Meet Ann Marie North Star

WAUPACA – A sleek new catamaran-style boat made its debut on the Chain O’ Lakes on May
23 and marked a new chapter for Clear Water Harbor.
The new vessel, named Ann Marie North Star, officially joins the fleet on Taylor Lake following the retirement of the Lady of the Lakes last fall.
The North Star now sails alongside the Chief Waupaca, which is celebrating its 51st summer on the Chain O’Lakes.
“Waupaca is an amazing area, and we want more people to be able to experience it,” said Caitlin

Meighan, second-generation co-owner of Clear Water Harbor.
The Harbor’s location boasts a rich nautical legacy being home to the Chain’s first concessions and the area’s earliest steamboat tours which began in the 1870s.
Before it became the restaurant and bar it is today, the Harbor was known simply as the dock on the lake.
Arriving visitors would disembark at the train depot, hop a trolley to the water’s edge, and board steam-powered boats that carried them to their destinations.
The new boat’s name reflects this legacy. “North Star” was the name of one of the Chain
O’Lakes original launch boats and a favorite of Pat Meighan, one of Clear Water Harbor’s
founders.
As “Ann Marie” honors co-founder Ann Marie Meighan—also known as Mimi.
The North Star was purpose-built to address both changing tourism demands and long-standing guest feedback.
“After running the Lady for 40 years, we wanted to offer something with better visibility and
flexibility,” Caitlin said.
Unlike the enclosed Lady, the North Star features an open-air layout for unobstructed views of the lakes and a more immersive experience.
Built by SightSeer Marine in Hudson, Florida, the North Star was designed with versatility in mind.
Its catamaran-style hull and twin outboard motors allow it to navigate shallow waters and stop for swims. It can also dock at private piers which will allow charter parties board the vessel easier. Unlike the Lady, which required guests to navigate stairs, the North Star features a single-level, platform-style layout, which makes it more accessible.
“There aren’t many easy ways for people who don’t live on the water to actually get on the
water,” Caitlin said. “Not everyone is comfortable renting and piloting their own pontoon.”
The North Star holds up to 50 guests, offering both open-air seating and shaded areas beneath a canopy. It also includes a full-service bar and an onboard bathroom. Its maiden voyage was a family affair taken just before Memorial Day weekend by the Meighan family, which included Caitlin, Ryan, Maureen, Mimi and Pat Meighan.
Final touches to the vessel are beginning this week. The North Star will run 1.5 hour narrated tours from Taylor Lake and throughout eleven lakes of the Chain.
It will also host specialty cruises including cocktail cruises, cheese and wine tours and swim excursions.
As Clear Water Harbor celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer, the launch of the North Star will help continue the long tradition of bringing people together on the water.
Specialty cruise announcements will be shared via social media. Tours can be booked online at www.clearwaterharbor.com, or by calling 715-258-2866.