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"Warm and Fuzy Without the Fleece" The September issue is always a fun one to put together because so much has happened or is going to happen around the end of summer. For racers there’s Whidbey Island Race Week, along with a host of yacht club summer events. For cruising, it’s island time again. Whether it’s the San Juan or Gulf Islands, it’s time to hoist the main, start the motor (hopefully for just a short time), and visit your favorite, or new favorite places. For everyone there’s the Boats Afloat Show coming up September 10-14, in Seattle on Lake Union. The largest in-the-water boat show on the West Coast, there’s something to fit every style and budget for sailing. Always a great outing, especially if you have visitors in town. You get to take them to a premier event in Seattle while just happening to do what you really wanted to do that weekend – look at boats. A two bird stone. We distribute quite a few magazines at the boat show, and we hope people will look inside and sample something they can’t get from just looking at the boats – the great pleasure of being in the sailing community. There are two stories in this issue that really illustrate this point: The Flock Turns 50, and Knockdown! The Flock Turns 50, is about a small plywood boat that was launched 50 years ago in Gig Harbor, Washington. Since then the 26-foot Thunderbird has not only become an active part of Northwest sailing tradition, but also around the world. You can’t talk about T-birds without talking about family. Handed down through generations, T-birds aren’t just sailboats, they’re integral parts of families’ lives, values and their enjoyment of the waters of the Pacific Northwest. Knockdown tells the story of a small sailboat getting rolled over past 90 degrees and damaging the mast. Trouble was they were 90 miles from the nearest South Pacific island and hundreds of miles from repair facilities. Limping into the nearest atoll, the cruisers anchored there generously donated whatever it took to get them jury-rigged to go the 400 miles to a larger island, and escorted them every nautical mile of the way. Yet another story of sailors helping sailors – I never get tired of them. Yes, it’s a feel good time of the year. We’re off for our yearly respite in the islands to soothe our souls under sail. See you at The Boats Afloat Show. Enjoy. |
