The Great Lakes Cruising Club is looking for someone who is willing to serve as our Delegate to the Cruising Club of America. This is due to the recent passing of Director (Ret.) Robert P. Knight, If you are a member of the Cruising Club of America and are interested in assisting our Club in this capacity, please contact Yvonne at 810-984-4500 or via email to glcclub@att.net. Thank You
Sincerely,
Vice Commodore Dan Cline
Introducing George and Mary Thor, as newly appointed Port Captains for Sodus Bay, N.Y. (O-5)! Here’s an inside look at their boating experience. Mary and George moved to the Rochester, N.Y. area in 1973 and started boating on Lake Ontario in 1984 with a Catalina 22. They kept the 22 for only one Summer as they found it a bit small for their two daughters and themselves. They moved up to a Newport 27, a C&C design. In 1985, their second year with SeaWeeter, their 27, they crossed Lake Ontario for Toronto accompanying friends in their Newport 33. In 1987 they cruised to the West entrance to the Murry Canal to enter and explore the Bay of Quinte. Please click here to read more!
Let's give our newly appointed Port Captain, Matt Perry for Bay Harbor, Mich. (M-5.5), a hearty welcome! Matt is a life-long sailor, who grew up on the East Coast with summers spent on Martha’s Vineyard. He started racing in Beach Boats, moving up to Rhodes 19, Shields and went to the nationals in an International 110. Family vacations included bare boat charters from Maine to NYC and the Caribbean before his parents purchased their Bristol 40. Please click here to read further.
GLCC’s summer Lifeline is a reflection of our current situation in today’s version of pandemic reality. This issue of the Lifeline magazine is not as big as what has become its norm; however, it still has the same GLCC character that our membership represents and expects. We hope you enjoy this quick read before venturing out on your boat, safely and in a happy spirit! Along with the event previews, the continuation of the Founders Award log and summer safety article will help you focus on the season at hand. We invite you to take a guess at where the featured lighthouse is and please watch for events opening up this fall… info inside! Please click here to access the 2020 summer Lifeline magazine, and here for updates and information on GLCC Events.
We’d like to welcome Christine Moore Skrocki as newly appointed Port Captain for Caseville, Mich. (H-59) in addition to her title of Port Captain for Linwood, Mich. (H-62). Christine is a second-generation GLCC member. She has been boating her entire life. Her parents, Norman and Gloria Moore, would say "she was born on a boat". They became members of GLCC around 1978 when Chris was a young girl. She has participated in GLCC functions ever since. Please click here to read more!
The National Weather Service is soliciting public comments regarding a proposal to revise their terminology around small craft advisories. The survey only takes a couple of minutes.
Looking for a way to contribute to your GLCC? Consider becoming a port captain. The harbor reports for each port in the Great Lakes are the mainstay of the Club, and Port Captains maintain the report for their port. Want to learn more? Contact Pam Jackson, Port Captain Coordinator, at pam@dougandpam.com. (Photo by Rear Commodore (Ret.) Brad Somers: Past Commodore Niels Jensen and Port Captain Chester and Ceann Kolascz, 25-year members)
Here's a link to the North Shore Visitor's webpage about the whale sightings on Lake Supeior. It's always fun to follow the reports as they come in during the summer, mainly from along Minnesota's North Shore... and my appologies for posting the link one day later than it should have been. Please see https://northshorevisitor.com/activities/whale-watching/
The spring edition of Lifeline is hot off the press! That is if you get it in the mail… If not, no worries because as a member, you have access to the online edition right here at your fingertips.
The spring Lifeline helps your fitting out with a ten-point checklist, live webinars are in full-swing, there’s a new Lake Erie event in Geneva Start Park Marina this year, and a new Founders Award log. Please click here to read on.
We're weloming our newly appointed Port Captains for Hamilton Harbour, Ont. (O-48) today! Fairly new-to-GLCC members Rick and Debbie McQuin started sailing about 35 years ago with a short hiatus while their two boys were young. They joined Royal Hamilton Yacht Club (RHYC) 22 years ago when their sons started to race competitively. Deb and Rick started the cruising program at RHYC about 15 years ago and continue to represent the Club as Cruise People who organize the reciprocal cruises with Clubs around Western Lake Ontario. Rick is the cruising representative on the Sailing Committee at RHYC. They look forward to welcoming you to Hamilton, Ont.
Today we welcome newly appointed Port Captain Mark Clymer. Here he shares a little about his boating experiences... I have been a year-round resident of Clark Twp. the unit of government covering the Les Cheneaux Islands, Mich. (H-81), and the communities of Cedarville & Hessel, Mich. since 1974. My wife and I now live in a log cabin on McKay Bay, where Kimow II is moored. Please click here to read further.
Looking for a way to contribute to your GLCC?
Whatever Great Lakes region you’re near, there’s a boat show that needs you… The 2020 Progressive Chicago Boat, RV, and Sail Show will be held on January 8–12 at McCormick Place. Arguably, one of the largest shows based on the number of square feet utilized. As with the other Midwest shows, the GLCC will once again have a booth that needs GLCC members to work it. It’s a lot of fun and a very rewarding experience. You will get to know other GLCC members, while explaining to non-members all the benefits of being a member. But the main purpose of the booth is to recruit new members. The boat shows are one of the major sources of new members for the GLCC. And to make the job of selling the GLCC any easier than it already is, there is special boat-show-only pricing. Please click here to read more!
Let's say "Ahoy" to Ken Vannorsdall, our newly appointed Port Captain for Cooley Creek, Ohio (E-20.5)! Here's what he shares about his boating experiences... I believe I owe my love of sailing to my Mom and Dad. It was the summer of ’78 and was at my parent’s campsite. I expected to spend the day fishing with dad. Rather than renting our usual rowboat, dad rented two sunfish. What a great day it was. Back at the campground, dad gave me a brochure for an AMF Sunbird. I bought my first boat on Monday. As they say, the rest is history. To read further, please click here.
Winter Lifeline is here. Instead of a late fall — as most have hoped — we had an early winter, so this issue is apropos to this season! Inside, check out the Harbor Report Update Package changes for the 2020 season, past and upcoming event highlights, boat shows (volunteers always welcome), and the GLCCSchool kicks off its 10th season! Special notes: Please update your online profile as we will be sending the 2020 GLCC Membership Card in the spring. The Commodore and Lifeline Editor encourage your photo submissions for events along with Harbor Report updates from the areas you visit. Please click here to read more.
Congratulations to Port Captain Jim Lee for Mentor, Ohio (E-8) on completing the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society 2019 Lake Erie Solo Challenge this past August. Jim sailed single-handed from Toledo Beach, Mich. to Buffalo, N.Y. and back to Erie, P.A., a distance of 271 nautical miles or 312 statute miles. One can follow his trip at http://woolamaloo.com/lake-erie-solo-challenge/. Click on the pictures to read the narrative.
Both Cristina (Crissie) and John (Jack) have a long history of sailing the Great Lakes, most notably Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, and the North Channel, in various sailboats, spanning the last 40 years or so. They belong to Crescent Sail Yacht Club on Lake St. Clair, now as non-resident members. Crissie has sailed in numerous Port Huron to Mackinac single handed races. Crissie and Jack sailed, for several years, up and down the inter-coastal and over to the Bahamas. Please click here to read more!
Meet the new Co-Port Captains for St. Clair Shores, Mich. (D-48), Victor and Susan Camaiore. Vic and Sue have been sailing for over 30 years. They have been GLCC members since 2013, but the first social event they attended was the 2016 Rendezvous in Superior, Wis., after buying their boat in Barker’s Island Marina where the Rendezvous was held. Since then, they have attended the 2018 and 2019 Rendezvous, the 2017 Lake Superior Rally, 2018 Wilderness Rally, 2019 Lake Huron Rally and GLCC meetings in Toledo, Ont., Windsor, Ont., and London, Ont. Please click here to continue reading.
With the slow onset of summer, a lot of us have been hoping it will be made up with a late fall. That remains to be seen. In the meantime, Lifeline is a great way to keep the memories alive! This issue has all the staple ingredients needed for just that. There are event recaps on the fun we’ve had in the summer and reports on upcoming events that we won’t want to miss. The 2019 Rendezvous centerfold will have us reminiscing and looking forward to next year’s event in Little Current, Ont. (NC-17). Let’s be sure to read the final installment of Past Commodore Niels & Vicki Jensen’s Founders Award log (and also the previous two issues) before putting away our boats! Please click here to access the 2019 fall Lifeline magazine, and here for updates and information on GLCC Events.
Dee & Brian McClure are our newly appointed Port Captains for Suttons Bay, Mich. (M-11), so be sure to give them a holler when you're in their port, they'll be happy to see you. Welcome aboard, McClure's! As a middle-schooler Dee’s Dad infused his love of sailing to her on a 16-foot day sailor. Dee became a very active racer of one-designs (Laser, Star, Lightning) and PHRF (32 to 42-foot boats) on Long Island Sound and in the Atlantic. After Brian and Dee married, they raced and cruised in New England. Please click here to read more...
Let's congratulate Bill & Jan Stover as our newly appointed Port Captains for Honey Harbour, Ont. (GB-25)! Bill and Jan have boated on Georgian Bay since the mid-1980s, spending wonderful family times with their two sons. They are power boaters and most of their time is spent in the Honey Harbour to Parry Sound area. They know these waters very well and have also travelled to the North Channel and west to Mackinac Island via Lake Huron, as well as the Mackinac Straits to Lake Michigan. Please click here to read more...
Now's your chance to do some EARLY end-of-season shopping!
We have several clothing items that were sold at the 2019 Rendezvous available for purchase on the GLCC website’s Ship Store. Also, several of the welcome bag items are also available to be purchased. Check out the huge canvas tote bag that you may very well be able to fit the galley sink into! You might need a drink after working on that so grab a couple GLCC 'boat friendly' beer tumblers! There’s a nifty pocket knife that has some handy gadgets for toolin’ around, and some nice Rendezvous shirts in case you make a mess and need to change. These items may be found in the Clothing or GLCC Items & Jewelry sections. They would make great gifts, so hurry before they’re gone! GLCC Ship's Store
Today we are welcoming newly appointed Deputy Port Captains for Lexington, Mich. (H-54), Sam Webster and Charlene Blondy. Please say hello when you are in the area! Sam started boating on the St. Clair River at age nine in a 10-foot rowboat with a 1/2 hp motor. He was a naval aviation electronics operator for the U.S. Navy in the 1950s. He joined the Detroit Yacht Club (DYC) in 1977 and cruised in his next three Chris Craft boats while serving on various committees at DYC as well as Fleet Captain in 1993. Please click here to read more!
Let's give a hearty welcome to newly appointed Port Captains Leonard & Nancy Buchanan for Muskegon, Mich. (M-22)! The Buchanan’s reside in Grand Haven, Mich. They have been around boats and boating all their life. Nancy sailed a pram and a Sunfish as a child and teen, while Lenny was around runabouts and pontoon boats. They have been boating as a couple for almost 26 years. Please click here to read further.
Port Captain Dale Lashbrook, Port Huron (D-1), was recently interviewed on EBW.TV (Everything Blue Water) discussing the Great Lakes Cruising Club. Click here to see the interview.
02/08/2022 Updated link to Welland Canal schedule. JM The GLCC has received notice that St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation has announced changes to procedures for pleasure boats transiting the Welland Canal. The changes come into effect July 15th and are described on their website here https://greatlakes-seaway.com/en/recreational-boating/lockage-schedule/…
Anne Wech is our newly appointed Port Captain for Geneva State Park, Ohio (E-6.5). Let's give her a warm welcome when we see her! Here's a little background about her and her husband Barry... Ann and Barry have been boating together for the past 30 years. They have cruised the Florida waters and most of the Great Lakes. They did the Trent-Seven Waterway twice, and have done most of the Intercostal Waterway. They have been the marina manager at the Geneva State Park Marina (a 391-slip marina) for the past five years and were previously the marina manager at Everglades National Park in Florida, for seven years. Please click here to read more!
Most members would agree that it's official boating season... especially when we have our summer Lifeline magazine at hand! There are so many events—there's no getting bored! You can plan ahead by reading all about summer and the events coming up in the not-as-near future. You may want to "Avoid Sinking" while out on the water, so be sure to read the article on the lesson learned aboard the 56-foot sailboat Monterey! We're at the second of three installments of the Founders Award and encourage you to read past and future issues to follow the stories. Please click here to access the 2019 summer Lifeline magazine, and here for updates and information on GLCC Events.
Welcome Bill and Helen Ayre; newly-appointed Port Captains for Parry Sound, Ont. (GB-31)! Bill and Helen live in the Hamilton-Burlington area and started sailing many years ago on Lake Ontario in a C S-27. As their children grew, so did their boat! They are now on boat number three named Raven, a 38-foot Dufour Classic. Please click here to read more...
Jim Lee has been appointed as Port Captain for Mentor, Ohio (E-8). Let's welcome him by stopping by at some point this summer! Jim took an interest in boating in 2005; a friend took him along on a Wednesday night race in a Beneteau 36.7. After an exciting race, he thanked the owner profusely. He was invited back and became a member of the crew. He rarely missed a race. Please click here to read more!
On Saturday, April 22nd, fourteen Great Lakes Cruising Club members led by GLCC Lake Superior Rear Commodore Jim Passe met in Duluth, MN, with Representatives from the Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society and National Park Service to present a $10,000 Grant to the Society from the Great Lakes Foundation. For more information about this grant, the Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society, and how you might get involved as a volunteer or supporter, click HERE.
Past Commodore Mel Wallbank has been appointed as Port Captain for Gore Bay, Ont. (NC-14). Mel was born in England, immigrated to Canada at 14 months of age and grew up in Cambridge and Kitchener, Ont. He started sailing in 1968 on a 13-foot Fireball dinghy on inland lakes and on Lake Huron in Southampton and Port Elgin. In 1976 he bought, trailered and sailed a Hobie 16 with enthusiasm. In 1982 he immigrated to Port Huron where he has lived since, for 36 years. He is married to Mariette Labrosse, who is a fine cruising companion and outstanding cook aboard Bliss. He is a proud father of a grown son and daughter, grandfather of three children. Please click here to read more!
Jim Willett is our new Port Captain for Barcelona Harbor, N.Y. (E-3.5) & Conneaut, Ohio (E-5). If you stop by, please give him and Kathy a hearty "Ahoy!" Here's a little about their boating experiences... Kathy, the four kids and I relocated to Erie, Penn. in 1986, and I purchased our first sailboat, a Tanzer 22. It was our learning boat, and learning by watching others and reading all we could. Please click here to read further.
After serving as GLCC Port Pilot and Harbor Report Chair since 2012, plus being involved in Harbor Report editing prior to that, Lou Bruska has decided to retire. Commodore Barzyk was pleased to recently announce that Julie Thorndycraft and husband Dan Deweese have agreed to assume duties as Harbor Report co-editors effective April 1st. For more information on Lou's contributions over the years and Dan's and Julie's extensive backgrounds as they take over this critical GLCC function, click HERE. Thanks and best wishes to Lou, and congratulations to Julie and Dan.
Mike Powers has been appointed Port Captain for an additional harbor; Monroe, Mich. (E-23). His homeport is located at Bolles Harbor, Mich. (E-22), where he and his wife Kathy have served as GLCC Port Captains since 2012. They have been members of the Monroe Boat Club since 2008 where Mike has served as Power Fleet Captain, Financial Secretary, Rear Commodore, Vice Commodore, Commodore and Past Commodore. He previously served the I-LYA as Trustee in 2015 and as Powerboat Chair in 2016 and was honored by being named Mid-America Boating’s Skipper of the Year in 2016. Please click here to read on!
Ahh, spring... If you’re in the northern region of the States, you might not be feeling it yet. Just like the spring issue of Lifeline, you know it's coming! This edition has many events in store for the boating season. The first installation of the Founders Award about Niels & Vicki Jensen’s 42-day, 3 Great Lakes Cruise is a good read, with enticing photos that’ll get you thinking of summer. There are recaps of past events and boat shows, a handful of new Port Captains, new Members, and the popular lighthouse trivia dedicated page, which also has our Calendar of Events. We hope you enjoy some light reading while the harbors thaw! Click here to access the 2019 spring Lifeline magazine, and here for updates and information on GLCC Events.
Now is the time to join the Great Lakes Cruising Club during our annual January and February Membership Drive. Click here to join and save $25 off the $90 initiation fee during January and February. Watch a quick video about the Club here.
Please join us in welcoming Mary Micket as newly appointed Port Captain for Irondequoit Bay, N.Y. (O-5.7). Mary has volunteered the past few years in the GLCC booth at the Toronto Boat Show and attended the Lake Ontario Rally for many years. This year she is part of the event’s planning committee. As Port Captain, she looks forward to helping fellow GLCC cruisers visiting Irondequoit Bay. Here's a bit about her and her husband's crusing experiences... My husband Wes and I began boating in the late 1980s by renting house boats and cruising in the Thousand Island area of the St. Lawrence River. In 2001 we purchased our first boat, a 32-foot Wellcraft cabin cruiser. Southpoint Marina in the Irondequiot Bay is minutes from our home and we enjoyed many nice weeknights onboard after work. Please click here to read more..
Congratulations to newly appointed Port Captains George Dew and Hélène Carrière for Collins Bay, Ont. (O-14)! George is a retired engineer / project manager; Hélène is a retired university administrator. Residents of Gatineau, Québec, they have sailed out of Collins Bay since 2017. Both learned to sail while members of the Georgian Bay Sailing Centre, which operated out of Parry Sound in the early 1980s. From the first time they met on a dock in Parry Sound they cruised together on the club’s Edel 22 and Gib’Sea 36. During that time George’s experience also included two Great Lakes transport trips between Parry Sound and Kingston (Lake Ontario) via the lakes and the Welland Canal. Please click here to read on.
We welcome new Port Captains for Marblehead, Ohio (E-16.6) Alan & Eileen Clark. Here’s what Alan had to say in their bio… While raising two children we were looking for a way to bring the family closer and eliminate outside distractions. We have always had a love for water. Sailing looked so relaxing while challenging and intriguing, it enticed us look further into this sport. I started sailing when I was 40 and coaxed my wife Eileen into it also! On Grand Lake St. Marys, Ohio, we raced and cruised a Catalina 22 for ten years. We then moved up to a Catalina 25, racing and cruising on Grand Lake St. Marys for eleven years. We trailered our Catalina 25 to Cleveland for their race week (we took second place!). This was our first experience on Lake Erie with our boat. Please click here to read more.
This issue of the Lifeline will be a nice read as you relax in your favorite arm chair by the fireplace. The winter issue has lots of information on coming events including Spring Break 2019 and updates on past times. The cover is unique in that the photo refers to the flow of the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Foundation updates us on how the annual “Bilge Auction” plays a big part in grant accrual and asks that members keep supporting and look for opportunities to allocate donations. The highlight of the issue is the Annual General Membership Meeting article where we learn who has been appointed/re-appointed to our board. Finally, the editor has taken the liberty to post a couple safety-related articles, which you are urged to read! Remember to check out the 2019 Boat Show information on page 8. Click here to access the 2018 winter Lifeline magazine, and here for updates and information on GLCC Events.
Director (and Rear Commodore (Ret)) Mark Lifter was recently presented the Theuerkorn Award by the Detroit Yacht Club for his outstanding contribution to that organization. Mark has been the President of the DYC Foundation since its formation which has overseen the restoration of the historic DYC building which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Mark received the award from DYC Commodore Ray Batt. Also an active member of the GLCC, Mark is currently a Director, was Rear Commodore, Region 47 for 5 year and is Port Captain, Detroit (M-54),
One of the highlights of the presentations made during the Annual Meeting Dinner are the awards given to our members for outstanding contributions to the GLCC. This year, the award recipients are Past Commodore Niels and Vicki Jensen (Founders Award), Port Captains Sandi & Bill Matley (Award of Merit), and Port Captain Cynthia Sunstrum (Kivell Award). Click here to review the purpose of the awards. Other presentations made at the dinner were Awards of Appreciation to retiring Board members Rear Commodores Roger Hankle and Bob Ogur and Director Vern Meyer. Jim Ehrman was presented his burgee for being elected Rear Commodore, Region 53. Picture is of Port Captain Cynthia Sunstum receiving her award from Commodore Rich Barzyk.
Stephanie and Paul Carrico have been connected to the Northern Michigan (Oscoda to Alpena) area for the last decade, having met in Alpena prior to getting married. They currently reside in Oscoda during the summer months. Please welcome them as newly appointed Port Captains for Oscoda (AuSable River) (H-64), Harrisville (H-64.5) & Alpena (H-66), Mich. Paul has been boating his whole life, primarily on powerboats, but has some sailboat racing experience. Stephanie came to boating through sailing, racing Hobie Cats in the Pacific while attending high school. Please click here to read further.
Let’s welcome (M-14) Leland, Michigan’s new Port Captain Dan Cline! Dan has enjoyed cruising Lake Michigan with his wife Linda on their Island Packet 320 sailboat since 2004. They recently moved to Traverse City & their boat Wildwood berths close by at Betsie Bay Marina in Frankfort (M-16), where Linda holds her Port Captain title. Both are devoting time to exploring northern Lake Michigan, Green Bay, and the Great Lakes. Dan serves as a Director on the GLCC Board and is currently the Chair of the GLCCSchool committee, and previously served on the Club's Website committee. Click here to read more.
Let's welcome Bill Bailey as the newly appointed Port Captain for Elk Rapids, Mich. (M-7)! Bill is a retired teacher who spends his summers onboard Cavalier in Elk Rapids while not cruising to the many harbors, and his winters skiing. He started sailing over 30 years ago on a Hobie 16 and enjoyed competing in CRAM (Catamaran Racing Association of Michigan) races for a few years. His current boat is Cavalier, a Freedom 32 that he purchased in Huntington, N.Y. He sailed her from Long Island to Bay City, Mich., and has been cruising the Great Lakes ever since, having sailed all except Superior. Please click here to read more.
Charles' Final Journey (video courtesy of Adam Mastis): Friends and loved ones gather for the release of GLCC Past Commodore Charles W. Brittan Jr's ashes off the bow of fellow Past Commodore James C. Achesons' boat Lady J. GLCC Chaplain Nelson Stone presided with a commending eulogy. Charles served the Great Lakes Cruising Club membership for 17 years, from 1963 until 1984, as a Director, Treasurer, Rear Commodore, Vice Commodore, Commodore (1980-1981), and finally again as Director as well as Past Commodore in 1982-1984. He was a long-time resident of Illinois and retired to Belleview, Fla., where he resided with Sue Meyer. Please click here to view the video on YouTube.
Fall Lifeline — it's here once again, commencing the official end of summer. Soon we'll be stashing our boats and making preparations for the coming of winter. This fall issue of the Lifeline promises some good reads while looking back at the wonderful memories we've made around our Great Lakes. After the Rendezvous article and centerfold, Lifeline boasts the conclusion of Dave & Colleen Wray's Founders Award log. Port Captain Pat Somers wrote an informative book review on The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan. Remember to check out the 2019 Boat Show Schedule on p. 4 and a few save the dates — some fun events to look forward to in the non-boating months! Click here to access the 2018 fall Lifeline magazine, and here for updates and information on GLCC Events.
The Best Great Lakes Anchorages: Five seasoned boaters from the Great Lakes Cruising Club share their favorite getaway spots in this scenic cruiser's paradise. Niels Jensen: When my European friends and family ask me why I sail the Great Lakes — and Lake Superior in particular — I often say that Superior is the size of Austria, and there's nothing like the Great Lakes in the world. They are truly unique. Long recognized as an arm of the ocean, the Great Lakes cover about 95,000 square miles and have enough combined shoreline to span nearly halfway around the world. They can be rough, challenging, and are never to be taken lightly. However, as those of us who are out there know, they provide an enticing playground for summertime boating adventures, provided you keep a close eye on the weather, have a suitable boat for where you plan to go, and know what you're doing. Click here to continue reading at the BoatUS.com.
Patricia (Pat) Somers has been boating with her husband Brad Somers, Rear Commodore SW Ontario (Ret.) and Port Captain for Amherstburg (D-82) and Bob Lo Island (D-86), Ont. since the early 1980s. Now that she is a retired (sort of) health care executive, Brad and she look forward to spending July and August on Somerscape their 37-foot cruiser traveling the Great Lakes. Pat continues to consult internationally for Accreditation Canada (a Canadian health care regulatory body), but is adamant about keeping July and August devoted to their boating passion. Please click here to read more!
An extensive fire in the Perry Sound area of Georgian Bay, Ontario (Parry Sound 33 fire) has grown to over 11,000 hectare (27,000 acres) as of 8/3/2018 and has caused the closing of the Small Craft Route north of Britt/Byng Inlet. Boaters must travel outside of the restriced area beween Byng Inlet and Beaverstone Bay outside the Bustards. Also there is no fuel available between Killarney and Byng Inlet. Please refer to Harbor Reports for Byng Inlet to the Bustards .and Bad River to Killarney.
Joe McKeown has accepted appointment as Port Captain for Point Edward, Ont. (H-2) which is right around the corner from Sarnia, Ont. (D-3) where he has held this same title since June of 2013. Joe came from a boating family, with his great grandfather a founding member of the Detroit Yacht Club and a long line of GLCC members. Growing up, he spent many of his childhood summers around boats (albeit of the power variety) at his family’s cottage in Amherstburg, Ont.; learning about boats, family and the beauty of the Great Lakes. He is a licensed Coast Guard Captain and ran a charter and dive boat in the BVI for a time. Please click here to read more!
Mike Kohut, who spends his winters in the in the Florida Keys and summers aboard his trawler, Blue Chip, has been appointed as the new Port Captain for Mackinaw City, Mich. (H-76.5). Let's give him a cheerful, "welcome aboard"!! Here's a bit about he and his wife's cruising experiences. Please click here to read more!
2/15/2025 Fixed links in summary JM 9/29/19 Corrected link in this article. JM
The US Customs and Border Patrol have announced a new cell phone or tablet app for pleasure boater for reporting their arrival into US. This app, CBP ROAM (Reporting Offsite Arrival - Remote), can be downloaded from Google Play Store or Apple App Store at no cost. One will need to set up an account at login.gov to create profiles about the travelers and conveyances. It can be used by all travelers coming into the US via private vessel no matter the nationality of the traveler or the vessel. Please see https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-… Also, an article on theboatgalley website has additional information: https://theboatgalley.com/us-check-in-via-roam-app/
For a complete review of check in requirements for both US and Canada, please see the revised article by Brad Somers, Rear Commodore (Ret), US and Canadian Border Reporting Requirements: https://www.glcclub.com/us-and-canadian-border-reporting-requirements
If you're heading through the Detroit River, please stop at Gross Ile, Mich. (D-74) and say hello to newly appointed Port Captain Thomas Buckley. He has been boating for over 50 years. His first boat was a 12-foot plywood kit by Montgomery Ward. He moved up from the 12-foot to present 47-foot Bayliner. He has spent time cruising the Great Lakes mostly on Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron and the North Channel. He is a prior Marine Deputy and Boaters safety instructor, as well as a Boating Accident Investigator. He completed USCG 100-ton Master Licensing Course. Tom and his wife Carol live aboard their 47 Bayliner Motor Yacht from April to November. He is a Past Commodore for the West River Yacht & Cruising Club (2014).
Let’s give our newly appointed Deputy Port Captain Scott Ross for Lorain, Ohio (E-13) a warm welcome! Scott has been boating on Lake Erie with his wife Betsy and family since 1988. They have owned their current boat, a 1988 Marinette fisherman for 19 seasons and currently dock at Son Rise Marina on Sandusky Bay. Please click here to read more.
The western part of Lake Erie has been declared as "impaired" by Ohio Gov. Kasich which will lead to tighter regulations for agriculture and others that release nutrients into the lake. Lake Erie has experienced massive algae blooms in recent years and environmentalists have sued to have the lake declared impaired. Ohio was the last holdout. Click here to read more.
Please welcome newly appointed Deputy Port Captain Bill Lehner for Sandusky, Ohio (E-16)! Here's a brief bio on his nautical endeavours: I have enjoyed boating since my preteen years as a “frequent” family activity. I am proud to have carried the love of the water on to our three grown children and soon-to-be six grandchildren. Karen and I have owned small sailboats (22, 27, and 32-foot) for the majority of our 48 years of marriage. Cruising areas have varied from local lakes and rivers, in my early years, to charters in the Florida Keys, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, The Dry Tortugas, Cuba, and ten fantastic days on a 45-foot Magic in the Greek Isles. Karen and I have enjoyed annual trips to the Lake Huron / Port Huron area. I have also participated in the delivery of several boats from Port Clinton to Philadelphia, and Long Island. Please click here to read more.
After over 80 years, the GLCC is still able to create new Harbor Reports. Jim Wooll whose years of gunkholing around the Great Lakes has done it again with a new Harb
WOW! Where does the time go?? It’s that time of year again. The 2018 Mid-America Boat Show is going on January 18–21. GLCC will have our presence here at the show and are asking for members to help with the booth. If you have never done it, you don’t know what you’re missing! Look at what you get for helping out. You meet all kinds of people! New boaters, experienced boaters, people just looking at getting into boating. You have the opportunity to show and tell what GLCC means to you and how it will help them enjoy the water. Please click here to read more.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently completed an emergency dredging project in Keweenaw County to restore the Grand Traverse Harbor channel for commercial and recreational boating. The $246,230 dredging project, undertaken by Marine Tech, LLC of Duluth, Minnesota, through the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division, pumped 9,000 cubic yards of sand to a beach area north of the harbor. Previous dredging at the harbor was done by the DNR in 2015 and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2009 and 2003.
Meanwhile, more extensive sand removal and containment efforts are needed to protect important lake trout and whitefish spawning habitat on Buffalo Reef and a juvenile whitefish area south of the Grand Traverse Harbor, which is situated on the east side of the Keweenaw Peninsula, northeast of Lake Linden. Read rest of article.
Let's welcome newly appointed White Lake, Mich. (M-21) Port Captain Chip Sawyer to the alliance of GLCC helping hands. Here's a porthole glimpse of this sailor's story: I began sailing at the age of five. “Cruised” the western shoreline of Green Bay in a homemade eight-foot plywood pram with a bedspread sail. Probably put 200 miles on that craft. Graduated to a Seagull class sailboat at about the age of ten and began competitive racing. At age 17, I began cruising (North Channel, Georgian Bay, Lake Superior, half a Great Loop) in earnest with the then GLCC Port Captain for Menominee, Mich. aboard his 45-foot converted schooner. Please click here to read more!
Newly appointed Port Captain for Wye Heritage Marina, Ont. (GB-22.4), Paul Strub is quite the explorer. Let's give him a warm welcome and if you stop by; be sure to give him a holler. Here's a little insight of his "learning the ropes"... I was introduced to the cruising lifestyle around the age of ten while watching an episode of PowerBoat Television. They did a feature on Killarney and the North Channel. After watching the episode, I knew I had to eventually have a boat. Finally, in 2007 I got my first pocket cruiser, a 23-foot Cooper Yachts Prowler. I kept this boat four seasons as I learned the ins and outs of boating. Click here for further reading.
Past GLCC Commodore Niels Jensen's narrated video of his August trip from Lake Superior's Apostle Islands to the GLCC Lake Superior Rally in Silver Bay, Minnesota, certainly whets one's appetite to attend a regional rally or the annual rendezvous. Check it out here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXA_MP89cNM
Let's welcome Lynn Dupuy with a hearty "ahoy!" He is our newly appointed Port Captain for East Harbor, Ohio (E-167). Here's what he says about his boating experiences: I have been around boats and water as long as I can remember. I began by running around with my cousins in the swamps of Louisiana in a 10-foot johnboat. In high school I taught swimming, diving and canoeing classes for the YMCA. Fortunately, I married someone who enjoys boating as much as I do. Our first boat after we got married was a homemade dinghy that accommodated one person comfortably and two people uncomfortably. Please click here for more reading.
