(STAFF PHOTOS: BOB BIELK)Author Gary
Jobson of Annapolis, Md., talks about the book
he recently co-wrote with Roy Wilkins of Island
Heights, "A Cats: A Century of Tradition" at a
reception at Ocean County College in Dover
Township on Saturday.
Jobson of Annapolis, Md., talks about the book
he recently co-wrote with Roy Wilkins of Island
Heights, "A Cats: A Century of Tradition" at a
reception at Ocean County College in Dover
Township on Saturday.
Authors Gary Jobson of Annapolis, Md., and
Roy Wilkins of Island Heights pose for a photo
with Nelson Hartranft of Ocean Gate, to whom
the book is dedicated, and Peter Kellogg, a
Bay Head sailor who sponsored the book.
Roy Wilkins of Island Heights pose for a photo
with Nelson Hartranft of Ocean Gate, to whom
the book is dedicated, and Peter Kellogg, a
Bay Head sailor who sponsored the book.
Book on Barnegat Bay boats sets sail
Authors launch book on A-cats, unique to region
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 12/12/05
BY MARGARET F. BONAFIDEAND KIRK MOORE
TOMS RIVER BUREAU DOVER TOWNSHIP —
The Ocean County College gymnasium was transformed into a reception room Saturday for 700 guests who came
for a book signing of "A Cats: A Century of Tradition." Authors Gary Jobson of Annapolis, Md., and Roy Wilkins of
Island Heights were at the reception along with a long list of who's who in the sailing community. The book, which
"tells the story of a class of wooden catboats unique to Barnegat Bay," according to the Nomad Press Web site,
sold for $49.95 and was autographed by the authors and other prominent members of the A-cat community. All
proceeds from book sales will benefit the OCC sailing program, Jobson said Saturday. Jobson and Wilkins credit the
idea for the book to Peter Kellogg, a Barnegat Bay sailor and A-cat patron who has owned classic and newly built
examples and supported other A-cat projects. Kellogg helped support the book project. Both Jobson and Wilkins
are well known among sailors. Jobson, who learned to sail on the Toms River, was Ted Turner's tactician during his
1977 America's Cup win, and has had a nearly 30-year career as a sailing writer, teacher and television
commentator. "This is not a history book, although it has facts in it," Wilkins said. "It's not about the lives of people,
it's about the lives of these catboats." Wilkins is the intercollegiate sailing coach for Ocean County College and
Monmouth University, and former sailing coach for the New Jersey Special Olympics. He's been captain of the A-cat
fleet for more than a decade and is co-owner of Spy II, the five-year-old namesake of the original Spy now on
display at the Toms River Seaport Society's Hankins Museum in Lavallette. "Peter said in an off-hand way, "Why
don't you do a book about A-cats?' " said Jobson, an author of 14 previous books on sailing. "I think he thought of it
as a kind of high school yearbook." Kellogg was indeed thinking of a coffee-table book of images, said Wilkins, who
collected and edited about 3,000 photographs and other artwork for the book. "The most difficult part was IDing the
people" in the photographs, many of whom had their backs turned to the camera, Wilkins said. The project was
delayed for a year as Jobson battled lymphoma with chemotherapy and stem-cell treatment, and the authors strted
once he had begun to recover in late 2004. As Jobson began telephone interviews with their sources, the project
grew into more of an oral history of the A-cats and their sailors. A sailing journalist and ESPN sports commentator,
Jobson said he learned "the touchdown is exciting, but the most interesting thing is talking to the competitors. What I
learned is the A-cats connect the generations. As a group, the owners are friendly — I wouldn't exactly call them a
fraternity — and they're incredibly competitive. The A-cat kind of personifies human nature." Barnegat Bay was one
of the earliest places for competitive yacht racing in America and the birthplace of the A-cat, said Jobson, 55, who
learned to sail on the Toms River before going on to a professional career that included America's Cup races and
coaching midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. The first Toms River Challenge Cup was held in 1871 — just one
year after the first America's Cup — and opened to sailboat owners from Bay Head to Tuckerton, Jobson writes. "It
is the oldest continuously held sailing event in America," Jobson said. "They had the trophy, a silver cup, made at
Tiffany's in New York for $175, which was an enormous sum at the time." In 1922 Judge Charles McKeehan of
Philadelphia hired Charles D. Mower, a well-known boat designer, to design a new boat specifically to win the Toms
River cup. Mower's design became the Mary Ann, a 28-foot hull based on the traditional East Coast catboat lines. In
place of the gaff-rigged catboat sail, the first A-cat was soon equipped with a powerful Marconi rig, a tall triangular
sail on a 46-foot tall mast and sweeping 28-foot boom at its foot. After Mary Ann swept the race in July 1922, other
racers started having their own versions built. The seven-boat fleet became a familiar sight during the 1920s, but
the Great Depression put a damper on the race scene and no more A-cats were built. "I grew up admiring the
boats," Jobson recalled. "Usually my view was from an E Scow or a Penguin (small open boats used by young
sailors). They looked huge." Attrition reduced the fleet to four boats by the 1970s, when Toms River sailor Nelson
R. Hartranft began to rescue the survivors, repair them, and pass them on to fellow enthusiasts at modest prices,
Jobson wrote. Hartranft took another critical step when he approached Lachlan "Lolly" Beaton at the David Beaton
& Sons boatworks in Brick about building the first new A-cat in 55 years. Beaton was hesitant to work without
original drawings from the A-cat period, but then Hartranft learned about a set of plans for the 1924 A-cat Tamwock
that a boatyard worker had found in a Route 9 antique shop in Beachwood. The arrival of Wasp in 1980 electrified
the Barnegat sailing scene and attracted attention from wooden boat enthusiasts all over the East Coast. More new
boats were built into the early years of this decade at Beaton's and the Philadelphia Maritime Museum, and the fleet
has expanded to a dozen boats. "I realized," Jobson said, "that this is the golden age."
Authors launch book on A-cats, unique to region
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 12/12/05
BY MARGARET F. BONAFIDEAND KIRK MOORE
TOMS RIVER BUREAU DOVER TOWNSHIP —
The Ocean County College gymnasium was transformed into a reception room Saturday for 700 guests who came
for a book signing of "A Cats: A Century of Tradition." Authors Gary Jobson of Annapolis, Md., and Roy Wilkins of
Island Heights were at the reception along with a long list of who's who in the sailing community. The book, which
"tells the story of a class of wooden catboats unique to Barnegat Bay," according to the Nomad Press Web site,
sold for $49.95 and was autographed by the authors and other prominent members of the A-cat community. All
proceeds from book sales will benefit the OCC sailing program, Jobson said Saturday. Jobson and Wilkins credit the
idea for the book to Peter Kellogg, a Barnegat Bay sailor and A-cat patron who has owned classic and newly built
examples and supported other A-cat projects. Kellogg helped support the book project. Both Jobson and Wilkins
are well known among sailors. Jobson, who learned to sail on the Toms River, was Ted Turner's tactician during his
1977 America's Cup win, and has had a nearly 30-year career as a sailing writer, teacher and television
commentator. "This is not a history book, although it has facts in it," Wilkins said. "It's not about the lives of people,
it's about the lives of these catboats." Wilkins is the intercollegiate sailing coach for Ocean County College and
Monmouth University, and former sailing coach for the New Jersey Special Olympics. He's been captain of the A-cat
fleet for more than a decade and is co-owner of Spy II, the five-year-old namesake of the original Spy now on
display at the Toms River Seaport Society's Hankins Museum in Lavallette. "Peter said in an off-hand way, "Why
don't you do a book about A-cats?' " said Jobson, an author of 14 previous books on sailing. "I think he thought of it
as a kind of high school yearbook." Kellogg was indeed thinking of a coffee-table book of images, said Wilkins, who
collected and edited about 3,000 photographs and other artwork for the book. "The most difficult part was IDing the
people" in the photographs, many of whom had their backs turned to the camera, Wilkins said. The project was
delayed for a year as Jobson battled lymphoma with chemotherapy and stem-cell treatment, and the authors strted
once he had begun to recover in late 2004. As Jobson began telephone interviews with their sources, the project
grew into more of an oral history of the A-cats and their sailors. A sailing journalist and ESPN sports commentator,
Jobson said he learned "the touchdown is exciting, but the most interesting thing is talking to the competitors. What I
learned is the A-cats connect the generations. As a group, the owners are friendly — I wouldn't exactly call them a
fraternity — and they're incredibly competitive. The A-cat kind of personifies human nature." Barnegat Bay was one
of the earliest places for competitive yacht racing in America and the birthplace of the A-cat, said Jobson, 55, who
learned to sail on the Toms River before going on to a professional career that included America's Cup races and
coaching midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. The first Toms River Challenge Cup was held in 1871 — just one
year after the first America's Cup — and opened to sailboat owners from Bay Head to Tuckerton, Jobson writes. "It
is the oldest continuously held sailing event in America," Jobson said. "They had the trophy, a silver cup, made at
Tiffany's in New York for $175, which was an enormous sum at the time." In 1922 Judge Charles McKeehan of
Philadelphia hired Charles D. Mower, a well-known boat designer, to design a new boat specifically to win the Toms
River cup. Mower's design became the Mary Ann, a 28-foot hull based on the traditional East Coast catboat lines. In
place of the gaff-rigged catboat sail, the first A-cat was soon equipped with a powerful Marconi rig, a tall triangular
sail on a 46-foot tall mast and sweeping 28-foot boom at its foot. After Mary Ann swept the race in July 1922, other
racers started having their own versions built. The seven-boat fleet became a familiar sight during the 1920s, but
the Great Depression put a damper on the race scene and no more A-cats were built. "I grew up admiring the
boats," Jobson recalled. "Usually my view was from an E Scow or a Penguin (small open boats used by young
sailors). They looked huge." Attrition reduced the fleet to four boats by the 1970s, when Toms River sailor Nelson
R. Hartranft began to rescue the survivors, repair them, and pass them on to fellow enthusiasts at modest prices,
Jobson wrote. Hartranft took another critical step when he approached Lachlan "Lolly" Beaton at the David Beaton
& Sons boatworks in Brick about building the first new A-cat in 55 years. Beaton was hesitant to work without
original drawings from the A-cat period, but then Hartranft learned about a set of plans for the 1924 A-cat Tamwock
that a boatyard worker had found in a Route 9 antique shop in Beachwood. The arrival of Wasp in 1980 electrified
the Barnegat sailing scene and attracted attention from wooden boat enthusiasts all over the East Coast. More new
boats were built into the early years of this decade at Beaton's and the Philadelphia Maritime Museum, and the fleet
has expanded to a dozen boats. "I realized," Jobson said, "that this is the golden age."
LOVE, LEGEND OF SAILING PUT INTO WORDS:
"A Cat" authors detail the impact, beauty of the boat
Published in the Ocean County Observer 12/11/05
By CAROLYNNE VANHOUTEN
Staff Writer
Roy Wilkins and Gary Jobson on Wednesday signed about 1,000 copies of "A Cats: A Century of Tradition" in
anticipation of the launch of their book, christened yesterday at Ocean County College.
TOMS RIVER — Roy Wilkins told lively stories of sailing on the Barnegat Bay as he unpacked carton after
carton of the new book he co-authored with Gary Jobson. "A Cats: A Century of Tradition" is the story of the
class of sailboat that has sailed, raced and graced Barnegat Bay for nearly a century.
The book itself is substantial — much like the A Cat itself — beautiful in design and thorough in content. But
Wilkins, the intercollegiate sailing coach at both Ocean County College, Toms River, and Monmouth University,
West Long Branch, is so experienced in handling an A Cat that hoisting the cargo of books didn't pose much of
a problem.
Jobson and Wilkins set aside some time on Wednesday to sign about 1,000 copies of "A Cats" in anticipation of
the launch of their book, christened yesterday at Ocean County College. The event was hosted by Peter
Kellogg, sailing enthusiast, inspiration for the A Cat book and No. 231 on the Forbes list of the world's richest
people.
Originally, Kellogg hoped to compile a pictorial overview of the A Cat, plotting the course of its progression since
it entered Barnegat Bay as a cargo ship. But as the authors became more deeply immersed in the project, they
discovered the special affinity that continues to draw A Cat sailors back into its waters with equal zeal, year after
year and generation after generation.
"Peter approached me about adding some commentary to a book about the A Cat and how it relates to the
history of the Jersey Shore," Jobson said. "And I said something to the effect that it sounded like a worthy project
— and certainly something well-worth considering.
"And, just informally, I jotted down a paragraph or two on a scrap of paper and put it on the back of my desk.
And about a week later, Peter called me up to ask me how the book was coming along."
Jobson and Wilkins combined their sailing skills with their love of Barnegat Bay to form an impressive
collaboration. Jobson, a former Toms River resident, has sailed the world over and was part of the crew that won
the America's Cup in 1977. He has enjoyed a long stint as an ESPN sailing commentator and he is a sought-
after authority on the topic of sailing. But although he has traversed just about every latitude and longitude of
the Earth's surface, he stills retains fond memories he has of the time he spent sailing in local waters.
Jobson describes Wilkins, of Island Heights, as someone who "lives and breathes sailing," which is no
understatement when you consider that Wilkins' daughter was married onboard the Spy — with full maritime
honors that included a starting gun and a fully decorated mast.
Together, the authors have formed a very yar collaboration, with Jobson the introspective Melville to Wilkins'
more animated "Old Salt" persona.
Originally, the "A Cats" project was intended as more of a coffee table book or a high school yearbook. But as
Wilkins took on the responsibilities of collecting photographs and recording race results, Jobson became
enchanted by the stories told by local A Cat sailors, and the book itself took on greater scope and significance.
Wilkins gathered more than 3,000 photographs of A Cat boats, collected from libraries, maritime historical
records and even old pictures housed in the attics of local sailors. When the authors recognized the unusually
high concentration of sailing clubs within the short span of Barnegat Bay, they decided to devote a chapter to
each of the clubs represented in the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association as part of the A-Cat's legend and
heritage.
"By nature, yacht clubs are tribal," Jobson writes. "I was intrigued to see Virginia Perle's fabulous watercolor
paintings depicting the yacht clubs of Barnegat Bay. What an eclectic collection of architectural gems. Every
club has its own personality. Members feel comfortable at their own clubs, and, not surprisingly, rivalries develop
on the race course...Everyone knows that friendly rivalries are healthy, competition promotes excellence, and
clubs learn from each other. This is what makes these yacht clubs great."
"When Gary and I first met, we had all of these photos all over the table — some that had been sitting in the
back of desk drawers and in photo albums," Wilkins said. "But I didn't want to just show photographs of a boat on
the water. I wanted photos with "pop' — pictures that tell the story of what it's like to sail an A-Cat. So we
narrowed it down from there. It wasn't an easy project but it's a book locals should enjoy because so many of
them are actually in it."
Although at one point, Jobson had to undergo treatment for leukemia, he remained devoted to the book project.
As accomplished a sailor as he is, Jobson had never ventured into the hull of a restored A Cat prior to writing
the book.
"My perspective an A Cat had always been from a E-Scow or a Penguin," he said. "So I relished the opportunity
to revisit Barnegat Bay from the vantage point of an A-Cat. It's an amazing boat with an amazing history. A Cats
were built to transport cargo in the choppy waters of Barnegat Bay. Merchants wanted a sturdy boat that could
carry cargo at a steady pace. And the A Cat could cut across choppy waters in any kind of wind. But what is also
very interesting is that A Cats began sailing on the bay in 1871 — just one year after the America's Cup sailed in
New York Harbor. So, to me, it was inevitable that the A Cats would also become racing boats.
"The A Cat transcends time," Jobson added. "And in a way they also personify human nature. People are
friendly but they also have competitive spirits. Everybody has an innate desire to win."
"This is not a history book," Wilkins said. "It's more about the lives of these Cat boats. If you were to run a
marathon, you'd probably be asked how you did in the race. But with A Cats, it's always the boat that wins the
race. People will ask: "Which boat came in first?' "
The authors also said that in researching the book, they were not only impressed, but touched really, by the A
Cat's ability to link generations.
"After talking with lots of Barnegat Bay sailors, I realize that the golden age of A Cat sailing is taking place during
our lifetime," Jobson writes. "Who better than the owners and crews themselves to tell this story? It was most
enjoyable to lob a question and sit back and listen as the stories of the sailors just spilled out into my tape
machine....It makes me smile thinking about all the pride generated by these magnificent, single-sail boats. The
fleet is certainly competitive and winning is important, but just being part of the fleet is an honor."
"A Cats: A Century of Tradition" is available through Nomad Press (www.nomadpress.net).
Published on December 11, 2005, in the Ocean County Observer
"A Cat" authors detail the impact, beauty of the boat
Published in the Ocean County Observer 12/11/05
By CAROLYNNE VANHOUTEN
Staff Writer
Roy Wilkins and Gary Jobson on Wednesday signed about 1,000 copies of "A Cats: A Century of Tradition" in
anticipation of the launch of their book, christened yesterday at Ocean County College.
TOMS RIVER — Roy Wilkins told lively stories of sailing on the Barnegat Bay as he unpacked carton after
carton of the new book he co-authored with Gary Jobson. "A Cats: A Century of Tradition" is the story of the
class of sailboat that has sailed, raced and graced Barnegat Bay for nearly a century.
The book itself is substantial — much like the A Cat itself — beautiful in design and thorough in content. But
Wilkins, the intercollegiate sailing coach at both Ocean County College, Toms River, and Monmouth University,
West Long Branch, is so experienced in handling an A Cat that hoisting the cargo of books didn't pose much of
a problem.
Jobson and Wilkins set aside some time on Wednesday to sign about 1,000 copies of "A Cats" in anticipation of
the launch of their book, christened yesterday at Ocean County College. The event was hosted by Peter
Kellogg, sailing enthusiast, inspiration for the A Cat book and No. 231 on the Forbes list of the world's richest
people.
Originally, Kellogg hoped to compile a pictorial overview of the A Cat, plotting the course of its progression since
it entered Barnegat Bay as a cargo ship. But as the authors became more deeply immersed in the project, they
discovered the special affinity that continues to draw A Cat sailors back into its waters with equal zeal, year after
year and generation after generation.
"Peter approached me about adding some commentary to a book about the A Cat and how it relates to the
history of the Jersey Shore," Jobson said. "And I said something to the effect that it sounded like a worthy project
— and certainly something well-worth considering.
"And, just informally, I jotted down a paragraph or two on a scrap of paper and put it on the back of my desk.
And about a week later, Peter called me up to ask me how the book was coming along."
Jobson and Wilkins combined their sailing skills with their love of Barnegat Bay to form an impressive
collaboration. Jobson, a former Toms River resident, has sailed the world over and was part of the crew that won
the America's Cup in 1977. He has enjoyed a long stint as an ESPN sailing commentator and he is a sought-
after authority on the topic of sailing. But although he has traversed just about every latitude and longitude of
the Earth's surface, he stills retains fond memories he has of the time he spent sailing in local waters.
Jobson describes Wilkins, of Island Heights, as someone who "lives and breathes sailing," which is no
understatement when you consider that Wilkins' daughter was married onboard the Spy — with full maritime
honors that included a starting gun and a fully decorated mast.
Together, the authors have formed a very yar collaboration, with Jobson the introspective Melville to Wilkins'
more animated "Old Salt" persona.
Originally, the "A Cats" project was intended as more of a coffee table book or a high school yearbook. But as
Wilkins took on the responsibilities of collecting photographs and recording race results, Jobson became
enchanted by the stories told by local A Cat sailors, and the book itself took on greater scope and significance.
Wilkins gathered more than 3,000 photographs of A Cat boats, collected from libraries, maritime historical
records and even old pictures housed in the attics of local sailors. When the authors recognized the unusually
high concentration of sailing clubs within the short span of Barnegat Bay, they decided to devote a chapter to
each of the clubs represented in the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association as part of the A-Cat's legend and
heritage.
"By nature, yacht clubs are tribal," Jobson writes. "I was intrigued to see Virginia Perle's fabulous watercolor
paintings depicting the yacht clubs of Barnegat Bay. What an eclectic collection of architectural gems. Every
club has its own personality. Members feel comfortable at their own clubs, and, not surprisingly, rivalries develop
on the race course...Everyone knows that friendly rivalries are healthy, competition promotes excellence, and
clubs learn from each other. This is what makes these yacht clubs great."
"When Gary and I first met, we had all of these photos all over the table — some that had been sitting in the
back of desk drawers and in photo albums," Wilkins said. "But I didn't want to just show photographs of a boat on
the water. I wanted photos with "pop' — pictures that tell the story of what it's like to sail an A-Cat. So we
narrowed it down from there. It wasn't an easy project but it's a book locals should enjoy because so many of
them are actually in it."
Although at one point, Jobson had to undergo treatment for leukemia, he remained devoted to the book project.
As accomplished a sailor as he is, Jobson had never ventured into the hull of a restored A Cat prior to writing
the book.
"My perspective an A Cat had always been from a E-Scow or a Penguin," he said. "So I relished the opportunity
to revisit Barnegat Bay from the vantage point of an A-Cat. It's an amazing boat with an amazing history. A Cats
were built to transport cargo in the choppy waters of Barnegat Bay. Merchants wanted a sturdy boat that could
carry cargo at a steady pace. And the A Cat could cut across choppy waters in any kind of wind. But what is also
very interesting is that A Cats began sailing on the bay in 1871 — just one year after the America's Cup sailed in
New York Harbor. So, to me, it was inevitable that the A Cats would also become racing boats.
"The A Cat transcends time," Jobson added. "And in a way they also personify human nature. People are
friendly but they also have competitive spirits. Everybody has an innate desire to win."
"This is not a history book," Wilkins said. "It's more about the lives of these Cat boats. If you were to run a
marathon, you'd probably be asked how you did in the race. But with A Cats, it's always the boat that wins the
race. People will ask: "Which boat came in first?' "
The authors also said that in researching the book, they were not only impressed, but touched really, by the A
Cat's ability to link generations.
"After talking with lots of Barnegat Bay sailors, I realize that the golden age of A Cat sailing is taking place during
our lifetime," Jobson writes. "Who better than the owners and crews themselves to tell this story? It was most
enjoyable to lob a question and sit back and listen as the stories of the sailors just spilled out into my tape
machine....It makes me smile thinking about all the pride generated by these magnificent, single-sail boats. The
fleet is certainly competitive and winning is important, but just being part of the fleet is an honor."
"A Cats: A Century of Tradition" is available through Nomad Press (www.nomadpress.net).
Published on December 11, 2005, in the Ocean County Observer
