Naples Boat Show

Thursday – Sunday, starting on January 21, 2021

The Naples Boat Show is the largest premier recreational show in the Naples-Marco Island area. On Land at the Naples Airport, In-Water at the Naples City Dock with complimentary shuttle service.

Hell’s Bay will have the Estero, Professional, and Eldora on display. Contact us for more information, 321-383-8223.

Army Corps Denies Pebble Mine Permit

Move comes after developer submits revised mitigation plan.

November 25, 2020 | Arlington, VAMEDIA CONTACTS

Eric Bontrager
The Nature Conservancy
Phone: +1 703-887-0559
Email: eric.bontrager@tnc.org

The Army Corps of Engineers today formally denied a permit for the proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska.

In August, the Corps found the mine “cannot be permitted” as proposed under the Clean Water Act following a determination that discharges at the mine site would cause unavoidable, adverse impacts and significant degradation of aquatic resources in Bristol Bay.

Last week, the mine’s developers submitted a new plan for how it would abate the mine’s threat to this globally significant salmon fishery. The developer did not release the plan and the Corps declined to make it available for public comment.

The following is a statement by Lynn Scarlett, chief external affairs officer for The Nature Conservancy:

Today’s decision affirms what the science and local communities have said all along: Pebble is the wrong mine in the wrong place.

LYNN SCARLETTChief External Affairs Officer for The Nature Conservancy

“Today’s decision affirms what the science and local communities have said all along: Pebble is the wrong mine in the wrong place. The decision is a win for this world-class salmon fishery and the Alaska Natives who have thrived in this region for millennia. This is a commendable and necessary determination that will help protect this watershed and the economies it supports. We appreciate the Army Corps for making the right decision to deny the permit for Pebble Mine, and we’re grateful for the many people who have spoken up with their perspectives and expertise for years so that we could reach this moment.

“Even with this encouraging development, without permanent protection, Bristol Bay’s future is far from certain. Any outcome for the region must align with the health and well-being of Indigenous communities, including a focus on economic opportunity. This can only happen with collaboration, transparency and through decisions informed by science. We will continue supporting Tribal and local governments, Alaska Native corporations, businesses, and other stakeholders in their efforts to chart a sustainable and equitable future for Bristol Bay.”

Hell’s Bay Estero

October 16, 2020August 10, 2021

Let’s face it, there are numerous bay boat options these days. They come in every shape and color, from all over the country. All lay claim to excellent performance numbers and very few actually perform as advertised. In the case of the Estero, I found the opposite to be true. It exceeded Hell’s Bay Boatworks’ claims and my expectations for storage, stability, ride and overall shallow water performance. The proof here is in the proverbial pudding. This review is based on real world testing over several days, in the most demanding water available, Everglades National Park. I have hundreds of bay boat guided days on this water as a comparable foundation and here is my take.

At nearly 25 feet (24’ 10”), the Estero looks and feels very large out of the water. However, launching from the custom Ramlin trailer was easy and right away, the difference in this boat is evident. It floats unbelievably high in the water column and maintains that height even when loaded down with a heavy load. At rest, the Estero is ‘Cadillac’ comfortable and extremely stable. Maneuvering in the cockpit around the console is possibly the best I’ve experienced and walking the oversized gunnels is easy. The amount of available storage space after loading safety equipment and full gear is impressive. The layout is an obvious result of calculated thought and input from the professional fishing community. Well done.

The boat responds to the throttle like a smaller skiff. The Four Stroke Yamaha 300HP pushes it up to pad in a boat length without dropping the back end. But, that’s demo boat talk… Here is my real world test. With a fishing trip load, full tank of gas, three anglers and full livewell, the Estero jumped up on pad without issue, in a true 2’ of water with the jackplate all the way up and no trim. As if that isn’t impressive enough, when up on pad, the ride is as smooth and dry as it gets. I found an average cruising speed of 48 mph, which produced an efficient 2.4 mpg with that same full load. The trimmed out top end is not a ‘rip your face off’ racing number, but rather a comfortable 56 mph that produces an efficient 1.9 mpg, again with full load. Well done.

The most impressive and underrated component the Estero brings to this game is true shallow water performance. The hull is quiet, like a poling skiff, at rest and at speed. No matter how hard we pushed, it produced no hull slap, rocking or creaking decks, which are killers when it comes to inshore species. The real world proof came at the hands of Tarpon, Snook and Redfish caught feet from us. I pushed the limits of its draft in the interior ponds of Whitewater Bay and around the oyster bars in the rivers North of Flamingo. At one point, we were sight fishing laid up Snook in a foot of water, while only the trolling motor’s thrust touched bottom. The value in having a shallow and quiet hull in a bay boat is immeasurable and priceless… a game changing advantage. Very well done.

When combining all of this with the legendary fit and finish of Hell’s Bay Boatworks, there truly is no other viable Bay Boat option. I certainly dream of putting one in my yard for business and family use one day!

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Hell’s Bay President, Chris Peterson, to the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board

October 9, 2020July 28, 2021

Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Doug Bournique, Jon “Chris” Peterson, Jr. and Cole Oliver to the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board.

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Three to the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board

Month: October 2020

Naples Boat Show 2021