Tonite I got a series of emails (with pictures) from our friend Stuart MacGregor at The Concordia Company, telling me that, after a season in the shed, inevitable winter projects and multiple coats of fresh varnish completed, tomorrow is the day for the seasonal launch of Taliesin. The great pics he sent are here.
It’ll be hard to make it for the launch, being 3,488.62 miles away. So, I guess this blogpost is the post-Internet way to let Stuart and the Concordia team know (along with my son Cody and his partner Allyson) how much our family appreciates their fine work and care for our old classic Houtenboot (Wooden Boat) !
Cody at The Concordia Company with Taliesin
Despite the deep beauty and history here in Amsterdam, there is much to be said about our area in New England- the pureness of the Buzzards Bay, the open space, the tradition of yachting and fine boats, the connection that people have with the water, the Islands.
The seasonality of it all; waiting for the Spring to break the Winter freeze, the season itself, on into the snap that comes with Fall, the sweet musty smell of the salt mixing with leaves, and the inevitable day of haul-out for winter storage- there is surely much to miss about where we’re from. It’s time to go and sail !
Another deep tie to this tradition is our stewardship of S/Y Taliesin. Taliesin, built in 1957, was the first “bright” Concordia sold by Waldo Howland. Of the 103 Concordias built by Abeking and Rasmussen in Germany, she was unique, a harbinger of refined design. The history of this class of yachts is legendary, with its roots right here in our home port, Padanaram.
Taliesin started her life with her first owner as “Banda,” and became a flagship of The New York Yacht Club. Her original shipment from Germany, via freighter to Boston, subsequent tow to Padanaram, commissioning, and racing days were well documented by the famous local yachting photographer, Norman Fortier. (A sample of those located here) Our purchase of her in early 2005 and subsequent restoration at Dodson Boatyard, returned her back to the very berth of her original delivery at Concordia, which is where she resides now.
Which is where she’ll be tomorrow, launched, awaiting our arrival from The Netherlands. Tot gauw !