My name is Randy Waycaster. I’m not sure if you have received word through Ralph Smith, Roger Nelson, Tom Moore, etc, but a group of us here in Buckingham have been building a batteau over the past couple months.
The boat has been named the “Spirit of Buckingham”. There are ten people total involved in the building/navigating of the vessel. The crew consists of Roy Turner(of the former Manteo batteau), Barry Crickenberger(of the former Buccaneer batteau), Mitch Crickenberger, Josh Craft, Shaun Saunders, Brian Staton, Jack Buni, Woody Dunkum, Ronnie Craft, and Randy Waycaster. At this time the boat is nearly complete, and is sunken at Roy Turner’s pond. We lack finishing the brackets for the sweeps, storage boxes, and possibly a canopy.
This is where we stand at this time, feel free to post the info in whatever manner/extent you like. Unfortunately, Mitch Crickenberger(seen in the first pic) left on a 400 day journey to Iraq on May 2, 2010 and will not be with us this festival. If you will, please wish him a safe tour and return from all of us. I’m sure at least a few of us will be present at this weeks meeting in Scottsville and look forward to seeing you and the rest of the batteau crews.
Many thanks and take care,
Randy Waycaster
Ronnie told me about this project in shop class–I had no idea how long this boat is!!!! Wow what an amazing project.
Good luck
Hello! I think Roger Nelson mentioned this boat to me last year…I believe you all are around the corner from me! My sister and I are starting an herb farm on Cole Comfort Road…I was really hoping to get in on the batteau festival this year in some regard…but no real prospects just yet. Anyhow..I just wanted to say hello, the pics of the boat look great! Good Luck with the final preparations!! Feel free to stop by and say hello!
Sherry
I am so excited to see this. My husband Claude and I live next door (on weekends) to Roy and had no idea what was going on in that barn! We will be on the shore chearing for the Spirit of Buckingham. (PS) Sherry, would love to learn more about your herbs! All the best everyone. j