Friday with Charley

A typical summer Friday at Beaton's:  Raven getting her weekly 

bottom wash.  There would be others after her.  These classics 

don't use bottom paint.  Who'd want to slop that goo onto such

a gorgeous sailing machine?  Saturday's the anchor start race

at Ocean Gate.  Beside hauling the anchor and hoisting the 

football field-sized main (well not really, but..) as fast as the 

crews can at the sound of the cannon, a smooth and slimeless 

bottom will help these beauties get under way and around Good 

Luck Point for the long weather slog southward to the '40' marker 

just beyond Cedar Creek.  More on this unique race on the next post.  

It may seem to us like just a job, but I really think these guys 

understand the history and the tradition of the A Cat class that is 

being upheld, and they really do take pride in their work.

Upon hearing me wax on about how much I loved the A Cats and

the smoothness of Raven's hull, one of the guys suggested that I 

turn around and feast my eyes on 'Silent Maid', the immaculate

reproduction of the original, berthed and maintained at this mecca

of American boatyards.  I will never grow tired of this boat and will

always find yet another angle from which to snap a varnishy shot.

Talk about a pampered boat.  I think she's out of the water just

about as much as she's in.  Deep pockets in this case is an

extreme understatement.  

Russ in the big shed getting 'Speedwell' ready for her new sprit rig 

and possible entry in this year's World Ducks.  He was in the process

of inflating his flotation bags and had the lifting bridle attached, but 

I didn't know what was about to transpire a mere hour from then.  

Okay, so I finally sauntered over to the place where Charley Best

was supposed to be.  This is Marie Darling's houseboat.  On the hard

for years, the bilge in this boat is still below sea-level, and the shiny

floor proves it.  Shoulda got a photo.  I was too excited being here to

snap every detail.  We climbed the stairs and had a seat.  From that 

upper deck, our view was priceless and I found it hard to pry myself

from the rocking Adirondack chair I had occupied.   

Charley has been coming here for the last fifty or so years, and

lately splits his time between here and the Florida Keys.  He and 

I hit it off immediately.  We share many points of view, and it 

seemed as if I had known him before we ever met.  He told me

his Dad actually helped to dig many of the ditches and canals that

criss-cross the marshes surrounding Beaton's and West 

Mantoloking.  As a kid, my cousin and I would motor

our wooden rowboat in and out of many of these same ditches,

never even thinking about who or what may have created them.  

Raven being towed back to her mooring after a good scrub.

There's nothing like watching an afternoon go by from Marie

Darling's porch.  There was a nice fresh East wind blowing

into Beaton's harbor, and there was nowhere else I wanted to be.

Back to the dock for lunch.

The maiden voyage for Russ Manheimer's new sprit rig.  

Out through the A Cats toward Swan Point and........

free of the moorings and into clear air.

The view of Beaton's from Marie's porch.  Charley's catboat

is in the foreground. Marie's motorboat lies just to starboard.

I sarcastically said, in her presence, that I forgave her for owning

that motorboat.  Either she ignored me and decided not to belittle

me, or it went right over her head.  I'm fortunate she didn't rip me 

a new one.  Who the hell am I anyway?  

Lee Marie in her slip.  A forty year old Marshall catboat

looking much younger than her age.  I'm not surprised, now 

knowing Charley, at how well she has been cared for.  

I mentioned that I was rigging a ring to my mast for a whisker 

pole, and before I was able to add that I already had the pole,

Charley opened the doors to his freight container and produced

three poles for my perusal.  I always love going into Best Marine.

BTW, I still may need one of them Charley!

Charley and Marie volunteered to refinish this Duck Boat for

the  Friends of Belmar Harbor sailing program.  Let's face it.

 Right then, at that moment on the Jersey Shore, and across 

the country, how many other people were so focused on 

such a seemingly ho-hum task of sanding the wooden deck of a 

widely unknown, rather heavy and slow-moving little sailboat?  

Especially with the hopes that the kid sailing that boat would 

race well, and most importantly have fun in the process?

  When I left that day, this was the scene:  Three weeks until the 

43rd World Ducks and there was still work to be done.  Belmar's

 lucky to have two folks that care so much about preserving this 

institution. And I hope Russ's experimental rig is allowed to compete.

Hey Charley, don't forget the T-shirts!  Both XXL, one long

and one short sleeve.  I'll get you back.  You're a good man....