Coming out party

**Smitty45** · 08-02-2022, 04:48 PM

I'll come out , been thinking about it since a comment was made about hiding behind a screen name .
I am Bob Shaw , from Michigan , now residing in sunny Port St Lucie / Jensen Beach / Stuart area .
Smitty was my dog and best friend and I joined this forum just after having to put him down , and 45 was my racing number when I raced motorcycles , so Smitty45 seemed ok .

I know I've ruffled a few feathers , and that's okay too , I'll meet anybody for lunch or whatever , for the most part everybody here seems like someone I'd like to hang out with .

**Billinfla** · 08-02-2022, 04:49 PM

I'm Buck Fiden...........

**Billinfla** · 08-02-2022, 06:19 PM

Bill F. I live in Cocoa Fl. now. Kinda retired. Been self employed most of my life...I'm essentially unemployable. Florida state certified building contractor. Ex race car crew chief. Ex boat owner after 30 years of ownership/operation/maintenance. Ex aircraft mechanics assistant. Ex real estate agent. College graduate with degrees in Oceanography and hard knocks. Beer expert. VERY conservative. Firearms owner, small scale. Been in Florida since 1951...pretty damn knowledgeable about the state.

I live on 2 acres with a fence and a gate. Get off my grass.

**bluewaterposer** · 08-02-2022, 07:03 PM

Kevin here, last is Brewer.
I'm 58 and drive a tractor -trailer if you couldn't tell, for over 3 decades.

Driving in SoFlo I see boats with multi outboards that you wouldn't believe, if you were from somewhere else.

I now deliver 20 and 40' steel shipping containers for onsite storage, yes, I go to quite a few marinas, as well as boat manufacturers.
⌨️ Just shrank, sucks

**noelm** · 08-02-2022, 07:20 PM

Pretty obvious my name is Noel, live in a little place called Barrack Point, been in and out of boating for decades as a part time job, got OMC trained at OMC here in Australia years ago, started work as an apprentice radio technician, went on to TV and videos, then into IT at a local University for 25 years, still work part time at a boat shop, even though I am officially retired. Got two great kids with good jobs, grandchildren who I would die for, live right on the ocean in the place I grew up in (bought the family home) could never afford to buy here now, real estate is very expensive. My son loves fishing, boating and hunting, my daughter loves fishing and is pretty adventurous, works in medical and has done since leaving school, currently at a specialist hospital that has PTSD patients only, ex military, police and the like. Enjoy asking strange questions about different cultures and lifestyles, and will happily reply to any questions about our culture here. All in all, probably just a normal (whatever normal is) family guy, not a crook or a criminal, got good neighbours and always show respect and expect it in return.

**Sailsalot** · 08-02-2022, 07:28 PM

Originally posted by erie skipper View Post

I think it's time that some of us introduce ourselves; and yes, I''ve been around awhile and I was on "introduce yourself here" when Mike Carrigan invited me in; but few of you know who I am or where I am other than Lake Erie--and I'll continue to post as Erie Skipper, but here goes: My name is Jim Burroughs, I live near and work in Port Clinton Ohio for a company called Happy Days Boating. I have been in management in the boating industry for many years, but am now semi retired working part time selling a few boats here and there and enjoying it. I just thought maybe it was time to come out of the closet. www.happydaysboating.com; [email protected] I've been in the industry since 1981 and was a car jock for 7 years prior to boats--all told 50 years in sales and management.
I'm not suggesting any of the rest of you do this; just thought it was time I did for whatever reason. I've enjoyed my years in the forum and I'll continue hopefully for some years to come. You're a great bunch and I enjoy our commentaries--and if I have ruffled a feather here and there, tough! Thanks to all for being a part of this forum.

Great post and great outlook. I'll refrain from highlighting the part I like the most , but you certainly have the right perspective.

You can call me Forrest - Forrest Gump. ( not really )
My name is Gary Kemper (Sr. ) . I live in Farmingtom Mo. and I don't even have a garage , you can call home and ask my wife. ( not really )
I am a self-employed painter , mostly new trim packages on residential construction and repaints on interiors of existing dwellings. Some light commercial.
Just finished today the interior of a U.S. Congressman's headquarters here in town. I am 65 years old and have been painting since I was 15. I spent 3 years in the military being officially sworn in 4 days after my 17th birthday. With 30 days leave saved, I served the 3 years I volunteered for and was still 19 years old for a month after coming home.

My job as a businessman ,for as long as I can remember, is stress free. 42 years of collecting every penny ever owed me and not a single thing filed against me is a record I'm proud of. Of ,course I don't have to deal with the general public to the degree some might think. The last several years is basically ,bid the job , they say yes, and I go paint for 5 or 6 hours. If they are Democrat I will most likely not work for them. My generation of business acquaintances has been dwindling but I work with my son and he knows everybody through his social life. I never had the time or money in my earlier years to do what he does outside work.

I let my son do the driving at work and I sit in the passenger seat and scope out the scenery for places that I can pull some silver out of the ground if I take the time to do it. I also have an ebay hobby as well as an auction hobby that my son and I enjoy doing together. I am fortunate that everything blends together and I simplify my hobbies as well as my work by mentally dealing with the complexities so the execution stays simple, if that makes any sense. I don't have to work or practice my hobbies for an income.

My wife and I live in a smaller home here in town on about an acre of ground. We could move out by the golf course, but we don't golf. 😉 I'm somewhat of a cheapskate and I blame that on being poor in my earlier years. I was an ugly kid and nobody wanted to play with me . I get no respect, I'm telling you, no respect . Mom would take me to the park to play on the see-saw and I had to run from one end to the other. 😊

**bluewaterposer** · 08-02-2022, 07:35 PM

I'm back!
I'm one of those Christian freaks who makes no apologies!
I love boating and working on boats, I've all become a glass master in my own view, I actually have learned glass work to a pretty Good extent!

Here is the good part, I have over 20k in a hull I got for free in 2010, you do realize that half of that is due to a brand new out board last year!

I have raised two children to ages of 29, daughter, 25, son, very proud, same wife of 31 years as well.
Same job at Armellini express lines since 1991!
I train and evaluate new drivers as well as conduct road tests.
I also pull the big bosses toys occasionally!

I'm also not very bright as if you couldn't tell!!!

Be blessed all.

BWP

**finsleft258** · 08-02-2022, 08:29 PM

I'm Blake in Daytona. My whole career has revolved around the marine industry. I graduated from college and started a repair shop with a money partner. The partner and I split 6-months later and I buckled down to make it work. I had a reputation locally for my attention to detail and got head hunted several years later by a company looking for someone with technical marine experience.

I worked for them for a few years (fantastic job, too much travel for me) specifying custom sea strainers. We did standard 316L, exotic alloys, and cupernickle products with flow rates up to 3000 gallons per minute for single pipe systems. If I had a large yacht, they would be my only choice.

I went back on my own for private product consultation before my current job for a large non-profit, research and development company. I'm a research scientist and the site lead for a marine and atmospheric weathering facility within the larger corporation. We test an extremely wide range of products, coatings, antifoulings, alloys, and systems.

My specialties are in marine antifouling coatings, stainless steel, duplex, and super duplex alloys, 5000 series aluminum, cupronickel and bronze alloys, and chrome-free primer systems.

I am a good wrench though I really don't enjoy it past the diagnostics. I still have my shop but just work on my projects and flip boats (and drink beer) for the most part.

I have a cool Whitewater project that I'm extremely behind on but I'll post a thread about it when finished.

**KMac** · 08-02-2022, 09:01 PM

Kyle McDaniel. (KMac) I was a Technical/Process troubleshooter. I put together systems and programs to gather data from complex control schemes and figure out why they do not work. Come up with a solution and implement it. Been with the same company for 33 years. Since my health issues popped up, I train the new people in our department. I am now the Development Supervisor. Write procedures and Job Tasks breakdowns, perform Process Hazard Analysis, and work with Engineering to make things better, etc. In other words, they made a position for me. LOL. I am thankful for my job, and am grateful how they have handled my health issues.

I am boatless now. My health just doesn't allow it anymore, nor my pocket book, really. Cancer can be expensive. I love to fish, but more than anything, I love to boat. I also love to sit on the water and drink coffee, early in the morning. I am an unapologetic Christian, and try to be kind to everyone.

One thing life has taught me, don't sweat the small stuff. Make time for your family and love them. Take care of your body and appreciate each day, because today may be your last, or the beginning of it. Love the Lord, and treat others as you want to be treated.

**Parker Yacht** · 08-03-2022, 02:41 AM

A solid thread, thank you for starting it ES.

**Tiretyme** · 08-03-2022, 03:22 AM

Originally posted by Parker Yacht View Post

A solid thread, thank you for starting it ES.

Well fire away birthday boy (8/12) and I’ll be right behind ya

**Parker Yacht** · 08-03-2022, 05:20 AM

Wellllll,
My name is----, hell if you don't know that by now.
Born in Miama, but was really only born there, "parents" where living on a sailybote at Yacht Haven in Nassau, Bahamas.
Moved to Grand Cayman in 66' where I grew up in a hotel "Don't Stop the Carnival" style, Rum Point Club.
Move back to Miama in 79', did some tarbending on Key Biscayne in the Coke Hayday. Moved to Ft. Laudy in 82' and starting working in the boatyard.
Started running yatchs in 87-88' did that through about 2003-2005.
Sobered up in 2005. Worked for West Marine for a bit, then Rybo, then an outboard shop.
PY actually started in about 2001 as a Yacht Management Company, but it opened as a Outboard Dealer, Yacht Tender repair in 2007.
15 years later---------. Wow. The American dream baby.

**SeaCat22** · 08-03-2022, 05:25 AM

I’m Rick. I’m 60yo. First generation born in the USA. My folks came from Cuba in the 50’s & 60’s to get away from the communist. Once here, they worked hard and continued to fight communism, so we lost many of the men in our family and friends. My dad joined the Air Force and later became a Police Officer in Miami. I was born and raised in Miami and still live here. My family and I are grateful, love this country and serve it and it’s people proudly.
I met my wife when we were 17 and we are still together 43 years later. Married 39 years with 3 children, who are grown and gone. No grand-children yet.
I was a Fireman for 34 years, specializing in Haz Mat, Dive Rescue and Technical Rescue. Been retired since 2015 and still teaching the Tech Rescue classes. Grandpa taught me how to work and grandma taught me how to cook and I ain’t scared of either. I’ve had many many jobs throughout my life, including locksmith, mechanic, butcher, carpenter, construction, painter, commercial fisherman, sales, boat hull cleaning and teaching Firefighters. I also built and raced cars and hovercraft some years ago. I am a Motörhead.
I’m a pretty good cook...not a Chef. I can go kill it, chill it and grill it. Going Gator hunting in a couple of weeks.
I’ve had boats since I was 15yo and can’t be without them. Still have my Seacat, an airboat (the Glades Cat) I built with my 2sons, a canoe, a kayak and a Jonboat.
I am a Christian and have been serving at the same church since 1986. My step father and father-in-law were both pastors until they died. My wife and I served at their small churches until we were called to where we are now. The vertical and horizontal relationships in our lives are important. People are important to me and I enjoy their well being and success. I strike conversation easily with just about anyone. Money and things don’t really impress me. God has provided more than I need or deserve and I thank Him.
There you have it
It’s good to chat with y’all and make some friendships. Face to face would be best, but impossible at times. Maybe some day....
Many blessings,
Rick

**Jughed** · 08-03-2022, 06:17 AM

John H. 50 years old.

Born in Philadelphia, lived there for 22 years, left and never looked back.
Live now on the MD Eastern Shore by the Sassafras river with my wife and three kids.
Lived in Charleston SC for 10 years and loved every min of it.

Automation/Controls design manager by trade. We design/build chemical plants & do small/medium projects at existing chemical plants. Part of my life is implementing PHA recommendations from the likes of KMAC.

Started fishing and boating with my dad when I was 2 years old.
Worked as a mate on a head boat from 11-17 years old.
Ran a floating bed and breakfast with my wife/dad on a 1946 Chris Craft for a number of years, more of a labor of love than a business.
On/off boater ever since.

Boating interest has eased up a bit over the past few years... just getting priced out of the hobby, and local fishing regulations and fish stocks are in a bad way... spend much of my time now camping with the family and riding my (pedal) bike.

Coming out party

Coming out party

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