Southwindsmarch2004

News & Views for Southern Sailors

Terra Nova Trading Key West 2004 Boat Review: International 505 Explore Anguilla

March 2004 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless

SAVE $5 SAVE 5 $

99 /pt.

10

Premium Marine Polish with Teflon® • Protects fiberglass, metal and painted surfaces • Teflon® finish repels dirt, stains, and salt; pint

Model 437707 Reg. 15.99

999/10oz.

4000 UV Polyether Adhesive Sealant • Resists weathering, salt water and stress • Non-yellowing formula • For use on wood, fiberglass, metal and plastics

Model 3760196 Reg. 14.99

FOUL WEATHER GEAR & PAINT

SAVE 50%

Bib

98 /set

112

Jacket

BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE!

Explorer Waterproof Foul Weather Gear

8999/gal.

• Generously cut for total free movement • For moderate to challenging coastal conditions • Durable, waterproof nylon fabric; hemline and waist drawcords keep layers snug

CPP Plus

• Affordable self-polishing copolymer ablative paint • “Self-polishing” and releases new biocide as the boat moves through the water • Can be used in fresh or salt water

Reg. 224.98/set Jacket–Red, Classic Yellow. Unisex M–XXL.– Model 1188481S Reg. 124.99 SALE 62.49

Model 5436928 Not available in Canada.

SAVE $40

7999/gal.

Hydrocoat

• Easy-to-apply, ablative antifouling paint fights bottom growth without build-up • Recommended by Sea Ray boat builders • CuOx: 41%; Black; Gallon

Ref. Model 3745288 Reg. 119.99 Not available in Canada.

Bibs–Red, Classic Yellow. Unisex M–XXL.– Model 1224138S Reg. 99.99 SALE 49.99 AIRBLOCKS, GPS & WINCH HANDLES

Single swivel

SAVE $5

• Amazing 256-color display provides easy viewing in almost an lighting condition • Lightweight, waterproof, all purpose mapping handheld with auto-routing, turn-by-turn directions, auto alerts when using Mapsource City Select software • Packed with features like hunting and fishing times, special geocaching navigation mode, geolocation games and fast map transfer, detailed basemap and more

Length 8" 8" 10" 10"

GPSmap 60C

99

25

From

49999

Carbo AirBlocks® • Harken’s most innovative blocks achieve an unprecidented performance- and strength-to-weight ratio • 30% lighter, 60% stronger and generally less expensive than equivalent conventional blocks

Cheek–Ref. Model 200092 25.99 Single swivel–Ref. Model 200027 26.99

Ref. Model 5469085

Primary Lock-InFloating Winch Handles Color Red Blue Red Blue

Model 551697 2391746 551689 2391811

Offer valid only with coupon February 26th–March 21st, 2004.

Limited to stock on hand.

Titan

RIGGING KNIVES, SIGNAL HORNS & VHF RADIOS

SAVE 50%

SAVE $5

Stainless-Steel Rigging Knife

Push-Button Portable Signal Horn

Model 3705613 Reg. 19.99

Model 3731577 Reg. 17.99

SALE 12.99

SALE 10.00 Offer valid only with coupon February 26th–March 21st, 2004.

Limited to stock on hand.

Offer valid only with coupon February 26th–March 21st, 2004.

Limited to stock on hand.

SAVE $20 VHF50 Compact Waterproof Handheld Model 5471503 Reg. 169.99

SALE 149.99 Offer valid only with coupon February 26th–March 21st, 2004.

Limited to stock on hand.

MORE THAN 280 STORES • 1-800-BOATING • westmarine.com HURRY! PRICES GOOD FEBRUARY 26TH THROUGH MARCH 21ST, 2004

Selection varies by store.

Reg 36.99 36.99 40.99 40.99

SALE 31.99 31.99 35.99 35.99

SINCE 1977

FLORIDA’S LARGEST HUNTER, CATALINA, MORGAN, MAINSHIP & CALIBER DEALERSHIP CATALINA • HUNTER • CALIBER • MAINSHIP

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

Custom Massey Outfitting Quote in less than one hour with Just pick your yacht and call with your options.

Catalina 310, 320, 34, 350, 36, 387, 400, 42, 470 Hunter 306, 33, 36, 386, 41, 42CC, 44, 44DS, 456CC, 466 Caliber 35LRC, 40LRC, 47LCR and Mainship 30, 34, 39, 40, 43

2004 Mainship 40 Trawler New Model – In stock and ready to cruise, Yanmar 370 diesel, Flag Blue hull, gen, air, bow thruster, electronics, Vac-U-Flush head, Jenn Air flybridge summer galley, washer/dryer, TV/DVD, stereo and much more.

Massey Cruise Away Only $369,977.

Call for Discounted New Yacht Prices and Delivery Information

MONOHULLS Call for Special New Yacht Discounts 2004 Catalina 387 New

Model – RF main & genoa, elec sail handling winch, depth/knot/wind, VHF, autopilot, anchor windlass, refrigeration, elec head and much more. Reg Sailaway Price $177,938.

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts 2004 Hunter 41 New Model

– Loaded with electronics, expanded stereo, Flatscreen TV/DVD, bimini, RF mainsail & jib, elec halyard winch, refrigerator/freezer, Force 10 stove, Harken hardware and much, much more.

Massey Sailaway Only $214,045.

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts 2004 Hunter 44 Deck Salon

New Model – Loaded with Hunter and Massey options, flatscreen TV/DVD, expanded stereo, bimini, RF mainsail & jib, elec halyard winch, Harken hardware and much, much more.

Massey Sailaway Only $276,523.

45 ft. to 65 ft.

48 46 45 45 45 45

Tayana ‘00 . . .

Beneteau ‘97 . .

Morgan ‘91 . . .

Hunter ‘99 . . .

Hunter CC ‘99 .

Hirsh ‘85 . . . .

. . . . . .

. . . . . .

. . . . . .

. . . . . .

$427,000 $199,000 $195,000 $239,900 $229,000 $129,500

40 ft. to 44 ft.

40 Beneteau CC ‘97 . . . . $110,000 34 Tartan ‘87 . . . . . . . . $62,500 40 Beneteau ‘96 . . . . . . $98,900 34 Ericson ‘87. . . . . . . . $57,900 34 Catalina ‘94 . . . . . . . $74,500 35 ft. to 39 ft.

380 Hunter ‘00 . . . . . . $115,000 34 Catalina ‘87 . . . . . . . $49,500 38 Shannon Ketch ‘79 . . $124,500 34 Cabo Rico ‘90 . . . . . $129,000 38 Morgan CC ‘97 . . . . . $140,000 33 Hunter ‘95 . . . . . . . $64,500 380 Island Packet ‘99. . . $245,000 33 Hallberg Mistral ‘72. . . $60,500 38 Hans Christian ‘83. . . $139,000 320 Catalina ‘96 . . . . . . $75,000 38 Catalina ‘81 . . . . . . . $45,000 320 Catalina ‘95 . . . . . . $74,500 376 Hunter ‘97 . . . . . . $121,000 320 Catalina ‘95 . . . . . . $74,000 37 Jeanneau ‘96. . . . . . . $69,900 32 Island Packet ‘90 . . . . $94,500 37 Hunter ‘98 . . . . . . . . $95,000 310 Catalina ‘01 . . . . . . $69,900 37 Hunter ‘97 . . . . . . . . $82,000 30 Hunter ‘88 . . . . . . . . $38,500 37 Endeavour ‘83 . . . . . . $52,500 30 Catalina ‘89 . . . . . . . $34,500 37 Endeavour ‘82 . . . . . . $65,000 28 Hunter ‘90 . . . . . . . . $26,900 CATAMARANS 365 Pearson ‘80. . . . . . . $56,000 36 Tashiba ‘87 . . . . . . . $135,000 44 Dean Catamaran ‘99 . . $285,000 36 Jeanneau ‘98 . . . . . . $104,500 37 Prout Snow Goose ‘84 . $115,000 36MKII Catalina ‘99 . . . . $115,000 37 Prout Catamaran ‘94 . $115,000 36 Catalina ‘94 . . . . . . . $85,000 35 Prout-Catamaran ‘72 . . $59,000 36 Catalina ‘94 . . . . . . . $79,900 TRAWLERS 36 Catalina ‘94 . . . . . . . $79,500 43 Mainship Trawler ‘04 . . .$484,705 351 Beneteau ‘96 . . . . . . $77,500 40 Mainship Trawler ‘04. . .$360,374 35 Island Packet ‘89 . . . $119,900 34 Mainship Trawler ‘82 . . . $79,900

44 Morgan ‘90 . . . . . . . $169,900 44 C & C ‘69 . . . . . . . . $74,900 44 Beneteau ‘95 . . . . . . $164,900 43 Hunter ‘97 . . . . . . . $179,500 43 Endeavour ‘81 . . . . . $139,000 42 Hunter CC ‘96 . . . . . $189,000 42 Catalina ‘01 . . . . . . $189,500 42 Catalina ‘96 . . . . . . $119,000 42 Catalina ‘89 . . . . . . $109,000 42 Beneteau ‘83 . . . . . . $77,500 411 Beneteau ‘01 . . . . . $174,000 41 Morgan ‘89 . . . . . . . $124,900 41 Morgan ‘87. . . . . . . . $89,500 40.5 Hunter ‘93 . . . . . . $119,900 40 Jeanneau ‘01 . . . . . . $175,500 30 ft. to 34 ft.

40 Hunter ‘92 . . . . . . . $115,000 34 Mainship Express ‘00 . .$179,000 40 Caliber ‘96 . . . . . . . $259,000 340 Hunter ‘01 . . . . . . . $97,500 30 Mainship RR-Sedan ‘04 . $178,434 400 Beneteau ‘97 . . . . . $134,900 We have a large assortment of Sunsail, Sun Yacht and Stardust phased-out charter yachts available at favorable prices. Call for details.

The Massey Team of Yachting Specialists – experienced sailors one and all – are dedicated to helping other sailors make sound, knowledgeable decisions relative to yacht selection, ownership and custom outfitting.

TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU ON FLORIDA’S WEST COAST – IN THE HEART OF AMERICA’S FINEST CRUISING AREA.

Palmetto, FL 941-723-1610 • TOLL-FREE 800-375-0130

Brad Crabtree

Scott Pursell

Frank Hamilton

Dan Howland

St. Pete, FL 727-824-7262 • TOLL-FREE 877-552-0525

Edward Massey

Bill Wiard

Mary Beth Singh

Al Pollak

YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR MEASURE OF SUCCESS

www.masseyyacht.com • E-mail:

yachtsales@masseyyacht.com

Anne Corey

Dealer demo-new/warranty

2003 Catalina 42 • Clearance $188,000

1994 Catalina 36 • $84.500

1993 Hunter 405 • $119,000

46 Beneteau 2000 . . . . . . . . .$279,500 46 Beneteau 1997 . . . . . . . . .$199,000 45 Morgan 1995 . . . . .SOLD . . . . . .$229,900 45 Morgan 1991 . . . . . . . . . . .$195,000 45 Hunter 1999 . . . . . . . . . . .$239,900 44 Beneteau 1995 . . . . . . . . .$164,900 44 Morgan 1990 . . . . . . . . . . .$169,900 43 Hunter 1997 . . . . . . . . . . .$179,500 42 Beneteau 1983 . . . . . . . . . .$77,500 42 Hunter 1996 . . . . . . . . . . .$189,000 42 Hunter 1992 . . . . .SOLD . . . . . .$144,900 42 Catalina 2003 Demo/New .$188,000 42-2 Catalina 2001 . . . . . . . . .$189,500 42-2 Catalina 1992 . . . . . . . . .$134,500 42-3 Catalina 1989 . . . . . . . . .$109,000 411 Beneteau 2001 . . . . . . . .$174,000

41 Morgan Classic 1989 . . . .$124,900 41 Morgan Classic 1987 . . . . .$89,500 41OI Morgan 1973 . . .SOLD . . . . . .$49,900 40 Hunter 1992 . . . . . . . . . . .$115,000 40 CC Beneteau 1997 . . . . . .$120,000 40-2 Jeanneau 2001 . . . . . . . .$175,500 40-3 Jeanneau 2000 . .SOLD . . . . . .$144,000 40 CC Beneteau 1997 . .SOLD . . . . . .$134,500 38 Beneteau 2001 . . . . . . . . .$147,000 38 Hunter 2000 . . . . . . . . . . .$120,000 38 Catalina 1981 . . . . . . . . . . .$45,000 38 Morgan 1982 . . . . . . . . . . . .$59,900 38 CC Morgan 1998 . . . . . . .$145,000 37 Hunter 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . .$95,000 36 Catalina 1999 . . . . . . . . . .$115,000 36 Catalina 1994 . . . . . . . . . . .$85,000

36 Catalina 1994 . . . . . . . . . . .$79,900 36 Catalina 1994 . . . . . . . . . . .$79,500 36 Jeanneau 1998 . . . . . . . . . .$104,500 35 Beneteau 1996 . . . . . . . . . .$77,500 34 Catalina 1987 . . . . . . . . . . .$49,500 34 Hunter 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . .$97,500 33 Hunter 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . .$64,500 320 Catalina 1996 . . . . . . . . . .$75,000 320 Catalina 1995 . . . . . . . . . .$74,500 320 Catalina 1999 . . . . . . . . . .$97,500 31 Catalina 2001 . . . . .SOLD . . . . . .$88,900 30 Hunter 1988 . . . . . . . . . . . .$38,500 30Catalina 1989 . . . . . . . . . . .$34,500 30 Catalina 1987 . . . . .SOLD . . . . . .$32,500 28 Hunter 1990 . . . . . .SOLD . . . . . .$26,900

LD SO

LD SO

LD SO

1989 Catalina 30 • $34,950

1990 Hunter 28 • $26,900

1995 Morgan 45 • $229,900

All listings are Massey centrals

List Your Yacht With Massey And Get It Sold Fast!

Call for your FREE “How to Prepare your Yacht for Sale” package

SINCE 1977

www.masseyyacht.com

Palmetto, FL 941-723-1610 • TOLL-FREE 800-375-0130

Brad Crabtree

Scott Pursell

Frank Hamilton

Dan Howland

St. Pete, FL 727-824-7262 • TOLL-FREE 877-552-0525

Edward Massey

Bill Wiard

Mary Beth Singh

Al Pollak

Anne Corey

ADVERTISER INDEX BY CATEGORY

(See page 61 for alphabetical list)

SAILBOATS – NEW AND BROKERAGE Beneteau Sailboats Back Cover Boaters Exchange/Catalina Sailboats 6 Compac Boats East 19 Carson Yacht Sales/Beneteau Back Cover Eastern Yacht Sales/Beneteau Back Cover Finish Line Multihulls/ F-Boats & Used Multihulls 17 Flying Scot Sailboats 56 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales 56 Hunter Sailboats 10 Massey Yacht Sales/Catalina/Jeanneau/Hunter/Mainship3,9,15,27,41,45, IFC Masthead Yacht Sales/Catalina 35, 60 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau Back Cover Raider Sailboats 55 Sarasota Youth Sailing Program donated boats 54 Snug Harbor Boats/Compac/Elliot 29 St. Barts/Beneteau Back Cover Suncoast Inflatables/ West Florida 26 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg 49 Tampa Sailing Squadron donated boats 54 Weathermark Sailing/Catalina/Vanguard/Hobie 16 Windcraft, Trimarans and Catamarans, Sail or Power 50 Whitneys Marine, Hunter and brokerage boats, marina, boatyard 7

Fleetside Marine Service RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke

59 25

RESORTS, MARINAS, RESTAURANTS, BOATYARDS Bob and Annie’s Boatyard Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina Pasadena Marina, St. Petersburg Whitneys Marine, Hunter and brokerage boats, marina, boatyard

CHARTER COMPANIES Sailtime, Time-Share ownership

56

MARINE SERVICES, SURVEYORS, INSURANCE, TOWING, BOAT LETTERING, ETC. Aqua Graphics/Boat Names/Tampa Bay or buy online Beachmaster Photography Bluewater Insurance/ Florida Davis Maritime Surveying First Patriot Inc, Insurance Agency, Paul Phaneuf TowboatUS

Air Duck Hatch Windscoop Bluewater Sailing Supply, www.bluewaterss.com/ Boaters Exchange, boats, gear, etc. Rockledge FL BoatUS Bo’sun Supplies/Hrdwre/Rigging www.bosunsupplies.com Defender Industries, www.defender.com Fujinon Binoculars Garhauer Hardware/www.garhauermarine.com Glacier Bay Refrigeration/ www.glacierbay.com Hotwire/Fans & other products Island Time PC/12-volt computers Island Marine Products/Davits,motorlocks,etc.

JR Overseas/Moisture Meter Martek Dinghy Davits Masthead Ent. www.mastheadsailinggear.com Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign Rparts Refrigeration, www.rparts.com Sailor’s Soap Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg West Marine

39 28 6 23 13 60 17 12 25 60 28 28 52 59 35,60 29 24 11,31,47 49 IFC

SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICES Altlantic Sails

48

Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida Bluewater Sailing Supply, www.bluewaterss.com/ BoatUS Cruising Direct/sails online by North Dwyer Mast/spars, hardware, rigging Masthead/Used Sails and Service National Sail Supply, new & used online North Sails Porpoise Sailing Services Sail Exchange/www.sailexchange.com Schurr Sails, Pensacola FL UK Sails, www.uksailmakers.com Ullman Sails/West Florida West Marine

60 28 23 19 59 35, 60 38 34 60 46 39 43 31 IFC

Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida

60

USED SAILING/BOATING SUPPLIES Don’s Salvage, Clearwater FL Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign, West Florida Scurvy Dog Marine/Used, Consign, Pensacola FL

21 29 21

MARINE ELECTRONICS Dockside Radio JR Overseas/Moisture Meter Sea Tech/Navigation/Communication

50 52 51

BOOKS Bubba Stories Book Great Outdoors Publishing Gunkholer’s Cruising Guide/West Florida

44 6 6

REGATTA ADVERTISEMENTS, BOAT SHOWS Regata del Sol al Sol Pursuit Regatta, Bradenton YC Michelob Cup,Treasure Island YC

33 40 38

Alphabetical Advertisers’ List Regional Services Directory West Florida

61 37

SUBSCRIBE TO Southwinds $12/YEAR $20/2 YEARS (3RD CLASS) (941) 795-8704 • www.southwindssailing.com P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175 New — Subscribe On-line on our Web site — a secure site — using your credit card: www.southwindssailing.com

Address ________________________________________ City/St./ZIP ____________________________________ ENCLOSED $ ________ Check ___ Money Order ___ Visa/MC

SAILING SCHOOLS Sea School/Captain’s License www.seaschool.com St. Augustine Sailing School

34 60

#__________________________________

Name on Card __________________________________ Ex. Date _______ Signature ______________________

MARINE ENGINES Beta Marine

March 2004

59

Name _________________________________________

CANVAS

4

57 57 14 45 20 51

COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE Island Time PC

GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES

7 19 24 7

13

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

Southwinds NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

8

From the Helm

11

Bubba Heats This Place Up…a Lot

By Morgan Stinemetz

13

Letters

18

Racing Calendar

20

Boatek: Air Conditioning on a Shoestring Part II

By Stephen Sommer

24

Explore Anguilla – Fun for Cruisers & Racers Alike

By Carol Bareuther

28

Boat Review: The International 505

By Dave Ellis

30

Racers from Around the World come to Margaritaville

By Rebecca Burg

38

Southern Sailing: A Bit of History of Women’s Sailing in the South

By Dave Ellis

40

Racing and Regattas

48

Short Tacks

55

Classifieds

62

New Salts: The Slowest All-Women Sailboat Racers in the World

By Donna Stiteler

37

Southwinds Regional Sailing Services Directory

61

Alphabetical Index of Advertisers

4

Advertisers’ List by Category

4

Subscription Form

19

Where to Pick Up Southwinds

8

Calendar Photo Contest Cover: Key West Racing: Beauty and brawn, the J/105 class shows no mercy in a tightly packed run. Gigi in center. Photo by Capt. Bill Robinson. Page 30.

Racing in Margaritaville. Photo by Capt. Bill Robinson. Page 30.

Cruising & Racing in Anguilla. Photo by Dean Barnes. Page 24.

From the Carolinas to Cuba…from Atlanta to the Abacos…Southwinds Covers Southern Sailing LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

5

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.southwindssailing.com e-mail: editor@southwindssailing.com

VOLUME 12

NUMBER 3

MARCH 2004

Copyright 2004, Southwinds Media, Inc. Publisher/Editor Steve Morrell editor@southwindssailing.com Founder Doran Cushing Advertising Sales Representatives Gary Hufford (727) 585-2814 gary@southwindssailing.com Steve Morrell (941) 795-8704 editor@southwindssailing.com Design/Graphics Production Heather Nicoll, io Graphics Proofreading Kathy Elliott Carol Bareuther Dave Ellis Stephen Sommer Rick White Dean Barnes Arturo Perez Rick White

Contributing Writers Rebecca Burg Doran Cushing Mike Kirk Arturo Perez Morgan Stinemetz Donna Stiteler Contributing Photographers Gary Hufford Mike Kirk Capt. Bill Robinson Donna Stiteler

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 far-off 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 $12/year, or $20/2 years for third class, and $24/year for first class. Checks and credit card numbers may be mailed with name and address to Southwinds Subscriptions, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach FL, 34218-1175, or call (941) 7958704. Subscriptions are also available with a credit card through a secure server on our Web site, www.southwindssailing.com.

SUBSCRIBE TO Southwinds

Southwinds is distributed to over 500 locations throughout 10 Southern states. If you would like to distribute Southwinds at your location, please contact the editor.

Subscribe online at a secure site for your credit card www.southwindssailing.com

Read Southwinds magazine on our Web site, www.southwindssailing.com.

$12/YEAR $20/2 YEARS SEE PAGE 4 6

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

Increase Your Sales – Advertise with

Southwinds SEE PAGE 22 LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

7

FROM THE HELM WHO OWNS THE ANCHORAGE? WHERE CAN A BOAT LEGALLY ANCHOR?

I

f I could answer this question simple and completely, I would be answering a question that most maritime legal experts cannot answer easily. In fact, no lawyer would ever say laws were simple.

In the past year, Southwinds has received many letters about anchoring rights, who has them, where are they, and what are they. In this issue is another, which raises more questions. This has been in response to municipalities in the South (and other places around the country, I am sure) restricting these rights or telling boaters that they, the local governing body, own these rights. I am not sure where legal jurisdiction always lies on anchoring rights, but when the local or state governing authority’s harbor or marine patrol tells you that you can’t anchor in a certain spot, or that you must pay a certain fee to do so, one feels mighty intimidated to obey, particularly when you see the uniform, the weapon, and the blue policing light on the boat they arrived in. You feel intimidated to believe that they do have those rights. Who can fight city hall?

With all the letters we have had from boaters expressing their frustration, along with articles attempting to answer the question by maritime attorney Michael Shea, I still remain confused and unsure. Mr. Shea has outlined many issues but frequently has explained that it is not a simple answer. In the current issue, we published a letter that was in response to Shea’s articles and the many letters written to Southwinds. The writer had a personal experience with the anchoring question and appears to have done some serious research. It raises more questions in mind than it answers. It’s a little long, but its length helps give it weight.

There are no simple laws. Even if a governing body passes a law stating something specific, it must be enforced and judged in relation to precedent and incremental decision-making over time, and in the laws governing navigable waters, time can mean hundreds of years, and most likely longer. (Precedent goes back before the existence of the United States. Hard to believe, but early incremental decision-making in courts took into account previous court decisions made before the United States became a legal independent entity.) One of the main purposes of law is to protect the minority (in a pure democracy, the majority can

get together and vote to take the minority’s boats away), and in the rights to anchor on the water, the minority is frequently boaters passing through, and their rights, hopefully, are protected.

Actually protecting them, though, is another story.

If an anchoring law established by a local government is questioned, it takes a lot more than the boater saying, “No. I am not moving.” Or “No. I am not paying that fee.” (Just dreaming about doing that brings joy to one’s imagination.) Laws wouldn’t have much meaning if it was that easy. You have to legally challenge these things in court and in the local decision-making process. If you are passing through, good luck on the latter, and if you don’t have the time and money, then good luck on the former. So what do we end up with? The local municipalities’ assuming and acting as though they have jurisdiction and taking it. The boaters, who are really in the minority, lose out. In other words, the local governing bodies have de facto jurisdiction, whether they have the legal rights or not. If they exercise their control long enough, over time they will have the legal rights by precedent. And that is why it is important to question these local municipalities now.

After all this discussion with the articles and letters, particularly the letter in this issue, I am convinced that these municipalities have perhaps taken jurisdiction because they believe they have it, and consequently, they currently do. What can boaters do? Someone once said, “Organization is the power of the minority.” Boaters will have to unite if they want to seriously question who owns the anchorage. A good example: Boot Key Harbor in the Florida Keys. It appeared that boaters regained what was thought to be lost ground in the anchoring and mooring battle, but another letter in this issue questions those gains.

So do I. Maybe others out there can shed some more light on this.

I have heard of a group in Stuart called Boaters for Waterway Rights. They are trying to get something going. They can be contacted via e-mail at Tgill47672@aol.com. If there other groups out there, please let us know.

Steve Morrell Editor

PHOTO CONTEST Southwinds 2005 CALENDAR

Enter Southwinds Magazine photo contest for our 2005 calendar. 12 photos chosen. Credit will be given to each photographer on the calendar along with a Southwinds subscription, and five calendars.

• All photos must have at least one sailboat in them and the photo must be taken in the Southern U.S., Bahamas, or Caribbean and can be racing, cruising, at anchor, or motoring.

• Maximum 5 entry photos per person. Only one photo chosen from any one person.

• Photos will be judged on composition, clarity, and lighting.

• Photos preferred to be in color and must be horizontal.

Entries must be received by October 15, 2004. Mail all entries with name, address, phone number, e-mail (if available), photo description, where and when taken. Please protect your photos in transit. Send entries to: Southwinds Magazine 2005 Calendar Photo Contest PO Box 1175 Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175 Call (941) 795-8704 or e-mail editor@southwindssailing.com with any questions.

CONTEST RULES: Southwinds will retain rights of the photo for the calendar and any advertising associated with it or use of the photo for advertising future calendars. After receiving the photo, Southwinds will mail a copyright release to the photographer, which must be signed and received by Southwinds by the deadline entry date. Southwinds also retains the rights to cancel this contest if deemed necessary to do so by the Publisher. All photos become the property (with the limited rights mentioned above) of Southwinds. Discs are not returnable. Other restrictions apply.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: 35mm (or larger format) photos –Original photo only. No slides please. Digital photos: 300 dpi minimum at 9 x 12 inches.

Mailed in on disc, and not returnable. Digital photos will have to be of very high resolution to be printed this size, and the average non-professional digital camera will not be able to take a photo of this resolution. Please submit all photos on disc with one version in high resolution and one in low resolution.

8

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New 2004 CATALINA 400 Hull #297 in stock

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New CATALINA 310 Hull #256in stock

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New CATALINA 350 Hull #152 and 227 in stock

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New CATALINA 387 Hull #21 in stock

New CATALINA 42 Hull #837 in stock

Buy now. Sail Tomorrow. Save Thousands. New is Better.

• • • • • • • • •

New yacht discounts-all trades considered New design, construction and performance New electronics, A/C and gensets New flat screen TVs and DVDs New yacht financing at lowest rates New yacht custom outfitting Full factory/dealer warranties and on site service Free yacht systems and handling orientation Free yacht décor dollars

The best part of purchasing a new yacht is that it’s NEW and really costs about the same as buying a late model pre-owned yacht.

This is prime time for Florida sailing and your new Catalina is ready to sail away, right now! Call or come by and discover the dollars and sense of owning a new yacht.

New is better.

Call Massey today for Special New Catalina Discount Prices.

SAVE-SAVE-SAVE! Immediate Delivery.

SINCE 1977

One Call Starts a Team Reaction!

Palmetto, FL 941-723-1610 • TOLL-FREE 800-375-0130

Brad Crabtree

Scott Pursell

Frank Hamilton

Dan Howland

www.masseyyacht.com St. Pete, FL 727-824-7262 • TOLL-FREE 877-552-0525

Edward Massey

Bill Wiard

Mary Beth Singh

Al Pollak

Anne Corey

146

170

Performance Sail Available

Includes Roller Furling Jib

216

Optional Sail Kit Available

Galvanized Trailer Standard

One-Design Performance

No matter what your sailing expertise is, Hunter Marine has the boat for you and your family. Our patented Advanced Composite Process creates a tough unsinkable hull thermoformed with a UV-protected plastic, reinforced with fiberglass mat and injected with closed cell foam. Our noted designers have made them fun to sail and our talented engineers made them easy to rig. Come discover for yourself why Hunter is leading the way to family fun on the water.

NBOA – Sarasota, FL (941) 360-6777 Lake Fairview Marina – Orlando, FL (407) 295-0117 Performance Sail & Sport – Melbourne, FL (321) 253-3737 Select Yachts – Lake Lanier, GA (770) 965-4720 Sayre Sailing – Charleston, SC (843) 534-0560 Alabama Sailing – Tallasee, AL (334) 315-5055 386.462.3077 800.771.5556 www.huntermarine.com

modify or change, without notice, any prices, materials, specifications, equipment and/or accessories. *Hunter Marine reserves the right to See your dealer for details. Standard equipment may vary for products sold outside the United States.

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

11

BUBBA Continued from page 11

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.

WHAT ARE BOATERS’ RIGHTS TO ANCHOR IN NAVIGABLE WATERS? The opinions of Capt. J. Michael Shea, JD, in the November 2003 issue of Southwinds, “Who Owns the Anchorage?” were interesting, but he failed to mention anything about the actual laws.

Being involved in the courts regarding an anchoring dispute in south Alabama, my husband and I have researched the issue ourselves and would like to dispute Mr. Shea’s opinion as well as the opinions of many local authorities who choose to disregard these laws.

First some definitions should be made clear: • Navigable – Capable of being navigated; affording passage to ships.

• Navigate – To travel on water in ships or boats; to guide a ship; to sail; to plan or compute the course of a vessel or vehicle.

• Navigation – The act of navigating; the science or art of managing ships; the science of determining the location, speed, destination, and direction of airplanes and other craft. (New Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language) • Navigable Water – Those waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide and/or are presently used, or have been used in the past, or may be susceptible for use to transport interstate or foreign commerce. A determination of navigability, once made, applies laterally over the entire surface of the water body, and is not extinguished by later actions or events, which impede or destroy navigable capacity; all tidal waters including the rivers, canals and lakes that interconnect (Code of Federal Regulations, 33, 329.4).

• Navigation “is not confined to the main

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

channel, but extends over the entire surface of the water, from shore to shore, subject only to natural obstructions and lawful artificial obstructions…the public may exercise its right of navigation in a reasonable manner for either business or pleasure and in either large or small watercraft. It includes the incidental rights of anchorage and mooring.”

(The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Corpus Juris Segundum, III. Public Right of Navigation, A. In General, Section 20 Rights of Public Generally) Clearly, navigation is not merely the driving of a vessel down a waterway as Mr. Shea suggests.

As for jurisdiction, Article III, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution gives federal judicial power to “all Cases of Admiralty and Maritime Jurisdiction;” and Article VI assures that all laws made under the authority of the U.S. “shall be the supreme law of the land; and the Judges in every state shall be bound thereby.” Article XIV (Bill of Rights) maintains that “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the U.S.” U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Corpus Juris Segundum, III. Public Right of Navigation, A. In General, Section 20 Rights of Public Generally, decrees: • “The common right of the public to use navigable water for navigation is superior to other rights in the water, and is not confined to the main channel, but extends over the entire surface of the water, from shore to shore, subject only to natural obstructions and lawful artificial obstructions and that the public may exercise its right of navigation in a

reasonable manner for either business or pleasure and in either large or small watercraft. It includes the incidental rights of anchorage and mooring.”

• “Irrespective of whether or not within the ebb and flow of the tide, where water is navigable, the public, subject to valid regulations, has a common right to use it for navigation as a public highway without any legislative declaration that it is such a highway. The right of navigation is the dominant right in navigable waters.”

• “The right of navigation entitles the public generally to the reasonable use of navigable waters for all legitimate purposes of travel or transportation, either for business or for pleasure, in any kind of watercraft, whether large or small, the use of which is consistent with the enjoyment by others of the right possessed in common. In time of peace a navigable river is open at all hours to passage in any direction…

Among the incidental rights are the right of the navigator to anchor and to moor, without unreasonable obstructing of navigation, at his own or any public wharf or landing, or, it has been held, to the bank or shore.”

U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Annotated, Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, Purpose, Obstruction of Navigable Waters Generally states: • “Purpose of this chapter is to protect, preserve, and make safe the nation’s navigable waterways, and the U.S. is the principal beneficiary of this chapter.”

• “Purpose of this section to effect that it is unlawful to construct bridge or cre-

Southwinds

March 2004

13

LETTERS Continued from page 13

•

• • •

• • •

• •

•

•

•

•

ate any other obstruction, which is not authorized by Congress…to navigable capacity of any navigable waters of the U.S. to protect the public in the enjoyment of its right to navigate navigable streams.” (Dow Chemical Co. v. Davis Carrier, Inc.) “Whatever may be said in reference to obstruction existing at the time of the passage of the Act under the authority of the state statutes, it is obvious that Congress meant that thereafter no state should interfere with the navigability of a stream without the condition of national assent.” (Article 1, S8, Cl 3) “The creation of any obstruction not affirmatively authorized

by Congress to the navigable capacity of any of the waters of the U.S. is prohibited...or in any manner to alter or modify...” “ Broad interpretation must be given to this section relating to obstruction of navigable waters.” (U.S. v. Ohio Barge Lines) “All state laws and regulations with respect to navigable waters and all rights required under them, are subject to the paramount right of the U.S. to appropriate any portion of the submerged soil for the purpose of navigation. Under Commerce Clause USCA, Article 1, S8, Cl 3, federal government has navigation control of lands subject to tidal overflow.” (No. 9) “ ...term “obstruction” as so used is broad enough to include diminution of navigable capacity of a waterway.” (No. 17, U.S. v Republic Steel Corp.) “…’obstruction’ is to be liberally construed.” (No. 17, Norfolk & Wester Co. v U.S) “Recent disuse due to development of alternative modes of transport or artificial obstructions will not alter a water course’s historical navigable status.” (Golatte v. Harrell, 731 F. Supp 453) “The public is entitled to unobstructed use of every part of a navigable river from bank to bank.” (CJS Navigable Waters, S 20, No. 15) “…those waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide and/or are presently used, or have been used in the past, or may be susceptible for use to transport interstate or foreign commerce. A determination of navigability, once made, applies laterally over the entire surface of the water body, and is not extinguished by later actions or events, which impede or destroy navigable capacity…all tidal waters including the rivers, canals and lakes that interconnect.” (329.4, updated 4-10-03) “Riparian owner having qualified title to submerged soil is entitled to no preference over the public generally with respect to use of navigable waters whether for navigation, business, or pleasure.” (Section 1, No. 42) When Congress adopted what is now 33 U.S. Sec. 403 it “meant thereafter no state should interfere with the navigability of a stream” and “nothing should be done by any state tending to destroy that navigability without the explicit assent of the national government.” (U.S. v. Rio Grande Dam & Irrigation Company, 174 U.S. 690, 708, 1899) Congress intended that “anything wherever done or however done, within the limits of the jurisdiction of the United States which tends to destroy the navigable capacity of one of the navigable waters of the United States is within the terms of the prohibition (of the act)…an injunction which prohibits travel through a navigable waterway tends to destroy its navigable capacity.” (Rio Grande Dam, 174, U.S. 708).

“Where a detailed federal regulatory scheme exists and where its general thrust will be impaired by incompatible state ac-

See LETTERS continued on page 16 14

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New 2004 MAINSHIP 40 – Hull #139 in stock

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New MAINSHIP 30 Sedan Hull #198 in stock

New MAINSHIP 30 Express Hull #112 in stock

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New MAINSHIP 34 Hull #333 in stock

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New MAINSHIP 43 Hull #100 in stock

Buy now. Cruise Tomorrow. Save Thousands. New is Better.

• • • • • • • • •

New yacht discounts-all trades considered New design, construction and performance New electronics, A/C and gensets New flat screen TVs and DVDs New yacht financing at lowest rates New yacht custom outfitting Full factory/dealer warranties and on site service Free yacht systems and handling orientation Free yacht décor dollars

The best part of purchasing a new yacht is that it’s NEW and really costs about the same as buying a late model pre-owned yacht.

This is prime time for Florida boating and your new Mainship is ready to cruise away, right now! Call or come by and discover the dollars and sense of owning a new yacht.

New is better.

Call Massey today for Special New Mainship Discount Prices.

SAVE-SAVE-SAVE! Immediate Delivery.

One Call Starts a Team Reaction!

Palmetto, FL 941-723-1610 • TOLL-FREE 800-375-0130

Brad Crabtree

Scott Pursell

Frank Hamilton

Dan Howland

SINCE 1977

www.masseyyacht.com St. Pete, FL 727-824-7262 • TOLL-FREE 877-552-0525

Edward Massey

Bill Wiard

Mary Beth Singh

Al Pollak

Anne Corey

LETTERS Continued from page 14 tion, that state action is preempted by federal law.” (Three Affiliated Tribes v. Wold Engineering, 476 U.S. 877, 885, 1986) U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Annotated, Title 43, Public Lands, S931, No. 7 Public Highway Status asserts: • “All persons have equal rights to navigation on navigable river, which is public highway.” (Cromartie v. Stone, 1927, 140 SE 612, 194 N.C. 663) Captain R. D. Peterson, Chief, Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch of the Seventh Coast Guard District, by direction of the district commander, had this to say: • “Mariners are free to anchor anywhere in navigable waters where the act of anchoring is not specifically prohibited by federal regulation.”

• “The mariner is entitled to use an anchor at no fee and stay in the anchorage zone an indefinite period.”

• “These federal anchorage rights preempt any state or local statutes or regulations which may conflict with them.”

• “The owner of the lands under navigable waters, including states, cannot infringe upon the right to navigate, including the incidental right to anchor.”

• “Although the state can, assuming compliance with applicable federal and state permit requirements, establish a mooring field or individual moorings, including the collection of reasonable fees for their use…the state may not normally, however, require vessels to use those moorings and not anchor elsewhere.”

• “That would be an unreasonable interference with navigation.”

• “The right to navigate upon the navigable waters of the United States is a right enjoyed by all members of the public and protected by the Congress of the United States under the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution.”

The U.S. Coast Guard is the federal agency assigned by Congress to be the enforcement agency of maritime laws. It is our understanding that federal law does not change from one Coast Guard district to another.

In United States Government Memorandum 16612, 16 April 1982, A. W. Anderson, Acting, informed the City of Miami that: • “Regardless who has title to submerged lands beneath the navigable waters of the United States, such title is subject to a superior navigational servitude on the part of the United States. Appurtenant to such servitude is the right to perform all the necessary incidents of navigation including reasonable anchorage; and that except in unusual situations involving marine sanctuaries, endangered species such as manatees and other circumstances not applicable here, the City has no jurisdiction to prohibit or control anchoring in navigable waters of the United States.”

Clearly, anchoring is part of navigating, and navigating is a right that was recognized as early as 1787 when our Continental Congress set out to establish a waterway system where “the navigable waters shall be common highways, and forever free,” and George Washington and the very first Congress created the U.S. Federal Waters, which were defined as “all tidal waters including the rivers, canals, and lakes that interconnect.” Two hundred years later, a legal network exists in our country that has the power to do just about anything it wants through legal trickery and underhandedness; but it seems clear to us that, by law, navigation, including anchoring, is a right to be enjoyed equally by all, not just the rich, those in which Mr. Shea’s best interests appear to be.

JoAn Day Josephine, AL 16

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

BOOT KEY HARBOR: ARE LIVE-ABOARDS GETTING “NICKELED AND DIMED?” I find Chuck Kanter’s letter about Boot Key Harbor’s nominal fee, and the harbor requiring live-aboards to pick one up for $150 deplorable. What is so abominable is that they are required to shell out this money and then are “nickeled and dimed” by the city for everything else.

When people take a mooring in Vero Beach, the mooring fee includes dinghy dockage, trash disposal, and water. Furthermore, the transportation into town is free. Marathon’s mooring fee includes nothing.

Last year, I heard numerous complaints from transients as well as live-aboards about the expense of the moorings, paying extra for the dinghy dockage, and reservations about how secure the moorings were. I am grateful that the harbor has been cleaned up and the derelict boats are gone. However, I don’t think the Near Shores Water Committee, which touts itself as representing the boaters, has been responsive to those concerned about the boating community as much as they should be. I attended one of their meetings last year. Every time one of those anchored expressed his concerns, he was either ignored or patronized. I was extremely disappointed in what I heard and saw. There was only one person on the board who represented the boaters and actually anchored in the harbor. I don’t recall him ever being able to voice his concerns.

Another major concern is that the city of Marathon has not exposed the tentative harbor improvement plans that would send docks into what the city wants to leave as an anchoring field, further restricting anchoring, as well as boardwalks through protected mangroves. (I have seen the plans.) I strongly urge your readers to contact the Corps of Engineers, the EPA, and other concerned agencies to prevent the city of Marathon from extending docks into the harbor itself or adding any more moorings. I also challenge the city to send Southwinds the phase three drawings.

Finally, the federal government has not encroached on our anchoring rights. It is the various municipalities that have.

As for the city marina staff, I feel that they are among the finest in the state. They are kind, courteous, and go out of their way to help all of us who travel through the Keys. Rather than spending money on more moorings and on docks, it would be more fitting and proper to spend the money on salary increases for the marina employees and to provide them with what they need to continue to maintain a first class marina.

Sara Smith St. Augustine, FL Sara It appears not all is well at Boot Key Harbor. As you might have noticed, we have published a letter this month filled with facts and quotes of laws and rulings on the subject of waterway rights, and I wonder who really has rights here. Perhaps boaters can anchor in more places than the city of Marathon says.

There is a recently-formed organization called Boaters for Waterway Rights, based in Stuart, FL. You can contact them by e-mailing Tgill47672@aol.com.

Editor SHARE YOUR OPINIONS WITH THE EDITOR: PO Box 1175,Holmes Beach FL 34218 Fax: (941) 795-8705 E-mail: editor@southwindssailing.com Web site: southwindssailing.com LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

17

RACING CALENDAR We’d like to encourage all sailing associations, yacht clubs and regatta sponsors to notify us of upcoming events in your area.

Simply fax or e-mail us by the 10th of each month to ensure that your racing and regatta schedule will be included.

Send to calendar@southwindssailing.com or fax to 941-795-8704. Southwinds Magazine also offers reduced advertising rates for regattas.

FLORIDA EAST COAST MARCH 6 - 12 Stars Bacardi Cup Coral Reef Yacht Club coralreefyachtclub.org MARCH 13 – 14 Annual Regatta Miami Yacht Club Miamiyachtclub.net MARCH 16 – 17 Lightning Circuit Regatta lightningclass.org MARCH 18 – 29 Star Class Olympic Trials Miami ussailing.org MARCH 19 – 21 Don-Q-Rum Snipe Regatta Coconut Grove Sailing Club gonzolodiaz@accesspro.net MARCH 19 – 24 Miami – Nassau Race bbyra.net MARCH 20 – 21 Gulfstream Annual Regatta bbyra.net MARCH 27 – 28 WYRA women’s regatta Coconut Grove Sailing Club cgsc.org APRIL 3 – 4 Star Districts bbyra.com APRIL 9 – 11 Southeast Dinghy Championship Key Biscayne Yacht Club bbyra.com APRIL 17 Miami – Key Largo Miami Yacht Club miamiyachtclub.net

FLORIDA WEST COAST & INLAND MARCH 1 – 5 Thistle Midwinters St. Petersburg Yacht Club spyc.org MARCH 5 – 7 Fireball, 420, Frontrunner Davis Island Yacht Club diyc.org MARCH 6 SPSA Rich Gahn Regatta PHRF Distance spsa.us MARCH 6 – 7 Trans-Monroe Regatta Lake Monroe Sailing Assoc. sailpdq@yahoo.com MARCH 11 – 14 Sunfish Midwinters Pensacola Yacht Club (850) 477-3564 MARCH 13 – 14 Spring One-Design Keelboat Regatta Davis Island Yacht Club diyc.org MARCH 11 – 14 Lightning Midwinters St. Petersburg Yacht Club lightningclass.org

MARCH 12 – 14 C-Scow Midwinter Regatta Lake Eustis Sailing Center lakeeustissailingclub.org MARCH 13 – 14 Snipe Midwinters West Clearwater Yacht Club clearwateryachtclub.org MARCH 13 – 14 J-24, Melges 24, MORC Davis Island Yacht Club diyc.org MARCH 16 – 17 Zenda Scow University Clinic Lake Eustis Sailing Center lakeeustissailingclub.org MARCH 18 – 20 MC Scow Midwinter Nationals Lake Eustis Sailing Center lakeeustissailingclub.org MARCH 19 – 21 One Design Midwinters Sarasota Sailing Squadron (941) 388-2355 MARCH 19 – 21 International Sunfish Masters Melbourne Yacht Club cgates@cfl.rr.com MARCH 20 Michelob Cup PHRF racing tityc.com MARCH 27 Sarasota Bay Yachting Assoc.

“Pursuit” Regatta (941) 795-4646 MARCH 28 Anchor Trophy Race PHRF Gulf Racing Pass-a-Grille Yacht Club (727) 360-1646 MARCH 29 – 4/3 IFDS 2-person Worlds Disabled sailor’s regatta Martin 16 with spinnaker St. Petersburg Yacht Club spyc.org MARCH 30 Florida Women’s SA Rainbow Regatta Clearwater Yacht Club (727) 447-6000 APRIL 2 – 4 Suncoast Raceweek PHRF point to point racing spyc.org APRIL 3 – 4 Mount Dora Sailing Regatta One Designs Mount Dora Yacht Club (352) 735-3298 APRIL 8 – 11 Rolex Women’s Match Race St. Petersburg Yacht Club pseidens@tampabay.rr.com APRIL 17 – 18 Spring Regatta, small boats Melbourne Yacht Club melbourneyachtclub.com APRIL 20 Regata Del Sol al Sol St. Petersburg to Mexico start True Cruising & non-spinnaker regatadelsolalsol.org

APRIL 21 Regata Del Sol al Sol St. Petersburg to Mexico start Spinnaker and multihulls regatadelsolalsol.org APRIL 23 – 25 Spring Regatta big boats Melbourne Yacht Club melbourneyachtclub.com

NORTHERN GULF (AL, FL,LA,MS,TX) MARCH 4 – 7 Sunfish Midwinters Pensacola Yacht Club Sunfishclass.org MARCH 12 – 14 Leukemia Cup PHRF and One design southernyachtclub.org MARCH 19 – 20 Leukemia Cup Regatta Buccaneer Yacht Club Mobile Yacht Club (334) 479-8190 MARCH 27 – 28 Luders 16 Internationals New Orleans Yacht Club noyc.org APRIL 2 – 4 GORC Regatta Biloxy Yacht club (228) 435-5455 biloxiyc.org APRIL 13 – 18 Star Spring Champ’s New Orleans Yacht Club noyc.org APRIL 19 - 24 Corsair- Farrier Nationals Pensacola Yacht Club corsairmarine.com APRIL 24 – 25 Vanguard 15 Jazz Fest New Orleans Yacht Club noyc.org

SOUTHERN STATES (AK, GA, NC, SC,TN) MARCH 6 – 7 Laser Southerns Lake Lanier Sailing Club llsc.org MARCH 13 St. Patrick’s Day Regatta Privateer Yacht club privateeryachtclub.org MARCH 13 – 14 J-24 & J-22 Atlanta Cup Lake Lanier Sailing Club llsc.org MARCH 13 – 14 Keelboat Midwinters Lake Norman Yacht Club lakenormanyachtclub.com MARCH 13 – 14 Lightning Deep South Savannah lightningclass.org

MARCH 20 – 21 Y-Flyer Midwinters Lake Norman Yacht Club lakenormanyachtclub.com MARCH 25 – 28 Charleston Race Week Keelboat racing charlestonraceweek.com MARCH 27 Force Five Regatta Portsmouth & OD Cruising Percy Priest Yacht Club ppyc.org MARCH 27 – 28 Multihull Regatta Lake Lanier Sailing Club llsc.org APRIL 3 – 4 J-Watch Western Carolina Yacht Club Anderson, SC wcsc-sailing.org APRIL 3 – 4 PHRF Regatta Privateer Yacht Club privateeryachtclub.org APRIL 17 – 18 Thistle Districts Lake Lanier Sailing Club llsc.org APRIL 17 – 18 North Carolina Laser Dist.

Lake Norman Yacht Club lakenormanyachtclub.com APRIL 24 Douglas Design Regatta Flying Scott and Highlander Privateer Yacht Club privateeryachtclub.org APRIL 24 – 25 MC Scow Rebel Rouser Lake Lanier Sailing Club llsc.org APRIL 24 – 25 Atlanta Yacht Club Open Multi-class atlantayachtclub.org

APRIL 10 – 12 Mega-Yacht Challenge Antigua APRIL 15 – 20 Antigua classic Yacht Regatta APRIL 22 Guadeloupe to Antigua APRIL 25 – MAY 1 Antigua Sailing Week MAY 1 Regatta Amigos Isla Majeres, Mexico regatadelsolalsol.org

JUNIOR REGATTAS

CARIBBEAN caribbeanracing.com MARCH 5 – 8 Dark & Stormy Neptune Treasure BVI MARCH 13 – 14 International Laser Open Antigua MARCH 24 – 27 Bacardi-Gamblin Snipe Series Royal Nassau Sailing Club lorijim@bahamas.net.bs MARCH 26 –28 Int. Rolex Regatta St. Thomas Yacht Club Rolexregattadir@styc.net www.rolexcupregatta.com MARCH 29 – 4/4 BVI Sailing Festival and Regatta APRIL 9 – 11 Puerto Rico International Regatta

MARCH 6 – 7 Optimist Team Racing St. Petersburg Yacht Club spyc.org MARCH 5 – 7 Florida State Opti’s Sarasota Sailing Squadron sarasotaysp.com MARCH 6 – 7 Leukemia Cup Opti’s and Boardboats southernyachtclub.org MARCH 17 – 18 Opti Fest Coconut Grove Sailing Club cgsc.org MARCH 20 – 21 Youth dinghy Championship Opti, Radial, C-420 Sarasota Sailing Squadron sarasotaysp.com APRIL 8 – 10 Southeast Dinghy Championship Opti, Radial, C420 Key Biscayne Yacht Club (305) 361-9171 APRIL 17 – 18 Optifest Coconut Grove Sailing Club cgsc.org APRIL 25 – 26 Clark Mills Regatta Optimist Dinghies Clearwater Yacht Club clwyc.org APRIL 29 – MAY 4 Optimist Teams Coral Reef Yacht club coralreefyachtclub.org

WINDSURFING REGATTAS MARCH 12-14 Prodigy One-Design Race Banana River Windsurfing Resort Cocoa Beach, FL (311)784-0166 MARCH 5-7 Calema Midwinters Windsurfing Festival, Calema Windsurfing School Merrrit Island, FL Calema.com

SAILING CLUB DIRECTORY IS NOW ON THE INTERNET

For a list of yacht clubs and sailing associations in Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee visit our Web site southwindssailing.com. Their addresses and Web sites will also be listed.

We are asking all these organizations to e-mail us your Web site address and we will put a link to it.

Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations: Please update your phone numbers by e-mailing yachtclubs@southwindssailing.com Give us your Web site address also.

18

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

19

BOATEK SOLUTIONS TO ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, AIR-CONDITIONING, REFRIGERATION AND OTHER YACHT SYSTEMS

Air-Conditioning on a Shoestring: Part II Steve: I have a 32-foot sailboat, which is equipped with the basics. Is it practical to put an inverter on board? Is it possible to use the 120-volt output to run an airconditioner, or do I have to get a genset?

L

ast month, we began to answer the question of air-condi tioning on a small sailboat. The answer was: Yes, it’s possible and economical, but there are a lot of caveats to consider.

The “Shoe-string Plan”: The basic configuration we are talking about is using a large main engine-driven alternator, a medium-size inverter and a small conventional marine or even household air conditioner. That’s right, no genset. During daytime and evening operation, the engine, with a large alternator, will be running. The alternator will supply all of the power for the air conditioner, house loads and hopefully battery-charging. When it’s time to go to bed, the engine will be stopped; the sleeping area will be sealed off, and the air conditioner will cycle off and on (mostly off) using battery power.

Rather than going through all the possible combinations of air conditioners, alternators, batteries and inverters, I will address the smallest possible system, component by component. You can scale up from there.

■ Air Conditioner: The smallest marine or domestic window air conditioners (5000 BTUs) draw about 5 amps at 120 volts.

That requires about 50 amps at 12 volts from your batteries to the inverter input. In this application, efficiency is important, so look at the EER rating if you are going to use a domestic window air conditioner. Whether it is a domestic or marine air conditioner, try to determine if the blower motor uses a capacitor. A capacitor fan motor is far more efficient than other cheaper motors. This is a big factor if you are like many people who find it disturbing to put the air conditioner in “energy save” mode where the fan cycles along with the compressor. At night, when efficiency is most important, the fan can be a bigger en-

20

March 2004

Southwinds

ergy user than the compressor, because the compressor runs only a small fraction of the time.

■ Inverter: The rapidly evolving technology of inverters is what has made this configuration possible. You may already have an inverter that can run a small air conditioner. Most inverters that can run your coffee pot or small microwave can run a small air conditioner instead (not at the same time). Believe it or not, less expensive “modified sine wave” inverters are better for this job than the fancy “pure sine wave” models. The “pure sine wave” models have more self-protective devices built in, which severely limit their ability to provide the high surge of power required to start air conditioner compressors. Generally speaking, it takes at least a 1000 watt inverter for a 5000 BTU air conditioner. It will be called upon to provide 600 watts to run the air conditioner and about 3000 watts for a fraction of a second for starting.

If you don’t already have an inverter, and you are about to go shopping, there is good news. Without a genset on board supplying AC power, there is no real need to have an inverter with a charger built in. This reduces the amount you will have to pay considerably. It also means that you can dare to look at other-than-marine sources. There’s always a risk with respect to the tolerance of non-marine equipment to the humid salt-air environment, but the savings can be huge. Look at discount auto stores or even big discount warehouses. Some of these inverters are so cheap that you can consider them to be expendable experiments. Regardless of where you look, don’t consider anything that comes with a cigarette lighter plug as a power source, regardless of what it says about ratings.

■ Alternator: During daytime or evening operation your alter-

www.southwindssailing.com

By Stephen Sommer nator will provide all of the power for the air conditioner, the house loads and for battery-charging. The air conditioner will require 50 amps. Let’s allow 10 amps for house loads, and let’s assume that you would still like to be charging your batteries at half of the normal rate. A 100-amp alternator would come up a little shy. A 150-amp alternator would be a lot better, especially because few alternators actually put out what they are rated for at real operating temperature. I leave 100 amps as the absolute minimum because that’s all you can get with a simple single V-belt installation. Anytime you load an alternator this heavily, it’s a good idea to use a regulator that has a temperature sensor to avoid burning out the alternator.

■ Batteries: The last system component is the batteries. This is the most difficult one to address. The big question is: How much of the time will the compressor be running? If the area being cooled is well sealed to avoid outside humidity and the temperature is set to a comfortable and not frosty temperature, I have found that the total power consumed overnight is about 200 amp-hours. If you want to use blankets with just your nose sticking out, get a genset! If you believe in the golden rule of using just 50 percent of your battery capacity, and that you generally only charge them to 90 percent capacity, then you need 500 amp-hours more battery than you would have needed without the air-conditioning. That’s at least four more golf cart batteries, for example.

If you are planning the air-conditioning for only occasional nights, then plan on charging the batteries in the morning. That way, a total of 500 amp-hours is enough. If you plan to use the air-conditioning very rarely, go ahead and dip into the lower 50 percent of your battery capacity, which would allow a battery bank as small as 300 to 400 amp hours. Just make sure that you have an isolated engine start battery.

■ System Configuration: Just because you have all the right components, it doesn’t mean this whole thing will work. You are demanding a lot out of each component so you have to treat them right. One of the biggest problems with DC systems is inadequate wire size. You must have your inverter, batteries and alternator close together and use heavy wire. The installation instructions really do have to be followed. Don’t forget to supply adequate ventilation for the inverter and the alternator;

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

they will both be working very hard. The only unconventional wiring that must be done to make this system work is to connect the air conditioner to the output of the inverter. You might want to run part or your entire AC distribution panel off the output of your inverter, especially if your inverter has a battery charger and a transfer switch built in. Just make sure that you don’t attempt to run any stand-alone battery chargers, or water heaters from the output of the inverter.

It’s not required, but I recommend that you should have a battery monitor, if you don’t have one already. It’s hard to evaluate the drain on the batteries when the load cycles between 50 amps and a few amps as the compressor cycles. Battery monitors will keep a running tally of amp-hours consumed to let you know what you have left. Many of these allow you to hook up a low battery alarm to keep you from deeply depleting your batteries.

■ User Discipline: Once you have all this working, you have to be sensible about how you use it. Make sure that you cool and dry the sleeping area with the engine running. This starts the night with full batteries and a low-duty cycle compressor operation. If it doesn’t bother you too much, set the air conditioner so that the fan cycles along with the compressor. This makes a huge difference because the compressor may be running as little as 20 percent of the time.

This is not a substitute for a conventional genset-driven airconditioning system. You will have to run the main engine anytime the air-conditioning is on with a significant heat load. This is not the system for you if you want to run it every night. Each night of air-conditioning will require two to five hours of additional battery-charging time and will consume one of the battery-charging cycles that countdown the life of your batteries.

The bottom line is that this an inexpensive and compact way to get air-conditioning on a small boat, but it’s actually fairly expensive to use, in terms of battery life consumed and engine life and fuel consumed. If you want air-conditioning for occasional nights, then this is the system for you. Don’t forget, you’ll have unlimited air-conditioning when at the dock.

Stephen Sommer is a degreed electrical engineer with extensive experience in electrical, mechanical, refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and holds a USCG Masters license. He consults in all areas of yacht systems, which include all the equipment on board yachts beyond a basic hull and motor or sails.

Have a topic you would like Steve to write about? Maybe solve a problem you have or answer a question? Contact editor@southwindssailing.com.

Southwinds

March 2004

21

WHY ADVERTISE IN

Southwinds ?

To increase sales.

To reach every sailor in the Southern sailing community.

To take advantage of the most cost-effective advertising rates in the country.

Southwinds is delivered to over 500 locations in 8 Southern states: yacht clubs and sailing associations, marinas, marine suppliers, sail lofts, yacht brokers, and other sailing-related businesses.

An additional 10,000 readers view Southwinds on the Internet each month Every issue is available monthly on our Web site,

www.southwindssailing.com.

This includes all editorial and advertising pages.

Since making the magazine available on the internet in 2003, more than 10,000 readers have been downloading the magazine each month.

Hyperlinks in all advertising take readers straight to your Web site or e-mail address.

Nationwide delivery Southwinds is delivered to every state (and the Virgin Islands) through subscriptions. Some readers have kept every issue since Southwinds was first published in November of 1993. Our subscription base continues to grow every month.

Opportunities for Advertisers We offer several options for Advertisers Display ads throughout the magazine Classified display ads in the classifieds section Our new Regional Sailing Services Directory for local services available to sailors.

CONTACT YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE TODAY. Gary Hufford gary@southwindssailing.com (727) 585-2814 Steve Morrell editor@southwindssailing.com (941) 795-8704

22

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

23

BVI

Explore Anguilla — Fun for Cruisers & Racers Alike

By Carol Bareuther Photos by Dean Barnes

Whether you’re bareboating from St. Martin or passage-making south from the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla is an ideal destination to visit.

M

ake your first stop at Road Bay on the northeast side of the island. There’s a long strip of curved beach here that is lined with high cliffs and a neighboring salt pond. The commercial dock is to the south. The dinghy dock in the middle of the beach leads right to Johnno’s Beach Stop bar and restaurant. Customs & Immigration is located next to Johnno’s in a two-story white building behind the beach. Up and down the beach are several beach bars, restaurants and shops that make up the village of Sandy Ground.

Customs & Immigration is open daily from 8:30 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. If you want to sail beyond Road Bay, you have to pay up to three fees. There’s no port dues if your boat is under 20 tons, but fees start at $19 for vessels from 20 to 50 tons. The cost of a one-day cruising permit, which lets you visit other anchorages or offshore cays, starts at $10 for vessels up to five tons. Permits expire at midnight, so if you overnight in another bay, buy a two-day permit. Finally, the fee to stay on a mooring in one of the five marine parks is $15 if you own your yacht or $23 if it’s a bareboat.

24

March 2004

Southwinds

There are three other anchorages that make for fantastic visiting. The first—not in order of popularity, but logistics—is at Mead’s Bay. This two-mile stretch of white sand is lined with upscale resorts. To the west, there’s Dolphin Fantasies, where you can swim with dolphins, and Coral’s Restaurant. If you like Greek food, this is the place to come. We enjoyed a mix of hot and cold mezes, ranging from hummus, tabbouleh and calamari to Armenian pizza, tiny sausages and grilled veggies.

East of Road Bay is Crocus Bay, the second-best overnight anchorage to Road Bay. There are magnificent high cliffs here, dramatic-looking for this very flat island. Walk to the western end and search through the fallen cliff face for fossils of marine life. The water right offshore is home to large starfish. Snorkeling and swimming is great here. Good swimmers can stroke their way to Little Bay farther to the east, a swim-in-only beach that boasts a coral reef of fish.

Roy’s Place, at Crocus Bay, is a British-style pub located right on the beach and it serves fish and chips. A new feature here is free high-speed wireless Internet access. Just bring

www.southwindssailing.com

The beach at Sandy Ground at the Champion of Champion boat races.

“I know everyone says this, but we really are the friendliest island in the Caribbean.”

WESTERBEKE Clearance Sale!

44 H.P. Model 44A

Boating into Mead’s Bay, one of the overnight anchorages n the island and departure point for one of the boat races.

Lobster dinner at Scilly, in Island Harbour.

your laptop and check email or browse.

There’s Internet access at Irie Life in Sandy Ground, but there’s a cost: $5 for one half hour or $10 for an hour.

The third best anchorage, day only, is to the far northwest at Island Harbour. This is a fisherman’s village where just off the crescent-shaped beach are dozens of local fishing boats.

Among these are the fishermen who travel offshore to their pots for jumbo Anguillian lobster. Just anchor here for the day, or take the ferry from the dock and have lunch at Scilly Cay. Grilled lobster and crayfish, with a secret sauce made of ingre

Last Years Model Clearance Sale

2 in Stock for Only

$5967 fob Miami (tax not included)

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

25

BVI

Traditional sloops racing, above and right.

Palms on the beach at 2 1/2-mile-long Rendezvous Bay.

dients ranging from ground peanuts to orange marmalade, curry and tarragon, are to die for. Scilly Cay also has customs and immigration facilities for those who want to daysail from St. Martin.

There are five marine parks on offshore islands that rim Anguilla. Our favorite was Prickly Pear. I’ve never seen so many conch shells on the beach!

Johnno’s runs a small restaurant on the island that serves a barbecue chicken and ribs lunch with

all the fixings.

The best time to sail to Anguilla is from the end of March through September when the ground seas to the north simmer down. If you like racing as well as cruising, mark your calendar for May 79, when the second annual Anguilla International Regatta takes place. Held out of the new Anguilla Yacht Club at Rendezvous Bay, this unique event has classes for modern production boats and traditional Anguillian racing sloops.

“We’re expecting 50 to 60 boats this year from the Virgin Islands, St. Martin, St. Barths, Antigua, Anguilla and the USA. Those who want to charter can do so from any of the companies in St. Martin, like The Moorings or Sunsail,” says regatta coordinator, Fitzroy Tomlinson.

Race format will include a roundAnguilla race, round-the-buoy racing and “mix up” racing on the final day.

“Visiting sailors will definitely enjoy the ‘mix up’ race, which is an exchange of crew from the visiting yachts and the local Anguilla boats,” Tomlinson says.

Sailing aboard the legendary, handcrafted 30-foot Anguilla sloops, with their single masts rising some 55 feet and booms that extend a good five feet past the stern, with sandbags for ballast, is awesome. Adds Tomlinson: “I know everyone says this, but we really are the friendliest island in the Caribbean.” From experience, I can say he’s right.

For more information: The Anguilla Tourist Board Old Factory Plaza The Valley, Anguilla, BWI (800) 553-4939 Tel: (264) 497-2759 Fax: (264) 497-2710 E-mail: atbtour@anguillanet.com Web: www.anguilla-vacation.com

26

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

BOAT REVIEW

International 505

By Dave Ellis

In 1953, there was a contest to name the next Olympic two-person performance sailboat. It was later found that the Flying Dutchman had actually already been chosen and only had to sail well to be confirmed. Two Dutchmen were allowed in the regatta and one of anything else.

B

ut the winner of the regatta was a design by John Westall called a Coronet. At 18 feet and with 175 square feet of sail, the boat was so impressive that the French development-boat class of the era asked Westall to cut the Coronet down to their maximum of 5.05 meters in length and 150 square feet of sail. The result was what we now call the 505.

In 1954 Eric Olsen and Glen Foster were given the pieces of a 505 in the parking lot at Yachting’s second One-Of-A-Kind Regatta. They borrowed an International 14 main and stepped into the boat for the first time. They then sailed this new boat to an easy win.

The 505 quickly became an international class, now sailed in upwards of 18 countries with strong fleets in the United States and Canada.

What is it like to sail this high performance monohull? It keeps you on your toes. In the case of the crew, this is literal, as the trapeze gets them well out to windward. Some of the original boats actually had a foot-stop forward of the shrouds along the shear to keep the crew from catapulting around the bow.

28

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

INTERNATIONAL 505 BASIC SPECIFICATIONS Length: 16’6" (5.05 meters) Beam: 6’2" (1.88 meters) Weight: 280 lbs (127.4 kilos) Sail Area: main & jib 175 sq. ft.

Spinnaker: 220 sq. ft.

Crew: Two people, one trapeze

The mainsail on this 16 1/2-footer is large, and the jib barely overlaps.

The skipper is busy steering the boat, of course, but also must play that big main while hiking out on straps.

The term “tea-bagging” came from this class, for when the wind dies suddenly or heads the boat unexpectedly, the crew gets dipped in the water at the end of the trapeze. This is slow.

Little else about the boat is slow, however. The boat readily planes upwind. Adherents love a broad reach with the massive symmetrical spinnaker where speeds are indeed impressive. With modern racecourses being windward-leeward, the 505 still broad-reaches back and forth for speed, just as a catamaran would, as this is usually faster than going straight for the downwind mark.

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

The hull of the 505 is quite one-design. Care is taken to keep it so. Some 2003 boats missed the specifications of the class and had to be brought back into compliance.

The sails too are set in size, although philosophies have been explored in sail shape and materials, often due to the expected sailing conditions at a venue.

The rudder and centerboard are open in design. As long as the rudder hangs off the stern and the board fits the well, it is legal.

At the 505 Midwinters in Gulfport, FL, in January, rudders were nearly five feet long and only eight inches in crosssection. Carbon-epoxy blades looked more like scimitars than rudders.

Centerboards were also much more narrow than those of most boats. The debate is how many square inches of surface area is fast. The current thinking seems to be that a really small board of less than 500 square inches is fastest except in lumpy water, where perhaps 530 would be better. Better have two boards.

Early masts were hollow wood. Today aluminum spars are used, with the sails to match the bending characteristics of whatever brand of 505 mast is chosen. A mast ram system can pre-bend or inhibit bend as desired. The rigging is open, so development has occurred within the parameters. Interestingly, each rig wins. It is still the sailors who make the boat go fast.

Paul Elvstrom, a man who has won more Olympic and World Championships in many classes than anyone else, stated that his favorite boat was the 505. Many agree.

If you get a chance to sail on one of these little rocket ships, grab it. Then you can say you’ve sailed on the International 505.

Southwinds

March 2004

29

KEY WEST

Terranova Trading Key West: World Class Racing in Margaritaville, January 19-23

By Rebecca Burg Photos by Capt. Bill Robinson

T

hey were first noticed one calm and chilly morning. Soundless apparitions, they emerged from the rose-hued haze of dawn and veered toward Key West harbor. Taut sails flashing iridescence in the rising sun, they moved with uncommon swiftness. These visitors mean business. Over the next few days, by land and by sea, about 300 sailboats and over 3000 sailors converged on Key West. Celebrities of the sailing realm, they came from across the globe to participate in a prestigious and world-renowned event. Soon we would be privy to a week of hard-core sailing action and serious competition.

The annual Terra Nova Trading Key West race week, organized by Premiere Racing, Inc. and presented by Nautica, kicks off the winter racing circuit. This year 21 boat classes competed for the best scores over the course of five days. The classes were neatly grouped into four manageable divisions that were distributed over Key West’s southernmost seas.

Key West Bight sheltered a significant portion of racing sailboats. An unusual sight, the smaller racers were rafted together up to three deep and clustered around the docks. Even at rest, these active thoroughbreds never sat still. The forest of slender masts would sway out of step, each boat gently tugging her sister’s lines. Crew members scurried back and forth with heavy sail bags, line and various gear. Curious tourists stopped and peered into the emerald-clear water, puzzling over the racing sailboats’ atypical underwater anatomy.

Bystanders and racers alike were impressed by the exceptional orderliness and professionalism of the race’s organizers, officers, jury and committee boats. Intellectual and even genteel, this was not your ordinary spectator sport. While the en30

March 2004

Southwinds

thusiastic sailors made the event possible, race week was sponsored by a number of familiar faces. The generous involvement of Mount Gay Rum, RealTick®, Lewmar Marine, Nautica Watches, Nautica Eyewear, Pearson Yachts, Samson Rope Technologies, Saucony and the Florida Keys and Key West Tourist Development Council was appreciated by all.

DAY ONE Early in the morning, the boats left Key West and gathered near their designated divisions. Racers were presented with firm, gusty winds, an overcast sky and something dark looming in the north. Ignoring the gray day, all sailors welcomed the wind. The three non-handicap boat classes competing in division one were a new Swan 45 group and the familiar Farr 40 and Mumm 30 boats.

Preparing to start first, eight elegant Swans huddled behind the gate as the countdown began. Long and lean, they soundlessly prowled behind the line, hard sails glinting translucent metallic gold and silvery black. The race began. Four Swans simultaneously breezed through the gate while the rest followed. Next, 23 extreme Farr 40 boats vied for advantageous positions. Past winners, such as Crocodile Rock from California and Atalanti from Greece, contributed to the intense competition in this dramatic class of racers. The entire cluster of Farr 40s burst over the gate, salt flying and rigs rocking. Richardson’s Barking Mad and Giovanni’s Joe Fly promptly asserted themselves. Light on their heels, the 13 Mumms started last and quickly fanned over the course in a startling display of speed.

The Swans were already on their downwind leg. Bellicosa and VIM appeared to establish dominance with Rush consistently www.southwindssailing.com

Page 30 left: A hot competitior bears down the buoy in the big boat class.

Page 30 right: PHRF-2 class. Talisman (Farr 53), Javelin (Farr 49) and Canvasback (Farr 49) kicking up the spray.

putting the pressure on. Speck’s indomitable VIM had recently vanquished her sisters in the Swan America Cup. Still closely grouped, the Farrs thrashed upwind and seemed to round the windward mark all at once. Crews tackled vital tasks to shouted commands while the boats careened around a bobbing orange buoy. Water flew everywhere, and sails snapped tight on a new, rig-creaking angle. Spinnakers rustled and clutched the wind while jibs slid down their stays. Amid more shouts, a crewmember yanked in a wayward line that had trailed in the water. The heeling boats revealed their smooth and enviously spotless bottoms.

The Mumms were also closely grouped, but Turbo Duck was in the lead with Lockwood’s One More Time and Pyle’s USA 65 hot on her tail. At times the skillfully sailed Mumm 30s were close enough to brush against each other. The racing continued for a total of two rounds. As the day progressed, air temperature dropped while a lumpy line of dark clouds neared. Cold mist tickled the air. Sailors eyed the strange sky with suspicion.

“Stay on the rail!” A shout was heard as a few Swans powered around the mark for the second race of the day. The eager crew obediently plunked back down on the rail. Crowded by her sisters, one racer snagged the buoy and towed it a boat length or two. It popped free, and the frazzled racer fled up-

The Swan 45 class tears up the track with Rush in the lead.

wind. Swan 45 VIM and Rush were hot today, but as the week progressed, the competition would be close. Atalanti and Barking Mad enjoyed top scores today in the Farr 40 class and Mumm 30, Turbo Duck, stole the show. Sunlight finally appeared in time to escort the tired racers back to shore.

DAY TWO A veritable clash of the titans, the most massive boats racing were grouped in division two, which consisted of six PHRF classes and the wild Corsair 28R trimarans. The northeasterly winds averaged 18 knots with air temps in the high 60s. A parade of massive sails paced near the starting area. About

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

31

KEY WEST 70 serious sailboats were eager to settle the score and smash yesterday’s results.

A new entrant in the PHRF1 class, Tom Hill’s Titan 12, a custom Reichel-Pugh 75 maxi, was the largest presence. The imposing sailboat was not the type of girl one would usually take home to mom. A high maintenance date, she had a carbon fiber mast, carbon fiber rudder and a price tag of a few million bucks. Underwater appendages were the latest designs, the long, slender keel tipped with torpedo-like ballast. A 75-foot-long sloop barely a year old, Titan 12 was born to conquer. Still testing her spiky talons, she had already participated in a few recent races.

Last year’s PHRF-1 champ, Transpac 52 Rosebud, had returned to protect her title. Hot contenders such as Chippewa from the BVI and AERA from the UK, would provide unyielding opposition. Among the multihulls, Bob Harkrider’s Corsair 28R Bad Boys was unbeatable in 2003 and would again sail hard CM 60 Highland Fling shows her colors in the PHRF-1 class. this year to keep competitors on Entrant: Irvine Laidlaw from Douglas, Isle of Man. the edges of their amas. Yesterday, the spray was flying as Bad Boys quickly claimed position as the alpha trimaran. Fearless in their pursuit, Rocketeer II and Condor were insistent on changing the status quo.

The trimarans followed a separate course from the monohulls and rounded their own leeward mark. Just a few years ago the multihulls had not been invited to race week. With their dramatic differences in velocity, the multis didn’t play well with monohulls, and chaos had erupted on the racecourse. Luckily, multihulls were allowed to return, and the refined course arrangement seems to work well.

Well into the day, the impressive mass of boats was spread throughout the course.

Separated from her sisters, Titan 12’s behemoth white spinnaker pulled her downwind in a matter of minutes. As she approached the leeward gate, her chute collapsed toward the wa- PHRF-1 class champion Chippewa, Clay Deutsch’s Swan 68 from the B.V.I.

32

March 2004

Southwinds

ter and pulled the bowman with it. Sailor Ken Nevor suddenly found himself in the water. Titan 12 was running at about 12 knots, pulling Ken over the blue amid a thick rooster tail of spray. Soggy but not seriously harmed, the sailor was whisked back on deck.

The spinnaker had to be abandoned in the water, and a mark boat hastily recovered it. Kids, don’t try that at home! A few days later, the feisty Titan 12 managed to toss crew member Holmberg overboard in a similar incident.

Around the windward mark, the boats maneuvered with great agility for their size. The forces on their rigs were most unnerving, and one could hear booming and groaning as rigs and sails settled on a new strain. Commands and shouts could be heard. “Halyard, halyard!” Winches buzzed and crews lined up on windward rails to serve as living ballast. One of yesterday’s winners in the PHRF5 class, Nicole Weaver’s J/120 Euro Trash Girl, was maintaining a sharp edge and shared close rivalry with J/120 K2 through the week. They were so close that only the final scoring would determine the ruling boat.

Back at the leeward buoy, the dexterous Corsairs had spread out. Near the mark, they’d almost screech to a halt as the chute was pulled in and jib simultaneously hoisted. Stiff mainsails with muscular roaches effortlessly subjugated the wind as the trimarans blasted upwind again. Nearby, a massive PHRF racer swerved off course, her spinnaker and headsail hopelessly snarled together. Panicky and losing valuable time, her crew was forced to drop the twisted black jib. Sails untangled, she recovered and bounded after her sisters.

“We had fun,” Masa, a crew member of Daisuke Kimura’s Maalesh, said with a broad grin.

Crew member Sachiko agreed.

Maalesh, a beautiful Beneteau 36.7 with the PHRF-6 class, had traveled all the way from Japan. Despite equipment trouble near the end of the week, the crew had enjoyed the challenges of the race and Key West’s subtropical locale. www.southwindssailing.com

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

33

KEY WEST They were most ready to return next year for another round.

We were lucky to have them.

Every evening after racing, people gathered in a tent city that had been set up in Key West’s Historic Seaport area near the bight. A nightly awards ceremony was held in the spacious main tent. Sailboats with the best scores for the day would receive flawlessly polished silver trophies. Video screens displayed the day’s racing action while refreshments were generously served. The buzz of thousands of voices and laughter within the main tent was reminiscent of a giant bee hive.

DAY THREE As usual the great sailboat migration began at 8:00 a.m. sharp. The hurried flurry of masts, sails and committee boats poured from the bight and swarmed through the harbor. A fascinating sight, it was surely a nautical version of someone yelling “FIRE!� in a crowded movie theater.

Over 100 of the migrating boats rushed south and congregated in division three. Melges 24, J/105 and J/80 onedesigner boats raced on this course. Last year’s Melges 24 champ, Rossini’s Blu Mun from Switzerland, was back, along with a solid number of world class sailors. A total of 58 Melges 24 boats had entered, and the starting gate was organized chaos. Signal flags fluttering, the committee boat began a suspenseful countdown. The crowd of Melges tightened. Fiftysome silvery-white sails flexed in the sun. At the signal, the hoard of pointed bows plunged past the gate. Over the radio, the committee boat called out each premature starter.

One by one, the offending boats whirled about and paid their penalty turns.

Soon after, the J/105 and J/80 classes sprang onto the field. The legendary J/105 Zuni Bear was as hot as ever and closely pressured by Thomas Coate’s Masquerade. The class sailed close, and almost thirty entrants neatly filed around the windward mark. As usual, spinnakers swished into position while commands were voiced. “Ease the sheet, damnit!�

A sailor shouted to her frenetic fellows.

The J/80 boats were equally high-energy. Five-year race week veteran Caleb Borchers and new skipper Nathalie Mulhern of USA 585 embraced the challenges of the regatta.

A very young and easily a rising new star in the racing realm, Nathalie was enjoying her first race in Key West. Texas-based USA 585 was already a fiery contender, and overall she would score in the top quarter. The crew felt that they could’ve done much better and with their combined talent, it’s only a matter of time. Keep an eye out on this one.

Swan 45 class victor, Rush, establishing a pecking order. Entrant: Thomas Stark, RI.

'REAT 3AILS

'REAT 3ERVICE 3T 0ETERSBURG

3!,%3 3%26)#% %THAN "IXBY

,ON %THINGTON $AVE "EATSON

&T ,AUDERDALE

3!,%3 3%26)#% !NSON -ULDER

-IKE -C7ILLIAMS 34

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

The Melges were just as intense in their finish as they were for the start. Spread out in several clusters, they tussled in an attempt to squeeze past the two committee boats serving as a finish line. Sails bouncing and bowsprits sparring, the more aggressive boats pushed their sisters away from the finish.

Crews worked to avoid snagging spinnakers amid the congested brawl. Within moments the edgy racers filtered through the gate. Ian Cleaver’s Melges 24 Terra Nova Trading enjoyed a swift rebound from her previous scores while the undaunted Blu Mun fought valiantly to protect her title. Ligot’s P&P Sailing Team expertly maintained high ranks, challenged by the friendly rivalry of the famed Pegasus Team.

Serving as race week’s VIP boat, schooner America sashayed past the leeward buoys. Under full sail, the black-hulled schooner’s irresistible and noble presence turned heads. A few media boats buzzed after her like mesmerized suitors.

The biggest boats, PHRF-1 class, in a dramatic, high-speed rounding of the windward mark.

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

DIVISION FOUR A riveting mix of racers contested with each other on the course in division four. There were a total of three one-design classes and five PHRF classes.

New this year were the Corsair 24 trimarans. With uncanny agility, Corsair 24 Breaking Wind enjoyed top scores while Marsh’s I-Fly sailed only a few points behind. In the PHRF-8 group, Swan 48 So Far stole the prize from last year’s champ Hot Ticket, a Farr 37. This year, the C&C 99 boats got to enjoy their own one-design class. These competitive boats tore up the track in an impressive show of high performance and suspensefully close finishes. Hogan’s Trumpeter and Huntley’s See KEY WEST continued on page 61

Southwinds

March 2004

35

SOUTHWINDS REGIONAL SAILING SERVICES DIRECTORY INTRODUCTORY OFFER: RATES AS LOW AS $8 PER MONTH Southwind’s new sailing services directory is designed to help those small businesses get their names out there to sailors. This directory will be for services only. Some examples of categories are: Boat Lettering Boat Transporting Services Boatyards Canvas & Cushion Services Captain Services Cleaning and Detailing Engine Mechanics Fiberglass Repair Maintenance Services Air Conditioning Bottom Cleaning Carpentry

Electricians Fuel Cleaning Mechanical (plumbing, etc) Painting/Varnishing Refrigeration Marine Surveyors Marinas Metal Fabricators Stainless Railings, etc.

Painting/Varnishing

Prop Services Raft/Liferaft Repair/Servicing Refrigeration Rigging Services Sailing Instruction Sailmaking, Repairing & Cleaning Surveyors Towboat Services Underwater Service Yacht Deliveries

Contact us to possibly add other categories.

Introductory rates start at $8.00 per month, with a 12-month agreement (payable in advance), for three lines in the directory ($10 for four lines). That is less than $100 for a year of advertising. For boxed-in ads, prices begin at $20 a month for all 1" tall ads with a 12-month agreement (payable in advance.) Taller ads are available. These reduced rates are being offered for a limited time as an introductory offer.

Contact: Steve Morrell (877) 372-7245 editor@southwindssailing.com Gary Hufford (727) 585-2814 gary@southwindssailing.com

WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED Stories and photographs wanted in the following areas: Boat Reviews: Old boats, new boats, large boats and small boats. Review your own boat.

Multihulls: Articles and reviews.

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

Windsurfing: Information and news on the sport, including places to sail, equipment, experiences, etc.

Race Reporting: Generally, we are always looking for someone to send us race coverage throughout the Southern states, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. Specifically, we are looking to hire someone to coordinate all racing, who is into racing, a good writer and photographer, and willing to work a lot of hours, do some traveling, and doesn’t need a lot of money to get going with a great potential for the future.

The Florida Keys: Racing and cruising articles about the keys.

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

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

The Politics of Sailing: “Politics begins when two or more people get together.” Politics affect us all and particularly in the general world of boating and our waters. We have already heard about anchoring, liveaboards and other topics (like Cuba), but there is always more.

Maintenance and Technical Articles: How you maintain your boat, or rebuilt a boat, technical articles on electronics, repairs, etc.

Individuals in Sailing Industry: Interesting stories about the world of sailors out there, young, old, and some that are no longer with us but have contributed to the sport or were just true lovers of sailing.

Cuba: Of course, there is always Cuba, and regardless of how our country’s elected officials try to keep Americans out of the Caribbean’s largest island, it will open one day as a cruising ground.

Today American sailors can legally go to Cuba and cruise if they follow the proper procedures. If you have a story about such a trip, let us look at it.

The Caribbean: Stories about the warm tropical waters farther south of us.

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

Miscellaneous Photos: Photographs are always enjoyable, whether for their beauty, their humor, or for many other reasons, and we take them alone.

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

Letters to the Editor: For those of you who are not as ambitious to write stories, we always want to hear from you about your experiences and opinions.

Contact editor@southwindssailing.com for more information and questions.

36

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

Regional Sailing Services

Directory BOAT LETTERING – GRAPHICS

MARINE SURVEYORS

SAILING INSTRUCTION/SCHOOLS

Davis Maritime Serving West Florida Accredited Surveyor St. Petersburg Capt. Al Davis, Master, All Oceans (727) 323-9788 ...... cgcebel@tampabay.rr.com

Adventure Cruising & Sailing School A sailing school for Women & Couples • ASA • West Florida and Chesapeake www.acss.bz ........................... (727) 204-8850

John Kelly Serving the Carolinas NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor. 100-ton ocean master & offshore catamaran owner www.yachtsurveyor.com ......... (910) 392-5054

YACHTING VACATIONS SW FLORIDA Live-aboard/non-live-aboard ASA instruction www.yachtingvacations.com (800) 447-0080 FLAGSHIP SAILING/TAMPA BAY AREA ASA Sailing Instruction – Basic thru Advanced Instructor Certification • Sailing Club Bareboat & Captained Charters www.flagshipsailing.com .... (727) 942-8958

CANVAS & CUSHION SERVICES Scuba Clean Yacht Service See ad in Underwater Services

Advertise in this 2” tall ad for $34 a Month introductory rates to the new Sailing Services Directory.

See page 36 for details or call (941) 795-8704.

CAPTAIN SERVICES Capt. Jimmy Hendon West Florida Deliveries & Instruction USCG Licensed Master ASA Instructor 30 years sailing ....................... (727) 459-0801

COMMUNICATIONS Dockside Radio – Pactor II/III modem sales & support; FCC marine radio license filing; SailMail & WinLink installation & training www.docksideradio.com ......... (941) 661-4498

ADVERTISE FOR $8-10 A MONTH rent a 3 line ad for $8 a month and a four line ad for $10 a month – see page 36 for more details or ........................................... (941) 795-8704 LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

SAILMAKING, REPAIRING & CLEANING Scuba Clean Yacht Service See ad in Underwater Services SUNRISE SAILS PLUS ....... WEST FLORIDA Complete Yacht Outfitting Service Sails – New, Repair, Cleaning Complete rigging service, masts, cushions, canvas & more (941) 721-4471 sunrisesailsplus@msn.com

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

(727) 327-2628

Advertise in this 1" tall ad for $20 a month.

See page 36 for details or call (941) 795-8704.

Southwinds

March 2004

37

SOUTHERN SAILING

A Bit of History of Women’s Sailing in the South

By Dave Ellis.

Photos courtesy Dave Ellis and family.

Sailing at Belle Isle, MI, with baby Rita, July 24, 1921.

I

n the days of wooden ships and iron men, there were women. No, really, there were women on the ships. Seamen on some ships were allowed to bring their wives along, so long as they did a day’s work. It seemed that the day’s work was more important than the “wife” part.

Only within the past couple hundred years has sailing gone from strictly commercial to being a sport. Until the past hundred it was reserved for the wealthy and their paid hands.

But, beginning in the 1920s women were very much a part of the sailing scene.

Sailboat racing is only a small part of the sport. Most sailors then, as now, just enjoyed the feeling, the accomplishment, the freedom of using the wind for propulsion. When guys went sailing for fun, they took along wives and girlfriends (not at the same time) and taught many to sail. My grandfather and grandmother took my mother sailing as an infant at Belle Isle,

38

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

Sunfish SE Women’s Champs, 1987.

February 11, 1940 Tiger Shark Rita Allen in 1940 enjoying a day’s sail getting ready to sail at Gulfport, FL, with Rita Allen as crew. on Boca Ciega Bay, Gulfport, FL.

MI, in 1921. They just enjoyed the sport. They passed the love of the sport on to Mom. Sailing was part of the family through her childhood, as Rita Allen on a homemade boat sailed with her two brothers’ boat on a crystal-clear bay in west Florida.

In the 1930s, the Moth was a popular boat because it was easily home-built and leeway in design allowed innovation. On Big Bayou on the St. Petersburg waterfront there were several young women as part of the sailing scene. They sometimes beat the guys around a series of marks made of inner tubes with peach baskets and a broomstick with a flag on it.

In 1938 a new “yacht club” met in the living room of Grandfather’s house, now a funeral home. A good-looking fellow walked in, asking if this was where the sailors met.

Four years later Mom married him. She owed it all to sailing.

One of Mom’s favorite sailing memories was of sailing a Windmill with Edith Frohock and beating Charlie Morgan in a race. Sally Lang accomplished the same with a young Dave Ellis as crew in the 1950s.

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

You may read of the high-profile women sailors who have won major events or gone around the world really fast on a sailboat. But there are legions of others out there on the water, racing, cruising, gunkholing and just sailing.

In the 1980s there was a groundswell of near activism about women in sailboat racing. Women’s yacht racing groups sprang up to encourage their participation and continuing education in the sport. In the case of Tampa Bay, the WYRA was finally disbanded. No, not because it was unsuccessful. On the contrary, it had achieved its objective to integrate women into the sailing and racing mainstream. They were too busy sailing in regattas to attend women-only events.

Today, the president of US SAILING is a woman. Half the principal race officers and volunteers of the St. Petersburg NOOD regatta are women. Large yacht clubs have followed the lead of smaller sailing groups, which have long welcomed women as members and fellow participants.

And if your crew is a wife, daughter or girlfriend, she crosses the finish line before you every time.

Southwinds

March 2004

39

RACING & REGATTAS SOUTHEAST FLORIDA BISCAYNE BAY YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION ANNUAL AWARDS JAN. 10

By Arturo Perez Over 200 people, skippers and crew members alike, attended the Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association (BBYRA) 2003 award ceremonies. This year the awards were hosted at the Coral Reef Yacht Club under a cool January night. The awards were presented to the top boats and skippers in eight out of the 12 fleets registered. The BBYRA series consists of 12 races held throughout the year. To qualify, a boat must have raced a minimum of eight races. After discussion of the new changes in the racing format for 2004, the awards were presented to the following boats and skippers. Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association’s annual awards ceremony. Photo by Arturo Perez.

PHRF 2;1st Place: Tiburon, Art Perez; 2nd Place: Mistral, Craig Setzer; 3rd Place: Xtreme, David Behney; PHRF 3;1st Place: Mild To Wild, Russell Horn, 2nd Place: Touchstone, Jaime & Vickie Topp: 3rd Place: Mad Dog, Frank Young; PHRF 4;1st Place: Ibis Trevis, Gaffney, 2nd Place: Three Gimp, Karen Mitchell; 3rd Place: Lickety Split, Alber Ivaldi; J24;1st Place: Gotta Go, Pete Benzigar; 2nd Place: J Tripper, Mike Castleberry & Karen Hansen; 3rd Place: Geronimo’s Cadillac, David Rucker ; FLYING SCOTS;1st Place: Being There, Vladimir Stronleny; 2nd Place: Slime, Nick Martens; 3rd Place: Two Bear’s Boat, Charlie Fowler; LIGHTINGS;1st Place: Main Squeeze, Eammon de Lisserr; 2nd Place: Bullet, David Kurtz, 3rd Place: n/a; SNIPES;1st Place: Por Una Cabeza, Gonzalo Diaz Sr; 2nd Place: Jupiter, Gregory Saldana; 3rd Place: n/a; WESTPHALS; 1st Place: Shadow Ray Hoffman; 2nd Place: Time Warp Paul Johnson; 3rd Place: Sashay Bill Zumpfe

could not have asked for much more as they had 8-15 knots throughout the day and were able to sail three races.

Final results (27 boats): 1. 380 Roman Hagara, HansPeter Steinacher, AUT, 12; 2. John Lovell Charlie Ogletree, USA, 19; 3. Olivier Backes Laurent Voiron, FRA, 28; 4. Mitch Booth Herbert Dercksen, NED, 33; 5. Leigh McMillan Mark Bulkley, GBR, 37.

http://www.tornado.tc/uploads/documents/7.htm.

Special participant awards were handed out to the skippers of Xtreme, J Tripper, Gotta Go, One Hot Minute and Being There for their participation in all 12 races. 2003 BBYRA Award Ceremony Winner: Art Perez - PHRF #2 Fleet Captain, Biscayne Bay – Miami

TORNADO NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS MIAMI, FLORIDA, JAN. 23-25 The Tornado Fleet from all over the world was in Miami to sail 2 major races, the North American Championships, followed only one day later by the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta in Biscayne Bay. The North American Championships were located in the mid section of Key Biscayne where the Tornado fleet could find some good winds and safer racing than they have found in the past, out of the line of busy channel boat traffic.

The fleet of 24 boats sailed from three different venues, which included the Miami Yacht Club, the University of Miami, and the host venue for the event, Crandon Marina on Key Biscayne. The three-day series of races started on Friday, January 23. The first day of racing saw light winds ranging from 1215, although many of the sailors seemed to feel the wind was a bit stronger. The second day of racing was a stark contrast with barely enough air to start the race and not enough air to finish in reasonable air.

The Tornado fleet has a minimum racing speed of six knots to start and not less than three knots on the course for more than 15 minutes to continue racing. Unfortunately, the race committee was taking its wind readings from the top of a mast, approximately 40 feet in the air, where the wind is generally stronger. Racers protested this and it is hoped that in the future, wind readings will be done differently.

The third day of racing was simply perfect, and the sailors 40

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New 2004 HUNTER 41 – Hull #120 in stock Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New HUNTER 33 – Hull #1 in stock

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New HUNTER 36 – Hull #116 in stock

New HUNTER 386 – Hull #817 in stock

New HUNTER 44DS – Hull #161 in stock

Buy now. Sail Tomorrow. Save Thousands. New is Better.

• • • • • • • • •

New yacht discounts-all trades considered New design, construction and performance New electronics, A/C and gensets New flat screen TVs and DVDs New yacht financing at lowest rates New yacht custom outfitting Full factory/dealer warranties and on site service Free yacht systems and handling orientation Free yacht décor dollars

The best part of purchasing a new yacht is that it’s NEW and really costs about the same as buying a late model pre-owned yacht.

This is prime time for Florida sailing and your new Hunter is ready to sail away, right now! Call or come by and discover the dollars and sense of owning a new yacht.

New is better.

Call Massey today for Special New Hunter Discount Prices.

SAVE-SAVE-SAVE! Immediate Delivery

One Call Starts a Team Reaction!

Palmetto, FL 941-723-1610 • TOLL-FREE 800-375-0130

Brad Crabtree

Scott Pursell

Frank Hamilton

Dan Howland

SINCE 1977

www.masseyyacht.com St. Pete, FL 727-824-7262 • TOLL-FREE 877-552-0525

Edward Massey

Bill Wiard

Mary Beth Singh

Al Pollak

Anne Corey

RACING & REGATTAS MIAMI OLYMPIC CLASSES REGATTA JAN. 26-3 Without much of a chance to rest, all of the teams which participated in the North American Championships, ending on Sunday, plus some additional teams, prepared to start racing on Tuesday, January 26, at the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta, held in Biscayne Bay. The fleet of 29 boats continued to sail from the three different venues with 12 boats sailing from Crandon Park, four from Miami University and 13 sailing from the Miami Yacht Club.

The first day of racing saw decent wind with about 8-15 knots of VERY shifty conditions, in part due to the poor location of the course. Year after year, the Tornado course gets stuck up in the top end of Biscayne Bay, up against the Key Biscayne Bridge. Poor conditions, shifty winds and an accident last year from too much other boat traffic has prompted calls from the sailors to the US Sailing organization to change this situation in the future and it was hoped that it would be different this year, but nothing changed.

On the first day of racing, towards the end of the second race, a black wall appeared on the race course and havoc ensued. Within moments, we saw the Great Britain team tear its main sail in half in a jibe; then the domino process began as five boats flipped over on the course. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the race committee found itself ill-prepared to handle the situation. The committee mark boats consisted of boats that were not rescue-friendly, and one of the only boats that did seem rescue-friendly was a flats boat struggling to stay afloat when the rain and 30 plus knots hit.

When the dust settled and the storm passed, all teams were accounted for and the damaged boats limped into their venues and work was started on the damage. Most of the damage was sail damage as some bodies were reported flying through the main sails. In the case of newcomers Gary Chu and Guy Sellsmeyer, they somehow got tangled up with another boat that had flipped over. Although they escaped boat damage, their new set of sails was badly damaged in the process.

The next day, almost everyone made it out to the course by using spare equipment or borrowing others’ spare equipment. The conditions were shifty and frustrating as the leads seem to change drastically throughout the race.

The third day saw more shifty conditions followed by no conditions on the last day of scheduled racing, cancelling the series and only using 7 of the 11 scheduled races.

First place went to Figuroa/Hernandez from Puerto Rico with 33 points, second place to Hagara/Steinavher from Austria with 36 points, and third place to Booth/Derchsen from Netherlands with 37 points.

US Sailing Team finishes were Guck/Farrar in fifth with 48 points, Lovell/Ogletree in 15th with 88 points, Schreyer/ Durdin in 16th with 93 points, Daniel/Rodriques in 19th with 112 points, and Camp/Cromwell in 21st with 118 points.

Tony Vandenoever and daughter Emily are just about to capsize. Photo

by Rick White.

at Rick’s Place Motel and Sailing Resort, but the motel was sold this past summer. The Elks opened both their gates and their arms to the sailors from all around the Eastern United States.

And it all turned out fabulously. The weather hovered near 80 degrees, while we heard about sub-zero temperatures in the Northeast and Midwest. The winds were 10-12 mph on Saturday and then 15-20 on Sunday – get you warmed up the first day and then really kick on the second day.

FLORIDA KEYS LOCAL SAILOR DOMINATES NAMSA NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA

By Rick White The NAMSA North Americans/Tradewinds Midwinter Open Cat Nationals was held at a new venue on January 16-18 (Martin Luther King weekend) in the Florida Keys at the Elks Lodge in Tavernier, FL. This grand event has been held the past number of years 42

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

This is Team Tybee Island with Steve Lohmayer and Kenny Pierce.

Photo by Rick White.

Everyone had nothing but kudos about the location — a large grassy area for rigging, wide beach for launching, nice accommodations nearby, and beautiful, clear and flat water with lots of wind. It was a cat sailor’s dream come true.

The Races The RC was able to get eight races in two days and still allow plenty of time for partying and dining out. The courses

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

were simple windward/leewards with a gate. The faster fleets were started first and given a couple of extra legs so that most of the fleets finished close to the same time.

The largest fleet was the Hobie 16s, and they were divided into Open and Novice/Youth classes. Paul and Kathryn Garlick started right off with problems. When they arrived, it dawned on them that they had brought the wrong rudder system. After borrowing bits and pieces, they managed to get their boat jury-

Southwinds

March 2004

43

RACING & REGATTAS rigged and had to tie down their rudders.

Then just before the start of a race, their jib halyard broke.

Paul shinnied up the mast and repaired the damage, started late and still managed to move up to third place.

Next was a terrible crash at the starting line. One of the youth sailors had lost control and hit them from behind. The tiller was badly bent, so they went to shore, made repairs and made it back out missing only one race.

Otherwise, it was the Garlick show. They took mostly bullets and beat out perennial winners Scot and Tracee Corson.

Hunter Fry and Kim Gurmmitt took third place.

In the Youth Class, Sebastian Lewis/James Martin took first, Josh Rosenbaum/Fred Moffat were second, and Jessica Voeller/Dick Russell were third.

The second largest fleet was the Inter 20. Team Tybee Island with Steve Lohmayer and Kenny Pierce totally dominated the races, taking all bullets except for one second place.

John Casey and Tina Pastoor took almost all second-place finishes for the second-place overall flag.

David and Kathy Ingram took third overall, but took honors for the most dramatic finish – they pitch-poled across the finish line on the last race.

It was tight sailing in the Waves. After the first day of racing Stan Woodruff was leading Sharon Woodruff by only a point, with 13-year-old Jason Soares in third place. (This is his second regatta.)

But the wind picked up and things changed. Stan Woodruff had a breakdown in the seventh race and had a DNF. Meanwhile, Norm Freeman got it rolling and took all bullets.

The two ended in a tie that was broken in favor of Freeman.

Sharon Woodruff finished third and Soares was just out of the trophy flags in fourth place.

In the Grand Olde Class, the Shark Catamaran, there were three past-national champs in the competition for the famous shark jaws trophy that have been around since the ‘60s. Most of the class were sailing beautiful wooden boats hand-built in Canandaigua, NY, by John Rogers. Rick White said, “It looks like these guys are sailing around on a bunch of grand pianos!”

Jerry Pattenaude and Joe Lieberman pretty much had command of the situation, but Bryan and Chris Perrin, this year’s national champs, were always close on his heels and sometimes winning. But the Perrins had to settle for the second-place flag. Jack and Susie Bennet won the third place spot.

Again there was total domination in the Nacra 6.0 Class.

Rick Bliss and Brandy Wood took all bullets and never looked back. John Fondrk and Dennis Bedgood took all second places for second overall, and Jim Falardeau and Steve Paomquist took third place.

In the Open Class, Bill Roberts and Bobbie Adrien sailed a Supercat 17 to victory. Terry and Judy Fondrk on a Dart took second spot, and Hollis and Janet Caffee on a Taipan 4.9 took third.

The F18 Class was also pretty much controlled by one team – Mark Murray and Alex Efre-Perez. They took all bullets except for one race that was DNF—and that was a pretty funny DNF. They hit the mark at the finish. They did a circle and then while refinishing, they hit the mark again. This time they didn’t bother to do a circle – they just gave up and took it as their throwout.

In second was Olli and Kelly Jason, and in third was Tony and Emily Vandenoever.

In the Hobie 17 Class Scott McMillen probably would have won every race except on the first race he sailed two extra legs —he didn’t notice the course change from the first 44

March 2004

Southwinds

fleet of boats starting to his starting fleet. Kelly Davis sailed the right course for his only bullet. But he was very pleased with that single first-place finish. Davis ended up third, while Stephen Acquart took second place and McMillen won.

Next year’s event is planned for the same time of the year —Martin Luther King weekend in mid-January.

The race was sponsored by Calvert Sails of Islamorada, Catamaran Sailor Magazine of Key Largo, CABB (Catamaran Association of Biscayne Bay), West Marine, www.onlinemarinestore.com, and Rick White’s Sailing Seminars.

CENTRAL FLORIDA LAKE EUSTIS SAILING CLUB REGATTA LAKE EUSTIS, FL, FEB. 7-8 The Lake Eustis Sailing club held two regattas on one weekend, Feb. 7-8, with some very stiff winds. The two regattas were the Wayfarer Mid-Winter International Championships and the Fleet 150 Flying Scot Regatta.

The Wayfarer regatta was held over three days with six races contested, but there was no competition on Sunday because of the cold weather and high winds creating a windchill problem.

Al Schonborn of Toronto along with Marc Bennett sailed to six first place finishes to claim the overall title in the Wayfarer regatta. He also claimed the spinnaker championship.

Hank VanTwyver of DeLand and the Lake Eustis Sailing Club

www.southwindssailing.com

claimed the non-spinnaker title while taking fifth overall.

The Flying Scot regatta was claimed

by Chuck Tanner and Bob Leib of Sarasota with two first place finishes and a second.

The Lake Eustis Sailing Club will host its annual George Washington Birthday Regatta on Feb. 21-22. This is a one-design regatta.

Results, Wayfarer Overall (place, skipper, division (s=spinnaker, n= non-spinnaker), sail number, points):1.

Al Schonborn, s, 3854, 6; 2. Nick Seraphinoff, s, 864, 13; 3. Geoff Edwards, s, 9483, 19; 4. Richard Johnson, s, 10139, 38; 5. Hank VanTwyver, n, 1395, 42; 6. Hubert Dauch, s, 3636, 45; 7. Jim McIntyre, n, 1904, 51; 8. Ted Benedict, n, 2415, 76; 9. Gale Shoemaker, n, 93, 83; 10.

Joe DeBrincat, s, 1115, 84; 11. Peter Hylen, n, 2198, 93; 12. Eddie Kraft, n, 6751, 96; 13. Mike Murto, n, 2959, 102; 14. Sam Montondo, n, 9913, 103; Flying Scot results (place, skipper, sail number, points): 1. Chuck Tanner, 3866, 4; 2. Fred Strammer, 5520, 6; 3. Charlie Fowler, 5126, 10; 4. Matt Wey, 2339, 13; 5. Mike Roberts, 5544, 14; 6. Ron Pletsch, 2068, 16; 7. Jeff Penfield, 5318, 23; 8.

George Spencer, 5362, 23; 9. Bob Fletcher, 5205, 30; 10.

Sue Sweetser, 5009, 32; 11. Jack Bazner, 3387, 36; 12.

Bob Williams, 830, 37; 13. Henry Picco, 387, 46;14. Al Hersey, 5360, 50;15. Peter Smith, 715, 50; 16. Chuck Smith, 5125, 50; 17. Bob New, 5143, 52; 18. Mike Noone, 5468, 59; 19. Don Poosch, 2847, 60;20. Mike Sherlock, 5104, 63;

When winds increased rapidly from 8 to 18 knots, boats faced challenging conditions on the second day of the St. Petersburg NOOD Regatta. Gary Hufford photo.

WEST FLORIDA ST. PETERSBURG NOOD REGATTA FEB. 13-15 Light winds allowed some to finish one race in the St. Petersburg NOOD regatta on Friday, Feb. 13, confirming suspicions by the superstitious, then a complete lack of wind forced everyone in by midday. On the second day, winds started out light at eight knots and two races were completed, but a front passing through the area brought increased winds to 18 knots by noon, and races were canceled for the rest of the day. On Sunday, the hoped for perfect conditions allowed everyone to get a full day of racing in with winds in the low teens and shifty from the west.

A record 192 boats participated. Full results at www.spyc.org.

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

45

RACING & REGATTAS HERE’S THE MULTIHULL EVENT YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

By Doran Cushing Have a multihull? Want to cruise some, party some, race some? Come on down to Charlotte Harbor at Punta Gorda for the March 12-14 Conquistador Cup. This event will have separate multihull classes for spinnaker, non-spinnaker, and cruising boats. There will also be racing within classes for five or more one-design boats (so you can win two trophies in one regatta). As of early February, there are already half a dozen C-24 MkIIs and a similar number of C-28Rs committed to coming. Several of the regional Stiletto owners said they’re coming. A few of the slower-rated cats are also planning to come play. If you don’t have a rating, the RC will provide one.

The entry fee of $40 ($35 if member of US Sailing) includes two days of racing, a T-shirt, and two dinner tickets.

Day one is around buoys or fixed marks, depending on your fleet. Day two is a reverse start with slower boats going first, faster boats later. First to finish wins! Entry also includes parties with free beverages Friday night (March 12) and Saturday night. The winner of the Sunday race gets its photograph on the official race T-shirt for 2005. Racing starts at 11 a.m. each day.

There are several options for dockage...some free, some at low cost. Fisherman’s Village Marina is not open. The Holiday Inn at Punta Gorda (941-639-2167) has a reduced rate for rooms (mention the event) and offers floating docks at $1/ foot, but you must fit under the U.S. 41 bridge with 45 feet of clearance at high tide. The Best Western (941-639-1165) has slightly cheaper rooms and free dockage for guests at the hotel and no bridges to deal with. The T-dock is fixed, and it’s a giant step down from dock to deck of a boat...be prepared/ bring a ladder. There are also special room rates at the Harbour Inn (941-625-0083). The race organizers will also assist in finding dockage for race entries behind homes of local residents. Or you can anchor out on Charlotte Harbor in one of several totally protected areas.

For trailerable boats, there is an excellent ramp (2) at the Port Charlotte Beach park facility on the north side of Charlotte Harbor. The park offers a heated pool, sports courts, barbecue, facilities, picnic shelters, a nice beach, and a fishing pier (which might be good for spectating).

You have to pay a modest fee to park. There is another ramp on the south side of the harbor east of the U.S. 41 bridges, but it is short and shallow.

Come join what will likely be the largest turnout of multihulls—cats and tris—racers and cruisers—in recent history. With Cayo Costa and Cabbage Key just an hour or so away, it’s a great cruise destination. For more info or entry forms, contact the race chairman Dave Hansen (941) 456-5059 or Bob Knowles (941) 505-4583. Be aware that you will have to check at least two blocks on the entry form...multihull and your class (spin/non-spin/cruiser).

Boats racing one-design will have to check three blocks on the entry to clarify their entry. You can also contact Doran Cushing at doran@southernsail.com or (727) 7442200. Entry fees go up to $50 after March 8.

OTHER UPCOMING MULTIHULL EVENTS Major out of area events for multihulls include the Gulf Coast Sailing Club Charity Regatta at Naples March 2728, the Dogwood Regatta April 3-4 on Lake Lanier, GA, and the Miami-Key Largo Race April 4. See www.gulfcoastsailingclub.org for details on the Naples event.

For more information on any of these or other events, contact Doran Cushing at doran@southernsail.com or via phone at (727) 895-4943 or (727) 744-2200. To see the full West Florida PHRF schedule and links, see www.westfloridaphrf.org. Be sure to confirm dates with the host clubs as dates do sometimes change from the time the calendar schedule was posted.

ST. PETERSBURG MULTI-CLASS REGATTA, JAN. 30-FEB. 1

By Dave Ellis What started as a bare-bones event for Classic Moths has evolved into a regatta for classes that field fewer boats than is necessary to make an event fiscally practical. By combining six classes, a first-class event was held the first weekend of February.

46

March 2004

Southwinds

The largest turnout was the Snipe class that moved its Dead of Winter Regatta forward a month. Bill Schoenberg and Michele Sumpton of Fort Lauderdale, followed by Colin and Karen Park of St. Petersburg, topped 18 boats.

National champ Lin Robson of St. Petersburg, sailing with boat owner Jonathan Clapp, won the seven-boat Flying Dutchman class.

Virginia sailors dominated the six-boat Classic Moth class.

Weather kept boats from the Northeast from traveling. The same weather kept the Jet 14 class down to five boats with Tom Grace and Paula Pacheco of Moorseville, NC, beating out Chris and Paula Hennon of Miami.

Ethan Bixby won among the six Windmills. Allen Chauvenet and daughter Christina of Winston-Salem won the first race and placed second overall, followed by Lon Ethington and Meg Gimmi of Redington Shores, FL. Formula 18 HT (HT for high tech) catamarans zipped around the windward-leewards at impressive speeds for the light air conditions. Bob Hodges and W.F. Oliver of New Orleans dominated. Brian Lambert and Jeff Losadio of Fort Walton Beach, FL, were third.

Race chair Bob Johnson has put out the invitation for other classes to join the fun next year. www.southwindssailing.com

SONAR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, FEB. 9-11

By Dave Ellis The Sonars turned out in just enough numbers to qualify as an ISAF Worlds with the minimum 25. Eight nations represented easily qualified in that department, benefiting from the class’ Paralympics standing. Several countries use the St. Petersburg Yacht Club venue for practice leading up to the Athens Games.

The USA Paralympics representative John Ross-Duggan and crew J. P. Creignon and Brad Johnson added local Snipe and Lightning ace Colin Park to call tactics and handle the spinnaker in this open worlds regatta. They were leading the regatta over the usual Sonar suspects Steven Shepstone and Peter Galloway from the Northeast until the heavier race on the last day when a 14th pulled them to third place overall.

St. Petersburg sailor Ed Sherman, sailing with Diane Fowler, Arthur Anosov and George Bothwell, placed fourth.

2004 MARSHALL WORLDS CATBOAT RENDEZVOUS, USEPPA ISLAND, FL, JAN. 31-FEB. 1 The Useppa Island Club was sponsor to the 2004 Marshall Worlds Catboat Rendezvous on Jan. 31-Feb. 1. There were three classes represented at the regatta: the 18-foot Sanderling, the 22-foot Marshall, and the Open Class division. About 30 boats attended from as far away as Pennsylvania. Local Sailors Greg Clarke, Tom Trembly, and Jeff Clarke sailed the 22-foot Catboat Nadine from Saint Petersburg, to compete. They placed first in the Open Boat division. Local Saint Petersburg sailor Sherry Welch and her husband were the race committee.

It was the fifth series of races sponsored by the Useppa Club.

Thanks to Tom Coyle and his wife Gretchen for providing the island hospitality. It was a real treat to have Jeff Marshall, president of Marshall Boats, on hand and on the water racing. There is talk about having a race next year in the Tampa Bay area.

UPPER GULF COAST THE LEUKEMIA CUP REGATTA SET TO SAIL FOR CURES MARCH 19-20 The Leukemia Cup Regatta, organized by the Gulf Coast Satellite Office of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, will be held on March 19-20 at the Buccaneer Yacht Club. A kick-off party will be held February 7 at the Mobile Yacht Club.

The regatta is an annual series of exciting boat race competitions. The event offers a combination of sport and fundraising for a vital cause. Participants raise funds to find cures for blood cancers—leukemia, Hodgkin, and nonHodgkin’s, lymphoma, myeloma—and to improve the lives of patients and their families.

For additional information or to register for the regatta, contact the Gulf Coast Satellite Office of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at (251) 472-8123, or register on-line www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.

SUBSCRIBE TO Southwinds $12/YEAR $20/2 YEARS SEE PAGE 4 LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

47

SHORT TACKS

Charlie Weaver, in the dark blue shirt, and students of Windward Sailing School.

AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION CHOOSES CAPT. CHARLEY WEAVER INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR Capt. Charley Weaver, co-owner of Windward Sailing School located in Fernandina Beach, FL, has been selected as the American Sailing Association (ASA) Instructor of the Year for the Southeast United States for 2003, repeating the same award he received for 2002. Capt. Weaver was chosen by his own students to represent the best in sailing education in the ASA. His selection was based on surveys completed by students participating in all levels of ASA sailing programs from basic to advanced sailing and navigation courses. Students are requested to submit a course/instructor critique after they complete their course. This award recognizes hard work and professional instruction in the pursuit of excellence in sailing education. The

48

March 2004

Southwinds

Southeast area encompasses the 12 states from Virginia to Texas and those in between. More than 250 schools and their 2000 instructors compete for the awards. Capt. Weaver will receive this prestigious award February 13, during the Strictly Sail event at the Miami Boat Show.

Windward Sailing School has been an ASA Certification Activity since 1997. The school has consistently ranked as one of the top five ASA sailing schools based upon completion of the same student critiques. Calculation for the School of the Year award takes into account the evaluations of all of a school’s instructors, number of students certified as well as the overall score for every ASA school.

Both of these awards reflect the quality and professionalism of Windward Sailing School and its staff. The school is also active in the local community supporting the Safe Harbor Boys Home Sailing Education Program, Leadership Nassau, Amelia Open Water Challenge and Fernandina Beach High School Teacher Appreciation. The school is a member of the Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Windward Sailing is owned and operated by Capts.

Sandra and Charley Weaver. The school certifies approximately 300 students per year for all levels of sailing in addition to coastal and celestial navigation and small diesel maintenance courses. The school is also certified to conduct instructor qualification clinics to qualify new sailing instructors. They can be reached at (904) 261-9125 or at sweaver2000@earthlink.net. You can also look them up on their Web site, www.windwardsailing.com. www.southwindssailing.com

SWEETHEARTS IN THE BVI: 26TH ANNUAL SWEETHEARTS OF THE CARIBBEAN REGATTA FEB. 7

By Mike Kirk Six magnificent schooners graced the waters of the British Virgin Islands for the 26th Annual Sweethearts of the Caribbean Regatta held on Febr. 7. Ranging in age from 32 to 80 years old and in length from 34 feet to 80 feet, they truly represented great ladies of the Caribbean. The event preceded the 22nd Classic Yachts Regatta run on Feb. 8.

High Christmas winds combined with the unusually large entry had the Loyal West End Yacht Club of Tortola race committee running in high gear for the twoday event hosted by the Jolly Roger, Soper’s Hole. With a Valentine’s theme the Mount Gay “Red Hat” sponsorship

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

The largest schooner was a Chris Besser-designed staysail schooner, Lelanta. Mike Kirk photo.

Southwinds

March 2004

49

SHORT TACKS boosted entries. Those Mount Gay hats were everywhere.

WEYC events are all designated category F (for FUN) regattas as exemplified by the definitions section of the race instructions wherein a singlehander is defined as “any yacht with less than 2 persons on board.” Not too tough to understand, you would think, except one very well-known single-hander showed up with a crew pleading unfamiliarity with the newly acquired boat—DSQ’d before the start! Protesters were given the option of a negotiated settlement at the bar over a few Mount Gays before going to a formal protest accompanied by a The smallest entry was the 24-foot Tortola sloop Moonbeam. Mike Kirk photo. forfeitable $100 fee.

The Friday evening registration party was marred only by the sad news of a dismasting of one of the two competing Tortola sloops while running down Drake’s Channel. These sloops are the last remaining examples of the marine heritage of the Virgin Islands. The dismasting was particularly ironic as the whole event was focused as a fundraiser for the island sloop revitalization program.

The two-race scenario on Saturday consisted of a schooner race and a single-handed race run consecutively over a course that took boats around the islands and cays to the north of Tortola. A last minute course change involved replacement of a recently destroyed government mark with a hastily contrived set of fenders, flag and a red Mount Gay T-shirt off Great Harbour, Jost van Dyke– to be known forever as the Mount Gay mark.

The sight of these lovely schooners finishing on an exciting beat against tide and a 25-knot wind equaled anything seen in America’s Cup close racing. A tacking dual between

50

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

Robbie Hoyt’s Snap and Fletcher Pitts’ 1924-built Liberty under full canvas had all the race committee (sweet)hearts fluttering. Liberty crossed the line a boat length ahead!

In the single-handed pursuit race Steve Schmidt on his 70-foot sloop Hotel California made a tactical decision to go with only a staysail rather than his genoa for a handicap credit.

This proved to be the wrong call as this fantastic racing sled slid home in mid fleet with Steve mumbling about holes in the wind. The second dismasting of the weekend came when Harry Birch in his junk-rigged Seeker came limping home with his rig on the deck—pretty much junked. Harry had built this boat in 1999 to an 1890 design and had arrived two weeks earlier in the BVI after a transatlantic crossing! Arrrrrggghh.

Those Christmas winds.

Turnout for Sunday’s Classic Yacht Regatta was less than half the registered fleet. This may have been a testimonial to the success of the Buccaneers Ball the night before or just a natural reaction to the prospect of a hearty beat up Drake’s Channel in unabated winds to Pelican and Flannagan islands, followed by a screaming run down to Little Thatch Island and a last beat to finish in Soper’s Hole.

The variety of boats and mast configurations on the downwind run gave captains much opportunity for testing their crews. Despite the formal five- minute handicap carrying a spinnaker, Robin Tattersall took a credible first in his 74-yearold modified 30-square-meter Diva touching 13 knots surfing the considerable swell.

The Sunday party included a Mount Gay hat auction after WEYC Commodore Dave Cooper’s urgent appeal for

funds to start repair work on the oldest island sloop, Vigilant, built in 1898. Prizes abounded for everyone with the haul-outs, sail repairs and yard work going to the needy and the free dinners to the more fortunate sweethearts.

Saturday Results: Schooners:34-45 feet: 1 st Taurus, 2 nd Penelope;46-60 feet: 1st Snap; 61feet and up: 1st Eliza; 2nd Liberty, 3rd Lelanta;Single Handers: 1st Tiger Maru, 2nd Ruffian,3rd Diva; Sunday Results: Classics Yachts (a yacht to a design 30 yrs or older): 0-25 feet: 1st Moonbeam, Tortola Sloop; 26-34 feet: 1st Windshift, 2nd Vinger; 34-45 feet: 1st Diva, 2nd Osprey, 3rd Tiger Maru; 40-60 feet: 1st Rob Roy,61 feet and up: 1st Liberty, Wannabe Classic (a yacht to a design 20 to 29 yrs old): 0-25 feet:1st Juno,26-34 feet; 1st Tempest,2nd Leora,

WEBCAM ON ST. CROIX For those readers who would like to get a quick fix on a bar scene in the Caribbean, Rum Runners dock bar of St. Croix has established a Webcam on the waterfront on the island at St. Croix harbor. You can take a quick picture of whoever is in front of the camera by going to their Web site and doing a “screengrab.” With a cell phone and a computer, you can prove to your friends back in the US of A that you have either completely gone over the edge or still have a look of normalcy by showing your face on the cam. Here it is and good luck (might want to have a couple of rum runners beforehand, or have one in your hand if your friends are back in snow country): http://www.gotostcroix.com/live/ index.htm

A CALL FOR INFORMATION ON A COUPLE OF CUBAN YACHTS FROM THE ‘40S AND ‘50S From R. C. Reefe We often hear and read about yachts, yachting and cruising in Cuba. For a book I am writing about the great racing yachts sailing just before and after World War II, I need some information/help concerning the following. Ciclon was a 52foot S&S sloop built in Cuba just before the war. She was a beautiful yacht and very successful racing in Florida from 1945 well into the 1950s. Criollo was a 67-foot S&S yawl that was built in the same yard in Cuba as Ciclon, I believe, for the same Cuban owner. She was a beautiful first class yawl with bright, varnished topsides.

I sailed in the St. Petersburg/Havana race in 1952 on Escapade, and in 1953 on Ticonderoga. Both Ciclon and Criollo

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

51

SHORT TACKS were in those two races. I seem to remember that Criollo won in 1953. I would like to know whatever happened to these two Cuban yachts. It seems that there is no record of either after the revolution in 1958. Were they destroyed? If sold, one would think that there would be some record of them. Perhaps one of your readers may be able to shed some light on the subject. By the way, there was a fine fleet of Star Boats in Havana, and of course, many beautiful sports fishing boats at the yacht club. I wonder whatever became of them.

You can contact me at rckeefe@sbcglobal.net.

FINIAN MAYNARD BREAKS WINDSURFING WORLD SPEED RECORD, GOES 46.24 KNOTS. From www.naishsails.com On December 3rd, as forecasted with 40 knots of steady east wind at the canal in St. Marie de la Mer, France, Finian Maynard set a new record. Armed with a quiver of Naish Stealth prototype speed sails and custom Hybrid speed boards, Maynard came ever closer to the world speed sailing record.

Riding a 5.5 asymmetrical sail designed by Dan Kaseler and a 38cm-wide Hybrid, Finian clocked an astonishing top speed of 46.24 knots averaged over 500 meters. This new mark breaks the windsurfing speed record. The only record left is the outright speed record set by Yellow Pages back in October of 1993, when the boat went 46.54 knots. Before that, Theirry Bielak held the speed record of 45.34 knots on a windsurfer in April of 1993.

Maynard is now one of two to have ever sailed above 46 knots.

To break Yellow Pages’ outright speed record, which has stood uncontested for ten years, Finian will have to increase his average velocity by 0.3 knots. To look at it in another way, break-

ing the record will require shaving 0.14 seconds off the total elapsed time over the 500-meter course.

Then they, competing with many others, will work at breaking the 50-knot barrier.

The World Sailing Speed Record Council has ratified the new record.

REGATTA TIME IN ABACO? IS IT STILL ON? Southwinds SEEKING INFORMATION

BAHAMAS RELAXES CRUISING PERMIT FEE TO ALLOW MULTIPLE ENTRIES BOATERS ENCOURAGED TO ACT AS BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS FURTHER FEE CHANGES From BoatUS In a move seen as a positive sign for Bahamas-bound boaters, the Bahamas government recently announced a change in its cruising permit fee structure to allow for two entries within a 90-day period rather than only one entry.

The same fee scale announced on July 1, 2003, remains: $150 for boats up to 35 feet and $300 for boats over 35 feet. However, by allowing two entries for the same fee, the rate is effectually cut in half for those who choose to frequent the islands more than once in a 90-day period.

Keith Gomez, boating and fishing specialist with the Bahamas Tourism Centre, recently acknowledged that complaints from boaters and the U.S. and Bahamas boating industries were having an impact.

Further changes could take place in June 2004 when the government’s new budget year commences.

BoatU.S. has been encouraging its members to contact Bahamian officials since the fee increase was unexpectedly announced last summer and continues to urge boaters to voice their concerns by emailing Gomez at kgomez@bahamas..com or the Bahamian comptroller of customs, John Rolle, at cofrolle@batelnet.bs. Please copy BoatU.S. Government Affairs at govtaffairs@BoatUS.com.

“We’ve seen several hundred messages to the Bahamas government and they were effective,” said BoatU.S. Associate Director of Federal Affairs, Dick Thompson.

Southwinds has heard rumors that Regatta Time in Abaco, an event that has been held for many years, usually in July, has been canceled because of the expenses the Bahamas government increased for boaters to the Bahamas. The organizers usually advertise in Southwinds for the event for four months starting in March. This year they have not contacted us, and there has been no response in attempts to contact them.

Anyone who has any information on this, please contact editor@southwindssailing.com or call (941) 795-8704.

26TH ANNUAL DANIA MARINE FLEA MARKET APRIL 15-18 The 26th annual Dania marine flea market, thought to be the largest marine flea market in the world, will be held April 15-18.

It is held at the Dania Jai Alai Fronton in Dania, just south of Fort Lauderdale. There is free parking, and the entry fee to the market is $10 on Thursday, and $8 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Children under 12 are free.

900 vendors offer various marine goods, along with food and beverages. www.daniamarinefleamarket.com.

SUBSCRIBE TO Southwinds $12/YEAR $20/2 YEARS SEE PAGE 4 52

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

US SAILING LEVEL 1 INSTRUCTOR COURSES IN CLEARWATER AND SARASOTA L.K. Bradley and Jabbo Gordon will conduct two US Sailing Level 1 (small boat) instructor courses this spring. The first one will be at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center on March 11-14, and the second will be at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron on two consecutive weekends, May 8-9 and May 15-16.

These 40-hour courses each cost $300, and the minimum age is 16. To register and read a rundown on the courses, go to “http://www.ussailing.org” www.ussailing.org and follow the “yellow brick road” through activities and training.

Course numbers for these two are: 15429 for Clearwater and 14976 for Sarasota.

Both Bradley and Gordon are US Sailing certified instructors and instructor-trainers as well as being licensed captains with the U.S. Coast Guard.

If there are any questions, call Gordon at (941) 351-5845.

F-27 MAKES AMERICAN SAILBOAT HALL OF FAME Courtesy of the F-boat Web site by Ian Farrier The F-27 was honored on Jan. 29 at the Chicago Strictly Sailboats Show, where it was inducted into the American Sailboat Hall of Fame. It will join a select group of only 24 boats such as the Laser and J-24, that helped usher in the fiberglass era. Selections for the Hall of Fame are made by a committee of magazine editors comprising Bill Schanen, Sailing magazine, chairman, John Burnham Sailing World, and Charles Mason, Sail. Half models of the Hall of Fame boats are displayed each year at the sail expos, and are on permanent display at the Museum of Yachting in Newport, RI. The Farrier-designed F-27 is only the second multihull in the Hall of Fame (the other being the Hobie 16) and the first trimaran. It was chosen by the selection committee because it was a breakthrough design that made a tremendous impact on sailing by giving owners the rewards of multihull sailing without the hassle of a beam too wide for marinas and trailers.

For a history of the boat, visit the Web page specially put together for the F-27’s induction into the Sailboat Hall of Fame, http://www.f-boat.com/pages/background/ hall_of_fame.html.

BOATUS TAX TIME TIP: HOW TO DEDUCT A BOAT LOAN From BoatUS The Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) wants boaters to know that as long as your vessel meets the criteria for a second home, the Internal Revenue Service should have a deduction for you.

“For tax purposes, many boats qualify as a second home just like land-based vacation condos and mobile homes,” said Elaine Dickinson of BoatUS Government Affairs.” If you have a secured loan on that vessel, the IRS allows a tax deduction on the interest paid on the loan.”

The IRS defines a second home as having “basic living accommodations such as sleeping space, toilet and cooking facilities.” A secured loan is one where a lending institution holds the boat as collateral for the loan.

Interest paid on the qualified loan should be reported on the federal income tax return Form 1040, Schedule A, Itemized Deductions. Boat owners who received a 1098 form from their lender should enter the amount of interest paid on line 10. If they did not receive a 1098 form, they should enter the amount on line 11 and provide the lender’s name, LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

address and tax identification number. For more specific tax information, boat owners should consult their own financial or tax advisors or visit the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov. IRS Publication 936 also covers rules for interest deductions.

PLACIDA ROTARY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL MARCH 20-21, PLACIDA, FL Twenty years ago, the local fishermen/fisherwomen of Placida, FL, started a seafood festival in conjunction with the organized Fishermen of Florida (OFF) as a way to raise money to help members during times of need and to create scholarships to aid in sending their children to college/trade schools.

The early years of the festival were marked by catching and serving thousands of pounds of mullet which everyone at the festival enjoyed.

In the early 1990s when the commercial netting ban took effect, they decided to discontinue the festival, but that year the community of Placid and the fishery Restaurant invited the Rotary Club of Englewood to participate. Together they continued the festival. Today it is run by the community of Placida, and money raised is put to good use in the surrounding communities to benefit students with scholarships for education and other projects. Over $100,000 has been raised in the last few years from the festival.

Approximately 50 vendors of arts and crafts will be at the festival, besides others offering a variety of foods featuring seafood including, fishery gumbo, fried fish, shrimp, spicy shrimp, kabobs, salads, burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, lemonade, Cajun sausages, black beans and rice, squid, octopus, alligator and more.

Besides live entertainment and a Beck’s beer tent, crabs will race—and that should be interesting.

For more information you can go to www.seafoodfestival.info. And if you don’t know where Placida is then take 775 south from Englewood, or take 776 west to 771 south if you’re coming from Port Charlotte, and if you’re coming by boat, you need be north of Marker 21 and south of the R.R. fishing pier, and if you’re really lost, then call (941) 697-2451 ext. 201. If that doesn’t help you, you’re on your own. Just smell the seafood and follow your nose.

HUNTER MARINE AND SAILTIME PARTNER UP Hunter Marine Corporation, part of the Luhrs Marine group, said recently that it has formed an exclusive partnership with SailTime, to exclusively offer the Hunter 33- and 36-foot sailboat models to members of SailTime’s global network of fractional sailing bases.

SailTime currently has 10 bases in the United States including Miami, Houston, San Francisco, Tampa, Boston, Austin, Lake Texoma, Jacksonville, San Diego, and the Channel Islands. Discussions are currently under way to open at least a dozen more bases throughout the United States and Europe before the 2004 sailing season gets into full swing.

This is a great opportunity for Hunter Marine. We see SailTime as a revolutionary approach to growing our market that will appeal to sailors of every skill level,” said John Peterson, Hunter’s director of sales and marketing. “This partnership will provide daily access to new boats for those who cannot have a boat of their own. Our product features, dealer network, and customer service resources are a perfect match for SailTime and we look forward to getting more people out sailing with this innovative program.” For more information on SailTime go to www.sailtime.com.

Southwinds

March 2004

53

54

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

C L A S S I F I E D

A D S

“In August, you began running an advertisement to sell my diesel engine in your classifieds section. I am pleased to advise you that I have a buyer as a result of the advertisement. Please discontinue it. FYI, I have also had inquiries from West Africa and France as Capt C.T., St. Petersburg, FL a result of the Internet ad you made available. I’m MAJOR impressed!! Thank you very much.”

CLASSIFIED ADS for $5 PER MONTH ALL ADS UNDER 30 WORDS FOR PRIVATELY-OWNED BOATS, SAILBOATS, TRAWLERS AND DINGHIES ONLY PLEASE. THREE MONTH MINIMUM, $15 whether ad canceled or not.

Add $5 per month for photos, same minimum policy. Check or credit cards accepted. Mail or e-mail ads by the 10th of the month.

FREE ADS WITHOUT PICS FOR ALL BOAT GEAR (SAILBOAT RELATED) & WINDSURFING ADS. MUST BE PRIVATELY OWNED ITEMS. AD RUNS THREE MONTHS UNLESS RENEWED BY THE 10TH OF THE LAST MONTH AD RUNS.

All photos must be sent electronically or the actual photo — no photocopies.

Photos must be horizontal, not vertical; otherwise add $10. All ad text e-mailed must be in upper & lower case, not caps.

The last month your ad runs is in parentheses at the end of the ad. You must call by the 10th of that month to renew for another 3 months. All other ads are $20 a month for up to 20 words and $5 for each additional 10 words. $10 for a horizontal photo. Frequency discounts for longer-running ads.

Call (941) 795-8704, e-mail to editor@southwindssailing.com or mail to PO Box 1175 Holmes Beach FL 34218-1175.

All ads go on the Internet, and your Web site or e-mail address in the ad will be linked by clicking on it.

Southwinds will only be responsible financially for mistakes for a one issue period. Please check your ad. Let us know any mistakes by the 10th of the month.

BOATS & DINGHIES

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

(3 column inches is 1/8 page) Monthly Cost Ads Per Inch

9' CAPTIVA ESCAPE with trailer, great fun, easy to sail, good for learning. $950 OBO. Call Nora at 727397-4309. (5/04)

12 6 3 1

$17 $20 $23 $27

Minimum Inches

Total Cost

2" 2" 2" 2"

$34 $40 $46 $54

West Marine Inflatable Dingy 9’6", 4 person, with 8hp Nissan. Rollup alum. floor, inflatable keel, seat,carrying bag. Self bailing. Used less than 10 hrs. $1450 - call (404) 834-4630 Orlando (3/04)

professionally tuned. Includes North Sails main, jib,spinnaker, and galvanized trailer Available in late October at Lake Norman, NC. For details Call (800) 864-7208 (3/04) Ideal 18 (1996) Keelboat in pristine condition; dry sailed winters, garaged summers. Spinnaker equipped. Fast, stable racer or day sailer. Trailer suitable for ramp or crane launching. $11,000. (941) 639-9672, fgdarrell@comcast.net (3/04)

Hotfoot 20 Sportboat 1985, Similar to Ultimate 20, recent hull paint, PHRF 168 - Lift bulb keel, 1000 lb displacement, Mainsail,155% ,UK Tape Drive blade, spinnaker, Boomkicker, Galvanized trailer, $7400.

Atlanta, Call Scott at 678-947-8875 or e-mail stle32@aol.com (5/04)

10-foot sailing dinghy, fiberglass, sail rig in good condition. $600. Eve. 850-648-2241. Panama City (5/04) Penguin Class Sailboat 11.5 ft. Beautiful West System boat by Annapolis sailmaker 1997. Outside white awlgrip, rails and inside varnish. Excellent condition. Trailer, complete package. $3500. (954) 401-5335, ronsailon@aol.com. (3/04) 12-foot sailing dinghy, fiberglass, gaff-rigged main.

Self-tacking jib. Sails in new condition. Includes trailer. $900. Eve. 850-648-2241. Panama City (5/04) Windrider 16 Trimaran a safe and easy sailboat designed for one person but can also carry two more.

Price is $3000 which includes a custom trailer. Located in Stuart, FL (772) 220-7750 or Email hakadele8@earthlink.net See boat review in Sept.

2003 issue of Southwinds or go to www.windride.com (3/04) For Sale 17' O’Day Sailor (type II) $2,195 or OBO. Modified for single handed sailing with Roller Furling, Tiller Tender, Electric Trolling motor, and topping lift. Custom cockpit cushions, custom cockpit cover, main sail cover. Depth sounder / fish finder.

Two sets of sails. Two head stays. EZ load Trailer.

Call Glenn at (813) 949 0341 (4/04) FLYING SCOT 19’ Very attractively priced new boats used only for the Adams Cup finals. Race-rigged and

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

1980 Skipper 20’ Shallow-draft sloop and trailer. 3 sails, self-bailing with motor well, displacement 2,000 lbs. Adult v-berths, opening ports, and quarter berths. $2100 OBO. Stuart FL (772) 878-4721 (5/04) 1973 21' Reynolds Catamaran Great beach cat. good condition. Needs a little TLC. Call for details. Includes continental trailer. $2200 OBO. Must Sell. (239) 765-4433. Ft. Myers Beach (4/04) Catalina 22' Boat, Motor, Trailer New hull and bottom paint. New wheels, tires, and bearings. 6 hp outboard. Motor needs minor repair. Extra sails and new cushions. $2000. Call (334) 280-3204 (3/04)

Southwinds

March 2004

55

C L A S S I F I E D

A D S

Precision 23' (1995) - shoal keel (2'), 8hp Yamaha(2002) 4 stroke electric start & tilt, 150% jib (2002), auto helm, bimini, spare parts $18,200, (941) 351-6207 (4/04)

O’Day 23, 1980 Very nicely restored. New Tasker main, new Awlgripped mast, fresh Interlux bottom. ’93 Yamaha 4hp. New Potti, cooker, rigging, brightwork. GPS, VHF, CD Stereo. Lots of extras. Asking $6000. Call Rich (321) 837-1708 rbalint@bellsouth.net. Located Melbourne Beach, FL. (3/04) 1989 Seaward, 24', wing keel, 2003 Suzuki 6HP 4stroke, RF150, 20-amp marine battery charger, Loran, VHF, speed depth, compass, auto helm, new upholstery, small boat in trade. $10,000 (352) 5285310. (4/04) 1982 Merit 25. Great condition. Stored out of water 8 of the last 9 years. Photographs and details at http://www.intelligentstrategies.com/merit. $7,995. 770-932-9382 or dpope@intelligentstrategies.com (5/04)

22' Ensign Class Sloop. Sailing School fleet. Older boats in sailing condition. With main and Jib. Four available from $1500-$2500. Call (305) 665-4994 (4/04)

Ranger 22, Gary Mull designed PHRF racer/cruiser, everything new or restored, 6 sails, 5hp Nissan O/B, tandem trailer, new Teflon bottom, race ready, $11000 invested, $7000 OBO, (305) 632 9520 (4/04)

2002 Santana 22. California built sloop, heavy fixed fin keel, loaded with extras, plenty of storage lockers. New retail over 35K. Asking $25,000 OBO. (305) 668-8838 (4/04)

DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS starting at $34/month.

editor@southwindssailing.com 56

March 2004

Southwinds

26 ft. Pearson OD w/ 9.9 hp Johnson. Good sail inventory including spinnaker. Depth, Speed, Loran, vhf, fm/cd and many extras. Bottom was professionally refurbished with West system 2002. Boat has been sailed regularly and is well maintained. $8,200 Bob 251-209-6035 sideshow122@aol.com (4/04)

1982 Catalina 27', Clean, Comfortable Cruiser, 10 HP diesel, Fin Keel, Wheel Steering, Traditional layout, All the amenities one would expect from Catalina Yachts. The Seaway Yacht Broker- www.Seaway2.com (228) 493-5261, (228) 467-6802, Asking $11,500, will consider offers. (4/04)

Accepting offers: 1978 Buccaneer 27’x8’, documented, shoal-draft hull/rig. Interior removed. Zero blistering. No sails. Most voluminous trailerable sailboat built. Delivery possible. (850) 442-6510. Bob Burnham. 392 East Lake Rd., Quincy, FL 32351.

(5/04) 1973 Albin Vega 27, 3’ 10” draft. Volvo 10 hp diesel. R.F. Jib, full batten main w/lazy jacks, dodger, UHF, GPS, DF, knotmeter, excellent condition. Great sailer $10,500 (239) 337-4977 (4/04)

Cape Dory 27' 1977 Inboard Yanmar Diesel 8 hp, Roller furling genoa, solar panel for battery charge, depth meter, bilge pump, full keel - great stability, 4' draft, Carl Alberg classic design. Great condition! Madeira Beach, FL. Call for appt. (727) 398-0796 (3/04) 27’ Catalina Sailboat ’84 Diesel Wheel, bimini, enclosure, autopilot, radar, pressure water, propane stove, wind generator, refrig, dinghy, davits, fantastic upgrades, just back from 4 mo. in Bahamas. specs pictures at www.geocities.com/catalina_5477, WPB FL (561) 547-0500, eve (561) 281-2689, $15,800 OBO (4/04)

Catalina 270 Wing-keel, full electronics, autopilot, spinnker and gear, walk-thru transom, north sails new 2001-2002 (3 jibs, main, spinnaker) Vessel gifted to charitable organization.This organization eager to sell boat for cash. Best offer: asking $26,900. Contact Lou at hooyengl@bellsouth.net or phone 305-3940901(5/04) 27' Hunter, Yanmar diesel runs well, shore power, aircond, bow & stern pulpits, dbl lifelines, $5,900 Miss. coast (228) 806-9316 Gaspergou30@aol.com (4/04)

www.southwindssailing.com

C L A S S I F I E D

A D S

1978 Catalina 30, Yanmar 3GM 30 100hours, 12000 BTU AC/Heat, tiller steering w/autopilot, speed, depth, compass, stereo, pressure water, 2speed winches, $16,500. Eve. 850-648-2241.

Panama City. (5/04)

1981 Freedom 33' cat-ketch. Among World’s Best Sailboats. Unique, strong, fast, roomy. Single hand easily. Carbon-fiber spars, centerboard, Windlass, bimini. Delivery possible. Reduced. $35,000. (713) 847-9897 (5/04)

J-27 (1985) Joe Cool Excellent condition. New North 3DL Genoa. Quantum sails in great condition. New bottom. Many extras. Very clean. Well maintained. Located in Coconut Grove. Asking $15,000. Lionel Baugh at (917) 821-3308 /(305) 969-8107 or email at baughlionel@hotmail.com (4/04)

28' Ranger, immaculate, freshwater maintained racer-cruiser with $16,000 in recent improvements, 12 sails, new yanmar. $15,000. Call (813) 685-8737 (5/04)

30’ Hunter designed by Cherubini. S/V Uluru is being offered for sale. Complete refit from stem to stern. Turn key cruiser. Our loss your gain. Bought 42’ cruiser. For a detailed inventory, e-mail zekeatthebeach@aol.com or call (239) 280-7434 (5/04)

Baba 30, 1978, bluewater cruiser, strong high-quality cutter, great singlehander, well-equipped and maintained, 27hp Yanmar, New sails, Shaeffer roller furling, Autohelm 4000, $53,000. Located Ft. Myers.

E-mail lyttraveler@yahoo.com, (239) 560-6078. (4/04) J-30 Hull 279 1981 Ready to race, cruise. sleeps 6.

Mylar Genoa, jib, main, spinnaker, New cored cabin roof, new faired bottom, new compasses, Yanmar diesel. reduced to $19,900. (954) 684-2869, (954) 401-8892 (4/04) CAL 31 1980 Freshwater since new. Lite use. Many upgrades in 2002. Located near Atlanta, GA. $27,500 Call (770) 540-9796 (4/04)

2000 Hunter 290. Selden inmast and jib furling,18hp Yanmar, Garmin 182GPS, Raymarine Auto-pilot, knot and depth.12cd Stereo, VHF, LPG stove. Bimini & dodger. $59,000. In Jacksonville, FL, (904) 683-7476. willgray@comcast.net (5/04)

Prout 31' Catamaran Semi-project. Needs painting. Most of sanding done. Honda 15, GPS, radar, solar, roller furling, dinghy, new Mercury 5, lotsa new stuff. $28,500 Marathon sandpiper@pocketmail.com (3/04)

32' Pearson Vanguard Classic in great shape and very well equipped: Yanmar, Harken Furling, New sails, equipped to cruise see www.dneve.com/sultana or call (305) 772-7218, $24,000 (4/04) 32' Catalina 320 1999 WK, Yanmar 30 (240 hrs) ac, ap, km, df, Bimini, Adler Ref, Bottom Aug 02, VHF W/DCS-GPS, Reduced $92,000, lying Shalimar FL (850) 499-0264 (5/04)

Irwin 33 Center Cockpit Sloop, 1986. Sale or Trade.

Diesel 3’ 10” draft. $40,000 value. Trade for property or motorhome. Boat is clean and ready for the Bahamas. (239) 691-6580. Located Ft. Meyers, FL. E-mail: www.suzy213@juno.com (5/04)

33' Morgan Out-islander, 1977. Bimini & dodger, hot water shower, 108 Perkins engine, autopilot, ac/reverse cycle, generator, inverter, 5.2 freezer/refrigerator, watermaker, GPS, power windlass, 2 anchors (50ft chain each) 210', 350' line, davits, hard bottom dinghy, outboard, recent rigging and MackPack for main and 135 roller furling jib. Sleeps 5.

Reduced to $35,500 obo. Call (305) 893-0436. Email big0807ben@aol.com. (4/04) Hunter 33 1980,4' draft,sleeps 6,roller furling, diesel, electronic, A/C. New refrigeration, Autohelm, 100 amp alternator, charger, fresh paint.Coast Guard inspected.Pristine! $25,000. (941)235-1890 (4/04) Catalina 34 1986, Tall Rig, Good condition, Custom Bimini, Dodger. All standard features sleeps 7, new cushions, Chartplotter, many upgrades, Slip in St. Pete municipal can transfer $43,900 (813) 8311011, mvazmina@tampabay.rr.com (5/04)

1986 Schock 34 GP. Consistent winner GYA Challenge Cup-Sugar Bowl- Gulfport/Pensacola. Yanmar diesel, chart plotter, recent sails. Berthed NOLA. $39,000 Jack (228) 452-1240. hagarjac@bellsouth.net (5/04)

See Classified information on page 55

View Classified Ads & Boat Pics on our secure Web site

www.southwindssailing.com LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

57

C L A S S I F I E D

36’ Bruce Roberts Steel Hull Welded to road- ready trailer. An economical beginning for a serious bluewater cruiser. This hull is fair and professionally welded. $5000. (904) 476-3353. (4/04)

1977 36' Allied Princess Ketch. Super clean, just completed 600mi cruise. Autopilot, 4-108, sails refurb./bottom 2003, great interior, HCPW, 80 water, 40 diesel, 15 holding, 2001 barrier. http:// home.earthlink.net/~a36ketch. (251) 968-8874 (4/04)

1984 Morgan 36 K/CB. Diesel, auto pilot, AC, Furling genoa, wheel, GPS plotter, sleeps 6. Berthed PC, MS. Jack (228) 452-1240. hagarjac@bellsouth.net (5/04)

Lagoon 37 1994. totally equipped for comfortable, safe liveaboard/cruising excellent condition. Original owner. (239) 543-7208 or (239) 898-9522 (8/04)

1984 37' Dickerson Cutter. Beautiful boat featured in World’s Best Sailboats. Furling main and jib, staysail on boom. New ST6000 AP, new water heater, lectrasan head. 4’6" draft. Perkins 4108 diesel, new sailor prop. $77,000 e-mail dosukoenig@aol.com Cortez Fl. (941) 755-9316 (4/04)

Condor 40 Many recent upgrades including new Calvert main,2000 Genoa, new Bimini, 1999 twin Yamaha 9.9’s, new halyards, new Raymarine speed & depth, Yanmar genset $72,000. E-mail camsimmons@pdq.net, call (281) 218-0026.

(4/04)

1975 Seafarer Ketch, 38' “Rhodes Design” - ready to sail or live aboard. R/furling & cutter, new interior , 50hp Perkins, Radar, GPS, Auto-Pilot, refrig, Bimini, davits, p/water, A/C, fantastic upgrades, 4’ draft, $41,900 JAX FL (904)838-5767 drterrytaylor@comcast.net (5/04)

41' Gulfstar Ketch 1973 cruising equipped, ready to go. 2002 - 10 barrier coats and Strataglass enclosed bimini, lived aboard 14 years, selling medical reasons, photos, details: $55,000 www.shevard.com (904) 284-9986 X2040 (3/04)

99 Catalina 380 In mast furling. Up to date electronics. New dinghy with motor. Currently cuising Florida. $135,000. Details see http// :soulstice4sale.gmn-usa.com.

E-mail gerbrig@pocketmail.com (3/04)

Beneteau 38 1990 model new genoa, Icom SSB, compass, inverter & more. Laying Tortola, BVI. $62,000. sloopm38@hotmail.com or (305) 3104653 (4/04) 2000 Catalina 380 Tall rig Almost new,118 engine hours. Raytheon “Pathfinder” integrated GPS/Radar, ST60 wind, speed, depth. Ardic forced air heat. Heart interface inverter/charger. Zodiac 6 person canister coastal life raft. Many more custom extras. Ready for your cruising dreams! Call for detailed list.

Seattle (206) 780-3475. $162,000. (3/04)

37' 1989 Hunter 37 Legend Is fast and comfortable and gives you the perfect weekender or cruiser.

Equipment includes: depth, autopilot, 2 VHFs, battery charger/inverter, dodger, bimini, and more. $69,000 (727) 363-1124. (4/04)

A D S

Ericson 39 1978 rebuilt 2002, surveyed. All new 38 hp diesel, electrics, plumbing, windlass, autopilot, canvas. Plus dinghy, o/board, etc $49,500. Private sale. Andrew (954) 524-4765, e-mail brandtwo@bellsouth.net (4/04)

Morgan 416 OI, 1982, Perkins 62hp diesel, center cockpit, 4’2" draft, great shape, 6kw generator, plus many extras, 2 heads, 2 staterooms, ketch rigged, $88,000, call (727) 379-0554 or email: jackhodges_nc@yahoo.com (4/04)

1990 41' Morgan Classic MKII. New sails, A/C, 12V Refrig. Excellent Condition. Asking $120,000.

Located Miami (305) 668-8838 or (305) 790-9251 (4/04) 1989 Catalina 42, 10 yr fresh-water boat. New electronics, invertor, Autopilot and dodger Bimini. Excellent shape with serious upgrades. Located Florida west coast. $109,000. www.tapaki.com. e-mail tapaki3@yahoo.com (4/04) 44' Bruce Roberts custom pilot house. Steel/stainless steel, Volvo 6cyl., 120hp diesel, high rig, electric windlass, GPS, Autopilot, Depth, SSB, Hard dodger, fast, comfortable, safe, and spacious. (985) 285-0874. (4/04)

APARTMENT FOR RENT Apartment for rent in Durango, Colorado. Nice

58

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

C L A S S I F I E D 2 bedroom, 2 bath unfurnished townhouse in the woods in town. Fireplace, deck, garage, dishwasher, refrigerator, great room. $1050 a month. Lease. Nice neighborhood. Quiet. Clean. Available June 1. (877) 372-7245 toll free. smorrell1@tampabay.rr.com

BOOKS & CHARTS Ocean Routing – Jenifer Clark’s Gulf Stream Boat Routing/Ocean Charts by the “best in the business.”

(301) 952-0930, fax (301) 574-0289 or www.erols.com/gulfstrm

BUSINESS/INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Construction/Real Estate investment Highly-experienced, honest, licensed, responsible and reliable contractor seeks investor/partner in new construction/remodeling in West Florida. Perhaps a spec house or purchase to remodel. Contractor is experienced in custom homes of all sizes, including very high end homes. Only interested in doing interesting and enjoyable projects. (941) 795-8711 Sailtime.com is looking for base operators on the Florida coast. This may suit existing marine business owners who wish to add an additional income stream. Sailtime is a unique business model that requires minimal capital and no staff. Tel. (813) 8170104 or jtwomey@sailtime.com

COMPUTER & SOFTWARE FOR BOATS

ELECTRONICS SeaTech Systems – Computerized navigation & communication. Call for free Cruiser’s Guide to the Digital Nav Station and CAPN demo disk. (800) 444-2581 or (281) 334-1174, navcom@sea-tech.com, www.sea-tech.com Best Prices – Solar panels, wind generators, charge controllers, deep cycle batteries, solar panel and wind generator mounting hardware. Authorized dealer for Siemens, Kyocera, Solarex, and Uni-Solar solar panels, Air Marine wind generator, Deka, Trojan, and Surrette deep cycle batteries.™ Toll free (877) 432-2221 www.e-marine-inc.com

HELP WANTED Regional editors wanted. Southwinds is looking for individuals to work spare time and submit monthly information on racing, cruising, sailing, calendar and related events in several regions: Southeast Coast states (Carolinas and Georgia), East Florida (East and Northeast Florida), Southeast Florida, Florida Keys, Upper Gulf Coast states area (Florida’s Big Bend, the Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, East Texas coast). West Florida editor is already taken. Must have some knowledge of racing besides other sailing/cruising knowledge, be into writing, good with computers and the Internet, and good at communicating with the Southwinds editor. Not much initial payment but good potential and lots of possibilities. Up to 5 people needed (one per region or one person could do more than one region, but must be familiar with each region). (941) 7958704. editor@southwindssailing.com Southwinds magazine delivery person. Tampa Bay Area - West Florida, and perhaps including Southwest Florida. Would work as a subcontractor delivering Southwinds magazine to West Florida from Pasco County south through Sarasota and possibly further south. Must have a vehicle to carry about 4000-plus magazines.

Must be self-insured. A sedan would do, maybe.

(941) 795-8704. editor@southwindssailing.com PHOTOGRAPHERS: Southwinds 2005 calendar photo contest. See advertisement in the magazine in the ad directory under calendar contest.

Knoware It Is - a stowage/retrieval computer program for your boat or RV. You import a layout of your boat or RV, mark storage locations, then add items to each location. Order at http:// www.knoware-online.com for $49 plus $5 S/H or download a free Demo version at http:// www.knoware-online.com/kwii_demo.html.

CREW AVAILABLE Visit Southwinds new boat and crewlisting service at southwindssailing.com

CREW WANTED Visit Southwinds new boat and crewlisting service at southwindssailing.com

See Classified information on page 55 LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

MARINE ENGINES

A D S

MISCELLANEOUS BOAT GEAR NEW & USED

DINGHY DAVITS Only $360.00

www.martekdavits.com

727-686-5020 Boom from Tartan 40, E=14’. $400 (813) 932-3720 (5/04) 3 burner oven, CNG. Can be converted to propane. $400 (813) 932-3720 (5/04) PROPELLER 3 blade bronze 19D, 18P, taper, unused since rebalanced $150 +UPS, call (850) 8727811(5/04) Cutlass (flatfish) shaft bearing 2x6 OD unused $30 call (850) 872-7811 (5/04) New-unused hookah dive system Surface-supplied dive rig with 120-volt compressor, 50-foot hose and regulator. Operate off small inverter or generator. Paid $900, will sell for $500. (305) 849-1127 (4/04) Harken gennaker furler #1900 Light use - $325 plus shipping. Navionics Chesapeake plotter chip $100 Punta Gorda FL (941) 505-5053; Teak boards, anchors - Fortress FX23, Danforths, Deltas, Bruce, DQR, Aqua Finn Sailboat, Mirage sailboard, Dyer Sailing Dinghy, Navico PT 100 (new) Tiller Pilot, Autohelm 4000 wheel Pilot, Walker Bay Dinghy. Nautical Trader (941) 488-0766. www.nauticaltrader.net/ (4/04) Wheels Custom Leathered – Satisfaction guaranteed, 1 year warranty. Free turks head. Over 100 satisfied customers last year. Contact Ray Glover at Sunrise Sails Plus (941) 721-4471 or sunrisesailsplus@msn.com

dwyermast.com • Masts • Booms • Hardware • Rigging

DWYER Aluminum Mast Co. 203-484-0419 Southwinds

March 2004

59

C L A S S I F I E D

A D S

GPS New Garmin Street Pilot III (deluxe). Portable GPS w/ auto routing and voice. Includes CDRom, mounts, data card, etc. Great for boat and/ or car! $600 obo. (386) 426-5978 (4/04) Excellent 34’7" Aluminum Mast 3’6" spreaders, 12' 8" boom, 11’10" whisker pole. Mainsail, 3-reefs, 3 winches, 15 mast steps, rigging, insulated backstay, can deliver. Make offer. Call (863) 6754244. (4/04)

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE Office and warehouse space available for lease to marine-related businesses. Great for boat brokers or sales representatives. High speed Internet access. JSI (727) 577-3220 Dahon Stainless Steel 3-sp Folding Bikes Great condition $450 pair, Pur-35 manual watermaker never used new $550, Used Magma propane grill $60, e-mail Jim @lagartaboat@yahoo.com (4/04)

LODGING FOR SAILORS Ponce de Leon Hotel Historic downtown hotel at the bay, across from St. Petersburg YC. 95 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Dripless Packing Proven high-tech propeller and rudder packing that outlasts all other packings and is virtually dripless. Easy to install. Bilges stay dry.

Won’t damage shafts.

Economical. Dealer inquiries welcome. Toll Free (877) 432-2221 or www.e-marine-inc.com

(727) 550-9300 FAX (727) 826-1774 www.poncedeleonhotel.com

SAILING INSTRUCTION

USED SAILS SAVE $$$ 1000s of headsails, mains & spinnakers. We ship everywhere, satisfaction guaranteed. We also buy sails. Sail Exchange. (800) 6288152. 407 Fullerton Ave. Newport Beach CA 92663 www.sailexchange.com See Display ad in Index of advertisers

WINDSURFING GEAR Wanted: Used Prodigy (standard or race),other boards, miscellaneous windsurfing equipment. Steve (941) 795-8704, editor@southwindssailing.com

TIRALO floating deck chair - a beach chair that floats in water and rolls easily on the sand. Looks great. Folds and fits on your boat or inside your car. More info: www.oasisllc.com or swti@oasisllc.com Feathering Propeller, Adjustable pitch, two blades 16"x4", shaft 1 1/8" x 35" + prop. $350 OBO, (772) 878-4721 (4/04)

Starboard 2002 X186 Formula Windsurfer, Neil Pryde (NP) 9.8 2002 Race Slalom sail NP 530 2003 Carbon Mast & Foot, NP 260 2003 Carbon Boom, Harness Lines & adj. outhaul NP Padded Triple Board Bag (fits all!), TOTAL $1400, t.fiedler@umiami.edu

Honda 9.9 HP 4 stroke outboard, 2000, 8" shaft, elect. start , 6 amp alt. output for battery charging. Exc. cond./ low hrs. Only $1550. ($2939 new) (941) 505-9772 (4/04)

Tiga 268 SLR, Excellent condition, 2 fins, Carbon Mast, Windsurfing Hawaii Boom & Harness Lines, 3 Mylar Monofilm Sails (4.5, 5.5, 6.5), Padded board bag.Total $400, t.fiedler@umiami.edu

SAILS & CANVAS

THIS AD FOR RENT starting at $34/month.

Call (941) 795-8704 or 60

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com

KEY WEST

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Continued from page 34

Air Duck 39 Aqua Graphics 57 Atlantic Sails 48 Banks Sails 60 Beachmaster Photography 57 Beneteau Sailboats BC Beta Marine 13 Bluewater Insurance 14 Bluewater Sailing Supply 28 Boaters Exchange 6 BoatUS 23 Bob and Annie’s Boatyard 7 Bo’sun Supplies 13 Bubba Book 44 Carson/Beneteau BC Compac Boats East 19 Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina 19 Cruising Direct Sails 19 Davis Maritime Surveying 45 Defender Industries 60 Dockside Radio 50 Don’s Salvage 21 Dwyer mast 59 Eastern/Beneteau BC Finish Line Multihulls 17 First Patriot Insurance 20 Fleetside Marine Service 59 Flying Scot Sailboats 56 Fujinon Binoculars 17 Garhauer Hardware 12 Glacier Bay Refrigeration 25 Great Outdoors Publishing 6 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales 56 Gunkholer’s Cruising Guide 6 Hotwire/Fans and other products 60 Hunter Sailboats 10 Island Marine Products 28 Island Time PC 59 JR Overseas/Moisture Meter 52 Martek Dinghy Davits 59 Massey Yacht Sales 3,9,15,27,41,45, IFC Masthead Enterprises 35,60 Michelob Cup,Treasure Island YC 38 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau BC National Sail Supply 38 Nautical Trader 29 North Sails 34 Pasadena Marina 24 Pursuit Regatta, Bradenton YC 40 Pursuit Regatta, Bradenton YC 40 Raider Sailboats 55 RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke 25 Regata del Sol al Sol 33 Rparts Refrigeration 24 Sail Exchange/Used Sails 46 Sailor’s Soap 11,31,47 Sailtime 56 Sarasota Youth Sailing Program 54 Schurr Sails 39 Scurvy Dog Marine 21 Sea School 34 Sea Tech 51 Snug Harbor Boats 29 St. Augustine Sailing School 60 St. Barts/Beneteau BC Suncoast Inflatables 26 Tackle Shack 49 Tampa Sailing Squadron 54 TowboatUS 51 UK Sails 43 Ullman sails 31 Weathermark sailing 16 West Marine IFC Whitneys Marine 7 Windcraft Catamarans 50 Advertiser List by Category 61 Regional Services Directory Advertisers West Florida 37

Corsair 28R champion Bad Boys leaving the competition in her wake.

Graffiti remained at the top of the food chain throughout the week.

Familiar local boats, Blah Blah Blah, Thin Ice and Big Pine Key’s Sassy Li’l Rascal had joined the PHRF-11 class. J/30 Circus from Chicago dominated the group, Second place Corsair 28R winner, Condor, aggressively through the blue. Entrants: Freudenberg and but the scores were won by nar- blasts Hudgins, Florida. row margins. The local boats knew their waters.

By Friday the wind had shifted to a gusty 20 knots with choppy seas. One race was completed on this day, and a few boats retreated early after equipment failures.

Cool, salty, and wet, crews were happy to finally return to the docks. It had been a solid week of hard sailing and commendable work. Final scores were calculated and the main tent prepared for the grand finale. To much enthusiasm and cheers, this year’s champions were recognized. Now, it was time to celebrate.

The Nautica Trophy - International Team Competition: Europe B, Mean Machine, Peter DeRidder and Baghad, Kristian Nergaard The Terra Nova Trading Trophy - Boat of the Week: Mean Machine, Farr 40, Peter DeRidder, Scheveningen, NED The Lewmar Trophy – PHRF Boat of the Week (presented to the PHRF class with the closest competition): Kelly, Beneteau First Class Ten, Andrew Cheney, St. Petersburg, FL Traveled the Farthest - The Key West Award Kokomo, Farr 40, Lang Walker, Sydney, AUS CLASS WINNERS (9 races; 1 throwout, except in Swan 45, Farr 40 and Mumm 30) Swan 45 (8 boats)—-Rush (Reloaded), Thomas Stark, Newport, R.I. (4-2-2-4-1-2-4-5-1), 25 points. Farr 40 (23)—Mean Machine, Peter De Ridder, The Netherlands (6-7-18-5-6-12-4-2-1), 61. Mumm 30 (13)—-Turbo Duck, Bodo Von Der Wense, Annapolis, Md. (1-2-2-1-2-4-3-5-3), 23. Melges 24 (58)—-P&P Sailing Team, Philippe Ligot/Sebastian Col, France (1-(59)-1-2-1-6-7-3-2), 23.J/105 (29)—-Zuni Bear, Richard Bergmann, San Diego (1-(19)-1-2-1-1-9-6-7), 28. J/ 80 (20)—-Warrior, Craig and Martha White, Ft. Worth, Tex. ((13)-2-2-1-7-6-1-1-4), 24. Corsair 28R (10)—-Bad Boys, Bob and Doug Harkrider, Augusta, Ga. (1-1-3-2-1-(5)-1-2-2), 13.Corsair 24 (9)—-Breaking Wind, Robert Remmers, Buda, Tex. ((10)-1-1-1-1-1-2-1-2), 10.C&C 99 (11)—-Trumpeter, Colin Andrews, Toronto, Canada (1-(4)-3-1-1-2-2-31), 14.T-10 (8)—-Liquor Box, Chuck Simon/Bill Buckles, Vermilion, Ohio and Key West (1-2-3-1-1-3-1-1-(9)), 13. PHRF 1 (9)—-Chippewa (Swan 68), Clay Deutsch, Road Harbour, BVI (7-1-1-1-(8)-1-1-1-1), 14.

PHRF 2 (8)—-Storm (R/P 43), Les Crouch, San Diego (1-2-1-1-4-5-1-1-(9)), 16. IMS (5)—-Talisman, Marco Birch, New York, N.Y. (DSQ-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1), 9.PHRF 3 (8)—-Raincloud (J/133), Mike Rose, Kemah, Tex. (1-1-(2)-1-1-1-2-1-1), 9.

PHRF 4 (10)—-Tiburon (Melges 30), Michael Gray/John Dane, New Orleans, La. (1-(5)-1-1-2-1-1-2-3), 12. PHRF 5 (12)—-K2 (J/120), Luis Gonzalez, Mallets Bay, Vt. ((10)-2-1-2-9-1-2-3-3), 23. PHRF 6 (14)—-Bounder (Sydney 36), David Hudgel, Detroit (1-(5)-1-2-2-1-3-1-2), 13.PHRF 7 (12)—-Phaedra (Evelyn 32-2), Robert Patroni, Pensacola, Fla. ((7)-1-3-2-1-2-2-5-3), 19.PHRF 8 (9)—-So Far (Swan 48), Lawrence Hillman, Chicago, Ill. ((9)-2-1-5-2-1-2-1-1), 15.PHRF 9 (11)—-Kelly (Beneteau 1st 10), Andrew Cheney, St. Petersburg, Fla. ((7)-3-1-5-6-2-1-1-2), 21.

PHRF 10 (7)—-Phantom (B-25), Frank Silver, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. (1-(6)-1-2-4-2-3-1-1), 15.

PHRF 11 (12)—-Circus (J/30), Team Circus, Chicago, Ill. ((3)-2-3-2-3-3-1-3-1), 18.

LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

Southwinds

March 2004

61

New Salts: The Slowest All-Women Sailboat Racers in the World!

By Donna Stiteler

W

e are called the “New Salts,” 23 women on a beginners’ sailboat racing team who are at the helm of small fivefoot Prams, that any of us, even the 73-year-old, could easily out-swim.

Among us are a housewife, an airplane mechanic, a mother of two chronically ill children, a cancer survivor, an interior designer, an artist and anyone else that can finagle a Thursday morning off. We are here to escape angry husbands, needy children, job losses, job stresses, loneliness, multiple sclerosis and even death. In other words, we are here to live.

We amble out on the sea with boats that have fronts like snow plows and whose configuration makes it impossible to sit anywhere comfortably, which is why they are probably racing boats because you want to get out of them fast. We hear the blast of the start-horn and we are off in bumper car fashion, ricocheting off each other, which is also the only way we move forward.

We are the Dunedin Windlasses. We are fearless, and, boy, are we bad, bad not only in form, but bad as in kick-butt. We try skirting around each other but don’t know how to. We block each other’s wind and pretend it’s on purpose but, of course, we only can dream of the day that our actions are intentional and our wins are due to skill and not blind luck. I came in second to last in the race, savoring my victory over the 73-year-old.

I joined the New Salts at the urging of my mother, who considers me a cross between an agoraphobic and a workaholic.

She is right. I recently stopped working, so right now all I have left is the agoraphobia, which I relish. But in my 49 years, my Mom has always prodded me when I get stuck. And once again she is right. I needed the breath of fresh air in my sails.

“Jobs aren’t everything,” she says. “You’ve been there and done that. After you get a certain age, it’s just time to stop and have fun. You haven’t had fun in a long time. I want you to laugh again.”

She’s right. I’ve been there and done that. I’ve traveled the world, worked for celebrities, worked for generals, worked for jerks, raised a baby chimp, written for newspapers, fed the poor, fed the rich, but mostly fed my ego. Then one day I woke up and found I no longer had anything but a fancy resume and a very understanding husband that was sick of me being gone half the time.

“Stay home. De-stress. Let me take care of you for a while,” he said. “You don’t have to work right now. All you have to do is relax and be happy.”

I have been neither for as long as it takes a Pram to get across the finish line. And I can honestly say, getting my feet wet by racing one of the slowest boats in the world has given me back my weak, albeit somewhat competitive, spirit. I want to sail with the best of them. On the water I forget everything but pulling in the sheet and ducking while I jibe. The Pram is the Stars and Stripes. A feeling of pride sweeps over me when I beat the pants off of Grandma. Ah, yes, the ocean has always been my sanctuary. But now, it is my savior.

The Prams always race first, with the Sunfishes racing a larger course right after us. The theory is that the Prams will finish way before the Sunfishes, but the plan goes awry for two reasons. The Prams are slow and driven by inexperienced, wild women, who could paddle their boats with their dagger boards faster than they sail. The Sunfishes are fast and driven by crazed and enthusiastic racing purists. In other words the Sunfishes sail so fast, they catch up to the Prams, and now the New Salts are not only playing bumper cars with each other, but also with determined racers, who would just as soon shoot us as let us get in their way of victory.

After the race, the New Salts go to Skippers Restaurant to down fried grouper sandwiches and beer. We act like college girls. We don’t talk about all the things we came to escape. We talk about narrow escapes, gusts of winds, dodging Sunfishes, where we placed.

We talk about the upcoming Halloween race, where we will all don costumes and compete. My mom will be racing with me. She tells me that some of the women really get dressed up, and some just come “three sheets to the wind.”

I love my Mom. “Hey, Donna, did you come in first?” Patsy asks.

“Yeah, but not in our race, in the Sunfish race,” I quip.

We raise our beers and roar with laughter. I am smiling again.

I am relaxed. I am finding my way back to life. Getting the wind back in my sails.

Have an interesting story to tell? We would like to print it here.

If you have a photo with it, all the better. E-mail to editor@southwindssailing.com 62

March 2004

Southwinds

www.southwindssailing.com