The latest from our friend Bruce Schwab.

Some of you may remember my somewhat famous old boat, the 1930 Abeking & Rasmussen built 30 square meter "Rumbleseat". This is the spruced-up classic little yacht that I sailed to 1st in the 1996 Single-handed Transpac. You might also know that in 1998 (or was it 99?) I sold Rumbleseat to Dr. Robin Tattersall of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands who know races her as Diva.

The picture is us sailing under the Golden Gate on the way to Hawaii in 96:

Dr. Robin has has a great time racing the boat in the Caribbean, winning many races...and some even single-handed even though Robin was born the same year that the boat was built...!! I hope I'm still going that strong when I'm his age...;-) In any event one of his favorite regattas is the Antigua Classic Regatta, which is coming up on April 18-23. Robin's wonderful wife Martha has put her foot down on him sailing the tough upwind passage from Tortola to Antigua...so yours truly has been hired to do the delivery.

Robin also graciously invited me to race Classic Week with him but I have a prior commitment with Euromarine at the Strictly Sail boat show in Oakland that very weekend...sigh. So right now I'm in Tortola getting Diva ready to go. What a nostalgic experience to be inside the little boat I spent 13 years restoring at Svendsens Marine (1980-1993). Doing electrical modifications inside the tiny cabin, I can't believe I spent so much time in such a cramped space. Also, I found a rotten spot in the deck that we will have to do a temporary rush repair on. It's never easy, is it?

I hope to make it in time to Antigua to make my flight home on the 16th. After one day in Maine, I'll be in the air again out to the Strictly Sail show in Oakland (April 18-22). It will be great to see a lot of old friends there.

Crew selected for Open 60 Transatlantic Trip:
Wow, was there a LOT of interest to sign up for joining me on a transatlantic delivery of Tim Troy's Open 60 "Margaret Anna"!! Amazing. It was tough to pick, however we now have a really great group of OceanPlanet supporters lined up. I will introduce them to you in the next update...it's getting late here, and I have a lot of work to do on a little old 30 square meter tomorrow...;-)

Bruce Schwab, Skipper
OceanPlanet

04/17/07