wastingtimetraveling asked: I'm in Auckland for the semester and yesterday I wandered towards a huge mast I could see a few blocks over. It belongs to the Kiwi "Big Boat" challenge to the Stars and Stripes Cat. They display it infront of the maritime museum which is free for residents, has more America's Cup boats inside it, and is nearby the Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa worksites, which I was able to wander into and see some boats without anyone noticing. My question: Why can't I do this in Newport?
You totally can though! So, there’s a lot of maritime history/heritage/stories/info in Newport and the East Bay, the trick is just to make an adventure out of looking for it. In typical Rhode Island fashion, no one bothered to put all of the related things together, so you have to hunt them down individually and find them yourself! Like a scavenger hunt!
I’d start in Bristol (cuz that’s always a logical place to start) at the Herreshoff Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame. There are a lot of nice boats there (duh), as well as a pretty comprehensive list of America’s Cup skippers, sailors, builders, designers, winners, and losers. While you’re there, head across the street and say hi to Dan and Brad of Bristol Boatbuilding, and tell them that Luke says hi. After hearing some awesomely cool stories, head down Rte. 114 towards Newport, and take a right when you get to the sign for NUWC. You’ll go down a hill, at the bottom of which is… New England Boatworks, Portsmouth Marina, North Sails RI Headquarters, US Sailing Headquarters, and some other cool things. This is where Puma’s old il mostro lives now, as well as a bunch of the old 12 metres and some other genuinely funky or interesting racing boats that never really came into their own. Hang around for a while, absorb the sweet smell of polyester and fiberglass, and breath in some lungfuls of varnish dust. Also, try not to look too sketchy having around a boatyard just ogling at hulls. Once you’re done there, continue down into Newport to check out Newport Shipyard, the temporary home of mar mostro, Maltese Falcon, Rambler, White Wings, Ranger, Intrepid, and, oh, like a million other really nice boats. Take some time to appreciate the large portion of the Shields fleet anchored between Goat Island and Aquidneck Island, before heading down Thames St. to IYRS. Go inside and talk to some people about the restoration of the 1880’s schooner yacht Coronet, as well as the Beetle Cats and 12 1/2’s that are in some state of repair throughout the shop. When you’re done there, go down to Fort Adams to check out the Museum of Yachting (which I admit is a little disappointing) and more importantly, all of the gorgeous boats in the Southeast corner of the Harbor. The stone harbor right at the fort has a nice fleet of wooden daysailers- mostly Beetle Cats and Fish boats- that you can look at, too. Finally, walk south so you can see right across the East Passage to Jamestown, and watch some 12 metres, Adirondack, and Madeleine do their daysail tours of the Bay.
I’d recommend ending your trip with a ride on the 10pm RIPTA 60, because that driver is crazy. Sit back and enjoy as he tells everyone not to swear, but happily allows open containers of alcohol on his bus.
