all at sea southeast 0414

ALL AT SEAS O U T H E A S T

K A Y A K I N G T H E F L O R I D A K E Y S B A H A M A S B I L L F I S H C H A L L E N G E

CHARTER FISHERMEN: Inspired to Find FishDeepwater Horizon - FOUR YEARS LATER

ENVIBOATS:Building Your Own Boat

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COVER SHOT: A Sea Pearl 21 anchored in inches of water at a small boat meet in Cedar Key, Fla. | Photo by Glenn Hayes

THIS ISSUET H E S O U T H E A S T S TAT E S WAT E R F R O N T M AG A Z I N E

32NEWS 8 Southeast News

9 Event Calendar

BOAT14 Miami Boat Show Full of New Products

16 ENVIBOATS You Build Others Envy

20 Spring Maintenance: Thru-Hull and Seacock Inspections

CHARTER22 Choosing a Charter: The Joys of Power Yachts

CRUISE24 My Theory of Righteousness, Perseverance, and Good Karma

FISH28 Fishing Report

30 2014 Bahamas Billsh Challenge

LIFESTYLE32 Deepwater Horizon, The Long Road to Recovery

34 Charter Fishermen Inspired To Find Fish

PADDLE38 Kayak Trail Beckons Paddlers

SAIL40 The Sea Pearl

EAT64 Plant Based Poppers

RESOURCES 6 Where in the World?

44 Southeast Marinas

45 Southeast Boatyards

46 Coastal Real Estate Guide

51 Brokerage/Classieds

58 Marketplace

62 Sponsor Directory

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ALL AT SEAS O U T H E A S T

Publisher: CHRIS KENNAN

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Editor:TERRY BORAM

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Letter from the Editor

EXPOSE YOUR PASSION

T his month Capn Fatty writes about his Theory of Righteousness. He writes, If you do something with great passion, people will help. I decided to put this theory to the test at the Miami International Boat Show in February by simply being myself. There was no pretending that I didnt know a red sh from a blue sh or a V-hull from a at hull. Okay, so these should have been obvious but you get my point. I let my passion for learning shine and boy did people respond!

Yamaha invited me to test several of their products on a variety of vessels. I began each session with, Im a sailor and know very little about powerboats. Maybe not my nest pick-up-line but it seemed to work. The boat manufacturer and Yamaha representatives on each test appeared to have fun answering the questions of a pure novice. Scout Product Specialist Josh Slayton went the extra mile by putting me behind the wheel of a Scout 195 with the new Yamaha 115. Timid at rst, I eased the vessel along, as if I were giving a sightseeing tour. Egged on to throttle it up I took a deep breath and gave it all she had. The grin on my face exposed the new braces I had been trying to hide. Dont tell my husband, but I really enjoyed the adrenaline rush. Read my wrap-up report to learn about all the other products I discovered at the show.

This month we highlight a variety of trailerable vessels. Glenn Hayes discov-ers a company in Tarpon Springs, Fla., that designs sailboats specically for the shallows of the Gulf. Helen Aitken explores building your own boat. ENVI-BOATS in North Carolina has a variety of boats and packages for beginners to experienced craftsmen. If throwing a kayak on top of the car is more your speed then follow us down the Keys kayak trail.

Take a look back at the Deep Water Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and see how far the recovery has come. On the other side of the Gulf, learn what inspires Texas charter sherman. Get a rare glimpse inside their special fraternity.

Our Chartering 101 series continues with a focus on power yachts. Power chartering gives you more destinations within your vacation time-frame and more time to explore them. Speaking of destinations, Jeff Dennis tells us about a Billsh Tournament coming up in the Bahamas.

Capn Fatty brings it full circle this month by saying ...I suspect that each of us has great passion for somethingand is afraid to attempt to pull it off. Come outside of your box as I did and see what else there is to explore. You may be surprised to nd your next passion.

Terry Boram, Vision Editor

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WHERE IN THE WORLD?CO N G R AT U L AT I O N S TO C - Q UA R T E R S A N D L E F T Y A N D T H A N K S F O R R E A D I N G A L L AT S E A !

The gang here at C-Quarters and our mascot, Lefty, really enjoy receiving our new edition of All At Sea!

C-Quarters Marina in Carrabelle, Fla. is noted for such tournament highlights as our sponsorship of the annual kids free shing tournament in July. Another outstanding effort of this marina is the devotion and support we gather celebrating every August, during our 2 day Kingsh Shoot-out tournament. We have raised more than $700,000.00 to benet the Leukemia Research Foundation in honor of Lisa Crowder Jackson.

Located in the panhandle, we are a favorite jumping off point to Floridas west coast, and Mobile. We all enjoyed the immune boosting recipes in the boat bites edition, helping us all to stay healthy in this unusually cold weather!

Looking forward to our next edition of All At Sea!!

Send us a picture of you reading All At Sea and you may win a free subscription. We will select one winner a month. Please send images & your information to: [email protected] or mail to: 382 NE 191st Street #32381, Miami, Florida, 33179-3899.

Sea Pearl Tri-Sport boats at rest on a beach in Tarpon Springs Florida.

APRIL 2014 ALLATSEA.NET 7

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rina, a new waterfront restaurant, offers two very different dining experiences: Upstairs and Dockside. The establish-ment is named for owner Johnny Fisher, formerly of local fa-vorites LuLus and The Gulf, and sited at the Orange Beach Marina in Orange Beach, Ala.

Fishers Upstairs is a rened yet unpretentious space, with indoor and outdoor seating and two beautiful bars. Chef Bill Briands seasonally inspired menu celebrates local ingredients and his Louisiana heritage. Fishers Dockside, on the other hand, is more fun and casual, distinct for its garage-style doors, grass lawn area and bar-and-grill fare.

Weve assembled an amazing team of well-rounded professionals passionate about food, drink, design and hospitality, Fisher said. Together with the amazing set-ting of a world-class marina, we offer one of the nest experiences in the South.

Whether Upstairs or Dockside, Fishers promises a clean, modern, nautical atmosphere with great food, signature drinks, captivating design and friendly, attentive service. For more information, visit www.shersobm.com.

All At Sea Writer Wins AwardBoating Writers International (BWI) recognized the winners of its annual writing contest at an awards ceremony held during the Miami International Boat Show on February 14. The contest attracted 131 participants, submitting 337 en-tries in 17 categories.

All At Sea Southeast writer Suzi DuRant received third place

SOUTHEAST NEWSWAT E R F R O N T H A P P E N I N G S A R O U N D T H E R E G I O N

Sea Ray Launches L-ClassWhen one of the worlds largest builders of berglass pow-erboats adds an entirely new yacht class to its eet, thats pretty big news. Such was the case when Sea Ray premiered its L-Class at the Miami International Boat Show in February with the debut of the L650 Fly.

Were thrilled to introduce the L-Class. This marks a new era for Sea Ray, a direct result of our desire to shape a better boating future and to offer a new class of yachts above and beyond anything our customers have ever seen, said Tim Schiek, president of Sea Ray. The L-Class speaks not only to Sea Rays commitment to purposeful innovation, but also to the companys strong legacy of impeccable craftsmanship, performance and service. Its a marriage of style and sub-stance, because we rmly believe in the importance of both.

The L650 Fly is a modern bridge boat driven by CAT marine power and available with optional Sea Keeper gy-roscopic stabilizers for reliability and comfort at sea. The yacht is expected to reach top speeds in excess of 30 knots, while its QuietRide technology, a Sea Ray exclusive feature, ensures reduced noise and vibration under way.

Look for more L-Class yachts at the Fort Lauderdale Inter-national Boat Show in October the L650 Express and the L580 Fly and Express.

Adding Flavor to Orange Beach MarinaOne of the Southeasts top marinas now gives boaters an-other reason to tie up there. Fishers at Orange Beach Ma-

Sea Ray L650 Fly

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ANNAPOLIS, MDAPRIL 11 13Bay Bridge Spring Boat Show | Boat Showwww.USBoat.com410-268-8828

APRIL 25 27Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show | Boat Showwww.USBoat.com410-268-8828

CHARLESTON, SCAPRIL 10 13Charleston Race WeekSailing Regattawww.CharlestonRaceWeek.com843-259-2672

APRIL 25 27Charleston In-Water Boat Show | Boat [email protected]

DELTAVILLE, VAAPRIL 5Sailing Seminar - Deltaville Yachting [email protected]

MAY 3 4Deltaville Dealer DaysBoat Showwww.DeltavilleVA.com

GULFPORT, MSAPRIL 3 6Gulfcoast Yacht and Boat Show | Boat Showwww.gulfcoastyachtand [email protected]

HILTON HEAD, SCMAY 3 4Hilton Head Island Boat Show | Boat Showwww.hiltonheadisland boatshow.commuffy@windmillharbour boatshow.com843-681-5600

JACKSONVILLE, FLAPRIL 11 13Southeast US Boat ShowBoat Show

EVENT CALENDARPlease send future events to [email protected]. This month and next months events are currently published here and at www.allatsea.net. Your specific area may or may not be shown based on identified activities for these months.

southeastusboatshow.com904-759-2758

NEW ORLEANS, LAMAY 2 3Tickfaw 200 | Blood River Marina | Poker Runbloodrivermarina.com/ tickfaw-200/Tickfaw200@bloodriver marina.com(225) 294-3876

ORIENTAL, NCAPRIL 11 13Oriental Boat ShowBoat Showwww.OrientalBoatShow.comsalmonboone@embarqmail.com252-249-0228

SARASOTA, FLAPRIL 25 27Suncoast Boat ShowBoat Showwww.showmanagement.com/ suncoast_boat_show/event/954-764-7642

SEABROOK, TXMAY 3 4Keels & Wheels Concours dElegance | Boat [email protected]

TREASURE ISLAND, FLAPRIL 18 1923rd Annual Suncoast Kingsh ClassicFishing Tournamentwww.shska.com

WASHINGTON, NCAPRIL 26Washington Marine MarketNautical Flea Marketwww.Washingtononthe Water.comwhda@washingtonon thewater.com252-947-1487

WILMINGTON, NCAPRIL 5Cape Fear Community College Boat ShowBoat [email protected]

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NEWS


Southeast News

in The Business of Boating category for her piece Scout Boats Future in our November 2013 issue. DuRant received a $200 cash prize as well as a plaque noting her Excellence in creating compelling stories about the boating lifestyle through entertaining, educational and inspiring journalism.

Congratulations to DuRant for this prestigious award. All At Sea is proud to have her as a member of our writing team. Look for more articles from DuRant in the coming months.

TGYC Expands Hatteras/CABO PartnershipTom George Yacht Group (TGYG) has been named the au-thorized sales and service center for Hatteras and CABO Yachts on the west coast of Florida.

We are very excited to have the Tom George Yacht Group representing our brands, said John Ward, presi-dent and CEO of Hatteras/CABO Yachts. Tom and his team bring a wealth of experience and passion for both our industry and Hatteras and CABO.

George has sold the Hatteras brand for more than 16 years and is a former Top Salesman of the Year as well as a Distinguished Salesman of the Year for 11 years straight. He has built many custom Hatteras yachts and is an author-ity when it comes to new builds, new designs and assist-ing clients with purchasing and/or selling motor yacht and sportsh yachts, according to a new release.

TGYG is an active supporter and member of the Florida Yacht Brokers Association, and George, a Certied Profes-sional Yacht Broker (CPYB), has served on the associations board of directors for more than four years.

TGYG is located at Marker One Marina in Dunedin, Fla., one of the largest marinas on Floridas west coast. Marker One offers 144 wet slips, 250 dry slips, 24-hour fuel avail-ability and full services just inside Hurricane Pass on the Gulf of Mexico, the billsh capital of the world.

Oriental Boat Show Expands to Accommodate More BoatsCelebrating its sixth year, the Oriental Boat Show is moving across the creek to Oriental Harbor Village and Marina to ac-commodate the increasing demand for wet slips and sea tri-

als. The small shing village and Sailing Capital of North Caro-lina will host upwards of 100 boats and 90 vendors April 11-13.

Were a destination show, said Sam Myers, Oriental Rotary Club show committee chairman. We attract serious buyers from about a dozen states for all types of watercraft from kayaks to inshore and offshore shing boats to sailing vessels to luxury yachts.

Sea trials can often seal a deal so we decided to make the move this year, he said.

Oriental is located at ICW mile marker 182 on the Neuse River.

Power to the PeopleTeaching boaters how to operate their vessels safely can be a tough and oftentimes thankless job. So, its important to recognize the men and women volunteers of the US Power Squadrons (USPS), who provide exceptional service and public boating safety education in their communities.

At the organizations recent annual meeting in Jackson-ville, Fla., ve squadrons and one district were honored with Distinguished Civic Service Awards. This years gathering was extra special as it marked the 100th Anniversary for the USPS, which today has more than 400 regional squadrons for owners of both sail and powerboats.

BoatUS Foundation Assistant Director of Boating Safety, Ted Sensenbrenner, who presented the awards said, Pow-er Squadron members have a wealth of knowledge and ex-perience to share. These volunteers spend their own time teaching boating safety classes and give up their weekends to offer free vessel safety checks. We thank them for their commitment to help others out, and greatly value the ser-vices they provide.

The ve squadrons earning Distinguished Civic Service Awards in 2013 were:s 3T0ETERSBURG3AIL0OWER3QUADRONIN3T0ETERSBURG&LA

Fort Macon Sail and Power Squadron Commander Kenneth D. Link with

the US Power Squadrons Top Squadron Award.


Marina by MarinaLife members. Additionally, Dog River is a sponsor of many local and regional charity events and tour-naments benetting the Mobile Mental Health Hospital, the Volunteers of America and other charity organizations.

Founded in 1960, the marina has 38 employees, many of which have been with the company for more than 25 years. One has worked for the marina for nearly 42 years. Thats what Im most proud of, owner Ralph Sonny Middleton said.

Dog River was chosen as the top among 650 other marinas in the U.S. and Caribbean that supply ValvTect marine fuels. Other nalists were Southport Marina in Southport, N.C., and Harbour Town Yacht Basin in Hilton Head, S.C.

Southeast News

s ,AKE.ORMAN3AIL0OWER3QUADRONIN,AKE.ORMAN.#s #RYSTAL2IVER3AIL0OWER3QUADRONIN#RYSTAL2IVER&LAs 0EACE2IVER3AIL0OWER3QUADRONIN0UNTA'ORDAAND0ORT#HARLOTTE&LAs &ORT-ACON3AIL0OWER3QUADRONIN-OREHEAD#ITY.#

Awards were determined by the amount of logged class-room hours, community outreach hours and the conducting of vessel safety checks.

The Top District Award, which recognizes the collective ef-forts of all of the squadrons within a region, went to District 27, which is made up of 20 squadrons in North and South Carolina.

Top Dog MarinaDog River Marina & Boatworks of Mobile, Ala., was named ValvTect Marina of the Year at the recent International Marina & Boatyard Conference (IMBC). ValvTect President Jerry Nessen-son recognized the facility for its outstanding customer service, community involvement and environmental stewardship.

A certied Clean Marina, the 90-slip marina is located at Mile Marker 1 of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and is known as a preferred destination for local boaters, transients and those doing the Great Loop. It can accommodate vessels as large as 150 feet and has dockside depths of 12 to 17 feet.

Over the years, the marina has achieved many accom-plishments, some of which include being named Marina of the Year by Marina Dock Age magazine and Best Transient

A special exhibit titled The Lure of Florida Fishing is now open at the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee, telling the tale of the states long relationship with rod and reel. Organizations and individuals from around the country have loaned imagery, sh mounts, early tackle and other memorabilia for display. Among the highlights are two of the most storied trophies in sport: the Mrs. Henry Rea Silver Sailsh Derby trophy from the West Palm Beach Fishing Club and the Metropolitan Miami Fishing Tournaments (METs) H.H. Hyman Memorial Trophy. Each was the highly sought top prize of its respective long-running competition.

Also on display will be two original paintings by Stanley Meltzoff, widely acclaimed as one of the nest angling artist of all time. The two canvases - one of a hooked bonesh and the other of a school of jacks - represent scenes familiar to Florida sportsmen.

This exhibit allows visitors to experience and learn about the fasci-nating history and lineage of sportshing in the Sunshine State, said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. We hope visitors and Floridians alike will get hooked on Florida shing, as so many have before them.

The Lure of Florida Fishing runs through August 26. For a list of summer-long educational programs relating to the exhibit, visit WWWMUSEUMOF&LORIDAHISTORYCOM

THE ART OF SPORTFISHING

Left to right: Bob Schwartz, vice president Dog River Marina; Paul Craufurd, regional manager ValvTect

Petroleum; Sonny Middelton, president Dog River Marina; and Jerry Nessenson, president ValvTect Petroleum.

Bonefish 16: Between the Boat and the Cuda by Stanley Meltzoff, 41 x 25, 1972


MIAMI BOAT SHOW FULLOF NEW PRODUCTS

Imagine twenty football elds of carpeted oor space covering two oors of a convention center. Now throw in two separate in-the-water venues with miles of docks. That is the sheer size of the Miami International Boat Show in February. I arrived this year with a very clear purpose -- to nd the products that YOU, our readers, want to learn more about. After four days of walking and talking, here are snippets of what I found to whet your appetite.

There was no shortage of boat debuts. Contender un-veiled their 24 Sport with standard family-friendly features including forward seating and step-down head. For the all out sherman, the new Regulator 23 has a ush liner for en-hanced shability and loads of storage. Grady-White showed off their new CE Coastal Explorer with the exclusive SeaV2 hull while Carolina Skiff highlighted their new Tunnel Se-ries which allows the boat to run in three inches of water.

During Boston Whalers annual press brieng, they un-veiled a perfectly replicated model of the new 420 Outrage coming at the end of the year. Their largest model yet is specically designed to encourage entertaining. You can trust we will have all the details later this year.

A brand new company introduced a boat that addresses the where to keep it issue. Island Boats unveiled the only retractable and expandable pontoon boat that can be towed behind a car and stored in a standard garage. The oat on and

Miami Beach Convention Center

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who featured their new Oceanis 38. This singular boat can be congured as a Daysailor, a Weekender or a Cruiser -- you pick. The loft-inspired design gives the cabin an openness Ive never experienced in a monohull. Almost everything becomes an option when designing the perfect boat to suit your needs. Best of all, they are made in Marion, S.C.

Hobie Cat and American Sailing Association (ASA) have taken the excitement generated by ORACLE TEAM USAs come-from-behind Americas Cup victory to create a tar-geted sailing education program. The new concept boat, with its distinctive black hulls and logoed sails, is the rst in a series of special edition ASA/Hobie catamarans designed to make it easy to learn. The boats will be offered by Hobie Cat sailboat dealers worldwide later this year, concurrent with ASAs rollout of this exciting program in or as a part of their 300+ sailing schools.

Harry Horgan, Founder and CEO of Shake-a-leg Miami, South Floridas premier, adaptive watersports community serving people of all abilities, showed off the latest boat in his eet, a catamaran meticulously designed by a wheel-chaired gentleman to cross the Atlantic Ocean on his own. The completely accessible boat has wheelchair elevators to access the hulls, a track system at the helm for greater maneuverability and an extra-wide catwalk around the boat for sail handling. In June, Harry and his team will begin their tour down the east coast promoting sailing for physically challenged individuals. You can bet we will be following.

Stay tuned to All At Sea Southeast for in-depth product reviews and more features from the great companies exhib-iting at this years show.

BOAT

off trailer makes it a breeze to launch. While Dad parks the trailer, Mom pushes a button to expand the boat from 74 to 10. No wonder they received the NMMA Innovation Award.

I also had the opportunity to do some test rides on boats featuring Yamaha products. The Scout 195 had the new F115 outboard with Yamahas exclusive Shift Dampener System. No longer will you hear clunk when shifting or in gear. The four-stroke is the lightest 115 available and with the all new exhaust system and reduced vibration it is also the quietest. On the Everglades 325 CC I had the joy of testing Yamahas Helm Master. This boat control system allows someone like myself to easily maneuver a boat with a light touch on a joystick.

LEHR, maker of the worlds rst propane-powered out-board engine, introduced its bigger, faster and stronger 15 hp model. Equipped with an internal battery, a feature now available on the 9.9 hp engine, a simple ip of the switch starts the purr of their signature environmentally friendly engines.

The eco-friendly theme continued with Elco Motor Yachts and their all-electric inboard motors which we featured in the March issue. Drawing upon Elcos rich history, they cur-rently offer six models with diesel equivalency ranging from 6 to 100 horsepower. Performance without the diesel smell.

Another brand-new company and product was the Dun-garoo -- an odorless, waterless, and powerless head which uses a unique bagging system that seals, treats and con-verts bio-hazardous waste into normal disposable trash. This head is simple to install, eliminates the need for a hold-ing tank and requires no messy clean-up.

At Strictly Sail, I immediately gravitated towards Beneteau

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ENVIBOATS YO U B U I L D OT H E R S E N V YBY HELEN AITKEN

If youve decided to build a boat using a kit, think about ENVIBOATS. Dont expect their designs to be a pre-packaged, what-you-see-is-what-you-get kit. Its so dif-ferent, they call it The Build.Its the cheapest way to buy a custom boat for about a

third the cost, says Marc Shlaes, President of ENVIBOATS. The latest sophisticated computer and engineering tech-nology creates customer-inspired, Carolina-style freshwater or saltwater boats, with options. Is this the cheapest way to buy a boat? No, go buy a used boat, Shlaes quips.

Our mission is to make building your boat as attractive, exciting and doable for those who have never built a boat as for those who have. For the greatest percentage of our builders, an ENVIBOATS cold-mold composite is their rst signicant build. Shlaes interviews potential customers to determine if his product is a good t for their skill level, time and budget. The number one statement he hears is, Ive wanted to do this my whole life.

Customer Ed Roberson, a CPA from Durham, NC, began working on his 21 Near Shore Blackn boat 2 years ago. With no carpentry expertise, hes in the nal fairing stages before ipping his boat. The skills he gained produced a

self condence ready to tackle almost anything. Youre working with wood and glue. If you mess up, you cut it out. He wanted to build a family friendly boat and do some sh-ing, even in the ocean. It doesnt matter when I nish; my goal is to make a showpiece. With an approximate budget of $30,000, he gures his meticulously completed boat will be worth about three times that.

There are three ways to make an ENVIBOATS product. The customer may purchase The Build including leased jigs to create the hull shape, then buy the materials; or purchase The Build plus pre-cut items using the FasBild options; or have the boat made. The bottom line is the more you want

Ed Roberson and co-worker, Chris McGhee celebrate the

whiskey plank on the port side.

Ed Roberson begins to dry fit the planks before

attaching them with epoxy.

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April 11th-13th


boat is paid for except for the motor. Almost all are talking about doing the next build, boasts Shlaes.

Four stages move the boat from skeleton to completed skin to topside work to nish and launch. A builder is never alone during any of these stages. Were happy when the phone rings; we love talking boats, says Marc Shlaes. On-going customer support continues through the build, at no extra cost. We have created an online builders forum that has become a lively environment, Shlaes reports. These builders are proud of their work and excited about how they progress, share stats, and receive advice.

Initially the company targeted professional builders, pro-viding jigs for very large boats. Seven professional builders now use ENVIBOATS jigs with a license fee for multiple uses and reduced rate for second time customers. Because jigs for smaller boats were then unavailable, ENVIBOATS went after DIYers. Regardless, the support level is the same.

Donnie Parrott from Morehead City, N.C. has built three ENVIBOATS since 2009. One he sold, keeping two for sh-ing and casual cruising, saying Its the best experience Ive ever had, and the most fullling thing Ive ever done.

ENVIBOATS products and methods are found in the class-rooms of North Carolinas Croatan High Schools boat build-ing class and Carteret Community Colleges Marine Technol-ogy accredited program. Marc Shlaes envisions ENVIBOATS being in other boat building programs in the region.

ENVIBOATS has a build shop in New Bern, N.C. (910) 213-3200, and headquarters in Southport, N.C. Contact ENVIBOATS at, [email protected], or www.ENVI BOATS.com.

to do yourself, the less the boat costs. Were here to reduce the stress of building a boat, says Shlaes.

The jig is a computer-cut (CNC cut), intricate plywood form that acts as the hulls mold during construction. Once you set the jig properly, you pretty much are going to make a good boat. If a boat part can be CNC cut, we will do it for you as a FasBild option for a small fee. Items may include glued parts like compound, intricate curved pieces; the keel, stringers, bulkheads or built-in fuel tank beds. The builder typically locates long Douglas r boards that are difcult to ship. However, Its essential to have the right kind of ber-glass and resin for the process and nearly all purchase that from us, says Shlaes. Additionally, ENVIBOATS can provide extra hands in their warehouse to expedite the building.

For Rob White, in IT, from Mechanicsville, Md., the attrac-tion of the build was the construction in stages method. He began his 17 Flats boat in November 2011, describing her as a shallow water boat with sexy lines, and extreme are. Im going to have it built in 6 months he said laughing. My wife still cant park in the garage. What hooked him was the boats curves and customer support. I never took shop class but now, Ive developed an eye for aws. He hopes to have the boat in the water this summer. The boat will be christened Sandy, because my family says this boat is 20% building and 80% sanding.

Each builder comes to the project with different re-sources, different skills and different expectations of the nished product. Shlaes goes on to say the build time can range from several months to many years. The builder pays up front for each stage of the project so when nished, the

Enviboats

Ed Robersons boat coming together with jigs, keel and stringers ready to plank.

Ed Robersons hull during the Fairing process.

Ed Robersons boat ready to flip.

Rugged. Condent. Unsinkable. The new 350 Outrage is designed for aggressive anglers who expect great things from their boat. Professional-grade amenities and options abound, like three insulated in-oor shboxes, a deluxe bait-prep station, and a huge aft livewell right where you want it. Abundant rod storage keeps your arsenal at hand. An optional upper station provides

superior visibility for tracking down big game. And legendary Boston Whaler construction means a smooth, dry ride even in rough conditions. So even the most hardcore shing runs are seriously enjoyable.

I N T R O D U C I N G T H E 3 5 0 O U T R A G E

a new offshoreadventure begins


According to BoatUS, 50% of all boats that sink do so as the result of failed underwater ttings. Given this fact it is surprising how little care most boat owners give to this important hardware. As a surveyor, it is part of my job to inspect a vessels thru-hulls, seacock and associated hoses during my surveys. I am often surprised at just what I nd. Old, dry rotted hoses on cor-roded ttings attached to a frozen seacock are more com-mon than those in good condition. More than once while checking the operation of a seacock I have had a handle come off in my hand with little effort on my part.

Although nobody likes crawling around in bilges, put-ting off this one chore could literally get you in deep water. Equally as important is to make sure all your underwater gear is in good condition. I suggest at least twice a year all underwater ttings and hoses be inspected and tested for proper operation. This will also help the owner become familiar with the location of all these critical ttings. If any ttings are hard or impossible to reach, it may be time to think about relocating them to more accessible locations.

When checking your underwater pumping, start by mak-ing sure the sea valves work easily by hand. For larger valves, an extension for additional leverage may help. Make sure all valves are tted with handles and there is nothing obstructing the full swing of the handle. If your vessel is electrically bonded, check that bonding wires are intact and

SPRING MAINTENANCE:

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CAPT. WAYNE CANNING, AMS

the connection is not corroded. Any backing block should be checked for general condition as well. Wood blocks tend to get soft with age in wet areas.

Next, check all the ttings for corrosion. I have found more often than not, when a failure occurs it happens at the ttings attached to the valves. Very often a pipe to hose barb is tted. It is in the threads of these ttings that the most corrosion occurs. The hose can also trap moisture on or near these threads adding to the problem. Pay close at-tention to plastic ttings as well, as these can crack from age or excessive side pressure from the hose.

Check the hoses for signs of cracking and dry rot. Surpris-ingly, I am seeing more and more hoses just a few years old cracking, and in some cases, leaking. Follow the hose to its ends and inspect any ttings and connections at both ends. Make sure all the hose clamps are tight and rust free. Hose

T H R U - H U L L A N D S E ACO C K I N S P E C T I O N S

Leak causing corrosion that can lead to fitting failure

These fittings literally came apart in my hand. Note the failure at the top of the valve.


clamps can and do loosen with age and vibration.If your vessel has air conditioning pay special attention to

all these ttings and hoses. A simple drip while the vessel is sitting can accelerate while it is in operation. The ttings on most air conditioner pumps tend to be problematic and care should be taken that all hoses connected to the pump are well supported with no side loads.

All ttings on the engines should be inspected carefully as well, to include exhaust hoses and ttings that are at or below the waterline. The greatest percentage of boats that sink while underway do so because of failed engine ttings or hoses. Engines pumping water through a leaking hose can quickly ll a bilge without the operator ever noticing it. Stufng boxes and shaft glands should also be checked both in the slip and underway. Todays dripless seals can be great for keeping the bilges dry, but can let a large amount of water in, should they fail. Be sure to check the hose clamps here as well.

High water alarms are great for knowing about leaks ear-ly and I strongly recommend all boats be tted with these simple devices. The alarms are basically a high water switch mounted a few inches above the normal bilge level with a buzzer or siren mounted at or near the helm. When a boat is in operation, the sound will let the operator know quickly when there is a problem, and while at the slip, will alert the dock master of a problem.

As we gear up for the new boating season, now is a good time to check all your under water ttings. This is particu-larly true of any boats that might have spent the winter in colder climates where freezing can break or weaken ttings. An hour or so of time could save you thousands in repair costs and possibly save your life.

Capt. Wayne Canning lives on his Irwin 40 VAYU, in Wilm-ington N.C. A marine professional for more than 35 years he is now a full time Marine Surveyor, freelance writer, and consultant/project manager on major repairs. Capt. Wayne also runs web sites for those restoring project boats. Visit www.4ABetterBoat.com and www.projectboatzen.com for more information.

Well maintained setup

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T heres a great saying that aptly describes the dif-ference between power versus sail. That is, On a powerboat, its when will we get there? On a sailing yacht, youre already there, shares Ami Ira, managing director of C U Yacht Charters, based in Fort Lau-derdale, Fla.

Speed, comfort and convenience are what power yachts offer, explains Ian Pedersen, assistant marketing manager at the Moorings, headquartered in Clearwater, Fla., which charters a eet of 36- to 50-foot power catamarans. Power yachts open up the world of chartering to an entirely new audience who may not be familiar with sailing, but who are familiar with powerboats and may even own a powerboat themselves. Boaters are not limited as to where they can go due to the wind or weather. If the object of your vacation

is not to spend time sailing but to maximize your time ex-ploring different snorkeling holes, beaches, or sampling the local bars and restaurants, having a vessel that can quickly get you from A to B is invaluable.

Demand for power yachts in charter eets is on the rise, says Raul Bermudez, vice president of the charter division for Clearwater, Fla.-based MarineMax Vacations, which of-fers 38- to 48-foot luxury power cats. In the U.S., there are approximately 10 times more power boaters than there are sailors, but the opposite is true when it comes to the num-ber of power boats available to charter.

The need for speed on a power yacht brings with it the unique ability to explore and see more while on charter. One itinerary, offering a wonderful example, departs from Nassau and powers through the Exuma chain, recommends

CHOOSING A CHARTER:THE JOYS OF POWER YACHTS

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CHARTERC U Yacht Charters Ira. It is easy to cover a lot of different islands, see the most amazing crystal clear clean water and sand anywhere, and in typically calm seas.

As for comfort, power catamarans tend to offer better ac-commodations than sailboats plus they can typically cater to more guests, MarineMaxs Bermudez explains. In order to get the same amount of accommodations and comfort that you nd on say a MarineMax 484 power catamaran, you would need to charter a 70-plus foot monohull.

The desire to be pampered is another big reason clients charter power yachts.

C U Yacht Charters Ira explains, The powerboat charter guests dont want to help sail the boat, they want to be en-tertained, cooked for, doted on, and made to feel special. For example, clients can often eat better on a chartered power yacht, they can drink from ne crystal while under-way, they can have a massage, take a dip in the hot tub, take the wave runners out for a spin, slide down the water-slide, all of course, depending on what toys are available on the yacht they charter.

Power also allows the charter guest to enjoy all the con-veniences of home while on the water.

The power boats in charter typically offer a lot more equipment than what is found in sailboat charter boats, MarineMaxs Bermudez says. For example, the entire MarineMax Vacations charter eet has water makers, elec-tric BBQ grills, air conditioning, fresh water electric ush systems, state of the art electronics and dont forget the fancy stereo systems.

The biggest concern clients voice when choosing be-tween sail versus power is cost. This mainly relates to fuel. However, says C U Yacht Charters Ira, In my opinion, Americans like to see value for money, and they tend to consider the more places they can see in a week, the bet-ter the value.

Fuel is really the only additional cost to consider when comparing a power catamaran versus a sailboat charter, ex-plains the Moorings Pedersen. Other than the fuel charge, which is assessed when you return the boat, every other aspect of the trip is very similar to what you would expect from a sailboat charter regarding cost.

Fuel consumption varies greatly depending on how fast the boat and how often the generator are run, says Marine-Maxs Bermudez. On average, for a full week of charter, fuel consumption on our 382 power cat that has twin 110HP engines varies from as little as $350 up to about $650. On our four stateroom 484 with twin 330 Volvo engines the fuel consumption varies from $750 to $1,250. Power catamarans in charter today are very fuel efcient, therefore the cost is not that big a factor when compared to the room and ame-nities you can get on board.PH

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BY CAPN FATTY GOODLANDER

MY THEORY OF RIGHTEOUS-NESS, PERSEVERANCE, AND GOOD KARMA

If your dreams are huge and your bank account tiny, you have to think out of the box. Sometimes, of course, I think a tad too far out of the box and end up in a place where I cant even see the friggn box -- but hey, thats life in the experimental lane.

I like the road less traveled. Im a mist and proud of it. Perhaps thats why I like the Caribbean so much because it is still a sunny place for shady people. Theres a gentle-man named Barefoot Davis on St. Thomas whos been se-renely walking the streets of Red Hook with his guitar for years. Amazing, eh?

The problem is, as I see it, money makes the world go round. Since I was born poor and have spent most of my life bobbing offshore amid the otsam and jetsam of Western culture, I tend to be more... well, more full of shet (sp) than money.

Not many men will admit to such a thing. Still, a golden tongue is worth something even if it isnt

attached to a brain.

The key, I think, is to be goal-oriented. Ive always wanted to go to sea, so Ive spent a lot of time offshore, off the grid, off-kilter, and off my rocker. It has been a crazy, daft life, but a fun one.

At 15 years old, while saving up my money to 1) buy a car; 2) go to California, and; 3) act worse than Jim Morrison and the Doors, I purchased my rst offshore vessel for $200. The Corina was a William Atkins Eric Junior design, 25 feet LOA, and built in 1932 of Port Oxford cedar. She needed some work, to put it mildly. She had no rig and her engine didnt run. All her metal bits were gone. Shed been used as a gang hang out (this was in Chicago) and the F-word was spray painted inside her in numerous places. A re, prob-ably for warmth, had been started in her head. Someone had shat in the bilge, repeatedly.

The moment I saw her, I fell in love. Perfect! I cried.The guy who owned her had taken her in lieu of a bad

debtand he wanted too much money for her. I convinced


This is when I developed my Righteous Cause theory. I know, I know it already sounds nuts and stupid and soph-omoric and all the goofy things I am but this theory has governed everything Ive done since.

It is a very simple theory: if you do something with great passion, people will help. Why? I am not sure. However, I suspect that each of us has great passion for something and is afraid to attempt to pull it off. Were cautious; perhaps even cowardly. But when we see someone who has thrown all caution and common sense to the wind in pur-suit of something they care deeply about, we have to smile, shake our heads in disbelief, and ask, How can I help?

The Corina seemed magical. She was like a ying carpet straight towards fun, freedom, and adventure. She was like Aladdins Lamp, and all I had to do was wish.

Of course, God helps those who help themselves.When I returned to Chicago to prepare to sail to the Ca-

ribbean, I needed a car to schlep all my stuff around. But not only did I not have a car, I couldnt even afford gas.

So I marched into the Yellow Cab Company and signed up as a driver. They gave me a brand new Marathon cab brimming with gasoline and if my fares didnt mind sit-ting atop a pile of boat bits they were welcome to ride along as well!

This was in the mid 60s, a rather holy time in terms

CRUISEhis girlfriend, Lynn Orloff-Jones, that he should sell the boat to me. Lyn could be quite a nag (and quite stingy with her charms), bless her heart!

I didnt know a lot about engines at the time, so I pur-chased an identical parts engine for $50, dissembled both, and put one back together by holding up the twin parts and seeing which one looked better.

The engine ran (well, mostly).Meanwhile, a fellow stopped down to my vessel and

told me where the mast was stored by a previous previous owner. (The guy I purchased her from had no idea there was a rig for her at all.)

Soon I had a boat with a rig, a running engine, a $15 used mainsail and a $10 jib.

Of course, I was still totally broke when by chance a large corporation spilled thousands of tons of soy oil into the Chicago River. The Army Corp of Engineers was forced to build a dam just aft of my vessel, which was left oating in tarry goop and looked completely worthless.

Anyway, lawyers for the corporation came down with cam-eras, reporters... and one of those large checks they give you when they want to make an arent we nice PR splash.

I hauled outand Corina gleamed as I left Chicago at 16 years of age with a gorgeous boat, stout rig, purring en-gine and bulging pockets.

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of er, mental exploration. Coincidentally, it was also a Census year. I discovered that, if you signed up as a Census Taker, your little pouch could not be searched without a search warrant, to protect the identity of John Q. Public. Now I was really, really happy xing up my own yacht, tooling around the Loop in my own gas-guz-zler, completely safe from the prying eyes of The Man oh, how I loved the 1960s! The protests, the riots, those crazy hippie chicks YES!

As fate would have it, someone in the payroll department of the Census also made a boo-boo, and allowed the wrong Social Security number to be entered onto my pay request.

The Feds started spitting me out money every week so much money, I turned in my cab and set off down the Mis-sissippi River with a sexy Italian chick named Carolyn (Even-tually, I plea-bargained down to mere repayment, but what Freaky Fed Fun while it lasted!).

Yes, the Theory of Righteousness was proving itself to be amazingly accurate. It has continued to be so for the follow-ing four decades plus.

When I decided at 19 years of age to build my 36-foot ketch Carlotta, a buyer for Corina magically appeared. I purchased a stout 1950 Chevy with a portion of the pro-ceeds which I ultimately traded in Boston for a nice truck and four times what I paid!

In Boston I had difculty nding a place where I could build my boat. So instead, I rented (with a few like-mind-ed Wonderful Waterfront Wackos) a huge warehouse at B Street & Congress. We split it six ways and sub-let out other sections. There were many months where we turned a small prot on that arrangement.

Ditto, our living space. I rented a large, two-at house at 131 Evans Street in Dorchester and crammed it with college kids and worse. Mostly, we lived rent-free.

Part of the trick is to be friendly. Friends are extremely nice things to have, especially when you have a huge, distant goal and empty pockets. The local re department started giving me all their condemned and discarded spruce ladders, clear spruce poles, and all the cordage they could, even delivering it via hook and ladder! A guy named Leo from ATT said that Alexander Graham was shy, but that he wanted me to have all the electrical wire, etc., I needed. Thank you, Al!

There was a terrible wind storm and hundreds of bill-boards were blown down all over the Boston area. Clean up was slow. I assisted. All the waterproof plywood on Carlotta came from these billboards inside the galley drawers, the giant eye of the Marlboro Man stared at you eerily!

Fisherman started dropping off any yacht crap that they couldnt use on their vessels. A boat which hit Matinicus Rock in Maine was stripped by its owner and every single bit of metal was trucked down to Boston as a gift.

My Theory of Righteousness...

The story of Wild Cardwhich I purchased for $3,000 and sailed around the world twice, is even more unbelievable. I ultimately sold her to a male stripper with a jock strap bulg-ing with cash!

And my current vessel Ganesh is just as charmed. I pur-chased her knowing she would need repowering. Of course, Id just spent my life savings on the boat, so my pockets were once again empty. But a guy who had a brand new diesel engine called me and said hed give it to me at his cost.

cant afford it, I said, and started to hang up.Wait! he said. How bout less? All youd have to do is

buy a transmissionCant afford a transmission, said started to hang up

but slower this time.I think I know where I can get you an old trany, he

mused thoughtfully, then said, all youd have to do is pick it up and

dont have a car, I said.Ill loan you a truck, he said.

Im not strong enough to put it on a truck..Ill loan you a truck with a hoist, he said, gritting his

teeth a bit.wed be out of communication, I yawned.happy to supply you and your wife with couple of pre-

paid mobile phonesNaw, I continued, our boat would be all tore up be-

lowdecks and wed be so busy driving around for the trany and stuff that wed forget to maintain proper nutrition.

You can come to our place every night for dinner well feed you and Carolyn do you prefer let or fresh salmon, air-freighted in?

Look, I said, it aint just me, okay? Im a famous writer. I have an entourage. Id need at least four to six resos per!

Okay! Okay! he was shouting. You win! Bring whom-ever! Just say yes!

How could I disappoint a guy like that?

Capn Fatty Goodlander has lived aboard for 53 of his 60 years, and is currently on his third circumnavigation. He is the author of Chasing the Horizon and numerous other ma-rine books. His latest, Buy, Outt, and Sail is out now. Vis-it: fattygoodlander.com

But when we see someone who has thrown all caution and common sense to the wind in pursuit of something they care deeply about, we have to smile, shake our heads in disbelief, and ask, How can I help?


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9


InshoreCREEKS, RIVERS, AND SOUNDSApril shing brings shermen closer to the act of catching. Bait shops should start to carry more live shrimp, and so should you. With live shrimp in the well, varying sizes of tra-ditional adjustable oats, and popping corks youll be ready to nd and catch all sorts of sh. Redsh, spotted sea trout and ounder cannot resist this bait. Another way to present live shrimp is to just sh naked, with a light leader, small split shot, and small hook. All you need to do is hook your shrimp up under the horn and cast into place. Whatever you do, dont forget to take your net or your camera!

PLAIN OLD BOTTOM FISHING IN THE SOUNDDuring the month of April youll nd everything from whit-

S P R I N G T E M P E R AT U R E S G E T T H E F I S H M O V I N GFISHING REPORT: STORY AND PHOTOS BY CAPT. JUDY HELMEY

ing to sharks to blue sh to stingray in the sounds. Its fun just dropping a line down to the bottom and seeing what will catch on your hook. Use small pieces of shrimp on light tackle rigs and even the smaller sh will offer some nice action, and theyll make even better bait for a larger catch. Cut the small sh into chunks and rig it onto heavier tackle. Remember, in the sound, the bigger the bait the bigger the sh! Its all up to you!

OffshoreARTIFICIAL REEFSAs water temperatures continue to rise through the spring, you can bet that sh will be on the move. With this in-creased movement comes increased appetite, which is of course good news for shermen. Articial reefs can hold

Standing up row from left to right: Susan Stahl, Dagny Stahl, Herb Stahl, Thomas R. James, Audra James (pink cap), William James, (blue cap, red jacket) and Thomas James (tan cap) Front row kneeing: Ken James (holding fish) and Thomas James


FISHthe attention of sh from bottom to top water. When bot-tom shing you might catch black sea bass, ounder, blue-sh, white-bone porgy, summer trout, cobia, and other bit-ers. Top water sh such as Spanish mackerel feed on any baits that they can nd and will also hit the bottom for food. I nd the best bait for these nearly invisible sh to be the ever-popular small to medium Clark Spoon. I suggest ei-ther trolling the spoons deep or pitching them right over the structure. Bring along a suitable dip net, as youll likely need it to land the mackerel.

SAVANNAH SNAPPER BANKS AND GULF STREAMFinally, offshore shermen should head out to the Savannah Snapper Banks, about 35 miles offshore. Use cut sh and squid to catch vermilion snapper, white grunt, triggersh, amberjack, red porgy, white bone, cobia, and many other top/bottom biters (grouper season opens May 1).

For the shermen seeking blue water status, April is your month. The 70-mile run for tuna, dolphin, wahoo, mako shark, and billsh is denitely worth it. Single-hook, chin-weighted dink ballyhoo and cedar plugs are the best bait to use. Then again, give bottom shing a try out deep to catch football vermilion, mega triggersh, sand tile, knobbed porgy, and sh not even listed in the identication booklet. When tar-geting the snapper grouper species, all shermen must use

circle hooks. Its the law! Heres the good news about circle hooks: all you have to do is to get your bait to the bottom! Always suggest checking for current shing regulations be-fore heading offshore. The best website for up-to-date fed-eral shing regulations is http://www.safmc.net/

Please see the world famous lure that a Spanish mackerel cant seem to

pass upthe Clark Spoon! I always say, The red ball makes the call!

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After completing its 40th season of competitive billshing in 2013, the Bahamas Billsh Chal-lenge (BBC) continues to evolve. The 2014 series will consist of four tournaments equally spread across the months of May and June, with each event focus-ing on the renowned shing grounds of the Abacos.

New tourney president and director Jennifer Dudas has been with the BBC for 21 years already, and should bring a steady hand to their long-term tradition of quality. First I want to thank Al Behrendt for producing the Bahamas Billsh Challenge for the past 20 years, said Dudas. The rst-hand knowledge I learned from him, plus my own pas-sion for offshore shing, will give me the tools to take the BBC to the next level.

We will begin a slight format change in 2014 with a re-duction in shing days, said Dudas. We will discontinue

N E W P R E S I D E N T A N D F O R M AT

2014 BAHAMAS BILLFISH CHALLENGEBY JEFF DENNIS

Blue marlin comes to the Blue Sky during the 2013 BBC competition

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New BBC president Jennifer Dudas after her blue marlin release

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the practice of a lay day, where competitors choose which day to stay in port during the BBC. Now everyone will be shing for three days in a row, which will streamline our tour-nament. This move also gives businessmen who typically own these sportshers another day in the ofce to work.

One such angler is Greg Smith of Myrtle Beach, S.C. who will travel to sh in the Bahamas Billsh Challenge opener at Guana Cay May 7. We shed this same tour-nament in 2013 and had a blast, said Smith, who owns a 56-foot Viking named Blue Sky. We ended up taking second place and doing pretty well in the calcutta, but the intangibles are what made us decide to come back in 2014.

Its just about a two day run from South Carolina to the Abacos and Capt. Steve Krammer will get the Blue Sky set-tled in port before my anglers arrive, said Smith. The BBC demands a registration fee that is substantial, but once we arrive everything from the Captains bag to the meals and entertainment are rst class...not to mention the beautiful setting and the awesome marlin shing not far from port.

In contrast, back in South Carolina its a three-hour com-mute offshore to the Gulf Stream. Smith is involved as a board member for the South Carolina Governors Cup Bill-shing Series, and loves to sh for blue marlin. Imagine the ports of Guana Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbour lled with boats like Blue Sky all competing for the overall trophy and championship ring, and you be-gin to realize why the BBC is 40 years old and going strong.

The tournament schedule for each event begins with a Captains meeting Wednesday night, followed by three days shing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sat-urday. An awards banquet Saturday night will recognize the top anglers and serve to round out the tournament scene in which anglers, their families and tourists will take part. The 2014 dates begin in Guana Cay May 7-10, and upon completion of the four events the overall winners will be recognized at the nal Saturday awards banquet June 21.

Crews are awarded catch and release points for billsh re-leases with a blue marlin release awarded the most points. The BBC requires a 115-inch minimum before a blue marlin is eligible to weigh in the tournament. So except for a large blue marlin, the emphasis is on conservation via catch and release. To learn more about the BBC or to purchase a copy of their 40-year anniversary DVD, visit the Internet at www.BahamasBillsh.com.

Jeff Dennis is an outdoor writer and photographer who grew up on a creek in Charleston loving the saltwater, and he contributes regularly to All At Sea Southeast. Read his blog at www.LowcountryOutdoors.com


It seems as though it happened just yesterday, but April 20 will mark the fourth anniversary of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. Eleven workers on the rig tragically lost their lives, and oil gushed from the damaged well for 85 days. Over that period of time, more than 206 million gallons of oil entered the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, nearly 20 times more than the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Now that four years have passed since the leak and explosion, it seems tting to take stock of where we are, how far we have come and the long road ahead to full recovery.

You may remember pictures of pelicans and sea turtles covered in oil back in 2010 while the event was still fresh in our minds. Heres a look at what weve learned about the impact of oil to Gulf wildlife in the four years since the BP oil disaster began:

DEEPWATER HORIZON, THE LONG ROAD TO RECOVERYBY KARA LANKFORD

Scientists from Audubon Nature Institute and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries prepare to release a sea turtle after being treated for oil exposure from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.

Representatives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge release rehabilitated brown pelicans in Port Aransas, Tx., June 27, 2010.

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LIFESTYLEs 4ENSOFTHOUSANDSOFSEATURTLESWEREEXPOSEDTOOILWITH over 1,000 sea turtles found dead or dying as a result.s TURTLEHATCHLINGSWERERELOCATEDTOTHE!TLANTICIN order to escape the oil. This brings to question whether or not these turtles will return to Gulf waters.s 4HOUSANDSOFMARINEMAMMALSTHOUGHTTOBEEXPOSED to oil.s LIVEIMPAIREDORDEADBIRDSCOLLECTEDDURING response, which experts believe is only a fraction of true number.s 7IDESPREADIMPACTTOTHEOFFSHOREWATERCOLUMNAND sh and invertebrates living here.

Scientists around the country continue to collect valu-able data in order to draw conclusions about the negative impacts expected in the long term. For example, we are beginning to see scientic data that points to the injury caused to important marine mammals, such as the bottle-nose dolphin. A recent NOAA-commissioned study of 32 dolphins living in Barataria Bay, La. an area of the Gulf heavily oiled by the BP oil disaster determined that dol-phins had severely reduced health.

Nearly half of the dolphins were given an uncertain or worse prognosis, meaning many of the dolphins are not expected to survive. The authors of the study determined that many disease conditions observed in Barataria Bay dolphins are uncommon but consistent with petroleum hy-drocarbon exposure and toxicity.

The dolphins in Barataria Bay and other areas of the north-ern Gulf are dying in unusually high numbers since February 2010. Scientists are working to determine the cause of this un-usual mortality event and how it may relate to, or was intensi-ed by, the BP oil disaster. In addition to dolphin health, sci-entists are also documenting dead or damaged deep-water corals, and heavily impacted deep-sea benthic communities.

In 2011, BP pled guilty to 14 federal criminal charges, includ-ing lying to Congress, and agreed to a $4.5 billion settlement. More than half of these penalties are managed by the Nation-al Fish and Wildlife Foundation in concert with state agencies to implement restoration projects in the ve Gulf states.

The trial to determine BPs civil penalties is set to begin its third phase at any time. The verdict in this trial must be decided before Clean Water Act nes are determined and money becomes available for restoration.

Another source of funding for recovery is the Natural Re-source Damage Assessment (NRDA) Early Restoration funds. While the full damage assessment could take years, BP of-fered $1 billion up front to be spilt between the Gulf states, in order to begin the recovery process to restore lost or dam-aged resources sooner rather than later. Early Restoration is now entering its third phase of projects, and the trustees recently released a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) that acts as a guiding plan for the Early Res-toration process. We were disappointed to see the offshore environment, where the disaster began, largely left out of the plan. The project types listed for Early Restoration do not in-clude restoration of key marine species and habitats, such as dolphins, seabirds, sargassum and corals. For more informa-tion on NRDA visit http://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/

As federal and state leaders choose restoration projects, it is important to consider and remember what was lost and damaged and where the most impact occurred during the oil disaster.

Ocean Conservancy believes investments in marine res-toration are critical to full recovery. Restoration of this vast ecosystem on which so many of us rely for recreation, for food, and for our livelihoods will require a holistic ecosys-tem-based approach, rather than a piecemeal set of proj-ects scattered throughout the region. With science as our guide, Ocean Conservancy will continue to advocate for marine restoration, and we rely on supporters like you to help us ensure a healthy future for the Gulf. Join us at www.oceanconservancy.org/gulf.

Kara Lankford is the Interim Director of Ocean Conservan-cys Gulf Restoration Program. Shes a lifelong resident of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Ocean Conservancy educates and empowers citizens to take action on behalf of the ocean. From the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico to the halls of Congress, Ocean Conservan-cy brings people together to nd solutions for our water planet. Informed by science, our work guides policy and engages people in protecting the ocean and its wildlife for future generations.

Bottlenose dolphins, like this one pictured here, are suffering from poor

health in Barataria Bay, La., due to oil exposure in the Gulf.

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CHARTER FISHERMEN INSPIRED TO FIND FISHSTORY AND PHOTOS BY KEVIN R. ROBERTS

Charter boat captains arent like the rest of us they have the guts to pursue their dreams; to turn their passion into their careers. They live their lives with the joy of doing what they really want to do; not what they have to do. That takes courage. These boat captains walked away from their traditional jobs: mortgage loan ofcer, college professor, and telephone PBX sales rep.

Being on the water is what drives them. Theyre not con-tent to sit in an air-conditioned cubicle in a downtown sky-scraper; instead they nd pleasure in introducing shing to their customers.

Captain Shawn Warren (b. 1977) got his captains license in 2009 and has already established himself as capable sh-erman, having won 40 tournaments. Impressive, but the at-tribute that impressed me is how devoted he is to spend-ing time with his 7-year old son, Buck. I would surmise that Shawn learned to be a good dad from his dad, Dee, who is an oil and gas man with a ranch in the Texas hill country.

When not shing, Capt. Shawn is a hunting guide in Kan-sas from October through December. He says that he sel-dom buys meat at the grocery and his cooking specialties include deer tenderloin, okra gumbo, and a traditional ca-jun jambalaya. When asked what his ultimate dream would be, Capt. Shawn said, Id like to buy a custom, 64-footer

Capt. Shawn Warren

Capt. Doc Brown, Caroline Cope, Adam Kleczkowsk


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from Jarrett Bay Boatworks and travel to Bermuda to sh the blue marlin circuit.

B-dock at the Galveston Yacht Basin is known as the party dock and that is home to Capt. Doc Browns Sea Wolf Fish-ing Team of Capt. Adam Kleczkowski and Caroline Cope.

Before getting into the shing business, Capt. Adam worked on a Port of Houston reboat. At 51, Caroline is one of the few female deckhands in this sport, but she likes being a girl (even though she plans to buy a Harley-David-son Iron 883 motorcycle).

Doc is a young-at-heart, 67-year-old, retired college pro-fessor who now owns three boats. This gregarious sher-man was born in Lafayette, La., and is very proud of his crew: Capt. Rick McGaffey, who is born on the island (BOI); Capt. Derek Billiot, their resident cajun; Capt. Russell Keil-lor, whose goal is to pilot oil tankers; and Brandon Conner, a violin-playing student at Texas A&M.

Doc and his seven crew members offered up some sage advice for anyone interested in chartering a shing boat. First, and foremost, resist the temptation to tell the cap-tain where to sh. In a similar vein be patient; dont suggest moving to a new spot until youve given it some time. They all agree that little boys take direction better than their par-ents, and women are more patient than men.

So, whats the #1 faux pas with these captains? Well, that would be the weekend warrior from Houston who shows up with his own tackle. Just remember, your captain wants you to catch sh and have fun. He is, after all, in the memory-making business.

Fishing 100 miles offshore aint easy. Just ask Capt. Shane Cantrell who shed 37 weeks last year. This left enough time for his hobbies of shortboard surng and beach volleyball.

Capt. Shane Cantrell


He started his career, in 2006, as a deckhand, and now hes a captain. He has a keen interest in shery outreach where he is a proponent of accountable and sustainable red snapper management methods. Capt. Shane is also a hunting guide on the islands West End.

Capt. Chris Jamail has been at this for nineteen years and is a prideful sherman. In fact, he has to remind himself not to get tense when the shing is slow. He likes to catch the limit, but in the end he knows charter shing is really entertainment, so he works hard to control the mood aboard the boat.

Chris likes shing for tarpon because its all about the struggle with the sh. He talks about how good anglers know how to break the tarpons spirit. When trolling for tar-pon he will often put out ve rods and watch for schools of baitsh upon which Tarpon feed.

These shermen are committed to sustainable shing practices, but they warn that their industry is often hampered by counter-productive regulations and licensing imposed by state and federal governments. Specically, they say that season lengths and vessel monitoring are problematic.

It is interesting to note that Galveston Bay and the entire Texas Gulf Coast is seeing an upswing in charter trips and yacht sales due to Houstons booming oil and gas industry. Everyone wants sport shing to continue to thrive but, they warn, they need the support of fellow outdoorsmen as well as the non-shing citizens. So, if you and your family have yet to experience sport shing, then give it a try. You may discover why these guys are so inspired to nd sh.

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Capt. Shawn Warren (832-758-7044)

Fishing: East End, jetties, nearshore

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Fishing: Coastal, offshore

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Your kayak slows over turquoise water only a few inches deep. Something shimmers ahead - a heat mirage? It looks like houses in crayon colors: yel-low, green, red and blue, somehow hovering weightlessly over the bay.

Squinting now - no, these homes arent levitating at all; they are supported by pilings and suspended a few feet above the sea. Welcome to Stiltsville in Biscayne National Park, the gate-way to one of the most interesting kayak trails on the globe.

Accessible only by ats boat or kayak, these seven wood-en homes are a few miles off downtown Miami but light years from the citys stress and hum. Stiltsville dates to the 1930s. Crawsh Eddie Walker built the rst shack above the water. Over the years, larger homes were constructed, then enlarged, and the area took on an aura of mystery.

Today, a kayaker can lean back and watch the currents carry bonesh across the ats; snorkel pristine coral reefs with only a few minutes paddle. Fish the shimmering ats or, at the end of an afternoon with the days catch on the grill, watch the lights of Miami blink on while the setting sun paints the sky in hues of orange. Above the paddler hangs an amazing array of birdlife: hawks, frigate birds, brightly-col-ored warblers and below, gin clear water only inches deep.

Elliott Key is just visible as you start to paddle. Beyond that is Key Largo and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park; after that countless small islands and 110 miles of tur-quoise water. Kayakers Heaven.

Paddling is a great way to experience the hundreds of is-lands that make up the Florida Keys archipelago. The Over-seas Highway is sometimes a parking lot crammed with powerboats and rented convertibles. But from the low on-the-water vantage point of a kayak a paddler can experience the small islands that dot the coastline on either side of US 1, paddling on the Florida Bay/Gulf or the Atlantic Ocean.

The islands of the Keys change by the mile. At times the paddlers trail takes kayakers through densely populated areas with heavy boat trafc; at other times serene and isolated estuaries and forgotten coves. Paddlers can nd themselves gliding beneath dense overhanging mangrove

KAYAK TRAIL BECKONS PADDLERSSTORY AND PHOTOS BY RAFAEL LIMA


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PADDLEtunnels and tea colored water, then skimming past water-front restaurants and shing villages and marinas where they can stock up or just stop in for a fresh drink.

Much of the kayak trail consists of uninhabited and unde-veloped islands. Most are simply white ringed wild habitats for birds and wildlife, perfect for primitive camping. Much of the water depth surrounding these small islands and in-lets is too shallow for most boats. Kayakers can weave their ways in and out of creeks and channels enjoying the true solitude and peacefulness of these tiny islands.

Glide inches above a rich array of marine life, passing over manatees, historic shipwrecks and sting rays. Some of the islands have historic remnants of settlers. Remains of Henry Flaglers overseas railroad of the early 1900s can be seen in the decaying concrete columns of the old rusting bridges. Important sites such as Indian Key Historic State Park, Pigeon Key and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park are a short paddle off the trail.

Whether you are planning to paddle an hour or a week or more, seeing the Keys by kayak offers many rewards.

Before you GoStart your trip planning by logging onto www.SEE-Florida-Keys.com or www.a-keys.com for a free planning guide. Car-rying a hand-held GPS is recommended as many of the man-grove channels snake their way in and out of the keys. Several outtters in the Keys can also assist you in renting or selling equipment or in guiding trips. Lodging is available in all of the Keys towns, and there are numerous private campgrounds. Up-to-date trail information can be obtained by calling or visit-ing Florida Bay Outtters in Key Largo (305) 451-3018.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area and the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary covers most waters in the keys, encompassing 2900 square miles. Paddlers should be aware of regulations if planning to sh or snorkel.

www.oridastateparks.org.

www.myfwc.com/RECREATION/WMASites_

FloridaKeys_index.htm

The Florida Keys Paddling Atlas by Bill and

Mary Burnham (Falcon Press)

The Florida Keys Paddling Guide by Bill Keogh

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Kayaking the Keys by Kathleen Patton

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VALUABLE RESOURCES


On a beach overlooking St. Josephs Sound in Tar-pon Springs, Fla., two friends studied a chart of the surrounding waters. Depths were six inches in places at low tide with deeper spots still only two feet. They wanted to develop a boat that could sail in these waters without needing a chart in hand but also ca-

THE SEA PEARL STORY AND PHOTOS BY GLENN HAYES

pable of adventures all over the world. The Sea Pearl name has become synonymous with easy, fun sailing and can be found in waters everywhere.

Sea Pearl founder Ron Johnson and berglass professional George Jeffries looked at boats with two-foot draft but knew that still wasnt enough for their sailing grounds. They began

B O R N O U T O F T H E S H A L LO W S

A Sea Pearl Tri-Sport sailed up to this beach in inches of water and the skipper got out without getting his shoes wet.


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with a list of items their new boat should include. The boat would beach and launch easily while avoiding getting stuck in the soft sand. The Sea Pearl needed leeboards rather than a centerboard and a kick-up rudder for the Gulfs shallow wa-ters. Eliminating the centerboard meant no trunk; that in turn opened the forward cockpit, making it an excellent family seating area or even a cabin for overnighting. With the op-tional cabin top or bimini top it also made a great place to get out of the rain. It also had to be light enough that it could be towed by anything economically (small four cylinder ve-hicles included). And nally, they also wanted the vessel to be light enough to be pushed along at a decent rate with a small light outboard or rowed if necessary.

The duo started with the hull of a Herreshoff designed 18 foot tender. Johnson added to the design by increasing the length, and rigging it with twin masts and what ended up as an unstayed cat-ketch rig. Many other changes came throughout the years and the end result is todays Sea Pearl. Jim Leet, Rons brother-in-law, bought the business from Ron and has further improved the classic-looking performer over the past decade and a half.

Sea Pearls can be custom built in three different cong-urations; a mono-hull, the Sea Pearl Tri and the Tri-Sport. The hull is hand laid berglass cloth over Corecell with no wood to rot and includes a deck/liner. There are easy to ll and empty ballast tanks under the deck. The masts are easily stepped and the sails furl right on the masts for easy storing. When stepped, the masts t easily on deck with no overhang fore or aft. These boats are easy to sail, easy to rig and easy to transport exactly what the owners wanted.

The simple design and low maintenance also make Sea Pearl an excellent small expedition boat. Its ruggedness and durability have been proven on some pretty adventur-ous world travels. Sea Pearls have sailed around Patagonia, all over the Caribbean and along the length of the Danube River and completed many adventure races. One modied Sea Pearl is on a multi year cruise now exploring the rivers and deltas of South America. A Google search of Sea Pearl reveals great stories of many of these intrepid journeys. If they can take these voyages in stride these boats should be well equipped for a day sail on the sound.

Jim says that there are now well over 500 monohull Sea Pearls on the water today with many other Tri and Tri-Sport models also out there. Used models are hard to nd as most people that buy them hold on to them, but some do come back to Jim to be refurbished and brought back to new or to be converted to the Sport-Trimaran congura-tion. He said that six weeks is all it

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