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The "Magic"

Behind the "Magic"

I saw the "mini-schooner" Magic for the very first time at the outer dock of Barber's Basin Marina (Salem River), on a stop I made day on my first "long" trip with "Pájaro" (Virginia - NYC passage).

During my years as a kid in Barcelona, on my way to school from 184 Valencia Street on my way to the Gracia neighborhood I used to walk every day (while connecting buses) by two of the many universal masterpieces from the catalonian arquitectural genious, Antonio Gaudí.

First the bus stopped at Paseo de Gracia, La Pedrera, and then right on the side of the school "Casa Vicencs". Because I saw them on a daily basis, I took those buildings "aliveness" for granted, compared with the rest of the "inert" street buildings. These buildings were breathing, like trees. Their shapes were "organic," shaped to nature.

What I'm trying to express is that, the first time I set my eyes on "Magic,” I was brought somehow back to the bus stop on the way to school. There on the water was that organic thing (not a boat, not a tree) marrying "life to moment," and breathing with us...

The floating work of art spoke by herself and after some inquiries about her skipper, I knew I was about to meet with a one of a kind character.

A "small-ville" phenomenon called Ted Simpkins...

As a kid, reading Jules Verne’s’ "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and being much impressed with Captain Nemo's submarine, the mighty "Nautilus," a young Ted Simpkins took enough notes to start to conceive his own floating dream: the schooner "Magic".

You only need to visit his little library room at Ted's mother’s house to find there, hanging on the wall, among dozens of boat design and construction books and other nautical paraphernalia, a graceful replica of this adventurous submarine made by Ted as a teenager out of copper laminate and executed in minute detail.

Ted Simpkins is not just anybody. Always humble, hidden in his impeccable blue uniform of the Salem Water Department where he has worked as chief machinist for many years, he has earned not only the total respect and admiration of his work colleagues but also the admiration of all of the entire Salem little village and sailing community including the sporadic visitors, such as myself when I met him a few years ago while upgrading Pájaro.

Blessed by nature with a precise working brain and gifted with a great pair of skilled working hands, Ted shows a complete grasp on all technical areas and materials (he has a degree as a technical engineer). After watching him work I honestly believe he is capable of performing or guiding one (as he did with me) on almost any type of monumental task, no matter how big the mountain to be moved is, once he set his eyes on it. A kind of "superhuman".

This, of course, gets dramatic when it has anything to do with sailing craft. He'll gently brush his moustache and after some seconds of reflection squeezing his eyelids behind his aviator dark green glasses, (seconds which for the rest of us will seem an eternity) the silence will be then broken when some genius will come out of his mouth or his pencil and make you think: why didn't I think of that?...

Other proofs of his engineering skills can be found all around his mother's house. From the cat feeding system, the air conditioning, the fridge handle, the trailer for his boat, to the latest new "super-Magic shed" in his backyard.

And those nautical cathedrals...

These "gothic boat sheds", which Ted designed, constructed, and perfected over the years with natural ventilation and other marvels, are an extra rare example of this singular creator.

One good night I came back from work after the winter of 2007, on the last bus, after several months overseas, with a backpack full of tools and a heavy sleeping bag, ready to get inside Pájaro and to start working on some extensive refits I had planned the next morning.

Once at the marina (I arrived at night) I was so amazed I almost could not breathe when I saw Pájaro well sheltered under one of these magnificent pieces. I guess he could not resist covering my boat either. What an extraordinary surprise that was (not only to see Pájaro so well taken care, but mostly because, I simply can't recall being blessed with such a rare degree of human generosity, outside my own family. Real affectionate friendship is my answer. Angel on earth is perhaps my other answer.)

The shed Ted built over Pájaro during my leave endured near hurricane force winter winds. (Funny that these handsome buildings are made with simple and everyday materials and within everyone’s budget at the "Home Depot"). I had the opportunity to admire and study my shed over many days and nights. Lying under it and seeing the skeleton through the moonlight, my amazement grew on. I had the pleasure of disassembling it and studying it even closer.

As Teddy used to say to me many times, for most applications, "a curve is much stronger than a square angle." Makes sense. The curve is the axis that holds together the concept of his shed. (Try to come up with something as simple as that!) And not the least of which you can build them "single-handedly" from the deck of your boat as a support (a separate article on them to come).

For my part, not unlike Antoni Gaudí and other heroes, I see Teddy as the "true American craftsman" in the finest sense. Not only a superior spirited being, but also possessing a ferocious discipline to serve all those under his wing. He's truly a new age Renaissance man. A rare human form in these days of general indifference. (I never heard him curse or complain even once since I’ve met him!). He represents greatness.

It is because of men and women like him that the proud, hard working "America" has become respected as the leading nation to follow when it comes to do great projects and practical things. Be it sending craft to the outer space, making "Golden Gate" bridges, or resolving heavy-duty problems efficiently as only they know how...

And the saga goes on, fortunately.

Nonetheless, this same site you are reading right now is possible thanks to the HTML skills of a 24 year old talented freak from Newark, Delaware. Although he holds a degree in Computer Science, Andy prefers to escape the "herd" playing drums professionally (and quite tastefully) onboard cruise ships spinning around the planet. (I don't blame him.)

About "Magic”

What the eyes are for the soul, Magic is for Teddy. More than any other thing he has built during the last several years, the boat is what defines best his own essence and makes him immortal. (As once I pointed out to him, the boat will survive him for centuries.) Every joint and piece of matter that forms the boat bears his mark. Executed with much artistic liberty, the boat reveals a highly elevated spirit in search of beauty. Magic is in love with Teddy and Teddy is in love with his boat, a link as strong as Bernard for "Joshua" and Joshua for "Spray".

Her construction began in 1979 and if you ask Ted, he'll say it's still underway. The hull construction method was upside-down (cold molded) mahogany planks. He built her himself with no extra help. Every bit of the boat, with few exceptions (the winches, engine Sabb 9 HP, sails, furlers and other equipment) have been designed, made and installed with his own hands. For example, the lead for her ballast was melted using a bonfire and a bathtub in his backyard!

Magic specs:

LWL = 24 ft
Beam = 9 ft
Draft = 4 ft (board up), 7 1/2 ft (board down)
Displacement = 12,000 lb.
Ballast = 4,000 lb.
Mast height = 38 ft.

Some of the woods used:

Mahogany for the hull and general framing
Teak for deck and hatches
Spruce for the spares
Ash and cedar for the deck beams
Rosewood for the transom

Here comes a selection of pictures taken by his beloved niece and good personal friend of mine Melissa Powell.

Mrs. Powell, with her feet well on the ground and without her knowing it, as usually happens with unique women, was for me a source of invaluable moral support, encouraging my idea of going to sea in moments of personal uncertainty. Our little dinghy escapade with the breeze together that spring afternoon still floats very fresh in my memories. It will not be the last.. ;)

Salem Friends

Some of the life-long friends I made during the time I spent in Salem, NJ. Their genuine kindness, hospitality, and generosity they all shared with me will never be forgotten.

Mr.Teddy Simpkins, for his super-human patience,goodness,generosity and unassumed knowledge (bigger than the Atlantic Ocean).Not to mention his daily fresh vegetables deliveries from the nearby farms hanging near my boat at the daybreak, cookies, delicious crabcakes dinners and many hours spent with this crazy Spaniard. His memory will float aboard Pajaro and with myself forever.

Friends of Pájaro

The beautiful Antal family (ex-Hummingbird owners), with (front to back) Ryan, Shannon, Megan and Michael sailing onboard with us the very first day in Yorktown, Virginia. Their hospitality and friendliness is still kept onboard.

Sailor's Showcase

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