Our boats The Jack Flash and The Lady Lori are custom designed for photography. Each boat has an enclosed cabin to protect you and your gear from the elements. There is plenty of room in each boat for tripods and camera cases, feel free to bring those tripods and long lenses. Many people wish to set up a tripod and then have a handheld rig for flight shots. Each boat has an upper and lower deck. The upper decks are excellent for shooting above the grass and brush to photograph the Whooping Cranes as they feed on Blue Crabs, Wolfberries and the occasional snake. The lower decks are the place to be if you wish to have a more eye level perspective. Some people like to lie down on the lower decks to photograph the Whooping Cranes as well as the many other birds we encounter on each tour.
The Jack Flash can accommodate three tripods each on its upper and lower deck. The Jack Flash has a third lower rear deck that is sometime used, if conditions are right, for an even lower perspective. The Jack Flash has a draft of only six inches. This means we can get you in close and to areas not accessible to other tour boats. The flat bottom makes for as stable a platform as possible. We like to position the boat so it is resting in the mud or on the shore so that there is very little movement.
The Lady Lori can accommodate two tripods on her upper deck and four tripods on her lower deck. The Lady Lori's rear deck is the same level as the lower deck. There is room for a couple of hand held photographers on this deck. The Lady Lori has a draft of 10 inches, much shallower than any other tour boat in the area. She will also rest in the mud and on the shore to provide a stable platform for photography.
Captain Kevin's boat, The Jack Flash, was custom made in Louisiana. The boat was originally designed to navigate the narrow, shallow swamps and bayous. The Jack Flash, was designed and built with photography being its main purpose. The Jack Flash was further enhanced by reinforcing the cabin roof. With the addition of a set of stairs photographers are able to utilize the upper deck. With the final addition of hand rails all around the upper deck and bow deck the boat is safe for the photographer and the photographers gear. The Jack Flash is powered by a Yamaha 150 horse power outboard. The Yamaha is an extremely reliable engine.
Captain Lori's boat, The Lady Lori is a custom built 30 foot shallow water draft boat. Lori and I made her boat ourselves from scratch with Captain Lori doing most of the welding on the boat. The Lady Lori features two decks with plenty of room for six photographers with tri pods. Her boat is also powered by a 200 horse power Suzuki outboard motor.
Both boats have features that include an enclosed cabin. The cabin is fantastic for getting out of the elements. Our boats also have handrails for your comfort and safety. Even on warm winter days the wind off of the water can be quite chilling. On cold days it is nice to be able to warm up. Your equipment, and personal items will be safe, secure and dry inside.
