From Scuttlebut
* From Ted Garman (edited to our 250-word limit): In 1971 I was a student in the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan. I read in the paper that Buddy Ebsen was currently appearing in a play in Detroit. Knowing of Buddy's sailing exploits, I had the notion to invite him to address our student club, the Quarterdeck Society, about his yacht racing experiences and his Polynesian Concept catamaran. After a couple of phone calls, I found myself talking with Mr. Ebsen. He generously accepted my invitation. Buddy spoke to a standing-room only crowd about his some of his yacht racing experience and opinions. He informed and entertained us with an impromptu talk about the design philosophy for the Polynesian Concept, inspired by the ancient Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoes, and told a few sea stories about racing ocean cats, including his win in the 1968 catamaran Trans-Pac race. Afterwards, we gave Buddy a tour of the Naval Arch Department drawing room and towing tank. We had rigged up a catamaran model and demonstrated a resistance test as Buddy rode the towing carriage. All too soon, Buddy had to get back to Detroit for his performance later that day. He did not even have time to eat lunch, so we fixed him a sandwich to go.
How easily our cat racing history slips away!
Take Care
Mark
Buddy came to some Hobie events in the late 70's in St. Pete Beach when we drew hundreds of cats at the Don Cezar -the big pink Hotel. I can't recall if he actually raced there, does anybody remember? Buddy owned Cyrano then, a large yellow schooner with a carved Cyrano de Bergerac figurehead with turned wooden liferails on the quarterdeck: she was the committee boat for at least one regatta. I was told Cyrano had been previously owned by Wm. F. Buckley, who kept a grand piano in the salon during his "sailing voyage" partway across the Atlantic. (The heroic W.F. wrote a book about it, not mentioning that there had been a full crew aboard including captain).
I don't know about the piano, but I did read the book, Racing Through Paradise" . by WF They sailed Cyrano across the Atlantic. Good book, but have your Thesaurus nearby -- if you know WF and his vocabulary.
Don
I ordered a Sundowner [Polynesian Concept]from Buddy in 1979. I went to Balboa Island and went for a test sail. We actually backed into the dock like the big power boats but under sail alone. The front beam was hinged on each side next to the hull to allow for some flex. It was a pretty nice boat. I never took possession because of job problems. I believe the price with trailer was less than $18k. Buddy and Jim Arness had some interesting races between multi and mono.
thom
WOW
I had no idea Buddy was a sailor. I loved him as an actor and how neat that he was such an avid sailor. Learn something new everyday.
Recall the articles in Sail Magazine on the cat design and racing .
Met a few hollywood stars -rock stars ,-and "sailing rock stars" -maybe thats what the sport needs more of , better exposure and the sport more woven into the fabric of our culture ,as in the movie -Thomas Crown Affair , but beach cats oriented . Always thought a movie on the 1000 mile races would be great ,-or as a backdrop for one.
Bob Segar {aging rock star} locally is an avid sailor and does the MAC races here on the Great Lakes .
--{gona shout out at the ocean --hey its me }
-< verse from a song --
The University of Michigan N A section is great ,-tank test facility and interesting models .
William F Buckley -w f is an avid sailor as well .
am a N R fan http://www.nationalreview.com/
He still often writes as a guest .
Really like the current editor -Jay Nordingler-
who coincidentialy is from A 2 and U OF M .
The University of Mich also has a great sailing club on Base Line Lake ,- http://www.umich.edu/~umsc/
Sure this is all connected somehow ,
just not sure how right now ,-
Have fun 
Carl