People, Places & Spaces, The Newport Diary


Newport’s Classic Yacht Regatta

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Enticer
Property of Bettie Bearden Pardee – Private Newport

And they’re off…

The Classic Yacht Regatta, an early September tradition, was founded in 1980 by New England yachtsmen to raise awareness of the many glorious classic yachts (by some of the greatest American boat designers, i.e. Herreshoff and Trumpy) in need of repair and TLC. Not incoincidentally, we are spectators on the 85′ Enticer, one in a fleet of antique wooden boats restored by McMillen Yachts.

Enticer
Photo Credit: Alexander Nesbitt

Our day starts at the New York Yacht Club, looking out on a harbor that is arguably one of the best ports for cruising and racing in the world. It helps one appreciate why Newport’s cache’ and fortunes have been inextricably linked with the cold waters that surround our island home.

New York Yacht Club
Property of Bettie Bearden Pardee – Private Newport

Regattas, races, cups, trials — they all take place here in Newport.

yachts
Property of Bettie Bearden Pardee – Private Newport

We’ve had so many happy times on Enticer, including  a photo shoot for a chapter in my new book, Living Newport: Houses, People, Style. Take a peek at some pages…

Yacht
Photo Credit: Alexander Nesbitt

After a quick barefoot stroll around the Enticer’s deck, it’s easy to see why “timeless” and “classic,” words associated with Newport, just as well describe this luscious  wooden yacht on which we are guests

Photo Credit: Alexander Nesbitt
Photo Credit: Alexander Nesbitt

The all-mohagony surfaces on Enticer are varnished to such a state of reflection that “a lady need not pull out her mirror to put on lipstick,” a friend opined.

A look back at some other good times on Enticer…

Yacht
Photo Credit: Alexander Nesbitt
Photo Credit: Anca
Photo Credit: Anca Ciorga

How perfect to have a book signing on Enticer! Thank you, Bill McLaughlin.

Enticer
Property of Bettie Bearden Pardee – Private Newport
Photo Credit: Anca Ciorga
Photo Credit: Anca Ciorga
Photo Credit: Anca Ciorga

And if the partying gets too hardy, you can always slip down to one of the staterooms below (here’s my cozy favorite.)

Property of Bettie Bearden Pardee - Private Newport
Property of Bettie Bearden Pardee – Private Newport

Here, Enticer and her fleet mate, 104′ Freedom, proving that nothing says Newport more than antique wooden boats.

yachts
Photo Credit: Alison Langley

Cheers to the Classic Yacht Regatta!

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About Bettie Bearden Pardee

Author of Private Newport and Living Newport, garden furniture designer (The Parterre Bench), national lecturer, and entertaining expert. An honoree for the second year on "The Salonniere 100 America's Best Party Hosts", she was also the host and creative producer of "The Presidential Palate: Entertaining at the White House".