A True Yachtsman Leaves Us
A True Yachtsman Leaves Us
Beattie Purcell , a master at building and racing sailboats passed away in January . Pat Tye interviewed Beattie for the Letter Log in 2012 and her article has been edited for this issue . A reception , followed by a flotilla was held at the Club honoring this world renowned yachtsman .
Every place is said to have a little bit of magic , and everyone to have a little bit of luck . The Fort Walton Yacht Club has had both in the person of Beattie Purcell . This diminutive Irishman was lucky in so many ways . Despite heartbreaking personal losses , his beloved wife , Maire , and son , Gary , Beattie still had a magical twinkle when he told a good story . He lived through some of the most fascinating times in the boating world . He was on the forefront of the development and refinement of the fiberglass method of boat construction , playing an integral part in the successful launch of the Catalina Yacht line . In retirement , he designed and built works of art , in his Shamrock line of remote controlled sailboats .
Fort Walton Yacht Club ’ s own leprechaun began his life in Belfast , Northern Ireland over 91 years ago . His father , an experienced boat builder , made Beattie ’ s first boat . It was a 9 foot pram and given to him when he was 12 years old . His uncle Jack introduced him to small boat racing at a young age . Over the years , Beattie built several of his own boats and honed his sailing skills to the point of winning numerous championships . Among his racing accomplishments were National Championships in Snipe , GP 14 , and Catalina 22 classes . In short , Beattie knew boats and how to race boats .
Luck had to be in the cards when Beattie had the opportunity to move from his Irish homeland to Vancouver , BC , and work in the boating industry there . The Ca- nadian job became a dead-end career , but his luck was still going strong . His cousin , whom Beattie had taught to sail , was living in southern California . His cousin told a boat works owner in Los Angeles about his talented Irish cousin . This led to Beattie meet- ing Frank Butler , founder and president of Catalina Yachts , who was in the early stages of developing a new line of boats in a new method of construction . Beattie was asked to join the team in building the newly designed
Catalina 22 , the first and longest running Catalina model , with a revolutionary fiberglass hull . He proved himself to be as talented at getting the boats to market as he was at racing . Beattie and his family moved to South Caro- lina and he opened a plant there . Later he was asked to scout locations for a Florida site in Fort Walton Beach . Beattie claimed it was love at first sight when he flew over Choctawhatchee Bay and saw the town . He never looked back . He was a major part of the local operation until it moved to Largo for a larger facility . He moved with the plant , but his family remained in Fort Walton Beach . He returned to the area for good upon retirement from Catalina in 1984 .
Beattie retired , but remained very active in the racing scene . He added to his collection of titles and trophies and proved that age isn ’ t necessarily a limiting factor to one with skill and determination . There are two trophies at FWYC that are named in honor of Beattie . The annual Catalina 22 Regatta trophy usually awarded to the fleet winner at the Bowlegs Regatta each year , and the Purcell Cup which is awarded to the county championship high school sailing team . In addition to these , Beattie ’ s talents have been publicly recognized and recorded in several national and local publications .
With some extra time on his hands , Beattie threw himself in earnest into a new boat design and build project . He took a classic boat from his native Ireland and recreated it on a smaller scale . Beattie created true works of art in each of his Shamrock Class radio controlled sailboats . There are organized regattas several times a year to allow their proud owners to show off the masterpieces in action .
Being of a very generous nature , Beattie has been more than willing to share his passion for sailing and
14 racing with others . He freely offered racing and general boat handling tips for those who ask . Beattie is quoted as saying , “ I can teach any boy or girl to sail , and any adult if they will listen .”