Southwindsaugust2006 by SOUTHWINDS Magazine

SOUTHWINDS News & Views for Southern Sailors Hurricane Season: Store Your Boat on Land Cruising the Bahamas Versus Cruising the Keys Challenge Cup 2006 in Pensacola

August 2006 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless

2 August 2006

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News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS August 2006

August 2006

SOUTHWINDS

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SOUTHWINDS NEWS & VIEWS

FOR

SOUTHERN SAILORS

From the Helm: Hurricane Season in August By Steve Morrell

Letters

Southern Regional Monthly Weather and Water Temperatures

Bubba Hypes Hassle-Free Trip to Cuba By Morgan Stinemetz

Short Tacks: Sailing News and Events Around the South

Our Waterways: Misc. News, Florida Wrecked Boat Law Changes, Dwindling Anchorages

Hurricane Season 2006. Misc. News, Florida Hurricane Marina Law Changes, Store Your Boat on Land

Catboat Trip Down a Florida River By Gretchen Coyle

Cruising the Bahamas Versus the Keys By Colin Ward

PHRF Racing Tips: Words to Sail By By Dave Ellis

Racing: Pensacola Challenge Cup, Gulfport to Pensacola Race, Southern Regional Racing Reports Race Calendars

Finding the Essence of Cruising By Peggy St. James

Store your boat on land during hurricane season. Photo by Capt. Ron Butler. Page 36.

60-61 Regional Sailing Services Directory – Local boat services in your area. 68

Alphabetical Index of Advertisers

Advertisers’ List by Category

Subscription Form COVER: Sailing in the Challenge Cup in Pensacola, FL. Photo by Gary Hufford www.beachmaster.smugmug.com.

Cruising the Bahamas versus the Keys. Photo by Colin Ward. Page 43.

From the Carolinas to Cuba…from Atlanta to the Abacos…SOUTHWINDS Covers Southern Sailing News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

August 2006

FROM THE HELM

August in the Atlantic Hurricane Season

ugust is the beginning of the heart of the hurricane season for the southeastern states. August, September and October: to me, the big three months when we need to be more aware. It’s hard to believe that it has been two years since August 13, 2004—the day Hurricane Charley came ashore and changed my view—and a lot of other peoples’ views—on the hurricane season. I lived in Florida for 10 years in the ’80s in southeast Florida and experienced only one hurricane during that time—Hurricane David. I owned a 26-foot wood cruising sloop that I stuck in a hurricane hole in Stuart, FL, and suffered only one smashed compass (as a result of the topping lift breaking). After David, no other serious storms came to Florida, and I became complacent. I was away from the ocean in the ’90s, returning in 2001, still not considering them to be a real bother. Then Charley struck. Then Ivan, Dennis, Francis, Jeanne, Rita, Katrina… well, I won’t bring them all up. After those storms, I saw all the damage they did to boats (to homes and lives, too, but Southwinds is a sailboat magazine). I started to study, see and learn what we could all do to save our boats. I have learned a lot. We can save most of the boats. Sure, when the big one hits, there isn’t much you can do,

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but I also heard many stories of people who prepared their boats and survived even these big storms. In SOUTHWINDS, I have made a major effort to make the magazine a significant source of information on how to prepare your boat for a storm. We have collected articles and information with the main goal being that they be practical stories: what to specifically do to prepare your boat and fit that into what you are most likely to do. I hear people give out advice that the only real way is to anchor your boat out with many anchors and strip the boat down. I’ll bet that is the best thing to do, but I have learned this: Most boats are kept at docks and if you make a plan and prepare to carry it out, you will have the time and it won’t take long. You are likely to do this. If you plan to take your boat out, anchor it with three to five anchors, handle all the logistics of moving the boat (with help) to an anchorage, set all those anchors, and then get back into shore (on some other boat, which has to be prepared, too, by someone), you better have a lot of time and be dedicated to doing so. It will take up a good part of your day to do all this. The best anchoring success story I heard was of Mick Gurley’s Pearson 35, New Moon (see SOUTHWINDS, September 2005, available on our Web site). Mick had a great plan, imple-

mented it many times in the past— refining it over the years—and carried it out, taking a direct hit from Charley. It survived with no damage. But New Moon is Mick’s business as a charter boat. He, along with many others like him, including those whose boat is their home, make the time to save their boats. Most of us use our boats for pleasure and don’t have that time. So SOUTHWINDS has been concentrating on this group—the majority of sailors whose boats are for weekend use, or an occasional cruise, and who, perhaps, race weekly in the club races. We might only have a couple of hours when the storm comes. But with planning, that is all you need—and you can save your boat from those storms that are most likely to hit, the smaller ones. Without planning, you will be in trouble, as there won’t be enough time. Once you’re prepared, it doesn’t take that much time. All of our past stories and many links to hurricane weather Web sites and other articles on the Internet are available on our new, updated hurricane pages on our Web site, www.southwindsmagazine.com. So this month, stay aware, get your plan ready and, if need be, carry it out. But let’s hope we won’t have to. Steve Morrell Editor

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News & Views for Southern Sailors

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News & Views For Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS Media, Inc. P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, Florida 34218-1175 (941) 795-8704 (877) 372-7245 (941) 795-8705 Fax www.southwindsmagazine.co e-mail: editor@southwindsmagazine.com Volume 14

Number 8 August 2006

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Steve Morrell

Advertising Go to www.southwindsmagazine.com for information about the magazine, distribution and advertising rates. Steve Morrell editor@southwindsmagazine.com (941) 795-8704 David Curry davidcurry@southwindsmagazine.com (941) 761-0048 Regional Editors EAST FLORIDA mhw1@earthlink.net

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Production Heather Nicoll

Letters from our readers Julie Connerley Troy Gilbert Walt McFarlane Peggy St. James Colin Ward

Proofreading Kathy Elliott Contributing Writers Rebecca Burg Gretchen Coyle Kim Kaminski Art Perez Capt. Cliff Stephan

Artwork Rebecca Burg angel@artoffshore.com Ron Butler Dave Ellis Roy Laughlin Hone Scunook Morgan Stinemetz

Contributing Photographers/Art Rebecca Burg (Artwork) Ron Butler Julie Connerley Gretchen Coyle Troy Gilbert Gary Hufford Kim Kaminski Roy Laughlin Peggy St. James Colin Ward EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: ARTICLES & PHOTOGRAPHY: SOUTHWINDS encourages readers, writers, photographers, cartoonists, jokers, magicians, philosophers and whoever else is out there, including sailors, to send in their material. Just make it about the water world and generally about sailing and about sailing in the South, the Bahamas or the Caribbean, or general sailing interest, or sailboats, or sailing in some faroff and far-out place. SOUTHWINDS welcomes contributions in writing and photography, stories about sailing, racing, cruising, maintenance and other technical articles and other sailing-related topics. Please submit all articles electronically by e-mail (mailed-in discs also accepted), and with photographs, if possible. We also accept photographs alone, for cover shots, racing, cruising and just funny entertaining shots. Please take them at a high resolution if digital, or scan at 300 dpi if photos, or mail them to us for scanning. Contact the editor with questions. Subscriptions to SOUTHWINDS are available at $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.southwindsmagazine.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.

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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. LETTER FROM SEVEN SEAS CRUISING ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR ON MIAMI BEACH ANCHORING We returned from cruising in Maine just in time to pick up the fight against the insane Miami Beach anchoring ordinance. Although the ordinance was passed in May 2005, with the stated purpose of eliminating derelicts and vessels “in storage,” it wasn’t lost on us that the city elected not to enforce the new law until cruising boats started to accumulate and wait for weather to cross the Gulf Stream early this year. Most of the derelicts and “in storage” boats that survived the summer storms and eight months of the ordinance are still anchored in Miami Beach. The few boats that owners did move are accumulating along the west end of Hibiscus and Palm islands, right at the border of city of Miami waters. It’s only a matter of time before Miami takes a similar stand and tries to close the area completely. Miami Beach flew its true colors by going after the cruising boats by first getting tough to show constituents it means business. In my capacity as a director of the Seven Seas Cruising Association, I have received many verbal complaints and at least four letters from cruising sailors reporting intimidation in the form of daily circling and photographing of boats, asking for photo identification of people on board, and the threat of removal and impoundment if they didn’t move within seven days. Almost all said the

News & Views for Southern Sailors

police were polite, but they felt intimidated just the same. All said the police made them feel unwelcome, and that they needed to get out of Miami Beach before the time limit. The use of arbitrary time limits to regulate vessels engaged in navigation is prohibited by Florida statute section 327.60. Vessels are considered to be in navigation even when they are anchored and waiting for weather to proceed to their next planned destination, provisioning, resting, waiting on parts or repairs, have sick or injured crewmembers, or are seeking medical attention. Miami Beach is attempting to bypass this provision by arbitrarily re-defining any vessel anchored for more than seven days as a liveaboard vessel not in navigation. While the Miami Beach ordinance allows for extreme weather or sickness, many cruisers have told me they were run out because the police officer said the weather was good enough to move to another jurisdiction, even though another jurisdiction was not on their cruising itinerary. A similar anchoring ordinance in Riviera Beach, FL, was struck down in 1991 when a state court refused to define the rights of navigation in terms of an arbitrary time period, noting that “the length of time that a boat remains anchored may be only one criteria determining whether it is See LETTERS continued on page 10

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LETTERS involved in navigation.” The regulatory power of a municipality over public waterways is limited to actions that are reasonably related to the public health, safety or general welfare of its residents. The Miami Beach assertion that anchored vessels cause pollution and contamination, are a nuisance and an invasion of privacy, and are a threat to the safety, health, and welfare of its residents is arbitrary and unjustified. The city cannot produce any credible study that shows anchored vessels are any more responsible for these conditions than are vessels in the city’s marinas, and residential docks. How could residents’ boats be any better? The city has made no attempt to provide pump-out facilities, even though there is federal, state and private grant money to do so. Shame on the city of Miami Beach for even trying this approach! Bahamian custom officials say that of the 25,000 private vessels that enter their waters each year, almost all come from three South Florida ports: Miami, Port Everglades and Lake Worth Inlet. Miami Beach is a gateway to the Bahamas and Caribbean, and is one of the few all-weather anchorages where boaters can wait out northerlies to cross the Gulf Stream. Despite this, many cities, including Miami Beach, never invited local merchants to the table to discuss how issues like anchoring restrictions might affect them. We found that most merchants didn’t know the city had enacted an ordinance that was taking dollars out of their pockets and initiated the Boater Bucks campaign to help educate them. The true origin of the Miami Beach anchoring ordinance is pressure from a few waterfront residents who claim a right to an unobstructed view of Biscayne Bay. They apparently aren’t aware that these waters are a public trust for the use and enjoyment of boaters as much as for theirs. Here’s what you can do now to protect yourself while exercising your right of navigation: • Keep your ship’s log, a legal document, current with the date and location of your anchorages. Note weather and sea conditions, particularly if you are relying on a “weather router” to help decide when to embark on a transit. • Note whether any regulatory signs are posted within view. • Politely ask for identification, badge number and phone contact information should you be approached by marine police. Ask for a copy of any paperwork, case number, forms, etc. • State your intention to remain anchored until weather, health, or repairs are acceptable for safe transit. YOUR opinion regarding safe transit is the one that counts. • Remain anchored for your full entitlement unless you’re ready to move on sooner. It’s important that boaters not be bullied, threatened, or intimidated into moving early. • Report any harassment by shoreside neighbors or other boaters attempting to drive you off. • In all other respects, be a clean-wake cruiser and a prudent mariner. Remember, you represent all cruising boaters. Make your economic impact felt by thanking merchants and giving managers a Boater Bucks reverse receipt for the amount of your purchase. • Explain to managers that you can only bring your business to them if the city allows you to remain anchored in its waters. If merchants want your business, they should say so to the mayor, city commissioners, and/or the city manager. Then grab a phone book and help them look up the telephone number! See LETTERS continued on page 12 10

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News & Views for Southern Sailors

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August 2006

LETTERS • Cut and copy this example as needed; it’s designed to be generic, for use in any city. Richard Blackford Director, Seven Seas Cruising Assoc. S/V Slow Dancing, Miami Beach, FL Richard, I know we are slow in getting this printed (we received this in March), but we get a lot of letters on this issue, and others were in line ahead of you. Your points are well-taken, and I find it shameful, but not surprising, that police would harass boaters before they have done anything wrong. I wonder if these officers are proud of their actions. I agree, it is the power of wealthy waterfront property owners who seem to control many local communities, yet they are the ones spoiling the waters we sail and swim in with fertilizer run-off right into the waterways. Non-point source pollution, which is what run-off is, is the single biggest source of pollution that exists. Boaters should be complaining about these property owners. Editor

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REPAIR TROUBLES IN GEORGIA MARINA On April 18, we discovered vibration with our shaft and decided to go to a marina in Brunswick, GA, for repairs. Beforehand, we called and talked to the owner/operator, told him the history of our problem and how it all started way back when we hit something in the swamp, and that we hauled out and had the prop fixed. We told him we needed a new shaft made and gave him the shaft dimensions and were told most likely one would be either on its way or waiting for us when we got there. We came in and nothing was ready. But no big deal. We pulled the shaft and sent out for a new one. I helped the mechanic the entire day to expedite the work. All was looking good until around 4:30 when we were asked if we needed anything off our boat. We said no and asked why and were told we had to leave and couldn’t stay on our boat there. We found the owner and he said he told us that when we called. We told him that he didn’t; otherwise, we wouldn’t have come there. He said we

did and it was on the paperwork we signed when we came in. We asked what paperwork, as we didn’t sign anything! He said, “Oh, you didn’t? Well, it’s on there.” His secretary drove us to a hotel.(We were not very happy, to put it mildly.) The next day, we finally signed the paperwork that had nothing that stated that you could not stay onboard. Okay. The work was done. We splashed the boat and went to the adjacent marina to do our own repair work on an alternator and spend the night. The next day, we left the marina and about 15 minutes later noticed something wrong. The shaft was vibrating just as badly as the original. We called the yard and told them the problem. The owner said to come in but didn’t know if he could get to us as they were really busy! (Excuse me?) So we came in and waited. Finally, the mechanic comes over and says, “Why did you say I screwed up?” We said we never said anything of the kind. “Well, my boss said you said I screwed up the job.”

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We told him we just wanted someone with more experience to look at it and see what was wrong. He climbs into the engine room and says it looks like our prop. We told him we gave him the history before we came in. He says, “Well, Cap, we do what you say. You said fix the shaft, so that’s what we did.” We go back and forth. Then he goes and gets the owner—who’s in a foul mood—who looks at it and says

yes, it’s our prop. We said the same thing, that we gave him our history on the boat problem, etc. He says, “Listen, Cap. You say fix something, that’s what we fix.” So we ask him if maybe we can have a break on the haul-out and he replies, “Why did you say my mechanic screwed up the job?” I told him I didn’t say that, and he swears I did. I told him that maybe he misunderstood me, and that I just wanted someone else to look at the problem.

He responds, “Cap, you’re a liar. Either say you said that, or I want you off my dock and out of the marina!” I told him I wasn’t going to say something I didn’t say. He said, “You’re out of here!” So we had to leave in the middle of the day, boat not repaired, storm forecasted. We thought we were in the twilight zone. After we calmed down, we called Thunderbolt Marina nearby and were told to come in, gave them the same info on the boat (omitting the fiasco with the other marina). They fixed the prop, but insisted on doing a test on the shaft before we went back in. Everything worked out and we got under way. Kevin at Thunderbolt was courteous, professional and fair in pricing. We would recommend Thunderbolt Marina in Georgia anytime. The other place, we can’t. Kathie and Charlie Grove S/V My Time Too Kathie and Charlie, Sorry to hear about your problems. We have withheld the name of the other marina, as that is our policy. I can only say to be more cautious in asking for repairs in the future. I strongly recommend getting an estimate and having a long discussion with those who do the work as to why something is being done, get their opinion on what caused a problem and test their skills in responding. You will also learn how they will deal with you during the discourse— especially their attitude. It’s like getting hints of what the marriage would be like during the courtship. You can protect yourself by being patient and questioning. Of course, there are others out there, who will insist from the beginning on asking you the questions you should be asking them, to make sure you understand what you are getting into, the reasons for the repairs planned and the possible problems that could arise if everything doesn’t work out as planned. Seek those people out to work on your boat. Editor Regarding your campaign in SOUTHWINDS on MSDs, which treat water to a cleaner level than shoreside facilities do, I’d like to suggest a few things. First, there are waterless toilets now available for boats. I have some friends who installed one in their Morgan OI 41 and were absolutely tickled pink with it. These are similar to composting toilets, except that they work really fast See LETTERS continued on page 14

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August 2006

LETTERS and all that remains is a sterile—nonchemical-enhanced—powder that can be carried ashore and disposed of virtually anywhere. No smell, no bacteria, no viruses, no nothing but powder. Obviously, unless Lectra San has figured out a way to remove the chlorine prior to discharge, this could be a problem. If you want some real ammunition into the fallacies of NDZs, contact Tom Warneke at the Palm Beach branch of the Surfrider Foundation. The real culprit of much of the reef die-offs and poor water quality is most likely from deepwater sewage injection wells in the Keys and in South Florida, not a few boaters using their boats on weekends. I’m pretty sure that Surfrider has been involved in lawsuits over ASR (aquifer storage and recovery) wells. FDEP claims that the fluids injected are so deep that they remain there, but USGS studies have shown that ASR wells in Florida, with its karst formations of limestone tubes that carry water from the Appalachians all the way to the end of Florida and beyond, not only don’t hold water (or effluent), but in some cases let it out at a rate of several hundred feet per hour! I believe that Surfrider has documented this with studies that show the effluent is flowing out from seeps in the ocean and polluting the offshore waters and our beaches. On the Gulf side, the FDEP actually allows the paper mill on the Fenholloway River near Chiefland to

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pipe its effluent into the Gulf. The FDEP (department of encouraged polluting) claimed, when they issued the permit, that there would be ample dilution of the effluent. Well, ever since then, the red tide outbreaks have been magnified many times over, lasting longer and happening in places where they never happened before, at least in noticeable amounts. This effluent is piped very near the “dead zone” that covers hundreds of square miles south and southeast of the Mississippi River Delta, where nutrient loading has removed all oxygen from the waters. This is your government at work for the development community! Also, don’t forget the antibiotics. Your body only uses about 30 percent of any antibiotic that you take. The rest gets whizzed down the toilet and is pretty well unaffected by “treatment.” So, the reused water that is poured into our lakes, rivers and estuaries contains enough antibiotics to kill the bacteria that is the slime on fish that protect the fish from other bacterial infections. Of course, they do the same to virtually any living creature that lives in the water and may be producing superbacteria that will not respond to treatment if we humans get a dose. And then, there are the estrogen mimickers. They are actually produced as part of the “treatment” process. You’ve undoubtedly read about all the alligators that are being born with useless genitalia, the frogs, fish and dol-

phins born with no sex or two sexes or combinations that render them incapable of reproduction and susceptible to cancers. Thank your local FDEP for that one, too. Pogo was right. We are the enemy. For more on the Surfrider Foundation, go to www.surfrider.org. Eric, Thanks for the information. Again, I repeat what I have said about the waterfront landowners’ complaints about cruisers polluting their waters. They are polluting the waters we sail in, and we should be complaining about them. Surfrider Foundation has been doing this for many years and is one of the most effective fighters for clean ocean water out there. Thanks for reminding me. By the way, the Lectra San toilet uses a harmless form of chlorine in treating waste. It takes the chlorine from that found in the sea’s salt. In freshwater, common table salt can be used as a substitute. This is different from the chlorine used in cleaning pump-out hoses, which is very powerful and can be harmful to marine life. The chlorine Lectra San uses is harmless. This is a common misconception people have about the system. You can learn more about it in the “Our Waterways” section in the April 2006 issue of SOUTHWINDS. Editor

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Southeastern U.S. Air & Water Temperatures and Gulf Stream Currents – August Weather Web Sites: Carolinas & Georgia www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Southeast.shtml Florida East Coast www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Florida.shtml Florida West Coast & Keys http://comps.marine.usf.edu Northern Gulf Coast www.csc.noaa.gov/coos/

CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA Cape Hatteras, NC 73º lo – 84º hi Savannah, GA 71º lo – 90º hi Water Temperature Cape Hatteras, NC – 80º Savannah Beach, GA – 85º

NORTHERN GULF COAST Pensacola, FL 74º lo – 91º hi Gulfport, MS 74º lo – 91º hi Water Temperature – 85º EAST FLORIDA Daytona Beach - 73º lo – 90º hi Jacksonville Beach - 74º lo – 88º hi Water Temperature Daytona Beach – 81º Jacksonville Beach – 83º

WEST FLORIDA St. Petersburg 77º lo – 90º hi Naples 73º lo – 91º hi Water Temperature St. Petersburg – 86º Naples – 87º

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Miami Beach – 76º lo – 91º hi Stuart – 75º lo – 90º hi Water Temperature Miami Beach – 86º Stuart – 80º Gulfstream Current – 3.2 knots

FLORIDA KEYS Key West 79º lo – 90º hi Water Temperature Key West – 87º

WIND ROSES: Each wind rose shows the strength and direction of the prevailing winds in the area and month. These have been recorded over a long period of time. In general, the lengths of the arrows indicate how often the winds came from that direction. The longer the arrow, the more often the winds came from that direction. When the arrow is too long to be printed in a practical manner, a number is indicated.

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The number in the center of the circle shows the percentage of the time that the winds were calm. The lengths of the arrows plus the calms number in the center add up to 100 percent. The number of feathers on the arrow indicates the strength of the wind on the Beaufort scale (one feather is Force 1, etc.). Wind Roses are taken from Pilot Charts.

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Events and News of Interest to Southern Sailors To have your news or event in this section, contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com. Send us information by the 5th of the month, possibly later. Contact us if later. Racing Events For racing schedules, news and events see the racing section.

UPCOMING SOUTHERN EVENTS EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING/SUMMER CAMPS Ongoing – Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs. St. Petersburg, FL, Tuesday nights, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Satisfies the Florida boater safety education requirements. Eleven lessons every Tuesday. Lessons include: which boat for you, equipment, trailering, lines and knots, boat handling, signs, weather, rules, introduction to navigation, inland boating and radio. (727) 823-3753

Boating Safety Courses, St. Petersburg, FL: St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron. Six-week public boating course begins every Monday. Includes safety information plus basic piloting; charts, course plotting, latitude/longitude and dead reckoning. Satisfies Florida’s under age 21 boater requirements. (727) 867-3088. Other courses continuosly offered. (727) 565-4453. www.boating-stpete.org. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 14-4, Jacksonville, FL. One-day America’s boating course. Saturdays: August 12, Sept 16. Captains Club, 13363 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville FL. Meets Florida state boaters card requirements. Contact John Davis at (904) 821-9692. Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 11-1) Public Boating Programs: America’s boating course (2 lessons): Aug. 14, 17, evenings. Clearwater Sailing Center, 1001 Gulf Blvd., Sand Key (Clearwater). Open to adults and youths. Basic Coastal navigation program (includes charting tools) – seven lessons, begins Sept. 28. Evenings For more information on upcoming education programs or to request a free vessel safety check call (727) 4698895 or visit http://a0701101.uscgaux.info/. Ruskin, FL, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 75 Offers Home Study Safe Boating Course The Ruskin flotilla each month offers a boating safety course in Ruskin, but has found that many boaters do not have the time to attend the courses, so they are now also offering a home study course at $30. Additional family members will be charged $10 each for testing and certificates. Tests will be held bi-monthly. Entry into the course will also allow participants to attend the classes. To apply, call (813) 677-2354. North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort, NC, www.ncmm-friends.org, maritime@ncmail.net, (252) 7287317. On-going adults sailing programs. Family sailing. 2-6 people; 2-6 hours. Traditional skiffs or 30’ keelboat. $50$240. Reservations/information: call The Friends’ office (252) 728-1638 West Marine Free Seminars for August, Tampa Bay The following are of interest to sailors. West Marine has many other seminars on fishing. Contact stores for more information. South St. Petersburg Store 5001 34th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL (727) 867-5700, start time 6 p.m. 8/10 Basics of your GPS w/Peter Barton 8/24 Tips on Cruising the Bahamas w/Lynn Neumann Clearwater 111477 US 19N (727) 573-2678, start time 6 p.m. 8/31 Everything Garmin w/Regional Product Trainer John Murch

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Marine Service Managers Course. West Palm Beach, FL. Association of Marina Industries. (401) 247-0314. Sept. 9-12. www.marinaassociation.org. Basic Electrical Course, Sept. 12-14. Wilmington, NC. American Boat & Yacht Council. (410) 956-1050. www.abycinc.org.

BOAT SHOWS Regatta Pointe Marina Boat Show, August 25-27, Palmetto, FL Break up the summer heat and doldrums by attending the Regatta Pointe Marina Boat Show, August 2527, at 1005 Riverside Dr. on the Manatee River in Palmetto, FL. Admission is FREE to the public. Show hours are from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This show will feature about 75 yachts—worth approximately $25-million—in the water and ready to cruise away. There will be special boat show purchase incentives on all new yachts. Inspect a wide variety of power and sailing yachts, both new and pre-owned. New yacht brands represented include Doral, Novatec, Craig Cat, Albin, Nordic Tug, Hunter, Catalina, Island Packet and Manta Catamarans, both power and sail. There are many additional brands of pre-owned power and sailboats. Yacht styles include cruising sailboats, trawlers, sportfish, sedan, express and New England-style cruisers, fishing boats and catamarans. Yacht financing and insurance representatives plus a variety of yacht outfitters will be on hand to offer their services and answer questions. Attendees may sign up for the $500 West Marine door prize. Food and drinks are available at the Riverside Café. The show is hosted by Regatta Pointe Marina, Island Yachting Centre, Manta Catamarans, Carson Yacht Brokerage, Dolphin International Yacht Sales and Massey Yacht Sales & Service. For additional information or questions, please call Mark Hayes, Regatta Pointe Marina har-

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Regatta Pointe Marina in Palmetto, FL.

bormaster, at (941) 729-6021 or contact any of the hosts or visit their Web sites. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend this exciting summer event.

NEWS Florida Fish and Wildlife Considers Registration of Non-Motorized Craft The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is looking into the possibility of registering non-motorized craft such as canoes, kayaks and non-motorized sailboats (including windsurfers). The idea was originally proposed by representatives of the Marine Industries Association of Florida, citing the idea of fairness, since about 10 percent of boating fatalities in the state are on non-motorized canoes and kayaks. Supporters of registration believe these boaters should contribute to the cost of services received, such as rescue services, although a spokesman who is on the committee that is looking into the issue believes the state should encourage canoes and kayaks because they are a passive, low-impact form of boating, and asking for registration would place a burden on them. It is estimated that there are over 1-million canoes and almost 800,000 kayaks in Florida. The number of non-motorized small sailboats is unknown. The FWC states they are a long way off from implementing such a requirement, if they do so at all. Kayak and canoe organizations have expressed opposition to the proposal. Currently Florida law states that all vessels 16 feet and longer must register in the state of Florida. Non-motorized vessels less than 16 feet long do not have to register unless they are motorized, in which case they must be registered regardless of length, even if they are using a small electric trolling motor. For a summation of the law, go to www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/faqboat.html. www.southwindsmagazine.com

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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Florida Now Has Largest Number of Boats Florida recently passed Michigan as the state with the greatest number of registered boats, counting 946,072 in 2004. Michigan is now second with 944,800 and California third with 894,884 dur-

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ing the same time period. The number of boats in Florida probably far exceeds the other states beyond that number as so many boaters who come to the state never register their boats in the state, whether they are registered in another state or USCG-documented vessels, although it is required to do so if the boat is in Florida for more than 90 days.

Update on Historic Ship Found in the Northern Gulf after Hurricane Katrina By Kim Kaminski SOUTHWINDS recently reported about a shipwreck discovered at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. The wreck was discovered while demolishing one of the buildings damaged from the 2005 hurricane season. Archaeologists believe the shipwreck may be part of the Spanish armada fleet of 13 ships that Don Tristan de Luna, who led the first settlement to Pensacola in 1559, was given to sail into Pensacola Bay close to 450 years ago. As history goes, in 1559, Don Luis Velasco, who was the Viceroy of Mexico, sent Spanish Conquistador Tristan de Luna y Arellano (a wealthy and religious soldier) to establish a Florida settlement on the Gulf Coast of the United States as well as an overland route to Santa Elena (on Tybee Island, GA) where another outpost would be established. This settlement that De Luna would create would not only help any shipwrecked sailors along the Gulf Coast, but the settlement would also discourage French trading. To accomplish this task, Don Tristan de Luna set sail with the 13 ships and over 1500 soldiers, colonists and friars to implement the first European colony within what would become the boundaries of the continental United States. He set up the encampment of Puerto de Santa Maria on the location where he landed (near the site of the Naval Air Station at Pensacola) and sent several groups inland to explore the land. De Luna left his ships and much of his supplies in the bay for almost two months while the group explored the region. During the night of September 19, 1559, a hurricane swept into the area and destroyed five of his ships filled with supplies. De Lunaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exploration efforts stopped, and his main focus now changed to that of survival. After struggling through a harsh winter filled with uncertainty and starvation, the settlement expedition was canwww.southwindsmagazine.com

celled. Leaving only a handful of men behind, De Luna and his crew left the area for Havana. The area was not populated again until 1698 when the Spanish established the city of Pensacola. The archaeologists who are now in charge of the site speculate that the wooden ship was one of De Luna’s lost supply vessels that sank in the hurricane of 1559. Access to the site has been restricted to the U.S. Navy and to the archaeologists working on the dig location. However, as more discoveries are unearthed from the shipwreck, images of the past will be revealed to all from this fascinating nautical treasure.

“Boating and Angling Guide to Brevard County“ Available By Roy Laughlin Just about everything a day sailor or cruising sailor would like to know but wouldn’t know who to ask is included in this guide to Brevard County’s ICW and Indian River Lagoon system. One side of this map format document is a chart of the county’s Indian River Lagoon, including the ICW. It shows channels and navigation marks, shallows and flats, speed restricted areas and other features of interest to sailors and boaters. The document also includes several contact lists, including boat ramps and marinas. The back side of the map has several narrative sections on endangered species, boating safety, and organizations working in the lagoon. You can find more detailed information on each of these topics elsewhere, but no other source has such broad and concise coverage in one place. Best of all, it’s free. As of the end of March, nearly 5000 copies have been distributed to individuals, bait shops, boating stores, marinas and other business and boating establishments. You may also request a copy directly from Brevard County’s Parks & Recreation Department. Use Parks & Rec’s Web site, www.brevardparks.com. On the far right side of the home page graphic, a box contains two News & Views for Southern Sailors

logos, one of which is for the Brevard County Marine Advisory Council. This logo links to the advisory board’s page. On that page, upper left, is a line of topics. Follow the link on Boating, the last (rightmost) word. The Boating page has a list of Informational Resources. A link in this list should be available allowing you to request a copy by e-mail. Business and organizations intending to make the guide publicly available should specify how many copies to send. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, in collaboration with Brevard County’s Parks & Recreation Department produced this guide. If you wonder where your boating registration and fishing license taxes go, a small part went to produce this document.

Sail America Board Names Jonathan Banks New Executive Director Sail America President Bill Bolin announced in June that the screening committee’s unanimous choice for the executive director’s post is Jonathan Banks, a marketing consultant with an extensive background in all facets of sailing and the marine industry. Banks took the helm of Sail

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America the first week of July. “Jonathan Banks got his feet wet in the marine industry with New England Ropes a few years back and now runs his own marketing consulting company,” said Bolin. “He has circumnavigated the world as a yacht captain aboard a Swan 57 and remains actively involved with sailing.” Banks brings over 20 years’ experience in international business management with leading companies in the marine, electric vehicle, automotive, sporting goods, and telecommunications industries. Previously, he was director of marketing for Vectrix Corp. in Newport, RI, a leading developer of zero-emission personal transportation products; vice president of sales and marketing at Thule, in Seymour, CT, the world’s leading manufacturer and distributor of roof rack systems; and marine market manager at New England Ropes in Fall River, MA. He also held various management roles with two of the UK’s leading telecommunications companies, British Telecom and Cable and Wireless. Banks has extensive sailing experience on all types of boats from dinghies to mega-yachts. He grew up sailing on the south coast of England. He twice won the UK National Championships in the MG Spring class and competed in regattas in Europe and the Caribbean. From 1991 to 1994, he was the captain of Tenareze, a Swan 57, on a circumnavigation of the world. Since moving to the United States in 1995, he has been actively involved in cruising and one-design racing. Sail America manages and puts on the Strictly Sail boat shows throughout the United States. For more information, go to www.sailamerica.com. For more information on the Strictly Sail shows and the upcoming show schedule, go to www.strictlysail.com.

Red Tide Spreads in Southwest Florida Although small, red tide has been detected in areas of southwest Florida in southern Sarasota County, parts of Lee County and the northern part of Collier County. Collier County officials notified those with respiratory problems to

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not go to the beach. Some reports show the red spreading. Reports of discolored waters in Manatee County and cloudy water in the Pine Island Sound are reported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Institute to not be caused by red tide. A red tide report is regularly updated and available on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Institute Web site, http://research.myfwc.com. Regional reports from around the state are available.

Researchers Believe Red Tide in Florida Possibly Caused by 2004 Hurricanes and Nutrient-Rich Underwater Springs Researchers from the University of South Florida and the United States Geological Survey recently published a theory that the excessive rainfall from the 2004 hurricanes passed through Florida’s nutrient-rich porous ground and filled Florida aquifers, which eventually went into Gulf waters through underwater springs off Florida’s west coast. The authors of the study believe the theory needs more research and cannot say that the tide was absolutely caused by these reasons, but are convinced that the nutrients from the springs at least contributed to maintaining the red tide. It was previously believed that nutrients from runoff from Florida rivers after the rains contributed to the red tide build-up, but the lag in time could not be explained, as the river runoff would be almost immediate, but the red tide started up long after that river runoff. The study suggested that the rains passed through the Florida soil, where they picked up phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients from septic tank effluents and man-made fertilizers, and then filled the aquifers, which eventually emptied into the Gulf through these underwater springs, thus explaining the time lag. The researchers suggest testing the waters of these underwater springs more extensively to further the research.

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OUR WATERWAYS

OUR UR WATERWAYS ATERWAYS: DWINDLING WINDLING ANCHORAGES NCHORAGES? A liveaboard sailor, who has anchored out along Florida’s western coast for many years, writes about the changes he has seen. In this section. Photo by Steve Morrell.

SOUTHWINDS “Our Waterways” Section SOUTHWINDS has created this section to inform our readers about changes in our waterways. We believe that Southerners are in the midst of a great change occurring on our waterways—through the conversion of many boating properties to condominiums, restrictions on anchorages once thought to be more open and now being more restricted and regulated, and other economic forces at work. This section will also concern itself with the environmental health of the waters we boat and swim in. The waterways belong to all of us, and all of us have a right to use them. The waterways are not just for those who can afford to live on the water, and it is up to us boaters and lovers of these waters to protect that right. We hope that by helping to inform you of these changes, we will contribute to doing just that. We are looking for news and information on changes, land sales, anchorages, boaters’ rights, new marinas, anchoring rights, disappearing marinas, boatyards and boat ramps, environmental concerns and other related news.

Independent writers wanted on these subjects. Contact Steve Morrell, editor@southwindsmagazine.com, or call (877) 372-7245. We regularly receive many letters to the editor on these issues. See the “Letters” section for more opinions and information. Some letters will be published in this section if appropriate. In the coming months, we will be developing “Our Waterways” pages on our Web site, www.southwindsmagazine.com. Visit those pages for links, information, articles and more.

BoatU.S. Magazine Honored For Advocacy on Column on Rick Santorum Bill to Privatize National Weather Service Forecasts For the fourth year in a row, BoatU.S. Magazine has received an Apex Award, this time in the contest’s Editorials and

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OUR WATERWAYS Advocacy Writing category for its editorial column, ‘‘Behind the Buoy,” written by Editor Michael Sciulla. The winning column, in the Sept. 2005 issue of the magazine (http://www.boatus.com/news/buoy09_05.htm), was a hard-hitting editorial taking on Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) for introducing legislation that would prohibit the National Weather Service from providing anything but severe weather forecasts to the public. Santorum’s bill would have required the National Weather Service to turn its data over to the private sector, which then would have been free to repackage it and sell it to the public.

SOUTHWINDS Editor Comment on BoatU.S. Magazine I have been a member of BoatU.S for many years and have received its monthly magazine each month. The magazine is an excellent source of information about the ongoing problems we face with our changing waterways, as we have tried to publicize in the last year in Southwinds. BoatU.S and its magazine are one of the greatest resources we have in trying to stem the tide of disappearing marinas and boatyards, waterways access, pollution, maintenance of our waterways, saving the ICW and all the other problems we all face in trying to manage and save our waters and coasts. I strongly urge our readers to join BoatU.S., which gets you a subscription to its magazine, and help in this endeavor. Go to www.boatus.com to do so. Plus their Web site is a great resource for information.

“The nation’s 14-million recreational boat owners rely on accurate and up-to-the minute weather forecasts for their safety, and prudent boaters always check weather forecasts before venturing out,” said Sciulla. “In the aftermath of the devastating hurricanes that have pummeled our coasts in recent years, this legislation is particularly inappropriate,” he added. Now in its 18th year, the Apex Awards are based on excellence in editorial content, graphic design, and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. Nearly 5,000 entries were received by the judges. “Being recognized in the Editorials and Advocacy Writing is especially gratifying because so much of the mission of the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.) is to represent not only the interests of our 660,000 members, but the larger boating community as well,” said Sciulla.

Wrecked Boat Law Goes Into Effect in Florida On July 1, a new law, HB 201, went into effect in Florida allowing marina operators, who have a possessory lien on a boat, to remove and dispose of boats that are in a “wrecked, junked, or substantially dismantled condition, which has been left abandoned at a marina.” The marina can pass the costs of the removal or disposal of the boat along to the boat owner. The marina must notify the owner in writing, in person or via certified mail. They must also post a notice at the marina and on the boat and give at least 60 days to the boat owner, stating the claim and situation, giving the owner opportunity to pay up on the claim. The exception to the law is for hurricanes, where application of the lien provisions of the law are suspended for 60 days, so the boat owner or his insurance company can take care of the boat if the boat was wrecked at the marina from a storm.

Florida Passes Law on Marina Operators’ Rights During Named Storms & Removal of Derelict Vessels This law, HB 7175, went into effect July 1. See the Hurricane section in this issue for more on this law.

Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez Continues to Pursue Seafood Shack Location Florida’s only maritime museum, the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez, in the south Tampa Bay area, has been working for the last year on getting the Seafood Shack Restaurant and Marina as part of its new home. Last spring, Manatee County gave up on purchasing the marina and restaurant after estimated costs came in over budget. The county wanted to purchase the marina to keep the location from being sold to condominium developers in order to 26

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OUR WATERWAYS building as a new location for the museum. The museum is a joint venture of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) and the Manatee County Clerk of Courts. FISH was established in 1991 to help preserve Florida’s saltwater heritage and to work on establishing a maritime museum. In recent years, the institute partnered with the Manatee County Clerk of Courts, purchased the old Cortez schoolhouse as a museum site, established a traditional boatbuilding and restoring school and has been seeking more waterfront locations for its activities. It already has purchased waterfront property in the historic village of Cortez and continues to seek more land in the area. The The Seafood Shack and Marina in Cortez, FL. Photo by Steve Morrell. Seafood Shack and Marina has been for sale for the last few keep the marina public. They also proposed opening a boat years, and it is seen by many to be headed down the road ramp at the marina to fill the need for more boaters’ access. toward purchase for condominium development. It would be The proposal included plans to use the existing restaurant an ideal location for the museum’s boatbuilding school.

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The most recent move to get the Seafood Shack as a museum/boatbuilding site has been taken up by the Sarasota Conservation Foundation, which was founded in 2003. The foundation purchases property for conservation purposes and has expressed interest in buying the 6.1-acre site for the museum. The proposed boat ramp that Manatee County was considering is no longer part of the plan, partly because of strong neighbor opposition to placing a boat ramp in the area.

Public Input Sought for Brevard County Marine Management Plan By Roy Laughlin The Brevard County Comprehensive Marine Management Master Plan, becoming known as CM3P, has been under discussion for the last few months among members of the Marine Advisory Board, a group established by the Brevard Board of County Commissioners to help draft policy measures such as this master plan. Although Marine Advisory Board meetings are open to the public, they are highly structured, and the public has limited ability to affect the agenda. In the next phase of developing a master plan, the public can have a much greater role. Ernest Brown, director of the Brevard Natural Resources Office, and Chuck Nelson of the Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department are planning the first of a series of meetings to bring the public into the evolving management plan to be held at the end of August. The chief value of this meeting will be to identify users and groups whose input will be sought. Any member of the public, however, has a chance to make comments, and organizations that want to be included in subsequent meetings can make that request during the meeting. As Southwinds goes to press, the meeting date and place has still to be determined. Anyone wishing to attend the meeting should contact Elizabeth Alward, Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department at (321) 633-1874 for further information. It is important that members of the public understand how significant a few voices can be at this stage of master plan development. The issue of liveaboards was a seminal topic when the County Commission agreed, in November 2005, that a comprehensive marine management master plan was desirable. The liveaboard issue was nurtured through several County Commission meetings by just two property owners complaining about one single boat anchored in front of their waterfront homes. At the final meeting, not a single person spoke in defense of liveaboards or about the opportunity for boaters to anchor for more than several days in a specific location. Anyone interested in living aboard, or even enjoying the option of extended anchoring (for example, over several weeks of a vacation), should strongly consider the benefits of bringing their bodies and comments to these meetings, or perhaps face prospects of losing the right to anchor for more than a day or two in Brevard County. This is one example of users who have hardly been heard thus far. But anyone who enjoys the lagoon system in Brevard County has a stake in this plan and should pay close attention to its development. News & Views for Southern Sailors

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OUR WATERWAYS

The bright orange “bumper sticker” posted on Misty.

DWINDLING ANCHORAGES?

An Anchored-Out Liveaboard Sailor Discusses Anchoring Rights: Prohibited Uses Of A Vessel In Florida By Capt. Cliff Stephan How does it feel to be unlawful? To realize your lifestyle, the way you have chosen to live, the way you enjoy life is unlawful? I have chosen to live on a vessel, a way of life which harms no one. Yet it is illegal in my hometown.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

Describing all the enjoyable anchorages in Pinellas County, FL, home to St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and several other great Tampa Bay communities, could fill a book. Sadly, the local communities have adopted codes/laws which, when enforced, make anchoring here a short-term affair. The local codes in the Pinellas County area don’t flat -out prohibit anchoring. By federal statute, no laws can impinge on the rights of a vessel to navigate. Yet federal laws haven’t protected anything except interstate commerce. In locally policed waters, the citizens can legally make and enforce laws requiring you to move after a very short stay. The existence of these laws was painfully evidenced by the bright orange “bumper sticker” posted on my sailboat in October of 2005. I didn’t know what to expect. A phone conversation with the Pinellas County sheriff’s deputy earlier that morning had informed me I was breaking the law. I was not aboard when he phoned saying he had boarded my sailboat. Times had changed! Many times and for periods longer than 30 days I had anchored there. Only twice before have deputies arrived asking me to move. One time, some two years ago, I was one of three vessels in the area of the lighted Christmas boat parade who were asked to move. Another unhappy time in a different community, a vessel sank near me, raising the ire of the waterfront homeowners. During the past four years, these are the only occasions when the laws were enforced against my sailboat. This time SOUTHWINDS

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OUR WATERWAYS it was an unpleasant call to tell me to move, or they would issue a ticket, and the city would impound my vessel. There is a reason I kept anchoring in Mandalay channel: It is close to my parents who were both getting on in years and in ill health. Dad is doing well, but with Mom now deceased, he was not so good. My visits to Clearwater were a big lift to both of them. When, two months later, I returned to the same anchorage, the same sheriff’s deputy showed up within eight hours of my dropping the hook. He was visibly upset that I was back again—“breaking the law.” I started to wonder who had moved into one of the new condos and knew about the law? After a long conversation and a call by the deputy to the Clearwater harbormaster’s office, he was resigned to letting me stay for the 72 hours as stated on the Misty at anchor. sticker he posted in October. No longer! Then I got the call. This was the reason I was hanging so far north in December: My mom had just been taken to the emergency room. On my way to the hospital, I stopped by the harbormaster’s office, hoping to plead my case for some

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leeway, and a few extra days closer to home. After putting my request in writing, I left for the hospital. While visiting with Dad, Mom, my aunt and uncle, the harbormaster called to say I could pick up a letter granting permission for the extra time I wanted. Since then, I have been searching for the who, what, when, and why my life was declared UNLAWFUL. Researching the law on anchoring, sparked by the UNLAWFUL sticker posted on Misty last October, has revealed more than I wanted to know. Florida Statute 327.60 provides local governments the power to regulate liveaboard vessels, while at the same time prohibiting regulation of non-liveaboard vessels engaged in navigation. In researching anchoring rights, I have learned neither the federal government nor the state of Florida cares what local communities do as long as the federal law is not impinged. The federal laws are very limited, only serving to protect interstate commerce. So how can I live my life my way in Pinellas County? Legal challenges have upheld the rights of communities to protect their rights. Seems when you choose to live on a means of transportation, you are forfeiting your basic protections under the Constitution. Why? Legal dilemmas appear when I compare the different definitions in the various codes. When you refer to the definition of a liveaboard vessel in the state law, it states; “Any vessel used solely as a residence.” I am in disbelief. How can they apply these laws to me? My home is the way I travel, not just a residence. It takes me to all the places I want or need to be. When taking my captain’s test, I sailed over to Tampa and anchored south of the Gandy Bridge. From there, I walked 200 feet to the place in Tampa the test was given. So in my view, no cruising sailor’s vessel should be subject to local regulation, or prohibition, in accordance to Florida state law. I will point out here, the same statute, which gives local governments their authority to prohibit liveaboard vessels, forbids discrimination against personal watercraft. Try to wrap your mind around that! Mine still reels at the injustice. There are 18 local communities along Pinellas County’s 588 miles of waterfront. All but three either restrict or prohibit anchoring, or liveaboard vessels. Many allow shortterm stays but restrict how often it can be done. Very typical is the 72 hours in 30 days, yet one community allows five days—but only every six months. Others want the city manager’s or commission’s approval before anchoring, but the maximum they can then approve is 72 hours. Only two address real issues as how close to the shore or docks one may anchor. St. Petersburg states, “No vessel or watercraft upon which people reside or live shall dock, berth, or anchor in any of the waters or waterways of the City for the purpose of living or residing in that area.” My purpose is to visit, not reside. The publication, Anchoring Away: Government Regulations www.southwindsmagazine.com

and The Rights of Navigation in Florida, by Florida Sea Grant (publication #TP 099, available online or to purchase at http://www.flseagrant.org/library/publications/index.ht m), has in its appendix A, section I, “Principles of Anchoring,” some guidelines for local communities when attempting to regulate the waterways. Few of these very real objectives are found in the local codes passed to date in Pinellas County. When local codes define watercraft, several codes lump vessels with floating structures. State laws define vessels and floating structures as separate and very different. Let’s just try putting our eggs in the same bag with the canned goods. Makes sense? Whole communities have been designed around floating structures, several in the Northwest and some in the Florida Keys. Communities of houseboats tied to the shore are not the same as an anchorage for vessels. It may well be the Key West houseboat row legal actions gave rise to many of Florida’s current restrictive waterway codes. While unprepared for the emotions which surfaced when I saw UNLAWFUL posted on my home, the fact is, as a water skier, I participated in the draft of the new 1971 Clearwater waterway code. I wanted to be sure they didn’t outlaw all the good places to ski in Clearwater Harbor. One of the areas protected for waterskiing in 1971 is still legal. Over the years, the rest have become minimum-wake zones. My once favorite water ski area is now my hurricane hole, and the code I helped draft makes my living in Clearwater unlawful. Well-meaning people at some time must have thought cruising people were a threat; an uncontrollable threat, which required special laws to protect local residents. Why? The reason given by the harbormaster was I don’t pay taxes, but I do; the same as mobile home residents who for years successfully fought local authorities seeking to add property tax to their financial burdens, we pay a state tax to register our homes. Many other reasons are given, but are they rational? Raw sewage, which is one of the most cited, is now regulated by its own laws. The excuse I find most offensive is “visual intrusion.” To expect a waterview clear of watercraft is just unnatural! Diversity is what makes life interesting and is part of why I live on a boat, to explore as many different places and people as possible. In spite of the quagmire of local codes, there are many

News & Views for Southern Sailors

great places to anchor and lots of opportunities ashore throughout Pinellas County. So come explore. Let’s show them what fun it is to be aboard a vessel, bound for wherever the wind blows her. Unexpectedly, a couple recently left a note in my dinghy inviting me to chat with them, saying they enjoyed seeing my sailboat anchored in their harbor. The note included pictures of my sailboat anchored near their condo. I don’t expect to gain my anchoring rights back through court actions, but maybe responsible boaters can show the powers that be just how unjust the current codes are. They may discover cruising boaters are a boost to the local economy. Links for Our Waterways Issues

Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway issues. www.atlintracoastal.org BoatUS Foundation Great source of information and links on miscellaneous issues. www.boatus.org Florida Inland Navigation District A taxing district for management and maintenance of the AICW in Florida. www.aicw.org Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. www.gicaonline.com Marine Industries Association of Florida with links to local associations www.boatflorida.org Marine Industries Association of South Florida. www.miasf.org National Waterways Conference Promotes, educates and lobbies on behalf of all of the nation’s inland waterways www.waterways.org Ocean Conservancy dedicated to the protection of the oceans www.oceanconservancy.org Reef Relief A non-profit group which is dedicated to preserving the reefs, based in Key West www.reefrelief.org Gulfbase.org A research database for Gulf of Mexico Research. www.gulfbase.org

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HURRICANE SEASON 2006 BOATS STORED ON LAND This month we have one sailor’s experience and report of boats stored on land. There are a lot of people who believe that boats stored on land is a lost cause, standing firm behind their belief that the best way to survive a storm is at anchor. This is probably true, but only if all the precautions are taken at anchor. A poor job at anchor is not better than any other place for a boat, possibly it’s worse. We’re concerned here with what most of us can realistically do, and storing on land is realistic. Boats stored on land can be the best bet for those storms that are most likely to strike, and, in the June issue, I made a case that the most likely winds to be hit by are the lower level winds; tropical storm force and Category 1 winds, even Category 2 winds. For this most likely scenario, on land is often the safest bet. On land, with a Category 4 or 5, and maybe a 3, storms can really damage a boat, but there are variables about being on land: Is the area going to be flooded by storm surge—and is it enough to float the boat? Will the boats be anchored to the ground? Will the jack stands “walk” along the ground and cause the boat to fall over? In the last two years, one thing I have learned that is an absolute: We can save a lot more boats than we have and learn from the successes and failures of the past. The main goal is to save as many as possible. The more we investigate, the more we see it is possible. Steve Morrell Editor

Florida Law 7175: Florida Marina Owners’ Rights Change During Hurricanes, Along with Derelict Vessel Removal Laws By Roy Laughlin

On June 26, Governor Bush signed State Law 7175, which went into effect on July 1. This law deals with several boating topics and includes some of the most significant changes and additions to Florida laws affecting boaters to be enacted in a generation. Marina Owners’ Rights Change During Hurricanes Section 2 of 7175 amends Section 327.59, Florida Statutes. That statute prevents marina operators from evicting boats from a marina before an advancing tropical cyclone. Wording in 7175 allows marina owners to secure boats and charge reasonable fees for the service. The new law also includes the following: “. . . in order to minimize damage to a vessel and to protect marina property, private property, and the environment, a marina owner may provide by contract that in the event a vessel owner fails to promptly remove a vessel from a marina after a tropical storm or hurricane watch has been issued, the marina owner, operator, employee, or agent may remove the vessel, if reasonable, from its

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slip and take whatever reasonable actions are deemed necessary to properly secure a vessel to minimize damage to a vessel and to protect marina property, private property, and the environment and may charge the vessel owner a reasonable fee for such services rendered. . . A marina owner, operator, employee or agent shall not be held liable for any damage incurred to a vessel from storms or hurricanes and is held harmless as a result of such actions.” It appears that while a boat owner cannot be forced to evacuate a boat from a marina, the marina owner may move a boat from its slip and place it elsewhere, an act not deemed an evacuation under the new provisions of this law. The marina can also charge for this action and cannot be held liable for any adverse outcome of the move. Derelict Vessels Change Section 4 of 7175 puts teeth and a piranha’s bite into owners of derelict vessels so that the vessels can be removed from waterways. The new bill defines “derelict” broadly, and allows officers of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to designate a boat derelict. Then this commission or other law enforcement agencies can remove the boats and charge the owners the costs if the owner does not undertake removal. If a law enforcement agency pays up front to remove a derelict vessel: “All costs incurred by the commission [FWCC] or other law enforcement agency in the removal of any abandoned or derelict vessel as set out above shall be recoverable against the owner thereof. . .any person who neglects or refuses to pay such amount is not entitled to be issued a certificate of registration for such vessel or motor vehicle, or any other vessel or motor vehicle, until such costs have been paid.”

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In other words, no other boat or car can be registered until the cleanup debt is paid to the state. Derelict vessel removal cost recovery does not appear to be retroactive, and even if it is deemed to be, ownership of a substantial number of wrecks cannot be determined. For the first time, money from a couple of trust funds is designated to pay for derelict vessel removal (Section 1 of 7175). In the first year, $1.1-million may be available to local governments statewide to aid in derelict vessel removal, according to Ralph M. Perkins, analyst, House of Represent-atives. The Florida Coastal Protection Fund and Fuel Tax Collection Trust Fund are mentioned as sources. In the case of the Fuel Tax Collection Fund, use for derelict vessel removal is added to the list of fundable initiatives, which include boater access facilities. Derelict vessel removal is now potentially competing with new boat ramps and mooring fields for which local governments might also make use of the Fuels Tax Fund. According to Bill Johnson, an aide to Rep. Mitch Needleman, local governments can now use their share of boating registration fees on derelict vessel removal if they choose (Section 5, 7175). Even on its face, 7175 makes substantial changes in both laws and funding programs for boaters in the state. Without specifically using the word, it again permits marina evacuations and will hold boat owners responsible for derelict boat removal. And this time, the legislature means it, too, because a boat owner cannot register any other vehicle in the state until he or she pays for derelict vessel removal. If forecasts for stormy weather later this summer turn out to be correct, the career path to marine salvor/vessel remover will be so bright, aspirants will have to wear shades, thanks to 7175. The complete text of 7175 is available at http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Docummmments/lo addoc.aspx?FileName=_h7175er.doc&DocumentType=Bill &BillNumber=7175&Session=2006.

SOUTHWINDS August 2006

HURRICANE SEASON 2006

In the picture you can see our boat as we left her in May of 2005 for the hurricane season. The tarp over our boom was supposed to be cut away by our boat-sitter if a storm approached. It was not and ended up shredded, although it stayed put. Also note the single cargo strap. I hooked our cargo straps to the main chain plates on each side. The chains linking jack stands are just visible with a ladder resting on the after-chain.

Some went one way while others went over the opposite way, yet some in the middle stayed put only to take damage from their neighbors. This group shows you just how random the destruction was. Note the masts standing straight versus the ones tilting.

Storing Your Boat on Land

from Lake Okeechobee across the state to Fort Myers. Locks and other flood control structures control the waterway level. The marina itself is about 6 or 7 miles east of the lake. About 300 boats are stored here over the summer, many being owned by Canadians, and almost all are in that absentee owner category. There is no danger of high water or the kind of wave action seen on the coast here. The land is flat and rainwater collects in low spots but usually drains off or soaks in pretty quickly. Interestingly, earthen-works dikes or levees contain Lake Okeechobee itself, not unlike New Orleans. If they ever broke down, 6 or 7 miles away is not going to be nearly enough. The damage shown here, however, was all caused by wind and possibly tornados. Judging by the randomness of the damage, tornados would be a good bet. Thirty-three boats were knocked over, but damage was not limited to just those boats, as some boats fell into others nearby, taking rigging and damaging decks, etc. Boats on the hard here last year were blocked with jack stands. Our Ericson 38, Kismet, had eight stands aligned together in four pairs. The front pair and the aft pair were chained together. Generally the ground here is a wellpacked sand/shell mixture with a fairly dense grass cover. The boats were also secured with heavy-duty 3-inch ratcheting cargo straps hooked to large mobile-home-size screw anchors in the ground between boats. Boats in the storage yard are closely spaced with only a couple of feet between them in some cases. Adjacent boats share the screw anchor between them. One eyewitness said he watched boats rocking in the wind and walking their jack stands out from under the boats. He thought that this was because the chains holding the jack stands under the boats were positioned too low to keep the pads in contact with the hull. He said that next time, in addition to chains, he would put cargo straps hooked onto the jack stands high up, just under the pads, then wrapped under the hull to the opposite stand, then

By Capt. Ron Butler Most of the attached pictures are from November 2005 at Indiantown Marina, Indiantown, FL, in the wake of Hurricane Wilma. Wilma scored a direct hit on Indiantown Marina on its way across Florida. Wilma was a late season storm, making landfall on October 24 near the 10,000 Islands region south of Cape Romano in southwest Florida as a Category 3 storm. It went northeast across southern Lake Okeechobee and exited into the Atlantic around the Fort Pierce area still as a category 3 storm. The storm had been up to a Category 5 storm before landfall as it developed in the Caribbean. Indiantown Marina is basically a dry storage yard with a few wet slips on the St. Lucie Waterway that leads east

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Note the screw anchor pulled out here. In boats that were knocked over, some had the screw anchors pulled out, but I don’t know if this was cause or effect.

Some owners said they would rig four tie-down straps to four separate screw anchors; also a good idea. Note in the picture above where three boats were knocked over, but the one in the middle is still standing. That boat has four cargo straps rigged. Also note that it has no rig. I’m not sure if the rig got knocked off or was stored separately before the storm. Some told me that the pull on the screw anchors was too vertical and that wider spacing would be better; probably a good idea, too.

cinched up tight. Sounds good. Another owner said that he would put plywood pads under the center of the jack stands. The jack stands are a tripod arrangement with a center pipe to accommodate the jackscrew itself. At about two inches from the bottom of the stand legs, horizontal pipes are welded to the central pipe to help center the pipe and keep the legs spread. A 3/4-inch plywood pad about 2 by 2 feet under the center would likely be adequate as the leg ends would then penetrate sand up

until the center and braces contacted the plywood. The plywood would then prevent further sinking, and the sunken ends of the legs would help hold it in place. However, I did not see any boats knocked over or damaged because the jack stands sank into the ground. There could have been a few. I just didn’t see any. We did see one knocked-down boat with a jack stand that penetrated the hull. But again it’s hard to say whether this was a cause or effect without further investigation, but it would probably be a good idea to position stands in alignment with interior bulkheads. No one I spoke with mentioned storing the boats with the rigs removed, and although this would reduce windage,

Hurricane Tips Got a tip to help others? Send them to editor@southwindsmagazine.com. Here’s a Couple: Don’t Forget to Secure Your Boom I once had my topping lift break during a storm, and the boom fell and smashed the compass. Now I lower the boom down to where it is just above the cabin top at the cockpit and double the topping lift using the main halyard, then I secure the boom with lines port and starboard to the two headsail sheet winches to minimize movement and chafe, which caused my topping lift to break that time. Tape Water Entrances to Down Below I heard of one boater who found so much water down below after a storm passed through that he realized all the rain was getting in through tiny cracks and crevices, like the companionway boards where they butt up to each other. High winds and hours of rain was forcing the water into small openings. He taped every opening he could find with Duct tape and solved almost all of his water problems. WD-40, or mineral spirits will remove the residue later. News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS August 2006

HURRICANE SEASON 2006 Annapolis Marina fell over during Isabel, so go figure. Given our experience, if I can’t be there to shepherd the boat and try to take care of it myself, I’d prefer to store it on the hard in a knowledgeable yard. If I can be near enough to prepare for a storm, set anchors, set-up storm dock lines, anchor out or some other strategy, then I think I like the “in the water” solution best. If I were to store on the hard again over a Florida summer, what I’d really like would be a flood-proof yard that would dig me a four-foot deep trench, lower the boat into it and backfill it with sand. Probably ain’t gonna happen.

I don’t know what happened here, but I’m guessing the boat tried to move forward—maybe due to the drag on the canvas—and rocked off her stands. I think stripping canvas is a must whether your boat is on the hard or in the water.

you still need to store the rig somewhere safe. You will, of course, incur additional costs for the stepping/unstepping and storage process. It might be worth it, especially if you need to unstep for other purposes anyway. It’s also interesting to note that my insurance will pay for a haul-out—IF I haul out in anticipation of a specific named storm, but it won’t pay for a seasonal haul-out— once again proving that underwriters are just stupid. So okay, let me understand this: In 2004, they would have paid for me to haul and launch my boat three times, but they won’t pay for it to be hauled once? No wonder my rates are so high. So what does this all mean? How would I prefer to leave my boat? Well, it depends on circumstances. Kismet has survived two hurricanes on the hard (Isabel in 2003 and Wilma 2005) and three in the water (Charlie, Frances and Jeanne in 2004). We’ve been lucky enough to survive all five with minimal damage…probably should have named the boat Stormy. By the way, the boat was stored on the hard at Port Annapolis Marina during Isabel in 2003, and the yard just secured the boat with chained-together jack stands and no tie-downs or plywood under the stands. So the jury’s out on whether tie-downs work or not. After seeing the damage at Indiantown, I prefer tie-downs. However, no boats at Port

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August 2006

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The “H” Word in Key West By Rebecca Burg

“Did you really have to say the H-word?”

hat was a common response when I asked a number of Florida boat owners about their experiences with hurricanes. No one likes to entertain the idea of another busy cyclone season, but we do have to plan and prepare. Many boaters had faced some rough lessons during last year’s record season, and they plan to do things differently this year. “This time I’m taking the boat into a marina,” said Steve, liveaboard captain of the 41-foot Beneteau Aclient. “Also, I’ll be sure to have insurance.” Steve regretted not having insurance for Aclient after a hit by Hurricane Wilma’s eyewall and storm surge. The boat was left at anchor near Key West (west of Fleming Key) on three 3/4inch nylon lines with chafing gear at the bow. There is a southwest and northwest exposure to open seas and during the storm, one line chafed through and the other two broke about 10-feet from the bow. Aclient was blown into the mangroves, the trees puncturing her hull below the waterline. The rudder was torn away as its monel post snapped in two, cabin windows on the port side were smashed, and hardware was mostly crushed or ripped away from the deck due to a lengthy pounding into the trees by the steep, violent seas. No one was onboard during the time. After four months in the yard and with numerous new body parts, Aclient is floating again. Still being nursed back to health by Steve and partner Capt. Kris, the sailboat was one SOUTHWINDS Web Site Hurricane Pages Visit the SOUTHWINDS hurricane pages at www.southwindsmagazine.com for stories and articles on how to save your boat during a storm, tips, links to other Web sites, great weather links for hurricanes and more. This Web site is becoming the best save-your-boat Web site on the Internet. www.southwindsmagazine.com

of the lucky ones. Most vessels that had been left at anchor on the west side of Fleming Key were sunk, driven aground, hit by drifting boats or completely destroyed by the end of the ‘05 season. There was just too much exposure to open seas and winds. Not too far away, Ed and Julie Gully were in the sheltered waters of Garrison Bight onboard their 46-foot Spindrift with their 29foot sailboat tucked in a slip nearby. During Wilma, one of the sailboat’s lines chafed through, but Ed was nearby to correct the problem. During the storm surge, the water rose over the fixed pier, and the couple had to monitor and adjust their vessel’s ropes to keep her centered. Both boats were unharmed. “We have all kinds of extra lines,” Ed says about his storm preparation. He uses nylon lines, keeps them in good condition and watches for chafe. In nearby slips, a few of the houseboats sank, their structures unable to handle the shock loads of hurricane force gusts and lines stretched too tight from a storm surge. One houseboat owner, his vessel is equipped with an engine, hid from Wilma in a natural mangrove shelter and survived unscathed. Like all Southern marinas, Oceanside on Stock Island follows through with a long checklist of hurricane preparations. Loose items are secured or put away, power is shut off, and the light bulbs are removed from exterior fixtures. Boats in slips are tied with extra line, and sailboat owners are encouraged to remove roller furling sails. During Wilma, one sailboat in the marina was dismasted when her headsail unrolled, but most boats survived unharmed. “We really didn’t expect the tidal surge,” said dockhand John Nicholson, Jr. “The marina flooded this high.” He held his hand about four feet above the asphalt driveway. The fuel pumps were flooded, and all dockside electrical wiring had to be replaced. John’s own liveaboard sailboat, tied in a slip with multiple sets of line and chafing gear, was okay. The boat did experience a close call when a floating Dumpster threatened to crash into her. John stressed the importance of removing a sailboat’s canvas before a hurricane, especially roller furling. In a boatyard nearby, several vessels were knocked from their stands and damaged when furled sails unrolled and flapped in the winds. Charlie and Krista Corrado’s 24-foot sloop, tied in a Marco Island canal, saw a long period of relative calm when Hurricane Wilma’s large eye passed overhead. When the other side of the violent eyewall hit, a tree fell on the sailboat. No one was onboard. Unexpectedly, the tree didn’t harm the little vessel, but instead held her away from being scraped against the concrete seawall. The inflatable RIB dinghy, not as lucky, was wrapped around a separate tree nearby. Some boats tied near docks and seawalls experienced hull damage from rubbing on pilings or other hard surfaces. In Hurricane Dennis, in 2005, one man near Key West died when his vessel sank in the slip after the hull was holed this way. “I really don’t know of any perfect system yet,” Aclient’s captain, Steve, said about hurricane plans. “You News & Views for Southern Sailors

Chris and Steve on board their 41-foot

just have to do what you can.” Your hurricane plan needs to be tailored to your own unique situation, location and type of vessel. Clearly, the boat should be protected from exposed areas of ocean and storm-tossed debris. Remove the vessel’s canvas, especially roller furling sails. For boats kept in slips or on relatively sheltered moorings, owners feel strongly about having numerous shock-absorbing lines and chafing gear. For chafing gear, people typically used cloth-covered fire hose, garden hose or the flexible plastic hose for a boat’s water system. Hurricane expert Dr. William M. Gray and his team predicted 17 named storms and nine cyclones to form this year, and this is well above average. To protect our lives and property, we must take the time to plan and prepare.

Send Us Your Hurricane Stories We are always looking for stories on your experiences, to learn those techniques that succeeded and those that didn’t, as we can learn from both. Ideas, tips and Web site links wanted, too. editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

SOUTHWINDS August 2006

North By Northeast: Traveling Down Florida’s Oklawaha in a catboat By Gretchen Coyle

“Ain’t never gonna happen,” an old Florida cracker muttered. “Nothing like that’s gone down the Oklawaha River since the steamboats in the late 1800s.” In the same vein, a ranger from the Cross Florida Greenway field office said, “I don’t think so!”

he above comments were made in reference to the fact that my husband and five other men planned to “cruise” down the Oklawaha River in two 15-foot Marshall Sandpiper Catboats. Obviously the comments were made by people who didn’t know the men involved, their ingenuity, perseverance, and love for the water. And if you find this title an oxymoron, well … the Oklawaha and St. Johns Rivers are among the few that actually flow northward. With the above in mind, and about a year’s worth of planning, two Marshall Sandpipers from Useppa Island, with collapsible masts, were pulled out of their home

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Map by Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA).

waters of Pine Island Sound, loaded on trailers, and packed to the gunnels with food, coolers, clothing, and everything else needed for a three-day water trip and two travel days. Five hours were spent driving north to the Florida Lakes region. Our first night was in Mt. Dora, a cosmopolitan town with good lodging and restaurants. The trip was to start at Lake Dora or Lake Eustis at the Eustis Sailing Center. However, the wind was blowing about 20 mph from the north. Plan “C” was quickly put into action with the guys dropping the boats into the water a little farther north at the headwaters of the Oklawaha. Into Nelson’s Fish Camp at the north end of Lake Griffin drove our enthusiastic group. Nelson’s is a trip back in time to the ‘50s or before. Old mobile homes and cabins are scattered throughout the property, roofs covered with years of pine needles. A sign on the dock next to the bait well read, “Watch out for Snakes.” Water moccasins climb up into the bait wells on a daily basis, we were told. Needless to say, every step was taken with this in mind. Paraphernalia was arranged and re-arranged so each boat could hold three men without their knees up to their chins. Four men on the dock listened and watched in horror as the collapsible masts were lifted into place, and the six guys motored off. Our feeling was that no one from the fish camp had ever seen a sailboat on the river. Probably never even seen a sailboat. These guys had been fishermen all their lives. A bridge loomed a hundred yards ahead, supposedly www.southwindsmagazine.com

20 feet in height. The sailors had not counted on either an inaccurate chart or the Oklawaha River being so high during a Florida drought. But sure enough it was, resulting in the wind vane on our boat flying in every direction, pieces of black plastic raining down. “Shore ain’t much of a difference between dedication and stupidity,” one of the fellows muttered to us as the boats slipped under the bridge (a Sandpiper probably has a height of 16 + feet.) Another wife and I were left on the dock to explain about sailing—and drive the empty trailers ahead daily to the next landing or dock. Touring along the way we stopped in the town of Oklawaha. Walking around, we located the Ma Barker Gang homestead (where the shootout with the FBI occurred), and a nifty bar and restaurant spot overlooking Lake Weir called Gator Joe’s. With docks and its own beach, it must be popular with the boating crowd. Our next stop was the Moss Bluff Lock. With impeccable (translate that lucky) timing, we pulled in just as the sailboats came into sight. After the bridge fiasco, the men had sailed all the way to Moss Bluff. Having just passed an unbelievable rookery filled with numerous osprey, egret, ibis, and heron nests, we were invited aboard to motor back to this site. Hoagies and bottled water in our laps, we lunched, anchored among the lilies and aquatic vegetation and listening to the birds. Talk centered around the days when hunters randomly shot birds for the plumes, which ended up on Victorian ladies’ hats. Moss Bluff Lock dropped the Sandpipers 20 feet, much more than anyone thought would happen. “I’ve worked here four years and never seen a sailboat,” the lady lockkeeper yelled down. “And I hope you have lots of drinks; there isn’t a bar along the way.” “We may be crazy, but we’re not stupid,” was the sailors’ reply. It immediately became the mantra of the six voyagers. The sail continued on to Ray’s Landing on the brilliant Silver River/Silver Springs with masts being dropped to get under the old metal, swing Sharpes Ferry Bridge, (now minus its bridge tender). It was hard to imagine the steamboats going along the narrow river. But old photos and postcards clearly show tree branches and vegetation impeding them on the way. Now a suburb of Ocala, Silver Springs was an early tourist attraction for the tin-canners. People once visited the bubbling, clear, and healthy springs where 516-million gallons of water are still emitted per day. The attraction now houses a few blue plastic water slides in addition to the springs. Nearby Silver Springs State Park is a gem. Walking trails led to the Silver River, where we could see down unimaginable depths. There are cabins to rent, a first-class museum, a group of old homes situated to form a Cracker News & Views for Southern Sailors

village, and one of the first glass-bottomed boats from the early 1900s. We were lucky to be able to stay there one night. Monkeys were sighted, looking healthy and well-fed. Not Florida natives, these fellows are the descendants of the ones that escaped during the filming of the first Tarzan movies made in the Silver River/Silver Springs area in the 1930s. Next morning, the original prophecy of the Oklawaha River not being navigable in spots loomed its ugly head. Not missing a beat, nor wanting to say they missed part of the river, canoes and kayaks were rented for the six-hour paddling stretch between Silver Springs and Eureka. The Catboats were towed there early in the morning. A line drawing of the Oklawaha illustrated in Boating and Cruising Guide to the St. Johns River labels the area as “nasty snags” in addition to “gorgeous wild river!” Nothing more specifThe catboats leave the Moss Bluff Lock after dropping 20 feet.

ic or detailed was found despite poring over numerous materials. Branches and vegetation continually block the river. What charts exist are for the St. Johns, misleading or nonexistent in reference to parts of the Oklawaha. Night three was spent at the Outpost Resort in Eureka abutting the Ocala National Forest. The sailors stayed in cabins along the Oklawaha where the guys cooked steaks over a grill. Meanwhile. Bike Week was taking place in Daytona with thousands of bikers hogging the roads (pun intended), not to mention partying at every spot within 200 miles. My trailering friend and I were sorry we were not on the water. Back to the boaters: After their exhausting six-hour paddle up the Oklawaha through water just inches deep and not much wider, they began what was to be a perfect day-and-ahalf sail to Welaka. With an 18-mph wind at their backs, and a perpetually curving Oklawaha, the Catboats moved right along, continually tacking downwind. Taking turns at the helm, everyone claimed it was the highlight of the trip.

SOUTHWINDS August 2006

The Oklawaha River mainly runs through rural areas so the scenery is natural, native, old Florida. Turtles and larger-than-life alligators line the banks. A gopher tortoise may stare back while a fox lingers close by. Snakes drop into the water off live oaks while deer scurry off at the slightest sound. Spanish moss drapes over the river. Rare flora and fauna are found along the route. Partnerships from different local, county and federal organizations have grouped together to provide trails, camping sites, and boat landings in areas such as the Cross Florida Greenway. Names from the old steamboat route popped up like Payne’s Landing, Twin Plantation, and Fort Brooke. All forsaken now for the more exciting spots like Orlando, Ocala, and Jacksonville. Welaka on the St. Johns River was the sailors’ ultimate destination. The never-completed Cross Florida Barge Canal and Henry Holland Buckman Lock and Rodman Reservoir Pool connect the Oklawaha River to the St. Johns. The idea of a cross-Florida canal system was amazingly started in the 1500 by a Spanish explorer. During a time of U.S. canal building in the mid 1800s, the idea was proposed again. Attempts were made in the 1930s and 1960s, but the project was finally halted in 1990 after a series of lawsuits. It was decided to deed the land to the state, forming recreation and conservation sites. Once designed for barge and ship travel, the Buckman Lock is 600 feet long by 84 feet wide. The area is a favorite spot for local fishermen, canoes, and kayaks. Few people have ever heard of it, let alone been there. It is not for the meek. Sailing is unheard of. Luckily, the Florida Greenways office and Oklawaha Visitors Center had provided good advance information to my husband. And the wind was at their backs. Tacking could have been tiring, time consuming, and impossible at times due to the width. Confusing as it sounds, the sailors headed up (south) the St. Johns River after exiting the Buckman Lock. 42 August 2006

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Mast down to pass under the bridge.

Sailing down the Oklawaha in a catboat.

Boat Works where the specialty is wooden boat restoration. Owner Rand Speas is a congenial gentleman, who was giving his 1930 35-foot Elco a refurbishing for the Mt. Dora Wooden Boat Show. Time was spent walking around town and talking to a man who was trying to snag turtles. “Tastes like chicken,” he told us. Finally, the boats came into sight late afternoon, American flags proudly flying from the masts. Curious locals stared at the Catboats, undoubtedly the most exciting thing that had happened in weeks. Less than 24 hours later, both boats were resting on their Useppa Island moorings, the eight of us either unpacking or napping. Six men had indeed traversed the Oklawaha River—mainly by sail, although one part was paddled, another motored. Cruising over 110 miles in two 15-foot Sandpiper Catboats down the Oklawaha River, where probably the last people to fully navigate it were the steamboat captains, was a thrill not soon to be forgotten. Moss Bluff Lock CR 464C Oklawaha, Fl (352) 671-8560 Cross Florida Greenway 8282 SE Highway 314 Ocala, FL 34470 (352) 236-7143 www.floridagreenwaysandtrails.com

After a good sailing run, sails were dropped and outboard motors turned on for the last stretch against wind and water flow to the small fishing village of Welaka. Welaka is located on the St. Johns River, and locked in the ‘40s. Old fish camps and small cracker homes line the river. A more beautiful sight cannot be imagined. It is about two hours south of Jacksonville and will probably be the next spot “found” in fastdeveloping Florida. My friend and I had our trailers neatly lined up at the Welaka town ramp next to the Welaka Landing

Ray’s Landing, Ray Wayside Park East Highway #40 Silver Springs, FL (352) 671-8560 Silver River State Park 1425 NE 58th Ave. Ocala, FL 34470 (352) 236-7148 (800) 326-3521 Oklawaha Visitors Center Routes #315 and 40 Silver Springs, FL 34488 (352) 236-0288 Rodman Reservoir and Buckman Lock (386) 329-3575

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Cruise the Bahama or the Keys? Differences and Similarities By Colin Ward

here is no doubt that different defy the new visitor to understand strokes are for different folks, two Bahamians talking to each other so let’s take a look at choosing in their local accents. The foreign between cruising in the Florida Keys experience starts when you first or the Bahamas. Assuming that you arrive and clear in through customs have a season—or at least a few and immigration. The cost to obtain a weeks—to spend cruising one of cruising permit for your vessel for a these island groups, let’s evaluate year is either $150 or $300, depending which of them might offer the best on whether it is longer than 35 feet or experience for you. not. Immigration is free. The crew can First of all, there are some simileave and return at no extra cost, but larities, which would probably get the boat can only leave once and The dinghy dock and marina at Boot Key you thinking about visiting either return during the first 90 days or it Harbor, Marathon, in the Florida Keys. island chain in the first place. The will be liable for another cruising perKeys comprise islands extending from just south of Miami mit fee. Towns like Nassau and Marsh Harbor have superto Key West (and beyond if you consider the Dry Tortugas markets and other stores that are similar to the United as part of the package). From Biscayne Bay to Key West is about 140 miles. The Keys offer good sailing in the Hawk Channel where the ocean swells are knocked down by the offshore reefs and the shallow waters. North of the Keys in Florida Bay, there is also good sailing and anchoring for boats with a shallow draft. Snorkeling and fishing are good and very popular. Although the Keys are well populated and some areas are built up, many islands are low-lying and have not been filled and developed (at least not yet). The Bahamas comprise several island groups, each of which is roughly the same length as the Florida Keys. Sailing, snorkeling and fishing are good in the Bahamas. Most of the islands are relatively unpopulated and remote. Much of the best sailing is on the protected and shallow Bahama Bank, which offers great sailing in benign sea conditions. So if both island groups offer all this, how would you choose where to spend your season? Well, rest assured; there are lots of differences to consider. Let’s take a look. Foreign or Domestic? Some folks are looking for a foreign experience in a different country with a different culture from what they are used to. Others prefer the comfortable familiarity of being able to shop at Publix and Kmart and use the bank and U.S. mail just like at home. Also, anyone who wishes to work along the way will probably have to choose the Keys. Visiting the Bahamas is unquestionably a foreign experience, and all those familiar conveniences we are so used to vaporize the minute you cross the Gulf Stream. The good news is that the Bahamian people speak English, although I News & Views for Southern Sailors

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States, but away from the and lightening a bit, then big towns, shopping is the wind clocking west. limited or non-existent. Then, all of a sudden, a Bahamians order goods squall line comes through from Nassau or the —often packing northUnited States and have west winds to 40 knots them delivered inexpenfor a short time, and then sively by one of the mail it continues clocking to boats or freighters that the northeast at 15 to 20, ply the waters regularly. and then back to the east You should learn right again. The entire cycle away that islands in the takes less than a week Bahamas are known as and is then repeated. The Cays (pronounced the cold-front cycle diminsame as Keys). ishes in intensity in the The Florida Keys are spring, and summer and not as developed as parts fall are pleasant other of the U.S. mainland, but than the threat of hurriyou don’t have to go far to canes. find the same suburbia The sailing is good stores that are in every for much of the coldother U.S. town. Home front cycle, but the focus Depot, Publix, Kmart, is on where to be when Office Depot, West the northwest squalls Marine, Wendy’s and so arrive. Both the Keys and on are in Marathon, Key the Bahamas have a few West and other larger harbors offering alltowns. Of course, banking around protection, but and medical care are also many anchorages are readily available. The only protected from one Keys cater to tourists so direction. Careful study there are restaurants on of the charts and guidemany corners, from local books is required to eateries to modern chains. insure a safe and pleasant Menu choices in cold-front passage. Bahamian local restaurants are limited to a few common dishes. Some are Depths and Draft Collecting conch in the Bahamas. very good, but those who Our sailboat Mandalay, a value dining out in the Catalina 42, draws in United States will soon be longing for good steak, pizza or excess of six feet so we are well aware of the limitations of moo goo gai pan. draft in both areas. We have found that we can enjoy most Getting to the Bahamas requires selecting the right of the Bahamas with some planning and forethought. We weather to comfortably cross the Gulf Stream, which can be have no difficulty sailing in the Hawk Channel south of the very ugly in the wrong weather. Otherwise, navigation is Keys, but we have not found many anchorages that are pronot particularly difficult. There is far less support if sometected from anything more than the north. The exception is thing goes wrong in the Bahamas. Assume there are no Boot Key Harbor in Marathon, which is a terrific harbor, towing services and be self-sufficient. The Keys on the and I am writing this article sitting there on a mooring. The other hand are well equipped with ice, towboats, marine channel into the harbor is deep enough for us to get in, but chandleries and boatyards. I picture the keel scaring the crabs on the bottom as it squeaks by. Mandalay does not cruise along the Florida Bay side of the Keys simply because the depths are inadequate, The Sailing and the Weather and tides—that help us into some Bahamian anchorages— Sailing can be very good both in the Bahamas and the Keys. are very small and unpredictable in Florida Bay. The weather is the deciding factor, and the winter brings a Deep-draft anchorages off the Hawk Channel include series of cold fronts to both areas. The cold fronts usually hit Rodriguez Key, Tavernier Key, Bahia Honda State Park, harder the farther north you lie. The Abacos typically see Newfound Harbor and Key West. Of these, only Boot Key much colder and windier weather than the Exumas. The Harbor qualifies as an all-weather harbor. In light winds, Keys receive something in between. A typical cycle would you can always pull up to an island and drop the hook. You be easterly winds in the 15- to 20-knot range for two or three can usually get in the lee of the islands near Channel Five. days, then winds clocking toward the south and southwest There may be a couple of marinas that can accommodate a 44 August 2006

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six-foot draft. Call before entering! Boats drawing significantly less than six feet can find many more anchorages and marinas both “ocean side” (south and east of the Keys) and “bay side” (north and west of the Keys).

that drives the price up about 40 percent. Telephones and fuel are also more expensive. If you take most of your groceries with you, you will not feel the effects of higher prices too much. There are a few good deals in the Bahamas. For instance, we get all of our dental care in the The anchorage in Georgetown, Bahamas. Bahamas; $40 for a cleaning and Physical Characteristics checkup. We have also bought two The Keys look a lot different from the Bahamian islands. outboard motors in the Bahamas for lower than U.S. prices. The Keys are composed of sandy soil covered with manMake sure your boat insurance covers you. Most U.S. comgroves. Much of the undeveloped land is low-lying and not panies either include the Bahamas or will add a rider for a suitable for building. Some of the undeveloped areas are modest amount. parks operated by the state government. The Keys are a little more costly than the mainland. If you take the Overseas Highway down the island Fuel is noticeably more expensive and other items vary in chain, you will see the best and the worst of the Keys, the accordance with supply and demand. best being the views of the water and the worst being the older commercial buildings and yards, which appear to have grown up years ago without the benefit of planning or Decisions zoning and now look distinctly shabby. Despite the very In summary, both the Keys and the Bahamas are excellent high cost of real estate in the Keys, the impression is hardly cruising grounds, and you will have to decide which fits one of “upscale” unless you get into one of the new resorts your style. The Bahamas are foreign, more remote and chalor developments. As in the rest of Florida, I think this is deslenging, and possibly more rewarding. The Keys are familtined to change. iar, convenient and relatively safe with lots of support availThe Florida Keys are close to the only coral reefs in the able. The Keys are more difficult in a deep-draft vessel. United States. The reefs therefore receive a lot of attention, Good luck with your choice. I do not think you will be and there are numerous rules and regulations aimed at disappointed with either. preservation. The farther offshore and the farther south you go, the clearer and more spectacular the water becomes, especially if one ventures to the Dry Tortugas. Bahamian islands are essentially limestone rock, sometimes appropriately called ironshore, often surrounded by sandy beaches. A large number of native shrubs grow in soil pockets on the rocks, and there are trees called casuarinas (or Australian pines) and various palms along the beaches. The Bahamas are not very high, but they are more hilly than the Keys. The majority of Bahamian cays are sparsely inhabited although many are privately owned. Once you have cleared into the Bahamas, there are few rules and regulations to worry about. Coral reefs are found throughout the Bahamas, and the snorkeling and reef fishing is very good. Bahamian fishermen have abused the reefs in the past using techniques such as dynamiting and bleaching the reefs to catch fish. These practices are now illegal, but some reefs will never recover. Fortunately, there are thousands of reefs and coral heads so there are many that are still pristine. The water in the Bahamas is totally clear, and it takes on beautiful shades of turquoise and blue depending on the depth. When the surface of the water is not disturbed by wind, it is easy to see your anchor and chain on the bottom in 20 feet of water. I do not think the water is prettier anywhere in the United States or the Caribbean than it is right across the Gulf Stream in the Bahamas. Costs In addition to the customs fees mentioned above, the cost of visiting the Bahamas might be higher than visiting the Keys. Groceries and other imported items are subject to a duty News & Views for Southern Sailors

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August 2006

PHRF RACING TIPS

Words to Sail By By Dave Ellis

ailors for generations have used chants, songs and sayings to remember what they need to know to make the boat do what they want it to do. PHRF racing skippers and crew can use word reminders to keep the myriad things in mind that make our boat a little faster than that boat back there. Here are a few words to sail by:

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SAILS • If in doubt, let them out. • Make the top battens parallel to the boom. If they are fulllength battens, make the aft third parallel to the boom. • Check the top full-length batten after every tack or jibe. • Trim the genny or jib first, then the mainsail to match. • Play the mainsheet more, the tiller less.

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SAILING • Get Clear Air. Maintain Clear Air. Stay in Clear Air. • To “slow” the boat, don’t slow down; make turns to go more distance (at the start or to position for inside turns). • The rudder is a brake. Use it judiciously. Use the mainsail to help turn: Dump out when falling off; pull in when heading up from a reach or run. • Telltales on the genoa: Turn the tiller toward the one that is misbehaving when going to windward. • Telltales on the genoa when reaching: Let the sail out or pull it in toward the one that is misbehaving. • After a jibe, push the tiller toward the boom to avoid doom. • When tacking, push the tiller toward the boom to avoid doom. • With wheel steering, turn the top of the wheel away from the boom to avoid doom. • Sailing to weather, think speed, not height. Generally “bow down” is faster on most PHRF racers, especially in waves. • On reaches, up on the lulls, off on the puffs. • On the corners, “Wide and Tight,” like a motorcycle racer’s turn. • A free-spinning prop has more drag than a stopped prop. • If you think you may want to reef, REEF. Heeling causes weather helm, which causes rudder angle, which causes slowing.

THE BOAT • A smooth, clean boat bottom has more speed effect than new sails. • Every extra pound on the boat has to be pushed around the course.

BRAIN GAME • A 10-degree shift advantages one boat by 25 percent of the separation between boats. Get separation at your peril—or advantage. • When a port tacker ducks a starboard tack boat, unless that boat is laying the weather mark, the port tacker is now ahead. Stay to the right of your closest competition. • Plan ahead, anticipate, prepare. • Communicate to crew…before you do anything, not during. • Keep the crew hydrated. A thirsty crew makes more mistakes.

Smile! It is supposed to be fun. News & Views for Southern Sailors

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RACING Pensacola Beach Yacht Club Brings Home Challenge Cup — First Time Pensacola Bay Area Yacht Club Wins Interclub Competition By Julie B. Connerley

he 26th Annual Gulf Yachting Association’s Offshore Challenge Cup Regatta was held at Pensacola Yacht Club June 22-25. This interclub competition pitting member yacht clubs against each other in a series of spinnaker races is normally held in Gulfport, MS. While hurricane-rebuilding efforts continue along the Gulf Coast, PYC agreed to host this year’s event. “We have been challenged by the weather, then by

changing venues, and by delivery of boats,” said Janet Miller-Schmidt, GYA commodore, “but we rallied, and here we are at Pensacola Yacht Club. We are thankful we can get on a boat to sail.” Besides the outstanding hospitality of the “South’s Finest Yacht Club,” competitors and guests were treated to three days of great sailing weather with winds ranging from 8-10 knots increasing to 15-17 knots on Friday. Saturday there were winds beginning with 4-5 knots, increasing to 1215 knots. Sunday’s final race was 8-12 knots. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club’s A-class boat, Liberty, a Melges 32, won the first race by just 14 seconds, over defending GYA Cup team, Southern Yacht Club’s A-class boat, Iris. It set the pace for the six races that followed throughout the weekend. Less than 18 seconds separated first- and second-place finishers in both the B-class and Cclass as well. PYC hosted the inaugural Challenge Cup Regatta in 1979. Mobile Yacht Club won it. Except for 2004, when Fairhope Yacht Club took first overall, the yacht clubs surrounding Lake Pontchartrain have claimed the coveted perpetual trophy every year. “The one-hour trip to the start line and changing wind conditions in Gulfport has often limited the total number of races held,” explained PYC’s fleet captain and regatta chair, John Matthews. “However, Pensacola Bay offers immediate access to good deep sailing waters, so we planned on completing seven races over three days.” In 1979, three boat teams representing GYA clubs participated. Later four-boat teams raced. Today, clubs have a choice of sending either three- or four-boat teams. Thirty-nine boats representing 10 GYA yacht clubs participated. Teams from PBYC, PYC, and SYC were joined by Pontchartrain Yacht Club, Fairhope Yacht Club, New Orleans Yacht Club, Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile Yacht Club, Fort Walton Yacht Club and St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club. Using a low point scoring system, the best three of four finishes for each team are tallied for each race. Defending champion, SYC, had a total of 18 1/2 points after the first day. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, which finished in second place overall last year, had a total of 26 points, and Pontchartrain Yacht Club earned 30 1/2 points. Pensacola Yacht Club had amassed 41 points. It seemed half of New Orleans was there to support and cheer on its teams. Bob Maher’s 42-foot trawler, Second Cup, was joined by the 49-foot Neptunus and a 16-foot runabout ferrying crew members and cheering as club boats crossed the finish line after each race. After Saturday’s three races the gap between first and second place overall closed significantly. Southern Yacht Club tallied 50 points. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club had 54 White Trash sailing in the Challenge Cup. Photo by Gary Hufford. www.beachmaster.smugmug.com.

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Gulfport to Pensacola Race, June 16-17 By Troy Gilbert

The winning team from the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club receives its award at the Challenge Cup. Photo by Julie Connerley.

points. Pontchartrain Yacht Club was close behind with 58 1/2 points. The regatta hinged on Sunday’s final race. SYC’s Iris took a fifth, while its C-class boat, TGV, and D-class boat, Carnival Time, both finished second, giving the team a grand total of 59 points. PBYC’s Liberty, and C-class boat, John O, an Elliott 770, each finished first, while the B-class boat, My Dixie Wrecked, a Melges 24, brought home a third to give the team 59 points for the series also! According to the rules, the tiebreaker is determined by which team had the most number of first-place wins. Pensacola Beach easily broke the tie with eight firstplace wins. Southern had only three. PBYC’s Liberty won her final race, and earned four more bullets, a fourth and a sixth place. My Dixie Wrecked captured two firsts, a second, two thirds, and two fourths. John O, the C-class boat, finished with a first, second, third, two sevenths, a ninth and a tenth. Kanaloa, a Tartan 37, the D-class boat, took two thirds, a fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth and eleventh. John O and My Dixie Wrecked were also class champions from 2005’s Challenge Cup. PBYC’s Challenge Cup team captain, Ken Branch summed it up. “Teamwork. A tremendous amount of effort by everybody associated with our Challenge Cup team brought home the trophy for the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club. Southern was a tough competitor, as always, and we appreciate the effort they made getting a top-notch team together after all the hardships they’ve endured in New Orleans.” At the awards ceremony, PBYC’s commodore, Joe Stanley was like a proud papa, complete with goose bumps when the announcement was made. “I can’t believe it,” he said. “This is a fabulous win for the best little yacht club on the Gulf!” To view photos of the 2005 GYA Offshore Challenge Cup, visit www.NOYC.org and click on photos, or go to http://beachmaster.smugmug.com, and go to Regattas 2006. For a complete listing of all the race results, visit www.pensacolayachtclub.org. News & Views for Southern Sailors

n 2004, 120 boats competed in the Gulfport to Pensacola Race. Historically it’s one of the premier Gulf Coast offshore regattas, but in 2005 after Hurricane Ivan came ashore in Pensacola, the competition was winnowed down to half its normal registration, 60 boats. This year, with the devastation of the New Orleans and Mississippi Gulf Coast fleets from Hurricane Katrina, the organizing committee for the race, Southern Yacht Club, was faced with the serious decision of whether or not to even hold the 57th running of this regatta. The hurdles they faced were severe. With nearly every yacht club destroyed from New Orleans to Pascagoula, there were no onshore facilities for logistical support. Virtually every pier along the entire coast from Gulfport to Biloxi was destroyed. Then there was the great unknown of how many boats would even be able to compete. The race came within inches of cancellation. After some soul-searching, creative planning and the loud clamor from competitors for the Bushwhackers over at Pensacola Yacht Club, the organizers agreed that they had to move forward with holding the 100 NM offshore regatta. Or at least they would

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RACING try to do so. They found slips for the participants with the help of the rebuilt Schooner Pier in Biloxi. However, this forced them to slightly modify the course to a start farther east in the Mississippi Sound near Biloxi. Surprisingly, this move only lengthened the course by 1.1 NM. The committee also was forced to move the date up by a week to accommodate the Gulf Yachting Association’s Challenge Cup, which had been relocated and rescheduled for the same weekend in Pensacola. By pure chance, they turned the regatta into a feeder race. The 57th Annual Gulfport to Pensacola Race was a go, even though after the shortened registration period was over, only 19 boats had registered. But the fact is – the race took place. The majority of the boats were from the clubs Ryan Finn of New Orleans helms the multihull Tribology as Lunami surrounding Lake Pontchartrain as those marinas tacks below. Photo by Troy Gilbert. were obviously a little bit better protected from the storm than the Mississippi coast. The fleet was divided REGIONAL RACING up into five classes and ranged in size from Belle, an Indigo Reports, News And Race Calendars 60, to Tin Man, an Antrim 27, as well as one 31-foot Trimaran, Tribology, which raced in her own class. Regattas and Club Racing—Open to Everyone On June 16th as the withered fleet transited to the start Wanting to Race past the mangled casinos and homes, it was obvious that The races listed here are open to those who want to sail. No the energy level was high. Even more so as the first gun individual club membership is required, although a regionapproached at noon and the first class jockeyed for posial PHRF rating, or membership in US SAILING or membertion in the light, southerly breeze. ship in a regional sailing association is often required. (If Though considered by many to be an overnight individual club membership is required, please contact us endurance regatta, with the sea breeze generally dying off and we will not list their races in the future.) around the Mobile Sea buoy, this year the wind began For publishing of your event, questions and informafreshening in a big way and gave several boats a great ride. tion, send us your race schedule by the 5th of the month to No matter the weather, all Gulf Coast racers regard it as a editor@southwindsmagazine.com. Send in the name of the good test of their skill over distance against some of the event, date, location, contacts (Web site, e-mail and/or best sailors on the coast. phone), and, if you want, a short description. Do not just Ryan Finn, a 28-year-old New Orleans native, who has send a link in to this information. singlehanded the Transpac on a J90 as well as doublehandSince race schedules and venues change, contact the ed the Transat Jaques Vabre, remarked on tactics as he sponsoring organization to confirm. For changes to be pubwatched Tiburon, a Melges 32. Skippered by John Dane III, lished, contact the editor. Changes can be put on our Web Finn commented as Tiburon headed heavily above the site, if possible. rhumb line into the darkness and away from the majority of the Class A boats, “They’re off to go find that time/space portal they always catch.” Tiburon, in fact, did finish well with a first in Class A, but only a second in fleet. Tiare, a Cal 48 skippered by Bill Provensal, took down first in Class B and first in fleet. Intensity, an Evelyn 32, grabbed first in Class C along with a third overall, while Free Spirit, a Pearson 36 cutter, skippered by Thomas Stokes, pulled down a first in the cruising class. The Pensacola Yacht Club is always a gracious host, and the post-regatta party is legendary, but even though the crowd was smaller in size this year, the energy level was high and the Bushwhackers were plentiful. Lake Lanier Sailing Club, As the Louisiana and Mississippi fleets rebuild and repopulate, it is hopefully this celebratory spirit as well as Reggae Regatta, June 16-18 the dedicated competitive spirit of the area’s sailors, which By R. J. Mitchellette will drive the Gulfport to Pensacola Race to again retake What a weekend! What fathers on Father’s Day weekend, its position as one of the most well-attended and heavily June 16-18, could have had a better gift than watching and competitive offshore regattas along the entire Gulf Coast. 50 August 2006

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even, in some cases, crewing with their children in a variety of race venues? The event was hosted by the Lake Lanier Sailing Club, which said, “This year’s event proved to be the most successful in recent memory.” The club house is situated on a beautiful point lot with panoramic views of most racing venues and the lake’s many islands with tall stands of old oaks and pines. The American flag, the club burgee, and code flags were flying from the LLSC flag pole, creating an ambiance that would rival an Eastern Seaboard regatta, anytime, anywhere. This year the LLSC asked its participants to anchor and/or raftup in its bay with the boats fully dressed in either code flags, burgees, and/or colorful flags, all of which served up a beautiful sight, worthy of the event, This year also included the new Performance Cruising racing fleet’s cruisers (not racers), which had a separate start and a longer course (9.5 nautical miles) in virtually minimal wind conditions, although one of the LLSC’s members took first place in his 37-foot C & C with Mylar sails nearly an hour before the rest of the 12-boat fleet crossed the finish line. The first-place skipper, Mike McCloud, also had the Atlanta Public Broadcasting crew on his boat taking pictures of the race as part of a special program featuring sporting activity in Georgia and sailing on Lake Lanier. (For complete details on all the races and venues, go to the LLSC Web site, www.llsc.com). The regatta was a three-day event with the skippers meeting on Friday evening, the races Saturday afternoon and the big party Saturday evening followed by races on Sunday and an evening cook-out and trophy awards on Sunday evening. The food was once again of high quality and delicious, with ample spirits being generously poured against a background of great tunes and dancing fun. The officers, chairpersons and committees are to be congratulated for another exceptional event, and hopefully next year, following two consecutive years of poor wind conditions, will be a better year for winds on our lake to be more conducive to a good sail.

RACE CALENDAR AUGUST Charleston Ocean Racing Association, www.charlestonoceanracing.org 2-30 Summer series races (Wednesdays) Lake Lanier, GA. www.lakeniersailing.com 26-27 PHRF Championships Long Bay Sailing Association www.longbaysailing.org 5-26 Summer series racing, Little River Inlet, SC. Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 5 - 6 Dragon’s Breath / ICRC – PHRF, Ensign, J-24, S21 Oriental Dinghy Club, Oriental, NC.. 12-13 Moonlight and Mimosa Regatta - PHRF Pamlico Sailing Club, Oriental to Bath, NC. 12-13 Hoop Hole Regatta - Flying Scot, Sunfish - MCBC, Merrimon, NC. 19 Greens Creek Regatta – Laser - Oriental Dinhgy Club, Oriental, NC 19 PSC Solo Race - .PHRF - Pamlico Sailing Club, Washington, NC South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association, www.sayra-sailing.com 4 SAYRA Splash - Laser 4.7, 420 - Carolina Yacht Club – NC, Wrightsville Beach, NC. 5-6 Rockville Regatta – Open - Sea Island Yacht Club, Anderson, SC. News & Views for Southern Sailors

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August 2006

REGIONAL RACING 5-6

SAYRA Open Invitational – Open Carolina Yacht Club – NC, Wrightsville Beach, NC. 12-13 Spar Wars – Opti, Sunfish, Laser, Harbor 20 - South Carolina Yacht Club, Hilton Head, SC. 18-20 JY15 North American Championships – JY15 Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, Beaufort, SC. 18-20 Rocket Regatta – Open - Cape Fear Yacht Club, Southport, NC. SEPTEMBER Charleston Ocean Racing Assoc., www.charlestonoceanracing.org 2-3 Georgetown Triangle – Ocean – Charleston. SC. Lake Lanier, GA. www.lakeniersailing.com 9-10 PHRF Championships, Lake Lanier Sailing Club 15-17 SSC Special Olympics Regatta, Southern Sailing Club Long Bay Sailing Association www.longbaysailing.org 6-23 Summer series racing, Little River Inlet, SC. 15-18 Cape Fear Open, Cape Fear Yacht Club, Southport, NC. Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 2-3 The Oar Race Regatta - PHRF – NYRA boty - FHYC, New Bern, NC. 9-10 Blackbeard Regatta – Ensign, SJ21, Laser - BSC, New Bern, NC. 16-17 J24 Weekend Regatta – J24 - ODC,Oriental, NC. South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association, www.sayra-sailing.com 2-3 Labor Day Regatta – Open - Lake Norman Yacht Club, Mooresville, SC. 9 Mt Pleasant Youth Regatta – Opti, Sunfish, 420, Lasers – Hobcaw Yacht Club, Mt Pleasant, SC. 9-10 Cat Fest – Catamarans – Lake Norman Yacht Club, Mooresville, SC. 9-10 Scots & Rocks – Flying Scots, Lightnings – Lake Murray Sailing Club, Columbia, SC. 9-10 All Island Regatta – Yacht Club of Hilton Head, Hilton Head Island, SC 16-17 Lighting Invitational – Lightinngs – Augusta Sailing Club, Augusta, GA. 16-17 Leukemia Cup / Wassaw Cup – PHRF, Open Savannah Yacht Club, Savannah, GA. 22-23 10th Annual Charleston Leukemia Cup Regatta – PHRF, Open – Charleston, SC 23 Around Paris Island – Sunfish, Hobie Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, Beaufort, SC. 30-1 Southeast Opti Championship – Opti Lake Norman Yacht Club, Mooresville, SC. 30-1 Out Back Regatta – Open – Columbia Sailing Club – Columbia, SC. 30-1 Laser States – Laser – Western Carolina Sailing Club, Anderson, SC.

RACING Daytona Summer Sizzler, Daytona, FL, June 24-25 By Roy Laughlin The best summer beach cat regatta is like a trip to the beach and more. The more is the sailing through the surf and riding 52

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Kate Brennen and Javier Junco cross the finish line at the Summer Sizzler in racing form. Photo by Roy Laughlin.

the trap line in warm breezes and cool spray. A regatta happens when several people do it the same time and go in the same direction. Great weather and no rain made the Daytona Summer Sizzler (June 24 - 25) a memorable regatta when racers enjoyed just what an ocean regatta is all about. The race committee scored 4 classes: Formula 18, Hobie 16s, Open class and Open Spinnaker class (which included the Blades and other formula 16 catamarans). The race contrasted the old and the new. The Hobie 16 class, a cherished living relic of beach cat racing’s earliest days, had 11 teams, and was the largest class. In the Formula 18 class, two teams raced a Capricorn, an Australian formula 18 catamaran that resembles the Blade (but the two do not share the same designer or builders). The race committee had two courses and two starts for these four classes. Seven races were held during the regatta, a recent record for a regatta typically shortened by afternoon rains. • FORMULA 18 In the Formula 18 class, Robbie Daniel and Tina Pastoor, racing one of the two Capricorns, finished first with a score of 12 points. Olli and Kelly Jason came in second with 19 points. Those Ingrams, Dave and Cathy, were third on a NACRA F/18. In fourth and fifth place, respectively, were Brian Karr andAaron Hayson, and Jennifer Lindsay and Fred Metcalf. Results in this class were fairly consistent in the races held both days: In the individual races, the team consistently scored what their final ranking was. •OPEN SPINNAKER. Matt and Gina McDonald dominated the Open Spinnaker class with a string of first-place finishes on their Blade, a formula 16 racing catamaran. There was competition for second place between Team Rick and Terri Loewen, racing an Inter 20, and Chuck Harndon and Sean Karr on a Blade. In the final rankings, one too many DNFs for Harndon and Karr gave the Loewens a score of 25 to a 32 for Harndon and Karr. Terry Beck, a new face at the ocean regattas this summer and who single-hands a Blade, scored a respectable 36 points for fourth place in the rankings. Larry Ferber and Pam Panetti, on an Inter 20, were fifth in the Open Spinnaker class, and Pete Pollard and Mary Gilbertson on an F/16 Blade were fifth. www.southwindsmagazine.com

•OPEN CLASS. And finally, the Open class, familiar names appear in the rankings. Frank Rodricks, on the Frankenboat Flippin’ Fearless, ranked first because of a predominance of first place finishes in the individual races. This was a good year for Frank, who had 12 points in the final tally. Not only did he often finish first after Portsmouth rating correction, he was first across the line for his class. Second place was a tie between John Kuna and Cathy Wilson, and Rick Uschold and Randy Burman. Both teams scored 18 points, but a tiebreaking formula gave second place to John and Cathy. Score listings do only a partial job of describing the exciting racing this year. The wind had been blowing for at least 4 days consistently. The ocean had swells as high as 5 feet, but they were gentle and regular. The wind was sufficient to power the catamarans through the swells and the moderate wind waves. There was a lot of surfing off the back of waves on reaches across and off the wind. Surfing off the backs of waves gives ocean racing the adrenaline rush so many cat sailors thrive on but never get enough of. There wasn’t enough for complete satisfaction–there never is–but the 2006 Summer Sizzler is going to be one of the most memorable races of the year for the real ocean racing conditions. More photos of the Summer Sizzler are on www.floridamultihullsailor.com

RACE CALENDAR August– Central East Florida 2 4 6 9 12 13 16 18 19 19 20 23 30

Mosquito Race (Wed Evening Race), Indian River Yacht Club Fall Rum Race, Melbourne Yacht Club Small Boat Racing, Melbourne Yacht Club Mosquito Race (Wed Evening Race,) Indian River Yacht Club Single-Handed, Race, East Coast Sailing Association Summer Racing Series #2, Indian River Yacht Club Mosquito Race (Wed Evening Race), Indian River Yacht Club Fall Rum Race, Melbourne Yacht Club Fun Race, East Coast Racing Association Beach Raft Up at Peck’s, Lake Stuart. Corinthian Yacht Club Fall Women’s Race Series #2, East Coast Racing Association Mosquito Race (Wed Evening Race), Indian River Yacht Club. Wed Evening Fall Series, Indian River Yacht Club

September – Central and NE Florida 1,8,22 Fall Rum Race, Melbourne Yacht Club 2 Herb Elphick Memorial race (Offshore Series #5) North Florida Cruising Club 2-3 Labor Day Regatta, includes Hobie Fleet 111 catamaran regatta, formerly St. Augustine Summer Sizzler. Rudder Club 2-3 Labor Day Club Series, Lake Eustis Sailing Club. 2-4 Labor Day Cruise, East Coast Sailing Assoc. – Cruising 3 Steak and Lobster Regatta, Port Canaveral Yacht Club 6,13,20,27 Wed Evening Fall Series, Indian River Yacht Club 9,23 Fall Series #1,#2, Rudder Club 10 Women’s Fall #3, ESCA-Women’s 16-17 Club Series, Lake Eustis Sailing Club. 16 Fall Race Series #1 ECSA 17 Summer Race Series #3, Indian River Yacht Club 23-24 Wildcat Regatta, Lake Eustis Yacht Club (beach cat regatta) 24 Dixie Crossroads Cruise, East Coast Sailing Association – Cruising 30-Oct 1 Club Series Lake Eustis Sailing Club. 30 Hands on Helm Regatta, North Florida Cruising Club 30 Lunch Cruise, Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club News & Views for Southern Sailors

RACING BBYRA #8, CRYC Annual Regatta, Miami, FL, June 16 By Art Perez For the PHRF 2 fleet, this regatta was the final showdown to determine the winner of the BBYRA Series 1. The series, with its three-race throw-out format, was still up for grabs, and today’s results could have serious impact on the final standings. Although race favorite, Jammin, held what looked like a comfortable lead, second, third and fourth place were still up in the air. Shadowfax, after last month’s first-place performance, was looking to repeat and challenge Jammin. With that in mind, Oliver Waite, skipper/owner of Shadowfax, brought aboard two top-gun sailors, Eamonn Delisser and Frank Atkinson, to help out with tactics and trim. PHRF 1 was all but a wrap, and only four boats turned out for the start. Pipe Dream IV had virtually locked up first place for the series, but in a show of true sportsmanship, still showed up to race. By race time, the wind had still not filled completely, just barely reaching over five knots, leaving the tacticians with the difficult task of searching for that extra bit of “pressure” which would translate into maybe a half a knot more of boat speed, but as any good sailor knows, enough to win any race. As the race wore on, the sea breeze started to fill in ever so slightly, building up toward the end of the race. Jammin took advantage of the light breeze to walk away with a first-place finish, leaving the rest of PHRF 2 to battle it out for second and third place. By the start of race two, the wind had freshened up, diminishing the advantage of the light displacement boats. In these new conditions, Shadowfax made its move to hold onto first place and secure a second-place overall finish for the regatta with Goombay in third. With these results, Shadowfax had unofficially jumped from fourth place in the series to second place, tied with Goombay. On the tiebreaker, Shadowfax won! What a comeback for the new kid on the block. Not to get carried away with the PHRF 2 class, the Melges were out in full force for the first time in a while. A six-boat fleet paraded around the course, which was a beautiful sight to behold for this new fleet. Moving Party 4 and Group Therapy came in tied for first with the first- and second-places going to best overall time for the tiebreaker, in which case Moving Party won. The J/24 fleet, although split up between BBYRA and Flat Earth, sported five entries. Joe Cool pulled off a well-deserved win over Blitzkrieg and I’ll Go; all three tied in points. With both races in the bag it was time to pack up and head SOUTHWINDS

August 2006

RACING back to the host club to celebrate another great day of racing! Results: PHRF1; 1st PL Triptease/Rubin-Shellow; 2nd Pl – Breeze/Valeri Safiullin; 3rd Pl – Concept vs Reality; PHRF2; 1st Pl – Jammin/Russ & Vicky Horn; 2nd Pl – Shadowfax/Oliver Waite; 3rd Pl – Goombay/David Kurtz; PHRF4; 1st Pl – Deadline/Gary Marston; 2nd Pl – Finesse/William Beavers; 3rd Pl – Night Moves/Victor Brown; J/24; 1st Pl – Joe Cool/Lionel Baugh; 2nd Pl – Blitzkrieg/Karen Mitchell; 3rd Pl – I’ll Go/Gonzalo Diaz, Sr; Melges 24; 1st Pl – Moving Party 4/Mike Catalano; 2nd Pl – Group Therapy/Tom Seghi; 3rd Pl – Road Trip/Rick Rahm.

RACING RACE CALENDAR AUGUST 8 Venture Sailing Club Races open to the public. Miami, www.venturesailingclub.com. (954) 494-2304. 12 Single-Handed Race – CGSC. 13 Double-Handed Race – CGSC. 19-20 Summer in the City Regatta. MYC. 26 J/24 Summer 4. Flat Earth Racing. J/24 One-design racing. Must be registered with Flat Earth Racing. NOTE: There are no BBYRA scheduled races during the August summer break Legend for Above Yacht Clubs and Organizations BBYRA Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net BBYC Biscayne Bay Yacht Club. www.bbyra.net CGSC Coconut Grove Sailing Club. www.cgsc.org CRYC Coral Reef Yacht Club. www.coralreefyachtclub.org KBYC Key Biscayne Yacht Club. www.kbyc.org. MYC Miami Yacht Club. www.miamiyachtclub.net.

RACING Key West Sailing Club. Every Saturday – Open House at the Key West Sailing Club. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (305) 2925993. www.keywestsailingclub.org. Sailboat Lane off Palm Avenue in Key West. Come by the club to sail. Non-members and members welcome. Wednesday night racing has begun for the summer season. Skippers meet at the clubhouse by 5:00 p.m. and boats start racing at 6:00 p.m. in the seaplane basin near the mooring field. Dinner and drinks afterward. Upper Keys Sailing Club www.upperkeyssailingclub.com 54

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SOUTHWINDS

West Florida PHRF Boat of the Year Winners

West Florida PHRF Holds Annual Meeting, Presents Boat of the Year Awards The West Florida PHRF organization, one of the fastest growing PHRF groups in the country, held its annual meeting Saturday, June 24, at the Bird Key Yacht Club in Sarasota, FL. The group changed some administrative procedures, discussed concerns that members have on racing and classes and held elections for the board of directors. New directors were recommended by the past nominating committee and approved by the general membership. New board directors are Wiley Parker, president, Dick Boothe, secretary/treasurer, J A Booker, Jay Tyson, Jamie Meyers, Ron Euler, Bob Armstrong and Chuck Margetta. The Boat of the Year (BOTY) awards were presented in a total of 22 different divisions in the four regions of the West Florida organization; Suncoast (Tampa Bay), Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest Florida (Fort Myers area and south). For a complete list of the BOTY winners, go to the group’s Web site at www.westfloridaphrf.org.

One-Design Crew Training, Davis Island Yacht Club, Tampa, FL, June 3-17 By King Purton, ODCT Chief Honcho The fifth edition of ODCT was completed Saturday, June 17, in grand style with 15 knots of wind and glorious sunshine. This year’s enrollment was held to 24 students as only 8 J/24s were available. After two months of recruiting effort, only 15 people had submitted checks to secure a position. I then lowered my requirements and accepted students of limited experience. In the last week, I turned away 10 www.southwindsmagazine.com

experienced students. Oh, well, live and learn. Of the 24 students, there was one no-show, two excused absences and three more who dropped out finding that crewing was not their thing. Of the 18 remaining, it was gratifying on the last day observing them doing bearaway sets and windward takedowns after only three sessions. The students who were winners in that half have secured positions in boats, and Kat Malone is setting up a referral program to secure positions for the remainder. The J/24 owners won in that they are now acquainted with a new batch of crew members. Davis Island Youth Sailing won in that this year’s donation of $2200 raised the total from ODCT to over $14,000. I won when the light of understanding came on in the eyes of the students.

4th Annual Corinthian Regatta to Key West, Bradenton Yacht Club, June 31 By Bob Miller Eight entries ranging from a 30-foot Freedom named StarWake to a 53-foot Mason called Seraphim, set off for Key West in the late afternoon on Wednesday, June 31. Even the start of the race was delayed a few minutes while the sail fleet captain aboard his 30-foot S-2 struggled to get to the starting line. Marianna, a 42-foot Jeanneau, captained by the Zeppi brothers, had a shaky start when their inflatable, secured to their transom, decided to take a trip of its own just after the start. One of the entries, Infinity, a 47-foot Tayana captained by Dave Baysden, was harbored in Sarasota at Marina Jack’s. Its mast was over 70-feet tall, and Baysden was unable to get under the new 63-foot Ringling Bridge to get up to the starting line. Consideration was made for this entry, and he joined the fleet after motoring down the ICW to the Venice outlet. Because this is a “Corinthian” event, time and distance calculations were taken into consideration, and Infinity actually started behind the entire fleet since all the other entries were already south of Venice. A very strong north wind (20-32 knots) pushed the fleet along at hull speed for nearly 14 hours after turning the southwest passage marker #1. With position reports taken every six hours at 0600, 1200, 1800 and 2400, most of the competitors kept in contact with each other. The next day found little or no wind for most of the day, and engines were fired up to assure that all vessels arrived in Key West no later than by noon on Friday. Miller Time, a 36-foot Catalina, and Seraphim were only a few miles apart and found themselves becalmed about 40 miles from the finish. An exchange of six gallons of fuel from Miller Time allowed Seraphim adequate fuel to safely complete the trip. The bottle of champagne was also a nice gesture given to Miller Time by Capt. Rose’s crew. Around 2200, Miller Time and Seraphim were closing in on the finish with Seraphim about six or seven miles ahead of Miller Time. The Smith Shoal light (should be able to be seen for up to 10 miles) was still not visible. Seraphim came mighty close to making contact with this 40-foot tower and soon reported that the light was “extinguished.” Miller Time contacted the Key West Coast Guard station, and they were unaware that the light was not working. Within minutes they began to give a “pan, pan, pan” announcement to all mariners regarding the light being out. News & Views for Southern Sailors

A great gathering of over 75 folks dined at Crabby Bill’s in Key West, where awards were presented to the first three finishers, and a special award of a Conch flag was given to the crew of Seraphim for the great design on their crew shirts. Results:1, Infinity, D. Baysden, Tayana 47; 2, Seraphim, T. Rose, 52’ Mason; 3, Miller Time, B. Miller, Catalina 36; 4, StarWake, P. Pratley, Freedom 30; 5, Mistress, D. Prezinjowski, Cal 37; 6, Spring Fever, P. Roberts. Catalina 34; 7, IOS,R. Howell, 36’ Hunter 36; 8, Marianna, M. Zeppi, Jeanneau 42.

RACE CALENDAR The 0nline West Florida Race Calendar will be available on the SOUTHWINDS Web site by September 1. It will cover racing in West Florida from Marco Island in southwest Florida north, up to and including Clearwater. www.southwindsmagazine.com. Club Racing – Bradenton YC. Evening Races Daylight Savings time of year. Races at 6:30 p.m. PHRF racing on Manatee River. For info call Larry Lecuyer, (941) 729-5401. Edison Sailing Center, Fort Myers. Sunfish and dinghy racing once a month, year-round john@johnkremski.com Port Charlotte. Third Saturday of month, year-round. pbgvtrax@aol.com Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Friday Series PHRF/Multihull. Every Friday through to Sept. 15. 6:30 p.m. start. Motley Sunday Cruisers Pursuit Race. Free pursuit race every Sunday, 12 a.m. skippers briefing, BBQ after the race. www.sarasotasailingsquad.com. Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venice-sailing-squadron.org AUGUST 12 Cortez Yacht Club Commodore’s Cup Series (CYCCC). Race #4. Cortez YC.

RACE CALENDAR Wednesday Evening Fun Races – Pensacola Yacht Club – 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the Month April thru October Fort Walton Yacht Club – April thru October AUGUST 2006 5 Summer #3. CSA. 5 Commodore’s Cup #4. NYC 5-6 Angus J/22 Regatta.GYC See NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING continued on page 60 SOUTHWINDS

August 2006

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August 2006

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August 2006

REGIONAL SAILING

Sailing Services Directory starts as low as $10 a month.

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ADVERTISE IN THIS SERVICES DIRECTORY STARTING AT $8/ MONTH. EDITOR@SOUTHWINDSMAGAZINE.COM OR CALL (941) 795-8704 NORTHERN GULF COAST continued from page 55 12 12 12

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August 2006

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COMMUNICATIONS DOCKSIDE RADIO www.docksideradio.com Pactor II/III Modem Sales & Support; FCC Marine Radio License filing; SailMail WinLink Installation & Training . . . . .(941) 661-4498

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26-27 GYA Lightning 26 Pam Sintes Regatta. CSA, SSYC SEPTEMBER 2006 2-4 Lipton Cup (Capdevielle) Bay Waveland Yacht Club 9 Great Lake Regatta Corinthian Sailing Association, New Orleans, LA 9,30 Commodore’s Cup #5, #6 Navy Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL 9-10 Back to School Regatta (Capedevielle) Pontchartrain Yacht Club, Mandeville, LA

FISHING GUIDES FL KEYS BACKCOUNTRY TRIPS With Pro Guide Capt. “BR” Exploring, Sportfishing, Birding (305) 304-2258 www.keywestsportfish.com

MARINE DIESEL SERVICE INLAND MARINE DIESEL . . . . . . . . . .Atlanta Service/Parts for all makes of diesel auxiliary New Engine Sales–Universal, Beta, Yanmar, and Westerbeke . . . . . . . . ..(404) 513-4414

MARINE SURVEYING TAYLOR MARINE SURVEYING & CONSULTING, LLC Specializing in Sailing Vessels (904) 466-0602 www.taylormarinesurveying.com

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Lost Bay Regatta Point Yacht Club, Josephine, AL 16-17 Louisiana State Optimist Championship Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA 23 Middle Bay Light Regatta Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile, AL 23-24 Coco Seeman J22 Regatta Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA 23-24 Race Week (Capedevielle) 30-1 Wadewitz (Capdevielle/one design) Fairhope Yacht Club, Fairhope, AL www.southwindsmagazine.com

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YACHTING VACATIONS Punta Gorda, FL Sailboat Charters 22’-48’ ASA instruction Live-aboard/non-live-aboard www.yachtingvacations.com (800) 447-0080

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August 2006

CLASSIFIED ADS CLASSIFIED ADS — 3 Months for $25 Place your ad early on the Internet for $10 • Classified ads with text only for boats are $25 for a three-month ad for up to 30 words. $50 for ad with horizontal photo ($65 if vertical photo). Check or Credit cards accepted. Must be for sale by owner – no business ads. Boats wanted ads included. • Free ads for boats under $500 (sail and dinghies only), all gear under $500, and windsurfing equipment. For sale by owner ads only. • All other ads (including business 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. Frequency discounts available. Contact editor. • All ads go on the SOUTHWINDS Web site. For a one-time $10 fee, we will place your ad on the Internet before going to press on the next issue. • No Refunds • The last month your ad runs will be in parentheses, e.g., (10/06) is October 2006.

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_________________________________________ Inflatable Dinghy for sale. 8’ 8” Plastimo P270K. Solid wood floor. PVC. Oars. Never used, in perfect condition. $750/Best Offer. Bradenton, FL. (941) 795-8704. Craig100@tampabay.rr.com.

• Ad must be received by the 10th of the month. TO PLACE AN AD: 1. On the Internet www.southwindsmagazine.com This applies only to the $25 and $50 ads above with and without photo. Pay with Paypal and put your ad in the subject line. If a photo, then e-mail to editor@southwindsmagazine.com as a separate jpeg attachment. 2. Via E-mail and Credit Card. E-mail your ad to editor@southwindsmagazine.com. Text can be put in the e-mail. Send photos as a separate jpeg attachment to the e-mail. Pay by mail (see below) or credit card. You can call us with a credit card number. Give us the credit card number, expiration, billing address and name on card. Call (941) 795-8704. 3. Mail your ad in. Mail to SOUTHWINDS, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175. Send a check or credit card number with information as listed in #2

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Caribe 10X RIB, 2001, 10’ Inflatable dinghy, Fiberglass V hard bottom, Yamaha 15hp, Anchor, New trailer, Great tender or small runabout, $2,985 Rick (813) 376-8040. (10/06)

1971 O’Day Rhodes 19 Sailboat, 3’3” Keel, Johnson Sailmaster-6, Tohatsu3.5hp Outboard(s), Includes 10 ft. Zodiac, Battery, Sails, New Bottom Paint, Electrical, many Accessories, Good Condition. $4800 OBO. www.RedMcKenna.com. (813) 8318585. (10/06)

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above. Mail the photo in (35mm best). If you want the photo back, enclose a SASE. Add $5 for a typing charge. 4. Telephone or fax your ad in. Call (941) 795-8704 and give us your ad over the phone. There is an additional $5 typing charge. If you have a photo, you can mail it in. We can take your credit card number, or you can mail a check. Fax: (941) 795-8705. 5. Do a combination of the above. E-mail, call in or send the ad text in via Paypal on our Web site. Email the photo directly to the editor. If you don’t have a scanner, mail the photo to us separately. Call the editor at (941) 795-8704 with any questions. 6. We will pick up your ad. Send the editor a check for air flight, car rental, hotel, travel, eating and entertainment expenses, and he will come to your location and pick up the ad. Any ads to be picked up on tropical islands or other resort destinations will be free.

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Tanzer 22CB. Main, Genoa, Jib, Spinnaker, 9.9HP Electric Suzuki, Compass, Speed, Depth, Ice Box, Porta Potti, Boom Awning, Screens, VHF Antenna/cable. Sleeps four. Great Weekend Cruiser, Racer. More. $4000. (239) 542 3753. (10/06)

32’ HUNTER 320 2001. Freshwater, ICW, loaded w/extras, In-mast furling main, autopilot, 80-watt solar panel, bimini, dodger, stereo system, companionway teak doors. $69,500/ obo. Luka, MS, (731)394-1897, belew@pneumaticsystems.com. (8/06)

Catalina 30, 1990 Std Rig, Wing Keel, 2001 Westerbeke 26 HP 525 Hours, two 155 Jibs, 2 Mains, Spinnaker, Profurl, A/C, Refrigeration, Propane Stove, Hot Pressure water, Full Canvas covers, Auto Pilot, Full electronics, Beautifully Maintained. Call for Specifications $47,500 (239) 768-9205. (8/06)

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1985 Bayfield 32C Cutter full keel cruiser, with 18HP Yanmar diesel and only 3’ 9” draft. Edson wheel sterring. Datamarine depth and speed. 25# CQR anchor with chain and rode. Bow sprit. Dorade vents. Isomat spars. 8 winches. Excellent sails. S/S stove and oven. Ice box. Sleeps five. Classic H.T. Gozzard design. Only $22,500. Major Carter. www.CortezYachts.com (941) 792-9100

33’ Glander Tavana 1985 center board mast head sloop. Newly painted bottom, hull, topsides and non-skid. New rub rail, teak hatches. New jib sail. 30 HP Vetus diesel. Great Florida and Bahamas boat, draws 3’ board up. A no-nonsense boat offered below market at $12,900/best offer. Needs TLC. Call Major Carter (941) 792-9100.

1973 S&S DEB 33 centerboard sloop. 3’7” 6’3” draft, diesel, tiller autopilot, good sails, Bimini, dodger, VHF, depth, roller furling, AC, 8’ dinghy w/OB. $20,000 OBO. (941) 918-8310 (941) 320-7505. (9/06)

1977 Trident Warrior 35. Well-maintained and equipped for offshore. Call for Details. (850) 866-4490. $46,500 OBO. 8/06

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Fountaine Pajot Tobago 35 Catamaran. 1996. Ready to cruise. Many extras. Solar panels, new fridge, windlass, twin Yanmar 18s, dinghy with Merc 6 (4-stroke). $135,000. Joan or Steve. (954) 321-1603. (10/06)

1995 Hunter 35.5 Only 615 hrs on Yanmar 27. New canvas, Navico autopilot, ST 60 depth, ST 60 speed, Furuno GPS, SGC SSB radio, Apelco VHF, dinghy w/OB engine, roller furling, full batten main w/dutchman, solar panel, S&L windlass, holding plate refrigeration, SS propane stove, 12000 BTU marine air, TV, stereo. Ready to sail with performance and pleasure. $65,900. www.cortezyachts.com. (941) 792-9100.

IRWIN 37’ cruise equipped, Auto Pilot, diesel, center cockpit, watermaker, GPS’s, VHF/HF radios, solar panels, Wind-Gen. Dinghy & OB Spares, complete, working, everything you need, needs TLC $29,900 (305) 731-3911. joegreno@hotmail.com. (8/06)

1978 Jeanneau 38’ Gin Fizz with Perkins 4108 diesel - less than 100 hours SMOH This popular center cockpit with aft cabin is a cruiser’s choice. 2 blade Maxi prop and new shaft. Bimini and dodger. Main sail, jib, genoa and spinnaker. Horizon depth, wind speed and direction. Roller furling needs work or replace. Manual windlass. Bruce anchor w/20’ chain and 300’ rode. Pressure hot and cold water. Microwave built in. Adlar Barbor refrigeration. Head with shower. VHF radio, Aplelco GPS. Stereo. Best buy on the market. $36,900 Owner anxious, taking offers, try $30,000. www.CortezYachts.com 941-792-9100

1994 Hunter 35.5 Yanmar 27 HP recently serviced with 780 hours, NEW stereo w/remote control, NEW refrigeration, NEW Isenglass in dodger, NEW Batteries (3), NEW Bottomsider cockpit cushions, NEW AC thermostat, NEW electric windlass w/remote switch in cockpit, MarineAire AC, 16,000 BTU, recently serviced, Davits, inflatable and 2-hp Honda 2-stroke recently serviced. Massey Yacht Sales & Service (727) 824-7262.

Catalina 36, 1984. Full racing/cruising upgrades, Tall mast, 5’10” draft, rigid boom vang, upgraded flat travel, AC, self-tailing two-speed winches, good condition, new headsail, roller furling, cockpit shower, 3 GPS units, 2 VHFs, bimini and dodger, 4 batteries, all lines lead to cockpit. $48,900. Autohelm 4000. (941) 795-4646. Tampa Bay. mtimillertime@yahoo.com. For pictures and more info, go to www.catalinaowners.com and do a search for this boat in classifieds. (10/06)

Display classifieds starting at $38 per month SOUTHWINDS

August 2006 63

CLASSIFIED ADS 38’ Lagoon Catamaran. 2002. Excellent condition. One of the best on the market for the money. Very well-equipped. Lots of new and updated equipment. Reduced to $279,000. Call Bob, owner, at (507) 951-1625. Burnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda, FL. (8/06) _________________________________________ Columbia 40 1966 centerboard diesel sloop. This classic Maine yacht needs elbow grease on the bright work. First $21,000 firm. Lying Fort Myers. (239) 454-6404. (8/06) _________________________________________ 38’ LOA Bruce Bingham design, heavy displacement, double-ended cutter, LOD 32’, LWL 27’, BEAM 11’, Draft 5’4”. Yanmar 28 HP diesel, like new, 2 jibs, 2 staysails, 2 mains, new set standing rigging to be installed. 12,000 BTU air conditioner, NO cook stove, fridge or electronics. Some cosmetics needed. Pensacola $9,950 OBO, 850-572-1225 or oldflathead@bshmarine.com. (10/06)

Rigging cable. 7 x 19. Stainless Steel. Nonmagnetic. 7/16” diameter. 600 ft for $1200. (904) 794-0937. (10/06) _________________________________________ WIND GENERATOR, FOUR-WINDS (NEW) with 9’ pole mount, air-brake, swivel base. $1,200 OBO (includes shipping). (813) 5459218. (10/06) _________________________________________

Morgan Out-Island 41’ 1981 Ketch. New Perkins 65HP engine/transmission. Fully equipped for extended cruising. Heavier cruising boat - 27,000 lbs. Large interior 13’10” beam, shallow draft 4’5”. $79,900. John. johnausen@yahoo.com (772) 4534069, Fort Pierce, FL. (10/06)

45’ 6” LOA Bayfield 40, Hull # 34 full keel 5’ draft, cutter ketch designed by H.T.Gozzard built in 1984. Exceptional condition with lots of new gear. Harken roller furling on all sails. Marine air, WS, WD, depth, VHF w/remote, SSB, cd/radio, autopilot, chartplotter, Radar, dinghy, life raft $99,000 Call Major Carter or visit www.Cortezyachts.com

BOAT GEAR & SUPPLIES

_________________________________________ 2- 8000# boat lift straps, 14’ long, D ring ends, used once. $100 for both. (281) 3241416. (10/06)

Classifieds on the internet: 64

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CLASSIFIED ADS Used Boat Gear for Sale. 10’ Zodiac RIB, Paratech 15 & 18 – both with line and chain, Teak doors, Stainless Propane stoves, Sospenders, Offshore life vests, 6-man coastal life raft, 36’, 26’, 30’ masts & booms, some with rigging. Nautical Trader, 110 E. Colonia Lane, Nokomis, FL, (941) 488-0766. Shop online at www.nauticaltrader.net. _________________________________________

Yanmar 10hp 1GM10 Diesel. Excellent Condition. All gauges and controls. Tank, prop and shaft, extra filters and parts. $1600. (727) 804-4508. _________________________________________

CQR 25 Anchor for sale - No Rust. $75 Pompano Beach (954) 558-1360. (8/06) _________________________________________

Two Montague folding, full-size bicycles; perfect for cruising. Like new, with many extras, including soft carrying cases. “A bicycle that folds, not a folding bicycle.” $350 each. (941)743-7156 or (941)504-3302. (8/06)

$50 for 3 months for Ad & Photo 941-795-8704 News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

August 2006

CLASSIFIED ADS BOOKS & CHARTS

_________________________________________ Ocean Routing – Jenifer Clark’s Gulf Stream Boat Routing/Ocean Charts by the “best in the business.” (301) 952-0930, fax (301) 5740289 or www.erols.com/gulfstrm

BUSINESSES FOR SALE/ INVESTMENTS _________________________________________ FOR SALE: Florida East Coast Sail Loft. Established 10 years. Well-equipped, extensive inventory and client list. Walking distance to several marinas. New sail design, construction and repairs. Custom canvas work, exterior/interior, and cushions. Strong used sail inventory. Respond to LOFT220@hotmail.com _________________________________________ Licensed contractor in Florida with experience in high-end residential work and light commercial, both new and remodeling, seeks to qualify a builder/company. I am a very responsible, honest experienced builder with excellent qualifications seeking a company needing my advice and experience in the contracting business. Only very quality-oriented and responsible people need contact me who are in the Tampa Bay area. Craig100@tampabay.rr.com.

CREW AVAILABLE/WANTED

_________________________________________ Visit SOUTHWINDS “NEW” boat and crew listing service at southwindsmagazine.com

DELIVERY SERVICES

_________________________________________ DELIVERIES. ICW, Coastal, Caribbean & Gulf, Sail or Power, by USCG Licensed Captain with 30 Years professional experience Including two transAtlantic deliveries. (443) 243-4925 or www.marylandsailing.com (8/06)

HELP WANTED

_________________________________________ SAILMAKER St. Petersburg. Industrial Sewing Machine and Hand sewing experience for new sails and repairs. Must be capable of lifting 40lbs. Benefits available for full-time work. Must have valid FL Drivers license. EOE. Contact: Peter O. (727) 471-2040, Doyle Ploch Sailmakers. _________________________________________ Sailing Instructor/Administrator wanted. Venice Youth Boating Association, in Venice, Florida, is looking for Administrator/Head Instructor to oversee our junior sailing program. Must be US Sailing level 1 certified. Call (941) 966-4851 or e-mail veniceyouthboating@verizon.net. (10/06) _________________________________________ 66 August 2006 SOUTHWINDS

Marine Mechanic Wanted. Marina located in Apollo Beach, Tampa Bay, FL, is looking for an experienced marine mechanic certified in Mercruiser, Mercury and Volvo Penta. Great pay, benefits, 401K, uniforms. Call Andrew at (813) 645-5594. (8/06) _________________________________________ Articles and race reports in the Carolinas and Georgia. editor@southwindsmagazine.com. _________________________________________ Edwards Yacht Sales is expanding! Yacht brokers needed to sell sailboats on either coast. Will train! Excellent commissions, group health insurance, bonus plan. Contact Roy Edwards at (727) 725-1600, www.EdwardsYachtSales.com _________________________________________ Writers, Reporters, Articles, Photos Wanted. SOUTHWINDS is looking for articles on boating, racing, sailing in the Southern waters in all regions, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. We are also looking for other articles on the following subjects: marinas, anchorages, mooring fields, disappearing marinas and boatyards, marinas and boatyards sold for condos, anchoring rights, sailing human interest stories, boat reviews, charter stories, waste disposal— and more. Photos are wanted on all these subjects, plus we want cover photos (pay $65 for cover photos) of both race and non-race subjects, but about sailing. Cover photos must be very high resolution and vertical format. _________________________________________ Salesperson wanted to do ad sales for SOUTHWINDS Magazine, selling ads. Experience in sales a must and must be a boater, preferably a sailor, know computer use and email. You can work from anywhere on this. Commission based. editor@southwindsmagazine.com. (941) 795-8704. Steve Morrell _________________________________________ Writers and Ideas Wanted on Waterways Issues. SOUTHWINDS is looking for writers, acting as independent subcontractors to research and write articles on subjects discussed in the “Our Waterways” section. Must be familiar with boating, good at research, have computer skills, high-speed Internet access and work for little pay. Most important, you must have an interest and passion for the subject and want to bring about change and improvement of boaters rights, waterways access, and disappearing marinas and boatyards—and have lots of ideas and energy to help bring about improvements through various means (that are, of course, legal and principled). You may choose your subject within these parameters. We would also like to get an organization going to promote these interests if you can help. Writers, photographers, cartoonists, jokers, magicians, philosophers and others of questionable professions may apply. Send info to: editor@southwindsmagazine.com. _________________________________________ Massey Yacht Sales Positions-Sail and/or power yacht sales positions available in the Massey St. Petersburg and Palmetto dealership offices. Best marina dealership locations, excellent sales, marketing and service dept. support. We are new yacht dealers for Catalina, Hunter, Albin, True North, Nordic Tugs, plus offer a large inventory of brokerage sail and powerboats. Applicants must be computer literate, have successful yacht sales history, good knowledge of yachts and builders, be a team player, motivated and hard working. Best yacht sales income potential on Florida west coast. Call Massey general sales manager Frank Hamilton at (941) 723-1610 or fax resume to (941) 729-7520.

Murray Yacht Sales is adding professional yacht brokers and customer service personnel to its successful team. Immediate needs include: yacht broker in St. Petersburg office, yacht sales experience required; Rigger/Service Tech in New Orleans office. E-mail résumé to info@MurrayYachtSales.com. _________________________________________ Service Dept. Rigger. Massey Yacht Sales is accepting applications and resumes for sail and/or powerboat riggers/outfitters. Many employee benefits including paid holidays, paid vacations, health insurance, workmen’s comp insurance, performance bonuses, and good hourly salary. Must be hardworking, honest, have own tools and be a team player. Excellent service department support and organization. Call Alice Winter, ext. 10, service dept. mgr. at (941) 7231949, or fax resume to (941) 729-7520.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE OR RENT

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South Brevard, Florida Townhouse. Intracoastal Waterway. Deep water. Dockage available. No bridges. 2/2.5. New roof and AC. Pool. Tennis. Built 1974. Association fees $236 including water. $249,900. macwriter@gmail.com. (9/06)

Waterfront Home for Rent in New Port Richey! (Pasco County). 2BR, 1BA, 1 Carport. 40-foot Boat Dock. On 15-foot deep sailboat canal! Neat and clean. New tile and paint. Just 30 minutes from Clearwater. $1,300/month. (727) 452-4851 or (727) 939-4850. (9/06)

Sarasota, FL Waterfront Townhouse w/Deep water boat slip for rent. 3br/3ba, 3 floors, 2 fireplaces, gated, pool, tennis. Protected boat slip accommodates up to 70-foot Boat. Direct access to Gulf. Walk to restaurants and shopping. For info call (561) 213-2390. (9/06) www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS MARINE ART

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SAILS & CANVAS

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For Sale - Shows Like A Model - 3BR, 2 full baths, 2-car garage with enclosed Florida room, patio and high vaulted ceilings. Built in late 2003 on premium lot. Surrounded by mature palms, sprinkler system, well and ground lighting. Upgrades galore. Appliances stay. Generator and hurricane-ready. Located in private community in Edgewater, Florida. Close to beaches, ICW and parks. $284,900. Call (386) 846-9185 for details. All offers entertained. (8/06) Perfect 2 bedroom Waterfront Townhouse For Sale. Ultra-furnished—even has HDTV. Very close to Fort Myers Beach. 16-foot boat dock at front door—seconds to the Gulf. $489,000. (239) 565-2277 or (239) 454-1817.

SAILING VIDEOS

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INSURANCE

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SAILING INSTRUCTION

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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) 896-2287 www.poncedeleon hotel.com

All Classifieds displayed on web site

www.southwindsmagazine.com News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

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CLASSIFIED ADS

TROPHIES/AWARDS HALF HULLS

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WINDSURFING GEAR

__________________________________________ Wanted: Used Prodigy (standard or race), other boards, miscellaneous windsurfing equipment. Steve (941) 795-8704, editor@southwindsmagazine.comw

INDEX

ADVERTISERS

TELL THEM YOU SAW IT IN SOUTHWINDS! SOUTHWINDS provides this list as a courtesy and asks our readers to support our advertisers. This list includes all display advertising. Air Duck American Marine & Supply Anesco Marine Annapolis Performance Sailing Aqua Graphics Atlantic Sail Traders Banks Sails Beachmaster Photography Beneteau Sailboats Beta Marine Bluewater Bay Yachts Bluewater Sailing Supply Boaters Exchange Bob and Annie’s Boatyard Bo’sun Supplies Bradenton YC Kick Off Regatta Bubba Book Catalina Yachts Colligo Engineering Cortez Yacht Brokerage Crow’s Nest Restaurant Cruising Direct Sails Defender Industries Dockside Radio Dunbar Sales Dwyer mast Eastern Yachts/Beneteau Edwards Yacht Sales E-marine First Patriot Health Insurance Flying Scot Sailboats Garhauer Hardware Glacier Bay Refrigeration Gulf Coast Yacht Sales Gulf Island Sails Higgins, Smythe & Hood Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack Hotwire/Fans & other products Hurricane Hoops J/Boats - Murray Yacht Sales JR Overseas/Moisture Meter JSI - New JSI Kevane Sails Lake Fairview Marina, Precision Latts & Atts TV Laurie Kimball Realtor

65 12,27 64 46 60 20 61 65 BC 25 6,7 64 10,12 35 24 47 45 12,27 36 63 17 32 65 41 27 65 27,53,BC 57 65 67 64 4 16 56,62 7,12,27 59 28 65 37 50, BC 39 15 67 7 67 18

Leather Wheel 60 Lex-Sea Charters 64 Life Captions Video 31 Massey Yacht Sales 8,21,27,29,IBC Masthead Enterprises 4,12,67 Melbourne Yacht Club 49 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau 58,BC National Sail Supply 40 Nautical Trader 24 New JSI 15 Noble Awards 68 North Sails 9,67 Patricia Knoll Realtor 26 Porpoise Used Sails 67 Precision Yachts 7 Quantum Sarasota 3 RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke 10 Regatta Pointe Marina Boat Show 19 Rparts Refrigeration 38 Sailing Services 23 Sailtime Fractional Sailing 22 Sarasota Sailing Labor Day Regatta 51 Sarasota Youth Sailing Program donated boats 56 Schurr Sails 8 Scurvy Dog Marine 33 Sea School 17 Sea Tech 25,64 Snug Harbor Boats, Precision 7 SSMR 16 St. Augustine Sailing School 67 St. Barts/Beneteau BC Suncoast Inflatables 14 Sunrise Sailing Services 61 Sunstate Realty 26 Tackle Shack 7,28 Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program 33 Turner Marine 27 UK Halsey Sails 13 Ullman sails 43 Vista Galleries/Sail Portraits 67 Watersports West 65 Weathermark 12 West Marine IFC Zarcor 64

ESSENCE continued from page 70 Late fall became later fall, and we slowly continued our trek south. Christmas decorations began appearing in the coastal towns and cities we stopped in. Rather than the mall with cookie-cutter stores within that don’t vary except for which end of the mall they are located in, I Christmasshopped in small-town and small-city America, reminding me of my very early years in a small town in upstate New York. A book purchased in Beaufort, NC, a shirt in Georgetown, SC, cookie cutters in Savannah, GA, a fireplace grate in St. Augustine, FL. I 68

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found, in these locales, conveniently situated post offices to mail gifts and the Christmas cards I could finally, leisurely write with personal notes after my many working years of the photocopied holiday newsletter. And who can forget the Christmas dog parade in Fernandina Beach, FL? I don’t know for certain, but I hope the ballerina dog won something! I hadn’t removed many layers of clothing yet, but the warmth of the holiday season helped me endure the cool temperatures. Would I want to leave the Northern

climes earlier another year for the trip south? Yes and no. Yes, I would be warmer, and warmth is a good thing. Also, there aren’t as many cold fronts to delay the journey. No, I want to experience autumn again. Also, with the active hurricane seasons predicted for some period into the future, not being caught in a category 5 hurricane is a good thing. Sometimes, changes in our welllaid plans send us in directions we never would have chosen with unexpected results. And isn’t that really the essence of cruising? www.southwindsmagazine.com