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DEAR Visitor,
Fall is here on the Gulf Coast
Fall officially arrives later this week and the weather seems to be breaking here on the Gulf Coast and although we may be being hopeful and a bit premature, it seems like a beautiful fall is imminent. Daytime temps have dropped, A/C is close to being "optional", and sleeping in the cabin of a C-Dory or Ranger Tug, gently rocking at its moorings or on anchor, is once again becoming an experience that counts amongst the very best of times.
It is the perfect time for a Gathering.
 In Wefing's news: We continue to feature Ranger Tugs and have become the number one Ranger dealer in the country. The folks at Ranger continue to produce some of the most innovative and impressive small trawlers on the market, constantly improving on what are already the finest designed and best built "pocket trawlers" we have ever seen. We also have jumped right back full force into carrying the new C-Dory and are both thrilled to have them and duly impressed by the job the newest of the new owners, Triton Marine, is doing with quality and fit and finish.
For the bay and nearshore fishing enthusiasts, Blackjack Boats and Frontier Boats, both from Bill Kenner, continue to send us some of the sexiest darn center console fishing boats we have ever seen and if you've never seen one up close you really should stop by and check one out soon. We are also very happy with the boats that the reborn Twin Vee factory is putting out. With the same stable twin hull design that made them Wefing's biggest selling boat a few years ago and a renewed commitment to quality fit and finish, we think these current Twin Vees, one of which we are featuring in our rental lineup, are going to be real winners.
Shiny new Blackjack Boat on Wefing's Marine front lot.
On the Boat Show circuit, we recently did the Tampa show and had a great time meeting and greeting friends of Wefing's and Ranger tugs both new and old. So far, we are committed to doing The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this October 27 to 31, and then most likely the next Atlanta show in January of 2012, taking Ranger Tugs to both shows, with other shows possibly in the works. We'll post a schedule on the website and keep you updated with any changes.
All in all, we are happy to still be here and are working hard to stay a part of the boating world, adapting as we need to in order to keep the doors open, the lot well stocked, the service top notch and everyone here at Wefing's and all our suppliers gainfully employed in this troublesome economic climate as well as doing our small part to add jobs to the economy. Remember to do your part to support your local small businesses, whether that means patronizing us or patronizing a local marine dealer and supplier in your own area. Small businesses will be the key to the future health of our country's economy and we can all do our part by supporting them whenever we can.
2011 Wefing's Marine Gulf Coast Gathering Oct 21 to 23.
 First off, yes it is technically a C-Brats Gathering but really, anyone who wants to attend is welcome. If you have an interest in C-Dory Boats, Ranger Tugs, boating in the Apalachicola River system, boating and inshore or near-shore cruising in general, or just having fun on the river with a bunch of C-Brats and TugNuts, then you are welcome to join us. As well as all our old C-Brat and C-Dory boating friends, we hope we can get some folks that want to see the boats for the first time here as well. It's been a long road to finally having them in stock again. I missed having them here on Wefing's Marine's front lot. They tend to stop traffic !
We have a new venue for this year's gathering, which is scheduled for 10/21 - 10/23. The new spot is The Rivercrest Lodge, which is less than a mile down river from the old venue, and it is a pretty nice place for a bunch of Sea Dorys and Ranger Tugs to spend a weekend. There are plenty of places to tie up around the venue and lots of spots in the local marinas too. See Map of Venue location.
We have some of my musician friends lined up for Saturday Night. I'll man the omelette pans and BBQ (and maybe my bass and guitar) and with a little help we will have a Big Big time.
There is another event, a marathon race, that same weekend in our small town so if you are going to need lodging, you really do need to book your stay as soon as possible. Check with our local Chamber of Commerce for available lodgings and information about them.
Lets have a great time and celebrate the C Dory lifestyle in Apalachicola.
"Gag Order" Temporary Reprieve
 We remind everyone that a recreational gag grouper season opens 12:01 AM on September 16, 2011 and runs through November 15, 2011. The bag limit for this opening is 2 fish per person per day. Weather permitting, it is time to get yourself out there, either on your own boat or a charter or guide boat, and bring home some of this premium Gulf of Mexico seafood.
We also remind you that "Black" grouper and "Gag" grouper are two separate species. Although true Black Groupers are much less likely to end up on your hooks, particularly up in the Northern end of the Gulf of Mexico, the season for them is open 10 months of the year (except Feb and March) According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the recreational bag limit on black grouper is 4, within the 4 grouper aggregate bag limit. http://kwiklink.biz/fwc
As usual, all the fishery regulations are subject to change and we advise you to check with your local authorities (or your own fishery lawyer if you have one, which we all may soon need) before you embark on any fishing trips.
Anita and Marc on a successful grouper fishing trip
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Chart of current Recreational Grouper Regulations from Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is here: http://kwiklink.biz/regs It would behoove all anglers, particularly those who venture far enough offshore to run into some good sized black groupers, to be sure of what the differences between these two fish are.
Information from South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
"Gag grouper have long, compressed bodies and 11 to 14 rays in the anal fins. Coloration is highly variable in gag and changes with the size of the fish. Large gag are dark brownish-gray above and paler below, with traces of dark wavy markings on the sides. Smaller fish are much lighter and have numerous dark brown or charcoal kiss-like marks along the sides. The Scamp, M. phenax, and black grouper, M. bonaci, closely resemble the gag and often occur in the same habitat. Gag have deeply notched preopercles, distinguishing them from black grouper.Note: Gag are often confused with black grouper. One distinguishing characteristic is based on the color of the fin margins. The caudal (tail) and anal fins of the gag have white margins, while the black grouper does not."
http://kwiklink.biz/blacks
http://kwiklink.biz/gags
Our Newest Staff Member
"From the Marine Corps to the Marine Industry" Dominic Hebert.
 As previously mentioned, we here at Wefing's Marine are indeed doing our small part to add jobs to the economy. We have recently added a new technician to our Award Winning Service Staff. His name is Dominic Hebert and he is a recent graduate of the Marine Mechanics Institute of Orlando. Florida one of the very best trade schools in the country. He is a native of Louisiana and spent 4 years serving our country in the United States Marine Corps before turning his attention to the marine industry.
Dominic worked the recent Tampa Boat Show with us and was a great addition to the Show Staff and we are looking forward to his contributions both in the shop and all around the Wefing's Marine facility.
He likes to cook his native Cajun food and we will look forward to his culinary additions to our events and gatherings as well!
Welcome Aboard, Dominic!
Where To Stay On The Forgotten Coast
We know that many of our friends from out of town travel with their C-Dory or Ranger on-the-water homes with them. However, a lot of folks don't yet have a fully equipped cruiser home and even when you do, sometimes it is nice to hole up in a special spot for a night or two. We'll bring you a selection of some of our favorite local places to do just that from time to time. Also, if you live outside our area and are considering a new boat purchase, please keep our free lodging offer in mind.
Waterstreet Hotel & Marina
 The Waterstreet Hotel & Marina is one of our favorite places to put up our special guests who come here for either our C-Dory Gatherings or to pick up a new boat purchase or just bring their boat when they visit Apalachicola and want a place where they can both keep their boat and stay in comfort and style.
If you are traveling here by boat there are slips available with new, clean, shower and restroom facilities and very nice new floating docks. Their 20 transient slips are available for rent with a room or without, and can accommodate power or sail boats up to 55 feet in length. There is also parking for your boat trailer while you are exploring our area's waterways. The Waterstreet Hotel and Marina has been truly a great addition to Apalachicola's docking and lodging opportunities.
 Come for a weekend or stay an extra little while. While you are here, indulge in the area's specialty - seafood, especially the oysters! Stroll the tree-lined streets showcasing the city's 250 homes and buildings on the National Register of Historic Places or the Hotel has a "stretch limo golfcart" that you can hitch a ride on around town. Visit our parks, shop the boutiques and art galleries, or just plain relax.
This is a place where Simple Pleasures Come Alive. This unique 30 suite hotel and 20 slip marina lies in an Old Florida setting with today's modern conveniences. Only four blocks from the center of Apalachicola, its beautiful turn-of-the-century look captures the solitude of life by the water. For centuries people have come here to fish, relax, enjoy the river and escape. Now it's your turn.
Until Next Time . . .
Time for us to go. We have boats to rig, sales reps to call, leads from the Tampa show to follow up on, a C-Dory Gathering to arrange and a gag fishing trip to plan. Stop by the office or give us a call and, unless we are off on the fishing trip, we will be happy to talk boats and boating with you. If we are going fishing, well, you'll just have to come along.
Thanks for reading, that's all until next issue. Please come and visit us soon and, if nothing else...
We'll See You On The Water!
Thanks for your interest,
Marc Grove
Wefing's Marine
850 670 8100
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