While reflecting on the time I have spent this summer, as an assistant to Ben I realized that I learned a lot of valuable lessons. Whether it was a technical skill, or just a life skill the Dorade has taught me a lot.
When I first arrived in Portsmouth at Joe Loughboros yard, LMI I was apprehensive about what the next few weeks would have in store for me. At that point I was still not a fulltime summer employee, I was still in a tryout phase. I tryout I was very glad to have considering that I had never met Matt nor Ben. Over those first two weeks I made mistakes, yet learned the boat at a very rapid rate. It seems as though I made some sort of passing impression on Ben and Matt those two weeks though because when the Bermuda race was approaching Ben invited me to stay onboard for the rest of the summer. Along with that invitation was one to join Dorade in Bermuda for the Onion Patch Regatta and then the delivery of the boat back to Newport. During that trip to and from Bermuda I truly experienced what the yachting world was like, from going up the mast moments after my arrival at the RBYC, being part of the race crew, to long crew dinners and ending with my first true open ocean experience. That month of June made2 me realize how special of a boat Dorade is and how lucky I am to be a part of the program, and that is the only the begging of the summer.
Once we had returned to the safety of Newport day-to-day life began to calm down and a routine formed. During July we made many improvements to Dorade that kept everyone at the yard very busy, and all that work ended up flying by. Not much sailing was done but we where busy with getting the boat back into inshore sailing shape and the new tender into proper running order. July then turned into August and I became excited for the Panerai regatta, as well as very busy. The Paneria weekend started off with a beautiful evening delivery with Ben and my roommate Davis Saltonstall. After arrival we got the boat into show shape before Greg and Nate opened the boat up for the public to view at the Eastern Yacht Club, followed by a very interesting talk. The rest of the weekend was a busy and fun one, topped off with some good racing and another nice cruise back to Newport. Now that we are back in Newport I only have a week left here, which is bitter sweet.
After all the places this summer has brought me I feel as though I can confidently say that this has been the best summer of my life so far, and I hope to have many more great experiences like it, whether it be aboard Dorade or some pursuing some other adventure. But thanks to everyone who helped me learn everything that I have.
-Max