PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – An amazing piece of history washed ashore a Florida beach Wednesday.
The hull from a ship possibly dating back to the 1700s was found on Guana River State Park in Ponte Vedra Beach, according to WJXT.
St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum archeologist Chuck Meide got word of the wreckage and brought a team of researchers to learn more. He said it’s most likely a merchant ship, but could’ve come from anywhere.
“It’s hard to know where it’s from,” Meide said. “One thing I can tell is that it would’ve been a pretty sizable ship.”
WLTV reports the size of the ship is estimated to be 40-feet long. Beach officials are attempting to remove the hull before high tides arrives.
Line Caddy holds your dock lines out from the dock within reach when you come in. Two mounting options attach directly to the piling or into the dock and extend three and a half feet or six feet, respectively.
Never struggle with docking or dock lines again. Use the handy mounts from Line Caddy to reach your lines with ease.
The Annual Bahamas Poker run is changing the face of recreational boating in the Bahamas.
Recreational boating in The Bahamas is not exclusive to international boaters, but it is certainly sustained by tourists. In 2016, over 80,000 people visited The Bahamas on yachts or private boats to bask in the beauty and uniqueness of the archipelago. That’s almost a third of The Bahamas’ entire adult population.
Bahamians rarely see themselves in the ubiquitous marketing images of yachts, sailboats, and speedboats loving up the islands, and few young Bahamians dream of owning their own boat. The cost seems far too out of reach, and the world of boating seems like a place they don’t belong.
While Bahamians are involved in commercial fishing, vessel management, and boat chartering, there is a comparatively small population of recreational boaters.
Changing the Game
Recreational boating events like the annual Bahamas Poker Run challenge this representation. In just two years, the event has arguably become the biggest domestic boating event in The Bahamas according to participants and marina operators who host stops along the way.
Viral images of the poker run show a local boating community that actually exists; it’s much larger and more diverse than one might assume, and it’s active. The event demonstrates that Bahamian boaters are eager to explore their islands and play in their own aquatic backyard, and it supports the idea that a strong domestic boating industry is a good thing for the travel trade on the whole.
“When we came up with the idea, we were feeling like there was nothing to do recreationally with boats other than beaching on Rose Island: ninety percent of my boating experience is jumping on a boat and going to Rose Island,” says Shane Freeman, one of the founders of the Bahamas Poker Run. “It is certainly not something I take for granted. I mean Rose Island has amazing beaches, it is a lot of fun and only twenty minutes away from Nassau, but we have an entire archipelago available to us.”
It can get rather busy during the Annual Bahamas Poker Run.
And, they’re off! Boats take off to the next locale.
Speedy! Two boats participate in the Annual Bahamas Poker Run.
Set for May 12, 2018, Bahamas Poker Run is expected to draw at least five dozen local boats to caravan cruise through the Exuma Cays. Last year the event had over 50 boats and 300 participants. It follows the standard poker run format: each boat draws a card at various stops along the route and compares hands at the end of the day. Winners receive cash and in-kind prizes. The winning hand received $500 cash last year. Organizers hope to grow the prize-winning pot with the jump in interest from sponsors.
“The run down through the cays is probably one of the things I enjoy the most; no matter how many times I do it, it always blows me away,” says Freeman. “You are running so close to the shore; the water is so blue, so clear and so shallow. It is not one straight shot like you are driving on a long highway. You are making curves to the left and right as you navigate the right path through the banks. That, for me, is one of the coolest things. A lot of people comment on that because they have never been able to do it before.”
Take it from the locals
It usually takes an experienced captain to navigate the labyrinth of shifting sands and shallow seas on the inside of the Exuma chain. Many private craft owners don’t trust
themselves to make this run alone. On the poker run, in just one day, local boaters get a guided tour on their own boat, and they get to see all of the marinas and popular
attractions, including the little-known Exuma Land and Sea National Park, a first of its kind.
2018 Bahamas Poker Run Dates
Wednesday, May 9 Captain’s Meeting
Friday, May 11 Pre-Poker Run Beach Party
Saturday, May 12 Poker Run Starting Point: Palm Cay Marina, Nassau
Sunday, May 13 Post-Poker Run Beach Party
Last year, the poker run started in Highbourne Cay and stopped in Norman’s Cay, Compass Cay and Warderick Wells, headquarters for Bahamas National Trust (BNT) park
wardens. Although they hope to expand the poker run to other islands, the directors say every year that there will be a poker run in the Exumas.
Carolyn Cartwright, the manager at Highbourne Cay, says the arrival of boats at the Highbourne Cay Marina creates an entertaining spectacle for marina and hotel guests. Boats of all shapes and sizes come in by the dozens, including last year’s standout boats: a 39-foot Cigarette with two 520-hp Mercury engines, a 39-foot Nortech boat with four 350-hp Mercury engines and a 38-foot Fountain with three 275-hp Mercury engines.
“We support the event because it supports the BNT and the Ranfurly Home for Children,” says Cartwright. “Kevin [Cartwright] is a council member on the BNT. They are really
underfunded even though they are responsible for managing all of the national parks. They rely on private donations, and anything that can be done to help them out is a good thing. We need to protect the environment down here. Our guests get curious about the event, so it brings to their attention that the Bahamas National Trust is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations,” she says. Last year, each organization received
a $2,500 cash donation. pokerrunbahamas.com
Fingerprint security has made its way to padlocks—no more keys or remembering
number sequences. The Tapplock fingerprint lock is forged with Zamak 3 zinc alloy with a stainless steel shackle and has an IP66 water-resistant rating.
Able to store up to 500 fingerprints, the Tapplock app allows additional access control.
The Spare Essentials: Pack properly for potential problems and keep these spare parts aboard
Every boating adventure promises an amalgam of excitement, relaxation, mistakes, and mishaps. Rarely does something not go wrong; it’s a truism every boat owner knows from experience. That’s why extra fluids and impellers—and a handheld VHF radio that’s always
charged—can save the day in remote locales where help from other boat owners or towboats is lacking.
“I take those big containers you get at Home Depot and fill it full of spare parts, and then I make a list of what’s inside,” says Perera, who runs his 54-foot cruising boat to The Bahamas two or three times a year. “We started going over there in 1999 and have been all over The Bahamas, from the Abacos to the Exumas.” Having the proper tools to make the changes—such as an oil filter wrench—is also important. “It’s practice at the dock so you know how to use your tools,” Perera quips. “That way when you get out there you know what to do with those tools.”
Expect the Unexpected
Perhaps the weakest link on the boat is the impellers, the muscles inside raw-water pumps. Having a spare impeller for every pump can be invaluable in an emergency. Debris that clogs the raw-water supply can cause engine overheating, and the impeller can implode. “Again, you need to know how to replace impellers and that takes practice,” Perera affirms. “If you can’t do it if you are at the dock, you can find someone who can.” Bad impellers will have cracking where the vanes are at the base, or the tips will show damage. Because they are inexpensive—and you have a spare—if there is a question
then always change the impeller.
Quickly removing raw water from the bilge can also help save the boat in an emergency, and that’s where an extra external water pump comes in handy. You don’t want standing water or fluids in your boat, and again, any fluid is a sign that something is wrong. “Extra belts for your generator and engines are good to carry,” Perera adds. “Belts don’t weigh much and you can stock a full replacement set. Also, have a way to jump-start your battery, and if you have to plug a leak or slap some stuff together, 3M™ Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200 is good to have. It’s also nice to have extra light bulbs in case one goes out, and extra coolant for the engines.”
Think Again
Some boat owners carry extra propellers or even an extra anchor, but Perera says the extra weight of anchors and propellers makes it impractical to carry a spare. “Spare props
for my boat weigh 500 pounds, and carrying it around burns a lot of extra fuel,” Perera states. “Good luck trying to get three guys to wrestle that out of a compartment, off the boat and then put the spare propeller on. It’s a lot of weight to carry for a very
low probability. And with an anchor, again, that’s a lot of weight to carry, and then you
have to know how to splice it and put the anchor line together again.”
Some items, such as life jackets and flares are more than spare parts, they’re must-haves. “If you are going to do long-range boating, then have the Type I life jackets with the whistle and the light,” Perera recommends. “You will also want a life raft that is certified annually, and make sure your flares are up to date.” Emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) and personal location devices (PLBs) are among many products available that can save lives when catastrophe strikes.
Heir and a Spare
While not counted as spares, it’s important to make sure these valuable electronics are in working condition.“With the EPIRB all you have to do is flip the switch and airplanes and ships can locate your position within five feet. It’s a piece of safety equipment that’s not a spare but a requirement in my opinion.”
In the end, while spare parts can improve the odds of surviving an accident at sea, it’s never completely safe at sea. A boat owner and his crew may have a decent blueprint
about how to create and implement an emergency procedure, and Plan A is having such a procedure and protocol in place but never having to use it. That’s because you arrive at your destination safely, with time to spare.
The two sister beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are some of the prettiest in the world.
It’s 7:30 and the sun is already well above the horizon. As I step out onto the dock, an osprey circles above a school of sea trout holding in a nearby channel. There’s a decision to be made now, and I carefully consider my choices: Do I pull up a chair on the bay side with a beautiful view of Pine Island Sound or walk 100 yards to the Gulf shore to see what new seashells have washed up overnight? It’s a tough choice, I know, but I’m happy to have options, which is what the beautiful Floridian isles of Sanibel and Captiva are all about. This morning, I’ll look for shells.
A Likely Pairing
Wedged between Charlotte Harbor to the northeast and Estero Bay to the southeast, Sanibel and Captiva are the largest in a chain of barrier islands that come across as super-tourist yet surprisingly laid back. Relatively long and narrow, they offer easy access to the Gulf of Mexico for serious offshore fishing adventures and open-throttle cruises. At the same time, this is where Florida’s Gulf Coast Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) begins, allowing boaters to tuck inside Pine Island Sound where waters are generally mellow but some routes run shallow. Between these entertaining access routes, Sanibel stretches for roughly 12 miles while Captiva sprawls for another five. Both offer sandy beaches, amazing shelling, fine dining, plus a small-town feel that belies bountiful amenities and provisioning potential.
Historically speaking, Sanibel and Captiva have endured a few weather bumps over the years. A pair of hurricanes tore through here in the 1920s and Hurricane Charlie, a
category four storm, crushed the area in 2004. So bad was the devastation after Charlie that many marinas, resorts, and businesses had to completely rebuild. In doing so,
however, most reset the bar with significant upgrades. The local community also decided to work hard at balancing their tourist-based economy with a deep respect for the
environment. That choice turned out to be a winner as the islands bounced back with a vengeance, their tourism buoyed by the recognition of how big a role access to clean water and abundant wildlife plays in attracting visitors.
Arriving
Getting to both Sanibel and Captiva is fairly straightforward. Both are accessible by land or boat. Since there are no marinas residing seaward on the Gulf front, the vast majority of boaters approach from the ICW in Pine Island Sound. If you’re coming from the open Gulf, however, you can tuck inside to easily reach Sanibel Marina at Point Ybel, or slide through Redfish Pass to reach the marina at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva. Note that Blind Pass, another passage to the ICW, carries a low clearance designation on the charts.
Once on the inside route, Jensen’s Captiva Island Beach and Marina Resorts, McCarthy’s Marina and the marina at ’Tween Waters Inn Island Resort & Spa provide easy access
to Captiva. From any of these, you can walk to the Gulf-side beaches, or grab a cab or bike to reach other destinations. To access Sanibel Island, opt for either Sanibel Marina or
Port Sanibel Marina. While seas are generally mild on the inside approach, be aware that some cuts outside of the main channels have water depths of five feet or less at mean low
water. Thus, if you have a deep-draft vessel you might want to rent something smaller to cruise around after tying up your primary rig. Either way, watch out for manatees, which are plentiful throughout the system.
What we talk about when we talk about leisure
Once settled in, let the fun begin. Outdoors lovers and fitness buffs will absolutely love this area; opportunities to get out and do your thing are not only widely available, they are often enhanced. On Sanibel, for example, you’ll find 25 miles of paved bike paths. Captiva has no official bike routes, but you can cycle the main road from one end to the other, and Cayo Costa State Park, a short boat ride to the north of North Captiva Island, features six miles of wooded biking/hiking trails plus nine miles of open beach for walking and running.
If you would rather stay on the water while getting in a workout, fear not. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) are widely available. At Sanibel Pilates and Ambu Yoga you can meditate on the beach or try SUP yoga. To tour by paddle power, head over to Adventure Sea Kayaks at ’Tween Waters Inn on Captiva and enter the small cove in Buck Key to find seahorses, jumping mullet and all sorts of bird life. More adventurous paddlers can hook up with Tarpon Bay Explorers at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. There, an hour-and-a-half kayak tour leads through one of the largest
mangrove ecosystems in the country. It is magnificent.
Feel like trying something completely different? Sanibel and Captiva are among the top shelling destinations in the world. What’s shelling, you ask? It’s just as it sounds; you
walk the beach gathering interesting and beautiful seashells. The difference here is that beaches like Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel or Blind Pass (Turner Beach) on Captiva will find
you ankle-deep in shells. More than 250 varieties wait to be discovered here, some of which are exceedingly rare, of scientific significance or even worth a few bucks. A large junonia shell, for example, can bring $150 at a local shell shop; someone finds one nearly every week. When you’ve finished collecting for the day, be sure to check out the
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.
Happy as a Clam?
For some shell collectors, the best shell on the beach is not the perfect shell but rather one with a flaw, a little round hole and a true story that goes with it. That clam was murdered in cold blood. The clam was the victim of a carnivorous sea snail, and it wasn’t
a fair fight. The sea snail used its tongue as a secret weapon. The tongue, called a radula, drilled a small, round hole through the clam. Then its multitasking tongue sucked the nutritious life out of that mollusk.
You’re right; it’s a shell-eat-shell world out there. Buried-in-sand bivalves can be
found on all Gulf barrier islands. Pensacola Beach has a lot. Some shell collectors string them up as necklaces. The beaches of Sanibel Island near Fort Myers have shell abundance and variety, including many murdered clams.
Sanibel’s South Florida geography helps. Unlike other barrier islands in this area, Sanibel Island has an east-west beach that traps sought-after shells from southern waters, including the Caribbean.
Anglers, too, have plenty of options in these waters. Sea trout, redfish, and snook abound inside Pine Island Sound. On the Gulf side, tasty tripletail hang near buoy chains, sheepshead surround rock piles, and king mackerel cruise nearshore waters. Offshore, snapper, grouper, mahi, and tuna are on the menu while jack crevalle, summer flounder,
and snook can be caught at most passes. Boca Grande Pass to the north of Cayo Costa is famous for its tarpon run in late April and May. Capt. Ryan Kane at Southern Instinct
Fishing Charters can put you on the fish.
Dining Options Abound
As for dining out, it’s hard to go wrong here. Among dozens of fine eateries, The Lazy Flamingo has restaurants on both Sanibel and Captiva. Catch your own fish and they’ll
cook ’em three different ways. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar also has establishments on both islands. This is a great family retreat with a unique, Caribbean menu. Try the Yucatan Shrimp, with real butter, garlic, mild Columbian chilies, cilantro, spices, and key lime juice. On Sanibel, the upscale Sweet Melissa’s is a heathy choice that sources locally, while the Blue Coyote Supper Club is a golf club bistro serving steaks and other
American fare.
Additional places to dine on Captiva include the romantic Mad Hatter, plus Old Captiva House at the oft-mentioned ’Tween Waters Inn. In addition to great eats, the latter spot
has hermit crab races! There are also five Captiva restaurants on Rossi Lane, just a short stroll from both Jensen’s and McCarthy’s marinas. All are worth a visit.
For dining right on the water, Sanibel-Grandma Dot’s serves up terrific sandwiches and salads in an open-air setting at Sanibel Marina, while the Green Flash on Captiva offers a
nice selection of appetizers and soups, fresh grouper, salmon, Mahi, and tripletail—plus choice ribeye steaks and veal chops.
The best time? Anytime
While Sanibel and Captiva can be enjoyed year-round, March/April and October/November are ideal weather months and therefore see the most visitors. Afternoon thunderstorms are typical in the summer and September is usually the quietest month, but be advised—many of the island’s businesses operate on reduced hours or shut down completely in late summer for renovations and vacation.
Regardless of when or where you tie up in this secluded neck of the woods, you’re in for a rare treat. Sanibel/Captiva isn’t a destination you land on by mistake. It’s a special excursion to be premeditated for sure, but once you’ve arrived, odds are you’ll make the same effort to return over and over again, each time turning over a new leaf—or seashell, as it were.
Glancing at your charts, Sanibel and Captiva might look like nothing more than a couple of big sand spits, but they certainly pack a punch as standout boating destinations. The
townsfolk are friendly, the marinas are professional, and the great outdoors are front and center every day, everywhere. Indeed, there’s no way to fully cover these gems in a single short visit, but as I mentioned at the outset, it sure is nice to have choices.
Cruiser Resources
MARINAS
Jensen’s Captiva Island Beach and Marina
Resorts, Captiva
Vessels up to 40 feet
(239) 472-5800 gocaptiva.com
McCarthy’s Marina, Captiva
Vessels up to 24 feet
(239) 472-5200
Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel
Vessels up to 65 feet
(239) 437-1660 portsanibelmarina.com
Sanibel Marina, Sanibel
Vessels up to 100 feet
(239) 215-2445 sanibelmarina.com
‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort & Spa, Captiva
Vessels up to 130 feet
(239) 472-5161 tween-waters.com
Big, beautiful and majestic, there’s far more to Tall Ships than meets the eye.
I know exactly when I first fell in love with tall ships. It was 1976, and I was taking a break from my summer job as a clammer on Long Island, New York’s Great South Bay. With a bushel of little necks already racked, I was off to a great start that morning so I took an early lunch. Pulling up onto the shore of Fire Island, I cut through the dunes and sat down just beyond the reach of a gentle surf.
That’s when I saw them: tiny dots growing steadily on the southern horizon. Within minutes, three tall ships were in full view, the lead volley for Operation Sail 1976, and celebration of the American Bicentennial. They were en route to New York Harbor for what was to be the largest assemblage of tall ships since the Battle of Navarino in 1827. In that Mediterranean encounter on the Ionian Sea, Allied forces from Britain, France and Russia defeated Ottoman and Egyptian forces trying to suppress the Greek war of independence. It was to be the last major naval battle fought entirely with sailing ships.
I was mesmerized, having never seen such magnificence upon the water and having no idea about Operation Sail until seeing news clips of it on television the next evening. I watched the ships continue to head directly toward my position until about two miles off the beach, where they veered to port and paralleled the coast heading west. Sails fully expanded despite nothing more than a wisp of tailwind, I imagined them to be the Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria discovering the New World and marveled at their strength and steady progress even while wondering how they could have safely traversed such an enormous and treacherous expanse as the open Atlantic.
“You’re not alone if you are fascinated by traditional ships,” says Capt. Jan Miles, long-time skipper of the tall ship Pride of Baltimore, a regal Baltimore Clipper, circa 1812 war privateer. “Not only do people love these vessels, they are drawn to them, and it’s not just for the history. Today’s fleet offers the opportunity to learn life lessons while out on the water and to challenge yourself in unconventional ways. They serve as floating learning centers and teach us about the awesome power of nature, teamwork and clarity in communication.”
The Heights of History
Obviously, the place of these majestic vessels from a historical perspective is hard to deny. Over the centuries they have been used for exploration, exploitation, trade, war, and transportation. For more than 400 years they expanded the world through transoceanic voyages, served as an expression of military might and colonial aggression, ferried supplies, transported slaves, and sheltered pirates. The tall ships were modified in shape and form as craftsmen, architects and artisans stretched their knowledge of navigation, engineering, woodworking, and other technical crafts in a never-ending quest to go faster, build bigger and push further.
As the world gravitated from wind- to steam- and gas-powered vessels for even more speed, range and carrying capacity, many tall ships were recycled as fishing boats, especially in the waters off Alaska where they hauled salmon by millions of pounds per year. Today, they serve not only as a reminder of a proud and sometimes checkered past but as relevant, modern-day mechanisms for learning and growing on a personal level.
“One of the best aspects of tall ships in the modern world is that almost anyone can come aboard and participate if they really want to give it a try,” says Jessica Wurzbacher, Executive Director of Oliver Hazard Perry, a 200-foot, three-masted, full-rigged (square-sail) ship commissioned in 2016. Historical looking above decks, this vessel has a steel hull and a modern below-decks space that includes air conditioning, hot showers, a full classroom, and even a library. “Everyone who comes aboard our ship has to work together as part of our crew; we don’t carry any passengers. With an exciting upcoming sailing schedule, it’s possible to depart from a port near home if you live within a reasonable drive from the coast.”
For students, explains Wurzbacher, the educational aspects are especially attractive. Sailing on a tall ship affords unique ways to learn outside of traditional classroom settings and is far more hands-on. Still, it’s the sense of community that is often most rewarding on these voyages.
“Once you leave port, it isn’t long before the ship is miles away from land,” says Wurzbacher, “and it’s the accomplishment of what you can all do together that makes
things click. Just the feeling of being sufficient as a team in your own little bubble on the ocean is amazingly gratifying. You have to make do with what’s on board and everyone pulls together for a common goal. It’s a tremendous experience.”
Former Capt. Donald Peacock and his son, the current Capt. Alex Peacock have each skippered the very near interpretation of the 1812 Baltimore Clipper square sail war privateer, Lynx. Like most modern-day, tall ship operations, this vessel seems to be always on the move. Sporting a very sharp hull with appealing sheer
lines, fairly low freeboard and raked-back masts, she has sailed from the Canadian Maritime to Cuba, through the Panama Canal, on the Great Lakes, to Ha and spent 9 years on an education mission along the West Coast—all this in just 16 short years. With square sails, she is more strenuous to maneuver than a simple schooner, but the challenge of keeping her on point and at speed adds extra sweetness to each passage.
“Wherever we put into port,” points out the elder skipper, “we offer free deck tours to expose the traditional rigging and appeal of these ships to people and impress that much of what was relevant then remains relevant now. The Egan Maritime Institute of Nantucket and the Lynx Educational Foundation collaborate in creating a maritime educational experience for anyone, but especially kids in middle school grades. To support our educational mission, we incorporate revenue day sails, charters, corporate work, television, and movie work into our yearly schedule.”
Sailors Forever? Maybe Not
Interestingly, neither Miles, Wurzbacher or Peacock aim to make sailors out of anyone who steps aboard. Instead, they hope to separate both kids and adults from their electronic devices and induce everyone to focus on personal growth and self-awareness. “Far more important than learning about the wind or navigation,” states Peacock definitively, “is understanding teamwork, responsibility and simple chain of command. Everything we do on these boats is hands-on. From learning about a day in the life of a sailor to firing the guns, the focus is always on education and promoting personal development. From there, if someone truly finds a connection to the sea, they’ll know it through osmosis.”
Of course, if you just want to get a little closer to a tall ship or perhaps enjoy a simple tour, catch them at a variety of tall ship events, seafaring festivals and maritime gatherings held at deep-water seaports along the coast. To crew, you’ll need to dig a little deeper and contact the ship’s operations station. Check below for specific information regarding 2018 tall ship events, the Tall Ship Challenge, and sailing schedules/tours/services for individual vessels.
“If you have any interest in crewing or joining a voyage,” advises Wurzbacher, “make your plans as soon as possible because spaces are limited on most ships and they do fill quickly. Once you sign up, however, you’ll be well rewarded for the effort. No matter the length of the program, you’re sure to come away with more salt in your blood, even if you are already a serious boater.”
Find your own Adventure
If you want to take a deck tour, enjoy a cruise or even crew aboard a tall ship, there’s a good chance one will be visiting a deep-water port in your area. Seafaring festivals are a logical place to track down these vessels, and an Internet search will easily put the information at your fingertips. Licenses or special coursework are not required to volunteer on Tall Ships. Additionally, many tall ships have education outreach programs and set up private charters for corporate or organization excursions. Those who sign up to crew can expect to mentor students in the realities of life aboard a tall ship: setting and striking sails, maintaining the vessel, standing watch, navigating, performing safety drills, etc.
The marine industry is so much more than boats. If you tried to cast a net over the industry, you’d end up with everything from builders and brokers to linens and lighting to construction to choppers. That’s where Salty Jobs comes in.
Salty Jobs is an educational video series from the Marine Industries Association of South Florida that showcases marine industry career opportunities in the South Florida area. The goal of this series is to introduce a wide range of jobs associated with the marine industry to local schools, workforce agencies, and the public.
Show Management, an informa business also produces the upcoming Palm Beach Boat Show, March 22nd through 26th.
Based in the heart of sunny South Beach, Florida, Floats Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Ego Eyewear and Floats Polarized sunglasses. Since it’s conception over 26 years ago, Floats Eye Wear has been inspired by the sexy, fashion-forward culture of SoBe. We are constantly incorporating the hottest, most luxurious styles into each of our designs. Each year, we exhibit in over 11 trade shows across the globe, including MIDO, the world’s largest trade fair of optical goods in Milan, Italy.
The team at Abaco Sunglasses put their heads together and came to the conclusion that it was time to create a new brand of sunglasses based on customers needs and wants. Through countless hours of designing, engineering and strategizing, they made it their mission to manufacture great looking, high quality polarized sunglasses at affordable prices. When developing an affordable line of chic sunglasses for fashion-conscious millennials, all while protecting their eyes with high quality polarized lenses – and Abaco Sunglasses was born.
When Stainless Steel Stains: Read up on stainless steel before rivers of rust ruin your ride.
“All that glitters is not gold” is sage advice for many things in life, but it rings especially true for stainless steel hardware. As a marine surveyor, I see plenty of stainless hardware failures, some due to the use of poor quality stainless, others due to poor installation practices or lack of maintenance. But what exactly is marine-grade stainless steel, and why does even the “good stuff” occasionally fail? Let’s take a look at why stainless steel stains.
Stainless steel 101
Stainless steel generally lives up to its name, assuming that the correct grade or series is used for the job at hand and that it is installed and maintained correctly. Most of the stainless steel hardware found at a typical chandlery will be from the 300 series, the various types of which are suitable for a wide array of marine applications. Type 304 is a good, basic, multipurpose-type stainless steel. Add a bit more nickel content and molybdenum to the mix and you get types 316 and 316L, both of which have improved resistance to corrosion. Type 316L features a lower carbon content to prevent carbide precipitation (and intergranular corrosion) when welded.
For the purpose of this article, let’s assume the word “stainless” refers to any of the grade 300 series mentioned above. From a boat owner’s perspective, they all have one big thing in common: a self-generated protective coating that helps prevent corrosion. The chromium used in stainless steel combines with oxygen to form an invisible layer of chromium oxide, which protects and prevents corrosion from penetrating
into the stainless.
This inert, protective film is also self-repairing as long as sufficient oxygen is present. Stainless steel is much more prone to corrosion when installed in an anaerobic (no oxygen) environment, a situation where chlorides found in seawater can attack and destroy this protective coating faster than it can repair itself. A perfect example of this would be the failure of a sailboat’s stainless steel chainplate at the point where it
transitions the deck (more on why in a moment). Such failures often occur even though the chainplate may look pristine above and below the deck penetration.
Assuming the correct grade of stainless is used, boat owners can help prevent corrosion and failure by ensuring the hardware is installed correctly and properly maintained. To better understand why installation and maintenance are important, a general knowledge of basic boat construction is helpful.
The horizontal surfaces on most boats (decks, cabin tops, cockpits, etc.) are of “cored” construction, meaning some material (plywood, end-grain, balsa, or foam) is sandwiched
between an inner and outer layer of fiberglass. This construction is typically used for the transom of powerboats as well. Cored construction produces a structure that is stronger and lighter than a similar panel of solid fiberglass, with greater acoustic and thermal properties as well. One downside is that any penetration into the coring can allow moisture entry if not properly sealed during installation or if the caulking used to seal the hardware breaks down due to age. Unless the coring is isolated or sealed against moisture (a rarity among many boat builders) the coring absorbs this moisture, resting like a wet sponge against the fastener.
That’s when it gets ugly. Over time the oxygen in the water is depleted and the protective chromium oxide film breaks down, unable to renew itself. At this point the iron in the stainless starts to corrode, resulting in expansion and the “running rust” stains indicative of hardware in trouble and in need of immediate attention.
So, what’s a boat owner to do?
Deck hardware (including transom-mounted stainless) should be pulled and rebedded (re-caulked) periodically to prevent leaks. This is especially true for hardware that experiences high or cyclical loads: windlasses, cleats, chainplates, stanchion bases, and the like. The flexing caused by such loads breaks the bond between the caulk and hardware over time, allowing water entry.
There’s no hard and fast rule regarding how often you should recaulk, but the general consensus is that deck hardware should be pulled, inspected for damage and rebedded every 7 to 10 years (more frequently if the situation calls for it).
Another thing to remember is that gooping sealant around the outside edges of a leaking chainplate, stanchion or other pieces of deck hardware in efforts to stop a leak is like throwing sawdust against a waterfall. The fitting has to be pulled and rebedded, or you’re just wasting your time. This also allows you to inspect the hardware and deck coring for issues.
To sum it up, be alert when buying stainless steel. Nuts, bolts, clamps, fastenings, and other such hardware are available from a seemingly endless number of vendors, both online and at “brick and mortar” chandlery stores. Some are more reputable than others, so don’t let low pricing alone guide your purchase. Always verify the grade of stainless you are buying and if purchasing locally, trust but verify by carrying a small magnet, since 300-series stainless should be nonmagnetic or nearly so. When testing hose clamps, be sure to test the screw as well since many cheap stainless clamps use a plated steel screw, which can fail rapidly in the marine environment.
COMMON TYPES OF STAINLESS CORROSION
Crevice Corrosion: a problem with stainless fasteners used in seawater applications where chlorides pit the passivated surface, and low pH salt water attacks the exposed metal. Lacking the oxygen to re-passivate, corrosion continues. As indicated by its name, this corrosion is most common in oxygen restricted crevices, such as under a bolt head.
Pitting: Stainless that has its protective coating penetrated in a small spot becomes an anodic, while the coated part remains cathodic, causing a pit-type corrosion.
Galvanic Corrosion: Immersing two dissimilar metals in an electrolyte solution (such as seawater) produces an electrical current. The current flows from the anodic metal and toward the cathodic metal, and in the process slowly removes material
from the anodic metal.
Intergranular Corrosion: Stainless steel contains a small amount of carbon. When exposed to extremely high temperature (welding, for example) the carbon forces local chrome to form chromium carbide around it, starving the adjacent areas of the chrome it needs for corrosion protection. Choose low carbon stainless such as 304L or 316L when welding.
Physician Endorsed, the first fashion-forward line of hats tested and rated for maximum sun protection is pleased to present our latest Collections. As the leading supplier of chic, sun protective accessories to luxury resorts and retailers across the nation, our Sun Protection Accessories, offers our trademark, guaranteed chemical free sun protection of up to UPF 50+, the maximum rating for textiles.
Our styles are straight off the spring catwalks, Physician Endorsed makes sun protection a snap for fashionistas seeking the season’s must-have headwear looks. “We’ll cover you in style from the neck up, says designer Elissa Margulies. The rest is up to you. All hats are crushable, lightweight, with adjustable head sizes, so you customize the fit. And yes, these hats are designed to travel, so, there’s no excuse for not protecting yourself, even on the go. For instant It-girl status, check out our range of brim sizes from medium size brims to the oversized brim, perfect for turning heads at the beach or the finest restaurants.
This unique jewelry company supports women and children by accessing families in need through numerous Foundations. With “mi mama para mi” (My mom for me), Mishky trains women of low-income areas to become expert artisans.
Teaching techniques and improving skills, allows them to work from home, generate revenue, and provide their children with attention, support, and parent guidance that they so much need. The company has mothers working for “Mi mama para mi” provide an honorable living for their families, instilling in their children the concept of working with dignity and ethics.
With every hour of work from home, one bracelet is produced and one or more kids enjoy more time with their mother, learning, studying and sharing the love.
Mishky Jewelry was the perfect accessory during our shoot– colorful, fun, and sophisticated!
A beaded bracelet from Mishky Jewelry.
A beaded bracelet from Mishky.
A necklace from Mishky.
This jewelry was the perfect accessory during our shoot– colorful, fun, and sophisticated!
Inspired by iconic musicians, the wanderers and the wild at heart. Flip flops and sandals that take you everywhere from the beach to the festival—and every windows-down, hair-in-your-face road trip in between. Named after cocktails and rockstars, Malvados sandals are for the life of the party – the badass who are going places and looking good doing it. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bag and take us with you.
Sarah soaks in the atmosphere of the glamorous lobby at Resorts World Bimini.
Sarah Beth stretches out in the Resorts World Bimini Lobby.
Tasha takes a break on the large seating area in Resorts World Bimini’s Lobby.
Rachel gets a cup of tea in the Resorts World Bimini Lobby during the Annual Southern Boating Swimsuit shoot.
The seaworthy Outer Reef 620 Trident expands the reach of Outer Reef’s line of luxury motoryachts into the long-range passage making arena.
If the Outer Reef 620 Trident shape, performance, and style says anything about where former 9-knot distance-cruising owners are headed, it is this: Time is of the essence. Having the capability to efficiently cruise at 9 knots makes sense for those folks whose goals occasionally include long-legged, time-gobbling passages to distant destinations. But for those whose lives are time-constrained between those passages, speed on demand helps manage their day-planners, shortens the time between favorite
nearby destinations and homeports, and lets them reach safe harbor faster when the weather threatens.
Time, especially an owner’s time, was certainly on the mind of Jeff Druek, founder and CEO of Outer Reef, when he approached noted naval architect Ward Setzer about a vessel design that was separate but equal to the company’s well-regarded line of classic motoryachts. Efficiency underway and precise handling in close quarters, excellent seakeeping across a range of conditions, and luxurious furnishings in a livable layout were surely part of Druek’s entire equation.
Hull of a time
Setzer’s solution for a modified-vee hull and running surface is notable. The high bow should handle large waves in open water with aplomb, while the pronounced flair forward and the full-length spray chine that drops down to the waterline should work together to keep the foredeck and side decks dry in most conditions. The stem is not quite plumb, with a subtle curve at the top, but the sharpness of it carries down well under the waterline and aft. It is worth noting that the swim platform extension is a component of the hull, adding more leverage for planing as well as solid mounting for the hydraulic swim platform lift. For maximum protection, there’s a full-length keel that extends below the running gear.
Power selection addressed time, efficiency and handling in one broad stroke. Twin 550-hp Cummins QSB 6.7-liter diesels w/Zeus pods can propel the 620 Trident to 20 knots in the right conditions, but the best efficiency and range is found between 9 and 12 knots. Outer Reef also offers twin 600-hp Cummins QSC 8.3-liter diesels as an option. Add to that equation the notable handling qualities of the Zeus Drive pods, and even the greenest of owners should be able to dock this 23-ton (half load) yacht with precision. It’s important to remember, too, that the Zeus Skyhook feature will hold the yacht in place automatically, a boon for those waiting for a bridge in windy or strong current conditions, or for those who are operating shorthanded and need to set or retrieve lines and fenders without worrying about drift.
The construction of the 620 Trident hull is a robust vinylester resin-infused layup with a PVC core sandwich, beginning with premium gelcoat and a vinylester barrier laminate for optimal osmosis protection. Wherever hull or deck attachments exist, the fiberglass is solid laminate. A molded stringer/grid system adds stiffness and strength to the hull—one of only three molds that form the entire structure. One other hull feature is noteworthy: Integrally molded rub rails along the hull sides are capped with stainless steel strips to prevent hull damage from pilings. Tempered glass is used for safety; salon windows are
3/8-inch thick and pilothouse windows are 1/2-inch thick.
Outer (Reef) Space
True standup headroom for a 6’3″ boating writer, or owner, is a prime hallmark of the engine room on the 620 Trident. Two watertight bulkheads and a watertight pantograph engine room door on the transom, leading into the lazarette, isolate the compartment very well. There’s more than enough room around both engines for maintenance even taking into account the standard 20kW Cummins Onan Quiet genset. Also standard are a fuel polishing system, a fuel management system, and a Fireboy fire suppression system that includes both intake and outlet air shutdown louvers. There are two Racor 1000 MA single fuel filters for the main engines and another one for the genset. Experienced cruisers will appreciate the fact that all tanks have inspection and cleaning ports.
The full-beam king master offers a calming spa-like retreat from a long day of cruising.
Galley, dining, salon and lower helm are all within easy reach– for sharing of meals and conversation.
Galley, dining, salon and lower helm are all within easy reach– for sharing of meals and conversation.
The popular trend of placing the galley aft of the salon enables an easy way to serve meals alfresco.
Access to the aft deck from high and low docks is well thought out. Side gates port and starboard and two molded stairways leading up from the swim platform are key. The aft
deck, side decks, and foredeck are all nonskid patterned, white finished gelcoat (teak planking is optional), and there are stout 316 stainless steel handrails with teak caps atop tall bulwarks leading fore and aft along the sides. Outer Reef specifies a 24-volt DC Maxwell VWC-2500 vertical windlass on the foredeck handling a 75-lb. stainless steel Ultra anchor and roller.
The galley is located aft in the main salon and to starboard, making it as easy to serve meals on the aft deck. The aft deck is well protected by the boat deck overhang as is the dinette/settee area to port of the lower helm. An optional galley layout is available. A hinged aft bulkhead can be locked up, working with the opening stainless steel door to tie together the continuous, open feeling of the aft deck to the salon. Two swing-away stools mounted to the centerline serving bar adjoining the galley allow for informal seating that keeps the crew in close proximity to the chef. There’s also a comfy lounge along the port side for relaxing or, perhaps, a postprandial nap.
Corian countertops with under-mounted stainless steel sinks add beauty and utility to the galley. A host of cabinets and drawers with full extension guides and push-button locks help organize the chef’s favorite tools and dinnerware. Outer Reef specifies Vitrifrigo drawer-style refrigerators and freezers, a compact oven/microwave and dishwasher from Bosch, an Electrolux exhaust hood over the Foster induction cooktop, and a GE garbage disposal—all the right stuff.
The lower helm of the Outer Reef 620 Trident, like the flybridge helm up top, is on the centerline, offering good sightlines all around. A watertight door opens to the starboard side deck, handy for quick access to handle dock lines or monitor the windlass, anchor and chain progress. (There’s also a remote anchor control in case the weather is dismal and the protection of the pilothouse beckons.) A custom helm seat makes watch-standing more comfortable, and the console is large enough to accommodate two engine displays, two NSS16 EVO2 Simrad combo MFDs (with a Simrad 19nm open-array digital radar), and a Cummins Vessel View display with autopilot and trim tab functions.
You can find Twin NSS16 EVO2 combo MFDs on the flybridge helm, along with Cummins engine controls and Vessel View display, as above. Within easy reach of the custom Outer Reef wood steering wheel are Cummins throttle and pod controls, and a C-Zone system screen monitors and switches (among other things) shore power and generator current and voltage, the DC inverter/charger current and voltage, house and engine battery condition and capacity, and tank levels—sort of the Swiss Army Knife of systems monitors.
What lies beneath
Not seen but also standard, are Simrad’s RZ 90 Black Box VHF with AIS/RX/PA capabilities, sonar hub module and a Class B AIS. Two other really nifty items are the Wilson Electronics wireless cellular amplifier for those times when you’re cruising on the ragged edge of No Signal, and the Iris closed-circuit TV cameras monitoring the engine room and the aft deck.
Reach the accommodations level on the 620 Trident from the pilothouse, down a curving stairway ending in a landing. The full-beam master stateroom extends from amidships aft offering a king-size berth, loads of storage, nightstand tables, and a private ensuite head. Large in-hull bonded windows give excellent views on both sides. The VIP stateroom is forward, furnished with a tapered queen-size berth with steps on either side for easy access, and it also has a private ensuite head. The guest stateroom to port includes two bunk berths and good storage, and, amazingly, a private ensuite head.
The flybridge seating and helm area are large enough for a lounge with a table as well as two helm chairs, all under a protective hardtop that features a sliding sunroof for those times when an abundance of fresh air and sunlight is desirable. Two steps down to the boat deck give owners access to an optional outdoor kitchen or the molded stairs leading down to the aft deck. The deck is large enough for an optional crane and RIB dinghy. The deck is well-protected by a stainless steel railing and can accommodate a flock of folding chairs for day-trippers. Incidentally, Outer Reef also offers the 64 Trident as a bridgeless Solara model if owners prefer a single lower helm.
If you know the Outer Reef brand, it’s a safe bet that you understand the high quality of the build, which is a Jeff Druek hallmark. He’ll be the first to tell you “As an owner of an Outer Reef, true freedom is discovery and exploration without boundaries. With our experience in building yachts of the highest classification standards, coupled with our team’s obsession with placing our customers first, there are no limitations to your journeys and dreams.”
If you’re considering a multi-mission cruising yacht, take a close look at the 620 Trident. Or its two larger sisterships, and plan to discover and explore according to your own wishes.
Specifications:
LOA: 61′ 8″ Beam: 16′ 2″ Draft (half load): 3′ 6″ Weight (half load): 51,000 lbs. Fuel/Water: 800/185 U.S. gals. Power: 2x 550-hp Cummins QSB6.7 with Zeus pods Fast Cruise Speed: 18-20 knots (speeds may vary based on selected optional equipment) Range: 1,515 nm at 9 knots MSRP: Price upon request Contact: Outer Reef Yachts outerreefyachts.com
(954) 767-8305
By John Wooldridge, Southern Boating January 2018
Photography by Supreme SceneSpecifications
Want more from Outer Reef? Check out the Outer Reef 860.
