Sunsation Sun Run Street Party: Three Variations On One Great Theme

Having been there since noon, I was ready to bail on today’s Sunsation Powerboats Sun Run street exhibit and party in New Baltimore, Mich., by 6 p.m. But there was one small problem: I had no story. The 80-something Sunsation sportboats and center consoles displayed were plenty cool, as were their happy owners. But “plenty cool” isn’t a story.

So I headed for Knapp’s City Garage restaurant to cool down with a cold beer—the day was stupid-hot and sticky—and give it a think.

Sunsation sportboats and center consoles took over downtown New Baltimore today. Drone images by Brad DiMaggio copyright Scrapyard Media

Spying my fancy Speed On The Water T-shirt, the two young men seated next to me at the bar asked me about photos and video during tomorrow’s event. They seemed excited to be there so I asked them a few questions. Which led to a bunch more questions.

Interview over and beer in my belly, I exited Knapp’s and literally walked smack into Sunsation co-founder Wayne Schaldenbrand. Standing next next to him was engine-builder and Lake of the Ozarks Shootout legend Tyler Crockett and his wife, Kim.

The next 15 minutes turned into interview heaven. I had my story. Three perspectives on one theme—unconditional love for the Sunsation brand.

Sometimes, it really is better to be lucky than good.

Sunsation Sportboat Owner Mitchell Lupcke—True Believer

Like the other 178 Sunsation owners who registered for the third annual Sun Run, 23-year-old Mitchell Lupcke (above right) of Bay City, Mich., pretty much worships the brand. Lupcke purchased his 2000-model-year Sunsation 25 Aggressor powered by a 310-hp MerCruiser 7.4-liter engine three years ago. He looked for “a year or two” before he found the Sunsation he wanted.

The 25-footer isn’t just his first Sunsation—it’s his first boat.

“I think they are the best-looking boats on the water,” Lupcke explained. “Sunsations are hand-built. They take their time with them. They build them right, in my opinion. And growing up in Michigan it is kind of cool to own a Michigan product. I love Michigan, so that was a big selling point for me as well.”

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The Sunsation faithful flocked to New Baltimore today.

Despite tomorrow’s dodgy weather forecast, Lupcke and his friend Dylan Wells are committed to participating rain or shine. It is their first Sun Run and they won’t let a little rain—or even a downpour—get in their way.

“We are going to wake up in the morning, put the boat in the water and then go to the captains’ meeting,” Lupcke said. “I don’t have goggles but I do have sunglasses and some foul-weather gear. We are just going to bundle up and do it.”

Engine Builder Tyler Crockett—Forever Faithful

Back when Sunsation still built sportboats and a buyer wanted big power beyond what existed in the Mercury Racing engine catalog, the company turned to Tyler Crockett. Based in Ruby, Mich. Crockett has decades of experience in the high-performance marine engine-building game. Plus, he was a fellow Michigander, which mattered a lot to the Schaldenbrand clan.

With Sunsation phasing out its sportboat line in favor of center consoles 12 years ago, Crockett’s services are no longer needed by the company. That works out for him as his offshore racing engine-building business is booming.

But Crockett will always be a Schaldenbrand and Sunsation fan, and every member of the Schaldenbrand family will always be a Crockett fan.

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More views from above.

“I will always come out and support John, Wayne and Joe,” Crockett said. “Plus, I get to see a lot of my old-time customers, though there are still a few I haven’t seen yet.

“I still can believe what Sunsation has become,” he added. “I see all these little 24 Rockets that were built in the 1980s. I talk to people from places like Georgia and South Carolina—they come from everywhere for this event. I guess they like the clean water we have in Michigan.”

Wayne Schaldenbrand, Resident Wild Man

Once upon time, there was a section of the Sunsation plant known as “Wayne’s World.” It was the place where he could dream and create to his designer-heart’s content. With the 43-year-old company’s move to center consoles, his role in the company has shifted. Yet Schaldenbrand is as stoked as ever on the brand he helped create.

“Oh buddy, is this a rock-and-roll, kick-ass event or what?” he said as he watched the street scene unfolding around him. “It doesn’t get any better. I am at the top, the pinnacle of my life. Does it get any better? Talk to me. It doesn’t, right? And It’s so good to see all these people here.

“New Baltimore loves this event,” he added, then laughed. “Hey, I grew up here. I used to terrorize these streets. I was the guy throwing eggs at cars on Halloween and being a clown. And now, man, it’s like we own these streets or something. It’s been a good run.”

Schaldenbrand, paused for a moment. “Hold on a second,” he said, then grinned. “I need to go start some trouble.”

Then he walked across the street to his dragboat and fired it up.