Of making "pudding," shiny old nails and remembrance of a fine man
Launching "Olympus," a 92' 1929 New York Yacht, Launch and Engine Co., after refastening the bow, removing bad butts, and other maintenance. From right, Jim Moores, Capt. David Carter and guest star, Larry Keeler. Dear Friends, I have been waiting to write. I have been wanting to talk about how our first boat is coming along and was waiting for the right time. Our boat design is not simple. We have been working on how the transom, stern, and bottom marry together. I am please
The Firestones as yachtsmen, "Tireless" heroes and of "Olympus"
Dear friends, This has been an amazing time, with launching the 1929 “Olympus,” and running her through her paces. What an incredible yacht. The lines were slid aboard, the fenders lifted and put away and she slipped through the water with such grace. Then she was gone, heading north. The last I heard, she was in Sag Harbor. If you are able to catch a glimpse of her as she heads South soon, you will be looking at the last of New York Yacht, Launch & Engine Co.’s grande dames.
Trying times and "Timeless" tales
Dear friends, The last few weeks have been trying times. I recently flew down to South Florida to be with my sister Linda who was having surgery. I had a long list in my hand of other things that needed to be done. I only had time to spend with her. Margaret and I were scheduled to fly back to North Carolina on Sept. 8. But late the night before we received a message that our 6 a.m. flight out of Fort Lauderdale had been canceled and our flight was rescheduled for the followi
They don't make them like that anymore
Dear friends, I always think where do I start? I’ll begin with Marc Thomas. Margaret and I met up with him years ago at St. Michael’s Wooden Boat Show. He works with Luke Brown Yachts and he lives and works out the Chesapeake Bay area. We first met aboard the 1917 Consolidated “Blue Mist.” This would be a start of a long friendship. The boat sold at auction and then was shipped to Florida and landed at Rybovich Marine Center, where it was readied to be exported to the Bahamas
Saving "Windrush" and the End of a Story
Dear friends, It’s Sunday and I have decided to go on an adventure! I grabbed my camera and a pad of paper and head off. I am now waiting for a ferry at Cherry Point to take me to Minnosett Beach. I will end up taking four ferry trips today to get there and back. This is a great opportunity to write this letter. So, what was the adventure? To go see the Trumpy M/Y “Windrush.” Driving through the countryside in Eastern North Carolina is great this time of year. Wildflowers and
Sadness in Seattle
Yesterday, I hopped on a ferry heading to Victoria, Canada. It wasn’t as simple as that but that’s a good place to start. Maybe I should back up a little further: A lot further. I had run into my friend Steve White a few years back in Key Largo. The future of yacht restoration on the East Coast saw that the pickings had gotten slim. Many of these wonderful yachts have been exported to Europe year after year and once they are gone, they almost never come back! I only know of a
