Improbable

[SloopJonB]

Sled - GREAT story, GREAT.

I trust that was all carried out properly in blue blazers and white slacks. 

 

[daffy]

That wedding was indeed epic.  IIRC, Phil had managed to create quite a close friendship with the HYC's commodore's daughter (Not, of course, referring to Commodore Tompkins), and after having spent the night in the fore peak of New World, convinced George (who was highly amused) that they wanted to get married that afternoon on the bow of New World.  George found a justice of the peace who was very dubious but George was convincing, so there we all stood in our lava-lavas and leis and rum drinks - about 10-15 of us -  and Phil got married in a quite dignified, slightly hilarious ceremony. The JP kept on looking around as if he wanted either in on the joke or out of the deal.   And Phil got his green card - which was the whole point. 

The HYC commodore was a little "non-plussed" when he heard about it after the fact.  Not sure how long that marriage lasted. I heard several years.  

I have a picture of that wedding somewhere.  Holy cow we were young.

Lmfao!

 

[Haji]

Bruce tries out another office toy. Passing the time waiting for Arne Hammer. Could be a long wait.

007 by robert perry, on Flickr

Thanks for letting me check out those awesome guitars!  Folks, Bob's guitar collection is truly impressive, and his office a great place to visit and talk boats.  Arne never made it, he missed a good time.

 

[Haji]

Sleddog... Wow again. Priceless stuff.

 

[Bob Perry]

Haji:

I just forwarded an email to you with Mr. Flowers contact info.

Enjoyed the get together yesterday. It's a pleasure to listen to you pay guitar. I'll put you on the list to inherit the Hoboken Guild.

Let e know if you need a berth for the night

 

[Bob Perry]

SoCal:

Yes, Gibson Custom Shop JS 200. It's a keeper. Haji sure enjoyed playing it.

 

[poncho]

Lmfao!

If you have a pic, post it!!  I have a cover shot of Phil driving some boat in 1973. My son was concieved in Phil's bed in NY!

I believe that is the current OED definition of "Fanatical"

 

[Haji]

SoCal:

Yes, Gibson Custom Shop JS 200. It's a keeper. Haji sure enjoyed playing it.

Indeed I did.  That thing has some real bass string power.  But the Guild impressed me the most, really well balanced.  My dad would have loved to hear it, and then critique my playing like always...;-)

My love for acoustic guitars is probably related to my infatuation with fast wooden boats (like Improbable)

 

[Devoforedeckus]

I always enjoyed the "story" of Dave Wahle during the SORC riding his motorcycle down to the boat, stomping down the docks in his bandana, motorcycle boots & leathers and climbing aboard Improbable. He was busily working on the rigging when the owner of the yacht next door asked if he might possibly borrow Dave's rigging knife. Dave pulls out his switchblade, opens it up and hands it to a very wide eyed "proper" yachtsman. Those guys were legendary!

 

[Haji]

Little did we know in 1976 when my dad bought Improbable, how rich was the history of the crew.  However in this pic I found in dad's archives, we did appear quite motley. I'm the 2nd from the right, and the only one left...

 

[Haji]

Hanging from the headstay, Commodore-style...

 

[sleddog]

I always enjoyed the "story" of Dave Wahle during the SORC riding his motorcycle down to the boat, stomping down the docks in his bandana, motorcycle boots & leathers and climbing aboard Improbable. He was busily working on the rigging when the owner of the yacht next door asked if he might possibly borrow Dave's rigging knife. Dave pulls out his switchblade, opens it up and hands it to a very wide eyed "proper" yachtsman. Those guys were legendary!

Dave Wahle, no shrinking violet and garbage man by trade, was the "bosun" on IMPROBABLE. His switchblade saved us more than once.  As we were short tacking IMPROBABLE up the IOW shore in the Solent, the genoa leech line hangs up on a piece of rigging.  In a flash, David whips out his knife, presses the button, and cuts the cord free before any damage is done.

I believe it was that Admiral's Cup race, or another one that week, when we were again short tacking westward down the Island shore.  Along comes a port tacker, a nice varnished sloop named MORNING CLOUD, who skipper has cut the crossing a bit too fine. In the heat of battle, David runs to the bow of IMPROBABLE and shouts in his stentorian manner, "Get the fuck out of the way."

I had to call David aft for a dressing down.  "Brother, you've just told the Prime Minister of England to get out of the way."

DKW says to me in no uncertain terms, "I don't care if he's the Pope, he shouldn't be sailing his boat like that."

 

[Jollymon]

Little did we know in 1976 when my dad bought Improbable, how rich was the history of the crew.  However in this pic I found in dad's archives, we did appear quite motley. I'm the 2nd from the right, and the only one left...

View attachment 273037

My first long distance race, Protection Island, was on Improbable the year after this photo was taken.  Haji, my condolences to you for your loss.

JM

 

[Haji]

Thanks JM!

 

[Haji]

Improbable has been through several color changes.  From the original red, we & dad first went to dark green (not so great), then white with black bottom, then white with red bottom, back to red with white bottom, and finally back to white, with red transom and a stripe running fwd some.  Here's the red with white bottom iteration....​

 

[Haji]

And here's the white with red bottom period.  I liked the font in the name.

 

[Blitz]

Wow that is quite the tiller.

 

[SloopJonB]

Red was the right colour.

 

[Haji]

Have to agree.  Here's another shot

 

[SloopJonB]

I never knew Improbable was almost a chined hull.