July 2017 WindCheck Magazine

Sailing the Northeast

Twice is Nice at The Robie 15 Years of Success at NESS K9 Safety at Sea

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editor's log Strong Bonds Scuttlebutt Sailing News recently published a write-up about WindCheck (issue 4860). Being recognized as a vital part of the sailing community by such a well respected publication and Editor as Scuttlebutt and Craig Leweck is humbling, to say the least. It makes me proud. The title of the piece is “The Ties That Bind.” It got me thinking of all the ties that I have with the great contributors, advertisers and sailors featured on the pages of this magazine, some of whom I have known for years; others as a result of the work we do at the magazine. Sailing has given me some of the closest and most valued friendships in my life and WindCheck has contributed greatly to that.

I am always pleased with the quality of the content in each issue we produce, but there are certain issues I’m extra proud to see circulated.

This is one of them, starting with the cover image. The most excellent and beautiful boat is Belle, a Luders 24, and her skipper is Joe Loughborough from Newport, Rhode Island. I have had the pleasure of sailing on this boat with Joe, albeit years ago, and she can still keep pace (and often outrun) much more modern racers. In my opinion, the L24 is the prettiest boat ever designed. I’m proud to have Belle and Joe on the cover.

Another classic yacht gracing the pages of this issue is the 50-foot Sparkman & Stephens sloop Scaramouche, built in 1972. A pedigreed ocean racer indeed, she saw great success throughout the years, primarily as a West Coaster, and she’s found a new home here out East. What makes me proud about the ongoing refit article that we are running is that the work is being performed by the crew at Cooley Marine Management in Stratford, Connecticut. I recently stopped by the shop to check on progress, and the restoration being done is impressive. I’m proud to call Andrew a friend and also of the fact that Scaramouche’s owner and Andrew connected through WindCheck.

Since 2008, The Robie Pierce Regatta has been co-hosted by American and Larchmont Yacht Clubs. Among the more than fifty volunteers who come together to produce such a successful and growing event are my friends Bill Sandberg and Buttons Padin, who co-chair the regatta with Siobhan Reilly. Bill was a Contributing Editor at WindCheck for several years, and Buttons has contributed articles on numerous occasions, most recently for the Viper Class in which he is very active.

I am proud to know these fine gentlemen who help to make sailing accessible, competitive and fun for so many. This year’s Robie had several new competitors, as it does every year. One of them was Chris O’Brien from Trumbull, Connecticut. Chris, however, is not new to sailing. Before a swimming accident that left him a quadriplegic, he sailed often, racing keelboats and instructing at Longshore Sailing School. Should Bill and Buttons ever need additional incentive to continue their support of the Robie, they need only look at the picture of Chris at the helm of the Ideal 18 on page 51. The Robie is where Chris re-entered the world of sailing.

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Sailing the Northeast Issue 165 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 William Adler, Rick Bannerot, Debra Bell, Cate Brown, Stephen Cloutier, Andrew Cooley, Cliff Crowley, Rick Delfosse, Clemmie Everett, Dave Foster, John K. Fulweiler, Richard Gordon, Fran Grenon, Jan Hodnett, Mary Ann Horrigan, Richard C. Ilse, Caroline Knowles, Barby MacGowan, Meg Marrs, Laura McMillan, Donovan McSorley, Martina Orsini, Captain Linda Perry Riera, PhotoBoat.com, Vin Pica, Jim Reilly, Hew Russell, Karen Ryan, Jeff Smith, Captain Andrew Tucci, USCG, Tom Weaver, Ron Weiss, Dave White, Irene Wilde, Talbot Wilson Ad Sales Erica Pagnam erica@windcheckmagazine.com Distribution Man in Motion, 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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contents

Editor’s Log

4

Checking In 8

Scaramouche Refit, Part II 14 Moonshade and Other Summer Surprises 20

Calendar of Events 24

Book Review: An Inexplicable 36 Attraction: My Fifty Years of Ocean Sailing

Book Review: A Man for All Oceans 37

Sound Environment 38

Captain of the Port 40

Boating Barrister 41

Tide Tables 42

Coaches’ Corner 46

Sail Black Rock Takes Silver 47

Cedar Point Yacht Club 52 OneDesign Regatta

Selkie Seals the Deal in the 54

Marion Bermuda Race

Coop’s Corner 56

Crew Connection 58

Brokerage 59

Classifieds 60

Advertisers Index 65

On Watch: Don Miller 66

18 From the Log of Argon: Sailing Offshore - Ruminations of a Coastal Cruiser

Captain Linda Perry Riera and Captain Bob Damian are in the midst of a yearlong voyage aboard their Tartan 4000. In this fourth installment, Linda ruminates on the half dozen or so offshore passages they’ve recently completed.

22 K9 Safety at Sea

Most dogs love sailing as much as we do, although it’s important to remember that canine shipmates have unique needs. Meg Marrs, Founder and Senior Editor at K9ofMine.com, shares tips to keep your favorite seadog safe and happy on the waves.

44 NESS Celebrates 15 Years of Serving the Community

Founded in 2002 with eight little boats and one big dream, the New England Science & Sailing Foundation uses marine science, adventure sports, powerboating and sailing to inspire learning and personal discovery, foster ocean stewardship, and create connections with the community. NESS Marketing Coordinator Caroline Knowles recounts an amazing decade and a half.

48 The Block Island Race: “One never knows, do one?”

The 186-nautical mile Block Island Race presents a unique set of challenges even when conditions are ideal. And with conflicting weather forecasts for the 72nd running of the Storm Trysail Club’s spring classic, there was plenty of head scratching among the navigators on 66 competing boats.

50 Pauline Dowell Wins It All at The Robie

One the most inspiring events in the world of sailing, the Robie Pierce Regatta welcomes sailors with disabilities of all kinds. This year, a blind sailor and her crew were victorious in both the Robie Pierce Women’s Invitational and the Robie Pierce One-Design Regatta. Jan Hodnett reports from American Yacht Club, and Jim Reilly has the photos.

On the cover: Belle, a Luders 24 sloop, is simply one of the loveliest boats on the water. Built by the Luders Manufacturing Co. in Stamford, CT, she was restored by her owner Joe Loughborough.

The founder of Loughborough Marine Interests, LLC in Portsmouth, RI, Joe (pictured at the helm during the 163rd Annual New York Yacht Club Regatta presented by Rolex) has more than five decades of professional yachting experience. © Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com

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Norwalk Cove Marina Acquires American YC High PerforHathaway Rigging mance Regatta is October 7 & 8 When the crew at Norwalk Cove Marina in Norwalk, CT heard of the retirement of the principals at sailmaker and rigging company Hathaway, Reiser & Raymond in nearby Stamford, the initial reaction was sadness that another iconic stalwart of the industry was gone. The second reaction was of opportunity, and the third was a question: How can we help preserve the legacy of Hathaway?

Norwalk Cove purchased the rigging side of Hathaway, and were fortunate to also attract a 15-year Hathaway employee to join the enlarged “Hathaway Rigging at Norwalk Cove” department and built the crew that includes a former rigger from McDonald Yacht Rigging and a Cove employee who also worked there. The team is ready to continue Hathaway’s 127-year-old tradition of quality and integrity.

American Yacht Club in Rye, NY will host the 14th Annual High Performance Regatta (HPR) on October 7 & 8. Previously named the HPDO (High Performance Dinghy Open), the event has been renamed to indicate the focus on a wider array of boats.

“The membership of American Yacht Club is aware of the changing landscape of sailing,” said Commodore Andy Giglia, “and to further support our mission statement ‘enhancing our heritage of leadership in the sport of sailing and furthering the growth of the sport,’ we are committed to help lead that change.”

© fulcrumspeedworks.com

Hathaway Rigging at Norwalk Cove is continuing the proud tradition of the company that built sails and rigging for such legendary yachts as Reliance, pictured here in the 1903 America’s Cup.

In 1890, Alden Reiser relocated his sailmaking loft from Lunenberg, Nova Scotia to Boston, MA, later joining forces with Asa Hathaway, head sailmaker at the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. in Bristol, RI. Moving to Connecticut, Reiser and Hathaway worked out of the Luders yard in Stamford for a short time.

Throughout this period, they built sails and rigging for yachts including America’s Cup defenders Vigilant, Defender, Columbia, Reliance and Resolute. Edgar L. Raymond, Jr. joined the business in 1947. His son Skip took over the company upon Ed’s retirement and ran it for years. Later, Tom Anderson took over the rigging aspect of the business and, though he claims to be “slowing down” he’s still helping Norwalk Cove move forward. For more information, visit norwalkcove.com. ■ Rick Delfosse at Norwalk Cove Marina contributed to this story.

While supporting all the classes that have made this event successful over the last 13 years (Viper 640, RS K6, J/70, 5O5 and any centerboard dinghy with a Portsmouth number of 86.3 or less including the Flying Dutchman, International 14, Fireball and International Canoe), this year the I420, Waszp, UFO and Moth classes have been added. The Moth, Waszp and UFO (pictured) are the leading foiling classes in the U.S., and the I420 is the world-recognized platform for junior sailors to enter the world of high performance sailing.

“We are working very hard to provide a competitor-focused event,” said event Co-Chairman Rich Hulit. “Our objective is to maximize the number of races and we will be embracing a short courses/high volume format with the great shoreside facilities American Yacht Club has always been known for.”

American Yacht Club is hosting their Fall Series the two weekends before the HPR, which will allow J/70 teams three uninterrupted weekends to tune up for the 2017 J/70 North Americans, which are scheduled to start on October 11 at American YC. The NOR and the event website can be found at YachtScoring.com. For more information, contact aycrc@americanyc.org. ■ Donovan McSorley at American Yacht Club contributed to this report.

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Linda Lindquist-Bishop Receives Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award Linda Lindquist-Bishop, a trailblazer in women’s sailing, was awarded the BoatUS/National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) 2017 Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award at the NWSA Women’s Sailing Conference in Marblehead, MA on June 3. The award, which recognizes an individual with a record of achievement in inspiring, educating, and enriching the lives of women through sailing, was presented by NWSA President Linda Newland. BoatUS is a strong partner of NWSA, a program of the Women’s Sailing Foundation, which is an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of women and girls through education and access to the sport of sailing.

A resident of Traverse City, MI, Lindquist-Bishop is a passionate mentor of young women leaders and an advocate of shattering the glass ceiling and challenging women to fulfill their dreams. Through public speaking engagements and her role as president of Courageous Thinking, Inc., she has worked continuously to create leadership opportunities for women both in sports and in business. She continues to champion women in leadership through the efforts of the non-profit Rising Tide Leadership Institute, which she co-founded with America3 teammate Katie Pettibone. Lindquist-Bishop was a key figure in developing the National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA), and maintains a position on the advisory board. ■

Yachting Photography Exhibition in Oyster Bay The Oyster Bay Historical Society in Oyster Bay, NY is hosting a fine art photography exhibition by Yana Frangiskos Copek at the Angela Koenig Center, located at 20 Summit Street in Oyster Bay.

(l - r) Women’s Sailing Conference Committee Chair Joan Thayer, Leadership in Women’s Sailing Association Award honoree Linda Lindquist-Bishop, and National Women’s Sailing Association President Linda Newland © BoatUS.com

From the early years when Lindquist-Bishop raced 470s with her brother to her early teen years racing Lasers to becoming the first female sailing master at her yacht club, she has been a trendsetter and a leader. After collegiate sailing and racing J/24s, she made her mark as a leader on the SC70 team that shattered every record on the Great Lakes.

A pioneer in the world of offshore yacht racing, LindquistBishop made history as a member of the first all-women’s America’s Cup team sailing America3. She sailed on more than 100 teams in the past 28 years, winning two world championships. “Linda has made a significant impact on improving the confidence of young women through international sailing competitions,” said Newland. “She is a role model for what can be.

We are pleased to recognize her commitment to women in sailing with this award.”

Storm

© yanafotos.com

Born in Athens, Greece and raised in New York City and Long Island, Yana studied Fine Art, Film and Photography at C.W. Post-Long Island University as well as Decorative Painting at The Finishing School. She has exhibited her work in New York City, Long Island and New Jersey, and her photos have appeared in Soundings, Opti News, Classic Boat Magazine in the UK, The Oyster Bay Guardian and WindCheck, to name a few. A freelance portrait and event photographer specializing in nautical photography, Yana publishes an annual calendar of classic wooden yachts under sail from Oakcliff Sailing in Oyster Bay. A resident of Upper Brookville, NY, she goes sailing whenever possible.

The exhibition remains on view through August 20.

Sale of exhibited work helps support the public programming of the Oyster Bay Historical Society. For more information, call 516-922-5032 or visit oysterbayhistorical.org/current-exhibition.

Yana’s work can also be viewed on her website, yanafotos.com. ■

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Ida Lewis Distance Race Starts August 18

By Barby MacGowan, Media Pro International The 13th edition of the Ida Lewis Distance Race, hosted by Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, RI, starts Friday, August 18, promising once again to deliver an exciting late-season topper to a busy summer of competitive racing on Narragansett Bay. Classes for IRC, PHRF, One Design, Multihull and Double-Handed ensure that everyone (with a qualifying boat of 28 feet or longer) has a place to fit in.

One needn’t have a highly trained, expert team to make a splash at The Ida, although there are plenty of these on the scratch sheet each year. This race is more about fun than fierce competition; youth teams, collegiate teams, and even low-key teams sailing Cruising Spinnaker are encouraged to compete, and there are special trophies for them to chase.

The Ida Lewis Distance Race organizers choose the course

Competing in the Youth Challenge division with members of the Grimes and Moffet families on board, Paul Grimes’ J/35 Breakaway (Jamestown, RI) finished third in PHRF Spinnaker 2 in last year’s Ida Lewis Distance Race. © Cate Brown/catebrownphoto.com

Echo Bay Yacht Club, New Rochelle, NY • 914-355-5400 401 Main Street , Port Washington, NY • 516-767-7245 www.portsailing.com 12 July 2017 WindCheck Magazine

beforehand based on the weather and wind forecast. It can be anywhere between 104 and 177 nautical miles and always requires overnight sailing. The fleet starts on Friday at 1 pm just outside Newport Harbor and a gets a scenic eyeful as it passes by several iconic turning marks, including Castle Hill, Brenton Reef, Montauk Point, Martha’s Vineyard and Buzzards Bay Tower.

Some of the faster boats can be home in the early morning hours of Saturday.

Gold sponsor for the 2017 Ida Lewis Distance Race is New England Boatworks.

Silver sponsors are Bluewater Technologies, Helly Hansen, and Newport Shipyard; Bronze sponsors are North Sails, Rig Pro Southern Spars, and Stella Artois.

Contributing Sponsors are DYT Yacht Transport, Flint Audio & Video, Goslings Rum, Mac Designs, Toni Mills Graphic Design, and Triton Insurance. For more information, visit ilyc.org/long-race or contact Pat Kennedy at racechairman@ ildistancerace.org, and follow the race on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. ■

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Scaramouche Refit, Part II

By Andrew Cooley Since our last update, the mighty Scaramouche has undergone quite the transformation and is now full swing in the structural and asthetic refit.

Having previously completed all of the media blasting [Part I of this series can be found at windcheckmagazine.com – Ed.], Cooley Marine Management team got straight to work on fully exposing the problem areas of both the underwater hull and the topsides. Our team started the process of quantifying the full scope of the needed repairs. We do this by laying a grid pattern directly on the hull surfaces, which gives the guys on the floor a visual representation of the areas where the heaviest work is needed as well as serving as a photo record for the client to track the scope of work. Ultimately, we found that over 20% of the underwater hull needed to be stripped back to bare aluminum and started from scratch. In the process, the owner also decided that there were a number of unused thru-hull fittings from years of modifications.

This was the best time to completely remove those fittings and permanently seal the hull at those locations. The various intakes and overboards were carefully cut free from the hull and new aluminum plates were inserted in place and bonded to the hull.

Those locations were then primed, filled and faired to match the surrounding hull surfaces. The end result of all of these closures is a much more sound and secure hull with years of unused piping and outdated fittings cleared out.

During the course of the refit, we worked with the owner to identify which fittings were no longer needed, removed the har dware and sealed the hull back up. Once the structural repair was made the surfaces needed to be built back up with a series of steps which include: a metal primer, fairing compound, high build primer, and finishing primers before the final topcoat is applied to the entire hull.

One of the other major objectives during this first phase of the refit process has been working with the owner and his team to incorporate several structural modifications to facilitate some modern sailing features not known at the time of Scaramouche’s creation in 1972. The first of these is the addition of a custom bowsprit bracket which will do double duty as the support for the new carbon spinnaker sprit for racing and an anchor roller support pad for when the owner wishes to cruise and explore the anchorages of Long Island Sound and afar. The owner and his team, having come up with an efficient design, worked directly with our team on the shop floor to fabricate, fit and weld the new aluminum housing to the bow of the boat. The design included the removal of a section of the forward starboard bow gunnel, relocation of the starboard hawse pipe, fit-up and welding of the unit to the hull, and ultimately fairing and finishing of the new structure to ensure that once complete, the new unit will look as if it was always a part of the vessel.

In addition to the bow modifications, the other major structural change during this refit was the addition of new chainplates for the lower shrouds. As was typical of ocean racers of her day, Scaramouche was originally fitted with both forward and aft lowers to support the large aluminum masts of the 1970s. Since replacing that rig with a modern carbon fiber mast last year, the owner and his team found that the double lower sets are no longer needed, and removing them will save weight and clear out much needed deck space for increased sail sizes and racing configurations.

The new rigging package replaces both lowers with a single lower, but it needed a deck termination not originally designed by Sparkman & Stephens. Once again, the owner and his team came up with an effective and efficient design that was perfectly suited

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to accomplish during this refit period. The chainplates themselves were prefabricated and shaped to match the curve coming through the deck to meet the angle of the new lower shrouds. To support the new chainplates internally, aluminum plate was shaped to match the hull curvature and welded in across several stringer frames to give both strength and spread stress loads across the hull.

One of the owner’s major objectives with the refit was to modify the bow to allow for the deployment of a new carbon sprit pole for racing. In doing so, they did not want to sacrifice the ability to use the anchor while cruising. The designed solution required cutting through the existing bulwarks and extending an aluminum channel forward of the bow. Both the new sprit and the anchor roller can be secured into the channel as needed, and when not in use stowed away. The modifications required an extensive amount of fairing and paint work to make the piece look as if it was always part of the design.

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Another structural addition of the refit was to fabricate and install new chainplates for the new lower standing rigging. The below deck attachments were welded to the hull stringers. The alignment of the new plates required tying together a series of stringers to provide ample strength to support the anticipated loads of the new rigging.

With the major repairs and modifications complete, we turned our full attention to the arduous task of prepping the vessel for paint. As with any good paint job, the devil is in the prep. This boat proved to be no different. With years of bumps with docks and launches, rafts ups, water ingress, corrosion caused by dissimilar metals, thousands of miles under her keel and who knows what else, the topsides were really showing her age. In addition to the new metal work at the bow, we started chasing a number of small chips and dings which ultimately required an larger percentage of the topside hull needing to be worked back down to bare aluminum, primed, and extensively faired with epoxy fairing compounds to ensure that when it’s time to apply that final high gloss topcoat, all that one sees is the stellar lines of her classic design and storied pedigree.

Stay tuned for next month’s edition, where we hope to be showing off the finish results of Phase I… ■ Andrew Cooley is the owner of Cooley Marine Management, LLC in Stratford, CT. With a background in marine repair and project management, he is well versed in both new construction and refits. To learn more about CMM’s repair, refit, project management, consulting and marine general contracting services, visit cooleymarine.com.

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After over 500 man hours of work, countless gallons of fairing compounds, primers, solvents and miles of tape and plastic, Scaramouche is in final finish primer (AwlGrip 545). The CMM team is in final prep for the high gloss topcoat and application of the new bottom paints.

Stay tuned for our next installment to see the finished product of Phase I of the Scaramouche Refit‌.

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From the Log of Argon: Sailing Offshore - Ruminations of a Coastal Cruiser

By Captain Linda Perry Riera Editor’s note: This is the fourth installment in a series of dispatches from Linda and Captain Bob Damiano, who have completed the island portion of their one-year sailing voyage aboard their Tartan 4000 and are now sailing familiar waters along the coast of New England.

Long periods of physically draining boredom…Veiled by a haze of exhaustion…Interrupted by brief spurts of wonder and terror...

Crashing into blackness struggling to stay oriented with no discernible horizon…Squinting, straining and then silently rejoicing as the initial signs of another first light are revealed.

Preparations

It’s hard to believe that our first offshore passage was only a year ago when we sailed from Boston to Nova Scotia as a shakedown practice during our final preparations for our one-year sailing trip.

And despite each now having well more than 2,500 nautical miles offshore and a couple of Gulf Stream crossings on Argon completed, Bob and I still get a bit anxious as we prepare the boat and ourselves for blue water sailing.

Our preparation in the immediate days prior to an open ocean passage have become routine and include: • Confirming and re-confirming weather and appropriate departure date/time

• Mounting the dinghy outboard to the stern rail; hoisting the dinghy to the foredeck and lashing it down securely; lashing down dinghy gas tank and extra diesel jug

• Filling diesel and water tanks

• Stowing everything securely below The outboard motor is mounted to the stern rail and the dinghy is lashed onto the foredeck. The davits are only for coastal cruising, since large following waves can smash up against or wash into a dinghy on davits and cause major damage. © ArgonSailing.com

Nighttime watches can be long and difficult. The initial signs of first light bring relief and beauty. © ArgonSailing.com

• Preparing the passage bunk

• Testing the satellite system

• Provisioning and cooking several healthy, easy-on-the-stomach meals

• Installing the jackline in the cockpit (deck jacklines are always rigged)

• Inspecting, inspecting and inspecting some more

• Reviewing weather data again

• Reviewing charts, confirming details of arrival harbor

• Sending email to shore crew with our route and expected arrival date

• Resting and mental readiness

• Taking prophylactic seasickness medicine (we use

Scopolamine patches and low dose Stugeron)

Although we opted for a third crew person for two of our longest offshore passages that were early in our experience, we now tackle passages double-handed. A third person can be great for increased rest time and when conditions get rough, although there is a often a loss of flexibility regarding departure date as one may be restricted by the schedule of the additional crew person. Selecting an appropriate weather window and hence departure time is top on our list of safety and preparations. We have had great weather routing service from Locus Weather based in Maine.

An unconventional representation of blue water sailing:

Wonder: Dolphins, sunrises, sunsets, whales, unimaginably deep ink blue water, catching mahi, just thinking and being Terror: Bilge alarm going off, jibsheet flailing in high winds, 20foot seas, squalls with 40+ knot winds, hearing and feeling a thud on the rudder, having to venture on deck in high seas to unfoul a line 18 July 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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Boredom: Are we there yet?

Exhaustion: Three hours on, three hours (or less) off, trying to sleep with unrelenting loud rushing of water and boat squeaks, counting down the minutes to my off time

Zone: When sailing is just plain fun, Argon is performing optimally, and all is good in the world

between long offshore passages and distance running. I always preferred the shorter runs over the long events, which were really difficult and painful and sometimes boring but also sprinkled with periods of coasting “in the zone.”

The distance runs required extensive preparation and were goals to work towards, much like for offshore sailing.

And, importantly, the sense of accomplishment at the end eclipsed any pain and boredom, as with multi-day blue water sailing. ■

Captains Linda Perry Riera and Bob Damiano are the owners and operators of All Hands Sailing Charters, LLC in Boston, MA (allhandssailing.com). You can follow Linda and Bob’s journey (and view their very well produced videos) at ArgonSailing.com.

Bob, trying to get a bit of rest in big seas. © ArgonSailing.com

Final Ruminations Our half dozen or so offshore passages this past year have resulted in:

• Increased trust in each other as each of us has perfected solo jibes, solo reefing, solo helming, and solo navigating while the other rests

• Improved sailing skills overall given the myriad of conditions encountered

• Enhanced confidence in Argon, which has proven to be an extremely sturdy boat

• Time for introspection and clearing of clutter in the mind

• Greater appreciation for the short coastal trips in mild conditions As a former avid runner, I have reflected on some parallels

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The reward at the end of a long offshore passage is often a piece of island paradise. Much better than the bagels and beer that often greet distance runners at the end of a road race. © ArgonSailing.com

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Moonshade and Other Summer Surprises

By Richard C. Ilse Got a minute? How about 1,440 of them? That may seem like a lot, but when you add them all up they equal a single day. This summer, there is a day that may have you questioning time itself. Imagine waking up in the cockpit of your boat from a brief midday nap and it looks kind of dark out. You check the time – it’s midafternoon – and then look to the sky. The sun is there, but yet it’s not! What on earth is happening?

Welcome to the first total solar eclipse visible only in the USA since our nation’s founding in 1776. It will also be the first total solar eclipse to sweep across the entire continental U.S. in 99 years, according to NASA. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets in the way of the sun, turning day into an eerie twilight.

The day is August 21, and even the U.S. Postal Service is celebrating it by releasing a “Total Solar Eclipse” forever stamp on the summer solstice in June. This special stamp will have a high tech twist that’s never been done. It will use thermochromic ink, which changes color with heat and light. Use your finger and rub the eclipse image and it will reveal an underlying image of the moon. Remove your finger and the image reverts back to the eclipse once it cools. The back of the stamp will also provide a map of the eclipse path so it will tell you exactly how close you are to it. Best thing we’ve done to the moon since we went there!

As for other celestial celebrations this summer, our nighttime skies will offer up two distinct meteor showers. The first is Folks in the United States will enjoy prime viewing of a rare total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. © cdn.skyandtelescope.com

If you liked the U.S. Postal Service’s Star Trek commemorative stamp, you’re going to love their Total Eclipse of the Sun. © U.S. Postal Service

called Alpha Capricornids and occurs from mid-July through early August, with the best night being on July 29. Although only producing a few meteors per hour, what’s best about this shower is the bright fireballs it produces. Then there is the Perseids meteor shower in August, peaking around August 12 with a rate of 50 to 75 per hour. The Perseids are particles released from Comet Swift-Tuttle during its numerous returns to the inner solar system.

Turning from space to time, this summer sets up as an average one lengthwise, in terms of the number of days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The 4th of July, however, comes on a Tuesday so if you do not already have it, put in for Monday off. There are also other notable holidays you can put in for time off. I kid you not – you can look these up. First up was National Repeat Day (I said repeat day) on June 3, then National Chocolate Ice Cream Day on June 7 and Sunglasses Day on June 27. In July, the 3rd is Disobedience Day (use that to call in sick on that Monday if needed). July 5 is National Bikini Day, and Relaxation Day is the 15th. Then there is the most absurd one, Take Your Pants for a Walk Day on the 27th…now there’s an exercise in futility. In August another good day to take off is Just Because Day on the 27th.

So enjoy your summer, and remember that on August 21 you can wake to the sun twice. ■ An enthusiastic amateur meteorologist, Richard C. Ilse lives in Stamford, CT.

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K9 Safety at Sea

What to Know Before Setting Sail

By Meg Marrs, Founder and Senior Editor at K9 of Mine Many dogs love sailing just as much as their humans. With the wind in their fur and the smell of salty air on their noses, dogs are just as drawn to the ocean as their two-legged shipmates.

However, it’s easy to forget that even dogs need to be suited up with the right safety gear before heading out on the open waters. For example, even the most water-loving Labrador should wear a dog life jacket, as rough waters can pull under any canine.

There are plenty of considerations to keep in mind when you bring your furry skipper out for a sail.

1. Create an Emergency Plan Make sure you consider an emergency plan of what you’ll do in the event that your dog falls overboard.

Choose who will steer the boat and who will keep visuals on the floating dogs. Dogs don’t have the ability to wave to signal where they are, and their small floating heads can easily get lost among the waves. This is why it’s essential to assign specific people to the task of keeping an eye on the dog’s location if they fall over.

Once you get near the dog, cut the engine and yell for the dog to swim towards you. Do not jump in to help, as even a medium-sized panicked dog may accidentally pull you under (panicked humans do the same thing – it’s simply instinctual). Instead, call your dog over and pick them up out of the water (most dog life jackets are equipped with a top handle for this very purpose).

2. Pack a Doggy First Aid Kit Keep a First Aid kit on hand for both your human and canine crew. You’ll want to have a few different items on hand for your pooch, including:

• Flea and tick medication

• Medications your dog is currently taking (have extra in case you get stuck in an emergency)

• Antibiotic ointment for scrapes or minor cuts

• Dramamine in the event of seasickness (make sure to talk to your vet about this)

3. Know the Rules If you’ll be boating across state lines or internationally, make sure

to read up on local legislation regarding dogs on boats, as different areas may have different rules on what’s allowed and what’s not.

4. Get a Canine Life Jacket Most dogs tend to like water – some, like Labradors, are quite famous for their water-loving spirit. Even though dogs enjoy water, they may not all be great swimmers. Dogs aren’t exactly the best at judging their own skill level, so it’s your job as the fur parent to watch out for them.

When out at sea, all dogs should wear life jackets (yes, even those H20-obsessed Labs). Ocean water is choppy and rougher than your local pond, and even strong swimmers could get pulled under.

Extra precaution should be taken with snub-nosed breeds, as they have a much more difficult time keeping their nose above the water level. We don’t really recommend letting these breeds swim much at all, outside of a small, contained pool. If you do allow them to swim, of course make sure they are wearing doggy PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and be extra cautious in not letting them overexert themselves.

5. Bring Doggy Sunscreen The majority of humans (especially the pale kind) know to lather up the sunscreen in the summer.

What you may not know is that dogs need sun protection, too!

Dogs with very thin or very light fur are especially at risk. If you can see your dog’s pink skin under their fur, they definitely need to be protected!

Make sure to stock up on dog sunscreen before you cast off. Dog sunscreen comes in a number of different forms, from wipes to sprays, allowing you to pick an application method that will work best for your pooch.

6. Teach Your Dog “On Boat” and “Off Boat” Commands Before getting your boating on, definitely make sure to brush up on your basic canine commands like: • Sit • Stay • Leave it • Lie Down • Come

Listening to and following commands is extremely important for keeping your dog safe in unexpected situations. In addition to becoming a star obedience pupil, you should work on teaching your dog the “on boat” and “off boat” commands.

22 July 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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The on and off boat commands are key for the docking process. It’sand longest running chowder during this time that most acci- competition in New England Continued dents occur, as dogs – in enormousofficially kicks off summer in Newport! 12 - 6pm; Newport 1 excitement – may try to jump on Yachting Center, Newport, RI; 47th Annual Lloyd’s or off the boat in the mid-dockingnewportwaterfrontfestivals.com Trophy Race - Lloyd Harbor procedure.

Yacht Club, Huntington, NY;

JUNE

1 7. Pack Plenty of Water Accelerated Safe Powerboat Handling 1 Dogs can quickly become dehy- This course, taught by a SYC Pre-OSC Race drated while hanging out on a US Powerboating certified This is an ECSA points hot, sunny boat deck during the instructor, is for anyone who event.

Shennecossett summer.

BeGroton, sure toCT; bring plenty ofwants to learn how to safely Yacht Club, shennecossettyachtclub.org clean, fresh water for both you andoperate a powerboat or improve their on-the-water your dog. Also, make sure to bringboat along a portable water handling skills dog and already 1 bowl and/or a dog-friendly water bottle so your dog can easily has or does not need a State 119th Annual HYC Boating Safety Certificate. Ages lap upRace that -liquid.

Day Huntington 10 & up. 9am - 6pm; U.S. Coast Yacht Club, Huntington, NY; Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 77, huntingtonyachtclub.com 8. Give Your Dog a Potty Spot South Benson Marina, Fairfield, Bathroom time can be a bit trickyCT; on register a boat. Dogs that are house at cal.fairfieldct.org.

1 trained won’t relieve themselves onJaydeck, so you’ll need to create Lipp: JLIPP@aol.com Also King’s Cup Race & offered on 6/4 & 5 and 6/5 &6 aReception special space for your dog to do his business.

- Minuteman lhyc.org

There are a number Yacht Club, Westport, CT; of different materials you can use: astro1&2 minutemanyc.com turf, plastic puppy pads, or even real grass potty pads designed 12th Annual CPYC Onefor your dog’s bathroom needs. Ultimately, you’ll want to choose Design Regatta - This event 1 a32nd material that is familiar to your dog.

Some dogs may not even serves as the 2013 Soverel Polar Seltzer 33 National Championship relieve themselves on these pads, and may only be able to go on Great Chowder Cookand the 2013 Viper 640 New Off original, land.- The In this case, largest be prepared to make numerous shoreline visits

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so your pooch can let it all out!

2 England Championship (any Bay Day This free community one-design keelboat fleet with Practice and- Prepare event, hosted The WaterFront sufficient entries can be given aFor smooth sailing,bypractice your Center and Friends of the Bay start). Cedar Point Yacht Club, routine with pooch to “celebrate andyour promote Westport, CT; Halsey Bullen: boating and the other humans in your famenvironmental awareness,” 203-247-2712; cpycodr@gmail. includes livewhat music, food & com; cedarpointyc.org ily. Go through will happen if the Anything your refreshments, dog falls overboard and practice Floats Race, free harbor 1&2 your That docking procedures. You’ll also tours aboard the oyster sloop SYC Double-Handed want to familiarize your dog with rides and Regatta - Stamford Yacht Club, Christeen, free sailboat the boat extensively before actually kayak demos and touch tanks of Stamford, CT; Don Wyllie: 12 Give - 5pm;your The 203-561-2065; goinglocal out marine on the life. water.

WaterFront Center, Oyster Bay,on dwyllie@optonline.net; dog several chances to spend time NY; 516-922-SAIL; stamfordyc.com the boat while safely at the dock. Do thewaterfrontcenter.org; your best to get them acquainted with their new potty practices friendsofthebay.org 1&2 on the vessel, and ensure they’ll be comfortable relieving themCity Island Cup - This 2 regatta, organized by the selves on that material.

23rd Annual Harborfest Eastchester Baysure Yacht Racing

Making your dog is comfortable with your boat and & Craft Fair - Arts & crafts, Association, is open to all PHRF, life aboard the high seas will do wonders for making your trip as live music, family fun stage, IRC &One-Design yachts. City smooth and stress-free as possible.children’s fun park, nautical & Island, NY; ebyra.com

Adventure on the seas awaitsenvironmental – happy travels!

■ food, exhibits, a model yacht regatta, boat 1&2 on Manhasset Bay and Maritime Regatta Meg Marrs Cup has loved dogs since she cruises could walk. more. Port Washington, NY; This PHRF event is part of the 646-580-5341; pwcraftfair.com Hudson River Yacht Racing Editor’s note: ThisKingston article originally appeared at K9ofMine.com Association Series. (whereClub it can with additional Dog Boating Safety Tips 4 Sailing at be theviewed Hudson River Annual Dark ‘n Maritime Museum, infographics) and isKingston, reprintedNY; with 6th permission.

Based in Boston, Stormy Benefit: kingstonsailingclub.org; MA, K9 of Mine is an hryra.org excellent resource for dog lovers. Sailing

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Calendar 2017 JULY Ongoing through October River Cruises Aboard Onrust Enjoy a river excursion (1.5 hours) or a sunset cruise (2 hours) aboard a replica of Adriaen Block’s historic vessel.

Fee includes museum admission.

Connecticut River Museum, Essex, CT; Reservations: 860-7678269; ctrivermuseum.org 1 86th Annual Stratford Shoal Distance Race Riverside Yacht Club, Riverside, CT; riversideyc.org 1 Booksigning with Jonathan White The author will sign copies of his new book, Tides:The Science and Spirit of the Ocean. 2 - 3pm; Mystic Seaport Maritime Bookstore, Mystic CT; mysticseaport.org 1&2 Tiedemann Classic Regatta New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court, Newport, RI; nyyc.org

2 Booksigning with Paul S. Krantz, Jr. The author will

sign copies of Riding the Wild Ocean:The Circumnavigation of Cape Cod in a 18-Foot Sloop, and Other Adventures. 12 - 7pm; Mystic Seaport Maritime Bookstore, Mystic CT; mysticseaport.org 4 Independence Day Hey baby, it’s the 4th of July!

4 BYC 4th of July Invitational One-Design & PHRF; Babylon Yacht Club, Babylon, NY; babylonyachtclub.org 4 Bristol 4th of July Established in 1785, Bristol’s Independence Day Celebration is the oldest continuous event of its kind in the USA. Bristol, RI; july4thbristolri.com 4 Independence Day Celebration Celebrate America’s birthday circa 1876 with boat races on the Mystic River, military exercises with the 27th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on the Village Green, a parade, a concert by the Mystic Silver Cornet Band and more. 9am 5pm; Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; 860-572-5322; mysticseaport. org 5 SEA Paddle NYC This 25mile paddle around Manhattan for SUPs and prone paddlers is the Surfers’ Environmental Alliance’s primary fundraiser, supporting environmental preservation and numerous autism non-profits. New York, NY; seapaddlenyc.org 6 40th Annual SCYC Junior Commodores Regatta This event is open to Optimists, C420s, Laser 4.7s, Laser Radials & Sunfish. Surf City Yacht Club, Surf City, NJ; scyc-nj.org 6 Singles Under Sail Social

Meeting All single sailors and “wanna-be” sailors are invited to meet skippers and crew. 6pm; Ponus Yacht Club, 69 Dyke Lane, Stamford, CT; singlesundersail. org 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 7-9 33rd Newport Regatta Presented by Helly Hansen Invited classes include 2.4mR, 5O5, A-Class Cat, Comet (ACCs), Ensign (ACCs), Etchells (Narragansett Bay Championship), F-18, 110 (Nats), 210, 29er, J/24, J/70 (NEs), Laser Full & Radial, M32 Catamaran, Audi Melges 20, Melges 32, RS Aero (Nats), Thistle,VX Evo and VX One Design (NEs). Sail Newport, Newport, RI; sailnewport.org 7-9 Vineyard Cup With divisions for PHRF, IRC, Classic, Catboat and Foiling Kiteboards, this multi-class regatta supports Sail Martha’s Vineyard.Vineyard Haven, MA; vineyardcup.com 7-9 Vintage Treasures Antique and Classic Boat Show Presented by the Southern New England Chapter of The Antique and Classic Boat Society, this event showcases boats built by Chris Craft, Century, Lyman, Gar Wood, Elco and many more. The actual boat show is Saturday, 7/8 from 9am 4:30pm; free; Connecticut River Museum, Essex, CT; acbs.org 7-9 Sailfest This 3-day festival includes live entertainment on three stages, tours of the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle, arts & crafts, free kids’ activities, fireworks and more. New London,

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CT; sailfestnl.org 8 53rd Annual Friends & Neighbors Race This event is open to monohulls 22 feet LOA and over. Noroton Yacht Club, Darien, CT; norotonyc.org 8 47th Annual World’s Longest Sunfish Race Around Shelter Island, NY, 30th Annual Catamaran Race Around Shelter Island, NY, 7th Annual Laser Race Around Shelter Island, NY and 2nd Annual C420 Race Around Shelter Island, NY This unique and challenging event is open to sailors of all ages. Southold Yacht Club, Southold, NY; Beth Fleisher: BMFbethfleisher@gmail.com; 646-732-1066; regattanetwork. com/event/14876#_home; southoldyachtclub.com

8 45th Annual Edward S. Dole Memorial Stratford Shoal Race Hosted by Lloyd Harbor Yacht Club and honoring the memory of a very enthusiastic sailor who co-founded the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound, this race supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation Suffolk County Chapter’s mission of granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Huntington, NY; lhyc.org 8 Terrell E. Cobb Memorial Cuttyhunk Race Honoring the first Commodore of the Twenty Hundred Club, this event is open to all yachts with a current PHRF-NB rating. twentyhundredclub.org

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8 JSA Girls Champs This Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound event is hosted by American Yacht Club and sailed in Lasers. Norwalk Yacht Club, Norwalk, CT; jsalis.org 8 Horton Invitational This ECSA points event is hosted by Watch Hill Yacht Club. Watch Hill, RI; whyc.net; ecsa.net 8 Sprite Island Yacht Club Catboat Rendezvous Sprite Island Yacht Club, Norwalk, CT; catboats.org 8 20th Annual IYRS Summer Gala This fundraising event for the IYRS School of Technology & Trades features entertainment by Kool & The Gang. Celebrate Good Times, Come On! 5 - 11pm; Newport, RI; iyrsgala.com 8 3rd Annual Stand Up for Veterans This kayaking and paddle boarding event is a fundraiser to improve the lives of our Armed Forces veterans.

Race meeting at 9am; Downunder, Westport, CT; downunderct.com 8&9 71st Annual Red Grant Regatta Honoring Adolph “Red” Grant, an avid racer who died in World War II, this fundraiser for Easter Seals of New Jersey comprises a one-day cruising race and a two days of ‘round-the-buoys racing. Raritan Yacht Club, Perth Amboy, NJ; yachtscoring.com 8&9 Expressly for Fun Regatta This family-oriented pursuit race is hosted by Huguenot Yacht Club. New Rochelle, NY; huguenotyc.com 8&9 Sid Clark Overnight Race Dating back to 1904, this may well be the oldest distance race in the country. This year’s running will feature a variety of windcheckmagazine.com

courses from 75 to 100 miles.

Bristol Yacht Club, Bristol, RI; bristolyc.com 8&9 3rd Annual Barnegat Bay Catboat Rendezvous Beaton and Sons Boatyard, Brick, NJ; Henry Colie: 201-401-0292; catboats.org 9 Queens Cup The Long Island Sound Women’s Championship is sailed in Ideal 18s.

American Yacht Club, Rye, NY; americanyc.org; yralis.org 12 Thames Yacht Club Regatta This Wednesday night event for PHRF, one-design & dinghy sailors raises funds and awareness for Hospice Southeastern Connecticut. Thames Yacht Club, New London, CT; hospicesect.org/events/what/ thames-yacht-club-regatta-2017 12 USA Junior Olympic Festival – Larry White Regatta Organized in conjunction with US Sailing, this event is open to Optimist, 420 & Laser sailors. Niantic Bay Yacht Club, Niantic, CT; nbyc. org; ussailing.org 12 Onne van der Wal Photography Workshop on the Water: Nautical Newport Onne will give a guided photographic tour aboard the M/V Gansett, including wharves, lighthouses, Shields racing, the Bridge, and many boats and ships on Narragansett Bay. 3:30 - 8:30pm; $595 includes a meal, beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks & a swag bag. Limited to 15 photographers; reserve at 401-849-5556 or with Tenley van der Wal at gallery@ vanderwal.com; vanderwal.com 12 & 14 JSA Pixel/Blue Jay Race Week This Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound event is hosted by Manhasset Bay Yacht Club. Port Washington, NY; manhassetbayyc.org WindCheck Magazine

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JULY Continued 12 - 15 Swan 42 Nationals/IRC East Coast Championship New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court, Newport, RI; nyyc.org 13 - 16 34th Annual Black Ships Festival This event commemorates the historic achievements of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, USN of Newport, who in 1854 negotiated the Treaty of Kanagawa, the first treaty between the USA and Japan.

Newport, RI; blackshipsfestival. com 14 & 15 Mudhead Benefit Cup for the Center for Hospice Care Hosted by the Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association and open to all PHRF and one-design classes, this event kicks off with the 8th Annual Racer’s Jam at Mystic Shipyard on Friday, 7/14 with a goal of 100 guitars on stage! Racing is

Saturday, followed by the Mega Party at Mystic Shipyard. Mystic, CT; George Brys: gebrys@ comcast.net; mudhead.org 15 9th Annual EGYC Regatta Celebrating 108 years of sailing at East Greenwich YC, this pursuit-style race has classes for Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker, J/22 One-Design, and Family Cruising boats. A deck party follows, with music, food, beverages and awards. East Greenwich Yacht Club, East Greenwich, RI; egycregatta.com 15 56th Annual Branford Invitational This ECSA points event is hosted by Branford Yacht Club. Branford, CT; Don O’Brien: 203-430-0212; branfordyc.org 15 Ben Bates Double-handed Non-Spinnaker Regatta Harlem Yacht Club, City Island, NY; Philip Swanton: pjssails@ gmail.com; hyc.org

15 PYC Opti Rumble This Optimist regatta is hosted by Pequot Yacht Club. Southport, CT; pequotyc.com

S-Boat, Ideal 18,Viper, RS K6, 5O5 and other one-designs with sufficient entries. Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont, NY; larchmontyc.org

15 Duck Island Catboat Rendezvous Westbrook, CT; Craig Elliott: celliott02@charter. net, 410586-8179; catboats.org

16 Pine Orchard Invitational This ECSA points event is hosted by Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club. Branford, CT; poycc.org

15 & 16 Leukemia Cup Regatta Hosted by Ocean City Yacht Club, this event supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission to cure blood cancers.

Ocean City, NJ; leukemiacup.org 15 & 16 Wickford Catboat Rendezvous Wickford, RI; Peter M. Galster: pmgalster@gmail. com, 401-269-1012; catboats.org 15 - 23 119th Annual Larchmont Race Week This venerable event has divisions for Racer/ Cruiser (IRC & PHRF), NonSpinnaker, Classic Yacht, J/70, J/80, J/105, Etchells, IOD, Shields,

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16 Queen’s Cup New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court, Newport, RI; nyyc.org 16 BYC Governor’s Cup Invitational One-Design & PHRF; Babylon Yacht Club, Babylon, NY; babylonyachtclub.org 17 Junior Safety-at-Sea Seminar Presented by the Storm Trysail Foundation and sponsored by the Jamie Boeckel Fund for Safety at Sea and Sailing World, this hands-on workshop includes presentations covering safety procedures, particularly

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man overboard recovery and big-boat organization & crew work, in-the-water demonstration of inflatable PFDs and the inflation of a six-man canopied life raft, and sail handling & man overboard drills, both upwind with jibs and downwind with spinnakers. Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME; Bob Scott: ati@aerotropic.com; stormtrysailfoundation.org/safety-atsea-seminars

© joecoopersailing.com

17 5th Annual Alzheimer’s Benefit Regatta & Awards Dinner Sponsored by Sagamore Yacht Club, Oakcliff Sailing and the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center, this event

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includes PHRF racing (skippers can enhance their rating based on the donations their boats collect), a Rower’s Relay Race, and the Paddling for Poker event for rowers, kayakers & paddle boarders. There’s no entry fee for any of the day’s events.

Participants are asked to secure sponsors, and those raising $100 or more will be admitted to the Awards Dinner with no fee. Sagamore Yacht Club and Beekman Beach, Oyster Bay, NY; sagamoreyc.com; adrcinc.org 17 - 19 Larchmont Junior Race Week This Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound event is open to Pixel, Laser, Radial, C420 & RS Feva sailors.

Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont, NY; larchmontyc.org; jsalis.org 17 - 20 NBYA Junior Race Week/ US Sailing Junior Olympic Sailing Festival This Narragansett Bay Yachting Association event is open to Optimist, C420, Byte, Laser and O’Pen BIC sailors. Sail Newport, Newport,

RI; nbya.org

Stonington, CT; hospicesect.org/ events/what/stonington-dinghyclub-regatta-2017 20 4th Annual Leukemia Cup Brigantine Junior Regatta This event to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission to cure blood cancers is hosted by Brigantine Yacht Club.

Brigantine, NJ; leukemiacup.org

© Cate Brown Photography/ catebrownphoto.com

19 Niantic Bay Yacht Club Regatta & Cocktail Party This event for PHRF & onedesign sailors raises funds and awareness for Hospice Southeastern Connecticut. Niantic Bay Yacht Club, Niantic, CT; hospicesect.org/events/what/ niantic-bay-yacht-club-regattaand-cocktail-party-2017 19 Stonington Dinghy Club Regatta This event for onedesign & dinghy sailors raises funds and awareness for Hospice Southeastern Connecticut.

20 Singles Under Sail Program Meeting Marine ecologists Dr. Sarah Crosby and Nikki Cantatore provide photos, data and hands-on field expertise and research to safeguard the ecology of our waterways. 7:30pm; $10 door charge, Doubletree Inn, 789 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, CT; singlesundersail.org 20 - 22 EYC Race Weekend This event features ‘round-the-buoy racing and a distance race around Martha’s Vineyard. Edgartown Yacht Club, Edgartown, MA; edgartownyc.org

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21 Junior Safety-at-Sea Seminar Presented by the Storm Trysail Foundation and sponsored by the Jamie Boeckel Fund for Safety at Sea and Sailing World, this hands-on workshop includes presentations covering safety procedures, particularly man overboard recovery and big-boat organization & crew work, in-the-water demonstration of inflatable PFDs and the inflation of a six-man canopied life raft, and sail handling & man overboard drills, both upwind with jibs and downwind with spinnakers. Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont, NY; Rich du Moulin: rtdumoulin@gmail.com; stormtrysailfoundation.org/ safety-at-sea-seminars 22 16th Annual Sail Park City Regatta Hosted by Fayerweather Yacht Club with support from Black Rock Yacht Club, this event supports SWIM Across the Sound, Connecticut’s largest cancer charity. Racing divisions will be PHRF Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker and One-Design, under YRALIS ratings. The Navigator Division is for any boat, with or without a PHRF certificate, for sailors that are new to racing. The post-race party features live music, food, drinks, auctions & awards. Fayerweather Yacht Club, Black Rock, CT; give.stvincents.org/sailparkcity

PHRF certificate. Essex, CT; essexyc.com 22 PJYC Town Cup/Women’s Challenge This pursuit-style race is open to all single hull boats holding valid PHRF certification issued by the YRALIS. Port Jefferson Yacht Club, Port Jefferson, NY; ptjeffyc.com 22 Black Dog Dash Co-hosted by the New England Multihull Association and The Black Dog, this 22-mile pursuit race from Vineyard Haven to Edgartown is open to all multihulls with a NEMA handicap rating. Martha’s Vineyard, MA; nemasail.org 22 & 23 Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous This year’s event honors vessels designed

by Sparkman & Stephens as Mystic Seaport celebrates the 85th year since its schooner Brilliant was launched. 9am - 5pm Saturday; 9am - 12:30pm Sunday; downriver parade starts 12:30 Sunday. Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; mysticseaport.org

Brilliant © mysticseaport.org

23 Outer Light Classic This ECSA points event is hosted

by North Cove Yacht Club. Old Saybrook, CT; northcoveyc.com

22 Essex Rum Challenge Hosted by Essex Yacht Club and sponsored by Gosling’s Rum, this ECSA points event is open to all boats with a valid ECSA 28 July 2017 WindCheck Magazine

24 & 25 JSA Race Week Lasers, Radials & C420s, this Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound event includes Marlinspike Seamanship Contest. Cedar Point Yacht Club, Westport, CT; cedarpointyc.org; jsalis.org

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24 - 26 Marblehead Junior Race Week Pleon Yacht Club, Marblehead, MA; pleon.org 26 JSA Pixel Champs with Open Pixel Day This Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound event is hosted by Cedar Point Yacht Club. Westport, CT; cedarpointyc.org; jsalis.org 26 - 28 GSBYRA Junior Race Week Open to Optimist, 420 and Mercury sailors (other junior instructional classes are welcome), this Great South Bay Yacht Racing Association event is hosted by Bellport Bay Yacht Club, Moriches Yacht Club and Westhampton Yacht Squadron. gsbyra.org 26 - 29 Force 5 North American Championship Hosted

by Thames Yacht Club and Force 5 Fleet 36, this event is a tremendous opportunity for Force 5 sailors of different age and skill levels to compete in

an international race. TYC is offering low & no-cost housing, charter boats, guest moorings, and ‘Challenger’ & ‘Junior’ racing. Full details including NOR & registration are available at YachtScoring.com and force5.us/ main; thamesyc.org 27 Junior Safety-at-Sea Seminar Presented by the Storm Trysail Foundation and sponsored by the Jamie Boeckel Fund for Safety at Sea and Sailing World, this hands-on workshop includes presentations covering safety procedures, particularly man overboard recovery and big-boat organization & crew work, in-the-water demonstration of inflatable PFDs and the inflation of a six-man canopied life raft, and sail handling & man overboard drills, both upwind with jibs and downwind with spinnakers. Raritan Yacht Club, Perth Amboy, NJ; Kelly Robinson: krobins@rutgers.edu; stormtrysailfoundation.org/safety-at-seaseminars

27 - 29 Candy Store Cup Superyacht Regatta Hosted and organized by Newport Shipyard and Bannister’s Wharf this invitational carries forward the tradition of the Newport Bucket and is open to yachts over 90’ LOA (unless invited under the ‘Grandfather Clause’). Newport, RI; candystorecup.com 27 - 30 41st Annual Around Long Island Regatta With a new start in New York Harbor, this 205-nautical mile race has divisions for IRC, PHRF Spinnaker & Non-spinnaker, Multihull, Double-handed, Collegiate, Junior, Team Racing & One-Design (5 or more boats). Sea Cliff Yacht Club, Sea Cliff, NY; Jim Aikman: 516-509-4079, alir@seacliffyc. org; alir.org 28 & 29 11th Annual Mudnite Madness Overnight Organized by the Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association, this circumnavigation of Block Island and Fishers Island is an ECSA

double points event. mudhead. org 28 & 29 New England Solo/Twin Sponsored by the Rhode Island State Yachting Committee, Goat Island Yacht Club and Newport Yacht Club, this single- and double-handed event is open to monohulls and multihulls.

Newport, RI; newportyachtclub. org; nemasail.org 28 - 30 H12 ½ National Championship Shelter Island Yacht Club, Shelter island Heights, NY; siyc.com

© Hew Russell

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JULY Continued

28 - 30 75th Annual Hyannis Yacht Club Regatta This one-design event is open to Optimists, Beetle Cats, Lasers, Laser Radials, C420s, J/22s, J/70s & F18 catamarans. Hyannis Yacht Club, Hyannis, MA; hycregatta.org 28 - 30 Newport Folk Festival Performers at this event – where Dylan went electric in ’65! – include John Prine, Suzanne Vega, Drive-By Truckers, Fleet Foxes, Wilco, Regina Spektor, and many more. Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI; newportfolk.org 29 16th Annual PWYC Make-A-Wish Regatta Open to Blue Jay, C420, Laser, Laser Radial, Optimist, Pixel and O’Pen BIC sailors, this event supports Make-A-Wish® Metro New York. Port Washington

Yacht Club, Port Washington, NY; pwyc.com 29 YRALIS Commodore’s Cup for the Drake H. Sparkman III Memorial Trophy American Yacht Club, Rye, NY; Thomas Blackwell: 203521-9258; thomasblackwell@ sbcglobal.net; americanyc.org; yralis.org 29 “Go Your Own Way” Around the Islands Race In this event, open to catboats and PHRF boats, participants choose their own route around the islands off the coast of Greenwich. Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich, CT; indianharboryc.com 29 Round-the-Island Race First sailed in 1938, this 52¼ nm circumnavigation of Martha’s Vineyard is open to all yachts with a valid PHRF or IRC certificate and it’s a PHRF Lighthouse Series qualifier. Edgartown Yacht Club, Edgartown, MA; rtirace.org

29 41st Annual Save the Narragansett Bay Swim With 500 swimmers and nearly 200 kayakers making the journey from the Newport Navy Base to Potter Cove in Jamestown, this event supports Save the Bay’s mission to protect and restore the Bay. Newport, RI; savebay.org 29 & 30 Padanaram Catboat Rendezvous Padanaram, MA; Geoff Marshall: Geoff@ marshallcat.com, 508-496-7002; catboats.org 31 Junior Safety-at-Sea Seminar Presented by the Storm Trysail Foundation and sponsored by the Jamie Boeckel Fund for Safety at Sea and Sailing World, this hands-on workshop includes presentations covering safety procedures, particularly man overboard recovery and big-boat organization & crew work, in-the-water demonstration of inflatable PFDs and the inflation of a six-man canopied life raft, and sail handling & man

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overboard drills, both upwind with jibs and downwind with spinnakers. Courageous Sailing Center, Boston, MA; Clarke Smith: clarkesmith@normanspencer.com; stormtrysailfoundation.org/safety-at-sea-seminars 31 - 8/1 32nd Annual Moby-Dick Marathon Held aboard the whaleship Charles W. Morgan, the longest running marathonread in the country is a 24-hour celebration the 198th birthday of author Herman Melville with an actor portraying Melville, theatrical staging of certain chapters by the TaleMakers theatre troupe, a live music performance and other surprises.

Participation in is free with

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museum admission or membership, although advance registration is required to stay overnight due to limited capacity on the Morgan. Call 860-572-5331 to register. Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; mysticseaport.org

AUGUST 3 Junior Safety-at-Sea Seminar Presented by the Storm Trysail Foundation and sponsored by the Jamie Boeckel Fund for Safety at Sea and Sailing World, this hands-on workshop includes presentations covering safety procedures, particularly man overboard recovery and big-boat organization & crew work, in-the-water demonstration of inflatable PFDs and the inflation of a six-man canopied life raft, and sail handling & man overboard drills, both upwind with jibs and downwind with spinnakers. Ram Island Yacht Club, Stonington, CT; Peter Rugg: ruglet@PeterRugg.com; stormtrysailfoundation.org/ safety-at-sea-seminars

3&4 RS Feva North American Championship This Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound event is organized by the RS Feva Class Association and hosted by Indian Harbor Yacht Club. Greenwich, CT; indianharboryc.com; jsalis.org 3 Singles Under Sail Social Meeting All single sailors and “wanna-be” sailors are invited to meet skippers and crew. 6pm; Ponus Yacht Club, 69 Dyke Lane, Stamford, CT; singlesundersail. org 3 & 17 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

4-6 45th Annual Buzzards Bay Regatta The largest multiclass regatta on the East Coast has divisions for Lasers (including Radials & Masters), C420s, I420s,V15s, 5O5s, J/24s, J/80s, F-18s, R18s, and PHRF Racing & Cruising boats. New Bedford Yacht Club, South Dartmouth, MA; buzzardsbayregatta.com

(Friday), a presentation on “Saving America’s Light Stations” by United States Lighthouse Society President Wayne Wheeler (35pm Saturday), and the Signature Lighthouse Boat Tour (11am Sunday), presentations, panel discussions, free tours and more.

Staten Island, NY; 718-390-0040; info@lighthousemuseum.org; lighthousemuseum.org 5 Boardman Cup Invitational This ECSA points event is hosted by Milford Yacht Club.

Milford, CT; milfordyachtclub. com; ecsa.org

© Spectrum Photo/Fran Grenon

4-6 7th Annual National Lighthouse & Lightship Recognition Weekend Activities at this National Lighthouse Museum event include the Lightkeeper’s Gala aboard the Cornucopia Destiny

5 Howard C. Hoxsie Regatta This event for J/24s is hosted by Harlem Yacht Club.

City Island, NY; race@hyc.org; hyc.org 5 30th Annual SWIM Across the Sound Marathon This 15.5-mile swim from Port Jefferson, NY to Bridgeport, CT raises funds for SWIM Across the Sound, Con-

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AUGUST Continued

necticut’s largest cancer charity.

Volunteer captains with boats are needed! Captain’s Cove Seaport, Bridgeport, CT; give. stvincents.org/swimacrossthesound 5 DIYC One Design Regatta & JY15 Connecticut State Championship Duck Island Yacht Club, Westbrook, CI; diyc. com 5&6 YRA Championship Regatta Sponsored by Thomson Reuters and co-hosted by Riverside, Indian Harbor & American Yacht Clubs, this Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound event is open to dinghies, inshore & offshore one-designs, and PHRF & IRC boats. Greenwich, CT & Rye, NY; yralis.org 5&6 AHYC Blue Water Regatta This event is open to J/24s, J/105s, PHRF Spinnaker & Non-spinnaker boats and Multihulls. Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club, Atlantic Highlands, NJ; ahyc.net 5-7 Twenty Hundred Club Block Island Race This PHRF event comprises races from Newport, RI to Block and back. twentyhundredclub.org 7&8 PYC Invitational This Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound event for C420, RS Feva, Pixel, Laser & Radial sailors is hosted by Pequot Yacht Club.

Southport, CT; pequotyc.com; jsalis.org

com; americanyc.org; jsalis.org 11 - 13 J/Fest New England Open to all J/Boats, this event includes a special J/24 40th Anniversary Race, a North Sails Local Knowledge & Weather Brief, a Party and BBQ at Fort Adams, and the culminating event for the U.S. J/70 Youth Championship. Sail Newport, Newport, RI; 2017.jfestnewengland.com

© Stephen Cloutier/PhotoGroup.us

11 - 13 14th Annual Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show Maine’s only in-water boat and home show features the state’s finest artists, architects, boatbuilders, craftspeople, designers, furniture makers, marine gear vendors, chefs & musicians. Attractions include the Concours d’Epifanes for classic boats that have been revitalized by talented boatyard & boatbuilders from around the Gulf of Maine, a Fun For Kids area live music, fine Maine food, and the 15th Annual World Championship Boatyard Dog® Trials. Gates open at 10am daily. Harbor and Buoy Parks, Rockland, ME; maineboats.com

9 LIS Windsurfing Champs American Yacht Club, Rye, NY; Kevin Broome: juniorayc@gmail. com; americanyc.org; jsalis.org 11 JSA Feva Championship American Yacht Club, Rye, NY; Kevin Broome: juniorayc@gmail.

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© Debra Bell/bffpetphotos.com

11 - 13 Long Island Sound Beneteau Owners Rendezvous windcheckmagazine.com

This event is presented by Prestige Yacht Sales and hosted

by Brewer Essex Island Marina.

Essex, CT; Maureen Mazan: Maureen@PrestigeYachtSales. net; 203-353-0373 12 36th Annual American Cancer Society Regatta Sponsored by the Mount Sinai Sailing Association, this is the second longest running charity regatta in the U.S. PHRF Spinnaker and Non-spinnaker boats (with Double-Handed & One-Design divisions based on entries) will sail a course of approximately 8 to 20 miles, followed by a party at Mount Sinai Yacht Club with live entertainment, food, refreshments, raffle & auction. Mount Sinai, NY; mssa.org 12 40th Annual Fools’ Rules Regatta Competitors in this event, sponsored by Jamestown Yacht Club, must build a “sailboat” from non-marine materials and attempt to sail a 500-yard downwind course.

Volunteers are needed! Town Beach at East Ferry, Jamestown, RI; Candy Powell: 401-423-1492; candacepowell48@gmail.com; jyc.org

12 Fuller Offshore Race This PHRF pursuit race is hosted by Watch Hill Yacht Club. Watch Hill, RI; whyc.net/Fuller.php 12 HYC Mayor’s Cup Regatta Huguenot Yacht Club, New Rochelle, NY; huguenotyc.com 12 NYC Greens Ledge Trophy Race Norwalk Yacht Club, Norwalk, CT; norwalkyachtclub.com 12 & 13 Marblehead Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta This first event in the North American Circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge is hosted by Corinthian Yacht Club. Marblehead, MA; corinthianclassic.org 12 & 13 GSBYRA Invitational Regatta This Great South Bay Yacht Racing Association event is hosted by Narrasketuck Yacht Club. Amityville, NY; nycsail.com; gsbyra.org 12 - 20 Nantucket Race Week Co-hosted by Nantucket Yacht Club and Great Harbor Yacht Club, this event raises funds for Nantucket Community Sailing.

Events include the 44th Annual Opera House Cup for classic wooden boats, a 12 Metre regatta, PHRF racing, a youth regatta, an open sailboard regatta, women’s fun sail, paddlecraft races and more. Nantucket, MA; nantucketraceweek.org

© Tom Weaver 12 37th Annual Women Skippers’ Race City Island Yacht Club, City Island, NY; cityislandyc.org 12 New Haven Mayor’s Cup This ECSA points event is hosted by New Haven Yacht Club. New Haven, CT; newhavenyc.org

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© Karen Ryan 13 The Masthead Race Hosted by Masthead Cove Yacht WindCheck Magazine

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AUGUST Continued Club since 2006 in memory of MCYC Past Commodore Carol Marcinuk, this novice-friendly race benefits the Marcinuk Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Huntington, NY; Dave Tuck: racing@mastheadcoveyc.org; mastheadcoveyc.org 13 64th Annual CIYC Day Race City Island Yacht Club, City Island, NY; cityislandyc.org 14 & 15 50th Annual Regatta for the Dorade Trophy In “The Dorade,” youth sailors race overnight on 29- to 44foot PHRF boats. Stamford Yacht Club, Stamford, CT; stamfordyc. com; Ray Redniss: rredniss@ optonline.net; jsalis.org 14 & 15 JSA Optimist Champs This Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound event is hosted by Cedar Point Yacht Club. Westport, CT; jsalis.org 15 & 16 61st Annual Beach Point Overnight Race This PHRF race for the Junior Distance Sailing Championship of Long Island Sound is hosted by the Beach Point Club. Mamaroneck, NY; jsalis.org 17 Junior Safety-at-Sea Seminar Presented by the Storm Trysail Foundation and sponsored by the Jamie Boeckel Fund for Safety at Sea and Sailing World, this hands-on workshop includes presentations covering safety procedures, particularly man overboard recovery and big-boat organization & crew work, in-the-water demonstration of inflatable PFDs and the inflation of a six-man canopied life raft, and sail handling & man overboard drills, both upwind with jibs and downwind with spinnakers. Sail Newport, Newport, RI; Joe Cooper: 401-96534 July 2017 WindCheck Magazine

6006; bushranger147@gmail. com; stormtrysailfoundation. org/safety-at-sea-seminars 17 Singles Under Sail Program Meeting: Storms, Winds, Mud & Sand!

Dr. James Tait, co-founder & co-coordinator of the Werth Center for Coastal and Marine Studies at Southern Connecticut State University, will discuss the effects of hurricanes Irene & Sandy on the coastline of Long Island Sound and sea level rise.

7:30 - 10pm; DoubleTree Hotel, 789 Connecticut Ave, Norwalk, CT; singlesundersail.org 18 13th Annual Ida Lewis Distance Race Depending on weather conditions, organizers of “The Ida” may send IRC, PHRF, One-Design, Multihull and Double-Handed boats of 28 feet LOA or longer on one of four coastal courses between 104 nm and 177 nm. Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Newport, RI; ilyc.org/ long-race 18 The Stamford Overnight Race With a course of approximately 47 nm from Stamford to Stratford Shoal and back, this race is open to monohulls 24 feet LOA or over, owned or chartered by a YRALIS member and with a valid PHRF or IRC certificate. Stamford Yacht Club, Stamford, CT; stamfordyc.com 18 Sam Wetherill Trophy Overnight Race Honoring the memory of an ardent bluewater sailor, this ECSA double points race around Block Island was established to encourage long distance overnight racing for cruising sailboats. Essex Yacht Club, Essex, CT; essexyc. com 18 - 20 Hinman Masters Team Race New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court, Newport, RI; nyyc.org 18 - 20 33rd Annual Boat Show windcheckmagazine.com

at Hudson River Maritime Museum This event features a variety of antique and classic boats at beautiful Rondout Creek. Kingston, NY; acbs-hrc.org

Yachts Challenge event is cohosted by Nantucket Yacht Club and Great Harbor Yacht Club.

Nantucket, MA; operahousecup. org

19 13th Annual Ms. Race Hosted by Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club, this PHRF non-spinnaker race for all-female crews benefits 180 Turning Lives Around, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault. Atlantic Highlands, NJ; Diane Kropfl: 732-872-9190; ahyc.ms.race@gmail.com; ahyc.net

20 Ram Island Invitational This ECSA points event is hosted

by Ram Island Yacht Club. Noank, CT; ramislandyachtclub.org 21 - 26 J Class World Championship This spectacular event is hosted by New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court. Newport, RI; nyyc.org; jclassyachts.com 23 & 25 - 27 Manhasset Bay Race Week This event is open to Opti, Laser, Snipe, Ideal 18, Sonar and MBOD sailors. Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, Port Washington, NY; manhassetbayyc.org

© Jeff Smith/JeffSmithPhoto.net

19 3rd Annual Western Long Island Sound Governor’s Cup Day Race & Charity Regatta Presented by Huguenot Yacht Club, City Island Yacht Club and Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, this benefit for Sails For Sustenance is a challenging event for PHRF (Spinnaker & NonSpinnaker) and IRC boats, plus an additional start for unrated cruising boats (PHRF ratings will be assigned). New Rochelle, NY; yachtscoring.com 19 43rd Annual Milford Oyster Festival Attractions include a canoe & kayak race, a schooner cruise, a boat decorating contest, a car & motorcycle show, kids’ activities, live music by Blackberry Smoke, The Artimus Pyle Band and Dizzy Fish, oysters aplenty, and much more. 10am - 6pm; free; Milford, CT; milfordoysterfestival.org 20 45th Annual Opera House Cup Regatta The first allwooden, single-hulled classic boat regatta on the East Coast, this North American Panerai Classic windcheckmagazine.com

25 & 26 15th Annual Connecticut Leukemia Cup Regatta Hosted by North Cove Yacht Club, Duck Island Yacht Club, Essex Corinthian Yacht Club and Brewer Pilots Point Marina, this regatta supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission to cure blood cancers. Westbrook, CT; leukemiacup.org/ct 25 - 30 Oakcliff Acorn Foiling Camp New for 2017, this program is for high-adrenaline athletes with performance sailing experience who want to join the ranks of sailors who fly on hydrofoils. Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; oakcliffsailing.org 26 2nd Annual Wind Jam Regatta Created by Windjammers Sailing Club to give new sailors, new boat owners, families, junior sailors, and anyone looking to practice or simply go sailing and learn how a regatta works, this event has a long starting line and short triangle courses. Milford, CT; windjammers.org

Add your event to our print and online calendar by emailing to

contactus@windcheckmagazine.com

by the 7th of the month.

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book reviews.

An Inexplicable Attraction: My Fifty Years of Ocean Sailing

By Eric B. Forsyth Published by Green Ocean Race Productions 392 pages paperback $34.95 Sailing out of Weeks Yacht Yard in Patchogue, NY, Captain Eric Forsyth has logged approximately 300,000 nautical miles, many of them aboard his Westsail 42 Fiona. (An amusing story about how Forsyth’s late wife Edith named this sturdy cutter can be found at yachtfiona.com – click on “Fiona’s History.”)

The 85-year-old Forsyth and Fiona have circumnavigated the globe twice, sailed around North America via the Northwest Passage and the Panama Canal, and completed voyages to the Baltic, the Arctic and Antarctic and many other places. An Inexplicable Attraction is a very entertaining compilation of these adventures.

In a half-century of cruising, Forsyth has witnessed change in

many countries he’s visited, with oligarchy supplanted by democracy and donkey carts replaced by automobiles and motorbikes.

He maintains that such progress comes at a price, and that our planet’s growing dependence on fossil fuel is unsustainable. Upon returning from a lap of the Atlantic in 2005, he proposed to the Cruising Club of America that they sponsor a transoceanic race for boats with no fossil fuel aboard and all energy supplied by sunlight or the motion of the boat. More information about the Green Ocean Race can be found at greenoceanrace.com.

Sustainable solutions are at hand, says Forsyth, the former Chair of the Accelerator Development Department at the Brookhaven National Laboratory who led the design and construction of several particle accelerators. In a recent blog post he wrote, “Every effort must be made to develop sources capable of continuous energy output, such as geothermal, hydroelectricity, tidal generation, improved nuclear reactors, fusion reactors, fuel cells, biomass cultivation and possibly, something nobody has though of yet.”

A resident of Brookhaven, NY, Eric Forsyth is a recipient of

the Cruising Club of America’s Blue Water Medal and the Seven Seas Cruising Association’s Seven Seas Award. His articles have appeared in Ocean Navigator, Ocean Voyager and Latitudes & Attitudes.

An inspiring read for sailors contemplating a voyage and armchair sailors alike, An Inexplicable Attraction is available from Amazon. ■

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A Man for All Oceans

Captain Joshua Slocum and the first solo voyage around the world

By Stan Grayson Published by Tilbury House Publishers with The New Bedford Whaling Museum 399 pages hardcover $29.95 Captain Joshua Slocum (1844-1909) was the first person to singlehandedly sail around the globe. Setting sail from Boston, MA in 1895 on a rebuilt 37-foot oyster sloop Spray, he returned to Newport, RI a little more than three years later, having logged 46,000 miles. The firsthand account of Slocum’s voyage, Sailing Alone Around the World, became a bestseller and has been continuously in print for more than a century. Although he became quite famous, Slocum revealed very little about his life in the book or the years following its publication. Having survived many near misses thanks to what he called “Slocum’s luck,” the enigmatic sailor and his beloved Spray vanished at sea in 1909.

After years of research using newly uncovered source materials from Slocum’s own time, author Stan Grayson has written the definitive biography of the man.

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Thoughtful readers have long cited the similarity of Sailing Alone to Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, and an appendix revisits that comparison. Also included are previously unpublished photographs and detailed maps tracing Slocum’s adventures. If there’s a copy of Sailing Alone Around the World on your bookshelf, A Man for All Oceans is worthy of a place alongside.

A resident of Marblehead, MA and an avid sailor, Stan Grayson has worked as a reporter, editor and publisher. He’s a yachting and maritime historian, a regular contributor to WoodenBoat magazine, and the author of several books and articles on American automotive and yachting history. His other books include A Genius At His Trade: C. Raymond Hunt and His Remarkable Boats. ■

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sound environment.

Save the Sound Launches Unified Water Study of Long Island Sound

Save the Sound, a bi-state program of the Connecticut Fund for the Environment with offices in Mamaroneck, NY and New Haven, CT, has launched a groundbreaking water testing program that will dramatically increase available data on the health of Long Island Sound. The bi-state non-profit organization already issues a closely watched “report card” on the health of the estuary. Now, the Unified Water Study: Long Island Sound Embayment Research will test water conditions in the Sound’s bays and harbors.

More than a decade of federally funded monitoring of the open Sound has documented the destructive impact of nitrogen pollution – including algae blooms, red tides, loss of tidal marshes, and fish die-offs – and the incremental improvements brought about by wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

However, recent scientific research by Professor Jamie Vaudrey of the University of Connecticut and others has shown that conditions in the bays and harbors – where much of the public comes into contact with the Sound – can be different from

conditions in the open waters. More testing on bays and harbors is needed to judge the effect of nitrogen on these inlets and what action is still needed to restore them to vibrant life.

To answer these questions, Save the Sound led a collaborative process to design the Unified Water Study to rapidly and cost-effectively gather comparable data that will establish the relative health of each bay and harbor. To reach as many locations as possible, Save the Sound is training a wide variety of groups in the study methods. These “Sound Sleuths” include citizens, scientists, environmentalists and municipalities. Their findings will be published in future report cards and used to help direct restoration funding to the most stressed locations.

“With federal funding of clean water programs facing an uncertain future, restoration of Long Island Sound is in our hands,” said Tracy Brown, Director of Save the Sound. “Teams of Sound Sleuths will investigate the conditions of our bays and harbors, and offer data that can lead to restoration. Save the Sound is honored to lead these groups in this effort and we’re confident the results will provide a valuable roadmap to aid in the protection of Long Island Sound for future generations.”

“Nutrient pollution from our septic tanks, sewer outfalls, and fertilizer use are having a negative impact on our coastal waters, even when the source of the pollution is far inland,” said Professor Jamie Vaudrey. “Just as each person responds differ-

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Elena Colón, Save the Sound Water Quality Coordinator, and Peter Linderoth, Save the Sound Water Quality Program Manager, collect a sample. © Save the Sound

ently to the flu, each of our 116 bays and harbors has a unique response to nutrient pollution. The Unified Water Study standardized methods allow us to assess the health of bays and harbors and compare their condition, giving us the local knowledge needed to tackle nutrient pollution.”

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The Unified Water Study will be conducted in 24 locations on the Sound from Queens, NY to Stonington, CT. There are twelve groups participating in this inaugural season, with more preparing to join the study in 2018. The trained corps of Sound Sleuths will be out on the water at dawn twice a month from May through October measuring dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, temperature, salinity, macrophytes (aquatic plants and seaweeds), and water clarity.

Science Advisors for the study are Jamie Vaudrey, PhD, and Jason Krumholz, PhD. Coordination is provided by Peter Linderoth of Save the Sound. Additional guidance has been provided by members of the Long Island Sound Study, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Test locations for 2017 include Darien Harbor, Inner Norwalk Harbor, Outer Norwalk Harbor, Housatonic River, Niantic River, Mystic River, Mystic Harbor and Wequetequock Cove in Connecticut; and Mamaroneck Harbor, Little Neck Bay, Hempstead Harbor, Oyster Bay, Cold Spring Harbor, Mill Neck Creek, Huntington Bay, Northport Bay, Lloyd Harbor, Huntington Harbor, Centerport Harbor, Northport Harbor, East Bay, Mill River, Parsonage Cove and Jones Creek in New York. For more information, log onto savethesound.org. ■

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from the captain of the port Hurricanes May Miss Us, But They Leave Deadly Rip Tides

By Vincent Pica Commodore, First District, Southern Region (D1SR) United States Coast Guard Auxiliary We read often about hurricanes, great and small. Of note, forecasters predict a 70 percent likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which five to nine could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including two to four major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher) for this season. An average season produces 12 named storms of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. The 2016 season was active, with 15 named storms, including seven hurricanes and four major hurricanes. This column is about rip tides, rip currents and undertows – which are what distant storms often leave us. Lest one of us comes to grief…

Undertow v. Rip Tide v. Rip Currents Anybody that has ever been to a beach understands undertow. It is the backwash as gravity returns a breaking wave to the sea. All but small children can stand against it – and its effect ends at the leading edge of the next breaking wave. While it might knock you down and thus “suck” you under, it won’t pull you out to sea.

A rip tide is the result of tides and the egress and ingress of large volumes of water flowing through inlets, estuaries, and bays.

As facts would have it, most people don’t swim near inlets or where bays meet the sea. They swim near beaches, where sandbars often form, and where rip currents, “the killer currents,” form in concert.

The Anatomy of a Rip Current Rip currents are by far the biggest killers of ocean swimmers. Rip currents form as waves disperse along the beach, causing water to become trapped between the beach and a sandbar or other underwater feature. This water becomes the “feeder” that creates the deadly force of the rip current. The water converges into a narrow, river-like channel moving away from the shore at high speed.

Marine scientists define a rip current as having a “neck” (the river-like channel moving away from shore) and a “head” that is often defined by an unusual disturbance or choppiness in the water and by murky discoloration caused by sand and debris. As the water, and swimmer, reaches the “head,” the velocity and strength of the rip current circulation begins to weaken considerably.

Can I See a Rip Current?

Often, yes. As a result of the current’s speed, sand is forced into suspension often causing a rip current to be associated with “dirty” water. It is characterized by a strong, localized current flowing seaward from the shore; visible as an agitated band of water, which

Courtesy of Michigan Sea Grant College Program

is the return movement of water piled up on the shore by incoming waves.

Most Importantly, Can I Get Out of the Grip of a Rip Current?

If you don’t panic, and play the water’s power to your advantage, yes. Don’t try to swim back to shore against the rip current that is dragging you out. Most likely, you will tire beyond recovery and drowning, flatly put, will follow as surely as night follows day.

Swim with and across the rip current. Let it give you some speed – as you “exit – stage left!”…or right – but get out of the grip of the current and into “normal” water. Then, deal with the hand you’ve been dealt – swim back, or just tread water while waving your arms for help, or just float and rest. This is why swimming with a “buddy system” is so critical.

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 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.

Editor’s note: Weekly updates for the waters from Eastport, ME to Shrewsbury, NJ including discrepancies in Aids to Navigation, chart corrections and waterway projects are listed in the USCG Local Notice to Mariners. Log onto navcen.uscg.gov, scroll to “Current Operational/ Safety Information,” click on “Local Notice to Mariners” then “LNMs by CG District,” and click on “First District.”

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The Boating Barrister Do the Rules of the Road Work?

By John K. Fulweiler Do the Rules of the Road work anymore when you’re foiling between marks at 45 miles an hour? Like the forefathers to the Constitution (and leaving originalist theory on the dock), I’m not thinking anyone associated with drafting these Rules conceived we’d be racing these wondrous marvels, or that fast ferries would be blasting between Nantucket and Hyannis at some 30 knots. I love me my monohull, but it’s hard to deny the excitement and IndyCar sensations that spring from watching the America’s Cup catamarans skitter across Bermuda’s waters.

And the convenience (and auto lessening) properties of a robust ferry system are awesome. I say more, but first the ol’ Rules of the Road might need a refit.

The Rules of the Road (and I’m referring to both the Inland and International Rules) in conjunction with the United States’ Aids to Navigation system give us mariners a uniform system to navigate safely and avoid collisions. The Rules also define the responsibilities of vessel operators and, in that way, provide a matrix for assigning fault in the event of a casualty. Professional mariners must demonstrate proficiency in the Rules, while the recreational lot should know and understand them. In the event of a casualty, the Rules will almost certainly be referred to in allocating responsibility. As a child of the Seventies, I’m susceptible to seeing the Rules as relatively young in that the International Rules became effective in 1977 with the Inland Rules becoming law in 1983.

Amending the Inland Rules doesn’t seem to be difficult because in 2010 Congress moved these Rules from the U.S. Code into the Regulations, meaning the Coasties can make changes.

The International Rules are a different story because they spring out of the International Maritime Organization and, well, my sense is those spinning wheels may turn slower.

At any rate, the rub is what particular Rules might be lagging behind the speed and maneuverability of the modern fleet.

If you haven’t taken a look at the Rules recently, do so. I’m never disappointed by flipping through their seemingly simple sounding language to find that there’s some nugget or consideration I hadn’t earlier considered. These are the traffic laws of the oceans blue and worth making certain you’ve considered their mandates on safe speeds, maneuvering, and lights and day shapes.

(Remember too, that the maritime law is awfully prickly when it comes to adhering to laws designed to avoid collision. There are certain legal doctrines in the maritime law holding that a violation of a law designed to prevent collisions – no matter how slight – may impose a presumption of fault on the violator which can be very difficult to overcome.)

The principal factors of speed and maneuverability associwindcheckmagazine.com

ated with these modern vessel designs are the two things we’ll consider in looking at a rewrite. The Rules impose an ongoing obligation to proceed at a safe speed allowing time to avoid a collision and stop within an appropriate distance. Consideration of amending this Rule (perhaps particularly with respect to inland waters) so as to limit speed may or may not be appropriate. My natural anti-regulatory side flushes in response to speed limits, but should a foiling catamaran be allowed to tack up a bay or sound at forty knots? I don’t know. Is it reasonable to consider that a sailboat with such speed and maneuverability should now be classed as a powerboat? If so, should the Rules speaking to the responsibilities between vessels be amended to change the definition of sailing vessel?

I was watching some interview about these foil designs and setting aside my lack of understanding, the take away was that in a strong current (like a river current) you could “sail” these hulls upriver without wind! If I’ve got this right, it’d seem that the Rules respecting the conduct of vessels in sight of one another might also need editing. Again, is it fair to classify such a miracle-working vessel as a “sailboat”?

And finally, the lights issue is probably worth considering in this era of higher speeds. Currently, the Rules require the display of various navigational lights with a minimum range of typically three miles. That seems a lot, right? But my math shows that at 40 miles per hour, you’ll cover three miles in 3 ¾ minutes which, when we’re talking situational awareness, is not a lot of time. Those several minutes are you telling your buddy about last week’s race or responding to a spouse’s text or otherwise being momentarily distracted. I’d propose that the visibility of navigational lights might need to be increased.

So there it is, my foray into the Rules of the Road as they apply to modern craft. Please let me know what you think. I’m curious whether I’m getting all nervous Nellie or whether any of these issues make sense? In the meantime, I promised my tenyear-old I’d get home early to plan how she can get her Opti on a foil. Apparently, her engineering efforts show it’s no big deal.

We’ll see.

Underway and making way. ■ 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.

WindCheck Magazine

July 2017

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July 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 7/1 2:51 AM 7/1 9:24 AM 7/1 3:33 PM 7/1 9:56 PM 7/2 3:45 AM 7/2 10:17 AM 7/2 4:25 PM 7/2 10:52 PM 7/3 4:41 AM 7/3 11:06 AM 7/3 5:18 PM 7/3 11:43 PM 7/4 5:38 AM 7/4 11:51 AM 7/4 6:08 PM 7/5 12:31 AM 7/5 6:32 AM 7/5 12:36 PM 7/5 6:55 PM 7/6 1:17 AM 7/6 7:20 AM 7/6 1:20 PM 7/6 7:37 PM 7/7 2:01 AM 7/7 8:04 AM 7/7 2:03 PM 7/7 8:16 PM 7/8 2:45 AM 7/8 8:45 AM 7/8 2:46 PM 7/8 8:53 PM 7/9 3:26 AM 7/9 9:24 AM 7/9 3:27 PM 7/9 9:27 PM 7/10 4:06 AM 7/10 10:02 AM 7/10 4:06 PM 7/10 10:01 PM 7/11 4:43 AM 7/11 10:40 AM 7/11 4:44 PM 7/11 10:35 PM 7/12 5:20 AM 7/12 11:18 AM 7/12 5:21 PM 7/12 11:12 PM 7/13 5:56 AM 7/13 11:57 AM 7/13 6:00 PM 7/13 11:56 PM 7/14 6:33 AM 7/14 12:40 PM 7/14 6:47 PM 7/15 12:45 AM 7/15 7:17 AM 7/15 1:26 PM 7/15 7:52 PM 7/16 1:37 AM 7/16 8:13 AM

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Bridgeport, CT 11:06 AM 5:19 PM 11:49 PM 5:47 AM 12:04 PM 6:18 PM 12:57 AM 6:50 AM 1:06 PM 7:21 PM 2:18 AM 8:04 AM 2:18 PM 8:32 PM 3:34 AM 9:25 AM 3:34 PM 9:43 PM 4:34 AM 10:30 AM 4:39 PM 10:44 PM 5:28 AM 11:27 AM 5:38 PM 11:40 PM 6:20 AM 12:21 PM 6:34 PM 12:34 AM 7:10 AM 1:12 PM 7:27 PM 1:24 AM 7:57 AM 2:00 PM 8:17 PM 2:12 AM 8:43 AM 2:46 PM 9:07 PM 2:59 AM 9:29 AM 3:33 PM 10:01 PM 3:49 AM 10:20 AM 4:24 PM 11:00 PM 4:47 AM 11:17 AM 5:20 PM 12:00 AM 5:49 AM 12:15 PM 6:18 PM 1:00 AM 6:53 AM 1:15 PM 7:18 PM

42 July 2017 WindCheck Magazine

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windcheckmagazine.com

July 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 7/1 3:58 AM 7/1 10:32 AM 7/1 4:37 PM 7/1 11:21 PM 7/2 4:59 AM 7/2 11:25 AM 7/2 5:33 PM 7/3 12:17 AM 7/3 5:55 AM 7/3 12:15 PM 7/3 6:23 PM 7/4 1:09 AM 7/4 6:45 AM 7/4 1:05 PM 7/4 7:09 PM 7/5 1:59 AM 7/5 7:33 AM 7/5 1:54 PM 7/5 7:54 PM 7/6 2:44 AM 7/6 8:21 AM 7/6 2:41 PM 7/6 8:39 PM 7/7 3:24 AM 7/7 9:07 AM 7/7 3:23 PM 7/7 9:23 PM 7/8 4:01 AM 7/8 9:51 AM 7/8 4:02 PM 7/8 10:05 PM 7/9 4:37 AM 7/9 10:33 AM 7/9 4:39 PM 7/9 10:45 PM 7/10 5:15 AM 7/10 11:16 AM 7/10 5:19 PM 7/10 11:26 PM 7/11 5:55 AM 7/11 12:00 PM 7/11 6:03 PM 7/12 12:09 AM 7/12 6:38 AM 7/12 12:46 PM 7/12 6:53 PM 7/13 12:53 AM 7/13 7:23 AM 7/13 1:31 PM 7/13 7:45 PM 7/14 1:36 AM 7/14 8:09 AM 7/14 2:15 PM 7/14 8:37 PM 7/15 2:20 AM 7/15 8:55 AM 7/15 3:01 PM 7/15 9:32 PM 7/16 3:10 AM 7/16 9:45 AM

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windcheckmagazine.com

Woods Hole, MA 7/16 3:54 PM 7/16 10:32 PM 7/17 4:11 AM 7/17 10:39 AM 7/17 4:54 PM 7/17 11:32 PM 7/18 5:16 AM 7/18 11:36 AM 7/18 5:52 PM 7/19 12:31 AM 7/19 6:14 AM 7/19 12:32 PM 7/19 6:45 PM 7/20 1:29 AM 7/20 7:09 AM 7/20 1:30 PM 7/20 7:38 PM 7/21 2:26 AM 7/21 8:04 AM 7/21 2:28 PM 7/21 8:32 PM 7/22 3:20 AM 7/22 8:58 AM 7/22 3:24 PM 7/22 9:24 PM 7/23 4:09 AM 7/23 9:50 AM 7/23 4:16 PM 7/23 10:14 PM 7/24 4:57 AM 7/24 10:40 AM 7/24 5:07 PM 7/24 11:04 PM 7/25 5:45 AM 7/25 11:31 AM 7/25 6:01 PM 7/25 11:55 PM 7/26 6:35 AM 7/26 12:25 PM 7/26 6:58 PM 7/27 12:47 AM 7/27 7:25 AM 7/27 1:18 PM 7/27 7:55 PM 7/28 1:39 AM 7/28 8:14 AM 7/28 2:10 PM 7/28 8:50 PM 7/29 2:29 AM 7/29 9:03 AM 7/29 3:01 PM 7/29 9:46 PM 7/30 3:21 AM 7/30 9:54 AM 7/30 3:56 PM 7/30 10:44 PM 7/31 4:20 AM 7/31 10:47 AM 7/31 4:55 PM 7/31 11:40 PM

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WindCheck Magazine

July 2017

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NESS Celebrates 15 Years of Serving the Community

By Caroline Knowles The New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS) is celebrating 15 years of serving the community this summer.

NESS is an ocean adventure nonprofit that provides STEMbased education programs, on the water and off, for students from all walks of life. NESS uses marine science, adventure sports, powerboating and sailing as platforms for inquiry-based learning, personal discovery, teaching respect and responsibility for the sea, and creating connections with the community. NESS operates year-round with families, schools, and organizations to provide high quality programs that blend an innovative curriculum with exciting aquatic activities.

tation program.

In 2012, the nonprofit started to focus on its water-based programs to support education in the classroom, especially STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and changed its name to New England Science & Sailing Foundation to note the large role science education was now playing. NESS also committed to year-round operations by hiring full-time, yearround program directors and was chosen by US Sailing as one of a handful of centers around the country to help develop the organization’s REACH lesson plans.

Since NESS’s start in 2002, the student size and fleet have grown tremendously. With a fleet of 102 sailboats, 27 powerboats, 62 kayaks, and 36 windsurfers and SUPs, in 2016 NESS taught over 7,500 students ages four to adult (which amounted to over 100,000 hours of student learning).

NESS Founder, President, and CEO Spike Lobdell explains, “There aren’t too many activities more empowering than putting kids in boats – sailing, kayaking, surfing, jumping off and snorkeling – many times digging deep to overcome fears and anxieties – then returning to shore – safe, and with a new level of confidence. Pushing students to step out of their comfort zones in a safe environment is what sets NESS apart and makes our programs so successful.”

NESS’s curriculum is deeply rooted in the research of ‘growth mindset’ where students are challenged outside the traditional classroom to foster a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment in the 21st century. While students are learning how to sail and practicing the physics of sailing, they are also learning about topics above the water like weather and climate, topics below the boat like water quality and the organisms living in it, and most importantly what makes an

Benny Dover Jackson Middle School students prepare for an afternoon sail. © Mary Ann Horrigan

NESS was created in 2002 by Spike Lobdell and members of the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club in Stonington, CT with the mission to develop sailing and educational programs that benefit the community at large. That first year, there were just 14 children, eight tiny boats, and a big dream of being inclusive of those who love or want to learn about the water.

In 2004, the organization became an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3), separate from the yacht club, and adopted the SHYC Sailing Foundation name. It continued with the mission of inclusiveness as it grew to serve more and more children each year with instructional sailing programs. In 2008, a marine science program was added to expand options for getting on the water to those children not keen on sailing.

Twenty-ten saw the addition of NESS’s first full time staff member as well as its popular surfing program, which began the adventure sports program. In 2011, NESS purchased the Stonington facility it had previously been renting to secure its permanent home on the harbor. That same year, NESS was selected by US Sailing as one of the first nine community sailing centers in the country to be recognized under their new accredi-

New London students enjoy an afterschool sail in Stonington Harbor. © Caroline Knowles

ocean healthy and how we impact our local ecosystems.

Learning a skill in conjunction with learning about the ocean makes the experiences real for students. On or off the water, NESS’s inquiry-based, youth-centered activities put students in charge of their own learning and set them up for similar, confidence-building success. The organization’s curriculum – which is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and Ocean

44 July 2017 WindCheck Magazine

windcheckmagazine.com

Field trip students test the ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) that they designed and built. © Caroline Knowles

Literacy Principles – combined with ocean adventure activities results in a powerful and effective learning model.

Though NESS started in Stonington, it now has eight locations across Connecticut and Rhode Island. NESS also provides in-school and destination programs for schools and groups across the region. These travelling programs bring NESS’s STEM curriculum to schools and students that may be far from the ocean. With the impressive expansion NESS has undergone the last 15 years, its very first location in Stonington remains vibrant. This location offers programs year round, including field trips, homeschool programs, and an ever-expanding summer program.

In 2012, NESS started its New London Initiative, an ocean adventure, STEM education program that uses an inquiry-based approach, immersive experiences, relevant real world examples, and hands-on STEM-based activities to achieve results. Guided

by NESS’s four core values – experiential ‘hands on’ learning, personal growth, inclusiveness, and stewardship – the New London Initiative gives students access to the water and opportunities to thrive outside of the traditional classroom, gain skills necessary to be successful in education and careers, and become good stewards of their community and the environment. The New London Initiative supports and engages middle school students in that city, who participate one time per week during the academic year, rotating weekly between field and classroom expeditions. Students explore and experiment with bi-weekly topics with trans-disciplinary themes, including: sailing to understand wind speed, direction, and power; navigation; simple machines; and kayaking through watersheds to comprehend buoyancy and watershed concepts.

Critical to the success of NESS’s New London initiative are the NESS SEA (STEM Education Ambassadors) AmeriCorps members that serve in the New London Public Schools as educators. Founded in 2014, this program uses national service to engage the students of New London in STEM-based ocean adventure learning. NESS SEA AmeriCorps Members serve to actively engage students to learn by seeing and doing, create innovative STEM curriculum, provide student support, empower windcheckmagazine.com

students to discover their personal best, share enjoyment of the sea, and encourage students to respect and preserve their natural environment and community.

NESS’s engaging, life-changing learning positively impacts students’ lives, and the organization is quantifying its programs’ impacts with data. So far, NESS’s data collection has centered on three areas: student self-esteem and self-confidence, life skills, and stewardship. Even students who experienced just one day at NESS as part of a school field trip reported improvement. Not surprisingly, students in the more intensive year-round, weekly program reported significant improvement in all areas.

“We’ve always known that NESS programs positively influence our students,” said Executive Director Cindy Nickerson.

“We could tell by their spirited reactions coming off the water, their teachers’ enthusiastic comments about how engaged they were, and, in many cases, the students’ own words about how NESS changed their lives. Now, we’re starting to quantify our programs’ impact with data.”

Looking to the future, NESS plans to expand on its experiential educational model serving many more students in the region by establishing physical presences in more waterfront locations to reach underserved youth. “From our origins in 2002 we never could have predicted what the Foundation has become and the role we play in education,” said Lobdell. “I am very excited about our future!” ■ Caroline Knowles is the Marketing Coordinator at NESS.

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July 2017

45

Take Care of Your Gear!

By Clemmie Everett An important part of success on the racecourse is to be properly prepared with the right gear. Once you have the right gear, of course, you need to know how to properly care for equipment and to be disciplined in doing such.

Sun and salt are the worst things for most sailing equipment, which, frustratingly, are also elements constantly present on most racecourses. At the end of each sailing day, try to hose off your boat with fresh water, paying close attention to lines and metal fittings. If you’re sailing a Laser, Sunfish or other boat with a small cockpit, you can partially fill that cockpit with fresh water to give each line a good dousing. Store lines in a bag or inside when not using them, since UV rays will degrade lines over time. When storing for a long time, be sure the lines are dry to prevent mold and mildew.

When storing rudders and daggerboards, try to store them vertically to prevent warping. Also, inspect your boat every so often for small dings and nicks. Scuffs that do not go deeply can be sanded with wet sandpaper – sand parallel to the waterline.

If a scratch is very deep or goes through the gelcoat, your repair will be more involved and will require a trip to the marine hardware store. Nonetheless, don’t ignore these repairs, since water can creep into the fiberglass and add weight to the hull.

Sails are probably your most important equipment, and also the most delicate. Spray them off at the end of the day to get rid of salt. But don’t put them away wet, especially for long periods of time, to avoid mildew and mold. That said, sun and excessive flogging of sails are also enemies, so don’t leave them out drying for days, and don’t try to dry them by hoisting them back up the mast or letting them flutter in the breeze. Creases and folds are the enemy of smooth sail shape, so try to store sails by carefully rolling them. Be cognizant of small wrinkles – pull those out!

Sometimes, however, the only way to store your sails is to fold or flake them. In those cases, aim for horizontal creases across the sail, since vertical folds will interfere with airflow, and avoid refolding on existing creases. Spinnakers are the most delicate of sails. As you hose them off and dry them, be alert for small tears – it’s much better to put a small piece of sail tape on

Keeping your boat and gear in top condition will pay dividends on the racecourse. © Spectrum Photo/Fran Grenon

(use scissors to cut into a circle or oval as needed so you avoid corners that will start to pull off) than to find yourself with a growing hole in the middle of your next race! Once your spinnaker is dry, carefully flake it (usually a job for at least two people) and gently roll it up. And finally, avoid putting items on top of your neatly rolled sails!

If you keep your boat on a dolly or trailer, don’t neglect that important piece of equipment! Trailers should be carefully hosed off after immersion in salt water, with particular attention paid to lights and wiring. Keeping the tires properly inflated and other parts in working order will prevent a disaster when it’s least convenient. Before traveling, carefully inspect your trailer, and if you’re putting a dolly on top of a car, remove the wheels so they don’t fly off on the highway!

Caring for your equipment also includes the gear that you wear! At the beginning of the season, be sure to write your name clearly on your items with a Sharpie. Adding your club and/or email address can also be helpful if you misplace gear at an away regatta. As with boat parts, foul weather gear should be washed carefully with fresh water and allowed to dry before storing. If you’re storing it for a long period of time, it’s best to hang in a cool, dry, dark place. When you’re putting your drysuit away for the summer months, take the opportunity to inspect the seals, and consider wiping them with a seal saver to moisturize the rubber and prolong the life of the seals. I’ve had the experience of tearing the seals the first time I pulled it out of storage for the frostbite season. It’s not fun – trust me, you don’t need to try it!

Routine inspection of your equipment and regular maintenance will keep it in good shape for a long time. When you put equipment away for the season, take some extra time to thoroughly inspect everything and make a list of repairs and upgrades that you need to attend to before next season. ■ Clemmie Everett is the Head Varsity Sailing Coach at Rye Country Day School in Rye, NY. She and teammates Alix Hahn, Carolyn Russell and Erin Sprague won the 2016 International Women’s Keelboat Championship, which was hosted by American Yacht Club in Rye.

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Sail Black Rock Takes Silver!

No, not that kind of silver. The New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association’s Freshman Championship – The Priddy Trophy – hosted by Sail Black Rock (SBR) at Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport, CT on April 22, has earned silver certification as a Clean Regatta from Sailors for the Sea.

The Priddy Trophy was won this year by University of Rhode Island Rams sailors Christopher Pearson (skipper) and Caroline Rocchio (crew). In addition, University of New Hampshire sailor Jenna Hannafin, who hails from Rhode Island, won the raffle for a Jimmy Spithill-autographed ORACLE TEAM USA cap and a framed America’s Cup poster. Before racing commenced, competitors were treated to a 30-minute mini-clinic with sailing icon Dave Perry who introduced the updated Racing Rules and answered questions that might well be put into practice on the water that day.

The Clean Regatta silver certificate means the host of a regatta has met a certain number of sustainability best practices.

These include banning plastic water bottles, offering water filling stations, promoting recycling, reusing, and reducing consumables, using fuel efficient powerboats, and more. Among these is the use of sustainable awards, which SBR has been doing for years, with hand-braided sailor bracelets from Mystic Knotwork in Mystic, CT in gold, silver and bronze awarded to the top finishers.

For years, the students of Sacred Heart and Fairfield Universities, have cleaned the shores of Black Rock Harbor. Leading up to the 2017 Priddy Trophy, these sailors collected 105 pounds

Jenna Hannafin (right) University of New Hampshire Class of 2020, raffle winner of ORACLE TEAM USA cap autographed by skipper Jimmy Spithill with her crew Kailee Bodoh, UNH ’20 © Dave White

of shoreline trash including 275 plastic water bottles. “I have to admit when this effort originally began several years ago; the motivation was for esthetic purposes before hosting visiting college teams,” said SBR Program Director Dave White. “Because of greater awareness and the influence of the student sailors, we now all pull together to make and keep our harbor as clean as possible throughout the year.”

The directors of SBR have declared all of their future regattas will be designated Clean Regattas, with the goal of at least maintaining silver status and hopefully advancing to gold and eventually platinum. For more information, log onto sailorsforthesea.org/ programs/clean-regattas. ■

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July 2017

47

The Block Island Race: “One never knows, do one?”

By Ron Weiss With the planned start of the 72nd edition of the Storm Trysail Club’s Block Island Race on Friday, May 26 off of Stamford, CT, conflicting weather models had navigators and skippers scratching their heads as they planned their strategies. Hiro Nakajima, a perennial entrant whose Swan 43 Hiro Maru (Stamford) claimed second place in PHRF Class 2, made a comment along the lines of “The only thing the weathermen can agree on is that the race starts on Friday!”

Although forecasters predicted light air, the Storm Trysail Club’s 72nd Block Island Race turned out to be a fairly fast one. © Rick Bannerot & Storm Trysail Club

Even under the best of circumstances, the 186-nautical mile Block Island Race is a complex one given the number of exits from (and re-entries into) Long Island Sound, the significant currents that occur at multiple points along the course, local thermal winds, other geographic effects, etc. This year’s race promised to be one of the more challenging outings for the 66 entrants.

The breeze at the first start was a shifty 4 knots, but by the third start, settled into a stiff northwesterly of 15 knots with significantly higher gusts. Most of the fleet popped their kites right at the start, with the majority paralleling the Connecticut coast for the first 15-20 miles.

A number of forecasts predicted a big wind hole in the middle of the Sound in the Bridgeport-to-New Haven area, and soon the leading boats in the fleet began to see the first signs of its unwelcome appearance. The quandary was which side of the Sound would be better for getting around the hole – the Con-

necticut shore or the Long Island shore – and it was likely that this decision was of the “bet the whole race” variety.

Some jibed toward Long Island, while others decided to stay the course along the Connecticut side. Cutting across the Sound carried an additional risk of not making it to the other shore before the wind shut down. Getting caught in the “Death Zone” between two competing breezes is a common-enough circumstance in this part of the world.

Andrew Weiss, who skippered his Ker 43 Christopher Dragon (Mamaroneck, NY) to a second place finish in IRC Class 3, said, “We had to make a decision whether to go hard north or hard south, and we were only able to get three-quarters of the way south. We were passed by a few boats (on the other shore), but then recovered the lead.” They then continued along the Long Island shore carrying a fractional Code 0 in a northerly breeze, exiting the Sound through Plum Gut where the current was still favorable for them.

As it turned out, there were boats on both sides of the hole that did well, but having the fleet divided as the sun sets leaves navigators feeling lonely and nervous. The key – in hindsight – was being close to either shore: It mattered less which shore you were on, as long as you weren’t out toward the middle.

The hole, however, didn’t last nearly as long as some of the gloomier forecasts had predicted and the fleet made good progress toward buoy “1BI” off the north end of Block Island, with most flying spinnakers all the way to, and then around, the island. As they passed the south side of the island, the fleet was faced with a NW breeze for the trip back toward Long Island Sound. The forecasts indicated a good chance the wind would shift toward the SE, with a light and fluky transition period…yet another potential “make-or-break” decision point.

After the fleet leaders re-entered the Sound (most through Plum Gut), the wind from the NW faded to a period of calm before the southerly wind began to fill in, but somewhat erratically. Back in Long Island Sound, the age-old battle between the northerly and southerly winds was playing out once again.

“We had to play the currents and swirls to keep the boat moving,” said Brian O’Farrell, navigator aboard Justin Bonar’s Jeanneau 53 YYZ (Stamford, CT), the winner of PHRF Class 4. Leads in several classes shifted back and forth as the winds of fortune veered and backed.

On Scott Weisman’s R/P 45 custom Pterodactyl (White Plains, NY), who took second place in IRC Class 4, navigator Steve Minninger saw a clearing sky and positioned the boat for the southerly that would be spurred by the heating of the land.

As the wind died, Steve Benjamin – owner of the TP52 Spookie

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Andrew Berdon’s Marten 49 Summer Storm (Hartsdale, NY) heads down the Sound. © Rick Bannerot & Storm Trysail Club

(South Norwalk, CT) – sent a crewman to the top of the mast to look for the wind, and from his lofty perch the crewman saw the southerly coming, but also saw some competitors near the Connecticut shore “motoring” in a northeasterly. Decisions, decisions!

Eventually, the southerly took precedence and by Saturday afternoon (May 27) the lead competitors began to reappear on the Stamford horizon. The first yacht to cross the line was Shelter Island Transatlantic Partners’ Mills 68 Prospector (Newport, RI), finishing at 14:38:17 Saturday afternoon – 23 hours and 13 minutes after her start.

Spookie finished 24 minutes later and corrected over Prospector for first in IRC Class 4. John McNamara’s Swan 45 Lir

Storm Trysail Club Commodore Leonard Sitar (far left) and Storm Trysail Club Fleet Captain, Block Island Race Chair and Principal Race Officer Ray Redniss (far right) present the Harvey Conover Award for Best Overall Performance perpetual trophy and the “keeper” trophy to Jay Turchetta and the proud crew of Amadeus V to go along with their trophies for best corrected time in the IRC fleet and first in IRC Class 2. © Rick Bannerot & Storm Trysail Club

(Darien, CT) took first in IRC Class 3 and second on corrected time in the IRC fleet overall. First overall on handicap in the IRC fleet went to Jay Turchetta’s Xp38 Amadeus V (Harvard, MA) who captured the William Tripp, Jr. Memorial Trophy. windcheckmagazine.com

In the PHRF fleet, John Donovan’s J/111 Libertas (Southport, CT) took first place on corrected time, followed by James Coffman’s Hanse 375 Gemini (Westport, CT). The DoubleHanded Class was led by Gardner Grant’s J/120 Alibi (Westport), the winner of the Gerold Abels Trophy who also managed a fifth overall within the fully-crewed IRC fleet.

Of special note was American Yacht Club’s Young American Junior Big Boat Team. These teenage sailors continued their winning ways with first place in the Double-Handed PHRF Class with their J/88 Jazz, first place in PHRF Class 3 with their J/105 Young American, and rounding out their Roddie Williams Team Race Trophy win with Varekai, a J/120 that finished fifth in IRC Class 2. This truly is an excellent example of the results of fostering the next generation of world-class blue water big boat sailors.

At the post-race awards ceremony, crews were relieved that despite their fears of a drifting contest, the race ended up being a moderately fast one. As jazz great Fats Waller once famously said, “One never knows, do one?”

First held in 1946, the Block Island Race is a qualifier for the North Ocean Racing Trophy (IRC), the Double Handed Ocean Racing Trophy (IRC), the New England Lighthouse Series (PHRF), and the Gulf Stream Series (IRC). The Block Island Race is also a qualifier for the Caper, Sagola, and Windigo trophies awarded by the YRA of Long Island Sound and the “Tuna Trophy” for the best combined IRC scores in the Edlu and the Block Island Race. Complete results are posted at YachtScoring.com. ■ WindCheck Magazine

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Pauline Dowell Wins It All at The Robie

By Jan Hodnett Pauline Dowell, a blind sailor who lives on a boat in Boston Harbor, was victorious in both events at the 9th Annual Robie Pierce Regatta, winning the Robie Pierce Women’s Invitational and the Robie Pierce One-Design Regatta.

Named after one of the founding fathers of adaptive sailing, this event for sailors with disabilities was held June 1 - 4 at American Yacht Club in Rye, NY. Run jointly by American Yacht Club and Larchmont Yacht Club in nearby Larchmont, the regatta alternates yearly between the two clubs. Over the years, “The Robie” has become one of the country’s foremost events for sailors with a broad array of disabilities including physical, neurological and visual impairments. Wheelchairs are left on the dock as competitors sail in specially adapted Ideal 18s.

Seven boats competed in this year’s Robie Pierce Women’s Invitational on June 1. The skipper and a crewmember, who have physical disabilities, sail with an able-bodied (AB) sailor, who serves as an extra pair of hands. “Everyone has some kind of talent that comes into play,” said Siobhan Reilly, co-chair of the Robie Pierce Regatta. “The competitors, whatever their skill level, all had a fantastic time on a bright, sunny day with winds ranging from 15-20 knot gusts to calm spells. Two women competing in the Women’s Invitational had never sailed before and their reports were glowing.”

Pauline Dowell, sailing with crew Katherine Kern and AB Grace Olsen, won a hard-fought battle. Race Committee PRO Bill Sandberg said he had never seen such a close regatta. Of the four races, Dowell posted two firsts and two seconds for a total of 6 points, edging Sarah Everhart-Skeels by a single point. Julia Dorset finished third with 13 points.

With 18 boats competing, this year’s Robie was one of the largest in the event’s nine-year history. © Jim Reilly

Amanda Gruber, who has MS, came with her family (husband Keith and daughter Sophia) and they all had a great time.

Gruber had sailed when she was young, but hadn’t sailed in a while. “Sailing in the Robie Pierce Invitational got me involved again,” she enthused. “Sarah Everhart-Skeels suggested I come for the Women’s Invitational, so I did and it was a great opportunity. Once I got on the boat, it was like I had never stopped sailing.”

Hannah O’Reilly, an AB sailor, also raced for the first time, Skipper Pauline Dowell (yellow shirt), Katherine Kern and Grace Olsen won the Robie Pierce Women’s Invitational and the Robie Pierce One-Design Regatta. © Jim Reilly

sailing with skipper Julia Dorset and crew Deb Frankel. O’Reilly suggests that people who haven’t raced before should do it, even though it’s competitive and intense. Dorset added, “This was the first time I have sailed since retiring. We were consistently in the middle of the pack and I could tell we did well. I sailed with two Greenies and they came out Longhorns.”

Dowell, Kern and Olsen also finished first in the OneDesign Regatta, which was held June 2 - 4. Eighteen boats competed in one of the larger fleets in The Robie’s history, including a newbie, Jason Wallenstein, who placed fifth.

Eight races were held over the three days and Dowell’s team scored bullets in four.

Winds on Day 1 were shifty and varied from calm to 15 knots. Day 2 brought more consistent breeze at about 15, which Dowell felt made it easier to sail.

Light winds of 5 - 10 knots prevailed on the final day. “I love riding the waves, and blind sailors often face the tiller so they can feel the wind better,” said Dowell. “I can’t say enough good things about this regatta. They do so much for us that I can just sail and enjoy myself.”

Tilghman Logan, 15, was the youngest skipper in the regatta. He sails with

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his father Philip Logan and despite his limited mobility, Tilghman is very adventurous. He’s tried skiing, but prefers sailing and has even sailed in Antigua. The Logans live in Lower Manhattan and have a home in Oxford, MD and sail out of the Tred Avon Yacht Club. Robie co-chair Buttons Padin introduced the Logans to adaptive sailing and provided a seat for Tilghman, which they use when sailing in Maryland. “What they do here is fantastic!” said Philip Logan. “It’s so well organized and they’re so nice.

It makes me want to get more people to come and to try to get more younger sailors to come.”

Two other young men were competing. Both were new to the regatta, and both had incidents in the last year that put them in wheelchairs. Their families were there to cheer them on and listen to racing stories at the end of the day. They will be back next year. Wendi Florio, part of the core group of volunteers, pointed out that the good feelings go both ways. “As volunteers, we came to give what we can to the skipper and crew, but we are getting much more from them. It’s been fantastic.”

Siobhan Reilly and Bill Sandberg of American Yacht Club

The Robie was Chris O’Brien’s first time back on a boat since sustaining an injury on Block Island nearly six years ago. As he happily sipped a cocktail with AB crewmember Cliff Crowley on the lawn at AYC he proclaimed, “I will not be going five years and 310 days between regattas again!” Check out Chris’ Facebook page at facebook.com/ ChrisOBriensDeterminationPage ©Cliff Crowley

and Buttons Padin of Larchmont Yacht Club have jointly chaired The Robie for nine years and the US Disabled National Championships twice, and they’re dedicated to advancing adaptive sailing in Western Long Island Sound.

More than 200 hundred sailors have participated in The Robie, and this inclusive event would not be possible without the amazing volunteers, the sailors, the clubs and the generous support of sponsors Subaru, Carlsberg, and Burke Rehabilitation & Research. Next year is the 10th year of the Robie Pierce Regatta, and the co-chairs are continuing to spread the word. To learn more, go to robiepierceonedesignregatta.com. ■ Jan Hodnett is a professional writer who has volunteered with the Robie Pierce Regatta for three years. She and her husband Nick started sailing soon after getting married, and they’ve sailed in Lake Champlain, Lake Michigan, Long Island Sound, the East Coast and the Caribbean. They sail their refurbished 43-foot Cheoy Lee motorsailer out of Rye, NY and go on cruises with the American Yacht Club.

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Cedar Point Yacht Club OneDesign Regatta More than 400 sailors from throughout the United States and abroad competed in the 2017 OneDesign Regatta at Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, CT on June 2-4. Sixty-seven boats in six classes (Atlantic, J/109, J/105, J88, J/70 and Beneteau First 36.7) raced throughout the weekend in two circle courses on Long Island Sound, southeast of Compo Beach.

On Saturday, sailors worked through a squall, keeping the pace brisk and putting talents to the test. The breezes were lighter on Sunday, and some of Saturday’s leaders held on to win while other classes saw the leads change through as many as seven races overall.

The CPYC OneDesign Regatta is the largest one-design keelboat regatta on Long Island Sound. © Richard Gordon

Scott Reichhelm of Westport skippered Shucks to victory in the Atlantics, winning three of four races. Mark Foster’s Thistle (Southport, CT) came in second, and Jim Doyle’s Rival (Easton, CT) was third. Ron Marsilio, also of Westport, finished fourth aboard Patriot. The strong showing by local sailors heralded an earlier era, as far back as the 1950s, when the Atlantics were the largest fleet at Cedar Point Yacht Club.

Seventeen J/109s contested the East Coast Championship, with David Rosow’s Loki (Southport) finishing first, followed

by Jonathan Rechtschaffer’s Emoticon (Montclair, NJ) and Carl Olsson’s Morning Glory (New Rochelle, NY).

In the J/105s, Bruce Stone’s Good Trade (San Francisco, CA) finished first in four of seven races to win the class, besting runners up George and Alex Wilbanks’ Revelation (Westport).

David Willis’ Solution (Huntington, NY) came in third.

Elizabeth Barry’s Escape (Stamford, CT) came in first in the J/88s on the strength of three straight wins in six races, edging Iris Vogel’s Deviation (New Rochelle) by a single point. Douglas McKeige’s Jazz (Mamaroneck, NY) took third.

William Purdy’s Whirlwind (New York, NY) was victorious in the 5-boat Beneteau First 36.7 class, followed by Lou Melillo’s Surface Tension (Middletown, NJ) and Alistair Duke’s Frequent Flyer (Wilton, CT).

Doug Clark’s Polar (Mystic, CT) won a narrow victory in the J/70 Long Island Sound Championship, finishing first in three of six races and fifth in the other three. Andrew and Melissa Fisher’s Button Fly (Greenwich), CT) took second in the 19-boat class, with and Team Victura of Westport finishing third.

CPYC encourages amateur sailors and gives a special Corinthian Team honor to those who race non-professionally.

Eleven of the 19 J/70 teams qualified as Corinthian, and the winners were Semi Charmed, helmed by CPYC member Trevor Roach (Darien, CT; fourth overall), followed by Louis Donahue’s Nirvana 7 (Orford, QUE; fifth), and Carrie & Ed Austin’s Chinook (Ridgewood, NJ; seventh).

The youth sailors of MudRatz Racing (Zach Champney, Peter Cronin, Lily Flack and Lucy Rath) turned in a strong performance, finishing fourth in two races on their J/70 MudRatz (Stonington, CT; Corinthian) and claiming eight overall in the class. Complete results are posted at YachtScoring.com.

The 2017 CPYC OneDesign Regatta was presented by title sponsor North Sails, with additional sponsorship from Fairfield County Bank, Stew Leonard’s, Coral Reef Sailing Apparel, Landfall, Gill Marine, BRYAC Restaurant & Raw Bar, Rex & Cove Marine, Sailors for the Sea, and T2PTV, which provided video of the regatta.

Sailors for the Sea attended to help CPYC run a clean regatta, with a certification system that enables sailors to protect local waters with 25 Best Practices that make sustainability approachable and easy. Cedar Point Yacht Club was organized in 1887 by Fairfield County sportsmen. For more information, log onto cedarpointyc.org. ■

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Selkie Seals the Deal in the Marion Bermuda Race

By Talbot Wilson

Selkie, G.J. “Chip” Bradish’s 1988 Morris Ocean 32.5 (Jamaica Plain, MA) was the overall corrected time winner of Class D and the entire 40th Anniversary Marion Bermuda Race. The smallest boat in the race and sailed using only celestial navigation, Selkie claimed the Gosling Rum Founders Division Trophy, the Beverly Yacht Club Polaris Trophy and Class D First Place Trophy and more. It’s a big win for the little boat.

The race started June 9 in Marion, MA. Selkie finished June 15 at 51 minutes after midnight with a provisional elapsed time of 131 hours, 40 minutes and 30 seconds.

Her corrected time under ORR handicap scoring was 90 hours, 44 minutes and 08 seconds. Sailing with Bradish were Max Mulhern (Navigator), George Dyroff (Watch Captain) and Peter Sidewater (Crew). When Race Committee member Alan Minard told him they had won, Bradish was shocked. He asked, “When can I start getting excited?” Minard replied, “Have you done anything wrong, broken any rules? No? Then start now.”

Selkie was the third to last boat to cross the finish line off St. David’s Lighthouse on elapsed time, but took first place on corrected time. “We were the smallest boat and we also got the celestial correction,” Bradish explained.

The celestial correction is a time 3% credit on her ORR rating. Asked later how he had felt when he was told he had won the top prize, Bradish said, “I just got the sense when I walked into the clubhouse and a couple of people cheered. I wasn’t sure they were cheering for me but I had that sense. I was excited.”

Although Bradish has done this race before, this was the first time offshore for Selkie. “Oh man, every night we could see stars,” he enthused. “One night the water was so calm it was like a pond, just glassy. All the stars were out. I was just sitting right here on the side of the boat with the tiller in my hand having the time of my life. The moon poked through the clouds and

it was majestic. The trip is always fun…to see the dolphins and the stars. It’s lovely just to be in nature for such a long haul, each and every day. It helps you to quiet down and look at the horizon. Sailing slows you down to a place where you rarely ever get to go.” Selkies are mythological creatures found in Irish, Scottish, The smallest boat in the 40th Anniversary Marion Bermuda Race and competing in the Celestial division, Chip Bradish’s Selkie is the overall winner. © Spectrum Photo/Fran Grenon

John Levinson’s Hinckley Bermuda 50 Jambi claimed line honors. © Spectrum Photo/Fran Grenon

Faroese and Icelandic folklore. They are said to live as seals in the sea, but shed their skin to become human on land.

John Levinson new Hinckley Bermuda 50 Jambi (Southport, CT) claimed line honors but ended up last on corrected time. Although she crossed the finish line almost 23 hours before Selkie, she corrected at 127, hours 32 minutes and 38 seconds.

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Dave Patton (left) Marion Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race Association Chairman, and Wilie Forbes, Vice Commodore of the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (right) present the Winner’s Banner to Selkie Skipper Chip Bradish (second from left) and Watch Captain George Dyroff. © Talbot Wilson

“There was no wind for most of the race,” said Levinson, “but the beginning and the end were fantastic, with good wind.” Of the 50 starters, many boats retired due to the light conditions. The top eight finishers in Class D corrected out to claim the top eight places in the fleet.

The first Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race was held in 1977, and this was the 21st edition of the 645-mile open ocean challenge for cruiser type yachts. Over the forty years since that first race, it has evolved into a true offshore challenge for cruising yachts sailed by amateur, family and youth crews. Special prizes abound to emphasis celestial navigation, shorthanded sailing, family crews and John Ring’s Cape Dory 36 Tiara (Beverly, MA) finished second in Class D and was awarded the Adams Bowl. © Spectrum Photo/Fran Grenon

regional competition. The race is handicapped under the ORR rating system to assure the fairest scoring available for ocean racing yachts.

The only ocean race to Bermuda that offers a celestial navigation prize, the Marion Bermuda Race encourages the development of blue water sailing skills on seaworthy yachts that can be handled safely offshore with limited crew. The Marion Bermuda Race is a 501(c)(3) organization and among other educational efforts, supports and encourages youth sailing programs. The event is organized and run entirely by hundreds of volunteering members of The Beverly Yacht Club (BYC), The Blue Water Sailing Club (BWSC) and The Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC) for the Marion Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race Association. For more information including complete results, visit marionbermuda. com. ■ Talbot Wilson is the Marion Bermuda Race Press Officer.

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Corner

Coop’s Summer Reading

By Joe Cooper

Early June: Summer is here, pretty much, for sure, I’m certain, I think. If it is here, it is a great time to stretch out on the cockpit seats and catch up on all the bestsellers you’ve been missing out on. Or if you’re like me (and yes, that phrase did give me pause), you might dig back into some of your favorite books…on sailing of course.

Some of mine are discussed this month.

I cannot remember when I got my first copy of Swallows and Amazons, and I actually still have it somewhere, 55 years on, a tattered – very tattered – Penguin paperback complete with Dad’s inscription and love. The first in a series of books, pitched as children’s books but for kids of any age, it describes the adventures of two families of kids on a lake in the north of England. Written by Arthur Ransome and basically a retelling of the life he had growing up there, it is a throwback to ‘the old days.’

John (capt.), Susan (mate), Titty (AB) and Rodger (ship’s boy) contrive the use of a 12- or so foot clinker built dinghy, named Swallow, for sailing to and camping on an island in the middle of a lake on which the farm they are summering at sits. With no adults for, literally a few miles in any direction, the Walker kids set up camp on the island previously claimed by Nancy and Peggy Blackett, captain and mate respectively of the similar sized dinghy, Amazon.

The adventures of the Swallows on Wild Cat Island (Amazon name) are interrupted by the Amazons, who are interested in reclaiming their island. The ability of the six kids to figure things out, fix stuff, sail (and at night), defend against familial inequities and have adventures, many of which are great little vignettes into seamanship, from which one can learn a lot, is a serious throwback to when kids played in the backyard dirt and skinned their knees falling off merry-go-rounds.

There are about 11 books in the series, all self-contained stories but using the same characters, with the inclusion of another

brother and sister pair, the Cullums, and a selection of other kids having cameos and with occasional references to previous capers and they are all great reads. Perhaps the finest in the series is We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea. The four Walkers end up being washed out to sea after dragging the anchor aboard the 30-footer they are weekending on, while the owner is ashore. Not wanting to risk the boat in the fog and sandbars, they clear out (as in: When in danger or in doubt, turn around and head on out). How they end up in Holland from the east coast of England is a grand read and very instructive in seamanship.

Humphrey Barton was a Brit, sailor, surveyor and partner in the firm of Laurent Giles, a prominent yacht design firm in England across the war years. In the early postwar years, Barton decided the best way to get to America for the Bermuda Race, aboard one of the office’s other boats, was to sail there. His ride for this turned out to be another of the firm’s boats, a Vertue class yacht, 25 feet overall. Vertue 25, as she was named, carried Barton and Kevin O’Riordan finally to City Island after a grand adventure full to the Plimsoll line with instruction and ideas on careful planning and execution of a long passage on a small boat.

She was wood, with wooden spars, cotton (or early synthetic fabric) sails, without raft, EPIRBs, personal or otherwise, VHF, SSB, sat phone, flares, engine, refrigeration, radar, GPS and all the other accouterment of the modern ocean voyaging yacht. Their preferred method of communication with passing ships was signaling in Morse with an Aldis lamp. None of this deters them from sailing across the ‘Western Ocean’ and, as it turns out, through a hurricane, in the Gulf Stream. After being hove-to for a bit, they took a knockdown which smashed one of the large cabin ports and jammed the main hatch closed. With the boat flooded to above the bunk cushions, Barton smashed away the remains of the damaged port, scrambled out (he was a slight chap) and got the boat running off the wind so his mate could bail and Coop’s copy of Swallows and work on repairs. A few days later, Amazons is in much rougher they were secure alongside at City condition than this one.

Island.

Vertue 25, as the book is called, is an easy, fast read and interestingly Barton does express some ‘feelings’ about the passage, an insight not often found in the sea stories from the Brits of the day.

Eric and Susan Hiscock probably pioneered the ‘go cruising, take pictures, present lectures, write books, cash checks, repeat’ version of the sailor’s life. Starting (‘professionally’) with Wanderer 111, another Laurent Giles boat and again a traditional planked timber boat 30 feet overall, they ultimately made three passages around the world in her. Atlantic Cruise in Wanderer 111 is a tale of one lap of the Atlantic, a warm up for the ‘longer’ voyages in fact. One so often hears of, or perhaps reads online to day, either in WindCheck in December or at the Pussers bar in Tortola, about ‘just how hard the trip was.’ The Hiscock’s books have none of it.

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Rarely does something break, and if it does it is swiftly fixed and hard weather is just another day at the office. The stories are of the joys of landfall, the fun of new countries and people and the day-to-day routine of sailing in the ocean. If you pay attention, you will read why there is no drama in their passages. There are lots of pictures, too – Eric had some kind of set up for developing and printing pictures inside this 30-footer…pictures of English Harbor in Antigua in the early 1950s are interesting in their own right, as is the trip up the ICW and navigating in Maine fog, sans radar.

There was some traffic a few days ago on one of my FB feeds to do with single-handed sailing. A poster wanted to know how to set up his 23 or so foot boat to cross the Atlantic. Well, the fireworks were white hot and almost universally of the ‘Yer nuts!’ theme. If you like the idea of minimalist life at sea, then Patrick Elham and Colin Mudie are the boys for you. In their book Sopranino: 10,000 Miles Over the Ocean in a Midget Sailboat, Elham starts out describing the idea he had that small, light and fast boats could be just fine at sea, compared to the then current big, heavy and slow boats being designed, built and sailed. Over the course of a couple of years he tested this theory with a ‘small’ version at around 16 or so feet, sailing it all over the English Channel, to and from France on a few occasions, mostly alone. At one point in the proceedings he takes a passenger, a young former RAF pilot (I think Elham may have also been one, which probably explains a lot), who was sitting on a pier head looking for a ride to France. A few hours later, they surfed into the harbor in France. Elham remarked to his petrified crew (who had survived the Battle of Britain – think about that for a minute) on the crowd watching from the breakwater, “I’ll bet half the people up there think we are going to die.” Remarked the crew, “Half the people here think they are right.’”

Sopranino is a 19-foot clinker built ULDB (ultra-light displacement boat) with a Star boat-like keel, removable for transport down the road behind Elham’s sports car. Elham (and finally Mudie, the designer at Laurent Giles’ office who twigged what Elham was up to since he was designing the boat), had the boat built and the pair of them sailed to the Caribbean and then up to New York. She is, or was, as of a couple of years ago still in one piece in the US, perhaps in the Southwest desert where Elham came to rest after a career as a delivery skipper. I remember the ads in Yachting: “Patrick Elham at the helm.” Mudie is still, as of a couple of years ago, going as a designer in the UK.

Even if you have a fiberglass boat and no interest in any of these kinds of adventures, these books and many others of a similar bent are both good reads and instructive.

Darling, pass up the cockpit cushions and my readers please. ■ 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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Cooper’s Recommended Reading List, Part I In no particular order, this list includes books that have contributed to my understanding of, and approach to, making long voyages at sea. These voyages have in common the simplicity of the boats and the knowledge that the operators are the ones in charge of their fate. Most were undertaken without even VHF, let alone the advanced electronics and other equipment considered essential for going to sea today.

Voyaging Under Sail by Eric and Susan Hiscock: The Hiscocks made a career of making long distance voyages after 1950. This is a compendium of designs, systems and techniques.

Atlantic Cruise in Wanderer III: Hiscocks again. One lap around the Atlantic in a wooden 30-footerer in the early ‘60s.

Around the World in Wanderer III: Same Hiscocks, same boat, longer voyage. WIII is presently on her fourth circumnavigation…surely a record in its own right.

Trekka Around the World by John Guzzwell: One slow lap around the world in a 20-foot boat built by the author. This passage was a record at the time that might still stand for the LOA. Guzzwell took a year off to sail back to England with the Smeetons (see below) but was famously dismasted with them.

Once is Not Enough by Miles Smeeton: An account of the voyage with his wife and Guzzwell in the Southern Ocean, capsize, dismasting, and passage to Chile under jury rig.

Vertue 35 by Humphrey Barton: An account of his east to west transatlantic passage, with one crew, in the mid-1950s in a 25-foot Vertue class.

Heavy Weather Sailing by Adlard Coles: An anthology of personal experiences and observations of heavy weather conditions with an analysis of the meteorological conditions before and during the storms and the tactics of his boat and others.

Sopranino by Patrick Elham & Colin Mudie: Two young English guys sail a 19-foot early ULDB from England to the Caribbean and up the Eastern Seaboard (in winter) to New York.

50,000 Miles Under Sail by Hal Roth: After a lap of the Pacific, Roth discusses what works, what’s worthless and why.

Roth and his wife have, like the Hiscocks, made a career of sailing and writing about it.

Look for more of Coop’s picks next month. ■ WindCheck Magazine

July 2017

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Will also help defray costs in exchange for occasional 1/2 day use. I'm out of Harbor Pt in Stamford. Ideas and referrals welcome. Thank you..." © Jane Reilly

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

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"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."

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WindCheck Magazine July 2017 59

classifieds.

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL

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: 860-912-0042

14’ Force 5 – Good condition with a cradle for trailer or beach. Be ready for Force 5 Nationals at Thames YC, New London, CT, July 26-29. $700 Call Rich 860-798-3462.

14’ Laser 1992 - Hull in very good condition. All accessories included: Spars (standard rig upper and lower, boom), sail in great shape, all running rigging, blades, tiller and tiller extension. New, unused extra centerboard included. $1100. Located in Milford, CT. Call Chris: 203-895-0083.

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

23’ Com-Pac 23/3 1988 - Good condition, lightly used, nicely rigged. 130% genoa, Harken roller furling. 2000 8hp Johnson w/ alternator, very low hours. $6,900. Trailer available separately.

Galvanized frame in excellent condition, new keel rollers. Needs some additional work, can provide parts and labor as part of purchase. More info/photos contact: ctmellorbldr@aol.com

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 25’ Merit 1982 – Race or daysail. Five roller furling headsails, two spinnakers with companionway launching turtle, pole, two mains.

Harken windward sheeting traveler, adjustable backstay with flicker, professionally installed Harken 35 two speed self tailing winches, four other winches. KVH Sailcomp103AC electronic compass. Built in Standard VHF, AGM battery, solar panel, depth sounder and speedo. Anchor and chain-nylon rode, fenders and dock-lines, tiller extension, boarding ladder, cabin cushions and life jackets. City Island, NY. Possible Eastchester Bay mooring. Asking $6,900. Bob at 10464sailor@gmail.com or 973-214-0093 25’ Pearson 1985 - TimeOut is well loved and maintained. 2008 mainsail, 2008 Mercury 9.9 outboard, 2010 cabin cushions and upholstery. Also includes jib, 168% genoa, spare mainsail. Draft 4’8” LWL 21’5” Beam 8’. Asking $5,999, Mamaroneck, NY, email 1985timeout@gmail.com.

27’ C&C Mark V 1984 - Strong racing and cruising credentials. Chosen by Sailing World as top 27 foot PHRF racer. Newly rebuilt Yanmar engine. New bottom paint (2017). Custom trailer. Large sail inventory.

Sleeps 6. Located in Trumbull, CT. Quality boat for racing or family. Reduced to $11,000. Contact: Larry Fullerton 203-400-2085 or Lfullerton@blackrock.org

27’ O’Day 1986 – Harmony is a pleasure to sail. 2011 Tohatsu 9.8hp long-shaft, 2007 main & 130% genoa, 2007 roller furler, Icom VHF radio (DCS functionality), tiller autohelm. Located in Bridgeport, CT. Contact Craig 203-505-9614 crgmeza@gmail.com. Asking $10,500

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 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’ Olson 911SE 1988 - Highly regarded cruiser / racer design. BADGER is wellmaintained and upgraded, including recent carbon aramid sails - main (‘14) and two headsails (‘15). Competitive PHRF racer and comfortable family cruiser. $29,900.

Lying Westbrook, CT. Mike 203-903-3957.

30’ Pearson 1976 - Bill Shaw Design cruiser racer great sailing boat Atomic 4 engine and hull professionally maintained asking $7,200. Contact Carmine 631 8960983 or carmine811@aol.com

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL

30’ PEARSON 1973 - This was one of Pearson’s best selling cruiser/racer models.

Boat in clean, good condition, has an inboard 30hp Atomic4 gas engine, lots of loose gear incl. sails, a new KVH compass, lines, etc. $4,800. Located in Warren, RI call 401-245- 3300.

31’ Pearson 1978 - Fractional rig, fin keel, spade rudder, Bill Shaw design. North Sails, Universal diesel with 540 hours, barrier coat and VC Offshore bottom, consistent race winner, PHRF 174. Asking $12,500. Located in Westport, CT. Call Rich Engel 860-355-1906

31’ Tashiba Pilothouse Cutter 1987 Beautiful all weather Bob Perry design.

One-of-a-kind pilothouse model.

Well-maintained. Full teak decks, spacious bright teak interior. Galley w/stove. Two piloting stations, sail outside or inside.

Listed at $75,000. For more info pictures, contact john.salacain@gmail.com

33’ Ranger 1975 - Good condition,1998 Yanmar 3GM,FWC. Decent sails, Matrix VHF with AIS, Garmin gpsmap 740s plotter with depth, speed, and wind. All halyards led aft to clutches, 6 winches, 2 self tailing. Towable genoa cars, boomkicker vang. Orig. non-pressure alcohol stove. $8,650

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

31’ O’Day 1986 - Very well maintained, inside and out. Comes with many upgrades that others just don’t have. Radar, chart plotter, wind & speed instruments, autopilot, dodger & bimini, Very stable pleasure to sail and cruise. $21,000 Contact Don: dromard@optonline.net

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

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.

33’ Dehler Optima 101 1986 - German built open transom fractional racer cruiser.

Recent Yanmar, North Sails, barrier coat, rigging , many upgrades. Light , fast and exceptionally well designed and built with cruising amenities.If you are looking at Sabre and J, check this out. Mystic, CT. $28,000 christones@aol.com, 860-857-9987

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

36’ Pearson 36-2 1985 - Balanced, well mannered, sturdy, safe and extremely comfortable. Her cockpit is large 7.5’ in length, uncluttered and exceptionally comfortable.

The interior offers two large private cabins, a full galley, a sizable head, a spacious salon. $49,900 (RI) Call Tom Miller 401-835-7215

36’ Catalina MKII 2000 - You will not find a Catalina 36 on the market today with the amount of new gear. Along with NEW electronics and autopilot, NEW standing rigging, halyards, life lines. NEW bimini, dodger, sailcover, helmcover and hatchcovers. $89,900 (RI) Call Matt Leduc: 401-226-1816

37’ Hunter 37.5 1995 - She has had many upgrades. Refit in 2012 and new gear in 2013-2014 include: new Selden Mast, boom, standing and running rigging, radar, plotter, bimini, dodger, head, holding tank, dinghy davits and hot water heater. $69,900 (RI). Call Matt Leduc: 401-226-1816

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 37’ Baltic Racer/Cruiser - Built in Finland to Baltic’s renown standards. Unusually well-equipped, maintained and updated.

Sleeps 7-8 in three teak cabins. She’s strong, light, fully equipped for racing, day sailing or to places more distant. Many pictures, low price and detailed specs at www.Baltic37.com

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 38’ Hunter 2006 – Full suite of electronics for navigation & entertainment, bimini and dodger to shade and protect the cockpit, dinghy davits, NEW (2016) North 3DL full vertical batten mainsail & jib, solar panel and many more options that make her a comfortable and easy boat to sail and relax. $127,500 (MA). Latitude Yacht Brokerage, Matthew Leduc, 401-226-1816 latitudeyacht.com

40’ Saga 409 2005 - The Saga 409 is the definition of a performance cruiser. Impressive 6’9” headroom in the main salon along with windows and hatches that let in lots of natural light. Recent Awlgrip “Stars & Stripes Blue”. $185,000 (NC) - Call Tom Miller: 401-835- 7215

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’ Hunter 386 2003 - Located in East Greenwich, RI. Well-lit and airy interior.

Great family boat for week or more well equipped with HVAC, dodger, bimni, auto pilot, radar. All top brand equip from Pro furl, Raytheon, Lewmar, Yanmar. Many improvements over the winter, Ready to sail away. Asking $115,000. Contact Anthony at 401-954-1172.

40’ Beneteau Oceanis 2011 - A rare find to find one newer than 2010 and in such great condition. NEW (2014) salon cushions, pillows and mattresses. Full electronics package, bow thruster, furling mainsail and genoa, dodger and bimini make her easy to sail and a beautiful boat to entertain and relax aboard. $199,900 (RI). Latitude Yacht Brokerage, Matthew Leduc, 401-226-1816 latitudeyacht.com

40’ Beneteau - The Beneteau 40 offers a great combination of performance, ease of handling and interior comfort that make her a perfect choice for cruising couples or families. Two available from $168,000.

Call Willis Marine 631-421-3400

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 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

41’ Gulfstar Center Cockpit 1974 - Sloop owned by a marine industry professional for over 40 years and lovingly maintained.

Major upgrades including repower with Yanmar 51 HP Diesel - repowered 1999 and electronics. Ready to sail over the horizon! $50,000. Call Michael Beers, McMichael Yacht Brokers. 718-764-7215.

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.

The 423 is one of the most popular Beneteau models. $134,900 (MA) Call Ryan J. Miller CPYB: 401-835-0069

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 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. $260,000. Call Willis Marine 631-421-3400

42’ Catalina MKII 2004 - This threestateroom model with centerline queen and private head in the owner’s stateroom and shared head off the salon provide comfortable accommodations for six adults. $154,000 (RI) Call Tim Norton (401-575-8326) or Ryan Miller (401-8350069) www.latitudeyacht.com

44’ Jeanneau Sun Magic 1989 - Dispensation is very well outfitted and is seriously for sale. She was updated in 2003 with NEW: canvas, sails, cushions and Yanmar Diesel Engine. She is a two cabin, two head layout. $79,900 (MA) Call Matt Leduc: 401-226-1816

45’ Beneteau Oceanis 2017 - Change in plans has this brand new boat on the market. Extensive factory options including electric winches, furling main, air conditioning, generator, B&G instruments and performance sail package. Asking $425,000. Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400 willismarine.com

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 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

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 $199,000 Call 401-683-9200 or jp@northstaryachtsales.com

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

Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400

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. $525,000. Contact colin@waiparawinds.co.nz

BOATS FOR SALE- POWER 47’ Beneteau 473 2005 - The Beneteau 473 was awarded 2001 Boat of the Year for Best Production Cruiser. She has been very well cared for by her original owner. Well outfitted/maintained. Westerbeke 8Kw diesel generator, full suite of navigation electronics, SatTV, entertainment, 2 Zone AC/Heat, davits and beautiful dodger & bimini. $219,750 (MA). Latitude Yacht Brokerage, Matthew Leduc, 401-226-1816 latitudeyacht.com

48’ Beneteau Oceanis 2015 - Just arrived at our moorings! This boat is fully equipped including A/C, generator, electric winches and many more factory options. Owner has moved up. Asking $399,000 Willis Marine Center 631-4213400 www.willismarine.com

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

30’ Custom Willard Trawler - Abenaki is a custom 30ft down east style Willard trawler. 62hp Perkins diesel, heavy displacement. Bronze opening ports and cowl vents provide light and air below. Modern electronics, dinghy. $69,500 Andrew Galasso: 631-325-1138.

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

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on watch.

Don Miller

By Joe Cooper Don Miller did not enter sailing through a yacht club or time with his parents on the family boat. Rather, he came to it almost literally up through the hawse-pipe. Hailing from north New Jersey, Don arrived home one afternoon in 1967 to find his call-up papers waiting for him. When he called the phone number on the paper and told the voice at the other end, “Well, I just enlisted in the Navy today, so you’re too late,” the fellow laughed and said basically, “No worries.”

In short order, however, Don found himself aboard destroyers and heavy cruisers, giving and receiving fire off the coast of North Vietnam. His action station was at the gun turrets, and after three years that included taking a couple of close hits (and seeing some of mates killed), he became and remains partially deaf in one ear, a condition that he drily remarks has sometimes helped him in business. In 1969, he was transferred for a couple of years to Washington, DC as driver and Yeoman for Admiral Hyman Rickover, an experience he describes as “very interesting.” He was mustered out in February 1971.

During the six months that followed, that he says would today be “diagnosed as PTSD,” Don embarked on a correspondence course in photography. After working for not much money for another photographer, he left, hung up his own shingle and in the first month made roughly half of what he had been making with the other fellow. A self-confessed risk taker, he figured he was onto something and never looked back.

This risk taking aspect of Don’s personality reared its head again when he borrowed a Sunfish owned by a fraternity brother on a lake in Pennsylvania who said, “Sure take it out.” This pretty quickly advanced to an affair with a Force 5. Not knowing much about sailing did nothing to dampen this passion. It did not do much for his then-pregnant wife Nancy who, after needing to be recovered by a police boat after one particularly adventurous day, said, “NO MORE.”

“No more” turned into an O’Day Daysailer, and joining Hunterdon Sailing Club and discovering racing and the hugely helpful people in that community really jammed the hook in harder. “Here we were,” Don told me over coffee in his adopted hometown of Jamestown, RI. “Absolute novices knowing nothing about sailing, racing rules, seamanship – nada – yet they all took us in as one of their own, and that is the characteristic common to all sailors as far as my experience goes.”

A few years in the O’Day including sailing in the North Americans with a banged up and bruised Nancy as crew, and she compromised with, “SAILING OK, BUT NO RACES.” This led promptly to adventures in an older Bristol 30 including running

aground in Atlantic Highlands, in a hard blow, bouncing off the bottom, and having the boat sink at the dock (ruptured rudder fittings).

Don’s success at photography led in the early 1980s to a Pearson 365, with a lot more interior volume and cabins for their now two children, Colin and Renee, who were exposed to boats and sailing via the Pearson and the small sailing dinghy they used as a tender.

Four years aboard the Pearson rolled over into an Albin 42 in the late 1980s. In this he and Nancy, now recovered from her bruises, sailed from Milford, NJ all around the Northeast. Then as now, sailing is what Don describes as his “Happy Place.”

“It doesn’t matter what has been going on – work, traffic, any kind of life drama, as you walk down the dock, the stress of whatever IT was just goes away,” he explains. “Any time you’re on a boat, there is always something different and beautiful going on.

Sunsets, calm days just floating around, a fresh beat upwind, it’s all just really cool. The feel on the helm as the boat glides along, the sound of the bow wave or the wake, it is just magic.”

With the advent of digital photography, Don reckoned anyone could now take pictures that were ‘ok’ for the bulk of the uses needed and that ‘real photography’ would be under enormous pressure. “I worked really, really hard at making really, really good images,” he recalls, “and I just could not see myself battling what had to become increasing stress from clients willing to take pictures that were ‘pretty good’ for a lot less money.” In the late 1990s, Don closed the business, sold his part to his partner, sold the house in New Jersey, sold the Albin and he and Nancy decamped to Jamestown, ironically without a boat. That lasted about six months.

Looking in the mid forty-foot range, J/44s were a first target, but a bit of a stretch for the now retired Miller exchequer. “They are great boats, but just a bit too far over what was a realistic budget for us,” he says. The winner eventually turned out to be a Nordic 44, a Bob Perry design from the early 1980s, built in Washington State and pretty advanced for its day. “The Nordic has a good amount of room, a nice hull shape not beholden to any racing rules, and obviously seaworthy as at least a couple had gone to Australia.” Don joined the charter game in Newport and spent a number of years “just going sailing and yarning” with his clients.

“That was a good time, sailing around Newport, meeting some pretty interesting folks, and just being able to experience, on close to a daily basis, the beauty and serenity that is sailing.”

The Nordic finally outgrew Don and was sold in the winter – to an Aussie it turns out – but Nancy cannot exhale yet. A J/27, on a trailer to be wintered in the backyard and used for daysailing with the grandkids, is inside the five-mile rings on Don’s radar.

“It’s small, simple, easy to sail by myself or with one or two folks, and the right kind of cockpit for the kids,” he mused between sips of coffee. It is clear the magic is still doing its work. ■

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