McCoy made a number of successful trips aboard the "Tomoka", and – along with the "Henry L. Marshall" and up to five other vessels – became a household name through his smuggling activities. Capt. McCoy mostly hauled Rye, Irish and Canadian whisky as well as other fine liquors and wines. He is credited with inventing the "burlock" – a package holding six bottles jacketed in straw, three on the bottom, then two, then one, the whole sewed tightly in burlap. It was compact and easy to handle and stow. These were generally known in the Coast Guard as "sacks."