5388 Shangri-La was a dream come true! After loving our Fountaine Pajot Cumberland 44 Power Catamaran Advokat for a decade, which we kept in the USVI and cruised all over the Eastern Caribbean with a young family, Shangri-La would be our “Forever” boat. Then 6047 came into view and I succumbed to the one thing I simply can not resist - temptation. So we take the helm of the new Shangri-La in late September at the shipyard for the adventure to continue.
But before any of those vessels, there were two Grady Whites. First was Plate Spinner, a 21 foot CC with a single OB and kicker engine, named after the guy on the Ed Sullivan Show who kept soooo many plates spinning on dowels as he dashed back and forth saving the wobblers and staying just short of certain chaos - my sweet spot. Then, after a couple scares offshore in the smaller skiff I moved up a notch. My 25 foot MENINKHAKI, a larger CC with twin OB’s so we could safely fish offshore for tuna, marlin, sails, dolphin, wahoo and wreck fish, was launched. She was named one night in the Bahamas when a bunch of guys and I were sitting around the lodge after a day of fly fishing for bonefish, drinking Kaliks in our khaki garb, watching Men In Black on TV and suddenly - Eureka! Men in khaki then became MENINKHAKI. Those were great boats and true fishing machines. Today I love Grady Whites boats and the company’s owner, Eddie Smith, Jr. even more.
Eddie bought a near bankrupt company called Grady White Boats 58 years ago as a 26 year old. He had grown up poor and worked hard to find a path to success, finally taking a leap of faith that would consume him for decades. He borrowed some money and bought what was left of a failed enterprise. He worked 80-100 hour weeks for many years, building great boats and a home for his employees who loved him and appreciated his generosity. He typically spends around 350K - 400K per year for his employees to just take time off and read self help and inspirational books. He enjoyed many successful years and the boats, like our Selenes, never stop getting better. Watching other entrepreneurs cash in on their businesses, Eddie chose a different path after losing his wife and only son to the grim reaper.
Last month Eddie took another leap of faith and showed true conviction. At age 83, with no heirs to take the helm, Eddie transferred ownership of the company to a perpetual purpose trust and nonprofit structure designed to maintain independence for the brand, with direct and future profits going to philanthropic purposes. His decision was certainly inspired by the similar act by Yvon Chouinard, the former owner of Patagonia, who in 2022 made a complete transfer of his company to protect the brand he had built, and specifically using much of the future profits to fight against climate change and to protect undeveloped land around the world.
So, next time you pull on your Patagonia gear or see a beautiful Grady White boat cruise by, maybe a smile will come to your face, knowing that the guys behind the brands did something very special. I sure admire those gentlemen!
Jack
Jack Burgess, Shangri-La 6047