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.

The North Star (just in time for Christmas)

I just got an email from Jeremy and Colleen Dagold. The North Star is another great sailboat arriving at Sawmill Point - all 41' feet of her.

And Colleen's and Jeremy's story is even more exciting. Colleen hails from the old whaling port of Fairhaven, MA and grew up sailing on Buzzards Bay. She moved to Washington DC, after graduating from Brown University, where she met Jeremy while teaching inner-city kids on a boat. Most recently she was doing development work for a non-profit in New Haven, CT.

Jeremy is from Baltimore, MD and attended St. Mary's College of Maryland. He has been working on tall ships and traditional boats for 12 years and most recently was the Captain of a 91' Tall Ship in New Haven, CT.

I can't wait to see the North Star, and meet Jeremy and Colleen in person. This trio sound like a winning team with a lot of fantastic stories to tell. Welcome North Star!

'Born to Cruise'

I don't want to sound biased toward the sailboats - but this is another beautiful shot of a fantastic boat looking like it was 'born to cruise'!

Since we started filling up Sawmill Point I have met some incredible people, and that includes Tony McMahon. He is retired from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and now resides in Leland, easy access to Downtown and the Marina.

He will be sailing the 'Radiant Beam' into its new berth tomorrow and I can't wait to see it join the other great boats calling Sawmill Point 'home'. She is a 24' Hunter, built in 1984 with almost a 10' beam - and looks absolutely terrific (under sail or sitting idle).

Next time you are on the docks, say hello to Tony and the "Radiant Beam", we're glad they'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!