The Speed of Sound

Good morning everyone. If time flies when you're having fun what does it mean when time is going at the speed of sound? We are in a big push right now. Sarah and Katie have been working very hard to get projects done. Blockfest is finished and the replacement of so many patent roller bearings with bronze oilite sleeves will reduce the maintenance time next winter. The trail boards, those beautiful boards with the gilded scroll work that grace the bows, are all painted. Jen will touch up the gold leaf in the spring. Our small boat Rosie is painted and Anna awaits her turn in the shop. The yawl boat Arno is in the barn. Katie and Sarah are stripping the varnish on the rails this morning. Varnish is beautiful but it does tend to look tired after a while.

The office has actually been quite busy with the usual year end turn around and many reservations coming in. This spring like weather is getting everyone excited about sailing this summer. Speaking of which, we finalized plans to offer something new, a wine tasting cruise this fall in conjunction with Cellar Door Winery . Mark your calendars for the September 20th, 4 day cruise where we will explore the world of aromas, wine pairing and chocolate truffles! I am more of a kind of beer guy but I have been promised that once I have been cultivated (or is that cultured) in the art of wine appreciation I will be a convert to the worship of Bacchuss. We are even planning to offer a tour of the winery with lunch after the cruise. This should be a really cool addition to our already packed schedule.

In my abundant spare time Sawyer and I have been restoring our 1963 Willys Jeep. Hopefully we will rust bust the frame this weekend and start returning parts (little things like the engine and transmission) to their original home. This is one of those projects I have wanted to tackle for about 10 years and finally decided to try with abundant help from my dear friend and automotive guru Glen. He is extraordinarily talented when it comes to body restoration having formerly restored fire trucks that currently sit in museums across the country. So if you happen to arrive in Camden by bus don't be too surprised if Jen picks you up in a spiffy Willys. No extra charge!

Hail Mary

My heart is heavy with sadness as I write this particular blog. Since the beginning of August our dear friend and cook for the last 12 years, Mary Barney, had been struggling with cancer. I have intentionally respected Mary’s privacy and I apologize to you for not sharing any news about Mary’s health sooner. On Monday afternoon Mary passed away very peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and “family”. Her departure was as graceful as the rest of her life. Many people, including Jen, have been doing heroic work to support Mary these last few weeks. Oddly enough Mary was never very excited about transitions though this was about the fastest transition she ever made. And as I struggle to let go of Mary I realize I am terrible with transitions as well. We used to joke about how we liked things just the way they are, thank you very much, so why change what is working already even if it might be less labor intensive. Hard works is its own reward. I used to joke about getting Mary a Cui...

Swimming Anyone?

Good morning everyone. Winter is still here in New England though it seems to be taking a rest these days. We have enjoyed a little bit of a thaw. We still have snow covering our field but it is thinning out in the sunny patches. Mary Day rests comfortably in the harbor, bilges dry, cover intact, waiting for the crew to return. Another busy week has passed so I will get you up to speed on everything that is happening here at the global headquarters. Jen is putting the finishing touches on year end taxes. Blockfest 2008 is finally finished. The blocks have received quite the massaging. And while we have the off-white paint out we are starting in on the lifeline stanchions, the davits, and a few other miscellaneous parts. Alex asked me last night how we were doing with our pace. We are doing great but in the back of my mind I know that there is never enough time to do it all. Having perfectionist tendencies is a curse. I want to do it all and know we will never have enough time. There se...

Fall Maintenance

Good morning everyone. The sun has been kind to us these past few days and the crew has been spending much time aloft prepping and painting the mast heads and tarring the rig as part of our annual fall maintenance schedule. They were a little silly on tar fumes by the end of the day hence the rat board dance moves. Am I the only one who is reminded of Willy Wonka's little friends at the sight of the crew in their tyvek suits? Schoona-loompas? The smell of tar, after all, is what we sailors live for. Extracted from the stumps and roots of pine trees through dry distillation pine tar will cure what ails you especially some skin conditions and any emotional maladies from being too long away from the sea. All we know for sure is that Mary Day’s rigging is kept hail and hearty by coats of tar mixed with boiled linseed oil. Notice that I specified boiled linseed oil and not raw linseed oil. Tar mix with raw linseed oil will not “kick”. Don’t ask me how I know this… just take my wo...

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