Boat Parade

Dear Mariner,

Welcome to the Annual Holiday Harbor Lights Illuminated Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet. Boats will rendezvous in the Goat Island Causeway area at 1800 for a prompt 1815 start.

The parade will begin traveling east (clockwise around Newport Harbor) leaving Newport Yacht Club to port where the judges will be located. Boats will proceed towards downtown Newport leaving waterfront docks to port. The route will continue towards Kings Park and towards lighted Bell #3. Boats will finish the last leg of the circle headed North back towards the Goat Island Causeway area.

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Nantucket Scallops 101

warwickonline.com – This is about a bushel and a half of Nantucket bay scallops. It took two people about 2 hours to catch and will net about twelve pounds of scallop meat.

Greenwich Bay once was the scallop capital of Rhode Island. More.

The Volvo Economic Boost

More Economic Impact Numbers from the Volvo Ocean Race:

The Volvo Ocean Race generated sufficient economic impact for the host port events to be regarded as “amongst the sports world’s highest impact, short-duration major sports events”, according to the findings of an independent study into the 2008-09 race. Read the full report.

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Shellback Frostbiting in Jamestown

jamestownpress.com – It is hard to miss the little oneman dinghies sailing in the bay waters off of East Ferry from November through April. The boats are usually the only ones in the chilly water long after the other watercraft have been stored in their winter homes.

The “frostbite sailors,” also known as the Conanicut Island Shellback Sailing Association, started their eighth year of racing last Sunday. Founders John Quinn and John Horton came up with the idea while having a cup of coffee one day at East Ferry Deli. Story

RAINBOW

A replica of the J-Class RAINBOW, the famous American yacht which won the 1934 America’s Cup, has started building at Bloemsma Aluminiumbouw at Makkum in Holland.

The replica re-build of this original design by William Starling Burgess will be under the supervision of Dykstra & Partners, who have more than 20 years’ experience with J Class and have been responsible for the re-builds and refits of: SHAMROCK V, ENDEAVOUR, VELSHEDA, RANGER and the new HANUMAN (Endeavour II Project).

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ZO2 / Bloody Knuckles

Need something to do Saturday night? Like rock music? Check out ZO2 and opening act Bloody Knuckles at Balls Sports Bar, Cranston.

The Queen is for sale

eastbayri.com – WARREN – Couching it as a chance to own an iconic piece of Rhode Island history, the Blount family has put their Vista Jubilee and Harbor Queen dinner cruise boats up for sale. Story

NEW 2010 J/Sailing Calendar

Here come the gift ideas! Check out the 12 images and get yours here for $13.95 US.

Image – October by KOS

Herreshoff Alerion 26 back in production

Bristol, RI, Herreshoff Designs, Inc has started building the Herreshoff Alerion 26. The classic daysailor was originally developed for the last private owner of Captain Nathanael Greene Herreshoff’s 1912 ALERION, Isaac B. Merriman, Jr in 1977. Only shortly after donating ALERION to the Mystic Seaport, Mr. Merriman realized he missed the pleasure of his frequent day sails and turned to Herreshoff Designs to help him fill this void.

After a short production hiatus, renewed interest has developed to the latest model which incorporates cold molded construction and the latest in diesel or electric powering options.

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Here is another cool image from 360 cities

Mt Hope Bridge – Panoramic Photo

Newport, Annapolis consider partnership

projo.com -Newport and Annapolis may argue over which city is the nation’s sailing capital, but the two are now working together to pursue tourism business for both destinations. Read on.

Block Island Harbormaster responds to ethics charges

blockislandtimes.com – Harbormaster Chris Willi has filed papers with the state Ethics Commission responding to charges brought in a complaint by charter captain Steve Miller. He asked that the complaint be “dismissed with prejudice.” – More

Barrington captain repelled pirates

Rhode Island is a Finalist – You can help

The effort to bring a Volvo 2011 – 2012 stopover to Newport and Narragansett Bay is heating up. The competition is between Newport, Miami and Boston. We are obviously rooting for Newport and we are sure most of you are too. Here’s what you can do:

Brad Read is leading the charge and on Monday the 23rd he will be asking all Rhode Island sailors to participate in a TEXT campaign and send a clear message to the Volvo committee showing local support for the Rhode Island stopover.

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Anything (small) with a sail that floats

The 2009 Archipelago Rally happened at Blue Bell Cove in Portsmouth on Sunday. From what I can gather it’s a race / beach party and celebration of small sailing craft. Here are some images sent along by local small craft aficionado Will Tuthill:

Gallery

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