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

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

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

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

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

Southern Exposure’s Q & A: Mike Schenk, GM of Rattlesnake Marine Center

SB: What sets Rattlesnake Marine Center apart from other competitors? How has it accomplished this and how will it continue to do so?
MS: Rattlesnake Marine Center has an 80-ton and 165-ton Travellift to be able to haul yachts up to 120 feet in length. We are a one-stop shop from oil changes to entire interior and exterior refits and full vessel paint jobs. We can manufacture interior components with on-site mill shop and CNC equipment.

SB: How has it developed and changed over the years?
MS: The property was purchased by two yachtsmen from a yacht-building company late last year. Both owners want to bring their values and dedication of dependable service to the market.

SB: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your position of General Manager?
MS: Putting a team of former yacht builders and service techs together to be able to offer any and all services to the client.

SB: What do you love most about what you do?
MS: Having a 500-ton captain’s license, I have always enjoyed all activities involving water and deliveries of medium and large motor yachts on all oceans. I have been employed in the yacht building industry for the last 30 years and worked in the past for prestigious yacht builders like Lazzara, Magnum, Chris Craft, and others, which gave me a unique view of how vessels are manufactured and how to efficiently repair or restore them to their original beauty.

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SB: What should we expect from Rattlesnake Marine Center for 2015?
MS: Rapid growth in the yacht repair and restoration business, being able to offer excellent turnaround times, reasonable labor rates, onsite Wi-Fi service and office space for crew and/or owners.

SB: Are you involved in any outside marine organizations? If so, what are some of your responsibilities and what do you enjoy most about them?
MS: I have assisted the local Auxiliary Coast Guard to conduct safe boating courses and participated in some search and rescue operations.

SB: How involved in the boating and marine community are you? Do you own a boat yourself? What do you love most about boating?
MS: Having owned vessels from 11′ to 48′, I presently enjoy a well-preserved twin engine 23′ Aquasport that I use on the weekends with my family and my three Great Danes. Spending time on the water makes the stress of everyday life disappear and easy to manage.

By Ana-Christine Cook, Southern Exposure June 2015

Ryan Finn successfully completed over 20,000 miles

Ryan Finn

Ryan Finn grew up sailing with his family on the northern Gulf Coast, but while undergoing treatments for cancer as a teenager he became fascinated and read everything he could get his hands on regarding solo sailing. Now at 36, Finn has successfully completed over 20,000 miles of solo offshore experience as well as three Trans-Atlantic and three Trans-Pacific crossings on boats ranging from Open 60s to Mini Transat designs. Fresh off the European racing circuit, Finn is now attempting his greatest challenge yet and needs your help grabbing the solo nonstop sailing record from New York to San Francisco on the old clipper ship sailing route around Cape Horn.

Finn has teamed with a leading America’s Cup boat designer to build a 32-foot Polynesian-style Proa in New Orleans. The unusual sailboat with only one outrigger off the hull is incredibly fast, especially going upwind, and the team expects the boat and the lone skipper would complete the 13,000-mile journey in less than 70 days using current weather models. While lining up corporate sponsors for the attempt, Finn is also crowdsourcing funding in what may be the first ever Kickstarter campaign used for a serious world record sailing attempt. Racing against himself, the weather, the notorious Cape Horn crossing, and time, Finn is sailing under the 2Oceans1Rock.org banner and if successful, could well join the boating history books alongside the legions of legendary sailors from the Gulf Coast.

A giant new species?

The Cajuns of South Louisiana are known to have an affinity for almost any tasty waterborne creature from crawfish to alligator, but their natural seafood diets failed to extend into the deepwater of the Gulf of Mexico where a curious pod of whales has been recently discovered. Whales are slightly unusual in the Gulf of Mexico although there are approximately 19 species, including humpback and sperm whales, that will range into the warm waters to feed, but marine biologists have located what may become an entirely new species of whale that calls one deep trench off the Northern Gulf Coast their permanent home.

Numbering only 50, these giants are baleen or great whales-—originally classified as Bryde’s whales—which can grow as long as 55 feet and weigh over 90,000 pounds. Feeding primarily on large amounts of small fish, the northern Gulf of Mexico is an especially productive fishing ground with the giant Loop Current interacting with the large bays and estuaries along the coast. A research expedition located them in the deepwater DeSoto canyon almost due south of Pensacola, and DNA and other testing have revealed that they may be their own species of whale. If so, this unique pod would immediately become the most endangered whale species in the world.

By Troy Gilbert, Southern Boating May, 2015

Southern Exposure’s Q & A: Roger Moore, CEO of Nautical Ventures

SB: Tell us about Nautical Ventures and when it was founded. What was the inspiration behind its beginning?
RM: Nautical Ventures was founded 31 years ago as a Hobie Kayak and Sailboat dealer, whose focus was on wholesale and export sales to resorts. In 2010 we purchased Nautical Ventures with the belief that water sports equipment would work synergistically with our brokerage business, QPS Marine, which was providing yacht brokerage, yacht management and yacht refit services. Since the acquisition of Nautical Ventures, sales have grown from $1 million to nearly $5 million in 2014. This growth can be attributed to the expansion of our product lines to include Yacht Tenders and a broad offering of yacht-related toys and equipment.

SB: How has the company developed and changed since its inception?
RM: With the increase in the number of products offered we have been able to attract experienced staff that run each “division” of products allowing us to be knowledgeable in each department: kayaks, sailboats, yacht tenders, yacht toys, etc. In 2013 we expanded to include new boat sales via Nautical Ventures Marine, and we are now leading dealers for Century Boats, Buddy Davis Boats, Key Largo, Avalon Pontoon, Caravel, Action Craft, Chapman Transition, Carbon Craft, Novurania, Ribcraft, and Rib Jet. Of paramount note, we built a new 30,000 square-foot state-of-the-art retail and service facility located on the water and designed to provide customers and the marine community, with a pleasurable buying and service experience.

SB: What are you most proud of accomplishing and what’s your favorite part of your company and position?
RM: Our vision was to have several companies that are all marine related, that work together to refer business to each other, and to be a leader in each category. In yacht tenders we have become the largest distributor and dealer in the country for our flagship line, Novurania. We added LukFuel to our list of companies, which gave us the ability to offer diesel and RAC 90 fuel to the marine and construction communities. Nautical Ventures Service gave us the ability to service the boats we sell, and the addition of River Bend Marine Center gave us the ability to service larger yachts and perform major refits.

SB: How has your company made a difference in the marine industry? Provide examples.
RM: With the recent development of our AquaZone^TMwe have brought a new dimension to the store and to key boat shows. Our 40,000-gallon mobile aboveground pool allows us to demonstrate interesting fun products and provide excitement to our Demo Days and the Boat Shows with user engagement. Attendees can witness the X-Jet Blades soaring 30 feet above the pool, and watch our Hovercraft transition from land, up a ramp and spinning donuts in the pool. They can also see our gas-powered Jet Surf Board racing and jumping to the delight of all who view it. The AquaZone^TM allows for the hands-on demonstrations of the Hobie Mirage Drive Kayaks, SUP and Yoga Sup lessons, kayak fishing clinics, and much more.

SB: Which top three products do you recommend for cruisers and why?
RM: Every cruiser needs 1) a reliable tender for both ship-to-shore transport and water sports activities; 2) yacht and land toys to play with at their destination and, 3) a folding electric bike to get around town while visiting ports of call. Our new GoCycle is a great example of a lightweight, collapsible, corrosion proof, powder-coated magnesium electric bike that is fun to ride, fast and gets many hours on a single charge.

SB: Are you involved in any outside marine organizations? Which ones and why?
RM: With growth of nearly 80 percent per year over the past 5 years, there has been little time and manpower to dedicate to become properly involved in any marine organization. We are a main sponsor for the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments. We’ve also formed an association with the Maritime Professional Training Team (MPT) of Fort Lauderdale who provide training to professional mariners on small craft deployment of life-saving crafts from larger vessels. Together with MPT we will also offer on-site training and safety classes, including introductory and intermediate boating courses. I am hopeful to become more active in outside marine organizations as things settle down and specifically the MIASF has been on our radar for some time.

SB: Do you currently own a boat? If so, what is the make and model, and how extensively have you cruised?
RM: We currently own an 84′ Northern Marine Expedition vessel that has been my pride and joy. Samantha, my wife of 44 years, and I have been living aboard boats for the past 28 years. After selling our business in San Francisco, we decided to buy a boat and take several months off to cruise the California coast. That initial cruise led us to Mexico and then we crossed the Pacific Ocean to the Marquesas. We enjoyed it so much that we continued the journey and ended up traveling 45,000 nm over 13 years, visited some 435 ports around the world, and eventually ended up here in Fort Lauderdale where we permanently dropped anchor. It was here that we met our business partner, Jeff Garcia, who sold the 63′ Cheoy Lee Motor Sailor that was our traveling home for 13 years.

SB: What else do you want people to know about you and your company?
RM: My joy comes from the growth of the company and the people we have attracted to it. We started with about 15 employees and now have close to 75. Watching them grow personally and professionally to meet the challenges of our rapid growth has been most rewarding. In addition, we have developed a culture of trust and respect for each other as well as with the customers who come here. Yes, we need to sell products, but we want to sell the right product to meet the customers’ needs. There are no hidden fees and no pressure sales tactics. We want to win customers for the long haul and build a repeat customer base that is happy with our service, staff and dedication. When you think of us, we want to be known as the GO-TO PEOPLE FOR FUN ON THE WATER!

Off-Line is an 84′ Northern Marine Expedition vessel that is the pride and joy of Samantha and Roger Moore.

By Liz Pasch, Southern Exposure May 2015

Southern Exposure Spotlights Nautique Boat Company

As part of its Nautique Cares initiative Nautique Boat Company employees recently served in two separate projects; one in their home community of Central Florida and another in Haiti.

In Orlando, Nautique employees volunteered March 7^th to help build a Habitat for Humanity home that the Nautique Boat Company is funding. This is the second Habitat for Humanity home in the past three years that Nautique has funded. Nautique’s sister company, Orlando Watersports Complex (OWC), funded another for a total of three homes. Nautique and OWC employees also volunteered time to help build each of these three homes.

Another group of Nautique employees traveled March 13-14 to Haiti to distribute 3,400 pounds of food to hungry Haitian families. The Nautique team flew into the Haitian countryside with a plane full of the food and worked with various organizations to hand out the food to the Haitian families. The Nautique team also had the opportunity to review work done by several charitable organizations in Haiti.

Bill Yeargin, Nautique’s President and CEO, stated, “I am thrilled at the wonderful spirit of our employees who are always willing to serve as part of our various Nautique Cares initiatives. Both the home building in Central Florida and food distribution in Haiti helped people who really need it.” Yeargin added, “Over the past eight years our Nautique team has traveled the globe serving others. We want to build the world’s best boats but we also want to use our time and resources to help those who need it.”

To ready Bill Yeargin’s Nautique Insider blog about these Nautique Cares initiatives click here.

Southern Exposure April 2015

Breaking Physical Boundaries

Individuals with disabilities stay active on the water through products, boat designs and organizations.

Individuals with disabilities make up the nation’s largest minority group, which is also the only minority group that one can become a part of at any time in their life. In the last two years more than 20 million families in the U.S. have reported at least one family member with a disability, and nearly 40 percent of disabled individuals live in the South. When someone close to you is affected, that statistic becomes very personal and passion to spread awareness ignites. Thankfully, there are many companies, organizations and individuals in the marine industry that strive to enhance on-the-water accessibility for people with varying degrees of physical disability.

Twenty-seven-year-old Rob Murphy—an avid spearfisherman, diver, snowboarder, angler, and wakeboarder based in Palm Beach County, Florida—was spearfishing on a routine dive with five friends, just as he had done dozens of times before, when his life drastically changed. While surfacing, Rob was run over by a 36-foot sportfishing boat that negligently sped towards him despite his proper dive flags and warning yells. The propellers struck his oxygen tank—which saved his life—but his legs were severed just below the knees. Just two months after his accident, the diving and boating community celebrated Rob’s return to the water with custom prosthetic swim legs made by Matthew Bailey of Palm Beach Prosthetic Services, part of Florida O&P Services.

“Since Rob not only wanted to be out on the water on a boat but actively in the water, we had to make sure his dive prosthetics were completely saltwater-resistant, so we removed all the metal we could,” explains Bailey. Rob’s dive legs are exoskeletal, which means all the strength is in the outer shell. They are hollow with holes in the shell to allow water to flow through freely while swimming and ensure they aren’t buoyant. They also allow drainage once back in the boat. “His dive prosthetics are shaped just like regular legs, so they have the same hydrodynamics and allow him to swim normally,” Bailey says. “We ordered special dive ankles and beachcomber feet to allow Rob’s ankles to lock in a 70-degree swimming position or 90-degree walking position, so he can walk in the boat without changing his legs.” Bailey located a fly-fishing shirt company that had an “underwater camouflage” water pattern that he laminated onto the legs with clear resin per Rob’s design request.

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Rob not only survived against the odds in a sudden tragic accident, but today—almost six years later—he is thriving both in and out of the water. When not hunting big fish for both recreation and spearfishing tournaments onboard his 31-foot Contender that he custom-designed for spearfishing, you can find him advocating for increased diver safety and building his growing business. “I will always love scuba diving, but I love how natural and pure freediving is—the freedom of diving down on a single breath of air is unlike anything else,” Murphy says. As an active young professional, he continues to inspire both disabled and able-bodied individuals to pursue their passions despite any obstacles. palmbeachprosthetics.com

Dr. Stanley Seidman, a successful psychologist in Fort Lauderdale, had an accident at six years old and when a doctor made a mistake, Stanley’s left arm required amputatation. Despite his physical setback Dr. Seidman began boating in 1974 and he and his wife Carol have cruised on their 63-foot Neptunus Pan-a-sea-a since 2001. When Carol cannot join her husband on the water, however, docking the large vessel single-handedly is a challenge. Around three years ago Dr. Seidman began using Yacht Controller, a battery-operated wireless device that allows him to remotely control his bow thrusters, stern thrusters, anchor, and engines in and out of gear at the press of a button. It sends a unique coded signal between the transmitter and receiver on Pan-a-sea-a to control docking functions anywhere on board. “When I used to dock the boat by myself it was a challenge, but Yacht Controller makes it much easier,” says Dr. Seidman.

The remote has a simplistic design with easy-to-use controls and requires very little adjustment time to become proficient. “I also love my Yacht Controller when we have to stop at bridge openings. I use the remote to effortlessly keep us in the same position,” Dr. Seidman says, who explains how the installation process is very simple for all standard powerboats. yachtcontroller.com

Captain Mick Nealey is an experienced Keys captain and guide who launched Active Disabled Americans and Tranquil Adventures over 20 years ago to keep people with disabilities active and engaged in the water through fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, sightseeing, and other eco adventures in Key Largo. Captain Mick suffered from polio as a two-year-old and sometimes still uses a wheelchair to board his 28-foot pontoon boat via a ramp, which he also uses for guests. “I also modified a Jet Ski lift, called The Swinger that allows someone to simply sit in a chair that swings over the side of the boat and lowers into the water for easy access to swim, snorkel and kayak,” he says. “I’ve modified fishing equipment for people who cannot hold a rod and reel, scuba gear, and special kayaks for individuals with specific needs,” he states. Individuals can charter half-day or whole-day experiences that are catered specifically to their needs. activedisabledamericans.org

Two and half years ago husband-and-wife team Andrew and Karen Grego had the idea to build an attractive, versatile aluminum sportfishing boat. When someone mentioned outfitting it for wounded soldiers, Blue Water Warriors was founded with the purpose of helping veterans experience the ocean’s renewal through deep-sea fishing and diving adventures. Alongside marine engineers and innovative boat designers, Blue Water Warriors has developed and built the completely custom 37-foot Warrior—Hull #1 for the couple’s new line of Vision boats. “Our able-bodied brain would choose to do something one way based on what we know, but the guy who is physically injured might think differently,” says Andrew Grego. “I visited Walter Reed [Medical Center] several times to discuss what specifications on a boat would suit them and we have created a boat that someone in a wheelchair can basically board and run independently.”

When you see her, you recognize that Warrior is a vessel worthy of the brave men who will use her. “The guys we are dealing with are type-A personalities who don’t want to look or feel any more physically handicapped than they already are, so our main directive when designing Warrior was to create the feeling of empowerment and independence,” says Grego. Her features include wheelchair accessibility without a hoist, SeaKeeper gyrostabilizer for maximum stability, specially adapted fighting chairs, harnesses and equipment for fishing, transom and side doors that swing open, specially developed non-skid floor surfaces, on-deck wheelchair locks, storage for prosthetic limbs, and a deck-level head with an elevator lift to accommodate people with and without wheelchairs with no assistance.

One of the most inspiring details of this project is the overwhelming support from the local marine businesses. “The majority of this boat—electronics, labor to build, paint, motors, anchor, etc.—have been donated from local business and services who believe in this organization and its purpose,” Grego explains. “We are putting the logos of each donor on the boat and plan to attend as many boat shows as possible to introduce Warrior.” The couple dreams of growing their line of Vision boats by building one of these custom boats for each of the six polytrauma rehabilitation centers at military base hospitals down the East Coast and over to Texas’ Gulf Coast.

These individuals, products and organizations are just a handful of the many that positively impact the quality of life through boating for the disabled. Organizations and initiatives exist throughout the country that offer a multitude of on-the-water adventures. If you or someone in your life is challenged with a physical disability, research opportunities in your cruising area to ensure everyone can benefit from the refreshing, renewing experience that only the water can bring.

By Christine Carpenter, Southern Boating November 2014

Mary Masri, President of MM Designs

Nine questions for Mary Masri, President of MM Designs

1. SB: How did you become an interior designer interested in yachts?
Mary Masri: My interest in yachts landed in my lap. I had finished a residential project for a longtime client earlier than expected, which is always cause for celebration. She was thrilled with the results and requested I design her son’s yacht.

2. SB: What are some of the signature styles that set you apart from others in your field?
MM: I love color and textures so both are used integrally via hard and soft materials in all of MMDesigns projects. There is always a meaningful amount of color in all of our spaces; it may be strong or muted, obvious or subtle, but it is always there to bring the project to life. Differing textures introduced through fabrics, flooring and hard surfaces give immeasurable visual interest to our interiors. You always want your client to love their yacht the 50^th time they board the same as they did the first time they saw it.

3. SB: What is your favorite part of the interior design process?
MM: There are actually two parts: the initial meeting and revealing the finished project to the client. The initial meeting is the most informative part of the process. That first conversation with the client is where the heart of the project is shaped. You have to ask the right questions, listen to the client’s answers and be able to translate those answers into the client’s vision. If you have done it right the reveal will be nothing less than sensational.

4. SB: How has your company progressed most significantly in the last 10 years? What are some of the most noted changes?
MM: Branching out into the yachting world has been the most significant progression for MMDesigns. Contorting all of the comforts and amenities from a residential setting into the hull of a yacht with all of it restrictions is an intricate puzzle MMDesigns excels at solving.

5. SB: How has your company most notably impacted the boating community?
MM: We are a bit small to have impacted the “boating community” as a whole but we are on our way one boat at a time. With arguably the best service record and turnaround time out there, we are proud of the work we do and look forward to MMDesigns continued growth in the field.

6. SB: How do you see the marine industry evolving in your field over the next few years?
MM: With the economy improving and new overseas markets opening up at an enormous pace, the need for first time designs and refits is growing exponentially. Inventories are still tighter than I would like them to be and the workrooms that survived the economic downturn are at capacity. At this pace there is going to be a need for growth in the sector for the foreseeable future. It will be slow in coming as the bruises from the past are still fresh.

7. SB: How have you seen technology play a role in the advancement of boatbuilding/design in your field?
MM: Technology is allowing yachts to become greener and quieter without sacrificing speed and weight with the added option of remote maneuverability from handheld devices. Soft and hard goods are following suit with more options, offering superior durability against the harsh marine environment without sacrificing luxury and flexible applications, making the marketplace a virtual paradise.

8. SB: How do you marry the desire for performance and seaworthiness with the desire for comfort, elegance, and high design?
MM: Performance and seaworthiness do not have to come at the expense of comfort, elegance and high design. Everything needed to accomplish all of these things is in the market but you have to be willing to search for them. A project is limited only by the imagination and willingness of the professional to go above and beyond for their client. MMDesigns’ reputation was built and is maintained by doing just that for each of its clients.

9. SB: Where and what type of boating/fishing do you enjoy personally?
MM: I was brought up salmon and trout fishing and although I love being out on the open waters, my heart is still on the river, on its shore or on it under oar power!

By Christine Carpenter, Southern Exposure

Southern Exposure’s Q&A: Jimmy Floyd, Sales Manager at Bradford Marine

SB: You have an extensive history in the marine industry. What sets Bradford Marine apart from competitors? How has it accomplished this and how will it continue to do so?
JF: Bradford Marine has been a leader in the industry since it first opened in 1966. Being a full-service shipyard has allowed Bradford Marine to offer its clients the comfort of having the trades of a shipyard under one roof. Owners and captains have the ease of working with a project manager who is assigned to each vessel, which allows more personal control over the project details and the delivery time of their vessel. Bradford Marine will continue to deliver quality work from our more than 130 tradesmen and continue to improve communication with our clients. It is a very competitive industry today and I believe the only way to set yourself apart is through quality workmanship, good service and great communication.

SB: What attracted you to work for Bradford Marine?
JF: I started at Bradford Marine in 1976 as Dockmaster, which was my first job in the yachting industry. Twenty-eight and a half years later I returned to Bradford knowing its history and reputation, wanting to be a part of a traditional business that I was familiar with and be a part of its continuing growth.

SB: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your position?
JF: In my 35 years of working in the industry, I take the most pride in the relationships I’ve made. I have been very fortunate during my career with the opportunity to work with people that take pride in what they do. You’re only as good as the people backing you up. Offer excellent service, stand behind your work and most of all, stand behind your word. That’s something to be proud of.

SB: What do you love most about what you do and what are your goals for 2015?
JF: I have to say that I most enjoy seeing customers happy when they leave the shipyard and even happier when you see them return to you. Bradford Marine has another facility in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. Our goals for 2015 are to continue to offer great service and increase business at both facilities.

SB: How is Bradford Marine making a difference in the marine industry?
JF: Bradford Marine, along with others, has been collaborating with different business in the area to accommodate the ever-growing number of vessels visiting South Florida. The downturn in the economy several years back changed the way a lot of businesses operate, so we are hoping to continuously aid and increase cruisers in South Florida.

By Christine Carpenter, Southern Exposure

Southern Exposure’s Q&A: Deb Radcliff, Senior VP of Marketing for West Marine

SB: What sets West Marine apart from other competitors in the field? How has it accomplished this and how will it continue to do so?
DR: For many years, West Marine has been the world’s largest boating supply retailer, offering over 85,000 products at our 280 retail stores, through our call center at 1-800-BOATING, and online at westmarine.com. We know boating and cruisers, and we can outfit just about anyone who enjoys recreating on the water. An important aspect that sets us apart from many of our competitors is the expertise of our associates, both at the stores and at the call center. We provide our customers with solutions for all their questions and the right products for their boating needs.

SB: How has the company developed and changed over the years?
DR: West Marine’s founder Randy Repass started selling sailing rope for his daysailer out of his garage in Palo Alto—he was frustrated with the disorganization and limited selection at local chandleries. While sailing is still an important core of our business, over the years West Marine has expanded its merchandise to cater to powerboaters, fishing and paddling enthusiasts. Most recently, we’ve introduced a great selection of stand-up paddleboards and kayaks which are some of the fastest growing watersports trends.

SB: What attracted you to work for West Marine? What things ignite passion and excitement in your job?
DR: I’ve spent most of my career in retail, including senior management positions at The Home Depot and Sports Authority. My husband and I are avid sailors—both racing and cruising—so the position at West Marine was an exciting opportunity to combine my career and my passion. I’ve been a West Marine customer for over 15 years and to be part of the expansion to reach water enthusiasts is exciting for me.

SB: What accomplishments are you most proud of?
DR: As West Marine expands its product selection to include more “waterlife” products, our marketing team is evolving our vision to include creative campaigns that share the passion of being on and around the water. It’s not just about products, it’s about the excitement and the joy that goes with boating—whether it’s sailing, power boating, fishing, or paddling.

SB: What do you love most about what you do?
DR: What sailor wouldn’t want to spend their days talking about boating? My favorite thing about working for West Marine is the opportunity to meet and talk with our store associates across the organization. Their passion and love for West Marine is contagious and makes me excited to come to work every day.

SB: How has West Marine made a difference in the marine industry? Give some specific examples of how your company has enriched mariners’ experiences on the water.
DR: West Marine has certainly raised the bar of people’s expectations for selection and service. One example is engine parts—one of the biggest headaches for cruisers. There are so many different models and when something breaks, even seasoned cruisers often aren’t sure where to start to get the right part. West Marine’s new flagship store includes dedicated engine parts counters, for example, with thousands of parts in stock. For customers who aren’t near those stores, westmarine.com has a new “Engine Parts Selector” section that allows you to find parts by engine make, model and year, or by part number. A process that could take days (or weeks) of phone calls to manufacturers is now done in minutes, which gets our customers back on the water faster.

SB: What should we expect to see from West Marine in this upcoming year?
DR: In addition to the latest specialty items for boating, we’re introducing new lines of lifestyle products for the whole family. You’ll see more women’s clothing, expanded assortment of paddle sports like stand up paddleboards and kayaks, and lifestyle electronics such as waterproof Bluetooth speakers. You’ll also see continued enhancements to our website westmarine.com.

SB: What product would you recommend cruisers consider?
DR: Check out the new inflatable stand-up paddleboards, such as the Jimmy Styks Puffer. It’s great for exploring and exercise and packs up to the size of a duffel bag. They’re a great alternative to kayaks. I have two of them that we use when we go camping up in Mammoth Lakes, CA.

SB: Tell me about your boating experience. Do you currently own a boat?
DR: I am ASA certified to sail up to 60-foot monohull and catamaran boats, and we’ve bare-boated in the B.V.I., St. Maarten and throughout California. One of the best perks we have at West Marine is our company’s 40-foot Santa Cruz sailboat that we race on Wednesday nights here in Santa Cruz. I’ve also coordinated several “Women on the Water” boating events where associates can learn how to sail or just enjoy being out on the water. Other weekends, we are out kayaking or paddleboarding around the Central Coast.

By Christine Carpenter, Southern Exposure

Southern Exposure’s Q&A: Carl Blackwell, President of Grow Boating, Inc.

SB: Please give a brief background of Discover Boating and what sets it apart from other competitors in the field? How do you feel it has accomplished this and how will it continue to do so?
CB: Discover Boating kicked off in December 2003, and the first marketing campaign launched in Spring 2005 to help new cruisers get on the water and improve the boating experience for current boat owners. Similar to other all-industry campaigns such as “Got Milk?” and “Go RVing”, all corners of the boating industry pull together contributions to help introduce more people to life on the water and ultimately buy more boats.

SB: How has Discover Boating developed and changed since its formation?
CB: There have been adjustments to the changing economy and marketing landscape but since the campaign’s inception, our mission has stayed largely the same: share the boating lifestyle and improve the boating experience to help more people get on the water and become lifelong cruisers.

SB: Can you tell me a few things that specifically ignite passion and excitement about your job at Discover Boating?
CB: Boating is a lifestyle that people love and are passionate about—including me. I have a pretty great job because I introduce people to the fun of being on a boat. Whether that’s helping people connect with their friends and family, or disconnecting from their phones and computers to recharge their “batteries” and unwind on a boat. It is fulfilling to know we are helping people experience this special side of life spent on a boat and having fun with the people who matter most.

SB: What are you most proud of accomplishing at Discover Boating?
CB: I’m most proud of the number of people we’ve introduced to boating and ignited to become boat owners and as a result, helped them make memories that will last a lifetime. I’m also proud of the momentum we’ve helped create in the industry. The recreational boating industry is made up of about 95% small businesses. These are businesses that support jobs and local communities but they also create boats that bring families and friends together and provide a way for people to experience our country’s waterways.

SB: How has Discover Boating made the biggest difference in the marine industry? I would love to hear specific examples of how you believe your company has enriched mariners experience on the water.
CB: What’s unique about Discover Boating is that it encompasses all areas of boating. We aren’t selling a certain type of boat or accessory—discoverboating.com is an unbiased, not-for-profit resource for new and experienced boat owners alike to find the information they need to have the best time on the water. From how to buy/shop, finance, insure, maintain, and trailer to where to go and have some fun, our website covers it all.

We’ve also created a social networking community where we engage with cruisers, and potential cruisers, each day. We share inspiring boating stories and images, special insights on finding the right boat, and answer questions to help people navigate their boating or boat buying experiences. We’re providing real-time solutions for people and we’re able to provide these solutions with the support, knowledge and credibility of the entire boating industry, which doesn’t exist anywhere else.

SB: What should we expect to see from Discover Boating in this upcoming year?
CB: In 2014, we launched our Stories of Discovery video documentary series profiling real cruisers and their love for the water. Those four stories/videos were a thrill to create—searching for the stars, learning their stories and shooting the footage—and offer a special look into the role boating plays in people’s lives. The response has blown away our expectations. With these videos as a cornerstone of our campaign—we helped bring 1.8 million people to manufacturer websites to shop for boats. Based on this success, we’re continuing Stories of Discovery in 2015 with two new storytellers sharing their personal boating experiences.

In addition, you can expect Discover Boating to have a heavy online presence on your favorite news outlet websites and your go-to social networks. You’ll also see us at boat shows and other national events to support our Hands-On Skills Training program. We believe that education is one of the best ways to encourage people to try boating for the first time and also give cruisers—both veterans and newbies—a way to check their skills and be more confident on the water.

SB: Are you involved in any outside marine organizations?
CB: I’m currently on the Recreational Boating & Fishing Board of Directors and involved with the Recreational Boating Leadership Council. Formerly on the Sail America Board of Directors and the National Safe Boating Council.

SB: How involved in the boating and marine community are you? Do you own a boat yourself? What do you love most about being a mariner?
CB: Every weekend in the summer you can find me on my boat in Chicago cruising Lake Michigan with my friends. There’s no place I’d rather be than on my boat to unwind and have fun. Boating provides such an incredible social experience that also makes me feel like I’m miles away from home on vacation. I’m able to bring a lot of my personal experiences as a cruiser to my work and put myself in the shoes of a potential cruiser to think about what would make it most compelling and what’s going to really attract someone to the boating lifestyle.

SB: What else would you like our readers to know?
CB: Discover Boating can help you find your next boating destination or access point, connect you with a local certified dealer for your next upgrade, or provide tips for semi-annual maintenance and more. We’re here to help you make the most of your time on the water. I also encourage anyone interested in the latest boating trends and information to connect with us on our social media outlets.

By Christine Carpenter, Southern Exposure