BLUE GOOSE CHARTERS
Baltimore Harbor, Maryland
Newsletter

Contents

 

Blue Goose Celebrates 23rd Season

Baltimore. The year 2008 marks the 23rd season on the Chesapeake Bay for the Blue Goose Yacht Charter operation. Currently, the Chesapeake Fleet remains anchored by the four perennial mainstays, Bristol Goose, the flag ship, Bitsy Goose, the economical sedan, utilized mostly for training, and the beautiful Blarney Goose. All three of these trawlers are left-handed, single screw vessels. Our fourth trawler, Bonnie Goose, lends a twin screw dimension. Blue Goose has also placed Brandi Goose into service. She is a diesel powered, 27 foot Albin Family Cruiser and is now fully operational. The Blue Goose vessels continue to stage from the beautiful Anchorage Marina, in the neighborhood of Canton , within Baltimore's Northwest Harbor. Blue Goose also still offers free ground transportation to and from the Baltimore Washington International Airport. The Mother Goose Trawler School has become a major part of the Blue Goose operation, as more and more boaters are deciding to join the trawler ranks.

Mother Goose Discusses Fuel

Canton, MD. We found Mother Goose, aka Captain Bill Shermer, the Operations Officer for Blue Goose, relaxing in the "Kiss Cafe", across from the Anchorage Marina, after work, sipping on a Blue Goose Martini. He was discussing the fuel "crisis", and was of the opinion that the perceived situation might impact on the power boat charter business for the 2008 season. He felt that the cost of fuel should, in all reality, however, carry little weight when it came to chartering one of his trawlers. He reminded his seemingly attentive listeners, probably so because Mother Goose was buying, that, for one thing, the Blue Goose trawlers burned diesel rather than marine gasoline, diesel being significantly cheaper. He went on to say that "Bristol Goose", for example, burns less than 2.5 gallons per hour. "Brandi Goose", our baby trawler, only burns about one gallon per hour", he stated. He also observed that a typical Blue Goose charter client cruises an average of 3 to 4 hours per day, when and if they get underway that day. "If the prospective client would only do the math, he or she would see that the typical fuel bill for, let's say, "Bristol Goose", for one week could run around $200.00, worst case, to include the generator, but probably would end up costing about $25.00 less than that", he went on. "When compared to fuel prices of say three years ago, this would be a difference of about  $80.00 for a full week", he said. "This is nothing when you think about it. In fact, I have not yet seen the fuel bill for "Bristol Goose" go over $200.00 for a full week." Mother Goose hoped that everyone, who is thinking about chartering with Blue Goose, would, indeed, do the math. Captain Bill smiled as he reminded everyone that this is why he runs full- displacement trawlers with standard size diesel engines that provide full-displacement speeds. " All of the instant mariners who have been buying the "go-fast" trawlers are now having second thoughts, but it is too late. They are stuck with big mortgages, big fuel bills, and if things get worse, upside down loans as that segment of the secondary market starts to get soft. Fuel prices are already significantly affecting the SUV segment of the automobile market." Mother Goose continued to smile as he ordered another round of Blue Goose Martinis for his friends. "Just do the math, that's all I ask. Old fashioned trawlers are going to be with us for a long time."

Blue Goose Featured in Power Cruising

Winter Park, FL. The March/April 2005 issue of "Power Cruising" featured the Blue Goose training program, starting on page  29. If anyone likes trawlers and cruising, he or she ought to give this magazine a try. The six page article, written by one of the many successful Mother Goose Trawler School graduates, offers a very good insight into the workings and methodology of the company's training program. Mother Goose aka Captain Bill Shermer was extremely pleased with the unsolicited effort on the part of the author, Doug Brown, from Western Springs, IL. An unedited version of the article also appears in the "Logbook" section of the "Power Cruising" Web Site.

Blue Goose Favorites

Kent Island. The favorite Chesapeake Bay destinations for Blue Goose clients are reviewed on an annual basis. They remain as follows: Baltimore Harbor, Broad Creek off the Magothy River, Annapolis, Drum Point Cove on the Wye River, St. Michaels, Oxford, and Rock Hall. In Annapolis, most clients opt to use one of the many available mooring buoys, using the water taxi to get ashore. In St. Michaels, the overwhelming favorite continues to be the St. Michaels Marina, owned and managed by the highly personable Frank Morgan. Once again, the Oxford Boat Yard narrowly edged out several other nice facilities located in Oxford.  Mother Goose has had occasion to use the facilities at Campbell's Town Creek Boatyard in Oxford, and was favorably impressed. Rock Hall Landing remains the marina of choice in Rock Hall. The favorite food item continued to be steamed crabs, which, in many clients' minds, are the main reason for coming to "Bay Country". The favorite "watering hole" is the sundeck aboard Bristol Goose while "on the hook." Mother Goose and Alexis still like the Kentmorr Restaurant, and the inexpensive Kentmorr Harbour Marina on the western shore of Kent Island. Kentmorr's banana cream pie remains Alexis's favorite desert on the Bay. Blue Goose remains high on the operation at the Bay Bridge Marina, also on Kent Island. Hemingway's Restaurant, nearby, has a world class view of the Bay Bridge at sunset.

Don't Tread On Me

Fort McHenry. The First Navy Jack, depicted to the right, has been flown from the stern of all Blue Goose trawlers for several years now. Both Bill Shermer and Alexis Loo are retired naval officers, accounting for the decision to fly the Navy Jack. Bill and Alexis believe that the flag is colorful and distinctive, reflects a great tradition, and sends a message. Apparently, members of the Navy brass agreed, in view of their recent decision to fly the Jack from all Navy ships for the duration of the war on terrorism. Once again, Blue Goose leads the way. For more information on this flag, please refer to First Navy Jack.

The First Navy Jack

Who Is Mother Goose?

Pasadena, MD. The following is extracted from an interview with Captain Bill Shermer, the Chief Operating Officer for  Blue Goose Enterprises, and also known as "Mother Goose." Gazette: Why the name, " Blue Goose?" Mother Goose: Nearly everyone asks that question. It goes back to when I was a young boy visiting Ocean City, New Jersey. Chris's Restaurant had converted a surplus World War II PT boat into a huge, open speed boat, carrying close to 50 people. I had (incorrectly) recalled her name as being the "Wild Goose." Nevertheless, the memory of riding in that boat remains one of my happiest. Alexis and I named our very first boat the "Blue Goose," mostly because of the PT boat, our fondness for waterfowl, the fact that the name is ornithologically correct, sort of, and because blue is our favorite color. The name was carried over to the yacht charter service. We still haven't figured out what PT boats have to do with trawlers, however.  Gazette: And why the name, "Mother Goose?" Mother Goose: Captain Bill White, the previous owner of "Katie Mae," which used to be in our fleet, and has since been sold, started that, mostly because he thought that I fuss over things a little too much. I like to think of it as paying attention to detail. We like the name, to tell you the truth. We think that "Mother Goose" is not only ironic and amusing, but  feel that it also reflects the special care and attention that we try and give to each and every one of our "family" members. Besides if the name is good enough for Steven Seagal to use as his code name in "Under Siege", then it is good enough for me. He has a black belt and so do I. Gazette: What do you think about the current trends in the trawler and so-called passagemaker worlds? Mother Goose: I am uncomfortable with what I see. The very first boat ever that some people are getting for themselves is a $500,000.00 plus motor vessel, loaded with automatic this and electronic that, etc. This is their introduction to power boating. I think of many of them as "Instant Mariners" or "Landlubbers Afloat". Often, they come to power boating with the idea of instant gratification, achieved simply by throwing bucks at the issue. After all, they have been successful all of their lives. Why should this power boat thing be any different or harder? In fact, many of these newbies are not really qualified to operate their new power boats, especially when certain electronic systems fail or the wind is blowing more than five knots. In addition, most of them have received little or no training, especially while underway. Nor do they have the right point of view. They are caught up with the status symbol thing, the social class issue, and the materialistic aspects of these very expensive power boats. They can be heard referring to the mid-size trawlers of the '80s, the very boats that were used to chart the course, so to speak, to their current life-style, as "Taiwan Turkeys". Sometimes, when you board their vessels, you would think you were in a house, especially when you are invited to inspect their "bathroom" or "kitchen". Oftentimes, they miss the real objectives of boating, - the hands-on aspect of successfully operating a vessel with only their eye and hand, while interacting directly with the Chesapeake Bay and its many wonderful aspects. They have little or no respect for the sea or its traditions. Why not learn the nautical lingo? It's part of the fun. Experienced sailboaters, for example, get these things. If only I could get them to spring for a beer. Seriously, I could go on and on, but I am getting way too philosophical about this answer. Sorry. Gazette: Well what do you think is the most alarming issue with regard to these recent developments? Mother Goose: Actually I think that the most glaring one has to do with the pitch within the market place that many of these very expensive recreational power boats are suitable for ocean passage. There are many, many considerations with regard to this issue, of course, and perhaps we should talk about this subject at length some other time. For now, suffice it to say that it will be a cold day in hell before Mother Goose goes out in the ocean in a plastic power boat, especially one with only a single screw. Ain't going! (See "View from the Bridge" for some additional related commentary.) More to follow!

Photo by Henry Pollock

Trawler Purchase Assistance

Canton, MD. There has long been the need to accommodate the various clients who contact Blue Goose, thinking to buy a trawler but wanting to try one first.  Blue Goose is able to help clients not only charter a trawler, but act as a Buyers Representative, if the client feels the need for same. In this endeavor, Blue Goose works very closely with Yachts of Annapolis. In addition, the Mother Goose Trawler School, located in Baltimore Harbor, will continue to be available to any new or prospective trawler owner who feels the need to receive special, tailored training aboard a diesel trawler. Further, Blue Goose can often provide a captain to assist trawler buyers in moving their new acquisition to her next home port. The advantage of this approach is that the new owners can learn about their trawler and receive specific training about their new boat from the captain while en route. Sometimes, it has been reported, new owners have been offered some savings on their boat insurance as a direct result of this special training received from Blue Goose.

Photograph compliments of Eddie Bauer Outfitter

Mother Goose in Business Week

New York. The Blue Goose Charters training program was mentioned in "Business Week" Magazine. The article was entitled "Chartering a Slow Boat to Anywhere." Among other things, it mentioned that ..... "many of the charter companies offer training, too. "Typically, if they are really inexperienced, it might take two to three days," says Bill Shermer, a.k.a. "Mother Goose," of Blue Goose Charters in Baltimore. "I can teach them to read a chart and to dock a boat, and the rest is common sense." The article also talked about two of our favorite clients, the Nawrocki's, aboard our 36-foot "Bonnie Goose"..... "Jim and Brenda Nawrocki of Midland, Mich., chartered a 36-foot trawler last August with another couple. For five days, they cruised the Chesapeake Bay, watching crab and oyster boats at work, swimming at resort-like marinas, eating crab cakes at local restaurants, and sailing within 50 feet of osprey nests -- all on fuel that would run about $73 (for the entire charter) at today's prices. " We have a picture of the girls driving the boat and we like to say: 'They don't let you do that on Carnival Cruise Lines,"' says Jim. He has reserved the boat for this year, too." That reservation, of course, would be with Blue Goose. The complete article can be reviewed in "Business Week". (After reviewing the article on the "Business Week" web site, please click the "Back" button on your browser to bring you back to here.) 

 

The Blue Goose Special

Canton, MD. The Kiss Cafe is located directly across Boston Street from the Anchorage Marina, the homeport of Blue Goose. The cafe is situated on the ground level of the rehabilitated American Can Company building on the corner of Boston Street and Hudson Street. One of the hottest items on the current lunch menu is "The Blue Goose Special". It is a terrific sandwich, consisting of grilled cheddar, tomato, and bacon, with grainy mustard, served on marble rye. The next time you are in Canton, you should try one! Sitting on the sofa by the fire in the Kiss Cafe, with one of the restaurant's many special coffee brews, while talking about trawlers, is especially nice. As reported previously, there is now a special drink, the "Blue Goose Martini", available at the Kiss Cafe. Its principal ingredient is Grey Goose vodka.

Historic American Can Company

Blue Moon Cruises

Anchorage Marina. Blue Goose Yacht Charters has announced that they are not currently planning any Blue Moon Cruises for the 2008 season. These events, when conducted, are multi-vessel charter operations, with the objective of providing an ongoing,  mutually supportive environment for clients either new to boating or to trawlers. In previous years, there has been a four-day August Moon Cruise planned for the middle of that month and a week-long Harvest Moon Cruise in October. Each cruise has been scheduled around a full moon, with the intention of spending the night of the full moon at anchor, rather than in port. All vessels travel together, with a captain from Blue Goose embarked in at least one of them to provide advice and training. Blue Moon Cruises stage from Baltimore Harbor. Clients are registered on a first come, first served basis. As every good seaman knows, a real Blue Moon only occurs when there are two full moons in the same month, the second one being known as the Blue Moon. Mother Goose is considering changing the name of this operation to "Mother Goose Cruises".

Season Operations Determined

Annapolis. Alexis Loo, the CEO of Blue Goose, has announced that the 2008 charter season will officially begin on Sunday, May 11th, and end on Sunday, October 26th. She stated that advance bookings for the upcoming season are about even with last year. In her opinion, although the economy appears to be not doing as well, people are starting to get used to the elevated fuel prices. In addition, Alexis sees a continued growing interest in trawlers and related vessels within the recreational boating community because of their extremely low fuel consumption. She does not see rising fuel prices as a significant factor with regard to operating the Blue Goose trawlers due to their extremely high fuel efficiency of about 3 nautical miles per gallon or about 2.5 gallons per hour at 7 knots.