Unexpected things you see on a ride

[dunvilsteev]

We always run across something we didn't expect to see while out riding. I live near the Welland Canal which is a series of locks allowing ships and boats to by pass the Niagara River and the Falls while continuing on their Great Lakes route. There are always tons of cargo ships floating by and one of my favourite lunches is to go to Port Colborne on West St. (beside the canal) grab an order of Lake Erie perch ($8.50!!) caught fresh yesterday from Minor Fish & Chips and watch the ships and boats float on by.

Last September when I arrived at the canal, there was a yacht moored there that was truly jaw-dropping. This beauty was called the Sycara IV and said it was out of Bikini (Islands?) It was a mass of chrome and highly polished wood. Shone like crazy, and with all that chrome it was a naturally biker magnet. I didn't have a camera but got the following picture from Google.

 

 

Doing a little Internet research I also found out the following:

 

Burger Boat Company has announced the delivery of Sycara IV, a 46m Fantail Motor Yacht, to her owners. Imagine going back to a time when people actually knew how to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of yachting. Owners of Sycara IV, Ray and Elsie Catena, were committed to exactly that – recapturing the splendor, grace and charm of an era gone by – when Sycara IV was designed. This was their inspiration for Sycara IV, a beautiful traditionally styled, early 1920's era, Fantail Cruiser.

 

An impressive collaboration of high profile experts were involved in the design and execution of this yacht, including: first and foremost, Mr. and Mrs. Catena with their extensive yachting experience and yacht building knowledge; Steve Narkawicz, their highly experienced and talented project manager; Bruce King with his classic schooner bow and fantail hull; Ken Freivokh, chosen to define her interior and exterior styling true to the early 1920's and Burger's team of designers, engineers and craftspeople.

While the Catenas have cruised distant ports of the world with their previous vessels, the vision for this family yacht is to see America and its surrounding waters such as the Great Lakes, the Erie Barge Canal system, its mighty rivers and the Intracoastal Waterways.

Sycara IV will make her world debut at the 2009 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

 

 

So, it would seem they were on their maiden voyage, breakin' the ole tug in .... so to speak!

 

Like me, you are no doubt wondering, what does Mr. Catena do for a living?

 

http://www.raycatena.com/

 

This is the website for his Porsche, Mercedes, Lexus dealerships in NY and Manhattan.

 

Aaaaah, how the other side lives.... I can only dream.

 

Another interesting little adventure on the bike. And yours?