Happy to be part of the rendezvous!
Swiftsure Yachts has a very strong connection to Bob Perry. Many Swiftsure brokers have owned Perry designs and put a lot of happy miles on them. Brad and PJ Baker owned the 48-foot Capaz and cruised her around the Pacific with their two boys. Pete McGonagle owned the 51-foot custom Perry sloop Charlotte and cruised the East Coast and Caribbean with his family for two years. Judy Nasmith owns the Nordic 44 Annie.
Perhaps more importantly, over the years we've sold dozens of Perry designs, from venerable Tayana 37s to the 61-foot White Eagle. Earlier this year we sold a Passport 456 that the owners sailed happily down the coast to her new home in California. Saying "It's a Bob Perry design" certainly gets a buyer's attention!
I've never owned a Perry design, but I have a different connection to Bob. Long ago I edited his column at Sailing Magazine, and later I often touched base with him for insights in my freelance writing. Bob is, of course, not only a gifted designer but a gifted writer. The trick to editing his writing was simply not to get in the way - clarify only when necessary. Our other connection is an affinity for dogs. Ever since I've known Bob, there is a canine assistant or two, and frankly I attribute a bit of his success to them.
