The Race Boat - Brave Heart
To participate in our first Easter Regatta, we will sail on the 28-foot double-ender "Brave Heart."
Brave Heart is a well-known sailboat in Bequia as it is kept on the beach along Admiralty Bay. Many sailors have passed this graceful yacht as they walk from the center of town along the waterfront to the Frangipani Hotel and other locations.
Our participation in the Easter Regatta on Brave Heart is at the pleasure of the owner Mr. Lennox Taylor (above). Mr. Taylor also owns the Porthole Restaurant and the boat is docked in front of this establishment.
Mr. Taylor has been sailing extensively since the age of 12. He has used his sailboats to fish from Grenada to St. Vincent. Over the years, he has built boats, constructed and sewn the sails and created the rigging. He is referenced in the sailing book "Clean, Sweet Wind" and there are also lines published of one of his sailboats.
In addition to this sailing experience, he has shipped to sea and traveled the world on large commercial ships including oil tankers as large as 1,200 feet.
Brave Heart was built by Mr. Taylor in the 1980s. She did not race in last year's Easter Regatta but according to local yore, she was always a fast boat and has led many races in the past. It will be a great privilege to race on a boat of such history and heritage.
Our ability to race with Mr. Taylor in the 2008 Easter Regatta is one of the lucky occurrences of chance. Commodore Fortenbaugh visited Bequia in November 2007 to lay groundwork for participation in this regatta and possible cultural exchanges between Bequia and New York City.
During the Commodore's first afternoon on the island, he was fortunate to be received by Dr. Godwin Friday who is a lawyer on the island. Mr. Friday subsequently connected the Commodore by phone with Ms. Nicola Redway, Secretary of the Bequia Sailing Club. Ms. Redway arranged for a meeting the following day with BSC Commodore Orbin Ollivierre. And for that evening, Ms. Redway suggested that Commodore Fortenbaugh try the Porthole Restaurant for dinner because the owner, Mr. Lennox Taylor, owned the 28-foot double-ended Brave Heart.
Commodore Fortenbaugh knew a good suggestion when he heard it and walked with his wife down the waterfront to the Porthole. They sat down inside and while ordering refreshments, inquired of the waitress whether Mr. Taylor was around. She nodded yes and indicated toward the gentleman in the library of the restaurant as being Mr. Taylor. Commodore Fortenbaugh stood up and said, "Mr. Taylor, may I please introduce myself?"
Mr. Taylor generously came over to the Fortenbaugh's table and over the course of the next 15 minutes, a discussion ensued whereby Mr. Fortenbaugh asked about the story of Brave Heart, the history of these boats and the Easter Regatta. Mr. Taylor provided very informative background. Commodore Fortenbaugh, being a very keen racer himself, could recognize the hint of a great competitor in Mr. Taylor's voice.
"What would it take to get Brave Heart to the starting line?" asked Commodore Fortenbaugh.
"Well, she needs a new sail to be competitive." replied Mr. Taylor.
"Maybe I could find some members who would be willing to provide a new sail in exchange for the privilege of racing with you. Can we meet again tomorrow to discuss this more?" inquired the Commodore.
"Yes, I will be here until 2 p.m." said Mr. Taylor.
And so the following day a deal was struck. Our club will provide a new sail for Braveheart and 4 or 5 members will have the privilege