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.”