BULLY NETTING on the NEW SKIFF

Yes, you read that right.

BULLY NETTING: The art of catching lobster at night with a net from the boat.

After a delicious spaghetti dinner at sundown, Chuck and I loaded the new skiff…. oh yeah, I forgot to tell you about the new boat, but first, I'll tell you about my first experience at bully netting.

We gathered our flashlights, nets and tickle sticks, and hopped on the boat. Lobster come out and feed at night, so they are walking around looking for their dinner, instead of hiding in holes during the day.  There are two different lights mounted on the front of the boat, shining in the water. When the light hits their eyes, they glow red. Sort of like the freaky way a cat's eyes do.

The 12 volt light hanging off the bow has a shield above it so the light won't blind you. With both lights on, the bottom is clear and you can see very well in shallow water.

We ran out to the shallows close to the mangroves, just out from the house. Chuck took the net and climbed up on the bow, while I got behind the wheel. I have not had much experience behind the wheel of a power boat. I thought that was very brave of him to stand at the edge of the bow while I drove. We trolled around for about 20 minutes and didn't see a one. We got into some very skinny water, and Chuck thought it was best he took the wheel. If we hit something, he wanted it to be him driving… so did I. I took a net and positioned myself at the bow. I am not the most graceful person, and I couldn't help fear falling off if we suddenly ran aground. Within a few minutes, I saw my first lobster, but the water was too deep, and I was a little too cautious and let him get away before I could get the net on him. After three attempts, I gave up on him. It was getting late, so we headed back to the house. While coming through the channel that leads to the canal, I again took my net to the bow. I caught one, but he was a shorty. A shorty is a lobster too small to keep. He was thrown back and I quickly caught another. He was a shorty too. but man was that a blast.

The ballyhoo were just going crazy in the channel, and they are a good bait. We went to the house and got another net, went back out and caught 13 ballyhoo, stuck them in the freezer. By the time we got back to the house it was midnight. I had a blast!

Now about the new boat. Chuck is known for being a boat collector. . .

A couple months ago, a neighbor walked across the street and asked Chuck if he was interested in buying his boat. Chuck asked, "How much?" The number given had too many digits, so the answer was a quick, "No thank you." Chuck turns to walk away, and the neighbor asks, "How much would you give me?" Chuck came back with an amount just 1/5th of the asking price. Some haggling was done, and shortly thereafter… there was another boat parked in the driveway.

This boat needed some work, but will be a cool little boat for diving, lobstering, and working the stone crab traps. It is a 19' Sundancer with a Yamaha 4 stroke engine hanging off the back. It will be great on gas and low maintenance.

The motor needed work, new trim motor, new running lights, new battery and the gas tank cleaned. The upholstery was trash and was replaced. The bimini was not in bad shape, but the tie-down straps needed to be replaced, and a bimini boot will probably be added at some point.

She is in the water now, and she is a sweet ride. Last night the weather was perfect, a little moonlight, on the water with my Sweetie … what more could a girl ask for!

MY VERY OWN...

Ever since I got to Key West, I've felt off a few degrees. I finally figured out what has contributed to this feeling. First, I stayed with my daughter and her family. It was a temporary situation until I figured out my next move. The decision to stay in Key West was made, so I looked for a place to rent. Rent is VERY expensive here, so I took the cheapest route and rented a room from a lady. It never felt like "my place"… I was "staying" with someone. This lady put her condo up for sale, so again, I must relocate my belongings. The other day it hit me, I know what I need to make me feel more settled. I now have a legal mailing address all my own! A PO Box, and I got my first piece of mail. It may seem a little odd to some of you, but I have the need to have something all my own. Someday I will live in a space that I can decorate to my own taste, paint the wall if I want.  Who knows the future shape of "my space". It may not have four walls, it may have bulkheads and a cockpit to sit and watch the sunset. Anything is possible….

JIMMY BUFFET

We all have our favorite Jimmy Buffet song, and know the words to many of his songs. I have many of his songs, but I didn't understand some of the lyrics until I moved to Key West. Jimmy has spent a lot of time here in Key West, and even has a little recording studio by the water.

"All of a sudden I wasn't  alone picking' country music with old Joe Bones. Duval Street was rocking…"

Joe Bones plays a lot of Buffett's music and played at Margaretaville on Duval Street, here in Key West. 

"I'm goin' down to Fausto's to get some chocolate milk…"

Fausto's is a small grocery store on Fleming, just off Duval Street in Key West. It's within easy walking distance of the dinghy dock we always tied to when we first got to Key West. I didn't know it was famous, I just thought it was really expensive. Who knew!

SAIL OKLAHOMA 2014

After I published my last post, I received a message from Sean Mulligan. Sean bought my Paradox, SCOUT, and has been taking her on adventures and making memories. Sean was asked to make a presentation during the upcoming Sail Oklahoma. This is an annual boat festival hosted by Mike & Jackie Monies at their BOAT PALACE on Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma. This event is held each October, and attended primarily by boat builders, and has been described as a messabout on steroids.

The first event was held in 2010 and was a big success. It has grown every year, and about 100 boats are expected this year. Sean will be taking SCOUT.  As he said, he knows how to sail her, but doesn't know anything about the building of her, so he has asked if I would take part in this presentation. I have wanted to attend Sail Oklahoma, but never had the time or finances to do so… until this year. My flight has been booked, and all arrangements have been made. While thinking about my presentation, I realized I was fuzzy on details. I looked back at the past posts, but still needed more information in some areas. I contacted Sean and asked if I might have copies of the plans, this would help me. I sent the EVERYTHING to Sean when he purchased her. He offered to send me the whole notebook I had used during the build. I was touched. I received it today! 

When I pulled it out of the box, I was flooded with memories of the endless hours I spent in the garage making sawdust, spreading epoxy, planing, painting……. and it still has the faint odor of sawdust.  And yes, the envelope of receipts are still there. Will I pull them out and add them up? Probably not.

Sail Oklahoma is scheduled for October 9 - 13, 2014. I encourage you to come and join in the fun. There will be lectures, demonstrations, sailing and lots of sea stories told. I'm looking forward to seeing SCOUT, but I also want to see a Mayfly 14. That will be my next build… if I do build again.

Below is a schedule of events, please try and attend. I would love to meet you all, come by and introduce yourself.

For more information, contact Jackie:  m_monies@yahoo.com

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, October 9              

7-9 Continental Breakfast and Coffee

8-5 Private class/ John Welsford “Epoxy and Fiberglass”  Coffee breaks and lunch included $150

8-4 Private classes/ Richard Woods “By Appointment”  analysis and instruction  $50 per hour

8-5  Family Boat Building/ Dave Gentry “Building Kiddyak Skin on Frame  $350 kit/material

8-5  Registration  at Boat Palace  (No charge)  Includes classes above if space available

Sandwiches and snacks available  For Lunch

4-6 Richard Woods/  Multihull Program /  Video and Slides / Tent  Boat Palace / Free Class

8-5  Independent sailing or Group sails at Beach Launch Area

6-7:30  John Welsford/ “Care and Sharpening of Tools”  Boat Palace/ Free Class

7:30-10:00  Group Buffet at City Wok, Main Street, Eufaula  All You Can Eat Chinese Buffet-

                  General Discussion and  Visiting/  Meet and Greet

 Friday, October 10, 2014

7-9  Breakfast Continental and Hot Breakfast Choice/   Boat Palace

8 :00 a.m. Dave Gentry “Family Boatbuilding Skin on Frame Kidyak” Continues / Observation Free

8-10 Michael Storer/ “How To Increase Performance Without Sacrificing Economy / Free Class

10:30  Cruise Across Lake/ Five Mile Cross Lake Eufaula/ Belle Starr Park and Back

Lunch / Sack Picnic Lunch Available in Boat Palace

3-5  Doug Snider  “Heavy Weather Sailing”  Beach Launch Area/  Free Class

5:30 “Ask the Designers”  Panel Forum/ Welsford,  Michalak,  Storer, Gentry , Woods/  Boat Palace/ Free

7 :00  Dinner / Benefit for  VFW Auxiliary- Cooked and Served by Women’s Auxiliary / Boat Palace

8:00   Bob and Virgene Trygg  “Building Our 32 Foot Tahitian  Ketch and Sailing to Keys” / Boat Palace/  Free Class

9:30  Shawn Payment/ Michael Storer  “The Canoe Trip of Doom”  Building canoes and paddling Loire River, France / Boat Palace/  Free Program

Saturday, October 11

7-9  Breakfast/ Continental  or Hot Breakfast Choice/  Boat Palace

9-11   Jim Michalak / “Design Your Own Boat” / Boat Palace/  Free Program

11-12  Richard Woods/  Program  Beach Launch Area/  Free Class

12:00  Noon  Sack Picnic Lunch Sandwiches   Beach Launch Area

1-5  End Cancer Duck Races and Other Races /  Beach Launch Area / Free

6:00  Tom Pamperin  “Jagular”  Reading and Leads Panel on Writing For Publication with Other 

     Authors / Boat Palace /  Free Program

7:30  Dinner / Fried Chicken and Southern Eats /  Boat Palace

8:00  Boat Show Awards and Racing Awards

8:30  Captain Ledge Band Concert and  Kelly McGuire- Redfish Records

Sunday, October 12

7-9  Breakfast / Boat Palace Continental  or Hot  Breakfast Choice

9-11  Sean Mulligan / “Paradox by Matt Layden” and Sail Havasu Presentation/  Free Program

11:00  Pirate Poker and Naval Battle / Beach Front/  Boats 12 Feet and Under/  Free

Lunch  Sandwiches and Snacks Available at Beach

12:30-2:00  Recovery and Flotation Seminar / Richard Woods, Dave Gentry, Jim Michalak, John  Welsford,  Michael Storer/  Free Program

2 :00  Marshmallow Scooping and Bombardment/  Beach Front/  Boats 12 feet and Under/ Free

3:30  Free Sail Time or Improvise Programs

7  Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant /  Highway 9, I mile east of Boat Palace /  Sail or Motor/ 

     Drive  / Menu 

JEANNIE II

For over a year, I was able to push back those thoughts of losing s/v TARDIS, my baby. When I saw an email in my inbox from a Paradox or boat building forum, I usually just deleted, did not read. I was in denial, 'just don't think about it' was my attitude. One day the door to the room that held all those feelings of the two years I spent in the garage and driveway building my dream boat, flung wide open and I could not get it closed and locked again. I grieved. To replace TARDIS, I have adopted another boat... Chuck's boat; m/v Jeannie II.

Jeannie II is a 29' fishing boat, and she is Chuck's pride and joy. Chuck wanted a tower on her, but when she's parked on her trailer, she sits right under power lines. The solution; design a fold-down tower. So, he did.

When asked to describe Jeannie II, Chuck told me this:

She has a volvo penta D-6 350 diesel engine with a duroprop outdrive. The engine produces 350 hp and will top out in the 40 knot range, 50 if I am bleeding.

I am adding a foldable tower. The hull is a Mirage hull, manufactured in Gainesville, FL. She is a fish killing machine and has a very large bow flare. If you take a wave over this bow, you should not be out there.

I have added a 9,000 BTU AC unit which uses a 20,000 watt inverter with a battery bank rather than a generator so there are no carbon monoxide fumes to worry about.

Not being familiar with power boats, fishing, or water in the Keys, I asked the question, "What is the purpose of having a tower?" The answer, "You can see the fish better." My next question, "You mean, you can see the fish? Just how far down can you see in the water?" Chuck's reply, "About one hundred feet." I had no idea. I was used to the waters of Galveston Bay, where you might be able to see 12 inches.

View from starboard, the tower folded forward.

View from port side, with tower in place.

It sounds like a big tractor!

Jeannie II needed a few modifications and repairs before she hits the water again. She has a cabin that sleeps six, but was in need of a few changes for a comfortable weekend on the water. First, an A/C unit was installed. The small sink was removed, and the A/C unit installed in it's place. This will make those hot weekends very nice.

The cabin door did not have a good seal, therefore, it leaked. Chuck installed a new door with a window. This door is wider and can be locked.

She has two 150 gallon fresh water tanks. Plenty of water for a weekend, or a week even. The shower below was removed, but there is a hose on deck for a quick rinse.

Jeannie II now is adorned with 34 rod holders. I'm sure many of you just gasped and thought, "34"!!! Before I started fishing with Chuck, I would have done the same. But, you use different setups for different fish. I'm sure at times, they will all be filled. As Chuck tells people all the time, "I brought home the tackle shop one piece at a time." And I believe he did.

After a couple years of living on her trailer in the front yard, on July 24, 2014, Jeannie II felt the cool salt water against her hull once again as she slid free of her trailer. It was long over-due, and Chuck is a very happy man. There are still a few more things that need to be done: re-cover the chair cushions and make cushions for the berths down below. This is my job.



Tied to the dock in the canal, she eagerly awaited a long over-due romp out the channel and in the Atlantic. And she got that chance for Lobster Mini-Season, which was July 30-31. I took those days off from work, and we went hunting lobster.

Last Christmas, my brother gave me a GoPro and I made good use of it during our snorkeling & diving. Here is a video of one of the stops we made. I LOVE LIVING IN KEY WEST!!!!

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If the only short cut to your house, involves a boat… 

you're in Conch Country.

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SWORDFISH BILLS

Who wouldn't want a swordfish bill hanging on their wall! It would be a good conversation piece for your office.

One day, I was expressing an interest in making extra money. Living in Key West is not cheap. It was suggested that I paint on swordfish bills and sell them. I had never heard of doing such a thing, but when I found out what they sell for, I said, "I'm in!"

Preparing the bills for painting... well, I'll just say it's a stinky job and a long process. Chuck and I are both painting, and we have had positive feedback with our finished product. The hard part, is coming up with a design that prospective customers would fall in love with and be compelled to buy. My question to all of you guys; if you were vacationing in Key West, what would catch your eye? Would you want something that reminds you of your time in Key West? And what would that be: coconut, palm trees, fish, beach, boats, sunset on the water...tell me.

The surface to paint on a bill, is limited in size. Most are only 3 inches wide and they average 36 inches in length. I also want to try and make swords from bills. I've seen pictures of this done, and I think it is really cool. My only obstacle is the grip. I would prefer to buy a grip, but am having difficulty finding such a thing. I may have to build one from wood. It can be done, but I would like to have it made from metal. If anyone has any ideas, I am open to suggestions.

Years ago, I played around with oils, but never acrylics. Acrylics are a better medium for the bills, so I am learning the ways of the acrylic paints. They do not blend like oils, and I get frustrated because it doesn't come out like the picture I have in my head. Maybe it's my talent lacking, not the fault of the paint... nah, it's the paint.

Click on the image to enlarge the picture.

TX 200: DAY 2

Lot less "exciting" than day 1 , but no less the learning experieince. I should have filmed going aground but was too busy dealing with it. I'm sure it would have been comical......at least now! LOL Then, though,.... I was watching the duckers disappear ahead of me and I needed to follow them to find the impromptu destination that was setup for that day after we reached camp 2. They had agreed to sail to Padre Islnad Yacht Club for the night...a distance of around 10 miles....and nighttime was coming fast. To say I was in scramble mode when they said.. "uh Scout....you aren't gonna make it through here (as I slid hard aground) ...You'r gonna have to turn around...find a channel around the other side of this island that'll get you to the ICW" would be an understatement. In reality...it was no big deal. I mean what's the worse case? Maybe I end up camping solo that night..I wasnt gonna die or anything.... well....at least not as long as a stingray ..or gater....or bullshark didnt eat me while I was slogging the boat back upwind to find sailable water. HAHAHA The audio is very weak on this video...sorry.... if you use earbuds and crank it up it's audible... but barely. Operator error on my part. Had the waterproof back on the camera housing and it really muffles everything.

Sean Mulligan & Scout