[L16-usa] Maine Luders - In Martha's Wake

[Sturgis Haskins]

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REPORT FROM THE PROVINCES - The Mount Desert Island, Maine, Luders Fleet

The Seal Harbor Regatta

14 August 2003

Preface:  While it may seem self-serving for this Secretary to report an
event in which he won first place, nevertheless, it is nice - on a
larger front - to give an account of a Luders event to show that the
class is very much alive (& revived) in New England.

Course:  Baker's Island green can - circumscribing the two Cranberry
islands (both of which maintain year around communities) , Sutton's
(optional) and Baker's - the latter which lies in open sea. A long
course by local standards and characterized by strong currents from both
Somes Sound and Frenchman's Bay.

Silver:  O'Brien Cup - lst won by Nelson Rockefeller in 1949.

1st           Ondine          Luders, MDI-32
Sturgis Haskins, skipper, Ann Waldron, owner
2nd           Phantom       International OD
Avery Bourke
3rd            Gull              Northeast Hbr. A-class, # 50
Andy Pew
4th            Sea Biscuit   Luders, MDI-29
Bill Eacho
5th            Chinquapin    Luders, NEH-16
Jane Zirnkilton
6th            Voodoo         Luders, NEH-30
Folger, Fraley
7th            Red Hot        Luders, MDI-33
David Schoeder
8th            Julie J           Luders, NEH-7
Fred Ford


Bullseyes, Mercurys and two Beetlecats raced different courses and were
competing for other cups. It was noteworthy, too, that this occasion
marked the first time this season that the Ford and Zirnkilton Luders
have raced.  Both boats, it is believed, have been in their respective
families since launching in 1946.  Jane Zirnkilton, at the helm of her
Chinquapin for the first time in 16 years, was  national women's sailing
champion in the 1950's.

Comments:  It would be hard to imagine a more beautiful - or pristine -
setting than that accorded by these waters.  The many mountains and
hills on this beautiful island could not have been shown to greater
advantage than this prospect afforded today.   One could not, of course,
give an accurate description of these vistas without giving prominent
mention, too,  of the handsome summer homes which dot the shoreline -
including those of the Rockefeller and Ford families as well as that of
Martha Stewart -  the latter perched high on  a ridge overlooking Seal
Harbor (the former Edsel Ford estate, Skylands).  Most certainly, a
grandly unique setting - much appreciated by those privileged to
experience it.  Off Baker's Island an enormous schooner, flying a
British flag,  which seemed to be about 125-feet long, swept by on a new
wind, later to zoom past the fleet again as it entered the Eastern Way
off the entrance to Seal Harbor. Slightly to windward, it was a grand
sight against the headlands of Mount Desert.  As Ondine neared the
finish line, Martha Stewart motored by in her cream-colored Hinckley
boat - which, to her credit,  she usually pilots herself.  Even the
finish line was notable by the two very handsome vintage Bunker and
Ellis motorboats on station - the local equilivant of the venerable
Rolls Royces.. The diminutive  Seal Harbor Yacht Club, which had earlier
furnished a nice noon lunch, is itself an architectural gem - built in
1912 from the board of  the noted architect Duncan Candler.  This,
surely, was a day to remember and savor. 

Today is the Northeast Harbor Fleet's annual Hayward Cup regatta - which
will not feature many Luders due to the fussy requirement that all boats
must have a club member aboard.  Ondine, ever resourceful, snatched a
youthful innocent to meet this rule.   Tomorrow is the Little Cranberry
Island regatta and the weekly Luders series race follows on Friday.  On
Wednesday, Bob Wallstrom, the ranking Luders historian, will speak at
the MDI Community Sailing Center, in SWH, on the history of the Luders
Marine Construction Company.  This is a pot-luck and slides will be
shown. It is expected, too, that the owners of one or two Luders 24's
(larger versions of the Luders 16's) will be present.

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