It's a Bloody Big Fish

Now this is one bloody big fish. Who is that famous fisherperson?  In Australia, we call this Alumacraft fishing boat a 'tinnie'.

This was only the beginning of dad's boat accumulation desires. Next he acquires a homemade plywood 18 foot boat with a 35hp motor and small cabin. CJ often took this out by himself and slept on the Thames River.

Next dad acquired a 24 foot Owen's cabin cruiser. It was built in the classic Chris Craft beautiful wooden style. It was a beautiful boat with small cooking facilities and more comfortable sleeping. It was also our first inboard engine.

I guess the boat gene was passed down to CJ. Here we are sailing off Newport, RI in our Columbia 22, our first sailboat. We named it SeaJay.

SeaJay was purchased at the end of the short Rhode Island sailing season. She was damaged by a hit and run boat while on the mooring early in the next year's sailing season. Over the off season, Carol had decided she needed a bigger boat. She found one and bought it subject to a trial sail and CJ's approval. Like he had a choice.

Here is a picture of SeaJay II sailing off Jamestown, RI. She was a gorgeous 31-foot Moody, a super well-built British boat made for the nasty waters off the United Kingdom.

On board SeaJay II off Newport, Rhode Island