Corpus Christi Marina 2025
The Corpus Christi Municipal Marina, established alongside the seawall in the 1940s, is a historic downtown hub featuring over 560 wet slips,, T-heads, and L-heads. Major expansions occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with ongoing modernizations transforming wooden piers into floating concrete docks.
We moved the boat from New Orleans to Corpus Christi for one simple reason: Corpus Christi is only about two hours from San Antonio, where we live, and that puts it within easy driving distance. I have to remind you—when I bought this 64-foot yacht, I didn’t know how to drive it. This was the first boat I’d ever owned. So we relocated her to Corpus Christi with the idea that the proximity would give us some time—a year or so—to really learn how to operate her, understand the maintenance, and get familiar with all the onboard systems. The plan has always been to complete this learning phase here in Texas, then move the boat up to Seattle and eventually cruise the Inside Passage from Seattle through Canada all the way to Alaska.
Shrimp boats come in everyday, 5$ a pound delivered to your boat…
We tried to take Jada with us on every visit and for the most part she embraced the experience. I have a very strong feeling that “she is NOT a boat dog.” Can’t put my finger on it but she just gives me that vibe.
Getting To Know The Boat
When we got the boat to Corpus Christi, the real work began. Peter, Jennifer, and I went to work researching all the different areas—from sump pumps to fuel polishers, generators to the electrical system, and everywhere in between. We had teak to repair, odds and ends that needed replacing, and a boat we had to become intimately familiar with across all her systems. The electrical system alone, just to give you an example, includes an AC system, a DC system, shore power, and two generators, each with its own panels and protocols. We had to learn chart plotting systems, navigation systems, radar systems, and weather systems—all of which had to be learned, repaired where needed, and definitely understood before I could even begin to learn how to actually drive the boat. We got it all done in about four months…
Summer of 2025
Becca, Kysia, Ray, Jennifer, Cash and Abbey
Ray became an expert at squeezing limes, what ever will we do with all that lime juice…
In June 2025, we hosted our very first visitors on the boat: Becca, Kysia, and Ray Ray. We made ceviche, cooked, drank, and laughed, and we had an absolute ball together. While they were still with us, Cash (Abbey’s youngest son) and his girlfriend Alice joined, and we continued the fun as we celebrated Cash’s birthday. A few days later Abbey arrived as well, and we loved showing everyone the boat and the surroundings, even though we didn’t take the boat out yet because I still couldn’t drive it or more importantly, I could not park it…
Birthdays...
Cash Ehman celebrates his birthday on board the Aku-Aku… hopefully he will want to come and spent time in the summer cruising the inside passage.
Kelsie and Kassidy celebrated their birthday… 3 July. We were so excited to see them and celebrate with them. Gavin joined in the celebration as well.
Matt, Stacey and Ranch Sturdy
Matt and Stacey were on their way from Canton, Georgia, to Texas when they decided to pause and spend a couple of weeks living on their boat in Corpus Christi. Ranch’s story has always stayed close to my heart. Years ago, he came into the clinic where I worked with two broken legs, no owner, and no one to pay for his care. Euthanasia was being considered, but there was something about him that made it impossible to give up. Every morning, I would sit with him, and his eyes—full of hope and quiet determination—seemed to ask for a chance at life. Despite his pain, he never lost his spirit; he wagged his tail, stayed gentle, and refused to let his circumstances define him. Then, as if by miracle, a donor stepped forward to cover his expenses. I later helped arrange for Matt and Stacey to adopt him, and the rest is a beautiful story of second chances. Moments like that make you believe there really is something like Santa Claus in the world.
July 4, 2025
We hosted Dr. Peter Cox, Valerie, Dr. Bobby Dean and Jennifer (AKA Pookie) to spend the 4th on the boat at Corpus Christi. Matt and Stacey joined us as well. Side note: Matt and Stacey are excellent chiefs and have forced us all to up the “cooking game” a notch or two, love their presence. We had a great time. The fireworks were just off the Stern, we sat on the upper deck watching, a very different experience. Jennifer and I joined the Bay Yacht Club, they are wonderful folks who really helped us into this brand new world of yachting.
Matt Sturdy Turns Fifty Years Old On The Fourth
Repairs Done Check, Partying Done Check, Driving???
After moving the Aku-Aku from New Orleans to Corpus Christi, we spent five months getting her sorted out—tracking down parts, repairing systems, bringing the generators up to speed, and reworking the teak until it was both functional and beautiful. Once the boat was ready, it was our turn to catch up. A former Captain of the Aku-Aku under Mr. Boone, a gentleman named Captain Marty, agreed to come teach us how to handle her. He flew in from New Orleans, and over the next three or four days aboard the Aku-Aku, he worked with our little crew—Peter, Jennifer, me, Matt, and Stacey. Captain Marty had us pulling in and out of the dock more times than I could count, parking the boat and practicing close‑quarters maneuvers around the marina. It was an excellent experience, and by the time he left, I felt like I was about halfway to where I needed to be as her captain.
Visitors, Fun and Food
Bobby and Jennifer Dean
Gary and Amy Hobbs
Kerrie, Kami and Kennedy
John, Amy and Michel Dudte
