Category: Beaton’s

Like the traditional Big Sea Day when the local farmers had a day at the beach when the summer’s labors were done. On Saturday I removed the sails, boom and running rigging to get Sjogin ready for her summer maintenance work. Of course Saturday morning was hot and still while Sunday was just perfect. Low humidity, a nice breeze from the Northeast. Since there was to be no sailing I made my first appearance on Squan beach with Julia and Jake, thus the reference to “Big Russ Day”.

Moi, Julia and Jake on my first beach visit of 2007. Usually I’m good for a few more.

Drying sails. Note the sweep on the side deck as I sculled her over to the Rigging (or in this case, the Unrigging) dock. All of the running rigging, boom and sails are removed and stored for a few weeks while the maintenance goes on.

All stripped; ready to have the mast pulled and Sjogin hauled and put in her usual spot in the South shed.

Looks like 1940’s or so. Two G-Boats, the Flatfish Serena and the catboat Irene Tansy. Tom Beaton was on the dock as I was getting Sjogin ready and commented that the inner basin was looking good this Summer. Have to agree.

and a return to regular Sjogin visits, complete with sizzling Joe Leone sausage bread.

Serena is just about done. Spar work and hardware fitting are all that’s left absent a pre-launch varnish coat. A June 9th launching is anticipated. Perhaps Charlotte will join her on Launching Day. Imagine the two of them sailing along side by side, the crew in each transfixed by the mirror image of a perfect boat, brought to life by the Master Boatbuilders of David Beaton and Son’s (and grandson’s and nieces and nephew’s).

Started on Spring garden chores; mostly bed clean-up and planning for dividing and transplanting. Will try to work on making the lawn edging more permanent, maybe more slate or stone of some kind.

Pics follow:

First sizzle and tea since returning.

Serena’s aft deck, note the house and club flags painted on the inside of the transom.

That perfect Herreshoff hollow bow.

Deck progress on the G Boat.

Sublime.

A sure sign of Spring; the freshly painted Yard Garvey.

Down below last Sunday.

Last Thursday, late afternoon. Post work sailing soon.

of 2007 and truly sailing as slow as i could. Classic calm before the storm today, waiting for the arrival of the nor’easter. Sitting here before the fire; Julia in the kitchen fixing a salad. Breeze now 6 to 10 from the NNE.

Very light conditions, barely 5 out of the East, backing NE. Often complete calm but perfect ghosting conditions for Sjogin. Was able to sit off Swan Point on the Port tack for about an hour, reading and brewing tea. Frequent pauses to confirm position and chop wood for the stove.

Pics follow:

A very quiet reach out of Beaton’s.

Brant sitting tight under Swan Point. Saw several flights join their cousins. Quiet enough to hear them land.

Ghosting home.

Ingrid Ann, one of the Beaton locals.

Illustrations of Michael Frosts Oyster Smack from my current on board read. Neat to read about him hove to off Foulness in a half gale while snug below hove to off Swan Point.

cozy down below. We’re in full frozen bilge mode. The electric pump’s turned off and the hand pump’s seeing semi-daily use. Went down this morning to chip the ice out of the “sump” and pump her dry.

Progress on Serena, the new Flatfish with varnish build-up proceeding. Also evidence of work on the Fortenbaugh G-Boat, being restored by Beatons.

Pics follow:

Finally iced in. Seems like a period of ice makes for a normal winter.

Hand pumping, about 20 strokes clears the bilge. I’ll pick at more of the ice tomorrow.

Varnish build-up on Serena, about half way there.

Randy, starting on another A-Cat half model.

Serena and the G-Boat share the wood shop. The G-Boat was designed By Charles Mower in 1936. They were raced on Barnegat Bay for many years, ending in the 70’s? When I first found Beaton’s in ’78 there was a G-Boat in one of the sheds that had seen better days. That particular boat is now at the Toms River Seaport Society. The one being restored by Beaton’s is owned by the Fortenbaugh family. Bill Fortenbaugh had the A-Cat Ghost built by Tom Beaton and crew in the early 90’s. As some of you know I had the pleasure (mostly) of helping to build her.