SOUTHWINDS News & Views for Southern Sailors
Cruising Cuba Part III Seafarer 38 Boat Review Lightning
June 2009 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless
News & Views for Southern Sailors
SOUTHWINDS June 2009
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SOUTHWINDS NEWS & VIEWS
FOR
SOUTHERN SAILORS
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Editorial: Wear your PFD Full Time? By Steve Morrell
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Letters You Wouldn’t Believe
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Southern Regional Monthly Weather and Water Temperatures
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Bubba Contemplates When Pigs Fly By Morgan Stinemetz
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Short Tacks: Sailing News and Events Around the South
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Our Waterways: Reader Questions Clarification of Proposed Florida Mooring Field Law Changes; Carolina Sailing: ICW Gets Funding
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Seven Seas Cruising Association Visits Gulfport, FL By Cathy Salustri
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Great Florida Gulf Coast Small Craft Festival in Cortez, FL By Doug Calhoun
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Recycle Regatta By Cathy Salustri
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Spotlight on Business: Mack Sails Janet Verdeguer
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Boatwork: Zincs and Galvanic Isolators By Tom Kennedy
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Lightning By Rebecca Burg
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Cruising Cuba—Part III of III By Bradd Wilson
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Boat Review: Seafarer 38 By David Laing
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Corsair Trimaran Nationals By Julie Connerley
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On Board Elice II in the 41st Regata del Sol al Sol By Larry Annen
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Charleston Race Week By Dan Dickison
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Southern Racing: News, Upcoming Races, Race Reports, Regional Race Calendars
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Ghost Windrider By Bruce Matlack
28-31 17 66 71 76 77
Marine Marketplace Southern Sailing Schools Section Boat Brokerage Section Classifieds Alphabetical Index of Advertisers Advertisers’ List by Category
Part III. Cruising Cuba’s Northwest Coast. Page 47. Photo by Bradd Wilson
Seafarer 38 Boat review. Page 50. Photo by David Laing.
COVER: Randy Smyth’s Multi 23 racing in the Corsair Trimaran Nationals. Photo by Julie Connerley.
Each issue of SOUTHWINDS (and back issues since 5/03) is available online at www.southwindsmagazine.com 4
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FROM THE HELM Wear Your PFD Full Time on the Water?
I
received two FWC e-mail press releases recently that made me think about PFDs. The first e-mail was about Florida’s boating fatalities, which have declined. In the press release were several suggestions to prevent accidents. One was that most boating fatalities are caused by inattention and going too fast, so the suggestion was to stay alert and slow down. Another comment was to be especially careful when consuming alcoholic beverages. Sounds smart to me. Then there was a comment that most boating fatalities are from drowning, and most of those victims knew how to swim. This was followed by the following comment: “The greatest way to ensure that you and your passengers make it home at the end of the day is to get into the habit of wearing a life jacket.” I then received another press release on Mother’s Day. The e-mail suggested that one of the new styles of comfortable life jackets is the “perfect” Mother’s Day gift. I wasn’t too sure about that. Flowers might beat a PFD for the perfect gift. But these e-mails sparked an old thought in my head about wearing life jackets, also bringing to mind the periodic push by police and the Coast Guard to make PFD-wearing mandatory: Why do people promote something that will never happen voluntarily as the cure-all answer for boating safety? Plus—if the mandatory wearing of PFDs ever does happen, it will be about as popular as prohibition. Personally, I have no intention of ever getting into the habit of wearing a PFD full time, and I would guess that about 99 percent of the people I know who have spent time on boats would agree with me (taking children out of this discussion)— although there are situations that I could be in that I would wear them 100 percent of the time. I can think of several right offhand: alone in high winds and rough seas; sailing with others at night in rough seas; leaving the cockpit on a boat deck at night in any conditions. I could go on, but the point is clear: I would advise people that the first thing for getting back to a dock alive and safely is good judgment gained from experience and boating knowledge. Good judgment tells me when to wear a PFD. Are there risks in not wearing one? Of course. So what? I have a 17-foot center console powerboat that I will often
STEVE MORRELL,
EDITOR
take out alone. On a beautiful day in calm seas, I won’t even consider wearing a PFD. When I go faster than idle, whether it is calm or not, I will automatically put the strap around my wrist that kills the engine if I leave the helm. If it is rough, I will put on a PFD. But there is not a chance in hell that I will wear one in calm, beautiful conditions. Anyone who thinks that, I will unequivocally and unapologetically declare that they are out of their minds or from another planet. So why promote it? Good judgment also tells me when someone on my boat must wear a PFD. When I get passengers on board who are strangers, I will first ask them if they are comfortable being on a boat and around the water and if they can swim. If they are not afraid of the water, then half the battle is won. If they are afraid, then I talk to them about being on the boat and PFDs. Everyone gets instruction on where the PFDs are. Of course, there are people who should wear a PFD all the time. Good judgment will find those. So why promote the use of PFDs full time as the answer for all boating safety? It doesn’t exactly make one look reasonable. Yes—Coast Guard personnel wear PFDs full time on the water, but they are in the military and working. We are out there recreating. Do Coast Guard personnel wear PFDs when they are on the water with their friends and family while off-duty or after they are out of the service? How about the FWC police and other water police? Do we want to promote good judgment or do we want to promote: “Wear your PFD all the time”? Will the latter create a mentality where everything will be okay if you have a PFD on? When we promote good judgment, then we promote the belief that people can learn to make good judgments; when we promote blanket actions, then we promote the belief that people can’t learn to make good judgments. (Yes, I know. Some can’t. Those people should wear PFDs.) How’s that saying go? Success comes from good judgment. Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment. Hopefully, good judgment will be gained before a bad accident.
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Sum mer Race o n S For mor ailstice the rive ei r in Riv and nfo, see er Reg the a the t ad o he rac tta Jun n pa ing p e 20. ge 9 ages
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News & Views For Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS Media, Inc. P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, Florida 34218-1175 (941) 795-8704 (877) 372-7245 (941) 866-7597 Fax www.southwindsmagazine.com e-mail: editor@southwindsmagazine.com Volume 17 Number 6 June 2009 Copyright 2009, Southwinds Media, Inc. Founded in 1993
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Printed by Sun Publications of Florida Robin Miller (863) 583-1202 ext 355 Contributing Writers Letters from our reader Charlie Clifton Dave Ellis Kirk Jockell David Laing Bruce Matlack Cathy Salustri Janet Verdeguer
Rebecca Burg Julie Connerley Jabbo Gordon Kim Kaminski Roy Laughlin Beth Pennington Hone Scunook Britt Viehman
Doug Calhoun Dan Dickison David Jefcoat Tom Kennedy Wayne Marshall King Purton Morgan Stinemetz Bradd Wilson
Contributing Photographers/Art Rebecca Burg (and Artwork) Jin Dietrich David Laing Scunook Photography Bradd Wilson
Julie Connerley Disabled Sailing Expo Mack Sails Kathy Pickera
Dan Dickison Kirk Jockell Bill Mantis Cathy Salustri
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: ARTICLES & PHOTOGRAPHY: SOUTHWINDS encourages readers, writers, photographers, cartoonists, jokers, magicians, philosophers and whoever else is out there, including sailors, to send in their material. Just make it about the water world and generally about sailing and about sailing in the South, the Bahamas or the Caribbean, or general sailing interest, or sailboats, or sailing. SOUTHWINDS welcomes contributions in writing and photography, stories about sailing, racing, cruising, maintenance and other technical articles and other sailing-related topics. Please submit all articles electronically by e-mail (mailed-in discs also accepted), and with photographs, if possible. We also accept photographs alone, for cover shots, racing, cruising and just funny entertaining shots. Take or scan them at high resolution, or mail to us to scan. Call with questions. Third-class subscriptions at $25/year. First class at $30/year. Call 941-795-8704 or mail a check to address above or go to our web site. SOUTHWINDS is distributed to over 500 locations in 8 southern coastal states from the Carolinas to Texas. Call if you want to distribute the magazine at your location.
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LETTERS “Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.” H.L. Mencken
In its continuing endeavor to share its press, SOUTHWINDS invites readers to write in with experiences & opinions. E-mail your letters to editor@southwindsmagazine.com LETTER TO THE TAMPA BAY RACING COMMUNITY ABOUT THE MICHELOB CUP RACE FROM BRUCE BINGHAM Dear Friends, Fellow Sailing Competitors, Club Members, Supporters and Race Committee, By now, you surely have heard, from me and others, about the startling win of the Michelob Cup by me and my wonderful crew of Nikki during extremely windy conditions on Tampa Bay against an able fleet of 44 other boats on March 28. At the same time, we believed that we had won first place in our cruising class. During the awards dinner that night, another sailor approached me and announced that our “win was tainted.” When I asked why he thought so, he said that we had not rounded all of the required marks. I told him that I was sure that we had and that he should have voiced his doubts before the race-protest board. My navigator had to depart for business in Michigan the next day, although I had told him and my crew about the confrontation during the dinner. He was very competent in the use of the GPS functions, but a thorough review of our racetrack would not be possible until his return. I did have a close look at our courses, and all seemed to be in perfect order and compliant with the Michelob Race Sailing Instructions. Unfortunately, the Sailing Instructions containing racecourse specifications had been turned into paper pulp during the extremely wet conditions during the race, so I was unable to double-check our GPS input against those specifications. This afternoon, I was able to contact George Pennington of the Michelob Race Committee, and he graciously e-mailed the Sailing Instructions to me. I subsequently called my navigator who had returned to St. Pete, and asked him to come out to the boat so we could doublecheck the coordinates of the race marks and make sure that we had rounded those marks correctly. It turned out that our GPS track revealed that we had mistaken a range tower for the correct mark a half-mile farther on. We had indeed cut a corner and illegally shortened the distance to the finish line without our knowledge. I believe that the very rough conditions requiring our full attention to sailing the boat safely had caused me to miss the mark as was clearly visible on the plotter screen. There was no fraudulent intent at any time. Our foul was caused by an oversight and carelessness when there was nothing short of havoc aboard the boat. Unfortunately, my veracity and honesty are now questioned by others. I can only apologize to them and the competitors for the Michelob Cup for having unknowingly taken the glory of victory they deserved from them. I am relinquishing my standing in the Michelob Cup Regatta and accept a disqualification. I am also returning the Cruising Class first-place plaque to the St. Petersburg Yacht Club with my sincere gratitude for having been See LETTERS continued on page 11 News & Views for Southern Sailors
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LETTERS afforded the pleasure and excitement of participating in such a prestigious yachting event. Bruce P. Bingham S/V Nikki Cape Dory 28 ISLA MUJERES OFF THE COAST OF YUCATAN? In the section “Upcoming Major Regattas” in the March issue, it states, “St. Petersburg to Isla Mujeres off the coast of Yucatan,” Please advise whoever wrote that piece that Isla Mujeres is off the coast of Quintana Roo State. In previous visits, I have noticed that the residents of Isla Mujeres are extremely proud of their state, singing the state anthem even more forcefully than their national anthem. I think they would feel insulted to be associated with neighboring Yucatan State. In this era of almost universal criticism and distrust of our country and its policies, benefiting “American readers” is not the way to go. Gringo ignorance as a result of our sorry educational system is partly responsible for our present worldwide situation. Think of how Florida Panhandle yachtsmen would feel if their races were described as being off the coast of Alabama! Ken Clark Ken, I wrote that description myself and having been there and traveled over much of the peninsula for the first time in 1976, I know that it is in the state of Quintana Roo, but the peninsula is geographically known as the Yucatan Peninsula, and I wrote that for the benefit of the American readers who know where Yucatan is—as a peninsula—but would be less familiar with where Quintana Roo is. I suppose it would be more correct—and still more readily identified—to say off the coast of the state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula, or even just add the word “peninsula” after Yucatan. Even the channel between the peninsula and Cuba, which is off the coast of the state of Quintana Roo, is called the Yucatan Channel. I make no apologies for saying it is off the coast of Yucatan and my knowledge of the peninsula is hardly lacking and definitely not a result of a poor education. If I had said off the coast of Quintana Roo, the “American readers” wouldn’t have so easily identified the location. After all, this magazine is for American readers. I once lived in Durango, CO. I would have had no problem if someone had written in a foreign magazine that Durango was in the Rocky Mountains in the American west, not mentioning Colorado. And we were quite proud of being Coloradans. Editor
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RETIRED DEPUTY SHERIFF QUESTIONS BOARDING VESSELS WITHOUT PROBABLE CAUSE First off, thanks for SOUTHWINDS. I’ve been a loyal reader for years and I sincerely appreciate your views concerning the law enforcement community. I’m a retired deputy sheriff, having served in the marine patrol division for several years. I personally handed out hundreds of whistles, not tickets. Well, okay, some tickets, but they were operating the vessel in a dangerous manner and deserved it. I remember when I was attending a marine patrol trainSee LETTERS continued on page 12 News & Views for Southern Sailors
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LETTERS ing and investigations class in Tampa some years back. There was a great deal of focus on the fact that the right to board a vessel for a safety inspection provided a golden opportunity to circumvent the standards of established probable cause. There is a well-used loophole in the fact that a warrantless search can be lawfully conducted upon the waters of the great state of Florida. Documented vessels simply meant that we could board the boat to go below and look at the documentation placard in the engine room, check the valves to the holding tanks, look for the no-discharge stickers, search through the safety equipment… This provided unprecedented access to small, concealed spaces and areas of a boat normally protected by the Fourth Amendment, particularly if it was someone’s residence. Warrantless searches of a residence with absolutely zero probable cause. How wonderful is that to a heavy-handed law enforcement officer? With the officer in a place where he now legally had a right to be, any possible contraband was in “plain sight” and subject to the rules of evidence. The boat owner could be placed under arrest for whatever violation may have been observed. The officer would now legally be able to conduct a “search incident to an arrest” and go even deeper into small compartments and spaces. You can only imagine how far this could go. I am amazed that this practice has been allowed to continue for so long. Laws can be challenged, and changed. When I first started out as a deputy sheriff in Florida, it was completely legal, and generally accepted, to shoot a fleeing
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felon. Times have changed and so have a host of other laws. Why not this one? I used to teach my trainees to enforce the laws to the “spirit of the law,” not the “letter.” It was in 1998, when an officer of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office looked at me and said, “You know what your problem is, Annen?” Knowing it was not really a question, he then said, “Your morals are too high…” There was a reason I did 20 years and not 25 or 30. I found a calming release in writing my novel. Although it is fiction, I have based many things in the book on personal experiences. Larry Annen s/v Abby Gale St. Pete Beach Larry, Thanks for your comments. I wish more officers would act like you, giving out more whistles than tickets. I also would like to see the statistics on the number of marine accidents that have occurred because tenders/dinghies did not have a whistle. Police should be spending all their energy on the accidents most likely to occur and that cause most of the problems. As you commented on, I, too, worry about another important problem we have on the water: The fact that police in Florida act as though they can board a boat without probable cause, and they do so at their own whim. They frequently stop boaters just to inspect them. If they don’t see there is something wrong with that, then they are
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not smart enough and/or do not have the right mindset to be police in the United States and enforcing laws—or they are not properly instructed on the laws of this country as to what they can and cannot do. I don’t believe they have this right, either morally or legally. They think they have it legally, but I don’t believe it is constitutional in the United States. Either way, it must be stopped and we must criticize this action as immoral and illegal until it is stopped. Only the Coast Guard can stop someone to just inspect them. Local police need probable cause. If they can do so without it, someone is telling them the wrong information or they are acting on their own. Again, Larry. “Your morals are too high.” Editor BOOT KEY HARBOR POLICIES A few thoughts about the moorings and policy in Boot Key Harbor... In my 37 years of building boats and sailing far and wide on them, I have had some long stays in Boot Key Harbor (a stay in the ’70s, then the ’80s, and two years in the ‘90s). There is no doubt that something had to be done. There were lots of wrecks on the bottom, and many more just waiting for a good storm. Those of us with boats that go places were at the mercy of those with boats that don’t. It was common to see boats rafted up, with decks littered with washing machines, stacks of plywood, etc. Having said that, I wish they had left some anchoring room for boats that will be damaged by mooring balls, like my 34-foot Searunner trimaran. When the wind goes light, or reverses just before a thunder storm, my boat runs over the ball and it gets stuck between the hulls, banging and scratching until I can use a boat hook to get it out. I have had a brand-new paint job really scratched up from this, not to mention the dings in my lightly glassed plywood underwings. For this reason, I don’t use mooring balls any more. My other comment is about the mooring policy. I got an e-mail from a retired cruising couple and dear friends of mine, who are currently cruising in Panama. They were proposing sailing up here and leaving their boat on a mooring in Boot Key Harbor, renting a car, and visiting friends for a couple of weeks. Although they are English and Dutch, they have many American cruising friends, and being on a “cruising budget,” they prefer to stay out of marinas. I had read in SOUTHWINDS about the situation in Boot Key Harbor but thought that the rule that one must spend every night on one’s boat was to have a way to avoid a derelict boat problem, and judgment would be applied in the enforcing of the rule. It is easy to tell at a glance the REALLY risky boats, and if those folks are allowed to use the moorings, their staying on the boat won’t make them less likely to sink on the spot! In my friend’s behalf, I just called the city marina to get the bottom line on this issue. I explained that these folks are experienced boatbuilder/world cruisers, sailing on one of their recent works of art. This is their only home. They only have a limited stay in the United States, would like to go on a car trip and are willing to arrange for someone to inspect their lines on a regular basis for their short absence. I was told bluntly that to spend even one night off the boat constitutes “wet storage,” is against state law and would NOT be allowed. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! If this is the See LETTERS continued on page 14 News & Views for Southern Sailors
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LETTERS case, none of the many people living on moorings in Boot Key Harbor can go visit family at Christmas or Thanksgiving. Having lived many years on the hook in Marathon and “Christmas Tree Island” in Key West, I have seen dozens of boats sink at the expense of the safety of the rest of us, and eventually at taxpayer’s expense as well. Not ONE of these was what one might call “a real boat.” They were “shit boats.” I could sit on my deck with binoculars and pick out the boats that were bound to sink or drag, given time. These boats were suffering from decades of neglect—not two weeks—combined with the apathy and ignorance of the owners. If Boot Key Harbor were to not allow “shit boats” in the mooring field, or at least inspect their lines, it would make sense from a safety and expense point of view. But to think that a properly built, maintained, and moored boat, on a good mooring, is somehow drastically more of a risk if the owner is absent for a couple of weeks, is the height of ignorance! Whoever came up with these rules has obviously never spent much time living on the hook. It’s personality and experience that make someone inspect hoses, valves, shaft seal and mooring lines. Daily presence is not required. I’m glad I don’t live in Florida anymore. Mark Johnson Trimaran Delphys
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Mark, I have made jest of this stupid rule before at Boot Key Harbor. The city and the mooring field have come a long ways in being one of the most boater-friendly places to moor in Florida—and now this. I am hoping those in power will see how ridiculous such a rule is that no one can leave for even a night without “getting permission” from the powers that be. Have they had problems with boaters leaving and storing their boats there for long periods of time and abusing the system? Is that why this rule is being enforced? How many problems? How many boats? Or is it just more control-happy people passing another dumb rule? Editor PORT-A-POTTIES LEGAL ON A 24’ BOAT IN FLORIDA? As an avid reader of SOUTHWINDS, I have read many letters and articles on holding tanks. I am still not clear on the legal status of a Port-a-Potti on small boats. My plan to sail my Jolly Roger 24 from Georgia to Flagler Beach, FL, without a holding tank won’t be any fun with a stupid fine. This boat has NO room for a holding tank. I won’t be a liveaboard but will sleep going and coming on the comfortable bunks—better than a tent on a muddy shore with snakes. There was a marine head I removed years ago because my main sailing grounds were on a freshwater lake which is now total no-discharge. This will be the first time this boat has sailed in Florida in over 30 years. I don’t want a fine. Richard Thompson Evans, GA Richard, I think it is borderline, unless you have a sympathetic officer, as the law is vague. For some reason, the FWC does not make it easy to find what is acceptable in situations like yours. If you are cruising on it for an extended period, you might get in trouble. If you are just See LETTERS continued on page 16 www.southwindsmagazine.com
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LETTERS delivering it for yourself to a new location, and it will sit at the dock at a new location, and you will be living on shore, it should be accepted, since it is under 26 feet and you are not living on it or cruising on it. If it is just a short cruise, I would think it would be acceptable. I would plead innocent/ignorant and just tell them it is a week off and you are going back. Since it is so hard to find the exact law they are enforcing, ignorance should be acceptable to the FWC. After all, I think many officers are themselves ignorant of the law. How many of them know that the term “holding tank” is never used in Coast Guard regulations? Tell them it is under 26 feet and you thought it was legal on a boat that size unless you are a liveaboard. That is basically the law, but it is so vague. But it should fly. It all depends on what their superior tells them, and I don’t believe they—meaning their superiors—are even certain. The real problem are the officers who think they are your superior. Editor BOAT AND LAND HUMAN WASTE DISPOSAL IN THE FLORIDA KEYS Thanks so much for running my letter regarding the Florida Keys no-discharge zone along with your comment about the reefs being destroyed by land-based sewage and other pollution, such as cruise ships that make “waste from small pleasure boats a drop in the bucket.” Your point is well-taken, but the main purpose of no-discharge zones for boater sewage is their beneficial impact in confined harbors where many small boats and liveaboards at marinas are an issue. For example, during race week in Key West, spikes in fecal pollution in the harbor have been documented. And you probably know that some charter boat captains still discharge waste to and from the reef, despite its obvious negative impact on the very resource they depend upon. The Keys has the largest charter boat fleet in the world, the most registered recreational vessels in the state, the most
cruise ship passengers of any port and the most divers of any reef tract, in addition to many cruising pleasure yachts and liveaboards. So the combined effect of all these things is a factor to be considered. Craig and I installed a dry composting toilet on our sailboat that worked well in our travels to places without pump-out facilities, such as Cuba and the Bahamas. And we didn’t have that smell. Reef Relief has been urging citizens in Key West to send postcards to the mayor to clean up the stormwater runoff that triggers beach advisories. We’ve also encouraged the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to expand the Keys no-discharge zone to all federal waters of that sanctuary, and it is slowly moving forward. Our efforts to reduce cruise ship dumping have been less productive, despite years of efforts. Maybe now that the Obama administration has brought integrity to the table, legislators will take another look at annually-proposed legislation to clean up that source of pollution. And maybe the stimulus package will help fund long overdue Keys wastewater and stormwater upgrades. For the latest on coral reefs and pollution, check out the scientific studies section at www.reefrelief.org. Dee Von Quirolo Executive Director Reef Relief Dee, I absolutely agree with all your comments. What I have a problem with is the view promoted by so many on land that boaters are the number one cause of spoiling our waters by dumping waste, when the real problems in the Keys—and the reason that the Keys are establishing a central sewage treatment system is—is caused by land-based problems. Much of the public is under the impression that boaters are the main cause of our polluted waters. That is See LETTERS continued on page 75
E-mail your letters to the Editor: editor@southwindsmagazine.com CLEARWATER • ST. PETE • TAMPA BAY (727) 572-4317 4971 110th Ave. N., Clearwater, FL 33760 FT. LAUDERDALE 993 W. State Rd. 84 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315 (954) 462- 3326 FT. MYERS • NAPLES 16191 San Carlos Blvd. Ft. Myers Bch., FL 33931 (239) 432-2628
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Southeastern U.S. Air & Water Temperatures and Gulf Stream Currents – June Weather Web Sites: Carolinas & Georgia www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Southeast.shtml Florida East Coast www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Florida.shtml Florida West Coast & Keys http://comps.marine.usf.edu Northern Gulf Coast www.csc.noaa.gov/coos/
WIND ROSES: Each wind rose shows the strength and direction of the prevailing winds in the area and month. These have been recorded over a long period of time. In general, the lengths of the arrows indicate how often the winds came from that direction. The longer the arrow, the more often the winds came from that direction. When the arrow is too long to be printed in a practical manner, a number is indicated.
News & Views for Southern Sailors
The number in the center of the circle shows the percentage of the time that the winds were calm. The lengths of the arrows plus the calms number in the center add up to 100 percent. The number of feathers on the arrow indicates the strength of the wind on the Beaufort scale (one feather is Force 1, etc.). Wind Roses are taken from Pilot Charts.
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EVENTS & NEWS
OF INTEREST TO
SOUTHERN SAILORS
To have your news or event in this section, contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com. Send us information by the 5th of the month preceding publication. Contact us if later. Changes in Events Listed on SOUTHWINDS Web site Go to www.southwindsmagazine.com for changes and notices on upcoming events. Contact us to post event changes.
I RACING EVENTS
For racing schedules, news and events see the racing section.
I UPCOMING SOUTHERN EVENTS Go to the SOUTHWINDS Web site for our list of youth sailing programs in the southern coastal states, www.southwindsmagazine.com. The list was printed in the April 2009 issue.
EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING
Coast Guard Auxilliary Boating Courses, Jacksonville, FL Safe Boating Saturdays. May 30, June 27, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Nov. 14. 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $25 including materials. Captains Club, 13363 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville. Meets Florida legal requirements for boater education. Most insurance companies offer discounts to program graduates. Mike Christnacht. (904) 502-9154. Generally held once monthly on Saturdays. Go to www.uscgajaxbeach.com for the schedule. Ongoing – Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs. St. Petersburg, FL Tuesday nights, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Satisfies the Florida boater safety education requirements. Eleven lessons,
Monthly Boating Safety Courses 2009 Schedule in Fort Pierce, FL About Boating Safety—Boating Safety Course designed for the recreational boater, to encourage safety on the water. This one-day boating course emphasizes safety on the water to enhance the boating experience and to increase confidence on the water. The course is state of Florida approved for those 21 and under to obtain their Florida state boaters license. Go to http://a0700508.uscgaux.info/ (click on Calendar) for class information and the next scheduled class. Classes are usually very full, call and reserve space on the preferred program date. $36 (+ $10 for each additional family member). Courses are held from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Flotilla 58 Coast Guard Auxiliary Building 1400 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce FL. (772) 579-3395 Stephanie, or (772) 321-3041 Gary, or e-mail stephcgaux@hotmail.com.
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every Tuesday. Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs, 7:30-9:30 p.m., 1300 Beach Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. Lessons include: which boat for you, equipment, trailering, lines and knots, boat handling, signs, weather, rules, introduction to navigation, inland boating and radio. (727) 823-3753. Don’t wait until next summer to have your children qualify for a State of Florida boater safety ID, possibly lower your boaters insurance premium or just hone your safe boating skills. Boating Safety Courses, St. Petersburg, FL St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron. Six-week Public Boating Course began in March and continues through April. The course is usually held January, March, June and October. Other courses continuously offered. To find out more, go to www.boatingstpete.org, or call (727) 498-4001, or e-mail contact@boatingstpete.org. Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 11-1) Public Boating Programs About Boating Safety (two lessons). May 16-17, June 27-28. July 11-12. GPS and Chart Reading. June 8-9.
News & Views for Southern Sailors
For more information on upcoming education programs or to request a free vessel safety check call (727) 469-8895 or visit www.a0701101.uscgaux.info. Click on Public Education Programs. America’s Boating Course and other courses regularly posted on the Web site. North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort, NC On-going adults sailing programs. Family Sailing. 2-6 people; 2-6 hours. Traditional skiffs or 30’ keelboat. $50-$240. www.ncmmfriends.org, maritime@ncmail.net, (252) 7287317. For reservations or information, call The Friends’ office at (252) 728-1638 Ruskin, FL, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 75 Offers Home Study Safe Boating Course The Ruskin flotilla each month offers a Boating Safety course in Ruskin, but has found that many boaters do not have the time to attend the courses, so they are now also offering a home study course at $30. Additional family members will be charged $10 each for testing and certificates. Tests will be held bimonthly. Entry into the course will also allow participants to attend the classes. To apply, call (813) 677-2354.
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BOAT SHOWS Houston Summer Boat Show, June 17-21 Reliant Center, Houston International boat, Sport & Travel Show, Inc. (713) 626-6361. www.houstonboatshows.com.
I OTHER EVENTS
2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins, June 1-November 30 Visit the SOUTHWINDS hurricane pages at www.southwindsmagazine.com for articles and links to weather Web sites, hurricane plans, tips on preparing your boat and more.
Ninth Annual Summer Sailstice, Planet Earth, June 20-21 The ninth Annual Summer Sailstice, a sailing celebration of the Summer Solstice, will be held June 20-21. There is no specific location of the Summer Sailstice except that it occurs on the planet Earth, in this solar system, where sailors can spend the day—or two days—sailing as a tribute to the solstice, which—astronomically—occurs on June 21. The Summer Sailstice sailing holiday allows all sailors to sail locally and celebrate globally with other members of their club, class, fleet or family while connecting with thousands of sailors worldwide. This year’s Summer Sailstice
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celebration takes place on June 20-21 on the weekend closest to the summer solstice with more daylight than any other weekend of the year. Summer Sailstice was founded in 2001. It is a global holiday celebrating sailing annually on the summer solstice. The goal of Summer Sailstice is to encourage all sailors and sailing organizations in the Northern Hemisphere to participate by sailing and celebrating wherever they are on the longest sailing day of the year. For more on the Sailstice, go to www.summersailstice.com.
Charleston Harbor Fest: Maritime Festival and Tall Ships Charleston 2009, Charleston, SC, June 26-29
One of the largest collections of tall ships in the world will be at the festival this year (see Carolina Sailing, page 54). Parade of sail visitors will be allowed to tour the ships. The Charleston Maritime Festival on land will include pirate camps, classic wooden boat displays, sailing, rowing, children’s village, family boat-building, maritime art, music, food and more. Free family fun in the heart of Charleston. www.charlestonmaritimefestival.com.
Regatta Time in Abaco, July 3-11 — Not Just a Regatta By Rebecca Burg The skippers and crews who participate in the annual Regatta Time in Abaco see an exciting series of races. However, the event is much more than your usual run around the buoys, and sailors return every year for the irresistible Bahamian culture. While the regatta is a highlight, rest days in between each race allow crews to immerse themselves in Abaco’s exotic and laid-back tropical ambiance. Family-friendly parties punctuate each day, and the fun starts with Bobb Henderson’s immense “Cheeseburger in Paradise” picnic on a sparkling white-
Review Your Boat SOUTHWINDS is looking for boaters to review their own boat. We found readers like to read reviews by boat owners. If you like to write, we want your review. It can be long or short (the boat, that is), a racer, a cruiser, new or old, on a trailer or in the water. Photos essential. If it’s a liveaboard, tell us how that works out. Or—is it fast? Have you made changes? What changes would you like? Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com for more specifics and specifications on photos needed. Articles must be sent by e-mail or on disc. We pay for the reviews, too.
W W W. WAT E R B O R N L L C . C O M 22
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News & Views for Southern Sailors
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sand beach. The local charm will sweep you into a different time zone. Tiny mom and pop shops greet sailors who visit Great Abaco Island and its many out-island cays. Here, a traffic jam consists of two golf carts meeting on a narrow side street. Enjoy the grand ocean view with a frosty Kalik beer at Nipper’s on Great Guana Cay or check out Cracker P’s on the little island of Lubber’s Quarters. You can trade your paperback books in the Jib Room at Marsh Harbour, try conch salad at a local festival, see the Bahamian Independence Day fireworks on July 10 and discover the parrots and wild horses on Great Abaco. There’s so much to see and do. During the races, sailboats canter along a bit like wild horses in the area’s prevailing 10-knot easterly breeze. Racing divisions include PHRF w/spinnakers, the cruising boat “Mother Tub” with no spinnakers and a division for multihulls. Many sailors return year after year with their families, like Jim Miller and Sea Turtle, to enjoy a cruising vacation as well as the sociable regatta. You don’t have to enter all five races, and many cruisers come just to follow the action, crew on another vessel and be part of the festiv-
ities and social setting. To be a part of the adventure, visit www.regattatimeinabaco.com, or in the United States contact race committee Jon and Carol Ewing at (305) 665-8316 or lightning@cofs.com. An invaluable resource is Steve Dodge’s The Cruising Guide to Abaco, which offers a wealth of local info. Once you’re in Abaco, the daily local cruisers’ net is broadcast on VHF 68 at 8:15 a.m. and includes Bob Toler’s excellent weather reports. Known as Barometer Bob, you can view his Web site at www.barometerbob.com.
I NEWS FWC Launches New Online Boating and Angling Guide to Tampa Bay From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission A new online “Boating and Angling Guide to Tampa Bay,” designed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
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Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, is now available on the Internet. The FWRI created the new guide in response to requests from the public to provide boating and angling information in an interactive, user-friendly format. Funded through a Tampa Bay Estuary Program Bay Mini-Grant, the interactive, online guide complements the recently updated print version of the guide. The guide contains all of the information found in the print version and much more. Users can zoom in and out on specific areas of the Tampa Bay region. They can view detailed maps of popular recreation areas, with information and links specific to those locations. Users also can download many of these maps directly to their computer to view and print at their leisure. Anglers can access up-to-date fishing regulations specific to the Tampa Bay area, information on proper catchand-release techniques and a list of popular local sport fish. Paddlers can plan trips with a list of area paddling trails linked to the corresponding trail Web sites and maps. To view the new interactive guide or to order a printed copy of the “Boating and Angling Guide to Tampa Bay,” visit http://research.MyFWC.com/boating_guides.
Environmental Protection Agency Considers Raising Ethanol Level in Gasoline to 15 Percent — Engine Damage to Outboards Could be Extensive The EPA is considering a request from the ethanol industry to raise the level of ethanol in gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent (some want to raise it as high as 20 percent). Many groups have come out against this proposal. In the marine industry, the main problem is older gasoline engines (older meaning going back just a few years), whether two-stroke or four-stroke. Many outboards, large or small (as commonly used in dinghies), were designed—going back several decades— with a limit of 10 percent ethanol and say so in their owner’s manuals (almost all Honda four-stroke engines, both small and large have this limit), and problems will arise if the industry raises the ethanol level above 10 percent. Raising the limit can create serious problems, because “gasohol” (gasoline with ethanol) has a poor shelf life and when it
evaporates, it leaves residue in these older carburetors that clogs up the engines. At 15 percent ethanol, many engines will not run, and their carburetors will need to be rebuilt to run again. It will be a recurring problem that will mean discarding the engine or maintaining a different level of maintenance. The main complaint by those opposing the increase is that there have not been sufficient tests to determine the real problems involved and the costs to those with older gasoline engines, including automobile engines. There are also complaints by many that more ethanol will destroy fiberglass fuel tanks, and several lawsuits have already been filed in cases where these damaged and leaking tanks have destroyed entire boats. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is opposed to the increase, asking for further study to analyze the impact.
Disabled Sailing Expo St. Pete, St. Petersburg Sailing Center, April 25
The Disabled Sailing Expo in St. Petersburg on April 25. Courtesy Photo.
At the Disabled Sailing Expo in St. Petersburg on April 25, over 100 people with a variety of disabilities, their family members, companions and volunteers enjoyed the waterfront at a recent Sailing Expo sponsored by the St. Petersburg Therapeutic Recreation Department. Paddleboard and kayak clinics were available, as well. The event was free. Great weather and a breeze made it possible for the participants to go sailing, paddle on kayaks and splash with paddleboards on the St. Petersburg waterfront. Three stations were set up for each person to try each activity as they chose. The sailing station had six sailboats available. Participants were loaded into the boats and taken for sails around the marina with an instructor. At the kayaking station, Cory Kapes, from the Therapeutic Recreation Department, launched kayakers from ramps and paddled in
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groups of four, using both single and tandem kayaks. At the paddleboarding station, Ryan Levinson from San Diego, CA, provided instruction and a great opportunity for participants to try out this different sport. Additional and invaluable support was provided by Team Paradise, Sailability, the Surf Shack, Challenged Athletes Foundation, and the Sail Fast Fund. A small army of volunteers on hand who helped the event run as smoothly as it did made the event the success it was.
Rental Boat Clubs Now Have On-the-Water Towing Service from BoatU.S. BoatU.S. Towing recently announced that it is offering a program for boat rental clubs to get towing services needed when a boat runs aground, is out of gas or needs a tow back to the dock in case of a breakdown. Several clubs representing 53 locations have signed up, including Freedom Boat Club, SailTime, Carefree Boat Club, Olympic Circle Sailing Club, Chesapeake Boating Club and
Unlimited Sailing for $195 A Month!
Club Nautique. The program offers towing services by BoatU.S.’ TowBoatU.S. and Vessel Assist fleets and is only available to rental boat clubs that operate as a club requiring membership. Boats in a club’s fleet are enrolled in a BoatU.S. towing plan, which starts at $135 depending on location. Towing plan membership cards are issued in the name of the vessel and kept onboard for easy access. The club’s members receive the same reliable service as BoatU.S. members. When trouble occurs, the club member simply hails the local TowBoatU.S. or Vessel Assist responder via VHF channel 16, or can call the responder directly or dial the BoatU.S. 24-hour toll-free dispatch at (800) 391-4869. After the job is done and the towing invoice is presented, the rental boat club member simply signs the bill and walks away—BoatU.S. picks up the tab at no cost to the club member or any further cost to the club. There is no timeconsuming reimbursement process or other paperwork, which makes the program very easy to manage for club operators. Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that nationally average about $600 per incident. Hourly or daily rental boat businesses that do not require membership are not included in the program. For more information, contact Ann Sooby at (800) 888-4869, ext. 3826 or RSooby@BoatUS.com.
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Articles Wanted About Southern Yacht Clubs, Sailing Associations and Youth Sailing Groups
Flagship Sailing & Cruising Club
SOUTHWINDS magazine is looking for articles on individual yacht clubs, sailing associations and youth sailing groups throughout the Southern states (NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, TX (east Texas). Articles wanted are about a club’s history, facilities, major events and general information about the club. The clubs and associations must be well established and have been around for at least five years. Contact editor@South windsmagazine.com for information about article length, photo requirements and other questions.
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OUR WATERWAYS
Florida House Bill #1423 Concerning Mooring Fields and Anchoring in Florida In the May issue, we published an article by Wayne Marshall titled “Clarification of Proposed Mooring Field Pilot Projects in Florida House Bill #1423.” We received the comments below from a reader about that article with Wayne’s response to the letter. As of this writing, the bill has progressed through the legislature and could by law by the time many read this. To SOUTHWINDS magazine: There is no clarification at all in Wayne Marshall’s letter to SOUTHWINDS as to certain groups that are backing HB 1423. But there’s plenty to show why no one should be backing it: NOTHING HAS CHANGED. First, he states that cruisers will not be defined as liveaboards. That’s not news or progress. That has been that way since July 2006 when Jeb Bush made the differentiation between a non-liveaboard and a liveaboard. Nothing has changed; the definitions are the same as in 2006...but the confusion still piles up. When something reads, “other than liveaboards,” it is referring to us cruisers! We’re all that is left. Therefore, the section of the proposed legislation that begins “Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 327.60...” (That’s the section that protects cruisers’ rights to anchor and says we are not subject to local ordinances against that right)... that’s not a good thing as it means it is EXEMPT from the very law that protects us.
Bottom line: the problem is the Pilot Program. It is still the ONLY avenue by which cruising boats can be told to leave a mooring area and not anchor there. Didn’t Marshall see this fact? AGAIN: “Notwithstanding” means disregarding. It means that the powers that be DO NOT have to abide by it. It means the very statute that protects our rights to anchor will be null and void when it comes to the Pilot Program areas. This is not rocket science. You don’t have to be a genius to understand all the pages of the document. In fact, you don’t have to be very intelligent at all. You merely have to have an interest in wanting to know what is going on with this issue. It is not complicated at all. It is ridiculous for Marshall to infer otherwise. Knowledge is everything. Read it all for yourself and then make your voice heard loud and clear! Don’t put your voice behind anyone else’s until you know exactly where this issue stands and where you stand with regard to it. I cannot be more BLUNT. Forgive me, but this is proba-
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bly the most important issue of your boater lifetime. You have a voice and you will only use it if you understand what exactly is happening here. We MUST get this understood for exactly what it is and act (respond) accordingly. It is this simple: If the Pilot Programs are not in place, then our rights as boaters to navigation, anchorage and safe harbor are NOT in jeopardy. WHY anyone would back House Bill 1423 the way it is, is beyond me. We do not have to go along with this. Will one person tell me just why they think the Pilot Program is in the best interest of cruisers? Forget all else...just answer that one question. I can’t think of one good reason for the Pilot Program except for doing the bidding of those so greedy they not only want to control the land but also the waters across from their condos and million-dollar homes. They are the ones the FWC referred to when it stated on its Web site the reason the Pilot Program was added at the 13th hour (after all public forums) was “due to pressure from homeowners and some others.” The FWC isn’t trying to hide the motivation here. It is just that simple. Wayne Marshall, you are not being of help to clarify the situation. In my opinion, you’ve clouded the issue even more so. I do not see your reasoning for backing House Bill 1423. In fact, you say you are clarifying due to “positive developments,“ and then you never state one positive development or any reasoning at all as to why HB 1423 is in anyone’s best interest other than the multimillion-dollar home-
owner who wants the unobstructed view. Charmaine Smith Ladd S/V September Sea Currently in Marathon, Florida Keys Response to letter by Charmaine Smith Ladd This an emotionally charged issue, no doubt. To imply that I serve the goals of any group other than boaters is insulting. That is always a problem with any legislative process. It is always good to have people react to our efforts. That proves we are having an impact. It is not beneficial to attempt a mudslinging campaign among boaters. You asked the question of how mooring fields will benefit cruisers. My answer is that I believe it is inevitable that we will have more mooring fields in Florida. What the Pilot Project represents is an opportunity to manage the implementation of a maximum of five sites and to have considerable additional public input on a site-specific basis. This bill will limit the mooring fields to only five in the state until 2014. Municipalities will be restricted from enforcing existing ordinances and from enacting any new legislation. A currently very muddy issue will be clarified and will receive considerable citizen input during the five-year process. In my opinion, the operators of a proposed mooring field do have a right to regulate anchoring inside their mooring field. They also have an obligation to protect the boats that are secured to the moorings within the field. Yes, cruisers can be told to leave a designated mooring area and not anchor
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there. What cruiser would want to anchor in the middle of the mooring field anyway? Wayne Marshall
Carolina Sailing —
Dollars for Dredging By Dan Dickson Chances are, you’re well aware of these three little letters, ICW. Even if you don’t live on the coast, you’ve heard of the Intracoastal Waterway—that lengthy, toll-free stretch of mostly navigable water that extends along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts from Massachusetts (some say New Jersey) to Florida to Texas. And even if you’ve never had the pleasure of piloting its many meanders, you probably know that the ICW hasn’t exactly been a high priority for the federal government in recent years. In fact, numerous junctures along the waterway’s 3,000 miles remain hazardous to navigation due to a significant lack of dredging and/or maintenance. But it appears that this scenario is about to change, and depending upon your political bent, you can pass your gratitude—or your grumblings—along to President Obama and his well-intended yet controversial stimulus package. Officially, the ICW is the domain of the Army Corps of Engineers, which means that this government body bears the responsibility of keeping these waters navigable. By decree of federal law, the Corps of Engineers is required to maintain a minimum depth of 12 feet along most of the waterway. But
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Is the ICW finally going to get enough funds to dredge it to depths that are mandated by law? Photo by Steve Morrell.
reports — both anecdotal and official — have indicated for some time that the depth in certain areas has shoaled to as shallow as six feet or less. That may not seem critical to most sailors, but when you consider the volume of commercial and recreational traffic that rely on this aquatic avenue, that six-foot disparity has exceptional meaning. When the U.S. Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 this winter and the president signed it into law, it meant significant funding would eventually be funneled to specific areas along the ICW. In fact, the Corps of Engineers was allotted $4.6-billion for 280 separate projects throughout U.S. waters. Though South Carolina waterways stand to see just a fraction of those funds, it was nonetheless encouraging news. Not only is funding being made available to conduct needed projects along the ICW, but a number of inland waterways will benefit as well. According to the Corps of Engineers’ online information, Hartwell Lake in the western reaches of the Palmetto State will be the beneficiary of over $11-million in projects that range from building public restrooms to shoreline stabilization. On the ICW between Jacksonville, FL and Norfolk, VA, the Corps of Engineers plan to spend more than $20-million on various maintenance projects in the coming months. Not only will these projects put dredgers, divers, engineers and tugboat companies to work, but the improvements should also translate into increased revenues for marina owners, tour operators, and other waterfront businesses. But perhaps most elated about this influx of funds for the ICW are the folks at the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, an advocacy organization that has been working overtime to ensure that legislators in Washington, D.C., understand and support the need for ICW maintenance. In the April edition of the organization’s newsletter, Executive Director Rosemary Lynch shared news of this impending change, including some details about what communities along the waterway would be seeing improvements. Though Lynch and her AIWA colleagues are happy about the increased funding, they weren’t counting on it coming to pass. At their annual meeting last year, they enacted a formal resolution calling on Congress to establish an Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Commission. This body, if established, would be made up of representatives from the five Atlantic states that are home to the ICW as well as representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers. The commission would be charged with “overseeing the management of this regional waterway, to provide sufficient maintenance and operation funding,” and “promote safe navigation conditions,” among other duties. Despite the fact that the stimulus funds now appear to be flowing toward the ICW, what the AIWA proposes sounds like a good means of securing a functional future for this waterway. If you’re interested in more information on this proposal, get in touch with Lynch or any of her AIWA fellow directors (www.atlintracoastal.org or (877) 414-5397). Oh—and remember, it’s almost summer, so don’t just read about the ICW, go enjoy it. www.southwindsmagazine.com
Seven Seas Cruising Association Goes to Gulfport By Cathy Salustri
M
ooring field opponents in Gulfport lost ground last month when the Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) spent the weekend anchored off Gulfport in Boca Ciega Bay. The group of sailors dinghied into the 2½ -square-mile town and spent the weekend spending, dining, shopping, and cleaning up the beach—all the while letting businesses know they were “boat people” (as they were called at a Forty sailors on 17 boats visited Gulfport. Photo by Cathy Salustri. Gulfport city council meeting a few years back) who were responsible, to have a cookout on Gulfport Beach. They repaid the city’s upstanding citizens with money to spend. welcome with a beach cleanup that yielded five bags of Sailboats started streaming into Boca Ciega Bay on trash. “Our policy is to leave a clean wake, both culturally Friday, April 24, for the Tampa Bay chapter of the SSCA’s and environmentally,” Hazzard said. Anchors Away trip. SSCA chose the area of Boca Ciega Bay Rosso said cruisers coming to Gulfport should contact currently undergoing permitting for a 50-slip mooring the chamber. “When we know a special group is coming in, field to show Gulfport residents, politicians and businesswe have a delivery made that gives them local information men the benefits responsible boaters bring to a communiabout the restaurants, where they can connect to the ty. SSCA’s Tampa Bay Metro Coordinator Jeff Hazzard Internet, and where they can do their laundry,” Rosso said. told Southwinds, “Gulfport has had a little bit of acrimony Interim City Manager Jim O’Reilly helped SSCA obtain with boaters in the past. We wanted to demonstrate the an ordinance variance for the Saturday night cookout. “We positive economic impact boaters have on local communiconsistently look forward to the cruising visitor, and these ties,” Hazzard explained. were wonderful people to welcome to our community,” The “little bit of acrimony” stems from a vocal faction O’Reilly said. of voters and Councilperson Michele King, who adamantly oppose the mooring field. They say if the city can’t fill the mooring field, it will lose money. These opponents Gulfport Municipal Marina posted an online petition and hope to stop the project at the permitting level. “Gulfport is taking an enormous risk for an uncertain Your Gateway to the Gulf & payoff,” the petition, published by Jennifer Salmon, says. Mooring field proponents have posted their own Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve online petition. Despite the tensions, the 40 sailors on 17 boats felt welcome and “very well received,” Hazzard said. He said cruisers met and chatted with Mayor Mike Yakes, Vice-Mayor Bob Worthington and Gulfport Chamber of Commerce President Lori Rosso as well as many local residents, shopkeepers and restaurateurs. “We gave them information that said, ‘We want you to be aware of the positive impact boaters have’,” Hazzard said. Chamber of Commerce President Lori Rosso praised SSCA. “In this economy it was a wonderful thing to see people coming into our town and walking our streets and spending their money,” Rosso said. Rosso remains undecid• 250 Wet Slips ed about the benefits of a mooring field. • 100 Dry Slips • Marina Web Cam “How do I feel about boaters coming to Gulfport? • Floating Transient Dock Great,” Rosso said, adding, “I don’t know how I feel about • Launching Ramp a mooring field. I am uneducated on the issue. I’m willing to Well Protected Basin • Monthly & Daily Rentals be educated.” • Marine Supplies Transient Dock Vice-Mayor Bob Worthington has long supported a • Free Internet Access Transient Daily: $1.50/ft • Free Public Pump-out mooring field, but Mayor Mike Yakes expressed less enthu• Floating Fuel Dock Gas & Diesel Transient Weekly: $5.25/ft siasm. “My position isn’t with them, it’s with the residents • Fishing Tackle of the city. I think the mooring field has some great potential • Charter Boat Center (727) 893-1071 and it has the opportunity to succeed, but our waters are • Ice, Beer, Snacks www.ci.gulfport.fl.us local waters,” Yakes told Southwinds. “This is our bay, and • Live & Frozen Bait 4630 29th Ave. S. it’s a local issue.” • Prop Recondition • Monitoring VHF CH 16 FM Harbormaster: Denis Frain Cruisers applied for and received an ordinance variance
News & Views for Southern Sailors
SOUTHWINDS June 2009
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Usually the term “skipjack” brings to mind the last of the sailing workboats on the Chesapeake Bay, but in the middle 1800s, the term was commonly used on the eastern seaboard to describe a boat with a dead rise or “V” bottom. Carl Stambaugh designed the Windward 17 to take advantage of the ease of panel construction in his comfortable and able modern version of a skipjack. Burt’s Tide was built for owners Kay and Dave Jackson by Mark Bayne of Sea Island Boatworks of Mt Pleasant, SC, and is everything the designer hoped she would be. Photo by Kathy Pickera.
The Fourth Annual Great Florida Gulf Coast Small Craft Festival, Cortez, FL, April 17-19 By Doug Calhoun, Research Associate, Florida Maritime Museum @ Cortez
T Photo by Kathy Pickera
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he weather cooperated in every way for the small craft festival held on the grounds of the Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez and the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage preserve on April 17-19. Many arrived with their boats as early as Tuesday, setting up tents for camping on the museum grounds. Showers, Port-aPotties and campsites provided by the museum made the occasion an ideal boating-sailing vacation. Friday was the official registration day. Attendees travelled from as far away as New England and Texas. The evening social event was a potluck dinner with the main
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Don Nemetz took on a 12-foot Selway-Fisher design for his first boatbuilding project. The end result was Highland Lass which took over 15 months to complete. While built of meranti marine plywood with some epoxy and fiberglass cloth in the mix, the traditional paint scheme matches the very traditional gaff rig, and the boat most appropriately was awarded the People’s Choice Best in Show award at the Small Craft Festival in Cortez for its craftsmanship and looks. Photo by Bill Mantis.
Stan Lowe was a Master wooden boat builder, sailor and teacher from Sarasota who took a bunch of volunteers in hand to build a recreation of the 24-foot sharpie Lizzie G at Historic Spanish Point in Osprey, FL. Named after the wife of pioneer boatbuilder, Frank Guptil, whose boat shop was on the shore of Sarasota Bay within the boundaries of what is now a beautifully preserved historic site, the rugged work boat is traditionally built and rigged and is a perpetual favorite at events along the Gulf Coast. Photo by Kathy Pickera.
course furnished by Florida Gulf Coast Traditional Small Craft Association outgoing President Paul Thomas. The wide variety of dishes and the abundant food offered a veritable feast, and everyone got comfortable meeting, eating and joining in the conversation. Saturday‘s schedule included early coffee and donuts for those wanting to get out on the water for the “messabouts.” Scheduled events included paddling, rowing and sailboat races. Those not wanting to race simply sailed or rowed about enjoying themselves or viewed the many boats by now on display on the museum and the N. E. Taylor Boat Works grounds. Sailors could also check out the display of Sunrise Sales Plus of Palmetto to refit their boats or plan their sails for their next ones. The speaker for Saturday evening, Todd Croteau, is the maritime program coordinator for the Historic American Engineering Record, a division of the National Park Service and is continuing the work of the Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, which was done during the 1940s and was a landmark in the preservation of America’s maritime past (see the May issue of SOUTHWINDS). As part of this current work, he took the lines from the Museum’s recently restored Cuban refugee boat, Esperanza, during
Saturday afternoon. She will be included in the updating of the Smithsonian collection. In the evening after the Festival Awards dinner at the Bayside Banquet Hall, Dr. Croteau discussed the history of the Survey program and, through a slide presentation, demonstrated how the work is now being done using modern technology. On Sunday, he showed the equipment in use by taking the lines off a Cortez fishing boat. The weather continued to cooperate even after the stated dates of the festival. Several people stayed over and took their boats “gunkholing” and overnight camping in area spots led by Museum Director Roger Allen, who, after such a successful event, deserved a little vacation. The Chesapeake deadrise Juniper supported them by carrying supplies and gear. The Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez, a cooperative historical project between the Florida Institute for Salt Water Heritage and Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court, R.B. “Chips” Shore’s Historical Resources Department, is located at: 4415 119th St. West, Cortez, FL, and is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more on the festival, the boat awards and the museum, go to www.fgcscf.org.
News & Views for Southern Sailors
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RECYCLE REGATTA, ST. PETERSBURG, APRIL 18 — Young Sailors Build Boats as Part of Regata del Sol al Sol By Cathy Salustri
O
ne clear Saturday morning in “Historically, crews of one to six April young sailors participated in students build boats from materials a regatta of a different kind. While not such as cardboard, scrap lumber, twoas well-known as the regatta that liter bottles, milk jugs and large plasinspired it, the Recycle Regatta providtic barrels,” according to Marq ed these young competitors a novel Caughell, a Pinellas County public challenge: They had to design, build relations specialist who helped organand race their own boats. To add to the ize the event. “Imaginative crews challenge, they had to build the boats have built some very unusual boats.” almost entirely from reused materials. Indeed, the crews at St. The Recycle Regatta, brainchild of Petersburg’s North Shore Beach Pinellas County Utilities, started as an raced boats built from all sorts of environmentally-centered boat race cast-off materials, but plastic ruled that took place in conjunction with the the day. The East Lake High team grown-up Regata del Sol al Sol from St. built a boat from empty 55-gallon Petersburg to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. chlorine drums while Madeira Beach The boats in the Recycle Regatta race Elementary (and a bevy of other over a 50-yard course rather than 500 crews) had boats made with scores of East Lake High School. From left to right: miles, but for many boats those were pint-size water bottles. Ranjit Vadlamannati, Lauren Valdez, 50 hard yards. Sailors could propel Dillon Snyder and Jason Richmond Conspicuously absent were old their boats using only human or wind kayaks and surfboards, a convention power, and they had to do so from the top of or inside the of the rules: Competitors could not reuse any sort of flotation boats. Swimming behind the boat and pushing the vessel device in building their boat. Qualifying boats could not conalong disqualified a boat and its crew. tain more than 30 percent new materials, and those new
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San Jose Jug Boat. San Jose Elementary. Kids, from left to right: Tristen Liggett, Dominick Papia and Nicholas Papia. Adult: Parent Mark Papia
materials generally consisted of tape and nails used to hold the boat together. Participants prepared for the regatta in several different ways. East Lake High School students built a miniature of their boat and raced in their own Shamrock Regatta shortly before St. Patrick’s Day. “We build our own ‘lake’ on the property and then test our boats as a prerequisite to the Recycle Regatta,” East Lake High School physics instructor Kathy Phebus explained. Although parents and teachers don’t help build the boats, teachers and parents stick close throughout the design-and-build phase to offer just enough advice. “Many skills are involved in the boat planning and building process: locating and selecting materials; crafting a seaworthy boat; calculating weight, buoyancy and maneuverability,” Caughell said. Competitors raced in one of four categories: third to fifth grade, sixth to eighth grade, and high school. Younger students raced with adult assistance in their own heat.
News & Views for Southern Sailors
Marine Dolphins. Madeira Beach Elementary
Marine Dolphins. Madeira Beach Elementary
Aqua Mermaids. Madeira Beach Elementary
Sea Otters. Madeira Beach Elementary
Winners of the 2009 Recycle Regatta: Elementary School First Place: Peace Divers, Madeira Beach Elementary Second Place: Dazzling Dolphins, Madeira Beach Elementary Third Place: Sea Otters, Madeira Beach Elementary Middle School First Place: Global Recess, Southside Fundamental Middle School High School First Place: S.S. Basura, East Lake High School Second Place: Captain Planet, East Lake High School Third Place: Orca, East Lake High School
SOUTHWINDS June 2009
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS
MACK SAILS: Inside “The Biggest Small Loft in the USA” By Janet Verdeguer
“I
guess you can call it a success story because it has worked for us for 40 years,” says Travis Blain, who— with his half brother Colin Mack—runs this independent sail loft that competes on the world stage. Travis believes their success is based on a tried and true business formula that many have forgotten: “Produce a great product at a reasonable price. Work real hard at doing it.” Lofts were more localized when their father, Brad Mack, purchased Swedish Sailmakers of Fort Lauderdale in 1967. Bradford Mack & Co. was soon turning out quality sails. Then, in 1970, with partner Skip Shaw, it became MackShaw Sailmakers for 17 years and then simply Mack Sails when Shaw retired and Brad Mack moved the company and his family north to Stuart. Hood first, then North had begun acquiring small independents and operating in multi locations. “Mack-Shaw had
built a good reputation for high quality cruising sails—the same thing we do now. Back then, there was enough local business. But by 1990, when I came on board,” says Travis, “we recognized we would need to expand our client base beyond our local area.” Good Luck Marketing They started doing the Annapolis show and limited advertising. A crowd-pleasing boat show display with full-scale masts and accurate sail details helped expand their market beyond southeast Florida. In addition to learning how to sail at a very early age, both brothers had “learned the ropes” of the family business working part time during high school and college. Travis was heavily involved in racing through the Palm Beach Sailing Club and Chester Yacht Club in Nova Scotia. Sailing definitely runs in their blood. Personal contact with each client is one of Mack Sails’ hallmarks, and Travis and Colin were naturals at gaining the confidence of sailors looking for top-quality sails. Then, in 1994, Colin met someone who encouraged them to start a Web site. Today it’s common knowledge that successful Web sites are loaded with good content. But 16 years ago, people didn’t know that and most sail lofts—especially small ones—weren’t sitting on a wealth of wellresearched, well-written copy. Brad Mack, however, had been trained in journalism. So when he turned to the sailmaking business, his natural instinct was to get the word out about his products and services through the written word. “This was all fairly easy to transfer to the Web site. And suddenly, instead of printing and disseminating a bunch of literature, all we had to do was tell people to look online. I was amazed right away at the people who sought us out on the Web. We were one of the first—even ahead of some of the larger companies. Through our Web site, the Internet and UPS, we had found a way of providing the same type of service we give locally to new clients everywhere,” noted Travis. Today, the Web site, www.macksails.com, continues to promote the company’s products, including its popular Mack Pack (mainsail cover and lazy jack combination). Their site offers a wealth of interesting, detailed, up-to-date information for anyone who wants to know about sails, sailmaking, sailcloth and construction. There’s also a long list of testimonials. The Product “Eighty percent of what we make are premium blue-water cruising sails. The bulk of our customers have 33- to 45-foot boats and are typically a couple doing all sorts of cruising,
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perhaps with the intent of one day attempting a circumnavigation,” added Travis. Every sail is personally designed by Travis and manufactured in Stuart. “We make the highest quality possible—from fabric and hardware to finishing. With Mack sails, there are no added options. We include everything in every sail we make. Many customers are not even aware of all the built-in features, such as multi-stitching on all spinnakers; leech tablings two-plied with an extra thickness of wider Dacron tape then triplestitched; heavy-duty leech lines standard with all sails except storm sails and spinnakers, to name just a few. “Those with boats under 27 feet may understand the value of a better made sail but do not feel it justifies the
added cost. They may go with a sail made overseas, in China or Sri Lanka, because it may cost as much as 30 percent less. But once a boat gets over 30 feet, and the people are serious about blue-water cruising, then Mack Sails is the right choice. We do not offer a coastal or economical grade like a lot of our competitors. Every Mack sail is competitively priced and equal if not better to other sailmakers’ highest level—and that’s why, though smaller in size, we are generally considered in the same league as the larger lofts,” Travis continued. Day to Day Ops “We are sailmakers and riggers. The two go hand in hand. I head up the sail Travis Blain, Colin Mack and their father Brad Mack, side of the business, who founded Mack Sails. designing all the sails, overseeing all the production and fielding most of the sales calls. Colin heads up the service side and our full-service rigging company. We get referrals from most top manufacturers and sell new spars, new rigs, furling spars, furling booms, and so forth. But we are not an Internet catalog store. We install what we sell. Our three service vans are on the road every day just to handle local business. “We also travel to do a fair amount of installs out of our local area. We were recently in Virginia to install a furling boom, another in upstate New York. We’ve been to Canada several times and as far as the Cayman Islands to install spars and rigging. Many of our clients install themselves, but when we install, we make sure everything is working and don’t leave until the customer knows how it works. “Over the last five years we have also branched out into
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS marine electronics for local customers. Those who need new rigging and sails often need an electronics upgrade. Once we get on the boat and they already know we have a great reputation on the sailmaking and rigging side, they feel comfortable that we can keep the same high quality in marine electronics,” Travis said. Today Mack Sails maintains an active presence in Fort Lauderdale with former Mack-Shaw employees Bob Nance and Roger Underwood at their popular full-service shop. Other representatives include Duay Marine in Melbourne, FL; Baldwin Yacht Services in Brunswick, GA; Northwinds Yacht Service in Norfolk, VA, and Keith Attee in Charlevoix, MI. “There’s a sail repair company in Pepin, WI, who represents us Colin Mack, on the right, and crew
and another guy down in St. John, Virgin Islands, who sells sails for us. That all adds to our success,” Travis explains. What’s New? “We also have a very good reputation for building multihull sails for large cruising and performance cats. We make a lot of sails for Corsair trimarans, and we are currently working on some performance laminate Beach Cat sails, too. Because of our size, we are flexible and not limited to doing just one thing.” While cruisers are their mainstay, Mack Sails also makes many different types of performance sails. Having been an avid racer himself for many years, Travis brings special Eric Brennalt, shop foreman, cuts a carbon fiber laminate with taffeta. He’s working skill and enthusiasm to this arena. Over the on the main for an F-27. Mack Sails has been doing a tremendous amount of caryears Mack Sails has developed a special relabon fiber sails for Corsairs. tionship with Anguilla, where sailing is the national pastime. More than a decade ago, they started making sails for the Anguilla carnival. “Once we started, and the boats with our sails did real well, their competitors started calling us and now we end up making a good majority of the sails for boats down there. Typically, sails on the top three to five boats are from Mack. “For the Anguilla boats, we use Twaron aramid and carbon. The shaping is better because the sails don’t stretch and are considerably lighter, but they have only a three- to four-year lifespan and are twice the price! “True blue-water sailors don’t want any trouble when they are out there, and we certainly don’t want to get any calls from our customers about problems with our sails,” says Travis. “All our sails are made in the USA, something I have noticed people seem to appreciate more than ever before as they recognize the country has outsourced all our jobs. People are realizing that if your country doesn’t produce anything it can sell, we will have a very hard time staying on top. When people stop by our booth at the shows, one of the first questions they ask now is: ‘Where are your sails made?’ I’m proud to tell them not only are they made in the USA, I make them right in my own loft. They will say, ‘That’s great. There’s not many of you left.’” 42 June 2009
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BOATWORKS
By Tom Kennedy
How to Protect Your Boat from Electrolysis and Galvanic Corrosion: Zincs and Galvanic Isolators
I
n last month’s Boatwork article, I explained the causes and harmful effects of electrolysis and galvanic corrosion. Continuing along that train of thought, this article will explain some simple and effective ways to protect your boat while keeping your maintenance budget to a minimum. Sacrificial Zincs Installing sacrificial zincs is one of the easiest—and most inexpensive—do-it-yourself projects and you should monitor your zincs often as they are the telltale that can alert you to more harmful conditions that create electrolysis. Zincs can be purchased at your local marine supply stores and require no special tools other than an appropriate-sized Allen wrench to tighten the screws. Zincs come in two pieces and of differing sizes. Make sure you measure your prop shaft diameter in order to buy the proper sized zinc. Most sailboats in the 40-foot range or less use one-inch shafts. Place the zinc about 8 to 12 inches from the strut towards the engine—not between the strut and the prop. Make sure you remove any paint on the shaft where the zinc will be placed. Good metal-on-metal contact between the shaft and the zinc must be maintained in order to work. Don’t paint your zincs. Leave them exposed so they can do their job. Installation can be performed while the boat is in the water if you are good with a mask and snorkel. Otherwise, any dive service will do it for a nominal charge, or replacement can be made during haul-outs.
Why Some Zincs Erode Rapidly Why are my zincs eroding so rapidly? I get this question from time to time, and it is a sure sign that there is a bigger problem lurking. Galvanic corrosion erodes zincs at a rather slow pace. Typically zincs should last at least a year and can last much longer in the right conditions. But what happens if your zincs are eroding at a rapid pace—say, every three months? This is a nuisance maintenance issue, and more important, indicates that there is an electrical fault somewhere on your boat or your neighbor’s boat, and your zincs are the victim. So how does this occur? More than likely, it is a result of improper grounding. Two internal causes and one external cause are the likely culprits, and from my experience, the most common cause of this condition. Your engine alternator creates voltage for the engine and a charging circuit. Over time, internal corrosion and normal wear can cause internal components to weaken and as a result, stray currents can occur. These stray currents will travel from the alternator case to the engine block and from there, throughout your boat. To prevent this, make sure you use marine grade approved alternators, inspect them for corrosion and install an inexpensive aftermarket current protector as a backup to the alternator’s internal diodes. Simple-to-install aftermarket current protectors consist of a wire that attaches to your alternator, a blocking diode and ground. News & Views for Southern Sailors
The second most common internal ground faults occur in the bilge. Pumps, transducers, knot meters all share locations in or near the bilge. Electrical connections to these components are subject to water intrusion if not sealed properly and can leak current through the water in the bilge and attack other components and metals. Ensuring waterproof connections are maintained and isolating these components from the common ground is a sure way to prevent electrolysis from this source. These components should also have their own grounding block located independently from the main electrical distribution system. Galvanic Isolators Can Solve Problems The most common external cause of rapid zinc depletion occurs when you are plugged into shore power. Thirty-amp shore power contains two AC wires and a ground wire. It is the ground wire that can transfer faulty current from one boat to every other boat on the dock sharing the same service circuit. The simple fix is to disconnect from shore power, but that leaves you without creature comforts, battery charging, etc, etc. The most common and reliable solution is to safely interrupt the circuit by installing a galvanic isolator. Galvanic isolators attach to the green grounding wire to limit galvanic current flow (up to about 1.2 volts) between neighboring boats while also allowing dangerous AC current to safely pass through to the ground on shore. The most efficient galvanic isolators have a capacitor, which allows the isolator to continue to block galvanic DC current flow even if there is a small AC current leakage on the ground wire. These isolators are priced under $200 and are simple to install. There are also units that have a monitoring/self-test function that are priced below $400. Installing a Galvanic Isolator Installation is simple. Disconnect your boat from shore power and deactivate all electrical circuits on your boat. You See BOATWORKS continued on page 68
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The World’s Largest Short Circuit: Lightning By Rebecca Burg
Part I of a two-part article on lightning and boats: how lightning’s formed and real-life examples of maritime encounters, and what’s currently done to help protect boat and crew.
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iscussions of marine “lightning protection systems” can arouse as much prickliness as debates over religion and politics. Strong opinions and wordy arguments abound, and the concerned boater isn’t sure what to believe. Part one of this two-part series on lightning explains how it’s formed and shares some real-life encounters. Part two will cover crew safety and ways to minimize vessel damage. Obviously, lightning is unpredictable, making up its own rules at each instance. In one case, a fiberglass sailboat in Florida was anchored near an object on land that was
Photo taken over the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis. Photo courtesy of and credit to DOD/USN/Heidi J. Giacalone.
struck by lightning. Though the sailboat wasn’t touched, some of her electronics were damaged by a surge in the wiring, which was induced by the strong electrical field in the lightning’s proximity. In another instance, an anchored fiberglass ketch, also in Florida, was struck in the main mast, twice. Aside from a bent masthead antenna, this sailboat experienced no damage, electrical or otherwise. In the Bahamas, a fellow cruiser was touching the metal toe rail of a sailboat when lightning struck nearby. The metal rail was instantly charged with voltage from the surrounding electrical fields, shocking the sailor’s hand and arm. Though surprised and tingly in the forearm, he was all right. How Lightning Forms. The formation of lightning involves extreme electrical fields. A growing storm cloud, its interior roiling with air currents, typically becomes negatively charged at its base and positively charged near its top. Also, the electrical disparity between the negative cloud base and earth, or the sea, can increase. Remember shuffling your feet across a carpeted room and then touching a metal doorknob on a dry day? The result is a static shock as your body, negatively charged from the carpet, meets the neutral doorknob and experiences immediate electrical equalization (the spark). On a larger scale, the storm cloud, with its disparate electrical charges, and the earth can also experience such a build-up of electrical potential (voltage or electrical “pressure”). Nature is intolerant of the imbalance and, as we learned in science class about static electricity, unlike charges attract. A luminous, branch-like spark (“stepped leader”) will drop from the negative cloud base and probe toward earth. As it branches down, the formation of a positively charged streamer (an “attachment spark”) is induced. The intensifying electrical potential pressures the electrons in the surrounding air’s atoms to move farther from their protons. This is how the air becomes ionized, and ionized air is an attractive conductor. The sky’s stepped leader and the earth’s attachment spark meet with a dramatic display of electrical conduction, allowing the opposing electrical fields of sky and earth to regain equilibrium, if at least for a moment. This mega-sized electrical short is our familiar lightning bolt. Once the lightning’s ionized channel is established, consecutive high-current discharges are common, which explains lightning’s flickering facade. This entire electrical process occurs within microseconds. A lightning
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Scorched and blown-apart masthead light and VHF antenna on Angel. The once-shiny masthead has been sprayed with molten metal bits.
bolt’s diameter ranges from the size of a quarter to smaller than a dime, but appears larger due to the massive energies involved. Current flow varies, capable of topping out in the area of hundreds of thousands of amps. This immense electrical rush can heat the surrounding air as high as 60,000degrees F, creating a violent thermal expansion that’s heard as a crack of thunder. St. Elmo’s fire isn’t lightning, but will appear in the same electrically imbalanced environment. This curious blue plasma will occur on land but is often sighted at sea during stormy weather. St. Elmo’s fire is ionized air that is continuously sparking due to a severe difference in electrical fields between an object, like the tip of a ship’s mast, and the surrounding air. If there’s enough potential (voltage), electrons from that object will be pushed out, and the surrounding air’s atomic bits become riled enough to emit energy in the visible light spectrum. The oxygen/nitrogen components of the atmosphere give it that familiar blue hue. Glowing neon signs are “contained” St. Elmo’s fire, but with neon gas instead of air. Maritime Lightning Encounters Most boaters have been caught in a thunderstorm at least once, and sometimes the encounters get too personal. On one summer day in Florida, a few clouds quickly morphed into a severe, lightning-riddled thunderstorm. Sixty-mph gusts tore over Captain Rick’s cruising catamaran, Catalpa, as he worked to stabilize her in the rapidly deteriorating condi-
News & Views for Southern Sailors
tions. Immersed in salt spray, rain and deafening thunder, seamanship took precedence, and Rick had no time to address Catalpa’s electrical vulnerabilities. The storm closed in and lightning struck the cat’s mast. Unharmed, Rick brought his vessel safely back to port and surveyed the damage. With his cat’s particular structure, Rick surmised that the lightning traveled through the deck-stepped mast and its DC wiring and then exited through Catalpa’s twin prop shafts. He found that all electronics connected to the DC wiring were ruined, such as the stereo, VHF radio and antenna, lights, AC inverter, battery charger, bilge pumps and a solar charge controller. Catalpa’s fiberglass hulls were undamaged. Boats in freshwater are subject to greater lightning damage than ocean-going vessels, as saltwater is a superior conductor. Also, lightning damage tends to correlate to a sailboat’s particular anatomy. Monohulls with deck-stepped masts and no metal compression posts are highly vulnerable. A sailboat’s metal ballast seems to be favored by light-
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ning as well as metal rigging, the grounding plate to the base chain plates and metal fuel of Angel’s mast. tanks. Lightning has no trouJust over a year ago, ble arcing through plain air Angel was hit again, this time spaces to hit these electrically when I was onboard. attractive objects in the Witnesses saw the single bolt process of seeking ground. hit her mast with a purple disTwo sailboats I know of with play of fireworks and a “whole deck-stepped masts and no lot of plasma.” My hearing was conductors connecting the temporarily lost, the VHF mast to the metal keel, or to a antenna was vaporized and grounding plate, were hit by every light mounted externally lightning. One of the boats on the mast exploded. The suffered multiple holes blastonce shiny stainless frame of ed through the fiberglass hull the masthead light was twisted below the waterline. Her like a toy. The switches in the owner had to run her aground DC circuit panel were rendered near shore to spare her from Lightning exit wound (cracks highlighted) in keel’s fiberglass skin. into plastic shards and blown immediate sinking. The other across the cabin. Despite this sailboat with a deck-stepped mast, after being hit, remained overt display, Angel’s hull was unharmed (I dove on her that floating. The boat’s owner was absent and when she same day, and then hauled her later for a thorough check). returned, she initially thought that a thief had slipped into Most of the lightning’s current traveled through the groundthe cabin and ransacked it in a vandalistic way. However, ing plate, welding the stainless nut and bolt together where the cabin was still locked. Lightning had hit the mast, it connected the copper strapping to the mast. The rest of the branched out inside the vessel and struck multiple interior blast exited Angel’s rear end and through the stern light, surfaces on its way to the sea. Electronics and the bilge blowing its plastic frame into the water. Proving lightning’s pump were ruined, but no holes were found in the hull. random nature, most of Angel’s electronic devices, from batMy Bayfield 31, Angel, was hit twice (that I know of). tery bank, computer, radios, charge controller to GPS, were The first strike happened over a decade ago. Angel’s aluuntouched. However, the depth sounder ceased to work minum mast, keel-stepped over lead ballast, provided an and the sensitive diodes in the alternator were blown. Also, attractive path for conduction. On its way to the sea, the the antenna and exterior mast lights had to be replaced. lightning punched through both sides of the keel’s fiberSailboats can be struck when they’re on land. I’ve seen glass skin that encapsulated the lead. One exit wound was two different fiberglass vessels, with their masts up, get hit an oval hole about a half-inch long, which was open right while on the boatyard stands. In both cases, the lightning to the metal. The keel’s other side had an exit wound that found ground by traveling through the mast and down one looked as if the fiberglass had been hit with a sledgehamof the metal stands. A ragged-edged hole was blown through mer. An 18-inch wide discolored area and radiating spithe fiberglass hull just under the stand’s pad. Of course, lightderwebby cracks were uncovered. Aside from needing ning can behave more strangely than it does in the movies. physical repair, Angel’s electronics were damaged. Hoping Racing sailor Julie was watching the shore during a storm to better protect my beloved, I fitted her with an external and saw lightning hit some nearby power lines. An eerie blue sintered bronze grounding plate. Experts in marine repair streak of St. Elmo’s fire raced all along the wiring. As a youth, regard these plates as unsuitable for lightning grounds my sister Krista had a fright when she was staying in an old because they supposedly could explode when conducting country house during a late night thunderstorm. Out of the a strike. There were no other types of grounding methods darkness, the house’s interior glowed blue and hissed for seveasily available at the time, and I’d used what was on eral moments after its roof was hit. From then on, Krista was hand. Just to be sure, I reinforced the hull where the plate convinced that the place was haunted. was mounted, used a thick backing plate and assured that Powerboats have their share of unwanted encounters. A the mounting area was dry and well sealed from moisture friend of mine, not one to exaggerate, relayed a story where ingression. Multiple layers of copper strapping connected a Southern couple was fishing in a small powerboat. Gathering storms caused them to reel in their lines, but before they could leave, lightning struck the boat. As it SELL YOUR BOAT jumped toward the sea, it hit the woman in the stomach and SOUTHWINDS CLASSIFIED ADS Work! exited through her feet, blowing both shoes off in the process. Amazingly, this horrible experience didn’t end in tragedy, and the woman survived without serious ill effect. However, last year, four people in Florida were killed by lightning, and the odds for a cruising vessel, especially in REACH SAILORS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH the South, are that she will get hit at least once in her lifetime. It is an unfortunate fact that there is no scientifically Text ad up to 30 words – $25 for 3 months proven method to prevent a strike or to completely protect a vessel’s sensitive electronics from lightning’s vagaries. Text and photo ad - $50 for 3 months However, there are steps boaters can take to help minimize FREE Boating Gear ads for all items under $200 damage and protect the crew. (941) 795-8704 editor@southwindsmagazine.com Part two of this article will review lightning protection Place online at: www.southwindsmagazine.com/classifieds and crew safety. 46
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CUBA: Part III of III
Traveling Cuba’s Northwest Coast By Bradd Wilson
Last month, in Part II, we left Puerto la Esperanza after a visit to the inland town of Vinales. We leave picking our way through the Ensenada de los Playuelas, a beautiful, totally protected bay of pristine cays, mangrove islets and amazing sailing. It is 15 square miles with depths from 5 to 15 feet and enough anchorages to gunk hole for a week—including a great “hurricane hole” (22 º47.17 083 º45.94), but we press on to our next stop, Santa Lucia (22º41.23N 083 º58.21W).
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he channel is deep and well-marked for shipping to the snug harbor tucked behind a half-mile of mangroves. This tumble-down little port was once home to an American—then Russian—sulphur refinery, but the huge buildings have long since collapsed and the 8,000 inhabitants struggle to survive. You can tie up to a massive concrete dock for clearance by the Guarda and leave the boat there to explore the town. Its former grandeur can be detected by the wide streets, large theater and common areas, but 40 years of decay and high unemployment have taken their toll. There are a few stores and markets for basic provisions, but beyond that, there is very little to see here. We did meet a pair of Danes who were stranded here after buying a Baltic 42 in America to sail back to Denmark. Shortly after departing St. Pete, their dreamboat started falling apart. The transmission failed off Key West, but they were able to sail into Marina Hemingway. It couldn’t be fixed, but they did buy fuel. Unfortunately, rather than pay the marina’s high price, they bought diesel from some guy on the street. After leaving Havana for Mexico, the engine stopped from the fuel, which had turned black in their tank. This also meant no refrigeration or electronic charts, so they sought refuge in the first well-marked channel to Santa Lucia. Here they sat with no engine, no transmission, no Cuban cruising visa, no money, no Spanish and very little food. They had not been able to contact their families since leaving the United States., so we brought them aboard to use our SkyMate to e-mail home. After a day together, we
News & Views for Southern Sailors
left them with a fuel filter to “polish” their bad diesel, some food, some of each Cuban currency, a copy of Kathy Parson’s Spanish for Cruisers, hooked them up with a local who spoke good English (but no Danish) and wished them well. Although their distress was largely beyond their control, there are a few lessons to be learned here about cruising the coast: 1) Don’t scrimp on the things you count on like fuel. There is no TowboatUS here. 2) Change adequate funds in Havana. You may not find another source of Cuban pesos.
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CUBA: Part III of III
3) Don’t expect people to speak English. 4) Carry lots of nonrefrigerated food. Repairing a 12-volt fridge in Cuba is very difficult. 5) Have some means of communication back home for health or vessel emergencies.
then dinghy into the beach inside their compound for shore access. The village features a wide main street with many shops and wellmaintained homes, punctuated by a dilapidated old ice The wahoo was more than we needed, and these fishermen plant and other sure appreciated our New Year’s present. buildings no longer needed, but we Once again we enjoyed the prevailing easterly wind and did find a great fruit market, a couple of “dollar stores” and boost from the counter-current and ocean swells as we a panaderia for bread. Bread is the strangest commodity in sailed past the Cayo Jutias lighthouse and adjacent beach Cuba. All Cubans get a daily bread ration for which they resort. As we approached the Passa Galera entrance to the have a ration book. If they want more bread, sometimes reef (22 º41.94 084 º06.03W), our fishing line screamed out they can buy it at a higher price. Sometimes, the panaderia and the distinctive shape of a big wahoo broke the surface. will sell bread to tourists at that same price, and sometimes Twenty-five minutes later, we landed a 30-pound beauty. they’ll sell it to you at a higher price. Sometimes they won’t We were both exhausted! As I folded him into our stern sell bread to tourists at all, and other times, they just give it lazarette cum fish locker, I felt a twinge of guilt for keeping to you. Then there are times when the oven is broken and a fish this large. We’d be eating wahoo for a week—but NOBODY gets bread. You just never know what the policy they’re soooo good. of the moment will be. Fortunately, there is usually a neighWe crossed inside the reef and continued motoring west bor around who will fix you up with a few buns at a fair in the dying afternoon breeze when we encountered a tiny price—thank goodness. Lobster is another matter. Lobster is Cuban fishing boat returning from a day at sea under a juryone of the few commodities that Cuba can trade with the rigged sail. A weathered old man was at the helm and a outside world, so it is illegal for Cubans to take lobster younger one tending to the sails. Simultaneously, Maeve themselves. It is readily available from any fisherman but and I saw the solution to our big-fish dilemma. We hailed should be kept secret or the vendor could be in trouble with the pescadores and presented them with a New Year’s presthe authorities. Although there is a large fleet of lobster ent. The old man couldn’t believe his eyes and they sailed boats here and a major processing plant, buying a couple for away laughing with our peto hanging over both gunwales of personal consumption is virtually impossible. their little boat like Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea. Next morning, as the sun rose, we picked up the The reef along the Cuban shore is magnificent and is one Guarda for inspection and weighed anchor. The wind had of the largest barrier reefs in the world. It changes constantly picked up to 20 knots but we would sail inside the reef in from hurricanes and coral growth. There are several wellthe protected waters of the Golfo de Guanahacabibes. Our developed islands not shown on either the Russian charts or fish locker was full of Spanish mackerel by 9 a.m. as we our Garmin electronic charts, so it is essential that you keep a flew along on a broad reach at over 7 knots—day sailing sharp lookout and read the water carefully. Inside the reef, past little mangrove islands and inlets, then jibing out to the the chain of islands from Cayo Rapado Grande, Rapado reef some 12 miles offshore. By sunset, we hadn’t reached Chico and Buena Vista provide great anchorages and protecour destination of Los Morros at Cabo San Antonio but tion from all wind directions. We had been denied shore tucked into the Cayos la Lena (21 º 55.5N 084 º 48.5W) for the access to the nearby town of Los Arroyos (22 º 21.46N 084 º night. The eastern anchorage is easily entered and very 22.86W) on our previous trip so decided to stop there. secure with a wide channel 15 feet deep with good holdLos Arroyos is, by Cuban standards, fairly prosperous. ing. There are plenty of mosquitoes, but in a good breeze It is home to the north-shore lobster fishery and the builder that shouldn’t be a problem. As the sun set, we sipped our of larger trawlers for this purpose. Its exposed anchorage, mojitos and blew the conch in thanks for a wonderful day however, is littered with remnants of derelict ferro-cement under sail in paradise. hulks built in the Russian era, so be very careful setting your Marina Cabo San Antonio (21 º 54.29N 084 º 48.5W) is hook. Cayo Buena Vista is far enough away that it provides also an “international marina,” so it is possible to enter or little shelter from northers or the squalls that sweep this leave Cuba from here. The inspections are less formal than shore. The Guarda will want you to anchor to the east of the in Havana and the dockmaster is also the bartender, restaugreen channel day mark so they can keep an eye on you and rant waiter and concierge, so if you want or need some48
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Traveling Cuba’s Northwest Coast
thing; he’s your man. cleared to enter by the The marina consists of harbormaster over a single dock with VHF channel 16. A approach buoys, but it range marks entry is totally exposed from through the dredged the north, and the east entrance to the west side of the dock can be of two conspicuous rough under prevailhotel towers, and a ing conditions, so take wide channel turns a west-side tie or be east to the Marina prepared to be slammDarcena. Eating ice cream in Varadero. Ice cream cones (and cigars) ed against the dock. Darcena is a modhave a legislated cost of 1 peso national (4 cents), and Diesel, gas and water ern, well-equipped Santa Martha has the biggest and best in all of Cuba! are available on the marina with 100 fulldock but be very careservice slips and ful when they connect your shore-power. We spent over an good on-shore facilities. Inspections are slightly less forhour before they got the polarity right! There isn’t a town here, mal than Marina Hemingway and rates are lower. A gorbut there is a very nice restaurant and the Las Tombas hotel is geous 10-mile beach running east of the entrance has a a short walk away. Beware of cattle you may encounter on the dozen or more resort hotels developed by and for road or on the beach. These are wild and protected by law Canadian and Europeans and is accessible by bicycle or from hunting. They are big and NOT friendly! “double-decker” tourist bus. To the south, the small town After a day at the beach, it was time to turn around and of Santa Martha is a short walk across a former airport runretrace our course back to Marina Hemingway. The prevailway. The prosperity of tourist activity is apparent here ing wind was now on our nose, so early morning departures with more cars, healthier horses and happy people. The are recommended. This time we anchored in the shelter of farmers’ market is bustling, and shops have line-ups for Punta Los Abalos (22 º 10.83N 084 º 26.79W) which is withthe scarce commodities they offer. We rode our bikes in to out a Guarda office, and in the morning a Coast Guard boat provision and took shelter from the heat at the local helados was hot on our trail. “Oh, oh, in trouble again,” I thought (ice cream) booth. Varadero offers the biggest and best ice out loud, but when they came alongside, they just asked if cream in Cuba, and by law, cones cost one Cuban peso (4 everything was okay since we hadn’t made it to our desticents)! Strawberry was the flavor-of-the-day, which was nation. We returned to Los Arroyos, but during a squall in just what we wanted and enjoyed them so much, we had the night, we dragged anchor so moved across to the shelter seconds! Forget the healthcare and free education; any of Cayo Buena Vista. In the morning, we called the Guarda country with 4-cent icecream cones is NOT all bad. to explain and advise that we were moving further to Cayo One other reason to include Veradero in your cruise is Rapado Grande for better protection from the approaching that returning to the states from here is much easier. You can “Frente Frio.” They approved and later that evening, called close-reach across the prevailing easterlies and still arrive in us on VHF 16 to ask if everything was all right—nice! Miami or Fort Lauderdale in 26 hours with help from the Following the front’s passage, we continued back to Gulf Stream. On this trip, we left at 0930 and were in Port Santa Lucia to lead the Danes out of town, then made brief Everglades by 1100 the next morning even with time out to stops in Esperanza and Bahia Honda before returning to land a couple of beautiful mahi-mahi. Havana. We had a couple more days before we were due We’d spent 16 days in total, but the trip could be back in Florida so opted for a daysail to Varadero some 60 trimmed to two weeks or extended to three including pasmiles further east. This tourist town offers a beautiful, full sages across the Florida Strait and some time in Havana. But service international marina and access to the town of now we could honestly say that we’d experienced Cuba as Santa Martha. it really is; some of it great, some disturbing, but all of it difThe wind was 20 knots from the south, so we flew along ferent. The reason we cruise is to see and experience differthe shore, which is dotted with oil drilling rigs and refinerent lands and different cultures—not to change them or ies and tiny resort hotels for Cubans linked by a modern judge them but to appreciate them for what they are. As four-lane highway. Gone are the mountains, but a steep Canadians, we consider ourselves very fortunate to be able escarpment follows the shore. Fishermen in an assortment to travel to Cuba and witness with our own eyes this wonof tiny vessels brave the high winds and steep chop to earn derful country of beautiful, generous people. It is our hope their livelihood and all wave enthusiastically as we sail by. that Americans can soon share this experience, but also that We have covered the 60 miles by 1700 (10 hours), thanks to Cuba retains its distinct culture and the benefits of educaa coastal current and good winds, then entered the welltion, health care and social welfare. marked channel (23 º 08.153N 08 º 11.790W) after being For all who follow in our wake, Bien Viage. News & Views for Southern Sailors
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BOATOWNER’S BOAT REVIEW
Roundelay, 1974 Seafarer 38C Ketch By Cap’n Ironlegs (a.k.a. David Laing)
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s a retired academic, I have always believed in the value of research. Small wonder, then, that in the search for my fourth cruising sailboat, I spent vast amounts of time perusing—among many others—three Web sites: YachtWorld (www.yachtworld.com); Carl’s Sail Calculator (www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html); and SailNet BoatCheck (www.sailnet.com/boatchk/index.php). Armed with reams of data from these sources, I generated more reams of spreadsheets, detailing all sorts of sailboat hull, rig, safety, appearance, and performance characteristics with particular emphasis on sea-worthiness, sea-kindliness, “weatherliness,” construction, and classic beauty. Any boat with a reverse transom or a straight shear line disqualified itself automatically, as did any with fin keels and spade rudders. I definitely did not want an ugly boat or an overgrown dinghy! After ranking the data, I wound up with about 10 top contenders, among them the Allied Seabreeze II ketch, the Pearson 35 yawl or sloop, the Morgan 34 and 38 (original) sloops, the Irwin 37 ketch or cutter (a fine cruising sailboat despite some negative press), and, in the number four slot, the Seafarer 38C ketch or sloop. At this point, it boiled down to availability and price. As it happened, my search brought up a 1974 Seafarer 38C ketch nearby in Englewood, FL, in good condition and with many upgrades, such as roller furling, a hefty Schaefer mainsheet traveler, self-tailing Genoa winches, and a sturdy aluminum cockpit arch. The standing rigging was only a few years old, the sails were in near-new condition, and the Perkins 4-108 engine started and ran as if it had been installed the day before. That said, Blew-By-You did have her share of cosmetic issues. She was, in fact, rather shabby, but shabby is a whole lot easier to fix than a bad engine, threadbare sails, and rotten rigging. In short order, I found myself single-handing my newto-me ketch southward down the ICW from Lemon Bay in Englewood, FL, to Punta Gorda. I ran her under power as far as Marker 4, north of Boca Grande Inlet, then turned east toward Burnt Store Marina, unfurled the Genoa, raised the mizzen, cut the engine, and sailed under jib and jigger on a 50
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beam reach in 15 knots of wind gusting to 20. Glancing at my handheld GPS, I noted a speed over ground of 7.3 knots, almost half a knot over the boat‘s official hull speed! She was heeled over at about 20 degrees, a bit more of a tender boat than I’d hoped for, but she was dug in and shouldering her way through the building chop as if it weren’t there. This was, by any measure, a sea-kindly boat! The Seafarer 38C first came off the desk of master designer Philip Rhodes in 1963 in the form of a 35-foot motorsailer called the Bahama, which had short overhangs and a high, stepped coach roof with two large windows on each side and three in the front. A decade later, Rhodes lengthened the boat’s deck by 2 feet 9 inches and lowered her doghouse about a foot, eliminating the forward windows, but leaving all other measurements the same. That produced a hull that was 37’ 9” on deck, 26’ 3” on the waterline, had a beam of 10’ 6” and a draft of 4’ 6”. She had a full keel, a keel-hung rudder, a springy sheer line and a clipper bow. In its heyday, the Seafarer Company promoted its new flagship as “…the boat to go adventuring in…she’s built for real sailors…no port is beyond her reach…no cruise beyond her capability.” She came with a wide variety of options: standard (41’ 0” clearance) and tall (45’ 0” clearance) sloop and ketch rigs—each available with or without a three-foot cast aluminum platform bowsprit with built-in twin bow rollers. Stern davits were standard, as was destroyer wheel steering. The boats were hand-laid-up with alternating layers of fiberglass mat and woven roving. The hull, end-grain balsacored deck, cabin headliner, and one-piece molded hull liner are “overbuilt” by modern standards, making for a fairly heavy boat at 16,500 pounds displacement. The deep bulwarks consist of a continuous fiberglass girder incorporating and permanently sealing the hull-deck joint, and capped with a teak toe rail. The base price for the finished cutter in 1973 was $40,500—a not inconsiderable sum for the time, so Seafarer offered the then-popular option of buying a bare hull and finishing it to the buyer’s own design. Many Seafarer 38Cs were in fact sold and completed in this way. www.southwindsmagazine.com
Looking forward from the companionway on the Seafarer 38 with the forward galley to starboard across from the dinette.
The C38’s interior is, on the other hand, less flexible than that of many other boats. The forepeak serves for stowing anchor rodes. Next aft, the fo’c’sle holds standard, and generous, V-berths flanked outboard and overhead by fulllength cabinets having sliding teak doors with woven cane inserts. A distinctive feature is the large head, aft of the fo’c’sle and to port. In addition to the standard marine toilet with overboard discharge, small fiberglass washbasin with hot and cold pressure water, and medicine cabinet with shelving over, there is also a shower stall with a short, but adequate, molded-in fiberglass tub with separate hot and cold faucets in addition to the shower control. The head also features dual access from both saloon and fo’c’sle. Across to starboard is an ample hanging closet with dual doors and shelving outboard and two smaller overhead lockers. Aft to starboard is an in-line galley with ample teak fiddles comprising a large, well-insulated icebox, a gimballed propane stove recessed far enough outboard to allow Seafarer to describe the galley as “Ushaped” (a stretch!) and with a slide-out countertop cover, and a too-small, rectangular, stainless steel galley sink with hot and cold pressure water and a raw water faucet with a foot pump. Next aft is a rather awkward, gently-aftsloping, fiddled surface with a leaf that folds out aft over pull-out teak supports to form a forward-facing navigation table. Opposite the galley to port is a large, U-shaped dinette with a removable pedestal table that converts to a double berth with some creative arranging of cushions. The S38C’s most distinctive interior feature is a huge anteroom between the saloon and the companionway. Picture a typical sailboat interior with dual quarter berths in which the companionway and the cockpit have been shoved aft beyond the after-ends of the quarter berths so that the latter are enclosed in a full-headroom space. In the basic design, there’s a quarter berth on each side hinged outboard so it can be swung up to accommodate ballroom dancing (just kidding), or any other conceivable activity. On Roundelay, I altered this scheme by removing the quarter berth from the starboard side and adding it as a slide-out to the port quarter berth, thus converting it to a double berth when the hinged companionway steps have been raised and secured out of the way. In place of the starboard quarter berth, I installed an attractive sewing cabinet on casters with News & Views for Southern Sailors
Looking aft in the main cabin with the huge “anteroom” between the saloon and the companionway.
a drop leaf at the forward end (less than $100 at Wal-Mart) and a faux-suede swivel chair from Target. The casters allow the cabinet to be moved for easy access to the outboard lockers, and when Roundelay is under way, the cabinet is secured with a tie-down strap hooked to eye bolts mounted in the former quarter berth support cleat. Outboard of the galley, dinette, and quarter berths is a series of ample lockers with doors hinged at the base. In the standard model, these have been faced with dark, wood-
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grain vinyl thermally applied and next to impossible to remove, and are narrowly trimmed with teak. The same vinyl has been thermally applied to most other interior wood and fiberglass surfaces, making for a rather dark interior. Where it has become scuffed, torn, scratched, holed, or otherwise defaced, I have resorted to the temporary fix of overlaying such blemishes with pieces of new oak-grain vinyl pending a more satisfactory refinishing with paint or wallpaper. The cockpit’s volume is less than generous, although perfectly adequate for a party of four to lounge in with sundowners on the hook. The rather short mizzen mast is just millimeters forward of the rudderpost, making the S38C officially a ketch, but conferring on her an appearance that is a lot closer to a typical yawl. The cockpit is T-shaped, a feature seldom seen on boats of her age but virtually universal since the early ’80s. The arms of the T are covered with removable teak boards, forward of which are two sail lockers ample enough to hide quite a few illegal aliens. Under sail, Roundelay is a delight to handle and to singlehand, performing very similarly to my old 1968 Morgan 30, but more stably in following seas, doubtless due to her fullkeel and keel-hung rudder. She’s fast, steady, comfortable (if a bit tender), and reasonably close-winded for a split rig, tacking easily through an angle of 100 degrees or less. Under power, she goes with a noticeable prop-walk to port (bow to starboard), reflecting the counterclockwise rotation of the Perkins engine in forward gear, and she backs up any way she likes. To allow for this, I mounted two 40-lb-thrust trolling motors upside-down on hinged pipe brackets to the toe rails on the quarters, with the prop housings turned 90 degrees to serve as low-budget stern thrusters that can be swung down into the water when needed. They work like a charm! For the technically minded, the S38C’s performance statistics are as follows:
The cockpit.
Displacement/Waterline length: 407 (heavy cruiser) Hull speed: 6.87 knots (slow for her length by modern standards) Sail area/Displacement: 16.71 (quite respectable; good performance) LWL/Beam 2.50 (narrow by modern standards) Motion comfort ratio: 37.17 (very stable in a seaway) Capsize ratio: 1.65 (promptly self-righting; bluewater boat)
The forward deck on the Seafarer 38. 52
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Pre-owned S38Cs can usually be found on the market, although they are less likely to be listed on yachtworld.com than on some of the lower-profile multiple listing sites due to their rather modest resale values in such compendia as those put out by BUCnet and NADA (around $20,000). At the time of writing, I’m seeing asking prices for S38Cs in decent condition ranging from a low of $10,000 for a 1976 model to a high of $55,000 for a 1977 model, depending mainly on year of manufacture, upgrades and location. Bottom line: I feel my patient research paid off handsomely. I truly love my S38C and am always delighted to share my knowledge of her with other interested parties, especially as information on the S38C is very hard to come by online. E-mail me at davidlaing@aol.com with any questions. www.southwindsmagazine.com
RACING Sprint 750 and Multi 23 Take Top Honors at Corsair Trimaran Nationals By Julie B. Connerley Cover photo: Randy Smyth’s Multi 23 racing in the Corsair Trimaran Nationals. Photo by Julie Connerley.
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ike movies with tense suspense, twists of fate coupled with a Good Samaritan angle for warm fuzzies, the Corsair Trimaran Nationals held April 19-23 at the Pensacola Yacht Club had all of those elements. The event also marked the first appearance east of the Mississippi River at a national regatta for the Multi 23 – a new high-tech multihull. America’s top multihull sailor, Randy Smyth, of Fort Walton Yacht Club, recently bought the 10th Multi 23 sold in the United States. “There are 30 worldwide,” continued Leneman, “with more in production.” An exciting 11-race series pitted 18 competitors in a variety of water and wind conditions. PYC’s race committee chair, Betsy Moraski, explained. “On Monday, the sailors raced in Santa Rosa Sound, which is similar to lake conditions. On Tuesday, they had a 36-mile distance race through Pensacola Bay out to the Gulf and back.” The race was dubbed the “Port to Port” race honoring Pensacola’s founding 450 years ago. “For the final two days of racing,” continued Moraski, “racing was conducted in Pensacola Bay.” But it was the distance race that provided the tense moments for most competitors. Winds were between 21-24 mph with gusts to 31. Several experienced equipment failure, from torn spinnakers and a dismasting, to broken daggerboards. Seven boats didn’t even finish the race that day. Moreover, it was the turning point for the remainder of the event. Tim Britton, 41, of Peru, VT, was sailing in only his second major multihull regatta. His crewmember, Jonathan Farrar, is a professional sailor. However, Britton isn’t actually a novice. His father, Charles S. Britton, introduced the masses to a new “at the time” construction material called “fiberglass reinforced plastics lamination” (FRP) during the development of his Tartan sailboat back in the 1970s. Britton grew up sailing monohulls. But on Tuesday, his Sprint 750, Tobiko, lost its daggerboard and damaged the rudder and transom in the process. They were leading their class after Monday’s three races. However, no daggerboards were available anywhere in the United States. Fellow competitor, Bob Hodges, Pontchartrain Yacht Club, along with crewmember, Donnie Brennan, of Mobile, AL, were in second place and had a possible solution. Hodges had another daggerboard in Mandeville, LA— in his trash can. It was delaminated, hole-riddled, used-up and thrown out. If Britton was willing to drive to Louisiana, he could have it. News & Views for Southern Sailors
On the right is the overall Farrier-designed fleet winner, Tobiko. Photo by Julie Connerley.
Further, if Britton was willing to do that, Brennan, 55, the boatwright for the U.S. Olympic Team, would drive home to Mobile, pick up supplies and tools, and repair competitor Tobiko’s transom. “Our discussion with Tim and Jon lasted about 15 minutes,” said Brennan. “I left PYC about 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and finished their boat around 1:30 a.m. We were in second place at the time and it was the right thing to do.” If they hadn’t, Hodges and Brennan would have won the Sprint 750 class by default. Instead, Britton and Farrar, racing with the “trashed” daggerboard, won all four races against their “Good Samaritan” competitors the following day and ended the series with a low total of 55 points to earn the Ian Farrier Perpetual Trophy for overall fleet (Farrier design). Bert Rice, with son Bert Rice Jr. and Neil McMillan as crew aboard his Corsair 24, Mark Twain, took class honors and third in fleet with their score of 56 points. And the Multi 23? Randy Smyth, who made the sails for the boat (and has made some for stock Multi 23s as well) together with crewmember, Rick Zern of Pensacola, a professional rigger and tuner, raced the Multi 23 to an overall fleet win, scoring 54 points. “Rick Zern and I were very pleased with the downwind speed,” smiled Smyth. SOUTHWINDS
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RACING Eight-Year-Old Crewmember Tells His Side of the Corsair Nationals From Kim Kaminski
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ere is the blog from eight-year-old Peter Stephens, crew onboard Trevelyan, a 28-foot trimaran, Sailing in his first national championship, Peter came to Pensacola with his family from Cayuga Lake, NY, to vacation for spring break aboard their boat Trevelyan. He sailed with his father in the regatta.
The day of getting ready—04/18/2009 “The day of getting ready for the race was a semi treat, because I got to see how daddy does stuff. First we arranged the back of my dad’s truck to have more space in the truck. Then we took carts of stuff off the boat and put it in the truck. We put the battens in Daddy’s brand-new jib, and we hanked it onto the forestay, which goes to the top of the mast. The jib is the front sail, but it does not go onto the bowsprit. When we had all that done, Daddy and I hoisted the screecher, and when the sail was flapping in a strong gust, it blew the screecher out of control. I tried to pull in the sheet, but it was too strong, and it gave me a really nasty rope burn on my left hand. I let go and waited until the gust was over. Then jumped into the cockpit and put the sheet around the winch, but Dad told me to take it off the winch. When Daddy fin-
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The crew from Trevelyan following the second day of competition pictured left to right Tom Reese, Peter Stephens, Richard Stephens and Kim Kaminski. Photo courtesy Kim Kaminski.
ished taming the sail, he came down and put some ice on my hand, and he put on a special cream and a bandage. I went into the cabin and listened to an audiobook. The preparing—04/19/2009 The preparing was a success! First we went and got Tom, my Dad’s friend from the airport. Then we went to the Yacht Club and listened to one-third of a meeting and ate donuts. When we got back to the boat, we got more weight off the boat, because the lighter it is the faster it goes. Then we went for a sail, to make sure my Dad’s new jib fits. The jib looks perfect. After we got back, Tom and I went swimming in the marina to clean the bottom of the boat with a brush. I went out to the very end of the bowsprit! Racing at last—04/20/2009 Today we went racing, and I think we won, but I’m not sure as there are corrected time factors. But we had a very nice sail. My favorite part was when we were reaching back home, because the sea was flat and we could lie down and relax. I don’t have time to write more now because I have to go to bed. The Nerve-Wracking Race—04/21/2009 Today we raced in the Gulf of Mexico. I was mostly down in the cabin because the waves were about six feet high and were pounding against us. When we got out of the Gulf and back into the bay, I came out on deck to help. The wind was around 25 knots. We got fourth place. Yesterday, we got two firsts, so we are doing good. The Perfect Race—04/22/2009 Today it was a just picture-perfect day to race. The race was late because in the last race, people broke daggerboards, so the race committee gave everybody an extra hour to get ready. We used the time waiting for my dad’s friend Kim. The wind was a bit less than 10 knots, and it was hot and sunny. I was the “Bag Boy” —I unclipped the bag and helped get the spinnaker out of the bag. There were four races today. That is a lot, and it was hard work for the crew. The Final Race—04/24/2009 I had to go to bed so I didn’t have any time to write my blog. In the overall results, we came in sixth, and that is not bad. We got third place in our class and won a trophy with dolphins on it. www.southwindsmagazine.com
On Board Elice II in the 41st Regata del Sol al Sol, April 24 By Larry Annen
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eeks of planning and preparation are about to bear fruit. The anticipation and excitement of my first race have led me to the morning of the 41st annual St. Petersburg, FL, to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, race. I’m the newest crewmember and was therefore assigned as galley slave, rail meat and general deckhand. I’ve never raced my own boat, so this will be a great learning experience for me—and we get to break someone else’s equipment. On race day, there is a slight breeze as the fleet departs the docks and gathers with other boats off The Pier. Our crew is standing by in anticipation of the start, everyone on the ready. We dart across the starting line. Our sails are now fully extended and luffing in the waning breeze, the crew staring seaward as we begin to go… slower… slower…and then…backwards? The GPS shows definite movement backwards. Okay, this is my first race, and I’m just the galley boy, but even I can surmise that we are going the wrong darn way. I begin to have my first doubts as to the competence of the navigator when I hear the anchor chain rolling out of the locker. Yep—10 minutes into my first race and we’re anchored. It seems that no sooner than the race kicked off, the wind died. All of it, not even a puff. The incoming tide had us going backwards… Not much to say other than we were all pretty sick of looking at The Pier for the next four hours. When the breeze finally did begin to waft across the bay, anchors among the fleet were hoisted back into position freeing the becalmed vessels. Another hour later, we finally passed under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge entering the Gulf of Mexico. Eventually, the wind picked up to over 20 knots and had the bow slicing nicely through the waves. Strategies were becoming apparent as we could see which vessels were settling in on what course. Some were choosing to follow the most direct and shortest path, the rhumb line, while others were going out to look for currents and eddies to up the speed along the course. We choose the longer path, but with the fastest currents. We would have farther to go, but we would get there faster. The Elice II is a regular cruising boat, not a racer. The fastest this boat had ever seen in the past was a bit over 9 knots. We laid the Elice II over on her starboard side under full sail. Sitting at the helm you could reach over the lifeline and drag your hand in the water as we were heeling over somewhere around 3540 degrees. Combining our 9.5-knot-speed through the water with the added speed of the current, the GPS gave us numbers this boat had never seen before—12.4 knots over ground. We were very well pleased.. However, with that much wind comes the downside— waves. Lots of them. Lots of very big ones. My turn on the helm that night was both exciting and concerning. The waves had increased in size. The tops glowed with phosphorescence as they were blown off by the night winds. By sunrise, we were surfing the back side of some of the larger
News & Views for Southern Sailors
The crew of Elice II before the race in St. Petersburg.
waves. I was happy to be relieved of duty as I wanted to go below for some shuteye. My stomach was growling as I arrived in the galley. Hanging on and surveying the possible food choices, I had decided upon a sandwich. About that time, the boat departed my small little part of space and time. I did some kind of floating human magic trick. My body departed the port side galley, twisting 180 degrees around and landed upon the starboard side navigation station table. I could hear a loud crash and thud. It was an easy sound to identify, as it was I who had made it. Scratch the sandwich. My main goal was to get to the aft stateroom, lay abeam the bed with my feet halfway up the starboard bulkhead for support. I needed to lay there a while and lick my wounds. I now had some major bruising developing, which added to a previously cut knee, (lifeline cotter pin); cut toe, (companionway ladder); bruised shoulder (fell into the binnacle—twice) and a slightly twisted ankle (unknown origin). The next day or so was very similar, with several minor exceptions. Nobody really ate much as it was too rough. The
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RACING End of the race — The lighthouse on Isla Mujeres.
easy food was consumed when one had an opportunity, or desire, to eat. Pringles, Chex Mix, cans of cheese spread with crackers… man food, with beer of course. The day passed easily enough sans the big waves. The sky and sea finally began to calm that afternoon. It had become so nice out that we actually had a hot meal. One
of our crew broke out his guitar and made up a few new sea shanties for our entertainment. We accompanied him with a kazoo chorus as we all enjoyed the respite. It was the kazoos that had angered the gods; we were sure of it. The winds and waves returned with a vengeance. My midnight watch at the helm gave me new insight into why I really hate lightning at sea. It was not so much the fear of being struck as it was the momentary ability to see in the utter blackness. I was much happier not being able to look at the towering waves and only focus on the gyrating compass while I held course. Kazoos are hereby forever banned on my boat. It had now become that special time that happens in every blue-water transit. Terrible weather, total darkness, huge waves, 30-plus knots of wind, in the middle of nowhere… yep, it was time for things to break. First was the following wave that washed in from behind. That took out the weather fax computer down below. Next to go was the anemometer, but we already knew it was windy. The GPS-enabled chart plotter was next on the list to quit. We powered up the handheld back-ups. Then my favorite friend of this trip decided to take a long vacation, the autopilot… Yeah, buddy, we’re racing now! Devoid of current weather information, we decide to stick to our original plan. The winds were forecast (three days ago) to become calm in the Yucatan Channel between Mexico and Cuba, at about the same time the fleet completed the last 50 miles. Coming up from the south through the channel is a strong current. If we head south along the west side of Cuba, we can enter the Gulf Stream a little south of Isla Mujeres. While the fleet is foundered and drifting north, we will ride the current to the entrance of Isla and claim victory! And it was a fine plan, too. However, Mother Nature had her own agenda, and decided to let the winds blow for another 12 hours past the scheduled cut-off time. Being unaware of this bit of weather change caused us to give away most of the time we had greedily procured during the race. The sea giveth, and so shall the sea taketh… We found ourselves crossing the finish line entering Isla Mujeres, Mexico, on Monday at 11:57:57, which garnered us third place in our class and eighth place over all. This was pretty darn respectable for a vessel designed to cruise in comfort with an unfamiliar crew at the helm. We were proud of ourselves with good reason. We had cast off our bowlines and set sail from safe harbor. We had explored; we had dreamed; we had arrived. For more on the Regata del Sol al Sol and complete results, go to www.regatadelsolalsol.org.
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Charleston Race Week, Charleston, SC, April 16-19 Southern Hospitality and Good Racing Create a Sportboat Extravaganza By Dan Dickison
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here in the United States can you go to experience three days of near-perfect weather, over 170 boats, superb race committee work and inviting shoreside festivities? In days gone by, half a dozen venues would spring to mind, but in the current challenging economy, Charleston Race Week remains one of the few good bets. That’s right. So far this season, CRW has been the only regatta between Washington, D.C., and Florida that’s able to boast this rare combination of features. Throw in a growing number of women sailors, a few professionals and over $10,000 in sponsor-donated prizes and you’ve got quite a formula. All this came together in a satisfying alchemy during the third weekend of April this year, putting smiles on the faces of racing sailors and organizers alike. Throughout three days of high-energy competition, the 1,000-plus competitors who had traveled from 37 states and 10 countries (nearly 70 percent were from outside Charleston) were treated to an engaging variety of wind strengths and directions on the water and a pleasing mélange of hospitality on shore. As a gradually drifting high-pressure system governed the Low Country weather—delivering clear skies and stable winds—some of the 13 classes managed 10 races whereas others experienced just seven. Nonetheless, competitors got one day of northeasterlies, a day of easterlies, and a day of southwesterly winds, with only one contest taking place in single-digit breezes and the majority conducted in winds that averaged close to 16 knots. And Charleston Harbor’s notorious tides, though still a factor, were mercifully diminished on the inshore racecourses due to the midphase of the moon that weekend. If the equalizing aspect of the conditions wasn’t evident to everyone in attendance, one thing certainly was, and that’s the fact that this year over half the fleet was sportboats. Not only did the Melges 24 and J/80 classes field their customary crowd (31 and nine entries, respectively), but the Viper 640 class trebled its numbers from the previous year with 35 boats. Two other one-design sportboats made their Southeastern debut at Charleston—the new Melges 20 and the Laser SB3—and out on the offshore courses, a smattering of larger sportboats included one Flying Tiger 10M and an Esse 850. All of these speedsters were sending up spray and ratcheting up the digits on their speed gauges from the very first contest as northeasterly winds blew in the 16- to 20knot range. Though almost everyone caught glee-inducing rides on the downhill portions of the windward-leeward courses, more than a few sailors on the harbor courses also caught a good glimpse of their boat’s keel as broaches and round-ups became less occasional and more frequent. What was exciting, if occasionally hairy inshore, was downright nerve-wracking offshore. Over 30 hours of consistent northerly winds had stirred up the shallow waters outside Charleston’s harbor, meaning that the two PHRF fleets endured kidney-jarring conditions on Day 1 as steeply stacked waves (reportedly in the four- to six-foot range)
News & Views for Southern Sailors
The Melges 24 class at the start of a race. Local sailor Chris Hamilton’s team (bow number 49) is desperately looking for daylight. Photo by Sam Sharpe. www.thesharpeimage.com.
ruled the race venue and winds gusted above 22 knots. The demanding conditions offshore definitely favored the veteran crews, and particularly those who’d been competing regularly this winter. Robin Team’s crew out of Lexington, NC, on board the J/122 Teamwork, fit that description if any entry did. Even sailing against Sam Byrne’s much larger Farr 60 Captivity, Team and his crew rarely fell behind during CRW, and ultimately won the class by over four points, taking home the coveted Palmetto Cup for best PHRF performer, along with some tasty Gosling’s Rum and a pricy electronics package from event sponsor Raymarine. Team’s counterpart for top honors in the one-design arena turned out to be Scott Nixon of Annapolis, MD, whose Quantum Racing team wrested control of the tough Melges 24 class on the final day. Besting veteran racers John Kolius and Argyle Campbell, Nixon and his crew had their names engraved on the Charleston Race Week Cup, and took home some Gosling’s Rum and a Raymarine electronics package as well. For Nixon, the victory was doubly sweet because he garnered the same honor at CRW in 2008 while calling tactics in this class. Brad Van Liew, executive director of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation, which co-organizes the regatta, couldn’t agree more. He gives credit to a wide range of factors for the event’s success. “First, we’ve got a fabulous team of staff and volunteers from the foundation and the Charleston Ocean Racing Association, as well as tons of help from the local yacht clubs and, of course, our out-oftown race committee personnel. We’ve also got a great group of sponsors that help us provide a real value to our racers—great food and drink, logistics and rigging services, and the kind of valuable prizes that we think no other U.S. regattas award to the winners.” He also credits the venue, not just Charleston’s challenging waters, but specifically the SOUTHWINDS
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RACING beachfront site of the regatta’s headquarters at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. “That was maybe the biggest decision we made when we moved the event from City Marina in downtown Charleston over here to our current site. It brings the boats another couple of miles closer to the ocean courses, the marina is well-designed and convenient, and the hotel and grounds are gorgeous. Our daily awards ceremony and Gosling’s Rum parties stick in the racers’ minds all year long because they happen right at the water’s edge on a beautiful sandy beach in the resort’s backyard.” Though Van Liew acknowledges that many of the regatta’s appealing features have been put in place by design, he allows that others have occurred more organically. Take, for instance, the seemingly balanced blend of professional sailors and talented amateurs. CRW seems to attract the kind of professional sailor who may not be a household name elsewhere, but is recognized by dedicated racers. Such individuals this year included Anthony Kotoun, Charlie McKee and Ched Proctor. “We do have superstar sailors here,” he explained (a nod to the likes of John Kolius, Ethan Bixby and a few others in attendance), but there’s really less of a grand prix culture at our event.” Another organic element that Van Liew acknowledged was the surprisingly large number of women competing this year. Though he says that CRW has always had women competitors, their numbers were significantly increased. “Part of it is the educational culture here,” he explained.
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“The very successful College of Charleston women’s sailing team and the local high school teams infuse our local sailing scene with skilled, enthusiastic sailors. Still, I agree, this year was more balanced than ever, and that seems to be due to the prevalence of female sailors aboard the smaller boats. It seemed like nearly every Melges, Laser and Viper team had at least one woman aboard—and there was even an all-women boat out there.” Because one might expect Van Liew to praise this event, why not leave the final word to someone else, say Bill Sandberg. A longtime race committee volunteer, who traveled from his home in Riverside, CT, to serve on the committee at CRW, Sandberg came away charmed. A week after the regatta, he wrote to Scuttlebutt—a popular online sailing community and news source—to share his impressions: “This was one of the best regattas I have ever been to. The host site was perfect. It had all the amenities and docks it needed as well as a great beach to host after-sailing events. The group of volunteers was outstanding, with all local yacht clubs pitching in. Most of all, you got a real taste of Southern hospitality. Every volunteer, from those who drove the golf carts ferrying people from their cars to the top event organizers, had a smile on their face and aimed to please. Add to that good wind and race management, and you have a winner.” For full scores, photos and additional information, go to www.charlestonraceweek.com.
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SOUTHERN RACING NEWS AND OTHER EVENTS 2009 One-Design Crew Training, Davis Island Yacht Club, Tampa, June 6, 13, 20 By King Purton Fleet 86 of the J/24 Association will hold the ninth version of One-Design Crew Training (ODCT) on consecutive Saturdays, June 6, 13, 20, from noon until 5 p.m. This is a course designed to transition sailors from rail meat to contributing members of the crew. It is not a learn-to-sail course. Through both classroom and actual hands-on experience, you will learn to hank on, hoist, and trim the J/24 jib, Genoa, main and spinnaker on all points of sail. You will become a help, not a hindrance, to your skipper no matter what kind of boat he sails. The course will be held at the Davis Island Yacht Club, 1315 Severn Ave., Tampa and is open to the general public with preference going to sailors involved in the DIYC Thursday night series. The prerequisites are some experience sailing, normal agility and no aversion to getting black-and-blue marks. To sign up, contact King Purton at kpurton@verizon.net, or (813) 760-0177. Applications are available at the DIYC Thursday night cashier. The cost is a $125 contribution to Davis Island Yacht Club launch fund, and slots are limited to 30 students.
UPCOMING MAJOR REGATTAS
Mayor’s Cup Regatta, Lake Townsend, NC, June 6-7 The Lake Townsend Yacht Club will host this annual Regatta, June 6-7, at Lake Townsend just north of Greensboro, NC. One-design and Portsmouth racing. www.laketownsendyachtclub.com, (336) 908-3976.
2009 Florida State Laser Championships, Fort Walton Yacht Club, June 6-7 By Kim Kaminski The Laser 490 Fleet Association will be the authorizing authority for the competition. Competitors who are members of the International Laser Class Association are eligible to compete. A competitor who is not a member of the ILCANA or its National Laser Class Association will still be allowed to compete following registration with the organizing authority. Races will be held in the western end of Choctawhatchee Bay. www.fwyc.org.
Race to the Coast, New Orleans, June 13 Sponsored by the Southern Yacht Club, this race was first held on July 4, 1850. It is known as America’s oldest distance race. The race sails through the Lake Pontchartrain, the Rigolets, Lake Borgne to the Mississippi Sound. For more details, go to www.southernyachtclub.org. News & Views for Southern Sailors
Billy Bowlegs Festival and Regatta, Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club, June 13-14 The 54th Annual Billy Bowlegs Festival is filled with family events for all ages. It is focused on the charismatic character Billy Bowlegs, a local northwest Florida pirate. Weeklong activities began on June 8 and include a treasure hunt, torchlight parade, fireworks and the regatta. Three class divisions are expected to compete; Spinnaker A and B, Cruiser class and J/22 class. All racing will be held in Choctawhatchee Bay. An after race party and dinner will be held on Saturday at the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club and awards ceremony after racing Sunday. For more information and register online, go to www.fwyc.org.
2009 Offshore Challenge Cup Regatta, Gulfport Yacht Club, June 19-21 The 2009 Gulf Yachting Association (GYA) Offshore Challenge Cup Regatta will be held June 19-21 at the Gulfport Yacht Club. All yacht clubs which are members in the GYA are invited. Each club may enter no less than three and no more than four boats in four classes. The skipper, the helmsman and at least half the crew (including the skipper and helmsman) must be current members of the one yacht club they represent. www.gulfportyachtclub.org.
First Annual River Regatta, Regatta Pointe Marina, Palmetto, FL, June 20 Regatta Pointe Marina is hosting the First Annual “River Regatta” sailboat race, which will take place on June 20. The event is part of “Summer Sailstice 2009,” the global holiday celebrating sailing held annually on the summer solstice, the longest sailing day of the year. The event is open to all sailboats and will be governed by the US SAILING rules. Expected classes are Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker, True Cruiser, Pocket Cruiser, Racer Cruiser, and Multihull. The course will be on the Manatee River and will be visible to spectators. The race will be a pursuit race with starting times based on handicap rating. Complimentary docking, launching, and parking are available at or adjacent to Regatta Pointe Marina. Participating vessels have the option for free dockage for Friday and Saturday evenings, along with access to all Regatta Pointe Marina amenities including pool, showers, and laundry. Hotels and other lodging options are available nearby. More details and NOR at www.RegattaPointeMarina.com or call (941) 306-7776.
Gulfport to Pensacola Race, June 26 The annual 100-mile Gulfport to Pensacola race will be held on June 26. It is sponsored by both the Gulfport Yacht Club, the Southern Yacht Club, the Pensacola Yacht Club and the Gulf Yachting Association. It is a 100-mile race from the channel entrance at Gulfport, MS, along the Gulf Coast to SOUTHWINDS
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SOUTHERN RACING the channel entrance of the Pensacola Pass. For more information, go to www.pensacolayachtclub.org
Ft. Walton Yacht Club Round the Island 100-Mile Multihull Race, June 26-28 This race is a circumnavigation around Santa Rosa Island located in northwest Florida. The race begins off the point of the Ft. Walton Yacht Club through East Pass and continues west through the Pensacola pass where boaters will turn north for the return trip. At the start of the race, the wind is usually four to six knots from the northeast. After the start, racers round a turning mark off the shoals of Crab Island then head for Destin Bridge and East Pass. A charter boat fleet runs in front of them at the pass with a colorful parade of sailors and fishing boats. Spectators usually line the Destin Bridge and can see the multihull fleet sail under spinnakers using the NNE breeze as they head out around the island. www.fwyc.org.
Regatta Time in Abaco, July 3-11 This annual regatta, one of the most famous in the Bahamas and Florida starts with Bobb Henderson’s immense “Cheeseburger in Paradise” picnic and runs through a week of festivities and casual racing with Bahamian boats and cruisers from all over. For more information, go to www.regattatimeinabaco.com.
Pirates on the Pungo Regatta, Belhaven, NC, July 17-19 This regatta is an annual fundraiser for the Pungo District Hospital Foundation. It is sponsored by the River Rat Yacht Club and the Belhaven Yacht Club. Racing classes include sailing dinghies, PHRF Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker boats, a Recreational Non-Spinnaker class, and one design classes. There is a captain’s reception on Friday evening, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, happy hour on Saturday afternoon and a Buccaneer Bash dinner/dance after racing on Saturday. The Buccaneer Bash on Saturday is open to sailors and non-sailors, and a special dinner is prepared for the evening. Dockage, accommodations and launch facilities are available at a reduced rate to regatta participants. For more information, go to www.piratesonpungo.org, or call (252) 964-3442.
RACE REPORTS
Michelob Cup, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, March 28 By Beth Pennington The Michelob Cup, a Suncoast Boat of the Year PHRF Handicap invitational regatta in its 28th year was held on 60
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March 28. Great Bay Distributors/Anheuser Busch was the name sponsor again. The event chairs were George and Beth Pennington, with George also being the PRO. Forty-three boats in four classes raced with two of the classes split into two divisions. Boats ranged in size from 24 feet to 47 feet. A great breeze of 17 knots got all classes off to a clean start. However, as the day wore on, the winds increased to upwards of 30 knots. It was not long before the race committee was informed of vessels not finishing because of equipment failure. Twentysix boats braved the high winds and choppy seas on Tampa Bay to arrive finally at the finish. Even though there were equipment failures, there were no serious injuries—only a few bumps and bruises, but it was clear that this regatta became a test for the preparedness of vessels and their crew. A small race committee of four on board the powerboat Baby Doll Too also braved the rocky and rolling conditions on the bay. Besides George and Beth, Selga Saks and Larry Wissing rounded out the committee. Spectators and competitors commented on how sometimes all they could see was the bottom of the boat. The start pin committee consisted of the team of Larry and Valerie Massengill. According to their story, they got quite wet. Thanks also go to the St. Pete Sailing Center crew who came out to help with a dismasted vessel. Many boats retired before or after finishing due to the fact that they had not rounded the correct marks. In this type of regatta, there are no provisions for mark boats at each mark. The skippers and crew are responsible for rounding the marks in the proper order and on the correct side. Once they realized this, they showed great sportsmanship in reporting their errors to the race committee. Judges Barbara and Dave Shaffer, and Mike Dawson didn’t get much work but clarified some of the sailing instructions and results to the competitors. Results (for complete results, go to www.spyc.org >regattas. Place, boat, captain, club, boat type): Spinnaker 1: 1, No Limit, Robert Hobbs, DIYC, Farr 39; 2, Tampa Girl, William Terry, DIYC, J-120; 3, Wired, Allen Thomas, DIYC, Farr 39; Spinnaker 2: 1, Renegade, Myers Grimsdale, DIYC, Carrera 29; 2, Fire & Ice, George/Anne Cussins, DIYC, J-105; 3, Back Off, Tony Barrett, SPSA, Soverel 26; NonSpinnaker 1: 1, Mojo, Mauro Harto, BBSC, J-34; 2, See Ya, Steve Grote, DIYC, Capri 30; 3, XTC, Tom Glew, SPYC, Beneteau 46; NonSpinnaker 2: 1, Seaduce Me, Doug Fuller, BCYC, Catlina Capri 22; Cruising 1: 1, Zingaro, Ken Carriero, CYC, Catalina 36; 2, Chances R, Ron/Tim Augustine/Roberts, Cyc, Endeavor 35; 3, Valhalla, Edward Proefke,Jr., CYC, Beneteau 1st 34; Cruising 2: (No placers). Racer Cruiser: 1, Relativity, Hall Palmer, SPYC, Beneteau 53; 2, 48, Prime Plus, Frank Hanna, ABYC; 3, 41227, Intrepid, Jeff Russo, DIYC.
Jabbo Gordon Invitational Regatta, Englewood, FL, April 11 Adherence To Lessons Learned Pays Off— What a Difference a Year Makes By Jabbo Gordon The 5th Annual Jabbo Gordon Invitational Regatta in Englewood had so much scoring confusion that SOUTHWINDS (July 2008) had a last-page article that discussed the chaos. In the story, Gordon suggested that if there was any kind of silver lining, it was the long list of lessons learned. Never mind that the 2008 version had a 36 percent entry increase and that it www.southwindsmagazine.com
Sailing in the Jabbo Gordon Regatta in Englewood on April 11. Photo by Jin Dietrich.
rained all day. Those were only excuses, and weak ones at that. The regatta’s nomenclature needed some serious repairs. “But we’ve always done it this way” thinking went out the door. New blood brought several changes: • The Venice Youth Boating Association, which is the organizing authority in cooperation with the host Englewood Sailing Association, started having committee meetings in January 2009. • Two windward-leeward courses (two laps) were used instead of the usual trapezoidal course. One was for Optimist fleets, and the other was for Lasers (Full, Radial, 4.7), Sunfish and 420s. • A Portsmouth class, though listed in the Notice of Race, never materialized. • Officials employed an electronic scoring system, which finally brought the event into the 21st century. Partial results were even posted during the lunch break and final scores were available within minutes after the last committee boat reached the dock. And they were on the VYBA Web site the next day, thanks to Sheila Sosa. • Lucille Kreider ran a tight registration ship although more than a third of the entries waited until race day, Apr. 11, to sign up. There was even a form for sail number or class changes. • Jon Bednerik, executive director of the Englewood-Cape Haze Area Chamber of Commerce, came to give an official welcome and to orchestrate a ceremonial ribbon- cutting. However, the principal race officers kept the three-minute starting sequence instead of going to five minutes, as suggested by some observers. They also employed the “I” flag for all races. A general recall in the Optimists’ first race cut back on the number of skippers who pushed the envelope too far. Scoring spotters were better organized. However, this regatta has not yet reached the sophistication of video cameras or tape recorders to determine finishing positions. The weather certainly cooperated this year. Rain and/or high winds that have plagued previous regattas did not occur. It was partly cloudy, and westerly winds climbed steadily from light to moderate. Were there glitches? Of course, it was a regatta—run by humans. Are there still ways to improve? Yes. Starting sooner and having more races in the one-day event is one thought. Returning the courses closer to shore so spectators can see better is another suggestion. News & Views for Southern Sailors
Entry numbers were down from the previous three years, which may have assisted the reorganizational effort. Hopefully, the decrease was not because of last year’s creative scoring, but because the regatta came at the end of spring break for most schools. Many sailing families were gone for the holidays. Some 70 skippers came from as far away as St. Petersburg and Fort Myers, but Sarasota Youth Sailing Program skippers captured most of the awards. In the International Optimist Dinghy division, Zack Jordan won the Green fleet and Sophia Schultz sailed to a first place in the Red, White and Blue fleet. Tasha Greenwood grabbed the Laser Radial class crown. Benjamin Kalish placed second to Jordan while Ian Nora and Christi Frost were second and third, respectively, to Greenwood. Jack Famiglietti won the 420 class with Jason D’Agostino sailing as crew. All sail for the SYSP David Hillmyer of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron garnered top spot in the Laser Full category. Jack Perry of the Englewood Sailing Association took the Sunfish title. Adam Stratton of Fort Myers’ Edison Sailing Center was first in the Laser 4.7 group. Officials instituted a new trophy this year—the Bill Corrigan Memorial Award for sportsmanship and adherence to the rules of sailing. It was named in memory of Mr. Corrigan of Sarasota, a longtime VYBA supporter who died Jan. 25. Harriett Corrigan, his widow and former VYBA president for nine years, presented all the awards. The inaugural recipient was Anna Millbourn of Sarasota’s YSP. The Optimists competed in five races while the Lasers, Sunfish and 420 sailed in six. For complete results, go to www.veniceyouthboating.com.
Crown Cars Regatta, St. Petersburg Yacht Club Pass-a-Grille, April 18 By Beth Pennington The Crown Cars Regatta comes to the St. Petersburg Yacht as an inherited race through the merger with the Pass-a-Grille Yacht Club. Due to construction last year, the event was not held, but this year the tradition continued with its 25th anniversary. Crown Cars was again a sponsor, providing vans for the competitors to be shuttled to and from the remote parking area. Two new sponsors also helped out, AAA Marine and Sail Technologies. This a PHRF handicap regatta. As one of the last Suncoast Boat of theYear (SCBOTY) events, the entries were a little low, but the fleets were mighty as they battled for their places to keep them in the top for the SCBOTY. Twenty-five boats registered. The courses were very different from the ones previously sailed with a windward/leeward course of 14 miles for the Spinnaker class, a 12.48-mile course for Racer/Cruiser class and a 10.48-mile course for the Cruising class, with the latter two classes sailing to a 90-degree offset mark. The start had to be delayed for about 30 minutes to give the vessels time to get to the starting area due to the fact the winds were out of the east. With 17-18 knots of breeze, most of the classes finished quickly. However, the wind gods were against the cruising class, and some of them had to retire before finishing due to the time limit. All trophies were awarded at the party following the regatta, and the SOUTHWINDS
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SOUTHERN RACING free beer provided by sponsors was enjoyed by all. Thanks to Vanessa for a great buffet dinner. The race committee consisted of the event chairs, George and Beth Pennington, PROs Tom Farquhar and Pat Seidenspinner, Chief Judge Barbara Farquhar and Ocean Racing Chair Larry Wissing. The mark boat was manned by Commodore Bob Johnson, his wife Carole and Dan Haney. Bill Mellman and Steve Guarello helped in the coordination of the event with Crown Cars and obtaining parking and sponsors. Results (top three—place, boat name, captain) Spin Class A: 1, XS, Doug Fisher; 2, No Limit, Mike/Robert Gable/Hobbs; 3, Mad Cow, 2 Ed Ruark; Spin Class E: 1, Salty Pause, Rusty Allen; 2, Relentless, Larry Willis; 3, Hot Wheels, Rob Whetmore; Non Spin Class B; 1, See Ya, Steve Grote; 2, Tango III, Rafael Paris; RC Class C; 1, Prime Plus, Frank Hanna; 2, Intrepid, Jeff Russo; Cruising Class D; 1, Octofoil, Robert Poladian; 2, Calypso, James Masson; 3, Chances R, Ron/Tim Augus/Roberts.
Shark’s Tooth Regatta, Venice Yacht Club, April 18 By Charlie Clifton Twenty-one boats showed up at the Venice Yacht Club for the Shark’s Tooth Regatta. It was the sixth leg of the Sarasota Boat of the Year circuit. David Wilson (BYC) on Solitude solidified his series lead with first in the Pocket Cruiser division as well as overall honors. The boats faced a challenge as a morning easterly gave way to an afternoon westerly sea breeze. The last boat completed the 12-mile course four hours after the start. In the Non Spinnaker division, Dave Ettinger (SSS) on Mo’ Air got the bullet by one minute over BOTY leader Doug Dearden (SSS) on In Tune. In Cruising division, John Lynch (VYC) on Summertime took the lead in the BOTY series by winning that division by a 12-second margin over runner-up Ron Greenberg (SYC) on Forever Young. Those two boats have been neck and neck throughout the series. Bob Armstrong (BYC) on Mischief made the long trip from Bradenton worthwhile by winning the Spinnaker division. Complete results at www.sarasotabayyachting.org
Florida Lightning District Championship, Edison Sailing Center, Fort Myers, FL, April 18-19 By Charlie Clifton Steve Hayden (Orlando) teamed up with son Jeff and longtime crew Barr Batzer to win the 2009 Florida Lightning District Championship at the Edison Sailing Center in Fort Myers. A very shifty easterly held throughout the two days and six races. The perpetual trophy, a huge silver bowl, is engraved with winners going back to Dick Bertram in 1948. Perhaps a reason for the longevity of the class and the event is the family nature of the class. The winner sailed with his young son. Runner-up Jeff Linton (DIYC) sails with his wife. In third place, Frank Atkinson (Miami) enlisted the aid of the Cotera brothers. The Florida District Masters Championship was sailed 62
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at the same time. Frank Atkinson came out on top there. Steve Olive choreographed a large crew of juniors from the Edison Sailing Center who did a great job on race committee, cooked bratwurst for lunch on the water and put out a great dinner. Complete results at www.lightningclass.org/racing/ results/2009/floridadistrict.asp.
Spring Catamaran Regatta, Gulfport Yacht Club, Tampa Bay, April 18-19 By Dave Ellis Conditions for the 36 performance catamarans racing on Boca Ciega Bay ranged from strong enough for some spectacular crashes to light enough to be frustrating. The 12-boat A-Cat fleet was the Ben and Ben show with Ben Hall edging Ben Moon for the title. Only third-place finisher Woody Cope managed to win a race besides the two leaders. The Formula 18 and Formula 16 started together and sailed the same course. In these conditions, the 18-footers sailed the course tightly bunched, but often behind the first couple of 16s to finish. Chris Prentice with crew Patrick LaRoche won. Ollie and Kelly Jason did not compete in Sunday’s two races after winning the four sailed Saturday. The Formula 16 was the largest fleet with 17 boats, some testing the waters of the “Global Challenge” of the class to be held in the fall of the year. Matt and Gina McDonald raced their new Falcon design that he now builds. They were smart as always and the boat seemed quick as they accrued half the penalty points as the next finisher. For complete results go on line to www.gulfportyachtclub.com.
Calema Florida Windfest, Calema Watersports, Merritt Island, April 18-19 By Britt Viehman The Calema Florida Windfest windsurfing regatta was held at Calema Watersports on April 18-19 with sunny weather and perfect conditions for planing, at 10-15 knot winds. For those of you who haven’t windsurfed, planing can be described as the moment when, in a strong enough wind, the board goes from floating along in the water like a small boat to skimming along on top of the water like a water ski with speeds of 25-30 mph being quite common. Junior windsurfers from the Tampa Bay area were well-represented at Windfest, including Kevin Hendrickson (Seminole), Cullen Ahearn (Clearwater), Austin Emser (Largo) and Chris Waldo (Gainesville). All are coached by Britt Viehman of St. Pete Beach (http://www.nbwindsurfing.com/ about/index.html). These juniors are all on the Clearwater Community Sailing Center’s Windsurfing team. Later this summer, the team will be traveling to U.S. Nationals at Hood River, OR, the Bic 293 North Americans in San Francisco, and the Bic 293 Worlds in Weymouth, UK. Formula and Kona fleets held five races on Saturday and a long-distance race on Sunday. There was a bit more www.southwindsmagazine.com
wind for shortboarding after the awards, rounding out a perfect weekend in Cocoa Beach. For the Kona and Formula Classes, Tampa Bay youth sailors finished with Austin Emser taking first overall in the Kona and Kevin Hendrickson taking second. Cullen Ahearn took first in the Junior Formula class.
2009 Cinco de Mayo Regatta, Lake Lanier, GA, May 2-3 By Kirk Jockell
Dauphin Island Regatta Perpetual Trophies, Mobile Yacht Club, April 25 By David Jefcoat
Mike Krantz in his A-Cat #194 owns the pin end with clear air to start his climb to the weather mark. Photo by Kirk Jockell.
Hunter Riddle of Schurr Sails in Pensacola took first in Spinnaker fleet at the Dauphin Island Race. Hunter has raced as crew for 25 years in the regatta. For the first time, he sailed his own boat and took first place. Photo by Julie Connerley.
Mobile Yacht Club hosted the 51st Dauphin Island Race in conditions that were not expected with the light winds starting out of the northeast and clocking around to the west and then to the south southeast. Many boats were able to fly their spinnakers at the beginning, and as the wind shifted and died, they set very still in the water. As the wind continued to build and shift to the southeast, they were able to start moving again. One boat that took advantage of these conditions was a Fish Class boat skippered by Louise Douglas who ended up winning the Cutty Sark Trophy, which is for the skipper who is over 60 years old in any fleet. Louise also won the Commodore H.S. Denniston Trophy for the first overall one-design vessel. Greg Smith onboard White Trash also won several trophies, the Turner Trophy, the Lundquist Trophy and the Fairhope Yacht Club Trophy. Hunter Riddle onboard Rodent won the Mobile Bay Cruising Association Trophy and John Howard won the Perseverance Trophy, which is for the vessel whose crew demonstrates the greatest perseverance in the fleet. Robert Lambert won the George Brothers Trophy on his multihull and finished first of all vessels. The Mobile Yacht Club won the Governor’s Trophy for having the most points of all yacht clubs entered in the regatta. News & Views for Southern Sailors
North Georgia’s Lake Lanier Sailing Club (LLSC) hosted its annual Cinco de Mayo Multihull Regatta on May 2-3. The open event hosted 14 boats ranging from the Hobie 16S to F18s, and some in between. The two-day event was met with some questionable weather predictions, which probably held the event numbers down a bit, but that didn’t stop this year’s participants from showing up to—and what ended up being—a great event. Much of the success of any regatta boils down to the racing, and with that being the benchmark, no one could be disappointed in how the events unfolded. Day one started out kind of light, however, but as the day progressed, conditions steadily increased. As the last boat was approaching the weather mark for its final run downhill, plenty of rain and weather was quickly marching down the lake and into the racecourse. With four races under the belt, it was time to go in. On day two, the winds that were left on the lake the previous day were still there waiting for them the next morning—perhaps a touch more. In and out of white caps, the racers had a blast for the rest of the day to include little William Stovall. Although it was his first race ever, he held up quite well given the conditions. I believe it can be predicted that not unlike watching a good Disney movie, he will probably want to do this racing thing, over and over again. Good job, Dad! The boats were broken down into two fleets. The F-16s, Nacra 17s, F-18s, and A-Cats made up the Open A fleet. Andy Humphreys and his partner Joanna took top honors in the fleet sailing an F-16, Mike Krantz took second in his A-Cat, and rounding out the top three in another F-16 was Lynn Olson. The Hobie boats (16s, 18s and a 20) made up the Open B fleet. Gregg Matthews and his partner Shelly landed on top with their Hobie 16, followed by another H-16, skippered by Alex Mazurek. Taking third was Mike Stewart and his partners Debbie and Linda. Complete results are at www.llsc.com. To learn more about the sailing action on Lake Lanier, visit www.SailLanier.com. SOUTHWINDS
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SOUTHERN RACING REGIONAL RACING CALENDARS Regattas and Club Racing—Open to Everyone Wanting to Race For the races listed here, no individual club membership is required, although a regional PHRF rating, or membership in US SAILING or other sailing association is often required. To list an event, contact editor@southwinds magazine.com. Send in the name of the event, date, location, contact info, possibly a short description. Do not just send a link to this information. Since race schedules and venues change, contact the sponsoring organization to confirm.
JUNE Charleston Ocean Racing Association. www.charlestonoceanracing.org Summer Wednesday Evening Series every Wednesday 6:15 p.m. 13-14 Hobcaw Regatta 20-21 James Island Regatta 26-28 Charleston Harbor Festival Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 5-6 First Citizens Cup 11-13 SJ-21 Eastern Nationals. SJ 20 Indian Island to Ocracoke. PSC 20-21 Clark Cup Boy Scout Regatta. BSC 27-28 Laser Masters. ODC Lake Lanier. Lake Lanier Sailing Club (LLSC) www.llsc.com See web site for local club races 5/31-6/5 Junior Week 12-14 Reggae Regatta South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com www.longbaysailing.com See Web site for local club races 5-7 Special Olympics Invitational. Hobie 16, 420. JIYC 6-7 Mayors Cup. Dinghy. LTYC 6-7 Governors Cup. Long Bay. 11-14 San Juan 21 Nationals. San Juan 21. BSC 13-14 Hobcaw Open. HYC 12-14 Reggae Regatta. LLSC 20-21 James Island Open. JIYC 22-23 Sunfish Jr North American. Sunfish. JIYC 24-26 Sunfish North American. Sunfish. JIYC 27-28 Low Country Regatta. Open. BYS JULY Charleston Ocean Racing Association. www.charlestonoceanracing.org Wednesday evening club racing 18-19 Charleston Yacht Club Regatta 25-26 Carolina Regatta Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org See Web site for local club races 4 Croaker Fest Regatta 11-12 HYC Regatta 17-19 Pirates on the Pungo 25 Parrothead Lake Lanier. Lake Lanier Sailing Club (LLSC) www.llsc.com and www.saillanier.com See Web sites for weekly local club race schedule South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com www.longbaysailing.com See Web sites for local club race schedule 4-5 Independence Day Regatta. Open. LNYC 11-12 Firecracker Regatta. One design. SYC 11-12 Water Festival Regatta. Open. BYSC 64
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18-19 18-19 25-26 25 31
Charleston Yacht Club Regatta. Open. ChYC Rocket Regatta. PHRF. CFYC Carolina Yacht Club Regatta. Open. CYC-SC Jolly Jordan. Opti. CSC SAYRA Youth Challenge. Opti, Sunfish, Lasers, 420. CYC-NC
JUNE 3 Sunday Social Sail. Lake Monroe Sailing Association 3,10 Summer Wednesday Race #6, #7. Indian River Yacht Club 3,19 Summer Rum Race #3, #4. Melbourne Yacht Club 6 Youth Sailing Session 1 Begins 6 Jessie Ball Regatta. Eppingham Forest Yacht Club 6 Full Moon Sail & Raft Up. Lake Monroe Sailing Association 6-7 Kelly Park River Regatta. Space Coast Catamaran Assoc. 6,13,20,27 Early Summer Adult Sailing Class #1- #4 Halifax Sailing Association 7,20 Summer Series #2, #3. Rudder Club 7,28 Commodore Cup Race #2, #3. Halifax River Yacht Club 7 Big Boy’s Race. Halifax Sailing Association 6-7 Summer Street Party & Regatta. Titusville Sailing Center 10,17,24 Rum Race. Lake Monroe Sailing Association 10 Howl at the Moon. Halifax Sailing Association 13 St. Johns Regatta. Florida Yacht Club 13 Mermaid Regatta. Port Canaveral Yacht Club 13 Sailing Class Begins (5 weeks). Titusville Sailing Center 14,28 Small Boat Sunday. Melbourne Yacht Club 14 Spring Sunday Race #5. Indian River Yacht Club 17,24 Wednesday Mosquito Series Race #1, #2. Indian River Yacht Club 19 21st Summer Sailstice. Lake Monroe Sailing Association 20 Club Race Series 7,8,9. Lake Monroe Sailing Association 20-21 Father Fest Cruise to Marker 21. Melbourne Yacht Club 20 Spring Race #4. East Coast Sailing Association 20-12 Daytona Summer Sizzler. Fleet 80. 27 Women’s Spring Race #5. East Coast Sailing Association 27 Interclub Regatta. Eppingham Forest Yacht Club JULY 3,17,31Summer Rum Race #4,#5,#6. Melbourne Yacht Club 4 Summer Series #4. Rudder Club 4-5 Firecracker Regatta Port Canaveral Yacht Club 5 Big Boy’s Race. Halifax Sailing Assoc. 10 Howl At the Moon. Halifax Sailing Assoc 12,26 Commodore Cup Race #4,#5. Halifax River Yacht Club 12 Small Boat Sunday. Melbourne Yacht Club 18 Spring Race #4. East Coast Sailing Association 18 Late Summer Adult Sailing Class #1. Halifax Sailing Assoc 19 Sunday Race #1. Indian River Yacht Club 25 Late Summer Adult Sailing Class #2. Halifax Sailing Assoc 25 Women’s Fall Race #1. East Coast Sailing Association 26 Small Boat Sunday. Melbourne Yacht Club TBA Gilligan’s Run. Catamaran Distance Race in Daytona. Fleet 80.
Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net Go to the Web site for local club races BBYC Biscayne Bay YC www.southwindsmagazine.com
BBYRA Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net CGSC Coconut Grove Sailing Club. www.cgsc.org CRYC Coral Reef YC. www.coralreefyachtclub.org. KBYC Key Biscayne YC. www.kbyc.org. MYC Miami YC. www.miamiyachtclub.net.
The race calendar can be accessed through the racing pages link at www.southwindsmagazine.com. It is also the race calendar link at the West Florida PHRF organization and other sailing associations and yacht clubs in the area. Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com to list your race, or changes. Sorry, but we cannot list every single weekly club race.
JUNE 6 7 13 13-14 20 27 28 JULY 1-11 4 11 18
Club Racing Boca Ciega YC. Gulfport. Every Sunday following the third Friday of each month. Skippers meeting at 10 a.m., PHRF racing, spin and non-spin. (727) 423.6002 or www.sailbcyc.org. One-design, dinghy racing every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. March through September (727) 458-7274. Guests welcome for all races. Bradenton YC. Races November thru March. Sunday races at 1:30 p.m. PHRF racing on Manatee River. For info, call Susan Tibbits at (941) 723-6560. Clearwater Community Sailing Center. The center holds regular weekend club races. For dates and more information, go to www.clearwatercommunitysailing.org. Dunedin Boat Club. Monthly club racing. For more information, contact saraherb@aol.com. Edison Sailing Center, Fort Myers. Sunfish and dinghy racing once a month, year-round john@johnkremski.com Port Charlotte. Third Saturday of month, year-round. pbgvtrax@aol.com. Punta Gorda Sailing Club. Charlotte Harbor. Fall Series Sunday afternoon racing begins Sept. 9 through Nov. 18. www.pgscweb.com. Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Friday evening races started in April. www.sarasotasailingsquad.com. St. Pete Yacht Club. Friday evenings through Aug. 28. 1630 starts off The Pier. www.spyc.org. Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venice-sailingsquadron.org
Full Moon Regatta. Independence Cup Trials. SAL BBYRA OD #7. CRYC BBYRA PHRF #7. CGSC Sears Bemis Qtr Finals FL only J24 BB Series Summer 1. FlatEarth BBYRA One-Design #8. CGSC BBYRA PHRF #8. CRYC Regatta Time in Abaco. www.regattatimeinabaco.com Full Moon Regatta. J/24 BB Series Summer2. Flat Earth J/24 District Championships, Fleet 10. Flat Earth
Key West Sailing Club. Every Saturday – Open House at the Key West Sailing Club. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (305) 292-5993. www.keywestsailingclub.org. Sailboat Lane off Palm Avenue in Key West. Come by the club to sail. Non-members and members welcome. Wednesday night racing has begun for the summer season. Skippers meet at the clubhouse by 5:00 p.m. and boats start racing at 6:00 p.m. in the seaplane basin near the mooring field. Dinner and drinks afterward. Upper Keys Sailing Club (UKSC). Go to the Web site for regular club racing open to all. www.upperkeyssailingclub.com. JUNE See Web site for club races. 20 Summers Series #2 21 PHRF. Bayside JULY See Web site for club races. 4 Firecracker Regatta. Portsmouth, Run-Aground-Crew, & Cook-Out 5 Firecracker Regatta. PHRF 18 Summer Series #3. Portsmouth
JUNE 2 St. Petersburg YC. Master Calendar Meeting for 2008/2009 again, already. 6-7 Davis Island YC. J/24 Fleet Championship 7 St. Pete Sailing Assoc /Tampa Sailing Squadron. Transbay, PHRF 20 Cortez YC. Summer Sailstice Regatta, Gulf (SBBOTY ‘08-’09) 20 Regatta Pointe Marina River Regatta. Palmetto. Race on the Manatee River. All sailboats welcome. www.regattapointemarina.com JULY 4 Tampa Bay Catamaran Sailors. Race for Liberty, Dunedin Causeway 5,12,19,26 Cortez YC. Commodores Cup Series. PHRF
(and Inland Lakes) SOUTHWINDS Annual Online West Florida Race Calendar Posted Sept. 1 SOUTHWINDS magazine posts the annual race schedule/calendar (9/1— 8/31) on its Web site for all racing in the central west Florida area from just north of Tampa Bay south to Marco Island. The calendar includes all scheduled races of the West Florida PHRF organization (www.westfloridaphrf.org), plus club races in the area and any others that boaters in the area would like to post. The Boat of the Year races are listed for all the areas of the West Florida PHRF organization. News & Views for Southern Sailors
For northern Gulf coast race calendars and more information, go the Gulf Yachting Association Web site, www.gya.org. LEGEND BucYC Buccaneer YC, Mobile, AL See RACING CALENDAR continued on page 76 SOUTHWINDS
June 2009
65
Yacht Sales & Service
PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED ISLAND PACKET YACHTS
Since 1990
1980 Nautical 56’ Center Cockpit $450,000. Gregg @ 941-730-6096
1988 Cherubini Schooner 48’. $449,990. Gregg @ 941-730-6096.
2003 Island Packet 485 Center Cockpit. 2 From $595,000. Alan or Ted.
1980 Vagabond 47’ Ketch. $264,900. Alan @ 941-350-1559
1997 Island Packet 45’ Cutter. $229,900. Alan @ 941-350-1559
1987 Bruce Roberts 44’ Cutter. $ 80,000. Alan @ 941-350-1559
1983 Irwin 43’ Sloop. $64,500. Gregg @ 941-730-6096
2002 Island Packet 420 Cutter. $359,900 Alan @ 941-350-1559
New 2008 Sabre 426. Call for price!
2003 Hunter 386. $114,900. Alan @ 941-350-1559
38 Island Packet Cutter. Two from $164,900. Alan @ 941-350-1559
2003 Island Packet Craft Express. $259,900. Alan @ 941-350-1559
1995 Sabre 362 $139,900. Alan @ 941-350-1559
35’ Island Packet. 1991-$123,900. 1994 @ $139,900. Alan @ 941-350-1559
1991 Sabre 34 Mk II $79,000. Alan @ 941-350-1559
2000 Island Packet 320 Cutter. $129,900. Alan @ 941-350-1559
56’ 48’ 48’ 48’ 47’ 45’ 44’ 44’ 43’ 43’ 43’ 42’ 42’ 41’ 39’ 39’ 38’ 38’ 38’ 38’ 38’ 38’ 38’ 38’
Nautical Center Cockpit Cherubini Schooner Island Packet 485 Island Packet 485 Center Cockpit Vagabond 47 Island Packet Cutter Custom Bruce Roberts Cutter Island Packet 440 Hans Christian 43T Telstar Hunter Irwin Sloop Island Packet 420 Cutter Sabre 426 Island Packet PY Cruiser Beneteau First Class 12 Sea Ray 390 Motor Yacht Hunter 386 Irwin sloop Island Packet Cutter Island Packet Cutter Island Packet Cutter Island Packet Cutter Morgan Robertson and Caine Leopard 38
1980 1988 2003 2003 1980 1997 1987 2007 1988 1992 1983 2002 2008 2007 1987 2004 2003 1983 1993 1990 1989 1988 1979 1999
$ 450,000 $ 449,990 $ 600,000 $ 595,000 $ 264,900 $ 229,900 $ 80,000 $ 459,950 $ 209,000 $ 104,900 $ 64,500 $ 359,900 Call for price $ 287,296 $ 64,900 $ 295,000 $ 114,900 $ 65,000 $ 169,900 $ 164,900 $ 74,900 $ 61,500 $ 58,900 $ 225,000
37’ 36’ 36’ 35’ 35’ 35’ 34’ 34’ 33’ 33’ 32’ 31’ 30’ 30’ 30’ 30’ 29’ 29’ 28’ 26’ 26’ 26’ 25’ 23’
Island Packet 370 Island Packet Packet Craft Express Sabre 362 Island Packet Island Packet Island Packet Cutter Hunter Sloop Sabre MK II Classic 34 Irwin Sloop Offshore SLOOP Island Packet 320 Cutter Tiara Open Catalina Sloop Hunter “30T” Olson Sloop Watkins Sloop Island Packet 29 Sea Tribe 870 Catamaran Precision Sloop Hydra-Sports Vector Landing School Sloop Pro Sports Pro Kat 26 CC Wellcraft Fisherman 252 Grady White Gulfstream 23
2008 2003 1995 1994 1991 1991 1988 1991 1978 1983 2000 1988 1987 1991 1982 1988 1993 2009 2000 2004 1996 1999 2004 1992
$ 349,950 $ 259,900 $ 139,900 $ 139,900 $ 119,000 $ 123,900 $ 37,500 $ 79,000 $ 19,900 $ 29,990 $ 129,900 $ 50,000 $ 28,900 $ 34,900 $ 15,000 $ 19,450 $ 59,900 $ 125,000 $ 59,000 $ 63,000 $ 37,900 $ 47,500 $ 55,800 $ 15,000
Whether you are buying or selling a yacht, contact us for an in-depth consultation. No one knows bluewater sailing better than Island Yachting Centre. Helping boaters find the perfect yacht for almost 20 years. Gregg Knighton Ted Parson Alan Pressman Bob Waugh
941-730-6096 941-729-4511 941-350-1559 941-729-4511
923 4th St. W., Palmetto, FL 34221 • 941-729-4511 • Toll Free: 888-215-1216 ted@islandyachtingcentre.com • www.islandyachtingcentre.com.
ks Buc cht? g i B a ave cket Y w! s o Pa ho tt wan Island d out u in yo xt Do ur ne us to f yo Call on
Massey Yacht Sales & Service is now the exclusive Island Packet dealer for the Southeastern United States, including all of Florida.
Island Packet – America's Cruising Yacht Leader
2009 IP 485 – in stock
2008 IP 370 – in stock 2008 IP 465 – in stock
2009 IP 460 – in stock New model and Cruising World magazine 2009 Boat of the Year
2010 Estero – in stock
2007 SP Cruiser Motorsailor – in stock
These yachts are in the water and ready to sail away. All Island Packet yachts in stock must be sold immediately to make room for new 2010 models. Now is the time to purchase your new Island Packet and take advantage of tremendous savings. All trades considered.
Pre-owned Island Packets for sale
We have over 40 pre-owned brokerage Island Packet yachts available to us for sale on models from 27' to 48', priced from $43,900 to $649,000. Call Massey for full listing details.
Be Seen – Get Sold List your Island Packet with Massey and be seen in Yachtworld.com, Boats.com, the Massey website and five Florida and national sailing magazines. We have discounted Massey brokerage slips available at Regatta Pointe Marina and the Harborage Marina. When we sell your yacht, as an authorized Island Packet dealer, we can transfer the remainder of your factory warranty to the new owner. Only authorized Island Packet dealers can do this for all model years
Exceptional Yachts ~ Exceptional Brokers Put our 32 years of success to work for you Call St. Petersburg,The Harborage, 727-824-7262 or Palmetto/Bradenton, Regatta Pointe Marina, 941-723-1610
www.MasseyYacht.com • YachtSales@MasseyYacht.com
Florida’s #1 Sailboat Broker
1998 Catalina 28 MK II The Catalina 28 MK II was Cruising World’s Boat of the Year Pocket Cruiser in 1996 3’8” draft wing keel Bottom Job, Jan. 09
$42,900
Dealer for the Gemini 105 Mc Catamaran See the Gemini 105 Mc Demonstrators in Stuart and Naples, FL
2009 Gemini 105 Mc demonsrator close out from $149,500, equipped and delivered to Florida We offer brokerage services focused on cruising yachts Featured Brokerage Boat: 2008 Gemini 105 Mc – Asking $179,900 Fully equipped for cruising! WE NEED GOOD LISTINGS
Fairwinds Yachts MAIN OFFICE
2423 SE Dixie Hwy., Stuart, FL 34996 • 772-223-1109 • info@fwyachts.com Naples • 239-269-7440 • leiding@fwyachts.com
www.yachtworld.com/fairwindsyachts
Excellent Condition with lots of amenities • Huge comfortable cockpit • 135 and 155 headsail in almost new condition • Line control whisker pole • Newly Rebuilt Roller furling w/new headstay • Dodger • Bimini • Canvas • Radar • Chartplotter • GPS • Knotmeter • Autopilot • VHF • Sleeps 6 • Head w/shower • Hot Water • Full galley • Like-new cushions down below and in cockpit • Anchor, lines, fenders and miscellaneous gear For more info & photos: www.southwindsmagazine.com/classifieds/catalina28.htm
Located Palmetto, FL, in Tampa Bay 941-795-8704 editor@southwindsmagazine.com
BOATWORKS continued from page 43 want to make sure your boat’s circuits are “cold” meaning not energized, or serious, life-threatening injury can result. Locate the shore power receptacle on your boat and mount the isolator inside the vessel to any convenient surface within about 15 inches of the shore power receptacle. On the back side of the receptacle, you will see three large wires. The green wire is the ground wire. Disconnect the ground wire and connect either of the green leads from the isolator to the vacated terminal of the shore power connector. Connect the other green lead from the isolator to the vessel ground wire you removed. Dress and attach the wires so they are firmly fastened. For dual 30-amp cords, connect their ground terminals together before passing through the galvanic isolator. Plug back into shore power and you have now successfully isolated your boat from any ground faults along the shore power line on the dock. Now it’s time to flip on the air-conditioning, stereo and get the blender busy making some cold drinks for you and your crew. Enjoy your time on the water! Tom Kennedy owns Patriot Yacht Services in Pensacola, FL. The company specializes in paint, fiberglass/gel coat and brightwork restorations. He has been an active sailing and boating enthusiast for over 40 years, and his repair expertise and customer satisfaction levels have earned him a loyal client base. Questions, and ideas for future articles, can be sent to tom@patriotyachtservices.com. Your question may be answered in a future article. You can also go to www.patriotyachtservices.com for more information. 68
June 2009
SOUTHWINDS
www.southwindsmagazine.com
Largest Selection of Sailboats &Trawlers in Florida
www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
72’ Taswell Cutter, 1996, Bill Dixon design, 4 staterooms, Dual Helms, Bow thruster, Awlgrip in ’07, New A/C ’07, Prof.Captain maintained, $1,195,000, Call Bob @ 239-877-4094
47’ Gulfstar Sailmaster, 1979, Solid Bluewater 46’ Durbeck CC Ketch, 1977, Fresh Awlgripe, All cruiser, Sloop rigged. A must see, $155,900, Call sails on roller furling, Hard top over cockpit, TJ @ 941-741-5875 $119,900, Call Rick @ 727-422-8229
46' Antigua CC, 1987, Major Refit; All New Engine, Sails, rigging, Electronics, interior, $122,500, Offers welcome. Call Joe @ 941-224-9661
46' Durbeck Cutter/Ketch, 1974, Solid Bluewater vessel, Excellent liveaboard! Well equipped. Davits, Whaler, $119,000, Call Butch @ 850-624-8893
43' Northwind CC 2003, Cruising World Boat of the Year, Gorgeous turnkey head-turner has just had her topsides awlgripped and is loaded with quality equipment, $349,000, Call Tom @ 904-377-9446
42’ Whitby Ketch,1985 (Sistership photo) Custom Hard top over cockpit, 62hp Volvo, 3 solar panels, 2 wind generators, New A/C $99,000. Call Leo @ 941-504-6754
42' Westsail Cutter Ketch, 1975, Loaded! Windvane, watermaker, Genset. Bluewater ready! $99,900 Call Harry @ 941-400-7942
39' Ericson, 1972, New Awlgrip paint, Davits, Classic cruiser in great shape, Only $40,000, Call Brian @ 252-3054967
37' Tartan, 1987 Scheel keel, She has been very well maintained! Truly one of the nicest Tartan 37's to come on the market in some time. $77,900, Call Joe @ 941-224-9661
37’ Hunter Legend, 1988, New electronics, New Rig, New roller furling, $49,000, Call Leo @ 941504-6754
36' Mariner, '78/'07, This looks like a new boat! All New: Engine, portholes, canvas, Awlgrip, Rigging, Lifelines, A/C, AND MORE! $98,000, Call Harry @ 941-400-7942
MONOHULL SAILBOATS
MONOHULL SAILBOATS 72’ Taswell 64’ Durbeck Ketch 55’ Tayana 54’ Gulfstar 50’ Gulfstar 48’ Golden Wave Ketch 48’ Dekker Ketch 47’ Gulfstar Sailmaster 47’ Gulfstar Sailmaster 46’ Durbeck Ketch 46’ Durbeck Ketch 46’ Antigua 45’ Hunter Legend 44’ Dynamique Ketch 44’Camper Nicholson 44’ Beneteau 44’ Freedom 43’ Northwind CC 43’ Beneteau Idylle 43’ Beneteau Idylle 42’ Westsail Ketch 42’ Whitby Center cockpit 42’ Hunter Passage 42’ Tayana 42’ Tayana 42’ Cheoy Lee Clipper 41’ Hans Christen 40’ Bayfield Ketch 39’ Ericson 39’ Horizon Cutter 39’ Pearson Yawl
1996 1980 1988 1986 1976 1987 1971 1979 1979 1974 1977 1987 1987 1982 1978 1986 1982 2003 1986 1986 1975 1985 1995 1988 1980 1970 1985 1987 1972 1982 1974
$1,195,000 Mexico $ 95,000 Tampa $269,000 St. Petersburg $289,000 Boston $ 99,700 Bradenton $139,900 Punta Gorda $169,000 St. Augustine $155,900 West Palm Beach $154,900 Madeira Beach $119,000 Panama City $119,900 Ft. Pierce $122,500 Ft Lauderdale $124,900 Crystal River $ 69,000 Green Cove Springs $ 74,900 Ft. Lauderdale $ 95,000 Palm Coast $ 88,900 Ft. Lauderdale $349,900 St Augustine $ 95,000 Palm Coast $ 84,900 Melbourne $ 99,900 Cape Coral $ 99,000 Punta Gorda $ 64,000 New Smyrna $189,900 Bradenton $ 79,900 Ft. Lauderdale $ 85,000 Bokeelia $179,900 St. Augustine $108,900 Ft. Lauderdale $ 40,000 Ft. Lauderdale $ 44,900 Dunedin $ 49,900 Panama City
Bob Roy S. Roy S. Bob TJ Roy S. Tom TJ Roy S. Butch Rick Joe Rick Tom Brian Tom Brian Tom Tom Tom Harry Leo Rick Roy S. Joe Joe Tom Rick Brian Rick Jim
38’ 37’ 37’ 37’ 37’ 37’ 36’ 36’ 35’ 35’ 34’ 34’ 31’ 31’ 28’ 28’ 24’ 24’
Catalina 380 Hunter Legend Endeavour Ketch Tartan Tayana Endeavour B Plan Mariner Bayfield Catalina 350 Young Sun Cutter B & J Cutter Tartan Southern Cross Bombay Pilothouse Shannon Pearson Pacific Seacraft Pacific Seacraft
1997 1988 1985 1987 1981 1979 1978 1988 2003 1984 1967 1985 1985 1978 1978 1986 1986 1989
$124,900 $ 49,000 $ 49,900 $ 77,900 $120,000 $ 39,900 $ 98,000 $ 84,900 $129,000 $ 79,900 $ 16,000 $ 52,500 $ 35,900 $ 19,000 $ 47,000 $ 27,500 $ 49,685 $ 59,900
Punt Gorda Punta Gorda Cape Coral Punta Gorda St. Petersburg Gulfport Port Charlotte St. Petersburg Palm Coast Punta Gorda St. Petersburg Ft. Myers Madeira Beach Palmetto St. Augustine Clearwater Beach Sanibel Orange Park
Leo Leo Joe Joe Harry Bill Harry Roy S. Tom Leo TJ Joe Roy S. TJ Tom Rick TJ Tom
Tarpon Springs Ft. Lauderdale Florida Ft. Pierce Punta Gorda Savanna, GA Georgetown, MD Turkey St. Augustine Ft Myers MD
Bill Bob Tom Bill Rick Bob Rick Rick Tom Bob Rick
MULTI-HULLS 60’ Custom Catamaran 55’ Lagoon Catamaran 51’Jeantot/Priviledge Catamaran 50’ Prout Catamaran 48’ Nautitech Catamaran 44’ St. Francis Catamaran 43’ Lagoon Power Catamaran 39’ Fountaine Pajot Fiji Cat. 35’ Charter Cat, Wildcat 30’ MC 30 Catamaran 28’ Telestar Trimaran
1999 1991 1994 1980 1998 1994 2005 1990 2003 2003 2007
$577,900 $424,900 $530,000 $234,900 $415,000 $249,000 $395,000 $205,000 $139,900 $125,000 $ 79,000
Edwards Yacht Sales Quality Listings, Professional Brokers
BOAT FROM
LOANS 4.9%
Roy Edwards • Clearwater • 727-507-8222 Tom Morton • St. Augustine • 904-377-9446 Bill Mellon • St. Petersburg • 727-421-4848 Roy Stringfellow • Tierra Verde • 305-775-8907
Bob Cook • Naples • 239-877-4094 Rick Hoving • St. Petersburg • 727-422-8229 Leo Thibault • Punta Gorda • 941-504-6754 Joe Weber • Bradenton • 941-224-9661
TJ Johnson • Palmetto • 941-741-5875 Brian Beckham • Ft. Lauderdale • 252-305-4967 Butch Farless • 850-624-8893 • Panama City
Harry Schell • Sarasota • 941-400-7942 Jim Bramblett • 850-418-2060 • Pensacola Franz Fremont • 904-509-2322 • Jacksonville
www.EdwardsYachtSales.com • 727-507-8222 • News & Views for Southern Sailors
FAX 727-531-9379 •
Yachts@EdwardsYachtSales.com SOUTHWINDS
June 2009 69
Your Authorized Dealer for SELECTED LISTINGS Marine Trader 44 SD 1977...............................$129,000 (P) Hatteras 43 DC 1977 ........................................$128,500 (S) Island Pilot 39 2006..........................................$315,000 (S) Carver 36M 2007..............................................$215,000 (S) Mainship Pilot 34 2001 ....................................$99,999 (S) Lien Hwa Seahorse 32 1986 ............................$59,900 (N) Boston Whaler O26 1998 .................................$29,000 (S) Holby Pilot 19 2003 .........................................Sale Pending Beneteau First 47.7 2002..................................$295,000 (S) Irwin 52 1981 ...................................................$135,000 (S) Phinn Custom Schooner 1989 ..........................$167,000 (P) Beneteau 49 ’07 & ’08 (2 cabin & 3 cabin).....Call for Special Beneteau 46 2008 .............................................Call for Special Sea Master 46 1982 ..........................................$175,000 (P) Privilege 42 1997..............................................$299,000 (N) Morgan Classic 41............................................$77,000 (N) J/Boats J 130 1999............................................$210,000 (N) Beneteau 40 2008 .............................................Call for Special Beneteau First 40.7 ’02 & ’02…Starting at .....$129,000 (S) Beneteau O393 2002 ........................................$125,000 (S) Hunter 37.5 1994 ..............................................$75,000 (S) Beneteau 361 ’00 & ’01……….Starting at......$89,000 B&H Syndey 36 1998 ......................................$109,000 (P) Farr 36 Custom 2003........................................$115,000 (N) Gulfstar 36 1983 ...............................................$30,000 (N) Beneteau 34 2009 .............................................In Stock Hunter 340 ‘99 & ’01…………Starting at ......$55,000 (S) Tartan 34-2 1986...............................................$59,000 (P) Beneteau O331 2001 ........................................$79,000 (N) Beneteau 323 ’05 & ’06.………Starting at......$82,500 (S) Hunter 320 2000 ...............................................Sale Pending Pearson 323 1983 .............................................$30,500 (P) Beneteau 311 ’00 & ’03………Starting at.......$65,000 (P) Catalina 30 ‘88 & ‘90……..… Starting at .......$29,000 (N) Nonsuch 30 1989..............................................$68,500 (S) Alerion Express 28 2004 ..................................$84,900 (N) Catalina 28 1991...............................................$29,900 (S) J Boats J/80 2000..............................................$29,900 (N) Beneteau FC 7.5 ’06 ........................................$39,900 (N) Catalina 22 MKII 1997 ....................................$14,900 (P) Details & Pictures Go to www.MurrayYachtSales.com
We have In & OUT of the Water Slips AVAILABLE for our Listings!
www.MurrayYachtSales.com 70
June 2009
SOUTHWINDS
www.southwindsmagazine.com
CLASSIFIED ADS Ads Starting at 3 Months for $25 FREE ADS - All privately owned gear for sale up to $200 per item For questions, contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com or (941) 795-8704 PRICES: • Text only ads up to 30 words: $25 for 3 months; 40 words @ $35; 50 words at $40; 60 words at $45. Contact us for more words. • Text up to 30 words with horizontal photo: $50 for 3 months; 40 words @ $60; 50 words @ $65; 60 words@ $70. • Add $15 to above prices for vertical photo. • All ads go on our Web site classifieds page on the first of the month of publication at no additional cost. Add $10 to place the ad early on the web site. • The last month your ad will run will be at the end of the ad: (12/09) means the last month is December 2009. • Add $5 typing charge if ads mailed in or dictated over the phone. • Add $5 to scan a mailed in photo. DEADLINES: 5th of the month preceding publication. IF LATER: Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com, or (941) 795-8704. AD RENEWAL: 5th of the month preceding publication, possibly
later (contact us). Take $5 off prices to renew your ad for another 3 months. SAVE MORE ON RENEWALS: Ask us about automatic renewal (credit card required) to take $10 off above prices on text only ads and $15 for ads with photos. Ads renewed twice for 3-month period unless you cancel. BUSINESS ADS: Except for real estate and dockage, prices above do not include business services or business products for sale. Business ads are $20/month up to 30 words. $35/month for 30-word ad with photo/graphic. Display ads start at $38/month for a 2-inch ad in black and white with a 12-month agreement. Add 20% for color. Contact editor@ southwindsmagazine.com, or (941) 795-8704. BOAT BROKERAGE ADS: • For ad with horizontal photo: $20/month for new ad, $15/month to pick up existing ad. No charge for changes in price, phone number or mistakes. • All ads go on our Web site classifieds page on the first of the month of publication at no additional cost. Add $10 to place the ad early on the Web
site. Unless you are a regular monthly advertiser, credit card must be on file. TO PLACE AND PAY FOR AN AD: 1. Internet through PayPal at www.southwindsmagazine.com. Applies only to $25 and $50 ads. (All others contact the editor) Put your ad text in the subject line at the end when you process the Paypal payment, or email it to: editor@southwindsmagazine.com. E-mail ALL photos as separate jpeg attachments to editor. 2. E-mail, phone, credit card or check. E-mail text, and how you intend to pay for the ad to editor@southwindsmagazine.com. E-mail photo as a jpeg attachment. Call with credit card number (941) 795-8704, or mail a check (below). 3. Mail your ad in. Southwinds, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218, with check or credit card number (with name, expiration, address). Enclose a SASE if photo wanted back. 4. We will pick up your ad. Send airline ticket, paid hotel reservations and car rental/taxi (or pick us up at the airport) and we will come pick up your ad. Call for more info.
We advise you to list the boat type first followed by the length. For example: Catalina 30. Your boat is more likely to be found by Internet search engines in this format. Boats Wanted Boats & Dinghies Boat Gear & Supplies Businesses for Sale/Rent
TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY _________________________________________
Crew Wanted Help Wanted Lodging for Sailors Miscellaneous for Sale
BOATS & DINGHIES _________________________________________
See this section at the end of classifieds for ads that came in too late to place in their appropriate section. Contact us if you have a last-minute ad to place—we still might have time in this section.
BOATS WANTED
_________________________________________ Sunfish and Sunfish Rigs Wanted. TSS Youth Sailing, Inc., Tampa Youth Sailing, an organization to which donations are tax deductible, is in great need of sailing rigs for Sunfish sailboats. If you have a Sunfish rig (mast, sail and spars.) which you are not using, please consider a gift to us. Go to www.tssyouthsailing.org and click on Contact Us. _________________________________________ WANTED: Cape Dory 22 or Typhoon Senior with trailer. (228) 324-6504. (8/09) _________________________________________ SEA SCOUTS of St. Pete need donated sunfish and a 26 to 27 ft sailboat to hold youth sailing classes on Boca Ciega bay in Tampa Bay area. All donations are fully tax-deductible. See our Web site www.seascoutstpete.org, or call (727) 345-9837. (6/09)
$50 – 3 mo. Ad & Photo 941-795-8704 News & Views for Southern Sailors
Catalina 28 MKII. 1998. Excellent condition. Dodger, Bimini. Huge cockpit and comfortable. Low hours on original diesel. Radar, GPS, Chartplotter, VHF, Autopilot, VHF. Anchors, line, Gear. Cushions excellent down below and in cockpit. Rebuilt roller furling. Whisker pole. 135 and 155 headsails (both like new). New Bottom job, Jan. 2009. $42,900. Located Palmetto, FL, in Tampa Bay. (941) 792-9100. www.cortezyachts.com Avon 6-man offshore life raft in valise. Serial # 34048. Manufacture #M87D. Last serviced by Life Raft Survival Equipment, Portsmouth, RI—18 August 2005. $1900. Never used. (419) 797-2377. (6/09) _________________________________________ West Marine hard bottom dinghy. WM260 Lite Rib. 8’ 6”, #V30276. New. Never used. Paid $2100. Will sell for $1000. (419) 7972377. (6/09)
Real Estate for Sale or Rent Sails & Canvas Slips for Sale or Rent Too Late to Classify Trinka Rowing Dinghy, 10 ft, blue hull, very good condition. Beautiful, classic lines, rows like a dream, classic boat. Includes two new oars and oarlocks. $1100 obo. Located Key Largo. (305) 849-0646. (7/09) _________________________________________ Carolina Skiff 16’. 30hp 4-stroke Yamaha 2002, center console, trailer, great condition $6,500. (727) 277-9110. (7/09) _________________________________________ 1975 Lippincott Star. 22’. # 5919 built for, and raced by, Howard F. Lippincott Sr. Nomex-cored hull and foam-cored deck. Light air flyer! Old plywood bulkheads have been removed. Custom Galvo-trailer with all new running gear. Mast, boom, pole, standing-rigging and three suits of North Sails. $1,100. Contact Gary Smith for pictures and more details. Cell 321 698 4351 Email Fivespeed05@cfl.rr.com. (6/09) _________________________________________ FLYING SCOT..… Very Attractively Priced New Boats used only for the Adams Cup Finals. Race rigged and professionally tuned. Includes North Sails main, jib,spinnaker, and galvanized trailer. Available in late September at Bay St. Louis, MS. For details Call (800)864-7208 (9/09)
BROKERS: Advertise Your Boats for Sale. Text & Photo Ads: $50 for 3-months. Text only ads: $25 for 3 months SOUTHWINDS
June 2009 71
CLASSIFIED ADS
Island Packet 27 Sloop 1987. $30,000. Fun, local cruiser. 4-foot draft. 8 hp Yanmar diesel. Many extras including gennaker, dinghy, storm anchor. (941) 484-3891. Venice, FL. (7/09) Tanzer 28, 1973. Flush deck, well-maintained by owner since 1980. Totally refurbished with new Vetus Diesel, Fully equipped for Cruising. Price $16,900 O.B.O. Tel: (239) 823-6372 Email: HermanVA3QX@gmail.com. (7/09)
Caliber 28 sloop. $21,900 St. Petersburg. Nicely equipped and in sail-away condition. Roomy 2-cabin layout. Economical Yanmar 2GM-20 diesel. 4’ draft is ideal for Florida & the Islands. Call Stew at (727) 415-0350, or Jacek at (727) 590-0901, or the office toll-free at (888) 734-8422. www.sciyachtsalesinternational.com
30’ Hunter Cherubini 1982 with Yanmar diesel, Bimini, dodger, Harken roller furling, new Genoa, Autohelm 3000 autopilot, marine air conditioning, hot and cold pressure water, bow sprit w/anchor roller, Imron green top sides, very well maintained. Asking $22,500. Cortez Yacht Sales. (941) 792-9100.
Hunter 30, 1978. Very good condition. 3 jibs, spinnaker, asymmetrical—all in great condition. New cushions, dodger, portlights. Chartplotter. 4-foot draft, standard rig. Rebuilt engine. Extremely wellmaintained. New Bottom Paint. $16,500. Palmetto, FL. (941) 720-5750. (6/09)
WHARRAM TIKI 30 CATAMARAN FOR SALE Brand-New — Professionally Built Catalina 28 MKII. 1998. Excellent condition. Dodger, Bimini. Huge cockpit and comfortable. Low hours on original diesel. Radar, GPS, Chartplotter, VHF, Autopilot, VHF. Anchors, line, Gear. Cushions excellent down below and in cockpit. Rebuilt roller furling. Whisker pole. 135 and 155 headsails (both like new). New Bottom job, Jan. 2009. $42,900. Located Palmetto, FL, in Tampa Bay. (941) 792-9100. www.cortezyachts.com.
Go to www.tiki30.blogspot.com to view an online journal documenting the step-bystep building of this boat. Built by Boatsmith, Inc., Jupiter, FL www.boatsmithFL.com. (561)744-0855
Text & Photo Ads: $50 for 3-months. Text only ads: $25 for 3 months
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1975 C&C 33. New Standing and running rigging, racing & cruising/delivery sails. Good race record. Epoxy barrier coat bottom. AM/FM CD and speed/depth. Asking $17,900 Call Mike at (727) 510-4167 or (727) 796-4260. (7/09a)
Nassau 34 by President Marine, 1983. Project boat, fiberglass, diesel, double ended, full keel, aluminum spars, davits, teak decks, refrig, Marine Air, propane. $15,900 OBO www.Cortezyachts.com. (941) 792-9100
CORTEZ YACHT SALES SAIL 41’ Transworld 1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$69,000 40’ Bayfield 1984 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$109,500
34’ Catalina 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . .$127,500 35’ Hunter 35.5 1995 . . . . . . . . . .$65,000 34’ Nassau 1983 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15,900 30’ Hunter 1982 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$22,500 30’ Catalina1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$21,000 28’ Catalina 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$42,900 POWER 30’ Silverton 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18,000
BROKERS: Advertise Your Boats for Sale.
1977 Southern Cross 31. Ready to sail around the world. Full-keel blue water cruiser. Sabb/Norway diesel. Epoxy barrier coat. New Harken roller furling. $20,000 for quick sale. (954) 559-1217. (7/09)
30’ Luhrs Alura 1988 . . . . . . . . . .$18,500 28’ Sheffield Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . .$24,900 26’ Pacemaker 1978 . . . . . . . . . . . .$6,500 1987 Catalina 30 with Universal diesel, Harken RF, lazy jacks, Bruce and Danforth, Lemar STs, Bimini, Data Marine instruments, Grill, GPS, VHF, Stereo, TV, front door refrig, alcohol stove, swim ladder, marine air and more. A great boat at a fantastic offer. $21,000. www.Cortezyachts.com. (941) 792-9100
WE HAVE BUYERS — LISTINGS WANTED —
(941) 792-9100 visit www.cortezyachts.com CORTEZ YACHT SALES
www.southwindsmagazine.com
CLASSIFIED ADS
2004 Catalina 34 MK II, loaded and ready. This boat is equipped for the discriminating sailor for pure pleasure or the competitor for pure enjoyment. Everything you need in a boat. Two complete sets of sails, one to cruise, another to race. Everything is like new. $127,500. www.Cortezyachts.com for listing or call (941) 792-9100.
1995 Hunter 35.5 loaded, Yanmar diesel, low hrs, Roller Furling 150% and 130, 2 mains, Dutchman, two GPSs, SSB radio, VHF, Auto Pilot, solar, like new dodger, Bimini, dinghy w/OB and crane, boom vang, new running rigging, manual windlass, full galley, head w/shower, Marine air. Must see. Asking $65,000. www.cortezyachts.com. (941) 792-9100.
Buy a Hunter 38 for the Price of a 36? Yes You Can!! We can now offer you a Hunter 38 for the base boat price of a Hunter 36 @ $107,992.A 29K savings! This is available for a very limited time only. Call us today for details. SouthEast Sailing & Yachts (904) 8245770, www.ses-y.com.
1997 Catalina 40, Cruise ready, AC, 4K Generator, 10” color Garmin GPS, ST6000 AutoPilot, watermaker, TV/DVD/CD/Stereo, 10’ Zodiac w/9.9 4-stroke Yamaha, Davits, and much more. Longboat Key Moorings. $149,900. (407) 810-5621 (6/09a)
Catalina 400 MK II. 2000. Better than new at half the price. One owner. Panda genset, Caribe dinghy, Kato davits, Nissan OB, Two AC units with Heat, Raytheon radar, color chart plotter, auto pilot, electric winch to raise main, Bimini with windshield, side curtains, shade curtains, micro, fridge/freezer, Auto prop, new shoal draft wing keel, cruising chute, whisker pole & MORE. You won’t find one better equipped or maintained. Hotspur—in St. Petersburg. $164,000. Call (727) 743-6634. (6/09)
$50 – 3 MO. AD & PHOTO
941-795-8704 Bayfield 40 Hull # 34 full keel 5’ draft, cutter ketch designed by H.T.Gozzard built in 1984. Exceptional condition with lots of new gear. Harken roller furling on all sails. Marine air, WS, WD, depth, VHF w/remote, SSB, cd/radio, autopilot, chartplotter, radar, dinghy, life raft. $109,500 Call Major Carter or visit www.Cortezyachts.com.(941) 792-910
TransWorld CT 41. 1979. Proven full-keel blue water cruiser. Perkins 4-108 diesel. 46’ LOA with bowsprit. Ketch-rigged Center Cockpit with walk thru to aft cabin. Complete Awlgrip paint. Custom stainless steel rails and davits. 10’ 6” Caribe RIB with 15hp OB. Full galley. Beautiful teak interior with lots of storage. Maxwell electric windlass. Much more. New sails and rigging. As is — asking $69,000. North Carolina. www.Cortezyachts.com (941) 792-9100
Subscribe to SOUTHWINDS Passport 40, 1987, loaded, Perkins 4108, Avon Rib with 8HP Yamaha, $119,900. Located NW Florida, (850) 942-5600, Ask for Mike or leave message. (7/09)
Classified info — page 71 News & Views for Southern Sailors
$24/year • 3rd Class $30/year • 1st Class Subscribe on our secure Web site www.southwindsmagazine.com SOUTHWINDS
June 2009 73
CLASSIFIED ADS
45 Leopard Cat 2000.Will trade equity (130K) for smaller boat. Excellent condition! New sails, Genset, canvas. Many other updates. This boat is ready to go! (727) 4123744. ross1920@earthlink.net. (8/09)
Whale Gusher metal bilge pump, new $100; new Danforth hi-tensile anchor 12H $65; new Bomar white aluminum port lite, 17”x7” new $115; Perkins 4107 diesel fuel injectors new, $100. (954) 560-3919, Tom. (8/09) _________________________________________ Sieman 75w solar panel $199. (727) 2779110. (7/09) _________________________________________ Skipper Chair - used, needs bottom cushion, otherwise great shape with bracket $65. (727) 277-9110. (7/09)
100’ Furuno radar cable $45. (727) 2779110. (7/09) _________________________________________ Windlass for sale. Manual horizontal. Same as Simpson Lawrance Sea Tiger 555. All bronze. Two-speed. $650. (941) 792-9100. (7/09) _________________________________________ Cockpit cushions. $150. Four cushions made of closed cell foam from a C&C 29. Includes helmsman’s hump. Excellent. Inflatable boat fenders 8.5”x27,” new in package. Two for $50. Made by Seasense, white premium vinyl. WPB, FL. (561) 655-9555. (6/09)
CREW WANTED
_________________________________________
30K off on our unique, sleek, 2009 Hunter 49? Yes You Can!! This one is a Beauty! Call us today for details. SouthEast Sailing & Yachts (904) 824-5770, www.ses-y.com
BOAT GEAR & SUPPLIES
68-year old man seeks female crewmate, 5565 who is fit and trim. I am an experienced sailor whose last sailing trip was to Buenos Aires, Argentina. I own a Islander 30 Bahama sloop. Fred Tappin. (727) 787-9231. (7/09)
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FREE ADS Free ads in boat gear for all gear under $200 per item. Privately owned items only. Editor@southwindsmagazine.com. (941-795-8704) Whisker pole, line controlled. 11-20 feet. $300. (941) 792-9100. _________________________________________ Electric Windlass. 12-volt electric for big boat. Lofrans Falkon with 3/8-5/16 chain gypsy. Horizontal windlass with chain gypsy and rope drum. $500. (941) 792-9100 _________________________________________ ICOM SSB M700UK with AT120 tuner $750. Perfect condition. (727) 277-9110. (7/09)
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DONATE YOUR BOAT
_________________________________________ Donate your boat to the Safe Harbor Boys Home, Jacksonville, Fl. Setting young lives on a true path. Please consider donating your working vessel. http://boyshome.com/ or call (904) 757-7918, e-mail harbor@boyshome.com.
HELP WANTED
_________________________________________ Madden Masts & Rigging, in Annapolis, MD is growing and in need of additional experienced riggers. We offer competitive wages and benefits. Please e-mail Richard Krolak at rich.maddenmasts@comcast.net. For more information, go to, www.maddenrigging.com. (8/09) _________________________________________ Yacht Broker Wanted. Fort Lauderdale Area. Edwards Yacht Sales is looking for a broker to work out of his area/home office. (727) 507-8222. _________________________________________ Yacht Broker Wanted. CPYB, experienced yacht broker, to join a small sales team located in St. Augustine, FL. This is an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a new sailboat dealership & grow with us. Call (904) 4718865 or email your resume to hbowman.sesy@yahoo.com. _________________________________________ www.southwindsmagazine.com
CLASSIFIED ADS EDWARDS YACHT SALES is expanding again! We’ve had a record yr. & are ready to expand in selected locations. Experience preferred but will train the right person. We need brokers for the East Coast, Panhandle, Ft. Lauderdale & Keys, aggressive advertising, group health care plan, bonus plan. www.EdwardsYacht Sales.com, contact Roy Edwards, 727-5078222. Yachts@EdwardsYachtSales.com _________________________________________ Yacht Broker Wanted. Lots of Work. Growing company, with years of experience, in Tampa Bay looking for a team player. Great company support. Call (727) 823-7400, or Jacek at (727) 560-0901. _________________________________________ Sailing Instructors/Branch Managers. Offshore Sailing School is seeking skilled sailors with strong teaching experience, performance and cruising boat sailing experience, US SAILING certification (or skills to pass exam). USCG license required, or experience to obtain appropriate level. Manager applicants must have organization & management skills. Email resume to Doug Sparks at doug@offshoresailing.com, fax (239) 454-9201 visit www.offshoresailing.com/employment. (7/09a) _________________________________________ Massey Yacht Sales Mobile Broker Do you prefer to sell yachts from your home office? If you do and you are a proven, successful yacht sales professional, we have positions open for Florida west and east coast. Take advantage of the Massey sales and marketing support, sales management and administration while working from your home selling brokerage sail and powerboats. Call Frank Hamilton (941) 723-1610 for interview appointment and position details.
LODGING FOR SAILORS
_________________________________________
Ponce de Leon Hotel Historic downtown hotel at the bay, across from St. Petersburg YC. 95 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 550-9300 www.poncedeleon hotel.com
MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE
_________________________________________
SAILS & CANVAS
________________________________________
SLIPS FOR SALE OR RENT
________________________________________ Genuine Aspen classic poster. In 1970 famous Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson ran for sheriff of Pitkin County, CO. He was nearly elected. His campaign poster, a lithograph by Aspen artist Tom Benton, became an instant collector’s item. It could be because the hand inside the Sheriff’s six-pointed star has six digits. It could be because in the hand is a green peyote button. This is the real deal, and it is signed by Dr. Thompson himself. Both artist and wannabe Sheriff have passed on to other levels. Stunningly framed. (941) 722-9022.
DOCK SPACE off SARASOTA BAY!! Slips start at $117 a month on 6-Month Lease. Sheltered marina accommodates up to 28’ sail or power boats. Boat ramp. Utilities included. Call Office: (941) 755-1912. (6/09)
R EAL ESTATE FOR SALE OR RENT ________________________________________
LETTERS
REDUCED! 2 Bed 2 Baths waterfront villa on a sailboat water canal with your private deeded 50-foot boat dock in Venice, FL. call $385,000. Pino Gambo at (941) 716-4308 or www.pinogambo.com (6/09)
totally false—and it is not limited to the Florida Keys. I invite our readers to read the article that we reported on in the September 2008 issue, titled, “The Gulf of Mexico — Florida’s Toilet.” It can be O LASSIFY read on O the ATE “Our Waterways” page at _________________________________________ www.southwindsmagazine.com. In this report, it clearly states how land-based pollution is ruining the waters. Of course, who on land—especially those who have waterfront property—want to admit that they are really responsible for water pollution? After all, it would mean a big government expense to stop it, which means money and raising taxes. It’s much easier to point your finger at a cruising boat anchored off your property and convince everyone that boats like that are the cause. Editor
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BROKERS: Advertise Your Boats for Sale. Text & Photo Ads: $50 for 3-months. Text only ads: $25 for 3 months News & Views for Southern Sailors
2” DISPLAY ADS STARTING $38/MO
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SOUTHWINDS
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ALPHABETICAL INDEX
OF
ADVERTISERS
Advanced Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Annapolis Performance Sailing . . . . . . . . .58 Antigua Sailing School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Aqua Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Atlantic Sail Traders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Bacon Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Bay Point Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Bay Rigging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Beneteau Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC Beta Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Bimini Bay Sailboat Rentals . . . . . . . . . . .19 Bluewater sailing school . . . . . . . . . . .12,15 Boaters’ Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 BoatNames.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 BoatPeeling.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Boatsmith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Borel Mfg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Bo’sun Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Capt. & First Mate Yacht Delivery . . . . . .28 Capt. Bill Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Capt. Jimmy Hendon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Capt. Marti Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Capt. Rick Meyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Catalina 28 for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Catalina Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC,25 Clearwater Municipal Marina . . . . . . . . . .39 Coolnet Hammocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 CopperCoat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Cortez Yacht Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 CPT Autopilot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Cruising Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Cruising Spirit Charters . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Dancing With the Wind Video . . . . . . . . .30 Defender Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Dockside Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Doctor LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21,29,74 Doyle/Ploch Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Dunbar Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC Dwyer mast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Eastern Yachts/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . .IFC,BC Edwards Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
TELL THEM YOU SAW IT IN SOUTHWINDS! SOUTHWINDS provides these lists as a courtesy and asks our readers to support our advertisers. The lists includes all display advertising.
Ellie’s Sailing Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 E-Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Fairwinds Boat Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Fairwinds Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 First Patriot Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Flagship Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15,27 Florida Sailing and Cruising School . . . . .15 Flying Scot Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Garhauer Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Gulfport City Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Hake Yachts/Seaward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Harborage Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Holland Boatyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Hotwire/Fans & other products . . . . . . . .29 Hunter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBC Innovative Marine Services . . . . . . .24,28,30 International Sailing School . . . . . . . . . . .15 Island Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC,10,67 Island Yachting Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 J/Boats - Murray Yacht Sales . . . . . . . .70,BC Klaus Roehrich Surveyor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Leather Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Mack Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Marine Canvas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Massey Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC,10,67 Masthead Enterprises . . . . . . . .25,29,31,68 Mastmate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Milltech Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau . . . . . . .70,BC National Sail Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Nature’s Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 North Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 North Sails Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 North Sails Outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Ocean Rigging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Online Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Patriot Yacht Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Porpoise Used Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Quality Maritime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke . . . . .45
Regatta Pointe Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,9 Regatta Pointe Marina River Regatta . . . . .9 Regatta Time in Abaco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Rigging Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Rparts Refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Sail Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Sail Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Sailing Florida Charters . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Sailing Florida Sailing School . . . . . . . . . .15 Schurr Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Scuba Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Sea School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Sea Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Sea Worthy Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Seaward/Hake Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Shadetree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Shiney Hiney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 SmarterSail Charter & School . . . . . . .15,17 Snug Harbor Boats & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Snug Harbor Boatyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 SouthEast Sailing & Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . .11 SSB Radio Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 St. Augustine Sailing Enterprises . . . . . . . .15 St. Barts/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC Suncoast Inflatables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Sunrise Sails, Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Tackle Shack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program .39 Tideminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Tow BoatUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Toyota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Turner Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC Ullman sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,31 Wag Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Water Witch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Waterborn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 West Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Windpath Fractional Sailing . . . . . . . . . . .15 Yacht Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,33 Yachting Vacations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
RACING CALENDAR continued from page 65 BWYC Bay Waveland YC, Bay St. Louis, MS FWYC Fort Walton YC, Ft. Walton Beach, FL FYC Fairhope YC Fairhope, AL GYC Gulfport YC, Gulfport, MS LBYC Long Beach YC, Long Beach, MS LPWSA Lake Pontchartrain Women’s SA, New Orleans, LA MYC Mobile YC, Mobile,AL NOYC New Orleans YC, LA OSYC Ocean Springs YC, Ocean Springs, MS PtYC Point Yacht Club, Josephine, AL PYC Pensacola YC, FL PBYC Pensacola Beach YC, FL StABYC St. Andrews Bay YC, Panama City FL
JUNE 6 6 6 6 6-7 7 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 19-21 19-26 20-21 26 26-28 27 27
76
June 2009
SOUTHWINDS
Candler Regatta, StABYC Fleur d’ Lis, LPWSA Mobile Bay Marathon, FYC Cancer Society, PYC Florida State Laser Championships, FWYC PYC Championship #2, PYC We Found the Bay, PtYC Bowlegs Regatta, FWYC New Orleans to Gulfport, NOYC Find Gulfport, LBYC Bowlegs: J/22 SE Circuit, FWYC GYA Quarter Finals, MYC J22 SE Championship, FWYC Offshore Challenge Cup, GYC Snipe Nationals, PYC GYA 420 Championships, LBYC Gulfport to Pensacola, GYC Round the Island Race, FWYC Summer Splash Poker Run, BucYC Jr. Rondenella, BWYC
JULY 3-5 4 4 11 11 11-12 11-12 11-12 18 18 18 18-19 22-23 25 25-26 25-26
Jr. Olympic Festival, PYC Patriot’s Day Regatta, PBYC Horn Island Hop, OSYC Fast Women, PtYC Horn Island Hop, OSYC Meigs Regatta, FWYC Laser Masters GC Championship, FWYC USAA Men/Women Semi-Finals, BWYC Birthday Regatta, PCYC Bastille Day, NOYC Birthday Regatta – Finn/J22, PCYC Summer Regatta, MYC Garden Park Jr. Regatta, GYC Good Restaurant Race, LBYC Jr. Lipton Regatta, GYA J22, GYA Lightning, PCYC Summer in the Pass – Finn, PCYC www.southwindsmagazine.com
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SOUTHWINDS
June 2009 77
I
n my early 20s I spent considerable time cruising in the South Pacific on board a 65-foot stays’l schooner called Flying Cloud. Never mind that it was 40 years ago. Surely, I would recall enough about anchoring to “get by” with my new little “toy of a boat” that I have today, but one of my early experiences on it made me wonder if my memory was fading. When I decided to get back into “cruising” when I retired several years ago, I went small and bought a trailerable multihull—a Windrider 17 trimaran. One of the first places I explored with this fun little boat was an interesting place in the Englewood Beach-Manasota Key area south of Venice, FL. I anchored in a local anchorage near an on-thewater restaurant and a small condo marina complex. My plan was to sail around and explore the area for three days, utilizing a small blow-up dinghy and a folding bike. My first night was to be in a motel followed by camping aboard the trimaran in a tent. The boat came with this unfamiliar, cheap-looking anchor with short stubby flukes, kind of like a miniature of one that you would see on an aircraft carrier. I attached a new nylon anchor line and six-foot length of 5/16 chain, the latter to settle any fears I had about the anchor’s reliability. There were several cruising sailboats in the anchorage and a number of smaller boats, as well as the usual number of bird poop-covered derelicts. I carefully stowed my coveted 2-hp Honda four-stroke deep into the bow area, out of sight of would-be pirates. I pushed the anchor flukes into the shallow grass bottom with my foot and gave a few tugs on the rode to make sure it was holding. After all, this was only a 320pound boat. I let out about 5:1 scope and secured all to the bow mooring cleat—under near placid conditions. While having dinner in the artsy downtown district a few miles away, the wind suddenly rose to 20 knots from the northeast. I was thinking I should probably be checking the boat before turning in, but then changed my mind, feeling secure with my over-analyzed anchorage set-up. I headed off to my ’50s vintage, Beach Croft motel for a great night’s sleep.
About 9 a.m. the next morning, with great anticipation of working the next part of my plan, I biked over to get my boat. As I peddled over the bridge with a clear view of the anchorage—to my horror—I discovered that my trimaran was gone! “Thieves!” I thought. I peddled everywhere, mostly downwind with no sign of the boat! Just before calling the authorities, I thought I would make one more pass, this time with binoculars. Finally, I see a tiny mast that doesn’t fit the marina profile of taller masts a half mile away. I rode out onto the dock and sure enough, there she is, bouncing around in the middle of four barnacle-encrusted
this boat sailing around with no lights, and no one apparently aboard, in a freshening breeze. It would go a ways then stop...then jibe or tack at will, and sail across the anchorage area again and again, missing all the anchored boats and the long cement breakwater that was directly in its path, countless times. They decided to call the authorities to report a weird ghost ship sighting. (They did not respond). They then agreed to take split watches throughout the night as it sailed haphazardly around the anchorage on its own, but on a general course downwind in their direction. About two in the morning, it virtually sailed itself into the only available slip at their marina, where they finally “roped it.” The only damage was to my ego. So—here are the lessons learned: Anchor lights are not optional. Never, ever, tie off the anchor rode of a multihull to a single bow cleat. A “Y” arrangement from each outer ama (the outer hulls on a trimaran) hull bow to a center rode is a must, or the boat will sail out any anchor with the sails totally furled. Never trust an anchor in grass. Don’ t use cheap “lunch hook” anchors. The good news is that it did not hit anything, and it could have been a lot farther away than only half a mile when found. I think we should all have a half-mile range in parking or anchoring situations. Once I parked my car in a slightly hilly residential neighborhood in California to get a listing contract signed. I came out to the street in my three-piece suit an hour later, empty-handed, to find that my car had simply vanished from curbside! About a half mile away (again!)—and downwind—I spotted what could be my car on the same side of the street at curbside. I casually walk toward it with briefcase in hand. Upon arriving in its vicinity, I do a stealthy walk about to inspect for damage or dead bodies. Seeing neither, I come to self-agreement that, “Yes...this is my car!” Engine off, keys in the ignition, parking brake off, gearshift in neutral, wheels straight as an arrow! True story! Now I am taking flying lessons, and I am paying very close attention to the switch that says, “gear up...gear down”!!!
Ghost Windrider
78 June 2009
SOUTHWINDS
By Bruce Matlack mooring poles. ...Ouch! Someone had secured her nastily with the main sheet. As I attempted to board, three burly guys approached me, looking all serious, and one says he has salvage rights but is willing to hear my story. I finally prove to them that I own the boat, by asking if I could check to see if my Honda was still stowed in the bow. After building some good karma with them, they finally lightened up on salvage rights and told me about their all-night affair with my boat. Near dusk, one of them noticed
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