FEBRUARY  2010

February 10th Dinner & Meeting:

Location: Sam Seltzer’s Steakhouse 18409 US-19 N in Clearwater (NE corner of US-19 & Bellaire road)
6:30 Social hour & 7:00 Dinner Meeting
Agenda: Making plans for 2010: Brunch at The Pub 2/20/10., Caladesi Island 3/20/10 and the Grady Fest on 3/19, 20, 21.
Speaker: George Pacharis from Fish Tales Grady White Club of Fort Myers Beach will discuss plans for the Grady Fest

********************************************************************** January Meeting minutes

The January TBGWC meeting was held at Sam Seltzer’s Steakhouse in Clearwater. After a nice "social hour" Gary Twigg who runs the Quality Boat Cruiser’s Club brought a very nice message from David Bair and Quality Boat Sales of Clearwater inviting all members of the Tampa Bay Grady- White Club to become members of the Quality Boat Cruisers Club even if you did not buy your Grady-White at Quality Boats with no additional dues. Bill Eckerle has given Gary a list of our members and you should get an E-mail from either Bill or Gary about this opportunity if you have recently paid your TBGWC dues. Previously the Cruisers Club was limited to customers of Quality Boat Sales.

Gary has scheduled a Cruisers Club planning meeting at Tuscon’s Southwest Grill, 13563 Icot Blvd, Clearwater on Saturday night Feb 6th at 6:00PM. TBGWC members are all invited to attend, but you should notify Gary ASAP so that he can reserve enough space in the restaurant. His E-mail is garytwigg@qualityboatsales.com.

Many members of the Cruisers Club own larger boats and several of their trips are multi-day and week-long or longer trips, but they do go on day trips to Caladesi, Bradenton, and nearby sites, too. TBGWC members at January meeting thought this would make an exciting additional opportunity for our club. Many of us have scheduling conflicts from time to time, so if you can’t make our trips, the Cruisers Club may have a trip when you are free. In addition, many of our newer members have purchased larger boats, and this will give them an opportunity for longer trips. The Cruisers Club members who own larger boats often stay on board their boats, but most destinations also have nearby hotels/motels for those who like to stay on terra firma.

The Cruisers Club members will likely join with us on some of our trips, too, but we’ll keep our meetings and some events such as the Spring and Fall Kingfish Tournament limited to TBGWC members. We’ll look forward to seeing you at the Quality Cruisers Club meeting on Saturday, February 7th. From the pictures on their web site and information from Gary’s talk, the Cruisers members look like fun loving boaters.

Business Meeting: January meeting

Norm Englert who, along with Bill Eckerle, ran the TBGWC Fall Kingfish Tournament presented the First Place plaque and a nice check to Clint Jones who caught the largest fish last fall at 46". Honorable mention to Bob Rice’s grandson, Tyler, who caught a 45" king. Both members were congratulated because the season was hindered by several storms and strong winds that significantly limited the fishing opportunities.

TBGWC webmaster Mike Festa reports that the Club website is back up and running. Mike had a laptop failure, and his new Windows 7 system was not very compatible with the older web site setup (haven’t we all been through those types of problems). In addition, he has added lots of pictures to our site on Smug Mug (available at www.TBGWC@smugmug.com or from a link on our web site. Smug Mug is a member paid picture storage site that TBGWC uses where TBGWC members can view, add, or download our pictures without getting any advertisements or spam. We pay a club membership fee that covers your use of the site. Take a look at the picture galleries dating back to 2004. If you have more pictures that you would like to add, give Mike a call or better yet send him an E-mail at Mfesta@US.IBM.com. The pictures are outstanding, and they can be viewed in a gallery, or in small, medium, large or original size or as a high detail slideshow.

Grady Fest 2010: Club members are encouraged to get a motel room and sign up for the Grady Fest coming up in March. Since this is in the "high" season for Fort Myers Beach, the rooms there are somewhat limited. David Yates found a nice little complex (Hidden Harbor Suites) not far from Fish Tales Marina that has some seawall dockage if you are taking your boat and want to tie up at your condo. Others are staying at the Best Western at Bonita Springs on the mainland at 27991 Oakland Drive, Bonita Springs, Florida, 34135-6232, 239-949-9400). It is a short drive across the bridge to the south end of Fort Myers Beach and Fish Tales Marina.

There is a Friday night get together at Fish Tales. The main event will be held on Saturday starting around 0900 and running through the evening. Lunch and soft beverages are included in the registration fee, and additional food and beverages will be available on a cash bar basis. There will be various vendors with marine gadgets and services setup on the property that you may visit throughout the day. The main event will be held under the "big top" tent. Speakers from Grady-White, Yamaha, Chefs, Electronics Vendors, Fishing Instruction, and more will occur on Saturday and your registration fee includes lunch. All Grady Clubs are invited. There will also be charitable donations through silent auctions and T-Shirt & Hat sales. Lunch will be catered and there will be one meal per registered individual. All your favorite Grady- White Boats will be in the water for viewing and there will be demonstration rides on Sunday morning. . Fish Tales Grady Club is working with a local restaurant to put together a Sunday party. Get more information and register at www.gradyfest.com.

2010 Officers and Directors: The TBGWC members elected new officers and directors at the January meeting. The complete list is at the end of the newsletters, but new officers include our new President, David Yates and Vice President, Paul Hargret as well as Directors Jerry Knight and Clint Jones. Clint and Jerry have been board members in the past and Jerry was the Treasurer for years. David and his family have a jewelry business in Tampa and he is also a member of the Golden Triangle Fishing Club in Tampa. Through contact with David, we have been invited to share some of their fishing trips this year they plan including another fishing trip to Stuart, as well as a possible middle grounds fishing trip in the Gulf.

Paul, and his wife Bonnie, have been TBGWC members for several years had have helped organize and lead trips to Palm Island for the club. We are fortunate to have these active members leading our club this year.

Telephone Committee: Debbie Festa has volunteered to help set up a TBGWC telephone committee and she is looking for some help. In the past we had a telephone committee of several members who divided up the membership list and gave members a call before the monthly meeting and trips when appropriate. With several members making the calls, each person only had to make a few quick calls. Members felt that this was a nice "personal touch" and reminder of the meeting. Even if the caller was only able to leave a message on the answering machine, it seemed to increase interest in the meetings. If you can spare a few minutes to make a few calls each month (even if you cannot attend the meetings) please give Debbie a call at (727) 347-5386.

Next Year’s Schedule:

At the March meeting George Pacharis of the Fish-Tale Grady Club of Fort Myers will discuss the All American Grady-Fest to be held March 19-20-21 on Fort Myers Beach. You should visit the web site http://www.gradyfest.com/ and make your reservations soon.

We plan to have our spring picnic at Caladesi Island with Jerry and Connie Knight cooking omelets and Lee Wolf providing US Coast Guard Auxiliary providing courtesy boat inspections at the docks. We have reserved a pavilion for the picnic. The marina space is "first come, first served" during the day. If you want to stay overnight on your boat, you must make your individual reservation at: 727-469-5918. (www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiIsland).

An informal TBGWC brunch has been planned for Saturday at 11:00 AM on February 20th at the Pub Waterfront Restaurant on Indian Shores. The Pub is located at channel marker 27 just a little north of the "narrows" along the ICW. It was voted the best place to dock and dine by Tampa Bay Magazine. They advertise 50 boat slips and on a pretty weekend they occasionally they all fill up. There are lots of outside and inside tables. I can make reservations for a large group if I know how many people are attending, so please e-mail or call me with the number of folks on your boat (or car) and I will make a group reservation for the Saturday brunch. They have an excellent brunch as well as the usual grouper sandwiches, burgers, etc. If you have a large boat, their web site says you can call them and reserve a boat slip; otherwise it is "first come, first serve". Phone: (727) 595-3172.

Ask not what your boating club has done for you!

Ask what you have done for your boating club!

Dues are due for 2010. Send them to Bill Eckerle, TBGWC Treasurer at 5433 Oakhurst Dr., Seminole, FL 33772

Our dues remain at $25.00—which help pay for our postage, dinner for speakers—and some supplies, etc.

><((((º>`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•...¸><((((º>

Proposed schedule for Golden Triangle Fishing Club trips
March 26-28: Twin Dolphins in Bradenton
May 29-June 10: Long cruise to Stuart, Keys
Aug ?? Sarasota Hyatt
Sept 3-6th: Fisherman’s Village, Punta Gorda
Nov 12-14 ?? Rib Fest, St. Petersburg
Contact David Yates for more information. (dates & information taken from my scribbled meeting notes may be inaccurate and/or incomplete) ga

 

 

 

 

JANUARY 2010

January 20th Dinner & Meeting:

(Notice: The 20th is the 3rd Wednesday night of January)

Location:  Sam Seltzer’s Steakhouse 18409 US-19 N in Clearwater (NE corner of US-19 & Bellaire road)

6:30 Social hour & 7:00 Dinner Meeting

Agenda:  Making trip & speaker plans for 2010 and elections of officers & board 

Speaker:  Gary Twigg will discuss Quality Boat Sales “Cruisers Club” and answer questions about their trips, etc.

******************************************************************

November Meeting minutes (by David Yates):   The November meeting was held in the beautiful showroom of Quality Boat Sales of Clearwater.  Drinks, setups, and fried chicken were provided by QBS, and members and spouses provided an assortment of dishes and desserts.  Attendees were treated to a tasty fried chicken entrée provided by Quality Boats along  with several delicious sides, salads, and desserts prepared by members. Our guest speaker was Deputy Rick Bennett, one of 10 uniformed members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit. He has been with the organization since 1981 and was previously a member of the Coast Guard Reserve. That experience led him to join the marine unit which currently operates with a total of 22 boats ranging in size from a Gheenoe up to a 30’ Intrepid provided by the Department of Homeland Security. The fleet includes a johnboat for shore launching when necessary and even an airboat for the many freshwater patrols they perform. Three flats boats serve as shallow water patrol vessels and the balance consists of a 15 year old Pursuit that won’t quit(What? No Grady’s?), 2 Contender Center Consoles, and a 27 foot whaler that is a cold weather patol favorite. One interesting fact is that all members of the marine unit are required to have a  Captain’s license with a minimum 6 pack rating, some actually are 50 masters. The sheriff feels that a deputy on the water can function better with the knowledge and experience the license requires as well as the legal aspects. All marine officers are furnished with F 250 pickups fitted with 5th wheel hitches for larger trailers that are sometimes used in disaster response. They work 40 hour weeks consisting of 4 10 hour days. A typical 8 hour day on the water is sandwiched between one hour of prep time and an  hour of post patrol time. They are based out of Indian Shores in the central coast of the county which amazingly features over 500 total miles of coastline when you count the many islands, inlets, creeks, and rivers. Their jurisdiction starts at the Pasco County line near Anclote Key extending 9 miles offshore into the Gulf, south to the center of the Sunshine Skyway, and surrounds the peninsula into Tampa Bay all the way past Safety Harbor to the Lake Tarpon Outlet Canal. On a typical weeks schedule, a minimum of two boats are on patrol Monday through Thursday, one in the North zone and one in the South zone. Later, from 3 to 4 boats patrol during the busy part of the week.

 

The multi-part mission of the PCSO Marine Unit can be described as follows:

1.  Boating Safety:   One interesting difference between land based laws and maritime law is that probable cause is needed to stop a motor vehicle on the highway, whereas it is not on the water. A marine officer can stop any vessel at any time for the purpose of a safety inspection. Officer Bennett explained that a positive attitude during a vessel stop goes a long way toward a favorable result at the end of the stop. PCSO boats are all fitted with fenders on the starboard side and the officers request that you allow them to tie themselves to your vessel without assistance. This puts them in control of both vessels and they accept responsibility for the same. If you are drifting they are trained to adjust accordingly. A typical stop starts with producing a copy of registration. Failure to produce one calls for a $76 ticket. Failure to produce any item of the required safety gear will generate a $94 fine. 

2.  Law Enforcement:   Especially when it comes to Fisheries Violations much caution is warranted as any type of violation such as undersized, oversized, over limit, or out of season generates a minimum $500 fine and is a misdemeanor requiring a visit before a judge.

3.  Derelict Vessel Investigation

4.  Hurricane Response 

Officer Bennett finished with an invitation for all club members to obtain their Florida State Boating Safety Card, either on the internet(for a small fee), or for the cost of a stamp, through a mail in test sheet in the back of the Safe Boating Booklet, which he offered to all attendees.

December 13th Sunday Night PotLuck Dinner at the Arterburn’s 

Approximately 35 Tampa Bay Grady White Club family members, friends, and neighbors gathered at Greg and Wynemia Arterburn’s home on Sunday night in anticipation of watching the Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade.  The sea fog had been intermittently heavy during the day, and apparently settled around some of the bridges along the ICW so the U.S. Coast Guard canceled the event at the last minute for safety concerns.    We were all disappointed, but the parade cancellation left us more time for conversation and food at the pot luck dinner that evening, early in the holiday season.  

 

Next Year’s Schedule:

At the January 20th meeting at Sam Seltzer’s, we will elect 2010 TBGWC officers and board members and discuss trips, speakers, meeting alternatives, etc. and Gary Twigg will discuss the Quality Boat Sales Cruisers Club.   

We have made tentative reservations at Sam Seltzers Restaurant in Clearwater for 2010 on the 2nd Wednesday night for the months of Feb, Mar, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, and Oct. with proposed meetings at Quality Boat Sales showroom in Apr and Nov. and the Arterburn’s home in December.
 

Also on the March agenda is a presentation on the All-American Grady Fest by George Pacharis of the Fish-Tale Grady Club of Fort Myers.  The Grady-Fest will be held March 20-21 on Fort Myers Beach.  You should visit the web site http://www.gradyfest.com/ and make your reservations soon.  This will be a peak price week along Fort Myers Beach.  Most of the hotels are on the north end of Fort Myers Beach and the Grady-Fest is at Fish Tales Marina on the south end of the beach. The beach road is narrow and the March traffic will be very heavy, so we recommend staying on the south end of the beach, or in Bonita Springs.  The Holiday Inn (Gulf side) has rooms for about $200 per night and some members have made reservations at Hidden Harbor Suites (bay side with limited boat dockage) where rates are about $170 per night.  Both are a good walking distance from Fish Tales.  The Santa Maria Condos next door to Fish Tales run about $660 per night.  Check things out on the Internet. 

The chain motels (Best Western, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, etc.) in nearby Bonita Springs located on the mainland run about $100 to $120 per night.  Since the preferred route to Fish Tales Marina from I-75 is through Bonita Springs, this would be a good choice. The marina is about 12 miles away.  Check the Grady-Fest site for more information.   Many of the hotels on the beach are already “booked up” but some keep a waiting list, because people often cancel.  If you are taking your boat, make reservations in advance, and all should register for the Grady-Fest.

 

 Ask not what your boating club has done for you!

Ask what you have done for your boating club!

Charity Donations by Tampa Bay Grady-White Club

Thanks to all the hard work by the raffle chairperson Judy Eckerle and the help from TBGWC members, we had a “surplus” of funds in the treasury this year.  As we are a “not for profit” organization, the Board voted in December  to contribute $200 each to the Religious Community Services of Clearwater,  St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, and The Salvation Army. We recently received a nice letter of appreciation from the Salvation Army, as the charities are all financially stressed during the present economic slowdown, not to mention the prolonged stretch of cold weather in our area.  Thanks again for your participation in the raffles!

Dues are due for 2010.  Send them to Bill Eckerle, TBGWC Treasurer at 5433 Oakhurst Dr., Seminole, FL  33772 

Our dues remain at $25.00—which help pay for our postage, dinner for speakers—and some supplies, etc. through the year. 

Board Meeting 1/6/10

The TGWC Board met at Bill and Judy Eckerle’s home to propose a slate of officers for 2010 as well as our meetings, speakers, and trips.  Those proposals will be presented at our January 20th regular membership meeting and dinner.  We still have room for another officer and another Board Member if anyone is interested.  We conduct most of our business by E-mail and/or at the meetings, but being on the board is a good way to keep up and contribute to the club.  If you are interested, let one of us know. 

We’re also reviving the “telephone committee” to give members a personal reminder of the meetings.    

><((((º>`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•...¸><((((º>
  

 FALL KINGFISH TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

 CONGRATULATIONS CLINT JONES AND THE TEAM ON NO SPOOL ‘N.  Another first place finish with a really nice 46” fish during what was a very difficult season.

 Congratulations also to Bob Rice and grandson Tyson on Wild Rice with second place, just one inch shy @ 45”.

(see next page)

And to Bob Clancy, third place, and Linda Talbot for getting on the board when so many of us didn’t.  Nice job in tough times.

 Hope everyone managed to have some fun. 

 See you again in the Spring.

 Bill & Norm (maybe we’ll even catch something then……..)

 TBGWC FALL 2009 KINGFISH TOURNAMENT

 FINAL STANDINGS                                                                                                     Largest Fish                                 

BOAT                                     (inches)            Captain         Date         Angler

Bob R’ Anne                          40.50               Bob Clancy   12/13         Bob Clancy                                                                                                                                 

Dream Maker                                                Bill Eckerle                                                                                                                                                   

Hyper-Tension                                             Jerry Gash

No Spool ‘N                          46.00               Clint Jones     11/24           Matt Ristau 
                                                                                                                                   
Renegade                                                    Norm Englert                                                                                                                                     

Restless Lady                       29.00               Linda Talbot   11/23          Linda Talbot Talbot                                                                                                                                                                        

SIP2                                                             Phil DeCocco                                                                                                                      

Wild Rice                               45.00               Bob Rice       11/29               Tyson Rice             

Write Off                                                       Paul Hargrett                                                                                               

Total # of boats:                  Nine (9)         

Total Prize Fund:  $750 (entry fees plus Quality Boat sponsorship)                                                                                                

*                       = first place                           50%                                                                 $375               

**                     = second place                     30%                                                                 $225               

***                    = third place                         20%                                                                 $150

SEPTEMBER 09

 

September 9th Meeting (Wed. Night)

Location:  Sam Seltzer’s Steakhouse 18409 US-19 N in Clearwater (NE corner of US-19 & Bellaire road)

6:30 Social hour  & 7:00 Dinner and Meeting

Speaker: ???         Topic???. 

 

As of today, we do not have a speaker scheduled for the meeting:  Any last minute suggestions would be welcome! 

Ask not what your boating club has done for you!

Ask what you have done for your boating club!

 

Palm Island Trip

Bill and Judy Eckerle are the team leaders for the Palm Island trip—October 2nd through the 4th.  You should make your reservations ASAP.  Palm Island Resort is located along the Intracoastal Waterway a little north of Boca Grande on Florida’s southwest gulf coast..  The resort encompasses a two-mile portion of private, pristine beach on the Gulf of Mexico at the northern end of Palm Island, which is approximately seven miles long and 700-yards wide at its broadest.  Resort guests stay in 160 privately owned tropical luxurious and spacious, one, two and three bedroom air-conditioned villas.   Golf carts, bicycles and walking are the only means of transportation on the resort.

All villas feature fully-equipped kitchens, washer/dryer and screened terraces with gulf, bay or marina views. Cable TV is featured in the resort villas, and many units have DVD players. Each villa cluster has its own swimming pool and hydra spa, plus outdoor gas barbecues.  There is a small grocery store with ice, food, and supplies and WiFI adjacent to the Rum Bay Restaurant and Bar.

On past trips we have met at the South side of Tampa Bay at about 10 AM and cruised down the ICW, stopping in Venice for lunch, and arriving at Palm Island in mid afternoon.  The resort staff will transport us to the registration office and our luggage to our villas.  Most of us rent golf carts for transportation around the island.  The shelling is great and the snook fishing is sometimes good in Stump Pass at the north end of the island.  We usually have a Friday night cookout (nice gas grills) with a group pot-luck dinner in one of the larger villas.  Traditionally we have had a group dinner on Saturday night at the Rum Bay Restaurant on the island or at Leverocks located on the mainland opposite Palm Island.  We have also gone to restaurants on Boca Grande, Placida, Pine Island, and Useppa for lunch or dinner.   

                Most of the group will return by the Gulf of Mexico early Monday morning if the seas are calm, otherwise we’ll come back via the ICW.  Palm Island is the most frequently visited destination in the history of the club.  The condos are nice and the immediately adjacent white sand beach is a great place for shelling or sea side walks at sunrise or sunset.   If you have questions contact Bill or Judy or other members of the club—most of us have made the trip!  You will need to reserve your condo/villa, golf cart, and boat slip.  The reservation number is 1-800-824-5412.  The web site is at http://palmisland.com.  You can also reserve online.  

 

September Fishing:   by Capt. Brent Gaskill
September opens snook season for the fall.  While this is big news for many die-hard snooksters the truth is that the tight slot limits make it very difficult to actually bring one home for dinner.  Another side of the equation to factor in is that the opening of the season typically coincides with changes in weather patterns including tropical systems that tend to move the fish off the beaches where they've been residing all summer.

Those in the know however will score with snook coming from under docks, bridges, and potholes in the grass flats just inside the passes.

Even bigger news could be that September registers as one of the best months for large schools of oversize redfish to congregate on the flats.

There are many popular areas throughout the bay that receive heavy boat pressure so finding a secluded hole all to yourself may present the biggest challenge.  A variety of baits work for reds but a pinfish is hard to beat for late summer redfish.

Snapper have continued to please many anglers with both abundance and size.  Expect the Spanish mackerel activity to be on the rise as we move through the month and into fall.  Other targets to keep an eye open for include pompano, tripletail, cobia and more.

Capt. Brent Gaskill
Summer Vacation Fishing Charters
727-343-1765
E-mail captbrent@summervacationcharters.com
Web site www.summervacationcharters.com 

Reasons Boat Engines Have More Problems with Ethanol Gas:

Boaters, often store gas in tanks longer than recommended for E10 (90 days).   Cars, unlike boats, usually replace fuel every week or two, which will successfully prevent the possibility of water-contamination/phase separation.

Boat engines live in a water environment - Alcohol gas loves to absorb water.  Ethanol E10 gas can absorb large amounts of water into the fuel tank, MTBE in conventional gasoline did not.                                  Plus, boat engines usually last longer than cars. Still owning and using a marine engine from the 1970's or 1980's is not uncommon. * These older engine parts and tanks were not usually designed or tested to withstand the damaging effects of alcohol gas.*

Several older marine engines (made prior to 1992) have plastic and rubber parts, and fiberglass tanks that are NOT compatible with E10 alcohol fuel.

 An Experience with E10 phase separation:   A few days after returning from a three month’s out of state vacation, my wife and I took our Grady-White out for a sunset cruise.  I had checked the external water-fuel separator earlier that day and saw no water or trash in the fuel.  The engine (225 Optimax) started immediately and ran fine until we were about two miles from home.  Suddenly the engine sputtered a few times and then stopped.  It started, but quickly sputtered and died again, something that usually does not happen with an electronically controlled engine.  I checked the water fuel separator and it was nearly full of water and some brown-gold colored flakes.  It was then that I recalled that the last time added fuel to the tanks I was informed that the fuel contained ethanol, because the marina was having trouble finding ethanol free gasoline.  

                I put on a new filter but the engine still would not run, and I ended up calling Boat US/Sea Tow.  In about half an hour, the Sea Tow captain arrived.   Since it was after 5 PM most of the marinas were closed, so the captain suggested that he tow us back to our home and he would come back on Monday morning to tow us to a marina for repairs.   That suited me fine as I thought that I could probably get the engine running over the weekend.  Alas, that did not work out and Tow Boat US had to tow me to a marina for repairs. 

                The marina told me that they knew what to do because they had treated hundreds of boats with the same problem.  They ended up draining the fuel tanks.  There is a charge for discarding the old fuel of $1.25 per gallon plus the cost of the new fuel and the labor involved.  They changed the filters and the spark plugs, etc., and got the engine running perfectly again.  So far the fuel filters are clean and water free.

                The towing bill was about $750.00 all paid by my Boat US towing insurance.  The repair bill was about the same, plus the cost of replacing the fuel.  Because I leave my boat on the dock for long periods of time, I plan to use ethanol free fuel as long as I can find it, change the fuel filters often, and add a fuel stabilizer, too.

                From what I read, it may not be possible to prevent phase separation if the E-10 fuel is stored for a long period of time (also applies to fuel tanks for generators, personal watercraft, and any other motor)    .  Those who boat frequently, however, should not have a problem once you get through the initial switch to ethanol containing fuels. 

 

BOAT SWEET BOAT!

This easy to use helpful Internet site is found on the Grady-White company’s site http://www.gradywhite.com/ by clicking the customer resources heading.  There you will find many tips and ideas from fellow Grady-White owners and enthusiasts to help make every day on the water fun and more rewarding for you and your family.  A lot of the hints are from the Tarpon Coast Grady-White Club members.  Topics include Boat handling and Seamanship; Customer-ization: Owners Personal Touches; Deckhands Maintenance Tricks; Dining Aboard; Enjoying Your Day Comfortably; Follow Me: Trailering; From Start to FINish: Fishing Tips; Ports of Call and Places to Anchor; Power Points: Performance and Efficiency.

Grady Fest 2010

Mar. 20-21 Fort Myers Beach

The Fish Tale Grady Club is sponsoring the largest ever Grady Fest.  This two day event will feature speakers from Grady-White, Yamaha, Marine Electronics, Vendors, Local Chefs and more.  There will marine vendor booths with information and lots of “Grady Gadgets” as well as a silent auction, lots of Door Prizes, Catered Food, Entertainment, and In-Water Demos on your favorite Grady-White.  For more information, accommodations, maps & updated plans visit http://www.Gradyfest.com or contact George Pacharis, Fish Tale Grady Club 239-463-9669 or email at info@gradyfest.com

 

Suggestions for speakers?   Suggestions for trips?

  I’m working on speakers for Sept., Oct., and November.   Anyone have any ideas!   ga

JUNE 09

June  10th Meeting (2nd Wed. Night)

Location:  Sam Seltzer’s Steakhouse 18409 US-19 N in Clearwater (NE corner of US-19 & Bellaire road)

Speaker: ???         Topic???. 

 

NOTE:  WE ARE BACK TO OUR OLD SCHEDULE OF HOLDING MEETINGS ON THE 2ND WEDNESDAY OF TH E MONTH:  Sam Seltzers now has us scheduled on the 2nd Wednesday for the rest of the year.

 

As of today, we do not have a speaker scheduled for the June meeting:  Any last minute suggestions would be welcome!  Otherwise, we will just have our regular social hour, meal, and business meeting.

 

May meeting:   Mike Cantin from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service gave an enthusiastic and informative presentation on how the weather service comes up with the watches, warnings, and advisories for mariners?  Meteorologists are scientists who monitor weather conditions.  They sample a wide network of weather stations and use satellite images to track large air masses circling the earth.  Since air masses interact in a relatively predictable way, meteorologists are able to predict weather patterns with some degree of accuracy.

Since I did not attend the meeting, I asked for a review and I got this E-mail reply “At May meeting, Mike Cantin, from NOAA Weather, gave a enthusiastic slide presentation on NOAAS present capabilities, and up-coming new weather/storm programming.  He answered several of our questions, coming short of how their forecasting can be more accurate!

_______________________________________________

 Spring Kingfish Tournament 

Norm Englert and Bill Eckerle are again running the Kingfish Tournament.  Contact Norm Englert for official rules and more information.  This is the list of fish caught as of April 26.

TBGWC SPRING 2009 KINGFISH TOURNAMENT 

INTERIM STANDINGS 

As of May 3rd, 2009  

                                                                       Largest Fish                    Date

Boat               Captain                         __(inches)__              _ Caught                             Angler    

Bob R’ Anne       Bob Clancy                            31.5                         4/25                                  Ken Sanders    

Dream Maker          B ill Eckerle                                                                             

Hyper-Tension        Jerry Gash

Island Time              Greg Arterburn                        

No Spool ‘N             Clint Jones                             37.5                           5/02                    Todd Balika     
                                                                  
Papillon                    RandyStout                                                                                                                

Renegade                Norm Englert  

Restless Lady         Linda Talbot

SIP2                         Phil DeCocco                       38.0                4/25                                     Joe Sabella

Sue Sea                 David Staver                          46.0               4/24                                         Dave Staver

Wild Rice                Bob Rice                                                                                

 

Total # of boats:                      11                    Total Prize Fund:                     $850 (entry fees plus Quality Boat sponsorship)
 *                       = first place                             50%                                                                 $425               

**                     = second place                       30%                                                                 $255               

***                    = third place                            20%                                                                 $170

Bahamas Summer Flings 2009

At the April TBGWC member Vann Snap says that he is ready for another trip to Bimini or one of the nearby Bahamian islands.  Vann gave a very informative talk about his two trips to Bimini last year.  If you are interested, give him a call.

 

Homosassa River Trip

Our first overnight boating trip of the year was held at the beautiful Homosassa Riverside Resort.  Joy & Vinnie Carta, Marylin & Ralph Wolf, Debbie & Mike Festa, Nancy Maier, Norm Englert, Judy & Bill Eckerle and their daughter, Lisa and her husband, Chuck made the trip.  Retired Grady-White factory representative Stoneman and wife Barbara Stoneman joined the group for dinner at the Resort on Saturday. The group made one upriver trip for lunch.   It was a relaxing, pleasant, uneventful weekend.  The women did some shopping.  The men did a lot of resting.  Thanks Joy and Vinnie for planning the trip and the associated activities.

 

 

************************************* Ask not what your boating club has done for you!

Ask what you have done for your boating club!************************

TBGWC again invited to Golden Triangle Fishing Club “Funament” 

You are all invited to the East Coast to fish for a few days with the Golden Triangle Fishing Club based in Tampa. We will be staying at the Marriott Hutchinson Island Resort at the above group rates. The format is generally the same as last year.

 Wed. June 17th Travel and arrival day 

Thurs.   "   18th Pre-fish and late arrival day

Thurs. Evening Capt. and Crew meeting at the Dockside Inn on the inlet in Ft. Pierce (a nice 30 minute drive up the beach) Captain's bags distributed
 

Friday  First Fishing day

Friday evening Rum punch 1st fishing day's recap party dockside in Ft. Pierce at the Dockside Inn

 Sat. Final fishing day

Sat. Evening Catered private banquet dinner buffet at the Country Club in  Ft. Pierce, Fun-a-ment awards and door prizes, with many raffle ticket items

 Sunday Father's Day Relax and enjoy before returning home.

 More details  including entry fees available soon (likely to be the same as last year.)

 Questions?

David Yates

813-220-0850 Cell Tampa

 

Abbreviated Newsletter

Delivered by E-mail Only

 

Once again, Wynemia and I are still traveling, so I am sending out the newsletter by E-mail only.   We are still having fun on the farm in KentuckyWe were thing about heading back to Florida, but it is hard to leave this 70 to 80 degree weather and we still two more groups of  friends and relatives coming to visit and stay in the old farmhouse, and “work” on my brother’s farm.  He has lots of tractors and trucks to drive and several ponds that are full of nice size bass and crappie.  I’ve hooked the same (I think) giant size bass twice and each time he got away.  I won’t even tell you about the one that broke my new fishing rod.   We’ll probably be back in time for the July meeting. 

 Best regards, 

Greg and Wynemia

 REMINDER!

 

THE JUNE MEETING IS Wednesday, June 10th 

(The second Wednesday of the month) 

Palm Island Trip:

Bill and Judy Eckerle have all the information on the fall Palm Island trip—which they sent to me on an E-mail—but I can’t find it today.  I will ask Bill to re-sent it and send it out as an update, or you can see Bill and Judy at this weeks meeting.

Steinhatchiee Trip:

Bob and Jeannie (and some assistants) have this July trip planned out again.  At last report they have over 90 Scallop Warriors planning to make the trip.  Contact Bob if you need any information.  It is certainly a fun trip for folks of all ages from children to grandparents.

 

APRIL 09

April 8th Meeting (Wednesday Night)

Location:  Quality Boat Sales showroom.  17389 US 19 N in Clearwater (intersection with Bellaire Road). P 530-1815

Speaker:

Topic:  Marine Electronics

Dinner:  Plot Luck:  Water and Soft drinks & fried chicken provided by Quality Boat Sales.  Bring your special dish.

_______________________________________________

 

Spring Kingfish Tournament

 

Norm Englert and Bill Eckerle are again running the Kingfish Tournament.  Contact Norm Englert for official rules and more information.  In summary, the tournament begins Saturday, April 4th and ends on Sunday,  May 10th, a total of 37 days and six weekends. 

 

The entry fee of $50.00 per boat must be in by Friday April 3rd.  Send fee to Bill Eckerle, club treasurer 5433 Oakhurst Dr., Seminole, FL  33772.  If questions contact Norm Englert at (727) 510-7951 or E-mail at nenglert@earthlink.net or  Bill Eckerle at (727) 391-9679 (Cell = (727)-433-2877)    or

 E-mail gwejwe@hotmail.com.

 

Non-members are eligible for prizes, but the winning fish must be caught on the West Coast of Florida on a tournament registered Grady-White with the owner-captain on board at the time the fish is caught.  This is an honor system with kingfish measured to the fork of the tail.  You must call in your catch by 8:00 PM on day of the catch—if no answer, send an E-mail.  Good Luck!  Send in your fee—you might win! 

 

Reminder:  State & Federal regulations:  2 kingfish per day per angler with a 24” minimum length.  Is your fishing license current? 

 

*****************************************************************

 

March 14th Caladesi Outing

 

Once again Connie and Jerry Knight cooked delicious omelets for the TBGWC members and guests at Caladesi Island while Lee Wolff and fellow USCG Auxiliary member Elaine Clarke conducted courtesy inspections for all of our boats.  Lee has been doing this for many years and Elaine became a volunteer inspectors a few years ago after attending a USCG Auxiliary Safe Boating course.  It is a great service – encouraging all of us to make sure that our safety gear is up to date and working properly. 

 

Jerry and Connie deserve a lot of praise for carrying all their equipment, food and supplies to Caladesi every year to prepare the great omelets.  We also had a table full of special dishes provided by members.  It all looked and tasted great.

 

Caladesi island’s unspoiled beauty offers a glimpse of Florida the way it looked centuries ago.  It is about as close to Robin Crusoe’s tropical island fantasy as you can find.

 

Bahamas Summer Flings 2009

TBGWC member Vann Snap says that he is ready for another trip to Bimini or one of the nearby Bahamian islands.  Vann gave a very informative talk about his two trips to Bimini last year.  He has a nice check-list and lots of information to prepare for the trip of about 50 – 60 miles from the East Coast.  Contact Vann for more information (813) 963-3363 or jvs62155@aol.com or search for Bahama Summer Fling on the Internet.  You will need proof of citizenship, immigration card, and entry fee for the trip.  Vann can provide all the details.

 

Boating Flings are the Bahamian equivalent of a road trip, but instead of cars, we use boats. A lead boat and captain pilot the way for a caravan of pleasure boaters on a journey across the Gulf Stream to the beautiful islands. After the simple crossing, you can relax on our white powder beaches or enjoy an itinerary filled with exciting activities and still have enough time to snorkel, scuba dive, fish and stock up on Bahama bread.

 

Flings start on Wednesday and end on Sunday during the summer from June through August.  The dates listed on the Internet are June 17-21 for Bimini and June 24-28 for Grand Bahama;  July 8-12 for Bimini and July 15-26 for Abaco/Grand Bahama (extended); August 5-9 for Bimini and August Bimini/Cape Eleuthera/Nassau (extended).  

 

 

Homosassa Trip 

Our first overnight boating trip of the year will be to the Homosassa Riverside Resort.  It is a short days ride up to the beautiful spring fed Homosassa River and a ride up the winding river through the coastal marsh to a nice resort and marina complete with a river’s edge restaurant and deck where you can relax and watch the passing boats and view the activities on “Monkey Island”. 

                For a leisurely afternoon you can boat up to the headwaters of the river where one of the largest herds of West Indian manatees in the state gather over the springs.  At nearby Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park you can walk down into an underwater observation area and see manatees as well as both fresh and salt water species of fish swim in the same brackish water.  The park features Florida Panther, alligators, crocodile, manatee, deer, flamingos and other animals and birds of prey.

                Be careful to stay in the marked channel when entering the river as exposed limestone bedrock likes to eat propellers.   On previous trips some of our members have taken bicycle rides up to the nearby Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins. David Yulee built the first railroad between Fernandina and Cedar Key.  In 1841, he became the first Senator from Florida, but supported the Confederate states with sugar, guns, and ammunition until Union troops burned his mansion at Margarita and destroyed his sugar mill.

                The Margarita Grill on the river serves giant margaritas, and on Saturday night they show a September 11th memorial film with flag waving and patriotic songs.  While patrons don't have to agree with the owners conservative political views, they will be asked to leave if they speak negatively about the United States. In fact, anything French is banned from the restaurant, French fries are dubbed American fries.

Homosassa River Trip (cont.)

 

Cruise Leaders:  Vinnie and Joy Carta      Phone:  725-3241  Joy’s Cell:  424-7937           Vinnie’s Cell:  424-2339 E-Mail:  joysgrady@yahoo.com

Homosassa Riverside Resort: 1-800-442-2040

Contact Person:  Carrie;     Web:  www.riversideresorts.com

Amenities:  Swimming Pool/Restaurant/Lounge/Bait and Tackle Shop

Restaurant/Hours:  The Monkey Bar/Breakfast:  7-10:30am (Sat and Sun Only)      The Riverside Crab House:  Lunch and Dinner

Marina Name:  Homosassa Riverside Resort Marina

Dock Master:  John/Clarence                               Phone #:  352-302-6528

Dockage Type:  Stationary Slips $20 per day   Fuel:  $3.00 per gallon as of 1/15/09  Fresh Water:  Yes Shore Power/amp:  None         Pump-out:  None        Loading Ramp:  Yes

Non-Waterfront Room with 2 Double Beds  $75.00 (10 are on hold)

Riverview 1 Bedroom/1 Bath Suite $160.00  Riverfront 1 Bedroom/1 Bath Suite $180.00  Riverfront Studio Suites $160.00

Check-In Time:  4:00pm (If your room is ready early, you can check-in before 4pm)

Reservation Deadline:  March 5th, 2009               Cancellation Deadline:  72 Hours before check-in   When you have made your reservations, please let Vinnie and Joy know your room # and who will be on your boat to be able to have a head count for dinner Saturday night.  Dinner will be at 6:30 in the Riverside Crab House.

 

 

 Ask not what your boating club has done for you!

Ask what you have done for your boating club!

 

2009 Dues are due!

  <")}}}*><

Boat US membership at half-price

If you mention our Grady-White Club cooperating group number "GA82949B" you will get Boat U S membership at $12.50 instead of the usual $25.00.

******New 2009 Meeting Dates: *******

 Due to scheduling conflicts we will have made these adjustments for our 2009 meeting dates:   (Mark you calendar)  The May, June, Aug, Sept., and Oct. meetings in 2009 will be at Sam Seltzers on the 3rd Wed. of the month (because we did not reserve ahead).  The other 2009 meetings will be on the usual 2nd Wed. of each month.

********************************************************************

Grady-Fest planning

Grady Fest 2009.  Hundreds of door prizes!  Grady White and Yamaha will be among the exhibitors at the Punta Gorda Convention Center.   There will be seminars and exhibits for captains and first mates.  

Date: All day Saturday--March -28th   Trip Organizer: Mike Shields, email: michael@michaelshields.com
Costs: $20 admission, includes a box lunch and T shirt. (Deadline to sign up and get T-shirt is March 1st.)
Accommodations:  Slips available at Laishley Marina for those coming by boat and there are rooms at a reduced rate at the Best Western (next door to the Event Center) under “Grady Fest”. 941-639-1165. The rate is $118.99 for landside and $127.49 for waterside. The group rate saves 20%.

 

SPOT Satellite Messenger GPS

 

 The Grady-Fest will have a speaker to discuss SPOT.  Is this something we should have on our boats if we fish offshore?  The reviews on the Internet are mixed, but we hope to get the latest info at Grady-Fest.

February 11th 2009

February 11th Meeting

Time:  6:00 PM

Place:  Sam Seltzers  18409 US-19 N. Clearwater

Food:   Order from the menu

Speaker:  Speaker:  Dr. Heyward Matthews:  Oceanography, marine biology and scuba diving professor at St. Petersburg College; leader in the Pinellas County Artificial Reef program since the 1960’s and an expert on the effects of Red Tide on marine life on the reef sites in the Gulf of Mexico will give us an update (he spoke to TBGWC in September 2006.)

Bonus Speaker:  Retired Pinellas County Sheriff deputy Greg Tita and now Charter Boat Captain will give us some “fishing tips”.

 

January Meeting

The January 2009 meeting was held at Sam Seltzers with many of the long time members attending including Chet McMaster, the first president of The Tampa Bay Grady-White Club and Barbara Goss who was the owner of Johns Pass Marina and the Grady-White dealer who helped found the club.  Original and/or long-time members of the club who attended included Bud and Winnie Anderson, Greg & Wynemia Arterburn, Ralph and Marilyn Wolf, Bob and Jeannie Rice, Bill & Judy Eckerle, Mike & Debbie Festa, Clint & Kim Jones, Linda Gash, and Nancy Maier. (Picture below)

Eric Bachnic from L&S bait co.  (Mirro Lure)  brought a giant selection of Mirro Lures and he spoke about the company that his grandfather founded.  He demonstrated the best techniques for fishing with artificial lures and how to select lures for bay and deep water fishing.  He also left a Mirro Lure keychain  for everyone and a nice selection of lures for doorprizes.

Two Fathoms equals “Mark Twain”

Samuel Clements adopted the pen name Mark Twain from his early years on the Mississippi where a riverboatman would cry out “by the mark twain” or second fathom mark on the measuring line indicating safe passage with 12 feet of water beneath the boat.  A fathom equals 6 feet, the distance between the outstretched fingertips of a man (a yard is the distance from the nose to fingertips).

2009 Dues are due!

  <")}}}*><

 

Boat US membership at half-price

If you mention our Grady-White Club cooperating group number "GA82949B" you will get Boat U S membership at $12.50 instead of the usual $25.00.

******New 2009 Meeting Dates: *******

 Due to scheduling conflicts we will have made these adjustments for our 2009 meeting dates:   (Mark you calander)  The May, June, Aug, Sept., and Oct. meetings in 2009 will be at Sam Seltzers on the 3rd Wed. of the month (because we did not reserve ahead).  The other 2009 meetings will be on the usual 2nd Wed. of each month.

Grady-Fest planning

 

Grady Fest 2009.  The Tarpon Coast Grady-White Club has organized this all day Grady White gathering, inviting all Grady owners in Florida. They promise hundreds of door prizes!  Grady White and Yamaha will be among the many of the presenters and exhibitors at the Punta Gorda Convention Center.   There will be seminars and exhibits for captains and first mates.  

Date: March 27- 28- 29 - March 2009
Trip Organizer: Mike Shields, email: michael@michaelshields.com
Costs: $20 admission, includes a box lunch and T shirt.
Accommodations:
-The Wyvern Hotel, 4 star, $180/night
-Best western, 2 star, $120-140/night
Dining: Restaurants at adjacent Fisherman’s Warf.

 

Rooms are now available at the Best Western Waterfront Punta Gorda Phone: (941) 639-1165 which is within walking distance of the Convention Center (Most TBGWC members are staying here).   The date of Punta Gorda Air Show was moved up a week and no longer conflicts with the Grady Fest, opening up some rooms at the Best Western.  If you plan to go to the meeting by boat the hotel staff says you can tie up to the dock at the hotel for the night??  Better check it out before you plan your boat trip.
   

The new first class Wyvern Hotel (941) 639-7700 is also within walking distance of the meeting at the exhibit center.  It has good reviews on the Internet.   

You can find more details at http://www.tarponcoastgwbc.com/

New Gulf of Mexico Grouper Regulations

New regulations for Gag Grouper in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters and for Red Grouper in Gulf state waters take effect on January 1, 2009

*Note: Gear rules requiring circle hooks, dehooking and venting tools to be used in the Gulf reef fish fishery 

Miami International Boat Show, Miami Beach, FL, 2/12-16/09 – over 1 million square feet of exhibits.

SPOT Satellite Messenger GPS   The Grady-Fest will have a speaker to discuss SPOT.  Is this something we should have on our boats if we fish offshore?  The reviews on the Internet are mixed, but we hope to get the latest info at Grady-Fest.

Saturday March 14th Outing at Caladesi Island State Park:  Jerry and Connie Knight will cook omelets for the group (you must notify them if you are planning to attend) and Lee Wolf will provide US Coast Guard Auxiliary Boat inspections for all Grady-Whites.  Daytime dockage is “first come, first served”, but you must reserve a space if you plan to stay overnight (727-469-5918).  From channel marker #14, just west of the Dunedin Causeway Bridge, take an approximate 212´degree heading on your compass for approximately 1 mile. Follow the channel markers into the Caladesi Island State Park Marina.

 

Ask not what your boating club has done for you!

Ask what you have done for your boating club!