By LEN BOSE
While walking the docks the other weekend, I ran into a good friend that was getting his boat ready for the 4th of July boat parade. The boat immediately grabbed my attention, and as I approached my friend told me the story of how and why this boat was built. As he explained the process, my mind interpreted his story differently. This is how I perceived his story.
One day, the caterpillar stops eating, hangs upside down from a twig or leaf, and spins itself into a silky cocoon or molts into a shiny chrysalis. Within its protective casing, the caterpillar radically transforms its body, eventually emerging as a beautiful butterfly. One might imagine the same story while looking for a Duffy.
A friend wanted a unique Duffy with a Chris Craft flavor to it. He and Marshall “Duffy” Duffield traded thoughts, and then one day when entering the factory, Duffy had noticed earlier a 20-footer laying on its side in an abandoned boatyard. This started the chrysalis cycle of this 1988 Duffy, later to be named Our Fault.
The boat was brought in from the hot high desert sun of Adelanto and placed on a cradle, not quite hung upside down but close, then wheeled through the large factory doors similar to entering a magic castle. As the doors slowly closed a large chiming noise was heard, similar to large chains rattling or the sound of money being deposited into a slot machine.
The color of the hull is a custom burgundy red with a rich mahogany color blended into the hull producing this one-of-a-kind deep-grained finish color. A swim step was added along with underwater lights that produce a moonlit night reflection you can only find miles out to sea on the darkest of nights. Courtesy deck lights were installed along the boat’s cabin sole with a blue tint projecting from the sound system speakers. This gave the cocoon a chilling glow as the boat went through its transformation.
Outdoor teak and holly decking then appeared from bow to stern, two custom tables with the aft table dropping down to a twin berth. The captain’s chair and helm council is fit for Neptune, with a hidden wine locker within the heart of the vessel. The custom sound system can awaken the gods while placing a shuffle to their feet.
The boat’s trumpet can repel any unwanted borders, while the anchoring system will allow for firm holding, which allows for the eventual transformation into a beautiful one-of-a-kind vessel that commands the respect of any true yachtsman within our harbor.
 |
| WESTERLY Overall winner |
• • •
Not sure if any of you followed my Transpac story with my picks for each division. I was not 100% correct, but pretty darn close. In Division 8, I went with Sweet Okole for the win followed by Juno. It turned out that Juno won, followed by Sweet Okole in second. In Division 7, I didn’t do well with my picks other than stating that “Charles Devanneaux is the Beneteau dealer in Marina Del Rey, so this is not his first rodeo. I would be surprised if his team makes any basic mistakes.” This team finished in 2nd. In Division 4, I got a little closer with my top two picks: Denali 3 finishing in 3rd and the J 125 Arsenal in second. In Division 5, I batted 100% with Westerly winning its class…she even won overall. I didn’t see that coming – Deception took 2nd followed by Triumph in 3rd. In Division 6, I went with Spin Doctor in first and Ho’okolohe in 2nd. Ho’okolohe crushed it winning by more than eight hours over Spin Doctor in 2nd. Division 3 was easy to pick, with the favorite being Pyewacket winning its class. The best part of watching this race was local sailor Dave Clark’s team aboard Grand Illusion giving the “Magic Cat” some heartburn a couple of times, by taking the lead and holding on to it for more than half the race. In Division 1, the team that I was pulling for was Peligroso, which won the division, yet the team I had picked to win was Zeus, who finished in 3rd, which was a surprise. It looked like Zeusneeded more breeze to get on its foils.
Speaking of the Transpac, our harbor’s “Flight of Newport” has brought nearly every Harbor 20 and Laser in the harbor to participate in the event. Like every year, this race is on everyone’s calendar for this Sunday, July 16. Wish us luck!
Sea ya.
~~~~~~~~
Len Bose is a yachting enthusiast, yacht broker and harbor columnist for Stu News Newport.
No comments:
Post a Comment