At Ease: Celebrate Mardi Gras

Celebrate Mardi Gras with an easy menu to make in your galley. Serve an old school daiquiri and Cajun Meatballs to start, a lively salad featuring the traditional purple, green and gold colors of Mardi Gras, a luscious gumbo with rice, and some sweet fresh fruit dipped in sour cream. All recipes serve four.

Chicken, Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

Roux:
2 tbsp. butter or oil
2 tbsp. flour
Holy Trinity:
2 stalks celery chopped
2 green peppers, chopped
1 onion chopped
2 garlic cloves chopped
Gumbo:
Dash of Tabasco sauce
Dash of dried thyme and cayenne pepper
3 tomatoes chopped or 1 lb. canned diced tomatoes
2 cups water or chicken broth
1 cup fresh, frozen or canned okra, chopped (optional) or 1 tbsp. file powder (the okra or file powder will thicken the sauce)
1 lb. shrimp, peeled and cleaned
1 lb. Andouille smoked sausage or other smoked sausage, sliced
1 lb. cooked chicken, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter or oil in a large soup pot, and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in flour, and keep stirring until the mixture (called a roux) is a light to medium brown color, about 5-8 minutes. Add celery, onion, peppers, and garlic; cook until soft, about 6 minutes. Add Tabasco, thyme, cayenne, tomatoes, and water; cook another 5 minutes. Add Andouille and okra. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and stir occasionally until gumbo thickens, about 20 minutes. If you are not using okra, mix 1 tablespoon file powder with 1/4 cup hot gumbo stock then add to pot. Add shrimp and chicken and cook for 5 minutes or until shrimp is pink. Season with salt and pepper. Serve on rice with extra hot sauce on the side.

Old School Daiquiri
8 oz. rum
8 tbsp. lime juice
4 tsp. sugar

Mix sugar thoroughly with lime, add rum, shake, and pour over ice.

Spicy Cajun Meatballs
2 lbs. small meatballs (frozen cooked*)
Spicy Sauce:
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
3 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. Creole mustard (or yellow mustard mixed with Zatarain’s or Emeril’s Creole seasoning)
Dash each of Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce
1/4 tsp. salt (or more to taste)

In a 14-inch sauté pan, whisk together melted butter with all sauce ingredients and bring to simmer. Place meatballs into sauce and cook 15–20 minutes. Transfer to bowl and serve warm with toothpicks.

Mardi Gras Salad
1 large head romaine lettuce
1 cup purple cabbage
1/2 red onion
1 yellow bell pepper
1 cup yellow tomatoes
Dressing:
2 tablespoons grainy mustard
3 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 cup oil
Salt and pepper to taste.

Chop salad vegetables, place in salad bowl and set aside. For dressing, blend mustard and vinegar and slowly whisk in oil, then season with salt and pepper.

Strawberries Dipped in Cream and Sugar
1 quart of whole strawberries, leaves attached, washed
1 cup sour cream
1 cup brown sugar

Put each ingredient in a separate bowl. Hold strawberry by its leaves, dip in sour cream, and then dip in sugar. Enjoy!

Setting the Mood for your Mardi Gras Celebration

Decorate in traditional Mardi Gras colors—green, representing faith; gold symbolizing power; and purple denoting justice. If the weather cooperates, have cocktails under the stars. Trim the boat in fairy lights or Christmas tree lights in a mix of colors—red, blue, yellow, and green are perfect for Mardi Gras and if they flash on and off, even better! Or light a few votive candles in colorful holders (purple, gold, green!) and have a few lanterns on buffet tables to make it easy for guests to see what they are eating. If you have the party indoors, dim your lights and decorate in colorful string lights shaped like chile peppers, flowers, Japanese lanterns or cylindrical accordion shades in Mardi Gras colors! Go to your local party store to find a wide range of lights.

Sprinkle tables with Mardi Gras beads and doubloons like the ones that are tossed to the crowds from the parade floats in New Orleans or place a gold, green or purple runner on your table. Hang decorated Mardi Gras masks, beads, streamers, or pirate-themed-booty in Mardi Gras colors. Wear beads, colorful feather boas and glittery hats! Hang a Mardi Gras flag—your guests will know they’re at the right place when they see the crisp purple, green, and gold hanging at from your boat!

Select and have ready at least 2 hours worth of Cajun or New Orleans jazz music such as:
Bayou Deluxe: The Best Of Michael Doucet & Beausoleil; Best of Cajun: Traditional Songs; Best of Zachary Richard, or traditional New Orleans jazz music – such as clarinetists, Pete Fountain.

Cajun Meatballs

1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/4 cup minced onions
1/4 cup minced celery
1/4 cup minced red bell peppers
1 tbsp. minced garlic
2 eggs
salt and cracked black pepper to taste
pinch of thyme
pinch of basil
Louisiana hot sauce to taste
3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup oil

In a large mixing bowl, combine meats, onions, celery, bell peppers, garlic and eggs. Blend all ingredients well with your hands. Season to taste using salt, pepper, thyme, basil, and hot sauce. Continue to mix until seasonings are well blended. Mix in bread crumbs. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs and sauté in oil until nicely browned.

Southern Boating, By Lori Ross, February 2016

Southern Exposure Q&A: Marek Landa, Owner, Crystal Caviar

Perhaps his love for the ocean and his upbringing in a little village of the Czech Republic with a deep connection to bohemian craft made his career choice as a fine art glass artisan a given. Meet Marek Landa, the mind behind Crystal Caviar, a company with a leading team of artists who create unique pieces of glass and crystal art that adorn hotels, cruise ships, as well as private homes and yachts. crystalcaviar.eu/en/

SB: What is the story behind Crystal Caviar? How did it start?
ML: I started a company under my name Marek Landa in 1995 producing engraved glassware for hotels and custom made chandeliers. In 2010 the company was renamed Crystal Caviar. A crystal wall finish I invented that looks like caviar was the inspiration behind the name. Since then we’ve used these “caviar” tiles as luxury frames for one-of-a-kind mirrors. We’ve also used it as a finish for 100-square meter fountains on Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas—among Royal Caribbean International’s largest cruise ships. The material was also used as a finish on several private yachts and as wall art in private residences. Because the clear “caviar” tiles have excellent optical properties, they are ideal for chandeliers. Crystal Caviar has created many chandeliers from these tiles, including a 3,000 lbs. chandelier for a private palace in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia.

The tile and its caviar-like finish (Landa’s creation) was the inspiration behind the company’s name—Crystal Caviar. Pictured a caviar tile with 24K Gold.

Chandelier by renowned artist Jan Frydrych.

SB: How did you know that you wanted to work with glass?
ML: Glass and Crystal are such beautiful materials and it is a true pleasure to work with them. The beauty of glass speaks for itself as to why I fell in love with it. It is also an extremely luxurious material to create art. I love art and now more than 70 renowned artists produce their art pieces in the Crystal Caviar premises.

SB: When did the marine world become part of your work?
ML: From the years 2000 to 2006, I had to pleasure to become close to the yachting industry and I came to realize that there were no chandeliers on yachts—yacht designers were afraid to use chandeliers because of their moving parts, how they vibrate and how easily they could break, damage something or cause injuries. Because of my nautical experience I convinced several designers and asked them to trust me into building several luxury chandeliers for yachts. Since then, we’ve built more than 100 sea worthy chandeliers on many yachts and Crystal Caviar is considered to be the expert in building chandeliers that don’t rattle, that are safe and don’t deteriorate in hard marine environment.

I must proudly say that until now we haven’t had to repair any single part of our chandeliers installed on yachts. However we are often asked to repair chandeliers on yachts produced by others companies.

SB: What goes through the creation process?
ML: The collection of Crystal Caviar pieces available for clients consist of more than 500 glass art sculptures and more than 3,000 designs for chandeliers. We also have in our workshops 15,000 samples of various glass techniques.

The client usually comes to us with the kind of style for the chandelier they want to build and based on that information (it could be a sketch, drawing or photography) we prepare a computer visual for their approval. Then chandelier, mirror, sculpture, glass wall, or glass floor is produced and installed by Crystal Caviar. For example, this is how we produced a 4-meter high chandelier for SERENE—a more than 430-foot private superyacht.

SB: What can you tell us about some of the art pieces for yachts that you’ve worked on or will be working on in the future?
ML: We just produced with world-renowned artist, Mr. Beránek, two sculptures made of Bohemian crystal—100 kg each (220.5 lbs.). Mr. Beránek also produced with us a 2-meter-long art table. For another client, Crystal Caviar is working on an 8-meter-long crystal staircase sculpture. Another world famous artist, Mr. Frydrych, just produced a 250 kg optical sculpture, which will be soon installed on a 60-meter yacht. At the moment we are producing art chandeliers for seven private yachts. We also now have on our drawing boards the first crystal fountain with water.

SB: What is your main objective when you are creating a work of art?
ML: We always try to follow the client’s taste and we never let the client down if he or she requires unusual or “crazy” art pieces. That is why we have become a company that people approach if they want something that nobody else has. “Crazy” ideas are born from creative minds and that is the main reason why Crystal Caviar cooperates with more than 70 artists.

SB: What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
ML: Freedom, challenge and uniqueness.

SB: Can you tell us about one or two of your favorite pieces?
ML: One of the most interesting work we have done was a 4-meter chandelier on SERENE, which we did in cooperation with Mr. Frydrych. His multifaceted components created a special effect as if stone jewelry were hanging above the dining table. The most difficult, but also very unique and enjoyable piece I’ve produce was a 4.5-meter chandelier on 314-foot superyacht Kismet. But in general we supply art for more than 50 yacht projects and each of the project is fun and so different from the other. On Talisman C we used more than 700 crystal components, which was really fun to put together while making sure that nothing fell down.

SB: What do you enjoy most about the marine industry?
ML: I spent seven years cruising on different yachts and one can say that sea is in my blood. I also use my boating experience when designing chandeliers that do not rattle, rust and are safe on board.

SB: Do you own a boat?
ML: I have a little sailing catamaran and a little foldable boat, which I use in the summer to go out on a lake nearby. (There is no space for large yachts in the Czech Republic.)

SB: Where would be some public spaces where we can see and enjoy some of your art?
ML: A lots of Crystal Caviar pieces can be seen on exhibitions such as the Monaco Yacht Show, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, or SuperyachtDesign Week. Some of our unique sculptures can be seen in South Florida, in a showroom of IK Yacht Design.

Southern Exposure, Nathalie Gouillou, February 2016

Southern Boating Q&A: Jon Fadely, a maritime professional, Mercy Ships

Jon Fadely is a professional mariner working with the global charity, Mercy Ships. A licensed deep-sea captain, he has served as Master on four of the five Mercy Ships, from 1992 until now. Jon, his wife Angie and their three children lived for 11 years on board two different ships, travelling to many parts of the world with volunteer crewmembers and bringing hope and healing to the poor. Their children now grown, Jon and Angie live in Lindale, Texas, where they serve full time at the International Operations Center of the organization.

SB: What attracted you to work for Mercy Ships?
JF: Firstly, it was that I could use my professional maritime skills to help serve those in need around the world. Secondly, that my family could join me; my wife could also serve in a professional capacity (HR management) and our children could live with us on board and continue their education in an accredited school.

SB: How did you find out about the organization?
JF: My brother worked with the parent organization in the 1980s and advised us of the upcoming visit of the Mercy Ship Anastasis to Houston, where we lived and worked at the time. He also volunteered us to help the ship’s advance team with the port arrangements! Then, once the ship arrived, we visited the crew on board and heard more about their work.

SB: Please succinctly describe the work and goal of the organization?
Mercy Ships follows the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor. We use ocean-going hospital ships crewed by international volunteer professionals and supported by offices in 16 nations, to deliver a variety of health care services to the people of developing nations through programs, which include life-changing surgeries, vocational training and education.

SB: How long have you been with the organization? In what corners of the world have you traveled to?
Twenty-three years. We joined Mercy Ships on April 1^st, 1992 as a family of five, and have traveled to Central and South America, including one trip up the Amazon River; throughout the Caribbean; into the Great Lakes, twice; along the East, Gulf and West coasts of North America (both U.S. and Canadian ports); around the northern Pacific Rim including stops in Alaska, Russia, China, Korea, the Philippines, Guam and Hawaii; several countries in Europe; Great Britain; and several countries in West, Central and Southern Africa, most recently to the island of Madagascar.

SB: What is your position today? Have you always held the same position?
I “wear three hats” in Mercy Ships at the moment: Quality Management Systems Developer, Child Safety Manager and (part-time) Maritime Safety Instructor. I also keep my “Captain’s hat” ready (including my deep-sea unlimited license) in case the organization needs a relief skipper.

I first served in Mercy Ships in my capacity as a licensed maritime professional: as Chief Officer, then Captain of the smaller ships in the fleet; then eventually as Captain on each of our larger ships. After moving ashore to work in our main office in 2003, I have served as Safety Manager and also Director of Marine Operations.

In general, I provide a range of internal consulting services to the managers and senior leaders as we work together to make the organization more effective and more efficient. My maritime training and experience have given me an appreciation for managing complex systems and coordinating the efforts of a wide range of talents and temperaments to achieve a common goal.

Vanyah is one of the many recipients of the good work done by MercyShips.org, Photo Credit Elie Sergio Benarson

SB: Can you tell us about one your favorite stories with your position and the organization?
JF: In 1994, on the first mission voyage of the Caribbean Mercy, we were sailing from Florida to the Dominican Republic along the north coast of Cuba, when I was called to bridge; the lookout had reported a yellow flag waving off the starboard beam. As we watched, we could barely see the hull of a small motorboat cresting the waves then disappearing back in the trough. We altered course to investigate and as we drew alongside the boat, we learned there were over 20 Cubans on board, including women and children; the boat was out of gas; and they had been out at sea for more than two days. We brought them on board to assess their condition and provide the care they needed: several were dehydrated and one woman was fading in and out of consciousness.

One of the Cubans said he was a doctor, and that they were attempting to get to Miami in order to emigrate to the U.S. He said the hardest thing for them had been drifting at sea with no power, watching ship after ship sail on by, but none stopping to help. I was aware that the Coast Guard had active patrols in the Windward Passage, and so contacted them to request a transfer. They agreed and we established a rendezvous, which we reached the next day. All of the Cubans survived their ordeal at sea, and were safely transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard. I’m not sure what happened to them after that, but I believe they may have been taken to Guantanamo Bay. Before he left, the Cuban doctor gave me his stethoscope as a sign of their thanks for being rescued.

SB: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your position?
JF: I’ve been privileged to be involved in many special efforts and projects throughout my years with Mercy Ships, but one achievement, which helped shape me in my course with this organization was the commissioning and maiden voyage of the Caribbean Mercy.

In the spring of 1994, in St. Petersburg, Florida, my wife and I heard, along with the rest of the crew of our Mercy Ship, the Good Samaritan, that we would be transferring to a new ship, which the organization was purchasing. The Good Samaritan, in turn, would be delivered to our colleagues in New Zealand, who would rename it the Island Mercy and carry on an effective medical program in the South Sea Islands of the Pacific. The catch? The “new” ship, to be renamed the Caribbean Mercy, was 42 years old, laid up in Norway, and had only ever been classed and equipped for coastal ferry service. We needed to send a commissioning team over to Norway to work with surveyors and naval architects to re-classify the ship and then sail it across the Atlantic Ocean, to Florida.

I arrived on board in late April, and caught up with our German Chief Engineer. “Edgar,” I asked, “How soon will you be ready to run these engines?” “As soon as I figure out how to read Norwegian!” he replied with a wry smile. We recruited a team of local translators to provide us English versions of all of the operating and maintenance manuals, addressed a myriad of other technical and regulatory details, and sailed from Norway on May 24^th, the ship’s cargo holds filled with construction and medical supplies from our generous Norwegian friends. After stopping in Rotterdam, the Azores and the Bahamas for fuel, we arrived in Tampa on June 13^th, sailing in under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge with its two pylons lit up like guardian angels, the eastern sky ahead growing lighter with the dawn. One mission accomplished, many more missions to go.

SB: What do you love most about what you do?
JF: The people I work with in Mercy Ships, from the office staff to the crew members of the ships, are some of the most dedicated, selfless, hard-working people I’ve ever known. Sure, we have our problems, our misunderstandings, our hurt feelings and bent egos. But over all and through all and in all runs a deep, personal and profound commitment to the mission of the organization: to bring hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor.

SB: Did you grow up with a love for the ocean/water? Did you enjoy boating/fishing as a child? Do/did you own a boat, if so what is the name and make? What kind of fishing do you enjoy?
JF: I grew up in Liberia, West Africa, for several years living right on the beach in Monrovia. Sand and salt water evoke “home” for me, even today. At a young age, I learned to snorkel and bodysurf; I read all I could find about Jacques Cousteau and the Calypso. Robin Lee Graham and his single-handed voyage around the world on the Dove also inspired me. In college I studied marine sciences and navigation at Texas A&M University at Galveston, then worked with Western Geophysical in their seismic research vessels upon graduation.

I’ve never owned a boat myself, but always enjoy getting out on the water, whether sailing a friend’s dinghy on Lake Minnetonka, or cruising on a catamaran from St Maarten to Saint Barthelemy, or navigating a Mercy Ship to Madagascar. I’ve enjoyed deep-sea fishing for sailfish and marlin off Mazatlan; I’ve attempted fly-fishing for trout in Missouri (the trout won); but thanks to my father and grandfather, my “go-to” is spin casting for bass and other freshwater lake fish.

For more information about volunteering for a maritime or other position with Mercy Ships go to mercyships.org

ABOUT MERCY SHIPS:
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1 billion, treating more than 2.5 million direct beneficiaries. Each year Mercy Ships has more than 1,600 volunteers from more than 45 nations. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time.

By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure, January 2016

Southern Exposure Q&A: Jerry Cash, Marina Manager, The Boathouse at Harbor Club Marina

Jerry Cash, 31, an Iraq war veteran, took over as marina manager at The Boathouse at Harbor Club in Greensboro, Georgia. Thankful for the opportunity the marine industry offered him upon his return from Iraq, Cash works tirelessly to get the new marina up and running with principles that were instilled into him during his time in the military—strive for the best and get the job done, no matter what.

SB: Tell me about what you’re doing now.
JC: What I’m trying to implement is an all-inclusive dry storage facility and marina, where customers can come and not have to worry about service, maintenance or anything in regards with their boat. I want them to come out, call in their boat, leave, go out, enjoy their day, then come back and drop it off. So that’s something that I’m pushing to do, such as getting a mechanic on hand . . . that’s one of my main goals here at the Boathouse.

This is a new marina; they completed construction last year. I believe it used to be like a campsite from what I heard, and a hangout spot for a lot of old timers. The restaurant was redone, gas pumps were added and the dry storage was built. But when I came on board in August, nothing really had been implemented [as far as logistics and the creation of the all-inclusive facility]. We don’t have a [forklift] so I had a special trailer made, where we can move the boat from dry storage to the water. It’s actually safer believe it or not because you’re not traveling with the boat on the forklift, it’s sitting on the trailer. I got the idea from one of the other facilities I worked at, so I kind of took some dimensions and had it made for me.

The Boathouse at The Harbor Club in Greensboro, GA.

SB: How important is it for you to be able to implement that kind of all-inclusive service?
JC: That’s what boating is all about, your only concern should be getting here and to the boat, you shouldn’t have to worry about scheduling maintenance or details such as shrink wrap. . . . I just want to be a full service where customers just show up and get on the boat. I think it’s important to shoot for, customers are paying for storage and other amenities, so I want that to be the main focus of this marina.

I’m in the process of working out the maintenance, of determining whether I’m going to work something out with the local maintenance shop, where the customer can let me or one of my guys know that their boat needs to be serviced, or have someone on hand, maybe someone who’s versatile and can help dock the boats and do maintenance work . . . but shrink wrap and anything else to get the boat ready for winter, that’s something I can handle.

SB: What do you like most about your job?
JC: I like dealing with the customers, I like seeing them have fun while they’re out there. And at a marina, day-to-day operations are never the same, so it’s always a surprise coming in. New issues pop up. It never gets boring. There’s always something new to look forward to.

One of the boat lift at The Boathouse at The Harbor Club.

SB: Tell us about your background, where you’re from.
JC: I was born in Gardena, California, and I was raised in South East Los Angeles. After high school I joined the army and spent three years in service including a tour in Iraq. I was in Iraq from ’05 to ’06. I got back from Iraq in April and then got out at the end of that month. I was stationed in Fort Stewart, right outside of Savannah, Georgia. I had some family members, who moved from California to Woodstock, and I like Georgia, the slow pace, a lot slower than California and less expensive, so I just decided to stay out here.

SB: Is there anything you’ve learned while you were in the military that you still use in your day-to-day activities?
JC: Getting the job done. In the military if you’re handed an assignment it is your obligation to complete it, and I think that carries well to your work life. You start out with an idea and you pursue it until you get it done, just get the job done, see the task through. I think that’s one of the biggest things I took from the military. In the military you have to finish, you don’t have an option. Today for example I have a job, I know I could stretch out [my task] but that’s not part of me, so I get the job done, whatever it is.

SB: Did you grow up with a passion for the ocean, fishing, boating? How did that come about?
JC: Believe it or not I just kind of fell into it. I do have a degree in Information Technology, but when I got out of the military I was just job hunting and I started off part time at Little River Marina [in Lake Allatoona, Georgia] and just moved up the chain from there. Prior to that I had actually no experience with boats at all; I’d never been on a boat. Little River Marina offered me a part time position so I took it. At the time I had just gotten married so I needed an income. I started part time there, and I was doing construction. Eventually I was offered full time. I was there for about eight years. Before I left I got promoted to assistant manager, but prior to that I was operations manager.

SB: When was the first time you went on a boat?
JC: It was a few years when I was in Little River until I was able to take out a rental. It was a pontoon, a Harris float boat. I went out a little bit with one of the older guys who lived in the apartment complex I lived in. We did a little fishing with no luck; we didn’t catch anything, but it was a blast for the first time.

SB: Do you go boating more often now?
JC: Believe it or not, I don’t get out on the lake as much, but my experience with boats is plentiful, I tow boats daily, drive… I can drive just about any boats. I don’t get out as much as you would think working at a marina. I spend most of my time helping out customers making sure things are the way there’re supposed to be at the marina. Making sure people are having a good time on their boat, that’s my purpose.

SB: Would you want to own a boat?
JC: I do, definitely. Just a little 20-foot bowrider would be perfect for me and my little family; I have a 4-year-old daughter.

SB: Where do you see yourself in a few years from now?
JC: The marine industry has treated me pretty well, and I’ve developed a knack for it, so I think I will continue. I don’t know which avenue in the marine industry I’d like to pursue next, but I can definitely see myself sticking with it.

By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure, December 2015

At Ease In the Galley

At Ease In the Galley this November brings families together for Thanksgiving, oyster roasts, and the opening of fall fishing and hunting season! Give thanks for the seasonal bounty we enjoy in this easy menu that serves four.

Gravlax
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Curing time: 24-36 hours
1–2 lb. fresh boneless fillet of salmon, striped bass, snapper, mahi or tuna
2 tbsp. coarse salt
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. brandy or cognac
1 tbsp. ground pepper
1 tbsp. thyme leaves or 1/4 tsp. dried thyme

Cut fillet crosswise into two equal pieces. Mix salt, sugar and pepper, and rub evenly on fish with herbs and brandy. Lay one fillet on top of the other, seasoned sides facing each other. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a glass-baking dish. Place a cutting board with 5-pound weight (cans will do) atop fish and refrigerate for at least 24 hours turning fish over once. To serve, unwrap fillets, remove skin, scrape off seasonings, rinse, and pat dry. Cut fillets on an angle into thin slices. Serve on party rye or crackers with horseradish, capers and lemon.

Crispy Duck Breasts
Preparation time: 30 minutes
4 duck breasts
Salt and pepper

Pat duck breasts dry with a paper towel. Make shallow crisscross cuts through the skin, but not so deep it cuts into the meat. Sprinkle both sides of duck with salt and pepper and put them skin-side-down in a large, cold, dry skillet. Cover with a splatter guard or cook uncovered. Turn heat to medium and set timer for 10-12 minutes. Once skin looks thin, golden and crispy, turn duck breasts over and cook another 3-5 minutes. Remove from pan and let it rest 5 minutes. Then carve into diagonal slices.

Cosmo Cranberry Sauce
Preparation time: 30 minutes
1 (12-ounce) bag cranberries
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup vodka
3 tbsp. orange-flavored liqueur or frozen orange juice mix

In a medium saucepan over moderate heat combine cranberries, sugar, and 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a boil stirring often to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer; stir often until thickened and reduced to about 3 cups, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, cool, and stir in vodka and orange liqueur. Serve drizzled over duck.

Duck Fat Potatoes
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
1 1/2 lbs. waxy potatoes such as Yukon Gold
3 tbsp. duck fat
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Slice unpeeled potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices. Rinse in cold water until water runs clear. Drain and pat very dry. Heat the duck fat on high, drop in potatoes, reduce to medium, and add 3/4 teaspoon salt; turn until coated with fat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook; turn occasionally until golden and tender for about 15-20 minutes; then stir garlic into cooked potatoes

Apple Crisp
Preparation time: 45 minutes
4 apples, cored and peeled
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup toasted pecans
Pinch of salt
6 tbsp. butter, softened

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Chop apples and place in a buttered baking pan. Mix the remaining ingredients and scatter over the apples. Bake for about 30 minutes. Serve warm topped with cheddar cheese or ice cream.

Spiced Beaujolais Nouveau
Preparation time: 5 minutes
1 bottle Beaujolais
1/2 cup sugar
8 whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
1 apple

Bring ingredients to a boil in pan on stovetop. Remove from heat, discard cloves, and pour into wine glasses or clear glass mugs with a cinnamon stick and slice of apple.

November’s recipes are very flexible and adaptable to whatever ingredients you have.

Gravlax
Any fresh fish available will do. Cure it for at least 24 hours. The thinner the fish, the quicker it will cure. If you have fresh herbs, use them, they impart more flavor than dried herbs. For liquor and herb mixtures: I like cognac and thyme; vodka and rosemary; bourbon and sage; gin and dill. If you are worried about the fish and food borne illnesses, freeze it for 24 hours, then cure it.

Duck
If you can’t find frozen or fresh raw duck breast, use skin-on chicken breasts. While there is less fat, the potatoes will taste very good in the chicken fat.

The Cosmo Cranberry Sauce is a delicious side for Thanksgiving Day, my family asks for it every year!! It is also a tart condiment for a cheese and charcuterie tray and serves as a wonderful sauce for any wild game—and it freezes well. If you don’t have fresh cranberries, simply buy prepared whole cranberry sauce, omit the sugar from the recipe and add the vodka and orange liqueur.

The Potatoes in Duck Fat are a classic French preparation (Pommes de Terre Sarladaise) but they are also delicious roasted as well as sautéed. Just chop instead of slicing potatoes, toss in melted duck fat with salt and pepper and roast at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or so, until crispy and golden. And if you don’t feel like potatoes, consider other root vegetables… parsnips, sweet potatoes and carrots are sweet and smoky cooked in duck fat, as are winter squashes!

The Apple Crisp is very forgiving… if you don’t have nuts, just use oatmeal, butter, flour and sugar. If you don’t have apples, use pears or berries. I also love apple crisp topped with thin sliced sharp yellow cheddar cheese that is melted on top in the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. Ice cream, whipped cream or heavy cream is heavenly on warm apple crisp too!

Spiced Wine
I had spiced wine, for the first time, at the Christmas Markets in Germany and it was a warm welcome on a damp, rainy day! If you don’t have or cannot get the Nouveau Beaujolais, use a light, fruity red wine…I like Zinfandel or Pinot Noir, but don’t spend a lot of money on it. This is a fun drink for cooler nights!

Betty Bauman, Founder and CEO of “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing!”

Betty Bauman Founder and CEO of “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing!”

Passion, experience and a true understanding of the task at hand spurred the creation of “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing!” the brainchild of Betty Bauman.

SB: Tell us about yourself.

BB: I’m a marketing and PR professional, my background includes handling marketing positions in some of the largest boat companies in the industry (Wellcraft, Donzi, AquaSport), and I started on my own about 20 years ago. I was born and raised in western Pennsylvania. I fished as a child. My first marketing positions were in the cosmetics and cookware industry, and I didn’t get back into fishing really until my job at Wellcraft, where they brought me along as the “token” female. That’s how I fell in love with fishing. It started off with dolphin fishing, mahi-mahi, and I fished with some guys from the Pittsburg Steelers in the Arthur Smith tournament [in Palm Beach, Florida], and it was so much fun. I got my own boat and started fishing on my own. I had a Wellcraft V20 Steplift and I was fishing from trial and error because I really didn’t know that there were special techniques, special knots or anything like that.

SB: How did you really get into fishing and the program?

BB: I had pretty much reached the top level I could with the corporation and felt that I wanted to start my own company. So I did, they [the boat companies] became my clients and I was doing some program magazines for some of the big fishing tournaments in Fort Lauderdale. So because of that I got to learn more and more about fishing, and I married my husband who was a tournament winner. He would yell at me, you know in the heat of the moment he would bark out orders, things I needed to do, and to me that was Greek—I didn’t know what he was talking about, what to do with it, and why I had to do it. And by the time you ask those questions, when you’re in a fishing situation it’s too late.

What really spurred [“Ladies Let’s Go Fishing!”] was that as part of my business I went to the ICAST [International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades] show every year. I was at an industry breakfast and the president of the ASA [American Sportfishing Association], Mike Hayden, mentioned that women were a huge part of the potential marketplace that was not properly developed—a light bulb came on. I thought I know why: this sport is intimidating, it’s male-dominated and women don’t understand the terminology. There are a lot of women like me who get frowned upon in situations and are expected to know what to do and they don’t. So my theory was I do marketing, I do events, if we had events where women could learn the theory, have a chance to practice hands-on, and have a chance to go fishing, plus a chance to network, because women like the social aspect to fishing, we could develop more female anglers. I had the business, I had the infrastructure, I was all set up to do it. I approached the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with the concept. They embraced it. I knew it was going to be an expensive proposition, we set up a partnership and then they went to the industry and a lot of the large corporation also set up partnerships. That was 1997.

I started with my first event, which was at Marina Bay [Fort Lauderdale, Florida]. I put together all the structures, I knew I was going to need a lot of volunteers and guides to come out of the water to work with these ladies one on one. The response was overwhelming. The first class was sold out with 85 people—as much as the room could fit. This is an immersion program, we totally immerse the ladies and the strategy and the mechanics of fishing and with hands on.

Betty Bauman, founder and CEO of “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing!” demonstrating a stand-up technique.

SB: How has the program changed today?

BB: The program then was a success from the get-go. We’ve made some tweaking but when something is a success you stay with that. So for years we kept the same program but we keep improving the logistics, we expanded the options and fundraisers because we know that we need to raise enough capital to keep the program viable.

SB: What does the program entail?

BB: Our main events start out with a Friday evening social so we can recognize the sponsors, and the ladies get a chance to meet the others. Saturday mornings are the sit-down classes, which are very heavily laden with conservation because the best time to learn conservation is when an angler is new and impressionable. And then we serve lunch.

After lunch we have hands-on fishing techniques, for instance, I show stand up fighting techniques. We have tables for knot tying, lure usage, lure rigging, other fishing skills, sometimes we have how to handle the dock lines; they’re all a little bit different. And then we have spin-casting, net-casting, fly-casting, boat-handling trailer, backing, and landing, we have them gaff grapefruits. On Sunday we have the optional charter fishing, we give them choices, sometimes it’s the choice of a drift boat, a sport fishing boat or an inshore boat depending on the area that they’re in—different parts of the states have a different kind of fishing.

SB: What do you love most about what you do?

BB: The most wonderful part of what I do is enabling and empowering women to enter fishing, to give them the excitement, the knowledge, the skills, and give them a sport that they can enjoy with their families and their friends.

SB: What can we expect from you and your organization in the future?

BB: Since then we’ve added some international trips because once they’re out there and fishing they still want to go with a group and find fishing in other parts of the world. We’ve been primarily Florida but we’ve had some wonderful fly fishing seminars in Colorado, we’ve had some private companies that have hired us to do fishing programs with their female clients.

We have recently added the option to invite male guests or teens, to include the whole family—the focus is still on women but some women want to learn with their significant others, so one can remember what the other one forgets. We’re starting a nonprofit foundation. It’s the “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing!” Foundation, we wanted to take it nonprofit, even though we’ve technically been nonprofit for years, that enables our donors to donate to a charity, the mission is to provide opportunities and education for women and families to learn fishing and conservation skills.

SB: Have you received any recognition for your work?

BB: I belong to the Florida Outdoors Writers Association, I was recently honored by the Bass Pro Shop Pass it On Award, and I’ve been honored by the American Sportfishing Association as “woman of the year.”

SB: What do you like to fish most?

BB: My favorite is kite fishing for sailfish.

SB: When you’re not fishing what are your other hobbies?

BB: Working! I did horseback riding until I got thrown from my horse and broke my ankle a couple of years ago. I like camping, boating, travel.

SB: Any most memorable moments with “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing!”?

BB: It’s exciting to see women from their teens to their 90s attend, all different ages and incomes, but in the room, they’re all equals. We’ve had three generations attend a seminar, grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter.

I get emails from ladies that didn’t know how to fish and pictures of them catching fish in The Bahamas—they do go on and [continue to] participate in the sport. Our sponsors and donors are very important because without them we couldn’t do it. Last year we lost the support of the FWC, which was a potentially huge blow to the program, however, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation came in, Fish for Florida came in, NMMA and the RBFF [Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation] helped us.

SB: How many women have gone through your program?

BB: Eight thousand! That’s a lot considering that it’s hands-on.

SB: What sets you apart from other fishing programs?

BB: It encompasses an entire weekend and it’s all the elements, the social, the hands-on and the classes, and the fishing experience. It’s quite laborious; I don’t know who else is willing to give up their time to do a program like this. I donate a lot of time to it.

SB: If you’d like to add anything, please feel free.

BB: I’d like to mention the conservation and how important the industry organizational support is to the program. We’re very grateful for it and some people have been with us for many years, and they provide products and that allows us to show many more kinds of fishing equipment that we could afford to buy.

ladiesletsgofishing.com

By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure

Southern Exposure Q&A: Kevin Barker, Owner, Barker Boatworks

Florida-based bay boatbuilder Kevin Barker makes wishes come true for customers and strangers alike. Barker recently teamed up with Make-A-Wish Foundation to supply 17-year-old Dylan Dykens with a custom tower for his 22′ Sea Hunt BX BR. Dykens, who was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in June 2014, is going through chemotherapy treatment at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. A boating and fishing enthusiast, Dykens will now be able to go fishing for redfish, snook and tarpon, as well as participate in fishing tournaments. Meet Kevin Barker.

SB: Tell us a bit about yourself.
KB: I was born in Savannah, Georgia, and grew up on Hilton Head Island just north of Savannah in South Carolina. Barker Boatworks’ first model was named the 26 “Calibogue Bay” because my earliest fishing memory was with my grandfather in Calibogue Cay just west of Hilton Head Island. My first boat was a Boston Whaler when I was 13. My 14-year-old son and I just finished completely renovating his first boat, a 15′ Boston Whaler. I attended Syracuse University on a football scholarship where I played for five years.

SB: Tell us about your involvement with the Make-A-Wish-Foundation and Dylan Dykens. How did it come about? What inspired you to act?
KB: A family friend who is on the Sarasota board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation contacted us about Dylan’s wish. As parents all we want is to keep our kids healthy, safe and do all we can to raise them into becoming good men and women. I can’t imagine what the Dykens went through and are still going through with Dylan. When we were asked to help, I didn’t think twice. To be able to help put a smile on his face was the reason we did it.

SB: What was the process for creating the custom tower and Dylan’s involvement?
KB: When I met Dylan and his dad, Doug, for the first time I knew very quickly that Dylan had a specific design he wanted. During the next couple of meetings he even put together a book with all of the lights, rod holders, footrests, and hardtops he wanted to incorporate in the tower design. He would come to the shop once or twice a week in between treatments to oversee the progress. He even helped out when he could. All I wanted was to build exactly what he wanted, and I think we accomplished that.

SB: How did you get into the boating industry?
KB: I have always had a passion for boating and fishing. In the mid 90s I fished in an average of 15 kingfish tournaments every year in 34 and 36 Yellowfins. I was hired by Yellowfin Yachts to run the inshore division, which I did for 10 years. Until now it was my first and only job in the marine industry.

SB: Tell us about your company.
KB: Our company builds the most innovative bay boat in the industry. We took all the features that customers asks for and incorporated them into the design of our first boat, a 26′ bay boat. We designed the boat to have more offshore capability. We did this by building a boat that has more beam than your typical bay boat and by increasing the freeboard and adding some “Carolina” flair to allow the boat to be much drier than the competition. We designed a console to be able to accept large MFDs (up to 19″) and be completely finished on the inside to be able to accommodate a marine head. We go the extra mile to produce a boat with “yacht quality” fit and finish.

SB: How has your company developed and changed over the years?
KB: Our company is only 16 months old, so we’re still fairly young. We are growing at a fast pace but not so fast that we sacrifice quality. I tell customers, “We may take a little longer but you will definitely be happy with the final product.”

SB: What do you love most about what you do?
KB: I get up every day and talk about our company, boating and fishing. To be able to get up and be excited about getting to work is something not too many people can claim. There is no dollar amount you can put on that. I truly enjoy dealing with the customers. They all have a different view on how they will use their boat. Every customer has different ideas on options, some of which we’ve even adopted and named after them.

SB: What type of boating/fishing do you enjoy personally?
KB: I enjoy boating with my family most, going to our local sandbars and islands, setting up camp, and just hanging for the day. My wife will tell you I sometimes go a little overboard bringing tents, a grill and all the beach toys you would ever need. I love cooking out on the beach after a fun day relaxing with family and friends. Now that our kids are getting older, my wife (Sarah) and I also enjoy going out for dinner on the boat as well. On the fishing side, I still enjoy tournament fishing and try to include my 14-year-old son as much as I can. We recently fished in a couple of kingfish tournaments on the east coast and had a blast. My two daughters also like to fish, so you can call us a fishing family.

SB: Have you been on the water with Dylan?
KB: I have not been out on the water with Dylan yet, but we plan to, soon. I was recently at a party in St. Petersburg, and when he and his family idled up in the boat I cried like a baby!

SB: If there’s anything you’d like to add, please feel free.
KB: I’m so happy that I was able to be a part of making Dylan’s wish come true. There are several other companies that were involved in this project and I would like to personally thank them:

Dugger’s Custom Marine LLC
UflexUSA
ProMarine Boats USA
KTM Custom Marine Canvas
Fusion Powder Coating
Rigid Industries

Look for Barker and his boats at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on November 5-9, 2015. barkerboatworks.com

Nathalie Gouillou, October 2015 Southern Exposure

Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)*

Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)*
6 tbsp. olive oil
4 cloves garlic, peeled
Pinch of crushed red pepper
24 large peeled shrimp
2 tbsp. sherry or white wine
Sprinkle each of smoked paprika and parsley

Heat garlic, pepper and olive oil in a sauté pan on medium high. Add shrimp and sherry and cook, turning every 3 minutes until pink. Add parsley and paprika and serve in shallow bowl with bread and toothpicks.
*Replace shrimp with canned or fresh mushroom caps or artichoke hearts for a veggie option!

Pan Con Tomate—sometimes called Pan a la Catalana (Catalan Tomato Bread)
1 baguette, sliced lengthwise
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and halved
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 ripe tomatoes or 2 canned whole tomatoes, drained

Toast bread until golden. Rub garlic cloves over cut surface of bread, and then drizzle with oil. Cut the tomatoes in half and rub on cut surface until coated with tomato juice and pulp. Slice each half into 6-8 pieces crosswise, and serve plain or topped with ham, anchovies, cheese, or sardines.

Chorizo al Vino (Chorizo in Wine)
1 lb. smoked Spanish Chorizo sausage, Kielbasa or andouille
3 c. red wine
½ tsp. smoked or regular paprika
1 bay leaf
Sprinkle of fresh or dried parsley

Cut sausages into thick round slices. Place in uncovered saucepan; add paprika, bay leaf and wine. Bring to a boil, and then simmer on low for 15-20 minutes until the wine reduces by about half and creates a thin sauce. Serve in bowl, topped with parsley and toothpicks.

Pinchos de Atún con Anchoas (Tuna and Anchovy Tapas)
8 oz. white tuna in oil or water, drained
¼ onion, minced
1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
¼ tsp. black pepper
¼ c. mayonnaise
12-15 jarred anchovies or capers
12-15 slices of baguette

Mix tuna with mayonnaise, onion, vinegar, and pepper. Mound on bread slices and top each with anchovy or capers.

Fruit and Nut Bark
12 oz. chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (milk or dark)
1 c. dried fruit (raisins, chopped apricots, craisins, blueberries, cherries, currants)
1 c. toasted nuts (I like sliced almonds, pine nuts or hazelnuts.)
2 tbsp. grated fresh orange peel

Place chocolate in microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave at medium heat for 6 minutes or until chocolate is glossy.* Take out of oven and stir until smooth. Spread melted chocolate in a rectangular shape evenly over kitchen parchment or buttered aluminum foil. Press toasted nuts and dried fruit into chocolate, sprinkle with grated orange pressed lightly into chocolate bark. Chill until firm. Break into pieces to serve.
*My boat’s GE Profile microwave oven has a setting to melt chocolate without burning it. Check if yours does too!

Sangria
2 bottles dry rosé wine
¼ c. brandy
¼ c. Cointreau or other orange liqueur
¼ c. orange or apple juice
1 each unpeeled orange, lemon and apple, thinly sliced
Optional: 2 tsp. rosewater

Combine all with fruit in a pitcher and stir. Pour in wine glasses over ice.

Lori Ross, a communication professional and food writer, has been power cruising and sailing with husband Jim Ellis for more than 30 years. She has fed crew and entertained family and friends on her boats since 1982.

Southern Exposure’s Q&A: Raul Bermudez, Vice President Charter Division, MarineMax

SB: What attracted you to work for MarineMax?
RB: The company and the opportunity. MarineMax is a world-class organization. Everyone that works for MarineMax has a great passion for the water and for customer service. Bill McGill, Chairman, President and CEO is an incredible leader who walks the talk. It was also the opportunity of developing their world-class charter business with that same level of passion and service and simultaneously introducing the evolution of true purebred charter powercats to this market and industry with MarineMax Vacations. It was an exciting challenge and I knew it was a perfect fit for my passions and me. It has been less than four years since we launched MarineMax Vacations, and we are now the fastest growing charter company in the world.

SB: What sets your company apart from other competitors in the field? How has it accomplished this and how will it continue to do so?
RB: Our team and our yachts. The entire team of MarineMax and MarineMax Vacations is passionate about providing the world’s best pleasure-boating experience by consistently exceeding the greatest expectations of our customer with the highest level of personal service and product. Aquila Power Cats is the only brand of powerboat we feature in the MarineMax Vacations fleet and was designed by powerboaters for powerboaters. The Aquila power catamarans are true purebred powerboats offering all of the comforts that boaters are used to having on their own personal yachts at home.

We provide services including free Wi-Fi and onboard equipment for living comforts including watermakers on all of our yachts.

SB: How has the company developed and changed over the years?
RB: The boats offered by MarineMax have changed but the MarineMax values have not and that is why MarineMax has survived all of the economic changes. MarineMax is loyal to the customer and the customers are loyal to MarineMax. Bill McGill says that what we offer is all about “changing people’s lives” through boating. With that belief in mind, he took the risk to launch MarineMax Vacations in the B.V.I. to extend the boating season for the MarineMax stores in the northern states by offering an opportunity to go boating on our custom power catamarans in the B.V.I.

SB: Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and what prompted you to enter the marine world?
RB: I am a native of Barranquilla, Colombia, South America, and relocated to the U.S.A. with my family when I was just 12 years old. I graduated from Miami’s Florida International University with a degree in Business and Management of Information Systems. I have been married to my wife, Kelly, for 23 years, and we have four wonderful boating kids ranging in age from 8 to 19.

I was living in Denver, Colorado when I received a call from a recruiter about a career opportunity in Florida with a yacht charter company, The Moorings. It was the middle of winter when I flew from a very cold Denver to a beautiful and warm charter base in the B.V.I. for an interview with the team. They extended me an offer to join them, and as I was overlooking the marina full of yachts, I called my wife and I told her “I can do this. We are moving.” It was an easy decision. I have always loved the water and am an avid fisherman, so it was also a great opportunity that this new job would get us back to warm Florida, too. Two weeks later I was back in Tortola racing in the B.V.I. Spring Regatta with the management group, and I was with that group for more than 12 years.

SB: What do you love most about what you do?
RB: I love “changing people’s lives.” Getting telephone calls and letters from customers telling us about what an incredible experience they had with MarineMax Vacations and hearing how cruising on a MarineMax powercat was their “best vacation ever” is something that just never gets old. It fuels the passion for our team and I. I love going to boat shows and meeting the customers, telling them about our boats and destinations, and then seeing them the following year and hearing all about their vacation as they recap their experience with tremendous smiles on their faces.

SB: We’d love to hear specific examples of how you believe MarineMax has enriched mariners experience on the water.
RB: From a MarineMax point of view, the focus is on making sure people enjoy their time on the water, and that includes numerous free classes offered at all MarineMax stores including the highly popular Women On Water, Kids in Boating, and Captains Orientation, just to name a few.

When you buy a boat from MarineMax, you become part of the family—they are not just selling you a boat. MarineMax is about developing a lifelong relationship with the customer, and our rendezvous, Getaways and group boating deepens the personal relationships and forms lasting bonds with the customers. I also strongly believe that MarineMax Vacations Charters and what we do enriches mariners’ experience by allowing them to explore places they could not do on their own boats.

SB: Are there any destinations or itineraries that you are particularly fond of?
RB: I am a big fan of the B.V.I. and have been cruising there for more than 15 years. The B.V.I. offers something for everyone and can meet everyone’s idea of excitement and relaxation from peaceful rest to energetic excursions. You can set your itinerary based on who is boating with you—I have a different itinerary when I go with friends versus when I go with the family.

Raul Bermudez relaxing aboard his “Little Raskal.”

SB: What would you recommend among the options you offer?
RB: We offer a wide range of Aquila power catamarans in our charter fleet ranging in size from 38 to 48 feet. Boat selection all depends on the size of the party.

I recommend that if someone has never chartered a yacht in the B.V.I. that they begin planning this experience right away. It’s an experience that gets people hooked immediately—we’ve seen it over the past three years as we have brought new power boaters to the destination. Some have just completed their third charter with us and have booked their next one already.

For returning guests, I recommend they look at our Charter Yacht Ownership Program, which allows an owner to enjoy numerous weeks each year while receiving a monthly check from MarineMax to cover the boat loan. MarineMax handles all service, maintenance, fees, and charter activity.

For those who want a purebred powercat at home, I recommend private ownership of Aquila. They are proven ocean-going vessels that can cross oceans or cruise the Great Loop and provide the best platform for living comforts and efficient performance no matter what the water preference.

SB: Do you own a boat? If so what is the make and name? Where do you like to boat?
RB: I currently do not own a boat but have access to large fleet of them. My last boat was a 2008 SeaRay Sundeck 220, which I purchased from MarineMax Clearwater before I was a team member. The boat name was “Little Raskal”—the initials of all of my family members (Raul, Adam, Sarah, Kelly, Alex, and Loren).

SB: What do you like most about being a mariner?
RB: The feeling you get when you are on the water—the freedom, the wind against your face, the smile on my kids’ faces, the special family time, and the memories we have and continue to create. I love the fact that my kids, including my 19-year-old, actually ask when we are going to go on our next MarineMax power catamaran vacation. They love the MarineMax 484 power cat and they love the B.V.I. marinemaxvacations.com

By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure, September 2015

45th Annual Newport International Boat Show

It started off as a bold idea 45 years ago—an in-the-water boat show, one of the first to be held in the Northeast. Today, the brainchild of visionary former naval officer Paul Dodson is among the most celebrated venues for boat enthusiasts in the U.S. and kicks off the east coast boat show season. Scores of vessels, sailboats and powerboats from small crafts to 100 footers along with thousands of products and accessories are due to delight visitors in the City by the Sea.

The Newport International Boat Show (NIBS) is set to take over more than 13 acres of historic Newport Harbor September 17-19. “[We’re looking forward to] delivering a great experience for exhibitors and attendees by bringing in prospective buyers and having even more brands and models of powerboats, sailboats and innovative products on display for all,” says Nancy Piffard director of the Newport Exhibition Group, which owns NIBS.

More than 600 domestic and international exhibitors will showcase and sell their products and services, while never-before-seen boats will make their debut. “All of the ‘Newport For New Product’ entries are a must-see,” says Piffard of the popular program that gives attendees a chance to vote for vessels and marine products being launched this year in the U.S. market between April 1^st and September 1^st. (International products making their first official appearance in the U.S. at NIBS can also participate.) “Last year people swarmed the docks to see the new Gunboat 55, the 34 Outboard Express from True North and B&G’s ForwardScan sonar as well as dozens of other innovative products. This year we will have even more!”

NIBS is partnering for a second year with Confident Captain/Ocean Pros for yet another exciting “At The Helm” program to provide sailors and powerboaters of all experience levels the opportunity to take to the water. New shore-based courses—iPad Navigation and Boat Systems to be held in the Confident Captain/Safe-Sea Mobile Seamanship Lab at the show site—will add to the existing six classes available for powerboat and sailing. The program includes Powerboat Docking and Maneuvering, Advanced & Twin Engine Powerboat, Become a Power Boater, Advanced Sailboat Handling and Sail Trim, Sailboat Docking and Close Quarters Maneuvering, and Sailboat Crew/First-Mate Skills. Online pre-registration is required.

The Educational Seminar Series is also back this year and set to take place at Forty 1° North Marina Resort located within walking distance of the show. “After a hiatus of offering seminars last year, we have brought back a lineup of exciting speakers and topics,” says Piffard (the seminar schedule was not available at press time). Salty Dawg Rally—a non-profit organization with an emphasis on safety, communication and camaraderie—will host its own Seminar Series on September 16^th at the Edward King House. Running from 9AM to 4PM, the seminars will cover topics such as blue water passage preparations, selection and care of emergency equipment, getting to know your steering and pump systems, and more. saltydawgrally.org

NIBS selected Clean Ocean Access as its 2015 charity partner. The organization, which conducts marine debris removal efforts, water quality monitoring and safeguards public access, focuses on the restoration and protection of natural resources. “Clean Ocean Access does such important work eliminating marine debris for the shoreline and improving overall ocean health—a task every boater should embrace,” says Piffard. “This partnership gives us the opportunity to remind the tens of thousands of people who attend our show that if all of us do seemingly small things locally, we can make a big difference globally.”

More than a boat show, NIBS is a destination event. “Newport is the quintessential New England seacoast town with great shops, award-winning restaurants, a vibrant night life, and many historic attractions,” says Piffard before adding, “[it’s] a venue that is unparalleled.” Southern Boating thinks so too—come and see us at the NYC Tent C, booth 60. newportboatshow.com

By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Boating Magazine August 2015

Southern Exposure’s Q & A: Shelley DiCondina, Yacht Interior Designer

South Florida-based Yacht Interior Designer Shelley DiCondina has been transforming the décor and design of luxury yachts for more than 20 years, maintaining functionality without sacrificing elegance.

SB: What prompted you to enter the marine world?
SD: I began my career in design about 25 years ago. My life has always been near the ocean, first the Pacific, then the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. It just made sense to me to be a yacht interior designer. Boating and design have always been part of my life and my parents always told me if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

SB: What is new in your line of work this year that mariners should keep an eye out for?
SD: There is so much happening in boating and yacht décor. One of my favorite tasks is changing old halogen lights to LED. There is no right answer as there are so many things to take into consideration when doing a refit and changing the lighting. Another area is that we are changing how we do things in the bedding and soft décor. Everything is less fussy, there are a lot less pillows, and bedding/linens are premium such as gorgeous European and Egyptian cottons with unique embellishments that are meant to be seen and enjoyed—and all are washable. We rarely do traditional bedspreads, now it is all about the linens.

SB: What are some of your signature styles that set you apart from other industry individuals in your field?
SD: My personal style is keeping function on the forefront and making sure it all works and is as comfortable as possible. That means for all day and all night! You won’t see one of our boat pulling up to a marina for guests to get off and spend the night at the hotel. We design for comfort and utilize every inch. Our interior style is soothing and reeks of relaxation. Our clients and their families are busy people, and I want the boat to be the place they unwind, appreciate each other and all they have earned.

SB: Tell me about the design process. What is your favorite and least favorite part?
SD: At Yacht Interiors we have developed our own unique approach to the design process. The first thing we want is for our clients to understand that we are experts in our field. Whether it is space planning, furniture designs, or art and décor; we are the real deal. Yachts are all we do.

For new construction projects, a builder often introduces us to the new client, who is in need of detail drawings and custom pieces. If it is a refit we meet the client in person, on board, review our process, get an idea of the scope of the project and discuss our initial thoughts. When we are selected as the design team we request a deposit to develop a unique interior proposal for that specific yacht. Budget is discussed as well as scheduling exceptions. Whether it is a new construction or a refit I find that the most enjoyable perk of all the hard work is developing life long friendships with clients. Our clients are amazing people that just happen to love the oceans as much as I do.

SB: What would be the smallest project you’ve undertaken? What about the largest?
SD: The smallest project we were asked to do was locate portholes for a California couple that had purchased a yacht under construction after the yard had gone bankrupt. Can you imagine, no one on site working on the boat knew where to put the portholes? We have complete autoCAD capabilities so we looked at the drawings, placed the portholes in about 20 minutes and sent the drawing to the client.

Our typical and favorite project is complete design responsibilities on new construction that also include a turnkey budget. I really enjoy finishing a yacht after a year or two of construction and all that entails—hanging art, making beds and placing the accessories etc. It is so satisfying to design, complete and mini-resort what you know will be a family’s favorite destination for years to come. They will celebrate holidays, birthdays, summer break, get engaged, renew friendships and just enjoy life. What an honor to help create that environment!

SB: Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
SD: My inspiration comes from many things. I submerge myself in the world of fashion, whether it is clothing, residential or cultural trends—I am always looking to the future and what is happening.

SB: Is there anything else you would like to add?
SD: Yacht Interiors by Shelley is more than just a design studio, we are currently expanding our studio to offer comprehensive outfitting for owners and crew. Our 4,000-square-foot studio will be undergoing a refit to make the yacht outfitting process more accessible for all boaters. Who knows, we may even add a new name to the door. yibs.net

Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure August 2015

Watermelon Martini

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Chilling time: 20 minutes for the glasses
Serves: 6

12 oz. watermelon juice (made from approx. half a seeded watermelon)*
¼ c. sugar
¼ c. kosher salt
5 oz. premium vodka
4 oz. melon or orange liqueur
2 oz. lime juice
Lime wedges
1 c. fresh mint leaves
Ice

Chill martini glasses for 20 minutes before starting recipe. Combine sugar and salt on a plate. Rub rim with lime wedges and dip in sugar mix. Combine half the watermelon juice, vodka and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with several sprigs of mint. Add ice and shake well. Strain into chilled glasses. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

*To make fresh watermelon juice blend watermelon in a food processor or blender until smooth, and strain into a pitcher. Alternatively, muddle the watermelon in batches in a small pitcher and strain.

By Carrie Hanna, Southern Boating Magazine, August 2015

Southern Exposure’s Q & A: Carey Chen, Marine Artist

Marine artist Carey Chen, whose unparalleled portraits of life at sea are recognized worldwide and have catapulted him to the forefront of the marine art industry, discusses his passion for the ocean, what inspires him and his current projects.

SB: What prompted your creativity?
CC: Growing up in Jamaica and Miami I was always surrounded by water. I fished and dived regularly. The incredible fishing scenes and vivid colors of game fish stuck in my mind. With my sharp memory and artistic talent I recreate these scenes on canvas for others to see. I was self-taught so practice was important to improving my art and also the close inspection of game fish anatomy.

SB: When did the marine world become part of your work?
CC: My first hobbies were motorcycles and racecars in Jamaica and Miami until I got my first boat, a 20-foot Sea Craft. I was fearless venturing across to The Bahamas in the days where there were no GPS. My fishing skills improved and soon I was a master fisherman entering marlin and sailfish tournaments. I started sketching billfish paintings and showed my fishing friends including George Poveromo, the late Capt. Harry and Don Combs. Capt. Harry asked me to design a painting for the cover of his catalog in the early 90s. It was primitive to me but everyone was impressed. The word spread, then the late Bill Rewalt who ran the Cayman Million Dollar month [fishing tournament] asked me to be the featured artist and also Luis Valldejuli who ran the oldest and most prestigious tournament, the San Juan International Billfish Tournament. Eventually I was the featured artist for more than 50 tournaments a year. I lived out of a suitcase traveling all over the Caribbean, Central and South America.

SB: What’s your main objective when you paint?
CC: Most animals are on the land to witness and photograph so there are thousands of animal artists. Marine art is very unique, so to be an experienced marine artist you need a lot of experience on the water, which is where sharp memory and fishing experience comes into creating a unique masterpiece. If I create a painting of a marlin underwater feeding on yellowfin tuna or Mahi the way I have seen it in real life up close, chances are that no one has ever photographed that scene and very few have witnessed it. It also represents Mother Nature at her best—I paint clean oceans and plenty of fish to remind people of conservation and pollution. I hope I can show how fragile our environment is through my paintings and teaching. We really need to keep our waters clean and our fish stocks healthy for the future of our kids.

Chen’s art features the many glories of the underwater sea life, as shown in *Lobster Sanctuary*.

SB: How often do you combine painting with photography or another medium?
CC: Besides being a marine artist I am also a photographer. I have separated both. My expertise is not in the camera’s settings and functions but in what I see through the lens as an artist. I am also not an expert at Photoshop, but enhancing the colors to the original scene in my mind is what I do best. Photos never come out the way you see it with the naked eye so they need to be adjusted. New technology has me painting on the computer. Although there are no physical originals this is good for logos or custom t-shirt art. I have also learned to paint my photos on the computer. fineartamerica.com/profiles/carey-chen.html

SB: What are some of your favorite places you’ve been?
CC: I am blessed to have traveled to the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, Central and South America. It’s not all about the beauty of these countries—it’s about the friends I have met along the way. Being an island person growing up in Jamaica I feel at home there and blend into their country. Cayman, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica are the places I’ve visited the most frequently for the past 30 years. Everywhere is unique. Cayman I love for its clear waters, Puerto Rico for its history and culture, Costa Rica for its lush rainforest and landscapes. St. Thomas U.S.V.I. has some of the most beautiful beaches too. I grew up exploring The Bahamas—it’s hard to beat their reefs and beaches.

SB: What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
CC: Born with a God-given talent, I like to give back. I’m involved with hundreds of charities and many conservation groups like the Coastal Conservation and Billfish Foundation. When I donate art it doesn’t cost me much but what it gives back to the charity is a lot. I enjoy going to schools and teaching kids art and conservation. I also have the best job in the world traveling all over, fishing while doing business.

SB: What are some of your favorite works?
CC: There are lots of pieces I like the best, but some bring back memories of growing up in Miami and diving in the keys like Hog Heaven, which is a hog snapper on the Florida Reef, and also Mutton Reef.

SB: Do you own a boat?
CC: Owning a boat is very hard for me since I’m always traveling and fishing. Although I’m usually on a big sport fishing boat in tournaments fishing for sailfish and marlin, I enjoy my flats boat, a Terrapin. They only made about seven of them. This is the best for exploring the Everglades for my photography and cruising my favorite place, Biscayne Bay, where I grew up.

SB: How do you see your line of work shifting and adapting in the future?
CC: What I do is very unique and there are not a lot of marine artists. This is a very big industry and growing. With the new digital printing technology we are able to put my art on almost anything like clothing, tables, towels, blankets, boat wraps, shorts, plates, etc.

SB: What are some of your new projects?
CC: My Napa wines are taking off and we have them in several Sam’s Clubs and Walmart, they are in all Big Daddy’s and also a lot of Florida Bars. bluewaterwinedist.com I just made a license deal with Denali Performance shirts for my printed clothing in chain stores. My new photo paintings are now online fineartamerica.com/profiles/carey-chen.html

I also have a project that is going to change the sport fishing industry forever but can’t say right now! Follow me on Facebook and Instagram, CareyChen.com

Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure July 2015

Portarod

Bypass the hassle of drilling or hardware, protect your gear and transport your fishing rods securely in the bed of your pickup truck with the Portarod. Easily installed, the Portarod can be removed just as quickly. Created with truck-owning fishermen in mind, the Portarod is fully adjustable, fits nearly every truck and is available with three, four or five rod holders—individual rod holders are available for a custom fit. The adjustable ratcheting crossbar expands from 53 to 84 inches to fit most make or truck models, doesn’t require drilling and prevents from causing permanent damage to the bed of your truck. The angle of the rods while in transit can be altered to allow access to low ceiling entryways such as garages, tunnels or a restaurant drive-through. Portarod locks can also be added to protect the rods from theft. MSRP starts at $115; portarod.com

Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure July 2015

Kids and Boating

Are you teaching your kids how to operate and maintain the boat? Start now with these ideas for every age group.

Kids and boating can go hand in hand.

Kids, especially siblings, squabble. It happens with toys, clothes, you name it. But squabbling over a responsibility?

That’s the reality aboard Glen Ader’s and his wife’s boat. Their boys, ages 11 and 8, are typically happy to tackle different tasks on the 32-foot Grand Banks. But when it comes to handling dock lines, each wants to be the only one to do it. Ader laughs in relating how he and his wife gently remind the boys to take turns: “It’s like, ‘C’mon, dudes, share.’”

The couple may be unusual in some respects—they held part of their wedding ceremony on the back of their then-boat, a Trophy. But they’re no different than hundreds of other parents who are also passionate boat owners. The Aders have been raising their boys to become cruisers since they were in their car seats. Car seats that got carried from the family automobile to the boat, naturally. So, as their sons are growing up, the Aders encourage them to learn more about the responsibilities of operating and owning a boat. They know that kids and boating is the best combination.

Ader is a firm believer that kids are never too young for parents to start this education process. “Kids love to learn, and love to learn with their hands,” he avers. He grew up boating and recalls that by his teens, he took the family boat out more than his dad, a tugboat captain who regularly enjoys the lifestyle to this day.

Ader’s experience as a child and his own children’s ongoing experiences underscore the findings of the 2013 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, published by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. It reveals that nearly 8 out of 10 adults who boated that year had also done so as children. Furthermore, the report found that people who enjoyed the lifestyle as children were more likely to do so as adults, too.

If you’re a parent or grandparent and haven’t yet thought about teaching your young ones the ropes (no pun intended), here are some general age-oriented tips to get you started.

Elementary School

Five- to 10-year-olds can learn a variety of things, some of which depend on their dexterity:

• Knot tying. If your kids can tie their shoelaces, they can learn a few simple knots. Imagine your child’s pride when you use his or her handiwork the next time on board.

• Wind and current. No need to go into detailed dissertations on the Beaufort scale or sea states; the Ader boys were each around five or six when they began learning the basics on how wind and current affect a boat.

• Handling dock lines. Let your kids practice when the water is calm and there aren’t a lot of other boats around to get comfortable. “It’s something they can do where there’s not really a lot of risk of them getting injured,” Ader says.

• Simple maintenance. If you do your own maintenance, show your kids what good vs. dirty oil looks like. They can stand by with tools for other tasks and even pitch in while you supervise. Ader says his 8-year-old has likely used a wrench in the bilge more times than his 11-year-old.

• Washdowns. When you’re finished hosing down the boat, hand your child a chamois and turn ‘em loose on rails or brightwork. Consider making a game out of who can dry off the boat the fastest (and safest).

Middle School

All of the above responsibilities can be taught to 11- to 14-year-olds if not done so previously. These additional tasks are appropriate as well:

• Using a boat hook. Practice tossing items into the water for your kids to retrieve using the hook. Depending on your child’s abilities, he or should may even be able to try this at an earlier age.

• Reading helm instruments. By now, your kids can better understand how an autopilot works, what a GPS displays, and more. Consider teaching plotting, too

• Taking the boat out of gear. While none of us wants to dwell on “what if” scenarios, it’s important to be prepared for emergencies. Show your children how to shut things down if for some reason you can’t get to the helm. Consider teaching this if your kids are nearing middle school, too.

Most parents find that the lessons their children learn on boats transfer to other areas of life, including in the classroom.

Teenagers

• Boat handling. Just as teens can’t wait to get their hands on the car keys, many want to take the wheel of the family boat. Depending on your state’s regulations, your teens may have to be a specific age to handle the helm and have passed a proficiency exam. There’s no minimum age in Florida, for example. However, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who wants to operate a vessel with a 10-hp or higher motor in state waters must have a boating education ID card and photo ID. The boating education ID proves he or she has completed a course given by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, or an equivalency.

• Emergency drills. Explain what to do in a man-overboard situation, and show your teen how to properly circle back and pick the person up. Even though the Ader boys are still pre-teens, Glen Ader and his wife have already discussed between themselves how they’ll eventually simulate a man-overboard situation by tossing something in the water.

Resources

Admittedly, all of the advice so far is geared toward those of you who are experienced boaters. If you’re a relative newcomer, the Discover Boating initiative, overseen by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, can help. The Discover Boating website includes a new directory of youth boating programs. More than 3,000 local and national programs are listed so far.

Many of these offer first-timers lessons on how to handle a boat, sometimes aboard boats in the program’s fleet or ones chartered for the purpose. Enter your zip code, select the type of activity your kids are interested in (powerboating, sailing, etc.), and the radius you’re willing to travel (10 to 100 miles). Most programs include details on age requirements.

Furthermore, kids as young as four years old can be enrolled in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Boating Fun class. Among other things, the hour-long program provides them with an activity and coloring book that further teaches safe-boating lessons.

Whatever your kids’ ages , and no matter your experience level, it’s vital to put kids and boating together. “The phenomenon, I think, that’s going on now with the younger generations is the need to disconnect and spend more time together,” says Frank Peterson, president and CEO of the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation. That’s a nonprofit organization focused on increasing participation in fishing, boating, and aquatic stewardship.

“We call it ‘togethering,’ and I think fishing and boating allow people to spend more of that ‘together time.’ Our sports really appeal to the younger generations. What we have to do is break down some perceived barriers to entry that they may have.”

hookthefuture.com
discoverboating.com
takemefishing.org

By Diane Byrne, Southern Boating Magazine June 2015