PDA

View Full Version : Dragons in the woodwork!



bamamick
02-09-2005, 09:24 AM
We were down rigging the new Star mast on Saturday when I noticed a small army of people had pulled my ladder out and were crawling all over the Dragon. No big deal, there are usually people looking at the boat on any crowded day at the club.

After this went on for several minutes I went over and asked them if I could answer any questions about the boat for them. The guy told me, no, he knew what he was looking at. I kind of laughed and told him that it was my boat that he was standing on, and that I could tell him anything about it that he wanted to know.

Lo and behold, this family owns a Dragon! In Panama City, Florida (about four hours away from me). They've had the boat for eighteen years and have almost finished a complete restoration. They don't know who built it, or what the exact number is. He's done a good job of the rebuild from the sounds of it, even built a new mast out of wood. He plans on bringing it over to Mobile to get it rigged by my friend Donnie Brennan. I am hoping that he'll drop it off at my club and that we can sail together a time or two before he goes back to Panama City.

This guy did not know that there were still Dragons in North America. I contacted the class and told them about the boat. I KNEW that there were some boats around. I had heard rumors. If we could get a few more around here, man, what fun that would be.

Mickey Lake

yorgie
02-09-2005, 09:46 AM
Sounds like the start of a fleet.Look up Woodwind Yachts in Ontario,they have one ready to be restored.If you can impress a rich neighbour with your boat maybe you can talk them into buying a dragon.

bamamick
02-09-2005, 10:03 AM
Most of the time when people see my boat their response is "you mean they still have those?". And to see their faces when I say that, yes, and they build them in 'glass and cold-molded wood, and that we had a regatta in St.Tropez last year with 250 boats in it just blows them away.

There are Dragons out there. North America is kind of a forgotten land with the class, but there are active fleets in Toronto, Cleveland, and Vancouver. And my friend Miguel in Puerto Rico is the captain of a three boat fleet down there.

If you know of anyone who has a Dragon, or who wants a Dragon, or wants to sail on a Dragon, please let me know. I can help them, or if I can't I'll find out who can. Sails on my boat will be available any time someone wants to make the trip. There is an active schedule on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie this summer. We will be at Cleveland Race Week. We are hoping to develop a Midwinter championship down here, either in Mobile or New Orleans next winter. Wish us luck.

Mickey Lake

Noah
02-09-2005, 10:24 AM
The first boat I almost purchased was a dragon. It was in a barn in NY state, and the owner was asking $5000 for it. Very good condition, and I could find any rot or other problems. I should have gotten it...

Oh well. They are pretty boats and look great both in or out of the water.

Noah

Tom Robb
02-09-2005, 11:29 AM
Perhaps I have a different notion about boundaries, but it seems rather cheeky to be crawling all over a boat, uninvited, that's not yours.
Would you feel as flattered if it were your house or car?

bamamick
02-09-2005, 01:37 PM
Noah, you should have done it. There are still boats in the Rochester area, I believe, and I know there are a few in Cleveland for sale. Even if it were some time ago the boat that you looked at may still be for sale. It's a slow market. Think about it. They are lovely boats.

Tom, I agree that it's not something that I would do, but I understand why they were doing it. In the Star class measuring people's boats is a big thing, but you should ask permission before putting a tape to anyone's boat. Just the right thing to do.

That being said I am a one-design guy who is trying to drum up business in my area. Anyone is pretty much free to measure or take pictures of anything I've got if it'll help the class.

Mickey Lake

P.I. Stazzer-Newt
02-09-2005, 02:01 PM
The dragon is possibly the worlds most beautiful boat. Active in the UK and loads of othe places.
Follow the links from this http://www.rnsyc.org.uk/dragon.html

http://www.dragonclub.ru/