TIDE GUIDE
SERVING ITS PATRONS SINCE 1986
BIRDING
FISHING TOURING SURFING
ELECTRIC BOAT
BIRDWATCHING TOUR
At present my launch the “Sea Cow” has sunk only twice. Over the years of
modifying hull design, motor mounts, rudder systems, centerboards etc, there has
lingered a leak way in the back that has escaped detection. So down at Shell Bar at my Birdwatching base camp we have awakened to see the “Cow” at rest on the bottom (ten inch deep salt lake). Had to bail her out after our morning coffee. I finally found the leak, during Earth Day 2001 on Woodlawn Lake. I used to run electric down in the San Antonio Bay, now I use gas. Saltwater and electric drives are just too much to reliably maintain. I got a pretty good education though over the years building components
for my purposes. I have not
lost my enjoyment of electric boating. I would like to offer the community in
San Antonio and the schools system a high tech solar recharged and dock
recharged boat. Take School kids
on a 1-½ hour field trip. Talk about the history of the river,
the journey it takes getting to San Antonio Bay. What it is like when San Antonio
river water and saltwater mix.
Tide
Guide 5 years ago was granted a lease of a 6-acre island. Located on San Antonio Bay between
Matagorda Island and Aransas Wildlife Refuge. The birdwatching dolphin watching, fishing, and nature
experience is very good. One of
the conditions to keep the lease is that I guide the school systems. For 14 years I have toured San Antonio
Bay using the Sea Cow in all kinds of weather. I now would like to operate on the headwaters of the San
Antonio River and offer my guests and School groups the opportunity to have fun
up in town.
The electrical 48-volt drive system
aboard the new launch will have a dashboard exhibiting voltmeter, ammeters, and
tachometer. Regulators
showing how much power are being delivered from the photovoltaic cells to the
batteries. How much amperage the
motor draws to move a big boat at different speeds with 24 students and a
Captain aboard. The “SEA COW” was
built at the Blue Star Art Space and the new Launch (unnamed) will be built at
Tide Guide Headquarters at 2919 Mission Rd.
I
believe a group of school kids will take interest in the boat itself and the
electrical gadgetry. So the field
trip would be educational in many aspects.
I
would like to keep a new electric launch on the Southtank and operate
daily. Guiding the general public
as well as the School Systems. Due
to the tank being a flood channel I propose:
A. A
marina to berth the launch.
OR
B.
Davits on the concrete
wall to hoist it clear of floodwaters.
My business truly is a Birdwatching operation; with that as the central theme, we will conduct a quiet, family oriented service. The residents of the King William neighborhood will not be subject to any musical annoyances, motor rumblings, and loud narratives given by the boat captain. The green herons, bitterns, songbirds, ducks and geese are our billing attraction. The launch will even have a glass bottom to keep the kids busy. The 12-inch freshwater prawn, crawdads, bass, catfish, talapia and turtles are something parents will pay money for to interest there growing children. I have many years now in this nature tourism business. There are tourist/guests in this city every day that are looking for this kind of experience, they need to have their expectations met. Tide Guides service will compliment the already established concession on the main river walk. I will work with the river walk maintenance department on all safety procedures of floodwaters. Also we will keep this section of river cleared of flotsam and jetsam (Styrofoam cups, soda and beer bottles, etc.).
When we lead a School Field trip as I do down at Shell Bar there is always one if not more School staff members along on the outing. The students are briefed weeks if not months ahead of time of the nature experience they are being taken on. All safety guidelines are laid out to them at School. With this pre planning I find adds to the experience because they talk about it for months with their parents and friends. I really have little discipline to enforce. I am a professional guide with somewhere near 600 guests at Shell Bar. We don’t lead a bossy trip; the guests naturally want an experienced captain to guide them in all kinds of weather to a place they have never visited. This is all the authority necessary to keep a boatload of 24 elementary, middle and high school kids in line. I would like the Biology departments to participate in this field trip. Have the professors (teacher) with an intact class whom all know each other to be the recipients of the outing. This way it’s not just a free for all outing on a speedboat. I’ll coordinate with the School Districts an itinerary that is educational but most of all fun.
Lease of the island Shell Bar was granted to me from the single fact that I guided the School systems. The General Land Office took into consideration the recommendations of the Director of the Federal Aransas Wildlife Refuge manager at the time Brent Geitzentanner. Our Director of Parks and Wildlife, Andrew Sansom. Garry Mauro G.L.O. director due to the funding mechanism of the Permanent School Fund authorized Tide Guides lease. I must lead 5 school outings per year at my cost.
As you can see from the enclosure from the G.L.O. Leasing agent this year I have been authorized to put in a nature trail. This is for the safety and convenience of my guests. This beautiful island has nothing man made on it and we intend to keep it that way. The San Antonio River Delta is only 10 miles away and we joke quite correctly that we are at the end of the river walk. Three or four times in the past 14 years during record rainfalls on the watershed our bay system has become completely sweet. This fresh water is good because it changes the salinity. From an educational standpoint, Tide Guide can offer School kids, residents of San Antonio and tourists a full package deal in nature tourism. I have had Birders from all over the world go out to Shell Bar to see the Whopping Cranes (of which there is 4 pair on our lake). I want to sell a package deal to travel agents where the birders fly into San Antonio to stay a couple nights in town on the river walk. Of course taking an Electric Boat ride on the South Tank to meet their guides. And then renting a car and meeting Tide Guide at our launch site on John Welders ranch at the coast. Then spend 3 days and 2 night on Shell Bar. Then back again to San Antonio for a night to clean up.
Birdwatching and nature tourism is a sophisticated pastime and I wouldn’t be seeking this concession if I didn’t think it would enhance my market share and bottom line. The stretch of river in between Nueva Street and South Alamo I believe could earn some money for hotels, restaruants, and the city and create a few jobs along the way.
I hope the city officials by now are open minded to a different river experience. For 14 years I have watched my business grow a little at a time. I am not going to make a big splash all of a sudden in one or two years with this proposed concession. Or earn the city or Tide Guide a retirement package even in one decade. The point is to accommodate the Baby Boomer Population and their offspring with an active/participation type river experience. The boat I use is about foolproof. And I usually have people shoving me out of the captain’s seat to do the driving themselves OK with me, then I can go down in the cabin and visit. I have seen lots of overactive kid’s focus right away when they experience the enjoyment of operating a boat this size.
This
launch is designed for the shallow, windy San Antonio Bay Estuary System. It is used in a nature tourism guiding
business down there 60 days a year, rain or shine, in light winds to gale force
conditions. The hull length is 28
feet X 5 feet with a slight rocker bow to stern to make her soft in the rolling
seas. Rocker breaks the water shear as she rolls and lessens the static
friction of water clinging to the hull.
There is a slight rocker from Port to Starboard for the same
reasons. With these slight rockers
the hull is exceptionally stable for passenger use as well as load carrying
capacity. When loaded she draws 6
inches. And is able to navigate the low tide shallows. She can motor in 10 inches at half
throttle with tunnel hull for the propeller. The decks and gunwales are low, because we are always in the
winds. The roof can be snuggly
laid over the cockpit or raised for seating underneath. The roof also will support 10 people
while lowered, and 4 people while up.
People love to ride on the top when it’s up to do some
Birdwatching. Due to winds and
slow speeds my accompanying guests travel at while paddling a kayak the Sea Cow
must also be able to travel slow, 2-3 knots and still not be pushed around by
the winds and lose control. This
is accomplished by a center board forward of center and a large steering rudder
in the stern. Anchoring is vital
and is an art in itself in heavy seas.
Seating
is wrap around the center cockpit.
Soft and comfortable, putting the guest close to the water. This proximity plus the silent drive
will enable us to Birdwatch and talk about the river. The cruise range at 3 knots will be nearly 8 hours running
time. With new advancements
in electric motor controls this launch will be economical to operate and run a
full work shift on one charge. The
majority of the recharge is done at night while at berth. Some recharge can take place during the
day by the photovoltaic cells. If
I choose to I could come close to meeting the drive needs of the motor by Solar
Panels on the roof. But it is so
much fun to ride up there that I want it available for passengers.
I
will build a new launch somewhat larger than the Sea Cow. Making this new craft more stable and
roomy. It will be appointed with
fine seating materials in the cabin. A clear vinyl curtain to be lowered from the roof to the
gunwales during inclement weather.
I will provide blankets and heating to be able to comfortably charter during
a Texas blue norther. I want
families and school kids and Grandma’s and Grandpa’s and the not so outdoorsy
people to come aboard and have fun.
This is what we strive for at Shell Bar. The birds, fish and animals don’t disappear during poor
weather, in fact lots of times they are easier to approach.
An
option I have saved until last. The
Sea Cow on duty down in San Antonio Bays shallow flats at times during an
expedition must either be poled, or rowed. When tides are lowest.
This surprisingly has not turned out to be a chore. It does not require all that much
effort to keep her moving. So
while the new 36 foot launch is not chartered by the School kids and not
electrically transporting paying commuters riding between Nueva Street and
South Alamo. I will rig her with 6
rowing stations. I’m confident I
can build up a clientele of physical fitness buffs. The office people downtown that jog a half-hour at noon, to
include in their routine a lap of rowing aboard the new launch. I’m able to raise the motor and steer
with the rudder. While under oar
power of six paying athletes it could be possible to reach speeds of up to 3
knots, we will have to wait and see.
A little bit about myself. I worked for the Department of Transportation for five years
in Hawaii as a Harbormaster - have operated Tide Guide for 14 years at San
Antonio Bay - operated a surfing camp for 3 years at Port Aransas - a certified
EMT and a Red Cross swimming lifesaver.
The World Champion Freestyle Skier (1974). Ski Instructor for many years at Sun Valley Idaho.
I
can provide letters of recommendation from private customers, University
Outdoor Recreation Department Directors, Government Agencies etc.
LET’S
GO FOR A BOAT RIDE,
ALL
ABOARD: I’ve got an electric motor
mounted in the Sea Cow. I’ll host a complimentary ride.
BILL MINOR
PO BOX 830111
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78283
210 932 2388
tideguid@swbell.net
www.tideguide.com
CONTRACT WITH CITY OF SAN ANTONIO
Revenue to City from Concession Tide Guide monthly rent of City Marina or
Davits. Plus a Percentage of Net Profit
Davits $155,000.00 Construction Costs approx.
Marina
$350,000.00 Construction Costs approx.
CONCESSIONAIR MONTHLY EXPENSES
Insurance
Electrical Utilities and
rent, Marina or Davits
Salaries (Captain, Reservation
Receptionist)
Launch Maintenance
Advertising
ENCLOSURES:
General
Land Office Lease Agreement
Shell
Bar Map
Authorization
for Nature Trail G.L.O. 2001
Letter
of Recommendation from Trinity University
Letter
of Recommendation United States Army
Letter
of Recommendation from Leisure Learning Unlimited
Electric
Launch Profiles
Rough
draft Southtank brochure
Tide
Guide Matagorda Island Kayak Tour Brochure
Tide
Guide Port “A” Surfing Safari Brochure