July 30 – Bristol, RI

Acushnet Safe Boating Club Marina

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” –Robert Louis Stevenson

We used Uber this morning to go out to the airport to pick up our rental car. If you haven't used Uber you really should try them out, it's such a quick and easy way to get around. After getting the car we drove over to Bristol, RI to visit the Herreshoff Marine Museum. The museum is dedicated to the history of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company (HMCo), which produced sailing yachts between 1878-1945. They were most notable for producing eight America's Cup defenders using new techniques and materials to produce boats that were lighter and faster than anything designed before. 

The HMCo designed and produced every aspect of their boats including manufacturing their own paints and resins, anchors, capstans, cleats, engines, fittings, rope, sails, and spars. Each boat was built totally on this site in Bristol. The museum also includes the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.  

This afternoon we packed and got the boat ready for our absence. We’re excited to spend time with our grandson; we just wish we were going to see our precious little girls too. The hardest thing about cruising for us is missing our family.

Torch (Ex-Savage) a Fishers Island 31 built in 1930 for $16,000.

Thania (Ex-Toddy Wax) was designed by Nat Herreshoff in 1905 and was used as the Havard Judges boat until 1970 when it was given to the Herreshoff Museum...that didn't exist yet. It was placed into service as the first floating exhibit.

The galley was definitely not elegant in those days, but the head didn't look a lit different

Sprite is the oldest Herreshoff boat in existence and probably the oldest catboat in America. It was built by the Herreshoff brothers in 1860.

Bristol Ferry Lighthouse built in 1855...one of the three new lighthouses we saw today.