Southwindsfebruary2007

SOUTHWINDS News & Views for Southern Sailors

The St. Petersburg Sailing Center Getting Your Captain’s License On the Beach of Great Guana Cay

February 2007 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless

Reinventing the wheel is one thing that makes Beneteau such an exceptional sailboat manufacturer.

For over a century, we’ve been leading the industry with innovations like our patented pivoting wheel on the Beneteau 323.You’ll also find many other features and options on the Beneteau 323, including a retractable keel that allows you to sail into the most shallow gunkholing spots. Experience the exceptional. Visit your nearest Beneteau dealer to view the new sailing yachts for 2007.

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News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS February 2007

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SOUTHWINDS NEWS & VIEWS

FOR

SOUTHERN SAILORS

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From the Helm: Insurance Crisis?

By Steve Morrell

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Letters

14

Preview of the Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show

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Southern Regional Monthly Weather and Water Temperatures

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Debate at The Blue Moon Bar

By Morgan Stinemetz

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Short Tacks: Sailing News and Events Around the South

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Our Waterways: Misc. News on our Changing Waterways

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Changes in Attitudes in the BVIs

By Mike Kirk

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The 10-Step Method to Your Captain’s License

By Capt. Mike Kirk

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Autohelm Repair: Saved by Google

By Steve Morrell

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Tips Learned from a Circumnavigator

By Arthur Campbell

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Travels With Angel: True Treasures

By Rebecca Burg

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History of the St. Petersburg Sailing Center

By Dave Ellis

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

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The Egrets of Coconut Grove The Barnacle State Park

28-29 Marine Market Place 58-59 Regional Sailing Services Directory Local boat services in your area.

69 Alphabetical Index of Advertisers 69 Advertisers’ List by Category 68 Subscription Form

Tips learned from a circumnavigator.

Photo by Arthur Campbell. Page 40.

Along the eastern shore of Great Guana Cay. Photo by Rebecca Burg. Page 42

COVER: Sailing in Tampa Bay towards Egmont Key. Photo by Steve Morrell.

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

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FROM THE HELM

Insurance Crisis?

No—not the home insurance crisis.

The BOAT insurance crisis.

That’s right. We have another insurance crisis, and it is another problem exacerbated by the last few years’ hurricanes. But let’s not place all the blame there. I am going to put a lot of it on boat owners who do nothing to prepare their boats for a storm.

And let’s not forget the insurance companies. They have reaped the profits from many years of no storms.

Now they want to forget those gains.

About the only people who are innocent in all this are the boaters who love their boats and take the time to prepare them for a storm. And this is the group that is going to pay for this.

How many times have you gone down to the marina and seen boats that have no preparations at all for an impending storm? With the canvas and sails still on as though it was going to be a beautiful, calm day?

With no extra dock lines or other preparations? How many times have you gone down to the docks after a storm and seen the boats with their sails up—now destroyed—torn from their slips and the docks and perhaps

Articles and Photos Wanted Contact: editor@southwindsmagazine.com

■ SAILING EXPERIENCES: Stories and photos about experiences in places you’ve cruised, anchorages, marinas, or passages made throughout the Southern cruising waters, including the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

■ RACE REPORTING: Generally, we are always looking for someone to send us race coverage throughout the southern states, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

■ CRUISING NOTES: Southern sailors cruising on the high seas or cruising our waterways and coasts: Send us word on where you’re at and what you’re doing. How the cruising life is treating you.

■ BAHAMAS: Trips, experiences, passages, anchorages, provisioning and other stories that are of interest.

■ HURRICANE STORIES: Hurricanes are a part of owning a boat in the Southern waters, and we would like to hear how you and your boat might have been affected by a storm or how you prepare your boat for one, experiences you’ve had. Send us letters or articles.

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having caused damage to another boat—maybe even yours?

How many people do you know that joke that their best storm protection is making sure their insurance is paid up? Who joke that they need a new sail, or even a new boat?

It’s not so funny now when I hear of sailors who can’t get insurance because of their older boats—even though they were the ones who cared for and prepared them during the last storm? For years, insurance companies have reaped the benefits of high rates and no storms. (Compare them to home insurance cost-to-value ratios.) Now they want high rates as though those storm-free years never happened. There is a bit of a monopoly by insurance companies, so they can pretty much tell us what the prices are.

Insurance companies were lax for many years in paying out, too. How many stories have I heard where they paid out with no questions asked?

How many boats were rebuilt that were falling apart before a storm?

How many sails got replaced because no one prepared their boat by remov-

ing the sails for a storm? Did insurance companies give you better rates if you prepared your boat? Not that I ever heard of.

If we don’t make some changes in the boat insurance world, this will be another way boaters will no longer be able to afford boats. Maybe laws will have to be passed similar to auto insurance to keep the rates down for all. An example is a law passed last year that allowed marinas to put in their contracts that if a boat owner doesn’t prepare his boat for a storm, then the marina will, and they can charge the owner for the work.

How about if insurance companies don’t pay for a new roller furling headsail (or main) if it wasn’t removed before a named storm? Or they don’t pay for a new Bimini or dodger if it was left up? Or the insurance company doesn’t pay for the boat, left with no extra lines for the storm, which destroyed your boat?

And they lower your rates because you did all these things?

■ OUR WATERWAYS: Information about the waters we sail in: disappearing marinas, boatyards and slips; mooring fields, anchoring rights, waterway access, etc.

■ MAINTENANCE & TECHNICAL ARTICLES: How you maintain your boat, or rebuilt a boat, technical articles on maintenance, repairs, etc.

■ INDIVIDUALS IN THE SAILING INDUSTRY: Interesting stories about the world of sailors out there, young, old, and some that are no longer with us but have contributed to the sport or were just true lovers of sailing.

■ THE CARIBBEAN: Stories about the warm tropical waters farther south of us.

■ CHARTER STORIES: Have an interesting Charter story? In our Southern waters, or perhaps in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, or points beyond in some far-off and far-out exotic place?

■ FUN AND UNUSUAL STORIES: Got an interesting story? Unusual, funny, tearjerkers, learning experiences and others wanted. Keep them short for our last page, 700-1000 words roughly. Photos too, but not necessary.

■ CUBA: Of course, there is always Cuba, and regardless of how our country’s elected officials try to keep Americans out of the largest island in the Caribbean, it will one day be open as a cruising ground. Today American sailors can legally go to Cuba and cruise if they follow the proper procedures. If you have a story about such a trip, let us look at it.

■ MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS: Photographs are always enjoyable, whether for their beauty, their humor, or for many other reasons, and we take them alone. We would like photos with every story, if possible.

■ COVER PHOTOS: SOUTHWINDS is always looking for nice cover shots, which are always paid for. They generally need to be a vertical shot, but we can sometimes crop horizontal photos for a nice cover picture. They need to be of a high resolution. If digital, they need to be taken at a very high resolution (and many smaller digital cameras are not capable of taking a large, high-resolution photo as is on a cover). If a photograph, then we need it scanned at high resolution, or if you send it to us, we can do so.

■ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: For those of you who are not as ambitious to write stories, we always want to hear from you about your experiences and opinions.

Steve Morrell Editor

CONTACT editor@southwindsmagazine.com for more information and questions.

For more Technical guidelines about layout, grammar, etc., please visit our Web site, www.southwindsmagazine.com and go to “Writer/photographer Guidelines.” www.southwindsmagazine.com

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.co e-mail: editor@southwindsmagazine.com Volume 15

Number 2 February 2007

Copyright 2007, Southwinds Media, Inc. Founded in 1993

Doran Cushing, Publisher 1993-2002

Publisher/Editor editor@southwindsmagazine.com (941) 795-8704

Steve Morrell

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

Steve Morrell

editor@southwindsmagazine.com

(941) 795-8704

Regional Editors EAST FLORIDA mhw1@earthlink.net

(321) 690-0137\

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA RACING miamiyachtracing@bellsouth.net

(305) 380-0106

Roy Laughlin Art Perez

Production Heather Nicoll

Letters from our readers Dave Ellis Capt. Mike Kirk Ron Mitchellette Morgan Stinemetz

Proofreading Kathy Elliott

Artwork Rebecca Burg angel@artoffshore.com

Contributing Writers The Barnacle State Park Arthur Campbell Kim Kaminski Media Pro International Roy Laughlin Walt McFarlane Art Perez Hone Scunook Rick White

Contributing Photographers/Art The Barnacle State Park Rebecca Burg (& Artwork) Arthur Campbell Dave Ellis Gary Hufford Kim Kaminski Capt. Mike Kirk Roy Laughlin Rick White Bubba Whartz Photo Studios EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: ARTICLES & PHOTOGRAPHY: SOUTHWINDS encourages readers, writers, photographers, cartoonists, jokers, magicians, philosophers and whoever else is out there, including sailors, to send in their material. Just make it about the water world and generally about sailing and about sailing in the South, the Bahamas or the Caribbean, or general sailing interest, or sailboats, or sailing in some faroff and far-out place.

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

Contact the editor with questions.

Subscriptions to SOUTHWINDS are available at $19.95/year, or $37/2 years for third class, and $24/year for first class. Checks and credit card numbers may be mailed with name and address to SOUTHWINDS Subscriptions, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach FL, 34218-1175, or call (941) 795-8704.

Subscriptions are also available with a credit card through a secure server on our Web site, www.southwindsmagazine.com. SOUTHWINDS is distributed to over 500 locations throughout 10 Southern states. If you would like to distribute SOUTHWINDS at your location, please contact the editor.

Read SOUTHWINDS on our Web site

www.southwindsmagazine.com.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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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 LIVE-ABOARD CRUISER IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FL, GETS HARASSED BY POLICE On the morning of May 12, Jan and I were under way in our Caribe dinghy from my boat, which was anchored north of the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, FL, headed to the dinghy dock at the municipal marina nearby. As I passed under the bridge, I noticed the St Augustine police boat following me. As it did not have its blue lights on (Officer Etheridge later claimed that his blue lights were on), I kept going. Before I arrived at the dinghy dock the police boat caught up and stopped us. As we were talking, the current carried us to the dinghy dock itself.

Officer Etheridge stated he was stopping me because I violated a rule that states that within 500 feet of a construction area, there is a “no wake” zone. The definition of “no wake” is very subjective. Since any boat moving relative to the water at any speed—even one anchored in a tidal current—produces a wake, and there is no practical way to measure a wake as there is with speed, it is entirely a matter of personal judgment and opinion as to what amount of wake is unacceptable.

The construction zone in question consists of two highway bridges and several large flattop spud barges with construction equipment and bridge parts on them weighing thousands of tons. In my opinion a 10-foot inflatable dinghy cannot make, under any circumstances, a large enough wake to have any effect whatsoever on this heavy equipment. In addition, there were no workers visible, nor were there any “slow speed” or “no wake” signs or buoys displayed.

Officer Etheridge proceeded to examine my dinghy for the required safety equipment. When he asked if I had a fire extinguisher on board, I told him I did not because it was not required. Since I was sure it was not a Coast Guard requirement, I asked him if it was a local, county or state requirement. He responded that it was a Coast Guard requirement. I then stated flatly that that was not true. He then demanded to know if I was calling him a liar. I said I thought he was misinformed. He then said, “I was going to give you a verbal warning about the no-wake zone, but you just talked yourself into a $65 citation!” I then asked him to write a citation for no fire extinguisher, but he refused to do this, stating it was the prerogative of the officer, and he chose not to do so.

Somehow the $65 citation became a $113 citation after I requested a court hearing. In court, I planned to claim that, according to Officer Etheridge, the citation he issued was for objecting to the accusation of violating a rule that did not exist and therefore should not be honored.

We went to court with essentially the above statement and copies of the Coast Guard rules regarding carrying of fire extinguishers. Officer Etheridge did not appear, so the judge declared the case dismissed. We were disappointed that Officer Etheridge’s actions did not become officially acknowledged but declined to pursue his actions See LETTERS continued on page 10 8

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LETTERS any further, even though encouraged to do so by many of our fellow live-aboards on the Live-Aboard List (a liveaboard e-mail exchange list).

Cruisers who wish to keep current on live-aboard issues should subscribe to the Live-Aboard List. It is like a bulletin board. Actually, it’s an “e-mail exploder.” It sends a copy of your e-mail to everyone on the list. A question or report is sent out and many people respond. It is free, the gift of Stefan Mochnacki, a Toronto astronomer, to whom we are all extremely grateful, and is an incredible source of the wisdom of experience on the water. (To join the Live-Aboard List, send a “subscribe” or “unsubscribe” request in body of message to live-aboard-request@crux.astro.utoronto.ca.

Although I was overwhelmingly supported by the folks on the Live-Aboard List, and many of them encouraged me to sue the police, etc., I declined to take this issue any further. I do understand that it is the responsibility of responsible citizens to stand up for what is right because nobody else will, but it was enough for me to prevail in this case.

Perhaps that in itself will encourage Officer Etheridge to be a more professional policeman. I have no desire to punish him, only to set things right.

This particular incident is not unique. In the past nine years, since I retired from my career as a Merchant Marine officer and cast off the dock lines for good, we have put over 34,000 miles under the keel of Bandersnatch. Harassment by law enforcement officers is the rule, not the exception, not only in our experiences, but in those reported by many others.

My next cell phone will be capable of recording video with sound and sending it to a secure site to provide a true record of future encounters such as the one described here.

I have found the best way to deal with water cops is to have your vessel absolutely properly equipped and properly operated. When police approach, be polite and reserved, ignore your emotions (cops will often deliberately irritate you to claim you had a hostile attitude), volunteer nothing, have a witness on your side if possible, and record all the facts, including the cop’s name, as quickly as practical.

I have publicized this incident for the purpose of showing other people who are following in my wake what they will have to deal with. Forewarned is forearmed.

Following winds, Norm Johnson S/V Bandersnatch Lying 30 07.7N 081 39.6W, Julington Creek Estuary, FL Norm: This is truly distressing, but consistent with what I have found among many officers on land—not the majority, thankfully, but enough to get you pissed off. Fortunately, I have not had to deal with any marine patrol officers beyond their checking my lobster limit, and that was legal and years ago. It was easy. This is also, so sadly, a trend we see in anti-boater feelings in communities, and a few officers who go overboard (pun intended) like to show off their power and beat their chests. Power corrupts.

I joined the Live-Aboard List after receiving your e-mail a few months ago (and I apologize for waiting so long to publish this letter but I am backed up with letters). The list is valuable in more ways then just exchanging war stories about run-ins with the police. I have seen detailed and valuable advice go back and forth about technical questions one boater might have and all the other live-aboards on the list gladly supply a wealth of information to 10

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those seeking it. This is just one small part of the great community of feelings and interchange of ideas I have observed on it.

Thanks for that and keep up the good fight.

Editor BOATS FOR FREE I read your magazine from cover to cover, but I wondered if picking up an idea from another magazine that I read would appeal to you. That is a “Boats for Free” department. Wooden Boat magazine has such a section in which I’ve both received a free boat and given one away. ( I got about 50 calls.) The ads cost nothing as well.

There must be a basket load of fiberglass (or wood) boats sitting under trees and in garages or backyards that someone else would be able to use instead of having it end up in the landfill. For example, I’m trying to find an old scow, an M-16 or M-20, for example. There were bunches of them in Florida where I sailed them that have passed their useful life for racing purposes and are headed for the dump.

What do you think?

Gary Gowans New Bern, NC Gary; A great idea and I am offering that beginning in this issue.

This would help solve a lot of problems that marinas and communities—and landfills—face daily. Plus it would give a great opportunity to many who want to get a boat and have the time to work on them. At my marina, there is a 22-foot sailboat for sale for $700. I am not sure how long the boat has been for sale, but I am pretty sure he has paid more than $700 in slip rental since I first saw the sign. He would have profited if someone had taken it off his hands for free.

So, this month we begin to offer a “Boats for Free” section in classifieds.

Now, I need some listings.

Editor PROBLEMS ON GETTING BOAT INSURANCE GROWING Recently, I experienced a dilemma that will be an issue for other boaters. As a boat owner for 17 years, I have always carried marine insurance. During that time, I experienced one insurance claim from Hurricane Charlie in 2004. Now I am seeking boat insurance in Florida and have contacted 19 companies (insurance brokers and underwriters). All of these companies have refused any coverage on a 33-foot, 1980 sailboat. Each company offered one or more of the following rationales: 1)You experienced a hurricane claim. 2)Your boat is too old. 3) Your boat is too long.

Two brokerage offices indicated this is just the beginning of a trend in Florida. Underwriters are now turning their attention to boat insurance. Up to this time, their resources were focused on house insurance alignments.

Now they have the time to scour boat insurance monopolies. This broker further stated the shake-out (in coverage, cancellations and substantial premium increases) is just starting in Florida. He said, “There is going to be a lot of pain” during the next year (ownership moving to Georgia/Alabama, significant increase in uninsured Florida boats and reduction in our boat population with corresponding economic impact).

Any recommendations?

Ted Boiman Punta Gorda, FL See LETTERS continued on page 13 News & Views for Southern Sailors

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LETTERS Ted: I have heard this from other sources that insurance is becoming a problem, especially for older boats and for those who have had a claim. I had one friend tell me he had only a claim from a lightning strike—hardly from his negligence—and they still wouldn’t insure him.

Fortunately, I now own a newer boat and have a policy with a company that doesn’t take on any new policies on boats in Florida, but I had one before that change.

I see this as a new problem facing Southern boaters and particularly in Florida. Smaller powerboats can be put in inside storage, especially since new storage buildings are being built to be hurricane-proof. But sailboats still need to be at the marina.

Unfortunately, we are also suffering from the acts of irresponsible boaters, too.

How many boats have I observed during storms where nothing was done to protect

the boat, not even using extra dock line or removing the sails and canvas? Many have joked in the past that their best protection during a storm is to make sure their insurance is paid up. Many just figured they’d get their boat fixed or even claim more than actually happened and get some improvements done. Those of us who have protected our boats during storms because it is the right thing to do and want to save them are now being punished for the actions of those who didn’t.

I think the insurance companies are partly to blame, too. I have heard many stories where they paid boaters without asking questions, or at least not a lot of questions. Plus we have all been lumped together in one group. We need a system that forces people to protect their boats from storms—that separates out the irresponsible owner, or makes him pay for his inactions. A new law, allowing marinas to set up requirements that boats be protected or the marina operators will do something themselves and can charge the owner, is appropriate, although such a law was designed to protect marinas from boat damage.

Many boaters also let their boats deteriorate, and when a storm comes, they think it is an opportunity to soak an insurance company, so they hope it gets destroyed. I think there is going to have to be a change in how boats are valued by insurance companies for replacement value, too. Let’s face it. The insurance companies need protection, or those of us who want to boat responsibly will suffer the consequences.

Deductibles have been rising in recent years, and that helps weed out those who are trying to get a new sail, but it makes the rest of us suffer when the big storm hits. If you protect your boat, you can save it from minor injuries in the nonmajor storms (up through Category 2 hurricanes, for sure).

SOUTHWINDS has tried to educate people on hurricane protection, but it is almost too late. Maybe we can all help pressure the insurance companies to change their policies to help those who will work at keeping their boats in good condition and protecting them from storms.

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

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66th Annual Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami, Feb. 15-19

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ne of the largest boat shows in the world, this event combines the main show at the Miami Convention Center, the 22nd Annual Strictly Sail Miami Show at the Miamarina at Bayside Marketplace and the Yacht and Brokerage Show on the 5000 block of Collins Avenue with in-water displays of powerboats at the Sea Isle Marina and Yachting Center at 1633 North Bayshore Dr., Miami.

The Strictly Sail Miami Show is the largest catamaran show in the world. Sailboats of all sizes, monohulls and multihulls, are on display along with numerous vendors and exhibitors. Boating and sailing seminars are held daily.

Discover Sailing will be offering free introductory lessons and sailing on Miami’s Biscayne Bay. Children ages six and older can take part in a free, funfilled, hands-on boat-building supervised workshop from noon to 6 p.m. during the show. Participating kids receive a free T-shirt, while parents can walk the docks while their kids are occupied with the workshop where they will participate in building small boats and other tasks.

Children 12 and under free. $16 for adults for a oneday pass, $26 for a two-day pass, Friday through Monday.

Premier Thursday costs $28. 10-6 Thursday, 10-8 Friday through Sunday, 10-6 Monday. In-water displays close at 6 p.m. E-tickets can be purchased in advance at www.miamiboatshow.com or www.strictlysail.com. All tickets include entry to the convention center show and vice versa if you purchase the tickets at the center. If you go to the convention center, a shuttle will take you to the sailboat show and vice versa.

Directions to Strictly Sail Miami Miamarina at Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd. Miami From the North: I-95 South to exit 395/Miami Beach East, exit at Biscayne Blvd. Turn right; follow Biscayne to Port Blvd. (NE 5th Street). Turn left; follow righthand lane into the Bayside Garage.

From the South: I-95 North. Exit at Biscayne Blvd.

Stay in left-hand lane until the stop sign at Biscayne.

Turn left on NE 3rd Street. Follow the left side of the road into the Bayside Garage.

Additional Parking if Bayside is Full New to this year’s show is the park-and-ride facility at the American Airlines Arena, just two blocks from Bayside. The daily rate is $10 per day, and a shuttle bus will pick you up and transport you to the show location of your choice

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Seminars (all are in the seminar tent) Seminar schedules may change, so please check with show management to confirm.

THURSDAY, FEB. 15 10:45 Free Energy From the Wind and Sun. John Gambill 12:00 Cruising Catamarans. Charles Kanter 1:15 Offshore Spar Repair. Michael Hill 2:30 A Family Sails Around the World. Pam Wall 3:45 Hurricane Climatology. Christopher Burr 5:00 The Florida Keys - The Perfect Learning Getaway. Suzanne Pogell FRIDAY, FEB. 16 10:45 Getting your Captain’s License - Fact vs. Fiction.

Captain Bob Figular 12:00 Single-Handed Spinnaker Sailing. Etienne Giroire 1:15 Preparation for Offshore Passagemaking.

Captain Ed Mapes 2:30 Power Paradise. Paul Marcuzzo 3:45 Women in Cruising. Kathy Parsons, Pam Wall & Gwen Hamlin 5:00 Marine SSB - The Basics. Capt. Marti Brown SATURDAY, FEB. 17 10:45 Marine Electrical Design. John Zeitlin 12:00 Finding the Right Catamaran. Phillip Berman 1:15 Marine SSB - The Cruisers Multitool. Capt.

Marti Brown 2:30 Anchoring Techniques & Hurricane Moorings.

Charles Kanter 3:45 Cruising the Bahamas. Pam Wall 5:00 Interpreting Marine Weather. Lee Chesneau SUNDAY, FEB. 18 10:45 Interpreting Marine Weather. Lee Chesneau 12:00 How to Become a Galley GURU. Corinne Kanter 1:15 Chartering 101. Kyle Houston 2:30 Women in Cruising. Kathy Parsons, Pam Wall & Gwen Hamlin 3:45 Cruising the French and Spanish Caribbean.

Kathy Parsons 5:00 Talking Trash - Promoting Clean & Healthy Waterways. Kathryn Novak MONDAY, FEB. 19 10:45 Cruising Catamarans. Charles Kanter 12:00 Cruising the Bahamas. Pam Wall 1:15 Interpreting Marine Weather. Lee Chesneau 2:30 Outfitting for Bluewater Cruising. Pam Wall 3:45 Understanding Fractional Ownership. Thomas E. Patterson www.southwindsmagazine.com

Southeastern U.S. Air & Water Temperatures and Gulf Stream Currents – February 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 – 64º hi Gulfport, MS 45º lo – 64º hi Water Temperature –58º

WEST FLORIDA St. Petersburg 55º lo – 71º hi Naples 54º lo – 76º hi Water Temperature St. Petersburg – 64º Naples – 66º

CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA Cape Hatteras, NC 41º lo – 54º hi Savannah, GA 41º lo – 64º hi Water Temperature Cape Hatteras, NC – 46º Savannah Beach, GA – 53º

EAST FLORIDA Daytona Beach - 49º lo – 71º hi Jacksonville Beach - 48º lo – 65º hi Water Temperature Daytona Beach – 59º Jacksonville Beach – 56º Gulfstream Current – 2.3 knots

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Miami Beach – 63º lo – 73º hi Stuart – 55º lo – 75º hi Water Temperature Miami Beach – 73º Stuart – 66º Gulfstream Current – 2.4 knots

FLORIDA KEYS Key West 66º lo – 76º hi Water Temperature Key West –70º Gulfstream Current – 1.8 knots

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

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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

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Debate at The Blue Moon Bar

By Morgan Stinemetz

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.

■ RACING EVENTS

For racing schedules, news and events see the racing section.

■ UPCOMING SOUTHERN EVENTS EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING/SUMMER CAMPS Lake Eustis Summer Sailing Camp Check the LESC Web site, www.Lakeeustissailingclub.org, for information on signing up for the summer sailing camps at LESC. Only 10 sailors per session.

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, 7:30-9:30pm, 1300 Beach Dr. SE, St. Petersburg.

Lessons include: which boat for you, equipment, trailering, lines and knots, boat handling, signs, weather, rules, introduction to navigation, inland boating and radio. (727) 8233753. 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) 8673088. Other courses continuosly offered. (727) 565-4453. www.boating-stpete.org.

Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 11-1) Public Boating Programs GPS and Chart Reading: Feb. 12-15.

Boating Skills and Seamanship (7 lessons): March 5-22 Clearwater Sailing Center, 1001 Gulf Blvd., Sand Key (Clearwater). Open to adults and youths. Seven lessons. Evenings.

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.

Ruskin , FL, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 75 Offers Home Study Safe Boating Course The Ruskin flotilla each month offers a Boating Safety course in Ruskin, but has found that many boaters do not have the time to attend the courses, so they are now also offering a home study course at $30. Additional family members will be charged $10 each for testing and certificates. Tests will be held bi-monthly. Entry into the course will also allow participants to attend the classes. To apply, call (813) 677-2354.

North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort, NC 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 Basic Marine Electric, Jacksonville, FL, Feb. 14-16.

American Boat & Yacht Council. (410) 956-2737. www.Abycinc.org.

US SAILING Judge Training and Certification Program.

New Orleans, LA., February 24-25.

See racing section for more information.

CONTRIBUTE TO SOUTHWINDS WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED SOUTHWINDS is always looking for articles and photos on various subjects about sailing (cruising and racing), 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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News & Views for Southern Sailors

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■ BOAT SHOWS Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show. Feb. 15-19.

For more information, see page 14.

Carolina Power & Sailboat Show. Feb. 16-18 Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State Fairgrounds. www.ncboatshows.com/CurrentShows.

Central Carolina Boat Show. Feb. 23-25. Greensboro, NC, Greensboro Coliseum Complex. www.ncboatshows.com/CurrentShows.

22nd Annual Palm Beach Boat Show, March 22-25.

Flagler Drive on the water in downtown West Palm Beach and also at the County Convention Center, Palm Beach, FL. (800) 940-7642. www.showmanagement.com.

Savannah International Boat Show and Seafood Festival. March 30- April 1. International Trade and Convention Center. Savannah, GA. (843) 364-8491. www.savannahinternationalboatshow.com.

■ OTHER EVENTS

Central Florida Boat Show, Olando, FL, March 1-4. Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. www.boatshowflorida.com.

Everglades Seafood Festival, Feb. 3-5, Everglades City, FL, Free Admission. For more information, go to www.evergladesseafoodfestival.com.

E-mail: info@evergladesseafoodfestival.com.

Fort Myers Spring Boat Show. March 8-11. Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, FL. (954) 570-7785. www.swfmia.com.

Washington’s Day Regatta, Feb. 24, The Barnacle Historic State Park, Miami, FL See the Egret story on page 70 for more information.

Augusta Boat Show. March 9-11. Augusta, GA, Civic Center, www.bkproductions.biz/augusta.htm

12th Annual Upper Keys Rotary Nautical Flea Market.

February 25-26. Islamorada. Founders Park, mile marker 87.

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Free event with deals on marine equipment, boats for sale, fishing, diving, electronics, arts and more. Sat. 8-5, Sun. 9-3. (305) 453-3802. www.giganticnauticalfleamarket.org.

SSCA Sponsors Cruising Workshop with Nigel Calder, Dania, FL, Feb. 24-25

The Seven Seas Cruising Association is hosting a two-day workshop with famed cruiser/author Nigel Calder in Dania, FL on Feb. 24-25.

The course will be taught by Nigel Calder and will include topics such as choosing a cruising boat, living with a diesel engine, how not to get into a mess when anchoring or docking, what to do if you run aground, and how to handle heavy weather. Also covered will be issues relating to setting up the boat’s systems to operate in a trouble-free manner, general safety and even crew morale.

The workshop will be held at the RTM STAR Center, 2 West Dixie Highway, Dania Beach, FL 33304 (http:// www.star-center.com/Dania.Home.htm). For a more detailed course description, go to http://ssca.org/calder07.pdf.

Cost is $250 per person for SSCA members, $300 for non-members (it’s cheaper to join). The fee includes continental breakfast and lunch both days. Registration online can be done at www.ssca.org/eventind.htm or via e-mail to office@ssca.org, or call (954) 771-5660.

For information on the SSCA and to join, go to www.ssca.org. A contact for the SSCA is Nancy Birnbaum, editor, SSCA Commodores’ Bulletin. She can be reached at (954) 771-5660 or at editor@ssca.org/.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

Marina Hurricane Preparation Symposium, Orlando, FL, March 1-2

BoatUS, in conjunction with the Marine Industries Association of Florida (MIAF) and the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), will be hosting the Marina Hurricane Preparation Symposium in Orlando on March 1-2. The symposium will be held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel at 9700 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. Its purpose is “to minimize the impact on business from the next inevitable hurricane.”

Cost is $150 if registered before Feb. 1.

Attendees are expected to be businesses with docks, including marinas, boatyards and boat clubs. They will look at the practical, political, and legal aspects of reducing the impact of future hurricanes and saving docks, boats and businesses. Topics discussed will be: • Learn from marina operators what works and what doesn’t.

• Proven techniques to reduce damage to boats and docks.

• Find out what you can and can’t do legally to prepare boats.

• Engineering guidelines to “harden” a facility.

• Outline statewide hurricane preparation strategies and potential legislation to reduce damage.

• Discuss ideas and get questions answered.

• Check out the latest state-of-the-art products.

• Meet vendors with new technologies that make it happen.

For more information, to register and the schedule, go to www.boatus.com/hurricanes/symposium.

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Hurricane Articles and Information Wanted SOUTHWINDS is looking for ideas and real stories on hurricane experiences to pass on to others for our upcoming hurricane section during the 2007 hurricane season. We are also looking for ideas and stories on protecting docks during storms. Should boats be forced to leave a marina during a hurricane? Should boat owners be required to keep their boats from destroying a dock during a storm? Should insurance companies give discounts to those who protect their boats during a storm?

Send stories, letters and/or photos to editor@southwindsmagazine.com. Visit our hurricane pages at www.southwindsmagazine.com.

■ NEWS

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Pleasure Boating Clearance Procedures for Boats Entering U.S. Waters

In a letter to the editor in the November issue, a Canadian boater wrote in (“Letters” November 2006) about problems and confusion he confronted in entering the United States in September 2005. He was told to report to regional offices of the U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and that when he left the jurisdiction of one, he had to check into the jurisdiction of the next. He wrote in his letter that when he asked if there was a list of these offices and what their jurisdictions were, that officers of the CBP told him that no such list existed and that they had no map or other means of showing him the jurisdiction borders.

SOUTHWINDS received a letter from Marc Lang of Public Affairs for the USCG Auxiliary. With the letter was printouts from a U.S. CBP Web site of reporting requirements for vessels entering the United States, including special information on boats entering at the Canadian border. To read these requirements, go to http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/reporting_requirements_pleasure_boat.xml.

If you get to the CBP Web site at www.cbp.gov, you can do a search on “boaters entering,” or “boats at Canadian border”—or similar such searches—and it will lead you to the reporting requirements. The Web site has a fairly good search engine.

Some of these revised procedures—far different from what Mr. Guptill, the original Canadian letter writer to SOUTHWINDS experienced—were implemented effective May 28, 2006—eight months after Guptill entered the United States. The procedures are set up so that a boater (with limitations) can enter only once and not have to constantly check in at each CBP jurisdiction office as they move about, although the information is so vast as to the requirements, it is advised that they be studied closely to make sure one complies correctly.

5News & Views for Southern Sailors

Coast Guard Licensing Fingerprinting Process Made Easier From Steve Craven, USCG Auxiliary, Jacksonville, FL, (904) 501-3037 I was given a copy of your November 2006 edition article in “Short Tacks,” titled “U.S. Coast Guard Licensing Fingerprinting Available in Jacksonville,” which referred to a letter written by Eric West in the September 2006 edition.

I would like to expand a little on that subject.

In January 2006, the mariner licensing process was changed to require all mariners to make an in-person appearance at a REC for the purpose of having their identity verified and to be fingerprinted. This requirement placed a burden on the mariners and the RECs. The RECs received no additional personnel or funding to support this requirement. To help both the mariners and the RECs, the Coast Guard asked for assistance from the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Auxiliarists, civilian volunteers for the Coast Guard, are stepping forward to provide additional resources and assistance for this new requirement.

While some Auxiliarists are volunteering at their local RECs, others are working within their local sectors to provide this service at “remote sites.” Since being approved by REC Miami in March 2006, my work in the Jacksonville area has steadily increased. The Auxiliary, with the blessing of REC Miami, is establishing a network of volunteers throughout Florida to minimize the impact of this requirement on the mariner. Other RECs, but not all, are doing the same throughout the United States. These “remote sites” are not full service for the licensing process but do meet the requirement for the in-person appearance. Auxiliarists manning a “remote site” are required to submit any paperwork generated in the mariner licensing process to the REC that they support. Generally, the mariner’s license application does not have to be pending at that REC. I regularly process mariners whose applications are pending at an REC other than Miami. When I submit their paperwork to REC Miami, Miami forwards that paperwork on to the appropriate REC. Before making an appointment at a “remote site,” it is very important to be sure to ask what documents you

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will need to bring and to let them know to which REC you have submitted your application. The only thing worse than driving several hours for this appointment is doing so without the required documents and having to do it twice. Finally, as a retired law enforcement officer who worked identity theft cases before the problem became widely publicized, I can appreciate what the Coast Guard is trying to accomplish. It is simply trying to reduce the opportunity for someone to steal your mariner’s identity and enter into the maritime industry.

Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, has teamed up with the New Orleans sailing community to try to resurrect this piece of maritime history. But they need your help. Please visit their Web site www.saveourlake.org and make a cash donation to this very worthwhile effort.

The 2007 45th Annual Atlanta Boat Show, Atlanta, GA, Jan. 10-15

Have you ever found something unusual and wondered what in the world could this be? In the months following the upheaval left behind from two years of damaging hurricane winds, storm surges and torrential tropical rains, a possible historic segment of a Civil War shipwreck was recently uncovered.

A 40-foot-long hunk of wood was found in February by property owners Wayne and Alice Moore whose home, located on Dauphin Island in the southern part of Mobile Bay, was damaged by the storms. The couple had dragged the piece out from under the foundation of their home and left it lying along the roadside during their storm repair reconstruction efforts.

Glenn Forest, an archaeological diver, had found the piece and persuaded the home repair crew working on the house not to cut it into pieces and dump it. With a handful of volunteers, Forest used shovels and a backhoe to help uncover the wreck where the homeowner’s construction crew had moved the 15-ton wooden mass to the roadside.

The piece was drying out under the hot sun for several months as the homeowners awaited its removal.

Doug Ford, a local island restaurant owner and history buff, had promised in March to help preserve the piece as an attraction at one of his hurricane-ravaged restaurants. Ford had hired two different contractors to help remove the piece of wreckage and to repair his restaurant, but both deals fell through. When his current contractors went to remove the wreckage, they found the wooden hulk was gone. The property owners had finally found someone to remove the potential hazard away from their newly repaired home and take it to the north Mobile County landfill.

Forest, in his years as an archaeological diver, has actively criticized the Alabama Historical Commission for its failures in making proper identifications and efforts to preserve artifacts that are washed up on shore. Dauphin Island and Mobile Bay were mapped as early as 1519 and have had a colorful history over the past three centuries.

Not only is its history filled with massacres, colonization, and fortifications, there is also the infamous naval Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War where Admiral David Farragut cried out, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

Forest doesn’t fault the property owners for getting rid of the wreckage, and he applauds Ford for his efforts. The Alabama Historical Commission stated that the chances of

By R. J. Mitchellette The annual Atlanta Boat Show is recognized by Atlanta/Lake Lanier boaters as the official beginning of the boating season in the region. For those who sail on Lake Lanier—Atlanta’s main boating community—this is an important event during the winter. Although they never need to go on the hard during the winter, it can get a bit chilly out there in Southern waters.

This year’s show featured more sailboats than previous years, including a Beneteau 423, (which I dreamed about owning—it’s a look-and-don’t-touch mentality) supplied

by St. Bart’s Yachts. Also, one of the local brokers in the Atlanta/Lake Lanier area had reason to boast as Snug Harbor Yachts recently acquired the Catalina line, which, along with its Hunter line, means it represents two of the big three sailboat manufacturers (third being Beneteau).

Along with Dunbar Sales from St. Simons Island, GA, Snug Harbor displayed the 2007 Catalina line, including the Catalina 309, which made Cruising World’s Boat of the Year in the small cruiser division.

The show is dominated by powerboat displays, which is expected since powerboats out number sailboats about five to one on Lake Lanier. Also, there were plenty of fishing boats and fishing gear. The houseboat display was gigantic, including one with every amenity conceivable, literally a floating mansion.

Along with a large number of exhibitors, there were regularly scheduled seminars on fishing, boat handling, safety, navigation, rules of the road (water) and sailing skill enhancement, sponsored by Blackbeard School of Sailing and one of Lake Lanier’s sailing schools, Windsong Sailing Academy.

New Orleans Lighthouse Seeks Rebuilding Donations

Originally constructed in 1837 and then rebuilt in 1890, the New Basin Lighthouse in New Orleans has always been a major icon on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

Unfortunately, the twin punches of Hurricane’s Katrina and Rita have nearly done her in, but a local non-profit, the Lake 24

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Wooden Ship Discovery Gets Taken to the Dump

By Kim Kaminski

www.southwindsmagazine.com

excavating items of historical value from the wreckage were low, and the odds of losing the fragment to deterioration from the sun were high. The agency doesn’t have the funds to identify and preserve every boat fragment that washes up from the storm. It does not belong to the state. If it comes ashore on private property, it becomes the owner’s responsibility. However, after the upheaval from the past year’s storms, more and more historical treasures seem to be popping up all over the Gulf Coast.

So, the next time you discover something unusual and wonder what in the world it might be…consider the possibility of an historical discovery and the wonders it might uncover! And keep an eye on it.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Float Plans Available Online

After many search and rescue operations looking for boats and crew without knowing where the boat was planning to go, the Coast Guard Auxiliary wants all boaters, whether they kayak, operate a Jet Ski, a sailboat or a motorboat, to use a float plan each and every time they leave their launch point.

A float plan is a document you leave with a responsible party, such as a relative, a neighbor or your marina. It does not go to the police or Coast Guard. The float plan lists important information that the Coast Guard and other law enforcement parties would use to ascertain the type of boat, its equipment, the skipper and crew and proposed itinerary, to better assist them in finding the vessel should it not appear at a pre-appointed location, per your float plan.

To aid the boating public, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has created Float Plan Central at www.floatplan.uscgaux.info.

Float Plan Central provides comprehensive information for the boating public in the collation and creation of a float plan. A step-by-step flowchart with detailed explanations of how to fill in the float plan (available as a PDF) is available on the Web site.

If a float plan is available in the event of a missing vessel, and the itinerary, which was provided by the skipper was followed, the Coast Guard could limit the initial search area, increasing the chances of finding the missing vessel earlier.

Massey Launches Yacht Model Centers in Palmetto and St. Petersburg

ate flags. The yachts are detailed each week and open to the yachting public seven days a week.

Massey is currently offering substantial purchase incentives and will consider all trades for new yacht buyers. The Massey yacht financing department can obtain pre-purchase yacht financing approvals to help buyers obtain the best financing packages. Call Massey or come to the new Yacht Model Centers and enjoy a thorough review of your favorite yachts without any of the boat show pressure.

Call Massey in Palmetto at (941) 723-1610 or St. Pete at (727) 824-7262

BoatU.S. Foundation Seeks Nominations For New Environmental Leadership Award

The BoatU.S. Foundation is looking to honor those who have made a significant contribution toward advancing clean boating and educating boaters on minimizing their environmental impact with a new Environmental Leadership Award. Now is the time to submit your nomination to recognize a group, organization, company, marina or individual. The deadline for nominations is February 15, and the award includes $500 for the continued support of the winner’s environmental efforts.

“We are looking for creative, unique, and innovative nominees who have succeeded at building momentum for clean boating,” said Susan Shingledecker, environmental program manager with the BoatU.S. Foundation. “This award, for example, could go to a group that has cleaned up miles of beaches, a marina that has led the way in helping keep our waterways clean, or to honor a boater who has spearheaded a local environmental education campaign,” she added.

The Foundation has a long history of working with local organizations throughout the country to help bring environmental messages directly to boaters. This Environmental Leadership Award aims to recognize those who complement our efforts by making a difference in promoting environmentally responsible boating in their community.

Applications and information about the award can be found online at available at www.BoatUS.com/foundation/ EnviroAward, or contact Shingledecker at SShingle21decker@BoatUS.com, or telephone (703) 461-2878, ext. 8358.

Massey Yacht Sales & Service has launched two Yacht Model Centers. They are essentially continuous boat shows that the public is invited to for viewing new sail and power boats. They are located at Regatta Pointe Marina in Palmetto and the Harborage Marina in St. Pete. Each Yacht Model Center features new sail and power yachts. Preowned yachts are also featured at the Harborage in addition to new yachts. In-stock boats include new Catalina and Hunter sailboats, Albin powerboats and Nordic Tug trawlers. Sizes range from 26 thru 46 feet. There are over 30 boats available. All yachts are displayed in proper boat show style. They are decorated, signed and fly the appropriNews & Views for Southern Sailors

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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

Florida Boats Moving to Bahamas as Florida Slips Become Scarce

As South Florida slips dwindle in number and increase in cost, more boaters are setting their sights on the Bahamas as the place to keep their boats, Trade Only magazine reported recently. Not only have slips slowly disappeared with older marinas getting bought up and converted to condos or other uses, but the ones that remain are becoming more expensive as property taxes go up. The Bahamas is only an hour’s boat ride—via powerboat—from southeast Florida, and land and marinas are plentiful in the islands.

Boating companies see this as a good thing overall as they see it as a way for boaters to stay in boating. It is expected that many companies will slowly move to the Bahamas as this move progresses in the coming years.

The Bahamian government and community—along with the Florida boating industry—see this as beneficial to both areas. In recent years, the business environment in the Bahamas has become friendlier to U.S. businesses which have wanted to relocate to the islands. This has made investors feel safer in putting their money there.

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Water Access Getting More Attention from the NMMA

Boating Industry magazine recently reported that the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is becoming more concerned about the water access problem. It recently hired a full time counsel to fill a new position created to work solely on water access issues. The group has also initiated a system to monitor the changes in water access across the country to see how access is changing and when and where, giving it the statistical knowledge to be able to promote water access issues. The NMMA has also established the Water Access Task Force as part of the group’s Grow Boating Initiative. The task force will work at ways to help those involved in increasing water access, including help with permits, working with government agencies and the impacts of marinas and other waterways issues.

The NMMA was involved in changing Florida’s laws in 2006 to limit what cities can do in restricting anchoring rights of cruisers (reported in SOUTHWINDS in the November 2006 issue).

Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida Keys

Number of Unattended Anchored Boats Increases Throughout Florida

At the December meeting in Key Largo, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated that unattended boats is the fastest growing group of anchored vessels, and they are more likely to break away and cause damage when a storm comes. Florida law limits what local communities can do in limiting boaters’ rights to anchor outside mooring fields, whether the boats are Anchoring Warnings in Florida: Contact Us to Publicize Warnings Note from the Editor A new state law went into effect on July 1 limiting communities’ power to limit anchoring restrictions to nonliveaboard cruisers. Recently, I have received several e-mails and calls from cruisers who received warnings from local law enforcement officials in Marco Island, Miami Beach, and Gulfport. In some cases, the officers have been polite and in others, they have not been. Cruisers can contact the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) lawyers who will send a letter to these communities telling them about the state law. Go to www.southwindsmagazine.com for a copy of this letter and contact information—or call us at (877) 372-7245.

This law has not yet been tested in courts and perhaps someone will, but we at least need to have the letters sent to every community that ignores this law. www.southwindsmagazine.com

liveaboards, transient cruisers or unattended boats anchoring for storage.

The problem has increased over recent years since marinas have disappeared as they have been bought up for condominium development, tax increases and increased costs. Less supply alone has driven costs up considerably. These forces along with the growing Florida population—many of whom are boaters—has caused many

to move out of marinas and into local waters to anchor for boat storage.

The FWC has suggested that state law might have to change to help communities control the anchoring problem. The Boating Advisory Council, which studies and proposes recommendations to the state legislature, will give more serious consideration to the issue at a meeting in Tallahassee on April 13.

What is Slip Banking?

Brevard County, FL, Tries New Procedure to Save Slips

By Roy Laughlin As the law now stands, the Manatee Plan in Brevard County established a certain number of boat slips for Brevard County based on one slip every 100 feet of waterfront. Marinas and boat launching facilities were an exception. But in either case, when a slip was lost—for example, through marina conversion—it became extinct as far as the plan was concerned. In its continuing efforts to establish a comprehensive marine management plan, the Brevard County Department of Natural Resources Management submitted a plan for “slip banking” to the Florida Department of Community Affairs in Tallahassee. Mandatory, because the “bank,” if implemented, is a modification of the county’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

The proposal includes the following provisions: • It will “bank” both wet and dry slips.

• There is no acquisition fee. The county will not pay a developer converting a marina to “acquire” the sites that existed before conversion.

• Slip “credits” will accrue from slip loss from any cause (conversion, abandonment, or irreparable damage).

• Credits could be used for public access, which includes wet slips, dry slips or ramps.

When this proposal surfaced last summer during a meeting of the Brevard County Commission’s Marine Advisory Board, the incubator for gesFREE BOATS SOUTHWINDS is starting a new section in our classifieds for free boats.

If you have a boat that you want to get rid of, whether on land or in the water, large or small, you can list it in this section. Maybe you are looking for a boat. You can find it in this section. Southwinds is starting this section to help rid the world of unwanted boats. For more information, see the classifieds section.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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OUR WATERWAYS tating the emerging Comprehensive Marine Management Plan, the use of the term “bank” aroused fears that anyone receiving a slip “credit” would pay. An auction plan was mentioned. Public comment on “selling” the “credits” made it clear that it would undesirably be another cost tacked to a slip and borne by the public. In the proposal to be sent to DCA in January, the costs will be limited to a processing fee or other nominal administrative fee. According to Ernest Brown, director of the Brevard County Environmental Resource Management Department, the low cost is in place because “[We] do not want to thwart the receiving site.”

This proposal will certainly receive a lot of scrutiny even if it does not arouse controversy. It will modify the Manatee Plan’s accounting method for boat slips, a plan that was specifically intended to limit the number of boat slips.

Proponents of slip limits believe that boat collisions are a primary cause of low manatee population sizes. The limit on slips is an attempt to reduce these injuries. If the plan amendment becomes controversial, the resulting political brawl will show who has the most political brawn: the manatee supporters or boaters among the public. This plan still has two steps before it becomes law. First, DCA in Tallahassee has to pass it; then it needs approval of the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners. If it survives both to become law, it will become another component that will be included in the Comprehensive Marine Management Plan when it finally goes for a vote to the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners.

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Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Conference, Wrightsville Beach, NC, Nov. 15-16 Boating Industry Looks to States for Dredging Funds At the annual waterway conference in November, the boating community, industry representatives and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, which sponsored the event, expressed interest in seeking state funds to dredge and maintain the ICW. This is because the ICW has not received the needed funds from the federal government to maintain the federal waterway in recent years. Not only have funds not increased, but they have actually been cut. The Bush administration allocated $8.8-million last year while the boating community estimates that at least $40-million is needed currently—and more will be needed in coming years. This is the amount estimated to keep the entire waterway open.

Consequently, there was general agreement at the conference that the alternative is to seek state funding.

Although the ICW is largely used for recreation, the federal government only considers its commercial use in its economic assessments of the waterway’s benefits.

At the conference the report from the Army Corps of Engineers was presented on the state of the ICW. It showed controlling depths at various segments of the canal versus the

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authorized depths. As an example, in the Dismal Swamp where authorized depths are nine and 10 feet, the controlling depths currently are, at four reported locations, 7.7, 2.9, 5.2, and 9.4 feet. In the Charleston, SC, district where all the authorized depths are at 10 feet, the controlling depths, at the eight reported locations, range from 3.2 feet to 11.3 feet, with only one being greater than 8.9 feet. In the Savannah, GA, district, where all authorized depths are at 12 feet, not one of the current controlling depths was over seven feet, and the majority of eight reported on were less than five feet. No dredging was scheduled in the Savannah district for 2007.

Manatee County Purchase of Palmetto Boatyard at a Standstill

For months, Manatee County has been seriously considering purchasing Cut’s Edge Boatyard and Marina in Palmetto to develop a public boat ramp. Purchase of the facility would prevent it from being bought by developers for condominium development, which was almost certain to happen. It would also help increase boater access to the water, which the county is trying to increase, and the location is almost ideal.

Purchase of the property would also preserve the boatyard and marina portion, which would be leased back to the current owner.

The problem the county ran into was money. It was planning to receive $5-million from the state of Florida to help in the purchase, and the county found out, six months after the

purchase offer was made to the current landowner, that those funds were no longer available. The original offer made was $17-million, and the owner preferred to sell to the county, but the owner now argues that property is worth even more than that amount as developers are hungry to get the land for condominiums. Consequently, even if the state funds came through, the original offer is now considered to be too low.

Fernandina Beach Municipal Marina Update E-mailed in by Joe Corey The much anticipated dredging of the Fernandina Beach Municipal Marina basin has been completed. According to the local newspaper, some controversy remains. The contract called for the minimum depth to be six feet MLW and, evidently, there are some spots shallower (some spots are deeper). Also, the area under the restaurant was not dredged, and some believe this will lead to premature silting. As of this writing, the water, electric, and fire suppression systems are not yet installed, and there are no boats in the basin. The face dock at this time has no electricity, so the dockmaster’s office and fuel pumps are powered by a portable generator—but it should be up and running on shore power by the time you read this.

Prices for slips will go up to $15/foot/month. Many of the boats that were in the basin appear to be wet-stored at the anchorage between R10 and R12. The dockmaster says the city has plans to install 20 moorings in this anchorage, 10 for transients and 10 for monthly rentals. He said anchoring in the mooring field will be prohibited. He had no idea when this will be implemented.

Writers and Ideas Wanted on Waterways Issues SOUTHWINDS is seeking contributing writers on “Our Waterways” subjects. Must be familiar with boating, good at research, have computer skills, broadband and work for little pay. You also must have an interest and passion for the subject and want to bring about change in boaters rights, waterways access, and disappearing marinas and boatyards—plus have lots of ideas and energy.

We would also like to get an organization going to promote these interests .editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

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TROPICAL PIPELINE

Changes in Attitudes (and Other Quirks) in the BVIs

By Mike Kirk

For those planning a renewed visit—or first-time visit—to the Virgin Islands, here’s a motley collection of changes in recent times on the waters around the British Virgin Islands: • International regulations and bureaucracy finally caught up with the icon of party time, the William Thornton Restaurant on Norman Island, affectionately known to all revelers as the Willy “T.” New rules now apply that there will be no more jumping off the top deck of the bar. Since the Willy T is a floating bar/boat, this has special meaning.

Apparently some sea lawyer pointed out that international regulations do not allow jumping from pleasure craft, and the owners were required to comply. It certainly is a pleasure craft!! Sidebar to this sad (but life-saving) decision is that the price of the “I jumped...” T-shirts are reported to be selling in the three figures on E-Bay! • Good news for Beans fans. After a frustrating attempt by Michael Beans to start his own bar in Trellis Bay on his (beached) old Island Sloop, Esperanza, Michael will be back for the season in January at Marina Cay. But Esperanza is still there, and who knows, maybe his trade license will come through at the usual island pace…say by 2010? Arrrrrrrrrgh!

In the meantime, enter the conch-blowing contest and listen to Michael’s happy hour pirate cabaret at the Robb White Bar on top of Marina Cay Monday through Friday, with free rum shots for a good toast from the audience.

• As the price of meals and moorings climb—particularly in Virgin Gorda—dinghy over to a funky little place called the Fat Virgin Café in the southeast corner of North Sound—on the right of Biras Creek. Sit on the deck and

enjoy the small family atmosphere and inMichael Beans holding court over the tradiexpensive food tional conch blowing contest at Marina Cay, away from the British Virgin Islands. high-end resorts.

If you are the anchoring type, drop your hook by the mangroves under Prickly Pear Island over on the northeast side of North Sound on a 14-foot shallow spot for a quiet anchorage, or take a Saba Rock mooring for free water and ice.

• WI FI hot spots are popping up everywhere, so if you must bring your computer, you will get free service in West End, Road Town, Marina Cay, Trellis Bay and many other places.

• Dockage rates in the big marinas have all jumped to new highs, but the cheapest deal is still HR Penn’s Marina near the Pub in Road Town. The owners have held their already best-value rates at last year’s level. For daily or monthly rates, Shirley will cut you a good deal.

• Mooring balls, which can offer a quiet change to the traditional anchorages, continue to proliferate in new bays. Try the east end of Jost van Dyke opposite Foxy’s new bar called Foxy’s Taboo. Snorkel off Diamond Cay. There are also buoys in Great Harbour on Peter Island and in Benures Bay on the north side of Norman Island. Sadly, the national park day buoys are limited to only three at The Dogs—so plan to get there early. However, there are two little-known buoys tucked in close to Fallen Jerusalem and one off Dead Chest— good lunch stops.

• Access to the Baths is made more difficult now, as dinghies must be moored off the beaches—with the only option being a short swim in through the surf. For the less agile, getting back into a dinghy is often not a choice. Add to this the spring north swells, and landing can be quite an adventure. So here’s an option: Pick up a mooring ball off Spanish Town and dink into Virgin Gorda Yacht harbor.

Take a cab to the Top of the Baths restaurant and enjoy the walk down to all parts of the Baths by land. Then return a little before your taxi pick-up time and enjoy the freshwater pool and a cool cocktail at the restaurant, with a wonderful view over Tortola to the north.

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The 10-Step Method to Your Captain’s License (Or the Great Coast Guard Paper Chase)

By Capt. Mike Kirk

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understand from old salts (like our esteemed editor and folks like Bubba) that getting your captain’s license used to be a snap. Study the questions readily available, take a test and, bingo, you were all set to take fishing charters or sanctify marriages on your 16-foot runabout.

NOT ANYMORE! With Homeland Security and cutbacks in Coast Guard funding, it is now a much more complicated process beyond the basics of boat handling. Without attempting to duplicate the excellent materials available in books from West Marine or from courses run by such outfits as Sea School, I thought a trekkie’s eye view of this final frontier would help wanna-be Picards and Janeways.

I understand you can go it alone with books and fight the good fight with the USCG bureaucracy yourself. I do not recommend this masochism and therefore suggest one

of the many paid courses that are advertised in most yachting publications. Besides the formal education they will give you on the course material, a school/training facility will walk you through the application procedure and tell you what paperwork you will need to make sure your application is complete and technically correct. Plus—you learn a lot. I went through Sea School for my training and here are some tips I learned to help you understand the process.

Step 1: Getting Ready Decide on your source of education. Decide if you can afford the cost. Ballpark: When the dust has settled, it will cost you about $800 plus any travel and accommodation you might incur to the training and test sites.

Step 2: Are you really qualified?

Review your “sea time” history. You need a minimum of 360 days (a day is four hours on the boat). At least 90 days must be on the ocean or coastal waters. These can be verified by many different (post facto) methods. But you need to have done the time. This will allow you to go for the Operator of an Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) license and allow you to take up to six passengers for commercial gain—the so called “six-pack” license. If you’re planning to get the Master’s ticket given for 25, 50 and 10

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gross ton increments, then you must have 720 days verified. A separate endorsement is required for sailing vessels.

Assuming you are hale and hardy, free of drugs and can find the bucks, then press on to step three.

umentation is by far the simplest single source. Falsification of self-certification is, of course, considered perjury and punishable by jail time, so take this step seriously. Second, for time on other vessels, fill in the same form and have the master of that vessel countersign.

Step 3: Sign Up for training Strangely, proof of his ownerSign up for the captain’s ship is not required, but it’s a course. This will take four full good thing to get a copy of his days and five nights. At the documentation certificate. This time you book the course, ask also gives you all the boat about the intended test dates Since the new Homeland Security rules, the Coast Guard dimensional details, which available to you. (Usually process for the Captain’s license is slower and more involved. you will need for the form. about two weeks after the Line up three friends for your course is optimum.) Then sign references—and not relatives. up at your local Red Cross for a First Aid/CPU refresher –it’s one day and well worth it for everyone, regardless of Step 5: Select Training Method. your nautical ambitions. Schedule this course to be done If you are the self-study masochist, then start boning up before your test date as you will need the certificate before from your books. If you are paying for the training, which is the test. about $400 of the $800 mentioned above, then mark your calendar and relax until “T” week. Explain to your signifiStep 4: Get Prepared cant other that you may be a little unavailable that week— Find your passport—is it up to date? Alternatively, dust off or even a little cranky—as you progress through the intenyour birth certificate as proof of citizenship. (It’s of note sive training. But don’t panic; the trainers know their stuff that there is a law still on the books that goes back to and will give you various methods and tools which, if folRevolutionary times. It requires that no U.S.-.documented lowed, will assure your success. vessel can be under the captainship of a non-U.S. citizen.

The reason is that your 16-foot runabout must always be Step 6: Other Stuff available to be drafted in the defense of the nation.

A drug test is required, which can be administered by the Homeland Security, eat your heart out!) Find your Social American Captain’s Association (800-468-7447)—or whoevSecurity card and driver’s license. Buy simple navigation er your trainer recommends. This test is administered durinstruments: dividers, parallel rule. You don’t need all the ing the training week by Sea School—no sweat—actually fancy charts, books and plastic do-dads that you will be just a little bottle. The required routine physical can be offered. Decide how you will verify your sea time. Get form administered by your doctor with a form number CG-719K SS 719S from the Department of Transportation or your the trainer can supply. Again Sea School makes this easy by chosen training source. Entries are in number of days per having the exam done during your training by a visiting month per year. Certification is by two methods. First, if doctor. you own the vessel, you can self-certify and provide proof of ownership of the vessel. The USCG will accept almost Step 7: Self-Testing any kind of documentable proof, but the certificate of docAfter the training you should walk away with a work plan for consolidating your knowledge. The exact exam questions are available to you, and therefore, if you follow the post-training recommendations and self-testing, your confidence will grow and the exam should not be feared. Allow about 20 more hours before your exam to firm up your confidence.

Step 8: Form Filling Gather up all the forms and check lists along with a nice bottle of wine and spend an evening getting your application packet organized. It will typically finish up at about 20 to 25 pages. You will need the completed forms at the test.

Don’t leave it to the last minute in case you need some information. If you did step four, this should just be formfilling, sipping and paper-shuffling. When finished, take a trip to Kinko’s and make two copies. File one in a safe place as, by now, this document has a considerable financial value 34

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to you. Take your working copy and the original to the test.

(The Coast Guard will countersign page three of your copy at the test.). Sea School offers a service to review your paperwork and expedite any questions and issues that may arise after your application. This should tell you something about the efficacy of the subsequent USCG paper system.

Step 9: It’s Show Time!

The big day has arrived for your actual test. You have all your forms and attachments including proof of citizenship, Social Security card, driver’s license and your fingers. Your trainer/school will give you the location for the test and administer it. You may elect to attend other testing centers typically held at USCG Auxiliary facilities.

The test is typically taken under the watchful eye of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, whose presence is required to do fingerprinting and to witness taking the oath, both of which will happen during the test. You will be pulled aside during the test to present all your paperwork and swear an oath in front of a USCG official, who will note this on your application and your copy. (Be sure to check if fingerprinting and the oath will be done at the test as this process has changed several times and could be an inconvenient surprise if you had to travel to Miami–just to lend them your fingers.)

The test is in four parts, which can be taken in any order and may be taken piecemeal. If you fail any part,

which is marked immediately, you may elect to retake twice. If you fail three times, then a mandatory refresher course is required. (Check on this requirement for yourself as this has also changed.) Between each part, you may leave the exam room for a break, including checking your notes outside if you are so inclined. The parts are as follows (with passing grades): Rules of the Road (90%); Deck General and Safety (70%); Navigation General (70%), Chart Navigation (70%). All are multiple-choice questions with chart work being based on one of three pre-selected charts, which you will have practiced on in your course. Clearly the “Rules of the Road” are your focus. This is where you MUST spend your time ruthlessly drilling in step seven.

Step 10: Certification If you pass all parts—and you will know on that day—the training/testing authority will issue you their certificate in the mail a few days later. This confirms you successfully completed their course, which allows you to put in your application to the Coast Guard. You may do this yourself or have the training/testing folks check it and process it for you for a fee. This is gratifying as the waiting period for the USCG to process your paperwork, match up your fingerprints, do background checks and whatever else it must do, is measured in months before issuance of your license. In defense of its system, the latest word is that the Coast Guard is under a two-thirds reduction in force, so seven people in Miami will now do the work of 20. The optional service is offered by Sea School now. But remember the optional service offered by a school such as Sea School has new meaning if you consider your application might be dropped to the bottom of the pile if there is any small technicality that promotes a question. Sea School will help minimize the chance of that happening. In the end, you will receive formal certification from the Coast Guard which— along with proof of your drug test—must be available on your vessel.

Step 11: There is no Step 11 Celebrate. Also consider what moniker you should use. The writer was informed by a close relative in no uncertain terms that he could only use Capt. Kirk if he were willing to wear the black tights and red jammies. So Capt. Mike it is.

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HANDS-ON

AUTOHELM REPAIR: Saved by Google

By Steve Morrell The cover for the belt adjustment (indicated by arrow and painted white here for photo).

L

ast year, I purchased a sailboat with a Raytheon Autohelm ST4000 + wheel self-steering unit. During use, it meandered a bit, sometimes extremely.

Obviously, it was not working right.

I have owned two other boats with wheel Autohelms.

One I had installed, and the other came with the boat.

Both worked flawlessly, although the latter one required some small, simple mechanical repairs. I was not involved with the setup on either, so I never really had to deal with anything but their operation, reading the owner’s manual only lightly. The Autohelm system, although not designed for heavy voyaging, is great for most boating, is very simple and you can learn how to operate one in a matter of minutes.

I checked out the dockside setup procedure to be done after installation and found that the drive belt was slipping.

One thing I learned from my two previous Autohelms was that Raytheon didn’t like you to open up their equipment.

Everything was to be done by an authorized service rep.

My first breakdown occurred a few years ago while under way, going down the ICW when the clutch mechanism broke down. There wasn’t a service rep cruising by on a nearby boat, so I anchored and took a closer look.

Since the owner’s manual doesn’t want you to open the unit up, it doesn’t tell you how. You have to figure it out for

The belt-adjusting cam (adjustment “screw” accessed on other side) is to the right of the gear. To the left of the gear is the clutch.

yourself. It took some gentle forcing to realize that the black plastic wheel separates in two by just sticking a flat screwdriver in between the two pieces and snapping them apart.

(They easily snap back together.) I thought maybe Autohelm didn’t want you to know how easy it was to get

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37

inside the guts, so they didn’t tell I assumed the belt was just old you. Of course, all this service rep and stretched. If I had another one stuff was for warranty protection, handy, I would have installed it. but after the warranty period is But I was more determined than over, what difference does it make? that—plus I couldn’t believe that Regardless, I managed a simple there was no adjustment for some clutch repair, which involved a stretching. small pair of vise grips I had I also had another major probonboard. It worked for months, till I lem. A few years ago, Raytheon was later able to send off and get was bought by another company the new part. and renamed Raymarine, and the My current problem was the ST 4000 was discontinued. Parts belt’s slipping. I separated the two and tech support are unavailable. parts and opened up the unit as And my owner’s manual menbefore. The belt, which is a flexible tioned nothing about this problem. plastic belt with teeth on one side, It always said, “Contact an authorlooked good enough, and the gear The “screwhead” with the two holes. The center hole ized service dealer.” I wasn’t about that it connects with was in great between them is where the Allen wrench goes. You to do that and spend 30, 40— shape. I deduced the belt was slip- need to hold the two holes while tightening or loosen- maybe $50 an hour—if there were ping on the drum that it rotates ing the center one. Once it is loose, the center one is any repairmen still working on around. When the clutch is disen- rotated to move the cam in and out, tightening the these units. gaged, the plastic belt is loose belt. The round, soft plastic cover over the “screwSo I turned to Google. head” is laying next to the unit. enough that it just spins, or “slips” I started doing a search for around this drum. (When you press Autohelm ST 4000. (The current “Standby,” the belt itself stops moving.) When the clutch is Raymarine site doesn’t help.) I kept paging down: “next 10 engaged and the unit put on “Auto,” the belt has enough items,” etc., etc. I came upon many forums that discussed tension on it, and it grabs onto the plastic drum and turns the units and problems and solutions. I found out that the the wheel. When I first saw this system years ago, I was surMK II has a belt adjustment accessible to the owner, but I prised that there was no gear on the drum to mesh with the had the MK I. I finally read one comment that said it was gears on the belt or any other positive way for the belt to adjustable with a special tool but with no explanation. grab and turn the wheel. But when you consider how any Eventually I hit pay dirt. I found a service manual, in PDF real resistance would tear up a belt or other parts of the format, for the ST 4000 MK I. (If you need this, go to mechanism, it makes perfect sense. The belt would always www.ganssle.com/jack/st4000.pdf. If you need the be the cheapest and easiest thing to replace. owner’s manual, go to www.raymarine.com.) In the manual is a diagram showing a cam for belt adjustment. The cam moves a wheel on it in and out to tighten or lessen the tension on the belt. The clutch works the same way except it has a greater “throw” and totally disengages and engages the belt. The cam is attached to a disc with two small holes on it—about 3/8 inch apart—and it is covered with a black plastic cover (and no explanation on how to remove it.

Instructions were poor on this procedure and gaining access). I managed to remove the small soft plastic cover, using a sharp point on an ice pick, slightly damaging the cover, but it made no difference.

Once exposed, you need to use the special tool to grab the two holes. Then you stick an Allen wrench in the hole in the spindle in the center of the disc between the two holes and unscrew the disc from the spindle slightly to loosen it.

(Can you think of a more difficult arrangement?) Then by turning the spindle with the Allen wrench, the cam is rotated to adjust the tension on the belt. Tighten the disc back up and it is done.

Not wanting to wait and try to get this tool, I immediately starting thinking of how to carry this out without the special tool and came up with a simple solution (plus I needed a tool I could use in the future). I cut a small piece 38

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SOUTHWINDS MARINE STORE UNIQUE BOATING GEAR For more information and photos of these items, go to www.southwindsmagazine.com and to the Marine Store page. All items usually ship within 24-48 hours, FedEx ground. See product reviews on these items on page 18.

The tool I built to adjust the cam. The Allen wrench passes through a loose hole between the two nails.

of 3/4-inch plywood that was essentially a 1x1 (3/4 inch by 3/4 inch) about four inches long. I took two four-penny common galvanized nails (which I had and they were the perfect diameter for the holes) and drove them into the plywood (plywood that small doesn’t split like a 1x1 would) about as far apart as the two holes were. After driving them through, I cut the sharp ends off square and bent the nails slightly so they were the perfect distance apart (nails drift through wood slightly). Then I drilled a hole between them that I could loosely slide the Allen wrench through. I now had a tool that was essentially free.

The tool worked perfectly and it was all downhill from there. I adjusted my stretched belt to the extreme cam point, put the unit back together, attached it to the wheel, and gave it the dockside setup test. It turned the wheel beautifully without any slipping. At my next opportunity, I tested it on the water, and the whole unit worked great. (If you read the instructions in the service manual you are supposed to have two special tools and test this for the right torque, but I adjusted to my gut feeling, and it is working fine.)

I next considered that I needed a new belt as backup. In my Google searches, I found forums where a belt company was mentioned that would sell the belts cheap, but you had to buy a minimum. This was supposedly still cheaper than buying one at a marine store! I read that many boaters keep several belts on board at all times. But Raytheon Autohelm was no longer around and this unit is discontinued—plus the forums were all several years old. I called anyway and— lo and behold! When I gave the service department person the part number, he immediately recognized it, saying, “Ah! The self-steering belt.” He said they were very popular. He gave me a price of $11, said I had to buy three minimum and placed the order. They would build them right away and would be shipped out within two days. The company is Urethane Steel Belt Corporation of America at (800) 2350947. The part number is 9.5AT5-750.

Only problem is I really should have the new belt installed, so I will have to take the unit apart again, install it and readjust for a new belt.

No problem. Anyone know where I get the real tool?

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Tips from Crewing for a Two-Time Circumnavigator

By Arthur Barlow Campbell

Two-time circumnavigator Jim Huber in the navigation station on board Champagne.

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to jack lines when you go forward at sea. Lesson learned: It is your life; do not always depend on the vessel owner to provide your safety equipment. My U.S.A.F. sea survival training over 40 years ago was very helpful.

Crew briefing: Capt. Jim did a good job in briefing the crew on safety procedures (man overboard), how to send a mayday over the radio, use of head (men sit down at sea), starting the diesel engine and water conservation.

Lesson learned for my own boat: When I am the captain, I have a good role model to follow. Give the safety briefing at the dock and during the first part of the voyage.

Cooking: Capt. Jim uses skin-diving weights in the bottom of his Force 10 gimbaled stove to counterbalance heavy pots on the top of the stove. Turn off the LPG switch after using the stove for safety reasons. A pressure cooker uses less LPG, cooks quicker and safer in rough weather.

Docking: Loops in a dock line are difficult to release while under tension. I learned this lesson while in a 15sailboat raft-up. The first line on the dock is a spring line.

This will hold the sailboat in place, and with the engine in gear you are held to the dock. You now have plenty of time to rig your bow and stern lines.

Sleeping bag: Worked out great. Easy to stow, no sheets to wash, and it was warm. It is a lot simpler if you can bring your own.

Towels and washcloths: Thin is better than thick. They dry quicker, and take up less room.

Crew duties: An orderly sailboat is a happier sailboat.

Everyone is part of the crew/team, and it works best

was a crew member for the delivery of a 43-foot ketch (a Swan) from Fort Lauderdale, FL, to Chestertown, MD. Jim Huber, the owner, was sailing his ketch home to the Chesapeake Bay. This was an opportunity to sail outside to Beaufort, NC, see the Intracoastal Waterway up to Norfolk, VA, and sail on the Chesapeake. Jim was a two-time circumnavigator, and I knew I had many lessons to learn from someone of his experience. The trip began with our departure from Fort Lauderdale on May 14, 2005, just prior to hurricane season.

Jim was a great captain. He was patient and answered every question about his past voyages, and why he did things his way on his ketch Champagne. I kept a notebook and logged most of the lessons learned. Onboard I made a few mistakes but did no harm to myself, the crew, nor to Jim’s ketch. And I never went aground—easy to do on the ICW and the Chesapeake.

Below are some of the major lessons I learned from the trip and sailing with Jim.

■ Electronic charts: If using electronic charts, go forward to the next screen to see any hazards, and if using paper charts, study them prior to going on watch. Repeat the commands of the person you are relieving on watch. The U.S. Navy and U.S.C.G. do it for a reason! Do not rely on the autopilot; it cannot see or hear.

■ Safety: As a crew member, it is best if you can furnish your own safety equipment: life vest, safety harness, whistle, strobe light, flashlight, and signal mirror. I brought everything except my own life vest. I could have brought a life vest from my steel cutter, but flying home without a life vest made flying much easier. Use your harness connected

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when duties are assigned, like ■ Medical: Carry enough medicine washing dishes, trash disposal, to last the voyage and then some. laundry, etc.

Carry a copy of all your medica■ Crew dynamics: Even a 43-foot tions, and a prescription for each. sailboat can seem small living in This is especially important if you close quarters. You need to give are going outside the United States. others a lot of leeway. Serving in If you wear glasses, use a safety lanthe U.S.A.F made it much easier yard to prevent losing them, and to overlook the faults in others. carry a prescription for your glasses ■ Reefing: When you start to with you. think about it, do it! Reefing later makes it more difficult and The above is basic to most sailors. I more hazardous to the crew. hope some of the lessons learned and Yes, we all understand this, but my observations will be helpful to it’s difficult to put into practice. Author and crew Athur Campbell. other crew members. I am now bet■ Winches: Do not use large loops around the winches, and ter prepared to skipper my own steel cutter out of Fort watch your fingers. Use small wraps around the winches, Lauderdale. and stay within four inches to the winch. Use one hand to provide friction when releasing a sheet, the other to release Arthur Campbell is a marine insurance agent in Fort Lauderdale, the sheet. I was not used to sailing on such a powerful sailFL. He is a past skipper of the Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club and boat. Imagine towing your sailboat through the water with a member of the Port Everglades Propeller Club. He retired from your sheet, which is what is happening with the sail. the U.S.A.F. with the rank of CMSgt.

SOUTHWINDS MARINE STORE SOUTHERN CRUISING GUIDES: For more information on these books, go to www.southwindsmagazine.com. Shipping prices are to Continental U.S. Books usually ship within 24-48 hours, business days. TO ORDER, CALL 877-372-7245 Managing the Waterway Hampton Roads, VA to Biscayne Bay, FL

By Mark and Diana Doyle.

Shipping $2.95 Media or $4.95 Priority USPS Managing the Waterway Florida Keys Biscayne Bay, FL to Dry Tortugas, FL

By Mark and Diana Doyle.

Shipping $2.95 Media or $4.95 Priority USPS

$24.95

$24.95

Managing the Waterway Double DVD Collection All available NOAA Raster navigational charts – U.S NOAA Vector charts, USACE Vector inland charts.

PC and Mac. By Mark and Diana Doyle. $39.95 Shipping $2.95 Media or $4.95 Priority USPS Southern Cruising Guides by Watermark Publishing Shipping $3.50 (chartbooks $5.50) Books usually ship within 24-48 hours, business days, USPS. Guides by Claiborne S. Young Cruising Guide to Eastern Florida (5th ed.) $29.95 Western Florida (6th ed.) $29.95 Northern Gulf Coast $29.95 North Carolina 6th ed.) $26.95 South Carolina and Georgia $26.95

Cruising the Florida Keys (2nd ed. )

By Morgan Stinemetz and Claiborne S. Young $34.00 NOAA Chartbooks for above guides: North Carolina $55.00 The Florida Keys $55.00 Western Florida $47.50 Full set of all 3 Chartbooks $145.00 Cruising Guide to the Florida Keys

By Capt. Frank Papy.

12th edition $4.05 Priority USPS

$19.95

A Gunkholer’s Cruising Guide to Florida’s West Coast

By Tom Lenfestey.

12th edition. $17.95 $4.05 Priority USPS Exploring Coastal Mississippi

By Scott Williams. $22.00 $4.05 Priority USPS Florida Cruising Directory 2007

By Waterways, Etc. 24th edition $16.00 $4.05 Priority USPS. Available mid-February

To order, call (941) 795-8704, or (877) 372-7245 with a credit card (or confirm the amount and to mail a check, or e-mail store@southwindsmagazine.com. To all items and books shipped to Florida locations, add applicable state and county sales tax. Books may be picked up in Bradenton, FL to save shipping. TO ORDER, CALL 877-372-7245 News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS February 2007

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TRAVELS WITH ANGEL

True Treasures of the Bahamas: On Location on Great Guana Cay to Man-O-War Cay’s Atlantic-side Beaches

By Rebecca Burg

“Look what I found!” Darnell said, triumphantly holding up a sand dollar. “It was just sitting there on a rock.”

Escape’s crew Tom (right) and Babette on Great Guana Beach with Bill.

C

apt. Pat and Darnell, on the sailing vessel Island Dream, came from Louisiana for a new adventure. Beachcombing with a group of other boaters was just one of the activities they enjoyed.

Darnell’s 15-year-old niece, Morgan, and her dad flew in to join the fun for a while. A cluster of cruisers were anchored in the sandy bottom of Baker’s Bay, on the northwest end of Great Guana Cay, Abacos. The nearby Shell Island and the Atlantic side of the beach were explored.

Morgan hoped to find sea glass—stone-sized bits of glass that have been tumbled smooth by reef, sand and surf, then washed up on the beaches. Resembling pieces of sugared candy, sea glass comes in jewel-like tones of emerald, white, pastel browns and the less common blue and violet colors. Sea glass with a delicate violet hue is originally from clear glassware that’s over 50 years old.

This antique glass used to be made with a mineral additive that turns purple after years of outdoor exposure.

Babette from Escape was one of the lucky ones and stumbled on a rare treasure of the purple kind. Bahamian artisans will incorporate antique sea glass into elegant, highend jewelry, and cruisers enjoy making their own creative works out of the gem-like pieces.

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In the past, a few fortunate Bahamians have found gold Spanish coins washed up on an out-island beach after a storm. After the Spanish raided Mexico in the 1500s, it wasn’t unusual for the occasional treasure-laden ship to be blown astray or sunk along the trade route back to Spain. To date, more treasure lies in the sea than has ever been found. In the 1600s-1700s, pirates and their secret stashes of valuables frequented the Bahamas. These water-bound outlaws made Nassau their headquarters for a time, and they were such a presence that an early 1700s Bahamian coat of arms reads, “Expel the pirates and restore commerce.”

Blackbeard hung out in Nassau and, unfortunately, took the location of his treasure hoard to his grave.

We didn’t come across any pirate treasure or Spanish gold coins, but it’s still fun to look. Other treasures were found. Darnell and Morgan had a jar full of bright shells while Pat was content to be immersed in the exotic setting with a mug of his favorite drink in hand. Along with the sea glass, Babette found a ball of colored rope and driftwood to use for a craft project. I found two attractive cone-shaped shells, but when they were held up in my palm to be admired, they promptly rolled upright and marched off my hand. Their hermit crab occupants had other plans. Beware of the shell that looks back at you.

Bill found the bottom half of an antique bottle that had layers of coral growth encrusted on it and Tom, of Escape, tried to get a photo of a red land crab. When the crab raised its claws and threatened to twitch, Babette was ready to bolt up the nearest palm tree. The idea of that wily critter skittering across one’s feet or up a leg just didn’t generate a sense of comfort. We also came across more enigmatic finds along www.southwindsmagazine.com

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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TRAVELS WITH ANGEL Rebecca (with Angel in the background) at Marsh Harbour, Bahamas.

these remote stretches of out-island beaches. An abandoned surfer’s shack was found on Great Guana’s beach. Signs of long-ago campouts, a pile of plastic soda bottles and other odd debris surrounded a wooden half-shelter. On Man-OWar’s beach, a large power yacht lies mostly buried in the sand, a victim of the 2005 hurricane season. An unnerving sight, only its pulpit and an open hatch are visible.

For the hungry beachcomber, some of the treasures found were edible. The popular coconut palm bears fruit year-round, which can be consumed at almost any stage. Some tropical cultures will eat the coconut when they are mere buds about an inch or so in diameter. These buds are pickled, and the outside, which tastes dry and plant-like, is consumed. Later in the growth stage, the large green nuts offer a mildly sweet water and a soft, edible coconut jelly. The more mature green-starting-to-turn-yellow nuts offer a sweeter water and the more familiar firm white flesh. The challenge is cutting through the fibrous husk to access the coconut inside. Wild growing avocado, sapodilla and citrus trees were also spotted, and I solicited Bill to help pick a sour orange for use in a cooking marinade. Just off the beach, fishing and conching also provided the freshest

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treats around.

By the sea, the traveling boaters found it easy to relate to each other without the prejudices found on land. Cruisers typically exchanged business-sized cards or contact information and people’s card collections grew. We discussed the usual topics; that last bad storm, anchoring, good harbors or where to fill the boat’s water tanks. Babette contemplated the ideal sun hat with a brim that doesn’t flop over your

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Some of the treasures found on the Guana and Man-O-War beaches: sea glass, shells, driftwood, string, coral-crusted wine bottle end.

eyes in a strong breeze, and Tom wondered about ice versus refrigeration. Darnell searched for input on comfortable cockpit seating while Bill related sailing situations like groundings and the jib that wraps around itself during a gybe. Adding to the day’s amusement, I had to claim Angel’s runaway dinghy after it floated off the beach at high tide without its anchor attached. Capt. Ron and Terry from Silk Purse had kindly rescued the rubber miscreant after they

News & Views for Southern Sailors

noticed it voyaging, unmanned, into the Abaco Sea. Embarassed, it was purely my mistake, but the others were understanding. The traveler knows how dinghies can have mischievous moments of Houdini-like escapes.

On a remote beach, some may just see a plain stretch of sand and water. For the boater, it’s a day of social activity and a gathering place with new opportunities. Right within reach is a fresh citrus marinated seafood grill-out, conch salad or sweet coconut water mixers. Barefoot in the sand, people share their cruising philosophies, or just share anything, while sparkling sea glass, shells and driftwood wait to be discovered.

Maybe a Spanish coin would be spotted in the foamy surf. The cruisers quickly find that the most valuable treasure to be found at these beachside gatherings are the friendships formed with other active boaters. These new bonds and the memories of the day can’t be bought or sold, and unlike a fleeting material item, they stay with us always. These are the true treasures.

Rebecca Burg has been cruising the Bahamas recently on her Bayfield 29, Angel. Accompanying her on his own boat is Bill Robinson on Defiant, a Morgan OI 36.

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History of the St. Petersburg Sailing Center

By Dave Ellis

T

he St. Petersburg Sailing Center began in 1921 as the St. Petersburg Junior Yacht Club.

It was a way to get the kids out of the billiards room of the SPYC clubhouse.

Just south of the yacht club was an island created by the railroad as the end of the line and fish loading dock. On the island was a WWI building that had been used to train tank engine repair personnel. The railroad leased the building to SPYC for $1 a year. Kids had to break up the concrete engine pad in the middle of the building before use.

The wood building was “home” to generations of kids, many with stories to tell. There was the “mirror under the girl’s room wall” incident, and the time that a young Allison Jolly tossed a younger Ed Baird in the drink.

By the 1950s the Junior Yacht Club had become the venue for major regattas, such as the Thistle and Lightning Midwinters. The sandspur-infested lot on each side of the tracks was used for parking and camping. In 1962 the Flying Dutchman Worlds opened the facility up to international scrutiny.

In the mid-’70s the railroad sold the island now known as Demens Landing to the city of St. Petersburg. SPYC figured that its venue for regattas and the junior program was gone, so it bought the property now known as NE Marina on Snell Isle two miles north.

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Then the city surprised them by offering to build a sailing center that the Club would run under an agreement with the city. Sailors got together and tried to think of everything that they could possibly want in a building and grounds and presented it. To their amazement everything was approved, The resulting St. Petersburg Sailing Center building was at first covered with wood paneling. But the termites that used to be audible in the older building were still around and chewed up the outer layer within a year. A plaster coating was added instead.

Since 1977 SPSC has been operated according to the city’s written agreement. Included were summer sailing lessons for the public after joining the sailing center at an approved fee, a certain number and kinds of boats for the public to sail, and

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“to promote the sport of sailtime went by, and the ing.” The junior racing team is Sonars took up significant separate from the agreement time. as are the regattas, coming The Sonar decision was under the “promoting of the fortuitous when it was later sport” wording. named an official Disabled There have only been Sailing boat for the seven sailing masters/manParalympics. The city of St. agers in all those years that Petersburg added two stayed more than five years on accessible restrooms, using the job: Bus Mabry (1920s), Dave Ellis when he ran the St. Pete Sailing Center a former storage area.

Del Jordan (1930s –early ’40s), Serge Jorgensen of Sailing Harvey Parke (’40s, and again in the ’60s), “Captain” Alternatives, with the help of Gene Hinkle, asked the sailing Anderson (’50s), Harry Cantwell (’60s-’70s), Wilson Barnes master to do some research and pricing for accessible docks (1976-1986) at the start of the new arrangement, and Dave and ramps. Later, money from CAPI (Committee to Ellis (1987-2000).

Advocate for Persons with Impairments), a fund in the city Harvey Parke (1903-1996) once said that the only of St. Petersburg to make public buildings accessible, made thing he learned from the first sailing master was how to it possible to add floating platforms, an additional dock and drink liquor. That changed in the 1950s with Ted Tolson long ramps. It has become a destination for disabled sailors taking an active interest. Tolson ruled with an iron worldwide. hand—but he set the course for a successful program The unique arrangement of a City Department of both on and off the water.

Leisure Services facility being managed and the day-to-day John Jennings coached kids when his own sons were expenses paid for by a yacht club has worked well. Some young. The first paid coach appears to be John Jennings Jr. club general managers were more kind than others to the starting about 1983. He coached the “racing team” after building down the road. In the mid-1980s there was a huge school and on weekends for years, ending up with the mound of discarded carpet, and the storage room was Mendelblatt/Funsch/Fagen era. crammed full of club Christmas lights and trees. A discreet Starting about 1990, professional coaches came in call to the fire department got them removed quickly. One vogue. Some were very good, some not so good. It became club manager removed all hired help for the sailing master a bidding battle among clubs to get good coaches. However, for over a year, only sending in a part-time dishwasher to it did introduce many kids to sailboat racing. help occasionally.

In the mid-1990s, SPYC made the decision to purchase The present management is highly supportive of the 10 sloops for its members and to attract major events. The sailing center. Many sailing center members have gone on to decision came down to Sonars or J/22s. But when the J/22 yacht club membership, including a past commodore. The had a problem with capsizing and not self-righting, the cost to the club is high, over $250,000 a year for all operaSonar won out. tions. The St. Petersburg Yacht Club considers it one of the At first the Sonars were not to be part of the maintereasons for its existence. nance responsibility of the sailing center. policy changed as The future looks bright for this quality sailing facility.

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UPCOMING SOUTHERN RACING EVENTS ■ SOUTHERN RACING UPCOMING RACING EVENTS

2007 J/24 Midwinter Championship, Davis Island Yacht Club, Tampa, FL, Feb 22-25

Davis Island YC, the International J/24 Class, and J/24 Fleet 86 will host this flagship event for the fifth time at their new Key West-style clubhouse. DIYC provides easy launching and hauling at two hoists, instant access to racing areas on Tampa Bay and world-class shoreside amenities.

Nine races are scheduled over three days. Previous superb race management prompted the IJCA to request that DIYC host the event indefinitely. The NOR and registration details are available at www.j24d10.org/midwinters.

The sailors and officers of J/24 Fleet 86, with the support of the DIYC membership, will be coordinating shoreside events and activities and have made it their goal to host the finest in a long history of exemplary regattas. In addition to the usual regatta social events, an impressive range of awards and prizes ranging from T-shirts to foul weather gear, new North sails and a vacation getaway to the Bahamas are being offered.

This year the regatta is providing easy online registration. This, along with the tradition of hospitality at DIYC, three days of world-class, warm weather racing, and a shot at some great trophies and prizes, makes for a regatta that you need to have on your racing schedule.

Visit www.J24d10.org/midwinters for complete details.

14th Annual Conquistadors Cup, Punta Gorda, FL, March 10-11

Historically the largest regatta in Southwest Florida, this event is now run by the Punta Gorda Sailing Club. Many local historians agree that Ponce De Leon landed at Sanibel and Cayo Costa, and not, as widely believed, near Tampa Bay. Locally, the Royal Order of Ponce De Leon Conquistadors share this belief and support this regatta every year.

The regatta will begin with registration and free beer on Friday, March 9, at Harpoon Harry’s at Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda. Two buoy races are planned for Saturday, March 10. Divisions include Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker, True Cruising and Multihull. A buffet and door prizes, which this event is famous for, will be at Harry’s afterward. Sunday will be the all-boat, reverse start, Conquistadors Cup. This is your only chance to be on the same course with spinnaker-flying and hull-flying multihulls. First boat across the finish line wins the coveted Conquistadors plumed steel helmet and the winner gets his boat pictured on next year’s T-shirt.

The official NOR and entry forms are on the Punta Gorda Sailing Club Web site, www.pgscweb.com.

Lightning Class Southern Circuit Gears Up—First Regatta March 11-12 For nearly 40 years, the annual Lightning Southern Circuit has been sending a fleet of 50 or so boats on a combination 48

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road rally and regatta that includes stops at Savannah, GA, and Miami, before finishing with an additional couple of dozen of the 19-foot-long sloops in St. Petersburg, FL. The series kicks off at the 51st annual Deep South Regatta, held March 11-12 at the Savannah YC. On March 13-14, the Lightning Midwinter Regatta will be hosted at the Coral Reef YC in Miami. The 60th Anniversary Lightning Winter Championship in St. Petersburg will take place on March 16-19. Competitors from South America, Europe, and North America will be on hand, as well as former and current world champions and Olympic sailors.

For more information, please contact Amy Smith Linton, VP of Southern Circuit, at aslinton@aol.com or telephone (813) 254-3455.

33rd 2007 Orange Peel Regatta, the Florida Yacht Club, Jacksonville, FL, March 16-18

The Florida Yacht Club will host the 33rd annual Orange Peel Thistle Regatta on March 16-18. There will be a clinic and coaching program on Friday beginning at noon with practice starts and racing in the afternoon. Racing begins on Saturday at 1230 and continues Sunday at 0930.

In addition to the coaching, the regatta has much to offer sailors and their families with a sunset cruise on motor yachts to dinner Friday evening, a great Southern buffet dinner and party on Saturday night, babysitting, free housing, excellent facilities and much more.

The regatta attracts sailors from all over the country as it is the culmination of the Thistle Southern Circuit as well as the first stop on the Southeast Spring Series. For further information on the activities scheduled for the Orange Peel and the NOR, go to www.thistlefleet133.com/orangepeel or contact Regatta Chairman Greg Griffin at thistle3746@comcast.net.

■ SOUTHERN RACING NEWS Racing and Sailing News and Articles Wanted SOUTHWINDS is looking for race reports and sailing/cruising/racing news in the southern states, particularly in Southeast Florida, Florida Keys, Carolinas and Georgia.

Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

Regata del Sol al Sol Racers Customs Update: Easier Return to the United States

When retuning to the United States from a foreign country, boaters have several options for clearing customs. This usually involves calling customs to report your arrival and includes the customs sticker number for your vessel if you have one. After 9-11, boaters have been required to personally go to a customs office within 24 hours and complete the clearing-in process In 2007 there is a new program called a pre-departure registration program. Boaters in Tampa, Miami, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands now have a choice to register in advance with customs. This should eliminate the requirement to personally appear. To qualify for this, www.southwindsmagazine.com

boaters must complete a one-time registration with their local customs office. This must be accomplished by every crew member on the boat. Sailors who complete this registration will get a registration number and should be able to bypass the personal appearance on their return.

For information on this program call (800) 432-1216 or (800) 451-0393. Keep in mind, there is no room for last minute crew substitutions if you are planning to use this procedure.

(SOUTHWINDS printed more information on this procedure in the December 2006 issue, page 22, in “Short Tacks.”

Available online at www.southwindsmagazine.com).

Gulf Yachting Association Winter Meeting, Mobile, AL, Jan. 6-7

By Kim Kaminski On January 6-7, the Gulf Yachting Association held its annual winter meeting in Mobile, AL. Each January, the organization meets with newly elected board members and officers of the GYA yacht clubs.

Items discussed for the upcoming year are executive committee meetings, race management, offshore council, onedesign council, US Sailing championship committee, trophy committee and, of course, the schedule committee, which will schedule upcoming events for the year using input from the 33 member clubs.

On January 5, as a prelude to the winter meeting, the GYA and US Sailing race sponsored a race management seminar instructed by Jim Tichenor, senior race officer and Walter Chamberlain, senior judge. The seminar was designed for those with some race management experience and provides an opportunity for the newly elected fleet captains of the Gulf Coast yacht clubs to become certified in race management.

Also held was the US Sailing (sponsored by Mount Gay Rum) speakers series with noted special guest speaker, Dick Rose, an international certified judge, who presented the “U.S. Sailing Rules Seminar.” Mr. Rose wants to help with the re-growth of sailing in the northern Gulf Coast region.

He donated all of his fees from his seminar program in support of the GYA Foundation to the junior and college sailing programs in the area.

The official awards presentation was also held for the previous year’s GYA member winners whose accomplishments earned them special recognition. For instance, the Pensacola Yacht Club earned the GYA Race Management Award for hosting the 2006 Challenge Cup Regatta.

For more information on the meeting, special awards and the upcoming 2007 race schedule, go to www.gya.org.

The awards group at the East Sailing Annual Awards. Photo by Roy Laughlin.

sailing events in Brevard County and draws membership from throughout central Florida. Each January, members meet at their annual awards banquet to socialize and recognize member accomplishments during the previous year.

The range of ECSA-sponsored activities is broad.

Membership is divided into three primary sections: racing, cruising and women’s sailing. The 2006 award list was both notable and long. Awards included a special citation for Gerry Moores for his service as race committee in so many regattas over the years (see story on Erben Award this section). ECSA also honored Joe Coleman for his decade of continuous service as an officer of the ECSA. For more information, go to the East Coast Sailing Association Web site, www.ecsasail.com.

East Coast Sailing Annual Awards Highlight Sailing Prowess of Florida’s Sailors

By Roy Laughlin The East Coast Sailing Association (ECSA) is associated directly or through reciprocal membership with most of the News & Views for Southern Sailors

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RACING AWARDS: Racing: Special Citation for service on the Race Committee; Gerry Moores: Fall Series–racing fleet: 1st John Harrison, Airborne; 2nd Jim Henry, Mouse; 3rd Gary Smith, Five Speed; Fall Series–cruising fleet; 1st Jerry Ross, Sleighride: Double-Handed Race: 1st Neil Squires & Jim Yates, Bad Penny; 2nd Lachlan Smith & Will Watts, Five Speed; 3rd Larry & Connie Etheridge, Purr-fect: Single-Handed Race: 1st Jim Yates, Bad Penny;2nd Greg Kowalski, Slot Machine; 3rd Neil Squires, Five Speed; Fun Race: Joe Coleman.

Special Awards: Robert X Perry Award, for the best overall results in ECSA river racing series: Jim Henry, Mouse: Jubilee Award for the lowest accumulated points during the winter series river races; Rhonda Delmater, Rendezvous:Gene King Award for most successful racing skipper in races from all local yacht clubs, Jim Yates, Bad Penny:Edward S. Lazowska Award for best overall ocean racing, Jim Miller, Sea Turtle.

Women’s Cruising: Fall Women’s Series: 1st Sherry Beckett, Fast Lane; 2nd Patti Massey, Sneaker; 3rd Rachele Ross, Sleighride; Special Awards: Dot Hardensteen Award for Best Women’s Sailor, Sherry Beckett, Fast Lane.

Cruising Awards: Blue Water Cruising: 1st Dave & Marci Hutson, Godiva. 975 nm through the Lesser Antilles; 2nd George & Terry Schorn, Serena, Nassau to Cape Canaveral nonstop; 3rd Sherry Beckett & Dave McCampbell, Soggy Paws, Marathon to Cape Canaveral; Bahamas Cruising: 1st Alex & Lisa Culjak, Night Wind, 8 weeks; 700 nm +; 2nd George & Terry Coffee, Hot Latte-Tudes. 6 wk, 700 nm; 3rd George & Terry Schorn, Serena, Exumas, Long Island, Nassau; Florida Water Cruising: 1st Neil & Sally Hodgson, Miss Faith, Harbortown to Marathon & return; 2nd Jim & Donna Oyer. Satellite Beach to Marathon & return;3rd Bob Norway & Bill Sweeting, Palmetto Florida to Patrick AFB. Indian River Cruising: 1st Don & Joanne Theriault, Impulse;2nd Joe & Karen Coleman, Alibi; 3rd Ken & Pam Windsor, Mystic Dream; Inland Water Cruising: Jack & Carole Snyder, Dolphin, 2580 nm. Jim Ross Memorial

Trophy for Motor Vessel Cruising: 1st Chip & Louise Worster, ChipAhoy 600 nm to Chesapeake and beyond. Honorable Mention: Jack & Carole Snyder for removing mast and motoring on their inland water cruising trip.

Gerry Moores Receives 2006 Walter Erben Award, Melbourne Yacht Club, Melbourne, FL

By Roy Laughlin Gerry Moores was selected as the 2006 winner of the Walter Erben Award.. Moores’ citation praises his activities as a member of the race committee for the East Coast Sailing Association, Melbourne Yacht Club and the Port Canaveral Yacht Club. In 2006 alone, he ran or assisted with no less than 11 race series or regattas. The regattas included the Melbourne Yacht Club’s spring and fall regattas and the Port Canaveral Yacht Club’s ocean regattas. His efforts were praised for being motivated by “no personal reward or gain, but just to help others enjoy sailing.”

The award, established by Mary Ann Erben Wells in honor of her father, is intended to acknowledge and honor a person who by their actions and efforts, contributes significantly to sailing in the Brevard County area. The permanent trophy is on display at the Port Canaveral Yacht Club and includes each annual winner’s name. In 2006, 11 nominees were considered for the award, the most since the award’s inception in 2001.

Nominations for the award are accepted throughout the year. For more information about this award and a contact for proposing a nomination, go to http://sailrace.com/pcyc/werben.htm

2006 Rolex Yachtsman And Yachtswoman of the Year Named: Paige Railey of Clearwater, FL, From US Sailing Jud Smith of Marblehead, MA, and Paige Railey of Clearwater, FL, were recently named US Sailing’s 2006 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year. From a short list of nominees determined by the membership of US Sailing, a panel of noted sailing journalists selected the two sailors for the distinction.

Nominated for the first time, Jud Smith was recognized for his victory at the Audi Etchells World Championship in Australia. The five-time North American champion of the class had previously been a four-time runner up at the worlds. Going into the final day of racing, Smith once again held the all-too-familiar position of second overall, after having led the standings in the 69-boat fleet for the first six races of the series. Fulfilling his prediction that the regatta champion would be determined by whoever got the best start in the seventh and final race, Smith powered across the starting line as the breeze climbed into the 20s and ultimately clinched his first world championship as he led the fleet across the finish line.

Since her first nomination in 2002, Paige Railey has been short-listed for this award five years in a row. This is a testament to not only the early rise to the top of the sport by 50

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this young sailor who will turn 20 years old in May but also her remarkable staying power over the subsequent years in the Laser Radial. (The Laser Radial will make its Olympic debut in 2008 as the chosen equipment for the women’s single-handed event.) She also rewrites the history books upon becoming the youngest woman ever to receive the Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year award, breaking the 12-year record held by Danielle Brennan, who also was 19 when she received the award (in 1994). Go to the US Sailing Web site, www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2007/yofywinners.htm for the full story.

â– RACE REPORTS

Big Seas and Wind For Key Largo Steeplechase, Key Largo, FL, Dec. 9-10

By Rick White Miami sailors won the top two spots of the 22nd Annual Key Largo Steeplechase for beach catamarans. This is a race around the islands. Kenny Pierce of Miami teamed up with John Casey of Orlando and won first to finish and first on handicap rating.

Also from Miami were two youngsters that recently won the US Sailing Youth Championships. Michael Siau and Lindsay Young were sailing a Hobie 16 and held a 45-

News & Views for Southern Sailors

John Casey and Kenny Pierce flew to a big lead on the second day of the Steeplechase Regatta. Photo by Rick White.

minute lead after the first day of racing, but did not fare as well on the second day and had to settle for second place.

Third place went to two brothers from Massachusetts, Chris and Nate Titcomb. Fourth place was Mike Krantz and David Lennard from South Carolina, and fifth was Jake Kohl and Frank Moore, also from South Carolina.

The race begins in Barnes Sound at the mouth of Jewfish Creek, goes north to Angelfish Creek where the fleet crosses over to the Atlantic side of the islands, then south to

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RACING a beach near Caloosa Cove. The next day, the boats go south to Channel Five Bridge, then north back up the ICW to finish off the beach at Key Largo Boating and Watersports at mile marker 104.

The race is a two-day, 110-mile trek around Key Largo and Islamorada that attracts racers from around the country and the world. However, probably due to a cold front that crashed through the islands and the forecast of big winds and seas, the fleet was much smaller this year than normal with only 18 boats registered. Usually this race draws well over 40 boats.

On Saturday morning, there were a lot of sailors sitting around listening intently to their weather radios…and not liking what they were hearing: northeast winds of 20-25 knots and gusty. By starting time, only 10 boats departed. Of those, only seven made it to the finish line after the first day.

One boat broke its mast and had to drop out. One sailor fell off his boat and was separated from it. The crew was unable to keep the boat upright to return for the skipper.

Observers at Ocean Reef noticed the problem and dispatched a boat to help the sailors. No one was injured.

The venue and host for the sailors was Key Largo Boating and Watersports at Mile Marker 104, where the sailors were greeted with sloppy Joes after their adventure.

Trophies were provided by Caribbean Watersports located at the Key Largo Grande Resort, and drinks were supplied

by Calvert Sails of Islamorada. Chip Short of Key Largo supplied the starting boat.

J/24 Green Bench Regatta, St. Petersburg, FL, Dec. 9-10

By Dave Ellis The Tampa Bay J/24 fleet has had a resurgence of activity.

The Green Bench Regatta held December 9-10 is a new annual event staged by St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

Strong winds Friday caused a number of the local boats to not brave the slog upwind from points south. But 10 boats, including some from Vermont, Massachusetts and north Florida, enjoyed two days of perfect sailing conditions.

The sailors had high praise for the race committee, headed by Colin Park. Eight races were held, much to the delight of those who were shoveling snow when they returned home.

There was a time when the J/24 class was known for hard-core racing that included aggressive use of the racing rules. This regatta had no incidents that were not settled on the water. There were, however, a number of “general recalls” of starts.

Davis Island sailor Brian Malone won the event. His crew was his wife Cat, James Nunn, Jeff DuVal and Beau Plessner.

Robby Brown and crew of St. Petersburg were second, with John Denman of Beverly, MA, third.

St. Petersburg was once known for its green benches downtown that seated the largely elderly population. The bustling town today belies that memory.

Orange Bowl Open Regatta, Coconut Grove, FL, Dec. 28-30

By Dave Ellis

The 2006 Coconut Grove Sailing Club Open Orange Bowl Regatta took place December 28-30, the same time as the huge junior event at the clubs up the Biscayne Bay coast.

CGSC member Art Auwaexter and his 20-person race committee presented fine racing for the 22 Lasers and five Lightnings in the fleet. It was not easy to find a place to put a racecourse with over 600 boats in the Junior Orange Bowl spread all over the water. Winds ranged from 8 to 18 knots over three days.

Visitors to the area won both fleets. Skip Dieball and crew Mike Stark and Karl Felger sailing the Lightning hail from Toledo, Ohio. Skip is an accomplished racing sailor and well-known sailmaker.

The Laser winner was 22-year-old Clay Johnson of Tom’s River, NJ. Some may remember him as a winning Optimist dinghy sailor of a few years ago. He is a very tall and fit fellow, as are all Laser sailors vying for the Olympic slot in the Laser for the 2008 Games.

In age groupings, Laser Apprentice Ernesto Rodriguez of Miami led, taking second in fleet. Miami’s Augie Diaz was first Master, Dave Ellis of St. Petersburg the Grand Master winner and David Hartman of Vero Beach the Great Grand Master champ.

Lake Lanier Sailing Club’s Warner Guedry deserves credit for finishing all seven races, placing second in Great Grand Master, at age 71.

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www.southwindsmagazine.com

Davis Island YC Commodore’s Cup, Tampa, FL, Jan. 6-7

By Morgan Stinemetz

Dave Ellis rounding the leeward mark in the Orange Bowl Regatta.

Courtesy photo.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

With more wind on Sunday than Saturday, the faster boats notched two races at the Davis Island Yacht Club’s Commodore’s Cup. The spinnaker boats sailed a windward/leeward course off Davis Island proper.

Dr. John Jennings, driving Bob Dockery’s Melges 24, Barracuda, said they got an awful start in the first race Sunday, and the team pulled out a third place finish after a struggle. A first in Saturday’s sole race and another bullet in the third race overall gave Barracuda a win in the eight-boat Melges 24 one-design class with a line score of 1-3-1.

Barracuda sails out of Longboat Key. Second in the Melges 24 class went to Juggling Act, which was skippered by Thomas Single of Lakeland. In third was Silver, Sam Johnson’s entry from the Gulf Coast Sailing Club.

Overall, winds maxed at 10 knots in the gusts, but were fluky with holes present much of the day. “The right side of the course had more wind than the left side,” Jennings said.

“So it was right side going upwind and left side going downwind.”

The J/24 one-design class was won by Preparation J, coskippered by Brown/Klaus of St. Petersburg. Mischief, captained by Holly Coger of Tampa was second, two points

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RACING back. And third went to Long Shot, sailed by Jeff Siewart of Tampa.

Wired, a Farr 395 owned by Al Thomas of Tampa won Spinnaker A. Second in class went to Danger Zone, Robert Hobb’s Taylor 9.8. Hobbs is from Tampa and the boat has a minus 18 PHRF rating. Tack Tick, Mike Siedlecki’s radical Martin 243, came in third. Siedlecki is from St. Petersburg.

Spinnaker B was taken by Renegade, Jamie Myers’s Carrera 29. Myers is from Tampa. In second it was Celebration, Mike Kayusa’s Olson 29. Kayusa is from Fort Myers. Third in class was Air Hammeranger. The boat is from Seminole and is owned by Don Fretz.

In the racer/cruiser division (two races) Relativity, a Beneteau 53 owned by Hall Palmer of St. Petersburg, got two bullets and the class win. Cat’s Meow, a Jenneau 11.2 skippered by Allen Saunders of St. Petersburg, won a threeway tie for second. Intrepid, a J/40 out of St. Pete and owned

by Jeff Russo, was also tied for second, but slipped to third on the tiebreaker.

Finally, Polyphonic, a Skye 51 belonging to Jeff Grossman of Seminole won the three-boat true cruising class. Tied for second in class were Sonia Cate, a Catalina 40 out of St. Petersburg, owned by Donald Miller, and Oddagoingers, a Hunter 34 skippered by Mario Gutierre of Lutz. Sonia Cate won the tiebreaker.

There were 48 boats competing in the two-day, threerace series, though racer/cruisers and true cruisers sailed just two races, one each day.

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“Stars & Stripes” Smashes Race Record in Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, Jan. 10-12 From Media Pro International Stars & Stripes, the Custom 60 multihull owned by Steve and Scott Liebel of Bradenton, FL, broke the multihull race record in the 2007 Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race.

Reporting maximum boat speed at 32 knots during the race, Stars & Stripes crossed the finish line with an elapsed time of 8 hours, 31 minutes, 4 seconds to take line honors, smashing the old record of 10 hours, 11 minutes established in 2005 by Zephyr. This year’s running of the 160-nautical mile race, which began on January 10, was one of the fastest, with consistent wind of 20-plus-knots the entire night, giving the fleet “a fast and fun experience,” as one crew member characterized it. In fact, this is the third time in the past five years that a race record has been broken. The overall IRC fleet winner, on corrected time, was Decision, the R/P 52 owned by Stephen Murray Jr., (New Orleans, LA), which also won the seven-boat IRC A class. The overall winner in the PHRF fleet, Dreadnought, was one of two entries from the U.S. Naval Academy and skippered by Midshipman Burchett (Annapolis, MD).

“It was a sled ride in perfect conditions for our boat,” said Murray of the quick sprint. “It was close reaching for a

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Stars & Stripes (file photo). Photo by Gary Hufford.

very short time, but most of the time it was pure running with a lot, a lot of pressure. We saw 20-25 knots for the most part, some 25-30, and a fair bit of sea, probably six-foot seas and pretty square waves.”

Four boats retired early from the race due to damage: Cheekee Monkee, a Corsair 31 owned by Ron White/Bob Larsten (South Bend, IN), which capsized approximately two miles after the start; Double O Seven, a Corsair owned by Lawrence Geller and Brian Broad (Lighthouse Point, FL), which dismasted off Key Largo; Endorphine 3, owned by John and William Laughlin (Hollywood, FL), which broke its rudder off Key Largo; and Caraluna, a C&C 9.9 owned by Cai Svenson (Key Biscayne, FL.), which broke its rudder off Key Largo. No injuries were reported on any of these boats.

At the awards party held at Kelly’s Caribbean, the race committee awarded Best Overall Performance to Dreadnought, one of two entries from the U.S. Naval Academy, which was skippered by Midshipman Burchett.

Dreadnought also won its PHRF class and was the overall PHRF winner.

The Storm Trysail Club and Lauderdale Yacht Club were both formed in the 1930s, with the Storm Trysail Club’s main station established in Larchmont, NY, and Lauderdale’s clubhouse established in Fort Lauderdale, site of this year’s race headquarters. The Turtle Kraals Restaurant Bar in Key West served as the finish headquarters.

For more information about the 32nd Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, including results, go to www.keywestrace.org.

Championships held at Founders Park in Islamorada. The event attracts sailors from all over the United States and several foreign countries.

Miamians Kenny Pierce and John Casey won first place in a highly contested Formula 18 class by a tiebreaker.

Settling for the second spot was Olli and Kelly Jason from Upstate New York. This was also the Midwinter Nationals for this class of speedy boats Teenager Sarah Newberry and her uncle, Jamie Livingston of Miami, sailed the Olympic class Tornado boat to eke out a victory in the Portsmouth Handicap Class. They edged out the father-and-son team of Wick Smith and Wick Smith III of North Carolina. And by only one point.

Another teenage team from Miami won first in the Hobie 16 class. Michael Siau and Jake Budenz finished just two points ahead of Ken Hilk and Beverley Griffo from Delaware. This was the largest class in the regatta, and the winners of the largest class were awarded the Carlton Tucker Memorial Trophy.

Dave and Leah White of Key Largo raced in the second largest class, the Hobie Wave. The boat is a 13-foot singlehanded catamaran that has a very active fleet sailing at the Upper Keys Sailing Club weekly. All the sailing paid off.

Dave finished in third, and Leah took fourth place.

The regatta is an annual event that has been held in the Upper Keys area for over 15 years. It initially was sailed off the same beach when it was Plantation Yacht Harbor Resort.

This is the first year of its return to the same beach at Founders Park.

With fabulous weather, moderate to strong winds, and lots of sunshine, the sailors all expressed their desire to return again next year. The regatta is always scheduled in mid-January during Martin Luther King weekend. Regatta organizer Rick White of Key Largo said, “It is a great time of the year for both the sailors and the local economy. It gives the folks time away from the zero-degree weather up North, and it helps the motels, restaurants and shops locally during that little window of off-season that happens after the New Year.”

The race was sponsored by Catamaran Sailor magazine of Key Largo, CABB (Catamaran Association of Biscayne Bay), www.OnLineMarineStore.com, the Founders Park Sailing Center and Rick White’s Sailing Seminars.

South Florida Sailors Do Well in NAMSA North Americans/ Tradewinds Regatta, Founders Park, Islamorada, Florida. Jan. 13-14

By Rick White Local Keys and Miami sailors did well at the 2007 NAMSA North Americans/Tradewinds Midwinter Catamaran News & Views for Southern Sailors

Mark Herendeen of Melbourne, FL, flew around the course in the Tradewinds Regatta. Photo by Rick White.

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REGIONAL RACE CALENDARS ■ REGIONAL RACING CALENDARS Regattas & 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.

FEBRUARY Long Bay Sailing Assoc. www.longbaysailing.org 3-4 Annual Meeting Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 25 Commodores Ball Regatta. NYRA PHRF-NYRA BOTY. New Bern, NC. Charleston Ocean Racing Assoc. www.charlestonoceanracing.org 10,17 Frostbite series MARCH Neuse Yacht Racing Assoc. www.nyra.org 25 First Citizens Cup 30+ miles. BSC. PHRF-NYRA BOTY. New Bern, NC. Charleston Ocean Racing Assoc. www.charlestonoceanracing.org 10 Community Sailing Fest 17 Spring Harbor Race 31 Spring Ocean Race

FEBRUARY 3 First Saturday at Sebastian Inlet. Indian River Catamaran Association 2 Howl at the Moon. Halifax Sailing Association 4,18 Spring Series #1,2. Titusville Sailing Center.

2-4 Eighth annual National Wayfarer Regatta. Lake Eustis Sailing Club 10,24 Frost Bite Series #3,4. One Design. Rudder Club 10,25 Winter Series #3,4. East Coast Sailing Association 11,25 Small Boat Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club 10-11, 21-22 Club Races. Lake Eustis Sailing Club 10-11 Hagar’s Run Distance Regatta & Hagar The Horrible Fun Regatta. Fleet 45 Space Coast Catamaran Association 17 New Moon Merriment. Halifax Sailing Association 56

February 2007

SOUTHWINDS

17-18 18 18 17-18

St. Johns Regatta. Florida Yacht Club St. Johns Regatta. Florida Yacht Club Spring Rum Race. Melbourne Yacht Club 37th Annual George Washing Birthday Regatta. Lake Eustis Sailing Club.

24 C22 MidWinters, Sanford 24 Frost Bite Series #4 One Design. Rudder Club 24-25 Cocoa Village Cruise. East Coast Sailing Association 25 Spring Women’s #2. East Coast Sailing Association MARCH 2 Howl at the Moon. Halifax Sailing Association 3-4 Trans-Monroe Regatta. Lake Monroe Sailing Association 3-4 River City Regatta One Design & PHRF on Sunday.

Rudder Club 4 Winter Race. Halifax River Yacht Club 4,18 Winter #5,6. Indian River Yacht Club 4,18 Spring Rum Race. Melbourne Yacht Club 7-8 Zenda U “Melges 17” Racing Clinic by Andy Burdick.

Lake Eustis Sailing Association 9-11 2nd Annual “Melges 17” Midwinter National Championship Regatta. Lake Eustis Sailing Association 9-11 8th Annual C Scow Midwinter National Championship Regatta. Lake Eustis Sailing Association 10 Commodore’s Ball Recovery Regatta. Melbourne Yacht Club 10 Space Coast 45 Catamaran Distance Race. Fleet 45 Space Coast Catamaran Association 11,25 Spring Series #3,4. Titusville Sailing Center 11 Small Boat Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club 13-14 Zenda U MC Scow Clinic by Andy Burdick and Sam Rogers. Lake Eustis Sailing Association 15-17 35th Annual MC Scow Midwinter National Regatta. Lake Eustis Sailing Association 17 Marker 21 Cruise. East Coast Sailing Association 17 New Moon Merriment. Halifax Sailing Association 17 Spring River Race. North Florida Cruising Club 24 Winter Series #4. East Coast Sailing Association 25 Spring Women’s #3. East Coast Sailing Association 26.

Ocean Distance Race. Port Canaveral Yacht Club 31 DuPont Cup Regatta. Epping Forest Yacht Club.

31 Preseason Gary Gorden Memorial Regatta. Halifax River Yacht Club.

FEBRUARY 2-5 Women NA Keelboat Championship. US Sailing Center.

2-5 49er NA Championship. US Sailing Center.

3-4 Commodoro Rasco Snipe Regatta. CGSC – The 38th annual two day snipe regatta.

10 BBYRA One Design #2. BBYC - Second race of Series 1 for One Design boats.

10-11 Star Masters Regatta. CRYC – The 23rd annual two day regatta for Stars.

10 74rd Annual Miami to Nassau Race Week.

1-13 KBYC Sonar Midwinters.

16 Pineapple Cup – Montego Bay Race.

17 J/24 Spring 2 Regatta. Flat Earth Racing.

24 Miami Yacht Club Annual Regatta/BBYRA One Design #3.

24 MYC - Third race of Series 1 for One Design boats.

25 Miami Yacht Racing Annual Regatta/BBYRA PHRF #3.

25 MYC - Third race of Series 1 for One Design boats.

MARCH 1-3 Etchells Midwinters. BBYC. 18th annual event. This is the last of a four-regatta series, part of the Jaguar Cup 4-9 Bacardi Cup Stars. CRYC – 80th annual three-day regatta www.southwindsmagazine.com

4 8-11 10 13-14 15-18 16-18 24 25 Legend BBYRA BBYC CGSC CRYC MYC

for Star class.

Coral Cup. CGSC Miami Race Week. Premiere Racing. www.premiere-racing.org.

J/24 #3. Flat Earth Racing Lightning Mid-Winters. CRYC – 49th annual two-day regatta for Lightning Shake-A-Leg Midwinters. Flat Earth Racing.

Don Q Snipe Regatta. CGSC. 41st annual S.C.I.R.A. sanction regatta.

BBYRA PHRF #4. CGSC. Fourth race of Series 1 for Onedesign boats.

BBYRA One Design #4. CRYC. Fourth race of Series 1 for One-design boats.

Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net Biscayne Bay Yacht Club. www.bbyra.net Coconut Grove Sailing Club. www.cgsc.org Coral Reef Yacht Club Miami Yacht Club. www.miamiyachtclub.net.

(Since Rebecca Burg took off for the good life and is cruising around, Southwinds is looking for someone to send us articles on sailing in the Keys; Racing, cruising, waterways and anchoring articles, etc. editor@southwindsmagazine.com) Feb. 25 & March 25. Key West Schooner Wharf Wreckers Race.

Sailboats of any size and shape race from Key West to Sand Key (7 miles). First one back wins. No PHRF, no rules, no protests, no nothing. Just Race. Classes: Classic, Schooner, Multi-hull, Monohull over 30, and Monohull under 30 feet. (305) 292-3302. www.schoonerwharf.com. 1 p.m.

Key West Sailing Club. Every Saturday – Open House at the Key West Sailing Club. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (305) 292-5993. www.keywestsailingclub.org. Sailboat Lane off Palm Avenue in Key West. Come by the club to sail. Non-members and members welcome. Wednesday night racing has begun for the summer season. Skippers meet at the clubhouse by 5:00 p.m. and boats start racing at 6:00 p.m. in the seaplane basin near the mooring field. Dinner and drinks afterward.

Upper Keys Sailing Club. www.upperkeyssailingclub.com.

West Florida Race Calendar The 0nline West Florida Race Calendar which goes from Sept.1, 2006 thru August 31, 2007 is available on the Southwinds Web site with hyperlinks to sponsoring clubs. It covers racing in West Florida from Marco Island in southwest Florida north, up to and including Clearwater. www.southwindsmagazine.com. Accessed on the racing pages from the home page.

Club Racing Bradenton YC. Winter Races starting in October until Daylight savings starts. Races at 1:30 p.m. PHRF racing on Manatee River.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

For info call Larry Lecuyer, (941) 729-5401.

Edison Sailing Center, Fort. Myers. Sunfish and dinghy racing once a month, year-round john@johnkremski.com Port Charlotte. Third Saturday of month, year-round. pbgvtrax@aol.com Venice Sailing Squadron. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venice-sailing-squadron.org FEBRUARY 2-4 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. National Wayfarer Regatta.

3 St. Petersburg Sailing Association. Races #8 and #9. PHRF 3 Venice Sailing Squadron. Venice Yacht Club. Buoy Race, PHRF 3 Sarasota Bay Yachting Association/Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Cherry Pie Regatta. (SBBOTY) 3-4 St. Petersburg Sailing Center. High School South Points Regatta.

3-4 Gulfport YC. Classic Moth Midwinters rkoch57450@aol.com. UPDATED 11/27/2006 9 Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Society. Edison Gulf, PHRF. (SWFBOTY) 9-11 505 Midwinter Championship. Fort Desoto Park East Beach. ethan@sales.northsails.com.

10 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Cherry Pie Regatta. (SBBOTY) 10-11 St. Petersburg YC. Valentine’s Day Regatta, Juniors.

10-11 Tampa Sailing Squadron. Gasparilla Regatta, PHRF. 10-11 Port Charlotte. Valentines Massacre, Sunfish, Rick Pantall, (941) 627-0826. pbgvtrax@comcast.net 12-14 Davis Island YC. J/29 Midwinters.

16-18 St. Petersburg YC. Sailing World Noods. (National Offshore One Design).

15-19 Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show, Miamarina. www.sailamerica.com.

17-18 Clearwater Yacht Club. Laser Master Midwinters.

17-18 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. George Washington Birthday Regatta. All-class, dinghies, Cats, Windsurfers.

19-21 Davis Island YC. Pan Am Trials, Sunfish 22-25 Davis Island YC. J/24 Midwinters.

25-Mar 2 St. Petersburg YC. Thistle Midwinters.

MARCH 2-4 Davis Island YC. Fireball & Friends Regatta. Windmill Midwinters (now here & moved from SPYC Jan 26-28) 3 St. Pete Sailing Assoc.Rich Gahn Memorial Race, PHRF. 3 Venice Sailing Squadron. Venice Yacht Club. Buoy Race, PHRF 4 St. Pete Sailing Assoc. Women’s Rich Gahn Race, PHRF. 4-8 St. Petersburg YC. Flying Scot Midwinters.

8-11 Edison Sailing Center. Sunfish Midwinters.

8-11 Acura Miami Race Week. Formerly SORC. Miami area. www.premiere-racing.com.

9-11 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. Melges 17 & C Scow Midwinters.

10 Pass-A-Grille YC. Crown Regatta, PHRF. (SBOTY) 10-11 Davis Island YC. Florida Sailing Assoc. Championship 10-11 Punta Gorda SC. Conquistador Cup, PHRF. (SWFBOTY) (CHBOTY) 11 Davis Island YC. J/105 One Design Regatta 10-11 St. Petersburg YC. Florida Sailing Assoc. Girl’s State Championship.

11-13 Clearwater Yacht Club. Snipe Midwinters and PanAm Trials.

15-17 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. MC-Scow Midwinters.

17 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Pot of Gold Race.

17 St. Petersburg Sailing Association. Races #10 and #11. PHRF 15-18 St. Petersburg YC. Lightning Midwinters.

16-18 Port Charlotte. International Sunfish Masters Championship. Rick Pantall, 941-627-0826, pbgvtrax@comcast.net.

17-18 Marco Island YC. Spring Regatta, PHRF. (SWFBOTY) 17-18 Tampa Bay Catamaran Society. St. Patty’s Day Regatta.

17-18 St. Petersburg Sailing Center. High School South Points Regatta. www.saisa.org.

23-25 St. Petersburg YC. Disabled/Open Midwinters, Sonar, 2.4 SOUTHWINDS

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February 2007

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FEBRUARY 10 Valentine Regatta, Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, Pensacola www.southwindsmagazine.com

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1" boxed-in ads for $240 a year

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Beach, FL 16-18 NOODs, St. Petersburg, FL 17 Mardi Gras Regatta, Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL MARCH 3 Two Against the Lake. Tammany Yacht Club, Slidell, LA 3 Maxine Sansom #1/Commodore’s Cup #1. Navy Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL 3-4 Schweppes Match Racing. New Orleans Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA 9-11 J22 Midwinter Championship. Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA 10 Maxine Sansom #2/Rites of Spring Regatta. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, Pensacola Beach, FL News & Views for Southern Sailors

10-11 16-18 17-18 18 24 21-24 31-1

Mardi Gras Regatta. New Orleans Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Dragon Midwinters. Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile, AL Leukemia Cup Finns Regatta. New Orleans Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Leukemia Regatta. Pontchartrain Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Maxine Sansom #3. Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL Finn North American Masters Championship. Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Leukemia Cup. New Orleans Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA

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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 • Classified ads with text only for boats and items are $25 for a three-month ad for up to 30 words. $15 for each additional 10 words or $50 for 60 words, $75 for 90 words. Add $25 for a horizontal photo (total $50 for 30word ad and horizontal photo).

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

• All ads go on the SOUTHWINDS Web site on the first of the month of publication. For $10, we will place your ad on the internet before going to press on the next issue. No refunds on internet fee or cost of ad once payment is processed on placing order.

• All ads must be prepaid by credit card or check.

• To make changes (except for price, e-mail and phone numbers) for print or online, a $10 fee will apply each time for changes for the next issue or online.

• The last month your ad runs will be in parenthesis, e.g., (10/07) is October 2007.

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

PHOTOS Photos must be sent in good resolution.

SOUTHWINDS is not responsible for quality of

TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY

printed photo if received at low resolution. If mailed in, add a $5 scanning fee. Printed digital photos will not scan as well as 35mm.

BROKERS & BUSINESSES (in addition to the above requirements): • To change your ad for a different boat (or item) and photo before the 3 months (3 months in print), add a $10 fee each time.

• For ad and photo, for $20 a month, with credit card on file, we will allow you to change your ad monthly and run ads regularly (no skipping months)—after the initial 3month period.

TO PLACE AN AD 1. On the Internet at www.southwindsmagazine.com . This applies only to the $25 and $50 ads above with and without photo.

Pay with Paypal and put your ad in the subject line. If a photo, e-mail to editor@southwindssailing.com as a separate jpeg attachment.

2. E-mail and Credit Card. E-mail your ad to www.southwindsmagazine.com. Text can be put in the e-mail. Send photos as a separate jpeg attachment to the e-mail. Pay by mail (see below) or credit card. Call with a credit card number, expiration, billing address and name on card. (941) 795-8704.

_________________________________________

See this section at the end of classifieds for ads that came in too late to place in their appropriate section.

Windsurfing Boards and Gear for Sale. 3 Boards, 5 sails, 3 masts, 2 booms and all gear and harness for several setups, etc. Bic 273 (4 years old and like new), Hi Tech 8’11” (good condition), Custom Hi-per Tech board (good condition), 2 new sails (barely used), 3 older sails. $1900/ BO. (941) 795-8704. Bradenton. _________________________________________

BOATS & GEAR FOR FREE

Boats and Gear for Free Southwinds is starting this section for people who have boats they want to get rid of, 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” only listed for nonprofit organizations. Ads will run for three months and then are canceled if not renewed. No businesses.

WANTED

_________________________________________ CARTOONIST/ARTIST WANTED. Gary Larson style, to develop new character.

Similar style of drawing and sense of humor as Larson. Low pay for small business developing. But you could get famous. Need a few drawings created. editor@southwindsmagazine.com. (941) 795-8704

ADVERTISE YOUR BOAT

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DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS

Advertise your business in a display ad in the classifieds section.

1” $25/month . . . . . . . .12-month minimum (paid in advance) 2” $38/month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 months 2” $44/month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 months 2” $50/month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 months 3” $57/month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 months 3” $66/month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 months 3” $75/month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 months

BOATS & DINGHIES

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

3. Mail your ad in. Mail to Southwinds, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175.

Send a check or credit card number with information as listed in #2 above. Mail the photo in (35mm best). Add a $5 scanning fee. If you want the photo back, enclose a SASE. 4. Telephone. Add $5 for a typing charge.

Call (941) 795-8704 and give us your ad over the phone. We can take your credit card, or mail a check.

5. We will pick up your ad. Send the editor a check for air flight, car rental, hotel, travel, eating and entertainment expenses, and he will come to your location and pick up the ad.

Any ads to be picked up will be free. editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

8’ Sailing Dinghy, “Trinka.” Perfect condition, all factory options, like-new sails. Cost $4,000 new, sacrifice $1,125. (352) 5974912.

(2/07) _________________________________________ Dinghy Package Yankee Boatworks 9’3” fiberglass with cover $650, Kato heavy duty davits $550, all for $1000 OBO. Photo available (321) 431-4380. (3/07) _________________________________________ Bauer 10 Sailboat with trailer. Both new.

Marconi rig. Many extras. Boats only $2250.

With trailer $2600. (941) 966-3507. (4/07) _________________________________________

24’ Seawind Catamaran. Fast pocket cruiser.

Sleeps 4. Safe, stable, 16’ beam. Great family boat. 18” draft, beachable. 8hp Johnson.

Hard decks. Demountable. Furling jib. Major refit 2006. $14,500. (941) 743-6322. (4/07) 1987 Hunter 26.5. Wing keel, new Honda electric start 8 hp, 4 stroke. New full batten mainsail, VHF radio, good bottom paint with trailer included $8,000. OBO (813) 3634685. (4/07)

1993 MacGregor 19’. Powersailers with 40hp Tohatsu, orginal manuals, sails, trailer etc.

Excellent condition. Private head. See http://www.ablboats.com/details.asp?ListingI D=76263 for pictures and details. $10,000 in FL. grafxman@indrev.com. (4/07)

DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADS STARTING AT $25/MONTH

2005 Albin 26 The Boat of your dreams awaits. Never been in the water. LOADED. Volvo power. Volvo DP. Call for more information to Eastern Yachts at 561-844-1100

www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS Nonsuch 30 1984 Ultra Excellent condition.

Recent upgrades include rebuilt Westerbeke 33. North sail. Extensive refit in 2005.

Currently in Florida Keys. Bahamas cruiseready. $69,900. (305) 849-1929. (4/07)

J29 Hull # 225 MHOB. For Sale. Fat Bottom Girl.

All new rigging and running gear. Professionally fared bottom and keel, new interlux white epoxy bottom. One-year-old racing #1, .60 Quantum spinnaker, #3 and racing main. Also, heavy #1, 2 mains and .75 spinnaker. Boat has had a refit in the last couple years, great condition. Two spinnaker poles, (one carbon fiber), – much more. Trailer included. $26,500. Please contact mogress@aol.com. (941) 376-9929.

Rick. (2/07)

Catalina 30, 1988 Tall rig, wing keel, draft 3’10”. New full canvas, new fridge, genoa, battery charger, auto pilot, windless. Too many upgrades to list. Must see. $34,900.

(352) 597-4912. (2/07)

1985 Catalina 30 with new Yanmar, full canvas, Bimini, Dodger, sail covers, new Raymarine Auto Pilot, Depth, Speed, Wind instruments at the helm, Harken roller furling, new bottom paint, no blisters, 3 blade prop, Hot and cold pressure water, new stove top, ice box, lots of room and storage, new stereo, VHF, GPS and more. $24,900 for quick sale.

Call Major Carter at Cortez Yacht Sales (941) 792-9100.

Catalina 30 1991 MK II Ultimate Cruiser Std rig, wing keel, full bimini/dodger, new spinnaker, 3.5kw Genset, A/C, electric fridge, watermaker, icemaker, microwave, inverter, 2 battery chargers, Link 2000, Raymarine SL 70 Radar, 425 Chartplotter, Tri-data, 4000ST Autopilot with remote, Garmin 128 GPS, Loran, JVC CD/Stereo, 8.6’ dink with Nissan 2.5OB, $49,900. Niceville, FL (850) 6992717. (2/07)

30’ Pearson, Racer/Cruiser Sloop, 1976 Red, Excellent cond., 2 mains, 3 jibs, 3 spinnakers, spinnaker pole. Tiller, marine radio, stove, new pot, sleeps 6, $12,900. Madeira Beach, FL terrycshan@aol.com. (727) 581-4708 or (727) 244-4708. (2/07) 1981 Cape Dory Cutter 30 Well-equipped cruising boat. Surveyed 2002 at $35K. Tough boat, no damages in Katrina. Volvo Diesel.

New head and sailcovers in 2005. $28,000.

John (228) 343-9546. (4/07)

2005 Albin 31. AC, 370 HP Engine. Must Go!.

Call for more information at 561-844-1100 Morgan 30 OI. Bottom Paint, Yanmar engine/transmission overhaul ’06, interior/ plumbing/ electrical refitted ’03, auto pilot, depth, speed, GPS, two station VHF, refrigeration, inverter, 120-amp alternator, microwave, Origo stove, LaVac head, new inflatable, much more, cruise-ready. $29,800.

(941) 730-9654. AquitaineO/I30@aol.com.

(4/07) Hunter 30 1980 Sail Yanmar 18hp diesel, sleeps 6, very clean, GPS, VHS, AM/FM, 4 ft. modified wing keel, PDFs, bottom paint oneyear-old, need to sell, “moving.” (941) 6976995. (2/07)

SEE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION ON PAGE 64 News & Views for Southern Sailors

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CLASSIFIED ADS 32’ Westsail (1977) Perkins 4-107 diesel, Aries vane, Harken roller furling, S-L windlass, 35CQR, 33 Bruce, cold plate refrigeration, air conditioning, Garmin chartplotter. Dodger & Bimini. Exceptional condition, little used. $55,000/OBO. Call (954) 560-3919. (2/07)

350 Island Packet 1998. Original Owner, Bahamas-ready, 4kw gen, 8gal/hr watermaker, roller furling, autopilot, electronics, radar, ac/heat, refrig., full canvas, davits, EPIRB, more custom upgrades, reduced to $168,000. (727) 392-3162. (3/07) 1983 Storebro Royal 33’ Center Cockpit.

Elegant craftsmanship. African mahogany, dedicated nav station, designer upholstery, wooden wheel, marine air/heat, refrigeration, diesel engine. Represented by Snug Harbor Boats, Atlanta, GA, (770) 831-0403 or (770) 540-9796. (4/07) 1989 Caliber 33 Sloop. Excellent condition.

Live-aboard/cruise-ready. Yanmar 20003.

110 Genoa 2004. Solar panels, AC. Dodger/Bimini.

Link 1000 Battery Management. $64,500 Contact Chuck at (813) 205-5006. (4/07) _________________________________________ Hunter 33, 1980. 4-foot draft sloop. Dinghy with OB, Yanmar 2QM15. Many upgrades, Autopilot, GPS, 10-amp autocharger. New bottom paint. Good condition. New headsail. $17,000. Cape Coral. (239) 834-9004. (3/07)

1995 Hunter 35.5 Only 615 hrs on Yanmar 27. New canvas, Navico autopilot, ST 60 depth, ST 60 speed, Furuno GPS, SGC SSB radio, Apelco VHF, dinghy w/OB engine, roller furling, full batten main w/dutchman, solar panel, S&L windlass, holding plate refrigeration, SS propane stove, 12000 BTU marine air, TV, stereo. Ready to sail with performance and pleasure. $59,900. www.cortezyachts.com.

(941) 792-9100

Moody 39, 1978. Need to get away? Need a new lifestyle? Try this 1978 Moody sloop.

She’s 39- ft-long, has a 6 ft draft and 13 ft beam.

She has three staterooms, a v-berth, over-under bunks and a double with loads of storage and two full heads with showers. There’s a nice galley with huge pantry, fridge/freezer, propane stove/oven and double sink. The salon is cozy and there’s even a great chart table with large drawers below. The center cockpit is huge!

This boat has crossed the Atlantic Ocean safely and been properly cared for for many years.

In 1999 she was repainted, the standing stainless rigging was replaced, a new roller furling system added and we had a rebuilt Yanmar diesel engine installed. We cruised the Caribbean and Bahamas for 4 years on this little boat and she has taken us safely wherever we asked her. We have not had time to enjoy her for several years now and she needs some TLC. Some new wiring, interior decorating, sails and someone to love her will make her new. Check the Moody web site (www. moody-yachts.com/moodyyachts/index. htm) and you’ll see the quality and value of these vessels. We are asking $50k since she needs work but will consider offers. Please call 727-867-6280 or e-mail: sailorfl@tampabay.rr. com for more information and location. (4/07)

Gozzard 36, 1987 Paradise had refit in ’06 at Gozzard factory which included partial Awlgrip, new sails. Also, the bottom and the exterior wood stripped and redid ’06. Bob (314) 487-4543, rgruener@earthlink.net. (2/07) _________________________________________

1983 BABA 35’, Perry design for serious offshore cruising. New bottom paint. Many upgrades/spares. $85,000 (239) 410-2281.

Bayside Yacht Sales & Brokerage. (4/07)

37’ Irwin 1976 Brand-new mainsail/cover, refrig., VHF, stereo. New central AC. 6 batteries/cables/switch/charger. 14 ports. Solar panel, Water pump/heater, etc. $89,000.

(305) 240-0303. Key West, FL. (2/07) Marine Trader TransWorld 41,1979 Proven fullkeel blue water cruiser. Perkins 4-108 diesel. 46’ LOA with bowsprit. Ketch-rigged Center cockpit with walk-thru to aft cabin. Complete Awlgrip paint 2002. Custom stainless steel rails and davits. 10’ 6” Caribe RIB with 15hp OB. Full galley. Beautiful teak interior with lots of storage. Maxwell electric windlass. Much more.

Asking $99,000. (941) 792-9100 www.cortezyachts.com 2005 Hunter 38. Call for huge savings on this leftover stock! This boat is incredibly well equipped. The price includes full commissioning. Call Eastern Yachts at 561-844-1100

1987 Gulfstar CSY 50’. 2006 NEW 75 hp Yanmar. Phasar 7kw generator, a/c, 3 stateroom layout, spacious decks and comfortable center cockpit, aft swim platform. Well-maintained throughout. $139,000. (727) 259-3489.

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CT 41 Ketch. 1974. Custom William Garden design. Ideal layout for liveaboard/cruiser. Large water/fuel capacity.

Galley port side. Head w/separate shower.

Superior teak craftsmanship. New dodger, thru-hulls, paint, and pumps. Includes sailing skiff w/2HP outboard. Surveyed at $39K in 2006. Needs TLC. Sudden loss forces sale. $35,000. (941) 746-7079.

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 $109,000 Call Major Carter or visit www.Cortezyachts.com (941) 792-9100 www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS life vests, 6-man coastal life raft, 36’, 26’, 30’ masts & booms, some with rigging. Nautical Trader, 110 E. Colonia Lane, Nokomis, FL, (941) 488-0766. Shop online at www.nauticaltrader.net.85 LB Anchor. Danforth High Tensile. Unused, still in shipping crate. Only $450.

(407) 967-2009. (2/07) _________________________________________ Sea Gripper Storm drogue. For boats to about 54 feet. $75. (619) 277-0593. (4/07) _________________________________________ 50’ 1991 Beneteau M-500, refit in 2005, new paint, canvas, chart plotters, radar, auto pilot, rebuilt transmission, new engine in ‘03. Good condition, documented, reduced for quick sale at $129,900. (541) 416-8956. Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. (4/07)

BOAT GEAR & SUPPLIES

_________________________________________ Martec folding prop 18x14x1-1/4 shaft $125. 22 lb. Danforth $35. Sealab SSB 7 crystals $25. Plastic holding tank “V” 24 gal. $20. Plastic water tank 36 gal. $20. Located Melbourne, FL. Take it all for $175! (321) 431-4380.

(3/07) _________________________________________ Used Boat Gear for Sale Paratech 15 & 18— both with line and chain, stainless propane stoves, 10’ Dyer sailing dinghy, 8’ Walker Bay sailing dinghy with inflatable tube, offshore

25hp Mercury Outboard four-stroke.

Brand new. 2006. 0 hours. $2300. (239) 728-9813.

(4/07) _________________________________________ Watermaker, PUR PowerSurvivor 40E, perfect condition, manufactured 2001 but run less than one hour! Needs new membrane due to prolonged storage.

Includes unused Preventative Maintenance Kit. Guaranteed to work. $1600 + shipping. (941) 625-3293. _________________________________________ Backstay Adjuster Wheel type, 13.5 to 19.5 inch adjustment, 1/2” pins, $125. Bonita Springs (239) 281-5051. (2/07) _________________________________________ Aluminum Whisker Pole Adjustable from 10 to 18 feet, 2-3/8 inch dia. Latching ends. $125 Bonita Springs. (239) 281-5051. (2/07) _________________________________________ Roll-Up Dinghy 8.4 Ft West Marine Sportboat, grey. $125 Bonita Springs. (239) 281-5051. (2/07)

Two Montague folding, full-size bicycles; perfect for cruising. Like new, with many extras, including soft carrying cases. “A bicycle that folds, not a folding bicycle.” $350 each.

(941)743-7156 or (941)504-3302. (4/07)

BOAT REGISTRATION

_________________________________________ EASIEST, FASTEST MONTANA BOAT REGISTRATION Pay no sales tax-no attorney necessary. $$ Save Thousands on boat registration $$. 12 yrs experience – REGISTRATION IN 5 DAYS! (877) 913-5100 www.mtvehicles.com. (4/07)

BUSINESSES FOR SALE/ INVESTMENTS _________________________________________ FOR SALE: Florida East Coast Sail Loft Established 10 years. Well-equipped, extensive inventory and client list. Walking distance to several marinas. New sail design, construction and repairs. Custom canvas work, exterior/ interior, and cushions. Strong used sail inventory. Respond to LOFT220@hotmail.com. (4/07)

CHARTS & BOOKS

_________________________________________ Ocean Routing Jenifer Clark’s Gulf Stream Boat Routing/Ocean Charts by the “best in the business.” (301) 952-0930, fax (301) 574-0289 or www.erols.com/gulfstrm

CREW AVAILABLE/WANTED

_________________________________________ Visit SOUTHWINDS “NEW” boat and crew listing service at southwindsmagazine.com _________________________________________ Crewmate Wanted (male or female); Florida Keys sailing vacation; February 2007; 27’ Stiletto catamaran. No experience necessary.

(850) 291-7465 Pensacola Beach. (4/07)

HELP WANTED

_________________________________________ Looking for Marine Parts Counterperson.

Experience with marine industry beneficial.

Full time with great insurance benefits and paid holidays. Parts dept. Not computerized.

Snead island Boat Works – Attn: Gary (941) 722-2400.

(2/07) _________________________________________ 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 at (941) 723-1610 for interview appointment and position details.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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CLASSIFIED ADS SOUTHWINDS is looking for someone to do part time work from the home office in promoting ad sales, doing mailers and contacting potential advertisers and other similar secretarial work for a few extra hours a month.

Work your own schedule and hours on your own computer. Must be real good with computers and have high-speed (broadband) internet access. Knowledge of Web site development a real plus to help build the Web site.

Other work with the magazine possible as it grows. Preferably someone in the Greater Tampa Bay, West Florida area. Southwinds is located in Bradenton, FL, but it is possible to work from anywhere. A basic familiarity with sailing very helpful. Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com. _________________________________________ 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. _________________________________________ Writers and Ideas Wanted on Waterways Issues. SOUTHWINDS is looking for writers, acting as independent subcontractors to research and write articles on subjects discussed in the Our Waterways section. Must be familiar with boating, good at research, have computer skills, high-speed Internet access and work for little pay. Most important, must have a passion for the subject and want to bring about change and improvement of boaters rights, waterways access, and disappearing marinas and boatyards— with lots of ideas and energy to help bring about improvements through various means.

We would also like to get an organization going to promote these interests if you can help. Writers, photographers, cartoonists, jokers, magicians, philosophers and others of questionable professions may apply. Send info to: editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE OR RENT

_________________________________________

SAILS & CANVAS

_________________________________________ Racing Spinnaker. Neil Pryde Tri-radial Spinnaker. Nearly new. No patches or stains.

Approximate dimensions: Foot 32’4”, Leech 55’8”, Luff 64’. White, medium blue and light blue. $1800 or best offer. (813) 685-8737.

(4/07) Deepwater Boat Slip Included! 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2-car garage townhome. Mariners Pass, St. Petersburg, FL. $299k. Loads of updates. Call Bob Sackett, Realtor (727) 5277373 ext. 112. Boat also available for sale. (4/07)

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

SAILING INSTRUCTION

_________________________________________

Advertise Your Home Starting at

$25 for 3 months Subscribe to SOUTHWINDS $19.95/yr $37/2 Yrs (3rd Class) • $24/yr $45/2 Yrs (1st Class) (941) 795-8704 • www.southwindsmagazine.com P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175 Subscribe on line on our secure Web site with credit card www.southwindsmagazine.com

GULF SHORES, AL - Gated waterfront condo on ICW, view of Mobile Bay. Boat slip.

First level, end unit, 3br/2ba furnished with wraparound deck, covered 2 car parking.

Elevator, 2 pools, 2 tennis courts, clubhouse w/party room, weight room, hot tub. LEASE OR PURCHASE. $1,500 mo or $515,000.

(251) 968-6265. (2/07)

Name __________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________ City/St./ZIP _____________________________________________________________ ENCLOSED $ _____ ■ Check ■ Money Order

■ Visa/MC Ex. Date _________

Name on Card _____________________________#_____________________________ Signature _______________________________________________________________

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www.southwindsmagazine.com

ADVERTISERS INDEX

BY

CATEGORY

■ SAILBOATS – NEW AND BROKERAGE . . . .

American Marine & Supply . . . . . . . . . . . .9,20 Beneteau Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC Boaters Exchange/Catalina Sailboats . . .20,45 Catalina Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,20 Cortez Yacht Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Dunbar Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Eastern Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,62,BC Edwards Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Flying Scot Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . .61,65,66 Gulf Island Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Massey Yacht Sales/Catalina//Hunter/ Albin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,11,31, IFC, IBC Masthead Yacht Sales/Catalina . . . .8,20,62,68 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau . . . . . . . . .60, BC Sarasota Youth Sailing Program donated boats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 St. Barts/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC Suncoast Inflatables/ West Florida . . . . . . . . .15 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg .30 Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program . . .25 Turner Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Watersports West/Windsurfing . . . . . . . . . . .28 Weathermark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 ■ GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING Annapolis Performance Sailing . . . . . . . . . . .51 Boaters Exchange, boats, gear, etc.

Rockledge FL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20,45 Bo’sun Supplies/Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Coral Reef Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Defender Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 E-Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,67 Garhauer Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Hotwire/Fans & other products . . . . . . . . . .29 Hurricane Hoops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 JR Overseas/Moisture Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 JSI - New JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Leather Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Masthead Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . .8,20,62,68 Mastmate Mast Climber . . . . . . . . . . . . .23,28

ALPHABETICAL INDEX

OF

Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign . . . . . . . . . .17 NEW JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Rparts Refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Sailrite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Salty John Marine Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, Precision . . . . .30 Watersports West/wet suits, etc . . . . . . . . . .28 ■ SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICES Atlantic Sail Traders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Cruising Direct/sails online by North . . . . . . .4 Dwyer Mast/spars, hardware, rigging . . . . . .67 JSI - New JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Masthead/Used Sails and Service . . .8,20,62,68 National Sail Supply, new&used online . . . .34 NEW JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 North Sails, new and used . . . . . . . . . . . .33,68 Porpoise Used Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,37 Quantum Sails and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Schurr Sails, Pensacola FL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Sunrise Sailing Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,59 UK Halsey Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Ullman Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,29 ■ CANVAS Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 JSI - New JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Quantum Sails and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 ■ USED SAILING/BOATING SUPPLIES Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign, West FL . .17 Scurvy Dog Marine/Used, Consign, Pensacola FL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 ■ SAILING SCHOOLS/DELIVERIES/CAPTAINS Adventure Cruising and Sailing . . . . . . . . . . .28 Capt. Jimmy Hendon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Full Sail Sailing Deliveries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Offshore Sailing School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Sea School/Captain’s License . . . . . . . . . . . .32 St. Augustine Sailing School . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Sunsail Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 ■ MARINE ENGINES AND ACCESSORIES Beta Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke . . . . . . .10 ■ REAL ESTATE Pat Knoll, Sunstate Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Sunset Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 ■ RESORTS, MARINAS, RESTAURANTS, BOAT YARDS Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina . . . . . . . . .17 Regatta Pointe Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Sailors Wharf Boatyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 ■ FRACTIONAL SAILING/CHARTER COMPANIES Lex-Sea Charters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,49 Sunsail Florida charters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Yachting Vacations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 ■ MARINE SERVICES, SURVEYORS, INSURANCE, TOWING, BOAT LETTERING, ETC. Aqua Graphics/Boat Names/Tampa Bay or buy online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Beachmaster Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Forex, Foreign Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 ■ MARINE ELECTRONICS Dockside Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 JR Overseas/Moisture Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Sea Tech/Navigation/Communication . . .40,67 ■ BOOKS/CHARTS/VIDEOS/AWARDS Noble Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Southwinds Cruising Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 ■ REGATTA ADVERTISEMENTS, BOAT SHOWS Clearwater YC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Offshore Challenge Regatta . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Regata del Sol al Sol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 SailAmerica Strictly Sail Miami . . . . . . . . . . .19 Alphabetical Advertisers’ List . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Marine Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,29 Regional Sailing Services Directory . . . . .58,59 Subscription Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

ADVERTISERS

Adventure Cruising & Sailing School . . . . . . . . .28 American Marine & Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,20 Annapolis Performance Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Aqua Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Atlantic Sail Traders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Banks Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Beachmaster Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Beneteau Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC Beta Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Boaters Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20,45 Bo’sun Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Capt. Jimmy Hendon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Catalina Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,20 Clearwater YC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Coral Reef Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Cortez Yacht Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Crow’s Nest Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Cruising Direct Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Defender Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Dockside Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Doyle Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Dunbar Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Dwyer mast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Eastern Yachts/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,62, BC Edwards Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 E-marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,67 Flying Scot Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Forex, Foreign Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Full Sail Yacht Delvieries/Capt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Garhauer Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61,65,66 Gulf Island Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Hanse Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Hotwire/Fans & other products . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Hurricane Hoops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 J/Boats - Murray Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . .60,BC JR Overseas/Moisture Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 JSI - New JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Leather Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Lex-Sea Charters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,49 Lighthouse Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Massey Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . .9,11,31, IFC, IBC Masthead Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8,20,62,68 Mastmate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23,28 Mt. Dora YC Regatta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . .60, BC National Sail Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Nautical Trader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 New JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Noble Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 North Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,68 Offshore Challenge Regatta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Offshore Sailing School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Patricia Knoll Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Porpoise Used Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,37 Quantum Sarasota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke . . . . . . . . . .10 Regatta del Sol al Sol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Regatta Pointe Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Rparts Refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 SailAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Sailors Wharf boatyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Sailrite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Salty John Marine Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Sarasota Youth Sailing Program donated boats .61 Schurr Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Scurvy Dog Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Sea School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Sea Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40,67 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 St. Augustine Sailing School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 St. Barts/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC Suncoast Inflatables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Sunrise Sailing Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,59 Sunsail Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Sunset Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Tackle Shack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program . . . . . .25 Turner Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 UK Halsey Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Ullman sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,29 Watersports West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Weathermark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Windcraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Yacht Sales Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Yachting Vacations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Zarcor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45,67

SOUTHWINDS

February 2007

69

The Egrets of Coconut Grove… and Elsewhere From the Barnacle Historic State Park

W

post, deck beams, rudder and centerboard are hen Ralph M. Munroe designed the Egret in the mahogany instead of the original oak. Ostrenko felt mid-1880s, his purpose was to sail the shallow mahogany was more suitable to the Florida climate than waters of coastal Florida. He described it as a oak. The original Egret was built on Staten Island. Other modification of the New Haven sharpie. Built at A.C. changes were the boat’s fastening, which are stainless Brown’s boatyard in Tottenville, Staten Island, NY, it was steel screws instead of galvanized nails. The deck braces strong but lightly constructed. She was 28-foot, doubleare stainless steel tubing, and the sails are Dacron ended, and drew eight inches. Her first rig was a cat-yawl, instead of the original which was soon recotton. In 1991, the placed by a regular Barnacle Society pursharpie rig, with sails chased the Egret (II,) headed by a short gaff which is now moored and fitted with battens at the Barnacle Historic across the full width State Park, in Coconut of the sail. In his biogGrove, FL. raphy, The Commodore’s Wooden Boat reStory, Ralph Munroe drew Munroe’s plans explains that it was as the originals have his only failure in rigdisappeared. It was ging or sail plan. these plans which were Ralph Munroe used to build the curdesigned more than rent Egret (II) as well as 56 boats and seemed many other wooden especially proud of boats. Occasionally, visthe Egret. She “served itors to the park menme for several years Egret II at The Barnacle Historic State Park. Courtesy photo. tion that they have seen without mishap as or heard of other Egretdispatch boat between style boats, often built from the Wooden Boat plans. The park Biscayne Bay and Jupiter telegraph station, via the Gulf is most interested in hearing from owners of these vessels.

Stream, blow high or blow low, often making the trip The Barnacle was Munroe’s home, and there you will comfortably when no other boats would attempt either find his boathouse, dock, and a marine railroad. The the stream or the surf in the shoal inlets.”

Washington’s Day Regatta, which Munroe and his neighEgret (II) was built by the Miami-Dade Community bor, Kirk Munroe (a distant relative) founded in 1887 is College’s Boat Building Center under the direction of still held and is sponsored by the Barnacle Society. This master boatbuilder Wit Ostrenko. Students under the regatta is open to traditional style shoal-draft sailboats direction of Ostrenko began in September 1987 and (fiberglass boats permitted). This year’s Washington’s completed it in 1988. To the extent possible, they used Birthday Regatta takes place on February 24, and boat the same materials used in the original as listed in owners are encouraged to enter.

Wooden Boat (No. 56). But where better or newer materiFor further information, call (305) 442-6866, or visit als were available, they were substituted. It is cedarthe Web site at www.FloridaStateParks.org/TheBarnacle. planked like the original, but the frames, stern and stem

The Barnacle Historic State Park The Barnacle Historic State Park stands on the site of the home of Ralph Munroe, a pioneer of southeast Florida’s early boating days. Munroe first came to Biscayne Bay in 1877 and moved there from New York in 1881 because of his first wife’s failing health. He called his home, which had an octagonal-shaped main room, “The Barnacle.”

It survived the hurricane of 1926 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

His passion in life was designing boats and he designed many yachts for sailors in the area, since sailing was a popular sport at the time. He designed 56 boats in his lifetime. In 1887, local residents formed the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club and elected Ralph Munroe the first commodore. He held that position for 22 years.

Munroe was also a wrecker and worked the salvage business along the southeast coast of Florida for many years.

The Munroe site is located on a tropical hardwood hammock and is one of the last remnants of the oncevast Miami hammock.

70 February 2007

SOUTHWINDS

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