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Lakeland Boating Magazine

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Lakeland Boating Magazine

Lakeland Boating magazine has been the voice of the Sweetwater Seas for 75 years. Schoen was piloting a 36' 1925 wooden Burger dubbed Sea Toy II.

LAKELAND BOATING MAGAZINE
Lakeland Boating magazine has been the voice of the Sweetwater Seas for 75 years. From in-depth boat tests and features on weekend getaways to product roundups and stories about colorful Ports of Call, we've got the Great Lakes region covered. Meet the people who love the lake lifestyle and glean useful tips on marine electronics, engine repair and general boat maintenanc

e, and more. LakelandBoating.com supplements the print version of the magazine with exclusive news and frequently updated departments. The content is geared toward the interests of freshwater boaters on the Great Lakes, as well as the connecting waterways and inland lakes. Getting Started
Before founding Lakeland Boating, then called Lakeland Yachting and Motorboating, Vic Schoen was an avid boater. A great fan of his boat, Schoen also knew it represented the capital he needed to start a new mag
azine about boating on the Great Lakes. In early 1946, Schoen placed an ad in the Chicago Tribune putting Sea Toy II up for sale. Schoen sold the boat to 26-year-old Paul Cullen for $1,300, the necessary seed money to begin his new magazine: Lakeland Yachting and Motorboating. Lakeland Yachting
With money in hand, Schoen started Lakeland Yachting and Motorboating in mid-1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Under his guidance, Lakeland Yachting was cordial and upbeat on every page, presenting an enthusiast's assurance that boating was pure happiness. In 1957, the name of the magazine was changed from Lakeland Yachting and Motorboating to Lakeland Boating to more accurately depict the nature of the magazine and its emphasis on motor boats.

1963: Mid-America's Freshwater Yachting Magazine
Only five issues of Lakeland Yachting were published in 1963, and after the first issue of 1964 ownership of the magazine was passed from Schoen to Larry Prakken and Dave Kitz. Prakken took over as publisher, and Kitz assumed the editorship. Along with this change in ownership came a new slogan: "Mid-America's Freshwater Yachting Magazine." They also moved the offices to Ann Arbor, Michigan. While Schoen kept things light and breezy, Kitz set forth his new editorial mission: First, to report for you the interesting boating activities of the past, present, and future; and second, to raise its voice to help protect and preserve this delightful boating area from the ravages of deterioration that all too often accompany the growth of metropolitan areas. Kitz was a strident voice for boaters. In his "View from the Bridge" column, he gave boaters a conscience and called out politicians when he felt they were wrong. He was particularly concerned with boating safety. In 1972, Kitz bought out Prakken to take sole ownership of the magazine. Instead of publishing their normal pre-boat show issue in 1975, Kitz instead published his "Clean Water" issue, calling on government to stop Reserve Mining's spoiling of Lake Superior, while also lauding the City of Detroit for its work cleaning up the Detroit River, then one of the worst cesspools in America. Kitz saw boating not as the culmination of one's life, but as a worthwhile hobby, once writing, "All too often, the boat is misappropriated and used as a status symbol or an experience with the IRS in mind. It could have anything but a wholesome influence on young people." For fun with the family, he said, boating, "is still one of the best ways to do interesting things together." Kitz again moved the magazine's offices to Adrian, Michigan, in 1977.

1980: Peterson Publications
Kitz sold Lakeland Boating to Peterson Publications in 1980. Peterson Publications specialized in niche-market magazines and planned to turn Lakeland Boating, which, at this time, was considered a small-circulation magazine, into a national giant. Peterson quickly tripled Lakeland Boating's circulation to a high of 60,000. Peterson Publications folded its own Sea magazine into Lakeland Boating, growing the magazine from 40 pages per issue to 130 pages. Kitz, now an associate publisher for the magazine, continued writing his "View from the Bridge" column until the magazine dropped it upon sale to its current publisher.

1983-Present: Walter "Bing" O'Meara
Walter "Bing" O'Meara and David Brown purchased Lakeland Boating in 1983. O'Meara learned magazine publishing in the food service and lodging trade journal industry. Pleasure boating had been on a downturn since the gasoline crisis in 1974, when President Carter suggested fuel sales should not take place on weekends. Owing to this, Peterson Publications found its efforts to go national stymied and re-focused on the regional aspect of the magazine. Upon O'Meara's purchase of the magazine, however, boating began an upturn in popularity that would continue for quite some time. O'Meara moved the business office to Highland Park, Illinois, and brought original owner Vic Schoen back as a correspondent. In June of 1985, O'Meara bought out his partner, David Brown, and moved the offices to Chicago, Illinois. Offices moved to the Fountain Building in Evanston, Illinois in 1988, then to Chicago's historic Printer's Row in 2003, and back to Evanston in 2015 with offices in the Chandler's Building.

11/24/2025

Boater's Gift Guide! 🎁 - https://mailchi.mp/lakelandboating/nov24

CALLING ALL CANINE (AND FELINE) CREWMEMBERS! We want to learn about your furry friends onboard! Comment below or email k...

11/21/2025

CALLING ALL CANINE (AND FELINE) CREWMEMBERS! We want to learn about your furry friends onboard! Comment below or email [email protected] a short write-up with your pet’s name and your home city, as well as a high-resolution photo. If your pet is selected, you will win a Lakeland Boating hat!

11/21/2025

Avikus announced its brand new autonomous navigation technology NEUBOAT II, now available as a factory-installed option on Aquila 2026 Yacht Series models.

Avikus announced its brand new autonomous navigation technology NEUBOAT II, a six-camera system that delivers increased situational awareness, giving boaters a bird’s-eye view for docking and delivering 3D surround view for easy navigation, with the option for single or multiple camera views. Obje...

11/20/2025

New marine brand Volare announced the launch of its flagship model, the all-electric Artemis23, delivering a smooth, sustainable and beautiful yet functional boating experience.

New marine brand Volare Boats launched its flagship model, the all-electric Artemis23. Led by a team of marine engineers and industry veterans, the new brand delivers a smooth, sustainable and beautiful yet functional boating experience. “Volare was born from a belief that boating should feel as e...

11/19/2025

Zodiac is expanding its range with the new X9CC rigid-inflatable that offers the same design and innovation as the X10CC in a more compact and accessible format.

Fresh from the success of the X10CC, Zodiac is expanding its range with the new X9CC rigid-inflatable that offers the same design and innovation as the X10CC in a more compact and accessible format. Combining the best of rigid-inflatable and rigid boats, the X9CC offers a rigid hull for precise hand...

11/18/2025

You can still get out and enjoy the Milwaukee River now through mid December with hot tub boat rental Skyline Boat Company, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

You can still get out and enjoy the Milwaukee River, thanks to newly launched hot tub boat rental Skyline Boat Company, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company, founded by Ryan Strycker and Laura Kirklewski, offers three hot tub boat rentals that include a hot tub heated to 104 degrees, a back de...

11/17/2025

Feature: 50th Anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald Sinking - https://mailchi.mp/lakelandboating/nov17

11/14/2025

Centurion Boats is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the launch of the Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Ri245 and Ri265, uniting the best features from the company’s decades of boat building with modern luxury and innovation.

11/13/2025

Premium waterfront equipment and solutions provider Waterfront Brands announced the launch of a new collection of Rhino Marine Systems engineered for strength and durability and designed to be a comprehensive solution to meet a diverse range of needs.

Premium waterfront equipment and solutions provider Waterfront Brands announced the launch of a new comprehensive collection of Rhino Marine Systems, delivering comprehensive dock technology engineered for strength and durability, and designed to be a comprehensive solution to meet a diverse range o...

11/12/2025

TopSide Marinas announced the acquisition of Pikes Bay Marina located on the shore of Lake Superior in Bayfield, Wisconsin, in the heart of the Apostle Islands, with plans to build on the marina's already successful service department.

TopSide Marinas announced the acquisition of Pikes Bay Marina located on the shore of Lake Superior in Bayfield, Wisconsin, in the heart of the Apostle Islands. Founded in 2001, Pikes Bay Marina has earned a reputation as one of the top destinations in the area, named Marina of the Year in 2018. It....

11/11/2025

Irish Boat Shop, Inc.'s three locations in Charlevoix, Traverse City and Harbor Springs are helping provide food assistance to their communities with a “Fill the Boat Food Drive” now through December 12. Join each location's open house, or stop by during open hours with a donation!

Irish Boats Shop’s three locations are helping provide food assistance to their communities with a “Fill the Boat Food Drive” initiative in partnership with Northman Den Youth Services and The Father Fred Foundation. The food drive kicked off at the Traverse City location with the “Women at ...

11/11/2025

"On Sunday afternoon, November 9, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald departed Superior, Wisconsin, with a full load of taconite pellets bound for Detroit. The next day, November 10, the 729-foot ore carrier vanished in a storm on Lake Superior."

Read our feature this month, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Mighty Fitz:

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Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm

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Voice of the Great Lakes

Lakeland Boating magazine has been the voice of the Sweetwater Seas for 70 years. From in-depth boat tests and features on weekend getaways, to product roundups and stories about colorful Ports of Call, we've got the Great Lakes region covered. Meet the people who love the lake lifestyle and glean useful tips on marine electronics, engine repair and general boat maintenance, and more. LakelandBoating.com supplements the print version of the magazine with exclusive news and frequently updated departments. The content is geared toward the interests of freshwater boaters on the Great Lakes, as well as the connecting waterways and inland lakes.

Getting Started

Before founding Lakeland Boating, then called Lakeland Yachting and Motorboating, Vic Schoen was an avid boater. Schoen was piloting a 36' 1925 wooden Burger dubbed Sea Toy II. A great fan of his boat, Schoen also knew it represented the capital he needed to start a new mag

azine about boating on the Great Lakes.

In early 1946, Schoen placed an ad in the Chicago Tribune putting Sea Toy II up for sale. Schoen sold the boat to 26-year-old Paul Cullen for $1,300, the necessary seed money to begin his new magazine: Lakeland Yachting and Motorboating.

Lakeland Yachting

With money in hand, Schoen started Lakeland Yachting and Motorboating in mid-1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Under his guidance, Lakeland Yachting was cordial and upbeat on every page, presenting an enthusiast's assurance that boating was pure happiness.

In 1957, the name of the magazine was changed from Lakeland Yachting and Motorboating to Lakeland Boating to more accurately depict the nature of the magazine and its emphasis on motor boats.

1963: Mid-America's Freshwater Yachting Magazine

Only five issues of Lakeland Yachting were published in 1963, and after the first issue of 1964 ownership of the magazine was passed from Schoen to Larry Prakken and Dave Kitz. Prakken took over as publisher, and Kitz assumed the editorship. Along with this change in ownership came a new slogan: "Mid-America's Freshwater Yachting Magazine." They also moved the offices to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

While Schoen kept things light and breezy, Kitz set forth his new editorial mission: First, to report for you the interesting boating activities of the past, present, and future; and second, to raise its voice to help protect and preserve this delightful boating area from the ravages of deterioration that all too often accompany the growth of metropolitan areas.

Kitz was a strident voice for boaters. In his "View from the Bridge" column, he gave boaters a conscience and called out politicians when he felt they were wrong. He was particularly concerned with boating safety.

In 1972, Kitz bought out Prakken to take sole ownership of the magazine.

Instead of publishing their normal pre-boat show issue in 1975, Kitz instead published his "Clean Water" issue, calling on government to stop Reserve Mining's spoiling of Lake Superior, while also lauding the City of Detroit for its work cleaning up the Detroit River, then one of the worst cesspools in America.

Kitz saw boating not as the culmination of one's life, but as a worthwhile hobby, once writing, "All too often, the boat is misappropriated and used as a status symbol or an experience with the IRS in mind. It could have anything but a wholesome influence on young people."

For fun with the family, he said, boating, "is still one of the best ways to do interesting things together."

Kitz again moved the magazine's offices to Adrian, Michigan, in 1977.

1980: Peterson Publications

Kitz sold Lakeland Boating to Peterson Publications in 1980.

Peterson Publications specialized in niche-market magazines and planned to turn Lakeland Boating, which, at this time, was considered a small-circulation magazine, into a national giant. Peterson quickly tripled Lakeland Boating's circulation to a high of 60,000.

Peterson Publications folded its own Sea magazine into Lakeland Boating, growing the magazine from 40 pages per issue to 130 pages.

Kitz, now an associate publisher for the magazine, continued writing his "View from the Bridge" column until the magazine dropped it upon sale to its current publisher.

1983-Present: Walter "Bing" O'Meara

Walter "Bing" O'Meara and David Brown purchased Lakeland Boating in 1983. O'Meara learned magazine publishing in the food service and lodging trade journal industry.

Pleasure boating had been on a downturn since the gasoline crisis in 1974, when President Carter suggested fuel sales should not take place on weekends. Owing to this, Peterson Publications found its efforts to go national stymied and re-focused on the regional aspect of the magazine.

Upon O'Meara's purchase of the magazine, however, boating began an upturn in popularity that would continue for quite some time.

O'Meara moved the business office to Highland Park, Illinois, and brought original owner Vic Schoen back as a correspondent. In June of 1985, O'Meara bought out his partner, David Brown, and moved the offices to Chicago, Illinois. Offices moved to the Fountain Building in Evanston, Illinois in 1988, then to Chicago's historic Printer's Row in 2003, and back to Evanston in 2015 with offices in the Chandler's Building.

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