A Chance to Reminisce - Bahamas Part 1

As we all get older we tend to get caught in the hectic fast paced lifestyle that life ends up dealing us. The years seem to fly-by and life becomes more complicated. For Bob Mormile, founder of Intensity Boatworks, the Lizanne gives him a chance to stop life in its tracks and enjoy his hobby at his own pace. Although it’s not always about the boat building and intense fishing for Bob; it’s also having the chance to enjoy memorable moments and reminisce about the good ol’days.
Similar to the most recent trip, the Maiden Voyage, it was back to the Bahamas. However, the Maiden Voyage purpose was to begin the life of the Lizanne, this trip was to celebrate the life and achievements of a group of friends. With that said Bob Mormile will narrate the trip as he saw it in his eyes.

“At times when the days seem to get long and hard I am always able to ground myself by remembering the days of my youth and the long term friendship that I have maintained over the years. This trip was special to me because one of my high school buddies was turning 50, the first in our group to reach this milestone. We designed the celebration to be a surprise for our friend. The plan was to have him kidnapped and taken away not knowing the destination. Both of my friends are not avid fisherman but have fished before. For me this trip wasn’t as mush about the fishing but the memories of spending time with old friends. After a month of planning the day, Wednesday April 29th, finally came. Steve (the birthday boy) was asked by my friend Scott to take him to the airport. As they continued to the airport, accompanied by Steve’s wife, Steve was just thinking he was doing a favor. When they pulled up to the airport Scott and Steve got out of the car to unload Scott’s luggage. The last bag was unloaded from the trunk, as the plan stated, Steve’s wife pulled away from the curb leaving the guys behind. Steve saw his wife pull away without him when he said, “what the f....k,” and at that moment Scott handed him an airline ticket, a passport and a birthday card. Still uncertain about what was going on Scott said, “Steve, follow me and don’t ask any questions.”

When they entered the airport and headed towards security I was coming up the elevator toward them. Timing couldn’t have be any better as I saw my friend Steve standing there confused and bewildered I hugged him and said, “follow us.” Once we entered the terminal and Steve saw the screen for West Palm Beach. We briefed him on the itinerary to head to the Bahamas on the Lizanne as the level of excitement rose and the surprise was completed successfully.

Check back for Part 2....

A Chance to Reminisce - Bahamas Part 2

Continued...

We arrived in West Palm Beach, Florida that night and headed straight to the Yard House for drinks, dinner and a little catching up. The following morning, Thursday, we left port for the Bahamas. The marine forecast was a little dicey with reported winds SSE 10-15 seas 4 ft at 6 sec. dropping off as we get closer to the Bahamas. Well wouldn’t you know it - the reports were a off. Winds 15-23 knots seas 5-6-with some 7 ft mixed in. Capt John managed a conformable ride around 18-20 knots for the first 40 miles after that we got some relief. As we approached the West End we decided to catch some dinner. So we anchored up and caught some fairly good size yellowtail. After we cleared customs we cleaned the boat and settled in and Capt John prepared dinner Yellowtail, Lobster and Asparagus. I prepared the sushi. All setting up for a great evening of stories and laughs.

The next morning we awoke and headed out of port toward Port Lucaya. Along the way we stop quickly to bottom fish with not much success for dinner, all the fish we caught were too small or not good fair. After pulling into port we cleaned up the boat and headed into town. The night was full of great times a meeting new people.

The following morning my two friends needed a break from the water and wanted to chill on the beach. So off they went while Capt John, First Mate Paul and I went fishing. This was w little disappointing for me because my vision was to have Steve catch the biggest fish he ever caught for his birthday and capture that moment with a picture, but it wasn’t about me after all this was his day. We ran out about 20 miles and started to troll, picked up some Dolphin and then proceeded back to port early so I could get back to my friends. After happy hour we cooked up fresh Maui and conch cakes accompanied with sushi. That night we celebrated my friends 50th with all the local festivities. We met many interesting people and told great stories that made the night a memorable event, as you can see I also got my picture to somewhat complete my memory of the day.

As I captained the Lizanne back to port on Sunday my high school friends of over 35 years accompanied me on the bridge. At that time Capt John And First mate Paul took a well deserved nap in the salon. During the 75-mile trip home we listened to the best of the 60's & 70's music and reminisced of the trips events. During the periods of silence I looked at each of them Jamming to good tunes with just the open sea around us and thought, it just doesn’t get any better that this. I have been fortunate over the years to in many ways but to have life long friends is priceless…”

Tight Lines Capt. Bob