kayaks or narrated boat tours, and a

multipurpose trail offers 13 paved miles for walking, jogging

or biking. This area provides a scenic backdrop for a leisurely

day spent fi shing, birding, boating, windsurfi ng, water skiing

or picnicking. Birder’s World magazine lists Presque Isle as

a birding “hot spot” due to its unique diversity of habitats,

topography and geological location home to more than 325

bird species. Fall and winter activities such as nature hikes

among the dazzling fall foliage, ice-skating and ice fi shing,

ice kite surfi ng, ice sailing or cross-country skiing make this a

four-season destination.

The Erie area is home to three lighthouses, with two located at

Presque Isle State Park—the North Pier Light and the Presque

Isle Lighthouse. The Presque Isle Lighthouse was built in

ERIE-SISTIBLE

Bicentennial Tower

totally


1872. Its neighboring kiosk exhibit traces the lighthouse’s

history. Re-built in 1858 after the original wooden beacon was

destroyed a year earlier, the cast-iron North Pier Light greets

travelers by sea at the east end of the north pier channel

connecting Presque Isle Bay to the waters of Lake Erie. Erie’s

third lighthouse, the Land Lighthouse, rests high on the bluff

at the foot of Lighthouse Street in the city of Erie. Originally

built in 1867, the Land Lighthouse tower was restored by the

Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority in 2004, bringing

back its historic beauty.

THE TOM RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

Named after one of Erie’s famous natives, former head of

Homeland Security and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge,

the Tom Ridge Environmental Center is a grand gateway

to Presque Isle and Lake Erie. Affectionately referred to as

“TREC,” the 65,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art, “green”

facility is an educational center, dedicated to teaching visitors

about the unique 3,200 acres that is Presque Isle State Park.

TREC houses interactive educational exhibits, a Presque Isle

orientation fi lm, 75-foot glass enclosed observation tower,

visitor information area, nature shop/gallery, the Sunset

Café, 4-story high, 45-feet wide “Big Green Screen” theater,

educational programs, workshops and lectures. Free to the

public and open year-round, the Tom Ridge Environmental

Center is the perfect way for families, individuals and groups

to have fun while learning about Presque Isle.

ERIE’S BAYFRONT DISTRICT

Located on the southeast shore of Lake Erie in a natural

bay formed and protected by Presque Isle, Erie’s Bayfront

District has evolved from shipyards and railroad tracks to a

bustling recreational playground, which is a popular stop for

both visitors and the local community. The Bayfront Parkway

connects Interstates 79 to 90, providing easy accessibility to

Liberty Park, the Bicentennial Tower, Erie Maritime Museum/

U.S. Brig Niagara, waterfront restaurants, family-friendly

attractions and the Bayfront Convention Center. The Bayfront

District and Bayfront Parkway are part of the Great Lakes

Seaway Trail, a nationally designated America’s Byway™, and

feature a multipurpose trail stretching from Frontier Park to

Interstate 90. A stroll along the Bayfront Promenade, which

stretches from Parade Street to Poplar Street, or a trip to the

top of the 187-foot Bicentennial Tower includes spectacular

views of Erie’s downtown and Presque Isle. Other Bayfront

attractions include waterfront mini golf, fi shing charters, the

Victorian Princess stern-wheel paddleboat, outdoor concerts,

festivals and car shows.

The Bayfront Parkway offers easy access to the ever-evolving

Bayfront District. Those interested in learning about Erie’s

extensive maritime history, including the Battle of Lake

Erie, can visit Pennsylvania’s Offi cial Flagship, the U.S. Brig

Niagara at the Erie Maritime Museum. The Bicentennial

Observation Tower on Dobbins Landing offers beautiful vistas

North East Marina

16 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

of the city and Presque Isle Bay. Additional activities include

enjoying a romantic dinner on the Victorian Princess stern-

wheeler, taking the Water Taxi to Presque Isle, or playing 18

holes at Harborview Miniature Golf.

ERIE ARTS/CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT/OUTDOOR RECREATION

Travel south on State Street to visit the Erie Art Museum

in the Greek Revival-style Old Customs House, the Erie

History Center, and the expERIEnce Children’s Museum.

Downtown’s impressive Jerry Uht Baseball Field is home

to the Erie Seawolves, the Detroit Tigers’ Division AA farm

team. Adjacent to Uht Field is the Tullio Arena, home to the

Ontario Hockey League Erie Otters and the Erie Bayhawks

NBA D-League basketball team. Just up the street the

historic Warner Theater, built by the famous Warner Bros.,

is currently being restored to its original splendor. Home to

the Erie Philharmonic, it is the only active Warner Theatre

left in the nation still in its original form. Theater lovers can

take advantage of Erie’s many venues including the Erie

Playhouse, Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park & Resort,

Presque Isle Downs Casino & Racetrack, Erie Zoo and

Botanical Gardens, JR’s Last Laugh Comedy Club, Asbury

Woods Nature Center, Lake Erie Speedway with NASCAR

sanctioned races, Erie Historical Museum and Planetarium

and the Station Dinner Theatre. Golf lovers can enjoy the

25+ beautifully landscaped golf courses in the area offering

challenging holes and

scenic views.

ERIE AND ITS COUNTRYSIDE

Erie is known for its lovely residential areas and churches of

vintage period architecture. Historic mansions are prevalent

along Millionaire’s Row, West Sixth Street. For shoppers,

the Millcreek Mall and neighboring plazas of the adjacent

suburbs make Erie a haven for shopping. Annually, thousands

of shoppers from New York and Canada are enticed by

Pennsylvania’s tax-free clothing. After a full day of shopping,

an abundance of dinner options await since Erie’s fantastic

culinary scene includes more than 250 dining establishments.

The surrounding countryside boasts charming towns, covered

bridges, and other historical sites, including the only known

statue of George Washington in British uniform. Scenic

Pennsylvania Historic Route 6 and the Great Lakes Seaway

Trail offer a way to experience miles of serene countryside,

vineyards, orchards and wineries.

Visit us at www.VisitErie.com. Erie…Feel the Lake Effect

Photos courtesy of “VisitErie”

Presque Isle Bay

U.S. Brig Niagara

Downtown Erie

18 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

You drive to your favorite lake or river boat-launching

area. The driveway leading to the ramp is paved and

well maintained—no potholes. The road is easily wide

enough for two rigs with those big 96-inch wide beam boats,

or wider, to pass each other without diffi culty. The two-lane

road splits and you are now on a one-way lane dedicated to

boaters who are headed to the ramp to launch their boats.

The ramp gently slopes and is amply wide, so backing your

boat down the concrete ramp is not like trying to thread a

needle. There is a courtesy dock on both sides of the ramp

to temporarily tie off your boat while you park the truck and

trailer, allowing another boat to be launched in the meantime.

The parking stalls are long, wide and well-marked, so your

rig is not squeezed along side others like sardines in a

can. On your way back to your boat, you visit the restroom

conveniently located in a corner of the parking lot. Near the

ramp and courtesy docks you stop to look over the lake map

and other information on the kiosk. You untie the boat, gently

push off, and clear the dock. Now you’re off for a day on the

lake—a simple, no-hassle entry onto the water whether to fi sh

or enjoy time with family or friends.

Does this describe the boat ramp you use? It may not. But,

it will, after the men and woman of SOBA fi nish their work

remodeling your old ramp area, or putting in a totally new

one. If you’ve ever wondered how that boat ramp you use got

there or how the marina you use got built, you can probably

assume SOBA had a hand in it.

DEDICATED TO ACCESS

The States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) is a

relatively small group of professionals, from the states,

federal government, and private suppliers and manufacturers,

that work hard to ensure boaters can get on the water and

enjoy it. They are dedicated women and men who design,

build and help maintain boat ramps and marina projects on

the Great Lakes, and on all other bodies of water in the nation

and along the sea coasts.

SOBA

“We put boats on the water!”By James Adams and Steve Miller


SOBA is a direct outgrowth of the Aquatic Resources Trust

Fund Act, known as the Wallop-Breaux Act that was enacted

by Congress in 1984. That landmark user pay/user benefi t

legislation earmarked federal tax on the sale of gasoline used

in motorboats and on sport fi shing equipment as aid to states

for the acquisition, construction and repair of public boat

access. Due to this infusion of funds, it was decided that the

states would benefi t from a dedicated national organization in

support of public boating access, and SOBA was established

in 1986.

As the only national organization with a boating access

mission, SOBA is dedicated to improving public boating

access through the acquisition, development and maintenance

of public recreational boating facilities. The mission is clear

and focused—provide the best, well-designed, engineered,

and constructed public boating facilities possible.

Great Lakes states played an integral part in the formation

of SOBA. Its fi rst meeting, setting the stage for its formation,

was held near Detroit, Mich. Those involved with its founding

represented all of the Great Lakes states, and 10 SOBA

presidents have come from Great Lakes states. SOBA

members include state boating offi cials from all 50 states

and fi ve territories, as well as a wide range of other boating

organizations, engineering fi rms, consultants, manufacturers

and suppliers interested in public boating access.

BEYOND STRUCTURES

Today, SOBA is considered a national leader in technical

publications, innovations, research, and design related

to boating access facilities. Recent technical publications

including “Design Handbook for Recreational Boating and

Fishing Facilities,” “Construction Techniques for Recreational

Boating Access Facilities,” and “Operations and Maintenance

Program Guidelines for Recreational Boating Facilities” (see

www.sobaus.org/publications) are the industry standard

for boating access facilities. SOBA is also developing

best practices to address aquatic invasive species as it

relates to boating access. The organization also helps lake

associations, counties, cities and towns that need help with

remodeling or installing a new boat ramp facility get state-

of-the-art assistance.

National Marine Manufacturers Association and U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service are two of SOBA’s biggest partners. Working

alongside NMMA, SOBA stays in direct contact with the

boating manufacturing industry—often telling NMMA, “You

build ’em and we get them on the water!”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers grants to the

states from the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, so a close

working relationship between state and federal government

offi cials is essential for effective and effi cient use of these

dedication funds.

SOBA hosts the annual National Boating Access Conference,

which always takes place in a different state. Exposing

members to a variety of boating access programs dictated

by different water and climatic conditions allows them to see

and experience design and construction features that would

Steve Miller (left) and James Adams (right) present the 2011

Congressional Award to Rep Candice Miller (center) from Michigan

SOBA’S MISSION

“TO ENCOURAGE, PROMOTE AND SUPPORT FEDERAL

AND STATE PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE SAFE, HIGH-QUALITY

AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND PUBLIC RECREATIONAL BOATING

ACCESS TO THE WATERWAYS OF THE UNITED STATES AND

ITS TERRITORIES.”

20 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

benefit their programs. Six national conferences have

been held in Great Lakes states.

Each year, awards recognizing outstanding work by

organizations and individual professionals are presented

at the annual National Boating Access Conference to

members and affi liates. SOBA also presents an annual

Congressional Award to a U.S. representative that has

made a national contribution to boating access. SOBA

has recognized numerous Great Lakes Congressional

representatives and most recently, Rep. Candice Miller

from Michigan.

A BOATER’S ALLY

Boaters can take heart that there’s a group looking out for

their interests to get on the water. Due to SOBA’s mission

and the state boating access programs, the successes

are plenty. The accomplishments of state programs have

yielded many benefi ts to boaters through the conservation

of fi sheries, boating access site development and education.

As an example, since 2004 there have been 2,355 boat shore-

side sewage pump-out facilities built under the Clean Vessel

Act, more than 10,000 sites managed for boating and fi shing

access, and 1,171 new transient dock facilities built through

the Boating Infrastructure Grant program.

Access sites can be located by visiting the SOBA Boating

Access Directory (sobaus.org/boating-access-direcory/map)

and clicking on any state’s name to access that state’s

recreational boating and boating access Web site.

STATES ORGANIZATION FOR BOATING ACCES S

231 South LaSalle Street

Suite 2050, Chicago, IL 60604

312-946-6280 (t) 312-946-0388 (f) [email protected]

Like you, SOBA members like boats and they like to be on

the water. So the next time you need a ramp, think SOBA.

James Adams, past president of SOBA, is with the Virginia Department

of Game and Inland Fisheries; Steve Miller is the current SOBA president

and is with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

22 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

Green. While the word may be politically charged, most

recreational boaters can agree that taking action to

preserve the waterways for future enjoyment is a non-

partisan issue. They want to sustain the environment in which

they spend their free time.

That’s why, throughout recent decades, boat builders, marina

owners, manufacturers, municipalities, politicians, and boaters

themselves have all participated in the greening of boating.

“It’s time to embrace green energy,” says Ned Dikmen,

chairman of the Great Lakes Boating Federation. “In an

attempt to help nature, we could be helping ourselves, too.”

And that seems to be a growing consensus among the world’s

boaters and industry players. Within recent decades, the

pastime has seen many changes in a nod to being green—

from legislation to consumer purchases. And as we hear more

and more about electric-, solar- and wind-powered boats, a

big question remains: In a society still heavily reliant upon

fossil fuels, will ever we ever make the transition to alternative

energy sources?

GREENING ACTIONIn many ways, boaters and marina owners take great care

to operate in eco-friendly ways. The National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration’s Clean Marinas initiative is just

one example. The voluntary program encourages marina

operators and boaters to follow best practices used to

prevent pollution.

Likewise, National Marine Manufacturers Association

president Thom Dammrich credits the Clean Vessel Act with

helping the industry become greener. The act, passed in

1992, prompted the installation of pumpout stations all over

the country, resulting in reductions in sewage discharge into

the water. As a result, cities like Chicago require people to

lock off discharge capabilities while in marinas.

Adhering to state laws on aquatic invasive species and

heeding pollution prevention tips from the Environmental

Protection agency are additional ways boaters look out for

the environment.

By Jenifer Fischer

oesreenGboating


GREENING PRODUCTSBoaters’ desire to minimize their impact on the environment

is also evident in their purchasing decisions.

“We’ve found that our customers are very concerned about

water pollution and want to protect the waters they love,”

states Laurie Fried, West Marine’s director of community

relations and chief sustainability offi cer, of the demand for

green products.

Fried says that in the past, effectiveness and price presented

obstacles in purchasing green products. In response, West

Marine launched Pure Oceans, its own line of environmentally

preferable products in 2007. Steve Miller, the company’s

category manager for maintenance, wanted to create a line

of cleaning products that were better for the environment but

still worked.

This year’s International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition and

Conference, which was held in October, offered another

example of green product popularity. For the fi rst time,

the event included a Green Marine Route composed of

40 exhibitors who presented their green products for the

marine industry.

Products featured on the route met at least one of four criteria:

USDA bio-preferred, listed on the EPA Design for Environment

list, have an EPA GreenCheck, and have a Green Seal rating

for paints and solvents. The exhibitors were considered for

West Marine’s third annual Green Product of the year, a

contest serving to inspire green innovation from inventors,

manufacturers and distributors of boating products.

GREENING POWER“Most of the gains have come in improvements in engine

technology,” says Dammrich, pointing out that the industry

has been working at being greener for a couple of decades.

“Today’s engines are probably 50 percent more fuel effi cient,

have signifi cantly less emissions and are much quieter.”

He notes that, in addition to such advances, many in the

industry are looking at alternative energies such as solar

panels and electric boats.

Of course, there are companies that already make electric

boats; however, with lower top speeds, they serve a different

function than their powerboat kin. Duffy Electric Boat

Company is an industry leader that has been around since

1970. Its boats reach an average top speed of 5 mph. At that

rate, under ideal conditions, its smaller vessels can last about

3.5 hours on a single battery pack, reaching about 17.5 miles.

Popular and often purchased as second boats, these leisure

or cocktail cruisers, as they are sometimes called, have

small motors and run on batteries similar to those found in

golf carts. They are intended for use in harbors and inland

waterways, not vast open waters such as the Great Lakes.

WE’VE FOUND THAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WATER POLLUTION AND WANT TO PROTECT THE WATERS THEY LOVE.

Electric powerboats intended for those waters, on the other

hand, remain in their infancy despite the fact that they are

more effi cient than fossil-fuel engines. Many people are under

the impression green means less effi cient, but physicist and

avid boater Bill Bertram says that is not the case.

“Electric engines are very effi cient because they don’t have

pistons and exhaust gases,” Bertram says. “So over 90 percent

of the energy available is actually used to propel the boat.”

He offers this example: In an existing yacht with diesel

engines and fuel tanks, the tanks, fuel and engines are

replaced with lithium ion nano-tech batteries and electric

motors of the same horsepower keeping the weight of the

yacht unchanged so the range and performance of both

types can be compared.

A yacht with a 1,000-gallon fuel tank and twin diesel engines

weighing 4,800 pounds each has a full fuel tank weighing

about 8,400 pounds; the two engines weigh about 9,600

pounds. Two electric motors of the same power weigh about

3,200 pounds. This would give about 8,400 + 6,400 = 14,800

lbs. or 6,713 kg that can be used for the lithium ion batteries,

while keeping the total weight the same. One thousand

gallons of fuel contain about 36,600 kWh of energy. But,

the diesel engines are estimated to be about 35 percent

effi cient. That leaves about 12,810 kWh of useable energy.

24 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

Lithium ion nano-tech batteries are improving very quickly, but

currently available batteries have an energy density of about

1 kW/kg. So, 6,713 kg of batteries would give 6,713 kWh of

energy. These electric motors are about 95 percent effi cient

which gives 6,377 kWh of useable energy.

For those concerned that greener means less performance,

Bertram says lithium-ion batteries are just as good as diesel

engines when it comes to acceleration and speed.

“The performance would be almost identical,” Bertram says.

“I don’t even think you could tell the difference, except it would

be a lot quieter and there would be almost no pollution at all.”

THE TOTAL ENERGY AVAILABLE IN A LITHIUM ION BATTERY IS ABOUT HALF OF THE DIESEL ENGINE, FUEL AND FUEL TANKS, WHICH MEANS THE RANGE WOULD BE ABOUT HALF.

However, in the pound-for-pound comparison above, the total

energy available in a lithium ion battery is about half of the

diesel engine, fuel and fuel tanks, which means the range

would be about half. While the batteries take up less space,

they are also heavier. Adding additional units to reach the

same distance as a diesel engine means adding more weight,

which ultimately decreases performance.

Then, there are the economics of lithium ion. Without

considering repairs and maintenance and depreciation,

the cost of fuel for the diesel would be (using $4.50/ gallon)

$4,500/12,810 kWh = $.35 per kWh. This is about four times

the cost for electrical energy (using $.08 per kWh).

Although the cost of the energy in the batteries is much lower

than the cost of energy in fuel, there are other factors to

consider, starting with the price of lithium ion batteries and

their longevity. Bertram says lack of real-world experience has

made manufacturers silent with regards about their lifespan,

pointing to the fact that electric car batteries are leased,

not purchased.

Bertram points out that recent research programs claim to

improve the energy density of lithium ion batteries by factors

of four or more. If and when either get to market, electric

would be very competitive with fossil fuels, and of course,

much “greener.”

With regards to solar and wind energies, Bertram points

again to expense as a hurdle in viability. While a solar panel

may cost $2,000 or $3,000, there are installation costs, the

purchase of a charging circuit, repair and maintenance,

and depreciation to consider. Currently, he says, most

manufacturers claim a 15- to 20-year lifespan.

“The question is what do you get for that cost how many

kilowatt hours of energy do you actually get?” he asks. “And

that’s a very hard estimate because if you are boating, you are

not always pointing at the sun. And if you have a panel that

actually tracks the sun, now you’re adding cost and that would

be very diffi cult.”

He adds that even in sunny places like Arizona, solar power is

nearly two times as expensive as fossil fuel plants.

As for the as a means of overcoming the economic infeasibility

of these alternative energies, Bertram sees subsidizing

research as a big part of the answer. He also explains that

should the government push harder for emission reductions

from coal-fi red power plans, then the price would go up and

up and green energy would be more competitive.

While consumer demand drives some of these industries’

innovations, government regulation on the emissions side is

a big contributing factor. The end result is better products

for consumers.

As far as we’ve come in some areas, it seems we have a

ways to go when it comes to powering recreational boats in

more sustainable ways. While some are trying, mainstream

availability seems distant. But boating is not an anomaly.

“Boats are in the forefront of recreational vehicles, becoming

greener by the day. It’s only a matter of time before they’re

weaned from fossil fuel,” says Dikmen.

26 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

holidaygift guide

2011

RumbaTime Essex WatchFashionable, functional and water-resistant, the RumbaTime

Essex Watch can safely make the transition from shoreline to

sea. These colorful, silicone timepieces come in an array of

bold hues sure to please men and women alike.

In addition to withstanding land and sea conditions, this watch

comes through when visibility fails; a backlight button below

the watch face means you can still check the time. Ultralight at

only 15 grams, the Essex is 24 mm wide and comes in small,

medium and large. Other models available.

$15 // rumbatime.com // 800-603-8420

Regatta Collection Collars and LeadsDecorated with nautical motifs, collars and leads from Up

Country’s Regatta collection make the perfect stocking stuffer

for pets and animal lovers.

The ribbon collars are made from high-tensile strength nylon

webbing with sewn-on polyester/nylon ribbons. Ribbons are

stain-resistant, fray-resistant and designed to last a lifetime.

All collar and lead hardware is cast, not welded brass. The

quick-release buckles are Coast Guard–approved for high

weight hold. Many lengths and widths are available.

$21 collar; $20–$21 leads// upcountryinc.com //800-541-5909

MYdrap Napkins and PlacematsAn elegant alternative to paper towels, Mydrap napkins and

placemats come on a perforated roll and may be torn off

as needed.

Made of 100 percent cotton or linen, they may be washed and

reused repeatedly. Biodegradable and recyclable, they may

also be used for single use. Mydrap napkins and placemats

are available in prints and solids, including more than 20

colors. Choose from three sizes or stock your galley with a

complete array.

$26 roll of 25 Luncheon-size napkins // buymydrap.com //

855-359-7555

Harbor Sweets ChocolatesLongtime handcrafted chocolate maker Harbor Sweets

has uniquely gift-packaged chocolates for sailors and

land-lubbers alike.

Based in Salem, Mass., Harbor Sweets is best known for its

Sweet Sloops, a line of sailboats shaped in almond butter

crunch with a mainsail and a jib of white chocolate fl oating in

dark chocolate with pecan washing its sides. Still operating

from its original historic red brick building, the company has

made chocolates in molds and ganaches in copper kettles

since its 1973 founding. Many quantity options are available,

including custom corporate gifts.

$26.50 24-piece gift, $32.95 36-piece gift // harborsweets.com // 800-243-2115

Mount Gay Rum This season Mount Gay Rum offers a gift idea sure to warm

many a seafaring souls waiting out winter on shore. Not only

does the Nautical Limited Edition Bottle hold the sailor staple,

Mount Gay Rum Eclipse, it is also wrapped with the nautical

fl ag design of the letter “M.” This special bottle represents the

fi rst in a nautical series featuring these maritime signal fl ags.

Made with Barbadian sugar cane, molasses and pure water

fi ltered through the coral heart of the island, Mount Gay Rum

undergoes two different distillation processes before aging in

Kentucky oak barrels.

$17.99 // mountgayrum.com

Wrist Strap Fish FinderA real catch for your favorite fi sherman, the Wrist Strap Fish

Finder from Hammacher Schlemmer allows anglers to move

freely about as it reports on activity below, unlike other sonar

sensors with screens that must be handheld or affi xed to

the boat.

It operates in a wide 75-foot remote radius, transmitting

real-time views of fi sh and underwater terrain to the 1.25-inch

LCD display. The sensor reads depth to 120 feet with a wide

90-degree sonar beam and also measures water surface

temperature. It includes display backlighting and a pulse-lit

advanced sensor for night fi shing.

$139.95 // hammacher.com // 800-321-1484


Mount Gay Rum This season Mount Gay Rum offers a gift idea sure to warm

many a seafaring souls waiting out winter on shore. Not only

does the Nautical Limited Edition Bottle hold the sailor staple,

Mount Gay Rum Eclipse, it is also wrapped with the nautical

fl ag design of the letter “M.” This special bottle represents the

fi rst in a nautical series featuring these maritime signal fl ags.

Made with Barbadian sugar cane, molasses and pure water

fi ltered through the coral heart of the island, Mount Gay Rum

undergoes two different distillation processes before aging in

Kentucky oak barrels.

$17.99 // mountgayrum.com

Harbor Sweets ChocolatesLongtime handcrafted chocolate maker Harbor Sweets

has uniquely gift-packaged chocolates for sailors and

land-lubbers alike.

Based in Salem, Mass., Harbor Sweets is best known for its

Sweet Sloops, a line of sailboats shaped in almond butter

crunch with a mainsail and a jib of white chocolate fl oating in

dark chocolate with pecan washing its sides. Still operating

from its original historic red brick building, the company has

made chocolates in molds and ganaches in copper kettles

since its 1973 founding. Many quantity options are available,

including custom corporate gifts.

$26.50 24-piece gift, $32.95 36-piece gift // harborsweets.com // 800-243-2115

Wrist Strap Fish FinderA real catch for your favorite fi sherman, the Wrist Strap Fish

Finder from Hammacher Schlemmer allows anglers to move

freely about as it reports on activity below, unlike other sonar

sensors with screens that must be handheld or affi xed to

the boat.

It operates in a wide 75-foot remote radius, transmitting

real-time views of fi sh and underwater terrain to the 1.25-inch

LCD display. The sensor reads depth to 120 feet with a wide

90-degree sonar beam and also measures water surface

temperature. It includes display backlighting and a pulse-lit

advanced sensor for night fi shing.

$139.95 // hammacher.com // 800-321-1484

28 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

Nautical Cookie CuttersBoating-themed cookie cutters from Ann Clark Ltd. offer

many gift ideas in one. Use them to make tasty batches

of nautically themed treats for the sweet-loving sailors on

your list, or tie the cutters to the tops of packages for a

decorative add-on. They also make a fun hostess gift.

Hand-crafted in Vermont, these tin cookie cutters are

available in many shapes, including crab, crawfi sh, duck,

fi sh, lighthouse, lobster, loon, parrot, pelican, sailboat,

shell, shark and whale. Each has a sturdy tin handle and

comes with a colorful recipe card featuring a recipe for

cookies and frosting.

$3.99 // annclark.com // 800-252-6798

Yellow Leaf HammocksA Yellow Leaf Hammock not only provides the boat owner in

your life with another way to relax on the water, it also serves

as additional seating or sleeping space and enhances at-sea

décor. Made from luxe, ultrasoft yarn, these 100 percent

handwoven hammocks come in a range of bright, classic

nautical stripes—with the option to customize colors.

They are lightweight, easy to hang, weatherproof, fade-proof

and simple to clean. Each is woven with up to six miles of

yarn and 150,000 loops for extreme comfort and strength.

Special weaves are technically engineered to cradle you

weightlessly and never fl ip.

$135 Sitting Hammock, $160 Queen Hammock //

yellowleafhammocks.com

Aqua-Vu Micro ColorThis gift will get used year-round, whether at sea, on shore

or even while ice fi shing. At the size of a smart phone, the

Aqua-Vu Micro Color is a complete underwater camera

system that can fi t in your pocket. It has a full-color camera

that is the size of a quarter and comes with 50 feet of

22-pound test cable. The handheld monitor has a 3.5-inch

diagonal display that’s housed in a water-resistant case.

The camera can be rigged to look straight up and down or

sideways with the included directional fi lm. A built-in ambient

light sensor automatically turns two invisible infrared lights

on or off depending on the conditions.

$299 // aquavu.com // 866-755-6303

Back OrthoticBackJoy has introduced The Back Orthotic, designed to

reduce pain and discomfort. BackJoy’s design is shaped like

a seat—so it’s perfect for those at the offi ce, at home or at the

wheel of a car or boat. It’s made from a special plastic that

adapts to how a person sits and corrects posture by tilting

the pelvis forward to align the spine. It also lifts the pelvis and

cradles a person’s gluteus muscles, stopping back muscles

from tightening.

$39.95 // backjoy.com // 800-222-5569

Leatherman Wave Multi-ToolThe most popular full-size Leatherman tool now has larger

knives, stronger pliers, longer wire cutters and all-locking

blades. The Wave is an essential piece of equipment for

outdoor enthusiasts.

4 inches closed. 6.3 inches open as pictured.

$79.99 // Available at West Marine // 800-262-8464

Gill Elements FleeceThe Elements collection has added two new knitwear styles.

Both are classic heavyweight fl eece tops with soft thermal

lining and chunky knitted face. Both men’s and women’s

styles are available in a selection of contemporary shades:

dusky pink and loganberry for women, birch and navy for

men. The women’s style has a shawl-style collar with button

detailing, while the men’s style features a zip neck.

$135 // gillna.com // 770-945-0564


30 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

I love boating in the fall. The colors of the trees lining the shore of the Potomac River, where I do most of my boating, are bursting with bright yellows, brilliant

oranges and deep reds. The slight nip in the air mixed with the aroma of coffee sitting in the cup holder next to my helm and the quiet coves coupled with the spectacular view easily convince me that there is nothing better than recreational boating. The waterways that bustle with activity in the summer often feel quite different in the off-season, which is why fall is a favorite time for many of us to explore along the waterfront or fi nd a quiet place to drop anchor and take in the scenery.

However, boating in the off-season carries certain risks, and

experienced boaters know to plan for every emergency before

heading out. Although most boating accidents occur in mid-

summer during the height of the boating season, the potential

for serious injury rises dramatically in the off-season when

fewer boaters and marine patrols are on the water to provide

immediate assistance. U.S. Coast Guard 2010 national

accident data show that approximately 1 in 10 July boating

accidents involved a fatality; in December, it was 1 in 6.

In the off-season the sun sets early and temperatures drop

fast. Depending on where you boat, icy water conditions can

put anyone who ends up in the water in real trouble. Fewer

boaters means fewer people to come to your aid or radio call

for help. Carrying extra gear and knowing what to do if you

encounter a problem could mean the difference between a

bad day and a really bad day.

The steps outlined here can make accidents less likely and

improve your chances of survival if something does go wrong.

By John M. MalatakChief, Program OperationsU.S. Coast Guard, Boating Safety Division

isto

ck

ph

oto

.co

m/J

oh

an

Mö

llerb

erg


CONSIDER WORST-CASE SCENARIOS

There’s little to no margin for error in the off-season, so

consider every possible scenario, beginning with becoming

stranded. Be sure you have enough fuel to get where you’re

going and back again. The rule of thumb is one-third out, one-

third back, and one-third for emergencies. Wear your life jacket!

As a responsible boater you should always carry a fi rst-aid

kit, but in the off-season be sure you also have an on-board

emergency kit that includes a dry change of clothes; calorie-

dense snack food; fresh water; a thermos of coffee, cocoa,

or other warm beverage; duct tape; a waterproof portable

fl ashlight with extra batteries; fl ares and matches. Stow these

items in a waterproof bag to protect them. Also, remember to

stay away from alcohol when you’re out on the water. Not only

does it impair your judgment, but it also hastens the onset of

hypothermia. Wear your life jacket!

Carry a mobile phone only as a backup to your VHF-FM

marine radio. Mobile phones frequently lose signal and

are unidirectional; only one person receives the phone call

compared to many who may hear a VHF radio distress call.

If your boating activity takes you far from shore, consider

adding an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

(EPIRB) as well. Rescue 21, the advanced command, control,

and communications system created to improve search and

rescue, is currently being deployed in stages across the

United States. This new system enables the Coast Guard to

pinpoint the location of a distress call from a DSC-VHF marine

radio connected to a GPS receiver. If you get in trouble,

especially during the chilly off-season, every minute counts.

Life jackets are essential boating equipment in any season.

Lightweight infl atables are popular in the summer months;

however, in cold weather, fl oat coats and jackets will provide

buoyancy and additional insulation. While the boat is

underway, everyone should wear a life jacket at all times;

there is rarely time to put one on during an emergency. To

help rescuers fi nd you more quickly, consider equipping your

life jackets with devices such as whistles, strobe lights, signal

mirrors and/or personal locator beacons. If you do fall in, stay

with your boat where you can be more easily spotted.

Think about how you will retrieve anyone who falls overboard.

Climbing back in can be next to impossible in heavy, cold,

• Take a boating safety course as well as a fi rst aid and CPR course.

• Consult a chart and familiarize yourself with the area. Know where to wait for help and how to summon it, if you need it.

• Make sure your boat has enough fuel and is in good operating condition for winter weather. Ensure you have the required safety equipment on board, including fl ares or other visual distress signals, and that your running lights are in working order.

• Check the weather forecast. If it calls for rain, snow, fog or high winds, it is most likely not a good time to be on the water.

• File a fl oat plan. Tell a friend, family member or someone at the marina exactly where you are going, who is boating with you, and when you plan to return. Don’t stray from the plan, and if you do, alert the person holding your fl oat plan.

• Carry a VHS-FM marine band radio. In some inland waters a CB radio may be more appropriate. Use your mobile phone only as backup and put it in a waterproof container designed for cell phones.

• Take a GPS along with pre-set coordinates. If fog rolls in, you could be totally disoriented. Make sure you have extra batteries.

• Take along a well-stocked fi rst-aid kit.

• Pack a basic survival kit including blankets, matches, disposable lighter, some dense-calorie food and warm beverages like coffee or cocoa in a waterproof bag. Do not drink alcohol while boating. It can impair your judgment and may speed up hypothermia should you fall in the water.

• Invite a friend. Boating with at least one additional person means that if someone is injured or falls in the water, the other can summon assistance or help them back into the boat.

32 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

wet winter clothes—even for someone otherwise uninjured.

Consider providing a sling if your boat has no boarding

ladder. If you boat in cold weather often I would strongly

recommend that you practice (under warmer conditions) how

you would get back in your boat, as well as how you would

bring passengers on board under cold weather conditions.

KNOW WHAT TO DOIn autumn, those occasional warm days can be deceiving

because water temperature can be frigid. Simple steps

may turn a worst-case scenario of a swamped or capsized

boat into the best-case scenario for surviving cold-water

immersion. To reduce the risk, do not overload your boat,

avoid those situations that put you at risk of going overboard,

and make sure that everyone weatrs a life jacket.

Understanding the critical phases of cold-water immersion

and some basic techniques for delaying their onset greatly

increases your chance of survival. Cold shock is an initial

deep and sudden gasp, followed by hyperventilation. Keeping

your airway clear and wearing a life jacket greatly reduces

drowning risk. Try to avoid panicking, and concentrate on

your breathing. Cold shock normally passes in one minute.

Over the next 10 minutes you will lose the effective use of

your extremities. Concentrate on self-rescue; if that’s not

possible, keep your airway clear and wait for rescue. Remain

calm. Don’t try to swim—the movements associated with

swimming can cause body heat to escape 10 times faster.

Hypothermia means that a person is losing body heat faster

than it can be produced, but even in ice water it may take

an hour before a person becomes unconscious. (To

learn more about surviving cold-water immersion, visit

www.coldwaterbootcamp.com.) If you cannot get out of

the water and help is not immediately available, draw your

knees to your chest and wrap your arms across your chest,

hugging your life jacket in the Heat Escape Lessening

Posture (H.E.L.P.) and protecting the critical areas of heat

loss. If others are in the water with you, huddle together with

your arms around each other. Huddling in a group will help

conserve body heat, keep everyone together, and make a

larger target to spot in the water.

DON’T BOAT ALONE

With fewer boaters on the water, not boating alone is

especially important. If you are injured or fall in the water,

having one or two other people on board means someone

can help you back in the boat or call for assistance.

As a matter of routine—in winter or summer—every boat

operator should fi le a fl oat plan listing a description of the

A Coast Guard rescue boat crewmember throws a line to a man on

a capsized 17-foot boat. The four men had on life jackets and used

a marine handheld radio to notify the Coast Guard of their location,

which may have saved their lives.

U.S

. Co

as

t Gu

ard

ph

oto


boat, the number of persons on board, the area where you’ll

be boating, and your anticipated return time. Leave it with a

friend, family member or someone at the marina. Should you

fail to return, a fl oat plan containing this basic information

can assist the local marine police or Coast Guard if they

need to initiate a search. Just remember, if you’re delayed for

reasons other than an emergency, inform those in possession

of your fl oat plan as soon as possible. Be sure to notify them

when you do return so the fl oat plan can be closed out.

The Coast Guard makes fl oat plan forms available online

at www.uscgboating.org/safety/fl oat_planning.aspx.

* * * * *

The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all boaters to “Boat

Responsibly!” For more safety tips and information,

visit www.USCGboating.org.

Heat Escape Lessening Posture (H.E.L.P.)

• Dress in layers, and recognize that even slight changes in the weather can make hypothermia a threat.

• Take along extra dry clothing in a waterproof bag.

• Wear good quality, non-slip footwear; wear socks, even with sandals.

• Wear your lifejacket or fl oat coat/jacket. Cold water quickly saps your strength. Life jackets provide added insulation. If you fall overboard, wearing a life jacket could give you the time you need to safely re-board the boat. The fi rst reaction when hitting cold water is to gasp and suck in water. A life jacket can give you crucial minutes to regulate your breathing after the shock of falling in.

M ayor Rahm Emanuel wants to direct attention to Chicago’s other aquatic treasure, the Chicago River. At a September 19 press conference,

the mayor announced plans to make Chicago River the city’s next recreational frontier, clean and accessible for citizens and visitors alike as well as a source of commerce and economic prosperity. He likened Lake Michigan to the city’s front yard and the river to its backyard, calling it an asset that should be enjoyed and not avoided.

As Mayor Emanuel revealed the fi rst steps in his plan—new

boathouses, a new expansion to Ping Tom Memorial Park

and expansion of various river trails—he was joined by U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson.

The EPA showed support for these efforts and awarded nearly

$1 million in grants to community partners for river cleanup

and job creation.

“The Chicago River cuts through the entire city and isn’t

used as much as the lake,” said Tom Alexander, a spokesman

for the Emanuel administration. “[Mayor Emanuel] is really

committed to making the river something all Chicagoans

can enjoy. He understands one reason people don’t use it

is access, and he’s committed to giving it to them.”

The river reaches into more communities than the city’s

lakefront shoreline touches, winding deep into the west and

southwest neighborhoods. To engage those communities

and give them a chance to enjoy the water in, the Chicago

Park District and private sector partners will construct four

new boathouses. As of now, the timeline is dependent

upon funding completion; however, Alexander said early

estimations put the fi rst two opening in 2012 and the second

set in 2013. Graduate and undergraduate students from the

Illinois Institute of Technology are working with renowned

Chicago-based architects Jeanne Gang and Christopher

Lee to design the structures and their amenities.

As a conduit to the river, the boathouses will provide people

with a place to eat, watch the river and go out on the water.

Each will include a concession facility, offer an access point

and serve as an attraction. Rental and storage of canoes and

other vehicles for enjoying the river will also be provided.

The four planned locations are the River Park Boathouse

at Argyle Street and the river; the Clark Park Boathouse at

Roscoe Street and Rockwell Avenue, east of the river; Ping

Tom Memorial Park Boat House, north of 18th Street, through

the under-bridge connection, west of the St. Charles line

railroad tracks; and the 28th and Eleanor Boat House between

Loomis and Fuller streets on Eleanor, across the river from

Ashland Avenue.

“The river fl ows through communities that are so diverse,”

says Margaret Frisbee, executive director of Friends of the

Chicago River, an organization dedicated to improving the

river’s health for the enjoyment of all. “This is symbolic of

saying, ‘this river belongs to everybody, and we’re going to

give it to you and help you access it.’”

By Jenifer Fischer

Chicago’s Next Boating Frontier

Co

urte

sy Frie

nd

s of th

e Ch

ica

go

Rive

r

34 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

The Chicago Park District chose locations that have the basic

infrastructure and recreational visitor capacity to support

boathouses. The sites also align with trail extensions Chicago

Department of Transportation is making along the river. The

improvements will provide better access for runners, bikers

and walkers.

The Chicago River development plans also include opening

a new expanded area of Ping Tom Memorial Park. The vast,

open park includes a bike path and space for people to

recreate, but it needs an access point, said Alexander. In

a press release, the City of Chicago said the park refl ects

its “commitment to river development with a $6 million

investment in new parkland, riverwalk, native plantings,

topography, new vistas, boat landings, and a ‘disappearing’

staircase into the water.”

In addition to improved access, continued cleanup efforts will

help renew the river’s image. While much improved in recent

years due to stricter laws, its waters suffered much pollution

when it was reversed to fl ow from Lake Michigan into the

Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal more than 100 years ago.

It then served as a dumping ground for sewage and other

waste, carrying it away from Chicago.

The EPA will provide the City of Chicago with free technical

assistance to help manage stormwater and meet the Obama

administration’s water quality standards for the Chicago and

Calumet rivers, which were ordered in May as part of the

Clean Water Act.

Additionally, two EPA grants were announced at the press

conference. A $518,467 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

grant was awarded to the Friends of the Forest Preserve.

The funds will be used to control invasive plants in the river

system and forest. The second grant awarded $300,000 to

OAI, Inc. to assist with environmental workforce development

and job training.

“The families and businesses of Chicago know that the

Chicago and Calumet rivers and the Great Lakes are vital

to their health, their environment and their economy. The

EPA is proud to be working with our state and local partners

on ensuring that we are supporting clean, sustainable

communities that can thrive and create good jobs,” said EPA

Administrator Lisa P. Jackson at the press conference. “We

have heard for years that we have to choose between our

economic strength and our environmental health, but again

and again Chicago has proven that this is a false choice.

Today’s announcements are another example of our ability

to support job creation and environmental protection.”

Alexander said the river cleanup efforts have been and will

remain ongoing, “It’s a process, and it’s going to take some

time to get the river cleaned up. It’s not like you can wave a

magic wand to clean it up. The grants give it an effi cient and

targeted manner.”

Frisbee said that while the Clean Water Act is a process,

progress is being made all the time and this announcement

fully commits the city as a partner for improving water quality.

Friends of the Chicago River’s mission has always been

to make the river accessible for all and healthy for wildlife

and people to share, and the group applauds the mayor’s

announcement and believes that the river can be used for

commerce and meet health and accessibility goals.

As for job development, it is diffi cult to anticipate numbers at

this point; however, the Emanuel administration anticipates

many construction and permanent jobs will result. In addition,

there will be jobs related to recreation on and near the water

such as water taxis, tour boats, restaurants and event hosting.

Alexander estimates some 200 people from different

environmental, recreational and aldermanic groups

were presenet at the September press conference. The

announcement elicited overwhelmingly positive feedback

from many different organizations and interest groups.

“The Chicago River has not seen a better day for more than

a century. This is a great project for the citizens of Chicago

and its 28,000 boaters and their families who will enjoy this

new boating haven,” said Great Lakes Boating Federation

Chairman F. Ned Dikmen.

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel


36 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

Great LakesGreat Lakes Forever and Budweiser announced the winners of this

year’s Great Lakes Forever Art and Photography contest. Kayla Lewis

of Guelph, Ontario, won the grand prize for photography, and Deborah

Maris Lander of Chicago, Ill., won the grand prize in the new expanded

original artwork category.

Lewis’ photograph showed a

man fi shing against a colorful

sky. Lander, the art winner,

hand-printed her submission

using an etching from a

copper plate. She described

her piece as “a plea to nurture

our lakes and wildlife. The hands that make up the bird’s feathers embrace and hold;

the surrounding frozen water offers up its charms as a place to enjoy and protect. The

obscured words hidden in the layers of water are our continued human and worthwhile

attempts at responsible stewardship.”

The winners’ work will be featured on specially designed beer coasters distributed to

bars and restaurants throughout the Great Lakes region. The coasters will also include

information on getting involved in Great Lakes protection.

For the past seven years, Great Lakes Forever and Budweiser have partnered to

celebrate the lakes by inviting photographers from across the region to submit their

best images demonstrating the majesty of the Great Lakes. This was the fi rst time

artists of any two-dimensional media were invited to participate.greatlakesforever.org

GREAT LAKES ART, PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

NOAA SUPPORTS HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTSNOAA awarded nearly $5 million to eight projects supporting

habitat restoration throughout the Great Lakes Areas of

Concern. NOAA’s Restoration Center is funding three

shovel-ready projects and fi ve engineering and design

projects. This allows NOAA to support both current efforts

to restore the Great Lakes as well as future projects that,

once implemented, will have signifi cant benefi ts to Great

Lakes restoration.

NOAA provides fi nancial and technical assistance to remove

dams and barriers, construct fi sh passage, clean up marine

debris, restore coastal wetlands, and remove invasive species

in the region.

Implementation projects include:

• Wayne Road Dam Removal and Habitat Improvement

Project (Wayne, Mich.)

• Lower Black River Habitat Restoration (Lorain, Ohio)

• Habitat Restoration in the Maumee Area of Concern

(Oak Harbor, Ohio)

Engineering and design projects and future implementation

impacts include:

• Muskegon Lake Hydrologic Reconnection and Mill Debris

Removal (Muskegon, Mich.)

• Little Rapids Habitat Restoration Project

(Sault St. Marie, Mich.)

• Clinton River Spillway and Fish Habitat Restoration

(Clinton Township, Mich.)

• Buffalo River RiverBend Habitat Restoration project

(Buffalo, N.Y.)

• Lower Black River Fish Habitat Restoration Project

(Lorain, Ohio)

These projects are supported by the NOAA Restoration

Center with funding provided by the U.S. EPA via President

Obama’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

greatlakesrestoration.us


Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk joined original sponsor Sen. Frank

Lautenberg of New Jersey to introduce the Clean Coastal

Environment and Public Health Act of 2011, which would pay

for state and local beach health monitoring, speed public

notifi cation, and—most importantly—support removal of

pollution that can make people sick and close beaches.

The bill, S. 1582, introduced in late September, came on the

heels of the largest annual Great Lakes volunteer event—the

September Adopt-a-Beach™ Cleanup— held Sept. 17, as part

of the International Coastal Cleanup. Thousands descended

upon their favorite Great Lakes beaches to clean up debris and

monitor water quality. With beaches serving as the economic

engines of coastal communities throughout the Great Lakes,

days lost to pollution are dollars lost for local businesses.

The Senate bill would amend the federal Clean Water Act

to reauthorize the Beaches Environmental Assessment and

Coastal Health (“BEACH”) Act through fi scal year 2015. Since

its passage in 2000, the BEACH Act has improved public

health nationwide by authorizing the U.S. EPA to award grants

to develop comprehensive beach monitoring and public

notifi cation programs for state and local recreational beaches.

While the BEACH Act has been authorized at $30 million,

no annual appropriation has ever exceeded $10 million.

As a result, many beaches are not tested or are monitored

less frequently than needed. Full funding of the act will

be necessary to support the elimination of pollution and

protection of public health.

greatlakes.org

ALLIANCE APPLAUDS BILL TO CLEAN UP GREAT LAKES BEACHES

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced

that the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is setting aside

approximately $6 million for federal agencies to sign up

unemployed workers to implement restoration projects in

federally-protected areas, on tribal lands and in Areas of

Concern in the Great Lakes Basin. EPA will fund individual

projects up to $1 million. To qualify for funding, each proposed

project must provide jobs for at least 20 unemployed people.

Funded projects will advance the goals and objectives of the

GLRI Action Plan, developed by EPA with 15 other federal

agencies in 2010. Projects must provide immediate, direct

ecological benefi ts; be located in areas identifi ed as federal

priorities such as national lakeshores or areas of concern;

include a detailed budget; and produce measurable results.

The GLRI Action Plan, which covers FY 2010 through 2014,

ensures accountability by including measures of progress

and benchmarks for success over the next three years. It

calls for aggressive efforts to address fi ve urgent priority

focus areas, including cleaning up toxics and toxic hot spot

areas of concern; combating invasive species; promoting

near-shore health by protecting watersheds from polluted

run-off; restoring wetlands and other habitats; and tracking

progress, education and working with strategic partners.

glri.us

EPA’S $6 MILLION CHALLENGE TO RESTORE GREAT LAKES, CREATE JOBS

GLOS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITEThe Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS), working to

coordinate and enhance the network of observations and

data access in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River

system, recently launched its new website—www.GLOS.us.

Developed for Great Lakes data users, the new website

provides improved access to Great Lakes data, products

and tools and the latest GLOS projects.

The website features a new design, product launch pages,

relevant news and events, access to the Lake Views newsletter,

and more information about GLOS projects and recent

activities throughout the Great Lakes. The website went

through a series of in-person and virtual user tests to ensure

that it meets the needs of different types of data users.

The updated site makes accessing meteorological and

hydrodynamic data needed to operate daily nowcast models

more effi cient—and makes it easier for state, local and

federal partners to collaborate on the development and

implementation of these systems.

GLOS.us

38 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

Great LakesMichigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has joined forces with

six Great Lakes attorneys general to expand a coalition to fi ght

the spread of aquatic invasive species like Asian carp and

zebra mussels passing between the basins of the Great Lakes

and Mississippi River via Chicago-Area Waterways. Schuette

and the Great Lakes attorneys general are reaching out to

colleagues in other states affected by aquatic invasive species

by asking them join them in demanding immediate action

by federal authorities to develop a permanent ecological

separation at Chicago. Such a barrier would halt the spread of

and damage caused by aquatic invasive species.

In July 2011, the Army Corps of Engineers released a list of

40 aquatic invasive species with the highest risk of traveling

through the waterway in either direction. Of those species,

30 pose a high-risk to the Mississippi River Basin and 10,

including Asian carp, pose a high-risk to the Great Lakes Basin.

Great Lakes leaders joining Schuette in the effort include:

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson, Ohio Attorney

General Mike DeWine, Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda

Kelly, Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, and New

York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

The Great Lakes attorneys general will target their outreach to

27 states that have already been affected by invasive species

fi rst introduced to the United States via the Great Lakes, many

arriving in the ballast water of ocean going vessels.

NATIONAL COALITION AGAINST AISBEING FORMED

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division

of Watercraft was presented the Marinas and Harbors

Award from States Organization for Boating Access

during the association’s national boating access

conference in La Crosse, Wis., Sept. 29. The award

recognizes the Division of Watercraft’s efforts leading

to design and construction of a new state park marina

on Middle Bass Island in Lake Erie’s western basin,

according to ODNR.

The project was recognized for its scope of design and

complexity that utilized effective engineering principles,

innovative designs and use of updated safety and

accessibility standards resulting in an expected long life

span and reduced maintenance needs for the marina.

The Division of Watercraft also was recognized by

SOBA and received a State Boating Access Program

Excellence Award for management of Ohio’s

Cooperative Boating Facility Grant program that was

fi rst established in 1967 to provide local communities

with funding support for construction of public boating

access facilities.

From 1967 through 2010, the Division of Watercraft has

provided more than $58 million in grant funding for 201

boating access projects statewide. Project grant awards

have ranged from canoe/kayak access development to

large boat access projects costing between $25,000 and

$2.1 million.

ohiodnr.com

BOATING FACILITY NATIONAL AWARDS

BENEFITS TO VENDORS

Become a preferred vendor and make your business available to Great Lakes boaters.

Greatlakesboatingfederation.com is a community-based meeting place for boaters and vendors of marine products and services.

BENEFITS TO BOATERS

Offers vigorous economic and political spport to boaters on the Great Lakes and on the inland waterways from the Mississippi to the Atlantic Coast

Advances boaters’ rights, needs and interests on the federal, state and local levels in the face of harsh regulations

Forges partnerships with boatingbusinesses to provide member discounts at the best providers of boating products and services

JOIN the voice of 4.3 million boaters

greatlakesboatingfederation.org312.266.8408

ADVERTISE in Great Lakes Boating

greatlakesboating.com/advertising312.266.8400

$9.5 Billion Networkingwith

WHERE BOATERS GO FOR NEWS

FREEBoat Adp54

Display until Nov 15, 2011

WIND TURBINES VS BOATING

ELUSIVE CARP

GEAR UP AT WEST MARINEgreatlakesboating.com

October 2011WHERE BOATERS GO FOR NEWS

40 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

Fishing

MILITARY FAMILIES RECEIVE RODS AND REELS DONATIONThousands of military youth and their families across America now

have a better chance to experience some of our greatest pastimes—

fi shing and spending time in the great outdoors—thanks to a

robust partnership between The Recreational Boating and Fishing

Foundation (RBFF) Take Me Fishing campaign, the Sierra Club Water

Sentinels, the National Military Fish Wildlife Association (NMFWA),

and Zebco, America’s largest manufacturer of rods and reels.

In 2009, the Sentinels partnered with NMFWA to distribute rods

and reels to military families, but the initiative took off a year later

when RBFF provided its full support and connected the Sentinels

with Zebco’s refurbished rod and reel program. Since the program’s

launch, more than 87,620 youth have benefi ted from the program, with

1,866 rod and reel sets distributed to 60 military bases in 21 states.

The most recent donation of 700 Zebco rods and reels was shipped

to the Sentinels, who distribute the gear to members of the NMFWA

for repeated use by families on military installations.

Since 2005, RBFF’s Take Me Fishing campaign has played a critical role in helping generate nearly $20 million for state

conservation efforts and introducing more than 1 million youth and newcomers to boating and fi shing.

sierraclub.org/watersentinels

Ten of the Midwest’s fi nest chefs competed for $1,000

and American Culinary Federation accolades on Nov. 1

at the University of Minnesota’s Salute to Lake Superior’s

Sustainable Fisheries.

“With National Seafood Month [in October] it seems

appropriate to highlight Minnesota’s inland sea and the

commercial lake herring fi shery it supports,” said Jeff

Gunderson, director of the University of Minnesota Sea

Grant Program. “Of all the Great Lakes, Lake Superior is

the outstanding example of how a native fi sh population can

recover to the point where it creates 57 jobs and stimulates

about $10 million in economic activity in Minnesota.”

Minnesota Sea Grant organized the Salute with cooperation

from the American Culinary Federation and the Minnesota

Zoo’s Fish First Program. Each of the competing chefs

was given two lake herring to turn into an entrée meant

to impress judges, including Minnesota Monthly’s Dara

Moskowitz Grumdahl. The public was invited to sample lake

herring while talking to the chefs that prepared it.

seagrant.umn.edu/fi sheries/salute

SUPERIOR FISH SALUTED BY TOP CHEFS


FOUNTAIN TEAM CAPTURES MASTER ANGLER TITLE The A-Team, a professional angling team aboard a 38-foot high-

performance Fountain center console fi shing boat, took Master

Angler honors at a fi shing tournament certifi ed by Guinness

World Records as the world’s largest.

A record-breaking crowd of 2,200 participants fl ocked to

Dauphin Island, Ala., to compete in the 2011 Annual Alabama

Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. By the end of the two-day tournament,

1,992 anglers had checked in at the weigh station, and the

Fountain Powerboats A-Team had taken the very top prize.

The A-Team crew of Alden Thornton, Chris Bazor, Carl Carder, Zack Seals, and Elliot Cain were forced to contend with some of

the worst weather in the history of the 78-year tournament as they chased down the winning fi sh. fountainpowerboats.com

PROGRAM WORKS TO SOLVE BARRIER PROBLEMS The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded more than $1.5

million in 2011 through the National Fish Passage Program

to support projects in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota,

Wisconsin, Ohio and Missouri. Funding will support the

removal of 20 fi sh passage barriers, reconnecting more than

545 stream miles, as well as survey and monitoring activities.

These projects are supported by an additional $3.2 million in

matching, nonfederal funds.

Construction of millions of culverts, dams, dikes, water

diversions, and other artifi cial barriers impound and redirect

water for fl ood control, drinking water, electricity, irrigation

and transportation—all changing the natural features of rivers

and streams. Balancing the importance of stream connectivity

for local fi sh species with the construction of these structures

is a conservation challenge.

Through the National Fish Passage Program, the Service

and its partners have begun to reverse the harmful impacts

of artifi cial barriers to native fi sh species and the aquatic

environment. The Fish Passage Program uses a voluntary,

non-regulatory approach to work with municipal, state, tribal

and federal agencies, as well as non-governmental agencies

to reopen and improve aquatic habitats in streams and rivers.

The program provides funding and technical expertise to

partners to remove or bypass dams and other obstructions

tracks—all to allow fi sh to swim through.

fws.gov/fisheries/fwco/fishpassage

The National Recreation and Park Association announced

in August recipients of the 2011–2012 Take Me Fishing

Initiative in partnership with Recreational Boating &

Fishing Foundation.

Take Me Fishing supports local park and recreation agencies

and youth service organizations that work to connect

young people ages 6 to 15 with nature and engage them

in recreational boating and fi shing. The goal of the initiative

is to provide children and families with opportunities to

participate in boating and fi shing programs that will lead

to continued participation in healthy outdoor activities, a

lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship, and an

understanding of water and boat safety behaviors.

NRPA AWARDS $175,000 TO GRANTEES This year’s grant program was awarded in three categories:

New Programs – Five parks and recreation agencies with little

or no previous fi shing and boating programs were awarded

$15,000 in grant funds to start new fi shing and boating

programs in their community.

Program Sustainability – Five parks and recreation agencies

received $10,000 grants to enhance and develop existing

fi shing and boating programs.

Audience Development – Ten grants of $5,000 were awarded

to communities where established fi shing and boating

programs existed.

Erie MetroParks in Huron, Ohio, received the New

Program grant.

nrpa.org

42 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

MarinasLocated on the scenic Vermilion River in northern Ohio, Romp’s

Marina will celebrate its 55th anniversary in 2012. Romp’s offers

easy access to Lake Erie with an ideal location that is about

one half mile downriver from the marina, far enough away to be

protected from storm and wave conditions. Three generations

of family ownership have transformed this area from marsh

land into one of Lake Erie’s best known marinas.

This full-service marina can provide dockage for 250 boats with

lengths of 13 to 34 feet. Amenities include a complete service

department, marine store with fuel and oil products, full-service

pump-out station, and modern restrooms with showers.

Temporary dockage is available for visitors on a fi rst-come,

fi rst-served basis.

In addition, the marina has a heated pool, a multi-sport court, picnic shelters, a snack bar that offers homemade sandwiches and

fun food, an ice cream stand, a mini golf course, and two play areas for children.

The Romp family looks forward to serving both the boating public and the surrounding community of Vermilion for many years.

romps.com // 440-967-4342

MARINA PROFILE: ROMP’S WATER PORT

Lock 12 Marina and the Finch & Chubb restaurant in

Whitehall, N.Y., will permanently close this fall. The marina

owners say the closing is largely due to a no-charge

docking wall maintained by the New York State Canal

Corp., which has provided free electricity to boaters for

about a decade. Other factors that have forced the closing

are the poor economic conditions, spring fl ooding and

Tropical Storm Irene.

NEW YORK MARINA TO CLOSE

Together with state and city offi cials, New York State

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

Commissioner Joe Martens has announced the opening of

the Downtown Plattsburgh Boat Launch.

The boat launch is located off Dock Street on the shore

of Lake Champlain just south of the mouth of the Saranac

River. The facility includes three launching and retrieval

lanes with docks on each side of the ramp and along the

shoreline. There are 31 designated vehicle and trailer

parking sites, 12 car-only parking sites, and additional

parking in the adjacent parking lot.

The ramp and docks are built in compliance with the

Americans with Disabilities Act. Three accessible parking

spots have been designated—two spots are for a vehicle

with trailer, and one is for a vehicle only. The size of the ramp, the number and location of docks, and the ample amount of

parking ares also ideal for fi shing tournaments and boating events held by the city each year.

DEC staff designed the boat launch and oversaw its construction. State Capital funds were used to pay for construction of

the $627,000 facility. The City of Plattsburgh will be responsible for managing and maintaining the boat launch.

OPENING OF PLATTSBURGH BOAT LAUNCH

N.Y. S

tate De

pt. o

f En

viron

me

ntal C

on

servatio

n


In early October, the Ottawa County Parks Commission

heard recommendations from the consulting fi rm Edgewater

Resources of St. Joseph, Mich., that a new $3 million marina

on Lake Macatawa replace the current Parkside Marina in Park

Township. The new site would include a fi xed or fl oating dock

system for 100 boats—20 more than the current marina—and

would have slips ranging in size from 30 to 45 feet. Additional

features would include a boater services building with public

restrooms, a parking lot for 110 vehicles, a breakwall, and a

public promenade that would allow people to walk along the

shore. The county, which would own the marina, could opt

to lease it to a private operator or have the present marina

operator oversee the enterprise.

A fi nal decision on whether to move forward is expected in

December or January.

The Association of Marina Industries (AMI) released a new

publication entitled Best Management Practices for Clean

Marinas. Available to all marinas, the manual includes

management, operation, maintenance and construction

practices to safeguard the environment. The guide was

compiled from existing state and federal guidance, rules and

regulations pertaining to the marina industry.

AMI produced this manual as a guide for marinas in states

that do not have clean marina programs or for states or

localities looking for advice to start a new clean marina

program. This book is not meant to replace state programs

and AMI continues to encourage marinas in states with clean

marinas to contact those programs for information.

Besides management practices, the guidebook also

includes templates for Spill Prevention Control and

Countermeasure Plans and Stormwater Pollution Prevention

Plans. These plans can be completed online and distributed

to required agencies.

Best Management Practice for Clean Marinas is available at

no charge to those wanting an electronic copy. Hard copies

are available for a nominal fee to cover printing, postage

and handling. AMI members can access a copy by going to

the members-only section of www.marinaassociation.org.

Non-members can receive a copy by contacting info@

marinaassociation.org or calling 866-367-6622.

PROPOSED COUNTY MARINA ON LAKE MACATAWA

AMI RELEASES GUIDE FOR MARINAS

MARINALIFE ANNOUNCES SUMMER PHOTO CONTEST WINNERSThis summer Marinalife members entered photographs into

the second annual Summer Photo Contest. The contest

featured three submission categories including Best

Pet Photo, Best Cruising Photo and Best Sunset Photo.

Marinalife received hundreds of photographs showing

beautiful sunsets and fun,and adventurous moments with

friends, family and, of course, pets.

The winners of the 2011 Photography Contest are:

Best Pet Photo – Syd and his dog Rudder aboard his Abaco

dinghy in Hopetown, the Bahamas, by Cynthia Merrill

Best Sunset Photo – Sunset photo taken from Sheffi eld

Island in Norwalk, Conn., by Frederick Becton Condit

Best Cruising Photo – Raft up at Tices Shoal in Barnegat

Bay, N.J., by Carol Jones

44 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

Cruising

USEPPA ISLAND CATBOAT RENDEZVOUS The biannual Catboat Rendezvous will be held on 80-acre Useppa

Island in Southwest Florida from Feb. 25 to 28.

Participants need not own a catboat or be from Florida to attend the

event. Entrants are encouraged to come a day or two early and stay

a few days after the activities end. There will be plenty of sailing,

races for the world championship 15-foot Sandpipers, a beach

party and other fun events.

For sailing information, email Mike Albert: [email protected] or

Jay Taylor: [email protected]. For housing, call Useppa Island Club: 239-283-1061 and mention Catboat Rendezvous

2012 for special rates.

Starting from the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia in January

2012, World ARC will take its participants on a 16-month trip

of a lifetime, sailing around the world, crossing three of the

fi ve great oceans. This world yacht rally is a mix of organized

legs and free cruising to some of the most beautiful sailing

destinations in the world.

World ARC participants come from all walks of life. Some

have taken early retirement or sold their businesses, while

others are taking a sabbatical. Some sail the whole route as

a couple, and others have friends and family join as crew at

different destinations. Some participants join for half a rally to

or from Australia, so that they can enjoy extended cruising in

the Pacifi c.

World ARC yachts and crews hail from North America, Europe

and Australia. The members of the World ARC events team

are multi-lingual, so language is never a barrier.

Because the fl eet of 20 to 30 yachts meets for social activities

in every destination, there is plenty of time to get to know

fellow cruisers.

Most World ARC yachts are a mix of production cruisers such

as Beneteau, Bavaria and Jeanneau, and classic cruisers

including Amel, Hallberg Rassy and Oysters. World ARC

proves that with some preparation and planning, a standard

cruising yacht is perfectly capable of making a successful

circumnavigation.

worldcruising.com

PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR 2012 WORLD ARCROUND THE WORLD RALLY

GREAT LAKES CRUISE SETS SAIL IN 2012Adventure travel company Adventure Life recently unveiled

a series of new for 2012 Great Lakes cruise options aboard the

Yorktown, a spacious 257-foot luxury American cruise ship.

The 12-day cruises depart from Duluth, Minn., and Detroit, Mich.

Highlights of Adventure Life’s Great Lakes Cruise tours include:

The Bruce Peninsula, a prime destination for nature enthusiasts;

Georgian Bay Islands National Park, composed of some 60 islands

and among the Great Lakes’ most picturesque regions; Manitoulin,

the world’s largest freshwater island; Mackinac Island, a Victorian-

era haven where cars are forbidden and bicycles share the road

with horse-drawn carriages; Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a

40-mile stretch of pristine natural wonders along Lake Superior’s southern coast; and Apostle Islands.

Departure dates for the 2012 Great Lakes cruise options begin in June and fi nish out the season in September. Adventure Life is

also offering cruises on the Yorktown throughout coastal New England and the historic Antebellum South.

adventure-life.com

catboats.org


SOUTHWEST FLORIDA YACHTS ANNOUNCES PROMOA 30-year anniversary is a very big deal in the recreational boating

industry. Anticipating its big Three-Oh, Southwest Florida Yachts

announced a three-year “Berth Day” party culminating in 2014.

Barb Hansen, co-owner and manager, said the chartering fi rm

will give charter customers free cruising days in 2012, 2013 and

2014 on all power and sailing vessels.

Those who book a cruise of three days or longer during the

winter season, between Dec. 15 and April 30, will get one free

cruising day, while those who cruise in the summer season will

get two free cruising days.

The company maintains 11 power yachts from 32 to 50 feet at

its headquarters at Marinatown Marina in N. Fort Myers, just off the Caloosahatchee River. This provides convenient access

to the scenic and protected Gulf cruising channels around Pine Island and along Sanibel-Captiva and other Gulf of Mexico

barrier islands. The fi ve-vessel sailing fl eet charter base is Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda on Charlotte Harbor. Casting off

from either location gives charterers access to what many consider the number one cruising area in the United States.

swfyachts.com // 800-262-7939

GREAT LAKES CRUISING CLUB EXPANDS ONLINE SCHOOLFollowing last year’s successful launching that drew more than

500 registrants, the Great Lakes Cruising Club School has

expanded its webinar curriculum for 2011–2012. Great Lakes

recreational boaters may now choose from more than 30 online

tutorials conducted by experienced GLCC-accredited sail or

power boating colleagues and specialists.

Cruising Club membership is not required.

Live, on-screen presentations with visual

aids provide an opportunity for participants to

interact with the instructor and each other in a

virtual classroom. Sessions typically run from

60 to 90 minutes and only require a computer with speakers,

browser and a reasonable-speed Internet connection.

This year’s topics include introductions to several favored

Great Lakes cruising areas, navigation skills, negotiating

locks, boat and engine maintenance, women’s forum, energy

management, fi berglass repair basics, weather, writing for

the boating market, the Trent-Severn waterway, provisioning,

cruising with pets, marine photography and more.

Feedback by 2010–2011 enrollees has been

enthusiastic, endorsing the content and

effectiveness of online learning, instructor

qualifi cations, ease of interaction and low

cost. There are no tests.

If you register and miss a live presentation you

can access a recording of your webinar for six weeks. Or,

within that period you can still register and view the recording.

For further information and a listing of subjects and

instructors go to www.GLCCSchool.com.

46 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

National

Cars 4 Causes, “The Charity that Gives to Charities,” offi cially

introduced its boating donation program, Boats 4 Causes,

with an August website launch.

The Boats 4 Causes program accepts used boat donations

and allows donors to designate a charity of their choice to

receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the boat.

Operating as an informal division of Cars 4 Causes since

1997, the boat program has seen a rise in boat donations over

the last year and a half and a tremendous increase in demand

for donated boat sales.

Boat donations since 2009 have risen 62 percent, and the

average price received per vessel has jumped 20 percent.

Overall, funds raised from boat donations have increased

100 percent during this period. This increase, along with a

difference in demographics between the vehicle and boat

donors’ bases, prompted Cars 4 Causes to give the Boats 4

Causes brand its own platform to appeal to this expanding

donor and buyer base.

Boats 4 Causes donation program is simple and

straightforward. Donors start the process by fi lling out a

donation form located on the website or by calling one of

Boats 4 Causes donation specialists.

boats4causes.org // 855-800-2628

CARS 4 CAUSES INTRODUCES BOATS 4 CAUSES

The National Marine Manufacturers Association has

purchased the Power Boat Docking Challenge from Culp

Concepts, helping demonstrate how fun docking can be with

practice and proper instruction.

The Power Boat Docking Challenge is an interactive experience

that pits the boater against other show attendees, who compete

against the clock, steering and docking a 4-foot, twin engine,

remote-controlled power boat, using a life-size helm station

found on a traditional boat, down a 20-foot pool into a marina

and ultimately a slip, for a chance to win a host of prizes.

Midwest 2012 NMMA boat and sportshows featuring the

Power Boat Docking Challenge are:

New York Boat Show, New York, N.Y., Jan. 4–8

Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show, Chicago, Ill. Jan. 11–16

Atlanta Boat Show, Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 12–15

Kansas City Boat & Sportshow, Kansas City, Mo., Jan. 19–22

Baltimore Boat Show, Baltimore, Md., Jan. 19–22

Atlantic City Boat Show, Atlantic City, N.J., Feb. 1–5

New England Boat Show, Boston, Mass., Feb. 11–19

For a complete list of NMMA boat and sportshows scheduled

for 2012, visit www.boatshows.com.

NMMA PURCHASES POWER BOAT DOCKING CHALLENGE

NICB RELEASES WATERCRAFT THEFT REPORT The National Insurance Crime Bureau released its latest

report on watercraft theft and recoveries in the United

States. The report, which came out in September, examines

watercraft theft and recoveries from January 1, 2009, through

May 31, 2011, as contained in the National Crime Information

Center for all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

Overall, there were 16,115 reported watercraft thefts during

the period. There was an 11 percent decrease in thefts from

2009 (7,485) to 2010 (6,663). Of the total reported thefts for

the period, 6,343, or 39 percent, were recovered.

Florida led the states with the most thefts followed by, in

descending order, California, Texas, North Carolina and

Michigan. The top fi ve for recoveries, also in descending

order, were Florida, California, Texas, Washington and

North Carolina.

Of the thefts where a boat type was indicated, the “all other”

category recorded the most thefts. “All other” includes

canoes, dinghies, dories, johnboats, kayaks, lifeboats,

paddleboats, sculls, skiffs, etc. Behind “all others” were, in

descending order, jet-skis, runabouts, utilities and cruisers.

Watercraft categories are described in the NCIC code manual.

nmma.org

nicb.org


HAGERTY 2011 MARINE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Hagerty Insurance, the worldwide leader in wooden boat and

classic car insurance, has announced the 2011 inductees

into the Hagerty Marine Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame pays

homage to individuals or organizations that have signifi cantly

contributed to the preservation and awareness of the hobby.

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees include Chris-Craft icon

Chris Smith, Century Boat pioneer Chuck Miklos and

California Classic Boats founder Al Schinnerer.

“This year’s inductees have had a huge impact on the classic

boat lifestyle that represents the breadth of the hobby,” said

Hagerty Classic Marine Insurance founder Louise Hagerty.

“Chris Smith crafted these beautiful boats, Chuck Miklos

helped bring a community of similar-minded enthusiasts

together and Al Schinnerer fulfi lled a need that benefi ted all

wooden boat owners.”

Capsizing and falling overboard into cold water are major

hazards for hunters. During hunting seasons, most waters

are cold enough to pose a serious hypothermia threat.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers these tips for make

hunting on the water safer and more enjoyable:

• Leave a fl oat plan with someone at home.

• Transport fi rearms to the boat unloaded, cased, muzzle fi rst, with the action open.

• Always wear an approved and properly fi tted life jacket when in a boat.

• Know the weather forecast for the area.

• Never overload your boat.

• Always stay seated when shooting from an open boat.

• If an accident occurs, stay with the boat and use distress signals.

• Unless clothing is creating a hazard, donot remove extra clothing. It can help prevent hypothermia.

When overboard without a lifejacket, the following techniques

can help you stay afl oat:

• Trap air in chest waders by bending your knees and raising your feet then lying back in the water.

• Trap air in hip boots by bending your knees and lying on your back.

• Place an oar under the knees and another behind the back and shoulders.

• Stuff decoys inside your jacket.cgauxpa.blogspot.com

BOATING SAFETY TIPS FOR HUNTERS

TIDAL CHRONOSCOPEChronGlobal Tidal Chronoscope, an iPhone application that

offers tidal conditions and forecasting, along with lunar

and solar positions in a Swiss-watch display, was launched

in September.

The application, developed by ChronGlobal Corporation,

includes real-time monitoring of the tides via a sophisticated,

virtual wristwatch featuring the current level of worldwide tides,

along with lunar and solar position at the user’s location. The

app works utilizing the GPS feature of the iPhone tapping into a

database of over 9,400 worldwide stations. It can tell users tell

the current state of the ocean tides at their location instantly

and track any other tide location in the world at the same time.

Additionally, the application offers a virtual wristwatch for

following the daily lunar movements, and an additional

virtual watch for following the daily position of the sun. The

app allows users to set the watch up to seven days into the

future and can predict the tides for any day, hour or minute

in order to plan open-water excursions ahead of time.

The company is also creating applications for the iPad and

Android platforms.

chronglobal.com

hagertymarine.com/hof

48 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

Sailing

North America’s annual big-boat regatta, Key West Race Week, has

much to celebrate. A new Title Sponsor, early one design class and

sponsor commitments, and grand prix news are some of the reasons

that the 25th anniversary will be a memorable gathering.

Quantum Sail Design Group will be the Title Sponsor for 2012. Its support

will enable Premiere Racing to produce another quality event that will

be held from Jan. 16 to 20.

The attributes of Key West racing remain unchanged: quality

competition, top-tier race management, reliable breeze and warm

January temperatures. It is the sole, annual national and international

big boat event in the U.S., and with no other comparable regattas that

time of year globally.

Classes committed include the Melges 32 and 24, Farr 40 and 30. J/Boats will be well represented with

their J/105 and J/80s. Other one design classes are in discussion with Premiere Racing.

A 2012 innovation will be J/Boats specifi c handicap classes. IRC Racing will be presented in the form of a

TP52 (modifi ed) class and a group of smaller boats in the 36- to 43-foot range.

Premiere-Racing.com

KEY WEST RACE WEEK – 25 YEARS AND COUNTING!

US SAILING’s Olympic Sailing Development Program added an additional Laser and Laser Radial Open Clinic to the recent

opportunities for young sailors aspiring to be the best in the U.S. The clinic was hosted on Nov. 12 to 13, in Houston, Tex., and

was run by US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics coaches Luther Carpenter and Mike Kalin.

sailingteams.ussailing.org/Selection/2012_US_Sailing_Development_Team.htm

US SAILING DEVELOPMENT CLINIC FOR ASPIRING OLYMPIANS

2012 ATLANTIC CUP ANNOUNCED: CHARLESTON-NEW YORK-NEWPORT

The second running of The Atlantic Cup will kick off May 12, 2012 from

Charleston, S.C. The Atlantic Cup is a dedicated professional Class 40

race held annually in the U.S. with a focus on running an environmentally

responsible event.

The 2012 race will showcase the top Class 40 sailors in the U.S. as they

race a 648-nautical mile off-shore leg double-handed from Charleston

around the infamous Cape Hatteras then north to New York City. Once in

New York there will be a brief stopover before competitors start the coastal

leg of the race. The coastal leg will take competitors along the same course

as the 2011 race: 260 nautical miles, south out of New York to a turning

mark off the New Jersey coast before heading north to Newport, R.I. Winning the distance legs

alone won’t be enough to be crowned Atlantic Cup Champion. Once in Newport, competitors will

race a two-day, inshore series with a crew of six. The combined overall winner of both stages will

be the Atlantic Cup Champion. The prize purse will be at least $30,000, making it again one of the

largest purses for sailing in the United States. atlanticcup.org


Media mogul Ted Turner returned to the sport he mastered

many decades ago when he helmed American Eagle—the

12 Metre he once owned and raced around the world—in the

2011 12 Metre North American Championships held in Newport,

R.I., last September. Turner’s skills earned him fi rst place in the

Traditional Division as well as the Pine Brothers Sponsor Trophy

for Best Overall Performance.

This was the last 12 Metre event to be scored for the Ted Hood

Championship Trophy, given for best performance over the 2011

season. This was awarded in the Grand Prix/Modern Division to

Victory ’83; in the Traditional Division to American Eagle; and in

the Classic Division to Northern Light.

This year’s event inaugurated the Ted Turner Trophy, awarded for

an individual’s contribution to the 12 Metre Class on and off the

water. Turner himself presented the magnifi cent trophy to Guy Heckman, who campaigns USA.

For more information, contact Vice President Americas Fleet, Herb Marshall, at [email protected].

The 4th Annual Carlos Aguilar Match Race (CAMR), presented

by Ulysse Nardin/Trident Jewels & Time, will be held in the

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie Harbor on

Nov. 30 to Dec. 4.

Eight women’s and eight open teams representing some of

the best match racers in the world will put their skills to the

test in fast-paced highly-competitive sailing action along the

spectator-friendly waterfront.

Women’s and open champions in this International Sailing

Federation (ISAF)-provisional Grade Two event are awarded

an Ulysse Nardin Lady Diver and Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine

Diver precision timepiece, respectively.

The St. Thomas Yacht Club and the Virgin Islands Sailing

Association are organizing authorities for the CAMR,

namesake for the late Carlos Aguilar, who was an avid

sailor and match racer.

carlosmatchrace.com

CARLOS AGUILAR MATCH RACE

2011 12 METRE NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS AND RADIAL

The diversity of the World ARC 2012-13 fl eet will refl ect those

of previous World ARC events. There are currently 42 boats

confi rmed to be part of the rally. Two thirds of the fl eet will

complete the whole circumnavigation, and the other third will

either be with the fl eet until Australia or join the rally at this

halfway point.

The skippers and crews of the fl eet are drawn from more than

13 nationalities. There largest contingent by boat are from

America with eight entries followed closely by seven from the

United Kingdom. Other nations represented amongst the 150

crew registered so far are Austria, Canada, Germany, France,

Japan, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

and Slovenia.

The fl eet is also comprised of many different boats types

ranging from 11.5 to 20.8 meters. The most numerous build of

boat is Jeanneau with six different models followed closely by

fi ve Hallberg Rassys. There are also six multihulls in the fl eet

with almost all representing different boat manufacturers as

well as several newly built yachts taking part in the event that

were launched this summer.

World ARC 2012-13 brings this all together to provide an

interesting experience as the participants set sail from Saint

Lucia on Jan. 8.

worldcruising.com

DIVERSITY DESCRIBES 2012 ROUND THE WORLD RALLY

Courageous, USA and Victory sail in the Grand Prix/Modern Division at the 2011 12 Metre North American Championships

Billy B

lack

NE

WP

RO

DU

CT

S

50 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

BUOYROPE 2-IN-1 DOCKING LINEThe BuoyRope is a quick-docking line that enables sport boats

and personal watercraft to simultaneously set their fenders to

the right height and secure them to the dock. For larger vessels,

it serves as a fully adjustable fender holder up to 5 feet.

When not in use, the BuoyRope can function as a tie-down

for infl atables other gear. It is 5 feet long and comes with one

stainless steel double-gated LoopClip.

$22.95 // 866-282-2379 // buoyrope.com

GOST™ FREEZER SENSOR A new sensor from Global Ocean Security Technologies helps

prevent problems created by failed freezer compressors. The

IP-rated, wireless, battery-powered GOST Freezer Sensor

monitors temperature inside onboard food-storage and bait

freezers. It alerts up to fi ve people with a voice phone call if the

temperature rises fi ve degrees above freezing—0°C or 32°F.

The GOST Freezer Sensor is available as an add-on to GOST

Marine Magellan Insight, Premier or Value Package vessel

monitoring systems.

$479.99 //954-565-9898 // gostglobal.com

ROCNA GALVANIZED ANCHORSRocna Original multipurpose galvanized anchors offer a solid

design and RINA type approval to the highest level of Super

High Holding Power. Independent tests have shown them to

exceed the RINA SHHP proof load up to 6.7 times and surpass

the breaking strength of the recommended G40 chain. A hot-

dip galvanized fi nish covers the entire surface of every Rocna

with protective zinc, including the hollow roll-bar’s interior, for

extra durability.

The RINA type approved Rocna Original line ranges in weights

from 9 to 243 pounds. Larger models up to 606 pounds and

stainless-steel fi nishes are also available.

Starting at $159.99 // rocna.com

RORoc

desi

High

exce

the b

dip g

with

extra

The

from

stain

Star


SafetyBright’s 9-in-1 SafetyPuck and Safety PlugLite provide

emergency assistance for those on land or water. The SafetyPuck

offers 360 degrees of light coverage in an array of illumination

patterns. Waterproof and buoyant, it is visible for up to half a mile

and runs for up to 100 hours on a rechargeable battery.

The mini LED PlugLite provides more than six hours of continuous

light. It plugs into any 12V or 24V car charger universal socket or

cigarette lighter and fully charges in two hours.

SafetyPuck, $39.95 //PlugLite, $19.95 // safetybright.com

SEA-FIRE FM-200 SYSTEMSFG and FD Sea-Fire pre-engineered suppression systems

employ FM-200, EPA-approved alternative to halogen that is

safe for people and leaves behind no oily residue, particulate

or water. Reaching extinguishing levels in 10 seconds or less, it

stops combustible, electrical and fl ammable liquid fi res.

The FG series protects enclosed engine compartments

covering areas from 25 to 240 cubic feet and is available in 20

sizes. The FD series protects areas from 150 to 1,500 cubic feet.

Its cylinders are refi llable and come in 54 standard model sizes.

$248 // 800-445-7680 // sea-fire.com

FISH’N RAIL SYSTEMThe Fish’n Rail is a security and support railing system for

boats that allows disabled and physically impaired anglers to

enjoy fi shing again. The Fish’n Rail system is manufactured

from aviation-grade stainless steel and offered as individual

components that may be assembled to meet different angler

needs and boat confi gurations. It is designed to last the

lifetime of the boat and conforms to Americans with

Disabilities Act specifi cations.

Starting at $1400 // 800-879-3726 //thefishnrail.com

SAFETYPUCK AND SAFETY PLUGLITE

52 GLB | Dec/Jan 12

BO

AT

CA

RE

& F

EE

DIN

G

ULTRA-FOAM AQUA-CLEAN™Thetford Marine’s newly reformulated Ultra-Foam Aqua-Clean

Kitchen and Bath Cleaner cleans well, saves time and has

received Design for the Environment recognition. All products

carrying the EPA/DfE logo do not contain inorganic phosphates,

hazardous solvents or environmentally harmful surfactants, and

they use only the safest possible ingredients.

Its foaming bubbles work immediately and offer extended

contact time, which limits dripping and running so less product

is needed. Gentle, non-abrasive and safe on seals. Great for

removing soap scum, rust stains and hard water spots.

$8 // thetford.com // 800-543-1219

CABLE BUDDYCable Buddy is a kit designed to lubricate inside the steering

cable jacket for inboard, outboard and I/O engines. It virtually

eliminates corrosion and all wear in the inner cable, where

most problems occur. When used properly, Cable Buddy also

prevents freezing to minus 40° F.

This system includes a stainless steel nut with plug and

sealing washer, oiling tube assembly and Max-Lube steering

cable lubricant. Cable Buddy’s lube nut fi ts motors with 7/8

inches x 14 pitch threads.

Starting at $34.99 // davisnet.com // 510-732-9229

NMMA FC-W® CAT LICENSED MARINE OILSMarine engines are commonly exposed to harsh conditions,

and now boaters can protect them with Royal Purple’s new line

of NMMCA FC-W Catalyst Compatible multi-vis 30-weight and

40-weight, four-stroke High Performance Marine engine oils.

FW-Catalyst Compatible designation is given by the National

Marine Manufacturer’s Association for oils that have been

tested and have exceeded the performance requirements of

bench tests for viscosity, corrosion, fi lter plugging, foaming

and aeration.

$9.60 per quart // royalpurple.com // 281-354-8600


T

F

S

T

F

S

Email your text-only advertisement to:

[email protected].

Free classified boat advertisement offer limited to one per reader.

Photographs may be added for $25. To upload a picture and pay, visit:

greatlakesboating.com/classifi eds.

All classifi ed ads are subject to publisher’s approval. Space is limited. Free

ads will be accepted on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis. Advertisements

for the March/April 2012 issue must be received by January 16, 2012.

Complimentary 25-word classified boat advertisements in the March/April 2012 issue.

(NO STRINGS ATTACHED!)

GOT A BOAT TO SELL?FREE ADS

54 GLB| Dec/Jan 12

MA

RIN

E M

AR

T

SAILBOATS1981 30’ Catalina Tall Rig: Wheel, Autohelm 4000, furling, extra light air genoa, knotmeter, depth, radio,compass, Atomic 4, 2-blade folding MaxProp, stove, microwave, icebox, new Catalina interior, VC 17 bottom, cradle, and many extras. White hull with brown stripe/sail cover/ and wheel cover. Well maintained. $22,500. Call [email protected]

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A MARINA?

CONTACT: Eddy A. Dingman, CNS (847) 987.6626COLDWELL BANKER COMMERCIAL, NRT

NATIONAL GOLF AND MARINA PROPERTIES GROUP

Visit: http://golfcourseandmarinasales.com

MISCELLANEOUSEAST COAST BOW THRUSTERS, INCSeeking a sales rep to promote bow and stern thruster installations in the Great Lakes region.

START IMMEDIATELYExcellent opportunity for the

right person. Call Joe: 845-551-1975

www.ecbowthrusters.com

POWERBOATS1966 28’ CC Model 283 “F” Sportsman: LOA, 10’6” beam, 185 h.p. single screw, cuddy cabin, Great Lakes only, full cover, new custom 2-axle Loadmaster trailer, extra prop, extensive accessory list, clear title for hull & trailer, ownerŠs & operator’s manuals stored under cover, color photos available, $20,000 obo. Call 847-577-6613 [email protected]

TO ADVERTISE

IN GLBplease email:

[email protected]


EV

EN

TS

CA

LE

ND

AR

DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARYFLORIDAJANUARY 16-20QUANTUM KEY WEST RACE WEEK

Key WestKey Westpremiere-racing.com

JANUARY 27-29JACKSONVILLE BOAT SHOW

Prime F. Osborn III Convention CenterJacksonvilleboatjax.com

FEBRUARY 16-20MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

Miami Beach Convention CenterMiamimiamiboatshow.com

ILLINOISJANUARY 6-8GATEWAY LET’S GO FISHING SHOW

Gateway CenterCollinsville

letsgoshows.com

JANUARY 12-15CHICAGO BOAT, SPORTS

& RV SHOW

McCormick Place North

Chicagochicagoboatshow.com

JANUARY 26-29STRICTLY SAIL CHICAGO

Navy Pier

Chicagostrictlysailchicago.com

FEBRUARY 24-26BOATSHOW IN SPRINGFIELD

Illinois State FairgroundsSpringfi eldtheboatshowinspringfield.com

INDIANAFEBRUARY 17-26INDIANAPOLIS BOAT, SPORT & TRAVEL SHOW

Indiana State FairgroundsIndianapolisrenfroproductions.com

IOWAJANUARY 13-15QUAD CITY BOAT, RV, & VACATION SHOW

RiverCenterDavenportiowashows.com

JANUARY 20-22IOWA BOAT & VACATION SHOW

UNI-DomeCedar Fallsiowashows.com

FEBRUARY 10-12CEDAR RAPIDS SPORTS, BOAT, RV, & VACATION SHOW

Coralville Marriott Conference CenterCoralvilleiowashows.com

KANSASFEBRUARY 16-19KANSAS SPORTS, BOAT & TRAVEL SHOW

Kansas ColiseumValley Centeragievents.com

KENTUCKYJANUARY 25-29LOUISVILLE BOAT, RV & SPORTSHOW

Kentucky Exposition CenterLouisvillelouisvilleboatrvshow.com

MARYLANDJANUARY 19-22

BALTIMORE BOAT SHOW

Baltimore Convention Center

Baltimorebaltimoreboatshow.com

MICHIGANJANUARY 12-15

ULTIMATE FISHING SHOW

Suburban Collection Showplace

Novishowspan.com

FEBRUARY 11-19

DETROIT BOAT SHOW

Cobo CenterDetroitdetroitboatshow.net

FEBRUARY 15-19

GRAND RAPIDS BOAT SHOW

DeVos Place

Grand Rapidsgrboatshow.com

MINNESOTAJANUARY 12-15MINNESOTA SPORTSMEN’S BOAT, CAMPING & VACATION SHOW

Saint Paul RiverCentre

Saint Paul

(763) 755-8111

JANUARY 19-22

MINNEAPOLIS BOAT SHOW

Minneapolis Convention Center

Minneapolisminneapolisboatshow.com

FEBRUARY 15-19DULUTH BOAT, SPORTS TRAVEL & RV SHOW

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

Duluthshamrockprod.com

56 GLB| Dec/Jan 12

MISSOURIJANUARY 19-22KANSAS CITY BOAT & SPORTSHOW

Bartle Hall

Kansas Citykansascitysportshow.com

FEBRUARY 8-12ST. LOUIS BOAT & SPORTSHOW

America’s Center & Edward Jones DomeSt. Louisstlouisboatshow.com

NEW YORKJANUARY 4-8NEW YORK BOAT SHOW

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

New Yorknyboatshow.com

FEBRUARY 15-19CNY BOAT SHOW

New York State FairgroundsSyracusecnyboatshow.com

OHIOJANUARY 6-8

TRI STATE FISHING EXTRAVAGANZA

Lesourdsville Expo Center

Middletown

rvexpo.net

JANUARY 7-15OHIO RV AND BOAT SHOW

Ohio Expo CenterColumbusohiorvandboatshow.com

JANUARY 13-22MID-AMERICA BOAT & FISHING SHOW

International Exposition (I-X) Center

Clevelandclevelandboatshow.com

JANUARY 20-29CINCINNATI TRAVEL, SPORTS & BOAT SHOW

Duke Energy Cincinnati Convention CenterCincinnatihartproductions.com

FEBRUARY 9-12COLUMBUS SPORTS, VACATION

& BOAT SHOW

Ohio Expo Center

Columbushartproductions.com

TENNESSEEJANUARY 12-15

NASHVILLE BOAT & SPORTSHOW

Nashville Convention CenterNashvillenashvilleboatshow.com

WISCONSINJANUARY 20-29

MILWAUKEE BOAT SHOW

Wisconsin Expo Center

Milwaukeeshowspan.com

FEBRUARY 9-12LACROSSE BOAT, SPORTS TRAVEL & RV SHOW

LaCrosse Convention Center

LaCrosseshamrockprod.com

CANADAJANUARY 14-22TORONTO INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

Direct Energy Centre

Toronto, Ontario

torontoboatshow.com

FEBRUARY 17-20CENTRAL ONTARIO BOAT SHOW & SALE Careport Expo Centre

Hamilton, Ontarioboatshowandsale.com

FEBRUARY 23-26OTTAWA BOAT, SPORTSMEN’S & COTTAGE SHOW

Lansdowne Park

Ottawa, Ontariosportsmensshows.com/Ottawa/index.html

FEBUARY 24-26LONDON BOAT, FISHING & LEISURE

SHOW

Western Fair Grounds

London, Ontarioboatcottagefishingshow.com

Advertiser Index

Chicago Harbors/Westrec BC

Cleveland Boat Show 25

Contender Boats IBC

Cruisers Yachts 7

Detroit Boat Show 17

Dock Suppliers 21

Essex Credit 1

Fountain Power Boats 2

Kenosha Home 53

Lake Forest College 10

North Point Marina IFC

Princecraft Boats 11

Pro-Line Boats 5

Progressive Insurance 3

PumpOutUSA 21

ValvTect Petroleum 33

DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY

Documents

Great Lakes Boating December - January 2012