The Capt Gabby is a wooden trawler that was hand-built in St. Augustine, FL in 1977 and operated under another name. Over the years she made her way up the Coast and landed in Valona, Georgia, owned by Eddie Poppell, renamed Capt Gabby and operated as a shrimp boat. Capt Gabby has had many adventures and is eager for more. In 2007, three friends, co-workers and experienced field guides entered into a discussion about their dream of creating a “mother ship” – a boat from which they could take kayakers and any adventuresome folks out to the barrier islands to explore some of the more remote places. These three entrepreneurs are Cindy Dennard, Charlie Young, and Robby Bufkin. Before long, they were directed to meet Patrick Hagan, someone who knows a lot about shrimp boats and who would eventually become Capt Gabby’s illustrious boat captain. The four took on the “dream” project of making Capt Gabby into what you see today.
Captain Patrick Hagan grew up in McIntosh County, son of an active shrimper, Red Hagan who owns and operates The Crusader. His mother, Marianna, manages the McIntosh animal shelter and is beloved by many dogs and cats - and humans too. Robby and Cindy were both born in Glynn County, while it took Charlie a few years to migrate to the Georgia coast from Ohio. All enjoy camping, kayaking, and planning adventures around and in the water.
Their dream was four years in the making. Deciding to re-fit a shrimp boat as a mothership did not take long at all, but three and one-half years went into re- wiring, replacing, scraping, painting, and renovating almost every last surface on the boat, including replacing the diesel engine. During this process, the local shrimpers proved to be very helpful as many good people in Valona and Darien lent support and were eager to assist the mothership owners.
Gabby is 42-foot long and now has a whole new outlook on life. She has been lovingly converted into a mothership that can sleep six guests and up to three crew. There is a well-equipped galley, as well as a toilet (head) and two hot showers! A large fishing platform on the back makes for easy access to the water and into kayaks. There is even a library on board. Captain and crew offer guide services from two hours up to two weeks. Visitors can fish, kayak, explore beaches, paddle local swamps, visit the unique barrier islands of Georgia or the tour the mighty Altamaha River. One doesn't need a campsite – one has a mothership!
Capt GabbyOwned by Cindy, Charlie, Robbie
Captained by Patrick Hagan
912-270-5383
www.CaptGabby.com
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Where Georgia Began
