A Day in the Life of a Ferry Boat Captain

ferryboat A Day in the Life of a Ferry Boat Captain

The Galveston-Bolivar Ferry started service in 1930. The Texas Department of Transportation operates the ferry year round and it’s free to the public.

We spent some time with Captain Johnny Smith, he started out as a deck hand in 1989 and four years later he was a captain. Grab the kids, a camera and take the greatest free ride in Texas.

GCM: How did you get interested in this line of work?

Smith: In the summer of 1989 I took advantage of the great opportunities the Texas Department of Transportation had to offer and I like the work so much I decided to make a career out of working on the Ferry.

GCM: Why a ferryboat captain, why not a tug boat captain?

Smith: I enjoy working on inland vessels, this allows me to go home every day and spend time with my family and friends. If you work offshore then you’re gone a lot.

GCM: How long have you been a captain?

Smith: I’ve been a captain with TxDOT for 20 years.

GCM: What type of engines do you have in the current ferries now in service?

Smith: Currently there are two 12 cylinder engines that provide 1500 horsepower each. These modern boats have plenty of power and are fun to drive.

GCM: How long does it take to make the trip over to Bolivar?

Smith: A normal trip to Bolivar takes about 18 minutes. To make the trip to Bolivar and then back to Galveston takes about 50 minutes.

GCM: Where did you receive most of your training?

Smith: I received most of my on the job training with TxDOT and some offsite training with various schools in the area.

GCM: How many cars can you get on a ferry?

Smith: It takes approximately 65 cars to fill up the Ferry. That can vary with the addition of trailers and other work vehicles.

For more information on the Galveston-Bolivar Ferry go to the TxDOT web site  www.txdot.gov

 

Galveston Bay Fish Stocks Declining?

tarponjump Galveston Bay Fish Stocks Declining?

A Galveston Bay Fish Stocks Overview

By Capt. Joe Kent

tarponjumpcover Galveston Bay Fish Stocks Declining?Anglers fishing the Galveston Bay Complex during 2013 often asked if we are experiencing a decline in our stocks of speckled trout.

Trout action for the most part was far below the norm for the past few years for most anglers, including me.

Tarpon catches appeared to be down for the average angler and the annual flounder migration was disappointing to a large number of those who patiently waited until signs of the migration to start their fishing.

What has happened to our fish was a common question?  Since I did not have the answer, two professionals with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department were consulted, Lance Robinson and Bill Balboa.

Both work out of the Dickinson Marine Lab in Dickinson and offered some interesting insight as to what is taking place.

I started out the conversation with the primary question, has there been a decline in our stocks of trout and flounder?  The answer was basically no.  Balboa cited samplings and onsite surveys as not giving any indications of a noticeable reduction in our stocks of fish.

OK, if that is the case, why were catches for the average angler down this year, I asked?

Both gentlemen had a lot to offer in regard to why we are seeing changes and why we will continue to see even more.

redfishyozuriTo start with, let’s look at redfish, the other specie of the Big 3 Saltwater Fish.  Redfish have bounced back to the point that more liberalized bag and size limits were discussed.  Feedback from a large sampling of anglers along the middle and lower coast indicated a majority did not want to see any changes.

Crabs are bouncing back from a low point several years ago and were harvested in good numbers and sizes last year.

If the stocks of trout and flounder are in good shape, then why were the catches off last year?  Several explanations have been put forth; however, first let’s look at trout.  The anglers having the success with trout found them in different locations and at different depths than typical in the past.

Part of the reason has to do with salinity levels in the bays and the water temperature.  Since 2011, we have been in a severe drought causing record high salinity levels in the Galveston Bay Complex.  During 2013 we had more rain and a slight reduction in salinity compared to 2011 and 2012.

The continued warming trend has raised the normal temperature levels and all of this has had its effect on trout, a species that is sensitive to salinity levels and temperature.

While some of the normal hot spots for trout did not produce, the surf exploded with action in late summer.  One noticeable difference was that the fish were generally much closer to the beach.

Most fishing guides reported reduced catches and having to look hard to find where the fish were stacking up.  One guide said that typical of last year was his charters experiencing a catch of 15 fish compared to 25 to 30 in prior years.

What about the flounder?  While there has been no proof shown that this was the answer, it is commonly accepted among seasoned flounder fishermen that the big moves occurred during the strong outgoing tides at night during November and lots of the flatfish made their exit during the numerous strong frontal systems that kept anglers off of the water.

Balboa cited a survey of bank fishermen along the Galveston Channel during a hard norther.  The wind was too strong for boats; however, anglers fishing from shore were quickly limiting out on flounder.

tarponswimTarpon was another fish that was on the list of poor results last year. While there has been no recent survey of their numbers, all indications are that the stocks are in good shape.

Last year tarpon guides reported that the fish were being caught in different areas along the upper Texas Coast than in previous years.  The shift seemed to be from the Bolivar Peninsula area to points south of San Luis Pass, all still in the mythical highway called Tarpon Alley.

Our next article will pick up with the ecological changes occurring in the Galveston Bay Complex and how they will affect fishing.

Keep Your Vessel Seaworthy – Boat Maintenance

seaworthy Keep Your Vessel Seaworthy   Boat Maintenance

Boat Maintenance Tips

By Rod Evans

In a perfect world, taking your boat out on the lake or in the gulf would be the ideal remedy for a blazing hot summer day. But this past summer’s hot weather made just getting out on the water a matter of survival.

With the cooler weather upon us, perhaps you’re looking to make up for some lost time by heading to your nearest body of water. However, it’s a good idea to make sure your boat is equally as ready as you are.

“It’s a lot of work to get a boat up to standards, but it’s even more work if it breaks down in a strange location, like in the gulf,” said Dan Cantrell, the delivery captain for Marine Max in Seabrook.

Cantrell says if your boat has been inactive for a while, it’s advisable that either you or your mechanic perform some basic maintenance.

He says a good place to start is the sea strainers for the air conditioning and the main engine. Those should be checked and cleaned, with special attention paid to possible algae build up in the air conditioning system.

The impellers should be replaced after 100 hours of use. Cantrell says the devices will fail to pump enough water to cool the engine if they are worn.

Fuel filters are another important area that must be inspected before taking your boat out, and making sure you add a fuel stabilizer to your fuel tank is critical as well.

“Stabilizers are a necessity these days,” Cantrell says. “If the boat has been sitting for a month or more, the ethanol will separate and play havoc with the engine. Running your boat without stabilizers can lead to some pretty expensive repairs.” He recommends stabilizers sold by Star Brite or Sta-Bil.

According to Cantrell, who teaches boating safety and maintenance seminars at Marine Max, inspecting the condition of the steering connections is often overlooked. “You’ve got to check the turnbuckle and all of the steering mechanisms for rust and, if you have cable steering, make sure it is not locked up. Be sure to look for any hydraulic leaks and check for sufficient pressure.”

Cantrell says another oft forgotten maintenance concern is inspecting the shaft log and rudder post, especially making sure the packing gland is functioning properly.

On the safety front, Cantrell says boaters should inspect the fire extinguishers annually, but also give a quick look at the gauge indicator periodically to check for signs of lost pressure or discharge. All flares should be changed annually and life jackets should be U.S. Coast Guard approved.  Don’t leave the dock without a hand held VHF radio and GPS system loaded with fresh batteries.

“If you’ll be boating with kids, allow them to decorate their life jacket with reflective stickers because they make it easier to find them if they should go overboard. Also, attach a whistle to the jacket. It might be a little annoying at times, but will come in handy if you’re searching for them,” Cantrell says.

He says many boaters opt for having the Coast Guard Auxiliary give their boat an inspection for an added peace of mind. The agency will issue a sticker to be displayed on the boat indicating all safety checks have been performed.

One of the best things boaters can do, he says, is leave a “float plan” with family or friends that details where and when you’ll be boating, which could prove valuable should something happen on the water.

For Cantrell, perhaps the best habit to get into is doing a quick inspection of your boat at the dock. “If you haven’t run the boat in a while, start up the engine and let it get up to operating temperature. Check for any leaks by sight and smell. Check all of the engine fluid levels before you leave the dock.”

He also recommends becoming a member of organizations like Sea Tow or Boat U.S., which offer rescue assistance among other services.

“Making sure your boat is ready at the dock is the key,” Cantrell says. “There’s usually no one out there to help if you have trouble.”

Sailing Key West

keyswater Sailing Key West

Sailing Key West from North Palm Beach

By Charles Milby

floridamap Sailing Key WestWinter sailing in Florida can be fun. The water is turquoise and the weather is usually warm.  Over the Thanksgiving Holidays, Suzanne and I were invited to help our friends Dave and Kris Popken move their sailboat from North Palm Beach to Key West. We had a great time. Most of the coast of Florida is developed, but when you travel by boat you get to see the best parts and avoid the snow birds. Key Largo and Marathon were two of the most delightful stops on our trip. I didn’t make it to Sloppy Joe’s Bar, which is where Hemingway hung out, but I did go to the Schooner Wharf Bar and the Island Dog Bar. Suzanne liked Grunts, a very nice dinner spot off Duval Street. You will have to explore and find your own little place in Key West; it’s filled with friendly watering holes where everyone is welcome.

Dave Popken aboard Orion, a Sabre 38

Dave Popken aboard Orion, a Sabre 38

As we were walking down the pier at our marina one day we saw a manatee. He was so big. I thought it was a rock on the bottom until he moved. I’m not sure what he was looking for as he posed for pictures, to the delight of our party, but he was fun to watch. Having been to Key West I would definitely go back, so check it out. If you like to fish and sail then make some plans soon. I’m sorry to say Southwest Airlines will no longer be flying into Key West. You can still get there is by car or by boat. I preferred the boat.

The manatee at the marina was not shy.

The manatee at the marina was not shy.

 

Chickens were brought into Key West by Cuban immigrants in the 1800s for the purpose of cockfighting. This was outlawed in the 1970s and now these birds roam the streets freely.

Chickens were brought into Key West by Cuban immigrants in the 1800s for the purpose of cockfighting. This was outlawed in the 1970s and now these birds roam the streets freely.

2014 Jeep Wrangler

jeep2014 2014 Jeep Wrangler

No Trail Too Tough: 2014 Jeep Wrangler

By Don Armstrong

jeepinterior 2014 Jeep WranglerFor many, part of the outdoor experience is navigating terrain and no vehicle is more capable than the Jeep Wrangler.

Since 1941, this original four-wheeler has gotten more people out of tough spots than we can count, including our armed forces.

The 2014 Wrangler has come a long way since its debut, yet its body style is still the most recognizable in the world.  The 7-slot grille, round headlamps, squared shoulders and rear-mounted spare are, today, very much a part of its long lineage.

Now featuring a more powerful and fuel efficient 3.6-liter Pentastar engine, there’s enough oomph to get you up and over almost anything, with on-road civility and power for freeway on-ramp speed squirts. The 285-horsepower V-6 gets up to 21-mpg on the highway while delivering 260 lb.-ft. of torque.

For those that like autonomous shifting, there’s an available 5-speed automatic transmission, but for the do-it-yourselfers, a 6-speed manual will impress your fishing buddies.

Here are the numbers, the off-road stuff that makes Wrangler a winner in every category; Able to tackle the steepest grades and deepest ruts, approach angle for Wrangler is up to 44.6 degrees, breakover angle is 25.5 degrees and departure angle is up to 40.6 degrees depending on tire size. Ground clearance of the front axle is 9.1 to 10.5 inches depending on tire size. At the rear, axle-to-ground clearance is 8.8 to 10.2 inches. On Jeep Wrangler Rubicon models there’s an electronic front sway bar disconnect to help provide additional wheel travel in difficult terrain conditions.

As for on-road ride quality; it’s smoother and more compliant than you might think, certainly better than many import sport cars.

Jeep purists still enjoy all of the amenities that make this do-all an outdoorsman’s dream; fold-down windshield, removable doors, washable floors, standard soft-top and optional removable hardtop.

And let’s not forget Chrysler’s available Uconnect touch screen, the best in the business, featuring Bluetooth streaming audio, SiriusXM satellite radio and Travel Link, Uconnect media center, web, navigation and voice command. 

The Jeep Wrangler 2-door and Wrangler Unlimited 4-door are available in four models: Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon.

Limited, special edition versions of the Wrangler are snapped up as fast as they are built. Right now Jeep is offering the Willys Wheeler Edition in the 2-door model and the Polar Edition for four-door fanatics.

Pricing starts at $22,395 for the 2-door sport.

Youth Sailing: The Byerly Brothers

byerlybros Youth Sailing: The Byerly Brothers

We recently caught up with a band of sailing brothers who have had the opportunity to sail around the world competitively. These up-and-comers are active here at home with high school sailing and also with Lakewood Yacht Club.

Dane Byerly – age 15

GCM: What got you started in sailing?  

Dane: I read about winning a scholarship to go to Sailing Camp at Lakewood Yacht Club through Bay Access.  My dad is a sailor and I really wanted to learn how to sail.

GCM: Who was instrumental in helping you learn how to sail?  

Dane: My first coach, Mattia d’Errico, taught me how to sail.  He introduced me to Scott Lindley, another coach, who taught me how to race.

GCM: Why and what do you like about sailing?  

Dane: I really like the competition in sailing and also getting to hang out with my friends.  I have met kids around the country and around the world.

GCM: How do you apply what you learn in sailing to everyday life?  

Dane: Sailing has taught me how to be more organized and how to plan ahead.

GCM: How many years have you been sailing?  

Dane: Seven years.

GCM: What are your future goals?  

Dane: If there was a chance, my dream would be to represent the United States on the Olympic Sailing Team.  Of course, sailing in the America’s Cup would be awesome too.  I would love to attend and sail for the U.S. Naval Academy or Boston College.

 

Dougie Byerly – age 14

GCM: What got you started in sailing?  

Dougie: My brother Dane started sailing at Lakewood and I wanted to learn too.

GCM: Who was instrumental in helping you learn how to sail?  

Dougie: Coach Mattia – he was my first coach.

GCM: Why and what do you like about sailing?  

Dougie: I like having fun on the water with my friends.

GCM: How do you apply what you learn in sailing to everyday life?  

Dougie: I have dyslexia and sailing helps me learn to focus.  I am also able to use what I have learned about weather in my everyday life.

GCM: How many years have you been sailing?  

Dougie: Six years.

GCM: What are your future goals?  

Dougie: I would like to continue sailing, especially high school sailing.  I don’t know what I want to study but would like to attend Texas A&M.  I hope to use what I have learned in sailing in big boats when I am older.

 

Dutch Byerly – age 12

GCM: What got you started in sailing?  

Dutch: My older brothers, especially Dane.  I was also having fun hanging around the sailing kids.

GCM: Who was instrumental in helping you learn how to sail?  

Dutch: Coach Mattia, then my brother, Dane. Then Coach Scott taught me a ton about racing.  He taught me how to team race and I got to qualify with our team who were able to attend the Volvo Open Ocean Race Academy in Miami.  We represented Team Abu Dhabi and got to see the boats and met some of the team members.  They trained us in the special team boats.  It was really fun.

GCM: Why and what do you like about sailing?  

Dutch: I like being competitive and it helps me stay in shape.  I like being active.

GCM: How do you apply what you learn to everyday life?  

Dutch: It helps me when I have to think quickly and notice my surroundings because of what I have to do on the water with wind and race course conditions.

GCM: How many years have you been sailing?  

Dutch: About four years but I have been in the boats with my dad and brothers since I was tiny.

GCM: What are your future goals?  

Dutch: I want to sail in the Olympics for the U.S.  I also want to be on the U.S. National Team for Optimist Sailors like my brother, Dane.  I want to team race a lot and compete in bigger boats, especially in high school sailing and travel to sail.  I am going on my first international trip to Argentina in February to sail in a regatta.

Marvin Beckmann

A Conversation With 2013-2014 Etchells World Champion Marvin Beckmann

GCM: How old were you when you first started sailing? 

Beckmann: About 10. My dad pushed me off on a sailfish with my mom. Not knowing much, it took me some time to make it back. I remember doing races with my sister on that same sailfish at the Seabrook Sailing Club and not doing so well.

GCM: Who was the biggest influence in your early sailing career?

Beckmann: As a youngster I enjoyed the camaraderie of friends and members of the Seabrook Sailing Club. The biggest influences on my sailing were Martin Bludworth, Earl Gerloff and my father. Each of these individuals taught me how to be competitive, what makes a sailboat go and what to look for in the wind.

 GCM: One design racing on a club level seems to be on the decline, what can clubs do to get more people involved with the sport?

Beckmann: That is a tough one. Sailboat racing takes time which people don’t seem to have a lot of these days. The ironic thing is that if you don’t take the time to race locally or on the road as the pros do, your results won’t be good. The local clubs schedule and run series races, but the turnout usually isn’t there. The turnout is better for key local events, but that also has fallen off. It takes the effort of a few people to improve fleet turnout to races. I watched Ian Edwards do it for the Lighting class in 2012 where he organized half day events in preparation for the Worlds. It was a low turnout initially but ended up having enough boats to support the participation.  We set up a short course Saturday afternoon and held numerous starts and mini races. This was followed by a great get together at the club or my bay house.

GCM: Did you ever crew for Martin Bludworth?

Beckmann: I sailed against him and must have crewed with him a time or two. I remember that he could be difficult on the boat, something I may have acquired from him. He was a great inspiration for the sport of sailing.

GCM: Now that you’re a world champion are you going to sail as much as you did last year?

Beckmann: We are gearing up for the Etchells Worlds next year in Newport, RI. I have already participated in several sailing events and will continue in preparation. To win a Worlds you have to be at the top of your game and have a few things fall your way.

GCM: Big money always seems to drive the sport, what’s your take on the Americas Cup?

Beckmann: This year’s final event was exciting to watch but seemed a little one sided, first for NZ and then for the US. I would like to see the countries represented by their own countrymen. The US boat was controlled by a Brit and Aussies and the office by NZ. I don’t think the cheating represented our country very well. I also think the race track was short and predictable, minimizing passing opportunities.

GCM: I know you have sailed a bunch of different kinds of boats in your career, what was it about the Etchells that attracted you to the class?

Beckmann: I got started in the Etchells because of the local fleet with notable locals of Don Genitempo, Don Harbin, Tom McCulloch, Mike Little, Johnny Maudlin, Mike McCann, Tom Meeh and Tony Smythe. We were getting ready for the 1999 North Americans where Ash Beatty, John Wilson, and I finished 2nd. The Etchells is a tactical boat that rewards boat speed and good decisions, a lot like a Soling which I sailed for years before the Etchells.

GCM: In 1977 you won the Clifford D. Mallory Cup. In 1978 and in 1979 you won the Prince of Wales match racing trophy and now you’re a world champion. Which of the three trophies do you savor the most?

Beckmann: The one-on-one game of anticipating and controlling your opponent was very rewarding and fun. Winning the Worlds in the highly competitive Etchells class is my best achievement. We had a great team and did a lot of prep for the Etchells Worlds with a lot of good results leading to the Etchells Worlds, which included winning the Jaguar Cup ( a series of 4 regattas in Miami), the Etchells Nationals and the Italian Nationals.

GCM: What is it about racing sailboats that keeps you coming back year after year?

Beckmann: I think it’s my competitive nature and I like a challenge. I do it as a hobby, so finding the time is sometimes difficult. In my younger years it was the turnout and camaraderie. Sailing J-24s  with 40-60+ boats at weekend circuit stops was a blast. Over the last few years the larger events (NAs, Worlds, etc.) draw the competition and challenge in preparing to give it your best shot at doing well. It feels good to get the results against all the pros.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 469

sailjen Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 469

Little sister to the Sun Odyssey 509, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 469 is a solid performer that is both attractive and comfortable at a very competitive price.

sailinterior Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 469As another Philippe Briand design, the Sun Odyssey 469 is a “big” boat for its size, with a wealth of interior volume and deck space enclosed within its 14ft 9in beam. The hull is all fiberglass, hand-laid in a two-part mold, and the injection-molded deck is attached with a combination of adhesives, bolts and screws on an inward-turning flange. The “Prisma Process” Jeanneau uses to create its molded decks allows the com- pany to carefully regulate the amount of resin in the mix in the interest of minimizing weight. It also creates a finished surface on the deckhead that doesn’t have to be hidden from view.

The keel is an iron fin with a bulb, the double- spreader mast is aluminum, and there is a glassed-in structural grid inside the hull to absorb the loads generated when the boat is under sail. Overall, the build quality and trim is attractive and well executed. Jeanneau continues to up its game with every passing year!

On  deck  just  a  smart  practical  layout that works well, looks good, and serves as further testament to the fact that Jeanneau knows how boats are used out on the water.

The boat has wide unobstructed sidedecks, which run well aft outboard of the cockpit coaming, making it easy to scurry toward the stern cleat in tricky docking situations. Beefy toerails provide extra security, and no gymnastics are needed to get around the in- board shroud bases when making your way forward. Twin helm stations provide comfortable seating well outboard for playing the shifts to windward, and there are well-placed foot cleats for use sitting inboard or steering downwind.

While the cockpit is not as massive, the benches are plenty big enough to accom- modate a crowd, and the sturdy centerline table provides a good place to brace your feet. There’s also a wealth of space aboard the Sun Odyssey’s 469 drop-down swim platform, which is huge. The 469 is a good- looking boat, with its nearly plumb bow, aggressively sculpted cabintrunk, cleverly integrated hull windows, composite helms and hard chine aft.

TCY Left page (Page 1)The look is fresh and modern, and the saloon cabins are flooded with light, thanks to the large saloon ports, multiple overhead hatches and the previously mentioned hull windows. There are nice touches, including track  lighting  along  the  cabin  sole  and a nav table that slides down to create an uninterrupted settee and sea berth along the starboard side of the saloon. The Sun Odyssey is available in a variety of layouts to accommodate any sailor ’s wish list.

There are not a lot of things to complain about under sail. Upwind the Sun Odyssey

469 powers into the swells on a close reach as if it were the most natural thing in the world.  The  boat  easily  tacks  through the chop, and maintains a light, sensitive helm sailing at a 40-degree apparent wind angle. Downwind the boat is equally easy to handle. Overall motion is easy and comfortable.

Under power the nice big rudder and the boat’s 54hp Yanmar saildrive also make the Sun Odyssey 469 easy to maneuver under power. Motoring in the 7 to 9 knot range at 2,000 to 2,500 rpm’s is a reasonable expectation depending on the winds and currents of the day. Jeanneau’s 360 docking system is an option, but hardly a necessity aboard the Sun Odyssey 469.

Whether you are entertaining at the dock or  racing  in  next  year ’s  Harvest  Moon Regatta the Sun Odyssey 469 is a racer cruiser which won’t disappoint. Plenty of room and style for those with refined tastes and a powerful, fast sailboat which holds its line in any weather and eagerly powers its way to the finish line to capture the cup.

For more information on the Sun Odyssey 469, please contact Texas Coast Yachts in Clear Lake Shores by phone at 281-957-9046, via email at sales@texascoastyachts.com or visit their website  Texas Coast Yachts

 

* Reference source : Sail Magazine article by Adam Cort (Posted: Sep 20, 2013) and Jeanneau America

Redfish Rodeo Women’s Tournament

redfishrodeo6 Redfish Rodeo Womens Tournament

Georgianna Fox, Denee Ludeke, Natalie Flory, Vanessa Flory and fishing guide, Ralph Frazier of Team Pucker won first place with a total weight of 44.25 lbs., and chose the SPCA for their charity.

Women Come From All Over for Galveston Tournament at Pelican Rest Marina

By Sunnie Byerly

Ladies from as far as Canada, New Jersey, but mostly from Texas, representing 38 teams, came together Sept. 27-28, to compete in the Redfish Rodeo fishing tournament. Except this time, the Bay Area gets to reap the benefits as the rodeo has relocated from the coast of South Padre Island to Galveston.

This year it docked at Pelican Rest Marina, at 7819 Broadway in Galveston. The operating marina includes fuel docks, private pool, individual storage bodegas, private condos, an upscale steakhouse all paired with an island ambience of palm trees, oleanders and other tropical plants and so much more. Director Gina Nesloney, who calls it her baby, is behind this twice-a-year event and has been since she started it in 1995.

This year the Redfish Rodeo directors and committee members decided for the second year in a row that local charity and non-profit organizations should reap the benefits once again. First, second and third place winners get to select a charity of choice for a donation from Lloyd Hebert with Hebert Financial Services (3417 W. Davis, Conroe, TX 936-441-3011). Lloyd Hebert is the Presenting Title Sponsor this year as he was last year. This year he is donating $3,000 to first place, $2,000 to second place and $1,000 to third place. Each winning team gets to choose which charitable organization Lloyd will make the donations to.

After two full days of fishing, these ladies reeled ‘em in: Julia Braun with The Reel Squealers Team 13, brought home the largest red fish of the tournament weighing in at 10.02 lbs. Third place winners, The Reelin’ and Chillin’  WYOTEX Anglers Team 34, Terry Thomas, Brandi McCubbin, Barbara Young and Lucinda Gayle, selected Goliad Educational Foundation for their charity.

Second place winners, Fishn’ Chicks Team 27, Lisa Morton, Danielle Bourgeois, Ruth Mallon and Martha Ceballos, had a total weigh in at 43.19 lbs. Their charitable donation went to Women of Wisdom and Strength.

First place winners were Team 15, Team Pucker, Georgianna Fox, Denee Ludeke, Natalie Flory, Vanessa Flory and fishing guide, Ralph Frazier, won with a total weigh in at 44.25 lbs., and chose the SPCA for their charity.

For more information about the Redfish Rodeo fishing tournament, email redfishrodeo@austin.rr.com or visit the website, www.rrtournaments.com. For more information about Hebert Financial Services, Lloyd Hebert can be reached at 936-441-3011 or visit the website, www.HebertFinancial.com.

 

More pictures from the Redfish Rodeo:

redfishrodeo5 Redfish Rodeo Womens Tournament redfishrodeo4 redfishrodeo3 redfishrodeo2 redfishrodeo1

Moon Palace

jefferson65outside Moon Palace

One of a kind 65′ Jefferson Monticello Yacht

This 65’ Jefferson Monticello yacht was designed by Hershine Yachts for the Mossberg firearms family. It is now owned by Moonboat LLC, a partnership of Doris Richeson and James Malone and sign-named Moon Palace.

Gulf Coast Mariner: How did you get started in this restoration project?

Doris Richeson: James Malone and I also own a 50’ Chris Craft yacht (the IRS says that if the vessel is more than 29,’ it’s a yacht) also named Moon Palace, but when we saw the 65’ Jefferson Monticello — the only one ever made — and its potential, we were smitten. Adding to our ferver was the fact that we were advised that the owner was quite anxious to make a deal to sell the vessel.

We learned that the owner was Bill Janklow, former governor of South Dakota, who had a brain cancer which was soon to claim his life. He wanted to sell the vessel and looked for a hasty sale, one in which the sale would be “as is where is.”

However, when we had our pre-purchase inspection, we were advised that the big twin diesel engines were essentially trashed, thus we amended our offer to Janklow to allow for the replacement of the engines. The sale was closed on December 7, 2011.

Little did we know what a money monster the yacht would become. First we ordered the new Caterpillar C-18 1150 hp turbo diesel engines, and then realized the dual transmissions would not tolerate the strength of the new engines, hence the transmissions were upgraded to ZF transmissions large enough for even big C32 Caterpillar engines. When the 4-blade brass propellers did not challenge the new engines adequately, we had ZF design and build new 35” 5-blade props. Moon Palace can now achieve a respectable 24 knots. Wanting the extra safety of a bow thruster, we added this to take us into unaccommodating spaces.

wheelhouse Moon Palace

GCM: When and where did you buy the boat?

DR: We first saw the yacht moored at another marina in Seabrook. It was then named Rock ‘n Roll. This vessel had three previous owners, beginning with the Mossberg firearms family, who had apparently selected the original Tre Kronor decor, featuring bright yellows and blues and eponymous with its original name.

 

jeffersontableGCM: What are some of the recent changes you are making (have made) to the boat?

DR: The vessel has four bedrooms and four “heads,” aka bathrooms, both fly bridge and interior helm stations, main deck salon, formal dining room and buffet, full kitchen, aft deck hospitality station and 10 air conditioning units. as well as a hallway with full-view engine compartments, and Malone’s proudest achievement, four wet bars.

Malone thinks the giant engines are works of art; I think they are works of necessity, but James won the argument: We have big hallway windows so all can see the roaring monsters.”

Being rather Texas proud, James and I converted step by step from Tre Kronor’s bright colors to our favorite antique African and primitive decor, all the while, repairing, varnishing, replacing, and generally restoring the craft to our personal preferences, even as the major mechanical works were in progress, all done by local contractors.

Michael Raach, a very talented wood artist, has labored for over a year building unique cabinetry and features such as the aft-deck drop-down TV cabinet and the aft-deck ceiling done in 2” wide book-matched teakwood strips.

 

GCM: Does the boat have any special feature you can tell us about?

DR: Moon Palace is moored at Galveston Yacht Basin A47, the only covered slip at the Basin which is large enough to house the 65’ Jefferson. A47 is the slip built for the original Galveston Yacht Basin owners, Robert Everett “Bob” and Vivian Smith, and has space for vehicle parking as well as a hospitality area and room enough for a “genuine” Rolls Royce golf cart the partners love to drive on our Galveston sightseeing tours.

I am working with Capt. Rob Robertson, who was captain on the 65’ Jefferson for a substantial period of time, and hope to get some information as to what I have been told is his very interesting story.

 

GCM: Do you plan to go cruising any time soon?

DR: As we’ve repaired, renovated and redecorated, we have made Gulf of Mexico cruises, hosting family and friends, living on board when James and I are in Galveston.

With the renovation and repairs completed and having passed Sea Trials in the open seas, Moon Palace’s opportunity for longer cruises has finally arrived.

jeffersonbed

GCM: What is the best thing you enjoy about Moon Palace?

DR: Even if Moon Palace is resting up for her next cruise, the best thing we enjoy is seeing  a very favorite view of the world from our own private slip A47 at newly-revived Galveston Yacht Basin.

 

About the owners:

Most of James Malone’s family is deceased, but friends from North Texas and Galveston are sometimes aboard. Malone lives in Fort Worth and is owner of After-Dark Lightscaping.

Doris Richeson is a multi-unit restaurant owner and has a very close-knit family of three grandchildren — all of whom are in her business — and their spouses and children. All have enjoyed being aboard Moon Palace, as have Doris’s friends from her hometown of Graham, Texas; Doris’s full-time residence is on Possum Kingdom Lake, 18 miles south of Graham.

Dove on the Mind

dove Dove on the Mind

Dove hunting for many of us will always be a yearly passion

Price and Colt 1 Dove on the Mind

J. Price Blalock with his dog Colt.

By J. Price Blalock

This passion is best satisfied on opening day and celebrated like a right of passage.  It’s hard to explain if you are not one of us crazy people who mark the date on the calendar every year, point your finger at every dove you see and go “BAM” and incessantly day dream of a miracle retrieve your dog simply cannot make.

As opening day slowly approaches, talk turns to shotgun gauge, barrel length, ammo, weather, how best to cook them, good times and dogs.  The sheer anticipation of the hunt keeps the mind occupied for hours and is always an excuse to gather with friends at the local watering hole.  You re-live hunts of the past, the perfect double, limits for all and tasty dove poppers.  But the truth about dove hunting, like history, is more sobering.

North Zone opening day near China, Texas brought an abundance of birds.  The owner of the lease, S. Tanner Garth, shot an easy limit of fifteen in less than an hour.  Six other friends were gone with their limit before I bagged my first three.  Two hours into the shoot Alan Calaway, who was shooting his infamous Remington 12 gauge auto, nicknamed “Mr. Murder,” wandered over and asked if I could use some help.  Even though he had suffered from the heat and had to sit in the shade with a cold rag on his head while he drank a couple of cold beers, he too had his limit.  Not to admit defeat, I quickly reminded him of the Texas Parks and Wildlife hunting regulations stating you had to shoot your own birds, and besides, I didn’t need any help.  Shortly thereafter my son, Will Blalock, shooting a newly acquired Browning 12 gauge over and under, approached and asked how I was shooting.  He, too, had his limit.  I told him I had a couple of those tasty little birds and proceeded to blame my bird count on my gun and ability to find the dove once shot.  Trying to be helpful my son left me with our bird dog and asked if I wanted to swap my Benelli 12 gauge auto for his over and under.  I said no.  There went the excuses.

About this time I noticed the 300 acre plowed under rice fields we were hunting was slowly thinning out of hunters.  I now had four birds and was almost out of shells.  I should have carried more than 3 boxes.  Thank goodness for fellow hunter, Mark Middlebrooks, a friend of 40 years.  I walked over, took a seat and as my luck would have it he had an extra box.  I had been shooting 2¾ 1 ounce #8.  An advertised deal at $4.99 a box, the “Academy special.”  He had 2¾ 1.5 ounce #7½.  At $7.50 a box it was still advertised as a deal, but I don’t see how.  Time to re-think the reloading game, especially the way I shoot.

The next six birds brought my count to six and Mark’s limit.  My bird dog made short order of the retrieves and gave me a newfound belief in my dog handling skills.  My son did a fine job training that dog.  There is little in life more satisfying than watching my dog make a good retrieve.  It does something for the soul, even if the dog is a part time bird dog and full time house pet.

Picture Dove hunt

Alan Calaway with “Mr. Murder,” J. Price Blalock, Will Blalock, Colt and Mark Middlebrooks.

At sunset we packed it in.  Out of 12 hunters we had 10 limits, Danny Middlebrooks’s 12 birds, three short of a limit and my eight birds, 170 birds for the afternoon.  I would have had nine but I called my dog off a dove when my son shot a snake near that downed bird.  It was just a water snake but a snake none-the-less.  We put it in an empty shell box and handed it to Tanner Jr.  Quite the surprise but he manned up and threw the headless snake back at us.

The next day we sat on the porch and cooked our prize.  The proverbial dove poppers.  Everyone has a slightly different way of cooking them.  I like to cut the breast off the bone and then marinate it in teriyaki, pepper, garlic, oil and vinegar. Then wrap the breast, a slice of jalapeno and monterey jack cheese in a small piece of bacon.  Insert toothpick, grill and enjoy.  A cold beer is recommended.  A good time is always had by all.  Dove hunting for many of us will always be a yearly passion.

Duck Numbers Strong but Local Habitat Conditions Questionable

duckhunting Duck Numbers Strong but Local Habitat Conditions Questionable

Texas Duck Hunting Conditions

By Steve Parker

Texas duck hunters are excited about the prospects of the upcoming 2013-2014 Texas waterfowl season, but on a local level it remains to be seen how poor habitat conditions along the Upper and Middle Texas Coast due to prolonged drought and the severe decline in rice acreage will affect bird numbers and hunters’ success.

On the national level, duck numbers look strong… not quite as good as last year, but plenty good enough to justify the effort. According to the USFWS, the total breeding duck estimate in the traditional survey area was 45.6 million birds, a slight decrease from last year’s total but tied with the 2011 estimate, which was the second-largest population on record. Most duck species populations remain above their long term averages.

But as Texas hunters are becoming all too familiar with, good numbers of ducks up North don’t necessarily equate to good hunting down South as a variety of factors…notably temperature and precipitation, are more determinative to hunting success. With the general trend to warmer winters, Texas hunters often find themselves praying for cold weather to force the birds down to their ancesteral haunts… and usually wondering if anybody up there is listening.

The warmer weather coupled with the massive increase in corn acreages planted in the Midwest as allowed the birds to winter far to the North of their historical wintering area. To complicate matters, due to the high carbohydrate content in corn, the birds are able to ride out bouts of cold weather, which in recent history seem to be of shorter duration followed by warm ups. Whereas, the birds used to leave in advance of cold front, now they…especially mallards and large species of Canada geese, gorge on corn, hunker down and wait for the warmer weather to return. Eventually, they must leave but they wait as long as possible and travel less distance when they do actually move. And other waterfowl species are adapting as well.

Truth be told, most of today’s readers have never seen a reliable flight of mallards and Canadas on the Texas Coast. But if you ever talked much to your Grandpa…or maybe your Great Grandpa, you know they used to be the main targets around here. By the early 1960’s most of them had started wintering North of us due to changed agricultural practices up North, the final decimation of the last great Texas freshwater marshes due to development, subsidence and increased salinity, construction of large reservoirs, etc. As most of us have known it, this is the Land of Snow Geese and Pintails.

But that is changing too. Due to the decline of rice acreage and our marshes…largely due to some form of development, the snow geese have taken a shine to the Mississippi Delta…fly over it sometime and you’ll wonder why anything would ever leave there to fly over 500 miles of pine trees to come to what’s left of the Texas coast. And the pintails have moved on down the coast to the still expansive seagrass beds, but not without consequence…biologists suspect that one of the leading factors linked to the decline of the pintail population is that without rice the pintail hens leave Texas to return North to breed in poor condition, which both increases mortality and decreases nesting success.

As they say, the only thing constant is change. Usually it’s a gradual shift that cannot be appreciated without time and hindsight. But with regard to waterfowl hunting around Houston, for the most part we are probably going to experience a jolt this year due to the massive and unprecedented decline in rice acreage south and southwest of Houston.

ducks Duck Numbers Strong but Local Habitat Conditions Questionable

Peyton Parker and Sam Parker with their best hunting buddy, Jeff Malonson of Houston, Texas and a limit of ducks taken last season at 2 Bayous Lodge in Brazoria County, Texas near Angleton.

Due to prolonged drought, for the second year in a row the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) decided not to sell water to rice farmers. This is a big hit. The bulk of what is left of rice in Texas is in the Colorado River drainage…Eagle Lake, Wharton, Bay City, etc. Sure there are some farmers who grew rice on wells and the guys in Garwood on the Lehrer canal system (which has the senior agricultural water rights on the LCRA) grew some rice but nothing like normal. The Pierce Ranch grew 700 acres of rice compared to its normal 4,500 acres…and what they grew is seed rice which is inferior to waterfowl for variety of reasons.

For most of the summer it looked like the farmers on the Lehrer canal system and Brazos River were going to be okay…decent acreages and good crops. Then came the next shot, both the Lehrer and Brazos shut off second crop water…which is a second “ratoon” rice crop grown from the stubble of the first rice crop that is typically harvested in July. Ask any rice farmer and they’ll tell you that the first crop pays the costs…currently about $1,000 per acre, and the second crop is profit. And the folks at John Deere don’t care….they still want payment on the $250,000 tractors, combines, etc. So the farmers are in a bad spot. And so are the birds.

The big problem as far as hunters are concerned is that second crop of rice is cut in late October, which leaves ample waste grain for the birds. Waste rice from the first rice harvest is long gone by the time the birds arrive in the fall. The presence of grain provides a large enough food source when coupled with what’s left of natural habitat (which ain’t much) and man-made habitat such as moist soil units. Sure if it rains a lot, this whole country will flood and the birds will respond, but lots of water usually means scattered birds and tough hunting. And, while some of our area is still under drought conditions, in general we’ve gotten some decent rains that have at least started to restore soil moisture thereby enabling moist soil and aquatic plants to emerge, but the landscape is still suffering from the drought.

The point of this cheery account is that if you want to kill ducks you’d better start finding some decent habitat…pronto. It may be hard to find but it can be done. I manage 2 Bayous Lodge adjacent to the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge near Angleton, Texas. We have been spending our summers swatting mosquitoes and making habitat for longer than I care to remember. If you have a place, like the work (which probably means you are a masochist) and put in the time you can have excellent hunting in the shadow of Houston.  I fear that the days of just showing up on a pond on opener, throwing out a bag of dekes and killing a limit are coming to a close to being over. The guys that consistently kill ducks today either work for it or pay handsomely for it. Food for future thought.

If you haven’t leased land yet, you need to get moving. If I had to pick an area for a long term lease, I’d seriously look east of Houston in Chambers, Jefferson and Liberty Counties. The reason being that this area is serviced by the Lower Neches River Canal System, which has much more rainfall and far fewer people utilizing it. Rice has made a major comeback over there. Up until recently rice had declined over there more than any other region in the State, but it looks better over there than it has in 20 years. I suspect that with the current trends that area will continue to develop and, if the rains don’t return, it will become the largest…and maybe only, rice producing area in Texas. Plus they have the biggest chunk of what’s left of Texas freshwater/intermediate marsh and enough rain to keep it somewhat viable….it’s not what it once was, but the guys willing to brave the ‘skeeters, mud and cow crap traversing  the marshes from Smith Point East to Louisiana still seem to do okay.

For the guys that hunt the coastal marsh and bays southwest of town, the problem y’all have is that the drought increased the salinity in the bays, bayous and associated marshes which seriously reduced food production. The Justin Hurst WMA near Freeport reported slow teal hunting and while their ponds were wet, food is scarce and the birds weren’t there. Matagorda County didn’t seem to fare much better…guys that hunt near Mad Island had slower hunting than experienced in many years. In general, I’d do a lot of scouting and try to find areas of better habitat. Areas regularly influenced by tide without freshwater to offset the salinities are probably devoid of food, but if you can find areas closer to freshwater inflows you should find better conditions. If you can make it to the seagrass beds from Port O’Conner South, things should be pretty much business as usual…. the bulk of “our” ducks now spend the winter there.

No matter where you hunt, if you are serious about being successful in an area with 6,000,000 people and a declining habitat base, you need to at least be able to identify important plant species utilized by waterfowl, understand where such species are likely to occur and if at all possible enhance their presence. My advice is to pick up a copy of Charles D. Stuzenbaker’s “Aquatic and Wetland Plants of the Western Gulf Coast” to aid the search… it’s hard to know a plant’s value to waterfowl if you don’t know what it is.

Of particular importance is the ability to identify widgeongrass, which is a submerged aquatic plant heavily used by local waterfowl. It is a high value plant, but of more relevance this year is that it can tolerate relatively high salinities and grows very quickly once salinities are reduced…which the recent rains have done. I have a pond that has a high salt content and was dry all summer to the extent to nothing grew there, but since receiving some decent rains in mid-August it has grown a very good crop of widgeongrass. The recent rains will continue that trend until the cooler days of Fall take hold and slow down growth. Mother Nature does a good job of playing catch up when the conditions allow….something is always waiting to take advantage of the improved conditions.

All the duck hunters I know are praying that the rains will come, the drought will go and normalcy will return to the prairies of the Upper and Middle Texas Coast. But it would be short-sided to say that this drought will not have long lasting effects on the landscape, especially with regard to the Texas rice industry, to which our local waterfowl populations are closely tied. As a consequence, the presence of large numbers of waterfowl…the natural by-product of lots of rice, will probably become more of a rarity. Good habitat and numbers of waterfowl can exist even under these circumstances but it takes work….and a few people doing the brunt of it will not replace what has been lost. If you are serious about hunting waterfowl, this year may be an omen of things to come…and hopefully a catalyst to ensure that the birds find a better place when they return next Fall.

Tow Away! Ford 2015 F-450 Super Duty

2015 FordF 450 SuperDuty 04 Tow Away! Ford 2015 F 450 Super Duty

More muscle and upscale King Ranch
trim highlight the 2015 Ford Super Duty

By Don Armstrong

2014 promises to be a big year for the Ford Motor Company with the introduction of an all-new F-150, among others.  Until then, the blue oval has to work with what it’s got, and that’s not a bad thing. They sell more trucks than any other manufacturer.

Last month, at the opening of the Texas State Fair, America’s truck leader introduced a revamped 2015 F-Series Super Duty lineup featuring a second generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 turbo diesel engine with increased towing capabilities and a refreshed,  Texas-inspired, King Ranch model.

One of the most significant improvements to the engine is a larger GT37 turbocharger that replaces the previous GT32 model, enabling more airflow to the engine and, in turn, producing more power and torque than today’s model.

Ford also engineered its six-speed transmission that uses a new torque converter to manage the increased horsepower and torque.

Other changes for 2015 include a strengthened frame, suspension, new commercial grade 19.5-inch wheels and tires, and core work components shared with F-Series Super Duty chassis cab models. 2015 FordF 250 KingRanch SuperDuty 07 Tow Away! Ford 2015 F 450 Super Duty

The reinvigorated interior for the 2015 Ford F-Series Super Duty King Ranch edition is inspired by the place where American ranching was born. “King Ranch is an American original with a proud heritage of hard work that defines the American ranching lifestyle,” said Doug Scott, Ford Truck group marketing manager.

“What really stood out at the actual ranch is how prominent the “Running W” is, and how it defines and unifies the ranch,” said Barb Whalen, Ford color and material design manager. “Similarly, we wanted that brand to define the new Super Duty King Ranch.”

The Running W – the brand used on cattle raised at the ranch – provides a focal point for the interior. It is stitched to make the seat backs and center console appear to have been branded. A lighter, richer shade of Mesa leather trims the seats, center console lid, armrests and steering wheel. Exterior updates include the new, darker Caribou paint for the wheel lip moldings, bumpers and lower body. The bed rail caps, bumper caps and running boards are executed in black.

Specific numbers for power, torque, horsepower and most importantly, the MSRP, weren’t released, but we’re sure they are all just as stout as the 2013’s tow rating of 24,700 pounds.

The current F-450 model starts $50,445.

Booby Trap’s Make You Famous Swordfishing Trip

Make You Famous Swordfishing Trip on Capt. Brett Holden’s BOOBY TRAP 52’ Viking Express

By Joshua Graves

Taylor left Chelsey right Booby Traps Make You Famous Swordfishing Trip

Photography by www.boobytrapfishingteam.com

The Booby Trap headed out Thursday at noon on July 11, 2013 for the three-and-a-half day “Make You Famous” swordfishing trip. John Duffy of Richmond, Texas put up the winning bid of $17,000, with all of the proceeds going towards Everyday Heroes. The crew consisted of Brett Holden (Capt. Ahab), Capt. Jeff Wilson, first mate Capt. Matt Reed and the team’s videographer “Miles.” The anglers for this trip were John Duffy, his daughter, Taylor Blair and Brett Holden’s daughter, Chelsey Holden, who is no stranger to big game fishing.

The girls were fired up! Taylor was the first one in the chair and nailed a 150-pound swordfish after a one-hour battle. Then Chelsey stepped up and caught a small sword which was released after a 40 minute fight. With the sun failing, one more drop was made which led to Taylor catching and releasing a nice 80-pound swordfish.

The night bite was a little slow with one mako shark hooked and a 80-pound sword caught by Chelsey. A good pile of blackfin tuna was also jigged up from under the lights.

DSC 8549 Taylor on leftBrettChelsey and John Booby Traps Make You Famous Swordfishing Trip

Taylor Blair, Capt. Ahab, Chelsey Holden and John Duffy, pictured from left to right.

The next day resulted in one nice swordfish reeled in and released after one drop. Brett, Jeff and Matt had been telling Taylor, Chelsey and John about a grouper and tilefish spot they had really been catching them on just a few miles away, so the days plan changed with huge smiles. With John and Taylor on one side of the boat, and Brett and Chelsey on the other side, they deep dropped with LP-S1200 electric reels to catch singles and doubles of big tilefish and grouper.

After talking with John that evening, Brett decided to make a 30 mile move to target bigger swordfish and get away from the heavy weekend boat traffic. The ones the girls had been catching were nice, but after releasing 23 fish over 200 pounds on the previous 30 sword trip just a couple of weeks ago, they had to give this same area a shot once again.

It was John’s turn on the rod. The girls made it clear that John had to sit through one of these swordfish battles this trip.  No matter what John said they were determined to get him in the chair. The first drop was the one; a big sword was hooked and after seeing it jump, it was estimated to be around 450-500 pounds. Unfortunately, the hook was pulled after a few minutes. The next drop, using the same expert daytime swordfishing techniques perfected by the Booby Trap Fishing Team, resulted in another great fish. John has caught several swords in the 200-400 pound range on the Booby Trap, but this one was going to fight harder than any of them! The sword wacked the BaitMasters squid once, then wacked it again. With each wack John started reeling up, but Brett yelled “Drop it!” John gave the bait back to the sword and soon yelled “I’m Tight Sucka!”

Photography by www.boobytrapfishingteam.com

Photography by www.boobytrapfishingteam.com

He took the rod to the chair and the fight was on. Brett, Jeff and Matt thought the swordfish was going to be in the 400-500 pound range the way she was fighting. The big daytime fish was hooked in 1730 feet of water and it wasn’t long before John had all the line back on the Tiagra 80. Brett started to wire the leader but the swordfish then found its strength, took the leader from Brett, and stripped approximately 2000 feet of line without stopping, straight to the bottom and then at an angle, raced back to the surface. The swordfish jumped behind the Booby Trap, disrupting the slick calm day with a white water splash. The sword was getting tired now and so was John. After all, it had been three long hours hand-in-hand with the big broadbill.

Once the swordfish was boat side the crew was amazed. After being pulled in the boat, it was estimated to be a shocking 275-300 pounds, despite fighting like a Nickle (500 pound class fish). What a powerful fish! Brett and Jeff just scratched their heads and Matt started to laugh. John grabbed about three cold drinks and retired to the air-conditioned helm.

Taylor and Chelsey asked if they could catch more grouper and tilefish so that’s exactly what happened. The crew picked up and ran three miles out to another drop and the two teams limited out on yellow edge grouper and big golden tilefish. With the rear fish box full, everyone called it a day and got some much needed rest.

The next morning, the girls both decided they wanted to catch more swordfish! The boat ran six miles to the closest daytime swordfishing spot and the bite was on. A total of five swordfish were caught in four hours, with three different anglers finishing off the 10 swordfish trip on the last day.

Photography by www.boobytrapfishingteam.com

Photography by www.boobytrapfishingteam.com

John Duffy, as before, was a pleasure to have on this trip, as well as his daughter Taylor. These two did a fine job fighting the big swords and never gave in for a second.  Brett’s daughter, Chelsey Holden has been fishing offshore her entire life and did a stellar job on this trip as well. The Booby Trap Fishing Team is looking forward to having a repeat trip with this same group in the future!

The trip was a great time with great folks for a great cause!  Dan Mathews of www.matthewsart.net donated one of his hand painted bills to the winner of this trip and I am pretty sure Taylor will be getting a nice trophy to stick on the wall!  A special thanks goes out to all the great sponsors of the Texas Swordfish Seminar and everyone that supported and attended for the last three years. Hope to have them all back for the 2014 Seminar /Everyday Heroes Benefit!

You can keep up with the Texas Swordfish Seminar by visiting www.Boobytrapfishingteam.com for sponsorship info, dates of the event or just to view the site.  

What’s in Your Bag?

by Laura Snow

Beach bag, duffle bag, tote bag, ditty bag, shopping bag, tool bag, rigging bag or bag of ideas—whatever your bag, you’ll find some good ideas here.

rescuetape What’s in Your Bag?To the rescue

Can’t say enough good about Rescue Tape. Yep, that’s what it’s called. Arguably one of the best emergency repair products available, it’s used by the U.S. Army in its BDAR kit (that’s Battle Assessment and Repair kit).

Rescue Tape is self-fusing, creates a permanent airtight, watertight seal, and resists fuels, oils, acids, solvents, salt water and UV rays. Even works on wet, dirty or oily surfaces. Use it to seal leaky hoses, pipes, tubing, lines, fittings; to insulate electrical wiring and connections (it withstands 500 degrees F, 8,000 volts per layer, with 950 PSI tensile strength). You can even use it as an emergency fan belt!

Of course, you can learn all of this and much more on their web site, but if you didn’t know about it you wouldn’t know what to look for. This is a must have on your boat and off; check it out at www.rescuetape.com.

The only glassware you’ll ever have to buy for your boat . . .

tervis What’s in Your Bag?Tervis Tumblers. Insulated plastic drinkware keeps your beverages cold, available in different shapes and sizes, and with a huge selection of motifs or plain clear. Many of us already own them, and if you don’t, you should!

What I have found, though, is that those first purchasing Tervis, and even those who already have some, don’t know about the lifetime guarantee. They are virtually indestructible, but if you do happen to break one, or if the motif slips out of position, or if they no longer insulate properly, you can go to their website, grab a return form, throw them in a box, send ’em back, and they will send you new ones. I’ve used this drinkware for years (dare I say decades?) and have had some replaced. There are many knockoffs, but only Tervis does everything it claims.

TIP: Want your lettuce to last longer, stay green and crisp in your boat fridge or icebox, here’s how. Wet a paper towel or towels, wring them out, wrap around your lettuce and place in a plastic bag. You never knew lettuce could last so long so well.

 A toast to the host and hostess, no less

winageAh, wine. We all enjoy a glass or two now and then, but wine and boats don’t always go together. That’s because the two worst enemies of wine (especially reds) are motion/vibration, and changes in temperature (as in we take bottles of wine to the boat, stow it in the fridge or icebox, subject it to the motion of the ocean, maybe have some left over . . .). A bottle of red wine, warm and still, will fare much better than one that’s “shaken.”

Enter the box. The generic ones, well, not any better than bottles of generic wine. But the varietals in a box are really quite good. They’ve come a long way! The wine, being enclosed in an airtight bag inside the box, with a convenient spigot, is not subject to exposure to air, nor are they susceptible to motion/vibration because they don’t slosh, as in a bottle. Leftovers keep very well. And no chance of broken glass. Try it, you’ll like it!

TIP: If it’s just too darn hot on the boat at night (sometimes even the AC isn’t enough) and you really want to sleep comfortably, just take a few paper towels (okay) or any kind of tech/micro fiber cloth (better) and wet with cool water. Apply to forehead, chest, neck and/or arms, and you will fall asleep with a smile.

The great sock experiment

socklinersSperry Topsiders make some dandy little socks, or shoe liners. What makes them so special? They are non-slip. You know those little shoe liners that don’t show, but they have a nasty habit of sliding down your heel, and then you’re walking on the folds . . . . Sperry has put what looks like some kind of silicone in little rows in the heel, and they do not slip!

The experiment? I thought okay, these are great, but what about all the ones I already own that do slip? Armed with several little tubes of various silicone sealants, I tried different methods of application, thinking that I would then wash them and see what happens. Well, didn’t get as far as washing. I tried applying in a straight line and zig-zagged as are the Sperrys. Tried it to a relaxed socklet, and also stretching it out before applying. What a failure. And now I’m out several pairs of the old slippy kind. Guess I’m gonna get some more of those cool Sperrys!

Quick clot

quickclotPlease don’t be without it, either on your boat or just about anywhere else. From a child’s bike wreck to hurricane aftermath, car accident or being far away from land on your boat, Quick Clot is something you want.

It’s a mesh pouch filled with hemostatic material that stops bleeding. You open the package, apply the pouch to a wound with pressure until it stops bleeding, wrap the area well and find medical help as quickly as possible. This product is used by the military and first responders.

By the way, that Rescue Tape we discussed earlier: it is also perfect as a wrap for bleeding injuries. The Quick Clot pouch and the Rescue Tape work together to stop bleeding, prevent growth of bacteria and fungi, and seal out dirt. Perfect for wounds to pets, too. It’s a beautiful thing. Cheers!

GMC Sierra Scores BIG

All-new half-ton pickup set to win numerous awards at fall media trials

By Don Armstrong

2014 GMC Sierra Static with Airstream 049 GMC Sierra Scores BIG

What has kept GMC in business for 111 years is fact; the company builds what Americans want in a full-size pickup truck. Yes, there are formidable competitors that we are all aware of; sister to the GMC, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford, Ram and also-ran’s Toyota and Nissan, but not many can tout a 1902 start-up year.

Just before Christmas, at a Michigan movie studio (did somebody say Detroit is bankrupt?) parent company GM brought throngs of journalists to a well-timed reveal of the 2014 GMC Sierra. As the garage doors opened and the stage lights were brought up, most of us really didn’t know how to react, since it appeared the designers didn’t change much, if anything, on the exterior. Since we couldn’t yet see the interior from our stadium-style seating arrangement, we had hopes that a lot of attention went to the living quarters. We weren’t disappointed.

2014 GMC Sierra Front View Comparison 010B GMC Sierra Scores BIG

Fast forward to June of this year when we were given the opportunity to drive the new GMC at the Knibbe Ranch outside San Antonio. There, in a side-by-side comparison was what we were looking for. To see for ourselves the significant reinvention of an all-American classic was stunning, especially in a beautiful Texas ranch setting.

Simply put, the new design is bigger, bolder and stronger in appearance than the outgoing model — from the stout chrome grill to the more pronounced wheel well flares to optional LED cargo lights under the bed rails, the all-new GMC is a huge step forward in design.

The interior, too, has been completely redesigned with a sharp-looking, easy to use center stack and an available eight-inch color touch screen. Knobs are big enough to be used with a gloved hand. A six-gauge instrument cluster comes standard on all models with an optional driver info center.

2014 GMC Sierra SLT Interior front dash view from the rear seats

Three power plants are available, a 4.3L V-6, a 5.3L V-8 and a 6.2L V-8, all from a shared EcoTec3 engine family. Each engine features standard direct injection, continuously variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management, which means they seamlessly switch to run on four cylinders during light-load driving to save fuel.

There just isn’t enough room here to tout the great things that GM had to put on hold because of bad times, but we’re glad to see that they haven’t lost that GM swagger. Way to go.

Pricing starts at $32,215 for GMC Sierra Crew Cab model.

How to Energize and Feed Your Racing Crew

by Betha Merit

galleyyeah How to Energize and Feed Your Racing Crew

The crew of the Sea-quell takes a moment to sit and eat.

thegalley How to Energize and Feed Your Racing CrewThere is a balance in planning the meals for your racing crew.  The competitor in you wants to make sure everyone is fueled up and ready for duty.  The host in you wants the food to be appetizing and as fresh as possible.  The medic in you knows that certain foods may contribute to seasickness.  So we went to Bay Area Houston boat owner and race champion, Susan Setters, and asked for her tips and tools of the trade.

In 2009 and 2011, Susan and her husband, Audie Setters, raced their 46 foot 2007 Beneteau sailboat in the “Race to the Border” that sails from Galveston to South Padre Island, www.racetotheborder.com.  “We learned a lot on these races, and had a variety of crew members both times,” says Susan.  They sailed the “Regatta de Amigos” in 2008, and came in First Place in 2010, “Cruising Non-Spinnaker” class.

“The very first requirement in choosing your Chief steward/Chief cook for a race is to choose someone who doesn’t get seasick, ” says Susan.  “Thank God I don’t get seasick, so it’s always been my job.  Cooking becomes entertainment during a race where you don’t see land for days,” says Susan. Not everyone can take the hot, swaying kitchen, so Susan hands up food that needs to be chopped or peeled so the crew can help on deck.  A meal for seven is prepped by direction, completed in the galley, and passed around up on deck, usually in bowls because food flies off your plate in the wind.

“Plan meals for seven days, if you are out for a five day race,” says Susan, “you might have days of no wind.”  Hot meals at night are important.  Susan gives several ideas for main dish meals you can buy pre-cooked and frozen. “Guys like meat, so frozen packages of pre-cooked fajita meat from Costco can be added to onions and peppers cooked on the stove and served on tortillas,” says Susan.  “Sam’s Club has a barbeque roast that is outstanding, and chicken spaghetti is another great choice, just stay away from very spicy foods.”

Sandwiches, chips, and fruit make up lunch, and are easy prep and handling.  For breakfast, a favorite is Jimmy Dean Breakfast Skillet bought pre-made at Walmart and cooked with eggs.  Susan has a creative way to make coffee as the boat sways, and that’s by putting the drip coffeemaker on the stove which can be unlocked, to rock with the boat, and not spill or go flying off the counter.  Brownies and cookies are fun to bake on board, smell good, and are a good way to break up the long days at sea.  The only alcoholic beverage is champagne to be consumed upon finishing the race at your final destination.

Susan talks about assigning colored water bottles to each crew member to cut down on waste, stacking used paper plates and all trash densely.  Food is planned to eat in order, fresh food first, eating foods as they thaw, limiting the crew on what they can bring due to space and weight.  Power bars are invaluable as are ginger cookies and ginger ale.

Susan and Audie currently live between Singapore and their Bay Area Houston residence at the Endeavour with a three-sided view of Clear Lake and Kemah.  Their sailboat is currently for sale, and can be viewed at www.littleyachtsales.com, click on Sailboats, View Inventory, 46 ‘ Beneteau.  Their next boat will be a catamaran, perhaps on the Caribbean.

 

Texas Corinthian Yacht Club Celebrates 75th Anniversary

History of Racing Sailboats on Galveston Bay

5 5156 Texas Corinthian Yacht Club Celebrates 75th Anniversary

The 5.5 Meter sailboat.

If one word captures the essence of the Texas Corinthian Yacht Club, it has to be family. The founders knew this, and if you ask anyone who has spent some time around the club, everyone would say they got it right.  A small yacht club by most standards, the TCYC membership hovers  around 125 stock holding members. It’s personal and that’s the way they want it.

Racing sailboats on an International stage and, more importantly, on a club level is what the TCYC has done for 75 years. From its beginning, three essential goals were stressed.

  • Promote the art of sailing, seamanship, boat handling and the idea of Corinthian spirit.
  • Provide and maintain a clubhouse, pier, and facilities for members.
  • Support and encourage National and International Yacht Racing.
HYC00594 Texas Corinthian Yacht Club Celebrates 75th Anniversary

The Soling class of boat.

Famed naval architect Olin Stephens was commissioned to design a new sailboat for Galveston Bay. The final product was a 21ft sailboat that resembled a Lightning with a 500 pound keel. The new boat was named Corinthian.  The first boats were made of wood and many of them were built at the Seabrook Shipyard, which the Fay family still owns. The Corinthian class continued to grow with every year. The Houston Yacht Club had a fleet of Corinthians and the two clubs would hold regattas throughout the summer. The competition on the race course was refreshing. More and more people were getting into the sport of sailing and the new yacht club would soon start to gain recognition on the global stage.

In the early fifties the new International 5.5 Meter Class of sailboats would attract Kings, Crown Princes, and Texas oilmen. Even though Europe and the East Coast were leading the way in this new class, the men and woman from a small club in Texas were proving they could hold their own in regattas all over the world. The Fay brothers would make the cover of Sports Illustrated to the delight of members and the TCYC would continue to set the standard for one design sailboat racing on Galveston Bay.

The Corinthian and the International 5.5 Meter class may have been the best boats for racing on Galveston Bay after World War II but new changes in building materials were being developed and in the late sixties a new trend of fiberglass design hulls were attracting some attention from the global sailing community.

Pete Masterson, Ernie Fay, winner of the 1962 Scandinavian Gold Cup, and his niece, Marion Fay.

Pete Masterson, Ernie Fay, winner of the 1962 Scandinavian Gold Cup, and his niece, Marion Fay.

The Soling is a class of open keelboat designed by Jan Linge of Norway. In 1968 it was chosen from among many other boats to be the men’s triple handed boat for the 1972 Olympics. The new boats were affordable, easy to trailer and built to last. Fleets were started all over the world. In the US the TCYC would be fleet # 1. For the next twenty years the Soling would be the boat of choice for most of the members as one design racing became a way of life at the TCYC. Big regattas were held on Galveston Bay, the club wanted to show off our bay and give the traveling crews a little bit of that Texas hospitality. Traveling to new venues and racing sailboats was catching on and the idea of representing the TCYC in this country and around the world was always something the members were proud of.

It’s a terrible feeling to lose your fleet in one day but that’s what happened to the TCYC. A freakish storm hit the bay and destroyed the pier, the boats and the any hope of continuing the Soling class as a club boat. The members decided to go with a new boat, a Sonar designed by Bruce Kirby who was known for designing the Laser.  In 2000 the first three Sonars were purchased. The fleet was new to the bay and the competition with other fleets kept the number of boats low at first. After the first summer of racing, three more boats were added to the fleet and this trend would continue for a number of years.  Now the club has sixteen boats, which is the largest one design fleet on Galveston Bay.

The Sonar sailboat, which is still in use today.

The Sonar sailboat, which is still in use today.

Team racing is a popular form of yacht racing. Teams of 2,3, or 4 boats compete together in a team race, with results being combined as opposed to fleet racing where boats are scored on individual basis. The races are very short usually 5-12 minutes. This type of racing puts a premium on boat handling, tactics, and the rules of racing. The TCYC got into this type of racing about six years ago. It’s an inexpensive way of getting new people into the sport and it builds the fleet. The club teams travel to regattas all over the country. Programs for new members will ensure the sport of sailing grows and it continues to be a way to have fun on the water, which is what the founders had in mind. The Gulf Coast Mariner magazine salutes the men and women of the Texas Corinthian Yacht Club. Your legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of members who love sailing and the Galveston Bay lifestyle.

Fall Fishing Offshore TEXAS

by Capt. Joe Kent

ling Fall Fishing Offshore TEXAS

Capt. Joe Kent and Gulf Coast Mariner’s Director of Art, Brandon Rowan with a 65-pound ling. This big fish was found on a small, sparse patch of weed 50 miles out of Galveston.

We often read about the prolific offshore fishing Texas offers during the prime months of July and August; however, not much is mentioned about the fall fishing offshore Texas, especially in September and October.

One reason fishing articles no longer mention much about offshore fishing during the fall is because red snapper are one of the prime targets, or at least they were before Federal regulations limited the fishing season to just a few weeks beginning June 1 each year.

This year, deep-sea anglers may have an opportunity to fish for the prized table fare during October if the Gulf Council of the National Marine Fisheries Council has its way.  The council was to make its formal recommendation in Mid-August, after press time for this article.

If the recommendation is approved and added days are set for October, this will be a bonus for offshore fishermen in Federal Waters.  Regardless, red snapper fishing is open year-round in state waters. Fall is prime time for this species to be found in the shallower waters controlled by the State of Texas within nine Nautical Miles of shore.

The populations of snapper have increased dramatically over the past five years with the quality and quantity of the fish resembling what I recall from 20 years ago.

One of the advantages of fall snapper fishing is that the distances needed to travel are much less than in the summer. During the warm summer months, most of the better snapper fishing takes place beyond 40 miles out of Galveston, while during the cooler months decent-sized fish can be found in state waters and in the near Federal waters nine to 20 miles out.

Even though we talk about the virtues of fall red snapper fishing, the pelagic fish still are around.  While perhaps not in the concentrations as in July and August, king mackerel, ling, dorado, bonito, sharks and others continue to roam the near shore waters of the Gulf.

mangrove1 300x179 Fall Fishing Offshore TEXAS

Tasty mangrove snapper make an excellent subsitute when red snapper is not in season.

One of my best days ever for dorado came in late September of 2000 while fishing approximately 30 miles out of San Luis Pass.  At the time, red snapper season ran from June 1 until September 28.  While anchored near an offshore platform, a weed line drifted by and behind it was a large school of dorado in the 10 to 18-pound category.  Every line on our boat had a fish on it and the dorado stayed around until we had boated 12.

Other species of reef fish including vermilion snapper, mangroves, grouper and others are in close preparing for winter and are easy targets for anglers fishing the bottom.

One pattern that I have observed is an inverse relationship between pelagic fish and reef fish with each passing cold front, less pelagic fish are around yet the populations of reef fish tend to increase.

By now most of you have thought of another big plus for fall fishing offshore and that is the pleasant conditions in which to fish.  The extreme heat of summer is behind us and pleasant temperatures are usually the norm.

Offshore anglers are encouraged to brush up on the Federal Regulations before making a trip as they do differ from the well-published state rules.  For example, there is a two-fish bag limit on red snapper in Federal Waters compared to a four-fish limit in state waters.

Snapper Slappers are effective for a variety of species found in the Gulf. Try a brightly colored 1 oz. lure tipped with squid for dorado on weedlines, or drop a big 5 oz. slapper with a sardine on the circle assist hook for that sow snapper.

Snapper Slappers are effective for a variety of species found in the Gulf. Try a brightly colored 1 oz. lure tipped with squid for dorado on weedlines, or drop a big 5 oz. slapper with a sardine on the circle assist hook for that sow snapper.

Recently, the Federal Government removed the requirement for having a deflating device on board and reduced the bag limit for vermilion snapper from 20 to 10 per day. Circle hooks are required for fishing for reef fish in both Federal and State Waters

In the fall, there is less boat traffic offshore which is good for fishing but a problem if you get stranded. This time of year it is especially important to leave a float plan with someone onshore who would be one of the first to be aware if you were not back on time.

Take advantage of our great fall weather and make it out to one of the wells and platforms out of Galveston, you might be surprised at what is waiting for your bait.

Newport Summer Fun

Sails and celebrations at this historic New England city by the sea

By Charles Milby

IMG 6543 Newport Summer Fun

I love to go to Newport, Rhode Island in the summer. Located between the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay, this historical New England town will charm you forever. www.gonewport.com

This natural harbor is home to many impressive international yachts. Many of them come north in the summertime to escape the hurricanes that plague the Caribbean. On a good day you will see 300 boats of all shapes and sizes coming and going as this modern day harbor comes alive. Throw in the Newport Folk Festival and you have one heck of a party town. www.newportfolkfest.net

One of my favorite places in Newport is the International Yacht Restoration School. Take a walk through their facilities and you really get the feel of how boats were built 75 to a 100 years ago. Crafting and restoring wooden boats is what they do best. www.iyrs.edu

Even though the Newport sailing season only lasts for three months in the summer, there is a regatta going on almost every weekend.  The club house at the prestigious New York Yacht Club is home to many of our country’s best sailors. If you can swing an invitation, then jump at the chance to visit. It’s well worth it.  www.nyyc.org

From stately mansions and yacht clubs to lobster rolls and surfing, Newport has something for everyone. Be sure to pack a sweater, if you can remember what that feels like and say goodbye to our Texas heat for just a little while.

Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine