Albatross Fleet 70th Anniversary 10-13-07

bigeasy · 10-14-2007, 03:47 AM

Capt Ernal Foster started a sportfishing business in 1937 in Hatteras Village, NC with the purchase of the "Albatross". This was followed by the "Albatross 2" in 1948 and the "Albatross 3" in 1952. These vessels have been in continuous service in charter fishing by the same family, now the son, Ernie Foster since 1937.

I am not aware of any serious marine mishap with these wooden boats at any time. They are constructed of Juniper and were built in Harkers Island, NC. They have been glassed and upgraded with engines and modern equipment as it became available. The outriggers, however, are bamboo painted with the distinctive candy cane colors as originally built.

Ernie and his wife hosted a 70th Anniversary cookout in Hatteras Village for the local community on 10-13-07.

This represents a considerable achievement in the sportfishing world. I am not aware of a longer life charter fishing business in the world, operated by the same family.

Congratulations to the Foster family for keeping alive a tradition of recreational fishing and excellence in service.

OffTheHookB&T · 10-14-2007, 07:02 AM

Very cool read Capt Cliff, thanks for sharing.
Congratulations to the Albatross Fleet and the Foster family

Pretty unique boats there, I've never seen a transom like that.

Jer · 10-14-2007, 11:24 AM

Awesome! Very cool, thanks for posting the story and the pictures. Congrats, Albatross Fleet!

Sea Frog · 10-15-2007, 09:09 PM

Now that post is one of the coolest i have seen on here. I like to see the old boats especially if they are still active

bigeasy · 10-15-2007, 10:06 PM

recently fished with captain Ernie. He started fishing with the Albatross fleet in 1948. Ernie was boasting a bit but he said, "not many businesses can keep a customer for 59 years".

Many give Ernal Foster and his family a lot of credit for pioneering sportfishing in North Carolina. His brother , Bill Foster was also a Captain in the Albatross fleet who held the Atlantic blue marlin record for many years.

SeaBiscuit · 10-16-2007, 12:29 PM

Thanks for bringing this special event to our attention captain Cliff. The legend of the Albatross fleet is a good one. I hope they go on for ever!
SeaBiscuit

ocnslr · 10-16-2007, 08:14 PM

We were right next door in the Breakwater Inn and saw the crowd gathering. Heard "Happy Birthday" being sung, but didn't know until the next day what the gathering was about.

I've read the entire history of the fleet development, and sorry I missed the party.

Brian

anthony · 10-18-2007, 09:53 AM

Cliff,

Great stuff! Capt. Ernie is a fine gentleman and it is amazing that they have been able to continue charter fishing all these years...let alone with the SAME BOATS! Wish I could have been there...will make sure I congratulate Ernie when I move the Skirtchaser there in March. I always enjoy looking down the dock from my slip at Oden's and see those Albatross boats.

gofshn · 10-18-2007, 11:43 PM

for those of you who like history, "Hatteras Blues" is a must to read. this will be one book you can't put down. it details the origins of these boats as well as the lives of those involved in their sailing.

#1Gaffman · 10-19-2007, 12:32 AM

Thanks captain Cliff for bring this up.

I was fishing with Elson on the outer limits this summer when i looked over and saw this funky lookn boat with candy cane looking riggers??? Crazy lookn boat for sure.

Elson explained the boat and the history.

Man you gotta love OBX history. While i was in OI i learned a lot about hte history of the carolinas. Man, so much heritage and honor down there just amazed me. Remember i am just a dum yankee kid, so this was all knew to me

10-14-2007, 11:24 AM	#3
Jer Sportfishermen.com Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Fortaleza, CE, Brazil Posts: 3,924 Credits: 2,463.3 Best Catch: Catfish. I don't know the weight and lenght. Occupation: Internet	Awesome! Very cool, thanks for posting the story and the pictures. Congrats, Albatross Fleet! __________________

10-15-2007, 10:06 PM	#5
bigeasy Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hatteras Village, North Carolina Posts: 667 Credits: 5,705.9 Boat: Big Easy Home Port: Hatteras, NC Occupation: Charter boat operator	A long time customer recently fished with captain Ernie. He started fishing with the Albatross fleet in 1948. Ernie was boasting a bit but he said, "not many businesses can keep a customer for 59 years". Many give Ernal Foster and his family a lot of credit for pioneering sportfishing in North Carolina. His brother , Bill Foster was also a Captain in the Albatross fleet who held the Atlantic blue marlin record for many years. __________________ _________________ Captain Cliff Parker www.bigeasycharters.com Hatteras, NC year round Last edited by bigeasy; 10-15-2007 at 10:26 PM.

10-18-2007, 09:53 AM	#8
anthony I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: God's Country...Eastern Shore Posts: 1,629 Credits: 1,387.2	Cliff, Great stuff! Capt. Ernie is a fine gentleman and it is amazing that they have been able to continue charter fishing all these years...let alone with the SAME BOATS! Wish I could have been there...will make sure I congratulate Ernie when I move the Skirtchaser there in March. I always enjoy looking down the dock from my slip at Oden's and see those Albatross boats. __________________ Capt. Anthony Thomas Skirtchaser Sportfishing

10-18-2007, 11:43 PM	#9
gofshn Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: mocksville,nc/winston-salem Posts: 838 Credits: 1,342.5 Occupation: commercial controls technician	for those of you who like history, "Hatteras Blues" is a must to read. this will be one book you can't put down. it details the origins of these boats as well as the lives of those involved in their sailing. __________________ "Life is too short to not go fishing" 26'Donzi Walkaround with twin Honda's "Fishbones" 25' Carolina Classic "Chasin' Tail" 19' Crestliner Center Console "Nasty" vhf callsign "Big Nasty"

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10-14-2007, 03:47 AM	#1
bigeasy Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hatteras Village, North Carolina Posts: 667 Credits: 5,705.9 Boat: Big Easy Home Port: Hatteras, NC Occupation: Charter boat operator	Albatross Fleet 70th Anniversary 10-13-07 Capt Ernal Foster started a sportfishing business in 1937 in Hatteras Village, NC with the purchase of the "Albatross". This was followed by the "Albatross 2" in 1948 and the "Albatross 3" in 1952. These vessels have been in continuous service in charter fishing by the same family, now the son, Ernie Foster since 1937. I am not aware of any serious marine mishap with these wooden boats at any time. They are constructed of Juniper and were built in Harkers Island, NC. They have been glassed and upgraded with engines and modern equipment as it became available. The outriggers, however, are bamboo painted with the distinctive candy cane colors as originally built. Ernie and his wife hosted a 70th Anniversary cookout in Hatteras Village for the local community on 10-13-07. This represents a considerable achievement in the sportfishing world. I am not aware of a longer life charter fishing business in the world, operated by the same family. Congratulations to the Foster family for keeping alive a tradition of recreational fishing and excellence in service. Attached Images __________________ _________________ Captain Cliff Parker www.bigeasycharters.com Hatteras, NC year round

10-15-2007, 09:09 PM	#4
Sea Frog Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Winston-Salem / MHC Posts: 294 Credits: 1,373.4 Occupation: Desk Jockey	Now that post is one of the coolest i have seen on here. I like to see the old boats especially if they are still active

10-16-2007, 12:29 PM	#6
SeaBiscuit I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 3,063 Credits: 6,190.2	Thanks for bringing this special event to our attention captain Cliff. The legend of the Albatross fleet is a good one. I hope they go on for ever! SeaBiscuit

10-16-2007, 08:14 PM	#7
ocnslr Crab mustard is good Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 938 Credits: 1,194.7 Boat: "C-Time" Grady Islander 270 Home Port: Norfolk, VA Best Catch: Cathy (aka CATHOD) Occupation: Technology Support	We were right next door in the Breakwater Inn and saw the crowd gathering. Heard "Happy Birthday" being sung, but didn't know until the next day what the gathering was about. I've read the entire history of the fleet development, and sorry I missed the party. Brian

10-19-2007, 12:32 AM	#10
#1Gaffman I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,236 Credits: 1,491.6 Home Port: OCEAN CITY Occupation: MATE	Thanks captain Cliff for bring this up. I was fishing with Elson on the outer limits this summer when i looked over and saw this funky lookn boat with candy cane looking riggers??? Crazy lookn boat for sure. Elson explained the boat and the history. Man you gotta love OBX history. While i was in OI i learned a lot about hte history of the carolinas. Man, so much heritage and honor down there just amazed me. Remember i am just a dum yankee kid, so this was all knew to me