The ship’s wolf and I just returned from a delivery trip of our friendship sloop. Three days of shakedown, system checks, standing watches under power, and even some sailing. June was one of the wettest in many years so even though we did not launch until the last week in June, it was still a stressful struggle to get everything done. Long periods of waiting for the weather to clear punctuated by intense bouts of painting when there was any approximation of dryness in the air.
Friendship Sloop Homecoming
A couple of things to do in Rockland coming up: The Friendship Homecoming and Rendezvous will be July 16th through 19th. There will be races on the afternoons of the 17th, 18th, and 19th, as well as a parade of sail, the morning of the 19th. You can get a really good view of these events from the Rockland breakwater by the lighthouse. When not parading or racing, the sloops will be rafted up to the Rockland town docks. Visitors are welcome to come down see the boats, talk to skippers and crews, and the whole event is free to the public, so, if you have ever wanted a closer look at these Maine classics, come check it out.
If your interest in friendships goes deep enough to want to kick some keels, you might want to check out the homecoming and then walk down to Atlantic Challenge at the other end of the harbor. There you will find three friendships for sale. One a wooden 22′, built in 1976, in need of a new deck, house, and bowsprit, but the price is low enough to make this project attractive.
22
A second is a 25′ Pemaquid type, built in 1961. She has been glassed from the waterline down, and I don’t know if she has an engine or not, but she looks to have plenty of life in her yet.
25\
Third is another 25′ Pemaquid, built, I believe, in 1970 in good shape, and, if I understood correctly she will be repainted in the next two weeks and put back into the water. So, you might be able to see this one afloat.
25\
If you are interested in getting the details on any of these, give Cullen Teel a call at Atlantic Challenge: 207 594-1800
April 17, 2009 at 6:42 am |
As of the fall of 2008, this last sloop has been sold but will remain in Rockland for the next few seasons.