Boatnerd News March 1, 2026

March 1, 2026

The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026

Door County Maritime Museum Speaker Series-March 5

The next presentation of the Door County Medical Center Maritime Speaker Series will be held both in person and online on Thursday, March 5 at 7pm, featuring Christy Corp’s Last Stand, by presenter Brennan Christianson, Collections Manager at the Door County Maritime Museum.
   Christy Corporation is well known in Door County for the construction of magnificent ships such as the Spartan and Badger. They saw great financial success from the founding in the late 1940s through the 1950s. By the 1960s, however, they faced a difficult decision. The shipyard started to lose money, requiring Christy Corp. to either change its business strategy or risk going bankrupt. Over the next decade, several large contracts were taken on, yet all was not well.
   The construction of one of these vessels, the USCGC Active, resulted in delays, miscommunication, and disputes, which resulted in the United States Coast Guard being sued and the selling of Christy Corp. Join Brennan Christianson, DCMM Collections Coordinator, as he discusses the last stand of Christy Corp.
   The Door County Medical Center Maritime Speaker Series programs are held the first Thursday of each month, October through April, beginning at 7pm, on the second floor of the Museum in Sturgeon Bay, as well as online. There is no cost to attend; we suggest bringing a donation of a non-perishable food item, or if watching online, we ask you to donate to your local food pantry.

Memories of sailing for the Ford fleet featured at GLMI dinner April 12

The Great Lakes Maritime Institute presents its annual dinner at 2 p.m. April 12 at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. Featured speaker will be Greg Rudnick, who will talk about his time sailing on the Ford Motor Co. vessels Henry Ford II and Benson Ford. See the flyer posted in the gallery for details. Reservations required by March 31.
[You can see the billing for this in the gallery below]

Make your reservation for a stay on the City of Milwaukee today

It’s time to plan your summer getaway aboard the S.S. City of Milwaukee!
Book a room and spend the night on a floating National Historic Landmark, then explore all six decks of this 95 year old railroad car ferry.
Step back in time, experience Great Lakes history up close, and make it a stay you won’t forget.

See you aboard! Link to site; https://www.carferry.com/boatel?fbclid=IwY2xjawQJgrxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJUOWJ6bVljek5zVE8wbVRrc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHp09bZhg2J1_QTU2qcbLcdS7M2ZwXeUqQneAsczgLqjpCmkQQBe_O6-SGKDp_aem_wHFOXWoMgm4wqI_FHzJTSw

Chance to win a trip on a lakes freighter

Here it comes. That once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Have you ever looked at one of those freighters and wonder to yourself, “what would it be like to sail on one of those for a few days?” Well, here’s your opportunity to find out.

The International Ship Masters’ Association, with the help of Toledo Lodge #9, and the Interlake Steamship Company are offering you a chance for a once-in-a-lifetime freighter cruise on the Great Lakes!

As part of the 137th Annual International Ship Masters’ Association (ISMA) Convention in Toledo, OH in January 2027, Toledo Lodge #9 along with Interlake Steamship Company, is offering you the chance to enjoy a few wonderful days sailing the Great Lakes on a working freighter.

Tickets are $10 each or Six for Five ($50). You can get yours by mailing a check or money order, mailed and made payable to ISMA Toledo Lodge 9 / P.O. Box 5218 / Toledo, OH 43611

Questions or concerns, please email ISMALodge9@gmail.com or call 419-345-5206.

Here are some pictures of sights you might see on your trip.
[See information in gallery below]