As a teenager, Chuck Bower spent countless hours in his dad\u2019s boat shop where Privateer Boats were made, but one boat is burned into his memory unlike any other. Today \u2013 35 years later \u2013 the boat Chuck remembers is still in operation as Sea Tow\u2019s maiden vessel \u2013 Sea Tow I.<\/p>\n
While recently looking through some old files and photos, Chuck stumbled across some items that belonged to his dad, Horace Dewitt Bower, vice president of Privateer Boat Company. The rare find of his dad\u2019s memorabilia prompted Chuck to contact Sea Tow about that distinctive yellow boat he recalls his dad working on and ask if they might have any photographs \u2013 that is, if they even remember the vessel.<\/p>\n
Chuck was very surprised to find out that Sea Tow I was still in service and noted that he had a similar feeling about that special Privateer boat his dad worked on in their shop in Chocowinity, N.C.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like Privateer had hit the big-time when they started building boats for Sea Tow,\u201d recalled Chuck, who was a teenager when Privateer started work on Sea Tow I. \u201cMy dad\u2019s company was building something that was a commercial, purpose-built boat \u2013 like what the U.S. Coast Guard uses. I do remember thinking the enhancements they did to the design were strange, but it worked. At Privateer, they basically said, \u2018Whatever the customer wants, we will make it happen.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Horace later went on to work with Hatteras Yachts and Grady White, learning the ins and outs of the trade and honing his skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel so fortunate to have been part of a family with strong connections in the boating industry,\u201d Chuck said. \u201cMy dad saw and learned so much and brought that to Privateer. He maintained friendships with some of the engineers at Grady (White), and one of those friendships is why I got to see Sea Tow\u2019s first boat being built.\u201d<\/p>\n
While working at Grady White, Horace became friends with a man named Norman Wilkerson \u2013 better known as Warren Wilkerson \u2013 another name synonymous with North Carolina\u2019s boating industry. Warren was the founder of Privateer Boat Company and recruited Horace to join him in 1977.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Horace) loved to design stuff,\u201d Warren said. \u201cHe was a real craftsman in my mind and very good at what he did. I was proud to have him on at Privateer as my partner. He is actually the one who designed that Sea Tow I boat. His son should be proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of the early boats were designed so the aft was open to allow space for workers in the stern. This worked perfectly for commercial fishermen and the company began purposely designing boats with larger aft decks.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t long before word of Privateer\u2019s design spread further north to Long Island, N.Y. The connection of Privateer to Sea Tow came through Bill Lieblein, who owned a boat dealership on Long Island\u2019s North Fork called Port of Egypt; he still owns it today. Bill was a friend of Sea Tow\u2019s founder, Captain Joe Frohnhoefer, and through some conversations about the unique features and construction of Privateer Boats, Sea Tow I was born. The year was 1983, and Sea Tow I was the first in a long line of Privateer Boats that started the Sea Tow fleet.<\/p>\n
Today, Sea Tow I is still in service under the leadership of Capt.Bill Barker, owner of Sea Tow Eastern Long Island. As a native “East Ender,” Bill has been fortunate, not only to be the owner of the first Sea Tow franchise, but also the owner and custodian of the original Sea Tow service boat.<\/p>\n
Captain Joseph recalls that the boat wasn\u2019t the smoothest ride, but it always got them home, no matter the conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been out in some rough seas on Sea Tow I,\u201d he added. \u201cOne day, we blew out the windshield when we dropped down the backside of a large swell and crashed in the trough of the wave. The glass from the windshield cut my dad\u2019s arms and chest, but despite it all, we made it to our customer in need and back home.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Captain Joseph, the company\u2019s first boat has established a legacy that still lives on today. Along with photos of the boat in Sea Tow\u2019s headquarters on Long Island, the boat\u2019s original 6×6 wooden tow post is in the lobby as a treasured piece of memorabilia to remember the company\u2019s roots.<\/p>\n
Like so many in the marine and boating industry, legacy is the way of life. From Chuck\u2019s email to Sea Tow, to a reconnection with so many that helped create the cornerstone for a company that today helps thousands of individuals every year. This legacy lives on and will continue for decades to come.<\/p>\n
As the premier leader in on-water boating assistance, Sea Tow members receive\u00a0the most comprehensive benefits<\/a>\u00a0available. Membership includes a full suite of on-water assistance services for every boat you own, rent lease or bareboat charter. Learn more about\u00a0our membership options<\/a>\u00a0today. To find the Sea Tow closest to you, use\u00a0our service locator<\/a>\u00a0or call our Customer Care Team at\u00a0800-4-SEATOW<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As a teenager, Chuck Bower spent countless hours in his dad\u2019s boat shop where Privateer Boats were made, but one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":6284,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1267","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-from-sea-tow"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n