Our first memory of Claiborne Young was in 1999 at a Trawler Fest in Melbourne, FL. We were new on the speaker circuit; Claiborne was a veteran and his warm friendly manner embraced us like life-long friends. Claiborne, Skipper Bob, Fred Myers and Eva and I convened for years on the circuit, and when we began America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association, these three guys were the big guns at our rendezvous, the best speakers in their respective fields, each of them charismatic, entertaining and knowledgeable. Claiborne's lugubrious presentations were a thespian performance. His pertinent information and dripping southern charm ingratiated himself to everyone. (“Dripping” brings to mind our first spring rendezvous in Charleston, SC, ten years ago when Claiborne was giving a presentation in a split tent and an unwelcome rainstorm created a waterfall that divided his audience in two.) We mourn with all those who admired Claiborne and who depended on his expert advice through the Salty Southeast Cruisers net. He was the dean of the Eastern Waterways, and now following the passing of Skipper Bob (Skipper Bob Publications) and Jack Dozier, editor of Waterway Guide, we suffer the loss of three dependable mainstays. Their voices are engrained in our memories and we know that life on the water will never be the same without them. They really did “Make It Better” for boaters. Ron & Eva Stob Founders – America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association