HIGH SEAS

HIGH SEAS The Return of PILAR

Ernest Hemingway’s LEGENDARY fishing boat has been reborn in the new Wheeler 38

By Howard Walker

es Wheeler remembers the call. It was Andy Garcia on the phone. The W Hemingway, with Garcia playing Fuentes. But it did rekindle a dream for Wes Wheeler. “I decidboat enthusiasts with around $1.3 million to spare. Legend, as the new boat is called, is a Untouchables star was making a movie about ed I wanted to bring Pilar back to life and build a body-double of Hemingway’s beloved fishing Ernest Hemingway and his longtime fishing brand-new version using the newest technolo- boat; everything above the waterline is a perfect captain, Gregorio Fuentes. Garcia needed to gies,” he tells me during this year’s Palm Beach copy, based on Wheeler’s exacting measurefind a replica of Papa Hemingway’s beloved International Boat Show. ments from the Cuba trip and historic docuboat, Pilar, and was looking for suggestions. Doing so would be a challenge. His great- ments kept by his great-grandfather. Below the

Wheeler is the great-grandson of the Wheeler grandfather’s company had shuttered in 1965 af- waterline, however, her hull has been modified Shipyard founder. Back in 1934, Hemingway ter building more than 3,500 boats. But Wheeler to run fast, at speeds up to 34 mph—more than took delivery of a fresh Wheeler 38 Playmate knew every inch of Pilar after a visit to Havana twice what Pilar could achieve—and include from the Brooklyn yard, paying the then-prince- with Hemingway’s niece, Hilary Hemingway, the kind of features Papa Hemingway could ly sum of $7,495 for the black-hulled beauty. in 2012. She had co-written the Hemingway & only dream about. Christening it Pilar, the nickname of his second Fuentes movie script with Garcia and had asked In place of a single 70-horsepower Chrysler wife, Pauline, Hemingway owned the boat for Wheeler to fly down and measure the original gas motor, Legend features twin 370-hp Yanmar 30 years, chasing big-game fish around the Car- Pilar in case a movie replica had to be built. diesels, with a super-quiet Cummins Onan genibbean and writing most of The Old Man and Fast-forward to March of this year and Wheel- erator to run the air conditioning and a SeaKeepthe Sea from its cockpit while docked in Havana. er is giving me a tour of his brand-new Wheeler er gyro stabilizer to tame any rock and roll.

Alas, nothing came of the movie, which 38, which is rocking gently at the dock. It’s hull Rather than investing in a new boatyard, was to have starred Anthony Hopkins as #1, but he hopes to build more for any classic- Wheeler turned to the wooden boat artisans at

POWER FILE

PRICE: FROM $1.3 MILLION LENGTH: 39.4 FEET BEAM: 12 FEET DRY WEIGHT: 20,600 LBS POWER: 2 X 370-HP YANMAR DIESELS TOP SPEED: 34 MPH WHY WE LOVE IT: BECAUSE THE SPIRIT OF PAPA HEMINGWAY FLOWS FROM THIS NEW WHEELER’S EVERY PORE.

Brooklin Boat Yard in Brooklin, Maine. They crafted the new hull from cold-molded epoxy and fitted it out using Douglas fir, rich African mahogany, and teak. As in Pilar, the huge cockpit is perfect for reeling in those fighting tuna and swordfish, while the long hardtop does a good job of providing shade from the sun. Two large cockpit sofas make an ideal place to enjoy a refreshing Cuba libre when happy hour hits.

Wheeler is especially proud of the way the helm station keeps modern technology hidden away to retain the traditional look and feel of Hemingway’s original. To fire up the twin diesels, you need to slide open a small varnished mahogany panel; to program the autopilot and speed and depth read-outs, you lift another mirror-varnished panel. Another highlight is Legend’s classic stainless-steel steering wheel: Brooklin Boat Yard tracked down a 1934 original, digitized it, and had a new one cast.

Down below, the layout has changed dramatically from Hemingway’s bunk beds and spartan feel; comfort wasn’t too high on Papa’s priority list. Forward, there’s now a comfy master cabin with a double bed and a convertible dinette in the saloon, along with two custom leather chairs and a well equipped galley and head.

“It really has been an exciting and rewarding project to recreate what is often described as the most famous fishing boat in the world,” says Wheeler. “My next dream, naturally, would be to take her down to Cuba and relive a few of «Hemingway’s adventures.”

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THE BLUE

ADRIENNE GILHART CAN SELL A HOME FOR TOP DOLLAR AND PUT A HORSE THROUGH ITS PACES IN A SHOW RING. BUT THIS TALENTED WOMAN HAS FOUND A NEW CALLING—SPEARFISHING AND FREEDIVING IN THE GULF AND WATERS BEYOND, AND WINNING TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS ALONG THE WAY.

BY MARIANNE MCNEE

From top to bottom: Gilhart freediving, with her prize catches (an African pompano and a hogfish, which won her the 2020 women’s free diving hogfish division), and swimming with amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico.

an you dive 60 feet underwater and hold your breath for 80 seconds while shooting a prized fish? Adrienne Gilhart can, making it back to the top of the water’s surface with a gorgeous catch and a feeling of accomplishment. Gilhart sought out challenges early on. She jumped in the pool at age two, started swim lessons at three, rode horses at six, learned to scuba dive at ten; she swam competitively for many years, but just two years ago, she discovered a love for spearfishing. Little did she know, this new adventure would lead to winning the women’s division of the 2020 Florida Spearfishing Tournament after shooting a 25-inch hogfish. NI caught up with the adventurer days before she set out to Key West and the Dry Tortugas for some deep-sea challenges.

NI: How did you become interested in freediving and spearfishing?

Gilhart: Two years ago, my boyfriend, Casey Panepinto, and I went to the Florida Keys to go freediving and lobstering. I was 25 feet down in gorgeous, clear water, waiting for Casey to help me get the lobster. He kept signaling me to come up, but because I can hold my breath for a long time, I kept waving him down. That’s when Casey realized how good my breath hold was. The spearfishing started shortly after, when we went out on a friend’s boat. I was going to work on my freediving. When I went down, bull sharks were everywhere. I wasn’t scared, but I didn’t have a gun. We came up and Casey said I needed to have a gun for safety. Someone mentioned that there was a black and white fish 50 feet down if I wanted to shoot it. Back underwater, I saw the fish and I took the shot. That was it. I was hooked.

Tell us about winning the 2020 Florida Spearfishing Tournament Women’s Free Diving Category.

We were in the Tortugas for my birthday, and hogfish were in my category for the Spearfishing Tournament. This was

Gilhart with Panepinto, Joey the dog, and a 60-lb. cobia (top left); Gilhart and friends with same cobia (left); a speared permit (above); meeting clients (below).

something I really wanted to accomplish. The tricky part is that hogfish are hard to see, as they camouflage by not moving. On the fourth dive, I finally saw one. Suddenly, I became extremely calm. I thought, This is what I’m supposed to do. I lined it up and took a shot. I stoned the fish. It was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. Turned out this 25-inch hogfish was the winning entry, and damn, it sure tasted good.

What’s a perfect day in Naples for you?

I’d wake up early and head to Benchmark Equestrian to ride horses. I’m an amateur, but I help train horses for competitive jumping. On my way home, I’d go to Meridian Café with my pup Joey for a late breakfast. After that, I’d throw on a suit from Old Naples Surf Shop and head out to the boat to catch dinner. If we snag something, we’ll invite friends over to enjoy a freshly speared fish. If we don’t, we’ll stop by Lake Park Diner or Celebration Park, as they’re outside and we can show up in our boat clothes.

Any thoughts for folks who might be interested in unusual hobbies?

Yes! Do not back down from the challenge of learning everything you can. It’s important to pursue your passions whether they are related to a career or not, because you’ll have a happier life. Every day is another opportunity to make it count. Never be afraid to ask questions or reach out to people who inspire you. I’ve been lucky to meet incredible people along the way, from my horse trainer and swim coaches to my amazing boyfriend, Casey. Go for it! «