Number 25 - Spring 1998
Waldo Howland
1908 – 1998
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T H E C O N C O R D I A N #25
The Boston Globe, March 1, 1998.
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T H E C O N C O R D I A N #25
Waldo Howland of South Dartmouth and Fort Myers, FL, the moving force behind the Concordia Co. in South Dartmouth, died Thursday, February 26 at Shell Point Village in Fort Myers. He was 89.
Mr. Howland was born in Boston and graduated from Milton Academy and Harvard College. He taught at Milton Academy for a short time after graduating
from college. He managed the Concordia Co. which he co-founded and co-owned with his brother Llewellyn, until he retired in the 1960s. The company, which was family-run for about 35 years, was acclaimed for its Concordia yawls, ranked among the most highly respected families of racing and cruising yachts of this century. Many sailors learned their skills in the company’s class of 12-foot boats known as Beetle Cats.
In recent years, Mr. Howland was active at the Mystic Seaport Museum where he was a member of the board of trustees in 1970, and remained a trustee emeritus. As chairman of the Ships Committee for many years, he was influential in overseeing the preservation of some of the nation’s most important wooden vessels, from the whaleship Charles W. Morgan to numerous smaller traditional working craft. At the time of his death, he was working to promote the understanding and use of wooden rowing boats at the museum.
Mr. Howland was a member of the Old Dartmouth Historical Society, which owns the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and was a former commodore of the New Bedford Yacht Club. He was also one of the most senior members of the royal Ocean Racing Club and the Cruising Club of America.
He was the author of two books, “A Life in Boats: The Years Before the War,” and “A Life in Boats: The Concordia Years.” His third book in the series is awaiting publication.
Mr. Howland leaves a daughter, Katherine Sue Means of South Dartmouth; four sons, Charles and Waldo Jr., both of South Dartmouth, Kinaird of Providence, and Thomas of Tampa, FL; a brother Llewellyn Jr. of Westport; and 13 grand children. A memorial service will be held in the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth on March 14 at 11 a.m.
-Reprinted Courtesy of the Boston Globe.
From the Mystic Seaport Staff Bulletin, by Revell Carr: Waldo Howland, with his clear thinking and practical, common sense approach, made an enormous impact on Mystic Seaport in ways we cannot begin to calculate. His particular interest was with the watercraft and he heavily influenced the creation of the shipyard, the methods of restoring our vessels, the building of the granite bulkheads and the use of small craft. Despite his watercraft focus, he had interest in all aspects of the Museum from Ship’s Plans to the Stores, from the Library to the Galley. He cared intensely about Mystic Seaport.
There is much, much more to be said about this remarkable man and we will have opportunities to do that as we celebrate and remember his life. For the moment, those of us who knew him and had the great good fortune to work with him know very well what a rare gift we have been given by Waldo.
Mystic Seaport and we as individuals have lost a devoted friend and an enormous void exists where this diminutive man once stood, but his presence enriched Mystic Seaport and all of us.
His family has asked for memorial gifts to be made to Mystic Seaport. (Mystic Seaport has received a number of donations in Waldo’s memory, and the priority for these gifts include the publication of the third volume of “A Life in Boats” and Waldo’s long time dream to see a Small Craft Center established at the Museum.) – Thanks to Katherine E. Cowles at Mystic Seaport for sending this information.
Quiet Harbor
It must have happened about twenty years ago, very early in the morning, and during that hectic commissioning month of May. Vaguely troubled in mind, I was still in bed, drifting somewhere between wakefulness and slumber. Suddenly, quite out of the blue, a vision came to me. The picture is still very clear in my mind and even clearer as recreated for me by that fine and understanding artist Lois Darling.
The season is autumn. The time is evening. Home is on Little Green Island. Across the sound, not a half-hour’s sail away, lies Friendship Village. The church spire rises above the skyline and, all around, soft lights appear in family windows. Somewhere out to the southwest, Lighthouse Point flashes to sailors coming from the open sea. Above hangs the crescent moon in company with Venus, the evening star.
Our cottage sits back on a grassy point that forms one side of Quiet Harbor. Inland and close by, a sloping patch of ground encourages a small garden in which grow vegetables for the inner man and flowers for the spirit.
Several oaks and an old cedar grow high above the water, suggesting good wood for the building of boats, fuel for the open fire on the family hearth, and a center for the evening song of birds.
A few yards up from the water’s edge stands a boathouse filled with all the gear the collects during a sailor’s life. A few yards off the dock nearby floats a Beetle Cat boat.
In deeper water a Concordia yawl swings at her mooring, a reminder of boating days gone by and a promise of more to come.
- Taken from “A Life in Boats: The Concordia Years” by Waldo Howland. Published by Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, CT (1988). Reprinted by permission.
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T H E C O N C O R D I A N #25
“Quiet Harbor.” Pen-and-ink sketch by Lois M. Darling
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T H E C O N C O R D I A N #25
Concordias Go to Hollywood
Here’s a brief synopsis: A woman (Robin Wright) is walking along the seashore and happens upon a bottle with a note in it. The note is a long ago written love letter from a sailor at sea to his beloved. It turns out the original writer of the note (Paul Newman) has a son (Kevin Costner) who is an avid boatbuilder. The dream boat he is building is a bright-hulled 41-foot yawl. Boy meets girl, etcetera, etcetera.
Several months ago I received a call from a gentleman at Warner Brothers inquiring about where he might find two identical Concordia yawls, preferably finished bright. Several months later I found that Irian and Arapaho had been leased for two months of filming this May and June. Originally, filming was to be done in the Chesapeake but now has been moved due to environmental considerations. Perhaps Martha’s Vineyard or Maine.
According to Brodie MacGregor at Concordia Company, Arapaho, which was recently purchased by William Lynch, has just gone through a major cosmetic upgrade to “showroom condition,” including complete stripping of brightwork and deck refastening, and thinks she’ll be a knockout in the movie. “For some reason they want to paint the cabin top black, which I think is a mistake, but the contract includes returning everything back to original, plus damage repair,” said Brodie. He feels the charter price will go a long way to covering the upgrades. Taylor Allen at Rockport Marine is doing the prep work on Irian. Two vessels were needed in case a backup or stand in was required.
The title of the movie is “Message in a Bottle” and is scheduled for release next Christmas. I noticed in the New York Times book review on April 5 that a book of the same title by Nicholas Sparks (“Let the author of The Notebook steal your heart again…”) is due out on April 7. Makes you wonder which came first, the movie or the book.
News From the Fleet
Harrier #30 – Jessie Bontecou, Clinton Corners, NY: This June Harrier is going to celebrate her 43rd birthday and I though it might be worthwhile to report on her life to date.
I was most fortunate when Ray Hunt asked me to race in England in 1955 on Harrier for Cowes Week and Fastnet. The Hunt family had Cowes all sewn up by the time I arrived except for a race or two. Then, on the Fastnet we lost a turnbuckle and had to drop out.
I raced with Ray in ’56 and bought the boat that fall. Since then we have fifteen round trips to Bermuda and five or six Annapolis-Newport races under our belt. In addition, many day races, Block Island races and one Halifax race are in her log. We have cruised from the Chesapeake to the St. Johns River in New Brunswick and many points in between.
Harrier now boasts all the comforts of home. Hot and cold running water, Seafrost refrigeration, a huge double bunk replacing the pipe berths, holding tanks, GPS, Auto Helm and radar. We only put the radar antenna up when we need it, and then it goes on the spinnaker pole track.
We wore the original teak deck down so thin the deck bungs kept popping out, so we removed the deck, put down marine plywood and covered that with a ½” premolded teak deck that came in two halves, which was vacuum glued down. It looks great, and so far, no leaks.
We have sistered 12 ribs, replaced a few planks, refastened the stem and replaced the deadwood, and last year replaced the keel bolts. We lost her mast in ’58, replaced it with tin and replaced that four years ago with wood. Concordias really should have a wood stick.
So that, in a nutshell, sums up 43 years of Harrier, and one very happy owner of 42 years.
Fleetwood #20 – Kersten Prophet, Fiefbergen, Germany: Our first trip last season took us from Kiel to the Flensburg Fjord. We had a great first day while we sailed with an average speed of more than 7 knots in a fresh 20 knot breeze. We took Fleetwood to the Classic boat festival in Flensburg. Unfortunately we were not very successful in the race as we were still learning how to sail the boat. After this trip we enjoyed many fine day and weekend sails in Kiel bay and nearby Danish islands followed by a summer trip in the Kattegat in August. Weather was fine every day and we got a big “thank you” from Fleetwood for the restoration and the hard winter of work.
Finally, we participated in the large International Classic Boat Race in Laboe. This yearly event is the largest in the Baltic area. There were 245 yachts participating. We did better in the race this time, placing fifth out of seventeen. My plan this year is to develop a good crew of five or six friends.
Fleetwood was the subject of a feature article in the August 1997 issue of Segeln, our major sailing publication. The story told of how we located her from a small magazine advertisement, purchased her in Massachusetts and then proceeded on part of her restoration before shipping her home to Kiel.
Malay #2 – Gary Custard, Naples, FL: In October Malay returned from a four month Yucatan – Belize – Guatemala trip, minus her mizzen and head sails, which were new just prior to the trip. I left Malay unattended for a few days in an anchorage off Isla Mujeres and returned to find the sails and an inflatable with motor had been stolen. Also, the helm wheel was removed and swinging from a halyard aloft – very strange. All this at the end of the trip, fortunately.
A worthwhile stop for this cruising area is Banko Chinchorro, 100 miles south of Cozumel in the Yucatan current. Desolate, a true atoll, 30 miles long north to south. One may spend days or weeks exploring and diving. A Cuban dive boat visits occasionally, with a cheerful crew usually willing to offload some ice. Great night diving on the west central side with a sheer rock wall. I sailed home alone from Isla Mujeres to Key West, about 70 hours.
I need a mizzen sail, good, or a junky one I can use as a pattern. Also, Malay needs a new or newer main. Please contact me at (941) 403-0047, slip #50, Naples City Dock, or Box 12022, Naples, FL 34101.
Feather #29 – Philip Snyder, Southport, CT: Due to some medical complications I find that I must stay ashore these days. Thus Feather is for sale at a new price of $95,000. Presently she is located under cover at the Concordia yard in the same place I purchased my first 39’ from Waldo 30 years ago.
Our plans to race last season fell through. Feather has been modified with a roll up genoa, forepeak weight reduction, and new propane stove. She is in fine shape.
Katrina #94 – Jan Rozendaal, South Burlington, VT: Katrina continues to be wonderfully maintained by Benjamin River Marine and to ply the waters of Penobscot Bay and to the East. Last year we cruised to Mahone Bay in Nova Scotia, but our enjoyment was tempered by heavy rains and thick fog. The newly installed Raytheon radar proved to be invaluable. We have a screen that swings out into the cockpit so the helmsman can view it as he sails. This is an excellent arrangement. A recent survey of the boat has revealed that we face the dreaded “centerline rebuild” which will probably be done next winter.
Abaco #102 – Jonathan & Dorothy Goldweitz, Stamford, CT: As we prepare to launch Abaco for her 30th season of sailing we again reflect on the wonderful memories she as given us all these years. After taking over Abaco’s custody from my brother after the 50th Reunion in 1988, and inspired by Giffy Full’s survey, we embarked on a five-year plan of gradual restoration. Now, ten years later, we are almost finished!
Major projects over the past decade include rebuilt rudder, stripping and repainting of canvas deck, replacement of a few planks, wooding of cabin sides and cockpit coamings, and the entire hull. Also refairing of the keel, replacing keel bolts, much wiring and plumbing, new electrical panel, battery monitor system, electronics, radar, autopilot and sails.
This past winter we finally dealt with a gradually worsening water situation under the forward part of the coamings, bridgedeck and forward cockpit bulkhead. After much handwringing about how little or how much to do, we finally decided to “go for broke” and replaced all the forward cockpit bulkhead, teak seat covers, locker doorframes and installed a teak overlay on the bridgedeck. To complete our entire “five-year” plan, we also had the masts stripped and revarnished and all the mast hardware “blasted” clean. Once we launch in mid-April we’ll be ready for the next round of restoration.
Summer plans include our usual Long Island Sound cruising and racing, and an August Maine cruise with return to Buzzards Bay for the 60th Concordia Reunion.
Owl #31 – Jay Panetta, Wellesley, MA: Summer 1997 was a very active one for Owl and her owners. We departed June 20th out of our home base in Manchester, MA for an overnight sail to Penobscot Bay. We (my wife and I) arrived in North Haven after a beautiful 26-hour sail. We ranged as far as Roque Island and explored many other places in between. Along the coast we encountered Magic, Off Call, Irian and Whimbrel.
The previous winter we installed a CNG stove, converting over from kerosene. We do a good deal of real cooking and were weary of priming, pumping and the other drills so familiar to many of you. We found a beautifully made Australian “Broadwater” stove, and the two-burner model (with oven and broiler) fits perfectly into the available space and gimbals nicely. This unit has electronic igniters (goodbye to the spark lighters!) and has worked out extremely well. Manchester Marine handled to installation with their usual skill, locating the cylinder to port, outboard of the fuel tank, in that little area accessible through the small hatch in the cockpit and the slatted door below. We carried one extra cylinder up forward. In Maine, we were able to purchase gas in Camden (Willey’s Wharf) and in Southwest Harbor (Hinckley), and that got us through. It’s probably available in Portland as well. If you’re considering a new stove, we can highly recommend this brand, which is distributed in the US by Wayfarer Marine in Camden.
On the local front, both Spice and Goldeneye have been undergoing extensive restoration and refitting at Manchester Marine. Their respective owners (the Lairds and Nulks) promise to report soon on their work. There are five Concordias at Manchester, though I’m told Goldeneye may be for sale. As I write this in November, I am at this moment headed down to the shop to begin the long winter’s labors of varnishing. Tonight: mizzen spreaders, blocks, boat hooks, and so forth. A big project, as you all well know.
Kodama #46 – Stewart McDougall, Seattle, WA: After 17 years of living aboard I would like to report on several changes which have made that a success. We removed the pipe berths and installed a double berth forward. We built a grating to cover the well forward of the lower lockers. Over this we fit a 4” foam mattress which is split fore and aft to facilitate handling. Over this goes a single piece of 2” eggshell foam. Add flannel sheets and a comforter and the results are celestial. To starboard we built a locker in the Concordia style with locust slatted doors on a pine face frame complete down to the beveled door latch stop.