The Oceanic EGRET
Dear Editors,
My 4'-long shelf of WoodenBoat magazines will attest to my being an avid reader. I’ve devoured every word, and my skin-on-frame canoe was recognized in Launchings and Relaunchings in WB No. 281. I’m a big fan of sharpie designs, so the Norwalk Islands Sharpie article in WB No. 297 got my attention. I liked the design concept, ease of construction, and general simplicity but was completely unaware of their speed and sea-keeping ability. I bought plans for the NIS 18 but never built it. Instead, I bought a nice new 18' fiberglass (gasp) sloop that my wife and I happily sailed for 20 years. It sounds as if we missed the boat. Randall Peffer’s article about NIS boats was a wonderful read.
As I began reading Bill Schwicker’s article about his EGRET (WB No. 297), another favorite design of mine, I thought, “Oh no, another travel piece.” I’m glad I read every word, because it was a great historical piece about a real adventure. It was made even more interesting because I’d been to a few of the places he visited and knew about others. And I had the same feelings Bill did. Thanks again for producing such a great magazine, and for keeping it real.