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All colors

The evening before the race, owners with their boats converge on the Mantoloking Yacht Club grounds to display their efforts to keep this class alive. The boats come in every color, every condition and some even have a more modern touch. I like the old school versions! Here are some of the boats.

The night before!

A gala affair, the night before the race, Mantoloking Yacht club hosts a party to provide a venue for all the owners to proudly show off their Duck Boats. Cocktails and food is provided and the mood certainly reflects the anticipation for the following days race. Here are a few pictures of the affair and, clearly, you can see that all were smiling.

Not all were built by David Beaton and Sons

Russ, making final adjustments

Phil Clark, another local boat builder, also contributed to the worlds Duck Boat population. As shown in these pictures, SPEEDWELL is a good representative of his work. Russ Manheimer, is the proud owner of SPEEDWELL, shown here making final preparations for tomorrows race. This past winter Russ enlisted the help of Beaton's to install a new centerboard trunk and keel to ensure that SPEEDWELL would race for many years to come.

Just a few of the many boats to be launched and race in the Duck Boat spectacle

David Beaton and Sons, on Beaton Road, is home to many of these gallant little sail boats. Every year they appear, get all cleaned up, and race one day only to retire until the next time. Here are just a few boats being rigged and launched.

Barnegat Bay, "Duck Boat Worlds"

Behold, the "Duck Boat"

As seen on numerous sites on the Internet, this weekend saw the Duck Boat World sailing series, held on the Barnegat Bay. Once every year Duck boat owners, inspired by Peter Kellogg and his generous foundation, frantically prepare their aging little craft to be shown off and then to race for glory. It is a challenge, indeed, to keep these vessels afloat for the whole series of races. Every year, however, the fleet seems to grow and actually flourish. It was indeed a great site to view so many "Ducks" sailing on the Barnegat Saturday morning. The conditions were perfect and a good time was had by all.

Kathleen and Silent Maid update!

   After winning a close one at the Padanaram Rendezvous, "Kathleen" again prevailed at the Ares's Pond Races, beating "Silent Maid" by three minutes. Today the two boats were to leave for a hundred mile race to Bristol, Mass from Orleans, Mass.. Only one boat left, that was the "Kathleen", the Maid opted out, perhaps because of the predicted winds. The winds finally were clocked at forty four Mph. "Kathleen" left under two reefs and went through Woods Hole with three reefs. Weather or not she ever reached Bristol is unknown, however, she sailed today. The races between "Kathleen" and the "Silent Maid" have generated a great deal of attention, mostly positive and that is what all this was about. The attention these two boats received, I believe, will help to revive the wooden boat industry and create a revival of "Old School" boats and their influence on yachting.

   In passing, I have to say that as well as the "Silent Maid" purported herself, it was not without the advantage of the most advanced instrumentation and an enlarged sail plan. On the other hand, I have to offer some kudos to Tim Fallon for having only the basic technology aboard his boat.

   If you read my previous posts, you will know that I have sailed on the "Old Maid" and on the "Kathleen". I cannot pick a favorite but I can say, if the "Maid" had kept her original sail plan and did not pollute her hull with modern day goodies, I would like her much more.  Never the less, it is what it is!, I have enjoyed the encounter and  am sure that I will enjoy seeing the "Maid" for years to come on the Barnegat Bay. Thanks Peter K. and Tim Fallon for taking us back in time!

Finally, my thanks go out to John Brady for keeping us up to date with his "Blog of The Catboat Silent Maid".

GPS information

The GPS used on my bike can be used in my car and on my Marshall in the Keys.  This just about sums up the trip! The averages reflect traffic, scenic rides, and Hwy speeds.

Back from Sturgis

After fifteen days on the road and 4,024. miles later it is time to turn my attention to sailing and getting ready for my return to the Key's. The pictures posted here are of a town in Wyoming, Huelett, whose normal population is 400; however, on the first Wednesday of every Sturgis week it swells to a hundred thousand for one big party. This year, for the 70th anniversary, they estimate close to a million bikes traveled from all over the world to visit Sturgis. At the ripe old age of sixty-six and after my tenth ride out there, I have decide that this would be a good time to ride somewhere else. So, with some trepidation, I say that I will not be heading back to the Black Hills rally.

GETTING READY FOR A RIDE OUT TO STURGIS, SD RALLY

My friend Scottie and I will be mounting our Harley's on Thursday to ride out to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. This year marks the 70th year bikers have gotten together in August to ride, raise some hell and kick back in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This will be my fifth and last trip, 1800 miles in three days is fun but challenging as well. Six hundred miles a day is what keeps me coming back, I love the long rides, it gives me time to think about the upcoming winter in the Key's. So, my friends, as you can see this is more of the beyond, way beyond!

Scottie "Sonny Boy" Senter

The picture attached is my riding buddy, Scott, his Harley and mine in the background.