Whaler Volume 2 Issue 2

whaler THE

B O S T O N

UNSINKABLE

W H A L E R

LEGEND

B O A T S

volume 2 issue 2

M A G A Z I N E

www.bostonwhaler.com

First we made it Then we made it Years ago, a Saab engineer was asked to describe the car he was designing.

Instead of using words, he drew this sketch. Today, his vision of an exhilarated driver is the starting point for every Saab. So, even while our new 9-4X Sport Crossover is full of truly innovative and functional features, it’s still designed to deliver pure driving pleasure. Starting at just $33,380*, we invite you to begin your 9-4X experience at saabusa.com.

*Starting at $33,380 MSRP. 9- 4X Aero model shown: $48,010 MSRP.

Tax, title, license, delivery and destination charges, dealer fees and other optional equipment extra.

a Saab. a crossover.

The New Saab 9-4X

B whaler president’s le er Keeping the legend growing.

President, Boston Whaler

Tim Schiek

Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Customer Service

Jeff Vaughn

Sales & Marketing Specialist

Traci Davis

Sales & Marketing Coordinator

Jessica Mogus

WHALER

Magazine

President/Publisher

Douglas Leik

Account Executive

Be the Legend

Annie Brown

Editorial Director

Randy Hess

Managing Editor

Roger Kamholz Editor at Large

Jennifer Chesak

Boston Whalers have long been highly identifiable.

People say, “You know them when you see them.”

But that’s only half of the story.

I’m writing this in the wake of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, a telltale for the current state of boat design and a major kickoff for boat-show season. Between now and spring, boat shows will monopolize select weekends in towns across the country. I hope you have your local show circled on the calendar and stop in to see the great lineup of Boston Whaler boats. I’m confident your assessment of current boat designs will favor Boston Whaler.

Looking around the show, I saw that no one in our various boat categories has cornered intuitive usability, rock-solid reliability and safety, and industry-leading innovation like we have. We live by our reputation for making boats that deliver a great ownership experience, and this year’s models continue to build on our extraordinary legacy.

At the show we introduced our all-new 285 Conquest (page 14), redesigned from the keel up, and the new 210 Montauk (page 6), the largest Montauk yet. By the end of the year, we will offer a Pilothouse version of the 285 that will surround you in comfort if the weather is less than hospitable. We will also introduce the stunning 315 Conquest and a new 170 Dauntless to expand our line of do-anything boats. Each of these models is easily customized to meet your needs, and each lives up to the prestigious Whaler moniker. All are a down payment on even more exciting things to come.

At the end of the day, there will be a smile on your face aboard We live by our reputawhichever Boston Whaler you prefer. Whether you are raiding the tion for making boats striped bass migration off Cape Cod on a 370 Outrage (page 24), floating in the cool Adriatic off the Dalmatian Coast in a large Conquest that deliver a great (page 28), exploring the nooks and crannies of British Columbia in a ownership experience, 170 Montauk (page 36), lazing on the beach with your 200 Dauntless and this year’s models (page 44) or enjoying yourself in Bimini at our annual Owners continue to build on our Rendezvous (page 16), you’re having a pretty legendary experience.

But that’s why you do this. Go ahead and embrace it. Be the legend. extraordinary legacy.

Tim Schiek

President — Boston Whaler

Associate Editor

Elli Thompson

Associate Editor

Nick Weldon

Electronic Editor

Justin Saper

Creative Director

Russell Duncan

Production Director

Kraig Devenport Art Director

Robyn Bendle Art Director

Nathan Vrabel Associate Art Director

Aubrey Rager

Photographers

John Bildahl, Barbara Bourne, Mike Calabro, Steven J. Conway, Jamie Elvidge, Robert Glover, Bill Schild, David K. Witty

Whaler magazine is published two times a year for Boston Whaler

by Dino Publishing LLC. Any correspondence should be directed to: Dino Publishing 350 W. Hubbard St., Suite 400 Chicago, IL 60654 Tel: 312-822-9266 Fax: 312-822-9268 email: dleik@dinopublishing.com

The opinions expressed in this magazine are not to be considered official expressions of Dino Publishing or Boston Whaler. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all editorial or advertising ma er. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or artwork. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph, or illustration without prior wri en permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright © 2011 Boston Whaler.

NOBODY KNOWS MARINE

ELECTRONICS B E T T E R T H A N R AY

Because Ray knows marine

Automatic Bird Mode radar that spots birds feeding on bait fish

sonar shows you the game fish and Satellite TV shows you the game

QUALIT Y

Thermal night vision will show you the way home after the sun goes down

I N N OVAT I O N

TRUST

Trust Ray to deliver innovative technologies backed by the best warranty in the industry

whalermagazine

Contents

volume 2 issue 2

features

16

A Different World

e everyday melts into island bliss when Whaler’s Owners Rendezvous guests make the crossing to Bimini.

24

Outrageous Stripers

e tale of six anglers, one awesome 370 Outrage and a whole lot of striped bass.

28

Živili!

Croatia’s breathtaking Dalmatian Coast offers a gracious and sophisticated retreat for this Conquest owner from Paris.

34

Less is More

A Vancouver boater trades the flashy, luxury-yacht lifestyle for intrepid exploration aboard his 170 Montauk.

40

The Write Stuff

Acclaimed author Michael Connelly quells writer’s block on his 320 Outrage.

Fearless Companion

d e pa rt m e n ts

06

Navigate New Whalers, awardwinning power, classic kicks, a digital boat show and more.

on the cover:

11

Adventure e owner of a classic Montauk knows that when you have something good, you hold on to it.

44 12

44

Satisfaction A longtime dealer celebrates 50 years of business and the rebirth of a oncetotaled Dauntless.

Darryl Oben navigates the misty waterways of Vancouver’s North Shore aboard his trusty 170 Montauk. Photo by Jamie Elvidge

Fearless Companion

Like with their dogs, this family counts their Dauntless as one of their own.

14

Quality Boston Whaler completely rebuilt the 285 Conquest from the keel up, and the results are stunning.

THEUNSINKABLEAPP

You don’t have to leave your love for your Boston Whaler at the dock. Now, take Boston Whaler wherever you go with the new Unsinkable App for the iPhone and iPad. The innovative App provides a slate of useful tools for Whaler owners, right in the palms of their hands: GPS-powered directions to the nearest servicing Whaler dealer, local weather forecasts and tides, updates on fun Boston Whaler events and rendezvous, and instant access to all of Whaler’s social networking sites. You can also tap into everything www.bostonwhaler.com has to offer—including all model information, videos, photos and more—in an easy-to-read format calibrated for your mobile device. It’s the whole world of Boston Whaler at your fingertips, whenever you want. Download from the App Store today, and make sure to share your feedback on the App by writing a review—in between thumbing through Whaler’s awesome new models and uploading a photo of your big catch from last weekend, of course. www.bostonwhaler.com

hooks, news, gear and info

navigate whaler

volume 2 issue 2

B

Expanding Possibilities

Stellar new boats broaden the reach of popular Whaler lines

boston whaler enters its highly anticipated 2012 model year with

stunning additions throughout the lineup, and a presiding theme is: expanding horizons. Whaler’s new boats help deliver an unprecedented range of size choices for prospective owners. For the classic Montauk line, that means a brand-new, sized-up fishing machine that will make hardcore anglers salivate: the rugged 210 Montauk (above). The largest Montauk yet, the 210 carries on the line’s legacy of incredible functionality and durability while making the most of its size gains to expand on these qualities. “With the popularity of our smaller Montauks and the value they provide, the 210 Montauk delivers upon that mission from a larger scale,” says Ron Berman, Boston Whaler’s vice president

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Check out Whaler’s other new models on pages 10 and 14. of product development and engineering. For fans of the go-anywhere, do-everything Dauntless series, the new 170 (inset) brings all that versatility in a smaller package. The 170 Dauntless presents remarkable value for active families who want to save on size without sacrificing characteristic Dauntless watersports functionality and comfort.

from Land to Sea Innovation, exhilaration and functionality are not things every company can offer to its customers. Boston Whaler owners are familiar with these advantages—they’re the added value found aboard every Whaler model. And these traits are also inherent in the new Saab 9-4x sport crossover. Like the sleek, understated lines of your Whaler, the Saab 9-4x’s exterior reflects liberation from everyday design. Inside, you’ll be treated to a suite of technology and safety features to make your ride on land as comfortable as your ride on the waves. These in-

clude Saab’s Haldex XWD, one of the world’s most advanced all-wheeldrive systems, which helps you achieve remarkable acceleration and cornering. After a day of adventure aboard your Whaler, the 9-4x’s Night Panel makes the drive home stress-free, dimming all nonessential gauge lights when activated. Your passion is the water, but there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a premium ride with sharp performance and intuitive practicality when you do pull into harbor and trade the sea for land. Saab invites you to drive a 9-4x today.

For more information on the new 9-4x and Saab’s other models, visit www.saabusa.com.

Big Benefits, Small Package Mercury Marine, the industry leader in recreational boating power, welcomes the all-new 150-hp FourStroke, winner of a 2011 IBEX innovation award. For avid anglers and passionate family boaters alike, the new 150 FourStroke offers an incredible value: It’s the lightest, most versatile and most durable outboard in its power class, all with hallmark Mercury quality. The 150 FourStroke is also remarkably low-maintenance, meaning you spend more time out enjoying the water. With a fresh new look, exceptional fuel efficiency, and excellent applicability in single and double configurations, Mercury’s sleek and reliable 150 FourStroke proves the perfect platform for Boston Whaler owners who settle for nothing less than the best.

A Legacy of BOATING COMFORT

Boston Whaler owners take pride in the fact that they pursue their passions on a boat with a deep history of superior quality, design and performance. Naturally, they should expect the same from their boating shoes. Sperry Top-Sider’s Authentic Original boat shoes have stood the test of time, providing maximum comfort and support for long days on the water. The first boat shoe—the A/O—was invented by Paul Sperry in 1935, and the brand continues to produce the best on-the-water experience.

Their ASV (Anti-Shock and Vibration) collection is available in a variety of styles and colors and is a must-have for boaters. The technology withstands the vibrations of the water, actually reducing the effects of shock and vibration, and the razor-cut WaveSiping™ delivers ultimate traction in wet and dry conditions.

Visit www.sperrytopsider.com for more information.

make the switch Interlux, North America’s leading supplier of boat paint solutions, harnesses innovative antifouling technologies to produce environmentally friendly, copper-free solutions that stand up against the harshest boating conditions.

No ma�er where you take your Whaler—freshwater, saltwater or brackish seaways—Interlux’s pioneering Pacifica Plus formula is a proven winner against fouling. Combining cu�ing-edge Econea™ and Biolux® slime-blocking biocides, Pacifica Plus offers maximum protection and is compatible with all boat substrates. Its fast-dry technology reduces solvent emissions and offers lower long-run fuel costs. Join a legion of copper-free Pacifica Plus converts and discover how easy and effective antifouling technology can be...all while considering the environment.

To see a video explaining the benefits of Pacifica Plus, scan this Tag with your smartphone. Don’t have the app? Go to www.ge ag.mobi.

Power Your Passion Whether deep-sea angling, entertaining a crowd in the harbor, or seeking new adventures with your family, the great times you spend on your Boston Whaler should never outlast the ba�ery that powers it. For years, DieHard has provided Whaler owners with the most powerful and reliable marine ba�eries on the market. The military-grade construction and corrosion-resistant brass terminals of DieHard Platinum Marine & RV ba�eries deliver reliable starting power, while 99.99 percent pure virgin lead plates make for quicker recharge so that the water never waits. Power up. Life Demands DieHard.™

visit www.diehard.com

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DearWhaler magazine, I own a very interesting and rare Boston Whaler—a ’97 17-foot Outrage II. is boat has a unique dark hunter green outer hull and desert tan inner hull, instead of the more traditional all-white Whaler hull of the ’90s. I’ve been told only a handful of these green-and-tan Whalers were ever made. e original owner was my cousin’s grandfather, who purchased it new in Bonita Springs, Florida. But when he passed away, the boat went into dry storage. In 2005, my cousin’s grandmother decided to sell the boat to a close family friend. He had it until last year, when my father and I asked him if he wanted to sell it back to our family. Luckily he did, and we have been loving the boat— still in excellent condition!—ever since.

Coverage You Can Count On

— Eric Jomant You trust your Boston Whaler to protect you out on long journeys and in inclement weather. It’s an investment that should get the best care and upkeep in return. Turn to Boater’s Choice to give your precious vessel the protection it deserves. One of the most respected names in boat insurance, Boater’s Choice offers broad and flexible coverage at competitive rates. You can trust its experienced claims agents to promptly assist you at all times and get you back on the water faster. There’s nothing like complete peace of mind to make an adventure onboard your Whaler even more enjoyable. For a noobligation quote, give Boater’s Choice a call today at (800) 768-2121.

fuel is in session Jerry Nessenson, president of ValvTect Petroleum Products, answers fuel-related questions

Q. Can my engine tolerate 10 percent ethanol-blended gasoline (E10)?

Almost all marine engines built since the mid-’80s can use E10 without caus-

For more information

ing engine damage. Always check with the engine manufacturer. If the

about ValvTect products

engine manufacturer built the engine to accommodate E10 and the fuel is

and how to prevent ethanol

additized properly, there will not be a problem.

fuel-related problems, visit

Q. How do automobile engines differ from marine engines in terms of the need for additives?

www.valvtect.com or call (800) 728-8258.

Marine engines operate at much higher rpm and loads, and use up to 10 times more fuel per hour. Thus a marine engine at high rpm (or trolling) develops more engine deposits than an automotive engine, reducing efficiency and power, and requiring more fuel. The amount of detergent added to gasoline by

Q. Is it true that with E10, many gas additives are no longer necessary and may increase the risk of water absorption?

Not true. When E10 is used in marine applications, it should always be addi-

refiners isn’t adequate to prevent deposits in marine gasoline engines. That’s

tized with a “multifunctional” fuel additive—one that contains fuel stabilizer,

why ValvTect Marine Gasoline contains up to four times the detergent—to keep

corrosion inhibitor, water dispersant and detergant, all in proper proportion—

marine engines clean and operating at maximum power and fuel economy.

such as ValvTect Ethanol Gasoline Treatment.

www.bostonwhaler.com 285 Conquest Pilothouse (new)

315 Conquest (new)

The Boston Whaler website is a great resource for digging in deeper to each of Whaler’s boat lines.

Here is a look at the premium designs and deluxe features that set Conquests apart.

B

oston Whaler’s answer to the question, “What more can a boat

totally reinvented, and is now available in three different

be?” is the incomparable Conquest. Roomy and elegant cabin

hardtop-windshield configurations, including a full enclosure on the

space makes any overnight trip a five-star experience. Above

new 285 Conquest Pilothouse (above). Whaler also welcomes the

deck, thoughtful hosting amenities, like alfresco dining, blend with

brand-new 315 Conquest (inset) to its impressive 2012 model offering.

cu�ing-edge offshore fishing features to lend the Conquest a pre-

With clean design and stylish lines to boot, nothing looks be�er on

mium ambience with a rugged edge. The 285 Conquest has been

the water than a Conquest.

Conquest

Outrage

Dauntless

Throwback Appeal

Montauk

Vintage charm won over the crowd in the Boston Whaler Owners Club’s first-ever “Facebook Boat Show,” as the photo of Lee Palmer’s 1968 Boston Whaler Nauset took Best in Show. “We’ve had it since it was brand-new,” says Lee, who lives in Natick, Massachuse s, and keeps the Whaler on Maine’s Balch Pond.

“My father bought it because it was recommended to be safe and unsinkable.” The tip-top gem still gets plenty of fishing, water-skiing and tubing action, too. “Oh yeah,” Lee says, “it still moves pre y well!”

To see more entries from Whaler’s Facebook Boat Show, check out the album at www.facebook.com/whalerownersclub.

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Super Sport

whaler

adventure

Adventures in Obsession

I

Grappling with an inability to let go of his Montauk has led one Whaler owner to strange and beautiful places in his own psyche Story by Van W. Snider Jr.

i don’t let go of possessions easily. I don’t know why.

Could I suffer from a yet-to-be-determined syndrome? ere seems to be so many of them in our society today. I bet it’s called “Never Let Go Syndrome,” or NLGS for short. I’ve thought a lot about this tendency—I even asked my doctor about it—and I’m not convinced holding on to something is necessarily bad. “Give me some examples,” my doctor said.

Two immediately came to mind: my wife, Betsy, and my Boston Whaler.

I’m a lucky guy. I found the right woman who loves me regardless of all my imperfections, and after 43 years she still likes to go boating with me. As for the Whaler, our 1981 170 Montauk has become a member of the family. No way we’ll sell it; it’s going to our kids. We bought it new when our daughter, Natalie, and son, Brock, were 11 and 9 years old, respectively. ey have as much affection for it as Betsy and I do, even though both are now married with children of their own.

It’s hard to imagine loving an inanimate object. What we really love are all the family memories our Boston Whaler has created. After marrying and having our kids in Ohio, we moved to Florida. We named our Montauk Brolie II, a combination of Brock and Natalie. Living in Plantation allowed us to fish, scuba dive, water-ski or just take boat rides. We would head to the Florida Keys for reef diving and fishing, and joined the masses for the open of Florida’s lobster season.

We moved to Michigan in 1990. Our Florida friends thought we were nuts! “You’ll be back in a year,” one said.

Well, he was wrong. We had found a freshwater boating wonderland. Our Whaler has since been throughout Michigan, even on the waterways of the Upper Peninsula.

We recently visited a favorite Michigan boating area, commonly known as the Inland Waterway. e long chain of rivers and lakes runs more than 40 miles across the tip of the Lower Peninsula and includes two locks. We cruised the Indian, Cheboygan and Crooked rivers, and Burt, Mullett

“

and Crooked lakes. Most of our Whaler boating lately has been on Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers.

After some minor gelcoat touch-ups and a replacement outboard motor, we had our official ceremony to rename Brolie II. She’s now called Bet Sea, after the woman who has allowed our family to create great Boston Whaler memories. Not once in the 30 years we have owned our Montauk have we felt unsafe.

Bet Sea is a fine old girl (the boat), and we treat her with respect and admiration (the boat and the wife).

I met the president of Boston Whaler a number of years ago. I told him I owned a 170 Montauk. “What year?” he asked. When I told him, he immediately replied, “You’re the problem! All you guys hold on to your Whalers too long.”

True, but it’s hard to let go of a perfectly great boat. ere’s no cure for NLGS, especially as a Whaler owner. Of course, there is also nothing wrong with owning two or three…

”

As for the Whaler, our 1981 170 Montauk has become a member of the family. No way we’ll sell it; it’s going to our kids...

After all, they have as much affection for it as Betsy and I do.

After a vicious fire nearly destroyed it, Dawson Farber’s 230 Dauntless, Survivor, is looking as good as new.

He, his wife and their grandkids recently took the restored Whaler striper fishing off Cape Cod.

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whaler

satisfaction

A Legacy Honored

O

Longtime Whaler dealer Nauset Marine’s 50th anniversary honors one legend and restores another Story by Justin Saper Photos by Dawson Farber and Kevin Higgins

on a sun-drenched july morning near the waterfront

communities that form the heel of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Nauset Marine CEO Dawson Farber and his family set out aboard his 230 Dauntless. At the helm was Dawson’s son of the same name, wife Lynn stood at the console, and three of the couple’s five grandchildren were also along for the ride. e mission: a day of striped-bass fishing and carefree family fun. One couldn’t help but notice an enduring quality to their boating dynamic; it clearly wasn’t the Farbers’ first family outing, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. And to think, only months before, their stalwart 230 was all but consigned to the scrap heap.

About two weeks later, in the same spirit of timelessness and continuity, Nauset Marine would celebrate its 50th anniversary. To honor a half-century of selling boats, the Orleans, Massachusetts, company held a series of fundraising events to benefit local charities and organizations. “It’s our way of thanking the community in which we live and work,” says Dawson, who joined the company in 1966, five years after it was founded. Nauset had begun selling Boston Whalers shortly after opening its doors and, today, Nauset is one of the oldest Whaler dealers in the country.

Back to that day on the water, the getting was good for striper fishing. Lynn, or “Chi-Chi,” as her grandchildren call her, took the crown for reeling in the two biggest catches. “e kids named her ‘Queen Fisherwoman’ for the day,” Dawson says. “All in all, we caught six striped bass, the largest being 45 inches. We had enough fillets to feed the neighborhood and handed them out to friends for dinner.”

Dawson’s boat, like his business, has a storied and tri-

“

umphant past. Before Dawson owned the 230, it was docked at the Coast Guard boathouse in the Martha’s Vineyard town of Menemsha. A fire erupted there, and the 230 suffered extensive smoke and heat damage; its canvas and cushions were destroyed, and the windshield and plastic rod holders had melted—though there was no serious damage to the fiberglass or engine. “e insurance company declared the boat totaled,” Dawson says. “I saw the restoration possibilities.” After 100 hours of repair work, the 230 was reborn. It currently resides, fully refurbished, at the dock of Dawson’s home on Pleasant Bay—emblazoned with its newly inspired moniker, Survivor.

Honoring 50 years of success in business over the course of a few short weeks might seem inadequate, but Nauset Marine managed to exceed expectations. e all-day charity event at the company’s Orleans headquarters on July 23 attracted an estimated 15,000-plus people. It could have had something to do with the raffle for a 150 Montauk, which raised in excess of $40,000 for more than 30 nonprofit organizations. Another of the day’s highlights was a special reenactment of the famous “Unsinkable Legend” photo from Life magazine, which featured Whaler founder Richard Fisher sitting in an early 13-foot model while a saw cut through the hull. Local and state officials from Massachusetts participated in re-creating the iconic scene. e Life magazine article was published in May 1961, just one month after Nauset Marine began selling Whalers.

As for Dawson, no retirement plans are yet on the horizon. “I’m here for a while,” he says. “I’m 64 years old and have plenty of life in me.” Hard to doubt a guy who’s held the same job for 45 years. Some things are just built to last.

”

Nauset had begun selling Boston Whalers shortly after opening its doors and, today, Nauset is one of the oldest Whaler dealers in the country.

The all-new 285 Conquest walks the talk, whether hunting deep-water canyons or enjoying peaceful family cruises. To see video of the 285, scan this Tag with your smartphone.

Don’t have the app? Go to www.ge�ag.mobi.

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whaler

quality

Conquering New Horizons

F

The completely reinvented Boston Whaler 285 Conquest empowers boaters to pursue their passions with abandon Story by Nick Weldon Photo by Robert Glover

for boaters who don’t simply love being on the

water, but live for it, the all-new 285 Conquest delivers on numerous levels. Equally adept at entertaining a crowd, chasing offshore game, and providing generous overnight comfort, the totally remade 285 Conquest enables you to do it all. “e new 285 Conquest exemplifies where the Conquest line is evolving,” says Ron Berman, Boston Whaler’s vice president of product development and engineering. “It improves upon its predecessor in styling, performance, storage and overall functionality. We listened to advice from customers and dealers, and the result is a Conquest model that will turn a lot of heads.” e 285’s engineering and aesthetics blend to create a vessel that’s as hardy and capable as its rugged look suggests. Its Whaler-patented Unibond® construction system ensures legendary unsinkability, while its raised sheer line and lowered deck profile deliver a seaworthy appearance and feel on the water. Whaler’s engineers refined the integrated hardtop, as well, offering three variations: an open windshield, an enclosed windshield and a pilothouse. e 285 Conquest Pilothouse, which debuts by the end of the year, caters to boaters who prefer total cover while cruising; it features a fully enclosed, weather-protected cockpit with aft bulkhead and door, and optional cockpit diesel heating for ultimate comfort.

“We wanted the 285 Conquest to look strong, but with a sense of luxury out on the water or tied up at the dock,” Ron says. “But this was much more than an aesthetic upgrade. e all-new hull—re-crafted from the keel up—planes, handles and flat-out runs better than the previous 285. at improved performance carries over to the cockpit and

“

below, as well, where we’ve improved helm visibility with our tempered glass system, while maximizing storage, elbowroom and headroom. e ergonomics and ruggedness of our windshield-hardtop system are unmatched in the industry today.”

Above deck, the new patent-pending port lounge seating has been raised to improve forward visibility, while an innovative “flip and slide” backrest (with pull-out footrest for facing aft) allows forward- or aft-facing configurations. A removable filler cushion or an optional pull-out table adds flexibility. New spacious drawer storage beneath the port lounge keeps tackle or other items within easy reach in the cockpit. A starboard storage and prep area behind the helm chair has ample space to store large carry-on items or house an optional refrigerator. e 285’s generous cockpit offers numerous comfort options, including Whaler’s signature foldaway stern bench seat and a port or starboard pull-out seat—all of which can be united around an optional cockpit table for a unique entertaining setup. An optional cockpit sunshade slides out from the hardtop to keep all the festivities nice and cool.

In the cabin, the deep hull, open layout and galley skylight drastically increase the sense of spaciousness. e forward V-berth quickly converts to a dinette with table, and full-width bow cushions and an upholstered mid-berth headboard contribute to the 285’s luxurious ambience.

“Boston Whaler customers assume they will get more from our boats than they would from others in the market,” Ron adds. “e 285 Conquest, indeed all of our 2012 Conquests, should meet and exceed our customers’ expectations for express walkaround vessels. We expect more from our boats because our customers expect more.”

”

“The all-new hull—re-crafted from the keel up—planes, handles and flat-out runs better than the previous 285. That improved performance carries over to the cockpit and below, as well.”

a dierentworld Story and Photos by David K. Witty

Boston Whaler’s Bimini Blast offers Whaler oWners a comBination of camaraderie, shoreside fun and simply magnificent Boating

there is always nervous anticipation

the morning oF the crossing For the annual boston whaler owners rendezvous. the Fleet is up early; the boats have been readied, and props are already spinning in the warm south Florida water by early morning light. the boats queue up in everglades inlet at the southern tip oF Fort lauderdale. surrounded by marinas Filled with huge megayachts, hard-working tugs, giant tankers and cruise ships as large as small cities, the group oF whalers jockey For the start oF the crossing to the bahamas.

Slowly but surely the line of Whalers snakes through the inlet as the calm and collected voice of trip leader (and Whaler’s large boat business manager) Wil Rogers booms over the VHF radio, making sure the tips and instructions from the previous night’s captains meeting remain fresh in cruisers’ minds. is year, the ninth-annual Owners Rendezvous, the 30 or so Boston Whalers make the trek in barely more than a couple of hours. Bimini is the closest of the jewel-like Bahamian Islands, with the tiny spit of land lying less than 60 miles from the Florida coastline.

As the fleet reaches the western shore of Bimini, the water transitions from the deep blue of the Gulf Stream to an impossibly luminous shade of turquoise.

Every year at about this time the rush of the crossing slows, the boats throttle down to an idle, and the crews soak in the sight of that breathtaking water. “It’s like the whole world comes off your shoulders, almost like someone flips a light switch,” 235 Conquest owner Chris Perri says. “After the tension of getting the boat ready, loading the supplies, trailering the boat down and then getting up early, it’s like you enter another world.”

(Opposite, top) Whaler owners pose for a group photo in the crystal-clear waters of Honeymoon Harbor.

(Here) A smooth crossing was followed by ample time for water games, photos and great sunsets.

“It’s like the whole world comes off your shoulders, almost like someone flips a light switch…”

Chris has trailered his boat to Fort Lauderdale from Cocoa Beach, Florida, four times for the Rendezvous. Although each trip has brought its own memories, he says the arrival in the islands has the same effect on him every time—simply entering the jetty to the resort causes even the occasional rough crossing to be quickly forgotten. e Boston Whaler team goes to great lengths to make this the trip of a lifetime for the owners who attend, a truly can’t-miss annual event.

Sales and Marketing Specialist Traci Davis says that the event, “is not the typical owners ‘sales’ event, but instead is intentionally positioned to build friendships. We want to make it fun for the owners, a real blast—as in a Bimini Blast!”

First-time attendee Michelle Littlejohn agrees. Cruising with her husband, Michael, and sons Mac, Collum and Les on their 305 Conquest, Michelle calls the experience, “the best family vacation we’ve ever been on. e distance to Bimini, the events and the atmosphere all make it fun.” ough they didn’t know a soul when they arrived at the poolside welcome party, they quickly felt like part of a family, according to Michelle.

Chris Perri relishes the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. “I don’t have to worry about anything—knowing everything is taken care of,” he says. Chris always looks forward to seeing friends he met on his first trip, in 2006. He still keeps in touch with many of them.

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Arrival day at the Bimini Sands Resort is always reserved for decompression. e frantic pace of home gradually gives way to a laid-back Bahamian style. e boats are secured in their slips, vessel captains register with Customs and the dockmaster, and then those who aren’t staying on their boats check in to the coral-colored condominiums surrounding the marina. After everyone settles in, the group starts drifting toward the pool and pool bar. Captain Wil offers tips on bait-tying for fishing in the islands, and shortly after, the welcome party kicks off. e highlight always seems to be the coconut-painting contest, which draws the youngsters into a friendly and messy competition. Winners are judged on creativity, quality...and, of course, it doesn’t hurt to figure out a way to paint a Whaler logo somewhere on the coconut. e next several days take on a free-form character. In addition to planned activities, the natural pace of the islands and the numerous activities available give the cruisers options for every interest. e current, wind direction and wave action stymie the fishing on this trip. Bites prove a little lighter than last year, but that doesn’t stop intrepid Boston Whaler owners from trying. Whaler President Tim Schiek has taken the opportunity to introduce his young sons and daughter to their first saltwater fishing experience. e kids don’t really see much action, but nevertheless have a blast…and hope the wind-churned seas don’t plague their next trip!

(Above le�) Young a�endees present he�y dolphin at the fishing tournament weigh-in. (Opposite, lower le�) Daring Rendezvous guests take the plunge off the bow of the Sapona shipwreck. With water this beautiful, it was impossible to stay out of it.

Over the years, the waters surrounding the islands have provided opportunities to catch plenty of fish. Multi-year attendee Pete McCauley (piloting a simply gorgeous 370 Outrage) has become one of the legends of the Owners Rendezvous. Pete recalls that, upon catching his first marlin on the trip some years ago, his fellow anglers insisted he follow tradition and jump in the ocean fully clothed to celebrate. Pete jumped in, only to quickly realize he had misjudged a nearby rock outcropping, surfacing scraped and laughing—but not really that much worse for the wear.

One of the many highlights of this year’s event is completely unplanned. As the anglers return to the docks of the marina, they proceed to weigh in and clean their catches as they always do. But on this “dinner on your own” evening, a large unofficial fish fry and dock party springs up out of nowhere. Grills are working overtime, the kids scamper and play along the docks, and the parents enjoy great company along with a Bahamian libation or two. Fish just don’t get any fresher!

Chris Perri brought along his sister as well as her husband and their son for the trip. “This has been a new experience for them in the Bahamas,” Chris explains. “My sister loves the translucent water so much that we can’t get her out of it!”

Thankfully, owners have plenty of opportunities to enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving or just plain playing in the water. One of the days, Captain Wil leads about half of the owners on a circumnavigation of the island, while the remaining boats chase a trophy for the fishing tournament, or a delicious fresh catch for dinner.

Wil’s group stops first along the lee provided by the northern shore of the island for a couple of hours, where everyone

The cornucopia of Owners Rendezvous events includes a fishing tournament, coconut-painting contest, beachside feasts, and entertainment by a Bahamian Junkanoo band (below).

swims and plays along the sandy beach. After a couple of hours, Wil leads the armada down the coast to the site of a DC-3 airplane wreck.

Everyone snorkels and wades in the shallow, crystal-clear water surrounding the remnants of the upside-down fuselage, with its landing gear pointing absurdly straight up into the cloudless blue sky. Had they been in season, there is no doubt that the spidery lobsters that typically hide under the wreck would be making it onto the dinner tables this evening.

A trip to the wreck Sapona is an unforgettable side excursion of every Owners event. e Sapona is a concrete ship built during World War I that was later used to store alcohol during Prohibition. The ship foundered during a hurricane just off of South Bimini in the 1920s, and the wreck is easily accessible for swimmers and snorkelers to explore. The vessel is lying upright in 15 feet of water, and there is little concrete left on the hull due to the effects of bombing and weathering. The U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy used the ship for target practice during World War II. In fact, the ill-fated Navy Flight 19, which mysteriously vanished, did so returning from a bombing run to the Sapona and nearby islands. A couple of more daring Whaler owners and their sons clamber up to the tip of the rusting and deteriorating bow to jump the 25 or so feet into the surrounding water. e next morning, owners and guests wake up to find perfect weather for the raft-up at Honeymoon Harbor. Honeymoon Harbor is a shallow, protected cove located on the northern tip of Gun Cay, just nine miles south of Bimini. Some boats head out for fishing, while more than 20 Whalers make to the harbor to link up in a giant chain off the tiny islet. e boats range in size from a 20-foot Dauntless to a 345 Conquest Open, with a pretty good representation of all sizes and types in between.

The frantic pace of home gradually gives way to a laid-back Bahamian style. e raft-up always offers a variety of fun for all ages, and even includes a beachside lunch feast served up by the Whaler team. Kids and adults alike float among the boats, explore Gun Cay and its reefs, fish, and play beach games. It’s a good bet no one will forget having scores of gunmetal gray stingrays circling around their feet, stopping to gently brush up against them in hopes of getting fed. e final night of the trip has traditionally featured a spirited luau party, with a dinner feast on the white-sand beach adjacent to the inlet jetties. Awards and prizes are handed out to the winners of the fishing tournament and coconut-painting contest. Friendships are cemented over drinks and good eats, while images of the trip are displayed on a giant inflatable screen—inciting occasional ripples of laughter as owners good-naturedly rib each other. For this luau, the Whaler team has planned ahead to surprise the assembled guests with a Bahamian Junkanoo band. Decked out in festive, colorful dress, the band rhythmically marches across the beach. As Whaler’s Tim Schiek and Wil Rogers finish handing out the awards, the sun sets dramatically behind the 370 Outrage anchored just feet off the beach, providing the perfect ending to a perfect trip.

Owner Chris Perri aptly sums it up: “Most people never imagine that they would be taking their boat to the islands like this. I had been to the islands on larger charters, but taking my own boat is completely different. It really does feel like another world. is event makes it so easy… We had a blast!”

the east coast striped bass migration— with a side of bluefish—is a thing to behold… especially aboard a 370 outrage

outrageous stripers S to r y a n d p h o to s by E d S h e r m a n



all began early. Very early. as in 3 a.m. on a saturday morning early.

was this some sort of catastrophe or emergency?

nope, just another day of serious fishing aboard a boston whaler 370 outrage.

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The Cape Cod 5000 bluefish and striper tournament took place in Osterville, Massachusetts, this past June, and I was part of a stellar Raymarine-sponsored team that included Bill Jones, Josh Higgins, Jamie Dery and Jamie’s wife, Anessa Hamel. The plan was to be off the dock by 4:30 a.m. and to head out to a tide rip about five miles east of Nantucket Island. The first stop before boarding the Whaler was an allnight coffee shop. The day started in a murky fog, but aided by Raymarine open-array radar and a Flir® night vision camera connected to two Raymarine E-Series widescreen displays, we were off and running.

We planned to do a little tuna fishing before we even started with the bluefish and striped bass. We needed to wait for the tide to change at the rip we were headed for anyway, and we had some trolling rigs onboard, so why not? Bluefin tuna had been spotted the previous day. Unfortunately for us, tuna move fast, and we weren’t able to stir up any on this trip—although we did get to see some humpback whales while trolling, and that was pretty spectacular.

Within about an hour, the current started to turn, and we began to see a wave gradually build over the shoal formed by the current rip. The wave held thousands of herring and drew in hundreds, if not thousands, of striped bass, according to local fishing guru and team member, Bob DeCosta of Nantucket. We ran the Outrage back and forth at a slow trolling speed and parallel to the wave but within casting distance for the team onboard. The trio of superclean-running 300-hp Mercury FourStroke Verado® engines performed this task flawlessly and with virtually no engine noise.

This power package makes the 370 a real pleasure to run.

In short order we were into the fish, and lots of them. One after another, team members hooked up on striped bass—it seemed to go on for hours! This was primarily a catch-and-release tournament, the goal being to catch the heaviest fish within a predetermined size range in a striped bass and bluefish combination. Winners in both the striped bass and bluefish categories would receive prizes, as would the overall winner. With all this in mind, Bob carefully selected the few fish we would keep in the fish box.

From Raymarine E-Series displays to triple 300-hp Verados, the 370 Outrage came ready to fish. Throw in the comfortable forward lounge and the summer kitchen, and the boat offered luxurious comfort, as well.

The result—tons of huge stripers and a fantastic weekend off the Cape.

After a few hours of fishing, the sun was up and the fog had burned off. The crew was getting hungry. Bill, our resident chef, had planned this mission out well, and the next thing we knew, he had cooked up eggs and sausages at the Whaler’s summer kitchen. A console-mounted electric grill provided the heat, powered by a Fischer-Panda generator mounted in the below-deck machinery space. The nearly silent generator really impressed us, as did the hot breakfast.

Soon the tide began to change and the tidal wave we had been working most of the morning diminished. We had put several nice stripers on ice already, so Bob had us move on to take care of the bluefish side of the equation.

We headed west until we saw the Sankaty Head Light, at the far eastern end of Nantucket. We slowed down and Bob and Josh scanned the water—the bluefish were everywhere! It was time to get some trolling rigs set and in the water. The whole crew spent the next hour reeling in bluefish in the 6- to 10-pound range. Again, we only kept those that Bob hand-selected. Then it was back to Osterville to rest up before the second day of the Cape Cod 5000 tournament.

The day had turned sunny and bright, and as we slowed down to approach the long and winding entrance to Osterville Harbor, I noticed the village had jumped out of its usual quiescence for the summer and was alive with activity. People on the beach and in the water, and small boats moving about everywhere—the long winter was finally over and the fish were biting.

The second day started with good news from Bob. He thought we had several fish on ice that might be potential winners already. So some of the pressure was off the team. Translated, that meant we could sleep in…until about 4:30 a.m. When we finally headed out on the 370 Outrage, we returned to the same spots as the day before, east of Nantucket Island.

We planned to fish a half-day, leaving enough time to get back for the 2:30 p.m. weigh-in and party at the Oyster Harbor marina.

I lost count, but we boated somewhere in the order of 30 to 40 striped bass that morning.

The wave at the rip had already begun to build as we approached it, and the team started casting lines right away. In no time we had stripers literally jumping out of the wave to attack our plugs. I lost count, but we boated somewhere in the order of 30 to 40 striped bass that morning, releasing most. The bluefish at Sankaty light didn’t bite like the bass, but by then it was near lunchtime anyway, and Bill fired up the grill. Nothing fancy, just some hot dogs and grilled buns. But hey, after fishing all morning, they tasted gourmet.

Back in Osterville, we carefully prepared to go through a detailed measuring and weighing process, with Bob taking the lead to ensure we optimized our chances for a win in the tournament. This was a big deal with a $5,000 grand prize at stake. Then it was off to the weigh station and the after-fishing festivities at Oyster Harbor marina.

So how’d we do? No grand prize, but we did win the prize for best bluefish. In all, it was a great Whaler weekend. Well, despite the sleep deprivation!

“cheers” to europe’s best-kept getaway secret. the dalmatian coast’s island villages play host to fishing, swimming, relaxing, wining and dining

S to r y by J e n n i fe r C h e s a k

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B

Beneath the shade of a fig tree, I’m sitting on a cobblestone terrace sipping a glass of cool white wine

and looking out at a tiny harbor decorated with small, colorful wooden boats. e slight breeze, scented with pine and lavender, takes the edge off the hot midday sun. Sounds like a fairy tale, doesn’t it? Perhaps I should have begun this story with “Once upon a time.”

Indeed, Postira, a small fishing village on the Croatian island of Brač, seems too good to be true.

Damir Rapic of Paris, France, has a vacation home here and islandhops the Dalmatian Coast with a Boston Whaler 305 Conquest.

“April through October, whenever I have four days free, I’m here,” Damir says to me. “It’s less than a two-hour flight from Paris to Split.”

Brač lies just a short boat ride from Split, the second largest city in Croatia.

Among the largest of the Adriatic Islands, Brač and nearby Hvar have been getaway destinations for Croats for years, but recently the islands have achieved hot-spot status for foreign celebrities looking for some quiet R&R. Bill Gates makes frequent visits, Damir says. Damir has known the secret of Brač’s unpretentious yet polished charm for decades and had even returned to Croatia during the Yugoslavia Serbia Croatia War in the early ’90s. e island emerged from the war largely unscathed, except for hampered tourism, a major industry in Croatia. e Dalmatian Coast’s gracious hospitality combined with its natural beauty and Mediterranean climate, however, has helped tourism make a nice recovery.

Damir orders a traditional Croatian dish for us, brodet. It’s a fish stew served with polenta, and we wash it down with our wine mixed with sparkling

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mineral water. “You can drink more that way,” he says with a laugh. “Živili!” he adds, raising his glass in a toast, teaching me a regional tradition.

His 305 Conquest sits in Postira’s small harbor.

Aside from the giant fishing boat that operates for the famous fish factory Sardina, which has played a major role in the world’s production of canned fish for more than a century, Damir’s Conquest is the largest vessel in the marina. e Pfizer executive tells me how he came to know Boston Whaler. “A young Frenchman working on my team asked me if I had a boat. He said, ‘ere is one boat I would recommend to you, and that is Boston Whaler,’” Damir says. “en I had a trip to Amsterdam. And there again I was told Whaler was a fantastic boat.”

Whaler’s far-and-wide reputation and Damir’s desire to learn how to fish and to explore Europe’s best archipelago put the deal in motion. He first bought a 230 Conquest from Nautika Centar Nava in Split. Salesperson Vjera Boko drinks wine on the terrace with us and dips fresh bread in olive oil. “e best vacations in Croatia include a boat,” she says. “And a Boston Whaler is a fast boat that can get you around in any kind of weather.”

(Opposite) Damir Rapic flies to the Dalmatian Coast from Paris every chance he gets to enjoy the Adriatic Islands on his 305 Conquest.

The unpretentious charm of Brač and the quaint harbor at Hvar are perfect launching points for the Conquest he bought from salesperson Vjera Boko of Nautika Centar Nava (bo�om right).

White walls extend from dolomite cliffs rising out of the blue Adriatic. Stone from Brač decorates famous structures around the world, and lends a classical feel to all of the local buildings. Damir’s 305 Conquest has its own classical structure and stance, and is the perfect vessel for the Dalmatian Coast.

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“e boat is instrumental and essential...as a fishing boat, a cruising boat and a pleasure boat.”

Damir concurs. “e boat is instrumental and essential,” he says.

And five years of getaways to Dalmatia exploring on his Whaler have only encouraged him to buy a bigger boat. He recently upgraded to the 305. “I like the concept of this boat,” he adds. “It’s extremely safe, extremely strong and extremely practical as a fishing boat, a cruising boat and a pleasure boat.”

After lunch, our server delivers espresso to gear us up for our afternoon cruise. e Adriatic looks gem-like against Brač’s white-rocked limestone and dolomite shores. e island’s quarries are the source for many famous structures, including the columns of the White House in Washington, D.C. Souvenir stands sell trinkets and jewelry made from Brač stone along with lavender sachets and freshly bottled artisanal olive oils and other herbal spreads. Hvar’s lavender fields keep neighboring island shops stocked with handmade soaps and the like.

Abundant olive groves on Brač allow for the ease of homemade production, and local traditions like rinsing olives in Adriatic waters enrich oil flavors.

Across from us, I have a view of a beautiful vine-covered pergola.

I point to it, asking Damir about the country’s domestic grapes. Each Dalmatian island is known for its own distinct wine, he tells me. Brač produces the high-quality Bolski Plavac, made from a red grape with a Zinfandel origin. Lamb and dairy taste exquisite here, thanks to wild herbs like sage and rosemary and the sea-salted grasses that livestock graze upon. Markets and restaurants dole out fresh seafood in abundance, too, and Damir says heading out aboard his Whaler for longer tuna excursions is a passion. “I can go out a whole week with just two people and it’s very practical.”

We walk the diminutive harbor’s circumference and board his

Conquest. “When I troll,” he continues, gesturing to his dual 250-hp Mercury Verado® outboards, “the SmartCraft™ system adjusts the engines so you can troll at exactly two knots, which is ideal for this sea.

It’s absolutely brilliant.”

Damir pilots the boat along Brač’s northern coast, maneuvering in and out of emerald coves. e same sun that drenches the fertile island infuses us with a peculiar sort of energy, and soon Vjera and I are begging Damir to anchor in an inlet so we can hop overboard for a swim.

With see-to-the-bottom clarity, the Adriatic invites, promising to soothe hot skin and revitalize our senses. We jump in and splash each other, sharing in our mutual love for water, giggling like little kids. en we swim over to the beach, stretch out on a pair of rocks and look back at the Conquest to wave at Damir. “e Whaler is like perfection,” Vjera says. “Everything is made so perfectly. It’s a boat that shows off well because it’s made so strong. I remember the image of it being cut in half to prove that it was unsinkable.”

We swim back toward the boat and tread water while we talk to Damir about living in Croatia. I can’t help but ask the two of them what it was like to be here during the war. ey both wince a little, remembering. “Sirens still give me chills,” Vjera says. “But I’d never live anywhere else. People take care of each other here. And I love it and love the water.” “e hospitality here is amazing,” Damir adds. “at’s why I keep coming back.”

We dry off in the breeze and head back to Split. Watching beautiful Brač get smaller in the distance, I think about Croatia’s resiliency and how, like a Whaler, its strength gives it a certain quality you just can’t find anywhere else.

less more Story and photos by Jamie Elvidge

is

after years of driving flashy sport boats and yachts, this intrepid canadian meets his perfect match in the extremely useful 170 montauk

when darryl oben idles into the marina at coal harbour, i do a double take.

It’s been slightly more than eight years since I’d first written a story about the guy and his boating lifestyle in Vancouver, British Columbia. At the time, he was racing around in a high-performance offshore sport boat: playing, partying, just dripping girls. And now here Darryl is, pulling up to his dock space in a sensible center console 170 Montauk. Needless to say, I’m curious.

Having been in the boat business his entire life makes Darryl an authority on the subject. His father owned a custom boatbuilding shop, and together they designed a high-end tournament ski boat, which they were co-manufacturing when Darryl was just in his early 20s. In a twist of fate, the facility burned to the ground in 1990, tooling and all.

The commute between Darryl’s waterfront home in Belcarra and downtown Vancouver is a quick, gorgeous 20 minutes.

A trip to the North Shore’s famous mountain bike trails takes only five, leaving plenty of time for work and play.

e young craftsman went on to launch a marine fiberglass-repair business, contracting much of his work through M&P Mercury, Western Canada’s most successful multi-brand boat dealer. In 2003, he made the move to sales, deciding it was his fate to promote the pleasures of boating on a more grand scale. Today, Darryl primarily sells cruisers and yachts. “Boating has enhanced my life since day one, so I take real pleasure in helping my customers discover that world,” he explains. e idea that Darryl would buy a Montauk because it’s a “useful” boat makes sense, but still… When I’d last interviewed him, I had him pegged as a die-hard Don Juan, a party-boy type who would sacrifice just about anything for appearances. I give Darryl a razz about that, reminding him that the last time I saw him on the water, he was kneedeep in a poker run. He gives a sheepish shrug. “is boat has a unique personality,” he says about the Whaler, “and attracts a different kind of attention...positive attention, from people who appreciate quality, usability and practicality.”

More sense. Maybe there’s more to this guy than I’d thought, and more to the Montauk than meets the eye. I decide to stay in Vancouver a couple days to investigate just how fun a 170 Montauk can be.

“It’s a serious boat, true, but it’s also very fun to drive,” Darryl says. He uses the Whaler to commute from his waterfront home in Belcarra, a small village on the shores of the Indian Arm inlet, to his office in downtown Vancouver. “And it’s very comfortable, much more comfortable than driving around in a sport boat where you sit down in the seats. You can stand up, flip the seatback forward to support yourself in a standing position, and go full throttle all the way, even when it’s rough.”

(Opposite) Before a chilly morning ride, a stop for warm refreshments at Honey’s Doughnuts in Deep Cove is a tradition; Wheelies are optional when you’re riding the North Shore, but skill is not. To see more of Darryl Oben’s boating and biking adventures, scan this Tag with your smartphone. Don’t have the app? Go to www.ge ag.mobi.

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Going full throttle is not something I’m surprised to hear Darryl confess to. With that earlier boat, it was all about the speed. The Montauk attacks the clock differently. “It takes no time to get to work.

If I drive my truck, it takes an hour or more. In the boat, I can be there in 20 minutes.”

To save on fuel and time, Darryl commutes in the Whaler year round, and if you know Vancouver weather, that means a lot of cold, rainy—sometimes even snowy—days. “I just put on my survival suit to stay warm while I’m driving. e console offers great protection, without affecting visibility. In a sport boat or a cruiser, you have to look through a windshield; in the Montauk you have the choice of looking over.” A clear view is all-important when you’re boating in the Northwest, especially when you’re on the water after storms or during tidal changes where debris from the logging industry can include obstacles the size of telephone poles. “e other day I was on my way home from work and hit wood that must have been 20 inches in diameter and 17 feet long,” he says. “I just drove over it. e outboard kicked up, and everything was fine. If I were in another boat, I’d have broken something, I could have had water coming in... In the Whaler I know I’m going to be safe, even if I’m driving home after dark.”

OK, while launching safely off logs does sound exciting, it doesn’t exactly sound like fun. Darryl doesn’t even use the Montauk to fish, so how, I’m wondering, does he use the boat for pleasure?

I find out the next day. “It’s a sin if you don’t ride a mountain bike in British Columbia,” he says as we speed up Indian Arm to pick up his best buddy, Bert Perey, an orthopedic surgeon who lives just up the shore. “Some of the best mountain biking in the world is right here in our backyard, and the Whaler is the best way to get there.”

Darryl takes his mountain biking as seriously as his boating, so the bikes we load into the Whaler aren’t the discount-store variety you might see tourists pedaling along Vancouver’s Seawall. ese are ultralightweight, long-suspension travel, all-mountain bikes that he and his

friends use to attack the notoriously horrendous trails of Vancouver’s North Shore. “It’s a rocky, rooty mess up there. Lots of steep, technical climbs and downhill runs that will put your heart in your throat,” Darryl says. “It’s not for sissies.” e easy boat ride to the public dock of Deep Cove, where their go-to trail system begins, is extraordinarily beautiful. As he straps on his armor, Darryl is crackling with anticipation. A devilish grin steals across his face, and I see the guy I met in his 30s. Now in his 40s, he’s discovered new pleasures, things that make his own heart race instead of the hearts of people watching from the sidelines.

“Where else in the world do you have two perfect playgrounds married by a Whaler tied to the dock?” he asks of the combination of Vancouver’s vast marine Shangri-la and the trail-strewn mountains that surround it. “And best of all,” he says, “when we get back from the ride, we just throw the muddy gear and bikes in the Whaler. I don’t even have to think about dirt... When I get home I spend five minutes hosing it out, and it looks brand-new all over again.”

When I’d last interviewed Darryl, I’d been amused by his rakish antics. Eight years later, I’m inspired by his less-is-more attitude. “I’ve grown to understand the simple things in life are key,” he says. “Practicality, quality, good times with friends—this boat brings it all together for me.”

It may be true you can’t judge a book by its cover, but sometimes you can judge a man by his boat.

the

WreStuff

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suspense author michael connelly nixes writer’s block with fishing excursions on his boston whaler 320 outrage

Story by Jennifer Chesak

| Photos by Mike Calabro

Some of us have our best ideas in the shower, others while out for a morning jog and some while trying to doze off for the night. Rarely do those lightbulb moments operate with a

switch. Award-winning crime and suspense author Michael Connelly brainstorms best aboard a Boston Whaler, letting the muscle memory of fishing bait fresh plot lines. ¶

“I look at fIshIng as wrItIng,” he says, walking down the docks in Sarasota,

Florida. “You put that line out there and you wait, and while you’re waiting you think and work out things you’re writing about. I love being on the water, and it’s always been a contemplative time for me.” ¶

Michael, known best for his crime literature featuring L.A.P.D. detective Harry Bosch, has written 23 novels and one work of nonfiction.

More than 42 million copies of his books have sold worldwide, and another of his thrillers is about to hit the stands. Michael’s novels lure readers in with macabre crimes and hold them in suspense with spiraling plots and courtroom theatrics. Good and evil often battle it out until a shocking climax. In real life, however, Michael prefers peace of mind to go along with his everyday adventures. “ere’s a degree of comfort and a good feeling that you are in the ‘Unsinkable Legend,’” he says of his new boat. We’ve come to the end of the dock, and there sits Michael’s 320 Outrage; MarineMax Sarasota has just handed over the keys.

“I grew up on Whalers,” Michael continues, explaining his long history with the brand. After moving a young Michael and the rest of the family to Florida from Philadelphia, the first thing his father did was buy a Whaler. “It had the blue interior,” Michael recalls. “We’d all pile in it and go cruising around the canals, and sometimes we’d get dressed

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The waterways of Sarasota give author Michael Connelly the room to let his imagination run rampant. The distractions of fishing and crusing on his 320 Outrage chase away writer’s block. To see a video of Michael Connelly on his Whaler, scan the Tag above with your smartphone. Don’t have the app? Go to www.ge ag.mobi.

up and go out to dinner. Oftentimes my father would take me and my two brothers fishing at night out on the ocean.”

We board the new 320 Outrage and head out onto Sarasota Bay. e sun sneaks in and out of cotton-ball clouds overhead as we test out the twin 300-hp Mercury FourStroke Verado® engines. ey’re quiet enough for us to continue our conversation in the cockpit.

Michael’s early career focus as a crime reporter steered him away from Florida and boating, but when he returned to the Sunshine State to settle down with his own family, he was ready to get back out on the water. “I came back to Whaler,” he says. e 320 is Michael’s fourth Whaler from MarineMax Sarasota since his first purchase, when he bought a 270 Outrage in 2002. “MarineMax has been so great at understanding what I need out of a boat,” Michael says. “I just started trying

“I love being on the water... There’s a degree of comfort and a good feeling that you are in the ‘Unsinkable Legend.’”

Whalers, some bigger, some smaller. I haven’t always gone bigger. I’ve just been enjoying different Whaler products.” Michael has also owned a 305 Conquest and a 230 Dauntless.

He has been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to test out his new 320, but had been held up in Los Angeles for several weeks pending the premiere of the movie adaptation of his novel e Lincoln Lawyer, starring Matthew McConaughey. “ey did a really good job with the caricature,” Michael says as he eases off the throttle to a trolling speed.

John Romano wrote the screenplay, Brad Furman directed the movie, and Lionsgate produced it. Rotten Tomatoes—an online review aggregator—gave the motion picture four out of five stars. “e control is in who you sell it to,” Michael says of the movie business. “After that, you have very little control. But they did consult me and allow me to look at the scripts, but there’s no guarantee.” e novel and movie portray a slimy defense lawyer, Mickey Haller, who runs his office out of the backseat of his Lincoln Town Car and begins to wrestle with his conscience over a new client. Michael’s intimate knowledge of law, courtroom proceedings and attorney life stems from his time writing about police and crime in Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, and then as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Additionally, for some of his novels, Michael has spent extensive time shadowing a pair of L.A. lawyers, borrowing some of their personality traits and idiosyncrasies for his characters. For example, in e Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller listens to hip-hop in his Town Car. “I didn’t like hip-hop until I started hanging out with them,” Michael explains. “e lawyers said it helped them understand their clients. e books about Haller are well researched and vetted,” he adds of the main character, who, like Harry Bosch, is the protagonist throughout his own series.

e Lincoln Lawyer takes place in L.A.—where Michael lived for 14 years—and includes scenes from familiar places such as Dodger Stadium.

“I was and still am a Dodger fan,” Michael confesses. Aside from baseball and some good ol’ fashioned Irish drinking, the content of e Lincoln Lawyer also deals with violent crime. e topic, Michael says, allows him to mold a story into a reflection on society. “I think you can construct stories that have really high stakes when you’re writing crime fiction,” he explains, squinting and casting in the bright sun. “You have a contraption or form that’s very comfortable, a mystery element, and a desire through the course of the story to solve something or come to some sort of hidden truth. at form can take you to wherever you want to go.”

While the whodunit genre affords Michael plot freedom, his new Whaler allows him a different kind of independence to explore. “I want to expand my fishing,” he explains. He says with the larger 320, he feels the confidence to head out much farther, whereas previously he’d remained in the bays, targeting redfish or tarpon. “e sturdiness and the platform is what I like about the Outrage,” he says.

On days that his wife, Linda, a faithful reader of his novels, and their daughter Callie (14) come along, the layout of the 320 effortlessly lends itself to family cruising. “ey like to ride in front on the forward sun lounger,” he says. Much of the time, however, Michael heads out on the 320 Outrage solo—using it both as muse and fishing machine. “e Whaler is a big reassurance for my wife that I’ll come back,” he jokes.

Of course, Michael is never really alone—as he finds the characters of whichever novel he is working on soon begin to join him. “You can write anywhere, in a hotel room or on an airplane,” he says, “but I’d rather write on my Unsinkable Legend.”

fea less companion

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Dauntless (dônt‘lĭs) 1. adj: Incapable of being intimidated or discouraged 2. noun: e Swiss Army Knife of small boats S to r y a n d P h o to s by D av i d K . W i tty

F

first, a confession of sorts:

Our family was never that fond of center consolestyle boats. We always found them way too one-dimensional for our tastes. Generally designed for fishing, we didn’t think it was a good fit with our varied boating activities.

My wife, Charlene, explains, “I guess the fishing bug skips generations—at least it did in our family. My dad put a line in the water any time he could get the opportunity, but it’s not really our thing.” While neither Charlene nor I ended up with the fishing gene, our son definitely did. Like both of his grandfathers, Jonathan loves to fish.

Our family has grown up around the water; it embodies a recreational passion and a career path. As a result, we have boated in a wide variety of craft, including everything from aluminum jon boats, runabouts and cruisers, all the way up to large yachts. Along the way we have owned numerous Boston Whalers, including two of the ubiquitous 130 Super Sports.

Happy Bayou opens on to equally happy island- and beach-hopping on the Gulf with a 200 Dauntless. Dogs Roxy and Bandit enjoy the area as much as the local wildlife does—and maybe even as much as the Wi y family does.

Moving from the Miami area to a little waterside community just north of Clearwater, Florida, we found ourselves at a boating crossroads.

Our inboard tournament ski boat was clearly the wrong vessel for enjoying the Gulf. at and the “skinny” water of our bayou (aptly called “Happy Bayou”) led our replacement-boat search to the Dauntless.

We were exposed to a friend’s 22-foot Dauntless while rafted up at a local spoil island. He couldn’t stop singing the praises of the model’s unique combination of rough-water performance and shallow draft.

While researching boats, the first thing that struck Charlene about both the 20- and 23-foot Dauntless models was their sleek lines. ey weren’t just utilitarian fishing machines. We liked the size, the 12-inch draft…and, of course, that 200-hp Mercury FourStroke Verado® power!

My daughter, Allison, and I did some poking around the Whaler booth at the Miami boat show. Her take: “I love the styling of the Outrages. ey look really cool with those T-tops, too.” Even with her “Outrage envy,” both of us kept coming back to that Dauntless on display. We carefully compared the 20- and 23-foot models, noting the features that we would want on our family’s boat. Although sun-goddess

Allison really liked the slick, folding seatbacks on the forward sun lounge of the 23, the 20-foot Dauntless appeared the better fit for our style of boating.

And what a fit it has been! Since taking delivery of our 2009 model, we have logged more than 320 hours on the engine. Amazingly, most of our trips are only five miles to our favorite island sandbar. We have used the boat for just about every activity you can imagine, from general cruising and anchoring out, to wakeboarding, tubing and yes, even fishing. It’s truly proven to be the “Swiss Army Knife” of small boats.

When we talk about our boating, we can’t ignore two very important members of the family. Of course, I am referring to our greyhound, Roxy, and Jonathan’s American bulldog, Bandit. Both are rescues, and both have unique personalities. Roxy is generally afraid of her own shadow. Imagine our surprise, then, when we cajoled her into joining us on our typical weekend trip to the island. Not only did she leap onto the boat, she thoroughly enjoyed every moment. (Greyhounds are not known to be water dogs.) We were even more surprised when Roxy

“It’s easy for me to pop off the bow cushions, fold down the rear seat and have the perfect fishing machine, complete with two livewells.” jumped into the water to follow us once we were anchored down.

Bandit, on the other hand, is a natural boating dog. He ambles across the boarding flat Jonathan built, lies down in the shade by the console and patiently waits for the boat to come down the lift. Once we throttle up, he climbs up on the bow cushions and claims his spot as the bow lookout.

On weekends, just the sight of us putting on a swimsuit or sunscreen turns both dogs into neurotic, panting wrecks, as they persistently follow us around the house until it’s time to go on the boat. Bandit will wait out on the dock for hours, just hoping, and both dogs make it nearly impossible to take our Dauntless out without them.

We are lucky enough to have beautiful islands and crystal-clear water just minutes from the bayou. It often looks more like the Bahamas than typical coastal boating. On trips out to our favorite islands, we often spot dolphins frolicking. The islands we enjoy most are protected state parks, featuring white-sand beaches filled with birds and offering some of the best “shelling” in the area.

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As expected, each family member has his or her own favorite feature on the Whaler. “I really like the fold-up rear seat,” Charlene says. “It’s wide enough for both the dogs and me, and it’s the most comfortable ride in the boat. When folded up, it helps keep the dogs from jumping in the water before we have the anchors down and are ready to hit the beach.” “e bow,” Allison says, “so you can lie out in the sun!” Funny, if Bandit could speak, we bet he would have the same answer.

“It’s easy for me to pop off the bow cushions, fold down the rear seat and have the perfect fishing machine, complete with two livewells,” Jonathan adds. “So far, we’ve caught grouper, amberjack, trout and redfish—both inshore and out in the Gulf. We can go back in the bayou for mullet, or out in the pass for some deeper-water fishing.”

And what’s my favorite thing about the Dauntless? at we own a boat that offers something for everyone in our family, regardless of age or boating interest...dogs included.

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