Anchorline - The Grady-White Owners' Newsletter

Owner’s Club News
Here are highlights from recent Grady Club outings and events. If you are interested in starting your own Grady Club, email Lisa Gautier at slsadmin@gradywhite.com.

Stump sound oysters, Richard Pratt's wahoo stew, hush puppies and fun for all were on the menu for the Third Annual Cape Fear Grady Club Oyster Roast held in January at Crocker's Marine in Wilmington, NC.

The Cape Fear Grady Club out of Wrightsville Beach, NC, had a full fall/winter 2004 schedule. The club's first Pig Pickin' was held November 13 at Crocker's Marine, sponsored by charter member Nelson Waters and his boys, Stephen and Will (Sea Pig, Express 330). Larry Grubb, aka "Grandpa" of Crocker's sales department, cooked the pig with his own special recipe vinegar based barbeque sauce. Janet Blanton and Dave and Cathy Timpy brought banana pudding and apple pie for dessert. The 2004 Holiday Flotilla was compromised by a forecast for severe thunderstorms and gale force winds. While a group motored to Banks Channel—including Conway and Donna Spiers, Voyager 248, Tlaquepaque II; Bill and Mary Niesen, Advance 247, Capital Gains; Randy and Brenda Reeves, Seafarer 228; and Clay and Shelley Whitehurst, Chase 263, Buddy Row; Chris and Diana Abbood along with Jan and Michael Bass, Sailfish 282, Janet Kaye, stayed tied to the docks at Creekside with Cummins and Kathy Mebane, Marlin 300, Megabytes II. The group did enjoy the holiday fireworks display. The Annual Christmas Dinner was held December 4 at Trails End Steakhouse on Masonboro Sound, complete with caroling by fellow diners. The participants were the Abboods, AJ and Courtney and Marley Aliah, Jim and Tonna Appelgren, the Basses, Doug Bevell and guests, Richard and Peggy Pratt, the Reeves, Wayne and Diane Roberts, and the Spiers.

The Charleston Grady-White Club held its Second Annual Oyster Roast December 4 at Seel's Outboard on Savannah Highway,West Ashley, SC. Club members along with other area Grady-White owners gathered for some good shucking. Plans are underway for an action packed calendar for the 2005 boating season. Interested area Grady owners can contact organizer Allen Hall at 843-696-0207.

Tampa Bay Grady-White Club members were pleased to see that their "Cheeseburger in Paradise" spot at Cabbage Key withstood Hurricane Charley so they could enjoy their traditional lunch there during the Palm Island weekend.

The Tampa Bay Grady-White Club, FL, travels to Palm Island every other year, and this past September 17-20 the timing thankfully fell between hurricanes. Eight couples and three boats enjoyed much needed relaxation. After a good run down the ICW, the group stopped for a picnic at a park near Venice before continuing to Palm Island. Friday night's traditional potluck and steak dinner was enjoyed along with an incredible sunset. Saturday the group toured the area south to check out damage from Hurricane Charley, with a stop for a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" lunch in Cabbage Key where the dollar bills were still hanging from the ceiling and the food was good as usual, even if the docks and dockhouse were damaged. The next day was spent either shelling and hunting for shark teeth or fishing Stump Pass that had been dredged since the last visit. Curtains were needed for Monday's return to Tampa Bay but the ride was smooth and the rain held off. Thanks go to Bonnie Hargett, Lynn Carvey and Kathy Wartman for organizing this perfect trip.

Congratulations to the winners in the TBGWC Fall KingfishTournament! Thirteen boats participated. The final standings: George Eckerle on Dream Maker, 51"; Willie Watson on Renegade, 49.5" Steve Tringali on White Star, 46"; Kevin Cline on Stress Relief, 41"; Sue Talbot on Restless Lady, 32" and Gary Maier on Nan-Sea, 26".

The December 12 club meeting was held at the home of Greg and Wynemia Arterburn whose dock is conveniently located for viewing the annual Treasure Island Boat Parade. A jolly group of TBGWC members enjoyed the colorful holiday parade of about 50 lighted boats, along with a magnificent potluck dinner.

Though their 2004 Annual Grady Ladies Fishing Tournament was cancelled due to high seas and an advisory, the Chesapeake Bay Grady-White Club gathered September 18 for a celebratory banquet in good form at Calypso Bay in Deale, MD. The lady anglers are (l to r) Debi Sutton, Stevi Hunt-Cottrell, Lisa Zinck, Donna Kaler, Mallory Zoylan, Harriet Reed, Barb Van Egan, Emily Barber, Ann LePrey, Trudy Reamy, Karen Lahr, Ginger Beck from Tri-State Marine, and Gloria Lahr. The captains are Skip Zinck, Bob Sutton, Barry Reed, Dennis Kaler, Ken Lahr and Fred Reamy.