NEWS
22 CLASSIC BOAT OCTOBER 2016TELL TALES
Many American cities perched on the water have an invisible wall- a disconnect – with their waterfront. But on Hunts Point in the
South Bronx, the poorest congressional district in the nation, the
folks at Rocking the Boat are shattering that barrier. Conceived not
only as a means for students to spend time out on the water, but to
construct those craft that will carry them, writes Matty Oates.
“These days we get close to 5,000 people – mostly Bronx residents
who have never had on-water experience – on to the Bronx River each
year,” says executive director Adam Green. He says the city deserves a
lot of credit for creating access to the water at the Hunts Point
Riverside Park, and it was Rocking the Boat that came along to help
facilitate its use. Not only introducing students to the water, but
keeping them engaged through post-graduation alumni activities,
community outreach, and help fi nding jobs in boating organisations,
they have removed that invisible wall to the waterfront.
Currently constructing a Herreshoff 12 ½, Green says it’s gone with
this design in a move to signifi cantly expand its sailing program, and a
wooden sailing boat was the right addition to the fl eet. “The Herreshoff
12 ½ is legendary for its stability, responsiveness, and ease as a sailing
boat,” he told Classic Boat. “Our sailing program directors felt it would
be the perfect tool to allow us to do our work.” It will be the fi rst
they’ve constructed in what they hope will grow to a fl eet of six.
Before starting the build, the students visited the Herreshoff
Museum in Bristol, RI, last summer. Adam says they did similar research
before the construction of a Beetle Whaleboat they built for the Mystic
Seaport Museum.
When the day arrives next spring, there will be a big community
celebration ready to splash the new build. Around 300 students,
families and friends will be there to witness the launch, including a
band-led parade through the park and down to the waterfront. The
Herreshoff will then be christened with Bronx River water. Signifi cantly,
the 12½ will be Rocking the Boat number 50!
Rocking the Boat welcomes support in all forms – through
volunteering and, of course, donations - rockingtheboat.org/support/“The best day’s sailing I’ve had in years,” said
Mat Barker. “Everyone told me ‘Maine in the
summer, good luck sailing in that’.” At a time
of year when the east coast is known for
light winds and oppressive humidity, the
Eggemoggin Reach Regatta delivered not
only the perfect weather, but stellar
boat-on-boat racing as well, writes Matty
Oates. With sunshine and a breeze that
eventually built from nothing to a steady 15
knots, the fl eet of more than 100 set off on
the 15-mile course that has remained the
same since its founding in 1985.The fl eet spanned everything from the
creations of Herreshoff , S&S and local legend
Harvey Gamage, to the impressive boats of
today from yards like Brooklin and Gannon &
Benjamin. It’s one of the many reasons the
Egg Reach regatta remains one of the most
famous gatherings of boats in the USA.
On the way to the fi nish line, onlookers
were treated to the sight of the lovely Sonny,
The Blue Peter, and Dorade racing neck-and-
neck, each one displaying stellar boat
handling. In a corner of the world where
lobstermen move for no man, their boats notonly stepped aside for the trio, but gave
admiring applause as they passed.
Fastest elapsed time went to the SoT
sloop Isobel, in 2h 15m 26s. En route from
Camden to Brooklin the day before she had
suff ered a serious broach while fl ying her
spinnaker, though it clearly didn’t hinder her
performance. Sonny and Dorade took the
prizes for S&S designs, winning fastest on
elapsed and fastest on corrected respectively.For results and information on 2017,
visit erregatta.comNEW YORK
Boatbuilding in the Bronx
EGGEMOGGIN REACH REGATTA, MAINE
“The best day’s sailing I’ve had in years”
JH PETERSONIYRS.ORG