ISEA Ship Lay-Up Report

All ISEA vessels are in lay-up mode.  Inland Seas is at Northport Marina, ready for haul out next week at Northport Bay Boatyard.  Our whaleboat Lake Sturgeon was hauled out Tuesday (thanks to Bob Joyce & his big truck).  Our Boston Whaler is on its trailer in the parking lot.  We still have lots to do before winter, but we are roughly on schedule (barring a sudden arrival of winter weather). 

If you would like to help get the boats ready for winter, please call the ISEA office at 271-3077. 

ISEA's Boston Whaler workboat



Motor whaleboat coming out for the winter at Suttons Bay



Thanks for visiting....Capt. Tom 

Whaleboat Color Tour is a Big Hit with Passengers

The whaleboat Lake Sturgeon was very busy this past weekend, with severn full trips on Friday afternoon and Saturday.  The weather was near perfect, and everyone aboard had a great experience learning about the fall colors and the changing Great Lakes.  Book your trip for this Saturday October 19 by calling the ISEA office at 231-271-3077.

Leaving the dock

Underway

Suttons Bay from the water

Mate Bob Hagerman

Mate Allen Wolfe

Hope to see you again soon on the motor whaleboat Lake Sturgeon. 

Capt. Tom Kelly

Whaleboat "Lake Sturgeon" Launched

ISEA launched its ex-Navy motor whaleboat Lake Sturgeon yesterday afternoon.  All systems operated well, and the brief shakedown cruise was deemed a success.  The next steps are to finish some outfitting details and to do the US Coast Guard stability test.  We hope to be licensed for passengers by the Classic Boat Show on July 20.

 

On our way to the launch ramp.  Thanks, Russ Carew, for the heavy hauling.

About to splash.  George and Calvin Powell handling lines.

 

Radio Check before leaving the dock.  The little Yanmar 3-cylinder diesel is warming up.

Underway. Also aboard were ISEA Comminications Intern Callie Chappell and Capt. Allen Wolfe.

Veiw over the bow.

At the ISEA Waterfront 

Thanks to Gordie and Susan Brown for the donation of the whaleboat, and to all those who helped with the re-fit this winter and spring:  Chuck Dickerson, Janet Dickerson, Ben Hale, George Powell, Calvin Powell, Bruce Lehmann, Tony DeRose, Jerry Battle, Bill Emerson, Lee Hepner, Larry Payton, Ray Hale, Paul McEwen and Russ Carew. Thanks also to the TUKTAWA Foundation and the Suttons Bay-Bingham Fund for providing financial assistance for this project.  --Capt. Tom

Whaleboat "Lake Sturgeon" at Leland Parade

Lake Sturgeon cruises down Main Street in Leland during the 4th of July Parade

Thanks to Russ Carew for use of his truck.

Chuck Dickerson pulled the raffle canoe

 

Thanks to all those who helped with the whaleboat project and on this day in Leland.  --Capt. Tom

ISEA's Motor Whaleboat "Lake Sturgeon" in the Leland 4th of July Parade

Please join us on July 4th in Leland for the annual parade.  We will be there with our motor whaleboat Lake Sturgeon.

Motor Whaleboat Lake Sturgeon

Fact Sheet

Type:  Navy 26’ Motor Whaleboat

Year Built:  1968

Builder:  Miami Yacht Builders, Miami Beach, FL

Material: Fiberglass (FRP)

Hull No.:  26MW6843

Registration: MC 2362 PF

LOA: 26’    Beam: 8’     Draft: 1’

Displacement: 5,600 lbs

Engine: Yanmar 3-cylinder diesel, Model 3GM30F, 24 hp.  (original engine: Westerbeke 4-107)

Owner:  Inland Seas Education Association, Suttons Bay, MI

Service:  Passenger, USCG Sub-Chapter T (pending)

Former Name:  Water Bug

ISEA will be offering 1 hour programs aboard Lake Sturgeon later in July. 

Re-Fit of ISEA's Motor Whaleboat Nearing Completion

Work continues on ISEA's ex-Navy motor whaleboat Lake Sturgeon. We are installing the new oak rub rails this week.  The rails were built for us by George Powell and Bruce Lehmann at their shop in Suttons Bay.  We still have a lot to do before our final US Coast Guard inspection, so if you would like to help contact Tom Kelly or Chuck Dickerson at 231-271-3077. 

George, Bruce and Tony trial-fit the new rub rails

Installation today.  Ben Clark, new ISEA Intern, is assisting Bruce and Chuck Dickerson.

Ben, Chuck and Jerry Battle. 

------Tom K.

Work on Motor Whaleboat Continues

ISEA's 1968 Ex-Navy Motor Whaleboat under restoration:

Terry and Scott taping the waterline 

Scraping the old paint off a floorboard: Larry & Tony

Bill - making pram parts

Applying primer to interior

Terry and Scott applying the first top coat ("ISEA Green")

If you would like to help with the Whaleboat project or the Pram Building Class, contact Chuck Dickerson, ISEA Boat Shop Lead Instructor at 231-271-3077.

Ex-Navy Motor Whaleboat Donated to ISEA

ISEA recently received a 26' ex-Navy Motor Whaleboat #26MW6843 as a donation from Susan Brown of Williamsburg.  The boat was previously owned by Gordie Brown, who passed away this past spring.  The Brown's have been long-term members of ISEA, and Gordie was a Schoolship Volunteer Instructor in years past.

Our Motor Whaleboat after Arrival at ISEA

Yanmar 3-Cylinder Diesel (not original), but it Runs Fine.

Room for 20 or so.  Very Stout Construction.

We intend to restore the whaleboat to Navy colors and use the boat for educational tours of Suttons Bay and perhaps other ports in the area.  Because the boat is trailerable, there is also the posssiblility to do programs on inland waters such as Lake Leelanau and the Chain of Lakes.

There is a great deal of work to be done on the whaleboat this winter, so if you would like to help, or if you are a Navy veteran with an interest in this project, please contact Chuck Dickerson, ISEA's Boat Shop Lead Instructor, at 231-271-3977.  We will need about $5,000 to complete the restortation and we are seeking donations to help with this.  Check out the Wish List by clicking here.
--Capt. Tom