The mention
of plastic classics brings to mind
a boat named
Bantu, a Block Island 40
with perfect
brightwork & dazzling line, an
icon
from another time. I've seen her at my marina.
I've been aboard her at my marina where
I saw her whole nine yards of performance
goods. But the thing I really love about
Bantu is that when she, now well into her fifth
decade, races, say the Mac, she beats the
highest-tech boats of the new millennium.
It must be easier to be a gracious
loser when
the winner is a gracious legend, I mean,
as I stand on the seawall looking at her
across the channel, who could feel bad about
getting beat by that? But then, I’m no racer.
—Skipper Mary