The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994                TAG: 9408260243
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS      PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   85 lines

MITCH DOUGHTIE: CLUB'S VICE COMMODORE

Anyone familiar with boating knows that, as a rule, powerboaters and sailboaters just don't mix.

The Portsmouth Boat Club, however, is an exception to the rule.

``Our club is becoming unbelievable,'' said Mitch Doughtie, vice commodore of the club, which was brought back to life three years ago.

``We've got a couple powerboaters now who are talking about buying a sailboat - as well as (keeping) their powerboats - so that they can race in the regattas,'' he said.

The original Portsmouth Boat Club was chartered in 1937, but the group disbanded in the early 1970s. In 1991, interest was revived in the club.

``We wanted a club that was for anybody - whether they had a boat or not - anybody that wanted to be around the water,'' said Doughtie.

``It's really becoming a good club. People are mixing well, and it's really surprising because we've got powerboaters, sailboaters and no boaters.''

Doughtie, 39, started sailing about 19 years ago, but has enjoyed the water his entire life. Years ago, he used to race Hobie catamarans. Currently, he owns a 36-foot Catalina, Seasaw, docked at Tidewater Yacht Agency.

A charter member of the Portsmouth Boat Club, Doughtie describes the club as a family affair.

``We plan functions throughout the year, like crab feasts, oyster roasts and pig pickin's,'' he said. ``We go to different places like Waterside, Little Creek and Elizabeth City, and we go together - both sailboats and powerboats - and meet there.''

The club, which includes members' families in its total of 108, also is active in sponsoring races and regattas, like the Portsmouth Boat Club Broad Bay Sailing Challenge, held Saturday on Willoughby Bay; the Barnacle Regatta, held in the spring, summer and fall; and the Merrimac-Memorial Race, a Memorial Day weekend event at City Park, picked up from the now defunct Merrimac Boat Club.

``The Merrimac-Memorial Race is the only race where you can sit on land to watch,'' Doughtie said. ``With all the other sailboat races, you have to get into a boat and go out to watch, but at City Park here in Portsmouth, you can sit up on land and watch the entire race.''

Name: Mitchell S. Doughtie

Nickname: Mitch

Neighborhood: Hodges Manor

Years in Portsmouth: 39

Birthplace: Portsmouth

Birthdate: 2-16-55

Occupation: Nuclear Mechanical Systems Inspector (Ships) Training Leader

What other job than your own would you like? Charter captain

Marital status: Married

Children: Heather G. Doughtie, 20

Fondest childhood memory: Fishing with my grandfather

First concert: Jackson Browne and Three Dog Night, Hollywood, Fla., in 1971

What song or book title best describes your life? ``Cat's in the Cradle'' by Harry Chapin

If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? CPA firm

If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? A professional in sports - being the best, enjoying the game and being paid for it

Biggest accomplishment: Talking to players at training camp of Green Bay Packers after championship year in the '60s

Most embarrassing moment: Stepping on my partner's skirt during a dance contest and pulling it off

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Being in the right place at the right time

Perfect way to spend the day: Broad reach to nowhere

I can't resist: The water

Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Amory's

Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Marina/waterfront

Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Losing its businesses and downtown

If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?

Downtown of 30 years ago

Water business of 120 years ago

Growth of Portsmouth's waterfront accesses

Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? The people ILLUSTRATION: Mitch Doughtie

Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL

by CNB