Time Marches On

In summer 1984, when I was fresh out of college and living with my parents in New Jersey, my brother Rik called me from Newport, Rhode Island, where he was working for naval architect Johan Valentijn on the design of the 12 Metre Eagle. The Newport Harbor Yacht Club’s Eagle Syndicate was planning a challenge for the 1987 America’s Cup in Perth, Australia, and they were looking for a head gofer.

My brother offered me up to fill the position. The gig had an unsavory job title and only paid $250 per week, but it came with free sailing gear and a bottomless beer budget. That night, I hopped in my rusty 1976 Plymouth Volare and made the fourhour trip to the ocean state.

Two years before, Rik and I had first sailed to Newport aboard his 1968 Pearson Lark. We quickly became smitten with the City by the Sea. It had everything young sailors dreamed of: Great bars, pretty girls, lots of drool-worthy yachts and a salty