Bryan and Robin Lanier

Boat Name: Bonney Rose
2000 Cardinal Buccaneer
Sail Number 5209

I bought my first Buccaneer 18 the Spring of 1999. I also took my first sailing lessons that same spring. Hope Floats was a 1982 Starwind and about eighty pounds overweight. We sailed her at Deep Creek Lake in the panhandle of Maryland where we had a vacation house deep in a protected cove. Going out was always a tack, usually at least 45 minutes to get out to lake's main body. Robin and kids decided that the tacking every two seconds was not for them. I finally relented and brought Hope home to sail in the Potomac.

A year and a half ago I sold Hope (a painful experience) and bought Bonney. She is a trim 501 pounds. I saw her at the Nationals at Ware River, VA. After a little haggling I bought her from Harry Sindle and brought her home about twenty four hours before Isabel wrecked havoc on the Virginia shore.

Robin has really gotten into crewing on Bonney. almost all rigging improvements were at her request. She's also getting used to capsizing, which we seem to do more often than I'd like.

I had no clue what I was doing when I bought my first Bucc. I knew nothing about the boat and didn't know the class existed. Sometimes you just get lucky. Now I find myself amongst the best people and the best boats in the world.

The class is on the rise proving that a fine classic design that's perfect for racing or a day sail combined with good people will endure and thrive. While many classes have vanished, this McAlpine/Downey beauty will endure.

Hope to see you out on the waters.

Bryan Lanier - Mid-Atlantic Rep