Scenic USA - Connecticut

Each day Scenic USA presents a different and interesting photo feature from somewhere in
the United States. Chosen from a wide variety of historic sites, city scenes, back-country
byways, points of interest and America's best parklands, this site offers the viewer hundreds
of unique vacation destinations and photographic subjects. Each feature is coupled with a
brief explanation. For further detailed information, links to other sites are provided, however
these links should not be considered an endorsement.

Mystic Morning

Mystic Morning - Mystic River, Connecticut

Photos by Ben Prepelka

     It took a modern type of material to lift sailboat design out of its hundred year doldrums. Ray Greene of Toledo, Ohio, concocted a mixture of new fiberglass fibers from Owens-Corning and polyester resin from American Cyanamid. Working in his garage, Greene came up with one of the first boats made of fiberglass in 1942. Later, Greene took his new material and produced the Rebel, a 16 foot daysailer. Everett Pearson has been credited for winning over the public with his fiberglass Triton, trimming down hull thicknesses, L.A. Dunton National Historic Landmark - Mystic Seaport, Connecticut while creating a sleek, safe design. During the 1960s, U.S. boat builders stepped-up into mass production, lead by Morgan Yachts, Pearson, Columbia, Wayfarer, and Jensen Marine.
     Today, sailboats are still improving and modern manufacturers use lighter composites, always aiming for stronger and faster designs. Pictured here, on Connecticut's Mystic River, is a modern fiberglass sailboat, while a cluster of well known historic wooden sailing vessels of the Mystic Seaport Museum are anchored nearby.

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