< Previous100 COASTMONTHLY.COM / December 2015 COASTMONTHLY.COM / December 2015 101Traditional Living with Island BreezesWe are the key to finding your next home. Karen Flowers (409) 789-7377David Bridgwater(409) 392-5655Robert Frank(512) 922-5225Joe Tramonte Realty409-765-983762 Island Passage3/2.5/2$344,900 NEW CONSTRUCTION13 Mariner Pass4/3.5/2 $735,0002214 Postoffice #3ADowntown living $444,9009 Evia Main3/2.5/2 $342,0001309 Harbor View3/2 Waterfront Living $675,00056 Island Passage3/2.5/2 $386,000 NEW PRICE NEW LISTINGLOFTWATERFRONT NEW LISTING102 COASTMONTHLY.COM / December 2015Stem to SternCapt. James Cook, voyaging to the islands of the South Pacific in the 1770s, was amazed at the perfor-mance of the outrigger canoes he observed in the surf and the open ocean.Paddled by Polynesian crews into the sea, these were the craft that sustained their ocean-based way of life in fishing, trading and warfare.The outrigger, a shaped float carried on spars extending out from the side of the canoe’s hull, was an innovation unknown in Europe, but it had enabled the initial human settlement of these widely scattered islands.More than three centuries after Cook first saw these boats, Ben Walcher, a modern seafarer trained at Texas A&M University at Galveston, was intrigued as well. Walcher, a longtime surfer, saw in them another way to interact with the ocean.He decided to build an outrigger surf canoe of his own. He sent for plans from designer Gary Dierking in New Zealand.It took Walcher and a group of his Galves-ton friends nearly three years to complete the boat in his island garage. But they were patient.“You don’t build a boat because you want a boat,” Walcher said. “You build it because you enjoy the process.”This process involved setting up a series of wooden molds 12 inches apart, each uniquely formed to the desired shape of the boat at that station. Then strips of 1/2-inch by ¾-inch western red cedar were bent, glued and stapled over them, and sanded smooth to form the shell.Coats of clear West System epoxy com-pleted the exterior, leaving the tones of the wood in evidence. And when that was fully cured, the boat was turned over, the molds removed, and more coats of epoxy were applied inboard, forming an impervious sandwich of materials.Mahogany was then used for the gunwales trimming the gentle curve at the top edge of the boat, and for the thwarts, or seats where the paddlers sit. Watertight compartments at stem and stern were added for flotation.Walcher and his crew then added the ma-hogany cross beams to which the projecting laminated spars are attached, holding the “ama,” the outrigger float that makes this kind of boat viable in a seaway.In the Pacific, the construction and opera-tion of an outrigger canoe was a community project. Islanders would fell a mature tree, a Ben Walcher, from left, and friends Travis Dhonau, Joe Cerdas, and Walcher’s wife, Christen, paddle past fishermen on the 29th Street jetty in Galveston. COASTMONTHLY.COM / December 2015 103Serving Galveston for 55 Years!2102 26th St., Galveston, TX 77550Let us host your next party!Happy Hour Daily 10am-7pmCome Enjoy Football & Free Food Every Sunday!Karaoke Tuesday Nights @ 8pm409.539.5740 Mon-Sat 10am-2am • Sun 12pm-2amRicki Dipuccio-BergeronRealtor®rdipuccio@aol.comCell (409) 256-2856 Now is the time for buying and selling!“Let’s Get A Move On”Starting Year End SaleCome Shop The Savings!2950 Hwy 87 • P.O. Box 2354Crystal Beach, Texas 77650409-684-0009www.tropicalaccents.netFurniture • GiftsCoastal DecorCome Visit!Tour the ships that dueled for supremacy of the violent seas of World War II! In the deadly cat-and-mouse actions of submarine vs. convoy escort, the USS Cavalla, sub SS-244, and the USS Stewart, destroyer escort DE-238, earned places in naval legend. Special events and group sleepovers are welcome!Call: (409) 770-3196 or visit: www.americanunderseawarfarecenter.comLocation: Seawolf Park, Pelican Island, Galveston: 51st St. north from Broadway and continue past the bridge on to the park.★★★104 COASTMONTHLY.COM / December 2015precious and limited resource on any island, and under the direction of a master craftsman many workers would shape it into a seaworthy hull. The process took time and social cohesion.When finally launched, the vessel required a crew of strong and willing paddlers to operate it — usually the same men who had built it.Today, Walcher’s canoe, gleaming in coated laminated wood, is driven by pickup truck to the beach near the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier and lifted onto the sand by members of his island commu-nity. Four of them in turn take her out to dance in the waves rushing onto the beach.A traditional craft built with modern materials, on an island far from the one where it was conceived, the boat surfs the waves. The tradition it draws on is more than one of form and function, but of the kind of social collaboration needed to build her, and now propel her into the sea. Stem to SternPerfect Threading & Spa2705 61st Street STE C Galveston, TX 77551 • 409-497-469815% Off to all StudentsThreading • Eyebrow TintingWaxing • Henna TattooFacials • Eyelash Extension • Massage100% Satisfaction Guaranteed or Freewww.AffordableAirTX.comSERVICE SPECIALWith This Ad expires 12/31/15$69Brent Ballard 409.925.8275TACLBO22538ESay Goodbye to Window Units with a Modern, Affordable Central A/C & Heating System!Premier Dealer:FREEESTIMATESFINANCINGAVAILABLEAFFORDABLEAIR & HEATWE ARE HERE FOR YOUWHEN YOU NEED US!SERVICING YOUR CITY SINCE 1994!Ben Walcher, left, uses his paddle to steer his outrigger canoe as he and friends Travis Dhonau, Joe Cerdas and Walcher’s wife, Christen, paddle through waves.Laminated spars hold the “ama,” the outrigger float, on Ben Walcher’s hand craft-ed outrigger canoe, which took three years to build. COASTMONTHLY.COM / December 2015 105Main Office6710 Stewart Road, Suite 200 Galveston, Texas 77551(409) 744-0727 FAX (409) 744-3909www.southlandtitle.netExperience Matters!We are Thankful for our CustomersTitle Company prepared for CFPB Regulatory ComplianceExperienced closersFriendly atmosphere24/7 Access to your files via Paperless CloserConvenient office locationsAbility to choose from eight (8) National UnderwritersGeneral Counsel availableTitle Plant in Galveston. Not outsourced!TREASURE TROVEDresses, Purses, Tops, Shorts, Jewelry, Shoes, Exotic Soaps,Candles and so much more! Plus sizes, also.2719 61st Street • Mon - Wed & Sat. 10-6 • Thur - Fri 10-7 • Sun. 12-5 • 409-737-9900 • www.giftsandgarments.com Visit Treasure Trove for the12 Days of Christmas Sale December 1st - December 12106 COASTMONTHLY.COM / December 2015TideWay offers Aquatic and Land Based Rehabilitation. The Patients #1 Choice in Galveston County for Aquatic Rehabilitation Care. “All Physician Referrals are Accepted”Ask Your Doctor: “Can I Benefi t From This Type of Therapy”Most all insurance programs accepted including Medicare and MedicaidWater exercise classes are available to publicMonday - FridayAchieving a Better, Healthier You!Outpatient Rehabilitation Monday-Friday 8 am - 5 pmLOCATED 1 BLOCK FROM THE SEAWALL AT 6444 CENTRAL CITY BLVD.(409) 741-8472 / FAX (409) 741-2342...and more!409.935.1126Fall Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9AM-5PM • Sat. 9AM-3PM Closed Sun.14065 Delany Rd. LA Marque, TX 77568Credit Cards Accepted: Visa/MC/DiscoverE-MAIL: serioustackle@yahoo.comLocated in the Gulfway PlazaShopping Mall Exit 13PROUDLY SERVING THE GULF COAST FOR 20 YEARS!IN-HOUSE ROD AND REEL REPAIR • REEL PARTS ROD COMPONENTS • INSHORE TACKLE • CUSTOM RIGGING CUSTOM RODS • OFFSHORE TACKLE • CUSTOM SPLICING INSHORE AND OFFSHORE SPECIALISTSvisit us: www.gia-tx.comhome . auto . health . flood . wind . commercialIS YOUR PROPERTY PROPERLY INSURED? Too much? Too little? Don’t Know?Friendswood 281.442.1892Galveston 409.740.1251For over 100 years GIA has been earning the trust of coastal property owners — making sure they have proper coverage for their needs. Don’t be caught without the right amount of coverage or paying too much. Call the GIA team today for a free consultation. COASTMONTHLY.COM / December 2015 107409-761-0585GAY@GALVESTONRE.COMGAY FUNDLING, BROKER 409-737-20201524 Bayou Shore Drive Galveston $148,5002/2, Casual, open, bright Hawaiian-style cottage in quiet residential neighborhood. Sit on the front porch and watch beautiful sunsets. During sum-mer months watch the Moody Gardens weekend firework display over Offatts Bayou.Lori Cortez, REALTOR (409) 771-687616547 Jolly Roger Jamaica Beach $259,0003/2, New house with wood laminate flooring, granite counter tops in kitchen and baths, tile showers. Garage is big enough for car and golf cart. A short golf cart ride to beach and walking distance to new community pool and playground. A must see!Sherwood “Woody” Green, REALTOR (409) 789-2279 16534 John Silver Jamaica Beach $267,0003/2 2014 custom design and construction by owner/builder Steve Jones highend finishes, bamboo floors, granite table top counters, oak cabinetry. Combo loft office/master on top floor with balcony and bay views. Storm shutters through out. Extra tall garage doors with opposite double open rollup doors for flow through breezes.Gay Fundling, BROKER (409) 761-0585 16519 Jamaica Beach Road Jamaica Beach $342,0002/1, This little jewel is a true beach cottage with high beamed ceilings and jalousie windows. This is a great vacation rental with future reser-vations booked. Located on huge lot with good dune structure and a path to the beach.Gay Fundling, BROKER (409) 761-0585108 COASTMONTHLY.COM / December 2015ShutterbugsWhat do you love about living on the coast? Send your photos to shutterbugs@coastmonthly.com.Send us your coastal photosPhoto by Cissy BeasleyPhoto by Heidi SeigelPhoto by Diane StonePhoto by Alicia Belcher COASTMONTHLY.COM / December 2015 109$25.00 OFF RESIDENTIAL EQUIPMENT REPAIRExpires 12/31/2015*Expires 12/31/2015 $69.00SPECIALFURNACE INSPECTION$55.00 per additional furnace(at same location)CALL US TODAY!we are in in your neighborhoodwww.AlexsAir.com*Residential use only *Not redeemable with any other special offers *Must present coupon at time of purchase. **90 Day SAC with approved applicationResidential & CommercialMae SpicerOwner409-682-11759185 Jamaica BeachGalveston, Texas 77554maeespicer@aol.comwww.dixieislepropertycare.comDixie IslePest Control1% To ConserveGalveston Island™a program of theArtist Boat, a 501(c)(3)non-profit charitableorganization.Photo by Jim Olive PhotographyLook for the 1%logo where youshop, stay, eator play, and showour partners youappreciate theircommitment toGalveston’snatural resources.1% To Conserve Galveston Island™409-770-0219www.toconservegalvestonisland.orgWelcomes:Seasons Gourmet Food and Grocer409-789-28852701 Broadway,Galveston, TX 77550409-763-2800 david@davidbowers.comThe House Company Realtors• 1994-2000 Galveston City Council• 2009-2010 President Galveston Historical Foundation• 2010 President of Galveston Association of Realtors • 2011 GAR Realtor of the Year• 2013-14 Galveston County Daily News Readers’ Choice Award• 2013-15 Outsmart Readers’ Choice DAVID BOWERS REALTORFrom My House to Your’sMerry ChristmasGALVESTON— ONE OF THE TOP 7 HOME PORTS IN THE WORLD —SINCE 1976Next >