19 minute read
Short Tacks and Regattas
from 2020-04 April
Jester Challenge and Beyond
Thank you for your coverage of the Jester Challenge in the March issue. I wrote “Jester Challenge and Beyond” that covers the challenge.
Advertisement
You may familiarise yourself from my YOUTUBE videos which helped me as aide memoirs. These were done on the go: (link on our Southwinds website under Jester) https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=basil+ panakis&spfreload=1
It must have been Moby Dick that fired my imagination at a very young age. It was a generational thing to be associated with the sea. I went out with my father many a time in pretty rough seas, my family had tremendous respect for the sea. While in England I obtained a number of seafaring qualifications which I put to good use. My son now is the fourth generation Captain in a Superyacht in the Mediterranean.
The Azores was my dream, though not necessarily to get there single handed. A number of people I knew had been there before Portugal entered the EU when everything was rather old fashioned.
After I retired at 60, I went on a ‘round the world’ trip by air that lasted 7 months. Upon my return back home, I bought a small boat in 2007 to occupy myself. Then I heard of the Jester Challenge and met Roger. My boat was not ready for the 2008 Challenge. The next chance I had was the Jester Azores Challenge of 2012 in which I took part and after completion I got hooked. Up to then I sailed always with company. This was my first venture as a solo sailor. Then the 2014 Challenge to Newport followed but I had to give up after 2000 miles due to breakages and delays. The 2016 Jester Azores Challenge followed and despite seven gales, engine and electrics problems I arrived in Terceira safe and sound.
While cruising The Azores I decided to go to the Canaries via Porto Santo and Madeira. Porto Santo was another dream, as Christopher Columbus spent over a year there, married a dignitary's daughter before moving over to Madeira and then across to the New world.
From the Canaries I sailed down to Cape Verde, the seeding ground of all the North Atlantic Hurricanes. Spent the 2016 Christmas and New Year in the middle of the Atlantic, 1000 miles from anywhere. Arrived at St Lucia 23 days later.
Currently I am replacing my engine and preparing my boat JABA for this year's Jester Azores Challenge. Probably after that I might end up in Brazil. I am keeping this a secret from my wife as she gets worried when I am away at sea. Kind regards, Basil Roger Brankin Basil, Basil, Basil Just finished your book! I hope it inspires people to reach out for their dream. I found your personal history a surprise but very interesting. As you say, you told people you were Greek and left it at that.
Also a few personal memories. When we were approaching the Irish coast in 199I, I remember coming up to go on watch one morning and Chris asked me could I smell anything? I could, cows and farms and we reckoned we were about 60 miles from the coast. You will not believe this but when I was reading your memories of the 1991Fastnet, I had a tin of Bass in my hand!! Old habits die hard.
Glad to see you still have the sketch of H&G. Best wishes
Roger
Hi Basil, I finished the book yesterday and enjoyed it very much. I would have checked on different websites if I thought you were after a mermaid forecast. It seemed a better read since the manuscript. I don't know if there had been some editing, or it was just that I was reading for pleasure rather than critically looking for possible improvements.
Len
Hello Basil, “Jester Challenge and Beyond” had been delivered when I got back from Biscay. I’ve just finished reading it. Two words “True Grit”. I feel I’ve got to know you and am very impressed with your experiences. A very good idea to add your early life in Turkey. I was trying to get back into work, drawing building plans and structural calculations but after 3 weeks sailing , I just want to plan a voyage, sail and paint. But finances have “again” spoilt things. Look forward to meeting up some day. Congratulations on your book. Kindest regards,
Malcome
Hello Basil, How wonderful and a big WELL DONE!
Many people talk about the boat they are going to buy, voyages that they are going to make....and book they are going to write... you have done it all!
Denis Gorman
Basil Panakis had a dream although, perhaps at the time, he did not recognize it! Despite being a veteran of Fastnet races, sailing school instructing and charter yacht skippering—while demonstrably dedicated to the ‘seamanship not showmanship’ school of philosophy - he had never sailed, single-handed until 2012. Then he heard of the Jester Azores Challenge due to take place that summer and, unexpectedly, caught up with his dream. He has never looked back.
Now, after three ‘Jesters’, and other notable singlehanded voyages, Basil has come to epitomise what the Jester Challenge is all about and, through highly entertaining –and, importantly, instructive – blogs he continues to fulfil his vision. In doing so he encourages others to ‘let go’ of the nautically-normal and the mundane for, quite simply, Basil is one of the Jester Challenge’s leading lights encompassing, as he does in his voyages, all the finer virtues required of this most purist of small-yacht endeavours.
Newcomers to our way of life can do no better than be amused at, be entertained by and be encouraged through Basil’s life: a life made even more unusual by his far-from
normal early struggles in a ‘foreign’ country.
Yachtsmen’s stories, unless of genuine significance, tend not to be ‘best sellers’ which, in Basil’s case, would be a pity for he has an inspirational story to tell and he tells it in an engrossing, uplifting, and readable manner.
Read “Jester Challenge and Beyond”, and perhaps you, too, will be encouraged to dream.
Ewen Southby-Tailyour FOREWORD The Jester Challenge, with its premise of taking ocean voyaging, and in particular the crossing of the North Atlantic, back to a simple and seamanlike exercise in modest boats with modest skippers, has a constant capacity to amaze and delight. It has drawn together a disparate collection of odd-balls, united by a belief in self-reliance, simplicity and camaraderie. It has nurtured and transformed many a skipper from hesitant tyro to quietly competent old salt. Under the unceasingly wise guidance of its visionary mentor, Ewen Southby-Tailyour, it has taken on its own organic life-force, and so seems to grow and expand month on month, year on year.
The creative impulse generated by the Jester Challenge is by no means confined to the sailing itself. Not only have skippers found a congenial structure in which to develop their sea-going skills, many have also found it to be a catalyst to self-expression and self-examination. Participation in the Jester Challenge ‘movement’ has encouraged a number
Ft. Lauderdale Jacksonville Madeira Beach
Punta Gorda Sarasota St. Petersburg
52' Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 2002 Captain-Owned & Ready to Go! Barry Lipoff: 941.587.4229 $199,000
50’ Beneteau Cyclades Sloop 2008 Proven Bluewater Cruiser! Team Messina 941.350.9020 $179,900
43’ Serendipity Sloop 1980 Doug Peterson Racer/Cruiser! Team Messina 941.350.9020 $49,900 43' Jeanneau Sun Odyssey DS 2003 Updated Sails and Interior! Shirley Nelle: 727.639.2862 $134,900
40’-42’ Manta Sail Cats (5) 1997-2006 $199,000 - $339,900. Call Barry Lipoff 941.587.4229
41' Morgan 415 OI Pilothouse Ketch 1980 Many Custom Features. Updates! Team Messina 941.350.9020 $64,900 37’ Pacific Seacraft Cutter 1988 Like-New Sails & 44hp Yanmar! Team Messina 941.350.9020 $79,900
34’ Catalina Sloop 1987 Clean, Loaded & Updated! Team Messina 941.350.9020 $34,900
13205 Gulf Blvd., Suite B, Madeira Beach, FL 33708 727.228.7727 ~ www.ProfessionalYachtSales.com List Your Boat With Us & Our Professionals Will Exceed Your Expectations!
of skippers to find their voice and tell their story. And what stories they are!
This extraordinary reminiscence by Basil Panakis perfectly illustrates the power of the Jester Challenge to ignite hidden fires. It illustrates too the unlikely confluence of even more unlikely personalities on which the Jester Challenge thrives. Consider this: Basil was born into the Greek community in Istanbul during the time when the always-troubled relationship between Greece and Turkey was at one of its lowest ebbs. As a child he witnessed the violent progroms against the Greek community and eventually had to flee, perhaps literally, for his life.
Here is his story. It is told simply, without the least trace of literary guile, without any self-conscious attempt at stylistic subtlety, and therein lies its own particular power and merit. Considering that it is also written in what for Basil is his second language, it is an impressive achievement. We may as well be sat next to Basil in the pub as he tells his tale, his anecdotes tumbling out willy-nilly, a thousand Toms, Dicks and Harrys coming and going in a breathtaking twirl of walk-on characters. Shining through is Basil’s indomitable will, his sense of humour and his willingness to accept misfortune with little more than a shrug of the shoulders. It is, therefore, a tale from which we can all learn.
Roger D. Taylor
Safe Clean Friendly Power or Sail CHARLOTTE HARBOR NW Corner of Charlotte Harbor Between Boca Grande & Port Charlotte BOAT STORAGE
THE AUTHOR
Basil has over 60 years of sea experience. The last 6 years encompass long distance solo sailing including 3 Jester Challenges and an Atlantic Circuit.Basil settled in his adopted England in 1964, married, had children, divorced and remarried. It was his second wife who after retirement and in order to occupy his time, suggested that he buy a boat, as he no longer taught sailing or involved himself with the Southampton Boat Show. She subsequently regretted her suggestion as this started his solo career which kept him away from home for long periods, sailing long distances in very small boat, which some might consider far too small for such sailing ventures. Basil lived his dream and he considers himself privileged to have met a number of similar minded sailors and lucky to have survived what the elements have thrown at him.
Editors Note: If you have an interest in sailing and adventure, you may enjoy Basil’s book. It is available on Amazon and Apple ebooks.
March 11, 2020 Letter to the Editor:
After reading once again about the ongoing anchoring saga in Georgia in your March issue of SOUTHWINDS, I was overcome with melancholy for the good old days when the oceans of the world belonged to the public. Apparently, no one in Georgia’s government has ever heard of the Public Trust Doctrine. I urge everyone to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VP-1C9L5Ps
Reading Online? Click on Photo to View Video 30-Ton Travel Lift – Haul & Launch – Electric – WiFi Fenced – After Hours Access – Laundry – Shower CharlotteHarborBoatStorage.com (941) 828-0216 Work Area Space Available and D-I-Y Friendly Self-operating lock protects us from storm surge
Google those words and read what is described in Wikipedia, because it is the law of the land regarding public access to public waters!
For sake of easy access, here is the introduction copied from Wikipedia:
The public trust doctrine is the principle that the sovereign holds in trust for public use some resources such as shoreline between the high and low tide lines, regardless of private property ownership. The ancient laws of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian held that the sea, the shores of the sea, the air and running water was common to everyone.[2] The seashore, later defined as waters affected by the ebb and flow of the tides could not be appropriated for private use and was open to all. This principle became the law in England as well. Centuries later, Magna Carta further strengthened public rights. At the insistence of English nobles, fishing weirs which obstructed free navigation were to be removed from rivers.
These rights were further strengthened by later laws in England and subsequently became part of the common law of the United States. The Supreme Court first accepted the public trust doctrine in Martin v. Waddell’s Lessee in 1842, confirming it several decades later in Illinois Central Railroad v. Illinois, 146 U.S. 387 (1892).
The public trust applies to both waters influenced by the tides and waters that are navigable in fact. The public trust also applies to the natural resources (mineral or animal) contained in the soil and water over those public trust lands.
The point we boaters should recognize, is that rights are worthless if no one stands up to governmental usurpation of those rights! What is needed in Georgia, is not petitioning government, not voting differently, not groveling and begging government to do the right thing, but simply to ignore the law, get a ticket or citation into court, demand a jury trial (which the government will try to deny you) and then use the jury nullification doctrine to tell the jurors that regardless of whether or not the defendant violated the law, the law itself is null and void because of the Public Trust Doctrine—the oceans belong to the people of the world, and the people must enforce that highest of laws by refusing to convict their fellow man when charged with anchoring someplace which government claims is off-limits.
An alternative would be for boating organizations and yacht clubs to get together to try and get the law declared null and void not only because of the public trust doctrine, but because the way the Georgia law is written: it is overly broad and may be void for vagueness. After all, under the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, we must all have “constructive notice” of the law or we cannot be found guilty because there is no intent to violate a law for which the public has no knowledge. How can a boater be
I’m sure my wife has been putting glue on my weapons collection.
She denies it, but I’m sticking to my guns
Cruising & Sailing Florida, The Southeast & The Bahamas proven to have the mental intent (rens mea) of anchoring in a prohibited area unless that area is clearly marked and outlined on the water?? It is not within the boater’s duty (or even ability) to measure the distance from shoreline or dock, or to look for oyster beds, etc. nor can we be required to obtain electronic technology to otherwise be able to ascertain the location of these restricted anchoring areas. Remember, government expects you to plead guilty and to say things that will be used to implicate or imply your guilt—so don’t make statements if given a ticket, merely ask questions of the officer whose responses you may use against him in the courtroom when he must testify to try and prove your guilt—you do not have to testify or prove your innocence in our courts, that is presumed!!
I could write much more but if anyone wishes to contact me for further discussion of this issue, I am freely available to share my 31 years of pro se litigation experience with those who would like to resist this unlawful government overreach in Georgia. If we do not start now, I can smell Florida and other states drooling over the prospect of draconian regulations which they would love to impose under the guise of “helping” the public regulate us boaters. Will you do your part to stand for freedom to use the public waters? Sincerely,
Leon Moyer. Email: leon_moyer@yahoo.com
BOATS
The Flying Scot is a daysailer racer of the highest quality. It’s supported by over 100 active fleets around the nation. The quality is backed up with an excellent new boat warranty, and excellent customer support from the factory.
800-864-7208 Fax 888-442-4943 www.FlyingScot.com
BOAT SERVICES CRUISING GUIDES
13 Bahamian Harbours rated for: • Anchorage • Hurricane protection • White beaches • Tiki bars • No Tourist traps ...and more Stories & pictures of each harbour www.amzn.to/17KP81v BAHAMIAN HARBOUR GUIDE ORDER NOW AT
GEAR & EQUIPMENT
Smartkat— High Performance PORTABLE Sailing Catamaran Fits easily in Your Car or Boat!
$5,995 FREE shipping within the US
• 14’ inflatable hulls • Sets up in 20 minutes • 90 lbs total
Buy Direct & Save! 704-560-6385 Smartkatsailing.com
CAPTAIN LICENSE
April 3-5, 10,12, 17-19
SOUTHWINDS A NATURAL OIL VARNISH BASED ON A CENTURIES OLD FORMULA • Easy to apply, easy to maintain • Beautiful varnish finish • Doesn’t crack or peel • Florida proven AMERICAN ROPE & TAR www.tarsmell.com 1-877-965-1800
Bloxygen Finish Preserver Preserves stains, varnishes, oil-based paints, chemicals, resins, and more. Inert Gas System prevents damage from oxygen or moisture.
Bloxygen.com
Comfortable rope hammock uniquely designed to fit most sailboats. The World’s First & Only SAILBOAT HAMMOCK Enter Code “Southwinds” for a 10% Discount
Best Cruising Toilet Ever
A SHAPE AND SIZE TO FIT ALMOST EVERY BOAT Odorless • Waterless White or Wood Grain Durable Laminate Finishes Adaptable Urine Management Systems www.c-head.com 407-592-1207 USCG Rated MSD III
Quality Craftsmanship Customized Designs Standard Model $599 Price includes S&H to all 50 states! Coolnet Hammocks (800) 688-8946 www.coolnethammocks.com • PATENTED 3-POINT VERSATILE SYSTEM • WILL NOT TIP, SWING, OR FLIP OVER!
Climb your mast alone with Mast Mate.
• Flexible nylon ladder • Attaches to any mainsail track or slot • Thousands in use Satisfaction guaranteed Made in the USA for 26 years. SECURE, SAFE & EASILY STOWED
707-433-7370 www.mastmate.com
BUY–SELL–TRADE Used Marine Stuff
In Business since 1994 I BUY, sell, and trade all boating & marine stuff. I come to you and pay cash. Call/Text 941-704-4828 gordon2777@aol.com www.thenauticaltrader.net
Restore Your Teak to a MASTERPIECE!
Cruising & Sailing Florida, The Southeast & The Bahamas Give decks, bright work, cabinets & teak furniture a new lease on life in just a few hours.
Restore your teak NOW! AllGuardProducts.com 1-800-448-8325
WINCH BIT Makes Your Winches Electric We recommend a Cordless Drill with at least 1000 in/lbs. of Torque
Winch Bit and a Drill Will: Raise, Trim and Furl Your Sails Or Take You Up the Mast
Buy Online or Call for Information www.WinchBit.com 877-528-3415
Patterns for over 1000 different boats on file ALL CUSTOM, ANY SIZE, ANY SHAPE: Mattresses, Sheets, Bedspreads, Blankets and Pillows
RIGGING
CUSTOM YACHT RIGGING Custom-made halyards Topping lifts Sheets Mooring & dock lines Floating rope Anchors Stainless steel hardware Cajun Trading Company Ltd. 1-888-ASK-CAJUN (275-2258) cajun4rope@gmail.com www.cajunrope.com
OPEN FOR BUSINESS AFTER IRMA
SAILING SCHOOLS
Learn to Sail on Anna Maria Island On the south side of Tampa Bay
Chuck Norris has been exposed to the coronavirus.
Coronavirus is now in 14 days quarantine.
RIGGING ONLY SMALL AD, SMALL PRICES Standing and running rigging, life lines, furling gear, winches, line, windlasses, travelers, wire and terminals, blocks, vangs, and much more. Problem Solving & Discount Mail Order Since 1984 www.riggingandhardware.com sail@riggingonly.com 508-992-0434
There's quite a PANDAmonium over this Chinese virus.
Bimini Bay Sailing www.biminibaysailing.com Private lessons on *Sunfish *Lasers *Capri 16.5 *Windrider 17 Trimarans Brian Dahms US SAILING Instructor 941-685-1400 Boat rentals by hour, half day, day, week, month
ASA Courses w/certification: Basic Keelboat Sailing Coastal Cruising Bareboat Charter Coastal Navigation Catamaran Sailing North Texas’ Only ASA Sailing School* with an Island Style Attitude Brian Latas, ASA Instructor 844-777-7245 islebound@gmail.com www.islandboundadventures.com
*ASA Outstanding Schools Designation
SAILS/CANVAS
Irish Sail Lady Linda Robinson
NEW & USED SAILS, RECUTS, REPAIRS CANVAS DESIGN & REPAIR • RIGGING SERVICES Serving St. Augustine - Daytona - Jacksonville - SE Georgia 134 Riberia St. #206, St. Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 377-0527 irishsaillady@yahoo.com
4500 28th St. N., St. Pete, FL 33714
Sailing doesn’t have to be expensive Order on the Internet New and Used in Stock You’ll see the quality You’ll feel the performance But most of all, you’ll appreciate the price Phone 1-800-611-3823 E-mail: NewSails@aol.com Fax 813-200-1385 www.nationalsail.com
Sail Cleaning Canvas Cleaning & Waterproofing Repairs 800-273-8398 sailcleaners.com
A 911 operator is sitting at her desk when she gets a call. "911 What's your emergency?" she answers. "My friend and I were walking through the woods when he just collapsed. I think he died." Nervously, the man responds. "Ok, calm down. First, make sure he's dead." The operator replies. There's a silence on the phone. Then, a gunshot. The man then says, "OK, now what?"
St. Pete Florida
727-823-1968 www.sailtechnologies.com
Scientists confirmed Arkansas has zero cases of COVID-19.
This was due to the fact that one family was immune to the strain.
MOORING FIELD Nearby Access to Facilities, Beaches & Restaurants • 70 Mooring Balls • Boats up to 48’ • Dinghy Dock • Pump-out Included with fee Located inside Matanzas Pass, just south of the 65-foot bridge
