‘‘Of course he doesn’t. Jonathan hires people to worry about maintaining his boats. He’s never scraped a hull or replanked a deck in his life.’’ Cam rose from his crouch, worked the stiffness out of his knees. ‘‘He’s the kind of guy who drives a Maserati without knowing dick about engines. But he’d have been impressed with your salty waterman’s drawl and rugged good looks.’’

As Ethan gave a snorting laugh, Cam elbowed past him. ‘‘I’ll go give him my push.’’

He climbed topside and managed to look credibly surprised to see Jonathan onboard, studying the gunwales. ‘‘Hey, Kraft, how’s it going?’’

‘‘Fast and far.’’ With genuine pleasure, Jonathan shook Cam’s hand. ‘‘I was surprised when you didn’t show at the San Diego regatta this summer.’’

‘‘Got myself married.’’

‘‘So I hear. Congratulations. And now you’re building boats instead of racing them.’’

‘‘I wouldn’t count me out of racing entirely. I’m toying with building myself a cat over the winter if business slacks off any.’’

‘‘Keeping busy?’’

‘‘Word gets out,’’ Cam said easily. ‘‘A boat by Quinn means quality. Smart people want the best—when they can afford it.’’ He grinned, fast and slick. ‘‘Can you afford it?’’

‘‘I’m thinking of a cat myself. Your brother must have mentioned it.’’

‘‘Yeah, he ran it by me. You want light, fast, and tight. Ethan and I have been modifying a design for what I had in mind for me.’’

‘‘That’s bullshit,’’ Seth murmured, only loud enough for Phillip to hear.

‘‘Sure.’’ Phillip winked at him. ‘‘But it’s Class A bullshit.’’ He leaned a little closer to Seth as Cam and Jonathan launched into the lure of racing a catboat. ‘‘Cam knows that while the guy likes him fine, he’s competitive. Never beat Cam in a head-to-head race. So . . .’’

‘‘So he’d pay buckets of money to have Cam build him a boat that not even Cam could beat.’’

‘‘There you go.’’ Proud, Phillip gave Seth a light punch on the shoulder. ‘‘You got a quick brain there. Keep using it, and you won’t be spending all your time sanding hulls. Now, kid, watch the master.’’

He straightened, beamed up. ‘‘I’d be happy to show you the drawings, Jonathan. Why don’t we go into my office? I’ll dig them out for you.’’

‘‘Wouldn’t mind taking a look.’’ Jonathan climbed down. ‘‘The problem is, I need this boat seaworthy by March first. I’ll need time to test her, work out the kinks, break her in before the summer races.’’