On the water – in Apalachicola Bay.

The “official” Ranger Tug Video…

Just an FYI if you have read the news about area 1642 that is old news . It was a small event , its over and done, the bay has been declared clean in all areas . There is daily water testing , except its done twice a day.The oysters here are great all year and have been for centuries. If there is even the slightest possible reason to close the bay to oystering they will do it in a heartbeat .They know where the oysters come from and they recalled them immediately .DONE and OVER.All of Apalachicola bay reopened . Nothing to see here, move along . From what I understand it less safe to eat beef or chicken,drive in a a car ,fly on an airplane ,cross the street,etc. than to eat our oysters.The overwhelming percentage of folks that get sick are those that have compromised immune systems and go against the advice of their physicians and common sense . That is hardly the fault of the oysters . I live here for a reason . This is one of the cleanest estuaries in the US .Our oysters are some of the best in the world . Here is probably the best press release of the event.
From Michael Allen of Oyster Radio. WOYS

Vibrio Cholera traced back to Apalachicola Bay oysters

Some Apalachicola Bay oysters are being recalled after being linked to an outbreak of Vibrio cholera.

The recalled oysters include shell stock, frozen half shell and fresh and frozen stock – most of which has already been consumed.

The recalled oysters were harvested from area 1642 since March the 21st.

That area is east of the St. George Island Bridge and includes the Cat Point bar.

The area was closed last Friday and will remain closed while state officials continue to test the area for any signs of the bacteria.

Vibrio Cholera is very rare in Florida – there probably hasn’t been a case in Florida in at least 20 years.

Florida Division of Aquaculture chief Leslie Palmer told county commissioners on Tuesday that the cause of the outbreak is not known and will likely never be known for sure, but there were two incidents that could have been factors.

The most likely cause was the Army Corps of Engineers dredging in the bay which stirred up the substrate where Vibrio cholera naturally exists.

Miss Palmer said that in the future her division will work much more closely with the Army Corps of Engineers if there is any dredging in the bay so they can proactively close areas that might be impacted.

The other was a sewer leak in Eastpoint near the old Miller and Sons seafood which was discovered and fixed on April the 8th.

They don’t know how long the sewer leak was there.

Miss Palmer said that was a less likely suspect and the Eastpoint Water and Sewer District said the leak was small and likely did not even go into the bay.

At least 11 people are known to have gotten sick from the oysters including a 12 year old Florida boy and a 27 year old woman.

Another 4 cases are suspected but those patients did not go through the epidemiological process.

The last reported illness was on April the 13th.

There were no cases reported in Franklin County.

Water samples taken from the site have shown nothing out of the ordinary.

They are not taking meat or substrate samples because if they found the bacteria in those samples FDA would not allow the area to be reopened ever.

The Division of Aquaculture now has to file a report with the Food and Drug Administration explaining how they think the Vibrio cholera was introduces in the oysters and whether all necessary steps have been taken to alleviate the problem.

They hope to have that report completed this week – they are currently working with oyster dealers to get shipping records and other information.

They do not know how long area 1642 will remain closed to oyster harvesting but hope to have it open as soon as possible – before that can happen, however, the report has to be completed and accepted by the FDA.

Commissioner Pinki Jackel said that the area needs to be reopened as quickly as possible because every day it is closed it is costing local people thousands of dollars.

County commissioners said they will write a letter to the Eastpoint Water and Sewer District asking that in the future they are alerted to any leaks that could impact the oyster harvesting areas.

They will also write a letter to the Northwest Florida Water Management District alerting them to the situation

Think Ill go have some oysters now .
Marc

Wefing’s Marine will be doing 3 Boat Shows this spring and invite you all to join us for some fun and the chance to see our marquee boat line, the Ranger Tugs, in the water.

The first will be the Baypoint Outdoor Expo and In The Water Boat Show. Wefing’s Marine will have an R21EC, R25 and R27 there. It is at the Baypoint Marina on Panama City Beach . The dates are March 18th through 20th.

The second show will be the Gulf Coast Yacht and Boat Super Show. We will be in the water at Lulu’s Restaurant [Jimmy Buffet's sister's place ]. That one is in Orange Beach, Al. April 5th through the 10th. Mark your calendars and plan on making a visit to what seems destined to become the Primo Boat Show in the region.

Our third Spring show will be the Suncoast Boat Show. Wefing’s Marine will feature an R 27 and an R 29 as well as an R 25SC at this show. That show is in Sarasota Florida and runs from April 15th to 17th. The 2011 version of this show is said to be featuring an “unprecedented amount of boat and yacht companies on display this year” and promises to be a beautiful, interesting and well-run show. Join us in beautiful downtown Sarasota at Marina Jacks for a great springtime event on the Suncoast.

All of our shows this season are “in the water” shows, as we feel that is where these great boats belong. Contact me, Marc Grove, if you want to attend any of these shows and I will get you tickets to the show.

First of all , I’d like to wish everybody a happy ,healthy, prosperous holiday season and great new year from all of us at Wefings Marine
Welcome to winter in Florida! With the extreme cold temperatures fishing may or may not be on your mind. In another effort to kill the salt water fishing side of the marine industry, NOAA has created the “0” bag limit on Gag Grouper. This rule becomes active on Jan. 1 2011 and will go for 180 days with an option to extend for another 186 days. So our mainstay bottom fisheries have been crippled by the Feds. That leaves little reason to go offshore in the colder months. We will have to focus on our inshore fisheries and wait for things to warm up to catch pelagic species while we can.
The beach red fishing after a cold front is a great way to get into a bunch of fish and try some different methods of fishing, such as jigging, fly casting, ultra light tackle etc. These redfish will eat anything when they are chasing pogies off the beaches and releases of 100 a day on a boat are not unheard of. In Florida you generally can’t find a slot limit fish amidst the frenzy of large fish, so it’s a sport only fishery with all release fishing. If you fish in Alabama, and have a license to do so you can keep one oversize fish for the table.
Another of my winter favorites is Hybrid [sunshine bass] and Striper fishing in the Apalachicola River . These fish are very active in winter and will eat shrimp and lures like rattle traps and the oldtimers tell me a black rubber worm rigged Carolina style . These fish hang around structure and corners of the intracoastal water way and creeks and bite on changing tides and just before dark and in the early A.M. when the tide and the beginning or end of daylight occur together , that’s the best scenario to catch em. Some of these fish can be 10 Lbs or better , but a 5 pounder is a great meal and a great fight on light spinning tackle .

Keep safe on the water and enjoy our natural resources responsibly !
Marc

After the last couple years of economic upheaval and financial turmoil and a gigantic insult to the earth and Gulf Coast residents known as Deepwater Horizon , After the last couple years of economic upheaval and financial turmoil and a gigantic insult to the earth and Gulf Coast residents known as Deepwater Horizon , things seem to be settling down some and we are getting back to the business of making people happy selling boats, motors and providing uncommonly good service .
During the mad repo days, the weaker dealers, manufacturers and finance companies were sorted out. We also met the “predatory mentality” buyers [they came out of the woodwork] that value price and preying on other’s misfortune or weakness above all else and worry about warranties, relationships, and service later, or not at all.
Thankfully we still have the folks that want to do business locally [and give you a fair shot at their business] and the folks that are like minded in their love of pilothouse boats and cruising boats, and the great variety of quality brands that we specialize in that come from all over to see and learn about what they like in the low pressure environment we pride ourselves in.
Another more pleasant side effect of the hard times is that the remaining dealers in this industry have a new respect for each other as survivors. I have noticed a real common bond and desire to help each other out to keep the quality of the boater’s experience and the industry healthy. The end result is positive for the consumers and those that make their living in the boating industry.
We have begun ordering boats again from selected manufacturers that have quality, value and integrity. After all, there is something about the smell and feel fresh fiberglass and freshly painted or anodized aluminum! Not to mention “breaking in” your own new outboard or inboard motor and learning the systems and intricacies of a new boat.
Some of our new products include Sea Ark Boats from Arkansas, K2 Marine [other wise known as Bill Kenner] with his Blackjack and Pioneer lines of bay boats [also from Arkansas] , and a revitalization of Honda marine with their new EFI outboard offerings .
We are still very much a Yamaha, Suzuki and Tohatsu dealer, Sundance boats are coming on strong with new products and Ranger Tugs are bringing new models to the marketplace as well .C Dory is back in the picture and we are happy to see them make it through some challenges.
As usual, we will be making our presence known at a few boat shows including the Florida Seafood Festival [our own boat show] , the Atlanta Boat Show , and a few other around the Southeast .
All in all, I am starting to feel like a boat dealer again.
And it feels pretty good!!
Marc

NOAA extends red snapper season
August 20, 2010 11:10 PM
NEWS HERALD STAFF REPORT

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has modified the red snapper season to allow for fishing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 1 to Nov. 22.

I am happy to say  that I fired our new Ranger Tugs R 27  up yesterday and tested some of its systems . The new Mase 2.7 Gen has a really nice quieter sound and the 180 HP Yanmar motor is typically quiet like a good tier 2 common rail diesel should be . The new Fusion Stereo is a step up from the old Clarion units ,although it cries out for a small subwoofer , however  . Thats an easy add. The new “woody” interior just has a really rich warm feel to it as well . The new A/C unit is quieter and more subtle yet still has 16k BTU. It doesn’t give you the blizzard blast any more but a much softer circulation . The new computer desk is pretty comfy too , considering how compact it is .
I didn’t get out for a sea trial yesterday , just running stuff to get the feel for it . Our R 27 has a Kyocera solar panel on the roof that is putting out nearly 8 amps in the Florida Sun . That is a great thing for cruisers and folks that keep their boat outside as it will keep the batteries topped up and enable one to keep the fridge running or cabin fans on without fear of draining  the batteries . Have not had a chance to play with propane and propane accessories yet, the flatscreen TV, or the 1500 Watt inverter/40 Amp Charger . That will likely happen today , as I have some folks coming in to possibly sea trial her .Ill post more observations as I am struck with them .The Garmin electronics are the same as the R 25 and its a great user friendly system . Ill check to see if she needs a software update and test the Garmin Autopilot as well .

All in all this is the best trailerable trawler I have ever seen !

It tows and launches really well on our custom tandem Float On Trailer . Its got about 20% more capacity than you need , and electric over hydraulic brakes for a trouble free trailering experience .
This boat will be at the Tampa Boat Show along with an R 21 and a brand new R 29 Sept 10-12 . We would be happy to provide tickets for folks interested in the Ranger Tugs and sea trials will be available as we will be in the water , and the boats ready to go .

Come see us in Eastpoint/Apalachicola or in Tampa . Call or E mail with questions or ticket requests .

Marc

Gotta congratulate Team Jeff Hewitt and his Twin Vee 19 Classic for winning the 2nd annual Franklin County Sheriff’s association Fishing Tournament this past Aug 13th. With difficult conditions and a lot of effort { I know , I was out there too} the Hewitt team went out to their spots in at least 3 foot slop with rain [sometimes worse] to achieve the victory [ and tournament records ] in all classes of the Sheriff’s first offshore division in the tournament . The classes were Grouper , King Mackerel, and Amberjack . I have a special respect and appreciation for getting a really good sized Amberack cause you have to go off the beaten path to find big ones these days with the commercial market good and the Grouper in short supply this year . Jeff is a Wefings customer and a member of the Franklin County Sheriffs department and we are glad he won the tournament ! Ill sure be letting Twin Vee know about this ! Its a great testament the simple safe boats they build and the great sportsmen that are using them . Congratulations Jeff !!
Marc

Cant see it , so it must not exist .

EPA says Houdini and some bacteria apparently made the oil [ oh sure, easily 75%] disappear . Big news . Nothing to see here , move along………
So who really believes its “gone” ?
Certainly not the folks on the Louisiana Bayous and Marshes that watch oil come in and out with the tides . The folks there that wont eat their own seafood and worry about their grandchildren’s health .Not the  folks along the Panhandle that hear of the sightings [ real or not ] just offshore .

One told me , Ill have to make him[his grandchild] a hunter instead of a fisherman .

The best part for truly affected  small businesses  is they are nullifying claims based on financial comparisons to the worst years in anybody’s post depression memory .
Works for them !
With the promise and evidence of a good start to the year , it all came crashing down in May . We are not in a position to make a claim if we worked our asses off to make up the difference in non sustainable endeavors and equaled or surpassed our subsistence of the prior year , sold a few non typical items due to non typical demands,events and circumstances , and invested time and money in vain on equipment to protect our environment to find out that the money stays in the Oil Industry family , no matter what they say about buying locally. If you worked harder , it worked against you . I would like my summer back . Can I file a claim for that ?
Someone said to me , ” if someone held you captive and held a gun to your head for 95 days but never pulled the trigger  , would you be affected even though they didn’t shoot you” ? I feel like that is what happened and we were affected , as well as a lot of other businesses . Some folks got lucky and got a windfall riding around on boats and sweating a bit for a lot of money. Congratulations to them ! Some, like us ,  just worked harder for less .

But there’s an oil well and an industry out there with blood on it’s hands  and in it’s wells too , yet  the Gulf Coast will just be a speed bump that they had to slow down for  . Fill er up ?

Marc