J. CARTIER'S PHOTO TRAVELS: September 2015

1974 HINCKLEY BERMUDA 40 MK II, YAWL

Captain "Khaos" Carl Black

by: Jerome Cartier

The Bermuda 40 was the Hinckley Company’s first semi-custom production boat made of fiberglass, according to the information in Nick Voulgarris III’s book “Hinckley Yachts”. The designer of the Bermuda 40 is William Tripp III. The Bermuda 40 immediately won the hearts of sailors around the world with its graceful lines and captivating overhangs. This Sailboat is considered one of the most beautiful boats ever built, even today.

The Bermuda 40 was in production for over 31 years, beginning in 1959 and ending in 1991. 203 Bermuda 40’s were built, either as Sloops or Yawls. This Hinckley sailboat is a standout while docked at any harbor or marina. I live, not too far, from such a marina.

Having grown up on the fresh water rivers and creeks of the Mobile Delta, I am more familiar with skiffs. My mother died of Breast Cancer when I was 15years old and in high school. My Dad met another lady and remarried. My step mother’s Dad was a boat builder. Right outside his back door was a large tin covered pole shed where he built the finest 14 foot wood skiff in our area. In fact, he built one for me, to be the envy of my friends. The one he built for me had a black bottom and a white top. It, also, had a red line separation encompassing the entire boat. It carried a full cockpit made from marine plywood and mahogany, varnished as if under glass. Other boats seen on ‘my creek’ were the larger Runabouts or Ski Boats. Sailboats were not seen in my “neck of the woods”.

I am now a resident on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, where the waters are large and open. Just about every marina along either side of the bay is a sailboat haven. This includes the one I visit the most, Fly Creek Marina/Fairhope Yacht Club. It was here, I met Captain Carl Black AKA Captain Kahaos. Carl, a transplant from New Jersey, family now living in Mississippi, grew up in Fairhope, Alabama. Graduating from the Marietta Johnson Organic School, a progressive learning environment, he decided to stay in Fairhope. Carl spent his post high school years traveling around the world, working on ships; until one day he had had enough of working for someone else. Carl started his own Maritime Vessel Agency and Logistics Company. This has, over the years, provided Carl with the resources to pursue his passion for sailing.

Captain Carl is Searching for Parts

As we have mentioned previously, to own a Hinckley is a treasured possession anywhere. While speaking with other sailboat enthusiasts, their eyes would light up when I mentioned this 1974 Hinckley Bermuda Yawl. After much searching, Carl located one in Georgetown, Maryland. He got his broker in touch with the broker of the Hinckley and the process began. Carl traveled to Georgetown to view and inspect this 1974 beauty. The photos captured the sailboat sitting in the New England harbor waiting to leave on its next exotic adventure. This is not what Carl found when he arrived in Georgetown. This Hinckley had been covered for some 2½ years; paint was blistered on the top bow. Carl was surprised at the condition. After inspection, the brokers began negotiations. This went on for several days, all along, Carl was never allowed to speak directly with the owner. This fueled added stress by having someone else relaying your questions and waiting on your answers to return.

Home Sweet Home

With negotiations complete, Carl was now the new owner of the 1974 Hinckley. His next move was to get the boat into the water and begin sailing it back to and through the Gulf of Mexico, where it’s new home would be the Fly Creek Marina. The Hinckley was not fitted with a modern navigation system. In fact, Carl began his journey home, sailing by his cellphone. He had parts shipped to various marinas along the way, where he would do his repairs or installations for the next leg of his journey home. Rather than sail directly down the Atlantic coast, Carl followed the Intra-Coastal Water Ways until he felt secure with his new found treasure. After some 2 months he had sailed around the Florida Keys and entered into the Gulf of Mexico. Carl brought his new Hinckley into Port on the south side of Tampa for a little R&R. Leaving to head towards Alabama, He had reached some 80 Nautical Miles out when he got word of a severe storm heading his way. The Hinckley still missing equipment, Carl decided to return the 80 miles for safety and spent the night in Tampa until all was clear.

Finishing Touches

After arriving back home in November of 2014, Carl has replaced most of the wiring, installed a top of the line Garmin Navigation System, replaced all the sails, repaired dings on the outer hull, installed all new stainless steel rigging and cleaned and repainted the top side decking. The last project was to install a new covering over the cockpit.

On Saturday, September 26^th, 2015 we were able to take the CV-Curriculum Vitae, out into the open waters of Mobile Bay and test the brand new sails. Carl’s crew consisted of Bobby R., Stephanie M. and Hermine B-G. My wife, Ginnie and I were invited to tag along for a leisurely sail across Mobile Bay. Captain Carl explained everything that was happening. He was continually teaching his motley grew why this was this and that was that. We learned the aerodynamics of the wind across the sails. We learned how to listen for the wind and feel the winds direction on our faces while listening with our ears. All accompanied by many exciting sailing tales from his past.

Stephanie, Bobby and Hermine raising Sails

‘Captain Kahaos walked about the boat making sure everything was working as planned while each of us put our hand to the wheel, while feeling bigger than Captain Nemo, as we guided this majestic piece of nautical art through the waters of Mobile Bay.

Touch up Painting

Bobby Guiding us out of the Harbor

We made it back to our boat slip at the dock. The CV is all tied up and in its place. The Captain has taken note of what is needed for his first trip since arriving at Fly Creek a year earlier. The countdown has begun. ‘Captain Kahaos will be leaving on a shakedown cruise in about 10 days before returning and preparing for the next real adventure; for Carl and the Hinckley Bermuda will be heading out to destinations only the Captain knows.

As the Wind blows

My Wife Ginnie Sailing a 40 Ft. Hinckley Bermuda Yawl

All Ahead...Full Sails

New Cockpit Cover being installed

Captain Carl "Kahaos" Black at the Helm

Testing the Engine

I will never forget this day as I had only sailed u
pon a small Sun Fish sailboat in St. Andrew Bay, in Panama City, Florida, some 30 years earlier. Maybe sailing is in the near future for Ginnie and I? If so, I will always be very grateful to Captain Carl “Kahaos” Black and his 40 Ft. 1974 Hinckley Bermuda Yawl for giving me, and sharing with me, this adventure to remember.

Port of Call...Fly Creek Marina
Fairhope, Alabama