On September 4, 2021 at age 105, Edward McIntosh joined his fellow sailors in Fiddler's Green, heaven for good sailors.
Sail, wind, wood and water all converged in this man known to all as Ned or Mac. He read every book he could about sailing adventures and boat design and began his sailing career at age 4. It was no surprise that after WWII and his return to New Hampshire, after having spent four years building and repairing wooden boats for the war effort, that he launched his own design, the MerryMac.
Through these boats, he shared his passion for sailing by making it possible for families to enter that world with the most affordable and the most fun little sailboat available. Over the next 18 years, he sold 200 from his little boat shop. The Great Bay Yacht Club was born and the waters of the Seacoast region became dotted with multi-colored sails every weekend. A friend recently wrote: "I'm not sure if I know anyone that has left a larger sailing legacy behind in these waters. Ned was truly a sailor and designer for all sailors. I'm so pleased he got to see the most recent resurgence of his Merry Macs."
Mac later harnessed the experience accrued from the many thousands of nautical miles he sailed and was given command of the first research vessel for the Marine Sciences Department at UNH. From 1968 through 1980, he brought scientists, students and researchers out on their missions from Great Bay to Boston Harbor aboard the RV "Jere Chase". This invaluable data serves scientists to this day.
Throughout it all from 1946 to 2009, his love affair with "Starcrest", his 34 foot cutter, kept him in blue water and coastal cruising adventures of all kinds. Without even knowing it, he was becoming somewhat of a legend, one who was admired and loved by many.
He is pre-deceased by his first wife, Alice. and he leaves his daughter Nancy and his wife Terry Picard.
Donations may be made to Mass General Hospital Burn Center in Boston; The Spaulding Rehab. Hospital in Charlestown, MA and the Great Bay Yacht Club, PO 1644, Dover.
More on his history can be found at the following link:<http://www.anarchy.org.ua/WoodenBoat_1-224/139.PDF>.
Another Wooden Boat article in issue #254 Jan-Feb 2017, entitled "Son of Neptune turns 100", is harder to obtain. Out of respect for his wishes, there will not be a memorial.
