HURON | ONTARIO | MICHIGAN | ERIE | SUPERIOR 2020 Lakeshore Life MEDIA KIT A guide for Great Lakes boating enthusiasts With more than 10,000 miles of shoreline (equal to almost 44 percent of the earth’s circumference), the Great Lakes command a vast share of North America’s boating waters and is one of the world’s most popular, affluent and explored cruising grounds. For 73 years, Lakeland Boating has covered this unique area. Our editorial content caters to the interests of freshwater boaters throughout the Great Lakes, as well as connecting waterways as far south as Florida, north to Ontario, west to Minnesota, and east to Quebec. Our respected editorial package is a mix of Great Lakes travel destinations, personality profiles, boats, boating gear and accessories, boating lifestyle, waterfront living, cruising and more. Editorial departments highlight local news and events, boater education, maintenance tips, electronics, new products and boat tests appear monthly. We know Great Lakes boating. BOAT TEST Formula 400 SSC Editorial Calendar PORT OF CALL FORTY-FOOT SPORTS CROSSOVER SATISFIES EVERY FAMILY MEMBER’S MUST-HAVES. BY MARSHALL BRODIE ctive boating families want to bow cockpit, aft deck lounge and spacious A maximize their limited boating time also encouraging connectivity among guests. but sometimes that can be difficult. What below-decks cabin — gives boaters the best of all w Passage fore and aft is unimpeded and makes if you want to overnight with your f orlds. amily socializing natural. The surprisingly large for one or two nights because that’s all the Rare features cabin below includes a convertible dinette/ time you get off from work? Or what if your sleeping berth, plus an aft stateroom bed, teenage chil Formula realized that customers were asking dren ask to bring a group of private head compartment and entertainment friends to hangout and sunbathe for a day? for something other than an expre ss cruiser galley with sink and microwave. What if the weather turns less than ideal? or a big center console with an under-console The bow cockpit is a rare feature in a Do you need an express cruiser or perhaps cabin. Based on this feedback, Formula created the Crossover series, which has 40-foot sport boat that greatly expands the do you need a bowrider? Looking for a welcoming Lake Michigan become a big hit. The Formula 400 SSC is usability of the 400 SSC as a day cruiser. This This is where a versatile, multi-purpose area features wraparound seating for multiple vessel may be the ideal solution. Such is the sporty, comfortable and amenity rich. The destination that’s got sandy beaches, an lounging options, and twin motorized tables impetus for Formula’s new 400 SSC (Super single-level deck is nearly 37 feet long and can be raised or lowered individually at the the up-to-date marina, plenty to see, do, shop, Sport Crossover), an emerging new breed includes two seating areas, the bow cockpit push of a button for dining or to create a of boat that follows in the footsteps of the and aft lounge, which Formula has labeled PHOTOS COURTESY OF FORMULA lounge when cushions are added. For a break Mystique eat and sip within a short walk of the dock 430 SSC. The 400 SSC — with an open SmartZones. Formula describes them as being separate areas for differing activities while from the sun’s rays, there’s an optional bow 36 MARCH 2019 | LAKELANDBOATING.COM — plus natural and historical wonders to sun shade that’s easy to assemble. explore? There’s an app for that. LAKELANDBOATING.COM | MARCH 2019 of 37 Manistique By Kath Usitalo Big Format SHORELEAVE BY JANE AMMESON Nobody gives you a larger slice of the Great Lakes market — literally — than Lakeland Boating. PHOTO BY JANET PLISEVICH JANET BY PHOTO 47 RetroLAKELANDBOATING.COM Boat | SEPTEMBER Rentals 2019 46 SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKELANDBOATING.COM Retro boats take us back to the Jet Age in historic Saugatuck, Michigan. The boats simply move forward and back so there’s no tricky t started with a building. maneuvering. They putt along at 4 mph, which is a fine speed I “When we moved here four years ago, we saw this old as it both complies with the no-wake zone requirements and place and wanted to save it,” says Lauren Stanton-Sharar, allows boaters enough time to cruise the entire Saugatuck Our 8.75" x 10.75" format is bigger than other boating magazines. When it comes to staying a former morning news anchor at WZZM News where riverfront from cove to cove, which can be accomplished in she was on the air for 18 years. Lauren is explaining why a 90-minute rental. Three-hour trips are available as well. she and her husband, John Sharar, bought the two- “Anyone can drive them,” Lauren says, “and that was story building in Saugatuck, Michigan, that sits on the our plan.” Kalamazoo River at the bend where Water Street turns To name all the boats in the fleet, the couple looked to into Lucy Street. Once used by the State of Michigan’s the ’50s for inspiration. Department of Natural Resources for studies on invasive “We literally went through lists of the most popular species, the wood building — now appropriately called women’s names of that era,” Lauren says. Gidget The Old Boat House — had stood empty for a decade. Here are a few examples of what they came up with: “After we bought it, we needed to figure out what to Dottie, a Dorsett Catalina;Ruby , a Bell Boy is a pink Glastron; mustard; Mexican with queso cheese, jalapeno slices, do with it,” John says, who, until the retro boat craze hit Banshee; and June is a turquoise 1960 Crownline. Oh, and him hard, was a national sales manager at an industrial cilantro and diced tomatoes; and Californian with avocado, power, bigger is definitely better. Research indicates that larger-format magazines enjoy by the way, Glastron is the only manufacturer still in business jalapeno slices, cilantro and diced tomatoes. Other edibles distribution company. today — another aspect that makes these boats exceptional. Once the couple owned the building, they needed boats. And include smoked whitefish dip, a selection of charcuterie not just any old boats. The two wanted a great on-the-water, Boat quest options and sandwiches. Eat indoors or sit underneath one of the red-striped umbrellas on the large outdoor one-of-a-kind way for people to view Saugatuck’s spectacular Early on, John thought about using wooden boats in their waterfront in style. And what could be more stylish than Jet deck overlooking the river. quest to give an authentic and special water experience; Want to arrive at the uber-popular Red Dock Café, Age classic runabouts — the perfect throwback to the cool however, that wasn’t practical because of the boats’ laborious cars of the 1950s with their automotive details? Saugatuck’s answer to Key West, in a manner Hemingway upkeep. Then they discovered the early fiberglass marvels. would admire? Call ahead and reserve one of the docks the The result was Retro Boat Rentals, a collection of 12- to “I didn’t know about these kinds of boats before,” he 14-foot Jet Agers (they were also known as atomic boats back couple owns there, but be sure to rent one of Retro Boat says, noting their criteria for selecting a boat follows certain “That way they’re quieter, easier to use and more reliable,” Rental’s red boats to keep with the theme. then) that come in a variety of jellybean colors, including parameters. “They have to have been manufactured between Lauren says. “Our customers can just hop aboard. They robin’s egg blue, fire engine red, aquamarine and pink. 1955 to 1963 because that’s the era when these boats were feel comfortable driving them even if they’ve never been What you need to know a longer shelf life than their smaller counterparts. Occupying a coveted space on the coffee Some sprout tailfins (think your grandmother’s 1957 Capri most unique. That was the real Jet Age of boats when they on a boat before.” Sedan — the one she drove wearing white gloves and pearls Retro Boats Rentals are $115 for 90 minutes and $230 for had such characteristics as fins, taillights and headlights.” After the successful test run of their first retro boat in February three hours for two people. Additional passengers are $10 on her way to play bridge), while others have lustrous flat Often the manufacturers were small, their designers a 2017 on the mostly frozen Kalamazoo River, they were ready to each; kids 16 and under ride free. You can also rent one of tops, cool auto-style headlamps, chrome details and quarter Glazed. No, you don’t combination of artists, boating and auto enthusiasts, and go. The first year went so well that the couple quit their day jobs. two Donut Boats named Sprinkles and cabins. Their sleek open seating areas incorporate the colors mechanical engineers. As boat makers consolidated, many Now they not only run the Saugatuck location, they also lease of the boat’s exterior with bands of white. eat them; instead, these bright orange electric vessels (think of these manufacturers went out of business. the boats to operators in South Haven, Milwaukee and Chicago. life rings on steroids) topped with matching umbrellas, a “High production, fewer styles,” John says, summarizing The Old Boat House table and a circle of seats are available to rent as well. what happened. No outside beverages, food or coolers are allowed on any Talking to John about their boats is to get a history The Old Boat House building has been totally remodeled of the boats.