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March Cruising Weather in the Gulf & Caribbean – Fred Pickhardt
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Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for moreMarch is one of the most popular months for cruising the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean—and for good reason. It sits right at the sweet spot between winter cold fronts and the start of the wetter summer pattern. For cruisers, that means comfortable temperatures, manageable seas, and very low risk of tropical weather…
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© 2026 Fred Pickhardt
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‘Wage Theft’ Decision Against Catalina’s Former Owner – Loose Cannon
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‘Wage Theft’ Decision Against Catalina’s Former Owner
Husband and Wife Accuse Reardon Before Human Rights Board
This is a photo of the eviction notice taped to the Catalina factory door and later entered into evidence in a lawsuit in which Micheal Reardon (inset) was named as defendant. The man who founded Daedalus Yachts and then shut it down, who bought Catalina Yachts and was forced to shut it down and who bought and then sold Tartan Yachts can now add another line to his boat-building resume. His corporate entity was respondent in a human rights case.
A special magistrate for the Pinellas County Office of Human Rights in Florida has ordered Catalina Holdings LLC, controlled by Michael Reardon, to compensate two Catalina employees for “wage theft,” as defined by county ordinances.
In February 12 judgements, Magistrate Christopher Schulman ordered the Edenton, N.C. businessman to pay double the unpaid wages owed to both David and Lisa Payce, longtime workers at Catalina’s factory in Largo, Florida. Husband and wife were originally owed $3,868 and $3,654, respectively, for 200 hours of unpaid work performed in September and October, 2025.
Tartan Yachts’ Longtime Rigger Buys the Company
·Jan 20Read full story They were among the approximately 50 workers who had agreed to work temporarily, pay deferred until Reardon secured financing for the company, which he had purchased under Catalina LLC Holdings in April 2025 from Catalina’s longtime parent company in California.
She was the warehouse manager and he, the warehouse clerk. They were responsible for storing parts from vendors and getting parts “kits” for each stage of production to each boat on the factory floor on time. They each earned an hourly wage of $15.75 an hour.
In mid-October, Reardon was accused of reneging on his deal with the previous Catalina owner by failing to pay rent for the Largo manufacturing plant, according to documents filed in a separate court case. The factory shutdown was forced by an eviction action filed by the California seller, which had retained ownership of the real estate. The workforce was sent home, permanently as it turned out.
On January 30, a Pinellas County Superior Court judge entered a default judgment against Reardon in that case, ordering him to pay the seller $1 million owed in an “asset purchase agreement.”
Lisa Payce said at least five of other former Catalina workers plan to file wage theft complaints with the Office of Human Rights. She said a contingent of 20 to 30 of the workers of Vietnamese descent may also have been waiting to see how their cases turned out before deciding whether to file their own.
“Now that I’ve gone forward and won, they’re interested in going forward also,” she said.
According to the Office of Human Rights findings, Reardon has 30 days to pay the judgement or the amount will be tripled instead of doubled. This would bring the total amount to more than $11,600 for each Cayce. The couple can also seek “reasonable attorney’s fees” for the lawyer who represented them.
Last night, Reardon was asked via text whether he intended to pay the Cayce judgements. He had been quite talkative in an earlier text exchange using the same telephone number.
“This is not Michael” was the reply. Nothing else.
Q&A: Catalina Will Reopen, Reardon Says
·November 5, 2025Read full story LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
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AIWA Newsletter, February 2026
Cruisers Net is proud to be a member of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, whose lobbying work is crucial to keeping the Waterway navigable and safe. Your membership dollars directly support their vital work. Please join and encourage your boating neighbors to do the same, regardless of their home port.
On January 15, 2026, the President signed into law the mini-bus appropriations package that included Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) funding for Energy and Water Development, which included funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). As expected, the bill included the following amounts for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and our partners on the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway. VA – Albemarle Chesapeake Canal – President’s Budget Request – $3.597M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $3.597M
VA – Dismal Swamp Canal – President’s Budget Request – $1.816M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $1.816M
NC – President’s Budget Request – $12.490M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $16.712M, an increase of $4.222M over the President’s Budget
SC – President’s Budget Request – $9.213M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $9.213M
GA – President’s Budget Request – $6.265M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $6.265M
FL – President’s Budget Request – $4.830M, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $4.830M
Total for the AIWW/IWW – President’s Budget Request – $38.211 Million, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $42.433 Million
Total for the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway – President’s Budget Request – $1.715 Million, Final Appropriations Bill Amount – $1.715 MillionA highlight this year is that Congressman Greg Murphy’s Community Project Funding request for an additional $4.222 million for North Carolina was included in their final bill. This funding was an advocacy goal for the Association for FY2026, and we are grateful for Congressman Murphy’s support.
Allocation of Additional Dredging Needs Funding Pots
We also have the opportunity to secure additional funding through the Additional Dredging Needs funding pots included in the appropriations bill listed below:
General Navigation – $509.482 million
Inland Waterways – $47.243 million
Small, Remote or Subsistence Navigation – $300 millionThe Corps was directed to identify additional projects in these three categories and report back to Congress in April. With the funding received in the current bill, we have secured nearly $225 million in federal funding for operations and maintenance of Marine Highway 95 in the last four years. Projects have been planned or underway in every state along the waterway since 2017.
Looking ahead
Now that we know the final funding amounts for 2026, we are working on our funding requests for FY2027. We have contacted the Congressional members’ offices and AIWA board members and staff are planning to meet with them during the first week of March. We will be reporting on these efforts in our next newsletter.In addition, we are waiting to see what funding amounts are proposed for the Corps in the President’s budget for FY2027. This is generally the first step in the appropriations process and we hope to know these amounts prior to our meetings in March, but we anticipate that the release of the President’s budget will be delayed as Congress continues to complete the process on the remaining appropriations bill for Homeland Security. While this appropriations bill doesn’t include funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it does include our partners at the U.S. Coast Guard. Once all appropriations bills are finalized for FY2026, we expect the President’s budget to be released for FY2027.
Florida Boaters Can Now Take Free
State-Approved Boating Safety CourseA recent press release from our friends at BoatUSThe BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has launched the only free interactive boating safety course for
Florida recreational boaters. The course, which is approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and meets state boating safety education requirements, can be taken at the student’s own pace. After passing the exam, they can print their own certificate of completion for immediate use and will receive a lifetime card from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The course provides video demonstrations and sample common boating situations for students to interact with to better understand how to evaluate real-world instances. The learning experience includes storylines where the student “boats” to various places and includes interactive learning tools like flashcards and drag-and-drop features to enhance learning and retention. Course-takers will be able to design and name the virtual boat that takes them through the course and map how far they’ve “traveled” within it.
In the state of Florida, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boating safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and proof of boating safety education
completion issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The online BoatUS Foundation boating safety course and exam are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard as exceeding the minimum requirements for the National Recreational Boating Safety Program.
“NASBLA approval of our Florida Boating Safety Course is a meaningful investment in boater safety, said Lynne O’Hearn, Program Manager at BoatUS Foundation. “Boater education is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidents, and this course gives Florida boaters the opportunity to build their skills to better enjoy Florida waterways safely.”
To take the course, visit BoatUS.org/Florida. For more information about Florida boating safety education, visit myfwc.com/boating/
safety-education. 
Copyright © 2026. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association. All rights reserved. The AIWA is a national non-profit organization with the mission of securing funding and support for the maintenance of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. We are the only organization dedicated to ensuring the future of the AIWW and proudly represent all stakeholders of the waterway.
Contact:
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association
5a Market | Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 379-1151 | atlanticintracoastal.org
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Hurricane Force Wind Warning: West Atlantic – Fred Pickhardt
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A 1000 mb low at 36N 72W is moving NE at 25 knots with winds up to 45 knots and 5-meter seas. Within the next 30 hours the storm center will intensify significantly, with central pressure dropping to 966 mb. Winds will reach 55 to 70 knots with seas building 8 to 13 meters (approx. 26 to 43 feet) within 180 nm south of the low center.
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Florida Boaters Now Have Access to Free State-Approved Online Boating Safety Course – BoatUS
BoatUS is the leading advocate for boating safety in the US and A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR.
Press Contact:
Alisha Sheth, BoatUS PR Manager
Florida Boaters Can Now Take Free
State-Approved Boating Safety CourseAt-home learning helps Florida boaters prepare for the water easily and conveniently
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – February 4, 2026 – The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has launched the only free interactive boating safety course for Florida recreational boaters.
The course, which is approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and meets state boating safety education requirements, can be taken at the student’s own pace. After passing the exam, they can print their own certificate of completion for immediate use and will receive a lifetime card from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The course provides video demonstrations and sample common boating situations for students to interact with to better understand how to evaluate real-world instances. The learning experience includes storylines where the student “boats” to various places and includes interactive learning tools like flashcards and drag-and-drop features to enhance learning and retention. Course-takers will be able to design and name the virtual boat that takes them through the course and map how far they’ve “traveled” within it.
In the state of Florida, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boating safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and proof of boating safety education
completion issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The online BoatUS Foundation boating safety course and exam are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard as exceeding the minimum requirements for the National Recreational Boating Safety Program.
“NASBLA approval of our Florida Boating Safety Course is a meaningful investment in boater safety, said Lynne O’Hearn, Program Manager at BoatUS Foundation. “Boater education is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidents, and this course gives Florida boaters the opportunity to build their skills to better enjoy Florida waterways safely.”
To take the course, visit BoatUS.org/Florida. For more information about Florida boating safety education, visit myfwc.com/boating/
safety-education. About BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:
The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the more than 740,000 members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America’s waterways, and keeping boating safe for all. A range of safe and clean boating courses – including the nation’s only free online boating safety course – can be found at BoatUS.org/Courses.
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Severe Weather Risk For Southeast Update – Fred Pickhardt
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There is a risk for severe weather across the Southeast through Sunday due to severe thunderstorms with potentially damaging gusty winds and a few possible tornadoes, particularly across northern Florida and Georgia, including the adjacent coastal waters.
There is a 5 to 15% risk for wind gusts in thunderstorms to exceed 50 knots producing Hazardous sea conditions over the coastal waters of parts of Florida and Georgia.
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© 2026 Fred Pickhardt
548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104
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Fishermen’s Village February 2026 Calendars, Punta Gorda, FL
There is always plenty to do around Charlotte Harbor. While berthed at Fishermen’s Village Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, you are certain to enjoy visiting Western Florida’s beautiful Charlotte Harbor/Peace River.
Fishermen’s Village February Calendars of Entertainment/Events
February 2026 Sunset Beach Club Calendar
February 2026 Fisherman’s Village Calendar
Special Events & Community Relations941.639.8721
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Fishermen’s Village
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village
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