Southwindsdecember2007

SOUTHWINDS News & Views for Southern Sailors Cal 36 Boat Review Battery Basics SSCA Annual Meeting

December 2007 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless

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News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS December 2007

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SOUTHWINDS

News & Views For Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS Media, Inc. P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, Florida 34218-1175 (941) 795-8704 (877) 372-7245 (941) 795-8705 Fax www.southwindsmagazine.com e-mail: editor@southwindsmagazine.com Volume 15 Number 12 December 2007 Copyright 2007, Southwinds Media, Inc. Founded in 1993

Doran Cushing, Publisher 11/1993-6/2002

Steve Morrell

Publisher/Editor 7/2002-Present editor@southwindsmagazine.com

(941) 795-8704

Steve Morrell

Advertising editor@southwindsmagazine.com

(941) 795-8704

Go to www.southwindsmagazine.com for information about the magazine, distribution and advertising rates.

Regional Editors EAST FLORIDA mhw1@earthlink.net

Roy Laughlin Production Heather Nicoll

Letters from our readers Paula Biles Rebecca Burg Dan Dickison Dave Jefcoat John Perkins Scunook

Proofreading Kathy Elliott

(321) 690-0137 Artwork Rebecca Burg angel@artoffshore.com

Contributing Writers Nancy Ammon Cathy Bland Boot Julie Connerley John Fox Kim Kaminski Steve Romaine Morgan Stinemetz

Phyllis Atha Key Sailors Association Joe Corey Mike Hansell Roy Laughlin Juana Rudzki Hone Peter Wormwood

Contributing Photographers/Art Phyllis Atha Penny Bickley Robert Bland Boatpix Boot Key Sailors Association Rebecca Burg (and Artwork) Joe Corey Bev Dolezal FotoGrafic Studio.

Ross Herbert Dave Jefcoat Kim Kaminski Jan Kirchner Jean Levine Roy Laughlin Morgan Stinemetz Scunook Photograpy John Perkins EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: ARTICLES & PHOTOGRAPHY: SOUTHWINDS encourages readers, writers, photographers, cartoonists, jokers, magicians, philosophers and whoever else is out there, including sailors, to send in their material. Just make it about the water world and generally about sailing and about sailing in the South, the Bahamas or the Caribbean, or general sailing interest, or sailboats, or sailing in some faroff and far-out place.

SOUTHWINDS welcomes contributions in writing and photography, stories about sailing, racing, cruising, maintenance and other technical articles and other sailing-related topics. Please submit all articles electronically by e-mail (mailed-in discs also accepted), and with photographs, if possible. We also accept photographs alone, for cover shots, racing, cruising and just funny entertaining shots. Please take them at a high resolution if digital, or scan at 300 dpi if photos, or mail them to us for scanning.

Contact the editor with questions.

Subscriptions to SOUTHWINDS are available at $24/year, and $30/year for first class. Checks and credit card numbers may be mailed with name and address to SOUTHWINDS Subscriptions, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach FL, 34218-1175, or call (941) 795-8704. Subscriptions are also available with a credit card through a secure server on our Web site, www.southwindsmagazine.com. SOUTHWINDS is distributed to over 500 locations throughout 8 Southern states. If you would like to distribute SOUTHWINDS at your location, please contact the editor.

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SOUTHWINDS NEWS & VIEWS

FOR

SOUTHERN SAILORS

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Marco Island Boaters Win Case

By Steve Morrell

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Letters

12

Bubba’s Advertising Intentions Truncated

By Morgan Stinemetz

16

Short Tacks: Sailing News and Events Around the South

27

South Carolina Sailing

By Dan Dickison

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Our Waterways: Marco Island Case French Sailor Meets American Water Cops

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Seven Seas Cruising Association Annual Meeting

By Roy Laughlin

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Sarasota Sailing Squadron Luffing Lassies

By John Perkins

40

Gifts of December

By Rebecca Burg

42

The Building of Pelican, a 34-foot Sharpie

By Robert Bland

44

Battery Basics

By Rebecca Burg

48

Cal 36 Boat Review

By Joe Corey

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Southern Racing: Southern Race Reports and Upcoming Races Southern Regional Race Calendars

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Story: Better than a Ride at Six Flags

By Mike Hansell

19 63 69 76 77 77

Marine Marketplace Boat Brokerage Section Classifieds Alphabetical Index of Advertisers Advertisers’ List by Category Subscription Form

SSCA Annual Meeting. Page 36.

Photo by Roy Laughlin.

Cal 36 boat Review. Page 48. Photo by Joe Corey.

COVER: Daddio, an RC 20 Catamaran, took first overall in the Multihull Rendezvous in Sarasota, FL. Photo Courtesy Boatpix. www.boatpix.com.

Each issue of SOUTHWINDS (and back issues since 5/03) is available online at www.southwindsmagazine.com News & Views for Southern Sailors

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FROM THE HELM Steve Morrell, Editor Marco Island Victory — and Frenchman Meets Water Cops

A

victory? Victory for whom? Boaters? A victory for everyone who does not believe that the majority, in this case the City of Marco Island, has a right to run over the minority, in this case the few boaters who use those waterways. The Marco Island case was about waterway rights that have been around a lot longer than any resident of Marco Island. The Marco Island case was a victory against lies, prejudice and false accusations against boaters by island residents who did not want to see a boat in their view—a victory for those who thought that if they owned waterfront land they could own the rights to the waters they see—waters that carried navigation rights that have been around long before any home was ever built on the island. The Marco Island case was a victory for those falsely accused of polluting the waters by those who pollute the waters the most—those who live on land, and especially those who live on the waterfront—a known fact. And the Marco Island case is a victory against those who want to give more power to those who pay the biggest tax, i.e., waterfront landowners. One man, one vote. Not one dollar, one vote.

America is like a co-op, not a corporation where you buy all the shares you want and each share counts as a vote.

My hat goes off to Dave Dumas and others who put together a test case, but particularly Dumas who put himself on the line. Thanks also to those who gave him personal support, which is critically important in such an endeavor. And also, thanks goes out to attorney Donald Day who defended Dumas pro bono with superior skill. And thanks to a judge who acted justly.

But let’s not count our chickens before they hatch. The city council has decided to appeal and this needs go to a high-

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er court for a wider, statewide ruling.

Meanwhile, back on the waterways front, cruisers still face unnecessary scrutiny and harassment from water cops.

The disease is spreading outside of Florida. The latest is in South Carolina where a visiting Frenchman, Olivier Theodore, was harassed and jailed by the local water cops—for the wellknown no-life-jacket-in-the-dinghy infraction. It generally deserves a night in jail and an expensive defense. He contacted me at the beginning of his adventure, hoping for some help of some sort. There wasn’t much we could do but publicize it.

I told Morgan Stinemetz about it and he developed an interest and interviewed Olivier. You can read the story in the “Our Waterways” section. Cruisers: Watch out for South Carolina.

I spent some time in France when I was young. I remember when I got pulled over by the French police while I was driving. I had made a turn, and then right afterwards, I heard a whistle. You know—the type that the FWC likes to catch people without as an easy fine. I realized the French police officer was trying to get my attention, so about half way down the block I pulled over. He came over and told me I had made a bad turn, looked at my license for a second and politely let me go. After this strange event, I was dumbfounded—I mean, can you imagine being pulled over by a cop on his feet blowing a whistle for a traffic violation? I spent almost a year in France and saw this happen many times—cops standing on the sidewalk pulling drivers over with a whistle—and everyone I saw always stopped. Tough country. I can imagine what Theodore thought.

And next month, I have another story to pass on about cruisers harassed by water cops. This one is even more amazing, and it is, again—nonfiction.

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LETTERS “Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.”

H.L. Mencken

In its continuing endeavor to share its press, SOUTHWINDS invites readers to write in with experiences & opinions.

E-mail your letters to editor@southwindsmagazine.com

OOPS! IT’S “SEVEN” NOT SOUTH On page 8 of the “Letters” section in the October issue of Southwinds, you wrote an editorial note to Matt in response to his letter about boating businesses showing support of boaters.

You mention the “South Seas Cruising Association” having created Boater Bucks (which readers can download from your site). I know that this was merely a typo and that you meant to say “Seven Seas Cruising Association!” Since Southwinds has done so much to promote SSCA to your readers and both of us have tried to keep the difficult issues of boaters’ rights in the news, I know that you’ll want to run a “correction” in the next issue!

Thanks for all you do and for your continued support of SSCA and boaters’ rights.

Nancy Birnbaum Editor - SSCA Commodores’ Bulletin (954) 771-5660 editor@ssca.org www.ssca.org Nancy, Sorry about that. I knew better but my pen hand did not.

Hopefully, readers like you caught it. I promise to be more diligent in the future.

Editor BOATER LICENSING Owning a boat no more makes a person a boater or a sailor than having a car makes a person a driver. Just look at the number of rude drivers taking to the highways. That’s not to say everyone is a bad driver—or a bad boater. What it says is that having a license isn’t the cure for bad judgment, an oversized ego, too much money and no common sense.

If I were to venture a guess, I imagine most boating accidents are caused by...motorboats? I would almost guess the majority of those would be related to speed, alcohol, poor judgment and maybe mechanical failures resulting from a poor maintenance plan. There is no such thing as an accident by the way. That word should be removed from the dictionary and replaced with “screw up” (a noun): An undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs when exercising poor judgment resulting in harm, injury, damage, or loss; casualty; mishap: automobile screw-ups.

Our leaders have a tendency to overreact to a situation and propose legislation that applies to everyone and not just the offender. They like to prey on the honest law abiding citizens because the crooks won’t pay fees, taxes or act responsibly.

This brings me to the next topic. Anchoring and cruisers’ rights. Laws are being proposed, misinterpreted and See LETTERS continued on page 10 8

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SEE US AT THE ST. PETE POWERBOAT SHOW NOV. 29-DEC. 2

News & & Views Views for for Southern Southern Sailors Sailors News

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December 2007 2007 December

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LETTERS enforced on the majority because of the actions of a minority. I can understand why municipalities don’t want people anchoring. They’re afraid you won’t leave...ever.

Nobody wants a junkyard in the front yard even if it isn’t their front yard. I was amazed at the number of derelict boats parked in Sarasota. They aren’t interesting; they aren’t pretty; they’re junk and a navigation hazard. If you have a boat that hasn’t moved in two months, wears a beard and three inches of barnacles, then sell it, give it away or take it out in the Gulf and sink it. You’re not a sailor or a boater. You’re just mooching off the taxpayers to give you a cheap place to live and making life difficult for people who take care of their boats. Boats are like children. If you can’t afford to have one...don’t have one.

I’m also somewhat amazed that the police actually believe harassing somebody on an Island Packet is going to solve the derelict problem. All I can say about that is introduce legislation to deal with the derelicts, quit being so damn lazy, go find the guy that dumped the boat, fine him to tears and stop harassing cruisers.

In closing, if it will maintain a speed of 20 knots, you need a license and a life vest. Why me you might ask?

Because as a group you have a history of bad behavior.

If you have a boat and you can’t afford to move or maintain it, get rid of it.

Next month’s rant will be on how marinas gouge patrons and deny the right to quiet enjoyment.

C. Leist Bahama Momma Mr. or Ms Leist, You have covered so much ground here, that I can’t see what’s underneath. I’ll start with boater licensing, I guess. Yes, it’s true: Most accidents are caused by powerboaters—and fast ones at that, so boater safety should concentrate on that, not on the sailboats. But then again sailors are putting along slow or anchored, making them an easy mark by the wanna-be-commando water police, the ones that carry a gun to enforce a whistle on a dinghy.

To keep it simple: I say no to all boater licensing except under hire, which is what we have. I strongly support boater education as I do almost all education (I draw the line at indoctrination—sometimes disguised as education). The problem is how to get the education out there without making you carry around a certificate (for minors, I support some mandatory instruction as we do have in Florida). A law requiring you to have a certificate is in danger of evolving into a license. What I am wondering about as a possible solution to carrying a certificate is a rule that says that if you purchase a boat capable of a certain speed and power, you must take a safety course in boating operation. You would not be required to carry a certificate to prove it, but would need it to get your registration. And if you lend that boat out to someone who acts recklessly, you would be responsible to a certain extent.

I also believe that reckless boating should be controlled and enforced on the waters, but we have one huge problem, especially in Florida. We have no on-the-water police force responsible enough to enforce good boating behavior. We have the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) officers, and they are out of control. I don’t want to see them enforcing anything. I would say that as citizens, we are better off accepting reckless boating and bad boaters if we have to put up with the FWC having any 10

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power on the water beyond enforcing fishing rules. As long as they continue to act as they have, I say we defund them, take guns away from them—even lock some of them up as a danger to liberty. Until we stop their reckless behavior, I’ll take reckless boaters any day. At least the reckless boaters aren’t legitimized by the government as a “responsible” police force. We must do everything we can to keep from giving them any more excuses to police

boaters, as they don’t know how to act responsibly. Even other states have this problem (see “Our Waterways” section about goings-on in South Carolina) with out-of-control police. I am still waiting for responsible FWC officers to rise up and complain about the bad ones. Unfortunately, the upper hierarchy of the FWC thinks everything is “just fine.”

As for derelict boaters, that is more complicated than it appears. Sure, we

want everyone to act responsibly and get rid of a boat if they can’t take care of it.

Everyone agrees to that. That’s not the problem. The problem is: How do you get to that point? We need solutions to this problem now before we are inundated with derelict boats. We don’t have time to wait for everyone to become responsible. A derelict boat isn’t like a derelict car. The car is squashed and recycled for the cost of squashing it. A boat can’t be recycled, and we surely can’t sink it just anywhere. You can’t give them away as who wants one?

A responsible person taking a free derelict boat? Good luck.

I’ll have to disagree with your statement that there is no such thing as an accident. You are forgetting one basic fact: We are all humans and it is a requirement that all humans be imperfect. Besides that, we are not alone here. There are plants and animals and numerous inanimate objects, all of which are subject to the Law of Accident.

Editor NO SLIPS AVAILABLE AROUND HERE In the October issue, you said that there are lots of slips in the Tampa Bay area. My marina has a long waiting list and our rents went up. Others have six-month to two-year waiting lists. The one down the street turned condo. The city of Clearwater is planning more slips at an outrageous cost, and there already is a waiting list. The salesmen at the Strictly Sail boat show in St. Pete today said that slips are a problem that is hindering their sales. They suggested that if I want a larger slip, I should buy a condo that has one!

Where are these slips? Not in North Pinellas.

Ken Shurr Tampa Bay, FL Ken, I did say Tampa Bay and from what you say, it appears I was sure wrong about Pinellas County. Thanks for letting me know. Here in Manatee County on the south side of Tampa Bay, slips are available, plus other spots around Florida. But for your area, I stand corrected.

Editor

E-mail your letters to the Editor: editor@southwindsmagazine.com News & Views for Southern Sailors

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Bubba’s Advertising Intentions Truncated

By Morgan Stinemetz

O

n a gray fall day, Bubba Whartz stormed into The Blue Moon Bar enveloped in his own personal thunderstorm. Had it been real instead of a figure of speech, the clouds would have wheeled around him in a counterclockwise direction, and Bubba would have been at the center of the low pressure, the eye of the depression.

Doobie, the bartenderette, didn’t even wait for Bubba to snarl his beer order. She just brought him a glass of suds. Bubba snatched it off the bar, inhaled it and then put his empty glass back on the bar surface and pushed it in Doobie’s direction for a refill.

“Bubba, you look as dark as Dufar,” I commented.

“Who is that?” Bubba replied. I hate it when people answer my questions with questions of their own. One can either ignore the question, which is rude, or one can answer it, which makes you look like a wanna-be savant.

“You obviously have something on your mind,” I postulated. “What’s up?”

“Right Guard and I have run afoul of some cheesy rule about advertising on competitive sailboats,” Whartz responded, grabbing the fresh beer Doobie had placed before him and downing half of it. “We may not be able to enter a regatta because of the advertising Right Guard now carries.”

“What yacht club and what regatta?”

“I don’t want to say right now, while this thing has a bunch of blue-blazered nincompoops all excited. They say that the advertising I already have put on my boat is in bad taste. I have countered that most advertising, by its very nature, is in bad taste and these people are making a mountain out of a molehill,” Bubba snapped.

“Where’s the advertising?” I asked.

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“I just told you, on my boat,” he grumbled.

“Let me be more specific.” I enjoined. “Where on your boat is the advertising displayed?”

“I have one ad painted on the port side, another ad on the starboard side and another ad displayed on the mainsail,” said the live-aboard, live-alone sailor, taking off his red baseball cap, the one with the Peterbilt emblem on it, and placing it on the bar.

He took another swig of beer and went on: “The port side ad says, ‘Pets Euthanized! Call 941-7229023 for the Final Solution.’ The starboard side ad is for ‘Trixie LaMonte’s Escort Service.’ There’s a phone number for that one, too, and underneath the phone number is a line, in brackets, that says, ‘Free Wesson Oil.’ The ad on the mainsail is for a proctologist. That ad reads, ‘Dr. Sampson, board-certified proctologist. We’ll be looking for you!’

There’s a phone number in that ad, too.”

“Sounds like a lot of messages with conflicting points of view,” I commented.

“But advertising is allowed on boats. All the ads have to do is meet what are defined as generally accepted moral or ethical standards.

“Who wrote up those rules?” I wanted to know.

“They are in the Racing Rules of Sailing, Appendix 1— ISAF Advertising Code,” Bubba responded indignantly. “It is my position that if the practices which are advertised are allowed by law, which they are, then the words on my boat which promote them do not in any way fall outside generally accepted moral or ethical standards. Newspapers print ads for veterinarians and escort services and medical practices. Telephone books have ads for the same services. So, where is the problem?”

“The problem lies in the way the ads seem to frost the

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people who are running the regatta at the yacht club you will not mention by name,” I answered.

“Yeah, I know that,” Bubba quarreled. “It isn’t like people who are members of yacht clubs haven’t had a dog or a kitten put down, hired someone from an escort service or had hemorrhoids. And while they might not want to talk about it in the sanctified quiet of their velvet drawing rooms or over high tea at the yacht club, the issue here is my First Amendment rights.

Besides, I have modified what I had originally wanted to put on my boat so that I could meet the vaunted expectations of the bluebloods at this yacht club.”

“What were you originally going to have put on your boat?” I queried.

“Eliminate Surplus Piles, Pets and Priapism!”

“Well, that was succinct, to put it mildly.”

“You bet it was,” Whartz agreed. “I could have put that

News & Views for Southern Sailors

saying on both sides of my boat and on the main and increased my profits because each separate facet didn’t require unique wording. And, no matter what tack I was on, the message would always be the same. There is something to be said about repeating an advertising message until it resonates with the public.”

“Can you give me an example of that?” I asked Bubba, who had obviously been spending a great deal of time thinking about the subject.

Sure,” he said. “You’ve seen those signs along the streets of most of the big cities in this country, the ones with a big letter P with a diagonal red line through it?”

“Of course,” I replied. “They are all over the place.”

“And how many people have you ever seen urinating in the gutters or on the sidewalks of the city streets?”

“Bubba, I have never seen anyone urinating into the gutters or on the sidewalks anywhere,” I said.

“There you go,” said Whartz. “It proves my point irrevocably.”

“What proves your point?”

“My point is that the signs work. Because of the signs with the capital letter P with a diagonal red line through it, no one is peeing in the gutters or on the sidewalks at all. The ubiquitous signs have done their work. People have gotten the message. Advertising works.”

My opinion is this: when people have gotten themselves so far out on a limb that sawing that limb off would be an act of consummate cruelty, it is better to pick up your bad intentions and go elsewhere. I paid for Bubba’s two beers without comment and left The Blue Moon Bar, leaving a large tip for Doobie. I just patted Bubba on the back as I left, but I said not a word.

When I got outside, I didn’t pee on the sidewalk or in the gutter either.

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Southeastern U.S. Air & Water Temperatures and Gulf Stream Currents – December 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/

NORTHERN GULF COAST Pensacola, FL 45º lo – 63º hi Gulfport, MS 45º lo – 63º hi Water Temperature –58º

WEST FLORIDA St. Petersburg 56º lo – 71º hi Naples 56º lo – 77º hi Water Temperature St. Petersburg – 64º Naples – 68º

CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA Cape Hatteras, NC 44º lo – 57º hi Savannah, GA 40º lo – 63º hi Water Temperature Cape Hatteras, NC – 55º Savannah Beach, GA – 54º

EAST FLORIDA Daytona Beach - 50º lo – 71º hi Jacksonville Beach - 49º lo – 65º hi Water Temperature Daytona Beach – 65º Jacksonville Beach – 60º Gulfstream Current – 2.3 knots

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Miami Beach – 65º lo – 75º hi Stuart – 58º lo – 75º hi Water Temperature Miami Beach – 73º Stuart – 70º Gulfstream Current – 2.4 knots

FLORIDA KEYS Key West 67º lo – 77º hi Water Temperature Key West –72º

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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Se eu sa tt he St .P et eP ow er bo at Sh ow

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EVENTS & NEWS

OF INTEREST TO

SOUTHERN SAILORS

To have your news or event in this section, contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

Send us information by the 5th of the month preceding publication. Contact us if later.

Changes in Events Listed on SOUTHWINDS Web site Go to www.southwindsmagazine.com for changes and notices on upcoming events. Contact us to post event changes.

n RACING EVENTS For racing schedules, news and events see the racing section.

n UPCOMING SOUTHERN EVENTS Go to the SOUTHWINDS Web site for our list of youth sailing programs in the southern coastal states, www.southwindsmagazine.com. The list was printed in the April 2006 issue.

EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING

Lessons include: which boat for you, equipment, trailering, lines and knots, boat handling, signs, weather, rules, introduction to navigation, inland boating and radio. (727) 823-3753. Don’t wait until next summer to have your children qualify for a State of Florida boater safety ID, possibly lower your boaters insurance premium or just hone your safe boating skills.

Boating Safety Courses, St. Petersburg, FL St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron. Six-week Public Boating Course 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 continually offered.

(727) 565-4453. www.boating-stpete.org.

Ongoing – Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs.

St. Petersburg, FL Tuesday nights, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Satisfies the Florida boater safety education requirements. Eleven lessons, every Tuesday. Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs, 7:30-9:30 p.m., 1300 Beach Dr. SE, St. Petersburg.

CONTRIBUTE TO SOUTHWINDS WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED SOUTHWINDS is always looking for articles and photos on various subjects about sailing our Southern waters, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. For more information, go to our Web site, www.southwindsmagazine.com, and see the “Writers Guidelines” page, or e-mail editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

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Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 11-1) Public Boating Programs America’s Boating Course and other courses regularly posted on the Web site.

For more information on upcoming education programs or to request a free vessel safety check call (727) 469-8895 or visit www.a0701101.uscgaux.info. Click on Public Education Programs.

North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort, NC On-going adults sailing programs. Family Sailing. 2-6 people; 2-6 hours. Traditional skiffs or 30’ keelboat. $50-$240. www.ncmm-friends.org, maritime@ncmail.net, (252) 7287317. Reservations/information: call The Friends’office (252) 728-1638 Ruskin , FL, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 75 Offers Home Study Safe Boating Course The Ruskin flotilla each month offers a Boating Safety course in Ruskin, but has found that many boaters do not have the time to attend the courses, so they are now also offering a home study course at $30. Additional family members will be charged $10 each for testing and certificates. Tests will be held bi-monthly. Entry into the course

News & Views for Southern Sailors

will also allow participants to attend the classes. To apply, call (813) 677-2354.

Advanced Marina Management Course.

Dec. 10-15. Seminars and training for marina staff. West Palm Beach, FL. Association of Marine Industries/International Marina Institute. (401) 247-0314. www.MarinaAssociation.org.

Marine Systems Certification.

Jan. 8-11. Fort Lauderdale, FL. American Boat and Yacht Council. (410) 990-4460. www.abyc.org.

International Marina and Boatyard Conference. Jan 19-20.

Professional development seminars. Atlanta, GA. International Marina Institute/Association of Marina Industries. (401) 247-0314. www.marinaassociation.org.

BOAT SHOWS Nov 29-Dec. 2. St. Petersburg Power Boat Show. Bayfront Center Yacht Basin. St. Petersburg, FL. Show Management.

(954) 764-7642. www.showmanagement.com.

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Atlanta Boat Show. Jan 9-13. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA. NMMA. www.atlantaboatshow.com.

New Orleans Boat Show. Jan 9-13. Ernest Morial Convention Center. New Orleans. NMMA. (504) 780-1818. www.nmma.org.

Stuart Boat Show. Jan 11-13. Waterway Marina, the Allied Richard Bertram Marine Group Marina. Stuart harbor. Stuart, FL. AllSports Productions. (305) 868-9224.

Austin Boat Show. Jan. 17-20. Austin Convention Center. Bring the whole family to the largest boating event of the year featuring over 200 vendors and boat dealers. Thursday and Friday, 12 pm-9 pm. Saturday, 10 am-9 pm. Sunday, 10 am6 pm. Visit www.austinboatshow.com for more information.

San Antonio Boat Show. January 24-27 at the Alamodome.

Bring the whole family to the largest boating event of the year featuring over 150 vendors and boat dealers. Thursday and Friday, 12 pm-9pm. Friday, 12 pm-10 pm. Saturday, 10 am-9 pm. Sunday, 10 am-6 pm. Visit www.sanantonioboatshow.com for more information.

n OTHER EVENTS

2007 Wharram Catamaran Rendezvous, Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, Hobe Sound, FL The 2007 Florida Wharram Catamaran Rendezvous is scheduled for Nov. 30 - Dec. 2 in Hobe Sound, FL. All Wharram catamaran owners are welcome as well as lovers of Wharram catamarans and others who would just like to show up and see them and talk about them. Bring your pictures if you can’t bring your boat. We have even been known to welcome “half boats” (monohulls).

For more information, call Gene Perry (Tiki 26) at (772) 214-4330, Dan Kunz (Tangaroa 36) at home at (305) 6640190, or Ann and Neville Clements (Tiki 46) on their cell at (401) 261-7816.

Reef Relief Holiday Online Auction Nov 10–Dec. 15: Benefit to Coral Reefs Reef Relief, the nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to protecting coral reefs, is holding its second annual Reef Relief Holiday Online Auction from Nov.10 through Dec. 15, at www.reefrelief.org.

America’s Cup Presentation by Dave Perry in Tampa Bay, Dec. 15 Dave Perry, recurring national champion, successful author, and most recently, the rules advisor and afterguard coach for Sweden’s Victory Challenge AC team, will be giving a presentation at the Tampa Sailing Squadron in Apollo Beach on December 15.

Articles Wanted About Southern Yacht Clubs, Sailing Associations and Youth Sailing Groups

SOUTHWINDS magazine is looking for articles on individual yacht clubs, sailing associations and youth sailing groups throughout the Southern states (NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, TX (east Texas). Articles wanted are about a club’s history, facilities, major events and general information about the club. The clubs and associations must be well established and have been around for at least five years. Any article must be written by a member of the organization (except for the youth sailing organizations) and must include at least one photograph.

Contact editor@Southwindsmagazine.com for information about article length, photo requirements and other questions.

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In this presentation—built around live action footage of AC boats in competition—Perry will discuss what it takes to perform on these top-level teams, including insights into the controversial events and actions that have become a part of every AC race.

For tickets and more information, go to www.tssevents.org. Purchase tickets before November 15 and save $5.

Useppa Island Catboat Rendezvous, Useppa Island, Southwest Florida, Jan. 25-27 You don’t need to own a Catboat, be from Florida, or bring your boat to attend this event. You just have to be a Catboat aficionado. But please DO bring your boat—sail, trail or tow it to Useppa. There will be racing, fun sails, a beach party, Saturday night dinner, Sunday brunch and awards ceremony.

Useppa is a real island, but easily accessible. For more information see the Catboat Association Web site or contact Gretchen and John Coyle at (239) 283-5008, or e-mail to Gfcoyle@msn.com or coyle_john@msn.com.

2008 Marina Hurricane Preparation Symposium, Orlando, FL, March 4-5 WHAT: A practical look at reducing the impact of future hurricanes, this two-day symposium will give marina owners and yacht club managers the tools they need to weather the next hurricane, minimize damage and successfully recover.

If you think 2007 has been a “quiet” hurricane season, think again. For the first time since hurricanes have been recorded, there were two Category 5 hurricanes that came ashore this year, both in the sparsely populated Yucatan Peninsula.

Imagine what would have happened if those monster storms had come ashore in Houston, Miami, or Long Island.

National Weather Service predictions say that increased hurricane activity will continue for at least another decade. If you are responsible for protecting a facility—a marina, boatyard or yacht club—this conference will show you how. It’s a critical topic for any facility operator in the hurricane belt from Texas and the Gulf states all of the way up the Atlantic Seaboard.

SYMPOSIUM GOALS: To help develop a hurricane plan that gives your facility the

Marine Flea Market, Dunedin, Tampa Bay, Feb. 9 The city of Dunedin is holding its 2nd annual marine flea market at the city pool, Highlander Pool, near the Dunedin Community Center at 1937 Ed Eckert Dr., Dunedin 34698.

(727) 298-3266, ask for Rachel. Sellers call for information.

Southeast Florida Sailing and Boating News Wanted

SOUTHWINDS magazine is looking for writers to cover sailing and boating news from southeast Florida. Articles and news wanted on racing, waterways issues, boaters’ rights, mooring fields, businesses, etc. Please contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

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best chance possible to survive a storm.

• Learn preparation techniques from your peers that have worked well at other facilities.

• Take a look at what “storm-hardened” marinas will look like in the future.

• Learn what is within your legal rights for preparing boats for hurricanes.

• Discuss techniques that will get maximum effort from your staff and boat owners.

• Get your questions answered and discuss ideas.

• See exhibits of the latest in state-of-the-art hurricane preparation and damage mitigation products.

n NEWS

SOUTHWINDS and West Florida PHRF Hold Raffles at the Strictly Sail St. Petersburg Boat Show, Nov. 1-4

The symposium is sponsored by the Boat Owners Association of the United States in conjunction with the Association of Marina Industries, Marine Industries Association of Florida and Marine Industries Association of South Florida.

The symposium will be held March 4-5 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, FL. Go to www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes/symposium to sign up to register, receive e-mail updates, reminders, press releases or to book a room. Or, call Kristin Lloyd at (703) 461-2878, x3561.

(This year, SOUTHWINDS is one of the minor co-sponsors of the symposium.)

The SOUTHWINDS and West Florida PHRF booth at Strictly Sail St. Pete.

The Strictly Sail St. Pete boat show was held on Nov. 1-4 again under beautiful weather, although high winds on Wednesday, the day before the show, were a challenge for many of the dealers who were trying to deliver boats. By Thursday morning, however, warm weather and lighter winds again proved that early November is good timing for this show.

SOUTHWINDS, for the third year in a row, shared a booth, under the SOUTHWINDS name, with West Florida PHRF. The show organizers, Sail America, help make it possible to have a double booth so that the PHRF organization can help promote sailing in the region. Sail America, an arm of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), holds the Strictly Sail shows to help promote sailing. The St. Petersburg venue is one of the best with an

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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excellent locale on the water in downtown St. Water levels at the Okeechobee Waterway.

Petersburg where free Discover Sailing rides are Photo by Phyllis Atha. available for show attendees, as the ride out to sail on the bay is a short one.

The show featured about 40 in-water sailboats from 30 to 49 feet, numerous boats displayed on land, hundreds of exhibitors and many seminars and demonstrations on various subjects from racing to cruising to cooking on board.

SOUTHWINDS held its annual boat show raffle, giving away a handheld VHF to all who filled out our reader demographic survey. Winner this year was Alan Vandergrift of Tampa, FL. West Florida PHRF also held a raffle this year, with five yacht clubs offering free regatta entries to six regattas. Winners are listed in the racing section in this issue.

SOUTHWINDS distributed over 2000 copies at the show with a record-sized issue. People picked them up as if they were free food (free good food). We would like to thank all the visitors who came by the Our preoccupation with mast height was soon prebooth and expressed their support for us to continue pubempted by water depth when we reached Indiantown. lishing articles and news addressing the interests of Locals at Indiantown promptly informed us that we couldn’t Southern sailors. make it across the lake with a draft of 3’ 11”. The depths indicated on the charts are based on a lake stage depth of 12 feet.

Crossing Lake Okeechobee – Low Water Levels Threaten Navigation

By Phyllis Atha Delivery of a 37-foot Irwin ketch from Miami to Port Charlotte on Florida’s west coast gave us our first opportunity to cross Florida by way of the Okeechobee Waterway.

Our own boat has a mast height of 54 feet—five feet in excess allowed by the average 49-foot height of the Florida Mayaca east coast railroad bridge just west of Indiantown, which normally requires us to round the Keys when transiting from the east coast of Florida to the west coast. The 47foot mast height of the Irwin 37 prompted us to give the Okeechobee a try.

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As of Sept. 24, the lake stage depth was 9.67 inches. The lockmaster at the Port Mayaca lock strongly urged us not to attempt the crossing. They were not recommending crossing the lake with more than a 3’ 6” draft. After sitting at the Indiantown Marina for two days praying for rain and actually getting a report from the lockmaster that the water had risen two inches, we opted to attempt the crossing rather than backtrack to Miami and around the Keys to reach Port Charlotte. Due to the low water depths, the Port Mayaca lock was standing open. Our first trial was immediately after passing through the Port Mayaca lock. Local advice was to stay to the south (green marker) side of the channel for the deepest water. Though we did not bump, the water was still skinny, the depth sounder reading just inches under the keel. Then, between green marker 9 and green marker 13 in the center of the lake, we bumped, pushing ourselves through a sand shoal. Finally, just east of marker 3 we rolled a rock under the keel hearing and felt it rumble over the rocky shoal. We had been told where the shallowest water was located and prudently slowed to avoid any damage to the vessel. With luck and generous local advice, we were able to make it across the lake. One additional obstruction linked to the low water level of the waterway was the restricted openings of the Franklin lock—opening only two times per day, 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Though it

News & Views for Southern Sailors

didn’t affect our locking through, the St. Lucie lock is reportedly observing the same restricted openings. With the rainy season over and the lake already experiencing record lows in May and June, navigation through the lake is questionable for cruising vessels this winter.

For Okeechobee Lake depths, check www.saj. usace.army.mil/cco/LakeOwatch/index/shtml or www. waterwayguide.com. The local knowledge provided by the office staff at Indiantown Marina and the Port Mayaca lockmaster was quite helpful.

Florida Sea Base in Florida Keys Looking for Charter Boats and Captains Florida Sea Base, a high adventure camp serving the Boy Scouts of America, is looking for sailboats to run our next summer season beginning the end of May 2008, through the end of August 2008. The ideal boat will either be a Morgan 41 Out Island or the CSY 44 or something similar (5.5-foot draft or less, less than 65-feet vertical clearance and less than 15-foot beam). Weekly trips include training, fuel (diesel and propane), dockage at Sea Base (located in Islamorada) and Key West. All provisions are included,

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including food, ice and necessary dry goods.

With the Code of Federal Regulations for the Boy Scouts of America, we are permitted to carry eight passengers with a 6-pack license. All vessels must pass the Coast Guard’s Uninspected Inspected Vessel Check, be documented for “Coast Wise Trade” and carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance with Boy Scouts of America listed on the policy.

You will be guaranteed 9 to11 trips for the season (excluding acts of nature) at $2200 per trip. Charters usually consist of six youths (Boy Scouts) ranging in age from 14-20 and two adult leaders. You are in charge of your vessel but must run our charter program and schedule as described. Boats run in groups of four from Islamorada to Key West and back (80 miles each way). The captain will take the scouts fishing, sailing and snorkeling with four nights at anchor and one day and night in Key West.

All gear/tackle and bait are provided at no additional charge.

This is a fast-paced program, so all boats and captains must be up for the demands. Being mechanically inclined is a major plus. If you have a boat and would like a contract captain to run it, we have several very qualified captains to put you in contact with.

Also, Sea Base is looking for a schooner 80 feet long (+) overall for week trips as well. The ideal candidate will have a draft of six feet or less and a vertical clearance of less than 65 feet. These boats run week trips from Marathon to Boca Grande with a day/night stopover in Key West Bight. The boats must be USCG-inspected with an overnight endorsement. You will be guaranteed 10 trips @ $6200 per trip. Fuel and propane are provided as well as all provisions and dockage while running our program.

Contact Capt. Rich Beliveau or Capt. Steve Willis at (305) 394-0365 or (305) 393-7373.

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Salty Southeast Cruisers Net Announces Free Online Atlantic ICW Problem Videos On September 28, the Salty Southeast Cruisers Net, an online source of information for cruisers on Southern waters, started posting videos on its Web site which show problem areas of the Atlantic ICW (AICW).

In recent years, because of lack of funding by worthless lawmakers who don’t give a rat’s ass about maintaining the AICW, the AICW has suffered from low maintenance. Consequently, many areas of the AICW are shallower than their legally mandated minimum depth is supposed to allow. Some of these areas are totally inaccessible for many deep-draft vessels. Shallower draft vessels can still make it through these areas, but they require more and more attention as the AICW deteriorates.

Clairborne Young, who founded and maintains the Salty Southeast Cruisers Net (www.cruisersnet.net), traveled these problem stretches of the AICW with a cameraman and filmed and narrated what to watch for in passing through these areas. He has posted these videos on the Web site.

Currently, six of these problem areas of the ICW are posted on the Web site. The six areas are between Norfolk, VA, and Florida’s St. Johns River. Young states that there are many problem areas along the AICW in this stretch, but he has chosen the six worst. These videos are free to the public for viewing.

Information on the cruisers net is largely based on input received from cruisers, and Young encourages cruisers to continually contribute to his Web site information that might be helpful to other cruisers. He is asking for other cruisers to submit information about other possible areas that might be included in future videos.

For more information, go to www.cruisersnet.net. You can send suggestions and information about the Southern waterways to cruisingwriter@cruisersnet.net.

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SOUTH CAROLINA SAILING

Community Sailing Grows in Charleston

By Dan Dickison

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ecessity, as the old axiom goes, is the mother of invention. And certain creations fashioned out of need can really make an impact. Charleston Community Sailing, Inc., is a prime example. Less than a decade old, this burgeoning non-profit, which seeks to provide greater access to the sport for the denizens of Charleston, SC, is a resounding success. Though it was actually fathers, not mothers, who begat this brainchild, the organization has rapidly established itself as an important part of the sailing community in this port city.

Flip the calendar back eight or so years to a time when junior sailing in Charleston took place only under the auspices of area yacht clubs. Along about then, five local fathers had sons who were on the cusp of outgrowing their Optimist dinghies. The immediate future for these sailors was uncertain because of the scarcity of existing programs for adolescents. Recognizing this, the fathers collaborated to devise a solution.

“There wasn’t a whole lot for our kids to do after they finished with the Charleston Optimist sailing team,” recalls Bill Hanckel, a founder and board member of the organization. “A few of the area high schools were starting sailing programs, but they didn’t have boats to practice in.

So, we shifted our focus from Optis to 420s.”

Hanckel and his cohorts arranged a donation of seven 420s from local yacht clubs and drew up a charter for what they dubbed Charleston Community Sailing, Inc. (CCSI).

But what these parents ultimately created wasn’t just an outlet for their own children. The mission statement underlying CCSI’s existence vows to improve “the community and the sport of sailing by providing access, facilities, and sailing instruction to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, skill levels, and physical abilities.”

Initially, the group’s fleet of dinghies was put to work for high school practices and regattas, but two important programs directed toward non-sailors quickly took shape— Buddy Sail and the Special Olympics Regatta preparation.

With the former, high school sailors volunteer as skippers to take non-sailors out and introduce them to the sport. The organization arranges participation through the Boys and Girls Clubs as well as local schools. And with the latter, high school racers volunteer as instructor-coaches, preparing Special Olympic athletes to compete in the annual Special Olympics Regatta. On top of that, several years ago CCSI partnered with the Charleston County Parks and Recreation office to teach sailing via summer programs.

According to Hanckel, all of these efforts have been successful. The organization has a fleet of 13 sailboats and three powerboats at its “facility”—a small section of dock within Charleston’s City Marina. Seven area high schools now have teams that utilize CCSI’s fleet, and the organization gets some 300 youngsters a year out on the water through its Special Olympics and Buddy Sail programs.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

Young sailors rigging a boat at Charleston Community Sailing, Inc. Photo courtesy CCSI.

And the successes extend beyond that. Several former CCSI sailors have gone on to excel at the collegiate and worldclass levels. Additionally, the organization was a vital player when Charleston hosted the Interscholastic Sailing Association’s high school national championships in 2001.

The bulk of these accomplishments have come about largely through the work of dedicated volunteers like Hanckel. But CCSI couldn’t sustain the level of activity it does without full-time management. Since 2004, the organization has employed at least one year-round staff member.

Recently, Jessica Koenig took over as director of operations, which means she does everything from scheduling and marketing the programs to maintaining the boats. She describes her work as “a series of ongoing challenges,” but vows that she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I feel overwhelmed almost every day, but I love it. Knowing that we introduce kids to sailing who might not otherwise have that opportunity, and that it in turn teaches them to be selfreliant and part of a team, is very satisfying.”

Both Hanckel and Koenig say the next step for CCSI is to secure a “home” somewhere on the water where the organization can build shoreside classrooms and restroom facilities, as well as have a place to store and launch its boats. “We’d also like to branch out and provide programs for adults as well,” added Koenig. “Eventually, we want to become a full-fledged community sailing facility.” That will require serious funding. But Koenig and her CCSI supporters are off to a great start. In mid November, they orchestrated the organization’s first significant fundraiser, an oyster roast, which they hope will become an annual event. “We want to raise some funds to support our general operations,” explained Koenig, “but more importantly we want to raise awareness. Too few people in Charleston know about CCSI. We’ve got to change that, and then we can move forward.”

For more information about Charleston Community Sailing, Inc., log onto www.charlestoncommunitysailing.org or call (843) 607-4890.

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OUR WATERWAYS

Our Waterways Section

SOUTHWINDS has created this section to inform our readers about changes in our waterways. We are all in the midst of great change—through the conversion of many boating properties to condominiums, restrictions on anchorages, and other economic forces at work.

Our coastal waters and our waterways belong to all of us, and all of us have a right to use them. These waters are not just for those who 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. Contact Steve Morrell, editor@southwindsmagazine.com, or call (941) 795-8704

Marco Island Anchoring Ordinance Tossed, Oct. 25

By Morgan Stinemetz If you do any cruising, sail or power, you’ll like this one.

A county judge in Collier County handed the City Council of Marco Island a defeat on Thursday, October 25. Judge Rob Crown struck down a Marco Island law that limited the amount of time boats were allowed to anchor in city waterways.

Any “local regulation regarding the anchoring of nonlive-aboard vessels outside mooring fields is expressly prohibited by state law,” Judge Crown wrote in his decision. “If (the city) believes there are circumstances that justify exceptions to

this general prohibition, then those circumstances should be conveyed to the Legislature. In the meantime, municipalities are not free to carve out those exceptions on their own.”

The case was heard in front of Judge Crown on October 12, and it drew a slew of experts and wannabe experts to Naples. The hearing went on for eight-and-a-half hours before everyone had his say.

The legal challenge to the ordinance was promulgated

by Dave Dumas, a trawler owner, who intentionally broke the law in January 2007 and was subsequently ticketed by Marco Island cops. Dumas had broken the law by anchoring for more than 12 hours and within 300 feet of the shoreline.

The ordinance also limited boaters to a minimum 300 feet from land. It was passed in April 2006 after years of acrimony between boaters’ groups and Marco waterfront property owners, who argued for an ordinance based on health, safety and welfare concerns.

As with most issues between “boaters’ rights” and “homeowners’ rights,” this contretemps in Marco Island had a lot more heat than light connected to it. I have been given to understand that the “homeowners” group found a derelict vessel that had been aground on a mud flat for a very long time and made it (and its very gnarly, bearded owner) a poster child for a “what can happen—if” point of view.

The Marco ordinance kicked in at 12 hours, which, for most people traveling up and down the waterway, is certainly not enough time to ride out bad weather or just stay still until one feels like moving on. Transient facilities in the Naples area are on the skinny side anyway, so hanging out on the hook until rested or until the weather clears may be the only viable option.

The state statute governing a municipality’s right to regulate anchoring of vessels in transit is explicit, though. It says “…local governmental authorities are prohibited from regulating the anchoring outside of such mooring fields of non-live-aboard vessels in navigation.” The city of Marco

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Island maintained that when a boat was no longer moving, it was no longer navigating. The judge said that this argument was not persuasive and found for the defendant.

In summary, the court found for the defendant on four of the 10 issues in the pleading. The core issue was that the city of Marco Island didn’t have the authority to address anchoring regulations that were already covered in state statutes.

I write about sailing, not law, so I may be a bit far afield here, but it strikes me as totally strange that people who move down to Florida and buy a waterfront home would then get their skirts in a ruffle because a boat anchors off their property. If boats are such a terrible bother to them, they should have settled in Sebring or Avon Park, where boat nuisances are not going to happen.

What does all this mean to us average boaters as we recreate our ways around Florida? For the time being, it appears that you can’t take this one to the bank. It’s not law.

Despite the Marco decision, were I to get into some tiff with a cop on the water, I could spend a night in the slammer for being obnoxious about it.

The question you have to ask yourself is, “Is it worth it?” If you’ve been around sailing for a while, you’ve probably gotten rather adept at asking that question. Beautiful but high-maintenance woman wants to go sailing on your boat. Is it worth it? The weather is iffy at best and could be awful. Is it worth it? That new made-from-unobtanium gadget has caught your eye. Is it worth it?

It’s a great question; it never gets old or out of date.

Marco Island City Council to Appeal Ruling On November 5, the Marco Island City Council met in a closed session, after which they announced they would appeal the court decision which ruled against the anchoring ordinance. If, the appeal fails and the ruling

by Judge Crown stands, the applicability of the ruling will have statewide consequences, which means similar laws in other areas of Florida will be unenforceable.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

Olivier Theodore on his 55-foot sloop, Mowana, in the Bahamas.

Photo by Ms. Theodore.

High Noon In Georgetown, SC Visiting French Cruiser Jailed by Water Cops

By Morgan Stinemetz Olivier Theodore comes from France, and he speaks English quite well, but with a heavy accent. His English words tumble over one another like ping-pong balls in a spinning wire cage until some of the sense of what he is saying becomes a blur.

This much is known, however. Theodore got entangled in the American system of justice up in South Carolina for not having a life jacket in his dinghy and, for that, he spent a night in the slammer. How this happened is decidedly Kafkaesque.

“The date was September 19. We were in Georgetown, SC. My boat was anchored about 300 feet from shore, and we were waiting for friends who were going to meet my wife and me. The friends hadn’t arrived yet, and I was rowing back to the boat—I was about 100 feet from the boat, and it was exactly noon—when I was stopped by a man who was in a boat that had no markings on it. He was not in uniform. But he identified himself as a South Carolina DNR (Department of Natural Resources) officer. He tied his boat up to my dinghy,” Theodore recalled in a phone interview.

“I asked him his name, and he wouldn’t give it to me. I asked for some identification, and he wouldn’t show that to me either. He was a big man, though, over six feet tall, who outweighed me by 50 pounds. He just identified himself as a state officer.”

With his wife, Theodore, 59, was staying on his vessel, a 58-foot motorsailer, by the name of Mowana III. The vessel flies a U.S. flag.

His boat was anchored in the Sampit River, a river that empties into the Intracoastal Waterway at downtown Georgetown, SC. The anchorage is a nice one, made more so by an ox-bow that was breached at some unknown time in the past, leaving an island that provides a lee.

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OUR WATERWAYS boats and in civilian clothes. “We are very strict on boating safety in South Carolina,” Williams said.

Theodore did not have a life jacket in his dinghy. And that fact became a point of contention between Theodore and the officer, Steve Pop, who had stopped him. Theodore said that he didn’t have an issue with not having a life jacket in his dinghy. It was a mistake he acknowledged he should not have made.

What still upsets Mr. Theodore was how the incident escalated from trivial to serious over the space of 90 minutes or so. Theodore returned to his boat, and Pop followed him out to the boat and tied his own boat to Mowana without bothering to use a fender to keep his boat from banging into Theodore’s motorsailer.

“He tied his boat to my boat’s transom,” Theodore explained. “But his boat was banging against my boat, and this went on for about 30 minutes. All the time he was chain smoking, and his hands were shaking. Still, things were under control, but he was insistent that he wanted the money for the fine right now. But he had not even written a ticket. Then he asked for some identification. My wife and I both showed him our French drivers’ licenses. He wrote down the information from our drivers’ licenses, but he didn’t give them back to us.”

Why was Officer Pop concerned about getting cash money? Sgt.Williams said out-of-state residents are required, by law, to pay in cash.

“I had no cash with me, I told him,” Theodore said. “I

asked if he’d give me a warning, and he got mad. He said to me, ‘I don’t give a damn about what you say.’ It was like Gone with the Wind all over again. In that case, I suggested, he could drive me to an ATM. He said, ‘No.’ He would call another officer. When he was on his cell phone talking to his office to see what he could do about us, I got on my own cell phone to call the friends who were supposed to meet us. But when he saw me talking on my phone he told me to stop talking immediately.

“He was mad about me using my cell phone. He jumped on my boat. He was a big guy. He twisted my arm up behind my back, took my cell phone and threw it down on the cockpit seat. He did not tell me that I was under arrest. It was about 1:30 now, and he put me into his boat, told me to put a life jacket on and then took me to shore. On the way he said, ‘You should see what our policemen do to people.’ I thought he was borderline psychotic.”

Once on shore, they were met by another DNR officer, Steve Everharts. Pop wrote Theodore two tickets; one for having no life jacket in his dinghy and another for failure to cooperate with a state officer. Theodore was handcuffed with his hands behind his back and driven to the Georgetown Detention Center by Officer Everharts, who, according to Theodore, explained during the trip that Officer Pop was “having a bad day.”

At the detention center, Theodore was processed and then had a closed-circuit televised appearance in front of a judge. The judge told him, Theodore maintains, he could post bail ($2,965) via his credit card. The clerk said he couldn’t, so Theodore spent the night in jail and got out the next day. But the case never went to trial. It just reached deep into Citizen Theodore’s pockets.

His Georgetown lawyer, Douglas Hinds, the former mayor of Georgetown, charged Theodore $1,500 to represent him. The ticket for not having a life jacket with him in his dinghy was $105. And the Georgetown Detention Center, where Theodore was incarcerated, charged him $60 for what Theodore said was awful food and Spartan accommodations.

One final note. Officers Everharts and Pop of the SC DNR are not allowed to speak to the media. Douglas Hinds was “on vacation” his secretary said, and she would not speak about the case. The office of the judge who officiated over the case at the Detention Center, Judge Issac Lester Pyatt, was impossible to reach because its phone system was down.

Bradenton Beach Mooring Field Moves Forward

By Steve Morrell For at least five years, Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale has worked at establishing a mooring field south of the pier in Bradenton Beach, a small island community on the south side of Tampa Bay. Speciale has pushed the plan forward through state laws and environmental regulations in the hopes of turning a popular anchorage into a viable mooring field. He hopes to solve the problems of derelict See WATERWAYS continued on page 35 30

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OUR WATERWAYS boats and human waste from boats the city has encountered over the years. Some boaters, in attempts to be ecological, have even dumped human waste in cheap plastic bags into city trash cans, which is illegal and unsanitary for sanitation workers (boaters should get Wag Bags—see Southwinds article, October 2007 issue).

Speciale, though, has more in mind than just problems with boaters. His attitude has never been anti-boater, but always in support of them. He also knows that an established mooring field will bring boaters who want to visit the island town. This will bring customers to the shops and restaurants. The city recently completed a total refurbishing of the pier, which was damaged in hurricanes, although the city was planning a major rebuild anyway. The restaurant facilities were old and needed rebuilding and the pier was structurally deteriorating. Along with the remodeling, the city built shore facilities for boaters who will use the mooring field. These include restrooms with showers, a 210-footlong floating dock and a harbormaster’s office.

Currently, the anchorage will continue as is but with use of shoreside facilities until the city decides when to move forward with installing any fixed moorings. Chief Speciale was planning to meet with the current anchored boaters to discuss use of the facilities and ask for some selfpolicing (imagine that—the police meeting with boaters).

Note from the SOUTHWINDS editor: Chief Speciale’s attitude in working at establishing a mooring field should serve as an example to other communities which face problems with a growing population both onshore and on the

The Bradenton Beach pier before it was damaged and rebuilt.

The city is working at getting the dock in the foreground set up as a dinghy dock. The anchorage is off to the right of the pier.

Photo by Steve Morrell water. He has consistently and steadfastly worked—for over five years—to solve the problem of human waste from boaters and derelict boats, while at the same time working with boaters’ interests in mind in establishing a mooring field and shoreside facilities in efforts to help both the boaters and the local community. His efforts should pay off in good relations, besides profits to local businesses. The pier will also become a more lively waterfront area with responsible boaters coming to visit as they hear of the new facilities in a town with a boater-friendly attitude—a town bordered on three sides by water.

Illegal to Live on a Boat in Georgia?

SOUTHWINDS received an e-mail from a Florida liveaboard sailor who was considering moving himself and his boat to Georgia. He received a response from a marina operator that it is against Georgia law for anyone to live aboard a boat in that state. SOUTHWINDS would like to hear from anyone who might know more about this law. E-mail editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS December 2007

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Kids Afloat came to the SCCA Annual Meeting and made a boat.

Seven Seas Cruising Association Annual Meeting, Melbourne, FL, Nov. 9-11

By Roy Laughlin

T

he Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) holds its annual meeting every fall in Melbourne. In spite of redundancy, SCCA’s meetings are hardly routine. This year, about 16 cruising boats anchored off the old Eau Gallie section of Melbourne during the second weekend of November. A steady procession of dinghies arrived at the newly rebuilt Pineapple Pier, bringing people from their boats to the meeting. A couple hundred more attendees arrived by car and plane.

In the most ironic twist, the season’s first strong cool front came through on Wednesday and Thursday before the meeting, sending most of the cruisers to the more protected south side of the Eau Gallie Causeway. This anchorage is about a mile from the repaired pier. Damage from the hurricanes of 2004 and ‘05 was repaired this spring and early summer.

The framework for the annual meeting is consistent from year to year, with some evolution to address changing conditions cruisers face across the globe. The combination of daytime events and evening socials is a consistent framework in place for several years. But from year to year, professional speakers, workshop topics and vendors in the exhibition hall change. This year, installing offshore communication equipment and selecting a service to support it was the topic of seminars on Friday afternoon and Saturday.

This general category also included getting news and weather information. Other topics included offshore medicine and first aid, tying and splicing lines, sail-handling and personal experience presentations. Seminars were scheduled from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.

Workshops, numbering up to a dozen participants, are

a second strong draw for the SSCA annual meeting. This year, topics included women sailors and sailing experiences, family life aboard with a focus on home schooling young children, a writers’ forum and “Meet SCCA Board Officers.” It seemed no one remained silent for more than a few minutes due to the ample opportunity to take a turn contributing experiences and ideas.

Here’s an example of information-sharing that would likely not be available anywhere else: In the Friday’s women’s forum, a topic was, “Money, Finances and Paying Bills.” Several participants described locales where debit cards, or credit cards or cash were more beneficial to use (and where electronic payments could not easily be used).

In some respects, the workshop format best characterizes the SSCA spirit. That spirit fosters camaraderie, mutual assistance and shared benefit of experience.

The Saturday morning marine flea market is always a popular event. This year, the range of stuff on sale went from stainless rigging, books and tools to a dinghy with motor and sewing machines for textile sewing on board. With the change in the economy, buyers looking for bargains were quick to act. Several tables were bare before 11 a.m.

The annual meeting is also the best time for officers, the board and the organization managers to meet face to face with members to hear what is being done right and what more is needed. According to Amy Thurman, SSCA’s new home base manager, SSCA has about 4500 memberships worldwide involving more than 9000 people. With a global membership, daily experience in the United States pales against the circumstances elsewhere. The primary goal of the SSCA officers is to give cruisers anywhere the information and resources to be prepared to successfully deal with weather, crime on the seas or hostile governments. It’s a tall order.

In the past year, the SCCA has added member resources both at the home base in Fort Lauderdale and on its Web, accessible across the world. At home base in 2007, SCCA began: • Offering for $3 charts donated by members. These can be obtained with a phone call.

• Expanded an already extensive reference library. Its holdings are intended to be used at the home base (the volumes do not ordinarily circulate).

• Compiled a cruising reference library on DVD. This DVD has crucial information that might be needed while cruising.

• The monthly “Commodore’s Newsletter” has grown to 45

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www.southwindsmagazine.com

Jack Klang gives a double braid splicing demonstration, shown here using a fid to lead double braid’s core through the cover to make an eye splice.

pages. It is available in PDF format via the Internet to SSCA members.

The expansion of the SSCA Web site has been significant. Last year, just after the 2006 annual meeting, the organization was rolling out its rebuilt Web site. According to Amy Thurman, the first part of the year involved a lot of finessing the Web site’s functionality. She says the Web site is now working gratifyingly well. It now shows where members are throughout the world. It includes locations and contact information for “cruising station hosts”—people in cruising destinations who serve as a source of local knowledge for visiting SSCA members. It is also the distribution channel for the expanding SSCA monthly newsletter.

Past bulletins are on line and searchable, no small conven-

News & Views for Southern Sailors

ience for cruisers who need to pull information from the past issues. All above resources are available to SSCA members only. The discussion board, one of the most active elements on the whole site, is available to anyone who can connect via the Internet.

According to Thurman, SSCA is not taking a break after the active year of increased services to its members and continued membership growth. The association will emphasize recruitment of novice cruisers in a “Get Started.” program.

One focus of this program will be to overcome the oftenexperienced inertia that keeps people who want to try something from taking the initiative to do it.

Thurman commented about changes in 2008. Many insurance companies now restrict coverage for cruisers in Florida during the hurricane season. Consequently, the annual meeting is being scheduled in early December—and again will be held in Melbourne. The total of 16 boats present this year was about 50 percent less than has been typical during prior years. By delaying a month, cruisers who come to the annual meeting will have insurance coverage that would be denied during hurricane season a month earlier.

SSCA is among the notable membership service organizations available to sailors (and motor cruisers, Thurman made a special note). SSCA grows and changes in an attempt to improve its service to its members. At $40 per year, it has to be one of the great monetary bargains in the universe, but the camaraderie of the members makes membership priceless.

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The Luffing Lassies of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron

By John Perkins

O

n nearly any given Thursday morning, Commodore Cleat, the perpetual honorary commodore-cat of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, is napping in his favorite spot when his peace is disturbed by cars arriving with women of varying ages who make up the group known as the Luffing Lassies. These women from varied walks of life greet each other with grins and hellos, begin chatting the latest news and then set off toward the youth sailing area (of the YSP, the Sarasota Youth Sailing Program), where they keep their small boats in anticipation of racing one another on Sarasota Bay—facing the elements and one another in a test of strength, strategy, and skill. It is around 9 a.m. and the time for rigging the boats before the skipper’s meeting at 9:30 when course details, announcements and weather conditions are discussed.

The Luffing Lassies began when five like-minded women, led by the late Lily Kaighin, created the Sarasota Sailing and Sinking Society in 1972. Since those early days, someone along the line suggested a less questionable-sounding name—and Luffing Lassies was born. The following year, the Florida Women’s Sailing Association was created to unify other member groups along the west coast of Florida with names like the Broad Reachers of the Pass-A-Grille Yacht Club, the Dinghy Dames of the Davis Island Yacht Club and the Mainsheet Mamas of the Tampa Yacht Club—among others in the area. There are a total of nine groups that host regattas and seminars for one another during the season from August training to the May spring series.

The Luffing Lassies solo-sail very exciting flat-bowed

Prams and freeboard-less Sailfish out on the turgid waters of Sarasota Bay in what many of us would consider unfavorable weather conditions in even much larger boats. They sail in nearly any weather—hot or cold, calm winds or in a blow— enjoying every minute of it while employing the latest tactics as they trade barbs and advice across the water—all while occasionally getting very wet as they bounce around in the waves, tack with precision, and jibe while adroitly ducking as the aluminum boom flies across trying to decapitate them.

Moving about in these little boats where weight distribution is critical requires the agility of a ballerina and the intuitive sea-sense of an experienced sailor, which they perform admirably. Scoring, timing, and position within the field are given reasonable due seriousness. But paramount above all is safety. A committee boat and a chase boat are always on hand to oversee the women’s safety. Proper apparel, life jacket, and a whistle are required, as well as training in the proper care and feeding of the boat.

Afterwards, they return the boats to their respective “moorings” in the youth sailing area—after cleaning them up a bit—then have a brown bag lunch, or something a bit more catered-in for special occasions, such as regattas, where they can all trade observations and more laughs. The whole idea is sailing, friendship, and a lot of laughs.

To keep the membership informed, they have a dedicated Web page on the Sarasota Sailing Squadron’s Web site, www.sarasotasailingsquad.com. They also carry a prominent spot in the Squadron’s monthly newsletter, “The Burgee,” also available online. Since many of the members are out of town on trips or at their seasonal homes up North, members of the group can keep up with the latest news through the Web site, providing them with a sense of “connection” to their sisters in sailing no matter where in the world they may be.

An online interview with the Lassies’ co-captain, Jo Dzina, revealed some of the ins and outs of the group.

Q. I was wondering if you could provide a short list of names of the support volunteers that man committee boats, etc.

A. The race committee team consists of Luffing Lassies Susanne Koehnlein (PRO), Linda Kroll, and Charlene Graeber. They are joined by Dave Bridges, Ben Simonson, Frank Girardin, John Gough, and Jacques Brisson, a group of men who provide invaluable assistance in setting the marks, driving the boats, providing safety and encouraging the women to continually improve their skills by sharing their knowledge of racing with the group.

Q. Why are there “Co-captains”?

A. In the hopes that two heads are better than one! Our group is now 80 members strong, and we are very active in racing events, social events, and education. This requires a lot of planning and continual communication to keep everyone involved and informed of events. Gillian and I felt that both having equal responsibilities and authority would work best for us as we are both very busy with careers and families, too.

We also have a Sunfish fleet captain, Pram fleet captain, and race captain who are responsible for the individual areas that their titles imply.

Q. I remember the Luffing Lassies worked hard on the “dead boats” to clean up the racks and yard at the YSP a while back.

What other volunteer projects have you been involved in that I can include?

A. LLs offer their support at Sarasota Sailing Squadron proj-

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The Luffing Lassies

ects and regattas whenever needed. We volunteer to help various groups on a number of occasions, including a large presence last year at the YSP Opti Nationals. We are very committed to getting more women involved in sailing. Our annual learn-to-sail week launched 20 new sailors this year—with a waiting list for next year. A number of us donate our time and money to projects in the Sarasota area, including the decorating of a nautical theme tree every Christmas, which is auctioned off to benefit the Child Development Center. Many of us have volunteered over the last few years on the Cattle Baron’s festival to benefit the Cancer Society. The Luffing Lassies share the small boat area with the YSP and other Squadron members who have small dinghies, windsurfers and kayaks. Some of us were involved last year with clearing out the area of “dead small boats” so that Stu (Stu Gilfillen, current head of YSP) could have more room for his YSP boats and 420s. Our work in

News & Views for Southern Sailors

keeping this area organized is continual.

To wrap this article up so I can go sailing, I will just say that this great group of very special sailors know how to enjoy one another’s company, get out and have some fun while getting a little sun and fresh air, and give back to the community by contributing their time and efforts. If you would like to join or find out more information with the intention of forming your own group, you can contact CoCaptain Jo Dzina at (941) 780-2817.

Luffing Lassies Membership (the following was taken from the Luffing Lassies by-laws): “Section 1: Active Members of the Luffing Lassies shall be women who are members of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.” They shall have full rights, responsibilities and privileges. The annual dues are $60 and rental fee on the boats (unless you have your own) are $160.50 annually.

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The Gifts of December

By Rebecca Burg

I

n Key West, Sargasso’s mooring was checked, and the dinghy loaded with luggage. Enjoying their early start, Jacqui and Steve McCann motored to shore. They drove to the mainland where a family holiday gathering awaited.

Steve and Jacqui have ventured all over the world, traveling in everything from canoes to cruise ships. Interested in exploring on their own schedule and desiring more comfort than camping or canoes, they’d recently purchased a used sailboat named Sargasso. They took sailing lessons and did the right things, but it wasn’t easy. Peevish, Sargasso liked to drag anchor, and her boom would fall off at odd times.

Slipping into the water between sailboat and dinghy happened more often than the couple liked. Jacqui spent lots of time righting ancient wrongs in the engine room, and Steve’s wallet was hijacked by the boat’s neediness.

However, the holidays were here. It was time to take a break and get festive.

Later, on the other side of the island where Sargasso was moored, two restless travelers stirred in the dawn’s pastel glow. Bill on Defiant, followed by Angel and I, rode a light breeze toward the Gulf of Mexico. As the rising sun floated

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Jackqui and Steve McCann

overhead, the wind faded. A damp mist laced its frosted tendrils around us. The sea was a mirror. No other boats were out, and the silence was unsettling. “Where’s everybody?” I radioed. “Duh! It’s Christmas morning,” Bill responded. “People are home, opening gifts and stuff.”

Defiant proceeded under power and I followed. Bill didn’t observe any holiday customs. Growing up with my native heritage, I didn’t participate in mainstream’s traditions either. Unfortunately, my family and their old culture had been scattered to the winds. The elders were gone and our present generation traded native ways for today’s pop culture. I wondered why I still clung to a thread that no longer seemed connected. I didn’t feel like I belonged to anything.

It was a lost and lonely feeling. Moping, I motored along in silence, not noticing the growing fog.

“This weather’s weird,” Defiant radioed. “Visibility’s getting bad.” Before I could respond, a shape emerged from the mist and swept toward Angel. The apparition landed on the port spreader, claws clinking on metal. A hawk!

Returning my startled stare, the bird fluffed its feathers and settled in. After an hour of calm motoring, the hawk remained in Angel’s rigging, watching me with fiery eyes. A revered symbol in Native American tradition, the hawk is considered to be a spiritual messenger. The bird flew in from the west, a direction where the souls of the ancestors are believed to reside. Embarrassed, I rubbed my eyes, unable to stifle the flow of tears. I had the distinct impression that the old ways were not lost but safe within. The thread was still connected. The elders still spoke. After some time, the bird took flight and vanished in the fog.

Awed, Defiant and Angel motored onwards.

Pleasantly tired after partying, Steve and Jacqui drove back to Key West. It was late and they looked forward to a good night’s sleep on Sargasso. At the dark dinghy dock, Steve started the outboard. Satisfied all was well, he shut it off and the pair loaded the dinghy with gear, luggage and extra groceries. When Steve tried to restart the motor, nothing happened. Panicky, he kept trying while Jacqui stood on the dock and encouraged him. Suddenly, she fell in the water. Steve helped her, cold and salty, into the dinghy and the two resolved to paddle to Sargasso. It was windy, choppy and no other boats were out. “What else could possibly go wrong!” Steve exclaimed, just after his paddle broke. The overloaded dinghy limped back to shore. Jacqui showered at nearby marina facilities and, joined by another stranded www.southwindsmagazine.com

Sargasso, Defiant and Angel at anchor.

boater, a midnight dinner was shared by the light of a camp stove. Unable to return to their cruisers, they slept in their cars. The next morning, Steve’s outboard started and the couple finally made it to Sargasso.

Hassled by engine trouble, fog and an unexpected squall, Defiant and Angel had fled back to Key West.

Disappointed, we took the dinghy toward shore and saw a boat named Sargasso tied to the docks. She was a 36’ Morgan Out Island, built the same year as Defiant. Intrigued, we stopped by and met Steve and Jacqui. They shared their late night dinghy adventure and related an earlier anchor-dragging scare where tackle was lost and deck hardware ruined.

Because of that, they’d moved into the mooring field, but Sargasso still misbehaved and broke from her mooring.

Naturally, all these things had to happen at night in bad weather. Steve admitted that he was ready to give up the cruising idea. Everything just seemed to break or go wrong.

Our failed travel plans forgotten, Bill and I encouraged the couple not to give up. We shared some of our own toonumerous cruising misadventures.

“You mean other people make these mistakes, too?”

Steve questioned. “It’s not just us?” We assured the pair that

News & Views for Southern Sailors

they weren’t alone. The maritime learning process takes time. Lots of it.

Encouraged, Steve and Jacqui agreed to follow us on an overnight caravan sail to a nearby island. That night, Bill and I got to know this delightful couple from Canada. “You really don’t do anything for Christmas?” Steve asked, looking surprised. “It’s too commercial,” Bill explained, shrugging. “People get crazy and stressed, and I respect people’s religions, but I don’t like their beliefs being pushed on me.”

Waving his hand, Steve impressed us with his view of Christmas. It’s not the consumerism, taking things in a stressful way or religious pushiness. It’s about people. It’s about joy and meaningful connection with others. And who could resist the magic of glittering holiday decor to brighten a grey winter’s day? A writer and musician, Steve gave us a gift, a CD with an elegant song he’d recorded called The Meaning of Christmas.

Those past few days, I learned some new ways of seeing things. Under the wide diversity of traditions, customs and beliefs, it really is about the people. Whatever beliefs we’re raised with, we’re all connected. We do belong.

Mankind, who foolishly tends to focus on perceived differences instead of its more abundant similarities, who likes to divide, categorize and label, is really part of the same whole. Like that hawk, we just have to rise above the ground’s limits and see the greater picture. Memorable gifts were given this season. A rare bird delivered a spiritual message. A couple new to cruising got the encouragement they needed. Bill and I received a happier perspective on the real meaning of the holidays. Most of all, a new friendship was found.

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Pelican’s Specifications LOA — 34 feet Beam — 10’ 8” Draft — 3’ 6” Pelican and her builder, Robert Bland, shortly after her launching.

The Building of Pelican, a 34-Foot Double-Ended Sharpie with Leeboards Part I of II

By Robert Bland Genesis In 1992, about 120 miles from Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, I took an interest in sailing. One day while my wife, Cathy, was shopping, I stopped to look at magazines.

Thumbing through my usual fodder, mostly gun and hunting stuff, I was suddenly captured by the cover of Wooden Boat. The boat on the cover was Elizabeth Muir, out of San Francisco. She was beautiful and held me spellbound.

Although I knew little of boats, this boat took ahold of me.

Over the next few days the boat’s image often found its way into my thoughts. So I purchased the magazine, took it home, and read it cover to cover. That was the unexpected start of a long and wonderful journey. Next came subscrip-

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tions to Wooden Boat and many other boating magazines. Over the next 10 years, my bookshelf and brain filled with materials covering all areas of marine knowledge. That led to my decision to build a sailboat.

Design and Construction Since I wanted to cruise the Florida Keys and Bahamas with my family, a sloop or cutter with shallow draft made sense. However, deciding on a boat design was a monumental task. After several months of study, I still had not found the right one. I liked some plans, but they all had something I did not want. My decision was to design and build Pelican using ideas from five different builders.

Pelican is a 34-foot leeboard, double-ended sharpie, with a sloop rig, and a staysail stay. The staysail is self-tacking, with a boom on the foot to act as a cutter in bad weather. The rig is simple old-school stuff — no roller furling or electric winches. Heavy gauge standing rigging is workboat-style galvanized steel. The running rig is of the same pedigree.

Not liking the centerboard trunk being in the middle of the living space, I decided to follow the idea of the old Dutch coastal traders, and so I mounted leeboards. This allowed for a more open cabin area and kept her beam down to just 9’6” on the waterline and 10’8” on deck.

On her rudder, which hangs off the sternpost, I used a pivot-type blade with tackle lead along the tiller to the cockpit. With both the rudder blade and the leeboards up, she will scoot into 3.5 feet of water. The rudder blade is balanced, in the down position, with about 25 percent of it forward of the hinge point. In the up position, it is a brute.

In the waters that I planned to cruise, the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a major feature and a great asset.

However, it is often not a good place to do a lot of tacking, so an engine was the ticket. If one engine is good, then two www.southwindsmagazine.com

Pelican’s deck.

Cathy and Robert Bland down below in Pelican.

must be better. I mounted an extra-long shaft, four-stroke 8-hp outboard on each side, just outboard of the cockpit. The props are six feet apart, which really helps in close-quarter handling.

Each engine has a control lever in the cockpit and is on a lift, so it can be lifted clear of the water while under sail.

The cockpit is really just a small foot well. It measures about 18 inches wide x 36 inches long x 18 inches deep, with two big drains. Seating is at deck level. The threshold of the companionway is 1 foot above deck, with split drop boards.

There is also a small hatch on the foredeck.

I took my time planning Pelican, using tried and true methods and materials in her construction. I did not buy the most expensive parts I could find, but rather used the best parts for the task. I made sure that I could repair the parts myself with the tools I would have onboard.

Building Pelican took around seven years, and during that time my boating education continued. Pelican should be well-found for the waters she will ply. She is not as glamorous as the cover of Wooden Boat that hooked me 12 years ago, but she is mine. She is paid for and I still have some money in the bank. Plus, she is now ready to go cruising.

After stopping for lunch, we got Pelican ready for her first trip — to her new slip, some six miles away. At 4:15 p.m. we pulled away from the boatyard and headed out Mary Walker Bayou bound for River City Marina in Moss Point, Ms. This was the largest boat I had ever skippered. I had taken the helm on some larger ones before, but only for short periods. In this case, the full weight of command was on me. All of the studying I had done was for this moment.

It was good! It was great! At that moment, I was dead tired from all the day’s activity, but this was well worth it.

Pelican responded just as I imagined she would. Her helm was a little heavy due to her rudder being up, but she came around with grace. She sat to her waterline with reserve for supplies. I was very proud of her. Gliding down Mary Walker Bayou, she was like a ghost from centuries past. Her light wake rolled into the marsh grass, just as her ancestors’ wakes had. Old salts, along the shore and on other boats, had warm smiles slowly spread across their faces as they surveyed her gentle sheer line, as though remembering a high school sweetheart. Younger onlookers just watched in wonder.

For the next hour and a half, we wound our way through the marsh and along the river to our slip. The trip was smooth with no trouble. By the time we got tied up, it was dark. The day had been a long one, and I was very tired, but more importantly…very happy.

Launch and Christening The morning of January 8, 2007, was a mild, sunny day — the day that Pelican would be launched. The trip to the boatyard was about 120 miles and took most of the day. I led the caravan, with my younger brother driving Pelican on his trailer, and my wife and daughter bringing up the rear in another vehicle. We each had two-way radios to keep in touch.

We had made launch arrangements with Pitalo’s Boatyard in Gautier, MS, some months earlier. It was one of the only boatyards with a travel lift that could hoist Pelican from the trailer to the water. However, it did not have a crane on-site to step her mast, but recommended a person to do the job. I contacted that person and set it up.

As planned, just before we reached the boatyard, Cathy called to tell them we would soon be ready to step the mast and launch. Unfortunately, the boatyard said that the crane operator would not come to work that day.

In order to stay on schedule, we continued on to the boatyard. Luckily, we launched with the assistance of the travel lift operator. He was able to help us get the mast up, without the crane. After about 20 minutes of pushing and pulling, Pelican was free of the travel lift and into the water.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

(Continued next month: Pelican’s first voyage)

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MARINE ELECTRICITY:

Battery Basics in Plain Language

By Rebecca Burg Slip into a fuzzy sweater on a dry winter morning and you’ll hear, perhaps feel, tiny crackles of static electricity. Larger static sparks are about an inch in diameter, average two to three miles in length and have an electrical potential of nearly 100 million volts. Of course, these extreme blasts aren’t found in your sweater but they do appear, as lightning, in stormy weather.

It’s enough to make your hair stand on end.

From static in sweaters to lightning bolts, electricity is an impressive and potentially deadly phenomenon. When properly harnessed for marine use, this power is beneficial. Onboard, electricity shouldn’t be a mystery to be left for someone else to deal with. With time and motivation, anyone can gain a practical understanding of the workings behind a marine electrical system. Once an understanding is established, you’re on your way to confidently repairing, improving and customizing your boat’s electrical works.

A marine electrical system begins with a battery, the source and storage of electricity. Twelve volt DC (Direct Current) is the standard. A common arrangement is a bank

of two 12V batteries connected in parallel. In parallel, the voltage remains the same, but each battery’s amperage is added together. A rotary selector switch is used to select one or the other battery, to disconnect them from the system or to combine them. If using 6V golf cart batteries, they must be wired in series to combine their voltages to 12V. Anytime two or more batteries are connected, series or parallel, it’s important that they are the same age and chemistry. For example, an older battery mixed in the system will drain newer batteries. A gel cell will sustain permanent damage if connected into the charging circuit of a wet cell.

Battery Types: Starting Battery, Dual Purpose and Deep Cycle Starting batteries are constructed solely to deliver the sizable amperage needed to crank an engine over and then immediately be recharged by the running engine’s alternator. Batteries labeled for “marine” use are made to handle the rigors of a rocking boat, but boaters have successfully used quality automotive batteries. Select a starting battery based on the load of the engine’s starter. If this figure can’t be found in the engine’s manual, then a general rule is to add 1 amp per cubic inch of a gasoline engine’s displacement and 2 amps per cubic inch for a diesel. Once you know this value, note the battery’s CCA (cold cranking amps) or MCA (marine cranking amps) number. CCA and MCA is the same thing, except a warmer ambient temperature is used to calculate the MCA. For a safe margin, this number should be about four times the starter’s load. Not suitable for house use (fans, radio, anchor light, GPS, etc.) a starting battery won’t survive the demands typically subjected on house batteries.

Dual purpose batteries are designed to handle both starting and deep cycle loads. They’re economical and excellent for small boats with one battery or two that are

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A battery conductance test

item, write down its load in amps. (The item itself or its handbook should indicate this value. If watts is listed instead, use this formula: Watts divided by 12V = Amps., i.e., 60 watts/12V= 5 amps). Then list the average hours each item is used between charge cycles.

Multiply the hour amount and the rated amps to arrive at amp hours, and then total them. Select a house battery or bank with an amp hour rating that’s about 2-1/2 times the boat’s load. (See example) Realistically, many boats, especially ones that are frequently away from the dock, don’t have an exact recharge schedule, and there may be multiple charging sources. Also, many items onboard aren’t used on a predictable time schedule. Estimate as best as you can when figuring amp hours, and it doesn’t hurt to round up the values.

used interchangeably for starting and house loads. More commonly used for house loads is a deep cycle or “continuous use” battery. A properly sized deep cycle can be used as a starting battery. It just requires more recharge time. A deep cycle is constructed to handle repeated rounds of heavy discharges between charging. For house use, rated amp hours and cycle life are the values to look for. For best longevity, deep cycle batteries made for marine use should not be discharged below half their rated capacity. A common arrangement on a small to medium system is two individual deep cycle batteries connected to a selector switch.

Switch to “All” and both batteries are combined to start the engine, and both are recharged by the alternator. However, the boat owner must remember to switch back to “1” or “2” after the engine is shut down so one battery is preserved to start the engine while the other is employed for house duty.

This arrangement isn’t foolproof, and it’s not uncommon to forget to turn the switch from “All” and then drain the batteries during house use, leaving insufficient power to crank the engine. Once an understanding of marine electrics is founded, boat owners will improve this set-up. For example, some boat owners install a separate, dedicated starting battery or will modify the switching arrangement.

How to Estimate Your Daily Use and Select the Right House Battery The boat’s load, in amp hours, needs to be estimated. First, write down all onboard 12V components: GPS, refrigerator, cabin lights, fan, VHF radio, CD player, etc. Next to each News & Views for Southern Sailors

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Batteries Come in Different Physical Sizes For marine use, you’ll typically come across “group” sizes like group-24, 27 or 31. The larger the number, the larger the battery. Another common code is 4D and 8D, and these are heavy industrial batteries for large systems. “GC” is golf cart batteries. What you use depends upon the boat’s size and electrical loads. Group 27 is often used in small to medium cruising sailboats.

Wet Cell, Gel Cell Or AGM? There are three different chemistries and a range of brand names to choose from. What you select is a matter of budget, how often the boat’s used and cruising climate. Wet cell, or “flooded,” is the traditional liquid electrolyte (sulfuric acid and water) battery. Properly maintained, a quality wet cell will provide many years of trusty service.

Liquid levels in these batteries must be checked at least once a month. Only after charging, and not before, carefully pry off the caps and note the liquid level in each cell.

Using distilled water, top off each cell so the level is 1/4inch to 1/2-inch below the inside upper wall of the cell.

Never allow the liquid level to fall enough to expose the internal lead plates. Safety glasses and a turkey baster-like battery filling tool are sold at discount automotive stores.

For longevity, wet cells need to be kept charged during a boat’s off season. If left alone, their natural self-discharge rate will drop the battery’s charge level as much as one percent a day. An unused and discharged wet cell will suffer from sulfation on its internal lead plates, a life-shortening condition. They are susceptible to freezing if allowed to be run down and not charged, and a frozen battery can explode if an attempt is made to charge it. Onboard, wet cells must be placed in battery boxes with secure tiedowns. Maintenance-free wet cell batteries are sealed and do not require topping off with water. They take the same charging voltage as a regular wet cell, but must not be overcharged, or it’s possible to boil them dry. Cheaply made maintenance-free batteries won’t last long on a boat, but quality brands are available that have proven to be good performers.

The electrolyte in a gel cell battery is in paste form.

Sealed, gel cells will not spill acid and can be used while resting on their sides. Gels can’t be fast-charged and should not be charged at a rate above 14.1V or internal damage can result. A boat’s charging system that’s set up

for a wet cell will fry a gel cell unless modifications are made. A gel can be left alone during a boat’s off season as it has a very low self-discharge rate. AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries are made with a dense, fibrous mat soaked, but not dripping, with electrolyte that’s layered between the lead plates. Sealed, there are no dangers of acid spills, and these types virtually resist freezing. Like the gel, AGM has a very low self-discharge rate. The charging voltage is the same as a wet cell. Hardy for both starting and deep cycle use, the main disadvantage is that an AGM is far more costly than a similarly sized wet cell. “Sealed valve regulated” is a term often used when referring to gel and AGM battery types.

All Batteries Need Care Clean the top surface by wiping with a lightly dampened rag, then a dry one. Moisture, dirt and dust balls invite current leakage. Keep the battery terminals and the connected cable ends clean. To remove corrosion on these metal parts, disconnect battery by removing negative cable first (then reconnect it last). Scrub away corrosion with a small wire brush, then polish with a rag or an old toothbrush dipped in a paste made from baking soda and water. Clean paste remnant away with a damp rag, then thoroughly dry terminal ends. Coat with an electrical anticorrosion spray such as Corrosion Block, Boeshield T-9 or that old standby, petroleum jelly. Reconnect cables to battery, securing the negative cable last. Be sure that connections are tight and will not vibrate loose with the boat’s motion. Loose connections are a fire hazard.

Safety Batteries will vent hydrogen when charging, and this gas is explosive. Adequate ventilation in the boat’s battery compartment is needed. Battery acid is corrosive and safety glasses are important when filling or testing batteries.

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Baking soda and water will neutralize the acid if there’s skin contact. Be sure not to accidentally touch a metal tool to both terminals, which will generate a significant and potentially skin-damaging spark.

Testing a Battery A digital hand-held voltmeter will measure a battery’s voltage. It’s handy to install a voltmeter, preferably digital, in the boat’s system to monitor a battery or bank’s charge state. A quality hydrometer, found in most automotive stores, is used to measure each cell of a flooded battery and will provide an accurate picture of the condition and remaining life in the battery. For accuracy, wait at least two hours after the battery’s been charged before testing. For any battery, especially ones that are sealed and can’t be measured by a hydrometer, a tool used by the professionals is a conductance tester, a safe and undamaging procedure compared to the old method of load testing. A conductance test provides an accurate picture of the battery’s current state of health and how much, if any, internal deterioration has occurred.

Charging.

A good, fully charged battery of any chemistry will have a resting voltage of 12.6V or slightly greater. 12.2V (about 12.4V for a gel cell) is about half charge level and time to consider recharging the bank. Avoid allowing the battery to be discharged to near 12V and less, as internal damage can occur. When plugged into the dock, most boats use an ACpowered battery charger. Away from the dock, common methods to charge 12V batteries are the engine’s alternator, inboard generator, solar panels or wind generators.

The typical engine-mounted alternator with regulator puts out a charge voltage of about 14.4V. Some alternators have a built-in voltage regulator while others will be wired to an external regulator. The regulator controls the alternator’s output. Higher charge settings are used for light and infrequent motoring and lower charge settings for long, frequent periods of motoring. Unless the sailboat regularly engages in daylong motoring, a 14.4V regulator won’t present a problem of overcharging. Trawlers and motorsailing vessels prefer regulators with lower settings, usually from 14.1V to 13.8V. For auxiliary sailboats that operate on a mixed schedule of catching wind one day and motoring the next, a reality when cruising, modifications to manually control the alternator’s output can be done, or a modern “smart” regulator can be installed. On any boat, a regulator with a maximum of 14.1V must be used with a gel cell battery.

An understanding of the battery and its safe application onboard is part of the process of building a foundation of practical know-how in marine electronics. Combine this knowledge with the fundamentals of wiring, fuses and charging systems and the once confusing mystery of your boat’s electrical system soon becomes a familiar ally that can be worked on with confidence.

R. Burg is an ABYC-certified marine electrical technician and her past work in the engineering field includes research and development of electrical devices in meeting United States and Canadian standards.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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BOAT REVIEW

Calcutta — 1966 CAL 36

By Joe Corey

B

ack when Peggy and I decided to cut the ties that bound us to land and sail away, we made up a list of features we wanted on a boat—a boat that we would be living aboard that would take us where we dreamt of going. What we didn’t have was a lot of The CAL 36 money. “Must have” features included 1966 CAL 36 Specifications diesel auxiliary, wheel steering, roller feet in southwest Florida, but as Peggy furling, and an onboard shower. Our LOA 35’ 6” pointed out, “Her deep keel will dictate previous boat had some deck delaminaLWL 27’ 0” where we go (or don’t go).” And, yes, we tion, so structural integrity was going to Beam 10’4” have gone aground a few more times be carefully looked at.

Draft 5’ 8” than we did with our previous boat that After perusing countless magazine Displacement 11,200 lbs drew 4’ 3”. ads and looking at a number of sailBallast 4,500 lbs On the first night of our first boats in southwest Florida that were Sail Area 600 sq. ft. extended cruise, the wheel-steering setappropriate in size and cost, we found up that Peggy was less than thrilled with that many boats that had it all and disassembled itself in spectacular fashweren’t badly blistered or soft were just ion as the wind piped up at the advance of a thunderstorm. beyond what we could afford. But we made some comproLuckily, the original tiller was aboard, and it was a fairly mises and finally settled on one that fit, a 1966 Cal 36. easy job to uninstall the wheel and reinstall the stick. What The 15-HP Universal diesel on the boat had no hour a difference! Not only would she answer the helm, but she meter, was of an undetermined vintage, a little greasy, and felt more like a thing alive. Properly trimmed, two fingers is suspiciously small, but it did start on command without all it takes to steer (except when motoring due to wheel belching any telltale clouds of blue, white, or grey smoke. wash).

Although the original design was with a tiller, the seller had The Cal 36 is the little sister to her more famous sibling, crafted an ingenious wheel-steering arrangement with the Cal 40. In fact, she’s just about a 90 percent replica and worm gears and universal joints. There was no roller furling even has the same rudder as the 40. Both were designed by nor shower but, gee-whiz, was she rock solid!

Bill Lapworth in the early ’60s as ocean racers. Their sucAfter the pre-purchase out-of-water survey confirmed cesses in the TransPacs are legendary. Although boats laid her solidity and found no major defects, the deal was done up in that era are decidedly heavier than today’s models and on we moved. Some of our friends thought we were and she sports a very “un-racy” mahogany interior, once nuts getting involved with a boat that draughts nearly six divested of the encumbrances of life aboard, the Cal 36 turns a quick heel on the racecourse. You can’t however, race your home successfully.

As a yacht built for racing, the Cal 36 leaves a little to be desired as an extended cruiser or live-aboard. Her narrow beam and lack of proper storage are a disadvantage. We do, however, take advantage of the cavernous sail lockers port and starboard in the roomy cockpit. That large cockpit does limit the interior to about the size of a more modern 32- to 34-foot yacht. There still remains plenty of living space for the two of us, but we marvel at the space aboard other cruise-designed 36-foot yachts we visit. The v-berth, though, is her standout interior feature—being 6’6’’ both wide and long.

The double spreader rig is pretty straightforward with inboard rigged shrouds as befits a racer. There is a stay’sl

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The CAL 36 salon, port side.

The CAL 36 at its present home in Boot Key Harbor, Florida Keys.

shroud that comes in handy on a reach or as the headstay in a blow, but it can be a nuisance when tacking the jib. A pair of running backstays are available to tune the rig or give opposing support to the stay’sl. Lazy jacks are a must to contain the medium aspect, fully battened main when doused. In cruising mode, we mostly use the 120 percent headsail but keep an asymmetrical gennaker, a pair of drifters, a dirty, delaminated 155 percent genoa, and the stay’sl always at the ready. As I age, roller furling is looking pretty appealing.

There is evidence that, somewhere along the line, the mainsheet traveler had been moved to mid-boom from the aft end and then back again. I was confused as to which configuration was correct and took a stab at calling Los Angeles 411 for Lapworth’s phone number. I was thrilled to contact him, before his death, on the first try! Although he couldn’t remember, he sent me signed copies of the original plans that confirmed the aft end placement.

As with most similarly aged yachts, the original auxiliary (emphasis auxiliary) was an Atomic 4. The Universal M-20, 15 HP that was aboard when we bought the boat was still running, but we decided it was not as trustworthy as we needed it to be. Our choice for replacement was the Universal 25XPB giving us 27 HP. Because of engine placement, power is delivered through a V-drive. I’ve come to believe the V is for vexing! Alignment has been a problem for us, and we are hoping a newly beefed-up engine bed will solve the myriad of problems we’ve had with the arrangement. The two-bladed prop gives plenty of kick, and hanging onto the tiller at anything above 1500 RPM is a chore. At 1/2 GPH and only a 15-gallon fuel tank, we carry 25 gallons of fuel on deck in jerry cans on long trips. Bill Lapworth advised “keeping her light at the ends” and would roll in his grave if he knew about the two 35-gallon water tanks the previous owner installed under the cockpit sole. Two 55-watt solar panels keep up with the Engel reefer and the rest of our 12-volt needs—when the sun shines. Our Honda 2000 EU is on board to charge the golf cart battery house bank when it isn’t.

Full-time cruising on a 41-year-old ocean racer is, no News & Views for Southern Sailors

doubt, a compromise. Chugging along on the ICW, the Cal 36’s deep draft, narrow beam, and tiller steering are disadvantages. But at sea, in her element, these deficits become her assets, and she is a joy to sail. At the dock, her sweet lines and classic beauty turn heads and invite compliments, bringing a source of pride to her owners.

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SOUTHERN RACING n RACING SEMINARS/ INSTRUCTION

Safety at Sea Seminar, Clearwater Yacht Club, Dec. 15 A Safety at Sea Seminar will he held at 12:00 noon on Dec. 15 at the Clearwater Yacht Club. It is open to all club members and the public. Call for reservations at the Clearwater Yacht Club at (727) 447-6000.

“Mariner over Board” (MOB) recovery techniques under power and sail will be discussed followed by abandon ship procedures. A live demonstration of deploying a life raft will be done at the pool at the Clearwater Yacht Club. After pulling the painter and inflating the raft, a volunteer in full foul weather gear will demonstrate climbing into the raft. Then you will have an opportunity to climb in yourself. A six-man raft will be used in the demonstration, and an ACR abandon ship bag equipped with flotation. An updated list of suggested items to include in your “abandon ship” bag will be available to take with you.

In addition, there will be a demonstration of the proper use of hand flares, as well as the discharge of a standardtype BC fire extinguisher to put out a fire will take place.

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North U Clinic and Women’s Match Race, Winter Park, FL, Jan. 19-21 The Lake Baldwin Florida Community Sailing Program is hosting a North U Clinic and Women’s Match Race on Lake Virginia in Winter Park, Fl. The clinic will be conducted on Saturday Jan. 19 and Sunday Jan. 20. The match race, an ISAF Women’s Grade 5 event, will be held on Monday, Jan. 21.

Registration is limited to 12 women. Registration and class schedule is obtained online at www.northu.com.

n NEWS

West Florida PHRF Holds Lottery for Regatta Entry Fees at Strictly Sail St. Petersburg, Nov. 1-4 The West Florida PHRF organization held a lottery at the booth it shared with SOUTHWINDS magazine at the Strictly Sail St. Petersburg boat show on Nov. 1-4. Five west Florida yacht clubs offered six free regatta entry fees to the winners of a lottery held at the show. The five clubs and winners are: • Steve Mills on Velox won the race entry fee sponsored by

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the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

• Tricia Campbell on Tango III won the Commodores’ Cup race entry fee sponsored by Davis Island Yacht Club.

• Ted Stridewell on Emerald Tide won the Spring Regatta race entry fee sponsored by Davis Island Yacht Club.

• George Martin on Pure Joy won the race entry fee sponsored by Clearwater Yacht Club.

• George Haynie on Time Bandit won the Sarasota Bay Cup race entry fee sponsored by Bird Key Yacht Club.

• Michael Tibery on Elizabeth Rose won the Conquistador Cup entry fee sponsored by the Punta Gorda Sailing Club.

Regata del Sol al Sol Filled Up with Record Sign-Ups The Regata del Sol al Sol has signed up 60 boats thus far— a record number with the 50-slot list filled and 10 on a waiting list.

The organizers are planning on having a live demo of a life raft deployment at the SPYC pool, sponsored by Solution One of Tampa during the pre-race seminars. One is currently being organized at the Clearwater Yacht Club.

(See upcoming events, this race section.)

A silent auction is also being planned to help replace the damaged city scoreboard (damaged from 2005 hurricanes) in the city square on Isla Mujeres. They are looking for sponsors to help with this as the expense is large, but the entire island enjoys this city square and their community basketball court. The auction date is still to be determined.

As always the group accepts school supplies and clothing to take to the children on the island. They also take hospital supplies to the two hospitals on the island. A collection site and day for anyone who wishes to donate items will be announced in the near future. Items collected are then boxed up and carried to the island on the support boats and sometimes on competing boats.

For more information, to sponsor gifts, donate and/or help out, go to the regatta Web site at www.regatadelsolalsol.org.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

n UPCOMING MAJOR SOUTHERN RACING EVENTS

51st Wirth M. Munroe Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach Race, Sailfish Club, Dec. 7 This year’s 51st Wirth M. Munroe Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach Race and celebration is scheduled for Friday, December 7, with the Big Boat Regatta scheduled for Saturday, December 8. Also on Saturday is the Offshore Buoy Challenge for boats with an LOA of 40 feet or greater.

For additional information or to enter, contact Samantha Dover at samanthadover@sailfishclub.com or (561) 844-0206. Additional information can be found at www.sailfishclub.com.

O’Pen BIC Mid-Winter Regatta, Miami, FL, Jan. 19-20 The O’Pen BIC Mid-Winter Regatta will be held at Shake-ALeg Miami, Jan. 19-20. The format will follow the same new-age “un-regatta” style that was so successful at the U.S. O’Pen Cup at Sail Newport in August. Don’t expect traditional round-the-buoys racing or normal 1-2-3 prizes.

Freestyle, slalom, and mandatory capsizes are part of the fun!

The O’Pen BIC Mid-Winters is being held in conjunction with the Alex Caviglia Blue Water Classic, and ages 717 will be divided into two age groups. Charter boats are included in the registration fee for the first 40 competitors.

This unorthodox and loosely competitive event comes the weekend after the National Sailing Program Symposium and falls over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

For event notice (NOR) and registration, go to

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SOUTHERN RACING www.shakealegmiami.org. To see the exciting video of a similar event in France, go to http://www..youtube.com/ watch?v=ysy0edAmFA8.

For information on the new age of youth sailing, go to www.OpenBic.com, or contact info@BicSportNA.com.

Get Ready to Rumble!

Acura Key West 2008 Preview

By Rebecca Burg On January 21-25, Key West is the place to be. If it’ll happen, it’ll happen right here and now. Sailing into its third decade, Key West Race Week is the ultimate challenge for any competitive sailor. Legends, professionals and rising new talents from around the globe get to mix it up and write another chapter in the annals of yacht racing. New names will be made, new stars will shine. Acura Key West 2008, presented

by Nautica, is in gear for the upcoming action.

Highlights include some new boat designs that will be testing their mettle on the field. Hot off the press with the paint barely dry is the new IRC 68, Dan Meyers’ next incarnation of numbers. Other unique designs will be making their debut, and it’ll be interesting to see how these speed machines perform. The one-design classes are taking shape, and there’s talk of a new Swan 42 class. A design debut last year, the Swan 42 (Esmeralda) beat the formidable competitors in the IRC-3 fleet. The one-design Melges 32 class will be back in force with Let’s Roll returning to defend last

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year’s winning title. STAR, Jeff Ecklund’s Melges 32 from Florida, will be back to keep Let’s Roll on its toes. “The class as a whole has become very competitive since the beginning,” says Ecklund. “Everyone’s boat-handling and speed has been on a steep learning curve, and it’s showing out on the water. The bar has been raised by Let’s Roll, and we need to match or raise the bar on them. Some new entries to the Melges 32 class include Philippe Kahn, Michael Illbruck and Jim Schwartz, and they will undoubtedly raise the bar for the class, too.” Melges 24, Mumm 30, Farr 40, Corsair 28R and the J/Boat classes will also be back to settle old scores. A number of midwinter championship titles are at stake for 2008, and the PHRF National Championship will once again take place in Key West.

Other Southern warriors returning to the battlefield include Key West’s top J/120, Will Hanckel’s Emocean, from Charleston, SC. Bill Rose from Seabrook, TX, is back with Kicks to stir up the wild J/80 fleet. Also from Seabrook are Doug Strebel’s Black River Racing and Steve Rhyne’s Mojo. In the Corsair 28R class, Florida entrant Cliff Farrah returns with Strategery, and a new Key West competitor for 2008 is Kathryn Garlick’s Corsair 28R, Evolution, from Florida. The Melges 24 fleet, which will be the race’s largest battle group, will have its share of Southerly greats. Mike Krantz, Georgia, returns with Lamorak and Kelly Gough’s Bulls Eye, from Texas, will also star in the show.

Along with superb competition on the water, there’s much to enjoy ashore. After the racing, daily discussion panels take place under the main tent in the Historic

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Seaport. Leading experts share insights with interactive question and answer sessions. Later, the day’s awards are presented after a social time of refreshments and storyswapping. TV screens in the tent show videos of the racing action. Of course, being in Key West isn’t complete without a tour through this petite, but active, 2-by-4-mile-long island. There’s a dizzying selection of eateries, shops and bars. Also, finding the local convenience stores, marine chandleries and where to get that cup of morning coffee is part of the game plan.

While many sailors are crunching through snow at this time, Key West weather in January is dry, warm and sunny, as paradise should be. Average temps range from 65 degrees F to 79 degrees F, and winds average 10-15 knots, E to SE. Cold fronts breeze through once a week or so, rustling coconut palms and bringing northerly winds of 18 knots or more. Boat classes are grouped in four divisions on the turquoise waters between Key West and the outer reef. An attractive spot to sail in, this large section of sea is 20 to 30 feet deep and has a mild flow of tidal current. Race Week’s third decade looks just as exciting, if not more, than ever.

Mark your calendar for Acura Key West 2008 and dare to make sailing history. This is where it will happen.

Gasparilla Regatta, Feb. 2-3, Tampa Sailing Squadron, Apollo Beach, FL Tampa Sailing Squadron will be the host for the annual Gasparilla Regatta on Feb. 2, sponsored by Lexus. This will be followed on Sunday, Feb. 3, by the Women’s Gasparilla Regatta. These racing events tie in with the annual Gasparilla celebrations, parades, and pirate festivals in the Tampa Bay area.

Racing will include both Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker classes as well as True Cruising and Mother Lode. OneDesign fleets are encouraged to attend.

Mark your calendars now! Additional information will be available in the December issue of Southwinds. You can also go to www.tampasailing.org.

n RACE REPORTS

Beach cats at the 18th Annual Juana Good Time Regatta.

Juana’s Pagodas are on the right. Courtesy photo. tal breakfasts, barbecue dinner, free and discounted drinks, and the chance to be marked as a prestigious racer. Live music by Maria Y el Sol, an eclectic mix of musicians who play upbeat island and Latin tunes, began the weekend’s festivities.

After a few hurricanes in recent years, this regatta was changed to the weekend after Labor Day, and it has turned out to be a huge success, and this year was no exception.

Clear, sunny skies shone down over relatively calm seas as a 12-knot breeze blew continuously both days. Saturday was a distance race. The faster boats, (Z fleet), went almost to Pensacola Beach, (about 15 miles), and the slower boats, (X fleet), raced a portion of that and back. The cruiser captains were seen slamming their drink of choice up at the bar and sprinting toward their docked vessels for an exciting start.

Beach cats had a more organized start shortly thereafter. T.L. Lewis, our illustrious race committee chairman, raised the green T-shirt after his skipper’s meeting explanation that (imagine an Australian accent), “Green means go!” Sunday’s racecourse was repeated for the cruisers, but the beach cats enjoyed flying the hull around a smaller triangle course.

More than 50 boats left the beach, and all of them arrived safely back, carrying sun-bronzed, smiling-faced sailors.

The local hotels and condo rental businesses, also sponSOUTHWINDS offers inexpensive regatta ad rates to all non-profit organizations and ad building is included. If we are building the ad new we would like to be notified by the first of the month preceding publication (later is possible but contact us to find out). Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com or call (941) 795-8704.

18th Annual Juana Good Time Regatta, Navarre Beach, FL, Sept. 7-9

By Juana Rudzki This year’s Juana Good Time Regatta once again lived up to its name. The annual event, sponsored by Juana’s Pagodas and Sailors’ Grill in Navarre Beach, FL, hosted over 50 multihulls. A family-run establishment, Juana’s is a grass-roofed, beachside restaurant, bar, and beach rental haven just over the Navarre Beach Bridge on the Santa Rosa Sound.

Friday afternoon, trucks pulling everything from hightech Nacra 20s to the simplest of Hobie 16s lined the newlyconstructed boat ramp. Cruising cats, including a Gemini 30 and a Maincat 30, were gracefully anchored off the deep water out front. Anxious sailors received their weekend regatta T-shirts and wristbands, promising them continenNews & Views for Southern Sailors

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SOUTHERN RACING sors for the event, offered lodging discounts for all participants. Sailors came from as far as Minneapolis, MN, (Rick Adams, a G-Cat 5.7 sailor), and Memphis, TN, (Andy Humphries—second-place Z fleet winner on a N-20). Many of the racers from as close as Fort Walton and Pensacola, took advantage of the lodging deals and turned the weekend into a mini-vacation, allowing their families to stay nearby and share in the weekend party.

Kevin and Christi O’Leary celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary as they hosted T.L Lewis and Steve Dowell, the race committee, on their cruiser once again. The veteran cast of chase boat captains did their jobs flawlessly as well, offering help with capsized cats as well as tossing cold beverages to any skipper with a dry palate.

Hand-crafted pottery trophies were distributed to the top three winners in each category, (X, Y, Z, Z-Spinnaker, and Cruiser). Aside from the expected trophies, the Juana Good Time Regatta always offers a few other ways to leave clutching a trophy. The Carlton Tucker Memorial Trophy went to the racer with the best over-all attitude, Steve Dowell. The Co-ed Award, along with a dozen roses from the local florist, was given to the best over-all couple, Ron Gaston and Britney McNeir. This year the Pirate’s Award went to the swashbuckler in the crowd, Glen Purcell, and the Last Man Standing was given to the boat that completed the entire weekend’s race but was last over-all in ratings—Paul Price and W. Fender.

The Juana Good Time Regatta has become one of the last venues for catamaran racing in the area. Many of the racers claim this is the only racing event they still mark on their calendars. Others travel to various races all year long and enjoy the festival atmosphere of this particular race.

Whatever the reasons, we hope to see old friends and new in the coming years. Mark your calendars – the weekend after Labor Day 2008.

33rd Annual WFORC, Pensacola Yacht Club, Oct. 13-15

By Kim Kaminski The annual West Florida Ocean Racing Circuit (WFORC) is the final regatta of the year—and one of the largest.

Sponsored by the Gulf Yachting Association’s Offshore Council, competitors come from all over the Gulf Coast to compete for three days of hard core racing.

Race Chairperson was Betsy Moraski. Twenty-eight raced PHRF with Principal Race Officer Chip MacMillan in charge. Principal Race Officer Bernie Knight handled the one-design course with 16 Melges 24s.

The race schedule was set up to have the PHRF fleet sail in two races on each day, six races and one throw-out allowed. The Melges 24 One-Design practiced on Friday and raced four races on both Saturday and Sunday, with eight races and one throw-out.

Even though light winds commanded the first two days, all scheduled races were completed for the PHRF fleet with seven out of the eight races being completed for the one-design class. On Friday and Saturday, there were light

winds (5 to 8 knots) mainly out of the northeast until the midafternoon sea breeze would battle for control, attempting to shift winds to the southeast, although on Friday, the wind died down and the second race canceled. To keep the race schedule going, three races were held on Saturday (light winds of 5 to 8 knots).

On Sunday, the racecourse conditions were decidedly different. Strong winds, white caps and rolling seas provided a totally different set of challenges. PHRF Class C contestant Susan McKinnon and crew on The White Boat (a Wavelength 24) lost control of their spinnaker in race #5 close to the leeward mark in the middle of a crowded mark rounding. Thankfully, the team avoided contact and completed race #5 in eighth place. The White Boat re-grouped and returned in the following race (race #6) and finished in seventh place in their class. This recovery finish time allowed the team enough points to hold on to its third-place overall.

David Dunbar and his team aboard Tripp Tonite (a Tripp 33) ended up having one of his life lines break in the middle of race #5, and three of his crew members ended up in the bay. Everyone was retrieved successfully, but he was unable to finish the race. However, the mid-bay dunking didn’t stop the team, which was able to repair its boat and set sail in time to race once again in race #6.

Various boats experienced damaged sails, broken halyards and near collisions, making for an interesting turn of events throughout the series. George Gamble from the Pensacola Yacht Club and his Evil Woman team earned first place in the Class A division with an impressive finish—a total of seven points.

Class B division competitor Rives Allen and his team on Super Duck from the Saint Andrew’s Bay Yacht Club also had a seven-point total.

Derek Riddle of the Pensacola Yacht Club and crew on Mud Flap Girl in Class C won their class with a total of 8 points. Derek also earned the coveted Riddle Cup, which is given out to the winning boat in the most competitive class.

In the Melges fleet, Jeff Duvall and his team aboard Doc Holliday earned a total of 13 points over Scott Gregory and crew aboard Team Satisfaction, with 16 points, to win the Melges Class overall first-place trophy.

Sailing in the WFORC. Photo by Kim Kaminski.

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www.southwindsmagazine.com

Naples Yacht Club Offshore Regatta, Oct. 19-20

By Steve Romaine The longest southwest Florida yacht race of the year was held on Oct. 19-20. Thirteen boats hit the line for a fleet start off the Naples pier at 1605 hours on Friday, Oct. 19, on a race taking them north to the Fort Myers Beach SC light, then to buoy 2 at Boca Grande Pass and returning to Naples. This annual boat of the year event—sponsored by the Naples Yacht Club—is one of the two overnight events covering over 90 miles of racing in the Gulf, the second being the Key West Rendezvous held in May. Moderate southerly winds prevailed as Two Corsairs race side by side in the Suncoast Multihull Rendezous. Photo by boats headed north, sailing close to shore off Jan Kirchner.

Sanibel and Captiva Islands out to the Boca regatta, on Friday morning, conditions were breezy with a Grande entrance turn mark. Little to no wind in the middle hefty chop. of the night greeted the racers, as it took many in the fleet On Saturday morning, a mixed fleet of 24 catamarans hours to get around the mark against the incoming tide, for and trimarans headed out to the bay as the threat of a pendthe 45-mile return to Naples. Rain, little to no wind, and shifting storm made the race committee wary of sending us into ing windy conditions challenged the competitors for the the Gulf. The winds were moderate and shifty making it difentire voyage to the finish line off the Naples pier. ficult for the race committee to set up a square course.

Seven of the 13 original vessels completed the trip prior Courses were windward/leeward with gates, and two races to the 2100 deadline. All but one finisher, Tippecanoe, took were run. more than 24 hours to complete the course. Lodge McKee, Sunday winds started off a little heavier and dwindled regatta chair, congratulated the competitors on their as the day went on. patience, skill and perseverance at the Naples Yacht Club Nana Bosma, regatta chair, plans to continue this as an awards dinner. Lodge invited more yachts to compete next annual event the third weekend of October in honor of an year when he hopes to have better racing conditions, plus extraordinary individual and excellent multihull sailor, Bob the extensive renovations and remodeling of the clubhouse Buzzelli. The regatta was renamed after Buzzelli right after will be completed by then. he passed way—just before the regatta.

Tippecanoe, owned and raced by Dan Kendrick of the Below is an account by one of the Stiletto racers.

Sailing Association of Marco Island, won the Spinnaker class. Steve Romaine’s Air Supply and Roger Horton’s Wiley Account from Peter Wormwood on Deuce Coupe, Coyote won the Non-Spinnaker and True Cruising class, a Stiletto/Wormwood 27 respectively. Air Supply, kept at Fort Myers Beach, and Wiley It was a hell of a battle with the F-boats. We actually managed Coyote, kept at North Fort Myers, are both sailed under the to beat them all in the last race—by about two seconds. The burgee of the Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder big difference between the F-28Rs and us seemed to be waterSociety (CMCS) of Cape Coral. line length and sail area. Most of the regatta was fairly light and shifty. Giving up around three feet of sailing length Suncoast Multihull Rendezvous (Stilettos have very raked bows) made it difficult to keep up.

All of the boats started together, so the starts were pretty Bob Buzzelli Legacy, tricky. We nailed four out of the six starts (two of them at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, FL, heavily favored pin end), so that helped us get away clean.

Given how little we race anymore, I was surprised that we Oct. 19-21 (See cover photo) could out-duel the more maneuverable F-28s on the line.

Originally, this regatta was the annual Stiletto Nationals, but Upwind, we seemed to out point the F-28s very slightwith the strong interest of many to compete against other ly, while they boat-speeded on us a bit. The result was that multihulls, the regatta was expanded to include all multiwe would get to the weather mark with the fastest of them. hulls. The final line-up included nine Stilettos, 11 Corsairs, an Downwind, they seemed a bit faster, and that’s where they RC 27, a custom cat, a Condor 40 and a Hobie 21. Contenders would usually make their gains (except when we hit the came from Texas, Ohio and all corners of Florida. shifts and puffs just right.)

This was a three-day event with Friday being a distance There was one breezy race. We struggled on the first race for the Stilettos, being their nationals. Other boats had weather leg because our jib leads were too far inboard. That the option to sail in the race. The race was to Venice and caused the main to backwind, and us to fly a hull too much. back, starting in the Gulf off Sarasota. The first day of the We moved them out downwind, and were flat, stable and News & Views for Southern Sailors

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SOUTHERN RACING fast upwind after that.

Jon Dowd and his gang on Iguana were sailing really well. Every time I saw them, they were going fast and smart. Mike Speth with Swim Mart had just re-launched the boat after a nine-month refit. They struggled at first to find their former speed, but we could see them really get going in the final two races. These were the most Stiletto 30s (four) that I have seen together in quite some time.

Now, I’ll bet a few of you wish that you had gotten it together to get to Sarasota and mix it up with us. It isn’t often that you get 20+ cats and tris duking it out. Battle Cat, a Stiletto 30 from Ohio made it, so you’ll have to find a reason other than “it’s too far...” to not make it next year!

Overall winners, first three, (for complete results, go to http://www.sarasotasailingsquad.com/2007MultihullResults.ht m): 1, Daddio, Tony/Robert DeLaGrang; 2, Evolution Kathryn Garlick; 3, Deuce Coupe Christopher and Peter Wormwood.

3rd Annual Sombrero Light Regatta, Boot Key Harbor, Florida Keys, Oct. 20 As the rain stopped and the clouds parted, 29 boats set sail for the Third Annual Sombrero Light Regatta at high noon on Saturday, October 20. The stakes were high, for this was a rare opportunity for local sailors to prove their superior racing tactics and boat-handling skills to overcome a lightwind day. It was quite an awesome sight to watch the competitors making a beeline to the lighthouse and back. The snorkle boat Starfish served as the committee boat at the start/finish line.

A post-race barbecue was held at the City Marina, where chef Ed “Silver Hawk” Hatton cooked up some lipsmackin’ ribs and finger-lickin’ chicken for the hungry

The ferro-cement schooner, WaHoo, sailing in the Sombrero Light Regatta. Photo courtesy of the Boot Key Sailors Association.

crews and spectators. Robert “Bongo” Jefferson and Keith and Friends kept us swinging with their uplifting tunes, while the excitement about the day’s feats and defeats kept everyone talking.

We’d like to thank our sponsors for continuing support: Acquatek, LLC, Coconut Telegraph Internet Café, City of Marathon Marina, Overseas Lounge, Starfish Snorkeling, our committee staff, photography by Colin Finnis, T-shirt design by Rianna Perry and the Boot Key bridge tenders.

Results: First place Multihull: Curtis Clark on Windrider; first place Racing—Dale Kamerzel on Ocean Spray; second place Racing—Andrea Russell on Screaming Sirens; first place Cruising—Carlo Morato on Odin; second place Cruising— Tom Dodomead on First Course; first place Liveaboard— Richard on Mariah; second place Liveaboard—Graig Yahel on Hakuna Matata; first place Under 30 Feet—Larry Sherman on Enchantress; second place Under 30 Feet—Christian Rioux on Interlude.

St. Petersburg Yacht Club Distance Classic 2007, Tampa Bay to Key West Fantasy Fest, Oct. 24

By Nancy Ammon “A Fun Race to a Fun Place” turned out to also be a FAST race. The winds and weather cooperated for a great start off The Pier in St. Petersburg with all boats making it out of the bay with ease. The race began on Oct. 24, a Wednesday afternoon, so that all boats could arrive in Key West for another party—the Fantasy Fest. (www.fantasyfest.net). It was a party all right—with over 70,000 people attending the annual parade on Saturday night.

Bill Dooley and crew on Critical Path did the race to Key West in 24 hours and 26 minutes with Hall Palmer and crew on Relativity coming in a close second only 10 minutes behind. Relativity did manage to take first in Spinnaker class in corrected time over Critical Path. Some yachts managed to get dockage prior to arriving. One that did was the flagship Mango Latitudes, a 68foot Irwin, with Fred Bickley and crew, who took first place in True Cruising class. Second place was Mi Vida Loca with single-handed skipper Mike Boom. Third went to XTC and Tom Glew with his all-female crew, who went to the mooring field. Fourth place was Acadia with John Zumwalt and crew crossing the finish line in 32 hours. They later vanished into the Fantasy Fest crowds.

It was not just for adventure that Mike Boom soloed the race on Mi Vida Loca, a Beneteau 40, although it www.southwindsmagazine.com

Mike Boom sailed solo on his Beneteau 40, Mi Vida Loca, in the Distance Classic to Key West. Photo by Penny Bickley.

soon as possible. (Check the www.spyc.org Web page, under “Regattas,” for next year’s Distance Classic information.)

Pensacola Yacht Club Wins GYA’s Fish Class Championship, Oct 27-28

By Julie B. Connerley and David Jefcoat.

turned out to be just that. His scheduled crew members were either sick, in the hospital or couldn’t take off a week to make the trip. Mike decided to accept the challenge and prepare everything for a single-handed offshore race.

Mike’s plan was to go along the rhumb line from outside Tampa Bay to the Northwest Channel in Key West. With winds of 15 plus, the boat was performing well as those winds are exactly what Mi Vida Loca enjoys. Rain was pretty constant, but with the rain came the wind, and that was good. Mike changed course to 120 degrees of apparent wind and went wing on wing. (Remember, Mike was setting his pole alone.) After setting the pole, Mi Vida Loca was then doing a steady 8- to 9-plus knots. The pole had to be changed one time as the wind was shifting during the night, but Mike was able to stay wing on wing, and on course (a little west of rhumb line) until he was about 40 miles north of the entrance to the Key West channel. All through the night, Mike slept with an egg timer for about 15 minutes at a time, and then was up for about 30 minutes.

When Mike came into the Northwest Channel in the dark, he tried to follow Acadia down the channel, but quickly lost it. The Acadia had full crew who were spotting the markers as they went down the channel and could progress at a higher speed. Alone in a 40-foot boat, it is not so easy to spot the markers in the dark. Mike shortened sail to slow the boat down and eventually made his way in—tired.

When he came into the finish, Larry Jones on Kashmir came out in a dinghy and dropped off two crew members to help a very tired Mike bring his boat in. Mike had sailed for 32 hours. A special trophy, the Sportsmanship Award, presented at the awards ceremony at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club on Nov. 2, went to the crew of Kashmir for this well-appreciated gesture.

The next Distance Classic race will be held Oct. 22, 2008, again in conjunction with the Fantasy Fest. Watch for the sign-up sheet soon or contact the sailing secretary Phyllis Eades at spsailsec@tampabay.rr.com to sign up for next year’s race before all the slots are filled! Every effort will be made to get dockage for racers in the 2008 race as News & Views for Southern Sailors

Pensacola Yacht Club won the Gulf Yachting Association’s 2007 Fish Class Championship on Mobile Bay during the blustery weekend of October 27-28.

The Buccaneer Yacht Club of Mobile, AL, hosted this eighth annual event, as they do every year. All of the Fish Class boats left are kept at the club. There were nine different yacht clubs from the Gulf Coast involved in this regatta. The weather conditions were almost perfect for this regatta. On Saturday, there were north winds at 17- 20 knots, and racers were able to get the first two races in quickly. The first race was won

by Pensacola Yacht Club skippered by Hunter Riddle. They were able to catch Buccaneer Yacht Club in just the last few minutes and beat them by only two feet. In the second race, Pensacola Yacht Club’s Doug Sansom did pretty well and dominated the entire course. The third race was sailed on Sunday, and there was just as nice a breeze as the day before.

In this race, Mark Caraher of Buccaneer Yacht Club had a wonderful start and led the fleet around the course. The final results placed Pensacola Yacht Club in first, Buccaneer Yacht Club in second and Southern Yacht Club in third.

Recognizing the value of the Fish boat to the history of one-design racing in the northern Gulf, the Gulf Yachting Association established the first-ever Fish Class Championship as another interclub event in January 2000.

This is PYC’s third time at the podium. However, the origins of the Fish Class actually pre-date the Gulf Yachting Association and were instrumental in bringing sailors across the region together to promote sailing competition that continues to this day.

In 1919 as a means to spur the declining interest in sailboat racing at Southern Yacht Club, a six-boat fleet of onedesign sloops called the Fish Class were designed and built.

These boats became the impetus for the Gulf Yachting Association’s Annual Sir Thomas J. Lipton Challenge Cup. In 1961, a sterling silver replica of the original 1919 Fish Class boat was created in memory of John G. Curren, commemorating his lifelong efforts to promote sailing in the GYA. It was presented annually at New Orleans Yacht Club’s Mardi Gras Regatta. Unfortunately, 1969’s Hurricane Camille hit the Biloxi Gulf Coast and destroyed the trophy — except for the gaff-rigged main and jib sails.

After 50 years, the Fish Class lost its appeal and was replaced for interclub competition in 1970 by the Flying Scot, which was “trailerable and unsinkable.” In recent SOUTHWINDS

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SOUTHERN RACING years, a resurgence of interest in the 20.5-foot, six-foot beam boat’s attributes has resurfaced. Older wooden models have been restored, and newer fiberglass versions have been built.

With the support of the Fish Class members and the GYA Foundation, the John G. Curren Memorial Trophy was restored at a cost of $47,500. Keeper trophies were awarded, and PYC will retain the finely detailed memorial trophy for one year.

Melbourne Yacht Club Fall Regatta, Melbourne, FL, Oct. 27-28

from local businesses—Matrix Composites, Advanced Water Engineering, Eau Gallie Yacht Basin, Noble Awards and Team Foxy—kept the price at roughly half of what the seminar normally costs.

Results (Complete results at www.sail-race.com/myc/fallresults.htm): Class A; 1st Smith, FiveSpeed; 2nd Yates, Bad Penny; 3rd Noble, Half Ass: Class B; 1st Ahrens, Pirate; 2nd Tworkowski, Fine Finish; 3rd Drawe, J&R: Catalina 22; 1st Brown, Later Gator: 2nd Butz, Sold Out; 3rd Brown, True Love: Melges 24; 1st Duval, Doc Holiday; 2nd Kopf, Blur; 3rd Hayne, Fire Water.

Overall McAllister Cup: Smith, Five Speed.

By John Fox

Commodore’s Cup, Naples Sailing and Yacht Club, Nov. 3-4

By Steve Romaine

The Smith family and crew receive an award in the Melbourne Yacht Club Fall Regatta. Photo By Ross Herbert.

For Gary Smith, his three sons and two additional crew members, besting a 30-boat fleet in the five-race no-throwout series was a particularly sweet victory. They almost didn’t get to sail together due to the passage of a new crew weight limit by the East Coast Sailing Association’s PHRF committee shortly before the regatta. But the Smith family was determined, and through diet and exercise was able to weigh in and compete.

On Saturday, the PHRF classes sailed one short-course race off MYC and then a 15-mile distance race while the Catalina 22s opted to sail three short-course races. Melges 24s sailed on a separate course just north of the Eau Gallie Causeway. On Sunday, the wind was straight out of the east, which meant that the short-course legs were a little under a half mile. The Spinnaker class sailed a three-lap course putting a premium on crew work, while NonSpinnaker and Catalina 22s sailed two laps.

Thanks to a change in the deed of gift for the McAllister Cup (for the overall winner), boats in different classes were able to sail different course lengths. This allowed the race committee to keep things moving and eliminate delays between races. Competitors seemed to like the change and enjoyed the very close competitive racing.

Midweek before the regatta, the MYC sponsored a twonight North U tactical seminar and on-the-water clinic, attended by over 50 Brevard County sailors. Contributions 58

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The Naples Sailing and Yacht club held its annual Commodore’s Cup Regatta Nov. 3-4. Sailing Fleet Capt.

Jerry Wadkins organized the two-day event for the 25 competing boats and crew. The regatta included complimentary dockage, breakfast buffet, skippers meeting, dock party, Saturday evening dinner dance, spectator boats, and Sunday evening dinner and awards banquet.

Weather and northerly breezes blessed the fleet for the five races for the nine spinnaker boats and three races for the 16 non-spinnaker participants. Principal Race Officer Jeff Butzer sent the fleets on courses ranging from three to 10 nautical miles. Spectator boats viewed the competition in the Gulf as well as many more who observed the action from the beach and the Naples pier.

Regatta Chairman “Hey, Hey, Hey” Jerry Wadkins thanked the dozens of volunteers. Racers and guests thanked Jerry at the awards dinner for putting on such a well-organized event, jammed packed with activities for everyone and blessed with perfect weather conditions, although Jerry took no responsibility for the weather.

Jerry and Commodore Washburn presented Naples sailing and yacht club burgee “brag flags” to the top three finishers of each fleet. Honors for the top spinnaker racer of the weekend went to Jim Doane’s J/105, Flame, of Naples.

Non-spinnaker overall honors went to Steve Romaine’s Jeanneau 35, Air Supply, of Fort Myers. Sport Boat fleet was taken by Jim Gunderson on Big Sky. True Cruising was won

by Frank Rinker on Barefoot Contessa.

Clearwater Challenge 2007, Clearwater Yacht Club, Nov. 3-4 The Clearwater Yacht Club hosted the Clearwater Challenge regatta over the weekend of November 3-4.

Thirty-two sailboats competed in this WFPHRF Suncoast Boat of the Year event. Cookouts and dancing were the attraction in the evenings. The skippers enjoyed a drawing with gifts from West Marine and JSI and a new sail donated

by Doyle-Ploch Sailmakers. The event chair and principal race officer was Past Commodore Dick Boblenz who ran the Racer Cruiser and True Cruising classes. Past Commodore David Billing was the senior race officer for the windward/leeward course for the Spinnaker and Nonwww.southwindsmagazine.com

Clearwater Yacht Club Commodore Andy Spetz presenting Allan Thomas, on Wired, the award for overall Spinnaker winner in the Challenge Cup on Nov. 3-4. Photo by Bev Dolezal.

Spinnaker classes. Anne Newton was the chief judge.

Saturday’s conditions were perfect with a north wind averaging 15 knots with 3- to 4-foot waves in the Gulf of Mexico. Once out on the racecourse, the wind was relatively steady, and the races could be run with no course changes necessary. Although the race committee was a bit uncomfortable, the competitors loved it, but several did retire with crew or gear failure.

Sunday’s conditions were much more moderate with a pleasant 6- to 10-knot north breeze and a light chop. The competitors and race committee had a much easier time, and the racing was very close. On both courses many of the competitors were overlapped at mark roundings. One protest was filed but was denied.

The class winners were: Spinnaker A—Wired, Allan Thomas, Davis Island Yacht Club (Farr 395); Spinnaker B— Renegade, James Myers, Davis Island Yacht Club (Carrera 29); Non-Spinnaker—Mystic, Jay Myers, Clearwater Yacht Club (Morgan 27); Racer Cruiser—Prime Plus, Frank Hanna, AB Yacht Club (Beneteau 440); True Cruiser, Zingaro, Kenneth Carriero, Clearwater Yacht Club (Catalina 36).

fleet. The Willards are crackerjack racers and have a very well-tuned boat, which is a regular podium finisher in any race it participates in. The Willards were tops in Non-Spin.

Rudy Reinecki of Sarasota was second in Ohh-Zone. Third in class went to Randy St. James’ Rosie, a J-28.

Sailmaker Doug Fisher won the Spinnaker class in a Melges 24. John Steele was second in the same one-design boat, and Thomas Single of Tampa came in third in another Melges 24.

Cruising class 1 went to Bob Miller’s Miller Time, a Catalina 36 from Bradenton. Second in class was Kismet, skippered by Chuck Fuller. Carolyn Johnson steered Shearwater, a C&C 38, to third in class.

In Cruising class 2 it was Steve Schwark in Maggiemae.

Chan and Sue Sweetser’s Catalina, Sea Hawk, was second in class. And Ron Greenberg brought in Forever Young as the third-place boat in class.

The top Cruising class 3 boat was John Hargreaves’ Hunter 30, Kitten, out of the Bradenton Yacht Club. “We got a good start and kept on moving fast the whole race,” said Hargreaves. Second in class went to Reefer, Morgan Stinemetz’s Ericson 27. Third was David Wilson’s Hunter 30, Solitude.

First in the three-boat Racer/Cruiser class was Jay Meyer’s Joy Ride, a J-40. Second went to Cats Meow, Allen Saunders’ Jeanneau 11.2 out of Tampa. Third was taken by Douglas Cohn of Naples.

The top multihull was Kathryn Garlick’s Corsair.

Second was taken by Valdek Kwasniewski’s Corsair. Mike Speth’s Stiletto, Swim Mart, came in third.

Some sailors go through pure hell just to get to the race.

Such a skipper was Douglas Cohn of Naples (mentioned above), who motor-sailed his Beneteau 47 from Naples to Sarasota in six hours and then took another four hours to get from Big Sarasota Pass to the Sarasota Yacht Club, a distance of about a mile and a half. Cohn who was singlehanding his boat, ran aground in Big Pass seven times on the way in.

What made this regatta particularly satisfying to competitors was superior regatta organization, a challenging racecourse and a pervasive “can-do” attitude on the part of the staff and membership of the yacht club itself.

Sarasota Yacht Club Hosts Great Times at the Annual Invitational Regatta, Nov. 10

By Morgan Stinemetz The Sarasota Yacht Club pulled off another total winner of a regatta on Saturday, November 10, when 57 racing sailboats participated in a twice-around triangle in the Gulf of Mexico. The reverse handicap race had seven classes—three Cruising classes, a Racer-Cruiser class, a Spinnaker class, a Non-Spinnaker class and a Multihull class.

The top boat, by a large margin, in the regatta was Flash, a venerable Morgan 22 impeccably sailed by Cathy and Bob Willard of Palmetto. Flash started 8:36 after the first boat to start but finished light years ahead of any other boat in the News & Views for Southern Sailors

The Sarasota Invitational Regatta on Nov. 10.

Photo by Reid Webber of FotoGrafic Studio.

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SOUTHERN RACING n REGIONAL RACING CALENDARS Regattas and Club Racing— Open to Everyone Wanting to Race The races listed here are open to those who want to sail. No individual club membership is required, although a regional PHRF rating, or membership in US SAILING or membership in a regional sailing association is often required. (If individual club membership is required, please contact us and we will not list their races in the future.)

For publishing of your event, questions and information, send us your race schedule by the 5th of the month to editor@southwindsmagazine.com. Send in the name of the event, date, location, contacts (Web site, e-mail and/or phone), and, if you want a short description. Do not just send a link in to this information.

Since race schedules and venues change, contact the sponsoring organization to confirm. For changes to be published, contact the editor. Changes can be put on our Web site, if possible.

DECEMBER Charleston Ocean Racing Association. www.charlestonoceanracing.org Club racing weekends.

DECEMBER 1-2 Kettle Cup Regatta. Lake Monroe Sailing Association 1-2 Gator Bowl Regatta. Rudder Club 1-2 Club Races. Lake Eustis Sailing Club. Lake Eustis 1 J/24 Fleet 55 Boat of the Year Race 3. Florida Yacht Club 1 Double Handed Race. East Coast Sailing Association.

2 Fall Women’s Series #6. East Coast Sailing Association 2,30 Small Boat Sunday. Melbourne Yacht Club 8 Race of Champions. Indian River Yacht Club 8 Marker 21 Cruise. Melbourne Yacht Club 8 Single Handed Regatta. Luebker 8 New Moon Merriment. Halifax Sailing Association 9 Winter Rum Race. Melbourne Yacht Club 15-16C22 State Championships. Indian River Yacht Club 15-16Club Races. Lake Eustis Sailing Club. Lake Eustis 16 Small Boat Sunday. East Coast Sailing Association–Women 21 Howl at the Moon. Halifax Sailing Association 30 Small Boat Sunday. Melbourne Yacht Club JANUARY 1 Hangover Regatta. Melbourne Yacht Club 1 New Year’s Fun Race. Titusville Sailing Center 1 Hangover Regatta. Rudder Club 6 Winter Rum Race #4. Melbourne Yacht Club 5-6 Club Races. Lake Eustis Sailing Club 13 Small Boat Sunday. Melbourne Yacht Club 20 Winter Rum Race #5. Melbourne Yacht Club 19-20 Club Races. Lake Eustis Sailing Club 27 Small Boat Sunday. Melbourne Yacht Club

Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 1,15 Winter 3,4 Lake Lanier. www.lakelaniersailing.com 1 UYC Lake Lanier Parade of Lights 8 LARC Fall Series #5 (UYC host) 15 LARC Fall Sereis #6 (LLSC host) South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com nothing scheduled www.longbaysailing.com nothing scheduled JANUARY Charleston Ocean Racing Association. www.charlestonoceanracing.org Club Racing every other Sunday.

Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 1 New Bern. Blackbeard Sailing Club. Fred Latham Regatta.

12,26 New Bern. NYRA. Winter Race 5,6 Lake Lanier. www.lakelaniersailing.com Nothing scheduled South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com nothing scheduled www.longbaysailing.com nothing scheduled

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Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net DECEMBER BBYRA OD#12 - CGSC 1 BBYRA PHRF#12 - KBYC 2 Wirth M. Munroe Palm Beach Race. SCF/CCA (Cruising) 7 Etchells Piana Cup 8-9 Star’s Commodore Cup 8-9 Key Largo Regatta for Melges and PHRF. www.m24key8-9 largo.com.

J/24 #12. Flat Earth 15 26-30 Orange Bowl Regatta. CRYC & CGSC JANUARY BBYRA Annual Meeting & Registration CGSC 4 Etchells Sid Doren Memorial - BBYC 5-6 Star Levin Memorial 5-6 BBYRA OD #1 - MYC 12 BBYRA PHRF #1 - CGSC 13 www.southwindsmagazine.com

16-18 Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race Week - LYC/STC 18-20 The Alex Caviglia Bluewater Classic - SAL/Flat Earth Racing 21-25 Key West Race Week - Premier Racing 24-26 2.4M Midwinters - Flat Earth Racing/SAL 26-27 Star Biscayne Trophy 28-2 Miami Olympic Classes Regatta - USSC/SALM BBYC Biscayne Bay Yacht Club BBYRA Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net CGSC Coconut Grove Sailing Club. www.cgsc.org CRYC Coral Reef Yacht Club. www.coralreefyachtclub.org.

KBYC Key Biscayne Yacht Club. www.kbyc.org.

MYC Miami Yacht Club. www.miamiyachtclub.net.

SCA Sailfish Club

Key West Sailing Club. Every Saturday – Open House at the Key West Sailing Club. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (305) 292-5993. www.keywestsailingclub.org. Sailboat Lane off Palm Avenue in Key West. Come by the club to sail. Nonmembers 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.

(www.westfloridaphrf.org), plus club races in the area and any others that boaters in the area would like to post. The Boat of the Year races are listed for all the areas of the West Florida PHRF organization.

Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com to list your race, although all yacht clubs that are part of the West Florida PHRF will already be included, although regular local club races must be sent to us separately. We do not have space to list all the club race dates, but we will list any club race that is regularly scheduled (for example: every Thursday evening at 6 p.m.) plus the contact to enter the race. We do not list races that are not open to the general public and that are limited to club members only.

(We list club races that require a club membership or US Sailing membership.) We will list any other races, even if not sanctioned by a PHRF organization. Contact the editor with those races.

We ask that you not just send us a link (we will not accept them), but send the following information: The regatta/race name, type of racing (PHRF, one-design and type boat, or ?), race location, dates, sponsoring organization (club, sailing association, etc.), e-mail and/or phone contact and Web site (if applicable).

The race calendar can be accessed through the racing pages link at www.southwindsmagazine.com. It is also the race calendar link at the West Florida PHRF organization (www.westfloridaphrf.org) and many other sailing associations and yacht clubs in the area.

Limited banner advertising is available on the race calendar page at very low monthly rates. Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com or call (941) 795-8704.

Club Racing Bradenton YC. Winter Races starting in October until April.

Sunday Races at 1:30 p.m. PHRF racing on Manatee River. For info, call Susan Tibbits at (941) 723-6560.

Upper Keys Sailing Club (UKSC). www.upperkeyssailingclub.com. Regular club racing open to all.

DECEMBER 8-9 MSYSP Key Largo Regatta. Melges 24, PHRF 16 Flail & Sail. PHRF. UKSC Winter Series #1. UKSC 22 JANUARY Hangover Regatta 1 Catalina 22 Fun-N-Sun Regatta 4-6 Fleet Captain’s Regatta. Portsmouth 19 Fleet Captain’s Regatta. PHRF 20 Winter Portsmouth. Series 2 26

SOUTHWINDS Annual Online West Florida Race Calendar Posted Sept. 1 For the past four years, Southwinds magazine has posted the annual race schedule/calendar (9/1/07 — 8/31/08) on its Web site for all racing in the central west Florida area from just north of Tampa Bay south to Marco Island. The calendar includes all scheduled races of the West Florida PHRF organization News & Views for Southern Sailors

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SOUTHERN RACING Dunedin Boat Club. Monthly club racing. For more information, contact saraherb@aol.com.

Edison Sailing Center, Fort. Myers. Sunfish and dinghy racing once a month, year-round john@johnkremski.com Port Charlotte. Third Saturday of month, year-round. pbgvtrax@aol.com.

Punta Gorda Sailing Club. Charlotte Harbor. Fall Series Sunday afternoon racing begins Sept. 9 through Nov. 18. www.pgscweb.com.

JANUARY 1 Tampa Bay Catamarans. Hangover, Dunedin Causeway 1 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Hangover Regatta, PHRF 5 Treasure Island Tennis and YC. Fall #4, PHRF 5-6 Davis Island YC. Commodore’s Cup, PHRF & J/24.

(SuncoastBOTY) 11-13 St. Petersburg YC. Multiclass Regatta, One Designs 12-13 Platinum Point YC. Golden Conch Regatta. (CHBOTY) 12 St. Pete Sailing Assoc. PHRF 12 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Snowbird Regatta, PHRF 19-20 St. Petersburg YC. Southeast Team Champs, Optimist Dinghies 21-25 Key West Race Week

Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Friday evening races start in April. www.sarasotasailingsquad.com.

Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venicesailing-squadron.org DECEMBER 1 Davis Island YC. Lighted Boat Parade, All boats 1-2 Edison Sailing Center. Sunfish Challenge Cup Regatta 8 St. Pete Sailing Assoc.. PHRF 8 Davis Island YC. Winter One Design and J/24 8 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Commodores Cup, PHRF 8 Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Soc. Commodore’s Cup, PHRF 9 Treasure Island Tennis and YC. . Lighted Boat Parade, All boats 29 Davis Island YC. Winter Couples Race, PHRF

BROKERS & BOAT OWNERS BOATS FOR SALE ADVERTISING

Wednesday Evening Fun Races PYC. Every Wednesday of the Month, April thru October Fort Walton Yacht Club. April thru October DECEMBER 1 GMAC Regatta – Fairhope Yacht Club, Fairhope, AL 8 Santa Claus Regatta – Pensacola Yacht Club 22-23 Sugar Bowl Events. Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA JANUARY GYA Winter Meeting Frostbite Regatta, Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, FL Super Bowl Regatta, Pensacola Yacht Club, FL Mardi Gras Regatta, Pensacola Yacht Club, FL

CLASSIFIEDS ADS TEXT & PHOTO $50 FOR 3 MONTHS Prices for 3 months of advertising: • $50 for 30-word ad & horizontal photo ($65 for vertical photo)* • Power or Sail • New or used • No monthly changes (unless phone numbers, e-mails or prices) • Change your ad/boat for sale monthly at a total cost of $20 a month for ad and photo • 3-month minimum • Text-only ads – $25 • Small charge for more than 30 words • All ads go on the Internet on 1st of month or place it today for $10 • Brokers: monthly credit card billing on file unless a regular display advertiser (or prepay by check)

Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com (941) 795-8704

CAT RACING

*Ads and photos must be e-mailed. $5 extra charges for photo scanning or typing in ads over the phone or ads mailed in.

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CLASSIFIED ADS Ads Starting at 3 Months for $25 Place them on the Internet now for $10! Open to all Brokers, Businesses and Boat Owners • $25 for three months, 30 words. $40 for 40 words. $50 for 60 words.

• $50 for 30-word ad with horizontal photo. $65 with vertical photo.

• Add $15 if vertical photo. Boats and item wanted ads included.

• Add $5 to place on the Internet on 1st of month of publication. Add $10 to place ad early. No refunds.

• Ads prepaid by credit card, check, or Internet.

• $10 to make changes (except for price, email, phone numbers, mistakes) in text.

• The last month your ad runs will be in parentheses, e.g., (11/07) is December 2007.

• Ad must be received by the 2nd Friday of each month. Contact us if later to possibly get in the “Too Late to Classify” section.

• E-mail ads and photos (as jpeg). If mailed, add $5 for typing or photo scan charge.

AD RENEWALS — $15 to $30 Sign up for automatic renewal to get the $30 (ads with photos) and $15 (text only ads) rate on renewals. Credit card on file required (or prepayment). Ad will be renewed automatically unless you cancel. No broker or dealer boats (see Broker Ad specials below).

Otherwise, ad renewals after the first three months will be $50 (ads with photos) and $25 (text only ads) for another three months.

Lower renewal rates do not apply if a month is skipped. Contact us for questions.

DISPLAY ADS: Starting At $38/month. (941) 795-8704.

Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

BROKERS: Photo and text ads only apply to this offer. $5 to change your ad first 3 months. After 3

months: $20 a month for a new ad or $15 to pick up old ad. Price changes and mistake changes free. Credit card must be on file if not a monthly display advertiser.

TO PLACE AN AD 1. On the Internet, go to www.southwindsmagazine.com/classifieds. Paypal: Put your ad in the “Message to Seller” area that will come at the end when you process the payment, or e-mail editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

Photo must be e-mailed.

2. E-mail, Phone, Credit Card. E-mail editor@southwindsmagazine.com with text in email (or Word document). Call with credit card number (941) 795-8704.

3. Mail your ad in. PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218. Check or credit card number (with name, expiration, address). Enclose a SASE if photo wanted back.

We advise you to list the boat type first followed by the length. For example: Catalina 30. Your boat is more likely to be found by Internet search engines in this format.

Boats & Gear for Free Boats & Dinghies Powerboats Boat Gear & Supplies Businesses for Sale/Investment

HELP WANTED

_________________________________________

H SAILING CLUB MANAGER H

Sarasota Sailing Squadron Seeks Club Manager. Full time employment. Benefits Package Included. More Info at http:// tinyurl.com/2qt4a7. _________________________________________

Assistant Editor Wanted. SOUTHWINDS is looking for an assistant editor to help run all facets of the magazine, from bookkeeping and office work to editing to reporting and writing. Part time job to start to develop into more time after several months. Must live in West Florida from greater Tampa Bay Area south. Must be into sailing, very computer savvy, have a great home office among other requirements. For a complete job description, job qualifications and application procedure, go to www.southwindsmagazine.com/editor.

Do not contact us without totally reviewing the information on this page.

TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY

_________________________________________

Crew Available/Wanted Donate Your Boat Help Wanted Lodging for Sailors

BOATS & GEAR FOR FREE

________________________________________ SOUTHWINDS is starting this section for people who have boats they want to give away, whether on land or in the water. List your boat for free with up to 50 words and a horizontal photo. Editor reserves the right to not list or discontinue any boat or gear he chooses. “Boats wanted” listings only by approval of editor. Ads will run for three months and then be canceled if not renewed. Contact us by the 2nd Saturday of the month preceding to renew or for new ads. Boats must be in the Southern coastal states. No businesses.

1975 Catalina 22. Ready to sail. Retrofit summer (2006). Too much new to list in ad.

E-mail for brochure. hytedin@hotmail.com.

Trailer, new Tohatsu 6hp., warranty. (850) 443-7451. $4000 firm (12/07)

BOATS & DINGHIES

_________________________________________ Mold to build traditional-shaped 18’ canoe.

Very sturdy split mold. Boats were built under the name Clearwater Canoe. Ellie’s Sailing Shop. Clearwater. (727) 442-3281. (12/07) _________________________________________

See this section at the end of classifieds for ads that came in too late to place in their appropriate section. Contact us if you have a last-minute ad to place—we still might have time in this section.

2006 Compac Eclipse. 20’ 10” LOA. R/F Genoa, spinnaker, quick rig system, Bimini, sail cover, Porta-a-Potty, stove, sink, four berths, galvanized trailer, etc. stored inside, as- new condition. $21,000. (561) 439-7664.

West Palm Beach. (1/08) _________________________________________

2” Display Ads Starting $38/mo. editor@southwindsmagazine.com 941-795-8704

Dovekie 1983. Great shallow-water cruiser!

21.5 feet, 4-inch draft with leeboards up.

Tohatsu 5-HP, 4-stroke with alternator. Lights, solar panels, Bimini, cockpit enclosure, trailer. $6000. John (813) 841-7227. (1/08) _________________________________________

News & Views for Southern Sailors

Real Estate for Sale or Rent Regatta Musicians Sails & Canvas Slips for Sale or Rent Too Late to Classify

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CLASSIFIED ADS 22’ 1968 Westerly Cirrus. Stout little cruiser.

Yanmar 2005, Navik self-steering vane, standing headroom (6’), enclosed head. Lying in NE Florida. Ready to go. Excellent condition. $12,500. (228) 324-6504. (12/07)

1968 Pearson Lark 24. Sails and all. $1000/OBO.Sea Scouts boat with too deep a keel for us to use enough. 4’ draft. call David Zimmer (Skipper) (727) 638-2346. The driest boat we ever had! (12/07)

1965 Pearson Triton 28. Sails safe fast & consistently, in race-ready condition, ready to go.

New Main, new headsails, recent standing & running rigging & electronics. Single-hand sailing capable, good canvas. Atomic 4 with elec. Ignition. $9700. Slip in the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina can be transferred to the new owner, if desired. (813) 376-6692 jtoner@terratectonics. com. (1/08) Albin 28 Mariner #79, 1977. Good condition. Watermaker, 10hp diesel, 7 sails. Auto pilot, GPS, Loran, VHF. 3’ 6” draft. $10,000.

On a trailer in good condition in Fort Myers.

(651) 675-9110. (2/08)

1985 Catalina 27 Tall rig with Universal diesel, 4’ draft. wheel steering, Hood furling, head w/shower, Bimini, autopilot, VHF, GPS, depth, galley, cockpit table, sleeps 5. Reduced for quick sale $11,900 (941) 792-9100

1984 Islander 30, with freshwater-cooled Yanmar diesel. Very clean and well maintained by owner. Harken roller furling with genoa, jib and storm jib. Main sail with dutchman system. Edson wheel and cockpit table.

Anderson ST winches. Navico autopilot.

DataMarine depth. ICOM VHF, compass.

Hiller stove and oven. Adler Barbour refrigeration. Pressure water. Hella fans, great interior.

Battery charger, 2 anchors with chain and rode, 110/30 amp shore power. USCG safety equipped. A must-see boat located on Longboat Key, or go to www.cortezyachts.com.

Asking $26,500. Call (941) 792-9100.

30’ PEARSON $10,900 1983 S2 9.1 Racer/Cruiser. 3 headsails, spinnaker, GPS,VHS, depth sounder, extra sheets, gas stove, ice box, enclosed head w/shower, teak table. Asking $13,950. (941) 729-5401.

(12/07) 30’ Newport 1973. Diesel. Good working condition. Upgrade. Documented and registered. Ready to cruise to Bahamas. Extra sails.

Best boat for this price. $9,950 OBO. Located at Dania. (305) 331-3317. (2/08)

30’ Pearson, Racer/Cruiser Sloop, 1976, red, Excellent cond., 2 mains, 3 jibs, 3 spinnakers, spinnaker pole. Tiller, marine radio, stove, new head, sleeps 4, reduced to $10,900. No Storm damage. Madeira Beach, FL. terrycshan@aol.com. (727) 5814708 or (727) 244-4708. (12/07)

Stilletto 27 stock catamaran. Multiple champion. Refurbished 1995 (1976), excellent.

Cockpit winches plus high-tech fresh sails, 25 ELH Mercury OB, galvanized trailer, berths, head, galley. $25,000 OBO. (941) 722-3532.

Bill. (2/08a) 31 Cal (1983) Original owner, complete refit all new 2004 - standing rigging, running rigging, wiring: Universal 16 diesel, cold plate Refrigeration - shore power and engine driven, pressure water, Garmin chartplotter, Furuno radar, 2 blade Maxi Prop. Exceptional condition. Too many goodies to list, $35,000. rffmtg@hotmail.com.

(727) 460-6868.

(12/07) 28’ S-2 Sloop 1979. Yanmar diesel, 4’6” draft, wheel steering, auto pilot and Tri-Data Autohelm instrument new 2002, 12V refrigerator, good sail inventory, quality construction and proven design. Asking $19,900.

Open to Offers.For more info, call (727) 5600901. (11/07) ADVERTISE YOUR BOAT STARTING AT $25 FOR 3 MO

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Subscribe to SOUTHWINDS $19.95/year • $37/2 Years • 3rd Class $24/year • $45/2 Years • 1st Class Subscribe on our secure Web site www.southwindsmagazine.com www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS

31’ Catalina 310, 2004. Just taken in trade on new Catalina. In-mast furling, air conditioning, Autopilot, ST-60 wind/speeddepth, VHF w/Ram Mic, custom Bimini/windshield, microwave, nice condition $89,900 Massey Yacht Sales. (727) 824-7262 St Petersburg, or (941) 723-1610 Palmetto, FL.

Morgan O.I. 33. Full keel, only 3’ 11” draft.

Yanmar 38hp diesel w/only 950 hrs. The Out Island series by Charlie Morgan is well known for their exceptional interior volume. The shallow draft make it an excellent choice for cruising the Keys and Bahamas. Loaded with new equipment and upgrades including: Autopilot, color chartplotter GPS, electric windlass, wind generator, propane stove, refrigerator, marine air conditioning, dinghy with new OB, flat screen TV, stereo and more. Owner has new boat ordered. Here is a chance to get a great boat for a great price. Located Marathon. Asking $27,500, but let’s hear your offer. Cortez Yacht Sales (941) 792-9100.

Hunter 33.5’, 1993 Naples transferable Slip!

Diesel engine w/ low hrs, Autopilot, Priced right @ only $45,000, Call Joe @ 941-2249661, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

2004 Catalina 34 MK II, loaded and ready.

This boat is equipped for the discriminating sailor for pure pleasure or the competitor for pure enjoyment. Everything you need in a boat. Two complete sets of sails, one to cruise, another to race. Everything is like new. $127,500. www.Cortezyachts.com for listing or call (941) 792-9100.

1977 ERICSON 32 w/ 1994 20hp Yanmar diesel, Harken RF, Jib, Main, Drifter, Solar, Propane stove, oven. grill, Norcold Refrig, shore power, 2 VHFs, Satellite Radio, depth, new paint, new bottom. Proven cruiser.

Asking $19,400 Cortez Yacht Sales. (941) 792-9100.

33’ Tartan Sloop 1980. Shoal Draft. Universal diesel 24 hp, 990 hrs, owner of 15 years has done constant upgrading, full electronics w/radar, AC-heat, roller furling main & headsail, a beauty in and out. Asking $33,000. St Augustine, FL. (toll free) (866) 610-1703. Will trade for 40’+ sailboat. www.sayachtsales.com.

32 Gulf Pilothouse, complete refit: all new 2005- standing running rigging, performance sails, wiring, circuit breakers panel, water heater, holding/macerator, fuel tanks, 12v/110 standing fridge-freezer, propane cooktop, infared broiling, 3 batteries, autocharger, 17000 btu heat/air, Bimini. $29,500. sailsetc@aug.com (904) 810-1966. (2/08a)

Hunter 34. 1985. Fully equipped for weekend or Island cruising. A/C, dinghy w/OB, electronics. Constant updates and maintenance.

Asking $33,900. Clean and a pleasure to show. Call Jacek at (727) 560-0901 for more information.

TARTAN 34 1985. Awlgrip blue. Shoal draft 4.5’. Sleeps 6. Diesel. Refrig. Fully equipped.

Step aboard, race or cruise. Excellent condition. $59,500. Fort Myers, FL. Contact Barrie Smith. BarrieJanet@gmail.com. (239) 4333703. (1/08)

2” DISPLAY ADS STARTING $38/MO AT $38 A MONTH News & Views for Southern Sailors

$50 – 3 mo.

Ad & Photo 941-795-8704 SOUTHWINDS

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CLASSIFIED ADS

Beneteau 35. 1995. Great performance boat, most accommodations for its size. A/C, radar, autopilot, radar, in-mast furling main, shoal draft and more. Asking $93,000. For more information, call Jacek at (727) 560-0901.

Caliber 35’ 1994. Original owner, very nicely maintained, all records, must see to appreciate. Asking $95,900. Open to offers. Contact SCI Yacht Sales at (727) 823-7400, or Jacek at (727) 560-0901.

Gozzard 36, 1987. Excellent Condition.

Brand New Sails. Partial Awlgrip. New Bottom Paint. Radar, SS Radio, B&G instruments.

Bimini/Dodger, hard windshield. Hard Dinghy and Motor. Davits. Bob (314) 487-4543, rgruener@earthlink.net. (1/08)

Pearson 36 Centerboard, 1985, Autopilot, GPS, Wind generator, Dingy davits, Perfect for the FL. West Coast, $68,000, Call Joe @ 941224-9661, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers , www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

Robinson Caine 38’ Leopard, 1999, Twin Westerbekes, New Sails, New Electronics Upgraded and clean! $229,900, Call Jeff @ 954-224-8291 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com

Union 36’ Robert Perry design, 1979, New electronics in ’05, Solid bluewater cruiser ready to take you anywhere! Call for details, $71,500, Tom @ 904-377-9446, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

2000 Hunter 380 with upgraded 40hp Yanmar and only 400 hours. A beautiful crisp new-looking boat with broad beam and walk thru transom. Great cockpit with stern rail seats and integrated helm console. Genoa Pro-furl system with Navy Sunguard. In-mast roller furling main. Seldon spars and Lewmar winches. Heavy 316 Stainless Steel radar arch with main sheet traveler. Navy Sunbrella full Bimini. ST-60 instuments, ST 5000 Auto pilot and VHF radio. Garmin GPS, RayMarine radar and stereo at Nav station. Grunert refrigeration and freezer. 3 burner propane stove and oven. Built in microwave. King size aft cabin.

This boat comes ready to sail away. Asking $128,500. Call (941) 792-9100, or go to www.Cortezyachts.com.

Searunner 37 Phaedrus. New main, water maker, solar, Yanmar 2GM, new rigging & lifelines LPU paint, new bunks & galley cushions.

Much more. Just back from western Caribbean $54,999. captpondo@yahoo.com. (985) 966 3504. (1/08)

2001 Beneteau Oceanis 381. Air conditioning, Autopilot ST6000, speed and depth, Ray Chart 425 plotter, new Bimini, electric windlass, new bottom paint. Only $124,200. Call Eastern Yachts at (561) 844-1100 36’ Morgan Out Island Sloop 1974, Perkins 50 hp, 2003 electronics, upgraded sails and 2003 standing /running rigging, Generator, custom drive platform, lots of ugrading,ready to cruise, $39,900. St. Augustine, FL, (toll free) (866) 610-1703. www.sayachtsales.com. (12/07)

2” Display Ads Starting at $38/month editor@southwindsmagazine.com 941-795-8704 72 December 2007

SOUTHWINDS

REDUCED AGAIN!! 1978 38‚ Moody Sloop. 3 Staterooms, 2 heads, center cockpit. Partial refit, needs completion. Hull repainted, S/S rigging, roller furling, newer Yanmar diesel installed - all in ’99. $40k OR BEST OFFER. 727-638-5517 or sailorfl@tampabay.rr.c (1/08)

$50 – 3 mo.

Ad & Photo 941-795-8704

ADVERTISE YOUR BOAT $25 for up to 30 words for 3 months www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS

39’ Fair Weather Mariner Sloop 1986, Robert Perry design, 42 hp Mercedes diesel, sleeps 6, Great headroom and extra long berths, tremendous storage, high quality in and out, Burmese teak tongue and groove, a must see, asking $126,900 St Augustine, FL. (Toll free) (866) 610-1703 www.sayachtsales.com.

Privilege 39 1988 Cat. 4 cabin, 2 head.

Yanmar 27hp. Major refit 2005. New UK sails, AC/heat, Onan genset 6.5kw, Autohelm 7000, new interior, Corian counters, teak sole, Bimini/dodger $168,500. (321) 917-5863. palexy@cfl.rr.com. (2/08a)

Endeavour 40’ Center cockpit, 1983, Diesel, Well equipped cruising boat, Many upgrades, Offers welcome. $ 100,000, Call Jeff @ 954224-8291, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

1979 Bristol 40 Yawl. 40 HP Perkins Diesel, Harken Roller Furling, Main, Mizzen, 100% Jib, 140% Genoa, Epoxy bottom, cockpit table, propane stove, windlass, CQR anchor w/ 150’ chain, Fortress anchor, classic sailing yacht. Asking only $54,900. Call Major Carter at ( 941) 792-9100 or go to www.cortezyachts.com

Bayfield 40 Hull # 34 full keel 5’ draft, cutter ketch designed by H.T.Gozzard built in 1984.

Exceptional condition with lots of new gear.

Harken roller furling on all sails. Marine air, WS, WD, depth, VHF w/remote, SSB, cd/radio, autopilot, chartplotter, radar, dinghy, life raft $119,000 Call Major Carter or visit www.Cortezyachts.com (941) 792-9100

Tayana 42 Cutter, 1988, Original owner has babied her! Total refit in ’03, A/C, Most of her life was lightly used in the Great Lakes. This one is Bristol! $199,900 Call Roy S. @ 305775-8907 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

Passport 40’aft cabin, 1983, A Plan, Teak is bright, Gelcoat shines!, New Sails, Original Owner, This one is PERFECT! $169,500, Call Roy S. @ 305-775-8907 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

1996 Beneteau 44. Center Cockpit, 2 staterooms, Volvo-Penta 78hp, low hours. New 2004/05: Dodger & Bimini, electronics(C80 Chartplotter, 2007 Chip SE & Bahamas, GPS 125, etc), VHF, UK Sails, batteries, chain & rode, interior cushions. Ready to cruise again from Brunswick, GA. Very good condition.

Details at www.SOULSENDER44.COM. $162, 000. call (707) 343-1504 (12/07)

Hans Christian 41, 1985, Blister Free bottom, Showroom Interior, World cruising equipment list, This a Beautiful yacht, A real must SEE!, $189,000, Tom @ 904-377-9446, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

41’ Morgan Out Island 1972. Repower 52 hp Westerbeke, NEW mast (Selden in-mast furling), new running and standing rigging, new chain plates, new lifelines, new mainsail, new Adler Barbour refrigerator, Heart invertor, electric windlass, etc.! Completely refurbished interior. Must sell. Asking $57,500 $48,500 (239) 699-2833. (2/08)

See Classified Informationon page 69 News & Views for Southern Sailors

Broadblue Prestige 46’ “Prout” Catamaran, 2004, 300 hrs on twin engines, 100 hrs on genset, 48K BTU of A/C, 4 solar panels, many upgrades, $545,000, Call Rick @ 727-4228229, Edwards Yacht Sales . Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com

Jeantot Marine 51’ Privilege 1994, Big, beautiful cat loaded with electronics, genset, watermaker, dive compressor, dual a/c, cherry interior Sleeps 10 in 5 double cabins, $530,000, Call Tom @ 904-377-9446, Edwards Yacht Sales. Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com SOUTHWINDS

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CLASSIFIED ADS POWERBOATS

_________________________________________

Hobie 18 Mast for Sale. (We think it is a Hobie 18). Measures 26 feet. Top 7 feet is carbon. Serial # 38272 Coleman Co. $60. Near Sarasota, FL. (941) 966-4737.

Aries Self-Steering Vane w/wheel drum fully operational. $750/OBO. Hookah Diving gear, gasoline-powered compressor. Two 50-foot hoses w/mouth pieces. $200. E-mail jrvd888@yahoo.com.

(2/08) _________________________________________ Used Boat Gear for Sale. CQR 25 & 45#, Bruce 16 & 66#, Hookah by Airline, 55# Folding Fisherman anchor, Para-tech 15 w/Rode, Edson Rack & Pinion steering w/wheel, new awning w/side curtains.

Nautical Trader, 110 E. Colonia Lane, Nokomis, FL. Shop online at www.nauticaltrader.net.

(941) 488-0766. _________________________________________

2005 Albin 31 TE. Twin Yanmar 370 turbos wolf in sheep’s clothing!!! 53k less than replacement!!! New warranties apply. Options package worth 18k. Never titled. Most powerful 31 on market. Call today and let’s talk dream boats. $224,300 (561) 844-1100.

43’ Californian Cockpit Motoryacht/ Trawler 1985, T/ Cat 210 diesels, very economical to run, 8 kw Westerbeke generator w/ 784 hrs., Marine Air AC/Heat, Custom aluminum Hardtop with new enclosure, roomy double stateroom, double head, no teak decks, aluminum fuel tank, $87,500 Will consider sailboat in partial trade. St Augustine,FL. (866) 610-1703. www.sayachtsales.com

2007 4-stroke 15hp Sail (like Yamaha) long (20”) outboard with 20 hrs. Excellent condition. Also large quantity of Sails from 43.5 ft sail boat. For sail measurements/inventory, call (702) 882-5468. Located in St Pete, FL. (12/07)

Stainless Steel Cleats. 316 SS Made in USA. NO offshore junk. One pair of 10” cleats for $32, (includes shipping in Florida). One Pair of 8” cleats for $24 (includes shipping in Florida). (239) 209-6171. wilcompton@earthlink.net. (2/08)

BUSINESS FOR SALE/ INVESTMENT _________________________________________ Marine canvas and mobile sailboat rigging business for sale in Port Charlotte, FL. Established 14 years. $30,000. (941) 6274399.

Pbgvtrax@comcast.net. (2/08) _________________________________________

Schucker 440 Trawler. Bruce Van Sant’s trawlerized Tidak Apa. Spend summer safely moored in Luperón. Fit out with Bruce’s help.

Asking $70,000. Get complete information and photos at www.LuperonCruising.com.

(809) 821-8239. (1/08)

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. Also dealing with architectural soft product. Respond to LOFT220@hot mail.com. (1/08)

BOAT GEAR & SUPPLIES

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_________________________________________

CREW AVAILABLE/WANTED

Wanted: Female companion over 50 to share sailing experiences. Athletic.

Sailmykeys@pocketmail.com (2/08) _________________________________________ Visit SOUTHWINDS boat and crew listing service at southwindsmagazine.com ADVERTISE YOUR BOAT STARTING AT $25 FOR 3 MO

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www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS DONATE YOUR BOAT _________________________________________ Donate your boat to the Safe Harbor Boys Home, Jacksonville, Fl. Setting young lives on a true path. Please consider donating your working vessel. http://boyshome.com/ or call (904) 757-7918, e-mailharbor@boyshome.co

HELP WANTED

_________________________________________

HH SAILING CLUB MANAGER HH

Sarasota Sailing Squadron Seeks Club Manager. Full time employment. Benefits Package Included. More Info at http:// tinyurl.com/2qt4a7. _________________________________________

Assistant Editor Wanted. SOUTHWINDS is looking for an assistant editor to help run all facets of the magazine, from bookkeeping and office work to editing to reporting and writing. Part time job to start to develop into more time after several months. Must live in West Florida from greater Tampa Bay Area south. Must be into sailing, very computer savvy, have a great home office among other requirements. For a complete job description, job qualifications and application procedure, go to www.southwindsmagazine.com/editor.

Do not contact us without totally reviewing the information on this page. _________________________________________ Yacht Broker Wanted. Growing company, with years of experience, in Tampa Bay looking for a team player. Great company support. Call (727) 823-7400, or Jacek at (727) 560-0901. _________________________________________ Office Manager Fort Lauderdale Sailing Organization. Seven Seas Cruising Association, a non-profit serving 9000+ cruisers worldwide, seeks mature, exp. person to run our busy 3-person home base. Job involves supporting Board of Directors, managing budget and accounting, directing staff and volunteers, and event planning. Job description and application at www.ssca.org.

E-mail resume to membership@ssca.org.

(12/07) _________________________________________ Massey Yacht Sales Mobile Broker Do you prefer to sell yachts from your home office?

If you do and you are a proven, successful yacht sales professional, we have positions open for Florida west and east coast. Take advantage of the Massey sales and marketing support, sales management and administration while working from your home selling brokerage sail and power boats. Call Frank Hamilton (941) 723-1610 for interview appointment and position details. _________________________________________ Writers, Reporters, Articles, Photos Wanted.

SOUTHWINDS is looking for articles on boating, racing, sailing in the Southern waters, the Caribbean and the Bahamas, and other articles on the following subjects: marinas, anchorages, mooring fields, disappearing marinas/boatyards, marinas/boatyards sold for condos, anchoring rights, sailing human interest stories, boat reviews, charter stories, waste disposal— and more. Photos wanted, plus we want cover photos (pay $65) of both race and non-race subjects, but about sailing. Cover photos must be very high resolution and vertical format. _________________________________________ News & Views for Southern Sailors

Sailing Coaches and Instructors Wanted.

The Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club (www.byscnet.com), is seeking 3-4 experienced Coaches and US Certified Sailing Instructors for our 2008 summer programs and camps. Duties include curriculum development, regional regatta coaching, private/ group lessons, and assistance with boat repairs. Fleet consists of Optis, Lasers, Sunfish, and JY15s. Ideal candidates will have collegiate team and coaching experience. Free housing, free loaner vehicle, use of Club boats and facilities, super salary or hourly rate, plus extra pay for private lessons. Please e-mail resumes and references to ŒBo‚ Von Harten at gm@byscnet.com. Beaufort, SC, is located between Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. (2/08)

Waterfront Condo for Sale w deeded dock.

Clearwater Bay close to high bridge inlet.

Pool, Tennis Ct+. 2 Bd, 2 Ba. 1530 sq. ft. Tour: www.circlepix.com/W8SMMH. $420,000.

Call Martha Vasquez, Century 21 Sunshine.

(727) 244-9404. mvasquez@c21sunshine.com (12/07)

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

Tarpon Springs Deepwater slip. Beautiful fourth floor corner condo. Gulf views on two sides. Near ICW. Heated pools, clubhouse, tennis courts, putting green, fitness center.

Reduced for quick sale. Owner $299,500.

(727) 786-1640 or (813) 907-2164. (1/08)

REGATTA MUSICIANS

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE OR RENT _________________________________________

_________________________________________ The Bilge Boys acoustic duo is available for your regatta, sailing events and yacht club parties. We play beach/island/classic rock and lots of Jimmy. Book now for the upcoming sailing/holiday season. West Florida. www.freewebs.com/thebilgeboys or (727) 504-2328. (2/08)

SAILS & CANVAS

_______________________________________ Waterfront Island Estates Home For Rent.

306 Windward Island, Island Estates, Clearwater, FL. 4 BR/2BA. Two-Car garage.

Sunset View, Immaculate. Deepwater 40’ Dock, Perfect for Sailboat. Rent $2400/Mo. (402) 943-9189) or (727) 458-6111 (1/08)

“SAILBOAT WATER” DUPLEX. Redington Shores in Pinellas Co., Tampa Bay. Just off the Intracoastal Waterway. Dock with 2 slips to accommodate two 40’ boats. $399,900. Bob Sackett (727) 527-7373 Hofacker & Associates, Inc., Realtors. (1/08)

SEE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION ON PAGE 69 SOUTHWINDS

December 2007

75

CLASSIFIED ADS SAILS & CANVAS

_________________________________________

TO LATE TO CLASSIFY

_________________________________________

Pearson Ensign 22. Beautiful day sailor or competitive racer (3rd in ‘07 mid-winters) Complete restoration in ‘06-07 included new standing and running rigging, complete topside and bottom refairing and repaint, refinish mahoghony seats and trim, new sheet winches, new rudder and post, new tiller. Sails, including spinnaker, are in excellent shape. Asking $8,500 obo. (727) 4392501. (2/08a)

Fantasia 35. 1980. Double ender. Center cockpit bluewater cruiser. 3 cabins, workshop, solid teak interior. A/C, autopilot, GPS, Harken furler, refrigerator, wind generator & more. Bristol condition. $79,900. (239) 565-6908 (2/08a)

SLIPS FOR SALE OR RENT

_________________________________________ 99-Slip Marina with clubhouse (kitchen, 2 televisions), free ice, 30-amp 120-volt power.

Boats from 25 to 60 ft. Liveaboards welcome.

Marsh Harbor Marina. Located at Shell Point Beach, 30 miles south of Tallahassee. Call Ted Gaupin (888) 926-7811. (2/08)

ADVERTISE YOUR BOAT $25 for up to 30 words for 3 months ALPHABETICAL INDEX

OF

ADVERTISERS

ADVENTURE CRUISING SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 AMERICAN MARINE AND SAIL SUPPLY . . . . . .7, 39 ANNAPOLIS PERFORMANCE SAILING . . . . . . . . .50 ANTIGUA SURVEYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 AQUA GRAPHICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 ATLANTIC SAIL TRADERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 BANKS SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 BAY RIGGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 BEACHMASTER PHOTOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 BENETEAU SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC BETA MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 BOATERS EXCHANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44, 39 BOATUS HURRICANE SYMPOSIUM . . . . . . . . . . .22 BO’SUN SUPPLIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 CAPT. JIMMY HENDON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 CAPT. JOSIE SAILING SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 CATALINA YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,39 CHARTER VIRGIN ISLANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 CORAL REEF SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 CORTEZ YACHT BROKERAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 CRUISING DIRECT SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 DEFENDER INDUSTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 DOCKSIDE RADIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13, 28 DOYLE SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 DUNBAR SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 DWYER MAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 EASTERN YACHTS/BENETEAU . . . . . . . . . . . . .63,BC EDWARDS YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64, 65 E-MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32,74 FLYING SCOT SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 FOUNTAINE/PAJOT CATAMARANS . . . . . . . . . . . .67 FOURWINDS ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 FULL SAIL YACHT DELVIERIES/CAPT. . . . . . . . . . . .31 GARHAUER HARDWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 GASPARILLA REGATTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

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Ranger 33, Misty. Voted the top PHRF boat of all times by Sailing World Magazine. New topside, bottom ,deck paint ,Yanmar diesel, Kevlar Laminate 155% Genoa, spectra halyards, faired bottom keel and rudder and much more. Winner of 2005, 2006, 2007 Sarasota Boat of the Year. Call Gregg @ 941730-6096, $25,000

Interlake 18, 1982. Divorce Sale! Refit by Customflex 2005 w/new open centerboard well, stainless centerboard, floatation tanks and more. All Harken gear, (2) sets sails, 1 spinnaker.

2005 Road King galvanized trailer, Bearing Buddies, spare tire. Great sailer, excellent condition. Asking $2,800. Located Sarasota. (941) 720.4503, scottpursell@msn.com. (2/08a) Walker Bay, 8 feet, hard dinghy with inflatable PVC tube kit, Hydrocurve Oars, Oarlocks and Turbo pump. West Marine price $1700 plus. Asking $800. Very good condition. Ted. Clearwater (727) 799-3974. ibis037@yahoo.com. Will deliver. (2/08)

TELL THEM YOU SAW IT IN SOUTHWINDS! SOUTHWINDS provides these lists as a courtesy and asks our readers to support our advertisers. The lists includes all display advertising.

GLACIER BAY REFRIGERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 GOURMET UNDERWAY COOKBOOK . . . . . . . . . .49 GULF COAST YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . .67, 69, 70 GULF ISLAND SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7, 39 HOBIE CATS/TACKLE SHACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 HOTWIRE/FANS & OTHER PRODUCTS . . . . . . . .32 HUNTER MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 HURRICANE HOOPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 INNOVATIVE MARINE SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . .31, 34 ISLAND YACHTING CENTRE/GREG KNIGHTON . .66 J/BOATS - MURRAY YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . .66,BC JR OVERSEAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 LEATHER WHEEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 LIGHTHOUSE BUILDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 MASSEY YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . .IFC,7,30,47, IBC MASTHEAD ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . . . . . .3,39,63,75 MASTMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 MIAMI BOAT SHOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 MT. DORA YC REGATTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 MURRAY YACHT SALES/BENETEAU . . . . . . . . .68,BC NATIONAL SAIL SUPPLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 NAUTICAL TRADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 NORTH SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17,75 OUTBOUND YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 PALM BEACH SAILING CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 PAUL WOLBERS, REALTOG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 PEAK MOUNTAIN PROPERTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 PORPOISE USED SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 QUANTUM SARASOTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 RB GROVE/UNIVERSAL AND WESTERBEKE . . . . . . .8 REGATA DEL SOL AL SOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 REGATTA POINTE MARINA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 RIVER CITY HARBOR MARINA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 RPARTS REFRIGERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 SAFE PASSAGE SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

SAILING FLORIDA CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 SAILORS WHARF BOATYARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 SAILTIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 SALTY JOHN MARINE PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . .33 SARASOTA INVITATIONAL REGATTA . . . . . . . . . . .51 SCHURR SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 SCURVY DOG MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 SEA SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 SEA TECH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 SEAWORTHY PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 SHADETREE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 SNUG HARBOR BOAT WORKS & CO. . . . . . . . . .39 SOLAR LITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 ST. AUGUSTINE SAILING SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . .33 ST. BARTS/BENETEAU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC SUNCOAST INFLATABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 SUNRISE SAILING SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31, 34 TACKLE SHACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 TAMPA SAILING SQUADRON YOUTH PROGRAM .24 TIDEMINDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 TURNER MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 UK HALSEY SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 ULLMAN SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 US SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 WAG BAGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 WATERSPORTS WEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 WESTON MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 WILMAR USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 WINCHMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 WINDPATH FRACTIONAL SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . .41 WYVERN CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 YACHTING VACATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

www.southwindsmagazine.com

ADVERTISERS INDEX

BY

CATEGORY

TELL THEM YOU SAW IT IN SOUTHWINDS! SOUTHWINDS provides these lists as a courtesy and asks our readers to support our advertisers. The lists includes all display advertising.

SAILBOATS – NEW AND BROKERAGE BENETEAU SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC BOATERS EXCHANGE/CATALINA SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44, 39 CATALINA YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7, 39 CORTEZ YACHT BROKERAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 DUNBAR SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 EASTERN YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63,BC EDWARDS YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64, 65 FLYING SCOT SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 FOUNTAINE/PAJOT CATAMARANS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 GULF COAST YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67, 69, 70 GULF ISLAND SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7, 39 HOBIE CATS/TACKLE SHACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 HUNTER MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 ISLAND YACHTING CENTRE/GREGG KNIGHTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 MASSEY YACHT SALES/CATALINA//HUNTER/ALBIN . . . . .IFC,7,30,47, IBC MASTHEAD YACHT SALES/CATALINA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,39,63,75 MURRAY YACHT SALES/BENETEAU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68,BC OUTBOUND YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 ST. BARTS/BENETEAU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC SUNCOAST INFLATABLES/ WEST FLORIDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 TACKLE SHACK/HOBIE/SUNFISH, ST. PETERSBURG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 TAMPA SAILING SQUADRON YOUTH PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 TURNER MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 WATERSPORTS WEST/WINDSURFING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 WILMAR USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING ANNAPOLIS PERFORMANCE SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 BOATERS EXCHANGE, BOATS, GEAR, ETC. ROCKLEDGE FL . . . . . . .44, 39 BO’SUN SUPPLIES/HARDWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 CORAL REEF SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 DEFENDER INDUSTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 E-MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32, 74 FOURWINDS ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 GARHAUER HARDWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 HOTWIRE/FANS & OTHER PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 HURRICANE HOOPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 JR OVERSEAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 LEATHER WHEEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 MASTHEAD ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,39,63,75 MASTMATE MAST CLIMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 NAUTICAL TRADER/BUY/SELL/CONSIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 RPARTS REFRIGERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 SALTY JOHN MARINE PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 SEAWORTHY PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 SHADETREE AWNING SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 SOLAR LITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 TACKLE SHACK/HOBIE/SUNFISH, PRECISION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 TIDEMINDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 WAG BAGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 WATERSPORTS WEST/WET SUITS, ETC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 WESTON MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 WINCHMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICES ATLANTIC SAIL TRADERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 BANKS SAILS/NEW, USED, REPAIR & CANVAS/ WEST FLORIDA . . . . . . .34 CRUISING DIRECT/SAILS ONLINE BY NORTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 DOYLE SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 DWYER MAST/SPARS, HARDWARE, RIGGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 INNOVATIVE MARINE SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31, 34 MASTHEAD/USED SAILS AND SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,39,63,75 NATIONAL SAIL SUPPLY, NEW&USED ONLINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 NORTH SAILS, NEW AND USED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17, 75 PORPOISE USED SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 QUANTUM SAILS AND SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SIX SCHURR SAILS, PENSACOLA FL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 SUNRISE SAILING SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31, 34 UK HALSEY SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 ULLMAN SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 CANVAS BANKS SAILS/NEW, USED, REPAIR & CANVAS/ WEST FLORIDA . . . . . . .34 QUANTUM SAILS AND SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SIX SHADETREE USED SAILING/BOATING SUPPLIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NAUTICAL TRADER/BUY/SELL/CONSIGN, WEST FLORIDA . . . . . . . . . . .46

News & Views for Southern Sailors

SCURVY DOG MARINE/USED, CONSIGN, PENSACOLA FL . . . . . . . . . .43 SAILING SCHOOLS/DELIVERIES/CAPTAINS ADVENTURE CRUISING AND SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 CAPT. JIMMY HENDON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 CAPT. JOSIE SAILING SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 FULL SAIL SAILING DELIVERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 SAFE PASSAGE SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 SAILING FLORIDA CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 SEA SCHOOL/CAPTAIN’S LICENSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 ST. AUGUSTINE SAILING SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 US SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 WYVERN CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 MARINE ENGINES AND ACCESSORIES BETA MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 RB GROVE/UNIVERSAL AND WESTERBEKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 RESORTS, MARINAS, RESTAURANTS, BOAT YARDS REGATTA POINTE MARINA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 RIVER CITY HARBOR MARINA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 SAILORS WHARF BOATYARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 FRACTIONAL SAILING/CHARTER COMPANIES ADVENTURE CRUISING AND SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 CHARTER VIRGIN ISLANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 SAILING FLORIDA CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 SAILTIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 WINDPATH FRACTIONAL SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 WYVERN CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 YACHTING VACATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 MARINE SERVICES, SURVEYORS, INSURANCE, TOWING, BOAT LETTERING, ETC. ANTIGUA SURVEYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 AQUA GRAPHICS/BOAT NAMES/TAMPA BAY OR BUY ONLINE . . . . . . .31 BEACHMASTER PHOTOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 MARINE ELECTRONICS DOCKSIDE RADIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13, 28 SEA TECH/NAVIGATION/COMMUNICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 BOOKS/CHARTS/VIDEOS GOURMET UNDERWAY COOKBOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 YACHT CLUBS PALM BEACH SAILING CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 REAL ESTATE PAUL WOLBERS, REALTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 PEAK MOUNTAIN PROPERTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 REGATTA ADVERTISEMENTS, BOAT SHOWS GASPARILLA REGATTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 REGATA DEL SOL AL SOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 SARASOTA INVITATIONAL REGATTA ADVERTISERS’ LIST BY CATEGORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 ALPHABETICAL ADVERTISERS’ LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 MARINE MARKETPLACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

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SOUTHWINDS

December 2007

77

Better Than Any Ride at Six Flags

By Mike Hansell

I

t was one day in August on Lake Alatoona in Georgia that our sailing club held one of its drifter series regattas. It was a three-race affair with 11 boats competing. I arrived early to “ready” my boat for the day’s event. You know—ready with snacks on board, drinks and ice in cooler (all within easy reach of the skipper) and a splash of coffee over the side to appease the lake gods.

When I finished, I made my way to the skippers meeting being held in the usual location.

The skippers meetings are very serious gatherings with very serious people discussing very serious matters … “I replaced all my cushions with a fifty-pound bag of rocks.”

And “The Commodore? Didja see those bubbles coming up from under the San Juan? That was him.” We all paid our entry fee (a real bargain), talked about course layout and the number of laps, then made our way to the boats.

The first two races went well.

Through careful sail selection, keen boat-handling skills and my personalized tactics (I’ll just do what the other guy does), I was able to maintain my last-place position unopposed. Things were going as planned.

Now comes the third race. As I round the windward mark, I glance over my shoulder to see the boats of both A and B fleets in pursuit (okay, okay, I’m about to be lapped again).

About this time, the rain that was predicted for that day made its

78 December 2007

SOUTHWINDS

appearance. “What’s a little rain?” I thought as I donned my yellow oilies, looking much like a Gloucester fisherman without pants.

To gain some speed, I maneuvered my boat from a run to a broad reach with the wind coming over my starboard quarter. As I narrowly missed a pontoon boat—which had earlier deposited one of the owner’s offspring into the path of several competing boats—the heavens opened up with torrents of water and a great blast of wind. You would have thought Poseidon himself was leading an attack on our flotilla. My boat began to round up into the wind—which was what I wanted— but thanks to my skillful touch at the helm, it became a complete broach and knockdown with me hanging from my now horizontal winch, standing in ankle-deep water on the side of the port cockpit seat wondering if I was going to hit the boat dock or the nearby pile of rocks.

Now I had read about this very situation not too long ago, but not until the boat righted itself and then blew back over—submerging the entire port side of my boat so deeply that the water began to slosh into the small cabin—did it dawn on me what the remedy was: I released the main sheet! Now that the boat was almost upright, I scrambled to drop the sails.

The effect was magical. When I say magical, I mean it was a real trick to get both my keel and rudder stuck in the mud at the same time.

By now, the wind had returned to its pre-storm velocity, and all that was left to do was free myself and return to the race. I jumped out into waist-deep water, raised the kick-up rudder out of the way and managed to push the boat out of the mud.

When I pulled myself back on board, my weight put the keel back down into the bottom again. With the tip of the keel stuck and the rudder now clear, the boat began to pivot and bang into the previously mentioned boat dock. This had to stop. I turned on my electric motor (I have been called a “purist”), set the tiller and jumped up and down on the bow until the boat was free. There seemed to be no damage to boat, dock, crew or rocks. So I raised the sails, reported my disqualification (I had started my motor) and made my way back to the marina. I was exhausted.

I trailed the pack in all three races. I got smacked hard by the wind and took a knockdown, got blown ashore and stuck in the mud.

My prescription glasses washed overboard, pager filled with water and is now useless, and my cell phone did not work properly for two days. I was also disqualified in the last race and completely embarrassed by my inexperience.

I loved every minute of it! Last place in my own boat is as good as first place in someone else’s. I learned from the whole experience, and that knockdown was better than any ride at Six Flags. www.southwindsmagazine.com