Monday, February 13, 2012

By Steve Myrick
Published: June 11, 2009

The Mississippi drawls were a dead giveaway, and so were the deep tans. Contrasted with the New England accents and the vestiges of pale winter complexions on the Tisbury town dock, it was clear that these voyagers were not from here. But when Gene Klinck glided into Vineyard Haven Harbor at the helm of Island Rose, a striking 34-foot cutter-rigged sloop made of steel late on Tuesday afternoon, June 2, it was most definitely a homecoming of sorts. That much was clear from the enthusiastic greetings of a welcoming party that included many friends, family members, and much of the Island's boatbuilding brain trust.

Island Rose glides into Vineyard Haven Harbor with builder Gene Klinck at the helm, after a voyage of more than 2,000 miles that began in Biloxi, Mississippi. Photo by Steve Myrick

Steel deal

Steel is an unusual choice of hull material for a recreational sailboat, and many of the Island craftsmen who offered help and advice are far more skilled at working with fiberglass or wood. But steel was the natural choice for Mr. Klinck. He owns Metaline Products, a steel fabrication firm in Utica, Mississippi, where he built Island Rose in "eight years of weekends." The design is by the noted yacht designer Ted Brewer, but much of the knowledge that went into it came from Martha's Vineyard. Gene's brother Charles and sister-in-law Heather have a home in West Tisbury. In 2004, Charles Klinck commissioned the Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway to construct the 29-foot wooden picnic boat Ilona, which is moored in Vineyard Haven, and Gene Klinck was a frequent visitor at the G & B yard.

"I read everything I could read, asked every question I could ask," said Gene Klinck. "When I would come for a visit, I would go down and poke around. Ross Gannon and Nat Benjamin were so good about stopping and explaining things."

Gene Klinck built Island Rose in "eight years of weekends," at his steel fabrication company in Utica, Mississippi. Photo courtesy Gene Klinck

Phil Hale and Rick Haslet of Martha's Vineyard Shipyard added advice and support. Mr. Klinck cites help from Edgartown sailing enthusiast Jim Martin, who sailed several legs of the voyage up from Mississippi. He also mentions Bruce Slater of Chilmark, a perennial competitor in the Moffett Cup, as another close tie on the Island. Inspiration came from a chart of Martha's Vineyard, usually hung within sight of Mr. Klinck as he worked. The chart still holds a place of distinction on the boat's navigation table.

Sail plan

The voyage of a lifetime for Mr. Klinck began on April 21 in Biloxi, at 5:30 in the afternoon, in the rain.

Both the most pleasant, and the least pleasant parts of the voyage came in the long haul around Florida. After leaving Apalachicola on the Florida panhandle, headed for Key West, 25-knot winds from the southeast made for very rough sailing. "We ploughed for two days, gave up and went to Clearwater," said Mr. Klinck."

Gene Klinck relaxes in the cabin of Island Rose, which features a full galley with a stainless steel refrigerator and a dining table made with wood imported from Surinam. Photo by Steve Myrick

A leg from Marco Island to Key West was equally unpleasant. "It was like a washing machine," said Mr. Klinck. "Eighteen hours turned into 32."

Once Island Rose rounded Key West, however, the crew's sailing luck improved considerably. They caught a boost from the Gulf Stream, and made 175 miles in one day. "Night sailing in the Gulf Stream with the rail in the water, flying with the current, it was glorious," said Mr. Klinck. They arrived at Cape Canaveral just in time to see a space shuttle launch.

There were many memorable experiences along the way. In Charleston, South Carolina, the southerners got their fill of shrimp and grits. At one point, a flock of tired warblers migrating from South America landed aboard for a rest. "We fed them and gave them a drink," said Mr. Klinck. Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and striped bass caught along the way made for suppertime treats from the galley. Sailing past the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline inspired awe. Island Rose went through the narrow and treacherous Hell's Gate, the passing from the East River into Long Island Sound, at a current-propelled speed of 9.6 knots. "Coming through New York Harbor, you can't beat that," said Mr. Klinck.

Bound down east

Mr. Klinck and his crew spent four days on the Vineyard, with only a mild, tongue-in-cheek complaint. That was the length and frequency of the celebrations thrown by their many Island friends. "On the Vineyard, there always seems to be a party," said Mr. Klinck.

On Saturday, June 6, they shoved off toward Maine, where Mr. Klinck owns a home. He arrived in Boothbay Tuesday afternoon, in a steady rain, seven weeks to the day since departing Biloxi, in the rain.