MEMBERSHIP
Where We Come From By David Bleil
Neither the first nor second incarnation of the Chesapeake Catboat Association has ever been incorporated. The concept was started and remains a very informal entity. The current incarnation of CCBA is the second one that I know of. The first one that I know of, was founded in the late 1950's or early 1960's at the Sailing Associates Inc. in Georgetown on the Sassafras River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. That was a marina located at the Grainery Restaurant which I think was owned by the same person. The Grainery Restaurant still exists, it is across the river from the Kitty Knight House.
The early CCBA boats were all wood. There was the Mable Hawker (about 24 ft. owner Unknown) and Buxom Lass of Salem (just over 18 ft) owned and built by Josef Liener of Pot Pie, MD (later known as Wittman). I do not know the names of any others but if I ever get time to excavate my office down to that layer I may find more information.
Josef was the Treasurer of the organization and it was from him that I found out about the earlier organization. Josef was head of wood boat restoration for many years at the St. Michaels Maritime Museum where he directed the restoration of the Bugeye Edna Lockwod and the Skipjack named after Capt. Crockett. Josef sold Buxom Lass of Salem to Maynard Lowery at Knapps Narrows.
The treasury of the old organization ($3.50) was transferred by Josef to me so I suppose we can claim to be the legitimate successor of the original or maybe we ARE the continuation of the original. The old group just became inactive so they never formally disbanded. I have some evidence that the national CBA was aware of the local group through correspondence with Edward B. Watson, Jr. of Old Mystic CT.
Membership:
To join, please complete the form below and send it to David Bleil - along with a check Payable to: David Bleil - NOT to the CCBA.
Dues are assessed each year and for 2010 are $15.00. The money is used to pay for production of the newsletter, directory, costs to maintain this site and other club functions.
Membership includes: participation in any CCBA activities guilt free, knowing you have "paid your dues," the CCBA directory and Quarterly newsletter. The latter contains information about the organization (including aqctivities/races) as well as a list of catboats for sale in the Chesapeake Bay area + more. It also includes this site and recommendations and inputs to it are welcome!
