Southwindsjuly2008

SOUTHWINDS News & Views for Southern Sailors

Regata del Sol Al Sol Cruise to Tampa Treasure Cay

July 2008 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless

News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS July 2008

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SOUTHWINDS NEWS & VIEWS 10

FOR

SOUTHERN SAILORS

Editorial: Join US SAILING

By Steve Morrell Letters

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Southern Regional Monthly Weather and Water Temperatures

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Bubba Opts For “Easy”

By Morgan Stinemetz

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Short Tacks: Sailing News and Events Around the South

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2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season: Weather Forecasters Give Percentages

By Steve Morrell

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Our Waterways: Tampa Marina Fights to Survive.

Wag Bags Legality and Odor Issues.

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Carolina Sailing: Custom Catamaran Building by Lost Trades

By Dan Dickison

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Onboard Cooking With Beans

By Robbie Johnson

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Travels With Angel: Treasure Cay, Bahamas

By Rebecca Burg

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Cruise to Tampa

By Ina Moody

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The Real Ole Florida in Tampa Bay

By Dave Ellis

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US Sailing Mandatory Membership Proposal Proposed

By Julie Connerley

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

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Lessons Learned at Youth Sailing Regatta

By Jabbo Gordon

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

Sailing in Treasure Cay, Bahamas. Photo by Rebecca Burg. Page 36.

Regata del Sol al Sol. Courtesy photo. Page 44.

COVER: Adeline, a Bayfield 40, on the way to Mexico in the Regata del Sol al Sol. Photo by Steve Morrell.

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

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SOUTHWINDS

News & Views For Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS Media, Inc. P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, Florida 34218-1175 (941) 795-8704 (877) 372-7245 (941) 795-8705 Fax www.southwindsmagazine.com e-mail: editor@southwindsmagazine.com Volume 16 Number 7 July 2008 Copyright 2008, Southwinds Media, Inc. Founded in 1993

Doran Cushing, Publisher 11/1993-6/2002

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

Steve Morrell

Advertising editor@southwindsmagazine.com

Steve Morrell

(941) 795-8704

(941) 795-8704

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

Production Heather Nicoll

Proofreading Kathy Elliott

Artwork Rebecca Burg www.artoffshore.com

Contributing Writers Letters from our readers Julie B. Connerley Sylvia Galloway Robbie Johnson Ina Moody Morgan Stinemetz

Rebecca Burg Dan Dickison Jabbo Gordon Kim Kaminski Susan Russo

Jerry Butz Dave Ellis David Jefcoat Roy Laughlin Hone Scunook

Contributing Photographers/Art Ron Butler Dan Dickison Robbie Johnson Ina Moody Allison Thatcher

Rebecca Burg (& Artwork) Jin Dietrich Kim Kaminski Scunook Photography

Julie Connerley David Jefcoat Roy Laughlin Robbie Johnson

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: ARTICLES & PHOTOGRAPHY: SOUTHWINDS encourages readers, writers, photographers, cartoonists, jokers, magicians, philosophers and whoever else is out there, including sailors, to send in their material. Just make it about the water world and generally about sailing and about sailing in the South, the Bahamas or the Caribbean, or general sailing interest, or sailboats, or sailing in some faroff and far-out place.

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

Contact the editor with questions.

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

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

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FROM THE HELM Join US SAILING On the day I was going to write this editorial on a US SAILING proposal to make membership in the organization mandatory, I received a broadcast e-mail from US SAILING stating it had withdrawn its proposal with this statement: “We have heard from our members and we thank everyone for their input,” said US SAILING President Jim Capron.

“Many sailors and sailing organizations have told us that racing sailors should be members, but that their membership should be voluntary. We also appreciate that many of these sailing organizations have indicated their willingness to help grow our membership. We look forward to working with all of you to strengthen both our organization and our sport.”

I was about to endorse the same sentiments—that, yes, join US SAILING, but let’s not make it mandatory. How were they going to make it mandatory? No—not by stopping you from sailing, but by demanding membership from those who race in US SAILING-sanctioned regattas.

When I first heard of the US SAILING proposal, I thought of the famous Groucho Marx quote, “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.” This prompted me to come up with my own credo: “I refuse to join any organization where membership is mandatory.”

Since I am already a member of US SAILING, this was going to prove to be difficult if this proposal became the rule. I would not withdraw my membership, but, knowing how I feel about mandatory membership, I was going to propose that US SAILING make it known to the world that its membership has been declining in recent years and it needs more support. But let’s back up. How many sailors

STEVE MORRELL,

EDITOR

out there know that the US SAILING membership has been declining in recent years? How many are even members?

How many even know that, even though they might not be a member, chances are that their yacht club or sailing organization is. How many know that their club probably insures their regattas through US SAILING? How many know what US SAILING does?

I was going to suggest, and I still do now, that US SAILING needs a campaign to promote membership. Such a campaign should engage all yacht clubs in getting the word out what US SAILING does and how it affects and benefits the sailing world.

Most sailors out there aren’t members and haven’t a clue what this organization does. Many associate US SAILING with racing, but most sailors don’t race and have no interest in racing. But how many—who have never raced— took their first sailing instruction from a US SAILING-certified instructor?

Along with all this, I also suggest that US SAILING might want to start promoting what it does for the non-racing world, which is probably pretty much centered in the instruction category, but maybe it should start expanding and doing more for the non-racers, too.

Ever since US SAILING came out with this proposal a couple of months back, I have read all sorts of letters and forum discussions on the Internet all holding the same central theme: Join US SAILING, but don’t make it mandatory.

US SAILING showed its worth in listening to its members and the rest of the world and withdrew the proposal.

Therefore, it’s time to join up. www.ussailing.org.

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

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

E-mail your letters to editor@southwindsmagazine.com OPEN LETTER TO SECRETARY MICHAEL CHERTOFF Dear Mr. Chertoff, I read with interest your department’s latest “Small Vessel Security Strategy” in which you are asking the “recreational boater” for assistance in implementing controls against possible terrorism threats against our infrastructure from small boats.

I, and many other Florida yachtsmen, have raced and cruised the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida for the past four decades. During these years, I have been subjected several times to harassment from various U.S. government agencies, which now fall under your control.

The United States Coast Guard has boarded my vessel on the high seas doing “safety inspections” as an excuse to search for contraband and upon finding nothing have levied large fines for minor infractions, such as expired flares, unapproved life jackets and fire extinguishers.

During these stops, the USCG crews have acted with an officiousness and arrogance that bordered on outright rudeness. It is obvious that in some cases the officers know less about seamanship, Rules of the Road and navigation than those they interrogate. I personally feel offended at being spoken down to by young men who were in diapers when I was crossing oceans! I have been stopped in Cuban waters

News & Views for Southern Sailors

by patrol vessels of the Guarda Frontera and have been treated more politely and with more respect than by my own government!

Your customs department has shown frightening tendencies when interceptions by unlit, heavily armed, highspeed boats appear from out of the night. Since Vietnam, I have had a decided aversion to having a machine gun pointed in my direction.

Ashore, when clearing in at the Key West port of entry, I—as have many others—been subjected to intense interrogation by officials of Customs and Immigration when returning from legitimate trips to the Republic of Cuba. I have had my travel plans ruined by having my name on a “no-fly” list, which I suspect was instigated by one official who accused me of “buying bullets for Castro’s guns.”

Now, sir, you are asking us, the yachting community, to help these very same agencies to do the job charged to you

by Congress. Of course, we will. There are none among us who would hesitate to put ourselves in harm’s way to protect our country!

I would however ask you and your employees to remember that you are PUBLIC SERVANTS, and we, the See LETTERS continued on page 12

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LETTERS recreational boaters, represent the public and deserve the respect due us.

Kenneth E. Clark S/V Viva Yo Sarasota, FL Ken – Amen to that. There is no excuse for rudeness, and it should be a firing infraction for all police officers and a demotion for all military personnel when it comes to being rude without cause. If they can’t figure out that it is important to be polite, they haven’t got the brains to be in law enforcement. Acting in such a manner is indicative of someone who feels superior over citizens—as though the police are the rulers—and that we, the people, are their subjects.

Sounds like the Middle Ages to me.

Editor GULFPORT WELCOMING BOATERS I am a full-time, single-handed, female sailing cruiser and am currently visiting the city of Gulfport by water. First, I would like to commend the city government, citizens of Gulfport and, especially, the Gulfport Police Department for all that has been done to welcome visitors by water. The city’s dock and dinghy dock located at the Casino is fabulous. Most people would not understand that by having a dinghy dock, boaters are allowed to safely dock and visit your city. The alternative would be to run the dinghies (with motors) on to shore, which damages the sea grass beds and endangers the swimmers.

The Gulfport Police and Marine Patrol have been wonderful. Have they stopped me and questioned the safety of my dinghy, or the proper registration of my sailing yacht?

Absolutely. If I am operating my vessel in a safe and legal manner, then the Marine Patrol are properly doing their jobs. They have been nothing but polite and courteous.

The convenience of all the restaurants, laundromat, TLC Grocery Store, Gulfport Hardware (where I am constantly buying supplies) and Gulfport Bicycle Shop (where I have my bicycle serviced) is wonderful and something for the citizens of Gulfport to be proud of.

Two young boys went onto the dinghy dock and stole my 2.5 Evinrude 2-stroke dinghy motor this past week. The Gulfport Police responded quickly, efficiently and have kept me fully informed. I still do not have my motor back, but I have faith that the Gulfport Police are doing all that is humanly possible to obtain and return my little motor.

Even though this recent theft has left me a little disappointed, I wanted to take the moment (at your local library utilizing the Internet) to express my appreciation and gratitude to the citizens of Gulfport, city mayor, council members and, especially, to the Gulfport Police Department for the wonderful environment on the water that you have created and maintain. It is truly an asset to your city and know that we, the full-time cruisers in Boca Ciega Bay, are here to spend our money in your establishments with great joy.

With my greatest gratitude…

Donna Jean Thomas, Byrd’s Pride (Lil Byrd, the dinghy) Hunter 27 AND MORE PRAISE FOR GULFPORT Just a short note about Gulfport. The Gulfport Police seem 12

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to have stopped the harassment toward the sailboats and become, at least to me, an outstanding law enforcement agency living up to the serve-and-protect theory. I would like to commend the Gulfport Police Department. for their work regarding their changing philosophy toward sailors and hope they will continue enforcement of boating safety and courtesy. We’ve always been quick to condemn, so I thought it appropriate

to give praise when it’s due.

Gary Bence Donna and Gary, Thank you for the letters. It is always great to hear of good treatment by a community toward boaters—especially about Gulfport as it has been struggling with its attitude and treatment of boaters for a long time, especially those who visit from out of the area.

Editor

A further note: I e-mailed Donna for more information, and she told me that she is a full-time cruiser and that she knew that the Gulfport Marine Patrol had a reputation of harassing boaters, but that, according to another boater she spoke to in the bay (she called this rumor only), there was a raft-up of several boaters and that the marine patrol harassed them, but one of the boaters happened to be an attorney who spun a letter off to the city outlining the error of its ways and illegality of its actions.

Donna spoke directly with Det. Sgt. Burkhart, who is in charge of the marine patrol, and he told her that the patrol wanted to improve its relationships with the fulltime cruisers. She said she believed it is honestly attempting to heal relations with the boating community and now appreciate the money that they spend in the community.

I was also told by others that there are people in the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce who have been working at improving boater relations in recent months and that that has made a big difference.

There has also been a local boaters group which has worked at promoting a more boater-friendly atmosphere for years, and I believe their efforts, as frustrating as they have been, have finally proven successful.

I wish them all success and thank those who have worked hard over the years in promoting boater interests and treatment.

Editor DON’T BUY NOISY WIND GENERATORS I have been a boatbuilder and cruiser for 37 years. What I am writing about is certain brands of wind generators. I have cruised all over the Gulf Coast, Keys, East Coast, Chesapeake, Bahamas, and both sides of the Caribbean. I can’t count the number of times that—while at anchor—I have been stuck down below in sweltering heat, when I would love to enjoy the relative comfort of my covered cockpit. The reason I have had to do this is the incessant wshishhh…ccccccc… ssssss—a noise like a loud, highpitched, weed whacker!—that I hear from some of these wind generators.

It is incredible how far this sound travels. Models and brands vary between totally silent, for some small ones, to a slight whirr that can be heard for about 75 feet for others. I know they claim the new models are quieter, but that was the previous claim about its predecessor. The last See LETTERS continued on page 14

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LETTERS model of one of them could easily be heard for 1/4 mile!

Most anchorages aren’t large enough to just move farther away. If this one model I know about is only half as loud as the old one, that means I have to move about 700 feet. This is more than 10 times the socially acceptable range of the other wind generators. Sure, this one brand’s new model is efficient, and a bit cheaper, but they are as antisocial as barking dogs on deck, screaming fights, excessively loud boom boxes, and Jet Skis zipping full speed in and out of an anchorage.

Sure, people have different sensibilities about what is or is not acceptable in an otherwise quiet anchorage. I contend that the vast majority of us go to beautiful, serene anchorages for the scenery and the silence!

I think most folks who buy these wouldn’t buy them if they knew ahead of time how far the sound travels, and how obnoxious the sound is. I have friends who got stuck with these, and they solved the problem by only using them at sea, or only using them in an anchorage after folks have retired “down below” for the night.

Another point... Having installed alternate energy systems on all three of the boats that I built and cruised on since the ’70s, solar panels are generally a better way to go, IF you have a spot for them. When not at sea but in the protected anchorages we look for and spend 99 percent of our cruising time, solar can give you all or most of your energy 80 percent or more of the time, while wind gives you WAY more than you need 20 percent of the time, and NO Energy the other 80 percent. If you have one large 110W panel on top of your davits, that alone would give about 25 AH/day. If you also mount a wind generator nearby, the shading from the generator does more harm than good. (Panels are sensitive to shading.) When I went from three panels and a wind generator, to four panels without the wind generator, I went from an energy deficit most of the time to only when I do overnighters. Now, during that one percent of the time that I do overnighters, I crank the engine (with a standard 55A alternator) for 45 minutes or so, just before sunup when the batteries are lowest. Then I bring them halfway back and let the solar do the rest during the day. The other 99 percent of the time spent at anchor, I’m 100 percent alternate energy.

For folks who do choose to use wind generators, please pass on that the small Areo Gen, Amp Air, LMV etc. are silent... while ALL of the other larger, more powerful units, are tolerably quiet. Some of the other noisier brands and their clones are in a class by themselves for being antisocial. The noise travels from 10 to 30 times as far.

This is ruining cruising for a lot of us. You wouldn’t believe the number of the noisy ones out there we run into regularly. Please advise your readers to research these wind generators and stay away from the noisy ones.

Mark and Mariam Johnson Delphys As a policy, SOUTHWINDS does not publish the names of the noisy generators that were mentioned in this letter but only refer to them as certain “brands” or “models.” We hope this letter will inform people to not purchase the noisy models that can ruin a quiet place to stay and to keep this as a top priority when making a purchase.

Editor

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

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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EVENTS & NEWS

OF INTEREST TO

SOUTHERN SAILORS

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

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

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

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

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

EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING Monthly Boating Safety Courses 2008 Schedule in Ft. Pierce, FL Boating safety course designed for the recreational boater, to encourage safety on the water. This one-day boating course emphasizes safety on the water to enhance the boating experience and to increase confidence on the water. The course is state of Florida approved for those 21 and under to obtain their Florida state boaters license. Dates in 2008 are July 19, Aug. 16, Sep. 13, Oct. 18, Nov. 15. Classes are

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

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usually very full; call and reserve space on the preferred program date. $36 (+ $10 for each additional family member).

Courses are held from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Flotilla 58 Coast Guard Auxiliary Building 1400 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce FL. Call (772) 579-3395 Stephanie, or (772) 321-3041 Gary, or e-mail stephcgaux@hotmail.com.

Coast Guard Auxilliary Boating Courses Jacksonville, FL Safe Boating Saturdays. Captains Club, 13363 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville. June 7, July 26.

Meets Florida legal requirements for boater education.

Most insurance companies offer discounts to program graduates. Mike Christnacht. (904) 502-9154. www.uscgajaxbeach.com, Ongoing – Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs.

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

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

(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 infor-

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mation plus basic piloting; charts, course plotting, latitude/longitude and dead reckoning. Satisfies Florida’s under age 21 boater requirements. (727) 867-3088. Other courses continuously offered. (727) 565-4453. www.boating-stpete.org.

Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 11-1) Public Boating Programs America’s Boating Course, weekend course, two lessons—July 12-13. Sailing Course, Aug. 11,12,14.

For more information on upcoming education programs or to request a free vessel safety check, call (727) 4698895 or visit www.a0701101.uscgaux.info. Click on Public Education Programs. America’s Boating Course and other courses regularly posted on the Web site.

North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort, NC Ongoing adults sailing programs. Family sailing. 2-6 people; 2-6 hours. Traditional skiffs or 30 foot keelboat. $50$240. www.ncmm-friends.org, maritime@ncmail.net, (252) 728-7317. Reservations/information: call The Friends’ office (252) 728-1638 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.

new highway still has two lanes, but they and the shoulders are wider—plus a barrier separates the two lanes. Previously, there were passing lanes scattered every few miles, but they were very dangerous as many came down to the Keys late at night or returned late at night—often after drinking rum runners and other assorted beverages. Drivers will now get a great view from atop the bridge as they enter the Keys. Boaters will have the same old view from the water—without waiting for the bridge to open.

US Sailing Offers Financial Aid to Young People to Take Up Sailing US Sailing recently announced financial ad to help young people who are interested in US Sailing clinics or championships. Target youth for the program should be between the ages of 10 and 13. US Sailing is hoping to help about 100 sailors during the program, which runs till the end of 2009.

Grants will be from $100 to $500. Sailing organizations are encouraged to nominate deserving young sailors.

Applications can be processed online at www.ussailing.org, by sailors or parents and others. Type in “sailorship” in the search box to go to the application.

■ NEWS

New Bridge Over Jewfish Creek in Key Largo Opens for Memorial Day Weekend Boats will no longer have to wait for the bridge to open at Jewfish Creek in Key Largo. It has taken two decades of planning and six years of construction to widen the 18-mile stretch of highway that runs from Florida City to Key Largo.

Replacing the old opening bridge with a 65-foot clearance new bridge—which cost $93-million—was one of the major accomplishments of the project. Reasons for the reconstruction of the highway was for better evacuation out of the Florida Keys during a hurricane, increasing safety along this stretch that has caused many accidents and elimination of an opening bridge, which caused problems during hurricanes and heavy road traffic times—often backing up vehicles for miles.

Although construction still continues on the bridge road, boats can now pass under the bridge without waiting.

Roadwork on the bridge will be completed in October. The News & Views for Southern Sailors

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Monroe County Sheriff’s Department Admits Mistake in Announcing Open Alcohol Containers on Boats are Illegal The Monroe County (Florida Keys) Sheriff’s Department caused a near riot/panic/secession in May when it announced that the county’s open container law applied “on a public street, in a car or on the water.” This would have applied, as in a car, to passengers and the operator of a boat. Many boaters and others questioned the department about the announcement, since boaters have believed for years that open containers were not only allowed on boats, but that it was legal for the passengers and the boat operator to drink onboard. The department apologized a week later, saying they misspoke and that there is no open-container law on a vessel.

Rumor has it the Conch Republic was again discussing secession.

Florida groups, or any of the regional cruising groups, click on the “Regional Groups” button on the Web site at www.mtoa.net or contact Robbin Seal at Robbin2275@gmail.com, or Susan Wigginton at sawigginton@comcast.net.

Operation Tidy Bowl Sweeps Through the Florida Keys

Marine Trawler Owners Association Seeks Members

The Florida Keys Keynoter reported that the FWC, U. S. Coast Guard, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and other groups made a “sweep of harbors” around Key West in May, checking boats to see if they were compliant with boating laws—especially boat sanitation requirements.

Although the “sweep” also checked boats for proper lights, safety equipment and registration, the purpose of the inspections was really to get boats to observe the requirements for human waste disposal on boats, hence the name “Operation Tidy Bowl.”

About half a dozen patrol boats checked moored and anchored boats in the area at various locations around Key West. There was no forewarning of the inspections as the FWC believes it is not necessary, since the laws haven’t changed in at least 10 years and everyone should know what is required.

The paper reported that the FWC said that many boats

If you own a trawler, dream of owning one, or just want the trawler lifestyle, the Marine Trawler Owners Association (MTOA) puts trawler owners together and offers information for the trawler lifestyle. Tips on boat maintenance and handling skills as well as cruising anecdotes are in the quarterly magazine as well as the members list. Enjoy the best of boating times at rendezvous throughout the year. To learn more about the MTOA, or for information on the southwest

Great Barrier Reef Discovered Read in many newspapers across the country on June 11, 2008, in what many label as the “Today in History” section: “Capt. James Cook discovered the Great Barrier Reef off Australia by running onto it.” This happened in 1770 on the ship Endeavour.

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did not have their through-hulls properly sealed or handles removed as required by law. Other boats had engines that did not work, so they obviously could not take them in for pump-out.

Law enforcement is planning to continue the sweeps in the coming months in the Middle Keys and Upper Keys. They intend to do these inspections about once a year.

There were no comments as to why law enforcement doesn’t inspect people’s residences on land in the same manner to see if people are doing everything legal in their homes.

There was also no comment on why they keep using house-cleaning terms like “tidy bowl” and “sweep” in describing the inspections.

SOUTHWINDS did hear reports that these inspections were done during the day—not at night like previous inspections in 2007—and that law enforcement acted very courteously.

BoatBlue—Web Site & Organization Hopes to Inform Boaters of Impending Boat Discharge Requirement BoatBlue is a coalition effort dedicated to educating the public and elected officials about the impact of the court-

ordered commercial shipping ballast water permitting system being implemented by September 2008 that will have a major impact on boaters.

The organization was founded by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) in joint partnership with the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.) in December 2006. The BoatBlue coalition has grown to include outdoor enthusiasts and conservation groups from a wide and diverse background, underscoring the importance of this issue and the need for Congressional action before the September 30, 2008, permitting system deadline.

Got to www.boatblue.org for more information and news about the upcoming deadline and related legislation.

Ocean Outfall Bill Provides Relief to South Florida Coral Reefs and Water Supply From Reef Relief On April 30, the Florida Legislature passed a bill to end a decade’s old practice of dumping poorly treated sewage off Florida’s southeast coast. The House of Representatives passed the Wastewater Disposal Bill (HB 7139), created earlier by the Senate (SB 1302), with just two days Articles Wanted About Southern Yacht Clubs, Sailing Associations and Youth Sailing Groups SOUTHWINDS magazine is looking for articles on individual yacht clubs, sailing associations and youth sailing groups throughout the Southern states (NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, TX (east Texas). Articles wanted are about a club’s history, facilities, major events and general information about the club. The clubs and associations must be well established and have been around for at least five years. Contact editor@Southwindsmagazine.com for information about article length, photo requirements and other questions.

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left in the session.

The bill requires all facilities that discharge domestic wastewater through ocean outfalls meet higher treatment requirements by December 2018, and achieve at least 60 percent reuse of the wastewater by 2025, prohibiting the practice beyond that date, except as a backup for certain situations. No new or expanded ocean outfalls will be allowed. While the majority of the state has reached 61 percent daily reuse, the southeast region, including Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Broward— where the six ocean outfalls are located—average only six percent reuse. Utilities in these three counties discharge over six-million gallons of sewage daily from six ocean outfall pipes near coral reefs and coastal beaches.

Sailboat Industry Does Better Than Expected in 2007 Trade Only recently reported that in a study put together by The Sailing Company (publishers of Cruising World, Sailing World and Power Cruising), sailboat manufacturers experienced a small five percent reduction in production. In an economy that is experiencing major cutbacks in many sectors, this was a welcome surprise, and many industry spokespeople rushed to give reasons for the small decline.

One reason might be that many boaters are going to sail instead of power, since sailboats burn such a small amount of fuel—not only because of sailing, but also because of how little fuel sailboats burn while motoring (one gallon an hour and a lot less on most boats). Others attributed the small decline to aging baby boomers who entered retirement with boating—and in many cases, sailboating—in mind when they retire.

Some segments of sailboat production even experienced

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increases in their numbers. An example is bigboat sales, which had an increase in 2007 of boats over 46-feet long. Those boats which had the largest decline were in the 20- to 40-foot range.

Statistics showed that entry-level boats—once in the 30-foot range—are now in the 40-foot range.

Multihulls experienced a 10 percent increase in production, making up about 20 percent of sailboat production.

Bareboat chartering suffered basically no decline in business but held to the same level, meaning they had a very good year considering a generally shaky economy.

Raritan Comes Out With New LectraSan/Holding Tank Combination Boaters can now rest assured that their onboard waste management system can be used anywhere they go. Legal in all waters, Raritan’s new Hold n’ Treat System combines the ElectroScan, a U.S. Coast Guard-certified Type 1 marine sanitation device (MSD), with a Type III 15-gallon holding tank.

The innovative Hold n’ Treat System is the first and only one of its kind for vessels under 65 feet.

Combining overboard treatment and holding-tank use, this versatile system stores waste when in sensitive or nodischarge areas. When sewage can be discharged, the waste transfer pump moves waste from the holding tank to the Type 1 MSD, where it undergoes treatment before it is safely and legally discharged, ending time-consuming trips to the pump-out station. A locking mode option prevents accidental discharge.

This complete U.S. Coast Guard-approved sanitation system satisfies discharge regulations for all U.S. waters and can be used on inspected or uninspected vessels. Installation of the “drop in place,” two-toilet sanitation system is simple and flexible. Ready to use, the system is pre-wired and plumbed. Users just connect the hoses from the toilet, vent and discharge.

Environmentally friendly, the Hold n’ Treat System treats waste to a level of 10 coliform bacteria per 100 ml of water, far exceeding current Type 1 standards. This can be compared to the 200 coliform that is considered safe for swimming water, as well as the 14 coliform allowed for water containing shellfish harvested for human consumption. The degree of water purity achieved by this system often surpasses that of the water in which the boat is floating, posing no detrimental effect to the environment. It also kills viruses without the use of harmful chemicals.

Extremely effective for its size, the Hold n’ Treat System measures just 26-1/4” L x 18-1/2” W x 18” H and can process 140 gallons of waste per week. Simple to clean and maintain, it’s available in both 12V and 24V DC. Suitable for the needs of all boaters, this sanitation system can be used in salt, fresh or brackish water. A separate salt feed pump is required to operate the system with fresh water toilets. www.southwindsmagazine.com

This inventive sanitation system has three settings: automatic, no-discharge and manual. They are displayed on an easy-to-operate LCD display screen. The screen also informs the user of the status of the system.

A tank level sensor and integrated control takes the worry out of boating, as it controls the system in the automatic mode. The level sensor is a non-contact type pressure sensor that does not require calibration. In the automatic mode, waste is treated at a low level, reserving the majority of the tank capacity for use in the no-discharge mode. In no-discharge mode the system monitors tank level, and a blinking red light and display alerts the user when the tank is full.

Raritan’s Hold n’ Treat System retails for $2,800.

Contact Raritan at (856) 825-4900, info@raritaneng.com, or go to www.raritaneng.com.

Broward County Considering Closing Some Bridges All Night Soundings magazine reported that Broward County is considering closing bridges on the New River in Fort Lauderdale during nighttime hours to save money in bridgetender salaries. These bridges are on waterways off the ICW and would not affect ICW navigation. The plans still require Coast Guard approval, and the Coast Guard is currently seeking input from the public, evaluation of the effect on businesses up the river and concerns of safety for boats that must use the tides to navigate the New River.

Since the tides go up and down at night as well as during the day, many boats would have to change their schedules until high tides occur at a convenient time during the day when the bridges would be open.

One of the major concerns is megayachts, which must often use high tide to navigate certain areas of the New River. Others affected would include fishing boats that need to leave early and other charter boats that take guests out on evening cruises. How this closing would affect sailboats was not reported, but there are many sailboats up the New River, which would be drastically affected because of deep keels requiring leaving with the tide.

The Coast Guard suggested one alternative of leaving the bridges permanently open during nighttime hours, since there are many alternatives for cars to take alternate routes. This was not well received by many in the area since so many more vehicles use these bridges compared to the number of boats that do. It is also expected that bicyclists would be against this plan, especially those who bicycle at night.

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

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THE 2008 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON June 1 - November 30 Early Storm Begins Hurricane Season 2008 Hurricane Experts Alter Their Seasonal Forecasts to Percentages

By Steve Morrell

T

ropical Storm Arthur formed off the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico on May 31—the day before the official opening of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm was downgraded to a tropical depression the next day. Except for the four people who died from flash flooding in Belize— and their families and friends—the storm was very minor and is not—as many people commonly believe—a harbinger for a strong season. In 2007, early storms brought warnings from fake soothsayers and mystics that it was going to be a bad storm year, and it was—kind of—but not nearly as bad as the weather forecasters and seers predicted—especially not for those living in the United States.

At this year’s BoatU.S. Hurricane Symposium (see last month’s issue), I was pleased to hear a rep from the National Weather Service say that each season is unique, and they really cannot predict how strong each year will be.

I have been saying this for years—basing my belief on the small number of years they have been using to spot trends that supposedly last for 20 to 30 years—all based on about 100-130 years of storm records (and that’s being generous).

I was also pleased to read that this year forecasters have changed their method of seasonal predictions to percentages—similar to my predictions I made last year on the likelihood of getting hit (aimed at boaters, of course).

NOAA’s (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) predictions—done as percentages after some dismal predictions in recent years, are the following:

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90 percent chance of a near-normal to above-normal season 65 percent chance of an above-normal season 10 percent chance of a below-normal season 60 to 70 percent chance of 12 to 16 named storms, and six to nine hurricanes, with two to five major hurricanes of at least Category 3 strength.

(A “normal” season has 11 named storms, including six hurricanes, of which two reach at least category three.)

Below are my predictions for boaters of the chances of getting hit—first published in June 2007.

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PHOTO BY CAPT. RON BUTLER

HURRICANE TIP —

Securing Jack Stands Under a Boat

2008 Morrell Hurricane Predictions for Boaters Below are my predictions for boaters. You can use these predictions every year for the rest of your life.

Winds From 39 to 73 mph, up to 4 feet of surge (Tropical Storm) High probability: from a direct hit or from the outer bands of a stronger storm. Easy to prepare your boat for.

Winds From 74 to 95 mph, 4-5 feet of surge (Category 1) Good probability: from a direct hit or from the outer edges of a stronger storm. Easy to prepare your boat for.

Winds From 96 to 110 mph, 6-8 feet of surge (Category 2) Reasonable chance: from a direct hit or from the outer edges of a stronger storm. Easy to prepare your boat for.

Ron Butler always writes useful articles. In the article on dry storing a boat in hurricane season (SOUTHWINDS, January, February March 2008 issues, Parts I-III), he gave tips on using boric acid or formaldehyde. Those sovereign remedies of my mother gave me a roach-free childhood in South Florida and bug-free boats for 35 years of tropic cruising.

I’d like to add to his jack stand policy. For years, I chained the jack stands together. Some jack stands even have slots with which to hang the chain such that you get to within a link’s length of tautness. The day after Hurricane Hugo, I toured a yard that lay 30 miles off Hugo’s track. Almost all the boats with chained jack stands had disastrously gone down in all sorts of directions.

Hurricanes can spawn micro tornadoes distributed randomly and strangely oriented. While the boat gets rocked just a millimeter off the pad of a jack stand, forcing the boat onto its opposite number, a vicious counter swipe of right-angled wind can snatch down the freed jack stand in a twinkling. No need for epilogue. The boat goes down, if not instantly, with the fall of the next jack stand.

Since 1989 (when Hugo struck), I have supplemented the yard’s mandated chains with sections of 3/4-inch 3-strand nylon rode twisted with a Spanish windlass, a stave used to wind tight together two runs of the same line. While set tightly with all your might, the nylon gets even tighter as it gets wet.

Bruce Van Sant, Luperón, Dominican Republic

Winds From 111 to 130 mph, 9-12 feet of surge (Category 3) Small chance: from a direct hit or from the outer edges of a stronger storm. Easy, but even more preparation work required. You will likely suffer some damage, but you can minimize it enough that you can take your boat sailing after you put the sails back on.

Winds From 131 to 155 mph, 13-18 feet of surge (Category 4)—or above 155 mph, 18 feet and up surge (Category 5) Very small chance: from a direct hit or category 4 winds from the outer edges of a category 5 storm. This will take a lot more prep work, but possible to survive with not too much damage if you are prepared and get lucky at the same time.

If you don’t prepare and get lucky, it will be as if you didn’t get lucky, so prepare and hope for luck. If it’s a strong storm and lots of surge and you take everything off the boat you can, you will have that stuff, like sails and canvas and miscellaneous gear, for your next boat.

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OUR WATERWAYS Tampa Bay Marina is fighting to survive.

Photo by Allison Thatcher.

Tampa Marina Fights for Survival

By Steve Morrell Tampa Bay Marina, one of the oldest marinas in Tampa, FL, is fighting for its survival ever since a local resident began to complain about the barges and tugboats that are docked at the marina. The marina, started in the ’40s, was the first marina on the east side of Old Tampa Bay near the Howard Frankland Bridge. It was started by Howard Frankland. It is now also the last marina in the area as all others have closed. The marina has 75 slips, most of which are for sailboats (about 85 percent).

A local resident who built and moved into his home about two years ago is trying to shut the marina down because of barges and tugboats that are docked at the marina. The resident, who has a home on a nearby canal, can see the barges and tugboats across the street and across another lot (which is on the water across from the marina) from his home. The marina is obviously in an industrial area on all sides except the residential side. Some of the barges and tugboats are owned by the marina owner and some by a company that is doing repair work on the Howard Frankland Bridge. The barges owned by the construction company are expected to be there till early 2009 while the bridge is being repaired.

According to the assistant marina manager, Allison Thatcher, who is the granddaughter of the man who bought the marina from Howard Frankland in 1960, the resident is complaining about the barges, claiming they would be dangerous in a hurricane, but actually he is complaining that he has to look at them although his home, completed about two years ago, was built at least 50 years after the marina was built. Thatcher also says the resident is now trying to 30

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shut the marina down claiming a legal technicality. The resident has now banded together with the Beach Park Homeowners’ Association in his neighborhood to fight to close the marina. The marina had the backing of the city, which stated the marina was legal, but the variance board moved in favor of the homeowners. Now the case goes to the Tampa City Council.

Local government has backed the marina, not only because it believes the marina owners have legal rights, but it also knows that marinas have been closing and slips in the area have been disappearing. But the complaining resident and the HOA have money and lawyers.

Thatcher is asking residents in the area to support the marina interests when the case comes up in front of the City Council by showing up in person at the meeting on August 7 at 1:30 p.m.

To contact Thatcher, e-mail her at allison-imperial @tampabay.rr.com, or call her office at (813) 514-9975, or her cell phone at (813) 601-5007.

Wag Bag Legality Runs Afoul of the Law—Well, Maybe

By Steve Morrell I received several letters in response to my article on Wag Bags last month. All were in general agreement with me, with some exceptions. I also want people to understand that Wag Bags have no official recognition as an approved MSD, but then neither does a holding tank. It is all a matter of interpretation and acceptance by law enforcement of the existing federal law. I would like to remind everyone that my article is almost all quotes from the federal regulations, Florida law and from a University of Florida law school paper that is an opinion on the laws. In my opinion, it is obvious that Wag Bags can qualify as a Type III MSD since the Code of Federal Regulations states that a “Type III marine sanitation device means a device that is designed to prevent the overboard discharge of treated or untreated sewage or any waste derived from sewage.”

Unfortunately, I think we have some law enforcement individuals who have not yet grasped this—for several reawww.southwindsmagazine.com

sons. First and foremost, it is probably because people get stuck in the thinking that now exists that a Type III MSD is a holding tank, and new ideas that come along take time to be implemented.

The CFR’s definition is broad and has only one real intent: To keep people from dumping untreated sewage overboard. The law does not get any more specific than this, and I believe that whoever set this law up was very wise in keeping it open for new ideas and interpretations, and it is up to those in law enforcement, the public and all boaters to keep this in mind. Nowhere does anyone ever say that a Type III MSD is a holding tank. Other laws, particularly state laws, want a working toilet installed on many boats, but they still state it should be connected to a Type III MSD. A Wag Bag, or similar device should be considered “installed” and connected to a toilet when it is in place.

People are finding these bags a more desirable alternative to a holding tank, and law enforcement should recognize that the broad definition of a Type III MSD set up in the federal regulations easily includes them.

But the bottom line is this: The more Wag Bags are accepted, the less people will be dumping into our waters— and that is what matters. I heard comments from some that there are some law enforcement people who say that boaters might throw these Wag Bags overboard or that they might break. We can’t be governed by those who think a device could be used in a bad manner. We’d all be in jail if that was the criterion for a product or device.

I then heard of law enforcement officers who say the bags can’t be used as a portable toilet as they aren’t built according to the definition of a portable toilet. I’ll certainly agree to that, but I guarantee there isn’t one boater out there who looks at a Wag Bag as a portable toilet—as though one could sit on or over it and use it like a toilet. A Wag Bag could be put in a portable toilet, making it easier to empty (ever try to carry a full portable toilet off the boat and down the dock and empty it?), or it can be placed in an installed toilet for waste storage to be dumped later—perfectly fitting the definition in the federal law of a Type III MSD. Instead of wondering whether people will throw Wag Bags over the side or if they will tear, I would think that law enforcement would be advocating their use, not questioning it.

Wag Bags are a great solution to a problem we have all faced on boats, and they will help clean our waters and prevent overboard discharge. They should be a welcome addition to the solution to the boat waste problem.

And believe me. Everyone is going to do whatever they can to make sure a bag of shit onboard their boat is not going to break.

called O.P. Saks, that contain this smell. These bags have a Ziploc-like closure on them. I tested these bags thoroughly for one week with a used Wag Bag in them (solid waste times three) and the odor never came through even placing your nose next to the bag. They definitely do the job.

These bags are more commonly used to contain food odors in the wild to keep wild animals, like bears, from smelling the food in them and going hungrily through your belongings. They were also designed to contain and control odor from human waste. I read complaints that these bags could tear or the Ziploc-like closure would open—a real problem no matter what the contents but really important if human waste is in them. Personally, I have always found Ziplocs do come open if you move them around too much— they aren’t designed for that. I therefore suggest you use a device called a Clip-n-Seal to seal the bags shut. They are very well made and worked extremely well in my test.

I strongly suggest you close up the O. P. Sak after removing the Wag Bag—immediately—because the inside odor from the Wag Bag is extremely bad. I threw some coffee grounds inside the O.P. Sak I tested. After one day, the smell was gone.

My advice is to purchase the O.P. Sak in size 12.5” x 20” and also purchase a 14-inch-long Clip-n-Seal to seal it with.

Two or three used Wag Bags can be placed in one O.P. Sak. It can then be reused to offset the expense. I would place the Saks with the Wag Bags in them in another bag or solid container to protect them, and we now have a working system for used Wag Bag storage.

These O.P. Saks are good enough, with just their own Ziploc-like closure, to be waterproof up to a couple of hundred feet, so they could be very useful to use as a dry bag to move things ashore. I would never suggest using one for anything but human waste after it was used once for that purpose. I suggest that one use the Clip-n-Seal with it, though. You can purchase O. P. Saks at www.opsak.com (800-355-1126), and Clip-n-Seal at www.clip-n-seal.com (206-399-7036). (Southwinds will possibly be selling these along with the Wag Bags in the future.)

You can also use these bags when you go backpacking in bear country. I am also hoping that someone will make an O.P. Sak big enough to stick a holding tank into, because they work a lot better than all the holding tanks I’ve been around.

Solution Discovered for the USED Wag Bag Smell

By Steve Morrell I received complaints of the smell a used Wag Bag has and that it can be quite extreme. I found some odor-proof bags, News & Views for Southern Sailors

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CAROLINA SAILING Kekoa, at anchor in Charleston, SC, awaits her sails and final complement of deck hardware.

Boatbuilding With Lost Trades

By Dan Dickison

B

oatbuilding—the traditional kind—is a time-honored trade that lends authenticity and flavor to any community, coastal or otherwise. Name a sailing destination and it’s likely that some defining style of boat was or still is built in those parts. Bugeyes and Skipjacks are icons of the Chesapeake region. Friendship sloops are emblematic of the rugged coast of Maine. Bahamian sloops are unmistakably, well, Bahamian. And in the waters around Charleston, SC, you have the Sea Island One Designs, what some locals lovingly call “potato barges” due to their squarish shape and lines indirectly descended from the agrarian workboats that were common here in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

What you almost always find woven into the fabric of a boatbuilding community are genuine individuals. These folks tend to build boats inspired by their own adventurous desires, and most often, they build boats that last. These are almost always people who cut against the grain in a refreshing way. They’re resourceful, resilient, and usually selfmade. Joshua Slocum, the world’s first solo circumnavigator, comes to mind. Though he is remembered more for his sailing exploits than the boats he built, he did indeed construct or restore at least two significant vessels, and both with very little in the way of resources at his disposal.

A more contemporary example would be Kenichi Horie, a sailor, adventurer, and erstwhile boatbuilder who, as of this writing, is making his way from Hawaii to his native Japan aboard a 31-foot catamaran powered solely by the motion of the waves. This will be the 69-year-old Horie’s ninth solo passage across the Pacific, and each time he has set to sea, it has been aboard some kind of odd boat, usually built with recycled materials.

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Not too many weeks ago, another unusual catamaran was launched in Charleston, SC. The primary builders— two brothers—certainly fit the Slocum/Horie-esque mold, though both would blanch at their mention in such vaunted company. Transplanted Vermonters, Jamison and Ryan Witbeck adapted a Jim Brown Sea Runner design for their 50-foot catamaran Kekoa. Despite its gleaming silver topsides and cabin house, this vessel isn’t really that unusual in appearance, but when you delve into its purpose, as well as its construction and finish details, the distinguishing characteristics begin to stack up.

Kekoa is, first of all, a wooden boat, built primarily of Okume plywood laminated with epoxy. The Witbecks, who operate professionally as a venture they call Lost Trades, bill

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The Witbeck brothers: Kyle, Ryan and Jamison, at the temporary boatshed where they built their first 50-foot catamaran Allura.

themselves as “low-tech builders” who employ advanced, composite concepts and sustainable materials where possible. (Fifteen percent of all the wood in this boat came from tree farms instead of old growth forests, and the brothers sourced low-VOC epoxy as well.) Jamison points out that the steps leading into each hull are fashioned from laminated bamboo. Though the lumber carries a five-year warranty, and the Witbecks sealed these parts with epoxy for extra insurance, they say the jury is still out on bamboo as a proven material for marine applications.

Both brothers credit much of their outlook regarding boatbuilding to Mark Bayne, a local shipwright and boatbuilder known primarily as the guy who brought the Spirit of South Carolina tall ship to life. Jamison and Ryan each

News & Views for Southern Sailors

apprenticed under Bayne, and that gives credibility to their assertion that Kekoa was built to last. “This boat could easily be around for over 150 years,” says Ryan, alluding to hulls that are nearly an inch thick. His certainty is also born of experience. The first 50-foot catamaran that the brothers built—almost six years and thousands of sea miles ago—has yet to exhibit even a minor stress crack, he claims.

The Witbecks are planning for Kekoa to carry an inventory of black sails. But don’t read carbon fiber into that. This is a daysailing/cruising boat, and the cloth that the brothers ultimately managed to locate—nine-ounce Dacron—comes from a manufacturer of wheelchair seats.

A further quirk of Kekoa’s appearance can only be seen at night. The builders procured a powdered substance that

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CAROLINA SAILING

Jamison Witbeck explains some of the construction details on board the recently launched Kekoa, a 50-foot cold-molded catamaran that he and his brothers built.

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glows blue in the dark after it has been exposed for a period of time to natural light. They added that to the deck paint. So, when the sun goes down, and the ambient light is low, the non-skid sections of this catamaran emit a sparkly, blue luminescence. “We wanted the boat to have a presence at night, and we’re also experimenting with alternative signage, perhaps with marketing applications,” explained Jamison.

“We intentionally finished the boat in glossy silver so that it would be noticeable,” continues the eldest brother, “and so that it would really make people think and be surprised to find out that it’s made of wood. It’s amazing to see their change of attitude when you tell them that we’re a family, and that we built this boat ourselves, and then that it’s made of wood. When you say that last piece, it just seals the deal.”

Kekoa is currently for sale. Whether a new owner comes along or not, the boat is likely destined for work as a head boat, taking groups and individuals out on daysailing excursions. She was designed with a capacity for 70 passengers, say the brothers, and many elements of her design can be traced back to the five years that the Witbecks spent running eco-oriented daysails in the U.S. Virgin Islands aboard Allura, the first 50-foot cat they built.

“Our hope is that this boat won’t end up as a typical head boat,” says Ryan. “We’d like for it to end up as a platform for education, and that has a lot to do with what Lost Trades is about.” This venture, he explains, has always been about learning through doing, but it is now morphing into a more formal entity that will support and promote lifelong learning. “The mission we’re on is to inspire people for social and environmental change. We don’t just want (Lost Trades) to be a school and we don’t just want the boat to take folks out for a sunset cruise and rum punch.”

The Lost Trades ethos, offers Ryan, is represented in this new boat. “We are emulating the past in building a wooden boat, but we’re also utilizing the future in the technology (vacuum bagging) and some of the materials…One objective we have is to dispel the notion that wooden boats amount to a lot of maintenance. This boat is set up to last much longer than we will live, and it should be relatively easy to maintain.”

To demonstrate how traditional methods can complement new methodologies, both brothers offer an anecdote from the recent launch of Kekoa. They had to move the 20,000-pound catamaran a half mile from their temporary boatyard to a crane near the Cooper River. So, the brothers laid out skids using old boards, and employed their two biodiesel-powered trucks to tow the vessel. What made the boat move so easily, they say, is bananas. That’s right. One hundred sixty pounds of rotten bananas—one of the best natural lubricants around—were used so that the boat would slide along the skids. “We used trucks running on chicken fat and threw down rotten bananas for grease,” jokes Jamison, “what’s more sustainable than that?”

Kekoa is one of at least six large catamarans that have been built in or around Charleston in the past decade, but certainly she is the most distinctive. The Witbecks hope to have the new sails on board soon, and initiate some test sails by early July. When that happens, they’re certain to turn more than a few heads. And, if all goes well, they’ll even change a few minds over time.

You can find more information on Lost Trades, including a short film about the building of Kekoa, at www.losttrades.com. www.southwindsmagazine.com

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COOKING ONBOARD

It’s a No-Beaner!

Cooking With Beans

By Robbie Johnson

N

o sailor worth his salt sets to sea without some dried beans in the galley stores. But I’ve noticed U.S. sailors tend to buy canned beans more often than not, and I wonder why. Dried beans are cheap, take up little galley storage space, and if stored in airtight jars will keep “fresh” for months. Meanwhile, the canned beans are rattling and rusting away in the bilge, or taking up a bunch of cabinet space. They require a can opener to use them, and are expensive to purchase.

I think some sailors are under the impression that dried beans have to be soaked a day ahead of their use, and that they take a long time to cook, and what sailor wants to fool with that? The good news is that beans don’t have to be soaked overnight, and they can be ready to eat in little more than 15-20 minutes if cooked in a pressure cooker. Or if the beans are to be used as an ingredient in a cooked dish, they can be prepared by simply boiling them in water or broth for five minutes or so, covered and allowed to sit for an hour. Now they can be used as called for in the recipe.

But maybe it’s the issue of taste that keeps dried beans so low on the sailor’s shopping list. If beans are not prepared right, they can be tough and tasteless. Maybe the answer lies in learning a little bit more about how to turn these hearty and nutritious legumes into palate pleasers.

Did you know that pound for pound beans have more energy and nutritional value than just about any other food? And they’re loaded with complex carbohydrates including sugar.

When those cold, nasty northers begin to blow this winter and you’re beating across the Stream in steep seas, a bowl of hot bean soup will be worth more to you than a new Rolex watch. There are few rules to preparing bean dishes, but they must be followed religiously to be successful: (1) never add salt to a bean dish until the cooking is almost done, or the beans will turn out tough; (2) if you boil beans their skins may burst, so it’s better to simmer them over low heat; (3) always keep the beans covered in water while cooking them, and improve the flavor by cooking them in a broth or bouillon water, or with a chunk of salt pork; (4) after cooking, allow the beans to sit for an hour to cool before serving. Finally, there are many different kinds of beans, and it’s important to match up the right kind of bean to the dish you’re preparing. I explain all of that in my cookbook, Gourmet Underway – A Sailor’s Cookbook. In the meantime, try this guaranteed winner the next time you’re bound for Bimini trying to outrun a norther:

The galley on board Robbie Johnson’s Tahiti Ketch, Tahiti Rover

White Bean & Escarole Soup 3 cups cooked, drained beans 3 quarts beef broth 1 cup onion, diced 5 slices smoked bacon 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 bay leaves 1 large head of escarole Use the quick-soak method to prepare the beans. Cut bacon into 1-inch pieces. Combine all ingredients except the escarole, salt and pepper, in a large skillet and bring to a quick boil then reduce heat and simmer for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cut escarole coarsely and stir into soup to simmer for about 8-10 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat, remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning, then serve. Makes about 16 cups.

Note: If you’ve just read this article and have only canned beans on board at the moment, drain their canning liquid in a colander, then rinse them with cold water and drain again. Add the beans to the pot along with the other ingredients except the escarole and seasonings. Reduce the initial cooking time from 35 minutes to about 15-20 minutes and definitely don’t bring to a boil or the beans will just go mushy. You’ll still have a great meal!

Robbie Johnson has cruised and lived aboard sailboats for many years. He is the author of Gourmet Underway, a book of onboard cooking techniques and recipes. He lives on his Tahiti ketch, Tahiti Rover, in Florida. For more information and to order his book, go to www.gourmet-underway.com.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS July 2008

35

TRAVELS WITH ANGEL

The Pleasures of Treasure Cay, Bahamas

By Rebecca Burg

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Fellow cruisers Tom and Babette on their sailboat Escape in Treasure Cay’s channel.

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he fat, furry moth fluttered out of the night and crashed into my forehead. I yelped, ducking too late.

The dizzy insect veered away, likely drawn to the colored lights behind us. My newfound friends were laughing.

“That thing needs running lights!” Someone quipped. We, a group of boaters from various ports, had discovered the social benefits of pizza night at the Tipsy Seagull Outdoor Bar and Grill in Treasure Cay. The locals also enjoyed this weekly treat, and whole families were out for the fun.

Part of Great Abaco Island, Treasure Cay is a laid-back Bahamian community that is very proud of its greatest attraction, the beach. This is the white sand wonder made famous in magazines like National Geographic and Caribbean Travel and Life. Some years ago, a movie, The Day of the Dolphin, was filmed here. Treasure Cay’s unique location allows for miles of powdered-sugar sand dunes to blanket its coast and sea floor. From the north, Angel took the Don’t Rock shortcut, a shallow pass marked by a scattering of lone-standing rock islets beyond the beach. Sand bars do shift here. Companion cruiser, Bill, and his ketch, Defiant, took the deeper route around Whale Cay. Unprotected by reef and open to the Atlantic’s whims, Whale Cay is passable in better weather and when there are no rage seas. A rage sea involves curling rows of steep waves that block access as they dramatically crash against Whale Cay in explosive geysers of spray. The Don’t Rock pass is usually unsafe in the presence of rage seas as well.

Angel read the shallowest spot at 4.5 feet, mid-tide, through Don’t Rock. I didn’t see the typical sprinkling of grass, shells or starfish below my keel. Just glittering dunes.

Because of the sand’s whiteness, it looked like Angel was sailing through a backyard swimming pool. The luminous, turquoise hue was so alluring that I wanted to immediately drop anchor and toss myself in. Luffing and loitering to gawk most of the way, I resisted that strange urge. Past the dark sentinel of Don’t Rock itself, Angel met up with Defiant. We motored through Treasure Cay’s dredged channel and a fellow cruiser, Escape, joined our convoy. Boats can anchor outside of Treasure if there are no strong winds from the northeast to southeast. Completely sheltered inside is the Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina, with 150 slips and a handful of moorings in the basin. For $10 a night at the time, we picked up moorings. There is a customs and immigration office here for new arrivals to the Bahamas.

Numerous shops and the famous beach are a short walking distance from the marina. Tom and Babette, from Escape, found two grocery stores. There was a modest selection of fresh vegetables and fruit, but those who enjoyed red meats were disappointed by the scarce pickings. The lone package of ham that Bill found had a pallid, grey cast to it. Next to the grocers, there’s a liquor store, café, bakery and a few gift shops. Nearby are tennis courts and an 18www.southwindsmagazine.com

hole golf course. Treasure Cay was named for the discovery of a fleet of 17 Spanish galleons that had wrecked off its shores during the 1500s. The ships, transporting riches purloined from the Americas, were overwhelmed in a storm. Scattered over the sea floor, a good portion of this lost cargo has not been found. It makes a beachcomber want to pay extra attention.

The second time Angel and Defiant wandered into Treasure Cay, we anchored on the outside.

At first, the jagged, steel carcass of a shipwreck near shore kept our sailboats circling at a distance like nervous horses.

We ended up anchoring too far from Treasure’s entrance.

After investigation with a dinghy, we found deeper areas not marked on the charts and were able to move closer. Bill and I used the dinghy to explore Sand Banks Harbour, a shallow lake-like area that nearly separates Treasure Cay

News & Views for Southern Sailors

from Great Abaco. Its hilly shores were mostly wild, dotted with a few cottages and local residences. Near the lake’s mouth, we eyeballed the rusted bones of that old shipwreck, afraid to get too close with Angel’s patch-riddled, inflatable dinghy. The nearby Big Lake Creek was explored for a fascinating, wilderness experience. We’d installed fresh batteries in the handheld VHF, but forgot to bring extra water. Thirst steered us back to civilization at the Tipsy Seagull.

Thus, we learned about Thursday pizza night, a treat not easily found in the out islands. Other restaurants nearby also have weekly specials, barbecues and social events.

Tipsy Seagull’s historic nautical décor, swimming pool and landscape of exotic flowers made an exquisite setting for our humble pizza pies. I watched for wayward moths, and Bill spied a cat that was prowling along the ceiling’s wooden beams. Licking its whiskers, the furry pirate stopped and stared down at Bill. Mumbling something about cat drool, he protectively pulled his pizza closer. The critter padded off to find an easier target. We mingled with Bahamians and other boaters, conversations typically beginning with sharing of home ports and what kind of vessels we traveled in.

Locals, interested in meeting new faces, went out of their way to make us feel at home. Memories and friends were made, and once again, Angel and Defiant sailed onwards.

SOUTHWINDS July 2008

37

DOWNTOWN ADVENTURE:

Cruise to Tampa

By Ina Moody The Gasparilla Pirate ship used in the annual Gasparilla Invasion Festival in Tampa.

Marjorie Park Yacht Basin on Davis Island is part of the Tampa Parks and Recreation Department.

B

eing sailors and cruisers at heart, we use every opportunity to take off with Seawind for a weekend on the water. Therefore, when we learned that a friend was in physical therapy at Tampa General Hospital, we decided to visit by boat since Tampa General is located right on the waterfront on Davis Island.

The northern part of Tampa Bay is perhaps the least explored area by Florida west coast cruisers. There are several reasons for this. West of the Interbay Peninsula is Old Tampa Bay. This part is crisscrossed by bridges and causeways with low clearances. To the east of the peninsula is Hillsborough Bay with deepwater ports where a constant stream of large cargo vessels go in and out. In other words, northern Tampa Bay is not considered ratable as cruising grounds for pleasure boats. But we were on a mission, and looking in our Florida Cruising Directory (2006/07) we read:

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“On the Hillsboro River at the Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel, just south of Kennedy Boulevard, there’s about 200 feet of dock space (where electricity can be hooked up with ample advance notice – call 813-226-4411). No notice is needed for a short restaurant visit or even an overnight if no electricity is necessary.”

With this information we set out to visit our friend at Tampa General. We crossed under the Skyway at 0900 on a beautiful Saturday morning, setting a northeasterly course and a cruising speed of five to seven knots. Using the smokestacks at Port Sutton as our beacon, we pretty well followed the ship’s channel, which we crossed between the D and E cuts. At 82º 30’ we turned in a more northerly direction and crossed the Gadsden Point cut (the easterly arm of the Y in the ship’s channel). We entered Hillsborough Bay around noon and enjoyed a lunch on board, consisting of Neptune salad sandwiches washed down with cold beer, while watching Interbay Peninsula passing to our port. At 1300 hours we entered the Seddon Channel, which separates Davis Island from Hookers Point. A short distance up the channel, Sparkman Channel bears off to the right, but we hung left and within 15 minutes entered the boat basin that is home to the Gasparilla pirate ship. To our left loomed Tampa General Hospital. To our right was Harbour Island with its fancy restaurants and immediately ahead was the Tampa Convention Center.

Now came our first surprise. Just north of the pirate ship is a bascule bridge we needed to go under to get to the promised docks on Hillsborough River. We called the bridge tender several times, but got no response. Inching closer to the bridge, we saw a sign that informed us of a two-hour notice required in order to get an opening.

Duh…!! We whipped out our trusty cell phone and called the phone number listed in the Cruising Guide and were told that the docks “just south of Kennedy Boulevard” were closed for renovation until further notice. We looked at each other. We needed a Plan B, which turned out to be checking out the floating docks at the Convention Center.

There were no boats in any of the approximately 40 slips, so we pulled in and tied up and went in search of information. At the end of the ramp, we found what looked www.southwindsmagazine.com

like a minor post office box center. Each box had a slip number and a slot to stick docking money into. Apparently, this dockage was on the honor system, with a charge of $2 per foot! This was a little steep for us since we were only there for the afternoon, and being honorable people, we decided to move on to Plan C: Pull out, drop the anchor in the yacht basin and dinghy across to the hospital.

This turned out to be one of those good ideas that don’t work, because this far up the river, the bottom is all silted in.

After about six tries to get the hook to catch, we were about to give up when we noticed a smaller channel southwest of the pirate ship, where there was a row of docks with only a couple of boats tied up.

We suspected these docks were the old city docks because it must have been years since they last saw any maintenance. The electric boxes were all rustedout, frayed old lines hung on the pilings, and there were traces of frequent visits by birds. But the finger piers looked sturdy enough so we pulled in and tied up.

By now, we were coming up to 1500 hours and were running a little late. Each finger pier had a rusty gate, and since nobody was around, save a couple of homeless people enjoying the nice day on a bench right outside our slip, we got a chain-and-lock off one of our bikes and locked the gate behind us as we left for the hospital.

The hospital was about a 10-minute walk. We had a nice visit with our friend. The visit turned into supper at the cafeteria. Consequently, it was dark when we returned to Seawind. There was still nobody in sight, the two homeless people had left, and with no office to check into, we spent the night.

The next morning (Sunday), we left the sturdy old finger pier. We had spotted Marriott’s restaurant dock just east of the Convention Center and stopped for a hearty breakfast. Marriott has a regular row of slips across from Harbour Island. The dockmaster cited a price of $3.75 per foot for these slips. This was a little rich for our blood, besides the slips were located on the wrong side of a low bridge. Only the restaurant dock was accessible for sailboats or cruisers.

It was time to head homeward. Going south in the Seddon Channel, we passed Marjorie Park Marina. This is a nice city-operated marina with fuel (gas and diesel), dockside power, floating docks, pump-out facilities and showers. This looked nice enough to investigate on a future trip.

At the south end of Davis Island, we stopped long enough to check out the anchorage in the Seaplane Basin. This is a News & Views for Southern Sailors

wonderful anchorage, well protected and with good holding power. This is also the location of Davis Island Yacht Club, and if you are a member of the Council of Yacht Clubs, you can use their lounge and enjoy some libation while watching the sun shimmer on the waters of beautiful Tampa Bay. This was exactly what we did. We would have liked to have spent the night here, but we needed the afternoon to make it back down the bay, under the Skyway and south to our homeport of Bradenton. But we had spent another wonderful weekend exploring the many nooks and crannies of Florida’s west coast.

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39

The Real

Ole Florida in Tampa Bay

By Dave Ellis One day’s catch of snook on Quincy Street in Gulfport. On the left is a teenaged Bruce Ellis, the author’s father. On the right is Morris Ellis, the author’s grandfather.

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ueen Isabella mandated that Columbus not take slaves from the lands he visited, just a few “guests.”

Her consort Ferdinand had no such scruples, however. He clandestinely sent Amerigo Vespucci to see what he could come up with. On voyages in 1498 and 1502, he sailed from the Canary Islands in 37 days to present-day Honduras and then around the Gulf following the coast.

The west coast of Florida was a ready source of water, food and native people. Is it any wonder that later expeditions were met with such opposition?

What did Vespucci and then Juan Ponce de Leon, Narvaez and Hernando de Soto see when they looked at our coast?

Besides the lack of condos and homes, there was a fundamental difference in the appearance. Along the coast were cabbage palms, sea grapes and tall grasses like sea oats. There were great stands of impenetrable palmetto.

Australian pines were a much later import.

A little farther inland were low, gnarly oaks such as are found today on a few islands, such as Mullet Key’s north end. Caribbean buttonwood trees abounded. These were small-leaved bushes that had the misfortune of being great for making charcoal. So they are rare today. Cedar and cactus were on higher ground as well as many Florida slash pines.

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The very name of the county that includes St. Petersburg, Gulfport and Clearwater, Pinellas, is named after them.

Islands and low coasts were covered by red, white and black mangroves with natural “canals” kept open by alligators and tidal flow.

Passes from Tarpon Springs south to Marco Island have opened and closed countless times. Just in the past 100 years, nine have opened, four closed and five have done both.

Johns Pass on the Gulf barrier island near St. Petersburg was opened in the great hurricane of 1848. John Levique had built his hut in a place that he could easily get to from a deep channel on the bay side. Upon returning from New Orleans to deliver his second turtle harvest of the year, he found a great opening in the island where his hut once stood. Gone, too, was the $800 in gold from his first trip. So that’s why the old channel was there, John.

That pass had been there before. The small mangrove islands inside the pass were caused by spoil from the ancient pass. There are Indian burial sites from antiquity on them. The great mounds on the adjacent mainland bespeak of an opening. Otherwise, how would Narvaez have known to visit?

That hurricane of 1848 made the biggest changes to the coast. John Levique moved away after that, and Antonio Maximo abandoned the point. So did William Bunce, who had a fish farm on Bird Key off Maximo Point. This storm churned up the coast with its strong right side pushing a huge wall of water and wind. In what is now Panama City’s Shell Island there were dunes over 100 feet tall with huge oaks. They were nearly leveled.

Today we know Passage Key as a shoal between Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key at the entrance to Tampa Bay. Why was it called Passage Key? Because before the 1848 storm, it was a prominent island with dunes and oaks. It was the guide to the entrance to the bay. All that water exiting the bay after the storm reduced it to the sand bar it is today.

The very ocean has risen. There are ancient Indian settlements on the Gulf floor well offshore north of Tarpon Springs. Just in the past 200 years, the sea level has risen about 18 inches.

Old manuscripts and translations of buried pirate treaswww.southwindsmagazine.com

The author’s mother, Rita Ellis, digging a slip at the Gulfport Yacht Club in 1947.

ure describe a sandy beach and shell mounds that are now heavy with mangroves, obscuring the location.

There were many natural springs. Even in the 1950s, many neighborhoods had water constantly running down ditches from springs. Several springs offshore were so strong that small fishing boats from Havana could anchor in the upwelling and weather great waves that would break at the fresh water. Many of these springs have dwindled, some while the cross-Florida Barge Canal was being dug.

Fish and wildlife abounded. Visitors to downtown St. Pete in the late 1800s complained that all that fish jumping and commotion kept them awake at night. Great islands of bait and mullet—so thick that they looked like sand bars— were normal. The size of the grouper, sawfish, alligators and snakes would seem to be a great exaggeration if it were not for so many people reporting on their existence.

In the late 1940s, the area on Pinellas Point south of St. Pete city was a big woods. As kids, we often saw evidence of all sorts of animals, from Florida panther to bear and, of course, skunk. Shrimp and scallop were readily snatched from Boca Ciega Bay in a short time of hunting. Snook were plentiful during the Depression and a welcomed addition to the larder.

Commercial development has, of course, changed the coastline, too. The St. Petersburg waterfront ran in a straight line from Coffee Pot to Big Bayou. It was largely mangrove with a sandy bluff behind it that kids enjoyed jumping from. The railroad bridge had to be built well into the bay to get deep enough water for the mid-sized fishing vessels.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge causeway dramatically changed tidal flow in Tampa Bay. While the water once flowed through channels and over flats, now there are just two openings before the big span. An old chart shows other water flow channels that are blocked today. Bunces Pass is the greatest loser.

Today, use your imagination while cruising Florida’s west coast. Imagine no condo skyline, no Australian pines, no other boats.

If you see a few log canoes with some really tall, muscular guys with really big bows and long arrows paddling News & Views for Southern Sailors

toward you, be wary.

You’ve had several too many cocktails.

Dave Ellis has been sailing on Tampa Bay since childhood. His parents used to sail on Tampa Bay. His mother’s family starting visiting the area in 1909 and moved to Tampa Bay in 1917. His dad moved there in 1935. Dave ran the St. Petersburg Sailing Center for many years. He teaches sailing, writes and gives talks on the area’s history.

SOUTHWINDS July 2008

41

Time to“Pony up” Says US SAILING President

By Julie B. Connerley US SAILING President Jim Capron (at podium), GYA Commodore Ron Richards (PYC) and GYA Rear Commodore David Bolyard (Pontchatrain YC) at the GYA annual meeting on May 3 at the Pensacola Yacht Club. Photo by Julie Connerley.

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he 22 Gulf Yachting Association commodores representing their respective clubs at the annual meeting held May 3 at Pensacola Yacht Club heard from US SAILING President James B. “Jim” Capron.

The message? Time to “pony up” and support the association that governs the sport that organizes and administers the many programs that provide the level playing field out on the water as well as inside the protest room. US SAILING’s board met in Miami in January and has proposed an addition to Prescription 46, Person in Charge; Membership Requirement. The new prescription would mandate “that the person in charge and each helmsperson shall be members of US SAILING or their own national authority…”

“What we’re talking about are the competitive sailors,” Capron clarified, “those people who can steer around a racecourse. We would like them to be members.”

US SAILING’s rule would only apply to races above a certain level. “It is not our intention to require beginning sailors to be members, nor is it our intention to have this rule apply to racing at local clubs or sailing centers open primarily to their sailors.”

“From 2000 to 2007,” Capron began, “we have gone from 44,000 members to 34,000 members. Financially, that is a 1 or 2 or 3 percent erosion year after year.

“In 2007, we trained 1300 sailing instructors, issued 1700 offshore certificates, staged 18 national championships, hosted a one-design symposium, taught 1,000+ sailors safety-atsea seminars, sponsored 22 Junior Olympics, and still our membership numbers dropped,” he lamented.

Capron continued with a laundry list of 2008’s programs, including a new advertising program; 120 instructor courses that filter down to teaching others to instruct; a “sailorships” program that pledges $150,000 over the next three years for youth to attend qualified sailing events; a $32,000 grant pro-

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gram, and several governmental initiatives in the works. “We have already conducted 23 race official seminars and certified 40 new US SAILING officials,” he continued.

According to Capron, the Sports Act provides only two remedies to increase revenue: sanctioning fees, or making membership mandatory.

For the most part, US SAILING membership is required in two areas: youth events, and for judges who ensure the rules are followed. The majority of racers do not fall into either of those two groups.

Compounding Capron’s mission is that many feel their yacht clubs are already providing the same services that US SAILING says it provides. Combined with the fact that US SAILING has to spend 70+ per cent of its budget fulfilling Olympic obligations for sailors who may not even belong to the association, it is difficult to sell memberships to the average PHRF racer.

The 2009-2012 Racing Rules of Sailing are just about ready to be published. US SAILING doesn’t have much time to receive the comments it says it is looking for. Capron admits they must have a final board vote by June and finalize the prescriptions no later than July.

The Gulf Yachting Association’s executive committee was prepared to give Capron its comments immediately upon conclusion of his remarks. GYA Commodore Ron Richards of PYC read a resolution that stated, “The GYA agrees with the thinking that competitors who race on a regular basis should be members of US SAILING. The GYA is opposed to the adoption of the proposed prescription to rule 46 on the grounds that rule 75 effectively states that the organizing authority sets the requirements for entry. US SAILING may require membership for events for which it serves as the organizing authority, but not otherwise. The GYA believes adoption of the prescription will harm participation within the GYA jurisdiction and the GYA agrees to promote US SAILING membership by doing the following: at all GYA sanctioned events, asking on the registration form if the participants are US SAILING members; at the registration desk for these events, provide US SAILING information and application forms, and mail any completed forms to US SAILING during the competitors’ meeting for these events, talk about US SAILING membership; give the US SAILING Board a report of these activities after the close of the calendar year.”

It is no secret that US SAILING has been struggling with increasing its ranks for years. The Board has heard every reason imaginable as to why people don’t join or don’t renew. If plans for an addition to prescription 46 are passed, “Then the next step,” said Capron “would be to establish partnerships and programs with key associations to make it as cheap and easy for sailors to comply as possible.” www.southwindsmagazine.com

SOUTHERN RACING ■ UPCOMING MAJOR REGATTAS

Women’s Trilogy Races, Northern Gulf Coast, July and August

By Kim Kaminski The Women’s Trilogy Series is held every July and August.

The first race, the Fast Women Regatta, is at the Point Yacht Club in Josephine, AL, and will be held on July 19 on Perdido Bay. In this race, a female sailor must be at the helm and 50 percent of the crew must be female. www.pointyachtclub.org.

The second race, the Bikini Regatta, is held at the Navy Yacht Club in Pensacola. It will be held July 26 on Pensacola Bay. In this regatta, a female sailor must be at the helm and 50 percent of the crew must be female. www.navypnsyc.org.

The third race, the Race for the Roses, will be held on August 1 at the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club and only female crew are allowed to race. In conjunction with this regatta, the Gulf Yachting Association’s Women’s PHRF Championship will also be held. www.pensacolabeach-yc.org. www.gya.org.

Awards will be given at each regatta. At the last regatta, there will be a special Trilogy Trophy for the contestant who enters all three races and earns the most combined points. The GYA’s Perpetual Women’s PHRF Championship Trophy will also be presented at that time.

USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival 2008, Pensacola Yacht Club, July 4-6

By Kim Kaminski The Pensacola Yacht Club will host the USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival, the 2008 Independence Regatta. Youth sailors from across the Southeast will participate.

Sailing techniques and skills will be taught by Tom Coleman (one of the best Opti coaches in the country).

Afterwards, young sailors will compete on the water to practice what they have learned. Classes will be in Optimist Red, White, and Blue class, Optimist Green (with a 3-day clinic), Laser, Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, and Club 420.

Clinics and fun races begin on Friday, July 4.

Competitive racing will begin on Saturday at 12 p.m., with a final day of racing on Sunday starting at 10 a.m.

The awards ceremony is Sunday after the last race. Prizes will be awarded for first through third places. USA Junior Olympic Medals will be awarded to the Junior Olympic competitors placing in all divisions. Special trophies will be presented to the Best Sportsman for the Regatta, the Sailor Who Traveled the Greatest Distance and the Youngest Sailor participating. www.pensacolayachtclub.org. Contact Regatta Chair Linda Thompson at Linda.thompson@mchsi.com.

of July 12-13. In addition to the Optimist Class, Lasers will be racing in the regatta for the first time. Racing will be held on the St. John’s River in front of the club on Saturday afternoon on July12 and morning through afternoon on Sunday, July 13.

There will be a child-friendly buffet on Saturday evening with awards on Sunday afternoon following the races.

Registration instructions, registration form and medical consent form are on the Florida Yacht Club Web site at www.thefloridayachtclub.org.

Pirates on the Pungo Regatta, Belhaven, NC, July 18-20

This regatta is an annual fundraiser for the Pungo District Hospital Foundation. It is sponsored by the River Rat Yacht Club and the Belhaven Yacht Club. Racing classes include sailing dinghies, PH RF Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker boats, a Recreational Non-Spinnaker class, and one design classes. There is a captain’s reception on Friday evening, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, happy hour on Saturday afternoon and a Buccaneer Bash dinner/dance after racing on Saturday. The Buccaneer Bash on Saturday is open to sailors and non-sailors, and a special dinner is prepared for the evening. Dockage, accommodations and launch facilities are available at a reduced rate to regatta participants.

For more information, go to www.piratesonpongo.org, or call (252) 964-3442.

Charleston Yacht Club Open Regatta, Charleston, SC, July 19-20

By Sylvia Galloway The annual Charleston Yacht Club Open Regatta, July 19-20, is one of the largest events that the yacht club supports during the year with over 100 boats participating. The regatta has always put a major emphasis on youth sailors and this year will entertain one of the Optimist class points regattas leading to the SAYRA Championship in Optis.

It is also one of nine regattas leading to the MC Scow One-Design Championship in SAYRA. Traditionally, this Regatta has had steady participation from several classes of boats. These include the J/24s, SIOD, E-Scows, Melges 24, Y-Flyers, MC Scows, Sunfish, Lasers, 420s, and Optimists. On occasion, there have been fleets of Snipes, Holders, JY-15s and Hobies. Sailors travel from the many

Third Annual St. Johns Optimist Dinghy Green Fleet Regatta, July 12-13 The Florida Yacht Club will be hosting its Third Annual St. Johns Optimist Dinghy Green Fleet Regatta on the weekend News & Views for Southern Sailors

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SOUTHERN RACING locations in the Southeast, including SAYRA clubs located in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, to participate. Registration is held on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Awards are presented at the conclusion of racing on Sunday.

The Regatta is a two-day event with racing in Charleston Harbor starting at 1300 on Saturday and 1230 on Sunday. There are three courses, two held in the center of Charleston Harbor and one located in the Ashley River at the confluence with the harbor. Social events are planned for Friday and Saturday evenings, with a cocktail party on Friday and a steak dinner on Saturday.

Two coveted trophies are presented during the awards ceremony, the George Lockwood Trophy and the Women’s Sailing Trophy. Previous winners of these trophies represent some of the finest sailors in the Southeast.

For more information and the NOR, go to http:// charlestonyachtclub.com.

Texas Race Week 2008, Galveston, TX, July 24-26 Texas Race Week is the premiere offshore yacht racing event held by the Galveston Bay Cruising Association (GBCA).

The regatta encompasses three days of offshore sailboat racing on a variety of courses, beginning on Thursday with a 15- to 30-mile offshore route that lasts for five hours.

Courses on Friday and Saturday run along the beach so onshore spectators can view the racing. The Galveston Yacht Club will be headquarters for the regatta.

The 40 to 50 yachts expected to compete will race PHRF. One-design and level fleets will race as well.

Class and fleet trophies will be awarded at the Saturday evening banquet, with the Spinnaker fleet winner receiving the Larry Kevan Memorial Trophy. The Texas Navy Cup is awarded to the skipper with the best cumulative score over three Texas offshore events: the Lakewood Yacht Club Heald Bank Race, the Houston Yacht Club Freeport Triangle Race and GBCA’s Texas Race Week. Since the scoring for the Cup includes all the races of the TRW and only one from either of the other two events, a strong showing at TRW will usually determine whose name is engraved on this perpetual trophy.

For more information on Texas Race Week, go to www.gbca.org. The NOR is available at gbca.org/Race Notices/trw.html

■ RACE REPORTS

40th Annual Regatta del Sol al Sol, St. Petersburg to Mexico, April 25

By Race Co-chairs Larry Wissing and Mike Boom Cover Photograph: Adeline shortly after the race start Although good winds prevailed at the beginning, light winds later caused many to drop out of the 40th annual Regatta del Sol al Sol—the 456-mile race from St. Petersburg, FL, to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. The race started at 10 a.m. off The Pier in St. Petersburg on Friday, April 25. The 44 July 2008

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The crew of D’Lila, the last boat in. From left to right: Matt Schenkweiler, Randy Swanson (owner), Commodore Deuel, Tom Hails, Ray Todd. Mike Boom, on the far right is one of the regatta’s co-chairs, but was not one of the crew on the boat. He captained his own boat, Mi Vida Loca, a Beneteau 40, in the race to Mexico. Courtesy photo.

Multihull class was first start, followed by True Cruising and the Racer Cruisers. Next came the Spinnaker class and then the Non-Spinnaker boats. Although a record number of boats signed up in the last several months, the number was whittled down to 51 for the final, but that dropped down to 45 starting boats to make the trip across the Gulf to the Mexican island.

Light easterly winds called for a downwind start on Friday morning. By noon, many of the boats were passing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge—many under spinnakers—in 15-knot winds. These winds lasted for about the first 40 hours of the race, at which time the winds decided to lighten up considerably, but most of the go-fast boats were already close to the island and the lead boat, Francis Rooney’s Buena Racha—a 48-foot J/boat in Spinnaker 1 division—crossed the finish line in 52 hours and 19 minutes shortly after 2 p.m. on Sunday. Their corrected time gave them a third place. Next to cross, about two hours after Buena Racha, was Enigma, a MacGregor 72, which took last in its division with corrected time. Third to cross was Steve Mills’ Velox, another J/boat. In corrected time, first in the division was Frank Kerns’ Carinthia, a J/40, followed by Bill Terry’s Tampa Girl, a J/120.

When the wind had died down, the boats still out there were forced to make a very slow trip against the Yucatán Channel current toward Isla Mujeres. Some of the boats out in the lead made it under sail to the western side of the current, while others began to drift with the current. During the next 12 to 24 hours, several boats drifted and lost as much as 20 miles. At this point, most of the boats decided to turn their engines on and head for the island, seeing the futility of going against the current with essentially no wind, although a few racers still stuck it out hoping to make it all the way.

Unable to start their engine, the last boat in was Randy Swanson’s, D’Lila, which made the trip in just under 134 hours, coming in just after midnight on Thursday morning—over four days after the first boat crossed the line. That earned them a third in corrected time in the True Cruising 2 division. That division was taken in corrected time by John Day’s Fox III, which came in 20 hours earlier. Second in corrected time was Larry Jones’ Kashmir, a Catalina 400.

Over 600 crew members and friends took part in the www.southwindsmagazine.com

On the rail for 456 miles. Enigma, a 72-foot Macgregor, owned by Robert Parker, second to cross the line in the Spinnaker class, took fifth in corrected time. Courtesy photo.

This year marked the 39th running of the Regatta de los Amigos, which took over 700 local kids on a sail. Twenty boats participated including a three-masted scooter, which was visiting the island.

The regatta, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, was organized by cochairs Mike Boom and Larry Whissing— with help from dozens of volunteers—who already began thinking about next year’s regatta. For more on the Regata del Sol al Sol, go www.regatadelsolalsol.org. activities on the island. Besides the annual poker run there is also the basketball game—but sailors and friends lost that one to the locals. This year, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club donated a new scoreboard to the town, one that could be moved during hurricane season as the last one was destroyed because it couldn’t be moved. Again there was an open house at the Casa de Las Rocas for all skippers, navigators and island dignitaries. The city also held a council meeting on the main square in honor of the regatta, and all skippers received a token of thanks from the island.

News & Views for Southern Sailors

Results (top three): Multihull: Vitamin Sea, Rick Short; Spinnaker 1 Division: Carinthia, Frank Kern; Tampa Girl, William Terry; Buena Racha, Francis Rooney; Spinnaker 2 Division: Hallelujah, John Christman; Ocean Angel, Steve Fredrick; Obsession, Norman Church; Racer Cruiser Class: Relativity, Hall Palmer; Another Road, Kevin Fouche; Non-Spinnaker Class: XTC, Thomas Glew; Full Monty, Richard Brinkman; True Cruising 1 Division: Mango Latitudes-CC, Fred Bickley; Twilight, Malcolm Smith; Acadia-CC, John Zumwalt; True Cruising 2 Division: Fox III, John Day; Kashmir, Larry Jones; D’Lila, Randy Swanson; True Cruising 3 Division: Nobility, Mike Noble; Anthie, George Alexiou.

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SOUTHERN RACING 2008 Spring Regatta, Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile, AL, May 10

By David Jefcoat On Saturday May 10, the Buccaneer Yacht Club hosted the Spring Regatta for PHRF and Portsmouth classes. The race began at 10 a.m. with south winds blowing about 5-7 knots.

The total length of the race was 17 miles, and by the time the boats got to the weather mark, the wind had picked up to 1517 knots.

In the PHRF-Spinnaker class, the first-place boat was John Marshall’s Santana 25 named Carlos. In second place was Andy Hall onboard Absolute, a Capri 25. Third place was won

by T’el Felts on his Evelyn 26, Shaken Baby.

The Portsmouth Non-Spinnaker class was won by Teddy Lawson on his Catalina 27, Sea Grapes, and Norman Foster got a second onboard Feel Good, his Pearson 28. Mike Malinowski took third on Blue Dolphin, a Hunter 25.5.

Absolute, a Capri 25, sailed by Andy Hall and crew, approaches the mark in the Buccaneer Yacht Club Spring Regatta.

Successful Match Racing Comes to Cocoa: Cocoa Match Racing Regatta, Cocoa, FL, May 10-11

By Jerry Butz Below: Catalina 22s in the match race in Cocoa, FL, May 10-11. Photo by Roy Laughlin.

After fleet racing the Catalina 22 for a few years, I was introduced to the idea of match racing by Bill Gladstone of North U, during the Women’s Match Racing Clinic in Orlando that my daughters attended. Bill is traveling the world, running match racing clinics and beating the drum to raise awareness for this segment of sailboat racing. The 2012 Summer

Olympics will be upon us in four short years, at which time match racing will be introduced as an Olympic sport.

Between now and then, Bill and many others are creating a match racing eco-system (racers, fans, judges, supporters, etc.), built upon clinics, races, and publications.

For those who have never participated in a match race,

it offers much of the excitement and adrenaline of participating in your own America’s Cup race, without the expense and travel. Imagine the exhilaration of two boats blasting around a short racecourse, trying to out-maneuver, out-smart, out-tactic only one other boat. There is no second place; you either win or lose. And when the race is over, prepare for the next race, because the next start occurs within minutes of both boats’ finishing.

Match racing is a hoot in any boat. But the Catalina 22 cranks it up a notch by providing a stable platform, quick acceleration, nimble mark-roundings, and just enough sail trim uncertainty to keep the competition heated. And just to prove that this event is not dominated by brawn, an allwomen team made up of teenagers tied for first. This accomplishment for the three young women, all under 17 years of age, demonstrated that this Category 5, internationally-sanctioned, match-racing regatta, like the many other events around the world, is a perfect breeding ground for the upcoming Olympics. And the fact that the winning teams get ranked internationally with the top match racing sailors only adds to the excitement of this event.

Cocoa, FL, came alive the second weekend of May with sunny skies and breezes of 25-plus knots in Bill Gladstone’s world-class North U Match Racing Clinic. The Indian River Yacht Club provided the race committee, and four Catalina 22s were donated by members of the local Catalina 22 fleet.

Headsails were donated by Joe Waters. The race was organized by Boaters Exchange.

There will be another match race on November 8-9 in Cocoa.

Sr. Jose de Jesus Lima and Julie Connerley. Sr. Jose de Jesus Lima, Esq., founder of the Regatta al Sol, now 95, hosts the Regatta Al Sol cocktail party at his residence, La Casa de las Rocas (the Rock House). Regatta skippers, their wives, navigators, and past commodores enjoy the Mexican artifacts and regatta mementos that decorate the house built in 1962. His political career led him to the forefront of tourism for the Yucatan peninsula and he is credited with developing both Isla Mujeres and Cancun.

and Greg Smith’s Olson 40, White Trash, representing Fairhope Yacht Club.

After four days, 10 hours, 40 minutes and 5 seconds of

Results: 1, Marcy Butz, Dubble Bubble (all women team, under 17 years); 2, Willie Barrere, Sold Out (first time on a Catalina 22); 3, Randy Pawlowski, White Hawk. 4, Ray Laguna, Easy Street.

Jerry Butz, owner of Boaters Exchange, is a local Catalina 22 racer and proud father of two match racers.

25th Regatta Al Sol, Pensacola to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, May 14-15

By Julie B. Connerley Celebrating its silver anniversary this year, the biannual Regatta Al Sol registered 23 competitors, up from 14 in 2006, after back-to-back hurricane seasons ravaged the Gulf Coast’s racing fleet.

Fifteen registered in the Cruising fleet—nine in spinnaker, six in non-spinnaker. Only eight signed up for the Racing fleet.

Conditions were harsh on race day for the Cruisers, who started on May 14, and even worse for the Racing boats, who started the following day. Winds were high and on the nose for almost the entire race. Seas were rough.

In the racing fleet, six finished. Decision, Stephen Murray, Jr.’s Reichel Pugh TP 52 out of New Orleans, never made it to the start line when his keel was damaged in Mobile Bay. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club’s Bryan Denham didn’t finish the race when his Pyramid 45, Animal, dismasted shortly after the racing fleet left Pensacola Pass.

But perhaps the most exciting match was between Jerry Carney’s J/120, Mad Max II, hailing from Pearlington, MS, News & Views for Southern Sailors

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SOUTHERN RACING intense competition, White Trash claimed first overall, corrected time. She beat her competition by just 5 minutes 20 seconds.

Among the Cruising fleet, second time participant, and first time skipper, Tim Burr, vice commodore of Pensacola Yacht Club, sailed to victory. Aboard his Catalina 470, Alegria, Burr’s crew earned the Governor of Quintana Roo/Van Cleef Perpetual Trophy for first overall in the Cruising fleet.

As the second highest-rated vessel in the fleet, Alan Steele, of Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, skippered his Pearson 365 ketch in the Cruising spinnaker division and captured second place. His was one of only six of 15 cruisers that completed the regatta. The others withdrew due to strong currents and/or lack of wind.

Regatta Al Sol, sponsored by Pensacola Yacht Club, Southern Yacht Club, and Club de Yates Isla de Mujeres, made two additions this year.

First, the requirement of transponders aboard each vessel, with coordinating software provided by www.iboattrack.com, provides a valuable safety resource and also transforms the yacht race into a spectator sport as well.

Secondly, a Madden Randle Perpetual Trophy was designed for a newly created IRC division. The inaugural winner was Mad Max II. For a complete listing of the 2008 Regatta Al Sol winners, go to www.southernyachtclub.org.

First Timer Experiences Regatta Al Sol

pairs of gloves, changes of clothes, penicillin, scopolamine patches, and prescription mask, snorkel and fins were on my packing list.

Weather was a factor at race start. Strong winds from the south and heavy seas created a turbulent Gulf. Dozens of seasoned sailors “lost it” at sea, even those who had never been seasick in their lives. Vessels had torn sails and one racing boat was dismasted just a few miles out in the Gulf.

I learned from the 2002 storm that I could handle heavy seas. What I relearned, from reviewing my journal from this regatta, or endurance test as some of us remember it, is that heavy seas make life below decks hazardous.

Only 30 miles out the first day, a wave struck while I was standing inside the forward head. I flew into the teak cabinets. Amazingly, the only part of my anatomy that hit anything was my bottom lip. I came out bleeding, headed for the icebox, and somewhat painfully joked that I was either a victim of vessel violence, or the poster for a Million Dollar Baby II movie. It only got worse as waves found their way through the vents of the solar batteries, and forward hatch.

Two of our crew “lost it at sea,” but their names will be spared to protect the guilty. Being prepared was my saving grace. It also meant that those of us “blue water sailors” would take up the slack and stand extra watches for those who couldn’t. All handled it well.

Between the ill curled up on berths, wet areas and the constant starboard tack, prime sleeping space was scarce. So, I created my own. From my log… “Note for future racers, creating your own space in unusual places, like on the cabin

By Julie B. Connerley I first experienced Regatta Al Sol as a racer-chaser in 1992, following the fleet with the rest of the wives, family members and friends who greeted the sailors in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. This “race to the sun” from Pensacola is straight out of a movie plot, complete with historical origins that involved Cuba’s Fidel Castro!

No matter. I was hooked. I wanted to race it. As one of the The crew of De Adelaar (all except one) and friends from the St. Pete Yacht Club. The crew traveled longest races across the Gulf of all over the Gulf of Mexico and most eventually made it to Isla Mujeres, but not by boat. Julie Mexico, it has always been a Connerley is in the center of the photo in the back with the white top on. This photo was taken at male-dominated regatta. It still the St. Petersburg Yacht Club when they had to divert to St. Pete. is. My husband, Kim, has “been there, done that” two and one-half times. But that’s anoth- sole in front of the galley, does come with inherent problems.

First and foremost is the ravenous crewmember, climbing er story.

When this year’s regatta co-chair from Pensacola Yacht down the companionway, having just gotten off watch. Next Club, John Matthews, invited me to join his crew on De is the sleepy crewmember emerging from the aft cabin. Both Adelaar, a Hunter Legend 40, I felt like Cinderella going to stepped on me at different times. Both about fell over in surprise.” the ball!

Although it was on the high side, it was actually a nifty Capt. John’s crew totaled six. All had extensive sailing space since the galley stove secured me on one side, and the experience, though not all had racing experience.

I’ve been wet and cold more than a few times during stairs kept me from rolling the other way. Plus I had the more than 20 years of racing and cruising. I was going pre- added bonus of a little warmth from the refrigeration unit.

When the forward head quit working on day two, we pared. Both lightweight and offshore foul weather gear, two 48

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still had one working head. No problem. When we lost two sun showers overboard, we still had one left. But when we lost the freshwater pump, we had a problem—one that the captain realized could not be fixed at sea.

Not wanting to risk motoring to Mexico with only the emergency water rations and bottled water aboard, we reluctantly headed for St. Petersburg, FL, arriving on Saturday, May 17.

Bill Geyer agreed to single-hand De Adelaar back to its homeport. The remainder of the crew elected to fly from Tampa to Cancun and ferry over to Isla Mujeres to arrive in time for all the scheduled activities. Collectively, we became known as the Regatta Al Tampa crew. You will have to ask my captain what title we bestowed on him.

As I said, I thought I was prepared for anything. But never in my wildest nightmares had I imagined that I would have to fly to Mexico! My being lost overboard, the boat capsizing, the crew keelhauling me, or accidentally tossing my bags overboard all had come to mind—but not flying. I had every conceivable situation aboard a boat covered for my expected race down and cruise back. The hassle of airport security, long lines, wheel-less luggage, no locks, or one ounce travel bottles and see through bags is a lesson I will never forget!

I have often heard that life isn’t the destination. It is the trip. For Regatta Al Sol participants, I believe it is a little of both.

Sr. Enrique Lima and his family are the island’s hosts

News & Views for Southern Sailors

for all regatta participants. They continue to keep the torch of friendship blazing between the shores of our countries, just as Sr. Jose de Jesus Lima envisioned in 1965 when he founded the Regatta Al Sol as part of a pioneering plan to market Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula as a tourist destination.

My tally is now one return trip under stormy conditions and one-fourth race under windy conditions before experiencing mechanical problems that forced us to withdraw. I am already planning for 2010, and next time I will be prepared!

Navy Cup 2008, Navy Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL, May 17

By Kim Kaminski The Navy Cup Regatta, begun in 1962, is unique because it is a competition between clubs. The event was open to all yacht clubs in the northern Gulf Coast area. The Pensacola Yacht Club (PYC) and the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club (PBYC) competed. One-design racing (Lasers), held on Saturday, was on Bayou Grande. PHRF racing, on Saturday and Sunday, was on Pensacola Bay. Race activities were at the club facilities at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. The Pensacola Beach Yacht club won the Navy Cup Trophy in 2007.

Race conditions on the first day saw bright, sunny skies and light breezes out of the southwest, but as the afternoon sea breeze gained strength, the competitors relished the

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Pensacola Beach Yacht Club sailors who helped to earn enough points to successfully win the title and the 2008 Navy Cup Trophy for the second year in a row. Photo by Kim Kaminski.

stronger wind conditions and enjoyed a renewed energy around the racecourse. On Sunday, wind conditions were significantly stronger with heavy winds of 18 to 20 knots out of the southwest. Harmony, a PHRF competitor for the PBYC in the Non-Spinnaker class, had to drop out of the final race due to a broken forestay.

It was a close contest, but the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club retained the Navy Cup for another year, although the Navy Yacht Club put in a valiant effort with only seven points behind. The Pensacola Yacht Club finished in third place with three boats racing in PHRF and four in the onedesign. For more information, go to www.navypnsyc.org.

Results: Navy Cup Winner – Pensacola Beach Yacht Club with the highest total points. 2nd place – Navy Yacht Club; 3rd place – Pensacola Yacht Club. SPINNAKER:1, Tenacious, Eric Prochaska; 2, Rush, Bert Rice; 3, Angel, Elizabeth Leal: NON-SPINNAKER: 1, Polish Navy, Kim Kaminski; Jan, George Black; 3, Sunset Raider, Ron Jordan: CRUISER: 1, Ashley Rae, Gary Klemas; 2, Jes-be-n Me, Dwight Gobeli; 3, Los Milagros, Bob Wilson: LASER/ONE DESIGN: 1, Mallory Buechler; 2, Derek Riddle; 3, Dave Oerting:

23rd Annual Key West Rendezvous 2008, West Florida to Key West, May 14-18 The 23rd Key West Rendezvous has made several changes in the last few years by changing the start locations in this race down Florida’s west coast to the Conch Republic of Key West. For many years, the race had two starts: Clearwater and Naples. A few years ago, race organizers added starts from Sarasota and Boca Grande—to accommodate all those who had to go way south or way north to start in the race. The change worked out well, and those starts have grown in recent years.

The race changes made this year was first of all the start from Naples was moved up from Thursday to Wednesday.

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Wednesday is the traditional start day from Clearwater, and starting the next day from Naples meant that all the boaters would arrive in Key West about the same time. Starts from Sarasota and Boca Grande were staggered in between these times. Sailors from Naples figured they could get to Key West earlier for more partying on Duvall Street, although it is uncertain whether this will be the plan in 2009. The race back to Naples was also moved forward one day so that racers left Key West on Sunday instead of the traditional Monday start. This seemed to work well and should be part of the schedule in coming years.

This year, race organizers made some other changes that proved to be well-received by participants and the organizers themselves. In recent years, costs have skyrocketed in Key West, and that has brought about some changes in the events schedule once boaters arrive in the island city. In past years, there were several parties across the city and one large dinner and party at one of the town’s popular bar/restaurants. To enter these parties, crewmembers had to purchase an extra ticket—above the race entry fee—known as the “wristband ticket,” giving entry to these parties. This, along with the several party locations, became a burden to many, so this year they eliminated the wristband ticket and all the parties, keeping only the awards party/ceremony. This, according to race organizer Fairlie Brinkley, was well received by almost all racers.

Another change that seemed to work was that electronic registration on the Internet was heavily promoted, and this worked well, as there were almost no requests for paper applications. Regatta hats and shirts were also handled online in advance of the regatta, and only a few were available for sale at race headquarters in Key West.

All of these changes worked together to help save costs (both for organizers and participants), entail less work and financial risk for organizers, and everyone was able to get home earlier. www.southwindsmagazine.com

The race start this year in Clearwater was under good winds at 8-12 knots, which held during the day but saw a pickup in seas and winds on the first night. Rough conditions forced many to opt out of the race and go in at Venice, Naples or Marco Island, resulting in many DNFs. Only one boat did not finish because they came in too late from slow sailing, arriving after the deadline.

Sixty-two boats started with 44 finishing (18 DNFs).

This was Fairlie Brinkley’s 10th year as organizer of the Key West Rendezvous and most likely his last, he says, although he plans to help out the new race organizers in future years.

For complete Results, go to www.clwyc.org /racesched.htm.

Results (top three only): Clearwater to Key West Cruising Class: 1st - Octofoil (Beneteau 42s7), Robert Poladian; 2nd Esprit (Bristol 38.8), Russ Tardif; 3rd - Zingaro (Catalina 36 Mark I), Kenneth Carriero; Non-Spin Class: 1st - Long Gone (Morgan 42 Mark I), Philip Waller; 2nd - Tango III (Hunter 28.5 SD), Rafael R. Paris; Spin Class: 1st - MadCow2 (B-32), David German; 2nd - Wired (Farr 395 SD), Allen Thomas; 3rd - Fire & Ice (J-105 SD), George & Anne Cussins; Racer Cruiser Class: 1st - Intrepid (J-40), Jeff Russo; 2nd - Prime Plus (Beneteau Oceanus 440), Frank Hanna; Sarasota to Key West Cruising Class: 1st - Forever Young (Catalina 350), Ronald Greenberg; 2nd - Constellation (Swan 48), Greg Petrat; 3rd - Thurday’s Child (Beneteau 423), Peter Scharff; Multihull Class: 1st - Evolution (Corsair 28R), Kathryn Garlick; Spin Class: 1st - Lacerta (Ranger 33), Grant Dumas; 2nd - Salty Pause (Frers 30), Rusty Allen; Racer Cruiser Class: 1st - Critical Path (Beneteau First 51), Bill Dooley; 2nd - Relativity (Beneteau 53 First), Hall Palmer; Boca Grande to Key West Cruising Class: 1st - Wiley Coyote (Tartan 27–2), Roger Horton; 2nd Diva Gorda (Jeaneau 36), Rudolf Gottschlich; Naples to Key West: Cruising Class: 1st - Windy City (Catalina 36 Mk II), Diane Fowler; 2nd -Jabu (Sabre 402), Rex Good; 3rd - Hawk (Brewer 12.8), John Hawkins; Spin Class: 1st - Midnite Rider (Tartan 4100 SD TM), Forrest Banks; 2nd - T Bone (S-2 7.9), Jason Richards; 3rd - Tippecanoe (Farr 395 SD), Dan Kendrick Key West to Naples Cruising Class: 1st - Jabu (Sabre 402), Rex Good; 2nd - Windy City (Catalina 36 Mk II), Diane Fowler; 3rd - Diva Gorda (Jeaneau 36), Rudolf Gottschlich; Non-Spin Class: 1st - Hoku-Lele (Sabre 42 CB), Tom Rinehart; 2nd - Island Hopper (Hooks Custom 34), Carol Elwood; Spin Class: 1st - Tippecanoe (Farr 395 SD), Dan Kendrick; 2nd -T Bone (S-2 7.9), Jason Richards; 3rd - Toad Hall (S-2 9.1), William Harris Jr.

J/40 Intrepid Takes First in Racer Cruiser Class in Key West Rendezvous 2008

man, touted his string of Key West wins. Presenting us with an aerial shot of the boat—then named Sea Tiger—with the words inscribed, “Clearwater to Key West - Overall Winner For 1991 – 1995 – 1996,” T.J. proudly reminisced about his wins. His passion for the Key West race (now known as the Key West Rendezvous) was inspiring.

This year, the Key West race was no different from a sailor’s passion to “win” perspective. But, as with every year, the Key West race always proves to hold unique challenges that we do not expect. Speaking strictly from the perspective of the Clearwater to Key West race, we had perfect starting conditions. The only thing better than starting a long race with a good strong, steady breeze (southeast at 812 knots), is starting a long race first over the line. See, there it is…the first “win.”

The wind had been very consistent until seven hours into the race when suddenly things changed. Boats ahead of us (Wired and Mad Cow) were now on different tacks trying to get out of the hole. We decided not to tack or jibe and were able to keep some forward progress. Fortunately, this only lasted about 30 to 40 minutes. The winds picked up (again southeast 8-12) and we were all on our way again. As dusk fell, Wired and Mad Cow were on the forward horizon, Fire & Ice was beside us and headed inside, and not far behind Intrepid was Prime Plus. The wind picked up and was pretty heavy all night with gusts at 20-plus knots. At one point, we reefed the main. Later, we put up a blade and shook out the reef. As we got closer to sunrise, we went back to full jib.

At daybreak, the crew was a bit tired and delirious but hanging in there. When racing with a steady crew and having developed that great teamwork, it always impresses me how everyone backs each other up without even the need for a lot of communication. Good crews are hard to come by.

So when you have them, skippers, appreciate them. The whole day was absolutely great sailing. The wind continued constant at southeast 12-15.

As sunset was approaching, we calculated entering Key West Channel at about 1 a.m. How fun! (Not!) The wind stayed steady, and we continued to get lifts bringing us closer to our rhumb line. As we entered the channel, we heard Wired and Mad Cow calling in to the race committee. Having the current with us, we maneuvered tight tacks all the way

By Susan Russo The crew of Intrepid, winners of the Racer/Cruiser Class in the Key West Rendezvous. Jeff (holding the award) and Susan (to his left) Russo, owners of the J/40.

If at first you don’t succeed…well, you know the rest. I can’t think of anything much better to keep trying for than a Key West “win.” Whether it be a win in your class, your division, winning overall—or perhaps just beating that one pesky boat that you always enjoy defeating, somehow the race to Key West and that “win” are so, so sweet.

When we bought our J/40 Intrepid over eight years ago, the previous owner, T.J. Frayne, a prominent local businessNews & Views for Southern Sailors

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SOUTHERN RACING down the channel. The crew was focused, everyone had a job and we didn’t miss a beat. As we crossed the finish line and heard the infamous “welcome to Key West” from David Billings and the Key West race committee, we had our brief little celebration. At that moment, we all felt like winners, although none of us knew what place we had come in.

Later, we found out that we had taken first in our class.

In general, the Key West race is a win-win for everyone able to participate. Not only are we out there in the most perfect sailing month of the year, we are among our fellow racers who share the bond, the passion. To top it off, we end up in one of the most unique water oasis/watering holes across the United States—Key West. Let’s make it a point this year to talk up the race with potential new participants.

Let’s strive to make next year’s race bigger than this year.

After all, the more the merrier, right? Passionate sailors, like T.J. Frayne and you, can make a difference! We will proudly add “2008” on our aerial picture from T.J. as another win for this J/40 and dedicate this win to him.

■ REGIONAL RACING CALENDARS

28-29

MOBYC Harkers Island Regatta (Sunfish)

Lake Lanier www.llsc.com See Web site for local races 9 12 16 19 23 30

AISC Summer 2, #1. AISC Evening Breeze #2. BF AISC Summer 2, #2. AISC BF/SSC Moonlight Scramble/Firefly #1. BF/SSC AISC Summer 2. #3. AISC AISC Summer 2, #4. AISC

South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com 5-6 12-13 12-13 19-20 19-25 26-27 26-27

Independence Day Regatta. Open. LNYC Firecracker Regatta. Open. SYC Soveral 33 Nationals. Soveral 33. LNYC Charleston Yacht Club Regatta. Open. ChYC Highlander Nationals. Highlander. LNYC Jolly Jordan. Optimist. CSC-NC Carolina Open. Open. CYC-SC

www.longbaysailing.com 19 Summer Series 26 Wooden Boat Race AUGUST Charleston Ocean Racing Association. www.charlestonoceanracing.org 6,13,20 Race #4,5,6 8 Port Royal Challenge Regattas and Club Racing— Open to Everyone Wanting to Race For the races listed here, no individual club membership is required, although a regional PHRF rating, or membership in US SAILING or other 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 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.

JULY Charleston Ocean Racing Association. www.charlestonoceanracing.org 19-20 Charleston YC Regatta 26-27 Carolina Regatta Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 7 PSC Solo Race 13-15 HYC Regatta 21-22 PSC Pirates on the Pongo 28 NYRA Parrothead 52

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SOUTHWINDS

Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org 2-3 ODC Dragons Breath/ICRC. Oriental 16-17 ODC Tanzer 16 Nationals. Oriental 23 PRYC Albemarle Hospice Regatta. Elizabeth City 30-31 FHYC Oar Regatta. New Bern Lake Lanier. www.llsc.com See Web site for local races South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com 1 SAYRA Youth Challenge. 420, Sunfish, Lasers, Optis. CYC-NC 2-3 Rockville Regatta Open. SIYC 2-3 CYC-NC Open. Laser, Opti, Sunfish, Lightning, J24. CYC-NC 10 Rocket Regatta. PHRF. CFYC 9 HYC/Mt. Pleasant Jr. Regatta. Sunfish, Opti, 420 HYC 9-10 Spar Wars Open. SCYC 16-17 24 hour Race. JY15. BYSC 16-17 Sunfish World Qualifyer. Sunfish. JIYC 30-31 Labor Day Regatta. Open. LNYC www.longbaysailing.com 2-3 Rockville Regatta.

2,16,30 Summer Series.

www.southwindsmagazine.com

11-13 12 19

JULY 2,9,16,23,30 Wed Night Mosquito Series #13,14, 15, 16,17 Indian River Yacht Club 5-6 Firecracker Regatta. Port Canaveral Yacht Club 6 Big Boy’s Race. Halifax Sailing Association 11,25 Summer Rum Race #5,6. Melbourne Yacht Club 12 Treasure Coast Laser Series. Kelly Park, Merritt Island 13,27 Commodore Cup Race #5,6. Halifax River Yacht Club 13 Fall Series #1. Indian River Yacht Club 13,27 Small Boat Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club 19 Spring Series #5. East Coast Sailing Association–Sailing 19 Moonlight Regatta. Rudder Club 20 Women’s Fall Race #1. East Coast Sailing Association–Women’s Sailing 21-22 Summer Sizzler. Daytona Beach. Fleet 80.

TBD Gilligan’s Run–Distance Catamaran Race. Fleet 80.

AUGUST 2 River Challenge Regatta. East Coast Sailing Association 3 Lady Helmsman. Halifax River Yacht Club 8 Summer Rum Race #7. Melbourne Yacht Club 9 Treasure Coast Laser Series. US Sailing Center of Martin County.

10 Big Boy’s Race. Halifax Sailing Association 10 Fall Series # 1. Indian River Yacht Club.

10,24 Small Boat Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club 13,20,27 Wed Night Series #5,6,7. Indian River Yacht Club 16-17 Smyrna Cruise. Titusville Sailing Center 16-17 Chowder’s Cruise. East Coast Sailing Association–Cruising 17 Women’s Fall Race #2. East Coast Sailing Association–Women’s Sailing 17 Commodore Cup Race #7. Halifax River Yacht Club 22 Fall Rum Race #1. Melbourne Yacht Club 23 Fall Race #1. East Coast Sailing Association 28-1 St. Augustine Race. Halifax River Yacht Club.

30 Herb Elphick Memorial Race. Offshore #5. North Florida Cruising Club 30-1 Labor Day Regatta. Rudder Club.

Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net JULY 1-12

Finals Sears, Bemis, Smythe Regatta (Lasers, 420s, Lightnings) J/24 Biscayne Bay Series. Flat Earth Racing Full Moon Regatta

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

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

MYC Miami Yacht Club. www.miamiyachtclub.net.

AUGUST 2 J/24 Biscayne Bay Series. Flat Earth Racing 2-3 MYC Summer in the City Youth Regatta 9 Single Handed Race. CGSC 10 Double Handed Race. CGSC 16 Full Moon Regatta 23 J/24 Biscayne Bay Series. Flat Earth Racing

Key West Sailing Club. Every Saturday – Open House at the Key West Sailing Club.

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (305) 292-5993. www.keywestsailingclub.org.

Sailboat Lane off Palm Avenue in Key West. Come by the club to sail. Non-members and members welcome.

Wednesday night racing has begun for the summer season.

Skippers meet at the clubhouse by 5:00 p.m. and boats start racing at 6:00 p.m. in the seaplane basin near the mooring field. Dinner and drinks afterward.

Upper Keys Sailing Club (UKSC). www.upperkeyssailingclub.com.

Regular club racing open to all.

JULY 5 6 19

Firecracker Regatta. Portsmouth. Bayside Firecracker Regatta. PHRF. Bayside Summer Series #2. Portsmouth. Bayside

AUGUST 2 Dog Day Regatta Portsmouth & MSYSP Championship. Bayside 3 Dog Day Regatta. PHRF. Bayside 16 Summer Series #3. Portsmouth. Bayside 17 Oceanside #2 - PHRF. Oceanside 30 Labor Day Regatta. Portsmouth. Bayside 31 Labor Day Regatta. PHRF. Bayside

Regatta Time in the Abacos

News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

July 2008

53

SOUTHERN RACING

SOUTHWINDS Annual West Florida 2008-2009 Race Calendar will be in the Sept. issue and posted on the SOUTHWINDS Web site on Sept. 1.

SOUTHWINDS magazine posts the annual race schedule/calendar (9/1/08 — 8/31/09) on its Web site for all racing in the central west Florida area from just north of Tampa Bay south to Marco Island. The calendar includes all scheduled races of the West Florida PHRF organization (www.westflorida phrf.org), plus club races in the area and any others that boaters in the area would like to post. The Boat of the Year races are listed for all the areas of the West Florida PHRF organization. Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com to list your race, although we cannot list every single weekly club race.

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

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

Club Racing Bradenton YC. Races April through October. Thursday evenings. Races at 6:30 p.m. PHRF racing on Manatee River.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venice-sailing-squadron.org JULY 4

Tampa Bay Catamaran Sailors. Race for Liberty, Dunedin Causeway 6,13,20,27 Cortez Yacht Club bay races. www.cortezyachtclub.org. (941) 737- 1772 AUGUST 30-31 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Annual Labor Day all class regatta 54

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SOUTHWINDS

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

Wednesday Evening Fun Races PYC. Every Wednesday of the Month, April – October Fort Walton Yacht Club. April – October JULY 4-6 5 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 12 12-13 19 19-20 24-25 26 26-27 26-27

Junior Olympic Festival. Pensacola YC Patriot’s Day Regatta. Pensacola Beach YC, U.S.SAILING Singlehanded Championship.

Fort Walton YC Meigs Regatta. (capdevielle). Fort Walton YC, O’Day GYA Area D Semi-Finals. Fort Walton YC, Horn Island Hop. Ocean Springs YC, MS Bastille Day Regatta. New Orleans YC, LA Summer Regatta. (capdeville) Mobile YC Fast Women Regatta. Point YC, Josephine, AL Junior Lipton’s Regatta. Southern YC, New Orleans Garden Park Junior. Gulfport YC, MS Bikini Regatta. Navy YC, Pensacola Weatherly Regatta. (capdeville) Gulfport YC, MS Summer in the Pass. (one design) Pass Christian YC, MS

AUGUST 2-3 Women’s PHRF Championship. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club 2-3 Race for the Roses Women’s Regatta. Pensacola Bch Yacht Club GYA J-22 Regatta. Pass Christian Yacht Club, MS 2-3 GYA Lightning Regatta.

Pass Christian Yacht Club, MS 2-3 Birthday Regatta. Pass Christian Yacht Club, MS 3-9 Thistle Nationals. Pensacola Yacht Club.

9-10 Knost Regatta. All Female (capdevielle), Pass Christian Yacht Club, MS 9-10 Round the Rig. Mobile Yacht Club 16 Big Mouth Regatta. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club 16 Lee Stint Junior Regatta (one design).

Pensacola Yacht Club 16-17 GYA Sunfish/Laser. Gulfport Yacht Club, MS 16-17 Galloway Finn (one-design).

Gulfport Yacht Club, MS 16-17 Opti’s/Open Bic (youth). Gulfport Yacht Club, MS 17 John Chappell Memorial Regatta (one design).

Pensacola Yacht Club 23-24 Norton Brooker Broken Triangle.

Mobile Yacht Club 23-24 Pam Sintes Regatta (female).

New Orleans Yacht Club 30-31 Lipton Cup. Bay Waveland Yacht Club, Bay St. Louis, MS

www.southwindsmagazine.com

News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

July 2008

55

NEW & USED BOATS IN STOCK 2008 Catalina 14.2 New Compac Legacy 16 2007 Compac Legacy 16 New Catalina 16.5 2008 Compac Picnic Cat 2008 Hunter 170 w/trailer 2008 Compac Suncat 1998 Seaward Fox 19-trailer 2006 Com-Pac Eclipse New Catalina 22 Sport/loaded New Catalina 22 MKII 1986 Hunter 23 w/trailer 2008 Catalina 250 WB 1995 Catalina 250wb-trailer 2000 Catalina 250wk 2006 Trailer - 24’ -26’

$5,881 $tba $11,995 $7,492 $10,462 Sold $19,592 $7,995 Sold Sold $21,797 $5,595 $33,517 Sold $19,995 $4,500

*Financing Available*

56

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www.southwindsmagazine.com

SELECTED LISTINGS Beneteau Swift Trawler 42 2004 . . . . . . .$305,000 Beneteau M50 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$180,000 Phinn Custom Schooner 1989 . . . . . . . .$193,000 Beneteau 49 2007 (2 cabin) . . . . . . . . . . .In Stock Beneteau 49 2008 (3 cabin) . . . . . . . . . . .In Stock Beneteau 46 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .In Stock Sea Master 46 1982 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$175,000 Hunter 450 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$195,000 Beneteau 43 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .In Stock J/Boats J 130 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$225,000 Beneteau 423 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$208,000 Privilege 42 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $279,000 Hunter P420 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$179,000 Beneteau 411 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$149,000 Beneteau 40 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .In Stock Beneteau 400 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$111,500 Beneteau First 40.7 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$170,000 CS 40 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$99,500 Passport 40 1985 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$119,000 Beneteau 381 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$95,000 Beneteau 37 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .In Stock Nonsuch 36 1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$89,000 Beneteau 343 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .In Stock Gemini 105MC 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$115,000 Hunter 340 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$69,900 Hunter 340 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$65,000 Tartan 34-2 1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$59,000 Hunter 33 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$98,000 J/Boats J 100 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$115,900 Beneteau 323 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .In Stock Beneteau 321 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$65,000 Catalina 320 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$81,900 Hunter 320 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$59,000 Beneteau 311 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$71,900 Nonsuch 30 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$64,000 Alerion Express 28 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . .In Stock Alerion Express 28 1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50,000 Catalina 28 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$31,900 J Boats J 28 1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$37,000 Beneteau FC 7.5 ‘06 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$39,900 Details & Pictures Go to www.MurrayYachtSales.com

(S) (S) (P) (S) (S) (S) (P) (S) (N) (N) (N) (P) (S) (S) (S) (S) (N) (P) (N) (S) (S) (N) (S) (P) (S) (S) (P) (N) (S) (S) (S) (S) (S) (P) (S) (S) (S) (S) (S) (N)

Alerion Express (20’ to 45’)

Beneteau (26’ to 57’)

J/Boats (22’ to 65’)

Swift Trawler (42’ to 52’) More Selection when Buying and More Exposure when Selling! www.MurrayYachtSales.com News & Views for Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

July 2008

57

www.SailboatsInFlorida.com www.CatamaransInFlorida.com

64’ Durbeck CC Ketch, 1980, NEVER IN THE WATER! 90% complete, w/engine and genset, $95,000, Call Roy S. @ 305-775-8907

60’ Custom Catamaran, 1999, World cruiser, 4 staterooms, Unsinkable! A must see boat, $595,000, Call Bill @ 727-421-4848

51’ Jeantot Marine Privilege 1994, Big, beautiful cat loaded with electronics, genset, watermaker, dive compressor, dual a/c, cherry interior. Sleeps 10 in 5 double cabins, $530,000, Call Tom @ 904-377-9446

50’ Prout Quasar Catamaran, 1980, New 2006 Yanmar diesels, A/C, Genset, Serious Bluewater Cat. $289,900, Call Bill @ 727-421-4848

47’ Vagabond Ketch, 1982, Imron Black Hull.

Beautiful teak interior, A show piece! $ 224,900, Call Jeff @ 954-224-8291

45’ Hunter Legend 1987, Repainted with Imron, New Mast & rigging, Total refit, Very clean, $129,000 Call Rick @ 727-422-8229

44’ Beneteau First 435, 1986, Radar, Dingy davits, Genset, many upgrades on this great sailing boat, $119,000, Call Tom @ 904-377-9446

44’ Freedom Cat Ketch, 1982, Easy to sail, Huge interior, Shoal draft, $98,900, Call Jeff @ 954224-8291

42 Beneteau Center cockpit, 2002, Shows like new, Hard dodger, Wind generator, Inverter, $177,900, Call Jeff @ 954-224-8291

41’ Hans Christian, 1985, Loaded for cruising! Dropdead beautiful inside and out, This is a MUST see Bluewater cruiser. $189,900, Call Tom @ 904-377-9446

40’ Beneteau Oceanis 400, 1993, New Sails and Updated electronics, Cruise ready. $109,900, Call Gene @ 321-474-2831

42’ Whitby Centercockpit ketch,1987, New Algrip, New Electronics, New Rigging. A must see bluewater boat, $129,900, Call Leo @ 941-

37’ Lagoon Catamaran, 1996, Owners version w/ galley up, new engine, watermaker, A/C, SSB, $198,000, Call Tom @ 904-377-9446

36’ CS 36T, 1982, Blue water cruiser, Solar Panels, Wind Generator, SSB, $77,000, Call Tom @ 904-377-9446

31’ Southern Cross, 1985, New Yanmar, Cutter rigged, Blue water cruiser, Staylocks, Loaded! $37,900, Call Roy S. @ 305-775-8907

37’ Endeavour B Plan 1979, 5kw Genset, Repainted hull, New interior, Good Electronics, $44,900, Call Bill @ 727-421-4848 36’ Catalina, MK II, 1996, Universal, 2 A/C units, Autopilot, Charplotter, $97,400, Call Gene @ 321-474-2831

30’ Woods Windsong Catamaran, 1989, 32” draft, twin Outboards, Great Pocket cruiser, $42,000, Call Tom @ 904-377-9446

37’ Gulfstar, 1977, Total refit inside and out.

Turn key vessel! $67,900, Call Roy S. @ 305-775-8907

37’ Tartan, 1982, Just back from 6 month cruise, barrier coated, Radar, GPS Plotter, All the toys, $69,900, Call Joe @ 941-224-9661

33’ Beneteau, 2001, Popular racer/cruiser, Full electronics, All sails roller furling, $84,900, Call Jeff @ 954-224-8291

32’ Beneteau, 1997, New on the market, sleeps 6, Roller furling main and Genoa, only $ 60,000, Call Jeff @ 954-224-8291

29’ Island Packet, 1991, Just back from the Bahamas, new Bimini, Great Cruiser, Priced right @ $79,900, Joe @ 941-224-9661

24’ Pacific SeaCraft Dana, 1986, Well maintained, clean and ready to cruise, $ 49,900, Call TJ @ 941-741-5875

Edwards Yacht Sales Quality Listings, Professional Brokers BOAT LOANS FROM 5.75% 727-725-1600 • FAX 727-725-1611 www.EdwardsYachtSales.com • Yachts@EdwardsYachtSales.com 58

July 2008

SOUTHWINDS

www.southwindsmagazine.com

www.SailboatsInFlorida.com www.CatamaransInFlorida.com

50’ Gulfstar Centercockpit Ketch, 1976, 2 Rare 2 stateroom owners version, Walk-in engine room, Bluewater cruiser $114,900, Call TJ @ 941-741-5875

48’ Dekker Steel Ketch, Centercockpit, Holland built, total refit in ‘97, $169,000, Call Tom @ 904-377-9446

48’ Golden Wave Ketch, 1988, Solid Bluewater cruiser, original owner, sleeps 8, $174,900 Call Jeff @ 954-224-8891 SIST ERSH IP

47’ Vagabond Ketch, 1979, New spars, rigging and sails in ‘03. Bluewater ready, $159,000, Call Roy S. @ 305-775-8907

43’ Beneteau Idylle, 1986, Well Equipped blue water cruiser. Radar, Autopilot, $84,900, Call Gene @ 321-474-2831

42’ Cheoy Lee Clipper, 1970, Topsides, deck and cockpit Awlgriped in Œ05, Teak decks removed, $105,000, Call Joe @ 941-224-9661

42’ Tayana, 1980, New engine, solid bluewater cruiser, Just back from cruising, Priced right @ $84,900, Call Jeff @ 954-224-8291

42’ Tayana Cutter rig, 1988 Was a fresh water boat so the gelcoat looks great! Wind genset, Radar, Proven crusier, $194,900, Roy @ 305-

39’ Pearson Yawl, 1974, Diesel, Centerboard, Dark blue hull, New Canvas, A/C, $54,900, Call Tim @ 850-374-2077

39’ Allied Mistress Ketch, 1975, Diesel, Solid bluewater cruiser @ only $ 41,900, Call Roy S. @ 305-775-8907

38 C&C Landfall, 1980, Rod rigging, Recent Yanmar, No Blisters!, Many up-grades, $59,900, Call Tom @ 904-224-9661

40’ Baba Cutter, 1983, Black Hull, double-ender, Beautiful Teak interior, reduced to $ 124,900, Call Leo @ 941504-6754

MONOHULL SAILBOATS 64’ Durbeck Ketch 52’ Derecktor Motorsailor 50’Gulfstar 50’ Gulfstar CC Ketch 48’ Golden Wave Ketch 48’ Dekker Ketch 47’ Wellington 47’ Gulfstar Sailmaster 47’ Vagabond Ketch 47’ Vagabond Ketch 46’ Morgan 462 45’ Jeanneau 45’ Hunter Legend 44’ Beneteau 44’ Freedom 43’ Beneteau Idylle 43’ Slocum Cutter 42’ Tayana 42’ Cheoy Lee Clipper 42’ Beneteau 42’ Bruce Roberts Center Cockpit 42’ Tayana 42’ Gulfstar Center cockpit 42’ Whitby Ketch 41’ Hans Christen 40’ Beneteau Oceanis 40’ Catalina C400 40’ Baba Cutter 40’ Sparkman & Stephens CC 39’ Pearson Yawl 39’ Allied Mistress MKIII Ketch 38’ C & C Landfall 38’ Beneteau 381 38’ Endeavour 38’ Catalina 380 37’ Gulfstar Sloop 37’ Endeavour B Plan

1980 1966 1976 1980 1987 1971 1991 1979 1982 1979 1984 2002 1987 1986 1982 1986 1986 1980 1970 2002 1985 1988 1987 1987 1985 1993 1999 1983 1976 1974 1975 1980 1998 1985 1997 1977 1979

$ 95,000 $345,000 $114,900 $124,900 $174,900 $169,000 $131,000 $154,900 $224,900 $159,900 $ 78,900 $269,000 $129,000 $119,000 $ 98,900 $ 84,900 $174,900 $ 84,900 $105,000 $177,900 $269,000 $194,900 $ 62,990 $129,900 $189,900 $109,900 $149,900 $124,900 $ 84,900 $ 54,900 $ 41,900 $ 59,900 $124,900 $ 62,990 $124,900 $ 67,900 $ 44,900

Tampa St. Petersburg Bradenton Madeira Beach Punta Gorda St. Augustine Fernandina Beach Madeira Beach Ft. Pierce St. Petersburg Naples New York Crystal River Palm Coast Ft. Lauderdale Melbourne Ft. Lauderdale Ft. Lauderdale Bokeelia Ft. Lauderdale Ft. Lauderdale Bradenton Ft. Lauderdale Port Charlotte St. Augustine Melbourne Punta Gorda Punta Gorda Ft. Lauderdale Panama City Palmetto Jacksonville Punta Gorda Ft. Lauderdale Punta Gorda Bellaire Gulfport

Roy S. Roy TJ Roy S. Roy S. Tom Tom Roy S. Jeff Roy S Bob Bob Rick Tom Jeff Gene Jeff Jeff Joe Jeff Jeff Roy S. Jeff Leo Tom Gene Leo Leo Jeff Tim Roy S. Tom Leo Jeff Leo Roy S. Bill

Roy Edwards • Clearwater • 727-725-1600 Tom Morton • St. Augustine • 904-377-9446 Bill Mellon • St. Petersburg • 727-421-4848 Roy Stringfellow • Tierra Verde • 305-775-8907 Jeff • Ft Lauderdale • 954-224-8291 TJ Johnson • Palmetto • 941-741-5875 News & Views for Southern Sailors

37’ 37’ 36’ 36’ 36’ 36’ 35’ 35’ 34’ 34’ 34’ 33’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 31’ 31’ 31’ 31’ 29’ 28’ 28’ 28’ 24’ 24’

Tartan Sunbeam CS 36T Catalina MK II Catalina MKII Pearson Niagara Young Sun Cutter B & J Cutter Tartan Cal 34 MK III Beneteau 33.1 Beneteau 32.1 Morgan Gulf Pilothouse Southern Cross Hunter Bombay Pilothouse Hunter Island Packet Shannon Caliber Cape Dory Pacific Seacraft Pacific Seacraft

1982 1991 1982 1996 2001 1985 1981 1984 1967 1985 1978 2001 1997 1980 1981 1985 1984 1978 1998 1991 1978 1984 1979 1986 1989

$ 69,000 $119,900 $ 77,900 $ 97,900 $ 98,900 $ 68,000 $ 59,900 $ 99,900 $ 24,900 $ 57,500 $ 21,900 $ 84,900 $ 60,000 $ 24,900 $ 27,900 $ 38,900 $ 17,500 $ 24,900 $ 44,500 $ 79,900 $ 51,000 $ 19,900 $ 20,500 $ 49,900 $ 59,900

Ft. Lauderdale Palm Beach St. Augustine Melborne Ft. Lauderdale Cape Coral Punta Gorda Punta Gorda St. Petersburg Ft. Myers Tierra Verde Deerfield Beach Deerfield Beach Madeira Beach St. Augustine Maderia Beach Ft, Lauderdale Palmetto St. Petersburg Gulfport St. Augustine Ft. Walton Beach Bradenton Sanibel Orange Park

Joe Jeff Tom Gene Jeff Joe Leo Leo TJ Joe Roy S. Jeff Jeff Rick Tom Roy S. Jeff TJ Bob Joe Tom Tim Rick TJ Tom

Bradenton Beach Tarpon Springs Florida Ft. Pierce Georgetown, MD Palm Coast Ft. Lauderdale Georgia Ft. Lauderdale Bahamas

Joe Bill Tom Bill Rick Tom Rick Tom Jeff Tom

MULTI-HULLS 65’ Brooks/Custom Power Cat. 60’ Custom Catamaran 51’Jeantot Catamaran 50’ Prout Catamaran 43’ Lagoon Power Catamaran 39’ Privilege Catamaran 38’ Prout Catamaran 37’ Lagoon Catamaran 35’ Charter Cat, Wildcat 30’ Woods Windsong Catamaran

1996 1999 1994 1980 2005 1990 1991 1996 2003 1989

$599,000 $595,000 $530,000 $289,900 $495,000 $149,900 $139,000 $198,000 $149,900 $ 42,000

Bob Cook • Naples • 239-877-4094 Rick Hoving • St. Petersburg • 727-422-8229 Leo Thibault • Punta Gorda • 941-504-6754 Joe Weber • Bradenton • 941-224-9661 Tim Miller • Ft. Walton Beach • 850-374-2077 Gene Autrey • Melbourne • 321-474-2831 SOUTHWINDS

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

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

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

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

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

• The last month your ad runs will be in parentheses, e.g., (7/08) is July 2008.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com.

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

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

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

Photo must be e-mailed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY

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

BOATS WANTED

_________________________________________

FML 320 Inflatable Dinghy. 10.5’. Brand new, red, with air floor, bow cover, unique high performance bottom, splash tubes, 15 HP max. $2190. Details/other models at www.fregatboats.com. (727) 692-1374 or southernsail@earthlink.net. (9/08)

Sunfish and Sunfish Rigs Wanted. TSS Youth Sailing, Inc., Tampa Youth Sailing, an organization to which donations are tax deductible, is in great need of sailing rigs for Sunfish sailboats. If you have a Sunfish rig (mast, sail and spars.) which you are not using, please consider a gift to us. Go to www.tssyouthsailing.org and click on Contact Us.

BOATS & DINGHIES

_________________________________________ Trinka 10ft Sailing/Rowing Dinghy with sailing package. Very good condition. $2500.

Includes trailer. Located in Vero Beach, FL. (203) 763-9762 or (203) 763-9551. (8/08) _________________________________________ 60

July 2008

SOUTHWINDS

21’ Custom C/B sloop. Excellent sailing vessel in nice condition. Draft 8” w/board up, 3’ 6” w/board down. Lead bulb on C/B. Galvanized trailer, boat cover. Call for more pictures. $1,500. Jim in Daytona (386) 871-3494.

(9/08)

22’ 1968 Westerly Cirrus. Stout little cruiser.

Yanmar 2005, Navik self-steering vane, standing headroom (6’), enclosed head. Lying in NE Florida. Ready to go. Excellent condition. $10,500. (228) 324-6504. (9/08a) _________________________________________

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

2005 Road King galvanized trailer, Bearing Buddies, spare tire. Great sailer, excellent condition. Asking $2,800. Located Sarasota. (941) 720-4503, scottpursell@msn.com. (8/08)

1978 23’ Oday. Swing Keel, Roller Furling Jib, and an EZ Loader Tamon Axle. Comes with Galvanized Trailer - New Tires. Very good condition. Located outside Greenville, SC. $5,495. Call (864) 627-9000. Ask for Jack.

(8/08) _________________________________________ Precision 23 sailboat. 1990, 2 foot draft. New Main and Bimini. Excellent Tohatsu motor and two-axle trailer. $8,800. Sarasota. (941) 5269504. (8/08) www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS

1998 MacGregor 26X, 50 HP Honda 4-stroke OB. Unique water ballast system. Less than 1 foot draft when board is up. 7’ 10” beam and comes with a trailer. Enclosed head, aft sleeping cabin, galley, and dinette. CDI roller furling jib. VHF radio. Stereo with cockpit speakers.

Wheel steering, cockpit cushions and more. $13,500. Cortez Yacht Sales (941) 792-9100.

1967 Soverel 28. Very good sloop, sound condition. Upgrades including Diesel Yanmar 2GM20F. Complete epoxy barrier system performed, hull & deck repainted. Draft 2’ 11”, mast ht 37’. Located Bradenton. $11,500. Call Mark @ (941) 350.2977 or email: berteshogs@verizon.net. (8/08)

Catalina 30 1987 Mk 1. Standard rig, shoal draft. Full batten Quantum main and 130% roller furling jib. Doyle spinnaker. Very well maintained. Bottom peeled and barrier epoxied. Upgrade to propane stove/oven. Achilles inflatable w/OB. Sarasota.$32,900 Ron at (941) 927-3373 or jrschwied@verizon.net. (9/08)

Morgan 28 1972. Kubota engine great condition. 3’6” draft, Includes GPS, VHF, New rigging, roller furling, sails, solar panels, more.

Needs rudder repair. Call for info. $8,000 OBO (305) 395-8194 or (904) 540-8372. St Johns River, FL. (7/08)

Lindenberg 28. 1983. Fivespeed. Proven winner. Extensive racing inventory. Ready to race now. Major upgrades and new bottom March 2006. Yours for $16,550. Contact Gary Smith (321) 674-0886. e-mail Fivespeed05@cfl.rr.com. (7/08a) 28’ Corsair F-28R Trimaran ‘97. ‘07 Carbon sails, ‘07 - 9.8 OB, overhauled trailer. Turn-key condition. $71,000. Palmetto, FL. Write for particulars to TrimaranFast@aol.com. (941) 538-8540. (8/08)

29’ Ericson. 18hp Universal Diesel, Mermaid central air/heat, sleeps 4/6, lots of extras.

Would consider trailerable sailboat in trade.

Located Cape Coral, FL. $14,500. (870) 3732894. (10/08) 1977 Newport 28. Well conditioned boat with full complement of sails for tuff luff system.

Draft 4’6”, beam 9’, powered by Atomic 4 w/folding prop. $6,900. (813) 365-1147. w.mann8@verizon.net. (8/08)

WHARRAM TIKI 30 CATAMARAN FOR SALE

1987 Catalina 30 with Universal diesel, Harken RF, lazy jacks, Bruce and Danforth, Lemar STs, Bimini, Data Marine instruments, Grill, GPS, VHF, Stereo, TV, front door refrig, alcohol stove, swim ladder, marine air and more. A great boat at a fantastic offer. $21,000. www.Cortezyachts.com. (941) 792-9100

PHOTO ‘CATALINA 30 89” 1989 CATALINA 30 Wing Keel Sloop.

Exceptional! New bottom paint, new North Stack Pack system, Hood roller furling, newer canvas, Adler Barbour refrigeration, 3’ 10” draft, newer canvas & more! $37,500 (888) 882-5516 or (727) 421-6664. www.gcyachts.com.

Brand New — Professionally Built Go to www.tiki30.blogspot.com to view an on-line journal documenting the step-bystep building of this boat. Built by Boatsmith, Inc., Jupiter, FL www.boatsmithFL.com. (561)744-0855 Pearson 28. 1977. Sarasota. Cruise big on a budget, perfect for couple/single. Beautiful, updated. Wheel, wind/solar generators, integrated canvas, chartplotter, Autohelm, much more. $14,000, can help with moorage. (941) 266-4543 www.ohana.talkspot.com. (8/08) News & Views for Southern Sailors

Hunter 30. Two to Choose from. Both extremely clean and well-maintained. Tampa Bay. Cruise-equipped. Good Sails and canvas on both. Must see to appreciate. (727) 5600901.

ADS AS LOW AS $25/3 MO SOUTHWINDS

July 2008

61

CLASSIFIED ADS

30’ Woods Windsong catamaran, 1989, Twin outboards, Many recent upgrades, 32” draft. perfect for Bahamas hopping. $42,000, Call Tom @ (904) 377-9446. Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com

Motorsailer 30, Wirth Monroe Sea Sailer, teak, completely refitted, new diesel, cruise 500 miles on 1 GPH, safe and comfortable in all weather, one step bow to stern, shoal draft. For sale by owner, call Tom Broadfoot at (910) 686-4816. Wilmington, NC. Reduced to $37,000. Specifications and photos at www.broadfootpublishing.com. (7/08)

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

31’ Southern Cross, 1985, New Yanmar, Cutter rigged, Blue water cruiser. Staylocs, Loaded! $37,900, Call Roy S. @ 305-775-8907, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com 62

July 2008

SOUTHWINDS

32 Catalina 1997. Wing keel, 4’10” draft.

Yanmar 27hp 800 hours, windlass, davits, barrier coated, H/C pressure water, propane stove/oven, portable A/C, 4D batteries, charger, autopilot, all electronics, Assymetrical spinnaker, full batten main, roller furling, bottom 2007, much more. Beautiful condition. Meticulously maintained. $67,500.

(239) 574-4704. (8/08)

32’ Beneteau, 1997, Yanmar 3GM diesel with new 95 amp alternator, Large U-Shaped galley with a lot of counter space and storage lockers, Autohelm ST 4000 auto pilot, Heart 800 watt inverter / battery charger w/ battery monitoring system, Full AC/DC breaker panel at Navigation station, New starter, $59,000, Call Jeff @ (954) 224-8291, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

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

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

1985 BABA 35 - full keel Blue Water cruiser.

Lots of gear with manuals and records. VHF, SSB, GPS, windlass, wind gen, life raft and more. Needs some exterior teak work and some blisters. On the hard for your inspection. A fantastic offer @ $69,000. Call Cortez Yacht Sales (941) 792-9100 or visit www.cortezyachts.com

32’ Watkins 1983 Ideal for cruising or liveaboard., well maintained. Hybrid refrigeration, 27HP Yanmar, A/C, autopilots, GPS, High output alternator. Pictures and list of equipment: www.kollmann-marine.com/Loreli.htm or call (954) 583-7215. (8/08a)

2004 Catalina 34 MK II, loaded and ready.

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

BROKERS: Advertise Your Boats for Sale.

Text & Photo Ads New ads: $20/mo Pickup ads: $15/mo www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS

35’ Southern Cross Cutter Rig 1985. Loaded for Cruising. Very good. Yanmar, Furling, Radar, Chart Plotter, GPS, Solar, Wind-generator, Spinnaker, heavy duty ground tackle & more. Inc $76,500. (757) 218-8339. (9/08)

2003 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37. (New 2007: Yanmar engine, 3 Optima batteries, Garmin 440 at helm.) Interphase Chart Plotter at Navigation Station. 12 Volt Refrigeration System. Stereo w/4 speakers (2 cockpit), 25 AMP Battery Charger. New cruising spinnaker.

Custom hard dodger/bimini. Forward cabin w/optional sink and vanity. Master stateroom w/king-sized berth. Walk-through transom w/swim ladder. $136,900. (941) 365-9095.

(9/08a)

37’ Gulfstar Sloop, 1977, everything on the vessel has been upgraded: mechanical, electrical components, electronics, 16000BTU A/C, autopilot, sails and running gear, Bimini and canvas, new bottom paint and running gear and she had no blisters and he has also added a NEW dodger, $67,900, Call Roy S.@ (305) 775-8907, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

Subscribe to SOUTHWINDS $24/year • 3rd Class $30/year • 1st Class Subscribe on our secure Web site www.southwindsmagazine.com News & Views for Southern Sailors

37’ Lagoon Catamaran, 1996, Owners version with Galley up, This quick and roomy Lagoon 37 has new engines, a new mainsail and all the gear you want: air conditioning, ssb, watermaker, custom cockpit enclosure, even a washer/dryer, $198,000, Call Tom @ (904) 377-9446, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com

Tayana 37 Pilothouse Cutter. 1985. Magic Dragon Robert Perry’s best! Ready to cruise & makes a great liveaboard. New Yanmar 4JHE diesel engine. New sails. Full galley, A/C; watermaker; generator; navigation equipment & much more….Meticulously maintained and upgraded with quality. Hauled 12/07. Composting toilet or will replace with regular toilet. Berthed in St. Pete. $89,900 or Make an Offer. (305) 923-6556. (8/08)

Herreshoff Nereia 38’, LOA 43’, Draft 5’, 1975 strip cedar hull on mahogany frame then E-glassed, 9500# lead, beautfiful interior, Perkins 4-108 diesel. WOW! WOW! WOW! Ondean is a 10! In Deerfield Beach, FL, $140K. Call Mark (954) 551-0214. (9/08)

39’ Pearson Yawl, 1974, Diesel, Centerboard, Dark blue hull, New Canvas, Health forces sale, $54,900, Call Tim @ 850-374-2077, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

Privilege 39 1988 Cat. 4 cabin, 2 head.

Yanmar 27hp. Major refit 2005. New UK sails, AC/heat, Onan genset 6.5kw, Autohelm 7000, new interior, Corian counters, teak sole, Bimini/dodger $158,500. (321) 917-5863. palexy@cfl.rr.com. (8/08)

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

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

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

3 burner propane stove and oven. Built in micro-wave. King size aft cabin. This boat comes ready to sail away. $115,000. Call 941792-9100, or go to www.Cortezyachts.com.

$50 – 3 mo. Ad & Photo 941-795-8704

BROKERS: Advertise Your Boats for Sale.

Text & Photo Ads: $50 for 3-months.

Text only ads: $25 for 3 months

See Classified Information on page 60 SOUTHWINDS

July 2008 63

CLASSIFIED ADS Bay

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

Exceptional condition with lots of new gear.

Harken roller furling on all sails. Marine air, WS, WD, depth, VHF w/remote, SSB, cd/radio, autopilot, chartplotter, radar, dinghy, life raft. $109,000 Call Major Carter or visit www.Cortezyachts.com.(941) 792-9100.

40’ Beneteau Oceanis, 1993, This Oceanis has updated electronics and new sails in 2007. Genset and A/C, Owners have cut short their cruising plans after 4 months, so take advantage of all their investments and live your dreams. $109,900, Call Gene @ 321474-2831 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

40’ Kerr Center Cockpit ketch, 1975, refitted 2003 (all systems new) 32,000 lbs., Perkins 72 hp, 2 staterooms each with head and shower, hard dodger, shoal draft, full electronics, roller furling, windlass, dinghy with motor. For sale by owner, call Tom Broadfoot at ((910) 6864816. Wilmington, NC. Was $77,000 NOW $47,000. Specifications and photos at www.broadfootpublishing.com. (7/08)

1990 CS 40. $54,900 (HALF PRICE). Selling due to health and relocation. We still want to sail, but need take on a 50% partner. Tall rig version. Well-equipped for offshore. Just completed 1-year cruise of the United State’s east coast. A fast boat by any standard. New rod rigging, Bimini, life raft, refrigeration, AC and much more. Cocoa Beach. (407) 739-3220. (9/08)

TransWorld CT 41. 1979. Proven full-keel blue water cruiser. Perkins 4-108 diesel. 46’ LOA with bowsprit. Ketch-rigged Center Cockpit with walk thru to aft cabin. Complete Awlgrip paint. Custom stainless steel rails and davits.

10’ 6” Caribe RIB with 15hp OB. Full galley.

Beautiful teak interior with lots of storage.

Maxwell electric windlass. Much more. New sails and rigging. New Givens Life Raft. Asking $99,000. (941) 792-9100

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

BROKERS: Advertise Your Boats for Sale.

Text & Photo Ads: $50 for 3-months.

Text only ads: $25 for 3 months 64 July 2008

SOUTHWINDS

42’ Beneteau Center Cockpit, 2002, All lines lead to cockpit, Unique Fold-out Swim platform, Hard dodger, New to the market, $177,900, Call Jeff @ 954-224-8291, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

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

1989 Catalina 42 tri-cabin. Extremely well maintained blue water cruiser. Radar, autohelm, chart-plotter, water maker, Yanmar 44hp, Doyle stack pack. See details at www.yachtworld.com/boats/1768022/0. Ron Regan, Broker. (727) 391-0069. (9/08)

42’ Cheoy Lee Clipper, 1970, Diesel, Topsides, deck and cockpit Awlgriped in ‘05, Teak decks removed, Solid Cruiser, $105,000, Call Joe @ 941-224-9661, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

42’ Tayana 1980, New engine, solid bluewater cruiser, Just back from islands, Priced right @ $84,900, Call Jeff @ 954-224-8291, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

See Classified Information Page 60 www.southwindsmagazine.com

CLASSIFIED ADS

45’ Hunter Legend, 1987, TOTAL REFIT, Beginning with the hull, it was completely stripped, sanded/filled, primed and painted first with Awl Grip and finally with Imron for a truly remarkable finish! New mast and rigging, Outstanding condition, NOT A SINKER!, $129,900, Call Rick @ 727-4228229 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

47’ Vagabond Bluewater Cutter Ketch, 1982, An IMRON painted hull, Awlgripped cabin house, varnished teak accents, and newly finished (natural) teak decks make Black Swan an impressive sight. Trimble Navigation NAC TRAC XL GPS, Raytheon RL9 LCD radar, $224,900, Call Jeff @ (954) 224-8291, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

48’ Cheoy Lee Golden Wave Ketch, 1987 Newer Perkins, Sleeps 8, repainted, Solid cruiser, $174,900, Call Roy S. @ (305) 775-8907, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

50’ Gulfstar Center Cockpit Ketch, 1976, Perkins 85 HP, Rare 2 stateroom model, Walk in engine room, Nice bluewater cruiser, Holding plate refrigeration, $114,900, Call TJ @ (941) 741-5875 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

50’ Prout Catamaran, 1980, In 2006 two new Yanmar Diesel Engines were installed w/ new control panels at each station. New engines have factory warranties until July 2008. Owners are planning to move up to a larger vessel. Possible trades will be considered $289,900, Call Bill @ (727) 421-4848 Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality listings, Professional Brokers, www.CatamaransInFlorida.com

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

POWERBOATS

_________________________________________

47’ Vagabond Ketch, 1986, Heavy displacement cruiser, Refit in ’03 with new spars and sails, Genset, A/C, 3KW inverter, Radar, GPS, Big ground tackle, windlass, $159,000, Call Roy S. @ 305-775-8907, Edwards Yacht Sales, Quality Listings, Professional Brokers, www.SailboatsInFlorida.com

BROKERS: Advertise Your Boats for Sale.

Text & Photo Ads New ads: $20/mo Pickup ads: $15/mo News & Views for Southern Sailors

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

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

See Classified Information on page 60 SOUTHWINDS

July 2008

65

CLASSIFIED ADS BOAT GEAR & SUPPLIES

1983 MONK 36’ TRAWLER Economical 120HP Ford, Vetus Bow Thruster, Autopilot, Depth, Gen, Air, New batteries, Dual stations, Super clean. Liveaboard slip in St. Pete!

79,900 – motivated seller. (888) 882-5516 or (727) 560-0001. www.gcyachts.com

40’ Eagle Pilothouse 2007, Single 230 Cummins w/ 300 hrs., A/C, Gen, Full Electronics, Bow Thruster, Washer-Dryer, Economical Cruising. A Must See. $359,000. St Augustine Yacht Sales. (866) 610-1703 www.sayachtsales.com.

BUSINESS FOR SALE/RENT

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

Outboard Motors for Sale. Mercury 8 hp short shaft two stroke—not at all worn (look inside). Price $500, excellent value. Also, Johnson 4 hp long shaft and Evinrude 4 hp long shaft—both very good. $275 each.

Beautiful 1979 Seagull OB. See Jimmy at the Miami yacht club (behind Parrot Jungle) on the causeway between Miami and Miami Beach, after 4 p.m. every day by the dinghy dock, or call 305-858-5975 and leave your number and we will call back to arrange a meeting. Try them out on the water if you like. (7/08) _________________________________________

Charter Boat and Business for Sale, Sarasota/Bradenton Area. Includes 30-foot diesel six-pack deep Vee hull boat with tower.

Includes dive platform and fishing gear. Boat in very good condition. Established charter business with advertising and slip in Cortez, FL. Asking $25,000—taking offers. Drastically reduced, owner leaving country. Cortez Yacht Sales. www.cortezyachts.com. (941) 722-9022.

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

_________________________________________

Used Boat Gear for Sale. CQR 25 & 45#, Bruce 16 & 66#, Hookah by Airline, 55# Folding Fisherman anchor, Para-tech 15 w/Rode, Edson rack & pinion steering w/ wheel, new awning w/side curtains. Nautical Trader, 110 E. Colonia Lane, Nokomis, FL. Shop online at www.nauticaltrader.net. (941) 488-0766.

CREW AVAILABLE/WANTED

Sailing Partners Wanted for 25-foot Morgan.

Cruising Tampa Bay and beyond. Non-smokers and no booze. Please call after 7 p.m.. (813) 754-5180. (8/08)

DONATE YOUR BOAT

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

ENGINE PARTS

_________________________________________ 43’ Californian Cockpit Motoryacht 1985, T/ 3208N Cats 210 hp, A/C, Gen. Great Boat. $79,000. Will Trade for Sailboat. St Augustine Yacht Sales. (866) 610-1703. www.sayachtsales.com.

Volvo Diesel MD11C. 2-cylinder. 23hp. Runs good when taken out of boat and runs good now. Transmission, wire harness, gauges, prop, manuals, everything.

Located Southwest Florida. (239) 283-0382. (8/08)

HELP WANTED

_________________________________________ Yacht Broker Wanted. Lots of Work. Growing company, with years of experience, in Tampa Bay looking for a team player. Great company support. Call (727) 823-7400, or Jacek at (727) 560-0901. _________________________________________ SCHUCKER 440. Bruce Van Sant’s trawlerized TIDAK APA. Get complete information and photos at www.LuperonCruising.com (7/08)

2” DISPLAY ADS STARTING $38/MO 66

July 2008

SOUTHWINDS

Massey Yacht Sales Mobile Broker Do you prefer to sell yachts from your home office?

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

CLASSIFIED ADS LODGING FOR SAILORS

_________________________________________ KEY LARGO BAY FRONT HIDEAWAY and 22ft sailboat, $800-$1000wk. Snorkle/Dive, Private, Beautiful Sunsets. Studio, 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom cottages. See Brochure on Web site.

(305) 451-3438. www.floridasailingadventures.com/Photos.html. (9/08)

Ponce de Leon Hotel Historic downtown hotel at the bay, across from St. Petersburg YC. 95 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 550-9300 FAX (727) 896-2287 www.poncedeleon hotel.com

R EAL ESTATE FOR SALE OR RENT _________________________________________

Fort Lauderdale House With Dock. Charming 2/2 on canal in quiet residential community in Riverland area of Ft. Lauderdale. Deep water ocean access, no fixed bridges, owner financing. Perfect spot for sailors between cruises. $450,000 Call Today! (954) 732-1188.

Protected Sailboat Canal. Port Charlotte.

Ship-shape 3/2/2 CBS. Split plan. Two screened porches. 30’ concrete dock w/davits, with two mooring pilings. Updated AC, roof, appliances. Screened porches. Fruit trees.

Boating neighborhood. $300k takes it. (941) 743-7433. (9/08a)

REGATTA MUSICIANS

_________________________________________

TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY

_________________________________________ Belize Waterfront Property. Gated Waterfront community on the Cerros Peninsula in Corozal, Belize. Canal lots with allowance for dock.

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July 2008

67

ALPHABETICAL INDEX

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ADVERTISERS

AAKRON INFLATABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 ANNAPOLIS PERFORMANCE SAILING . . . .45 ANTIGUA SURVEYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 AQUA GRAPHICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 ATLANTIC SAIL TRADERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 BACON SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 BARCO - MAGELLAN GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 BAY RIGGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 BENETEAU SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC BETA MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 BOATERS’ EXCHANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 BO’SUN SUPPLIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 CATALINA YACHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,10 CHARLESTON YC OPEN REGATTA . . . . . . .33 CORAL REEF SAILING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 CORTEZ YACHT BROKERAGE . . . . . . . . . . .65 DEFENDER INDUSTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 DOCKSIDE RADIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 DOYLE/PLOCH SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 DUNBAR SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 DWYER MAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 EASTERN YACHTS/BENETEAU . . . . . .4,55,BC EDWARDS YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . .58, 59 E-MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 FLYING SCOT SAILBOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 FT. MYERS BEACH MOORING FIELD . . . . .35 GARHAUER HARDWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 GULF COAST YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . . .56 HANSE SAILBOATS, SAILBOATS FLORIDA . .55 HOBIE CATS/TACKLE SHACK . . . . . . . . . . .11 HOTWIRE/FANS & OTHER PRODUCTS . . .25

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

HUNTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBC INNOVATIVE MARINE SERVICES . . . . . .24, 26 ISLAND YACHTING CENTRE/GREG KNIGHTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 J/BOATS - MURRAY YACHT SALES . . . . . . .57 JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 KEVANE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 KNIGHTON SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 KNIGHTON YACHT BROKER . . . . . . . . . . .56 LEATHER WHEEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 MACK SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 MAGELLAN GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 MASSEY YACHT SALES . . . . . . . . . . .IFC,4,38 MASTHEAD ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . .10,41, 56 MASTMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 MURRAY YACHT SALES/BENETEAU . . . .BC,57 NATIONAL SAIL SUPPLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 NAUTICAL TRADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 NEW JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 NORTH SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 NORTH SAILS DIRECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 NORTH SAILS OUTLET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 PALM BEACH SAILING CLUB . . . . . . . . . . .16 PATRICIA KNOLL REALTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 PORPOISE USED SAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 RB GROVE/UNIVERSAL AND WESTERBEKE . .8 REGATTA POINTE MARINA . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 ROHLAND RIGGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 RPARTS REFRIGERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 SAILBOATS FLORIDA, HANSE SAILBOATS . .55 SAILING FLORIDA CHARTERS . . . . . . . . . . .25

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SCORING continued from page 70 The scoring situation improved through the day as the officials broke into spotter-recorder teams for each class, but by the end of racing, there were no clear-cut trophy winners in some of the classes. Gordon opted to award trophies only in classes he felt were accurate.

One of the basic problems is that officials score by hand. They do not use a scoring system – St. Petersburg’s or anybody’s.

“We never had to,” Gordon said.

“We weren’t that big. Before, it was like scoring an overgrown series race that we run every week here.”

When Steve Olive of the Fort Myers’ Edison Sailing Center heard about the problem, he offered his scoring system, but Gordon, who readily admits that he is computer-illiterate, replied that he would love it if Olive could also provide a computer operator.

VYBA will probably have a computer scoring system set up before next year’s event, but that is not going to help the folks who are on the prover68

July 2008

SOUTHWINDS

bial front line, trying to determine if 16897 beat 16898 or worse, if 188130 crossed ahead of 188920.

“Even with a computer, you still have to feed it with accurate information,” Gordon added. “And we had trouble logging boats in the correct class, let alone where they placed.”

Another holdup was a protest. The regatta has perennially encouraged more sportsmanship and less protesting, but this year, there was a flagrant violation that warranted a hearing. The issue was resolved, but that took additional time and affected the scoring in one fleet.

Gordon has subsequently talked with various people about solutions.

Many have thought outside the box, but many suggestions probably will be incorporated into next year’s regatta.

One idea is to set up two courses – one for Optimists and another for all the others. Another is to make the course(s) longer and to go back to a five-minute starting sequence.

As Olive commented, “More time at the start and longer races give you a

lot more time between finishes.”

Scoring spotters may divide into teams, each team to work with specific classes. Other thoughts include changing the course to a triangle, not coming in for lunch and having a video camera to record the finishes. One suggestion that Gordon applied immediately was to eliminate the Portsmouth division.

This eliminated an added timekeeping chore, but it meant that some boats were assigned to a class even if there were only two vessels in that category.

“I like the Portsmouth rating system – always have,” he said. “But we had to do something quickly.” The jury is still out on some of the adjustments and while Gordon acknowledges that he was not flexible enough this past year, he believes that the race committee will be better prepared and able to adapt in the future, even if the event continues to grow.

“I just hope that our creative scoring this year did not leave too bad a taste in some people’s mouth and that they will return,” he concluded. “Some times, good things come out of chaos.” www.southwindsmagazine.com

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CATEGORY

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SOUTHWINDS

July 2008

69

One of the problems was the number of entries, with a final tally of 99 boats sailing. Photo by Jin Dietrich.

Scoring Problems & Lessons Learned at Youth Sailing Regatta

By Jabbo Gordo

Whenever there is some confusion about regatta results, sailors often refer to it as “creative scoring.” his was the case at the 5th Annual T Jabbo Gordon Invitational Regatta in Englewood, FL on March

22. Officials were not able to present all of the trophies because of scoring issues, and some awards were mailed out way after the fact. Even the results posted on the sponsoring Web site listed only the places and not the scores.

“It was not a very good way to run a regatta,” PRO Gordon admitted. “I hated it for the youngsters, but if there is a silver lining, our problems gave a long list of lessons learned.”

There was a variety of circumstances that caused some of the scoring chaos. First and foremost was the number of entries. Bigger is not necessarily better unless officials are more prepared for growing pains.

“This event started as a morning clinic and afternoon fun regatta for youngsters 10 years ago,” Gordon recalled. “We had about 30 kids.”

Scheduling the regatta became increasingly difficult what with other area regattas, Optimist team trials and even high school competitions. Last year, VYBA reluctantly set it for the day before Easter, but that date turned out to be a great solu-

70 July 2008

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tion, since not too many other organizations schedule a two-day regatta on Easter weekend.

Each year, more and more sailors showed up, attracted by the one-day format and short (20 to 25 minute) races, which translated into as many as eight races. The perennial trapezoid course is usually close enough to the launching site that sailors come in for lunch and a pit stop. Parents and friends can see the action much easier, too.

“This is the way Florida regattas used to be back in the day,” Gordon said.

And the Jabbo Gordon Regatta has been inexpensive. Instead of charging from $50 to $100 or more, VYBA has a price of only $20—and that includes a T-shirt, lunch and lots of races.

In 2006 and 2007, there were more than 70 entries and more than enough wind to cause many to capsize and break equipment. However, this year, there were 76 folks who registered in advance and the final tally was 99.

“We were overwhelmed,” Gordon admitted. “On top of that, it rained nearly all day.”

Gordon chose to stick with the one course; one lap for Optimists and Walker Bays and two for the Lasers, 420s and Sunfish. Last year, he had shortened the starting sequence from five minutes to three minutes to cut down on time, and this year, he decided to keep it at three minutes to avoid having sailors wait so long for their starts.

One of the problems, especially in the first race, was that many vessels showed up at the finish line at almost the same time. It was almost like a reverse handicap regatta, but Gordon is quick to absolve the scorers on the race committee boats.

“Admittedly we were not in mid-season form at first, and we did have some new scorers,” he said.

“But that first race was like a blur of sails all crossing at once and blanketing each other.”

In an effort to keep skippers honest at the start, Gordon employs the “I” flag throughout the sequences and has a pin end boat where veteran observers can watch for early starters and provide scoring backup.

This year, the pin-end crew was virtually the scoring authority.

See SCORING continued on page 68 www.southwindsmagazine.com