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I was born and raised in Morehead City, NC. I have lived in Virginia Beach for the last 30 years. My wife and best friend of 25 years, Dawn (nicknamed Dawny B), is from Bloomingdale, NJ. We have two children, Shelby (22) and Dylan (20) that grew up at the pool and on the docks of Marina Shores.

1. You must be quite the avid boater having owned numerous boats over the years including a 23′ Grady White, a 23′ Parker center console, and now a 39′ Viking Sportfishing boat. How did you first get introduced to fishing and boating?

   My grandfather owned a motel and restaurant on the Morehead City waterfront where I grew up playing, watching and working on the local charter boats. My father was a boat Captain for charter and private boats. One of the best summers I can remember is when he was the Captain of the Hatteras demonstrator sport fish boat “Hatterascal”. I spent my summer with him on the summer tournament circuit fishing for Blue Marlins in the Carolinas, Swordfish in Montauk, NY and White Marlin in New Jersey and Maryland. Even though I don’t plan on fishing offshore much on the Viking, I go back to my youth every time I walk aboard her.

2. Can you give us any tips on buying strategy when purchasing a boat?

   First of all, I like to buy quality named boats that I know I could sell if I wanted to get rid of it. That’s something you can never take away from a boat, its brand. Second is the obvious, a hull and engine survey from a trusted person. And third for me is, how much do I want it to cost? Boating is very fun, but it’s expensive. When I buy a boat I try to figure out how much it will take to buy it, fix it up, maintain it and use it. Then I try to best guess what it will be worth when I sell it. The cost of a boat for a few years of fun can sometimes be less than a nice trip.

3. What are your thoughts on dry storage vs. wet slip now that you have had the chance to experience both?

   Both Dry Stack and Wet Slips have pros and cons. Hands down, dry stack is better for your boat and helps maintain the value. I would probably dry stack the Viking if Uncle Pat down at the dock shop could get her in there. Unfortunately, she’s too big. That being said, the reason I bought the Viking was to be able to experience the dock lifestyle. We will probably spend most weekends on the boat this summer. Going down to the boat on Friday afternoon after a long week has a certain feeling of escape.

4. What is your favorite thing about your new Viking?

   One of the things I like about the Viking is something I talked about earlier, quality. She isn’t a speed demon, but she is built like a battleship. The other thing I like about her is the look. It’s hard to make a 38-foot boat that is proportioned right. In my opinion, Viking nailed it with this model. Even though she’s 18 years old, she still has beautiful lines.

5. What is the one thing that you will not leave the dock without?

   My Towboat US membership. I have seen many twin engine boats towed in, so I purchased it for the Viking.

6. Do you have any plans for a destination cruise this summer?

   Hopefully cruising down to Morehead City in July. Might spend the night at anchor in the hook at Cape Lookout like I used to as a kid.
7. What is your favorite activity to do locally and why?

   Spanish Mackerel fishing at Cape Henry. Just wish there was more there to catch.

8. Are you ‘Sunrise, Daylight, Sunset, or Nighttime’ and why?

   Daylight. I love being out on the water on a beautiful, sunny day.

9. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done in your life?

   Buying the Viking in Boca Raton in November and running her back to Virginia Beach in 7 days. Fortunately, I had a good friend of mine with me that had done it before and could fix anything that went wrong on the boat. We almost capsized in a gale of wind at the mouth of St. Andrew Sound and bumped bottom once in Georgia. Luckily, we arrived safely without tearing up the boat or getting hurt.

10. What is your favorite thing about Marina Shores?

    The location and employees. There is no place I’d rather keep my boat than Marina Shores. Even on the windiest days you can still get under way and have a great day boating without going in the bay. The employees are the greatest assets of the Marina. Many have been here since I brought my first boat here in 1993, and have done a lot of favors for me that I know other marinas would not have done. The whole crew is professional, yet laid back. The dry stack crew really lift’s a lot of assets down there during the summer.