The cabin of a small yacht is truly a wonderful thing;
not only will it shelter you from the tempest,
but from the troubles of life; it is a safe retreat.— L. FRANCIS HERRESHOFF
Adventure begins! Here is uncharted water. Here is friendly port. Here is a small snapshot of a place called Friendship, Maine. Here are pictures of its people, of their stories, and their rugged, etched lives. To be sure, you’ll find the faces of children here as well as the kindly faces of the old. You’ll also find both lobster fishermen, and summer day sailers, the kind who race small boats for fun and chowder. You’ll find here a Norman Rockwell type of life. Friendship, Maine, is the kind of place that tugs at your soul. As you make your way through these articles, tacking from one to the other, and then back to the one, you may even discover a glimpse of your own self and a glimpse of the meaning of why we pursue the grace of a wooden boat.
I must tell you that months ago, as I began this special edition, I never once suspected that buried treasures lay on the horizon, lay there in abundance. I had thought of only one or two articles, something, perhaps, to illustrate the possible link between the famed Friendship Sloop and the Stevenson design. However, I soon became captivated by a joy we sometimes stumble upon in our quieter moments. I even made some close friends in this voyage of exuberance. Maybe as you read these sea-stories, you will, too. I wish that for you.
Come and join us, won’t you? One of the best parts of life is that friendship we discover by chance. Indeed, in such moments are memories made and the mysteries of life relished. The good times, the laughing voices, and the feel of an invigorating sea-breeze upon the skin— all of these are the memories that stay with us through the years. We remember the laughter, we remember the excitement, but most of all, we remember the faces of friends who touched our lives and our heart.
Sailing is like that, I suppose. You can, of course, sail alone, but sailing with friends doubles our joy and divides any lingering sorrow. Isn’t it time you began living? Isn’t it time you ventured forth and expanded your horizons? Come and sail with us. You'll like the exhilaration. Come and be our friend, won’t you?
How can I ever forget the friendship of
Lynn Case, or the exuberance of Linda DeRosa? Thank you, Friendship. Thank
you, ladies. Thank you for sharing your story with our lives.
If you're ever in Friendship, drop by the Friendship Museum
and meet Linda DeRosa.
You can find Lynn Case at Accommodations at Old Comfortable
where you can also get a room.
She and her husband, Bill, are the proprietors.
phone: 207 832-4337
Back Yard Yacht Builders
A non-commercial association of amateur boat-builder enthusiasts.
All our wooden boats are Stevenson designs.