Home October November December Hi-Res Images October November December Logos/ Artwork Bilge Brothers' Bio	Brian Opfer Bio Since sinking his first inflatable boat by overloading it with a semi truck battery to over power a trolling motor at the age of eight, Brian Opfer loved "messing 'round on boats." Through trial and error he grew into an accomplished boat restorer. Brian's other gig, as an engineering technician for a tier-one brake supplier, has allowed him to travel the world where he seeks out the nearest boat when the workday is done. This Bilge Brother's specialty is rebuilding old wooden powerboats from the ground up. He's currently working on a 1961, 36-foot Egg Harbor. He tears down and rebuilds each engine before dropping it into his latest wooden restoration and is equally experienced in wood, fiberglass, and metal hull repair. Brian’s dream project is a 37- foot, JR Benford, twin-diesel, steel tugboat he dreams about building from the keel up. Ron Barger Bio Ron Barger credits two grandfathers that fished and the Sears Buccaneer engine his dad bought for him as a kid to what sparked his love of anything to do with being on the water under power. As an avid fisherman Ron specializes in the installation and maintenance of all things fishing related on boats. He's parlayed his marine and land yachting knowledge gained from over 20- years working in public relations and technical writing for major marine and RV manufacturers into writing as a journalist for Waterfront, Great Lakes Angler, Lakeland Boating, Motorhome and Trailer Life magazines. Ron's current project boats, (or punishments), include re-powering a 1968 Starcraft Seafarer rebuilt into a center console river skiff, getting a 1974, 25-foot Starcraft Chieftain out of storage and in the water, and putting the finishing touches on a 1971 Funtoon brand pontoon boat fondly known as the ToonTanic.