n most weekdays between roughly mid-April to late October I ride the same motorcycle to work that I’ve been riding for more than 20 years. With nearly 50,000 miles on the odometer I guess it’s now in the vintage category, but it still looks good to me and it runs great. On occasion I take my children for rides in the evenings or on the weekends and one of the first things I taught them when they were old enough to ride along – besides how to not burn themselves on the exhaust pipes when getting off the bike – is the responsibility of my passengers to wave to other motorcyclists when we’re out. Most bikers wave back and I like the bond it creates that lets others know we’re watching out for each other.

ummer is approaching and everyone is getting their boats ready for the upcoming sailing season. We all know what is involved, so there is no reason to elaborate on what spring commissioning things you should have already done. Besides, your boat should already be in the water and ready to go for a sail by now anyway.

As you make plans to cruise this season, don’t forget to sail for the “Summer Sailstice.” This international sailing event will be celebrated this year on June 18, although the Summer Solstice is on June 21. Go sailing with friends, family or whoever to celebrate sailing on the longest day of the year.

t’s early on this Saturday morning at the Shoreby Club in Bratenahl, Ohio, at least a tad early for most of the members of this quiet tight-nit boating community that is nestled in the outskirts of Cleveland. The sun is beginning to warm the docks and summer laughter can be heard off in the distance. The view from the century-old lakefront mansion that serves as the historic and prestigious Shoreby Club is nothing short of breathtaking, as just moments earlier we had passed through the busy streets of Cleveland to arrive here.

For a marina located so close to a major city, we’re pleasantly surprised at how secluded and protected it feels. It’s a slice of heaven and the ideal backdrop for those looking to escape after a long work week, and this is where we find Randy and Christine Myeroff.

ith tundra-like temperatures and endless snowfall pounding the Great Lakes region back in February, many jumped at the opportunity to get warm and head south for the annual Miami International Boat Show. It doesn’t take much to convince boaters to trade in snow boots for flip flops, and for us as a staff the biggest perk was not only the Florida sun, but being able to see the new 2022 boat models in the water and on the convention center floor, months before our own boating season begins.

With the new show venues this year there were plenty of boats to discover, yet we had better odds of finding a snowball in Miami than actually seeing them all in just five days. So after measuring the overall impact and coolness factor of the specific boats – while also noting the dealer bases in the Great Lakes – we came up with ten boats that truly impressed us. These beauties stole the spotlight in Miami and are sure to be seen on a Great Lake near you this summer.

oating really works up an appetite. Luckily, you’ll find amazing dock and dine restaurants up and down the Great Lakes, dotting the shoreline with fine dining as nice as the harborside view. There are as many excellent options as there are harbors, so to help you find your way, we’ve put together this highlight featuring some of the best restaurants you can reach by boat, ranging from classic diners to world class hidden bars and grills.

hursday, November 6, 1913, dawned with the warmth of sunlight over Lake Superior. The climate seemed more suited to August than November, with temperatures reported near 80 degrees.

A day as warm and temperate as this brought a sense of ease—a good omen, some said—to the many sailors who were preparing for what they hoped would be their last shipment of the season. Though this was unusual weather for November, there could be nothing to worry about. The day was as fair as summer.

By 10 a.m. the next morning, the U.S. Weather Bureau issued a storm warning throughout the Great Lakes area. Most who heard the news paid no heed, as weather reports of the day were largely regarded as useless. What these unfortunate crews did not realize was that they were headed into grave danger.

liding on lakes and waterways throughout the world, personal watercrafts have left their mark on the history of water sports. Although popular today, the PWC market first had trouble establishing itself. This famous craft has undergone design overhauls, changing industries, and engineering breakthroughs to become the product we see now. In this feature, we’re looking back on the history that led us to the modern PWC, from early water scooters to the flagship models from brands such as Bombardier, Kawasaki, and Yamaha.

etting behind the handlebars of a personal watercraft is a sure way to get your adrenaline pumping. There’s nothing quite like the sensation of flying across the water at high speeds on what feels like a water-ready motorcycle. If you’re in the market, you may be wondering which models offer the most in terms handling, comfort, and innovative enhancements. Here we’ve compiled a starting list of the very best the industry has to offer.

he term “finesse” is a popular term among anglers these days, but until I sat through a couple of finesse fishing seminars last March, I didn’t really know what the term meant.

Great Lakes kayak fishing pro Dave Mull enlightened me and a few dozen other interested anglers in his “Fishing the Ned Rig” seminars at the Ultimate Sports Show in Grand Rapids, Mich. If things go well, I’ll be putting his advice to the test most weekends in May, doing my best to slay Lake Erie smallmouth bass, and expecting to catch just about everything else, based on what I learned. I also witnessed firsthand as Mull demonstrated the effectiveness of his Z-Man TRDs in the Hawg Trough fishing demonstration tank.

ometimes a lighthouse is more than a structure, and this is certainly the case for the Harbor Beach Lighthouse of Lake Huron. This stout, iron-cased tower has served mariners for generations, its powerful beacon visible from up to 16 miles away. It has become a symbol of sanctuary for travelers and a community rallying point for the City of Harbor Beach.