The E scow is still my favorite monohull. I haven’t sailed one in years. They were still wood. Modern materials have made these boats even more dynamic. If the materials available today had been available 100 years ago the yacht designers and builders would have been on cloud 9. They had the ideas, the means of expression was limited.
12 meter North American Championships 2008
Bill Shay
more wire tails
The entry about wire sheets reminded me of an incident while sailing on Intrepid in 1979. If you read far enough back in my blog there is an entry about my two seasons aboard Intrepid with Gerry Driscoll. It was an attempt by Gerry to come back in 1980 with Intrepid. It was contingent on finding financial backing. We were sailing against France 3 everyday, as Intrepid belonged to Baron Bic at the time.
Jack Sutphen’s book signing
Jack’s book:”Messing About in Boats” was published earlier this year. He was in Newport this weekend for a book signing in conjunction with the 12 Meter North American Championships, at the Seaman’s Church Institute. Lots of people turned out. I first met Jack in the 1960’s, he was working at Ratsey&Lapthorn sailmakers, as was Arthur Knapp. I raced against him on Long Island Sound.
wire sheets
When I started sailing rope sheets and guys were normal. The rope was not very sophisticated, it stretched quite a lot. As the boats became more evolved wire sheets and guys became normal. It was 7×19 galvanized, because it was more flexible. It rusted quickly and broke down just as fast. Your hands were constantly torn by the meathooks.
bannister’s wharf
In 1977 bannister’s wharf was the dock for the Courageous/Independence syndicate. A lift was installed and we alternated boats in the lift.
VALENCIA
Valencia is probably best known as the site of the America’s Cup, at least to sailors. How do you really characterize a city as old and as beautiful and as diverse?
PARIS
I love Paris. The sights, the smells, the sounds, the food; even the language. French is my second language, I studied it starting at a young age and continued through college. I married a french woman, whose family embraced me wholly. I freely confess that I know France largely through their perspective, one I could never have known any other way.
Olin Stephens 1908-2008
Olin Stephens turned 100 years old in April of this year. He touched so many lives during his lifetime; mentored many many yacht designers, and brought joy to many many yacht owners. The list of his accomplishments is so very long, as well. He designed 7 America’s Cup defenders, and was involved in several more.