posted 12-05-2010 03:16 AM ET (US)        

Over the last few weekends, I borrowed a nifty Honda generator, built a little platform for it straddling the motor well, and began stringing lights. Today the atmosphere at the harbor was festive, and I had a good time finishing off the job while sharing beers, chili and hot wings with my neighbors across the dock who were also getting their boat dressed up for the parade. The theme this year was Under a Starry Night, and I made sure to incorporate plenty of lit stars into Namequoit's display.

Friends came down to join us, Nancy and the kids arrived a little while later, and we all enjoyed some clam chowder and sourdough bread while the Christmas music played on the stereo. At 5:30 we motored down the harbor and joined the parade, being sure to put on an enthusiastic show each time we passed the judge's dock. There were all manner of craft participating, from stand up paddlers (SUPs), go-fast sailboats, power cruisers, dinks, and even some fire breathing dragon kayaks (really). We had a great time and all of us thought the Whaler looked pretty good. Afterwards, we had a round of hot toddies and headed over to the Santa Cruz Yacht Club (who puts on the event) to see who won and check out the slide show. As we walked in the door, we saw that our dock neighbor Walt had won second place in the Powerboat Under 27' division. A second later the screen showed Andy Gere and Namequoit as the winner! My jaw dropped, and Bobby and I ran up to collect our prize, which included a gift certificate to our favorite harborside restaurant (The Crow's Nest) and a pair of tickets for a cruise on the Chardonnay, a 70 foot sailing yacht that charters out of our harbor.

Here are a few snapshots of the boat and crew on a very memorable night. Happy Holidays Whalers!

[url}http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5312912&l=72b0a5c4f8&id=560164686[/url]

posted 12-05-2010 06:58 AM ET (US)            

Check this out.
http://www.christmasships.org/

mk

posted 12-05-2010 12:51 PM ET (US)            

I've always been jealous of the way Andy has managed to keep his craft in immaculate condition even though he keeps his undoubtedly utilitarian, fish-killing machine in a Santa Cruz slip, and uses her hard and often in various capacities (fishing, long offshore cruises, and now as a prize-winning beauty queen). His decision to repower with an E-TEC outboard has been a success, and his major alteration/addition to the craft--the canvas/isinglass semi-enclosed T-top--is a well-thought-out, attractive and useful modification, perfectly suited to our northern California conditions.

I've got first dibs, Liz, but I'm afraid that my clumsy hands and somewhat lazy approach to maintenance would be an insult to Andy's beautiful Whaler. Congratulations and well-deserved, old friend!

Tony

posted 12-05-2010 08:27 PM ET (US)            

Perhaps I can buy you off by selling you my 18, not as pristine as Andy's 22. Then you will have gone full circle :)

posted 12-06-2010 01:06 PM ET (US)            

http://tinyurl.com/Namequoit

posted 12-06-2010 02:16 PM ET (US)            

The 22 looks really sharp.
They do something similar down on the Sacramento River that I would like to take our 18 to.

posted 12-12-2010 05:49 PM ET (US)            

I guess most of the Northern folks are experiancing the white version of the same flying ocean (dense rain) that drifted over us. You guys take care, if it warms up there as quickly as it did here...the melt off may be worse.