Southwindsfebruary2008

SOUTHWINDS News & Views for Southern Sailors

Storing Your Boat on Land Safety at Sea Seminar The Portsmouth Rating

February 2008 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless

News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS February 2008

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SOUTHWINDS NEWS & VIEWS

FOR

SOUTHERN SAILORS

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Editorial: BoatU.S. Hurricane Marina Preparation Symposium

By Steve Morrell

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Letters

18

Miami Boat Show and Strictly Sail Show Preview

20

Bubba Innovates

By Morgan Stinemetz

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Southern Regional Monthly Weather and Water Temperatures

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Short Tacks: Sailing News and Events Around the South

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Wharram Catamaran Rendezvous

By Gene Perry

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Water is Wide Boatbuilding Exhibit

By Paula Biles

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Our Waterways: Sarasota Mooring Field and How it Affects the Rest of Florida

By Harmon Heed

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Business Spotlight: Coral Reef Sailing Apparel

By Julie Connerley

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South Carolina Sailing

By Dan Dickison

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Dry Storing a Boat for Hurricane Season, Part II of III

By Capt. Ron Butler

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Travels With Angel: Storm on Guana Key, Bahamas

By Rebecca Burg

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Safety at Sea Seminar in Clearwater

By Jean Levine

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Youth Sailing: The Portsmouth Rating System

By Jabbo Gordon

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

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Race Skippers Meeting Courtesy

By Morgan Stinemetz

34-37 72 78 85 85

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

Storm on Guana Key, Bahamas, wreaks havoc with boaters. Page 55. Photo by Rebecca Burg.

Safety at Sea Seminar in Clearwater. Page 58. Photo

by Jean Levine.

COVER: A Hobie sailing off Staniel Cay in the Bahamas. Photo by Jim Austin.

Each issue of SOUTHWINDS (and back issues since 5/03) is available online at www.southwindsmagazine.com 6

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SEE US AT STRICTLY SAIL AT THE MIAMI BOAT SHOW FEB. 14-18

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News & Views For Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS Media, Inc. P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, Florida 34218-1175 (941) 795-8704 (877) 372-7245 (941) 795-8705 Fax www.southwindsmagazine.com e-mail: editor@southwindsmagazine.com Volume 16 Number 2 February 2008 Copyright 2008, Southwinds Media, Inc. Founded in 1993

Steve Morrell

Doran Cushing, Publisher 11/1993-6/2002

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

(941) 795-8704

Assistant Editor Nancy Birnbaum Steve Morrell Nancy Birnbaum

Advertising editor@southwindsmagazine.com (941) 795-8704 nancyb@southwindsmagazine.com (941) 770-0900

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

Regional Editors Roy Laughlin Production Heather Nicoll

EAST FLORIDA mhw1@earthlink.net Proofreading Kathy Elliott

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

Contributing Writers Letters from our readers Rebecca Burg Julie Connerley Jabbo Gordon Roy Laughlin Morgan Stinemetz

Carol Bareuther Capt. Ron Butler Dan Dickison Harmon Heed Gene Perry

Paula Biles Jean Levine Dave Ellis Kim Kaminski Hone Scunook

Contributing Photographers/Art Jim Austin Rebecca Burg (and Artwork) Capt. Ron Butler Don Charland Julie Connerley Dan Dickison Dave Ellis Jin Dietrich Harmon Heed Kim Kaminski Jean Levine Scunook Photography EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: ARTICLES & PHOTOGRAPHY: SOUTHWINDS encourages readers, writers, photographers, cartoonists, jokers, magicians, philosophers and whoever else is out there, including sailors, to send in their material. Just make it about the water world and generally about sailing and about sailing in the South, the Bahamas or the Caribbean, or general sailing interest, or sailboats, or sailing in some faroff and far-out place.

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

Contact the editor with questions.

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

Read SOUTHWINDS on our Web site www.southwindsmagazine.com.

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FROM THE HELM STEVE MORRELL, EDITOR BoatU.S. Hurricane Symposium for Marinas and Boatyards, Orlando, March 4-5

I

am urging all boatyards and marinas in hurricane-prone areas to send a representative to the second annual BoatU.S. Marina Hurricane Symposium, which takes place in Orlando next month.

I attended the two-day symposium last year, and it was a wealth of information about how marinas and boatyards can prepare and save boats if hit by a hurricane. It was after the devastating 2004 hurricane season that so much changed in Florida boating. Does anyone remember how low boat insurance rates were before that year? If you bought a boat since then, you probably don’t know, but if you were a boat owner before then and your rates went up—or your insurance company dropped you—you will most definitely remember the change. I talked to many people who could not even get insurance on an older boat. Others told me their insurance skyrocketed to three and four times the original rate. We must not allow this to continue.

While this was all going on, marinas—many of which were destroyed in east Florida from Hurricanes Jeanne and Francis or in the northern Gulf from Ivan or Katrina or others—were trying to pick up the pieces of their damaged businesses. They also started working on new plans, which included many new features: better-built marinas, new laws to protect them from boaters who leave their boats unattended, which damage the marinas, hurricane plans for boaters, storm preparation education and requirements for liability insurance. Many boat owners balked, but it was all necessary, as we all suffered from these higher rates in slip

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fees and insurance.

Boatyards—many of which were also destroyed in the heavy storm years of ’04 and ’05—also started rebuilding and coming up with new plans and ideas. Some of these included: how to get the boat out of the water fast and on land; how to secure and strap it to the ground; how to prepare the property for after the storm to get right back into business; and dealing with insurance.

In last year’s hurricane symposium, all of these new ideas were brought together and shared among the people who worked in these businesses. Along with them came speakers on various subjects: engineers who talked of better dock-building, discussions on mooring fields, securing and preparing your boat on land, hurricane insurance for marinas, dealing with boat owners, hurricane plans—and more.

It has been almost three years since a major storm has hit the United States, and we are already getting complacent. If we want to keep the boating industry healthy in the South, we must overcome the problems from tropical storms. Southwinds has taken a leading position in publishing and promoting articles on how to prepare your boat for a storm (see this issue on storing your boat on land for the hurricane season). It is not that difficult.

I urge the marina and boatyard industry to attend this symposium. For more information and to sign up, go to www.boatus.com/hurricanes/symposium.

This year, SOUTHWINDS is one of the sponsors of the symposium.

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LETTERS

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 MARCO ISLAND CLOSED SESSION VIOLATES SUNSHINE LAW Re: December 2007 issue, page 29, “Marco Island City Council to Appeal Ruling.” On November 5, when it met in closed session: Does this violate the Florida Sunshine Law? Good magazine, I love it, and read it always.

Dave Mason Valparaiso, FL I don’t know for sure, but it appears that way to me. I believe the local paper, the Naples Daily News, is suing the city for that reason. I do not know what has become of that suit.

Perhaps a reader does.

Editor SALON OR SALOON I noticed in your article on the schooner Ellida in the November issue that you used the word saloon in the picture caption of the boat’s salon down below.

Frank Benjamin Holmes Beach, FL Frank – I had others ask me about that so, in hopes that it was not a major error, I researched it, mainly on the Internet and below is what I found. There is also a review on the Fountaine-Pajot Mahe 36 Catamaran in this issue, and I note that they call their “salon,” a saloon, in their brochure.

On the Web, The Columbia Guide to Standard American English states the following: “Salon, saloon (nn.) have been pulled up and down through the years by the semantic forces of elevation and peroration, and both words continue to be splendid examples of both euphemism and dysphemism. Salon has kept its original French meanings, ‘a large reception room in a large house’ and ‘the collection of people likely to be present at a social affair therein’: Mme. Dumas held a salon on Thursdays. Our American penchant for gilding anything not already obviously golden has made us try to attach the suggestion of opulence and high society to more mundane spaces: hence beauty salons, tanning salons, and the like.

“A saloon was a nineteenth- and early twentieth-century tavern, and the word came to suggest to many all that was unsavory about drinking and its attendant dissolutions. In an English pub, the saloon bar is a bit more refined than the public bar, and recently some of this elevation has returned to the better saloons in large American cities, although generally the use is self-conscious. But like salon, saloon, too, has been added to the names of pool halls, barbershops, and muscle-building parlors in an effort to elevate what may still sound and smell like a gin mill or locker room. Also, the saloon on a yacht or passenger ship is a public lounge or parlor, and in Britain a saloon is also an automobile style (what Americans call a sedan).”

At Answers.com on the Web, I found among other definitions, there was this on nautical terminology: Nautical.

The officers’ dining and social room on a cargo ship.

A large social lounge on a passenger ship.

And at www.dictionary.reference.com: Saloon. 1728, Anglicized form of salon (q.v.), and originally used interchangeable with it. Meaning large hall in a public place (esp. a passenger boat).

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LETTERS Although I will admit, I made a mistake in spelling and intended to put the word salon in the caption, my mistake proved to be an educational one, as many mistakes are. Hard to believe how much attention one extra “o” can muster up.

Editor MARINA MANAGEMENT COURTESY FAILS IN ONE TAMPA BAY MARINA I was interested to read your recent comments on the marina industry,

“Slips Anyone?” in the October issue, in which you write, “Some of the larger emptier marinas are willing to make more deals for people and better rates can be had.” Regrettably, my experience is that there are still some prominent sectors of the marina industry behaving like the American car industry of 30 years ago.

I recently left a major marina in Pinellas County in Tampa Bay after several years. As I am planning a

cruise in a few months, I asked if the 12-month contract, which terminated last fall, could be extended for several months. I was told this was impossible and not the slightest attempt was made to accommodate me. The marina is far from full and I have never been delinquent with payments. We moved on and found another marina farther south that was excellent to deal with and treated us with personal care.

This marina is part of a larger marina management organization and has a Web site, which includes the phrases “excellent customer service” and “direct personal attention.”

It is also the policy of this marina that if you spend more than one night a week on your boat, you become liable for their additional “liveaboard” fee of $225 per month. Rates were increased on July 1.

On another occasion, a boater at this marina misplaced his cell phone on quite a big boat. He asked the marina office to call the number while his wife listened in the hope of locating it.

They refused and told him to use the public phone, which he could not do as he had an out-of-state number.

Thanks for a good magazine.

Name Withheld Our readers should know that we did not publish the name of the marina here, but I have heard rumors of similar poor treatment of boaters at the marina for several years now and am not surprised the place is not full. The marina used to be respected as one of the best and friendliest in the Tampa Bay area. No more. Today, it is heavily disliked and criticized by many.

Editor FRIENDLY SOUTH CAROLINA TOWN A MARKED CONTRAST TO FLORIDA I just caught up with what’s going on in the anchorages in Florida via a number of past issues of SOUTHWINDS. Having escaped from Fernandina Beach, FL, a few months ago, I’m now anchored in Beaufort, SC. The thing that is most striking about Beaufort is how nice the people are. One gets the feeling that they are actually happy to see you sail in for a visit. The downtown section has many art galleries, a number of good restaurants, a hardware store, a West Marine, and three or four supermarkets that are all within biking distance. Incredibly, I See LETTERS continued on page 14

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LETTERS have yet to meet anyone who has been obnoxious, rude, or territorial. Obviously, this place is devoid of condo-commanders, and one only begins to realize how much Florida has lost through overdevelopment when they visit a laidback place like Beaufort. Instead of a wall of ugly condos surrounding the anchorage, there is a first-rate river walkway that is used for free public concerts and various festivals.

Over the last year or so, I have given up on Florida. I now regard it as hostile territory for sailors—a place to avoid for the sake of low blood pressure. The quality of life and personal freedom in Florida is at an all-time low.

There are too many people in too little space.

Thanks, Harry Knickerbocker Onboard Victory of Burnham Harry – Oddly enough, there are landlubbers here in Florida who think they have won and would cheer to hear your comments that you, a boater, has decided to stay away from Florida. These people don’t want cruisers coming by, anchoring, walking their town’s streets and feel it is a victory if they have driven cruising boaters out of the state. You can find many of these people living in Marco Island and Gulfport. The only boaters they like, and some don’t like any, are the ones in their own town. But they don’t want any strangers coming by.

Editor USCG REQUIREMENTS, DISCHARGE ZONES AND BOARDINGS As a member of the USCG, and now the USCG Auxiliary, this is in response to the whistle question. Every vessel, whether a Jet Ski, kayak or a 40-footer, needs a sound-producing device capable of sounding at least one-half mile. When I perform vessel safety checks, does the Jet Ski operator, dinghy driver or kayak operator have a whistle? They seldom do!

They are not even aware they are required! A whistle can be heard a long way and uses less energy to operate than your mouth. If that person had one, great for him, but the majority do not. Florida Statute 327.50 states the vessel needs to carry what is required by USCG regulations in the state of Florida. A sound-producing device is one item.

MSDs: Florida statute 327.53: Vessel over 26 feet with cabin and berthing needs one.

Boardings: Florida statute 327.56: No state officer can come aboard if owner is not there. If the MSD is below decks, he needs to go aboard to see it but only if owner is present.

The type III device (holding tank) discharge valve, sometimes called a “Y” valve, must not only be “closed” in state waters but “LOCKED” closed by wiring it, chaining and padlocking it, using wire ties or removing the handle.

This is very seldom done based on what I have seen on boats. Most boaters again are unaware of this requirement.

Locking the head door only is not acceptable. The overboard discharge through hull may be soiled by raw discharge and spotted by the observant person without even going aboard. This will require further investigation by going onboard and looking at it.

LectraSans require saltwater to operate. Many boats on the St. Johns River in northeast Florida are operating in freshwater, and their LectraSans are discharging untreated sewage. An optional saltwater system has to be added to the See LETTERS continued on page 16 14

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LETTERS device, and many boat operators are also unaware of this.

Florida no-discharge zones’ effective dates and locations: Destin Harbor in 1988, Key West Harbor in 1999 and all of the Keys in 2002. Also—any land-locked Florida lake is a no-discharge zone. In state waters, the discharge limits are three miles on the east coast and nine miles on the west coast. This took effect in 1994.

Marc Lang U.S.C.G Auxiliary Marc – Thanks for your input. I think most people understand these rules, but we object to how they are being enforced without any politeness or respect in so many cases. Plus there should be some judgment used. It is illegal for me to drive my car down the street a few doors to my neighbor’s house without a seat belt on.

Should I get a ticket? If I get caught, maybe just a comment is more than sufficient. But even that situation I would think it absurd a police officer would say something about.

A FWC officer needs to judge the situation accordingly; besides he needs always to be polite and respectful. I just see them not being that so often. Also, I see drunken powerboaters causing all the real accidents and obnoxiousness. Sailors rarely cause problems and few accidents.

Editor Bubba Upset on Private Use of Public Land I would like to report that Right Guard won best-in-show honors at the Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade of Lights for 2007. There is some loose talk about it being the only boat that was judged, but I am not certain about that. With the way my boat was tricked out, I had limited visibility.

Anyway, I am writing to you about how the tip of Island Park in Sarasota was usurped by a bunch of moneygrubbing snobs for the boat parade. As I went by the point, I noticed that the entire area had been cordoned off so that people of supposed good taste and deep pockets could put their fat behinds on folding chairs and be served some kind of alcoholic beverages. The “normal” folks were not admitted. Basically, public land was corralled for private use.

That sucks.

I am serving notice right now that if the city of Sarasota pulls off a similar stunt next year, I am throwing a couple of boxes of Tide into the fountain where the dolphin’s statue is on the same day as the boat parade. Not only that, but it’s my intention to also put a submersible water pump into the fountain, aim it at where the fat cats will be and then throw a remote switch to activate it.

If it rains on their parade, tough.

Bubba Whartz S/V Right Guard Bubba –I was there at the park that night and noticed the party. I wrote a letter to the editor of the local Sarasota paper about it. The letter was published along with a response. Turns out that it was a party for the judges and other important dignitaries. Seemed like a pretty big group to be the section for just the judges. Of course, in America today, everyone wants to be a judge. Pays good, that’s for sure. Do not judge, lest you be judged, I say.

I think you best talk to Procter & Gamble, who makes Tide, before you go doing something like that. You could be arrested and sued.

Editor

E-MAIL YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: EDITOR@SOUTHWINDSMAGAZINE.COM 16

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67th Annual Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami, Feb. 14-18 One of the largest boat shows in the world, this event combines the main show at the Miami Convention Center, the 23rd 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 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. Discover Sailing will be offering free introductory lessons and sailing.

Children ages six and older can take part in a free, funfilled, hands-on boat building supervised workshop from noon to 6 pm Friday through Monday.

Children 12 and under free. Ages 13-15 is $6. Adults $16. $30 for a two-day pass, Friday through Monday.

DIRECTIONS TO STRICTLY SAIL 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 right hand 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 Shuttle from park-and-ride facility at the American Airlines Arena, two blocks from Bayside. $10 per day.

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Premier Thursday costs $30. 10-6 Daily. Buy tickets online at 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.

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

THURSDAY, FEB. 14 10:45 Getting your Captain’s License - Fact vs. Fiction, Captain Bob Figular 10:45 How To Reduce Swinging At Anchor, Jess Gregory 12:00 Living on 12 Volts, John Gambill 12:00 Yoga for the On-Board Lifestyle, Kim Hess 1:15 Propeller Choices & Advantages, Steve Armitage 1:15 Safety at Sea with the Marine SSB - the Basics, Captain Marti Brown 2:30 Cruising with Pets - Problems, Dr. David LaVigne 2:30 Get On Board with Electronic Charting, Mark and Diana Doyle 3:45 Cruising the Eastern Caribbean, Liza Copeland 3:45 A Voyage At Sea - What’s it really like?, Capt. Ed Mapes 5:00 Offshore Galley Strategies, Robbie Johnson 5:00 Hybrid - Electric Drive, Dave Tether FRIDAY, FEB. 15 10:45 Cruising the French and Spanish Caribbean, Kathy Parsons 10:45 Getting your captains license fact vs. fiction, Captain Bob Figular 12:00 Circumnavigation, Mike Harker 12:00 Single Handed Spinnaker Sailing, Etienne Giroire 1:15 How to reduce swinging at anchor, Jess Gregory 1:15 Marine SSB - the Cruisers Multitool, Captain Marti Brown 2:30 Mediterranean Magic, Liza Copeland 2:30 Sunk and Stranded: How Two Women Saved Their Boat on a Remote Atoll, Joy Smith & Leslie Brown 3:45 Cruising with Pets - Preparations, Dr. David LaVigne 3:45 Cats vs Monos - Which Wins?, Captain David Bello 5:00 Electric Propulsion Systems for Pleasure Craft, Kevin Alston 5:00 Interpreting Marine Weather, Lee Chesneau SATURDAY, FEB. 16 10:45 Interpreting Marine Weather, Lee Chesneau 10:45 Power Paradise, Paul Marcuzzo 12:00 Women in Cruising, Kathy Parsons, Pam Wall & Gwen Hamlin 12:00 Single Handed Spinnaker Sailing, Etienne Giroire 1:15 Living on 12 Volts, John Gambill 1:15 Yoga for the On-Board Lifestyle, Kim Hess 2:30 A voyage at sea; What’s it really like?, Captain Ed Mapes 2:30 Interpreting Marine Weather, Lee Chesneau 3:45 Hybrid - Electric Drive, Dave Tether 3:45 Cruising the Eastern Caribbean, Liza Copeland 5:00 Circumnavigation, Mike Harker 5:00 SoBee Boaters, Kevon Anderson SUNDAY, FEB. 17 10:45 Sunk and Stranded: How Two Women Saved Their Boat on a Remote Atoll – Joy Smith & Leslie Brown 10:45 Electric Propulsion Systems for Pleasure craft, Kevin Alston 12:00 Propeller Choices & Advantages, Steve Armitage 12:00 Single Handed Spinnaker Sailing, Etienne Giroire 1:15 How to become a Galley Guru, Corinne Kanter 1:15 Island hopping to the Caribbean, Dr. David LaVigne 2:30 Multihull Haul out Tactics, Matthew Dunning 2:30 Cruising the French and Spanish Caribbean, Kathy Parsons 3:45 Yoga for the On-Board Lifestyle, Kim Hess 3:45 Safety at Sea with the Marine SSB - the Basics, Captain Marti Brown 5:00 SoBee Boaters, Kevon Anderson 5:00 Circumnavigation, Mike Harker MONDAY, FEB. 18 10:45 Living on 12 Volts, John Gambill 10:45 Getting your Captain’s License - Fact vs. Fiction, Captain Bob Figular 12:00 Mediterranean Magic, Liza Copeland 12:00 Yoga for the On-Board Lifestyle, Kim Hess 1:15 Get On-Board with Electronic Charting, Mark and Diana Doyle 1:15 Power Paradise, Paul Marcuzzo 2:30 How to reduce swinging at anchor, Jess Gregory 2:30 Boat Inspection prior to sailing - From Ready to Sail, Captain Ed Mapes 3:45 Offshore Galley Strategies, Robbie Johnson 3:45 Multihull Haul Out Tactics, Matthew Dunning www.southwindsmagazine.com

Bubba Innovates

By Morgan Stinemetz

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 43º lo – 61º hi Gulfport, MS 43º lo – 61º hi Water Temperature –58º

WEST FLORIDA St. Petersburg 54º lo – 69º hi Naples 53º lo – 75º hi Water Temperature St. Petersburg – 62º Naples – 66º

CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA Cape Hatteras, NC 40º lo – 53º hi Savannah, GA 38º lo – 60º hi Water Temperature Cape Hatteras, NC – 49º

EAST FLORIDA Daytona Beach - 47º lo – 70º hi Jacksonville Beach - 46º lo – 63º hi Water Temperature Daytona Beach – 61º Jacksonville Beach – 57º Gulfstream Current – 2.3 knots

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Miami Beach – 63º lo – 73º hi Stuart – 55º lo – 74º hi Water Temperature Miami Beach – 71º Stuart – 67º Gulfstream Current – 2.4 knots

FLORIDA KEYS Key West 65º lo – 79º hi Water Temperature Key West –69º

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

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

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EVENTS & NEWS

OF INTEREST TO

SOUTHERN SAILORS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

News & Views for Southern Sailors

latitude/longitude and dead reckoning. Satisfies Florida’s under age 21 boater requirements. (727) 867-3088. Other courses continually offered.

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

Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 11-1) Public Boating Programs America’s Boating Course, weekend course, two lessons—Jan 6-7. America’s Boating Course, three-day course, three lessons— Jan. 29-Feb. 1. GPS and Chart Reading, evenings.

Feb 12, 15. Boating Skills and Seamanship (7 lessons)— March 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26.

America’s Boating Course and other courses regularly posted on the Web site. For more information on upcoming education programs or to request a free vessel safety check call (727) 469-8895 or visit www.a0701101.uscgaux.info.

Click on Public Education Programs.

North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort, NC Ongoing adults sailing programs. Family Sailing. 2-6 people; 2-6 hours. Traditional skiffs or 30-foot keelboat. $50$240. www.ncmm-friends.org, maritime@ncmail.net, (252) 728-7317. Reservations/information: call The Friends’ office (252) 728-1638 CONTRIBUTE TO SOUTHWINDS WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED SOUTHWINDS is always looking for articles and photos on various subjects about sailing (cruise or race) in 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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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.

A/C & refrigeration Certification. Feb 5-8. Fort Lauderdale, FL. American Boat and Yacht Council. (410) 990-4460. www.abyc.org.

COMITT 2008. Feb 18-20. Fort Lauderdale, FL. American Boat and Yacht Council. (410) 990-4460. www.abyc.org.

Electrical Certification. Feb. 26-29. Jacksonville, FL. American Boat and Yacht Council. (410) 990-4460. www.abyc.org.

US Sailing Level 1 Instructor Course, Sarasota, FL, March 31-April 3 The Sarasota Sailing Squadron is hosting a US Sailing Level 1 (small boat) Instructor Course from March 31 through April 3. Jabbo Gordon, US Sailing-certified instructor trainer and U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, will teach the 40hour course. Interested persons may register online through www.ussailing.org under the education section. The course number is 150581. There is an early bird discount of $20 from the $315 fee for those who register before March 1.

Candidates must be at least 16 years old and have completed a safe boating course. If there are any questions, call Jabbo Gordon at (941) 468-1719.

BOAT SHOWS 67th Annual Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami, Feb. 14-18. See page 18 for complete information.

Carolina Power and Sailboat Show.

Feb. 15-17. North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC. Southeast Productions Inc., (336) 855-0208. www.ncboatshows.com.

Central Carolina Boat Show. Feb. 22-24. Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro, NC. Southeast Productions Inc., (336) 855-0208. www.ncboatshows.com Savannah International Boat Show. Feb 29-March 2.

Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, Savannah, GA, JBM & Assoc. (864) 250-9713. www.savannahinternationalboatshow.com.

■ OTHER EVENTS

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

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

Clairborne Young to Speak on Newest Edition of Cruising Guide to Western Florida, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Feb. 29 Claiborne Young will be speaking on his newly published seventh edition of his Cruising Guide to Western Florida at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron on Friday, Feb. 29—leap year

ARTICLES WANTED ABOUT SOUTHERN YACHT CLUBS, SAILING ASSOCIATIONS & YOUTH SAILING GROUPS

SOUTHWINDS magazine is looking for articles on individual yacht clubs, sailing associations and youth sailing groups throughout the Southern states (NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, TX (east Texas). Articles wanted are about a club’s history, facilities, major events and general information about the club. The clubs and associations must be well established and have been around for at least five years. Contact editor@Southwindsmagazine.com for information about article length, photo requirements and other questions.

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day. The talk will be at 7 p.m. and there will be a “mandatory” donation of $5 to cover expenses and light hors d’oeuvres. There will also be a cash bar with beer, wine, sodas and water. Young will have plenty of copies be available for purchase and will speak on the changes and updates of this latest edition.

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron is located at 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway, next to Mote Marine. (941) 388-2355.

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

If you think 2007 has been a “quiet” hurricane season, think again. For the first time since hurricanes have been recorded, there were two Category 5 hurricanes that came ashore this year, both in the sparsely populated Yucatan Peninsula. Imagine what would have happened if those monster storms had come ashore in Houston, Miami, or Long Island.

National Weather Service predictions say that

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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

SYMPOSIUM GOALS: • To help develop a hurricane plan that gives your facility the best chance possible to survive a storm.

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

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

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

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

• Get your questions answered and discuss ideas.

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

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

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South Florida.

The symposium will be held March 4-5 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, FL. Please go to www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes/symposium to register, receive e-mail updates, reminders, press releases or to book a room. Or, call Kristin Lloyd at (703) 4612878, x3561.

(This year, SOUTHWINDS is one of the minor cosponsors of the symposium.)

ASA Sailing Week in Antigua, March 7-14

By Jean K. Levine It seems like only last month since we returned home from sailing week in Antigua (see SOUTHWINDS, October 2007 issue, page 50, for an article by Jean Levine on the 2006 Antigua ASA week—available online in Back Issues at www.southwindsmagazine.com) and we haven’t stopped talking about what a great time we had reminiscing with new friends via e-mail.

The warm tropical Caribbean waters and the consis-

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tent breeze for sailing Lasers to Beneteau 473s is calling us back again. Tour the famous Nelson’s dockyard, watch the sunset from Shirley Heights or go on an Eco tour, circumnavigate the island on a big catamaran, snorkel with the sting rays or just sit by the beautiful, crystal-clear pool among the waving palms. Sailors from all over the country come to sail and share their experience with those who have always just dreamed about sailing.

If you are not a sailor, this is a great place to learn or a great way to get a small sample of sailing in the Caribbean. Jeff Grossman and Jean Levine from Clearwater, FL, will be co-captains of one of the Beneteau 473s, and we would love to share our local knowledge of Antigua with sailors from our home state so come and join us.

Next year is just around the corner and Kathy Christensen, event organizer, has done it again. Sunsail and Club Colonna have a package that includes accommodations for seven nights, unlimited use of all small boat sailing and water sports equipment, along with the exclusive use of two premium Sunsail charter yachts. The package includes all breakfasts, two lunches, five dinners,

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afternoon tea and cakes. The ASA will have a spring fling party, barbecue, farewell rum punch party and prizes. See the details at www.american-sailing.com and to sign up.

Swap Meet and Marine Flea Market, Sarasota Sailing Squadron March 8 This is a swap meet for all sorts of goods with a lot of marine/boating items. Bring your own table. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Barbeque from noon till ? during the swap meet. Jam Session from 3p.m. till ?? (SSS members to share their musical talents with all of us! Bring your guitars, tambourines, harmonicas, bongo drums, washboards, amps, whatever!)

To participate, call SSS Social Director Danny Wiedenhoft at (941) 345-6971. Sarasota Sailing Squadron, 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway, next to Mote Marine. (941) 388-2355.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

JSI 12th Annual Nautical Flea Market, St. Petersburg, March 29 Spaces available for sellers. Shop for bargains, sell your old stuff or just browse. JSI parking lot at 3000 Gandy Blvd., St. Petersburg. Call to reserve space at (727) 5773220 or (800) 652-4914. Or e-mail gerry@newjsi.com

â– NEWS

Allied Boats Rendezvous/ Gam in West Florida Date Set for April 11-13 The organizers have chosen a date for the gam of Allied Boats. It will be the weekend of April 11-13 in Tampa Bay, FL. Any Allied sailboats are welcome, such as the ketch boats: Seawind I 30, Seawind II 32, Princess/Contessa 36, Mistress 39, or the 42 foot S&S-designed yawl. If there are any of the more obscure Chance 30s or Luders 33s made by

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Allied in the area, feel free to join in the fun. This gam would also include Allied successor Wright Yacht boatbuilders, etc.

To add yourself to the e-mail contact list as details gel and plans are made, please contact Ed Verner (a Seawind II owner hailing from Apollo Beach, FL) via e-mail at seawindii@yahoo.com with you and your vessel’s information.

Details are still being sorted out, but ideas so far are for a two-day event to offer aerial photography, a raft-up anchor session, possible dinner, activities and/or flotilla.

the practice as laid back or intense as they want it to be, so that a good time is had by all.

Coaching dates are Jan. 25, Feb. 8 and 29, March 21 and 28, and April 4 and 18. Cost is $60 for members and $120 for non-members (includes boat if needed).

For questions and information, call the sailing center at (727) 517-7776. The center Web site is www.clearwatercommunitysailing.org.

Sunfish Ladies at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center

Cuba Race Participants of 2003 Continue to be Persecuted by United States Government

The Sunfish Ladies meet every Friday from January 25 through April 18. Sailing is from 9:30 am till 12:30. Coaching will be provided by the CCSC approximately two Fridays a month.

This is a good opportunity to get more on-the-water practice. The group will work on starts, mark roundings, boat handling and rules questions. Participants can make

SOUTHWINDS received an e-mail from one of the race participants of the Key West to Cuba race that took place in May, 2003. In the e-mail, the writer (name withheld) sent us a quote of the new charges, dated December 18, 2007.

The new charges are a bit different from the letter received last year, dated November 5, 2006, but are still a continua-

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tion of the charge of exporting a vessel without a license.

Here is a copy of the quote of the charges that we received (the owner’s name has been replaced with “X” and the name of the vessel has been replaced with the words “Vessel Y”): “Charge 1 15 C.F.R. 764.2(a)-Exporting a Vessel without a required license.

Between on or about May 22, 2003 though on or about May 31, 2003, X engaged in conduct prohibited by the Regulations when he exported the Vessel Y, an item subject to the Regulations and classified on the Commerce Control List under Export Control Classification Number (“ECCN”) 8A992.f, to Cuba during a regatta without the required Department of Commerce authorization. On more than one occasion prior to the regatta, BIS’s Office of Export Enforcement had advised race organizers that all regatta participants required a Department of Commerce export license prior to exporting their vessel to Cuba. On or about May 22, 2003, the Office of Export Enforcement met with X and other regatta participants at the regatta’s pre-launch party and informed X that

News & Views for Southern Sailors

a license was required for the temporary export of vessels to Cuba during the regatta. On or about May 23, 2003, the Office Of Export Enforcement provided X with a written notice indicating again that an export license was required by all regatta participants who took their vessels to Cuba and that a particular license that had been identified by some of the participants as authority to take their vessel to Cuba during the regatta did not in fact authorize the temporary export of a vessel.

Pursuant to Section 746.2 of the regulations, a license is required for the export of vessels to Cuba and no license was obtained for the export of Vessel Y to Cuba. In temporarily exporting a vessel to Cuba without the required license, X committed one violation of Section 764. (a) of the regulations.”

Note from Editor — We would like to point out that all the vessels returned from Cuba shortly after arriving there. In other words, none were “exported” to Cuba. The race organizers were persecuted by the U.S. government through November 2004, but never prosecuted, although their harassment by the U.S. government was plenty of punishment—otherwise known as

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“punishment without conviction.” Some call it persecution, as opposed to prosecution. The charges were dropped against them on the Friday before the first Tuesday in November 2004—four days before the national election in the United States. We wonder what will happen with these charges this year—another election year.

It has been four and a half years since the race.

WindPath Sailing, Inc. Introduces Fractional Sailing to the Key West Area Windpath Sailing, a fractional use sailing base, recently expanded its operations in Florida by opening a base in Key West. Greg Kimball is the base owner of the Key West operation, Windpath Sailing of FL. WindPath’s fleet is based on the Catalina line of 30-50 foot yachts. The first yacht, a 2007 Catalina 400, will be christened Windancer II at Oceanside Marina, 5950 Peninsular Ave., Key West. All of WindPath’s Catalinas are fully loaded and a typical yacht includes an in-

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mast furling system, electric anchor windlass, wheel steering with auto pilot, extensive navigation pack—with GPS chart plotter and radar—dodger, flat screen television with DVD player and CD player. WindPath provides a new and unique opportunity to lease a brand-new Catalina sailboat through a shared membership program—without the commitments and financial obligations normally associated with yacht ownership.

Kimball explained, “Owning a sailboat requires large personal and financial commitments that many would-be sailors are not ready to make.

WindPath removes all of the usual commitments associated with yacht ownership and allows members to enjoy their time on the water with friends and family.”

WindPath has another base in Fort Myers, FL, and is considering opening a base in Miami, among other Florida locations. WindPath will be exhibiting at the Strictly Sail portion of the Miami Boat Show, Feb. 14-18.

For more information on WindPath and to contact the Key West operation, go to www.windpath.com.

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Catalina Launches the Catalina 375 — Successor to the Legendary Catalina 36 — at Miami Boat Show, Feb. 14-18 Catalina Yachts has just launched a new model, the Catalina 375, a fresh new design, characteristic of the successful Catalina 36, and incorporating the best features found on all of Catalina’s latest model sailboats.

As successor to the legendary Catalina 36, introduced 25 years ago, the new 375 has a sculpted, contemporary and functional low profile deck and a stable performance hull form. High quality hardware and offshore-capable rigging complements a powerful sail plan with in-mast furling main and vertical battens. Twin backstays balance the powerful rig, creating an unobstructed “California size” cockpit.

A single side control traveler and inboard sheeting for overlapping genoas makes sail handling easier. Wide weather decks allow easy access forward and aft, and there

is enough room in the anchor locker for two rodes and gear.

A standard 6’10” fin keel is lead (not cast iron), and an optional 4’8” shoal draft wing keel allows gunkholing just about anywhere.

Down below, an extra large head adjacent to the owner’s cabin has a big circular shower and a gravity drain waste system. Inner spring mattresses are fitted in both cabins, fore and aft.

The boat is powered by a 40-hp. Yanmar diesel that burns fuel at a mere .6 gal./hr.

For more information, visit www.catalinayachts.com.

Dr. Shrink, Inc. Secures Worldwide Distribution Rights for TideMinders® Dr, Shrink, Inc., distributor of shrink-wrap and boat protection products recently secured worldwide distribution rights to Tideminders. Tideminders are high-density polyethylene solid “pearls”—as the inventor calls them—which slide over dock cable or dock line and go around a piling to slide up and down on it with the tide or during storm surge.

They are particularly useful in areas where docks and pilings are fixed.

TideMinders are manufactured by Go With The Flow Solutions, LLC, and were invented by Larry Gray. For more information, pricing, FAQs, installation tips, etc., go to www.tideminders.com, or contact Dr. Shrink Inc. at (800) 068-5147.

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

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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2007 FLORIDA

Winter Wharram Rendezvous Hobe Sound, FL, Nov. 30-Dec. 2 A Wharram Tane 43.

By Gene Perry

Courtesy Photos.

A Wharram Tangaroa 36.

T

he fourth annual Florida Wharram Catamaran Rendez-vous was the best yet at Hobe Sound, FL, on Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

We, the members of the Polynesian Catamaran Association wish to thank the many visitors to the event. Several flew in and sailed in from distant places such as Vancouver, BC, Normal, IL, and Providence, RI. Of the many boat models designed by James Wharram Designs, there were four of the most popular models represented.

The 16-foot Melanesia outrigger canoe,

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the Tiki 26 trailerable coastal cruiser, the classic Tangaroa 36-foot ocean cruiser, and the more recent Tiki 46 world cruiser.

We know of at least three Wharrams currently under construction that are likely attendees at next year’s event.

Others are undergoing refits and reportedly are near completion.

Sail-ins such as this are encouraged throughout the world by the builders and owners of Wharram catamarans. Plans are studied along with discussions on building methods and variations of plan changes to suit the builder’s whims.

Anyone who is interested in building or owning an affordable, safe multihull or just looking at them is cordially invited to these very informal gatherings.

This year, as always, there were visitors with monohulls and other designs of multihulls, such as a beautifully restored Piver 43 trimaran from West Palm Beach. We all admired a large ferro-cement schooner also.

The three-day event had the best weather yet and was certainly enjoyed by all. The Saturday evening dinner at Finz seafood restaurant on Manatee Pocket in Port Salerno was the only gathering away from the boats at Peck Lake on the ICW. We hope to see many at the meet on Dec. 5-7. Please mark your calendars for next winter. There is also the spring/summer event coming up in May. We all thank SOUTHWINDS magazine for the helpful boost in attendance the past two years.

The Polynesian Catamaran Assn. (PCA) was formed in England in the late 1960s and spread throughout the world as Wharram catamaran designs became known, and boats began to be built and sailed. The glue that holds the organization together is primarily the Seapeople magazine and the Wharram concept that life can be better by building a boat and using it. The magazine, published quarterly, contains articles by the members regarding their building and sailing experiences. The staff is entirely made up of volunteer members. Our hats are off to them.

The Wharram rendezvous in Islamorada, FL, will be on May 16-18. We will rendezvous behind the Lorelei restaurant (good anchorage) and use that establishment as our base. More details to follow as we figure this out.

Hope to see you all in May and again next December. www.southwindsmagazine.com

FLORIDA BOATBUILDING:

History, Art & Demonstrations

By Paula Biles “The Water is Wide” was a month-long exhibit last fall at The Studio@620 in St. Petersburg, FL, celebrating all aspects of Florida boatbuilding. The Studio and the Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez put on an impressive array of exhibits and programs. With the help of acting curator and yacht designer Charley Morgan, the event covered ALL aspects of the topic, plus it highlighted what a prominent role the west coast of Florida played in maritime history … and continues to play in present day boatbuilding.

ing, the burn and scrape method used to create dugout canoes, and building ship figureheads with paper mache.

Numerous expert lecturers included Kendall Butler of the Bahamas talking about the influence of Bahamian design and construction on Florida early boatbuilding, Lee Pearson (first woman marine surveyor) speaking about boat standards, Melanie Ourbak covering barge living in France, two winning sailboat racers talking about their triumphs and tribulations, Jopie Helsen entertaining with stories of his boatbuilding, and Robert Stackhouse explaining the influExhibit ence of boat hull forms on his art.

The physical exhibit came The discussions were also of in all sizes and shapes and great interest and educational was one major component value, often accompanied by the to document Florida’s heropportunity for questions from the itage of sailing, boatbuildaudience. Some were two-part sesing, and maritime comsions by Charley Morgan covering merce. It included nautical the history of Morgan Yachts, artwork, small boats hangaward-winning author Robert ing from the ceiling, Macomber giving a hilarious look numerous historical items at old Florida’s Gulf Coast boating and photographs, boat history, a representative from the sculpture, 19th century Tampa Bay Pilots Association boat models, half sailboat speaking on ships large and small models used by yacht in the bay area, and a talk about designers, memorabilia, an Model of The Jefferson Brown, a Key West Smack, was on the world’s most popular sailing ancient dugout log canoe, display at the Water is Wide exhibit. Photo courtesy class – the Optimist Pram. The and even a cross-section of The Studio@620. event closed with a a contemporary yacht. This roundtable discussion made for an extremely eclectic featuring Charley nautical display.

Morgan and Ted Irwin, Both boaters and non-boaters two of the men who found the exhibit fascinating. A made Florida boatbuildsmall sampling of what viewers ing what it is today. saw included the model Charley Morgan used when designing the Those who want to learn Out Island 41, a painting by intermore about Florida’s national painter and sculptor maritime history of fishRobert Stackhouse, meticulously ing and boatbuilding will crafted electric boat models, a be interested in a visit to Catalina 40 cross section showing the newly opened Florida the yacht’s construction techniques, Maritime Museum at abstract mobiles resembling boat Cortez. It is a joint project ribs, plans for Clark Mills’ famous Fisherman in Cortez, FL, in 1920. Photo courtesy between Manatee County, Optimist Pram and more.

F.I.S.H. (Florida Institute The Studio@620. for Saltwater Heritage), Programs and Cortez Village The other component of the “The Water is Wide” was the Historical Society. Their mission is to gather, preserve and extensive programming. Each week, several different interpret Florida’s maritime history. The Museum is open events were hosted. They helped give additional perspecseveral days each week. For more information call (941) tives to the maritime topic and included performances of 708-6120. music and theater, as well as classes, demonstrations, discussions, and lectures. For the month-long show, one Studio@620 programming is very eclectic and attracts a could be entertained and educated. There were even sevculturally diverse audience. It continues to add new and eral hands-on sessions designed for children. innovative programs. Its mission is to be an inviting, nurThe classes and demonstrations included wooden-boat turing, and welcoming space to the entire community. building and restoration, several types of model-boat buildwww.thestudioat620.org News & Views for Southern Sailors

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MARINE MARKETPLACE AND SAILING SERVICES DIRECTORY Line ads start at $50/line per year, 3-line minimum. Boxed-in ads starting at $170/six months.

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OUR WATERWAYS

By Harmon Heed

The Saga of the Sarasota Mooring Field (And how it affects the boaters in the rest of the state of Florida) On Dec. 17, the Sarasota City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the construction of a 109ball mooring field. By sometime in 2009, boaters will have to pay to stay in scenic Sarasota Bay, the “72-hour” rule will apply, and liveaboards will only be allowed to remain for six months in twelve.

Mooring Field History The story began about 30 years ago, when, according to Vice-Mayor Kelly Kirschner, the bay was referred to as “Hong Kong” Sarasota Bay and a book titled, Help Throw Me a Line, I’m Sinking was written (which was about when Kelly was born). Apparently, there were a lot of derelict boats in the bay back then, and some of the citizens wanted it cleaned up. But their intentions seemed to sink for about 20

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years, until sometime in the late 1990s when bayfront property prices started soaring and a citizens advisory committee was established by the city. That committee, composed of two liveaboard boaters, property owners and city employees, recommended a mooring field be installed. A mooring field that included liveaboards.

Still, little was done and the advisory committee last met in 2003. Then came the storms of 2004, and boats were

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Page 38 – The current anchorage at Island Park is in the background. The boat in the foreground washed up during a tropical storm in 2004. Photo by Steve Morrell.

Boats that washed ashore along the bayfront during a tropical storm in 2004. Boats breaking loose was one of the main reasons for establishing the mooring field. Photo by Steve Morrell.

washed up onto beautiful Bayfront Park, historic Selby Gardens and into Marina Jack, the city’s most prominent marina. The city was flush and hired Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc. (CEC) to do a feasibility study. CEC consulted with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the agency that controls leasing of submerged coastal lands, which are all owned by the state. CEC drew up plans for a mooring field that would approximate the needs of the boats in the bay at that time. The cost was estimated to be around $1,000,000.

The mooring field itself would cost about $650,000 to construct. That included dredging, installing 109 mooring balls (on three fairways), signage and navigation aids in 114 acres. FDEP required upland amenities, such as a harbormaster office, dinghy dock, restrooms with showers, pumpout, garbage and laundry facilities, parking and security.

The cost of those were estimated by CEC to be approximately $450,000.

The city engineer applied for and got $605,000 in state grants from the Florida Boating Improvement Program (FBIP) and the West Coast Inland District (WCIND). Instead of building a harbormaster’s office, more heads with showers, a laundry facility, and dock with pump-out station on adjacent but already crowded Little Island Park, the city consulted with Jack Graham, Inc., the owner of nearby Marina Jack, where most of the amenities were already in place. Bob Soran, president of Jack Graham, Inc. (Soran also sits on the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida) agreed to spend $450,000 upgrading the already meticulous marina, including building a new 110-foot dinghy dock, expanding the six heads to 10 with showers

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and improving the laundry facility. Those upgrades were completed in 2008.

Instead of the city hiring more employees, Marina Jack agreed to provide the manpower and operate the mooring field as a concessionaire. It would also operate the city’s new pump-out boat providing free pump-out to the moored boats and a free shuttle to and from the boats during business hours. The city and Jack Graham, Inc. signed a tentative, 10-year operations agreement in 2005.

Mooring Fees With over $1,000,000 of city, state and private funds invested, the moorings can’t be free for boaters. Sam Chavers Jr., the capable dockmaster at Marina Jack (Sam has an MBA from the University of Alabama), penciled out the expenditures and came up with an initial short-term rate of $15 and long-term rate of $13.50 per day. That means a mooring for a 30-foot boat would cost $405-450 a month. Although Sam and the city assistant manager, Peter Schneider, say that rate is commensurate with other mooring fields in the state, calls to other fields indicate otherwise. According to Nicole Olsen, the public works director of the Fort Myers Beach field, it charges $13 a day short term and $260 a month long term (equal to $8.66 per day). Sean, the senior dockhand at Vero Beach, quoted $11.33 a day for transient and $309 per month long term (equal to $10.30 per day). Liveaboards there pay an additional $45 per month. Boot Key, down in the Keys, advertises rates of $20 per day, $94 per week and $250 per month (equal to $8.33 per day for a 30-foot boat).

Vero Beach, however, charges extra for showers, dinghy dock and pump-out service.

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OUR WATERWAYS Profits and Mooring Field Will Marina Jack or the city make money off the boaters at $15 a foot rate? No, and for two reasons. First, the lease agreement between the city of Sarasota and state of Florida (FDEP) stipulates that NO profit can be made by the city or the marina operator. Audits will be kept, and if any profit is made, the city will be fined $695,000. Jack Graham, Inc. will be able to recoup its investment in upland amenities. The city will recoup money it spent on R&D, engineering ($200,000) and cost increases (dredging cost has gone up $100,000 in the past two years). Then it will be able to put funds into a hurricane loss fund. After that, profit will be precluded by lowering the rates.

Second, the field is projected to operate at a loss for at least the first two years, mainly because of fixed costs and high vacancy rate. Fixed vessel operation and direct labor costs, questioned by Commissioner Richard Clapp, are projected to be $113,000 a year. The projected build and fill rates are 35 boats the first six months, 70 the second six months and total fill in 48 months. The first year’s deficit is projected at $100,000 and the second year at only $10,000. Those projections seem optimistic because the mooring field may remain empty during the summer months as they are at Fort Myers and Vero Beach.

Effect on Currently Moored Boats No matter what the rates are, there are a lot of boats now at

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anchor out there that won’t be able to remain. Some liveaboards are on VA or SSI pensions and are unable to work.

To sign a required mooring agreement, one’s boat must be self-propelled (all boats will be considered motorized), and have an approved MSD and insurance, primarily to cover storm damage. To insure a boat, just for liability, a survey is required and that requires moving the boat to a yard and having it hauled. Short haul-out is over $300. Survey is another $300. Liability insurance should cost around $300 a year. There’s also the cost of fixing whatever the survey requires. (A lot of those boats in the bay need a lot of fixing!)

Many aren’t worth fixing, will be abandoned and have to be removed at the city’s expense. Police Chief Peter Abbott has been commended by both boaters and lubbers alike for the removal of many derelict boats already. Since 2004, his department has removed over 160 wrecked or abandoned boats at a cost of over $157,000. Most of the liveaboards in the bay think that if more of the derelict boats had been removed, a mooring field wouldn’t be required.

Skip Delannoy, who lives aboard his Irwin 31 and works construction, says, “Those boats are worse eyesores and more dangerous to us than to the people on the land. A few bad apples are causing a lot of us a lot of money. I wish the police would remove a lot more of them.”

There are between 12 and 20 liveaboards among the 100 boats in the bay. Some, like Skip, work and keep their boats in good condition. Another is Tim, an IT professional who

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Two police boats are stored at Marina Jack.

Photo by Harmon Heed.

prefers the serenity of living on the water in his 42-foot sailboat. Another is a student who likes the low rent. Other boaters, like Walter Ewell— who is retired and lives on Siesta Key—just spend a lot of time on their boats cruising or at anchor in the bay. Skip, Tim and Walter realize there is some poo-poo put in the bay by some of the liveaboards but say it is minimal, even miniscule when compared to the municipal and industrial runoff. And they agree that sanitation laws should be enforced. Walter has been dubbed “The Bucket Man” because he is often seen carrying the contents of his holding tank home in a red bucket. This writer lived aboard for many years in San Francisco Bay, and I can affirm that those who live on the water swim in the water and are far more concerned about its quality than those who live on the land!

Liveaboards Once the city’s ordinance goes into effect, after Phase I of the mooring field is completed, liveaboards will be allowed to

remain only six months out of 12. That’s not the city’s rule; it’s the FDEP’s, and it must be written into the city’s ordinance before the permit will be issued. City Attorney Robert Fournier learned from a conversation with the FDEP legal counsel that FDEP’s policy is against liveaboards. “They do not approve of what they deem non-water dependent activities on state land. They consider living on a boat a nonwater dependent activity, and this condition was put into the permit to discourage or prohibit someone from living there permanently.” (Have any members of the FDEP ever lived on a boat?)

The FDEP also required the city, “… to develop an ordinance prohibiting anchoring on sovereign submerged lands outside of the lease.” Once the ordinance is adopted, city law enforcement officers will provide enforcement of the ordinance against mooring outside the field. Two Sarasota police boats are berthed on lifts in Marina Jack.

The Mooring Field at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron Across Sarasota Bay, on City Island, sits the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. The squadron has member boats on 38 permitted mooring balls and about 70 unpermitted balls. The

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OUR WATERWAYS Dinghies on the beach at Island Park from the current boats anchored off the park.

Photo by Harmon Heed.

squadron had an application in for a submerged land lease—to allow it to expand to 100 moorings—for five years. In October, squadron member Bill Niblock requested that its application be withdrawn with the intention of obtaining a temporary use permit to come into effect in January 2008. What happens when the Sarasota Mooring Field Ordinance goes into effect? Will the 70 squadron member boats on the unpermitted moorings have to go elsewhere or, by state law, be removed by city police? What effect will that have on the satellite Sarasota Youth Sailing Program?

The city of Sarasota is trying to ameliorate the pain of transition for boaters now on the hook in the bay. Mayor Lou Ann Palmer requested that a tiered rating system be used to allow lesser rates for smaller boats. She also requested the consideration of a lower insurance limit of liability to allow lower premiums for the boaters. The mayor also directed City Attorney Fournier to ask the FDEP if the city could write into the ordinance a “transitional rule” allowing

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more time for present liveaboards to remain anchored outside the mooring field. Fournier said the FDEP “will work with the city, but that the ultimate goal would be to bring everyone into the mooring field.” Mayor Palmer also asked that a “transitional rule” be requested for the Sailing Squadron until their application is approved or denied.

How the Sarasota Field Will Affect Other Cities in Florida How will Sarasota’s new ordinance affect other areas, like Bradenton, Gulfport and St. Augustine where mooring fields are being considered? Many Florida boaters have had their hopes up that the Marco Island decision would, once

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The new dinghy dock at Marina Jack. Photo by Harmon Heed.

and for all, end local anchoring restrictions outside of submerged land leases, i.e., city-controlled mooring fields and marinas. Presently that’s bilge water. The Marco Island decision is binding only in Collier County. If Marco Island appeals its case to the 20th Circuit Court, the decision will be binding in Collier, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties only. If it appeals up to the 2nd District Court, it will be binding in nine more of the state’s 67 counties, including Sarasota. But it appears that only a ruling by the State Supreme Court will make the rule binding in every county, statewide.

The position of the FDEP—requiring a municipality to prohibit anchoring outside leased submerged lands, i.e., the “72-hour rule”—is in direct opposition to state law that denies municipalities from governing boats in navigation outside the leased lands. State Statute 327.60 reads, “Local government authorities are prohibited from regulating anchoring outside of such mooring fields of non-liveaboard vessels in navigation.“ In the Marco Island case, the WCC’s position was testified to by their Assistant General Counsel, Capt. Alan Richards. The FDEP position was not presented.

Yet the FDEP issues lease permits, not the WCC. When the city attorney’s office asked FDEP if it was aware of the WCC’s position, they replied, according to Fournier, that “they were potentially on a collision course with the WCC’s position and that they didn’t think that was terribly productive to have two state agencies with potentially opposing points of view. They had contracted with the Conservation Clinic at the University of Florida Law School, and they are going to try and work together and come up with legislation that they anticipate will be introduced in the 2009 legislative session that they hope will resolve the conflict.”

That corresponds approximately with the date Phase I of the mooring field will be completed and the city ordinance no. 07-4711 will go into effect prohibiting anchoring outside the mooring field. This gives concerned boaters, who are opposed to such legislation, one year to organize and activate to sway the state legislature to overturn the FDEP’s position against free anchoring and living aboard in state waters. This is not a local issue, it is a state issue. If you disagree with the

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FDEP’s position, contact your state senator and congressman.

This is also an issue with people and cities outside the state. Jim and Alice Rutherford are full-time cruisers and active members in the Seven Seas Cruisers Association.

They are in favor of a mooring field here but think the proposed rate will cause many cruisers to bypass Sarasota. The city of San Diego, CA, has three mooring fields with over 300 moorings that rent for $138 a month. They don’t have a free shuttle or marble-like walled showers, but they do have a two-year waiting list. And, there’s even another mooring field that’s free for 90 days for nonresidents of San Diego!

The city of Sarasota, especially the high-rise condo owners along Bayfront Park, wants to clean up the bay. The owners of boats anchoring in the bay say that can be done by enforcing existing rules and not spending $1,500,000+ of taxpayer’s money. But the argument goes far beyond the culture of Sarasota. It affects the boaters of all of Florida and beyond.

Boaters must make themselves heard in their capitals.

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Coral Reef Sailing Apparel: One Site, One-Stop Shopping for Regattas

The Coral Reef truck.

By Julie B. Connerley

George Cannon, owner of Coral Reef Sailing Apparel is always on site.

I

f you are a sailor, whether an avid competitor on the local scene, or a regular at regional or national events, then no doubt you have a closet full of T-shirts and ball caps. Like the familiar peanut butter and jelly sandwiches you enjoyed as a child, well-attended regattas always offer commemorative T-shirts for sale.

But unlike the good ol’ P&J, which has remained unchanged throughout the years, the proverbial race T-shirt has come a long way—thanks in part to George B. Cannon, president of Coral Reef Sailing Apparel (CRSA).

The days when yacht club volunteers created their own designs to be reproduced by local vendors has been replaced with a one-stop shopping experience by the only company that we know of that exists exclusively to cater to the national sailing community through yacht and sailing clubs. CRSA also partners with class associations.

“We began offering the International Star Class garments in November 2006,” began Cannon, “to allow Star Class members to wear their class proudly, all while sup-

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porting the same group.” CRSA also furnishes outerwear and apparel to the Flying Scot, Highlander, Melges 24, Opti, Snipe and Thistle classes.

Coral Reef Sailing Apparel is a company based on a 100 percent worry-free concept. So what is worry-free? “It means,” continued Cannon, 52, “that we will provide everything for your regatta.”

“We offer uniquely designed professional artwork, the highest quality screen printing or embroidery on all garments, and our associates staff the event from beginning to end with no expenses to your club.”

CRSA sets up racks and displays from the beginning of the race until the awards ceremony and accepts all major credit cards as well as checks and cash. After the regatta, the company pays a commission on every item sold.

But regatta wear isn’t just about T-shirts. While ball caps are still the most popular headgear, that inventory has expanded to include scrunchie caps, visors, neck protecting hats, and Cool-Crown extreme performance hats. Fleece jackets, long-sleeved shirts, hiking shorts, sunglasses, shoes—George has them all!

Sailing teams want personalized polo shirts, or active shirts featuring high-tech fabric, faster drying, lighter weight, and they want their fabrics treated with sunblock!

An extensive inventory assures there is something for everyone: Gill North America, Columbia, Timberline, Gilden, Adams headwear, Harken gloves, Wikz, and SAILFAST are just some of the familiar brand names that are carried by CRSA. Every size from youth, small, medium, large, adult, extra small to XXXL are available, as well as a huge assortment of colors.

“No club is too big or too small. We realize each club has different needs,” continued Cannon. “We want to build a lasting relationship because we know that our business is dependent on repeat business.”

And they have been doing repeat business for quite some time. The company originally began in 1978 under the name Coral Reef Trading Company, located in St. Petersburg, FL. www.southwindsmagazine.com

The Coral Reef setup with hats, shirts, jackets and more at a regatta.

Although involved in sailing apparel, particularly with the Bayview Mackinaw Race during the ’90s, the previous partner had taken the business as far as he wanted to when George became sole owner in 2000. He changed the name to Coral Reef Sailing Apparel and relocated the business to Lebanon, PA, along with his wife, Cheryl, and family.

How exactly did a fellow from Pennsylvania get involved in the sailing community? “I was formerly a member of corporate America,” laughed Cannon, “when one day I realized I did not want to paint my final picture sitting behind a desk.

“Being in this business has been more about fun than about making money. Every regatta is a new experience because every location is unique. The people are always great. It’s never boring. I get to taste a lot of different types of food. It’s wonderful.”

And to his credit, working with George is never boring either. He is quite affable, always remembering repeat customers from year to year, and seems to enjoy hearing about their daily recaps about the current regatta.

“You are only as good as the race you have just attended,” continued Cannon. “It is a constant challenge to return year after year to a yacht club and offer these competitors something different. We must keep up with the changes to keep our customers happy.” CRSA has taken the lead by including an e-commerce Web site and becoming affiliated with a Web-based regatta management company.

George is particularly skilled at customer relations. His laid-back attitude has won over those who might not shop without an “overnight approval from their better half,” and his business skills have not been lost on his sons, Ian, 24, Kyle, 21, and Jarred, 23, who have all spent some time learning the business. And business has been good. It has taken him across the United States from New England, Michigan, the Carolinas, to Georgia, Texas and California.

George is the ultimate sailor’s vendor. He sells only quality products, knows his inventory and still makes time to listen to the old salts’ tales. If only those sailors knew that Coral Reef Sailing Apparel facility was located in the middle of acres of prime corn and soybean Pennsylvania farmland.

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From there, George can handle much of his business from his computer on the company’s Web site, www.coralreefsailing.net, while sitting at his desk in his camouflage overalls and hot pink regatta T-shirt, according to CRSA project coordinator, Michele Gill. “Honestly, he thinks he looks good in that outfit!” she said.

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CAROLINA SAILING

2007 — Charleston’s Banner Year in Sailing

By Dan Dickison

A spectator boat at the start of the Charleston to Bermuda Race.

T

he year 2007 wound to a quiet close on Charleston Harbor early this winter. Lights twinkled on shore as locals celebrated the holidays while only a couple of vessels transited the murky waters that stretch from Sullivan’s Island north and west toward the Charleston peninsula to become the city’s defining rivers. Fewer yet sailboats cut a wake through that grey-green brine. It was a period of inactivity that belied the larger reality. In fact, Charlestonians were finishing up a very active and momentous year on the water. It was a year in sailing that likely rivals all others in recent memory. Here’s a quick look at the highlights: The Spirit of South Carolina Launched In early March last year, the South Carolina Maritime Foundation made good on a long-standing promise and launched The Spirit of South Carolina, a 140-foot traditional tall ship meant to educate the state’s youth and represent the Palmetto State in ports far removed from the Low Country. On that spring day, hundreds of spectator craft watched as the ship was lowered into the Cooper River, culminating a six-year effort in which untold hours of volunteer labor and nearly $4-million were expended. This, effectively, was the realization of a collective dream.

Though the ship didn’t formally sail until May, her inaugural outings under sail were momentous because she served as the host vessel for seven other tall ships that visited Charleston Harbor during the Charleston Maritime

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Festival. After a summer of trial sails, The Spirit began taking young students out in early October, and by the end of that fall semester, more than 1,000 fifth and sixth graders had sailed on board. They not only learned the ways of a traditional vessel, but also hands-on lessons designed to complement their classroom curriculum. Additionally, in October, the foundation staged its first mammoth fundraising event—The Spirit Ball—which garnered over $150,000 in contributions.

Charleston Racing On the racing scene, Charleston was an extremely active place in 2007. The seasonal highlight, Charleston Race Week, took place in mid-April with over 150 entries in attendance, representing homeports as far-flung as San Francisco and Great Britain. Though the event was cut short by gale-force conditions that descended on the Low Country after the second day of competition, the organizers nonetheless managed to stage six challenging races for most of the boats competing, along with some well-appreciated shoreside festivities at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina.

Less than two months later, 18 boats—participating in the sixth edition of the Charleston-Bermuda Race—set sail out of the harbor, bound 777 miles east to the idyllic Bermudian archipelago. It turned out to be one of the most challenging races on record, with light and variable conditions for most of the course and then winds in excess of 30 knots visiting the fleet as it drew closer to the finish. A

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national championship regattas. In the process, five sailors achieved All-American honors, and two received honorable mention status.

Other Sailing Highlights The Charleston Ocean Racing Association, A J/105, High Visibility, on the offshore course during Charleston Race Week. (photo is which runs regattas and racing series throughout the year, staged a successful, of Charleston Race Week 2006). three-race Offshore Challenge Series in which 13 different vessels participated.

These sailors competed over courses that run north to young Charleston sailor and his crew, Will Hanckel, skipGeorgetown and Murrell’s Inlet, and south to the Savannah pering his father’s J/120 Emocean, sailed superbly and Light. It served as a fitting complement to the regular wound up with overall honors.

Wednesday night evening series run by CORA. And the summer season wound to a close with the annual Leukemia Charleston Sailors Do Well Around the Globe Cup Regatta in September, which attracted 47 entries. The During 2007, other young Charlestonians turned in memobig news here was that these sailors managed to raise in rable performances on somewhat of a grander stage. Patrick excess of $180,000 for the Leukemia Foundation.

Wilson served as tactician aboard the U.S. Sailing Team’s There were also highlights on the business side of entry in the Pan American Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, things. Longtime local sailmaker Tripp Fellabom’s loft (UKwinding up with a fifth-place finish in a very competitive Halsey) celebrated its 30th year in business. Beneteau USA, fleet. And Michael Miller spent time on the world scene as the Charleston-based branch of the world’s largest recrea member of the U.S. Olympic Sailing Team in the 470. ational boatbuilder, announced that the company had Though he and his skipper, Justin Law, didn’t win a place shipped over 400 new sailboats from its South Carolina on the team for the 2008 Olympic Games (they finished factory in 2007—a new record in total dollar volume. And fifth at the U.S. Olympic Sailing Trials in Los Angeles), he local wooden-boat builder—Sea Island Boat Works—comnonetheless represented the Holy City in fitting fashion. pleted a number of new projects, including a 55-foot charAnd local racer Steve Kopf (for whom Miller regularly ter catamaran and three different powerboats. As of this calls tactics) garnered top honors in the Melges 24 writing, master shipwright Mark Bayne and his crew are Southeast Circuit. At the culminating event—the King’s continuing construction of a 28-foot gaff-rigged ketch for a Day Regatta in Jacksonville, FL—Kopf and his team on customer in Florida. board Blur—finished 10th, a respectable place among so Collectively, that’s a lot of activity and a number of fine many professional entries. accomplishments. And it looks like 2008 is headed in the Perhaps most notable among the many 2007 victories same direction. On New Year’s Day, 20 boats ranging in size for Charleston area sailors was the win by the College of from Melges 24s to a Moorings 510, materialized for Charleston Sailing Team at the National Co-ed Dinghy CORA’s annual Hangover Race. With temperatures near 60 Championship Regatta in Annapolis, MD. For the second degrees and winds gusting to 31 knots across the harbor, it year in a row, Cof C collegiate sailors exhibited their supewas a fitting start to what promises to be another active rior versatility and hauled home the Fowle Trophy, which is year of sailing in Charleston. awarded to the most dominant team across six different

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49

Dry Storing a Boat for Hurricane Season in the South – Part II of III

By Capt. Ron Butler Photo by Ron Butler.

Task List for Storage Storing the boat for the season is also an ideal time to take care of maintenance that needs to be done out of the water, such as bottom work, propeller or shaft work. We will do Kismet’s bottom this year along with a new drive shaft, and cutlass bearing. Last time we stored out of the water, we had her bottom professionally stripped and then let her hull dry out for six months before repainting.

Some work is better performed before storage, and other work probably is best done just before launch.

Painting the bottom is probably best done just before launch.

Remember, too, that if you’re doing this work yourself, to make reservations in the work area.

BOAT STORAGE TASK LIST Make yard reservations Call insurance company (rebate for dry storage?)

Mail in test sample of engine oil Change oil/filters Chlorine in water tanks Remove Bimini/dodger Remove spray shields Remove VHF masthead antenna Remove wind bird Remove windex Prep bottom for paint Clean anchor rodes/chain Pressure wash decks Oil rag in engine air intake Rags in boom ends Remove mainsail cover Remove mainsail Remove and stow genoa Remove TV Exchange and plastic-bag books Bag foulies and PFDs Dinghy on trailer Remove fuel/water/gas cans Remove cockpit GPS Screen in thru hulls Shut off engine fuel valve Shut off propane tank Pack up computer/printer/scanner Lock lazarettes Remove manuals and documents Remove prop Remove prop shaft Remove cutlass bearings Install Nicro vent Remove SS dorade vents Rig tarp Clean grill and stow Stow all deck lines, winch handles, boat hooks and tackles Mast up or down?

Should you store your boat mast up or down? Well, I suppose it depends. We’ve always left our mast up and so far have not experienced any problems. Your boat will have considerably less windage with the mast down and so might be safer in a severe storm but what about the mast

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itself? Will it be safer, too?

You have to consider mast storage if the mast is down.

It probably would be best to store the mast on racks designed for the purpose and secured with tie-downs. One boater reported damage to his mast when high water ruined electrical components on the stored mast. While the water wasn’t high enough to damage the boat, it did get the mast-mounted radar while the mast was down and stored separately (see sidebar).

Taking the mast down has other drawbacks, too. On Kismet our mast is keel-stepped, and taking it down is a major project requiring lots of disconnecting, not to mention disturbing the mast partner Spar-Tite system. A deckstepped mast would be far easier. Consider, too, the added cost. You’ll have to pay extra to have the mast removed and stepped again. Some yards, like Indiantown, also charge extra for mast storage.

Consider, too, that a lot of the damage from hurricane Wilma to boats at Indiantown was caused by one boat toppling over and into nearby boats, causing a small chain reaction of damage. Often this damage was because rigging fell into other rigging. I classify storing the mast down as a toss-up; pick your poison.

Engine Diesel engines in storage for up to a year don’t really need all that much in terms of maintenance. On Kismet (for six

months) we top off fuel tanks and put in fuel additives to help prevent organic growth and to help keep the fuel stable until we run it again. Keeping the tank full limits the amount of water that can accumulate in the tank from moist air condensing on the tank walls.

However, other folks take the opposite approach and for good reasons, too. One friend keeps his fuel tank empty and then drains it of water before refilling with fresh fuel at launch. This also prevents organic growth and has the advantage that if the fuel tank develops a leak while the boat is stored, he doesn’t have a huge clean-up problem.

Plus his first tank of fuel at launch will be fresh.

We used to stuff an oil-soaked rag into the air intake.

This will keep bugs or frogs from crawling up in there, and the oil should inhibit moisture intrusion. Just this year, we installed an oil-soaked K&N air filter on the engine air intake that should serve the same purpose. I’m not convinced of the effectiveness of engine-fogging compounds for diesels. Fuel residues on pistons, valves and cylinder walls should protect against rust forming. That said, storage periods longer than a year may need extra protection, and foggers may help.

We also have a fuel shut-off at the fuel filter. We close this when we shut down the engine for the last time. That way the fuel lines and filter stay full and don’t require as much priming and bleeding when we restart the engine.

Finally, we change our engine oil and send samples off to our testing lab, hoping to anticipate problems.

Damage From Storing the Mast on the Ground

By Steve Morrell, Editor The boater referred to in this article who had radar damage was me. I had purchased a boat that was on the hard in a yard in North Carolina. It was being worked on in preparation to eventually being moved to Florida, where I was living. The deck-stepped mast was removed and sitting on eight-inch wooden blocks on the ground next to the boat. The radar was left attached to the mast and was lying on its side on the ground itself. A tropical storm came through and the yard flooded. It happened so quickly that preparations were made for the boat, but the radar unit was overlooked. (I was in Florida when it happened.) The radar unit was flooded, and sand and salt destroyed it. (The rest of the mast and wiring were unharmed except a deck light.)

There was a fairly happy ending to this story, though. After the boat arrived in Florida, I wanted to get the radar fixed, as every other part of it, including the receiving display unit, was in good condition. The unit was not very old, but it was not made anymore. I went to e-Bay and started searching. I found a radar sending unit that was never used for sale, but they wanted $1200. I kept searching and found someone who had the unit, but the array (the part that spins around) was bent, and the dome top was destroyed. The guts, though, in the photo appeared in good condition. I had an array that was good and a dome top. I took a chance and purchased it for $175 plus a small amount for shipping. I found a local servicing company that would fix the array and put it all together and test it for $150. When I installed the unit, it worked perfectly.

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The mast in the background was bent during a storm.

Photo by Ron Butler.

When we recommission in the fall, we’ll check water pump impellers, fan belts, change fuel filters, check the engine/shaft alignment and other routine maintenance chores.

(Note: Since we’re storing in Florida, we don’t have to worry about antifreeze. Ah, the benefits of the heat.)

Water Tanks We store Kismet with more or less full water tanks. We do add a considerable amount of Clorox to her plastic tanks before storage, and we have a filter system that does a good job of removing the chlorine taste in the fall. I don’t recommend this if you have metal tanks, however. Chlorine will attack the welds of stainless steel or Monel tanks, and it is corrosive to aluminum tanks.

Holding Tank Holding tanks should be empty and dosed with your favorite chemical such as “Odorlos” according to the product instructions.

Dinghy Remove the dinghy. It’s probably best to just take your dinghy home with you and stow it in the garage. If you must, you can lash it down to the foredeck, but it is extra windage, and it will stay exposed to the sun over the sea-

son. Indiantown Marina prohibits leaving your dinghy under the boat as some folks did in the past. We trailer ours home since we need to clean it up and service the motor anyway.

Sails and Canvas All of your sails should be removed. Take down your roller furling jib and your mainsail. You can store them inside the boat if need be. This is a good time to truck them over to your sailmaker for repairs or replacement, too.

Some folks remove their main boom and jib booms as well. We leave our main boom up. Removing the boom would help reduce windage, but it’s not easily removed and would add many hours to our recommissioning schedule.

Securing the boom with lines to cleats or winches is a good idea to minimize any movement.

Topping lifts and halyards can be rigged to serve as back-up mast support. The tails of halyards and sheets should be secured. Jib sheets should be removed entirely.

Likewise, your Bimini top and dodger should be removed.

Don’t forget the spray curtains on the lifelines.

Note too that some yards (Indiantown for one) prohibit raising sails when the boat is on the hard. They may also prohibit going up the mast with the boat out of the water.

Removing masthead antennas and roller-furling jibs/genoas must be done before haul-out.

Batteries We leave our batteries “on” and our solar panel in place, but we live close enough that if a storm becomes a serious threat, we can run down to the boat and remove the solar panel. If you’re leaving the area and won’t be able to do final storm prep on a “just-in-time” basis, then remove the panel and maybe the batteries. The batteries need to be kept on a maintenance charger, so if you’re in a yard that provides electric to your stored boat, you just plug in.

Otherwise, you need to provide for charging. Some folks use a small trickle solar panel, secured to the deck. I have one that I use on our stored camper ($12 from a discount tool store). Works great. No regulator required.

Antennas We remove our masthead antennas mainly because it gets us under the 55-foot limitation of passing through the St Lucie River, but it does reduce weight and windage aloft some, too. Probably doesn’t hurt to remove them. You

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should also disconnect the antennas and electrical power from radios and other electronics like GPSs, radars, etc. We usually bring that stuff home with us for the season, but this year we left it on board. Disconnecting everything may not protect against lightning damage, however. Transient power spikes can zap circuit boards even if you stow them inside a Faraday cage. It just doesn’t take much.

Deck Gear We remove all deck gear. We clean and stow the gas grill, remove winch handles, dock lines, boat hooks, MOB gear and anything else loose for storage down below. The fenders we lash over the side between our boat and the next.

Slim chance that it will do any good, but they can’t help at all if they’re stowed in a lazarette.

Hauling and Blocking: Jack Stands, Plywood and Tie-Downs Marinas have their own rules and procedures for blocking and placing boats in their yards. You may not get much choice in the matter. However, there are some things you may be able to do.

If your insurance policy specifies certain procedures or methods, you should discuss those with the yard manager to make sure you will be in compliance. For example, your

News & Views for Southern Sailors

policy may specify that plywood be placed under jack stands. Not all marinas will do this. Plywood under the jack stands prevents the base of the stand from sinking into soft ground. Generally, these plywood triangles or squares should be smaller than the feet of the stand. This allows the feet to sink into the ground by a couple of inches, but the plywood, positioned under the cross braces, will prevent it sinking more. The feet digging into the ground help to prevent the stand from slipping away from the hull. Other yards have paved parking pads. Here you won’t need plywood under the jack stands, but chaining and strapping are still a good idea.

Jack stands need to be chained together perpendicular to the axis of the boat or athwartships. At least two pairs, and preferably more, should be tightly chained together under the boat. One witness to boats that toppled over at Indiantown during Wilma told me that even though the jack stands were chained, the rocking action of the boat in high winds wobbled the stands out from under the boat. He suggested that the tops of the stands just under the pads be connected pair wise also. His idea was to use ratcheting cargo straps between the top of the posts just under the pads. With the bottoms chained together and the tops strapped, the poppets have a better chance of staying put.

I haven’t been to Glades boat storage, but I understand

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Make sure you remove the headsail. Photo by Don Charland

that they use a different method. There they have steel rails or frames secured to the ground, and they weld the jack stands in place under the boat. That sounds pretty secure to me.

If you can, have the jack stands placed under the hull where interior bulkheads support the hull. If you don’t place them in line with bulkheads, then you risk poking one through the hull as happened to several boats during Wilma. Whatever works, but the main reason boats fall over is that the jack stands wiggle out from under the boat with the boat’s motion in strong wind.

Another thing to watch for is good jack stands. One boater had his boat tip over because the jack stands were old and rusted. They were found collapsed and just fell apart.

You may get to specify the attitude of the boat on the hard, too. I always ask that mine be placed level, as she would be in the water. But if you have a problem with decks or cockpit draining, you may want to specify a slightly bowup or bow-down orientation. I wouldn’t go for anything extreme here. Keep her level athwartships and maybe a slight bow angle.

You may also have some flexibility with exactly where in the yard they put you. I prefer to have Kismet placed near boats of her own size. Placing a boat between two larger boats may offer some sideways wind protection. You may also get to specify how many poppets are used.

Usually extra stands involve extra charges, but sometimes a single extra stand under the bow makes all the difference.

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Tie-downs need to be very substantial. On Kismet, we used straps that we purchased from the yard. They are 4-inch-wide cargo straps rated at 3,300 pounds each with big lever action ratchets. These were sold by the marina at $20 each, which isn’t much more than what you would pay at a retail store. You can also ask for additional tie-downs if you think the ones provided may not be sufficient. Again, you may be charged for extra anchors and straps. Rope simply won’t do.

I think you should have four tie-down straps.

Two on each side of the boat. One pair should be about even with the mast or a little forward of that. The other pair near the stern, perhaps a little forward of the rudderpost. Our aft pair use the primary winches as a base, but the straps could be connected and run all the way across the boat. The forward straps are secured to the main shroud bases, but they could wrap around the mast base. They should be snubbed up quite tight.

The strap anchors should be the big, heavy five- or six-foot-long screw type that they use to support telephone poles, not the gardenstore kind used to tie down lawn sheds. They should be screwed in at least two-thirds of their length. Paved yards may have their anchors embedded in the concrete. I’d find that to be acceptable, too, provided they’re in good shape. Boats on the hard may share anchors. I find this practice acceptable because when the strain is on, it will be from the same side on both adjacent boats. It’s unlikely that two adjacent boats would put strain on the same anchor at the same time. I don’t think the angle of pull matters all that much if the anchor is screwed in far enough.

Boatyards on Florida’s east coast—that successfully survived Hurricanes Francis and Jeanne—secure their straps to anchors (like Redheads ®) drilled in the concrete. These come in various sizes depending on the strength needed. These yards experienced no failure with these anchors.

An alternative method that we don’t see much down here is to dig a pit, then set the boat keel-deep into the pit and backfill the hole. Some hull supports are still used in the form of sideways bracing. Now that would be hard aground! Sometimes with deep rudders, it may be necessary to dig a small hole to accommodate it in order to keep the boat on the proper angle. Of course, if you have a custom-made cradle or trailer for your hull, by all means use it. Just be sure to tie the whole rig down.

Next month, in the third and final part of this series, we will discuss humidity concerns, insurance, checking on the boat while stored and recommissioning. www.southwindsmagazine.com

TRAVELS WITH ANGEL

Storm at Great Guana Catches Boaters

by Surprise

By Rebecca Burg

D

espite gray clouds and occasional drizzle, a 15-knot breeze thrilled the contenders in an annual Bahamian cruiser’s regatta. It seemed like an ordinary rainy spring day, until a sailboat exploded. The boat had crossed the finish line, and sails dropping, the engine was started.

As it cranked to life, gasoline fumes in the bilge ignited, and the resulting explosion blew everyone overboard. A loss, the boat became a blazing inferno of burning fuel and fiberglass. Amazingly, there were no serious injuries, and all hands were pulled to safety. Everyone in the area was either trying to help or was watching the horrifying scene. People were too distracted to notice the rapidly changing skies.

In a solemn mood, race boats filtered into Fishers Bay, an anchorage in Great Guana Cay, Abaco. The bay is open to southwesterly weather. Shallow drafts tucked behind Delias Cay for the best shelter. A few moorings are available for a fee. Settlement Harbour, a smaller anchorage nearby, has a full-service marina with protected slips. A regatta spectator, Angel nestled in Fishers Bay. Like the others, I was looking forward to regaining some cheer at tonight’s regatta parties at Nippers Beach Bar and Grill and at Grabbers on Sunset Beach. Nippers, a short walk up a long hill, is an escape into a tropical fantasy land with lagoon-like pools, island cuisine and a spectacular view of the Atlantic. Shaded by tall coconut groves, Grabbers overlooks Fishers Bay, and to enjoy the pool, bar and food, a cruiser simply has to pull the dinghy up the sandy beach. Here, the dinghy is just a short crawl away. Securing Angel, I salivated at the thought of socializing over fruity drinks and conch fritters.

“How about heading to Marsh Harbour?” Bill, on Defiant, radioed. “The weather looks weird and we’re exposed here.” His 36-foot ketch had finished racing and was dropping off Jim, a friend and regatta crewmember.

Jim’s boat, Arame, was anchored in Fishers Bay. After cruising together for several years, Defiant and Angel stuck together like epoxy.

“All right,” I said, with some reluctance, the fruity drinks splashing through my thoughts evaporating.

“Angel’s on two hooks. It’ll take a moment to catch up.”

Eying the weather, Defiant hustled out of the bay. There was no thunder, but the sky had grown unusually dark. One

News & Views for Southern Sailors

anchor weighed, I grabbed the remaining rode and started hauling. Confounded by the sudden appearance of a fakelooking, triangular black cloud, I loosened my grip. The rode paid back out. Ahead, long rows of white-topped waves reared up and raced toward the bay. A cold blast of wind shoved me backwards. Angel yanked hard on her rode. I scurried to the cockpit, cursing my dumb luck for not weighing both hooks a moment sooner and fleeing to open

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TRAVELS WITH ANGEL Boats in Guana Key during the storm after the winds had settled down to gale force. Photo by Chrissy Harrod.

Cruisers from Island Dream after the storm— dazed, but okay. Photo by Chrissy Harrod.

seas like Defiant. Double curses for not waiting a moment later and leaving both anchors down. Now, Angel was on one anchor, caught with her pants down between a rock (the storm) and a hard place (the jagged, limestone shore).

With little warning, the winds whipped to gale force and beyond. Unsure if Angel’s diesel had the strength to overcome such conditions, I didn’t unship the anchor line to try and motor away. Raising a scrap of canvas and sailing out unscathed was nearly impossible as well. The anchorage was a densely packed obstacle course of dragging boats, mooring balls and coral shallows. Using the engine to keep Angel’s head up and ease the strain on the anchor, I fretted over the lack of options.

To the north, a powercat capsized, flipping 15 passengers into the churning sea. The VHF hailing channels jammed with panicked cries. Nearby, a sailboat’s instru-

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ments read 58 knots of wind just before another vessel Tboned her bow. Visibility dropped to two boat lengths, enough for me to squint through Angel’s fogged Lexanpaneled dodger and see a 33-foot sailboat dragging toward my bowsprit. Crouching low, I dashed forward as pelting rain stung my eyes. The lightweight racer, Eagle, was held off by her crew of athletic, muscular men. Eagle slid alongside Angel, and again, the burly men held the two bouncing vessels safely apart. A crewman in a powerboat struggled to tow Eagle. As the race boat was pulled away, her loose anchor snagged Angel’s rode. Anchor pulled out, Angel jerked sideways, and I fell against the tiller as it forcefully slammed into the new tack. One of Eagle’s quick-thinking crew dove overboard and cut the racer’s anchor line. Free, Eagle and her towboat narrowly escaped swamping as they fled into a lee. Angel fell backwards, her tangled anchor trying to reset. Watching the limp rode in relation to Angel’s prop and glancing at the shore behind me, I gunned the throttle.

Eight nautical miles away, Treasure Cay saw a gust of 80 knots. By now, several boats were piled on the lee shore. Anchored ahead of me, Captain Cindy Pastor kept her and Ed’s Morgan Out Island, Cyrano, in position by using the engine. Likewise, Arame powered in place after seeing her 150-pound anchor slide backwards like a toy. In the Abaco Sea, Bill could barely see Defiant’s leaping bow as he grappled with wall-like waves. He caught glimpses of a trawler nearby, which was also fighting to keep her nose into the howling chaos. Neither vessel knew its position in relation to Delias Cay’s coral bar behind them or the Foots Cay’s somewhere ahead. The trawler and sailboat clung together, hoping that the other knew where she was headed. When Defiant’s forward hatch blew open, Bill www.southwindsmagazine.com

dove below to close it and the ketch’s wheel spun out of control. Complicating the situation, an old seal on the hydraulic steering system was failing, pink fluid oozing down the binnacle. Defiant was bleeding. Fluid pressure slowly dropped, and the sailboat was in danger of loosing her helm. Bill had to act fast.

Guana Cay volunteer fire department and Dive Guana boats were battling the seas, helping where possible. The 28-foot Bahamian racing sloop, Abaco Rage, was rafted to her 65-foot mother yacht in the bay. The yacht slid sideways despite two 110-pound Danforths on 300-foot chain rodes. Unable to motor away, the yacht’s captain throttled toward a patch of sand to avoid dragging into other vessels or the rocks. Tossed ashore in a jumble, Rage was sandwiched between the beach and the leaning yacht. Mast tilted at an unnatural angle, the champion racer looked as if she’d been crushed. After about 40 minutes of hurricaneforce winds, the silt-saturated seas calmed to a mere ripple. Abaco Rage’s mother yacht, damaged but floating, was pulled free by a barge. Rage lay flat on her side like a prizefighter knocked senseless in the first round. The wooden boat had not been crushed but did suffer a cracked rib and torn trim. There were shredded sunshades, broken bowsprits, bent pulpits and pinched fingers, yet no one had been seriously injured. Thankfully, all 15 people from

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the capsized powercat had been rescued. Provided with places to stay, the crew from the burned vessel were helped out by the Bahamians and fellow cruisers. Dazed boaters picked up the pieces, and dinghies swarmed about, looking for lost anchors.

Cold, wet and in an odd state of shock, I stared at a cut on my hand, which still had a white-knuckled death grip on the tiller. In a futile power struggle with the elements, Angel’s diesel had managed to slow her inevitable backwards drag. People would always ask if I felt afraid in that storm. Afraid? Hell, yes! I just try to not allow this normal human response to degenerate into unproductive panic and interfere with protecting Angel. For someone like me who started life by being shy and unconfident, this type of personal control took years to realize. Regaining our wits, Angel and I shuffled out of Fishers Bay. Arame, as rattled as I was, joined me and we escorted each other toward Marsh Harbour. The VHF traffic finally eased, and I connected to Defiant. Bill and his ketch were soggy but unharmed. Bill had dumped spare fluid into Defiant’s steering system and was able to re-pressurize it, keeping it functional. A new seal was on order. After fearing the worst, Defiant was ecstatic to learn that Angel was unharmed and on her way.

The reunion was particularly exuberant, and we cheered up with our own little party, fruity drinks and all.

Safety at Sea Seminar, Clearwater Yacht Club, Dec. 15

By Jean K. Levine Forty people gathered along tacking so the boom never the dockside Tiki bar deck at sweeps the deck, which Clearwater Yacht Club on may knock another person Saturday, Dec. 15, to particiinto the water. The downpate in the Safety at Sea semfall is sailing too far away inar. Hosted by several area from the victim to maneumarine businesses, this was ver. The quick-stop allows a free seminar open to the you to circle back immedipublic. Stormy weather was ately by throwing the helm predicted, but it turned out over and tacking without to be a sunny day with a few releasing the jib, in almost a passing clouds and the wind heave-to maneuver. The blowing out of the southeast boat slows its speed then at 15 knots. The wind made gibes. You can now choose for some entertainment to approach the person in when setting fires and shootthe water from upwind, ing off flares. allowing you to drift toward The event was designed the victim or approach from as a two-hour overview disdownwind depending on cussing man (or mariner) the sea state. overboard recovery under During the man-overboth power and sail, small board discussion, the fire boat fires, abandon ship proon the barbecue had been cedures and deployment of blazing. Gary Gray of the a life raft and flares. After a USCG Auxiliary Clearbrief meet-and-greet period, water demonstrated the master of ceremonies Jeff discharge of a standard Grossman of Antigua boat ABC fire extinguisher Marine Survey & Consulting and explained the types of set up the scenario: fire that it can be used on. A Fictitious Capt. Ron was for Ash are fires burning under way on the SV solids like cloth, B for Boil Minnow from Clearwater to are fires burning vapors of Key West on a calm evening. liquids like gasoline, and C He then decided to barbecue for Current are fires that are steaks on the stern grill. electrical short circuits. A After lighting the fire he large chart on display hears, “Man overboard!” described the number of Dropping everything, he extinguishers and their Barbecue fire demonstration sets off smoke signals. proceeds to do the MOB locations based on the size recovery. Miles Curry, cruising chair for the Clearwater of the vessel required by the USCG. In this case, an ABC Yacht Club and a USCG-licensed master explained the extinguisher that read full on the gauge with two pounds of Williamson turn for MOB recovery under power. The dry chemical was able to put out the small barbecue fire.

Williamson turn is a method in which course is maintained But on the SV Minnow, we could not put out the fire and until both course and speed are logged; then the helm is were forced to call May Day and abandon ship. A fiberglass turned 60 degrees to starboard until the new course is boat on fire burns very hot and puts out an overwhelming achieved. Next, the helm is turned hard to port, thus bringamount of toxic smoke. ing the vessel to a reciprocal course. This enables the vessel Bob Fox, also a USCG-licensed master and offshore to retrace its course, returning to the starting point regarddelivery skipper, demonstrated the May Day call. Speaking less of keeping sight of the victim. clearly, he repeats May Day! May Day! May Day! This is the Gardener Lloyd from Flagship Sailing School of SV Minnow. Our position is latitude X, longitude Y. Fire!

Clearwater discussed both the figure-eight and quick-stop Fire! Fire! Five people abandoning ship. This is then repeatmethod for boats under sail. The figure-eight only requires ed. An experienced offshore sailor, Bob also carries “The 58 February 2008

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Life raft deployment in the pool. Survivors made it to the edge of the pool.

Spot”—a personal satellite tracking messenger. The unit retails for $149, is waterproof and floats. It contains a GPS chip that determines your exact coordinates and sends your location to the emergency response center, which contacts the USCG. The signal repeats every five minutes until canceled. More information on “The Spot” is available through Bob Fox at (727) 460-6868. Meanwhile, the crew grabs the abandon ship bag (a.k.a. “bug-out bag”) and prepares the life raft.

Since the SV Minnow’s out-of-control fire forced us to abandon ship, we reviewed the contents of the bag, which was the following: Communications; E.P.I.R.B, SAT phone and a small phone book with emergency contact numbers, VHF handheld stowed, charged and ready in the bag, whistle, and air horn.

Navigation; GPS (leave your spare in the bag), chart, hand bearing compass, log book.

Emergency and Safety: Flares, 25 mm flare gun with 6 red meteor and 6 parachute flare rounds, 2 Solas flares, signal mirror, water dye, Streamer Sea Rescue (40 feet by 1.5 feet), orange smoke flares, Cyalume fluorescent sticks, flashlight, spare batteries, basic first aid kit, seasick pills, personal watermaker. It is very important to include in a waterproof bag the crew I.D. and cash because when you are rescued, you do not know at what port you may end up. A deck of waterproof cards to keep spirits up should also be in the bag.

Additional items: Space blanket, large trash bags with duct tape and wet suits. These items can protect you against hypothermia. The wet suits add flotation to the bag and can protect you from the elements.

Now that we have our bug-out bag, the painter of the life raft is tied off to a fixed object like the forward stanchion away from the fire (or, for this demo, the pool ladder). The life raft in its case is then deployed into the water. The motivated crew takes about 10 seconds to pull the 100-foot painter, and POP!, the raft inflates. Jeff Grossman then demonstrates how to sit in the raft, and six volunteers from the audience climb into the inflated raft floating in the water.

In case our burning boat fire and billowing smoke isn’t attracting attention, Jeff reviews the various types of flares.

Special permission was granted by the USCG and Sand Key Station to do a live fire exercise. The first flare fired is a stanNews & Views for Southern Sailors

dard 12-gauge round from a flare gun, which claims to burn for up to seven seconds at 16,000 candela. What the crowd witnessed was about a three-second burn. Not very impressive. Next the 25-mm red meteor flare was fired. It shot up so high it went into a cloud and was not visible until it landed in the water in front of the dock. Now the wind direction is a factor in shooting off the 25-mm red parachute flare. It was fired at an upwind angle and flew over the crowd 1,000 feet, burning brightly for easily the 29 seconds on its specifications. That was impressive. Luckily, the southeast wind blew it back over the water before it descended back to earth, which is probably one reason that it is illegal to fire off flares without specific permission and notification of the local police and the USCG. All of the flares, fire extinguishers and the life raft used in the demonstration were out of date and luckily were still operational.

In summary, it is strongly recommended that you review your safety gear annually to make sure you have the best opportunity to survive an emergency. We used an example of a well-prepared crew who did just one foolish thing to remind you of how easily this could happen to you.

Make an emergency plan and practice a few different scenarios. (examples: a fire on board, or dismasting). Plan to practice with the crew, man (or mariner) overboard recovery techniques. Make sure everyone who may be at the helm knows what to do and can retrieve the victim, throw a cushion, shout and point, return and recover. If sailing offshore, make it a habit to stow the crew wallets in the abandon ship bag until you reach your destination. Even more important is to make sure you can access the bag without going below.

If planning an offshore passage, you may consider renting a life raft and E.P.I.R.B. (Both are available through BoatU.S. if you do not own them.) Do not forget to file a float plan with friends and close the loop when you arrive by calling and letting them know you are safe.

The group facilitating the Safety at Sea seminar feels strongly about education of boating safety and are willing to repeat this seminar, or customize it for your local club.

Contact Jean Levine at Antigua Marine Survey and Consulting at (727) 644-7496 for more information.

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YOUTH SAILING

Kids sailing in the Venice Youth Boating Association. Photo by Jin Dietrich.

The Portsmouth Rating System

By Jabbo Gordon

O

ut of the variety of rating systems used in sailing these days, the Portsmouth Yardstick is one of the simplest and least expensive.

Most systems are a means of handicapping vessels, but they still measure a sailor’s performance regardless of a boat’s size or class. While some associations like to use the Portsmouth Yardstick for their smaller boats, some clubs with multihulls or keelboats also employ it to handicap those boats for races over the same course.

It’s really quite simple. Take the elapsed time, divide that by the handicap number and voila, you have the corrected time. Officials do not need to measure a course’s distance as they do for PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Formula) races, the standard often used for handicapping larger boats.

For example, Bryan is sailing his Laser Radial against Jackie in her Sunfish. For grins and giggles, let’s throw in a 420 with Samuel at the helm and Mallory as crew. They are competing in Robert’s Bay where the wind is about seven to 10 knots, thus providing a Beaufort Number (BN) of 3.

Different wind speeds affect a boat’s rating and in most cases, the more wind equals lower rating. A Flying Dutchman’s rating, for instance drops from 81.5 to 78.4 when the Beaufort Number goes up to 4 (11 to 16 knots).

Back to the example, a 420’s rating with a BN 3 is an even 100.0. However, the Laser Radial’s handicap factor is 97.3 and the Sunfish’s is 100.3. Bryan must give time to the other two boats, and the 420 must give time to the Sunfish.

Time is the key, and distance does not have a bearing.

However, race officials should make certain that they compute the elapsed time from the actual start of the race and not when the starting sequence (three-minute or fiveminute) began.

So, the starting gun, horn or whistle sounds at, say, 1400. Officials have set a relatively small triangle for the Optimists, who have a separate start, but our three boats must go around twice.

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Bryan crosses the finish line first at 14:20:10, for an elapsed time of 20 minutes and 10 seconds. Jackie finishes only 30 seconds later, and the 420 comes in with a time of 21 minutes and 15 seconds.

Now, it’s up to the officials to determine who really won the race. US Sailing’s Web site provides the necessary information and forms. In addition to an accurate watch, a race committee scorer needs only those forms, a calculator and a sharp pencil with an eraser (unless he or she is one of THOSE people who works crossword puzzles in ink).

After recording the date, event, race number and wind average plus Beaufort Number, the race committee will record the class and sail numbers. Class is important, especially when submitting the results for US Sailing, but yacht names are optional.

The clock starting time is, as given earlier, 1400. All three finish times are then recorded.

To compute the elapsed time, simply subtract the start time from the finish time. However, at this point seconds need to be converted to decimals because the ratings are in decimals and you can’t toss apples in with oranges and grapefruit and still expect some sort of citrus concoction.

Thus, Bryan’s 10 seconds convert to .17 because 10 divided by 60 (60 seconds in a minute) equals .1666 which rounds up to .17. Jackie’s 40 seconds become .67, and the 420’s 15 seconds goes on record as .25. Now, we have 20.17, 20.67 and 21.15 for the three vessels in the elapsed time column.

Our race committee breaks out the calculator and divides 20.17 by 97.3. Thus, Bryan’s corrected time is 20.7297, which rounds off to 20.73. Jackie’s figures crank out at 20.60817, which become 20.61, and the 420 keeps the 21.15.

Therefore, Jackie won and Bryan placed second while Samuel and Mallory took third. And like most handicap races, the results are not known until the end of the day.

This is unlike boat-for-boat competition where sailors know immediately who finished where and can keep a running www.southwindsmagazine.com

tally if there is more than one race.

The mystery of who really won—or placed where—can add to the excitement of a race.

However, the results may cause some bad feelings. Bryan is probably not happy about that change in results, but vows to keep charging and not to ease up in the next race.

One might ask: Where do the ratings come from—beyond US Sailing’s Web site? Darline Hobock of Tulsa, OK, is the person responsible for compiling the information. She annually updates the ratings. She requests associations, clubs and organizations send her their results

by Nov. 1. They can mail their information, but she would prefer to receive it electronically because it is easier to format. She then processes all the data during the winter months and an updated rating system appears usually in April.

With the advent of e-mails, she has discovered that more fleets are sending results, and this, in turn, makes the system more valid. Most of the rating changes are modest.

Ratings normally come out annually, but another person took over the program last year and fumbled the ball. Hobock has regained possession, but she now has two years of data to compile instead of one.

The biggest challenge is establishing a rating for a new class of boat. Some Laser 4.7 skippers have complained that their ratings are lower than the Laser Radial in relatively light winds (BN 2/3). And this is where Hobock definitely needs a lot of comparative data.

“The boat could be a demon or a dog,” she says. “A lot depends on who is sailing the boat, too.”

On the other hand, if she does not receive any results for some classes, Hobock may move that class to an inactive file. The Vagabond and the US 1 no longer appear on the roster, although in some cases, boats may be there under another name.

Aside from the system’s simplicity, no one lists the details—such as the number of classes and wind factors—that the Portsmouth Yardstick does. There are no boat measurements involved and, hence, it is a less expensive tool.

It works extremely well for small clubs with a limited number of boats in various fleets.

There may not be enough Snipes, Windmills or Albacores, for example, to have meaningful racing among themselves. But put them together in a Portsmouth division and there can be keen competition.

One-design skippers need to remember, though, that they are no longer vying boat-forboat, and that they must pay attention and sail as fast as they can for the entire race. Letting up is not an option.

“We don’t know of any disadvantages,” Hobock concludes. “We try to be very responsive to the sailors.”

News & Views for Southern Sailors

The Venice Youth Boating Association Finds Success with the Portsmouth Handicap System

By Jabbo Gordon The Venice Youth Boating Association has developed a way of keeping youngsters sailing after they have aged out or sized out of the International Optimist Dinghy, mainstay of its fleet. VYBA uses the Portsmouth Handicap System.

Venice’s small, grass roots program is not large enough in numbers or space to accommodate a variety of fleets, such as Laser, 420, Sunfish or other popular youth classes. Until a few years ago, postOpti skippers had a choice, but it was limited: Move up to Laser Radial or stop sailing with VYBA. This situation forced many to stop sailing. Since VYBA’s mission is to keep kids on the water and not force them off, something had to be done.

So, VYBA threw the doors open to any class that had a Portsmouth rating, and during the first year overall membership almost doubled simply because many sailors were staying. Through the years, there have been the expected Lasers, Laser Radials and 420s, but a large group of Sunfish developed and there was even a Capri 13 and a Phantom.

And while Venice’s Portsmouth Fleet has waxed and waned through the years, the key advantage has been that there are more youngsters sailing longer. Secondly, they were learning about other class sailboats because the sailors often swapped boats for a race or two “to see what it was like.” This has proved invaluable for sailors who have entered Smythe, Bemis or Sears qualifiers, which use a variety of classes each year.

Still another advantage, for some, has been not knowing who won.

Whereas skippers can tell immediately where they finished boat for boat, there is usually a question as to a place or position when the Portsmouth factor is introduced.

Skippers in the lead of a race quickly learned that they could not ease up. They had to keep sailing hard in order to prevent a competitor with a better rating from overtaking them when the calculator was brought out of the bag.

This type of competition helped Venice’s Sunfish sailors when they entered other regattas. They had honed their skills while battling Lasers and Laser Radials, boats that are normally faster.

The system is not without its problems. A Laser Radial skipper who registers four bullets out of six races in a regatta, boat for boat, is discouraged and disgusted when he discovers that he has finished behind a Sunfish sailor, albeit one of the best Sunfishers around.

Some have been unable to adjust to a handicap system and have dropped out. And some folks have some serious issues with some of the ratings, especially when the Beaufort wind scale becomes a factor.

Heavy air can lower some ratings just like it can hide a lot of mistakes.

Portsmouth ratings can cause concern for race committee members, too. They have to make certain they have the latest ratings for the various classes and that they are figuring the elapsed time correctly.

Like many different programs, the Portsmouth rating system may not work for everyone. But it has worked for VYBA. Jabbo Gordon is a licensed captain with the Coast Guard, certified instructor and instructor trainer with US Sailing and administrator/instructor with the Venice Youth Boating Association. He is also a merit badge counselor for sailing with the Boy Scouts of America.

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YOUTH SAILING

The Ratz Sail At Davis Island Yacht Club

By Peter Haley, Halifax Sailing Association Davis Island Yacht Club (DIYC) holds a yearly Thanksgiving Regatta. It’s a multi-class regatta with all ages invited. The Ratz, 14 members of DIYC’s youth sailing team, attended this regatta with full bellies from their Thanksgiving meal. We arrived with one Laser sailed by Josie Trainer, four Sunfish helmed by Ryan Clark, Franklin Trainer, Amy Trainer and Loran Behnke. Our Optis were aimed by Andrew Clark, Lucas Stocker, Hope Behnke, Arden Haley, Delaney Caron, Daniel Kuftic, Brett Bohannon, and Rebecca Stambuzski.

All of us showed up near dusk, which gave us just enough time to unload the boats and set up tents on the point of the yacht club grounds before it got too dark. Saturday morning came real fast.

In total, there were 50 or so Green fleet Optis and about the same in Red, White and Blue fleets. There were near perfect winds at 10 knots with four racecourses. We had to split up our coach boats to cover everyone. We had moved our older Opti kids up to their age groups, White for under 11 and Blue for 11 to 13. We also quickly found out that Halifax Sailing Association’s coaching is not up to par. The Red, White and Blue fleets are incredibly competitive and wellcoached. We’ll need to work on this.

Both Opti fleets were able to sail with legends in the making. The America’s Cup current champion Ed Baird’s children were sailing in both fleets. They went on to win the Green fleet and tied for first in Blue fleet. All of our Opti kids sailed well and learned a lot. Ryan ended the regatta ahead of one of the adults. On the Laser/Sunfish course, Josie sailed good races for her first time in a regatta. Our Sunfish sailors did an exceptional job sailing against adults.

I hope next year a few of our adults will head to this regatta and sail along with some of the greats in sailing.

Two weeks after Davis Island Yacht Club’s regatta, we turned our heading south to the US Sailing Center in Jensen Beach. Lessons were learned from Thanksgiving, which included: 1) keep our kids in Green fleet, 2) new sails make a BIG difference and 3) coaches pay attention to other coaches.

Martin County had 89 boats in Green fleet, 77 in Red, White and Blue, and 50 Lasers and 420s. The lawn was full of trailers, boats and people. It was a great sight and a good preparation for larger regattas. The Ratz got a good lesson in higher winds, rougher waters, and competitive sailing.

The next regatta that the Ratz are attending is in Fort Lauderdale. The Boomerang Regatta is January 12-13

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SOUTHERN RACING ■ NEWS

Regata del Sol al Sol up to a Record 71 Entrants The Regata del Sol al Sol has now received 71 entrants into the 2008 (40th anniversary) regatta. There are 21 boats on a waiting list for dock space, but race managers are finding dock space and the race is still a few months away. All entries will be accommodated, so applications are still be ing taken. There is a great anchorage for the overflow boats who wish this option.

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

A silent auction is also being planned to help replace the damaged city scoreboard (damaged from 2005 hurricanes) in the city square on Isla Mujeres. The island is looking for sponsors to help with this as the expense is large, but all enjoy this city square and their community basketball court. A sponsor’s name will be placed permanently on the scoreboard. The auction will be at registration on April 24.

The Regata de los Amigos, the race held during our stay on the island for the kids of the island, will again be the largest in history. All the local schools and the organizers have agreed to have this at 2:00 p.m. so—once again—ALL children will be out of school and able to attend. There will be special treats for the children, hot dogs and drinks, and a special gift of ice cream which is being donated by one of the boats participating. This event is extremely moving and affects generations. You have to be there to see the smiles on the faces of all the kids. Last year there were approximately 700 children!

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

Many more parties are being planned for this year, and the organizers recommend everyone check the Web site frequently for updates and changes.

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

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

News & Views for Southern Sailors

The newly elected GYA officers. From left to right: Tom Batty, Ron Richards, Judy Reeves, David Bolyard and Jane Eshleman. Photo by Julie Connerley.

GYA Flag Officers Inducted

By Julie Connerley The 2008 Gulf Yachting Association’s winter meeting was held January 11-12 in Mobile, Alabama. This year’s flag officers include immediate Past Commodore Tom Batty (Mobile YC), Commodore Ron Richards (Pensacola YC), Vice Commodore Judy Reeves (Bay Waveland YC), Rear Commodore David Bolyard (Pontchartrain/New Orleans/Tammany YCs) and Secretary/Treasurer Jane Eshleman (Pontchartrain YC).

“We want to remind GYA club members that this is their organization and everyone is welcome to attend GYA meetings,” said Commodore Ron Richards. The next meeting will be held at Pensacola Yacht Club during the Opening Day Regatta, the first weekend in May. For more information, go to www.gya.org.

Fort Lauderdale to Charleston Race Reborn — Scheduled for April 2008 The Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC) Management, which includes members of the Storm Trysail Club (STC) and Lauderdale Yacht Club (LYC), announced recently the formal opening for race entries for the 2008 Fort Lauderdale to Charleston Ocean Yacht Race. Scheduled to begin April 23 at 1400 hours, this event marks the rebirth of a race that originated in 1968 and ran for 10 years. The race will start just outside Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and finish just outside of Charleston Harbor.

The Race is also an official leg of the 2008 US-IRC Gulf SOUTHWINDS

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SOUTHERN RACING Stream Series where IRC boats earn points for placement in an overall chase to be the series champion.

A classic duel of ocean racing tactics and sailing endurance, this 408-nautical mile race is sailed straight up the Gulf Stream. Competitors will enjoy a constant two- to four-knot push as navigators work to keep boats in the axis of the stream and avoid counter currents.

The race is sponsored by the LYC of Fort Lauderdale, the STC, headquartered in Larchmont, NY, and the Carolina Yacht Club (CYC) of Charleston. The race will be organized and managed by SORC Management.

The inaugural race in 1968 was won by Dr. Dean Woolsey in his 40-foot Columbia. The race record is held by the 53-foot sloop Bumblebee, owned and skippered by J.D. Kahlbetzer, which completed the 1976 race in 40 hours, 34.5 minutes.

Additional information, including the preliminary notice of race, on-line entry and accommodations can be found at www.fortlauderdalecharlestonrace.org. To be placed on future e-mail announcements for this and other SORC events send an e-mail to press@fortlauderdalecharlestonrace.org.

Design fleets are encouraged to attend.

Mark your calendars now! Additional information will is available. Go to www.tampasailing.org.

■ UPCOMING MAJOR SOUTHERN ■ RACING EVENTS

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

Thirteen races are scheduled over four days. 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.

The regatta is providing easy online registration. This, along with the tradition of hospitality at DIYC, four 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, and go to www.diyc.org for the club Web site. Contact is Brian Malone at (813) 842-0401, or e-mail 65j24fleet86@gmail.com.

4th Annual Hospice Regatta, Benefits Avow Hospice, Naples, FL, Feb. 2 The 4th Annual Hospice Regatta (formerly known as the Naples-Marco Island Hospice Regatta) benefiting Avow Hospice The skipper of the boat raising the most funds will be recognized as the winner of the 2008 Winds of Hospice Perpetual Trophy and will receive a $100 gift certificate to West Marine. The winner of the regatta will represent Avow Hospice in the Hospice Regattas National Championship in Annapolis in May 2009.

Race chairman is Jerry Watkins and principal race officer is Fairlie Brinkley.

For information, call Carolee Steelman at (239) 6918458. All regatta forms and information are available at www.avowhospice.org. Deadline for entry is February 1 at 1800 hours.

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

Racing will include both Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker classes as well as True Cruising and Mother Lode. One64 February 2008

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Mardi Gras Regatta, New Orleans, LA, Feb. 8-10 What would Mardi Gras be without a monster regatta?

Following on the heels of Fat Tuesday and two weeks after Key West Race Week, Southern racers refuse to let the party end and will be ready for more hard-core one-design and PHRF racing.

With six boats constituting a class, the one-design classes expected are Melges 32, Melges 24, Finn, J/22, J/24, J/30, J/80, Lightning, Open Flying Scot, R-19, V15, Fish Boats, Sonars, Sunfish and Optimist.

Hosted by the New Orleans Yacht Club. For more information, go to www.mardigrasregatta.org. Limited free “college style” housing is available.

30th J/24 Midwinter Championship, Davis Island Yacht Club, Tampa, FL, Feb. 9-13

2008 Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta Series, St. Petersburg, FL, Feb. 15-17 The longest-running, most respected and largest sailboat racing regatta series in North America, the Sperry Top-Sider National Offshore One Design (NOOD) Regatta, will open the 2008 season in St. Petersburg, FL, at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club Feb. 15-17. The nine-event national sail-racing tour is considered to be the most prestigious offshore sailracing circuit in the United States.

This three-day event consistently attracts a diverse group of competitors, from local day sailors to Olympic and www.southwindsmagazine.com

professional sailors to world and national champions.

Sailors from around the world will compete with local sailors on the water in a one-design racing format. This format rewards the best racing skills rather than the best boat.

Multiple races on multiple venues will be held on Tampa Bay each day. Private spectator boats are allowed.

Racing will be 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 - 3 p.m.

For more information, go to the yacht club Web site at www.spyc.org, or call the club at (727) 822-3873.

2008 Washington’s Birthday Regatta, Palm Beach Sailing Club, Feb. 16-17 Regatta is hosted by the Palm Beach Sailing Club featuring the Mega Byte Midwinter Championships. Classes racing are Finn, Laser, Radial, 4.7, Sunfish, Opti IOD All Classes and Vanguard 15s.

For more information, go to the club Web site at www.pbsail.org.

22nd Catalina 22 Midwinters, Sanford, FL, Feb. 21-24 The Fun Maritime Academy hosts this regatta in memory of Richard “Dick” T. King, IV. Held on Lake Monroe in Sanford, FL. There were 31 sailboats on the water, 24 in Gold

News & Views for Southern Sailors

Fleet and 7 in silver Fleet, in last year’s regatta.

Register early (must be postmarked by February 15) and get $25.00 off the registration fee. Otherwise registration must be completed by Friday at 5 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the regatta. Registration form and more information is available at www.funma.com, or contact Willie Blevins at (407) 7615978, or e-mail sailing@funma.com.

Washington’s Birthday Regatta, Barnacle Historic State Park, Biscayne Bay, FL, Feb. 23 The 13th annual revival of the Washington’s Birthday Regatta takes place on Biscayne Bay just off shore of Barnacle Historic State Park. The regatta was first organized in 1887 by Commodore Ralph Munroe, founder of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club and Coconut Grove pioneer. The race is open to traditional-style sailboats (eg, mudhens, seapearls, bullseyes, sharpies, Bahama dinghies, cat boats, gaffrigs, etc.). It is a great spectator event by land or sea. Award ceremony follows the race at 4:30 pm at the park.

The entry fee is a suggested donation of $10 per boat, made payable to, The Barnacle Society, a not-for-profit volunteer organization whose mission is to support the state park. The park is located at 3485 Main Highway in downtown Coconut Grove. For an entry packet, and more information, call the park office at (305) 442-6866.

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TAMPA BAY SAILING Tampa Bay Area Sailors Enjoy Banner Year Tampa Bay area sailors have the advantage of excellent competition and year-round opportunity to sail. Success in the sport follows. The year 2007 was a banner year for area sailors.

Ed Baird was the winning helmsman for the America’s Cup. Those who have known Ed for years, perhaps since he was a kid at the St. Petersburg Junior Yacht Club (later known as St. Petersburg Sailing Center), may not be aware of the accolades that this win brings to him in the rest of the sailing world. He was named Sailor of the Year by the ISAF. It is refreshing that he also won the Bermuda Wedgwood Heritage Cup that is bestowed upon the sailor who “embodies the spirit of the sport.”

The St. Petersburg City Council feted Baird at a packed meeting, giving him the key to the city (the big one), an “Ed Baird Blvd.” street sign and other gifts, along with roses for his wife Lisa.

Jeff Linton won the Lightning Class World Championship in Europe. He also won the Midwinters staged by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. For variety, he stepped into a self-built 11-foot Moth and won the Midwinters in Gulfport and the nationals in North Carolina.

Ethan Bixby won the 505 North Americans 20 years after last winning the worlds in this most competitive of sailing boats. He also won the 505 Midwinters held at Fort Desoto Park. He and wife Trudy sailed their Windmill to the national title in Virginia and the Midwinters at Davis Island Yacht Club.

Lin Robson won the nationals in San Diego, North Americans in New York and Midwinters in St. Pete in the Flying Dutchman class. He was also the top U.S finisher at the worlds in Europe.

Zach Railey has had a banner year in the Olympic Finn class, culminating in winning the U.S. trials. He is currently racing in Australia for training.

Ben Barger won the Olympic trials in the Windsurfer and was elected the class’ representative to the world sailing body.

Tampa Bay Sailor Lin Robson Fred Strammer, using his won several Flying Dutchman dad as crew, won the Flying titles around the U.S. plus he Scot Midwinters and won was the United States. finisher at Lightning Junior the worlds in Europe. Photo by the Championship with Justin Dave Ellis.

Doan and Michelle Thomas.

Brad Funk tied for the win in the Laser Olympic trials but lost the tiebreaker. Paige Railey was second in the Laser Radial trials. Robbie Daniel was second in the Tornado trials. Mark Mendelblatt led the Star trials but faded to third.

He sailed on the New Zealand America’s Cup boat.

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Rachel Silverstein and crew at Rolex Cup Match Racing in St. Petersburg. Photo by Dave Ellis.

Cam Hall won just about everything there is to win in the Laser 4.7 class and is currently racing in South Africa at the worlds.

Emily Billing has been named to the US SAILING Elite Junior Sailor program, giving her extra coaching and travel in the Laser Radial.

In the smallest boats, the Optimist Dinghy, Kathryn Booker (11), sailing for Team FOR in Clearwater, was the only area sailor to qualify for foreign regattas this year.

Dave Mendelblatt won the Sunfish Midwinters, districts, and states and placed second in the worlds.

Each year, the keelboats racing in various events around the bay are scored for Boat of the Year. For the year ending May 2007, winners were George Hanie on Time Bandit, Rafel Paris on Tango III, Steve and Scott Liebel on Stars & Stripes and James Meyers on Renegade.

In the fun category, Boca Ciega Yacht Club had over 60 boats in its annual raft-up, and many clubs had organized cruises to destinations around the Bay. The Isla Mujeres, Mexico, race was a success, leading to a record fleet signing up for this year’s event. With a limit of 50 slips at the Mexican port, over 70 are ready to go. A mooring field is planned.

John Wallace won the Laser Radial Canadians; John Jennings, the San Francisco Masters; Jen French, the GrusonMilam trophy; Robby Brown, the J/24 regatta; Zeke Durica, the Ensign Midwinters; Ian Heausler, the Laser Radial Youth Nationals; Rachel Silverstein, along with Jee Lee, Kristen Harman, Kelsee Connon and Becca Thomas, achieved status in match racing; Gene Hinkle was the technical director at the Disabled Sailing Worlds and chief measurer at other events; Serge Jorgensen served as the international president of the disabled sailors organization; Team FOR with coach Eric Bardes won the SE Team Racing Championship and placed in the worlds with sailors Michael Booker, Mary Kate Hall, Dodge Rees, Michael Zonnenberg and Michael Popp.

None of these events could occur without the skilled volunteers who help run them. Competitors may have a bad start to a race, make errors in navigation or sail trim, but they expect the race committee to run a perfect race. Those who travel the country realize the high quality of races that we enjoy locally. www.southwindsmagazine.com

BY DAVID ELLIS The St. Petersburg Yacht Club has won the national trophy emblem of excellence in race organization for 2007. From SPYC, the race committee team includes Judy Altenhoff, William Ballard, Carole Bardes, Paul Bardes, Bob Birkenstock, Mike Boom, Gloria Davis, Dan Driscoll, Barbara Farquhar, Tom Farquhar, Carole Johnson, Robert Johnson, Karen Park, Elizabeth Pennington, George Pennington, Baird Resener, Betty Resener, Tom Rinda, Fran Stevens, Selga Sakss, Patricia Seidenspinner, Barbara Shaffer, David Shaffer, Janet Walker, Maridell Weaver, Joy Wissing, Larry Wising, Mateo Vargas and Todd Fedyszyn. Many members of the Salty Sisters of SPYC have contributed heavily to the regattas over the years as well.

Clearwater Yacht Club stages several Ethan and Trudy Bixby sailed their Windmill to the national title in Virginia and the high-profile regattas each year. Race officers Midwinters at Davis Island Yacht Club. Photo by Dave Ellis. (File photo of Windmills— are David Billing, Dick Boblenz, Fairlie not a 2007 race.)

Brinkley and Dave Ellis. Organizers were “Hobie” Bob Johnson, Beth Hesselton, Mike Kasper, Tony Judy Widger, Anne Unger and Theresa Kreske. Scorers were Kruse, Ron Leppold, Kat Maruhnic, Linda Jo Nickerson, Brenda Hanson and Unger. Ann Newton and Henry Moore Dave Ellis and Mary Ann Roberson were volunteers. served as judges.

The sailing season started with the US SAILING Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club, now with a new National Sailing Programs Symposium at the Downtown St. clubhouse open in 2007, has had Les Lathrop for three Petersburg Hilton. Speakers included Ed Baird, Dawn Riley, decades, keeping their sailing and docks in order.

Gary Jobson, Betsy Allison and many more.

Gulfport Yacht Club was the catamaran capitol in 2007.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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SOUTHERN RACING Lightning Class Southern Circuit Gears Up—First Regatta March 8-9 For nearly 40 years, the annual Lightning Southern Circuit has been sending a fleet of 50 or so boats on a combination 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 2nd annual Deep South Regatta, held March 8-9 at the Savannah YC. On March 1012, the Lightning Midwinter Regatta will be hosted at the Coral Reef YC in Miami. The 61st Anniversary Lightning Winter Championship in St. Petersburg will take place on March 13-16. 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, go to www.lightningclass.org.

15th Annual Conquistadors Cup, Punta Gorda, FL, March 8-9 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 7, at Harpoon Harry’s at Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda. Buoy races are planned for Saturday, March 9. 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.

Culebra Heineken International Regatta and Culebra International Dinghy Regatta, March 14-16

By Carol Bareuther Culebra, Puerto Rico. Hot racing. Cool parties, and boatloads of island-style hospitality complete with laid-back Caribbean charm are what sailors will enjoy at the third annual Culebra Heineken International Regatta (CHIR) and Culebra International Dinghy Regatta (CIDR).

Last year, 74 boats with homeports ranging from the Puerto Rican mainland and Caribbean to as far away as New England and Germany competed, with 39 junior sailors racing in the dinghy event.

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Set for March 14-16, the 2008 edition will once again be based out of the Costa Bonita Resort, where onshore lodgings, plus a regatta village with food booths staffed by local restaurateurs await.

Classes of entry to the CHIR will include CSA Spinnaker Racing, CSA Spinnaker Racer-Cruiser, CSA J/24, IC24, CSA Performance Cruiser, CSA Jib & Main, IC24s, Beach Cat and native-built Chalanas.

The CHIR marks the second leg of the Caribbean Ocean Racing Triangle, or C.O.R.T. Series, which begins in February with the St. Croix International Regatta and concludes in April with the BVI Spring Regatta in Tortola.

Entry fee is $200 ($100 for Beach Cats and $150 for Chalanas) before February 14 and $250 after this date. For more information and registration forms, go to www.culebrainternationalregatta.com An event-within-an-event, the CIDR will feature Optimist dinghy and Laser racing. New this year, the CIDR venue will be based farther north in Ensenada Bay at the site of the Youth Sailing Center of Culebra.

Entry fee for dinghies is $50. For more information and registration, visit: www.culebrainternationalregatta.com/dinghy/home.html Culebra, Puerto Rico, is seven miles long by two miles wide and located 17 miles east of the Puerto Rican mainland and 15 miles west of the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas.

Culebra is a sailor’s dream that’s yet to be discovered. Only 2000 people inhabit the island. There are no marinas, nor is overnight anchoring allowed in several bays due to their protected wildlife refuge status. Nor are there any big chandleries, boatyards, or supermarkets.

2008 First Coast Offshore Challenge, Jacksonville, FL, to Georgia and Return, April 9-12 The North Florida Cruising Club and the Saint Augustine Yacht Club are coordinating this regatta that is also a fundraising event. Proceeds and donations go to the Safe Harbor Boys Home in Jacksonville, FL. (For information on the Safe Harbor Boys Home, see the article in Southwinds, September 2007. www.southwindsmagazine.com/backissues.html.)

This regatta races from the start near Jacksonville, FL— at Mayport—south to St. Augustine, on April 9. After an overnight stop there, the race continues on April 10-11 on the second leg of the race to St. Mary’s, GA. The following day, on April 12, the race heads back south to Mayport. An after-race awards party will be held at the Safe Harbor Boys Home & Marina.

Are you already going to Charleston Race Week (April 17-20)? Then consider joining this regatta on the way. Free dockage is available at Safe Harbor Boys Home Marina before, during and after the regatta. All ports and parties are deep-water accessible for larger vessels. A travel lift is available (free!) for yachts coming or leaving by trailer.

Stash the boat at Safe Harbor until you leave for home or Charleston!

For more information on the regatta and registration, go to www.fcoc2008.com. www.southwindsmagazine.com

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

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

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

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

16 Frostbite #3 Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 17 Sweetheart Regatta. PSC 24 Commodore’s Ball Regatta. NYRA South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com 1-3 SAYRA Meeting Lake Lanier. www.llsc.com 2 LARC Winter #3 AISC Hosts 9 Hot Ruddered Bum (Open). UYC 17 LARC Winter #4 SSC Hosts MARCH Charleston Ocean Racing Association. www.charlestonoceanracing.org 1 Frostbite Series #4 8 Community Sailing Fest 22 Spring Harbor Race 29 Spring Ocean Race Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 24-25 NYRA Invitational Lake Lanier. www.llsc.com South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com 8-9 Deep South Regatta 21-23 Easter Regatta. J/24 CSC-SC 21,22 Easter Scow Regatta. Escow, MCscow, Cscow CYC-SC 26,27 Sailfest open Regatta. One Design, PHRF& Cruising LMSC 29,30 Springboard Regatta. Lightnings, Flying Scots & Bucc WCSC www.longbaysailing.com nothing scheduled South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com 1 SAYRA Annual Meeting. August, GA. ASC. News & Views for Southern Sailors

www.longbaysailing.com 17,31 Spring Regatta 1,2

FEBRUARY 2-3 Sunfish Annual Valentine’s Massacre. Melbourne Yacht Club 2-3 Club Races. Lake Eustis Sailing Club 8-10 9th Annual Wayfarer Regatta. Lake Eustis Yacht Club 8-9 Hagar’s Run (Sat) and Hagar the Horrible Regatta (Sun).

Beach Cat Regatta. Space Coast Catamaran Association.

9,24 Frostbite Winter Series #3, #4. Rudder Club 9 Marker 21 Cruise. Melbourne Yacht Club 9 Winter Race Series #3. East Coast Sailing Association–Racing 16 Spring River Race. North Florida Cruising Club 16-17 38th Annual George Washington Birthday Regatta (open regatta). Lake Eustis Yacht Club 15-17 Laser Masters Midwinters East. Melbourne Yacht Club.

16-17 Hagar’s Run on Sat and Hagar the Horrible on Sun. Space Coast Catamaran Association 17 Winter Rum Race #6. Melbourne Yacht Club 17 Spring Race Series #2. Titusville Sailing Center 23-24 Club Races. Lake Eustis Sailing Club 23 Winter Race #4. East Coast Sailing Association 24 Frostbite Winter Series #4. Rudder Club 24 Women’s Spring Race #1. East Coast Sailing Association 24 Small Boat Sunday Races. Melbourne Yacht Club MARCH 1-2 Club Races. Lake Eustis Sailing Club.

1-2 River City Regatta. Rudder Club 1 Space Coast 45, Melbourne, Space Coast Catamaran Association 2,16 Spring Race #2,#3. Indian River Yacht Club 2,21 Spring Rum Race #1,3. Melbourne Yacht Club 2,9,23 Spring Race Series #3,4,5 Titusville Sailing Center 4 Commodores Cup Skippers Meeting. Halifax River Yacht Club 6 Zenda U Melges 17 Racing Clinic by Team Melges. Lake Eustis Sailing Club.

8 Navy ROTC Regatta. Navy Jacksonville Yacht Club 7-9 3rd Annual Melges 17 Midwinter National Championship & 9th Annual C Scow Midwinter National Championship Regatta. Lake Eustis Sailing Club.

9 Big Boy’s Race. Halifax Sailing Association 9 Small Boat Sunday Races. Melbourne Yacht Club 9 Cruise to Cocoa Mardi Gras. East Coast Sailing Association–Cruising 11-12 Zenda U MC Scow Clinic by Andy Burdick and Jamie Kimball. Lake Eustis Sailing Club.

13-15 36th Annual MC Scow Midwinter National Championship Regatta. Lake Eustis Sailing Club.

15-16 Catalina 22 Florida Series Race #6. Rudder Club 15 Dupont Cup Regatta. Spring Series #3. Epping Forest Yacht Club 16 Don Shaw Memorial Regatta. Halifax Sailing Association 22-13 Club Races. Lake Eustis Sailing Club.

23 Small Boat Sunday Races. Melbourne Yacht Club 29 50 Mile Race. Port Canaveral Yacht Club 29 Blue Max Race. Spring Series #4. North Florida Cruising Club.

30 Women’s Spring #3. East Coast Sailing Association – Women’s 31 Gary Gorden Memorial Regatta. Halifax River Yacht Club SOUTHWINDS

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SOUTHERN RACING 16 24

FEBRUARY 3 BBYRA OD#2. BBYC 9-10 Etchells FL State Championship. BBYC 9-10 Stars Masters Regatta 9-10 Commodoro Rasco Snipe Regatta. CGSC 9-15 Yngling Women’s World Championship. US Sailing 16,24 BBYRA PHRF #2,#3. MYC 19-21 Sonar Midwinters. KBYC/Flat Earth Racing 23-24 MYC Annual Regatta. BBYRA OD #3 29-2 Etchells Mid-Winters. BBYC MARCH 2-7 Star Bacardi Cup - CRYC 8 KBYC Round the Island Race 6-9 Miami Grand Prix Race Week - Premier Racing 7-9 Shake A Leg Midwinters - SAL/Flat Earth Racing 11-23 Lightning Southern Circuit - CRYC 14-16 Etchells Coral Reef Cup - CRYC 15 Coral Cup - CGSC 15 J/24 Biscayne Bay Series - Flat Earth Racing 21-22 39th Annual SE Dinghy Championship - KBYC 29 BBYRA PHRF #4 - CGSC 30 BBYRA OD #4 - CRYC 30-1 CYC Snipe Midwinters BBYC BBYRA CGSC CRYC KBYC MYC SCA

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

Key Biscayne Yacht Club. www.kbyc.org.

Miami Yacht Club. www.miamiyachtclub.net.

Sailfish Club

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

FEBRUARY 2 Commodore’s Regatta. Portsmouth. Bayside 3 Commodore’s Regatta. PHRF. Bayside 8-10 JY-15 Midwinter Championship. Bayside 10 Oceanside Championship #4. PHRF. Oceanside.

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Winter Series #3 & Awards. Portsmouth. Bayside Women’s Day Racing. Bayside.

MARCH 1 Race to Rodriguez Key - Bayside to Oceanside 2 Oceanside Championship - PHRF - oceanside 6-8 Force 5 Midwinter Championships - bayside 9 Marlin Cup - PHRF - oceanside 15-16 Glander Cup - PHRF - oceanside 22 Spring Series #1 - Portsmouth - bayside

SOUTHWINDS Annual Online West Florida Race Calendar Posted Sept. 1 For the past four years, Southwinds magazine has posted the annual race schedule/calendar (9/1/07 — 8/31/08) on its Web site for all racing in the central west Florida area from just north of Tampa Bay south to Marco Island. The calendar includes all scheduled races of the West Florida PHRF organization (www.westfloridaphrf.org), plus club races in the area and any others that boaters in the area would like to post. The Boat of the Year races are listed for all the areas of the West Florida PHRF organization.

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

Contact the editor with those races.

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

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

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

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

Sunday Races at 1:30 p.m. PHRF racing on Manatee River.

For info, call Susan Tibbits at (941) 723-6560.

Clearwater Community Sailing Center. The center holds regular weekend club races. For dates and more information, go to www.clearwatercommunitysailing.org.

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

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

Punta Gorda Sailing Club. Charlotte Harbor. Fall Series www.southwindsmagazine.com

Sunday afternoon racing begins Sept. 9 through Nov. 18. www.pgscweb.com.

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

Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venice-sailing-squadron.org FEBRUARY 1 West Florida PHRF. Hospice Charity Regatta, PHRF (SWFBOTY) (CHBOTY) 1-3 St. Petersburg YC. Disabled Midwinters, Paralympic Classes 2 Tampa Sailing Squadron. Gasparilla Regatta, PHRF 2-3 Gulfport Yacht Club. Classic Moth Class Midwinters 3 Tampa Sailing Squadron. Women’s Gasparilla Regatta, PHRF 8-12 Davis Island YC. J/24 Midwinters 8-10 505 Midwinters & A-Cats. Fort Desoto southeast beach. ethan.bixby@northsails.com 8-10 Lake Eustis SC. Wayfarer Nationals 9 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Cherry Pie Pursuit Race, PHRF (SBBOTY) 9-10 St. Petersburg YC. Valentine’s Regatta, Juniors Opti and Laser 9-10 Valentines Massacre, Sunfish. Port Charlotte. Paul Odegaard 561-744-5384 13 Davis Island YC. J/24 Race to St. Petersburg YC 15-17 St. Petersburg YC, Sailing World NOOD Regatta 16-17 Lake Eustis SC. Washington’s Birthday Open Regatta 16 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Cherry Pie, PHRF Pursuit race 21-24 Clearwater YC. Laser Midwinters East 22-24 FUN Maritime Academy. Catalina 22 Midwinters, Sanford, FL 22-24 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. 29er Regatta. Midwinters 23 St. Pete Sailing Assoc., PHRF 23 Treasure Island Tennis and YC. . Fall #5, PHRF` 23-28 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Windsurfing Invitational Regatta MARCH 1 St. Pete Sailing Assoc.. Rich Gahn Memorial, PHRF 1 Treasure Island Tennis and YC. Spring #1, PHRF 3-7 St. Petersburg YC. Thistle Midwinters 7-9 Clearwater Community SC. JY-15 Midwinters 7-9 Davis Island YC. Fireball & Friends, Fireball, Windmill, Frontrunner 7-9 Lake Eustis SC. Melges 17 & C Scow Midwinters 8-9 St. Petersburg YC. Allison Jolly Girls Regatta, Opti and Laser 8-9 Tampa Sailing Squadron. Sea Scout Regatta 8-9 Punta Gorda SC. Conquistador Cup, PHRF (SWFBOTY) (CHBOTY) 13 Davis Island YC. Thursday evening races begin, All classes registration 13-15 Lake Eustis SC. MC Scow Midwinters 14-16 St. Petersburg YC. Lightning Midwinters 14-16 Dunedin Boat Club. Ensign Midwinters 15 Pass-a-Grille YC. Anchor Trophy, PHRF. (SuncoastBOTY) 15 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Pot O Gold, PHRF 15-16 Gulfport Yacht Club. A-Class catamaran and Formula 16 Saint Patrick’s Day Regatta 15-16 Lake Monroe Sailing Association. Trans-Monroe Regatta, 22 Treasure Island Tennis and YC. , spring #2, PHRF 24-27 St. Petersburg YC. Flying Scot Midwinters 28-30 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. One Design Midwinters 29 St. Petersburg YC. Michelob Cup, PHRF. (SuncoastBOTY) 29-30 Gulf Coast SC. Southwest Florida GCSC Regatta, PHRF (SWFBOTY) 30-1 Clearwater YC. Snipe Midwinters News & Views for Southern Sailors

For northern Gulf coast race calendars and more information, go the Gulf Yachting Association Web site, at www.gya.org.

Wednesday Evening Fun Races PYC. Every Wednesday of the Month, April thru October Fort Walton Yacht Club. April thru October FEBRUARY 2 Sunfish Super Bowl, Bay Waveland Yacht Club, Bay St. Louis, MS 3 Frosty Nipple 5, Fort Walton Yacht Club, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 9 Super Bowl Regatta, Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL 9 Sailor’s Banquet, Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL 9 Frost #6, St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club, Panama City, FL 9-10 Mardi Gras Regatta, New Orleans Yacht Club - New Orleans, LA 10,24 Zevin Cup 4,5. Fort Walton Yacht Club, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 16 Valentine’s Day Regatta, Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, Pensacola Beach, FL 17 Frosty Nipple 6, Fort Walton Yacht Club, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 24 Sailing Center Dedication, Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL MARCH 1,8,15 Maxine Sansom Race #1,2,3. Navy Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL 1 Commodore’s Cup Race #1, Navy Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL 2 Frosty Nipple 7, Fort Walton Yacht Club, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 8-9 International Sunfish Masters, Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL 8-9 Regional SBC, Portsmouth Series (Pensacola, Choctaw, St. Andrews FL Clubs) 12 US Sunfish Team Racing, St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club, Panama City, FL 12 Gary Jobson, Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile, AL 12-15 Sunfish Midwinters, St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club, Panama City, FL 14-15 Leukemia Cup, Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile, AL 22 Pearson Regatta, Fort Walton Yacht Club, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 29-30 Spring into Liquid Windsurfer Regatta, Ft.Walton Yacht Club, Ft.Walton Bch, FL

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CLASSIFIED ADS Ads Starting at 3 Months for $25 Place your Photo in Color for $5 a month.

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

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

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

• $15 for 3 months to have your photo in color.

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

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

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

• The last month your ad runs will be in parentheses, e.g., (1/08) is February 2008.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

BROKERS: Photo and text ads only apply to this offer. $5 to change your ad first 3 months. After 3 months: $20 a month for a new ad or $15 to

pick up old ad. Price changes and mistake changes free. Credit card must be on file if not a monthly display advertiser.

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

Photo must be e-mailed.

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

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

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

Boats & Dinghies Powerboats Boat Gear & Supplies Businesses for Sale/Rent

HELP WANTED

_________________________________________

★ SAILING CLUB MANAGER ★

Sarasota Sailing Squadron Seeks Club Manager. Full time employment. Benefits Package Included. More Info at http:// tinyurl.com/2qt4a7. _________________________________________ Assistant Editor Wanted. SOUTHWINDS is looking for an assistant editor to help run all facets of the magazine, from bookkeeping and office work to editing to reporting and writing. Part time job to start to develop into more time after several months. Must live in West Florida from greater Tampa Bay Area south. Must be into sailing, very computer savvy, have a great home office among other requirements. For a complete job description, job qualifications and application procedure, go to www.southwindsmagazine.com/editor.

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

TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY

Crew Available/Wanted Donate Your Boat Help Wanted Lodging for Sailors Real Estate for Sale or Rent

BOATS & DINGHIES

_________________________________________ Sunfish Sailboat. About 10 years old. Good condition, w/spare boom. Sheet block mounted on deck. Galvanized trailer w/spare tire. $800 OBO. (407) 628-8081 (3/08) _________________________________________ Walker Bay, 8 feet, hard dinghy with inflatable PVC tube kit, Hydrocurve Oars, Oarlocks and Turbo pump. West Marine price $1700 plus. Asking $800. Very good condition. Ted. Clearwater (727) 799-3974.

Will deliver. (2/08) ibis037@yahoo.com. _________________________________________ Achilles dinghy. 9-foot inflatable. 2001. Fine condition. Mostly stored inside and covered with ‘303’. With inflatable floor. Easy to stow. $895 OBO. John. North Fort Myers.

Jck_nugent@yahoo.com. (239) 543-0952.

(954) 243-4513 cell. (4/08) _________________________________________ Mold to build traditional-shaped 18’ canoe.

Very sturdy split mold. Boats were built under the name Clearwater Canoe. Ellie’s Sailing Shop. Clearwater. (727) 442-3281. (3/08)

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

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

2” DISPLAY ADS STARTING $38/MO

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

2005 Road King galvanized trailer, Bearing Buddies, spare tire. Great sailer, excellent condition. Asking $2,800. Located Sarasota. (941) 720.4503, scottpursell@msn.com. (2/08a)

Subscribe to SOUTHWINDS $24/year • 3rd Class $30/year • 1st Class Subscribe on our secure Web site www.southwindsmagazine.com www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS 30’ Newport 1973. Diesel. Good working condition. Upgrade. Documented and registered. Ready to cruise to Bahamas. Extra sails.

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

Pearson Ensign 22. Beautiful day sailor or competitive racer (3rd in ‘07 mid-winters) Complete restoration in ‘06-07 included new standing and running rigging, complete topside and bottom refairing and repaint, refinish mahoghony seats and trim, new sheet winches, new rudder and post, new tiller. Sails, including spinnaker, are in excellent shape. Asking $8,500 obo. (727) 4392501. (2/08a) 22’ 1968 Westerly Cirrus. Stout little cruiser.

Yanmar 2005, Navik self-steering vane, standing headroom (6’), enclosed head. Lying in NE Florida. Ready to go. Excellent condition. $10,500. (228) 324-6504. (3/08)

1975 Catalina 22. Ready to sail. Retrofit summer (2006). Too much new to list in ad. email for brochure. hytedin@hotmail.com.

Trailer, new Tohatsu 6hp., warranty. (850) 443-7451. $4000 cash. (4/08)

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

Open to Offers. For more info, call (727) 5600901.

Albin 28 Mariner #79, 1977. Good condition. Watermaker, 10hp diesel, 7 sails. Auto pilot, GPS, Loran, VHF. 3’ 6” draft. $10,000.

On a trailer in good condition in Fort Myers.

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

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

Anderson ST winches. Navico autopilot.

DataMarine depth. ICOM VHF, compass.

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

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

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

Lindenberg 28. 1983. Fivespeed. Proven winner. Extensive racing inventory. Ready to race now. Major upgrades and new bottom March 2006. Yours for $16,550. Contact Gary Smith (321) 674-0886. e-mail Fivespeed05@cfl.rr.com. (4/08a) Hunter 30. Two to Choose from. Both extremely clean and well-maintained. Tampa Bay. Cruise-equipped. Good Sails and canvas on both. Must see to appreciate. (727) 5600901. (4/08)

1968 Pearson Lark 24. Sails and all. $1000/OBO.Sea Scouts boat with too deep a keel for us to use enough. 4’ draft. call David Zimmer (Skipper) (727) 638-2346. The driest boat we ever had! (3/08)

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

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

Bill. (2/08a) News & Views for Southern Sailors

1985 S2 9.1. 2 Mains, 3 chutes, Harken RF, multiple headsails, cruising chute. GPS/Chart, Nexus instruments, Auto tiller, Life Sling, folding prop (recently rebuilt), Bimini. Barrier coated. 5’6” draft. $22.5 OBO. (352) 7461329. (4/08)

Alberg 30, 1965, hull #72. Classic cruiser in great condition New gear includes Yanmar 3GM, drivetrain, shaft, prop, VHF, radar, windlass, wiring, batteries, more. Heavily built, will take you anywhere! In Key Largo, FL, $17,500. (305) 849-0646.

Erlandrum@gmail.com (3/08)

Irwin 30, 1977, with new 10hp Yanmar diesel, new standing and running rigging, roller furling, new interior including cushions, counter tops, and cabin sole. $17,750. (813) 920-0037. (4/08)

31 Cal (1983) Original owner, complete refit all new 2004 - standing rigging, running rigging, wiring: Universal 16 diesel, cold plate Refrigeration - shore power and engine driven, pressure water, Garmin chartplotter, Furuno radar, 2 blade Maxi Prop. Exceptional condition. Too many goodies to list, $35,000 or best offer. rffmtg@hotmail.com. (727) 4606868. (3/08) $50 – 3 MO. AD & PHOTO

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CLASSIFIED ADS

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

Irwin 32 Centerboard sloop 1971. 30 hp diesel, wheel, furling, spinnaker, A/C, full bouquet electronics, GPS plotter, inverter, microwave, inflatable, Bimini, total refurbishing, turnkey. $12,500. Charleston, SC. (843) 327-9509. (3/08) 32’ Pearson Vanguard 1964.On hard San Mateo, FL. Best offer takes this classic. (443) 822-8785 or opinicus@earthlink.net. (3/08)

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

Ranger 33, Misty. Voted the top PHRF boat of all times by Sailing World Magazine. New topside, bottom ,deck paint ,Yanmar diesel, Kevlar Laminate 155% Genoa, spectra halyards, faired bottom keel and rudder and much more.

Winner of 2005, 2006, 2007 Sarasota Boat of the Year. Call Gregg @ (941) 730-6096, $25,000

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

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

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

Hunter 33.5’, 1993 Naples transferable Slip!

Diesel engine w/ low hrs, Autopilot, Priced right @ only $37,500, Call Joe @ (941) 2249661, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

1980/81 Peterson 34’ Yanmar Diesel. 6 sails, 8 winches, rod rigging, A/C, Bimini. Very clean & well-maintained. Asking $28,000.

(281) 413-4052. Texas. (3/08)

2004 Catalina 34 MK II, loaded and ready.

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

$50 – 3 mo. Ad & Photo 941-795-8704 80 February 2008

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CLASSIFIED ADS

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

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

Pearson 36 Centerboard, 1985, Autopilot, GPS, Wind generator, Dinghy davits, Perfect for the FL. West Coast, $68,000, Call Joe @ (941) 224-9661, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

Fantasia 35. 1980. Double ender. Center cockpit bluewater cruiser. 3 cabins, workshop, solid teak interior. A/C, autopilot, GPS, Harken furler, refrigerator, wind generator & more. Bristol condition. $79,900. (239) 5656908 (2/08a)

Union 36’ Robert Perry design, 1979, New electronics in ’05, Solid bluewater cruiser ready to take you anywhere! Call for details, $64,900, Tom @ (904) 377-9446, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

2000 Hunter 380 with upgraded 40hp Yanmar and only 400 hours. A beautiful crisp new-looking boat with broad beam and walk thru transom. Great cockpit with stern rail seats and integrated helm console. Genoa Pro-furl system with Navy Sunguard. In-mast roller furling main. Seldon spars and Lewmar winches.

Heavy 316 Stainless Steel radar arch with main sheet traveler. Navy Sunbrella full Bimini. ST-60 instuments, ST 5000 Auto pilot and VHF radio.

Garmin GPS, RayMarine radar and stereo at Nav station. Grunert refrigeration and freezer.

3 burner propane stove and oven. Built in microwave. King size aft cabin. This boat comes ready to sail away. Asking $128,500.

Call (941) 792-9100, or go to www.Cortezyachts.com.

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

Gozzard 36, 1987. Excellent Condition.

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

Bimini/Dodger, hard windshield. Hard Dinghy and Motor. Davits. Bob (314) 487-4543, rgruener@earthlink.net. (4/08)

Irwin 37 center Cockpit Mark III. This 4’ draft centerboard Cutter Rig has had a total refit in 2005. My wife and I have lived aboard and traveled the Bahamas, Keys and the ICW for 3 years. It is very spacious, sails and motors well, and is a quite comfortable liveaboard. http://www.island-dreamer.com/ bonitamama.htm. $33,800. Contact Harold (561) 281-2689. (3/08)

Corbin 39’ 1989 Ketch. Center Cockpit.

Forward and aft staterooms, Yanmar 4 cyl, 44HP. Lugger 4.5 KW generator, Air condition. Comfortable, Seaworthy, heavy cruiser. $100,000 - negotiable. (321) 480-7095.

Leave message. (4/08)

36’ Morgan Out Island Sloop 1974, Perkins 50 hp, 2003 electronics, upgraded sails and 2003 standing /running rigging, Generator, custom drive platform, lots of ugrading,ready to cruise, $39,900. St. Augustine, FL, (toll free) (866) 610-1703. www.sayachtsales.com. (2/08)

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

SOUTHWINDS

February 2008

81

CLASSIFIED ADS

39’ Fair Weather Mariner Sloop 1986, Robert Perry design, 42 hp Mercedes diesel, sleeps 6, Great headroom and extra long berths, tremendous storage, high quality in and out, Burmese teak tongue and groove, a must see, asking $19,000 St Augustine, FL. (Toll free) (866) 610-1703 www.sayachtsales.com.

Privilege 39 1988 Cat. 4 cabin, 2 head.

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

1988 Beneteau Oceanis 390. 39-feet. Over $40K in upgrades since 2003, including new Yanmar engine and related equipment.asking $89,900 see specifications and photos at: www.roads2trails.com/. Phone: (772) 9794326. (3/08a)

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

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

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

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

Exceptional condition with lots of new gear.

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

1993 Hunter Passage 42. Immaculately maintained at owners home. Never Chartered. Many new systems including bottom paint Oct ‘07, Low hours on motor and Kohler generator. Leather Interior. $129,900.

Located Naples, FL, Steve (239) 732-0070.

(4/08)

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

Tayana 42 Cutter, 1988, Original owner has babied her! Total refit in ’03, A/C, Most of her life was lightly used in the Great Lakes. This one is Bristol! $194,900 Call Roy S. @ 305775-8907 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

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

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

See Classified Information page 78 82

February 2008

SOUTHWINDS

www.southwindsmagazine.com

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

Nautical Trader, 110 E. Colonia Lane, Nokomis, FL. Shop online at www.nauticaltrader.net. (941) 488-0766.

Jeantot Marine 51’ Privilege 1994, Big, beautiful cat loaded with electronics, genset, watermaker, dive compressor, dual a/c, cherry interior. Sleeps 10 in 5 double cabins, $530,000, Call Tom @ (904) 3779446, Edwards Yacht Sales. Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com

SCHUCKER 440. Bruce Van Sant’s trawlerized TIDAK APA. Get complete information and photos at www.LuperonCruising.com (4/08)

BOAT GEAR & SUPPLIES

_________________________________________

POWERBOATS

_________________________________________

Hobie 18 Mast for Sale. (We think it is a Hobie 18). Measures 26 feet. Top 7 feet is carbon. Serial # 38272 Coleman Co. $60. Near Sarasota, FL. (941) 966-4737. _________________________________________ Aries Self-Steering Vane w/wheel drum fully operational. $750/OBO. Hookah Diving gear, gasoline-powered compressor. Two 50-foot hoses w/mouthpieces. $200. E-mail (2/08) jrvd888@yahoo.com. _________________________________________

2005 Albin 31 TE. Twin Yanmar 370 turbos wolf in sheep’s clothing!!! 53k less than replacement!!! New warranties apply. Options package worth 18k. Never titled. Most powerful 31 on market. Call today and let’s talk dream boats. $223,900 (561) 844-1100.

BUSINESS FOR SALE/RENT

_________________________________________ Sail Loft and Sailboat Services business for sale. Well-established business with an established loyal customer list. Includes lots of excellent equipment. Tampa Bay Area. (941) 504-0635 _________________________________________ FOR SALE: Florida East Coast Sail Loft.

Established 10 years. Well-equipped, extensive inventory and client list. Walking distance to several marinas. New sail design, construction and repairs. Custom canvas work, exterior/interior, and cushions. Strong used sail inventory. Also dealing with architectural soft product.

Respond to LOFT220@hot mail.com.

(4/08) _________________________________________ Sail Loft/Canvas/Upholstery Space For Rent. Lake Lanier, NE Georgia. 2400 Sq Ft. Great potential in shared building with established sailboat dealership. Includes 22’ ceilings, luan mahogany floor, 2 sewing pits, internet hook-up, and yard space. Located on busy highway near Lake Lanier in NE Georgia.

Call (770) 540-9796 or ann@snugharborboats.com. (3/08)

Trawler Present 40. Liveaboard Dream. Wellmaintained. Records. Galley Down. Extensive Equipment. Lehman 6 - 3575 hours.

Westerbeke Genset - 165 hours. Clearwater slip available. Economical operation. Creative financing. Offers. (727) 424-4441. (4/08)

43’ Californian Cockpit Motoryacht/ Trawler 1985, T/ Cat 210 diesels, very economical to run, 8 kw Westerbeke generator w/ 784 hrs., Marine Air AC/Heat, Custom aluminum Hardtop with new enclosure, roomy double stateroom, double head, no teak decks, aluminum fuel tank, $82,000 Will consider sailboat in partial trade. St Augustine,FL. (866) 610-1703. www.sayachtsales.com

ADVERTISE YOUR BOAT STARTING AT $25 FOR 3 MO News & Views for Southern Sailors

Subscribe to SOUTHWINDS $24/year • 3rd Class $30/year • 1st Class Subscribe on our secure Web site www.southwindsmagazine.com SOUTHWINDS

February 2008

83

CLASSIFIED ADS CREW AVAILABLE/WANTED

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

Sailmykeys@pocketmail.com (2/08)

DONATE YOUR BOAT

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

HELP WANTED

_________________________________________

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

Yacht Broker Wanted. Lots of Work. Growing company, with years of experience, in Tampa Bay looking for a team player. Great company support. Call (727) 823-7400, or Jacek at (727) 560-0901. _________________________________________ Massey Yacht Sales Mobile Broker Do you prefer to sell yachts from your home office?

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

Editor Wanted. Seven Seas Cruising Association. (www.ssca.org) has an opening for the position of Editor in Ft. Lauderdale.

Monthly newsletter + other digital & print publications, web content and ads, publicity, event planning, team support. Qualifications include: proven editing, writing & web experience, self-starter, team player, excellent people skills. Sailing background desired. Email resume to office@ssca.org. (3/08) _________________________________________

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE OR RENT

February 2008

SOUTHWINDS

SAILS & CANVAS

______________________________________

LODGING FOR SAILORS

_________________________________________

84

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

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.

Sailing Coaches and Instructors Wanted.

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

Beaufort, SC, is located between Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. (2/08) _________________________________________

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

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

REGATTA MUSICIANS

_________________________________________

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

_________________________________________

SLIPS FOR SALE OR RENT

_________________________________________

Deepwater Boat Slip Included! 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2-car garage townhome. Mariners Pass, St. Petersburg, FL. $234,500. Loads of updates. Call Bob Sackett, Realtor (727) 5609119. (3/08)

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

Boats from 25 to 60 ft. Liveaboards welcome.

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

SEE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION ON PAGE 77 www.southwindsmagazine.com

ALPHABETICAL INDEX

OF

ADVERTISERS

AMERICAN MARINE AND SAIL SUPPLY . . . . . . .4,57 ANNAPOLIS PERFORMANCE SAILING . . . . . . . . .65 ANTIGUA SURVEYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 AQUA GRAPHICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 ATLANTIC SAIL TRADERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 BAY RIGGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 BEACHMASTER PHOTOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 BENETEAU SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC BETA MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 BOATERS EXCHANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52,57 BOATPIX PHOTOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 BOATUS HURRICANE SYMPOSIUM . . . . . . . . . . .50 BOATUS INSURANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 BOB AND ANNIES BOATYARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 BO’SUN SUPPLIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 BURT EDWARDS CONDO FOR RENT . . . . . . . . . .40 CATALINA YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,57 CHARTER VIRGIN ISLANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 CLEARWATER YACHT CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 CONQUISTADOR CUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 CORAL REEF SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 CORTEZ YACHT BROKERAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 CRUISING DIRECT SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 DEFENDER INDUSTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 DOCKSIDE RADIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 DOYLE SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 DUNBAR SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 DWYER MAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 EASTERN YACHTS/BENETEAU . . . . . . . . . . .4,BC,75 EDWARDS YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76, 77 E-MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35,83 FIRST COAST OFFSHORE CHALLENGE . . . . . . . . .29 FLYING SCOT SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 FOUNTAINE/PAJOT CATAMARANS . . . . . . . . . . . .75 FOURWINDS ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 FT. MYERS BEACH MOORING FIELD . . . . . . . . . .23

ADVERTISERS INDEX

BY

News & Views for Southern Sailors

GARHAUER HARDWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 GLACIER BAY REFRIGERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 GULF COAST YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 GULF ISLAND SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,57 HOBIE CATS/TACKLE SHACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 HOTWIRE/FANS & OTHER PRODUCTS . . . . . . . .35 HUNTER MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 HURRICANE HOOPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 INNOVATIVE MARINE SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . .34, 36 ISLAND PACKET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 ISLAND YACHTING CENTRE/GREG KNIGHTON . . . . .72 J/BOATS - MURRAY YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . .BC,74 JR OVERSEAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 KNIGHTON SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 LEATHER WHEEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 LIGHTHOUSE BUILDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 MASSEY YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC,4,18 MASTHEAD ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . . . .8,37,57,73,84 MASTMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 MIAMI BOAT SHOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 MT. DORA YC REGATTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 MURRAY YACHT SALES/BENETEAU . . . . . . . . .BC,74 NATIONAL SAIL SUPPLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 NAUTICAL TRADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 NEW JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 NORTH SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31,84 OUTBOUND YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 PALM BEACH SAILING CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 PATRICIA KNOLL REALTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 PAUL WOLBERS, REALTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 PEAK MOUNTAIN PROPERTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 PORPOISE USED SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 PUNTA GORDA SAILING CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 RB GROVE/UNIVERSAL AND WESTERBEKE . . . . . .12 REGATA DEL SOL AL SOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

CATEGORY

SAILBOATS – NEW AND BROKERAGE BENETEAU SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC BOATERS EXCHANGE/CATALINA SAILBOATS 52,57 CATALINA YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4, 57 CORTEZ YACHT BROKERAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 DUNBAR SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 EASTERN YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,BC,75 EDWARDS YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76, 77 FLYING SCOT SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 FOUNTAINE/PAJOT CATAMARANS . . . . . . . . . . .75 GULF COAST YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 GULF ISLAND SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4, 57 HOBIE CATS/TACKLE SHACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 HUNTER MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 ISLAND YACHTING CENTRE/GREGG KNIGHTON .72 MASSEY YACHT SALES/CATALINA// HUNTER/ALBIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC,4,18 MASTHEAD YACHT SALES/CATALINA . . .8,37,57,73,84 MURRAY YACHT SALES/BENETEAU . . . . . . . .BC,74 OUTBOUND YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 ST. BARTS/BENETEAU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC SUNCOAST INFLATABLES/ WEST FLORIDA . . . . .38 TACKLE SHACK/HOBIE/SUNFISH, ST. PETERSBURG . .25 TAMPA SAILING SQUADRON YOUTH PROGRAM . .62 TURNER MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 WILMAR USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING ANNAPOLIS PERFORMANCE SAILING . . . . . . . .65 BOATERS EXCHANGE, BOATS, GEAR, ETC. ROCKLEDGE FL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52, 57 BO’SUN SUPPLIES/HARDWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 CORAL REEF SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 DEFENDER INDUSTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 E-MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35, 83 FOURWINDS ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 GARHAUER HARDWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 HOTWIRE/FANS & OTHER PRODUCTS . . . . . . .35 HURRICANE HOOPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 JR OVERSEAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 LEATHER WHEEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 MASTHEAD ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . .8,37,57,73,84 MASTMATE MAST CLIMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 NAUTICAL TRADER/BUY/SELL/CONSIGN . . . . . .39 RPARTS REFRIGERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

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.

REGATTA POINTE MARINA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 ROHLAND RIGGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 RPARTS REFRIGERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 SAIL AMERICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 SAILING FLORIDA CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 SAILORS WHARF BOATYARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 SAILTIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 SALTY JOHN MARINE PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . .36 SCHURR SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 SCUBA CLEAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 SCURVY DOG MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 SEA SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 SEA TECH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 SEAWORTHY PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 SHADETREE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 SNUG HARBOR BOAT WORKS & CO. . . . . . . . . .57 SOLAR LITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 ST. AUGUSTINE SAILING SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . .36 ST. BARTS/BENETEAU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC SUNCOAST INFLATABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 SUNRISE SAILING SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34, 37 TACKLE SHACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 TAMPA SAILING SQUADRON YOUTH PROGRAM . . . . . .62 TIDEMINDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 TURNER MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 UK HALSEY SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 ULLMAN SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 US SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 WAG BAGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 WEST MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 WILMAR USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 WINCHMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36, 47 WINDCRAFT CAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 WINDPATH FRACTIONAL SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 WYVERN CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 YACHTING VACATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

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.

SALTY JOHN MARINE PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . .36 SEAWORTHY PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 SHADETREE AWNING SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 SOLAR LITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 TACKLE SHACK/HOBIE/SUNFISH, PRECISION . .25 TIDEMINDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 WAG BAGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 WINCHMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36, 47 SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICES ATLANTIC SAIL TRADERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 CRUISING DIRECT/SAILS ONLINE BY NORTH . .41 DOYLE SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 DWYER MAST/SPARS, HARDWARE, RIGGING . . .83 INNOVATIVE MARINE SERVICES . . . . . . . . . .34, 36 MASTHEAD/USED SAILS AND SERVICE .8,37,57,73,84 NATIONAL SAIL SUPPLY, NEW&USED ONLINE . . .39 NORTH SAILS, NEW AND USED . . . . . . . . .31, 84 PORPOISE USED SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 KNIGHTON SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 SCHURR SAILS, PENSACOLA FL . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 SUNRISE SAILING SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . .34, 37 UK HALSEY SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 ULLMAN SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 CANVAS KNIGHTON SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 SHADETREE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 USED SAILING/BOATING SUPPLIES NAUTICAL TRADER/BUY/SELL/CONSIGN, WEST FLORIDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 SCURVY DOG MARINE/USED, CONSIGN, PENSACOLA FL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 SAILING SCHOOLS/DELIVERIES/CAPTAINS SAILING FLORIDA CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 SEA SCHOOL/CAPTAIN’S LICENSE . . . . . . . . . .43 ST. AUGUSTINE SAILING SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . .36 US SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 WYVERN CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 MARINE ENGINES AND ACCESSORIES BETA MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 RB GROVE/UNIVERSAL AND WESTERBEKE . . . . .12

MOORING FIELDS FT. MYERS BEACH MOORING FIELD . . . . . . . . .23 RESORTS, MARINAS, RESTAURANTS, BOAT YARDS REGATTA POINTE MARINA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 BOB AND ANNIES BOATYARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 SAILORS WHARF BOATYARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 FRACTIONAL SAILING/CHARTER COMPANIES CHARTER VIRGIN ISLANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 SAILING FLORIDA CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 SAILTIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 WINDPATH FRACTIONAL SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . .5 WYVERN CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 YACHTING VACATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 MARINE SERVICES, SURVEYORS, INSURANCE, TOWING, BOAT LETTERING, ETC. ANTIGUA SURVEYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 AQUA GRAPHICS/BOAT NAMES/TAMPA BAY OR BUY ONLINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 BEACHMASTER PHOTOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . .36 BOATUS INSURANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 SCUBA CLEAN YACHT SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . .34 MARINE ELECTRONICS DOCKSIDE RADIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 SEA TECH/NAVIGATION/COMMUNICATION . . .83 YACHT CLUBS PALM BEACH SAILING CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 REAL ESTATE BURT EDWARDS CONDO FOR RENT . . . . . . . . .40 PATRICIA KNOLL REALTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 PAUL WOLBERS, REALTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 PEAK MOUNTAIN PROPERTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 REGATTA ADVERTISEMENTS, BOAT SHOWS CONQUISTADOR CUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 FIRST COAST OFFSHORE CHALLENGE . . . . . . . .29 REGATA DEL SOL AL SOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 SAIL AMERICA. STRICTLY SAIL MIAMI . . . . . . . . .9 MT. DORA YC REGATTA ADVERTISERS’ LIST BY CATEGORY . . . . . . . . . . .86 ALPHABETICAL ADVERTISERS’ LIST . . . . . . . . . . .85 MARINE MARKETPLACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34-37 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

SOUTHWINDS

February 2008

85

Race Skippers Meeting Courtesy

By Morgan Stinemetz

Hey, guys, let’s just touch on common courtesy for a few minutes.

It won’t take long. It will be painless, I promise.

If you don’t race, you don’t need to read any further.

This is about racing.

W

ell, actually, it’s about before the racing ever starts. It’s about the skippers’ meeting. Remember the last one you attended and could make any sense of? I cannot.

Here we are at a regatta that we have paid good money to enter and the skippers’ meeting is a buzz of extraneous noise. Here we are at a regatta we hopefully have well prepared our boats for, and the person who is welcoming us to the regatta, with the aid of a microphone no less, cannot be heard over the inconsiderate conversations sailors are having with each other. Here we are, having budgeted the time to attend a mandatory part of the regatta, and we have not one clue what anyone in charge has said, is saying or will say.

Two things need to happen.

Either skippers’ meetings need to be curtailed or we, the racing sailors and the racing crews, need to learn to shut up. I prefer the latter.

If you cannot shut up, don’t come to the skippers’ meeting.

Stay away so that you will not inconvenience the rest of the sailors. Stay away so that you will not demonstrate rude behavior to the volunteers on the race committee who have worked their butts off, come long distances on their own dime and put in countless hours of free time so that

your regatta will come off without a hitch. Stay away so that when anything important is covered at the skippers’ meeting, you won’t be there to recognize it. If you won’t listen, don’t show up; there’s no need to.

Most yacht clubs are big enough and have more than one bar, so you and your garrulous buddies can just go some place else to talk about whatever it is that is so important that you’ll inconsiderately override what race officials are trying to get across to people who have taken their own time to come to the meeting. These racers believe the meeting is for a purpose other than general conversation between racers. These people are there to acquire some information that will make the upcoming race more enjoyable or more competitive. The speakers could be dispensing important safety information that no one can understand because of the noise level. If you are talking when you should be listening, then you’ll never know. What

is worse, the people standing next to you will never know either.

Usually, there’s a free keg at the skippers’ meeting. It’s a nice touch.

It says, “Welcome. Have a good time.” It would be interesting to leave the tapping of the free keg up to the regatta chairman, depending on the amount of courtesy he or she received from the crowd during the skippers’ meeting. No courtesy, no beer. If a quiet and attentive group of sailors made the announcements easy, then a ceremonial tapping of the keg would follow. If there is one thing that will make sailors police their own kind, restore order to what has become pre-race anarchy, it is the grim specter of having a full keg of beer sitting right out there in front, beads of condensation rolling down its sides like drops of liquid silver, and the possibility of having none of that golden nectar flow from the keg into a 16-ounce cup because the skippers’ meeting was unruly.

I think that the universal, internal order that would immediately come to skippers’ meetings when presented with such a challenge would make members of Hitler’s Gestapo look like Camp Fire Girls.

Of course, regatta officials would have to get the skippers’ meeting off on time, keep it short and to the point, answer any questions intelligently and succinctly and then pronounce the tap.

If the sailors deserved it.

This plan is flawless.