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The cult of the classic Boston Whalers - The Boston Globe
In 1958, in a garage in Braintree, an eccentric Harvard grad named Dick Fisher revolutionized nautical design when he began crafting a little boat that looked like a blue bathtub.
He called his creation a Boston Whaler, and the unusual shape of the hull was only half of the radical design. More important was what was inside of the hull, the result of a cutting-edge foam-and-fiberglass construction process that allowed Fisher to make an unbelievable claim. IT'S UNSNKABLE.
“They’re everywhere,” said Quentin Snediker, curator for watercraft at the Mystic Seaport Museum, which has one of Fisher’s original sawed-in-half boats in its collection. “They are the right combination of seaworthiness and fun, which continues to strike a chord.”
Today, the classic Whalers — built until roughly 1993, when the company was sold and then moved to Florida and pivoted to more traditionally hulled boats — remain prized for their nostalgia factor, but also their “affordability.”
Classic Whalers come in various sizes and models, including many that were steered standing up from a center console, a Whaler innovation. Today, they can usually be had for between $5,000 and $25,000. With many new center consoles retailing for well north of $100,000, those old Whalers remain the top recommendation for people looking to get into boating safely, without a lot of experience or deep pockets. In addition, the lightweight construction means they can be towed by the average car.
Not just single-handed - one person, on a boat, no outside assistance and NO modern navigation equipment save an emergency position indicating radio beacon, and a satphone!
Sailing like it's 1968. No routing software. Compass. and one piece of emergency equipment. Wikipedia captures the story of the first race - the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race of 1968:
Nine sailors started the race; four retired before leaving the Atlantic Ocean. Of the five remaining, Chay Blyth, who had set off with absolutely no sailing experience, sailed past the Cape of Good Hope before retiring; Nigel Tetley sank with 1,100 nautical miles (2,000 km) to go while leading; Donald Crowhurst, who, in desperation, attempted to fake a round-the-world voyage to avoid financial ruin, began to show signs of mental illness, and then committed suicide; and Bernard Moitessier, who rejected the philosophy behind a commercialised competition, abandoned the race while in a strong position to win and kept sailing non-stop until he reached Tahiti after circling the globe one and a half times. Robin Knox-Johnston was the only entrant to complete the race, becoming the first man to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world. He was awarded both prizes, and later donated the £5,000 to a fund supporting Crowhurst's family.
The BOC Challenge, Around Alone and the French Obsession the Vendee Globe followed the tragic Golden Globe - after the sole finisher the now legend and still sailing Sir Robin Knox Johnston.
Sir Robin was the first single-handed round the world race winner. And we now have Kirsten Neuschafer - the first woman to win a single-handed RTW race.
- GWC
THOMASTON — Nancy Lee Miles Armstrong, 68, died in her home on May 6, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.
Nancy was born in Waterville on Oct. 18, 1954, to Andrew and Eunice Miles of Clinton. The second girl of five, Nancy was a loving, devoted sister and daughter who grew up enjoying Maine’s pine forests, rivers, lakes and the family camp in Unity. A cheerleader and gifted student, Nancy graduated from Lawrence High School in Fairfield in 1973. In 1977 Nancy graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in nursing and began her career in Waterville at Thayer Hospital. She met Jeffrey Armstrong a few years later and they married in 1982.
Nancy obtained her master’s degree in nursing education and continued her career at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport for over 30 years, working among colleagues and friends. Nancy and Jeff spent many happy years together, raising children, expanding their home in Thomaston, sailing in the Caribbean with loved ones and traveling the world. Nancy and Jeff Nancy enjoyed many close friendships and hosted many gatherings, holidays, and celebrations. She served on the School Board and Harbor Committee. A member of both the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in Thomaston and the Anchor Church in Rockport, Nancy’s faith and energy in Christ was inspirational in those around her.
Despite a cancer diagnosis, Nancy continued to live a vibrant life surrounded by friends and family. Nancy dearly enjoyed celebrating the milestones in her children’s lives. In 2016, Nancy attended her son’s college graduation from the University of Maine at Orono, and his wedding in 2021. On Easter of 2023, Nancy was overjoyed with news that both her son and her niece Lexi were expecting children in the fall of this year. Nancy hosted her daughter’s wedding in 2018 and became a grandmother two years later to two adoring grandsons, spending time with them on Hupper Island and taking Andrew to church.
Nancy’s loving spirit, kind nature and passion for gardening, boating, sewing, cooking, exploring and finding joy in the everyday will be passed from her to all who loved her.
Gordon Lightfoot, the Canadian folk singer whose rich, plaintive baritone and gift for melodic songwriting made him one of the most popular recording artists of the 1970s, died on Monday night in Toronto. He was 84.
His death, at Sunnybrook Hospital, was confirmed by his publicist, Victoria Lord. She did not specify a cause, but Mr. Lightfoot had had a number of health problems in recent years.
Mr. Lightfoot, a fast-rising star in Canada in the early 1960s, broke through to international success when his friends and fellow Canadians Ian and Sylvia Tyson recorded two of his songs, “Early Morning Rain” and “For Lovin’ Me.”
When Peter, Paul and Mary came out with their own versions of those songs — their “For Lovin’ Me” was a Top 40 hit — and Marty Robbins reached the top of the country charts with Mr. Lightfoot’s “Ribbon of Darkness,” Mr. Lightfoot’s reputation soared. Overnight, he joined the ranks of songwriters like Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs and Tom Paxton, all of whom influenced his style.At the 1986 Ian and Sylvia Reunion Concert Gordon Lightfoot, Ian and Sylvia, Judy Collins, and Linda Ronstadt all perromed.
Wednesday to Monday leaves too little time once the two days drive time is subtracted.
