Southwindsmay2005

SOUTHWINDS News & Views for Southern Sailors

Boat Review: The New BigFish One Solution to Disappearing Waterway Access Returning From the Bahamas

May 2005 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless

Murray Yacht Sales New Orleans, LA Mobile, AL Pensacola, FL (504) 283-2507 info@MurrayYachtSales.com

Carson Yacht Brokerage Regatta Pointe Marina 1065 Riverside Drive Palmetto, FL 34221 (941) 723-1825 (941) 729-8254 Fax

St. Barts Yachts Charleston, SC (843) 577-7377 Jacksonville, FL (904) 387-5047 sales@st-barts.com

Eastern Yachts West Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale, FL (561) 844-1100 (954) 828-9071 yachts3@attglobal.net

See the Boats

2005

Share the knowledge Stay for the Fun! May 20 - 22 • Regatta Pointe Marina Palmetto, Florida • 800-375-0130 Ask about big savings on 2005 in stock Hunter and Catalina yachts • Admission is Free! All boat owners and boating enthusiasts are invited

• Fri. & Sat. – Fun-filled parties, cookouts, refreshments and live entertainment

• Up to 60 new and pre-owned sail and powerboats on display from 30-51 ft.

• 7 Free seminars

• Special purchase incentives for new Catalina, Hunter, Caliber, Shannon and Albin yachts

• Tropica Marine electronics display • Free demo cruises – (Friday only) Catalina, Hunter, Shannon and Albin (reservations required)

• Free Turboquote on new yachts – sail or power • Free Current Yacht Valuation on your yacht • Free "How to Prepare your Boat for Sale" package • $500 West Marine door prize Sat. night

• Gifts and drawings for big prizes

Don’t miss out! Chart a course to Regatta Pointe to share the fun and camaraderie of other owners and cruising yachtsmen. Catalina, Hunter, Caliber, Shannon and Albin owners who pre-register receive a quality canvas bag filled with valuable gifts. Call your nearest Massey Yacht Sales & Service dealership for details.

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2

May 2005

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QUANTUM SAIL DESIGN GROUP, SARASOTA 2100 20th Street • Sarasota, FL 34234 • T: 941.365.7245 • F: 941.365.7274 Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS May 2005

3

ADVERTISER INDEX BY CATEGORY

(SEE

PAGE

68

FOR ALPHABETICAL LIST)

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

SAILBOATS – NEW AND BROKERAGE Apex/Mayer Yacht Brokerage 25 Beneteau Sailboats BC BigFish Sailboat 28,37 Boaters Exchange/Catalina Sailboats 41 Carson Yacht Sales/Beneteau 11,BC Cortez Yacht Brokerage 64 Eastern Yachts BC Flying Scot Sailboats 65 Gulf Coast Raider 23 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales 62,63,64 Hanse Sailboats 65 Hobie Cats/Saltwater Sports 52 Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack 53 Hunter 21 Island Packet 10 Island Yachting Centre 61 Massey Yacht Sales/Catalina//Hunter/Shannon/Albin 9,12,14,30, IBC Masthead Yacht Sales/Catalina 7,67 Mayer Yacht Brokerage 25,49 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau BC Performance Sail and Sport 39 Raider Sailboats 23,64 Sailboats Florida, Inc. 65 Sailor’s Wharf Boatyard and Brokerage 61 Sailtime, Fractional Sailing & Brokerage 19,29 Saltwater Sports/Hobie 52 Sarasota Youth Sailing Program donated boats 62 Seafarers International Yacht Brokerage 68 Shannon Yachts 35 Snug Harbor Yacht Brokerage/Hunter 36 Southerly Yachts 27 St. Barts/Beneteau BC Suncoast Inflatables/ West Florida 55 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg 53 Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program 54 Windcraft, Trimarans and Catamarans, Sail or Power 46 GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING Anne’s Anchors 33,67 Air Duck Hatch Windscoop 67 Bluewater Sailing Supply 54 Boaters Exchange, boats, gear, etc. Rockledge FL 41 Bo’sun Supplies/Hardware 32 Defender Industries 47 E-Marine 66,67 Garhauer Hardware 16 Glacier Bay Refrigeration 51 Hotwire/Fans & other products 66 Island Marine Products/Davits,motorlocks,etc.

23 JR Overseas/Moisture Meter 26 Leather Wheel 17 Masthead Enterprises 7,67 Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign 59 Noble Awards 13 Rparts Refrigeration 43 SSMR 58 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg 53 West Marine 8,IFC SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICES Atlantic Sail Traders 43 Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida 56 Cruising Direct/sails online by North 8 Dwyer Mast/spars, hardware, rigging 67 Masthead/Used Sails and Service 7,67 National Sail Supply, new&used online 46 North Sails 14 Porpoise Used Sails 67 Quantum Sails and Services 3 Schurr Sails, Pensacola FL 50 SSMR 58 Sunrise Sails 56 Ullman Sails 24 West Marine 8,IFC 4

May 2005

SOUTHWINDS

CANVAS Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida 56 Quantum Sails and Services 3 USED SAILING/BOATING SUPPLIES Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign, West Florida 59 Scurvy Dog Marine/Used, Consign, Pensacola FL 48 SAILING SCHOOLS Sea School/Captain’s License 31 St. Augustine Sailing School 67 MARINE ENGINES AND ACCESSORIES America’s Generators 67 Beta Marine 32 Fleetside Marine Service/Yanmar (813) 645-8971 66 RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke 38 Yanmar 66 RESORTS, MARINAS, RESTAURANTS, BOAT YARDS Bob and Annie’s Boatyard 20 Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina 57 Sailor’s Wharf Boatyard and Brokerage 61 FRACTIONAL SAILING/CHARTER COMPANIES Sailtime, Fractional Sailing 19,29 MARINE SERVICES, SURVEYORS, INSURANCE, TOWING, BOAT LETTERING, ETC. Aqua Graphics/Boat Names/Tampa Bay or buy online 56 Beachmaster Photography 68 Mike Shea Maritime Legal Services 18 Drive Insurance From Progressive 22 MARINE ELECTRONICS Dockside Radio 31 JR Overseas/Moisture Meter 26 Memory Map 67 Sea Tech/Navigation/Communication 33,66 WEATHER SERVICES Ocean-Pro Weather Services 67 Weather Wave 38 BOOKS/CHARTS/VIDEOS Bubba Book 6 Pocket Charts 34 REGATTA ADVERTISEMENTS, BOAT SHOWS Corinthian Regatta 50 Regatta Time in Abaco 15 Sarasota Sailing Squadron Sailfest 59 Voyage of the Spray Raffle 29 Sailing Services Directory West Florida Regional Sailing Services Directory Subscription Information Alphabetical Advertisers’ List

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SOUTHWINDS NEWS & VIEWS

FOR

SOUTHERN SAILORS

7

From the Helm

8

Letters

15

Short Tacks

22

Bubba Compares Boats & Vodka

By Morgan Stinemetz

24

Boat Review: The BigFish

By Dave Ellis

26

Disappearing Waterway Access

By Capt. J. Michael Shea, JD

31

Returning from the Bahamas

By Colin Ward

36

Southeast Coast Sailing: Carolinas and Georgia: Upcoming Events and News, Race Calendar, Race Report

39

East Florida Sailing: Upcoming Events and News, Race Calendar, Race Report

42

Southeast Florida Sailing: Upcoming Events and News, Race Calendar, Race Report

46

Florida Keys Sailing: Upcoming Events and News, Race Calendar, Race Report

48

Northern Gulf Coast Sailing: Upcoming Events and News, Race Calendar, Race Report

52

West Florida Sailing: Upcoming Events and News, Race Calendar, Race Report

63

Classifieds

70

Going Over to the Dark Side

By Jo Webnar

17 56 68 4 4

Regional Sailing Services Directory West Florida Sailing Services Directory Alphabetical Index of Advertisers Advertisers’ List by Category Subscription Form COVER: Etchells racing in 2005 Acura Miami Race Week; B/Witchcraft (Patricia Stadel, Marblehead, MA, - 8th overall) rounds the weathermark closely followed by Hank Lammens, sailing CAN1298 (winner of the Etchells class).

Photo © 2005 Tim Wilkes / www.timwilkes.com, official race week photographer.

The new BigFish. Page 24.

Disappearing marinas. Page 26.

From the Carolinas to Cuba…from Atlanta to the Abacos…SOUTHWINDS Covers Southern Sailing Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

May 2005

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.co e-mail: editor@southwindssailing.com Volume 13 Number 5 May 2005 Copyright 2005, Southwinds Media, Inc. Founded in 1993 Steve Morrell

Doran Cushing, Publisher 1993-2002

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

Advertising Gary Hufford David Curry Advertising Advertising Director davidcurry@southwindssailing.com Pinellas & Hillsborough Counties, FL gary@southwindssailing.com (941) 761-0048 (727) 585-2814 Regional Editors CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA Walt McFarlane waltmcfarlane@aol.com (912) EAST FLORIDA Roy Laughlin mhw1@earthlink.net (321) SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Jody L. Alu soflajo@earthlink.net (954) SOUTHEAST FLORIDA RACING Art Perez miamiyachtracing@bellsouth.net (305) FLORIDA KEYS Rebecca Burg angel@artoffshore.com (305) WEST FLORIDA Steve Morrell editor@southwindssailing.com (941) NORTHERN GULF COAST Kim Kaminski kimberlyk@connectpens.net (850) Production Heather Nicoll

Rebecca Burg Kim Kaminski Ron Mitchellette Mike Savino Morgan Stinemetz

429-4197 690-0137 816-0130 380-0106 304-5118 795-8704 384-8941

Proofreading Kathy Elliott

Contributing Writers Julie Connerley Dave Ellis Roy Laughlin Walt McFarlane Art Perez George Regenauer Hone Scunook Capt. Michael Shea, JD Colin Ward Jo Webnar Contributing Photographers

Rebecca Burg Roy Laughlin George Regenauer Colin Ward

Brian Grant Walt McFarlane Hone Scunook Jo Webnar

Kim Kaminski Art Perez Tim Wilkes

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

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

Contact the editor with questions.

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

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

Read SOUTHWINDS on our Web site, www.southwindssailing.com.

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May 2005

SOUTHWINDS

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FROM THE HELM More Marinas Sold and Shut Down

R

ecently an article appeared in West Florida’s Manatee Herald Tribune about the sales of half of Sarasota County’s 16 marinas. The article discussed how already the cost of keeping a boat is becoming unaffordable, and these marina sales will make the situation much worse—by a substantial amount.

There was a study done in the county in 1998, and since then, the number of marinas, moorings, slips, and dry storage has declined considerably. This is the opposite trend of everything else in the county, although consistent with the trend that the region is becoming affordable only to the wealthy. Since 1998 the number of residents and dwellings has increased leaps and bounds (as has all of Florida), and with many people moving here and buying boats, supply and demand for boat spaces is driving the cost of owning a boat through the roof.

Not only are many of these marina sales sold to have condominiums built where docks will be available only to residents, many other marinas are being transformed into “rackominiums,” “boatominiums” or “dockominiums” (add these words to your dictionary as they are here to stay), where storage space for a small powerboat is being sold for $30,000 and up (in some cases over $100,000). This is besides a possible $200-plus maintenance fee. This is hardly affordable to the average-income American. The effect this has and will have on sailboats is disastrous if something is not done.

Many dockominium slips suitable for sailboats are being

Local News For Southern Sailors

sold in the $300,000 to $500,000 range (not only in Sarasota County but in many other places throughout the state).

The article discussed that four of the county’s 16 marinas are confirmed to be under contract and four others probably are. How many in total are being discussed or are about to go under contract? The situation is so grave that it appears that if a marina is not under contract for sale, then something is wrong and unusual.

We Need to Hear What Marinas in Your Areas are Being Sold I talked to someone recently who keeps her 34-foot sailboat in the water in Shell Point, FL, on the northern gulf coast directly south of Tallahassee. She told me that with the recent sale and closing of nearby boatyards, and most recently, a boatyard in Panama City, the nearest place for her to have her boat hauled is 143 miles away in Tarpon Springs, near Tampa Bay! If this sort of thing continues, sailors will be in a heap of trouble.

In the last several months, SOUTHWINDS magazine has regularly published articles about this trend and will continue to every month publicize it the best we can with a section devoted to this situation (see page 26 for a current article and one possible solution). But we need input from our readers of what is happening in your area; what is being sold or converted, what is being done about this trend, and ideas and opinions on what can be done.

SOUTHWINDS

May 2005

7

LETTERS

Continued from page 9

“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.

LOTTERY DONATION TICKETS SOLD THROUGH SOUTHWINDS AD On behalf of Voyage of the Spray, Inc. I want to thank you for the professional and thoughtful production of our WIN YOUR DREAM SAILBOAT RAFFLE advertisment. As an educational, non-profit organization, we have never had to advertise before and you made the process painless and fun. The response from your readers has been quick and encouraging. Thanks again.

Onward, David Dunn President, Voyage of the Spray, Inc Voyage of the Spray, Inc. is a non-profit organization which is raffling a sailboat off for $100. See their ad on page 29.

Editor ANY J/24S OR J/30S AVAILABLE FOR CHARTER IN FORT LAUDERDALE? I’m looking for a J/24 or J/30 to charter in Fort Lauderdale on May 29 for a day or so just to sail around Fort Lauderdale. Do you know who I can contact? Is there a J school?

Ken Brenton Ken, I know of none, but perhaps one of our readers does. If someone does, please contact editor@southwindssailing.com. (941) 795-8704.

Editor ecosystem ALLOW PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC) BACK INTO THE GREAT WHITE HERON AND KEY WEST NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES? Reef Relief, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting coral reef ecosystems, has submitted these comments regarding the current effort under way by the Personal Watercraft Industry to allow personal watercraft (PWC) back into fragile areas of the Great White Heron and Key West National Wildlife Refuges in the Lower Florida Keys.

This battle to ban PWC from certain areas of the backcountry was fought and won for sound resource management reasons 15 years ago. The plan is working well. Why change things? Perhaps a historical perspective will help reinforce the reasons for the current regulations.

On March 27, 1990, an article in the Key West Citizen. entitled “Starving Birds Baffle Conservancy Agent,” reported that citizens were rescuing sickly cormorants, pelicans, and white herons that were too weak to fly in the Lower Keys. The Florida Marine Conservancy representative Linda Bohl noted: “Not another one! This makes three cormorants today. And one pelican. And a great white heron.

All of them are malnourished–starving.”

Next, Alan Farago wrote an editorial calling for PWC and boater regulations. The Key West City Commission held a public hearing and passed a resolution calling for the state and federal government to fund more law enforcement positions in the waters around Key West. The Florida Keys Fishing Guide Association agreed to take longer See LETTERS continued on page 11 8

May 2005

SOUTHWINDS

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Factory Authorized

2005 Hunter and Catalina

Inventory Clearance 2005 Catalina 440 • Hull #6

Reg. Price $337,052 - Call

2005 Catalina 400 • Hull #310

for Savings

Reg. Price $226,435 - Call

2005 Catalina 350 • Hull #339

Reg. Price $164,836 - Call

for Savings

Reg. Price $192,668 - Call

2005 Catalina 310 • Hull #310

for Savings

Reg. Price $107,794 - Call

2005 Hunter 33 • Hull #243

Reg. Price $119,270 - Save

2005 Catalina 387 • Hull #66

2005 Hunter 306 • Hull #586

for Savings

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2005 Hunter 36 • Hull #229

Over $10,039

Reg. Price $155,950 - Save

2005 Hunter 41DS • Hull #236

for Savings

Over $5,837

2005 Hunter 38 • Hull #108

Over $14,234

Reg. Price $205,159 - Save

2005 Hunter 44DS • Hull #182

Over $20,383

2005 Hunter 46LE • Hull #336

Purchase a new 2005 in-stock Hunter or Catalina from Massey and SAVE LIKE NEVER BEFORE. Big cash discounts or generous trade in allowances. The best deals ever are limited to our 2005 in stock inventory shown on this page…

Call your nearest Massey dealership today…

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3 Massey Ft. Myers, FL 239-334-3674 TOLL-FREE 800-763-3157 Florida Locations

Call Sheryl Boddy for Best Rate Yacht Finance Quotes and FREE Pre-Qualification

SINCE 1977

St. Pete Palmetto Ft. Myers

941-723-3991 Ben Fowke

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

Bill Wiard

Christine Silvia

Al Pollak

David Cole

www.masseyyacht.com E-mail: yachtsales@masseyyacht.com

Dan Howland

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

Brad Crabtree

Scott Pursell

Frank Hamilton

Al Halpern

John Kelley

LETTERS

Continued from page 8

editor@southwindssailing.com Web site: southwindssailing.com PO Box 1175,Holmes Beach FL 34218 Fax: (941) 795-8705

routes to avoid shallow waters. Eleven local and regional groups formed a Boating Impact Work Group that proposed a four-point plan of education, improved channel marking and enforcement, and specified restricted areas, to allow safe boating, including recommendations for restricting PWC from nesting areas.

By 1991, the federal government held public hearings to discuss a plan to lease 700 acres of submerged state lands within three federal refuges—the Key West Refuge, the Great White Heron Refuge and the Key Deer Refuge—to regulate boating activities that were adversely affecting birds, turtles, and emerging mangroves. “Supporters and opponents alike cited the wildlife and habitat damage from Jet Skis, waterskiing, Hovercraft and powerboats that drag outboard propellers through sea grass beds,” noted an August 9, 1991, article in the Citizen. “The lease was proposed to regulate control over noisy, destructive recreation that interferes with the nesting, resting and migratory habits of egrets, herons, bald eagles, frigate birds and other threatened species,” the article stated.

Federal biologist Tom Wilmers showed extensive damage from illegal camping, hunting and powerboating.

Traditional uses of the backcountry include recreational fishing, lobstering, diving and sightseeing. Nontraditional uses include high-tech watercraft that “blow” birds out of their habitat and hold them aloft for unreasonable lengths of time. “It takes less than half an hour for the sun to fry an embryo in the egg,” Wilmers said, referring to parent birds frightened away from sitting on the nests.

After extensive public meetings in 1993, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced implementation of a cooperation management agreement with the state to provide additional protection within the refuges, including a prohibition on the use of personal watercraft (PWC), also known as Jet Skis or water bikes. Most areas within the boundaries of the refuges were closed to PWC, Hovercraft, airboats and aircraft landings.

Exceptions include water areas bordering canal-front property.

Other elements included no-motor zones and no-access zones around bird nesting islands, partial closure of beaches and idle-speed zones through tidal creeks. Altogether, these actions cover less than one percent of the area within the refuge boundaries. An educational and enforcement component was also launched.

Given that our community participated in a meaningful process to establish environmental protection for our wildlife refuges, while at the same time allowing reasonable access and use of the refuge for PWC, we at Reef Relief see no reason to overturn this well-thought-out and successful plan. Restricting PWC and other craft from less than one percent of the refuge boundaries can hardly be considered discriminatory, given the compelling natural resource justification that has been well-documented. A respected wilderness guide has reported to have been run into by PWC over 19 times while idling through the backcountry channels. To avoid increasing the probability of accidents that endanger humans due to increased PWC use is another good reason to maintain the current ban.

The current plan is working well. Why change?

Paul Johnson President, Reef Relief See LETTERS continued on page 13 Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

May 2005

11

SINCE 1977

Save up to $38,415 on these In-Stock Hunters Save Over $5,837

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2005 Hunter 46LE • Hull #336

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Call Sheryl Boddy for Best Rate Yacht Finance Quotes and FREE Pre-Qualification

941-723-3991 www.masseyyacht.com • E-mail: yachtsales@masseyyacht.com

LETTERS

Continued from page 11

editor@southwindssailing.com Web site: southwindssailing.com PO Box 1175,Holmes Beach FL 34218 Fax: (941) 795-8705

Paul, Sounds reasonable to me. Hard to believe they are even considering allowing PWC back in. Should we take an opinion poll from the wildlife in the area and see what they think?

Editor DISSATISFIED BOATER: AN OPPOSING VIEW ON THE NEW BOOT KEY HARBOR While the ideas of Marx and Lenin have more or less died in all the lands from Eastern Europe to China, some municipalities in this our supposed Holy Land of private enterprise and freedom have been trying to develop public facilities into revenue-producing “means of production.” This is in fact a form of government capitalism the cement heads of the former Communist bloc would have been proud of if they ever had thought of such a thing.

For instance: As the further development of the mooring field in Boot Key Harbor seems to be stalled by the fallout of the past hurricane season, the City of Marathon Ports Management apparently is trying to make up for the financial shortfall by forcing everybody to rent its very basic and crowded dinghy dockage to the tune of $4/day or $60/month. With Dockside Marina now turning condo and evicting dinghy dock tenants, there should be plenty of new business, turning the city marina dinghy dock into a cash cow.

But “they” are thinking to close this only landing, too, and move it about two miles east, way out of the way. They say to keep traffic to the planned new Taj Mahal City Hall down.

All this, of course, is in blatant contradiction of the letter and the spirit of the time-honored federal laws about “forever free” (quote) navigation on public waterways, which expressly include the rights to anchor, land and tie up to shore.

And how about equality? There is no charge to use the facilities in the city’s parks or the two public boat ramps.

Are tennis players, sunbathers and trailer boaters more entitled to free public facilities than cruisers?

As somebody observed on the daily Marathon Cruisers’ Radio Net (9:00 a.m., VHF Ch. 68), this is the only place along the ICW between here and New Jersey where they were charged for landing their dinghy. Actually, I had the same experience all the way from the Great Lakes to the Keys. I only had to pay for anchoring or dockage once ($10/night in Lake St. Clair). Even the Hudson River Conservancy of New York provides nice, free yacht moorings and dinghy docks at the Holland Tunnel, right in the heart of Manhattan!

Boot Key Harbor is part of the Atlantic Ocean. The shoreline is public, all of it. There is no such thing as a “private beach.” Nobody “owns” the shore, even if they build a seawall or dock along it. All they have are riparian rights, which they have to share with the navigating public.

The city of Marathon just put up “No Trespassing” signs on the canal shore along 24th Street—the last place here where dinghies could be tied up at a public road without paying for it. An “enforcer” was heard to declare the five-foot narrow strip of soil between the water’s edge and the asphalt to be “city property.” But the city does not “own” anything. The public does.

See LETTERS continued on page 14 Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

May 2005

13

LETTERS

Continued from page 13

editor@southwindssailing.com Web site: southwindssailing.com PO Box 1175,Holmes Beach FL 34218 Fax: (941) 795-8705

It indeed is a Communist plot to declare most public property off limits to the public and to charge for access to a small part of it. Actually, not even in the Soviet Union did anybody charge the people to use the shoreline. Same in our much loved/hated, neighbor island, Cuba.

Charging for dinghy dockage at a public landing makes as much sense as if our local Home Depot or Kmart would charge for car parking. Not only is it technically illegal, it’s also unwise. It discourages the low-budget cruisers (sorry, Charley, there are no billionaire yachties here) from going ashore and spending money at local businesses. I know one sailor who actually grows vegetables in flower boxes on his boat to avoid the hassles and cost to dinghy ashore and go to the greengrocer’s. In the worst case scenario it will incite revolutionary fervor among the notoriously independent sailors.

Which brings to mind an incident a few years back in Catalina Harbor, on the island of the same name off L.A. The local concessionaire who had the monopoly for mooring rentals and shoreside facilities there was collecting $2 per dinghy landing, to the outrage of the already overcharged mooring renters. One dark and foggy night the fee collector’s hut was found ablaze. The cause of the fire was never determined, but the landing fee was abolished. Mr. Monopoly had gotten the message.

PS: Just asked another ancient mariner in Boot Key Harbor, “Why is all this happening?” His reply: “Them real estate flipper landlubbers hate us boaters like Hitler and the Nazis hated them Jews!”

Wow! Has it come to this? Class warfare?

By Anonymous (Sorry, this boater will not reveal his identity for fear of harassment by the authorities. That’s what this harbor has come to. And I’m not the only one here who prefers to keep a low profile.)

Anonymous, I totally agree with you on how bad this trend is. Some things should be free, like inalienable rights. Many times I have written that with this trend toward charging for every use, we will soon be paying for walking down Main or just sailing into a harbor.

How about toll harbors? You could have a booth at the harbor entrance. They could be set up like Sunpass with transponders as they have for bridges and tollways—just sail by and it automatically charges your credit card. The toll booth and turnstile society.

How about if we eliminate all free parking in America on any public property? A parking meter at every single space that is not on private property—whether it be pulling over on a country road or in front of someone’s house?

Some things that the city of Marathon has done with Boot Key Harbor, I commend them on, but charging for dinghy dockage is inexcusable. This trend stinks. They should be building and adding more free dockage in more convenient places for boaters to come ashore. There should be free accesses and dockage all over the area that encourage and welcome boaters. How about a friendly atmosphere and society?

And again, I maintain, how can we charge all these people to look at these beautiful boats sailing or motoring by the city waterfronts or anchored out there in the harbor?

Editor – identity not withheld.

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May 21-27, National Safe Boating Week

Vox Vodka is back again as sponsor, as well as Crabby Bills, Conch Republic Seafood Company and Fat Tuesdays featuring a shrimp boil with 200 pounds of shrimp.

The Key West Rendezvous is a Boat of the Year event for the Sun Coast, Charlotte Harbor, and Southwest Florida areas.

For more information, go to www.clwyc.org or call (727) 447-6000.

Celebrate the Fifth Annual Summer Sailstice - June 18-19

Key West Rendezvous Expected to be Bigger and Better than Ever With many boats already signed up for the race to Key West, the 2005 Key West Rendezvous is expected to be bigger and better this year. The race begins from Clearwater on May 18 at noon, from Boca Grande on May 19 at noon, and from Naples on May 19 at 7 p.m.

Florida Sailing Association’s Florida State PHRF Championship will be run on Sunday, May 22 in Key West, and the return race from Key West to Naples will start on Monday, May 23, at noon.

New this year will be a kick-off party at Naples Sailing and Yacht Club.

Local News For Southern Sailors

Celebrate the fifth annual Summer Sailstice with sailors worldwide on June 18-19—the longest sailing weekend days of the year. Begun in 2001, Summer Sailstice was developed as a holiday just for sailors to be celebrated wherever you sail in the Northern Hemisphere. To participate, sailors need to simply sign up at www.summersailstice.com and then go sailing on the weekend of June 18-19.

Whether you’ve just launched the boat and are taking the summer’s maiden voyage or you’re in the middle of your racing season, you can sign up to be part of this global celebration of sail.

By signing up you’re also eligible to win prizes donated by The Moorings, Hunter Marine, West Marine and many of your other favorite marine businesses. West Marine is handing out $200 gift certificates each month from February through Summer Sailstice weekend so the sooner you sign up the more chances you have to win. Other great prizes include a weeklong BVI charter with The Moorings, a daysail with ASA in Alaska on the solstice (June 21), a Hunter Xcite sailing dinghy and over 200 other prizes. Sign up early and plan to get together with friends and family to

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celebrate life under sail on June 18-19. For more information e-mail john@summersailstice.com or visit www.summersailstice.com.

2005 Houston Summer Boat Show — June 8-12 Ride the wave of summer excitement into the 2005 Houston Summer Boat Show at Reliant Center, June 8-12. Find a boatload of the hottest summer deals on the latest watercraft, fishing tackle, marine accessories, travel packages, marine insurance, financing and more.

With over 250 exhibitors ready to make your dreams come true, you are sure to find what you have been looking for.

Also check out the Discover Boating exhibit, where new boating enthusiasts can learn just how easy and affordable boating can be.

Reliant Center, Houston, TX. Adults $7.

Children under 12 $3.

For more information, go to www.houstonboatshows.com.

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BoatU.S. Foundation Seeks Summer Intern The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, a national non-profit organization promoting safe, smart, and clean boating, has received a grant from the OMC Foundation, Inc., to endow a position this summer for a college intern. The multi-year grant was made on behalf of the former employees of Outboard Marine Corporation as a legacy to their many contributions to the marine industry.

“The goal of this program is to show students that one can not only enjoy recreational boating, but make a career of it as well,” said Margaret Podlich, assistant vice president of the BoatU.S. Foundation.

“By working with the foundation in our Annapolis, MD, office, the intern will be exposed to a variety of people, organizations, businesses and projects,” she added.

Each spring the foundation accepts resumes from current college students who are active boaters. Candidates must have MS Office skills, strong oral and written communication skills, and independent research ability. For consideration, e-mail a resume to the BoatU.S. Human

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Resources Department at BoatUSHR@BoatUS.com, or fax to (703) 461-4395.

Design A Better Life Jacket And Win $5,000: Innovation in Life Jacket Design Competition is Calling for “Out-of-the-Box” Entries Current models of life jackets save lives every day; however, a 2004 BoatU.S Foundation study found that many boaters often don’t wear them because they are uncomfortable. So what would a life jacket look and feel like if there were no government guidelines?

To encourage innovative ideas and new technology to design a life jacket that the majority of boaters might wear, the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and the Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA) are sponsoring an “Innovation in Life Jacket Design Competition,” which seeks entries that embrace new technologies and out-of-the-box thinking to solve the age-old problem of why certain boaters won’t routinely wear life jackets.

Entries are being encouraged from armchair inventors to high school science clubs and collegiate design programs.

The winning designer will receive a $5,000 award.

The competition will be judged based on four criteria: wearability, reliability, cost and innovation. “Wearability” relates to the level of comfort. “Reliability” will take into account the chances for potential failure, while “cost” will look at the affordability of the design. “Innovation” will

take into account originality or the employment of new technologies.

There are no rules regarding types of materials to be used or whether the design meets any current U.S. Coast Guard or Underwriters Laboratory standards. However, certain entries may be submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard to review for possible financial assistance toward gaining full USCG approval.

Entries do not have to include a working model or prototype, as detailed drawings will be accepted. For more information, including an entry form and contest rules, visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/lifejacketdesign.

You may also contact Ruth Wood at (703) 823-9550, ext. 3204, or e-mail RWood@BoatUS.com, or Bernice McArdle at (312) 946-6280 BMcArdle@NMMA.org.

Entries will be accepted from March 31, to December 15 with the winner announced at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2006.

Increased Crackdown on Illegal Discharges from Boaters in Florida Keys In April, law enforcement agencies throughout the Florida Keys increased enforcement of the laws governing discharge of illegal wastes by boaters into nearshore waters in the region. There will be random inspection of vessels in all waters surrounding the Keys to insure that boaters are in compliance with the no-discharge zone that has been in existence in the Keys since 2002.

The effort has begun in Key West, and there officials are trying to eliminate all vessels anchored out and ensure that all boats are at moorings or at a marina, where pump-outs are available and enforced via pump-out boat or service at the marina.

The no-discharge zone does not allow the discharge of any waste, whether treated or untreated, into the state waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Rescue in Florida From Wayne Spivak, Division Chief – External Communications, Public Affairs Department, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Two Coast Guard auxiliarists, who were on shore, are getting a share of the credit for helping rescue a Florida couple adrift near the Bahamas.

The Coast Guard first become aware of a boat in distress when Auxiliarist Chris Abernathy, of Flotilla 51, who volunteers as a communications supervisor at Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet, heard a vessel attempting to relay a distress message from an adrift 25-foot boat late one Sunday morning.

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of our high sites, I was able to make initial contact with the relay vessel,” says Abernathy. “I did an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast with the information I had on hand, and we attempted to find out their location.”

Abernathy later was able to detect a faint signal from the couple’s handheld radio on their stricken vessel, which had run out of fuel 50 miles away from its Fort Lauderdale port.

A seasoned boatswain mate on duty at the Coast Guard’s Sector Miami communications center suggested that another auxiliarist, known for his radio direction-finding acumen, attempt to zero in on the weak VHF FM distress signal.

Auxiliarist Ray Agee, also a member of Flotilla 52, in North Palm Beach, swung into action from his home station known as Jupiter 1.

“Ray was able to establish direct communications with the distressed vessel,” says Abernathy. “He tried to walk the boat operator through the operations of his GPS unit. But that was not successful.”

Agee was able to give the Coast Guard’s Miami stations approximate coordinates for the adrift boat, and a helicopter was launched.

The Coast Guard helicopter, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, sighted the crippled vessel, named South Boat, 19 miles west of West End, Bahamas–more than 50 miles from where the couple had departed Fort Lauderdale the previous day. Crew aboard the helicopter lowered a high-powered radio, spare batteries and a data-marker buoy so the boat could be electronically tracked via satellite.

The 87-foot cutter Cormorant was then launched from Fort Pierce–making a nine-hour cruise to the couple’s location. It took the stricken vessel in tow to Old Bahama Bay Pier early Monday, ending the couple’s 29-hour odyssey at sea. The couple was not injured in the ordeal.

Abernathy says he is not surprised that his fellow auxiliarist was able to quickly locate the extremely weak radio signal from near the Bahamas, noting that Agee has proven time and again to have an uncanny ability to locate stricken vessels.

“It is not unusual for him to advise that the search pattern in a particular case is too far to the north or south and strongly recommend that the search be moved. When this is accepted and done, it is found that he is absolutely correct,” says Abernathy. “Jupiter One is probably one of the greatest communications assets boaters in southeast Florida have.

He is available 24/7 and very well known to the maritime community.”

Outright Around-the-World Sailing Record Made Official The World Sailing Speed Record Council has made it official; Bruno Peyron’s maxi-catamaran Orange II now holds the outright around-the-world record. The new record is 50 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes, 4 seconds for an average speed of 17.89 knots. This new mark eclipses Steve Fossett’s previous record by 7d 17h 12m 41s. For more information, go to www.sailspeedrecords.com/ Local News For Southern Sailors

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New Hull Coating for Boats Could be a Once-a-Lifetime Application This could be what boaters have been waiting for; no more annual (or more often) haul-outs to apply bottom paint and no more regular bottom cleaning. The new environmentally-friendly coating was developed by University of Florida engineers who studied shark scales to help develop the new product. Sharks have scales with bristles and a definite shape that inhibits the growth of barnacles and algae spores. Sharks spend their whole lives underwater and do not have algae or barnacle problems on their skin. The engineers, working under grants partly funded by the Navy, developed a product called Gator Sharkote, which is a plastic and rubber coating that simulates a shark’s scales.

Testing for the new coating began recently on Navy ships, and, if successful, will be available to recreational boaters before long. For a picture of this coating and more information about it, please go on-line andvisit www.mse.ufl.edu/~abrennan/surfaces.htm.

Tartan, C&C and Novis Complete Consolidation From Boating Industry Newsletter Tartan Yachts, C&C Yachts and Novis Spars have completed the expansion and consolidation of their manufacturing, development and retail operations, the companies reported in a release on April 7.

Fairport Yachts’ Tartan and C&C sailboat manufacturing operations and Novis Composites’ carbon fiber spar

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operations have been consolidated under Novis Marine, Ltd., which will now offer a completely integrated manufacturing capability for luxury sailboats, carbon fiber spars and other custom marine products.

Sailboat manufacturing operations have been expanded with the addition of 70,000 square feet of manufacturing space to meet the growing demand for the company’s Tartan and C&C lines of sailboats.

Development and tooling operations have been expanded to facilitate the development and introduction of more sailboat models.

Novis Composites will continue to provide custom carbon fiber masts, booms, spinnaker poles and reaching struts to the grand prix and high performance sailing market.

The company’s Tartan and C&C sailboats are distributed in North America through a network consisting of both brand-exclusive and multi-brand marine dealers. The company owns eight of the Tartan C&C dealerships, which are being consolidated with its other marine units.

“With this consolidation and expansion of our manufacturing operations for both sailboats and spars, we will be able to both significantly increase our production of sailboats and spars, as well as advance our advanced laminate technologies, incorporating epoxy and carbon fiber materials,” said Bill Ross, Novis’ president.

Massey Yacht Sales Holds Second Annual All Cruisers Rendezvous and Boat Show, May 20-22, Regatta Pointe Marina, Palmetto See West Florida Regional Events Calendar.

www.southwindssailing.com

Local News For Southern Sailors

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TROPICAL PIPELINE

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Local News For Southern Sailors

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BOAT REVIEW

The BigFish: A Two-Person Sailboard from Island Packet

By Dave Ellis

I

sland Packet is known for quality yachts that will take you anywhere you may wish to sail. Imagine a small sailing craft built to those high standards.

The BigFish is the product of a brainstorming session

by Island Packet guys in a Newport bar. The idea was to expand on the best of small boats. A BigFish was on the mantle, hence the name. And, yes, they really did draw it up

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on a napkin on the table with the drinks.

The result was a craft that looks like a Sunfish on steroids. A lateen rig allows the sail to be laid on the deck, unlike the Laser. And, unlike the Sunfish, this craft easily takes two grown passengers.

A 200-pounder can walk around the mast to the bow and step off onto a dock. Try that with most small boats and you will get very wet.

I sailed a BigFish in Clearwater Bay on a windy March day. The first thing I noticed is that when there was a big black puff on the way, I got ready to hike out and ease the mainsail. Well, hiking helped a bit, but the boat just didn’t heel very much.

Twelve roll-tacks in succession did not slow the boat.

This thing has power steering compared to the Sunfish and Lasers I’ve owned. Oh, and roll-tacking was a relative maneuver. The boat didn’t roll like other dinghies.

The beam, at five feet, is taken all the way out to the shear at the waterline. The stern does not have the radical pinching-in of the stern area, giving it more volume than the Sunfish. The bottom is slightly rounded, not flat, for seakindliness and strength.

Don’t expect a lightweight boat from Island Packet. The hull weighs about 225 pounds. The rig is just a bit more robust than the Sunfish, and the rudder and dagger board are shaped mahogany.

I capsized the boat, with some effort I must say, and was able to place my ample bulk on the board to right the boat without a noticeable bend in the board. Yes, I stayed dry in the maneuver. The cockpit scooped a bit of water, but the drain works even when the boat is not under way.

This boat would be ideal for resorts that must have the colorful lateen sails on the beach, but are tired of rescuing capsized Sunfish. A significant other would be much happier with the room in the cockpit of the BigFish.

Karsten Johnson is the contact. The Web site is www.bigfishyachts.com The boats are built on a line at the Island Packet plant in Largo, Florida. (727) 535-6432. www.southwindssailing.com

The BigFish easily takes two sailors.

Although it took some effort to capsize, the boat was easy to right.

Length Beam Weight Sail Area Cockpit Draft

16 feet 7 inches 5 feet About 245 pounds all-up 114 square feet, rainbow colors in Dacron 34 inches wide x 52 inches long 4 inches with board and kick-up rudder raised 40 inches with board down

Local News For Southern Sailors

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OUR WATERFRONT ACCESS

Disappearing Waterway Access?

A Possible Solution First, they took our anchorages and now our marinas are becoming condos.

Is there a solution?

By Capt. J. Michael Shea, JD

A

cross the water from the Coast Guard Flotilla, where I am a member, is a marina that is becoming a condo. It is a large marina built sometime after the last World War. As it is, we do not have enough marinas, and to lose one this large is a big loss. The developer even tried to buy part of the state-owned parking lot our flotilla shares with a local boat ramp. With a little help from the local government, the state DOT was convinced to keep the parking lot. This same kind of development is taking place all over the country, marinas becoming converted into private dock areas for luxury condos where the owners have riparian landownership. More and more developers are buying up private marinas and converting them.

In most places, there is no government agency keeping track of the number of marinas we are losing, so the exact impact is unknown. But we do know that boating is increasing, and access is decreasing. While boat ownership is increasing, the number of ramps, docks, slips, and parking areas is decreasing. And in still other places, the state and local boat ramps are being closed because of liability problems as a result of maintenance costs. So, the picture is not a very pretty one for the future of boating and public access to the water. Boaters must drive farther to launch their boats at more congested boat ramps. Result: The public is being cut off from access to public waters.

If you are in the market for a boat–sail or power–you

have to take into consideration the cost of keeping the boat someplace. The cost of storage is often as much as your boat payment. If it is a boat you can keep at home, in most cases it will have to be small enough to be kept in a garage, as most local governments are prohibiting people from keeping their boats in side yards and driveways. Any larger boat has to go to a storage yard or marina. The spaces in local marinas are at a premium, and in some there are long waiting lists. Yacht clubs are not the answer either, as they, too, are out of space with long waiting lists for their members, who want slips and storage.

Recently, our city decided to refurbish an old cityowned marina. While the new marina was surely needed, and it is nice, it has one-third the number of slips as the old one.

Is there any hope for the future? Are there new marinas on the drawing boards? Sadly, the answer is no, and it does not look good for the near future either. The cost of waterfront land is prohibitive. It is near to impossible to make a return on your investment if you purchase waterfront property, and even present marinas, to make a return on the investment. That, coupled with the long and expensive permitting process, almost makes new marinas out of the question.

The prospect of more public marinas is also a long shot, here again, because of the cost and the environmental and permitting process. Even the remodeling of our old city marina got bogged down for years with issues such as where to put shops, slips and so on. There were neighborhood meetings on top of neighborhood meetings. The end result is a compromise no one group likes.

There does not seem to be a great rush by local governments to fill the future need for marinas. High and dry marinas do not fare much better, as they also have the cost of the waterfront land. Even though they do not need as much, they still face the permitting process.

Can the Local Port Authority Help?

So what are we to do? Well, there is one local group who can and should help: the local port authority. In most of our large ports (and in some small ports), there are port authorities. They have land and access to money. Some of them are already receiving money from the local tax base. The building of local marinas is just the kind of thing they need to help their images. They could make it into a win/win situation. They could design, fund and build marinas in their

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Waterfronts of solid condos?

graphic areas and at the same time promote boating safety.

But you say your area does not have a port authority?

Well, get one started. Ask your local or state government to help set one up. Who is to say port authorities have to deal with ocean-going ships. They can and often do take up these kinds of public projects. In my county, they own all of the bottom land anyway. They are the perfect local government group to undertake this issue.

Remember all those articles on anchorages?

Anchorages and the need for them is another issue our local port authorities could address. As we all remember from the many articles and letters we have had on that subject, they are being eliminated by local governments. The key to

the anchorage issue, like the marinas, is also the ownership of the bottom and uplands.

All of our ports of any size have some kind of harbor committee of the local marine community. These committees advise the Coast Guard and the port authorities. The Coast Guard has been encouraging these committees to add recreational boating representation–if they did not have some already. The idea was that the recreational boats are a high risk in most ports, and by bringing them into the decision making groups, the problems can be addressed. In many of the ports around the country it is working. We have set up subcommittees of the Harbor Safety Committee to address the recreational boating issues. These committees and their recreational subcommittees are to represent as broad an interest of the boating community as possible. They typically have yacht clubs, power squadrons, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, fishing groups, kayak and canoeing groups, sailing clubs, boating vendors, and state and local marine law enforcement organizations. They were suggested to help with recreational boating safety issues in harbors but have grown to handle many other issues of interest to the recreational boater. So turnabout is fair play: The subcommittees will address safe boating issues, and the Harbor Safety Committees can help us with the marinas and boat ramps we need. These committees carry a lot of influence with the local port authorities.

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National Groups Working on the Issue There are also a few national groups looking into this issue. The State Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) (www.sobaus.org) and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) (www.rbff.org) are working together on this issue. Still another organization is the Marine Safety Foundation (www.marinesafety.org).

These groups all have an interest in this issue and are willing to help local groups work on the marina/public water access issue.

We, the boatowners, have been an underrepresented group for a long time.

Condos and marinas living together.

We must work together on this interesting issue. Think turer or in one of the many boating supply businesses. Wellabout it. It is in everyone’s best interest to have more welldesigned marinas appropriately placed are better for the designed marinas. It doesn’t matter if you are a sail or environment. They have good pump-out stations and are powerboater, a small or large boatowner, a boat manufacdesigned to be clean marinas—a good reason to get your environmental groups to help. We really need the local port authority to get behind this public need.

What can we do?

• Work together. The private boaters, the boat manufacturers, the marinas, and yes, the environmentalists need to work together to improve marina/public water access.

• Ask local, state and national governments to help provide access to public water by providing more of our user fees for that purpose.

• Increase development of well-designed marinas, ramps, docks, slips, and parking areas.

• Ask for recreational boating representation on local harbor safety committees—and have them address this access issue.

• Ask local port authorities to fund and build new public marinas, ramps, docks, slips, and parking areas for recreational boaters.

This issue needs our help, so you and your organization need to get behind it, or we will lose our marinas.

The opinions in this article are those of the author and not those of the U.S. Coast Guard or any other entity.

If you have a boating legal (sailing) question, please drop me a note care of Southwinds or e-mail me at mike@jmichaelshea.com.

Capt. J. Michael Shea, is a maritime attorney in Tampa, and holds a masters and harbor pilots license. He has co-authored law books in the maritime field and writes articles on maritime law from time to time. He has served as a marine investigator for the United States Coast Guard and teaches legal studies at a local university.

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2000 Hunter 450 CC • $250,000

2000 Hunter 460 • $209,000

2001 Catalina 400 • $189,900

47 Catalina 2000 . . . . . . . . . .$299,000 466 Hunter 2004 (warranty). .$225,000 46 Hunter LE 2005 Stock . .DISCOUNTED 46 Hunter 2000 . . . . . . . . . . .$244,900 46 Hunter 2000 . . . . . . . . . . .$209,000 45 Morgan 1991 . . . . . . . . . . .$179,000 45 Hunter 2000 CC . . . . . . .$250,000 45 Hunter CC 1997 . . . . . . .$209,000 45 Hunter CC 1999 . . . . . . .$199,500 43 Hunter 1996 . . . . . . . . . . .$149,995 43 Beneteau 435 1986 . . . . . .$115,000 42 Hunter 1997 . . . . . . . . . . .$179,500 42 Hunter 1996 . . . . . . . . . . .$169,000 42 Hunter CC 1992 . . . . . . .$129,900

42 Catalina 2003 . . . . . . . . . .$185,000 42 Catalina 1990 . . . . . . . . . .$128,500 41 Hunter DS 2005 Stock . DISCOUNTED 41 Morgan 416 1981 . . . . . . . .$72,900 400 Catalina 2005 Stock . DISCOUNTED 400 Catalina 2001 . . . . . . . . . .$189,900 387 Catalina 2005 Stock . DISCOUNTED 38 Hunter 2005 Stock . .DISCOUNTED 38 Catalina 2000 . . . . . . . . . .$124,900 38 Catalina 380 1999 . . . . . . .$117,900 38 Catalina 1999 . . . . . . . . . .$144,900 380 Catalina 1998 . . . . . . . . .$125,000 306 Hunter 2005 Stock . DISCOUNTED 36 Jeanneau 1999 . . . . . . . . . . .$87,000

36 Hunter 2004 Warranty . . .$122,175 36 Catalina 1990 . . . . . . . . . . .$69,000 36 Beneteau CC 2000 . . . . . .$119,900 352 Beneteau 1998 . . . . . . . . .$89,900 350 Catalina 2005 Stock . DISCOUNTED 34 Hunter 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . .$97,500 34 Catalina MKII 1997 . . . . . . .$84,900 34 Catalina 1996 . . . . . . . . . . .$78,900 34 Catalina 1986 . . . . . . . . . . .$43,900 34 Beneteau 1985 . . . . . . . . . .$37,500 33 Hunter 2005 Stock . DISCOUNTED 32 Hunter 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . .$73,000 310 Catalina 2005 Stock . DISCOUNTED 28 Catalina MKII 1997 . . . . . . .$49,500

1997 Catalina 34 • $84,900

2003 Catalina 42 • $185,000

1996 Hunter 42 • $169,000

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BAHAMAS

Returning from the Bahamas

By Colin Ward

A

fter you have visited the Bahamas for a while, chances are you will either want to or will have to return to the United States for one of many reasons. After we had been there for five months last winter, we were ready for a little civilization (like a visit to WalMart and a good marine store). We were feeling pretty relaxed when we arrived and were surprised to hear all

Local News For Southern Sailors

of the high-pressure traffic on the radio.

There were numerous announcements by the Coast Guard, numerous radio checks answered in an instant by Sea Tow and TowBoat US, and numerous occasions when a boater called another boater by a name that is not legal on the VHF. I wondered why the pastime of having fun on a boat wasn’t more fun…or maybe some people’s idea of

fun is to send a huge wake toward other boats and wait to see what name they will be called. Conversely, some boaters are really squeamish about wakes…they must have never ventured into the ocean or been anchored in Nassau harbor. But I digress.

The Gulf Stream Returning to the States from the

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BAHAMAS Bahamas requires the same kind of planning and vigilance as the trip over unless you are aboard the Disney Wonder. There are several ports that make sense for a returning sailboat and several that are not always safe or deep enough. It is important that you do not buck the Gulf Stream any more than necessary. We once made the trip from South Riding Rocks to Rodriguez Key when we were heading to the west coast of Florida, but we were really bucking the Stream too much, and we would have been better off returning to the Miami area and then sailing to Rodriguez the following day. Miami is about as far south as you can reasonably go unless you are returning via the Old Bahama Channel, which few cruisers do.

Cruisers heading north for the summer can certainly benefit from the Gulf Stream if they leave from the Abacos and ride the Stream up to somewhere like Beaufort, NC. Your six-knot sailboat can easily Why we go to the Bahamas. approach nine knots at times in the Stream.

Remember you will need to clear in to customs and immigration when you Choosing Your Port of Entry arrive, so consider the convenience of The majority of readers will be return- doing that when planning your return. ing from Nassau to Florida or from Customs requires that you be at a dock West End or the Abacos to Florida, so where they can visit you when you let’s focus on the options for those trips. phone in for clearance. You do not have As usual, I recommend the Explorer to take a slip for the night because Chartbooks for navigation in the many marinas will let you tie up at a Bahamas as well as to and from the modest charge for a couple of hours to Bahamas. Once you are ready to enter a clear in. Once you have phoned cusU.S. port, switch over to the appropri- toms, you will know whether they ate chart to see the details of the want to visit you (probably not if you entrance channel. The East Coast of are a U.S. flag vessel). If you have preFlorida Maptech chartbook provides purchased a $25 customs sticker, you the information you will need. should be finished with customs, but

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now you will have to visit the immigration office within 24 hours with all crewmembers in tow. This may require a walk, a dinghy or taxi ride, or even a car rental, so be prepared. If you did not pre-purchase the customs sticker, you will also have to head to the customs office to buy one, and it may not be in the same location as immigration.

Nassau to Miami Let’s consider a trip from Nassau to Miami to provide an example of the planning required. The distance is about 180 miles, which will take most sailboats 30 to 40 hours. I believe it is

www.southwindssailing.com

prudent to make landfall in the daylight hours although Miami is almost as well-lit at night. An early morning departure aboard Mandalay would put us into Miami around midday the following day. Will we stop along the way? There are a number of options to consider. We could stop at Frazers Hog Cay, Morgans Bluff or possibly Bimini. Or we could anchor on the Banks if the seas are not too rough. How about the wind direction and velocity? You do not want to cross the Gulf Stream in Mandalay in Morgan’s Bluff. either direction with winds with any northerly component make Miami in daylight. Stopping at unless they are very light (10 knots or Bimini works for some, but the shallow less). A westerly wind would be on the approach has discouraged us from taknose, which makes for an uncomfort- ing our six-foot draft in. To improve the able motor unless it is extremely light. angle on the Gulf Stream, we sail to the The prevailing winds are easterly, southernmost departure point from the which would be a run or a broad Banks, South Riding Rocks, rather than reach. So look for an easterly or a leaving from North Rocks near Bimini. southerly wind in the 10- to 15-knot This adds a few miles to the trip but range—at least for the Gulf Stream improves the Gulf Stream portion concrossing, or look for a dead calm if you siderably. There is no real anchorage at want to motor across in flat seas. We South Riding Rocks. Anchoring on the have crossed with a southeasterly Banks is possible. Move away from the wind at about 20 knots with no ill rhumb line a mile or so and show effects except that the seas became bright anchor lights. There are no ocean rough when the water became shal- swells on the Banks, but they are completely open so expect an uncomfortlower near the coast and in the inlet.

To break the trip up, a stop at able chop if the wind is more than 12 Morgans Bluff or Frazers Hog can be a knots or so. If the wind approaches 20 pleasant daysail from Nassau, but you knots, not only is it uncomfortable but are still left with an overnight sail to potentially dangerous when it is time

Local News For Southern Sailors

to raise the anchor and chain.

Once you reach the Gulf Stream, you will need to know which direction to steer to compensate for the 2-3.5 knot current. Remembering your navigation classes, draw a line on the chart from where you will leave the Bahamas to your planned landfall in the United States.

From the point of landfall, draw a second line toward the expected current (the chart will give you an approximate direction). Calculate the estimated time to cross the Stream (e.g. 60 miles/6 knots = 10 hours). Multiply the estimated speed of the current by the time (2.5 knots x 10 hours = 25 nm). The result will give you the distance you can expect to be set. Scale this distance on line 2 (25 miles south of the Miami landfall) and mark a point. Draw a line from your departure point to the point you just located and determine the compass heading to that point. If you steer that heading, you should arrive at or near your planned landfall if all your assumptions are reasonable (vessel speed, velocity of the current). If you plot your progress as you cross the Stream, you should see the vessel being carried in an arc toward your landfall.

Do not be surprised if the heading you are steering is as much as 25 degrees different from the bearing to your

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BAHAMAS that there are security restrictions in place to protect cruise ships and naval vessels from terrorists. If there is more than one cruise ship present at the docks along Government Cut, you will be told to take the alternate channel south of Dodge Island. You must also stay 100 yards away from a cruise ship and its escort vessels in any port where they are found, which includes most major Florida inlets.

We tie up at the Miami City Marina, call customs and take a taxi to immigration, which is now in Terminal 6 at the Port of Miami. Having completed the clearing-in process, we move to our anchorage of choice near the Miami Yacht Club.

Back in Miami.

landfall. When you plan your trip, remember you will be sailing the heading you calculated, and your apparent wind will be relative to that heading, not your course over ground. For additional information on planning your course, see the Explorer Chartbook, Near Bahamas edition.

Arriving in Miami is fairly straightforward. Check your chart and follow the channel into Government Cut, watching out for frequent ship traffic. There is room for you and a cruise ship side-by-side, but it is a bit nerve-racking. Note

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Other Ports of Entry Other common arrival points include Fort Lauderdale, Lake Worth, Fort Pierce and Cape Canaveral. Each of these inlets is deep and wide enough for shipping, which makes them safe for sailboats under almost all conditions. Other Florida inlets are safe at times if you have a modest draft and current charts, but can be dangerous if an onshore swell is causing breaking waves that you cannot see as you approach, or if the waves are large enough to bump your keel on the bottom as you cross the bar.

Each of the recommended inlets has customs and immigration offices. If you proceed to a marina close to the inlet, you will see a sign posted with the telephone number you must call. In most Florida ports, the number is (800) 4321216. When you have finished talking to the customs officer, he or she will instruct you on the requirement to check in at immigration and will tell you how to contact them. If you attempt to clear in where there is no immigration office (Marathon for instance), you will be told to immediately report to a city where an office is located (Key West in this instance). Customs and immigration officers are trained professionals with a lot of clout. They are usually pleasant and polite, but once we came across one who was definitely not. They are attempting to enforce a plethora of changing rules and regulations, and sometimes they are not consistent, especially regarding foreign vessels cruising the United States. Be patient and polite with them, and you should be able to negotiate your way through the regulations successfully.

Once you have completed the formalities, you are, of course, free to leave the marina and anchor out. In Miami, we head to the Venetian Causeway anchorage. Drop the anchor, turn off the VHF, and then you can enjoy the best shopping that you have seen since you left for the Bahamas.....but hopefully you did not go to the Bahamas for the shopping! www.southwindssailing.com

SOUTHEAST COAST SAILING Carolinas & Georgia Upcoming Events Calendar News for Sailors Racing Calendar Race Report

SE Coast May Weather WATER TEMPERATURE Cape Hatteras, NC - 68° Savannah, GA - 74° AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Cape Hatteras, NC 62° lo - 72° hi Savannah, GA 61° lo - 84° hi For Real Time Southeast Coast Weather go to: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/ Southeast.shtml

2005 Saint Patrick’s Day Regatta, March 19 – 20, Savannah, GA

By Walt McFarlane

M

arch 17th in Savannah is truly a day for the Irish.

Hosting the largest celebration in the nation, except for New York City, the Irish and the want-to-be Irish descend upon the city in the thousands. It is a party which stretches into the entire weekend.

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NORTH CAROLINA

Lake Lanier GEORGIA

SOUTH CAROLINA

Wilmington

Charleston

Beaufort

2

Savannah SOUTHEAST COAST

May Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

One of many traditions which have sprung forth during this week of food, fun, and frolic is the Saint Patrick’s Day Regatta. The regatta takes place on the beautiful Wilmington River and is hosted by the Geechee Sailing Club. This regatta is the first of five regattas within the area in which the series winner will then compete in the South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association (SAYRA) Championship Regatta, which will be held in Charleston, SC, later this year.

After a week of cold, rainy weather, the skies opened up. It was reported that the conditions were very nice for sailing. The sun was out and the water was calm. The winds were a little on the light side blowing between five and nine knots. This would give the advantage to the lighter craft in the fleets. Yep. The luck of the Irish would once again prevail.

All the boats and crews preformed well. In five races, the times were sometimes extremely close, but in the end there could only be one winner.

Dr. Feelgood (Bill Moore / Kevin Dickerson), a familiar craft and crew within the racing community of Georgia and South Carolina, took the prize in the Spinnaker class.

Dimarian (Eric Gotwalt / Debbie Baldridge), placed second, while White Hawk (William McIntosh) came in third.

In the Non-Spinnaker Division 1 class, Second Wind (Steve Toney) sailed away with the first place trophy.

Second place went to Rapacious (Chris Weaver), and third place to Pelican (Leo Peloquin).

The closest race was that of the Non-Spinnaker Division 2 class. Only one point separated first place winner Number 1735 (Rand/Porter) from Sinbad (Joe Witten). Third place went to B (Jim Beck).

In the Cruising Fleet class, My Pleasure (Mark and Becky Willman) took the first-place honors while second place went to Sea Dancer (Joe Plucker / Suzanne Hirst).

The Geechee Sailing Club, founded in 1971, is a club of merry-makers in their own right, but putting together this annual event has become a serious undertaking. Success of this year’s regatta rested squarely with Principal Race Officer Mary Bennett, Commodore Leo Peloquin, Walt Baczynski, and the many volunteers who manned the committee, marked, and pinned boats, kept score, and handled all of the shore duties.

You may visit the Geechee Sailing Club, which meets on the second Monday of each month at Tubby’s Tankhouse located in Thunderbolt, GA. Everyone starts gathering at 6:30 p.m. For additional information go to their Web site at www.geecheesailingclub.org The club wishes to express it’s thanks to the following www.southwindssailing.com

SOUTHEAST COAST SAILING sponsors for their continued support of the Saint Patrick’s Regatta: Fitzgerald Forwarding, Fidelity Construction Company, Wilmington Beverage Center, Boat US, Isle of Hope Marina, Whitmarsh Beverage Center, Levy Jewelers, Karambelas Enterprise, West Marine, River Services, Craftmasters Construction Co., Inc, and Seaweaver Marine.

38th Annual J/24 Easter Regatta, Columbia Sailing Club, Lake Murray, SC, March 25-27

T

he Columbia Sailing Club in South Carolina hosted the 38th Annual J/24 Easter Regatta on Lake Murray March 25-27. Over 40 boats traveled from around the United States to sail on Easter weekend in Columbia, SC. Conditions were very light and variable on Lake Murray, and six races were completed over the three-day weekend.

Final results: 1. Brain Cramp, Mike Ingham; 2. Jesus Lizard, Dan Borrer; 3. Team Fusion, Scott Nixon. Complete results: http://columbiasailingclub.org/easter/

AISC Annual Dogwood Regatta, Lake Lanier, GA, April 1-3

By Ron Mitchellette

Dr. Feelgood sails in the Saint Patrick’s Day Regatta. Photo

by Walt McFarlane.

5-8

Level I Smallboat Instructor Course, College of Charleston, SC., www.sayra-sailing.org/pages/racing.htm 26-29 Level I Smallboat Instructors Course, Lake Norman Yacht Club, NC., www.sayra-sailing.org/pages/racing.htm 27-30 Sail to Georgetown, Georgetown, SC., www.longbaysailing.org 31-6/2 Level II Instructors Course, Lake Norman Yacht Club, NC., www.sayra-sailing.org/pages/racing.htm

T

he 29th annual West Marine and Atlantic Inland Sailing Club Dogwood Open Regatta was held on the weekend of April 1-3. This event was named after its namesake, the dogwood tree. However, the race could have easily been renamed “Windswept,” as the regularly scheduled race for Saturday had to be cancelled due to high winds in excess of 40 mph and the small craft warnings on the lake issued by the USCG. Two races did get under way on Sunday with moderate winds with eight PHRF high, mid, low spin and non-spin fleets, plus trimarans and sport boats gathering around the committee boat to start a day of racing. Approximately 55 boats took part in this revised one-day event. Even though the winds were lighter, there were some close encounters with mishaps and near takedowns. The competition was very spirited as the sounds of battle began to be heard; friendships, romances and, yes, even wedding vows were heard to be temporarily suspended as skippers uttered, or, better yet, yelled their commands to their crews. The après race party on Saturday was, as usual, well attended and refreshments were abundant. Sunday evening the awards were given out to the winners followed by a cookout.

For results go to www.lakelaniersailing.com.

May Sailing Classes MAY Adult Basic Sailing Classes, Sunday evenings 5:30 – 8:30, Atlanta Yacht Club, GA. , www.atlantayachtclub.org Advanced Junior Sailing Classes, Atlanta Yacht Club, GA., Saturdays 9:30 – 12:30, www.atlantayachtclub.org Local News For Southern Sailors

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SOUTHEAST COAST SAILING

Race Calendar

11 12 15 17-19

MAY Lake Lanier, GA. www.larc.strictlysailing.com 1 C22 Irish Wake, Lake Lanier Sailing Club, GA. 1 Fair Winds #2, Barefoot Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. 4 AISC Series I, #4, Atlanta Inland Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. 7 Lormand Cup Open, Southern Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. 11 AISC Series I, #5, Atlanta Inland Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. 14 SSC Masters Open, , Southern Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. Open - over age 50 Skippers.

22 SSC Make –Up at Large, Southern Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. SSC/BFSC Party 21-22 M24 Southeastern Island, Lake Lanier Sailing Club, GA. Open – One Design 21 Fair Winds #3, Barefoot Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. 15 Women Helmsman #1, Barefoot Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. 18 AISC Series I, #6, Atlanta Inland Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA.

25

These dates and events are subject to change without warning.

Please refer to each sailing club’s Web site for more accurate details.

Go to www.sayra-sailing.org for more informaton on the following races and clubs.

7 21

Race Week 3, Little River Inlet, SC., www.longbaysailing.org Marifest, Laser, Opti, & Sunfish, Savannah Sailing Center, Savannah, GA. 14 Jean Ribaut, PHRF, Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club, Beaufort, SC, Frank Pontious. (843) 522-3320. Efponti@islc.net.

14-15 Voodoo Regatta, Lightings, Lake Norman Yacht Club, Mooresville, NC. 14 -15 Laser Dristrict 12 Regatta, Lasers, Carolina Yacht Club Charleston, SC. 14-15 Castle Barry Robertson Regatta, Centerboard Boat, Augusta Sailing Club, GA. 14-15 Hospice Regatta, Open Keel Boat, Lake Norman Yacht Club, Mooresville, NC. 14-15 Melges 24 S.E., Melges 24, Lake Lanier Sailing Club, Flowery Branch, GA. 28-29 Dixie Regatta, Thistles, Atlanta Yacht Club, Acworth, GA. 28-29 Aroound Keowee, Open, Keowee Sailing Club, North Seneca, SC. 21-22 Tommy Whiteside Momorial, Catamarans & PHRF, Columbia Sailing Club, Columbia, SC. 20-22 Leukemia Cup, Southport, NC. www.leukemiacupregatta.netfirms.com

Fair Winds #4 – Barefoot Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. SSC Couples Open – Southern Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. AISC Series I, #10 – Atlanta Inland Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. Reggae Regatta – Lake Lanier Sailing Club – Open, Lake Lanier, GA. Evening Breeze #1 – Barefoot Sailing Club – 6 pm, Lake Lanier, GA.

Go to www.sayra-sailing.org for more info on the following: 3-5 North Carolina / South Carolina Governor’s Cup, Little River Inlet, SC. www.longbaysailing.org 4-5 Mayor’s Cup Regatta, Open, One Design, Lake Townsend Yacht Club, Greensboro, NC. 4-5 O’Dat Trophy Quarterfinals & D12 Laser Championships, Laser, Savannah Sailing Center 4-5 North Carolina / South Carolina Offshore Governor’s Cup, PHRF, Long Bay Sailing Association, Myrtle Beach, SC. www.longbaysailing.org 7-8 Pursuit of Sailing Regatta, PHRF, Outrigger Yacht Club, Kernersville, NC. 18 Race week 1 – Little River Inlet, SC. 18-19 North Carolina Governor’s Cup, Open, Carolina Sailing ClubNC, Raleigh, NC. 18-19 James Island Regatta, Open, James Island Yacht Club, Charleston, SC. 18-19 N3 Regatta, N3 & 2.5 Meter, Lake Norman Yacht Club, Mooresville, NC. 25-26 Match Racing for POWs Quarterfinals, 420s, Atlanta Yacht Club, Lake Allatoona, Acworth, GA. 25-26 North Carolina Laser Masters Champs, Laser, Oriental Dinghy Club, Oriental, NC. 25-26 Lowcountry Regatta, Open, Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club, Beaufort, SC. Charleston, SC, CORA schedule. www.charlestonoceanracing.org 1 Summer Series #1 Race 1 7 CORA executive meeting 6:00 pm 8 Summer Series #1 Race 2 15 Summer Series #1 Race 3 22 Summer Series #1 Race 4 29 Summer Series #1 Race 5

Charleston, SC, CORA schedule. www.charlestonoceanracing.org 3 CORA executive metting. 1800 7 Femme Fatale, Sandlapper, Sabeca 11 CORA race committee meeting. 1800. TBA 14 Charleston To Bermuda Race, www.charlestontobermuda.com 19 CORA Member meeting 1830 21 Spring Ocean Race # 3. 1200. USI. Second Wind, Sanity 28 Femme Fatale, 1300. TBA. Sandlapper, Sabeca JUNE Lake Lanier, GA. www.larc.stricklysailing.com 1 AISC Series I, #8 – Atlanta Inland Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. 4 New Comers Race – Southern Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. 5-7 Junior Week – Lake Lanier Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA. 8 AISC Series I, #9 – Atlanta Inland Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA 8-10 Junior Week – Lake Lanier Sailing Club, Lake Lanier, GA.

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www.southwindssailing.com

EAST FLORIDA COAST

Jacksonville

Daytona

Upcoming Events Calendar News for Sailors Regional Sailing & Cruising Racing Calendar Race Report

3

East Florida May Weather Melbourne

WATER TEMPERATURE Daytona Beach - 77° Jacksonville Beach - 76° GULFSTREAM CURRENT 3 knots AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Daytona Beach 65° lo - 85° hi Jacksonville Beach 66° lo - 82° hi For Real Time East Florida Coast Weather go to: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/ Florida.shtml

Upcoming Events and News Cabinet Refuses to Permit Equity Ownership Marina

I

n a surprise vote, the Florida Cabinet refused to modify lease terms and extend the lease term for the Whitley Bay Marina in Cocoa, FL. The cabinet agreed to extend the Whitley Bay Marina, LLC’s lease for a public marina, one that provides 90 percent of its spaces on a first-come, firstserve basis. Leased space, if available, will be limited to a one-year term. Essentially, the cabinet vote gave the marina operators all they originally purchased from the company that built the marina. These lease conditions are standard requirements imposed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. For at least the near future, Cocoa will continue to have a public marina on its waterfront.

May Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

and OuterBanks 500 may combine their times for competition in the Atlantic 1000, successor to the Worrell 1000.

Because the Outer Banks 500 is off, the Atlantic 1000 is effectively suspended.

The Tybee 500 will race from Hollywood Beach, near Fort Lauderdale, FL, to Tybee Island, GA. This year, major changes in the races’s six legs have occurred because last fall’s hurricanes damaged three hotels that hosted the race in the past, and they are not yet open. Tybee 500’s new start will be in Hollywood Beach rather than Islamorada. New layovers will be in Jupiter (substituting for Jensen Beach). In

Racing The May Ocean Distance Races: Tybee 500 Set to Go, Outer Banks 500 Suspended

By Roy Laughlin

M

ay is the beach cat distance race month for the southeast’s ocean distance races. 2005 will see a little less than before, though. The Tybee 500, in its fourth year, is still on for May 8-13. The Outer Banks 500 has been cancelled due to limited enrollment. Racers that race both the Tybee

Writers and Reporters Needed SOUTHWINDS is planning to increase coverage in Northeast Florida and is looking for someone to send us stories, news, events and racing information and reports from Northeast Florida in the region from around Daytona north to the Georgia border. Contact editor@southwindssailing.com.

Local News For Southern Sailors

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EAST FLORIDA COAST Winners of last year’s Tybee 500, Team Casterol with crew Jay Sonnenklar and John Casey. Photo by Roy Laughlin.

Cocoa Beach, the Best Western Resort substitutes for the Holiday Inn. The third stop will be in Ormond Beach rather than Daytona Beach. Other layovers will be as in previous years. Additional information on the Tybee 500 in general and layover spots in particular are available on www.tybee500.com.

The temporary suspension of the Outer Banks 500 is only partly due to high gas cost. Gas is a major expense because chase crews drive between layover hotels.

Contributors to the forum on www.1design.net comment that there are plenty of other major races this year, including national championship regattas, forcing a choice between them and a longer distance race. Vacation/leave time grows short quickly when the racers use two weeks for one event, which is the case for any team that participates in the Atlantic 1000.

Spectators are welcome at each layover, for both arrival and departure the next morning. The Tybee 500 Web site is a good source of up-to-date information, as is www.catsailor.com. Area newspapers usually carry news and schedules of the event’s local layovers. If you missed participating in The Canterbury Tales, the pilgrimage accompanying these distance races is a good second chance.

Halifax River Yacht Club Announces Southern Gulfstreamer, May 27

T

he Halifax River Yacht Club is holding its Southern Gulfstreamer race from Fort Lauderdale to Daytona on May 27. HRYC sponsors the Gulstreamer South race in odd numbered years and races north from Ponce Inlet to Charleston in the even numbered years. There will be three PHRF classes of vessels; Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker and Crusiing. The race will start at the Fort Lauderdale sea buoy on May 27 and end at the Ponce Inlet sea buoy. Interested skippers should contact the race chairman, Robert Mundell via e-mail at info@truenorthsailingservices.com, or call (386) 804-6837.

Race Calendar May – Central East Florida Every Wednesday during Eastern Daylight Time and weather permitting, Indian River Yacht Club has a race.

6 7 7 7

Summer Rum Race #1. Melbourne Yacht Club FUNMA Scramble Regatta. Lake Monroe Sailing Assoc.

Spring Series #3. Indian River Yacht Club Cruise to Marker 21. Melbourne Yacht Club

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8-10

14–15 15 14–15 20 21 21 21 22 27 28–30 28 28 28-30 28-29 29

Tybee 500 & Atlantic 1000 Distance Race Catamarans will overnight in Jupiter Beach, Cocoa Beach, Ormond Beach and Fernandina Beach on 9 to 12 respectively. Please check http://www.atlantic1000.com for overnight stops.

Almost all in central Florida have changed due to hurricane damage to the hotels that have traditionally hosted overnight stops.

Brevard Challenge. Indian River Yacht Club Small Boat Sunday Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club Club Races. Lake Eustis Yacht Club Summer Rum Race # 2. Melbourne Yacht Club Spring Series 4,5,6. Lake Monroe Sailing Assoc.

Spring Series #4. Indian River Yacht Club Seafood Raftup Melbourne Yacht Club Spring Women’s Series #5. East Coast Sailing Assoc.

Southern Gulfstreamer. Fort Lauderdale to Daytona HRYC info@truenorthsailingservices.com Memorial Day Holiday weekend Memorial Day Series. Lake Eustis Sailing Club Spring River Race #4. East Coast Sailing Assoc Cruise to Sebastian Inlet. East Coast Sailing Assoc & Melbourne Yacht Club Spring Regatta. Cocoa Beach Yacht Club.

Small Boat Sunday Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club www.southwindssailing.com

EAST FLORIDA COAST

JUNE – CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA Every Wednesday during Eastern Daylight Time and weather permitting, Indian River Yacht Club has a race.

3 4 4-5 4-5 11 11 12 17 18 18-19 25 26

Summer Rum Race #3. Melbourne Yacht Club.

Mermaid Regatta & ECSA Women’s Series #6.

Cocoa Beach Yacht Club Annual Regatta. Titusville Yacht Club Jetty Park Ocean Regatta, JPOR. Port Canaveral.

Beach catamaran ocean regatta. www.1design.net Sail a Small Boat Day. Indian River Yacht Club Cocoa Cruise to Marker 21. Melbourne Yacht Club Small Boat Sunday Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club Summer Rum Race #4. Melbourne Yacht Club Spring Race #5. Indian River Yacht Club Summer Sizzler. Daytona Beach. Beach catamaran ocean regatta. www.1design.net Summer River Race #2. ECSA-R. Melbourne Small Boat Sunday Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club

MAY – NORTHEAST FLORIDA. www.sailjax.com.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT RACING May 4 - Aug 31 Wednesday Night Races – North Course Fleet 55 6:30 pm @ Mark “5” Free race May 4 - Sep 28 Wed Wednesday Night Races – South Course NFCC 6:30 pm @ Mark “13” Free race 6–7 7 9-10 14 14 21 28 29

Mug Race. Rudder Club. Jacksonville. (Distance Race on Saturday, trophy breakfast on Sunday morning).

One Design/PHRF RC. Mug Race.

Snipe District 4 Championships. Jacksonville.

Florida YC. Hal Gilreath. (904) 338-4988. harold.gilreath@1984.usna.com. FYC. One Design RC. Summer Series #1 Summer Series #1. Rudder Club. Jacksonville Armed Forces Day Race Spring Series #6. NJYC. One Design & PHRF St Augustine Regatta Offshore Trophy. NFCC Offshore Race #4 PHRF. SAYC. Race of the Century

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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA SAILING Upcoming Events Calendar News for Sailors Southeastern Florida May Weather Racing Calendar WATER TEMPERATURE Race Report

Miami - 81 Stuart - 77° GULFSTREAM CURRENT 3 knots AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Miami Beach - 74° lo - 82° hi Stuart - 69° lo - 85° hi For Real Time East Florida Coast Weather go to: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/ Florida.shtml

Upcoming Events And News Ocean Watch Foundation Reef Sweep and Beach Cleanup June 11, 17th Annual Reef Sweep and Beach Cleanup Annual beach sweep held in mid-June is followed by a party to celebrate. 9 a.m. to noon, beaches, marinas and charter dive boats throughout Broward County, (954) 467-1366. www.oceanwatch.org.

US Sailing Center in Martin County Announces Tom Coleman as New Director

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unior sailing expert Tom Coleman has been hired as the full-time executive director of the US Sailing Center of Martin County, a not-for-profit community sailing program located in Jensen Beach, FL. Coleman was honored as the 2004 Development Coach of the Year by US Sailing.

Coleman’s responsibilities will include planning, staffing and administering a 450-youth, 10-week summer program as well as running a year-round community sailing program for all ages. In addition, he will work closely with the center’s race committee in scheduling and organizing six to eight national regattas during the winter season. www.ussailing.org.

A Sail Loft Changes Name

By Art Perez

A

fter twelve years as a Banks sail loft, owners Eamonn and Stuart deLisser have changed alliances to become part of the growing network of Doyle lofts in the United States. Still located at 3470 NW 7th Ave. in Miami, the DeLissers have come a long way from their modest origins when they opened up shop on the banks of the Miami River.

The family-owned and operated loft, comes with a modern

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West Palm Beach

May Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

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Fort Lauderdale Miami

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air-conditioned facility that includes a canvas department and a full service rigging shop independently operated by Frank Atkinson of Rigging Systems. This association enables the DeLissers to offer customers the benefit of multiple services under one roof.

The brothers are known not only for their sailmaking ability but also as top-ranked sailors in the local racing circuit. Their love for sailing can be traced back to their childhood days in their native Kingston, Jamaica. When they were barely into their teens, they learned the art of sailing from their father, who shared with them his passion for the sea. After moving to Miami in 1977, Eamonn was the first to learn the craft of sailmaking, gaining employment at one of the local lofts. His brother Stuart shortly followed suit, forming an inseparable team.

In 1993, after years of practicing the trade, they decided to open their own loft under the Banks moniker. The loft would be only the third in the U.S. market from this British sailmaker. I asked Eamonn what prompted him to change to Doyle after all these years. His answer was straightforward and to the point. He said, “Doyle’s commitment to research and development is next to none, which translates to innovative sail designs and materials for go-fast applications. In addition, Doyle’s reputation in the sailing arena offers us greater exposure.”

The future of the deLissers is expanding even beyond sailmaking. Upon quizzing the brothers about what’s next in their future, Eamonn replied, “We have just completed the purchase of one of the largest Vanguard dealerships in southeast Florida, located in Palm Beach. This brings a whole new dimension to our business.”

Stuart added, “The dealership complements our sailmaking portion of the business. Eventually, we’ll open a branch in Miami and continue to promote one-design racing.”

Today, the DeLissers’ reputation is well-established. For years they have produced some of the fastest racing sails in southeast Florida, many of which can be seen on PHRF and one-design boats locally. In addition to their sailmaking abilities, their passion for racing has taken them to compete in the IDS35 class, J/24 Worlds, Etchells Worlds and an Olympic campaign in the Soling class. Their success in both arenas can be attributed to their dedication and commitment to their craft. Now under the Doyle banner, the future looks even brighter. www.southwindssailing.com

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA COAST

Race Report Acura Miami Race Week 2005, March 10 -13: Premiere Racing Pulls Off Another Successful Event Interview with Peter Craig

By Art Perez

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he hospitality tents are gone, the boats have moved on and Miami Race Week is all but a memory. But what a memory! Premiere Racing, the new management group in charge of hosting the event this year, made a huge impact on the outcome of this year’s race.

The regatta, formerly know as SORC, had lost most of its luster in its latter years of existence, to the point that it was on the verge of extinction. Along comes Premiere Racing, the group known for managing the famed Key West Race Week, and voila, what a difference! Congratulations goes out to Peter Craig and the team of hard-working people at Premiere Racing who managed not only to put on a first-class event, but also attract numerous fleets to return to this magnificent event. The organizers worked arduously with the sponsors to ensure the success and revitalization of this regatta.

Not playing it safe, Premiere Racing added a bay venue, which required additional logistics to the already burgeoning ocean fleet. Peter Craig teamed up with Shake-a-Leg to provide that additional logistic. Things didn’t stop there as after-race activities were spread throughout Miami and the beach—adding to the mystique of the regatta.

This year’s event attracted the big boys. If you had looked hard enough, you could have seen names like Ken Read, famed sailor of the America’s Cup campaign, or Greek Olympic gold medalist Sofia Bekatorou, mingling in the crowd of sailors at the hospitality tent.

I came across Peter Craig after the race to get his thoughts on the way the event had gone. The exchange was very candid and insightful.

Local News For Southern Sailors

Now that Miami Race Week has wrapped up, what in your opinion were the high points of the event?

Peter: “Clearly the high point was the dramatic growth in fleet size and the high level of competition in all three divisions. Attracting 143 entries in our first year exceeded our most optimistic projections. Most of the classes experienced very close racing, with the series winner determined on the very last race on Sunday. Another high point was re-introducing racing on Biscayne Bay. The Melges 24 and Etchells fleets produced some of the best racing of the week, and the Shake-A-Leg facility was a terrific base for the Biscayne Bay components.”

Any disappointment?

Peter: “No disappointments, per se, though we had hoped for more local participation. We think the caliber of international and national talent that we feature is something the local racers don’t see every weekend and will be an incentive for them to come out next year and race against the very best.”

What was the feedback from the different One-Design fleets?

Peter: “The feedback was universally positive with all classes projecting substantial growth in ’06. A 200-boat fleet next year is not unrealistic. The Transpac 52s and Swan 45 classes are looking at 15 boats each. The Swans will hold their Gold Cup in Key West next January. The Farr 40s will be back to their usual 20 boats. The 2005 Worlds in Australia halved the fleet this year. The J/105s went from 8 to 18 boats and will easily be north of 20 boats next year. The two biggest classes, the Etchells and Melges 24s, will both be back in force with the Melges class projecting 40 boats. After a two-year hiatus, the Mumm 30s were back with a strong 10-boat class. One-design sailors were real excited about the Florida Grand Prix Awards that went to the combined winners of Key West and Miami Race Week in those eligible classes. Those awards will ultimately become some of the most sought-after trophies on the international circuit.”

What would you do differently for next year?

Peter: “Based on what we experienced and the feedback from boat owners, there are no major changes planned for 2006. We used our Key West model both on the water and

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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA COAST ashore, and that event has been very successful over the past 10 years. We have some tweaking to do and some minor logistics issues to resolve. It was nice to see that there were no issues with the Division 3 co-existing with the Bacardi Cup racing on Biscayne Bay Friday. The bay is plenty big enough and could handle three or four circles if necessary.”

Any parting thoughts?

Peter: “Premiere Racing was a very proud partner with Shake-A-Leg Miami with both our Key West and Miami events. Having had the opportunity to see this organization operate firsthand has been an eye-opener for me. We look forward to a long-term partnership with our Shake-A-Leg friends and playing a role in increasing their exposure to sailors around the James Bishop’s Gold Digger winning the start in the PHRF-3 class early in the world and helping them achieve their goals.”

With that said, there was no doubt that Miami Acura Miami Race Week regatta. Photo © 2005 Tim Wilkes/www.timwilkes.com, official photographer for Acura Miami Race Week 2005.

Race Week is here to stay.

Acura Miami Race Week, March 10-13 From Premiere Racing

S

parkling South Florida waters and varied conditions over four days proved that tactical, smart sailing made the difference in a suspenseful finish to Acura Miami Race Week.

Down-to-the-wire racing was among the highlights of a regatta that is a true renaissance event with 142 plus boats and 1200 sailors more than doubling the fleet from last year’s former SORC. In the Transpac 52 fleet, Bambakou took first place overall after a strong team effort by owner John Coumantaros with tactician and America’s Cup helmsman Ken Read, both of Newport, R.I., taking the top honors.

Three top boats from Europe in the Farr 40 class dominated their event with lead reversals the order of the week’s final race day with the final win going to Dutchman Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine, which beat the young Greek team Atalanti, owned by Stratis Andreadis of Athens, Greece.

In the Mumm 30 division, the racing again came down to the final race with John McDonagh of Minneapolis taking the class win and the 2005 Florida Grand Prix for his combined performance at Key West Race Week and Acura Miami Race Week.

In the PHRF-1 class, Dan Meyers of Boston led his Numbers to victory with America’s Cup Hall of Fame tactician Brad Butterworth calling tactics after very close racing against the Tripp 47 Cabaret owned by Bob Limoggio of Newport, R.I. The Melges-24 has had a number of lead reversals that came down to a three-way tie finally broken by Riccardo Simonesch of Italy aboard Nautica. The Acura Trophy was awarded to Simonesch and is symbolic of the Boat of the Week that prevailed in a class with the closest, most competitive racing for the series from all three divisions.

In PHRF-3, Gordon Schiff of Tampa Bay and his team were insurmountable on the Mumm 36 The Wall beating second place Dame Blanche owned by Othmar Mueller von

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Blumencron of Annapolis, MD, by eight points and subsequently winning the City of Miami Trophy for the PHRF boat with the closest, most competitive racing for the series.

All PHRF fleets were pushing to stretch their leads today including the PHRF-2 fleet with Melges 32 Dawn Raid, owned by Oscar Strugstad of England, battling it out for a one-point win over the Farr 36 Grins, owned by Rick Orchard of Flowery Branch, GA. The J/105 fleet was very deep here in Miami this week, but the undisputed winner of both the 2005 Florida Grand Prix trophy and class honors was Masquerade, owned by Thomas Coates of San Francisco, CA, who had four bullets over three days.

In PHRF-5, local sailors prevailed as Coconut Grove’s own David Kurtz, who owns the J/27 Goombay, beat Miami’s Pat Charles Cacace on his C&C 99 Blackbird by one point.

The J World Racing Team of Annapolis beat local sailor Gordon Ettie of Miami on his Swan 40, Sazerac, by five points after tight racing.

“Overall this was a great event, and you can be sure that our fleet will be here in large numbers next year,” said Tom Pollack, director of the Transpac-52 fleet. “This event runs on all cylinders, and they do a great job.”

Boat of the Day Awards Thursday’s Industry Partner Day, Boat of the Day: TP52 class Rosebud owned by Roger Sturgeon.

Friday’s City of Miami, Boat of the Day: Etchells class winner Pipe Dream, Scott Piper from the Etchells class on Biscayne Bay. Saturday’s Premiere Racing Day, Boat of the Day: Farr 40 class Atalanti, Stratis Andreadis.

Sunday’s Acura Day, Boat of the Day: Mumm 30 class/USA 41 Ace Partners of Key West, FL, and La Grange, IL. The Acura Trophy—symbolic of Boat of the Week—is the class winner from all three divisions who prevailed in the class with the closest, most competitive racing for the series. The award went to Ricardo Simonesch of Italy and his boat Nautica. www.southwindssailing.com

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA COAST The 2005 Florida Grand Prix Awards were presented to the combined winner of Key West and Acura Miami Race Week using the lowest cumulative points in the following classes: TP52 Class on a tie breaker- Michael Brennan of Annapolis, MD, on Sjambok. Farr 40: Peter de Ridder of Monaco on Mean Machine. Mumm 30: Jonathan McDonough of Minneapolis, MN, on Champosa. J/105: Thomas Coates of Newport, R.I. on Masquerade.

Acura is the Title Sponsor. This is the fifth consecutive year that Acura, the luxury division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., has been the title sponsor for the Miami Beach-based regatta.

For results and information, visit the event Web site www.Premiere-Racing.com or www.AcuraMiamiRaceWeek.com.

“Caraluna” the Big Winner in Miami to Nassau Regatta, March 19

By Art Perez Cai Svenson, winner of the Miami to Nassau race, holds the winning trophy.

Photo by Art Perez.

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ai Svenson, sailing his C&C 99, set the pace for the famed Miami to Nassau Regatta.

Hosted by the Miami Yacht Club and the Nassau Yacht Club, this year’s event celebrated its 72nd anniversary. Caraluna, with its crew of veterans from the Fort Lauderdale-Key West race onboard, managed to hold off Vendaval, a Dufour 34, helmed by Miami local Oscar Valdes. Cai’s race time of 31 hours, 58 minutes assured him a first-place finish, along with a place in history with the other great winners of yesteryear whose names adorn the Nassau Cup Perpetual Trophy. Names like Turner and Creekmore bring memories of the Cup’s gloried past.

I met up with Cai at Castle Harbor Sailing School, which he owns and operates out of Matheson Hammock, and asked him about the preparation required for a race of this nature. He said “From a crew aspect, I managed to have on board my core group that had gone through the rigors of the Fort Lauderdale to Key West race, so the experience of a race of this nature wasn’t new to them. In addition, we studied the weather patterns that were forecast to develop and took into account the effects of the currents along the Berry Islands, which set up our game plan. Although the weather service was calling for a NE wind to develop, it never did until late Sunday afternoon. By that point we had opted to keep sailing in the patches of breeze, until the NE wind Local News For Southern Sailors

filled in, and it paid off.”

As I was looking at the photos of Svenson holding the Nassau Cup proudly in his hands, I couldn’t resist asking what were the emotions like on board after crossing the finish line and knowing that they had won. Cai responded, “Everyone enjoys a victory, but this one is very special to me and my crew members, the core group, which has risen from the ranks of Castle Harbor Sailing School’s Learn to Sail Program. To become experienced and victorious ocean racing sailors, this is the greatest achievement of all!”

By looking at the expression on their faces, you could tell he was right!

Results: Monohulls:1st - Caraluna/Cai Svenson; 2nd – Vendaval/Oscar Valdes; 3rd – Woza/Mark Perftuiset: Multihulls:1st – Green Flash/Dave Cavert; 2nd – Rocketeer III/Randy Smith; 3rd – Zephr/Duane Zelinsky: ARC:1st – SunQuest/Wilfredo Paredes.

Racing Calendar To have your race, regatta, or club races listed, please contact editor@southwindssailing.com by the 10th of the month. Races listed should be open to anyone.

MAY 7 14 14 15 21 28-29

June 4 5 18 25 30

C-Gull Cup. CRYC. Annual regatta for the Women’s Auxiliary club of Coconut Grove Sailing Club.

Snipe Ocean Regatta. LYC. The seventh annual regatta in the ocean for Snipes.

BBYRA PHRF #5. CRYC. The fifth race of the series (Series 1) for PHRF, ARC and J24 fleets. 11:30 a.m.

BBYRA One-Design #5. KBYC. The fifth race of the series (Series 1) for the One-Design fleets Etchells, Flying Scots, J22, Snipes, Lightnings. 11:30 a.m.

Hospice Regatta. Hospice Care of Broward County. The ninth annual benefit regatta and clambake. The 12-mile multi-leg course off Fort Lauderdale Beach. 11 a.m.

Goombay Regatta. CGSC. The 18th annual Cruising and One-Design day races held in Biscayne Bay in conjunction with the Goombay Festival and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

BYRA PHRF #6. KBYC. The Yacht Club’s Annual Regatta is open to all boats with a valid PHRF certificate. Start time 11:00 a.m.

BBYRA One Design #6. KBYC. The Annual Regatta is open to all one design boats. Start time 11:30 a.m.

BBYRA PHRF #7. CRYC. The last race of the series (Series 1) for PHRF, ARC and J24 fleets. 11:30 a.m.

BBYRA One Design #7. CGSC. The last race of the series (Series 1) for the One Design fleets Etchells, Flying Scots, J22, Snipes, Lightnings. 11:30 a.m.

Round The Great Turtle Race. Green Turtle Yacht Club presents the 5th Annual Round the Great Turtle Race for the 2005 Bahama Cup and the Victor Ludorum Trophy. A fun race for all types of sailing vessels, ultralight racers, cruisers/racers, multihulls or gunkholers.

Legend. – Yacht Clubs and Organizations BBYRA Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net CGSC Coconut Grove Sailing Club. www.cgsc.org CRYC Coral Reef Yacht Club. www.coralreefyachtclub.org GTYC Green Turtle Yacht Club. www.greenturtleclub.com/YachtClub KBYC Key Biscayne Yacht Club. www.kbyc.org LYC Lauderdale Yacht Club. www.lyc.org MYC Miami Yacht Club. www.miamiyachtclub.net SOUTHWINDS

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F LORIDA KEYS SAILING Upcoming Events Calendar News for Sailors Regional Sailing & Cuising Racing Calendar Race Report

Florida Keys May Weather AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Key West 76° lo - 85° hi GULF WATER TEMPERATURES Key West 82° For Real Time eastern Gulf weather, winds and marine forecasts, go to: http://comps.marine.usf.edu

Upcoming News & Events Every Saturday —Open House at the Key West Sailing Club.

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (305) 292-5993. www.keywestsail ingclub.org. Sailboat Lane off Palm Avenue in Key West.

May 11-15 Key West Songwriters Festival.

Music lovers delight in some of America s best songwriters performing in a balmy, island setting. (305) 296-4222 May 14-15 Island Festival Featuring the Taste of Islamorada!

Flavorful tropical festival featuring food, music and the arts.

Mile Marker 87, Founders Park. (305) 664-4503

May Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

Key West s Sister City Plans Island Roots Heritage Festival in Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas, May 20-22

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he second Island Roots Heritage Festival on Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas will be held May 20-22, with a welcoming reception on Thursday, May 19.

If you missed our first festival, you will have no doubt heard about what a great time we all had. We were blessed with three beautiful days and a beautiful location to celebrate our heritage and our ties to Key West, our sister city in Florida. We enjoyed Bahamian food, music, games and an arts and crafts show.

Junkanoo, the Key West Choral, Amy Roberts Primary School, the Gully Roosters and the world-renowned Royal Bahamas Police

June 13-18 Cuban-American Heritage Festival.

Key West. A week celebrating the rich culture and customs that Cubans have brought to the Keys. Genuine Cuban cuisine, cigars, dance events and more. (305) 295-9665 June 16-19 The Chickens are Coming!!

Key West. The playful and lighthearted Chicken Fest brings a week of family fun with events such as a colorful parade, costume contests, tastes-like chicken culinary delights and a fair with showy hens and roosters. (305) 797-5088 June 25 Tropical Fruit Fiesta at Bayview Park.

Key West. Those delightful, sweet fruits enjoy center stage in this island event. Presentations by experts, samples, fruit trees for sale and activities for the kids. (305) 292-4501

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www.southwindssailing.com

FLORIDA KEYS SAILING Force Band entertained us, and Reef Relief hosted a lovely reception at the Capt. Roland Roberts House where Bahamians were able to meet and greet their neighbors and relatives from Key West.

This year we are once again planning three exciting days. All of our events will be held at the festival site at New Plymouth Settlement Point in Green Turtle Cay. We are once again planning for great Bahamian entertainment, Maypole plaiting, Junkanoo, a rake & scrape band, old time games, great food and, of course, the Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching and Pop Band. Reef Relief will be hosting the opening reception at the Capt. Roland Roberts House Environmental Center the evening of Thursday, May 19, again as well. So, please mark your calendar and make plans to join us this year!

For further information, contact Annabelle at abacopotcake@batelnet.bs.

Keys Marine Sanctuary Holds Public Hearings

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n late March, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary started its public hearings for a revised management plan. Keys residents had a chance to voice their views on the Sanctuary s current management plan and on the revised plan. The new plan hopes to make the sanctuary s federal waters a no-discharge zone.

(State Sanctuary waters were made into a no-discharge zone in 2002). Also, the organization hopes to prohibit the feeding of fish within specific, no-take protection zones. For example, some boaters offer bits of food to reef fish in order to attract them and take pictures, etc. The Sanctuary wants to make this illegal. In addition, a new permit system for the activities of marine towers and salvors is being considered. A copy of the management plan is available at Sanctuary offices or on http://floridakeys.noaa.gov.

Women s Sailing Program Yes, You Can!

By Rebecca Burg

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he feisty March winds trapped one sailboat into the overhanging branches of a tree and pinned another in a corner. Standing on the pier nearby, several women were calling out words of encouragement and instruction. Newly introduced to the tricky art of small boat sailing, these two fledglings soon made it into open water and found their wings. For the entire time, the ladies on board were laughing or sporting huge grins. So far we ve had a total of 31 women this year, said Nancy Curran, the facilitator for the women s sailing program. An average of 10 show up to sail each week. With her warm smile and calm demeanor, it s no wonder that even the shiest new faces eagerly join the activity.

Every Sunday at noon, the Key West sailing club welcomes ladies with all levels of experience. You don t have to be a club member or know a thing about sailing to participate. Today, about a dozen ladies were enjoying the sunny spring ambiance in the bight.

It was Lisa s first day in the program. She d sailed in the past and was obviously having a pleasurable time reintroducing herself to the sport. After a short sail, Lisa was back on the pier and watching several small boats glide past each other in a colorful ballet of sail. Her daughter, Rachel, was on one of the boats. An occasional presence at the club, Rachel is a professional captain.

Though an ace with large vessels, she was enjoying the challenges of a small boat s frisky, in-your-face peculiarities. She also contributed her salty knowledge to the group. The much encouraged sharing from the experienced participants helped the newer sailors

Local News For Southern Sailors

Women preparing to sail at the pier near the Key West Sailing Club. Photo by Rebecca Burg.

learn and gain confidence. During a previous gathering, a meteorologist was in the mix and had shared her invaluable weather knowlege with the fascinated group. A combination of chalkboard style instruction and hands-on learning is provided.

Centerboard up, coaxed Nancy as one young lady in a Sunfish cautiously returned to the pier. Local racing pro and Sunfish wizard Maryholt lent a hand. The group had opportunities to sail Optis and Vanguard Prams, Sunfish, Lasers, two Victoria18s and a Cape Cod Mercury. Each boat is so different, and it s a learning experience, Lisa said as she watched her daughtercaptain sail toward the pier. Obviously supportive, the ladies helped each other take down rigs and put the boats away for the day. It s been great, Nancy said with a smile. If the weekly program inspired at least one woman to believe in herself and realize that she, too, can learn to sail and reach for that great blue horizon, then Nancy was satisfied.

Racing Key West Sailing Club. Key West Sailing Club Women s Sailing continues every Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Non-members and members welcome.

Upper Keys Sailing Club. www.upperkeyssailingclub.com.

May 7 Switch Over Regatta. Change of Watch.

May 15 Ocean Side Regatta.

Marathon Sailing Club is looking for individuals to help with the Sunfish Regatta series and this year s Sombrero Cup Regatta in November. For more info contact Sherry at (305) 393-0657 or sherry@marathonboatyard.com.

Key West May 29 Schooner Wharf s 14th Annual Minimal Regatta.

12:00 noon. Build a boat from an allowed minimum of materials (some wood, duct tape and nails, basically) and compete against others in the Bight. This is a huge, crowd-drawing event, and last year, film crews were on the scene. www.schoonerwharf.com.

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NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING

LOUSIANA

ALABAMA

MISSISSIPPI

TEXAS

Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas

Pensacola

Upcoming News & Events 10th Annual Wooden Boat Show. May 7-8. Pirates Cove Marina, Josephine, AL. Saturday 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Sunday 10:00 a.m.-sunset. Local artists, boatbuilders, marine sales, music all weekend, Chet’s famous fried mullet plates Saturday only, Sharpie Sailboat Race Saturday 1:00 p.m. Race for the Skull Sunday 1:00 p.m. www.piratescoveriffraff.com. (251) 987-1223.

Gulf Coast Wooden Boat Rendezvous. May 14-15 Largest gathering of wooden boats on the Gulf of Mexico for viewing. Smaller vessels are at the Maritime & Seafood Museum, water’s edge between the Isle of Capri Casino Resort and Casino Magic-Biloxi and 115 First St., Biloxi. (228) 435-6320. www.maritimemuseum.org.

West Marine and BoatUS Seminar Schedule for Texas The following seminar events will occur in each West Marine and BoatU.S. store throughout the state of Texas. These seminars are interactive and informative 10-15 minute sessions covering a variety of topics and interests. Two seminars on the same topic are held every Saturday, one in the morning at 10 a.m. and one in the afternoon at 2 p.m. Additionally, supporting literature is available to attendees as a takeaway.

Please visit or call your local store for further details.

FLORIDA

NORTHERN GULF

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5

Northern Gulf May Weather

Upcoming Events Calendar News for Sailors Regional Sailing & Cruising Racing Calendar Race Report

Mobile

Gulfport New Orleans

WATER TEMPERATURE - 77° AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Pensacola, FL 66° lo - 83° hi Gulfport, MS 66° lo - 84° hi For Northern Gulf Weather go to: www.csc.noaa.gov/coos/

May Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

Date and topics 4/16 Road-ready Trailer 4/23 Changing Your Oil 4/30 Servicing Your Marine Head 5/7 Safe Boating Requirements 5/14 Installing a Windlass 5/21 Upgrade Your Electric Panel 5/28 Safe Boating Requirements 6/4 Installing a Deck Wash-Down System 6/11 Installing a Live Bait Tank 6/18 Installing an Air Conditioning System 6/25 Installing Hatches and Vents

Pensacola Bay to Become Home to Community Maritime Park

By Julie B. Connerley

The proposed maritime park layout in Pensacola Bay.

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ensacola Bay, one of the nation’s deepest natural harbors, has a maritime history dating back to 1559 when Don Tristan de Luna set foot on its shores seeking land for Spain. Today, plans are under way to celebrate some of that

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www.southwindssailing.com

NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING history with the city of Pensacola’s plans to develop a $70.4million community maritime park on prime waterfront property.

The final approval for this public/private venture came after the citizens of Pensacola soundly rejected the city council’s plans to convert the 27.5 acres to an auditorium and festival park in 2003.

Voters complained of “limited citizen access to the waterfront” and a high cost to taxpayers. The land sat vacant while officials struggled with an alternative use.

Three visionaries, Pelicans baseball team owner and health care consultant Quint Studer, University of West Florida (UWF) President John Cavanaugh, and retired Navy Vice Admiral Jack Fetterman, pooled their resources and presented the maritime park proposal in January 2005. The concept has been running “full steam ahead” since then.

Pittsburgh urban planner, Ray Gindroz, was hired to assess the waterfront property and to conduct a series of public workshops to gain input from the residents as to the final design of the park.

The multi-use park would include a maritime museum and teaching/research facility in partnership with UWF, classroom space for UWF marine biology and archaeology programs, and a conference center for public uses.

A 3,500-seat multi-use stadium would be home to the Pensacola Pelicans, an independent baseball team.

Also included in the design is an extended wharf with docking areas for boats, a nature preserve, fishing pier and beach area for kayak events.

Rounding out the park would be approximately 18 acres of open space, retail shops and commercial businesses.

As part of his final presentation to the city council April 7,

Local News For Southern Sailors

Gindroz provided an aerial view of the waterfront and its relationship to downtown Pensacola. By use of overlays, he was able to clearly demonstrate how the waterfront area was, by all accounts, “dead” – void of life, activity, and interconnectivity with the surrounding neighborhoods.

Ironically, historical photographs of downtown Pensacola circa 1800 show the vibrant connection between the city and its dependence on the waterfront for its livelihood.

Gindroz sees the future of Pensacola intertwined with its past in this ambitious plan. Overwhelmingly, the citizens of Escambia County (Pensacola, FL) do also.

One aspect of the maritime park plan, however, is another example of the continuing lack of public boat ramps replaced by high-end marinas or commercial ferry operations.

In this case, Pensacola is home to arguably the nation’s top Naval aviation museum, as well as the historic Fort Pickens, one of the National Park System’s top ten visited units in North America.

The problem is that Pensacola Bay separates these wellknown tourist attractions, and talk about a ferry to shuttle folks across the bay between them has been bantered around for years.

The maritime park proposes a docking space for commercial boat ferries, and even a “public marina” where boaters could tie up and then walk the wharf and visit the museum or dine in the restaurants.

Public feedback has questioned the idea of a “free” marina for those arriving by boat while visitors arriving in vehicles will have to pay in the proposed adjacent parking garage.

It remains to be seen whether a marina will actually be built, or whether limited docking space will be the end result.

By its very design, vehicular traffic within the maritime

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NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING park is discouraged, so even if there were public boat ramps, parking nearby would not be possible.

The overall proposal comes at a very opportune time.

The Pensacola area is still in the throes of the Hurricane Ivan aftermath, and anything that can put a “positive spin” on the area gets high marks from its storm-weary residents.

The city of Pensacola has committed $40-million to fund the park with the remaining $30-million to come from the private sector. The park’s proponents hope it can be built in time for opening day of the baseball season in 2007.

With their motto “Right Idea, Right Time,” the Community Maritime Park leaders will change the face and future of Pensacola by linking it to its past.

2nd Annual Opening Day Ceremony, Navy Yacht Club of Pensacola, Pensacola Naval Air Station

By Kim Kaminski

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pening Day is a special time for the avid yachtsman. It is a day filled with nautical pomp and circumstance following the guidelines of yachting tradition. In the colder climates, yacht clubs would close down in the winter months and look forward to the days when the weather was more favorable for their various yachting activities and events to start up again. Traditionally skippers and crews would begin to ready their vessels for the upcoming warmer days

by throwing a big party to officially kick-off the yachting season.

This “kick-off” party has become known as Opening Day. Here along the Gulf Coast—primarily due to year-round sailing—the Opening Day tradition was not readily practiced until last year when the Navy Yacht Club of Pensacola established the yachting tradition and introduced the event to the community.

The 2nd Annual Opening Day Ceremony on Sunday, April 3, was held at the Bayou Grande Sailing Facility. Local air station commanders and past and present yacht club commodores and others attented.

This year, the Opening Day Ceremony Alan Koch and Andy Burke took advantage of the Opening Day was especially meaning- opportunity and was the first ful to locals as so many boat to launch for a day of sailhad lost boats or had ing fun. Alan just purchased his boats severely damaged Paceship PY23 and was anxious in the 2004 sorms. Special to take her out for a spin around thanks were given to the bay. Photo By Kim Kaminski. those who made extra effort in helping to rebuild from these storms.

After recognizing the contributions of several others, the ceremony concluded with the hoisting of the club burgee, the firing of a cannon and the declaration from Vincent Cooke, commodore of the Navy Yacht Club, that the “yacht club was open for the 2005 season.”

Membership in the Navy Yacht Club is open to activeduty and retired military from all branches of the armed forces. In addition, Dept. of Defense civilians assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola and facilities in the immediate area are welcome.

NYCP is an active member of the Gulf Yachting Association and conducts numerous regattas and races that are open to all sailors during the year. For more information about the Navy Yacht Club, visit its Web site at www.navypnsyc.org.

Racing 2005 Gulf Ocean Racing Circuit (GORC), Biloxi, MS, April 1-3

By Kim Kaminski

he Biloxi Yacht Club held the 2005 Gulf Ocean Racing T Circuit races (known as the GORC to the local area racers) over a three-day period April 1-3. A severe storm front had raced across the area prior to the race event, deluging

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www.southwindssailing.com

NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING Roy Hardin and his crew on Shameless earned the Most Outstanding Yacht at this year’s Gulf Ocean Racing Circuit the coast with heavy rains and strong winds (20 to 25 knots with gusts up to gale force strength).The strong winds remained throughout the weekend, making racing challenging especially for the Class C boats that averaged 24 feet.

The GORC is one of four sanctioned events for the members of the Gulf Yachting Association (GYA). PHRF maximum crew limits are upheld, and no yacht with a PHRF rating of 234 or higher may participate in the event. Class awards for first, second and third place were given out daily. The class awards in the overall series went to Stephen Murray and his crew on Decision in Class A, Roy Hardin and crew on Shameless in Class B and Caron and Steve Choate and crew on The Bear in Class C. The GYA Trophy for Most Outstanding Yacht went to the skipper from Fort Walton Yacht Club, Roy Hardin on Shameless, a J-33.

Results Class A; 1 - Decision - Stephen Murray, Southern YC; 2 - Fuzzy Lojic - Stanton Murray, Southern YC; 3 - Sapphire- Mark Palermo, Tammany YC; 4 - Java - Bob Maher, Southern YC; 5 - Aquavite - Hans Albert, Pontchartrain YC; Class B; 1 - Shameless - Roy Hardin, Ft Walton YC; 2 Forerunner - John/Scott Mathis, Pensacola YC; 3 - Piranha - Ryan Bancroft, New Orleans YC; 4 - Touche’ - Dennis Cheuvront, Pontchartrain YC; 5 Kokopelli - Kyle Bowser, Tammany YC; Class C; 1 - The Bear - Caron/Steve Chaote, Pontchartrain YC; 2 - Jus’ Magic-J./T.Guice/Cruthirds, Biloxi YC; 3 - Avalanche - Bob Ramsey, Singing RiverYC; 4 - Punk’d - Don Brennan, Buccaneer YC; 5 - Blueprint - Timothy Reitano, New Orleans YC; 6 - Sea Toy Two - John Mundy, OceanSpringsYC.

Race Calendar CLUB RACING Thursday evenings. Thursday Night Sunfish Sailing. Navy Yacht Club’s Bayou Grande Marina, Pensacola, FL, from 57 p.m. (850) 452-4152 May 2005 7 Sea Buoy Race PBYC 7 Relay Race CSA, NOYC, SYC 7 Contraband Regatta LCYC 7 Alfonso/Sutter Race GYC 1415 Spring Regatta. BYC 14 Spring #4 & #5 SYC 14 Lions Nautical Festival. PYC 14 Laser District 14 Championship. GYC 15 Spring #1 CSA 15 J22 #2 SYC 15 Thunder Mug. BYC 21 Spring #2 CSA 20-22 Navy Cup. NYC 20-22 Cajun Corsair. TYC 21 Laser Gulf Coast Championship. SYC 21 Match Race. BWYC 28 Memorial Day Race & Raftup. PBYC 28 Spring #6. STABYC 28 Great Ship Island Race. OSYC 28 Juby Wynne One-Design. SYC 28 Slip to Ship. OSYC 28 Lightning Southern Districts. SYC June 2005 4 Charity Regatta. PYC 4 Marathon. FYC 4 School’s Out Regatta. PYC 4 Jubilee Regatta. BYC 4-5 Candler Regatta. STABYC 5 Spring #3. CSA 11 Commodore’s Cup #3. NYC 11 Race to the Coast. GYC, SYC 11 Billy Bowlegs Regatta. FWBYC 11 Area D Quarter Finals. MYC 17-19 Challenge Cup. GYC Local News For Southern Sailors

24-26 Gulfport to Pensacola Race. GYC. SYC. PYC 25-26 420 Champs. PCYC 25 Glorious 4. LFYC Yacht Club Legend PBYC Pensacola Beach Yacht Club. Pensacola, FL. www.pensacolabeachyc.org CSA Corinthian Sailing Association. New Orleans, LA. www.corinthians.org NOYC New Orleans Yacht Club. www.noyc.org SYC Southern Yacht Club. New Orleans, LA. www.southernyachtclub.org LCYC Lake Charles Yacht Club. Lake Charles, LA. www.saillc.org GYC Gulfport Yacht Club. Gulfport, MS. www.gulfportyachtcclub.org BYC Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile, AL www.bucyc.com PONTYCPontchartrain Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA www.pontyc.org PYC Pensacola Yacht Club. Pensacola, FL. www.pensacolayachtclub.org.

STABYC St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club, Panama City, FL www.stabyc.com NYC Navy Yacht Club Pensacola, FL www.navypnsyc.org TYC Tammany Yacht Club, Slidell, LA www.tammanyyachtclub.org BWYC Bay Waveland Yacht Club, Bay St. Louis, MS www.bwyc.org OSYC Ocean Springs Yacht Club, Ocean Springs, MS www.osyc.com FYC Fairhope Yacht Club, Fairhope, AL. www.fairhopeyachtclub.com FWBYC Ft. Walton Beach Yacht Club, Ft. Walton Beach, FL. www.fwyc.org MYC Mobile Yacht Club, Mobile, AL. www.mobileyachtclub.com PCYC Pass Christian Yacht Club, Pass Christian, MS. www.pcyc-gya.org LFYC Lake Forest Yacht Club, Daphne, AL. (251) 626-9329

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WEST FLORIDA COAST Upcoming Events Calendar News for Sailors Regional Sailing & Cruising Racing Calendar Race Report

West Florida May Weather AVERAGE TEMPERATURES St. Petersburg 71° lo - 86° hi Naples 67° lo - 87° hi GULF WATER TEMPERATURES St. Petersburg 80° Naples 82° For Real Time eastern Gulf weather, winds and marine forecasts, go to: http://comps.marine.usf.edu

Upcoming Events and News Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs. Ongoing. Each Tuesday night, 7:30-9:30 p.m., 1300 Beach Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 72.

Completion satisfies the state of Florida boater safety education requirements. The continuous rotating program has 11 lessons. One lesson is presented each Tuesday night.

Lessons include: Which Boat For you, Equipment, Trailering, Lines and Knots, Boat Handling, Signs, Weather, Rules, Introduction to Navigation, Inland Boating and Radio. (727) 823-3753 Coast Guard Auxiliary offers Public Boating Programs: Basic Coastal Navigation, May 5–June 2. An eight-session

May Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

program showing how to use charts and plotting tools to get your vessel from where you are to where you want to go, safely and efficiently. The $70 fee includes all course materials.

Boating Safely, May 14-15. An eight-hour program designed to appeal to boaters who cannot find time for a full, comprehensive boating course. The $25 fee includes all course materials.

All programs are held at the Clearwater Sailing Center, 1001 Gulf Blvd., Sand Key (Clearwater). They are open to adults and youths.

In conjunction with National Safe Boating Week vessel safety check blitzes will occur on May 21 and May 28 at the Seminole Boat Ramp, 198 Seminole St, Clearwater, and at the Belleair Boat Ramp, 3900 W. Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs.

For more information on upcoming education programs or to request a free vessel safety check call (727) 469-8895, or see www.uscgaux.org/~0701101/PublicEducationPrograms.htm.

May 15-21, Hurricane Preparedness Week. Learn about the hazards of hurricanes and what you can do to help protect yourself, your family, and your property. For more information, go to www.nhc.noaa.gov.

The Beginner Windsurfing Clinic. May 21-23. Designed for the person who wants not only to learn all the basics, but also to learn why it all works. Contact Britt Viehman for fees and other information. www.nbwindsurfing.com. (727) 656-6569 US Sailing Level 1 (Small Boat) Instructor Courses. May 14-15 and May 21-22 (two consecutive weekends) at Sarasota Sailing Squadron. “K” Bradley and Jabbo Gordon.

If you have any questions or know anyone who would be interested in taking either course, please call “K” at (727) 784-0420 or Jabbo at (941) 351-5845.

Second Annual All Cruisers Rendezvous and Boat Show, May 20-22, Regatta Pointe Marina, Palmetto

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o show appreciation to all the area Catalina, Hunter, Caliber, Shannon and Albin yacht owners, all owners registering for the event will receive a quality canvas bag filled with valuable gifts and prizes, courtesy of Cruising

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www.southwindssailing.com

WEST FLORIDA SAILING World and Power Cruising, Latitudes and Attitudes, Southwinds and Sail magazine. Catalina and Hunter are supplying items for owners of their yacht lines.

“We expect over 500 attendees to enjoy more than 60 yachts, seven informative seminars, the Tropica Marine Electronics boat show display, boat demo rides, and the Friday and Saturday night meals and entertainment,” states Ed Massey, president and CEO of Massey Yacht Sales & Service. Factory representatives from Hunter and Catalina are among the seminar speakers and will answer questions before and after the seminars aboard the boats. Other seminars will have speakers from Mastry Engine Centers, DoylePloch Sailmakers, Tropica Marine and Best Rate Yacht Finance. A Gloria Rector Vessel Documentation representative will be available all day Saturday to answer documentation and registration questions.

New and pre-owned sail and power yachts are available for inspection, all at Regatta Pointe Marina. All new yachts are boat-show decorated and have yacht purchase information on board. “This represents the largest collection of new and pre-owned yachts for sale at one location on the west coast of Florida,” said Massey. Those in attendance will be given a full collateral package of services offered by Massey Yacht Sales & Service and information on the Catalina, Hunter, Caliber, Shannon and Albin line of yachts.

West Marine will provide the featured Saturday night dinner door prize, a $500 gift certificate. There will be many other valuable door prizes from an array of sponsors.

“The All Cruisers Rendezvous & Boat Show success was beyond our expectations in 2004, and we expect an even more exciting event in 2005,” states Massey. “This has become a must see annual event.” Call the Massey dealer-

Local News For Southern Sailors

ship nearest you for complete information. www.masseyyacht.com.

May 21-22, Carson Yachts Holds Open House and Introduces the Tommy Bahama 423 by Beneteau at Regatta Pointe Marina

B

eneteau, the world leader in the sailboat business, has joined with Tommy Bahama, purveyor of island lifestyles, in creating two sailing yachts that capture the essence of Tommy Bahama and the quality and seaworthiness of Beneteau.

The 423 and 473 Beneteau models incorporate unique materials, tropical colorations, innovative design details and advanced manufacturing techniques, crafted to satisfy the most scrupulous sailors for either offshore sailing or cruising the harbors. These vessels each boast extraordinary comfort, volume and light for a graceful elegance with bluewater strength.

The Tommy Bahama by Beneteau 423 will be introduced to the Florida west coast at the Carson Yacht Open House at Regatta Point Marina, Palmetto, on May 21-22..

In addition, Carson Yachts, Florida’s largest Beneteau dealer, will have several other Beneteau models on display at the docks, available for boarding and inspection.

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WEST FLORIDA SAILING

Sea Scouts in Search of New Members

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he Tampa Sailing Squadron of Apollo Beach is home of Ship #185 of Sea Scouts of America. Sea Scouts is a branch of Boy Scouts of America, the nation’s foremost youth program for development of character and values, based on leadership training.

Unlike the Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts is open to young women and men, and prepares their members to look to the water for a career or lifelong hobby. Members will gain skills in boat-handling and other water-based activities.

They will also have the opportunity to explore careers in oceanography, marine biology, engineering, architecture, or possibly the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy or Merchant Marines.

Membership is open to all young women and men 14 years of age who have graduated eighth grade or are 15 years of age, regardless of grade. Members can remain active until age 21.

Enter an exciting program with an abundance of opportunities and a rich tradition. The sea offers a challenge to all who venture upon it. If you are looking for such an adventure or a chance to fulfill community service obligations, you will find both in the Sea Scouts. For additional information, contact the skipper of ship #185, Don St. Amour (Saint Amour) at (813) 967-7718 and mention this article.

Sarasota Youth Sailing Program Acquires New Coach Boat

when not in use. US Sailing recently introduced a discount program on certain similar types of dinghies, so this became the most attractive option once funding was found.

The West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) offers 50 percent grants for safety and education, and one was applied for and granted to the YSP. At the same time, a private anonymous donor offered to fund the remainder.

The SYSP is most grateful to both parties for their generosity. The first new coach boat was ordered from NBOA in Sarasota and was handed over to the SYSP in January.

Ian Jarman, president of the SYSP said, “We are delighted to have this new boat, which has so many advantages. It is light, strong, and very good for the kids to tie up to between races or during coaching. In addition, being fast and seaworthy makes it ideal as a rescue boat. All we need now is the money to buy a few more like it.”

The SYSP is a non-profit organization, which exists to teach children, aged from 8 to 18, the joys of sailing both as a competitive sport and for recreation in a secure and structured environment. It is located at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron in Ken Thompson Park. Over 200 children each year take part in various sailing activities. For more information, call Bruce Hilton (941) 504-4236.

Racing One-Design Crew Training DIYC will again conduct one-design crew training on the first three Saturdays (7-14-21) in May 2005.This training is designed to teach the skills to be a crew member on one-

Ian Jarman, YSP president, taking delivery of the new coach boat.

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fter careful consideration of the many options, the Sarasota Youth Sailing Program (SYSP) decided that the best type of replacement boat for its fleet of six aging coach boats would be hard-bottom inflatable dinghies. These boats would need to be stored under cover and out of the water

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WEST FLORIDA SAILING design boats and is not to be confused with a Learn To Sail program. This program has been offered three times in the past five years.

This training is conducted in a orderly, non-threatening manner as opposed to learning under race conditions.

Each applicant must be in good physical condition and have normal flexibility.

The primary boat to be used in training will be the J-24.

Melges, and J-35 owners are invited to join the program.

The program is open to all who desire to partipate.. The cost of training is a $100 tax-deductible donation to the Davis Island Youth Sailing Foundation. Those who are interested may contact King Purton at (813) 7600177. kpurton@tampabay.rr.com.

form of a cat.

Several sailors fell afoul of the Thistle class rule that makes all races count in a regatta. Jack Finefrock, among others, jumped the gun in a race to ruin otherwise good results.

While many competitors have been making the trip to St. Petersburg for years, none can match the record of Elmer Richards. He has been trailering his boat down from New York since the late 1950s. He placed 29th in the 63-boat fleet.

Race Report Thistle Midwinters, Tampa Bay, Feb. 28-March 4

By Dave Ellis

JY15s start in the Midwinter Regatta. George Regenauer photo.

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Clearwater Community Sailing Center Hosts the JY15 Midwinter Regatta, March 11-13

acksonville sailor Paul Abdulla, with crew Scott Griffin and Sara Paisley, won the Thistle Midwinters held on Tampa Bay, February 28 to March 4.

The northeast Florida fleet showed its strength when Greg Griffin, also from Jacksonville, finished a close second.

His crew was Jeff Jones and Dave DeCamp.

Blair Dryden of Kansas, with crew Karl Felger and Lauren O’Hara, placed third.

Lloyd Kitchen from New Jersey, with crew Doug Kitchin and Brent Barbehenn, finished fourth and also was awarded the coveted “Thislin’ Tom,” a tall trophy in the

Local News For Southern Sailors

By George Regenauer

C

learwater Community Sailing Center was host to the JY15 Midwinter Regatta March 11-13 at its facility on Sand Key. The three-day event logged nine exciting races for

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editor@southwindssailing.com

(941) 795-8704 www.southwindssailing.com

WEST FLORIDA SAILING the JY crews and the race committee officials. Plenty of sunshine and steady winds provided three days of beautiful weather and fast course times for the field of 17 entries.

Sunday was the best wind day with 13-18 knots and seas 12 feet.

Most of the races were run on windward/leeward courses with a few triangular legs thrown in to test the crews’ reaching abilities. The courses were lengthened several times Sunday to accommodate the increased wind speeds toward the end of the day. With the advent of higher winds, only seconds separated the fastest competitors at the finish line.

This year’s participants were from New York, Michigan, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, DC, South Carolina, and Ohio. Surprisingly, there were no entries from Florida.

Brian and Robert Simkins from Centerport, NY, took overall first place with 7, 1, 3, 2, 2, (8), 1, 3, 4. Second place went to Mark and Lisa Allen from Clawson, MI, with 2, 4, 1, 3, 1, (6), 4, 6, 6, and third-place finishers were Jeff and Meggi Johnstone of Portsmouth, RI, with 1, 5, 5, 6, 3, 2, 3, 5, (11).

Several JY sailors also brought their Lightnings to participate in the St Petersburg Lightning Midwinter Championships March 17-20 at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

Gonzales Wins Lightning Class Midwinters

By Dave Ellis

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home were pleased with the extra day to travel.

“Sailors said that they thought this was the best twoday regatta they’ve had,” said official race scorer Meridel Weaver.

Leukemia Cup Regatta, Charlotte Harbor, April 9-10

By Mike Savino

T

he second annual Leukemia Cup Regatta, sponsored by the Isles Yacht Club, the Punta Gorda Sailing Club and the St Andrews South Golf Course, was held Saturday and Sunday, April 9-10 on Charlotte Harbor. This regatta is part of the Charlotte Harbor Boat of the Year event. In addition to the sailing regatta, a golf tournament was held at the St Andrews South golf course, and a tennis match was held on the Isles Yacht Club’s new Har-Tru courts on April 8 in Punta Gorda. All the events are for the benefit of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society On Saturday, April 9, the start of the first race was postponed for 15 minutes because of lack of wind. When the northwest breeze started to come up, the race committee lowered the “P” flag, and the first signal went off a minute later to start the Spinnaker fleet.

Because of the light wind, the course was shortened and changed from an Olympic triangle to a windward/leeward course. A few minutes into the first start, the breeze stopped, leaving the Spinnaker fleet drifting a few hundred yards down the first leg of the course, and the countdown for the Non-Spinnaker fleet was postponed another 20 min-

he Lightning class has been visiting the St. Petersburg Yacht Club for its mid winter event for nearly sixty years.

March 17–20, the 58-boat fleet of Lightning class sailboats enjoyed great competition on Tampa Bay. Tito Gonzales of Chile used speed and good strategy to be victorious. Sailing with crew Fernando Gallyas and Diego Gonzales, he was well ahead in points by winning two of the five races and never placing below fourth. They also captured the Southern Circuit, which included Savannah and Miami Lightning regattas.

In second place was Allan Terhune Jr. of New Jersey, with crew Katie Riddiford and Andy Hayward. They were one point ahead of class champion Jody Swanson and crew Tom Starck and Conor Healy of Buffalo, NY..

Tampa Bay sailors Jeff Linton, Amy Smith Linton and Mark Taylor were fourth, breaking a tie with fifth-place finishers David and Joe Starck and Jared Drake of Buffalo.

Showing the strength of that Buffalo fleet, Tom Allen, Jr., with crew Bill Pictor and John Humphery, were one point below their fleet mates to take sixth place.

The Masters class, for those sailors with ample years, was won by Richard Hallagan, with crew Tammi Jamison and Hendrix Ten Eyck of New York.

George Fisher of Ohio, along with crew Laura Jeffers and Tom Eych, placed second in the 10-boat Masters division.

The class rules for the three-regatta Southern Circuit states that five races are to be held in each. St. Petersburg was the largest of the three events.

Principal Race Officer Bob Johnson and class officials took into consideration the weather forecast for little or no wind on Sunday and pushed all of the races into the first two days of the schedule. Competitors with 20-hour drives

Local News For Southern Sailors

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WEST FLORIDA SAILING utes. The wind came up shifting to the west, and the warning signal went up. The course for the NonSpinnaker fleet was a windward/leeward course using the second mark of the first course as the windward mark. The Cruising fleet used the same windward/leeward course, and the first race was sailed albeit in light winds.

For the second race, the windward/leeward course was set for all three fleets, and the race got off without any delays. However, an extra turning mark float was left out in the vicinity of the Spinnaker fleet’s windward mark, causing confusion, which resulted in a “Request For Redress Hearing” against the race committee by a Spinnaker fleet boat. The protest resulted in race two for the Spinnaker fleet being thrown out.

On Sunday, race number three Ironic Breeze (second from the right) approaching the leeward mark, forcing Destiny (on the was run in 8 to 12 knots of easterly right) up. Photo by Brian Grant. wind. The race course was set up at the end of the Peace River, making the racing visible from compiling the most points for the three races. Rudy Fisherman’s Village and Gilcrest Park in Punta Gorda. All Gottschlich and his crew aboard Diva Gorda dedicated their three fleets got off on schedule with no protest. overall win in the Cruising fleet to one of his regular crew Wally White of the Platinum Yacht Club, sailing his members, Jerry Archambeau, who suffered a stroke two Soveral 39, was the overall winner of the Leukemia Cup, days before the regatta and was unable to sail.

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www.southwindssailing.com

WEST FLORIDA SAILING While the PHRF Racing was in progress, a small boat regatta was also being held in the Peace River in conjunction with the PHRF Racing. There were nineteen boats entered in the small boat fleet, including some Martin 16s sailed by physically handicapped racers. Small boat racing has been increasing over the last year with weekly and monthly racing conducted by the Punta Gorda Sailing Club and the Isles Yacht Club.

Six small boat races were completed over the two days of Leukemia Cup racing with a tie for first place between Dennis Peck, on a Martin 16, and Rick Pantall on his Sunfish. Karen Mitchell on a Martin 16 was in first place until the last race when she finished eighth, dropping down to second in the overall scoring. Third place went to Mark Tower, also on a Martin 16.

Next year’s Leukemia Cup Regatta will be held on April 22-23, 2006.

Fancy Free, overall winner of the Leukemia Cup. Photo by Brian Grant.

Results (place, boat name, skipper, boat): Race 1: Spinnaker Fleet, 1st Crime Scene, Peter New, S2-7.9; 2nd By-A-Nose, Richard Regan, SR Max; 3rd Frolic, Skip Vielhauer, S2-7.9; Non-Spinnaker Fleet: 1st Fancy Free, Wally White, Soveral 39; 2nd Learning To Fly, George Buckingham, J-32; 3rd Anticipation, Tom Steinhauer, Catalina 38; Cruising Fleet:1st Desert Fox 2, Roger Romel, Hunter 34; 2nd Destiny, Jeffery Letteri, Hunter 356; 3rd Diva Gorda, Rudy Gottschlich, Jeanneu 36; Race 2 : Spinnaker Fleet: Fleet Thrown Out: Non-Spinnaker Fleet: 1st Fancy Free, Wally Whight, Soveral 39; 2nd Jammin, Jerry Haller, Tartan 37; 3rd Learning To Fly, George Buckingham, J-32; Cruising Fleet: 1st Diva Gorda, Rudy Gottschlich, Jeannea 36; 2nd Desert Fox 2, Roger Rommel, Hunter 34; 3rd Destiny, Jerry Letteri, Hunter 356; Race 3: Spinnaker Fleet:1st By-A-Nose, Richard Regan, SR Max; 2nd Frolic, Skip Vielhauer, Tartan 3000; 3rd Crime Scene, Peter New, S2-7.9; NonSpinnaker:1st Fancy Free, Wally White, Soverl 39;2nd Learning to Fly, George Buckingham, J-32; 3rd Anticipation, Tom Steinhauer, Catalina 38; Cruising: 1st Diva Gorda, Rudy Gottschlich, Jeanneau; 2nd Desert Fox, Roger Rommel, Hunter 34; 3rd Foxfire, Jack Whyatt, Niagra 35; Overall Winners: Spinnaker Fleet: 1st By-A-Nose, Richard Regan, SR Max 21; 2nd Crime Scene, Peter New, S2-7.9; 3rd Frolic, Skip Vielauer, Tartan 3000; NonSpinnaker: 1st Fancy Free, Wally White, Soveral 39; 2nd Learning to Fly, George Buckinham, J-32; 3rd Jammin’, Jerry Haller, Tartan 37; Cruising: 1st Diva Gorda, Rudy Gottschlich, Jeanneau 36; 2nd Dessert Fox, Roger Rommel, Hunter 34; 3rd Destiny, Jeffery Letteri, Hunter 356.

Key West Rendezvous Expected to Be Bigger and Better than Ever

W

ith many boats already signed up for the race to Key West, the 2005 Key West Rendezvous is expected to be bigger and better this year. The race begins from Clearwater

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WEST FLORIDA SAILING on May 18 at noon, from Boca Grande on May 19 at noon, and from Naples on May 19 at 7 p.m.

Florida Sailing Associations, Florida State PHRF Championship will be run on Sunday, May 22 in Key West, and the return race from Key West to Naples will start on Monday, May 23, at noon.

New this year will be a kick-off party at Naples Sailing and Yacht Club.

Vox Vodka is back again as sponsor, as well as Crabby Bills, Conch Republic Seafood Company and Fat Tuesdays, featuring a shrimp boil with 200 pounds of shrimp.

The Key West Rendezvous is a Boat of the Year event for the Sun Coast, Charlotte Harbor, and Southwest Florida areas.

For more information, go to www.clwyc.org <http://www.clwyc.org/> or call (727) 447-6000.

Racing Calendar For the legend, addresses, and contacts for the sponsoring sailing association of the races listed below, go to the 2004-2005 West Florida Race Calendar and Yacht Club Directory at Southwinds’ Web site, www.southwindssailing.com. Contact editor@southwindssailing.com to receive a hard copy.

Changes in the 2004-5 Race Calendar and Yacht Club Directory (For changes contact editor@southwindssailing.com. Changes will also be posted on the calendar on the Web site: www.southwindssailing.com) The Suncoast PHRF Boat of the Year (BOTY) Series as printed has been confirmed to be correct.

The races and regattas listed here are open to those who want to sail. No club membership is required, although a West Florida PHRF rating is most likely required.

Club Racing—Open to Everyone Wanting to Race The races listed here are open to those who want to sail. Please send us your race schedule for publishing to editor@southwindssailing.com.

Bradenton YC. Thursday evening races at 6:30 p.m. through the fall. PHRF racing on Manatee River. For info call Larry Lecuyer, (941) 729-5401.

Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venicesailing-squadron.org Edison Sailing Center, Fort Myers. Sunfish and dinghy racing once a month, year-round john@johnkremski.com Port Charlotte. Third Saturday of month, year-round. pbgvtrax@aol.com To have your race, regatta, or club races listed, please contact editor@southwindssailing.com by the 5th of the month (call if later). Races listed should be open to anyone. Since races are sometimes canceled, postponed or locations changed, it is advisable to contact the organization beforehand.

MAY 05 4/30 – 5/1 4/30 – 5/1 6 7 7 7-8 14 14-15 15 18 19 21-22 23 27 – 29 28 – 29 30

Youth Sailing Program Sailfest Regatta Opti, Radial, Club 420 TSS Brownell Commodore’s Cup PHRF & Women’s racing SSS Friday Night Feeder Race to Bradenton From Sarasota New Pass Reverse handicap BYC/SSS/MSA/SBYA Tampa Bay Pursuit Race PHRF reverse handicap SBPHRF BOTY SPSA Pat Talbott Memorial Race SSS Sailfest Regatta One Designs, dinghies SPSA 18th Annual Couples Race, PHRF LESC Windmill State Championships CortezYCCommodore’s Cup Series Race #1 CYC Key West Rendezvous start Suncoast WFPHRF BOTY & Multihull CYC/NSYC,GCSC Key West Rendezvous, Boca Grande start SWFPHRF & CHPHRF BOTY series CYC Big Boat Championship CYC/NSYC/GCSC Key West Rendezvous Return to Naples SWFPHRF & CHPHRF BOTY series DIYC School’s Out youth regatta Opti, Laser, Radial, 420, Sunfish TBCS/CCSC Memorial Day Regatta SSS Memorial Day Around Lido Key Race Fun race around the island SSS

JUNE 05 4–5 5 7 11 12 18 18 – 19 25 60

May 2005

SOUTHWINDS

Jetty Park Ocean Regatta, Catamarans Corinthian Regatta PHRF to Key West Motoring allowed, with penalty SPYC Calendar organizing meeting for Tampa Bay area clubs SPSA TBYRA Trans-Bay Race, PHRF TBYRA BOTY CortezYCCommodore’s Cup Series Race # 2 DBC Larkin Regatta PHRF in the Gulf off Clearwater Pass Summer Sailstice Various locations: A celebration of sail. www.summersailstice.com TBCS 45 x 45 Catamaran Distance Race

TBCS BYC

www.southwindssailing.com

WEST FLORIDA SAILING

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WEST FLORIDA SAILING

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May 2005

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 a result of the Internet ad you made available. I’m MAJOR impressed!! Thank you very much.”

Capt C.T., St. Petersburg, FL

CLASSIFIED ADS — 3 MONTHS FOR $25 1. Classified ads for boats are $25 for a threemonth ad for up to 30 words. Check or Credit cards accepted.

2. Add $25 for a horizontal photo (vertical photos $5 a month more), ($50 for a three-month ad for boat with photo).

3. Free ads for boats under $500 (sail and dinghys only), all gear under $500, and windsurfing equipment. Add $10 a month for a horizontal photo.

4. Boats and gear must be for sale by the owner to qualify for the above. No businesses.(see #10) 5. E-mail ads to editor@southwindssailing.com

(including photos). Then mail a check or call with credit card. Add $5 typing charge for ads mailed in or faxed in (including free ads).

6. You can also go online and pay by Paypal and type the ad into the message area or e-mail it separately to editor. Photo must be sent separately.

7. Photos not accompanied by S.A.S.E. will not be returned. Photocopies of photos will not work. Email photos as an attachment or send actual photo.

8. Ads (and renewing ads) must be received by the 10th of the month.

9. The last month your ad runs will be in parentheses, e.g., (10/04) is October, 2004.

10. All other ads are $20 a month for up to 20 words, add $5 a month for each additional 10 words. $10 a month for a horizontal photo.

Frequency discounts available. Contact editor.

11. No refunds.

Now pay on-line at our Web site www.southwindssailing.com editor@southwindssailing.com

SOUTHWINDS PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175 (941)795-8704 • (941) 795-8705 fax

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 in the classifieds section. Sold by the column inch. 2 inch minimum.

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

12 6 3 1 18.5 ft. GO-5 sailboat with roller trailer.

Designed and built in Finland. Very Fast.

Dagger board. Needs TLC. $1000 or best offer. (941) 761-2254. jpkgray5@aol.com.

(6/05) ________________________________

$19 $22 $25 $29

MINIMUM INCHES

TOTAL COST

2" 2" 2" 2"

$38 $44 $50 $58

Soverel 26 in great condition. New mainsail and 155% genoa. Like new spinnaker. Many other sails and extras. Race or cruise for $6000. (228) 326-2694 or (228) 229-8546.

(6/05) ________________________________

1981 Rodgers 24. Racer/Daysailer. Needs TLC, but ready to sail. Nice 2000 4hp Johnson OB. Main, Jib, spinnaker. New Rigging. Dry sailed. $2500/best offer. (941) 380-1529.

(941) 766-7942.(5/05) J/24, early model, with trailer. Trailer in very good condition. Complete boat, needs work.

Hull and keel sound. Mast good. Needs boom and rigging. Best Offer. New Orleans (504) 947-3937. (5/05) 26’ Pearson One-design, 1979. Jib, genoa, spinnaker, Evinrude 9.9. Clean, solid, sails.

Great, huge cockpit. Best $6900 boat out there. Located in Slidell, LA. (985) 847-0374.

(7/05)

1978 J-24, ready to sail, 2 mains, 1 Jib, 1 genny, 2 spins, Depth, complete new electrical system, option on trailer, Melbourne FL, $4000, (321) 288-1157 (7/07)

________________________________

Ranger 26 1974 Fast racer/cruiser, new interior, new head, new cushions, Mylar 150, Kevlar 100, like new Dacron main, 6hp Evinrude, Steal for $3,900! E-mail kramermjk@aol.com or call 305-247-2155. (5/05) D I S P L AY C L A S S I F I E D A D S S TA R T I N G AT $38/MONTH

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C L A S S I F I E D

A D S

30’ Catalina 30, 1990. std rig, fin keel 5’3”, roller furling,bimini, cushions, instruments, Excellent condition. Reasonably and practically priced at $32,900. email: galileo430@comcast.net or (727) 207-0717. (7/07)

_______________________________ 30’ Iroquois Catamaran, totally renewed, full cruise equipment, low hour 9.9 Yamaha, custom bimini & cushions, new Adler/Barbour fridge, new tramp \$32,000 (239) 283-9155 or (208) 867-3825. Photos at www.cantanchorus.org. e-mail: sr@cantanchorus.org.

(5/05)

________________________________ Pearson Flyer 30, rebuilt BMW diesel 2004, VG Shore/UK MJ and 7 others,recent Martec, epoxy bottom, new halyards/upgraded hardware, needs some electronics, 6200#, 5’9” draft, 11’ beam, sleeps 4, great storage. $10,500 OBO. Moving, must sell. Russ (904) 321-4196. butterflyai@earthlink.net. (5/05)

27 ft. 1975 Catalina tall rig, fully batten main, Dutchman, roller furler, cruising spinnaker, radio, depth finder, new teak, 30 hp atomic 4. Excellent Condition. $8,500 Photos available. mlw1@atlantic.net. (352) 382-7510 (6/05) ________________________________

________________________________

1974 Northstar 1000, 30’, two mains, four headsails, spinnaker, bristol condition.

Inboard engine. Topsides repainted 2003.

Interior upgrades. Auto pilot, VHF, depthfinder, GPS and more. Overall first place Daytona to Charleston Race. Good heavy weather racer/cruiser. South Carolina. $18,900. (843) 884-1729. (5/05)

________________________________ 30’ Cape Dory, Cutter Rig,1978 In great condition,cruise ready.Sleeps 4, 6’ 1” headroom.Teak and Holly Sole. Volvo Penta 12 hp diesel rebuilt in 2002. Many extras $ 22,900 251-974-1389 E-mail puddicombe@gulftel.com (7/07)

30’ CATALINA 1987 Shoal draft, 5 sails. Very well-maintained. Has all the goodies. Boat is trophy winner and cruise-ready. $34,900 (239) 434-5615, windseek@swfla.rr.com. (5/05)

1976 Buccaneer 32’ Center Cockpit. Gill Garden design. Florida Cruiser with 48” draft.

Like new sails, roller furling, stove, micro, refrig. Autopilot. Steve (941) 224-6521 or captnSE@netzero.com. (7/05) Henderson SR33, Hot Flash, reoutfitted in 2002. Electrical lift keel, vara rudder, carbon boom & spinnaker pole. Tapedrive sails, aluminum 3-axle trailer. Former Key West Race winner. Very competitive. $49,500. (904) 382-8253, (904) 829-9224. (5/05) FREE-New Hunter 33 or 36. SailTime will pay mortgage and all expenses for 5 years – you put 20% down–own 100%.1-866-Sailtime.

CLASSIFIED WORD ADS 1" $25 FOR 3 MONTH • 2" $50 FOR 3 MONTHS DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS AS LOW AS $38/MONTH 64

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www.southwindssailing.com

C L A S S I F I E D

A D S BOAT SLIPS FOR RENT

Slip for rent: Accomodates up to 50 ft. LOA and 7-ft draft. Island Estates, Clearwater. No liveaboards. (727) 204-6063. (5/05) Private, attractive 40’ dock w/ dolphins, 5’-6’ draft off Jourdan River in Bay St. Louis, MS. Parking bay & water, w/phone, cable & power available.

(228) 467-2254, www.SvSynchronicity@aol.com/.(6/05)

35’ GARDEN KETCH, 1965-Japan, riveted wood, Yanmar 30,monel tanks,Doyle tanbark fullbatten sails,6 Trojan Batteries, Bose, Lewmars, Force 10, RIB & 8 hp OB, HW, fridge, New standing, running rigging, bimini, cutlass, carpet, Great cruiser.$31,000 firm. Clearwater (813) 391-0470 georgetheleo@hotmail.com. (5/05)

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 36’ GULFSTAR Rare Salon Pilothouse 1971. Bristol Loaded A/C Dual Steering.

Inverter Hard Bimini Kubota Generator. 80 HP Lehman Freshwater. Huge Decks & Cockpit $62,500. TN River. (931) 425-6420. themissquita@hotmail.com (7/07)

1975 41’ Gulfstar. Totally Equipped for cruising. Hard top w/ full enclosure over center cockpit. SSB,Watermaker,Radar,VHF, autopilot and much more call for details. $72,000. robynsnest51@yahoo.com or (561) 707-4372. (7/07)

________________________________

________________________________

1982 C&C 37 Loaded Cruiser Racer, Passion, asking 59K. Make offer. Located in Pass Christian, MS. (504) 858-4017 jwilsail@att.net (5/05)

1976 CT41 Cutter-rigged ketch. Come to Louisiana to see La Mouette, beautiful, seaworthy double-handed cruiser. Many improvements. Offered by liveaboard owners of 20 years. Reduced to $74,500 (985) 7815625 Details at www.ct41ketchforsale.com.

(6/05)

________________________________

1988 45’ 6” LOA Bayfield 40, Hull # 34 Full keel 5’ draft, cutter ketch designed by H.T.Gozzard built in 1984 Exceptional condition with lots of new gear. Harken Roller furling on all sails. Marine Air, WS, WD, Depth, VHF w/remote, SSB, CD/Radio, Autopilot, Chartplotter, Radar, Dinghy, Life Raft $114,000 Call Major Carter or visit www.Cortezyachts.com (7/05) 50’ Airex foam fiber sandwiched-construction trimaran. Details, log onto wwwsailnet.com, ID# 12820. Veteran bluewater sailor. “100,000 miles” Located in SW Florida. $52,000. (530) 295-7434, or e-mail randk@dweb.com. (5/05) Local News For Southern Sailors

Would take 40+ ft range sailboat as partial payment on established, profitable small business near Asheville, NC, with Web and walkin customers. Integrated Web site, accounting, and shipping systems with documentation and 30 days training make it a great one or two-person operation. Residence could be included in the package. (800) 915-2320.

(7/07) Individual Seeks to Invest in Marine Business/Opportunity. Investor with up to $50,000 seeks opportunity to invest toward the purchase of a marine-related business, as an active part-time partner or full owner in new or established business; Just about anything related to the water. Must be near the coast in Florida. E-mail particulars to craig100@tampabay.rr.com.

Florida West Coast. 4500 sq. ft. well-established & recognized used marine equipment store. Over 2700 consignors. Fully computerized. Excellent location. Turnkey.

Active Web site. Owners ready to cruise. www.nauticaltrader.com. (941) 488-0766 Construction/Real Estate Investment A 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 FREE – New Hunter 33 or 36. SailTime will pay mortgage and all expenses for 5 years – you put 20% down and own 100%.

Call 1-866-Sailtime.

ALL CLASSIFIED ADS DISPLAYED ON WEB SITE www.southwindssailing.com SOUTHWINDS

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C L A S S I F I E D 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) 817-0104 or jtwomey@sailtime.com

CREW AVAILABLE/WANTED Visit SOUTHWINDS “NEW” boat and crew listing service at southwindssailing.com

LODGING FOR SAILORS Ponce de Leon Hotel Historic downtown hotel at the bay, across from St. Petersburg YC. 95 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 550-9300 FAX (727) 826-1774 www.poncedeleon hotel.com

HELP WANTED

MARINE ENGINE

Massey Yacht Sales Opportunities-Massey is accepting resumes and interview appointments for yacht sales positions in both their sail and power divisions. Dealership locations are in St. Petersburg at the Harborage Marina, Palmetto at Regatta Pointe Marina and Ft. Myers at Centennial Harbour Marina. Massey offers its sales team an extensive range of yacht sales tools as well as expansive advertising, marketing and boat show attendance.

We are the largest Southeast U.S. dealer for Catalina, Hunter, Caliber and Shannon sailing yachts and the exclusive Florida West Coast dealer for Albin and Shannon power yachts.

Massey is an industry leader in brokerage yacht sales with continued rapid growth, in both sail and power. Applicants must be self motivated, successful yacht sales professionals. A thorough knowledge of either the sail or power industry and substantial computer skills are essential. Fax resume to the attention of Frank Hamilton at (941) 729-7520 or call (941) 723-1610 for interview information.

MISCELLANEOUS BOAT GEAR NEW AND USED

Service Dept. Rigger. Massey Yacht Sales is accepting applications and resumes for sail and/or powerboat riggers/outfitters. Many employee benefits including, paid holidays, paid vacations, health insurance, workmen’s comp insurance, performance bonuses, and good hourly salary. Must be hardworking, honest, have own tools and be a team player.

Excellent service department support and organization. Call George Humes, service department manager at (941) 723-1949, ext.

16 or fax resume to (941) 729-7520.

SOUTHWINDS is looking for someone to help part time/spare time in running the magazine in all phases. Must be good at writing, grammar, etc. (and please don’t proof this ad).

Must also be comfortable with selling, able to do bookkeeping, computer literate, have (or can get) high-speed Internet access (like DSL), good on the Internet, and other misc. tasks.

You can learn the business here, but experience helpful. Must live in West Florida (living near Bradenton a plus), but almost all work can be done on a computer from home. Fouryear degree required. Must be extremely reliable and responsible and communicate well and be easy to get along with, like me. editor@southwindssailing.com.

A D S

Good 1980 Perkins 4-108 Marine Diesel w/o transmission or alternator. Available to ship from Biloxi, MS. $2000 OBO. (228) 4672254, www.SvSynchronicity@aol.com/. (6/05)

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.tiralousa.com.

SEE CLASSIFIED INFO ON PAGE 63 66

May 2005

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C L A S S I F I E D Custom-made trailer originally suited for a Snipe 16.5 Ft sailboat. Regular car tires and shock absorbers. White. Works perfect including lights. (305) 588-0084 or antonio1bejarano@aol.com. Miami. $200 (5/05)

A D S SAILING INSTRUCTION

SAILS & CANVAS

NAVIGATION SOFTWARE

AC/DC Reefer, 22# Bruce Anchor, Anchor Ball, Sospenders, Magma Grills, Mariner 9.9 Mercury Long Shaft 7.5 HP, Folding Bikes, Windsurfers, Metzeler Sailing Rig, Windscoop, Drogues, Lifesling, Type I Life Jackets w/strobe. Nautical Trader. (941) 488-0766.

SERVICES FOR SAILORS

Want a 2" CLASSIFIED AD!

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier than you think!

CHECK OR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED. PAY ON LINE.

www.southwindssailing.com Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

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INDEX

OF

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

Air Duck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 America’s Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Anne’s Anchors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,67 Apex/Mayer Yacht Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . .25 Aqua Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Atlantic Sail Traders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Banks Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Beachmaster Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Beneteau Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC Beta Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 BigFish Sailboat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,37 Bluewater Sailing Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Boaters Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Bob and Annie’s Boatyard . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Bo’sun Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Bubba Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Carson/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11,BC Corinthian Regatta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Cortez Yacht Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Crow’s Nest Restaurant/Marina Regatta . . .57 Cruising Direct Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Defend Cuba Sailors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Defender Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Dockside Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Drive Insurance From Progressive . . . . . . .22 Dwyer mast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Eastern Yachts/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC E-marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66,67 Fleetside Marine Service/Yanmar (813) 6458971 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Flying Scot Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Garhauer Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Glacier Bay Refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Gulf Coast Raider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . .62,63,64 Hanse Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Hobie Cats/Saltwater Sports . . . . . . . . . . .52 Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Hotwire/Fans & other products . . . . . . . .66 Hunter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Island Marine Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Island Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Island Yachting Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 JR Overseas/Moisture Meter . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Leather Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Massey Yacht Sales . . . . . . . .9,12,14,30, IBC Masthead Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,67 Mayer Yacht Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . .25,49 Memory Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Mike Shea Maritime Legal Services . . . . . .18 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . .BC National Sail Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Nautical Trader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Noble Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 North Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Ocean-Pro Weather Services . . . . . . . . . . .67 Performance Sail and Sport . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Pocket Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Porpoise Used Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Quantum Sarasota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Raider Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23,64 RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke . . . . .38 Regatta Time in Abaco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 68

May 2005

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Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

May 2005

69

Going to the Dark Side: From Sailboat to Trawler

By Jo Webnar

My husband lived for the Chicago to Mackinaw and the other big races on Lake Michigan, so it came as a shock when I first mentioned that I would like to buy a trawler. We’d sailed for over 20 years and owned a C&C 29 club racer. .

H

e looked at me as if I’d lost my mind.

“You want me to go to the dark side?”

I just smiled and nodded.

“Why?” he asked.

“I’m tired of living in a tunnel. I want to live on the water, not in it. And….I want to be able to sit outside in comfort.”

His shock lasted for weeks, but I waved the dream of Jolly Mon anchored off Gasparilla. Photo by Jo Webnar. early retirement like a salon. At first sight I hated her, but my carrot in front of his face. We both darling husband fell in love. The have arthritis, and a sailboat big tables turned and he raved about the enough to live on would require more boat’s potential. In case you haven’t effort sailing than I was willing to guessed, the word “potential” means comfortably provide. I was tired of at least $12,000 to make it liveable. hauling in sheets, sitting in an uncomA year after buying our Nova we fortable cockpit, adjusting and changleft Waukegan and headed down the ing sails, holding onto handrails, trywaterways and Intracoastal for sunny ing to cook while heeling 30 degrees, Florida. That was four years ago and and being cold, wet, and miserable. over 9,000 miles. Was it worth it? Yes! The idea of a nice, dry, warm, trawler I have a walk-around queen-sized was populating my dreams. berth, easy access storage, a great galIt wasn’t easy convincing a rag ley with lots of cabinets, two heads, a man to buy a stink pot…..but I was custom-made office, an icemaker, and persistent. When my husband went to best of all….an enclosed sundeck. bed at night, instead of candy on his When we get up in the morning, we pillow, there would be an ad for a sit on the sundeck in our padded trawler. It took me about three years to wicker chairs, sipping coffee, watchconvince him and over a year of ing the birds, the dolphins play, and searching every state in the Union the fish jump. It can be cold and rainbefore we found our boat in the local ing, or hot and muggy, and we are yard. The Nova 36 was a slovenly still comfortable. mess. It was torn apart with all the Do we miss the quiet tranquility of teak trim lying on the floor of the

70

May 2005

SOUTHWINDS

sailing? Yes and no. I miss the serene peacefulness of the boat gliding through the water, but my husband was never still when he sailed. He constantly trimmed the sails, tweaked the backstay, adjusted the downhaul, etc., etc. Even when we cruised, I could never read a book because he was always driving me crazy with “Honey, will you…”

Now we start the diesels, drop our lines and we’re off. We travel about the same speed as a 40-foot sailboat, so we can enjoy the scenery.

There are times when I wish we still sailed. It’s usually at the fuel dock when I see the liquid money flowing into the tanks. When I pay our monthly slip fees, I envy the sailboats that can charge their batteries without being tied to a dock. Will I ever give up my beloved trawler? No! You’ll have to drag me off… kicking and raising a hell of a fuss.

Is my husband happy? You’ll have to ask him, but I think he’s adjusted. While cruising, he’s relaxed in a comfortable captain’s chair, smiling and laughing. Don’t forget, he did get early retirement as a reward. It doesn’t come too often, but when he gets that hungry look in his eye, he knows there’s always a blow boater who will take him for a sail. www.southwindssailing.com