The Two Richards in July, 2007

Richard Eisermann and Richard Freedberg, the Two Richards, in the Acteon Cafe in Ireklitsa. Richard, The Big, just had his 48th birthday and we had a party in our favorite taverna, including a cake brought out by the taverna owner. We were teacher and student when Richard El Giganto was in High School, and we have spent the last two summers sailing and swimming and eating and drinking on Charlie. This year, the weather was very hot and there was little wind, but we found one day with Beaufort 4-5 and took Charlie out for 4 hours. There is a new mizzen sail and she sails much closer to the wind now. But, this is the last sail on Charlie with me as the owner. After 24 exciting years, we decided to sell her. It is funny, but, when we are out on her, people telephone Anthimos, the brilliant mechanic who has bought her, thinking he is sailing her, and say, "Anthimos, that is the most beautiful boat in the harbor." He told us that Charlie is a unique boat and has a long future. He will replace all the wiring, which is 27 years old and getting dangerously thin in spots. He will also strip her down completely, removing even the motor(which is excellent) and then sand-blast her and repaint her completely. We have had 24 years sailing her twice across the North Sea to England and have even taken her into Istanbul. So, for a Dutch-built boat, designed for the rough and cold waters here in The Netherlands, Charlie has found her final home in the tiny harbor of Ireklitsa on the North Aegean Sea. The end of an era for us and we were delighted to share this last sail with El Giganto and his daughter, Lily, who is an experienced and effective crew. I am 68, Richard is 48, Lily is 14, and Charlie is 27.