Built for the Long Haul

An Addiction to Quality

Brian describes himself as having an addiction to quality. He appreciates things that offer versatility, strike the perfect balance between simple and complex, and do what they’re supposed to do without any fuss.

When he saw a Gause boat up close in the early 2000s, he immediately recognized that level of craftsmanship and knew he wanted one “someday.”

About 10 years ago, he purchased his first Gause and ran it for eight years. He didn’t necessarily need a new boat, but when he decided he wanted to move into a Mercury setup, building a new 2025 Gause 26 became the natural choice.

The new boat carries the same colors and general specifications he already knew and loved—now paired with Mercury power and Seakeeper Ride.

A Tank in the Storm

While Brian has countless memories of his family on the water, one trip stands out.

After a great day of tarpon fishing in Boca Grande with his wife, afternoon storms began piling up and creeping into the Gulf.

Low on fuel, running through thick weather with four-to-six-foot seas and unable to see the beach less than a mile away, Brian put the trim tabs down and muscled through it. They eventually relied on their chart and old tracks to navigate through the pass, make it into the bay and complete the final stretch home on the trolling motor.

“I remember calling David the next morning and telling him that he’d better come get the boat because I was sure I’d broken it somewhere. Knowing the tank-like nature of his boats, he just laughed and graciously took time to look it over.”

The boat was fine.

Versatility on the Water

For Brian, true versatility means finding the sweet spot between capability and simplicity. He prefers things that do exactly what they’re supposed to do without unnecessary fuss—and his 26 delivers on that promise across every environment he encounters.

Operating primarily around Estero Bay, Sanibel, Captiva and Pine Island Sound, Brian needs a boat that can transition seamlessly from shallow water to open Gulf passes.

“As far as the boat itself, it’s good in the bay, it’s good in the pass, it’s good in the places that are shallower than I should take it, it’s good up and down the beach, it’s good in the Keys, it’s good at the sandbar—it’s just good.”

That versatility also extends to how the boat is used on any given day. Whether Brian is fishing with friends, taking his three girls out for a family day or simply going for a relaxing ride, the deck layout adapts effortlessly.

Everything is in the right place and feels natural and easy to use. That thoughtful design—paired with a remarkably solid, safe build and Seakeeper Ride—allows Brian to focus on the experience instead of fussing with the equipment.

And, as Brian is quick to point out, it’s also a downright good-looking boat.

More Than a Boat

Brian and his wife have three little girls who love being out on the water. With the boat kept behind their home, the girls are quite literally growing up on the Gause—trip after trip and ride after ride.

“My wife and I have three little girls that, very fortunately, also love being out on the water. They are literally growing up on the Gause boat.”

But for Brian, the experience goes beyond the boat itself. It is also about the people who built it and continue to help him care for it.

“Even though I gave them a nice chunk of change for it, I’ve often felt like I’m just borrowing the boat from them because they are so meticulous and care about it and my happiness with it so much, it’s as if it’s still their boat.”

That level of care is part of what has kept Brian connected to Gause Built Boats for more than a decade—and what made returning to build his second Gause feel like the natural next chapter.