FOR A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY ON VACATION FROM OHIO, the offshore fishing trip with his grandfather was enough of a treat. Heading out from the New Pass Inlet in Sarasota, Florida, day boats didn’t have to travel far for tourists to have a successful day of Goliath Grouper fishing in the 1960s.
I can still remember the high pitched noise as line played out and deckhands came running to help Gramps as he struggled to land a 321-pound goliath grouper. The battle lasted nearly an hour, and for the retired bank messenger who had moved from Cleveland to Siesta Key, it was the catch of a lifetime.
Since 1990, it’s been illegal to land the goliath groupers. Overfished in the ’70s and ’80s, these beasts can top 800 pounds, measure over 8 feet in length and have been known to live at least 35 years—some marine biologists believe up to 50 years.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting 15 workshops across the state from the Panhandle to Naples through October to gather public input on goliath grouper management, including the possibility of a limited harvest season in Florida state waters.
Goliath grouper populations have substantially recovered since the harvest prohibition took effect. According to the FWC, “There have been increases in abundance in certain areas (Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor and the Ten Thousand Islands), and the distribution of goliath grouper populations has extended into areas of its former range throughout Florida, including the Big Bend and Panhandle regions.”
Continued regulation may be focused on areas where the species spawns and the young mature. The Ten Thousand Islands off southwest Florida is of particular interest where young goliath grouper spend up to six years in mangrove habitat—a nursery of sorts.
Interestingly, they have been known to form spawning groups of 100 or more. Courtship behavior is regularly observed at chartered wrecks or rock ledges in the eastern Gulf during the full moons of August and September. For boaters and anglers interested in attending one of the workshops, a list of dates and locations is on the FWC website myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/rulemaking/workshops.
Experience an evening of Casablanca cuisine with these exotic recipes on this Moroccan Menu.
All recipes in this Moroccan menu serve four.
These carrots become the star of North African Carrot Salad.
North African Carrot Salad
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. chopped garlic
¼ tsp. ground cumin
tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. sugar
3 cups carrots, sliced into thin circles
½ cup water
Pinch of cayenne or dash of hot sauce
2 tsp. lemon juice
¼ tsp. each salt and pepper
Directions:
In a skillet cook garlic, cumin and cinnamon in oil for one minute. Add sugar, carrots, and water over medium-high heat until tender. Add cayenne, lemon and salt, and pepper, stir and serve.
Cucumber Yogurt Salad
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup seeded, chopped cucumber (unpeeled)
1 garlic clove, minced
½ tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh mint or ½ tsp. crushed dried mint
Directions:
Combine yogurt, cucumber, garlic, salt, and mint. Serve as a condiment to fish and couscous in a separate bowl.
Fruit and Nut Couscous
2 cups instant couscous (whole wheat orregular)
2 ½ cups boiling water
2 tsp. grated orange peel
1 tsp. ground cumin
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
½ tsp. each salt and
pepper or more
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup chopped almonds
¼ cup dried fruit (chopped dates, figs, apricots, or raisins)
Directions:
In a medium bowl, combine couscous (either whole wheat or regular), water, orange peel, cumin, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let it rest for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork.
While the couscous is resting, heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds and stir until nuts are toasted, fragrant and golden, 3 to 4 minutes.
Transfer couscous into a serving bowl and top with dried fruit and toasted nuts along with the oil.
Moroccan Citrus Fish
¾ tsp. ground cumin
¼ cup olive oil
1 (15-oz.) can diced tomatoes or 1 pint of
grape tomatoes, halved
4 Tbsp. diced preserved lemon (see below)
1 cup chopped green olives
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. each salt and pepper
4 (6-ounce) fish fillets, each about 1″ thick
Directions:
In a large skillet over medium heat, stir cumin in olive oil for one minute. Add tomatoes, lemon, olives, cinnamon, and half of salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered, stirring until thickened, about 10 minutes. Add fish to skillet and season with remaining salt and pepper; simmer until fish is cooked through, 5-6 minutes. Serve fish and sauce atop couscous.
3-Hour Preserved Lemon
2 lemons
½ Tbsp. kosher salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
Directions:
Cut lemons in half and squeeze out the juice. Dice lemons, including peel, removing seeds. Sprinkle salt and sugar. Put in a jar and cover. Let sit at least 3 hours at room temperature. Shake periodically before use. Refrigerate for up to a week.
Salted Sticky Dates
¼ cup olive oil
20-24 pitted whole dates
½ tsp. coarse salt
Directions:
Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-low heat. Fill the pan with dates and cook, turning dates, for 4-5 minutes. Once they are warmed, turn off heat to avoid burning. Serve on a plate sprinkled with coarse salt. Eat as is or over ice cream or yogurt.
Enjoy the sweet tastes of this Moroccan menu. Want more cruising food? Try our other menus to get inspired.
Hi-Tech Your Boat for Fishing
Boost your electronics for better results on the bite.
Lowrance High-Definition Screen
A world-leading brand in fishing electronics since 1957 and the longest-running sponsor of Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), Lowrance now offers its HDS CarbonTM 16, a new high-performance fishfinder/chartplotter with a 16-inch screen—its largest yet. The high-definition screen on HDS Carbon 16 displays showcases the clarity, high resolution and superior target separation of SolarMAX™ HD technology, exclusive to the HDS Carbon series. Setting up a four-panel split on the HDS Carbon 16 gives anglers the equivalent of four 7-inch screens on a single display.
Anglers in the market for a do-it-all, integrated system need a processor that can smoothly drive high-tech features like StructureScan® 3D with SideScan and DownScan Imaging™, StructureMap™, Broadband Radar™, and SiriusXM® Weather Chart Overlay. HDS Carbon 16 delivers with a dual-core processor that allows anglers to switch between applications and simultaneously view independent sonar feeds.
Lowrance SolarMAX HD display technology features high-definition views and clear visibility with a wide range of viewing angles even when wearing polarized sunglasses. The new displays are engineered to withstand higher temperatures than conventional units, offering enhanced reliability in warmer climates. The secret behind the new SolarMAX HD displays come from the implementation of the most advanced IPS (in-plane switching) screens in fishing electronics. With superior color accuracy and boosted high-definition reproduction, IPS screens are perfectly designed for viewing picture-like sonar images.
With Live Network Sonar, HDS Carbon 16 gives anglers the capability to view and control two independent, live sonar sources at different locations—like the front and the back of the boat— from a single display. This powerful feature provides anglers with a comprehensive picture of underwater activity with convenient and complete control.
In addition to integrated wireless connectivity, HDS Carbon 16 offers Bluetooth® control of multiple Power-Pole® shallow water anchors and Bluetooth audio streaming from the SonicHub®2 marine entertainment system. Anglers can navigate with ease behind proven Lowrance navigation technology, high-resolution mapping with enhanced coverage of coastal and inland waters, a 10 Hz internal GPS antenna, and a multitude of mapping options accessible from the unit’s dual microSD card slots. HDS Carbon 16 is compatible with the most expansive selection of optional cartography on the market, including Insight Genesis™ custom mapping, C-MAP Insight PRO, C-MAP Lake Insight HD, C-MAP MAX-N+, Navionics® and more.
Owners of select Garmin products now have access to high-quality waterproof housings specially designed to protect their electronics. NavPod, manufacturer of housings for marine electronics, offers PowerPods that are compatible with the recently released Garmin GPSMAP® 722/742, 922/942, 1022/1042 and 1222/1242 chartplotters. The units are available in high-gloss white or the new Carbon Series and are ideal for any powerboat installation, including inland fishing and offshore powerboats. PowerPods are sturdy and safe, yet clean and attractive, and the secure mount protects fishfinder/chartplotters from harsh boating conditions. PowerPods feature a swivel base while also providing added security from theft.
“As chartplotters are released from top manufacturers of marine electronics,we continually expand our product line to accommodate the new models,” says Rob Walsh, president and owner of Ocean Equipment, known for its NavPod series. “PowerPods offer boat owners the security and convenience they need to ensure their investment is well taken care of for years to come.”
MSRP $299-$529; navpod.com
NavStar MFDs
SI-TEX Marine Electronics recently introduced its NavStar Series Multifunction Displays (MFDs) for 2017 —the 10-inch display NavStar 10 and the 12-inch NavStar 12.
The new NavStar Series is the fi rst SI-TEX MFD to allow navigators to access all of the unit’s advanced features via simple touchscreen or traditional controls. NavStar’s versatility is further enhanced by built-in Bluetooth connectivity and wireless LAN, providing fast Internet connection, automatic chart and software updating, and video and music entertainment. NavStar’s powerful 4kW dual-range radar capability enables viewing both close-in and far-away targets simultaneously for heightened safety and situational awareness in all conditions. The built-in chartplotter provides radar/chart overlay capabilities with all the latest navigation features and content-rich detail of trusted C-MAP 4D cartography.
The NavStar series is also equipped for optional Skymate satellite communications for access to up-to-date weather forecasts, Nexrad radar and sea surface temperatures, as well as the ability to transmit texts, emails and faxes via Skymate. Coastal and offshore anglers will appreciate NavStar’s dual-frequency 50/200kHz sonar for advanced detail of bottom composition, structure and suspended fish schools.
Whether it’s used for safety, effi cient navigation, fishfinding, or entertainment, NavStar’s high-brightness, high-resolution color display provides excellent sharpness and clarity, even in full sunlight for superior visibility in real-world conditions.
The design is easy to bracket or flush mount on any bridge, helm and console, and it’s backed by the company’s two-year warranty.
NavStar 10 MSRP starts at $2,199; NavStar 12 MSRP starts at $2,999. si-tex.com
Keep propellers and underwater gear free of marine growth for top performance.
Marine growth can be a real drag on your boat’s performance. When your vessel is in the water, algae, barnacles, and other sea life look for places to all home, and that includes the propellers and running gear. Bottom cleaning can’t always keep up, and sooner or later the surfaces are overwhelmed with biological growth that compromises your boat’s efficiency. While it may not make a difference in short runs, the miles add up when you’re burning more fuel because the boat is not operating at peak hydrodynamic efficiency. That’s where a product called Propspeed comes in, a foul release coating system that keeps marine growth at bay. “The short story is more speed, less fuel,” explains Mark Billingsley, a technical and sales support specialist for Propspeed, headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand. “We are all about increasing a vessel’s performance. We allow the engine to be under a lot less engine load, burning less fuel and giving you more speed. It’s the most inexpensive repower a boat owner will ever undertake.”
“The short story is more speed, less fuel,” explains Mark Billingsley, a technical and sales support specialist for Propspeed, headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand. “We are all about increasing a vessel’s performance. We allow the engine to be under a lot less engine load, burning less fuel and giving you more speed. It’s the most inexpensive repower a boat owner will ever undertake.”
Propspeed works by lowering the surface tension of the water on the running gear. The Propspeed system is made up of a two-component etching primer, which bonds to the metal substrate, and a clear coat, which gives an ultra-smooth outer layer. The silicon topcoat provides a clear membrane that allows for the expansion and contraction of the metals so that Propspeed doesn’t crack and peel off.
“For decades, the only solution the industry had to reduce marine-growth attachment was to put on multiple coats of a two-part epoxy primer and then over the top of that a non-copper-containing antifouling paint,” Billingsley adds. “However, the expansion and contraction causes fractures in the paint, and water penetrates the coating and it pops off.” Propspeed offers easy maintenance to prevent marine growth from adhering to the substrate. Simply by running the boat, biological organisms are washed off by the water flow. At the dock, a diver’s glove or rag easily wipes off any organisms that try to attach. Keeping marine growth off a vessel’s metal parts is often done with conventional antifouling paint that includes biocides. Some antifouling coatings contain copper, a strong marine contaminant that was recently banned in the state of Washington. When the biocide is exhausted, it loses its effectiveness—that can happen within a few months and re-coating is required.
Propspeed, however, can work up to two years. It doesn’t contain biocides, copper or tin,
and works because it’s slick rather than due to any toxicity. Some caution, however, needs to be taken to ensure Propspeed stays useful. Its soft coating can be damaged by abrasion or mproper maintenance. Shallow areas with rocks and sand may affect the propellers and cause the tips to be scoured, but with good boating conduct there should not be problems. “Propellers with Propspeed will perform six months or a year later the same way as the day Propspeed was applied,” claims Don MacRae, president and COO of Frank & Jimmie’s Propeller shop, based in Fort Lauderdale. “There will be
no loss of speed because of fouling. Propspeed is the most popular coating requested by our customers at Frank & Jimmie’s because it works.” Cruising boats in the 40- to 80-foot range are ideal candidates for Propspeed, and the usual time for application is during haul-out.
“All of our Propspeed application technicians at Frank & Jimmie’s completed [the company’s product] applicator training course so they understand how to properly prepare the propeller surface for a quality application,” MacRae adds. “Additionally, our more advanced technicians have learned how to feather-in small repairs to the Propspeed surface, resulting in quicker turnaround times and less expense for our customers.”
Because more clients are doing their own maintenance and repairs, Propspeed also offers its product in three different volume amounts at outlets such as West Marine. For example, do-it-yourselfers can pick up a Propspeed DIY 500ml kit for $350. It comes with enough Propclean Wipes, Etching Primer and Propspeed Clear Coat to coat two propellers up to 42 inches in diameter. “For a 40-footer with a set of four-bladed 24-inch props, the customer is going to require our 500ml kit,” Billingsley states. “If the customer wants to include the shafts, struts and rudders, then he could bump up to the one-liter kit, which is twice the liquid and costs about $500 for the complete kit.” Owners of smaller boats who want to do their own work, say a 30-footer with twin three-blade 20-inch props, would require only the 200ml kit, which sells for around $250. “In this case, the boat owner wouldn’t have to haul the boat out, just pull the props,” Billingsley advises. “The kits include detailed instructions on how to apply Propspeed, so if the person is comfortable working on their boat, then applying our product will be well within their skills.”
By Don Minikus Southern Boating Magazine June 2016
When Robert Roscioli designed the R-58, he made it available in three custom configurations—Express, Sport Cruiser and Convertible. It is easy to admire the low, sleek hull (LOA 58′; Beam 17’8″; Draft 4’10”) on which all three layouts are based.
Twin 1,600-hp Detroit Diesel/MTU 10V2000 common-rail diesels turn traditional shaft drives and propel the boat to a cruising speed of 32 knots and a max speed of 40-plus knots. Standard tankage for the Roscioli Donzi is 175 gallons of water and 1,500 gallons of fuel, but there is an option to increase fuel tankage in the Convertible to 1,660 gallons. The well-laid-out flybridge features a large helm console to port with a centerline wheel and a pair of custom helm chairs that have good views of the action in the cockpit.
Never Enough is a cold-molded, two-stateroom Whiticar Custom Convertible (LOA 56′; Beam 17’6″; Draft 5′) designed by Robert Ullberg, with an interior by Sam Rowell of SR Marine Interiors. Power is supplied by a pair of MTU 8V2000CR M94 diesels with a conventional drive train. Tankage is 1,350 gallons of fuel, with 180 gallons of water.
The yacht will cruise at 29 knots turning 1,950 rpm, and top out at 38 knots turning 2,350 rpm. She has classic deckhouse lines, a reverse sheer that breaks just ahead of the large main cockpit and rises forward to handle big waves easily, and sports a full tuna tower. Her interior is remarkable for its rich wooden finishing and joinery and its classic layout.
Merritt’s Boat and Engine Works Beginning in 1955, when brothers Buddy and Allen combined their talents to build vessels for South Florida fishermen, a custom boat bearing the Merritt family name has always been a proven, desirable platform for catching fish.
Today, the custom fishing boats emerging from the Pompano Beach, Florida, yard, that was started back in 1948, range right up to a Merritt Custom 86, with luxurious amenities that far outstrip the bare-bones features of the first builds.
Currently, the yard is busy with the construction of a 66 and an 86, with the most recent launch being a 72 named My Love. One thing has not changed over the years—the yard is renowned for the craftsmanship of its builders.
Persistence is a Michael Rybovich and Sons custom 86 Sportfisherman, a recent launch with four ample staterooms, including an amidships master suite. The yacht has a contemporary interior by Elizabeth Dalton of Dalton Designs that takes maximum advantage of the stunning wood and joinery to create a lush, comfortable environment family and guests.
The flybridge is massive, with loads of seating and storage for guests, finished in white with varnished accents and protected by a large hardtop. There’s seating for four to five on the mezzanine, which is replete with storage lockers.
A pair of 2,600-hp MTU 16V2000 M94 diesels help this yacht (LOA 86′; Beam 21’6″; Draft 5′; Displ. 125,000 lbs.) achieve top speeds of 45 knots and cruise at 35 knots.
Unless you were sleeping at the switch, you undoubtedly know that Bertram is back, with a 35 that pays homage to the renowned 31-footer that helped Richard Bertram build an empire of tough, hardcore sportfishing yachts.
The new 35 is from the board of Michael Peters, with a longer and beamier version of the iconic Bertram 31 and retains its classic style and desirable rough-water ride. (The new design has a deadrise of 22 degrees.)
The 35 (LOA 35′; Beam 12’5″; Draft 2’6″; Half-load Displ. 20,800 lbs.) will be offered in cruising and fishing configurations, with twin 460-hp Caterpillar C7 diesels aimed at 40-knot top speeds. Attractive options include a bow thruster to help move the nose around authoritatively in cross winds and a Seakeeper gyro stabilizer to help ensure comfort aboard for family and guests.
The Hatteras GT 70 Convertible fuses the renowned builder’s reputation for toughness and reliability with luxury and comfort afloat. Designed with the performance-minded tournament angler in mind, the GT 70 (LOA 70’6″; Beam 21’4″; Draft 5′; Displ. 120,000 lbs.) has a fuel capacity of 2,140 gallons and standard twin 1,900-hp CAT C32A diesels, which provide cruising speeds in the mid 30-knot range and top-end speeds of more than 40 knots, according to the builder.
The five-stateroom layout includes two suites with double berths and three with Pullman berths, along with crew quarters. Mezzanine seating offers comfortable viewing, as well as a place for the next fisherman in the queue to get ready for the fight. Twin custom helm chairs have excellent views of the action in the cockpit.
Based on its proven and successful 48 Convertible hull, the new Viking 48 Open (LOA 49’1″; Beam 17′; Draft 4’8″; Displ. 66,342 lbs.) is designed with the serious fisherman in mind.
The 124-square-foot cockpit has aft-facing seating on a split mezzanine, plenty of storage, easy under-steps access to the engine room, and separate coolers for bait and drinks. The transom has a large door and liftgate for boating big fish, as well as family and guests, plus a livewell. The oversized lazarette will accommodate a ton of gear and a Seakeeper 9 gyro stabilizer.
Several MAN diesel engine options offer performance up to 39 knots at the top end and will cruise efficiently in the low to mid-30 knot range.
Builder’s Choice is Jarrett Bay’s fourth custom hull built for a well-known family in the sportfishing community, and it is the largest boat to date for those owners (LOA 64’8″; Beam 18’8″; Draft 5’4″; Displ. 78,000 lbs.). Power for this yacht is a pair of CAT C32 ACERT diesels in a conventional drive configuration.
The boat carries 1,800 gallons of fuel and 275 gallons of water. With a raised mezzanine for spectators, the cockpit has three teak-planked levels, a mid-height step with storage, a 140-square-foot main level with room all around, and a custom fighting chair.
The spacious bridge contains a large console, room for two custom chairs with a good view of the cockpit and a huge lounging area forward. The luxurious salon is warm and comfortable. jarrettbay.com
With its distinctive design, the new Huckins Sportfisherman 45 celebrates the company’s 75-plus years as builders of desirable custom wooden fishing and cruising boats. Wombat is powered by twin 480-hp Cummins diesels turning Zeus pod drives, which help her achieve top end speeds of 35 knots burning 50.5 gph, or cruise comfortably at 28 knots and sip fuel more efficiently at 33 gph.
Wombat’s low and graceful hull (LOA 44’10”; Beam 13’9″; Draft 3′; Displ. 23,000 lbs.) is a cored fiberglass composite structure, with a full-on fishing cockpit that features three insulated fi sh bins with in-drain macerators, a Dometic icemaker, a mid-cockpit rocket launcher for stand-up angling, and Rupp outriggers. The company’s trademark Quadraconic® hull has a solid reputation for smooth running and minimal pounding compared to other hulls.
With more than 40 years of experience building luxury yachts from 36 to 77 feet in length, Riviera’s reputation for sea-kindly, comfortable boats is well-established.
The Riviera 77 Enclosed Flybridge (above) (LOA 81’2″; Beam 20’9″; Draft 5’9″; Displ. 116,600 lbs.) is a serious long-range battlewagon that carries 2,536 gallons of fuel and 349 gallons of water. Standard engines are a pair of 1,900-hp MAN V12 diesels with conventional shaft drives, and has a predicted range of 556 nautical miles at 26.4 knots, according to the builder.
The fighting cockpit is a whopping 177.6 square feet with a raised, weather-protected mezzanine measuring 76.4 square feet and equipped with copious amounts of storage. The standard layout includes four staterooms with ensuite head compartments, and the level of luxury is first class all around.
In the company’s line of Luxury Performance Sport Yachts, the Sea Force IX 94.5 (LOA 94’8″; Beam 22’11”; Draft 5’8″; Displ. 160,000 lbs.) is the largest of six models that begin at 81 feet. All are equipped with enclosed flybridges, though the 94.5 also features an open skybridge one level higher with a helm station, obviating the need for an add-on tower.
In addition to the enclosed helm on the flybridge, there is also an exterior helm on the open-air deck aft, well-suited for maneuvering when the fish is hooked up. There are four general layouts available, three of which include a full beam master. Standard power is twin 2,600-hp MTU 16V2000 94 diesels turning traditional shaft drives in performance prop pockets. Top speed is 36 knots, and easy cruise is 27 to 28 knots, according to the builder.
