Party Fishing Boats - Page 21

Mike's Maritime Memorabilia»Party Fishing Boats
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QUEEN MARY, Point Pleasant, NJ – 1978 The "QUEEN MARY" from Point Pleasant, NJ circa 1978. James Gillikin at Gillikin Craft Inc., Beaufort, NC built her in 1972 as the "DEEP BLUE". Captain Harvey Brown purchased the boat in 1973 and renamed her the "QUEEN MARY". She sailed from Spike's Fishery Dock, Point Pleasant, NJ until sold again and renamed the "STARLIGHT" from Wildwood, NJ. On May 5, 1992, she was returning to Wildwood, NJ after spending the winter in the Florida Keys, encountered very rough weather, and sank off the coast of Maryland. Photo courtesy of Captain John Bogan Jr.  RAINBOW, Brooklyn, NY – 1978 Captain Tony Franklin's "RAINBOW" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1978. The "Rainbow" was one of several converted World War II military surplus vessels that operated as party boats for several decades. Built in 1942 as the Air-Sea Rescue vessel "AVR-C-9442" at Miami, FL, she was sold as surplus in 1949 and soon after, sailed as the "SEA WOLF" from Bedford, MA. In 1952, Captain Franklin purchased the boat and began sailing from Sheepshead Bay.  SHAMROCK, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – 1978 Captain Jack Bogan's and Captain John Bogan Jr's "SHAMROCK" from Point Pleasant, NJ circa 1978. The "SHAMROCK" specialized in drifting along the Jersey shore for jumbo Fluke during the summer months and bottom fished during the off-season. Sutton Boat Works built this steel hulled vessel in 1966 at Tarpon Springs, FL as the "CAPT. BILL II". She later sailed from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY under the same name. The "SHAMROCK" was confiscated by the federal government in 1985 and sold at auction. Photo Courtesy of Captain Jack Bogan.  SEA WOLF, Brooklyn, NY – 1978 Captain Ed Moraski's "SEA WOLF" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1978. She was built in 1949 at North Wildwood, NJ and was originally owned by Captain John Heiser. The "SEA WOLF" specialized in bottom fishing during her fishing career, which ended in1988 when she was dismantled.  TRAVELER, Brooklyn, NY – 1978 This 1978 photo shows Captain Gerry Nappi's "TRAVELER" just before being launched at Yank Boat Works, Tuckahoe, NJ. Captain Nappi sailed the "TRAVELER" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY until he sold her and she became the "CAPT. BOB JOSEPH" from Captree, NY. She was sold again and became Captain Joe Miller's "ATOMIC III" from Sheepshead Bay. The boat later became Captain Al Coley's "BETTY W" from Sheepshead Bay and then moved back to Captree, NY as Captain Patrick Gillen's "CAPT. GILLEN III". She then sailed as Captain Charlie Buser's "CAPTREE STAR II" from Captree, NY, and is currently sailing as Captain Des O'Sullivan's "CELTIC QUEST IV" from Port Jefferson, NY. Photo courtesy of Captain Gerry Nappi. 
WHITE STAR III, Barnegat Light, NJ – 1978 The port bow section of Captain Ray Ettel's "WHITE STAR III" takes shape in 1978 at East Bay Boat Works, Harkers Island, NC. The "WHITE STAR III" sailed from Barnegat Light, NJ and after Captain Ray sold the boat in 1988 it then sailed as Ray Burke's OPTIMIST STAR from Belmar, NJ. After that, it sailed as the MAGNUM FORCE from Monterey CA, and then as the PACIFIC EXPLORER from Monterey CA. The boat presently sails as the whale watcher SEA GODDESS from Monterey, CA.Photo courtesy of Captain Ray Ettel.  AMBERJACK V, Brooklyn, NY – 1979 Captain Fred Ardolino's "AMBERJACK V" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1979. She was one of several 'Supercruisers' to join the Sheepshead Bay fleet during the 1970s. Like her predecessor, Putnam Shipbuilding in Palatka, FL built her (in 1978). She made her last fishing trip on January 17, 1988, but has continued to operate from Sheepshead Bay as a dinner cruise vessel.  AVENGER, Brooklyn, NY – 1979 Captain Bill Eisenberg's "AVENGER" is shown shortly after arriving in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY in April 1979. Built by Putnam Shipbuilding in Palatka, FL, she had a steel hull with an aluminum superstructure. She was sold and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where she last sailed as the "CAPT. COOK VIII". Damaged during in a storm in 1992, she was dismantled shortly thereafter.  EAGLE, Brooklyn, NY – 1979 Captain Larry Krim's "EAGLE" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1979. Built in 1971 by Blount Marine at Warren, RI as Captain Rocky Becker's "TAMPA IV", the steel hulled boat was purchased by one-time "TAMPA IV" deckhand Larry Krim. Captain Krim operated the "EAGLE" from Pier 9 at Sheepshead Bay for four years along with Captains 'Red' Tanfield and Andrew Nazzaruolo. The "EAGLE" then operated as a standby boat for Texaco when they drilled for oil off Atlantic City, NJ. After that, Captain Krim sold the "EAGLE" and she is currently operating as the cruise vessel "GOODTIME I" and sails on Lake Erie from Sandusky, OH.  HI HOOK, Brooklyn, NY – 1979 Captains Jim and 'Vinnie' Macaluso's "HI-HOOK" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1979. Built in 1938 at College Point, NY for Captain Harry Shultz, the "HI-HOOK" was one of the last 'old time' forty-five foot party boats to sail from Sheepshead Bay. Her dismantling in 1987 closed a chapter in party boat history. 
NORMA-K II, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – 1979 Captain Ken Keller's "NORMA-K II" takes a pounding in the surf along the beach at Belmar, NJ in this 1979 photo. Deebold Boat Works of Atlantic City, NJ built this sturdy party fishing boat in 1964. The "NORMA-K II" continues to sail from Ken's Landing at Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. Photo courtesy of Captain 'Jack' Bogan.  PARABLE, Brooklyn, NY – 1979 The "PARABLE" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1979. Captain Vinnie Mennella operated her. She was built in 1945 at Whitestone, NY and originally sailed from Sheepshead Bay as Captain Henry 'Pop' Mayer's "LADY LOU II". Photo courtesy of Captain Andrew Nazzaruolo.  TAMPA VI, Brooklyn, NY – 1979 Captain Charlie Becker's "TAMPA VI" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1979. She was built in 1977 by Gulf Craft, Patterson, LA and first sailed from Pier 2 at Sheepshead Bay. In 1986, the Becker family converted her into a dinner cruise boat. She is now a charter dive boat in the Galapagos Islands. Photo courtesy of Captain Gene Becker.  TEAL, Great Kills, NY – 1979 Captain Fred Moore's "TEAL" is shown hosting the Steamship Historical Society of America's annual sightseeing cruise to New York Harbor. Built in 1961 by Gillikin Boat Works at Harkers Island, North Carolina, the "TEAL" sailed from Shoal's Dock at Great Kills Harbor, Staten Island, NY.  ANNA M III, Captree, NY – 1980 Captain George Mahr Jr.'s "ANNA M III" is shown here at her berth at Captree State Park circa 1980. Like many of the vessels sailing from Captree during this era, she is trimmed with finely varnished woodwork. Built in 1962 by Stevenson's Boat Works at Great Kills, Staten Island, NY, her wheelhouse was originally located on the forward deck, but was later moved topside. Photo Courtesy of George Mahr III. 
APACHE IV, Brooklyn, NY – 1980 The "APACHE IV" from Pier 3, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn NY and skippered by Captain Tommy Owens circa 1980. She lost her USCG certificate and her whereabouts are unknown. Photo courtesy of Steve Kawalek.  AMERICA, Brooklyn, NY – 1980 Captain Jackie Michaels' "AMERICA" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1980. She was built in 1942 at the Electric Boat Company, Bayonne, NJ as the World War II US Navy patrol torpedo boat "PT-314". Captain Michaels purchased the vessel in 1961 and converted her for party boat fishing. She started fishing from Sheepshead Bay in 1962 and was the third vessel to bear the "AMERICA" name. When she was sold in 1990 and became the "SEA STAR" from Sheepshead Bay, one of the oldest names in Sheepshead Bay came to an end (the "AMERICA" name dated back to 1914.) She last sailed as the "SENECA DREAMER" and fished on the Great Lakes until she was dismantled in 1996.  ATOMIC III / TRAVELER, Brooklyn, NY – 1980 During the winter of 1980, Captain Joe Miller's "ATOMIC II" was under contract with Texaco and was operating as a standby vessel at one of their oil rigs off the coast of New Jersey. During this time an agreement between Captain Joe Miller and Captain Gerry Nappi resulted in Captain Gerry's "TRAVELER" sailing the "ATOMIC II"s schedule, departing at 9 AM from Captain Joe's berth at Sheepshead Bay. Hence the boat with two names! Once the contract with Texaco ended, the "ATOMIC II" returned to Sheepshead Bay. In the spring of 1981, Captain Nappi sold the "TRAVELER" to Penny Joseph and she became the "CAPT. BOB JOSEPH" from Captree, NY. In 1983, she was purchased by Captain Joe Miller and she returned to Sheepshead Bay as the "ATOMIC III". The boat later sailed as the "BETTY W" from Sheepshead Bay and operated by Captain Al Coley. She then returned to Captree, NY as Captain Patrick Gillen's "CAPT. GILLEN III" and later sailed as Captain Charlie Buser's "CAPTREE STAR II". She is currently sailing as Captain Des O'Sullivan's "CELTIC QUEST IV" from Port Jefferson, NY.  BROOKLYN V, Brooklyn, NY – 1980 Captain Bob Sapanara's "BROOKLYN V" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1980. Her construction began in 1977 at AlumaShip Corp., Jeanerette, LA, but due to financial difficulties, the shipyard was unable to finish construction. The unfinished hull was then transported to Gulf Craft at Patterson, LA where she was completed and delivered to Captain Bob Sapanara later in 1977. She was one of the fastest party boats in the region and later sailed from Sheepshead Bay as Captain Kevin Bradshaw's "DOROTHY B VIII" and then from Calabash, NC as Captain Larry Horowitz's "SUPER VOYAGER II". The vessel is now sailing as the "DOLPHIN EXPRESS" from Port Aransas, TX.  CAPT. GILLEN, Captree, NY – 1980 Captain John Gillen's orginal "CAPT. GILLEN" from Captree, NY circa July, 1980. The "CAPT. GILLEN" was built in 1959 at Rice Marine, Reedville, VA and sailed in the Captree fleet from 1959 to 1992. She was later sold and relocated to Florida and sailed as the "SOUTHERN STAR". She is currently sailing as the "AMERICAN STAR", Sandestin, FL. Photo courtesy of Jim and Patrick Gillen. 
CAPT. JOE II, Belmar, NJ – 1980 The "CAPT. JOE II" is seen here drift fishing off the Jersey Shore in 1980. She was built in 1964 by Gillikin Boatworks at Harkers Island, NC. Captain Joe Vassallo and his son Captain Mickey Vassallo skippered the "CAPT. JOE II". Captain Mickey was the first captain in the New Jersey/New York party boat fleet to introduce winter "Magic Hours" fishing (4:00 PM to 9:00 PM) for Whiting (Silver Hake). The boat later sailed as the "VIKING KING", the "STARFISH", the "SEAHORSE", and is presently sailing as Captain Eddie Shaw's "CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY. Photo courtesy of Vassallo family.  JIB V, Captree, New York – 1980 Captain Bert Blum's "JIB V" and from Captree, NY circa 1980. The "JIB V" was built in 1970 by James Gillikin's Machine & Supply Co. at Beaufort, NC and was launched in June of that year. She later operated from Montauk, NY as the whale watch boat "FINBACK I" before returning to Captree, NY where she continues to sail as the "LAURA LEE". Photo courtesy of Joan Richards.  PARAMOUNT II, Brielle, NJ – 1980 The "PARAMOUNT II" departing Manasquan Inlet for an afternoon half-day Fluke fishing trip during the summer of 1980. At 118 feet in length, she boasted as being the 'World's Largest Half-Day Boat' at the time. The "PARAMOUNT II" later became the private charter boat in the Bogan family's fleet and was renamed the "ATLANTIS". She is still operating from Bogan's Basin as the charter boat "JAMAICA STAR". Photo courtesy of Bill Horan.  STARFISH, Sea Isle City, NJ – 1980 Captain Charles Shaffer's "STARFISH" from Sea Isle City, NJ circa 1980. She was built in 1980 by Lydia Yachts at Stuart, FL and is shown here during sea trials in Florida. The "STARFISH" was 71 feet in length and was powered by two turbocharged 8-cylinder Detroit Diesels. She later sailed as the "CASINO CHALLENGER" and is presently sailing as the "THELMA DALE IV" from Lewes, DE. Photo is courtesy of Captain Jack Bogan.  TRAVELER and BLUE SEA III, Brooklyn, NY – 1980 The "TRAVELER" and "BLUE SEA III" along Pier 8 at Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1980. Yank Boat Works at Tuckahoe, NJ built the "TRAVELER" in 1978 for Captain Gerry Nappi. She later sailed as the "CAPT. BOB JOSEPH", the "ATOMIC III", the "BETTY W", the "CAPT. GILLEN III", and the "CAPTREE STAR II" and is presently sailing as the "CELTIC QUEST IV" from Port Jefferson, NY. Captain Nick Cannisi's "BLUE SEA III" was built in 1966 by Covacevich Shipyard at Biloxi, MS as the "GULF CLIPPER". She arrived at Sheepshead Bay in 1976 and sailed as the "BLUE SEA III" until 1987. Captain Tommy Marconi later purchased the boat and she became one of his many vessels named "PILOT II". Photo courtesy of Captain Gerry Nappi. 
WHITE EAGLE II, Brooklyn, NY – 1980 The "WHITE EAGLE II" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1980. Built in 1933 by Ernest Fiedler, she is one of the few 'skipjack style' party boats he built. She was originally operated by Captain Connie Rank and sailed from Canarsie, Brooklyn, NY. She was later sold to Captain John Rutter and sailed from Howard Beach, NY. She returned to Sheepshead Bay in 1977.  WHITE STAR III, Barnegat Light, NJ – 1980 East Bay Boat Works built the "WHITE STAR III" in 1978 at Harkers Island, North Carolina for Captain Ray Ettel, who operated her from Barnegat Light, NJ. In 1987, Captain Ettel sold the "WHITE STAR III" and she became Captain Ray Burke's "OPTIMIST STAR" from Belmar, NJ. Later sold and relocated to the west coast, she sailed as the "MAGNUM FORCE" from Monterey, CA and then as the PACIFIC EXPLORER from Monterey CA. The boat presently sails as the whale watcher SEA GODDESS from Monterey, CA. Later sold and relocated to the west coast, she sailed as the "MAGNUM FORCE" from Monterey, CA. She is presently sailing as the whale watcher "PACIFIC EXPLORER" from Monterey, CA.  AMBERJACK V, Brooklyn, NY – 1981 Captain Jim and Fred Ardolino's "AMBERJACK V" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1981. Built in 1978 by Putnum Shipbuilding at Palatka, FL, she was designed to compete with the other 'Super Cruisers' of the era, and had a length of 120 feet, a 28-foot beam and was powered by three GM V12 turbo-diesel engines. With diminishing fisheries, reduced angler participation and high operating expenses, she soon became obsolete and as a result, she made her last fishing trip on January 17, 1988. The Ardolino family decided to convert her into a dinner cruise vessel and she was the pioneer of that industry at Sheepshead Bay. The only fish now found aboard the "AMBERJACK V" are on the passenger's dinner plates and she continues to cruise New York Harbor.  ATOMIC II, Brooklyn, NY – 1981 Captain Joe Miller’s "ATOMIC II" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1981. She was built in 1974 by Gulf Craft, Patterson, LA as the "TAMPA V" (also from Sheepshead Bay) and was the fastest party boat in the area at the time. After spending several years as a whale watching tour boat named the "BIG FLAMINGO" from Wildwood, NJ, she returned to party boat fishing as the "GULF STREAM" in North Carolina and later became "MISS BELMAR PRINCESS" from Belmar, NJ.  STARLIGHT, Wildwood, NJ – 1981 Captain Jim Ciechetti's "STARLIGHT" sailing from Blake's Dock, Wildwood, NJ circa 1981. She was built in 1980 at Ft. Lauderdale, FL by a small boatyard owned by the Joseph family of Captree, NY. This boat is similar to the aluminum "CAPT. JOSEPH" (referred to by many as the "Star Wars Boat") also built by the Joseph family. She was later purchased by Captains Michael and Bob Elsey and sailed as their "NIGHT HAWK" from Belmar, NJ.