Here is a new acquisition for me, a 1988 Marshall Sanderling. Just acquired, I am busy getting her ready for a Florida winter. She is a beauty and goes by the name of PUFFIN.
Atlantic puffins have penguin-like coloring but they sport a colorful beak that has led some to dub them the "sea parrot." The beak fades to a drab gray during the winter and blooms with color again in the spring—suggesting that it may be attractive to potential mates.
These birds live most of their lives at sea, resting on the waves when not swimming. They are excellent swimmers that use their wings to stroke underwater with a flying motion. They steer with rudder like webbed feet and can dive to depths of 200 feet (61 meters), though they usually stay underwater for only 20 or 30 seconds. Puffins typically hunt small fish like herring or sand eels.
In the air, puffins are surprisingly fleet flyer's. By flapping their wings up to 400 times per minute they can reach speeds of 55 miles (88 kilometers) an hour.
Atlantic puffins land on North Atlantic seacoasts and islands to form breeding colonies each spring and summer. Iceland is the breeding home of perhaps 60 percent of the world's Atlantic puffins. The birds often select precipitous, rocky cliff tops to build their nests, which they line with feathers or grass. Females lay a single egg, and both parents take turns incubating it. When a chick hatches, its parents take turns feeding it by carrying small fish back to the nest in their relatively spacious bills. Puffin couples often reunite at the same burrow site each year. It is unclear how these birds navigate back to their home grounds. They may use visual reference points, smells, sounds, the Earth's magnetic fields—or perhaps even the stars.
New Catboat for me!
She'll look good on the Fl. Bay
Sheer keeps the waves from coming aboard except in very choppy conditions
Working on the Bright Work
Great lines...a Catboat ! Gaff Rigged and fun to sail.
Two weeks ago Marshall Marine, the noteworthy builder of Marshall Catboats, celebrated their fiftieth Anniversary in conjunction with the annal Padanaram Catboat Regatta. In a normal Regatta year, the Village of Padanaram, holds a Catboat Regatta, side walk sale and other interesting events. This year, Marshall Marine celebrates fifty years in existence and decided to host a rather large party to commemorate the occasion.
Tent set up and ready for the celebration to start
Bad Bob Reddington
Cat boaters, one and all
The weekend started on Friday night with a gathering of Catboat enthusiast, under a large tent, provided by Marshall at their Marina and Boat Building Workshop. Barbecue grills, soft drinks, beer and appetizers were provided for all. Once the grills were fired up, the guest went straight to work cooking the food that they chose to bring. My choice was Yakitori chicken with a tropical Teriyaki glaze, fresh NJ corn cooked in its husk, potato salad and a noodle salad. Every thing turned out great and after all the grilling, imbibing and general socializing, attention turned to the next day and the Regatta.
From my days spent in Japan
The bricks keep the chicken off the grill surface and have two adjustments for height
Jersey corn this year has been amazing and cooked in its natural cover imparts a great flavor to the corn
Fran Baker and Paul Smith enjoying their meal and each others company
Eileen Smith (blue blouse), Paul Smith and Capt'n Bob enjoying some of Bob's bull $(-)!+.
Course charts, special calenders, boat numbers and a small brass plaque was given to each Skipper. All in all I think about 36 - 40 Catboats signed up for the event, they wanted to reach 50 to coincide with the fifty years of existence. Catboat's of all sizes, new and old, wood and fibreglass showed up to compete in the rather friendly race that was to take place on Saturday.
Saturday,after a Skippers meeting, owners and crew members went to their respective little vessels to prepare for the Catboat parade through the inner harbor, the Padanaram Swing Bridge, through the mooring field of the outer harbor and finally into the open Bay where the race was to take place. The race was divided into classes that would vie for first place trophies, although each year the last boat in the fleet to finish receives a prize as well.
Outer harbor Mooring area
Parade of Catboats coming through the Padanaram Bridge
Some sailed out to the Bay
Skippers and crew ready their boats for the day's Regatta and Parade
Marshall Marine
My girlfriend Fran, me, Bob Reddington Paul Smith and his wife were invited to enjoy the parade and the days activities aboard a beautiful Legacy motorboat owned by Eric Peterson and his wife Dawn. This was the first time Fran and me met the Peterson's and I must say that we were treated like Royalty aboard their vessel Dawn Marie. Bob, Paul, and Eileen have known the Peterson's for many years and it was just another great boating day for them.
Paul Smith of Beaton Boat Works
I have known Paul and his Bride, Eileen, many years, I was the Best Man at their wedding
Fran and me aboard Dawn Marie
Fran in the Wheelhouse
Our Host, Eric Peterson and Fran discussing "Sensible Yacht Designs", I'm sure
Eric, Bob's head and Fran
Eileen (seated) and Eric's wife Dawn enjoying some down time
Our vessel for the day
Eric's son placed first in the 22' class
Boat's name Loose Cannon
Eric's Father and Stepmother aboard their 22'
Distinct honor? The boat that finished last of the fleet
Saturday night brought everyone together at the Marshall facility for another great evening of fun and frivolity. There was a raw bar, that featured oysters and clams on the half shell and a delicious New England Clam Chowdah. The grills were once again fired up, the Keg of beer tapped and then came the Awards for the winning boats. Awards were also presented to the oldest Catboat, the boat that travelled the farthest to participate, and a variety of other humorous presentations. Capt. Bad Bob Reddington was presented with the Marshall Spirit award for his many contributions to the Catboat family.
Annual awards for the Marshall Catboat Regatta
Paying homage to Breck Marshall, the founder of Marshall Marine
My first 18' Sanderling was built by Breck Marshall
Geoff Marshall, son of Breck, announcing the awards
Bad Bob receiving the Spirit Award for his contributions to the Catboat Community
Geoff Marshall receiving his own award for his work and dedication to building Catboats
This says it all!
While staying in Padanaram, Fran and me stayed at a nice B&B right in the center of town, the owner Louise Sylvester, made us feel right at home and provided us with great meals and a comfortable room.
I would be remiss if I did not look back two years ago, on this day, when mike Gladysz was suddenly taken from us. No long or overdone speeches, just, we miss you Mike and will always love you and your style.
Mike, in his favorite environment, on the water! This was taken aboard Lee Marie His three children were with him enjoying a peaceful sail.
Last weekend two of my riding buddies and me took a motorcycle trip to the Adirondack Mountains. We started in Jackson, NJ and by way of the NJ Garden State Pkwy, NY Thruway, Hwy 28 West and finally 30 North we arrived in the Adirondack Park, however, not without paying the price of riding in the rain for two and a half hours. When we started on the Parkway, at mile marker 100, it was just overcast, that soon changed to pouring rain at mile marker 105. From 105 to Albany NY, before heading West to get out of the weather system, we rode in very unfriendly biker conditions. Once on Hwy. 28 West we soon left the rain for some very nice riding conditions that stayed with us for the remainder of our weekend ride.
We arrived at Tupper Lake about six PM,stopped by a local watering hole for a beer then headed to the Woodhaven Cabins, where we planned to spend the night. After a good meal and a cigar we hit the sack only to wake up to 45 degree temperatures, great for sleeping. The night time temperatures were soon replaced by a warming sun that moved the thermometer up to 77 degrees, perfect for riding and a wonderful change from the sweltering heat that we left in NJ. Our plan for the day was to have breakfast then head to Lake Saranac then on to Lake Placid. After a fuel stop in Saranac, we rode to Lake Placid only to find that the tiny town was playing host to a very popular and well attended Iron man competition. There were literally hundreds of athletes from all over the country, running or biking, getting in their last practice before the competition the next day. Because the town and all the surrounding roads were scheduled to be closed for the competition, we elected to keep going. Next stop Lake George and surrounding area.
The roads were empty and the rolling hills and curves made for some great riding and sight seeing, exactly the reason we made the trip.
Scott Senter in front of our cabin in the Adirondack Mt's.
Wood haven Cabin's
45 degrees in the am
Lunch time rolled around and after stopping by a local Harley Dealer, we looked for a place to get a bite to eat, we finally settled on a place called the Boar's Nest. The Boar's Nest is an off the beaten path Tavern, where we found not only cold beer but a nice lunch. Nice stop. After lunch we planned to arrive at our next overnight spot early, the riding, which was almost non stop had tired us and we wanted to spend some down time before the ride home the next day. Well, we stayed on the road a little longer than we planned but it was worth it to see some of the most beautiful lakeside scenery in the mountains.
Bikes parked outside the Boar's Nest
Belly up to the bar for a cold beer and a meal
Tom Renae and his Harley, Road King
Our final stop for the evening was a small town on the edge of the park, called Johnstown, where we found a nice motel and a great place to have dinner. Sam's Seafood and Steakhouse provided us with top notch dinner of Seared Sea Scallops, Grilled striped Bass, and one of the best Bombay Sapphire Martini's I've ever had the pleasure of sharing with my stomach. Choosing this town put our ride the next day at a comfortable distance from home. After the traditional Continental Breakfast of junk we headed home, arriving in time for an early dinner and opportunity to unpack.
The trip turned out to be better than expected, in spite of the rain. When all was said and done, we covered almost a thousand miles, most of which were ridden on back roads through the Adirondack Mountains. Great stuff!
This Chef really knew how to cook the Striped Bass
Our waitress Sarah, she made dinner even more enjoyable
Last week I took a motorcycle trip to the Adirondack Mountains, this week Frannie, me and some friends took a trip to Padanaram, Mass., for the fiftieth Anniversary of Marshall Marine and to participate in the annual Padanaram Sailing Regatta. Since it has been such a busy two weeks, it will take some time to post the best of the best. Thanks for waiting....a teaser....
Catboat parade through the Padanaram Village Bridge.
Just because you tragically lose a friend, it doesn't mean you ever forget them, this is the case with Mike Gladysz.
We all miss you Mike
Tomorrow marks the second year of my friend Mike Gladysz's passing, I will never forget his zest for life, his unconditional love of his children and the affection and dedication he felt toward his mother and father. His laughter and willingness to help everyone was contagious, he was always the one with the positive attitude and nothing was impossible to achieve
Two of my former students, from my teaching and coaching days at Jackson Memorial HS, have recently begun a 43" Catamaran Charter Service in St. Thomas, VI. Last fall Michelle Emmons and her partner Capt. Bill Wilson re-commissioned a 43' Leopard Catamaran he purchased in 2006, built by Robertson and Caine, with the intent of chartering her for six months in St. Thomas and six months on the Chesapeake. "Steppin Up", as the vessel was named, is a beautifully laid out Catamaran that features spacious accommodations, shaded dining and seating areas as well as a comfortable bow Hammock for relaxing as the boat glides across the sea. As Capt'n Bill's resume indicates, he has sailed in the South Pacific, including Tahiti, Bora Bora and Croatia. His experience sailing in the Southern Caribbean this past winter has served to enhance his ability to deal with any condition the sea has to offer in that Idyllic environment. Luckily, I have sailed in some of those same waters, not as a Captain, but rather as a guest aboard a beautiful ship.
Capt'n Bill Willson and Michelle Emmons
Sunshine Charters
This fall will be their first active season and with Captain Bill's reputation as an accomplished sailor, Michelle's knack for preparing wonderful on board meals, and a variety of exciting adventures available, I'm sure that their efforts will be greatly rewarded. I have provided a link to their Website that will answer any questions about the vessel, pricing, destinations, accommodations and activities. You can follow the sailing adventures of Michelle and Capt'n Bill Wilson on their Blog @ http://sunshinesailingcharters.wordpress.com/
This summer Michelle and Capt'n Bill used their time, aboard "Steppin Up', to sail from St Lucia, to NY Harbor. During their voyage they visited almost every Southern Caribbean Island, including the Windward, Leeward and the Lesser Antilles Islands then on to the Bahama's before arriving in North Carolina, their home Port. Without much down time, Bill and Michelle headed their vessel North, with the idea of stopping in NJ to visit with friends and family, having done this, "Steppin UP"and her crew will head back to NC, and make last preparations for the return trip to the Caribbean in early October.
Steppin Up visiting friends in NJ
Barnegat Bay
In light air Steppin Up relies on two 40 HP diesel engines to power her.
After the NJ visit she'll head back to NC then to St. Thomas.
Relaxing aboard Stepin Up
Michelle and Bill chilling with friends
Storm developing off Sandy hook
Never a good thing to see
Lightning strike off sandy Hook
Dan Black and his wife Vickie aboard Steppin Up.
You can never have enough friends
I wish all the best to Bill and Michelle and hope their endeavour is safe, happy and successful.
