Anarchist Vegas files this report on a rather inteesting looking little mult. Enjoy

While out sailing around on a mid-November day in 2007 near the Dunedin Causeway, Dunedin Florida, 70 degrees, in 8-12 knots on a sunny day, Meade Gougeon's eye was caught by this small 4.4m trimaran on the beach. "Whoa!...What the hell is that" thought Meade, "better take a pass by and get a closer look." After a few more passes, Meade's interest was peaked. So he tacked over on to port and headed in to shore to investigate.

There he met fledgling sailor Rick Deeb who had recently taken delivery of this new boat and was preparing to go for a sail on her for the 2nd time. Rick and Meade talked over the boat for while and some of their sailing experiences. Rick explained that this was his 2nd boat after "graduating" from a Hobie Mirage Sail Kayak.

Well I can just imagine being fly on the wall at this time. Here's Meade Gougeon, International Sailor Extraordinaire and all around great guy to sailors and non-sailors alike with Mr. Rick Deeb, novice sailor who has been hearing the call of Mother Ocean for sometime, but just hadn't found the right boat; Until Now!

As Rick tells his tale of woe living in Hobie Mirage hell, Meade begins to run his meticulous eye over this sleek sexy little boat that has caught his eye from a far. Under closer inspection, Meade notices all the carbon that has gone into this thing and immediately realizes that this is a serious boat. As a Boat of the Year judge, for Sailing World (who?) for many years, Meade jumps right into BOTY mode. Running his hands over the amas checking for mold anomalies, wiggling this and that to check the shoring and fit of the glass/carbon beams, caressing the Gaastra laminate sails, it was apparent "They just got it right".

So by this time, a fast friendship was made, and the froth of excitement to go sailing had filled their mouths. In 8-12 knots with Rick at the helm, the two went for sail. With the 75 sq ft main up, they took off from the Dunedin Causeway beach with about 300lbs of crew weight. Meade was instantly impressed with this boats maneuverability and the placement of the control lines. But there was something lacking.

As a novice sailor coming off an overweight-undersailed dog like the Mirage, Rick was already impressed with the speed of this boat, it didn't readily occur to him to unfurl the 23 sqr foot jib and open her up a little more or at least not until his comfort levels were up (2nd time sailing her ..remember?). So Meade says "here let me get "that", and just keep on this heading and keep doing what you're doing with the main". Out came the jib, and a little more spray started kicking off the bow and leeward ama. "Ok....now we've got something going" Meade says, as he devilishly eyes the 60 sqr foot Gennaker rolled up on a Harken furler that is riding at the end of the carbon bow-sprit.

So Meade talks Rick through the set and what's going to happen, and then the helm went to windward and the main sheet went out and effortlessly the asymmetric kite came out and filled with the greatest of ease. As Rick and his new buddy tooled around the areas of Honeymoon Island near Tampa, there was a mutual feeling of "Serendipity" as Meade put it. For the Webster's challenged in all of us, Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else.

When Meade was telling me this story, and he used this word, I made a point to remember it and then went to Wiki to get the "exact" meaning. I was actually a little taken aback that this was the perfect word to describe this event, no other would come close. In addition to being a fine Sailor Meade is also a world-class writer .His book Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction: Wood and West System Materials, is still one of the industry standards. So I gathered Meade's command of the vernacular is just like this boat's quality, not by happenstance.

After getting back to shore, Meade stuck around to see this thing break down and go on its trailer. 20 minutes from water to road ready. At that moment Meade Gougeon was sold! " Meade asked him where he got such a fine craft. Rick told him, he was one of the first people to buy the Weta, and John Britt from Nor'Banks is the guy to talk to. Brother Jan then got a call and Meade said "We have to buy one of these"

Meade and Jan then contacted Jon Britt in North Carolina at Nor'Banks Sailing [www.Norbanks.com] and inquired about obtaining one of these hot 14 foot tris from a manufacturer they had never heard of; Weta Marine [www.Weta Marine.com]. Jon Britt explained that these boats are from New Zealand (duh.., that's where they grow "fast") and Weta Marine only makes one boat and they make it well, The Weta 4.4 meter Trimaran. [http://www.norbanks.com/weta.htm]

Meade asked about a pricing and availability. John told him that he had one demo left and a container with 4 on route. Meade asked about the price of the boat and his reaction was like "Huh?..really?..great!". "And how much for the trailer"- "Included". "And how much for a cover"-"Included" - "I'll take two".

So with a new toy on order and Meade and Jan like little kids who can't wait for Christmas (or Hanukah if that's your thing), that's when yours truly heard about this story.

I was talking with Meade about something Chi-Mac related and he started in with his newest chapter of sailing. "Johnny, they just got it right I tell you", Meade says over and over. Of course by this time I smelled a great story and started jotting down notes, quotes, impressions and names. After the phone call, I immediately called John Britt at Nor'Banks, (Weta US Distributor), who had recently processed Jan and Meade's order, to ask him "Did you know that you have two of the heaviest hitters in sailing digging on this boat?" As John and his ultra full service sailing center has been a staple in the North Carolina town of Duck forever, He was well aware and flattered. As we talked shop, I explained that I could write a story of "The Gougeon's First Impressions" of the Weta , (pronounced Wet-Ah) when they take delivery of their new boats and get some pics and stuff. The John hit me with it; "And if you want we can bring a couple of boats up by Meade and Jan's near Tampa after the Miami Boat Show and let everyone go for a sail. "Brilliant", I thought, "a DEMO DAY I'll put it together!"

So Sailors and Sailorettes, here's the next SA and SA Sponsor event; Trimaran Sailing from the Dunedin Causeway Saturday February 23rd at 10 am till whenever.

Between Meade and Jan Gougeon, Chris Kitchen (Weta Designer from New Zealand) and John Britt there will be 4 Wetas rigged and ready to go. I'll be there with my bud Ed Furry from Sail22, getting good video and pics from the deck of Meade's 32 foot Gougmaran. And you know we're going to kick it SA style with fun and enjoyment for all. Someone bring a lime, everything else will be there!

Shortly afterwards we'll kick a "Full" story of the Weta complete with an interview with Meade and Jan and their keen observations. Design thoughts will come straight from Chris Kitchen of Weta NZ. But what will make the story an even bigger success will be having the SA'ers in the area come out and rip around Honeymoon Island State Park and tell us what you think of the new hotness from New Zealand. []

For those of you that just can't wait to see the Weta up close in person, stop by and see John and Chris at the Miami Boat Show at booth number #545. It's really easy to find, it near the bar at the north east corner (We love these guys already)!!

And all this came about, because Rick and Meade were in the right place at the right time...Weta the Chances?

.02/15/08