Boating on the Hudson Magazine Feb/Mar 2023

About The Cover

The River Rose Sternwheeler is coming back in all its glory to the Hudson River.

Featured on the cover, and written about inside this issue is one of the true characters of the Hudson River Captain Duke Panzella. “Dukes” character is a shining example of what can be done by focusing your energy on a single goal and following through.

I really enjoyed doing this story.

John H. Vargo Publisher

The River Rose Sternwheeler

20 years

One of many couples that were married on the River Rose

The Fred Rung Memorial Catch, Tag & Release Striped Bass Derby

April 15, 2023 to May 13, 2023

by Joseph Albanese President HRFA

2023

At the December 2022 Hudson River Fishermen’s Association Fishing Gear Green Marketplace, I discovered Hudson River Stripers – The Guide by John H. Vargo published in 1995 and knew I just had to add it to my personal library. The seller was asking the hefty sum of $5.00 for the used paperback book in very good condition. It is signed by the author and was the property of the late Tom Siciliano. Sold! No need to negotiate a lower price. When I finish reading it, it will go into the HRFA’s new lending library for other members to enjoy.

Just by reading a few of the early pages of the book I learned new things about the history of tagging stripers in the Hudson, the organizations participating, types of tags employed and methodologies for collecting, analyzing, and sharing the data by scientists. These combined efforts continue to build upon the body of knowledge of striped bass biology.

The striped bass is one indicator to gauge the health of the river. It has economic importance to the region. It is a most beautiful fish, worthy fighter, and good eating. These attributes make it one of the most sought-after gamefish. It must be understood to protect it from over harvesting by recreational and commercial fishermen, predators, pollution, etc. As mentioned in the book, one of the earliest and most prominent organizations tagging stripers in the river is the HRFA. Given the rich history of our organization’s concern for the health of the river (Afterall, our credo remains “Fight for the Hudson”) and the critical role it plays in the striper’s propagation we created a new type of derby.

Namely, the springtime Fred Rung Memorial Striped Bass Derby added a new component to the conservation-minded no-kill catch & release derbies that thankfully predominates in the angling community today. While not mandatory, participating anglers have the option to win additional prizes for tagging their catch with an American Littoral Society tag before photographing and releasing it back into the river system. We hope this little incentive will encourage greater numbers of anglers wanting to become citizen scientists. Tagging may mean taking time out from hooking up with another bass right away but being part of the effort to preserve the species into the future adds a satisfying extra dimension to the fishing experience.

The four-week long 2023 Fred Rung Memorial will run from April 15 to May 13. The boundaries of the derby are the river and any of its tributaries between the Troy Dam to the north and the Verrazzano Bridge to the south. Money raised goes towards cash prizes, support of striped bass conservation & tagging programs and, IF there is anything left over, to support the goals and mission of the HRFA. Each year we did not make much for the HRFA. We NEED MORE PARTICIPATION than past years for this derby to continue. Registration will open on March 1, 2023. Stay tuned for further details in the next issue of Boating on the Hudson.

It is worth mentioning here that on April 11, 2023, the HRFA will host a round table discussion on tagging stripers. Guest speakers Emily McGuckin (Tagging Director for the American Littoral Society), Jim Hutchinson (The Fisherman magazine), Professor John Tiedemann (Monmouth University, Stripers for the Future) and Steve Perna (Berkely Striper Club) will present new learning from their various programs and contrast the various methods employed by scientists and sports fisher persons. Learn about spaghetti, acoustic, satellite and other tagging methods. The meeting will also be livestreamed on ZOOM.

The HRFA meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Elks Lodge in Ridgefield Park, NJ. Meetings start at 7:30 PM. https://thehrfa.org/ membership/

Croton Yacht Club

Veterans Day Luncheon

On Friday, November 11th, the Croton Yacht Club held its annual Veterans Day Luncheon. Over one hundred guests were treated to a delicious Thanksgiving themed lunch prepared by Yacht Club members. The event was initiated by a beautiful

acapella rendition of the national anthem followed by the Croton Harmon High School band who flawlessly performed numerous patriotic songs. Boy Scouts greeted the Veterans as they arrived and catered to their every need during the day.

Over 400 cards decorated the room, each beautifully hand colored and filled with both moving and comical sentiments from Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School students. Special thanks are extended to the Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School teachers who coordinate this effort annually. Most cards were preprinted by the faculty and distributed to the children. Blank cards were distributed to older students and they were encouraged to express their sentiments in their own words.

A select few cards were read to the Veterans with the most poignant and moving message being penned by a third grader who thanked the Veterans for their service and went on to express that she wished her

grandfather, dad or someone from her family could have been a Veteran. However, she went on to say that this was not necessary because she realized she had all of the Veterans present to fill that void.

The love and appreciation expressed in these cards along with that exhibited by the Scouts who were present was uplifting and gives us hope that future generations will never forget the sacrifices made to secure the freedoms we all enjoy. Special thanks to the parents and teachers who have instilled this sense of patriotism in our children and grandchildren. Many thanks to everyone who made the day so special for our local heroes.

Dennis Kooney, Director, Croton Yacht Club

SEASONAL OR WEEKLY RATES

Welcoming FREDDIE’S TABLE Into Ivey’s Kitchen

Let them eat tart!

My dear friend, Frederique (I call her my little French Fry) is an artist in the kitchen. Her business’s Let Them Eat Cake and Freddie’s Table are diamonds in the gem world of food. Her recipes inspire me, they have beauty I cannot duplicate, flavor combinations out of a dream and her warm teaching technique makes everything taste even better. We have a friendship bonded over food and my favorite kitchen play-dates. Freddie has taught me so many adventurous recipes. Things I would never dare on my own. She has even held my hand when I struggled to learn certain recipes, like this one. Since I have mastered it, I am allowed to write about it now. Let’s just say that this article has been a long time coming. This yummy, beautiful and gluten free pear almond tart intimidated me. But now I am ready to share and I hope this article helps to hold your hand in trying it. Because, seriously, it is nothing short of divine.

My first intimidation was that the ingredients were originally measured in the metric system. Forgive me but I am a heathen, I do not take naturally to baking using metric. I am a cups and tablespoon kinda girl. Also this is more baking than cooking, baking is more of a science and that too intimidated me, I shine when I can generalize a little. Baking does not allow generalizations. So Frederique literally came over again and again each time I begged her for “another baking play-date”. She helped me conquer each stage, making the crust, conjuring up the filling, proper handling of the pears, etc. At one point we spent an entire day just making the dough. This delicious, multi purpose dough is a short crust. To me that means no stretch, no give, it doesn’t inflate or expand it doesn’t even rise (unless you screw up blind baking –

email: Cook@Iveysinmykitchen.com website: Iveysinmykitchen.com

which of course; I DID). Then there was working with a tart pan, also completely foreign to me, Oy, I cannot count how many times I ruined the crust by putting my hand right through the center while trying to remove it from the oven. I am telling y’all, this was a real lesson for me. And as usual there were a comedy of errors. First in the middle of adding all of the ingredients together I realized I was missing a vital ingredient – that was a trip to the store in my apron. Then I did not have a scale that worked and on another day we left on the hunt for that. This is where I started to convert ounces to cups because everyone does not own a scale.

I am giving you the scan code to go directly to the instructional video. This is a video from Freddie’s Table so it is in the original metric measurements. It’s a wonderful video and I use it every time I make the recipe because it is important to see what each stage looks like. However I will be telling my story with cup measurements and pictures. I hope you will follow along.

The crust is a combination of butter, almond flour and gluten free flour, Frederique introduced me to a new favorite; King Arthur GF baking flour. It is the best I have tried. I like Bob’s Mills as well and from now on I will not get caught again with my flour pants down. For the filling, a delightful almond cream, I used both Bob’s almond flour and Trader Joe’s almond meal. Both produce a heavenly almond cream, however I recommend the Bob’s for a finer, smoother texture and I like the Trader Joes almond meal for a more nutty flavor and a slightly more rustic texture. Can you tell that I have really tried everything with this recipe?? For the pears my motivation is always Harry & David Royal Rivera pears. They are superior to any pears I have had and they are reliable, they always ripen (in their box) to a perfect sweet, juicy example of the perfect pear. If you are going to use supermarket pears, I recommend that you follow Frederique’s video and poach them. When I make this recipe I use Harry & David pears,…. or jarred,…or canned. This is so that I don’t have to poach them. I even tried making this tart with jarred vanilla peaches but that is for a later time in the story. The vanilla pears from the jar worked wonderfully and I recommend jarred as well as canned pears for this recipe. Yes, I know the proper and traditional way is to buy fresh and to poach but I had enough to learn and besides, I have my special pears that do not require poaching. Just a good peeler! Thank you to Harry & David and thank you to Salinger’s jarred vanilla fruits. I also did something that Frederique does not approve of,…I topped the tart, prior to baking, with cinnamon sugar for my Husband. She was not impressed, as a French woman I think she was offended. But my Husband was thrilled. Frederique tops her version with gold leaf and I cannot compete with that. After a few months and more lessons than I am willing to admit to I finally got it right. And I was so proud of myself I started to play around with it. This is where the peaches came in. This recipe can be broken down and made into individual tarts; it can also be expanded to make a larger more holiday friendly sized dessert. Once you master the crust and understand the required texture of the almond cream anything is possible.

Preparing the pears is simply peeling them, slicing them in half, removing the center stem and seeds and then slicing the half pear horizontal. Your goal is to press the half pear down on top of the tart and to have the slices lay like dominoes. Frederique taught me to use almond slices in between the pears. One day we ran out of slices and I took regular whole almonds and ran them through the food processor. This yielded the same toasted nutty flavor results but it was a better topping for the more rustic tart where I used almond meal as opposed to the fine almond flour. The almond crumbles also married nicely with the peach version. I used both my standing mixer as well as doing it by hand with a wooden spoon, proving that fancy equipment is not necessary. If you have the arms strength, do it with a spoon, it’s a lot less clean up. I tried different ways of dispersing the almond cream. I struggled slightly with spreading it like frosting. I found that if I placed the almond cream into a zip bag or piping bag that it was much easier to apply evenly and spread out. Resist the

urge to pre-prep the pears. They oxidize once they are peeled so I peeled, cored and sliced the pears right before it was time to lay them down.

TARTE BOURDALOUE

Day before: You prepare the dough (and pears if you poach them)

SUGAR DOUGH

• 8 Tbs. Sweet butter softened

• ½ cup + ½ Tbs. icing sugar

• 3 Tbs. almond flour (or almond meal)

• 1 medium egg

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1 ¼ cup + 1 tsp. gluten free flour

• Pinch of salt

1. Cream well the butter, sugar & almond flour

2. Add the egg (beat it first) and vanilla until completely combined

3. Add the flour and mix until just combined (do not overwork the dough)

4. Form a ball, wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for one hour (or 10 minutes in the freezer

5. After that time, roll the dough on a well floured surface. If the dough warms it will be unmanageable, place it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes

6.Trim the dough to fit the center of the tart pan and use the scraps to make the sides of the tart

7. Place in greased tart mold, pressing well against the sides and bottom

8. Use the rolling pin to trim off the extra crust at the top of the mold

9. Prick the bottom all over to prevent bulging during blind baking

10. Place the prepared mold back into the refrigerator for a minimum of 12 hours or overnight (or 1 hour in the freezer)

Day of: Make the cream, assemble the tart & bake.

THE CRUST:

1. Preheat the oven to 300F degrees (convention if possible)

2. Place the tart shell into the oven and blind bake for 25 min

3. Check and spin the crust after 18 min

4. While the crust bakes prepare the cream

THE ALMOND CREAM:

• 5 Tbs. butter, softened

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 2/3 cup almond flour

• 1 Tbs. vanilla extract

• 1 tsp. almond extract (optional)

• 1 egg

•2 Tbs. cornstarch

• Cinnamon sugar (optional)

1. Mix together the butter and the sugar (cream them)

2.Add the almond flour and mix well

3. Add the egg and mix until it is just combined, do not over mix

4. Finish with the vanilla and the almond extract

5. Place the mixture into a piping bag or a zip bag

THE ASSEMBLY:

1. Take the pears from the liquid and dry them as much as possible

2. When the shell has finished blind baking, take it out of the oven

3. Fill the tart shell with the almond cream and spread it around evenly

4. (Peel pears if necessary) cut 3 pears in half and carefully core them

5. Cut remaining peeled whole pear 2 inches from the top & place it in the center of the tart

6. Place the pears cut side down onto a cutting board and slice them horizontally

7. Pick up the sliced half carefully and place it in the cream, narrow side towards the center and fan the slices slightly

8. Sprinkle almond slices on the exposed almond cream

9. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top (optional)

10. Bake on 300 for approximately 1 hour, the crust will darken

11. Let the tart cool down

12. Slice with a thin sharp knife and serve warm as well as room temperature and it’s also delicious cold in the morning with a hot cup of coffee

https://yutu.be/ra-GfK_aaxM Tarte

The Good Beekeeper Plan

T

he Good Beekeeper Plan facilitates hands-off beekeeping for the residents of New Jersey and New York!

Through this plan, HarBee offers a full-service honey bee management experience at your home. The bees, the woodenware in which they live, and the honey that they produce is yours while HarBee manages the colonies and keeps your bees healthy.

Taking Part in Sustainable Agriculture

Hosting hives in your yard in New JerseyNew York is a unique opportunity to improve the resilience of our food system. By bringing agriculture into a corner of your yard, you can produce 60 pounds of honey in one year.

Your bees will be involved in HarBee’s bee breeding program and will provide evidence that food can be grown even in suburban and urban parts of the New Jersey-New York!

We perform monthly or as-needed inspections, maintain colony health throughout the seasons, and harvest the honey for you, extracting it and returning it to you in jars ready to use.

In order to find out if you can qualify for this program you can refer to the contacts in the HarBee ad or email Pat@HarBee.net

Email: harbeebeekeeping@gmail.com

Your honey comes in various size jars.

HarBee Bee Hives in a corner of your yard.

Ask Dr. Gel

by Dave Weakley

“Email

Welcome Back Spring!

Here’s a question from a reader;

Dr Gel, “I am new to boating having just bought my first boat. What can I do to best prepare the gelcoat finish for the new season?”

Todd N. Haverstraw, NY

Gelcoat should always have a protective coating. ALL of it! ALL the time!

Many people don’t realize how important it is to keep the gelcoat on your boat in well maintained condition. It is one of the most important things to think about especially below the waterline. The gelcoat surface on a boat is a high quality finish on fiberglass surfaces and incorporates a lot of chemistry, using polyester resin, a catalyst and other chemicals to achieve its strength and water resistant properties. It is a durable surface but has its weaknesses. It is very porous and never stops

curing. Moisture can seep into the gelcoat even if the surface is not broken. As years go by it can become very brittle if it is neglected. The gelcoat is not totally water resistant and sun can bake it. The boat will still float without gelcoat for a while until the fiberglass wicks up water saturating the laminate; I call this water intrusion. Without gelcoat it would also look pretty unsightly. Once water is absorbed in the laminate here are some signs of trouble! Gelcoat could have #1 - Hairline Cracks becoming large deep cracks.

“Spidercracks” in Gelcoat that should have been taken care of a long time ago.

#2 - Cracks becoming so loose the gelcoat can be scraped off with a putty knife. #3 - Little Baby Bumps that grow

Dave Weakley is the owner of American Boat Restoration and has been keeping boaters afloat in fine trim and good repair for over 47 years.

bigger- these bumps are called “Osmotic blisters” I have seen blisters as large as a grape fruit. Most are about the size of a thumb nail. #4 - A worst case scenario of water intrusion could be the hull becoming so soft it will not track through the water properly. Depending on how much HP the boat has this could become dangerous.#5- Very badly faded sun bleached gelcoat. It is chalked to the point that the color will come off when you wipe your hands on it. It will become brittle, craze and crack. Sun can shrink gelcoat. During a color restoration process I remove decals and registration stickers. The gelcoat under the vinyl is raised, preserved, protected and appears new. It’s in direct contrast to the surrounding oxidized surface that was exposed to the sun.

If you do get stains on your gelcoat topside and hull such as algae stains, wine stains, leaf stains, gas and exhaust stains, bird droppings, scum, etc remove it right away with boat soap, water and elbow grease. Having a good coat of sealer glaze and wax will make the cleaning process easier.

In the Spring I have seen so many boat owners doing the annual prep getting their boat ready for the new season. They get out their buffer and compound their boat; slap a coat of wax on it, get it all shiny and think “Hey, looks great! I’m good to go!” A critical important step that most often gets overlooked is applying sealer glaze after compounding. People say “I waxed it, it was nice and shiny but the fade came back quickly”. The Sealer Glaze seals the porosity of the porous gelcoat and it must be applied after compounding. The final step should be applying a good UV protecting wax.

Here is important information to know that will help preserve the gelcoat:

The Fall ritual of cleaning the scum off the bare gelcoat hull using any harsh chemicals e.g acid-wash, dish washing liquids, household cleaners will strip any protection your gelcoat may have had. This will make the gelcoat even more susceptible to water absorption. It is essential to apply Sealer Glaze and Wax before it goes back in the water. No ands or buts about it. Be sure the boat is covered with as much canvas as possible. Full canvas covers. If possible store it out of the sun, under a roof or indoors when not in use.

Buying a new boat? Do your homework and ask what the manufacture warranty is on the hull. “Read the small print” as Manufacturer warranties vary. Warranty from a well known manufacturer stated “EXCLUSIONS: Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Warranty does not cover or include: Gel coat surfaces, including but not limited to: cracking, crazing, discoloration, fading, oxidation, or blistering.” There are some manufacturers building new boats delivered with a barrier applied at the factory, and may even include a 5 or 10 year blister warranty. It is important to note that you may have to treat the barrier coat in a specific way to keep the warranty intact, so consult your warranty before you do anything to the bottom of your

new boat. Some companies will cover the cost of applying epoxy barrier on a hull if it develops osmotic blisters. We were contracted by a manufacturer to do this.

I always get calls asking about “bumps” some solid, some broken open on a hull. If you plan on leaving your boat in the water have Epoxy Barrier applied before blistering issue occurs. Then you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals used on the hull. Maintenance is easy; use just a pressure washer and mild cleaner such as Simple Green. Epoxy Barrier is not as susceptible to water absorption as polyesters are. Properly applied Epoxy Barrier will protect your boat for years. Note- Bottom Paint can be applied over the Epoxy Barrier if desired.

Blisters developed from resting on carpeted trailer

It’s important to know that Bottom paint alone without Epoxy Barrier will not protect the hull and will allow water absorption. But some boat owners just don’t like the look of paint on the hull. The appearance of blisters is much worse and will devaluate a boat. Keep the boat on a boat lift or on a trailer. If your trailer has carpet on it I recommend a short nap carpet. A heavy thick carpet that holds more water longer may cause blistering on the hull.

I’ve written many articles about sealer glaze and wax and can’t stress enough the importance of it. Keep your gelcoat in good shape to extend its life and preserve the value of your boat. When you put your boat away last Fall were there any gelcoat issues that needed attention and never got repaired? Chances are they did not go away. Schedule your work early and avoid the rush to have gelcoat, fiberglass and other service work done! When the temperatures rise you’ll want to be ready to enjoy the water!

Unsightly unprotected chalked and faded. Gelcoat

Area on transom tested for restoration.

The Capital Region Chamber is the Voice of Upstate Business, and an Advocate for the Marine Industry

A view of downtown Schenectady shows how much influence the Chamber and collaborative business organizations have had in preserving this community’s history while shaping its future.

by Pete Bardunias , Senior Vice President, Membership and Community Advancement, Capital Region Chamber

Upstate New York’s Capital Region always has been a very fertile business environment, and the organization responsible for supporting entrepreneurs, corporations and industry is one of the largest and most broad-reaching in our entire state. The Capital Region Chamber (capitalregionchamber.com) represents 2600 businesses which employ some 160,000 people, with concentration in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties, and thanks to a 2021 affiliation, its subsidiary the Center for Economic Growth is a leader in economic development initiatives in those counties plus four more: Columbia, Greene, Warren and Washington.

Events like the Waterford Canal Festival are supported by organizations such as the Chamber and businesses across the Capital Region. They also serve to showcase the strength of the marine industry in this part of New York State.

With roots extending back over 175 years to the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, the Capital Region Chamber came into being in 2015 when the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber and the Chamber of Schenectady County joined forces through an affiliation agreement, followed by the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County in 2020 and the Center for Economic Growth in 2021. These organizations retain the autonomy of having separate boards and independent events and programming, while benefiting from the economies of scale of a single staff (now over 30 employees under President & CEO Mark Eagan, with offices in Colonie, downtown Schenectady and Clifton Park), and the ability for all the boards to come together and work as one regional voice. It’s a great arrangement that provides the best of both worlds for the membership. Editor’s note: the author was President/CEO of the independent Chamber of Southern Saratoga County and a leader in the effort to bring the organizations together. He remains on the combined staff in a senior leadership post.

Noted economist Hugh Johnson speaks before a packed house at a recent event sponsored by the Chamber. Leading businesspeople from across the Capital Region eagerly participate in many such gatherings, held across several counties.

Last summer, the volunteers from Team Momentive worked well into the night finishing up maintenance and landscaping at the gazebo in Mechanicville’s Tallmadge Park. Here they are pictured with Mayor Mike Butler (center) after their busy day.

This is a huge swath of some of upstate New York’s most productive economic communities, with everything from shops and restaurants, farms and agriculture businesses, to massive industrial giants such as GE, GlobalFoundries, Momentive Performance Materials, Regeneron and many more. It may surprise some to know that the marine industry is extremely important in the Capital Region and points north. Not only are there two major ports at Albany and Coeymans, served by tugboat companies such as the NYS Marine Highway and Carver Companies, but numerous marinas, tour boats, recreational sites, marine manufacturers, boat fabrication and restoration shops, manufacturers of chemicals and additives used in the marine industry and other water-related firms are integral to the business community.

Because of this, an entire paragraph in the Chamber’s 2023 Capital Region Advocacy Agenda, which can be read on their website, is devoted to advocacy for the New York State Canal System. The Chamber will “Advocate for traditional and modern commercial transportation options; Advocate for enhanced recreational uses; Advocate for environmentally responsible industrial, commercial, and recreational uses for the Canal’s shores, including the prudent use of state-owned land and assets along the Canal system to support for the economically challenged Canal communities; Advocate for the lengthening of the Canal’s navigation season and support for maintaining the Canal’s proper depth.”

The Chamber’s influence is seen everywhere along the waterways of the upper Hudson and eastern Mohawk

Rivers. It is a strong supporter of other groups such as the Eastern New York Marine Trades Association. Several marine related businesses remain in business today because the Chamber was able to help them find financial support during the Pandemic. Marine manufacturers such as Solar Sal Boats have been assisted through the growing pains of conceptualizing, prototyping, demonstrating and publicizing their products. Events such as the Waterford Canal Festival were reinvigorated by the work of affiliates of the Capital Region Chamber. Community projects such as the replacement of the gazebo in Mechanicville’s Tallmadge Park or the renovations to the bulletin board at the City Docks were led by affiliates of the Chamber. Larger economic development projects such as the development of Mohawk Harbor and the Rivers Casino had involvement of the Chamber and its affiliates in various capacities. The info center at the Exit 9 Rest Area on 87 in Clifton Park remains staffed by Chamber employees.

The Capital Region Chamber makes a difference, and any business in any industry with an interest in being involved in the Capital Region business community, regardless of its location, would do well to consider membership in this venerable and vaunted organization!

For more information on the Capital Region Chamber, its affiliates and its events/programs, visit capitalregionchamber.com or stop by the visitor center at the Clifton Park Rest Area on the I-87 Northway at Exit 9.

Just For The Helluva It, Let’s Talk About the F8F Bearcat

by Ralph J. Ferrusi

Of course I was aware of the F8F Bearcat, but never really formed any kind of attachment with it, as I did, for instance, with the Corsair, or Hellcat. I recall it as a small(ish) fighter plane with a HUGE radial engine, swinging a big four-bladed prop, necessitating tall—and wide-spaced—landing gear, sort of like a U. S. Navy FW-190. I do recall it was fast, duking it out in post World War II air races (Reno???) with souped up P-51 Mustangs.

OK, while we’re at it, just for the fun of it, let’s do some free-wheeling impressions of famous WW II fighter planes:

The graceful—almost delicate—Spitfire was, particularly in comparison with its ugly stepsister Hurricane, almost feminine: human-wise, a ballerina would come to mind. And, did any other

aircraft, ever, sport those graceful elliptical wings??? Not that I know of.

The Thunderbolt was a night club bouncer, or, a thuglike bodyguard (And, it now has the unique distinction of being Indiana’s State Airplane!!! 6,242 Thunderbolts were manufactured in Evansville during World War II. As of this writing, 14 airworthy P-47’s still exist.)

The P-40 Warhawk was perpetually out-classed, by the Zero and the ME-109. Taking off on a combat mission, you were never going to be the superior airplane. The Hellcat was always a bit “thick around the middle”: the Bearcat finally got the bubble canopy that the Hellcat never had. As far as I know, the Hellcat had the best kill ratio—an astounding overall kill-toloss ratio of 19:1 based on claimed kills—of any World War II fighter, Air Force or Navy.

The Corsair: you had to love it: period. The Stuka shared its inverted gull wings, but was an ugly piece of shit...

And, the P-38 Lightning: why oh why oh why did Lockheed never ever think about chucking those Allison engines and replacing them with V-1650 Rolls Royce Merlins??? This woulda/coulda been the prop-driven fighter plane of all time; an outrageous performer…

Ummmm, how’s about the P-51D Mustang??? Words fail me… :))))))))

Back to the Bearcat. Did it have folding wings??? Was it ever carrier-based??? Did it ever fire a shot in anger in World War II??? How fast was it??? Let’s do some research (but first let’s answer the above four questions):

Yes, it had folding wings, but there were some weird caveats...

Carrier based: it was designed to operate from escort carries. The Hellcat couldn’t: too big, and, too heavy...

No, it did not see combat in World War II: it’s first combat was in the 1946-1954 French Indochina War. Fast???: how does a racing version’s 528.33 mph sound…

OK, now let’s get around to more information about the F8F than you probably don’t really want to know: Not at all surprisingly, the Bearcat design was strongly influenced by the larger—and heavier—but, extremely successful, F6F Hellcat. But, surprisingly, ‘way back on June 23, 1942 the concept of the Bearcat began at a meeting of veteran F4F Wildcat Battle of Midway pilots and then-Grumman VP Jake Swirbul at Pearl Harbor, where “climb rate”—that is strongly related to power-to-weight ratio—was emphasized. Another goal was the “G-58” should be able to operate from small escort carriers

The Hellcat was powered by the 2,000 horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine, the most powerful American engine available at that time. The Bearcat’s fuselage was five feet shorter and it’s wingspan seven feet less than the Hellcat’s, and it had a bubble canopy, the first ever on a US Navy fighter. Compared to the Hellcat, the Bearcat was—Hoo Boy!—20% lighter, had a 30% better rate of climb and was 50 mph faster. The dubious concept of “detachable wingtips” saved 230 pounds. But...

The first prototype flew August 21,1944, but “Testing demonstrated a number of problems”. Regardless, on October 6, 1944 the Navy placed a production contract for 2,023 aircraft, and deliveries began on February 1945. Fighter Squadron VF-19 became operational May 21,1945. VJ Day was right around the corner on August 15, 1945, and the Bearcat never saw World War combat. It’s first combat was during the 1946–1954 French Indochina War when nearly 200 Bearcats were delivered to the French in 1951. When the war ended the 28 surviving Bearcats were supplied to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force Post World War II, the F8F was “Often mentioned as

one of the best-handling piston-engine fighters ever built, its performance was sufficient to outperform many early jets.” It became a major U.S. Navy and Marine Corps fighter. On August 25, 1946, the Blue Angels converted from F6F Hellcats to F8F1 Bearcats and introduced the famous “diamond” formation. In 1948 Grumman introduced the F8F-2 powered by the 2,240 hp R-2800-30W engine. 293 F8F-2s were produced, along with 12 F8F-2N night fighters and 60 F8F-2P reconnaissance versions. Production ended in 1949, and the last Bearcats were withdrawn in 1952, eventually being replaced by F9F Panthers and F2H Banshees.

In 1946 an unmodified production F8F-1 set a time-to-climb record to 10,000 feet in 94 seconds: 6,383ft/min. It held this record for 10 years until it was broken by a jet fighter.

Not surprisingly—at least to me—the ill-conceived snap-off wingtips were “not working as expected”, and there was “the possibility of the aircraft crashing.” “In the end, the wings were reinforced [whatever this means]...and the aircraft limited to 7.5 g.”

Air racing

Bearcats became popular in air racing. In 1964, a stock Bearcat flown by Mira Slovak.won the inaugural Reno Air Race. Rare Bear, a highly modified F8F owned by Lyle Shelton, dominated the event for decades. It also set many performance records, including the 1989 3 km World Speed Record for piston-driven aircraft (528.33 mph), and in 1972 a new time-to-climb record (9,800 ft in 91.9 seconds, 6,425.9 ft/min). Daryl Greenamyer’s Conquest I, holder of a piston-engined aircraft world speed record, is on display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

Variants:

F8F-1B-P, F8F-2 D-P, G-58A/B (Civilian aircraft) Surviving airworthy aircraft (as of this writing)

U.S: three F8F-1’s, eight F8F-2’s, and two G-58 Gulfhawks (civilian built Bearcats).

Thailand: one F8F-1

United Kingdom: one F8F-2

Specifications (F8F-2)

• Length: 28 ft 3 in

• Wingspan: 35 ft 10in

• Height: 13 ft 10 in

• Empty weight: 7,650 lb

• Max takeoff weight: 13,460 lb

• Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W Double Wasp 2,250 hp 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine

• Maximum speed: 455 mph

• Range: 1,105 mi

• Service ceiling: 40,800 ft

• Rate of climb: 4,465 ft/min

• Guns: 4 × 20 mm AN/M3 cannon

Get in touch with Ralph at: rjferrusi@frontiernet.net

Come to the Canals in 2023!

The Capital Region Will Be Ready For You

The annual Cardboard Boat Races, held each August at Fort Hardy Park in Schuylerville, attract teams of children (and some adults!) from all over to compete in this good natured event on the water. The Schuyler Yacht Basin is in the background. This site is also known as the spot where British soldiers laid down their arms after their loss in 1777 to the Continental Army at Saratoga.

by Pete Bardunias, Senior Vice President, Membership and Community Advancement, Capital Region Chamber

There’s much optimism on the New York State Canal System this year, so this is the ideal time to enjoy the inland waterways of upstate New York and beyond. With the effects of the Pandemic now manageable, recent modifications to the canal schedule and operation being fine-tuned, fuel prices somewhat under control, and new businesses popping up in communities along the Hudson and

Mohawk Rivers, there’s plenty to keep boaters busy this year, especially with some advance planning to take advantage of the many opportunities to stop along the way.

For those eager to get an early start, the Great Upstate Boat Show (theGreatUpstateBoatShow. com) is returning after a three year absence, March 31-April 2, 2023 at the Adirondack Sports Complex (locally known as “the Dome”) in Queensbury off Exit 18 of the I-87 Northway. Its worth a trip to see some of the latest boats and marine-related merchandise, and to gain some local knowledge of all the great places to visit and sights to see during your next visit with the boat.

The Canal season typically kicks off in mid-May, and the Waterford Canal Festival (waterfordcanalfestival. com) will provide a festive start right along the docks at the eastern end of the Erie Canal at Lock E-2 and the Richard M. Hurst Visitor Center at Waterford Harbor. Details weren’t finalized at press time, but the event typically features a large array

of vendors, food, kids’ activities, a fishing clinic for children presented by the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association (thehrfa.org), and boat rides, which present an opportunity to get to know some upstate professional captains and glean some canal related wisdom!

As one heads north or west, there will be plenty of places to stop, such as the excellent facilities in Mechanicville, Schuylerville, Fort Edward and Whitehall along the Hudson, or Colonie, Halfmoon, Clifton Park, Glenville, Schenectady, Rotterdam and points west along the Mohawk. You can get off the boat and gamble or enjoy nightlife in places like Albany, Saratoga Springs or Schenectady, picnic and enjoy the sunshine in Glenville, Clifton Park, Schuylerville, Fort Edward, Whitehall and others, eat just about everywhere, visit farmers markets in Troy, Waterford, Schuylerville and more, and even get medical services right near the water’s edge at Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady. Historic sites are everywhere, because this part of New York State

Bill Sweitzer (right), Director of Marketing for the New York State Canal Corporation, explains the workings of a canal Lock to a school field trip, as colleagues look on. Education about the canal system helps the next generation understand its significance in the past, usefulness in the present, and promise for the future.

With the Mohawk River winding in the background, the bustling Rivers Casino, stores, hotels, apartments, restaurants, offices and medical facilities at Mohawk Harbor demonstrate the excitement of what many are calling New Schenectady. Not that there was anything bad about the old one – Schenectady, NY is where many famous inventors (Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, to name a couple) made their mark on the world, and its industry continues to have an impact in both the legacy and high tech sectors.

was where the American as well as the Industrial Revolution were won, and today its playing a huge role in the Information Age as well as the dawning revolution in how we produce, store and use our energy supplies. This also means that you are likely to see a few tugboats and barges on the waterways this year, by companies such as the NYS Marine Highway Transportation Co. (nysmarinehighway. com) or Carver Companies (carvercompanies.com) which bring years of experience and professional captains to efficiently move products and raw materials via the water.

The energy revolution is likely to change the way we enjoy our boating hobby as well. If you’re in the market for a new boat, consider the new breed of vessels powered by alternative energy. Solar Sal Boats (solarsal.solar) debuted a 24’ fiberglass solar-electric boat last year at the Waterford Canal Festival, carrying well over 200 passengers during the weekend and finishing its assignment with a “gas tank” that was just as full as when the event started, without spending a dime. The company offers a family of designs for your custom build, from 24-45 feet. Regardless of how you get to our waters, bring a fishing pole and be sure your license is up to date, because there is good freshwater fishing on the canals too. Hope to see you this summer!

For more information on Capital Region attractions and businesses on land and sea, visit capitalregionchamber.com or stop by the visitor center at the Clifton Park Rest Area on the I-87 Northway at Exit 9.

A quiet summer scene at Mohawk Valley Marine in the hamlet of Alplaus (town of Glenville) along the Mohawk River. Boats line the shores of this picturesque stretch of the River between Locks 7 and 8, while rowing sculls are often seen as teams from local high schools and colleges practice their craft.

Here is how to prevent fuel spills while refueling.............

BOATU.S. FOUNDATION

BY MARK CORKE, BOATU.S. ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Preventing fuel spills

We all share the same water, so being a responsible boater is everyone’s job. Here’s one way to do your part

It’s easier than you think to accidentally turn what should be a routine chore at the fuel dock into a firstclass mess. Part of being a sensible, responsible boater is ensuring that fuel tanks are filled correctly and no fuel is spilled into the water, which can have significant consequences for aquatic life. Filling fuel tanks requires careful procedures. Even if a fuel-fill nozzle has a lock-off device, don’t use it. By the time the nozzle catch has tripped and stopped the flow of fuel, you may have already sent a fair amount of fuel onto the deck and into the water. This malady is most often caused by “burping,” which is the result of air trapped in the tank or the boat’s fill hose. It escapes through

The Metro North railroad bridge.

the fuel fill, bringing fuel with it.

The Clean Way Fuel Fill from Scandvik (cleanwayfuelfill.shop) is an example of a product that helps avoid fuel spills at the pump. In the event of fuel burping back through the filler, excess fuel is directed upward into the device, where downward sloping baffles lead overflowing fuel back into the tank.

Another method is to wrap an oil absorbent pad or heavy absorbent sock

10 ways to prevent fuel spills

1. Make sure that you’re putting fuel into the correct tank. GEICO | BoatU.S. Marine Insurance receives claims each year from someone pumping fuel into a rod holder or water tank.

2. Fill tanks only to about 95% capacity to allow for expansion and sloshing as the boat moves.

3. Do not top off the tank. The boat’s movement may cause fuel to leak from the tank vent, causing pollution.

4. Use absorbent sheets or pads around the fuel

around the fuel fill nozzle to catch any blowback or errant spills. And always keep ample oil-absorbent pads within quick reach should something go wrong. An internet search will reveal various products to help prevent spills, but always look for testing reviews and do some testing yourself to be sure that any product does as advertised in your situation.

Fuel in the bilge

Not all oil pollution occurs while filling the boat with fuel. Bilge water often

What to do if it happens

pump nozzle while transferring it from the dock to the boat and while filling to prevent splashes marking boat decks and leaking into the water.

5. Listen carefully. It’s often possible to hear when the fuel is getting closer to the top of the tank.

6. Hold (or have someone else hold) a highly absorbent rag or fuel absorbent pad at the fuel tank’s air vent to absorb any spillage from the vent. Or consider purchasing a fuel-vent collection device

that sticks on the outside of the boat with suction cups and will hopefully collect any fuel that happens to find its way out of the vent. But if there is ANY question of this type of device adhering to the hull, have someone hold it in place.

7. Consider installing a whistle in the fuel-vent line, designed to make noise as long as fuel is flowing. As soon as the tank is full, the whistle stops, and you know it’s full.

8. Don’t let the higher pump

speed catch you unaware. Many pumps at fuel docks fill at a much quicker rate than those at the local gas station to allow boats that often have large fuel tanks to fill faster.

9. Regularly check your fuel system for leaks. Not only is this a fire and explosion hazard, but if fuel leaks into the bilge, it may be pumped over the side by the bilge pump.

10. Replace the gas cap after fueling, and maintain the gasketing around the cap. — M.C.

contains oil, grease, and fuel. To prevent this oily water from being pumped out of the boat by the bilge pump, consider placing oil-absorbent sheets under inboard engines. A couple of oil absorbent bilge socks or sausages in the lowest part of the bilge close to the bilge pump pickup (but not interfering with the pickup or switch) will

TIP

If you have a gasoline inboard engine, run the blower for at least 4 minutes — more is better — after filling the tank to disperse explosive vapors before attempting to start the engine. The blower and its switch should be ignitionprotected and designed for the purpose.

go a long way to preventing dirty bilge water from polluting waterways.

By law, any oil or fuel spill that leaves a sheen on the water must be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center by calling (800) 424-8802. If it happens, do not (as some have erroneously done) try to use detergents of any kind to disperse spilled fuel. This does more harm than good. It only breaks down the fuel floating on the water into smaller particles, making it much harder to clean up and more toxic to marine life. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one pint of fuel spilled into the sea or lake creates a toxic oil slick that can cover 1 acre, larger than a football field. — M.C

At least once a year, check all fuel hoses for cracks and loose connections that may cause leaks, replacing any that may be suspect. ABYC standards stipulate that all fuel fill hoses should be double-clamped, so ensure that all hose clamps are in place and well tightened.

In sum, preventing spills is up to all of us. Using a little common sense and some basic preventive measures, we can keep our waterways clean for all. But no matter which “devices” or techniques you use, “CAUTION” is always in order. With fuel, oil or grease, it doesn’t take much on a boat for something to go wrong causing a sheen on the surface.

The Clean Way Fuel Fill is one of several products that help prevent fuel spills.

Castleton

2001 Boston Whaler Outrage 225 Merc Optimax With Trailer - $21,500.00

2003 Boston Whaler Dauntless 16’ With Trailer - $11,500.00

Sea Ray Sundancer 38’ Twin 8.2, A/C, Generator, very clean - $169,999.00

1988 26’ Sea Ray Sundancer Twin 4.3 L

Mercruisers With Trailer - $3000.00

2002 240 Sea Ray Cuddy Cabin, V8 Mercruiser

Alpha 1 O/D - $8500.00

1983 34’ Silverton Twin Crusader 350s, Generator/AC - $8,500.00

1999 20’ Chaparral – Boat Motor & Trailer

Merc V6 Alpha 1 Drive – $7,999.99

1989 22’ Four Winns Sundowner –5.0L Cuddy Cabin w/trailer - $6,999.00

ePropulsion Outboard Motor - $2,100.00 1980 24’ J24 Sailboat w/Trailer - $3,500.00

OUTBOARDS ON SALE List

We Have it All in 2023

ALUMINUM BOATS

Nick Roberti’s Marine Kingston, Ny 845-336-8111

Visit Our Website:robertiboats.com

New Aluminum Boats

Crestliner & Polar Kraft Jon And V-bottom 10’-21’ In-stock On Sale

BED AND BREAKFAST

BRICKTOWN INN B&B, Haverstraw, NY

Just one mile from Haverstraw Marina in walking distance to some great dining. Victorian elegance in a restored brick home with all modern amenities - we’ll even pick you up from your boat! bricktowninnbnb.com 112 Hudson Ave 845-429-8447

BOAT BUILDERS

www.constructivehands.com

BOAT CHARTERS

Ace Charters Hudson River Striper Charters out of Coeymans Landing,NY 28 ft. 2009 Baha Cruiser call 413-346-7675

Reel Addicted Charters & Guide Service

Hudson River StripedBass (April-May)

Lake Ontario Salmon/Trout (June-Sept)

25’ Robalo & 31’ Rampage w/latest electronics. All necessary equip. provided For info. Call Capt. Mike Ford 845-594-3301

Email: reeladdictedfishing@gmail.com

SERVICES DIRECTORY

STORAGE

Riverview Marine Services Inc. Catskill Complete Marine Service and Supply Center Outside Storage Spaces Still Available. Powerboats to 36’ 518-943-5311

BOAT HANDLING INSTRUCTION

Captain Bob Frederick, 100-Ton Master. Captain/Crew, Vessel Delivery, Captain Coaching (docking, navigation, instruments, radar, float planning). Any power vessel, anywhere on the Great Loop route. Budget-friendly rates. 845-551-1396.

BOAT PARTS & SUPPLY

AMSOIL PRODUCTS

Demand the best lubes and filters for your vessel. John H. Pagliuca Amsoil Marine Lubrication Specialist 914-402-4239800-385-3783 lubedealer.com/johnpag

BOAT RENTALS

Saugerties Marina

Kayaks, Canoes, Runaboats Poontoon Boats By The Hour, Half Day, Full Day Saugertiesmarina.com 845-246-7533

BOAT REPAIR

WELLS NAUTICAL DETAILING

Premium Buff and Wax

Jake Wells, Owner 518 - 598 - 6795

AMERICAN BOAT RESTORATION

Certified Fiberglass, Gelcoat and Multi-Color Polyflake Repair • Complete Fiberglass Refurbishing - Cosmetic & Structural Specialist • Repair Training • • Insurance Estimates • Insured • Over 47 Years Experience. 413-665-7424 • 518.577.7799

email: boatrepair@aol.com

www.americanboatrestoration.com

Richard Terpening’s Watercolors Marine

845-340-9854 • 102 1st St., Connelly, NY 12417. Major & Minor Fiberglass Work • Woodworking & Bright Work • Detailing & Waxing • Osmotic Blister Repair • Custom Fabrication and MORE

ALEX’S MARINE PLUS MOBILE DOCKSIDE SERVICE - Winterizing •

Tune-Ups • Re-Powers • Electronics • Hauling • Maintenance • Rt. 9W, New Windsor, NY. 845-565-9199

NICK ROBERTI’S MARINE

835 Flatbush Rd. Kingston, NY 12401

Fully Stocked Marine Store. In-Board/ OutBoard Re-power Experts. 845-336-8111 • robertiboats.com

FIBERGLASS PLUS

Structural & Cosmetic Repairs

Marine Parts & Accessories

Shrinkwrapping - Detailing - Fully Insured 914-652-8301 * 914-755-1922

FUEL DISPENSING REPAIR SERVICES

Fuel Dispensing Repair Services Including Hoses, Nozzles, Dispensers, Pumps, Piping, Etc. Tank monitoring service and repairs, sales and installation on all equipment. All forms of maintenance and repair for fuel dispensing needs. 845-787-3984 • 845-787-3030

NY Safe Boating Course

New York State In-Person Safe Boating Course (8-hour), offered at your location (Brianna’s Law requirement). Call 845-551-1396 for more information

CANVAS / UPHOLSTERY

TNT Boat Top & Upholstery

Since 1964 Tel. 518 587 5487

Bimini Tops, Custom Cockpit Covers

Truck Covers, custom Carpeting, mooring covers,Custom upholstery Mayfield, New York 12117

Guaman Canvas, LLC

Expert Design & Installation

Custom Marine Canvas • Fabricators & Upholstery • GUAMAN DOES IT ALL! 914-432-7329 • 914-373-0191

Ossining, NY10562

www.guamancanvasllc.com email: Guamancanvasllc1@gmail.com

Patino Canvas

Complete Canvas Outfitters

Motorboats • Sailboats • Home www.PatinoCanvasCorp.com John Patino 845-429-6146

SEAFARER CANVAS LLC

Custom Canvas Fabricators,Dockside Service with Slips.Visit our 4000 Sq. ft Showroom Ossining, NY Telephone 914- 923-3544 www.seafarercanvas.com

MARINE DIVING SERVICE

Salvage, Search/Recovery

Propeller service, Underwater cutting, and more. 914-313-6394

Email: marineservice247@gmail.com

www.marinedivingservice.com

MARINE SURVEYORS

Al Prisco C.M.S. Marine Surveyor Consultant - Pre-Purchase, Insurance, Damage. SNAME, ABYC, NFPA, Boat-US Exchange. Specializing in Thermal Imaging 845-228-1071 • 914-645-3525

www.marinesurveyorny.com

email: boatsurvey@yahoo.com

Palcher Marine Consultants

“Serving The Hudson Valley,& Upstate Lakes” John Palcher, SAMS® Surveyor Associate ABYC, IAMI, IAAI, NAFI Certified Surveying • Consulting • Fire & Loss 518-496-7535 / palchermarine.com

North River Marine

Capt Joseph Thomas SAMS SA ABYC Certified in systems, ECM Readings, Pre-Purchase, Insurance and Damage Surveys Vessel Delivery, 100 Ton USCG Captains License 845-943-4433 www.hudsonvalleymarinesurvey.com

BOAT TRANSPORTING

SAUGERTIES MARINA

Local & Long Distance Fully Insured. Up to 30’ Boats. Complete Service Facilities Saugertiesmarina.com 845-246-7533

BOAT DELIVERY SERVICE

Capt. Rob Lewis 30 years experience Call 914 489 4848

NICK ROBERTI’S MARINE

Local & Long Distance

Hydraulic Air Ride Trailer

Licensed and Insured Kingston, New York 845-336-8111

BOAT TRAILERS

GALVANIZED TRAILERS -ALL SIZES

Custom Modifications Available

New & Used – Call for Prices

SEIDEL’S 518 - 537-6060

TRAILERS FOR BOATS

10’ – 32’ Roller And Bunk Design All On Sale, Call For Pricing

Nick Roberti’s Marine - 845-336-8111

ENGINE REPAIR

Saugerties Marine

Complete Outboard And Inboard Engine Repair, Evenrude, Merc, Mariner, Nisson Tuhotsu outboards, Merc Cruiser and Volvo Pinta Outdrives Merc Cruiser and other manufacturer inboards. 845-246-7533

Mohawk Valley Marine

Factory Certified Warranty & Repower Center• Outboards-Inboards • Sterndirves

We rebuild and repair them all. Fuel injector cleaning and repair. Call 518-399-2719

MARINAS

LOCK 1 MARINA

On the Champlain Canal, secure, tranquil surroundings, picnic area, restroom & shower, easy tie-up, restaurant nearby, launch ramp and secure parking. Tel: 518-238-1321 www.lock1marina.com

SAUGERTIES MARINA

Local & Long distance transporting Boat & Kayak rentals. 24 hour repair & Fuel Overnight & Seasonal docking 845-246-7533

Accredited Marine Surveyor

Capt Manny Rebelo AMS since 1992. Performing all types of surveys including Prepurchase, Insurance, Damage And Consulting. Experience speaks volumes. 845-742-0355, accreditedmarinesurveys.com,

Captain Alan Bartlett, AMS Marine Surveyor Member SAMS, ABYC Tel. 518-859-8660

Coast Marine Services

Insurance - Appraisals - Pre-Purchase

Member ABYC, NFPA, SAMS, IAMI

Captain Guy Falkenheimer, A. M. S. 200 ton licensed Captain • 518-784-2181

Clifford Marine Services

Captain Ray Clifford, AMS

Accredited Marine Surveyor

Pre-purchase, Condition and Value, Consultation

Member SAMS, NAMS, IAMI, ABYC USCG Master 50 GRT Tri-State Service 914-419-7926 • rcliff60@yahoo.com

Proud member of the Eastern New York Marine Trades Association, Seaplane Pilots Association, Southern Saratoga Chamber Of Commerce, Experimental Aircraft Association, AOPA,Hudson River Fishermans Association (Awarded Friend Of Hudson River 2015), Hudson River Ice Yacht Club, (Commodore 1973)

Telephone: 845-401-2699

vargojhvargo@aol.com