Sailing past Warship
A couple from Williamsburg took their extended family sailing along the York on a breezy summer afternoon. Hannah Gibbons’ dad Patrick was an experienced skipper who last helmed a 52-footer in Puget Sound. He had no trouble with winds of 10 mph gusting to 15. We got to see the USS John Finn exit the […]
Hamilton Lives
A Chicago family spent Spring Break touring Williamsburg and took their son Luke sailing on the York, where we discovered that Hamilton lives. Luke proved adaptable by adjusting the boat to brisk winds and an occasional gust. We went under the bridge to see the USS Hudner guided missile cruiser at NWS and eventually got […]
Let’s Go Sail Charleston
Let’s Go Sail Charleston recounts ideas for boats as found at City Docks.
How Charter Sailing Started
Special to the KCSA Bulletin People wonder, How did you start the sailing business?” It started with a few words, Let’s go sail the York River. The object was to let couples sail a serene three hours. In retirement, Kingsmill resident Bill O’Donovan has pursued a charter boat business to share the joy of sailing. […]
The Start of War
The history lecture that people enjoy at Let’s Go Sail derives from a slide show of 104 paintings of the Revolutionary War. It is called “The Art of War.” A research trip to Boston and Cape Cod this summer sought more details of the beginning of the Revolution. Yorktown ended the war, at least the […]
Destroyers Compared
Sometimes people ask, “Can you compare Navy ships?” Yes, but preferably in profile. On a whim, Daniel Katekovich took his bride Connie sailing along the York River on their 30th anniversary. She had never been on a sailboat before, “if you don’t count a small catamaran.” She did great as we zoomed across the river […]
8 Little-Known Ways to Sail
I get asked, “Are there different ways to sail?” Yes, here are eight ways. 1. Caribbean Day Sail—The common expectation for a trip on a yacht rental in St. Thomas or St. John is to fly in and take a bareboat out for a week with another couple or two. That’s fine, but pricey and […]
Hudson Strategy
One of the lesser-known issues of the Revolutionary War is the evolving battle strategy of the British Army. As historian and USCG Capt. Don Albert told me, “We Americans care more about the results of strategy than the intent.” What follows weaves his account into mine while cruising up the Hudson River. Washington considered the […]
York River Rescue
York River Rescue
Shortly after 3 pm Sept. 7, Capt. Alan Allen of York River Charters radioed the US Coast Guard in Portsmouth with a mayday alert after an allision with ATON buoy R-22. As his bow quickly took on water, he flagged down a passing motorboat and transferred his fishing passengers to its stern. From the back of […]
