Page 18. MAINE COASTAL NEWS June 2016 W  E R By Lee S. Wilbur Member Yacht Sales Network Member Yachtworld.com


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SERVING NORTHERN PENOBSCOT BAY –BELFAST TO BUCKSPORT–


Several years ago, I, along with First


Mate Arletta, had the distinct pleasure of meeting a great group of people, becom- ing good friends, then being nominated to belong to the DownEast Yacht Club domi- ciled in Boothbay Harbor. One of the neat attributes of this club is their schedule of monthly activities and fun parties. At one of the annual “Haul-out” parties (there’s also a “Launching” party of the same sig- nifi cance in the spring), I was introduced to Senior-Past Commodore Edgar Reed II, then in his late 80’s. We talked for a bit, but conversation was diffi cult with the number of people in the large storage and repair building. A few years later, while doing an article for Maine Boats Harbors and Homes, one of the members mentioned the famous “Pea” parties put on by Hockey Field and his wife at their home on the Sa- sanoa River to which Edgar would often ski round trip. Having been an avid water skier in my youth I started a correspondence with Edgar, later to learn the impact he had on Maine Waterskiing events and his winning of the 1952 State of Maine “Waterskiing Champion” award. Edgar, with his family spending sum-


mers on Isles of Springs in Sheepscot Bay, learned to water ski at age 16, 1940, towed behind his father, Alden Reed’s, 33’ dis- placement launch, SAMOA. SAMOA, an island necessity for shopping and transpor- tation, would tow him at the respectable speed of 22 knots. “Anywhere the boat went, I was usually behind it. If it was rain- ing I wore a rain top with a hood.” “When skiing on the open ocean, the


view from the waterskies 100’ behind the tow boat was always spectacular. The air always felt cool and nice to breath . Distant islands were always in view and I wondered “can I make it that far on skis?” I spent 65 years water skiing fi nding out.” Soon he was taking an interest in the


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various thrills of waterskiing, including slalom and jumping. Then, as time passed, Edgar began to focus on long distance ski- ing, going so far as to develop a special diet and then to create and build then sell his own waterskies “Edgar Reed Specials”. Joining the Down East Yacht Club


in 1968, Edgar soon became an offi cer in 1969 and began navigating for the club during their annual summer cruises. When the club discovered Edgar was also an ac- complished bugle player, playing the same B Flat bugle used by the “Rough Riders”, he was soon playing “Taps” and “Reveille” for the fl eet gatherings. About this time, with Edgar’s interest


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growing in long distance skiing, he began to design skis and handles to make the runs


more comfortable and easier on his arms legs and shoulders. The skis were built lon- ger to bridge choppy water and wider for better stability. The tow bar he designed, in- stead of the conventional round design had a square cross section enabling him to keep the bar back, taking much of the strain off the forward part of his fi ngers. Another unique part of Edgar’s long


distance waterskiing abilities is carrying a large DEYC fl ag in one hand. For this and other distance runs he has developed oth- er tow handles which allow him to put the handle behind his knees, or forearms, or between his teeth, to give his arm(s) some relief as well as being able to turn the fl ag when he puts on a show. “I found that diet and preparation for


long distance water skiing to be quite im- portant. The Harvard Medical Department at times publishes medical information in the “Harvard Magazine”. I found the infor- mation I needed to put together a diet and preparation for my long distance waterski- ing. Example: I eat my meal before I ski 3 hours ahead of time so the food will be digested and not using my energy. I eat only carbohydrates the day before I ski, and al- ways take off from a dock to conserve ener- gy.”


(Portland Press Herald Weds. July 3,


1985) “Daredevil Skier wants to prove life doesn’t stop at 60” Edgar Reed The picture of health at


61, was breathing in the sea air and feeling like a high school senior Tuesday morn- ing... Reed, a part time resident of Isle of Springs, plans to depart from Townsend Gut in Boothbay at 6:15 AM. Thursday and arrive in Falmouth before 8 AM. He hopes to cover 43 miles on water skis on a non-stop journey along the Maine coast. The notion may sound foolhardy, but Reed is certain the trip can be made. He made it as a 29-year old in 1963, waterskiing from Brown Brothers Wharf in Boothbay to Fal- mouth’s Portland Yacht Club in two hours, fi ve minutes. The repeat performance is Reed’s way of striking a blow for people in his age bracket.” Edgar grew up in Worcester, MA. “I


went to High School in Worcester. Follow- ing that I went to Harvard College where I was in the class of 1946. I worked at Reed and Prince MFG Co. in Worcester, MA, where we made screws nuts and bolts. I became president of the company. I am now 92 years old (1/21/24)” And, I would hazard to say that Edgar would like nothing more than to have the strength to get back on a pair of water skis and do it again. (Final note) I’m sorry that youngsters


Continued on Page 20.


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