Final Ft. Lauderdale Cruise of 2011 - YF Crew Banter & Bash

Tom: No, I thought so too at first glance, but it's a Viking.

Carl: My mind went seeking sun too.

Loren: Generic Vik/Seek

Tom: One in the same?

Carl: That's seriously punny! But sad too.

Loren: Indicative of that company's situation during the build.

Tom: It's good to have options. Here's M/Y Aspen Alternative.

Carl: I wish Crescent had more options. Jim Hawkins and his band of BC builders built a darn fine boat, but ran out of options. We have to rebuild an economy before they build boats again.

Tom: With Ray Charles belting out the tune to this namesake, a lazy cruise up the ICW inside of St Simons Island while sipping on a mint julep is all you need to have her on your mind.

Carl: I'll take "What is Georgia" for $200 Alex. No really... what is Georgia?

Tom: Zooming in on the hi-res image, the logo reads 'Endurance'. So it's a Hampton!

Loren: If not Ray, but Peter, it'd be a Frampton Hampton wondering if we feel like he does.

Tom: At least it's not white.

Carl: Riviera?

Loren: Marquis 40...the missing boat of the generic triumverate a few back.

Carl: That's not a Marquis. THIS is the Marquis

Tom: Give the man a cigar for his Riviera.

Loren: My bad. Me go now.

Tom: Oh, there are so many things missing here. I'll start with "link".

Carl: LOL! That describes a few in the go-fast class. The boat appears to be a Sonic. Not sure on the length, but some say the longer the deck, the shorter the _____.

Chuck: Careful Carl, you have a pair of Powerplays!

Carl: Yes, but they have very short decks!

Loren: Missing? No Mr. T starter-set gold chain ensemble.

Tom: Post did make some fine looking sportfishers. And raisin bran.

Carl: Post closed last year, but the doors are open at YF's Post Sportfish forum.

Loren: Post closed due to severe competition from the Seriola brand.

Tom: Who cares that it's yellow, it's a VIKING!

Carl: It's a shame safety has taken a backseat to sheer lines. Pitty the mate that walks to the forepeak of a pitching deck without a handrail.

Loren: Handrails? We don't need no steenkin' handrails!

Tom: This retro looking Bertram seems to be exhaling its exhaust through the top of the arch.

Carl: This is a charter fishing boat based out of Bahia Mar. And yes, it exhales from the top of the tower, but only at trolling speeds. North of that, the exhaust is traditionally plumbed. The guys at DeAngelo Marine were responsible for this innovation. Great idea!

Tom: You mean no more passing out from the station-wagon effect? Cool!

Loren: The original owner, who was deathly allergic to diesel fumes, had the dry stacks added. The boat's name was Bon Aire. This 46 was replaced by a 54, then a 60.

Tom: I don't want to know what it cost to fuel this thing up. OUCH!

Carl: It would explore the Outer Limits of your wallet.

Loren: Orange you glad you don't own it, Tom?

Tom: Well, it either belongs to a car/boat salesman or a casino worker. Either way, M/Y Dealership is pretty.

Carl: Why have a half-lapstraked hull?

Tom: With full lapstrake you may think you owned a Marlow.

Tom: You can get a Pilot boat in any color as long as it's gray.

Carl: Previously owned by Mike Horn?

Tom: Same paint shop.

Loren: Hit so many times, the ugly stick broke.

Tom: You know you've made it whan you have a garage for your yacht. Just watch out for high tide.

Carl: The most valuable waterfront real estate in Lauderdale if we reach Cat 5.

Loren: A Cat 5 storm surge here would result in all of these losing out in a beauty contest with Echo the Oceanfast.

Tom: Anything that says Vanderbilt I probably can't afford. Woman or yacht.

Carl: That's one from Vicem's Classic Vintage line, but hard to judge the length. Some say wood and water don't play well together, but when it's resin sealed, there's no denying the benefits of a cold-molded hull.

Loren: Nicer finish than some much larger toys thus far. Beefy scantlings, gorgeous interior joinery... definitely not a Turkey.

Tom: Don't know if splashing your favorite cocktail across the transom is a good idea. May attract the fine folks in blue, and maybe green. Remember, don't drink and drive. You may hit a big wave and spill your drink (again, I look forward to your cards and letters).

Carl: You've heard of MADD, right? Ever heard of DAMM? (Drunks Against Mad Mothers) OK, bad joke, but so is this Ocean.

Loren: 63 Ocean with enclosed F/B fabricated in a Miami River yard.

Tom: As the day wore on, it was time to drop off Judy, Loren and Chuck so Carl and I could high-tail it back to Palm Beach before the sun set and the arctic air set in. After donning our Florida winter gear (yes, ski jacket for the Michelin Man), we bolted out of Port Everglades and pointed the Powerplay north. As we had a nice, flat ocean, we played speed racer with Carl on the throttles and myself on the wheel, holding on for dear life as the PP and her screaming blocks pegged my Verizon Wireless Android smart phone (nice shameless plug) GPS at 61.45 mph. Man, we were cooking.

Tom: Safely back inside Lake Worth inlet, we cruised past Sailfish Marina and saw an old favorite, M/Y Kaleen.

Carl: Proof that Broward's were built backwards... the hand rail on the swim platform is upside-down!

Loren: To continue the ongoing translations of certain boat names, "Kaleen" is a Slavic-derived word meaning 'flower'. Now you know.

Tom: As we idled up the ICW, this couple in their scull actually passed us.

Carl: Humiliating. Smoked by a skull.

Loren: Skullduggery.

Tom: To top off a great day on the water and spending time with friends, we stopped off at a local watering hole for a few margaritas. Did I say a few? We probably had a gallon of them. Anyway, it was time to put the PP back on the lift and call it a day.

Carl: Great day with good friends. I'd rather be with you guys than the finest people in the world!

Loren: So, we're not the finest?

Carl: You're the bestest!