LETTERS In addition to his boat carpentry for clients, David builds small- and medium-sized wooden boats mostly for fun. He doesn’t expect much profit, as the market is small and labor and materials high. But he builds boats that are masterpieces of craftsmanship. Like many great artists, he seems to work less for the acclaim of his fellow artists or the public, than to do what he does well to create something beautiful. Boatless Jack Mooney Hudson, FL
FORT MYERS BEACH Nearby Access to Facilities, Beaches & Restaurants • 70 Mooring Balls • Boats up to 50’ • Dinghy Dock • Pump-out Included with fee
Located inside Matanzas Pass, just south of the 65-foot bridge UPON ARRIVAL CONTACT:
(239) 463-9258
www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/
Jack, I like your definition of a world-class boat bum. Perhaps Bickel will again teach his shipwright skills to kids this coming year. If so, we hope to get another report on the project. Editor MOORING BALLS IN BOOT KEY HARBOR NOT AVAILABLE FOR ONE-NIGHT STANDS IN STORMS I just wanted to update you on the latest happenings here in Boot Key Harbor, Marathon. On Wednesday, July 22, with Isaac approaching, I called the City Marina here in Marathon to discuss my options. I’m currently on the hook in the harbor, as I’m unemployed and only drawing unemployment. They currently offer daily rates of $22/day for a mooring ball. I thought I would be safer to pick up a ball at the last minute, if needed. As a 15-year veteran living aboard, and almost eight years here in Marathon, I’ve seen many storms come and go and change course at the last minute. The mooring field here is probably 80 percent empty. That means there are about 200 or more empty balls, some of which are only 250 yards from where I’m anchored. I was informed by a long-term City Marina employee, whom I’ve known for many years that the current policy involving incoming storms is that a one-week ball rental was required! I was asked if I thought an exception should be made just for me. That is a fee of $118. The daily rate doesn’t apply. In my opinion, maybe stupid at that, the City Marina would offer FREE balls in the event of an impending storm if they are empty. It would be no loss of income on their part, as the balls are EMPTY anyway ! It would actually be a nice gesture to the many men and women who live in the anchorage who are just trying to survive. I will probably suffer retaliation from this email to you but so be it. Maybe it’s just time to sail on. Kevin Wilkinson S/V Imma-Nu-EL Boot Key Harbor, Marathon Kevin, Marina management told me the one-week policy is to minimize their work in storm preparation and to ensure that people pay for a mooring. Forty-eight hours before a named storm is to hit, they begin preparations, including inspecting every boat’s status. They want people to pay for the week in advance, so they don’t just come in and leave without paying. They are actually asking for five days payment, since that adds up to the same as a week. They believe that anyone who comes in for one night will stay longer, otherwise they will be leaving in the middle of a storm, and no one would really do that. Plus, in the past, many have come and left without paying, so they started the one-week policy. Editor
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November 2012
SOUTHWINDS
www.southwindsmagazine.com