Not everyday you almost get rammed by a LEGEND.......

[Art Read]

So, I'm sitting quietly in my cockpit, reading one of the back issues of "WoodenBoat" I scored at the bookseller's during the Center for Wooden Boats Festival when I look up and notice the nicest of the Center's restored Blanchards coming in with a bone in her teeth between the docks. A rather frail looking, but obviously competant gentleman at the helm. In a very tight space he had just started his turn to round up into the wind when an over "helpful" runabout owner opposite me gave the Blanchard's stern a nudge, (AWAY from his highly varnished topsides!) and ruined the maneuver. As one of the volunteers manning the docks scrambled aboard me to help fend off, I reached across, grabbed his stemhead fitting and "nudged" him off in the direction of his berth. No harm, no foul. We nodded at each other. As the volunteer climbed back onto the dock he winked at me and said, "Not everyday you almost get rammed by a legend, eh?" That's when I remembered Norm Blanchard has always made a point of showing up for these events and sailing aboard one of his companies' old boats. I looked back down the fairway and sure enough, that's who the "old gentleman" was! As I climbed up to the dock myself, Forumite Jamie Hascall was just walking up from HIS vantage point and said, and I quote, "Not everyday you almost get rammed by a legend, eh?" Kinda became the day's "watchword"! ;)

(I managed to snap a quick pic as he passed by MELINDA on his way off the docks...)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid126/p55aa64f89f6f4e2687d807e44a955b60/f7f54db9.jpg

(For those unfamiliar with the man, Google "Knee Deep in Shavings"...)

[ 07-07-2004, 12:09 AM: Message edited by: Art Read ]

[Dave Fleming]

The body is stooped with age but the facial profile is the same.

Mr.Blanchard along with Mr.Lester Stone, two of the Legends of West Coast Boat Building.

My privilege to work abit for each.

Both always with a fedora on head in the yard.

[ 07-06-2004, 11:57 PM: Message edited by: Dave Fleming ]

[Meerkat]

The boat in the background is Art's Melinda of course! smile.gif

Art, you've got mail

[Bob Smalser]

Neat vignette, Art...should be cataloged here as a permanent Sea Story.

Ever race against Weatherly (old 12M - '64 (?)America's Cup) when she was in Tacoma in the '70's?

That was an excellent way to get seriously rammed.....the first 15 teenagers who showed up at the dock got to crew the race. ;)

One scary boat to get close to.

Sorry I couldn't make the festival....have Peanut to finish before the wedding...will be at PT on Labor Day, tho.

[ 07-07-2004, 07:25 AM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[WindHawk]

Great, story & well told. Forgive me for saying this, but with a little sentimental embellishment, and a good dash of historical fact, this would make a great short story.

[bainbridgeisland]

Originally posted by Dave Fleming:
The body is stooped with age but the facial profile is the same.

Mr.Blanchard along with Mr.Lester Stone, two of the Legends of West Coast Boat Building.

My privilege to work abit for each.

Both always with a fedora on head in the yard.Dave, did you work at Stone's Boatyard? When?

[ 07-07-2004, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: bainbridgeisland ]

[Dave Fleming]

BB, worked there in the 1960's while still an apprentice.
Jack Erehorn was foreman, swell fellow.
Capt.Linderman's son Billy was also.
I hear tell that Stone Boatyard recently closed.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid126/pa8b9df09fc685737dce0620925adfab9/f7f3665d.jpg

[bainbridgeisland]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dave Fleming:
[QB]BB, worked there in the 1960's while still an apprentice.
Jack Erehorn was foreman, swell fellow.
Capt.Linderman's son Billy was also.
I hear tell that Stone Boatyard recently closed.

Closed? I hadn't heard. I remember Jack Erehorn from the 70's when I worked down the street at Thomas Wylie Design Group. I went to work for Wylie just after my Apprenticeship, about 1975. We had a close relationship with Stone's. In fact Tom Wylie married their secretary, Cindy.

They toppled the crane twice during the time I worked for Wylie. Did they have problems with it when you were there? I always wondered if it was just the new owner or a problem with the crane itself.

By 1975, Stone's had rented out their mold loft to a sail maker. Was it still a mold loft when you were there?

I Apprenticed at South Bay Boatworks in Redwood City, Jim Ennis was the owner. About 50% of our work was commercial. Is it true that most of the work at Stone's was pleasure? It certainly was by 1975.

What were they building when you were their? My recollection is that Stone's usually had something under construction since the ways restricted high volume repair work.

[Dave Fleming]

BB, gonna reply in People and Places don't want to hijack Art's very warm posting and followups.

See ya there.