By Armistead Saffer
Article in the Country Courier's June 12, 2019 edition

The Sebastian Marie created quite a social media frenzy as she traveled the Pamunkey and Mattaponi rivers over the Memorial Day weekend.

What started as a dream about 15 years ago has now become a reality.  Ryland Fleet is now getting used to being addressed as Captain Fleet stated, “I started with a napkin and a #2 pencil that I sharpened on the concrete to make the first drawing.”  Inspired by the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn which involved traveling down the Mississippi on a raft with a tent on it, the Sebastian Marie took seven years to build.  Eli Hubbard has been a vital part of building this vessel, he toiled in extreme conditions for seven years.  Built in New Kent, she is designed to be dissembled for transport.  The vessel was reassembled and launched in Piney Point in September 2018.

The vessel is 97 feet in overall length, 25 feet wide, with a draft of 26". She weighs 85,000 pounds dry. Fuel capacity is 900 gallons, giving a range of 2,400 miles. There are 240 gallons of fresh water on board.  She is satellite guided with autopilot. Human waste is incinerated rather than conventional storage/treatment and discharge.  She is powered by an 85 horsepower turbocharged diesel engine consuming 2.3 gallons of fuel per hour and has a top speed of 8mph.  The tent on the forward deck and landing ramp provides insulated guest quarters and an outdoor kitchen.  The camper aboard is a Casita, similar to an Airstream, but fiberglass constructed.

“This vessel was designed and built for the sole purpose of amusing me.” Stated Fleet. “I'm getting used to Capt. Ryland Fleet and enjoying that title partly out of respect for Capt. Henry Fleete, my ancestor.”  The Sebastian Marie’s home is on the Pamunkey River in New Kent County.  Ryland, accompanied by his wife Monika and dog Blitzen, plans to cruise the rivers and Intracoastal Waterway and enjoy the stark beauty of those places.