Notes From the Skipper

We don't know about you, but at Great Lakes Skipper we are DONE with old man winter. We've had enough and we think you have as well. Here are a couple of simple projects that can be done while the boat is still in the garage.

The thermometer might not be rising as quickly as we'd like, but with a few more minutes of light every day, spring is well on its way. The fish know it, too. As daylight lengthens and temperatures rise, fish leave their hideouts in the depths and come up to hunt. No need to wait for summer - grab your rod and tackle box and make the most of the early season.  

For those of us who are lucky enough to have a galley on board, food presents another point of contact for insect pests. Keeping your galley clean helps a lot, but even clean kitchens get bugs sometimes. There are some tricks you can try to keep them out or, if they’ve already invaded, to destroy them.

The insect world is filled with beauty: colorful butterflies, elegant dragonflies, and cute ladybugs. It’s also home to less beautiful but mostly harmless creatures like ants and crickets. And then there are the wasps. Wasps are just straight-up jerks.

We boaters talk a lot about big pests like raccoons, squirrels, and seagulls and the damage they can cause. Trouble, however, comes in all sizes. 

Nothing says "relaxation" like a hammock. It's surprisingly easy to make your own, too. No sailor knot skills needed! 

Free Shipping Day is coming! On December 14, Great Lakes Skipper will offer up to $50 in FREE shipping! Details below. 

We're all about saving you money, so here are some of our favorite stocking stuffers. Enjoy!

It's late October. The leaves are falling and darkness comes early. It's the perfect time to bundle up and gather around a bonfire on the beach to swap ghost stories. There are many nautical spine-tingling tales, but here's our most recent favorite: the ghostly Palatine Light of Block Island. 

Some folks are lucky to live in kind climates with warm temperatures year round. Here in the upper midwestern USA, we know winter is on the way, but the end of summer doesn't spell the end of boating season. As the leaves and temperatures start to fall, we bundle up and boat on!