10 jan 2018 boat of day
14Well yesterday I gave you an odd looking navy ship. Today, an odd looking private boat. The tugentine Norfolk Rebel. Norfolk Rebel is a schooner rigged (that means two masted) tug boat. It is also the boat that started the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, a charity race down the Chesapeake that raises money for the bay.
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http://www.tugantine.com this is about the creating the Norfolk Rebel
@CaptAmehrican That was worth the reading. What an amazement! Tugboat with sails (and it’s purty, too). You are a good time; thanks for making January fun. :-}
@Shrdlu Seconding this; I am very much enjoying the ‘boat of day’ posts!
https://www.gcbsr.org this is about the race lane Briggs and the Norfolk Rebel founded.
I spent a number of days on that boat some years back; helped with the race, raced in the race… His son Stevie currently captains that boat along with running the marina and salvage business. Another son, Jesse, up until last month, captained the A.J. Meerwald (state boat of NJ) that was engaged in Chesapeake Bay marine education and environmental awareness with kids.
The race has grown so much over the years. It is wonderful that is going strong after Lane’s death some years back. Lane and some of his friends also founded a non-profit yacht club that takes care of the crew of tall ships that visit Norfolk.
What is pretty amazing is that he grew up in the Appalachian mountains (If I recall correctly, NC), then decided, essentially that he wanted to go to sea and this is what resulted from his efforts. Pretty amazing person and amazing family.
Back in the day, I kept my sailboat at Willoughby Marina. The Rebel was a very common sight, and very impressive. As was Capt Briggs.
Thanks for the fond memories, Goat!
@simssj Back in the day did you ever see the silly sailboat race in the inner bay that he and his kids ran? The handicaps were things like towing a dingy with the usual captain of the sailboat in it, or having to drop and raise sails, towing a bucket (added rules with the bottom in tact with the open end facing the stern, or the captain can’t talk (most handicaps personalized to the boat), can’t pass another boat until you shoot, and hit, it with a water cannon… those races were a blast.
@Kidsandliz Nope, never did.
But it sounds like a hoot and a half!