This is the story of a boat.

And a guy named Brad.

And the Picture Below

which Queensboro Customer Service Representative Jenn received in her email box one day.

Upon receiving the picture, Jenn recognized the markings of someone who is, potentially, Queensboro’s biggest fan. The entire boat is outfitted with Queensboro gear. “This would make for a great blog story,” Jenn thought. “Perhaps, if I send Kate this great picture, she will stop asking me to write a blog.” (Not a chance, Jenn!)

If the Blew Byou Blows By You

They’ll be going too fast for you to see their Queensboro gear, so we are featuring them on the Blog. The story behind the Blew Byou Crew is just too good to pass up.

The Blew Byou Crew

Once upon a time. . .

Brad’s son was invited to go to the Virgin Islands on a week sailing trip but couldn’t go so Brad and his wife went, instead. They chartered a 40ft sail boat with a group from  The Lake Conroe Sailing Club, and Brad skippered one of the boats. Brad had been captaining a 15 ft snipe bought at a garage sale up until this fateful trip. After cruising the islands for 8 days, Brad decided that he needed his own boat. He and his wife Deena bought a Catalina 25 and joined the LCSA sailing club.

LCSA Logo Wear: Meet Brad

The LCSA is a very active group with races every Thursday evening, destination cruises, moonlight cruises and dock parties, plus several big “land” parties each year. And every couple of years they plan and execute a group trip like the sailing vacation through the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

The LCSA is also a customer of Queensboro’s. They buy all of their club shirts, caps and jackets from Queensboro, many of which Brad has purchased from the Club. He said that after purchasing much LSCA logo merchandise, he went to Queensboro’s web site and turned his logo into shirts and caps of his own. He continues, “From there I have gone logo crazy. I have the beds made up with logo blankets. I took the blanket bags and put the spare sheets in them which double for pillows and linen storage (storage space on a boat is very limited). The golf towels are hanging in the galley and head areas, but they are for looks, I don’t let anybody use them!! And when the wind kicks up a cool breeze, the jackets are a must-have.”

Naming the New Boat

Brad wrote this delightful account of creating his logo and naming his boat. I hope his wife has read this. (Don’t shoot the messenger, Deena!)
“You might ask where we got the logo idea. When the Island sailing trip came up, being the skipper, I had to have a flag to fly. My name is Brad Ballard so the double Bs had to be there and the anchor fit just right. The only thing is, the custom flag arrived the day we left so I didn’t get to take it. I flew the Texas flag instead. So now I have a flag and a new boat to name.  The boat name needed to start with two B’s so the flag would fit.

My son came up with ‘Blew Byou’ The boat is white with blue trim, and we would hopefully blow by a lot of other boats plus it has its own song. The only problem is, we don’t blow by anyone! We did get recognition as the “Best Crew of The Year” and a plaque to show off. It must be because we are the best looking crew with our matching Queensboro shirts because we have not won a race yet.

So, why we can’t win a race?!? Of course it is not the skipper’s fault- he is always right! Of course it is not the boat’s fault-she is only doing what she is told. Well the rest of the story, I believe, goes back to the boat naming ceremony.

To name a boat or change a boat’s name is a big deal. We got a bottle of champagne and took her out on a beautiful evening cruise. In the naming ceremony, the skipper makes a toast to each god of the winds, North, South, East and West. My first mate did the honors of pouring the glasses. She would pour a shot for me and a dash for each of the gods and a full glass for herself. By the end of the ceremony she was feeling mighty good, and I believe she cheated the gods out of their share of the champagne and they are getting even. You have to blame someone, right? Well back to the racing, most of the time it is just the wife and myself, but we do take anyone that wants to go if they are at the docks when we leave.

The racing season for this year will kick off next week, so look for Blue Byou to come up in the stats under racing information.”

Happily Ever After

The Queensboro staff wishes the Crew of the Blew Byou best of luck in this season’s racing! In any case, you have a great view!

Sunset over the Lake, View from Blew Byou

There is nothing like a sail boat when the wind picks her up and you can feel the energy rush through the sails, the rigging, and down through the hull with no sound except the wind singing a tune and the ripple of the water slapping the bow. –Brad, skipper of the Blew Byou