Publish Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Location: Harsens Island, Michigan
Coordinates: 42° 36.728,’ N -82 ° 33.384′ W
We’ve been moored on my Mom’s dock here on Harsens Island for several days now. This was my boyhood home, and the place where I learned about boating. It all started for me with the “Sleuth”, a 12-foot aluminum boat with a 4-hp Mercury outboard, named after the Hardy Boys’ boat. The boat couldn’t have gone more than 10 mph, but my brother and I took it everywhere. We upgraded to a Boston Whaler clone when we became teenagers, and we water-skied and swam from it every day during the summer months. My family also had a 24-foot Chris-Craft skiff as the “big boat”, and I have fond memories of all the places we went in our classic woodie.
Harsens Island and Algonac are both big boating communities: This was the home of the Chris-Craft factory in the 1960’s, and it was the second largest market in the U.S. for Sea Rays when I was in high school (maybe it still is?). There are a lot of boats around here! But even with all the boating, our Nordhavn is an unusual visitor to these parts: A full-displacement trawler just isn’t the kind of boat that cruises the Great Lakes with much regularity, so our boat has attracted quite a bit of attention. It’s been fun to share our story with friends and acquaintances, and to show people the merits of our little ship. After all, that’s how we became interested in traveling on a trawler back in 2000 when somebody shared their story with us.
This evening we took a happy-hour cruise up the river with Three@Sea. Our passengers included my Mom and her husband John, Kathryn’s Aunt Mary and Uncle Mike, our dear friend Bobby O, my Aunt Marilyn, and our family friend Dick. We cruised up the river for an hour, and everybody was impressed with the stability and sophistication of our floating home. We served rum drinks and snacks to the group (Kathryn and I abstained until we were back on the dock), and everybody had a wonderful time. As the sun was setting over the river, and a chill crept into the air, my Mom declared that she never imagined a little 12-foot aluminum boat would lead to this. Neither did I.
Dear Sir
After selling my 43ft yacht 2 years ago, I have been looking out for a new boat. I got a Gin place but only keept it for 8 weeks (to much Bling for me). 3 weeks ago my partner and I looked at a new Nordhavn 43. You have a great boat. All I have to do now is get my head around a full-displacement trawler yacht. Do I have the time at the moment (I am sure you know what I mean) I sold the yacht because I did not have the time to use it.
Reading your “Blog” and other Nordhavn owners sites, I think I might make time. Keep up the good work and best regards to your Family.
Be safe
Mark T (UK)
Good Morning! Thank you for sharing. I have very fond memories, too. What a wonderful place to grow up. Love to all my Besemer Family.
Hey,
I love reading your blogs and following along with your family as they travel! I live in the Bahamas, and wish I could have meant y’all when you were down here. I hope to one day cruise the world with my family as you did. Thanks for the good reading!!!
hey you guys. i know nothing about boating, but the name three@sea hooked me in. i’m glad you guys had rum drinks with your family and friends. what fun!! i personally enjoy red wine for my coctail hour or hours. have a great time. gail
Thanks for a fantastic tour of the Three@Sea. I can only imagine how wonderful the next 3 years are going to be for the three of you. Your enthusiasm is catchy and I intend to go on this trip with you – from my computer. What a wonderful experience for Carl & I to follow you. The very best to all of you and we’ll be in touch.
Folks,
Talk about full circle! I’m proud of you for making it so far. I am writing you on my new MacBook Pro-i finally joined the 21rst century and I love it. You guys were right. Heading out tomorrow to move a Great Harbour 47 from Myrtle Beach up to Baltimore. Talk soon.
capnjim
hey dave, mary and mike told us about all the fun they had with your family. Loved the pictures of Kathy and her new kayak…we’ll keep reading about all your adventures…be careful.
Paula Bachman
Hey Guys,
So great to catch up with you yesterday… we absolutely love your yacht! Wish we had more time to visit, but enjoyed it very much just the same.
Keep us in on your travels & we will travel through you!
Sunny skies & calm seas
Semper Fi
love Fritz & Katt
Hi Dave, What a Great trip for you guy’s. my wife Cherie and our youngest son Boyd and I are going with your family around the world and we can not wait. soooo cooool
hope to catch up with you at one of your northern Michigan ports of call
I can hear the ferry horn from here LOL
Chris
High David Im sure you remember me. Dave Glowskis brouther I live 5 houses down from your moms house I am so EXCITED for you and your family what a under takeing. The day you got here i saw your boat very impressive. Cant wait to follow your trip. I pray that your angels go befor you and make your way safe that you and your family r bless with wisdom and covered by the blood of Jesus Amen.