A nostalgic post from SA by Sleddog on 1950's SoCal Sailing---

I grew up in these special times in SoCal thanks to Dad Washburn who commissioned and had built a 50' Sloop in Sweden that I sailed on since birth. Sleddog sums up 99.9% of the players of this era-- special stuff--



Read on:

For those who remember, S.Cal had a vigorous ocean racing fleet in the 1950's. For your nostalgic pleasure I include some of their names I remember. These were the days of varnished spinnaker poles, overhangs, South Coast winches, red lead bottom paint, kenyons, RDF's, and NALU II's chickens. HILARIA never had an engine, and SALLY was the prettiest 10 meter in the world. Feel free to add to the list:

ALTAMAR, ANTIGUA, AKAHI, ATTORANTE (go Burke!), ANDALE, AMORITA, TEMPEST, KITTEN, ESCAPADE, CHOLITA, VALENTINE, CHUBBY, CAROUSEL, COTTON BLOSSOM, BUTCHER BOY, BARLOVENTO, CHERRIO

Alex Irving, Barney Huber, George Griffith, Ash Bown, Peggy Slater, George Fleitz, Clark Sweet, Chuck Ullman,

DASHER, DANCER, VIXEN, MADCAP, MARA, CASSANDRA, HOLIDAY, COQUILLE, CALIFIA, GALATEA, JINKER, GAMIN, KIRAWAN, GOOD NEWS, BONNIE DOONE, KELPIE, FREEDOM, HILARIA, JADA, KIALOA, KAMALII, BAGATELLE, LEGEND, FLYING SCOTCHMAN (Lapworth's first design), LEDA, MORNING STAR, NAM SANG, NOVIA DEL MAR,

Gene Wells, Fred Smales, Willard Bell, Gabe Giannini, Jack Hedden, George Sturgis, Prent Fulmour, Dick Steele, Peter Grant,

ODYSSEY, NALU II, FLYING CLOUD, MARIE AMELIE, ORIENT, QUEEN MAB, HUSSY, REBEL, STARLIGHT, SEA DRIFT, SANTANA, SERENA, SOLILIQUY, SERENADE, STAGHOUND,, ISLANDER, SIRIUS, SPARKLE, SALLY, WINDWARD, WHITE CAPS, WESTWARD HO, LANDFALL, PIONEER, DOUBLE EAGLE, PURITAN, SILOUETTE, TANTALUS, L'APACHE, SEA WITCH, WOOLHARA (honorary powerboat), BRANTA

Not a spade rudder yet to be seen.

ALERT, MICKEY, LARK, FLAMBOUYANT, SALUDA, QUEST, VIXEN, NARRAGANSETT, SUNDA, CRITERION, ROLAND VON BREMEN, BONGO, DEBRA, CHIRIQUI, DIABLO, CELEBES, NORDLYS, QUEST, FAIR WEATHER, MAI TAI, SKYLARK, GULLMAR, TYPEE, GROOTE BEER, SANDPIPER,

K-38's, PCC's, K-40's, L/36's, Cal 32's, Newporter Ketches, PBY's, Ohlson 35's, Owens Cutters

Skip Caulkins, Carl Chapman, Rolly Kalayjian, Bill Lapworth, Bob Barneson, Gordon Curtis. Paul Cook, Gerry Driscoll, Bob Dickson.

Marina del Rey hadn't been dug, and Dana Point was still the best point break on the Coast.

For all those beautiful bows, and stern wakes that went before, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

~sleddog

Happy Holidays from the Washburn Boys!

Click here to view our holiday card!

My Angel Paul is celebrating his Birthday Today!

Happy birthday brother
Today is your big day
Another year older, another year wiser
I think is what they say

I didn't make you a cake this year
Or find you an amazing gift
I didn't give you a big bear hug
Or even a tiny kiss

It's not that I didn't try to find something
It's not that I don't hold you dear
It's just the only thing that came to mind was
I wish that you were here