Southwindsjuly2006

SOUTHWINDS News & Views for Southern Sailors

The Great Circle Loop, Part II The State of Sailing in New Orleans How Fast Hurricanes Move

July 2006 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless

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News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS July 2006

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SOUTHWINDS NEWS & VIEWS 6 10

FOR

SOUTHERN SAILORS

From the Helm: Marco Waterways Organization Distorts My Views

By Steve Morrell Letters

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Bubba’s Valet Parking Now Available

By Morgan Stinemetz

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Short Tacks: Sailing News and Events Around the South

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Southern Regional Monthly Weather and Water Temperatures

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Our Waterways: Banana River Marina Conversion Opposed, Boot Key Harbor Expanding

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Hurricane Season 2006. How Fast Storms Move

By Steve Morrell

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The Great Circle Loop by Catamaran, Part II

By John Kelly

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The State of Sailing (and Racing) in New Orleans

By Troy Gilbert

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PHRF Racing Tips: So, You Have Race Committee Duty

By Dave Ellis

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24th Bi-Annual Regatta al Sol

By Julie Connerley

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Key West Rendezvous 2006

By Steve Morrell

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Trimaran Nationals 2006

By Kim Kaminski

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Southern Regional Racing Reports and Race Calendars

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The Sinking and Resurrection of Lil’ Flash: All in a Day’s Work

By John B. MacNeill

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Regional Sailing Services Directory - Local boat services in your area.

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Alphabetical Index of Advertisers

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Advertisers’ List by Category

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Subscription Form

COVER: The main anchorage at Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas.

Photo by Gary Hufford. www.beachmaster.smugmug.com.

The Great Circle Loop, Part II. Photo by John Kelly.

Page 30.

The state of New Orleans sailing. Photo by Troy Gilbert. Page 34.

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

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FROM THE HELM

Marco Waterways Organization Distorts My Opinions In May, I learned the following and below is a copy of a letter I wrote to the Naples Daily News (edited here for space): I recently read in the Naples Daily News (5/01/06) that the Marco Waterways Organization used one of my editorials to advance its proposals in restricting anchoring rights in Marco Island. The article reported the MWO sent out a press release quoting my editorial (December 2005) on boat waste.

Did the MWO ask for my permission to use my comments in support of its views? No. I want to make it perfectly clear that I do not support the anchoring restrictions, or the anti-boater attitude, put forth by the Marco Waterways Organization. I wrote the MWO a letter last September telling them my views and my opposition to their proposals. I challenged them to print those views on their Web site, but it appears they only print those views supporting them. My letter can be read at www.southwindsmagazine.com/resources/marcoisland.htm.

My editorial comments about sewage disposal were taken totally out of context, as I am sure they did not publish the entire editorial in their press release. Nor did they publish all the other comments I have written on this issue. They picked and chose what they felt was useful to them. Is this indicative of the kind of people that

make up this group?

Did they mention my comments that a cruise ship of 3000 people will dump 30,000 gallons of raw sewage a day off the coast of Florida?

Another comment I made: “Unfortunately, the majority of all pollution in the waters of the United States is legal. Few realize this, as their prejudices run so strong, but the ground runoff from land pollution does more to pollute our waterways than any other factor. Runoff during rain from one waterfront yard that uses fertilizer is one of the greatest contributors to water pollution.” Did they print that statement? They probably don’t want that fact publicized.

Did they mention other comments I wrote of a Florida community dumping 21-million gallons of raw sewage and how common this is? Does this sort of thing happen in Collier County? Has sewage from these waterfront residents been “accidentally” dumped in local waters? How many thousands or millions of gallons?

In the Daily News article, reporter Billy Bruce wrote, “Morrell wrote in the piece that he suspects there are few boaters who adhere to the legal requirement to pump out onboard sewage tanks three miles offshore.” I challenge Mr. Bruce to show where I ever wrote that I “suspect there are few boaters who adhere to the legal requirements...”

Did he read the article or make this up?

In my September letter to the MWO, I made this statement: “Many boaters will dump sewage, but most, especially liveaboards, will respect the waters and not do so.” Did they release that?

I did make a statement that those who adhere strictly to the dumping laws are probably in the minority.

Dumping is done by certain people, and some groups are more apt to dump overboard illegally than others. I believe that most who do are actually boaters at marinas who rarely cruise, and cruisers are least likely to dump overboard.

Does that mean you should deduce that the majority of the boaters anchored out are dumping? Ridiculous.

To simplify my comments, take them out of context and use them to support their cause, while knowing that I oppose them, is really quite low.

All of my comments on this issue indicate that this is obviously a complex issue. Maybe the MWO can’t handle complexity.

I oppose not only the tactics, but the anti-anchoring, anti-boater attitude of the MWO. I support 90 percent of cruisers who are excellent, responsible citizens, something I can’t say for the people of the MWO who used me. One thing I am sure of about the MWO: They have no principles.

Steve Morrell Editor

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News & Views for Southern Sailors

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News & Views For Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS Media, Inc. P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, Florida 34218-1175 (941) 795-8704 (877) 372-7245 (941) 795-8705 Fax www.southwindsmagazine.co e-mail: editor@southwindsmagazine.com Volume 14 Number 7 July 2006 Copyright 2006, Southwinds Media, Inc. Founded in 1993

Doran Cushing, Publisher 1993-2002

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

Steve Morrell

Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp Barbara Pierce

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

Steve Morrell editor@southwindsmagazine.com (941) 795-8704 David Curry davidcurry@southwindsmagazine.com (941) 761-0048 Regional Editors CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA waltmcfarlane@aol.com

Walt McFarlane

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Roy Laughlin

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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp southwindsnews@aol.com Art Perez

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA RACING miamiyachtracing@bellsouth.net

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Proofreading Kathy Elliott

Letters from our readers Dave Ellis John Kelly John B. MacNeill Hone Scunook

Contributing Writers Winnie Beckett Troy Gilbert Sherry Lambert Walt McFarlane Morgan Stinemetz

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Artwork Rebecca Burg angel@artoffshore.com Julie Connerley Kim Kaminski Roy Laughlin Art Perez

Contributing Photographers/Art Rebecca Burg (Artwork) Troy Gilbert Rachael Gillette Gary Hufford Kim Kaminski John Kelly Roy Laughlin Michal Leszczynski John B. MacNeill Laura Ritter 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.

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SOUTHWINDS Letters to the Editor Policy Please send letters to the editor to editor@southwindsmagazine.com. You may also mail or fax them (see masthead for contact info). Please limit your letters to around 400 words keeping them concise. (As Mark Twain once said, “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.“) We would like your name, town, state (or your boat’s location if you’re onboard) and boat name and type if applicable.

We have had inquiries to print letters to the editor from unknown sources, or to have the letter writer’s name withheld. SOUTHWINDS will withhold the name of a writer, stating “name withheld,” if they request it be withheld—and if we agree, as there are just too many vindictive people out there, many being public officials, who take advantage of their positions. We will never print a writer’s name if he/she will not allow us to do so. Equally, we will never print letters from sources who do not identify themselves to us—in keeping with a standard policy of almost every publication in the United States.

Steve Morrell, Editor

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LETTERS “Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.” H.L. Mencken In its continuing endeavor to share its press, SOUTHWINDS invites readers to write in with experiences & opinions.

INTERCOASTAL VS INTRACOASTAL Pull your head out of your Google search, pull out a good old dictionary, and look up the meanings of inter and intra. The Intracoastal Waterway is properly named, despite your entertaining confusion with the U.S. Constitution, commerce and the Interstate Highway system, which runs between states (except in some areas including Hawaii where a federally funded “Interstate” highway is actually intrastate and lies entirely within one state). The Intracoastal Waterway doesn’t run “coast to coast” but lies within or along a single coast (except here in southern Florida where the ICW actually runs between the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Coast; hence, it could technically be termed the Intercoastal Waterway).

Fortunately, here in the South, we can skip the pedantry and slur our words. Everybody understands when

we say “Innercoastal Waterway,” which may be the best match of the word and the actual usage of the ICW anyway.

Capt. Dave Hauge Key West, FL I just read your comments on the naming of the Intracoastal Waterway versus inter.

While I do not know the mind of the namer, my own thinking is that “Intra” is correct when framing the waterway as a single Atlantic coastal waterway. So, when traveling within the Atlantic coastal waterway (a singly named entity, i.e., it is ONE waterway regardless of how many states it passes through...), “Intra” would be the correct grammatical term to describe travel therein. What do you think?

Paul Chasse

www.southwindsmagazine.com

See LETTERS continued on page 12

I just read your article on the Intracoastal Waterway regarding its name. The Intracoastal Waterway is named as such because much of it is within the coast, thus, “intra.” By “within the coast,” I mean between barrier islands and the mainland or on other navigable waters that are not offshore.

The designation of intra or inter, in this case, relates to its location relative to the coast as opposed to going within a state or between states. An intercoastal waterway would go from one coast to another. The Atlantic Ocean would be an example of an intercoastal waterway.

Brian McDonald Dave, Paul and Brian I completely agree with all of you, see the error in my ways and have acknowledged that in many letters’ responses in the June issue. I just get tired of writers who have been around the ICW all their lives sending me articles saying “Intercoastal” —the main point of my editorial. In print we have to try to have more exactness. For example, in spelling, when we talk, we could care less whether the word “know” is spelled correctly or if it should be “no.” In conversation, it is inherently understood in the context of its use. As for why the ICW is named as it is, that has been cleared up with help from people like you, but let’s get it right.

I know it could be hopeless, but perhaps more sailors will now call it the Intracoastal. As for slurring of speech—referring to some calling it the “innercoastal:” That’s from the fact that the average sailor has been drinking excessively, and I am not sure if it is the person listening, speaking or even both who hear this.

But the main point of all this is, as I say in the editorial, “But the name of the ICW is the Intracoastal Waterway for one simple reason: BECAUSE THAT IS ITS OFFICIAL NAME.” Perhaps now a few more sailors now no (or is it know now?) its reel (sic) name. Eye hope sew (sic).

Editor

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COASTAL SOUTHERN COMMUNITIES DO LITTLE TO INVITE CRUISERS AND LIVEABOARDS In SOUTHWINDS, I have recently read various articles about different anchorages and the relationships between boaters and the local residents, boaters and the various cities, and boaters and the regulations.

It seems to me that we sailors fall into different categories, often changing from one to the other and many are overlapping.

(1) True ocean wanderers sailing the world from place to place.

(2) People who spend more than just a week or two on their boat at a stretch (my wife and I, for example, cruise from November through April, returning to work for the summer). This category includes only those who very rarely book into a marina. The people in this group tend to keep a clean, seaworthy vessel in compliance with all regulations.

See LETTERS continued on page 12 News & Views for Southern Sailors

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LETTERS (3) People who spend as much time as the above aboard, but tend to marina hop, with odd nights out on the hook.

These people have ample opportunity to comply with all regulations.

(4) People who live on their boat in order to be able to live and work in a desirable location. The housing prices in southern Florida—especially the Keys—are completely out of control.

People in lower paying jobs (often temporary) can’t earn enough to pay for a house even of very modest proportions.

(4a) People renting a slip in either a marina or from a homeowner. These tend to keep their boats in good order and legal in all respects, though they seem to have little time for sailing. It should be noted that slip rental is at times as much or more than a house payment, though, with a boat, you have the advantage of being able to leave.

(4b) People who live on their boat in order to live and work as above, but either choose to—or are compelled to— anchor out in the harbor. Most of these people keep clean, well-presented, legal boats, but there are some who allow their boats to deteriorate. These vessels become an eyesore to the local landsmen, who just paid 3/4 of a million dollars for their condo overlooking

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the anchorage, as well as other boaters.

The vessels often look as if they might drift off in bad weather, damaging other boats. The occupants of these boats may not be true sailormen but landsmen who need a cheap place to live. Sometimes they are inhabited by individuals whose personal appearance may cause distress to locals or other boaters, who are not used to interacting with grubby-looking, longhaired, tattooed, bearded people—even though they may be upstanding citizens and possibly veterans.

It seems to me that the cities along the coasts make little effort to encourage boaters, charging $5 a day to tie up a dinghy so that you can walk to town and buy groceries. I think that the boating visitors must help support local business. We all buy groceries, and many like to spend time in bars/restaurants. There are places that encourage visitors to tie up and visit the local stores/restaurants; Morgan City, FL; Fort Walton Beach, FL; Stuart, FL; Punta Gorda, FL; West Marine in Marathon, Fl; and the Circle K in Offatts Bayou, in Galveston, TX, to name a few.

In conclusion, I think that if the cities were a little more tolerant of boating visitors and residents, even encouraging them to visit—maybe with a place to tie up a tender for an hour or two—it would be great for the visitors and good for business.

And for the liveaboards we could make an effort to keep our vessels shipshape and ourselves presentable. A haircut and a shave for the sailor and a good scrub and a lick of paint for the boat would go a long way without costing too much.

As for the regulations, I think that it’s perfectly possible to operate a boat within the scope of the regulations, especially these days with pump-out boats roaming around all over the place and numerous land-based pump-out stations that are either $5 or sometimes even free.

Matthew Mitchell S/V Drifter, Catalina 30 Written from Boot Key Harbor, Florida Keys Matthew, I pretty much agree with what you have said here, but, in many ways, perhaps I am a little old-fashioned about the rights that people have, sailors included. I don’t believe that the majority has a right to dictate to the minority how it should live. The majority has certain rights, and the minority has certain rights, the individual always having a great right to go his own way, choose his own path. If people want to live on filthy boats and be bums, that is their right.

It might be more tactful for these people to dress and act like these landowners who complain, but when everyone has to start See LETTERS continued on page 14

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LETTERS

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looking and acting like the current majority, I dread that day.

When they start encroaching on the rights of others, then we have to take a closer look. And when the majority start encroaching on the rights of the minority, we have to take a closer look at that, too.

What helps make this world go around is all those people who go their own way, and sailors have been doing that for a few thousand years. Two people living in a million-dollar house on a waterfront acre have two votes in this country, as do two people living on a $20,000 old, wood sloop anchored out.

Unfortunately, there are many people in power who often think otherwise. You don’t get more votes by owning more land and having more money. And those two people on the boat shouldn’t have to look or act like those two on land to have their rights respected. I say treat those on land and on the boat with respect and unprejudiced action, not judging them by the different path they are on. The public streets and lands of the United States are open to all citizens and guests. They are not gated communities where to enter you have to dress and act a certain way, although I see more gated, closed communities every day. More and more, communities want to keep out those they don’t think are acting like they should, and many use the waterways around them to do just that, thinking they can keep boaters out of “their” communities, although boaters have been using these waterways longer than they have—cruising the waters, anchoring out, coming ashore. Of course, the last group that came from the sea and landed ended up killing off those on land, taking their land and setting up their own communities. Is that what current waterfront property owners are afraid of? Hmm… I have been, for many years, a supporter of a clean environment, and I strongly believe that boats should not pollute the environment, but the greatest polluters I see in Florida, and most coastal areas are from landowners. It is well-known that runoff from waterfront yards of fertilizers and other chemicals is a major polluter of the waters, probably tens of thousands of times more polluting than all the liveaboards and cruisers in Florida. One cruise ship dumps more sewage in the oceans in one day off the Florida coast than probably all the liveaboards in one year. One sewage overflow from one major metropolitan area does more harm to the waters than probably all the liveaboards do in 10 years. And these overflows happen regularly.

The boaters should be complaining about the landowners spoiling their waters, yet look who complains the most.

As for pump-outs all over, I haven’t seen that. In fact, the one here in Tampa Bay just went out of business after 4 months because the owner was not welcomed or encouraged by local communities.

Editor WORLD’S LARGEST RAFT-UP? I recently read an article in SOUTHWINDS about Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club and its largest raft-up. I am the rear commodore of the Boca Ciega Yacht Club, and we have them beat by more than half! We had a raft-up in September of 1996 that made the cover of BoatU.S. magazine. There were 125 boats on the outside with three smaller raft-ups of 16, 14, and 16 boats on the inside. I have enclosed a picture and will be sending the same to Guinness. I applaud the members’effort and wish them well in the future, but I believe ours definitely tops them.

Linda J. Ray Boca Ciega Yacht Club, Gulfport, FL

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Linda, Thanks for the info on your raft-up, which I have heard about for many years was one of the biggest. But you know what they say (please paraphrase on your own): “There’s always a faster gun.”

(The photo sent was not enough resolution for print.)

Editor FORT MYERS BEACH MOORING FIELD CHANGES I wish to report on Kathy and my April 2006 stay at Matanzas Harbor, Fort Myers Beach. As has been previously reported, Salty Sam’s Marina manages a mooring field of 75 moorings. The rate is about $13/day or about $250/month depending on boat length. They did away with the popular weekly rate and still require boat insurance. No one knows why. As a result of the mooring fee increase and insurance requirement, there are usually plenty of available moorings, as the fleet of liveaboards simply moved east to nearby Hurricane Bay. In fact there are as many boats in Hurricane Bay as there are on moorings. The Fort Myers Beach Department of Public Works manager, retired naval officer Matt Feeney, who was responsible for the mooring field and the contract with Salty Sam’s, had a plan to improve the harbor, which included upgrading the two public dinghy docks. He quit in a dispute with the new city council, which repeatedly demonstrates its lack of management ability.

There are three places you can tie up your dinghy for free on the south, Estero Island, side of the harbor: one under the bridge, Bob Wallace’s pier and in the mangroves behind Topps supermarket. Salty Sam’s on the north side provides a dinghy dock, showers, laundry and a free pump-out boat. Bonita Bill’s, under the bridge on the north side, also lets “boat people” tie up—all in a pleasant, comfortable stay with plenty to do ashore.

Dick de Grasse s/y Endeavour Dick, Thanks for the information on Fort Myers. I have heard from a few boaters who have been frustrated with the management of the mooring field. It appears the city wants to do it on the cheap. I wish communities would really look into what boaters contribute, want and need. Too many think they are just people to be controlled. That’s hardly the case.

Editor

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

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

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

(727) 823-3753

Boating Safety Courses, St. Petersburg, FL: St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron. Six-week Public Boating Course begins every Monday. Includes safety information plus basic piloting; charts, course plotting, latitude/longitude and dead reckoning.

Satisfies Florida’s under-age-21 boater requirements. (727) 867-3088. The three-week Boat Smart course begins July 8. (727) 565-4453. www.boating-stpete.org.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 14-4, Jacksonville, FL. One-day Americas Boating Course. Saturdays: July 22, August 12, Sept 16. Captains Club, 13363 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville FL. Meets Florida state boaters card requirements. Contact John Davis at (904) 821-9692.

Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 11-1) Public Boating Programs: Americas Boating Course (2 lessons): July 15-16, Aug. 14, 17.

Clearwater Sailing Center, 1001 Gulf Blvd., Sand Key (Clearwater). Open to adults and youths.

For more information on upcoming education programs or to request a free vessel safety check call (727) 4698895 or visit http://a0701101.uscgaux.info/.

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

North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort, NC, www.ncmm-friends.org, maritime@ncmail.net, (252) 7287317. On going adults sailing programs. Family ssailing. 26 people; 2-6 hours. Traditional skiffs or 30 foot keelboat. $50-$240. Reservations/information: call The Friends’ office (252) 728-1638 Marine Systems Certification, Tampa, FL. July 11-14.

American Boat & Yacht Council. (410) 956-1050. www.abycinc.org.

Sea-N-Sail Adventure Camp, July 10-14, 17-21, 24-28.

One week sessions offered to children ages 6-13. Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, 115 1st St, Biloxi, MS. (228) 435-6320.

Seven-one week sessions offered to children ages 6-13.

Curriculum includes sailing aboard the famous Biloxi Schooners, cast netting, fishing, swimming, model boat forms, building, storytelling by American Indian

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Greyhawk, basket weaving, constructing a maritime mosaic art piece and field trips to the Barrier Islands, Fun Factory and a shrimping tour on the Sailfish. All counselors are CPR and first aid certified.

For more information, go to www.maritimemuseum.org.

OTHER EVENTS Pepsi Americas’ Sail 2006: Tall Ships Come to North Carolina, June 30-July 5 At the end of June, Pepsi Americas’ Sail 2006, a maritime festival featuring some of the world’s most majestic tall ships, will be held in Beaufort and Morehead City, N.C. The Meka II, a 54-foot tall ship—a half-scale replica of a 17th century pirate brigantine captained by Sinbad—is one of seven tall ships that have already committed to participate. Formal invitations have been extended to dozens of ships around the world, and event organizers have received strong interest from many ships. The event expects to attract 15-20 tall ships. www.pepsiamericassail.com 22nd Annual Underwater Music Festival. July 8, Looe Key, Big Pine Key. Divers, snorkelers and swimmers enjoy a fun and quirky form of underwater entertainment. (305) 872-2411.

Hemingway Days Festival. July 18-23, Key West. The island of Key West celebrates the legendary author’s work and life with literary readings, theater, short story contest, exhibits and more. (305) 296-2388.

Wild Horses in the Islands: Regatta Time in Abaco, July 3-11 To be a part of the adventure, visit www.rtia.net, or in the United States contact race committee Jon and Carol Ewing, lightning@cofs.com or (305) 6658316. An invaluable resource is Steve Dodge’s The Cruising Guide to Abaco, which offers a wealth of local info. Once you’re in Abaco, the daily local cruisers’ net is broadcast on VHF 68 at 8:15 a.m. and includes Bob Toler’s excellent weather reports. Known as Barometer Bob, you can view his Web site at www.barometerbob.com.

NEWS Home of the Rum Runner to Become Keys Luxury Condo Resort Holiday Isle Resort in Islamorada recently sold for $98-million. Holiday Isle Resort has been a favorite major Keys News & Views for Southern Sailors

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party location for about 30 years. Many believe— and the resort claims—a bartender created the first Rum Runner at the resort back in the ’70s. The frozen drink is dispensed at the push of a button out of machines behind the bar like a Slurpie. Containing several liquors and fruit juices, the drink is known to be deliciously sweet, but dangerous. Eventually, rum runners were served at almost every bar in the Keys and have since spread out around the world as a favored tropical drink.

The Holiday Isle Resort, along with being a spring break destination, is also known for many famous sportfishing charter boats that called the resort’s 57-slip marina home. The resort has an old-Florida style feeling of funky, laid-back charm with dozens of small shops, restaurants, a beachside pool, a small beach and several tiki bars, besides the main large indoor/outdoor tiki bar, called Rum Runners, that has live music on weekend nights.

Snorkeling, personal watercraft and parasailing are some of the many activities that are also available. On many weekends, cars are parked on the side of the road a quarter-mile and more north of the resort to visit the famous bar, hear music, dance and wander around the resort.

The resort will be totally destroyed and a new fivestar luxury resort will be built in its place with a new name.

The sale will not go through till January, and then the resort will stay open until the new owners, developers from West Palm Beach, get all their permits in order. The existing resort could be open for another year, if not longer.

Reef Relief Closes Key West Headquarters Reef Relief, approaching its 20-year anniversary, will be closing its educational facility, offices and gift shop at the

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historic seaport in Key West. Educational efforts will be turned over to the Monroe County schools, which has increased its reef awareness and education largely through the efforts of Reef Relief over the years. The organization will continue its efforts at new offices in Key West, but lack of grant funding and loss of volunteers has hurt the organization.

Reef Relief was founded in 1987 by Craig and DeeVon Quirolo to help stem the continuing destruction of coral reefs (see “History of Reef Relief” SOUTHWINDS, April 2005). They first noticed the destruction of Keys’ reefs by fishing and diving boat anchors and promoted the use of anchoring buoys. They continued in their reef protection efforts over the years, eventually being the catalyst that got the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary established. Craig Quirolo has been cataloging the state of the Keys’ reefs for many years and will continue to do so as the organization goes through these changes. His images of the changing reefs is on the organizations’s Web site. It is mainly because of the efforts of Reef Relief that the Keys community has become conscious of the declining fragile coral reef system in the Keys.

In 1999, Reef Relief expanded its efforts of reef protection and established the Captain Roland Roberts House Environmental Center in a restored 1840s Bahamian wood house in New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas.

Recent Reef Relief efforts have concentrated on trying to educate the public on the dangers of runoff from the Florida Everglades and its impact on the waters of Florida Bay and Keys’ reefs. They have also been active in trying to bring about awareness of the continuing decline of coral reefs in the Keys, noting that there is only two percent coverage left of the original corals, and are trying to get the

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Southeastern U.S. Air & Water Temperatures and Gulf Stream Currents – July 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 75º lo – 91º hi Gulfport, MS 74º lo – 91º hi Water Temperature – 85º

WEST FLORIDA St. Petersburg 78º lo – 90º hi Naples 73º lo – 91º hi Water Temperature St. Petersburg – 86º Naples – 87º

CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA Cape Hatteras, NC 69º lo – 85º hi Savannah, GA 68º lo – 92º hi Water Temperature Cape Hatteras, NC – 78º Savannah Beach, GA – 85º

EAST FLORIDA Daytona Beach - 72º lo – 92º hi Jacksonville Beach - 74º lo – 89º hi Water Temperature Daytona Beach – 80º Jacksonville Beach – 83º Gulfstream Current – 3.5 knots

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Miami Beach – 77º lo – 91º h Stuart – 74º lo – 90º hi Water Temperature Miami Beach – 86º Stuart – 79º Gulfstream Current – 3.5 knots

FLORIDA KEYS Key West 80º lo – 89º hi Water Temperature Key West – 87º Gulfstream Current – 2 knots

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

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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

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public more aware of the problems created by cruise ships, which dump sewage, legally, off Florida’s coast, which ends up in the waters of the Florida Keys. Cruise ships can dump “gray water” wherever they want.

For more information on Reef Relief, go to www.reefrelief.org.

known as Masters Under Sail, at the boat show. The event raised $20,940 for the hospital. SESA plans to re-create the event this year, and volunteers are always needed. To volunteer and for information, go to www.sailingvoice.org or email info@sailingvoice.org. You can also call (941) 795-8704.

Southeastern Sailing Association Answers Phones at the All Children’s Hospital Telethon Volunteers and board members of the Southeastern Sailing Association (SESA) took part in the All Children’s Hospital Telethon on June 3. The hospital is on a multi-year fundraiser to pay for the new hospital, which recently broke ground in St. Petersburg, FL. All Children’s Hospital is one of the most respected children’s hospitals in the world, and its new hospital will do even more to help children who need extra care, as well as routine children’s health care. The new hospital is expected to open in 2009. The SESA volunteers who answered phones at the All Children’s Hospital Telethon on June 3. telethon, on the weekend of June 3-4, raised $4,272,625.

The Southeastern Sailing Association founded the St. Petersburg Sailboat Show in 1993 and still takes an active role in the show’s activities and planning, although the show is now run by SailAmerica (www.sailamerica.com).

At the 2005 show, SESA organized and ran the Sailing for Miracles fundraiser, which was a joint fundraiser for SESA, the hospital and the Sarasota Youth Sailing Program. Sailing for Miracles brought together 10 of the country’s most wellknown icons of the sailing world for a benefit sailboat race,

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OUR WATERWAYS

THE FUTURE OF OUR WATERWAYS: LINED WITH CONDOS? Banana River Marina Condo Conversion Plans Stifled by Neighborhood Opposition, Brevard County, FL

By Roy Laughlin In an odd twist of the usual scenario, neighborhood opposition caused the Brevard County commissioners to refuse a condominium conversion plan for the Banana River Marina property on Merritt Island. Strong neighborhood opposition to a dense assemblage of several-story buildings was strongly opposed by the neighborhood organization and many residents who appeared at an April Brevard Board of County Commissioners meeting.

The change of heart by the county commissioners—to an extent unexpected even in a usual election year—will have little direct benefit to boaters, however. This marina, one of Brevard County’s best equipped for do-it-yourself

SOUTHWINDS “OUR WATERWAYS” SECTION Southwinds has created this section to inform our readers about changes in our waterways. We believe that Southerners are in the midst of a great change occurring on our waterways—through the conversion of many boating properties to condominiums, restrictions on anchorages once thought to be more open and now being more restricted and regulated, and other economic forces at work. This section will also concern itself with the environmental health of the waters we boat and swim in.

The waterways belong to all of us, and all of us have a right to use them. The waterways are not just for those who can afford to live on the water, and it is up to us boaters and lovers of these waters to protect that right. We hope that by helping to inform you of these changes, we will contribute to doing just that.

We are looking for news and information on changes, land sales, anchorages, boaters’ rights, new marinas, anchoring rights, disappearing marinas, boatyards and boat ramps, environmental concerns and other related news. Independent writers wanted on these subjects. Contact Steve Morrell, editor@southwindsmagazine.com, or call (877) 372-7245.

We regularly receive many letters to the editor on these issues. See the “Letters” section for more opinions and information. Some letters will be published in this section if appropriate.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

boat maintenance during the past 30 years, is unlikely to ever be a public marina again. Zoning still allows the developer to build a more typical tower structure, a scenario which neighborhood opposition may have less success stopping. For boaters, the lesson here may be to make a pact for collaboration. While boaters want a marina, neighboring residents may be motivated by a more general opposition to high-density development. United opposition, even with such different goals, may successfully preserve marinas elsewhere.

Florida Marine Trade Organizations Split Up In April, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) withdrew from the Marine Industries Association of Florida (MIAF). The reason given by MIASF was differences in the legislative approach taken by the two groups.

MIASF indicated that there should be more than one voice representing the marine industry in the state and that MIAF wanted to be the only voice.

The MIAF believes the real difference is that the MIASF really wants to concentrate its efforts on the megayacht industry, which is very prominent in South Florida, and that the MIAF represents all boaters in the state, and a large part of its efforts goes into improving boaters’ access, like promoting boat ramps and parking—one of the largest problems for the average boater in Florida.

The MIASF represents about half of the MIAF membership. MIAF members can still separately join the MIAF, and many have done so. The two groups expect to continue to work together in the future on certain common interests.

For more information on the MIAF, go to www.miasf.org. For the MIASF Web site, go to www.boatflorida.org.

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OUR WATERWAYS Bradenton Beach Continues Efforts to Establish Mooring Field The town of Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island on the south side of Tampa Bay is continuing in its years-long effort to convert the current anchorage off the island town’s pier to a public mooring field. For as long as people can remember, the anchorage, just south of the pier, has been a popular spot for transients, liveaboards and wet storage.

The city has plans to convert the area into a permanent mooring field for transients, using the pier for a field manager’s office, as well as bathroom facilities. The town has had studies done of the bottom land of the area to see how many moorings could be installed. The town is also considering whether to have a pump-out boat or a pump-out facility at the pier for boaters to use.

The town recently had problems with someone dumping a portable sewage container in one of the bathrooms at the pier. The bathrooms are currently for the use of pier visitors, who are mainly fisherman. The town is hoping for passage of a state law which will extend the town’s jurisdiction to include the waters off its shores, both on the bay side—which includes the anchorage—and the Gulf side. If the law passes, the town will begin inspecting all the boats anchored in the area to insure they all have the required onboard marine sanitation devices.

Boot Key Harbor Marina in Marathon Expected to Turn a Profit, State Lease Allows for Mooring Field Expansion For the first time since taking over the marina in 2000, the city of Marathon expects to turn a profit at the marina and Boot Key Harbor mooring field in 2006. With total expenses of $772,850 in 2005, the city had to use general funds to make up for the shortfall of $239,742 that the marina had.

But, with current projections, the marina is expected to at least break even in 2006, and more than likely, it will make a profit.

After the 2005 loss, the city considered—last winter— the idea of privatizing the marina and mooring field operations, but several factors changed that possibility. One main reason is the expansion and opening of more floating docks, bringing in more revenue. Another is the increase in rates

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Boot Key Harbor. Photo by Steve Morrell. (averaging 10 percent), the largest being the increase in the daily rates, and the smallest increases were in the monthlong liveaboard rates. One additional major factor was the loss of competition when the Dockside Lounge and Marina closed to liveaboards in 2005, as most of the liveaboards moved over to Boot Key Harbor.

Currently rates at the marina and harbor are $11.75 (off season) per foot for seawall space, and mooring buoys go for $160 a month, $60 a week and $15 a night.

On May 31, the state of Florida approved a 10-year lease—at no cost—of 80 acres of submerged land lying next to the current mooring field—to the city of Marathon. The land was previously outside of the city’s jurisdiction and was used by boaters as a free anchorage. Anchoring will no longer be permitted in the harbor outside of the mooring field as the city intends to pass an ordinance to that effect, although during a hurricane boats will still be allowed to temporarily anchor. The city will still have a free anchorage area, but there will be no anchoring allowed outside that designated area.

The lease will allow the city to add 162 mooring buoys to the current 66, giving the city a total of 228. The new buoys will be installed in September through November and will help the submerged lands because boats will no longer be able to anchor in the harbor, since the large number of boats that constantly anchor in the area scar the bottom. The main difference between the existing mooring field and the new field will be the six-month limit for staying on the state-leased area—a requirement that the state made in its lease. Year-around residents will be allowed only in the existing mooring field.

The lease also provides for the city to eventually build a new 170-foot dock with slips for boats and space for up to 125 dinghies.

For more information on the marina, go to www.ci.marathon.fl.us/, departments.

Another Florida Marina Considered for Condos: Rowell’s Marina in Key Largo Rowell’s marina, one of the Keys’ most visible working marinas, is possibly slated to become a condominium projwww.southwindsmagazine.com

ect. The marina is currently zoned as a marina, and the zoning would have to change. The owners of the marina, Boca Developers LLC, is offering the Monroe County Commission an affordable-housing project at a property the LLC owns in Big Pine Key in exchange for the right to build condos at the Rowell Marina site. A county provision known as a “380 agreement” allows the county to go outside existing county plans if it deems the exception to be of benefit to the community. The Key Largo Federation of Homeowner Associations—a group formed to represent property owners’ rights in Key Largo—has expressed strong opposition to the agreement, which the county commission has not yet taken a stand on. The county was planning to discuss the proposal in late June.

Venice, FL, Considers New Marina With 200 to 400 Slips The city of Venice in southwest Florida is considering the development of a marina with 200-400 slips. The marina would be along the Intracoastal Waterway at the south end of the Venice airport, be separated from the ICW by two small islands—one of which would be a picnic island and the other a wildlife island—and have a walk-around promenade. A pavilion and boat ramp would be part of the project. The city is seeking a grant from the federal government

News & Views for Southern Sailors

to help build the marina but will seek funds elsewhere if needed. The city is expected to hear if federal funds will be coming in the fall. Some residents oppose the project because of fears of more traffic problems from bridge openings, although the city council would like to limit the number of boats at the marina that would need bridge openings.

The council would also like to give preference to city residents for slips at the marina.

The city’s management sees the marina offering more boater access to the Gulf, plus the marina would help the airport’s budget. The marina would also be part of and enhance the Venetian Waterway Park Trail, which runs along the ICW in the area.

The project would be completed by 2010. For more information and a map of the proposed marina, go to www.venicegov.com.

Links for Our Waterways Issues Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway issues. www.atlintracoastal.org.

BoatUS Foundation. Great source of information and links on miscellaneous issues. www.boatus.org.

Florida Inland Navigation District, a taxing district for management and maintenance of the AICW in Florida. www.aicw.org.

Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. www.gicaonline.com.

Marine Industries Association of Florida with links to local associations. www.boatflorida.org.

Marine Industries Association of South Florida. www.miasf.org.

National Waterways Conference promotes, educates and lobbies on behalf of all of the nation’s inland waterways. www.waterways.org.

Ocean Conservancy dedicated to the protection of the oceans. www.oceanconservancy.org.

Reef Relief. A non-profit group which is dedicated to preserving the reefs, based in Key West. www.reefrelief.org.

Gulfbase.org. A research database for Gulf of Mexico Research. www.gulfbase.org.

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HURRICANE SEASON 2006 Boats at Marinas: Our Target Audience This Month This month’s (and June’s) articles are geared toward saving the greatest number of boats, which is boats at marinas. SOUTHWINDS has published many stories in the past about boats at anchor and techniques used by others successfully, but boats at anchor are in the minority. To read these articles, go to our hurricane page at www.southwindsmagazine.com.

I have read and heard many opinions about how many boats didn’t survive at marinas because of all sorts of reasons; storm surge, floating docks, fixed docks—you name it— and that your best bet is out at anchor, with lots of anchors and rode and chafe protection, so the boat can turn into the wind as the storm passes through with the changing wind direction. This might be correct, but we must be realistic: Do we really think that the thousands of boats—or is it tens of thousands—at marinas are going to be moved away from marinas (as some marinas would love to kick them all out), and owners are going to anchor them out with the perfect system? There is not even the slightest chance that is realistic. (Many boat owners won’t even remove their headsails.) So we must try to help protect the most boats in the most likely scenario, and that is boats at marinas. And that’s what we are doing here and in the June issue.

How Fast Hurricanes Move: Do I have Enough Time to Prepare My Boat?

By Steve Morrell

Well-secured boat with lots of dock lines.

H

urricane Charley came ashore on Upper Captiva Island on Friday 13 in August 2004, just before 4:00 p.m., as a Category 4 storm. Two days earlier, on Wednesday morning, Charley was a tropical storm south of Jamaica, becoming a hurricane that afternoon. As the crow flies, that’s about 600 miles away (it took a slightly longer route). That means Charley went from a tropical storm in the Caribbean to a Category 4 hurricane hitting the United States in about 48 hours. That’s fast.

All these storms travel that fast in getting here. If they slow down, it is usually after they are here, and then you want them to move on as fast as possible. They almost

HURRICANE TIPS Got a tip to help others? Send them to editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

Here’s a Couple: Need an extra place to secure additional dock lines to your boat? Secure to the mast and winches, as they are all designed to take a lot of stress.

Halyard stuck and you are in a hurry to lower your roller-furled headsail? Use an extra halyard(s) and, from the deck, wrap it around the headsail from the top down. If you have two spares, wrap them in opposite directions. From Dave Ellis.

Don’t forget lines stretch and new ones will stretch more than short ones. If you can be at the boat during the storm, keep an eye on them and adjust them.

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How to Remove Your Roller Furling Headsail It is really quite easy: You get in your car, you drive to your boat, you remove it. It is that simple, but I see so many boats out there with their headsails up during high winds with the sail torn and blowing in the wind that I wonder if people just don’t know how to remove it. What other reason could there be? I saw many boats that their only damage—and they were from tropical-storm-force winds only—was a torn roller-furled headsail that was left up.

Plus these boats can damage docks and other boats. Since insurance companies have deductibles, these people didn’t leave them up to get a new headsail. So there must be some other reason. Barring those who are stupid, lazy or have more money than they can spend, I can only guess that some just don’t know how, so we will give instructions here.

I strongly believe this: There is probably no one thing you can do in preparing your boat for a tropical storm that has the greatest return for the smallest effort than removing your roller furling headsail.

Instructions for Removing Your Roller Furling Headsail In light or no winds (although it can be done in “stronger” winds with a bit more attention—especially if the boat is headed into the wind), roll out your headsail as if you are sailing.

• Release the headsail (jib) halyard. If there are enough people, have someone do it slowly, while the sail is lowered.

• Stand at the bottom of the sail and pull it down and slide

it out of the groove that the front (luff) of the sail slides into.

• When the top of the sail is down, disconnect the top (head) of the sail from the fitting that has come down with the halyard—a small drum, the upper part of which is attached to the halyard and the lower part to the sail’s head.

• Disconnect the sail at the fitting at the bottom (tack) of the sail. You are done.

• Place the sail in a sail bag (or fold and wrap a line around it). You can either stuff it or fold it. It makes no difference if it is a Dacron sail, if it is for a short time, like days, or even weeks (and some believe stuffing is better). Fold it if it is long-term. (If in a hurry and your sails are Dacron, stuff both the main and headsail in the bag—it is often better for the material over a short period.) Fold it if it is a high-tech material, like Mylar. You can leave the sheets on and stuff them in the bag or remove them.

• With lines and/or bungee cords, tie the upper fitting (leaving it in the lowered position), which was attached to the head of the sail, to the lower roller furling drum at the bottom and secure it tightly to keep it from moving around. Tighten up the halyard. Also secure the lower drum to nearby points, like a stanchion, so it won’t twist around in high winds. Untie the halyard from that small drum and secure the halyard at the base of the mast or some other point.

That’s it. Now, there are no excuses left for leaving a rollerfurling headsail up during a tropical storm. never slow down on their way to the United States. One good thing we can say is that storm forecasters have gotten pretty good compared to when I first moved to hurricane country in 1979. You can count on the predictions as being fairly accurate today: The storm will most likely fall in the “cone” that is predicted. Don’t think it will follow the center of the track line at the center of the cone. Charley stayed in the cone but wandered way off the center track line—just before it came ashore in southwest Florida.

Suppose You Had Just One Day As you read this, put yourself in the position of from right now to two days from now. How would you plan your time out to prepare everything for a Category 4 storm in that

These fenders weren’t placed very well.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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HURRICANE SEASON 2006

Nobody prepared these boats.

time period? If you have a boat, house and family, can you get all three prepared for a storm in that length of time? Let’s assume that you are the one preparing the house and the boat, and your family is preparing themselves, by getting ready with food and water and belongings, to either weather the storm out at home or leave town in the family car.

In preparing for this storm, which are you going to do?

Leave town or stay? If you are leaving town and the storm is going to make landfall near you, you better leave in about 24 hours, maybe later depending on your location, destination and routes. That means you have 24 hours to prepare the house and boat—and you need to sleep in that period.

Are you ready?

This article is about preparing your boat, but one of the most important things about preparing your boat is making time to do so, and all the best preparations and planning in the world will be worthless if you don’t have time to carry them out.

Last month, we made a big point of one very crucial factor in preparing your boat for a storm: The complex, better plan is worthless if it isn’t carried out. The simple, inferior plan is superior if it is. Make it so easy and fast to do that you do it.

The point of this article is to instill in boat owners how little time they have—if they wait too long. Last month, we discussed simple and fast plans to prepare your boat—keep it simple so you do it. Again, that’s easy. Carrying it out—and making the time to—is the hard part.

How your boat fits into your other priorities is one of the most important factors in whether or not you carry out your plan to prepare your boat. I guarantee that your wife, daughter, son, mother, father, (and your life) etc.—and your house—will be much higher up the priority list than your boat (I know there are exceptions), and these people will have the biggest impact in determining whether or not you carry out your plan, so make sure you are ready.

How quickly can you do the following (even if you have a plan and have practiced it)?

• Double up all your dock lines, add a few more and make all of them adjustable from shore (in case you can return during a storm).

• Hang fenders near any docks or pilings.

• Remove the headsail, mainsail, Bimini, dodger and secure the boom.

• Stow the anchor and any other loose objects on deck.

• Remove valuables from the boat and stow things securely down below.

You will probably determine whether you will really leave town as the storm gets closer, but you must not wait in boat preparations, because if you do, you will definitely not have time to carry out your plan if you do have to leave town. You need do all these things if even a tropical storm hits your boat. If you are in the cone of probability, you will almost certainly be hit with tropical storm winds. And don’t forget to plan for all those unforeseen events, remembering that every time you work on your boat, everything takes two, three, four times as long. Of course, if you planned all this out and practiced, it might not, but you never know with boats.

Do Some Preparations Long Before Some things you can predict with some probability. I can pretty much be assured that on opening day, June 1, of the Atlantic hurricane season, it is very unlikely we will be hit here in West Florida, and I feel pretty confident of that through the month of June and fairly assured we won’t get hit during the month of July. But always keep in mind that storms do develop in June; they have just a low probability of hitting the United States, particularly the strong ones.

Tropical Storm Arlene developed on June 9, 2005, and came ashore at Pensacola, FL, on June 11. But as we approach August, things begin to heat up. Charley struck August 13.

August, September and October: The Big Three The big three months for the stronger storms that hit the United States are August, September, and October.

November, the last month, is less likely, but Hurricane Wilma hit and destroyed a lot of boats in late October 2005.

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During those big three months, it might be advisable to have the boat ready for a storm when one looks as if its heading your way – maybe when it is four to five days out.

The only reason most of us don’t have our boats prepared during the entire hurricane season is because we want to go sailing. (I am not including all the other reasons, Even the bimini was left up on this boat. like stupidity, laziness, insurance fraud, etc.) Who wants to go out there and install their mainsail every time they go sailing? Or attach the Bimini frame and canvas just for an afternoon sail?

Here are some things we can do that will allow us to go sailing yet have the boat prepared, without making a lot of extra work: • If you are going to secure fenders to pilings, do so and leave them up all season (or during the big three months).

• Have all your doubled-up lines and extra lines already attached to cleats and pilings (at least to the pilings—which take all the work).

• Have your valuables already off the boat. What do they include anyway? An extra handheld GPS, VHF, papers, etc.? They can all fit in one bag that you carry on and off with ease. Plus: Securely store belongings down below that will stay onboard.

Remember: Make it so easy and fast to prepare your boat that you will do it.

If You Are Leaving Town It is summer, it’s hot in the South and summer travel is pretty common. I wouldn’t worry about it if you leave June 1 for a week (but remember Arlene, so have some plan). But as the season progresses and we run into the big three months, you must prepare your boat before you leave town (or leave someone in charge who will absolutely, without a doubt, prepare your boat). I can see scenarios where you can foresee a week out there and

there is no storm threatening your region with even the slightest chance before you return, but keep a close eye. Perhaps, at least re-move your headsail (see Sidebar) and double up your lines, but if you are going for 10 days or two weeks, I say have the boat totally prepared for the worst conditions—and a friend who can double-check everything if a storm really does come by.

Oh! And don’t forget to board up your house and prepare it if you leave for two weeks.

In Summary: Make Time Last month, we tried to create a simple plan—simple enough to make sure it is carried out, saying that the worst plan is the one that never gets executed.

This month, we would like to add this: Make sure you have time to prepare your boat. If you aren’t going to have time to prepare your boat, then prepare it on June 1 and unprepare it on November 30. Or take it to a boatyard way inland and put it on the hard. Or take it out of the hurricane zone entirely.

In the coming months during the hurricane season,SOUTHWINDS will be publishing articles and information about preparing your boat for a storm. Send us your stories and tips.

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

SOUTHWINDS Web Site Hurricane Pages Visit the SOUTHWINDS hurricane pages at www.southwindsmagazine.com for stories and articles on how to save your boat during a storm, tips, links to other Web sites, great weather links for hurricanes and more. This Web site is becoming the best save-your-boat Web site on the Internet.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

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Entering Chicago.

Like giant river bugs they seemed to appear from nowhere, leaving us little room to maneuver. We almost “bought it,” when, suddenly, we came upon a staging area where tows were loading and unloading their barges.

The power (and wake) of these monsters is quite impressive. I darted around and through the flock like the AFLAC duck going the wrong way on a highway full of 18-wheelers.

Tug Trouble At one point, a tug’s prop wash violently slewed us sideways. We were thrown to the starboard side of the rock-infested maneuvering area. I gunned both of Cataline’s baby diesels, went hard to port, and literally missed the rocks by inches!! I could hear the

By John Kelly warning whistles and shouts from the tow captains and imagined them cursWe left the Kellys’ unrigged catamaran, Cataline (SOUTHWINDS, ing this wacko pleasure craft from June ’06) halfway through their 5000-mile jaunt along the Great North Carolina. Another childhood lesson re-enforced: When at a “railroad” Circle Loop of America. Following is the completion of their voyage. crossing, STOP, LOOK and LISTEN. The Chicago River eventually becomes the Illinois, and just before the town of Alton, we ne could define the Great Circle Loop in terms of slid over to join the Mississippi. The southbound current segments: coastal ocean passages, inland lakes, now picks up, the river gets muddier and the barge traffic rivers, canals. As we departed Lake Michigan grows exponentially. The mighty Mississippi is one fascithrough Chicago, we entered the great river routes of midnating body of water. We will only travel 250 miles of it America which, after 1200 miles, would spit us out in the (about 10 days) but what an experience!

Gulf of Mexico. These rivers: the Illinois, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee, Mobile and of course “Ol’ Man Cruising the Mississippi River” himself—the mighty Mississippi—lay before us.

The Ol’ Miss is a working river. Not much in the way of full We had been traveling south since hanging a left at the service marinas. Hell—not many marinas, period! At dusk, top of Lake Michigan. Cataline and crew had covered some we tied up to fuel barges. Outside lock walls closed for the 2100 miles and were about to enter the mid-America river night, and at times, we even tied up to shoreline trees. systems, which for us started in Chicago.

Nights were interesting.

Cataline, being unrigged, had no problem with the The barge traffic was relentless. We’re talkin’ BIG fixed, low bridges of Chicago. We felt like a tour boat and barges: 36 strapped together, six abreast, six deep, pushed glided south through one of the great American cities. by tugs sporting mega horsepower. It’s like a city block Tourist euphoria rapidly dissolved, and we entered the moving up and down the river. The tug’s big Cyclops spotcommercial aspects of the Chicago River—tows and tugs— light eye scanning the shoreline for guys like us tucked in and LOTS of them.

The Great Circle Loop

by Catamaran, Part II

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Cataline tied up to a fuel barge on the Mississippi.

for the night hopefully out of their way.

At Cairo, we headed east on the Ohio River, then to the Cumberland and eventually ended up at the top of TVA’s Barkley/Kentucky Lakes. More huge locks, pristine freshwater lakes, small yet clean, friendly marinas and beautiful fall weather followed us south.

Somewhere around Tupelo, MS (boyhood home of Elvis), we were roughly 600 miles abeam our home port of Carolina Beach, NC. Gee, just a day’s car ride home on I-40. Boat-wise, however, we were a little over halfway around the Loop. Another 2400 miles to go.

We entered the Tennessee/Tombigbee/Black Warrior river and canal system (the largest Corps of Engineers project in its history); a 450-mile jaunt of isolated wilderness through middle America, which eventually turns into the Mobile River, thence to Mobile Bay. Along the way, we visited the great Civil War battlefield of Shiloh (Tennessee) and stopped at Demopolis, AL, to haul the boat and prepare her bottom for the salt water she hadn’t seen in five months.

Demopolis is a great watering hole for “loopers,” since it is the first marina (Demopolis Yacht Basin) of significance between the Kentucky Lakes and Mobile that has haul-out and repair facilities, plus a restaurant, fuel and cold beer.

The marina owners and staff are absolutely superb. I even got a rebate check sent to us after an overcharge for some boot-stripe repainting. That has never happened to me in any boatyard!

Two hundred and fifty miles later we entered the busy port of Mobile and stayed in the Dog River Marina on the southeast side of Mobile Bay. We had followed the destruction and plight of coastal communities from Katrina, and sadly we now could see it. The Dog River Marina was open but barely: Docks were in disrepair, boats strewn about and services limited. The marina staff, however, was cheerful, optimistic and very helpful. Got to hand it to those folks: They were going to re-build come hell or high water!

Which, come to think of it, pretty well describes Katrina.

For the past few months, we were cruising in protected fresh waters, traveling with pockets of friendly cruising “loopers” with little navigation issues (except for the odd floating log or two). Entering Florida waters, however, it all changed. Now we had tides, currents, early winter Gulf Coast weather and sport fish blowing by with their usual un-concerning wakes. (Ah, but it was good to see dolphins again) We motored along the Gulf Coast Intracoastal Waterway, through Pensacola, Panama City, Apalachicola and on to Carrabelle. At this terminus, it’s decision time.

Like African wildebeests, loopers gather to feed, discuss and pick the best time/place to cross 160 miles of the Gulf to Tarpon Springs, FL, to re-join the protected waters of the Gulf ICW.

the river, lakes and canal thing), so folks like to cross in defensive packs. The 12- to 15-knot power guys can cross in 12-14 hours, whereas the blowboaters have to slog for 24plus hours. Both groups, however, need a good weather window.

The other alternative is to go the rim route: Carrabelle, Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, etc. This will cost you a few days, and it’s shallow and strewn with crab pots.

We sat there for 10 days with the herd. Many options were considered. The locals told grim tales of rough crossings, broken marriages, failed gear. Yada, yada, yada.

Eventually one late night, we—together with four other boats—decided to “have a go” at 4 a.m. on the “morrow.”

We’d do the rim route and strike out for Steinhatchee (73 miles). It was Thanksgiving eve.

At roll call the next a.m., only two boats committed; we, and another “I’m-tired-of-waiting” ex-military pilot, shoved off in the dark. Threading our way with spotlights

Crossing the Gulf At Carrabelle—just east of Apalachicola—the herd mentality comes into play. Here’s the deal: It’s early winter—hours are limited and the Gulf ain’t fun in a blow, even a minor one. Trawlers roll, sailboats pound, dishes fall, your beer spills, it’s dark, cold and you feel vulnerable (that’s ’cause you have been a wuss the past five months—doing News & Views for Southern Sailors

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THE GREAT CIRCLE LOOP A little “looper” cruising the Mississippi.

through the channels toward the open Gulf, we broke out to a glorious dawn, a beautiful day and an uneventful crossing. The rest of the herd back at Carrabelle waited another 10 days for their weather window.

If not pressed for time, the rim route is a good choice.

Steinhatchee is a pleasant fishing village with friendly folks, two transient marinas and a few good restaurants. Cedar Key, a tourist town, is also a fun place to visit.

Haul-out in Indiantown We eventually worked our way around and down the Florida coast, entered the Okeechobee Waterway at Fort Myers, crossed the lake, then on to the St. Lucie canal and into Indiantown. We had made previous reservations to haul and “park” our boat for the winter in Indiantown Marina’s 500-plus grass parking lot (see sidebar). They put Cataline in the “storage only” area of their facility—where there’s neither electricity nor water available—sorta back in the tree line. We cleaned, closed her up and kissed her goodbye for five months.

Our homecoming arrival back in Indiantown on May 4 was pleasantly surprising. I had expected to see Cataline with trees growing up through the hulls and her interior covered in mold. Astonishingly, she didn’t look too bad.

Yes, she was dirty and her cockpit had a coat of dead leaves, but her interior was relatively mildew-free. We spongebathed her hulls, re-activated (Scotch pad with water) her bottom paint, splashed her the next day and off we went to

complete the Loop.

The trip home was superb—I love this part of the waterway. We pass through northern Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas. It’s protected, uncrowded, has beautiful Southern scenery—and lots of anchorages.

We closed the Loop on May 17, almost one year later.

Was it a great accomplishment? Naw. It’s no big deal—but undoubtedly the best cruise I’ve ever taken. Even Jill, who likes getting beat-up offshore reluctantly admits the merits of this adventure.

The Loop shows the coastal cruiser a fascinating waterway slice of mid-America and Canada; rich in history, beautiful and ever-changing scenery, fascinating water towns and interesting people.

Some lessons learned 1) Take your time. I was always concerned about being behind our weather schedule since we left Carolina a month late, but, in retrospect, we could have slowed down and The Great Circle Loop The waterway loop is a 5- to 6000-mile loop up the U.S. East Coast to the canal systems of Ohio and New York.

Canadian waters are entered around Kingston, Ontario, then route options (schedule, size of boat, weather, etc.) are available for entering the Great Lakes.

At the bottom of Lake Michigan, the route joins the mid-American river systems and exits at the Gulf Coast, traversing western Florida, through or around Florida and eventually back to your starting point. One can hop on the Loop anywhere along it. However, your loop entry and traverse is season-dependent. (Not smart to do Georgian Bay, Canada, in January nor be south during the hurricane season.)

The route is generally traveled counterclockwise to use prevailing current and wind conditions. There are numerous detour and alternate routes along the way to visit (by boat and/or auto) other areas supported by waterways. The Loop is a virtual spider web of navigable rivers and canals. Two hundred to 300 “Looper” vessels are stretched along the route at any one time.

Loopers come from all walks of life and nationalities.

Some do the loop in one go; others do it in stages. Their vessels vary from kayaks to large power cruisers. There are some draft and/or bridge height restrictions depending on routes taken. Sailboats can un-step and re-step their masts at several locations along the route.

An excellent organization, America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (www.greatloop.com), boasts a membership of 1700 and provides an outstanding source of information and knowledge about “The Loop.”

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A flood wall on the Mississippi.

seen other areas along the Loop.

2) Proceed slowly and with caution if you go off exploring “Holy Grail” places off the Loop— especially rock-strewn Canada!

3) Don’t be a recluse. You will meet interesting and likeminded folks who are doing the Loop with you. In the small towns along the way, get off your boat for a day or two and chat up the locals at the barber’s, churches, picnic areas and saloons.

Sadly, the cruising scene is changing, especially in Southern waters. Public and transient marinas are closing, anchoring holes are shrinking, and some towns just want your cruising money—but “discourage” you from staying!

Ironically, some of our Northern states and Canada have it right. They seem to cater to us water-bound visitors.

In Michigan, for instance, the majority of marinas and their facilities are owned by the state. They provide ample, clean and well-run facilities at very reasonable transient prices.

Maybe our Southern communities could learn something?

What’s Cataline’s next saga? Our options: Sell her as is.

Rig her and sell her.

Keep her as a baby trawler.

Rig her and sail her.

Or maybe a trawler on the horizon? But that’s another story…

John Kelly can be reached at www.ayachtsurveyor.com.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

Our Loop Statistics Places visited: two countries, 16 states, six major rivers, uncounted canals/lakes, 115 locks transited.

11 months Time to Complete: (but five months were “on the hill”) 4700 Miles completed: (a mixture of statute and nautical miles) Average speed under way: 6 knots 772 Engine hours run: 765 gallons Fuel burned: (approx .5/gal/hr/engine) $2142 (@ $2.80/gal. average) Fuel costs: (highest paid - $3.45 at Hilton Head, SC) gallons Wine consumed: 10 hours Video shot: hundreds Pictures taken: Experience & memories: priceless

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Picture taken on the boat taxi heading to SYC’s Closing Regatta.

View of the Closing Regatta Party from a boat returning from the race.

Just Do It: The State of Sailing (and Racing) in New Orleans Post-Katrina

By Troy Gilbert

O

ne of the many indelible images from those dark days in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina was of the Southern Yacht Club burning to the ground. For New Orleanians, though, the truly indelible images come from those rare moments in the long aftermath when they actually felt hope that their home, this most unique city in America, might actually survive.

October 24th was one of those days for the New Orleans sailing community. A mere stone’s throw from the 17th Street Canal breaches and surrounded by the wastes of Lakeview, the Southern Yacht Club—against near insurmountable odds—held a regatta, the 156th running of its Closing Regatta.

With the club unreachable through massive heaps of boats and debris along with pools of still standing floodwaters, the SYC teamed up with the New Orleans Yacht Club to provide water taxis from its dry storage area to Southern’s

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still-green lawns. Dave Erwin, a NOYC board member, explains, “We rolled out the red carpets, so to speak, for our neighbors and friends at SYC. The camaraderie between the clubs was unprecedented.”

For the estimated 300 spectators—standing in the shadow of the yacht club’s burned-out husk under clear skies— to witness the 16 PHRF and 30 one-design boats race on the lake, it was a monumental victory. Spirits were through the roof, and the rum was plentiful as this community rallied almost defiantly in the carnage.

New Orleans Yacht Club, which, right after Katrina hit, watched its Internet message board become an invaluable source of information, provided another service by re-opening its bar to the entire community on November 4.

Despite operating under generator power and with volunteer bartenders—amid blown-out windows, National Guard checkpoints and scattered damaged boats—life almost appeared normal, except, instead of swapping sailing facts and lies, the stories told were of survival, destruction and heroism.

And the stories were plentiful as many yacht club members were out the first week after the storm using their boating expertise and knowledge of the neighborhoods—all inundated by over nine feet of water—to rescue people off rooftops and out of attics.

It was also obvious how the new New Orleans greeting, “So, how’s your house?” was quickly joined by, “So, how’s your boat?” A serious question, for out of the three large south shore marinas, two easily experienced a 65-80 percent loss of boats. According to Benz Faget, a local sailmaker, nearly 50 percent of those losses came from derelict owners who failed to properly secure their property. Walking along the piers, it wasn’t hard to come across an unsecured boat resting atop a properly secured one. www.southwindsmagazine.com

The entrance to Southern YC.

The street in front of NOYC.

After the storm, the New Orleans racing community was faced with having to cancel the J/30 North Americans. The hometown crew of Zephyr was to compete for its record fifth consecutive championship.

It was also disappointing that New Orleans was removed for consideration to host the U.S. Olympic Sailing Trials. Guy Brierre, who heads the Gulf Coast Olympic Sailing Association, describes how, “Writing the letter to withdraw our bid for the Olympic Trials was one of the hardest letters I ever had to write.

I was convinced that we had won the bid until August 29.”

Many who stood in front of their home for the first time after the floodwaters were pumped out realized that rebuilding their lives started by simply picking up that first piece of debris. The sailing community discovered that Southern’s Closing Regatta was that first step on the same road. After that, it came easier as the second and third steps were rapidly taken with two more regattas. All told, four were held View from NOYC of the marina. on Lake Pontchartrain before the end of 2005.

Brierre adds, “The water has a healing power. Whether you are out there racing or just ‘out there,’ it is a time to forget your moldy walls, your fragile job situation, the six insurance claims and FEMA adjusters. We didn’t just want to go sailing, we really needed to go sailing.”

Nearly nine months after Katrina, the pace has quickened. On the water, anyway. The New Orleans Yacht Club started its Wednesday night racing, which lasts throughout daylight savings. It follows SYC and the Corinthian Sailing Associations’ first five-week series that hosted 19 boats each night, down from the pre-Katrina average of 50.

The Leukemia Cup was also held on the lake, where, according to chairman Riess Livaudais, sailors raised over $80,000—double what they expected.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

The community is now looking forward to visiting the remains of the Gulfport Yacht Club for the start of the Gulfport to Pensacola Race in late June.

There is no doubt that the smack talk is already heating up for this year’s Gulf Yachting Association’s Challenge Cup, which is now going to be held in Pensacola.

Today, sitting and having a beer at either NOYC (which finally received power in late April) or at SYC’s new triple-wide mobile homes, the conversations all now appear similar from the years past, but in reality they are not.

The casualness about life that existed before is gone. Everyone now understands not only how much was lost, but also how much more could have been lost without the determination of each individual to get out on the water and resurrect this small aspect of their lives.

This will to race sailboats and come together as a community is hopefully a microcosm of what is happening everywhere in New Orleans and all along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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PHRF RACING TIPS

So You Have Race Committee Duty

By Dave Ellis

T

here are few clubs that have perennial volunteer race committee members for PHRF races. Don’t take them for granted. Most of us have to volunteer on a rotating basis, giving up a few days a year to run races for the fleet.

While we have all complained about an RC’s performance on occasion, it can be daunting to be thrust into that job without training.

For many years I was an employee of St. Petersburg Yacht Club, managing the sailing center and serving as regatta coordinator. Major regattas were run using multiple vessels and dozens of volunteers on the water and others doing shore duty. But Friday night “around-the-cans” PHRF racing was staged by a small Whaler-type powerboat and only occasionally with any helper at all.

How can you produce a great racing experience for your peers? Here are some tips for the shorthanded race committee duty.

Somewhere out there are a written Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions. Often they are online on a club’s Web

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site. Read them. Bring a copy with you. It will make you a genius.

Usually the course is chosen among several government buoys or permanently set club marks. Try to set the starting line where there is a good upwind course to the first mark. Most sailors prefer a windward start as it separates the fleet and gives more options to escape a bad start than a reach or run.

If there is any current that is not perfectly in line with the wind, do not rely on your homemade batten with a length of yarn to tell the wind direction. Instead, ask one of the competing boats, preferably one without an overlapping jib, to go up beyond your anchor line and go head to wind for you. The direction that the boat is pointing is the sailor’s wind, including the current effect. In light air this can be a major change from what your anchored wind direction indicator shows.

If you use an existing mark for your starting pin, set yourself at right angles to the sailor’s wind. Simply face the

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direction that you have decided is to windward and put your left arm straight out to the side. The pin should be there or maybe a little to windward of there to try to get sailors away from your precious boat that you have volunteered along with your time. For more security, float a little buoy a few feet behind your transom with floating polypropylene line.

Have plenty of anchor line so that you can drop the hook to windward of your chosen spot and drift back, with the option of changing the scope to be in the right spot.

If someone else is setting the starting pin, the pro’s way to do it is to hold the anchor in the attitude that it will be when hooked, with the buoy on the anchor line full length behind the mark set boat. Slowly go up the sailor’s wind towing the mark. The RC crew sites the mark with their arm raised high. When the mark gets to where you want it, drop that arm with authority. At that time the mark set person drops the anchor. The buoy will sit there while the anchor drops. Do some homework to make sure there is only a few feet more anchor line than the highest wave at the highest tide of the day so the line doesn’t tangle keels and rudders.

Any time you see someone throwing one of those little anchors, be prepared to have a drifting mark. It tangles in flight and upon landing more often than not. Drop marks.

Before starting your flag sequence for the start (Racing Rule 26, page 11 in your rulebook; back cover for other flags) count how many boats are in the fleet. This is a safety measure.

You have flags to show which fleet is starting. Put them on the deck in the order of start. Spinnaker A, NonSpinnaker, True Cruising, etc.; each will have a “five minute” debut. Some clubs use one flag and the Sailing Instructions show the order of start. But that can be confusing since it is the dropping of the class flag that means “GO” and the raising of a class flag that means five minutes until the next start. Read the Sailing Instructions for direction.

PHRF racing depends on accurate timing of each boat’s finish. It is best to use two watches, one being a stopwatch that is started at the GO signal. With running starts, simply subtract five minutes for each subsequent fleet. When you start your sequence, do so at a convenient time of day. For example, start your five minute sequence exactly at one o’clock with the second hand straight up. Write that time down on your finish sheet. The actual start time for the first fleet will be 1:05:00; the second fleet 1:10:00, etc. If there is a

problem and a start has to be delayed, just write down when the start did occur.

The biggest danger during volunteer race committee duty is enjoying too much adult beverage while waiting around for the finish and not being prepared for the onslaught of boats. So get your ducks in a row early.

Someone calls the finish line saying “MARK”, or “NOW” when ANY part of a boat crosses the line, including a spinnaker. Someone with the watch or stopwatch records that time along with the sail number of the boat. The scorer may not know the boat’s name or the skipper, so record the sail number for them.

If boats are really close at the finish, do your homework with the numbers on the sails as they approach. The line caller can then simply say, “Far boat, near boat, middle boat,” or whatever they see the order of finish was.

Most scoring programs will separate boats to their proper fleet by sail number. Getting that number correct on the finish sheet will save the scorer much head-scratching.

Finally, count finishers on your score sheet to make sure all are accounted for.

Guard that finish sheet well. Many experienced officials make a copy. Sheets have gone overboard, including at a 100-plus-boat Optimist Dinghy regatta. Ouch.

Oh, and if you have set marks or a starting pin, don’t forget to pick them up. Bundle the flags, gather the horns and stopwatch and deliver them back to the club.

Just think, next week you can critique the RC with authority.

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News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

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RACING

24th Bi-Annual Regatta al Sol Sets Records and Continues Traditions

By Julie B. Connerley

F

orty-eight years ago some sailors decided to race the rhumb line 555 nautical miles from Pensacola to the northern tip of a tiny island situated near Cancun, Mexico, named Isla Mujeres. The race, named Regatta al Sol, translated as “race to the sun,” has been held bi-annually ever since.

Coordinated by Pensacola Yacht Club, Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans, and Club de Yates de Isla Mujeres in Mexico, the race itself is only half the story.

Isla Mujeres (Island of Women), a small fishing village, caters to tourists arriving by ferry, but treats sailors from the United States like family. Many of this year’s participants, like Karen Kriegel of Pensacola, have raced in the past 10 regattas. Others, like boat owner/skipper Alan Steele of Pensacola, competed for the first time and fell in love with the island and its people.

Recognizing some basic needs, and in return for the gracious hospitality and genuine friendship of the Mexicans, Regatta al Sol sailors began the tradition long ago of bringing medical, educational, clothing and/or toys along for the islanders.

Many records were set this year – including, unfortunately, the record low number of competitors (a lingering reminder of recent hurricanes). Only 14 boats registered.

However, unlike previous years when mechanical or other issues prevented boats from finishing the trip, this was the first regatta in which every boat registered arrived in Mexico (a new record)!

The racer/cruiser fleet left Pensacola on May 10. The skies were overcast and the wind was blowing 15 knots out of the south—exactly the direction they were headed. “That will make their first day seem very long and tough,” said regatta co-chair and Pensacola Yacht Club Fleet Captain John Matthews.

The racers left the next day under beautiful skies with 16 knots blowing out of the northwest. Those who took an

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Race Headquarters. Buhos beach bar is laid back, but don’t let the hammocks fool you. It is also party central as well as race headquarters during the Regatta al Sol festivities. Photo by Rachael Gillette. easterly course had the current with them. Others, who steered a course due south or slightly west, found themselves in the doldrums for hours or days.

For Mark Palermo of Slidell, LA, who won first place in Spinnaker Class A, the race went exactly as planned. In fact, it was almost a repeat performance. His Beneteau First 40.7, Sapphire, competed in 2002 and 2004. “Last time we came in first in the cruiser/racer division and were the first to finish and first in fleet,” Palermo began.

“Hurricane Katrina did a lot of damage, but Stack Marine did a great job putting the boat back together, and we increased the inventory (adding a racing Dacron mainsail and Kevlar headsails) so that we would be more competitive this year.”

Palermo had other plans for this year’s race that he didn’t share with his crew until after they were out of Pensacola Pass. “I didn’t bring any beer on board,” he laughed. Palermo and his closest competitor, Michael Finn, of Mandeville, LA, aboard his J/52, Kativa, monitored the loop current in the Gulf of Mexico and hugged the eastern side in order to stay in the current, which helped keep them moving. “We actually sailed 600-plus miles to get to Isla Mujeres this year,” smiled Palermo, “but we got there faster than anybody else!”

Five of the 14 vessels eventually cranked their motors so that they wouldn’t miss all the festivities. The festivities have become a tradition as well, beginning with the “early arrivals party” at Buhos (race headquarters), which is always planned for Sunday following the race start.

Participants include competitors’ spouses, officials, and racer-chasers, who swell the island’s hotels while waiting for the boats to arrive.

Normally, by Monday, boats begin arriving in time to enjoy the 5:00 p.m. “welcome party” (again at Buhos) locatwww.southwindsmagazine.com

Wearing flamingo sunglasses, the skipper and crew of Recess prepare their golf cart for the Mardi Gras parade on Isla Mujeres. Courtesy photo.

ed on the North Beach.

Tuesday is special for the skippers.

They are declared distinguished guests during a reception at the town hall, followed by a street party in the town square. Unfortunately, this military and flag ceremony, which includes introductions of several special dignitaries, had to be cancelled this year because of wildfires.

Mexico, with its high temperatures, has been parched by lack of rain since last year and, combined with Hurricane Wilma-felled trees, provided ideal conditions to produce wildfires throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.

At least 22 separate wildfires have been reported since February, charring thousands of acres of land and damaging the ancient Mayan cities of Chichen Itza (about 110 miles west of Cancun) and Oxtankah.

The governor of Quintana Roo had called a meeting for all city and town officials in his state regarding the wildfire situation, thus necessitating the cancellation of the distinguished citizens ceremony for regatta skippers.

Wednesday’s festivities included a skippers’ cocktail party at the Rock House, home of the Lima family (who organized the first Regatta al Sol), and later, a Mardi Gras walking parade—the locals’ favorite.

Veteran sailors, or perhaps veteran Mardi Gras revelers, come prepared. Besides a variety of trinkets to toss at squealing children, many regatta participants bring supplies to create specially themed and decorated golf carts for the ride through town.

Past experience has taught parade revelers that on Isla Mujeres, the parade never stops. The same children catching beads and trinkets at the parade start will be at the end of the route as well—so come well stocked!

Another record was broken this year when the “Go Nads,” the American basketball team, won the regularly scheduled Thursday afternoon basketball game against the Isla Mujeres locals.

The islanders have won the game every year, despite the crowd-pleasing, yet distracting antics the Go Nads’ cheerleaders provide before, during, and after each run down the court. However, this year, the cheerleaders didn’t have to cheer so hard. Their team won by default when the locals failed to show up at the appointed time.

Trophy presentations were also scheduled for Thursday evening, allowing for those planning to sail back to begin their preparations the following morning. Another record was set with the announcement that seven past commodores of Pensacola Yacht Club were present at the awards ceremony.

In addition to perpetual and keeper trophies for competing boats, race organizers have traditionally sponsored a menu contest, open to every vessel. Rules are simple. Submit your crew’s menu for the trip to Mexico. Judging is based on creativity, presentation, variety, and nutrition. Or maybe it’s just based on fun. Regardless, winners of the menu contest News & Views for Southern Sailors

were just as happy to receive their ceramic trophies as the skippers were to receive their pewter trophies.

Ninety-two competitors raced and dozens more, who flew to Isla Mujeres, gathered with their Mexican friends to enjoy some good entertainment, good food, good friends, and good times, which is really what the Regatta al Sol is all about.

But the good times don’t end at Isla Mujeres. Often a few of the boats will take some extra time to explore other ports of call. First-time skipper Steele, whose boat Tangerine, captured second place in Cruising Class C, and third in fleet overall, spent time exploring the Dry Tortugas, then leisurely cruising back up the coast of Florida.

Larry Bowyer, who won second place in Cruising Class B aboard Loafer’s Glory II, is expected to return to Pensacola from points south of the border soon. Bob Kriegal’s Caribbean Soul Too, first in fleet and first place in Cruising Class C and Mike Beard’s Kanaloa, second in fleet and first place in Cruising Class B, are still cruising the waters of Belize.

For a complete listing of winners, visit Southern Yacht Club’s Web site at www.southernyachtclub.org.

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Key West Rendezvous May 17-18: ‘‘Stars & Stripes’’ Comes From Behind

By Steve Morrell

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n recent years, the Key West Rendezvous has steadily grown in size, in a large part because of the efforts of race organizer Fairlie Brinkley of the Clearwater Yacht Club.

The race’s main starts have been Clearwater and Naples. In 2004, Boca Grande was added as a third start, and this year, Sarasota was added as a fourth. Fifteen boats started at Sarasota, seven at Boca Grande and 33 at Clearwater.

Naples had another strong showing with 18 boats. With 73 boats in all four starts, the Key West Rendezvous again proved to be one of the most popular regattas in west Florida.

Advantages to the new Sarasota start are many. Gregg Knighton, who took first in Non-Spin in the Sarasota race, stated that the 168-mile trip from Sarasota is almost all the way on the rhumb line an easier ride than coming from

Frank Hanna and crew receive their trophy for first place.

Hanna won not only Suncoast Boat of the Year but first in the Non-Spinnaker A fleet from Clearwater. Photo by Laura Ritter.

Clearwater, where boats have to head west to round a marker before they can get on the rhumb line to the finish. In preceding years, he would have to travel a good distance from his home base in Sarasota to start from Clearwater. Many others agree.

Gregg and others started in solid, 15-knot afternoon north winds, which pretty much were sustained for the ride all the way down to the finish. They had their whisker pole up the whole way on one tack until they had to make two jibes in the Northwest channel coming into Key West, 26 hours and 43 minutes later. Gregg said it was pretty much an ideal trip with great winds all the way down—plus they came into Key West just before 7 p.m.—just in time for standard Key West festivities.

Although Gregg, on board his boat, Misty, was the only one in his class (and this race was part of the BOTY series), he had already claimed the Sarasota Bay Boat of the Year award with previous wins all season.

“Stars and Stripes” Dominates Clearwater Race Normally, racers from Clearwater hope to arrive in Key West no later than early Thursday evening, afternoon being even better. This is to make happy hour. Stars and Stripes set a new standard this year. The 60-foot catamaran that Dennis Connor raced—and won—in the 1988 America’s Cup, barely made the start in Clearwater. Steve Liebel, owner of the boat, and friends stayed up late the night before getting the boat ready—after two years of refurbishing since he bought it in 2004.

On Wednesday morning, they left Steve’s home on the Manatee River in Bradenton, where the boat is also kept, thinking they had plenty of time to make the 10 a.m. start.

Steve’s 26-foot tender tows the boat, which has motors, to locations it can’t sail to. After heading out to the Gulf—with north winds and a late start—they knew they would never make it, so they called ahead to the race committee, telling it to hold on, don’t leave—they would still start. The tender headed back to port as soon as they were in the Gulf, and Stars and Stripes sailed north to Clearwater, passing some of the race boats heading south. An hour and half after the official start, they pulled a U-turn and began the race.

Winds were only about five knots from the north, but this 60-foot America’s Cup catamaran was doing 10 to 12 knots, passing race boats—that were doing three to five knots—within a few hours. Winds increased to 12-15 knots as the afternoon progressed, and they were soon moving along at 22 to 26 knots, leaving the other boats far behind.

The wind maintained the same direction and speed all through the evening, and just after midnight on Wednesday,

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at 12:44 a.m. they crossed the finished line—still in time to hit a few bars in downtown Key West. So much for worrying about making it in by Thursday’s happy hour! Their elapsed time was 14:29:39—clearly a new record—and that does not include the hour and a half late start. (The tender was trailered down to Key West and towed them into a dock from the finish line.) With a PHRF rating of -242, their corrected time was 30:35:18. They took first in their class, which had one other boat.

Steve says it’s a good thing the boat is fast as there are no accommodations; no galley, head, berths—nothing. The hulls are only about two feet wide, and there is no going below. Getting into Key West that night was important so they could sleep, eat, drink, relax.

The rest of the race fleet arrived on Thursday at more of a “normal” pace. First to come in from Clearwater, with a 10 a.m. Wednesday start—a 216-mile race—was most of the Spinnaker A fleet with Wired finishing at 2:15 Thursday afternoon, although it took a third in corrected time. First in corrected time (01:01:38:41) was George and Ann Cussins’ Fire and Ice, which was fifth in the class to cross the line. Bop Glaser’s Orangutan took second in corrected time.

Other first-place finishers from Clearwater were Shibumi taking first in Spin B, Prime Plus in Non-Spin A and Ooh La La in Non-Spin B. Long Gone took first in True Cruising A and True Cruising B was Sonia-Cate.

First to cross the line in the 168-mile race from Sarasota, with a 4 p.m. start Wednesday, was Constellation, in Spinnaker class, coming in at 03:03:35 p.m. on Thursday—a little under 24 hours of actual time. Mother Ocean, crossing the line second, took first in the Spin fleet with a corrected time of 17:50:52. First in Non-Spin was Misty, crossing the

News & Views for Southern Sailors

line at 6:42 p.m. First in True Cruising was Adelie, arriving at 4:52 p.m.

From Boca Grande, a 132-mile run, the seven boats racing agreed to start at noon on Wednesday— hours earlier than the last two years. First to arrive in Key West was Bahama Hunter, a multihull, arriving at 2:20 a.m. Thursday morning, although they took second in corrected time behind Bilbo. First to cross the line—and first in corrected time in Non-Spin—was Fancy Free, arriving at 4:55 a.m. Its corrected time was 12:59:41. The only boat in True Cruising, Ironic Breeze, crossed the line at 9:21 a.m. on Thursday.

In Naples, with 16 monohulls and two multihulls racing, the 95-mile race started at 7 p.m. Thursday evening. The first boat to cross the line—and first in corrected time—was Passion III, a multihull, arriving at 8:12 a.m. Another firstplace finisher was, in the Non-Spin fleet—and also first in corrected time—Steve Romaine in his Jeanneau, Air Supply, finishing at 11:05 a.m. Friday morning. His corrected time was 11:21:59. In the Spinnaker A class, first place was won

by Renegade with a corrected time of 11:14:24. Shady Lady took first in Spin B with a corrected time of 11:00:55. In True Cruising A, Miz Liz won with corrected time of 12:59:38, and True Cruising B was taken by Island Time with corrected time of 12:46:15.

The race back from Key West to Naples, which starts at 11:40 a.m. Monday morning, was taken by Midnight Rider in Spinnaker with corrected time of 24:03:16, although only two of the five racers finished. First in Non-Spin A was Fancy Free with corrected time of 23:55:32. First in Non-Spin B was won by Steve Romaine on Air Supply with a corrected time of 23:21:17 (although the three other boats in the class did not finish).

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RACING

Trimaran Nationals 2006, Fort Walton Yacht Club, FL, April 17-22

By Kim Kaminski

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mateur as well as professionals raced on Choctawhatchee Bay in Fort Walton, FL, for this year ’s 12th Annual Trimaran National Championship.

Olympic and world-class sailor Randy Smyth, event coordinator, offered “speed seminars” (one in a classroom setting and one on the water) the two days before the race. This year’s national champion, Don Wigston, acted as the trimaran class coordinator and communicator.

Thirty-four boats in five classes with over 100 sailors competed for six days beginning April 17, which brought partly cloudy skies with a 6- to 10-knot southeasterly breeze on the first day. The first race was a long-distance course using a staggered handicap Bermuda start from Fort Walton to Lincoln Park in Niceville, which is located in the northern end of Choctawhatchee Bay. Race 2 in the afternoon after a lunch break was the sail back in significantly stronger winds (16 to 18 knots).

In the Corsair 24 fleet, Don Wigston and crew on Malbec (the newest-designed boat in the Corsair series, a Sprint 750) captured the lead in his class after the first race. The Onsgard/Remmers team on Fifty-Fifty from Coral Gables, FL, won both races in the Corsair 28 fleet as did Russ Kincaid and his crew from Auburn, NY, on their F-27 Formula, Blue Heron, in the Open class. Randy Smyth, Glen Howell and Bruce Kuerten took the first-place overall on day one.

Day two was two offshore races out Destin Pass into the Gulf of Mexico and began after a short delay because of a morning fog. Then racing began and continued under bright, sunny skies with 12- to 14-knot winds out of the southwest. Don Wigston’s Malbec crew seized the day sailing into first place for both races. Tony Hammer and crew on his electric pink F25 C, called Panther, also sailed away with two first-place finishes as did H. L. Enloe on Leiloe, a C31 1D trimaran. Tom Reese on Flight Simulator and the Scharl/Winters team on Rocketeer II won a race apiece in the Corsair 28 Fleet.

Friday, the third day of competition, held in the southern part of Choctawhatchee Bay, was the most challenging with three races scheduled back to back.

Competition was fierce and exciting. Bob Gleason and his 42

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Don Wigston (right) and crew accept the championship award in the Trimaran Nationals. Photo by Kim Kaminski

team on the Sprint 750 trimaran, Tri Me, stole the firstplace position away from Don Wigston in both races five and six, but the Malbec crew took back the first-place win on the final race.

Richard Stephens from Ovid, NY, and his brother Will from New Zealand had a captivating day with their crew on Richard’s Corsair 24 CC, Trevelyan. Earning two first- place finish positions on the first two races and ending the day with a second-place win were definite highlights for the team.

Randy Smyth and Peter Frendenberg battled throughout the day with Randy’s Rockateer III team taking a first-place and two second-places, while Peter’s Condor team took a second and two firsts. These two fierce competitors ended the series tied for first with a total of 15 points apiece, with team Rocketeer III winning the tie after the final day. Steve March on Dealer’s Choice and the Onsgard/Remmers team on Fifty-Fifty also won first-place during day three’s competitive format.

Later that evening, following a banquet feast at the Fort Walton Yacht Club, a severe weather system filled the night sky with lightning and strong winds. For those who had anchored out during the competition, the storm made for an exciting evening as the strong storms battered the coast overnight.

The next day, race organizers were fearful that the previous night’s storm would prevent any substantial winds from forming for the final day of racing. Two races were planned, but with the lack of wind delaying the start, only one race was completed. Don Wigston and his crew on Malbec enjoyed an impressive trial run on the new Sprint 750 and earned this year’s national championship title.

Bruce Kuerten and crew on Farfalla had an inspiring run as well. Not only did the Farfalla crew win fourth place in the overall championship fleet standings but also won the first-place Overall Trophy for the best finish by an amateur team.

For complete results, information and photos, go to www.corsairmarine.com/EventsNORS/2006%20Trimar an%20Nationals.pdf www.southwindsmagazine.com

RACING UPCOMING MAJOR SOUTHERN SAILING EVENTS, RACE REPORTS Wild Horses in the Islands: Regatta Time in Abaco, July 3-11. See page 19.

A Subdued Tybee 500, East Florida to Georgia, May 14-19

By Roy Laughlin Distance races have been a rite of spring along Florida’s east coast for more than two decades. The Tybee 500 is currently the most prominent one. This year, it started out in good winds with the usual catamaran sleigh ride across the top of waves. The winds that bore the catamarans so swiftly the first couple of days relaxed to offshore morning zephyrs with afternoon sea breezes along central Florida’s east coast.

Sometimes not enough wind is more challenging than too much. This was especially the case by Tuesday when sailors on the leg between Jupiter and Cocoa Beach experienced seven-knot winds under a decaying, drizzling cold front.

Most arrived well after midnight on Wednesday morning rather than during late afternoon on Tuesday. All the sailors missed a Texas roadhouse barbecue dinner waiting for them.

A few were lucky enough to have shore supporters describe how good it was while the sailors drifted near Sebastian Inlet.

Cell phones often have mixed utility to sailors.

On Wednesday morning, the sailors were bleary-eyed.

Few wanted little more than to arrive in Ormond Beach that afternoon with sufficient time for dinner and a good night’s rest. Most got that. By the last day, the teams experienced the usual generous winds off Georgia and had a great finishing day.

Team Tybee, John Casey and Ken Pierce, won the 500mile race. Team Casterol 1, Jay Sonnenklar and Steve Lohmayer, both veteran distance racers, came in second.

Last year, these sailors were in first place. Jake Kohl and Frank Moore, Team Seacats, were in third place.

The following teams, listed in order of completing the Tybee 500 were: • Team Spacecoast Challenge, Mark Herendeen and Tom Leobold. Both are veteran racers who have steadily advanced in the rankings each year • Team Casterol 2, Jarod Sonenklar and Jamie Livingston.

This is the first time racing for Jarod, son of second-place finisher, Jay Sonnenklar. Jarod has been ground crew for several of his dad’s races and apparently absorbed sufficient sea wisdom to do so well on his first attempt. He is the youngest sailor, at age 18, to finish the Tybee 500. Jamie Livingston is a veteran of winning Worrell 1000 and Tybee 500 teams.

• Team Casterol 3, Terry Greene and Christ Runge, have been ground crew for Worrell 1000 and Tybee 500 teams during the past 10 years. This was their first time as a team on the water, an experience both appeared to enjoy immensely.

• Team Tygart Racing, Doug Kirby and Andy Herbic, sacrificed third place when Andy was separated from the catamaran just three miles from the finish. Doug Kirby, sailing a damaged catamaran that was unable to sail after Andy, requested assistance from the Coast Guard, incurring a DSQ under Tybee 500 race rules. Andy was found in good shape, with help from Team Spacecoast Challenge.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

Jake Kohl and Frank Moore, Team Sea Cats, launching from Cocoa Beach heading for Ormond Beach on the third day of the Tybee 500. This team finished third in the race. Photo by Roy Laughlin.

• The final team, Team Velocity, Trey Braun and Tad Pecorak, did not race the final day. This is the second year in the Tybee 500 for this team of college students from North Carolina. While they haven’t won a trophy yet, they’ve notably improved each year and have potential to do that in the future.

• Team Cat in the Hat, Larry Ferber and Jackson Smith, started the race but did not finish. This team arrived at 8:30 a.m. on the leg between Jupiter and Cocoa Beach. They did not start with the rest of the teams on the next leg.

The number of teams in this year’s Tybee 500 was considerably fewer than in the past. The reduction is due almost entirely to the absence of teams from Florida’s Panhandle, which have consistently raced in prior races.

The past decade of hurricane strikes along the Gulf Coast is taking a toll on the energy and livelihood of these sailors. It shows well outside their hometowns. Hurricanes notwithstanding, the Tybee 500 remains one of the most challenging ocean distance races doable by the capable beach cat sailor, as well as the beach cat sailing super heroes. It is one of the best sailing antidotes to the disease that prevents adventure from coming to the couch.

For more information about the Tybee 500, please see http://tybee500.com.

REGIONAL RACING Reports, News And Race 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.

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REGIONAL RACING

RACE CALENDAR July Long Bay Sailing Association www.longbaysailing.org 21-23 Rocket Regatta, Cape Fear,SC. 29 Wooden Boat Race, South Port, SC Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 8-9 Handcock Regatta, PHRF-NYRA boty, Cherry Point, NC. 15-16 J-24 Weekend Regatta, J-24, Oriental, NC. 29 Parrot Head Regatta, PHRF, New Bern, NC. South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association, www.sayra-sailing.com 1 Commodores Regatta, PHRF, Cape Fear Yacht Club, Southport, SC. 1-2 Independence Day Regatta, Open, Lake Norman Yacht Club, Mooresville, NC. 7 SAYRA Youth Championship, Laser, Sunfish, Optis, 420, Savannah Yacht Club, Savannah, GA. 8-9 Firecracker Regatta, Laser, Sunfish, Optis, 420, Savannah Yacht Club, Savannah, GA. 8-9 Sears, Bemis & Smythe Semifinals, Lasers, 420, J22, College of Charleston, Mt. Pleasent, SC. 15-16 Beaufort Water Festival, Open, Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, Beaufort, SC. 15-16 Charleston Yacht Club, Open, Charleston, SC. 22-23 Hobcaw Yacht Club, Open, Mt. Pleasant, SC. 29 Jolly Jordan, Optis, Carolina Sailing Club, Raleigh, NC. 29-30 Carolina Yacht Club, Open, Charleston, SC.

RACE REPORT

Mermaid Regatta, Perfect Ending to Spring Series, Port Canaveral Yacht Club, June 3

By Winnie Lambert and Sherry Beckett The annual Mermaid Regatta at Port Canaveral Yacht Club (PCYC) took place on Saturday, June 3. This regatta signaled 44

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The crew of the Pearson Flyer 30, Rendezvous, on the lookout for their competition and the next mark in the PCYC Mermaid Regatta. Photo by Roy Laughlin.

the end of the East Coast Sailing Association (ECSA) Women’s Spring Series that began in January with monthly races on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. The Women’s Series races usually take place on the Indian River, but the venue for the Mermaid Regatta was on the Atlantic Ocean just outside the port.

After an informative and entertaining skippers meeting with race chairman Gerry Moores, the women were off to their respective boats for an afternoon of comraderie and competition.

Six boats participated in the regatta, four spinnaker and two non-spinnaker. Airborne, a Melges 24 skippered by MaryAnn Ward; Mouse, a Lindenberg 28 skippered by Rochelle Yates; Fast Lane, a Lindenberg 28 skippered by Sherry Beckett; and Sneaker, a Tartan 10 skippered by Patti Massey, made up the spinnaker class. Sleighride, a J-30 skippered by Rachele Ross, and Rendezvous, a Pearson Flyer 30 skippered by Rhonda Delmater, were the nonspinnaker boats.

The weather was absolutely lovely and, with the exception of a little more wind, could not have been more perfect: warm temperatures, filtered sun, and a steady south-southwesterly breeze of 5 to 8 knots.

Two races were scheduled. The course for the first race was a triangle windward/leeward race with legs of about one mile. Airborne crossed the finish first, followed by a tight race between Fast Lane and Mouse, with Fast Lane pulling out ahead. Sneaker soon followed. The non-spinnaker boats pulled in a little later, Sleighride first and then Rendezvous. The second race comprised two windward/leeward legs. The finish order was about the same, with Mouse and Fast Lane trading positions.

After thanking the race committee for a great job, the boats headed back to PCYC for some drinks, great appetizers, a little post-race analysis, and good conversation. Once they’d had a chance for a hot shower and some cool drinks, the ladies donned colorful Hawaiian print dresses and were joined by their spouses and “significant others” for a luau dinner and tropical music.

The awards for the Mermaid Regatta and the overall Spring Series results were given out during the luau. After www.southwindsmagazine.com

accounting for handicaps, the top three boats in the regatta spinnaker class were Airborne, Sneaker, and Mouse, in that order. For the non-spin boats, it was Sleighride and Rendezvous.

For the Spring Series, all boats were in one PHRF category. After 10 races with two throw-outs, the top three boats for the Series were Fast Lane, Sleighride, and Rendezvous.

The Mermaid Regatta at PCYC is held every year in June. The next ECSA Women’s Series begins on July 23. For more information about women’s sailing in the Brevard County area, see the women’s sailing page at http://www.sail-race.com/women. More information about the Port Canaveral Yacht Club (formerly known as Cocoa Beach Yacht Club) and its other regattas can be found at the PCYC Web site http://www.pcyc-fl.org/

Jetty Park Ocean Regatta: A Traditional Ocean Regatta for Beach Cat Racers, Port Canaveral, FL, June 3

By Roy Laughlin The Jetty Park Ocean Regatta is one of two surviving ocean regattas scheduled this summer along Florida’s east coast.

With increasing beach closures affecting beach cats, Cape Canaveral and Daytona Beach are the two remaining venues with sufficiently active sailing clubs to sponsor an ocean regatta for beach cats.

Twenty-one catamarans raced this year, down from the usual 35-50 entries. Sailors from the Gulf coast and South Florida, who have regularly attended this regatta, were notably absent this year, probably reflecting the continuing economic and time constraints imposed in the aftermath of last year’s record hurricane season Conditions for this two-day event were almost perfect on Saturday, June 3. The races started on time at noon and continued for almost five hours. A southwest wind blew the whole day, but it brought no rain. The wind blew about 10 knots until the last race. Then it changed to the southwest and became stronger and more turbulent. The last race gave the expected trap-line riding, adrenaline-pumping racing experience. Good early summer regatta weather without afternoon squalls is one of the few advantages of spring droughts.

The race committee set up two courses, an inner triangle for the Hobie 16 B fleet and an outer course for the other catamaran classes. It’s rare to have enough sailors for two “B” fleets, but there’s a small resurgence of interest in catamaran sailing. Apparently, the Hobie 16 occupies the sweet spot in price, performance and ease of use. The Hobie 16 fleet was a notable exception to the decline in participation in other classes.

On Sunday, the winds were lighter and initially from the northeast. The race committee intended to begin the races at 10, but in a typical gesture of fickleness, the zephyrs stopped moving and changed directions a couple of times before an easterly sea wind finally filled in before 11 a.m.

Then the final two races began. The race committee conducted two long races on Sunday before the approach of rain put an end to the 33rd annual Jetty Park Ocean Regatta.

Sunday’s racing brought on an anxious moment in the Hobie 16 A fleet. Chuck Pickering and his son Charlie startNews & Views for Southern Sailors

John Casey and Rachel Croughwell head for a fly-over finish during the first race. Photo by Roy Laughlin. ed the last race in first place. They collided with another catamaran, resulting in a hole in the bow of their boat. They continued racing, thinking that the hole was a (relatively) insignificant fracture. Rounding the final mark for that race, their catamaran went over and appeared to be sinking with the starboard hull full of water. A chase boat successfully gave them a tow into shore by tying a line to the flooded trampoline’s front trampoline pedestal and pulling the catamaran from that point. The towing speed gave this sinking hull enough lift to keep it at the surface while the crew stayed over the intact hull, relying on its buoyancy to support them on the boat. Catamarans with a flooded hull don’t always behave so well under tow. Team Pickering had more good luck with the scoring. The unfinished race was a throw-out that permitted them to retain their first-place standing. They won with just a single point more than Mike Burley and Earl Sanders, a team that has a string of firstplace finishes of its own.

With decreasing venues for ocean races and increasing permitting, insurance and beach access inconvenience, every year of an ocean race seems like its last. JPOR, as this race is often called, seems likely to continue for at least a few more years as long as weather and other interfering factors don’t overwhelm the organizers’ lives. There’s nothing like the experience of ocean sailing on a beach cat and no more enjoyable place for it than east central Florida.

Results: Hobie 16B: 1, Michael Norton & Michael Norton, Jr.; 2, Lee & Stephanie Dunn; 3, Mark & Suzie Boxman; Hobie 16A: 1, Chuck & Charlie Pickering; 2, Michael Burley & Earl Sanders; 3, Javier Junco & Kate Brennan; Open High: 1, Marlene Sassman; 2, Craig Long & John Harrison; 3rd Wayne Lynch; Open Low: 1, John McKnight & Terry Greene; 2, Rich Ushchold & Joni Burman; 3, Frank Rodricks & Kathy; Formula 16: 1, Matt & Gina MacDonald; 2, Chuck Harnden & Paul Allum; 3, Robi & Mary Gilberison; Formula 18: 1, Brian Karr & Aaron Hayson; 2, Jennifer Lindsay & Fred Metcalf; 3, David & Kathy Ingram; Nacra Inter 20: 1, John Casey & Rachel Croughwell; 2, Terry & Rick Loewen; 3, Mark Herendeen & Scott Huble.

RACE CALENDAR July– Central East Florida 1-2 Eau Gallie Cruise. East Coast Sailing Association–Cruising 1-2 Firecracker Regatta. Port Canaveral Yacht Club 2,9,23,30 Small Boat Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club SOUTHWINDS

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RACING 3-11 Regatta Time in Abaco 3,12,19,26 Wed. Evening Summer Series, Indian River Yacht Club 14,28 Summer Rum Race. Melbourne Yacht Club 23 Fall Women’s #1. East Coast Sailing Association–Racing 29 River Challenge. East Coast Sailing Association–Racing July – Northeast Florida. www.sailjax.com 8 Moonlight Regatta. Rudder Club 15-16 1st Annual St. Johns Optimist Green Fleet Dingy Regatta. The Florida Yacht Club August– Central East Florida 2 Mosquito Race (Wed. Evening Race), Indian River Yacht Club 4 Fall Rum Race, Melbourne Yacht Club 6 Small Boat Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club.

9 Mosquito Race (Wed. Evening Race,) Indian River Yacht Club 12 Single-Handed, Race. East Coast Sailing Association 13 Summer Racing Series #2, Indian River Yacht Club 16 Mosquito Race (Wed. Evening Race). Indian River Yacht Club 18 Fall Rum Race. Melbourne Yacht Club 19 Fun Race. East Coast Racing Association 19 Beach Raft Up at Peck’s. Lake Stuart. Corinthian Yacht Club 20 Fall Women’s Race Series #2. East Coast Racing Association 23 Mosquito Race (Wed. Evening Race). Indian River Yacht Club 30 Wed. Evening Fall Series. Indian River Yacht Club

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

BBYRA #7 – KBYC Annual Regatta, Miami, FL, June 3

By Art Perez The annual KBYC regatta was a poorly attended affair with only 23 boats showing up for the start. The largest fleet (PHRF2) had six entries and continues to be the most consistent fleet for showing up at the start. Part of their good attendance record can be attributed to the fact that only a few points separate the first four boats for the series. With still two races to go and three throw-outs, Jammin helmed

by Russ Horn, holds a slight lead on the rest of the PHRF2 fleet. PHRF1, on the other hand, has a clear winner in the hands of Pipe Dream XIV. After a short postponement, the first race of the day got under way under sunny skies and a light, shifty breeze. The wind had not yet completely filled in across the racecourse so it was a battle to find the pressure and keep the boat moving, especially during the downwind leg. The light-displacement boats made the best of the circumstances, posting first-place finishes in their respective fleets. This advantage was to be short-lived. By race two, the breeze had kicked in and settled around 12 knots, leveling the playing field somewhat.

In PHRF 1, the battle continued between Thin Ice and the perennial top finisher, Triptease. Today, it was Thin Ice’s 46

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PHRF1 in action at the KBYC Annual Regatta. Photo by Michal Leszczynski.

turn to win, with two convincing first-place finishes. The PHRF2 fleet had its own battle brewing. Newcomer Shadowfax, sailed by Oliver Waite, showed up sporting a new carbon fiber mainsail from the Doyle Sail loft with sailmaker Eamonn Delisser in tow as trimmer/tactician. That combination proved to be the winning one, as Shadowfax proved to be a worthy competitor taking top honors for the day.

By 3 p.m., everyone was heading back to shore ready to relax and join in the festivities at KBYC. As is usually the case, the club hosted a great after-party trophy presentation.

It’s a shame that so many missed out on the fun.

Results: PHRF1; 1st Pl – Thin Ice/Stuart Hebb; 2nd Pl – Triptease/RubinShellow; 3rd Pl – Pipe Dream XIV/Tom & Scott Piper; PHRF2; 1st Pl – Oliver Waite/Shadowfax; 2nd Pl – David Kurtz/Goombay; 3rd Pl – Jammin/Russ & Vicky Horn; PHRF3; 1st Pl – Karen Mitchell/Sailing for Life.Org; PHRF4; 1st Pl – Deadline/Gary Marston; 2nd Pl – Night Moves/Victor Brown; 3rd Pl – Maiden/ Lea Hume; J24; 1st Pl – I’ll Go/Gonzalo Diaz, Sr; 2nd Pl – Joe Cool/Lional Baugh; 3rd Pl – Blah Blah Blah/Mark Milnes; Melges 24; 1st Pl – Group Therapy/Tom Seghi; 2nd Pl – Huzzah!!!/George Coggeshall.

RACE CALENDAR JULY 4-14 8 15

Regatta Time in the Abacos. See ad page 21, and “Short Tacks” section for more info.

Venture Sailing Club Races open to the public. Miami, www.venturesailingclub.com. 954-494-2304 J/24 Summer 3. Flat Earth Racing – J/24 one-design racing. Must be registered with Flat Earth Racing.

AUGUST 8 Venture Sailing Club Races open to the public. Miami, www.venturesailingclub.com. 954-494-2304 Note: There are no BBYRA scheduled races during the summer break, July and August.

Legend for Above Yacht Clubs and Organizations BBYRA Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net BBYC Biscayne Bay Yacht Club. www.bbyra.net CGSC Coconut Grove Sailing Club. www.cgsc.org CRYC Coral Reef Yacht Club. www.coralreefyachtclub.org KBYC Key Biscayne Yacht Club. www.kbyc.org.

MYC Miami Yacht Club. www.miamiyachtclub.net. www.southwindsmagazine.com

AUGUST 12 Cortez Yacht Club Commodore’s Cup Series (CYCCC).

Race #4. Cortez YC.

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

Upper Keys Sailing Club. www.upperkeyssailingclub.com.

Correction on the Gulfport to Pensacola Race Last month it was reported that the Gulfport to Pensacola Race would not be held due to Hurricane Katrina damage to the Gulfport Harbor. After the press deadline and three weeks prior to the race on June 16, the decision was made to hold the 100-mile race out of Biloxi, MS, where a few dock slips were made available for the long-distance race participants. Due to timing, this revised information did not make it to print.

Ladies Sailing Trilogy – Fast Women, Bikini Regatta and Race for the Roses in July and August

By Kim Kaminski

RACE CALENDAR Club Racing Bradenton YC. Evening Races Daylight Savings time of year.

Races at 6:30 p.m. PHRF racing on Manatee River. For info call Larry Lecuyer, (941) 729-5401.

Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venicesailing-squadron.org 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 JULY 4 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Firecracker Race.

4 Tampa Bay Catamaran Society. Race For Liberty, Catamarans.

8 Cortez Yacht Club Commodore’s Cup Series (CYCCC).

Race #3. Cortez YC. 22 Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Society. Firecracker Night Race, PHRF. 23-28 Sarasota Youth Sailing Program. US Optimist Dinghy Assoc. National Championship. www.sarasotaysp.com.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

Lady sailors along the Gulf Coast look forward to the month of July, when the Ladies’ Trilogy sailing competition begins. The racing series starts with the Fast Women Regatta, held by the Point Yacht Club in Josephine, AL, on July 15. For information go to www.pointyachtclub.org.

The second race is the Bikini Regatta, held by the Navy Yacht Club in Pensacola, FL, on July 22. Last year marked the 25th anniversary of this regatta, and this is the first ladies sailing event in the area. This year’s event should prove to be just as exciting when the Navy Yacht Club will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. For more information, go to www.navypnsyc.org The final race is the Race for the Roses Regatta, held by the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club on Pensacola Beach, FL, on July 29. In addition to the series race, one-design competition will also be held in conjunction with this event. For more information, go to www.pensacolabeach-yc.org.

RACE REPORT

Grimm named GYA Women’s PHRF Champion

By Julie B. Connerley The 2006 Gulf Yachting Association’s Women’s PHRF Championship was held on Lake Pontchartrain June 4-5 See NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING continued on page 52 SOUTHWINDS

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REGIONAL SAILING

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

BOAT LETTERING

YOGA SAILING CHARTERS (305) 989-7181 Enjoy a Magical week of Yoga & Adventure Sailing in the Bahamas or Belize Oct. 05 or Jan & May 06 www.dutchlove.com

CAPTAIN SERVICES CAPT. KEVIN MURPHY . . . . .(340) 277-1026 USCG Licensed Master, Deliveries, Instruction murfdesurf@hotmail.com TOPSAIL SERVICES Deliveries • Consulting Power • Sail USCG Licensed Master • Unlimited Tonnage Don Charland (910) 279-6315 doncharland@aol.com

CANVAS & CUSHION SERVICES SCUBA CLEAN See ad in Underwater Services

CHARTERS MAHINA LA SAILING . . . . . .(941) 713-8000 MacGregor 65 * Two hours to two weeks South Tampa Bay Area in Cortez Daily Sunset Cruises or Sail to the Keys www.floridasailingtrips.com

ADVERTISE IN THIS SERVICES DIRECTORY STARTING AT $8/ MONTH. EDITOR@SOUTHWINDSMAGAZINE.COM OR CALL (941) 795-8704 NORTHERN GULF COAST continued from page 47 under sunny skies amid a sailing community determined to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.

Now in its sixth year, the Women’s Championship began as an all-female regatta in 1988 called the Race for the Roses, hosted by Pensacola Beach Yacht 52

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

CUSTOM BOAT SERVICES & REPAIRS ELLIE’S SAILING SHOP . . . . . . . . . .Clearwater Lifelines, rigging, hardware, repairs Serving small boat sailors Since 1958 Sunfish Boats and Parts . . . . .(727) 442-3281 ________________________________________ GLASTECH YACHTS . . . . . . .(727) 544-5512 Full Service Marine Yard & Mobile Service Power & Sail • Serving West Florida www.glastech34trawler.com ________________________________________ Industrial Marine Supply . . . . . . . .Tampa Bay Gas/Diesel Repair & Maintenance Certified Electrical & Plumbing Underwater work . . . . . .(775) 771-8515 cell

Club. In 2001, PBYC petitioned the GYA to have the race sanctioned as the Women’s PHRF Championship and has hosted the event yearly.

“After 2005,” said former PBYC commodore, Tim Simmons, “PBYC proposed, in the interest of furthering women’s sailing within the GYA, that the event be hosted by another yacht club, and from that point forward, the

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

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

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

Advertise your services here

1" boxed-in ads for $240 a year RIGGING SERVICES winning boat or skipper could host the championship if they so desired.”

Southern Yacht Club coordinated this year’s two-day event, which was held in conjunction with the annual Fleur de Lis series co-sponsored by the Lake Pontchartrain Women’s Sailing Association, SYC, New Orleans Yacht Club, and Corinthian Sailing Association. www.southwindsmagazine.com

SERVICES DIRECTORY Call (941) 795-8704 or e-mail editor@southwindsmagazine.com

ADVERTISE

IN THE SERVICE DIRECTORY

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

MASTHEAD USED SAIL . . . .(800) 783-6953 www.mastheadsailinggear.com Largest Inventory in the South (727) 327-5361

PORPOISE SAILING SERVICES – Sarasota

Starting at $96 a year

*New/Used Sails * New Custom Sails Roller Furling Systems & Packages

editor@southwindsmagazine.com

(800) 507-0119 www.porpoisesailing.com

(941) 795-8704 SEA TIME SAILING SCHOOL . . . . .Miami, FL Offshore trips/Sailing courses www.seatimesailing.com . . . .(954) 636-9726

RIGGING SERVICES

Bay Rigging TAMPA’S MOBILE RIGGING SERVICE Yacht Rigging • Furlers • Lifelines

Cell (727) 215-0704 www.bayrigging.com

SAILMAKING, REPAIRING & CLEANING ADVANCED SAILS . . . . . . . . .(727) 896-7245 Quality Cruising Sails & Service Closest Sailmaker to St. Petersburg Marinas Keith Donaldson . . . . . . . . . .(727) 896-7245

SSMR. INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .727-823-4800 Complete Rigging Services On-Site Crane, Splicing & Swaging Commissioning Services On Salt Creek at Salt Creek Boat Works Fax 727-823-3270 . . . . . . . . . .St. Petersburg

Scuba Clean Yacht Service See ad in Underwater Services

UNDERWATER SERVICES

Scuba Clean Yacht Service • Underwater Services • Canvas Shop • Sail Cleaning & Repair • Detailing Serving Pinellas, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Pasco & Manatee Counties.

SAILING INSTRUCTION ADVENTURE CRUISING & SAILING SCHOOL A sailing school for Women and Couples • ASA • West Florida and Chesapeake www.acss.bz . . . . . . . . . . . . .(727) 204-8850

Defending GYA Women’s PHRF Champion Elaine Boos, SYC, lost her J/30, Gritz, to Hurricane Katrina.

Besides finding an alternate boat to use, Boos, like many New Orleans sailors, had to find replacement crew for some of her regulars who have since moved from New Orleans.

Sailing a J/24 named Siren, Debbie Grimm, New Orleans Yacht Club, realNews & Views for Southern Sailors

(727) 327-2628 C’S CANVAS AND SAIL REPAIR See ad in Canvas & Cushion Services

ly turned on the siren as she took three bullets to win the championship.

Another veteran skipper, Louise Bienvenue, of South Shore Yacht Club, sailed a B-25 named Piranha into an easy second place. First time skipper Dee Mollenkopf, of New Orleans Yacht Club, captured third place in JRex, a J/92.

RACE CALENDAR Wednesday Evening Fun Races – Pensacola Yacht Club – 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the Month - April thru October Fort Walton Yacht Club – April thru October See NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING continued on page 60 SOUTHWINDS

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CLASSIFIED ADS CLASSIFIED ADS — 3 Months for $25 Place your ad early on the Internet for $10 • Classified ads with text only for boats are $25 for a three-month ad for up to 30 words. $50 for ad with horizontal photo ($65 if vertical photo). Check or Credit cards accepted. Must be for sale by owner – no business ads. Boats wanted ads included.

• Free ads for boats under $500 (sail and dinghies only), all gear under $500, and windsurfing equipment. For sale by owner ads only.

• All other ads (including business ads) are $20 a month for up to 20 words, add $5 a month for each additional 10 words. $10 a month for a horizontal photo. Frequency discounts available.

Contact editor.

• All ads go on the SOUTHWINDS Web site. For a one-time $10 fee, we will place your ad on the Internet before going to press on the next issue.

• No Refunds • The last month your ad runs will be in parentheses, e.g., (10/06) is October 2006.

BOATS & DINGHIES

_________________________________________ Inflatable Dinghy for sale. 8’ 8” Plastimo P270K. Solid wood floor. PVC. Oars. Never used in perfect condition. $850/Best Offer.

Bradenton, FL. (941) 795-8704.

Craig100@tampabay.rr.com. _________________________________________ 27’ ERICSON. Carefully maintained, fast, sturdy, many upgrades & extras, roller furling genoa, autopilot and remote, A/C, Bimini, inboard runs great, sailaway, 1 mo. free slip!

Reduced! $9,400 offers. Call (727) 364-6710.

(7/06)

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

32’ HUNTER 320 2001. Freshwater, ICW, loaded w/extras, In-mast furling main, autopilot, 80-watt solar panel, bimini, dodger, stereo system, companionway teak doors. $69,500/ obo. Luka, MS, (731)394-1897, belew@pneumaticsystems.com. (8/06) 54

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• Ad must be received by the 10th of the month.

TO PLACE AN AD: 1. On the Internet www.southwindsmagazine.com This applies only to the $25 and $50 ads above with and without photo. Pay with Paypal and put your ad in the subject line. If a photo, then e-mail to editor@southwindsmagazine.com as a separate jpeg attachment.

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

3. Mail your ad in. Mail to SOUTHWINDS, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175. Send a check or credit card number with information as listed in #2

above. Mail the photo in (35mm best). If you want the photo back, enclose a SASE. Add $5 for a typing charge.

4. Telephone or fax your ad in. Call (941) 795-8704 and give us your ad over the phone. There is an additional $5 typing charge. If you have a photo, you can mail it in. We can take your credit card number, or you can mail a check. Fax: (941) 795-8705.

5. Do a combination of the above. E-mail, call in or send the ad text in via Paypal on our Web site. Email the photo directly to the editor. If you don’t have a scanner, mail the photo to us separately. Call the editor at (941) 795-8704 with any questions.

6. We will pick up your ad. Send the editor a check for air flight, car rental, hotel, travel, eating and entertainment expenses, and he will come to your location and pick up the ad. Any ads to be picked up on tropical islands or other resort destinations will be free.

DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS

Advertise your business in a display ad in the classifieds section. Sold by the column inch. 2 inch minimum.

(3 column inches is 1/8 page) MONTHLY ADS

12 6 3 1

COST PER INCH

MINIMUM INCHES

TOTAL COST

$19 $22 $25 $29

2" 2" 2" 2"

$38 $44 $50 $58

1985 Bayfield 32C Cutter full keel cruiser.with 18HP Yanmar diesel and only 3’ 9” draft. Edson wheel sterring. Datamarine depth and speed. 25# CQR anchor with chain and rode. Bow sprit. Dorade vents. Isomat spars. 8 winches. Excellent sails. S/S stove and oven. Ice box. Sleeps five. Classic H.T. Gozzard design. Only $22,500. Major Carter. www.CortezYachts.com (941) 792-9100 32’ Anastasia Double-ended Cutter, main, jib and staysail, Yanmar 3 cylinder diesel, hull perfect, house needs completion and minor repairs, No storm damage, Pensacola, $10,000 OBO, Photos on request Satoritom@aol.com. (7/06).

33’ Glander Tavana 1985 center board mast head sloop. Newly painted bottom, hull, topsides and non-skid. New rub rail, teak hatches. New jib sail. 30 HP Vetus diesel. Great Florida and Bahamas boat, draws 3’ board up.

A no- nonsense boat offered below market at $12,900/best offer. Needs TLC. Call Major Carter (941) 792-9100.

ADVERTISE YOUR BOAT Starting at $25 for 3 months www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS

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

1995 Hunter 35.5 Only 615 hrs on Yanmar 27. New canvas, Navico autopilot, ST 60 depth, ST 60 speed, Furuno GPS, SGC SSB radio, Apelco VHF, dinghy w/OB engine, roller furling, full batten main w/dutchman, solar panel, S&L windlass, holding plate refrigeration, SS propane stove, 12000 BTU marine air, TV, stereo. Ready to sail with performance and pleasure. $69,900. www.cortezyachts.com.

(941) 792-9100.

1978 Jeanneau 37’ Gin Fizz with Perkins 4108 diesel low less than 100 hours SMOH This popular center cockpit with aft cabin is a cruisers choice. 2 blade Maxi prop and new shaft. Bimini and dodger. Main sail, jib, genoa and spinnaker. Horizon depth, wind speed and direction. Roller furling needs work or replace. Manual windlass. Bruce anchor w/20’ chain and 300’ rode. Pressure hot and cold water. Micro wave built in. Adlar Barbor refrigeration. Head with shower. VHF radio, Aplelco GPS. Stereo. Best buy on the market. $36,900 Major Carter. www.CortezYachts.com 941792-9100

1977 Trident Warrior 35. Well-maintained and equipped for offshore. Call for Details.

(850) 866-4490. $46,500 OBO. 8/06 1970 Ericson 35 MKll - Bruce King classic design hull #164. Universal 30 HP diesel, Wheel steering w/ emergency tiller, All lines lead aft, Newer sails; 130% UK Kevlar, 170% dacron genoa, & fully battened main w/ reefing system. Lazy jack system, Harken dual sheet traveller, Harken roller reef, dodger w/ dodger, bimini & full canvas cockpit enclosure incl screens. updated interior cushions, 150’ chain w/3 anchors, electric windlass, AM/FM/CD stereo w/cockpit speakers & power amp, Marine Radio, Auto Pilot 4000, Many upgrades incl. opening port lights throughout, newer AC & DC throughout.

Documented. Great sailing boat w/ lots of nice gear. Partial trade for smaller trailerable boat considered. $19,000. (727) 363-4000.

(7/06) _________________________________________

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

Massey Yacht Sales & Service (727) 8247262.

IRWIN 37’ cruise equipped, AutoPilot, diesel, center cockpit, watermaker, GPS’s, VHF/HF radios, solar panels, Wind-Gen. Dinghy & OB Spares, complete, working, everything you need, needs TLC $29,900 (305) 731-3911. joegreno@hotmail.com. (8/06) 38’ Lagoon Catamaran. 2002. Excellent condition. One of the best on the market for the money. Very well-equipped. Lots of new and updated equipment. $295,000. Call Bob, owner, at (507) 951-1625, or call Yachting Vacations (800) 447-0080. Burnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda, FL. (7/06)

Catalina 36, 1984. Full racing/cruising upgrades, Tall mast, 5’10” draft, rigid boom vang, upgraded flat travel, AC, self-tailing two-speed winches, good condition, new headsail, roller furling, cockpit shower, 3 GPS units, 2 VHFs, bimini and dodger, 4 batteries, all lines lead to cockpit. $48,900. Autohelm 4000. (941) 795-4646. Tampa Bay. mtimillertime@yahoo.com. For pictures and more info, go to www.catalinaowners.com and do a search for this boat in classifieds. (7/06)

DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADS STARTING AT $38/MONTH News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

July 2006 55

CLASSIFIED ADS Columbia 40 1966 centerboard diesel sloop.

This classic Maine yacht needs elbow grease on the bright work. First $21,000 firm. Lying Fort Myers. (239) 454-6404. (8/06)

BOAT GEAR & SUPPLIES _________________________________________ Used Boat Gear for Sale. 10’ Zodiac RIB, Paratech 15 & 18—both with line and chain, Teak doors, Stainless Propane stoves, Sospenders, Offshore life vests, 6-man coastal life raft, 36’, 26’, 30’ masts & booms, some with rigging. Nautical Trader, 110 E. Colonia Lane, Nokomis, FL, (941) 488-0766. Shop online at www.nauticaltrader.net. _________________________________________ CQR 25 Anchor for sale-No Rust. $75.00.

Pompano Beach (954) 558-1360. (8/06)

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

(941)743-7156 or (941)504-3302. (8/06) _________________________________________ Wanted. Used Aluminum Boom for Lightning.

(904) 794-0937. (7/06) _________________________________________ Yanmar 10hp 1GM10 Diesel. Excellent Condition. All gauges and controls. Tank, prop and shaft, extra filters and parts. $1600. (727) 804-4508.

45’ 6” LOA Bayfield 40, Hull # 34 full keel 5’ draft, cutter ketch designed by H.T.Gozzard built in 1984. Exceptional condition with lots of new gear. Harken roller furling on all sails.

Marine air, WS, WD, depth, VHF w/remote, SSB, cd/radio, autopilot, chartplotter, Radar, dinghy, life raft $114,000 Call Major Carter or visit www.Cortezyachts.com

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www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS Tohatsu 18 hp long shaft model. Recently tuned. Propped for maximum thrust at low operating rpms. Dependable. Ideal for 27-foot sailboat. Capable of 6 knots to weather in snotty seas. Tilt mechanism recently reconditioned and now smooth as butter. Sexy paint job with flames on cowl. Silver cowl and blue shaft.

Offers.

(941) 722-9022. (8/06) _________________________________________

Anchor CQR plow. 25 lb. Never used. $200.

St. Pete. (727) 344-2092. till 7 p.m. (7/06)

BOOKS & CHARTS

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

Boat Diesel Engine.Volvo Penta 3000. 27 hp.

Two cylinder. Total hours 3338. Includes many new parts. Instruction manual. Parts list.

Running condition. $2500 negotiable. Best Offer. Ask Mark at (772) 283-1947 from 8 a.m - 4 p.m. (7/06)

BUSINESSES FOR SALE/ INVESTMENTS _________________________________________ FOR SALE: Florida East Coast Sail Loft.

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

Craig100@tampabay.rr.com.

CREW AVAILABLE/WANTED

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

DELIVERY SERVICES

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

HELP WANTED

_________________________________________ Marine Store help wanted. JSI in St. Petersburg needs PT help in the Ships Store. Sailing experience needed. Computer and retail experience helpful. Mon-Fri. Call Ken Roy @ 727-577-3220 or kenroy@newjsi.com _________________________________________

Classifieds on the internet: www.southwindsmagazine.com News & Views for Southern Sailors

Articles and race reports in the Carolinas and Georgia. editor@southwindsmagazine.com. _________________________________________ SOUTHWINDS July 2006 57

CLASSIFIED ADS Edwards Yacht Sales is expanding! Yacht brokers needed to sell sailboats on either coast. Will train! Excellent commissions, group health insurance, bonus plan. Contact Roy Edwards at (727) 725-1600, www.EdwardsYachtSales.com _________________________________________ Writers, Reporters, Articles, Photos Wanted.

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

Murray Yacht Sales is adding professional yacht brokers and customer service personnel to its successful team. Immediate needs include: yacht broker in St. Petersburg office, yacht sales experience required; Rigger/Service Tech in New Orleans office. E-mail résumé to info@MurrayYachtSales.com. _________________________________________ Salesperson wanted to do ad sales for SOUTHWINDS Magazine, selling ads.

Experience in sales a must and must be a boater, preferably a sailor, know computer use and email. You can work from anywhere on this. Commission based. editor@southwindsmagazine.com. (941) 795-8704.

Steve Morrell

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE OR RENT

_________________________________________

Service Dept. Rigger. Massey Yacht Sales is accepting applications and resumes for sail and/or powerboat riggers/outfitters. Many employee benefits including paid holidays, paid vacations, health insurance, workmen’s comp insurance, performance bonuses, and good hourly salary. Must be hardworking, honest, have own tools and be a team player. Excellent service department support and organization. Call Alice Winter, ext. 10, service dept. mgr. at (941) 7231949, or fax resume to (941) 729-7520. _________________________________________ Writers and Ideas Wanted on Waterways Issues. SOUTHWINDS is looking for writers, acting as independent subcontractors to research and write articles on subjects discussed in the “Our Waterways” section. Must be familiar with boating, good at research, have computer skills, high-speed Internet access and work for little pay. Most important, you must have an interest and passion for the subject and want to bring about change and improvement of boaters rights, waterways access, and disappearing marinas and boatyards—and have lots of ideas and energy to help bring about improvements through various means (that are, of course, legal and principled). You may choose your subject within these parameters. We would also like to get an organization going to promote these interests if you can help. Writers, photographers, cartoonists, jokers, magicians, philosophers and others of questionable professions may apply. Send info to: editor@southwindsmagazine.com. _________________________________________ Massey Yacht Sales Positions-Sail and/or power yacht sales positions available in the Massey St. Petersburg and Palmetto dealership offices. Best marina dealership locations, excellent sales, marketing and service dept. support. We are new yacht dealers for Catalina, Hunter, Albin, True North, Nordic Tugs, plus offer a large inventory of brokerage sail and powerboats. Applicants must be computer literate, have successful yacht sales history, good knowledge of yachts and builders, be a team player, motivated and hard working. Best yacht sales income potential on Florida west coast. Call Massey general sales manager Frank Hamilton at (941) 723-1610 or fax resume to (941) 729-7520.

See Classified Info on pg 6 2 58

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SOUTHWINDS

Sarasota, FL Waterfront Townhouse w/Deep water boat slip for rent. 3br/3ba, 3 floors, 2 fireplaces, gated, pool, tennis. Protected boat slip accommodates up to 70-foot Boat. Direct access to Gulf. Walk to restaurants and shopping. For info call (561) 213-2390. (6/06) Perfect 2 bedroom Waterfront Townhouse For Sale. Ultra-furnished—even has HDTV. Very close to Fort Myers Beach. 16-foot boat dock at front door—seconds to the Gulf. $489,000. (239) 565-2277 or (239) 4541817.

INSURANCE

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July 2006

59

NORTHERN GULF COAST

INDEX

OF

ADVERTISERS

continued from page 53 RACE CALENDAR

TELL THEM YOU SAW IT IN SOUTHWINDS! SOUTHWINDS provides this list as a courtesy and asks our readers to support our advertisers.

JULY 1-2 Horn Island Hop (one design/multihull). OSYC 1-3 U.S. Junior Olympic Festival – PYC 8-9 Meigs Regatta (Capdevielle).

FWYC 8 Around the Lake. CSA 8 Commodore’s Regatta. (Sunfish).

NYC 8 Patriot’s Day Regatta. PBYC 8 Single-Handed Regatta. FYC 8 Race for the Case. GYC 8 Rhodes 19 Nationals . FYC 15-16 Summer Regatta (Capdevielle).

MYC 15 Fast Women Regatta. PYC 15 Bastille Day Regatta. NOYC 15 Night Race #2. FWBYC 22-23 Weatherly Regatta (Capdevielle).

GYC 22-23 U. S. Junior Women’s SingleHanded Regatta, Leiter Cup. Houston Yacht Club 22,29 Summer #1, #2. CSA 22 Bikini Regatta. NYC 29-30 Junior Lipton Cup. SYC 29 Race for the Roses. PBYC 29 Cruising / Raft-up. PYC AUGUST 5 Summer #3. CSA. 5 Commodore’s Cup #4. NYC 5-6 Angus J/22 Regatta.GYC 12 Round the Rig. MYC 12 PYC Championship #3.PYC 12 John Chappell, Lee Stitt Regatta (one design). PYC 12-13 Knost Regatta (Capdevielle).

PCYC 19-20 J/22 Charles R. Galloway GYA Sunfish/Laser. GYC 19 Big Mouth Regatta. PBYC 20 Single-Handed Regatta. CSA 26-27 GYA Lightning 26 Pam Sintes Regatta. CSA, SSYC

This list includes all display advertising.

Air Duck American Marine & Supply Anesco Marine Annapolis Performance Sailing Aqua Graphics Atlantic Sail Traders Banks Sails Beachmaster Photography Beneteau Sailboats Beta Marine Bluewater Bay Yachts Bluewater Sailing Supply Boaters Exchange Bob and Annie’s Boatyard Bo’sun Supplies Catalina Yachts Colligo Engineering Cortez Yacht Brokerage Crow’s Nest Restaurant Cruising Direct Sails Defender Industries Dockside Radio Dwyer mast Eastern Yachts/Beneteau Edwards Yacht Sales E-marine First Patriot Health Insurance Flying Scot Sailboats Garhauer Hardware Glacier Bay Refrigeration Gulf Coast Yacht Sales Gulf Island Sails Hanse Sailboats Higgins, Smythe & Hood Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack Hotwire/Fans & other products Hurricane Hoops J/Boats - Murray Yacht Sales JR Overseas/Moisture Meter JSI - New JSI Kevane Sails Latts & Atts TV

56 10 57 41 52 25 53 56 BC 30 3 57 10,40 16 14 7,10 35 56 26 14 56 23 56 51, BC 49 56,57 58 55 4 35 48,54 10 55 48 33 56 29 50, BC 34 21 59 59

Leather Wheel 52 Lex-Sea Charters 56 Life Captions Video 20 Massey Yacht Sales 9,15,31, IBC Masthead Enterprises 4,10,59 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau 50,BC National Sail Supply 36 Nautical Trader 11 New JSI 21 Noble Awards 59 North Sails 8,59 Patricia Knoll Realtor 22 Porpoise Used Sails 59 Precision Yachts 13 Quantum Sarasota 3 RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke 25 Rparts Refrigeration 24 Sailboats Florida, Inc. 55 Sailing Services 18 Sailtime Fractional Sailing 17 Sarasota Youth Sailing Program donated boats 51 Schurr Sails 39 Scurvy Dog Marine 38 Sea School 28 Sea Tech 30,57 SSMR 11 St. Augustine Sailing School 59 St. Barts/Beneteau BC Suncoast Inflatables 20 Sunrise Sailing Services 57 Sunstate Realty 22 Tackle Shack 33 Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program 36 UK Halsey Sails 19 Ullman sails 37 Vista Galleries/Sail Portraits 59 Watersports West 57 Weathermark 10 West Marine 2 Whitney’s Marine/Sailtime 17 Windcraft Catamarans 32

LIL’ FLASH continued from page 62 and found that the crank-up cable had unraveled off the drum. The keel was dragging the bottom of the river, and we were hauling them backwards because it was aside us stern to bow.

Hasty put Skimmer in reverse and turned the assembly 180 degrees. Joe spent the time on the way to the club diving to sort out the cable and lift the keel.

We came up the harbor channel motoring backwards and made an undignified, but proud, turn past the Charthouse restaurant. Some of the diners and a few of the kitchen staff came out to watch. Jack Leahy ran 60

July 2006

SOUTHWINDS

ahead in his Whaler to move the floating dock from in front of the club lift and offered to be tugboat, if needed. In the heart of the harbor, Hasty turned Skimmer around and drove forward between the boats on the two adjacent docks to deposit our cargo as close to the lift as the mud allowed. Bob Hughes tied a line around the base of the lift. He tossed the other end to Tom at a winch on Lil Flash.

John MacNeill jumped off Skimmer as soon as possible and went to get a gas-powered water pump. He gave Wendy Hughes the digital images, and she had the pictures showing on the

club computer and TV by the time he came back. A sling was fabricated from lines and put under the hull. The lift pulled the deck above the water, and lots of bucket bailing was under way.

Once it was running, the power-straw sucked out most of the rest of the water in less than a half hour.

They worked on the boat and motor late into the night and early the next morning. Then they sailed it to second place in the regatta the next two days with newly applied duct tape sealing those pesky hatches. Lil’ Flash missed first place only because they blew the outhaul in a race on Sunday. www.southwindsmagazine.com

ADVERTISER INDEX BY CATEGORY TELL THEM YOU SAW IT IN SOUTHWINDS! SOUTHWINDS provides this list as a courtesy and asks our readers to support our advertisers. This list includes all display advertising.

SAILBOATS – NEW AND BROKERAGE American Marine & Supply 10 Beneteau Sailboats BC Bluewater Bay Yachts 3 Boaters Exchange/Catalina Sailboats 10,40 Catalina Yachts 7,10 Cortez Yacht Brokerage 56 Eastern Yachts 51,BC Edwards Yacht Sales 49 Flying Scot Sailboats 55 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales 48,54 Gulf Island Sails 10 Hanse Sailboats 55 Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack 33 Higgins, Smythe & Hood 48 Massey Yacht Sales/Catalina//Hunter/Albin 9,15,31, IBC Masthead Yacht Sales/Catalina 4,10,59 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau 50,BC Sailboats Florida, Inc. 55 Sarasota Youth Sailing Program donated boats 51 St. Barts/Beneteau BC Suncoast Inflatables/ West Florida 20 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg 33 Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program 36 Weathermark 10 Whitney’s Marine/Sail Center 17 Windcraft, Trimarans and Catamarans, Sail or Power 32 Watersports West/Windsurfing 57 GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING Air Duck Hatch Windscoop 56 Anesco Marine 57 Annapolis Performance Sailing 41 Bluewater Bay Yachts 3 Bluewater Sailing Supply 57 Boaters Exchange, boats, gear, etc. Rockledge FL 10,40 Bo’sun Supplies/Hardware 14 Colligo Engineering 35 Defender Industries 56 E-Marine 56,57 Garhauer Hardware 4 Hotwire/Fans & other products 56 Hurricane Hoops 29 JR Overseas/Moisture Meter 34 JSI - New JSI 21 Leather Wheel 52 Masthead Enterprises 4,10,59 Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign 11 NEW JSI21 Rparts Refrigeration 24 SSMR 11 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, Precision 33 Watersports West/wet suits, etc 33 West Marine 2 SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICES Atlantic Sail Traders 25 Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida 53 Cruising Direct/sails online by North 14 Dwyer Mast/spars, hardware, rigging 56 JSI - New JSI 21 Masthead/Used Sails and Service 4,10,59 National Sail Supply, new&used online 36 NEW JSI 21 North Sails, new and used 8,59 Porpoise Used Sails 59 Quantum Sails and Services 3 Sailing Services 18 Schurr Sails, Pensacola FL 39 News & Views for Southern Sailors

SSMR Sunrise Sailing Services UK Halsey Sails Ullman Sails West Marine CANVAS Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida JSI - New JSI Quantum Sails and Services USED SAILING/BOATING SUPPLIES Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign, West Florida Scurvy Dog Marine/Used, Consign, Pensacola FL SAILING SCHOOLS Sea School/Captain’s License St. Augustine Sailing School MARINE ENGINES AND ACCESSORIES Beta Marine RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke REAL ESTATE Pat Knoll, Sunstate Realty RESORTS, MARINAS, RESTAURANTS, BOAT YARDS Bob and Annie’s Boatyard Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina FRACTIONAL SAILING/CHARTER COMPANIES Lex-Sea Charters Sailtime Fractional Sailing MARINE SERVICES, SURVEYORS, INSURANCE, TOWING, BOAT LETTERING, ETC. Aqua Graphics/Boat Names/Tampa Bay or buy online Beachmaster Photography First Patriot Insurance Health Insurance Vista Galleries/Sail Portraits MARINE ELECTRONICS Dockside Radio JR Overseas/Moisture Meter Sea Tech/Navigation/Communication BOOKS/CHARTS/VIDEOS/AWARDS Noble Awards Lats and Atts TV videos Life Captions Video Regional Sailing Services Directory Subscription Information Alphabetical Advertisers’ List

11 57 19 37 3 53 21 3 11 38 28 59 30 25 22 16 26 56 17 52 56 58 59 23 34 30,57 59 59 20 52-53 61 60

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July 2006

61

The Sinking and Resurrection of Lil’ Flash: All in a Day’s Work

By John B. MacNeill

W

e were motoring out of the ing in the six-inch chop. The crews on as the “MYC (Melbourne Yacht Club) harbor in Melbourne, FL, on the approaching boats were tying Black Badge of Courage,” stuck to the Skimmer, Hasty Miller’s ver- lines to dock fenders, and the first masthead.

Both crews worked to strip the sion of a Nightwind 35, heading for question was, “Is everybody safe?” sails and hauled them the Yankee/Rebel Rally onto Skimmer. Then we sailing race at 1745 on used the end of our Friday, April 28. As we main halyard looped passed the Charthouse around its mast just restaurant, Jack Clark below the spreaders to starts hollering, “Look! stand the boat up, leavLook!” He was pointing the deck still under ing at a Catalina 22 four feet of water. named Lil’ Flash while The other boats it broached a quarterwhich had come to mile away on the their aid, seeing that the Indian River. crew was safe, and Normally, keelboats things were under conright themselves, but trol, headed off to race. not this time. They had During all this, Lil’ Flash partially lifted their Lil’ Flash being towed—right after they righted her in the harbor. had been hemorrhagswinging keel to clear a ing full cans of sandbar, and, in their Budweiser and bottles zeal to play with the of Gatorade. Whattaride new spinnaker, they picked up a few, and forgot to lower the keel one of the shipwreck back into position. survivors popped the They launched the top of a can that chute to port and creatappeared from the ed a dramatic event depths. after a gybe. As soon as Jack Leahy arrived the sail refilled, the boat from the club on his 13broached and took a foot Whaler. Tom and vicious knockdown.

Joe once again dove to As a crewmember place bow and stern fell to the aft corner of lines to the towing eye the cockpit, two others and the traveler bar of jumped on the keel, try- Lil’ Flash ready to be lifted up out of the water at the yacht club.

Lil’ Flash. Hasty and the ing to pop it back up On board Lil’ Flash, crewmembers crew on Skimmer worked the electric like a Laser. The partially lifted keel didn’t provide enough leverage, and Tom Bremen, Joe Fema, Al Jepson and windlass and the various winches to the wind pushed on the hull. The low- Don Stanley were wet, but okay. A pull the boat off the bottom as we side seat hatches let in huge amounts crewmember from Whattaride tossed a brought it up to our chine. A Lil’ Flash of water. In less than 30 seconds after fender over. Tom grabbed it and dove crewmember placed fenders, then put the mast hit the water, the hull to tie it to the pulpit to mark the boat’s his feet up on the hull of Skimmer, and dropped out of sight with blasts of location. He tied another as high up Harry Stapor sat on our rail with his spray from escaping air. The crew was the mast as possible. A plan was afoot, feet on its pulpit. We headed for the left standing on the port side of the hoping to set this boat upright using harbor with its deck awash.

Hasty was thinking about the hull—sunk in 8-1/2 feet of water with Skimmer.

We clipped a spinnaker halyard MYC boatlift. Since we knew the the masthead in the mud.

Whattaride, Bad Penny, Maverick, to the line from the mast. We started water was skinny near the lift, we Chasing Rainbows and Skimmer had cranking the winch as the wind blew asked if they could pull the keel all already done an immediate “fleet us away. The combined tension lifted the way up. Joe dove into the cabin left” under power. All we could see the mast out of the mud and above was four heads and eight arms wav- the water. Thick mud, known locally See LIL’ FLASH continued on page 60

62 July 2006

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