Holland friends launch floating hot dog stand on Lake Macatawa

Sharon Hanks

Boaters on Lake Macatawa can experience something new with the Sundog Nautical Refreshments, a customized floating pontoon boat fully equipped to serve up that All-American meal: sizzling hot dogs, ice cream and cold pop.

Launched last Sunday by two Holland friends, the souped-up 1976 25-foot pontoon boasts a stainless-steel grill, full-sized refrigerator and freezer, and the generator needed to run them. Joel Russcher says this inventive craft was dreamed up by his long-time friend Josh Elzinga.

"Josh has been thinking about this for many years," Russcher says. "This winter he shared his thoughts with me and we thought, 'Let's work on it.' The (Ottawa County) Health Department gave all of the requirements. Their biggest requirement was that we have to be able to wash all of the utensils (in hot water) on board."

The boat and its 1973 Johnson outboard motor, both found on Craigslist, cruise the lake with two 15-foot flags fluttering in the breeze, announcing the two main menu components: "hotdogs" and "ice-cream." Of course, the all-beef dogs can be dressed anyway you want with prices ranging from $2.50 to $3.50 each. Brats are also available along with chips, pop or water. "We want to do a quality product," he says.

Dog lovers will have to enjoy their wieners on their own dock or boat deck. "We'll be able to pull up to people's dock but Coast Guard regulations won't allow any customers onboard," the Sundog co-owner says.

He says the boat will be docked at Yacht Basin Marina in Holland but will head on the lake for business, dropping anchor near the Old Point West south of the Lake Michigan channel or near Eldean Shipyard marina in Macatawa. Weather permitting, hours will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The floating restaurant's crew was off to an enthusiastic start when it splashed down for business Sunday. It was cool and cloudy, but they still sold nearly 100 dogs in 1½ hours and were greeted by plenty of warm and welcoming boaters with honks, hollers, thumbs-up and turned heads. "We've had lots of people asking to work for us!"

"We want it to be a fun adventure," Russcher says, noting that it'll be a family affair. His wife, Karen, and Josh's wife, Jeanine, have already been involved with the design of the logo and menu planning. "We're prepared for a busy season!"

Source: Joel Russcher, co-owner of Sundog Nautical Refreshments on Lake Macatawa

Sharon Hanks is innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. Please send story ideas and comments for the column to Sharon at [email protected]. She also is owner of The Write Words in Grand Rapids.