"Have Banjo, Need Bluegrass"

I was at my desk when I received an unusual phone call from Larry Greenlund - he needed directions to Sawmill Point Marina.

I pride myself on my excellent 'direction-giving-skills', so I jumped at the opportunity with the obvious, "where are you?" - expecting something along the lines of 'Market Street or College Road' - instead he replied, "I'm on the Waterway, I think I just passed Topsail Sound and I'm headed South."

"You're on a boat?!" - I don't know why I was so surprised, but it wasn't the response I had anticipated from my caller.

Sure enough, late that afternoon, the 'Sea Horse' slipped alongside face dock #29 and seemed quite content to be a little further South and enjoying the Wilmington sunset over the Cape Fear.

'Sea Horse' is a 42’ Krogen trawler. Larry Greenlund and his “first mate”, Bonnie Lohmeyer, braved frigid temps, ice and an electrical fire underway to the Florida Keys. They left Cambridge, MD on the Choptank River December 30th and spent New Year’s Eve anchored in the Chesapeake Bay.

Unfortunately, New Year’s Day they had a fire in the electric panel which held them up for 4 days in Virginia. Sea Horse then became an “Ice Breaker” as they traveled south along the ICWW in search of warmer weather.

When I stepped into the wheelhouse, I noticed Larry's banjo. He asked if there were any good places to listen to bluegrass in town and I assured him we had an excellent bluegrass scene, I just wasn't sure what was going to be open on a Monday night though...

Later that week, Larry flew back to Washington (State) where he is an engineer for the state ferries in the San Juan Islands and Bonnie returned to the Eastern Shore of Maryland where she works for a real estate company.

They plan to return to Wilmington in February, spend some time in the area and relax for awhile before continuing south.

From Larry via email, "We feel so lucky to have the good folks at Sawmill Marina looking after our boat while we return to our jobs."

Well Larry and Bonnie, we're glad to have you and 'Sea Horse' - and don't worry, I've already called the Rusty Nail, open mike nights are Tuesdays at 8!

It's the Real Thing!

I haven't met Anne and Al Davidson in person yet but I can tell, without a doubt, that these two know how to REALLY enjoy boating - especially on their 28' 1972 Columbia, "Fair Dinkum"

But it's not all wine and cheese with this crew. They enjoy sailing to places like Cape Lookout to count dolphins and recently took a windjammer trip to Maine.

Al started sailing when he was 13 and has crewed on a couple sailboat deliveries as far South as Tortola BVI.

Anne officially became a sailor lady when she said, "I do" about five years ago! She may proclaim that she is a fair weather sailor but I have it from a reliable source who assures me that she is no sissy on a rough weather day.

Both Anne and Al live and work here in Wilmington. Al is over at Corning and Anne is at New Hanover Regional Health. With long term plans to retire in Downtown Wilmington, mooring at Sawmill will give them and the Fair Dinkum even more time to enjoy Downtown while they wait!

A Hero for Us All

The Laralee moved in today along with her owner, Jeremy Hall. He is another live-aboard enjoying a great sunset and calm waters this evening at Sawmill Point Marina.

Jeremy's boat is a 30' 1972 Islander MK II and she is gorgeous! After seeing her today in person, this picture doesn't do it justice. He's fairly new at sailing but loves the water and I know he will fit in with the rest of the crowd at Sawmill Point.

Jeremy is an Iraq War Veteran, U.S. Army Military Police 2004-2009 and now a student at Cape Fear Community College. But that's not all, his major is fiberglass boat building, repair, and manufacture. Wilmington is fortunate to have such a strong program at the local Community College Downtown, one that provides people like Jeremy the opportunity to learn more about their passion.

Laralee and Jeremy - we're glad you're here.

I think I'm in love....

I was 14 when I read the book "Dove" by Robin Graham. It was an autobiographical story of 16 year old Robin who sailed around the World (alone) over the course of 5 years. It is still one of the greatest stories of adventure that I have read. When I saw this photo of the Miss M those same feelings of inspiration and exploration came rushing back and I am excited to have its owners, Doug and Meyka Paddock moving her to Sawmill Point.

The Paddock's moved to Wilmington in 2006 from Greensboro. Doug works for BB&T Wealth Management as a financial planner and Meyka works for RSM McGladery as a customer service representative in the tax area. With both of them working Downtown, the convenience of Sawmill Point is another great reason to dock the Miss M nearby.

They learned how to sail after they moved to the coast. A friend of theirs, Rob Larkin, who is also moving to Sawmill Point, mentored them on his sailboat Victoria Celeste and they took sailing classes with Ed Shires at II Dolphins at Wrightsville Beach.

They bought Miss M last year. She is a 1969 Rawson 30, a heavily built fiberglass sailing vessel that is a proved blue water cruiser. I know very little about boats but I am getting a great education and Doug shared the following with me:

"By early 1969 seven Rawson 30s had been sailed from the west coast to Hawaii, two to Tahiti, and one to Australia. At least three of these full-keel plastic classics have completed circumnavigations. Designed by William Garden and built by Ron Rawson in Washington Statethere were 252 sloops and 36 pilot house models built between 1959 and 1985."

Incredible!

The Paddock's have been able to sail and enjoy Miss M while restoring her. Weekends are frequently spent at anchor enjoying the natural beauty of our area. Another highlight has also been getting connected to the cruising community on the east coast ("snowbirds") by attending both the Cruiser Rendezvous held in New Bern last year and the Seven Seas Cruising Association Gam in Melbourne, Florida this year.

They hope to live and cruise on Miss M in the future. For now, they split their time between their land home here in Wilmington and the (amazing) Miss M - we are thrilled to have them!

"Annie's World"

I just got off the phone with Rich Conners from Cary, NC. He and his spouse, Annette Lloyd are avid boaters and will be soon taking delivery of "Annie's World" in the next couple of weeks.

They have a second home here in Downtown Wilmington and are thrilled to be relocating their new boat to Sawmill Point Marina.

They are already planning ahead for trips in their Motorcat 30 (MC30) around our area (Outer Banks, Charleston, Beaufort) and are looking forward to meeting up with other boaters and including themselves in more events and adventures within our diverse but inclusive boating community. Welcome Rich and Annette!

Welcome Hugh, Kathy and the "Joint Effort"

The McLawhorn's know a great deal when they see one. They are among the first new residents at Sawmill Marina.

Taking advantage of our introductory 'Free Slips' offer for Sawmill, we are thrilled to have them in the new, floating neighborhood Downtown.

Hugh and Kathy have been boating together for more than 12 years and enjoying life aboard the Joint Effort. Their 43' Trawler is 'home' until they begin charting their course toward their next great adventure, the 'Great Loop'!

Welcome Hugh and Kathy, we're glad you're here.