Another cruising couple, the Antons, also members of the Newport Yacht Club, had similar cruising motivations but somewhat different plans. “We wanted to take on the challenge and see more of the East Coast at a sailboat pace,” Lauren Anton explains. “Our plan is to keep moving south, hopefully get a weather window to cross to the Bahamas for a few weeks, and then slowly head back north toward home, and then head north to Maine and Nova Scotia for the summer.” While Pam and Jack Grant didn’t get to spend much time in downtown Southport, Jack says its location—close to both the ICW and the ocean— is ideal for boaters. The waterfront is pleasing and the town appeared welcoming and easy to walk through. His impression of the marina and restaurant left him with a positive impression and a desire to return to explore the area more fully. Duffy and Kathy Doherty came to Southport intentionally. Three years ago they’d gone to the Annapolis Boat Show and rented a car to drive here. They say it reminds them of a smaller Scituate, Massachusetts, where they grew up. On this trip, they stayed in the area for several weeks, spending Thanksgiving aboard their boat, not being with their family on the holiday for the first time in 30 years (yet another adjustment boaters cite). They left their boat in town when they went home to celebrate an early Christmas with the family. This is their first time taking their boat, Sea Turtle, a Leopard 40, the length of the ICW. They bought the vessel in St. Martin and brought her north to their home in Maine. In July, they sold their house and moved on board. They departed, due south, on October 10, 2014. They love this area, particularly Oak Island, Duffy says. They’re not certain if
Winter 2014-15
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