Graham Jack Walsh's Page

I am the Maine Boating Columnist Examiner.com covering the coast in Maine. Often I work in historical elements, humorous anecdotes, and personal history to my pieces. One recently noted the passing of Molly Kool, North America's first female Captain.

http://www.examiner.com/x-4399-Portland-Boating-Examiner~y2009m3d8-Molly-Kool-North-Americas-first-registered-female-sea-captain-has-passed


I am also working on a series, perhaps for book publication, called Roadside Boats which will tell the stories of boats found living out their remaining years roadside, maybe in a boat yard corner, out at the edge of a field, or behind some bushes and hedgerow. The boat need not be pedigreed or come with some nautical history; factual or otherwise, but she should have a story to tell.

Even if I can not track down that story, as told by some authority, I am quite capable of hearing that narrative from the boat herself. So send along any candidates and leads you may know of throughout your travels. I will be forever grateful and so to will the boat as she returns to her elements. As it should be, sometime.

Currently I live in Portland and do my boating on the Damariscotta River with WHITE LADY, the last build by Norman Hodgdon and completed and launched after he passed in 1966 by his wife and long time employees. WHITE LADY is one special boat and gives me great pleasure to care for and own.

She was built for a Damariscotta River homeowner who, in turn, sold his home and the boat to her second owner. I acquired the boat from the second owner in 2001 and have continued to keep the boat year round in the Damariscotta region at certainly one of the top builder and restoration wooden boat yards in the world, Riverside Boat Company in Newcastle, Maine.

WHITE LADY is a classic Bass Boat or Downeast Cruiser circa 1967 and is best described as 10,000 pounds and constructed of mahogany planks over white oak frames with heavy duty bronze hardware, dynel covered decks, a two panel raked windshield, a large comfortable cockpit, a heavy built engine cover, and a traditional built-down keel and a skeg hung rudder.

She'll takes me out in style, cost just a few dollars in gas, and returns me safely every time . Her lines are those of a lobster boat of the same size but with a few changes to make the cockpit a great fishing or picnic spot. Her swim ladder aft port provides a fast way out after a dive off her gunnels, stern, or bow. Her v-berth forward sleeps two and hides a marine toilet for the ladies' needs.

WHITE LADY is powered by the highly reliable Volvo Penta AQ151 C, the same block found in Volvo 240, 740, and 940 automobiles. A full instrument panel displays all the vitals except hours. Access to the engine is excellent. Two marine batteries provide staring and operational needs. A bronze shaft and a 3 bladed bronze screw drive her comfortably at 8 knots, she'll run out at 12 knots but why? She literally sips regular gas from a 40 gallon monel steel tank.

Electronics include a depth sounder, a VHF radio, navigational lights, and RADAR.

Currently WHITE LADY sleeps o're the winter in the midcoast under a classic heavy canvas cover and wooden frame on a custom wooden cradle.

So drop me a note if you are in Portland or visiting the midcoast. I love taking folks out on the Damariscotta and while I have never caught a striper, I hear tell they are quite sporting in this 12 mile river of beauty.

Thanks!

Graham Jack Walsh