42nd World Ducks (with bonus footage)

If I had any doubt upon arriving at Mantoloking Yacht Club Friday

morning, that this regatta was going to be a celebration of a bygone,

yet re-energized class of wooden sailboats, I would have been

immediately re-assured by the sight of this old Ford coupe. 

Stop for a second.  Breathe in the air.  Smell the Bayberry bushes

and the faint ocean breeze.  The coffee. The doughnuts. 

The sun-block.  Somebody smells terrible already!  I think

I know exactly who it is. The anticipation of competition.

I've got cottonmouth. I'm so frickin thirsty.  I need to

 go to the bathroom. I check, re-check, and check my

pockets again to make sure my car keys are there

before locking the doors. I feel slightly jittery, like I've

definitely forgotten something. I've been here on these

grounds so, so many times before as a younger person. 

 And often late, under the gun, and in a hurry.

  But today I am merely a bystander.  All I gotta do

is find a boat to go out on and watch the races.

And I am relishing every second of it. Even though

I already want to change my shirt.

My ride, which turned out to be the best possible choice, although

I had only one, was on Peter Kellogg's RIB. This gentleman has 

single-handedly (no pun intended) brought this Duckboat class

back from almost certain extinction.  Please, if you have a few 

minutes, read this great article, for it does him and the Duckboat

far more justice than I could ever.

 

I can't remember if I've ever mentioned Beaton's Boatyard,

which is conveniently located directly west, across the bay

from the Mantoloking Yacht Club.

The spectator boats for the World Ducks are not your garden-

varieties.  You'll probably not see Sea Rays, Bayliners, or Scarabs

scurrying about from mark to mark.  Instead one will see beauties

like Samantha.........

and Suzanne.  A while back, I wondered if the Beaton family was

able to appreciate this boat considering how many long hours Tom

and his workers put in.  Tom is holding up the bow pulpit, by the 

way. They were all smiling when we cruised by.  A good sign.

Hobo is a lapstrake sweetie, and the bimini and personalized

director's chairs close the deal. 

Willow is a unique boat.  I'm not sure what else I could say,

other than I would have been happy on her as well!

Meow, man.  Gracious living.

Nimbus was the RC nonpareil.  My old friend Russ Lucas is a

world-class sailor, and a race organizer of the same caliber.

We enjoyed listening to his officiating, course directions,

and candid commentary on the radio all day long 

Gary Jobson graced us today.  A son of Barnegat Bay, he's become

one of the most recognized figures in sailing world-wide.  Henry

Colie, who was driving the RIB along with Stan Switlik,

lent Gary his gorgeous Duckboat, "Yard Bird" for the day. 

A little adjustment for the President of US Sailing and.......... 

off to the next start.

Someone recently asked for 10 good reasons to come sailing

in New Jersey.  There are 71 in this picture alone.

Russ Manheimer from Hove to off Swan Point had his duck

refurbished at Beaton's over the winter.  His "PC" designation

is an homage to the man who built "Speedwell", Phil Clarke.

Later, Russ took an unscheduled swim after the start.  Good

effort  though, from one of the saltiest people I know.

Who's the winner?

Downwind leg to the finish and he death-rolled.  With sheer

determination, he righted the boat and sailed across the line!

He was bailed out and ready for the next start.

Gary Jobson (M-62) and Glen Dickson (M-8) go to

 the right, right out of the gate and make out like bandits.

Hopefully, my gorgeous Beaton's rowing skiff.  I'll find out

on September 27th.

The long wait for the ramp.  Quick, go get a beer, 

it makes the wait go by faster.

Mine.  Don't touch!

Gary finished a respectable 8th, for an old, 218 pound

guy sailing essentially a kid's boat.

Second last year, local Andy Goetting took top honors.

Please check out Charley Best's blog for many

additional photos of these beautiful sailboats.

This regatta is truly a Barnegat Bay original. 

 I'm honored to have watched it and I feel that I was

a participant as well.  It's a tradition that is stronger

now than it ever was, and as long as I'm still

standing,  I'll happily witness #43 next year.