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ADVERTISER INDEX BY CATEGORY SAILBOATS - NEW AND BROKERAGE Gulf Coast Yacht Sales JS9000 PHRF Racer Windcraft, Trimarans and Catamarans, Sail or Power Beneteau Sailboats Boaters Exchange/Catalina Sailboats Carson Yacht Sales/Beneteau Eastern Yacht Sales/Beneteau Florida Sailboats, Inc. Flying Scot Sailboats Gulf Coast Yacht Sales Hanse Sailboats Massey Yacht Sales/Catalina/Jeanneau/Hunter/Mainship Masthead Yacht Sales/Catalina Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau National Boat Owners Association/Hunter Raider Sailboats Sailboats Florida, Inc. Sailor’s Wharf Boatyard and Brokerage Sarasota Youth Sailing Program donated boats Seafarers International Yacht Brokerage St. Barts/Beneteau Suncoast Inflatables/ West Florida Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg Whitney’s Marine
(See page 68 for alphabetical list)
55,56 56 10 Back Cover 35,55 Back Cover Back Cover 57 56 55,56 57 6,9,31,44,IBC 19,60 Back Cover 49 57 57 45,51 54 54,58 Back Cover 29 16 57
GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES BoatUS E-Marine SSMR/Hood Air Duck Hatch Windscoop Bluewater Sailing Supply Boaters Exchange, boats, gear, etc. Rockledge FL Bo’sun Supplies/Hrdwre/Rigging www.bosunsupplies.com Coral Reef Apparel Company Defender Industries, www.defender.com Garhauer Hardware Glacier Bay Refrigeration Hotwire/Fans & other products Island Marine Products/Davits,motorlocks,etc. JR Overseas/Moisture Meter Martek Dinghy Davits Masthead Enterprises Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign Rparts Refrigeration Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg West Marine Winch Buddy
23 58 50 21 48 35,55 22 33 58 13 45 58 21 11 58 19,60 48 15 16 IFC 25
SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICES Hood/SSMR Porpoise Used Sails SSMR/Hood Altlantic Sails Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida BoatUS Cruising Direct/sails online by North Doyle Sails Dwyer Mast/spars, hardware, rigging Forespar Masthead/Used Sails and Service National Sail Supply, new&used online North Sails Nuclear Sails Nuclear Sails Sail Exchange Schurr Sails, Pensacola FL UK Sails Ullman Sails/West Florida West Marine
50 60 50 32 52 23 37 7 58 56 19,60 28 8 12 12 20 39 13 11 IFC
Sea School/Captain’s License St. Augustine Sailing School
24 26,60
MARINE ENGINES Beta Marine Fleetside Marine Service RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke Yanmar
43 58 10 58
RESORTS, MARINAS, RESTAURANTS, BOAT YARDS Bob and Annie’s Boatyard Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina Sailor’s Wharf Boatyard and Brokerage
17 43 45,51
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51 14
MARINE SERVICES, SURVEYORS, INSURANCE, TOWING, BOAT LETTERING, ETC. Aqua Graphics/Boat Names/Tampa Bay or buy online Beachmaster Photography Coast Weather Services First Patriot Inc, Insurance Agency, Paul Phaneuf
52 59 60 18
MARINE ELECTRONICS Dockside Radio JR Overseas/Moisture Meter Sea Tech/Navigation/Communication
11 11 30
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12 27 27 59
REGATTA ADVERTISEMENTS, BOAT SHOWS Bradenton YC Kickoff Regatta Sarasota Sailing Squadron Labor Day Regatta
47 46
Regional Sailing Services Directory Sailing Services Directory West Florida Subscription Information Alphabetical Advertisers’ List
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SOUTHWINDS NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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From the Helm
10 Letters 15 Short Tacks: Upcoming Events and News of Interest to Southern Sailors 18 Bubba Disparages Publicists, Lawyers By Morgan Stinemetz 20 Surviving Hurricane Isabel in Bath, NC By Sam Makler and Sharon Lynn 22 Tourists or Terrorists? Entering Cuba by Sailboat By David Allester 27 Hunter H260 Boat Review By Jim Motley 28 To Anchor or Not to Anchor: Re-visiting the Anchoring Issue By Capt. J. Michael Shea, JD 32 Southeast Coast Sailing: Carolinas and Georgia: August Sailing, Events and Race Calendar, Race Report, News 34 East Florida Sailing: August Sailing, Events and Race Calendar, Race Report, News 36 Southeast Florida Sailing: August Sailing, Events and Race Calendar, Race Report, News
Tourists or Terrorists? Entering Cuba by Sailboat. Photo by David Allester. Page 22.
38 Northern Gulf Coast Sailing: August Sailing, Events and Race Calendar, Race Report, News 42 Florida Keys Sailing: August Sailing, Events and Race Calendar, Race Report, News 45 West Florida Sailing: August Sailing, Events and Race Calendar, Race Report, News 55 Classifieds 62 Pattie Toler - Voice and Heart of the Abacos By Lorelei Johnson 26 52 60 4 4
Regional Sailing Services Directory West Florida Sailing Services Directory Alphabetical Index of Advertisers Advertisers’ List by Category Subscription Form
Cover: Idol sails in the Gulport to Pensacola race. Photo courtesy Stanton Murray of Murray Yacht Sales. (www.murrayyachtsales.com).
Hunter 260 boat review. Page 27.
From the Carolinas to Cuba…from Atlanta to the Abacos…SOUTHWINDS Covers Southern Sailing NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
SOUTHWINDS
August 2004
5
FROM THE HELM DEFENSE/RELIEF FUND SET UP FOR PETER GOLDSMITH AND MICHELE GESLIN
I
n last month’s issue, I wrote of the indictment of the organizers of the Conch Republic Cup race to Cuba. I am still amazed that the U.S. government is prosecuting these two. So many in the public media, recently and in the past, have put forth the argument about whether money should be spent in Cuba, but none addressed the issue of the right to travel freely. They just ignore it. They don’t seem to get it. SOUTHWINDS has yet to receive one letter (and I have not read one in other media—either from elected officials or from the public) discussing the issue of the right to travel, which is the core of this case. The argument as to whether we should be spending money in Cuba is another issue. Why can’t the public and the public officials who support this travel ban get it through their heads that this is the issue here? Do they not believe in the right of Americans to travel freely? Or, are they afraid that if they discuss this issue, they will lose? Probably so. It’s an age-old ploy. Hard to believe the public that supports these two have to speak up in their defense and rally around them to help pay for their defense. We all know what it often takes
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to get justice in this country—a lot of money. The rich and the poor will agree to that. Doran Cushing, founder and previous editor of Southwinds magazine, and a long-time supporter of the right to travel freely, has offered to help set up and host the defense fund Web site. At this time, the following will be established: The name of the Web site will be www.defendcubasailors.com. The site should be up and running by the time you read this. One will be able to make donations via Paypal. T-shirts, printed with words of support, will be for sale and given to those who contribute $50 or more. Contact editor@southwindssailing.com for updates. Their trial date has been set for November 8 — one week after the national election. But let’s keep this issue where it belongs; this is not about spending money in Cuba. This is about the right of Americans to travel freely. We can discuss the spending money issue another day, when we have all agreed on our basic rights. Steve Morrell Editor
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NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
SOUTHWINDS
August 2004
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SOUTHWINDS &V F S S
NEWS
IEWS
OR
OUTHERN
AILORS
Southwinds Media, Inc. P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, Florida 34218-1175 (941) 795-8704 (877) 372-7245 (941) 795-8705 Fax www.southwindssailing.com e-mail: editor@southwindssailing.com
VOLUME 12
NUMBER 8
AUGUST 2004
Copyright 2004, Southwinds Media, Inc. Publisher/Editor Steve Morrell editor@southwindssailing.com Founder Doran Cushing Advertising & Editors Steve Morrell National/West Florida Advertising West Florida Regional Editor editor@southwindssailing.com (941) 795-8704 Florida Keys Rebecca Burg Regional Editor/Advertising angel@artoffshore.com (305) 304-5118 Southeast Florida Art Perez Regional Editor/Advertising miamiyachtracing@bellsouth.net (305) 380-0106
Gary Hufford National/West Florida Advertising gary@southwindssailing.com (727) 585-2814 The Southeast Coast: Carolinas and Georgia Rona Garm Regional Editor/Advertising rgarm@ec.rr.com (910) 395-0189 The Northern Gulf Coast: Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas Kim Kaminski Regional Editor/Advertising Kaminski_K@msn.com (850) 384-8941
East Florida Roy Laughlin Regional Editor/Advertising mhw1@earthlink.net (321) 690-0137 Production Proofreading Heather Nicoll Kathy Elliott Contributing Writers David Allester Rebecca Burg Dave Ellis Rona Garm Lorelei Johnson Kim Kaminski Jim Kransberger Roy Laughlin Sharon Lynn Sam Makler Jim Motley Arturo Perez George Regenauer Capt. Michael Shea Stephen Sommer Morgan Stinemetz Contributing Photographers David Allester Dave Ellis Gary Hufford Lorelei Johnson Kim Kaminski Jim Kransberger Roy Laughlin Stanton Murray Arturo Perez George Regenauer Mike Starr 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 far-off 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 email (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 $19.95/year, or $37/2 years for third class, and $24/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.southwindssailing.com. SOUTHWINDS is distributed to over 500 locations throughout 10 Southern states. If you would like to distribute SOUTHWINDS at your location, please contact the editor. Read SOUTHWINDS on our Web site, www.southwindssailing.com.
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August 2004
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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.
LEGAL DEFENSE FUND FOR SAILORS WHO WENT TO CUBA Somewhere in the Letters section of the July 2004 issue of SOUTHWINDS magazine, mention is made about a legal defense fund for Michele Geslin and Peter Goldsmith to fight off the US government indictments for their travel to Cuba. However, nowhere is it stated whether such a fund has been established and where to send contributions. Kindly clarify, as we would like to contribute to such a fund and thus, perhaps, prevent the government from unjustly crucifying those people. Name Withheld Name, Please see this month’s editorial section (“From the Helm”) for more information on this fund, as it is being set up. Editor
KEY WEST RENDEZVOUS STORY: “JOE WEEKEND” VS THE “ROCK STARS” I recently read the article about a Naples to Key West sailor, who was quite joyous regarding his win (almost) in the Naples/Key West Race. By no means would I want to belittle his finish. His effort to push his yacht to its maximum potential regardless of its PHRF rating is what we all try to do every time we enter an event. But I must add, as a J/24 sailor who trys to support my local one-design fleet and PHRF fleet (St. Petersburg Sailing Association), I have been the victim of losing more than one event to the slowest PHRF boat in the fleet long after finishing. These types of finishes unfortunately happen during distance races, and what should be recognized is the efforts of “Joe weekend sailor” and the “rock stars.” I believe most of the sailors in the Key West race would fall under the “Joe weekend sailor” profile. USA 1458 USA, Thanks for your comments. There is a general feeling out there from those who can’t afford to buy and outfit a racing sailboat or outfit another type boat with all the expensive sails and other accessories, that when they beat these sailboats, they have really won something outstanding. In reality, we, and that sailor you refer to, should remember that the PHRF rating tries to even all that out and make everyone compete against each other equally (although the system is imperfect), and that everyone out there is on the same level. His story was very entertaining and humorous, and there always will be joy and excitement when the slow cruiser beats the fast racerjust because of the idea of it, whether or not the handicap system is in place, or whether it evens everyone out. It is just human nature, I believe. It’s the tortoise and the hare story. Editor 10
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www.southwindssailing.com
UNHAPPY WITH BOATYARD COSTS I hauled out my sailboat a few weeks ago at a boatyard with a certain reputation for quality work. Nevertheless, the cost for having the work done was largely inflated and went far beyond what I expected to pay. I shall not reveal the name of the particular boatyard which performed the job. Needless to mention that this “famous “ yacht yard is located in the Salt Creek row of boatyards. The owner of this yard was not receptive to my comment regarding the high price for the job performed on my boat and just did not and does not care about his customers at all. I have been a repeat customer and I also brought him some new business once in a while. My point is that boatyard owners should treat the customers, with courtesy and understanding and not treat them as if they were stupid or do not know anything about maintenance. If a customer has questions regarding the bill, the manager or owner should sit down and explain why the bill was so high and were there mistakes made while adding time. I really, strongly believe that some of the boatyards located in Salt Creek in St. Petersburg inflate their prices Big Time. My advice is to avoid those so called “expensive yards” and why not find better service elsewhere, perhaps out of the way but better service and at least a little bit of respect. Paul St. Petersburg, FL Paul, This is probably one of the biggest problems out there in the marine business, but it has much in common with other similar service businesses. Dealing with a boatyard, or auto mechanic or builder all have similar problems. Having spent my share of money in boatyards and auto repair businesses, I understand your frustration. I also have many years in the building/remodeling business and understand the perspective from the other side. With that in mind, I can offer a few suggestions. There really should never be any major misunderstandings when dealing with these businesses-if certain steps are followed and you are at least dealing with someone who is not a complete crook. You must set the stage in the beginning and clear the air. There must be a clear understanding of what is to be done and how much it will cost and put a limit on it and insist that they call you if unforeseen problems arise that will increase costs. This is an absolute-unless you have essentially unlimited funds. You must make sure that what is to be done is closely managed by you-until you know and trust the business completely, and they trust you-and even then. You might have to manage it almost full time. If you don’t manage it, then they will-with your money. If they end up managing it, you should be thankful if they did a good quality job and consider the money spent for a lesson learned. Then go somewhere else next time. Many people that run service businesses really don’t care about your money-they care about theirs. You have to watch yours. Those that care the least about yours, you would be well-advised to stay away from them. One thing that is difficult from a yard’s point of view is keeping production going. If you were standing there full time answerSee LETTERS continued on page 12 NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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LETTERS Continued from page 11 editor@southwindssailing.com Web site: southwindssailing.com PO Box 1175,Holmes Beach FL 34218 Fax: (941) 795-8705
ing questions and overseeing the work (which would drive the workers crazy), then they would not have to worry about it if you want something completed when they ran into something that was unforeseen, which is common. If I was the manager of a yard, I would do my utmost to understand your finances, your personality, and how far you want me to go to repair things (or install new) when you are not there to answer questions. Then again, that’s how I deal with people. I would always opt for the best quality job, as you can complain about money, but when you complain about quality, a real problem begins, as the highest quality job will at least not have to be redone-as who pays to redo something when it is not done to the highest standards. You mentioned you were a repeat customer and recommended them in the past. That indicates they must do good work-unless something changed since that time you were there before. Unfortunately, it appears you must continue to manage projects yourself, as it appears things got financially out of hand even though you had built up a relationship with this business before, or maybe this is the first time expensive, unexpected repairs were necessary. My advice is to take this as a lesson learned, but you are at least better off finding someone who will do an excellent job and charge a lot than someone who will cut corners and charge little. When all is said and done, you won’t sit around and look at the work done on your boat months or years later and say, “You know, those guys did really poor, sloppy, fast work, but they were cheap and it was worth it.” You are more likely to sit around and look at a good job and say, as you are drinking your margarita in the cockpit on a hot afternoon on the hook-admiring the boat, “You know, those guys were expensive, and they took a long time, but they sure did good work.” I am not sure what your exact situation was, but I am hoping at least the quality of the work was good, and I am not trying to second guess a problem you might have had that resulted from a yard that seriously gouged you, but I believe, from past experience in the services sector, that many problems can be avoided, although I know that is easier said than done. I also advise you to just stay away from those businesses that don’t treat you fairly and with the highest respect. They are the worst-no matter what the quality of their work.
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SHORT TACKS PFDs Required? They Just Won’t Go Away From www.sailingscuttlebutt.com The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public forum to discuss mandatory wearing of personal flotation devices (PFD) on recreational boats, NTSB Chairman Ellen Engleman Conners has announced. The one-day forum will begin at 9:00 a.m. on August 25, at the NTSB Academy in Ashburn, VA. The purpose of the forum is to gather all available data and to promote an open and informative discussion of policy issues related to mandatory PFD use. It has been on the board’s “Most Wanted” list of transportation safety improvements since its inception in 1990. “The board has made a solid commitment to advance recreational boating safety by all means available to our agency,” said Chairman Engleman Conners. “A public forum will be an excellent mechanism to bring together agencies and organizations to identify solutions that will improve public safety in recreational boating.” Coast Guard statistics show that 750 boaters died in 2002. Eighty-five percent of those who drowned were not wearing PFDs, even though in many cases, PFDs were aboard. These statistics have been consistent from year to year and Coast Guard statistics show that approximately 450 lives could be saved each year if the victims wore PFDs. The Safety Board wants to build on this information and other data available to evaluate the safety benefits of mandatory wearing of PFDs on recreational boating. Currently, most states require PFDs be worn by children and personal watercraft operators. No state requires PFDs be worn by all occupants. Yet six years of observational studies by the Coast Guard show that less than 5 percent of adults in open boats wear PFDs. Some of the issues discussed at the forum will be: • New PFD technology. • Alternatives to mandatory wear rules. • The impact of federal and/or state legislation mandating wearing of PFDs on recreational boats.
• Various vessels and types of operation that should be included in or exempted from mandatory wear rules. Registration details for the forum and directions to the academy may be found on the Board’s Web site, www.ntsb.gov. According to the NTSB Web site, due to limited resources, they do not respond to unsolicited e-mails, but comments can be mailed to: Chairman Ellen Engleman Conners National Transportation Safety Board NTSB Headquarters 490 L’Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20594
Fort Jefferson in the Florida Keys Undergoing Major Restoration Project Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park, a favorite destination among sailors in the Florida waters, is currently undergoing a major $18-milFort Jefferson. Photo Credit:US National lion restoration. ConOceanic and Atmospheric Administration struction of the fort, originally begun in 1846, went on for 30 years. Problems today are mainly a result of the effects of tropical humidity and salt air on the construction materials used — typical of waterfront construction. Even today, with modern building techniques, construction on the waterfront requires special attention to the problems confronted with the sea environment in warm climates. The fort is one of the largest brick structures in the Western Hemisphere, and the logistics of working on the project
If you would like your events, business news, or other news of interest to Southern sailors here, contact editor@southwindssailing.com. It can go in this section or one of the regional sections.
NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
SOUTHWINDS
August 2004
15
SHORT TACKS today are difficult since it is 68 miles from the nearest townKey West. The fact that quality masonry work was done there 150 years ago makes the building all the more remarkable. The project is to be done in three phases. The first phase, which is now under way, is to completely rebuild one section of the brick and shutters around the openings for the cannons, which were originally designed to be closed to repel incoming fire. This phase will serve as a guideline for completing the rebuilding of all the openings and as a measure for awarding the project to whatever business receives the contract for the job. They will use as many of the original materials as possible that are still on the site, but modern techniques and materials will also be used as needed to preserve the fort and prevent it from further deterioration. The fort will still be open to visitors during construction. The project is expected to be completed in 2010.
Annie the Dragon on the Indian River Lagoon to be Rebuilt The famous concrete and steel dragon, which overlooks the confluence of the Indian River Lagoon and the Banana River
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on Merritt Island along the ICW on Florida’s east coast, is going to be completely rebuilt. The dragon was originally built by sculptor Lewis VanDercar in 1971 and has slowly deteriorated from the humid and salt air conditions. It pretty much fell apart after a storm in August 2001. The dragon, or at least its demise, has been an inspiration for various endeavors, the most unusual being the creation of a fairy tale and children’s book, called River Dragon: A Real Florida Fairy Tale. The name, and geographical location, Dragon Point, now appears on nautical charts. Bob Hereford, who owns the property that Annie is on, has decided to have a new dragon built. Since purchasing the property in 2003, he has received numerous calls to have the dragon rebuilt-many of which were offers to donate funds toward the reconstruction. He decided on a new Annie and hopes to have the dragon completed by March 2005.
WeatherWave Announces Marine Cell Phone Weather Service WeatherWave, Inc. of Reston, VA, has announced the availability of a new cell phone weather information service, designed exclusively for boaters. Available for a modest an-
www.southwindssailing.com
SHORT TACKS nual subscription, the service will be released approximately July 15. The WeatherWave service provides outbound, automated, near, real-time voice notification of severe weather advisories for boaters’ previously identified marine zones and cities. It also provides 24/7 toll-free number retrieval of up-to-date current conditions, forecasts, and alarms for any marine zone or U.S. city. Finally, it provides current conditions and forecasts for any NOAA buoy. Users subscribe to the service at the WeatherWave Web site, www.weatherwave.com. Telephone subscription will be available in approximately 90 days. At subscription time, the user identifies his/her primary two cities and primary two marine zones for real-time severe weather notification. According to Sande Smith, president, “Boaters are less and less fond of NOAA weather radio and Coast Guard VHF broadcasts because of their long messages that may delay what the listener most wants to hear. Now that cell phones reach farther and farther out, the cell phone is the ideal device for delivering severe weather notifications and for enabling current weather retrieval.” For information: www.weatherwave.com.
“Marinas are more than just a locally-run small business. They are invaluable to the boater’s lifestyle and fulfill a critical need by providing access and services,” said Jim Schofield, manager of the BoatU.S. Cooperating Marina Program and 2004 Marina Day committee member. “Marina Day lets others in the community share in their success in providing quality recreation. Everyone is getting very excited about showing off their facility and showing town leaders how they contribute economically and to their citizens’ enjoyment of their waterfront,” he added. BoatU.S. (Boat Owners Association of the United States) and its 750 BoatU.S. Cooperating Marinas are co-sponsors of this grass-roots effort designed to bring local community attention to the valuable role marinas play in providing access, encouraging responsible use, and generating economic activity. National Marina Day was created by the Marina Operators Association of America to highlight the important role marinas play in their communities. For more information on National Marina Day, contact MOAA toll-free at 866-FOR-MOAA or e-mail Stephen Wakefield at swakefield@nmma.org.
BoatUS Cooperating Marinas Ramping Up for National Marina Day, Aug. 14
Seaworthy Magazine Uncovers the Truth about Charcoal and Spontaneous Combustion From BoatUS
BoatU.S. Cooperating Marinas, which make boating more affordable by offering substantial discounts on fuel, transient slips and repairs, are ramping up for National Marina Day, Saturday, August 14. With activities slated for the whole family, Marina Day 2004 will highlight how marinas are family-friendly gateways to recreational boating. Barbecues, music, raffles, charity fundraisers, visits by local elected officials, beach clean-ups, regattas and boating safety demonstrations are all part of the festivities.
NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
Seaworthy, the damage avoidance magazine published by BoatU.S. Marine Insurance, recently reported the findings of a study that looked at the causes of boat fires. Some BoatU.S. members took the report to task for what they thought was conspicuously absent. There were no vessel fires reported as a result of improperly stored charcoal spontaneously combustSee SHORT TACKS continued on page 61
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my point entirely. “No, I meant that what you wrote was pithy,” I replied. “Did you pick up a lisp?” asked Bubba. This conversation had headed into a verbal cul de sac from which there would be no return, I saw, so I changed the subject. “What was it that gave you the impetus to write the letter to the newspaper,” I said, hoping another tack would prove to offer smoother sailing. “This did,” Bubba said, reaching into one of his overalls pockets and extracting a newspaper clipping that had a yellow smear of what appeared to be mustard on it. He handed me the clipping. I looked at it closely. Here’s what the clip he handed me — it was about singer Courtney Love — said: ‘“Love has chosen to take this time to privately address the frivolous, malicious complaints and legal matters that have plagued her this spring,’ publicist Heidi Schaeffer said in a statement.” “Okay, Bubba, I’ve read the clip,” I said. “What’s the deal?’ Bubba expectorated another squirt of tobacco juice into the gutter and said, “Courtney Love’s concert tour was cancelled when she went into rehab. The complaints that the publicist calls frivolous and malicious stem from the fact that Courtney Love got arrested for being stoned on prescription painkillers, attacking another woman with a whiskey bottle at a private residence and hitting a paying customer with a microphone stand she heaved into the audience at a concert. Courtney Love was obviously out of control, so someone in her employ makes up a bunch of outrageous lies, releases them in a prepared state-
NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
ment to the working press and newspapers print it. “It’s the same thing with the situation in Iraq. The people who are involved in the quagmire at that prison, the one where all the prisoner abuse took place, now have spokesmen who can equivocate, prevaricate, quibble and lie, because there is no subsequent trickle-down accountability attributable to the person who was ultimately responsible for what went on in the prison,” he concluded. “The whole issue gets lost in a verbal fog of ‘I was just following orders’ and ‘I was never informed and would never have condoned such acts.’ Because what spokespersons utter is all it has to go on, the press dutifully parrots what the spokesmen or lawyers say. Nothing is solved. Liability for some very serious stuff is shrouded in a cloak of bifurcation.” “What?” I asked. “My point exactly,” said Bubba. “But I don’t understand,” I complained. “You weren’t meant to,” Bubba replied. “But you might be able to get a handle on this if you were to come to a course I hope to teach. There’s an entrance exam, though.” “What’s the course about?” “How to snooker the press,” Bubba said, smiling. “What’s the entrance exam consist of?” “It’s a polygraph exam,” Bubba answered. “I’d have to pass a polygraph test to get into the course?” I bleated. “No, you’d have to flunk it,” Whartz said. “Class dismissed. Now let’s go get a beer, on you.”
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Hurricane Isabel, 1300 hours Bath Creek, Bath, North Carolina By Sam Makler and Sharon Lynn, S/V Southern Comfort
I
heard laughter next to me as the wind screamed by. Three or four shingles had just blown off a house nearby and were whizzing past a sailboat anchored next to the shoreline. The winds were near 80 knots with higher gusts, and right now it seemed we could do nothing more but watch. The eye from Hurricane Isabel was due within the hour, and every NOAA model and forecast showed that it would pass right over our heads. Between rain squalls I could see Southern Comfort, our 37-foot Rafiki cutter, riding nicely in the four-foot waves in the creek. We had spent the last four days physically preparing for this event, and now our home was as ready as she was going to get. It was Mother Nature’s call from here. Two weeks prior to this day, my partner Sharon and I were wrapping up our first real cruise of the Chesapeake Bay. We had left St. Simons Island, GA, in late June and managed to make it as far north as Baltimore, MD. We had a good trip so far and short of a few summertime squalls to put up with, our weather luck had been good so far. Hurricane Fabian was far away in the Caribbean and tropical storm Isabel was just getting going. We made our way south through the bay and headed to Portsmouth, VA, and the ICW. If we were going to head south at this time, we would need to keep one eye on the weather.
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By the time we got to Belhaven, NC, it looked like Hurricane Fabian might make a run for the Carolina coast, so we started poring over the charts in search of possible hurricane holes. We were near the Pamlico Sound/River area and not too far from the Outer Banks. There is a lot of water and a lot of fetch in this region so staying around here was out of the question. Should we continue south? Should we go back north? Maybe head inland? The tiny town of Bath looked promising. Twenty miles further inland. A small shallow creek almost one mile in off the Pamlico River. High ground around it and no major population in the area. Looked good to us. Later on that evening in the Belhaven marina bar, we met a local gentleman who just so happened to keep a boat in Bath Harbor. Said he’d “love to have us.” Decision made hole up in Bath, wait for weather. The next day we motored up the Pamlico River into the small harbor of Bath Creek. We took a slip at the marina and went ashore to explore. Bath is the oldest town in the state. The place was quiet and laid back. It has many old buildings and houses from past glory, and lays claim to have once been home to the pirate Edward Teach-Blackbeard. A very old area with very nice people.
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We kept Southern Comfort tied up at the marina, and after about a week of drinking and discovery, it seemed our weather luck was about to change. Hurricane Fabian stayed well offshore in the Atlantic; tropical storm Henri dirtied up the coastal weather a bit, but category five Isabel seemed to be setting sight for the Carolina coastal area. It looked as if we were going to have to really prepare. All of the available predictions seemed to indicate that she was coming right through our area, about five or six days away. With that being the case, all boats had to leave the marina. With fixed piers and no normal tide, any storm surge would most likely put the marina under water, like many times before. There were about forty boats in the marina along with us, and we all had to move now. The exodus was upon us. The marina owner, Paul Minor, staff and several other boat owners and locals began setting anchors and stripping and moving boats out into the harbor. They were obviously no strangers to hurricanes and looked as if they knew just what to do. The depths in the creek average 8 to 9 feet with soft mud. The anchor of choice is the Danforth style. The creek is protected about 300 feet around with high banks and trees. The mouth of the creek has two small shoals that squeeze the entrance channel and break up the long fetch of the river. The locals in the area use a particular style of anchoring that works well for them. Anchors, preferably 44-pound Danforth style, with cable, chain and nylon rode combination, are pre-set using a 16-foot Sunbird speedboat with a 75 hp outboard. The anchor is “flown” down to the mud and 60-80 feet of rode paid out, then cleated to the boat’s bow. Captain Paul then puts the full throttle reverse pull three times to set. I believe the anchors go about 10 feet down into the “alluvial mass.” Boats are then brought out and tied off, two anchors per boat. The tackle we used on Southern Comfort was as follows: Primary anchor: Fortress FX 37 aluminum Danforth with 150 feet of 3/8 BBB chain and 150 foot 3/4 nylon, set NNE. Secondary anchor: Luke 66-pound storm anchor with 150 feet of 3/8 BBB chain and 100 feet nylon, set WNW. Having stripped off the mainsail and boom, roller headsail, bimini top and other odds and ends, it was time to move her to anchor. We had selected a nice spot right in the middle of the creek, plenty of swinging room. I felt very comfortable in our “staying put,” and as long
NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
as no one dragged anchor down on us, we would be okay. Everybody in the town seemed to pitch in to prepare. One group was stripping down decks while another group ferried boats and another set anchors. Very organized confusion. Four days to ready and anchor forty boats. The night before the storm, Sharon and I had the pleasure of “Bath Harbor hospitality” and took advantage of the offer of sleeping in a spare room in the marina owner’s home. There was an exhausted but excited feeling in the air. Time to sit back and wait. All night long the wind picked up out of the northeast, and by daylight it was a steady 30-35 mph. All preparations made to the boats would have to do. We had run out of time. The creek now had about 50 sailboats of all shapes and sizes, riding quickly at anchor into the winds. Wind waves in the creek were starting to build as the wind gusts came in higher and higher. By 11 a.m. we had our first major wind gusts, estimate 70 plus. About 15 people, Paul, his wife Debbie and their kids, other boat owners and locals gathered in the lee of Paul’s house to drink, eat, socialize, support and watch. Winds built and built along with waves. Each quick look finding its own boat. Spray and waves breaking over the bows. Around 1400 hours the eye came over, and for about 45 minutes the winds abated down to fluky breezes. Seven-foot storm surge rushed in at 9-10 knots, sending full keel boats one way while the fin keels scurried another. The back side of the eye came in hard, and the wind instantly built WSW, up to 55-60 mph. It got dark early, and the wind howled all night. Semi-drunk boat owners milled nervously about outside or in the house. The wind cranked about 30-40 mph all night. The morning came bright, sunny and early. Winds down to about 15-20 mph and we could see Southern Comfort riding peacefully on her big anchors. This one taught us a lot. We had came through unscathed, and we owe that to much forethought and being in the company of good, knowledgeable people. Synopsis 1. Start preparing early. Think “where could we go if a major storm were only days away?” 2. Keep an eye on the weather – there are many new, good forecasting tools available through the Internet on NOAA Web See HURRICANE continued on page 61
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CUBA
Tourists or Terrorists? Entering Cuba by Sailboat — Cruising In Cuba Can Be Confusing By David Allester
C
uba has a long history of turmoil and trouble brought by boaters arriving on its shores from abroad. From Christopher Columbus’ Cuban landfall on October 27, 1492, which heralded a wholesale massacre of the native population within a few short years, to the failed Bay Of Pigs invasion of April 17, 1961, visitors on boats have been bad news. No one knows this better than Fidel Castro himself. On December 2, 1956, he and Che Guevera and 81 others landed at Playa Las Coloradas aboard the 60foot motor yacht Granma to start the Cuban revolution. Three years later they marched triumphantly into Havana. Granma was formerly owned by an American. If they could arrive on a foreigner’s yacht and take over the country, why couldn’t my wife, Eileen Quinn, and I do Cayo Caiman Grande: a sign giving mixed messages, a boat with a big fish, and an anxious guard (at the top the same on Little Gidding, our of the stairs). 36-foot Canadian-registered sailboat? If arriving by boat, however, you immediately become imWe’ve visited Cuba twice by air and twice by boat. Our mersed in a sea of red tape-tape that will hinder your movemeans of arrival have made a world of difference in how we’ve ments for the rest of your stay. been treated by Cuban officialdom. Visitors to Cuba who arThe first time we checked into Cuba by boat was four years rive by air and travel by land have free access to just about anyago in Santiago de Cuba on the south coast. That ordeal inwhere in the country. In a rental car, your only impediments volved 14 separate officials and two dogs, one sniffing for drugs are likely to be the poorly signed roads and overly optimistic and the other trained to detect explosives. We got off easy. The maps. (Don’t assume all those nice red lines are passable roads.) retired Canadian couple who arrived the day after us were greeted by all the same officials and dogs PLUS three scuba divers who checked out their hull bottom. More recently we cleared in at Puerto Vita on the north coast and were pleasantly surprised that we had to deal with only six officials and one dog. It was all over in an hour. The doctor from the Health Department came aboard first, giving Eileen a bunch of bright red flowers that the marina’s PR lady had handed him on the dock. He determined we weren’t stricken by the plague and told us we could lower our yellow quarantine flag. Following close behind, the harbor master issued us our international clearance papers and charged us ten dollars. For five bucks the official from the agriculture department squeezed our one remaining potato and gave us his okay. The veterinarian approved the meat in our freezer and took another five dollars. For $15 each we received visas, good for 22
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CUBA three months, from the immigration officer. The customs officer gave us an inspection notice and relieved us of another $20. He returned with Mich, a frisky cocker spaniel who bounded all over our berth, counters, and settees. His handler apologized profusely for his poor manners, but we figured he was just doing his job. Mich didn’t charge for his services. But it’s not over after your initial clearance into the country; you must still check in with the officials every time you enter a new port and check out with them whenever you leave for another port. (The good news is that you’re not assessed any more fees until your final clearance out of the country.) At a minimum, this means dealing with the Guarda Frontera (coast guard), but often also involves some of the other departments. On our most recent trip to Cuba, the agricultural representatives checked our refrigerator and freezer every time we cleared into a new place, despite the fact we hadn’t left Cuban waters since the last inspection. Perhaps they feared we were breeding a particularly virulent strain of botulism. After the umpteenth time someone poked at our frozen hamburger, Eileen exclaimed in exasperation, “You guys have to decide whether we’re tourists or terrorists!” Fortunately, the official in question chose not to understand Eileen’s fractured Spanish, smiled nicely, and said, “Thank you.” If you’re not in a big hurry and have a sense of humor, the clearing in and out procedures aren’t really that onerous. All the officials we’ve met have been unarmed and very polite. They always remove their shoes before boarding the boat, and no one has expected special compensation (unlike
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some of the officials we’ve encountered in other Latin American countries). Once we gave a search dog a bowl of water because it was very hot, and he was panting pathetically and staring up at us with big, woeful eyes, but in all fairness he hadn’t actually ASKED for refreshment. His handler sheepishly declined a drink. The bigger problem is a restriction on where you can go ashore, even after filling out a mountain of paperwork. It’s okay to visit uninhabited islands, which are arguably the best cruising destinations. But if you want When cruising Cuba, be prepared for lots of visits from to go ashore at a place where you can friendly Guarda Frontera. get provisions or experience some local culture, you might be out of luck. The Cuban government would really like you to visit only those ports that have official marinas. They want your greenbacks; and, equally important, they want to keep an eye on you and restrict any visits by Cubans to your boat. Since there are only ten marinas dotted along the island’s 3500 miles of coastline, most ports are off-limits. Occasionally, the local Guarda are flexible and will let you land. It really seems to come down to the whims of whoever is in charge. It’s easier for an official to say “no” than to give his assent and then have to worry about whether or not you might whisk off a Cuban or two when you leave. On our latest trip to Cuba we stopped in at Cayo Caiman Grande with the intention of checking out the small island’s red and white candystriped lighthouse. Our friends Karen and Alan had visited the island two years ago on their catamaran. On the chart they had lent us, Alan had scrawled in pencil “friendly lighthouse keepers.” Our cruising guide Bob, Viv, El Capitan, and Eileen at the top of promised that you can “ascend the the lighthouse. lighthouse to get a wonderful view over the surrounding cays.” We arrived in the early afternoon and dropped the hook in front of a set of concrete stairs rising up from the rocky shore. The only possible wrinkle seemed to be the big Guarda observation post, complete with radar tower and artillery guns, located between us and the lighthouse. The large sign at the top of the stairs gave a mixed message: Bienvenidos Al Port Caiman – Socialism O Muerte (Welcome to Port Caiman – Socialism Or Death). Eileen tried calling the Guarda on the VHF radio. I advised her, “Given the choice, tell them we’ll take socialism,” but didn’t get a response. I started lowering the inflatable dinghy, and as soon as it touched the water, the radio crackled alive. In the ensuing discussion, the polite official told Eileen we were more than welcome to www.southwindssailing.com
Our optimistic cruising friends Viv and Bob led the way through the mangroves to the fabled lighthouse.
stay anchored where we were, but we could not go ashore. She asked if we could anchor at another cay (uninhabited) a couple of miles to the east and go ashore there. “No problema,” he said. While this intercourse was taking place, a local fishing boat pulled into the bay, stopped in front of us, and started to haul in a giant fish. As we weighed anchor, I told Eileen to slide up closer to the other boat so I could take a photo of the fish coming over the transom. “I’m not convinced that’s a good idea,” she said. Sure enough, as I started snapping away at the fishing boat, which, unfortunately, was directly in line with the Guarda station, a bunch of uniformed men raced down the stairs. “Hard to starboard,” I cried from the bow, “we’re outta here!” I waved nervously at the guards on shore. No one shot us and we ended up spending a pleasant day at the neighbouring cay. We went for a stroll on the deserted beach, and I later speared two lobsters for dinner. Still, it would have been nice to have seen the view from the lighthouse. A few days later, we caught up with our Montreal friends, Bob and Viviane on the ketch Varuna 1. They were anchored at Cayo Bahia de Cadiz, a spot we had intended to skip. “You have to see this place,” Bob told us on the radio. “There’s an incredible lighthouse we want to check out.” “Don’t count on it,” I responded. But Bob went on about the lobster-laden reefs and the bird-filled mangrove channels, and we decided we’d humor him and stop by anyway. We anchored a short distance from Varuna 1 and followed Bob and Viv in their dinghy through the twisting mangrove canal toward the black and white lighthouse. The canal terminated at a concrete dock. Smack dab in front of us was another Guarda station. An officer was at the dock before we finished tying up the dinghies. I whispered to Eileen, “There’s no point getting out of the dink; this is as far as we’re going.” The guard smiled, welcomed us to the island, and asked if we wanted to see the lighthouse. Eileen and I were too stunned to reply. Bob said enthusiastically, Si, por favor! NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
It turned out our host was the captain of the Guarda unit on the island. He gave us a personal tour of the lighthouse, accompanying us up all 199 steps to the tower ’s observation deck. He explained it’s the second highest lighthouse in Cuba and had been constructed in 1862. The unique thing about the structure is that it’s built of massive steel panels, hand-bolted toThe last time we cleared in, canine gether. The view from the officer Mich gave our settee cushions top was incredible. El a close inspection. Capitan encouraged us to take lots of photos. When we left, El Capitan wished us good luck and invited us to return some day. Back at the anchorage, Bob said smugly, “Didn’t I tell you it was worth coming here to see the lighthouse?” Eileen shook her head. “A few days ago we were terrorists; today we’re tourists. I can’t figure it out, but I’d rather be a tourist any day.” David Allester and Eileen Quinn live in Canada and cruise their sailboat in the winter in the waters of Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba and other areas. Eileen Quinn is a well-known singer-songwriter who sings about the sailing life.
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Regional Sailing Services Directory Sailing Services Directory starts as low as $96 a year. Call (941) 795-8704 or e-mail editor@southwindssailing.com See page 52 for West Florida Directory APPLIANCE REPAIR
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Oriental’s School of Sailing N. Carolina US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification Oriental, NC. (252) 249-0960 www.sailingschooloriental.com
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Windward Sailling School NE Florida ASA Instructor of the year 2002-2003 Certifications from basic sailing through Bareboat Chartering, Keelboat, etc. www.windwardsailing.com Fernandina Beach, FL ........... (904) 261-9125
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RIGGING SERVICES Beach St.Canvas/Rigging East Florida Canvas & Rigging Services, Upholstery Daytona Beach, Florida. (386) 253-6355 Rick Zern Florida’s Panhandle Rigging Services Gulf Breeze, FL rick@zernrigging.com .......... (850) 261-4219
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SAILMAKING, REPAIRING AND CLEANING CALVERT SAILS UPPER FLORIDA KEYS Multihull and Monohull sails, racing/cruising 250 Industrial Drive, Islamorada (305) 664-8056 ........... www.calvertsails.com DOYLE PLOCH SAILS (800)717-1406 New Sails, Service & Repairs - since 1978 3000 Gandy Blvd. - St. Petersburg GESLIN SAILMAKERS KEY WEST 201 William St. (305) 294-5854 ......... southwindssailing.com North Sails South Carolina Complete Sailmaking Services North Charleston, SC ........... (843) 744-7245 SUNRISE SAILS PLUS WEST FLORIDA Complete Yacht Outfitting Service Sails – New, Repair, Cleaning Complete rigging service, masts, cushions, canvas & more (941) 721-4471 sunrisesailsplus@msn.com
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Advertise your sailing services in our new Directory. Contact: Steve Morrell editor@southwindssailing.com (941) 795-8704 See the sample ads in the directory above for prices. See page 55 for cost of 2" boxed-in ads and larger (display classfieds) 26
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BOAT REVIEW
LOA 26’3" LWL 23’3" Beam 8’11.5" Draft 1’9" - 6’0" Sail Area 320 sq. ft. Towing Weight 3870 lbs.
The Hunter Marine H260: A Great Trailerable Sailboat That is Fast & Easy to Rig By Jim Motley If, as we all know, every sailboat is a compromise, then trailer sailboats must qualify as the ultimate compromise in sailing. Our ideal 26-foot boat would have a five-foot draft with a 2000pound keel. So, how do you launch and trailer such a boat on a regular basis? The fact is you do not, so this is where compromises begin for the design of a trailer sailboat. Hunter Marine has produced over 1000 H260 boats over the last ten years. Refining the design through customer feedback and production staff suggestions has resulted in a very well-thought-out vessel. Our test was aboard hull number 151 (originally 1151, but Hunter elected to drop the thousand reference), a fully loaded 2004 boat owned by Dennis Tillery of Montgomery, AL. Tillery needed a boat he could keep at his lake house but could also trailer several times a year to the Gulf Coast for overnight and long weekend excursions. To trailer and set up a boat of this size can be a daunting task for many who own trailer sailboats. Not so with the H260. The water ballast design allows you to empty 2000 pounds of water onto the ramp when the boat is retrieved, making the trailer weight about 3900 pounds, and with the well-designed Magic Tilt trailer, any standard V-8 truck or SUV can tow this rig without problems. Another task usually difficult for most who own trailer sailboats is standing the mast. Hunter’s system to stand the mast includes the use of a gin pole, jib halyard, mainsheet, and two mast struts that keep the mast from going side to side during the raising process. Although one person can easily raise the mast, it is helpful to have another person holding onto the heavy furling drum and watching to be sure none of the rigging gets caught up on anything. In our test, the boat was in the water and ready to sail in less than an hour. So we were amazed when we looked around the boatyard and saw the struggles of other boat owners doing the same. The interior of the boat is a large and well-designed 26foot hull containing an enclosed head area with sink, wet hanging locker and portable head. (A full marine head is optional.) NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
The galley has a sink, butane stove, cooler and even dishes! There are two sleeping areas with two hatches and two opening ports for ventilation, along with storage under the seats and full lighting in the cabin. Access to the water ballast fill is excellent with the vent and twist opening under the companionway step; however, battery access is more difficult since it is located at the rear of the aft bunk. On deck, Hunter includes the same type of construction and quality hardware found on larger boats. For example, all See BOAT REVIEW continued on page 53
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To Anchor or Not to Anchor — that is the Question:
Re-visiting the Anchoring Issue By Capt. J. Michael Shea, JD
M
y anchorage article (“Who Owns the Anchorage,” November 2003) has generated a great deal of interest, and I think it deserves a little more discussion. I want to thank those who took the time to write, especially JoAn Day (see Letters, SOUTHWINDS, March 2004 - also available on SOUTHWINDS’ Web site, www.southwindssailing.com ). She has researched law on navigable waterways, but has not defined “anchorage, or the right to anchor.” I am going to try to explain this area of maritime law once again and at the end of the article cite some law as JoAn Day suggested. The problem is understanding the difference between “the right to anchor incidental to navigational versus the right to anchor long term (24 or more hours).” Let’s start by looking at this area of the law as a comparison of land law to water law. I will ask you to imagine you own a piece of ranch land in the middle of your state. If an airplane was to fly over it, the plane has the right to do so and you, the landowner, have no right to stop the pilot from using that air column. The air is free and any pilot may fly over any landowner’s property. Now let’s think about a waterfront piece of property, one with riparian right to the bottomland out in front of this waterfront property. Well, it is the same as the example above. The boater has the same kind of rights to use the water column as the airplane pilot does to use the air column. We call this right to use the water column a navigable waterway. Back on our ranch we have installed an airfield. Can we control who uses the airfield? Of course, it is ours and we have a right to say who is permitted to land on it. This is because we own the land, not the air. Well, the same is true as to the water. If we own or have riparian right to property, we own or have a right to control who uses the bottomland, (but not the water column). JoAn Day quotes Captain R. D. Peterson, chief of Aids to 28
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Navigation and Waterways Management of the Seventh USCG. I agree with everything that she quotes the captain as saying. But he is not saying that the right to anchor is the same as the right to navigate the waters of the United States. First, he says you can anchor anywhere in navigable waters “where the act of anchoring is not specifically prohibited by federal regulation.” This seems to be saying, “You can anchor anywhere that is not federally prohibited.” But we must not read the statement out of context. The captain goes on to say, “The Mariner is entitled to use an anchor at no fee and to stay in the anchorage an indefinite period.” Yes, that is true for a federal anchorage, one set up and shown on the charts. The Captain goes on to say, “These federal anchorages preempt any state or local statutes or regulations, which may conflict with them. “ Well, guess what, folks, that is also true as it implies states and local governments may control anchorages, unless the federal (USCG) preempts them, as the captain points out. JoAn Day goes on to quote the captain as saying “The owner of lands under navigable waters, including states, cannot infringe on the right to navigate, including the incidental right to anchor.” As pointed out in a previous article by another reader, Florida has a statute that prohibits local governments from passing laws that prohibit anchoring while in navigation. The key in both cases is “incidental” and “while in navigation.” This is in fact the law if it is a temporary short-time anchoring. It is most likely all right. But a further look at the good captain’s statement as JoAn Day presented it says, “Although the state can, assuming compliance with applicable federal and state permit requirements (usually environmental), establish a mooring field or individual moorings, including the collection of reasonable fees for their use ... the state may not normally, however, require vessels to use those moorings and not anchor elsewhere.” Well, this means the states and local governments can set up anchorages but cannot require boaters to use them. You can still anchor if it is incidental to navigation. I would argue that the overnight passing-through anchoring, is incidental to navigation. This does not say that you have a right to anchor your boat if it is not incidental to navigation. I suggest a local
NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
government has the right to regulate once the vessel is not in navigation. This is why they all say, “No anchoring” after a stated time, usually 24 hours. It is hard to argue a vessel is still in navigation after it has stopped for 24 hours. In JoAn Day’s last quote of Capt. Peterson, he says, “Regardless who has title to submerged lands beneath the navigable waters of the United States, such title is subject to a superior navigational servitude on the part of the United States. Appurtenant to such servitude is the right to perform all necessary incidents of navigation including reasonable anchorage; …the City has no jurisdiction to prohibit or control anchoring in navigable water of the United States.” Again, the Captain is saying a local government may not restrict the anchoring of a vessel if “it is incidental to navigation.” I have not seen any ordinances of local governments that do not meet this standard, but they still may regulate the anchorage of a vessel after a stated period of time. (As an exception see the case cited at the end of this article regarding Hawaii.) Recently, the Coast Guard had a case where a landowner of submerged land placed pilings on the corners of his submerged land and strung line between the pilings to prevent boaters from crossing his submerged lands. He was required to remove the pilings and the line as he was attempting to restrict a navigable waterway (the water column). So where are we, after all of these articles and long letters? This maritime lawyer believes a boater has the right to use the “navigable waterways” of the United States, including “incidental anchoring,” if the anchoring is not for an extended period of time (usually 24 hours). States and local governments (bottomland owners) on the other hand have the right to regulate anchoring once the vessel has stopped navigating (usually 24 hours in one location). For those of you who want to continue to read more on this interesting subject, see, William Cushing and the owners of the Brig James Gray vs. Owners of the John Fraser and the Steamer GenSee ANCHOR continued on page 61
SOUTHWINDS
August 2004
29
BOATEK
By Stephen Sommer
SOLUTIONS TO ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, AIR-CONDITIONING, REFRIGERATION AND OTHER YACHT SYSTEMS
Another Underachieving Alternator Stephen: Re your article, “How slow is too slow for your diesel?” You discussed the load placed on the engine and hp required for each 25 amps of charge. My concern is that, although my alternator is rated at 115 amps, I realize that it never reaches that level. I’ve never seen it delivering more than 45 amps to the batteries. (I have an ammeter in the charging circuit so that I can see at any time the exact amperage being produced by the alternator.) The engine is a 27 hp Yanmar, and the alternator is the “D type” with the regulator between the field and ground, making an installation of a manual controller or high-tech regulator impossible (or at least very difficult). My house bank capacity is 220 ah. My question is this: How might I add either a manual control or an efficient regulator to permit full charging of the batteries? With the present internal regulator, it’s almost impossible to get the batteries back to full charge without lots of motoring. Thanks. Sandy Sandy, Your story is one that I’ve heard over and over again. Almost nobody gets the rated output from the alternator. The only ones that give you full rated output are the high-dollar brand name alternators, which have already had their ratings reduced by the builder or marinizer. If you were getting 75 or 80 percent of the rating, I’d say just be happy with it and mark it up to “specsmanship.” You’re only getting 30 percent of the rated output so you probably have a problem that can be fixed. The first thing that you should do is fault isolate the problem. Measure the output right at the alternator. Here are the test parameters: 1. Output current = 115 amps, (settle for 100 amps) 2. Winding temperature = room temperature (measure quickly) 3. Output voltage less than 13.5 volts, due to applied loads, 4. Output voltage must be measured at the output studs, 5. The shaft is being turned fast. How fast is fast? I don’t know the figure for your alternator, but if your 27 hp Yanmar has a small pulley of less than 5 inches in diameter, you should try the test at 2000 to 2500 rpm. The belt has to be tight to transfer this much horsepower. You have to measure the output voltage right on the output terminals, because that is the voltage that the internal regulator is controlling. This means the ground, too! Put your meter leads right on the case or ground stud and the output stud. Don’t even use the crimp terminals on those studs for the test points. At these high currents, slightly poor connections can make a big difference. If you are wondering whether the engine speed is high enough, vary the speed and see if the current varies. If it’s turn-
ing fast enough, further increases in rpm won’t change the output appreciably. My favorite way of measuring the output current is by clamping a clamp-on, DC ammeter onto the output wire. If you have a current meter on the boat that you trust, just make sure that you add the estimated house loads to the figure to give the alternator credit for what it’s producing. Most of the time, this test shows that the alternator is putting out 14 or more volts, and the current is less than the rating. This means that the alternator is probably okay. It takes good connections, short wires, very heavy gage wires and a discharged large battery to hold the output voltage down, while the alternator is trying to put out 14+ volts. This is especially true when you are using an internal regulator without remote voltage sense. If you are using remote voltage sense, then you still are susceptible to losses on the ground side of the circuit. If your voltage is up and the current is down, check: 1. Your battery voltage. Batteries need to be discharged at least 25 percent of their capacity for this test. That should keep the voltage under 13.5 volts at least for a few minutes. If the batteries are discharged and the voltage jumps up to over 13.5 volts before you can complete the test, your batteries do not have enough “acceptance” and are probably too small or too old. Your 220 amphour batteries may be too small for 115 amps of charging unless they are AGM batteries, in good condition. 2. If you have an old-fashioned battery isolator, you have to get rid of it or get remote voltage sense for your alternator regulator. Use a “combiner” for isolating starting and house batteries instead. 3. Your ammeter may be the problem. If it’s the type where two heavy wires run to it from the engine compartment, you have to get rid of it and use a battery monitor with a remote shunt. There’s no practical way to run these high currents that far. 4. Double-check the grounds. Don’t trust engine blocks to carry the current. The cast iron isn’t too bad, but the connections are a problem. Run a heavy ground wire from your alternator ground to the battery or battery bus bar. 5. Get a digital voltmeter that can read milli-volts and find the voltage loss, by inching along the positive and negative high current paths counting the milli-volts lost along the way. You only have about a 500 milli-volt budget for losses. If your voltage is under 14 volts and the current is far unSee BOATEK continued on page 61
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August 2004
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SOUTHEAST COAST SAILING Carolinas & Georgia Racing News & Calendar News for Sailors
Upcoming Events
WATER TEMPERATURE Cape Hatteras, NC - 80° Savannah, GA - 85° AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Cape Hatteras, NC 73° lo - 84° hi Savannah, GA 71° lo - 90° hi For Real Time Southeast Coast Weather go to: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/ Southeast.shtml
September Sept. 4: Cape Fear Open Regatta. Cape Fear Yacht Club, NC.. www.cfycnc.com Sept. 5: Ancient Mariners Regatta. Wrightsville Beach, NC, Carolina Yacht Club. www.carolinayachtclub.org Sept. 4-5: Labor Day Regatta. Lake Norman Yacht Club, NC. www.lakenormanyachtclub.com
August 2004
SOUTHWINDS
SOUTH CAROLINA
Southeast Coast August Weather
August Aug. 1: The Blockade Runner Beach Resort finishes up a weekend of racing off Wrightsville Beach, NC, with their annual Solo Race. www.wbora.org Aug. 6-8: SAYRA Regatta, CYC. www.carolinayachtclub.org Aug. 7: Southport (NC) Sailing Club hosts their traditional Wooden Boat Shop Scramble. Not a race for wooden boats, but rather, sponsored by the Wooden Boat Shop, this fun-filled event in its eighth year always provides at least a few good laughs. www.southportsailing.com Aug. 7: Race/Sail overnight from Oriental (NC) to Bath (NC) under a moonlit sky; then enjoy awards and brunch at the Bath Harbor Marina in the Pamlico Sailing Club Moonlight and Mimosas Regatta. www.sailingsource.com/psc/ Aug. 7-8: One Design Regatta at the Lake Lanier (GA) Sailing Club. www.llsc.com Aug. 13-15: Spar Wars Regatta at Hilton Head Island, SC. www.scyachtclub.com Aug. 21: Tired of trying to find enough crew to go racing? Enjoy the Pamlico Sailing Club Solo Race. www.sailingsource.com/psc/ Aug. 21-22: Wrightsville Beach (NC) is the scene for the 8th Annual Wahines Surfing Championship. www.eastcoastwahines.com
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GEORGIA
Wilmington
Charleston
Beaufort
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Savannah SOUTHEAST COAST
August Prevailing Winds See page 54 for Windrose legend
Sept. 4-5: Pickering Cup. Lake Lanier Sailing Club, GA. www.llsc.org Sept. 6: Labor Day Cup. Wrightsville Beach, NC, Carolina Yacht Club. www.carolinayachtclub.org Sept. 18: James Match Races. Wrightsville Beach, NC, Carolina Yacht Club. www.carolinayachtclub.org Sept. 18: Snipe Battle of Atlanta/C15 Hunters Cup Fleet. Lake Lanier Sailing Club, GA. www.llsc.org Sept. 25-26: Leukemia Cup. Charleston, SC. Charleston Ocean Racing Assoc. www.charlestonoceanracing.org Sept. 25-26: Board Bash - Junior. Opti, Sunfish, Laser. Lake Norman Yacht Club, NC. www.lakenormanyachtclub.com Sept. 25-26: AUX PHRF Champs/C22 Gone With The Wind Regatta. Lake Lanier Sailing Club, GA. www.llsc.org
Race Report By Rona Garm
S
tarting out with a racing clinic by North American Lightning Champion Greg Fisher, the Southeast Lightning District Regatta in Wrightsville Beach, NC, got off to a great start the first weekend in June. Fisher met with the sailors on Friday and discussed the proper way to set up their boats for specific conditions, then hit the water, trailing the fleet with video camera running. Then, in the evening, Fisher used the video to point out the rights and wrongs and what could’ve been improvements of each individual boat’s performance during different portions of the practice races. All this certainly paid off for newcomer Ryan Ruhlman, who finished 2,1,2,2,1,1 to take a resounding first against the best of the region. Of course, this Charleston, SC, sailor also has the good fortune to be the “prodigy” of Charleston Lightning guru Lenny Krawcheck. Former champion Jim Harris of Wilmington, NC, finished only two points behind Ruhlman while Pierce Barden (Wilmington, NC) finished third just three points behind Harris. Wind shifts all weekend plagued the race committee, leading to one abandonment on Saturday and a shortened course on Sunday. Sailors felt it was a great two days of racing, largely in part due to the efforts of race committee members Paul Rhinehart (PRO), Doug Donaldson, Billy Mebane, Rob McEachern, and Carol Waldkirch. With slightly lower participation than usual, the first weekend in June also found the Lake Norman (NC) Yacht Club hosting its Hospice Cup Regatta. Good competition was found in the Spinnaker A and B Fleets where the first four boats were separated by only one point. Winners were Pearl of Great Price (Spin A), Huntin Tripp (Spin B), Airborn (Non Spin), Dommel www.southwindssailing.com
SOUTHEAST COAST SAILING (San Juan) and Shaw (Misc). The Southport (NC) Sailing Club went cruising to Swansboro, Beaufort, and New Bern early in June as well, while members of the Cape Fear Yacht Club (Southport, NC) went on a “Slow Boat” cruise to Ocracoke. The Annual South Carolina Governor’s Cup Regatta was hosted by the Long Bay Sailing Association (Myrtle Beach, SC). Although the Governors no longer race against each other, the competition between North and South Carolina boats remains strong. In racing, South Carolina’s Winds of Freedom took first over North Carolina’s 10acious, and two South Carolina boats, Anago and Diamond Girl, took the top two Cruising slots. Mid-month saw the Charleston Maritime Festival getting off to a drizzly start that still saw over 2,000 visitors on the first day with an estimated 20,000 braving the heat and humidy for the weekend event. Visitors were treated to tours of three tall ships; Unicorn and the Pride of Baltimore joined the US Coast Guard’s barque, Eagle. In addition, music, food and demonstrations celebrating Charleston’s maritime heritage were in abundance. Not to be outdone, the Wrightsville Beach (NC) Ocean Racing Association (WBORA) held a fun race and its traditional Exotic Drink Raft-Up. With twice as many participants in the raft-up as the race, you can well imagine the stories that are still circulating. Although there were many contenders, the competition came down to Guy Staat and the crew of the Ranger 22, Evolution, with their “Whole Milk with Umbrella” and Jeff Fisher and Jane Baldridge’s Islena crew entering the “NeonVoodoo Rifle.” With no clear winner in the taste-testing, the Islena contingent won the day by continuing the party well into the next day and thereby “winning” the Exotic Drink Raft-Up. Southport (NC) Sailing Club held their Third Annual Pelican Island Clam Bake on a perfect weekend in mid-June. The sun was hot, water cool and food (thanks to Clem’s Seafood and the SSC volunteer team “Bravo”) was fantastic. The month wrapped up with several events including the Southeast Lightning District Low Country Regatta hosted by the Beaufort (SC) Yacht Club. Even with only half-a-dozen boats on the line, competition was still tight with Terry Tyner taking first over Bob Harkrider. On June 28, Wilmington’s second Nautical Festival wrapped up with thousands of people lining the streets. Organizers and business owners considered the event a great success while visitors enjoyed wandering the downtown and touring the various vessels on display.
Windmill Nationals. Photo by Dave Ellis.
After sailing single-handed for many years in such disparate craft as Laser, International Canoe and Formula 16 catamarans, I had no crew. So I phoned 19-year-old nephew Daniel Parnell from the hills of Georgia. “How would you like to sail with me?” He had never raced before. Actually he’d only been on sailboats three times, all big boats for a ride. But he was 120 pounds, very strong and a quick study. After all, I’m a sailing instructor, right? Friday dawned windy with the usual Charleston Harbor strong current. Our boat-handling was, ahem, lacking, so I opted for an RC-end start slightly late and a clearing tack. It was interesting conveying to crew Daniel what was going on, what was about to happen, and what he was supposed See SOUTHEAST COAST continued on page 60
Windmill Nationals, James Island Yacht Club, Charleston, SC, June 25-27 Racing Redux The invitation came by e-mail. Would I consider racing in the 2004 Windmill Class National Championship as a “Former Great?” By Dave Ellis
“F
ormer great?’ Well, it had been a while. I had won their Nationals as crew in 1957 and ’59. The last title as skipper was in 1985. But from that year I got into the sailing business and seldom raced. Perhaps it was time to get back to the sailing roots. It was a good opportunity to embarrass myself at age 60. I managed to find two 1970s-vintage boats that required some work. Two weeks of after-hours labor and fiddling resulted in a semi-competitive mount. NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
SOUTHWINDS
August 2004
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EASTERN FLORIDA COAST
Jacksonville
Daytona
Racing News & Calendar News for Sailors
August Sailing By Roy Laughlin August is nearly the nadir of regatta season in central Florida. Rainy weather provides fewer certain opportunities to plan an event. Retirees are in cooler climes. Younger sailors are preparing for school for themselves or their children. It is just too hot to work around a race course. Sailors with an unquenchable thirst for racing have gone either to the Bahamas for Race Week in Abaco (in July) or to points north where the regatta season is in the summer. August and September are great months for cruising, though. So many anchorages are vacant or nearly so. Especially during the week, Sebastian Inlet, Stuart and Mosquito Lagoon are scenes of tranquility and isolation. Cruisers have only to contend with biting bugs and an occasional stray lightning bolt. A can of bug spray takes care of the bugs. Surviving lightning is best left to chance, with a few reasonable precautions to increase the odds of a successful return. The best cruises this time of year last less than a week. Long enough for a change of scenery, but short enough to keep the onerous effects of heat and humidity from overwhelming the experience. In August, the Bermuda high will eventually dominate the wind flow over Florida. It blows storms inland, often providing breezes well into the evening. June and July’s southerly air flows give way to easterlies, the same winds that may bring tropical weather systems, from waves to hurricanes, from the Sahara to Florida (often with little love lost in transit). These make for easy cruising down the ICW, especially the Indian River. What rains may come bring welcome relief from the heat of the day and last just long enough to give a comfortable nap. Cruising this time of year is easy and rewarding. Lobster season opens in August. If the tropics remain stormfree, near-shore waters will remain calm and clear. Nothing beats a day of cruising on the reefs off Vero Beach or Fort Pierce, with a stop on the return for a dive on a 30-foot reef and the luck of finding a few bugs for dinner. Pity those sailors with shore duty. Night cruising is one of late summer’s special experiences. An 80-degree evening temperature is typical, warm for sure, but nothing like the heat of the middle of the day. Sailing through “phosphorus,” the cold green light of bioluminescent plank-
4
Eastern Florida August Weather WATER TEMPERATURE Daytona Beach - 81° Jacksonville Beach - 83° GULFSTREAM CURRENT 3.2 knots AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Daytona Beach 73° lo - 90° hi Jacksonville Beach 74° lo - 88° hi For Real Time East Florida Coast Weather go to: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/ Florida.shtml
Melbourne
August Prevailing Winds See page 54 for Windrose legend
ton, remains amazing to me after 40 years of enjoying this nearly mystical experience. Summer downpours wash nutrients from the land into the lagoons along our coast. The single cell organisms grow on this excessive fertilization to form red or claycolored patches or streaks in the water during the day and cause glowing water at night. “Phosphorus” used to last less than a month, from the end of August to the middle of September, and then only so long as a hurricane the first part of September didn’t cool the water too much during its passage. Now that the lagoons are storm sewers for all the development within miles of their shores, the first rains bring in so much excess nutrients that the “phosphorus” season now begins in July and lasts well into October. Hulls streak though the water like spaceships. Larger critters, such as crabs, fish and shrimp, have a cold green silhouette that makes hiding in darkness impossible. When everything that moves glows, you may be surprised how much life is just below the keel of your boat. Summer night cruises are more than an escape from the heat; they’re a whole new sailing experience. Regattas may be over for August and September, but for these two months, cruising is a great change of pace with experiences to give years of memories.
Upcoming Events August July 31 - Aug 1: St. Augustine Summer Sizzler. Hobie Fleet 111. www.Fleet111.com Aug. 1: Fred Austin Junior Regatta. Rudder Club, Jacksonville. www.rudderclub.org Aug. 12: Burn It. Club Race. Rudder Club, Jacksonville. www.rudderclub.org Aug. 13: Rum Race. Club Race. Melbourne Yacht Club, www.sail-race.com/myc/rumracing.htm Aug, 20: Boca Raton Cruise. Corinthian Yacht Club, Stuart (planning meeting, Aug 4). www.stucoryc.com Aug. 27: Rum Race. Club Race. Melbourne Yacht Club, www.sail-race.com/myc/rumracing.htm Aug. 30-31: Fall Regatta. Cocoa Beach Yacht Club. www.sail-race.com/cbyc/ Kennedy Point Dinghy Racing. Titusville. Every Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. September Sept. 25-26 Mermaid Regatta. Melbourne Yacht Club. “Big boat” racing for women only. Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker, and Melges 24 classes. http://www.sail-race.com/myc/ mermaid.htm Chuck Delmater (321) 720-5377. chuck_delmater@bellsouth.net
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August 2004
SOUTHWINDS
www.southwindssailing.com
EAST FLORIDA SAILING
Race Report Daytona’s Gaulden Reed Summer Sizzler: A day of racing, then a day of rain.
handed a Nacra 5.2, souped up with a spinnaker, won second place. Alec and Patsy Shafer took third, racing a new Nacra F-18. In the open class, low Portsmouth rating, Charlie Johnson, Woody Cope and Rush Bird finished first through third, respectively. Johnson and Cope raced an A-class cat while Rush Bird raced a Nacra 5.5 Uni. This was another hotly-contested class By Roy Laughlin trophy. All three had at least one first and second place finish. Charlie Johnson clinched first place with two firstaytona Beach place finishes. offers beach cat In the open class, high Portsmouth rating, Rob sailors two things: A Rabideau dominated the scoring, with four bullets. Kenny great opportunity Noel was second and Jerry and Angela Shuett were third. for an off-the-beach Hobie 18s dominated this class. Even so, Rob managed, ocean regatta during most of the time, to cross the line first on his Prindle 15 the day, and some of with a brand-new sail. the best tourist night This is the third year in a row that Sunday rains have life in Florida after turned this two-day race into a single day of racing and a the race. The ocean second of partying at Treasure Island Resort, the sponsorracing is always ining hotel at Daytona Beach. The party is a close second to comparable. The sailing, and a whole lot better than dodging lightning on night life? You have Daytona’s Gaulden Reed Summer Sizzler. Photo by Roy the high seas. A summer regatta could have a whole lot to be the judge after Laughlin. worse fate. This is one event that sizzles even in the rain. your own experience. The sailing experience on July 10 - 11 was great on Saturday. The sea breeze started early and lasted until well after dark. The wind was, at its peak, only 10 knots, but consistent. It was relaxing summer racing without the excessive exertion that makes for a short evening on the town. The crowd at this race was mostly a central Florida bunch, oaters Exchange of Rockledge, FL, is pleased to announce with a notable contingent from St. Petersburg and Savannah, that the Berube family will be partnering with Kelly and GA. This is an open regatta, welcoming anyone on any type of Jerry Butz to operate the premier boating store and service cenbeach cat. But increasingly, just two classes dominate beach cat ter on the central east coast of Florida. “We are very excited regattas in Florida. The Hobie 16s still compose the largest one. See EASTERN FLORIDA continued on page 53 Amazing for a catamaran that receives only criticism from “experts” for its lack of go-fast features (but who cares when it is so easy to sail and affordable). There were about a dozen Hobie 16s sailing in the Daytona Summer Sizzler. Other classes included Spinnaker, Open-high Portsmouth and Open-low Portsmouth. They weren’t all representatives of dead boat societies. Alex and Patsy Shafer were racing for the first time on their new Nacra F-18, a boat many believe will replace the Inter 20 as the dominant racing beach cat. The first two races had winds around seven to eight knots Certainly enough to move catamarans around the course, but not enough for riding the (trapeze) wire or raising a cooling spray from the leeward hull. The wind increased a bit for the next two races, but seldom exceeded 10 knots. It was just an easy day on the course, one in which intelligent strategy and stray luck, rather than crew weight and strength, gave the advantage. The race committee held four races on Saturday because conditions were so good, and because during the past few years, Sunday’s races have been rained out. This occurred again in 2004. Exceptional sailing conditions on Saturday (and originally predicted for Sunday) gave way to a rainy Sunday afternoon that prevented finishing even a single race. At least sailors could skip the usual boat washdown at home. Chuck and Charlie Pickering finished first in the Hobie 16 class, followed by Michael Zable/Kaleigh Gage, Juli and Marc Dixon, Paul and Lauren Camp and Ron and Alex Nicol in second through fifth places, respectively. In the first three places, each team had at least one first and second place finish. Chuck and Charlie Pickering won the trophy only by having two bullets. In the Spinnaker class, Jennifer Lindsay and Kelly Gray won first place on a Taipan 18. Jennifer is the stealth sailor at many beach cat events-you’ll hardly notice she’s there until she steps up for her trophy. Frank Rodricks, a local talent who single-
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Business Briefs: New Partners Join Boaters Exchange in Rockledge
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NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
SOUTHWINDS
August 2004
35
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA SAILING
August Prevailing Winds See page 54 for Windrose legend
Racing News & Calendar News for Sailors
August Upcoming Events To have your sailing event, race, regatta, or club races listed, please contact editor@southwindssailing.com by the 10th of the month. Races listed should be open to anyone. August July 31-Aug. 1 - Miami/Ft Lauderdale. Host BBYC. The 37th running of the Lime Cup. Saturday portion of the race starts in Miami with an offshore finish in Fort Lauderdale. After an overnight rendezvous at the famous Pier 66, the second portion of the race starts Sunday in Fort Lauderdale returning to Miami. Aug. 14 - Miami. Host CGSC. Single-Handed Race. Sailors get to test their skills in single-handed sailing. Aug. 15 - Miami. Host CGSC. Double-Handed Race. Any boat, any size, with only two people aboard. A good challenge in sailing, and for the daring, spinnakers will fly! Aug. 21 - Miami. Conch Cup. Host MYC Annual Multihull race starting off Hobie beach in Biscayne Bay, proceeding around Key Biscayne and finishing at MYC. September Sept. 6 - Labor Day. Sept. 11-12 - Miami. Florida State Snipes Junior Championship. Host CGSC. The 47th annual two-day regatta for Snipes promises to bring the best Snipe racers from all around. Sept. 19 - Miami. Single-Handed Race. Host CRYC More single-handed racing for boats of all sizes. A test of skill and stamina. Sept. 26 - Miami. Host MYC. BBYRA #8 The start of the BBYRA Series #2 begins for the PHRF/Cruising division. New start time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Legend. - Yacht Clubs and Organizations CGSC - Coconut Grove Sailing Club CRYC - Coral Reef Yacht Club MYC - Miami Yacht Club BBYC - Biscayne Bay Yacht Club BBYRA - Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association
Race Report BBYRA #7 - Coral Reef Yacht Club, Miami, FL, June 19 By Art Perez
T
he final race of the BBYRA Series 1 ended on a sour note. Expectations were running high entering the final race of the Series in the PHRF 1 and 2 Fleets. Although Triptease in PHRF #1 had a stranglehold on the rest of the fleet, second and third positions were still up in the air. 36
August 2004
SOUTHWINDS
Southeast Florida August Weather WATER TEMPERATURES Maimi - 86° GULFSTREAM TEMPERATURES 3.2 knots AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Miami Beach 76° lo - 91° hi For Real Time East Florida Weather go to: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/ Florida.shtml
West Palm Beach
5
Fort Lauderdale Miami
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In the PHRF #2 fleet less than two points separated the top three boats from the coveted number one spot. Anticipation was running high up to the moment the RC decided on a one-race regatta around government marks, which took the wind right out of the competition for both fleets that favored the windward-leeward courses. The 15.8-mile course with its five-mile legs didn’t provide the close-quarter competition the fleet was accustomed to. Again, it was up to the PHRF #1 fleet to provide most of the entertainment. As the boats made their way to the starting line hustling for position, a lively interchange of opinions could be heard among the boats. Position was so fierce that two of the boats started over early and had to restart. After the first two legs, the fleet was still bunched up together, but as the race gradually wore on, the faster boats eventually pulled away, making way for a parade of boats sailing in single file. In PHRF #2 fleet, both the C & C 99s, Blackbird and Caraluna, left the other boats behind with their greater speed and longer waterline that helped them on the reaching legs. It should be pointed out that both boats were magnificently sailed and provided the rest of the fleet with a glimpse of a great sailing duel between the two boats. In the end Blackbird finished ahead of Caraluna by the smallest of margins. The rest of the boats in the fleet were just following in single file. The tightest race went to the J/24 class. The racing between the first and second place boats was ferocious, coming down to the wire with only two seconds separating both boats after nearly sixteen miles of racing. Not bad for the course. The award ceremony at CRYC was short and to the point, a sharp contrast from the afternoon race. After refreshments and the awards ceremony, everyone was ready for the summer break. With temperatures in the 90s and humidity starting to show its ugly face, the time off now seems like a good idea. Till September it is! Results: PHRF1; 1, Triptease/Rubin Shellow; 2 - Sazerac/Gordon Ettie, 3 - Mostly Harmless, Chris Woolsey: PHRF#2; 1 - Blackbird/Pat Cacace; 2 - Caraluna/Cai Svendson; 3, Mistral/Craig Setzer: PHRF#3; 1, Mild to Wild/Russ Horn: PHRF#4; 1 - St: Clair/Hall ; 2, Three Gimp/ Karen Mitchell; 3, Special Warfare/Stuart Sorg: ARC; 1, Free Bird/Ken Ellis; 2, Blew Ba You/ Kerry Gruson: J24; 1 - Fastac/Iker Belausteguigonia; 2, I’ll Go/Gonzolo Diaz, Sr; 3, Gotta Go/Pete Bensinger.
www.southwindssailing.com
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA SAILING
Karen Mitchell – Survivor/Sailor By Art Perez
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ast week, after an afternoon of racing, I was fortunate enough to meet up with Karen Mitchell at the yacht club. I knew of Karen, but I had never had the opportunity to get “up close and personal.” That afternoon I was able to speak with her and learn of her remarkable story about her personal struggles and how she has survived them. Karen Mitchell’s sailing resume rivals those of many top sailors. To her credit, Karen is a threetime winner of the Cuson/Milam Trophy for Most Outstanding Female Skipper 2003-04. She was awarded the Best Female Sailor award in Biscayne Bay 2002, the only woman to ever win the Mobility Cup. She was the two-time winner of SALM Midwinter Regatta, three-time winner of the CRAB Cup and the #1 Disabled Female Karen Mitchell (on the right), fourth overall winner in the two-person world championship Skipper in North America. Yes, Karen is an in- for disabled sailors in St. Petersburg in March. Gary Hufford photo. complete quadriplegic. Nobody would ever Tragedy struck once again in March 2001. She received a imagine it judging from her sailing credentials, but Karen is phone call from her oncologist, calling to inform her that her more than a top sailor; she is a role model and an inspiration cancer had returned. Since it was recurrent squamous cell carcito all of us. noma, there was nothing more that could be done. She was told, As a young woman she faced many obstacles in her life. From a diving accident at the age of 19, Karen sustained a See SOUTHEAST FLORIDA continued on page 53 spinal cord injury that left her in a wheel chair for life. Nineteen years later she faced squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder as a secondary complication of her spinal cord injury. Odds were against her as the cancer had already spread locally into her lymphatic system. After undergoing major surgery, she began an aggressive round of chemotherapy. Postsurgical complication aggravated her condition even further, sustained for six weeks on only TPN, IV feeding. Through these difficult times Karen refused to give up, crediting sailing as a powerful force supporting her in facing all of life’s fears and challenges. Karen began sailing in May 1994 after participating in a demo sail at Shake-A-Leg Miami. Shake-A-Leg founder, Harry Horgan, developed a protégée in Karen. His influence follows her today. She immediately fell in love with sailing and thus enrolled in their sailing class. The sailing bug bit her. Not long after she began dabbling in racing. Karen enjoyed the new challenges which racing presented-the aspect of competition, which incorporates physical, mental and emotional challenges. Learning how to make the boat go fast, driving in the groove, attempting to be on the start line on time and in the right place, along with many other strategies of racing, appealed greatly to Karen. And, most important, “legs” were not a mandate for winning. Karen has found sailing to be one of her main sources of inspiration to make it through the hard times. She said, “The water has definite therapeutic benefits. There are negative ions in the water that can be very soothing to the body and mind.” During her most difficult times, she continued sailing. She flew to Chicago to sail in the North American Challenge Cup in 1999-three months after her surgery and while on TPN without food or drink for five weeks and undergoing chemotherapy. Remarkably, she and her partner finished second in the regatta. It was just what Karen needed to keep her spirit fighting to survive.
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LOUSIANA
ALABAMA
MISSISSIPPI
TEXAS
Mobile
Gulfport New Orleans Pensacola
Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas Racing News & Calendar News for Sailors
FLORIDA
NORTHERN GULF
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Northern Gulf August Weather WATER TEMPERATURE - 84° AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Pensacola, FL 74° lo - 90° hi Gulfport, MS 74° lo - 91° hi
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August Prevailing Winds See page 54 for Windrose legend
For Northern Gulf Weather go to: www.csc.noaa.gov/coos/
AUGUST SAILING By Kim Kaminski
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he dog days of Summer are prevalent along the Gulf Coast during the month of August. Warm, temperate breezes, plenty of moist humid air and an abundance of sunshine will greet the boating enthusiast who may venture along the waterways of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Despite the balmy weather, there are still plenty of sailboat activities going on in the area. For instance, there is the Flying Scot One-design Ladies Championship known as the Bernard L. Knost Regatta at the Pass Christian Yacht Club in Pass Christian, MS. This race is one of the Gulf Yachting Association’s sanctioned Capdevielle events Another group of events can be found at the Gulfport Yacht Club when the J/22 August Invitational Championships or the Charles Galloway Sunfish and Laser Championships will be held. How about that fun event, the Big Mouth Regatta, sponsored by the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club where bragging rights are earned by the boat that sails to the Pensacola sea buoy and back with the fastest finish time? There is even a fun race sending sailors “round the rig,” where sailors journey out of Mobile Bay into the Gulf of Mexico, around the oil rig off the coast and back again, held by the Mobile Yacht Club. Or how about the single-handed race sponsored by Fairhope Yacht Club? You know you are in the midst of summer when there are Summer Splash races, Summer Swelter races and Summer 1, 2 and 3 races. Yes, sailing is very active along the Gulf Coast in the month of August for there is always something special to enjoy. Make plans to check out the racing calendar and see if there is anything on the schedule that might pique your interest during these dog days of Summer.
Other Events of Interest Aug. 9 - Sept. 30: Photography exhibit by Don Abrams. Don Abrams is an experienced sailor who likes to work with outdoor and natural subjects for his photographs. His articles and photographs have appeared in Sail magazine since 1989. Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, 115 1st St, Biloxi. (228) 435-6320. 38
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Aug. 14: Maritime & Seafood Industry Musuem $10,000 Drawdown. Delicious food, open bar, and many door prizes. Four people per ticket at $100.00. Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. (228) 435-6320.
Racing Calendar August Aug. 7-8: Knost Regatta. Pass Christian Yacht Club, Pass Christian, MS. Aug. 7: Commodore’s Cup Race #4. Navy Yacht Club of Pensacola, FL Aug. 7: J22 Angus Invitational. Gulfport Yacht Club, Gulfport, MS. Aug. 7: Summer 1. Corinthian Sailing Association, New Orleans, LA Aug. 14: Summer 2. Corinthian Sailing Association, New Orleans, LA Aug. 14 -15: Round the Rig. Mobile Yacht Club, Mobile, AL Aug. 14 -15: Charles Galloway Sunfish/Laser. Gulfport Yacht Club, Gulfport MS. Aug. 21: Big Mouth Regatta. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL Aug. 21: Summer Swelter. Pontchartrain Yacht Club, Mandeville, Louisianna Aug. 21: Summer Splash. Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile, AL Aug. 21: Single-Handed Race. Fairhope Yacht Club, Fairhope, AL Aug. 28: Lundquist Multihull Regatta. Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL Aug. 28: Summer 3. Corinthian Sailing Association, New Orleans, LA September Sept. 4- 6 : Sir Thomas Lipton Cup. Southern Yacht Club. New Orleans, LA Sept. 6: Pensacola Beach Pier Race. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, Pensacola Beach, FL www.southwindssailing.com
NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING Sept. 11: Commodore’s Cup Race #5. Navy Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL Sept. 11: Caring Cup. Fairhope Yacht Club. Fairhope, AL Sept. 11: Back to School Race. Pontchartrain Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Sept. 11: Great Lake Race. Corinthian Sailing Association, New Orleans, LA Sept. 18: Lost Bay Regatta, Point Yacht Club, Josephine, AL Sept. 18 - 19: Race Week. Bay Waveland Yacht Club, Bay St. Louis, MS. Sept. 18 - 19: Lorillard Kent Race, Saint Andrews Bay Yacht Club, Panama City, FL Sept. 18: Coco Seman Regatta : J22. Lake Pontchartrain Ladies Sailing Association, New Orleans, LA Sept. 18: Opti Lousiana State Championship. Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Sept. 25: Hooters Pensacola Laser Championships. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, Pensacola Beach, FL Sept. 25 - 26: Dugan Round the Cat. Pass Christian Yacht Club, Pass Christian, MS. Sept. 25 - 26: Middle Bay Light. Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile, AL Sept. 25 - 26: Fall 1-2, Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Sept. 25 - 26: Team Race, Bay Waveland Yacht Club, Bay St. Louis, MS. Sept. 25 - 26: Wet and Cool, Fairhope Yacht Club, Fairhope, AL Open Entry Fun Sailboat Races - on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays evenings of every month, from April to October. At the Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL. Open Entry Fun One-Design Races - Wednesday evenings. Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL.
Club, 4, 110; 8, South Shore Yacht Club, 4, 111; 9, Pensacola Yacht Club, 3, 126; 10, Gulfport Yacht Club, 3, 141.
To check for race-by-race results please check the Gulfport Yacht Club Web site at: www.gulfportyachtclub.org
Junior Olympics — Independence Day Regatta, July 2-4, Pensacola Yacht Club By Kim Kaminski
Tom Coleman and the Optimist Green (beginner) Fleet racers pose for a picture after enjoying the Fourth of July holiday weekend on the waters of Pensacola Bay. Photo by Kim Kaminski.
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he Pensacola Yacht Club welcomed over 60 youth sailors who traveled from locations across the South for the opportunity to participate in the 2004 USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival – Independence Day Regatta. Racing classes included Optimist Green, Red, White and Blue fleets as well as the Laser, Laser Radial, Sunfish and Club 420 fleets. The three-day event started on Friday, July 2, with sail-
For additional race schedules check the Gulf Yachting Association Web site at: www.gya.org
2004 GYA Challenge Cup, June 18-20, Gulfport, MS By Kim Kaminski
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he 26th Annual GYA (Gulf Yachting Association) Challenge Cup Regatta was held on June 18-20 in Gulfport, MS. Approximately 250 sailors entered the competition in which the various member clubs of the Gulf Yachting Association pitted yacht club against yacht club out on the waters of the Mississippi. Sound. Thirty-six sailboats represented 10 out of 32 GYA member clubs during this year’s event. On the first day of the Challenge Cup competition, three races were completed in 90-degree weather. Saturday had one race due to late starts and a squall that came into the Sound. Sunday had two races once again in 90-degree weather with light to moderate winds (5 to 10 knots). Overall, the racing competition was close. The best three scored for each race out of a total of six races. First place went to the Fairhope Yacht Club, second to the Southern Yacht Club and third place to the New Orleans Yacht Club. A special award, the Mobile Yacht Club trophy for the Best Three-Boat Team Club, went to the Buccaneer Yacht Club. First, second and third place individual awards in all four classes were presented to the individual club teams.
Results (club, number of boats, total points): 1, Fairhope Yacht Club, 4, 35; 2, Southern Yacht Club, 4, 46.5; 3, New Orleans Yacht Club, 4, 49; 4, Ponchartrain Yacht Club, 4, 66.5; 5, Buccaneer Yacht Club, 3, 80.5; 6, Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, 3, 87.5; 7, Mobile Yacht NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING ing clinics offered to all the participants and taught by the talents of Tom Coleman, Optimist specialist, and Ricky Lang, Optimist coach. Races began on Saturday after a brief rain delay. The Green fleet managed five races while the other fleets completed a total of two races for the first day of competition. Winds were out of the southeast at 8 to 10 knots but became light due to the onset of a summer rainstorm that absorbed all the wind on the racecourse. Toward the late afternoon the wind did finally fill in but with a vengeance. Two competitors, one in a Laser and one in a Club 420, lost control of their sailing vessels and collided during the sudden wind burst. No one was hurt, but damage was done to one of the competitors’ boats. On the second day of racing the weather cooperated and allowed the fleet to have a full day of racing fun. Several races were completed, and the overall event was a great celebration of youth sailors learning the freedom of sailing. West Marine and Gill were the proud sponsors of this event, one of 24 Junior Olympic regattas held across the United States. Special recognition awards for sportsmanship were given to Amanda Sutton and Kimberly Jennings for their personal efforts out on the racecourse. Top winners in the various fleets included: Ana Brewer in the Sunfish Class, Geoff LeGross in the Laser Radial Class, Carson Haddow and Patrick Ryan in the Club 420 Class, Jona Stewart in the Laser Class, Joe Hart in the Opti Red Class, Clerc Cooper in the Opti Blue Class and Dodge Rees in the Opti White Class. All of the Opti Green Fleet participants were winners and received their Junior Olympic medals for their efforts.
Race competitors prepared their sailboats prior to the start of the Gulfport to Pensacola Race. Photo by Kim Kaminski
Gulfport to Pensacola Race, June 25 Gulfport to Pensacola Race. Photo courtesy Stanton Murray of Murray Yacht Sales. (www.murrayyachtsales.com).
By Kim Kaminski
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ver 345 sailors gathered at the Gulfport Yacht Club on Friday, June 25, to participate in the annual Gulfport, MS, to Pensacola, FL, sailboat racing contest. Sponsored by the Gulfport Yacht Club, the Pensacola Yacht Club and the Southern Yacht Club, the event sends racers on a 100.2-nautical mile course along the southern coastline of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, navigating offshore through the Gulf of Mexico, and finishing at the Pensacola Pass sea buoy just offshore from Pensacola, FL. A total of 69 sailboats (including four multihulls) registered to compete. Nine different class divisions ranging from Spinnaker, Cruiser/Racer, Cruiser/Spinnaker, Cruiser/NonSpinnaker and Multihull classes made up the list of competitors. The racecourse began in the coastal waters just south of the city of Gulfport, MS, out to the Gulfport sea buoy located past Ship Island and then eastward toward the #1 sea buoy off the Pensacola Pass; Making note to pass to the south of the Mobile Bay sea buoy marker. It took anywhere from 11 to 21 hours for the contestants to complete the racecourse. The
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first-place boat (Tiare) finished the course in 15 hours, 17 minutes and 32 seconds while the last boat to finish (Laissez Faire II) completed the journey in 21 hours, 10 minutes and 30 seconds. The first boat across the finish line (Decision) managed to complete the journey in 11 hours, 26 minutes and 51 seconds, but after the handicaps were factored into the mix, this team finished in 17th place in the overall fleet. The weather predictions that called for heavy rain (80 percent chance) with the winds between 10 to 20 knots out of the southwest had discouraged some of the participants from entering the competition. (Last year’s event had a total of 103 sailboats registered.) A significant storm managed to make its way onto the course by late afternoon. Many of the racers were trying to outrun a storm that moved onto shore quickly from the south along the coast between Biloxi, MS, and Mobile, AL. However, the strong winds, lightning and heavy rain overcame the competitors. The winds changed from out of See GULFPORT TO PENSACOLA continued on page 53 www.southwindssailing.com
NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING
B.E.E.R. Trailer Sailing Cruise, Pensacola, FL, June 11-15 By Jim Motley
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here was to be a record crowd at the third annual 2004 B.E.E.R (Backwater Environmental Escape Rendezvous), and we planned to be one of the 47 boats from all over the country that made the trip to Pensacola, FL. The event is not sponsored, but organized by a group of sailors living in the area calling themselves G.R.I.T.S (Gulf Region Interstate Trailer Sailors), and what a great job they did for this event. While the trip and itinerary are planned, each boat has the option to go the whole trip or any part that they wish. It is important that each skipper is a responsible sailor and capable of handling his/her boat in a variety of conditions that occur along the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast. Friday we arrived ready and set up the H260 just recently purchased by our captain, Dennis Tillery. We were amazed at the variety of boats that came to attend this event. Everything from a homemade 14-foot gaff-rigged wood sailboat to a Corsair 27 was represented. Some were fairly new like our boat, and some dated back to the early ’70s. The sailors were from all over the United States. Farthest away was from San Diego, and all ages from some children to people of retirement age came to enjoy this event. The starting point of our cruise was Pensacola Shipyard, a wonderful facility located in Chico Bayou near downtown Pensacola. The staff was friendly, and the facility could handle our group easily with a wonderful ramp and plenty of raftup dock space along with spaces to leave our vehicles and trailers during the five-day trip. Each year a different route is chosen; this year the plan was to head west through Pensacola Bay, Big Lagoon, Perdido Bay and Wolf Bay. Along the way stops were scheduled at Pirates Cove Marina, Ingram’s Bayou, Lulu’s restaurant and Mosquito Cove. This route covers some of the most beautiful and secluded waters along the Alabama/ Florida Gulf Coast-what locals affectionately call the “Redneck Riviera.” The beauty of sailing through Big Lagoon is difficult to describe with the beaches on the left preserved since it is a national park, and there are no houses or condos. Clear waters, dolphins playing and the natural beauty of nature combine here for breathtaking scenery. Soon we headed up the ICW and past Ono Island, home to hundreds of million-dollar homes. Talk is that a doctor purchased the island in the early ’50s for a million dollars, which everyone thought was the worst investment there was. My, how wrong they all were! The ICW is a busy place through here with large barges and boats of every description. Care and monitoring VHF is all it takes for a safe trip through the narrower waters of this area. Soon we sailed into the entrance to Perdido Bay, a wonderful bay with an average depth of 10 feet by the charts. Boat traffic slowed except for the usual handful of large yachts that do not slow down for any reason. As we approached Pirates Cove Marina, we followed the channel past the restaurant into Roberts Bayou, a safe and beautiful spot to anchor where we could all raft up and dinghy into shore for a shower and some food. As the fleet left Sunday morning heading toward our most westerly destination, the weather reports began to talk of a low that was developing off the Louisiana coast, but so far it was not affecting us. Since the trip to Lulu’s included a run up the “ditch,” a narrow area constructed by the Corps
NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
Dennis Tillery at the helm of his Hunter 260. Photo by Jim Motley.
of Engineers to connect Mobile and Wolf bays, smaller boats with weak engines were unable to make the trip safely, so many of the boats were left at Ingram’s Bayou, and their skippers and crew joined the larger boats for the trip. Lulu’s is located at the 59 Intracoastal Bridge near Foley, AL, and is a legend in itself, as it is owned by Jimmy Buffett’s sister. Recently remodeled, the atmosphere and food are fantastic, so it is a must for any cruiser to check out. Lulu herself welcomed us as we parked our boats in an inlet next to the restaurant where soon there will be a new 80-slip marina opening as part of the restaurant’s renovations. Leaving Lulu’s we had a full crew of five on board, so we broke out the guitars, and songs filled the air, as did a 10-knot breeze. As always, the stern seats were the best in the house, and the factory bimini kept all cool. A couple of hours later we slipped into our next anchorage at Ingram’s Bayou, a wellknown hurricane hole near Wolf Bay. We rafted up in groups with three-and-a-half feet of clear water in one of the most beautiful and remote anchorages there is anywhere, which unfortunately we were told might soon fall to the developers. Grills were going, people swimming and great conversation was plentiful. You could feel in the air though that things were changing, and around dark the first storm hit, dumping huge amounts of rain and 20-knot winds. The storms stayed most of the night as we all swung at anchor together. The next day the bad weather was settling in, so changes were made in our plans to stay at Pirates’ Cove again the next See B.E.E.R. continued on page 53
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FLORIDA KEYS SAILING Key Largo
The Keys Sailing Scene Weather Calendar of Events Hot Happenings
Keys Region AUGUST
Cape Sable
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Marathon Dry Tortugas Key West
Florida Keys August Weather AVERAGE TEMPERATURE Key West 79° lo - 90° hi GULF WATER TEMPERATURES Key West 87°
August Prevailing Winds See page 54 for Windrose legend
August Weather
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ropical weather activity becomes more pronounced this month, and sailors sushe sea was a mirror. On shore, bushy palm For Real Time eastern Gulf piciously track storm movements and potentrees drooped under the intense gaze of the weather, winds and marine tial development. Traveling boaters watch the tropical sun. Nearby, a long green iguana skit- forecasts, go to skies as cumulonimbus clouds rapidly form and http://comps.marine.usf.edu tered across the dusty road. Overlooking then go out with a bang in a display of lightMarathon’s Sombrero Marina Dockside Bar ning and pouring rain. Sailboats caught in one and Grill, numerous boats moored and resting in slips sat of these storms will try to drop their canvas or take action to utterly still. It’s a surreal sight when one is accustomed to a avoid knockdowns caused by a sizable thunderstorm’s strong sailboat’s standard routine of rocking, wiggling or even just updraft and downdraft currents. Peak gusts can be as high as drifting. Enjoying cold drinks, a few sailors lingered in the 30 to 40 knots, and accidental jibes will occur during the sudshaded depths of the tidy and genuinely salty Dockside Bar. den reversal of winds as the t-storm passes overhead. Throughout the Keys, sailors and their boats were subdued In between the windless spells, the prevailing east and by the hushed, sleepy mood of late summer. southeast winds provide the Keys with a cool ocean breeze. I asked local and college racing star Jessie Combs for his Not counting the t-storms, winds average at least 10 knots impression of sailing conditions this month. “Do you ever this month. Air temperatures average 83.3 F to a low of 72.5 F, remember sailing around here last August?” he responded in but it typically feels much hotter with the tropical humidity. jest. I couldn’t. Avid sailor Mark Milnes chimed in, “I hope Water temperatures average 86 F and will seem warmer in I’m not here!” “It’s hot,” said another. Jessie spoke up again. the shallows and on the surface. “It’s like bathwater!” is the “The winds are mostly light until a squall builds up. Then it’s most heard comment as a swimmer gleefully splashes in. windy; you’re out of control for a moment, and then it’s back to light to no wind.” However, the sailors did agree that this is the best time of year to enjoy being in the sea, much as we enjoy being on it. The calmness, warmth and the radiant clarity of local waters allow for supreme diving, snorkeling and Every Saturday - Open House at the Key West Sailing sightseeing opportunities. It’s the season’s best known tourClub. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ist secret. There’s much to see since the Keys boast the third July 25-Aug. 1 - Florida Keys. Reef awareness week. Spelongest coral barrier reef on earth. Numerous public moorcial events, tours and programs to foster public interest in ings along the Keys chain allow boats to tie up so visitors caring for our area’s fragile underwater treasures for generamay experience an underwater adventure. One can swim tions to come. www.reefrelief.org or call (305) 294-3100 for through a thick, sparkling curtain of tiny glass minnows, exmore information. plore sunken wrecks and marvel at the amazing array of life July 30-Aug. 8 - Key West. Summer food and wine festiand color under our keels. In August, an easy tropical trade val. Highlights the tasty range of cuisine available on the iswind does come and go, still allowing us to be seduced by land. (305) 296-6909 that certain sailboat for a soul-satisfying joyride over the prisAug. 6 - Lobster season opens. Call 800-DIAL-FMP for matic sea. more info.
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www.southwindssailing.com
FLORIDA KEYS SAILING
Aug. 19 - Key West. Third Thursday Gallery Walk. Renowned for its colorful culture, the Keys shows off its artistic talent on White Street. Sept. 5-12 - Key West. WomenFest. Gals, it’s your turn to get out and enjoy the many events for this ladies week out. Women’s art shows, sailing trips, parties, snorkeling, performances and more! (305) 296-2491
Club Racng Key West. Wednesday Night Racing at the Key West Sailing Club. Racing begins about 6:00. Bring your own boat or crew on a club boat and join us in a series of social races around the buoys with beer, soda and food after racing. Marathon Sailing Club. Aug. 7, Aug. 21, Sept. 4, Sept. 18. Sunfish Summer Series at the east end of beautiful Sombrero Beach in Marathon. Racers meet at 1100 at the yellow house at beach’s east end. All Sunfish welcome, and entry is free for club members. Contact: liveaboard@mindspring.com
Racing Calendar Aug. 15 - Key West Sailing Club. Becky Glover Regatta. All boats 20 feet and over are invited to play, and the rule is that the skipper must be female. Crew may be any gender. Contact: Fleet Capt. David (305) 296-7939
Keys Sailing Club Locations & Contacts Key West Sailing Club. In Key West off Palm Avenue to Sailboat Lane. Sailing is out of Garrison Bight. (305) 292-5993 Marathon Sailing Club, City of Marathon. Web site pending... Upper Keys Sailing Club. Buttonwood Sound, Key Largo. www.upperkeyssailingclub.com
Race Report: Single-Handed Race in Key West’s Sea Plane Basin By Rebecca Burg
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unday, June 13, started out windless, sunny and hot. Boats over 20 feet were welcome in this unique race with a rule that only one sailor handle the boat. (For safety, a second person can be present onboard, but is not allowed to do anything unless there is an emergency.) As race time neared in the early afternoon, a small cumulus cloud expanded overhead and for a brief time generated almost 10 knots of wind during the race’s smooth start. Two J/24s, one helmed by Jessie and the other driven by Mark, easily slipped into the lead. As the race progressed, the breeze lost its punch and became inconsistent. Heavier boats such as Tom’s Beneteau and Jeff’s racy C&C expertly concentrated on capturing the faint winds to gain sufficient momentum through the triangular race course. Ed’s Golden Omen was cheerfully involved in the action, but as the cloud matured overhead, irregular wind shifts thwarted the hot-blooded racer. Golden Omen’s lightweight peers had the upper hand this time around. Charles and his twin-masted Sea Pearl also experienced difficulties with the lack of sail-titillating winds. The one boat which failed to make it onto the battlefield was Angel, a hefty liveaboard cruiser born for strong weather and outright helpless in light air. Regardless of the conditions, in no time the two rakish J/24s and their exceptionally skilled jockeys tore the course to pieces and claimed victory over their fellows. Jessie, a winner of many races past, seized first. Results with corrected time: (1) Jessie Combs, J/24, 70.2; (2) Mark Milnes, J/24, 71.2; (3) Tom Theisen, Beneteau 23, 77.2; (4) Jeff Serrie, C&C 32, 84.8; (5) Ed Gully, S-2, 102.6; (6) Charles Yost, Sea Pearl 21,DNC; (7) Rebecca Burg, Bayfield, Angel, DNF.
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1994 Morgan 45 • $194,500 47 Catalina 2000 . . . . . . . . . .$320,000 46 Beneteau 1997 . . . . . . . . .$199,000 45 Morgan 1994 (2) . . . . . . .$195,000 45 Morgan 1991 . . . . . . . . . .$189,500 45 Hunter CC 1997 . . . . . . .$209,000 45 Hunter CC 1999 . . . . . . .$199,500 43 Hunter 1996 . . . . . . . . . .$164,500 42 Hunter CC 1997 . . . . . . .$189,500 42 Hunter CC 1996 . . . . . . .$169,000 42 Hunter CC 1992 . . . . . . .$141,900 42 Catalina 2001 . . . . . . . . . .$237,000 42 Catalina 1990 . . . . . . . . . .$128,000 411 Beneteau 2001 . . . . . . . .$174,000 41 Morgan Classic 1989 . . . .$119,900 41 Morgan 1982 . . . . . . . . . . .$83,000
2001 Beneteau 411 • $174,000 40.5 Hunter 1997 . . . . . . . .$125,000 40.5 Hunter 1993 . . . SOLD . . . . . .$119,900 40 Jeanneau 2000 . . . . . . . . .$159,900 40 Hunter 1992 . . . . SOLD . . . . . .$115,000 40 Catalina 1996 . . . . SOLD . . . . . .$134,900 40 CC Beneteau 1997 . SOLD . . . . . .$134,500 40 Beneteau 1997 . . . . . . . . .$124,900 38 Beneteau 2001 . . . . . . . . .$147,000 38 Catalina 2000 . . . . . . . . . .$134,000 38 Catalina 1999 . . . . . . . . . .$152,000 38 Catalina 1981 . . . . . . . . . . .$35,000 38 CC Morgan 1997 . . . . . . .$125,000 37 Jeanneau 1996 . . . . . . . . . .$75,000 37 Hunter 1997 . . . . . . . . . . .$79,900 37 Hunter 1982 . . . . . . . . . . .$44,900
2000 Catalina 470 • $320,000 36 Catalina 1999 . . . . SOLD . . . . . .$115,000 36 Catalina 1994 . . . . . . . . . . .$85,000 36 Catalina 1994 . . . SOLD . . . . . . .$66,200 36 Catalina 1990 . . . . . . . . . . .$71,500 36 Jeanneau 1997 . . . . . . . . . .$89,000 35 Catalina 2003 . . . . . . . . . .$154,500 35 Beneteau 1996 . . . . . . . . . .$77,500 34 Hunter 2001 . . . . . . . . . . .$97,500 34 Catalina 1994 . . . . . . . . . . .$72,000 33 Hunter 1995 . . . . SOLD . . . . . . .$64,500 310 Catalina 2003 . . . SOLD . . . . . . .$91,000 30 Hunter 1988 . . . .REDUCED . $29,900 29.5 Hunter 1995 . . . . . . . . . .$46,900 290 Hunter 2000 . . . . . . . . . .$59,900
1997 Hunter 40.5 • $125,000
1997 Hunter CC • $209,000
1994 Catalina 34 • $72,000
Call for your FREE “How to Prepare your Yacht for Sale” package.
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WEST FLORIDA COAST Cedar Key to Cape Sable Racing News & Calendar Cruising Upcoming Events Calendar West Florida News for Sailors Sailing Services Directory
Cedar Key
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West Florida August Weather AVERAGE TEMPERATURE St. Petersburg 77° - 90° hi Naples 73° - 91° hi GULF WATER TEMPERATURES St. Petersburg 86° Naples 87° For Real Time eastern Gulf weather, winds and marine forecasts, go to http://comps.marine.usf.edu
St. Petersburg
Tampa
5 Fort Myers Naples
August Prevailing Winds See page 54 for Windrose legend
Cape Sable Key West
Sailing in August By Dave Ellis
A
ugust is a month that has very little organized sailing ac tivity. Even the kid’s sailing lessons held at many clubs avoid the heat and thunderstorms of this month. Some years ago the calendar of the year’s racing said of August: “It is time to rack up brownie points at home so you can sail later in the year.” Morning sailing can be very pleasant, before the cumulus clouds form with the heat of day. Warm water and pleasant breezes may last into the early afternoon along the coast. Lightning from those clouds is the most dangerous event for a sailor. Yet, ironically, under a substantial mast may be a very safe place to be. Not hugging the mast or grabbing the shrouds, of course. But the principle of Faraday’s Cone states that when lightning strikes such an object, the effect goes down the object and also at an angle around it. If one is within that “cone,” there is no shock. When lightning struck the mast of a Laser during the Labor Day regatta at Sarasota in the 1990s, the boat’s bow exploded outwardly like the proverbial trick cigar. But the young lady sailing the boat only experienced temporary hearing discomfort. Windsurfers sailing nearby got a shock from their booms that knocked them into the water. It is said that the way to protect all your electronic equipment on your yacht is to place them in the microwave during a thunderstorm. Just don’t push the “on” button before you remove them. The next big event is over the Labor Day weekend at Sarasota. This event has been held as long as any all-class re-
NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
gatta in the country. A bumper sticker on a car in St. Pete says, “To Sail or to Varnish, That is the Question.” Maybe in August we’ll varnish.
Events Calendar July 29 - 7 p.m. Seminar on Sailtime Fractional sailing, costeffective alternative to owning or chartering a boat at the West Marine Store at 5001 34th Street South, St. Petersburg. Call (866) Sailtime (724-8463) to reserve a seat. Aug. 6 - Lobster season opens. Call 800-DIAL-FMP for more info. Aug. 15 - Cortez Yacht Club race #4 CYC Cup Series. www.cortezyachtclub.com Aug. 21 - Nautical Flea Market. Seafood Shack parking lot 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Cortez. (941) 792-9100 for more information. Aug. 28 - Full Moon Race. Cortez Yacht Club. www.cortezyachtclub.com Aug. 30 - Full Moon Sept. 6 - Labor Day Sept. 18 - Authentic Maine Lobster Bake, 6 p.m., YMCA Bayfront Center, Punta Gorda. Sponsored by Charlotte County Historical Center Society. Proceeds to benefit the Charlotte County Historical Center. Info: Debra Fabiszak 629-7278. Sept. 28 - Full Moon
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Racing Calendar To have your race, regatta, or club races listed, please contact editor@southwindssailing.com by the 10th of the month. Races listed should be open to anyone. Since races are sometimes canceled, postponed or locations changed, it is advisable to contact the organization beforehand. FLORIDA WEST COAST & INLAND LAKES The races and regattas listed here are open to those who want to sail. Sept. 3 - Davis Island Yacht Club Labor Day Race. www.diyc.org Sept. 4 - 5 - Sarasota Sailing Squadron Annual Labor Day all-class regatta. www.sarasotasailingsquad.com Sept. 4 - 6 - Caloosahatchee Chowder and Marching Society Summerset Regatta, WFPHRF Spin, Non Spin True Cruising, Multihull. www.cmcs-sail.org Sept. 18 - Callosahatchee Chowder and Marching Society Hurricane Race. www.cmcs-sail.org Sept. 18 - 19 - Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club Annual Bruce Neubauer Regatta. Opti’s. www.tityc.org Sept. 18 - 19 - DIYC Core Drake Women’s regatta (TBYRA) www.diyc.org Sept. 22 - 26 SPYC US National Match Racing Championship, Prince of Wales Cup. www.spyc.org
Club Racing Open to everyone wanting to race The races listed here are open to those who want to sail. Please send us your race schedule for publishing to editor@southwindssailing.com. Davis Island YC. Thursday evenings. Tampa. Windsurfers, dinghies, cats, PHRF, keelboat One Designs. 6:30 start of first class, sailing around upper Hillsboro Bay. Lots of boats; Daylight savings time of year. Must be US Sailing member. Register before racing, once for summer. An RC duty day may be in your future. www.diyc.org Davis Island YC - Wednesday Evenings Dinghy Series. First warning 6:30 p.m. Laser, Laser Radial, C420, Sunfish, Lightning, Flying Scot, 470, Fireball. Andrew Sumpton at asumpton@earthlink.net or Allison Jolly at abjolly@aol.com Bradenton YC. Thursday evenings. Starts with daylight savings. PHRF racing on Manatee River. For info call Bob Miller, (941) 795-4646 St. Petersburg YC. Friday evenings. 6:30 start off the Municipal Pier. PHRF, Snipes Starts May. Look for the RC boat at the Pier if an easterly, a half mile downwind from the pier in other breezes. Course around nearby navigation buoys. Sail by the RC boat to register. Anywhere from 10 - 25 boats www.spyc.org Treasure Island Tennis and YC. Friday evenings.7:00 start outside of John s Pass in Gulf of Mexico. PHRF racing. Starts May. Get together to go under the bridges. www.tityc.org Clearwater YC. Saturday Afternoons 2:00 start near the Clearwater Pass buoy in the Gulf of Mexico. PHRF racing June thru August. www.clwyc.org Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venice-sailing-squadron.org Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Friday evening. Begins April 9. Start at 6:30. Everyone welcome. www.sarasotasailingsquad.com Edison Sailing Center, Fort. Myers. Sunfish and dinghy 46
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www.southwindssailing.com
racing once a month, year-round john@johnkremski.com Port Charlotte. Third Saturday of month, year-round. pbgvtrax@aol.com
Boat of the Year Awards West Florida PHRF 2003/2004 (For more information on West Florida PHRF, racing, and boat ratings for racing, go to www.westfloridaphrf.org) Suncoast Multihull; 1, Key Lime, Corsair 30, Kurt Gregory, FOMA; Spinnaker over 3,300 pounds; 1, Semper Fi, J/29 Ray Mannix, WJ; 2, Abbey Normal, B-32, Robert Hobbs, DIYC; 3, Rocket, J/35, Jamie Myers, DIYC; Spinnaker under 3,300 pounds; 1, SR627, SR 27, John Poulson, SPSA; Sportboats; 1, Tack Tick, Martin 243, Mike Siedliecki, SPYC; Non-Spinnaker over 8,000 pounds; 1, Prime Plus, Ben. 440, Frank Hanna, ABYC; 2, Escapade, Catalina 42, Mark Wesson BYC; Non-Spinnaker under 8,000 pounds; 1, Lucky Ducky, Wyliecat 30, Hal Palmer, SPYC; True Cruising over 12,000 pounds; 1, Sonia Cate, Catalina 40, Don Miller, Bayboro; True Cruising under 12,000 pounds; 1, Shady Lady, Cal 34, Steve Honour, SPSA; Sarasota Bay Spinnaker; 1, Charlie Clifton, Lucky Pony; 2, Doug Dearden, In Tune; 3, Tim Miller, Elixir ; Non-Spinnaker; 1, Cathy Willard, Flash; True Cruising; 1, Bob Miller, Miller Time; 2, Sue and Chan Sweetser, Sea Hawk; Multihull; 1, Tony Vandenoever, Nacra F 18; Southwest Florida Spinnaker; 1, Southern Crescent; 2, Flame; 3, Maria; Non-spinnaker; 1, Won Ton II; 2, Carefree; 3, Zephir; True Cruising ; 1, Air Supply; 2, Valparaiso; 3, Island Time; Multihull; 1, Tri-Umph; 2, TriPower; 3, Passion III; Sport Boat; 1, Obsession; 2, Gone Mad; 3, Threesome Charlotte Harbor Spinnaker; 1, Frolic; 2, Crime Scene; 3, Bama Slamma; Non-spinnaker ; 1, Journey On; 2, Jammin’; 3, Learning to Fly; True Cruising; 1, Paradise; 2, , Equinox; 3, Valparaiso; Multihull; 1, Breaking Wind; 2, Triple Trouble; 3, Condor
West Marine/BoatUS Free Seminars Of Interest to Sailors (Call the store-reservations sometimes needed.) BOAT U.S. Bradenton, 5627 14TH St West, (941) 755-9670, start time 2am To be announced, call store for details Clearwater, 11477 US Hwy 19 N., (727) 573-2678, Start time 6 pm To be announced, call store for details Tarpon Springs, 41286 US Hwy 19 North, Start time 7 pm To be announced, call Clearwater store for details WEST MARINE Apollo Beach, 268 Apollo Beach Bvld, (813) 645-6144, Start time 7pm To be announced, call store for details Bradenton, 4569 14TH Street West, (941) 753-3585, Start time 7 pm To be announced, call store for details Clearwater, 1231 Cleveland, (727) 443-2280, Start time 7 pm To be announced, call store for details Clearwater, 18891 US Hwy 19 N., (727) 536-4002, Start time 7 pm To be announced, call store for details Crystal River, 160 SE Hwy 19 North, (352) 563-0003, Start time 7 pm To be announced, call store for details Holiday, 3346 US Hwy 19 North, (727) 846-1903, Start time 6 pm To be announced, call store for details Largo, 10289 Ulmerton, (727) 586-7040, Start time 7 pm To be announced, call store for details Madera Beach, 203 150 th Ave, (727) 392-4939, Start time 6 pm, To be announced, call store for details Saint Petersburg, 2000 34TH st. (727) 327-0072 Start time 7 pm, To be announced , call store for details Saint Petersburg, 5001 34 th Street South, Start time 6 pm To be announced, call store for details Saint Petersburg, 119 1st Ave North. (727) 822-6565 Start time 3 pm, To be announced, call store for detatils Tampa, 3905 West Cypress, (813) 348-0521, Start time 6 pm To be announced, call store for details NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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Tampa Bay Yacht Racing Association Champions of the Bay, 2003-2004 Sportboat; 1, Tack Tick, Mike Siedlecki, SPYC, Martin 243; 2, Bobsled, Bob Bilthouse, DIYC, Ultimate 20; 3, Whiplash, David Clements, DIYC, Melges 24; Spinnaker A; 1, Time Bandi,t George Haynie, DIYC, J- 35; 2, Fire & Ice, George Cussins, TSS & DIYC, J105; 3, Orangutan, Robert Glaser, DIYC, J- 105; Spinnaker B; 1, Tigress, Ed Peters,TSS & DIYC, Abbott 33; 2, High Maintenance, Jay Tyson, DIYC, J- 29; 3, Cat’s Meow, Allen Saunders, DIYC, Jeanneau 36; Spinnaker C; 1, Shrew Gene, DiNisio, TSS, Creekmore 23; 2, Changes n L’attitude, Brad Kadau, SPSA, SR 21; 3, Lagniappe, Darin O’Neil, TSS / SPSA, Catalina 22; Non- Spinnaker A - Heavy Displacement; 1, About Time, Bill Meyer, DIYC, Ericson 32; 2, Kodiak Art Laferriere, TSS, Clearwater 35; 3, Shady Lady, Steve Honour, Cal 34
Sailing News: Youth Learn to Sail Camps at Tampa Sailing Squadron By Capt George Regenauer
Y
outh sailing camps are in session at Tampa Sailing Squad ron located at Apollo Beach. The weeklong classes offer beginning through advanced racing for ages 7 to 17. The class sizes are limited to 10 participants per week during the nineweek summer schedule. TSS youth sailing offers instruction on prams and Sunfish by US Sailing certified instructor Allyson Wemple. These are full-day, bring-your-lunch, sailing camps. Students are learning the skills in rigging their boats, politically-correct nautical terminology, racing strategy, and, of course, sailing. There are special scholarships available for youth who may not be able to afford the fee for the camp. Rear Commodore Susan Bishop, the registrar for TSS’s Youth Sailing Camps, said they have a few openings available for this year’s programs but advises anyone desiring to attend next year to pre-register now and be placed on the list. Since their inception four years ago, the popularity of the sailing camps has grown tremendously, and the waiting list gets longer each summer. The Youth Sailing board members spent many hours preparing the prams and Sunfish for the students this year. Many of the boats needed a lot of TLC, new spars, some fiberglass work and assorted parts. Due to the efforts provided by vol-
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Youth Sailing Camp at Tampa Sailing Squadron. Photo by George Regenauer.
unteers, the small fleet was readied for action. An additional Sunfish was donated to TSS Youth Sailing by an individual who is an avid believer and strong supporter of youth sailing programs. TSS members who own Sunfish also offered the use of their boats if needed. When the sailing camps end in August, that is not the end of the youth sailing activities. TSS sponsors Saturday Fun Sails for recent graduates and a yearly regatta for all participants, including those from previous summers. The Joey Meyer Regatta is the finale of the summer sailing camp season. During the regatta, parents are invited aboard squadron members’ cruising boats to anchor along the course for a closeup view of their young sailors navigating the marks. The race committee boat keeps official times just like the big boys. The best part is everyone who participates in the regatta is
www.southwindssailing.com
Local News For Southern Sailors
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WEST FLORIDA SAILING best part is everyone who participates in the regatta is awarded a trophy during the after-race festivities. Everyone walks away feeling like a winner. Actually, they are, by learning the skills of sailing. For information on youth sailing, scholarships and registration, call the youth sailing representative at (813) 295-5449 or visit the TSS Web site at: www.tampasailingsquadron.org.
Jack Iron Tours the Azores
L
ast month we reported on the four sailors who left St. Petersburg on May 10 aboard the 39-foot sloop Jack Iron on an 18-month voyage to the Mediterranean and back through the Caribbean. We heard from them again on July fourth from the Azores. After departing from west Florida, they headed south and around the Keys to depart from Lake Worth on May 20. From there they sailed to Bermuda and then on to Horta in the Azores. “We had our worst weather to date five miles off the coast of Miami. We really have not had a wave over the bow all the way to Horta. Ninety-five percent of the time the wind has been on our backs, and most boats should prepare for downwind sailing when they make this trip,” reported Capt. Kent Dudley. “The trip to Bermuda was pleasant and relaxing, and I put the plastic lawn furniture on the deck because the winds were light, and we spent a lot of time motoring and light sailing.” In Bermuda, where they arrived after eight days of sailing, they found the town of St. George to be an enjoyable stop. In Kent’s words, “St George is a delightful town, and we ended up anchoring at a restaurant for free called Tavern by the Sea. The owner, Gunter, was very hospitable. We had most of our meals at his restaurant, and we really enjoyed the fellow international boats rafted next to us at his quay. He even let us buy beer at $10 a case as we provisioned for our next leg to the Azores. St George is a completely restored colonial British village, with several shops and taverns and two to three cruise ships that arrive weekly. The community is very cruiser-friendly.” After departing Bermuda, they continued across the Atlantic. During the trip, they formed a group via radio of boaters who were headed to the Azores. They spoke to each other regu-
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Jack Iron departing Tampa Bay on May 10. Photo by Mike Starr.
larly. Halfway across they ran into an engine-heating problem that threatened their ability to run the engine, which meant the possibility of no electrictiy for many accessories-including the ability to communicate. After consultation with other boats, and with the help of onboard McGyver/crewmember Tim Ashe, they rigged up the galley pump (that’s right, the galley pump) to the back of the engine, and then “built” a raw-water engine pump from Marine Tex and other assorted items. They managed to make this work for the next 1000 miles without a problem and motored into the Azores upon arrival where they installed a new pump. The Azores too proved to be worth the effort. As Kent reported, “Horta and the Azores.... absolutely 10 times better than I ever imagined. The hills are green and lush, and the buildings
www.southwindssailing.com
WEST FLORIDA SAILING red tile roofs. As you approach Horta, you can’t miss the 7500foot inactive volcano called Pico on the island of Pico just 15 miles across the harbor from Horta. Once you turn the corner at the jetty and pull up to the city of Horta, you just know you have arrived in Europe. There are flags of boats from all parts of the world, and the port is busy in early June with Europeans coming back home and North Americans starting their journey. The town is filled with excitement with festivals daily, and the Portuguese locals are so friendly and hospitable you never feel like a stranger. The Azores are by far cleaner, friendlier, affordable, and more beautiful than any of the Caribbean islands that I have visited. Be sure to give the Azores a chance-you won’t be disappointed.” Jack Iron and crew departed the Azores for Lisbon on July 7. Just before going to press, SOUTHWINDS received the following, through a mutual acquaintance, from Jack Iron: We are about 725 miles from Lisbon and we noticed a supertanker in our path. He hailed us on the radio, and he said his engine was not working and that he was drifting and to stay clear. We responded and asked him if he had any fuel he could spare because we had been motoring for the last 36 hours. He called us back as we got closer and said to come up and he would give us some fuel. We dropped the dinghy in the water and Tim and I went over to the side of this huge ship. They lowered a rope 60 feet down, and we tied on our fuel jugs and they lifted them up. Within a few minutes, they lowered our jugs filled with fuel. The young skipper was 30 years old and his 21-member crew were from Croatia. He was very friendly and to thank them we sent them two bottles of wine and seven decks of Hooters playing cards for the crew in the hoist bag. Thanks to Scott Turner for the cards. S/V Jack Iron Capt. Kent
NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
Southwinds will gladly report the news and updates of other Southern sailors in their cruising ventures. Send all such reports to editor@southwindssailing.com
Business Briefs: Massey Enterprises, Inc. Opens Fort Myers Dealership Location
M
assey Yacht Sales & Service announces its opening of a third yacht sales office. The new Massey office will be in downtown Fort Myers at Centennial Harbour Marina at 2044 West First Street. Massey also has dealership offices at Regatta Pointe Marina in Palmetto and the Harborage Marina at Bayboro/St. Petersburg. Massey is one of the oldest and most established full-service yacht dealerships in the Southeastern U.S. The Centennial Harbour Marina office yacht sales effort will consist of new Catalina, Hunter and Caliber sailing yachts, pre-owned Mainship Trawlers and Pilot yachts plus a wide array of pre-owned sail and power yachts. New Mainships are sold from the Massey Palmetto and St. Pete offices. The Catalina, Hunter, Caliber and Mainship yachts are built in Florida, with a Mainship plant in Georgia and a Catalina plant in California as well. There will be new Catalina and Hunter sailing yachts as well as brokerage sail and power yachts available for inspection and purchase at Massey’s Centennial Harbour Marina slips. Massey will use its marketing strength to develop strong yacht sales from Marco Island to Punta Gorda. Centennial Harbour Marina is centrally located to that market. “We feel that the sailing yachts and trawler-type power yachts can use an aggressive dealer/broker in that area,” states Ed Massey, president and CEO of Massey Enterprises, Inc. “Highly personalized service, a broad knowledge of the sailing and trawler industry, superior customer satisfaction, expansive local and national marketing and a long-term dedication to the Florida west coast yachting community have made Massey successful for over 25 years,” Massey goes on to say. “We are delighted to be able to work closely with the owners and management of Centennial Harbour Marina; they are a first class operation and very customer-service oriented.” Massey Yacht Sales & Service generates over $15 million in annual sales volume and should continue to grow with the addition of its Fort Myers, Centennial Harbour Marina location. For more information, contact Edward Massey at yachtsales@masseyyacht.com or visit their Web site at www.masseyyacht.com or call (941) 723-1610.
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West Florida Sailing Services Directory From Cedar Key to Cape Sable Sailing Services Directory starts as low as $96 a year. Call (941) 795-8704 or e-mail editor@southwindssailing.com BOAT LETTERING – GRAPHICS
SAILBOAT SERVICES AND REPAIRS
SAILMAKING, REPAIRING & CLEANING continued
ELLIE’S SAILING SHOP Clearwater Lifelines, rigging, hardware, repairs Serving small boat sailors Since 1958 Sunfish Boats and Parts...........(727) 442-3281
SUNRISE SAILS PLUS WEST FLORIDA Complete Yacht Outfitting Service Sails – New, Repair, Cleaning Complete rigging service, masts, cushions, canvas & more (941) 721-4471 sunrisesailsplus@msn.com
SAILING INSTRUCTION/SCHOOLS Adventure Cruising & Sailing School A sailing school for Women and Couples • ASA • West Florida and Chesapeake www.acss.bz .......................... (727) 204-8850 CAPT. JIMMY HENDON (727) 459-0801 ASA Cert./BBC Instruction * USCG Lic. Master Deliveries • Gulf • Atlantic • Caribbean (866) 221-2841 .. captainjimmy@gosolo.com THE SIGN FACTORY FLORIDA BOAT GRAPHICS Screen Printing • T-shirts • Hats (941) 792-4830 ..... thesignfactory2@juno.com
CANVAS & CUSHION SERVICES
SAILMAKING, REPAIRING & CLEANING ADVANCED SAILS (727) 896-7245 Quality Cruising Sails & Service Closest Sailmaker to St. Petersburg Marinas Keith Donaldson .................... (727) 896-7245
Banks Sails Tampa See ad in Sailmaking
YACHTING VACATIONS SW FLORIDA Live-aboard/non-live-aboard ASA instruction www.yachtingvacations.com .. (800) 447-0080
Scuba Clean Yacht Service See ad in Underwater Services
CAPTAIN SERVICES ADVERTISE IN THIS DIRECTORY CAPT. 3JIMMY 459-0801 line HENDON ads for $8 a (727) month ASA Cert./BBC Instruction * USCG Lic. Master 4-line ads for $10 a month Deliveries • Gulf • Atlantic • Caribbean 1" boxed in..ads for $20 a month (866) 221-2841 captainjimmy@gosolo.com Ads paid in advance for 1 year COMMUNICATIONS Taller boxed in ads start at 2" tall Dockside Radio Pactor II/III modem sales & for –$34 a month support; FCC marine radio license filing; SailMail pageinstallation 29 or call &See WinLink and(941) training795-8704 www.docksideradio.com .........(941) 661-4498
RIGGING SERVICES SSMR. Inc. 727-823-4800 Complete Rigging Services On-Site Swagging & Splicing Commisssioning Services At Harborage Hi & Dry Dock • Crane Service Fax 727-823-3270 ............. St. Petersburg 52
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FLAGSHIP SAILING/TAMPA BAY AREA ASA Sailing Instruction – Basic thru Advanced Instructor Certification • Sailing Club Bareboat & Captained Charters www.flagshipsailing.com ...... (727) 942-8958
UNDERWATER SERVICES
Scuba Clean Yacht Service See ad in Underwater Services SARASOTA PORPOISE SAILING SERVICES • New and Used Sails • Buy • Sell • Trade • Furling Packages • Discount Sunbrella (941) 758-2822 ww.porpoisesailing.com
Scuba Clean Yacht Service • Underwater Services • Canvas Shop • Sail Cleaning & Repair • Detailing • Mechanical • Electrical • Electronics Serving Pinellas, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Pasco & Manatee Counties. (727) 327-2628
Advertise in this 1" tall ad for $20 a month. See page 29 for details or call (941) 795-8704. www.southwindssailing.com
BOAT REVIEW (from page 27) lines lead to the cockpit. There are line stoppers for all halyards, and winches are located on the cabin top. The centerboard line also runs to this area where the winch can be used to raise the five-foot board if needed. Another great feature is the clew, reefing, and top lifting lines running inside the boom with stoppers near the mast, enabling quick and safe adjustments from the companionway. The optional stern seats are the best in the house, and the bimini allows nearly six-foot head clearance, great for the optional wheel and that big boat feel. The optional 9.9 Mercury four-stroke outboard is quiet, and its controls are located in the wheel housing, a great feature. We sailed the boat in several conditions and on an overnight stay. In light air the boat moved along well with plenty of canvas available. In 10-15 knot winds we averaged five knots on all points of sail, and with the six-foot draft we could point close to the wind. During a thunderstorm we put a reef in and, as the winds gusted past 20 knots, the headsail was furled, but the boat stayed on course and remained manageable. As you would imagine, the water ballast of the H260 is tender, healing quickly and, for both speed and comfort, reefing early is required. With the high freeboard, docking and loading on the trailer in high winds can be challenging, but that is the trade-off for all the room below. While certainly not a performance sailboat, the H260 is a good performer at a reasonable price. The boats start at around $30,000, with a fully loaded boat in the low $40s. They also hold their value, with few showing up on the used market. Wellbuilt, watertight and truly able to trailer sail, the H260 may be the best effort and value on the market today. Jim Motley owns the Alabama Sailing Center, a Hunter trailer sailboat dealer in Tallassee, AL. See his article on the recent B.E.E.R. trailer sailor rendezvous in the Northern Gulf Coast section in this issue.
nal cord injury survivor, but also a cancer survivor. As of today, Karen Mitchell is cancer-free. She now has more than five years without cancer! Today and every day she truly is”Sailing for Life-A Survivor’s Dream.” Become part of the team. To donate equipment, services or money for the Karen Mitchell Campaign Fund contact ShakeA-Leg at (954) 695-5505.
GULFPORT TO PENSACOLA (from page 40) the southwest to the northeast and increased in strength (19 to 25 knots) along with continual rain and lightning. The swells had also increased in size from 1 to 3 feet up to 5 to 6 feet. These strong conditions remained throughout the early evening hours but gradually decreased before sunset. The winds died to barely a whisper following the storm, especially for those boats who had found themselves too close to the coastal shoreline. For the other racing teams farther offshore and into the Gulf, the winds gradually clocked back towards the southwest and slowly began to fill in with a steady breeze of 5 to 9 knots. From there, it was a race to the finish. No one was injured during the race, and all of the competitors made it safely to shore. Out of the total number of participants (65 sailboats and 4 multihulls), 16 sailboats and one multihull had dropped out of the race along the way, leaving 49 boats to battle for the overall trophy positions. For the complete results check the Southern Yacht Club Web site at www.southernyachtclub.org Results (top three): Spinnaker A;1- Java, SYC; 2- Pretty Woman,PYC; 3 - Revolution, SYC; Spinnaker B; 1 - Tiare,SYC; 2- Sapphire,TYC; 3 - Mad Max II,SYC;Spinnaker C;1 - Joe,PYC;2Manhattan Magic,MYC;3 - Celebration, CMCS; Spinnaker D; 1 - L’EstimateeII,GYC; 2- Bare Necessitie,SYC; 3 - Infinity,BYC; Spinnaker E;1 - Revelry, SYC; 2- Beasterly, PCYC;3 - Nereid, SYC; Cruiser/Racer; 1 - Fidelis,PCYC; 2- Checkmate,SYC; 3 - Touche’, PontYC; Cruiser/Spinnaker; 1 - Siboney,SYC; 2- The Right Stuff,CSA; 3 - Silver Girl, SYC; Crusier/Non- Spinnaker; 1 - Impulse II, PontYC; 2- Sun Chaser, NOYC; 3 - Blue Heron,
EASTERN FLORIDA (from page 35)
B.E.E.R. (from page 41)
about serving our local boating community with a focus on promoting family boating and off-shore activities,” says Paul Berube, a long-time family boater and off-shore fisherman. Boaters Exchange is the exclusive dealer for Catalina sailboats, World Cat powerboats, Quintrex aluminum dories, and Nacra beach catamarans, and in addition operates an outboard service center and a fully-stocked boat store (same gear as major marine retailers with better prices and better service). To contact Boaters Exchange, call (321) 638-0090, www.BoatersExchange.com.
night where we could gather and enjoy the company, instead of at Mosquito Cove where we would all have been confined to our boats. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful hamburgers and drinks Pirates’ Cove had to offer despite the rain and winds. The owners were so accommodating they even stayed open later just for our group as the guitars played and songs filled the evening. The worst storm hit about 5 a.m. Tuesday morning as the weather VHF radios went off on nearly every boat. Thankfully we had rafted up with several anchors out, both bow and stern, which kept us in place even in the worst of it-when my handheld wind meter showed 25 knots with 35-knot gusts even in the protected Roberts Bayou! Several sailors talked about “water torture” as their boats leaked, but the Hunter was watertight and we had no problems whatsoever. Later in the morning the weather was still a question, and we needed to head back home so several of us car-pooled back to Pensacola Shipyard, picking up the tow vehicles and trailers to haul the boats out to Pirates Cove. Next year, the group will go east from the shipyard to Panama City and back, and of course we plan to go again. Trailer-sailing is a wonderful way of seeing the best parts of the country by water when you do not have the time or funds to use a larger boat. For more information about this trip and others, visit www.trailersailors.com.
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA (from page 37) more or less, to prepare to die. Even after hearing this news, Karen sailed the following weekend in the Coral Cup and placed first in her fleet. Again, sailing was the powerful force to help her fight for her life. One week later, miraculously, the cancer could not be found. Karen Mitchell is determined to overcome her daily challenges and accomplish her goal in competing at the top level of sailboat racing. Her ultimate goal is to represent the United States at the Paralympics Games in Beijing, China, in 2008. She is proof-positive of the potential to succeed in the face of overwhelming obstacles. She is a survivor. Karen is not only a spiNEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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Explanation of Wind Roses ach wind rose shows the distribution of 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 prevalent were the winds coming from that direction. The length of the shaft is generally to a scale to indicate the percentage of the winds from that direction, but not as printed in the magazine, but the proportions are correct and as a general indicator, the diameter of the circle is a little over 15 percent. The wind blows in the direction the arrows fly. When the arrow is too long to be printed in a practical manner, a number is indicated. In the sample here, that would be the number 32, which means that 32 percent of the time the wind blew from the west. The number of feathers on the arrow indicates the strength of the wind on the Beaufort scale (one feather is Force 1, two is Force 2, etc. See below). The number in the center of the circle shows the percentage of the time that the winds were calm. They all add up to 100 percent. In this example, 32 percent came from the West and 9 percent were calms (a total of 41 per cent), so the remaining arrows add up to 59 percent. These symbols are used here to generally show where the winds came from during that month, how strong and how often. In this example we can see that about a third of the time the winds came from the West, about 20 percent of the time from the NE, Force 3, about 20 percent from the SE, Force 4, maybe 15 percent from the south, Force 2, about never from the NW, and 32 percent from the West, Force 3. It was calm 9 percent of the time. We had some winds from the East at Force 4 and the SW at Force 2. Beaufort Scale (in knots): Force 1(1-3); Force 2(4-6); Force 3(7-10); Force 4(11-16); Force 5(17-21); Force 6(22-27); Force 7(28-33); Force 8(34-40); Force 9(41-47); Force 10(48-55); Force 11(56-63); Force 12(64-71 Hurricane) Wind Roses are taken from Pilot Charts
E
MOTORS Evinrude 6hp OB long shaft . . . . . . . . . . .$400 Mercury 4.5 OB short shaft (fresh water) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$400
BOATS FOR SALE 1997 18' Lowe Pontoon w/50HP OB very clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3,000 1976 Columbia 26, RF, clean & roomy w/4 stroke OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3,500 16’ Lindsey Newport cutty cabin, w/trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$700 15’ Sea Lark w/trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$650 Sunfish, older model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$600 2002 11’ Escape Mambo – like new . . . .$700 420 Sailboat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Call
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“In August, you began running an advertisement to sell my diesel engine in your classifieds section. I am pleased to advise you that I have a buyer as a result of the advertisement. Please discontinue it. FYI, I have also had inquiries from West Africa and France as Capt C.T., St. Petersburg, FL a result of the Internet ad you made available. I’m MAJOR impressed!! Thank you very much.”
CLASSIFIED ADS — 3 MONTHS FOR $25 1. Classified ads for boats are $25 for a threemonth ad for up to 30 words. Check or Credit cards accepted. 2. Add $25 for a horizontal photo (vertical photos $5 a month more), ($50 for a threemonth ad for boat with photo). 3. Free ads for boats under $500 (sail and dinghys only), all gear under $500, and windsurfing equipment. Add $10 a month for a horizontal photo. 4. Boats and gear must be for sale by the owner to qualify for the above. 5. E-mail ads (including all photos) to
6. 7. 8. 9.
editor@southwindssailing.com. Add $5 typing charge for ads mailed in or faxed in (including free ads). Photos not accompanied by S.A.S.E. will not be returned. Photocopies of photos will not work. E-mail or send actual photo. Ads (and renewing ads) must be received by the 10th of the month. The last month your ad runs will be in parentheses, e.g., (10/04) is October, 2004. All other ads are $20 a month for up to 20 words, add $5 a month for each additional 10 words. $10 a month for a horizontal photo. Fre-
quency discounts available. Contact editor.
Now pay on-line at our Web site www.southwindssailing.com editor@southwindssailing.com
SOUTHWINDS PO Box 1175 Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175 (941)795-8704 (941) 795-8705 fax
All ads go on the Internet, and your Web site or e-mail address in the ad will be linked by clicking on it. SOUTHWINDS will only be responsible financially for mistakes for a one issue period. Please check your ad. Let us know any mistakes by the 10th of the month.
BOATS & DINGHIES Sunfish for sale $499, located in Port Charlotte, good condition, no trailer. call (941) 626-7160 (10/04) S2 7.9 #376 Excellent condition. FAST. 3 mains/4 headsails/2 spinnakers. Kevlar. Faired. New standing/running rigging. 6HP 4-stroke Mercury 2002. MagicTilt trailer. Many extras. $17,000. vielhaue_s@popmail.firn.edu (10/04)
DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS Advertise your business in a display ad in the classifieds section. Sold by the column inch. 2 inch minimum. (3 column inches is 1/8 page) Monthly Cost Ads Per Inch
12 6 3 1
$17 $20 $23 $27
Minimum Inches
Total Cost
2" 2" 2" 2"
$34 $40 $46 $54
Dinghy – 10' Quicksilver RIB and 5hp Nissan 4stroke outboard, less than 10 hours on each. Includes trailer. $2500. (727) 379-0554. (9/04)
9' CAPTIVA ESCAPE with trailer, great fun, easy to sail, good for learning. $950 OBO. Call Nora at (727) 397-4309. (8/04)
23' Southerly, excellent day and light weekend cruiser that can easily be raced. Several suits of sails. Also 4hp outboard Mariner to put in cockpit well. Proven PHRF jib and main winner. An excellent boat for the family. Truly a boat to see and sail. $2800 OBO (813) 503-6728. (8/04) 24' 1991 Nimble Yawl, tan bark sails, 1996 Honda four-stroke, shoal draft, engine tuned up Sept. 2003, bottom painted, topsides varnished May 2004, $12,900, Beaufort, NC, (252) 341-6657 (10/04)
Cape Dory 27’ 1977, Yanmar 8hp diesel. Roller furling, bilge pump, depth meter, full keel, 4’ draft. Carl Alberg design. Sleeps 4. Xlnt. $17,000. Madeira Beach, FL. Call for appt. (727) 398-0796 (9/04) 1978 Tartan 27 full keel/centerboard, 3' draft, 6' headroom, 6 opening ports, 12 hp diesel, large vberth, new marine head, stove, sink. steal this $3000 in Melbourne. (321) 960-0235 (8/04)
27’ Stiletto, super nice, totally re-done. Outstanding fast sailer, goes from 14’ sailing width to 8’ to trailer. All gear, Yamaha OB, sail ready. $23,900. (727) 235-1173 jemotis1@yahoo.com (9/04)
27' Tartan 1978 A quality boat. Westerbeke diesel, 12hp. Wheel, rlr frl jib & main, spin., 3’2" draft w/centerboard. Dodger, awning, life lines, swim ldr. $17,950. (239) 454-0889 (9/04)
DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS STARTING AT $34/MONTH NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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Baba 30 Offshore cruiser, beautiful, strong, highquality cutter, great singlehander, well-equipped and maintained, 27hp Yanmar, Shaeffer roller furlings, Autohelm 4000, much more $49,000. Located Ft Myers. lyttraveler@yahoo.com, (239) 5606078. (9/04)
FILE PHOTO
1986 Hunter 28.5 New bottom, Autohelm 4000, Lazy Jack, Wheel steering, new batteries, All safety equipment, Yanmar 16 HP diesel, Portable AC, Excellent Condition. (504) 259-5740. $22,500 or Best Offer (9/04)
Clean 28 MacWester, strong English bluewater cruiser, Lloyds, 3' draft, Atlantic veteran, 27 Yanmar, 510 hrs, wheel, furler, windless, NEW paint, interior & canvas, sleeps 5, a Salty head turner, will trade for real estate. 43K (850) 384-9020 (10/04)
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Catalina 30 1986 27hp diesel, boat has been completely refreshened inside and out. New lines, new bottom, new electrical, etc. Must see in Southport, NC. Call (484) 955-9736. Asking $25,000. (9/04) 31' Farrier F9A Trimaran, Exactly as specified. Launched 1993. Cedar/epoxy laminate, Best gear, rig. Spinnaker. Trailer. Needs TLC. $45,000. Write: PO Box 572, Islamorada, FL 33036 or e-mail bfookes@yahoo.co.uk (10/04)
32' STEEL GAFF CUTTER, 1991 This vessel is ready for that world cruise! $49,000, Panama City, Fl, For details call or e-mail at (850) 870-4505, peac4505@bellsouth.net (10/04)
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1989 O’Day 322, 4’2" draft, AC, roller furling, Yanmar, cruise spinnaker, wind gen, H20 maker, dinghy & OB, cruise ready, turn key, $48,900. (727) 514-5700. For Complete Info. www.captainbobdaly.com (10/04)
1983 C & C 35 Mk III Great cruiser/racer, Yanmar, 11 sails, bunks for 7, stove with oven, A/C (’00), refrig (’00), feathering prop (’03), self-tailing winches, Harken roller furler, bimini, covers for everything, autopilot, new batteries, etc., etc. This boat needs nothing. $59,500 (504) 392-0840 or cwilke@haywilkgalvanizing.com (10/04)
Schock 35, Morning Glory.Fast racer/cruiser with lifting keel. 5 1/2' up, 8' down. Refrigeration. Proven race and cruising record. PHRF 72. $46K Contact John Steele (941) 922 5071 (10/04)
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1984 37’ Dickerson Cutter, Beautiful boat featured in World’s Best Sailboats. Furling main and jib, staysail on boom. New ST6000 AP, new water heater, lectrasan head. 4’6” draft. Perkins 4108 diesel, new sailor prop. $77,000 / Best offer 941-755-9316 or e-mail dosukoenig@aol.com Cortez, FL (8/04)
Lagoon 37 1994. totally equipped for comfortable, safe liveaboard/cruising excellent condition. Original owner. $185,000 (239) 543-7208 or (239) 898-9522 (8/04)
Endeavour 37 Well-loved, One owner 1979 A plan. New Main, Teak interior, new upholstery, SS ports, auto pilot, depth sounder, Origo stove/oven, refrigeration. Rebuilt Perkins 4-108. Provision and sail! 39K. (305) 745-9030 (9/04) 1996 Beneteau 40. 3 cabin, 2 head. Fully equipped. New Caribe v-hull inflatable. Listed at $86,900 but see reduced price and photos www.TheCruisingDVDs.com/Beneteau40 or e-mail info@TheCruisingDVDs.com (8/04)
1976 CT41 Cutter-rigged ketch. Come to Louisiana to see La Mouette, beautiful, seaworthy doublehanded cruiser. Many improvements. Offered by liveaboard owners of 20 years. $80,000. (985) 7815625 Details www.ct41ketchforsale.com. (9/04)
1989 Irwin 43 CC Sloop Raytheon ST50 Knot Log Depth apparent wind and speed, Raynav 520+plotter WAAS GPS, AP7000 auto pilot, radar RX20, ICOM dual station VHF, roller furling, Stack Pack by Mac Sails, main 2 years old, Jib 4 years old. 2 AC reverse cycle units, full galley with SS stove and oven, microwave, Adler Barbour freezer/refrigerator, 2 heads with separate showers, large saloon and large nav station. 8KW Genset, 66HP Yanmar 1500 Hours, fuel polisher, 3 anchors, 2 Plow 35 & 45 and Fortress, 165’ chain and 300’ rode. New cockpit cushions. Safety package and much, much, more. $137,500 or BRO. (941) 350-8113 (9/04)
Brewer 42’ 1986 Ted Brewer-designed sailboat. 80hp Lehman/Ford, just rebuilt. Two staterooms, 2 heads, full galley, 4.5 generator. Center cockpit, bimini & dodger. Ready to cruise. (727) 409-8952. johnw.burney@verizon.net (8/04)
1988 Brewer 44’ shoal-draft w/board. Center-cockpit cutter, Perkins 85, sale by original owners, (941) 962-7100 or (813) 671-0862 or paritytwo@yahoo.com. (9/04)
See Classified info on page 55 NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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CREW WANTED Visit SOUTHWINDS new boat and crewlisting service at southwindssailing.com
ELECTRONICS SeaTech Systems – Computerized navigation & communication. Call for free Cruiser’s Guide to the Digital Nav Station and CAPN demo disk. (800) 444-2581 or (281) 334-1174, navcom@sea-tech.com, www.sea-tech.com
HELP WANTED Ad Sales Reps wanted in the south for SOUTHWINDS. Editor@southwindssailing.com or (941) 795-8704
Nautical 60' Ketch, 1982, bristol condition maintained by professional skipper (refit yearly), 4 cabin layout plus crew, large family or charter, 125hp desiel, A/C, Sat phone, $250,000 www.yachtsoutherncomfort.com email scomfort@islands.vi Capt Mike (10/04)
BOOKS & CHARTS Ocean Routing – Jenifer Clark’s Gulf Stream Boat Routing/Ocean Charts by the “best in the business.” (301) 952-0930, fax (301) 574-0289 or www.erols.com/gulfstrm
Yacht Sales Person Wanted. Massey Yacht Sales has sales positions available for professional, successful yacht sales persons for the new Fort Myers dealership location. Massey is one of Florida’s largest dealers for the sale and outfitting of Catalina, Hunter, Caliber and Mainship yachts plus sells a wide range of pre-owned sail and power yachts. Sales candidates need to be computer literate, self-motivated with a good knowledge of the sail and power industry. Massey offers the best marketing and sales support system with a large lead base for the right candidate. Call Edward Massey for interview appointment. (941) 723-1610. (9/04) Looking for Salesperson for St. Petersburg marina office location of Sailboats Florida, knowledgable in both sail and trawler/motoryachts. Also new boat sales for Hanse Yachts. We are expanding, so contact David Erdman at (727) 553-9551
DINGHY DAVITS Only $360.00
www.martekdavits.com
727-686-5020
Sales Representative for SOUTHWINDS magazine to call on national and southern advertisers. Can live most anywhere for this job. Must have experience. Commission. editor@southwindssailing.com or (941) 795-8704.
MARINE ENGINES
BUSINESS/INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Construction/Real Estate investment Highly-experienced, honest, licensed, responsible and reliable contractor seeks investor/partner in new construction/remodeling in west Florida. Perhaps a spec house or purchase to remodel. Contractor is experienced in custom homes of all sizes, including very high-end homes. Only interested in doing interesting and enjoyable projects. (941) 795-8711 Sailtime.com is looking for base operators on the Florida coast. This may suit existing marine business owners who wish to add an additional income stream. Sailtime is a unique business model that requires minimal capital and no staff. Tel. (813) 8170104 or jtwomey@sailtime.com
MISCELLANEOUS BOAT GEAR NEW & USED
CREW AVAILABLE Visit SOUTHWINDS new boat and crewlisting service at southwindssailing.com
See Classified info on page 55 58
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SOUTHWINDS
NKE MAXI TOP LINE DISPLAYS AND PARTS One maxi and dual display with wired remote control and parts. All segments are good. Asking $500. (727) 321-5880 *3. wmarois@ij.net (9/04)
DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS starting at $34/month editor@southwindssailing.com www.southwindssailing.com
C L A S S I F I E D and running rigging - $2700 Also Lewmar winches, 25s and 7s. Much more equipment for boats up to 30 feet. (985) 892-4133 or E-mail 2voodoo@bellsouth.net Wheels Custom Leathered – Satisfaction guaranteed, 1 year warranty. Free turks head. Over 100 satisfied customers last year. Contact Ray Glover at Sunrise Sails Plus (941) 721-4471 or sunrisesailsplus@msn.com
A D S LODGING FOR SAILORS
Ponce de Leon Hotel Historic downtown hotel at the bay, across from St. Petersburg YC. 95 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 550-9300 FAX (727) 826-1774 www.poncedeleonhotel.com
SAILING INSTRUCTION
Whisker pole Kemp, 13 foot. 3 1/2 inch diameter. Internal pull. Socket. Like new. $150. (863) 6754244. Can Deliver. (10/04) THULE CAR RACKS Two complete sets of 400 gutterless series racks with locks. Go to www.thule.com for the fit kit for your car. Asking $150 per set. (727) 321-5880 *3. wmarois@ij.net (9/04) Automatic variable pitch propeller. Good condition. Right-handed, was on a 37 Irwin, diameter 16 3/4, shaft 1 1/8. $1495/OBO. (386) 423-8778. (9/04) Bimini Top with front and side zip-in clear curtains. Approx size: 94" front X 72" sides X 45" height. Excellent condition. Dove Grey color. Call for exact dimensions and details. Asking $500. (850) 624-0470 (8/04) 35' Mast with steps to top, and boom. $500. (863) 675-4244. Can Deliver. (10/04)
TIRALO floating deck chair - a beach chair that floats in water and rolls easily on the sand. Looks great. Folds and fits on your boat or inside your car. More info: www.tiralo-usa.com or swti@oasisllc.com AC/DC Reefer, 22# Bruce Anchor, Anchor Ball, Sospenders, Magma Grills, Mariner 9.9, Mercury Long Shaft 7.5 HP, Folding Bikes, Windsurfers, Metzeler Sailing Rig, Windscoop, Drogues, Lifesling, Type I Life Jackets w/strobe. Nautical Trader. (941) 488-0766. www.nauticaltrader.net
NAVIGATION SOFTWARE
SAILS & CANVAS USED SAILS SAVE $$$ 1000s of headsails, mains & spinnakers. We ship everywhere, satisfaction guaranteed. We also buy sails. Sail Exchange. (800) 6288152. 407 Fullerton Ave. Newport Beach CA 92663 www.sailexchange.com See Display ad in Index of advertisers
One 34’6" B&R Rig Mast complete with standing
View Classified Ads & Boat Pics on our secure Web site www.southwindssailing.com NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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CLASSIFIED ADS
SOUTHEAST (from page 33) to do. Mostly hike out. Oh, and turn head toward the stern when tacking so the vang doesn’t hang you. Our speed was excellent and we rounded the first mark in third. But the reaches and runs were a problem, as crew work is essential, and by the time Daniel would pull in the jib, it was time to ease. We were happy with a fifth place among the 30 boats. We were doing well in the increasing breeze in the second race. But the boat seemed slow on the last upwind leg to the finish, and we lost three boats. After the race I found that both of the jib fairlead blocks had slid all the way forward on the track, giving us a very full jib in significant breeze. We fixed it and garnered a fourth in the windiest race of the series. There were broken masts, tillers, poles and upside down boats among the fleet, but everyone was ready to sail by the next day. Saturday gave them more time to work on the boat as the wind gusted to over 30 knots, and racing was postponed to early Sunday morning. I figured that there was little to lose on Sunday, so I started on the course side of the RC boat and let the current push us back over the line as we sailed in the light air on starboard tack. Then we tacked to the right side of the course and the shallower water of the Middle Grounds. We stretched our lead to a very gratifying win. Daniel was pleased. Well, I think he was. Teenagers sometimes don’t show emotion like us older guys. Our throw-out ninth was the result of a decent start but the inability to convince those on our hip to tack to the 60
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right. The double triangle course in this race was a parade after the first mark. One more race. The sea breeze had finally arrived. We sailed well and held second place throughout until the last leg. I failed to notice a bank of high clouds approaching from the south. Suddenly the wind increased and shifted right 25 degrees. Three boats that had been well behind suddenly were ahead of us. Let’s catch that one boat. Oh, here comes a massive powerboat wake. Oops. I moved back, but forgot to tell Daniel to do so. We scooped four inches of water on the second wave. That is slow. The other boat slipped ahead. As it turned out, we placed third overall, one point from second. Before getting all ego-inflated I noted that winners Ethan and Trudy Bixby had a third the point total we did. From an e-mail invite to appear at a regatta, I’ve re-learned the joy of sailing a simple boat like the Windmill, long known as the “poor man’s racing yacht.” For complete results of the Windmill nationals, go to www.windmillclass.org/ scores/2004_nationals.htm.
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Air Duck 20 Aqua Graphics 52 Atlantic Sails 32 Banks Sails 52 Beachmaster Photography 59 Beneteau Sailboats BC Beta Marine 43 Bluewater Sailing Supply 48 Boaters Exchange 35,55 BoatUS 23 Bob and Annie’s Boatyard 17 Bo’sun Supplies 22 Bradenton Yacht Club Kickoff Regatta 47 Bubba Book 12 Carson/Beneteau BC Coast Weather 60 Coral Reef Apparel Company 33 Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina 43 Cruising Direct Sails 37 Defender Industries 58 Dockside Radio 11 Don’s Salvage 50 Doyle Sails 7 Dwyer mast 58 Eastern/Beneteau BC E-marine 58 First Patriot Insurance 18 Flagship Sailing 51 Fleetside Marine Service 58 Florida Sailboats, Inc. 57 Flying Scot Sailboats 56 Forespar 56 Fun Maritime Academy 34 Garhauer Hardware 13 Glacier Bay Refrigeration 45 Great Outdoors Publishing 27 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales 55,56 Gunkholer’s Cruising Guide 27 Hanse Sailboats 57 Hood/SSMR 50 Hotwire/Fans and other products 58 Island Marine Products 21 JR Overseas/Moisture Meter 11 JS9000 PHRF Racer 56 Leather Wheel 26 Martek Dinghy Davits 58 Massey Yacht Sales 6,9,31,44,IBC Masthead Enterprises 19,60 Memory Map 59 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau BC National Boat Owners Association 49 National Sail Supply 28 Nautical Trader 48 North Sails 8 Nuclear Sails 12 Porpoise Used Sails 60 Raider Sailboats 57 RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke 10 Rparts Refrigeration 15 Sail Exchange/Used Sails 20 Sailboats florida, Inc. 57 Sailcovers and More 60 Sailor’s Wharf Boatyard and Brokerage 45,51 Sailtime 14 Sarasota Sailing Squadron Labor Day Regatta 46 Sarasota Youth Sailing Program 54 Schurr Sails 39 Scully 21 Scurvy Dog Marine 41 Sea School 24 Sea Tech 30 Seafarers International Brokerage 54,58 SSMR/Hood 50 St. Augustine Sailing School 26,60 St. Barts/Beneteau BC Suncoast Inflatables 29 Tackle Shack 16 Terra Nova Trading Key West Regatta 3 UK Sails 13 Ullman sails 11 Weather Wave 15 West Marine IFC Whitney’s Marine 57 Winch Buddy 25 Windcraft Catamarans 10 Yanmar Diesel 58 Sailing Services Directory West Florida Regional Sailing Services Directory
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BOATEK (from page 30)
ANCHOR (from page 29)
der the rating, take your alternator to a good alternator shop. Talk to them about modifying it to bring the field wires out in a “P” type configuration, where the field winding is between the field terminal and ground. Then you can use a good external regulator. The better alternator shops can put better than standard stator coils and diodes in some alternators to make them super durable. Don’t let them put a high output field coil (rotor) in though. That may cause the alternator to put out too much current, hurting your belts and shortening the service life.
eral Clinch, 62 US 184, United States Supreme Court, 1858, which held that local governments may prescribe where a vessel may anchor in a harbor, and for what time, and such are not in conflict with any law of Congress regulating commerce or the general admiralty jurisdiction conferred on the courts of the United States. Also see Beveridge vs. Lewis, 939 F.2d859, U.S. Cir Court for the 9th Circuit, 1991, where a city’s ordinance restricting anchoring and mooring in a designated area during winter months was legal. And Hawaiian Navigable Waters Preservation Society vs. State of Hawaii, 823 F. Supp766, United States Dist. Court for Hawaii, 1993, where a citizens’ group acting on behalf of boaters challenged the state of Hawaii to regulate moorings (anchoring) and
Stephen Sommer is a degreed electrical engineer with extensive experience in electrical, mechanical, refrigeration and air conditioning systems and holds a USCG Masters license. He consults in all areas of yacht systems, which include all the equipment on board yachts beyond a basic hull and motor or sails. Have a systems problem or question? Ask Stephen Sommer. e-mail: boatek@southwindssailing.com.
HURRICANE (from page
21)
site and NOAA radio, the weather channel and your own personal observation. Watch the sky. Watch the barometer. 3. Local knowledge - once you find a hole to ride out a storm, ask questions. You will find a wealth of information from people who live in these areas. After all, they are in the same “weather boat” with you. Pay attention to what they do. 4. Anchoring out? Tie to a dock? Big decision. Most marinas insist that you leave their facility. That will certainly make the decision for you. In some areas, the preferred way to weather a storm is to haul the boat out and onto land. If you must anchor out, then ground tackle choices you make will be extremely important. 5. Strip the topsides of the boat. Now is a good time to learn how to remove your bimini, sails, boom and any other big windage items. Minimize the vessel’s wind profile. 6. It’s your boat. It’s your responsibility. Take personal pride in your preparedness. You may be held accountable for your vessel’s “performance” during a storm. Our work and the work of others allowed me to have a margarita and laugh while the roof was blowing off, and I can’t think of a better way to meet Isabel. NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
charged fees for the same. The Court held there was no conflict with the Hawaiian law and federal law, and that the Hawaiian law did not conflict with the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. If you have a legal boating (sailing) question, please drop me a note care of SOUTHWINDS or e-mail me at mike@jmichaelshea.com Capt. J. Michael Shea is a maritime attorney in Tampa and holds a master’s and harbor pilot’s license. He has co-authored law books in the maritime field, and teaches and writes articles on maritime law. He has served as a marine investigator for the United States Coast Guard. The opinions in this article are those of the author and not those of the U.S. Coast Guard or any other entity.
SHORT TACKS (from page 17) ing. As a follow-up, the April 2004 issue further investigates the spontaneous combustion question, and sets the record straight. “In doing our boat fire study, we couldn’t find any claims for fires that were caused by charcoal self-igniting,” said Marine Insurance Technical Director Bob Adriance. “But some of our 550,000 members believed that it was a concern, so we had the responsibility to investigate the issue further.” Since the BoatU.S. fire study had already viewed thousands of BoatU.S. claim files over 10 years, Adriance and his team next went online in search of definitive leads on the subject. What they found was striking: “Hundreds, perhaps thousands of hits for charcoal/spontaneous combustion,” says Adriance. A warning from a local New York fire department was typical: “Keep damp or wet coals in a well-ventilated area. During the drying process, spontaneous combustion can occur in confined areas.” A barbecuing safety page further recommended, “Store charcoal in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.” The team learned there were over 500 charcoal/ spontaneous combustion warnings at various Web sites. Even with the understanding that online information is often unverifiable, these were warnings from reputable organizations, including many local fire departments. But while the origins of most boat fires could easily be found, what was lacking was any hard data on the charcoal subject. It wasn’t until Adriance found re-
search presented by P.J. Pagni, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, did the definitive answer come forth. At a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sponsored symposium held at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA, in 2002, Pagni’s research found that the largest commercially available bag of charcoal briquettes (20 lbs.) cannot selfignite at a temperature below 250º. All tested variations: Size, different formulations, addition of water or dry wood, aging, and different bag configurations, raised the already high temperature bar for spontaneous combustion. At normal temperatures (approximately 77ºF), Pagni’s data showed that a bag of charcoal briquettes would have to exceed the volume of a typical house to self-ignite. Pagni’s conclusion is reflected in the 19th edition of the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook which states that, “Spontaneous combustion of charcoal sold to consumers is not a possibility because of its processing, small quantity and container.” So why do so many boaters-and firefighters-believe that charcoal can spontaneously combust? “Charcoal’s first cousin, coal, has a well-documented history of self-combustion when damp or stored in large quantities,” says Adriance. “It’s likely that since the two are similar-looking, have similar burning characteristics and even samesounding names, the combustion properties can easily be confused.” For more information and information about Seaworthy magazine, go to www.BoatUS.com/seaworthy SOUTHWINDS
August 2004
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Pattie Toler Voice & Heart of the Abacos By Lorelei Johnson
W
hose voice is that you hear echoing from VHF radios across an anchorage in the Abacos? It is probably Pattie from Blue Dolphin. Pattie Toler, that is. She is the net controller the majority of the time on the Abaco Cruisers’ Net. Need to know where to get a VHF radio repaired? Ask Pattie. Need to know where to find music on Tuesday nights? Ask Pattie. She brings a wealth of Pattie Toler. Photo by Lorelei Johnson knowledge, humor and enthusiasm to the daily resource for cat spayed in your hometown.” Abaco cruisers in the Abacos or “Top of the Bais her hometown. hamas” as she likes to call these islands When asked what the most unusual of the northern Bahamas. question that she has been asked on the The Abaco Cruisers’ Net started 13 net, she said it had to be the woman who years ago and is broadcast at 0815, 365 wanted to know how she would take days a year. It was started to give cruisher tropical fish back to the United States ers a source for weather and to interface for a month’s visit. Now let’s see, is that with each other. It has expanded to inthe Food and Drug Administration...? clude community announcements, “Doing the net is simple, but not trivia, commercial announcements and easy,” is Pattie’s observation of her current events. The “net,” as it’s called, work. She estimates that she spends four has a set agenda and protocol as to how to five hours per day, seven days a week to get into the net (in other words, speak involved with the net. There’s getting to the group). The net lasts about an ready, calls on the radio prior to the net, hour, but can easily go an hour-and-aand then related calls following the net. half. Through it all, Pattie encourages Add these 35 hours to her work with participation, makes clever remarks and BASRA (Bahamas Air and Sea Rescue keeps the net organized. Association) and as a warden for the I had the opportunity to have lunch Abacos (the contact for Americans in with Pattie at Sopadilly’s in Marsh interfacing with the Bahamian governHarbour. I wanted to find out more ment), and you have a full time, volunabout the woman behind the voice. teer job. She’s as charismatic off the air as she is Pattie’s dedication to the cruisers is on. First, I had to know about Baromevidenced by the fact that her radio is eter Bob. Yes, he is her husband (of 21 in her bedroom. As she says, “Someone years) and yes, they do have separate may need help during the night.” That’s radios for their respective parts of the just the way she is. net. The plethora of information shared Besides being a source of informain the net is stored in Pattie’s head. From tion, the net has accomplishments of names to telephone numbers, it’s all which it can boast. In no small part due there. “You would know where to get a to Pattie’s enthusiasm, volunteers have 62
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been recruited to assist with projects around the Abacos. An example is that it was cruisers who put out the fires that spread throughout Lubbers Quarter Cay recently. Also, during Hurricane Floyd in 1999, the net was on for three days straight. Via the net, Pattie has been able to locate numerous boats for agencies such as the Coast Guard. Pattie’s activities also include community involvement. Her memberships include Friends of the Environment and the Bahamas Marine Mammals Survey. Her involvement with community activities was confirmed during our lunch by the number of people who came to our table to discuss recent events as well as those coming up in the Abacos. Of particular interest to me was how Pattie ended up in the Bahamas. The odyssey started over 21 years ago when she met Barometer Bob when she lived aboard in Washington, D.C. They lived around the world for his job. They also became cruisers. When it came time to retire, they were considering several countries, but kept on coming back to the Bahamas and the Abacos in particular. They found Blue Dolphin (a house) in 1996 and have been there since. From my conversation with Pattie, it is obvious that she wants to help cruisers in any and every way she can. This is attributable to several things. First, she has volunteered throughout her life. Also, she has lived all over the world and knows what it is like to need help in a foreign country. And finally, she wanted something to do in retirement. Besides all this, she is simply a wonderful person. www.southwindssailing.com