Party Fishing Boats - Page 23

Mike's Maritime Memorabilia»Party Fishing Boats
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FRIENDSHIP III, Brooklyn, NY – 1986 Captain Mark Brent's FRIENDSHIP III from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1986. She was built in 1974 by Gulf Craft at Patterson, LA and originally sailed as the "CAPT. APPLEGATE" from Atlantic City, NJ. Captain Brent sailed her from Sheepshead Bay for a few years and later relocated with the vessel to Massachusetts where he began a new venture doing whale watching tours. She later returned to her party boat status when she became the "MOHAWK EXPLORER" from Belmar, NJ. She again changed owners and names when she became Captain Bob Elsey's "NIGHT HAWK" from Belmar, NJ. Alas, she was sold in 2005 and relocated to Monterey, CA, where she is again running whale watching tours as the "MONTEREY PRINCESS".  MARY IV, Brooklyn, NY – 1986 Captain Murphy Cannisi's "MARY IV" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1986. The "MARY IV" was a converted WW II Air-Sea Rescue Boat. She previously sailed from Sheepshead Bay as Captain Dominic Palermo's "CAPT. DOM".  MISS BELMAR II, Belmar, NJ – 1986 The "MISS BELMAR II" from Belmar, NJ circa 1986. She was built in 1978 by Lydia Yachts, Stuart, FL as Captain Pete Pearson's "KLONDIKE VII" from New Rochelle, NY and later sailed for many years as the "FREDDY C" from Leonardo, NJ. She is now sailing as the "CAPTREE STAR III" from Captree, NY.  OL SALTY II, Belmar, NJ – 1986 Captain Barry 'Mojo' Goldman's "OL SALTY II" from Belmar, NJ circa 1986. She specialized in offshore tuna fishing.  RAINBOW, Brooklyn, NY – 1986 Captain Phil Spadaro's "RAINBOW" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1986. She was a converted World War II 63-foot air/sea rescue boat built for the US Navy in 1944 at Bristol, RI as the "AVR-C-77463"; three GM 6-71 diesels supplied the power. Before becoming the "RAINBOW", she originally sailed from Sheepshead Bay as the "YANKEE" and then as the "RAIDER"; she later sailed as Captain Mike Abbaticchio's "CAPT. MIKE". Photo Courtesy of Steve Kawalek. 
SEA PIGEON, Perth Amboy, NJ – 1986 Captain Marty Haines' "SEA PIGEON" from Perth Amboy, NJ circa 1986. The "SEA PIGEON" was built in 1961 at Stevenson Boat Works, Staten Island, NY and specialized in Raritan Bay Fluke and Flounder fishing. In 1986, Captain Haines replaced her with the "SEA PIGEON IV" (Captain Al Coley's "BETTY W III" from Sheepshead Bay, NY.) Later in 1986, the "SEA PIGEON" was sold to Captain Al Hilliard and became the party boat "PROWLER" from Atlantic Highlands, NJ. In 1990, the "PROWLER" relocated to Oregon where she sailed as the "WINDWALKER". She foundered during a storm in 1992 and was a total loss.  SHAMROCK, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – 1986 Captain John Bogan's Lydia-built "SHAMROCK" during her annual haulout in March 1986. Photo Courtesy of Captain John Bogan Jr.  ATOMIC, Brooklyn NY – 1987 The last "ATOMIC" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1987. This vessel was very different from some of her predecessors to bear the "ATOMIC" name on Emmons Avenue. This vessel was built in 1945 as the US Navy PT-705. She was converted to a party fishing boat and first sailed as the "GONE WITH THE WIND" from Ocean City, NJ. She later sailed from Johnny's Dock in Point Pleasant, NJ as Captain John DeRose's "WANDERER". After moving to Sheepshead Bay and sailing as the "APACHE IV", she finally became the "ATOMIC". This may be one of the last photos ever taken of her before she was dismantled in 1988. Photo courtesy of John Cairns.  CAPT. ROBBINS, Sea Isle City, NJ – 1987 The "CAPT. ROBBINS" from Sea Isle City, NJ and skippered by Captain Neil Robbins circa 1987. She was built in 1973 by East Bay Boat Works, Harkers Island, NC.  MISTY MORN, South Amboy, NJ – 1987 Captain Gary Bouchard's "MISTY MORN" from South Amboy, NJ circa 1987. She is seen waiting for the train bridge over Cheesequake Creek to open as she departs for a day of Fluke fishing on Raritan Bay. The boat was built in 1954 by the Price Boat Yard at Deltaville, VA as the original "MISS BARNEGAT LIGHT". She later sailed as the "LADY MARCIA ANNE" before becoming the "MISTY MORN" in 1986. She was replaced in 1993 by an Arro Yachts boat and moved to Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn where she sailed as the "HOLIDAY". She has since been dismantled. 
OPTIMIST STAR, Belmar, NJ – 1987 Captain Ray Burke's "OPTIMIST STAR" from Belmar, NJ circa 1987. She was built in 1978 by Vance Gillikin at East Bay Boat Works as Captain Ray Ettel's "WHITE STAR III". The boat then sailed as the MAGNUM FORCE from Monterey CA, and then as the PACIFIC EXPLORER from Monterey CA. She presently sails as the whale watcher SEA GODDESS from Monterey, CA. Photo courtesy of Ed Keefe Jr.  WILDWOOD III, Wildwood Crest, NJ – 1987 An advertising postcard of Jack Blake's "WILDWOOD III" from Wildwood Crest, NJ circa 1987. She was built in 1957 at Cape May, NJ under an unknown name before becoming the "WILDWOOD III". She was later relocated to Cape Cod, MA and became the Marine Research Vessel "SEA TIGER". The boat was dropped from documentation in 2005 and was later dismantled.  ZEPHYR V, Brooklyn, NY – 1987 Captain 'Butch' Rafi's "ZEPHYR V" on her trial run in Louisiana in 1987. What a beauty! She was built by Breaux Bros. in Loreauville, LA and sailed from Pier 1 at Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY until 1994. The vessel is now sailing as the passenger ferry "ADVENTURE" from the Indigo Plantation Marina at Bald Head Island, North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Captain 'Butch' Rafi.  MISTY MORN, South Amboy, NJ – 1988 Captain Gary Bouchard's "MISTY MORN" from South Amboy, NJ circa 1988. She is shown returning home to Cheesequake Creek after a day of fishing on Raritan Bay. She was the original "MISS BARNEGAT LIGHT" before becoming the "MISTY MORN". Captain Gary passed away in 2009 and his sons Captains Sean, Phil and Mike continue to operate the family business.  SATELLITE, Atlantic Highlands, NJ – 1988 Captain Bob Sidorski's "SATELLITE" from Atlantic Highlands, NJ circa 1988. Built 1977 by Will's Boat Works at Harkers Island, NC as "CAROLINA PRINCESS", she was powered by two V-12 GM Detroit Diesel engines. When built, her wheelhouse was located on the forward deck, but Captain Ray remodeled her and placed the wheelhouse topside. She later became Captain Dom Vitolo's "SKIPPER" from Belmar, NJ and is currently sailing as the "ROYAL FLUSH" from Wildwood, NJ. 
SEA PIGEON IV, Perth Amboy, NJ – 1989 The "SEA PIGEON IV" from Perth Amboy, NJ out of the water for spring cleaning at the Belford Marine Railway, Belford, NJ in 1989. The boatyard’s motto was "No Cash, No Splash!"  STARSTREAM II, Freeport, NY – 1989 The "STARSTREAM II" at the dock in Freeport, NY in 1989. Captain Richie Kessinger was at the helm and she was one of the better local codfishing boats in her day. She was built in 1974 by Gulf Craft, Patterson, LA. She later became the "MISS BELMAR" from Belmar, NJ for a short time and is now sailing as the "FLYING FISH" from Sarasota, FL.  SUPER RANGER, Brooklyn, NY – 1989 Captain Mike Scarpati's "SUPER RANGER" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY running 'hooked up' across Raritan Bay circa 1989. Built in 1988 by Gulf Craft Inc. at Patterson, LA, she was the last 'Super Cruiser' party boat to sail from Sheepshead Bay. She was sold and is presently sailing as the whale watch vessel "PRIVATEER IV" from Gloucester, MA.  BLUE WATER, Highlands, NJ – 1990 The "BLUE WATER" from Highlands, NJ circa 1990. She was built in 1937 by Ernest Fiedler as Captain Harry Phillips' "PILOT II" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY.  DAUNTLESS, Point Pleasant, NJ – 1990 "DAUNTLESS" Point Pleasant, New Jersey 1987The "DAUNTLESS" from Broadway Basin, Point Pleasant, NJ circa 1990. She is skippered by Captains Bill Egerter Jr. and Bill Egerter III and was built in 1974 by Gulf Craft, Patterson, LA. Her specialty is bottom fishing and she sails year-round. 
DEEP ADVENTURES II, Point Pleasant, NJ – 1990 Captain John Larsen's "DEEP ADVENTURES II" from Point Pleasant circa 1990. Captain Larsen specialized in wreck fishing, sport diving and offshore tuna fishing. She later became the "NOLI EILEEN" from Huntington, NY.  GRACE, Brooklyn, NY – 1990 Captain Joe La Gaipa's "GRACE" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1990. Built in 1936, she was one of the oldest party boats in the Brooklyn fleet at the time. She is shown here bottom fishing off Norton's Point, Brooklyn during the fall.  HAPPY, Atlantic Highlands, NJ – 1990 The "HAPPY" from Atlantic Highlands, NJ in 1990. The "HAPPY" was owned by Jim Farwell and skippered by Captain Tom Buban and is shown here Fluke fishing off 'Officer’s Row' at Sandy Hook, NJ. She was built in 1962 by Gillikin Boat Works, Harkers Island, NC as the "BLUE HERON" from Riviera Beach, FL. She then sailed as the "SOUTH WIND" from Murrells Inlet, SC before becoming the "HAPPY" and afterwards became the "OCEAN EAGLE II" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY. The boat is presently sailing as the "OCEAN EAGLE" from Hampton, VA.  JAMAICA, Brielle, NJ – 1990 The "JAMAICA" from Bogan’s Basin, Brielle, NJ circa 1990. Captains Howard Bogan Sr. and Jr. have operated the "JAMAICA" since she was first launched. Derecktor Shipyards, Mamaroneck, NY built this aluminum-hulled vessel in 1977. Since her maiden voyage, the 125-foot "JAMAICA" has been the largest party boat sailing from New Jersey.  MISS POINT PLEASANT II, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – 1990 Captain Ken Keller's "MISS POINT PLEASANT II" circa 1990. Built in 1957, she was one of the first 65-foot boats specifically built as a party boat in our area. In 1957, the half-day fare was $3.50 and the full day fare was a whopping $5.00. In 1958, Jack Endean was the captain and Ken Keller the mate, they first found the wreck of the "LILLIAN" and brought back a huge catch of Cod, Pollock, Ling, Blackfish and White Hake. The seven lucky anglers aboard her on that fateful day came back to port with the decks covered with Cod weighing up to 50 lbs. and Pollock up to 30 lbs. 
NORMA K II, Point Pleasant, NJ – 1990 The "NORMA K II" sailing from Ken's Landing, Point Pleasant, NJ in 1990. She was built in 1964 by Deebold Boatworks, Atlantic City, NJ.  RANGER, Atlantic Highlands, NJ – 1990 Captain Jack Sweeney's "RANGER" from Atlantic Highlands, NJ circa 1990. She was built in 1950 and first sailed as the "CAVALIER" from Perth Amboy, NJ. She was one of the last true 45-footers to sail in our waters (she was sold and is out of our area now.)  SEA PIGEON IV, Perth Amboy, NJ – 1990 "SEA PIGEON IV" Off-Shore 1990The "SEA PIGEON IV" from Perth Amboy, NJ. Shown here coming home during a hard Nor'wester after tuna fishing at the 'Mud Hole' circa 1990.  BOB JAC, Atlantic Highlands, NJ – 1991 Captain Bob Semkewyc's "BOB JAC" from Atlantic Highlands, NJ circa 1991. Built in 1946 at Bridgeton, NJ, she originally sailed as the "MARY JANE II" from Cape May, NJ.  BUCKY, Elizabeth, NJ – 1991 Captain Mike Buban's "BUCKY" from Elizabeth, NJ in 1991. The "BUCKY" was built in 1948 by F. W. Smith Boatyard at Bena, VA for Captain Lavallette Buck and she originally sailed from Cape May, NJ. She operated as a party boat until 1997 and is now named the "PHILOMENA D" and sails in the Great Lakes.