Simmons Expo Pics and Big Decision

[Hal Forsen]

Some background;
SWMBO and I live in San Clemente in a tiny (874 sqft) beach bungalow and work together making art,furniture and such out of an oversize 2car garage with work spilling out to the paved yard and 10 by 50 carport. She controls the purse strings but I usually have no trouble convincing her we need tools or vehicles ...
We decided we need a nice wood boat and after much searching decide on an 18' Simmons Sea Skiff after rejecting both the Simmons 20' and 22' Bartender as too big.
A few months ago I decided to go to the expo and check the Simmons boats out in person before starting the building. In the meantime I laid out the floor dimensions on my carport floor and began having second thoughts as it seemed too small.
About 2 weeks before the expo I happened to have a look at the Bartender site that Bill Childs has for the first time in months and discover I can get a hull for a 19' Bartender from him for a very reasonable price. This is just the right size for us to store and also meet our needs. SWMBO and I have a heart to heart and basically agree that it would probably be better to buy a hull or used boat so as to keep the shop from being overrun by building from scratch.
I had already paid my way to the Simmons Expo and wanted to finally meet Skiff Junkie(Alex Slaunwhite) who I have been communicating with for a couple years and developed a long distance friendship with (common around here)and so last Friday night finds me in Southport NC where I learned what they mean by Southern Hospitality.
My hotel was just a few miles from the marina hosting the event which was located inside a lovely upscale gated community called St. James plantation.
As I drove up Saturday morning I saw Capt. Bill Brogdon who I recognized from the Simmons Video and introduced myself; he is a 30 yr. CG vet and has written on boating extensively.
We made our way over to waters edge and I spyed Alex and we finally met face to face.
I also saw the 18' Simmons up close and my fears were confirmed; it's just too small for us.
The event was well attended but several owners who registered failed to show perhaps because of threatening weather that failed to materialize.
Those that did show had a great time and you could see the folks are very devoted to their boats.
After everyone arrived and introductions all around we took to the boats for a parade down the ICW a few miles and back.
When we returned there was a talk given on restoration and maintenence by Ed Verge, a 5th generation boatbuilder who teaches the boat building program at Cape Fear Community College.
A little later Capt. Brogdan and I had the chance to have a nice chat; he had commanded a Bouy Tender in Washington state and was very familiar with the Bartender design and agreed it would suit my purpose just fine.
I was fortunate to also meet and speak with, Dave Carnell the man who kept the Simmons alive, Alex's mom and dad, Mr. Simmons daughter Ann Mincy and several very happy Simmons owners including Troy Allen whose lovely red skiff was featured in the WB #144 article.
Sunday was for play and Alex showed me a terrific time.
I have been all over the Pacific from Seattle to Hong Kong to Puerto Vallarta and beyond but this was my first visit to the Atlantic and it was memorable. We cruised up the ICW to the inlet at Holden Beach and out into the Atlantic as Alex showed me how the Simmons performs in it's natural home environment. There was a dredger working there and he showed me where the remains of a Confederate blockade runner lie right in mid channel. We went back into the ICW and had a great lunch of conch fritters,clams and crab cakes with the pretty Simmons docked in front of the restaurant just down the way from his folks place.
After another juant on the ICW ,we trailered the boat and parked it at his folks for a rest in the shade and a cool drink.
Later some more friends joined us and after a nice walk on the beach we made our way in caravan to another terrific seafood joint for a couple cold drinks and a great meal enjoyed while the dolfins cavorted in the water below.
I had an early flight on Monday so we regrettfully said our farewells and I made my way back to the hotel.
Although it looks like we will end up going with a 19' Bartender, I will always have a warm place in my heart for Mr.Simmons' boats and the folks that love them.

Promised pics
http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/photos/data/500/104795IMGP0433-med.JPG
This little beauty's for sale
http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/photos/data/500/104795IMGP0455-med.JPG
Capt. Brogdons Boat
http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/photos/data/505/104795IMGP0448-med.JPG
Alex's Boat
http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/photos/data/505/104795IMGP0447-med.JPG
Cuddy model
http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/photos/data/500/104795IMGP0453-med.JPG
Newly built
http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/photos/data/500/104795IMGP0456-med.JPG
Rare 16'
http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/photos/data/500/104795IMGP0463-med.JPG

Skiff Junkie and his dad's boat
http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/photos/data/505/104795IMGP0472-med.JPG

Thanks to all my Tar Heel friends.
HF

[ 06-07-2005, 07:35 PM: Message edited by: Hal Forsen ]

[Bill Childs]

Wonderful photos Hal, thanks.

A lot of folks have flipped a coin over the Simmons or Bartender. I think a person would be happy and safe either way the coin landed.

[Dave Fleming]

Hal, where are you going to be launching from?
San Clamente Yachit Harbor or off the beach somewhere up there?

[ 06-07-2005, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: Dave Fleming ]

[Hal Forsen]

Dave, you must know San Clemente has no harbor and it's not legal to launch a power boat off the beach in SoCal except for Newport or La Jolla. I'll be launching primarily out of Dana Pt. and Oceanside with probable trips as far North Morro Bay and as far South as the tip of Baja.
HF

[Dave Fleming]

Ayup, was just wondering whether you had access to some of the more less controlled surfer type beaches, sigh.

Dana Harbor is probably the closest legal launch point for you.

Unless you travel down to Oceanside.

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

Hal.....Thank you for the wonderful photos. :cool:

[Hal Forsen]

I have access to all the beaches but would have a hard time launching anything larger then my kayak. ;)
HF

[Ellis Rowe]

Thanks for the pics. I had hoped to get to the expo but was busy at WoodenBoat at the Simmons class. David and Hanes Black (a father son duo) won the raffle for the new 18. They were pulling out of WB a couple of hours ago with the skiff on top of their rented explorer. They are headed for Destin Fl., so hope for a safe trip. The Bartender is a great boat too, but will require much more HP than the Simmons.

[Bill Childs]

"The Bartender is a great boat too, but will require much more HP than the Simmons."

My 19' Bartender with 27 gallon fuel tank and cuddy cabin (much heavier than most) does 23 mph with a 25 hp Honda. Configured as a lighter open day boat they are much snappier with the same low hp.

[Hal Forsen]

Ellis, The boat you all made is beautiful. I'm sure the new owners will have a years of good fun aboard her.
If things work out the way we hope; SWMBO and I will be cruising in style this summer as the new owners of this classic Bartender. The current owner works as a tug skipper in SF and fishes part time out of Morro Bay. He has just invested in a commercial boat and can't justify keeping the Bartender any longer.
What do you think Bill?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid173/p6bc2bbb036e83c72bd610889cc468d1d/f3bec27d.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid173/p6c1ed130080411ce871d189f4ac4a60c/f3bec27b.jpg
Wish us luck.
HF

[Bill Childs]

Skookum windscreen. She oughta fly with that Suzuki 50. I'm guessing 40 mph if the scantlings are correct. Speeds like that make me nervous with all the debris in the water around here. I'm a real weenie and am thrilled to be going twice as fast as a sailboat.

[Ellis Rowe]

Bill, I stand corrected. I've only been aboard one Bartender down in Key West, and it was a much heavier boat than a Simmons. It was around 22 feet, so I was comparing it with a Simmons 22. I've always liked their looks, and will have to pay a little closer attention to their performance.

[BrianW]

Thanks for the great pictures!