The Bitter End

Coral Reefs, Boats, Art and ... Dung Beetles

By Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill

Inset photo: A hermit crab “recycles” an empty channel whelk shell. Photo provided by Captain Gator

I’m sure many of you, including my editor, are scratching They offer used items, as well as new products such as overstock your heads over this one. The first few words in the header go and discontinued parts from major boat manufacturers, sold at together pretty well, but the last, well, we’ll get to that shortly. reduced prices. From fuel tanks to tuna towers they most There is a correlation to all of these and a few likely have what you’re looking for. more I will toss in along the way. The common Boat yards make another great place to source thread, though a bit obscure, is repurposing. parts, such as the St Mary’s Boat Yard. As owners

Our coral reefs are shrinking at do refits or as boats are salvaged by companies an alarming rate, and as such, we’re like TowBoat and SeaTow, entire boats or trying to find ways to replace those usable pieces are often sold, which translates natural formations. One such way to a great savings to you. Another source is is through repurposing. Off the Boats and Harbors, or what we refer to as the coast of Georgia and South yellow sheets, due to the yellow paper it’s Carolina we’ve been creating printed on. reefs with all manner Another way to repurpose nautical items is to use them for art. I’ve seen dive helmets with painted face plates decorating their brass and bronze constructions. Old nets hanging from ceilings in restaurants, and port windows turned into shadow boxes. Hauser lines can be used to line walkways and parking lots. Ship’s of items: ships that have wheels or even old captain’s desks can be used lived out their sea-worthiness, as office and home décor. There’s no end to the old military battle tanks, pieces of creative ways boat parts and pieces can be used. bridge structures, even New York subway Going back to nature to wrap things up, consider cars. You name it, we’ve found a way to clean it up Australia’s Bowerbirds, that used various colored items they and make it an eco-safe base upon which coral formations can “repurpose” into their nests to attract a mate. And what you’ve thrive. (See pages 28 - 29 for the latest deployment.) been waiting for, the dung beetle that repurposes … dung. But

Many species, including octopi and hermit crabs, make their oddly enough they save the cattle industry about $300 million homes of cast off shells, jars, or anything else they can get annually in cleanup and disposal costs and in the process reduce their bodies into. A prime example of nature using discarded methane emissions which in turn helps curb greenhouse gasses. items no longer useful to their original purpose, in another way. So I guess the old saying is true, one man’s (or beetle’s) junk is

Most of us have heard the acronym for Boat: Break Out another man’s treasure. Another Thousand, and anyone who’s owned one for any length of time can attest to that. When someone tells me they want to Till next time, Peace and Love, Shrimp buy a used boat and go cruising I tell them to try this simple and Grits … and wash your hands! experiment first, and if they like it to proceed. Go to a salvage yard and buy an old car; make sure it has a sunroof. Then drive cross-country while standing up through the sunroof and throw out hundred dollars bills along the way. To make it more like cruising, do it in the worst possible weather.

I’m kidding, of course, but any boat owner will tell you, parts and maintenance are a must and nothing is cheap on a boat. So repurposing old parts becomes a very viable and useful practice. Places like Marine Connection Liquidators, in Ft. Pierce, Fla., and Email: TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com Sailors Exchange, in St Augustine, have been around for years. 30 Southern Tides Magazine June 2020

146 McGregor Circle

What a place to call home! Buckhead North is loaded with amenities. From the community pool, playground, ball field, tennis courts to a large peaceful lake. This home is full brick on all sides. Four true bedrooms and two full baths all on the first floor with a split plan to boot. Large bonus room over garage. Extra storage in garage. Full fenced rear yard with grilling patio and a wonderful sun room. Raised beds in place for gardening if you choose. Fireplace in the family room. Separate dining room and an additional breakfast room. Space for everybody. $329,000

!! NEW !!

1217 Bay Street, Unit A 232

REDUCED

Recently updated and interior painted

Bull River Yacht Club, Unit 704

1 Emmet Court TYBEE ISLAND

Relax and enjoy in this recently converted 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom vacation condo. All new updates including a brand new King-Sized Bed, and a new in-unit Washer and Dryer. The living area features updated furnishings and a well-equipped kitchen with breakfast bar seating for 2, additional table seating for 4, stovetop and oven and full sized fridge/freezer. The living room is furnished with a sleeper sofa and a 32in flat-screen TV, with DVD player. Furnished private balcony with a glimpse of the ocean. $245,500

BULL RIVER

Unending views of the marsh and water. This 3 BR, 3 BA unit is on the far side and upper level. It is waiting for you to enjoy the balcony deck for dinner or drinks. Once you enter the property you will see water from every angle. The high end finishes just top it off. Welcome to the best view with privacy to boot. Enjoy the July 4th Fireworks at Tybee from your private unit or come up one floor for rooftop amenities in the pool. Secure building and parking. Coded entry to the unit. This is the property for the discerning buyer. It has it all. Views, privacy, lock and leave potential, upgrades galore et all. $674,000

GEORGETOWN

Spacious 3BR and 2BA home on corner lot. This neighborhood is located close to all roadways. Shopping and amenites close by. Georgetown amentites very close. Elementary school even closer. This home has a very open floorplan with a separate master on one side and the other three bedrooms on the other. Easy access to the hall bath from all three secondary bedrooms. One has a double entry door which would be a great office if needed but has a closet. The neighbors are looking for some amazing new next door buyers. Great community. $245,000

MONTGOMERY

Cute and recently updated 3BR 2BA Bungalow, located on a cul-de-sac with a huge pie shaped yard. Rear yard partially fenced. Great open floor plan. Master bedroom on first floor. Conveniently located to Truman Parkway for easy access to shopping and all venues. Nice quiet family neighborhood.

$184,500 6349 Abercorn St. Savannah, GA 912.352.1222

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WILMINGTON ISLAND

This is a wonderful family home. True four bedroom with two baths. Updated kitchen and baths. LR, DR combo and still a large FR open to the kitchen. Fireplace in FR with option for wood burning or gas starter in place. Separate breakfast area off of the kitchen. Separate laundry room. The backyard is fenced and has a covered patio for wonderful entertaining. The neighborhood is full of families and ready for you. Come quick. This is a special one. $310,000

Lyn McCuen

912.224.0927 lyn@coldwellbanker.com www.lynmccuen.com @lynmccuen

!! NEW !!

11 Black Forest Drive

DOWNTOWN

The exterior has a distinct Southern Victorian look with a wrap-around veranda and pillars. Enjoy a nice evening outside. Inside, you’ll continue to feel the rich Southern charm of this property with a living room right out of a novel. Glossy wood floors, brick and wood decorative fireplace, elaborate chandelier, leather furniture and an antique coffee table. Modern conveniences are not forgotten and you’ll also find a large TV in an entertainment center. The galley kitchen offers stainless steel appliances, a double sink and ample counter space. A small laundry room with stacked machines. Two Bedrooms are nicely appointed with lots of windows. Two full baths, 4 years of STVR history. $425,000

DOWNTOWN

Beautiful condo within short distance to SCAD facilities, Forsyth and Daffin Park. Nicely appointed living spaces. Enjoy the large screened porch with French door entrances from living room and dining room. A front room currently being used as an office is a great studio or small bedroom. Lots of natural light. Full walk up attic could be turned into additional living space. Full laundry room in rear with additional access to offstreet parking. All appliances come with the home. $235,000

Coming Soon!

109 Park Avenue

!! NEW !!

733 E. Henry Street Unit C