Preview: The Schmee of Havilah Hawkins

23 Responses So Far to “The Schmee of Havilah Hawkins”

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  Marc LaFrance says:

  Spectacular film on Haddie and Vela. The two are as one. I feel fortunate to have taken Sea Sense Under Sail and had some truly amazing conversations with Haddie.

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  Richard Morrison says:

  This video is close to perfection. Stunning videography of a beautiful boat with dialog that is meaningful in so many ways, on the water and off. I’ve spoken with Haddie a few times up at the WoodenBoat School and he is the real deal. Thanks to OCH and Haddie for doing all that you do.

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    Kenneth Jeffreys says:

    Agree

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  Fritz Seegers says:

  Great vision. Great boat that you design and great video. But what’s better is that you’re sharing it with young people who may never have this experience. I wish you and Vela many many years of fulfilling voyages. Thank you for bringing to us this experience.

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  Matthew Borax says:

  Wonderfully made video! A real pleasure to watch. You seemed to capture his passion fully, and my attention fully(!) with very few sentences and stunning imagery. Thanks again for a great experience!

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  Roger Mennillo says:

  I had the pleasure of attending the Sea Sense Under Sail course in September; and while the title implies the utilization of only sea sense, all 5 senses figured prominently in the course:
  There was, in fact, SEA SENSE under sail, but also under oar and sculling paddle;
  The use of HORSE SENSE in the identification of problems that needed to be solved and tasks that needed to be completed;
  The use of (all too uncommon) COMMON SENSE in addressing those problems and tasks; what Haddie calls “trailing edge technology”; what Leonardo da Vinci called simplicity – the ultimate sophistication;
  A great teacher who MAKES SENSE in his explanations;
  And camaraderie among teacher and students with just enough NON-SENSE to make it all great fun;
  I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

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  Michael McKay says:

  I spent one of the best weeks in a long time aboard Vela with Haddie and I am looking forward to it again this September [in his course at the WoodenBoat School].

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  Peter Brackenbury says:

  I’ve watched this video now several times. Vela at first was a neat boat, but after several viewings it has grown more and more beautiful. I think most truly simple things reveal themselves that way. You start to see the wisdom in their simplicity after you have been enamored with what you thought was “clever” in other designs. You really have let her honest, simple design shine through.

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  John Carlson says:

  Beautiful video, and what an amazing boat, with a beautiful mission. The world needs more films like this. Inspirational, and heartening. Thank you.
  My favorite hat is a canvas 3″ brim natural cotton from Quaker Marine Supply. I bought it in Half Moon Bay California in 1992. Has a wire in the brim edge. Since then QMS was bought and has moved to Maine. They now make this hat in a tan canvas right under your noses. They were out of stock, last I checked. However if we approached them right, I bet you boys could get them in off white again as an OCH item. Love mine, it is so salty now the misses groans every time I pull it on. I need a new one, so I’m leaving it to you to get this ball rolling. John Carlson

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  Ben Fuller says:

  One of the good things that came out of ‘Nam were the boonie hats. Brims are slightly shorter than the Tilly which makes looking aloft easier. A chin strap which can be chinched up enough so that the hat stays on when you cool off by rolling your kayak. And the outside ‘cammie band onto which regalia can be affixed.

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    Matthew Borax says:

    I agree! Some of the guys I was with trimmed down the modern version of brim a bit for better vis.

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  Kip Otteson says:

  It would be cool to do a video on old school commercial finishing of boats. The oil, etc. that is mentioned in the video should be explained to people that would rather sail than varnish. I loved this video. Whenever I watch one of these it creates a conversation that scares the hell out of my wife!

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    Steve Stone says:

    Good idea Kip. I’ll put it on the list. Steve

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  Dale Fincher says:

  Beautiful video. That was a contemplative experience. Thanks!

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  Margaret Hunt says:

  One of my favorite sights at the beginning of every summer is looking out and seeing Vela sailing by…wonderful video, especially on this snowy mucky day. Thank you!

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  Clint Chase says:

  I saw VELA screaming through the harbor at WoodenBoat School last summer. We were meeting for lunch and I was speaking with a few of my students. I look up: there is VELA, close-hauled, absolutely flying upwind…she looked astoundingly gorgeous. You remember the times when your breath is actually seized for a few seconds by the sight of something so beautiful.

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  Korey Ruben says:

  Such a great video guys really enjoyed this one thank you.

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  Havilah Hawkins says:

  Hi guys
  I got this particular hat on sale from Chez Reny’s in Ellsworth Me. It is not the first nor will it be the last. There is certain attrition rate for hats on the water but trying to get them back on board is a great man overboard exercise.
  I recommend a hat with good ventilation on top with a fairly stiff brim and have found that wearing a bandana tied snugly around the head under the hat keeps the wind from blowing it off and helps with the sweat especially on a hot day. the bandana can be rinsed and re applied wet which makes for a great air conditioning unit.
  Fashion is a secondary consideration

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  Doug Hylan says:

  Maintenance has become a dirty word in our society. We seem to opt for more toys, rather than a few good ones that we might have to take care of. Like that other dirty word, taxes, maintenance can be a positive thing, and is necessary to preserve things of value. VELA is certainly worth the work — thanks, Haddie, for the words and example.

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  David Tew says:

  Boat hats! Good blog idea!

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  David Tew says:

  Thanks. I’ve seen Vela at anchor but never under sail. What a beauty!

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    David Tew says:

    and I like the hat, too! I fear it’s time I started wearing one afloat now. Can you tell me where you go that one?

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      Steve Stone says:

      Thanks David… As difficult as it is to find a good hat to sail in, it seems we should collect photos of great hats along the way and do a blog when we’ve collected enough, eh? The baseball caps that I like best, don’t block the sun at all on the cheeks, so I’ve finally settled on the short brimmed Tilley hat as the only one I’ve found to keep the sun off 360 degrees but not be too damn floppy or cumbersome to get in tight spots with. I’m sure Haddie will reply with his own fashion statement and details.