Better Off Wet Water Lifestyle Magazine February 2023

B.O.W. VISITS

2 BEAUTIFUL LAKES IN TENNESSEE BLAST OFF TO FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST

CHECK OUT SOME B.O.W. READERS PICS!

SWIM WITH THE MANATEES IN A PLACE LIKE NO OTHER IN THE WORLD

PUBLISHER

Benjamin Chewning ben@betteroffwet.com

SALES

Megan Chewning megan@betteroffwet.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Theresa Barzyk TIBCreativeStudio@gmail.com

WEB Juan De Leon info@webdevelopmentanddesign.com

CONTACT

Better Off Wet Media Group 352-238-7009 www.betteroffwet.com info@betteroffwet.com

ARTICLES

B.T.’S WELDING, MAKING IDEAS COME TO LIFE

B.O.W. went to B.T.’s with somewhat of an idea for a new swim ladder and we had our expectations exceeded with a custom job visualized by the B.T.’s Welding shop foreman, Bobby.

LAKES OF TENNESSEE

Tennessee has Thirty Large Reservoirs. B.O.W. Visits Two Beautiful Examples: Cherokee Reservoir and Fort Lake Loudoun.

SWIMMING WITH MANATEES!

Better Off Wet , all rights reserved. No part of this magazine or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the express written consent of the Publisher. 8 12 20

The folks at Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center sure know how to show you a good time! They took the B.O.W. Crew out this month for a wonderful tour, swimming with Manatees!Shrimp, a freshwater exhibit to show you what exactly lies under the local springs, and more!

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B.O.W. VISITS THE CRYSTAL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE VISITOR’S CENTER

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1983, is the only refuge created specifically for the protection of the threatened Florida manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. B.O.W. had the opportunity to visit this month.

BLAST OFF TO FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST

The Space Coast is a region in the U.S. state of Florida around the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Like many of Florida’s Coasts it has a catchy “themed” name. But, also like the other coastal areas of Florida it has a unique personality all its own.

READER’S PICS

Check out some great photos sent in by Bette Off Wet Readers! Remember to send us your pics, to be featured in or Reader’s Pics section.

B.O.W. Gets Some Custom Work Done

We have been using our 26 foot Panga, at Better Off Wet, for 2 years now and love the boat. We are in and out of the water a lot, while we are out exploring and chartering. We have been using a standard side-deployed plastic and aluminum foldable ladder, that while being “better than nothing” has been less than ideal and rough on the gel coat of our boat. The B.O.W. boat doesn’t have a ton of room at the stern and we didn’t have any luck finding anything out of the box, readily available, that we could bolt on (or that looked to be of any quality we wanted on our boat). So, like many things in life, we settled for the old deployable ladder and made the best of it…for far too long.

After B.T.’s became an advertiser in the magazine, we asked them about our swim ladder dilemma and they said to bring the boat by and they were sure they could come up with something. We had played through a few different ideas, before getting the boat to them. After meeting with Bobby, B.T.’s shop foreman, and him looking at our boat for all of 45 seconds, he already had an idea for a swim platform that we loved. Bobby has been working with Bill Tabor (owner of B.T.’s) for two decades of the nearly 3 decades B.T.’s has been in business. He showed his professionalism through his ideas and the way he gladly showed us around the shop. B.T.’s looked like a well oiled machine to us and we were super

happy and eager to see the finished swim platform.

Only a few days after dropping of the boat to B.T.’s, we had a call that the boat was ready to pick up. We were shocked at how quick they had gotten the project done for us and equally if not more surprised by how much we loved the form and function of the swim platform they had fabricated and installed for us. It may seem like a small thing to some, but the small things usually indicate how folks will handle big things, in our opinion. Every weld on the swim platform is superb, the bends in the tubing match the boat, and most importantly, the function of the swim platform is on point. We don’t have any issues climbing back in

the boat now, even with dive gear. If, you have any custom fabrication you need done to your boat, we couldn’t think of recommending anyone else, after our experience with B.T.’s. They are a great advertiser for B.O.W., for which we are grateful; and now we are also grateful to be a customer.

Give them a shout to discuss your next project, whether it be a need or a dream!

BT’s Welding Services, Inc. 4241 S. Hopkins Ave, Titusville, FL 32780 321.267.7798

The White Barn is located 45 minutes north of Tampa in historic Brooksville, Florida. We pride ourselves in our reputation and look forward to helping you and your families plan a beautiful wedding. At The White Barn, you start out as friends, and leave as a part of our family.

We invite you to our ceremony site, surrounded by trees, and centered in front of our hand built Oak Cross or arched Barn Door backdrop. Couple’s initials are monogrammed on the fence welcoming the guests during a wedding event. Appetizer and Cocktail hour are held in front of The White Barn on pavers. Receptions are held inside The White Barn surrounded by warm white led custom lighting and custom-tailored draping.

There are endless photography opportunities from the 100 year old brick chimney from the original farmhouse on site, to the majestic wooded areas. With only one wedding per day our wedding venue can ensure that the bride and groom receive our undivided attention and have a day that they will never forget.

The White Barn Venue is a Wedding Wire and Rustic Bride Member. We have won the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Wedding Wire Couples Choice Award and have been recognized amongst the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide. We also recently were featured in The Knot best of wedding venues, and won Gold in Tampa Bay Times Best Wedding Venue.

We also are featured at Rustic Weddings as a Top Barn Wedding Venue in Florida. The White Barn also was chosen for the Best of Brooksville Awards in the category of Wedding Chapel. The Best of Brooksville Award was created to acknowledge the best businesses in our community. We have been recognized for 2022 Brooksville Business Hall of Fame.

With only one wedding per day, our wedding venue can ensure that the Bride and Groom receive our undivided attention and have a day that they will never forget. Mention “Better Off Wet” for a discount on your package at The White Barn.

Well, when we think of heading to Tennessee, it hasn’t ever been to hit the water. But, to our surprise, as with many watery destinations, we at B.O.W. fell in love with some Tennessee lakes. Some research clued us in to the fact that Tennessee has thirty large reservoirs created by damming up rivers and waterways, for flood control by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The result is not only practical but breathtaking! Many of the lakes have beautiful clear blue water that is ideal for water-time fun, including diving.

We had the pleasure of visiting 2 of the lakes on our recent visit, the Cherokee Lake and Fort Loudoun Lake. We were fortunate enough to have some nice friends who gave us a lake tour aboard their 46 foot Cruisers Yachts 46 Cantius, a vessel that makes even a winter day on the water extremely enjoyable. The mountain views while on the water are incredible, especially for folks who spend the majority of their time in coastal Florida. There are many marinas on both of the lakes we toured, many RV parks, and other types of lodging, as well, including houseboats (some really humongous houseboats too). So, when you think of planning that next trip to Tennessee, don’t forget to plan for a watery vacation and not just a snowy one! Check out some information below about the two lakes B.O.W. visited.

Cherokee Reservoir is a fertile, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) reservoir containing 30,300 surface acres and 393 miles of shoreline. Fish densities are greater than many other Tennessee reservoirs due to the high fertility level. There is a prolific forage base of Threadfin Shad, Gizzard Shad, and Alewife with Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, Cherokee bass, Crappie, Walleye, and Saugeye as the primary game fish species. People also target Paddlefish, White Bass, Bluegill, and Catfish. The reservoir thermally stratifies in the summer when warm oxygenated surface water cannot mix with the cold water below. As this condition progresses during the summer, respiration by organisms and decay of detritus slowly depletes the cold water of oxygen. During most summers and in many locations, oxygen lev-

els below 30 ft. can become too low to support most fish species. This is especially true for mature Striped Bass and Walleye which need cool, oxygenated water to survive. These fish seek out refuge areas until the surface water becomes cool enough in the fall to once again mix with the rest of the water in the reservoir.

TVA owns up to the 1,075-ft. elevation mark and controls water levels within the reservoir. Draw downs of up to 40 feet, due to power demands, flood control, and downstream navigational needs, are common in the winter. Much of the drawdown zone is easily accessible to the public and offers outstanding bank fishing opportunities.

A variety of fish habitats have been constructed over the years in an attempt to concentrate fish for anglers. These include brush piles, stake beds,

smallmouth spawning benches, and reef balls. Natural fish habitat works well but must be continually refurbished in order to maintain their effectiveness. Water-loving trees such as willow, swamp oak, bald cypress, and river birch have been planted in drawdown areas to create additional, long-lasting habitat. Fort Loudoun Lake is a reservoir in east Tennessee on the upper Tennessee River, extending about 50 miles (80 km) along the river upstream from Fort Loudoun Dam, at Lenoir City, to Knoxville. Fort Loudoun Lake contains 14,600 acres and was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1943. The reservoir supports a variety of recreational activities and provides hydroelectric power and flood control. Fort Loudoun Reservoir takes its name from the 18thcentury British fort built on a nearby site during the French and Indian War. The fort was named for John Campbell, the fourth Earl of Loudoun, commander of British forces in North America at the time. [1] Fort Loudoun is a popular recreation destination, known for bass fishing, boating, and bird watching. The tail water area immediately below the dam is an excellent site for viewing a variety of water birds, including herons, cormorants, gulls, osprey, and bald eagles.

Lakes of Tennessee – Tennessee has Thirty Large Reservoirs!

The reservoir is connected by a short canal to Tellico Reservoir on the nearby Little Tennessee River. Water is diverted through the canal to Fort Loudoun for power production. The canal also offers commercial barges access to Tellico without the need for a lock. Barges passing through the Fort Loudoun lock carry about half a million tons of cargo a year.

Portions of this article’s text from: www.tn.gov/twra/fishing/whereto-fish/east-tennessee-r4/cherokeereservoir.html and en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Fort_Loudoun_Lake

Lakes of Tennessee – Tennessee has Thirty Large Reservoirs!

American Picnics and Better Off Wet Charters have teamed up to offer unique and customizable on the water picnic cruises and sunset cruises! American Picnics has created a time-capsule into another era with their Luxury Picnics and are sure to bring elegance and charm to your special day. Combine this extraordinary picnic experience with a comfortable cruise along Florida’s Nature Coast and a beautiful West coast sunset, to have an unforgettable day. All trips are customizable, be sure to let us know your thoughts. Swimming, island exploration, and fishing are available for those who want to maximize their day of adventure, on the water.

Call today to start planning your amazing American Picnic!

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Swimming with Manatees

By: B.O.W. Staff

We were supposed to go swimming with the Manatees in December of last year. But, luckily for us our trip was cancelled due to thunderstorms covering the entire state of Florida. We were lucky, because it was very warm for December on our first scheduled date. The folks at Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center were nice enough to go ahead and reschedule us for a mid January date, that ended up falling perfectly after a cold front; when there were almost certainly going to be a lot of Manatees in the area.

Swimming with Manatees

Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center offers Manatee swim tours by kayak or by pontoon boat. Kings Bay is renowned worldwide for its large population of manatees during the winter months. Customers can explore the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge with Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center’s experienced captains and guides. We had a great pair with us the day we headed on the tour, Captain Vince and Don, who is also the Diving Manager. Both men have a lot of experience on the water and in the area. They also both know how to show their customers a great time, while “putting customers on the Manatees”, to enjoy a swim, that is sure to be unforgettable.

The tour is set up to be able to observe the wild gentle giants in their natural habitat, under water. Everything is provided for you in one price. For only $70 per person, you get a spot on the pontoon boat, wetsuit, mask, snorkel, floatation device, hot cocoa, bottled water and a snack. In our opinions at B.O.W., you just can’t beat that deal, for the fun and excitement to be had swimming with the Manatees. It is true, that Kings Bay is the only place in the United States where you are permitted to swim with these beautiful animals; that being said there are rules and local etiquette involved with having such a great opportunity. The captains and guides will be sure to go over everything with you to respect the Manatees and make sure all rules are complied with.

Swimming with Manatees

With many, many trips to the Crystal River area under our belts, we have never been in the wintertime before. Like many things in our watery lives, after being there in January, this is sure to change. The number of Manatees visible by boat was amazing, and truly something to take in. The number of visitors to the area was also impressive. We were told by Captain Vince and Don, that they literally get customers from all over the world, who come to swim with the Manatees. Swimming with these beautiful and gentle animals only helped bring more awareness

to them for us. We have always loved seeing them and used good boating techniques, such as making sure to use a spotter even in idle speed only zones, to try and do our part. But, after having the opportunity to “play” with them and swim with them, we have decidedly found a new connection, which will lead us to be even more aware of our boating practices in the future, when in areas known to have Manatees present. Crystal River and Kings Bay are amazing and the Manatee swim trips Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center offers are truly amazing, as well.

Swimming with Manatees

If, you think seeing the Manatees from above is cool, don’t hesitate to schedule a trip to see them at eye level, we don’t think you will regret it! Call the folks at Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center today, to schedule your next adventure on the water, a swim with the Manatees.

B.O.W. VISITS

THE CRYSTAL RIVER

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE VISITOR’S CENTER

B.O.W. Visits the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center

The Friends of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center and Gift Shop is located on Kings Bay. They are a nonprofit organization that supports the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge’s winter home to the Manatees. The complex has a wonderful interactive visitor’s center, staffed by volunteers, who are more than happy to answer all of your Manatee related questions.

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1983, is the only refuge created specifically for the protection of the threatened Florida manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. This

unique refuge preserves Three Sisters Springs, the last unspoiled and undeveloped spring habitat in Kings Bay. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge establishes and maintains critical winter habitat for the Florida manatee, and protects island habitat necessary for migratory and shore birds.

Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is established to serve a statutory purpose that targets the conservation of native species dependent on its lands and waters. All activities on those acres are reviewed for compatibility with this statutory purpose.

The purpose of the refuge is to protect threatened and endangered species (especially the West Indian manatee), to provide fish and wildlife-oriented recreational opportunities, to protect natural resources, and to conserve endangered and threatened species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manage an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 560 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.

B.O.W. Visits the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center

Current projects and research include:

Manatee Protection – The refuge staff is in charge of setting up, monitoring and enforcing seven manatee sanctuaries.

Visitor Services – In addition to managing over 400,000 visitors on the water, the refuge also provides land-based activities. With the acquisition of Three Sister Springs, wildlife observation and photography, interpretation and environmental education have become top priorities for the refuge.

Manatee Rescues - Assisting injured and orphaned manatees is another major role the refuge staff plays in Kings Bay year-round.

Bird Survey - The refuge performs an annual bird count in early January, and provides bluebird nesting boxes around the Three Sisters Springs property.

Manatee Survey - Staff biologists fly over the Kings Bay area monthly to count manatees.

Manatee Health Assessment - Historically, the refuge has partnered with agencies to capture manatees for health assessments. Data acquired during assessments provides crucial information about manatee health and habits and allows researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the species.

Carrying Capacity Study - Three Sisters Springs received large numbers of visitors over the last two years. The refuge is now conducting a study counting visitors, measuring turbidity, nitrogen and phosphorus in the springs during selected times of the summer.

Visits the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center

B.O.W. Visits the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center

Want to get involved?

Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love. National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of urban and coastal communities to make a lasting difference. Find out how you can help make American lands healthier and communities stronger while doing something personally satisfying. Visit: www.fws.gov/refuge/crystal-river

1502 Southeast Kings Bay Drive, Crystal River, FL 34429 (352) 563-2088

Hours: Sunday – Monday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Some text for this article from: www.fws.gov/refuge/crystal-river

B.O.W. Visits the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center

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Blast Off to Florida’s Space Coast!

Looking for a great watery destination?

We at Better Off Wet think Florida’s Space Coast is a great spot to head for your next Florida outing. There are tons of hiking, kayaking, and boating opportunities available for all members of the family, and all skill-sets. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge has over 140,000 acres to explore, many areas you can explore without even leaving your vehicle! We took a few of the well maintained scenic trails and saw tons of wildlife. Read below to find out more about the Merritt Island Wildlife

Refuge and Florida’s Space Coast. The Space Coast is a region in the U.S. state of Florida around the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It is one of several “themed” coasts around Florida. All orbital launches from American soil carrying NASA astronauts (running from Project Mercury in 1961 to the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011, and since 2020 using the SpaceX Dragon 2) have departed from either KSC or Cape Canaveral. The Space Force Station has also launched unmanned military and

civilian rockets. Cities in the area include Port St. John, Titusville, Cocoa, Rockledge, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island (unincorporated), Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay, and Viera (unincorporated). Most of the area lies within Brevard County. It is bounded on the south by the Treasure Coast, on the west and north by Central Florida (and is economically tied to that region), and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean.

One reason rockets are launched from the Space Coast has to do with the Earth’s rotation. The Earth rotates from west to east, most quickly at the equator, and to take advantage of this, adding the speed of rotation to the orbital velocity of the rocket, it is most beneficial to launch eastward from a location near the equator. Launching from an uninhabited location on an easterly coast at low latitude, minimizing the danger posed by debris from a failed launch, is ideal both for the safety of the people on the ground and for fuel efficiency of the rocket. Given the high population densities in coastal Texas, South Florida, and Puerto Rico, the Space Coast is often considered the best location when all factors are taken into account.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, located along Florida’s coast about 60 miles east of the city of Orlando, was established by agreement as an overlay of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s John F. Kennedy Space Center. The refuge lies within one of the most productive estuaries in the country. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge offers a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with your natural surroundings. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge offers a wide diversity of recreational and educational opportunities. From bird watching and nature study, to fishing and seasonal hunting, you are sure to find an activity to satisfy your passion.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established as an overlay of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s John F. Kennedy Space Center. According to the agreement with NASA, the lands and waters of the Kennedy Space Center are primarily to serve the space program and secondarily to serve as a wildlife refuge or park.

Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 for the protection of migratory birds. Consisting of 140,000 acres, the refuge provides a wide variety of habitats: coastal dunes, saltwater marshes, managed impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. These habitats provide habitat for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals and 15 federally listed species.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Refuge Headquarters Road, Titusville ,FL 32782

Some of the text for this article is from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Coast and www.fws.gov/refuge/merritt-island

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Better Off Wet Magazine is full of articles, information and photographs about life on the water. Designed to educate, inform and entertain readers, every issue will contain:

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READERS PICS

We at Better Off Wet would like to say thank you to all of our advertisers, supporters, and readers! Check out some photos from our readers and remember to send in your own to us, through our social media accounts or email.

We pray that all of our readers have a great February out on the water, whether fishing, diving, paddling, or sunbathing.

Take care, be safe, and have fun out there!

Marine Patrol Memories of “Old Florida”

I rode down Highway 98 to Apalachicola today, reminiscing about all the changes. A drive through Panacea used to mean seeing net boats gassing up to go out fishing, their gill nets piled high on the stern. I remember when oyster boats crowded the waters of Eastpoint, piles of oyster shells giving the town its own fragrance and oyster men walking around wearing white boots or as they were called “Eastpoint Nikes.” Fish houses and shrimp boats lined the docks in Carrabelle and party boats took fishermen out to the middle grounds. Blue Crab traps lined the waters. Shrimp boats streamed out of the Apalachicola River to the Cut for a night of fishing, with the seagulls following every net that was pulled aboard and dumped, and screaming for their dinner. At night, it looked like a city lit by the deck and running lights of the shrimp boats. Shrimpers passed the time talking on their cb’s and cussing the Marine Patrol. Going over to St. George Island, one could see the oyster boats with men tonging oysters while their wives culled the catch. Today the oyster men are gone and replaced by cultured oyster farms and the shrimp boats are few; as well as the blue crabbers. More regulations and the “Net Ban” have seen the demise of the commercial fishermen of old. There are still some proud fishing families around but many of their children have left the water to make a different living; not by choice but out of necessity. Those of us who were fortunate enough to work for the Marine Patrol were able to be part of a proud heritage that sought to preserve a way of life for the resources and the fishers. We were the lucky ones.