Mystery Cat-Yaw - a conversation

David Huckabee (dhuckabee@crs.loc.gov) has sent you the following article from the Camden, Maine VillageSoup.

I wonder, is this "abandoned daysailer" in Rockland, Maine a modified Chebacco?

THE MYSTERY OF THE DESERTED DAYSAILER - (09/09/03)

To read the complete article, click on the link below.
http://rockland.villagesoup.com/Community/Story.cfm?StoryID=17229

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Camden, Maine VillageSoup - All Things Community
http://camden.VillageSoup.com
thecrew@VillageSoup.com

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Sure looks like one. I'd bet it's Samantha.

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I don't see Samantha on the registry.  Has she been stolen?

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It's on the for sale page.

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I just called his number and asked him if his boat was stolen.  When he
said no, I started to tell him that it might be in Portland, and we were
disconnected before I could complete my sentence.

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Richard,

    I talked with the Portland Maine harbor master this morning.  The
Rockland police have identified the owner as Paul Thober.  The harbor
master confirmed that the boat is Samantha.  He has tried to reach Paul
at the number in your the advertisement, but thus far Paul has not
responded.

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Any updates?

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Richard,

     Not yet.  I'm in Washington, DC, where we are consumed with
Hurricane interest right now.  I plan to give the harbor master a call
when we get over the hysteria to see what is going on in Rockland ME.

David

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David Huckabee (dhuckabee@crs.loc.gov) has sent you the following article from the Camden, Maine VillageSoup.

Update on Samantha.

TIPS ABOUND, BUT VESSEL'S IDENTITY STILL A MYSTERY - (09/15/03)

To read the complete article, click on the link below.
http://rockland.villagesoup.com/Community/Story.cfm?StoryID=17356

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Camden, Maine VillageSoup - All Things Community
http://camden.VillageSoup.com
thecrew@VillageSoup.com
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Richard,

    See the attached message from the editor of the community
newsletter regarding the status of Samantha.

David

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Hi David,

Thanks for the information.  I've passed it along to the local police
and harbormaster to help with their investigation.

If you happen to contact Mr. Thober again, have him get in touch with
Rockland PD (594-0316) or the Harbormaster (594-0312) quickly. Soon, the
boat will be sent to the city's impound lot, where it will sit.

Don't hesitate to contact me as well, if anything else comes up.  And
thanks again.

Tony Ronzio

Anthony J. Ronzio
Rockland Bureau Chief
VillageSoup.com/VillageSoup Times
207.594.5351 ext. 330 (office)
207.594-5481 (fax)
201.691.0643 (mobile)
aronzio@villagesoup.com


-----Original Message-----
From: David Huckabee [mailto:DHUCKABEE@crs.loc.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 9:59 AM
To: Anthony Ronzio
Subject: Mystery Cat-Yawl


Deary Anthony,

     I too believe the mystery boat to be a modified Phil Bolger
designed cat-yawl, Samantha, owned by Paul Thober.  After reading your
story last week, I forwarded a copy of your article to the editor of the
on-line Chebacco newsletter (Richard Spelling) in Canada.  (See
http://www.chebacco.com )

     He replied that the boat looked like the Samantha which had been
listed for sale on his web site.  (see text below) In the middle of last
week I called Paul Thober at the number listed in his advertisement and
asked him whether his boat had been stolen.  He replied "No."  I then
told him that a modified Chebacco 20 had been found abandoned in
Rockland.  Before I could finish saying "Rockland," our connection was
lost.  I don't know whether he hung up, or we lost a signal.

     After talking with the Harbor Master, who had obtained Mr. Thober's
number from other sources, I was told that his office had not been
successful in reaching Mr. Thober.

     The connection between the boat and Mr. Thober could be more easily
made once the boat is pulled from the water.  Most Chebacco 20's have
been built with a shorter cabin, and more importantly, a combination
keel-centerboard.  According to Mr. Thober's advertisement, this boat
was built with only a keel.  Very few Chebacco's have been built in this
way.

David Huckabee
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Richard,

   I was in Rockland, ME the week of Oct. 13-18.  I stopped in at the
Rockland harbormaster office and inquired about the boat.  It was still
on a mooring, but was scheduled to be pulled on the 18th.  Rockland now
has decided that the city owns the boat.  In six months they will
auction it off.

   The Rockland city attorney was in Portland, ME on other business,
and stopped in at the previous owner's last address.  He had moved,
leaving no forwarding address.  Also, the phone number listed in his
advertisement on your web site has been assigned to another person.

   The mystery continues.  Since the boat was stripped of all
equipment, sails, etc., maybe the previous owner is intending to build
another boat.

David Huckabee

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K. Thanks. Will make an interesting story for the next issue of Chebacco, if nothing else! :)