Florida Fly Fishing Magazine FOR SALE Capt Mel Berman’s “Front Porch”
www.FlaFlyFish.com
FOR SALE Fishing Skiff “Front Porch” formerly owned by Tampa Bay’s Captain Mel Berman and “Fireman John” Now accepting all reasonable offers
We bought a 1999 Johnsen skiff with a 25hp Johnson 2-stroke and trailer in 2008 from the late “Fireman John”, a well loved regarded and fishing partner of the highly respected and departed Capt. Mel Berman. The boat was in fair, well loved but very usable condition. The motor ran well and the trailer was in pretty good shape, too. While being usable and fishable, it wasn’t set up for fly fishing and was kind of cluttered with a front seat pedestal, rod holders, etc.
Front Porch as refit begins. Note front seat pedestal and small front deck. Hull was dinged and scraped but in overall solid condition.
We made a listing of tasks to make the boat a little better, a little more to our liking. “The List” gave us an idea of what needed doing and what we’d like to do. Now, it didn’t get done all at once, but it did get done as time and money allowed. I think you’ll agree that Mel and John’s old Front Porch is looking pretty. The following repairs and upgrades were made: • Repaired hull damage. Shallow water boats can take a beating, some of the damage was important, some less so. • Removed the front seat pedestal. • Removed unneeded rod holders; relocated the needed ones. • Added navigation lighting. • Enlarged the foredeck so it’s large enough to stand on for casting. • Added a push pole and a stakeout pole. • Added a Bimini top. (No, really. Sitting out in the summer sun taking a break or waiting for the tide to change doesn’t have to be an athletic event. Nothing beats the shade and a cool drink in August.) • Add rod custom, horizontal holders to carry fly rods safely and keep them from harm. • Made needed repairs inside and out, painted, added non-skid. • Inspected and repaired the trailer to include lights, springs, etc. • Had engine fully inspected, tuned, etc. at reputable shop. (Runs great!)
Various dings, scrapes, scratches and other love bites were repaired as needed.
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The Front Porch is outfitted for fishing and the Bimini top does not interfere with casting. It does provide a great place to hide out from the summer sun while getting refreshed or waiting for the tide to turn, or even from Florida’s occasional rain shower. The boxes mounted on either side are original, built into the boat, and can be used for storage or modified for other applications.
The add ons are high quality items from the following: Bimini Top: Iboats.com http://www.iboats.com Anchor Pin: Stickit Anchor Pins http://www.stickitanchorpins.com Push Pole: TFO http://www.templeforkflyrods.com
The 25hp Johnson motor runs like a top and typically starts on the first pull, even when cold.
There’s not a thing wrong with the Front Porch. I’m selling it only because it’s time for us to buy another sailboat. We ’ r e i n t e r e s t e d i n a l l reasonable offers so please make yours via email at editor@ flaflyfish.com The boat resides in Dunedin and you’re welcome to make arrangements to come see it.
Ed Maurer, publisher, Florida Fly Fishing
(We can develop an online sales flier like this for you, too. Just contact us for more information.)
The Front Porch has ample room for two anglers to stand and cast. It runs in a foot and poles in a hands-width. It’s a perfect little boat for those who want an affordable skiff that gets the job done, can be launched from the sand, is pretty easy on the eyes, and real easy on the wallet.