I imagine our blog subscribers are wondering where all the summer posts are. Well, we are still waiting to take delivery of our new Ranger Tugs R25, so we have been taking a little hiatus from the blog during this time. It was a long, hot summer for Jim and me without a boat, but we found a few things to do to distract from our misery.

Jim continued working on his house projects until just recently, while I have been working on a new boating book. To keep us sane, at the end of many beautiful northern Michigan days we headed for the beach. We packed beach blankets and towels, chairs, snacks, or dinner, and a beverage to sit by the water on either East Bay or West Bay of Traverse City. We figured it was the closest thing to sitting in the cockpit of Kismet we were going to get until we take delivery of our new boat.

However, we had a pleasant surprise early this summer, and it involved a boat.
Our son Skyler and his wife, Meghan, bought a Cutwater Boat. They had just become boat owners for the first time, two years ago, a 26-foot Regal. After spending last summer on it, they felt they could better define their boating needs, and the Regal was just not doing the trick.

As luck would have it, a boating friend of ours had a 28-foot Cutwater Boat they had just put up for sale. We knew the boat well and thought it would be a good fit for them. So Skyler, Meghan, and Jim hopped into our truck and drove to Grand Rivers, Kentucky to check out the boat, which they ended up buying and towing home to Michigan.

So, since we could not be out on the water this last summer, we lived vicariously through Skyler and Meghan. Having one of our sons share our passion for boating is satisfying beyond words. Just knowing they are out there getting their sea legs and talking about all the trips they want to take, on Master Plan, helped us get through boating season.

Ever Heard of a “Baby Moon?”
The happy “twosome” is soon to become a “threesome” any day now. They are looking forward to incorporating a baby into the mix (another future boater in the making). With the more accommodating Cutwater Boat, they can now feel more comfortable anchoring out, which they did several times this summer.

They also took a “Baby Moon.” Kind of like a honeymoon, but a get-a-way that precedes a new baby’s arrival. Their trip started from their slip in Traverse City to Petoskey (60 miles). Heading out early in the morning, all reports from the crew were glowing as they had mostly sunny skies and calm waters for the cruise north. It was a week-long trip that also included a stop in Charlevoix and Boyne City.

It’s been fun to watch as these two define what boating means to them and their growing family. Even though we see them approaching most of the steps we took to become seasoned boaters, we feel confident they will forge their own way out onto the water. It will be exciting to watch as they grow into a cruising lifestyle all their own.

Friends, Mary and Riley, enjoy some time rafted off Master Plan.

The post Our Ranger Tug Family is Growing to Include a Cutwater Boat appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Boating Provided Great Memories for Our Family –

When our three sons were barely teenagers, Jim and I bought our first boat together. The configurations and possibilities seemed endless when we started our search for a used boat for our family. I had one requirement, it had to have a v-berth for overnighters. It didn’t take long to settle on a used, red (of course), 21-ft. Four Winns Sundowner.

We did a lot with that boat on Grand Traverse Bay; the boys loved to ski and swim behind the boat. We even did a few overnighters with them at local festivals. Jim and I would sleep in the small V-berth while the three boys slept outside under the stars in sleeping bags. Rugged accommodations, but it worked. We always thought they enjoyed getting away from our hot house in the summer to cool off on the water.

Seems Like Yesterday…

I remember one night at the marina in Elk Rapids, during the Harbor Days Festival. Jim tied our boat up on the outer dock during the fireworks display. Our boat was so close to the display, the ashes from the fireworks drifted from high above and down to cover our boat. We had to swat the embers off with a towel to save the finish on the boat. It was a happy time for our family; burning warm memories in our mind’s eye, just like those embers. I remember it like it was yesterday.

After we got our Sundowner (Jim and I – above – on our boat in the late nineties), we bought the boys a small Lake & Sea run-about from an auction. We required them to take a boating safety class before summer started. No class, no boat time, it was that simple. They all complied. So, we bought them each their own gas can in hopes they would learn to manage their own resources, skirting disputes on, who used all the gas. We drew up a list of rules of what to do and what not to do when using the boat on their own. Unfortunately, the boat they ended up naming, “Little Turd,” spent more time at the mechanics than it did on the water.

Jim and I Always Wondered if Our Passion for Boating Would Rub Off On One of Our Sons

Since that time, as you know from our blog, Jim and I became hard-core boaters. As one boat led to another, our first short adventure led to a long one followed by another and another. On and on like that for almost thirty years now. We always wondered if our passion for boating would rub off on any of our sons. This year we got the answer to that question as the stars aligned for our son, Skyler, and his new wife, Meghan. The seed we planted many years ago took root. Last year, after Skyler and Meghan got engaged, they started talking about buying a boat together and the momentum built over the winter. They decided they wanted to spend their “MiniMoon” on a boat somewhere in Northern Michigan.

Jim and I couldn’t be more thrilled to watch as these two become boaters. Meg was quick to get on board with the Favors/Nelles family obsession, even though she had not boated as a child. The first thing they did was take a boating safety course together over the winter, even before they bought a boat. Skyler would send us photos all winter long of possible used boats that he thought would work for them.

We followed Skyler and Meg’s selection process with great interest

Lots to consider as we reminisced over some of our own choices through the years and how we learned by taking it one step at a time, changing boats as our needs changed. Then came the ancillary questions on where to store the boat – on a trailer or slip rental. If stored on the water do they become seasonal slip holders or rent slips as transient? All the boaters in the extended family and many friends helped answer questions on trailers, dockage, accessories, and storage when not in the water. As it turned out they decided on a trailerable boat (Yay!!!). They were looking at boats that are a little sportier than our tugs—a Regal, Sea Ray, or Tiara. Over several months their personal requirements became clearer to them, as they learned the basics of trailerable boating, dockage, storage, and the ins and outs of life on the water.

As spring and the wedding approached, boat research was in full gear. They settled on a used Regal 29, before the wedding. The dream of spending their MiniMoon, onboard in Charlevoix, Michigan, became a reality. The sparkle in their eyes was unmistakable to Jim and me, as they got deeper and deeper into the grip of boat ownership bliss. The boating bug bit them hard this summer, and they’re now planning future boats and destinations, just like the water called to Jim and me many years ago. I think many in our boating community will agree, that a boat is a vessel providing, not only opportunities for adventure but, idyllic fun-filled days on the water with family and friends.

It’s a great place to grow a family and make memories!

Knot Approved splashed (above) for the first time in late May, and it was chilly. The happy new owners Sky and Meg (below).

These two are joining us and the Volvo Penta crowd.

The first time Knot Approved (above background-right) came to raft off Kismet was a fun time for all.

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Escaping to Charlevoix for a Three-Week Vacation! –

When we arrive home after being away for the winter, we typically have a slew of chores to do at home. That’s after we put the boat away for a couple of months. Well, we got through the list and soon our thoughts turned to scheduling summer cruising time in the Great Lakes.

Jim and I used to have a slip in Charlevoix, Michigan on Round Lake. It was our home port for many years before we retired and started long-distance cruising. Charlevoix is a second home for Jim and me. We still know people that live in Charlevoix and a few of them still dock their boats in the downtown marina. When Jim asked my thoughts on where we should go for a three-week trip, I didn’t skip a beat. “Charlevoix, let’s to Charlevoix!”

We either anchored by the island on Round Lake or stayed a few nights at a time at the marina

Although we stopped for one night in Northport on the way up, we left Charlevoix for a few days to visit Harbor Springs and Petoskey. We split our time either at the marina or anchored out across Round Lake by the island. It was the perfect getaway. We got to spend time with our good friend Hal and his wife Mary Ann. Hal was the harbormaster for many years, (he is now retired). We visited our good friends Jeff and Denise and enjoyed a social event at their condo. We also bumped into other boaters we knew in the early 2000s.

Our friend, Janice came and spent a long weekend with us on Kismet. We docked at the marina most of the time. We took her to the island for an overnighter, so she could enjoy a night away from the dock. Janice has spent time on all our boats with us. A former sailor, Janice misses boating, we try to help her get reacquainted once in a while.

We timed our trip just right, we’d be present for both the
Boyne Thunder Poker Run and the Venetian Festival

At the beginning of our trip, we found out we’d be in the lake for one of the most fun events of the year, the Boyne Thunder Poker Run. Kismet was on the hook at the island that day. That was a much better spot than at the marina for watching the boats roar through the channel between Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix. Best of all, we made sure we were in Charlevoix for their well-known Venetian Festival, always the highlight of the summer.

This year Venetian Festival took on a whole new meaning for us, but that is a whole other post.

From the cockpit of Kismet, we observed several big yachts come into the Lake. Most notably, the ROCK.IT, a mega yacht owned by the man who started Jimmy John’s empire. In addition, we got to see Cindy Crawford cruise by our boat in Kris Rock’s boat, Cowboy. It is a new boat designed to look like an old vintage boat.

There were a few amazing sunsets and moonrises over the lake and an impressive storm that blew through near the end of our trip.

We launched our boat at Elmwood Marina, in East Bay. Just a few miles from downtown Traverse City.

The entrance to Charlevoix is an impressive channel, even big yachts can get into Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix. The map (below) will give you a good idea of what Round Lake looks like and the position of the channels out to Lake Charlevoix (right) and Lake Michigan (left).

Our good friend, Hal has been the beloved Harbormaster in Charlevoix forever. The new Harbormaster, Pat, has worked alongside Hal for several years now, so to be greeted by these two great guys when Kismet came “Home” was almost more than we could ask for.

Across from Charlevoix’s downtown marina site this little island borders the channel out into Lake Charlevoix. This has become our spot to anchor, with a fantastic view of downtown Charlevoix and the parade of boats that transit this area daily.

Boyne Thunder Poker Run (above), is an exciting event and the noise alone will make you stand at attention. We had a great view from our spot near the island. It was nice having these “go fast boats” anchored near us.

Happy Hour one night was hosted by our friends Jeff and Denise at their condo near the channel. If you look hard enough, you’ll see Kismet anchored by the island across the lake (below).

Kris Rock ferried Cindy Crawford out to meet the mega yacht, ROCK.IT when it came through the bridge one morning. The yacht eventually made it’s way to Mr. Rock’s cottage on Lake Charlevoix to anchor.

Friends Forever! Our good friend, Janice came to spend some time with us on Kismet while we were in Charlevoix.

We ran into this Ranger Tug owner one night as we were dinghying back to the boat. The full moon was amazing.

This storm looked awful. We had been off the boat in our dinghy when we noticed it approaching. The sky got darker and darker quite fast. In the end, it looked worse than it was, but it added a little thrill to our afternoon.

On our way back to Traverse City after three weeks of excellent vacation. Another brewing storm met us out by Power Island in West Bay.

Loading the boat on the trailer. The next time she will touch the water will be in Ontario, Canada for the 2018 Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats Great Lakes Area Rendezvous, followed by a trip up the Rideau to Montreal.

The post Round Lake Retreat in Charlevoix the Beautiful – Our “Forever” Homeport appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

On the Road Again! –

We were dubious about trailering Kismet back home; it was already mid-April. The temperature should be okay, right? We kept a close eye on the weather as there were serious low digits on the horizon for our hometown of Traverse City, Michigan. Ideally, we’d like to not have to winterize the boat when leaving Florida. Not looking too good as our departure day inched closer. We even stayed a couple more days, hoping not to do this chore. However, as serious blizzard conditions headed for Traverse City, our outlook seemed glum. We couldn’t wait much longer as we had a multitude of things to do at home. When a predetermined time comes to leave our winter digs, our thoughts always turn away from where we are to where we are going next. After a relaxing winter escape to Florida, Kismet was ready to go home.

Reports from friends and neighbors did not help our outlook. They told us how many inches of snow still covered the ground – a lot. There was a weather forecast for another two feet to dump on our home. So, we started the winterizing process in Florida and did the last bit in Ohio while we visited Jim’s mom.

Sure enough, the projected late spring blizzard came only days before we arrived and it took its sweet time melting. Oh well! Such is life, right? As soon as he was able, Jim took the boat to a storage lot we use. He wrapped the boat in a huge tarp and the boat sat there until we were ready to launch it for summer boating in northern Michigan.

On the way home we only used an RV park once – Ocala RV Park, in Ocala, Florida. It was a good find, we enjoyed our stay. Unfortunately, after that, it got too cold and we stayed at motels.

Jim is getting organized to do boat and house projects.

Definitely not what we like to come home to in April!

The post Trailering Kismet North for Summer Cruising in Northern Michigan appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

The reality of Life Does Not Stop When You Board a Boat
and Take Off for Ports Unknown –

The real world will eventually catch up and find us. Such is what happened during our 2017 Puget Sound cruise. My brother, Ken Targal passed away after a long battle with cancer – too soon. We took a time out and flew back to Michigan to be with family for a few days.

Ken was a boater, he loved to be on the water as much as Jim and I do. We were raised on summer visits to a family cottage on Lake Huron where our family had at least five boats of varying sizes. Ken lived in the water during the summer and loved the sunfish and hydroplane in our menagerie of boats. He later moved on to speed boats. He was in his element when he was with his family out on the water, boating. He was an amazing, loving soul and we will all miss him terribly.

So, we’ve stepped back a bit during this cruise, as the grief, especially after also losing my mother only five months ago, has been at times overwhelming for me. I don’t know of a better place to heal than near the peace we feel when on the water.

We’ve been taking photos and collecting our thoughts (there are many) about our time spent in the Pacific Northwest and will begin to share again soon, we promise.

The post Saying Goodbye is Hard to Do! appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Kismet is heading back to the Torch Lake Bridge after a nice time at anchor during our Torch Lake weekend, we just barely squeaked under the bridge with only inches to spare (below).

As we made our way through Torch River we were reminded once again how beautiful this stretch of water is. The river is fairly shallow with lots of dead-headed logs, so paying full attention while cruising through this area is well worth the effort.

By the time we ended our Torch Lake weekend and reached Skegemog Lake the wind had picked up.

We were fighting whitecaps as we approached the boat ramp at Whitewater Township Park where we left our truck and trailer a few days ago. We got the boat out of the water before the wind really kicked up, thankful for good timing.

The post Winding Down Our Torch Lake Weekend appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

On the Torch at Last!

We enjoyed a relaxing day floating on the hook on Torch Lake, as the day unfolded, we had done a few boat chores, caught up on some reading and before we knew it we were getting ready to join our friends, Jim and Cindy, at their cottage for dinner. We brought up the anchor and had a nice cruise down the lake, back towards the bridge on the west side of the lake, right across from the famous sand bar which is always a big party scene.

Although Jim and Cindy have a nice dock in front of their cottage we decided it might be a little shallow so we anchored out a little, in front of their cottage, and Jim rowed out in his boat to fetch us. We spent the whole evening catching up with each other, grilling brat kabobs. The delicious dinner was followed by a cruise on Kismet to enjoy the setting sun.

After we dropped Jim and Cindy off we headed back up the lake to our favorite anchorage and we still had some daylight left. We were sitting in the cockpit enjoying the perfect weather when a pontoon boat stopped by. Larry & Jeannie told us they were one of the newer cottages that now line our anchorage. We were warmly welcomed to their neighborhood and invited to stop by their cottage if we had time before we left. Boaters are such friendly people.

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Torch Lake has lots of fond memories for Lisa and me. We each boated here before we were married and began our boating adventures together on this lake. We used to trailer our 21-foot Four Winns Sundowner to Torch Lake to spend long weekends on the hook, but since our mode of boating has changed over the last fifteen years it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to bring one of our boats to any inland lake. We kind of like the flexibility we are now enjoying with our Ranger Tug, Kismet.

Torch Lake is named, not for its shape, but for the practice of local native Americas, from the Ojibwa Tribe, who used torches at night to attract fish

Torch Lake, Michigan – A Boating Paradise

After we squeaked under the Torch River Bridge and entered the lake we did a slow cruise around the lower perimeter of the lake passing by our friend Gene’s house on the east side of the lake not far from Clam River. We called ahead of time to see if he was home and since he doesn’t have a dock, we said we’d just buzz by so that he could have a glimpse of the new Kismet.

After seeing Gene we headed back across the lake to the west shoreline where we used to anchor many years ago. There used to be a little point adjacent to a large farm and we remembered how it stretched out along the water and made the perfect secluded place for us to anchor. It was just as we remembered, but now has more cottages lining the shoreline. We threw the hook out and settled in for a peaceful night on perfectly still water.

We’ve boated in a lot of water, all over the United States, Canada, and even the Bahamas, but the crystal clear water in Torch Lake continues to amaze us to this day. There aren’t many anchorages where you can actually see your anchor stuck into the lakebed under your boat.

The next morning we were like little kids on Christmas morning getting up early to have coffee on the back deck to enjoy our million-dollar view. Our friends, Jim and Cindy were out for a boat ride and knowing we were anchored out here this weekend found us and stopped to say hi and to also extend an invitation for dinner at their cottage that night.

The post Torch Lake – Kismet Likes to Anchor Here appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

We launched the boat at Whitewater Township Park in Skegemog Lake and quickly pointed the boat in the direction of Torch River.

Jim and I started our boating adventures in the early 90s on a 21-foot Four Winns Sundowner. On many weekends during our short Michigan summers, we’d trailer it to Torch Lake for a relaxing few days on the hook. Jim was studying for tests at the time and I’d catch up on reading, we’d fill up a cooler of mostly finger food and we’d be happy campers for a long weekend away from the rat race.

This weekend we could hardly contain our joy as we were packing up to head off to our all-time favorite inland lake. We launched the boat at Whitewater Township Park in Skegemog Lake and quickly pointed the boat in the direction of Torch River which connects the two lakes.

We followed the boats in front of us all the way through Torch River taking our time to enjoy the pristine waters and wildlife around us.

Torch Lake boasts a nineteen-mile length (about a two-mile width) of beautiful turquoise waters. It is Michigan’s second-largest lake with a maximum depth of 285 feet making it Michigan’s deepest inland lake. The lake gets its name, not from its shape but, from the Ojibwa name Was-wa-gon-ong, meaning “Place of the Torches.” The name refers to the practice of the local native American population who once used torches at night to attract fish for harvesting with spears and nets. For a while, it was called, by local European settlers, “Torch Light Lake” and eventually shortened to Torch Lake.

“My name is Franny, the River Dog” (above). We think Franny keeps track of everyone cruising the river.

Here is our first sighting of the Torch River Bridge (below); we need to get under this bridge to enter Torch Lake. Jim researched the height of the bridge ahead of time (the clearance is about 10 feet), so we were fairly confident we’d make it through. We dropped our mast so that our profile would be only about 8 feet 8 inches.

Made it through (above).

Looking back at the bridge it sure looks low. We’re glad it worked out and we are on our way to a very fun weekend.

The post Have You Ever Been to Torch River? appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Boating activities in Charlevoix Michigan.

Winding down Memorial Day Weekend in Charlevoix Michigan with a dinghy ride around the little island and an afternoon at anchor in Oyster Bay (below). These are just a few of our boating activities when visiting Charlevoix when it was our home port.

We drove up to Petoskey to visit our friend, Martin. Lunch at Whitecaps and a visit to Martin’s home.

Monday started with a Memorial Day parade and presentation at the bandshell. Nothing quite brings home the meaning of this holiday weekend more than the five-gun salute to close the ceremonies.

On our daily walk, we came across this ice shanty (below). Interesting!

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Every time we see Rob, on Keri ‘D’ Away, we’re reminded how often he reads our blog and seems to know what we’re up to on our boat. On our recent visit to Charlevoix we ran into Rob, and his wife Keri, at the downtown marina; Rob was a little perturbed that the blog wasn’t more up-to-date. (We were a little behind in catching up with our adventures in the Florida Keys this year. There was so much to write about it seemed to take forever to do the posts.)

Rob will be glad to see we’re almost caught up to our current cruising on the Great Lakes this summer. We’ve been to Charlevoix, West Grand Traverse Bay numerous times, and Torch Lake so far and have plans to do an extended trip to Canada’s North Channel soon.

See you on the water, Rob!

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