Author: ws lirakis

a sailor who carries a camera

E scow

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.

I owned one; here in Newport, however most of my E scow sailing was with Henry Bossett in New Jersey. We would trail his boat to Lake Murray, South Carolina at Easter break. It was always a great regatta, with a large turnout.

Bill Shay


Bill Shay was practically synonymous with the yacht “Carina” having sailed with the Nye family starting in 1956. Bill slept forward in the 1957 Fastnet race; which “Carina” won finishing when most of the fleet dropped out.

I met Bill in 1969 when I sailed on “Carina” in the Trans-atlantic race to Ireland. He was a great shipmate always ready with a can do attitude.

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.

We had no budget to speak of, so I would try to get an extra day or two out of the runner tails. They were 1/4 inch galvanized wire and took a great deal of abuse, particularly upwind tacking. Typically a set of runner tails would last 4 days, before they broke down.
Racing upwind on the fifth day of a set of runner tails; the windward tails exploded. Gerry,without a word, calmly tacked the boat. My arm was filled with small “splinters” of rusted wire, it stung. When we sorted out I looked at Gerry, who was still steering, not only was his arm covered with the same spikes, but one side of his face as well.
It was the last time I economized on runner tails.

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.

Jack then showed up in Newport sailing 12 meters. He was very good at making a 12 go fast. He now lives in San Diego, and at 90 is having a great time.



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.

In the photo at the right, we are sailing Independence off Marblehead in March. It is cold. Ted Hood would just keep sailing in a straight line; often we would not return until after dark. For amusement, we would spray the wire on the drum just before casting off. It would flame, from the friction of the wire slipping on the drum in the tack.

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.

I arrived early each morning as I was responsible for the mast and other components and left,usually before the sun set, unless we were making a major change. I never understood what the scene was like at The Candy Store and the Black Pearl. My only clue was the overwhelming smell of the garbage that greeted me each morning.
The 12 meter North American Championships are being held this weekend and hosted at Bannister’s Wharf.


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?

The column and ceiling are in the water board, dating from the 14th century. their job is quite literary to regulate the ebb and flow of water in the vast low areas surrounding the city. The fisherman set nets, rice is grown the oranges are irrigated.
As with much of Spain the Moorish influence is impossible to miss. The tiled rooftop is a glaring example, but the style is so woven into the fabric of the culture it is easily misunderstood.
The last photograph is of the house on an orange grove.


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.

How do I select the photos to represent this city where there is a new and exciting discovery on every corner.
The French love their language and enjoy playing with it, which they do well. The are proud of their country as well; that said the French have had a fascination with America since before the Revolution; which has never waned, despite the idea we have that the French do not like us.



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.

He is pictured with Alan Hanover, the present owner of “Columbia” the 1958 defender. Alan proudly announced in 2000 that he intended to restore “Columbia” to her original shape, adding approximately 4 feet to the stern . Olin responded quietly:”Why would anyone do such a thing?” After the restoration was complete, Olin conceded that the boat really did look better.I sailed with Olin on a number of boats and our lives crossed for other reasons as well as I lofted and built a number of his designs.
Jim McCurdy is pictured with Olin aboard “Carina” one of Jim’s designs, in 1971 in Cowes, England.