Longest P-19 Sail?
Michael s Antis (msantis@juno.com)
Tue, 13 Oct 1998 14:52:34 -0400
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Hey everyone,
I spent an interesting hour at JSI (Johnson Sails Inc) this past
Friday While waiting to get a new fore stay made I met Jerry Powers the
manager of the spar shop. Everyone at JSI is extremely friendly. The
sales people, however, can be aloof until you're ready to spend money.
Jerry has extensive sailing experience. He has settled down in St
Pete, Fl, but not before spending 15 years in the Caribbean with his wife
on a 50 footer. He asked what kind of boat I sail. When I told him a
West Wight Potter, he immediately asked if I had the 15 or the 19 footer.
I answered the 19 ft model and his eyes lit up. It so happens, that his
best friend used to own one in the mid seventies. His name was Bob
Barrell. Yes, sadly he has passed away.
Bob was living in Bolder, CO, and managing a construction company
when he purchased a used HMS-18. It needed a little work so Bob rebuilt
it while sailing local lakes. He also added an extensive refit to the
cockpit to keep water out. Sort of like an enlarged dodger. Bob and
Jerry sailed many times together in the Caribbean. Bob took a great
interest in celestial navigation. He didn't trust any electronic gadgets.
In 1974 or '75 Bob trailered his Potter to San Diego and launched.
Guess where Bob was going. To Tahiti. Non-stop to Tahiti! Jerry said
he stayed there for a year before returning to the states. Bob loaded
the HMS-18 on board a freighter for the return trip. The last known
location of Bob and the HMS-18 was in Montana. Jerry recalled that the
log indicated that Bob averaged 4.1 KTS during the trip. Is this the
longest Potter voyage? Definitely one for the archives.
Jerry didn't remember much more than that. I'm sure if someone out
there is a more skilled reporter(more and better questions) they could
probably try to squeeze more information from Jerry. I'd rather not
everyone interested call Jerry, but if you're (collectively) curious
maybe one of the associations could talk with him and do a story for the
newsletters. I have his card so let me know.
Mikey
P-19 Beluga, #375, Valrico, Fl
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