Meeting people in the yachting industry...

This is a great story and a memory that will last with you forever.

Cheers,
Alfred

A good story indeed! On the subject of meeting designers, about 5 or 6 years ago I was attending the Bremen Brother's Beach Bash, an after hours event arranged by Lurssen each year during FLIBS. While standing in line for dinner, I struck up a conversation with a gentleman about yacht design. Within moments, it was clear he knew more about the subject than most. We sat down for dinner at the same table and talked yachts throughout our meal (not unusual given the people in attendance at a Lurssen party!). I only discovered who he was after shaking hands to say good-bye. Anyone ever heard of a guy named Espen?

I split the posts above from the MondoMarine thread because it's a good topic of discussion. We've all got a story (or two) to tell...

Espen Oeino is a true class act, I have had the pleasure of meeting him few times and when the talk is about yachts, he is captivating! A real gentleman and down to earth character with great love for yachts and design.

Good call for splitting the thread, this conversation will be great to follow.

Cheers,

Alfred

Hi,

I was flying from MIA to LHR one evening and was sitting next to a man who seemed to be barely courteous enough to say hello. He did tell me his first name and that was it.

8 years later I was approached to do a major project and interviewed/hired by the clients right hand man. I had been on the project for a few months when I was asked to go meet the Client.

You can imagine my surprise when it turned out to be the guy I had sat next to for a flight. He is to this day one of my best customers.

Following 9/11 neither this guy nor his family travel anywhere commercial if his plane is in need of service or unavailable he charters one.

Before this I was on a boat one day and this old rocker looking guy came along and was waving at me from the dock. I asked him if he needed something and he told me he was friends of the Captain and asked if I were the Captains son, he thought we looked alike. I said I wasn't and soon discovered I was talking to Terry Disdale. I have since done one full build with him and started another that was sold before completion.

I have worked with a few of the big names over the years, some I would go out of my way to catch up with and say hello others ,well........ use your imagination.

I was wandering through FLIBS a couple of times in recent years and met a few of the members of this forum, a thoroughly enjoyable experience it was on each occasion too.

The following exert was taken from my coverage of a press conference, when the media was introduced to Bertram's new manufacturing facility in Merritt Island a couple of months ago. I've met a lot of people in the marine industry over the past 20 years, but never like this...

I have a story that is a little bit different than yours...
I am a big fan of Bannenberg & Rowell, so I wrote an email to them stating that I love their designs etc... However I got an answer from a pretty delighted Dickie Bannenberg!! But he also promised to send me one of their fresh printed books. And a few weeks later I got a wonderfull book of all their designs and a small letter... yeah that is it.
I had some nice email contact with Reymond Langton and others as well. But I hope to see some of them finally in person soon.

In the late 90:s I had the pleasure of meeting with Jon Bannenberg a few times, both in his London studio at Burnsall Street and in Monaco where I was living.

We were also writing and talking (on the phone) in between, this was (almost) before e-mail so we used the fax machine. Now when I was reminded I looked for some faxes and found them to be fading away, so I took a couple of pictures to have as a memory...

Here is one from 1998;

Ah man, you guys haven't met anyone ... I on the other hand have not only met but have spent quality time speaking to Carl and K1W1 ... those were some of the good times in yachting.

i will go with marmot on this, i look forward to the day when i can meet some of the members in person and exchange stories i will bet it will be interesting to say the least

travler

Aren't you also in FLL? There is a boat show coming up ...

Is someone calling me? Is it time to refresh an old thread or start a new one? FLIBS Meet-Up? FLIBS Rendezvous? FLIBS Raft-UP?

I will be onboard Bering Yachts 55' M/V Mila on B Dock on the south side of Bahia Mar. The flybridge can hold as many YF members as want to show up. What about Thurs, opening day, at 6:00? Usual beer, snacks and comaraderie provided by your FLIBS Hostess

Anyone interested?

Judy

Yes, I've met a few members and they've all been great.....I met Rodger, our wonderful picture poster and deckhand for the Welland Canal almost by luck, he happened to show up right when we needed a deckhand and at the Customs phone booth by hapstance....... I've met Kafue who is also a terrific guy and a few others from here.......all great people......and even better to put a face to the name......

Americas Cup Legend-ish

The day I beat-up Dennis Conner.

Dennis came down to do some racing on small boats as a warm-up for the Maxi yachts at Antigua Race Week. One of his old crew was Sandy, a hard-as-nails Scotsman, who owned Striker. Striker was a very fast local yacht always in the Top 5, not to be messed with. Dennis was on the helm for the usual Thursday evening race.

My little boat was a small begged, borrowed and mostly stolen pile of slow called Wild Child (known to the crew as Vile Child). So off to the start line we head for race time.

On the start-line as the 1 minute sound went off I picked a very acute angle of attack to the line, nobody near me. At this point I must confess to only living 500 yards from the start and had been watching how the wind shifted all day. In we piled at full speed and just as the start gun fired we called Starboard on the entire fleet, No.1 boat being Dennis.

He was not happy, as off we scampered ahead of everyone, to be duffed-up by a bunch of kids. Okay we got overtaken pretty quickly, but it was fun to beat everyone to the line. Never been paid millions of bucks to do that.

Later at the Yacht Club bar I was on my own as the crew was under age, Sandy was very angry, as Scotsmen can be, and after a few Rums he started to chase me around the carpark for not showing respect.

Tee Hee, don't care.

_______________________________________________________________

As K1W1 has said, there are many folks you meet along the way in this business you have time for and others that get forgotten.

Terry Disdale used to attack Mom's cookie jar when rebuilding S/Y Cariad. Jon Bannenberg and Walter Huisman visiting your work.

One could go on, but its the people who make this industry such a passion.

Hi Judy.

Thanks for the invite. Would love to join you, but stuck across the pond. Hope all goes well for you at the show.

David.

You know, I agree...while I just starting revisiting YF after a lengthy hiatus, I have to admit that there are some folks here I would truly like to meet, shake hands with and buy a drink (or 3) for them...Herr Camper, K1W1, AMG..the list goes on....maybe in Monaco or the Fort Lauderdale show someday soon

What a great community that YF has created, with some great stories read here and a world of excellent advice and experience!!

Cheers,

The boat I'm currently on will be in the show, so please count me in barring any unforeseen circumstances. Thanks Judy.