Does anyone remember Character Yachts in Mamaroneck?

[Bob Cruicksank]

Hi-


I'm new to this forum so first let me thank those who started it as
it is a great way for CD owners to exchange info.


Here's my question, does anyone know where John Eaton is? He was
the owner of Character Yachts on Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, NY.
My wife and I used to stay in touch with him even after his business
closed, but we completely lost him a few years ago. Any help or info
would be appreciated.


Thanks in advance. Bob C.

[Zeida Cecilia-Mendez]

WOW...this IS a small world! I bought my first Cape Dory 25 in 1980 from Character yachts and John Eaton. I have never forgotten his small office, his gentle ways, and the sail with him on board to take my boat from his delivery yard to my marina up the river in Mamaroneck. It was a wild sail. I took delivery in late April and it was blowing hard that day. John and a younger friend of his with his six year old boy (the friend's boy) and myself had a great sail in the Sound, although the little guy was very scared and crying all the way because of the heeling and the waves. From that day on, I knew i had a great boat. I still have that Cape Dory, and she is much more beautiful today that when i bought it. I have just discovered this Cape Dory sight, to my delight...! and found myself a 33, which I have just bought, and by George, I am moving up! I've put the 25 up for sale, and am taking delivery of the 33 this weekend! I have been corresponding for the past week with several of the owners here, and now even john Eaton and Character Yatchs are coming back into the picture! It seems the Cape Dorians stick together! Greetings! ...and welcome.

Zeida

Hi-


I'm new to this forum so first let me thank those who started it as
it is a great way for CD owners to exchange info.


Here's my question, does anyone know where John Eaton is? He was
the owner of Character Yachts on Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, NY.
My wife and I used to stay in touch with him even after his business
closed, but we completely lost him a few years ago. Any help or info
would be appreciated.


Thanks in advance. Bob C.

zcecil@ibm.net

[Bob Cruickshank]

Zeida -


Thank you for the response. I think everyone who knew John was
impressed by the gentle manners you describe. My wife and I bought
our first CD, a 22, from him in 1981. At least I think it was in
1981, it was the first year it was produced so maybe someone can help
me out here. We bought the boat at the NY boat show, when it was
still held in the Coliseum. That winter into spring we attended
seminars at John's place each week. He held them for all the new
owners or prospective owners. We stayed in touch with him until he
left the boating world, the last we heard he was selling cars
someplace.


Maybe someone else can give us more info as to the whereabouts of
this great man.


Bob C.

[Jon F. Larson]

Wow, John Eaton sold me my first Cape Dory, a 1975 Typhoon. He also delivered it to me at Norrie Point Marina on the Hudson River North of Hyde Park, NY, we launched it, rigged it and took it out for the first sail under a blood red sunset..I remember it so well. Since John had come up from Westchester County, we had invited him home for dinner afterwards and Marilyn had put out a huge roast beef dinner, we all sat down and John announced that he was a vegetarian/diabetic! Fast scramble for more vegetables.

I think it was in the late 80's that I last saw John, and if my memory serves correctly he was selling boats in the Old Saybrook area of Connecticut. I too would like to know how that interesting man is doing...he started me on a chain of three Cape Dory boats!!

Jon Larson
Cape Dory 30 PERI
San Francisco Bay

Hi-

I'm new to this forum so first let me thank those who started it as
it is a great way for CD owners to exchange info.


Here's my question, does anyone know where John Eaton is? He was
the owner of Character Yachts on Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, NY.
My wife and I used to stay in touch with him even after his business
closed, but we completely lost him a few years ago. Any help or info
would be appreciated.


Thanks in advance. Bob C.

jon9@ix.netcom.com