Come Sail Away

If you’re sailing north this summer toward Down East Maine, you might spot Grayling, a historic catboat dating back to 1898. Named after a dorsal-finned trout common in western rivers, the sailboat got a new lease on life when Doug Goldhirsch ’78 bought it on the South Shore of Long Island in the ’80s. Sail through some facts about Grayling and Goldhirsch:

• They’re on the March/April cover of WoodenBoat, a magazine for boat owners, builders, and designers. Goldhirsch first saw Grayling on the pages of WoodenBoat, in an advertisement four decades ago.
• Grayling’s home port is Southport Island Marine, Goldhirsch’s boatyard in Southport, Maine. He acquired the boatyard, where he stores and repairs vessels, after a decade as a pulling boat instructor at the Hurricane Outward Bound School. He currently oversees more than 100 boats.
• After Colgate, Goldhirsch earned his naval architecture degree from the Webb Institute, giving him the background to build and design ships. He also completed an experiential learning program at the Sea Education Association, then worked as a second mate and ship board instructor for the organization.
• Goldhirsch has rebuilt Grayling several times over and has made modifications, like adding a bowsprit to allow it to carry more sail.
• Grayling is the last surviving member of a small fleet of late 19th-century racing boats called the D Class catboats.
• Pre-1900 boats of this type are rare, but Grayling isn’t a moneymaker — it’s made of wood, which doesn’t age as well as fiberglass models. “It’s more about the passion you have for the history in this type of boat,” Goldhirsch says.
• He can trace Grayling’s previous captains back to 1913, and as he’s restored it back to its former glory, he’s invited previous owners on board. One such owner told Goldhirsch an interesting tale: The boat may have been built for J.P. Morgan.
• These days, Goldhirsch is making more time for Grayling: He plans to take it on a voyage this summer. “For the first time in 20 years or so, I’m going to try to go someplace with it. Having young children and the boatyard kept me close to home, but this year I’m going to make time and tour a little bit.” One stop: participating in the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta, a classic boat race in Down East Maine in August.