By Captain Larry Jarboe
Key Largo, Florida
The Line Dancer is now equipped w/ three W700 tandem Wavewalks providing shade, rain protection, life boat potential, shallow water exploration, and a source of weekend rental income.
My neighbor, Fred, thinks this is a fabulous idea.
He believes I might make enough money to be able to afford fishing.
Hopefully…
Thanks Larry,
Great subject! 🙂
Yoav
Hey Larry……There was a fellow here a few years back who had a mothership on the Homosassa River that could accommodate up to 6 yaks which he would transport out 5 or 10 miles, and then launch them allowing the yakers to drift for species not easily reachable closer to shore. He also provided bottled water and a sandwich lunch. I made several trips with him and had a blast. I guess he wasn’t making enough money on his operation, however, as he went out of business. Sounds like something you might want to consider.
Thanks Gary,
As a matter of fortune and foresight, I positioned my retirement home and commercial fishing docks within the best kayak country in the Upper Keys. Many people and rental yak operations launch their mostly SOT yaks at the public beach (no sand) a stone’s throw down the street. Here, we are in the heart of John Pennekamp State Park and are bordered on one side by the Dagny Johnson Tropical Hammock State Park.
Within close to moderate paddling range are numerous clear mangrove creeks, ocean bonefish flats, and an old concrete wreck that is full of fish. Three miles offshore, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary offers excellent diving, snorkeling, and fishing for boats of all sizes. A less than five mile run down North Sound Creek, across Largo Sound, and through the Key Largo Cut puts us in Blackwater Sound which is on the southern edge of the Everglades National Park.
Initially, with proper liability insurance and a solid waiver form, I want to start with weekend half day rentals and guide service for eco-tours. There are two dive shops, charter boats, and two restaurants along my street which is a commercial corridor off of U.S. 1. I know many of the shop owners in Key Largo who have volunteered to send customers my way, especially on windy days when they have to cancel off-shore trips due to high seas.
This symbiotic business model and a working relationship with other businesses should keep me busy enough to expand gradually and offer custom kayak adventures with Mothership transport of W-yaks for fishing, snorkeling, or multi-park excursions. Where in the world might you be able to kayak in 2 State Parks and 2 Federal Sanctuaries in the course of a single day?
Bringing a new, environmentally beneficial water sports concept to the Keys (or anywhere) might take awhile. Though the users here in this blog recognize the superior benefits to the Wavewalk design, not everyone is enamored with increased stability, comfort, and improved portability in a very differently constructed kayak. Yes, I am talking about other yak manufacturers and distributors. This “magic boat” upsets a few apple carts.
Also, the use of dependable commercial fishing vessels as Mothership transport vessels offers hope to a floundering industry and a far more ecologically sensible use of public resources.
Eventually, a nice W-inventory/display area and a larger commercial fishing Mothership is on the way. It may be slow going but I’m not going anywhere.
Larry J.
Larry,
Sounds promising!
We’re here to assist, support, and cheer you, and envy you too, especially during the winter 😀
Yoav
Gary-
You wrote: “I guess he wasn’t making enough money on his operation, however, as he went out of business. Sounds like something you might want to consider.”
Larry seems like a great guy… why do you think he should consider going out of business before he even starts? 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Michael,
I believe Gary was referring to the use of a Mothership as as means to expand range for rental customers as a consideration. But, it is fun to have antics with semantics…
Larry J.
Yoav,
Thank you. The Florida Keys are a unique place built on ancient hard coral reef bottom. As a matter of political pragmatism, I am looking to blend a happy retirement with a very positive service minded lifestyle. The expanding W500 and W700 fleet has become a very special part of that plan to again find my place in this complex community.
Gotta put the GoPro to work…
Larry J.
Hey, Larry…….I’m with Yoav – really envious. Your area and operation sounds great. Maybe I’ll have to start thinking about selling my place and moving down there.
Michael – I think you may have misread my previous post. I’m having too much fun to start up a business – my kayak fishing clubs are keeping me occupied. And, I certainly wasn’t referring to Larry going out of business (in fact it would be tempting to join him in it).
I had hoped the 7 smiley faces would convey that my comment was of the tongue-in-cheek variety. 🙁 🙁 🙁
My bad, Michael……….my wife uses those face things all the time, but I guess they didn’t register with me (seems like that’s been happening more and more lately). Had a great morning – 3 reds, 4 trout and quite a few misses blow ups that I missed.