posted 04-23-2010 06:48 PM ET (US)        

I saw we need a beach, cool, fun places, lots of beaches and easier logistics, central location, denser population and proximity to jet airport just in case inlaws and outlaws from the Family Whaler decide to show up.

Then, to my surprise Bucka-da-lew said.

COAST GUARD FESTIVAL, Grand Haven and I say "ya, baby YA!! that's got potential..."

It's the biggest thing here all summer, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Muskegon, Ferrysburg, Fruitport are all great places

Festival has great rep and history

We have Station Grand Haven right on the river, right next to city center and a river that is navigable for like 20 miles

We have a large inland lake right there

Fantastic State Parks - right there accessible by boat.

Historic lighthouse - right here

At least six beaches and three more inland lakes connecting to Lake Michigan, Right HERE

Salmon potential - and boats all over the place - Right here

Muskegon just a few miles North has festivals every weekend just about and might have the airshow again

Secluded beaches, fresh water and if calm Wisconsonians and Illionis folk can motor over.

What do you think???

I can't imagine Boston Whaler and local marinas not getting totally behind the BW contingent in a place like this. And for those of you not familiar w/ our great state, Grand Rapids is only 25 miles and that place is getting way cool.

posted 04-24-2010 09:10 AM ET (US)            

BTDT.

posted 04-24-2010 03:55 PM ET (US)            

We live here, Coast Guard week it ain't that bad but that's why we are talking about best time/place for a cool West Mich get together. There are other ports in the area: Muskegon for one and others. We could check. We don't want to mess up any other plans but I think West Michigan, Grand Haven - Muskegon area, throw Holland and Saugatuck in the mix perhaps up to Whitehall is ideal for a fun thing. All the concerns might be correct but let's keep thinking about it. SInce we work with EDCs Chambers, town councils all the time maybe I'll talk to the local officials see what they say. I think we ought to frame this as Whaler big deal thing and get keys to the cities or at least some discounts.

I ain't been around CW long enough to know what's best but I am willing to do whatever to have a good, memorable time.

posted 04-26-2010 09:37 AM ET (US)            

It also seems like there's a suggestion at least once a year for a rendezvous on Lake St. Clair, but it never seems to get any further than a suggestion. A great one or two day event could be planned around cruising the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair River.

I'm always looking for an excuse to go boating, so I like the idea of more rendezvous being planned for the Michigan area. My advice to you is that if you want to have a rendezvous, you're going to have to make it happen. Just pick a location, suggest some dates, and wait for some feedback. If you try to do it by committee, it's not likely to get past the idea stage.

posted 04-26-2010 11:00 AM ET (US)            

The majority of the local Great Lakes contingent is not into that sort of "bash" atmosphere. Surprised Dave should even be into the GC fest as he and I typically avoid the Grand River on that weekend if we can. Not to mention it's the weekend of the Frankfort to Sturgeon Bay trip. Give me open water and some space to run and I am happy. A nice beach or quiet restaurant for lunch with night caps at the dock with friends and that is a perfect day.

posted 04-26-2010 11:55 AM ET (US)            

I can quickly get on board with a West Michigan "Sunset Coast" rendezvous - in fact, I think it would be a great place to have a "national rendezvous" for folks to drive or fly in and celebrate with the CW family.

1.) It's an easy drive from Grand Rapids (all Jet Service) or even Detroit Metro or Chicago.
2.) There is wonderful freshwater boating, great salmon fishing and access to inland water (walleye and perch) fishing.
3.) West Michigan has hundreds of miles of sandy beaches that, while "thinner" than ocean beaches (because of no tidal fluctuations), rival many of the best beaches in the world in terms of cleanliness.
4.) West Michigan also has some of the tallest sand dunes in the world.
5.) The "beach towns" of the region have great dining, shopping and lodging for all kinds of folks.

I don't know if Coast Guard Fest puts our best foot forward, so to speak, for outside visitors - but I think that Grand Haven and the area can certainly host this kind of event very well when not focused on the festival. As others mentioned - we'd get 'Buried' - no docks, no hotels, no food.

Another weekend might be perfect, however.

Just thinking out loud some more. Plan it Pete - and then let us know.

Dave

posted 04-28-2010 08:34 AM ET (US)            

http://photography-plus.com/fullPic.asp?PicID=639

We have a ton of fun, some people have a couple beers or a cocktail but no one is falling down drunk, irresponsible or a hazard to pets and small children. What kind of people do you think we are?

I think West Mich would be a great place, with all the beaches, rivers, lakes, restaurants, fishing and various opportunities to have a Whaler party without a lot of angst. Port to port cruising, Lake Michigan salmon fishing, fish boil/BBQ somewhere - hey man, it's Pure Michigan!! so why not brag it up?

Do you think I would offer to go to any or all of the Beach Town Chambers, Town Councils or DDAs and ask them to get behind a Boston Whaler owners gathering or whatever you want to call it when we do projects and business with cities and work with pubic officials all over the state and other places?

Certainly there are limiting factors Great Lakes boaters are totally aware of - if the lakes blow up 3 ft can be uncomfortable. IF seas are down it's awesome.

So it's a concept/feasibility thing. Hell ya we like to have a good time but there's always Monday morning and so far we've kept our names out of the newspapers and off the dockets and intend to keep it that way.

CG Fest is a good thing for our area and so what if there are a lot of boats? Is it any worse than a busy weekend on Lake St Claire? OR other places with water, boats and people that is popular? We did our first Labor Day on Spring Lake and offshore Grand Haven getting pounded in our Classic 13 but still had fun.

posted 04-28-2010 09:17 AM ET (US)            

That was my earlier point and why I suggested other rendezvous'.

Michigan has bars. So does everyone else.

We have nice marinas. So do a lot of states.

We have places where you can mill about with a lot of other people, people watch, etc... ...so do a lot of other places.

Collossal boat rafts? Yep. So do other places.

How about towering freshwater sand dunes? Pure Michigan.

Crystal clear freshwater lakes and white sandy beaches? Pure Michigan.

Unique beach towns and quaint wharfs? Okay - only a few other places have those, so not PURE Michigan - but a healthy dose of Michigan....

If experiencing Michigan boating is the objective, then I say we invite folks for a Northern Michigan rendezvous that encompasses Grand Traverse, Mackinac, Frankfort or the like.

posted 04-28-2010 11:19 AM ET (US)            

We'll see how it goes but I am interested in less complications than more complications. This ain't that hard if people are down for it.

Several of us need to be involved to make it work or just show up.

That said, I am juggling schedules to go to Gulf side Florida in June for another rendezvous which is probably easier. I'd haul the Outrage 17 but Ellen is taking a graduate class Spring term and I have projects up here. Chance to get cheap air fare makes it very appealing.

posted 04-28-2010 05:48 PM ET (US)            

My idea of rafting up boats is called HOG LINE and that's for Spring Chinook on the Willamette at Oregon City.
http://www.oregonlink.com/flyfishing/historicphotos/hogline.html

As regards my latest experience with Whaler pals I can assure you they are some of the finest most responsible boaters I have ever know with a mariner's commitment to safe boating and utmost consideration for others and etiquette. I assure you not ONE Manatee was harmed, kids and families were present and we coexisted elegantly with the Harley Davidson gathering and tourists we shared fellowship with.

So I say Get Together and Do Whatever, If you want to cruise the rivers then cruise the river, beach blanket bingo, then there you go, do the Hanky Panky then do that too, cruise to Saugatuck then go for it, go salmon fishing, we got a lot of 'em in Lake Mich,

For example, I have long advocated Boston Whaler 13 Races - do you think that is an original idea or part of the action at Hanky Panky? No, nope, nada - I got that idea from Wild Man, OUt of Control, Maniac Mead Gougeon who does an annual 13 race with Jim Watson for beers or lunch or whatever.

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/cetaceaPage03.html

on the road to whatever...........

But Tom and Greg will fire up Educated Angler the Tiara 36 for anyone who wants to go out for Mr Chinook and his cousins Mr S. Head and Co-HO if cool guys come.

posted 04-28-2010 05:51 PM ET (US)            

Even though I've not been to CG Fest in Grand Haven, I've heard that it is crambed with people and boats and the possibilities of over crowding, lack of dock space, and accomodations is what I think concerns a lot of people, no one that I've boated with at any of the Rendezvous are tea totalers, but I think they would like a Whaler Rendezvous in a more controlled setting, so we can dock together, etc....

That being said, if any of our out of state Whaler friends want to come up this way, I would be more than happy to pick up from airports, give them a roof over their head, let them ride north with me, and host them on my Revenge 22 WT.

posted 04-28-2010 06:56 PM ET (US)            

My intent was to get ideas and discuss feasibility. It was a suggestion Dave and I discussed briefly. I would not, however, want anyone to assume Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival is so slammed and busy that they don't come. This is not the Motor City, it's not as crowded as events there or Chicago or even Ann Arbor Art Fest.

It's a nice event, well attended and we're all proud of it. I have no hesitation to go to it by car, bicycle or boat.

If we're around I am sure we will launch the 17 and hang out - and so should others.

posted 05-03-2010 01:26 PM ET (US)            

If that implication came across in my post - I apologize, as it was not my intention.

posted 05-03-2010 01:43 PM ET (US)            

Not Bucka-da-lew.
Not any other misappropriation or combination of rhyming words or sounds or favorite sexual or yoga positions.

I made it through junior high and USMC Boot camp, so I've heard them all. None are better than whomever changed it from Buccleuch to Buckalew when my ancestors arrived in the new World.

Maybe I'm cranky after driving 2,600 miles in 4 days to get my new boat, but still.

"Buckda" is a combination of my last name and first name (David). It is a username that I commonly use and is the result of a humorous exchange between an old college roommate and me. He has since passed away, and I continue to use it because it keeps his memory alive for me. You may use it, because I use it, but I prefer not to have other amalgams employed at a whim to address or refer to me.

/rant.

posted 05-03-2010 01:46 PM ET (US)            

You may want to update your profile with a current/working e-mail (or empty your mailbox if it is full and not receiving mail).

posted 05-05-2010 10:17 AM ET (US)            

I know you think we don't like to have 'fun' here (see your post from the Beercan thread), but I think the problem is that you've not defined what you want.

You are always invited to the rendezvous' I plan and participate in. We have a good time. However, apparently it doesn't fit your definition.

That's fine - everyone relaxes different ways.

In this thread, you still have not defined 'fun'. I think of CG Fest and I think: Mobs of people, drunk girls and hooting and hollering guys. Heck - Grand Haven has that on any given weekend - CG Fest is worse. I also think no vacancies, lines for every restaurant, no dock space and little room for a parade of Whalers to maneuver.

None of that fits into my definition of 'fun'.

Nowhere did I mean that Whaler participants would be operating their vessels while drunk or otherwise operating in an unsafe manner...but the danger/risk increases because of everyone else on the water, not in control, and at the helm of boats that better match the size of their wallets than their capabilities as captain. That's not in my vision of fun either, nor is it something that I'd invite someone to.

Now, as for the ideas of West Michigan rendezvous, etc later discussed above - I'm all aboard...just not during drunk fests.

So there you go. I guess I'm a wet blanket, but I did find it quite odd that my name was leveraged (if it has any leveraging power here) to promote attendance at an on-the-water event that I would not attend. I can see the drunk, half naked chicks from the shore, and I'll still have mucho problems with the machismo of shore-bound attendees. It's not my scene, nor does it fit my personality.

posted 05-05-2010 10:57 AM ET (US)            

I've already got a pretty full calendar for this summer, and I don't want to be roped into planning and being responsible for yet another event, but I will try to jump-start this thing, and hopefully Pete or somebody else will pick up the ball and run with it.

Why don't we plan on getting together in Grand Haven on the weekend of July 10-11 or July 17-18?

Here's my suggestion for an itinerary:
- Meet on Spring Lake at about 9:30 or 10:00 a.m.
- Get underway by 10:30 a.m.
- Cruise down the river, and out onto Lake Michigan
- Cruise south to Holland or Saugatuck
- Get lunch at a waterfront bar or restaurant - Another option would be a picnic lunch on the beach
- After lunch cruise back toward Grand Haven
- Stop off at a beach or sandbar for some swimming and lounging
- Return to Grand Haven for dinner somewhere near the water
- Optional additional cruise on Sunday to Muskegon

Having made my suggestions, I will now step back and hope that somebody picks up the ball and makes this happen.

posted 05-06-2010 11:34 AM ET (US)            

Well, part of the fun is to plan something where Whaler people or whomever can get together and have fun whatever that means. When Buckalew and I talked his reaction was "CG Festival" ONLY as an option and discussion point. Someone made an assumption "if you are looking for a party type of atmosphere to have a Whaler gathering you have Hanky Panky Bayou on Spring Lake which is a crazy raft-off fest every weekend. Sloppy drunk spray tanned Ed Hartey wearing people everywhere..." and I'm not sure what catalyzed that assumption.

So in a world full of problems what we need now are solutions...not critics.

My intent was to do something fun and cool w/ Whalers and encourage my friends from Florida, who have expressed interest, to come to Michigan and "party", cruise, "Whaler" (noun to verb, everyone else does it!!), bond, talk, back talk, burn our Ethanol, eat our food, swim in our Salt Free Seas or whatever. I know Len and Margit are thinking about it, hopefully Nick, Janis, Stephen, DR GOO, Tom, Frank and a whole contingent.

Martha B is into it as are others. Tom said we can take the Tiara 36 out for some salmon slammin' which is an awesome boat and great time.

K Albus is exactly right.

I don't mind taking point on this but would expect others to jump in and help out an old man like me.

Let's keep an open mind, understand that FUN can mean anything, that yes we are the Woodstock Generation who stopped a war, knocked off a president and were in the streets for Civil Rights, remember the Oil Embargo and Walter Cronkite, jammed with Motown AND rock and roll

And today is Bob Seger's birthday, like 62 and if he was here I'd take him out in the 13 or 17 and grab a couple of cheeseburgers, beers and have a blast. IF LEN, NICK and Fran were here, we'd amp up the plan dance and sing, Hollwood Nights, Down on Mainstreet, Night Moves, Ramblin Gamblin Man and Against the Wind and NO I aint' havin' no stinkiing midlife crisis, never had and never will.

posted 05-12-2010 07:19 PM ET (US)            

Let's start w/ dates. No not during CG Festival!!