Swedish women with wooden boats

On a research trip to Denmark, I reconnected with circumnavigator friend Silvija Springis, whose first ocean trip across the Atlantic was in a wooden boat. She and her husband built a 50' fiberglass boat named Magnum Bonum for their circumnavigation, but she understands why I've migrated to wood for my own boat. In trying to track down Pax' history in Denmark (and Sweden, since these boats often cruise across the Oresund Sea to Sweden), I sent her photos of the boat and asked for her help. She recognized the detail of a wooden boat in her home sailing club, VSS (a club where more than half the members own wooden boats), owned by a Swiss/Swedish woman named Lotta. Lotta was described as "loving her wooden boat almost more than her daughters!" and "the most active sailor in our very active club." Lotta's boat, Agnete, is in fact a S30 spidsgatter, the "cover girl" of the only book published about Danish Spidsgatters. She has owned it for several years and is both restoring it and sailing it often! I flew to Stockholm for a day and sailed right into the heart of Stockholm harbor, then circumnavigated the first island of the famous Swedish archipelago with Lotta, her oldest daughter and my friend, Silvija. That day we met another woman boat owner, Helena Thorslund from Gotteberg (western Sweden). Helena was in Stockholm for the same reason I was. Researching her boat! Her boat was a "Laurin Koster" and she'd been corresponding with a man who owned a beautiful one and kept it at VSS. The name of her boat is Camara. Here's a little from my correspondence with Helena: "Camara is 50 years (there is a cotton-main sail in beautiful condition and the sailbag is marked with her number H6 S37 and year 1959). I have halfpart of her history. She is a "Laurin - koster" by Arvid Laurin. Enclose some pic's of Camara and also a small sailing boat from 1932 (constructors name Sven Thorell) wich one I have owned since I was ten years old. I only just bought her (nov 2008. Camara is still not launched. If we work hard, hopefully in 1-2 weeks she will be on water." To see photos of Helena's boat and progress, visit her website. Like me, Helena also rides horses and draws great solace from the wind.

Internships available for metal boat and wood construction

Grace Harbor Marine in the Port of Port Townsend's Boat Haven, is considering offering an internship for metal boat building, including the wood interior and deck. Certification is possible. While primarily a welding service at this point, owners are also members in the Metal Boat Society. For information, call Michael at Grace Harbor Marine Service. 360-379-1940 or by email: pilgrim@olypen.com. Metal Boat Society recently held it's annual Festival in Port Angeles. To learn more about them, contact President, Candy Larrieau. She and her husband are building a metal boat and hoping to go cruising next year.

Walter Cronkite and his boats called Wyntje

A friend dropped me a note today with a link to an article written years ago explaining why Walter Cronkite always named his boats Wyntje.  I knew about the wooden yacht Wyntje.  I'd heard about a Westsail. I'd seen photos of a variety of boats with Walter at the helm. "Wyntje was the first woman married to a Cronkite in the New World, so all my boats are named Wyntje", he said.  While our first Cronkhite/Cronkite/Kranckheydt ancestor in what is now America was definitely married to Wyntje, they were Syboutzen at that point.  None of us know for sure why or how we got this name in the New World.  Wyntje's husband was a shipbuilder and it's been fun to cross paths with Cronkhite's all over the country who sail.  Wish I could have sailed with Walter to discuss it.

Youngest sailor, youngest female to attempt solo circumnavigation

Jessica Watson, a young woman sailor who cruised with her parents aboard their 50 foot boat and who has done more offshore preparation than many adults who set sail around the world, will set off on a solo circumnavigation this year. Inspired by Kay Cottee, fellow Aussie who was the first woman to sail around the world solo, non-stop and unassisted, much of Jessica's story rings familiar. Cottee, too, retrofitted a boat and was very involved with all aspects of the voyage. An experienced sailor, boat owner, maintenance whiz and savvy businesswoman, Kay Cottee had more experience than Jessica, but in this age of home learning options, the young sailor may not be as far behind her older peers as people assume. Her parents seem like savvy folks, are native New Zealanders (a huge genetic plus right there) and their preparation through example and prudent adventure are quite a contrast to other parents I've read about who "let" their kids go to sea. I'll be following Jessica's voyage with optimism and hope. Fair winds, young sailor and may the seas be kind teachers.

Denmark & Sweden spidsgatters

On June 1, I head to Copenhagen where I'll get to see a fleet of Danish spidsgatters, still sailing out of the Svanemøllen harbor. We'll meet Bel Ami and Ursa, and hope to see many more. On June 8, I fly to Stockholm to sail at the VSS with the owner of Agnete, a D30 class boat built by the same designer and boatyard as Bel Ami, and possibly Pax. Tours to Roskilde Viking museum, the Kalundborg museum, Walsted yard and several pleasure craft museums will be part of the journey as we continue our search for Pax true origin. Follow the news here, on the blog. Skol!