OnBoard Magazine - Summer 2014

LINES OF PEDIGREE THE SALTY AIR OFFSHORE of Cape May, New Jersey can feel brisk at times, even in the middle of July. Perhaps it’s a welcomed relief to the sun’s heat, or it merely goes unnoticed in the midst of the action as lines tighten, rods begin to flex, voices rise and the excitement grows. Three generations of the Turner family have grown to enjoy sport fishing in these waters and have been recurring participants in venerable Mid-Atlantic tournaments such as the Viking/Ocean Showdown and White Marlin Open for many years. The Turner family enjoys cruising equally as much as fishing, and likes to spend summers in and around Chesapeake Bay when they are not active on the tournament scene. While the boats and crews have changed over the years, the name adorning the transom of owner Richard Turner’s Viking yachts has always been Foolish Pleasure . The name of a derby-winning thoroughbred in the mid 70’s, Turner felt it was a great name for a boat as well, and has stood by that belief for nearly four decades. Early in his boating career, Turner owned a Bertram 28 before stepping up to a Bertram 35. For his next vessel, he bought the Viking 35 sedan bridge demo at the 1977Annapolis Boat Show. He was immediately taken by the quality of build and craftsmanship along with the offshore stability and cruising comfort of the boat. Following that first Viking, he moved up to a 43 Motor Yacht, a great boat he said, but ultimately he realized that the style of a sportfisher better suited his family and their boating activities. Their next boat was a Viking 56 Convertible and his run on Viking Yachts has been rounded out more recently by two boats bought via Bluewater Yacht Sales and broker Jud Black, a 61 Enclosed Bridge followed by a 62 Enclosed Bridge delivered in early 2014. This extensive and loyal history of building and owning new Viking Yachts means Turner has had a uniquely long and personal view of the company’s explosive growth over a majority of their fifty years in business. Mr. Turner considers the Healeys (Viking ownership) extended family and has watched Pat Healey grow from a boy to a leading executive in the company. Likewise, he has had a front row seat while witnessing the Viking plant in New Gretna, New Jersey blossom from a couple of small warehouses to a massive 810,000 square foot operation boasting five assembly lines. Dick Turner at the helm of Foolish Pleasure, his first new Viking Yacht, a 1978 35’ Convertible, while returning to Indian River Inlet, DE after a successful offshore fishing trip. Their 5th new Viking, the Turners are looking forward to forging new memories aboard their 2014 62’ Enclosed Bridge Convertible, Foolish Pleasure . THEN NOW A FAMILY AFFAIR Richard’ssonTim,andgranddaughter Alexa pose after releasing Alexa’s first blue marlin. In conjunction with a tuna she caught during the same tournament, the release propelled the Foolish Pleasure team into first place honors at the 2007 Viking/ Ocean Showdown. The Turners, Capt. Hannum and Mate AJ Pegler have been staunch supporters of the Florida Fish For Life tournament, annually offering up the boat and crew for free charters to support colon cancer awareness. 4 BLUEWATER