First, I want to apologize for being somewhat of a member in absentia, I've been here, but not here and several PSCers have asked what the deal was and why I was not chopping anymore. Well, the explanation is I have been attending some life changes. I am going to try something new and that new is this:


For the interested, she is a Willard, 8-ton cutter.

I bought a sailboat, (a lifelong dream), and plan to move aboard as soon as is practicable.

The boat was in Lottsburg, Virginia and I just got in from moving her to her to our new home in Belhaven, NC. It was a three day trip and I have a ton of photos, but for now am only posting a few until I can get them sorted and organized.


The morning before setting out.

But the trip down was a great adventure and I will have lots to talk about and many photos to share very soon.


shot from the bow pulpit, underway somewhere in the Chesapeake Bay.


what can I say?

Great fun,Al.And looks like a fun adventure!

Looks like a blast.
Whats her name?

She's called "Quiet Passage".

CONGRATU-FUCK-ULATIONS!!!!

Whow! Way to go Al

Congrats!!!

MY EYE, CAPTAIN!

My parents used to do the roster for the yacht club we belonged to when I was a kid... funniest boat name I remember: Passing Wind. Anyhoo... CONGRATULATIONS!!! She's a beauty!

Oughtta be fun chopping on a moving boat! Good Luck! Hope she is swift and upright and all that nautical stuff!

She looks awesome! Do you need a second mate?
Good for you sir and happy sailing...

We need some more photos asap!

Cool! Thanks for sharing!!

I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, you bastard.

Man I am soooooooo frekin jealous bastard, bastard, bastard, bastard.

Have fun you old bugger and if you start getting hot big boobed blonde chicks as crew...BASTARD

She's very pretty. Congratulations.
I'm sure at some point you'll do the cruiser thing, and hit the west side of the ICW. When you finally get around to here I'll be glad to pay your mooring/dockage and let you get in a couple days of solid land under your feet. Meals and entertainment will be on us. Expect humble offerings
Again congrats..she's very pretty.

Go Cap'in Al, great news bud, you got there in the end, I am so happy for you and your new hobby

Enjoy bud

Thank you all. I appreciate your good wishes.

For those who are interested here are a few more photos followed by some of her specs.






Last morning docked in Lottsburg


setting out on the first morning

Quiet Passage is a blue water cruiser (made for offshore sailing) 35' overall with the bowsprit with a 10' 8" beam. She displaces 17,000 lbs which is very heavy for a boat her size and therefore has a very powerful diesel for a boat in this class as well, 56 hp. She is a full keel cutter rig so she is built for going long distances more or less in a straight line, she is not the most maneuverable not does she like to back up very much, but we have had her up to 6 knots with the genoa (the very front sail) and an idling engine just barely turning the prop over. Best speed under power is a little over 7 knots. She has a great electronics package and a three burner propane stove with oven and a refrigerator. She will sleep 5 if they are really friendly.

More photos to come

Hell yeah!!! Have fun brother!