SOUTHWINDS News & Views for Southern Sailors 2008 Hurricane Season Begins Charleston Race Week Tampa Bay’s Weather Stations
June 2008 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless
News & Views for Southern Sailors
SOUTHWINDS June 2008
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SOUTHWINDS NEWS & VIEWS 10
FOR
SOUTHERN SAILORS
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Editorial: It’s Hurricane Season Once Again By Steve Morrell Letters
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Southern Regional Monthly Weather & Water Temperatures
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Bubba & Good Riddance To Roaches By Morgan Stinemetz
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Short Tacks: Sailing News and Events Around the South
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Allied Boats Gam By Ed Verner
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23rd Morgan Invasion
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Great Florida Gulf Coast Small Craft Festival By Roger Allen
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Our Waterways: Stuart’s Southpoint Anchorage Closes, Are Wag Bags Legal?
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2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season Opens: Boat Us Hurricane Preparation Symposium By Steve Morrell
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PORTS, Tampa Bay’s Real-Time Weather Stations By Ali Hudon and Chris Simoniello
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Travels With Angel: Cruising the Northernmost Bahamas with 5200 By Rebecca Burg
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Sea Scouts Regatta: More Than Just a Regatta By Kathryn Shea
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Carolina Sailing: Charleston Race Week By Dan Dickison
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Southern Racing: Southern Race Reports and Upcoming Races, Southern Regional Race Calendars
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Tampa Bay Sailing By Dave Ellis
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Know your Liveaboard Neighbors By Ginny Jones
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Marine Marketplace Boat Brokerage Section Classifieds Alphabetical Index of Advertisers Advertisers’ List by Category
Gulf Coast Small Craft Festival. Photo by Steve Morrell. Page 30.
Sea Scouts Regatta. Photo by Bill Fishbourne. Page 42.
COVER: Two Morgans sail in the Morgan Invasion Regatta. Photo by Gary Hufford. www.beachmaster.smugmug.com.
Each issue of SOUTHWINDS (and back issues since 5/03) is available online at www.southwindsmagazine.com
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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) 795-8705 Fax www.southwindsmagazine.com e-mail: editor@southwindsmagazine.com Volume 16 Number 6 June 2008 Copyright 2008, Southwinds Media, Inc. Founded in 1993
Steve Morrell
Doran Cushing, Publisher 11/1993-6/2002
Publisher/Editor 7/2002-Present editor@southwindsmagazine.com
Steve Morrell
Advertising editor@southwindsmagazine.com
(941) 795-8704
(941) 795-8704
Go to www.southwindsmagazine.com for information about the magazine, distribution and advertising rates.
Roy Laughlin Production Heather Nicoll
Regional Editors EAST FLORIDA mhw1@earthlink.net Proofreading Kathy Elliott
(321) 690-0137 Artwork Rebecca Burg angel@artoffshore.com
Contributing Writers Letters from our readers Roger Allen Julie B. Connerley David Curry Dave Ellis John Fox Ali Hudon David Jefcoat Kim Kaminski Dan Kresge John MacKay Chris Simoniello Kathryn Shea Morgan Stinemetz Ed Verner Contributing Photographers/Art
Rebecca Burg Dan Dickison Harmon Heed Ginny Jones Roy Laughlin Hone Scunook Janet Verdeguer
Marie Bridley Ross Herbert Scunook Photography Tim Wilkes Photography
Bill Fishbourne Ginny Jones
Rebecca Burg (& Artwork) Gary Hufford Chris Simoniello Ed Verner
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 in some faroff and far-out place. 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. Please take them at a high resolution if digital, or scan at 300 dpi if photos, or mail them to us for scanning. Contact the editor with questions. Subscriptions to SOUTHWINDS are available at $24/year, and $30/year for first class. Checks and credit card numbers may be mailed with name and address to SOUTHWINDS Subscriptions, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach FL, 34218-1175, or call (941) 795-8704. Subscriptions are also available with a credit card through a secure server on our Web site, www.southwindsmagazine.com. SOUTHWINDS is distributed to over 500 locations throughout 8 Southern states. If you would like to distribute SOUTHWINDS at your location, please contact the editor. Read SOUTHWINDS on our Web site www.southwindsmagazine.com.
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News & Views for Southern Sailors
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FROM THE HELM
STEVE MORRELL,
EDITOR
It’s Hurricane Season Once Again
W
hen I first moved to Florida (I’ve moved here twice) in 1979, I left Florida to cruise around the Bahamas the first week in June—the beginning of hurricane season. If it wasn’t for the ignorance and adventurous spirit of youth, I wonder if man would still be living in caves—on the same continent he first started out on, wherever that is. After all, who would go cruising in one of the most hurricane proneareas of the world at the beginning of hurricane season? Only fools, madmen and young naïve sailors. I spent most of my life on the West Coast and knew little about hurricanes, although I had been through the edge of one as a child in North Carolina. But that was exciting for a 10-year-old. I never thought of it as dangerous. In California, though, where I spent much of my adult life, few people pay attention to these storms or when they occur. When I came to Florida to go cruise around in a sailboat, I didn’t give them a thought. I just took off. Not only that, the only radio I had was a transistor AM radio—my only link to any news or weather, besides looking at the sky. I did get stuck in Nassau for a week when a storm brewed up enough wind and waves to keep us in port. We only heard about it from the scuttlebutt on the dock. Even then, I never saw a day windy enough to make me think about a hurricane that was a long ways off. When the wind lightened up to the southeast, we left Nassau and headed toward the Exumas—deeper into hurricane country. Today, I would not consider venturing off during the
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height of hurricane season—the heavy, storm-prone months of August, September and October. I am less ignorant now, at least about hurricanes. But I do remember that the summer I spent in the Bahamas was paradise. Every day was predictably beautiful, there was a breeze to keep you cool, the water was 80-plus degrees and clear as a glass of water, and the spearfishing fed you whenever you wanted. If you hang out into August, you get to dive for lobster—and they make a great meal. Honest. I do remember hitting lots of afternoon thunderstorms that summer in the Bahamas. They always seemed to be on the banks. When we knew we would be passing through one, we would reef the main and just sail through it. It was about 15 minutes of wind and rain—then back to paradise with a great sailing breeze. The freshwater tasted good and gave us a great shower—a luxury on a 26-foot sailboat. We watched as little powerboats would just motor around these storms at 25-30 mph. I guess we were pretty lucky back then, because one week after we got back in late August, Hurricane David hit West Palm Beach, and I had to move the boat north to a hurricane hole in Stuart. That’s another story. I got older and found out that hurricane season comes around every year. Here it is again. But one of the best few months of my life was spent cruising in hurricane country during hurricane season. It sure was great being young and ignorant.
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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 BOAT SLIP AVAILABILITY First of all, I think you have the best magazine in sailing. It is so informative to Florida sailors. I read one of your editorials about slip availability around Tampa Bay. I have a Bristol 27 that is in a wet slip in old Tampa Bay. If something happened to our marina,
I would be in serious trouble to find a new marina in my area. I know that condo and dockominium developers are big advertisers in your magazine. They bring you big advertising income. To the sailors and boaters around Tampa Bay they have raped and just about destroyed
access to Tampa Bay. The developer that was going to build condos and dockominiums at the old Imperial Yacht on Gandy wanted to close the Gandy boat ramp. Can you imagine that? Many boaters don’t even know the seriousness of this issue. I have presented information to the Hillsborough County Commission over this issue. In the last six years, we have lost 41 percent of the access of Tampa Bay. On another subject, last year I had to get my boat bottom painted. I couldn’t find a marina in Tampa that could do it. I had to go to one in St. Petersburg to get it done. Boatyards are another major story. Dennis Brooks Dennis – I understand that boat slips are scarcer on the north side of Tampa Bay, but here in Bradenton, they are abundant and prices have even gone down at one of Palmetto’s largest marinas, which allows liveaboards and has great facilities. By the way, I have never had a condo developer advertise in the magazine. I have had a couple of people put classifieds in for dockominiums, but I don’t know if they were developers. Editor MORE ON BOAT SLIPS From the other side of Tampa Bay, I echo Mr. Shurr’s letter, “No Slips Available Around Here” from the December SOUTHWINDS. If you think finding a slip in Pinellas County is hard, try Hillsborough County. To quote the summer 2006 edition of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s “Bay Soundings” newsletter, “…Hillsborough County alone has lost more than 600 dry and 276 wet rental slips in recent years.” It is ironic that whenever the media or local government wants a photo to show “the good life” of the area, a sailboat is often the focus, but there is absolutely no support for meeting the needs of the average sailor. Even in areas lucky enough to have slips available, the monthly fee is often well out of reach for those of us with a modest income. I suggest that you look more closely at the realities of local boating before you proSee LETTERS continued on page 12
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LETTERS nounce that all is well. Having said that, I am a faithful reader and enjoy SOUTHWINDS very much. There are a lot of sour grapes around here because of all the—mainly lower end—slips that have disappeared over the past few years. It’s even more frustrating because some of the larger sites, such as Imperial Yacht Basin and Georgetown Apartments in south Tampa, have been sold but not redeveloped. Imperial was totally flattened and has been a barren dirt patch for two years. Recently there was an article that the developer canceled his plans because of the soft housing market. Just north of that, the Georgetown Apartments, where I had my boat, was sold a couple of years ago and everyone was kicked out, but it just sits there with no activity. Life is tough, but we sail on… Hans Zarbock Tampa, FL Hans – Again, I see that that boat slips on the north side of the Bay are scarce, and my comment in the above letter holds true. Down south here, things are different. Thanks for your support of the magazine. SAILOR PASSES ON A.O. Halsey passed away on his boat on March 27 while anchored at Old Port Cove in North Palm Beach, FL. He and his wife Lindy had just completed a passage from the Bahamas aboard their Falmouth Cutter, The Polaris Jack. He
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was 69. A.O. was born with spina bifida and was not expected to live beyond the age of eight. Despite this disability, he learned to sail and loved everything about the sea. He worked transporting pilots to the ships. When not on the job, A.O. loved to ride around in his dinghy and greet the other boaters. He was a kind person with a “can do” attitude, and he will be greatly missed. I don’t know if you can print this information, but it would be helpful to his family to get the word out to the many people who knew and loved him. They met so many people on their cruises whom they would like to inform of his passing. Thanking you in advance for your consideration. SV Sea Bird Newnan, GA ST. AUGUSTINE MOORING FIELDS This is in regards to Ken Trepagnier’s letter in the January 2008 issue. I am a longtime St. Augustine resident from 1971 to the present. Yes, the city is planning moorings but not just a dozen or two around the city dock. They plan to set up moorings in every viable spot both by the city and over east at the lighthouse. This would mean taking out all those who are either moored or anchored and making them pay. There is now no free parking in the city. The $25-million parking garage has not done well, so meters have now gone
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up to a $1.50 per hour. Residents may pay for cards and only pay $.50 an hour—twice what it used to be. This town’s government only exists to get tourists into the downtown area to spend money. The city dock has no parking and it was always the dock to raise rates first. Many waterfront homeowners want the boats out. Holding-tank laws seem loosely enforced. There is a free pump-out at Camache Cove Marina. Capt. Bill Cook St. Augustine, FL THE FWC AND BOOT KEY HARBOR RESIDENTS I feel like there is a lot of bad-news editorials sent to you. In fact, I sent one to you a while back about the FWC in the Keys and how its presence in Boot Key Harbor was, to say the least, overwhelming. So here is a good-news update. We left Boot Key in April 2007 to take our boat up North for a few months. When we left—and before—the situation between the boaters in Boot Key and the FWC was, in my opinion, at an all-time low. The boaters there viewed them as the enemy. And since I can’t speak for them, I don’t know how they viewed the boaters. But all in all, it was not a good, friendly relationship. Since that time, there have been several editorials in your magazine on this subject. Someone, somewhere up the chain of command in the FWC must have heard us and, in my opinion, finally used some good old-fashioned common sense. We returned to Boot Key on December 1, and since that time, I have only seen the FWC in the harbor twice. Both times were during daylight hours, and as far as I could tell, they didn’t stop anyone to check anything. I realize that there could have been some coming and going that I did not see, but when I was here pre-April 2007, they were a daily and nightly presence. I would also like to make note that the harbor and the boaters in the harbor are just as good now as they were before. There have been no killings, drownings, no boats running into each other, etc. The harbor and the boaters here do a good job of policing themselves. If we see a boat traveling too fast in the mooring field, we will slow them down. If we see something that is not safe, we will see about correcting it. I’m not naive enough to think that there is no need at all for law enforcement, but there is a balancing line and, in my opinion, we may have reached it. I may be optimistic, but I can actually see a day in the not too distant future when the boaters here may even smile and wave when they see a FWC boat. Thanks, Steve, and I give 99 percent of the credit to your magazine. Vernon Roumillat S/V Chiqui Boot Key Harbor, Florida Keys Vernon – Thanks for the good news and the kind compliment, but you give SOUTHWINDS too much credit. The magazine is the media and only one small link in the whole situation along with all the boaters, including the good FWC officers and the local community. If I have ever seen or heard of a change for the good in boating relationships between the liveaboard and cruising community and the marine patrol (the FWC in this case), it is in Boot Key Harbor. When I think back to the night raids that went on over a year ago and what I have heard is going on now, I see hope See LETTERS continued on page 14 News & Views for Southern Sailors
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LETTERS for the future. Boot Key Harbor appears to not only be a model for good relationships between the water police and liveaboards but also a model of how to create and manage a positive mooring field. Maybe it is the beautiful waters of the Keys that have mellowed everyone out. What I believe is a major factor to all this is that the FWC officers in Boot Key came to meet with and got to know the liveaboards there—and vice versa. I believe there is—and has been— a general prejudice against liveaboards by the on-the-water police. (I don’t believe there was a prejudice against FWC officers by liveaboards, as I never heard of a liveaboard stopping an FWC officer and inspecting him, especially at night with floodlights while he is asleep.) I bet anything this prejudice does not exist in the mind of any FWC officer who has ever cruised around in a sailboat (or even a powerboat). We sailors all know that 90 percent, if not 99 percent, of liveaboards, are all great people who love and respect the water, love people, work hard, and are honest and friendly. Most of them are all seeking out the beauty and peace of the natural world—the still-wild oceans. Most of the onwater FWC people today, except for those who came from the old Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (who actually just enforced fish and wildlife laws) before it merged with the Florida Marine Patrol in 1999, came from the law enforcement side and many came from law enforcement on land. They have no idea what the sailing/cruising world and the people in it are like—or what life on the water is like. The old FWCC didn’t deal much with sailors, nor did the old marine patrol. And—for some strange reason—the current FWC wants to enforce the laws on sailos even though they rarely cause accidents. We all know it’s the fast-moving powerboat world that is statistically causing 90 percent of the accidents. Maybe 99 percent. Years ago, sailors were rarely stopped by the old marine patrol. Today, the FWC seems to like stopping sailors and inspecting them—ignoring the statistics of what accidents are caused by what and whom. You are less likely to get stopped on the streets now than on the water. At least on the streets, they can’t stop you just to see if your papers are in order. The situation is different where we have FWC officers coming upon cruisers who are moving through an area. Most FWC in those locations will rarely have a chance to get to know cruisers as they have in Boot Key Harbor. And since so many of the FWC officers come from land law enforcement (someone even compared the TV program “Cops” to their situation), they have no idea whom they are dealing with and what the life is like on the water. In Boot Key Harbor, they all live together in the same community, and I bet many even know each other by first name now. I hope it all works out that way throughout Florida. Maybe we should request that all FWC officers go to Boot Key Harbor and meet up with the FWC officers down there to learn about liveaboards. They could call it “Boot Camp.” Editor
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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.
n RACING EVENTS For racing schedules, news and events see the racing section.
n 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 2006 issue.
EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING Monthly Boating Safety Courses 2008 Schedule in Fort Pierce, FL 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 FL state boaters license. Dates in 2008 are June 21, July 19, Aug. 16, Sep. 13, Oct. 18, Nov. 15. 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) 3213041 Gary, or e-mail stephcgaux@hotmail.com.
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, 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. 6-week public boating course begins every Monday. Includes safety information plus basic piloting; charts, course plotting, latitude/longitude and dead reckoning. Satisfies Florida’s under age 21 boater
Coast Guard Auxilliary Boating Courses Jacksonville, FL Safe Boating Saturdays. Captains Club, 13363 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville. June 7, July 26. Meets Florida legal requirements for boater education. Most insurance companies offer discounts to program graduates. Mike Christnacht. (904) 502-9154. www.uscgajaxbeach.com,
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requirements. May 12 a course starts at the St. Petersburg Sailing Center (727) 867-3088. Other courses continuously offered. (727) 565-4453. www.boating-stpete.org. Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 11-1) Public Boating Programs America’s Boating Course, weekend course, two lessons—June 28-29, July 12-13. Sailing Course, GPS and Chart Reading—June 9, 10. For more information on upcoming education programs or to request a free vessel safety check, call (727) 4698895 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 Ongoing adults sailing programs. Family sailing. 2-6 people; 2-6 hours. Traditional skiffs or 30’ keelboat. $50-$240. www.ncmm-friends.org, maritime@ncmail.net, (252) 7287317. Reservations/information: call The Friends’ office (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.
n OTHER EVENTS
2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins, June 1-November 30
See the SOUTHWINDS Hurricane section this issue. Also 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.
Looking for Boats to Buddy Cruise to Abacos in June — From West Florida, Keys or Key Biscayne Cruisers from the Sarasota area are putting together a cruise of boats to the Abacos in June and are looking for other boats who want to cruise with them. Boats can join them anywhere from Sarasota to the Keys to Key Biscayne, where they will be leaving from No-Name Harbor around June 15. They will be departing from Sarasota around June 9 and will then go on to West End to clear customs and then on to Southeast Florida Sailing and Boating News Wanted SOUTHWINDS magazine is looking for writers to cover sailing and boating news from southeast Florida. Articles and news wanted on racing, waterways issues, boaters’ rights, mooring fields, businesses, etc. Please contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com.
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the Abacos. Total trip time will be 5-9 weeks, but boaters can join for any length of time. They are planning to be in the Abacos for Regatta Time in Abaco, July 3-11. Power or sailboats welcome, but mainly sailboats. Anyone and everyone is welcome. It is important that all boats joining be in good condition with all systems checked out. For details, call Walt at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. (941) 374-9601.
Sarasota Bay Singles Yacht Club Monthly Meetings Sarasota Bay Singles Yacht Club welcomes all singles with a genuine interest in sailing. Captains with boats are encouraged to join in the fun! All are welcome the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at Red Lobster Restaurant, 5711 Tamiami Trail in Bradenton (four miles north of the airport). See monthly events at www.SBSYC.org. (941) 755-6508.
SailLaser Miami Laser Clinic, US Sailing Center, Coconut Grove, FL, June 9-13 SailLaser will be hosting a Laser Clinic at the new SailLaser Center located at the US Sailing Center in Coconut Glove, FL. The clinic is for intermediate to advanced sailors. The cost is $395 for the week and the fee includes lunch daily. For more information, contact SailLaser at (305) 285-3442 or email at info-miami@sail-laser.com. CONTRIBUTE TO SOUTHWINDS WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED SOUTHWINDS is always looking for articles and photos on various subjects about sailing (cruise or race) in our Southern waters, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. For more information, go to our Web site, www.southwindsmagazine.com, and see the “Writers Guidelines” page, or e-mail editor@southwindsmagazine.com.
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SailLaser Miami is Miami’s premier sailing and water sports facility. SailLaser is a division of LaserPerformance, the world’s leading manufacturer of sailing dinghies, and produces such popular boats as the Laser, Sunfish and many other popular boats. Located in the heart of Coconut Grove, just 20 minutes from Miami’s international airport, SailLaser Miami is based at the US Sailing Center, the only official U.S. Olympic Sailing Training site in the United States. SailLaser is directly on Biscayne Bay, one of the finest sailing areas in the world. SailLaser will also be holding Laser youth learn-to-sail programs. The program is open to youth ages 5 to 17 and starts June 9 and runs though the summer. Basic to advanced sailing courses are available.
Eighth Annual Summer Sailstice, Planet Earth, June 21-22 The eighth Annual Summer Sailstice, a sailing celebration of the Summer Solstice, will be held June 2122. 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 celebration takes place on June 21-22 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.
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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-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 festivities and social setting. To be a part of the adventure, visit www.rtia.net, or in the United States contact race committee Jon and Carol Ewing at (305) 665-8316 or lightning@cofs.com. An invalu-
News & Views for Southern Sailors
able 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.
n NEWS
City of Marathon Decides to Buy Boot Key On April 29, the Marathon City Council voted unanimously to buy Boot Key instead of having to deal with and pay for replacing or repairing the opening bridge, the island’s only vehicle access. For several years, the city has dealt with problems with the aging bridge. Estimates ran as high as $10-million for repairs. Keys Radio owns a small portion of the island, and the bridge is the only access to the radio station. It has threatened to sue the city, claiming a taking if the city opted not to repair the bridge. Most of the island is owned by one individual whose Realtor stated that the owner thought the property was worth more than the $3.4-million that the city is proposing to pay for it. Articles Wanted About Southern Yacht Clubs, Sailing Associations and Youth Sailing Groups 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@Southwindsmagazine.com for information about article length, photo requirements and other questions.
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Most of the island is zoned a Conservation-Native Area and is predominantly wetlands. Part of the island was used as a dump, and there will be some clean-up costs the city will have to come up with to pay for that. The city is planning to turn the island into an “eco-preserve.” Without the bridge, sailors and other tall craft will not have to wait to enter or exit the anchorage and mooring field. Because of mechanical failures when the bridge would not open, some boats have been unable to enter the protected anchorage during bad weather. Other boaters have been trapped and not able to leave when the bridge was stuck in the down position. Without the bridge, these problems will be eliminated.
Dockage Rates to Rise at Plantation Key Yacht Harbor in the Keys The Islamorada Village Council voted to raise dockage rates at Plantation Key Yacht Harbor at Founders Park. Currently marina bulkhead slips pay $25 per foot per
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month and other slips pay $14 per foot. The Council directed the village manager to raise the rates so that the average charge will be $25 per foot. The manager said the marina was losing money on a daily basis because they were charging old rates.
Ethanol-Laced Gasoline Dissolves Fiberglass Fuel Tank A boater in California recently filed a lawsuit against 10 major gasoline producers because gasoline with an ethanol additive has been dissolving fiberglass fuel tanks. Boaters have found that their tanks were dissolving and leaking fuel into their boats’ hulls—causing severe damage, besides an extreme fire danger—because of the ethanol that has been added to fuel. In 2004, California required all gasoline sold in the state to carry 5.7 percent ethanol to replace another additive that was contaminating ground water. The lawsuit was filed by a boat owner, who had $35,000 in damage to his boat from a leaking tank and had no idea that the fuel would be dangerous to fiberglass tanks. The lawsuit stated that the gasoline producers sold fuel without warning the public about the dangers of the gasoline to fiberglass tanks.
www.southwindsmagazine.com
An Allied Cause for Celebration: Allied Boats Gam, Tampa Bay
APRIL 11-13
By Ed Verner, rendezvous organizer They have spanned the globe, fulfilled their destiny for generations, and survived the storms of wind, sea, and time, yet the scattered children came together on a spring weekend in 2008 as 10 different Allied sailboats joined in a flotilla on the waters of Tampa Bay on April 11-13 at the Tampa Sailing Squadron in Apollo Beach. Originally crafted in a no-nonsense yard on the upper Hudson River in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, these rugged and well-built sister ships and cousins have found themselves in the warm Florida gulf waters in the hands of children or friends of their former first captains. Sometimes the journey south was due to owner retirement and the migration to the warmer clime. Sometimes they’d been in service in tropical waters and wound up not returning to the north after their charter duties or passage-making cruise days wound down. No matter the how, seeing 10 of these Allieds formed up and sailing as a flotilla, there was no doubt I was witnessing a warm, historic moment. I felt a special pride as I sailed abeam a Gilmer-designed Seawind 30 as she was alongside her big sister, the Seawind II 32—while all of us were cutting a port tack to windward and chewing some foam—with seven more Allied vessels astern, their canvases brightly lit by a bold, clear day’s sun and curved by a steady 15- to 20-knot wind. In all, this first Allied sailboat gam of Tampa Bay drew 10 boats of six different varieties: one Seawind 30 (the first fiberglass design to circumnavigate), five Seawind II 32s,
News & Views for Southern Sailors
one Luders 3, two Seabreeze 35s (one sloop and one yawl), and one Princess 36. The boat-to-boat tours seemed all too short as variations of systems, running rigging, interior space usage, and vessel alterations were varied and personalized. Discussions of sail choice, passages of the past, a planned run to Mexico next month, etc.—all kept the conversations lively and jovial. Festivities at the Tampa Sailing Squadron clubhouse gave the captains and crew a perfect place to make new friends. The dinner on Saturday evening, at Circles Restaurant in Apollo Beach, saw 28 wind-blown and suntanned sailors and their friends sharing much pride and affection for their prized Allied “good old boat.” Photographer Jon Bolton captured the flotilla on film from the air on Saturday afternoon, and it was appropriate how the aerial photography mission was flown in a beautiful red Waco biplane of yesteryear, with its roaring radial engine, flown by Tom Hurley. This time next year, we promoters of Dancing With The Wind hope to see even more fun being had by our new Allied sailboat and Tampa Sailing Squadron friends. If you have a sailboat in Tampa Bay and want to wind up with an aerial photograph opportunity, stay tuned for the next Allied gam of Tampa Bay. Many thanks to SOUTHWINDS magazine, and our sponsors for helping to create a great weekend event. Check out the photos and comments at http://dancingwiththewind.net and support those who support sailing.
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23rd Morgan Invasion 2008 Treasure Island, Tampa Bay April 18-19 Mother Goose, an Out Island 41 owned by Mike Oscanyan. Mother Goose won the pristine boat award (along with Obsession).
Shadowfax, a Morgan 38 at the Treasure Island Yacht Club basin.
Happy Morgan sailors wave from Nobility, an Out Island 41 owned by Mike Noble. 28
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Photos by Gary Hufford Cover photo: Two Morgan Out Islands sailing in the Morgan Invasion Regatta. The Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club hosted the 23rd Morgan Invasion at its new clubhouse on April 18-19. The Invasion has been held at the Davis Island Yacht Club for the previous two years because the new clubhouse was under construction on Treasure Island. This year, 33 boats from 22 to 41 feet showed up for the rendezvous and sailboat race. Boats checked in all day on Friday, April 18, and the Tiki Bar on the pool deck was open for partying guests to mingle and listen to live music. Charley Morgan presented a Power Point show in the evening on Morgan boats. Saturday was the traditional boat race in the Gulf while the non-racers hung out at the pool for a midday barbecue. After the race, there was another afternoon and evening of dinner and entertainment, followed by an awards ceremony for the day’s race. The boat that came the farthest to the Invasion was Obsession, which traveled from Dayton, OH, 574 miles around the Florida Keys. Two Out Island 41s, Obsession and Mother Goose, won the pristine boat award. Surveyor Pete Brown said they were both in better-than-new condition.
Mary Beth Singh, Charley Morgan and Les Lathrop, Treasure Island Yacht Club’s venerable dockmaster. www.southwindsmagazine.com
The Third Great Florida Gulf Coast Small Craft Festival Cortez, FL, April 18-19 By Roger Allen Photos by Steve Morrell
The Great Florida Gulf Coast Small Craft Festival held April 18-20 couldn’t have offered up better weather to the 53 various small traditional boats and their crews who came from as far away as San Francisco, Racine,WI, and Vermont this year.
T Nancy Jean, a Pete Culler-designed motor launch, is owned and lovingly maintained by D. Turner Matthews of Bradenton. The launch, which is all traditionally built, served as the event’s race committee boat.
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he festival, which was moved to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron last year because of construction at the Cortez site, returned to its true home on the waterfront at John Banyas’ N.E. Taylor Boatworks in Cortez. Co-hosted by the Florida Maritime Museum, the Florida Gulf Coast Traditional Small Craft Association, and the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, the “messabout” is a user-friendly gathering of owners who share such a passion for small traditional sailboats, rowboats, canoes and kayaks that most have built their own boats to bring to the show. This is an event for anyone who wants to see superb craftsmanship executed in cypress, teak, mahogany, white cedar, and longleaf yellow pine that have been lovingly coated with seven to 10 coats of Captain’s varnish. The festival features boats where bronze and brass hardware are the norm—and “zamac” and stainless steel fittings on a boat are viewed with condescension. But, it’s also a place to see state-of-the-art modern boatbuilding materials including epoxy, carbon fiber, and expensive marine grades of plywood that have been brought together to produce low-maintenance, lightweight boats built to the loveliest traditional designs. Abaco dinghies, Cortez Spritsail skiffs, New Jersey Melon Seeds, and state-of-theart wooden recreational rowing shells were all presented at the festival this year for participants to see and try out. One of the most unusual boats at the show was Esperanza, a 15-foot all-traditional wooden sailboat, which is reported to have been sailed circa 1963 from Cuba to Islamorada in the Florida Keys by six desperate Cubanos. It was the latest complete restoration project of Bob Pitt at the Museum’s F.I.S.H. Boatworks in Cortez. Led by volunteer Jerry Bien of Erie, PA, Esperanza was given a new rig, transom, stem, some new planking, a new deck and several new frames and then painted up just in time to participate in the Mullet Cup Regatta that is part of the festival. In a continuation of a generous tradition, Esperanza’s sail was provided by Jo Jo Glover, who has taken over the sailmaking business of her late husband, Ray Glover, of Sunrise Sails Plus in Palmetto, FL. At the other extreme, Urs and Renee Wunderli from Longboat Key brought several Stampfli recreational rowing www.southwindsmagazine.com
RIGHT : Jazz is a 13’6” New Jersey Melon Seed built of glued lap plywood by Rex and Kathy Payne of Tallahassee and now owned by Gerry Goldberg of Pine Island. Melon Seeds were originally built for duck hunting in the salt marshes of New Jersey. An 18-foot Melon Seed built by Howard Heimbrock of Nokomis took Best in Show at the festival this year.
ABOVE: The Sea Pearl, a waterballasted canoe yawl with lee boards. This one is in the waters adjacent to the festival docks known as “the kitchen,” the name given by local Cortezians during the depression, because when the villagers got hungry, they could always go out to “the kitchen” to find some fresh shellfish for the table.
shells built of cedar in Switzerland for people to try out. Instead of having a sliding seat, their unique recreational boats have sliding oarlocks—and if being out on the water is already a healthy experience for mind and body, these boats step up the benefit by providing a great workout as well. Despite the snobbery about hardware, owners actually bring their exquisite boats to the festival knowing that total strangers will take them out for a sail or row—and, in fact, inviting them to do so—making this a special kind of “people scale” boating event. George Krewson of Cocoa, FL, added a special dimension to that aspect of the show this year by bringing six orphans ranging in age from eight to14 for some messing about in boats. The four racing events, the Mullet Cup Regatta, the Way Out Island Regatta for Bahamas dinghies, and a rowing and paddling race all went off with the usual minor hitches and glitches that accompany these seriously noncompetitive events. With a full array of exotic sprit, gaff, leg of mutton, and catboat rigs represented by the variety of traditional boats from every cultural region in the United States, the races are uniquely appealing to sailors or those with a more artistic eye. The races are so informal that more than half of the boat crews were made up of folks who just came to see what the show was all about but got “Shanghaied” off the docks to help sail in the race. The awards ceremony held on Saturday evening recognized those winners and others who received awards for various categories of boatbuilding, including Best in Show, which was taken by Howard Heimbrock of Nokomis, FL, with an elegant 20-foot Melon Seed designed by the museum’s historic sites manager, Roger Allen, and built by Howard. News & Views for Southern Sailors
LEFT A Sea Pearl with outriggers. Fast, stable and comfortable for minimalist camp cruising, the Tri Hull Sea Pearl has become a popular design among members of Florida’s West Coast Trailer Sailors who made a strong showing at this year’s festival.
The awards dinner was capped by a presentation from legendary naval architect, yacht builder and world class sailor Charlie Morgan, whose slide show captured his remarkable career, which included America’s Cup contenders, custom yachts, and pioneering developments that formed the basis for current yacht building methods. The final event of the festival was a two-and-a-half day gunkhole sailing trip that six boats participated in. Accompanied by Allan Horton’s beautiful 42-foot Maryland deadrise workboat, Juniper, the boats spent the time sailing around, and camping on, the shores of the western reaches of Tampa Bay, including Egmont Key. The return trip to Cortez provided exciting sailing as a late afternoon breeze of 15 to 18 knots provided a screaming broad reach down Anna Maria Sound.
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OUR WATERWAYS Liveaboards Can Anchor Anywhere in Martin County While Southport Anchorage is Temporarily Closed
Last month, SOUTHWINDS reported that the city of Stuart was closing its Southport Anchorage after seven years. The city has leased the property and the mooring field to a company that plans to develop a marina on the site. Plans for the mooring field, which has 86 moorings (80 were occupied at the time of closing), are to reopen it in November or December after development of the property gets under way. Meanwhile, the boaters, including liveaboards, will be allowed to anchor anywhere in the county’s waters. State law says that local government cannot regulate anchorage of non-liveaboards, but liveaboards can be regulated. Plans for the new complex are to build a 198-slip waterfront marina restaurant complex. There will also be 2000 feet of side-tie dockage and a fuel dock. The current harbormaster building will be expanded by 2300 square feet with additional showers, restrooms and meeting area for boaters. Sixty-nine of the original 86 moorings are to be retained when the mooring field reopens. (SOUTHWINDS has always called this anchorage the Southport anchorage. The local newspaper in Stuart called it the Southpoint Anchorage. I found legal county and city documents referring to it with both names — editor)
City of Stuart, FL, Apologizes & Pays Sailor for Citation Given for Anchoring On May 5, the city of Stuart, FL, agreed to pay $2000, along with a letter of apology, to sailor Vincent Sibilla in exchange for his dropping a federal lawsuit against the city for a citation he received for improperly anchoring his boat inside the city limits. The city will also pay Sibilla’s $3,000 attorney fees and agreed to change the city’s ordinance on non-liveaboard boats. The new ordinance will define the term “in navigation” to be in line with Florida state law. The old ordinance stated that non-liveaboard boaters are no longer “in navigation” if they are anchored for more than 10 days.
Are Wag Bags Allowed to be Legally Used on Boats in U.S. Waters? By Steve Morrell Since we started selling Wag Bags last fall, I have had many people ask me if they are legal to use and will law enforcement accept them. I have researched this and my final conclusion is: Yes. They should accept them—if they know the laws. I discovered how little I really knew about Type III MSDs before this research. When I heard an FWC officer in Florida did not accept them, I realized that he probably did not really know the law either. In fact, I think few people really do. Hopefully, this will help to educate those who don’t know, including those who should know the most— law enforcement. You can research this yourself to verify. I will use what I found on federal and Florida law, but I believe the reader will see below that federal law preempts state law and that the situation is the same in all states. Although, I am, by no means, a lawyer nor an expert on this law, it does not take a lawyer to research and understand the rules, although I heavily refer below to a legally drawn up and in-depth analysis of the situation by lawyers. Much of the below information was taken from the paper, “Florida Marine Sewage Discharge Regulation” from the Center For Governmental Responsibility, University of Florida, Levin College of Law. Quotes I use below which have no reference to them are quotes from this paper. I will refer to it below as the “University of Florida paper.” The paper can be accessed at www.law.ufl.edu/conservation/ pdf/marine_sanitation.pdf. Other parts referred to below are from the Code of Federal Regulations, CFR, which is the guide for human waste on boats that the Coast Guard uses. Federal Law & Florida Law on MSDs To start with, federal law preempts states from regulating MSDs, except in three instances. Those three instances have to do with houseboats and no-discharge zones, which do not affect us in this discussion. Outside these instances, if there is a Florida law regulating discharge, it is only valid if
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it does not conflict with federal law. Florida law—or any state law—cannot regulate MSDs. Federal law prohibits the manufacture, sale or operation of vessels with toilets that are not equipped with certified or labeled MSDs. There are three types of federally approved MSDs: Type I, Type II and Type III. We are only concerned here with Type III MSDs. Readers might think that this means that a Type III MSD must be labeled or certified to be able to be used. That’s correct, but it all depends on the definitions of these words, like the word “certified,” which the federal statute defines. We will get to that. Florida law states, in Title XXIV, Chapter 327.53, the following (section 2 is about houseboats and skipped here) : “(1) Every vessel 26 feet or more in length which has an enclosed cabin with berthing facilities shall, while on the waters of the state, be equipped with a toilet. On a vessel other than a houseboat, the toilet may be portable or permanently installed. Every permanently installed toilet shall be properly attached to the appropriate United States Coast Guard certified or labeled marine sanitation device. (3) Every floating structure that has an enclosed living space with berthing facilities, or working space with public access, must be equipped with a permanently installed toilet properly connected to a Type III marine sanitation device or permanently attached via plumbing to shore-side sewage disposal. No structure shall be plumbed so as to permit the discharge of sewage into the waters of the state.” The Federal Definition of a Certified Type III MSD The crux of the question for our discussion remains: What is a certified or labeled marine sanitation device? I know the above Florida law quote sounds redundant and confusing, but that’s expected. One thing, before we move on to Type IIIs, is that portable toilets are acceptable and a case can easily be made that Wag Bags are a portable toilet. The manufacturer, PETT, calls the bags “portable, efficient, dry waste collection products.” Nothing could be more portable than a Wag Bag. Back to the main question, which comes down to what is a certified or labeled marine sanitation device? The Coast Guard and the CFR defines what those are in 33 C.F.R. Part 159, which is the United States Code, Title 33 (Navigation
and Navigable Waters), Part 159 (Marine Sanitation Devices). It describes MSDs as Type I, II and III. We will only discuss Type III here. Most people are going to automatically say a Type III is a holding tank. Not true, according to federal regulations. A holding tank fits the definition, but so do a lot of other options. Here is the CFR quote: “Type III marine sanitation device means a device that is designed to prevent the overboard discharge of treated or untreated sewage or any waste derived from sewage.” (Italics are CFR, not mine.) That is a pretty broad quote. But let’s dig deeper. The law goes on: “(a) No person may operate any vessel equipped with installed toilet facilities unless it is equipped with: (1) An operable Type II or III device that has a label on it under § 159.16 or that is certified under § 159.12 or § 159.12a;” That’s pretty clear, but we must next go to the sections referred to. We are not concerned with a “device that has a label” but with certification. 159.12a (b) states that: “(b) Any Type III device is considered certified under this section if: (1) It is used solely for the storage of sewage and flushwater at ambient air pressure and temperature; and (2) It is in compliance with § 159.53(c).” Obviously, it does not mention the word “holding tank” as a certified device, but leaves the situation open for broad interpretation and miscellaneous ways to fit the criteria. Next we need to see if it complies with 159.53 (c): “Be designed to prevent the overboard discharge of treated or untreated sewage or any waste derived from sewage (Type III).” The University of Florida paper also agrees with this information. Below is a quote from that paper: “There is not a quantitative effluent limit for a Type III MSD. Rather the regulations require Type IIIs to be designed to prevent overboard discharge of treated or untreated sewage or any waste derived from sewage. Thus, Type III MSDs are often holding tanks, although vacuum collection, incineration, recirculation, and composting systems may also qualify as Type III MSDs. Type III MSDs may have a through hull “Y” valve, but it may be opened only when the vessel is beyond U.S. territorial waters (three nautical miles). To secure the “Y” value in a no- discharge position, the vessel operator must either remove the value handle or use a padlock or a nonreleaseable wire-tie to comply with federal law. Finally, a Type III device will be considered certified without going through the certification process if ‘it is used solely for the storage of sewage and flushwater at ambient air pressure and temperature’ and is designed to prevent the overboard discharge of treated or untreated sewage or any waste derived from sewage.” It is clear, not only from reading the law on what a Type III See OUR WATERWAYS continued on page 68
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On June 1, we enter another Atlantic hurricane season. Still in the minds of many are the 2004 and 2005 seasons that were so destructive. Despite experts’ predictions of storm-heavy seasons since then, no hurricanes have come ashore in the continental United States for the last two seasons, leaving many wondering what’s up each year. At SOUTHWINDS, we continue to try to make people aware that each year is unique and can be another calm year or another heavy one—or whatever lies in between. BoatU.S. held their second annual marina hurricane preparation symposium in March. For the second year, I attended this event and learned a lot about what the concerns are of marina operators in the South. Below you will read my report on that symposium and what has been learned over the last few years about preparing for a storm. For boat owners, SOUTHWINDS has prepared what I believe is the best article out there on helping boat owners put together and carry out a plan for their boats. We have published this article with changes in the last two years, but this year we are just referring our readers to go to our Web site and read this article, “Why Prepare Your Boat for a Tropical Storm,” on our hurricane pages at www.southwindsmagazine.com/hurricane (go to SOUTHWINDS articles). Other valuable links to articles and hurricane information are available on those pages. We are still asking our readers to send us articles and opinions about their experiences in preparing for storms, dealing with marinas and other aspects of boating and hurricanes. May there be no hurricanes this year. Steve Morrell Editor
THE 2008 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON June 1 - November 30
Second Annual BoatU.S. 2008 Marina Hurricane Preparation Symposium, Orlando, March 4-5 By Steve Morrell, Editor
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fter two years of no hurricanes coming ashore in the United States, I wondered how interested marina owners would be in attending another symposium, but attendance was up this year to 160—plus more sponsors jumped in to help pay for the event. SOUTHWINDS was one of them. Sponsors who had displays at the symposium numbered 18, up from last year’s 11. I also wondered what new information BoatU.S. would present since so much was covered last year (See Southwinds, past issues, April 2007, page 34, at www.southwindsmagazine.com/backissues). But they came through with flying colors, although a few subjects were repeated. But the repetition, like how one marina strapped their boats to the ground, was important, since this practice has become more widespread today (see past issues, January, February, March 2008). There was a lot of new information this year—much of which was learned by those who rebuilt and had a couple of years to think about preparing for another big storm—lessons which can be very beneficial to those who were never hit. Surely, the best-prepared marinas in the future will be the ones who already have been hit. Many of them showed up, and they are the ones who are obviously the most prepared. It is the marinas who have never been hit who are most likely to be less prepared, and who can really learn something at a symposium such as this. But the symposium is really aimed at marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs—and there was something to be gained for all of them. www.southwindsmagazine.com
Steve Letro, from the National Weather Service, speaking at the 2008 Marina Hurricane Preparation Symposium.
Eight Needed Changes Learned From the 2007 Symposium First to speak at this two-day event was the BoatU.S. CEO Bill Oakerson, who gave an excellent talk based on eight changes that marinas need to make that were learned from last year’s symposium. 1 Every marina, yacht club and every boat needs a written preparation plan. 2 All facilities exposed to an “open expanse of water” (and not protected by breakwaters) must get boats out of the water or to a hurricane hole somewhere else. 3 Some communities need to establish more mooring fields. 4 Some communities need to establish more or larger breakwaters protecting exposed marinas. 5 There is a need for more businesses to help execute preparation plans for facilities and boat owners. 6 Boat owners need to be motivated to prepare their boats and work with marinas and yacht clubs to do so. 7 Insurance companies need to pay for new hurricane preparation companies when they are hired to prepare or move boats to protected areas. 8 There needs to be government cooperation and legislation to speed up permits for mooring fields, breakwaters and improved building codes to help withstand Category 3 and stronger storms. BoatU.S Plans Marina Preparation Booklet for 2009 After hosting the Marina Hurricane Preparation Symposium for the last two years, what will BoatU.S. be doing for an encore in 2009? The answer is: publishing a 24-page booklet that could be called “The Best of Marina Hurricane Prep.” Rather than speculate on what might work, the booklet will feature techniques that have been proven to significantly reduce damage to boats and marinas. Bob Adriance, the technical director at BoatU.S., said the booklet is to be a big part of the association’s long-term goal of reducing insurance costs in hurricane-prone areas. Sections include: Hauling and Securing Boats Ashore; Hiring Professionals to Move Boats to Hurricane Holes; Dry Stack Storage; the Advantages of “Hurricane Clubs”; How to Write an Effective Marina Hurricane Plan; and Legal and Political Considerations. Many of the techniques that will be cited were used at Florida marinas, including Sebastian River Marina, The Hinckley Company in Stuart, Diamond 99 Marina, Palm Harbor, Pensacola Shipyard and Marine Complex, and Indiantown Marina. The booklet will also include information on products that have been proven to reduce hurricane damage to boats, docks and marina facilities. It will be distributed free to all marinas on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. News & Views for Southern Sailors
Following Oakerson was Bill Smith of BoatU.S, who expanded on Oakerson’s comments that every facility needs a plan and made the strong point that the plan must always stay ahead of the storm. There must be no conflicting orders to employees as to what their job is, and employees must know the plan and their job beforehand. He also suggested having backup employees as a lot of people’s lives become unpredictable when a storm is approaching. One of the most interesting and informative talks was given by Bob Adriance of BoatU.S. Bob is probably the motivating force behind these two BoatU.S. hurricane symposiums and is the technical director at BoatU.S. He has written over 600 articles for Seaworthy, the BoatU.S. Marine Insurance damage-avoidance publication (an excellent publication for those interested). Bob spoke about nylon lines and their limitations, especially as they apply to dock lines during storm conditions. Much of what he talked about was based on a Practical Sailor article (December 2007) that was done on nylon lines and showed that lines lose half their strength as they get older. This was a real eye-opener for many. (I wanted to go home and buy new lines immediately.) An article on lines and their limitations is covered in the July 2005 issue of Seaworthy magazine. The last person to speak on the first day was John Naybor, who owns two marinas in Pensacola, FL. One of his marinas, Palm Harbor Marina, was destroyed, and John had to completely rebuild it. John is an engineer and researched the costs and benefits of all the different aspects
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HURRICANE SEASON 2008 of a new marina built to that it is very difficult, if not withstand up to a Category impossible, to predict what 3 storm. He debated each season will be like. whether to go with fixed One of last year’s best docks or floating and chose speakers was Rocky floating because of the damSimone, who last year age that was done by the spoke of the hurricane plan storm surge that partly he established at the destroyed the marina when Pensacola Marine Complex. Hurricane Ivan hit it in It was filled with good 2004. Although his water practical knowledge. Rocky depth is only around six is no longer manager of that feet, he had to go 44 feet into marina but is now a conthe bottom with new pilings sultant to other marinas. He A couple of the many exhibitors at the symposium. to find solid ground. He spoke about the contract wanted to have the pilings stick out of the water 18 feet— between the marina and the boat owner and how the 2006 anticipating a surge of almost that level—so all of his pilings Florida law allowed marinas to protect themselves, the are 70 feet long! He is confident his rebuilt marina will withboats and the marina from damage by insuring that the boat stand the storms it was designed for with ease. The story of will be prepared for a storm whether the owner does so or his new marina, construction and costs was printed in not—and the marina can legally charge the boat owner for Marina Dock Age magazine, April 2006. its services. On Wednesday morning, the first speaker was meteorA little later on day two, maritime attorney Richard ologist Steve Letro, who presented a great talk on hurriMcAlpin spoke more about the marina/boat owner contract canes and their prediction and limitations of predictions. plus discussed a very important landmark case of a boater His most memorable points for this writer were his comwho lived out of state and had a licensed captain prepare his ments that each storm is an individual, but more important; boat when a storm was approaching. The boat was anchored that each season is an individual, something I did not hear out in West Palm Beach and broke away, causing extensive emphasized in last year’s talk. This brought home the fact damage to other private property. The boat owner was found to not be liable because “due diligence” was taken to secure the boat. The implications of this ruling are quite far-reaching and of supreme importance to boat owners. Other speakers included lobbyists for state and federal issues, urging boaters that they must work together toward getting legislation passed to protect the interests of marinas. One speaker suggested that boat owners and those in the boating business go to www.boatblue.org if they are interested in promoting boating interests. The most emotional presentation—and perhaps the most memorable—was by Dan Rutherford, a member of the BoatU.S. CAT (catastrophe) team. Rutherford began by sitting down while a slide show was shown of the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the lives of those who suffered most in New Orleans. The audience was silent as we were all reminded of the total devastation in that city, images of which we had probably not seen in over two years. Rutherford then got up and stated that Katrina changed his life—as he spoke emotionally with a cracked voice. The slide show brought back to all of us how many people really suffered two years ago in New Orleans. It brought into perspective how many people’s lives were not just disrupted by loss of a boat or a marina, but by loss of life and home. There were several other excellent speakers, but there is not room here to cover them all. The symposium was well worth the time I spent there. Sponsors served great food, too. Many thanks to them all. There will not be another symposium next year, as Boat U.S. has other plans (see sidebar). For more information on the ideas and plans discussed at the symposium and other hurricane preparation information, go to www.boatus.com/hurricanes or www.southwindsmagazine.com/hurricane. 36 June 2008
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www.southwindsmagazine.com
PORTS,
A weather-reporting station in Tampa Bay, part of the PORTS system.
Tampa Bay’s Real-Time Weather Reporting Stations: Motivated by Disaster By Ali Hudon and Chris Simoniello Photos by Chris Simoniello
A
s the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. This was precisely the case leading to the creation of the Tampa Bay Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS), a monitoring and prediction system designed to aid mariners traveling the shipping channel between the Port of Tampa and the Gulf of Mexico. The original steel-cantilevered Sunshine Skyway Bridge opened in 1954, a 15-mile span of two lanes running in opposite directions from St. Petersburg to Bradenton. At this time, the ship channel had a vertical clearance of approximately 150 feet above the water and a width of approximately 750 feet. By 1971, a second parallel span was completed to compensate for increased traffic. Preceding the infamous collision that destroyed the bridge in 1980, at least five weather-related incidents occurred in the immediate area of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Four of these were non-fatal, resulting only in minor damage to the bridge. The worst, however, was the collision of the freighter Capricorn and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter USS Blackthorn that resulted in the deaths of 23 crew members aboard the Blackthorn. The untimely fate of so many professional sailors emphasizes how treacherous navigating Tampa Bay waters can be.
called dolphins, built to withstand impact from errant ships in the vicinity of the bridge’s piers. Today, the original bridge serves as a fishing pier, with debris and rubble from the demolition providing reef structure. One positive outcome of one of the worst bridge disasters in history was the installation of the Tampa Bay Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System, or PORTS, in 1992. PORTS is a marine information acquisition and dis-
Fatal Blow The fatal blow to the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge came on the morning of May 9, 1980, at 0738. An unpredicted violent rain squall producing winds up to 40 knots left Capt. John Lerro, pilot of the phosphate freighter Summit Venture, with zero visibility. Finding himself more than 700 feet from the center of the channel, the vessel slammed into the #2 south pier of the southbound span, knocking 1261 feet of center span, cantilever, approach and roadway into Tampa Bay. Tragically, 35 people, most of them onboard a charter bus, plunged 150 feet to their deaths. For seven years following the accident, traffic was rerouted onto the two-lane northbound span. Then, in April 1987, the new cable-stayed Sunshine Skyway Bridge opened with its recognizable golden triangles on the main span. With a vertical clearance of 193 feet and a main span of 1200 feet, it is equipped with 36 large concrete bumpers News & Views for Southern Sailors
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PORTS, Tampa Bay’s Real-Time Weather Reporting Stations semination system developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Ocean Service (NOS) in collaboration with the maritime community and the University of South Florida College of Marine Science. PORTS consists of a network of 11 stations in and around Tampa Bay, including the Port of Tampa, Port Manatee, the Sunshine Skyway, and the C-Cut marker in the shipping channel. Each station collects real-time data on meteorological and/or water conditions, such as wind speed and direction, air and water temperature, current speed and direction, and water level. These data are collected every six minutes and are available in a variety of user-friendly formats, including telephone voice response and Internet.
The PORTS map showing the weather stations. This is taken from the PORTS Web page. You can click on a weather station to see the current conditions at that point.
Accurate Data Critical Accurate wind and water level data are crucial, especially considering that traditional NOAA tide prediction tables account for astronomical tides and currents, but not the effects of water flow, wind, or other meteorological factors. These non-tidal forces in Tampa Bay can result in deviations from the predicted tides by as much as 100 minutes and up to 2.5 feet (0.762 meter)! Because the bay’s tides and currents are strongly influenced by these non-tidal forces, PORTS provides important real-time information to both recreational boaters and professional mariners navigating the bay. PORTS data are used routinely by environmental managers, industry, and maritime transportation companies in Tampa Bay. Access to real-time data allows port authorities and shipping operations to maximize the cargo load (and resulting profit) by taking into account the available clearance to the bottom, as well as the transit time. In fact, since becoming operational in 1992, PORTS has reduced
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the total number of ship groundings in Tampa Bay by 60 percent, improving navigational safety and protecting the environment. Port authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard also make use of PORTS data in the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service (CVTS), an international waterway management agreement. PORTS data routinely aids the Coast Guard in search-and-rescue missions, as well as environmental spill containment, and is currently being integrated into the Automatic Identification System (AIS) used to identify and track vessels. Additionally, PORTS provides data for numerical models to generate operational nowcasts and forecasts for water level.
Just One Example Tampa Bay PORTS is just one example among many coastal ocean observing systems, or COOSs, that have been implemented or are being designed around the nation to support a variety of scientific, economic, management, and environmental needs. A COOS is a combination of instruments on coastal stations, buoys, satellites, ships, underwater vehicles (such as gliders or ROVs), and radars that are used to make observations of the ocean and the atmosphere at the air-sea interface. As with PORTS, many COOSs combine data with computer models to better understand and forecast marine conditions. The real-time in situ data not only provide local information, but serve to ground-truth the numerical models, which ultimately improves the accuracy and area of coverage over which forecasts can be made. Such systems that collect and disseminate accurate real-time information are becoming increasingly important, particularly for Florida and other states whose economies rely so heavily upon coastal-based tourism and marine industry (including boating, fishing, and aquaculture). Dr. Harvey Seim, chief operating officer for the Southeast Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing System, summed it up best when he said “…the tremendous benefit in marrying satellite remote sensing and ship-based operations with offshore measures is that you can get all the information in one place in a consistent fashion.” Mike Watson, manager and lead forecaster for the East Coast office of Surfline.com, a comprehensive online provider of surf reports and forecasts from locations around the world, understands just how important wind and water measurements are to his customers. “Accurate wave measurements for the recreational beachgoer and surfer alike are vitally important. Not only are these important for the safety of the general public, these observations are important for the surfing population, often dictating which particular beach will or will not see breaking waves or surf.” Likewise, www.southwindsmagazine.com
these more and better commercial and recreinformation to increase ational fishermen and efficiency of marine transcharter services rely on A typical current weather report at the PORTS Web page broadcasting portation, enabling more real-time data, such as sea information from a weather station in Tampa Bay. informed decisionmaking surface temperature, to that affects our lives, our property and our living and nonmore effectively focus their limited time and resources. living marine resources. Coastal ocean observing systems are also being For access to the PORTS weather buoy information, go employed in the ongoing efforts to detect and track harmful to http://ompl.marine.usf.edu/PORTS/index.html. For algal blooms (or HABs) like red tide. Recently, the USF Gulf weather stations, click on COMPS on that page. College of Marine Science and Mote Marine Laboratory signed an agreement to create the Mote Marine Research Next time: Sharks, ships, and shores: how COOSs are being used Institute at USF – a partnership aimed at addressing issues around the nation and in our own backyard. critical to the health of the state’s coastal and ocean waters. • Ali Hudon is the education and outreach coordinator for the Among these issues: expanding coastal ocean observing Ocean Monitoring and Prediction Lab (OMPL) at the University systems and creating new sensor technologies that increase of South Florida (USF) College of Marine Science. She is also the our understanding of the causes of red tide blooms. The education and outreach coordinator for the Gulf Coast Partner of “Breve Buster,” a continuous, automated detector that takes the Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT). in water samples and identifies red tide by its light• Dr. Christina Simoniello has a Ph.D. in biological oceanograabsorbance pattern, is one example of a biological sensor phy. She has conducted research in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida that is being employed as part of a COOS. Developed by a Keys, Exumas, and Southern Ocean and was on the faculty in the team representing Mote Marine Lab, the Florida Marine University of Florida Sea Grant College Program. She presently Research Institute and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, serves as the education and outreach coordinator for the Gulf of it demonstrates the inter-organization collaboration needed Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System. for COOS to succeed. Challenging Task It is a challenging task to integrate so many different elements and form a merged information system, but that is exactly what is required to truly become integrated across territorial boundaries and across different academic and institutional cultures. In Florida, the Florida COOS Consortium was formed to knit together the diverse monitoring programs like PORTS operating along our coast. The consortium, a cooperative effort among academic and research communities, government and regulatory officials, and private sector providers, actively engages these groups in productive dialogues to identify funding and collaboration opportunities, and to provide a forum for the discussion of current and planned policy initiatives. To this end, the Florida COOS Consortium was actively involved in the development of the Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council’s statewide prioritized research plan, which ranked funds for increases in the number and capabilities of coastal ocean observing system assets high on their list. We’ve come a long way from the days of the Sunshine Skyway disaster, especially in terms of what information is available and who can access it. Today, sailors regularly call upon Tampa Bay PORTS to provide them with the most upto-date wind speeds, and harbor pilots entering the bay on cargo ships view real-time PORTS data on shipboard computers. However, the story doesn’t end here; in fact, it’s just beginning. There are national and global efforts under way to develop an integrated network of offshore and coastal ocean observing systems and an equally impressive arsenal of new and exciting technologies to support these. The systems serve a variety of scientific and societal needs, among News & Views for Southern Sailors
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TRAVELS WITH ANGEL
Cruising the Northernmost Bahamas with 5200 By Rebecca Burg
S
ingle-handed vessels Defiant, Bill Robinson’s Morgan ketch, and Angel, my Bayfield cutter, fled from the gray clouds. Earlier, we’d left Mangrove Cay on the Little Bahama Bank, and squally weather had quickly replaced the day’s benign beginnings. The Bank’s shallow expanse was generating wave patterns that were steep and choppy with irregular spacing between their misshapen crests. The winds gusted between 25 to 30 knots and were on the nose. Heavily reefed—and miserable with upwind work—Angel
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repeatedly griped (“gripe/griped” was a description of boat behavior that started in the old days of sail), peevishly jabbing her bowsprit at the offending waves. Like me, Angel is a connoisseur of fair weather and we didn’t see much use for the concepts of machismo or swashbuckling derring-do. Defiant looked equally as uncomfortable as she bounced ahead in bursts of cold spray. “Five miles to go,” Bill radioed, weariness evident in his voice. It wasn’t soon enough when two fatigued cruisers slipped into the welcome shelter of Great Sale Cay. Despite having an abundance of room, Defiant and Angel anchored nearly on top of each other in this uninhabited island rest stop. Beyond Great Sale, boats can explore the northernmost out islands of the Bahamas, from the remote Walkers Cay to the Carters Cays. Within this 30some-mile stretch, there are two tiny Bahamian settlements and oceanic vistas of exotic, tropical poetry to mesmerize one’s senses with. Here are some of the world’s remaining wild tropical isles that haven’t been completely spoiled by man. Lose yourself among the tree-coated islets of the Double Breasted Cays and you might just feel like a Robinson Crusoe. Sugar-white sand beaches are ringed with pure waters of a luminous, unearthly blue-green hue. Tropical fish and sea grasses swirl under the dinghy’s shadow and sand crabs scuttle along the beach. The northernmost out island is Walkers Cay. Its settlement is a port of entry with a marina, a runway for small planes and a reputation for quality dive trips. Another settlement is nestled in the Grand Cays. Dockage, homey Bahamian cooking and basic goods are available. Strangers Cay and most of the Carters Cays are wild with the occasional, secretive get-away cottage and pier. There’s an abundance of pristine Atlantic side beaches. The white sandbanks are shifty, and traveling in calm seas, in daylight, is necessary for successful navigation through serpentine passes and hidden anchorages. Defiant and Angel’s intimate anchoring practice started a trend. Sailboats, concerned about their drafts, often cue in on others to determine whether an area appears satisfactory or not. A small sloop wandered toward us, puzzled over our positions, then dropped anchor as close as she safely could. Amused, I watched a fourth newcomer join our small cluster. By the next day, we were in the midst of a www.southwindsmagazine.com
Rebecca on Squishy the dinghy. Photo by Bill Robinson.
concentrated flock of resting vessels. Since it was too inclement to cruise onwards, we bided our time by socializing and effecting minor repairs. One task was to patch a pinhole air leak in the starboard bow of Squishy, Angel’s faithful RIB. I had rubber patch material, but the repair kit’s contact cement had dried up. Searching Angel’s stores, I found black 5200. After the viscous adhesive was smeared on both patch and dinghy, the two were held in place with duct tape. The tape would hold until the wet 5200 dried. Duties completed, I rode Squishy over to Defiant for the afternoon. After tying up to the ketch’s stern, I noticed a drip of wet 5200 oozing from Squishy’s new patch, so I wiped the area with a paper towel. A gust of wind swept the crumpled towel out of my dinghy and into Bill’s, which was tied nearby. I was unaware that as the soiled towel skipped along the fiberglass floor of Bill’s dinghy, it left black deposits at each bounce. The towel blew into the water and I scurried off to pick it up. Bill, loading his dinghy with gear, jumped aboard and stepped into a 5200 deposit. His big toe made black smears wherever he walked. Somehow, he got the goo on his fingers and was leaving a sticky trail of dark fingerprints. “What the ’ell?” I heard him grumbling as he studied his hands. “Hey — my white shirt!” Bill said, louder this time.
Realizing what had happened with the paper towel, I slunk out of sight along Defiant’s port side and tied up to her shiny, blue flank. I climbed aboard. “Boy, I made some kind of mess,” Bill said with a perplexed expression, vigorously wiping his hands with a rag. I slowly nodded, struggling to maintain an innocent façade. That evening, I bid Bill and Defiant good night and returned to Angel. It was too dark to see the horrible mischief that Squishy’s oozing patch had metered out to Defiant. “ANGEL!” Came an exasperated cry first thing in the morning. Coffee in hand, I bobbed out of the cabin. The grey weather had been replaced by bright sun and mild winds. Nearby, Bill was in his dinghy, muttering in displeasure and rubbing at a wavering, black smear on Defiant’s side. Squishy’s unconventional patch job had stopped the leak. Now, I just had a little explaining—and a lot of cleaning—to do.
SEA SCOUTS REGATTA, Tampa Sailing Squadron, April 25 By Kathryn Shea Photos by Bill Fishbourne
“A
merica’s Cup, it’s not” as an old salt once famously admitted. But fun, it is! Teens from all over Florida and Georgia converged on Apollo Beach on April 25 for the 20th Annual Tampa Bay Sea Scout Regatta. This annual event, under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, is packed with boating activities, instruction and competition among the Ships (as the clubs are known) of the southeastern region. The coed program, designed to promote citizenship and boating skills, is open to youth from age 14 to 20. This year’s extravaganza revved up on Friday night, as the crews sailed or rolled into the basin at the Tampa Sailing Squadron in Apollo Beach for registration. Pup tents, pop tents, domed tents of all types sprouted among the dryslipped boats in the TSS “back 40.” Young people mixed and mingled renewing old acquaintances and making new ones as they prepared for what one adult admitted was a pretty
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Sea Scouts practicing the line toss.
“sleepless” night. But the scouts were ready to go when the “Rise and Shine” sounded at six on a sparkling, cloudless Saturday morning. After breakfast (have you even seen the dent a hundred teenagers can put in the groceries?), twelve “big boats” were the first to leave the dock, heading into Tampa Bay for a series of traditional races. These boats, largely volunteered and skippered by TSS members, were crewed by the scouts themselves, some of whom were racing on larger boats for the first time. By 8:30, the “Sail to Know Where” fleet—also skippered by local boat owner volunteers—had loaded their crews and set off for a day of sailing to points unknown. The Sail to Know Where is a daylong cruise for those teens who choose the non-competitive track. Nineteen-year-old Brian Morgan, with the West Palm Beach Ship, sailed on Sea Dream II with Capt. Jim Lewis. “It was a blast,” reported the college student, “The captain was really nice and did whatever the kids wanted. We anchored at the island and went swimming.” Returning from the traditional big boat races, scouts rigged Sunfish from TSS and other local clubs and returned to the waters of Bal Harbor as the sun dipped lower for the Sunfish regatta. Two very special guests were among those cruising Saturday with Ralph Salgado of Hudson on Wanda’s Wind. Ten-year-old Jerry Lauer and 14-year-old Erica Korst responded to the scouts’ invitation to children from the Tampa Shriners’ Hospital. The youngsters spent the day on the water and then joined the crowd for a “Pirate’s Feast” of barbecued chicken and ribs when all hands had returned to port. Sunday morning activities changed tack. After breakfast and a non-denominational service, the registrants took a “Mariner’s Quiz” complete with charting a course and, naturally, tying the knots most used on a sailboat. That was followed with a swimming relay race interspersed with “boxing the compass” and a heaving line toss. As the scouts tried to calculate their standing, Skipper Don St. Amour of Ship 185, the hosting club, noted that it was a tight race for the top spot. “We’ve had great participation from all the kids,” said St. Amour, “and the adults, too…having a great ratio of almost one adult for every two scouts.” The final event was the ever-favorite “Run What You Brung” makeshift sailboat race. This year, there were no boats made of Saran wrap, but entries included a king-size air mattress. a homemade puddle duck named Goose, and a contraption of sewer pipe covered with a tarp with “Sandra” as the rudder. Although the mattress, with a bathtub rubber ducky on the bowsprit was an early favorite, www.southwindsmagazine.com
Many of the scouts camped at the Squadron.
Regatta, this annual event will now be known as “The Bill Goose, expertly piloted by Amanda Gagnon with the Stuart Kramer Tampa Bay Sea Scout Regatta.” Ship 801 sailed to an easy victory. Dana and Janie Goodwin of Hudson, Florida, who with For a couple of Georgia clubs, this year’s regatta was Skipper Lee Mortimer, kept the event on track this year, something really special. Skipper Ann Lewis of Ship 2318, praised the involvement of event sponsors, noting particurecently instituted in Decatur, GA, brought eight kids larly the years of supdown—arriving port given by Apollo around 3 a.m. Saturday Meats and Cott morning. “Its been Beverages. Others conincredible,” Lewis retributing to making ported. “To come up so this regatta a reality close to dolphins and were Roger Glasser, sting rays as we sailed Alpha Pizza, Apollo was just amazing. My Monogram, Apollo kids will have a lot to Rental Center, Beef talk about when they O’Brady’s of Apollo get home.” Beach, Crews & Garcia By noon, following Produce, DKL Carpet a quick lunch, the tents Cleaning, D&D Dewere struck, the boats light Sandwiches, trailered and the 14 Granite Construction, ships lined up at attenSterling Doors, Tampa tion for closing cereSea Scouts enjoying a sailboat ride. Bay Press, Touchstone monies. The overall Screen Printing and Winn-Dixie of Apollo Beach. Special winner of events turned out to be “Knot-a-Clew” of Dunedin’s Ship 956—who sailed to victory in two of the thanks were also offered to Ship 185 sponsored by the hostthree traditional races on Jim Hoffman’s J/22, Delirium. The ing Tampa Sailing Squadron. Over 30 members this year donated boats, time and talent to the event. girls and their ship will be honored by having their name And as they headed back across Florida and Georgia, engraved on the Sea Scout Regatta trophy, which resides at the scouts were thinking ahead. Will you be back next year? the TSS clubhouse. Regatta Skipper Lee Mortimer “Definitely!” replied Morgan, a sentiment echoed by 15announced that as of next year, the trophy and the regatta year-old Zhaneé Carter of Decatur. “Next year, we’re going will bear a new name. In honor of the late Bill Kramer, who to get that trophy!” started and consistently supported the Tampa Bay Sea Scout
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CAROLINA SAILING
Charleston Race Week Cements its Stature By Dan Dickison The Melges 24, Temerity, owned by Michigan sailor Charlie Hess, rounding the mark. Photo by Tim Wilkes. www.timwilkes.com.
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ot every sailing community is as fortunate as my hometown of Charleston, SC. We have some of the best-protected waterways in the country—specifically, Charleston Harbor—and we enjoy an abundance of dedicated individuals who rally anytime an event needs participants or volunteers. That was definitely the case when Charleston Race Week took place in mid-April, and 137 boats and crews congregated on the Holy City’s murky brine. Celebrating its 13th year, Charleston Race Week has grown rapidly in the past four years and now consistently draws competitors from all over the country. Among the teams entered this year were boats from California and Michigan, Texas and Connecticut, Kentucky, Maine, and even Canada. These sailors come to race one-design, they come to compete under PHRF, and they come because the event perennially delivers on its promise of spirited competition and Southern hospitality. And none of that would be possible without the more than 150 volunteers (50 on land and about 100 on the water) who set marks, score races, rescue wayward boats, sell T-shirts and plan for much of the year to carry off this four-day extravaganza. Meaghan Van Liew, deputy director of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation—the organization that comanages the regatta—credits the diligent volunteers as much as the competitors with the success of this event. “We’ve been very fortunate that there is a lot of enthusiasm among the sailing crowd here to support this regatta,” explained Van Liew. Most of those volunteers are organized through the Charleston Ocean Racing Association, which founded the event and now partners with the foundation to manage it. Though it serves as the season opener and the unofficial apex of competitive sailing in South Carolina each year, Charleston Race Week is also an important fundraising activity that benefits the foundation’s tall ship, the Spirit of South Carolina. This 140-foot vessel is used as a unique educational platform for young students from around the state. According to Van Liew, since becoming a fundraising event
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in 2005, CRW has raised between $20- and $50-grand each year to support educational programming. Aside from the dollars raised for the tall ship, highlights from this year’s regatta included a bumper crop of Melges 24s (26 in all, with several pro sailors in the fleet) as well as a cadre of Viper 640s (nine boats) whose owners are working hard to resurrect this speedy one-design. There were also superb performances turned in by boats like Bill Sweetser’s modified J/109 Rush from Austin, TX (five firsts and three seconds), and Patrick LeGoff’s Prelude, a Beneteau 10R from Florence, SC, which competed in the non-spinnaker division. (seven bullets). And cap those with the fact that several sponsors kicked in some sweet prizes— Raymarine once again gave away over $9,000 worth of electronics packages, and Selden Mast awarded a carbon-fiber spinnaker pole, among other prizes. Despite all that glitz, two essential factors ultimately characterized CRW this year. First was a spate of superb weather that provided conditions ranging from vexing sixknot zephyrs to rousing 20-knot sea breezes. This gamut of conditions coincided with a full moon late in the regatta, meaning strong tidal currents were the norm. And second was the uncommon efficiency demonstrated on the water by the race managers. Past editions of CRW have experienced a few glitches, but this year every competitor was treated to an abundance of races (seven contests for most classes). And on each of the three race venues, the action was so tightly orchestrated that competitors rarely had more than 10 minutes of downtime between the finish of one race and the start of the next. Aboard numerous boats, it became a challenge just to wolf down a between-race sandwich and still get your bearings for the next contest. The back-to-back race format seemed to suit plenty of competitors. Perhaps the closest contest of all took place at the head of the Melges 24 fleet where Travis Weisleder’s allpro crew on board Carloan.com out of Richmond, VA, battled Kristen Lane’s Tiburon, CA-based Out House. Both boats entered the final race tied with 11 points. With America’s www.southwindsmagazine.com
Mongo, a J/29 from Charleston, heads downwind with George Scarborough at the helm. Photo by Tim Wilkes. www.timwilkes.com.
Cup stalwart Morgan Larson calling tactics on board Out House, Lane and company looked formidable. But team Carloan.com had sailmaker Scott Nixon on board, and Nixon is well acquainted with Charleston Harbor; he’d lived here a decade before while serving as a sailing coach at the College of Charleston. After Weisleder nailed the start, Nixon made the right calls and ultimately Carloan.com got around the four-leg course first to take a bullet. Surprisingly, Lane’s team slipped to 15th in that race but still wound up second overall in the class. Weisleder’s team went home with the Charleston Race Week Cup (awarded to the winner of the most competitive one-design class). Later, Nixon found time to reflect on the event. “With sun, sea breeze, sand and totally dynamic conditions that change every leg of every race, this is just an awesome event. I’d have to say it’s also an awesome venue.” That’s a sentiment Meaghan Van Liew and her co-organizers
News & Views for Southern Sailors
were fortunate enough to hear again and again throughout the four-day event. “People were really appreciative,” she said later. “It’s been amazing the number of calls and emails we’ve gotten since. And a number of them are saying, ‘We don’t need to drive all the way to Key West for that event when Charleston Race Week is so good and so close.’” Now that’s high praise, and pretty good evidence that Charleston Harbor truly is one of the top racing venues on the East Coast.
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SOUTHERN RACING n UPCOMING INSTRUCTION & CLINICS:
One-Design Crew Training, Davis Island Yacht Club, Tampa Bay, June 7 The eighth version of One-Design Crew Training (ODCT) will be held on Saturday, June 7, 14, and 28, 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 join, contact King Purton at kpurton@verizon.net or (813) 760-0177, or applications are available at the DIYC Thursday night cashier. The cost is $125 and slots are limited to 30 students.
n UPCOMING MAJOR REGATTAS
Key West (School’s Out) Corinthian Regatta from Bradenton, FL, June 5 Started in 2003 by the Bradenton Yacht Club for those who cannot participate in the Key West Rendezvous because of school, this has been nicknamed the “School’s Out” Key West Regatta. The race leaves in the Gulf off Longboat Pass on Thursday, June 5. There is a limited number of boats allowed and they are hosted in Key West by the Key West Bight Marina. There are parties and an awards dinner on Sunday, June 8. For more information, go to www.bradenton-yachtclub.org, or call (941) 773-9353, or e-mail mtimillertime@yahoo.com.
Billy Bowlegs Festival and Regatta, Fort Walton Beach, June 5-15 By Kim Kaminski The 53rd 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. Week-long activities began on June 5 and include a treasure hunt, torchlight parade, fireworks and the regatta. The Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club will host the regatta on June 14-15. 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.
Regata de Amigos, Galveston to Veracruz, Mexico, June 6 The Regata de Amigos is the longest-running and one of the most well-established offshore races in the Gulf of Mexico. This year, the regatta is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The 630-mile race is organized by the Lakewood Yacht Club and the Galveston Bay Cruising Association. There is a reception for races, crew and visitors on June 12 at the governor’s palace in Veracruz. After the race, many of the boats will sail overnight to Tuxpan and make a day stop at the Lobos Island reefs for snorkeling, scuba and beach parties before returning home. For more information, go to the regatta Web site at www.veracruzregatta.com.
Race to the Coast, New Orleans, June 14 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.
2007 Offshore Challenge Cup Regatta, Gulfport Yacht Club, June 20-22 The 2007 Gulf Yachting Association (GYA) Offshore Challenge Cup Regatta will be held June 20-22 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. For more information, go to www.gulfportyachtclub.org. 46
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www.southwindsmagazine.com
Ft. Walton Yacht Club Round the Island 100-Mile Multihull Race, June 20-22 The Round the Island Multihull Race is a 100-mile 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. For more information, go to the yacht club Web site at www.fwyc.org.
45th Annual Ocracoke Regatta, Ocracoke, NC, June 21 The Ocracoke Regatta is open to all who want to spend a fun day out on the water, then get together to enjoy each other’s company and share a little grub and grog in Ocracoke. There is one start for all boats at 8:05 a.m. on Saturday,
News & Views for Southern Sailors
June 21. Many participants raft up and party in the lee of Indian Island on Friday evening, though it is possible to leave at O-dark-thirty and reach the start from Washington, Belhaven, or one of the anchorages on the ICW between Oriental and the Pamlico. The race is approximately 33 miles long, with two spinnaker and two non-spinnaker classes. There’s also a “party class,” which is open to power and sailboaters who want to observe but not actually race. An awards party will be held afterwards. For more information, call Arden at (252) 975-2174 or toll-free at (877) 272-6632.
Gulfport to Pensacola Race, June 27-29 By Kim Kaminski The annual 100-mile Gulfport to Pensacola race will be June 27-29 (Father’s Day weekend). It is sponsored by both the Gulfport Yacht Club, and the Pensacola Yacht Club. It is a 100—mile race from the channel entrance at Gulfport, MS, along the Gulf Coast to the channel entrance of the Pensacola Pass. For information, go to www.pensacolayachtclub.org
Pirates on the Pungo Regatta, Belhaven, NC, July 18-20 This regatta is an annual fundraiser for the Pungo District Continued on page 50
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TAMPA BAY SAILING Swift Solo and Musto Skiff Midwinters, Fort De Soto Park, April 14-19
especially when the current was running with the wind. By the start of racing Thursday, most were ready to fly. The wind was strong enough to keep some of the 20 boats on the beach, but exciting 30-minute windward-leewards were enjoyed by the experts. Friday had a lighter wind with a couple of boats missing the time limit in the strong tide of Tampa Bay near the shipping channel. Saturday completed the eight races in a fine sea breeze. Race Officer Dave Ellis ran the races from a small inflatable with the help of a quick powerboat on the windward mark and pin-set duties. Another small inflatable was available for rescue, although the racecourse was so near to shore that it was only used once, when a capsized boat had its rudder drift away. Ironically, two of the top competitors did not race, one due to cracked ribs from a spectacular pitch pole earlier in the week and one, the race organizer, Bram Dally, from something he ate. All of the competitors were from outside of Florida, only one from within the SOUTHWINDS area. They were not anxious to get back to snow. For more on the Swift Solo, go to http://swiftsolo.com/home.html.
A Swift Solo sailing at Fort De Soto Park. Photo by Dave Ellis.
US Multihull Championship for the Hobie Alter Cup, Gulfport Yacht Club, April 22-28
Fort De Soto Park on lower Tampa Bay boasts palm trees lining a pristine white beach and open water. Just around the corner is 2005’s world’s #1-rated beach. What better place to host a sailing event for a couple of unique classes of sailboats. The Swift Solo was designed by Bram Dally of Seattle. He loved to sail the high performance 49er, an Olympic class known for speed and spills. But it was tough to find qualified crew. His solution was a 16-foot boat that is a true skiff design but built with cedar, carbon and epoxy. The result is as close to fine furniture as any craft afloat. But this furniture has teeth. The mainsail and jib working together as a unit, as the lone sailor is out on the wings hanging from the trapeze wire, give the boat plenty of power. But add an asymmetrical spinnaker that sets well above the hounds and you have a handful. To increase the event numbers, the similar Musto Skiff was invited. This is a boat designed in England that is similar in hull shape, built of fiberglass. There is only a mainsail, no jib. But it, too, has an asymmetrical chute, a little smaller than the Swift. The boats are similar in speed, depending on the skill of the sailor, with the Musto being perhaps a bit faster in a blow and the Swift quicker in lighter air. The first part of the week an interactive clinic was held for the sailors unfamiliar with the demands of a skiff, passing on tips from the more experienced. Often it was the downwind legs that separated the fleet. The speeds are so high that lay-lines to the leeward mark are often over stood, 48
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Catamarans start in the Alter Cup off Gulfport. Photo by Dave Ellis.
It may seem to be a daunting task for a small volunteer club like Florida’s Gulfport Yacht Club to host a major championship. But the venue was the choice of Robbie Daniel, the owner of Fun in the Sun, Inc., who supplied the 10 new Capricorn F/18 catamarans. Mayor Mike Yakes and the city of Gulfport scheduled a festival around the event and made available the expansive white sand of the beach. After setting up the boats at GYC, they were sailed over to the Gulfport waterfront where they www.southwindsmagazine.com
BY DAVE ELLIS were lined up to the delight of the local residents. Fairley Brinkley of the Clearwater YC race committee team served as the PRO with a staff comprising of experienced GYC members, Clearwater Community Sailing Center members and extra boats from neighboring Boca Ciega YC and CCSC. The result was exemplary race management. Monday was practice day on short courses. It got the RC team tuned up and the sailors more familiar with the boats. These were not toy boats. The Capricorn is built by Australian High Performance Catamarans, and Greg Goodall was there from Down Under to help keep the 10 boats tuned exactly alike and working smoothly. Since there were 20 teams from around the country, there had to be an A and B fleet, the sailors taking turns waiting on the nearby beach. Very little work had to be done on the boats between races, Turnaround time settled in at around a half hour. In the first race for each fleet a random drawing was held for boats. In the second races the top five from each fleet made up A fleet and the bottom five the B fleet. The best the B fleet could do was 11 points. Thereafter, the top three from the A fleet were dropped to B, and the top three from B sailed in A fleet for the following race. This made it important to do well each heat and tended to keep the top sailors racing together. Some of the sailors were from classes of multihull that did not use big asymmetrical spinnakers, so they had a steep learning curve. Last year’s winners, John Casey, Longwood, FL, and John Williams, Long Beach, CA, were right at home and never dropped out of A fleet in their 11 heats. But, with two throwouts it was not enough, as Nigel Pitt of Hartwell, GA, and crew Alex Shafer of Clermont, FL, were able to discard a DSQ and subsequent B fleet 11th to win the Alter Cup. They did not see that another boat had tacked to starboard several lengths beyond a leeward mark, and the starboard tack boat was not able to duck at the last moment, despite dumping the main and jib. A resounding crunch was heard from the leeward mark set boat. These cats have knife-like bows set “upside down,” producing a vertical gash two feet from the stern of the starboard hull. Another boat sustained damage when a following racer was not able to slow the beast down in a mark rounding and hit the boat ahead. With only one extra boat available, local sailor Jennifer Lindsay’s new Capricorn was placed into service to complete the series. At the banquet the builder of the Alter trophy and long-time multihull volunteer Gordon Isco was honored with life membership in GYC. News & Views for Southern Sailors
Florida Women’s Sailing Association Keelboat Championship, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, May 2 Sonars sailing in the FWSA Keelboat Championship. Photo by Jeff Grossman.
The FWSA members usually sail Optimist Dinghies and Sunfish. They are the ladies who enjoy racing and socializing and who are often the essential volunteers at the regattas of their home yacht clubs. This year an invitation was extended for FWSA members to try keelboat racing. St. Petersburg Yacht Club supplied Sonars with spinnakers and Rhodes 19s for those who opted to sail with working sails only. Training was spread over two weeks before the event, starting with a half day at St. Petersburg Sailing Center with Dave Ellis, who does not pass the physical to sail with FWSA, presenting a tour of a keel boat racecourse in the classroom. Three races were completed on May 2. The winning team on the Sonar was SPYC Salty Sister Team 1 skippered by Lori Leadbetter with crew Helen Larsen, Rosemary Sherman and Linda Meehan. Scoring was very close, as only two points separated first from third. On the Rhodes 19 the team of Brooke Taliaferro of SPYC with crew Venice Bitter End, Dena Kohlbecker, and TITYC T.I.Tacker, Karen Errico, won the day. For more on this event, go to www.fwsa.net.
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SOUTHERN SAILING
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Hospital Foundation. It is sponsored by the River Rat Yacht Club and the Belhaven Yacht Club. Racing classes include sailing dinghies, PH RF 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.piratesonpongo.org, or call (252) 964-3442.
n RACE REPORTS
Sixty-Nine Boats Compete in the 2008 Melbourne YC Spring Regatta, April 19-20 By John Fox
Sailing in the Big Boat Weekend at the Melbourne Yacht Club. Photo by Ross Herbert
Small Boat Weekend, April 19-20. It was particularly encouraging to see an increase in multihull activity with six boats sailing in the Hobie Wave class in the small boat racing on the first weekend. Scott Hubel was the man to beat with Marlene Sassaman showing some very smart sailing to finish second. Paul Lindenburg, sailing his first race in the class, was third. Linda Tillman dominated the 18-boat Sunfish fleet with consistently good finishes and the uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, all the time. Dave Silverman showed moments of brilliance to finish second, and Chris Lowry was third. In the Laser fleet, Dick Tillman followed Linda’s example and led in five of the seven races to win. Mike Taylor of Titusville followed in second, and Henry DeWolf of Palm Beach was third. 50
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In monohull Portsmouth, results were: 1) Mike Barile, Day Sailer; 2) Jack Clark, Moth; 3) Wayne Anderson, Megabyte. In the multihull Portsmouth, results were: 1) Frank Rodericks, Nacra 5.2; 2) Dave Andrews, Hobie 16. Big Boat Weekend, April 25-26. On the second weekend, with the big boats racing, Fleet Captain Jim Henry decided to try something new to encourage participation by those who normally don’t race. The Wine & Cheese Fleet was a resounding success with nine entries. The format called for a distance race down the Indian River and back with a starting system that took the anxiety away. There were only two rules: Have fun and don’t hit anyone. Contestants were encouraged to improve their handicaps by such things as cooking on the grill, deploying their Biminis and having hors d’oeuvres in the cockpit at all times. Bob and Wendy Hughes won the day with their Catalina 30, Second Chance, which was re-named Friday night to FAT Chance by some good-natured pranksters. Jack and Marty Bibb were second in their Cal 33, Majjak, and Doug and Pam Worth were third in their O’Day 34, Pisces II. Jack and Jackie Leahy, sailing their Gulfstar 52, Rainbow Chaser, managed to successfully bribe the race committee with steak and shrimp on the barbi and were moved from dead last to last place. The PHRF fleets sailed a combination of four short-course races plus a distance race while the Catalina 22s sailed six short-course races. The distance race was scored double points for the series. Results: PHRF Spinnaker: 1) Gregg Kowalski, Slot Machine; 2) Dave Nesbitt, Epic; 3) John Harrison, Airborne. PHRF Non-Spinnaker: 1) John Drawe, J & R; 2) Tony Godden, Crow’s Nest; 3) Mike McClain, Class Act. Catalina 22: 1) Jerry Butz, Sold Out; 2) Brad Ruffe, Mercury Rising; 3) Albert Pivonka, Bang-a-Rang See www.sail-race.com for full results.
Hallelujah, They Did It Again! Regata del Sol al Sol, April 25 There was not enough time to get a full report on the Regata del Sol al Sol for the June issue, but we did receive the below account of the winner of the Spinnaker B class. More to come in July. By Harmon Heed In 2006, Bill Senske’s Nelson/Marek 45, Hallelujah, took the fast fleet, spinnaker division cup home in the Regata del Sol al Sol from St. Petersburg to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. She didn’t enter the 2007 race, but this year she was back and again took the cup in her spinnaker class. Senske wasn’t there this year—he was on another Costa del Sol, in Spain. But with senior crewmember John Christman’s organization, he and five of the ’07 crew took the boat without Bill and won. (They did let him know they were going.) www.southwindsmagazine.com
The start was Dickensian; “the worst of and best of… .” The spinnaker division’s start had to be postponed twice because the boats starting ahead of it, especially the multihulls, went into irons in the early light air and clogged the line for the following fleet. But when the final gun did go off, there were three boats blasting gunnel to gunnel across the line. Hall Palmer’s Beneteau 53, Relativity, was close on the committee boat and Rob Parker’s McGregor 72, Enigma, was forcing him up. Then Hallelujah barged in between the committee boat and Relativity. Palmer had nowhere to go, but he held his course. There were only inches between the three boats’ hulls as they blasted across the line. Good driving between the three gentlemen skippers precluded a costly catastrophe and protest! Most of the race was leisurely, and, for once, Hallelujah didn’t blow out a spinnaker. (Enigma, however, blew out or washed out five of them.) Hallelujah did finish much farther ahead of the competition, Ray Sullivan’s Dufour 44, Second Wind, than she did Bill Terry’s J-120, Tampa Girl, two years ago when the corrected time between the first three finishers was less than two minutes. And she corrected out ahead of the scratch boat, Enigma, (-45) by almost four hours. The finish was fun for the Nelson/Marek men. Hallelujah was headed southwest, about an hour from the finish and picking up wind. They heard Second Wind call in her position to their windward. As the sun came up, they finally spotted the Dufour headed northwest along Isla Avalon. They knew the competition would have to gybe to cross the line. The two boats from the same class finished just minutes apart, after 456 miles, and in opposite directions across the line! This year’s race was special for another occasion: It was John Christman’s 75th birthday celebration shared by his three sons who flew in to drive. John Jr. came back from the San Francisco Bay, Tom down from Boston and Paul C. from D.C. Don “Air” Clement from Dallas was the fourth driver. The rest of the crew was “Gato” McGough from St. Pete, Harmon Heed from Sarasota and newbies Van Ivey, also from St. Pete and Jon Holtzworth up from the Keys. The crew thanks Bill for letting them take the boat, the St. Pete YC, the Isla Mujeres YC, and especially Mike Boom and Larry Wissing for putting on another great race, and the warm people of Isla Mujeres for being wonderful hosts on their idyllic isle.
event now includes double-handed, full crew, spinnaker, non-spinnaker and laser classes. Twenty-five boats participated, and PBYC surpassed last year’s goal with over $5,555 raised from entry fees, individual contributions and in-kind sponsorships. A perpetual trophy is engraved with the name of the largest individual contributor. This year, that award was presented to PBYC commodore, Mike Blanda. “Although the total figures haven’t been calculated yet,” said Bambi Provost, director, Sacred Heart Foundation, “we hope to exceed last year’s total of $28,000.”
50th Dauphin Island Race, Fairhope, AL, April 26 By David Jefcoat
Pensacola Beach Yacht Club Raises Money for Preemies, April 26 By Julie B. Connerley Some years ago, former club members Stan and Tina Strobel approached Pensacola Beach Yacht Club’s board with the idea to combine a sailboat regatta with a silent auction to raise money for premature babies. The fundraising regatta, to be called the Preemie Cup, would benefit Sacred Heart’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Their mission really was a personal one, because when the Strobels’ third child, Gus, was born, she spent nearly three months at the NICU. Although a tragic accident took Gus’ life at age three, the Strobels always held a special place in their hearts for the people who worked in the NICU. Originally organized as a double-handed regatta, the News & Views for Southern Sailors
Fred Chadsey’s Kaotic, an S27.9, winner of the Buccaneer Yacht Club Award and first in Non-Spinnaker. Crew was Fred Chadsey, David Jefcoat, Ben Batchelder, Bonney Irwin and Jerry Hall. Photo by Marie Bridley.
On Saturday, April 26, Fairhope Yacht Club hosted the 50th Dauphin Island Race on Mobile Bay. With approximately 225 boats registered to race, it was one of the largest SOUTHWINDS
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SOUTHERN RACING turnouts in years. At 9:30 a.m., the wind had died to nothing, and it took almost an hour and a half for the sea breeze to fill back in. With the wind blowing out of the southsoutheast at about 17 to18 knots, it turned out to be a wonderful race to the finish line, which was 18 miles away. In the PHRF Spinnaker class, Johnny Roberts, onboard his 39-foot Farr, Fine Line, was the first to finish. He and his crew won the Turner Trophy for being first and also won two other trophies. Fred Chadsey and his crew on Kaotic won the Buccaneer Yacht Club Award for being the first boat in the PHRF Non-Spinnaker fleet. Patty Johnson onboard Purple Haze, a J/24, won the trophy for being the first all-female crew to finish. William Autrey won the Perseverance Award onboard Joy. The Arch McKay Award was won by Kris Conlon on his boat, Sugar Bear, and the multihull award, the HJS Walker Trophy, was won by Lambert Perez on None, his NACRA 18. The George Brothers Award was given to Mark Smith onboard his Nacra 20 multihull for being the first boat to cross the finish line. He also won the Lundquist Award for the shortest uncorrected elapsed time. Fairhope Yacht Club’s commodore, Erik Schmitz, said, “Our total number of boats was really up. We had a record number finishing the course, the wind came through and all of the racing was good.” He also said that to have only 35 boats not finish was a record.
44th Annual Messmer Cup, Naples, FL, April 26-27 The Messmer Cup, hosted by the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club, a Boat of the Year PHRF event, was held April 26-27. Three races were held on Saturday and two on Sunday with 20 boats in five classes Variable and shifting winds challenged skippers’ skills, making for an exciting regatta. “It was absolutely great sailing weather, and we managed to get in five very fair races,’’ exclaimed Principal Race Officer Ed Brandt. “Wind shifts and course changes in the middle made it a great race for people. There was good windward work. You could not simply sail to the mark. You had to tack, and you had to use good strategy.” The annual Messmer Cup celebrates the legacy of NSYC’S founder and avid sailor, Jack Messmer. While the boats, technology and the clubhouse may have changed, the spirit of sailing remains as strong as ever! Unable to salute the sailors afloat, Jack’s wife and life partner, “Tiny,” who has never missed a regatta, was at the helm of the awards banquet Sunday evening, handing out pennants to the winners and the Messmer Cup Trophy to Jim Doane, who sailed on Flame, a J/105. Doane attributed his success to first having a great fiveman crew. Second, he credited the wind conditions, saying that Flame sails well in winds under 10 knots. He said the third factor was “popping the shifts.” Crew members Dan Kerckhoff, Jr. (an ex-Olympic-qualifying windsurfer) and Chris Day (a licensed captain) stood facing backwards on the downwind spinnaker legs to read the puffs (wind shifts) on the water and directed Jim on how to steer. Upwind, it was much the same, “Hitting the shifts at the right time and trying not to tack too much,” Doane added. 52
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Steve Brownell Commodore’s Cup Regatta, Tampa Sailing Squadron, Apollo Beach, May 3 By Dan Kresge “Pass the Torch” was the theme for this years annual Steve Brownell Commodore’s Cup Regatta. Hosted by the Tampa Sailing Squadron, the regatta raises funds for its youth sailing program, which taught sailing basics to over 110 kids last year. It was a beautiful, warm summer day, and racing started with brisk winds fluctuating later from below five knots to over 20 knots. The first race had a pursuit start on a 12.4 nm course for the True Cruising and Mother Lode divisions. The race committee was challenged before the start of the Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker divisions due to some significant wind shifts, but in the end, the members prevailed with an on-time start at 1100 and a near perfect line. Their course was the classic, 15.1 nm “TSS Star course,” which is a club favorite. At the finish line in True Cruising, EJ Werner and family took first on Bandersnatch with Bob Shaw leading in the Mother Lode division. In the spinnaker division, it was the familiar Shrew with skipper Gene DiNisio, who led the pack in corrected time, and Sherry Callahand and Susan Bishop taking honors in Non-Spinnaker. By 5 p.m., all the boats were in, and the kegs were tapped. Every Commodore’s Cup includes a pig roast, and this year’s pig was prepared in the Tampa Sailing Squadron’s full-sized brick smoker. Susan Bishop and her crew worked hard to have “Arnold” in the fire well before sunrise and by 5:00 p.m. the meat was falling off the bone. About 70 people attended the dinner and festivities, which was deemed another successful TSS event for a great cause.
Eighth Annual Sarasota Bay Cup, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, May 11 By David Curry The safest way to ensure non-seasoned racers don’t bump into each other around the start is to race with staggered start times, so each boat is given an exact time to start, according to its PHRF handicap. In theory, all boats should then reach the finish line at the same time. In practice, the sharpest sailor with the cleanest, best-sailed boat will beat the others. The Eighth Annual Sarasota Bay Cup was sailed under these rules. By mid-morning, the club anemometers were reading zero—not good for a sailboat race—but as the start time of 1 p.m. approached, a fitful westerly breeze began to fill in across Sarasota Bay. According to their PHRF numbers, each of 33 boats, in four divisions, tiptoed up to the start line and set off for essentially two laps round a triangular course of 11-and-a-half miles. The wind was not kind; it did blow—at times up to 14 knots—but it remained fitful in both strength and direction, giving all sailors tough times in predicting the many shifts. It made for exciting racing at times as the wind swung through 90 degrees in as many www.southwindsmagazine.com
John Steele’s Melges 24, Rita B, which won the Spinnaker division at the Sarasota Bay Cup. Photo by John MacKay.
seconds, so making a small error became a big one in a short time by those who failed to read the shifts. John Steele’s Melges 24, Rita B, took line honors in the Spinnaker division, while among the Non-Spinnakers, Doug Dearden drove his Impulse 26, In Tune, to victory. In
True Cruising, Bob Johnson’s, C&C 38, Shearwater, was the winner. Pocket Cruisers was won by John Hargreaves’ Hunter 30 SD, Kitten. In a six-boat fleet of speedy catamarans, Kathryn and Paul Garlick drove Evolution, their Corsair 28, to first place in the Multihull division.
n 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. (If individual club membership is required, please contact us and we will not list their races in the future.) For publishing of your event, questions and information, send us your race schedule by the 5th of the month to editor@southwindsmagazine.com. Send in the name of the event, date, location, contacts (Web site, e-mail and/or phone), and, if you want a short description. Do not just send a link to this information. Since race schedules and venues change, contact the sponsoring organization to confirm. For changes to be published, contact the editor. Changes can be put on our Web site, if possible.
Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 2008 schedule not posted Lake Lanier. www.llsc.com See Web site for local races 1-6 Junior Week. All week. LLSC 4 AISC Summer 1, #8. AISC 7 Fair Winds #4. BF 11 AISC Summer 1, #9. AISC 14 SSC Couples Race. Open. SSC 14 Evening Breeze #1. BF AISC Summer 1, #10. AISC 18 Reggae Regatta 21 South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com 6-8 Special Olympics Regatta 420, Hobie 16 JIYC 7,8 Mayor’s Cup Regatta Open, One Design LTYC 7,8 Bare what you dare Catamarans KSC 7,8 Hobcaw Open Regatta Open HYC 7,8 US Sailing Junior Champs Quarterfinals Flying Scots, 420, Laser LNYC 14-15 James Island Open Regatta Open JIYC 21-22 Low Country Regatta Open BYSC 21-22 Reggae Regatta Open LLSC 23-24 Jr Y-flyer Nationals Y-flyer AYC 24-27 Y-flyer Nationals Y-flyer AYC 28-29 Governors’ Cup Open CSC
www.longbaysailing.com JUNE Charleston Ocean Racing Association. www.charlestonoceanracing.org 7-8 Hobcaw Regatta. 21-22 James Island Regatta. News & Views for Southern Sailors
www.longbaysailing.com 14-15 NC/SC Governor’s Offshore Cup
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SOUTHERN RACING JULY Charleston Ocean Racing Association. www.charlestonoceanracing.org 19-20 Charleston YC Regatta 26-27 Carolina Regatta Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 7 PSC Solo Race 13-15 HYC Regatta 21-22 PSC Pirates on the Pongo 28 NYRA Parrothead 28-29 MOBYC Harkers Island Regatta (Sunfish) Lake Lanier. www.llsc.com See Web site for local races 9 AISC Summer 2, #1. AISC 12 Evening Breeze #2. BF 16 AISC Summer 2, #2. AISC 19 BF/SSC Moonlight Scramble/Firefly #1. BF/SSC 23 AISC Summer 2. #3. AISC 30 AISC Summer 2, #4. AISC South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com 5-6 Independence Day Regatta. Open. LNYC 12-13 Firecracker Regatta. Open. SYC 12-13 Soveral 33 Nationals. Soveral 33. LNYC 19-20 Charleston Yacht Club Regatta. Open. ChYC 19-25 Highlander Nationals. Highlander. LNYC 26-27 Jolly Jordan. Optimist. CSC-NC 26-27 Carolina Open. Open. CYC-SC
12 13,27 13 13,27 19 19 20
Treasure Coast Laser Series. Kelly Park, Merritt Island Commodore Cup Race #5,6. Halifax River Yacht Club Fall Series #1. Indian River Yacht Club Small Boat Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club Spring Series #5. East Coast Sailing Association–Sailing Moonlight Regatta. Rudder Club Women’s Fall Race #1. East Coast Sailing Association–Women’s Sailing 21-22 Summer Sizzler. Daytona Beach. Fleet 80. TBD Gilligan’s Run–Distance Catamaran Race. Fleet 80.
Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net JUNE 3,10,17,24 BBYRA race series #2, #3, #4, #5 JULY 1-12 Regatta Time in the Abacos 11-13 Finals Sears, Bemis, Smythe Regatta (Lasers, 420s, Lightnings) 12 J/24 Biscayne Bay Series. Flat Earth Racing 19 Full Moon Regatta BBYC Biscayne Bay Yacht Club BBYRA Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net CGSC Coconut Grove Sailing Club. www.cgsc.org CRYC Coral Reef Yacht Club. www.coralreefyachtclub.org. KBYC Key Biscayne Yacht Club. www.kbyc.org. MYC Miami Yacht Club. www.miamiyachtclub.net.
JUNE 1,15,29 Small Boat Races. Melbourne Yacht Club 4,11,18,25 Wed Night Mosquito Series #9, #10, #11, #12. Indian River Yacht Club 7-8 Titusville Regatta. Titusville Sailing Center 7,21 Summer Series #3, #4. Rudder Club 8 Treasure Coast Laser Series. Ballard Park, Melbourne Yacht Club 8 Commodore Cup Race #3. Halifax River Yacht Club 8 Big Boys’ Race. Halifax Sailing Association Spring Race series #8. Indian River Yacht Club 8 12 Treasure Coast Laser Series. Ballard Park, Melbourne Yacht Club 13,27 Summer Rum Race #3, #4. Melbourne Yacht Club 14 Jessee Ball Regatta. Epping Forest Yacht Club 14-15 Marker 21 Cruise. Melbourne Yacht Club & East Coast Sailing Association, Cruising. Spring Race Series #4. East Coast Sailing Association21 Racing 21-22 Gaulden Reed Summer Sizzler. Hobie Fleet 80 (catamaran race)
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). www.upperkeyssailingclub.com. Regular club racing open to all.
JULY 2,9,16,23,30Wed Night Mosquito Series #13,14, 15, 16,17. Indian River Yacht Club 5-6 Firecracker Regatta. Port Canaveral Yacht Club Big Boy’s Race. Halifax Sailing Association 6 11,25 Summer Rum Race #5,6. Melbourne Yacht Club 54
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SOUTHWINDS Annual Online West Florida Race Calendar Posted Sept. 1
SOUTHWINDS magazine posts the annual race schedule/calendar (9/1/07 — 8/31/08) 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. Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com to list your race, although we cannot list every single weekly club race. 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 (www.westfloridaphrf.org) and many other sailing associations and yacht clubs in the area. Limited banner advertising is available on the race calendar page at very low monthly rates. Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com or call (941) 795-8704. Club Racing Bradenton YC. Races April through October. Thursday evenings. Races at 6:30 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 start in April. www.sarasotasailingsquad.com. Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venice-sailing-squadron.org
For northern Gulf coast race calendars and more information, go the Gulf Yachting Association Web site, at www.gya.org. Wednesday Evening Fun Races PYC. Every Wednesday of the Month, April thru October Fort Walton Yacht Club. April thru October JUNE 7 7
Mobile Bay Marathon. Fairhope Yacht club. Cancer Society/PYC Championship # 1. Pensacola Yacht Club 7 School’s Out Regatta (one design). Pontchartrain Yacht Club. Mandeville, LA 8 PYC Championship #2. Pensacola Yacht Club 13-15 Round the Island Race (multihull). Fort Walton Yacht Club 14-15 Area D Quarter Finals. Mobile Yacht Club 14-15 New Orleans to Gulfport Race. New Orleans and Gulfport Yacht Clubs 15 Race for the Case. Gulfport and Biloxi Yacht Club 20 -22 GYA Offshore Challenge Cup. Gulfport Yacht Club 21 We Found the Bay. Point Yacht Club, Josephine, AL 21 GYA 420 Championship. Bay Waveland Yacht Club, Bay St. Louis, MS 27-29 Gulfport to Pensacola Race. Gulfport and Pensacola Yacht Clubs 28-29 Monk Smith Regatta(one design). Bay Waveland Yacht Club 28-29 Jr. Rondinella. Bay Waveland Yacht Club JULY 4-6 5 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 12 12-13 19 19-20 24-25 26 26-27 26-27
Junior Olympic Festival. Pensacola YC Patriot’s Day Regatta. Pensacola Beach YC, U.S.Sailing Singlehanded Championship. Ft. Walton YC, Meigs Regatta. (Capdeville). Fort Walton YC, O’Day GYA Area D Semi-Finals. Fort Walton YC, Horn Island Hop. Ocean Springs YC, MS Bastille Day Regatta. New Orleans YC, LA Summer Regatta. (Capdeville) Mobile YC Fast Women Regatta. Point YC, Josephine, AL Junior Lipton’s Regatta. Southern YC, New Orleans Garden Park Junior. Gulfport YC, MS Bikini Regatta. Navy YC, Pensacola Weatherly Regatta. (Capdeville) Gulfport YC, MS Summer in the Pass. (one design) Pass Christian YC, MS
JUNE 3 St. Petersburg YC. Master Calendar Meeting for 2008/2009 St. Petersburg YC. Tampa Sailing Squadron. Transbay, 7 PHRF Treasure Island Tennis and YC. Spring #5, PHRF 7 14 Treasure Island Tennis and YC. Make-up date if needed, PHRF 21 Cortez YC. Summer Sailstice Regatta (TENTATIVE) (SBBOTY ‘08-’09) JULY Tampa Bay Catamaran Sailors. Race for Liberty, Dunedin 4 Causeway
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NEW & USED BOATS IN STOCK 2008 Catalina 14.2 New Compac Legacy 16 2007 Compac Legacy 16 New Catalina 16.5 2008 Compac Picnic Cat 2008 Hunter 170 w/trailer 2008 Compac Suncat 1998 Seaward Fox 19-trailer 2006 Com-Pac Eclipse New Catalina 22 Sport/loaded New Catalina 22 MKII 1986 Hunter 23 w/trailer 2008 Catalina 250 WB 1995 Catalina 250wb-trailer 2000 Catalina 250wk 2006 Trailer - 24’ -26’
$5,881 $tba $11,995 $7,492 $10,462 Sold $19,592 $7,995 Sold Sold $21,797 $5,595 $33,517 Sold $19,995 $4,500
*Financing Available*
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CLASSIFIED ADS Ads Starting at 3 Months for $25 Place your Photo in Color for $5 a month. Place them on the Internet now for $10! Open to all Brokers, Businesses and Boat Owners • $25 for three months, 30 words. $40 for 40 words. $50 for 60 words. • $50 for 30-word ad with horizontal photo. $65 with vertical photo. • Add $15 if vertical photo. Boats and item wanted ads included. • $15 for 3 months to have your photo in color. • Add $5 to place on the Internet on 1st of month of publication. Add $10 to place ad early. No refunds. • Ads prepaid by credit card, check, or Internet. • $10 to make changes (except for price, email, phone numbers, mistakes) in text. • The last month your ad runs will be in parentheses, e.g., (5/08) is June 2008. • Ad must be received by the 2nd Friday of each month. Contact us if later to possibly get in the “Too Late to Classify” section. • E-mail ads and photos (as jpeg). If mailed, add $5 for typing or photo scan charge.
AD RENEWALS — $15 to $30 Sign up for automatic renewal to get the $30 (ads with photos) and $15 (text only ads) rate on renewals. Credit card on file required (or prepayment). Ad will be renewed automatically unless you cancel. No broker or dealer boats (see Broker Ad specials below). Otherwise, ad renewals after the first three months will be $50 (ads with photos) and $25 (text only ads) for another three months. Lower renewal rates do not apply if a month is skipped. Contact us for questions. DISPLAY ADS: Starting At $38/month. (941) 795-8704. Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com. BROKERS: Photo and text ads only apply to this offer. $5 to change your ad first 3 months. After 3 months: $20 a month for a new ad or $15 to
pick up old ad. Price changes and mistake changes free. Credit card must be on file if not a monthly display advertiser. TO PLACE AN AD 1. On the Internet, go to www.southwindsmagazine.com/classifieds. Paypal: Put your ad in the “Message to Seller” area that will come at the end when you process the payment, or e-mail editor@southwindsmagazine.com. Photo must be e-mailed. 2. E-mail, Phone, Credit Card. E-mail editor@southwindsmagazine.com with text in email (or Word document). Call with credit card number (941) 795-8704. 3. Mail your ad in. PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218. Check or credit card number (with name, expiration, address). Enclose a SASE if photo wanted back.
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 Powerboats Boat Gear & Supplies Businesses for Sale/Rent
Crew Available/Wanted Donate Your Boat Engine Parts Help Wanted Lodging for Sailors
BOATS & DINGHIES
TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY _________________________________________
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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.
Trinka 10ft Sailing/Rowing Dinghy with sailing package. Very good condition. $2500. Includes trailer. Located in Vero Beach, FL. (203) 763-9762 or (203) 763-9551. (8/08) _________________________________________
BOATS WANTED
_________________________________________
Mold to build traditional-shaped 18’ canoe. Very sturdy split mold. Boats were built under the name Clearwater Canoe. Ellie’s Sailing Shop. Clearwater. (727) 4423281. (6/08)
Trailer Wanted for 28’ Keel Sailboat. For a Catalina 28 fin keel or can be altered for. Must be in West Florida (Tampa Bay To Marco) or deliver to. (941) 795-8704. editor@southwindsmagazine.com. _________________________________________ 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.
$50 – 3 mo. Ad & Photo 941-795-8704 News & Views for Southern Sailors
Regatta Musicians Real Estate for Sale or Rent Sails & Canvas Slips for Sale/Rent Too Late to Classify
Hobie 21 Sport Cruiser. Excellent condition. Main, jib, screachor, all furling. New jib. Wings. 3.5 hp outboard. Hot stick. Front tramp. Aluminum trailer. Beach dolley. Removable storage pod. Rebuilt centerboards. $5,500. (941) 743-6322. (6/08) 22’ 1968 Westerly Cirrus. Stout little cruiser. Yanmar 2005, Navik self-steering vane, standing headroom (6’), enclosed head. Lying in NE Florida. Ready to go. Excellent condition. $10,500. (228) 324-6504. (6/08a) _________________________________________
Interlake 18, 1982. Divorce Sale! Refit by Customflex 2005 w/new open centerboard well, stainless centerboard, flotation tanks and more. All Harken gear, (2) sets sails, 1 spinnaker. 2005 Road King galvanized trailer, Bearing Buddies, spare tire. Great sailer, excellent condition. Asking $2,800. Located Sarasota. (941) 720.4503, scottpursell@msn.com. (8/08)
1978 23’ Oday. Swing Keel, Roller Furling Jib, and an EZ Loader Tamon Axle. Comes with Galvanized Trailer - New Tires. Very good condition. Located outside Greenville, SC. $5,495. Call (864) 627-9000. Ask for Jack. (8/08) _________________________________________ Precision 23 sailboat. 1990, 2 foot draft. New Main and Bimini. Excellent Tohatsu motor and two-axle trailer. $8,800. Sarasota. (941) 5269504. (8/08) SOUTHWINDS
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CLASSIFIED ADS
1998 MacGregor 26X, 50 HP Honda 4-stroke OB. Unique water ballast system. Less than 1 foot draft when board is up. 7’ 10” beam and comes with a trailer. Enclosed head, aft sleeping cabin, galley, and dinette. CDI roller furling jib. VHF radio. Stereo with cockpit speakers. Wheel steering, cockpit cushions and more. $15,500. Cortez Yacht Sales (941) 792-9100.
1967 Soverel 28. Very good sloop, sound condition. Upgrades including Diesel Yanmar 2GM20F. Complete epoxy barrier system performed, hull & deck repainted. Draft 2’ 11”, mast ht 37’. Located Bradenton. $11,500. Call Mark @ (941) 350.2977 or email: berteshogs@verizon.net. (8/08)
Morgan 28 1972. Kubota engine great condition. 3’6” draft, Includes GPS, VHF, New rigging, roller furling, sails, solar panels, more. Needs rudder repair. Call for info. $8,000 OBO (305) 395-8194 or (904) 540-8372. St Johns River, FL. (7/08)
1984 Islander 30, with freshwater-cooled Yanmar diesel. Very clean and well maintained by owner. Harken roller furling with genoa, jib and storm jib. Main sail with dutchman system. Edson wheel and cockpit table. Anderson ST winches. Navico autopilot. DataMarine depth. ICOM VHF, compass. Hiller stove and oven. Adler Barbour refrigeration. Pressure water. Hella fans, great interior. Battery charger, 2 anchors with chain and rode, 110/30 amp shore power. USCG safety equipped. A must-see boat located on Longboat Key, or go to www.cortez yachts.com. Asking $23,900. Call (941) 7929100.
Lindenberg 28. 1983. Fivespeed. Proven winner. Extensive racing inventory. Ready to race now. Major upgrades and new bottom March 2006. Yours for $16,550. Contact Gary Smith (321) 674-0886. e-mail Fivespeed05@cfl.rr.com. (7/08a) 28’ Corsair F-28R Trimaran ‘97. ‘07 Carbon sails, ‘07 - 9.8 OB, overhauled trailer. Turn-key condition. $71,000. Palmetto, FL. Write for particulars to TrimaranFast@aol.com. (941) 538-8540. (8/08)
Hunter 30. Two to Choose from. Both extremely clean and well-maintained. Tampa Bay. Cruise-equipped. Good Sails and canvas on both. Must see to appreciate. (727) 5600901.
30’ NONSUCH 1983. Showstopping awlgripped dark green hull, red boot stripe. New batteries, solar panel, canvas. Autopilot, GPS, Sobstat sails, Barient winches, Electric main winch & much more. $44,900. (888)882-5516 or cell (727)560-0001 www.gcyachts.com. 1977 Newport 28. Well conditioned boat with full complement of sails for tuff luff system. Draft 4’6”, beam 9’, powered by Atomic 4 w/folding prop. $6,900. (813) 365-1147. w.mann8@verizon.net. (8/08)
WHARRAM TIKI 30 CATAMARAN FOR SALE Brand New — Professionally Built
Pearson 28. 1977. Sarasota. Cruise big on a budget, perfect for couple/single. Beautiful, updated. Wheel, wind/solar generators, integrated canvas, chartplotter, Autohelm, much more. $14,000, can help with moorage. (941) 266-4543 www.ohana.talkspot.com. . (8/08) 62
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Go to www.tiki30.blogspot.com to view an on-line journal documenting the step-bystep building of this boat. Built by Boatsmith, Inc., Jupiter, FL www.boatsmithFL.com. (561)744-0855
ADS AS LOW AS $25/3 MO
30’ Woods Windsong catamaran, 1989, Twin outboards, Many recent upgrades, 32” draft. perfect for Bahamas hopping. $42,000, Call Tom @ (904) 377-9446. Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com
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CLASSIFIED ADS
Motorsailer 30, Wirth Monroe Sea Sailer, teak, completely refitted, new diesel, cruise 500 miles on 1 GPH, safe and comfortable in all weather, one step bow to stern, shoal draft. For sale by owner, call Tom Broadfoot at (910) 686-4816. Wilmington, NC. Reduced to $37,000. Specifications and photos at www.broadfootpublishing.com. (7/08)
31’ New Bombay Pilothouse, 1978, This compact, efficient pilot house design provides excellent utilization of space. Outside steering station, Bimini and pilot house canvas. Perkins 30 H.P. inboard diesel. Spacious galley, Marine air conditioning, $28,900, Call TJ @ 941-741-5875 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com. (6/08)
32’ Beneteau, 1997, Yanmar 3GM diesel with new 95 amp alternator, Large U-Shaped galley with a lot of counter space and storage lockers, Autohelm ST 4000 auto pilot, Heart 800 watt inverter / battery charger w/ battery monitoring system, Full AC/DC breaker panel at Navigation station, New starter, $59,000, Call Jeff @ (954) 224-8291, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
32’ Morgan Sloop, 1980, Yanmar Diesel, Full Keel, 6’2” headroom, Solid bluewater cruiser, $27,900, Call Rick @ (727) 422-8229 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com. (6/08)
31’ Catalina 310, 2004. Just taken in trade on new Catalina. In-mast furling, air conditioning, Autopilot, ST-60 wind/speeddepth, VHF w/Ram Mic, custom Bimini/windshield, microwave, nice condition $89,900 Massey Yacht Sales. (727) 824-7262 St Petersburg, or (941) 723-1610 Palmetto, FL.
32’ BRISTOL 1976 SLOOP. New to market, lots new including rigging, halyards, Interior cushions, Sunbrella canvas & Interlux Epoxy bottom. Autopilot, Depth, VHF, 1983 20HP Diesel, Main, Jib, Genoa, Spinner, Storm, ST winches. $25,000 – motivated seller. (888) 840-7937, (305) 481-1364. www.gcyachts.com.
32’ Downeaster 1976 cutter. Updated with all-new interior, Awlgrip, new head, new holding tank, new stove, new upholstery, 2002 Perkins 30 hp, autopilot, solar panels, custom hardtop, the works! Now $28,500. 888-8407937. (305) 481-1364. www.gcyachts.com.
32’ Watkins 1983 Ideal for cruising or liveaboard., well maintained. Hybrid refrigeration, 27HP Yanmar, A/C, autopilots, GPS, High output alternator. Pictures and list of equipment: www.kollmann-marine.com/Loreli.htm or call (954) 583-7215. (8/08a)
News & Views for Southern Sailors
Morgan O.I. 33. Full keel, only 3’ 11” draft. Yanmar 38hp diesel w/only 950 hrs. The Out Island series by Charlie Morgan is well known for their exceptional interior volume. The shallow draft make it an excellent choice for cruising the Keys and Bahamas. Loaded with new equipment and upgrades including: Autopilot, color chartplotter GPS, electric windlass, wind generator, propane stove, refrigerator, marine air conditioning, dinghy with new OB, flat screen TV, stereo and more. Owner has new boat ordered. Here is a chance to get a great boat for a great price. Located Marathon. Asking $27,500, but let’s hear your offer. Cortez Yacht Sales (941) 792-9100.
34’ Tartan , 1985, Beautiful Awlgrip blue hull, Westerbeke Diesel, Autopilot, Refrigeration, 5 sails and 2 spinnakers, $57,900, Call Joe @ (941) 224-9661, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
$50 – 3 mo. Ad & Photo 941-795-8704 SOUTHWINDS
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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.
Hunter 34. 1985. Fully equipped for weekend or Island cruising. A/C, dinghy w/OB, electronics. Constant updates and maintenance. Asking $33,900. Clean and a pleasure to show. Call Jacek at (727) 560-0901 for more information. New cushions.
1985 BABA - full keel Blue Water cruiser. Lots of gear with manuals and records. VHF, SSB, GPS, windlass, wind gen, life raft and more. Needs some exterior teak work and some blisters. On the hard for your inspection. A fantastic offer @ $69,000. Call Cortez Yacht Sales (941) 792-9100 or visit www.cortezyachts.com
36’ Catalina MKII, 2001, Universal diesel, 2 private staterooms, Radar, SSB, Autopilot, Liferaft, ready to cruise today! $109,000, Call Jeff @ (954) 224-8291, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com. (6/08)
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2003 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37. (New 2007: Yanmar engine, 3 Optima batteries, Garmin 440 at helm.) Interphase Chart Plotter at Navigation Station. 12 Volt Refrigeration System. Stereo w/4 speakers (2 cockpit), 25 AMP Battery Charger. New cruising spinnaker. Custom hard dodger/bimini. Forward cabin w/optional sink and vanity. Master stateroom w/king-sized berth. Walk-through transom w/swim ladder. $136,900. (941) 365-9095. (6/08a)
37’ Gulfstar Sloop, 1977, everything on the vessel has been upgraded: mechanical, electrical components, electronics, 16000BTU A/C, autopilot, sails and running gear, Bimini and canvas, new bottom paint and running gear and she had no blisters and he has also added a NEW dodger, $67,900, Call Roy S.@ (305) 775-8907, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
37’ Lagoon Catamaran, 1996, Owners version with Galley up, This quick and roomy Lagoon 37 has new engines, a new mainsail and all the gear you want: air conditioning, ssb, watermaker, custom cockpit enclosure, even a washer/dryer, $198,000, Call Tom @ (904) 377-9446, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com
Tayana 37 Pilothouse Cutter. 1985. Magic Dragon Robert Perry’s best! Ready to cruise & makes a great liveaboard. New Yanmar 4JHE diesel engine. New sails. Full galley, A/C; watermaker; generator; navigation equipment & much more….Meticulously maintained and upgraded with quality. Hauled 12/07. Composting toilet or will replace with regular toilet. Berthed in St. Pete. $89,900 or Make an Offer. (305) 923-6556. (8/08)
Privilege 39 1988 Cat. 4 cabin, 2 head. Yanmar 27hp. Major refit 2005. New UK sails, AC/heat, Onan genset 6.5kw, Autohelm 7000, new interior, Corian counters, teak sole, Bimini/dodger $158,500. (321) 917-5863. palexy@cfl.rr.com. (8/08)
1988 Beneteau Oceanis 390. 39 feet. Over $35K in upgrades since 2003, including new Yanmar engine and related equipment. Asking $87,900, or call and make offer. See specifications and photos at: www.beneteau 390.com. Phone: (772) 979-4326. (6/08a)
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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. $119,000 Call Major Carter or visit www.Cortezyachts.com.(941) 792-9100. www.southwindsmagazine.com
CLASSIFIED ADS
40’ Beneteau Oceanis, 1993, This Oceanis has updated electronics and new sails in 2007. Genset and A/C, Owners have cut short their cruising plans after 4 months, so take advantage of all their investments and live your dreams. $109,900, Call Gene @ 321474-2831 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
40’ Kerr Center Cockpit ketch, 1975, refitted 2003 (all systems new) 32,000 lbs., Perkins 72 hp, 2 staterooms each with head and shower, hard dodger, shoal draft, full electronics, roller furling, windlass, dinghy with motor. For sale by owner, call Tom Broadfoot at ((910) 6864816. Wilmington, NC. Was $77,000 NOW $47,000. Specifications and photos at www.broadfootpublishing.com. (7/08)
Hans Christian 41, 1985, Blister-free bottom, Showroom Interior, World cruising equipment list. This a beautiful yacht, A real must SEE!, $189,000, Tom @ 904-377-9446, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
1981 41’ Morgan Out Island Ketch, Perkins, 62hp deisel, Gen 200 hrs, new reefer, autopilot, A/C, heads {1 electric), mast rewired and many more upgrades including refurbished interior. $71,900. (239) 945-3552, (206) 3961465. (6/08) News & Views for Southern Sailors
42’ Beneteau Center Cockpit, 2002, All lines lead to cockpit, Unique Fold-out Swim platform, Hard dodger, New to the market, $177,900, Call Jeff @ 954-224-8291, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
Tayana 42 Cutter, 1988, Original owner has babied her! Total refit in ’03, A/C, Most of her life was lightly used in the Great Lakes. This one is Bristol! $194,900 Call Roy S. @ 305775-8907 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
45’ Hunter Legend, 1987, TOTAL REFIT, Beginning with the hull, it was completely stripped, sanded/filled, primed and painted first with Awl Grip and finally with Imron for a truly remarkable finish! New mast and rigging, Outstanding condition, NOT A SINKER!, $129,900, Call Rick @ 727-422-8229 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
47’ Vagabond Bluewater Cutter Ketch, 1982, An IMRON painted hull, Awlgripped cabin house, varnished teak accents, and newly finished (natural) teak decks make Black Swan an impressive sight. Trimble Navigation NAC TRAC XL GPS, Raytheon RL9 LCD radar, $224,900, Call Jeff @ (954) 224-8291, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
42’ Whitby Ketch, 1987, Original owner, Beautiful condition! New Awlgrip, New Electronics, New sails, Walk thru model. This is a must see! $129,000, Call Leo @ (941) 5046754, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
Gulfstar 45, 1985. Hirsch design, exc. cond. Raymarine Chartplotter, Radar, Autopilot. Perkins 50hp (300 Hours). Adler-Barbour fridge. New equipment incl. propane stove/oven & grill, hot water, water tanks, generator, ground tackle, spares. Bimini/Dodger w/ clear side curtains. 12’ Carolina Skiff w/ 9.9 Merc. Transferable lease on rare affordable slip in Key West. $112,900. (305) 587-7444. (6/08a)
ADVERTISE YOUR BOAT STARTING AT $25 FOR 3 MO SOUTHWINDS
June 2008
65
CLASSIFIED ADS
47’ Vagabond Ketch, 1986, Heavy displacement cruiser, Refit in ’03 with new spars and sails, Genset, A/C, 3KW inverter, Radar, GPS, Big ground tackle, windlass, $159,000, Call Roy S. @ 305-775-8907, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
48’ Cheoy Lee Golden Wave Ketch, 1987 Newer Perkins, Sleeps 8, repainted, Solid cruiser, $174,900, Call Roy S. @ (305) 775-8907, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com
Jeantot Marine 51’ Privilege 1994, Big, beautiful cat loaded with electronics, genset, watermaker, dive compressor, dual a/c, cherry interior. Sleeps 10 in 5 double cabins, $530,000, Call Tom @ (904) 3779446, Edwards Yacht Sales. Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com
60’ Custom Catamaran, 1999, 4 staterooms plus crew, Unsinkable, World cruiser or day charter, twin Yanmar diesels, 2600 sq ft of canvas! 18 opening portholes, loaded! $595,000, Call Bill @ (727) 421-4848, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com
38’ HERITAGE (Fu Hwa) 1983 TRAWLER. Economical 2x120 HP diesels, Radar, GPS, Depth, Gen, Air, New fuel tanks, 2 stations, Windlass, Bimini, icemaker, new mechanicals, in St. Pete. $73,500 – offers! (888) 882-5516. (727) 560-0001. www.gcyachts.com.
40’ Eagle Pilothouse 2007, Single 230 Cummins w/ 300 hrs., A/C, Gen, Full Electronics, Bow Thruster, Washer-Dryer, Economical Cruising. A Must See. $359,000. St Augustine Yacht Sales. (866) 610-1703 www.sayachtsales.com.
POWERBOATS
_________________________________________ 43’ Californian Cockpit Motoryacht 1985, T/ 3208N Cats 210 hp, A/C, Gen. Great Boat. $79,000. Will Trade for Sailboat. St Augustine Yacht Sales. (866) 610-1703. www.sayachtsales.com.
50’ Gulfstar Center Cockpit Ketch, 1976, Perkins 85 HP, Rare 2 stateroom model, Walk in engine room, Nice bluewater cruiser, Holding plate refrigeration, $114,900, Call TJ @ (941) 741-5875 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com 2005 Albin 31 TE. Twin Yanmar 370 turbos wolf in sheep’s clothing!!! 53k less than replacement!!! New warranties apply. Options package worth 18k. Never titled. Most powerful 31 on market. Call today and let’s talk dream boats. $223,900 (561) 844-1100.
50’ Prout Catamaran, 1980, In 2006 two new Yanmar Diesel Engines were installed w/ new control panels at each station. New engines have factory warranties until July 2008. Owners are planning to move up to a larger vessel. Possible trades will be considered $289,900, Call Bill @ (727) 421-4848 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com 66
June 2008
SOUTHWINDS
BROKERS: Advertise Your Boats for Sale. Text & Photo Ads New ads: $20/mo Pickup ads: $15/mo
SCHUCKER 440. Bruce Van Sant’s trawlerized TIDAK APA. Get complete information and photos at www.LuperonCruising.com (7/08)
See Classified Information Page 61 www.southwindsmagazine.com
CLASSIFIED ADS BOAT GEAR & SUPPLIES
_________________________________________ Outboard Motors for Sale. Mercury 8 hp short shaft two stroke—not at all worn (look inside). Price $500, excellent value. Also, Johnson 4 hp long shaft and Evinrude 4 hp long shaft—both very good. $275 each. See Jimmy at the Miami Yacht Club (behind Parrot Jungle) on the causeway between Miami and Miami Beach, after 4 p.m. every day by the dinghy dock, or call 305-858-5975 and leave your number (or call the Miami Yacht Club at (305) 371-0703 after 4 p.m.). Try them out on the water if you like. (7/08) _________________________________________ HARKEN Roller Furling Unit 1.5 complete. Includes 1/4 inch 1x19 head stay wire for 1/2 inch pin. Will fit head sails with 32’ or less and #6 luff tape. Double grooved foil with feeder. Current pin top pin length is 35’5” Note: you will have to purchase a Sta-lock or Norsman terminal which may reduce the pin to pin measurement a little. $250 Call 941-792-9100. _________________________________________ Hobie 18 Mast for Sale. (We think it is a Hobie 18). Measures 26 feet. Top 7 feet is carbon. Serial # 38272 Coleman Co. $60. Near Sarasota, FL. (941) 966-4737.
Used Boat Gear for Sale. CQR 25 & 45#, Bruce 16 & 66#, Hookah by Airline, 55# Folding Fisherman anchor, Para-tech 15 w/Rode, Edson rack & pinion steering w/ wheel, new awning w/side curtains. Nautical Trader, 110 E. Colonia Lane, Nokomis, FL. Shop online at www.nauticaltrader.net. (941) 488-0766.
BUSINESS FOR SALE/RENT
_________________________________________ Charter Boat and Business for Sale, Sarasota/Bradenton Area. Includes 30-foot diesel six-pack deep Vee hull boat with tower. Includes dive platform and fishing gear. Boat in very good condition. Established charter business with advertising and slip in Cortez, FL. Asking $29,000—taking offers. Drastically reduced, owner leaving country. Cortez Yacht Sales. www.cortezyachts.com. (941) 722-9022.
CREW AVAILABLE/WANTED
_________________________________________ Crew Available. From Keys or South Florida to anywhere. Start late May/early June, 1-4 weeks, unpaid. Guy, 50ish, fit, non smoker, easygoing, quick learner, 2 sailing/boating certificates, some sailing experience, know some Spanish. (734) 272-9042. (6/08) _________________________________________ Sailing Partners Wanted for 25-foot Morgan. Cruising Tampa Bay and beyond. Non-smokers and no booze. Please call after 7 p.m.. (813) 754-5180. (8/08) _________________________________________ Wanted: Experienced racing crew to campaign Corsair 28R trimaran in local races/regattas in the Bradenton/Sarasota area. Mellow boat owner. E-mail fmp28r@yahoo.com. (5/08)
HELP WANTED
_________________________________________ 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. _________________________________________ 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.
L_________________________________________ ODGING 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 FAX (727) 896-2287 www.poncedeleon hotel.com
R EAL ESTATE FOR SALE OR RENT _________________________________________
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
Belize Waterfront Property. Gated Waterfront community on the Cerros Peninsula in Corozal, Belize. Canal lots with allowance for dock. Business opportunities. Parcels for condominiums, resort and a marina. Lots starting at $39,000. Call John Elkin (941) 704-2226. (7/08)
ENGINE PARTS
_________________________________________ Wanted. Used parts for Westerbeke Engine Model 20B two. Need 1 camshaft #036972. Need 1 injector camshaft #037076 or complete engine that doesn’t run. (504) 9132381 or (504) 341-2343. (6/08)
News & Views for Southern Sailors
2” DISPLAY ADS STARTING $38/MO SOUTHWINDS
June 2008
67
CLASSIFIED ADS REGATTA MUSICIANS
SLIPS FOR SAIL OR RENT ________________________________________
_________________________________________ The Bilge Boys acoustic duo is available for your regatta, sailing events and yacht club parties. We play beach/island/classic rock and lots of Jimmy. Book now for the upcoming sailing/holiday season. West Florida’s best band. www.freewebs.com/thebilgeboys or 727-504-2328. (6/08)
SAILS & CANVAS ________________________________________
BIMINI BAY RESORT 40 ft BOAT SLIP FOR SALE: A full-service marina with immigration office allowing guests to clear customs immediately. A harbor channel accommodating yachts of all sizes. A fisherman’s yacht village with an infinity pool, exquisite dining facilities, a fitness center, and salon. All reasonable offers considered. Interested buyers may email questions to sdorfman@bellsouth.net. (6/08)
40’ Deep-water Slip situated in prestigious Harbortown Marina on the Intracoastal Waterway, Jacksonville, FL. Access to ocean nearby. Water, insurance, dock carts, etc., included in $145/month fee. $79,000. Call John Timm (502) 767-9372. (6/08)
TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY
_________________________________________
OUR WATERWAYS continued from page 33 MSD is in the CFR, but also in the interpretation by the University of Florida paper, that a Type III MSD can be many things and the words “holding tank” are not used as a limiting factor in that description. In fact, I never found the words “holding tank” in any federal law concerning a Type III MSD. Clearly any device which is “designed to prevent the overboard discharge of treated or untreated sewage”—to quote the federal law—qualifies as a Type III MSD. Wag Bags not only easily and simply qualify as Type III MSDs, they could easily be called “holding tanks” themselves, because that is what they are actually doing; holding human waste to be disposed of later in a legal manner. Just don’t forget to secure the overboard discharge seacock correctly or remove the handle if you want to pass inspection. Note: PETT, the manufacturer of Wag Bags, has received permission from every state in the United States to legally discard the product in landfills, which means they can be legally dumped in a municipal trash receptacle. If law enforcement says it must be pumped out at a pump-out station, tell them to pump it out of the Wag Bag. Wag Bags are also designed to break down in the elements after many months in a landfill, leaving them biodegradable and harmless to human life. For those who would like to research the CFR on MSDs, go to www.mxak.org/regulations/33CFR/ 33cfr159.htm.
32 Catalina 1997. Wing keel, 4’10” draft. Yanmar 27hp 800 hours, windlass, davits, barrier coated, H/C pressure water, propane stove/oven, portable A/C, 4D batteries, charger, autopilot, all electronics, Assymetrical spinnaker, full batten main, roller furling, bottom 2007, much more. Beautiful condition. Meticulously maintained. $67,500. (239) 574-4704. Volvo Diesel MD11C. 2-cylinder. 23hp. Runs good when taken out of boat and runs good now. Transmission, wire harness, gauges, prop, manuals, everything. Located Southwest Florida. (239) 283-0382. 68
June 2008
SOUTHWINDS
For Florida law, go to www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm. Then go to Title XXIV, then Chapter 327, then 327.53, which is marine sanitation.
Subscribe to SOUTHWINDS $24/year • 3rd Class $30/year • 1st Class Subscribe on our secure Web site www.southwindsmagazine.com www.southwindsmagazine.com
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
OF
ADVERTISERS
AAKRON INFLATABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 ANNAPOLIS PERFORMANCE SAILING . .45 ANTIGUA SURVEYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 AQUA GRAPHICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 ATLANTIC SAIL TRADERS . . . . . . . . . . . .49 BACON SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 BARCO - MAGELLAN GPS . . . . . . . . . . .18 BAY RIGGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 BENETEAU SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC BETA MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 BOATERS EXCHANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 BO’SUN SUPPLIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 CATALINA YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29, 41 CORAL REEF SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 CORTEZ YACHT BROKERAGE . . . . . . . . .63 DEFENDER INDUSTRIES . . . . . . . . . .12, 40 DOCKSIDE RADIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 DUNBAR SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 DWYER MAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 EASTERN YACHTS/BENETEAU . . . .29,58,BC EDWARDS YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . .56-57 E-MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 FLYING SCOT SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . .65 FT. MYERS BEACH MOORING FIELD . . . .33 FOURWINDS ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . . . . .22 GARHAUER HARDWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 GULF COAST YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . .59 HANSE SAILBOATS, SAILBOATS FLORIDA 58 HOBIE CATS/TACKLE SHACK . . . . . . . . .10 HOTWIRE/FANS & OTHER PRODUCTS .25 HUNTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBC
ADVERTISERS INDEX
BY
News & Views for Southern Sailors
courtesy and asks our readers to support our advertisers. The lists includes all display advertising.
INNOVATIVE MARINE SERVICES . . . .24,26 ISLAND YACHTING CENTRE/GREG KNIGHTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 J/BOATS - MURRAY YACHT SALES . . .60,BC JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 KEVANE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 KNIGHTON SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 KNIGHTON YACHT BROKER . . . . . . . . . .59 LEATHER WHEEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 MACK SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 MAGELLAN GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 MASSEY YACHT SALES . . . . . . . .IFC,29,42 MASTHEAD ENTERPRISES . . . .34,41,59,68 MASTMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 MURRAY YACHT SALES/BENETEAU . .60,BC NATIONAL SAIL SUPPLY . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 NAUTICAL TRADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 NEW JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 NORTH SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 NORTH SAILS DIRECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 NORTH SAILS OUTLET . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 PALM BEACH SAILING CLUB . . . . . . . . .31 PATRICIA KNOLL REALTOR . . . . . . . . . . . .8 PORPOISE USED SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 RB GROVE/UNIVERSAL & WESTERBEKE .19 REGATTA POINTE MARINA . . . . . . . . . . . .4 REGATTA TIME IN ABACO . . . . . . . . . . .17 ROHLAND RIGGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 RPARTS REFRIGERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 SAILBOATS FLORIDA, HANSE SAILBOATS 58 SAILING FLORIDA CHARTERS . . . . . . . . .25
CATEGORY
MARINE MARKETPLACE . . . . . . . . . .24-27 SAILBOATS – NEW AND BROKERAGE Aakron Inflatables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Beneteau Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC Boaters Exchange/Catalina Sailboats . . . .41 Catalina Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29, 41 Cortez Yacht Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Dunbar Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Eastern Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,58,BC Edwards Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56-57 Flying Scot Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Hanse Sailboats, Sailboats Florida . . . . . . .58 Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Island Yachting Centre/Gregg Knighton . .59 Massey Yacht Sales/Catalina// Hunter/Albin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC,29,42 Masthead Yacht Sales/Catalina .31,41,59,68 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau . . . . . . .60,BC Sailboats Florida, Hanse Sailboats . . . . . . .58 St. Barts/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC Suncoast Inflatables/ West Florida . . . . . .16 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg10 Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program .19 Turner Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING Annapolis Performance Sailing . . . . . . . . .45 Bo’sun Supplies/Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Coral Reef Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Defender Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12, 40 E-Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Fourwinds Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Garhauer Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Hotwire/Fans & other products . . . . . . . .25 Leather Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Magellan GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Masthead Enterprises . . . . . . . .34,41,59,68
TELL THEM YOU SAW IT IN SOUTHWINDS! SOUTHWINDS provides these lists as a SAILMONSTER.COM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 SAILORS WHARF BOATYARD . . . . . . . . . .20 SCHURR SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 SCUBA CLEAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 SCURVY DOG MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 SEA SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 SEA TECH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 SEAWORTHY GOODS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 SHADETREE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 SNUG HARBOR BOAT WORKS & CO. . . .41 SOLAR LITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 ST. AUGUSTINE SAILING ENTERPRISES . .26 ST. BARTS/BENETEAU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC SUNCOAST INFLATABLES . . . . . . . . . . . .16 SUNRISE SAILING SERVICES . . . . . . . .24,26 TACKLE SHACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 TAMPA SAILING SQUADRON YOUTH PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 TIDEMINDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 TOWBOATU.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 TURNER MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 UK HALSEY SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 ULLMAN SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 US SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 WAG BAGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 WEST MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 WINCHMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 WINDPATH FRACTIONAL SAILING . . . . . .5 YACHTING VACATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
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.
Mastmate Mast Climber . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign . . . . . . .31 Rparts Refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Seaworthy Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Shadetree Awning Systems . . . . . . . . . . .14 Solar Lite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, Precision . . .10 Tideminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Wag Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Winchmate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICES Atlantic Sail Traders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Bacon Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Dwyer Mast/spars, hardware, rigging . . .67 Innovative Marine Services . . . . . . . . .24, 26 Kevane Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Knighton Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Mack Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Masthead/Used Sails & Service .34,41,59,68 National Sail Supply, new&used online . .20 North Sails Direct/sails online by North . . .9 North Sails, new and used . . . . . . . . .13,68 Porpoise Used Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Rohland Rigging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Schurr Sails, Pensacola FL . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Sunrise Sailing Services . . . . . . . . . . .24, 26 UK Halsey Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Ullman Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 CANVAS Knighton Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Shadetree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 USED SAILING/BOATING SUPPLIES Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign, West Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Scurvy Dog Marine/Used, Consign, Pensacola FL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
SAILING SCHOOLS/DELIVERIES/CAPTAINS Sailing Florida Charters . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Sea School/Captain’s License . . . . . . . . .38 St. Augustine Sailing Enterprises . . . . . . . .26 US SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 MARINE ENGINES AND ACCESSORIES Beta Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke . . . . .19 MARINAS, MOORING FIELDS, BOAT YARDS Ft. Myers Beach Mooring Field . . . . . . . . .33 Regatta Pointe Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Sailors Wharf Boatyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 FRACTIONAL SAILING/ CHARTER COMPANIES Sailing Florida Charters . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Windpath Fractional Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Yachting Vacations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 MARINE SERVICES, SURVEYORS, INSURANCE, TOWING, BOAT LETTERING, ETC. Antigua Surveying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Aqua Graphics/Boat Names/Tampa Bay or buy online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Sailmonster.com Web site . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Scuba Clean Yacht Services . . . . . . . . . . .24 MARINE ELECTRONICS Dockside Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Sea Tech/Navigation/Communication . . .67 YACHT CLUBS Palm Beach Sailing Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 REAL ESTATE Patricia Knoll Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 REGATTA ADVERTISEMENTS, BOAT SHOWS Regatta Time in Abaco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
SOUTHWINDS
June 2008
69
Know Your Liveaboard Neighbors By Ginny Jones
It’s New Year’s Day. Mike, my neighbor who is known as “Captain Sea Tow Mike,” is working today. It’s his normal day off, and—as often occurs—something awful is happening to a local sailboat out on the reef, and Mike won’t ignore his radio— especially when he knows his boss with Sea Tow could really use the help. It just so happens, the typical Keys’ weather has just taken a turn for the worst; a large and windy cold front hit us late this afternoon and has steadily picked up the pace. Mala, his wife, has her VHF radio on, and we are hearing what’s happening as the drama plays out.
A
46-foot, chartered sailboat was steadily being pushed up on the small patch reef about three miles from shore. Mike asked what keel configuration the boat had—it makes a difference in how the boat can be pulled off the reef. The captain had no idea what kind of keel he had. This was going to be a long night. Captain Mike lives on my dock on a goodsized houseboat with his wife and his two petite and beautiful children. They have been married for almost 19 years. Mala is the first to tell you her husband is anal, and—as a character description— not a lot of people would like that handle. Mike accepts it, and his workboat, his personal boats, his life and surrounding dock buddies, are the better for it. Yes, he does nag us, i.e., are you really going to leave that line in the water? Did you notice the last three letters in your boat name are on a bit of a slant, etc, etc. You get the picture. In his defense, you could hold up some obscure boat part and he could tell you what make, model, and—more important—what could replace it, should it get sacrificed to the benevolent and always hungry deep, dark water. Captain Mike has been in the towboat business going on 20 years, and as he puts it, there isn’t much he hasn’t seen. He deals with a lot of groundings due to the shallow
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SOUTHWINDS
waters surrounding the Florida Keys. Often I have taken my Morgan 41, She Breeze, out the South Creek channel to see a small rental fishing boat aground. The inhabitants of the boat are trying real hard to look like they’re fishing; I know there’s a lot of praying going on, hoping the tide comes in before the authorities get notified. You’ll see snowy egrets wading in the inches-deep water feasting on the newly uncovered tidbits. Nice for the egrets, not so nice for the unfortunate folks on the boat, especially when the water cops are done evaluating the fines for the
damages done to the fragile sea grass or coral reef. Ouch! What a way to spoil a vacation. Mike and Mala are always taking a plate of food over to someone on the dock who is under the weather. Mike jumps right in if there is a boat project you just don’t have the physical strength to complete. Yeah—I’ve had a few of those moments. That kind of neighborliness just doesn’t happen much anymore, does it? We who choose to live on boats have to depend on each other a little more than your traditional neighborhoods. We live a bit closer to the weather and in a more hostile element. We always watch our neighbor’s back, uh, I mean, stern and bow. Meanwhile, the six-hour boaton-the-reef drama was coming to an end on the radio. Mala was relieved, and the kids felt they could go to bed now—Mom was feeling better, and Dad was on his way home. The last transmission I heard was from the sailboat, “Thanks so much, guys. We can see the head pin of Largo harbor. We can make it now.” If I know Mike, I bet he followed them in, just so he could make sure they tied up their lines correctly. You just gotta love the guy! A great liveaboard to have as a neighbor. www.southwindsmagazine.com