No doubt the mission and the advances of technology and ship-building require an update on the 'Mackinaw'.

But the 'original' was and is a beauty. I preferred the original white hull. It was just one of the coolest profiles on the Great Lakes.

Painted red, it sure stands out, but I guess it's just what you grew up remembering. Maybe whoever ends up with it will paint it white -- back to the 'glory days'.

Old timers to these formums aren't surprised at the news of the 'new Mackinaw' They got this news in January 1999 from Todd Shorkey\'s news flash

St. Tim posted pictures of the RED Mackinaw at Cheboygan and We\'ve talked about an Anchor Bay version as well in 1998