Placida è l'onda, prospero è il vento

I spoke with Captain Tom Motley today. He's down south taking over a new boat and should be headed north shortly. Those of you who have read awhile will remember that last summer I crewed on the late Tom Taylor's yacht Avalon with Captain Motley during the annual Newport Bucket Regatta.

Tom is going to run a Rivolta 90. It's the first time I've heard of the boat or designer/builder, Piero Rivolta. I took a glance at the photos - see for yourself, she's a smooth piece of work. The description reads..."THE RIVOLTA 90, A MODERN PERFORMANCE CRUISER, redefines high-speed, comfortable sailing. The unique design provides a sleek underbody with a light displacement hull, combined with the more gentle lines of a traditional cruising yacht. This unusual combination produces a fast cruising boat that rides the seas smoothly and efficiently—a truly satisfying experience." It also sports a retractable keel system - with the keel up, the draft is only 5.85 feet...down it draws 12.9 feet.

I'm looking forward to a first hand account from the Captain and maybe (just maybe) having a chance to be aboard.