WindCheck Magazine April 2017

Sailing the Northeast

Tucker Thompson on the 35th America’s Cup

Dealing with Wind A Guide to the Marion Bermuda Race

April 2017 • FREE

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editor's log Progress

One of the articles many readers anticipate seeing in every issue of WindCheck is Sound Environment. Since our very first issue in 2002, WindCheck has featured – at least once monthly – articles about environmentally relevant and important topics such as beach cleanups, clean regatta practices, water quality issues, protecting marine wildlife, and many other rallying calls for an ecological cause.

My Editor’s Log in our December 2014 issue noted that as sailors and de facto environmental stewards we were contributing to healthier oceans and preserving our sounds, bays and coastlines, but we still had a long way to go. Nearly three years on, I believe significant progress has been made, but I would say that the same still remains true; there is more to be accomplished, improvements to be made, processes to encourage, and (perhaps most importantly) habits to change.

I am encouraged that we now see environmental progress highlighted more frequently in other parts of this magazine, most visibly in our racing section, which often highlights these efforts among competitors. Many regional marine businesses are taking action to mitigate the impact of their actions on the health of our environment. If not for the dedication, and let’s face it, pressure from consumers, this would likely not be possible. Ever more stringent laws are being put in place to limit or eliminate discharge, so municipalities are beginning to see the light, too. For instance, the City Council in Newport, Rhode Island just joined the now more than 100 towns and cities in the U.S. to ban single use plastic bags.

This positive trend is encouraging, and certainly a draw to our sport. Sailing is clearly a healthy way to spend one’s time, and a wonderful activity to share with others.

It’s nice to see that this passionate community is imparting the knowledge that as a sport it is, at least compared to many other forms of recreation, sailing is also healthy from an ecological standpoint.

There are still many ways in which we can improve practices that help preserve the environment, and it needn’t always be hard work. The story on page 10 about Sailors for the Sea’s Skip a Straw – Save a Sea Turtle campaign exemplifies action that every one of us can – and should! – take. With nearly 34 million Facebook views, it’s likely you’ve seen the painful footage of the straw being extracted from the sea turtle's nostril. That video alone is motivation enough!

Without a healthy coexistence with nature, sailing simply wouldn’t hold the same wonder and beauty that we are fortunate to enjoy. Have another look at the beautiful image on our cover that photographer Rod Harris captured of the schooner Meteor off the coast of Newport. The twinkling blue of the water coupled with the majesty and might of a remarkable vessel is an awe-inspiring sight. Now, imagine that water a murky brown sludge. I doubt the owner of such a vessel would waste their time in the waters of New England were they not as beautiful and refreshing to behold as they are.

If you’re ready to make a personal change; to continue pushing forward, there are countless volunteer opportunities with grassroots groups like Clean Ocean Access, Save the Bay, and Save the Sound, to name a few, or consider donating to a global organization such as Mission Blue. In the words of Mission Blue’s founder, the incomparable Dr. Sylvia Earle, “With knowing comes caring.”

To those of you who have adopted responsible practices for cleaning, painting, storing and enjoying your boat, participated in a shoreline cleanup, or become eco-active in any way, keep up the good work. Things are improving, but we cannot become complacent. In fact, we should strive to exceed the norm. Now, perhaps more than ever, we must take it upon ourselves to be the guardians of our environment.

See you on the water.

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Sailing the Northeast Issue 162 Publisher Anne Hannan anne@windcheckmagazine.com Editor in Chief Christopher Gill chris@windcheckmagazine.com Senior Editor Chris Szepessy zep@windcheckmagazine.com Contributing Editor Joe Cooper coop@windcheckmagazine.com Graphic Design Kerstin Fairbend kerstin@windcheckmagazine.com Contributors Jamie Bloomquist, Catherine Bowes, Matthew Cohen, Larry Coryell, Bo Duomen, Peter Fackler, Dave Foster, John K. Fulweiler, Sam Greenfield, Fran Grenon, Rod Harris, Blake Jackson, Helen A. Jankoski, Sean McNeill, Ernie Messer, Molly Mulhern, Jim Noble, PhotoBoat.com, Vin Pica, Colin Rath, Jane Reilly, Derek Rupe, Cynthia Sinclair, Ben Tracy, Captain Andrew Tucci, USCG, Bill Wagner, Chris White, Joseph Zbyrowski Ad Sales Erica Pagnam erica@windcheckmagazine.com Distribution Man in Motion, Chris Metivier, Rare Sales, Jack Szepessy WindCheck is published ten times per year. Reproduction of any part of this publication is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the members. WindCheck encourages reader feedback and welcomes editorial contributions in the form of stories, anecdotes, photographs, and technical expertise. Copies are available for free at 1,000+ locations (yacht clubs, marinas, marine retailers, restaurants, sailing events & transportation centers) in the Northeast. Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute WindCheck should contact us at (203) 332-7639. While WindCheck is available free of charge, we will mail your copy each month for an annual mailing fee of $29.

Mail payment to: WindCheck Magazine P.O. Box 195, Stratford, CT 06615 Phone: (203) 332-7639 E-mail: contactus@windcheckmagazine.com WindCheck is printed on recycled paper.

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WindCheck Magazine

April 2017

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contents

Editor’s Log

4

Letters

8

Checking In 10

From the Log of Persevere 20

Book Review: Tides 26

Book Review: “We’re All On the Journey” 27

Sound Environment 28

Captain of the Port 30

Boating Barrister 31

Calendar of Events 32

Tide Tables 40

Coop’s Corner 54

Block Island Race Week News 56

Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman 58 of the Year

team AkzoNobel enters the Volvo 59 Ocean Race 2017-18

Comic 60

Subscription Form 60

Brokerage 61

Classifieds 63

Crew Connection 68

Advertisers Index 69

On Watch: Lee Reichart 70

16 Learning to Sail: Dealing with Wind

It’s only natural for a novice sailor to experience trepidation when the leeward rail’s awash, but Molly Mulhern, Women’s Sailing Mentor at the Rockland Yacht Club in Rockland, Maine, says the best way to overcome that apprehension is to get out there when the Small Craft Warning flags are waving.

22 Adventures in Docking

You may have just sailed across an ocean, but shoreside observers are more likely to judge your seamanship (or perhaps the lack thereof ) by how well you’re able to bring your vessel into a slip. Derek Rupe of Captineer.com says sailing couples can thus be divided into three vastly different groups.

42 Stonington Dinghy Club Celebrates 50 Years of Fun

Founded by Tucker Bragdon and Bill Boatright in 1968, this group in Southeastern Connecticut thrives by doing whatever it takes to get the most people out sailing, and if you have a boat 20 feet in length or under with a sail number, you are cordially invited! Helen A. Jankoski has the story of a club with more than a few enthusiastic three-generation members.

44 An Interview with Tucker Thompson on the 35th America’s Cup

Competition for the Auld Mug begins on May 26 in Bermuda. It’s been a long time since Cup racing has taken place near the East Coast…and it just might be a long time before it happens again. The Public Host of the 35th America’s Cup says accommodations on the island are still available, along with some very enticing vacation packages.

48 “I’m Doing the Marion Bermuda Race”

The Twenty-First Marion Bermuda Race starts Friday, June 9, and sailors in this 40th Anniversary Edition will have front row seats for the America’s Cup.

If this is your first Marion Bermuda, Ernie Messer, a veteran of many races to the island from both Marion and Newport, offers expert advice to guide you from the Bay to Bermy.

On the cover: Rod Harris captured this photo of the 170-foot gaff-rigged schooner Meteor during the Candy Store Cup superyacht regatta in the waters off Newport, RI last July.

Designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and built by Royal Huisman, Meteor combines the classic lines of the Gloucester schooner with 21st century sail and rig technology. To view more of Rod’s spectacular images, log onto rodharrisphoto.com. © Rod Harris/rodharrisphoto.com

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Letters Don’t Forget the Fun! Editor’s note: The subject of the ‘On Watch’ article in our March issue, Kate Wilson was recently honored by the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association for (among other achievements) her efforts to help revitalize the junior sailing program at Newport Yacht Club in Newport, RI. You’ll find the story at windcheckmagazine.com.

Hi Kate, I read with great interest in the March issue of WindCheck about you being honored by RIMTA as the Rhode Island Boater of the Year – congratulations!

I completely agree with you that junior sailing needs to be more fun and offer this short story in support. When my son was 9 years old, we sent him to a great local summer sailing camp at a local yacht club. He repeated the camp a year later, but for the third summer I asked him if he would like to go again and he said no. I asked why and he said, “Because all they want to do is race and make you try to beat the pants off somebody. I like to sail, Dad, but it’s not fun when all you do is race.”

For him, there was no fun, no “Marine Adventure Camp,” and it was all about competition…trying to be better than the next kid. I was greatly saddened, but understood. I love sailing too and learned it as a young teen – but not in a competitive sailing camp. He was burnt out at the tender young age of 12.

Why does everyone think that junior sailing has to be all about racing? I was disappointed that there were no options near us for Aiden to have simple, fun sailing. Clearly he’s not a competitive type, but in his two summers at that sailing camp he learned everything there is to handle a boat. I was proud the day he took me out in a 420 and started hiking out without fear.

He looked natural. He can helm our small sailboat easily, which I am proud of. But there’s no place for him in junior sailing, unless we lived near your Marine Adventure Camp.

Keep up what you are doing. This industry needs to grow its next crop of sailors, but understand it’s not all about racing.

As the WindCheck story says, if we are to “create lifelong sailors” and have a thriving sailing industry we must understand that not everyone wants to be a sailing athlete. I applaud your efforts and again congratulate you.

You have a friend at Boat Owners Association of The United States, and don’t ever hesitate to contact me if I can help you.

Kindest, D. Scott Croft Vice President Public Affairs, BoatU.S. Kate Wilson replies: Scott, Thank you so much for your kind words. As an avid racer and coach myself, I have seen too many kids burn out and fall out of love with the sport, so I’m just doing my part to counteract this trend. However, what I learned last year at the US Sailing Leadership Forum is that there are many Adventure Sail-

ing programs but we just aren’t talking about them because they don’t get the recognition the racing programs get because they don’t travel to regattas. It’s almost like that old saying, “If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a noise?” If there are these great programs, and no one hears about them outside a yacht club because they don’t do regattas, do they still get the credit?

So, thank you to WindCheck for sharing stories like ours.

Great to “meet” you. If you are ever in Newport, please let me know.

Best, Kate An Evening with Gary Jobson Dear Anne, Thanks again for all your efforts to arrange An Evening with Gary Jobson for American Yacht Club and member yacht clubs of the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound. It was a great success and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Gary is truly a great speaker and storyteller!

We appreciate North Sails, Regatta Ginger Beer and WindCheck for making this happen. After all the hard work, I hope you were able to enjoy the evening and interaction with so many fans.

All the best, John Hunt, Chair, Speakers Series American Yacht Club, Rye, NY

Attention Force 5 Racers!

Thames Yacht Club in New London, CT is pleased to announce that we are hosting the 2017 Force 5 North American Championship on July 26 - 29. TYC is offering low- and no-cost housing, charter boats, guest moorings, and ‘Challenger’ and ‘Junior’ racing. This important event is a tremendous opportunity for Force 5 sailors of different age and skill levels to compete in an international race in their own backyard.

Full details including Notice of Race (NOR) and registration are available at YachtScoring.com and Force5.us. For more information, please contact TYC Publicity Chair Cate Sheahan at catesheahan@gmail.com or Race Organizer Grant Ehrlich at GEhrlich@cantorcolburn.com.

Thank you, Cate Sheahan Publicity, TYC ■

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checking in.

Skip a Straw – Save a Sea Turtle

Hamilton Marine Celebrates 40 Years of Service

Did you know that Americans use 500 million plastic drinking straws every day? Think about that…500 million a day. That many straws end-to-end could circle the Earth 2.5 times. To reverse this trend, our friends at Sailors for the Sea in Newport, RI have launched a campaign called Skip a Straw – Save a Sea Turtle.

Wayne Hamilton started Hamilton Marine out of his Searsport, Maine garage in 1977. As a commercial fisherman, he saw a need on the working waterfront of his harbor hometown for a real marine supply store. His instincts proved correct, and Hamilton Marine soon outgrew the garage. The store moved to a larger location in town, and continued to grow. It From a marine supply business that expanded beyond those Wayne Hamilton started in his garage 40 walls, then moved to years ago, Hamilton Marine now has five an even bigger building stores in Maine and satisfied customers in Searsport. There, it all over the world. © Jamie Bloomquist became a Maine marine destination for local lobstermen and boaters of all kinds.

Soon, Hamilton Marine grew beyond Searsport. Stores were added up and down the coast, from Portland to Jonesport. With five locations in Maine, the business established itself as a major presence in the boating world, serving the recreational, commercial and boatbuilding industries. Today, Hamilton Marine is the largest marine supply store north of Boston. There is an online store, a 376-page catalog mailed to people in every state, and daily shipments of product sent to hundreds of customers all over the world.

With that kind of growth, Hamilton Marine has added more than buildings. Employing over 150 people in various aspects of the business, from sales and marketing to shipping and receiving, the boaters’ store has become something more. Many HM employees maintain their own boats, and they know and use the products they sell. Their experience is passed on to customers every day, and that service is what makes Hamilton Marine a place people want to visit, by calling in, coming in, or clicking in, again and again.

Today, the business serves the commercial, recreational and boatbuilding communities through mail order business, the website, and delivering directly to boatyards. It’s not unusual to see the aisles of each store teeming with people who love the water, and their boats. Whether they make their living on the sea or enjoy spending an afternoon cruising the waves, customers know that if they need it for their boat, they can get it at Hamilton Marine.

For more information, log onto hamiltonmarine.com. ■

“Straws are consistently one of the top 10 items removed from beaches worldwide during the International Coastal Cleanup,” said Hilary Kotoun, Sailors for the Sea’s Social Impact Director. “Straws may be small, but they are wreaking havoc on our oceans and proving to be deadly to marine life. They have been found stuck in sea turtles’ noses and in seabirds’ stomachs.

In total, 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the ocean from the land each year. That’s equivalent to about 1.5 million cars. If plastic continues to infect our ocean, it’s estimated that by 2050 every seabird will have plastic in its stomach and there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.”

“On the first-ever National Skip the Straw Day (February 24), Sailors for the Sea put out a challenge on Facebook to get yacht clubs and marinas around the country to switch to straws by request only,” Kotoun continued. “The challenge was met with over 8,200 shares and reached more than 1,000,000 people on Facebook, but the work is just beginning and we need your help. We are encouraging sailors to challenge their favorite watering holes to make a change and offer straws by request only. Stopping plastic pollution starts on land, and it starts with you!”

For more straw facts and to download a printable sign that can be displayed in compliant establishments, visit sailorsforthesea.org/join-our-crew. ■

10 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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checking in.

Sail Newport Tops Off New Education Center When thousands of sailors arrive at Sail Newport in Newport, RI over the spring and summer months, they will see the new 8,500 square foot building near completion after five years in the making. On March 5, Sail Newport celebrated the milestone of placing the highest point on the new Marine Education and Recreation Center in Fort Adams State Park.

© Matthew Cohen Photography

At the “Topping-Off Ceremony,” Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, state and city officials, and members and supporters of Sail Newport watched as the Behan Brothers construction crew lifted the cupola to the highest point of the educational building, which is scheduled to open in August.

In addition to more programs for more youth and adults, the overall experience for visiting sailors and students will improve. The new center will house Sail Newport’s offices, meeting space for up to 200 people, outdoor classroom space with protection from the sun and weather, public restrooms, and changing rooms and showers.

A $10 million “Campaign for Blue Space” launched last year by Sail Newport has raised significant funding for building costs and a permanently restricted endowment for the expansion of sailing and marine education programs for the public. “We’re a little more than halfway there,” said Sail Newport Executive Director Brad Read. ‘We are reaching out to the community for help funding the new educational programs as well.”

Sail Newport’s program expansion plans are also well underway. Read says the expense of sailing and access to boats are two obstacles that have made sailing inaccessible to many. The Campaign for Blue Space, he says, “is committed to removing those barriers to open the sport to those who don›t usually have the opportunity.” For more information, log onto sailnewport.org. ■

Southern Spars is the Volvo Ocean Race Official Rig Package Supplier Southern Spars, an Auckland, NZ-based carbon fiber spar manufacturer with a facility in Portsmouth, RI, is the official supplier of the full rig package for the Volvo Ocean 65 fleet for a second consecutive race, a move that strengthens the company’s historic ties with sailing’s toughest team challenge. Southern Spars have been supplying spars to Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) podium finishers since 1989-90, when Sir Peter Blake secured a commanding victory on Steinlager 2.

Southern Spars will again supply the high modulus masts, high modulus racing box boom and a full EC6 bundled carbon fiber rod rigging package with deflected backstays for the Volvo Ocean 65 fleet. Within one-design rules, all 10 rigs (for the eight VO 65s, plus two spares) must be identical in terms of dimensions, weight and stiffness. Nick Bice, VOR Chief Technical Development Officer, said, “We can 100% rely on Southern Spars for their delivery of the one-design masts and combined with their service support as the teams race around the planet, we are in the best hands possible.”

© Bo Duomen/Volvo Ocean Race

Southern Spars have made rigs for 38 VOR teams over the years. “Some of the materials we use here, like Thin Ply Technology (TPT), is exclusive to Southern Spars,” said Steve Wilson, the company’s Senior Designer, “and that allowed us a lot of flexibility in the design, to strengthen the masts where they need to be stronger, lower the stresses and basically just make a safer product for the guys on the water.” For more information, visit southernspars.com. ■

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checking in.

Connecticut Spring In-Water Boat Show is May 5-7 The Connecticut Spring Boat Show will be held Friday, May 5 - Sunday, May 7 at Brewer Essex Island Marina, 11 Ferry Street, Essex, CT. The CT Spring Boat Show features some of the newest boats on the market including trawlers, center consoles, fishing, luxury cruisers, downeast, performance and sail boats.

Sail and power boats, new and used, from 20-75 feet will be on display. The inaugural show held in 2016 brought in over 2500 attendees. “The CT Spring Boat Show has everything that a prospective boat buyer wants,” said Matt Leduc, Yacht Broker with Latitude Yacht Brokerage. “New and pre-owned sail and power boats all in one beautiful location. Local vendors, suppliers and seasoned marine professionals are most notable at the boat show.

Boat Shows are more about people than boats. We are a service industry first and foremost. People who come to the show will be able to see the boats at the show but the years of experience and boating knowledge of the exhibitors is far and away the best product at this show.”

Brewer Essex Island Marina is located on a 13-acre island, accompanied by a complementary ferry service, and offers 125 slips accommodating vessels up to 200 feet. The resort marina is

family friendly and the popular Marley’s Café will be open for the weekend.

Sails Up 4 Cancer, a non-profit organization based in Connecticut, will be on site raising money through food and beverage sales to benefit their organization. SU4C has been dedicated to supporting cancer care, education, prevention and research along the Shoreline and Southeastern regions of Connecticut.

Admission and parking is free. The show is sponsored by Brewer Essex Island Marina, Essex Boat Works, YachtWorld Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA) and is produced

by WindCheck Magazine.

For more information, go to ctspringboatshow.com. ■

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Learning to Sail: Dealing with Wind

By Molly Mulhern Not many people go sailing in our neck of the coast early in the season when the wind is blowing over 20 knots. I can understand why.

Small Craft Warnings are issued often, and well, it is windy! I would not want to go out either, except…

First, I am curious how it is out there. Second, my sailing partner Jim has sailed all his life, and loves to go out when the wind is blowing.

Third, if I really want to do some offshore cruising, and I keep saying I do, well then, I need to get over this fear of wind.

How ironic is it, anyway, that the very thing that drives our boats forward also keeps us away?

I laugh to recognize my son’s incredulity when I say I don’t like wind – he’s a dinghy sailor and finds high winds a ball. He does not have a lot of experience on keelboats, nor has he read as much as I have about big boat sailing, but I admire his desire for wind. We, as sailors, should embrace it!

So, why don’t I yet embrace a blow? Lack of experience. I dread how I might behave, how the fear will paralyze me. I also dread how the boat will perform. I just don’t know. And this is where Jim comes in. He is a gentle teacher, a man who understands boats and how they are designed, has sailed a lot of boats in a lot of conditions, and cares greatly how these sailing experiences go for me. This makes these lessons in high wind much easier.

When we left the house on Saturday, as an afterthought I threw in the wool and the extra layers of fleece. Good thing, because by the end of the weekend the wind chill temp was 46° F. I also checked the NOAA on-the-water forecast before we left and satisfied myself that there was not going to be that much wind.

Just further proof that forecasts are just that and highly risky to take as truth. The forecast had fog on both days, wind 15-20, NNE. This was a bit of fiction.

When we got to the boat it was sunny and breezing up over 20 knots from the SSE. Jim set about changing the #2 jib down to the blade. It was blowy on the foredeck and the piles of canvas were sedated with a few well-placed sail ties. The weekend was proof yet again that the key to dealing with wind is managing the sails – knowing the right combination of canvas, having the right combination of sails aboard, and the willingness to change sails as needed.

Jim led the luff of the blade into its groove while I cranked its halyard aft. It was tough cranking in the breeze, made doubly tough by Jim’s realization, about three-quarters of the way up, that we’d neglected to put in the jib’s vertical battens. I lowered the halyard, went forward to help put the battens into their velcroed batten pockets, sauntered aft and commenced grinding again. It didn’t help that I only had three wraps on the drum

A happy helmsman – the sun is out and the wind is blowing! The J/34C is very well balanced when sailed well, requiring a very light touch on the helm when the sails are trimmed properly. © Molly Mulhern

when four were needed, nor that I was not using the correct, easier speed on the winch. Lessons.

Okay, blade rigged, then furled. Time to set the double reef in the main. We had practiced this the previous weekend, when it was also windy. Halyard. Tack line. Halyard again. Clew line.

Then tie sail stops around the sail (not boom). Got it.

And so we were off. Once past Curtis Island we set the jib, with the “whoosh” that accompanies an eager sail hungrily filled.

We began crossing West Penobscot Bay, close-hauled, punching into a strong 1- to 3-foot sea. Jim kept the mainsheet traveler down to minimize heeling for me, driving from the lower rail, watching for pots. The air was warm, the sun was out. Jim, loving the driving, looked as comfortable as a kid cruising along no-hands on a bike. The wind was blowing a steady 20, the boatspeed averaging 7.5 knots, almost hullspeed for our 34-foot vessel. I kept offering Jim his foul weather coat or fleece, as he sat in a cotton shirt, buffeted by the air. The occasional wave breaking over the bow didn’t quite reach him, instead exhausting itself on the dodger under which I sat. Astraea danced along, heeled over 15-20 degrees, although to me it felt more like 40 or 50 degrees.

I have a lot to learn – I nestled in and got used to sailing on an angle. Planning for a nice broad reach back home the next day. The world is good. Maybe I can do this. I craned my neck around and saw that North Haven Island, our night’s destination, was but 200 yards off. I had kind of expected that the breeze, now SSW, blowing up the large expanse of Penobscot Bay, would have been moderated by the shore and that we would have been in a lee. Instead I noted, as did Jim, there were stronger gusts by the shore. The wind indicator rocketed to 30

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knots frequently. Jim mentioned something about wind increasing over the island and shooting down onto the water. Then a 40+ gust hit us at the mouth of Pulpit Harbor. Astraea went up on edge, like a ballet dancer en pointe, straining with all she had.

I turned back to watch Jim ease the mainsheet and simultaneously point her up to the wind, which flattened the boat, the wind pressure having been taken off the sails. He did it all so smoothly, and Astraea responded in kind. I felt like I had pulled The second day of our adventure brought a totally different mood to the empty waters. Jim dressed for the weather (note the wool gloves), leaving Pulpit Harbor on North Haven. © Molly Mulhern

myself back from the edge of the cliff…and I had not even done anything. I was not at the helm, nor the sheets, and yet I couldn’t help but be affected.

We rolled in the blade as we entered the harbor mouth. With the wind on the nose it would be tight tacking and Jim knew I don’t need any more of a workout, although he’d relish the challenge. He also started the diesel, scoping out the wind in the outer harbor, where we were pleased to see the gorgeous, 94-foot Fife ketch Belle Aventure anchored. There was one lone crew on the deck as we motorsailed by, looking as if he wished he were aboard our little craft instead of babysitting the large vessel. The six large fenders deployed on her port side hinted at a large tender in use someplace, although at the time we did not sight her. (Later we discovered the tender is a Hinckley picnic boat that most of us would consider outrageous as our only boat!)

I tossed and turned all night as the wind howled through the rigging. It was blowing SSW over the treetops across the water and onto Astraea. What does this trite expression “howling in the rigging” mean? All I can say is there is this constant sound, and constant boat motion. Not constant as in the same, windcheckmagazine.com

but constant in that it keeps up…rising in the gusts, falling in the lulls, but persistent. There is a hum and a shuddering that occurs when the wind is sustained over 20, and Jim could sense the nuance (I almost typed nuisance!) when the gusts get over 30 – and this night there were periods of this 30+ frequency. I don’t yet have the experience to sense the nuances.

Jim sleeps like a baby on the mooring. And why shouldn’t he? Before we said goodnight, I asked him about chafing on the pendant line that we rigged from the too-big mooring line. He said it would be fine. He said you could hear chafe – it also has a certain frequency – an audible rubbing. This I did not know.

As I lay there, warm and cozy beside his slumbering body, I was not worried about chafe. I wasn’t worried about the mooring slipping the way you worry about an anchor dislodging. No, I was worried about wind, whether it would keep blowing and we’d have to sail back in a windy day, too. I was not exactly in the present moment. I was in the future moment, Sunday’s sail.

Somehow I managed a little rest between periods of wind-fret. After the day dawned I got up and made tea, coming back into the bunk, tea in hand, and miraculously there was a slight lull. I thought maybe we’d have a nice, calm sail home.

Ha. Within 20 minutes the whistle through the rig was back, and without getting out of the bunk I knew we had switched end-to-end in the harbor, and the wind was now from the north. I don’t know much about weather, but I gathered this

Leaving Saddle Island astern, heading back to our mooring in Camden Harbor. © Molly Mulhern

meant the front was passing.

We took our time rising and readying for the sail home.

Rain was spitting on the deck, the wind was rising and then lulling. Again we checked NOAA and SailFlow, only to be lured again into something about 14-16 knots of wind. Ha. We dropped the mooring with a double reef in the main

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Other Lessons This Trip

Astraea in Camden Harbor, ready for her next adventure. © Molly Mulhern

and no headsail. Jim had the engine in neutral, hoping the breeze could carry us out. As we headed west toward the mouth of Pulpit, the waves increased 1-2 feet inside the large rock at the entrance.

Our ability to sail against this was minimal, so Jim punched the RPMs to get us out. Outside the harbor the gray of the Bay was broken by the white of the wave tops blowing off…a steady 22-25 out of the north, with not much hope of that abating for a while.

And so, there we were. Double reefed main only, going 6.5 knots.

Rain spitting down, on this day Jim was in full foulies with noncotton layers underneath, wearing the wool fingerless gloves I had thrown in at the last minute, “just in case.” A heavy chop, cold air, rain, winds steady and gusting high 20s, over 30 at times. Not exactly what I had imagined when I checked NOAA at home less than 24 hours earlier.

And so it is with sailing. Sometimes you don’t get what you expect, and you have to be able to cope with what you get. This is my fear factor. If Jim were to somehow go overboard on a day like this, could I cope? I don’t feel ready to cope with that emergency, and that’s what makes me nervous. I realize how much I am petrified and I know I need to experience more of this to work through these fears. I know my body was tense sailing across that gray, windy Penobscot Bay, just hoping for it to be over soon. I worked on relaxing during the sail…breathing, feeling the tightness…but pretty much failed at getting to a relaxed state.

Does high wind feel worse when the sky is gray and it’s raining and cold? Probably. Does it feel worse when the sea is a heavy chop? Yes, most definitely.

We did not deploy the blade until the tide at the mouth of Camden Harbor was stalling us down to 3.5 knots. Once we set the jib the speed shot to 7.5/8 knots and the boat steadied. Yes, we should have set it sooner. We would have been home sooner and my guts would have been less woozy, I suspect. But Jim knew the heel would have bothered me.

Maybe one day the heel (I had mistyped “hell”…) won’t bother me. I am working on it. Maybe one day I will be able to sleep soundly and solidly on a mooring when the wind is howling.

Until then I will keep trying. Thank you Jim, for your kindness as a sailing partner and teacher. Thank you Astraea for being a seakindly, solid, well-designed boat. (She’s a J/34C.)

Make sure the plug is in the dinghy. We managed to save the gear from a complete soaking via quick haulout once I’d noticed water filling the bottom of Sweet Pea. When you find a lone piece of hardware on the deck, figure out what it came from – don’t ignore it. Keen-eyed Jim had spotted a bolt aft, just below the radar as we started sailing in the 3-5 foot seas off the mouth of Pulpit. Looking up, he figured it came from the radar mount – the spring yard crew clearly hadn’t tightened all the bolts. He requested an Allen wrench, so I dove below and brought back the set. Jim asked me which I would rather, the job of replacing the bolt or taking the helm. I took the helm, hating each second of it, afraid I was to sink our boat by taking a wave into the cockpit. My solution was to drive Astraea a bit more into the wind, so the seas weren’t breaking over the middle of the vessel.

It steadied me and the boat a bit. Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to give the helm back to Jim and re-nestle into my somewhat warm, dry spot under the dodger, facing aft so I couldn’t see the size of the waves Jim was driving into. I was glad I had taken a turn at the helm the previous weekend, driving us a bit downwind in a sloppy sea. Jim’s coaching about anticipating the sea was good – my execution, not so good. I have a lot of practice to do on this boat.

Other Ponderings Why do we do this thing of going out on a sailboat in conditions that will frighten us and make us uncomfortable? Is it to discover our edge? Is it because we are adrenaline junkies and need stimulation? Is it because being in the wild of the elements is primal, and we have a sailboat to test ourselves in? Anna Len Elled, the On Board Reporter for the all-female Team SCA in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15, summed it up in a few short reasons that apply to me, too (paraphrased):

• Adventure – the drive of my life.

• Contrasts – the highs and the lows.

• The sky, the sea, and its wildlife. Sunrises and sunsets, clouds, waves…never cease to amaze me.

• The boat bubble – the life on a boat is tough but simple. It’s addictive. Some people get addicted to life at sea. I’m afraid I’ve become one of them.

I would add to Anna’s list that this kind of experience stretches us, expands our beliefs in what we can do and what we can handle. It feeds that curiosity I mentioned at the beginning. It also enriches and expands the sense of comfort – the warm house, woodstove, and non-tacking bed takes on an entirely new place in contrast to the wet, pitching cockpit. And why do some of us have this curiosity? ■ Molly Mulhern is a nautical publisher, editor, writer, and champion of all things book- and sailing-related. As past editorial director at International Marine, Molly’s aim has always been to publish books that improve the quality of life for sailors and outdoorspeople, helping them achieve their dreams. She is now consulting and acquiring books for a New York trade publisher. Molly sails and races her Tanzer 22 Ripple out of Rockland, and her J/34C Astraea out of Camden, Maine.Molly is helping the Rockland Yacht Club set up a sailing mentor exchange, volunteering her services as Women’s Sailing Mentor.

18 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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From the Log of Persevere: Swimming with Whales in Tonga

By Colin Rath Editor’s note: This is the nineteenth installment in a series of dispatches from the Rath family (Colin & Pam and daughters Breana, Mariel and Nerina), who departed Stamford, CT in the fall of 2014 for a worldwide cruise aboard their Hanse 545 Persevere. You’ll find previous articles at windcheckmagazine.com.

We enjoyed Niue for multiple reasons. It has some of the best diving in the Pacific, with caves and deep chasms to explore. The water is crystal clear except where the cold springs from the island spill into the ocean and make the water look icy. It’s real cool underwater, like a frost spreading slowly within the water.

The island has its own laid back culture, more like a vacation spot for Kiwis than an isolated island in the middle of the Pacific. Most of the bars and restaurants are run by Kiwis, so we got to befriend a few New Zealanders.

Real nice and open, no BS people. It was also nice to get back to a country that speaks our native tongue; made it a lot easier for the kids and Pam and myself. We have been living

Bound for New Zealand © persevere60545.com

Swimming with whales was among the most memorable experiences of the Rath’s two-year voyage. The whales were often just 15 feet away! © persevere60545.com

on our high school French and Spanish to make conversation for the past two years. It can get trying at times, especially when doing engine repairs. I think without Google Translate the engine parts would have taken a lot longer to describe, but we made it by.

On Niue, the dive spots are all around the island so it was easier to rent a car and drive to them. There is also only one semi-safe place to anchor on the island, so it was rent a car or put all of us and dive equipment in our dinghy, which was not a comfortable way to dive with 5 people.

The girls took a nature course with a knowledgeable local, learning about all the native species and plants on Niue. Their favorite was the flying fox, which is a form of a bat that jumps from tree to tree. We stayed there for a week to get ready for the next sail to Vava’u, Tonga. The whales were migrating and we wanted to swim with them before the migration was over, and I needed to repair my gooseneck before our final voyage to New Zealand. Once again we stocked up for a 600-mile sail and left in the afternoon.

You see, Niue was the beginning of our end of our journey that will have taken us to 33 countries on five continents over 666 days at sea. This is the first time we landed in a territory of our future home country. We have been planning our immigration to New Zealand for more than a year now, learning what is needed, checking out properties for sale online, setting up advi-

20 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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sors to immigrate and buy a business, deciding on schools for the kids, and much more. We were starting over in a new world and were making sure it was where we wanted to be. Now, after all the planning it was becoming a reality in the very near future.

But, we still have a few adventures to go on Persevere and close to 1,500 miles to New Zealand. Niue to Tonga was a threeday sail, with a few pods of whales swimming alongside. Kept me up at night, especially when I saw a big cloud of phosphorous moving by in the dark from a whale going under the boat.

Cool, but unsettling at the same time. We arrived early in the morning.

Tonga is another one of those islands with a lot of hidden reefs and shoals around it, so it was a lot of double-checking the charts and looking overboard as we serpentined our way through a series of small islands into Neiafu on Saturday morning.

It being the weekend, customs would not be open until Monday (as on most of the Pacific islands), so we docked at the city dock and went out for lunch. We would check in Monday. No worries. We quickly got our bearings and signed up for the morning VHF expatriate update to find out what was what.

The next day we had a private tour set up to go swimming with whales.

We motored around in a small boat, and soon spotted some whales.

We dove in with snorkels and actually swam with them. The whales were only 15 to 30 feet away from us, and we caught up with a couple, a male and female, with the male singing. We floated along with them for 15 to 20 minutes until they got out of view, then got back into the boat and caught up with them again.

The whales would turn around and look at us, playing with each other.

The male was showing off for the female, spinning and breaking the surface and crashing and diving.

We were right there, and all we heard were splashes and the whale songs.

Breana, Mariel, Pam and I spent the whole day jumping in and out, swimming with three sets of whales.

They are one of the most majestic creatures I have even seen up close.

It was an experience we all will never forget. On the way back into Neiafu, we stopped at a couple of more caves to explore…surreal stuff because the openings were 20 feet below the surface, but opened up into a grotto inside the rock. Truly one of the best windcheckmagazine.com

experiences we’ve had in the last two years of sailing.

We ran into some sailors that we’d met in Bora Bora, and got together for a banquet lunch of roasted pig and local seafood on a beach on the other side of the island. It was a lot of fun and got to hear a few horror stories of crossings. The local VHF web hooked me up with a machinist, and I fixed the gooseneck with a galvanized steel bracket customized to reinforce the carbon gooseneck. After a fuel delivery, we began preparing to head to the last island in the Tonga chain, Nuku Alofa, Tongatapu.

Look for updates on Persevere’s journey in future issues of WindCheck. You can track the Raths’ progress on their Facebook page, “Persevere60545.” Colin’s book, It Is What It Is, can be purchased on ColinRath.com or at Amazon.com or any major bookstore. Look for his next book this fall. ■

WindCheck Magazine

April 2017

21

Adventures in Docking

By Derek Rupe Captains learn to recognize fear in eyes of the crew. I’ve seen fear, deep fear, white eyes and long stares. I wish these moments were always on hard crossings, rough groundings, or the occasional dismasting. But alas, terror is most likely experienced during the mundane task of leaving or returning to the slip. This is especially prevalent in people who grew up boating and have developed a Pavlovian fear response to being in the vicinity of a docking boat.

I am an amateur student of the human condition, and as such try to observe how other people go about their lives. In the case of boating, I’ve made a study of docking; in particular how the human dynamics of communication and social interaction have a similar effect on the movements of a vessel as the tide against the keel and the wind on the freeboard.

There is of course a spectrum of particulars, but I’ve observed three stereotypical couples. They represent three states, probably not linear stages but more likely three paths with three different destinations.

The Blameless Dictator Our first example can be found on any vessel, but I like to imagine most people with boats much nicer than mine fall into this bucket. The captain in this stereotypical couple is usually male, but not always. When docking, the captain is a blameless dictator who remains planted at the helm. He shouts orders, often in a condescending way, and blames everyone else for whatever is happening to the boat. The deckhand runs around, attempting inhuman feats of strength in an ever-changing situation as new orders and admonishments are issued. In the worst case, that deckhand has long ago run out of the will to hustle, or lacks the physicality to do so, and watches helplessly as the boat scrapes its way down the finger.

Often any particular line is referred to as “The rope…No, not that rope!” All other docking instruments such as cleats, boathooks and fenders fall under the “That thingy…No, the other thingy!” designation.

There are a few reasons beyond the obvious why this is a bad strategy. The blameless dictator often does not know why the boat is behaving as it is. Having not grasped all the forces at play and the subtleties – or not-so-subtleties – of prop-walk, he covers for his own inadequacies by blaming the deckhand, explaining to everyone who has gathered – to pulling on docklines and kick off gunwales, how she wasn’t able to lasso a piling from 20 feet away or act as a fulcrum to swing a 14,000-pound vessel against the current. After assigning any failures to those around him, the captain comes to believe his blameless nature, which is reinforced with each recalling of the event. In the long run, the real failure of this system is that the captain never realizes he’s awful at docking, doesn’t practice, and doesn’t seek information or help.

Too many boats are seldom used, the author reckons, because a lot of sailing couples haven’t mastered the nuances of incident-free docking.

There is a temptation to assume that this captain is a tyrant on land and the deckhand is always put upon, but that’s certainly not always the case. Many of these couples have great communication and interact positively outside of docking, but the worst comes out when the gelcoat’s in jeopardy. Beyond the captain not accepting responsibility for docking, the deckhand experiences increasing frustration at being admonished for things outside of their control…by the person actually responsible for smacking the dock.

The boat gets used less and less, and unless it serves as a dockside escape this couple will probably leave boating, although that’s not always the case. I often see couples that have been doing “the blameless dictator” for over 20 years by the looks of it, and plan to continue on well beyond the grave. I envy them a little; those captains without fault who know the failure of the boat to go upon its set course is due to the poor job everyone else is doing.

The Static Duo The next typical couple is the effective, but none-too-adaptable, static duo. They have perfected pulling into and out of their home slip and have a great system for cleating lines and placing fenders. Floating docks make this process easier. And if the boat is kept on a mooring, fairly competent sailors can fall into the static duo category when docking.

This couple is reasonably confident because docking has become easy where they keep the boat, but that changes once they start cruising and need to pull it in somewhere new. This also goes for fair weather sailors who have only gone out on bluebird days and don’t know what to do when a crosswind kicks up. Communication is clear as long as the situation is familiar, but new roles aren’t clear once something new happens or plans change.

I’ve found that the more I learn about seamanship and sailing in particular, the less I perceive myself to know in general.

There’s no better way to build false confidence then by having a string of successful dockings, without waves, wind or strong current, only to discover on a rough day, when you’d very much like

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to be back at the dock, that the captain and crew lack the skill to dock safely in adverse conditions.

Once things start going wrong, the captain can devolve to something close to the blameless dictator, but with one small difference. The deckhand in the static duo isn’t used to being assailed with orders like a maggot in boot camp. The deckhand’s reaction will most likely be to also lose their preverbal “stuff,” and chaos ensues.

Once that confidence – and possibly that relationship – is shattered, boating becomes a less enjoyable experience…because what if it happens again? Sailing is full of difficult situations that can shatter one’s sense of competency, which is very hard for some. These folks seem to prefer to maintain their perceived high level of confidence by not leaving the dock anymore. Small tasks and a never-ending list of little but plausible excuses keep the boat safe in port, but as John A. Shedd told us, that’s not what boats are built for.

I have only a short time scale of observation and thus cannot compare the current state of boat utilization to any wonderful yesteryear, but it seems to me that most boats are rarely used.

I often wake with a start in a cold sweat, thinking about all the passionate sailors who spent lots of money on a boat and continue to maintain it at great cost in time and treasure but don’t really use it. I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation, but I suspect that the real reason is fear and intimidation caused by a bad docking experience.

The Competent Couple This brings us to our final couple. They may sound like a prototype, but I have witnessed a benevolent few who walk like Tolkien’s elves in the land of filthy, fallen humans. In these competent couples the female is usually the captain, though not always. Either individual is capable of helming, with whoever’s at the helm taking full responsibility for what’s happening to the vessel. Commands from the captain are quick, if at all, as both are situationally aware of the wind, current, boat position and speed as well as the rudder angle. Words like “port bow spring” and “breast cleat” accompany orders.

When these two are working together, rarely are docklines pulled or pilings pushed off of. The helmsman positions the vessel so they can tie off to windward, securing lines calmly and quickly. Typically, both adjust docklines once the boat is in position.

The competent couple doesn’t think they are good at docking, by the standards they have for themselves. This means that instead of steaming hard into the marina, they might slow down and strategize before getting into a tight space. If they’re in a strange port – or on an unfamiliar vessel – they might grab a mooring and scout with a dinghy to learn about tidal current and space to maneuver once inside.

This couple was not born good at docking, but they worked on it. When things do not go right there are no blame games, but it’s understood that the person at the helm is responsible so no blame need be assigned. They discuss the play of the current and wind, along with prop-walk. The effectiveness of the rudder at certain speeds is tested, and each person makes a mental note of how much water speed is required to come about into the wind when getting into position. Mistakes are internalized, and problems are practiced instead of avoided. The challenges of docking become skills to master, not dread or plan around.

The exceptional sailing couple makes docking as easy as possible for themselves, possibly even swapping out their inboard diesel engine with its slow-shifting gearbox for an electric inboard. With a direct drive reduction gear, an electric motor changes from forward to reverse instantly without risk of stalling, and all of its torque is available from zero rpm. Those exceptional sailor types can go to captineer.com to get more information on electric auxiliary power.

I’ve found the best experiences are often the most challenging. Docking is an exception to this. It’s easy to screw up, and doing it properly goes unnoticed, but it’s the bookend for where we want to be: on the water, sailing. With that goal in mind, I’d like to encourage everyone to dock with consideration.

To captains, I’ll add that consideration extends to the crew. If you’re even a little bit of an ass, particularly at the end of a day of sailing, that’ll be what the crew remembers. And that just might result in yet another boat resting in berth on beautiful days. ■ Derek Rupe is the founder and president of Captineer, a New London, CT-based company specializing in electric auxiliary power for sailboats. To learn more, log onto captineer.com.

24 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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WindCheck Magazine

April 2017

25

book reviews.

“We’re All On the Journey”

A Compilation of the E-mailed Reports from the Otter

By Brechin Lee Morgan Published by OtterNews Publishing 284 pages paperback $19.95 Casting off his docklines at Ballard’s Dock on Block Island on November 12, 1998, Brechin Morgan departed on a solo, east-towest circumnavigation of the Earth aboard his 27-foot pacific Seacraft Orion Otter. Completing his voyage on May 17, 2003, Morgan tossed the first of those four lines to his wife Sandy, who was waiting at Ballard’s. The second line was tossed to his parents, John Brechin Morgan and Alice Getchell Morris, followed by the third to his children, Laura and Scott, and the fourth to his grandchildren, “little” Brechin, Tyler and Eric.

Raising a pint of Guinness to cheers from hundreds of friends who had gathered to greet him, Morgan said, “During this trip I made a connection to sailors from long ago and far away.” Indeed, the affable solo circumnavigator has a strong connection to the first person to sail around the world alone. Morgan’s grandmother knew Joshua Slocum, and in 1909 he gave her a small bottle of seashells he’d collected. Morgan brought that bottle around the world on Otter.

A very talented artist, Morgan recorded his voyage with sketches and watercolors, selling many along the way to help fund a trip that he completed on a shoestring budget. Although he was more focused on adventuring than filing reports after leaving the Pacific, this “Editor’s Commemorative, Homecoming Edition” recounts Morgan’s trip from Milford, Connecticut to Block, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, Aruba, Panama, the Galapagos Islands, the Marquesas, Tahiti, Bora Bora, the Cook Islands, Tonga and New Zealand. Morgan received the Joshua Slocum Society’s Golden Circle Award, which is presented to sailors who have made a fully documented solo circumnavigation of the world. An enjoyable read for aspiring circumnavigators and armchair sailors alike, “We’re All On the Journey” (also available as a Kindle edition) can be purchased at Amazon.com.

Brec Morgan has worked as an oysterman and a sign shop owner, and he’s currently a professional artist renowned for his masterful use of color. His studio is located in Bridgeport, CT, and he and his wife Sandy live in nearby Milford. To view Morgan’s online portfolio – and perhaps commission an original painting – log onto brecmorgan.com. ■ 26 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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Tides

The Science and Spirit of the Ocean

By Jonathan White Foreword by Peter Matthiessen Published by Trinity University Press 368 pages hardcover $24.95 Growing up on the beaches of Southern California, author Jonathan White enjoyed surfing, diving, sailing and fishing, but it wasn’t until he nearly lost his boat, a 65-foot wooden schooner, after running aground on a spring tide in Alaska that he vowed to learn more about our planet’s most inexorable force and how it affects many aspects of human existence.

White visited five continents during a decade of research for Tides. He raced the Silver Dragon, a 25-foot tidal bore on China’s Qiantang River; dove under Arctic ice to harvest mussels; spoke with monks living in the Mont Saint-Michel monastery in France, and witnessed the threat of sea level rise in Venice and Panama and the promise of tidal power generation in Chile and Scotland.

Particularly enlightening is a conversation with Greg Long – regarded by many as the most prepared big wave surfer in the world – who very nearly lost his life at Cortes Bank, an underwater seamount 100 miles off the coast of Southern California.

Jonathan White has built and sailed many boats, logged more than 100,000 miles on the Pacific and Atlantic, and surfed all over the world. An active marine conservationist, he lives with his wife and son on Orcas Island, WA.

White enjoys speaking to audiences of all kinds, and he’s given talks and keynote presentations at museums, aquariums, yacht clubs, government institutions, book clubs, writing conferences, grade schools, bookstores and universities. He’s speaking in New York City this month, with presentations at The Explorers Club on April 3 (open to the public), New York Yacht Club (April 4; private), and Hudson River Community Sailing (April 5; open to the public). For more information, visit jonathanwhitewriter.com. ■

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WindCheck Magazine

April 2017

27

sound environment.

New York to Build Nation’s Second and Largest Offshore Wind Power Project

By Catherine Bowes, National Wildlife Federation Senior Manager for Climate & Energy On January 25, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Board of Trustees voted to approve a contract for the South Fork Wind Farm, a 90-megawatt (MW) project that will produce enough clean, local energy to power 50,000 homes. The project’s 15 turbines will be built 30 miles east of Montauk, New York, in an area of federal waters already leased for wind energy development. Most importantly to National Wildlife Federation, developer Deepwater Wind has a strong record of positive stakeholder engagement and environmental protection in the development of their projects – including working closely with us and our partners to take additional steps to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales at their historic Block Island Wind Farm completed last year.

In just a few years, we will look back on this vote by the Long Island Power Authority as one of the pivotal decisions that launched American offshore wind power, a new wildlife-friendly clean energy industry that will create tens of thousands of jobs and

Deepwater Wind’s Block Island Wind Farm (pictured) is now fully operational. The company is moving ahead with plans to build a 15-turbine project in the waters east of Montauk, NY that will provide clean, locally produced electricity for 50,000 homes. © dwind.com

supply pollution-free electricity right where we need it. The National Wildlife Federation applauds Governor Cuomo and LIPA for this bold leadership in seizing the golden opportunity far off our shores to protect our communities and wildlife from climate change.

For years, LIPA and New York Governor Cuomo have received overwhelming support for offshore wind power from

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environmental, business, labor, public health, and civic organizations, as well as elected officials on Long Island and across the state. NWF and our state affiliate, Environmental Advocates of New York, have been proud to stand with this powerful coalition, which released this celebratory statement today praising LIPA’s leadership.

American Offshore Wind is Taking Off As we recently highlighted, 2016 was by far the “Best Year Ever for American Offshore Wind Power” – with the nation’s first project coming online and a historic offshore wind policy passed in Massachusetts. With New York’s strong leadership right out of the gate, 2017 is already well on track to take that title.

The LIPA vote comes just two weeks after Governor Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State speech, where he made a bold commitment to offshore wind power as a key strategy for meeting New York’s goal of producing 50 percent of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. In addition to supporting the South Fork Wind Farm, Governor Cuomo has committed the Empire State to developing enough offshore wind power to supply 1.25 million homes (2,400 MW).

Together, these strategic commitments from New York and Massachusetts will create a regional market for 4,000 MW of offshore wind power, positioning the Northeast to become a hub for a rapidly growing industry that will create tens of thousands of jobs across a range of sectors and ensure a reliable, affordable supply of pollution-free electricity for decades to come. This is not just good for the environment, it is also great news for our

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economy: offshore wind power prices are dropping dramatically overseas where this booming, mature industry currently supports over 75,000 jobs.

And It’s Great News for Wildlife, too For over 6 years, NWF has worked closely with offshore wind developers and conservation partners to ensure this clean energy solution becomes a pillar of America’s energy future – and one that models careful protection of marine and coastal wildlife every step of the way.

We were proud to endorse America’s first project – the Block Island Wind Farm – as a shining example of wildlife-friendly energy development, and have high hopes for Deepwater Wind’s second project. In addition to taking extra precautions to protect endangered whales during the construction of the Block Island Wind Farm, Deepwater Wind has signed multiple agreements with NWF and our partners to take a similar approach to ensuring wildlife are protected in the area that will host the South Fork Wind Farm as well as in the Mid-Atlantic region where they have proposed a third project, the Skipjack Wind Farm.

Looking forward, NWF will continue to work closely with Deepwater Wind and all offshore wind developers to ensure that the highest standards of wildlife protection continue to guide America’s pursuit of this critically needed clean energy source. Help us keep up this momentum! Our state leaders along the coast need to hear a resounding call to action to harness the power of offshore wind and to keep wildlife at the table every step of the way. ■

WindCheck Magazine

April 2017

29

from the captain of the port

Gentlemen (and Ladies), Start Your Engines!

By Vincent Pica Commodore, First District, Southern Region (D1SR) United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Back in the fall, we talked about how to get the boat ready for a long, cold and dank winter. Time and tide are now on our side. Here on Long Island’s East End, most bay constables allow moorings back in the water as of April 1 – and the weather will turn our way, too. So, before you start your engines, ready the boat!

Getting Started As with any project, the beginning is the best place to start and for “commissioning” (i.e. getting the boat ready for service), the beginning is the front of the boat. For those that trailer their boats, the front of the boat is the trailer. Who wants to go flying down Route 27 and see their boat doing somersaults along the side of the road? How do you prevent that? Well, start with the strap that comes out of the winch. Connected to the bow eye, it is the first line of defense. Pay out a few feet and make sure that there aren’t any frayed or torn segments. If there are, you will need to cut out that entire segment and re-attach the strap. If you aren’t sure how, and you need to be since this strap is the first line of defense, get help from a competent mechanic or dock master.

While you’re at it, why not spray the winch and all the moving parts with some penetrating oil. Pay out the entire strap if need be, and re-coil it up so that you are sure you get a good covering of the moving parts with penetrating oil. Take a walk around the boat and be sure the tie-down straps are all equally in good shape. If not, replace them.

As to the boat itself now, open the anchor locker and flake out the anchor rode (the line and chain attaching the anchor to the “eye” in the bottom of your anchor locker) and lay the anchor “on the hard.” Again, check the shackles, as well as the rode itself, for excessive wear. Replace or repair, as needed. No sense having the boat float away one day because the anchor rode wore through or a shackle pin gave out.

Be sure that the navigation lights (red and green) are working.

If not, take the bulb to the marine hardware store and replace it – and buy spares. The gas is more expensive than a few extra bulbs…

Your storage area(s) might be forward, so open them up and ensure that PFDs, tools, etc. are all in good condition. Check that there is no standing water in the compartment. If so, the “limber holes” are clogged and the water can’t get to the bilge to be pumped overboard. Every ounce of weight that wasn’t on the boat when it was manufactured changes its centers of buoyancy and gravity. In heavy seas, that just might matter a whole lot.

Next are the cockpit and the electronics. Disconnect them, spray the connectors with some “white grease,” reconnect and test the gear. If a connector is corroded, replace it. This all will keep salt in the air from penetrating your electronics.

If you haven’t checked the PFDs yet, do it now. Check your whistle, your horn, your flares – any and all safety equipment.

Don’t forget your fire extinguisher(s). If its gauge isn’t “in the green,” chuck it. Also, gently shake it side to side, head over end.

If you hear a “thunk,” the dry chemical has solidified. It is now a good doorstop, but not much else. You should hear a low “Shhh” sound as the suppressant moves back and forth.

Check the fuel tank. Is the “sender wire”(which runs from the top of the tank (usually) to the fuel gauge) in good condition?

How about the filter? And check the fuel lines, too. Weak or cracked hoses must be replaced, along with rusted hose clamps. Be sure to buy stainless steel hose clamps. How are the battery and the clamps that attach to the posts? Just like a car, all this has to be in good condition.

The engine is the most obvious component to ready for service. Change the oil – all the oil – including the oil down in the foot of the engine (if it’s an outboard). You’ll need a large straightslot screwdriver for the two screws (high and low) that have to be backed out, a bucket, and a quart of oil. Find all the grease fittings and gently pump new grease in until it comes out somewhere else.

Don’t forget the steering cable fitting. Be sure that the oil dipstick is properly seated. By the way, if you do have trailer, check the tires and the lube the bearings. As with the engine grease, pump it in gently. Who wants to push out a seal?

Reset the spark plug(s) in the engine before you put the cover back on – unless you are going to work on the prop. Some old models might start up when you turn the prop – and that will definitely ruin your Saturday. Once ready to start the boat, be sure it is in water! You need it for coolant! It will smoke at first from the fogging oil you laid in the fall, but that will quickly pass.

OK, there are surely more things to do but you are well on your way to heading out to the high seas – or at least our bays and creeks.

If you are interested in being part of the USCG Forces, email me at JoinUSCGAux@aol.com or go direct to the D1SR Human Resources department, who are in charge of new members matters, at d1south.org/StaffPages/DSO-HR.php and we will help you “get in this thing.” ■ Captain Andrew Tucci is the Captain of the Port and Sector Commander for US Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. Captain Tucci is responsible for all active-duty, reservist and auxiliary Coast Guard personnel within the Sector. As a Commodore of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary First District, Southern Region, Vin Pica works closely with Captain Tucci and his staff to promote boating safety in the waters between Connecticut, Long Island and 200 nautical miles offshore. Sector Long Island Sound Command Center can be reached 24 hours a day at 203-468-4401.

30 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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The Boating Barrister Of Cherry Blossoms and Injured Sailors

By John K. Fulweiler George Washington, the fellow that’s supposedly slept in every house from here to Virginia, lost four battles before he found his traction in Trenton with a beat-down on the Hessians. This persistence on his part is likely why he’s swaddled in the Edward Young quote: “Affliction is a good man’s shining time,” which words he wears well. I like that quote too, for the fact that it underscores the power of persistence.

The Continental Army (as Washington’s ragged troops were referred to) were, if anything, equally persistent. They climbed in an out of long boats lugging cannons and horses, and marched along the Eastern seaboard leaving bloody footprints in the snow as shoes were in scarce supply. The accounts of these ordeals (even discounted for historical embellishment) are grim.

Perhaps, and forgive an inartful pivot to a maritime topic, these experiences echoed down the halls of history so as to encourage Congress and the Courts to offer unique protections to sailors. The shifting nature of maritime work, the many foreign interests and the harsh conditions are as close as you might conjure to the sufferings of our Country’s first patriots.

Maritime injuries are different than injuries suffered ashore. Not only are they easier to suffer (think pitching vessels and saltwater slick decks), but the remedies and processes to seek compensation are different. While I could lull you to sleep with legal curious, let’s focus on two issues you might have reason to remember in the future.

First, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, crewmembers are and must remain wards of the admiralty Court. That is, the Court gives crewmembers special attention and protection. I’ve read a few things lately urging a change of course on this point and that’s flat-out boardroom talk, in my opinion. Oh, the platitudes begin, but sailors today are in a different spot what with protections afforded by modern technology, strong unions and well-run ships. Really? Not so, and the maritime Courts don’t seem to think so either. Sailors today, whether aboard the milelong gleaming decks of a yacht or chipping rust on a container ship, share the same common experience and risks. Both sets of maritime works are vulnerable in the same way and both are typically entitled to a host of maritime remedies.

Still, the scope of these protections is not unlimited. In my experience, where there’s no overreaching, the Court is not going to unduly favor a crewmember to the prejudice of a ship

owner. The way I see it is that by tucking a crewmember under its judicial wing, the admiralty Court is simply making certain that the seas are even and the fight is fair.

Second, and because baseball analogies seem right this time of year (in the voice of the Yankees announcer, John Sterling, please): “And the court goes Boom! It’s high, it’s far and ‘lo looks like the Supremes might be looking at this one next.”

That’s right, a recent appellate decision reversing the jury’s decision in a Jones Act lawsuit tees up an issue that’s sort of academic, but dripping with real world implications.

The Jones Act is a federal statute allowing a crewmember to sue his/her employer to recover for injuries. The issue in this appeal was whether a crewmember could seek damages under the Jones Act for an injury caused by excessive stress and an erratic sleep schedule. The appellate court said, “Nope, you need an injury caused by a physical peril to recover under the Jones Act handing the employer an appellate win.”

An elegantly written dissent (meaning not every judge on the appeal court agreed with this outcome) neatly explains my problem with this outcome. The plaintiff pleaded and proved to a jury’s satisfaction that the corporation’s working environment which included average workdays of 16 hours caused physical damage to his heart. The jury, the dissenting opinion explains, was asked to identify whether the injury was “emotional” or “physical” and decided it was a “physical” injury. Deference, the dissent says, should’ve been given to the jury. Indeed, indeed.

The Supreme Court might just gaff and drag this decision aboard for a good unfolding because the 11th Circuit’s reasoning conflicts with the reasoning of other appellate courts. On the other hand, after looking at it they might pass figuring it’s a foul ball into the stands with more pitches to come. You can read a copy of the decision on our website at saltwaterlaw.com.

Underway and making way. ■

Sailors today, whether aboard the mile-long gleaming decks of a yacht or chipping rust on a container ship, share the same common experience and risks.

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John K. Fulweiler, Esq. is a Proctorin-Admiralty representing individuals and small businesses in maritime matters including personal injury claims throughout the East and Gulf Coasts and with his office in Newport, Rhode Island. He can be reached at 1-800-383-MAYDAY (6293), or visit his website at saltwaterlaw.com.

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Calendar 2017 APRIL 1 One Day Race Management Seminar Cynthia Parthemos is the instructor for this US Sailing event. $45 fee includes course packet, online testing, coffee, tea, lunch and snacks. 8am - 5pm; Milford Yacht Club, Milford, CT; ussailing.org/ race-officials/find-a-seminar/ race-officer-seminar-calendar/ 1 One Day Race Management Seminar Sandy Grosvenor is the instructor for this US Sailing event. $60 fee includes course packet, online testing and lunch. 8am - 5pm; American Yacht Club, Rye, NY; ussailing.org/race-officials/finda-seminar/race-officer-seminarcalendar/ 1 Western Long Island Sound Lighthouse Cruise Venture out on the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s hybridelectric research vessel Spirit of the Sound™ for an close-up look at eight historic lighthouses: Peck Ledge, Greens Ledge, Sheffield Island, Harbor Ledge, Great Captain Island, Execution Rocks, Sands Point, Stepping Stones and Eaton’s Neck. Maritime Aquarium educators will offer details, histories and anecdotes about the lighthouses, and also point out visiting winter waterfowl.

Binoculars will be provided. The vessel has a climate-controlled cabin, but the best view’s on deck so bring plenty of warm

© maritimeaquarium.org

7pm presentation; $25 ($10 members; $5 with valid academic ID); The Explorers Club, New York, NY; explorers.org; jonathanwhitewriter.com

clothes. Passengers must be over 42” tall. The 7-hour cruise departs at 9am. $75 ($65 for Aquarium members); advance reservations are required. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, CT; 203-852-0700, ext. 2206; maritimeaquarium.org 1 Beach Cleanup at Bailey’s Brook This event is one of many volunteer opportunities with Clean Ocean Access, a non-profit organization taking “action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities.”

12pm - 2pm; Middletown, RI; *to confirm details before all COA events, call 401-236-2561, email info@cleanoceanaccess.org, or visit cleanoceanaccess.org.

1&2 Dellenbaugh Women’s Trophy This collegiate regatta is hosted by Brown and sailed in Z420s. Providence, RI; collegesailing.org 1&2 Lynne Marchiando Team Race This collegiate regatta is hosted by MIT and sailed in FJs and Fireflies. Boston, MA; collegesailing.org 1, 8, 22 & 29 Music of the Sea: Ballads, Chanteys, and Songs of the Sailor Sharpen your musical skills while exploring the rich connections between music and the sea. The class will culminate in a performance at the Museum’s Greenmanville Church. 10am - 12pm; $90 ($110 non-members); Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; call 860572-5331 to register; mysticseaport.org 3 Public Lecture Series with Jonathan White The writer, a sailor, surfer and environmental activist will give an illustrated talk and sign copies of his new book, Tides:The Science and Spirit of the Ocean. 6pm reception;

© Chris White

4 and ongoing until the fall On Land and Sea: A Century of Women in the Rosenfeld Collection Mystic Seaport’s exhibit of 70 photographs chronicles both the luxurious and the hardworking life of women in the 20th century as seen through the lenses of the Rosenfeld family of photographers. As part of the opening of the exhibition, Margaret Andersen Rosenfeld will sign copies of her book On Land and Sea on Saturday, March 4 from 10 - 11am in the Thompson Exhibition Building.

The exhibit is located in the R.J. Schaefer Building at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; mysticseaport.org

© Mystic Seaport Rosenfeld Collection

5 A Presentation by Jonathan White In this Hudson River Community Sailing Tell Tales presentation, the writer, a sailor, surfer and environmental activist, will give an illustrated talk and sign copies of his new book, Tides:The Science and Spirit of the Ocean. 7pm; free and open

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to the public; Pier 66 Boathouse, New York, NY; please visit hudsonsailing.org to RSVP; jonathanwhitewriter.com 6 Singles Under Sail - Meet the Skippers This event is at 7:30pm at Ponus YC, Stamford, CT. Single, social, love to sail or want to learn? SUS offers that and more! Regular meetings are held at The Doubletree Hotel in Norwalk, CT at 7:30pm on the first & third Thursdays during the summer. SUS skippers love to take members sailing. Check out SUS on Meetup, Facebook and singlesundersail.org. For more information, message or call 203-847-3456.

6 & 20 Shoreline Sailing Club meeting If you’re an active single over 35, this club’s activities include sailing, fishing, kayaking, dances, dockside parties, golfing, skiing and more. Meetings are held the first & third Thursdays of each month. 7:30pm; Westbrook Elks Lodge, Westbrook, CT; shorelinesailingclub.com 8 Beach Cleanup at Fort Adams This event is one of many volunteer opportunities with Clean Ocean Access, a non-profit organization taking “action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities.”

12 - 2pm; Newport, RI; *to confirm details before all COA events, call 401-236-2561, email info@cleanoceanaccess.org, or visit cleanoceanaccess.org.

8&9 Greenwich Boat Show At the most unique in-water boat show in the Northeast, more than 100 boats will be presented by the area’s best dealers, and attendees can take advantage of free sea trials on Long Island Sound. 10am - 4pm; free admission; Greenwich Water Club, Cos Cob, CT; to preview the models on display and book sea trials in advance, visit greenwichboatshow.com.

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8&9 USCG Launch Operator’s License Course This 16-hour, hands-on course is for anyone who wants to learn how to safely operate a powerboat, improve their on-the-water boat handling skills and earn a U.S. Coast Guard (geographically) Limited Masters or a Limited Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) U.S. Coast Guard License. $350; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-941-2219; landfallnavigation.com/uscglaunch.html Also offered 5/6 & 7, 6/10 & 11 and 7/22 & 23 8&9 Emily Wick Trophy This collegiate regatta is hosted by the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and sailed in FJs and Z420s.

New London, CT; collegesailing.org 9 North U. Rules & Tactics Seminar Spend time with Dave Perry and the new Racing Rules for 2017-2020. 8:30am - 4:30pm; Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club, Branford, CT; Francine Wainer: 203-245-0727; Francine.Wainer@northsails. com; northu.com 10 - 15 Les Voiles de Saint Barth 7th Edition With competition on the water and conviviality on the shore, this French and fabulous regatta attracts sailors from around the world.

St. Barth, FWI; lesvoilesdesaintbarth.com 11 & 12 Pirate Days Follow clues on a treasure map to discover pirates and a hidden treasure.

Learn about pirate history during a rousing performance of “Arrr You Ready To Be a Pirate?” See how pirates navigated at the High Seas Planetarium Show (3pm show; additional ticket required). Create your own pirate souvenir to take home, and play pirate games on the Village Green.

There will be photo ops with pirates and high-spirited activities throughout the day. 10am windcheckmagazine.com

- 1pm; admission is free for Mystic Seaport members and $5 per child (plus museum admission for non-members. Please call 860-572-0711 to register.

Planetarium shows are $3 for members ($4 non-members), and kids 5 and younger are free. Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; mysticseaport.org 13 Across Three Oceans In this Mystic Seaport Adventure Series presentation, Lenore & Ralph Naranjo will discuss how they turned an interest in club racing and overnight cruising into a five-year family voyage around the world.1:30 and 7:30pm; $15 for museum members ($20 non-members); students are admitted free; *The afternoon program will be held at The River Room at Latitude 41° Restaurant & Tavern, Mystic, CT and the evening program will be held at Stonebridge Retirement Community, Mystic, CT; call 860-572-5331 to purchase tickets; mysticseaport.org 15 Beach Cleanup at Corys Lane This event is one of many volunteer opportunities with Clean Ocean Access, a non-profit organization taking “action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities.”

12 - 2pm; Portsmouth, RI; *to confirm details before all COA events, call 401-236-2561, email info@cleanoceanaccess.org, or visit cleanoceanaccess.org.

15 Central Long Island Sound Lighthouse Cruise This 5-hour cruise aboard the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s hybrid-electric research vessel Spirit of the Sound will make close passes by five beacons: Peck Ledge, Greens Ledge, Sheffield Island, Penfield Reef, and Stratford Shoal. Maritime Aquarium educators will offer details, histories and anecdotes about the lighthouses, and also point out visiting winter waterfowl. Binoculars will be provided.

The vessel has a climate-controlled cabin, but the best view’s on deck so bring plenty of warm clothes. Passengers must be WindCheck Magazine

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APRIL Continued over 42” tall. The 5-hour cruise departs at 10am. $70 ($60 for Aquarium members); advance reservations are required. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, CT; 203-852-0700, ext. 2206; maritimeaquarium.org 15 & 16 President’s Trophy Women’s This collegiate regatta is hosted by Boston University and sailed in FJs. Boston, MA; collegesailing.org

© CynthiaSinclair/cynthiasinclair. smugmug.com

15 & 16 Thompson Trophy This collegiate regatta is hosted by the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and sailed in FJs and Z420s. New London, CT; collegesailing.org 16 Sea Shanty Session Led by the Folk Music Society of New York, this program offers a great opportunity to experience authentic, time-honored maritime songs in an appropriately historic setting. The sessions are free and family friendly, and you are encouraged to sing along if the mood strikes you! 2- 5pm; Noble Maritime Collection, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island, NY; noblemaritime.org 18 - 20 Sailing The Collegiate Dinghies This 3-day clinic is for high school & college sailors who are fairly experienced with racing dinghies and are looking for the next level of refinement to their speed and handling skills. Crimson Sailing Academy, Cambridge, MA;

crimsonsailingacademy.com

SC; charlestonraceweek.com

20 Singles Under Sail - Program meeting Single, social, love to sail or want to learn? SUS offers that and more! This meeting and other regular meetings are held at The Doubletree Hotel in Norwalk, CT at 7:30pm on the first & third Thursdays during the summer. SUS skippers love to take members sailing. Check out SUS on Meetup, Facebook and singlesundersail.org. For more information, message or call 203-847-3456.

21 - 23 US Sailing Match Racing Championship Qualifier (Grade 3) and Clinic A clinic led by Dave Perry is Friday, and the Qualifier is Saturday & Sunday. (The US Sailing Match Racing Championship for the Prince of Wales Bowl will be held at Oakcliff October 13 15.) Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 516-802-0368; bsimon@oakcliffsailing.org; oakcliffsailing.org

20 - 23 22nd Annual Sperry Charleston Race Week Enjoy springtime fun and competition in the #1 city in the world (according to the readers of Travel & Leisure magazine), with three days of racing in 18 classes, four nights of beach parties, free daily race debriefs and seminars, and a heapin’ helpin’ of Southern hospitality. Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Mt. Pleasant,

© oakcliffsailing.org

22 McMichael Spring Boat

"Your Refit Specialists" Painting/Composite/Fiberglass Repair and Fabrication/Woodworking Project Management and Consulting

www.cooleymarine.com

203.873.6494

50 Housatonic Ave, Suite 204 Stratford, CT 06615 34 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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Show A variety of new and select brokerage sail- and powerboats will be on display.

McMichael Post Road Yard, Mamaroneck, NY; Rain date is April 23. McMichaelYachtBrokers.com 22 The Gulf Stream: A Navigator’s Perspective Led by instructor W. Frank Bohlen, this three-hour course includes a discussion of the navigational challenges of the Stream and Florida currents, hands-on exercises and selected readahead materials. 6 - 9pm; $100; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-941-2219; landfallnavigation.com/navigategulf-stream-weather.html 22 North U. Rules & Tactics Seminar Spend time with Todd Berman and the new Racing Rules for 2017-2020.

8:30am - 4:30pm; The Dinghy Shop, Amityville, NY; Francine Wainer: 203-245-0727; Francine.Wainer@northsails.com; northu.com

22 Beach Cleanup at Cliff Walk (Marine Avenue) This event is one of many volunteer opportunities with Clean Ocean Access, a nonprofit organization taking “action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities.” 12 2pm; Newport, RI; *to confirm details before all COA events, call 401-236-2561, email info@ cleanoceanaccess.org, or visit cleanoceanaccess.org.

22 & 23 Admiral’s Cup This collegiate regatta is hosted by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and sailed in 420s, FJs and Lasers. Kings Point, NY; collegesailing.org 22 & 23 Boston Dinghy Club Challenge Cup This collegiate regatta is hosted by Harvard and MIT and sailed in FJs and Fireflies. Boston, MA; collegesailing.org

22 & 23 George E. Morris Trophy This collegiate regatta is hosted

by Boston University and sailed in FJs. Boston, MA; collegesailing.org 23 Sound-Off! Sponsored in part by the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, this is a hands-on afternoon of exploring importance of the Sound. Clean up a mock oil spill, touch live critters, learn how to help nesting sea birds, see ways to fertilize for better storm water management, try water monitoring, train for alewife monitoring, and learn about marine biodiversity.

12 - 4pm; free; The Whaling Museum & Education Center, Cold Spring Harbor, NY; cshwhalingmuseum.org 29 20th Annual New York Harbor Sailing Foundation Sailors Ball This black tie gala celebrates the start of the new sailing season and raises money for Operation Optimist,

the largest junior sailing program in New York Harbor. 9pm - 1am; The Down Town Association, New York, NY; nyharborsailing.com/sailors-ball 29 Herreshoff Marine Museum /America’s Cup Hall of Fame Opening Day Bristol, RI; herreshoff.org 29 Laser Lagoon Regatta Nyack Boat Club, Nyack, NY; nyackboatclub.org 29 & 30 Lightning Class Spring Championship Columbia Sailing Club, Columbia, SC; lightningclass.org 29 - 5/5 50th Antigua Sailing Week Antigua, BWI; sailingweek.com 29 & 30 and 5/6 & 7 38th Annual AYC Spring Series Regatta One-Design, IRC & PHRF; American Yacht

YACHT CLUB RACE WEEK PARTICIPANTS SAVE 40% OFF TRANSIENT FEES Inquire about additional Transient Loyalty Program Benefits.

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TGMAn c h orPoin t Marina .co m | 203.363.0733 | VHF 68 150 S outhfield Ave nue , Sta m fo r d, C T 0 6 9 0 2 eswanson@tgmcommunities.com windcheckmagazine.com

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APRIL

MAY

Continued

4 Singles Under Sail - Knot Tying and Boating Safety This event is held at Flotilla 72 in Norwalk, CT at 7:30pm.

Single, social, love to sail or want to learn? SUS offers that and more! This meeting and other regular SUS meetings are held at The Doubletree Hotel in Norwalk, CT at 7:30pm on the first and third Thursdays during the summer. SUS skippers love to take members sailing. Check out SUS on Meetup, Facebook and singlesundersail.org. For more information, message or call 203-847-3456.

Club, Rye, NY; yachtscoring.com; americanyc.org 30 Peter Milnes Memorial Regatta This event, hosted

by Laser Fleet 413 and Sail Newport, honors the man who founded Fleet 413 in 1988. Newport, RI; newportlaserfleet.org

© newportlaserfleet.org

4 & 18 Shoreline Sailing Club meeting If you’re an active single over 35, this club’s activities include sailing, fishing, kayaking, dances, dockside parties, golfing, skiing and more. Meetings are held the first & third Thursdays of each month. 7:30pm; Westbrook Elks Lodge, Westbrook, CT; shorelinesailingclub.com

5-7 Connecticut Spring InWater Boat Show Produced by WindCheck and sponsored by Brewer Essex Island Marina, Essex Boat Works and the Yacht Brokers Association of America, this is an in-water boutique show featuring sail- & powerboats with sea trial opportunities. Parking and admission are free, and this is a great personal event to see boats and talk with dealers and manufacturers. Hours are 1 - 7pm Friday and 10am - 5pm Saturday & Sunday. Brewer Essex Island Marina, Essex, CT; CTSpringBoatShow.com

© CTSpringBoatShow.com

5-7 Build a Model Boat With Clint Chase Under the tutelage of the founder of Chase Small Craft, you’ll build your own quarter-scale boat model of the classic, beautiful Echo Bay Dory Skiff. The 35-inch model is designed to be built just like the real boat. $100 + tuition. Snow Farm, Williamsburg, MA; register at 413-268-3101 or snowfarm. org; chase-small-craft.com 6 7th Annual Connecticut River Dinghy Distance Race Open to Lasers, Force 5s, Sunfish, MC Scows, JY/15s, Hobies, and all other monohulls and multihulls with an accurate Portsmouth Yardstick rating, this fun race has a course of approximately 10.5 nm from Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam, CT downstream to Calves Island and back upstream to the finish just south of Brockway Island off Hamburg Cove. Awards ceremony (trophies to the top three finishers in single-handed, crewed & multihull divisions) at Pettipaug Yacht Club in Essex. Contact Dan Rennie at

Fine Art • Products • Services

www.catebrownphoto.com | 401.499.9401 | Rhode Island 36 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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danrenniect@gmail.com or visit facebook.com. ConnecticutRiverDinghyDistanceRace

© Jane Reilly

6 Return to the River This Hudson River Community Sailing event brings together students & families in the HRCS youth development programs, adult sailing club members, and the general public. Students will bless, launch and sail the wooden boats they’ve built during the winter, volunteers and staff will offer short sailing lessons free of charge, and there will be maritime-themed workshops, food & music. 9am - 5pm; free; Pier 66 Boathouse, New York,

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NY; hudsonsailing.org 9 Women’s Western Long Island Sound Supper Series begins American YC, Riverside YC, Larchmont YC and Indian Harbor YC; yralis.org 9 Women’s Eastern Long Island Sound Supper Series begins Black Rock YC, Norwalk YC, Noroton YC and Pequot YC; yralis.org 9 Breakwater Irregulars Tuesday Night Spring Series begins Stamford, CT; breakwaters.org 10 EBYRA Wednesday Night Race Series begins Eastchester Bay Yacht Racing Association, City Island, NY; ebyra.com 10 Black Rock Harbor Wednesday Night Series

begins Black Rock Yacht Club and Fayerweather Yacht Club, Bridgeport, CT; blackrockyc.org; fycct.org 10 Pequot Yacht Club Wednesday Night Series begins Southport, CT; pequotyc.com 10 & 11 Spring Arts & Crafts Show Presented by East Coast Craft Shows and sponsored by the Downtown Milford Business Association, this popular event features a large display of professional artists and crafts for enjoyment and purchase, exhibits by local businesses and non-profit organizations, and food vendors on the picturesque downtown Milford Green.

Saturday 10am - 5pm; Sunday 10 am - 4pm; free; Milford, CT; downtownmilfordct.com 11 Cow Bay Cruising Association Thirsty Thursday Night Series begins Port

Washington, NY 11 Can One Thursday Night Series begins New Rochelle, NY; canone.org 11 Riverside Yacht Club Thursday Night Series begins Riverside, CT; riversideyc.org 13 62nd Annual Distance Race “The Edlu,” a 32-mile race from Larchmont Breakwater to Gong 11B off Eaton’s Neck and back, is open to IRC & PHRF boats (IRC DoubleHanded, PHRF Spinnaker & Non-Spinnaker divisions with sufficient entries). Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont, NY; racecommittee@larchmontyc. org; larchmontyc.org 13 Alfred Roosevelt Cup Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Oyster Bay, NY; seawanhaka.org

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MAY Continued 13 Thames Yacht Club Marine Tag Sale & Open House This family boating club is accepting applications for new members & moorings. 10am - 3pm; 396 Pequot Ave, New London, CT; thamesyc.org 14 Captain Harbor Yacht Racing Association Sunday Series begins Belle Haven YC, Indian Harbor YC, Riverside YC and Old Greenwich YC; yralis.org 16 10th Annual Dark ‘n’ Stormy Benefit Proceeds from this event, featuring music and dancing with Men or Myth, food, open bar & unique raffle prizes, support Hudson River Community Sailing’s youth development programs with New York City public schools.

7 - 10pm; Pier 66 Maritime (The

Frying Pan) inside Hudson River Park, New York, NY; tickets at hudsonsailing.org 17 LHYC Summer Series begins Lloyd Harbor Yacht Club; lhyc.org 17 IHYC Wednesday Night Twilight Series begins Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich, CT; indianharboryc.com 18 Singles Under Sail - Meet the Skippers Single, social, love to sail or want to learn? SUS offers that and more! This meeting and other regular SUS meetings are held at The Doubletree Hotel in Norwalk, CT at 7:30pm on the first and third Thursdays during the summer. SUS skippers love to take members sailing. Check out SUS on Meetup, Facebook and singlesundersail.org. For more information, message or call 203-847-3456.

20 Hands-On Safety at Sea Seminar Presented by the Storm Trysail Foundation, this event will follow an interactive curriculum where attendees fire distress flares, put out fires, learn damage control, set storm sails, and rescue a man overboard, and more. The seminar is open to racers & cruisers and sail- & powerboaters. SUNY Maritime College, Bronx, NY; for more information and to register, visit stormtrysailfoundation.org 20 108th Annual Henry E. Abbott Memorial NYAC Stratford Shoal Race New York Athletic Club Yacht Club, New Rochelle, NY; nyac.org 20 The Geartester Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich, CT; indianharboryc.com 20 & 21 LHYC Race for the Case Spring Series The prize for the best overall performance

in this regatta is a case of rum.

Lloyd Harbor Yacht Club, NY; lhyc.org 20 - 26 Fifth Annual Huntington Safe Boating Week Presented by the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs, this event kicks off the boating season with safety at the forefront. Activities include a Waterfront Festival at Mill Dam Park (May 21), safe boating classes, lectures and seminars, courtesy vessel safety inspections, free boat tours of the harbor, and more. Huntington, NY; HuntingtonSafeBoatingWeek.com 21 Circumnavigate the Island of Staten This National Lighthouse Museum cruise passes under four bridges – Bayonne, Goethals, Outerbridge and Verrazano – and follows the New York & New Jersey shorelines along the Arthur Kill.

Presenters will be aboard to talk about the notable sights. 1 4pm (rain or shine); $60 adults,

Floating Dock Mooring Space Available in 2017 Milford Harbor, Milford, CT      

Docks Secured with Helix Anchors & Seaflex Lines Walk to Restaurants, Shops & Train Station Dinghy Launch Area/Space Available Boats up to 42’ $25 per ft. for the Season Free Pump-out Service

City of Milford Harbor Management Commission Milford Lisman Landing 203-882-5049 38 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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$40 for ages 10 and under, $50 military and seniors (62+). Pier 1 (adjacent to the National Lighthouse Museum), Staten Island, NY; 718-390-0040; lighthousemuseum.org 21 & 22 LYC Sport Boat Grand Prix This regatta is open to sport boats of all types. Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont, NY; larchmontyc.org

Island, RI and back to Stamford is a qualifier for the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy (IRC), the Double Handed Ocean Racing Trophy (IRC), the New England Lighthouse Series (PHRF), and the Gulf Stream Series (IRC), as well as the YRALIS Caper, Sagola and Windigo trophies and the ‘Tuna’ Trophy for the best combined IRC scores in the Edlu (40%) and the Block Island Race (60%). stormtrysail.org

24 NYC Wednesday Evening Series begins Norwalk Yacht Club, Norwalk, CT; norwalkyachtclub.com 24 CPYC Wednesday Night Series begins Cedar Point Yacht Club, Westport, CT; cedarpointyc.org 26 72nd Annual Block Island Race First held in 1946 and presented by the Storm Trysail Club, this 186-nautical mile race from Stamford, CT, around Block

to Nantucket, weekend revelry and a return race, The Figawi raises funds for several charities.

Hyannisport and Nantucket, MA; figawi.com 26 - 29 Carl Van Duyne Advanced Racing Clinic This event is open to all Laser, Laser Radial, I420 and C420 sailors. Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich, CT; indianharboryc.com; jsalis.org 27 King’s Cup Minuteman Yacht Club, Westport, CT; minutemanyc.com

© Blake Jackson

26 - 29 46th Figawi Race Weekend presented by vineyard vines® Comprising a pursuit race from Hyannisport

YOU’RE WHAT ?

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28 WSC Pierce Invitational Regatta This Eastern Connecticut Sailing Association points race is sponsored by Windjammers Sailing Club. Milford, CT; windjammers.org 28 & 29 LYC Memorial Day OneDesign Regatta This event is open to Viper 640s, J/70s,

Etchells, IODS, Shields and S Boats. Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont, NY; larchmontyc.org 29 Mystic Seaport Decoration Day In this all-day event, the Museum of America and the Sea pays tribute to fallen Civil War soldiers. 9am- 5pm; Mystic, CT; mysticseaport.org 31 HHC Wednesday Night Series begins Hempstead Harbour Club, Glen Cove, NY; hempsteadharbourclub.com

Add your event to our print and online calendar by emailing to contactus@windcheckmagazine.com

by the 7th of the month.

Jamestown Moorings

Located at the entrance of Narragansett Bay just behind “Clingstone” the House on the Rocks, 1nm west of Newport & absolute tops in proximity to BI, MV & ACK. Jamestown Boat Yard has been granted permission to increase the size of our mooring field and have a number of seasonal moorings available for boats from

30’ to 80’.

Launch Service • Dinghy Dock • Upland Storage www.JBY.com Adeline at (401) 423-0600 or adeline@jby.com

"America’s Most Respected Name In Yacht Inspections" SM RECOMMENDED BY BOAT US ! Member all societies, ABYC, NFPA

windcheckmagazine.com

WindCheck Magazine

April 2017

39

April 2017

These tide tables are predictions and are to be used as a reference only. The times of high and low are approximations and are affected, in part by onshore and offshore winds, full and new moons as well as changes in currents. Always use caution when entering or leaving any harbor and navigate in areas that are well marked. WindCheck assumes no liability due to the use of these tables.

Source: noaa.gov

The Battery, NY Port Washington, NY 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/6 4/6 4/6 4/7 4/7 4/7 4/7 4/8 4/8 4/8 4/8 4/9 4/9 4/9 4/9 4/10 4/10 4/10 4/10 4/11 4/11 4/11 4/11 4/12 4/12 4/12 4/12 4/13 4/13 4/13 4/13 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/15 4/15 4/15 4/16

6:38 AM 12:39 PM 6:45 PM 12:55 AM 7:40 AM 1:41 PM 7:49 PM 1:57 AM 8:48 AM 2:43 PM 9:00 PM 3:01 AM 9:55 AM 3:48 PM 10:09 PM 4:09 AM 10:55 AM 4:54 PM 11:10 PM 5:17 AM 11:50 AM 5:56 PM 12:06 AM 6:19 AM 12:41 PM 6:50 PM 12:58 AM 7:11 AM 1:28 PM 7:38 PM 1:47 AM 7:56 AM 2:13 PM 8:20 PM 2:34 AM 8:38 AM 2:55 PM 9:00 PM 3:18 AM 9:18 AM 3:35 PM 9:38 PM 3:59 AM 9:58 AM 4:12 PM 10:15 PM 4:39 AM 10:39 AM 4:48 PM 10:53 PM 5:18 AM 11:22 AM 5:21 PM 11:31 PM 5:56 AM 12:06 PM 5:53 PM 12:10 AM

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6:36 AM 12:51 PM 6:22 PM 12:50 AM 7:22 AM 1:36 PM 7:00 PM 1:33 AM 8:21 AM 2:22 PM 8:16 PM 2:20 AM 9:25 AM 3:11 PM 9:38 PM 3:15 AM 10:22 AM 4:05 PM 10:40 PM 4:16 AM 11:13 AM 5:03 PM 11:35 PM 5:20 AM 12:01 PM 5:57 PM 12:26 AM 6:17 AM 12:47 PM 6:46 PM 1:18 AM 7:09 AM 1:34 PM 7:31 PM 2:08 AM 7:57 AM 2:21 PM 8:15 PM 2:59 AM 8:45 AM 3:09 PM 9:00 PM 3:49 AM 9:35 AM 3:57 PM 9:49 PM 4:39 AM 10:29 AM 4:45 PM 10:42 PM 5:30 AM 11:29 AM 5:35 PM 11:41 PM 6:25 AM 12:31 PM 6:31 PM

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2:56 AM 9:27 AM 3:28 PM 9:42 PM 3:51 AM 10:31 AM 4:31 PM 10:50 PM 4:58 AM 11:54 AM 5:53 PM 12:22 AM 6:23 AM 1:16 PM 7:20 PM 1:48 AM 7:51 AM 2:27 PM 8:35 PM 2:57 AM 9:03 AM 3:28 PM 9:37 PM 3:56 AM 10:02 AM 4:22 PM 10:30 PM 4:48 AM 10:54 AM 5:11 PM 11:17 PM 5:37 AM 11:41 AM 5:57 PM 12:00 AM 6:22 AM 12:24 PM 6:39 PM 12:38 AM 7:03 AM 1:02 PM 7:16 PM 1:09 AM 7:39 AM 1:32 PM 7:44 PM 1:27 AM 8:06 AM 1:49 PM 7:55 PM 1:42 AM 8:20 AM 2:06 PM 8:15 PM 2:12 AM 8:43 AM 2:39 PM 8:48 PM

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Bridgeport, CT 2:51 AM 9:19 AM 3:19 PM 9:30 PM 3:35 AM 10:05 AM 4:07 PM 10:20 PM 4:25 AM 10:58 AM 5:00 PM 11:17 PM 5:21 AM 11:57 AM 5:58 PM 12:20 AM 6:20 AM 1:01 PM 6:59 PM 1:34 AM 7:24 AM 2:18 PM 8:07 PM 3:02 AM 8:36 AM 3:19 PM 9:10 PM 3:53 AM 9:38 AM 4:01 PM 9:58 PM 4:36 AM 10:26 AM 4:41 PM 10:41 PM 5:17 AM 11:11 AM 5:23 PM 11:25 PM 6:01 AM 11:58 AM 6:08 PM 12:12 AM 6:47 AM 12:45 PM 6:55 PM 1:00 AM 7:35 AM 1:34 PM 7:44 PM 1:50 AM 8:24 AM 2:25 PM 8:36 PM 2:41 AM 9:19 AM 3:21 PM 9:35 PM

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4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/6 4/6 4/6 4/6 4/7 4/7 4/7 4/7 4/8 4/8 4/8 4/8 4/9 4/9 4/9 4/9 4/10 4/10 4/10 4/10 4/11 4/11 4/11 4/12 4/12 4/12 4/12 4/13 4/13 4/13 4/13 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/15 4/15 4/15 4/15

40 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

3:01 AM 9:33 AM 3:39 PM 9:48 PM 3:57 AM 10:32 AM 4:38 PM 10:50 PM 4:59 AM 11:36 AM 5:42 PM 11:56 PM 6:05 AM 12:41 PM 6:48 PM 1:04 AM 7:13 AM 1:46 PM 7:52 PM 2:09 AM 8:18 AM 2:46 PM 8:52 PM 3:10 AM 9:17 AM 3:39 PM 9:45 PM 4:04 AM 10:10 AM 4:27 PM 10:33 PM 4:52 AM 10:57 AM 5:11 PM 11:16 PM 5:36 AM 11:40 AM 5:51 PM 11:56 PM 6:16 AM 12:21 PM 6:28 PM 12:34 AM 6:55 AM 1:00 PM 7:05 PM 1:11 AM 7:33 AM 1:39 PM 7:42 PM 1:49 AM 8:11 AM 2:19 PM 8:20 PM 2:27 AM 8:51 AM 3:00 PM 9:01 PM

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4/16 4/16 4/16 4/16 4/17 4/17 4/17 4/17 4/18 4/18 4/18 4/18 4/19 4/19 4/19 4/20 4/20 4/20 4/20 4/21 4/21 4/21 4/21 4/22 4/22 4/22 4/22 4/23 4/23 4/23 4/23 4/24 4/24 4/24 4/24 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/27 4/27 4/27 4/27 4/28 4/28 4/28 4/28 4/29 4/29 4/29 4/29 4/30 4/30 4/30 4/30

3:08 AM 9:34 AM 3:44 PM 9:46 PM 3:53 AM 10:20 AM 4:32 PM 10:36 PM 4:43 AM 11:12 AM 5:24 PM 11:31 PM 5:39 AM 12:07 PM 6:20 PM 12:31 AM 6:38 AM 1:03 PM 7:16 PM 1:30 AM 7:36 AM 1:58 PM 8:10 PM 2:27 AM 8:33 AM 2:51 PM 9:01 PM 3:20 AM 9:26 AM 3:41 PM 9:50 PM 4:11 AM 10:17 AM 4:29 PM 10:37 PM 5:01 AM 11:06 AM 5:16 PM 11:24 PM 5:50 AM 11:55 AM 6:03 PM 12:11 AM 6:40 AM 12:45 PM 6:52 PM 1:00 AM 7:30 AM 1:35 PM 7:43 PM 1:50 AM 8:23 AM 2:28 PM 8:36 PM 2:44 AM 9:18 AM 3:24 PM 9:34 PM

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windcheckmagazine.com

April 2017

These tide tables are predictions and are to be used as a reference only. The times of high and low are approximations and are affected, in part by onshore and offshore winds, full and new moons as well as changes in currents. Always use caution when entering or leaving any harbor and navigate in areas that are well marked. WindCheck assumes no liability due to the use of these tables.

Source: noaa.gov

Fishers Island, NY 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/6 4/6 4/6 4/6 4/7 4/7 4/7 4/7 4/8 4/8 4/8 4/8 4/9 4/9 4/9 4/9 4/10 4/10 4/10 4/10 4/11 4/11 4/11 4/11 4/12 4/12 4/12 4/12 4/13 4/13 4/13 4/13 4/14 4/14 4/14 4/15 4/15 4/15 4/15

1:20 AM 8:05 AM 1:49 PM 8:16 PM 2:17 AM 9:04 AM 2:47 PM 9:17 PM 3:19 AM 10:05 AM 3:51 PM 10:21 PM 4:28 AM 11:07 AM 5:01 PM 11:28 PM 5:37 AM 12:07 PM 6:04 PM 12:30 AM 6:35 AM 1:02 PM 6:56 PM 1:29 AM 7:26 AM 1:54 PM 7:44 PM 2:25 AM 8:13 AM 2:43 PM 8:29 PM 3:13 AM 8:57 AM 3:26 PM 9:12 PM 3:56 AM 9:38 AM 4:05 PM 9:52 PM 4:35 AM 10:18 AM 4:42 PM 10:32 PM 5:13 AM 11:00 AM 5:19 PM 11:14 PM 5:54 AM 11:44 AM 5:59 PM 11:58 PM 6:37 AM 12:32 PM 6:43 PM 12:46 AM 7:24 AM 1:22 PM 7:30 PM

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Woods Hole, MA 4/16 4/16 4/16 4/16 4/17 4/17 4/17 4/17 4/18 4/18 4/18 4/18 4/19 4/19 4/19 4/19 4/20 4/20 4/20 4/20 4/21 4/21 4/21 4/22 4/22 4/22 4/22 4/23 4/23 4/23 4/23 4/24 4/24 4/24 4/24 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/27 4/27 4/27 4/27 4/28 4/28 4/28 4/29 4/29 4/29 4/29 4/30 4/30 4/30 4/30

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5:13 AM 12:06 PM 5:11 PM 12:21 AM 5:56 AM 12:51 PM 5:56 PM 1:06 AM 6:48 AM 1:38 PM 6:50 PM 1:55 AM 7:55 AM 2:28 PM 8:01 PM 2:48 AM 9:08 AM 3:23 PM 9:19 PM 3:47 AM 10:07 AM 4:22 PM 10:26 PM 4:49 AM 10:54 AM 5:21 PM 11:21 PM 5:48 AM 11:36 AM 6:15 PM 12:11 AM 6:41 AM 12:18 PM 7:05 PM 12:59 AM 7:30 AM 1:01 PM 7:53 PM 1:49 AM 8:20 AM 1:46 PM 8:42 PM 2:40 AM 9:10 AM 2:33 PM 9:32 PM 3:31 AM 10:01 AM 3:21 PM 10:24 PM 4:21 AM 10:55 AM 4:09 PM 11:19 PM 5:13 AM 11:52 AM 5:00 PM

WindCheck Magazine

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April 2017

41

Stonington Dinghy Club Celebrates 50 Years of Fun

By Helen A. Jankoski

When Debby and Ed Dear were looking to relocate up the coast from Fairfield County, Connecticut in 1995, it was a community sailing poster in a Stonington Borough shop window that helped make their decision. “Here was an invitation for everyone to show up on the starting line in Stonington Harbor, with dinner afterward,” said Ed. “I did small boat racing in Old Greenwich, but it was a little more complicated.”

The Stonington Dinghy Club (SDC), which turns 50 this year, has “always worked on the premise of doing whatever it takes to get the most people out sailing,” said Tucker Bragdon, who along with Bill Boatwright founded the club in 1968. “When we started,” noted Tucker’s wife Sandy Bragdon, “the only way you could race was with a yacht club.”

Boatwright and his brother Jack, and their employer, boat yard owner Rosalind McCagg, approached skippers and any little sailboat in the harbor that they thought might be interested. The Bragdons had just moved to Stonington and according to Tucker, “We didn’t really know anybody to ask yet.”

Today, with a boat 20 feet in length or under and a numbered sail, all a skipper needs to do is to show up in picturesque Stonington Harbor on Wednesday evening prior to the 6 pm start and check in with the race committee “There is no entry fee, we are for all ages and it’s very friendly,” said Tucker Bragdon.

The SDC started with seven boats led by an 11 ½-foot wooden Penguin. “By the second year there were 12 boats and Lindsay Gimple skippers a Club 420 with her sister Meagan (left) and Lisa Spalding as crew. © Helen Jankoski

A Montgomery 10, Lasers and an Ideal 18 wait for the start of a Stonington Dinghy Club Wednesday night race. © Helen Jankoski

after that it just mushroomed,” Tucker Bragdon explained. An average of 45 boats participates each week, but there have been as many 60 boats in several one-design and handicap classes crossing the line. It pleases Bragdon that in the last 10 years the number of children taking part has grown significantly.

The 10-race series begins when school is out and ends just before it starts again. Volunteers operate rescue boats to lend a hand when needed and they form a nurturing, all-woman race committee. “We have no such thing as protests. Sailors seem to be polite and work things out themselves,” said RC chairperson Mary Motherway, who served as an alternate RC member in the mid-‘70s until her predecessor, Sue Speed, moved away. Her committee now includes longtime member Nancy Bates as well as Marcy Porter, Wendy Davies and Cynthia Lichtenstein.

Bates recalled the first 25 years when Rosalind McCagg hosted the RC aboard her catboat, Pelican. “This program is very special and unique,” said Bates. “It’s wonderful that it’s kept going and it’s all Tucker’s doing.” Bob Scala, a regular participant along with his son Robbie and grandsons Rocco and Brodie, said, “What draws people in is that it’s a family activity. The party afterwards is very important. It’s a community event.”

Other three-generation SDC participants include the Johnstone, Andrews, Freeman, Bates and Biddle families. Mary & Dave Motherway’s grandson Devon Christian, now 11, was the youngest sailor in the group for four years, starting at age 6.

At the other end of the spectrum, the SDC is enjoyed by senior members such as Ed Dear, who at 85 now races an Ideal 18.

His wife, Debby, eventually found their JY14 a bit cramped. “The small-boat community has been our main social network,” Ed Dear commented.

42 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

windcheckmagazine.com

Penguins have gone the way of once-popular Blue Jays.

Sunfish maintain a place, but it’s rare to see windsurfers – which had a class of their own in the mid- to late-‘80s – in an SDC race. “Initially, windsurfer sailors were kind of outsiders,” said Todd Williams, who moved to Stonington with one in 1984.

“But there would be eight or nine of us out there on the starting line back in the heyday.” He’s since raced a number of boats including a Laser, catamarans, a JY15 and is now back on a Laser.

The racing, said Williams, “is about as low-key and casual as you can get. If you want to try racing this is a good place to do it. Everyone is welcoming and helpful.” Boats tack their way around a course on the protected and scenic harbor that borders Fishers Island Sound, slipping by gorgeous yachts at their moorings and steering clear of an occasional fishing or scallop boat headed back from the sea.

Liesbeth Slosberg, who’s raced a Sunfish with the SDC for 20 years, loves the sunsets and the way they light up the borough. “It’s a beautiful outlet for me,” she said. “It’s the only time I get out on the water. I always feel safe there.”

Post-race, sailors now gather at the Wadawanuck Club and pay $15 or their age in dollars for dinner. Before stock trader Mac Ewing began tabulating scores on a computer, sailors had to wait – sometimes days – for results to be posted in a shop window. “Mac wasn’t really a sailor but he’d wait on shore with his computer for Nancy to give him the results, which would be ready for announcement by the end of dinner,” Bragdon explained.

In recent years, one midsummer race night has been dedicated to raising money for a local hospice organization. For the final race party of the season, Bragdon dons a fur-trimmed Knights of Columbus hat and hands out stemmed glasses (called wine glasses for the adults; juice glasses for kids) plus a succession of special awards, capped by the coveted McCagg Cup for outstanding seamanship and sportsmanship. The ornate threehandled sterling silver champagne cooler reportedly contains more silver than the America’s Cup.

There’s also a William Bell Trophy for the most improved sailor, a Paula Chapin Trophy for the best-performing skipper, With a varied fleet of boats under 20 feet, SDC racing is popular with sailors of all ages. © Helen Jankoski

The SDC’s all-woman race committee checks in Mlada & Dennis Neumann of Stonington on their SeaRail-19 trimaran. © Joseph Zbyrowski

a Mac Ewing Trophy for efforts on behalf of the summer racing series, a Top Sunfish Sailor award, and an Elise Owen Trophy for the youngest skipper. To qualify for awards sailors need to participate in seven out of 10 races, with adjustments for weather cancellations.

With a tried and true formula that produces happy kids and happy adults, the Stonington Dinghy Club is looking forward to the next 50 years. ■

Helen Jankoski, whose first sailboat was a Penguin, lives in Pawcatuck, CT. She wrote a weekly sailing column for The Westerly Sun for five years.

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Tucker Thompson on the America’s Cup The venue for this year’s match for the oldest trophy in sports is arguably the most beautiful in the event’s history, and the Public Host of the 35th America’s Cup says it’s not too late to plan an unforgettable trip!

The 35th America’s Cup starts next month, and the regatta will be held in Bermuda for the very first time. The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers and Challenger Playoffs run from May 26 to June 12, and the America’s Cup Match presented

by Louis Vuitton will be held June 17 & 18 and 24 - 27.

Tucker Thompson is the official Host As the Public Host of the 35th America’s of the 35th America’s Cup, Tucker Thompson is enjoying his Cup, and was one of dream job. ©Jim Noble the TV announcers of the 34th Cup in San Francisco. A veteran sailing commentator, Thompson has hosted over 1,500 sailing shows on T2PTV and live television, and covered the Cup on TV since 2007 in Valencia, Spain. A national award winning TV and video host, producer and public speaker, he’s also a former champion sailor who sailed with America True in the 2000 America’s Cup in New Zealand.

WindCheck: What are your responsibilities as Public Host of the 35th America’s Cup, and is the job as great as it sounds?

Tucker Thompson: This job is as great as it sounds! I’ve been involved in four America’s Cups, and I live and breathe the America’s Cup and its history, and what it represents in our sport. For me, to represent it publicly and help deliver the event from a live standpoint – not only at the venues but all over the world – is a dream job. I have ‘pinch me’ moments when I bring the Cup onstage because it has this awe factor like a celebrity…it is a celebrity in our sport. To be involved is a fantastic honor.

Please tell us about the America’s Cup Tour.

When I’m not hosting the coverage of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series and ultimately the Cup in Bermuda, I’m on a two-year tour of yacht clubs, regattas, boat shows and other venues, giving live multi-media presentations about the Ameri-

ca’s Cup. In fact, I recently completed my 100th presentation.

My role is to educate yacht club members and sailors all over the world about the Cup’s history and heritage, how the event got to the point where it is in terms of the revolution of foiling catamarans and exciting television coverage, and ultimately what to expect in Bermuda: where to stay, the America’s Cup Village, how to get access on the water, and the viewing options. So far I’ve Reached over 28,000 people.

We’ve heard that accommodations in Bermuda for the 35th America’s Cup cannot be had for love or money. Is this true, or is it still possible to book a hotel room or a rental house?

It’s a fair assumption on a small island with a limited number of hotel beds that availability is getting limited, and to some extent it is. However, there are still a lot of options available. I’ve been working with a group called Travel Places, the official Travel Package Provider for the America’s Cup. They’ve put together 5-night and 7-night packages during the Qualifier or the Cup Match itself that include a double-occupancy hotel room (you can choose from any number of hotels), on-the-water spectator boat access, airport transfers and America’s Cup merchandise.

Their prices are heavily discounted because they’ve bought up so much inventory on the island, and while you may read that a lot of the inventory is not available, it still is for them. Their website is americascuptravel.com.

Travel Places is also running a giveaway at travelplaces.com/ win. All you have to do is enter your email address, and you could win four days and three nights in Bermuda on Memorial Day weekend for the start of the Qualifiers. People who come during the earlier rounds of qualifying will obviously see more racing and more teams, have somewhat better access to the sailors and the racing, and it’s less expensive. Conversely, those who come for the Finals will see the main event. Day 1 of the Cup is always the most exciting because it’s the first time the two teams finally meet.

The America’s Cup also has a partnership with The Moorings yacht charter company. The Moorings is sending a fleet of boats to Bermuda, 48 and 58 feet long and sleeping six and ten respectively. This is a unique option because you get a vacation for a week on a yacht with your family or friends, plus racecourse access and all food and beverages. It’s a spectator boat, lodging and a vacation all built into one package, and it comes with a captain and a chef. That’s a very fun way, particularly for families, to experience the America’s Cup in Bermuda.

What’s the availability of dock space or moorings for those who want to sail to Bermuda for the Cup? It’s no secret that Bermuda is easy to sail to from multiple locations on the East Coast of the U.S., and the Bermuda government has done a lot to cater to transient yachts that want to travel to Bermuda for the America’s Cup. There are special anchorages, information available online to fast track your access into Bermuda, and spectator boat flags you can display for prime

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viewing along the racecourse.

Hank Schmitt of Offshore Passage Opportunities is organizing a Rally to the Cup that starts in early June from various ports from Florida to Maine. It’s essentially a cruising rally that arrives in Bermuda before the start of the Cup Finals, and you can learn more at sailopo.com/Rally_to_the_Cup_2017.aspx What are the options for on-water spectating, and will a spectator boat afford a better view of the action than remaining on shore?

What’s the best way to get around on Bermuda?

Regardless of where you stay, I think the best travel option to and from the Cup Village is by water. There are a lot of water taxis available, and an increased ferry schedule. It would take an hour to get from downtown Hamilton to the Cup Village by road, but by water it’s The 50-foot America’s Cup Class (ACC) boats are even faster than their 72-foot predeonly 15 to 20 minutes. cessors. Photo: Sam Greenfield/© ORACLE TEAM USA What other events are happening in conjunction with the America’s Cup?

One of the most The options include exciting times to come viewing the racing to the event will be from your own boat, around the weekend of any number of spectathe Challenger Finals. tor boats that will be You’ll see who gets available, or one of to challenge for the the Official America’s Cup, and in the week Cup Spectator Boats. between the end of I recommend that that and the beginning people try spendof the Cup Match ing a day on shore is the Red Bull to experience the Youth America’s racing from the Cup [June 20 & grandstands in 21], which gives the America’s Cup sailors age 19 to Village, and spend 24 a chance to race another day on the foiling catamarans water. I believe the with the professpectator boats will sional Cup teams typically include watching. Eight of food and beverages, the sailors that are so either option currently employed gives you a full

by America’s Cup day’s entertainteams, including ment. If you’re Peter Burling, The America’s Cup Village is located at the Royal Naval Dockyard. © ACEA coming to the Cup, the helmsman of schedule some downEmirates Team New time to explore the island and have some fun. There’s plenty to Zealand, sailed in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. see and do in Bermuda – golf, sport fishing, scuba diving, etc.

We’ll also have a superyacht regatta and a J Class regatta that week, and I believe this will be the largest collection of J What can we expect at the America’s Cup Village?

Class yachts ever to have sailed at one time. It’s going to be spectacular! That week is capped off on June 17 and 18 with the first races of the America’s Cup Match itself.

One of the reasons Bermuda was chosen as the venue is because they have literally built an island at the Royal Naval Dockyard for Is Bermuda embracing the America’s Cup, particularly such the America’s Cup Village. It will have the team bases with public access to the boats and the sailors, concessions, entertainment, VIP things as the AC Endeavour Program for youth sailors? hospitality lounges, restaurants, bars, merchandising and grandYes. One of the reasons I think Bermuda is going to be possibly stand seating, all in one place. You’ll be able to see the whole racethe best venue that’s ever hosted the America’s Cup is the people course from the Cup Village and the finish line will be 100 yards of Bermuda. Ever since Bermuda was announced as the venue from the grandstands, very much like it was in San Francisco. windcheckmagazine.com

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in the sport, and this edition is no different. You don’t have to two years ago the entire island has been buzzing with America’s like the catamarans to appreciate that this new class of boat Cup fever. They’re all talking about it, in taxi cabs, coffee shops, and this new style of racing is really what the America’s Cup is and the tourist shops on Front Street. If that level of excitement all about. I was a traditional monohull match racer who sailed is any indicator of how the Cup’s going to be in May and June, on the IACC boats on a Cup team in New Zealand, and when we’re in for quite a show. they shifted to the catamarans I wasn’t sure where they were

One of the priorities of this America’s Cup is to leave a headed with such radical changes…until I saw it live in person. lasting legacy in Bermuda well after the event. Whether the Once you see Cup stays in these boats Bermuda or lift up out of not, it will the water and have made a reach speeds very valuable over 50 miles mark on kids per hour, it’s throughout truly breaththe island taking. When through the you experience AC Endeavour it, you realize Community that they’re Sailing Proreally on to the gram. They’re future of our already introsport. duced over 2,000 school The 34th children to the America’s sport of sailing With beaches like this one at Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda is an ideal place to combine watching the 35th America’s Cup with a memorable family vacation. © Bermuda Tourism Authority Cup in San and a speFrancisco was cial STEAM spectacular, and it’ll be a tough act to follow. How will the (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) education 35th America’s Cup be different from previous editions, and program. They’re learning about the marine industry, sailing, hopefully the best yet? and the America’s Cup. What’s your response to such comments as “Cup racing was better in the 12 Metre era,” “Foiling cats are no good for match racing,” or “This is an exciting international regatta but it’s not the America’s Cup”?

The America’s Cup is always the America’s Cup, and you don’t have to be a fan of one end of racing or the other to appreciate what it is. The 12 Metre era in Newport was fantastic, so were the IACC boats, and so were the AC72s in San Francisco. Now we’re in smaller, 50-foot boats that will be traveling even faster than the AC72s.

There are a lot of people who may still be skeptical about the change to multihulls. It’s exciting, but it is a departure from what people may have traditionally recognized as the America’s Cup in the past. To that I would say that the America’s Cup is more in keeping with its tradition and its original intent today than ever before. It’s the same as it was back in 1851, when a revolutionary pilot schooner called America sailed over to England and beat the best of the British fleet. I often imagine that America must have looked to the British – the yachting superpower at the time – very much like a carbon fiber, wing sail, hydrofoiling catamaran looks to us today.

The Cup has always pushed the envelope of what’s possible

It’s going to be the same and different from what we saw in San Francisco. That dramatic finish has been called the greatest comeback in the history of sports. Will we see the same type of drama unfold in Bermuda? Who knows? It’s probably unlikely, although I think this will be one of the most exciting America’s Cups in history. They have equalized a lot of the design factors of the boats including the hulls and the wings, and they’ve also lowered the cost barrier of entry which gives smaller teams more of a fighting chance.

Because of that, any one of these teams can win races, and any one can win an event. In my opinion, this America’s Cup will be one of the closest competitions we’ve ever seen and certainly one of the hardest for ORACLE TEAM USA to defend.

If you’re still on the fence about whether to come to this America’s Cup, consider this: If ORACLE TEAM USA fails to defend the Cup, it’ll very likely go to Great Britain or New Zealand, and that means that the Cup is probably never going to be closer to us than it is now. Bermuda is a two-hour flight from anywhere on the East Coast, and what’s not to like about traveling there to experience what I think is going to be one of the best America’s Cups ever?

Thank you very much Tucker. See you in Bermuda! ■

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“I’m Doing the Marion Bermuda Race”

By Ernie Messer So, two sailors are talking in a bar (of course)…

One says, “I’m doing the Marion Bermuda Race in June.”

Second sailor says, “Where does that go?”

First sailor: “It starts up in Marion, Mass, goes down Buzzards Bay, then offshore to Bermuda.”

Second sailor: “Ah, no thanks, I’ve heard about that Buzzards Bay!” Some years it’s almost true!

A view from the RHADC dining room © Ernie Messer

Since its inception in 1977, the Marion Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race (MBCYR) has been billed as “an ocean race for cruising yachts.” While that philosophy still prevails in the event’s current “mission” saying “competitive spirit and good fellowship of Corinthian sailing,” those who have done the race can tell you it is often very competitive, and battles for class trophies are hard-fought!

That said, the friendly atmosphere among competitors in Marion, before the race, is enhanced by the fleet being on moorings in front of the sponsoring Beverly Yacht Club. Likewise, the post-race welcome at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC) is very memorable, especially for those who haven’t experienced the incredible friendliness and warm generosity of Bermudians! The RHADC Bar was just awarded fourth place worldwide in Wight Vodka’s Favourite

years, making it possible to qualify for two Marions and a Newport Bermuda Race (in even years). Everything else in the requirements are things you would want on any modern well found cruiser.

The Marion Bermuda Race has four distinctive sections, adding a lot of “flavor” and often a lot of “spice” to the event!

The first section is the aforementioned Buzzards Bay. And yes, it can be gnarly sometimes when a strong southwesterly meets a strong outbound current; you’ll notice experienced racers don’t seem to party too much the night before! Other rare years you’ll be fighting to keep way on.

Leaving the moorings, the “check-in” boat is about three miles away and the starting line another mile, so it pays to get an early start if you want to take a last shoreside shower or

An Expedition screen shot of an ‘easy’ day for the navigator

Buzzards Bay current should be studied carefully.

© Ernie Messer

© Ernie Messer

Yachting Bar Competition…the only disagreement is that maybe it should have been first!

The race requirements are quite easy to meet and are spelled out in the Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, and Safety Requirements, which can be found at marionbermuda. com. The only biggies are insurance, which ranges greatly, and a life raft, which, if bought new, can remain certified for three

trash run. Don’t get trapped waiting for a launch when those on the boat are itching to leave! The first warning signal is at noon, so be on time.

Down the Bay The starting line is usually generous in size, but like all starts this one can be a “tension convention.” Because of the “cruis-

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ing” nature of the race, some competitors may have a less than solid knowledge of the nuances of the Racing Rules of Sailing!

A starboard tack start usually leaves you with a decision of when to tack back to the favored port. On a “good” year with the wind due west or further north you can fetch the course on one tack; otherwise you’ll probably be tacking down the Bay. Be sure to pay close attention to your charts as there are many rocks to deal with quite far from shore, especially the north.

Currents in the Bay are also a challenge, as they change directions radically on the north shore as they fill or drain the harbors and on the south shore as they pass through the “Holes.”

Otherwise it’s pretty straightforward – there are only two “Marks of the course” in the United States; Penikese Island (to port) and the “Sow and Pigs” (S&P) Bell (also to port). West of Cuttyhunk Island, Sow and Pigs is about 19.5 NM from the start, so you’ll usually be out of the Bay by 5 or 6 o’clock.

Sow and Pigs to the Gulf Stream The second section of the race, Sow and Pigs Bell to the Gulf Stream, is usually welcome after beating out of the Bay, although depending on how much west is in the prevailing southwesterly, this section can be pretty close-hauled as well.

Starboard tack will usually be the desired course here and the temptation is to “crack off,” but beware! The rhumbline (RL) to Bermuda is about 162° M, but a course made good, with leeway and currents, of only about 157° M will put you on the shores of “No Mans Land,” a small island about 10 miles down the road! So resist the inclination to “crack off” or you’ll find yourself having to tack in the vicinity of No Man’s Land…and

Pay very special attention when crossing shipping lanes! © Ernie Messer

by the way, it’ll be dark by then. If you do tack, you’ll be on port with the rest of the fleet coming at you on Starboard… not fun!

So you’ve been smart, kept a good course, in spite of feeding the crew and starting watches. What’s next? Keep a very good lookout! For the 75 miles from the S&P down to the Ambrose-Nantucket Shipping Lanes (40-35 N down to 40-22 N), you will encounter traffic in the manner of fishing boats, or fleets, and in the shipping lanes many very large ships that may be making as much as 17-19 knots! So, have your best people keeping lookout and pay close attention to your AIS. Although it’s not always easy, you must look under or around

Everywhere you look the scenery is beautiful in Bermuda. © Ernie Messer windcheckmagazine.com

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that sail!

Sometime the next day, about 120 miles from S&P, you’ll be close to the 1,000-fathom curve. Now you’re really offshore; bigger waves, and maybe some warm eddies on the sea water thermometer, patches of yellow Sargasso weed, and different birds. Hopefully you’ve been able to keep your desired course and are progressing to your Point Alpha. Point Alpha is the virtual point at which the captain and navigator have decided to enter the Gulf Stream (GS). This strategy is usually the first to fall and maybe the most important to the success of your race!

If you don’t enter the GS where you want, you may be forced to enter it where you really don’t want to be. If you get into a northbound meander or a strong easterly component, your troubles will start to multiply quickly. So let’s accept that everyone steered as directed, the navigator watched the COG carefully and no one had to take large evasive maneuvers to steer around a fishing boat that, as always, seemed to be doing his damnedest to stay right in front The writer will be navigating Paul Kanev’s beautiful Hinckley Sou’wester 51 Momentum again this year. © Spectrum Photo/Fran Grenon

Bermuda rewards visiting sailors with scenes like this. © Ernie Messer

of you. You hit your Point Alpha right on the money, the sea water temperature pops up from the 60s and 70s to about 86 degrees, the navigator is taking all the credit and the off watch starts straggling up from below, a bit green, and complaining about “washing machines.” Welcome to the Gulf Stream!

In the Stream Section three, the Gulf Stream; you’ve hit it perfectly, the speedo pops up two or more knots, and although the owner won’t admit it, you can tell by the grin plastered on his face that he’s never seen the old girl go this fast! There’s so much written and on the web about the GS and a host of URL’s for more GS info on the race website, that your whole crew are probably experts…if only they found sail trim so fascinating! The GS will be the topic of the day and if there’s a bit more spray on deck, at least it’s warm! The captain and navigator should decide what compass course will keep you in the warmer and faster moving water for the longest time. Once again, this is a very important part of the race. The GS, depending on the angle it crosses the RL and the actual width will last for as little as half a day to as much as 30 hours. You may have big winds or light air, but it’s always warm and usually confused and lumpy. Because variations in temperature are a large component of weather, many times the GS will seem to have its own weather compared to the general area. This may generate large clouds seen for miles or quick thunderstorms that seem to pop up unannounced. Hang in and make this section a success and likely your race will also be a success.

Happy Valley Soon the wind may steady a bit, the seas get more uniform and the seawater temperature might drop a few degrees. Because the seas are smoother, you will notice the color is a deep and very beautiful shade of blue. Lots less spray than the GS and 50 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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no falling off of waves; moods improve! I’m not sure where the name came from, but many call this section “Happy Valley.”

The sailing in this section from the GS to Bermuda is often so pleasant that the biggest challenge while racing is keeping everyone motivated and out of “cruising mode.” Shorts and T-shirts are the rule, day and night, no spray means hatches are left open, and people are able to sleep soundly while off watch.

Life is good!

Keep your watches involved with making the boat go fast and start thinking about your approach to Bermuda. There is a section in the Sailing Instructions called “The Finish” and another called “Marks of The Course” – have paper copies of these for each of your crew. Have each crewmember become familiar with the procedures and the marks as you approach the finish. It might be a little embarrassing to the Captain/ Navigator if a crew pipes up with, “Aren’t we supposed to radio in at Kitchen Shoals?” or “Don’t we have to go outside that quick flash (3) over there?” but it might save the day! Once you see Bermuda, the time will go very fast. There will be lots to do including navigation, the finish radio procedure, and getting ready to tack. If you haven’t tacked for awhile, checking all the rigging on the leeward side; making sure your class flags are showing; and all the other details.

Even after finishing there are still some important items to remember. Don’t recross the finish line, don’t go between the finish line and Bermuda, and make the required calls to the R/C and Bermuda Radio. If you plan to “celebrate” while you

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drive the three or four hours from the finish to the RHADC, let the Captain and Navigator act as “designated drivers.” This is no place to take anything but a very professional approach to navigating and conning the boat!

These are the basic four sections of the Marion Bermuda Race, and if you focus on each and plan accordingly it will contribute to a successful and safe passage. Here are a few other things that will contribute greatly to your success.

Learn about weather.

As many in the last Newport Bermuda Race found, having the confidence to evaluate weather (WX) forecasts using NWS, NOAA, and other data is a great asset. Being able to evaluate the mountains of WX data, publically and privately available, is essential not only toward race success but in making the decision to even start or not.

The first place to begin is of course the Race website. Look at marionbermuda.com/resources in general, and then drill down to marionbermuda.com/gulf-stream-weather, where you’ll find many links which will be helpful.

Find a book to your liking explaining weather and weather maps. One that I highly recommend is Modern Weather for Sailors by John Jourdane. It was recently published and is available from Amazon.com. It’s not a huge textbook but was written for Mr. Jourdane’s Weather for Sailors classes at Orange Coast College. It has lots of color illustrations and is easily understandable by, well…sailors.

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Gibbs Hill Lighthouse one of the first lights seen when approaching from sea. © Ernie Messer

Know your electronics.

If you are addicted to electronics, as many of us are, start early and study your owner’s manuals for the features that you may not use locally, but may come in handy offshore. Included in this list are being not only “familiar” but “comfortable” using DSC, AIS, MFDs, SSBs; and even the lowly VHF, which is now stuffed with menus and features galore.

If you’re using plotting software like Expedition (expeditionmarine.com), make sure you have a copy at home so you can study various scenarios and be comfortable with downloading the WX and GS info which is now pretty much “built in.” For a long time Expedition was a tool used mostly by hardcore racers, but now many cruisers and cruiser/racers are embracing the advantages. If you have questions, Expedition has a terrific forum at expedition.boardhost.com. One nice thing I like about Expedition is the new feature under the “Weather” tab called “My Image.” With a few clicks you can overlay a present or future surface analysis (weather map) with your existing “Route,” wind gribs, and “Optimized Route.”

This allows you to get a better feel for both your gribs as they are changing in time, and the surface analysis and its forecast of things to come.

Other sources of WX which will help with planning include the excellent free site PassageWeather.com, where you can not only see WX for this and other races but also awesome GS graphics. PassageWeather is so good that many successful racers who used it kept it to themselves! Sorry guys! One racespecific feature allows you to zoom in on the GS section – very helpful. Another modern free graphic WX site is ventusky. com, which will blow you away with the interactive features

available. With both free and subscription components, the French site squid-sailing.com/en/ has a great program for your laptop, and offers a glimpse of the EU WX models for comparison. On the subscription side, predictwind.com is very popular with sailors. Most of these WX sites also have mobile apps available for your smartphones, but be aware that as soon as you are out of cell phone range you will no longer be able to receive updates from them. The only exception is if you have satphone with built in WiFi or Bluetooth, but that will be very expensive to use.

If you are overwhelmed by all you have to do, and feel you need help with your WX and GS planning, for a fee, you will find several providers on the Race website at marionbermuda. com/gulf-stream-weather under “Weather Resources.” Not listed but another source for those seeking training is offered

by North U and can be found at northu.com under “Weather Webinar On-Demand.”

So far, you may have noticed I haven’t mentioned “celestial.” In the early days the Marion was known as the “celestial” race. In 1979, a radio direction finder was about the only method besides celestial navigation allowed. They had a provision that by taking a whopping 8% penalty on the handicap rating, “any and all electronic aids designed to locate the yachts position may be used once each four-hour watch. Continuous monitoring is not allowed.” I guess a few boats had old LORAN As and a few had the “new” LORAN Cs. Those devices were big, heavy, and typically had an oscilloscope where wave patterns were lined up by tweaking some dials…YIKES! Talk about job security for navigators!

Now, the “advantage” for using celestial is “a favorable 3%

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adjustment to their ORR rating.” Not quite as advantageous as in years past, but still substantial when you figure a fairly quick 100-hour race would be allowed a 3-hour savings. The bottom line is this: If you have to ask if you’re skilled enough to do something successfully, the answer is probably “no.” If you are a skilled celestial navigator, fully confident in those skills, and fully confident that you can handle situations like solid cloud cover, rough water, and mal-de-mer, then you will know the answer to the question. If not, bring your sextant, practice on the trip home, and next time sign up for the celestial division.

After considering all of these things, and if you’re not afraid of Buzzards Bay, go to the website and sign up, you’ll never be sorry! Blue water, extraordinary night skies (full moon this year), wildlife seen nowhere else, friendships and memories never to be forgotten, will all be things you’ll cherish forever!

Second Sailor: “See you in Marion, I’m in!” ■ Ernie Messer has been sailing since the seventies. He is a member of the Cruising Club of America and Off Soundings Club. He and his wife have sailed New England for many years and have also raced to Bermuda frequently, including three times double-handed! They sailed for 15 years on their Tartan 41 and now sail on a restored Peterson One-Ton, Valour, out of Westbrook, CT. Last

PassageWeather allows you to zoom in and makes it easier to see the challenges of the Gulf Stream. Photo by Ernie Messer with permission PassageWeather.com

summer was spent doing the Newport Bermuda Race and return on Cecilie Viking taking second in class, then a Maine cruise on their Peterson 37. Ernie is part of a local team competing in the 2017 Marion Bermuda Race on Momentum, a Hinckley 51 that appeared on the cover of the March 2016 issue of WindCheck.

Water and boats add to a beautiful Bermuda sunset. © Ernie Messer windcheckmagazine.com

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Corner

Coop’s

Clancy, of the paperwork

By Joe Cooper Late February found me flying west to visit my mates in the Marin Marine Mafia in San Francisco, the nominal reason being to share the celebrations of one of our number in his 85th year.

I also saw some of the other blokes and girls, went for a sail on the Bay, introduced one of the former Prout sailors, now at university out there, to said mafia, and generally kicked back in the warm sun pouring in through the south windows of the hillside aerie in Mill Valley owned by my host, the birthday boy.

One of the many wonderful aspects of such a visit are the evenings around the fire radiating from the center of the loft apartment above Commodore’s house, especially if there are readings of A.B. ‘Banjo’ Patterson. Banjo Patterson was a writer, lawyer, soldier journalist and notably, poet, to the fledgling Australia in the mid-19th to mid-20th century and in particular the author of the words to Waltzing Matilda and the iconic Aussie poem The Man from Snowy River. Another favorite is Clancy of the Overflow, a tale contrasting the life of a drover on the plains moving his herd across the sunny outback with that of an office worker chafed by the heat in the dusty, dirty city and the grime and stress associated with same.

And the bush hath friends to meet him, And their kindly voices greet him In the murmur of the breezes and the river on its bars, And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended, And at night the wond’rous glory of the everlasting stars.*

Scratch a sailor and you need not go too many microns below the sunscreen to find a dreamer, not too dissimilar to Clancy. To command your own vessel, on a voyage on the ocean, ideally to a distant port, especially if said port has white sandy shores, balmy breezes and waving palm trees (America’s Cup cats optional) must be in the DNA of those who come to sailing.

On the east of the U.S., the vision splendid many think of is a passage, not to India, but Bermuda. From Newport,

Marion, Annapolis and Charleston, the dream is about 650 miles give or take a wave or three, on the other side of the Gulf Stream as though placed there solely to offer refuge to our seagoing Drover. Bermuda also doubles as a steady, dry place to taste the nectar of the gods, that legendary thirst quencher of the Bermuda-bound mariner, the Dark ‘n’ Stormy. Sailors being romantic, social animals like few things other than a starlit evening and a party at the other end of the passage and this latter activity probably goes a long way to explain why there are half a dozen races or rallies to one small coral and sand island in the west of the North Atlantic.

So it was that on one seriously cold Saturday in March I found myself seated, with perhaps 250 other dreamy drovers, in an auditorium at the University of Massachusetts for a Safety at Sea seminar. A speaker’s panel of the Usual Suspects shared something like 200 years of accumulated sailing experience.

Will Keene from Edson put some real meat on the issues of steering systems and their care and feeding, and in particular some hair-curling statistics on the rate of water ingress based on hole diameter and distance below the waterline. For an eye opener on why those little wooden plugs are a good idea, review this information on the Edson website.

Captain Henry Marx, President of Landfall and the senior ranking member at these seminars, was entertaining and informative with his Borscht Belt sardonic view of safety littered with personal anecdotes of just the right length and information.

Another veteran of the Seminar Tour was Bill Biewenga discussing heavy-weather sailing, a topic he is eminently qualified to speak on. Bill has four Whitbread races under his slickers, a couple of records with Rich Wilson, 40-plus Transatlantic passages – a number rivaling those of the top French solo sailors – and the personality to deliver information that gets your attention and shows you how to not get into some of the situations his slides represent.

One speaker I was unfamiliar with but would recommend hearing was Dr. Michael Jacobs, on health and in particular seasickness. Jacobs discussed some of the physics, the science, behind seasickness and how to either avoid or manage the mariner’s malady.

Yet another interesting speaker was Newport local Chris McNally, who discussed the intricacies of today’s offshore communication landscape. Of particular interest to the slightly Luddite me was information covering the proliferation of electronic gizmos with bright colors, blinking lights and acronyms worthy of the best of government bureaucracies.

The pull of your own landfall on that balmy, palmy island is strong, but for some, 650 miles is a voyage best taken after a warm-up passage of lesser distance. For those sailors the Marblehead to Halifax race at about 350 miles fits the bill almost perfectly, the downside being you sail across the chilly and often foggy Gulf of Maine, rather than the indigo blue warmth of the Gulf of Stream.

Forewarned is forearmed and for the Halifax division, meteo man Ken McKinley discussed Basic Weather and then zeroed into the elements most likely to confound sailors wishing

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to find Halifax and not the Bay of Fundy.

The moderator for this Halifax breakout session was Carl Lessard, yet another longtime sailor with about a 20-kilo bag of skills and experience across the spectrum of maritime activities and whose day job is as yacht (insurance) risk consultant. At the conclusion of this session, Carl showed a documentary on the ‘incident’ generally referred to as the Rambler capsize. If ever there was an episode to make you think about the preparation, planning, procedures and training one ought to consider prior to leaving the marina, this is it.

The 12-minute video covered the capsize from several perspectives. There is footage taken by one of the crew on the upside-down hull of the boat. Considering the circumstances, this real-time, man-in-the-street footage showed a remarkably calm and cool crew, as befits a well-trained team, professional or otherwise. There is commentary as the stunned, wet and cold sailors watch their fellow competitors 500 yards away sail past, oblivious to the upturned boat. The movie includes helicopter and Royal National Lifeboat Institution footage of spotting the boat and then some time later finding the cluster of five of the crew including owner George David and his girlfriend, who were washed off and away from the boat. At one point there is a voiceover from Wendy, David’s then girlfriend, now wife, recounting how she felt herself battling her declining will and health. She describes rasping breath, sounding like a gurgling, and battling the feeling that it would be just so easy to close her eyes and let go. This voiceover was across footage of this cluster being found and Wendy being dragged aboard the dive boat, and laying wet on the deck like a just-landed fish. They were found through slick work by the Irish Coast Guard, using models of the tide set and drift in the area.

One of the initial difficulties the various rescue authorities experienced was that the contact information for the EPIRB and the PLBs was apparently an office in New York City that was closed at the time of the incident, sunset in the Irish Sea. Much better to make sure the EPIRB is correctly registered.

Several years ago, during a Cooper Household spring cleanup we delivered my then 25-year-old EPIRB to an EcoWaste cleanup day at First Beach in Newport. Sometime later that morning, I got a call from Jill (Mrs. Cooper) telling me I needed to call a USCG number in Boston…apparently the beacon had gone off. It had. The registration info was for our former digs in Manhattan. The Rescue Coordination Center guys had the location, adjacent to First Beach, and some basic info, so they called the Middletown Police and asked for any Joe Coopers and especially any with a boat connection. This they did and it led Middletown Police to our house and a surprised wife. I called the number. It was answered on the second ring by a man who identified himself as Petty Officer______, and I wish I remembered his name. I told him promptly and simply who I was, why I was calling and that it was a false alarm. He said, “Hang on a sec.” He put me on hold for about 10 seconds and came back on the line, at which time I fessed up to what had happened. Frankly, I was expecting something like a reading of the Riot Act and possible big money fines. The officer could not windcheckmagazine.com

Every sailor contemplating an offshore passage should attend a safety at sea seminar…and Coop says to make sure your electronic rescue beacons are properly registered. © Spectrum Photo/Fran Grenon

have been more gracious and understanding about the circumstances and expressed his, I am certain, heartfelt happiness it was a false alarm. In sum:

I had a quarter-century-old EPIRB manufactured by a now out of business company, that was accidently turned on in a dumpster and still showed up on the RCC screens. Walking back the timeline with Jill, I reckoned it was 20 minutes from the receipt of the alarm in Boston to the time the police office arrived at our house. Remember all this as you walk out of Landfall with your new EPIRB. Filling out forms is something Clancy’s office-bound mate dislikes, but in the case of forms for this kind of activity, remember the old gag: ‘The job’s not finished ‘til the paperwork’s done.’ ■ * Clancy of the Overflow, A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson, found on poemhunter.com Australian born, Joe ‘Coop’ Cooper stayed in the US after the 1980 America’s Cup where he was the boat captain and sailed as Grinder/ Sewer-man on Australia. His whole career has focused on sailing, especially the short-handed aspects of it. He lives in Middletown, RI where he coaches, consults and writes on his blog, joecoopersailing. com, when not paying attention to his wife, teenage son, dog, two cats and several, mainly small, boats.

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April 2017

55

Cruising with a Purpose

Performance Class Combines Competition with Fun at Block Island Race Week

By Bill Wagner

Tom Schubert of Annapolis, MD had no intention of competing in the 2015 edition of Block Island Race Week, but when he heard about the Performance Cruising division he decided to round up family and friends to race his Grand Soleil 46 in the 50th anniversary regatta. “It was an entirely family affair and we had an absolute blast,” said Schubert, who has served on the race committee at Race Week many times.

“I thought the format was excellent – very casual and enjoyable.

What I really liked is that it was one race per day, like 20 years ago.”

Schubert sailed Azzurra to second place finishes in three of five races and might well have been runner-up in the overall standings if he had not elected to sit out the Around the Island Race that was held in heavy winds. “We didn’t go with the intention of winning, but then we started doing well and the whole crew got into it,” said Schubert, whose wife Sally and son Matt were aboard.

“In retrospect, I wish we’d done the Around the Island Race because it didn’t turn out to be as rough as everyone expected.”

Matt Schubert brought his Catalina 36 to Block for the week and rafted up alongside Azzurra. “It was simple, fun and easy,” said Schubert, who also had close friend Tarry Lomax and his wife aboard. “It was like a cruising vacation with some racing mixed in.

It was perfect.”

The Storm Trysail Club introduced the Performance Cruising division to Block Island Race Week in 2013 and it was an immediate hit. Two years ago, 20 boats participated in two classes, with Deborah & Brian Mulhall’s Tartan 46 Testing Life (Ocean City, NJ) victorious in Spinnaker and Christopher Schneider’s Ericson 39 Rascal (Centerport, NY) claiming top honors in Non-Spinnaker.

“We truly believe that Performance Cruising has added another wonderful layer to this great regatta,” said AJ Evans, Chairman of Storm Trysail Club’s 27th Block Island Race Week, being held June 18-23. “This more relaxed racing atmosphere has made Block Island more approachable for a segment of sailors who might otherwise not have participated. In many respects, Performance Cruising is a throwback to a bygone era. It’s appealing to be able to go out there with the seat cushions, dodger and roller furling jib.”

Bruce Bingman has served as Principal Race Officer for the Performance Cruising division since its inception at Block Island.

He has created interesting, challenging courses, typically sending the fleet on 12- to 17-nautical mile jaunts around a combination of drop buoys and government marks. Courses are changed each day to provide variety, and distances are based on conditions with

Recalling Block Island Race Weeks of yore, the Performance Cruising division has proven popular with family crews…and sailors of a certain age. Photo courtesy of PhotoBoat.com the intent of completing races within three hours or so.

Andy Burton entered his C&C 40 Peregrine (Newport, RI) in Cruising Non-Spinnaker in 2013 and came away impressed with the execution. “Bruce did an absolutely superb job of giving us five great days of racing,” said Burton, who writes for Cruising World and other publications. Burton raced with a crew whose average age was in the mid 50s and was pleased the racing was not too strenuous, leaving his veteran team with enough energy for the daily tent party. “The Performance Cruising class allows older sailors to enjoy the social aspect of the regatta,” he said.

Peregrine anchored in the harbor, rafted with a cruising sailboat owned by another crewmember. An entry fee that was half the standard amount and ability to have meals onboard the boat reduced the overall cost. “With everyone chipping in for food and booze, it didn’t break the bank,” Burton said. “We didn’t take the racing too seriously and had a tremendous time. Competition was keen, but not cutthroat. Courses were fun and long enough, but not so long they got boring.”

Brian Gillen’s Mason 43 Latitude (Locust, NJ) is a 25,000-pound displacement boat with a full keel, and her relative lack of maneuverability makes windward-leeward racing not very enjoyable or practical. The New York Yacht Club and Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club member has many friends who have raved about Block Island Race Week and he’s always wanted to attend.

“When Storm Trysail Club added Performance Cruising, it enabled me to join the party,” Gillen said. “Sailing longer courses with lots of reaching and running allows my boat to shake out her legs.”

During the Around the Island Race, Latitude topped 11 knots while surfing six-foot waves downwind wing-a-wing. “It was very challenging, but also very rewarding,” said Gillen of completing the 18-nautical mile circumnavigation of Block. “It’s quite picturesque,” he enthused. “You’re out on the ocean communing with nature with Block Island providing a stunning backdrop…just gorgeous sailing!”

To register, visit blockislandraceweek.com. ■

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Caleb Paine & Daniela Moroz are US Sailing’s 2016 Rolex Yachtsman & Yachtswoman of the Year US Sailing’s 2016 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year are Olympic Bronze Medalist Caleb Paine (San Diego, CA) and IKA Formula Kite World Champion Daniela Moroz (Lafayette, CA). The winners were selected by a panel of sailing journalists, and each received a specially-engraved Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master timepiece at a luncheon in the Model Room of the New York Yacht Club in New York, NY on March 2. Paine, 26, and Moroz, 16, are each first-time winners of the coveted awards that have been presented since 1961, and Moroz is the youngest person to ever to be named Yachtsman or Yachtswoman of the Year.

“I was completely surprised when they told me I’d won,” said Moroz. “I didn’t think I would get it because I don’t regard myself as a sailor. Kiting is a very different sport and I thought they would choose a sailor. While sailing and kiting have their differences, we’re all sailors. We have a passion for the wind that no one else understands. As the second kiter and first female [kiter] to win this award, the worlds of sailing and kiting are more and more connected.”

Moroz had a phenomenal year in 2016, her first year of international competition. The high school sophomore won the IKA Formula Kite World Championship last September in WeifangBinhai, China. She followed up that success by winning the female division of the inaugural Hydrofoil Pro Tour, which included victories at the final two stops in Mauritius and Rockingham, Western Australia.

Caleb Paine © Sailing Energy/World Sailing

“Kiting is an extreme sport and can be dangerous,” said Moroz. “By the time I started learning it had gotten a lot safer than when my dad started five years earlier. A lot of windsurfers are transitioning to kiting. It’s easier on the body and you go a lot faster. I’d done windsurfing when I was younger and kiting is the

Daniela Moroz © danielakitesurf.wordpress.com

next progression of water sports.”

Sailing the physically demanding Finn dinghy, Paine secured the US Sailing Team Sperry’s first Olympic medal in eight years by winning the medal race. “To win the Bronze medal and then the Rolex award, it’s such an amazing honor,” said Paine. “It’s remarkable to think that when I was 6 years old I was floating around in a boat and now this. I feel blessed.”

The top-ranked American Finn sailor since 2012, Paine began his Finn career in the period preceding the London 2012 Olympic Games as Zach Railey’s training partner, and the two athletes challenged each other for much of the past six years. He won his place on the US Olympic Team roster by coming from behind in the final race of the selection series to secure the spot ahead of Railey.

Last summer in Rio, Paine rose to the occasion in the medal race. He was placed fourth overall at the start of the race, but led wire-to-wire in the double points race and vaulted into third place overall to win the Bronze medal. “One of the main reasons I’m as competitive as I am now is because of Zach’s talent and abilities. He pushed me to where I am,” said Paine. “My training with Zach started me on the right path, and I’m thankful for that. I’ll always be grateful for his early mentorship.”

Rolex has sponsored the Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards since 1980. For more information, visit ussailing.org/ yofy16-ceremony-paine-moroz. ■

Sean McNeill contributed to this report.

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team AkzoNobel is the First Entry in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 The next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) starts October 22, and the first entry to be announced is new Dutch syndicate, team AkzoNobel. The campaign is backed by AkzoNobel, a leading global paints and coatings company headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands and best known to sailors as the manufacturer of Interlux, North America’s leading supplier of boat paints.

team AkzoNobel is led by first time VOR skipper Simeon Tienpont (NED), who will be racing in his third edition of the race. Having made his debut as a rookie onboard ABN AMRO TWO in 2005-06, Tienpont returned with Team Vestas Wind for the final two legs of the 2014-15 edition. “I’m honored and incredibly excited to be skipper of Team AkzoNobel,” said Tienpont, 34, who has also been part of two winning America’s Cup teams; BMW Oracle Racing in the 33rd edition and ORACLE TEAM USA in the 34th edition.

team AkzoNobel represents a nation with a special connection to the Volvo Ocean Race, with Dutch teams having lifted the trophy three times, in 1977-78, 1981-82 and 2005-06.

Indeed, Dutch sailing legend Conny van Rietschoten remains the only skipper in the history of the race to have won two editions in a row, and Tienpont, who won the prestigious Conny van Rietschoten trophy – the highest honor in Dutch sailing – in 2013, is proud to be following in the ‘Flying’ Dutchman’s footsteps.

“The Netherlands are very fond of this race and that’s all

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team AkzoNobel is the first entry in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18, and they just might have the best looking boat in the fleet. © team AkzoNobel

because of Conny van Rietschoten,” he explained. “He brought the event, then called The Whitbread, to an entirely new level.

He built his boat in an excellent Dutch boatyard and recruited professional sailors from all around the world.” Of his team’s sponsor, Tienpont added, “We’re both focused on high performance and share the same passion for success. I can’t wait to start racing!” For more information, visit teamakzonobel.com and volvooceanrace.com. ■

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April 2017

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Northeast Sailing News

Any Way You Like It! Sailing

Intervie w Volvo Oc with ea CEO Mark n Race Turner Bringing aG Medal H old ome

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What’s N ew for 2 017

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL

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10’ Dyer Dink 2008 - Sailing version, original owner, mint, light summer use only, teak trim & seats, tilt-up rudder, spar envelope, SEITECH dolly, boat cover.

Same boat used by Riverside Frostbiting Association in CT. Asking $4,600-Warren, RI 401-245-3300.

22’ Etchells 1998 - Pacesetter # 1086, 2 sets Doyle sails, open sail card, North full boat cover, 3 spin poles, forward ring frame, Tack Tick compass, double axle trailer w/ sail box, new axles 2005, new brakes, bearings 2014 $12,000. 860-227-6135

12 1/2 Doughdish 16 Herreshoff gaff rigged sloop - Yard maintained, boom tent. Excellent condition. Asking $16,750 Call Bruce: 860-235-5035 or Dana: 860912-0042

22.5’ Pearson Electra Alberg Design 1969 – Overnighter, day sailor, one owner since 1969. Very good condition, fully outfitted, spinnaker, newer main, jibs (2 roller furling), 4HP, 4strok Mercury Outboard. Two axle trailer, many extras. $6K. In Southern Connecticut. Full brochure: danw@webquill.com Cell 203-856-6034

20’ Schock Harbor 2001 Keel boat Great single-hander, great condition roller-furling foil, jib, internal halyards, cockpit cover, outboard (Mercury, 4-stroke, 3.5hp) all new over last 1-3 years.

Cushions, jib sock, solar panels, 2 coolers, depth finder, asymmetrical spinnaker (never used) included. $12,500 negotiable, 631-258-8028.

20’ Schock Harbor 2006 - Yes it even comes with the trailer! Beautiful pocket cruiser the Harbor 20 is the perfect day boat. Turn on the electric motor or sail off the mooring, the huge cockpit is perfect for a sail with friends. Asks 26K Prestige Yacht Sales, Peter Thorsby 203-353-0373

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23’ O’Day 23-2 1978 - Keel-centerboard completely re-conditioned with all new sails, 3 jibs, 2 spinnakers. Sleeps 4. Full galley. New bulkheads, electric, water system, head. Race finish bottom. Harken roller furling, adjustable backstay, Antal winches.

7 HP Mercury outboard. An ideal pocket cruiser. Tabernacle Mast. Trailer included. $7000 Stonington, CT 860-705-1500

24’ Pacific Seacraft Dana 2003 - The Pacific Seacraft Dana sets a new standard in a small format cruiser. Superior construction and design, this vessel is equally at home sailing your local waters or crossing the oceans of the world. Professionally maintained. Asks 74.9K Prestige Yacht Sales, Peter Thorsby 203-353-0373

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 25’ Dufour 1800 1983 - In great shape, sails in good shape, new Sunbrella interior cushions, very reliable 3hp Johnson outboard, versatile, fast, and easy to sail, winter storage paid, ready to go. Asking $6500. Call Peter 203-410-7065 hpeters211@yahoo.com

27’ Custom Noe - EnCharette is a legendary race winner that has been meticulously maintained and upgraded throughout her stellar career. Two time ECSA Overall Champion, wins at Off Soundings, BIRW, plus many other local regattas. Huge North Sails inventory, custom Triad Trailer, 5Hp Honda. Located in Branford, CT. Call Paul at 203-214-5696. Asking $20,000.

28’ Capital City Yachts Newport 1982 Inboard Yanmar, teak interior, hot water heater, Bimini, Edson wheel, many extras… a Steal at $6,000 631-751-1957.

30’ Soverel 30 MH 1981 - "Scarecrow" is a versatile and easy to sail 30 foot racer/ cruiser that has been meticulously maintained and upgraded. This Mark Soverel designed boat is ready to cruise or race (PHRF 126) and has all new gear. She is in Black Rock, CT. More details and photos @ www.sailscarecrow.weebly.com or call Jim @ 973-368-7342. Winter storage has already been paid for. Asking $21,000.

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 31’ Island Packet 1985 - New rigging, roller furling. Yanmar diesel, new Awlgrip paint.

Freshly refurbished. Asking $46,500. Call Bruce 860-235-5035 or Dana 860-912-0042

32’ J Boats J/32 2001 - Great J-Boat performance and comfortable overnight accommodations. She is clean, shows well and has lots of gear. She features a new mainsail and Stack Pack, dodger, refrigeration, new batteries, MaxProp, custom teak toerail, cockpit cushions, AC/heat. $89,900 (MA) Call Matt Leduc 401-226-1816

33’ Kalik - Beautiful sailing yacht with sleek long lines and unrivaled responsiveness. Well-maintained, one owner.

Equipped for racing and cruising. Full teak decks, welcoming and spacious teak interior, sleeps 7, large galley w/stove/ oven, dedicated Nav station, large sail inventory. Competitive race record when actively raced. Listed at $24,500, Winter storage included. For more, contact Fred: 347-927-3350.

34’ Hunter 1983 - Well equipped for cruise or race. Professionally maintained.

Yanmar engine. Recent upgrades to standard rigging, jib furler, radar, GPS, microwave, auto helm, refrigerator. Beautiful boat. $10,500. sailr1@msn.com - Mike 516-623-6256

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 34’ Catalina 1989 - Tall rig, wing keel.

A modern design with low heeling angles and a PHRF rating of 150. Frank Butler designed a great boat with a spacious layout - queen size aft berth, wide modern main salon and roomy cockpit. Excellent mechanical condition with newer electronics. Asking $37K Owner 203-579-1500

34’ Tartan 3400 2006 - Oasis is extremely well equipped, has been treated to all necessary upgrades, and has been cared for meticulously! A turnkey cruiser that performs and you can feel comfortable and safe going anywhere. Barrington, RI $159,900. Contact Jim Spiro 401-2582625 jim@thecruisingyachtbrokerage.com

35’ Catalina 350 MKII 2006 - She is loaded with gear, clean, comfortable and easy to sail. She features: diesel generator, AC/heat, canvas winter cover with frame, radar, plotter, autopilot, bimini and dodger.

With Catalina’s famous innerspring mattresses and AC. $129,900 (RI) Call Matt Leduc 401-226-1816

35’ Catalina 350 2003 -PRICED TO SELL NOW. 2013 replaced radar, chartplotter, added battery capacity, inverter/ charger, propane heater, cabin fans and much more in preparation for cruising. Inmast furling mainsail, dodger/bimini, and mostly new running rigging. Barrington, RI $99,900 Jim Spiro at 401-258-2625 jim@thecruisingyachtbrokerage.com

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 36’ Fountaine Pajot Mahe Evolution 2010 - FUN! SPACIOUS COMFORTABLE EXCITING! Add immaculate, well equipped, well cared for but you must take a look. THREE CABINS and more!

Barrington, RI $259,900 Contact Jim Spiro 401-258-2625 jim@thecruisingyachtbrokerage.com

37’ Hunter Cherubini 1984 Recent survey available, 2004 Yanmar, new bottom paint, zincs. Cherubini design is an amazing performer in all conditions.

Solid construction, comfortable interior, separate shower stall, large quarter berth cabin. Barrington, RI $29,900 Jim Spiro at 401-2582625 jim@thecruisingyachtbrokerage.com

38’ Cabo Rico 1990 Cutter Rig - Three anchors with rodes. Windlass. 150 gallons of water. Watermaker. Cabin heater. Dodger. Bimini. Head, shower, cockpit shower and double galley sink. Regrigerator/freezer.

VHF, GPS, autopilot, radar, solar panels, wind generator. $109,000. Call Bob Kleid 203-394-1838

38’ Irwin 38 MKII 1990 - Sturdy yet swift, this modern classic offshore yacht is ready for coastal or blue water, having already completed a trans-Atlantic passage.

Her owner has been diligent about her upkeep and maintenance. Much new and upgraded equipment. Asks 79K, Prestige Yacht Sales, David Fales 203-353-0373

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 39’ Beneteau Oceanis 393 [2003/2004] – Branford, CT. Two cabin version professionally maintained. 508hrs - 57 HP Yanmar. Furling main & genoa, Fairclough winter canvas, hatch A/C. Recent upgrades: Garmin 10” Chartplotter with radar; feathering MAXPROP; new Sunbrella interior upholstery. Visit www.sailboatlistings.com or www.boattrader.com/listing/2017-beneteau- oceanis-103005085 Asking $110k. rengarch@optonline.net or 203-226- 8100

39’ O’Day 1982 - Rare three private double birth layout - two aft and one forward.

She features a large roomy cockpit, newer Doyle Mainsail and Genoa (2011), standing and running rigging replaced (2013), solid glass hard dodger. $49,900 (RI) Call Matt Leduc 401-226-1816

40’ Class 40 2007 - First Light is a 2007 Owen/Clarke design built by Jazz Marine.

Complete refit in 2015, sparing no expense, including a complete repaint inside and out. Refitted with all new deck hardware including Harken winches, Spinlock rope clutches. All instruments replaced with B & G w/repeaters in the cockpit.

New in 2014 is all the running rigging including the runners and spinnaker gear.

All sails are 2014 or newer / lightly used.

First Light is a fine example of a Class 40 motivated seller as he has taken delivery of a new Class 40. For complete equipment list and photos, contact Jimmy Carolla jcarolla395@gmail.com 269-985- 8000

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 40’ Valiant 1977 - One of the most famous designs and highly regarded offshore performance yachts designed by Robert Perry. Many improvements have been made to this yacht in recent years... Engine replaced (2006), refinished galley (2009), Monitor Windvane (2010). $110,000 (CT) Tom Miller, 401-835-7215, www.latitudeyacht.com

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 42’ Beneteau 423 2004 - This model nicely offers a blend of comfort, speed, and graceful lines. “Endless Summer” has been owned and operated by a 5 star rated charter company and is fully equipped to go cruising! $99,950 (RI) Call Ryan Miller, CPYB, 401-835-0069, www.latitudeyacht.com

40’ Sabre 402 1997 – “CALLIDORA” is a 1997 Sabre 402 that is stored indoors and lightly used. Notable features: Garmin touchscreen chartplotter, electric winches, mainsail with Doyle Stackpack (2007), genoa (2007), Awlgrip (2006), chartplotter, radar, autopilot & wind/speed/depth. $195,000 (MA) Ryan Miller, CPYB, 401-835-0069, www.latitudeyacht.com

42’ Beneteau 423 2003 - The Beneteau 423 has been named “Boat of the Year”

by Cruising World Magazine and also won SAIL Magazine’s Top 10 Sailboats for 2003. ALLEGRO is a very clean and well maintained boat with many upgrades and improvements. Currently stored indoors for the winter and easily available for inspection. $139,000 (MA) Call Ryan J. Miller CPYB: 401-835-0069

41’ Beneteau Oceanis 2012 – Flag blue awlgrip, extensive canvas package, full electronics, new sails, immaculate!! Asking $259,000. Willis Marine Center, 631-421-3400 www.willismarine.com

42’ Sabre 426 2004 - Fresh Awlgripped in 2014 flag blue with a white boot top.

New sails in 2012. She looks beautiful and is ready for a new owner. $273,500. Call Willis Marine 631-421-3400

42’ J/42 L 2001 - Single owner boat.

Starlight is extremely well equipped for blue-water sailing, is setup for single person watches, and is cared for meticulously with many system upgrades! It will be worth your while to examine this treasure.

Barrington, RI $179,500.

Contact Jim Spiro 401-258-2625 jim@thecruisingyachtbrokerage.com

43’ Slocum 43 1984 - Dockside or underway, comfortable live-aboard & a seaworthy offshore cruiser. Beautiful in tradition, above & below. Considering the extensive upgrades by caring, knowledgeable owners, she’s an excellent value & a true yacht capable of ocean sailing. Asks 119.9K, Prestige Yacht Sales, Fletcher Ryan 860767-0528

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 44’ J/44 1989 - Impeccable condition, fresh Awlgrip & varnish, huge sail inventory, updated electronics, winning race record. Ready to race or cruise. Asking $180,000. Willis Marine Center, 631-421-3400 www.willismarine.com

44’ Tartan 4400 2005 – “Her raised salon provides for a comfortable and conveniently accessible main cabin” - Tim Jacket. She is in the water with less than 500 hours on the engine and includes a new dodger and bimini. $349,000 (NJ) Ryan Miller, CPYB, 401-835-0069 – www.latitudeyacht.com

46’ Beneteau 46 2009 - Loaded & immaculate two cabin boat. Generator, A/C, Elec. Winches, Bow thruster. Full canvas & electronics. Asking $218,750. Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400

46’ Baltic 46 – MERRYTHOUGHT Finnish quality throughout in this well found and very able racer-cruiser. Close-winded, fast and comfortable with full teak interior, good electronics and large sail inventory. Single hand cruise or full crew race this exceptional design. Sell or trade. sailmyles@aol.com 860-823-7952

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 54’ Hanse 545 2011 – World cruiser/ racer. Carbon mast, racing and cruising sails, full safety equipment (including 2 liferafts), extensive navigation equipment, many upgrades – Persevere has sailed the world. $611,745. Contact colin@waiparawinds.co.nz

47’ Beneteau First 47.7 2001 - (2) cabin layout, extremely well equipped, One owner, set up for offshore short handed cruising. Many upgrades: in-boom furling, solar panels, wind generator, electric winches, additional refrigeration and the list goes on. Asking only $209,000 Call 401-683-9200 or jp@northstaryachtsales.com

BOATS FOR SALE- POWER 23’ Albemarle - V-8 Volvo, inboard outdrive, Center console, Sharp, fast. Great sea boat. Asking $35,750. Call Bruce 860-235-5035

47’ Beneteau 473 2005 -This is a Beneteau 473 two cabin layout. The solar panel and wind generator supply power for refrigeration. She also features a Westerbeke 8Kw diesel generator, SatTV, 2 Zone AC/Heat, davits and dodger and bimini. $229,900 (MA) Call Matt Leduc 401-226-1816

CREW 47’ Beneteau 473 2001 - The Beneteau 473 combines extraordinary interior comfort, volume and light with Blue water strength. New Dodger Bimini and interior. New equipment, rebuilt Windlass, new galley stove, new HMC mattress in forward stateroom, new winter cover. $182,500 (NY) Tim Norton 401-575-8326

Offshore Passage Opportunities Your Offshore Sailing Network. Sail for free on OPB’s. Learn by doing. Gain Quality Sea time towards your lifetime goals. Sail on different boats with different skippers to learn what works and what does not.

Want to be a paid skipper? Build sea time and network with pro skippers. We are the crew network for the ARC, Caribbean 1500, NARC, World ARC Rally, Salty Dawg Rally, Newport/ Bermuda Race and delivery skippers worldwide.

Helping Sailors Sail Offshore Since 1993.

53’ Amel Super Maramu 1998 – Quintessential offshore vessel ready for world cruising. Well equipped and clean. $229,000.

Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400

Learn more and join online at www.sailopo.com or call-1800-4-PASSAGe (1-800-472-7724) Keep the Dream Alive for the cost of a good winch handle.

EQUIPMENT

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• Masts • Hardware • Booms • Rigging Dwyer Aluminum Mast Co.

203-484-0419

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EQUIPMENT

HELP WANTED Licensed Captain - United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain with Towing endorsement needed to work for TowBoatU.S. this summer. Knowledge of waters from CT River to Branford helpful. Please call 860-227-1612 for details. PT & FT available.

Launch Driver - Chelsea Yacht Club seeks part time launch drivers to plug scheduling gaps and for emergencies during the sailing season.

Qualified applicants will have a USCG Limited Masters, requisite safety training and a Transportation Workers Identification Certificate.

Applicants should contact CYC at 845 831 SAIL (7245) , www.chelseayacht.org

MARINE SERVICES Quest Marine Services Professional Marine Surveyor Captain Eric Takakjian, Navtech, ABYC 35 Years of experience with Sail and Power vessels.

www.questmarineservices.com 508-789- 5901 drvquest@gmail.com

Marine Technician - Port Milford Marina is seeking to hire a marine technician to service all makes and models of power and sailboats.

Join our busy, year-round service team. Please send your resume to sdavis@portmilford.com.

REMOVABLE BOWSPRITS

SPRIT

RUBICON MARINE PRODUCTS

www.csprit.com HELP WANTED Launch Operators FT/PT Sea Cliff Yacht Club- Sea Cliff NY - We are looking for FT/ PT seasonal Launch Operators. May – October employment. Also responsible for updating log book, recording member purchases, and keeping the dock house, dock area clean and organized. Perform other related duties, tasks and responsibilities as required. Fulltime and Part-time. Required: A valid and current U.S.C.G. and New York State License, a positive attitude, be a team member and be able to work weekends and holidays. MUST be 18 or older. Pay rate based on experience.

Please contact Frank at: 516-462-0947 or the Club office 516-671-7374.

MARINE POSITIONS AVAILABLE M Yacht Services, Annapolis, a large, full service marine company, is hiring additional highly experienced crew in the following fields: marine systems (mechanical & electrical), carpentry, sailboat rigging, fiberglass/gelcoat/painting. We offer excellent wages and benefits. Applicants must have in-depth knowledge of their trade. Must have a clean driving record. Email resumes to admin@myachtservices.net windcheckmagazine.com

Sailing Instructor - We offer recreational and competitive sailing in 420’s, Cape Cod Mercurys, and JY15’s for sailors of all skill levels, ages 8-15 years old. Instructor will be responsible for lesson planning and implementation, assisting with rigging and maintaining sailboats, working with Instructor team to develop activities on and off the water for Junior Sailors.

CPR, First Aid, CT Safe Boating Certificate and US Sailing Level 1 needed before start of program (note: US Level 1 class fills quickly, don’t wait to sign up). Position dates: June 19 - Aug 11. Housatonic Boat Club, located in Stratford, CT. Please email Jessica Kirchoff HBCJuniorSailing@gmail.com. www.housatonicboatclub.com/jr-sailing

203-787-2322 fairclough.com

Sailing Instructors – Mystic Seaport is looking for three instructors to teach beginning and intermediate sailing classes to youth, adults, and families. For an application or information visit our www.mysticseaport.org/employment or call Human Resources at 860-572-5346.

MARINE SERVICES

SAILS

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STORAGE TRAILER STORAGE SAFE, SECURE AND DRY IN S TA M F O R D Your boat and trailer in one affordable location Call Today for Availability

203-644-1554

Voyage

Preparation Services Offshore Race or Cruise Planning & Logistics Lee Reichart Mystic, Connecticut mysticvoyageprep@gmail.com

(614) 209-7579

VACATIONS

WANTED

Key Largo Cottages @ Key Lime Sailing Club Paddle Boards • Kayaks Snorkeling • Fishing • Sailboats Manatees + More

All FREE with COTTAGE rental!

++ onsite Sailing School, Boats for rent, Sunset Sails, Reef Explorations, Fishing trips, Mangrove Jungle tours.

Did someone Say DEAL?

www.Keylimesailingclub.com 305-451-3438

SailAhead Equipment – A nonprofit that takes PTSD and Depression suffering veterans sailing as a form of therapy – is looking for an inboard engine for their newly received donation, O’Day 30 called Cento Ani, donated by a two-time purple heart Vietnam veteran. Cento Ani previously had a Universal 16 hp Diesel.

They are also looking for a racing sailboat to expand their veteran racing team. It will be skippered by a veteran who was a Green Beret Captain.

If you can help in any way, please contact them at (631) 742-3138 or kilian@sailahead.org Vendors Wanted for 5th Annual Waterfront Festival May 21, 2017 10-5 in Halesite (Huntington) NY - Crafters, artists, antiques and treasures welcome. New and used nautical items and more! Reasonable rates for 12x12 booth space. Sponsor and vendor opportunities. visit-huntingtonsafeboatingweek. com for info 631-424-2924

Place your classified ad by sending your listing to WindCheck, P.O. Box 195 Stratford, CT 06615

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or call 203-332-7639

Looking for crew this Season?

Looking for a boat to sail on?

“Looking for crew for Cedar Point One Design, J109 North Americans in Newport, and Wed night beer can racing…”

Check in to the WindCheck Crew Connection and go sailing!

© PhotoBoat.com

www.windcheckmagazine.com/crew_connect "Looking to add to the crew. Experience on the fore deck or trimming headsails or main would be good.

Enthusiasm is a must..." © Jane Reilly

"Beneteau 36.7 looking for crew interested in a serious racing program.

Less experienced people welcome, will train quick learners… We like to race with 10 people and need some lighter crew, females especially encouraged…."

"We race Thursday eves at 6 PM and various weekend day races. Experienced sailors and novices alike are welcomed to join our team….Physical fitness and a good pair of 'sea legs' are all that is required."

68 April 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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CT Spring Boat Show 203-332-7639 ctspringboatshow.com ............13 Custom Marine Canvas 800-528-9262 custommarinecanvas.com .....28 Defender 800-628-8225 defender.com ................................................9 Destino Yachts 860-395-9682 destinoyachts.com ..............................59 Doyle Sails doylesails.com ...................................................................5

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Norwalk, CT 203-353-0373 Essex, CT 860-767-0528

Mystic, CT 860-245-5551 Sailcube (McLaughlin) 800-784-6478 optistuff.com .........................43 Sparcraft America 704-597-1052 sparcraft-us.com ............................26

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Harbor Point Marina 203-355-6045 hptmarina.com ........................19

Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400 willismarine.com ...............11, 62

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on watch.

Lee Reichart

An accomplished offshore racer and an active member of several sailing clubs, Lee Reichart is engaged in ensuring a bright future for the sport.

“I grew up in Larchmont, NY, © Peter Fackler Montreal, Toronto, and back to Larchmont,” says Lee, who lives on Mason’s Island in Mystic, Connecticut. “I started sailing on my father’s best friend Palmer Langdon’s 39-foot Rhodes 27 Tiny Teal when I was really young. My first offshore experience was in 1955 when we did a cruise from Nantucket to Halifax and back. My primary job was crawling out to read the taff-rail log. Another distinct memory was on the New York Yacht Club cruise, sailing Tiny Teal’s dinghy around Commodore John Nicholas Brown’s NYYC flagship Bolero in Nantucket Harbor and being invited aboard for a tour. My father, Palmer Langdon and Ed du Moulin were all important in my development as a sailor and a person, as was a peer of mine, Steve Moore, unfortunately taken too soon.”

“My first boat was Snipe USA 16796, Skoal, that my wife Gaye and I purchased when we moved to Indianapolis after college and marriage in 1969. She was a proper yacht, albeit a small one, with beautiful mahogany decks and teak floorboards…a real delight to sail. We joined a wonderful Snipe fleet at the Indianapolis Sailing Club, where we sailed for many years as well as travelling throughout the Midwest for weekend regattas. Great memories, such as pitching our tent at a club in Jackson, Mississippi with friends from the Delta Sailing Association in Memphis and our charges at a local Girl Scout troop who also had a Snipe.”

“I started offshore racing at Larchmont Yacht Club when my family moved back to New York in 1962,” Lee recalls. “Palmer Langdon had replaced Tiny Teal with an aluminum Tripp 42-footer called Tahitian, and we competed in all of the Long Island Sound races. One of our competitors was a sistership, Scorpion, owned by sailmaker and America’s Cup veteran Jack Sutphen. I did my first Bermuda Race on Cruising Club of America Commodore Fred Adams’ Katama, followed by the Transatlantic Race from Bermuda to Copenhagen. That summer earned me a nomination to join the Storm Trysail Club. Moving to the Midwest made it difficult to do Bermuda Races regularly, but I did them on Jesse Phillips’ Charisma, Ed du Moulin and Harold Oldak’s Blaze, and Jeff Willis’ Challenge IV.”

A member of Mason’s Island Yacht Club, Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association, The Corinthians and Off Soundings Club, Lee’s a Past Commodore of the Storm Trysail Club.

“The STC was founded by a group of sailing friends who had experienced a particularly rough 1936 Bermuda Race, and started getting together to drink and tell tall sailing tales,” he explains.

“The club was formed in 1938, with the adoption of our familiar stylized storm trysail burgee and a mission to encourage the sport of blue water racing and cruising, and fellowship amongst

participants. In order to become a member, one has to be proposed by a member, seconded and supported by three other members, and one must have sailed a minimum of 1,000 miles offshore, having experienced storm conditions under greatly reduced canvas – storm trysail weather – and be able to take command of a yacht at sea.”

The STC welcomes younger members through newly established Corinthian and Junior membership categories, and its non-profit Storm Trysail Foundation trains and encourages the next generation of blue water sailors. “Not everyone has the advantage of mentorship that I had,” Lee explains. “We believe that our Junior Safety-at-Sea Seminars and the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta have been successful in introducing young sailors to the pleasures and challenges of big boat sailing. The Club and Foundation have also taken a leadership role in training adult sailors through the annual Hands-on Safety at Sea Seminar at SUNY Maritime and the groundbreaking training videos produced by STC members Butch Ulmer, Rich du Moulin, Gary Jobson, Adam Loory, Buttons Padin and Peter Fackler.”

Storm Trysail’s signature event is Block Island Race Week.

“My first was in 1971 on Palmer Langdon’s Tahiitan, and a memorable one was on Blaze in 1977 when we won the Ev Morris Trophy for Outstanding Boat of the Week,” says Lee. “Race Week has changed in that most crews no longer live onboard, although we’ve brought the Performance Cruising class back in recent years.

We’re encouraging those competitors to look at Race Week as a week of cruising with five days of racing and nightly parties.”

Obligations as Regatta Chairman kept Lee from sailing his Evelyn 25 Ursa Minor at BIRW XXV in 2013, so his son Matthew and grandson William raced her in the Double Handed Division.

“They found that doublehanding her was a real challenge, but an enjoyable one,” he enthuses. “Needless to say, looking on was a very proud father and grandfather.”

Looking ahead to BIRW XXVII in June, under the leadership of Regatta Chairman (and STC Vice Commodore) AJ Evans, Lee says, “AJ has brought a new vigor to the event, and from four continent-wide championships and three regional championships to expanding the Performance Cruising classes and a new Multihull division, we’re expecting a wonderful Race Week.”

With many offshore miles logged, Lee has a kitbag full of ‘What am I doing out here?’ stories. “The most recent was the 2006 Vineyard Race aboard Rich du Moulin’s Lora Ann,” he says.

“We were one of just three boats to finish that race and really took a beating on the way to the Tower, but with about 99% of the crew being STC members we just had to finish!”

“I’ve sailed in four Transatlantic Races,” says Lee, pictured at the helm of Rives Potts’ McCurdy & Rhodes sloop Carina in the Transatlantic Race 2015. “They were all challenging for a variety of reasons, from too much wind aboard Katama to too little on the Clipper Stad Amsterdam, and from running out of provisions and watermaker failure on Carina to almost running out of Heineken on Stad Amsterdam…always different, always a challenge. I love going offshore to clear out the accumulated onshore cobwebs!” ■

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