Port Aransas has a long history with a particular boat named after its designer and builder Charles Frederick Farley. The boat was initially needed to handle the choppy waters of the Gulf while fishing for Tarpon. In 1915 the Farley and Son Boat Builders company was founded with the idea of building unique boats in Port Aransas for the rough waters of the Gulf and Tarpon fishing. These boats had a large bow to break the waves and relatively low sides to make fishing easier.
Here is a famous picture of President Roosevelt catching a Tarpon from a Farley boat.
The Tarpon eventually ran out, and the Farley Boat Works stopped building boats.
Today Port Aransas keeps the spirit of the Farley Boat alive through the Farley Boat Works Museum (which we will visit another time) and cement Farley Boats scattered around town.
This post will give you an idea of some of the Farley boats on display.
The first shows a boat that the owner painted to match the house
This next one is in front of a business which I featured a couple of Sunday’s ago. All pink indeed blocks out the boat name.
I love this next one since it is in front of a person’s house. Notice the water waves at the bottom of the boat and the beware of dog sign on the fence. (I sure did) The flowers are lovely.
This next one is in front of the newspaper office and has some plants as well as a partially hidden cat ready to have some fish. You can also tell by the color of the grass in these pictures that we have not had any rain since early June.
This one is interesting in that the owner painted it to look like wood and then loaded it with rocks. (which don’t require much water)
This next one is also painted to look like wood and has a beautiful turquoise deck.
These next three are along the road wich leads to Robert’s Point Park. The last of the three is quite colorful.
This boat is outside the Chamber of Commerce. Hard to believe these boats are made out of concrete isn’t it?
The next three are in front of businesses.
The final boat for this tour is in front of the cutest house that is under remodel. A little bit of the porch is visible.
I hope you liked the Farley Boat tour.
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Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
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That you for the reblog. 🙂
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Interesting local history, John, and some great images of Farley boats. However, the simple statement The Tarpon eventually ran out gives the piece a sadness that I couldn’t shake off.
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It is a story for another time. It is very sad.
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A concrete boat? I think I’ll stick to land. Great photos, John. Despite the brown grass, your town is so beautiful. I always look forward to these Sunday tours. Have a great day!
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Thanks, Jill. These are definitely for land use only. 🙂
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This reminds me of when a bunch of Buffalo statues were put around Buffalo, NY. Shame the boats couldn’t be used for anything else. Though a bigger shame that the tarpon were wiped out.
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The Tarpon story is a sad one. It wasn’t just overfishing but that was a big part. Thanks. 🙂
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What else happened? Rather curious since overfishing tends to be the one you hear about most.
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There were some dams built which caused some disturbance to the breeding areas.
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I have to say it: Damn.
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Yup.
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John, I can’t pin down what it is, but this is one of your best Sunday posts. The board of tourism, chamber of commerce — whatever — should be paying you. Sharing all around.
Have a sublime Sunday, and mega hugs!
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Aw, thank you Teagan. I really appreciate the compliment. As you are well aware it is hard to come up with things that just might be of interest to those who don’t live here. Big Hug for this!!!! 🙂
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Vibrant colors in these pictures, John. I agree with Teagan. The local chamber of commerce should appreciate you more with some gratuity. Maybe they could supply you with a book of coupons for free business services or meals at the restaurants, etc. 😀 — Suzanne
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They do not know I exist and I like it that way. Thanks, Suzanne. 🙂
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Great photos and some pretty good artwork and design on those boats. I like the little things that tell the world “this is a community” – these are pretty cool.
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Thanks, Dan. The Farley Boat is among things the community has in common. I hope to bring out the others in time. (Well one of them is beer.)
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Beer’s a good thing to share.
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True.
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Hey, John, you really outdid yourself with these great photos! Your Port Aransas is really an interesting place to see – I understand why you decided to settle there! Thanks for the interesting post!
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Thank you, John. Yes this place is eclectic enough to suit me. 😀
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It’s awesome they were made of concrete. I seem to remember someone used it for larger boats too at one time. These boats look really tiny for ocean going. Not the one with Roosevelt, but the ones that have been repurposed. Really sad about the tarpon.
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These are monuments and not intended for water use. I guess I should have made that clearer. 🙂
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I totally bought the idea of concrete boats. I seem to remember something about someone making boats that were somewhat disposable. It could have been merchant ships for WWII. Concrete and water are not friends, but will hold up for a while.
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Make good reefs though.
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Here you go http://www.concreteships.org/history/
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Okay then. Thanks.
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Love the history and all the different colors and designs – and Teagan’s right – you should be getting paid for this!
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Ha ha ha. I should be paid for a lot of stuff. Thanks Teri.
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Our grass looks just about like yours. Again, lack of rain (though we’re trying to remedy that this weekend!). Love the Farley Boats, especially the one with the turquoise deck, the seashells, and those gorgeous red petunias(?). Lovely tour for a Sunday, John!
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Thanks, Debbie. I had hoped it would be something people liked. 🙂
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They’re wonderful! You live in a lovely part of the world with nice people John! 😀
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Thanks, Jan. I think so.
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What a great blog, John! I loved the story, the photos, the history… And, this is the first I’ve heard of the Farley boats… I’m going to reblog this post!
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Thanks, Gwen. Glad you enjoyed it.
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I love your Farley boats. We have flying pigs all over the Greater Cincinnati area. They are fun to see, but the Farley boats can double as planters filled with local flowers.
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Thanks Michelle. Most put flowers. 🙂
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John’s blog’s all about boats, bitches!
Sorry, I got carried away…
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Ha ha ha. loved it.
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I did not know about the Farley boats!
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Hey! Gotcha.
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I did like the boat tour. Thank you, John.
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You are so welcome, Cynthia. Thank you for the visit. 🙂
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I adore the paint jobs on all of these boats very much, but there’s something to be said for the boat holding the rocks. Simple. Inspiring..
Thanks for showing us around, John.
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My pleasure, Audrey.
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