Our Ted Hood custom designed whale bottom-centerboarder, SWEETWATER, was down at Ted's yard a few years back. He came over, along with Ted Jr. and initiated a long conversation His first words were "I built her for that cranky old Doctor in NorthEast Harbor". He then explained why he partnered with Henry Hinckley to build the Hinckley 43, and then modeled our boat after that design. After about 45 minutes, his wife came down and said that they were late.
He kept on talking though, about SWEETWATER's design characteristics, sailing ability, input from Deiter Empacher on the hull shape etc. I remember that conversation virtually word for word. He was a very gracious, articulate man who loved talking about boats...to a perfect stranger...