Great Lakes Boating
An Icon Reinvented
Totally Worth It

Memories For Dyer Family Outweigh Cost

Dock & Dine

Top Restaurants On The Great Lakes

Boat Slip Agreements

Do You Know Your Marina Rules?

Unearthed Discoveries

Beneath The Shifting Sands

Boating Electronics

The Evolution Of Technology

July 2021
Boat
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style, innovation, functionality & efficiency.

no sacrifice.

Visit These
Scout Dealers
ILLINOIS
SkipperBud’s @ North Point Marina
215 North Point Dr., Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
847-872-3200

MICHIGAN
SkipperBud’s @ Grand Isle Marina
11 Harbor Island Dr., Grand Haven, MI 49417
616-997-2628

SkipperBud’s @ Belle Maer Harbor
41700 Conger Bay Dr., Harrison Twp. MI 48045
586-954-3100

OHIO
SkipperBud’s @ Marina Del Isle
6801 East Harbor Rd., Marblehead, OH 43440
419-732-2587

WISCONSIN
SkipperBud’s @ Quarterdeck Marina
705 Quarterdeck Ln., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920-746-8200

SkipperBud’s Pewaukee
1030 Silvernail Rd., Pewaukee, WI 53072
262-544-1200

CANADA
Maple City Marine
680 Grand Ave. East,
Chatham Ontario N7L1X6, Canada
519-354-3640

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The Official Knife of Scout Boats
www.williamsknife.com
2531 Hwy 78 West / Summerville, SC 29483
843-821-0068 / www.scoutboats.com
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Formula logo
Formula introduces the new twin Mercury 600 Verado outboards on its popular 380 Super Sport Crossover! Live it now as you experience this revolutionary pairing that surpasses all others in its class. The 380 also offers triple outboards in 350, 400 and 450 horsepower, as well as twin sterndrive. The 380 continues Formula’s open-bow, full-cabin Crossover legacy, now seven models strong, from the 330 CBR to the 500 SSC.

The 380’s bloodline is evident in its SmartZone™ design that utilizes every square inch for a variety of entertainment possibilities. The single level deck offers a seamless transition to the bow from the full-width hardtop with top-to-bottom windshield and sliding walk-thru windshield panel. Triple command seating, two distinct lounge areas aft plus the outdoor kitchen bring the full Formula experience, from exhilarating ride to easy conversation. For relaxing at the sandbar or cove, head aft to the convertible rear-facing sun lounge and roomy swim platform with available entertainment table or sport rail.

The 380 cabin provides a completely residential experience with convertible dinette/sleeping berth plus aft stateroom bed, stand-up head compartment and lower kitchen with sink, fridge and microwave.

The 380 SSC incorporates FAS3Tech® multi-step hull technology with a molded structural grid to deliver the sure-footed ride that is a Formula hallmark. No other 38-foot full-cabin bowrider can boast a full-width cockpit experience with true overnight capabilities for four. Everything you want in performance and adventure awaits you in the versatile Formula 380 Super Sport Crossover!

Formula logo
The Formula 380 Super Sport Crossover —
LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE NOW!
Formula introduces the new twin Mercury 600 Verado outboards on its popular 380 Super Sport Crossover! Live it now as you experience this revolutionary pairing that surpasses all others in its class. The 380 also offers triple outboards in 350, 400 and 450 horsepower, as well as twin sterndrive. The 380 continues Formula’s open-bow, full-cabin Crossover legacy, now seven models strong, from the 330 CBR to the 500 SSC.

The 380’s bloodline is evident in its SmartZone™ design that utilizes every square inch for a variety of entertainment possibilities. The single level deck offers a seamless transition to the bow from the full-width hardtop with top-to-bottom windshield and sliding walk-thru windshield panel. Triple command seating, two distinct lounge areas aft plus the outdoor kitchen bring the full Formula experience, from exhilarating ride to easy conversation. For relaxing at the sandbar or cove, head aft to the convertible rear-facing sun lounge and roomy swim platform with available entertainment table or sport rail.

The 380 cabin provides a completely residential experience with convertible dinette/sleeping berth plus aft stateroom bed, stand-up head compartment and lower kitchen with sink, fridge and microwave.

The 380 SSC incorporates FAS3Tech® multi-step hull technology with a molded structural grid to deliver the sure-footed ride that is a Formula hallmark. No other 38-foot full-cabin bowrider can boast a full-width cockpit experience with true overnight capabilities for four. Everything you want in performance and adventure awaits you in the versatile Formula 380 Super Sport Crossover!

Formula logo
The Formula 380 Super Sport Crossover —
LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE NOW!
Formula boat filled with friends and family
Formula 380 Super Sport on the water
Formula 380 Super Sport engine displayed on the boat
2200 West Monroe St. • PO Box 1003
Decatur, IN 46733 • 800.736.7685
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Stingray logo
Boating
Boating in water
That’s right, Stingray wants to join our loyal boating family!
That’s right, Stingray wants to join our loyal boating family!
Get aboard one of our awesome boats, get out on the water, and have some fun! Now’s the right time to put last year in your wake and set a family plan for all-new adventures. Experience the vast open air. Chase the sun. Watch those smiles get wider. And above all, make incredible lasting memories with your loved ones. With models ranging from 17’ – 27’ in six different model categories, we have the perfect model for you!
Ready to put the throttle down on making the most out of your family time? Talk to your local dealer or visit us online to find the perfect Stingray boat for you.
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Models shown with options. Consult your local dealer for the latest information on available options and pricing.
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Contents
July 2021
VOLUME 39, NUMBER 3
Read Sea Ray’s Sundancer 370 OB
Read Scout 350 LXZ
Profiles
24
Totally Worth It
Memories For Dyer Family Outweigh Cost

Spotlight
18
Sea Ray’s Sundancer 370 OB
An Icon Reinvented

30
Scout 350 LXZ
The Adventure Extender

Features
34
Around The Great Lakes
Top Restaurants To Dock & Dine

38
Boat Slip Agreements
The Adventure Extender

46
Boating Electronics
The Evolution Of Technology

Round Up
48
Electrifying
Sounds And Screens

Read Around The Great Lakes
Columns
12
Captain’s Chair, You Might Live Next To A Boater
14
Sailing The Great Lakes, Summertime On The Great Lakes
52
Fishing The Inland Seas, Green Bay’s Summer Muskies
Departments
16
Nautables, Social Media Of The Great Lakes
42
Lake Lore, Beneath The Shifting Sands Of The Great Lakes
44
Current Issues, Steel Corrosion In Lake Superior
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Copyright 2021, Great Lakes Boating magazine is published by Harris Publishing, Inc., six times per year and is printed by Falls Printing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Publisher not responsible for content of materials submitted or advertising claims.

Harris Publishing, Inc.
Darryl W. Harris — Founder
Jason Harris — President
Chuck Harris — Vice President
Ryan Harris — Vice President
Steve Janes — Vice President
Greg Larsen — Vice President
Clayton Ward — Treasurer
Janet Chase — Secretary

Great Lakes Boating
520 Park Ave. Idaho Falls, ID 83402
800-638-0135

Also Publishers Of:
Pontoon & Deck Boat Magazine
and Houseboat Magazine

Cover Boat: Sundancer 370 OB

Publisher | Greg Larsen

Executive Editor | Brady L. Kay

Assistant Editor | Heather Magda Serrano

Editorial Staff
Tim McKenna, Lane Miles, Roy Sparks, Noah Pool,
Seth Harper, Brittnie Gavin, Dan Armitage

Advertising Director | Greg Larsen

Advertising Executive | Brad Anderson

Administrative Assistant | Samantha Stroud

Marketing Director | Cameron Bischoff

Lead Designer | Chloe Adelizzi

Production | Jim Donovan

Circulation Director | Chuck Harris

Cover Design by: Chloe Adelizzi

Print Flic
Brady Kay Headshot
Brady Kay Headshot
By Brady L. Kay
Captain's Chair
You Might Live Next To A Boater
W

e’re officially in the prime months of boating season that some say begins with the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The timing of the summer solstice depends on when the sun reaches its northernmost point of the equator, which means summer technically and officially began on Sunday, June 20, this year. With all due respect, I strongly disagree.

I tend to believe for boaters on the Great Lakes, summer actually begins some time in May when the weather starts getting nice again, and at the very least you could make a strong case for the three-day weekend as part of Memorial Day as the kickoff point.

What does this mean? It means it is that time of year where we abandon our homes and leave our neighbors wondering where we go for the next 15 weekends or so. For our “winter neighbors” this can be a very confusing time, especially if they’re not boaters themselves.

Sailing The Great Lakes
Out on the ocean on a boat
Out on the ocean on a boat with a bright sun
Thinking Out Loud
Summertime on the Great Lakes
By Tim McKenna
ACR Cobham
W

hat can be better than the long days and gentle breezes that our Great Lakes give us in the summer? As we all know, the weather on the Great Lakes can be interesting, for lack of a better word. It can “kick up” quickly, going from a nice easy sail to an all-storm in what seems to be a matter of minutes. There are a lot of weather apps available and I am sure everyone has their favorites. Keep in mind all these are giving you a forecast and although the models are very sophisticated, they do sometimes just get it plain wrong. It is also a good idea to understand that these forecasts may not be specific to the local variances where you are sailing. Here are a few that I use on a regular basis.

PredictWind is a good one. I like that it gives the user several different forecast models to work with and updates on a regular basis. There is also a web-based version that offers both a free and a paid service.

PocketGrib allows you to view global weather including wind, temperature, pressure and more from GRIB files. It is a fun one whether out on the water or having an adult beverage and complaining about the weather.

Weatherbug, WeatherUndergroud, Sailflow, The Weather Channel, Windy, BuoyData and many others are available as well. There is a lot of weather information available, and it continues to be easier to use whether on a phone, tablet or other device. It is much different today than 30 years ago when sailing to Hawaii we would get periodic forecasts via SSB radio and plot the isobar lines on our chart.

When I crawled out from under my boat the other day I was, for some reason, wondering about flares. My guess is that most of us have a box of expired flares somewhere. It is interesting that there is currently no single agency or policy for dealing with the disposal or recycling of these hazardous pyrotechnics. Where I live, the county will accept them during its annual hazardous waste disposal event. Check with your local police or fire department to see what is available in your area.

Department
Naut@bles
FACES AND PLACES OF THE GREAT LAKES, found across our social media
Spotlight
Sea Ran Sundancer 370 Outboard boat on clear blue ocean
Family on Sea Ran Sundancer 370 Outboard boat
Couple on Sea Ran Sundancer 370 Outboard boat
Driving the Sea Ran Sundancer 370 Outboard boat
Enjoying the Sea Ran Sundancer 370 Outboard boat
An Icon
Reinvented
The New Sundancer 370 Outboard
By Heather Magda Serrano
W

ords like “beauty” and “sophistication” seem to fall short when you lay your eyes on Sea Ray’s all-new Sundancer 370 Outboard. This model successfully embodies Sea Ray’s legacy while simultaneously taking their brand to the next level with its new design.

Sea Ray’s design director, Charlie Foss, explained that in many ways this new model is a reinvention of Sea Ray, representing a new chapter in an already rich history. To understand the Sundancer 370 Outboard’s significance, it’s important to note the Sundancer family and history.

“Sundancer in and of itself is a household name when it comes to cruisers,” observed Foss. “When you think of Sea Ray, the Sundancer name is kind of its perfect manifestation.”

Profile
Shauna’s family.
Totally Worth It
Memories on Lake Michigan outweigh any cost for the Dyer family
By Heather Magda Serrano
J

eff and Jackie Dyer have clocked in enough hours on Lake Michigan in their 29-foot Four Winns Vista to make all the other boat owners jealous at Northport Marina in Northport, Mich.

When the summer weather’s nice there’s no question where the Dyers will be: invariably, they’ll be making the most of their boat and their time together.

The Dyers have owned their current Four Winns for 12 years and it’s their third boat on the Great Lakes. Prior to this boat they owned a 23-foot Four Winns and then a 26-foot Four Winns before graduating to their 29-footer.

With both Jeff and Jackie having a long and active history of boating, they’ve shared their love of boating on Lake Michigan with their two children, Shauna and Brett. For them, nothing matches the peaceful atmosphere of getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life as a family on the lake.

Spotlight
The Adventure Extender
Print Flic
New Scout 350 LXZ Was Born For The Great Lakes
boat on the water
The Adventure Extender
top view of boat
Print Flic
New Scout 350 LXZ Was Born For The Great Lakes
By Brady L. Kay
I

f you’re serious about finding a luxury crossover that you’d swear was designed specifically for the Great Lakes, you need to pay attention to the all-new 350 LXZ from Scout Boats. It’s the initial debut of the brand-new LXZ Series and the S-Class sophisticated masterpiece is truly unlike anything out on the market today. Simply put, it’s a high-end day cruiser, ideal for refined entertainment; with overnight accommodations should you choose to extend your adventure.

Extending your adventure is exactly what this Scout is all about. Highlights include a seating configuration built around plush, luxurious entertainment expectations; immense shade provided by the integrated epoxy-infused carbon fiber hardtop; a full glass windshield to protect from the elements complete with an electric sliding sun roof and side window vents; air conditioning above and below deck; swing-in side dive door; a gyro stabilizer; systems completely run on lithium ion batteries (no generator necessary); and at-home appointments throughout the model are just a brief snapshot of the standard and available optional features built into this must-have craft.

Feature
Castaways on the Lake
The Farm Restaurant
DOCK & DINE
top restaurants ON THE GREAT LAKES
By Heather Magda Serrano
I

f you’re looking to explore the culinary side of the Great Lakes, look no further because we’ve compiled some of the best restaurants you can get to by boat. Whether you’re interested in expanding your cultural palate or discovering historic restaurants with inviting atmospheres, you’ll find your perfect fit with the following options.

Historic Hunger
For a restaurant with deep historical roots, you’ll want to check out Castaways on the Lake. Located on the shore of Lake Ontario, you’ll be able to catch some of the most spectacular lake views and experience some magnificent sunsets.

Their two-tiered lakeside decks give you the perfect setting for outdoor dining and you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy some live acoustic guitar music on weekend evenings in the summer. The menu will have your mouth watering with customer favorites like the Cajun rubbed blackened prime rib or their fresh seafood sampler platters.

Feature
Boat Slip
Agreements
Do you know your marina rules?
By Joan Wenner, J.D.
M

arina slip leases can appear in short, medium and long versions. What they all have in common are terms and provisions setting out the rights and obligations of the marina or yacht club operator and very importantly the boater leasing the slip.

After the parties are named, the length of time of the agreement will be recited, with a description of the boat. Then the fee amount and payment time—annually, semi-annually or monthly—and the due date. Any modifications or waivers (as some marinas did during the COVID-19 lockdowns) should be in writing and signed by both parties to be legally enforceable. It can be a risky business to rely on verbal representations, at least as far as the courts are concerned, should it come to that unpleasant situation.

Department
Unearthed
Beneath The Shifting Sands Of The Great Lakes
By Brittnie L. Gavin
T

he Great Lakes are full of wonders. Some, we discover every day as we set out on the water and embrace their magic. Others are more of a surprise.

Things that have been hidden for years and years find light as the water tosses the sand, ebbing and flowing from high and low tides.

In recent events, shipwrecks considered lost have been pulled to the surface to be discovered, allowing us to complete stories long gone. This is due to the intense changes in water levels that the Great Lakes have recently experienced. When the levels are low and then rapidly rise, it causes things lower in the lakes to rise up and appear right before our very eyes. These can be little fascinations, or they can be as big as nearly 200-year-old shipwrecks.

Department
A Clean Problem
Steel Corrosion In Lake Superior
Rust
By Seth Harper
I

n 1998, Chad Scott plunged into the depths of Duluth-Superior Harbor in a routine check of the underwater infrastructure of the Coast Guard station. What he found shocked him. Corrosion, much like you would find in a saltwater environment, covered the steel structures below the surface in freshwater Lake Superior.

Chad, a marine civil engineer and commercial hard hat diver currently with AMI Consulting Engineers, had previously completed most of his diving work on the east coast where finding corrosion on the sea wall is quite common. It isn’t something you typically see much of in fresh water. He grew up in Duluth, Minn., but had been in the military for eight years and went to college before heading east.

“When you’re exposed to a different environment you tend to recognize things that aren’t normal to another environment,” Chad explained. He tried to bring the issue to people’s attention, but no one seemed interested in listening, something he says was frustrating.

Feature
Boating Electronics
The evolution of technology
By Brittnie L. Gavin
Man driving a luxury boat
T

o some if may feel like a somewhat recent electronics surge, but in reality improved technology and advanced electronics have been evolving into our boats for decades. As gadgets have been created to improve our day-to-day lives, those same upgrades have been improving our life on the water. Technology is always advancing and we will likely see even more developments in the foreseeable future. To give that dream context, some companies have spoken about their experiences with the advancement of technology for boaters as a whole.

Integration

Garmin Marine is a household name among boaters, coming up with next-generation technology aimed at making boating a more luxurious and relaxing experience. When we asked David Dunn, the director of Garmin’s marine sales, what he thought of the influence technology has had on Garmin, he noted that integration has become one of the biggest selling points of their products.

“The more information boaters can control and access directly from their displays—the one master source of information—the greater the convenience, which ultimately results in a more enjoyable on-the-water experience,” said Dunn.

Roundup
Electrifying Sounds And Screens
By Brittnie L. Gavin
T

here is nothing like the summer sun when it is accompanied by killer jams and digital technology.

From amazing sound systems to all-inclusive touchscreens at the helm, these marine-loving companies are determined to show you what they are made of by providing you with convenience, comfort and fun while out on the Great Lakes. From tidy, organized touchscreens to hours of high-intensity music to match up with whatever mood you are trying to set, this summer is sure to be a blast of sensations if any of these products find themselves aboard your boat.

Fishing The Inland Seas
Green Bay’s Massive Summer Muskies
Casting oversized soft plastic baits, some weighing as much as a pound (“pounders”) catch more than their share of late-summer muskies from popular Great Lakes fisheries including Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron and Green Bay.
By Dan Armitage
M

uskellunge aren’t the first gamefish to come to mind among anglers wetting a line in the Great Lakes each summer. Salmonids, yellow perch and walleye steal much of the show, leaving “the fish of 10,000 casts” in the prop-wash as most Inland Seas anglers pursue more popular species.

That is, unless that wake cuts across Lake St. Clair, world-famous for its muskie fishery. Or, as Bret Alexander has enjoyed for four decades, you head to his home waters of Green Bay, which are earning a reputation as the Great Lakes’ top “huskie” muskie destination.

“It’s just something that’s been in my blood since I was a kid,” the veteran charter captain answered when asked about the allure of muskie fishing with so many other excellent fisheries at his doorstep. “They intrigue me. They are the hardest to catch and the most exciting fish in the water. It’s an adrenaline rush. Like most anglers, I love catching walleye and smallmouth bass, but there’s something about fishing for muskies that gets people really cranked up.”

Lighthouses Of The Great Lakes
Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse
Lake Michigan, Michigan
By Seth Harper
T

he job of a lighthouse keeper is one that takes constant work and diligence. There isn’t much time for sick days and on top of the hard work comes a danger factor as well. Quite simply, this job isn’t for the faint of heart. The Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse on Lake Michigan, which was first lit in 1873 and is still operational today, saw two of its keepers die during their time in service at the lighthouse.

There to help with the fog signal, Sheridan King was an assistant keeper at Frankfort in 1902. While out on a small boat one day, he was called out by a ferry captain to get out of the way. King did not have time to move out of the way before the ferry rammed into his boat, smashing it to pieces. The ferry captain kept going, not stopping to help King, who only lived for 15 minutes after the crash.

Keeper Joseph Wilmot, who had King as his assistant nine years earlier, also died during his service. Despite being ill, Wilmot continued to work at his duties but eventually succumbed to his sickness. Both men left their wives widowed.

Despite past tragedies, the Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse is a beautiful symbol for the Frankfort community and welcomes people to their city. It’s 71 feet tall at focal height, covers 16 nautical miles and has a pyramidal-shaped tower. In 1912 the original timber structure was replaced by a steel one right on the North Pier. The light is located on the north breakwater in the Frankfort, Mich., harbor, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently owned by the city of Frankfort.

By Seth Harper
T

he job of a lighthouse keeper is one that takes constant work and diligence. There isn’t much time for sick days and on top of the hard work comes a danger factor as well. Quite simply, this job isn’t for the faint of heart. The Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse on Lake Michigan, which was first lit in 1873 and is still operational today, saw two of its keepers die during their time in service at the lighthouse.

There to help with the fog signal, Sheridan King was an assistant keeper at Frankfort in 1902. While out on a small boat one day, he was called out by a ferry captain to get out of the way. King did not have time to move out of the way before the ferry rammed into his boat, smashing it to pieces. The ferry captain kept going, not stopping to help King, who only lived for 15 minutes after the crash.

Keeper Joseph Wilmot, who had King as his assistant nine years earlier, also died during his service. Despite being ill, Wilmot continued to work at his duties but eventually succumbed to his sickness. Both men left their wives widowed.

Despite past tragedies, the Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse is a beautiful symbol for the Frankfort community and welcomes people to their city. It’s 71 feet tall at focal height, covers 16 nautical miles and has a pyramidal-shaped tower. In 1912 the original timber structure was replaced by a steel one right on the North Pier. The light is located on the north breakwater in the Frankfort, Mich., harbor, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently owned by the city of Frankfort.

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Thanks for reading our July 2021 issue!