Here are a few pics from the last few weeks at Beaton’s. The racing season on Barnegat Bay begins in two weeks and the A Cat fleet is getting ready for battle.
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Three in a row. Closest is Ghost, then Lotus and Mary Ann. Ghost is from the Francis Sweisguth* design, The other two are by Charles Mower. Note the different bow profiles.
*Edited to correct spelling. Thanks Charlie.
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Nice view from Sjogin’s slip. They’ll be gone soon, off to the the A Cat wars.
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Here’s Ghost’s cockpit showing some of my now 17 year old handiwork. When I worked at Beaton’s and helped build Ghost, I made the seats, tiller, cleats and coaming. (Proud of the ogee.)
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Raven about to be rigged. The masts are about 50′ long.
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Mary Ann, one of the originals from 1926, and her “tennis racquet” tiller.
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Spyder, heading down Bay. The “Y” is there referencing her home base, Seaside Park Yacht Club. One of the other originals, Spy, was named for that club.
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Empty shop except for the moaning chairs.
Russ, nice post. These boats are an amazing bit of American history and the fact that the class is still vital is a positive message about our culture, notwithstanding the fact that they, literally, cost a fortune. Hope to see something of the racing this year.
Thanks Thomas. When I first came to Beaton’s in the late 70’s the A Cats were on their last legs. It was a testimony to their appeal that they lasted as long as they did. I remember seeing Lotus with weeds growing through her seams.
Now, due to the love and passions of a few Medici’s and many sailors, the fleet is thriving.
Let’s try to set up sail to watch them race.
Russ
Russ: I want to be there on the sail. Dave (I’ll wear my dad’s boater and learn how to tie a bowtie)