Please welcome Tom and Janet Stone as our new Port Captains for Traverse City, Mich. (M-10)! This is what they told us about their boating experiences... They purchased their first cruising boat, a 1987 O’day 28, in 2002. Although they had spent many hours on the water, most of those were in a canoe, wilderness camping. When they were young, Janet and Tom would go on picnics to Holland State Park and spend hours watching sailboats going up and down the channel and dreaming of owning one someday. So, when some friends offered to sell their O’day, they jumped at the chance and named her "S"URPRISE!
GLCC News
Year 2020 has dished out quite a roller coaster of changes. One sure thing as a consortium; humans are getting better at adjusting! Within our Club, we have shifted to online meetings and member recruiting (instead of the traditional boat show platform). Members are taking more GLCCSchool webinars, with the time they now find at home on their computers. Many are thankful to have this resource. While not able to cross international borders, members are revisiting the Harbor Reports to explore local treasures. Please click here to read more.
Steve Reinecke is our newly appointed Port Captain for Bad River, Ont. (GB-46). He lives in Strathroy, Ont., and is married to a wonderful woman for the past 30 years. He has 2 great children, Trevor, 22 and Emily, 26. Steve is a Clinical Scientist and currently works for a company out of Houston, Tex., in the Disinfection and Healthcare IT Industry. He travels extensively for work. Steve has been a GLCC member for 12 years and has served as an Assistant Port Captain, Port Captain, Board Member and Rear Commodore. He has also previously chaired the Admissions/Membership Committee. Please click here to read more!
As a GLCC member, you can be sure that you and your family will be welcomed anywhere you cruise on the Great Lakes. Our membership is divided up between Rear Commodores that support Port Captains and help members within regions. If you look at the illustration, you will see, based on where your boat rests, which region you would belong to. The election of Rear Commodores at the Annual General Membership Meeting on Oct. 24, 2020 now supports the realignment of the Great Lakes Region that was approved by the Board of Directors at the July 18, 2020 meeting. As a member, if you knew which region you belonged to before, it may have changed. For more details, please click here.
NOAA will stop providing paper charts by 2025. That said, there's some exciting news on the horizon offering the option of custom printable charts which you'll be able to print yourself or potentially purchase through marine chart suppliers who will print them for you. For more information and a link to a highly informative webinar on this capability, click here.
Today we welcome our newly appointed Port Captain for the Trent Severn Waterway, Ont. (W-6), Charlie Ellins. Charlie has been Boating from the time of his first family boat in the 1950s including considerable time on the TSW. He skippered the family cruiser from Trenton to Orillia at age 15 with his mom and two sisters. He joined the Canadian Power Squadron in 1968 and now has 51 merit marks [Life Member]. Charlie has been Commodore of the Lake Simcoe Yacht Club in 1978-1979 when there were over 200 members. Please click here to read more!
04/27/2023 Corrected link to Harbor report. JM
While the world is still figuring things out, Lifeline remains a constant! Good thing, because it gives us something more for which to be thankful. GLCC’s fall Lifeline is a beacon for us boaters. As we close our season, we look forward to events that will happen in person (2020 Lake Erie Regional Dinner) and via Zoom platform (GLCC & GLF Annual General Membership Meetings — where we say farewell to our beloved Commodore, Rich Barzyk and welcome incoming Commodore, Dan Cline, as well as new and returning Board members). Read how the GLCCSchool webinar registrations were booming this summer, a detailed boaters log that utilizes the harbor reports for a seaworthy venture, and a narrative on joining the GLCC. Click here to read on.
04/27/2023 Corrected link to harbor report. JM
Let’s give a warm welcome to newly appointed Port Captain Thom Serafine for Monroe Harbor - Chicago, Ill. (M-37)! Thom grew up near the shore of Lake Ontario in Webster, N.Y., and later moved to Chicago, Ill., where he learned to sail as an adult. He has been sailing out of Belmont Harbor for over ten years and has done a bare boat charter in the British Virgin Islands with friends. In 2014, he bought SV Inspiration, a 1988 Pearson 31 MK2. After getting her seaworthy, he sailed her to Chicago (M-36) from Sturgeon Bay, Wis. (M-72.5). Please click here to read on!
Have you been in the Great Lakes waters? Then you have probably noticed the warmer temperatures, notably this July. Great Lakes water temperatures have reached record highs. Jason Samenow of The Washington Post suggests that global warming is playing its role in increasing ecological imbalances such as blue-green algae and possible harm to marine life due to water temperatures changing so drastically. The Washington Post has put together a cohesive article that includes data and links that expound on this phenomenon. Click here to read it.
Message from the Mackinac Island Yacht Club Regatta Committee: We are delighted to share with you that the 2020 Mackinac Island Sailboat Racing schedule will be rolled out in its entirety. We are looking forward to getting back on the water this coming summer for some friendly and fun sailing competition. Races will be administered under the Mackinac Island Yacht Club COVID 19 Guidelines. Guidelines will be explained in detail at the Skippers Meetings before each race. Mackinac Island Yacht Club, along with our generous sponsors... The Pink Pony, MIssion Point Resort and Horns Bar, will be administering four great sailing events in 2020. Mark your calendars for another fabulous season of Island sailboat racing. Please click here to read more!
The Great Lakes Cruising Club's Board of Directors, via a Teleconference call on June 20th, has unanimously agreed to resume the remaining social calendar for this year, effective August 1, 2020, that were not previously cancelled. Our events will strictly adhere to & follow all government restrictions & mandates regarding gatherings due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Additionally, A Covid-19 Waiver is required to be completed & returned to the office prior to attending an event by any & all persons attending a GLCC event until further notice.
It is further suggested you closely monitor the club's website for the latest updates on all remaining social events. This is the GLCC events page link, where any changes or guidelines regarding attendance at the remaining events will be posted. The event Chair persons information is also available there for any additional questions.
Rich Baryzk, Commodore
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!