Grand Banks Yachts is set to debut the GB60, a 65-foot cruiser with 900-hp Volvo Penta D13 engines and Twin Disc BP300 bow and stern thrusters. An exciting addition to the company’s fleet, the GB60’s lines embody the balance and proportion that are integral to a yacht’s design. Its generous beam offers ample room for three staterooms and two full heads. Seating abounds in the salon, aft deck and on the spacious flybridge. The GB60 will be delivered with Twin Disc’s MGX 5096A QuickShift marine transmissions, Express Joystick System (EJS) at three stations, dual EC300 Power Commander Electronic Controls with Express Positioning and the new Digital Thruster Panel. This provides the helmsman with effortless fingertip control. Whether pulling into a slip with a tide running, spinning the boat on its own axis in mid-channel or crabbing sideways away from a fuel dock, the GB60 offers precise maneuverability.
UPDATE: the GB60 has made its debut at the Newport Boat Show!
Lunasea Lighting introduces two flood lights perfect for use on larger yachts. The 90-watt and 180-watt Lunasea Extreme Beam models are designed to maximize work area light and deliver reliable, efficient performance under the most demanding conditions. The ultra powerful LED lights boast rugged exterior housings machined out of solid marine-grade billet aluminum and hard anodized for corrosion resistance. Compact in size, the lights provide intense bright light. The 90-watt model features a 100-degree beam angle and produces 11,500 lumens; while the 180-watt unit with its 70-degree beam angle doubles that output with 24,000 lumens. The lights have a T4 temperature rating and meet all USCG specifications. MSRP 90/180 watt; $699/$1,399; lunasealighting.com
Southern Exposure, Nathalie Gouillou, February 2016
Perhaps his love for the ocean and his upbringing in a little village of the Czech Republic with a deep connection to bohemian craft made his career choice as a fine art glass artisan a given. Meet Marek Landa, the mind behind Crystal Caviar, a company with a leading team of artists who create unique pieces of glass and crystal art that adorn hotels, cruise ships, as well as private homes and yachts. crystalcaviar.eu/en/
SB: What is the story behind Crystal Caviar? How did it start? ML: I started a company under my name Marek Landa in 1995 producing engraved glassware for hotels and custom made chandeliers. In 2010 the company was renamed Crystal Caviar. A crystal wall finish I invented that looks like caviar was the inspiration behind the name. Since then we’ve used these “caviar” tiles as luxury frames for one-of-a-kind mirrors. We’ve also used it as a finish for 100-square meter fountains on Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas—among Royal Caribbean International’s largest cruise ships. The material was also used as a finish on several private yachts and as wall art in private residences. Because the clear “caviar” tiles have excellent optical properties, they are ideal for chandeliers. Crystal Caviar has created many chandeliers from these tiles, including a 3,000 lbs. chandelier for a private palace in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia.
Chandelier by renowned artist Jan Frydrych.
Marek Landa, Owner, Crystal Caviar.
“Cone” by renowned artist Jan Frydrych.
The tile and its caviar-like finish (Landa’s creation) was the inspiration behind the company’s name—Crystal Caviar. Pictured a caviar tile with 24K Gold.
Crystal Blanket Chandelier.
SB: How did you know that you wanted to work with glass? ML: Glass and Crystal are such beautiful materials and it is a true pleasure to work with them. The beauty of glass speaks for itself as to why I fell in love with it. It is also an extremely luxurious material to create art. I love art and now more than 70 renowned artists produce their art pieces in the Crystal Caviar premises.
SB: When did the marine world become part of your work? ML: From the years 2000 to 2006, I had to pleasure to become close to the yachting industry and I came to realize that there were no chandeliers on yachts—yacht designers were afraid to use chandeliers because of their moving parts, how they vibrate and how easily they could break, damage something or cause injuries. Because of my nautical experience I convinced several designers and asked them to trust me into building several luxury chandeliers for yachts. Since then, we’ve built more than 100 sea worthy chandeliers on many yachts and Crystal Caviar is considered to be the expert in building chandeliers that don’t rattle, that are safe and don’t deteriorate in hard marine environment.
I must proudly say that until now we haven’t had to repair any single part of our chandeliers installed on yachts. However we are often asked to repair chandeliers on yachts produced by others companies.
SB: What goes through the creation process? ML: The collection of Crystal Caviar pieces available for clients consist of more than 500 glass art sculptures and more than 3,000 designs for chandeliers. We also have in our workshops 15,000 samples of various glass techniques.
The client usually comes to us with the kind of style for the chandelier they want to build and based on that information (it could be a sketch, drawing or photography) we prepare a computer visual for their approval. Then chandelier, mirror, sculpture, glass wall, or glass floor is produced and installed by Crystal Caviar. For example, this is how we produced a 4-meter high chandelier for SERENE—a more than 430-foot private superyacht.
SB: What can you tell us about some of the art pieces for yachts that you’ve worked on or will be working on in the future? ML: We just produced with world-renowned artist, Mr. Beránek, two sculptures made of Bohemian crystal—100 kg each (220.5 lbs.). Mr. Beránek also produced with us a 2-meter-long art table. For another client, Crystal Caviar is working on an 8-meter-long crystal staircase sculpture. Another world famous artist, Mr. Frydrych, just produced a 250 kg optical sculpture, which will be soon installed on a 60-meter yacht. At the moment we are producing art chandeliers for seven private yachts. We also now have on our drawing boards the first crystal fountain with water.
SB: What is your main objective when you are creating a work of art? ML: We always try to follow the client’s taste and we never let the client down if he or she requires unusual or “crazy” art pieces. That is why we have become a company that people approach if they want something that nobody else has. “Crazy” ideas are born from creative minds and that is the main reason why Crystal Caviar cooperates with more than 70 artists.
SB: What do you enjoy most about being an artist? ML: Freedom, challenge and uniqueness.
SB: Can you tell us about one or two of your favorite pieces? ML: One of the most interesting work we have done was a 4-meter chandelier on SERENE, which we did in cooperation with Mr. Frydrych. His multifaceted components created a special effect as if stone jewelry were hanging above the dining table. The most difficult, but also very unique and enjoyable piece I’ve produce was a 4.5-meter chandelier on 314-foot superyacht Kismet. But in general we supply art for more than 50 yacht projects and each of the project is fun and so different from the other. On Talisman C we used more than 700 crystal components, which was really fun to put together while making sure that nothing fell down.
SB: What do you enjoy most about the marine industry? ML: I spent seven years cruising on different yachts and one can say that sea is in my blood. I also use my boating experience when designing chandeliers that do not rattle, rust and are safe on board.
SB: Do you own a boat? ML: I have a little sailing catamaran and a little foldable boat, which I use in the summer to go out on a lake nearby. (There is no space for large yachts in the Czech Republic.)
SB: Where would be some public spaces where we can see and enjoy some of your art? ML: A lots of Crystal Caviar pieces can be seen on exhibitions such as the Monaco Yacht Show, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, or SuperyachtDesign Week. Some of our unique sculptures can be seen in South Florida, in a showroom of IK Yacht Design.
Southern Exposure, Nathalie Gouillou, February 2016
Action Craft’s 21 Coastal Bay ACE Premium Elite is a truly versatile vessel that excels on bays, rivers and inland lakes—it’ll also take you offshore with confidence. The company’s latest launch uses its patented Quick-Dry hull and pocket drive, which combo provides the 21-foot boat a mere 10-12″ draft. At 1,850 pounds and an 8′ 4″ beam, it’s a soft and dry-riding design. Standard features on this new 2016 include: powder-coated T-tops and leaning posts that add to the design; SeaDek throughout; LED lighting that add functionality and safety; lockable rod and gear storage; and is available in any gel coat color imaginable—as well as a new two-tone design. Anglers will appreciate the 8′ Power-Pole Pro, 42 and 22 gallon livewells, and the insulated fish box. Add a custom swim platform and ladder for some fun in the water after a successful day of fishing. Sturdy and comfortable is how Chad Kovarik, president of Action Craft Boats describes his company’s latest release, adding, “we’re confident that our customers will share our opinion.”
Specifications LOA: 21′
Beam: 8′ 4″
Draft: 10-12″
Displacement: 1,850 lbs.
Fuel: 75 U.S. gals.
Engines: 150/250 hp
Top Speed: 59 mph (with 250 hp)
MSRP: $58,000
Contact:
Action Craft Boats
830 NE 24th Lane, Unit C
Cape Coral, FL 33909
(239) 574-7800 actioncraft.com
Jon Fadely is a professional mariner working with the global charity, Mercy Ships. A licensed deep-sea captain, he has served as Master on four of the five Mercy Ships, from 1992 until now. Jon, his wife Angie and their three children lived for 11 years on board two different ships, travelling to many parts of the world with volunteer crewmembers and bringing hope and healing to the poor. Their children now grown, Jon and Angie live in Lindale, Texas, where they serve full time at the International Operations Center of the organization.
SB: What attracted you to work for Mercy Ships? JF: Firstly, it was that I could use my professional maritime skills to help serve those in need around the world. Secondly, that my family could join me; my wife could also serve in a professional capacity (HR management) and our children could live with us on board and continue their education in an accredited school.
SB: How did you find out about the organization?
JF: My brother worked with the parent organization in the 1980s and advised us of the upcoming visit of the Mercy Ship Anastasis to Houston, where we lived and worked at the time. He also volunteered us to help the ship’s advance team with the port arrangements! Then, once the ship arrived, we visited the crew on board and heard more about their work.
SB: Please succinctly describe the work and goal of the organization? Mercy Ships follows the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor. We use ocean-going hospital ships crewed by international volunteer professionals and supported by offices in 16 nations, to deliver a variety of health care services to the people of developing nations through programs, which include life-changing surgeries, vocational training and education.
SB: How long have you been with the organization? In what corners of the world have you traveled to? Twenty-three years. We joined Mercy Ships on April 1st, 1992 as a family of five, and have traveled to Central and South America, including one trip up the Amazon River; throughout the Caribbean; into the Great Lakes, twice; along the East, Gulf and West coasts of North America (both U.S. and Canadian ports); around the northern Pacific Rim including stops in Alaska, Russia, China, Korea, the Philippines, Guam and Hawaii; several countries in Europe; Great Britain; and several countries in West, Central and Southern Africa, most recently to the island of Madagascar.
SB: What is your position today? Have you always held the same position? I “wear three hats” in Mercy Ships at the moment: Quality Management Systems Developer, Child Safety Manager and (part-time) Maritime Safety Instructor. I also keep my “Captain’s hat” ready (including my deep-sea unlimited license) in case the organization needs a relief skipper.
I first served in Mercy Ships in my capacity as a licensed maritime professional: as Chief Officer, then Captain of the smaller ships in the fleet; then eventually as Captain on each of our larger ships. After moving ashore to work in our main office in 2003, I have served as Safety Manager and also Director of Marine Operations.
In general, I provide a range of internal consulting services to the managers and senior leaders as we work together to make the organization more effective and more efficient. My maritime training and experience have given me an appreciation for managing complex systems and coordinating the efforts of a wide range of talents and temperaments to achieve a common goal.
Vanyah is one of the many recipients of the good work done by MercyShips.org, Photo Credit Elie Sergio Benarson
SB: Can you tell us about one your favorite stories with your position and the organization? JF: In 1994, on the first mission voyage of the Caribbean Mercy, we were sailing from Florida to the Dominican Republic along the north coast of Cuba, when I was called to bridge; the lookout had reported a yellow flag waving off the starboard beam. As we watched, we could barely see the hull of a small motorboat cresting the waves then disappearing back in the trough. We altered course to investigate and as we drew alongside the boat, we learned there were over 20 Cubans on board, including women and children; the boat was out of gas; and they had been out at sea for more than two days. We brought them on board to assess their condition and provide the care they needed: several were dehydrated and one woman was fading in and out of consciousness.
One of the Cubans said he was a doctor, and that they were attempting to get to Miami in order to emigrate to the U.S. He said the hardest thing for them had been drifting at sea with no power, watching ship after ship sail on by, but none stopping to help. I was aware that the Coast Guard had active patrols in the Windward Passage, and so contacted them to request a transfer. They agreed and we established a rendezvous, which we reached the next day. All of the Cubans survived their ordeal at sea, and were safely transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard. I’m not sure what happened to them after that, but I believe they may have been taken to Guantanamo Bay. Before he left, the Cuban doctor gave me his stethoscope as a sign of their thanks for being rescued.
SB: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your position? JF: I’ve been privileged to be involved in many special efforts and projects throughout my years with Mercy Ships, but one achievement, which helped shape me in my course with this organization was the commissioning and maiden voyage of the Caribbean Mercy.
In the spring of 1994, in St. Petersburg, Florida, my wife and I heard, along with the rest of the crew of our Mercy Ship, the Good Samaritan, that we would be transferring to a new ship, which the organization was purchasing. The Good Samaritan, in turn, would be delivered to our colleagues in New Zealand, who would rename it the Island Mercy and carry on an effective medical program in the South Sea Islands of the Pacific. The catch? The “new” ship, to be renamed the Caribbean Mercy, was 42 years old, laid up in Norway, and had only ever been classed and equipped for coastal ferry service. We needed to send a commissioning team over to Norway to work with surveyors and naval architects to re-classify the ship and then sail it across the Atlantic Ocean, to Florida.
I arrived on board in late April, and caught up with our German Chief Engineer. “Edgar,” I asked, “How soon will you be ready to run these engines?” “As soon as I figure out how to read Norwegian!” he replied with a wry smile. We recruited a team of local translators to provide us English versions of all of the operating and maintenance manuals, addressed a myriad of other technical and regulatory details, and sailed from Norway on May 24th, the ship’s cargo holds filled with construction and medical supplies from our generous Norwegian friends. After stopping in Rotterdam, the Azores and the Bahamas for fuel, we arrived in Tampa on June 13th, sailing in under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge with its two pylons lit up like guardian angels, the eastern sky ahead growing lighter with the dawn. One mission accomplished, many more missions to go.
SB: What do you love most about what you do? JF: The people I work with in Mercy Ships, from the office staff to the crew members of the ships, are some of the most dedicated, selfless, hard-working people I’ve ever known. Sure, we have our problems, our misunderstandings, our hurt feelings and bent egos. But over all and through all and in all runs a deep, personal and profound commitment to the mission of the organization: to bring hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor.
SB: Did you grow up with a love for the ocean/water? Did you enjoy boating/fishing as a child? Do/did you own a boat, if so what is the name and make? What kind of fishing do you enjoy?
JF: I grew up in Liberia, West Africa, for several years living right on the beach in Monrovia. Sand and salt water evoke “home” for me, even today. At a young age, I learned to snorkel and bodysurf; I read all I could find about Jacques Cousteau and the Calypso. Robin Lee Graham and his single-handed voyage around the world on the Dove also inspired me. In college I studied marine sciences and navigation at Texas A&M University at Galveston, then worked with Western Geophysical in their seismic research vessels upon graduation.
I’ve never owned a boat myself, but always enjoy getting out on the water, whether sailing a friend’s dinghy on Lake Minnetonka, or cruising on a catamaran from St Maarten to Saint Barthelemy, or navigating a Mercy Ship to Madagascar. I’ve enjoyed deep-sea fishing for sailfish and marlin off Mazatlan; I’ve attempted fly-fishing for trout in Missouri (the trout won); but thanks to my father and grandfather, my “go-to” is spin casting for bass and other freshwater lake fish.
For more information about volunteering for a maritime or other position with Mercy Ships go to mercyships.org
ABOUT MERCY SHIPS: Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1 billion, treating more than 2.5 million direct beneficiaries. Each year Mercy Ships has more than 1,600 volunteers from more than 45 nations. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time.
By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure, January 2016
Start off your year just right by upholding your community service resolution. IGY Marinas, the worldwide marina network, presents its community service initiative project, Inspire Giving Through You. The project that will launch with multiple events in various destinations over two dates is set to focus on community-based initiatives where the company operates its marinas. On February 20th, the community outreach events will directly benefit the Caribbean and Latin American communities. The second set of events will take place throughout the United States and The Bahamas on June 11th to improve the communities surrounding IGY Marinas’ corporate offices in Charleston, South Carolina; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and New York, New York; as well as its marinas. All hands on deck are encourage to support the efforts from IGY staff, marina associates, boat owners, captains, and crew to take part in this new endeavor.
The program’s objective is threefold: to identify a need area at each marina destination and partner with a nonprofit organization; to coordinate a community-focused event, where IGY associates, customers and partners can make a difference; and to give back to each community. Opportunities will range from animal adoptions to improvement for youth group and elderly organizations, and more. “Guests and boaters come to our marinas to enjoy the destinations, local cultures and attractions,” said IGY Marinas CEO Tom Mukamal. “We have always included community service into our business practices, and now we have an ambitious plan to embark on our 2016 community outreach project to give back to the local destinations in which we live and work.”
February 20th—Caribbean and South America:
Yacht Club at Isle de Sol (St. Maarten)
Yacht Haven Grande (St. Thomas)
Blue Haven Marina (Turks & Caicos)
Marina Cabo San Lucas (Mexico)
Simpson Bay Marina (St. Maarten)
American Yacht Harbor (St. Thomas)
Red Frog Beach Marina (Panama)
Marina Santa Marta (Colombia)
June 11th—United States and The Bahamas:
North Cove Marina (Manhattan, New York)
Marinas at Resorts World Bimini (Bahamas)
Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina (Hamptons, New York)
Newport Yacht Club & Marina (Newport, New Jersey)
Safe and reliable shore power connections are crucial—sometimes all it takes is a quick test to ensure all is well. Hubbell Marine’s new 30A/125V Twist-Lock Circuit Tester is styled and sized like a standard Hubbell Twist-Lock Plug and specifically comfigured to fit all locking receptacles at marinas. Simply plug it into the outlet at the dock and LED back panel immediately identifies if the connections are made correctly and in the right position. The yellow tester is compact and can easily clip onto a tool belt. It’s UL and C-UL listed. MSRP $89; hubbell-marine.com
By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure, January 2016
Davis Instruments’ DockShockle helps lines last longer and minimize wear to cleats. Designed for smaller, lighter boats up to 40 feet, DockShockle features a patented line limiter and progressive tension design to ease constant or sudden shock loads. The outer cover is made of UV-resistant, hollow nylon webbing to protect marine-grade elastomer from the sun’s damaging rays. Dockshockle measures 12 inches long and comes with a pair of Mini-Line Grabbers for easy connection. MSRP $49.99; davisnet.com
Tucked in New Jersey’s Cape May Harbor, South Jersey Marina has easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and ICW, while providing ample protection from Mother Nature’s outbursts. Among the closest marinas to the historic areas of Cape May, its quaint restaurants, beaches and parks, this full service marina—which earned marinalife Best Small Marina 2015—has been serving boaters for more than two decades. Its state of the art floating piers can accommodate vessels up to 150-foot LOA. Dockside services include local weather and fishing reports and the coordination of boat repairs through their sister facility, Canyon Club Resort Marina, also located on Cape May Harbor.
Let the marina’s trained, uniformed dock attendants assist you in tying up and get situated while the operations staff gets you squared away with dinner arrangements, rental cars, historic tours, and more. The marina also offers a shuttle into town to stretch your sea legs in the streets visiting local breweries, playing a round of golf, or relaxing at a spa.
The South Jersey Marina can handle large yachts up to 150 feet.
Serious about fishing, and located within some of the best deep fishing locations on the East Coast, the marina counts among New Jersey’s largest charter and party boat fleet and some exciting tournaments such as the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 and the Viking/Ocean Showdown.
Amenities
• 75 slips
• Docking for boats UP to 150′ in length
• 800′ of side-to dockage in a sheltered basin
• Deep vessel access
• Experienced dock attendants
• High-speed in-slip fueling
• 100 amp electric service
• Laundry facility
• In-house concierge
• Taxi service
• Restaurant (breakfast/lunch)
Contact:
South Jersey Marina
1231 Route 109
Cape May, NJ 08204 southjerseymarina.com
The story behind the creation of Adventure Us II is a great illustration of Hargrave’s custom prowess and their dedication to clients. Perhaps most notable in the exterior is the yacht’s extended enclosed area on the upper deck—a variation from typical Hargrave Sky Lounge models—which was a request from the owners who wished for a large entertaining area to accommodate all family members, including children and grandchildren. The interior design received thorough input from the owners who had a true vision for their yacht. Throughout the years, Adventure Us II owners had compiled a binder with details of décor, furnishings, wall treatments, tiles and more, influenced by Art Deco, they envisioned for their vessel. The dining salon for example was designed around a glass etching from the 1920s of an elegant Parisian woman, which bright springtime tones of melon, lime and coral became the inspiration for the color pallet carried throughout the yacht. Hargrave craftsmen chose rich black walnut with gold leaf embellishments for the main salon to starboard and its walk-up bar. Forward of the main salon is the galley. With its sweetgum burl cabinetry the galley exudes glamour. Its starboard side also doubles as a side entrance to the staircase to the flybridge and guest area. The on-deck master suite allows for lots of natural light and has three large closets, including a walk-in closet, a hat, purse and accessories closet. The master bath boasts grey emperador marble and warm deep brown wood paneling, continuing with the Art Deco theme. The lower deck three guest staterooms were designed with certain family members in mind. The port stateroom has youthful colors of coral rose, peach and hot pink with three twin beds. The starboard stateroom has a full walk-around queen size bed with a more masculine tone of plaid rusts and honey. The captain and crew quarters are spacious and boast the same delicate finishes as the rest of the boat.
Jerry Cash, 31, an Iraq war veteran, took over as marina manager at The Boathouse at Harbor Club in Greensboro, Georgia. Thankful for the opportunity the marine industry offered him upon his return from Iraq, Cash works tirelessly to get the new marina up and running with principles that were instilled into him during his time in the military—strive for the best and get the job done, no matter what.
SB: Tell me about what you’re doing now. JC: What I’m trying to implement is an all-inclusive dry storage facility and marina, where customers can come and not have to worry about service, maintenance or anything in regards with their boat. I want them to come out, call in their boat, leave, go out, enjoy their day, then come back and drop it off. So that’s something that I’m pushing to do, such as getting a mechanic on hand . . . that’s one of my main goals here at the Boathouse.
This is a new marina; they completed construction last year. I believe it used to be like a campsite from what I heard, and a hangout spot for a lot of old timers. The restaurant was redone, gas pumps were added and the dry storage was built. But when I came on board in August, nothing really had been implemented [as far as logistics and the creation of the all-inclusive facility]. We don’t have a [forklift] so I had a special trailer made, where we can move the boat from dry storage to the water. It’s actually safer believe it or not because you’re not traveling with the boat on the forklift, it’s sitting on the trailer. I got the idea from one of the other facilities I worked at, so I kind of took some dimensions and had it made for me.
The Boathouse at The Harbor Club in Greensboro, GA.
SB: How important is it for you to be able to implement that kind of all-inclusive service? JC: That’s what boating is all about, your only concern should be getting here and to the boat, you shouldn’t have to worry about scheduling maintenance or details such as shrink wrap. . . . I just want to be a full service where customers just show up and get on the boat. I think it’s important to shoot for, customers are paying for storage and other amenities, so I want that to be the main focus of this marina.
I’m in the process of working out the maintenance, of determining whether I’m going to work something out with the local maintenance shop, where the customer can let me or one of my guys know that their boat needs to be serviced, or have someone on hand, maybe someone who’s versatile and can help dock the boats and do maintenance work . . . but shrink wrap and anything else to get the boat ready for winter, that’s something I can handle.
SB: What do you like most about your job? JC: I like dealing with the customers, I like seeing them have fun while they’re out there. And at a marina, day-to-day operations are never the same, so it’s always a surprise coming in. New issues pop up. It never gets boring. There’s always something new to look forward to.
One of the boat lift at The Boathouse at The Harbor Club.
SB: Tell us about your background, where you’re from. JC: I was born in Gardena, California, and I was raised in South East Los Angeles. After high school I joined the army and spent three years in service including a tour in Iraq. I was in Iraq from ’05 to ’06. I got back from Iraq in April and then got out at the end of that month. I was stationed in Fort Stewart, right outside of Savannah, Georgia. I had some family members, who moved from California to Woodstock, and I like Georgia, the slow pace, a lot slower than California and less expensive, so I just decided to stay out here.
SB: Is there anything you’ve learned while you were in the military that you still use in your day-to-day activities? JC: Getting the job done. In the military if you’re handed an assignment it is your obligation to complete it, and I think that carries well to your work life. You start out with an idea and you pursue it until you get it done, just get the job done, see the task through. I think that’s one of the biggest things I took from the military. In the military you have to finish, you don’t have an option. Today for example I have a job, I know I could stretch out [my task] but that’s not part of me, so I get the job done, whatever it is.
SB: Did you grow up with a passion for the ocean, fishing, boating? How did that come about? JC: Believe it or not I just kind of fell into it. I do have a degree in Information Technology, but when I got out of the military I was just job hunting and I started off part time at Little River Marina [in Lake Allatoona, Georgia] and just moved up the chain from there. Prior to that I had actually no experience with boats at all; I’d never been on a boat. Little River Marina offered me a part time position so I took it. At the time I had just gotten married so I needed an income. I started part time there, and I was doing construction. Eventually I was offered full time. I was there for about eight years. Before I left I got promoted to assistant manager, but prior to that I was operations manager.
SB: When was the first time you went on a boat? JC: It was a few years when I was in Little River until I was able to take out a rental. It was a pontoon, a Harris float boat. I went out a little bit with one of the older guys who lived in the apartment complex I lived in. We did a little fishing with no luck; we didn’t catch anything, but it was a blast for the first time.
SB: Do you go boating more often now? JC: Believe it or not, I don’t get out on the lake as much, but my experience with boats is plentiful, I tow boats daily, drive… I can drive just about any boats. I don’t get out as much as you would think working at a marina. I spend most of my time helping out customers making sure things are the way there’re supposed to be at the marina. Making sure people are having a good time on their boat, that’s my purpose.
SB: Would you want to own a boat? JC: I do, definitely. Just a little 20-foot bowrider would be perfect for me and my little family; I have a 4-year-old daughter.
SB: Where do you see yourself in a few years from now? JC: The marine industry has treated me pretty well, and I’ve developed a knack for it, so I think I will continue. I don’t know which avenue in the marine industry I’d like to pursue next, but I can definitely see myself sticking with it.
By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure, December 2015
Adventure Medical Kits’ Marine Series offers a range of kits to meet the needs of all boating enthusiasts. With 10 kits, this series covers from the casual rowboat to the vessel with a large crew headed to sea for extended periods. Every waterproof kit features the Easy Access Pocket System, a patented system that makes first aid kits faster and easier to use. Just open the kit, fold out the clearly labeled pockets and open the one you need. The kit comes with treatment instructions within each injury compartment. MSRP from $24 for a basic kit to $799 for large comprehensive kits; adventuremedicalkits.com
Located in the heart of Brooklyn Bridge Park between Piers 4 & 5, ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina, the newest marina in New York City, New York, is under construction with new docks being anchored and a state-of-the-art wave attenuation system now in place. Construction is set for a fall completion and a grand opening anticipated for spring 2016.
The marina will accommodate boats from 16′ to 250′ for seasonal docking, a sail club and school, and a members-only harbor club.
The new marina will be the first to be built in New York Harbor in 20 years. Arthur Tay, chairman of the SUTL Group, is the visionary behind the ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina brand, whose expertise and experience earned ONE°15 Marina Club Singapore the title of Best Marina and Yacht Club in Asia in 2009 and again from 2012 to 2014. “Boating and the water have long been passions of mine, and I recognized an opportunity in Singapore to bring the water and that lifestyle to a wider audience,” said Tay. “As we looked to expand the brand into international destinations we identified the perfect opportunity in Brooklyn, with the vibrant, lush public spaces of Brooklyn Bridge Park, Manhattan skyline backdrop and open water. Boaters and water enthusiasts from around the corner and around the world will feel at home at ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina.”
The marina will bring a state-of-the-art wave attenuation from a 17-foot-wide Marinetek concrete breakwater to New York’s busy waterfront. The marina will use 40 percent translucent decking materials to support the New York Harbor’s goal to reestablish a habitat for prey fish. With onsite amenities, concierge and top-notch security measures, the marina will offer 102 slips/berths.
Amenities:
• 102 slips/berths
• Docking for boats 16′ to 250′ in length
• Water, marine grade power and wireless internet to every slip
• Vessel maintenance assistance
• Sanitary pump-out facilities
• Concierge
• 24-hour security and gated access
• Dock master office with restrooms and showers
• Community dock
• Kayak spaces, kayaking instructions and small protected beginner basin
• Sail Club
• Sailing School
Contact:
ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina
Pier 5 (end of Joralemon Street) Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn, NY 11201 One15brooklynmarina.com
Grady White’s popular Freedom 275 is getting a makeover for 2016 to offer more room. In addition to extending the helm area on the dual console, a reconfigured deluxe seating for cockpit spaciousness and a new deck design exude a special appeal. Top this with a wider port console entry, a new wet bar set-up, plus refined features (standard and optional) and the Freedom 275 is even more versatile and functional than before.
The anchor locker features a thru-hull chute for easier anchor deployment and a clear deck. The comfortable port and starboard bow box cushions can seat up to six people, while the entry to the lockable port console is wider for easy access—the new bow layout also allows for longer rod storage in the console. The widened helm area adds generous seating space for increased comfort. The standard helm seating—a horizontally and vertically adjustable chair—can be upgraded to a plush cushioned and contoured seat with flip-up bolster. The optional deluxe wet bar now faces inboard and is located just behind the helm seat. This entertainment feature can be equipped with a grill and refrigerator. The aft cockpit working space is enlarged for more room to play, fish or chill, and the restyled ski pylon (optional) that fully recesses into the transom when stored is sure to please tow sport enthusiasts. The Freedom 275 is available in one of five hull gel coat colors or two paint colors.
Specifications: LOA: 27′
Beam: 8′ 6″
Draft: 20″
Displacement (w/out engine): 4,972 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 184/20 U.S. gals.
Top Speed: approx. 50 mph (depending on engine package and accessories)
Cruising range: approx. 350 nm
MSRP: $153,420
Contact:
Grady-White Boats, Inc.
5121 Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy.
Greenville, NC 27834
(252) 752-2111 gradywhite.com
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.
