It was a cold and dreary afternoon in late November when I took Stephen Warrick out for the fourth time, with his pal Lisa Fronkenberger. They took ASA 101 together with two other people whom they will join for a combined 103/104 that will take them three days and two nights to Cape Hatteras. Quite the adventure.
There was no wind on the final sail. But it was exciting nonetheless to hear of Lisa’s job as a traffic engineer for the City of Newport News. She spends her day taking complaints, everything from speed bumps to speed traps. I told her about the Coleman Bridge taking an hour to open and close, vs. 22 minutes. It now takes up to 12 people, so are they trying to turn a giant wheel or pull huge chains manually? She said she’d look into it and get back to me.
Earlier, Bryan and Brianne Sanders of Suffolk went sailing on their second wedding anniversary. We got to talking about tugboats.
“My dad just retired from Moran, in Norfolk,” Bryan said proudly. “He worked on tugs up and down the East Coast, repairing and overhauling them. They’re built in Booth Bay, Maine. They’ll go into drydock for up to two months, and they have to overhauled every five years. He knows all about the Z drive that operates them.”
From Chat GPT: The Z-drive on a tugboat is a highly maneuverable propulsion system that replaces traditional rudders and shafts, allowing the tug to direct thrust instantly in any direction. This makes tugboats with Z-drives far more agile, efficient, and powerful when assisting larger ships. It’s a type of azimuth thruster, meaning the propeller unit can rotate 360° around a vertical axis.
I tell guests that a tugboat costs $10 million, of which the first $8 million is in the engine. “That’s spot on,” Bryan confirmed, “but the bigger ones can cost $20 million.” It’s really more like $3 million but we were having such a good time.
Clear Water
While busy putting the boat to bed for the winter, I noticed the sun shining at a certain angle on the water. I looked closely and saw bottom! That’s a first in my 34 years at York River Yacht Haven. I took a photo and rushed over to the ship’s store to show marina GM Preston Hayes. He was nonplussed and said, “Come here.” We walked 10 steps to the end of the dock and he pointed into the water. “See that? It’s deck chair that blew off the dock ten years ago.” It was covered in grime and barnacles, veritably indistinguishable.
Best Review
Jo Cruz of Newport News was new to sailing. I assured her we hadn’t lost anyone — this year. She laughed and said, “Well, the meter says 6.2 deaths. Is that this year or all time?” She was kidding of course, because the number she referred to was depth, not deaths.
“Went on Captain Bill’s York River sailboat tour expecting a nice boat ride. Instead got a floating history lecture meets comedy special meets art history seminar. Honestly didn’t know that was possible on a sailboat, but here we are.
“Capt. Bill has apparently memorized every historical event that ever occurred within a 50-mile radius of the York River, and he’s determined to tell you about all of them. The good news? He’s actually hilarious while doing it. The man could make colonial-era tax disputes entertaining. He also whips out artwork to illustrate his points like some kind of nautical professor, which really commits to the whole ‘unexpectedly educational afternoon’ vibe.
“I learned more today than I did in four years of high school history, laughed more than I expected, and didn’t fall off the boat even once. Solid win all around.
“If you want to just sit on a boat and look at water, this isn’t for you. If you want to actually enjoy yourself while accidentally becoming more cultured and informed, Captain Bill’s your guy. Would recommend. Might actually remember some of this history, which is saying something.”
Runner-up Best Review
From Alex Anderson, who took the History Cruise with his wife:
You will not find a better value or a better experience anywhere. Our captain was incredibly knowledgeable, genuinely friendly, and his pricing is more than fair for what you get. Coming from Florida, we’ve spent plenty of time with different boat captains over the years — and he is truly in a league of his own.
We took the historical tour, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. His understanding of Revolutionary War history is unbelievable. It felt like we were getting a behind-the-scenes, VIP walkthrough of a History Channel documentary, brought to life right in front of us.
If you’re even thinking about booking, do it. This was easily one of the highlights of our trip. Highly, highly recommended!
Memorial Sails
By Lynn Fitzpatrick – Sail Beyond Cancer
White meat, dark meat, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans with mushrooms, Yorkshire pudding, gravy, pumpkin and apple pies. Everyone has their theory on what makes the best gravy. Oh, and don’t forget the cranberry sauce – grandma’s cranberry sauce, with ground cranberries, oranges and lots of sugar. Bring a can of store bought, just in case. There’s nothing better than Aunt Sue’s apple pie a la mode. Do your Thanksgivings include the retelling of stories about the time the dog ate all the mashed potatoes or your in-laws were caught in a blizzard on Rt. 80?
Whether we host Thanksgiving meals or travel great distances, we do so for more reasons than to feast with extended family. We give thanks for all that we have, for tradition, for televised football, for a ban on political discussion, for leisure time, for storytelling, for camaraderie, and memories. Over time, spots at the adult table become available, our circle of loved ones shifts, and fresh stories and traditions become family lore.
Remembrance Sails
Around the Thanksgiving table, we also hold space for our friends and family who have crossed over the bridge. On a more intimate level, Sail Beyond Cancer’s 3- hour memorial sails provide a safe, distraction-free and healing environment to memorialize those who have succumbed to cancer. Participants can bring a feast, say a toast, or pay tribute in whatever way suits them or feels most comfortable. The remembrance sails are designed to let those who have lost a loved one within the past three years know that they are not alone in this journey. The sails are a means of support and self-care.
Sail Beyond Cancer’s Annapolis chapter hosted Sue Brassard; her husband, Dave; and Sue’s besties when she was alive. Later in the year, Dave, Sue’s family, and friends traveled from as far away as Virginia to Burlington, Vermont, for Sue’s memorial sail with Sail Beyond Cancer Vermont. Her husband, John, writes,
“My wife, Sue, loved being on or around a body of water; such was a direct connection to her soul. Sail Beyond Cancer afforded Sue and me two opportunities for this connection, a sail while she was alive, and a remembrance sail, after she passed, with close family and friends. Those sailing excursions brought a welcome joy and respite from both the stresses of living with cancer, and then the eventual grief. Sue and I are so grateful to SBC for being of service and comfort during those difficult times. Thank you.”
Refresh the Spirit with Wind, Water, and a Memorial Sail
Sail Beyond Cancer hosts husbands, wives, parents, siblings, children, fraternity brothers, sorority sisters, teammates, neighbors, and pets. Landlubbers who have never set foot on a boat are most welcome. A skilled skipper, reliable crew, and good company quickly turn stress, sadness, and grief into relief, camaraderie, and stories. Guests often escape to the bow or the windward rail for contemplative, private time with their face to the wind. Sail Beyond Cancer’s crew know they have succeeded when their guests smile, close their eyes, and find a comfortable spot to take a catnap and connect with their departed loved one. Lang Graighill wrote of his wife, Wendy’s memorial sail this October,
“Peace and hope, and the feel of wind and the smell of salt air combined to refresh the spirit. I am grateful for the heart inspired to minister to those who grieve….A mixture of a sad farewell and a warm sun reminding of a promise of tomorrow. God is faithful to provide, and this includes mercy to overcome grief. A more perfect day to sail we could not have asked for!”
As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, be grateful and be present. For those of you who have lost someone close, Sail Beyond Cancer’s chapters in Vermont, Massachusetts, Annapolis, Viriginia, and Rhode Island offer you the opportunity to create a special holiday – a day to harness the healing powers of the wind, water, and sail. Make it a day to give thanks to the time spent together, the wisdom gained, the joys shared, the bonds forged, and the memories made between you and that special loved one whose cancer made your personal journey more interesting. There are no age restrictions for passengers and the excursions are free. Excursion nominees may invite up to five friends/loved ones to join them on their own, private sail.
Learn More and Get Involved
Remember SailBeyondCancer.org on Giving Tuesday
Find out more about Sail Beyond Cancer’s existing chapters, the nomination process, volunteering, financial support, boat donation program, and memorial sails at www.SailBeyondCancer.org and follow the organization’s multiple chapters on Facebook.
Women enjoy sailing today more than ever, and particularly a romantic cruise. Couples get to enjoy a romantic getaway as they sit up on the bow for privacy, and Let’s Go Sail provides professional photos for free. First-time or skilled mariners are welcome to sail a modern-32-foot sailboat in a unique setting of wildlife and Fall foliage or Spring bloom. It makes for an extraordinary anniversary idea.
Let’s Go Sail
Check the “Book A Cruise” tab and pick a day for a sailboat charter. Scroll down reviews on Trip Advisor. Go back to the home page of Williamsburg Charter Sails.
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The best Williamsburg boat tour offers safe sailing daily for up to 6 people. It’s an extraordinary experience for couples. Leave your worries behind. Enjoy the thrill of moving with the wind without a care in the world. Put life back on an even keel with a romantic experience for a birthday or anniversary. 3-hour sailboat cruise as a semi-private yachting charter lets you exhale and relax as you enjoy comfort, stability and speed.
Ideal for Couples
Our York River sailboat tour offers an unforgettable boat adventure that is ideal for couples. Choose from five unique sailing charters: Adventure, Lessons, History, Boat Buying, Real Estate. We provide sailing for everyone. Couples enjoy the romance, and families enjoy the adventure. See openings at williamsburgchartersails.com under Book A Cruise.
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