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Forest City, OH Edition
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Contributing Designers
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Forest City, OH Edition
YACHTING CONTENTS
8 Secret Charter Destinations....................................... 5-13 History of Yachting...................................................... 15,16 Top 10 Nautical Cocktail Recipes................................... 18-21 Seamanship Flag Etiquette........................................... 25-29 Maritime’s Top 10 Waterfront Restaurants..................... 30-36 Green Yachting........................................................... 37 Mochi Craft: The TRUE Green Yacht.............................. 38,39 A Secret Getaway: Block Island.................................... 40,41 The Virgin Islands....................................................... 42,43 Business Directory....................................................... 44
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8 Secret Charter Destinations #8 Aeolian Islands, Italy
Named by the Greeks after the god of winds (Odysseus released them on his epic voyage), these seven Italian islands are northeast of Sicily and often overlooked by charterers who head for Amalfi and Capri to the north. Lipari is the largest, with a charming village and an interesting history that includes the Greeks, Romans, Turks and even the Normans. Vulcano is a nearby extinct volcano notable for the spectacular formations both above and below water. Snorkeling is excellent with brightly colored fish, but scuba diving best reveals the bizarre shapes. Stromboli is a continuously active volcano with no good anchorages, but it’s well worth an evening cruise to see the white-hot lava flow into the sea with fireworks from rocks blasted high in the air. Panarea is tiny, but picturesque with white houses, bright yellow flowers and three boutique hotels that attract the jet-set crowd. Tips: Be sure to see the Grotto of the Sea Lion on Filicudi, savor (gently!) the locally made malvasia dessert wine on Salina and wallow in the mud baths on Vulcano. The Golf Almanac | 5
8 Secret Charter Destinations #7 Monaco Historic Grand Prix
Some destinations are actually events, like the Monaco Grand Prix. But unless you’re a Grand Prix insider, a celebrity well known in Europe or you have impeccable contacts, it’s tough to get one of the coveted (and expensive) moorings overlooking the track.
First, the older cars are more open, so you can actually see the driver in the cockpit wrestling the wheel on the narrow streets. Second, it’s more relaxed so you can get closer to the pits. Most important, it is much easier (and less expensive) to get a prime moorThe fun of having a yacht at the Monaco ing. Grand Prix is being able to Med-moor If you’re of a certain age, the names and watch the cars howl past just off your Connaught, Lotus, Tyrrell and Maserati stern while you sip Krug Clos du Mesnil may bring back memories; since there and nibble Tsar Imperial caviar, so finding was a Monaco GP for sports cars in yourself stuck out at anchor in mid-harbor 1952, there’s also a class for cars like Cis going to be, well, disappointing. type Jags and Talbot Lagos. Dates for Here’s an insider’s tip for the best race- the next Historic Grand Prix are May watching ever: Go a week early. The Mo- 20 and 21, 2006. naco Historic Grand Prix is held every two Tip: If you stay ashore, ask for a harbor years on the weekend before the Formula view at The Hermitage and you may One Grand Prix and if you go then you’ll get a room in which scenes from the have more fun for several reasons. classic movie, Grand Prix, were filmed. 6 | The Golf Almanac
8 Secret Charter Destinations #6 Croatia With an Adriatic coastline that makes a saw blade look smooth, Croatia was a popular European cruising area until war ripped the country apart through the early ‘90s. Now peaceful, this is prime charter territory. Regulations governing charters are intricate, however, so rely on a good charter broker to sort out the details. Dubrovnik is a beautiful point to start or end your charter, but the more than one thousand islands are all gorgeous. Hvar is medieval, Trogir is winding alleys and courtyards, and the Kornati National Park has spectacular snorkeling with colorful fish and coral. With generally mild winds and calm seas, Croatia is perfect for first-time charterers who will find the clear waters and magical islands a delight. Tips: If you like jazz, don’t miss Troubadour (just outside the Dubrovnik walled city) which has live sessions nightly. When ashore, find a “konobe” (rustic restaurant) for homestyle local cooking. Prsut (prosciutto) is superb, the best wines are from the Plavac grape, and be very, very careful with loza, a local grappa consumed cold in the morning with figs.
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8 Secret Charter Destinations #5 Galapagos Islands
This is another adventure that requires a knowledgeable charter broker because of the rules on charter yachts imposed by Ecuador. Located 600 miles off the Pacific coast of South America, you’ll join your yacht by flying from Quito into Isla Baltra. From that point on, you’ll be following in the footsteps of Charles Darwin. The 19 main islands provide almost constant surprise. Though mostly bleak and volcanic, each is a world unto itself where creatures have adapted to the harsh environment in amazing ways. Evolutionary species like the Darwin finch, iguanas and flightless cormorants are only a start for this land that time forgot, which has a mix of polar and tropical species from penguins and seal furs to flamingos and giant tortoises.
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In their own way, the Galapagos are like an insider’s tour of a wonderful zoo and are a great place to instill the wonder of nature on youngsters. Plan to spend time on Isla Santa Cruz to visit the Charles Darwin Re-
search Center, where you might see Lonesome George, an 80-year-old tortoise that is the last of his breed.
Tip: Bring postcards to send from Post Office Bay on Isla Santa Maria, where 18th century whalers left mail for homeward-bound ships in a wooden barrel that is still in use today as a post office.
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8 Secret Charter Destinations #4 Bahamas
The Bahamas are a staple on the charter yacht scene but— wait! We’re talking about summer charters and the Bahamas are only good for winter charters, right? Wrong. Not only are the Bahamas absolutely delightful in the summer, they’re also close enough to use for a long weekend getaway. Even better, the tourists are going elsewhere so you’ll find the streets quiet, restaurants with empty tables, and quiet anchorages. While there are a multitude of cruising destinations from Nassau, you might want to think outside the box and meet your charter yacht at one of the outer islands. You can make the hop in a small aircraft and spend all the saved hours snorkeling. Smaller yachts have the shallow draft needed to explore areas like the Abacos and you can find an ever-growing charter fleet of 70- to 90-footers that are now based in the Bahamas year-round rather than making the usual trek north to New England in the summer.
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8 Secret Charter Destinations #3 The Whitsunday Islands
Australians know that the Queensland coast along the northeast corner of Oz has the legendary Great Barrier Reef (which is visible from the moon) as well as the protected waters of the Whitsundays, a chain of 90 National Park islands ringed with coral reefs and flawless beaches. Don’t plan on going too far each day, because the warm clear water and fleets of brilliant fish will encourage many stops. Hook Island is notable for spectacular coral as well as having Butterfly Bay, so named for the flutterbys that swarm there. Two fjord-like inlets, Macona and Nara, are memorable anchorages. Hamilton Island not only has a jet-sized airport, but a 50-acre park with kangaroos and koalas. You’ll also see small coastal kangaroos bounding around Hinchinbrook Island. Tips: When you just have to dine ashore, Hayman Island is a five-star paradise with the posh La Fontaine restaurant. If you’d like to wet a hook, choose a yacht with good sportfishing gear because this area is where anglers hunt the legendary 1,000-pound “grander” black marlin.
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8 Secret Charter Destinations #2 Sardinia
The Costa Smeralda or “emerald coast” has been a high-profile jet-set destination since the Aga Khan discovered it from his yacht in the late ‘50s, but American charterers often overlook it. This roughly 15-mile stretch of stunningly beautiful coastline is dotted with five-star hotels and bougainvillea-covered multimillion-dollar villas. But the Maddalena Islands just off the northern tip of Sardinia are as quiet as the Porto Cervo discos are noisy, with calm bays perfect for watersports. Corsica is a short cruise further north with Bonifacio at the southern tip, clinging by its winding lanes to a sheer cliff. A multitude of cruise choices are available for Sardinia and Corsica, where you can have a morning swim in a quiet cove seemingly miles from civilization and finish the day with dinner at a five-star restaurant.
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Tips: Be sure to sample “suppa cuata” (soup under a layer of aromatic cheese), and you should finish your meal with a “seada,” a cheese-filled crepe topped with honey. Yum!
8 Secret Charter Destinations #1 Great Lakes
Not surprisingly, most charterers look farther afield than the huge inland sea called the Great Lakes, but these are summer adventures to be savored without crossing oceans. The inventory of yachts summering on the Great Lakes each year varies and, at press time, it’s too early to tell how many yachts will choose to stay in fresh water this season, so check with your charter broker. Most yachts start their charters in major cities, making access convenient enough to allow short getaways. Depending on your starting point, you can harbor-hop along the shore or head directly for a more distant objective. Mackinac Island on Lake Huron seems a time warp because it doesn’t allow motor vehicles, relying instead on horse-drawn carriages and the ubiquitous bicycle. Further afield, the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior offer a wild landscape of pine and hemlock, eagle and bear. And the Thousand Islands (actually 1,864 islands) northeast of Lake Ontario on the St. Lawrence Seaway between the U.S. and Canada can provide weeks of exploration.
Tips: Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, don’t miss Mackinac Island fudge. In the Thousand Islands, try to time your visit with the Clayton Antique Boat Show in August for a look at vintage boating. The Golf Almanac | 13
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THE HISTORY OF YACHTING “YACHT” a boat with decks & rigged fore-and-aft, which ordinarily sports a great mast, a mast in front, & a sort of bowsprit, with a gaff-sail like a hoy, & a stay-sail. It draws very little water & is excellent for small voyages. One is accustomed to using them for promenades & short crossings.”Thus did Nicolas Aubin define the yacht in his Dictionnaire de marine, contenant les termes de la navigation et de l’architecture navale of 1742 likely unchanged from the first edition, published some 40 years earlier. However, the term yacht had already changed much in usage in the 150 years or so prior to his dictionary, and was to continue to change during the course of the next century. Originally, the term yacht (often spelled jacht or jagt) referred to any small, fast craft being derived from the Dutch word jagen, to hunt or chase. In practice, this usually meant a small three-masted, full-rigged ship, smaller than a pinnace but large enough to be completely decked-over. This was the kind of ship that the great explorers of the early 1600’s favored: Willem Janszoon’s Duyfken, which brought Australia its first Western visitors in 1606, was a yacht. Abel Tasman commanded a similar vessel the 80-ton Heemskerck when he first sighted the coast of New Zealand 36 years later. And Henry Hudson borrowed the 112-ton Halve Maan (a.k.a. Half Moon) for his 1609 journey of discovery to North America. All of these ships had the ideal qualities of being fast, nimble, seaworthy and roomy enough for several men and several months of supplies. This was eminently proved by the 1999 replica of the Duyfken, painstakingly reconstructed based on the most recent research into early Dutch naval architecture. Yachts also saw some naval service in the early 17th century. The Duyfken in fact played a role in the critical battle with the Portuguese at Bantam (now in Indonesia) in 1601, helping to put an end to Iberian dominance of the spice trades. The Dutch particularly favored yachts as armed tenders, and several such as the 74-foot Graaf Willem and the 106-foot Gloeyenden Oven took part in the first Anglo-Dutch War (1652-1654). However, as warships continued to grow in size, ketches, brigs, and frigates tended to take over the duties of the small yachts and larger pinnaces. The yacht continued to serve, however, as fast courier ships known as advies-jachten, literally “advice yachts,” right into the Napoleonic era. The history of the yacht is far from purely martial, however: for along with the yacht, the Dutch invented yachting. Boating for pleasure is, of course, nearly as old as boating itself. As early as 3,000 BCE, Egyptian pharaohs were buried alongside elegant and slender oared barges intended to carry them through the heavens in the afterlife built in the same regal style as the ships in which they cruised the Nile. These ships were no small feat of workmanship, measuring up to 130 feet and carefully fitted together without the use of nails. And since wood was scarce imported from Lebanon such vessels were most certainly a royal prerogative. This remained the case for centuries. It wasn’t until the late 1500’s that water-borne recreation took on a more human scale and a less aristocratic mien. It should be no surprise that this transformation took place in that most maritime of countries, the United Provinces of the Netherlands. For centuries, the Netherlands had depended upon and cultivated its numerous waterways as its primary means of transportation, both of goods and of people. The successful opening of trade with the Indies brought vast wealth to whole sectors of Dutch society, and it was only natural that this bounty expressed itself on the sea. The Golf Almanac | 15
THE HISTORY OF YACHTING Even prior to the “great boom” of the early 1600’s, many of the Netherlands’Continued... small, open- or half-decked craft such as the round-sterned kaag were often used as pleasure craft. It was an easy and natural progression to deck them over and provide for a small cabin, usually aft, but occasionally in the middle of the boat. As Dutch town-dwellers grew more affluent, more and more of these craft were being built exclusively for pleasure. By 1620 hundreds of yachts were plying Holland’s canals and its inland sea some owned by the Dutch East India Company and its officers, but many more owned by shareholders and other indirect beneficiaries. As early as 1630, boisterous racing competitions were being staged, often pitting neighboring cities against each other in friendly rivalries. Waterborne parades and even mock-battles became a staple of Dutch entertainment culture; even their pleasure-yachts celebrated the country’s naval prowess by carrying cannon. This joy of sailing soon to spread across the Channel through one of history’s many ironic twists. Though England’s elite were familiar with small sailing craft in 1589 Queen Elizabeth could enjoy the diminutive Rat o’ Wight, built to commemorate her navy’s victory over the Spanish in the previous year tamer barges were preferred. The trend was slowly beginning to change: Phineas Pett, who was later to build James I’s celebrated warship Royal Prince, began his royal patronage with a 28-foot replica of the Ark Royal for Crown Prince Henry. In an ironic twist, the catalyst for pleasure sailing in England was one of its most trying times: the Civil War. Charles II was 16 when first removed to an island off the coast of France for his and the Royal lineage’s security. There he began sailing to pass the time, and a deep and lasting love of the sea was kindled in him. After a failed attempt to avenge his executed father and reclaim control of England in 1649, he was forced into exile, travelling in disguise to Brighton (then called Brighthelmstone), where he chartered the 31-foot collier Surprise to make the crossing to safety in France. He soon moved to Holland, where his delight in sailing was readily and constantly fulfilled. Upon his return to England in 1660, the Dutch East India Company presented Charles II with a handsome gift: a 66-foot yacht, finely decorated, provided with 6 3-pound guns and leeboards in the Dutch style. The King was to name this fine vessel after his sister, Mary a fond if ironic gesture, since Mary herself hated sailing and was terribly prone to seasickness. The King commissioned several more yachts, as did his brother James, Duke of York, commencing a royal patronage of the sport that was to last down to modern times. Charles II even sought out the tiny Surprise and bought her, converting her into a yacht appropriately rechristened as the Royal Escape. The yacht’s most unusual story, however, undoubtedly is to be found in Russia. In the 17th century Russia had but one seaport, at Archangel in the oft-frozen north. Yet at the age of 16, Tsar Peter the Great discovered the hulk of a sailing yacht allegedly given to Ivan the Terrible by Queen Elizabeth nearly a century before. Having befriended a Dutch merchant, he acquired some skilled workers to help restore the vessel vigorously setting himself to the task at their side. The nearby Yauza river did not satisfy the young Tsar however; first he built a shipyard at Lake Pleschev, 85 miles northwest of the Kremlin, and eventually pushed on to Archangel itself. There, again working with his own hands alongside common laborers, he helped to build an armed seagoing yacht. Christened the St. Peter, it was to be Russia’s first naval ship, being used to escort Dutch and English traders in and out of port in addition to serving as the Tsar’s personal toy. Thus, during the 17th century, yachting began to flourish across Europe. Vessels of all kinds were commissioned as yachts to the wealthy and powerful, from diminutive open boats to small frigates. Yachts were instrumental in discovering new lands and defending vital waterways. They served both as pleasure craft and as working ships, carrying people and messages swiftly and comfortably from shore to shore. And to this day, people around the world enjoy this “sport of kings,” both on small lakes and rivers and on the large open sea. 16 | The Golf Almanac
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TOP 10
#10
Hot whisky
(best for cold climates and seasons or any time you catch a chill) Per glass: 1 spoonful of honey 3 whole cloves Good squeeze of lemon 1 jigger+ Irish whiskey ( Jameson ) ½ cup hot water Drink before it gets cold. Guaranteed to warm you from the cockles of your heart to your frozen toes.
#9
Alex ’s ‘Uncommon Cure for the Common Cold Hot Whiskey 1 Jigger+ Irish Whiskey (Jameson) ½ cup hot orange juice
Drink while hot. Works better than chicken soup. Often recommended in tandem with chicken soup for severe colds and flu. Best for the spring and summer seasons in the Northeast. (I know it sounds weird but it really tastes great and feels wonderfully soothing when you have a sore throat! Plus it’s got all that vitamin C that makes you feel so much better.) 18 | The Golf Almanac
#8
Almost Anything and Tonic
#7
Allota Colada’
Lots of ice Dose of Gin, Vodka, Rum, Tequila, or whatever is in the liquor cabinet that is not sweet or creamy Top with tonic Garnish with lime Drink at will. One of the most refreshing summer drinks. Also useful for staving off malaria in the tropics (tonic has quinine!)
3 oz Appleton Rum 3 tbsp coconut milk 3 tbsp crushed pineapples Put all ingredients into a blender with 2 cups of crushed ice. Blend at a high speed for a short length of time. Strain into a tall glass and serve with a straw and umbrella. Repeat as necessary. This drink is named after our friend who loved them so much we could not budge him from the bar - island after island.
#6
Bloody Aleria 1 1/2 oz vodka 4 oz V8 juice ½ tsp horseradish squeeze of lemon juice 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 2 - 3 drops Tabasco® sauce dash of Pickapeppa® Sauce 1 lime wedge Add salt and pepper to taste. Shake all ingredients (except lime wedge) and strain into a tall glass over ice cubes. Add the wedge of lime and serve with a stick of celery. The Golf Almanac | 19
#5
Navy Grog 1/2 oz Bacardi® light rum 1/2 oz Bacardi® gold rum 1/2 oz Bacardi® dark rum 1/2 oz Grand Marnier® orange liqueur 1 oz grapefruit juice 1 oz orange juice 1 oz pineapple juice Pour liquors into an ice-filled tall glass. Add juices, shake, and garnish with an orange wedge and pineapple chunk.
#4
Equal Billing Rum Punch 2 oz Myer’s® dark rum 2 oz Mount Gay® Barbados rum 2 oz Bacardi® white rum 2 oz Appleton® Jamaican Rum 4 oz pineapple juice 4 oz orange juice 3 oz lime juice 4 dashes Angostura® bitters splash grenadine syrup Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Serve in four separate tall glasses.
#3
Mojito 3 fresh mint sprigs 2 tsp sugar 3 tbsp fresh lime juice 1 1/2 oz light rum club soda In a tall thin glass, crush part of the mint with a fork to coat the inside. Add the sugar and lime juice and stir thoroughly. Top with ice. Add rum and mix. Top off with chilled club soda (or seltzer). Add a lemon slice and the remaining mint, and serve. Very refreshing.
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#2
Dark ‘n Stormy® In honor of the Centennial Newport to Bermuda Race and care of the iboattracker Bermuda Race Gosling’s Black Seal Rum’s “Signature Drink”. Ingredients 1½ oz Gosling’s Black Seal Rum Barritts Ginger Beer Method 1½ oz Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, top with Barritts ginger beer. Garnish with lime (optional). Glass: Highball
And to this hourly toast: Here’s to the breezes that blow across the seases It blows East, it blows West, sometimes it just blowsAll we ask is that it brings the boats in safely as it pleases”
#1
COLD BEER
Reach in cooler. Pull out one can/Bottle of beer per boater. Insert into tropical cozy. Drink heartily.
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Flag Etiquette Back in the days before radio and other communications devices, flags were the primary means for communicating while aboard ship. As a result, strict protocol was adapted to ensure accurate communication and avoid misinterpretation of signalling intentions. Today, the tradition has much less significance but we still need to follow acceptable protocol, especially as it relates to display of national flags. When one refers to “making colors,” the phrase normally includes several flags, one of them the national ensign. The basic rule is that colors are made at 0800 local time and struck at sunset. Flags may be displayed before or after the hours for colors when entering or leaving port. Sailboats normally have three primary locations from which to display flags: the masthead, the starboard spreader and aft (the aftermost sail leech or the stern staff ). Several types of flags concern the yachtsman. Most important is the nation’s flag, often called the ensign. There are three choices of ensign. One is the traditional stars & stripes, the sec-
Traditional Stars & Stripes
Yacht Ensign
“the 50-star flag must be flown outside US waters and by documented boats in all waters” ond is the yacht ensign with a fouled anchor over a circle of 13 stars. Discretion often lies with the owner, besides that the 50-star flag must be flown outside US waters and by documented boats in all waters. Seldom seen aboard yachts today is the Union Jack, a national flag that derives from naval usage. The Union Jack is displayed only in the U.S. at a vessel’s bow or jack staff, only at anchor or tied up, and only on Sundays or holidays. Members of the US Power Squadron, the largest private boating association in the world, may fly the special USPS ensign. The ensign designates the nationality of the vessel not the skipper.
Union Jack
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Traditionally, the ensign may be flown from a stern staff or the leech of the after sail (normally about 2/3 up the leech). When a single masted sailing yacht is underway under power, or a combination of power and sail, older tradition called for the ensign to be removed from gaff or leech and reappear on the stern staff. Now, the ensign is normally flown from the stern staff to begin with. The flag usage aboard double-masted vessels is essentially the same as aboard single-masted sailing yachts, except that the ensign can be carried on the leech of the mizzen at all times. An ensign flown upside down is a signal of distress and should be treated as a mayday call.
An ensign flown upside down is a signal of distress and should be treated as a mayday call.
The next most common flag aboard yachts is the burgee, most often a triangular flag that denotes membership in a yacht club or other local boating organization. The yacht club burgee is flown from the masthead on a short pole called a pig stick, but it may also be flown from a jack staff on the bow pulpit or the starboard rigging. Although many protest the latter practice, it is acceptable given that this position holds the greatest honor secondary only to the ensign. An organizational flag, a courtesy flag when in foreign waters, or a signal flag (e.g., quarantine) may appear at the spreader hoist. Ensigns and burgees should NOT be flown while racing. At anchor, under normal circumstances, the flag conformation is the same as underway.
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Flag Etiquette
There is an owner’s private signal, which is most often a swallowtail shape, although triangles and rectangles are not uncommon. Related to the private signal is the organizational officer’s flag, such as yacht club commodore, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Commander, and more. It is improper to hoist an officers’ flag from one club with burgees from another or two burgees at once. The private signal is most often flown at the masthead of a single-masted
vessel or at the masthead of a doublemasted vessel if a burgee is flown from the main mast, although more recent convention allows it to be flown at the forestay. The private signal and burgee follow the sailor, not the boat. There are also numerous signal flags, such as Race Committee banners seen at regattas, International Code flags, and various “decorative” flags suggesting open house, personal interests, and questionable taste.
THE WHITE SEAHORSE, PERSONAL SIGNAL OF ALEX AND DARIA BLACKWELL
NAUTICAL OFFICER FLAGS
Chaplain
Commodore
Fleet Captain
Measurer
Past Commodore
Port Captain
Quartermaster
Rear Commodore
Surgeon
Treasurer
Secretary
Vise-Commodore
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Note that on national holidays and days of special yachting significance you may fly the flags of the International Code on a conspicuous hoist. A dressed yacht wears the flags she would normally hoist under the circumstances, as well as the 39 code flags. Since there are 26 square alphabet flags, three triangular repeater pennants and 10 truncated numeral pennants, alternating two letters with every number or repeater makes a pleasing arrangement. There is no absolute arrangement, however it is supposed to run in an unbroken arch from the waterline at the bow to the waterline at the stern, so both ends will have to be weighted to hold it down in the water. Although technically not part of the dress ship procedure, other flags such as the owner’s personal signal may be flown from the yards or equivalent positions. Storm signal flags shall be flown from the left yardarm facing the sea while any other foreign or state ensign shall be flown from the right yard arm facing the sea. It is important NOT to include ensigns, racing or private flags in the dressing lines which are for code flags only. As a matter of courtesy (although in some countries it is considered a necessity), it is proper to fly the flag of a foreign nation on your boat when your vessel enters foreign waters. The courtesy flag occupies a place in the
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hierarchy second only to the vessel’s own national ensign. This is usually at the foreward starboard spreader on a sailboat or high on an antenna or outrigger on power vessels that have no mast. There are only a limited number of positions from which flags may be displayed, and consequently when a flag of another nation is flown, it usually must displace one of the flags commonly displayed in home waters. It is not hoisted until clearance has been completed and the yellow “Q” flag has been removed, and the vessel has been granted passage by the appropriate authorities. For more information, consult Chapman Piloting. The U.S. ensign, club burgee, officer flag, and private signal are flown as in home waters, unless of course you fly the burgee at the starboard spreader. Don’t fly a foreign courtesy flag after you have returned to U.S. waters. Although this may show that you’ve “been there,” it is not proper flag etiquette.
Whatever a flag’s shape, its vertical dimension is its hoist, and its horizontal measurement is its fly. The rule of thumb calls for the ensign to be one inch on the fly for each foot of overall boat length. The burgee, house flag and officer’s flag should be half an inch on the fly for each foot above water of
the tallest mast (this could obviously be too large for many instances). The courtesy flag used in foreign waters is normally half the size of the yacht’s own ensign. Flags intended for meaningful communication (code signals, etc.) should be as large as can be conveniently carried.
In summary, on a larger sailing vessel, there are five or sometimes six places from which flags may be flown: a) the stern staff (national ensign under power or under sail); b) the leech of the aftermost sail (national ensign under sail); c) main or foremast peak (yacht club burgee, or in the case of a single masted vessel the owner’s private signal or officer’s flag); d) mizzen peak (owner’s private signal or flag officer’s flag); e) forward starboard spreader (organizational flag, courtesy flag when in foreign waters); and f) the bow or jack staff (Union Jack at anchor on Sundays or holidays).
Flag Etiquette
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Maritime’s Top ten WaterFront Restaurants
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#10
www.guilfordmooring.com
Built in 1836 and fashioned from native granite, our little stone building first served as a Guilford shoreman’s place of work until well into the 20th century. After standing proud against the fickle waters and errant winds of the Long Island Sound for over a century it soon became home to a series of eating places. Now as the tides continue to rise and fall against our docks, gently lapping at 200 year old mortar, sits the Guilford Mooring restaurant. Our eating place results from the collective efforts of an eclectic group of enterprising individuals who share a common goal: To create a restaurant that successfully marries a poetic and genuine New England ambiance with outstanding, indigenous and unique flavors of Nor’ Eastern seafood cooking and have chosen to offer our menu in a bright, festive atmosphere.
#9
www.harborlightsrestaurant-ct.com
What once was the penny arcade of Rowayton Point in the early 1900’s has now been transformed into a beautiful stone building embellished by historical New England architecture. Opened on September 14, 2001, Harbor Lights caters to all its Fairfield County patrons by offering a unique menu with a Mediterranean flare. Patrons can partake of the robust seafood samplers while enjoying the sunset on the year round.
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#8 A waterfront restaurant like no other, WAVE combines breathtaking views of Long Island Sound with upscale New American cuisine...all in a contemporary nautical motif that’s rich and elegant with chocolate silks, natural woods, brass and mahogany. Dine al fresco on Port Jefferson Harbor, or choose an indoor table with spectacular, panoramic views: You’ll enjoy an inspired menu from renowned Long Island chef Paul Govin that boldly combines Italian, Asian, Latin American, and Southwestern flavors. Recognized for his unique
#7
approach to culturally- and regionally-rooted cuisine, the chef’s menu reflects the culinary landscape of today’s America and the freshest tastes of the season. WAVE offers fresh seafood favorites such as salmon, sea bass and tuna along with more trendy items such as hamachi and black cod char siu and sushi - as well as robust steak entrees accompanied by innovative sides. Enjoy our seasonal specials and other dining events.
SKIPPER’S PUB
For some of us, dinner at Skippers has become as much a tradition as watching the mooring fields fill up in the spring or watching the baymen ready their lobster traps in the morning. It’s simply part of the fabric which makes Northport matchless and allows so many of us to share a common bond. 32 | The Golf Almanac
#6
THE OAR
ON BLOCK ISLAND
Visitors to Block Island fall into two large classes -- those who leave on th The Oar opened in 1965 specifically to help host the festivities of Block Island’s Race Week -- a place to feed the crowds and help them celebrate the wins and losses of the Island’s renouned annual sailing regatta. To find the Oar, you have to wander to the center of three marinas on Block Island’s central lagoon, “the Great Salt Pond”, well away from the summer beach crowds and the jam-packed waterfront street that few visitors ever get beyond. Its sign says simply “The Oar, Breakfast, Lunch, Sandwiches, and Dinner”, and even that sign is a small one. They don’t advertize the restaurant, almost as though “if you don’t know how to find us, you don’t deserve to eat here.” But if you do find them, you’re in for a treat. That is, if you’re into casual dining, fantastic sunsets, and the house drink “mudslides”. Show up just before sunset, on the weekend during the summer, and you’ll be treated with beautiful views from the Oar’s deck. The food at the Oar is casual and reasonably priced, especially for Block Island. Sandwiches of varous kinds, mostly. The house specialty -- at least the house favorite -- is the lobster roll. Big meaty pieces of lobster in a bun. They sell dozens a night most nights, and can barely keep up with the orders on really busy nights. Others prefer their large, juicy hamburgers served with fries. On a hot summer day it just seems the right thing to eat with a cold beer. There it remains for all eternity, mounted to a wall or dangling from a ceiling for all to see, so that everyone knows that Bob got engaged or Bill made his first solo sailing trip or Sally has finally gotten that novel published. During Race Week, the bar runs full blast, with 15 bartenders in the party tent serving beer and mudslides as fast as they can make them. What’s in a mudslide? Among other things, Kahlúa, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and vodka -- a potent drink to warm you in the cool Block Island evening breezes as you watch the sun set over the old Coast Guard Station. The Golf Almanac | 33
#5 Skipper’s Dock was founded in 1929. Since its’ inception it has been recognized as a fine dining establishment in southeastern Connecticut. Located on a pier it has exquisite views to Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. A year round restaurant with outdoor seating in the seasonal months as well as boat mooring facilties, Skipper’s Dock has become a haven for small craft owners as well as walk-in clientele. We offer valet parking on the weekends during the summer months as well as a Sunday Brunch during the Fall season. Here at Skipper’s Dock we are dedicated to providing our clientele with delicious, reasonably priced meals served by our courteous and competent wait staff. Please feel free to call us or email us if you have any question concerning our service and menus. Also, take a look at our menus here on the site and you will get our current culinary delights as well as up to date pricing.
#4 One of Long Island’s oldest and most colorful restaurants. From its start in 1905, Louis Zwerlein’s “Kare Killer” was a most unusual place. One had to get there by boat since it was built on a floating barge anchored out in the bay. One of its side attractions was that it afforded a fine view of the approaching boats from shore. On occasion, a husband sighting his wife on a course for the barge would dive headlong off the far side and strike out for Great Neck. When prohibition killed the Kare Killer in 1916, the business moved to a spot adjacent to the Town Dock, renting boats, selling chowder and other seafood. Another move in the early thir34 | The Golf Almanac
ties placed the restaurant in its pres ent location still on the Main Street waterfront. In 1954, it was expanded into an adjoining building that had originally been a blacksmith shop. In 2002, the Picone and Guinnane families purchased the restaurant from the Zwerlein’s. After 97 years, and three generations, Louie’s experienced its most dramatic change. The restaurant underwent a complete and spectacular renovation. As a result, Louie’s Oyster Bar & Grille begins a new century completely transformed, offering its patrons an elegant and tasteful dining experience coupled with the freshest and finest seafood and American style dishes.
#3 L’Escale Restaurant and Bar transports its guests to the Cote d’ Azur while dining on the Greenwich waterfront. L’Escale, French for “stopover,” serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch as well as room service and private catering for the DELAMAR. L’Escale serves an inventive Provençal menu that focuses on seafood, fresh herbs and the distinctive flavors of the Mediterranean. L’Escale is owned by noted restaurateurs Jean Denoyer and Rick Wahlstedt.
#2 The Crab Claw Restaurant evolved from a clam shucking and crab business in the 1950s to a seafood eatery in June, 1965. Delectable fresh seafood has always been our hallmark and customers seek out theirrelaxed, causal setting within a stone’s throw of the water. Known for their steamed Maryland blue crabs and other choice seafood, they also offer Delmarva fried chicken and beef among their entrees. Cold beer, cocktails and other beverages are available to enhance your meal.
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#1 Abbott’s is a long-running lobster picnic. Hugely crowded on nice summer evenings, it specializes in warm-weather shore dinners. Start with bracing, steel-gray chowder, then littlenecks on the half shell and/or steamers or mussels by the bucket with broth and butter for dipping. If you arrive with a big appetite, you will need to eat many hors d’oeuvre because the lobsters, cooked to order, can take a while. They are beauties, available whatever size you need, up to ten pounds!; but if you don’t have the energy to crack, pick, suck, and pluck your way through a whole one, this is a grand place to have a hot lobster roll – nothing but hunks of pink sweet meat bathed in butter, sandwiched inside a warm bun. (Cold lobster salad rolls are also available, as are hot and cold crab rolls.) Abbott’s is one of the prettiest places in Connecticut to dine al fresco. Seating is at bare wooden tables, either in the open or under tents. Some civilized sorts actually bring their own tablecloths as well as their own wine. The air is filled with the salty smack of shore breezes, and background music is provided by gulls screeching in the sky (but kept away from the tables by invisible netting). Abbott’s generally opens early in May, but at first only on weekends. It is open every day through Labor day, then weekends-only again in October.
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GREEN YACHTING Well before it became customary (dare I even say trendy) to think about what type of impact we have on the environment in the course of pursuing our favorite pastime, sailboaters were calling us powerboaters “stinkpotters.” While they had a point about dieselfuel emissions, our wind-powered friends aren’t exactly immune to having a negative effect on Mother Earth. (Black and gray water come from them, too, after all.)
Safira boasts other advanced features—I was particularly intrigued by the idea of tanks for biodiesel if it becomes widely available for yachts—but of course, she’ll also employ proven technology. Schottel STP 300 pod drives will reduce resistance (and therefore fuel consumption) and permit greater maneuverability without the need for a stern thruster. Used in conjunction with Caterpillar diesel inboards, which should permit an 11-knot cruise speed, Safira, the 129-foot expedition yacht pic- the pods should make Safira more fuel-efficient tured here, is the result of intensive research than diesel-electric drives. into relatively simple things like EnergyStar The machinery won’t be the only things onappliances and LED, fiber-optic, and xenon board selected with environmental friendlilighting. But it extends to hardware made ness in mind. The owner’s design brief calls for from recycled materials as well as untreated all decor items to be organic, natural, recycled, and even organic floor coverings. sustainable, and renewable. For example, wood Sound extreme? Not to this owner, who in- for paneling and furniture must be certified by tends to pursue what Sparkman & Stephens the Forest Stewardship Council, an organization calls “serious adventure cruising,” to both whose standards warm and cool climates (the latter being For forest management have been adopted by possible thanks to an ice-class hull). Because 57 countries worldwide. Finishes and adhesives some of these regions won’t have facilities need to be no- or low-VOC (volatile organic for yachts, Safira will employ a power-man- compound) products. Carpets must be natural agement system allowing smaller gensets wool, organic cotton, or an equivalent matethan those on similar-size yachts, resulting in rial that avoids chemical treatment, and other fewer emissions. In addition, they’ll feature materials such as glass, horizontal surfaces, and engine-powered heat exchangers for the plumbing hardware and fittings must be comproduction of hot water, similar to the tradi- posed of recycled products as much as possible. tional arrangement on sailboats Safira poses quite a challenge to be sure—but Speaking of water, the watermakers onboard will reportedly use half the energy required for yachts of similar size. According to Sparkman & Stephens, the energy used on the high-pressure side of the system will power the low-pressure side. As for black- and gray-water treatment, get this: At presstime the owner and engineering team were researching a zero-discharge system that uses microbes to break down the solids and contaminants.
Sparkman & Stephens’ president and chief naval architect Greg Matzat says that “this yacht has been great fun for us to design.” He adds, “While there might not be one groundbreaking element with this yacht, we’ve acknowledged and have proven there is a lot you can do better within the current paradigm to improve efficiency and reduce a yacht’s impact on the environment.”
When you think about it, isn’t anything you love doing worth the extra effort? The Golf Almanac | 37
MOCHI CRAFT Long Range 23 : The TRUE GREEN Yacht (that will make your friends go green too)
The Long Range 23 is a revolutionary 3 deck motor yacht and with it Mochi Craft rewrites the history of the international nautical sector. Taking its luxury boats to the next level
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Save Money On Fuel Prices With fuel prices burning holes in many a boat-owners’ pockets without a spark one can imagine many potential buyers contemplating their purchases.Mochi Craft, one of the prestigious brands of the Ferretti Group, has topped its ante and have developed the only large luxury motor yacht to be granted GREEN STAR Clean Energy - Clean Propulsion™ certification by RINA, the Italian Ship Register. Taking the GO GREEN step further, it is also the first “Zero Emission Mode” motor yacht over 20 metres.
LONG RANGE
The Long Range 23 is a revolutionary three deck motor yacht and with it Mochi Craft rewrites the history of the international nautical sector.Taking its luxury boats to the next level - this is an Expedition Boat…Mochi Craft Style.So next time you see a dashing yacht in the middle of the ocean with exciting colors and flair…expect it to be a Mochi.
MOCHI STYLE - A CRAFT OF ITS OWN
the option of lying at mooring with zero emissions while accessing the boat’s electrical facilities, for example, or leaving port in silence and creating no smoky exhaust emissions. The Long Range 23 also uses Ferretti’s new Fer.WEY (Ferretti Wave Efficient Yacht) ‘trans-planing’ hull, which the firm says ensures higher hydrodynamic efficiency than other planing or displacement hulls. The manufacturer says it offers a significant reduction in rolling over traditional displacement hulls.The motors are powered by a pack of Lithium ion batteries, the most advanced technology in this field. While operating in ‘energy storing’ mode, the batteries rapidly store the energy produced by the diesel while under way.
Taking a traditional lobster-boat the luxury way would definitely mean that you need to have finesse and passion fueling the ‘luxury-cylinders’ of your mind…Advanced Yacht Technology division at Ferretti embodies all their products with an unprecedented distillation of innovation and technology…Mochis are the mostloved boats by the Italian gliterrati The batteries can also be recharged and has a fan-following with the likes simply by plugging them to the shore power connection. For short range of Nicole Kidman & Nicolas Cage. coastal cruises, the yacht can, for example, leave port, cruise around STAR CLEAN ENERGY & CLEAN and return using only the electricity ENERGY RATING drawn and stored from the terrestrial The ‘zero emission mode’ hybrid pro- network, providing significant energy pulsion system allows the craft to be savings and much less pollution. managed in five different ways, ranging from traditional diesel function to Surely, your surroundings and your pockthe zero emission mode.Users have ets both remain GREENER with boats such as the Mochi Craft 23 Long Range.
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A Secret Getaway Block Island
A quiet, isolated respite from the stress of daily life, Block Island is an ideal place to go to block out the world for a few days. Located off the coast of Rhode Island, Block Island is an exercise in simplicity, perfect for the vacationer who wants to get away from big shopping malls, chain restaurants, stores and hotels, and simply indulge in nature. The island’s rolling green hills, dramatic Mohegan Bluffs, 17 miles of beaches, and 365 freshwater ponds are guaranteed to relax, calm and rejuvenate your spirit. A popular summer tourist destination, Block Island is known for its excellent beaches. Crescent Beach has 2.5 miles of rural shoreline and is commonly known as Kid Beach because it is attractive to families. Crescent Beach contains three smaller beaches, Fred Benson Town Beach, popularly known as State Beach and the only beach on the island with on-duty lifeguards, as well as Scotch Beach and Mansion Beach. All of the beaches are located on Corn Neck Road. On the south side of the island, Black Rock Beach is widely regarded as having the best waves for surfing, however, it tends to be quite rocky and has a reputation for nude sunbathers. Coastguard Beach is situated between the Great Salt Pond and the ocean on the northwest side of the island. It is a popular beach for fishing and walking, but not great for swimming because of high boat traffic. Fishing is a very popular sport on Block Island, but there’s only one charter boat company on the island, called Block Island Fishworks. A half-day of fishing costs a little more than $300. Scuba divers can check out the wreck of the U-boat U-853, 7 miles east of the island, lying in 130 feet of water. Divers frequently visit the wreck, but they do so at their own risk. Two divers have died in the area. Sailors will love Block Island Race Week, a highly competitive, week-long sailboat racing event held every summer in June. For beauty in its most natural form, walk one of the many trails around Rodman’s Hollow, a 230-acre glacial outwash basin, near the southern shore of the island. You can also take a beautiful horseback ride through 32 miles of natural trails. Other activities on Block Island include biking, parasailing, kayaking, canoeing, boating and sailing. Block Island has two historic lighthouses. Block Island North Light, on the northern tip of the island, built in 1868 and Block Island Southeast Light, on the southeast side of the island, built in 1875. Tours are offered at the Southeast Light House, and its museum is open during the summer. In between North lighthouse and Settler’s Rock is a national wildlife refuge that is popular with bird watchers. The only museum on the island, the Block Island Historical Society Museum, takes only about 15 minutes to see. The museum was an 1871 inn that now contains a miscellaneous collection of photos, ship models and tools. Upstairs is a room set up to reflect the Victorian period. Dining options on the island include everything from casual cafés to fine dining and everything in between. Expect mostly lobster, fried and grilled fish and chicken, burgers and local favorite, New England chowder. For a dining treat, head to Ballard’s on the beach near the downtown shopping area, where several bars and live bands entertain from lunch until midnight, and the atmosphere is ideal for families. If you want the freshest lobster money can buy and don’t mind cooking it yourself, meet the lobstermen at 4-5pm as they pull into the harbor and buy their catch right out of the boat. 40 | The Golf Almanac
The main streets in Old Harbor are an easy place to find books, clothing, jewelry and more. The main strip also has a variety of gifts shops featuring island essentials and unique goods from local vendors. Nightlife on Block Island is casual and enjoyable. A handful of pubs, taverns, cafÊs and several eateries stay open pretty late. Day or night you can often find live music performed by local groups as well as featured artists and bands who frequently make the trip in from the mainland. You won’t find chain resorts on Block Island. Instead, full-service hotels, family-owned and operated inns, guest houses, bed & breakfasts and cottages & apartments dominate the scene. Block Island is located just 12 miles of the coast of Southern Rhode Island, and can be reached easily by boat or ferry in under an hour and by plane in under fifteen minutes! Ferry service includes Block Island Ferry, leaving year-round from Point Judith, RI and in the summer from Newport, RI and New London, CT. Island Hi-Speed Ferry will whisk you away to Block Island via high-speed catamaran leaving from New Harbor, RI, and the Block Island Express has connections from New London and Old Harbor. New England Airlines provides daily service to the island, and private planes and boats can be chartered for your vacation.
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The
Virgin Islands
One of the Top Yachting Destinations in the World
The US and British Virgin Islands are considered one of the very best sailing and yachting destinations in the world, with the countless places to anchor, the close proximity to other islands and our spectacular Caribbean weather. Few travel destinations in the world offer so much to see and do in such a small geographic area for every age of traveler as the Virgin Islands. There are miles of hiking trails, historical landmarks and sugar mill ruins, some rare small animals and flowers, many on the endangered species list, and some great exploring to are to be found on select Virgin Islands and cays. Aside from a few “major� islands, the charm of this place is the countless little crumbs of cays sprinkled all around, and most all are in sight of each other. Major open water crossings are a non-issue. 42 | The Golf Almanac
The
Virgin Islands
VIRGIN ISLANDS WEATHER The average temperatures range from 77°F in the “winter” to 82°F in the summer. Water temperatures in the Virgin Islands do not change greatly from summer to winter, however the 4 or 5 degree change is only noticeable to those acclimated to consistently warm tropical weather. In the summer months the water temperature is about 83 degrees and in the winter about 79 degrees.
AVERAGE WIND SPEEDS AND DIRECTION Late Spring/Summer: 10-12 kts, E to ESE Fall/Winter: 15-18 kts, E to ENE The famous easterly Trade Winds which propelled Columbus and his merry men and later, so many others to these islands, are almost always some shade of East. This makes for great sailing in the Drake Channel, especially on the home bound leg.
VIRGIN ISLANDS DIVING AND SNORKELING
Miles and miles of colorful coral reefs extend out from the mostly protected aquamarine shores of the US and British Virgin Islands. The area is abundant with famous dive sites like The Wreck of the Rhone. Although it might be blowing “over there” the natural barrier of the islands flanking the Sir Francis Drake Channel, provides cover and shelter to keep your lovely snorkeling area tranquil and clear. The Golf Almanac | 43
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