A new chapter is developing in the long journey of the Richard & Arnold. The original boat was built by Casey's Boat Yard in Fairhaven, MA between 1924 and 1927. She's come a long way, caught millions of pounds of fish and has never lost a man. We are proud of the old thing. And now the latest in the line of rebuilds, restorations, and restructuring has commenced. The project has begun and there is no turning back. A new wheelhouse has been built, fiberglassed and now sits in the garage waiting to replace the old one. The one that is being removed has been there longer than we've owned the boat (32 years). Last time I was out fishing with Dave he showed me how the small house was moving. (and it shouldn't be moving)  It was visibly loose as the boat rolled in the sea.  Since the old house has to come off, leaving a gaping hole over the engine, we might as well take out the engine and send it out for a major overhaul. It's been a faithful 871 Detroit for a long, long time, but she's wore out, tired and starting to belch smoke. Before the new wheelhouse is placed on the boat, the old wheelhouse will come off,  the old engine will come out and be shipped to Springfield for complete makeover. While it's gone Dave intends to replace the fuel tanks (no sense not doing it while we can) then when the engine goes back into the boat - the new wheel house can be put over it. Sounds complicated and it is. We'll need a crane, a truck or trailer to carry the 5000 lb. engine, lots of goop to clean up with and faith. Dave is in the process of disconnecting everything that is attached to the engine.  I'm amazed by what needs to come off: muffler, hydraulics, batteries, wires, pumps, hoses and other stuff I'm not sure of. He comes home tired, with grease on his hands, and a smile on his face. Dave tells me it is heart surgery for the old girl, a little dangerous, but she'll be like new and we won't have to worry about a breakdown while he's fishing. This is a must do project, we really have no choice.  Now that the Richard & Arnold has a new exoskeleton of fiberglass and a new foc'sle it's time to rebuild the engine and engine room.  The foc'sle is really nice down below. I'll find pictures to add to this site so you can see how comfy she is now.  I hope we get to use it for motor sailing, our winnebego on the water, a retirement of sorts, traveling the only way we know how, by water. She'll be ready. I just hope that I can still climb the ladder when the boat is finally finished. We'll face this challenge as we have so many before, head on. I remember the winter Dave rebuilt the decks. He put the boat on the mooring, built a redneck building of blue plastic around it and replaced all the deck beams, sistered ribs and lay new plywood over it all.  Then in the spring when the weather warmed he put fiberglass and cloth over it. That was many years ago. My son Jackson was about 16 years old at the time and helped with that project. He often wondered why he couldn't just hang out with his friends. He's a fine carpenter and a great house builder now. Maybe some of that boat building paid off.  How time flies when your having fun. The Richard & Arnold has come a long way and has a long way to go. She's still our baby. She's going to be better than new and we might get to take that trip with her after all.  

Randy Moniz has left the fishing grounds for the last time and crossed the bar. "Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, when I embark. For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place, the flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face, when I have crossed the bar." Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Randy was a terrific fisherman. Everyone who fishes will be saddened by the news.  He was larger than life, big in body and in spirit. His stories made you laugh out loud.  His last boat the LUAL was named for his mom and dad, I believe. He also owned and fished the Resolute for a number of years. He kept the boat in New Bedford but fished wherever the fish were running, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Middle bank or the Atlantic Ocean. Conch, scallop, fluke, squid and flounder, if it was edible he caught them.  He was a fisherman's fisherman. Caught the most in the least time, was always back at the dock first. As the guys would say, "Just ask him."  Randy helped others whenever, wherever and whatever the situation. He remained at Dave's side one hot summer day when Dave suffered from heat exhaustion (dehydration, sun and overworked). Randy gave him water, cooled him off with wet towels, stayed at his side until Dave was better. Then another time he helped a fellow fishermen with an engine. Drove a trailer to the boat, helped take the engine out, helped take it to a mechanic and then helped put it back in.  Not his boat, but a friend's boat, for no pay, just the reward of helping out a buddy. Dave tells me that when a fellow fisherman, Tom was injured and couldn't get up because his knee twisted and gave out while fishing,  it was Randy who called for help.  His reassuring voice was heard on the airwaves by all until the Coast Guard was on scene to assist. I'm sure there are many more memories of Randy Moniz. He was a buddy, a friend, and a fellow fisherman who left this world at 53 years of age. There will be stories told about him for generations to come. And no one can fill his boots.  Rest in Peace, Randy.

"Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, when I put out to sea."