posted 06-23-2006 08:32 AM ET (US)        

"Boston Whaler is pleased to present an official Boston Whaler Owners Event, August 4-5, 2006, in Charlevoix, Michigan. Boston Whaler owners, their families and guests are invited to attend a weekend of fun, boating and camaraderie. Bring your boat! The event will include free giveaways, entertainment, food, drinks and your choice of participating in an on-water Poker Run, just hanging out and relaxing, or exploring Lake Charlevoix and Lake
Michigan on your own.

The event will be held at Irish Boat Shop in Charlevoix, a premier location on Lake Charlevoix with direct access to Lake Michigan. It is a fully equipped marine dealership, including a ship's store, docks and parking for trailers. The public launch ramp is located adjacent to the marina facilities.

Any size Boston Whaler boat is welcome. Awards will be presented to the Poker Run winners and a variety of Whaler specific awards for the oldest Whaler, furthest traveled and more.

Transient dockage is available at a special rate of over 40% off. Normally it is $1.75 per foot per night, but can be reserved at the rate of $1.00 per foot per night. On land storage of boat and trailer is free to participants and the adjacent municipal launch ramp will be free
as well.

Each person is responsible for his or her hotel accommodations. There are a limited number
of rooms and a list is available at the back of this packet.

There will be hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and soft drinks Friday night. Coffee and donuts will be provided Saturday and Sunday mornings and a full dinner Saturday night. Soft drinks and water will be provided throughout the event, and each participant can BYOB for anything else they would like to drink.

You must register by July 15th to ensure we have enough food, giveaways and prizes for everyone! Registration for all or part of the event is $25 per person. Your registration includes a free tee shirt per person, reception Friday night, cookout Saturday night and
continental brunch on Sunday. Plus, you'll get free giveaways and have a chance to win valuable prizes!

If you plan on trying your hand at fishing during the weekend, you must be appropriately licensed and adhere to fishing laws for the state of Michigan."

Here's the link to the registration form:

posted 06-26-2006 09:34 PM ET (US)            

Looking forward to this trip.

posted 06-26-2006 10:57 PM ET (US)            

You going to make it also? You never seem to get/answer my emails...

It'd be nice to see the twins...

posted 06-27-2006 10:41 AM ET (US)            

Whalering.....Wedding.......unless it's your immediate family mail the card early so they heve the money for the honeymoon......

easy for me to say eh?

posted 06-27-2006 05:13 PM ET (US)            

If you are going to be giving demo rides on the Outrage 18 with twin E-Tecs, I would like to take a number at this time.

posted 06-27-2006 06:28 PM ET (US)            

Just kidding. Of course, the boat will be available for some demo rides. Bring your goggles, and your toothbrush to scrub out the bugs from betwixt your teeth.

Of course, if LHG brings his 18, we'll be able to collect enough bugs in our teeth for everyone. :)

posted 06-28-2006 10:24 PM ET (US)            

I was looking forward to the drive through the UP, as I have not done that before, but the only thing I like more than travelling in the truck is travelling big water.

posted 06-28-2006 10:35 PM ET (US)            

I think that's a good idea. It's about 90 miles total in the crossing.

If you don't manage a crossing, Highway 2 in the UP is absolutely spectacular about 30 miles out from St. Ignace...runs right along the lake like the PCH in Santa Monica California (minus the high hills).

posted 06-30-2006 11:11 AM ET (US)            

I was told when I asked why that registrations were low, and they were a little behind on planning considering the apparent lack of interest.

I was also told that we could call the event planner directly and ask him to reconsider.

So, if you haven't registered already, and you really want this event to happen call Jack Hodge at Irish Boat Shop Charlevoix (231) 547-9967.

posted 06-30-2006 11:28 AM ET (US)            

I remember that last year had a very short registration period as well, if I recall correctly.

We only had 15 more days to get it done...I'm suprised that they didn't wait till then to determine just how much interest was "enough". They could have easily refunded money to those who had registered.

Or maybe they heard that a bunch of classics were coming again?! :)

posted 06-30-2006 01:32 PM ET (US)            

I was looking forward to this, although I have to admit it was tricky squeezing this in between my planned vacations.