Voyaging with Marionette by Ron Breault

The book is about Ron's 25 years with his 1960 Sparkman & Stephens designed Dolphin 24 named Marionette. She had been donated to the Connecticut River Museum, having been out of the water for over 10 years. Having retired early from the ‘game,’ Ron looked forward to restoring this lovely but neglected boat for single-handed daysailing, overnighting from Niantic to places like Stonington, Fishers Island, and  Block Island, and occasional racing. He did not realize at the time, he had signed on for a long term relationship with this very special 'lady' that would take him on voyages not imagined.  In his words, “…she had a fascinating history, loved compliments, loved racing, especially in light air, and loved taking me for rides, especially to Maine, where pretty boats have a special place.”

One of Ron’s goals in writing this book was to create an informal conversational narrative akin to sailors swapping boat stories over a couple of pints at a favorite pub, and he succeeded. He details the restoration process, the construction of Marionette’s barn and her wooden dinghy ‘TEER, starting a Dolphin 24 Class website, attending the S&S 75th Anniversary celebration at Mystic Seaport, success in winning Off Sounding Regattas, international awards from the Sparkman & Stephens Association, and cruising Downeast to Maine. 

Voyaging with Marionette is beautifully illustrated with lots and lots of photographs.

About the Author

Ron Breault lives in Old Lyme, CT, is a member of the Niantic Bay Yacht Club in Niantic, CT (past Commodore), Off Soundings Club (past Treasurer), Eastern Connecticut Sailing Association (past Juniors Chair), and past U.S President of the International 420 Class Association. He is also webmaster of the Dolphin 24 Class website, which can be found at Dolphin24.org.