Miami Herald

Bill,

As you may have heard, the Blackburn Challenge has a reputation for being one of the longest, toughest open water rowing races in the Northeast. The 20+ mile course circumnavigates the rocky coast of Cape Ann, Massachusetts and is mostly open ocean with a wide variety of conditions plus an initial stretch up a twisting, swift-running tidal river.

I’m pleased to report that I successfully completed the 2003 Blackburn in my new Heritage 12 dory. Despite being one of the smallest entrants in the race, she inspired total confidence in both open ocean and tidal river conditions. At no point did we take on water (there wasn’t even any accumulated spray to sponge out at the end of the race), and even in the most confused waves the Heritage 12 was easy to manage.

If anyone ever wonders about the seaworthiness of the Heritage 12, they should have no doubts. She was extraordinarily well-behaved and comfortable, not only in open ocean conditions, but also in the equally challenging situation of very close, continuous boat wakes thrown from large fishing trawlers and whalewatch ships entering Gloucester harbor.

Thanks for creating such a sweet boat!

Dave Fish

Bill, Heather…

A quick note to let you know that both Robin and I had our first rows in the Heritage 12. Took the boat out to an island near our harbor for about a 5000 meter open water jog. Had 1 foot+ chop in the channel plus healthy dose of powerboat wakes and the Heritage 12 did very well — felt totally confident and surprisingly fast all the way — ended up very comfortable with the prospect of using her for the Blackburn Challenge/20 mi race around Cape Ann. …And, she’s already attracting admirers around the yacht club and the harbor.

Dave Fish

"There is no motor or sail on my boat; rowing is quiet, efficient, and a very scenic way to exercise. My whole body moves with each stroke as I glide over the waves." Photo: Jack E. Thompson Jr.

Graphic designer David Bean of Kemah, Texas (near Houston), had an 8-foot boat and little experience when he decided to row all 367 miles of the Texas coast. It took 29 days spread over two and a half years.

His vessel: He rowed the first 232 miles in an 8-foot boat with a 4-foot beam-until it swamped and sank in Aransas Bay. “At that point I decided I needed a real rowboat.” He finished the trip in a 15-foot scull.

The experience: “I am never bored while rowing. The skies are huge with colorful sunsets and rising white clouds. I have had up to 13 dolphins at once jumping along as I row across these large, blue bays.”

Ambition vs. reality: “I wanted to row it all in one fell swoop. I realized after about six days that it was going to take much longer than I thought.”

Unexpected help: "I was amazed that dolphins would come up and look you in the eye. When I was crossing Matagorda Bay, I was escorted by dolphins for more than two hours. One followed me all the way in to shore. It seemed that he was following me to make sure I made it."

His itinerary:

None. He would row for several hours until he found a nice place to camp. “In the morning, I like to walk the beach while the water for my coffee is being heated. The moment my toes hit the sand, I’m in my element. Birds and fish are feeding, the sun is rising, the sea breeze is blowing my uncombed hair while I look for shells at low tide.”

Next challenge: This year, David is hoping to row across the south of France. His main worry: He doesn’t speak French.

By Steve Millburg

I have wanted a pulling boat with a sliding seat for as long as I can remember. Something to row in heavier weather and open water. And I did buy an incredibly beautiful, blue pulling boat with a sliding seat, outriggers and nine-foot, super-light carbon-fiber oars shaped like hatchets. It pulls like a train. I named it “Yeats,” after the poet. Then “Blue Yeats” because the hull is such a fine blue color.

Brilliantly designed by my new friend, Bill Larson of Little River Marine in Florida, it is a slender, stable variation on the ancient Whitehall idea, fifteen feet long, with a sharply rising bow and a wine-glass stern. The lines are ideal, the sides are lap-straked and it is the best-rowing boat I’ve ever rowed. It gives me joy every time I see it. Or the photo which I carry around with me, like the picture of a beloved grand-child. It pulls me out of my house and onto the water, even on rainy or nasty days. It works my body and my soul, for hours at a time. I keep it up for hours because of the endless pleasure of the deep-edged oars biting into the water…the long run of the perfect hull between pulls…and the delight of sitting at eye level with the ducks and the geese and the grasses on the shore. You do not have to be a poet to buy a pulling boat this. But you’d have to be a brute not to become one after you’d had it for a while. Ice cream for the soul, my man.

Yesterday, which was a mild and sunny Thanksgiving, I rowed from Sag Harbor over to Shelter Island, a sweet, three-hour pull. My pulse was a steady 60-65% the entire time so I was building an aerobic base, as Harry directs. But I wasn’t thinking about that. I was thinking about the swans beside me at one point, and the slap and whir of their huge wings as they rose off the water. About the seal who followed me for a little ways, curious as a dog. About the magic inlets in the tall marsh grass into which I pulled and sat, invisible, for a while in the reeds. And about the good, solid miracle of being Younger Right Now, for which I was duly thankful. On the water. In Blue Yeats. On Thanksgiving morning in my seventieth year.

So, if you happen to be lucky enough to know the water a little, think about getting yourself a pulling boat some time. A Little River is easy to row correctly and a pleasure for ever. You can row as long as you live. It is a perfect kedge to pull yourself into a strong and delighted old age. Into eternity, really. Try it. The Heritage 15 Dory
Decent men have been rowing small boats for pleasure since the dawn of history. It is one of the blessings of our humanity, one of the first things we learned to do, with our opposable thumbs and our inquiring minds. What a genius that first guy was who jumped on a log and paddled with a stick, waving to his enemies, dumbfounded, on the shore. And how about the man who quit paddling, sat backwards and rigged oarlocks to pull against. And finally, how about the excellent creature who invented the sliding seat and outriggers, so he could use his legs and gut – his whole body – to row (and get the best exercise ever). Anyhow, going out in small boats is deep in our bones, and the luckiest of us still do it. Around the harbor, around the lake, across the river and down to the sea. Until we get to someplace beautiful where we rest on our oars and stare. Then pull some more.

Suwannee River

Dear Bill,

Just a quick note to let all the crew of Little River Marine know how well my Heritage 18 performed during the 2nd annual Suwannee River Challenge 2003. The water level on the Suwannee was up, the sun was shining and the Heritage 18 was the perfect boat to use, for what turned out to be a great day and a very satisfying finish of 11 hrs. 27 minutes. Rick and I used a routine of 1 hr on the oars, while the one off took up a canoe paddle and paddled sitting in the stern after taking a small break for food and fluids and taking on the role of Helmsman. This routine worked very well and we were able to keep moving and remained fresh for the time on the oars this way.

Heritage 18: the most comfortable

We were by far the most comfortable. The ability to move around the boat while under way, (unlike a few kayaks we passed who had put to shore to stretch their legs), meant we were able to keep moving the entire time. The Suwannee River is very twisting and somewhat narrow in the fist 20 mile from the start and here the boat was a breeze to steer and very responsive in the turns, a great design. Now that the host for the event has added a rowing class to this Challenge, I hope other Heritage owners might consider this event next year as well.

One fine little cruiser

Again thanks for building one fine little cruiser and for all the great service and advice, I couldn’t be more pleased with my decision to own your Heritage 18.