Catfish in the Bay?

Catfish in the Bay?, photo by Willie Waw.

This is the first fishing catboat I've seen -- two sailors out on a crisp fall day cooking along under sail with fishing poles out.

They might be more fishermen than sailors since there is a huge outboard motor hanging from the transom in case they slow down below trolling speed while sailing.

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Note: I'll be going flyabout on business for almost two weeks, so the blog is officially on holiday until November 12th. I'll be visiting 60 rental villas and hotels in the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola and Virgin Gorda). Link here to find out why.... I should have a few nice shots when I return.

Endeavour in Newport

Endeavour in Newport, photo by Willie Waw.

Built in 1934, J-Class Endeavour was recently sold by former Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski to pay off part of his court-ordered restitution and fines for looting the company.

Link here to learn more about the $13.1 million sale and here for more about the history of the Endeavour.

Red Sky Sunrise

Red Sky Sunrise, photo by Willie Waw.

Another interesting Rhode Island sunrise and sailors' warning -- the rain was heavy a few hours later.

Note how sunlight plays on the strato-cumulus layer in the top half of the photo.

Gaff Ketch Pelagic in WIckford

Gaff Ketch Pelagic in WIckford, photo by Willie Waw.

"Pelagic", a bright yellow Robert W. Davis gaff ketch, was sailed from England and restored by Stephen Millett, owner of Wood & Water, a wooden boat construction and restoration shop in Wickford.

Link here to see more photos of Pelagic and to learn more about Wood & Water of Wickford, Rhode Island.

Schooner Madeleine and Castle Hill Light

Schooner Madeleine and Castle Hill Light, photo by Willie Waw.

Schooner Madeleine from Newport heads out into Block Island Sound late on a fall afternoon.

Schooners Aurora and Adirondack also operate from Newport and carry passengers on daysail trips.

Lightship Nantucket in Newport

Lightship Nantucket in Newport, photo by Willie Waw.

The recently-restored lightship 'Nantucket' visited Newport for a few weeks in late summer and fall.

From 1975 - 1983, she was stationed 45 miles southeast of Nantucket Island to keep transatlantic shipping from foundering on the dangerous Nantucket South Shoals. Prior to that she was on the West Coast off San Francisco and Cape Mendocino and later back on the East Coast off Portland, Maine.

Visit her website here for more information.

Yacht Brandaris

Yacht Brandaris, photo by Willie Waw.

Brandaris was launched in 1938 as the private yacht of shipyard owner and designer Willem De Vries Lentsch, Jr. She made history during World War II when she escaped German occupation, and then returned from England to participate in Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of British and Allied forces from Dunkirk in May/June, 1940.

Her keel-less design (note leeboards) with 3 foot draft, immense strength and very broad beam proved invaluable as she packed the troops to the gunwales in their escape from attacking Axis forces.

She is now available for day charters from Wickford, Rhode Island.

For more info on the Brandaris, link here.

Beetle Cat at the Dock

Beetle Cat at the Dock, photo by Willie Waw.

A recently-restored Beetle Cat is ready to sail at IYRS in Newport. More than 2000 have been built in Massachusetts during the past 85 years and many older cats have been restored in Newport.

Link here to learn more about the long history of the Beetle Cat and to find out where new ones are being built now.

Market Cornered for Used Beetle Cats

Market Cornered for Used Beetle Cats, photo by Willie Waw.

The International Yacht Restoration School in Newport has been buying up Beetle Cats in need of restoration to use in training students. At least 15 cats are lined up on the racks behing their main building off Thames Street.

Link here to learn more about Beetle Cats at IYRS.

Madeleine in Newport

Madeleine in Newport, photo by Willie Waw.

Schooner Madeleine gets underway for a daysail in crisp weather in Newport.

Link here for more on the Madeleine.

Sea Smoke on the Bay

Sea Smoke on the Bay, photo by Willie Waw.

Morning temperatures in the 40s (F) and warm water temperatures result in an eery-looking low fog on Narragansett Bay in late September.