TALIESIN, No. 52
TALIESIN (Image © Dan Harple)
Concordia Sloop #52 (41'0"). Built in 1957 by Abeking and Rasmussen (#5252).
Current Status:
ACTIVE - Owned by Dan Harple
Ownership Log: Purchased, Name of Boat, Owner, Port
unknown, Lupine, Douglas Baird, Swampscott, MA
1957, Banda, Eugene W. Stetson, Jr., Vinalhaven, ME
1959, Sagola, George Hinman, Port Washington, NY
1967, Running Bear, Robert Young, Rye, NY
1985, Banda, Lee Davidson, South Dartmouth, MA
1996, Banda, Gail & Peter Gottlund, Kutztown, PA
2005, Taliesin, Dan Harple, South Dartmouth, MA
If the information on this yacht is inaccurate or incomplete, please contact us.
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Images © Dan Harple
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Yacht Links & History:
Featured in these issues of the Concordian [Incomplete list]:
Concordian #22 - 1996 Fall
Concordian #39 - 2005 Spring
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TALIESIN of Padanaram
by the Harple Family
The word "taliesin" has many connotations. First, taliesin was an actual person from celtic mythology. "The Book of Taliesin" was written in 10th century welsh. Many historians assert that Taliesin was a famous poet and bard in King Arthur's court, in the last half of the 6th century.
Legend tells us that Taliesin, as a newborn baby, unwanted, was dropped into a leather bag and cast into the sea. He washed up on a fish weir and was discovered by a fisherman named Elphin. Upon opening the bag, Elphin noted Taliesin's "bright and radiant brow." The baby's special gift was his ability to recite beautiful poetry. This poetry described how he, Taliesin, would bring good omens to those he encountered. He spoke of hope, truth, and optimism. Upon being saved, Taliesin recited, "It is not evil to hope...excessive sorrow gains nothing...while i am watching over you no great need will overcome you..."
Thus, Taliesin is about hope, optimism, and the ability of the human spirit to survive and do good in the world. These are traits we all need in the world today. TALIESIN, the yacht, shall be our vessel on our quest for hope, optimism and faith in people. TALIESIN, the yacht, in her restoration, symbolizes the discovery of rebirth of the mythic Taliesin. Her cruising will represent the mythic Taliesin's spirit. Taliesin wrote, "While i am watching over you no great need will overcome you...”
TALIESIN, The Yacht
TALIESIN, ex. BANDA, has brought pleasure to six owners prior to the Harple family. As BANDA, she was the very first "bright" Concordia ordered through the Concordia company, and built at Abeking and Rasmussen in Bremen, Germany, in 1957. She was the winning-est Concordia in her day, winning several consecutive New York Yacht Club cruises, and was the flagship of the NYYC and of her second owner, George Hinman. She has the tallest rig of all the Concordia's and the largest mainsail. She used to have a bowsprit.
Dodson Boatyard has been a partner in the Harple family's labor of love. Their deep understanding of a wooden boat's soul, combined with our desire to maximize her cruising safety with the subtle incorporation of the latest technology, has been extremely pleasurable. She was bright for her first two years, then painted for the next 46. Our stripping of her paint and the rediscovery of her beautiful african mahogany resonates with the story of the mythic Taliesin. From Waldo Howland, to all the prior stewards of this yacht, and the Harple family, we thank and are forever grateful to Dodson Boatyard.
