June 2009 Issue 4 Sailorgram

Commodore Eric Vasquez 978-521-9017 FROM THE MASTHEAD Vice Commodore Bob Chadwick June 2009 • Eric Vasquez, Commodore 978-373-6106 Rear Commodore 'Tis the Season to be Jolly… Fa, La, La, La, La, David W. Hewey 978-373-6038 but isn’t that now? Secretary Gary Gastman here is so much to be Jolly about when you are a member of the AYC! Let’s take a 978-462-6533 Tmoment to consider just a few reasons (of the hundred’s) why. Treasurer Douglas Cornell First, I want to thank Past Commodore Gary W.Thompson for making the installation of this 978-474-4323 year's Canonniers such a great success.Amazingly, the 2009 roster of our AYC Color Guard Collector is now at 18 members! Past Commodore Thompson has done a superb job of developing a Pamela Mertinooke 978-388-4515 solid team structure, including a monthly schedule, time charts, personnel assignments and of course training. Be sure to catch them on the porch every Friday and Saturday nights this Measurer William R. Gynan season with the lowering our colors and firing our house cannon, all accompanied by our 978-462-1157 National Anthem.This is great fun for everyone, and I want to thank Past Commodore Membership Committee Thompson for a job well done! Daniel Streeter 978-462-4605 Continued on page 2 Mooring Committee Gene Piermattei 978-374-7940 House Committee Robert A. Saldarini 978-463-8219 Regatta Committee Bruce Brown 978-521-6802 Entertainment Committee Angela Vasquez 978-521-9017 Activities Committee Rob Brun 978-462-1948 Sailing Camp Sue Manzi 603-474-9644 Steward/Club House 978-465-9053 The new AYC floats for ease of launching and hauling. Eric Vasquez photo June 2009 Issue 4

FROM THE MASTHEAD continued from page 1 Next, our Entertainment and uses only.Thank you, in advance, for your support. Activities Committees, chaired by Mentioning support, our Mooring Committee Chair is Angela Vasquez and Rob Brun seeking volunteers for Thursday evenings on “Da Barge”. (Editor’s note: Rob is committee We’re constantly busy hauling out approximately 30 “Liason,”not Chairman – just ask moorings this year for annual maintenance. Our barge is him!) respectively, have started off always fun to work on, and of course, it is the backbone of with a bang.And thanks to our new our mooring field safety program. Everyone is invited to help! members Steve & Jeanne Parker, our Simply e-mail Gene Piermattei at [email protected]. AYC Pot Luck dinner events are Gene would love to have you, and it’s a great way to get now under way like never before. involved with a very important operation of the Club. With attendance to upwards of 50 Come along and join us! participants, their June 2nd Pot Luck event was a smash. Guess what? Our city neighbors the Waste Water Treatment Soups and Salads was the menu of the evening, and of Facility are once again in the news, and this could mean course with the contributions of the AYC Canonniers dur- some great things down the road for our good Club. Past ing the Get Acquainted Party, and our first potluck event, Commodore M. Clifton Robinson has volunteered to the season came in with a cheer! Thank you so much, represent the AYC as Club Liaison for the city’s planners. Steve and Jeanne.Your good volunteerism, as new mem- Clif is an extraordinary communicator, and so enjoy bers, should stand as an example for all our members to some very important news and review from Clif.We are come on down, get involved, and be jolly! We look for- very happy that he has stepped in to assist.Thank you ward to seeing more Past Commodore Robinson! of the Parkers this season. Finally, with so many new members this year, I want to And friends, what about our new float line! This was a take this opportunity to express the Club’s excitement design drawn up 5 years ago, and it has finally come to about your induction into this very old yacht club.And fruition. Just think, now our dinghies and trailerable with that, I ask you all to accept this sincere “Commodore’s sailboats can enjoy safe access to our ramp during any Request” to take a moment of your own and read the tide.This great float system ensures that when you AYC House Rules distributed earlier in the year. It is launch a boat at low tide, all you need to do is pull it critical that we all abide by and participate in the frame- around using a new solid platform to stand on, and away work of our rules and regulations for health, spirit, and you go! I want to thank Rear Commodore David Hewey harmony…because after all: ‘tis the season to be jolly! for staying the course and making this a reality.And along with that, I want all of our members to remember that Fair Winds and Following Seas, this float system will not be available for tender storage Commodore Eric T.Vasquez (or tying up). It is provided for launching and landing

From the House Committee Thanks to one and all. The House Committee wishes to to help can call me at any time to volunteer their services. thank all of the 70 plus people that helped on opening Please call me to work on projects at the Club. My correct day 2009 at the AYC. We accomplished far more than we phone number is 978 463-8219, cell 978 821-6525. My thought possible. e-mail address is also incorrect on the membership ros- Everyone pitched in to get the Club in ship shape and it ter. The correct address is [email protected]. was much appreciated. A Happy and Healthy summer ahead! We also want to thank the Entertainment Committee for Respectfully submitted, giving us sustenance.They always do a great job! Bob Saldarini, We still have plenty of work ahead in the coming weeks. House Committee Chairman Painting and cleaning seem never ending. Anyone wishing

2 June 2009 Issue 4 Merrimack River Challenge Saturday July 5th Start: 1:30 PM Warning signal for first boat starting. Individual Starting Times: Each yacht will be assigned an individual starting time based on its PHRF handicap and the course length. Timekeeping: Starting and finishing times will be determined using local GPS time. Registration: American Yacht Club, Skipper's meeting 12 noon. Course and starting times will be announced at the skipper's meeting. Entry fee: $10 Race Management: AYC Race Committee.The Race Committee will monitor VHF Channel 72.The Race Committee will give verbal instructions to the fleet over Channel 72.This may include pre-start changes to course and starting time. Rules: The current Racing Rules of Sailing (2005-2008) as adopted by the US Sailing Association will govern this event except where specified otherwise by the PHRF rules or the sailing instructions. Each participant in this event is solely responsi- ble for determining that their yacht is seaworthy for any and all conditions that might be encountered. Scoring: Based on the order of finish at the finish line. Each yacht is responsible for recording their finishing time and reporting it to the Race Committee following the race.Yachts failing to report their finishing time will be scored DNF. Classes: Racing (Spinnaker), Cruising (not Spinnaker). "Armchair" competitors will be included in the cruising class. Contact: For further information or to pre-register, please contact Brad Johnson at (978) 462-3739 or [email protected]

From the Landscape Committee Many thanks to all who helped spiff up the courtyard, rose bank and entry gardens on opening work day. We raked, pruned, weeded, fertilized, mowed and mulched until everything was once again glorious to behold. It is always gratifying to see how many members voluntarily work all morning to open the club each year.We appreci- ate your hard work and community spirit. Thanks to all! Nancy and Doug Cornell

3 June 2009 Issue 4 News Flush: Waste Treatment Plant Upgrade Project submitted by Clif Robinson, Past Commodore

n the past few weeks the project to upgrade the existing and the final disposition of the land after construction. Impact IWaste Treatment Plant has begun to heat up and is starting to the club operation will not happen until 2010. to take shape.The Commodore has graciously asked for my help with to work with the city and to see that the best inter- Currently the city has not closed on the project, design, or the ests of the Club are represented.As liaison, I would like to offer funding source for the project.The fast track would be to the members some of the inside track on project. apply for Federal Stimulus money by August this year and get a shovel in the ground by February.Then construct the new Newburyport city council has approved a the project to building and begin modifications of the plant.This would upgrade their existing plant.They have committed to higher mean a rerouting of our access road for the 2010 boating sea- standards on cleaning up their waste.The plant is being mod- son.The AYC is engaged with the head of the water depart- ernized to improve efficiency and better manage the waste. ment, the engineers, and the cities engineering manager.The There is no capacity expansion and the most of the work will city has hired an engineering firm and they are proceeding be upgrade of existing equipment with two exceptions.The with the design and have shared some concepts with us.The first being the existing building with plant will be raised and city and the engineers are fully aware and have acknowledged rebuilt to house the control rooms and some under roof treat- our deeded right of way.They have committed to work with ment processes.The second exception is the addition of a new us through all phases and have been very accessible.The dis- building for laboratories and administration.The net result of cussions on the right of way and possible acquisition of are the project will be reduced smell and improved water quality currently limited until the city actually owns the land. It is also for our river. clear that the project time-line will be subject to logistics, The impact to the AYC is not yet fully understood, but we do funding, and legal hurtles. know the proposed plan has the city acquiring the land which It is the intent of the Commodore and Executive Committee to our access road runs through for the laboratory and adminis- keep all the members well informed and engaged on the proj- tration building.They also intend to use this land as staging ect through the General meetings.The forum for discussion area for construction.The preliminary plan for the new build- and approval will be the general meetings. I would also ing is to site it right on top of our existing access road.At encourage you to contact the Executive Committee or me about 5000 square feet over 2 stories new building will be fair- directly if you have information or would like to discuss Waste ly small relative to the existing land.The impact to the club Treatment. will be the access road, access through the construction phase,

Phil Bolger, 1927-2009 Local Boat Designer and Innovator Dies by Suicide Edited and submitted by Jim Grenier, Sailorgram Editor by Richard Gaines, The Gloucester Times

Phil Bolger took his own life on May 25. Phil Bolger was a renowned and prolific boat designer, author and eccentric with a playful creative streak and a penchant to make boating easy. Sunday, May 25, he killed himself by handgun behind his West Gloucester house overlooking the Jones River where decades ago he perfected the wooden kayak. His wife and business partner, Susanne Altenburger, said yesterday his decision to take his own life was a long-contemplated, reasoned and principled act,

continued on page 5

4 June 2009 Issue 4 2009 Get Acquainted Party submitted by Eric Vasquez, Commodore

On May 29, the AYC held their annual “Get Acquainted Party” where all the new members are introduced to the club.The attendence was excellent and everyone enjoyed the coolish evening warmed by the friend- liness and commradery of the group.

Phil Bolger continued from page 4 though Bolger gave her no advance warning or hints in "He was perhaps the best and most diverse small boat recent behavior. designer in the world," said his friend, the Gloucester and naval historian Joe Garland. "How he died is part of his narrative," Altenburger said. "He died an extraordinarily violent, purposeful and sober- Altenburger said she was not prepared for his suicide. ly considered death." She said she awoke Sunday morning‚ perhaps to the sound of a gunshot‚ and when Bolger did not respond to Gloucester-born and raised, Bolger designed 680 boats, her call, she discovered his body outside along with a including the world's smallest dinghy, "the folding .45-caliber pistol. schooner," a novelty innovation of convenience, as well as the HMS Rose, which was given celebrity in the 2003 "He made sure I was not in the loop; it keeps me out of movie, Master and Commander:The Far Side of the trouble," she said. World. He was in reasonable health for his 81 years, but Suicide and assisting in a suicide are crimes in felt himself slipping mentally,Altenburger said. Massachusetts. continued on page 8

5 June 2009 Issue 4 Activities Committee Report he Activities Committee started off its season with a as good and diverse participation again this year. well-attended first potluck dinner featuring soups T Still in the planning stages are a Cruising Race, the brain- and sandwiches. New members Steve Parker and his child of Homer Shanon and a Nautical Flea/Float Market wife Jeanne did an excellent job of running the show that looks like it will follow a Pancake Breakfast. that evening. Steve commented afterward that he really hadn't done anything. I assured him that that was the There are a few events that are still in need of hosts and as best indication that he'd done it correctly.The evening always, if you have an idea for an additional event, see me was attended by about 20+ people and, as always, the and we'll try and fit it in and remember the words of Steve food was excellent and in abundance. Special thanks go Parker. "I didn't really do anything", because when we all to Gordon and Debbie Bailey who brought the largest chip in, that's the way it works! submarine sandwich I'd ever seen christened "Red October". Thanks too to the laser fleet for putting on an Stay Active, enjoyable show. Rob Brun NOT the Activities Committee Chairman The next event is Wednesday, June 17th. This potluck dinner will be co-hosted by Gary Thompson and Jim Grenier and the theme is French Cuisine (with apologies A calendar listing of the scheduled activities can be to Julia Child). found on Page 7. Some activities dates may change to accommodate weather, tides or other conditions. During July, events will include, but are not limited too, Please stay tuned to upcoming issues of the an Essex Bay Cruise hosted by Vice Commodore Bob and Sailorgram for updates. Sharon Chadwick, the return of Italian night hosted by Mary and Ric Tauson and continuing our travels though Did you know? Europe, German night hosted by David and Roberta Folk etymology has derived the term potluck from the Knight (but don't mention the war!) Native American custom of potlatch where a group would bring meats, tubers, berries, fruit, grains and other As a heads-up and so everyone can prepare, the Open food for a communual bowl for a feast or celebration. Mic has been moved back to August 6th, so start polish- The word potluck, however, is actually of English origin. ing up your talents. (Editor’s note: Gordon, we need you It is a portmanteau formed from (cooking) pot and to polish up your saxaphone chops!) We hope to have lucke. English or Native American, aren’t they great?

Cuisine française Potluck Djenner Vous êtes cordialement invités à assister à notre français dîner. Le thème sera la cuisine française.Apportez s'il vous plaît une entrée convenable ou un dessert à part. Permettez-nous de fournir un peu d'attitude Parisienne et la classe au pont humble de notre club.

Translation: French Cuisine Potluck Dinner You are cordially invited to attend our French dinner.The theme will be French cuisine. Please bring a suitable entree or dessert to share. Let us provide a bit of Parisian attitude and class to the humble deck of our club.

Mercredi, 17 juin 2009, 6:30pm. Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 6:30pm. Luncheon of the Boating Party by Pierre-Auguste Renoir Gaccueilli par Gary Thompson et Jaques Grenier

6 June 2009 Issue 4 Activities Committee Schedule 2009 submitted by Rob Brun, Activites Committee Liason he Activities Committee plans and hosts many week- Pizza Night, Mexican Night, Chilifest and Open Mic.In Tday and sometimes weekend events for the club.All addition there is a proposed Essex Bay Cruise, French events are low-budget affairs and rely on member partici- Cusine, Nautical Flea Market and more. pation for success. Fortunately, our members always have a great time and pitch in with set-up, food preparatuion If you have an idea for a club activity,we are always looking and cleanup making light work for everyone.This year for new ideas and participation. For new members these they are bringing back successful ideas from the past like events are a great way to meet other members.

Date/Time Event/Theme Hosted by JUNE Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 p.m. Pot Luck/Laser Races, Soups & Sandwiches Steve Parker

Wednesday, June 17, 6:30 p.m. Pot Luck/Laser Races, French Cuisine Gary Thompson & Jim Grenier

JULY Sat/Sun, July 11-12th Essex Bay Cruise Bob & Sharon Chadwick

Thursday July 16th, 6:30 p.m Pot Luck/Laser, Italian Cuisine Mary & Ric Tauson

Tuesday July 28th,6:30 p.m Pot Luck/Laser, German Cuisine Roberts & Dave Knight

AUGUST Thursday, August 6th, 6:30 p.m. Open Mic, Talent & Snacks Stellwagen

Monday, August17th, 6:30 p.m. Pot Luck/Laser Races, Pizza Night Rob Brun

Saturday August 22nd, 8 -11 a.m. Nautical Flea Market & Pancake Breakfast Mary & Ric Tauson, Rob Brun

Thursday August 27th Movie Night, The Boatnicks Homer Shannon, Jim & Lyn Grenier

SEPTEMBER Tuesday, Sept. 15th Pot Luck Laser Races, Mexican Fare Mary & Ric Tauson

Wednesday, Sept. 30th(?), 6:30 p.m. Apple Pie/Chili Fest Tom Lochhaas & Jim Grenier

Other Events, Dates TBA Cruising Race Skills-based Homer Shannon

Capt. George Duffy Lecture Jim Grenier

The Sailorgram needs “stringers” to cover AYC events, activities and races. If you can take a few pictures, write a summary of an event or otherwise assist the Sailorgram in publishing AYC news, please contact Jim at [email protected]

7 June 2009 Issue 4 Newburyport Summer Sailing Program 2009 submitted by Sue Manzi

The American Yacht Club is offering sailing classes for children and adults this summer.Applications are now being received via the Internet online registration at www.americanyachtclub.org or by calling the Sailing School Administrator at 603-474-9644. SAILING SCHOOL SCHEDULE FOR KIDS AGES 10-18 Fees: Members $230, Non-members $270 Basic & Intermediate Program: Session 1 – July 6th-17th 9AM-12Noon or 1PM-4PM Session 2 – July 20th-31st 9AM-12Noon or 1PM-4PM Session 3 – Aug. 3rd-14th 9AM-12Noon or 1PM-4PM Session 4 – Aug. 17th-28th 9AM-12Noon Advance/Racing Program: Session 4 – Aug. 17th-28th 1PM-4PM

ADULT SAILING LESSONS SCHEDULE Fees: Members $250, Non-members $290 Basic & Intermediate Program: Session 1 – July 6th-29th 5:30PM – 8:00PM, Mon. & Wed. Session 2 – Aug. 3rd-26th 5:30PM – 8:00PM, Mon. & Wed.

Phil Bolger continued from page 5 "We had discussed final issues many times," she said. "He "In his family ran certain health issues – aging and losing was very clear about the finality of these things; he faculties – he was alert for not hanging in there if it were would leave on his own terms." not a good thing," she said. The .45-caliber pistol was one of a small number of guns Altenburger said Bolger was a serious libertarian, even a that the libertarian and weapons-trained National Rifle passive member of the Libertarian Party, such that he Association member owned.The police confiscated the considered the right of gays to marry to be at peace with guns when they responded to the scene Sunday morning. his absolute belief in the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms. As recently as last Wednesday, the Bolger-Altenburger boat designing-business team participated in the annual In addition to his work as a boat designer, Bolger was a meeting in Gloucester of the U.S. Commercial prolific writer. He published numerous books on boats Fishermen's Association, where they preached on behalf and a science fiction novel about apartheid in South of his latest design innovation, a light, narrow, shallow Africa, written and published before the racial separation draft, fuel-efficient commercial fishing boat. system ended, along with countless magazine articles. It was his last crusade – pitched as an antidote to old- He also left three unpublished manuscripts, which fashioned, diesel guzzlers that were encouraged by feder- Altenburger said yesterday she would see published. al regulations – and after years of frustration, Bolger had In 2008,Watercraft magazine saw fit to reprint his first finally been successful in getting a small prototype built magazine piece – Tokyo Bay Fishing Skiff – from a 1948 and fishing. edition of The Rudder. Thirty-one years Bolger's junior and his wife for 15 years, Written while Bolger was in the U.S.Army of occupation the German born-Altenburger described Bolger as "an in post-war Japan and already obsessed with boat design, independent, unorthodox, free spirit as reflected in his it outlines the unusual solutions the Japanese had found work. continued on page 9

8 June 2009 Issue 4

Phil Bolger continued from page 8 to the problem of building seaworthy boats that "can lie flat on their bellies in the mud or float in a few inches of water." Along with the original text from '48, Watercraft featured Bolger on Bolger, in which he chastised himself for issuing a sophomoric absolute in the earlier piece. "The remark in my text then that this was the first written description of these boats is, of course, nonsense," he wrote, "though it may have been true of the American yachting press." Behind all his work, said Altenburger, was a desire to make boating available to the masses. "The best boats are either small enough to carry home or big enough to live on," is an aphorism of Bolger's often cited as getting to the essence of the man. Bolger attended Bowdoin College in Maine, served in the Army and returned to Bowdoin to get his bachelor's degree in history.Afterward, he apprenticed to John Hacker and Linsdey Lord, who were among the elite naval architects of the years around World War II. Bolger's tastes tended to the more practical and innova- tive, though he maintained a lifelong friendship with the wealthy yacht-builder Stanley Woodward. "Bolger's knowledge of practical boating history is encyclopedic, including not only what the boats were Bow-on view of Surprise, formerly Rose, perhaps Phil Bolger’s most widely-known creation from Hollywood fame. Shown at but also how they were used and built, and why," wrote the Maritime Museum of San Diego Don Segal in Small Boat Journal in 1989. "His designs range from the 115-foot full-rigged ship Rose to production Joseph Gribbens, writing about Bolger in Nautical motor cruisers to ocean-crossing rowboats to working Quarterly in 1983, noted that his bigger projects were lobster boats.A few were total failures; many were favored by Stanley Woodward, who hired Bolger as the spectacular successes. Every one of them makes us look in-house designer for Majorca Yacht and Boat Construction just slightly askance at our priorities and at boats as we Association (MYABCA), the yard he established in Spain's think we know them. Every one makes us think." Balearic Islands. His designs – especially his weird innovations – were Bolger considered himself fortunate in the business validated by the masses, who built and raved about the connections he made. Bolger Brick, a ultra-small, squared-off sailing skiff; the His nephew Ben Bolger said he heard his uncle say he Bolger Pirogue, a sprite of a sailboat; and the Bolger preferred to "charge less and have lots of work." Sneakeasy, which looks like it was made for use in the '40s gangster movie, Key Largo. "He had very few clients," Ben Bolger said. "He made sure they never owned him." "Brick started as an exercise in how much boat could be built of out three 4-by-8 foot sheets of plywood," he He and Altenburger lived modestly in a house on Atlantic wrote in his 1994 book, Boats With An Open Mind. Street, whose front lawn was taken with a Bolger- designed boat that sits permanently in dry dock. "It's a simple pleasure to come out even with no scrap left over," he wrote. "I try not to let this game become an His most spectacular creation was the replica of the obsession, there's an 8-inch by 32-inch rectangle here for 18th-century HMS Surprise – a modern tall ship, with 20 which I didn't strain to find a place." guns, built at Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada, as Rose to

continued on page 11 9 June 2009 Issue 4 “Classifieds” We will advertise any items submitted for sale by a member for one issue and will repeat those ads only upon the request of the person placing it. There is no charge for listings.

FOR SALE: SIRENA. CG documented. Well-maintained COMPASSES: I have four of them. 1) Richie deck 1985 Hunter 28.5 w/fin keel, 10'6" beam, 13 HP Yanmar mount, with light-- 2 3/4" direct read, this is NEW and diesel, wheel mount auto pilot, ped compass, unused, only $25. 2) Richie Powerdamp, bracket mount 2 self-tailing winches, Harken roller-furling jib & fully- “full card read,” with light $10; 3) Richie Powerdamp battened main. White fiberglass w/ blue sail covers, bracket mount “full card read,” with light $25; 4) Richie dodger & bimini. Additional spinnaker, 110 jib, 150 “flat read” bracket mount 3” card, with light $30; drifter, 70 Kevlar storm jib. GPS, Loran, Radar, VHF. [email protected] Functional galley w/ horseshoe salon, 2 burner alcohol stove, ss sink, icebox, nav station. Private head/shower BILGE PUMP: with a “float switch”. Rule 1500, high & aft cabin, comfortable v-berth w/ hatch, exc storage, pumping capacity and reliability (the pump lists for sleeps 4 comfortably. Nicro solar vent, 12-volt pressure about $80). Get both for only $15; water system, hot water tank, auto bilge. Sale includes [email protected] boat stands, anchors, Magna propane grill, and more. Boat is stored in Newburyport. $17,000. Call Raylene MOORING LINES: I have three, used and strong hold- Cashman 978-697-0824 ing, nylon three-strand lines, for only $2 each. 5/8” x 30’, and 2 of the 1/4” x 30’ sizes; [email protected] 1982 CAPE DORY 25D SLOOP. Hull #8, well maintained, Yanmar diesel engine, 3 blade bronze prop, roller reefing, FOLDING, WATERPROOF CHARTS: I’m selling knot/log, depth, auto helm, storage trailer and more. Rigged THREE charts for the price of one, and all are NEW and for single handing. Contact Rob Brun for more information unused. (They retail for $19 each, but I'll give you three, at [email protected] or 978-462-1948 for the price of one, which is a $60 value for only $19, while they last. (I only have about six of each left) -- SEAGULL CURLEW LONG SHAFT 5hp (British) out- Moosehead Lake Maine, Sebago Lake Maine, board. Equivalent to about 20hp US. 10 hrs on engine Lake Winnipesauke; [email protected] since new. Forward and neutral. Pushes a big boat. $500/BRO. Jim Grenier 978-388-4445 days. LIFE JACKETS: I have one, new, Stern’s “watersports ski vest,” for a child, which retailed for $39, for only $10; [email protected]

BLOWER MOTOR: A 3” in-line engine blower, lists for $25, for only $2; [email protected]

NEW PARALLEL RULER: with a locking device, com- pact, suited for use on modern small chart tables. All the features of standard parallel ruler but it fits in the pocket and is easier to use. Enables transfer of GPS positions to any paper chart. Locking knob enables the two rulers to be fixed in any given separation which allows rapid determination of GPS position. Fingertips to act as fric- tion pads on underlying chart. Only $13.95 (Reg. $29.99); [email protected]

“LIGHT RULER”: Identify vessels, easily, at night, using this valuable reference card. Shows views of a 2003 PRECISION 15' DAY SAILOR : Includes sails vessel’s Port, Starboard, Bow and Stern lights, identifies and all necessary rigging in good condition. Sailed only 60 light configurations. It also displays audible signals. 3 summers. Great family boat that comfortably sails Comes with vinyl sleeve and magnifying lens. Only with 4 adults. $3,000 or make offer. Contact Sue at $11.99 each (Reg. $25); [email protected] [email protected] or call 603-474-9644

10 June 2009 Issue 4 The AYC Sketchbook

This is a 14 x 18 oil painting entitled Twilight – Merrimack River which I complet- ed this year. The light was just breathtaking as we came through the river on this particular night. I quickly shot as many photos as I could to capture the moment. I taught in the Newburyport school system before retiring last year. My time is now spent painting in the plein aire with the groups of the 'Band of Brushes' and the 'Women in the Wild'. I am a member of the Newburyport Art Association and the Seacoast Art Association. Presently, I teach chidlren's art classes at the NAA and serve on the education board. I am the spouse of Leonard Johnson, Jr. who has been a member of the AYC since 1978. Christine Molitor Johnson

If you have artwork or interesting photos of the club, its boats, members, or our home waters you’d like to share please submit them, along with the title, author and brief description. We’ll select one item each month and help show off the talents of our members.

Phil Bolger continued from page 9 a Bolger design. It was based on the original British required restaurant and such concessions to modernity. Admiralty drawings. The Rose was selected to be Russell Crowe's domain in Bolger got the commission to build a tourist boat for Peter Weir's movie Master and Commander, (Editor’s Newport, R.I., and kept it authentic except for the note: movie based on several Patrick O’Brien novels) which became a blockbuster hit, and brought the design- er of the war ship belated notoriety. Robin Hubbard said she decided to invest in building the prototype, 21st-century fishing boat (Robin Jean) which Bolger had conceived and he and Altenburger had been trying to market since 2003. "It's fuel-efficient, fast and economical," said Hubbard, a former Gloucester mayoral candidate.The building project was given to the Gloucester fisherman Davie Mero and his brother, Dan Mero, a master carpenter. The Robin Jean was completed in February and now awaits the reopening of the inshore fishing grounds on June 1 to begin its work as the platform for hand-held gear, tub trawling. Phil Bolger’s Robin Jean. Built just in time for him to see before he left us. She is moored in Gloucester ready for duty. Richard Gaines can be reached at Web photo by Paul Frontiero on GoodMorningGloucester.org. [email protected]

11 FIRST CLASS The American Yacht Club MAIL P.O. Box 1360 US POSTAGE Newburyport, MA 01950 PAID Topsfield MA Permit 325

June 2009 Issue 4

American Yacht Club P.O. Box 1360 Newburyport MA 01950 Organized 1885, Incorporated 1890 Please send all digital* Sailorgram submissions to [email protected] Send all physical** Sailorgram submissions to: Jim Grenier, 5 Folly Mill Road, Salisbury, MA 01952 Due date is the 5th of each month. Sailorgram will only be published when there is enough material to warrant it. *Copy submissions must be in .txt, .rtf, or .doc format; image formats must be .jpg, .gif, or .tif; images should be min. 150 dpi at 5x7 size. ** All written matter must be typewritten; images can be photos, drawings, or other flat art- work. Artwork can only be returned if provided with a self-addressed and stamped envelope.

Errata and Omissions The Sailorgram apologizes in advance for any errors in spelling, grammar, punctua- tion, or the accuracy of identifications. Sailorgram articles are the sole responsibility A welcome sight to our members, the mooring of the author, including stated facts, opinions, commentary, and humor. We include field is quickly filling in with our boats. as many submissions as possible and may, due to space limitations, choose to omit Photo submitted by Eric Vasquez or delay certain submissions for later issues. In other words, the Sailorgram takes responsibility for hardly anything.