Windcheck march 2018 web magazine

Sailing the Northeast

New York Yacht Club’s Summer of Sailing

What’s in The Magic Box?

March 2018 • FREE

MudRatz Take Toronto!

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editor's log Sailing the Northeast Issue 171

Coming About I’ve had a difficult time putting this month’s Editor’s Log together.

Ironically, I am often forced to leave this space blank until the myriad other items on my monthly list have been checked off. Yet I’ve not been struggling with time management, but instead how best to explain all of the emotions that are going through my head at this time.

I am excited to share the news with you that Anne and I are passing the helm of WindCheck to a really great guy who is going to take the magazine forward and build upon what we started. My struggle has been how best to describe my feelings now that the transition has begun. This makes me both happy and anxious, like a parent seeing their child off to college for the first time, hoping all the love they’ve given and each lesson they’ve imparted through the years has taken hold. And like a parent letting go, I feel a bit sad, but I’m also elated as I think of the wonderful possibilities that the future holds. Anne and I have owned and run WindCheck for sixteen years. We’ve come a long way during that time, fostered numerous great relationships, experienced trying, but mostly splendid times and met many of the finest people we know through sailing.

One of the wonderful persons we’ve met through our ownership of WindCheck is the subject of this month’s On Watch article, and the new Publisher, Ben Cesare. Coming from a strong sailing background, Ben has the knowledge, passion and vision to bring the magazine to the next level while maintaining the foundation upon which the magazine was built.

We couldn’t be happier with this transition and we know you will be, too!

Check out page 66. I’m sure you’ll agree Ben has the chops.

But you’re not rid of Anne and me. We will remain part of the WindCheck family, working with Ben and crew to ensure a smooth transition and assisting Ben in navigating through his first year.

Anne and I are lucky to have had the opportunity to create and build something wonderful like WindCheck; to have played a part in bringing the sailing community in the Northeast closer together; to have been able to get to know so many luminous, lifelong friends along the way; and especially, to know that everything that we’ve worked toward will persist and prosper.

We are continually awestruck by our wonderfully engaged, faithful readers and contributors. Chronicling your accomplishments and adventures has been a great joy. We also hope we’ve served our outstanding, loyal advertisers well and that we have played a part in helping their businesses achieve the goal of reaching their customers in the most relevant way possible. We’re also fortunate to have been able to produce WindCheck with an exceptionally hard-working and talented staff. Without all of you, this magazine would simply not exist.

I think the best word to describe how I feel is thankful. I know Anne feels the same.

Thank you. And, as always, see you on the water.

Publisher Benjamin Cesare ben@windcheckmagazine.com Associate Publisher Anne Hannan anne@windcheckmagazine.com Editor-at-Large 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 Laurent Apollon, Joe Berkeley, Julia Cronin, Peter Cronin, Kara DiCamillo, Jake Fish, Ugo Fonallá, Daniel Forster, Dave Foster, Konrad Frost, John K. Fulweiler, Cynthia Goss, Sam Greenfield, Dan Gurney, Dr. Paul F. Jacobs, Nancy G. Kaull, Barby MacGowan, Pedro Martinez, Robert Mitchell, Laurens Morel, Rob Penner, Monica Pepe, PhotoBoat.com, Vin Pica, Jesus Renedo, Amory Ross, Stuart Streuli, Captain Andrew Tucci, USCG, Roger Vaughan, Tim Wilkes, Kate Wilson Ad Sales Erica Pagnam erica@windcheckmagazine.com Distribution Man in Motion, Rare Sales 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 870 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 Phone: (203) 332-7639 E-mail: contactus@windcheckmagazine.com WindCheck is printed on recycled paper.

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contents

Editor’s Log 4

Letters 8

Checking In 10

Rolex Yachtsman & 20 Yachtswoman Awards

Cruising French Polynesia Part II: 26 Les Iles Sous le Vent

Captain of the Port 30

Calendar of Events 32

Tide Tables 38

The Boating Barrister 42

Book Review: Catamarans: 43 The Complete Guide for Cruising Sailors

Volvo Ocean Race Update 50

Coop’s Corner 54

Comic 57

Brokerage 58

Classifieds 60

Advertisers Index 65

On Watch: Ben Cesare 66

22 The New York Yacht Club’s Summer of Sailing

Some of the best regattas in the Northeast are hosted by the New York Yacht Club at their Harbour Court clubhouse in Newport, RI. We spoke with Commodore Phil Lotz about the upcoming events, and Harry Melges III of Melges Performance Sailboats about an spectacular one-design making its debut this season.

40 Sound Environment: The Right Whale to Save

Because they were known as the “right” whales to kill, right whales were hunted nearly to extinction. Today, explains Monica Pepe, Policy Manager for Conservation and Education at Whale and Dolphin Conservation in Plymouth, MA, these gentle giants are too often becoming entangled in commercial fishing gear.

44 MudRatz Take Toronto!

Created to complement youth sailing programs in Southeastern Connecticut by enabling enthusiastic sailors to practice together as a team and travel to regattas around North America, MudRatz brought two boats to the Melges 24 Canadian National Championship last fall. Peter Cronin has the report, and his mom Julia Cronin has the photos.

46 Video Volvo

In all likelihood, the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 is one of the most watched events the history of yacht racing. We caught up with Leon Sefton, Head of Television for this edition, to learn about what it takes to bring this ‘roundthe-world marathon to legions of fans.

52 The Magic Box

Teams coached by Victor Kovalenko have won ten Olympic Sailing medals (six of them gold), and he’s bundled the fundamentals of success on the racecourse into a tidy package. In this excerpt from his book The Medal Maker, Roger Vaughan gives us a look at what’s inside.

On the cover: The 6 Metre yacht Syce (US 14) is pictured in the 163rd New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta presented by Rolex.

Commissioned by a Stamford Yacht Club syndicate for the British American Team Race Challenge in 1922, Syce (Stamford Yacht Club Entry) was designed by Samuel Crocker at John G. Alden, Inc. and built by George Lawley & Sons.

Restored in 1990 and owned by Bob & Farley Towse of Stamford, CT, she’s one of the loveliest Sixes on the water. © Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com

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Letters Send it!

Dear Sailing Community, The overwhelming response and generosity to Jim Hahn’s GoFundMe page (gofundme.com/JimHahn) has been a powerful cog in Jim’s recovery. Watching the fund jump to over $100,000 in under 48 hours and reading the thoughtful comments put Jim and his family into full-send mode.

Jim’s catastrophic skiing accident on February 3 left him paralyzed from the waist down, and a GoFundMe page was quickly established to ensure that he can one day return to his Alix, Jim and Nick Hahn life as the well-known energetic Ronstan traveling salesman, a sailor with a wealth of nautical knowledge and jokes, and the consummate cheerleader for his family (his wife Alix is a two-time International Women’s Keelboat Champion and his son Nick is an American Yacht Club Optimist sailor).

Jim is already making great progress in physical therapy and while the Hahn’s course has been changed forever, the wave of support from the sailing community – well beyond what we origi-

nally hoped – is helping them navigate their new reality. Please know your good vibes and well wishes are fueling Jim’s recovery and giving them all the strength to get through today and look towards future days on the water.

With great appreciation and of course, Send it!

Carolyn Russell, Meghan Hopkins, and Jennifer Leary Forward Thinking Editor’s note: The On Watch article in our January/February issue, about Abby Smith of New England Boatworks, highlighted a remarkable person who’s dedicated to the future of Rhode Island’s marine industry, as well as a company that’s built some of the fastest, most beautiful custom boats on the water while leading the way in ocean stewardship.

Abby, What a wonderful article. You are a true asset to our industry and sport. Keep thinking and rethinking ideas for moving forward environmentally.

Martha Parker, Newport, RI

The staff of New England Boatworks, the largest Clean Marina in Rhode Island, poses with a Trash Skimmer (provided by Clean Ocean Access with funding from 11th Hour Racing) at the company’s facility in Portsmouth. © New England Boatworks

Reflections I love the content and format of WindCheck. I am a Rhodes 19 racer/sailor, and dabble in other sailing opportunities whenever I can. My sailing experiences are rooted in two seasons of Mirror dinghy racing with my dad on the Swan River (fresh water bay) in Perth, Western Australia as a young teen in 1970 - 1972. On the line with over 50 other Mirrors, we got up close and personal with hundreds of other racers from small boats up to America’s Cup wannabe Challengers.

Your magazine fills a void in the region, for those of us interested in sailing, to keep up with other events and happenings.

The ‘On Watch’ and Editor’s Log are where I start. I sail out of the Coasters Harbor Navy Yacht Club now, with a daysailer parked in the backyard until I can stop the day job. See you on the water, David Dill, PE, Warwick, RI David – Thank you for the kind words. Our intrepid Contributing Editor Joe Cooper hails from Sydney, and would likely enjoy blowin’ the froth off a couple with you. ■ 8 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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Kim Hapgood is RIMTA’s Boater of the Year The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA) has named Kim Hapgood of Newport, RI, the Program Director at Sail Newport, its 2018 Boater of the Year. The award was presented at RIMTA’s Industry Breakfast at the Providence Boat Show.

Presented annually, the John H. Chafee Boater of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has contributed to the success of the recreational boating industry in Rhode Island or championed the cause of bringing recreational boating to the public.

“Our sport and our industry can only thrive if people develop a passion for being on the water, and Kim Hapgood’s career has been all about making that happen,” said Susan Daly, RIMTA’s Vice President of Programs and MarPhoto courtesy of Sail Newport keting, who made the presentation. “Kim has helped people of all ages gain access to the water and the necessary skills that turn boating into their activity of choice.”

Hapgood joined Sail Newport in 1996 and is part of the team that’s developed the facility into one of the world’s premier public sailing centers. She trains and manages a team of instructors, develops course curriculum, and has played a central role in creating a groundbreaking, experiential-educational program where all fourth graders in Newport public schools will learn to sail.

One of only six certified US Sailing Master Trainers in the country, she’s frequently sought after to run workshops at national sailing symposiums. She’s been a member of the Narragansett Bay Yachting Association Junior Sailing Committee for decades, ensuring instructors on the Bay are certified and spending her own time planning training and youth regatta schedules.

“Access to the water is a challenge in many places that have a waterfront,” said Hapgood. “Working with the state, Sail Newport has been able to preserve that access for the public. It is not only providing access to boats and instruction. You need to make sure that person’s first experience on the water is a good experience.”

Because Hapgood was presenting at the Sailing Leadership Forum, Sail Newport Executive Director Brad Read accepted the award in her absence. “I cannot think of a more deserving recipient from our sailing community,” he said. “Sail Newport would not be what it is today without the leadership of Kim Hapgood and her tireless dedication to public access to sailing.” ■

Cynthia Goss contributed to this report.

CT Spring Boat Show is May 4 - 6 The Connecticut Spring Boat Show will be held Friday, May 4 to Sunday, May 6 at Brewer Essex Island Marina, located at 11 Ferry Street in Essex, CT. The show is a production of WindCheck Magazine and is sponsored by Brewer Essex Island Marina, Essex Boat Works, Yacht Brokers Association of America, and YachtWorld. This year, 100% of attendee gate proceeds will go to Sails Up 4 Cancer.

“We are so excited to be a part of this growing show, and this year is a big step forward,” said Tom Pilkington, owner of Prestige Yacht Sales. “This boutique boat show, located in one of the most beautiful waterfront towns in New England, has expanded to offer a larger assortment of new and brokerage boats, more land exhibits while still allowing for boaters to spend time on boats of interest, and chat with the brokers in an informative and relaxed manner.

It is one of the most successful shows we attend, and now it will be even better with this more significant financial contribution to support such an important cause that touches so many.”

Over 2,500 visitors are anticipated with a suggested donation of $5 per person to benefit SailsUp4Cancer, a non-profit organization and local charity who distributes funds raised to families impacted by cancer. Attendees will see a wide range of new and brokerage, power and sail models with sea trials available. Boating gear, accessories, waterfront real estate and “water lifestyle” service companies will also be on site.

© ctspringboatshow.com

Brewer Essex Island Marina is located on a beautiful 13-acre private island on the Connecticut River, accessed by a complementary ferry service, and offers 125 slips accommodating vessels up to 200 feet. Free parking on the mainland will be provided by Essex Boat Works at 9 Ferry Street. This resort marina is family friendly and offers restaurant dining as well as other food, beverage and fun vendors who will be open for the weekend.

Based in Mystic, CT, Sails Up 4 Cancer is dedicated to supporting cancer care, education, prevention and research along the Shoreline and Southeastern regions of Connecticut. To learn more, go to SU4C.org. For more information about the Connecticut Spring Boat Show, log onto ctspringboatshow.com. ■

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Long Island Sound Expedition 201 - Seminar is April 7

Aeroyacht Now Representing McConaghy Multihulls

Over the past few years, two-time America’s Cup winning navigator Peter Isler and North U have produced a series of highly acclaimed webinars on the use of Expedition software for Navigation and Yacht Racing all over the world. Now, North U, Landfall and Isler Sailing International have teamed up to present Expedition 201, the Peter Isler © islersailing.com first ever Expedition seminar specifically for sailors who want to win races on Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound. This full-day, hands-on event will be held at SUNY Maritime College’s MAC Maritime Academic Center in the Bronx, NY on Saturday, April 7 from 9 am to 4 pm.

Led by Isler, this workshop will explore how to get the most out of Expedition’s tools in the context of racing in Long Island Sound and out into Block Island Sound when racing around Buzzards Bay Tower or Block Island, and of course getting through the Race or Plum Gut. Topics include pre-race preparation, route optimization, coastal piloting, strategy, weather data and analysis, local knowledge, starting, optimizing performance underway, and much more.

The course is aimed at the tactical team – skipper, navigator and tactician – who are using (or want to use) Expedition software on their boat. At least one member of the boat’s team should be well versed in the use of Expedition. Completion of NorthU’s online Expedition101 webinar would be the target skill level. Isler will be supported by North U’s Bill Gladstone and Landfall’s Kevin Cahoon, who will help provide one-on-one coaching. The course will be augmented with presentations by special guests with Long Island Sound racing laurels.

If you’re a skipper, navigator or tactician and you’re serious about maximizing your performance, Expedition 201/LIS is a must. Bring your laptop, loaded with Expedition and your boat’s polars and sail chart. Check-in begins at 8:30 am and enrollment is limited, so register soon at northu.com/product/longisland-sound-exp-201. ■

McConaghy Boats has appointed Aeroyacht Ltd., a multihull specialist and international catamaran dealership in East Setauket, NY, to represent McConaghy Multihulls as an importer in North America and South America.

“The sector of high performance luxury catamarans is on a growth path, and the exciting new range of McConaghy Multihulls starting from the MC50 all the way to the MC90 are an excellent addition to our current range of Bavaria and Sunreef catamarans,” said Gregor Tarjan, CEO and Founder of Aeroyacht. “They offer innovations such as safe, retracting centerboards, a very sporty flybridge and an amazing open-floorplan luxury interior. The McConaghy brand really set themselves apart from other builders in this sector. McConaghy multihulls are all about lifestyle defining features and provide a unique experience to the owner. We feel privileged and excited that we can represent this beautiful brand in the U.S.”

Jason Ker of Ker Yacht Design drew the McConaghy MC50’s stunning lines. © mcconaghyboats.com

“We are very pleased to have Gregor Tarjan of Aeroyacht Ltd. on board,” said Mark Evans, CEO of McConaghy Boats.

“His international reputation in the industry precedes him and his in-depth knowledge and long involvement in the world’s most illustrious catamarans makes him our number one choice to represent our brand in the Americas. Gregor is not only a professional multihull importer, but also a yacht designer with several catamarans to his credit. He was involved in the Stars & Stripes Americas Cup build campaign, which lets him understand the high level of technical detail which go into our yachts.

We have confidence that Gregor will take our new multihull brand to the next level and establish it at the very top of the market.” For more information, visit aeroyacht.com and mcconaghyboats.com/multihulls. ■

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Bristol Marine Acquires Boothbay Harbor Shipyard

Andy Tyska, President of Rhode Island-based Bristol Marine, has acquired Boothbay Harbor Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor, ME. Located at the head of Boothbay Harbor, the yard joins Bristol Marine’s two other locations of working waterfront, including facilities in Bristol, RI and Somerset, MA. A vital part of Maine’s shipbuilding tradition, Boothbay Harbor Shipyard has accommodated a wide range of vessels since the late 1800s, including tall ships and superyachts, tugboats and Navy vessels, sailing yachts and workboats. Shipyard operations will continue under the leadership of Eric Graves, and facility improvements will be devised to make the yard’s expertise and craftsmanship more accessible to yachts visiting the region.

“The acquisition of Boothbay Harbor Shipyard will further increase our capacity and diversify the level of service we can offer along the East Coast through Bristol Marine,” said Tyska. “Under Eric’s leadership, the shipyard has undertaken some of the greatest repair and restoration projects in New England, and I know that Eric, together with the yard’s talented shipwrights and skilled workers, will build on that past success and effect improvements that will make their skills and services more available to today’s boaters.”

Andy Tyska (left) and Eric Graves at Boothbay Harbor Shipyard © Robert Mitchell

Boothbay Harbor Shipyard offers a complete range of marine-related repairs and services. The yard’s 700-ton marine railway has braced tall ships, superyachts, tugboats, fishing trawlers, passenger boats, ferries, and Navy and Coast Guard vessels; the 150-ton railway has accommodated sailing yachts, workboats, schooners, and motor vessels. Ongoing projects at the yard include the restoration of the 156-foot schooner Ernestina Morrissey, the official vessel of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a National Historic Landmark, and the 171-foot, three-masted tall ship Friendship of Salem, owned by the U.S. National Park Service.

Tyska founded Bristol Marine in 1998. In addition to providing a customized level of service on boats of all types, the company has also been a preserver of working waterfront and marine-trades jobs, employing nearly 50 skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen.

The company has also acquired and improved commercial real estate in the Bristol area, much of which has become home to over 30 marine-related businesses that employ over 300 individuals.

For more information, contact Tyska at 401-641-2872 or andy@bristolmarine.com. ■ Cynthia Goss contributed to this report.

Riverport Women’s Sailing Conference is March 31 ​ e Riverport Women’s Sailing Conference will be held on SatTh urday, March 31 at the Riverport Wooden Boat School, which is located at the Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM) at 50 Rondout Landing in Kingston, NY.

Modeled on the National Women’s Sailing Conference, which has endorsed this project, this women-teaching-women event is a full day of exploration for female sailors from beginner to advanced. The event is expanding this year with classes held at the Riverport Wooden Boat School, the HRMM East Gallery, and museum conference room. Hands-on workshops are paired with classroom theory, history lectures and intimate conversation circles.

Thanks to sponsorship by the Hudson River Maritime Museum, the conference has doubled its class offerings and increased registration to 90 participants this year, including teens. Topics include basic sailing theory, advanced racing techniques, navigation, cruise preparation, boat purchasing, spring boat preparation, marine diesel, electrical, sail care and line management overviews, history lectures, knots and sailor’s fancywork.

Special conference weekend hotel rates are available at Best Western in Kingston (845-338-0400). Mention Riverport Women’s Sailing Conference when reserving. The fee of $65 for HRMM members (Household & above), $75 for non-members, and $35 for ages 13-19 includes lunch. Optional dinners are available on Friday and Saturday evening. For program information, email Deb Medenbach at dmedenbach@gmail.com. To register, log onto hrmm.org/sailing-conference.html. ■

Please send news about your business, programs and events to contactus@windcheckmagazine.com

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Classic Yacht Owners’ Association Welcomes Bill Lynn as Managing Director The directors of the Classic Yacht Owners’ Association (CYOA) have welcomed Bill Lynn as the organization’s new Managing Director. The membership-driven, non-profit CYOA was formed in 2015 to encourage fellowship amongst those who are dedicated to owning, maintaining, and racing both classic yachts and newer yachts designed and built in the spirit of the classics. Lynn will oversee day-to-day operations of the association.

Lynn replaces Clark Poston, founding Managing Director of CYOA and the architect of its success over the past two years.

“Clark’s been a fantastic director of CYOA, and our success over the past two years is entirely due to his Photo by Joe Berkeley hard work and dedication,” said CYOA Chairman Chuck Townsend. “Bill will have some big shoes to fill, but we’re thrilled he’s agreed to join us, and we’re

confident he’ll steer us in the right direction.”

“I’m really looking forward to taking on the challenge of building CYOA into a vibrant community of classic yachting enthusiasts,” said Lynn. “I love the boats, and I know many of the owners and sailors. This should be fun!”The CYOA’s goal is to help shape the future of the sport by influencing and cultivating long-term regional cooperation amongst those who are dedicated to owning, maintaining, and racing sailing vessels. It also works to promote and educate classic yacht owners in the U.S. with the objective of attracting new members and creating new funding opportunities to support future classic yacht events. For more information, visit classicyachtownersassociation.org. ■ Kate Wilson at RisingT contributed to this report.

Lighthouse Boat Tours The National Lighthouse Museum in Staten Island, NY is hosting a series of tours aboard the 120-foot Majestic Princess this season. The first tour, “Circumnavigate the Island Of Staten” on Saturday, May 19, will cruise along the New York and New Jersey shorelines and pass under the Bayonne, Goethals, Outerbridge and Verrazano bridges. The Midweek New York Harbor and Raritan Bay Lighthouse Boat Tour on Wednesday, May 23 will pass at least 10 lighthouses, most not visible from land.

Next up is a Sunset Harbor and Bay Tour of New York Harbor and Raritan Bay on Saturday, June 23. The tours above depart from Pier 1, adjacent to the National Lighthouse Museum, while some other upcoming tours (which run through Saturday, October 20) depart from the World Financial Center Pier in Lower Manhattan.

© lighthousemuseum.org

Lighthouse Boat Tours commence rain or shine, and boarding begins 30 minutes before departure. Indoor seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Light refreshments available for purchase on board. Please be aware that there may be boarding limitations for individuals with disabilities at certain piers. For more information including the complete list of tours and to purchase tickets, call 718-390-0040 or log onto lighthousemuseum.org/visit/lighthouse-boat-tours. ■ 16 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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Designer Series Rendezvous to Honor Sparkman & Stephens The second annual Designer Series Rendezvous will take place July 18 - 22 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI. Launched in 2017, the Designer Series recognizes the legacy of iconic yacht designers worldwide. The 2018 honoree is Sparkman & Stephens.

This five-day rendezvous will bring together all who share the

love of yachting including S & S yacht owners, the marine industry and the public. In addition to one-design and big boat races, parties, entertainment and awards dinners the event will include participation opportunities for S & S-designed boats of all sizes and vintage including power and sail. The mission of the Designer Series includes the creation of a scholarship and mentor program to help cultivate the leading designers of tomorrow, while celebrating the designers of yesterday and today.

For registration information for Sparkman & Stephens yacht owners and the general public, or to inquire about partnership opportunities, contact Carol Beecher at 401-236-8166 or email her at saltwatereventsri@gmail.com. More information can found at designerseries.org. ■

NESS Long Island Sound Drawing Contest

Last year’s inaugural Designer Series Rendezvous celebrated the achievements of Ted Hood. © designerseries.org

New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS) in Stonington, CT is looking for young artists to participate in a drawing contest for a calendar entitled “Long Island Sound and Its Watershed: What It Means to Me.” The contest is designed to engage youth in environmental stewardship and watershed conservation and is open to all Connecticut students currently in grades K-6.

A panel of judges will choose two first place and two honorable mention winners from each grade as this year’s award recipients.

Their artwork will be featured in a calendar in 2019.

Participating classes, schools, and individuals are asked to select one drawing per eligible grade to submit for judging and mail them to NESS no later than April 6, 2018. Individual children may submit a drawing on their own if the class or school is not participating. The contest is a great opportunity for parents and teachers to provide their students with a hands-on experience and to educate them about Long Island Sound and its watershed. In the 2017 competition, over 1,800 talented young artists from across the state participated in the contest. For full contest rules, visit nessf.org/schools/LIScalendar. ■ 18 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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Peter Duncan & Erika Reineke are US Sailing’s 2017 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year A seasoned veteran steeped in determination and a breakthrough performer on the verge of stardom are US Sailing’s 2017 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year. J/70 World Champion Peter Duncan (Rye, NY) and Enoshima Olympic Week Laser Radial Gold Medalist Erika Reineke (Fort Lauderdale, FL) were selected for their remarkable sailing performances last year.

Reineke and Duncan were honored on Wednesday, February 28 during a luncheon at the New York Yacht Club in Manhattan, where each received a specially-engraved Rolex timepiece.

A lifelong one-design sailor and proud member of American Yacht Club, Duncan, 58, was once again at the top of his game in 2017 at the highest levels of international competition and in a variety of classes. He received this honorable distinction for first time in his illustrious career. “I was honored just to be nominated,” said Duncan. “When I found out I won, I was just stunned. It is so humbling to be associated with so many great sailors who have won this award. It’s an honor of a lifetime.”

Duncan’s year was highlighted with a win at the ultra-competitive Audi J/70 World Championship in in Sardinia, Italy. He and his talented crew including Jud Smith, Victor Diaz de Leon and Willem van Waay won the 161-boat event by a 15-point margin.

Duncan’s Relative Obscurity was dominant through six races. They placed in the top three in each race, including three wins. “You can’t find a better crew to sail with as far as I’m concerned,” said

Peter Duncan (at left) and crew Jud Smith, Victor Diaz de Leon and Willem van Waay on their way to victory in the 2017 Audi J/70 World Championship.

Duncan.

Duncan won four other J/70 regattas in 2017, including the Italian National Championships, New England Championships, Bacardi Cup and Sail Newport Regatta. His team placed second out of 58 at the J/70 North American Championship and third at the European J/70 Championship. Duncan participated in multiple classes throughout 2017, including the Etchells, Melges 20 and Melges 24. His Etchells team won the Sidney Doren Memo-

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Erika Reineke’s achievements in 2017 included winning the gold medal at Enoshima Olympic Week. © Jesus Renedo/Sailing Energy/World Sailing

rial Regatta in Coconut Grove, FL.

“I love the competition and I enjoy racing in large fleets,” said Duncan. “That to me is wildly exciting. But it’s also about all the camaraderie and the people that you meet and the places you go.

Luckily, the fleets we compete in are generally the same, so whatever issues you might have had out on the water are usually left on the water and it’s really a great group of people to spend time with.”

Reineke, 24, is a first time Rolex Yachtswoman of Year. The Florida native and veteran US Sailing Team athlete distinguished herself nationally and internationally while competing in both collegiate sailing and the Olympic Laser Radial class in 2017. “I was a little shocked when I got the phone call, but I’m really proud,” she said. “Just to even make it onto the shortlist, with so many other

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amazing sailors, was a big achievement for me. I’m super happy and really thankful for everybody who has supported me over the years.”

Reineke’s 2017 highlights include being honored as the 2017 Quantum Women’s College Sailor of the Year, winning A-Division at ICSA Women’s College Nationals, placing third in the A-Division at ICSA Coed College Nationals, winning silver at the Aarhus World Championship Test event in the Laser Radial, and winning gold at Enoshima Olympic Week 2017.

Twenty-seventeen was a time of transition for Reineke, who started her year focusing on intercollegiate competition at Boston College. After graduation, she moved into training with the US Sailing Team in the Laser Radial full-time, and continued chasing her Olympic dream. “I took a year off [for the Rio 2016 Olympic Trials] and came back to a team that I didn’t know as well, but they welcomed me back with open arms,” she said.

“It’s definitely hard to balance the two worlds of school and sailing, but I think it was worth it,” said Reineke, who won her first major international championship at age 17 at the Laser Radial Class Youth Worlds. “I have learned a lot of different styles of sailing. I think I have a better perspective on sailing in general, and it was totally worth it.”

Established in 1961 by US Sailing and sponsored by Rolex Watch, U.S.A. since 1980, the annual presentation of US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards is considered the sport’s ultimate recognition of an individual’s outstanding on-the-water achievements for the calendar year. To learn more, visit rolex.ussailing.org. ■

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New York Yacht Club’s Summer of Sailing Founded in 1844, New York Yacht Club is a mainstay of sailboat racing in the Northeast. Since the commissioning in 1988 of its first permanent waterfront facility, Harbor Court in Newport, RI, NYYC has the perfect location to run events on Narragansett Bay and Block Island Sound, perhaps one of the most beautiful and reliable venues on the planet. We sat down with NYYC Commodore Phil Lotz to discuss the upcoming season.

We also checked in with Harry Melges III, CEO of Melges Performance Sailboats in Zenda, WI, to learn more about the IC37, the exciting new onedesign class that will carry the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup into its second decade and beyond.

PL: We will run starts for classes with a minimum of eight boats.

Just contact us and we’ll try to get your fleet on the starting line.

WC: This is a Newport Bermuda Race year too, so this event is part of the Onion Patch Series.

PL: Yes, that definitely adds to the excitement, even if you’re not racing to Bermuda.

WindCheck: Phil, how do you determine what events the Club is going to run in a given summer?

Phil Lotz: We plan the schedule about five or more years out, so we’re now out to 2022. Planning starts with the fixtures like the annual and semi-annual regattas.

WC: Does the NYYC have racing for people who are not Club members?

PL: Most of our racing involves non-member participation.

There are a few member-only events, but one of the missions of the Club is to promote the sport in all its forms. From team racing to PHRF to inter-club “big boat” racing and Grand Prix events, the Club consistently welcomes all to participate. This season starts with the Leukemia Cup on June 2. It’s a great warm-up for a great cause, and we welcome all PHRF boats.

The only limitation is that you need a Narragansett Bay PHRF rating.

The following weekend, we host the oldest annual regatta in the country. This year is the 164th Annual Regatta, June 8 - 10.

Friday the 8th is the Around-the-Island Race, which is a fun and great way to get tuned up before going around the buoys. The Regatta is open to PHRF boats from 25 feet on up, as well as IRC, ORC, one-design classes, Classics, 12 Metres, M32s, and offshore Multihulls. We look at this as a “super regional event” and hope to have boats ranging from Marblehead to Western Long Island Sound to come and kick off the summer with us.

WC: That’s a lot of classes! How are One-Designs selected?

This year marks the 164th running of the oldest annual regatta in the U.S., the NYYC Annual Regatta presented by Rolex. Pictured in last year’s event is Donald Santa’s J/105 Santas Reign, Dear (Edgewater, MD). © Rolex/Daniel Forster

WC: OK, my summer is off to a fantastic start! I catch my breath, then come back to Newport for the One-Design Regatta June 30 - July 1?

PL: Yes. This year, we host Etchells, J/70s, Melges 20s, Stars and IC37s. Weather-wise, this might be the “plum” weekend.

Maximum daylight, typically great seabreeze, summer warmth... it’s about as perfect for these classes as you can ask for, and we are very excited to host them.

WC: And then we have Race Week at Newport presented

by Rolex (July 16 - 21). A quick read of the NOR on your website and you really see the diversity accommodated at this event.

PL: Yes, Race Week has something for everybody. Registration opens on the Monday. The same broad range of classes are hosted but we have some clinics on the Monday and Tuesday.

Traditional buoy racing for one-designs, IRC and ORC classes and then Navigators Racing around government marks or a middle distance race for PHRF boats.

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WC: So, I really could bring the family to this one…

PL: Well, that’s the beauty of Race Week. It’s mid-summer and you can pick and choose what kind of sailing you want to do, from pretty relaxed to fairly intense competition. The final day is a Saturday, so wrapping up the week is not a big stress event for family programs.

WC: August looks like team race month at Harbor Court.

PL: We do run our three biggest annual team races in August.

First is the Morgan Cup (August 3 - 5), which is an invitational based on winning one of a few select team racing events or by resumé. Then we have the Hinman Masters (August 17 - 19) for skippers 45 and over and teammates 40 and over. Then the Grandmasters (August 24 - 26) for skippers 60 and over and crew 50 and over. We run these events in our fleet of 22 Sonars.

WC: OK, so we’re done right? Back to school...pack it in?

PL: We are not quite done. We host the Resolute Cup September 10 - 15. We like to think of the Resolute Cup as a de facto

that for a moment. Everyone in the sailing community owes Rolex a big thank you for their commitment to the sport. I’d also like to mention and thank some of our other partners for this upcoming year, including AIG’s Private Client Group and Helly Hansen.

WC: So Phil, we are really eager to dig into the Club’s next big initiative...and I don’t mean the America’s Cup. What is the new IC37 class?

PL: For starters, we needed a boat to carry on the foundation we have (ten years now) with the Rolex NYYC Invitational Cup; a biennial Corinthian competition amongst yacht clubs from around the world. The Swan 42 worked well, but we needed to move on so we did the following: We are building 20 boats that the Club will own. In addition to using them for the Rolex IC, Members can charter them for the season, but it’s unlike other charters – it’s a concierge charter. You pick up the boat two days before an event, bring your own sails (which are just three), and return the boat at the end of the event. The teams will be strictly Category 1 amateur with one Category 3 boat captain, and that will be pretty strictly monitored in terms of who that Cat 3 is (sorry, Kenny). Additionally, there is a requirement for women to be on the team once the crew is over 6 people (8 is the expected size).

WC: Do you get the same boat all season?

Jack McGuire’s J/29 Dirty Harry (Annapolis, MD) surfs past Castle Hill Light in last year’s NYYC Annual Regatta presented by Rolex. © Rolex/Daniel Forster

yacht club national championship. We invite 30 U.S. clubs to race Sonars, and we work hard to spread the invitations around the country. It’s a perfect time of year, as teams have all summer to get ready.

WC: You have a great history with sponsors, and we should give them their due.

PL: Thanks and thanks for bringing this up. We like to recognize our sponsors at every opportunity we get. This is Rolex’s 60th anniversary of involvement with the Club. Think about windcheckmagazine.com

PL: Not necessarily – you probably won’t get the same boat two events in a row. We have very strict control of the boats, and the rules are written to be very tight. The only rigging adjustments are the blocks under the mast for tension. You cannot adjust the shrouds. So, it’s simply up to pulling the big strings, including the running backstays and dealing with an asymmetrical kite that will be retrievable through a string system. The design brief was for a boat that was fun to sail upwind, without insane hiking, but would achieve the downwind speeds that everyone is getting used to; in the mid-teens. It should be a lot closer to a small TP52 than a Melges 32.

WC: Why is this relevant to other sailors and clubs in the Northeast and beyond?

PL: Melges is running the class and as I said, we have built very tight rules: one builder, measurement templates, one sailmaker, one hardware provider, etc. You can see the rules at melgesic37class.com/rules/. If somebody wants to purchase a “private” boat to race with our fleet of 20 boats, we anticipate that boat to be on the starting line for less than $300,000.

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WC: Hold on. How is that possible? You can finance that for less than $15,000 per year. (Editor’s note: WindCheck is not a licensed financial advisor, and past performance is not proof of future outcomes. Please consult your registered financial advisor to check this math. But do feel free to contact Melges Performance Sailboats anyway.)

PL: You said it, not me. But I do encourage people to check out the IC37 Class rules because they will see where a lot of the one-

WC: And…?

PL: If we were to win it for the United States, one of the obvious venues to host would be Newport. But that’s a long way off. In the near term, one of the goals of the campaign is to rejuvenate and showcase the technology, marine industry and sailors that the U.S. is capable of producing and winning the America’s Cup. The Club would not be involved without that part of the mission. For example, NYYC and the Team are partnered with Oakcliff Sailing and the US Sailing Team to make sure we are connecting with some of the most promising sailors in the USA. WC: Well, that’s outstanding news and I’m sure all of our readers wish this campaign the very best. I’m equally sure that we’ll revisit this conversation in the future. Thanks Phil!

And now on to Harry Melges to fact check this IC37 program.

WC: Harry from Wisconsin! Thanks for calling in! So, WindCheck, LLC wants to buy an IC37.

How much will it cost?

The product of the New York Yacht Club’s partnership with Melges Performance Sailboats, Mills Design, Westerly Marine and North Sails, the IC37 is the next great one-design class. © Melges Performance Sailboats

design direction helps keep costs down. Three sails only, no wind instruments, and crew limitations are all designed to provide great racing for Corinthian men, women and juniors! We are very excited about the prospects.

WC: OK Phil, I think you’re pulling my leg, probably because you’re still bitter about that Lightning Midwinters in ‘88 where I cost you and Wendy the title to the dreaded Dave Curtis. (Editor’s note: Wendy Lotz, Phil’s wife, is an outstanding sailor.) Or maybe it was that J/105 NAs where I totally blew that persistent right shift. But we’re interviewing Harry Melges (see below) to confirm what you’ve said…we have standards at WindCheck and we won’t be trifled with.

Harry Melges: Hang on...putting away the DN…What was the question? Oh, well the next available build slot is mid-2019 and the base cost is $279,000.

That can change because we have yet to pop out the very first one, but we are pretty confident. We have the 20 boats on order from the NYYC and then another 15 on top of that.

WC: So you already have 35 boats scheduled! Where are these other 15 orders from?

HM: Well, the Canada’s Cup organizers from Toronto have chosen the boat so that resulted in six orders. We have one order from Rochester, NY, one from the UK, one from Sweden, one from California and another six from the Northeast. It seems pretty popular.

WC: As my son would say, “Let’s GO!!!” That is outstanding, and congratulations. I think the concept is fantastic and I can’t wait to sail one!

PL: Umm, OK, you seem to have a better memory on all that than I do. All I remember are things like winning the Prince of Wales Bowl (U.S. Match Racing Champs) together…Speaking of which, don’t you want to ask me about the America’s Cup?

HM: Let me just echo what Phil said. Check out the rules. You’ll see that we’re going to attract Corinthian teams of all shapes and sizes: men, women, and juniors. It should be a great platform, so thanks and stay tuned!

WC: Oh! Yes, as a matter of fact we do. What can you tell us?

Thanks much Harry and Phil! Sounds like we need more vacation time!

PL: Well, it’s still really early days but we are very excited about the prospect of live training in Narragansett Bay in the summer of 2019.

To learn more about the New York Yacht Club, log onto nyyc.org.

Special thanks to Stuart Streuli, NYYC Director of Communications, for assistance with this story. ■

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Cruising French Polynesia

It was now time to plan the rest of our trip. We needed to go to the grocery in Viatape. We also wanted to see the “Lagoonarium” and on the way get some gasoline for the outboard. The tourist pamphlet indicated fuel was available on the mainland.

By Nancy G. Kaull & Dr. Paul F. Jacobs The fuel didn’t work out because there was absolutely no place to anchor. The bottom was completely rocky. We nearly touched Editor’s note: This article is the second part of an abridged excerpt the bottom of the keel getting out of there. We then motored from the authors’ excellent book, Voyages: Stories of ten Sunsail up the lagoon, crossed carefully through the unmarked pass, and owner cruises. If you missed Part I, you’ll find it at then anchored in the NE corner of the lagoon, near the espewindcheckmagazine.com. cially elegant Le Meridièn Hotel.

We took the dinghy into the Authors’ note: The following is based on Lagoonarium only to be told, “This Nancy’s detailed log entries and phois private.” We moved the dinghy out tographs. Where these are used directly of the way of the tourist outriggers they are shown in italics. General comcoming in and walked to see if we ments and discussions written by Paul wanted to do this. We were stopped are shown in regular font. The reader short by a little old fellow telling us can thus directly discern our slightly difwe couldn’t take a look. We could see ferent perspectives. it was simply a fenced in “pool” with This day’s adventure was to go to the many people snorkeling about and “Coral Gardens.” It was easy to find, it was apparently loaded with fish. as there were several hotel expedition The cost to enter was $25 each. We boats in the area tied to moorings. We decided this was the ultimate tourist anchored the dinghy nearby. Here you trap, when we could swim with tropireally do swim with the sharks and cal fish in the open ocean absolutely the rays! Why do they cluster closely free.

Passe Papai at the western entrance to Tahaa, with in this one spot when they have miles substantial breakers and spray coming over the adjacent We then asked an outrigger driver reef. © Nancy G. Kaull of lagoon to swim in? Because the where we could get gasoline for our tour boats toss chum into the water! dinghy. He said only in the town of Rather manipulative of nature, but Vaitape. Realizing it was a considerable it is surely effective for the tourists. distance (perhaps 5-6 miles) around the It was amazing to swim among 20 to north end of the lagoon to the nearest 25 black-tipped reef sharks as well as fueling station, he very kindly offered a dozen manta rays with no fear. The to bring us fuel at 1:30 pm, which was largest shark was about five feet long. extraordinarily generous! At almost The rays swim with one flap, then the precisely 1:30, his boat came back with other, in a very graceful, undulating my favorite Polynesian dressed in his motion, occasionally showing their loincloth (obviously for the benefit of extremely white bellies. tourists, I am sure). He was very friend Before going anywhere else in ly, with a great smile. He efficiently got the dinghy, we needed to find out his tank and our tank together, poured how much fuel we had. Using a in 1½ gallons, and then poured in some wooden stick we found on a motu random (to us) amount of oil for our as a dipstick, we determined that we two-stroke Tohatsu outboard motor. For Christina & Alain Plantier’s family building had only ¼ tank of gasoline remain1,000 FPF (about US$10), and a tip ing! After several long dinghy rides of © Nancy G. Kaull that he was surprisingly reluctant to approximately 1.5 miles each way, we take, we were now good to go. needed to find a source of gasoline fairly soon, as we planned to

Paul was curious to stop at the Le Meridièn just to see what it do several more such excursions. was like, and also to learn their price for a bungalow on the water. I

We decided to stay in this beautiful spot for yet another was reluctant to go, as we definitely did not look like guests. Security day. By sunset we had a new cluster of sailing neighbors. Five did make sure we behaved, and watched our every step to the recepcatamarans came in at the end of the day. Four of them were tion area. Every aspect of the exterior of the hotel was very posh. We from Sunsail, and of course we made five. Everyone was at least learned the price was $1,300 a day, not including food, and almost 200 feet apart, so all was well. $2,000 a day if you actually want to eat! They were completely

Part II: Les Iles Sous le Vent

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booked so they could not show us a room. We went back to our won- to a mooring for the Vanilla Tour. It is so quiet in this bay, with birds chirping and flowers floating by on the water, it seems almost derful Jeanneau 36i for which, by comparison, we pay $17 a day prehistoric. Paul contacted the Vanilla Tour people on VHF 9 and ($360 turnover & fuel fees for 21 days), plus food. We ate sautéed learned they need a minimum of four for a tour. We took the dinghy chicken with mushrooms, grilled potatoes, and sweet peas in butter in to meet Alain and Christina. Their very friendly dog greeted us at for dinner, with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc, and in 10 minutes the dock, giving me kisses as I climbed out of the dinghy. Paul talked showered in rainwater. Life was wonderful…and we get a different to Alain who agreed to do the tour for us (two at the price of four) view each day! tomorrow. It was a peaceful evening with flower blossoms floating

Back at the Bora Bora Yacht Club, we had a new and exceedingly showy neighbor – a Swan 66 named Lot 66 (a rather by as we swam. However, we unintentionally committed “un grand faux pas,” as we learned the next day, curious name?). We took the dinghy by charging the boat batteries too late in to the yacht club to make a dinner in the evening, and perhaps keeping reservation for 7:30 pm, and also had some people awake. Caution: Charteran interesting chat with the workers should NOT run their engines in ing crew from the Swan. They were this bay after sunset, because neighbors a nice young couple who had sailed have complained to the mayor and her in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, threatened to shut down Alain’s busiPanama Canal and Bora Bora, and ness. were headed on to Auckland, New We met Alain for the vanilla Zealand within the next month. tour at 7:30 sharp. The tour started

Dressed in my new and rather elon their property where they have egant blue pareo, we soon had a dinner lived for 30 years. They were finally extraordinaire of Canard Montmorency connected to electricity only six years (duck in black cherry sauce) for Paul, ago! Alain initially explained about and grilled Mahi Mahi with morel thatched roofs, how they are made sauce for me, although as we often do, from special woven palm leaves with Paul had a sample taste of mine, and A REALLY BIG ficus! © Nancy G. Kaull two leaves per layer. The roof must be vice-versa. Both meals were cooked steep to be waterproof, yet amazingly perfectly and tasted absolutely scrumpwill still let in air. A thatched roof tious! They were far and away the will last for only five years, thus the gastronomic treat of our time in French more common modern use of sheet Polynesia. I ate everything, which is metal roofs that last for as long as 30 somewhat rare for me. The setting was years. However, sheet metal roofs are unique, the service excellent, the trade very noisy in the rain and much hotwinds were blowing, Paul continued to ter in the tropical sun. speak French to the waiter, who actu The Vanilla Tour itself took place ally remembered us from the previous in Alain’s open 4-wheel drive vehiweek, and we both departed in the cle. The first of many stops was at the dinghy with superb aftertastes and very edge of a vanilla plantation. Vanilla happy tummies. is actually a vine that grows best sup The next day we were up and ported by a small tree. It likes slopes moving by 7:30, slipped the mooring where the water drains well. Each line, and were through Passe Teavanui blossom must be pollenated by hand at 8:30 am, at the SW corner of the Pamplemousse and star fruit © Nancy G. Kaull or by a special kind of bee that unforenormous reef at 9:30 am, and with tunately does not live on Tahaa.

12-15 knot winds, with gusts to 20 knots, we were again sailing

Amazingly, a good pollinator can do 3,000 vanilla blosacross the blue Pacific, back to Tahaa. Banana Man does not sail to weather particularly well with five year old sails that have been soms each day. Vanilla beans must be dried for four months before they can be used. Believe it or not, they also must be massaged at in continuous charter service. At times we had 12 knots of wind various intervals to achieve their best taste. from the East, and while beating, we were going only 3 knots

Next, we took a very rocky dirt road up to the highest peak over the ground. Consequently, although both Nancy and I are on Tahaa, where we had a great view of three bays, Huahine, avid sailors, and try to refrain from using the engine unless it and Bora Bora. Alain told us that these islands were originally is necessary – in this case it was necessary! So, we motorsailed formed by massive volcanic eruptions about six million years toward Tahaa. ago. At their highest, they were over 10,000 feet tall. How Once into the lagoon we motored up nearby Bai Hurepiti, windcheckmagazine.com

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ever, nearly daily tropical rains, and down roots. They are remarkable! the resulting erosion have worn them After a lovely swim to cool off, and down to “only” a few thousand feet. In some lunch, we eventually slipped the another two million years they will be mooring line and motored gently down worn away, and the islands will become Bai Hurepiti, raising the mainsail and just atolls, or a reef surrounding a unfurling the genoa in light winds. At central lagoon, with nothing left in the about 3 pm we motored into the wind center. He also explained that the reason to allow us to get the anchor down well reefs have openings is that rainwater before dark. At this point we had come runs down the mountain ravines, makes full circle, as we were now all the way the water in that part of the lagoon back to our first anchorage in French brackish, but the coral reef polyps can Polynesia. Sadly, as all good things must only grow in seawater! How fortuitous, eventually come to an end, we headed or the water in the central lagoon would back to the Sunsail base at Raiatea. stagnate!

This photo of a sunset through the clouds over the

Using his machete, Alain then pro- mountains of Tahaa seems to convey some of the Some general observations about the primitive and incredibly beautiful characteristics of vided us with a phenomenal mini feast islands: of star fruit, pamplemousse (grapefruit), this magical place. © Nancy G. Kaull 1. On a clear night The Southern and coconut served on a ‘plate’ of breadCross is always visible. It is small relative fruit leaves. These leaves are also used to wrap food for cookto other constellations, but is easy to find with its pointer stars. ing. The Polynesian pamplemousse is very much sweeter than the This was a first for me. grapefruit we normally eat from Florida, and it is also seedless.

2. The majestic beauty of the volcanic mountains rising out

The Vanilla Tour was wonderful, and if you ever get to of the sea is mystical and otherworldly. It is like no other place Tahaa do not miss it. Alain is a trained biologist, was educated in we have ever been. The only vaguely similar place is the Tobago France, and he and Christina came to French Polynesia about 30 Cays because of the sandy bottom and clear water. This is vast years ago, fell in love with the whole area, checked out various and isolated. islands, discovered Tahaa, purchased land, built dwelling after

3. There are very few other sailboats. We saw almost none as dwelling, planted trees, and both literally and figuratively set we passed between islands.

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4. The islands are lush, with multiple layers of green foliage right down to the sand on the beach. It is either green, or sandy, or blue.

5. Getting fuel and water was not obvious and A stained glass panel in Papeete Airport dinghy docks © Nancy G. Kaull were few and far between.

6. Bora Bora’s Mount Otemanu is 2,385 feet tall and so incredibly impressive. Sleeping in the cockpit in the presence of Otemanu, with the nearly full moon shining brightly, and the sound of the waves on the reefs, was one of my favorite things.

7. Outriggers practice intently in most places, particularly in Bora Bora near the yacht club. Are they practicing for competition? Might this be their national sport?

French and some speak English, but not all. Some Polynesians, such as those on Maupiti, may speak only Tahitian.

2. Credit cards are widely accepted, as are US dollars, but it is convenient to have local currency, FPF (French Pacific Franc), for small purchases. We exchanged money at the airport and got cash from an ATM in Bora Bora. The exchange rate was 100 FPF = 1.09 USD.

3. Provisioning is relatively easy, and we shopped where the locals shop, so prices were quite reasonable. Alcohol was sold in the grocery stores.

4. Everything is closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.

5. Have an incredible time! Of all our Sunsail voyages – and we loved many aspects of each and every one of them – we both agreed that this one was our absolute favorite. ■ Nancy G. Kaull and Dr. Paul F. Jacobs live in Saunderstown, RI. Their highly recommended book, Voyages: Stories of ten Sunsail owner cruises is available at Amazon.com.

You’ll find several excerpts at windcheckmagazine.com.

Things to know before you go: 1. Definitely brush up on your French. Most people speak

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from the captain of the port The Good Samaritan – Safety of Life at Sea

By Vincent Pica Commodore, First District, Southern Region (D1SR) United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Any school child knows, or at least believes, if you see a person or boat in distress on the water, the “law of the sea” demands that you render assistance. Simple human decency would require no less and, from time immemorial, this has been law of the sea. But we live in a modern and litigious world… Having just come upon a number this patrol season where USCGAux 251384 provided assistance to a disabled vessel, it occurred to me that we ought to refresh this information. So, what are the facts?

Your Duty to Assist As said above, from time immemorial, seamen have always come to the rescue of those in distress on the high seas. In fact, Admiralty Law has consistently encouraged such actions. Those “that go down to the sea in ships” have by law and precedent been urged to assist in life-saving efforts. On the U.S. Federal books (46 U.S.C. paragraph 2304), it states:

“A Master or individual in charge of a vessel shall render assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost, so far as the Master or individual in charge can do so without serious danger to the Master’s or individual’s vessel or individuals on board.” (Emphases mine.)

It goes on to specify that those that fail to do so can be fined (up to $1,000) and imprisoned (up to 2 years). When a maritime law says, “shall,” it means “must.”

For those that are expert wordsmiths, the term “at sea” doesn’t evoke the Forge River or Seatuck Cove – or does it? Centuries of practice would argue that they are part of the seas and, in fact, the USCG Rules of Navigation (the COLREGs) embody, in Rule 1, the connectedness of our waters:

“These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels.”

The “Good Sam” Laws The Congress and Admiralty Courts have addressed this little “at sea” loophole via the Good Samaritan regulations. Federal Law 46 U.S.C. paragraph 2303(c) states that the Master or individual involved in rendering assistance “is not liable for damages as a result of rendering assistance or for an act or omission in providing or arranging salvage, towage, medical treatment or other assistance when the individual acts as an ordinary, reasonable and prudent individual would have acted under the circumstances.” This creates, in legalese, a “high legal hurdle” to prove a case against a Good Samaritan. The Admiralty Courts have always considered the chilling effect that a decision against a Good Samaritan would have upon centuries of life-saving practice. Even if the Good

Samaritan made the situation worse, the Court has only ruled against the “Good Sam” if they were grossly negligent or exhibited “reckless or wanton conduct” in attempting the rescue.

This doesn’t mean that the rescuer even has to succeed – not all rescues do. The Court recognizes that, “under the bright light cast by hindsight,” a rescuer might have done something differently and thus outcomes might have been different. “A rescue attempt must be considered in the light of the circumstances that faced the rescuers when they acted and not with the wisdom of an ‘armchair admiral’ after the fact.” (Korpi v the United States, 961 F. Supp. 1335)

The tough part for you – the skipper – is deciding whether he or she is “standing into danger” that is beyond the capabilities of the crew or the vessel. However, when you see some vessel alongside the rocks in the Moriches Inlet, most skippers will try – and the Courts will applaud you, even if you have to back away.

Let me also add this – call the U.S. Coast Guard on channel 16 as soon as you see the situation develop. They will give you advice and counsel as the facts you relay would imply – and get a boat or helicopter underway at the same time. Also, all the commercial salvors, as is required of ANY boat equipped with a VHF radio is required to do by Federal regulation, monitor channel 16. They themselves are accomplished skippers and may also find the opportunity to assist in the circumstances, directly or via advice.

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

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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Calendar 2018 MARCH 1 Fighters Over the Fleet: Naval Air Defense from Biplanes to the Cold War In this Seamen’s Church Institute 8 Bells Lecture Series presentation, Dr. Norman Friedman will discuss the parallel evolution of naval fighters for fleet air defense and the ships they sought to defend. 12 - 1pm; Seamen’s Church Institute, Newport, RI; the series is open to the public without charge, though a suggested $10 donation will help defray the costs and fund the Institute’s outreach programs.

Seating is limited and attendees are asked to register in advance.

Contact Megan Bayley at 401847-4260 or megan.seamen@ gmail.com; seamensnewport.org 1-4 38th Annual St. Maarten Heineken Regatta This international event features four days of world-class racing and entertainment by world famous musicians at party locations all over the island. St. Maarten, FWI; heinekenregatta.com

William Mack, this is the first of two consecutive courses that will put news student of celestial navigation on the path to proficiency in this time honored, defining skill of the competent sailor. 9am - 4pm; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-941-2219; landfallnavigation.com/celestialnavigation-intro.html 3 Beach Cleanup at Brenton Point State Park This event is one of many volunteer opportunities with Clean Ocean Access, a non-profit organization taking “action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities.” 12pm - 2pm; Newport, RI; *to confirm details before all COA events, call 401-236-2561, email info@cleanoceanaccess. org, or visit cleanoceanaccess. org.

© cleanoceanaccess.org

1 & 15 Shoreline Sailing Club meeting Single? Love boating? Over 35? Let’s meet!

Winter meetings held at Old Saybrook Estuary, 220 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT; shorelinesailingclub.camp8.org/

3&4 Wilderness First Aid Afloat by SOLO Presented by the oldest continually operating school of wilderness medicine in the world, this 16-hour, U.S. Coast Guard-approved course covers topics of specific interest to boaters, including seasickness, marine bites and stings, and some types of injuries that are more common in marine environments. Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 516-802-0368; bsimon@ oakcliffsailing.org; oakcliffsailing. org

3 Introduction to Celestial Navigation Led by Captain

4 Intermediate Celestial Navigation Led by Captain

© Laurens Morel

William Mack, this is the second of two consecutive courses that will put the new student of celestial navigation on the path to proficiency in this time honored, defining skill of the competent sailor. 9am - 4pm; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-941-2219; landfallnavigation.com/mtccourse Also offered 4/22

general insight and advice as well as a firsthand account of the offshore abandonment of the catamaran Be Good Too 300 miles east of Cape Hattaras in January 2014. 9:15am - 12pm; Kittery Point Yacht Club, New Castle, NH; there’s no fee, but participants are required to register by March 7 at bluewatersc.org.

4 - 10 9th Annual Miami Sailing Week This event features one-design racing for Viper 640s, J/70s,VX Ones, Melges 24s, Flying Tiger 7.5s, and A-Class & M32 catamarans; Miami, FL; MiamiSailingWeek.com

10 North U Boatspeed and Racing Trim Seminar Led

by Todd Berman, this workshop covers the fundamentals of upwind performance, plus advanced techniques that balance angle of attack, sail depth, and twist in both the main and jib in order to optimize speed and pointing in all conditions. 8:30am - 4:30pm; Stamford Yacht Club, Stamford, CT; NorthU@NorthSails.com; northu.com

6 and subsequent Tuesdays America’s Boating Course Presented by the Smithtown Bay Power Squadron, this United States Power Squadron course fulfills the requirements for a New York Safe Boating Certificate. 7:30pm; Hauppauge High School, Hauppauge, NY; Allan S. Hiltunen: 631-265-6561; achilt@ optonline.net; WeBoatSafe.org; USPS.org 7 and subsequent Wednesdays America’s Boating Course Presented by the Oyster Bay Power Squadron, this United States Power Squadron course fulfills the requirements for a New York Safe Boating Certificate. 7:30pm; Syosset High School, Syosset, NY; Thomas Peltier: 516-987-9715; TJP98@ optonline.net; WeBoatSafe.org; USPS.org 7 Engine Maintenance This United States Power Squadron seminar is presented by the Seawanhaka Power Squadron.

7pm; Nassau Community College; Garden City, NY; George W. Winsper: 516-333-6297; gwins12345@aol.com; WeBoatSafe.org; USPS.org 10 Heavy Weather Sailing In this Blue Water Sailing Club presentation, author and writer Charlie Doane will share

32 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

10 One Day Race Management Seminar Ronald Hopkins is the instructor for this US Sailing event. 8:30am - 5pm; New York Yacht Club, Newport, RI; ussailing.org/raceofficials/find-a-seminar/raceofficer-seminar-calendar/ 10 America’s Boating Course Presented by the Seawanhaka Power Squadron, this United States Power Squadron course fulfills the requirements for a New York Safe Boating Certificate. 9am; Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY; George W. Winsper: 516-3336297; gwins12345@aol.com; WeBoatSafe.org; USPS.org 10 Rules of the Road This United States Power Squadron seminar is presented by the Peconic Bay Power Squadron.

1pm; West Marine, Riverhead, NY;Vince Mauceri: 631-7253679; vamauceri@gmail.com; WeBoatSafe.org; USPS.org 10 Beach Cleanup at Island Park Beach This event is one of many volunteer opportunities with Clean Ocean Access, windcheckmagazine.com

a non-profit organization taking “action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities.”

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

13 Piloting This United States Power Squadron seminar is presented by the Seawanhaka Power Squadron. 7pm; Nassau Community College; Garden City, NY; George W. Winsper: 516-333-6297; gwins12345@ aol.com; WeBoatSafe.org; USPS. org 15 Singles Under Sail program meeting 7:30pm; DoubleTree Inn, Norwalk, CT SUS is a sailing club for adults who are also single. Meetings are held on the first & third Thursdays of each month.

Check out SUS on Meetup, Facebook and singlesundersail. org. For more information, message or call 203-847-3456.

17 YRALIS Frostbite Championship Regatta Organized by the Riverside Dyer Dinghy Association and Riverside Yacht Club, this Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound event will be sailed in 10-foot Dyer Dinks. Riverside Yacht Club, Riverside, CT; Dana O’Brien: regattachair@ riversideyc.org; yralis.org

© Howie McMichael/McMichael Yachts.com

17 61st Annual Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade Céad Mile Fáilte! 11am; Newport, RI; newportirish.com windcheckmagazine.com

17 & 18 Celestial Navigation in the Age of Sail In this fastpaced introductory workshop in the history & techniques of celestial navigation, participants will learn how to take sights and work calculations, especially as it was done aboard Mystic Seaport’s premier exhibit vessel, the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. Weather permitting, students will have opportunities to make actual sextant observations. 10am - 4pm; $120 for members ($140 non-members); Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; reserve at 860-572-5322 or reservationsdesk@mysticseaport. org; mysticseaport.org 18 - 20 Snipe Winter Circuit Midwinters Clearwater Yacht Club, Clearwater, FL; snipe.org 20 Vernal Equinox First day of spring!

22 - 25 22nd Annual Defender Warehouse Sale More than 50,000 products for sail & powerboats will be discounted, and attendees can learn about the latest technologies at informative seminars, speak with factory experts representing nearly 300 brands, and enter hourly prize drawings and a Grand Prize drawing. Defender, Waterford, CT; defender.com 23 - 25 31st Annual Maine Boatbuilders Show Proudly produced by Portland Yacht Services, this gathering of the finest fiberglass and wooden custom boatbuilders on the East Coast features everything from small rowing boats, kayaks and canoes to sailboats and powerboats of all sizes. Portland Sports Complex, Portland, ME; BoatShow/PortlandCompany. com; PortlandYacht.com 23 - 25 45th Annual St. Thomas International Regatta The “Crown Jewel” of Caribbean racing is hosted by the St. WindCheck Magazine

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Thomas Yacht Club. St. Thomas, USVI; stthomasinternationalregatta.com 23 - 26 71st Annual Lightning Class Winter Championship This event is hosted

by Fleet 109 at St. Petersburg Yacht Club, St. Petersburg, FL; lightningclass.org 24 13th Annual IYRS & RIMTA Marine & Composites Industry Career Day Hosted by IYRS School of Technology & Trades, the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, Polaris MEP and the Composites Alliance of RI, this event draws employers from all over the U.S. Career seekers will have an opportunity to meet with boatbuilders, boatyards & composite manufacturers; learn about the skills needed to work in the marine and composites industries; gather information on how to gain in-demand skills; learn about career prospects; and attend informative seminars.

Admission is free. Newport, RI; iyrs.edu/employers-and-industry/iyrs-career-day

802-0368; bsimon@oakcliffsailing.org; oakcliffsailing.org 24 - 29 Flying Scot Midwinter Championship Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Sarasota, FL; fssa.com 26 Advanced Piloting This United States Power Squadron seminar is presented by the Neptune Power Squadron. 7pm; Britannia Yachting Center; Northport, NY; Philip Quarles: 631-824-7128; boated.neptuneusps@gmail.com; WeBoatSafe.org; USPS.org 26 - 4/1 47th BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival Hosted

by Nanny Cay, this event features warm water, hot racing, and cool parties. Tortola, BVI; bvispringregatta.org

© bvispringregatta.org

© iyrs.edu

24 One Day Race Management Seminar Mary Ellen DeFrias is the instructor for this US Sailing event. 8:30am - 5pm; Beverly Yacht Club, Marion, MA; ussailing.org/race-officials/finda-seminar/race-officer-seminarcalendar/ 24 & 25 Advanced Race Officer Seminar Hank Stuart and John Strassman are the instructors for this US Sailing workshop. 8am - 5pm; Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 51634 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

27 - 30 60th Annual Lightning Class Midwinter Championship This event is hosted

by Fleet 226 at Coral Reef Yacht Club, Miami, FL; lightningclass.org 31 Speed & Smarts with David & Brad Dellenbaugh The ideal seminar for those who are new to sailboat racing or those who want to delve into topics in detail, this inaugural event will cover Starting in the morning and Upwind in the afternoon. 9am - 5pm; Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 516-802-0368; bsimon@ oakcliffsailing.org; oakcliffsailing.org 31 Cleanup at Bailey Brook windcheckmagazine.com

Watershed This event is one of many volunteer opportunities with Clean Ocean Access, a non-profit organization taking “action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities.”

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

31, 4/7, 14 & 28 A Traditional Music Class: Ballads, Chanteys, and Songs of the Sailor Sharpen your musical skills while exploring the rich connections between music and the sea. The class will culminate in a performance at the Museum’s Greenmanville Church. 10am - 12pm; $90 ($110 non-members); Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; call 860-572-5331 to register; mysticseaport.org

APRIL 5 Clean Ocean Access Meeting at Newport Public Library This non-profit organization, taking “action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities,” will share the latest results from their environmental programs and ways you can make a difference. 5 - 7pm; Newport Public Library, Newport, RI; *to confirm details before all COA events, call 401-236-2561, email info@cleanoceanaccess.org, or visit cleanoceanaccess.org.

5 Shoreline Sailing Club meeting Single? Love boating? Over 35? Let’s meet!

Winter meetings held at Old Saybrook Estuary, 220 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT; shorelinesailingclub.camp8.org/ 7 Long Island Sound Expedition 201 Seminar with Peter Isler Presented

by North U, Landfall and Isler Sailing International and led by a 2-time America’s Cup winning navigator, this is the first ever Expedition seminar specifically windcheckmagazine.com

for sailors who want to win races on Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound. Topics include coastal piloting with Expedition, route optimization, weather, current pre-race preparation, polars, instrument calibration, and much more. Isler will be supported by North U’s Bill Gladstone, Landfall’s Kevin Cahoon, and special guests to be announced. Bring your laptop and learn by doing. 9am - 4pm; SUNY Maritime College MAC Maritime Academic Center, Bronx, NY; register at northu. com/product/long-island-soundexp-201/

© Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com

7&8 10th Annual Greenwich Boat Show View more than 100 power and sailboats presented by the area’s best dealers. Attendees can take advantage of free sea-trials on Long Island Sound, and admission is free. 10am - 4pm; Greenwich Water Club, Cos Cob, CT; to preview the models on display and book sea trials in advance, visit greenwichboatshow.com.

8 Cleanup at Fort Adams State Park This event is one of many volunteer opportunities with Clean Ocean Access, a non-profit organization taking “action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities.”

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

8 - 14 Les Voiles de Saint Barth 9th Edition With competition on the water and conviviality on the shore, this French and fabulous regatta attracts WindCheck Magazine

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sailors from around the world.

St. Barth, FWI; lesvoilesdesaintbarth.com

Sea Led by W. Frank Bohlen, this course includes a discussion of the navigational challenges of the Stream and Florida currents, as well as a presentation by Dr. Kim Zeh on the many emergencies you may encounter, how to deal with them at sea, and how to properly prepare your emergency medical kit. 6 - 9pm; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-941-2219; landfallnavigation.com/navigategulf-stream-weather.html

© lesvoilesdesaintbarth.com

14 Connecticut Safe Boating Course Approved by NASBLA and CT DEEP and recognized by the USCG, this course exceeds the minimum requirements for the certification to operate a boat in the State of Connecticut, and includes Personal Watercraft and Water Skiing endorsement. 9am - 5pm; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-9412219; landfallnavigation.com/ connecticut-safe-boating-course. html Also offered 4/28

10 and subsequent Tuesdays America’s Boating Course Presented by the Port Washington Sail & Power Squadron, this United States Power Squadron course fulfills the requirements for a New York Safe Boating Certificate. 7:30pm; Port Washington Yacht Club, Port Washington, NY; Bob Miller: 516-625-0347; rfschreit@yahoo.com; WeBoatSafe.org; USPS.org 12 - 15 23rd Annual Sperry Charleston Race Week Enjoy a regatta like no other in the #1 city in the world (according to the readers of Travel & Leisure magazine), with three days of racing, four nights of beach parties, free daily race debriefs and seminars, and a heapin’ helpin’ of Southern hospitality. Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Mt. Pleasant, SC; charlestonraceweek.com

© Tim Wilkes/Sperry Charleston Race Week

14 The Gulf Stream: A 19X Bermuda Race Navigator’s Perspective & Medical Emergencies at 36 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

14 Emergencies On Board This United States Power Squadron seminar is presented by the Peconic Bay Power Squadron. 1pm; West Marine, Riverhead, NY;Vince Mauceri: 631-725-3679; vamauceri@ gmail.com; WeBoatSafe.org; USPS.org 14 America’s Boating Course Presented by the Norwalk Sail & Power Squadron, this United States Power Squadron course fulfills the requirements for a Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate. 9am; St. Philip Church, Norwalk, CT; Karl Wagner: 203274-5550; NSPSEducation@ gmail.com; usps.org/norwalk/ boating_classes.html; USPS.org Also offered 4/28 14 Beach Cleanup at Marine Avenue Beach and Cliff Walk This event is one of many volunteer opportunities with Clean Ocean Access, a non-profit organization taking “action today so future generawindcheckmagazine.com

tions can enjoy ocean activities.”

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

17 - 19 Sailing The Collegiate Dinghies This 3-day clinic is for high school & college sailors who are fairly experienced with racing dinghies and are looking for the next level of refinement to their speed and handling skills. Crimson Sailing Academy at Harvard, Cambridge, MA; crimsonsailingacademy.com

© GoCrimson.com

19 Singles Under Sail program meeting 7:30pm; DoubleTree Inn, Norwalk, CT SUS is a sailing club for adults who are also single. Meetings are held on the first & third Thursdays of each month.

Check out SUS on Meetup, Facebook and singlesundersail. org. For more information, message or call 203-847-3456.

20 - 22 US Sailing Match Racing Championship Qualifier Comprising a clinic and a regatta in Match 40s, this is a qualifier for the 2018 United States Match Racing Championship, to be held October 19 -21 in Chicago, IL. Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster

Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 516-8020368; bsimon@oakcliffsailing. org; oakcliffsailing.org 21 Offshore Safety and Survival Course Presented by the Blue Water Sailing Club at two venues, this in-depth class will cover safety equipment, emergency procedures, use of EPIRBs, Mayday calls, and life raft deployment. 9am - 3pm; $120 per person; Life Raft and Safety Equipment, Inc., Tiverton, RI and the Boys & Girls Club, Newport, RI; bluewatersc.org 21 CT Boating Course Presented by the Penfield Sail & Power Squadron, this United States Power Squadron course fulfills the requirements for a Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate. 8am; Fairfield Police Dept., Fairfield, CT; Carole Heller: 203-259-4870; CaroleHeller@ yahoo.com; penfieldsailandpowersquadron.org; USPS.org 22 Sound-Off! This free event in honor of Earth Day, made possible in part by a Long Island Sound Futures grant, is all about the history & conservation of Long Island Sound. Tented activities for all ages include a live touch tank from The Waterfront Center, science experiments, water monitoring and information booths from Cornell Coop, CRESLI and more. 11am 3pm; free; The Whaling Museum & Education Center, Cold Spring Harbor, NY; cshwhalingmuseum. org 22 Beach Cleanup at Pheasant Drive Beach This event is one of many volunteer opportunities with Clean Ocean Access, a non-profit organization taking “action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities.” 12pm - 2pm; Newport, RI; *to confirm details before all COA events, call 401-236-2561, email info@cleanoceanaccess. org, or visit cleanoceanaccess. org. ■

© oakcliffsailing.org windcheckmagazine.com

WindCheck Magazine

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March 2018

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 3/1 3/1 3/1 3/1 3/2 3/2 3/2 3/2 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/5 3/5 3/5 3/5 3/6 3/6 3/6 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/8 3/8 3/8 3/8 3/9 3/9 3/9 3/9 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/11 3/11 3/11 3/11 3/12 3/12 3/12 3/13 3/13 3/13 3/13 3/14 3/14 3/14 3/14 3/15 3/15 3/15 3/15 3/16 3/16

1:24 AM 7:31 AM 2:02 PM 8:00 PM 2:15 AM 8:19 AM 2:49 PM 8:49 PM 3:04 AM 9:07 AM 3:34 PM 9:37 PM 3:52 AM 9:55 AM 4:17 PM 10:26 PM 4:38 AM 10:45 AM 5:00 PM 11:15 PM 5:26 AM 11:35 AM 5:44 PM 12:03 AM 6:17 AM 12:25 PM 6:33 PM 12:51 AM 7:15 AM 1:16 PM 7:30 PM 1:40 AM 8:17 AM 2:10 PM 8:31 PM 2:33 AM 9:16 AM 3:08 PM 9:29 PM 4:32 AM 11:10 AM 5:10 PM 11:22 PM 5:32 AM 11:59 AM 6:07 PM 12:10 AM 6:26 AM 12:45 PM 6:56 PM 12:57 AM 7:12 AM 1:28 PM 7:38 PM 1:42 AM 7:53 AM 2:10 PM 8:14 PM 2:25 AM 8:29 AM

L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H

3/16 3/16 3/17 3/17 3/17 3/17 3/18 3/18 3/18 3/18 3/19 3/19 3/19 3/19 3/20 3/20 3/20 3/20 3/21 3/21 3/21 3/21 3/22 3/22 3/22 3/23 3/23 3/23 3/23 3/24 3/24 3/24 3/24 3/25 3/25 3/25 3/25 3/26 3/26 3/26 3/26 3/27 3/27 3/27 3/28 3/28 3/28 3/28 3/29 3/29 3/29 3/29 3/30 3/30 3/30 3/30 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31

2:50 PM 8:47 PM 3:07 AM 9:03 AM 3:28 PM 9:18 PM 3:48 AM 9:37 AM 4:05 PM 9:49 PM 4:28 AM 10:13 AM 4:40 PM 10:24 PM 5:09 AM 10:54 AM 5:17 PM 11:05 PM 5:53 AM 11:43 AM 5:56 PM 11:54 PM 6:44 AM 12:38 PM 6:43 PM 12:50 AM 7:48 AM 1:38 PM 7:47 PM 1:50 AM 9:01 AM 2:42 PM 9:07 PM 2:57 AM 10:10 AM 3:51 PM 10:19 PM 4:10 AM 11:11 AM 5:02 PM 11:23 PM 5:25 AM 12:07 PM 6:08 PM 12:21 AM 6:30 AM 1:00 PM 7:05 PM 1:16 AM 7:25 AM 1:50 PM 7:55 PM 2:08 AM 8:14 AM 2:38 PM 8:41 PM 2:58 AM 9:00 AM 3:23 PM 9:25 PM

L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H

3/1 3/1 3/1 3/1 3/2 3/2 3/2 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/5 3/5 3/5 3/5 3/6 3/6 3/6 3/6 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/7 3/8 3/8 3/8 3/8 3/9 3/9 3/9 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/11 3/11 3/11 3/11 3/12 3/12 3/12 3/12 3/13 3/13 3/13 3/13 3/14 3/14 3/14 3/14 3/15 3/15 3/15 3/15 3/16 3/16

5:03 AM 11:03 AM 5:31 PM 11:33 PM 5:53 AM 11:52 AM 6:16 PM 12:18 AM 6:40 AM 12:37 PM 6:59 PM 12:59 AM 7:24 AM 1:19 PM 7:38 PM 1:38 AM 8:07 AM 1:59 PM 8:17 PM 2:15 AM 8:53 AM 2:40 PM 8:58 PM 2:55 AM 9:47 AM 3:27 PM 9:48 PM 3:43 AM 10:48 AM 4:27 PM 10:55 PM 4:43 AM 11:52 AM 5:41 PM 12:08 AM 6:00 AM 12:57 PM 6:56 PM 1:17 AM 8:17 AM 2:57 PM 9:01 PM 3:17 AM 9:18 AM 3:50 PM 9:54 PM 4:08 AM 10:09 AM 4:37 PM 10:39 PM 4:54 AM 10:51 AM 5:19 PM 11:17 PM 5:34 AM 11:26 AM 5:55 PM 11:46 PM 6:07 AM 11:50 AM

L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H

3/16 3/17 3/17 3/17 3/17 3/18 3/18 3/18 3/18 3/19 3/19 3/19 3/19 3/20 3/20 3/20 3/20 3/21 3/21 3/21 3/21 3/22 3/22 3/22 3/22 3/23 3/23 3/23 3/23 3/24 3/24 3/24 3/24 3/25 3/25 3/25 3/26 3/26 3/26 3/26 3/27 3/27 3/27 3/27 3/28 3/28 3/28 3/28 3/29 3/29 3/29 3/29 3/30 3/30 3/30 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31

Bridgeport, CT 6:21 PM 12:03 AM 6:29 AM 12:11 PM 6:34 PM 12:25 AM 6:49 AM 12:42 PM 6:58 PM 12:58 AM 7:21 AM 1:19 PM 7:32 PM 1:37 AM 8:00 AM 2:01 PM 8:12 PM 2:20 AM 8:43 AM 2:46 PM 8:57 PM 3:07 AM 9:32 AM 3:36 PM 9:47 PM 3:59 AM 10:29 AM 4:32 PM 10:46 PM 4:58 AM 11:37 AM 5:37 PM 11:55 PM 6:06 AM 1:02 PM 6:57 PM 1:27 AM 7:31 AM 2:34 PM 8:36 PM 3:02 AM 9:05 AM 3:40 PM 9:45 PM 4:06 AM 10:09 AM 4:35 PM 10:40 PM 5:01 AM 11:04 AM 5:26 PM 11:29 PM 5:51 AM 11:53 AM 6:13 PM 12:15 AM 6:39 AM 12:40 PM 6:57 PM

L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L

3/1 4:22 AM 3/1 10:31 AM 3/1 4:54 PM 3/1 10:58 PM 3/2 5:13 AM 3/2 11:20 AM 3/2 5:41 PM 3/2 11:45 PM 3/3 6:02 AM 3/3 12:08 PM 3/3 6:26 PM 3/4 12:31 AM 3/4 6:50 AM 3/4 12:55 PM 3/4 7:10 PM 3/5 1:17 AM 3/5 7:37 AM 3/5 1:42 PM 3/5 7:55 PM 3/6 2:02 AM 3/6 8:26 AM 3/6 2:30 PM 3/6 8:41 PM 3/7 2:50 AM 3/7 9:16 AM 3/7 3:21 PM 3/7 9:30 PM 3/8 3:41 AM 3/8 10:09 AM 3/8 4:15 PM 3/8 10:23 PM 3/9 4:35 AM 3/9 11:06 AM 3/9 5:12 PM 3/9 11:21 PM 3/10 5:33 AM 3/10 12:04 PM 3/10 6:11 PM 3/11 12:20 AM 3/11 7:32 AM 3/11 2:00 PM 3/11 8:09 PM 3/12 2:17 AM 3/12 8:29 AM 3/12 2:53 PM 3/12 9:02 PM 3/13 3:10 AM 3/13 9:21 AM 3/13 3:41 PM 3/13 9:49 PM 3/14 3:58 AM 3/14 10:08 AM 3/14 4:24 PM 3/14 10:33 PM 3/15 4:42 AM 3/15 10:50 AM 3/15 5:04 PM 3/15 11:13 PM 3/16 5:23 AM 3/16 11:30 AM

38 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H

3/16 5:43 PM 3/16 11:51 PM 3/17 6:03 AM 3/17 12:09 PM 3/17 6:21 PM 3/18 12:27 AM 3/18 6:43 AM 3/18 12:48 PM 3/18 6:59 PM 3/19 1:05 AM 3/19 7:24 AM 3/19 1:29 PM 3/19 7:38 PM 3/20 1:44 AM 3/20 8:07 AM 3/20 2:12 PM 3/20 8:20 PM 3/21 2:26 AM 3/21 8:53 AM 3/21 2:58 PM 3/21 9:06 PM 3/22 3:12 AM 3/22 9:44 AM 3/22 3:50 PM 3/22 9:57 PM 3/23 4:05 AM 3/23 10:42 AM 3/23 4:47 PM 3/23 10:56 PM 3/24 5:06 AM 3/24 11:45 AM 3/24 5:51 PM 3/25 12:02 AM 3/25 6:12 AM 3/25 12:52 PM 3/25 6:58 PM 3/26 1:10 AM 3/26 7:21 AM 3/26 1:57 PM 3/26 8:03 PM 3/27 2:17 AM 3/27 8:28 AM 3/27 2:59 PM 3/27 9:04 PM 3/28 3:19 AM 3/28 9:29 AM 3/28 3:54 PM 3/28 9:59 PM 3/29 4:16 AM 3/29 10:24 AM 3/29 4:45 PM 3/29 10:50 PM 3/30 5:08 AM 3/30 11:15 AM 3/30 5:32 PM 3/30 11:37 PM 3/31 5:57 AM 3/31 12:02 PM 3/31 6:16 PM

L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L

windcheckmagazine.com

March 2018

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

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Woods Hole, MA

Newport, RI

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8:23 AM H 3:05 PM L 8:35 PM H 3:17 AM L 9:01 AM H 3:44 PM L 9:16 PM H 4:07 AM L 9:41 AM H 4:24 PM L 9:58 PM H 4:57 AM L 10:24 AM H 5:06 PM L 10:42 PM H 5:51 AM L 11:09 AM H 5:51 PM L 11:30 PM H 6:50 AM L 11:57 AM H 6:40 PM L 12:21 AM H 7:55 AM L 12:49 PM H 7:37 PM L 1:16 AM H 9:03 AM L 1:43 PM H 8:41 PM L 2:16 AM H 10:09 AM L 2:42 PM H 9:48 PM L 3:19 AM H 11:11 AM L 3:43 PM H 10:56 PM L 4:24 AM H 12:09 PM L 4:45 PM H 12:03 AM L 5:26 AM H 1:05 PM L 5:44 PM H 1:10 AM L 6:22 AM H 1:57 PM L 6:38 PM H 2:12 AM L 7:12 AM H 2:46 PM L 7:29 PM H 3:07 AM L 7:59 AM H 3:31 PM L 8:17 PM H 3:58 AM L 8:44 AM H 4:12 PM L 9:04 PM H

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sound environment.

The Right Whale to Save

By Monica Pepe Policy Manager, Conservation and Education, Whale and Dolphin Conservation When he was just one year old, a North Atlantic right whale named Kingfisher became entangled in fishing gear. In a span of six weeks, he went from swimming freely off the coast of Georgia up to Maine, then back down to Georgia all while towing several feet of rope and attached buoys that had wrapped around his right flipper and over his body. A disentanglement effort was attempted with the assistance of the United States Coast Guard cutter Kingfisher (the whale’s namesake) where many of the lines around the body were removed, but in the end was unsuccessful in retrieving the rope wrapped tightly around his flipper. Today, 13 years later, Kingfisher still lives with his right flipper entangled, where the rope continues to tighten, cutting into flesh and bone, causing chronic injury and pain.

Kingfisher’s story demonstrates that entanglement in fishing gear presents not only a threat to the survival of the species, but also to the welfare of the individuals that remain. On average, a lethally entangled whale will suffer for at least six months before succumbing to the resulting infection. At least 83% of right whales have been entangled at some point during their life, with many

A North Atlantic right whale breaches. © nmfs.noaa.gov

individuals suffering from multiple entanglements. While we can acknowledge that disentanglement teams have saved the lives of many whales and significantly contributed to their welfare, disentanglement itself is a Band-Aid put onto a problem that needs to be prevented from happening.

We shave much to learn about how whales become entangled in fishing gear. It appears that whales do not pull away, but instead roll into the gear they encounter. Scientists often find gear wrapped around their backs, flukes, flippers, or caught through their mouths. What is clear, however, is that their entire range along the U.S. East Coast and Canada is shared with productive fishing areas where fixed gear is set to catch lobsters, crabs, and other commercially valuable fish. It is estimated that over 160,000

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lines of rope are in use all along the this area, leaving a labyrinth of fishing gear through which whales must try to navigate.

We at Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) recognize the importance of the fishing industry and emphasize that there is no intent from fishermen to harm whales. Yet this accidental bycatch of whales and dolphins poses the single largest global threat to marine mammals. Here in the Atlantic, WDC holds a federally appointed seat on the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, where we work with fishermen, conservation groups, scientists and state and federal agency representatives to address this complex threat. Through this collaborative process, regulations to reduce the profile of ground lines and the number of buoy lines have been implemented along much of the coast.

However, with changing ocean temperatures, the right whale’s preferred prey source, rice-sized plankton, are shifting into new and unprotected whale habitats in Canada’s Gulf of St. Lawrence.

In 2017, the Canadian government was faced with an epidemic of right whale deaths in the Gulf, losing nearly 3 percent of the population, some of which have been directly attributed to collisions with vessels and chronic entanglement. This prompted emergency mandates to temporarily slow the speed of large vessels but no meaningful restrictions to fisheries have yet been implemented.

At the same time, oil exploration efforts, emerging aquaculture proposals, and wind energy development areas further threaten the right whale’s known migratory route and only known calving grounds.

Emerging research underscores the critical role North Atlantic

right whales play in the ecosystem by providing key nutrients for phytoplankton, which in turn produce most of the world’s oxygen and are the base on which fish stocks depend. Data supporting the direct link between healthy whale populations in the fight against climate change continue to grow. Researchers have found the role of whales so significant that they concluded that the “full recovery from the dramatic depletion of whale populations, can help to counter the impacts of another now underway—the decline in nutrients for phytoplankton growth caused by ocean warming.” Allowing whale populations to recover can help fight climate change.

If you’re wondering why we need to protect whales, it’s because we need whales. ■ Monica Pepe is the Policy Manager for Conservation and Education at Whale and Dolphin Conservation in Plymouth, MA, an organization with a vision of a world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free. She’s also involved with a program called Sharing the Seas: Safe Boating for Sailors and Whales, created to educate and empower sailors and other recreational boaters to take action and make choices that will lead to better marine mammal conservation. To learn more, log onto seeaspout.org/sail. For more information about Whale and Dolphin Conservation including how to adopt a whale, visit us.whales.org.

This Sailors for the Sea Ocean Watch essay is reprinted with permission. For more information and to join the race to restore ocean health, visit SailorsfortheSea.org.

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March 2018

41

The Boating Barrister What the Vestas Crash and My Opti-Sailing Daughter Share

By John K. Fulweiler In a life too far past, I drove vessels under the acoustic licks of Def Leppard’s hymnal. I’d drive over-horsed hulls along night lit coastlines where a hypnotic mix of swell and sound messed with your situational clarity. In faraway lands of sand, I tamped down the pulse of long travel and bounce of promised ventures to cajole and convince safe passage from there to here. In those times, the acrid burn of Marlboro Reds kept me upright and on course. Save the Public Safety Announcement: I don’t dabble in nicotine anymore, but I would if I was sailing around the world.

You know where this boat is headed and it’s a foray into vessel collisions. And you Sailing Anarchists, I’m not for or against anyone. The Vestas 11th Hour Racing reported collision with a fishing vessel is a horrific situation and my sympathies spread wide. I grieve for the family of the deceased fisherman. I grieve for the Vestas crew, who’ll drag this tortured night across many an ocean. But as sorry as I am it happened, I’m mad that it happened.

Okay, you’re right, I don’t know all the facts and circumstances, but I’m writing to spot issues which may or may not be relevant. I can guess what tack Vestas was on and I can guess what the winds were like around Waglan Island, but I won’t.

We’ll just talk about some of the legal issues that might be in play.

The way I think about vessel collisions is that the law around here makes it hard for any one vessel to claim they were in the “right.” There’s no winner in a vessel collision because the rules place the onus on both boats to keep clear to avoid a collision. That is, a ‘stand on’ vessel only has the benefit of the rules requiring the other vessel to alter course or speed, but all bets are off if that doesn’t happen. We’ve all seen the cardigan wearing comb-over canting his Catalina to port smack in the path of some Sea Ray express. He’s assuring his son-in-law he’s got rights because he’s on starboard tack, but he doesn’t know jack. A lot of the weekend crowd don’t appreciate that the rules require each vessel to avoid a collision. When an admiralty court gets hold of a collision case, you’ll often see the fault shared in some sort of apportionment between both vessels.

What little I know about the Vestas tragedy makes me think that under our legal regime, the issues of speed and lookout would also be hot topics around the defense counsel’s table.

Every vessel is mandated to maintain a “safe speed” as determined by things like visibility and traffic density. In our waters, you might find some lawyer pointing out that the U.S. Naviga-

tion Rules make specific reference to “concentrations of fishing vessels” when considering what’s a safe speed.

The U.S. Navigation Rules are carefully drafted to prevent collisions, with seemingly little concern for running aground!

When you thumb through the text, don’t be deceived by the brevity because there’s a lot of meat on the bone. For instance, when it comes to maintaining a lookout, Rule 5’s scant fortyfive words places a tremendous burden on vessels. There’s the need to maintain a ‘proper lookout’ by ‘sight and hearing’ and with all other ‘available means’ so as to make a ‘full appraisal’ of the situation and of the risk of collision.

I can’t yet tell what rules would apply to the location of the Vestas collision. Based on my experience, a lot of legal regimes share commonality in their approach to regulating vessel movements to prevent collisions. If that’s the case, whether the fishing vessel was making way and, if so, whether it was at a safe speed, whether it was maintaining a lookout, whether it was displaying lights, and what action, if any, it took to avoid the collision will likely be important considerations.

It’s a sad fact, but I’m sure the Vestas crew could beat me around the course with paper bags on their heads all the livelong year. What’s worrisome, though, is whether the “boat speed” mantra I drill into my Opti-sailing daughter will overshadow her understanding of the Rules of the Road. I won’t let it, but you can see how a racecourse mentality might not suit her well on a dark night coming back from Block Island on our sailboat.

That darn fishing vessel could be in the wrong six different ways, but that still leaves me questioning whether the professional sailors that skitter across the globe possess the navigational skills necessary for sailing off the Club’s course? Holler at me.

I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts and remember, there’s a distinction between seamanship and navigational skills.

With concern for all. ■

42 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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

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book review.

Catamarans

The Complete Guide for Cruising Sailors

By Gregor Tarjan Published by McGraw-Hill 278 pages hardcover We’ve never met anyone with more enthusiasm for cruising catamarans (or more knowledge of them) than Gregor Tarjan, the founder and president of Aeroyacht Ltd. in Setauket Harbor, NY. You’ll find those attributes in abundance in the revised edition of Catamarans, originally published in 2006 by Aeroyacht Ltd. and Chiodi Publishing Inc., the latter owned by Tarjan’s longtime friend and Publisher of MULTIHULLS Magazine, the late Charles K. Chiodi.

Chapters cover such topics as the advantages of multihulls,

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essential things to look for when shopping for a cruising cat, design, dynamics, and construction, hulls, appendages and rigs (with diagrams by the author), along with checklists for long range cruising and routine maintenance. Also included in this revised edition are reviews of 32 new cruising catamarans. More than just a practical how-to manual and informative buyer’s guide, this lavishly illustrated book is a gateway to a wonderful lifestyle, featuring gorgeous photography by two of the finest shooters on the water, Billy Black and Gilles Martin-Raget.

One of the world’s foremost catamaran experts, Gregor Tarjan has logged more than 80,000 miles in 30 years of sailing on multihulls and monohulls alike, and crewed for such sailing luminaries as Dennis Conner and Yves ‘ET’ Parlier. A merchant marine officer, USCG licensed captain and member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, he’s also the author of Catamarans: Tomorrow’s Superyachts. His technical and seamanship articles have been published in numerous magazines… including WindCheck! He lives on Long Island with his wife Flo and sons Philippe and Victor.

Available from Amazon.com and Kindle, Catamarans: The Complete Guide for Cruising Sailors is the definitive work on this increasingly popular subject. If you’re a cruising sailor (or cruising couple) contemplating a switch from one hull to two (as well you should!), make it the first item on your shopping list. ■

WindCheck Magazine

March 2018

43

MudRatz Take Toronto!

The boats were packed up and we hit the road. Twelve hours and a blown tire later, we arrived in Toronto late at night. The next morning we were ready to rig the boats and practice for the

By Peter Cronin race days to follow. We were given our first taste of lake sailing.

There was a faint breeze – enough to fill the sails, but not much In the weeks leading up to the Melges 24 Canadian National more. Excitement of what was to come more than wind proChampionship, I did my research and it did not look promispelled us throughout the day. And that was how it would be for ing. As a 17-year-old adrenaline-seeking sailor, I always looked the rest of the week. forward to the windy days. The forecast for Lake Ontario during The first day of competition arrived and this was the moour regatta, hosted by National Yacht Club in Toronto Septemment we had been waiting for. A steady breeze of seven knots ber 21-25, was not exactly what a kid like me was looking for. was filling the course. Not the kind of breeze we had been hopWith breezes forecasted at under 10 knots, it was time to test ing for, but enough for us to show what we can do. Crossing the our hand at light wind sailing. I was going to be on a boat with a finish line in the top half of the 23-boat fleet was the goal. When group of sailors with an average age of 15 ½, we were all itching we came across the line in tenth place in the first race, we were to show the adults in the Melges 24 class what us kids could do. ecstatic. The first day of racing was filled with emotion. With Despite the weather forecast, or perhaps because of it, that is two tenth place finishes and a 14th, we were very happy with our exactly what we did. We even surprised ourselves in the process. performance.

The second day there was not much racing, but instead a day in which we practiced our dives and swimming skills. With the light conditions we were experiencing, we knew there would be a day of no breeze at all, and that there was. We had a delayed start, went out and drifted for several hours, and didn’t start the first race until 2:30 that afternoon. We continued to sail well, finishing with a 13th and 7th. With breeze topping out at 7 knots, the fact our crew was light was actually paying off. Unlike other regattas where as a light From left to right (and sporting the coolest pinnies in the regatta) are skipper Lily Flack, Cara Samson, Caelen crew we were negatively Desmond, Lucy Rath and Braedon Hanson. (Not visible in this photo is author Peter Cronin.) affected, here we were © Julia Cronin/Outrageous Photography benefiting from being underweight. That afternoon, a spontaneous decision to go into

We had been practicing for this event all summer, and the city and watch a baseball game was made. It brought the intensively for the final four weeks. It wasn’t just practice on our team together as we enjoyed the city and game. minds – there was an obstacle course of logistics to complete

On the final day of the regatta, the forecast again did not before we could leave for Toronto. As the only youth team in the look promising. Without even a breath of air on the lake, it was Melges 24 circuit, the MudRatz Youth Sailing Team decided to impossible for us to go out. Boats were beginning to derig and send two boats to Canada for this regatta, with one being a boys line up at the crane and some had even lifted out when the call boat, and the second consisting of mostly girls. I was selected to was made at noon and racing was back on for the day. Though be on the girls team. We did our best to deal with the logistics, that day we did not finish as well as we did the days before, we but without the parents it would not have been possible. From gave our all on the course. passports, housing, transportation and trailer registrations to

Canadian Nationals was a goal that we as a team set and boat upgrades and repairs, there was much work to be done in worked to achieve. Ending the season with a completed goal is a order to have everything go smoothly in Canada. great feeling. In the weeks leading up to the regatta, we sent out 44 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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Rounding a mark aboard Opportunity are (l – r) Jack Derry, Evan Spalding, co-skipper Eli Gleason, Tanner Kelly and co-skipper Stewart Gurnell. © Julia Cronin/Outrageous Photography

emails trying to raise awareness about the MudRatz. When we arrived in Canada, many of the sailors welcomed us with words of advice and donations – everything from practice sails to race sails to monetary donations. While the competition itself was amazing, it was the attitude and generosity of the other sailors that made the biggest impression on me.

It seems as though the saying “It takes a village” could not be more accurate in terms of this team. Without the donors, our regattas, and even our practices would never be possible. Being a member of the MudRatz has taught me the importance of donating time and resources, and has made me want to pay it forward in whatever capacity I can. ■

A resident of Ledyard, CT, Peter Cronin began sailing with Ram Island Yacht Club when he was 9, and joined the MudRatz as a charter member when he was 13. He is an active member of the C420 class, and through the MudRatz has competed on Melges 24s and J/70s at local, national, and international competitions. He was recently accepted to Salve Regina College in Newport, RI and plans to study business and marketing, and of course, hopes to be a member of their sailing team.

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WindCheck Magazine

March 2018

45

Video Volvo

An interview with Leon Sefton, Head of Television for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 With millions of people all around the world following on several media, the current edition of the Volvo Ocean Race is perhaps the most viewed event in the history of yacht racing.

We spoke with the man charged with delivering that content to legions of eager fans.

WindCheck: Please tell us about your career path to the Volvo Ocean Race, and your jobs with the 2011-12 and 2014-15 editions.

Leon Sefton: I worked in local television and news production in New Zealand for many years, and with my passion for sailing I was lucky enough to begin working on the America’s Cup television productions. I was a director for the 2007 and 2010 AC productions and IMG Media – which was the host broadcaster for the 2010 America’s Cup – produced the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. They brought me on board as the Director for that

coverage. I’ve been hooked ever since on the Volvo. I was lucky enough to be able to make time to produce the 2013 America’s Cup in San Francisco and run the host broadcast for the 2016 Rio Games, but then I joined the Volvo Ocean Race full-time to plan and prepare for this 2017-18 edition.

WC: What are your responsibilities as Head of Television?

LS: The Head of Television role here at the Volvo is wide-ranging. It goes far beyond a traditional television production role, mostly because of the numerous outputs that exist for video: television, websites, social media, streaming, the stopover venues and internal sponsorship and prize-giving videos, as well as news video releases created by the TV team. Beyond all of those outputs, we’ve also been charged with overseeing the Onboard Reporters [OBR] program, which is the most ambitious program we’ve ever had in the Volvo, to put independent journalists on board each boat.

WC: How many people comprise the VOR Communications Team?

LS: We have the television team within the overall communications team, which provides additional infrastructure for outside media and online editorial outputs. The full-time TV and

Onboard Reporter Martin Keruzoré films Vestas 11th Hour Racing bowman Nick Dana of Newport, RI in action during a practice race in Lisbon. © Jesus Renedo/Volvo Ocean Race 46 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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Comms team is about 14 within the comms team and there’s an additional 12 television production freelancers that are part of that and often come to each stopover to help us with our streaming coverage.

WC: What percentage of your content is provided by the Onboard Reporters, and who provides the other content?

LS: During the racing out at sea, almost all of the content has to come from the Onboard Reporters unless we’ve sent a helicopter up for a special shoot like we might do around some crucial points in the race. Otherwise we’re reliant on their shooting, which is why the OBR program is so important. Obviously as the boats get closer to the finish, we’ll have the RIB and heli ready to go. It’s not so much a percentage as it is where on the racetrack they are. Anywhere beyond one hour from the stopover and it’s going to be onboard stuff. The exception might be a really short leg at the race finish when we’ll have a boat tracking the whole way and we can map out helicopters to follow most of the route.

WC: The drone footage the OBRs are shooting is amazing! Is the VOR the first ocean race to utilize drones in this way, and what are the challenges (and dangers) of operating a drone from aboard a Volvo Ocean 65 at speed?

LS: We’re really proud to have paved the way with flying drones from ocean racing yachts. Last race, we were the first. This race every OBR has to have a high degree of drone piloting capability, and there’s a healthy level of competition amongst them to be the best – to fly in higher wind ranges, discover new angles. Just recently, we even streamed live from a drone from the middle of the ocean – another first. Our hardware partners, Cobham, and satellite partners Inmarsat make that technically possible, but it also requires a cool head and hand on the controls.

The OBRs are all safety conscious, all certified, and therefore trained to manage situations accordingly. The toughest phase of the flight is launch and retrieval, so we encourage them to use slash-proof gloves and eyewear when doing so, particularly in feisty conditions. We’re currently using DJIs Phantom 4 Pros, which have performed absolutely brilliantly, and the configuration of the landing gear makes them safer and easier to catch.

WC: How are you promoting the race on social media?

LS: We try to be platform-agnostic and publish to all different social platforms be it photos, video, interviews, etc. Each of them has its benefits, specific demographics and attributes.

We’ve been using Facebook Live in particular for some of our video updates. For our fan base, it still seems to grab the largest audience and be the most global.

Onboard Reporter Ugo Fonollá, who hails from Spain, is clearly a man who enjoys his work. © Pedro Martinez/Volvo Ocean Race windcheckmagazine.com

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WC: For the first time in Volvo Ocean Race history, the sailors are posting social media updates via the Crew Communicator platform. How is this changing the face of the race, and does any of that content appear in the TV shows that you’re producing?

LS: This is something – developed by our technical team – that we were particularly excited about. The objective is to allow the stars of the show – the sailors – to communicate directly to their followers. That’s a crucial step in this day and age for professional sportsmen and women; generating their own story and brand. With us, the application is unique, if you consider how few sports in the world allow an athlete to communicate their thoughts from the field of play. One of the complications is that it’s one-way traffic, meaning the sailors can’t engage in an active conversation with followers. That’s to protect the integrity of the race, to protect against outside assistance. In the Volvo Ocean Race, decisions related to strategy have to be made by the sailors onboard. They all receive the same weather information daily, and have to make their calls on routing from that.

But overall the Crew Communicator has been a hit. The sailors enjoy taking some control of their own story – it can be a way of feeling like they’re still in touch with the outside world

even though they’re in the middle of one of the world’s oceans.

They can post their thoughts, photos and videos directly from a handheld device, then via satellite, it’s online. The resolution is necessarily kept low – good enough to be absorbed on social media, but not too big so that file sizes become a problem to send, so it’s not something we’d immediately see as high quality enough to include in our TV outputs, but if a team member was the only person that captured something amazing then of course we’d consider it.

WC: What’s the nature of your partnership with Sunset+Vine, and how can fans in the Northeast U.S. follow the race on TV? LS: Sunset+Vine helps us twofold. One, they assisted with signing over 50 television agreements with broadcasters around the world to carry the Volvo Ocean Race on their channel. Having an agency that knows the ins-and-outs of the race and knows the programming chiefs at all of the major global sports and lifestyle channels is a huge plus for the race. While we’ve taken the production in-house, Sunset+Vine was crucial in getting our race to be covered in some key markets.

Unfortunately the U.S. is a challenging market, with tra-

Every OBR in this edition of the Volvo Ocean Race is shooting incredible images with drones, although those by Connecticut native Sam Greenfield – like this shot of team AKZONobel in the South Pacific – are arguably the best of the bunch. © Sam Greenfield/Volvo Ocean Race 48 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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ditional sports and broadcasters asking for big guarantees from events or sponsors to cover their event. We have an agreement for our show to be covered on Outside Television. Otherwise, the easiest is to sign up for our YouTube notifications and watch each show as it gets put on YouTube just days after the production finishes for global viewing.

WC: It remains to be seen whether sailing can ever be as popular in the U.S. as it is in your native New Zealand, but is the VOR building the fan base here in the States?

LS: You look at the success of the Newport Stopover in 2015 and you have to think that any time an event has 125,000 people passing through its gates you are building fan base. Compare that to about 1/10th that in 2012 in Miami and that’s growth, for sure! The U.S. market is tough. It’s a massive country and there are tons of entertainment options. At the same time, there are hundreds of thousands of sailors and sailing fans in America and it still makes up one of our largest audiences on social media and on our website, so clearly it’s a big number. What we need to do beyond building fan base is make sure that those fans consume our content and want to come back for more to follow the

race over the nine months. That’s the idea behind our increased video output and upgrading our onboard reporters program to have the best quality we can offer.

WC: What’s the best thing about your job?

LS: That’s easy – simply telling the story of these incredible people who push themselves to their limits and beyond to race to their absolute limit. I’m here to tell their story, and have surrounded myself with a media team fueled with the same, single goal. Because competing in this race is their everything… as Mike Sanderson famously said after winning in 2005-06, it’s their childhood dream, their Olympic Gold, their Mount Everest…and it’s really like that. These people detest losing. The level of determination, commitment, loyalty, skill and bravery that it takes to make it onto a Volvo Ocean Race team is one thing; finishing the race is quite something; winning it is quite another.

It’s a unique event and a unique story. ■ Thank you very much Leon!

Special thanks to Volvo Ocean Race Media Manager Rob Penner for facilitating this interview.

Amory Ross captured this beautiful sunset image aboard Vestas 11th Hour Racing on Leg 4, somewhere between Melbourne and Hong Kong. © Amory Ross/Volvo Ocean Race windcheckmagazine.com

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Volvo Ocean Race Update Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 was underway as this issue went to press, although only six of the seven competing teams embarked on the 6,100 nautical mile course from Hong Kong to Auckland, New Zealand.

Tragedy struck on the 6,000-nautical mile Leg 4 from Melbourne, Australia to Hong Kong when Vestas 11th Hour Racing collided with a fishing vessel approximately 30 miles outside of Hong Kong waters.

The Vestas 11th Hour Racing team, none of whom were injured, issued a Mayday call and began a search and rescue mission. The sailors recovered one man from the water, who was airlifted to a hospital but did not survive. The other nine crewmembers from the fishing boat were rescued by other vessels. Vestas 11th Hour Racing’s Volvo Ocean 65, significantly damaged, motored to Hong Kong under its own power.

“Our hearts go out to everyone involved in this terrible incident,” said skipper Charlie Enright (Bristol, RI). “We are grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve had during this very tough time.” Due to extensive repairs needed, the team did not rejoin

the race for Leg 6 and their shore crew loaded the yacht onto a freighter for transportation to Auckland.

Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag scored an historic victory in Leg 4, leading the fleet into their homeport of Hong Kong (the first ever Volvo Ocean Race stopover in that port). Skipper David Witt and his team overcame significant setbacks on the

En route to an historic victory in Leg 4, Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag engages in a Live X call with school children in Hong Kong, with skipper David Witt (black shirt and headset) answering their questions. © Konrad Frost/Volvo Ocean Race

leg (Alex Gough was swept off the boat by a wave; his shipmates executed a flawless recovery), grabbing the lead with a bold tactical call after crossing the Doldrums.

After falling behind the fleet, Witt and navigator Libby Greenhalgh decided to turn to the west earlier than the opposition, who kept pressing north in search of stronger winds. “I was really impressed by the way we operated over the past couple of days,” Witt said. “We had a pretty big lead and then through no fault of our own, about two-thirds of it got taken away. But we stuck to our guns, did what we thought was right and it’s worked out.”

The six teams racing at press time had to make a big decision a few days out: head east and then south towards New Zealand to find the shortest path to Auckland or head north, then sail further east before turning south to catch the faster tradewinds of the Pacific. The boats crossed the equator for a third time in the MAPFRE were the overall race leaders at press time. © Ugo Fonallá/Volvo Ocean Race race in mid-February.

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Sophie Ciszek trims at the mid pedestal aboard MAPFRE.

In-Port Race Dock Out Show begins at 11:30 am Saturday, May 19,and the In-Port Race starts at 2:00 pm. The Leg Restart Dock Out Show kicks off at 11:30 am Sunday, May 20, with the gun for the Leg 9 Restart (3,300 nautical miles from Newport to Cardiff, Wales) scheduled for 2:00 pm. Admission to the Race Village and most events is free, with exclusive hospitality (prime viewing, gourmet food service, full bar, private restrooms, large screen TV with simulcast commentary, in-person race briefing from guest sailing experts, and more) available at cost in the Ocean Race Club.

For more information including the full event schedule, where to stay and eat in Newport, Race Village volunteer opportunities and more, visit VolvoOceanRaceNewport.com. ■ Standings after Leg 5 (In-Port Races are scored separately)

A 45,000 nautical mile race around the world that started in Alicante, Spain on October 22, the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 will make Stopovers in 11 cities including Newport, RI in May. To follow the action, log onto volvooceanrace.com.

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As in the 2014-15 edition of the VOR, Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI is the site of the Newport Race Village. The Opening Ceremony starts at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, May 8. The VO65

A bonus point is awarded to the winner of every leg, while the two Southern Ocean legs and the Transatlantic leg score double points.

© Ugo Fonallá/Volvo Ocean Race

Newport Race Village Opens May 8!

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MAPFRE Dongfeng Race Team Vestas 11th Hour Racing Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag Team Brunel team AkzoNobel Turn the Tide on Plastic

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The Magic Box

I was a weekend sailor, never a top of the fleet regular, but even so I applied myself. I read books, I observed, I practiced, had some good days. Even though I consider myself a quick

By Roger Vaughan Special to WindCheck study, it was slow going. What a difference it would have made if Author’s note: Born in 1950 and raised in Ukraine under I had woken up one morning and USSR rule, Victor Kovalenko became a national chamfound Victor’s concise little chart pion in the Flying Dutchman. He obtained a university under my pillow; how many years degree in Sports, and became a coach, winning his first of trial and error it would have medal with a Ukrainian Women’s 470 team. After the saved me!

1996 Olympic Games, Victor was recruited by Austra Because in very little space lia. With political problems a deterrent in Ukraine, and with few words, this Magic he accepted. Victor’s teams have won 10 medals (six Box is all any sailor needs to undergold) in eight Olympic Games, a coaching record. He is stand what’s required to be competiAustralia’s head (and Men’s 470) coach. He is currently tive. It is deceptively simple, like © Daniel Forst preparing his teams for the 2020 Games in Toyko. er/Altamira Crea flying India fighter kites or printing tion AG black and white photographs. Most Victor speaks to everyone who competes in any endeavor, at anyone can achieve what it calls for on a rudimentary level. But any level. mastery takes tens of thousands of hours, even more, to attain Olympic potential. But as a comprehensive, easy reference Strength of character has been the foundation of Victor’s coachguide of what is required, the Magic Box is as good as it gets. It’s ing philosophy from the beginning. That presumes the particisomething sailors need when they begin racing, and it will be just pant is well trained, technically and physically, to be among as valuable if and when they find themselves going for a second the very best. To bring sailors to that level, when he first started Olympic Gold Medal. coaching sailing Victor brought what he’d learned from other

“Under Basics,” Victor says, “we have sailing intelligence, sports to the table. “Tennis, badminton, volleyball,” he says, your level of education in aerodynamics, weather, hydrodynamics, “They are the same as sailing. They require fast reactions, and the rules, how sails work, all this theory. The psychology of sailing you have to be smart with strategies and tactics. Tennis is more has to do with your attitude when you get in the boat, your apa head game. In tennis you have maybe two times more time to proach, your degree of confidence, your mental readiness.” think about a shot than in badminton. In light wind, sailing is

“Under Boat Speed are techniques, or boat handling…” more like tennis. In stronger winds, it is more like badminton. It [Practice 20-30 hours a week for a couple years, come back, and requires lightning reflexes. I learned a lot from badminton. I was then we’ll move on.] “Tuning is the scores of things on the boat playing myself, and watching the best people. They would take that can be adjusted individually and in combination, like sail one element, one stroke or shot, and would do it many times, trim and shroud tension; then selection of materials or just mateover and over. They divided the game into small elements, and rials, what to buy – this boat, that mast, this sail… When you are practiced those elements. So I broke down sailing the same way.” at the top top, it becomes ‘development of materials’ because you

There’s little doubt that the necessity of making the Ukraican’t buy them; you have to develop them.” nian women sea pentathlon athletes he inherited in 1985 – Larisa “Under Starts, you begin with vision of the starting line.

Moskalenko and Iryna Chunykhovska – into top 470 sailors in Then it is the positioning game where you select where you want barely three years, was the mother of the coaching fundamentals to be on the line and obtain it or protect it. And then acceleraVictor would develop for the rest of his career. Over lunch one tion. Maybe you can see the line and you have a good position, day, I asked him about how he approached the enormous task of but if you accelerate one second too late you are dead. One teaching the two women the complicated basics of racing a high second means everything in some situations. One second too performance dinghy like the 470 in world-class competition. early and you are dead as well because you are OCS (over the line Victor took my pen and sketched this Magic Box on a napkin. early: ‘On the Course Side’).”

Then he explained it. Across the top are the major categories “Tactics are easy. They only apply when boats meet. Tactics involved in racing a boat: Basics, Boat Speed, Starts, Tactics, and are actions taken to obtain or maintain an advantage. Tactics take Strategy. Under each of those headings are listed the essentials place in three places – at the upwind mark, the downwind mark, of each category. Looking at it, my eyes started doing circles as I and in open water. You use tactics to execute strategy.” thought about my own sailing career that began at age 9. Over

“Strategy begins with wind strategy: where is the wind from the years I had worked on many items on the chart, but I had and what is it doing, trending to the right or left, increasing or never thought to organize them in a way that made any sense.

Excerpt from The Medal Maker: A Biography of Victor Kovalenko

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Australian Sailing Team members Mathew Belcher (helm) and Will Ryan surf their 470 during a recent practice session. Coach Kovalenko says they will have these conditions in Gold Coast when a strong southerly combines with an ebb tide. Belcher and Ryan won the Silver medal in the Men’s 470 at the Rio Olympics in 2016, and Belcher (with crew Malcolm Page) won Gold in London in 2012. © Victor Kovalenko

decreasing? Before each race, question number one is always wind strategy, how to approach the race given the wind conditions.

There are many sources of information: internet reports, a coach who can mislead you, flags, local knowledge, history, smoke, other boats, wind patterns on water… Also conditions: waves and wind together. Light wind calls for different strategy than strong wind. If the wind is strong and that’s your strength and it is club racing, your strategy is to have fun because you know you will kill all of them.”

“Then there is fleet strategy. Maybe you only have to beat

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one boat, so never mind the wind. You have to cross him and stay ahead. Race and regatta strategy depends on the format: how many races, how many discards? If there is only one race, to win you have to maximize risk. If there are 20 races, a marathon, minimize risk because if you are conservative you will be the winner if you have good speed. Next look at the competitors: Who is your main competition and what are their strengths and weaknesses?”

The discussions stimulated by the Magic Box will last a lifetime. Its genius is that every element of sailing is contained within it. ■ © 2017 Altamira Creation AG/Roger Vaughan

Look for a review of The Medal Maker in an upcoming issue of WindCheck.

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Corner

Coop’s

Play nice, share yer toys, help yer mates.

By Joe Cooper At the conclusion of the last edition’s column we were hanging by our fingernails off the edge of the cliff, with small stones, dirt and dust blowing by us on their way to the bottom of the canyon below, and our hero was just about to embark on a Kaper. Well, it turns out the Hero is a Heroine. But first, let me give you the “previously on The West Wing” basso voiceover. Newport Yacht Club had taken the donation of a J/22. It needed some work. I had made contact with ‘our heroine,’ one of the instructors at the IYRS School of Technology & Trades, who, when asked if she and her students would be interested in fixing said J/22, said “Yup.” And now yer up to speed.

Kelsey Britton is, (of course), a third generation Gold Star, card-carrying, Rhode Island boat building Water Rat, complete with a boat builder/engineer dad and boat builder grandfather and a Bristol 19 in her backyard, waiting for some love time…

(Sound familiar?) She is also an instructor at the IYRS Composite School, now housed in downtown Newport adjacent to the main IYRS building. It was she who agreed that, philosophically, ‘this could be done.’ This? I thought that having the IYRS Composites students take on repairing this J/22 for NYC would be the perfect combination of mates helping mates. I mean, really it seemed like the perfect double-handed crew.

Newport Yacht Club has a long tradition of conducting junior programs over the summer and offering, amongst other things, a great community-centered Junior Adventure Sailing Program in Ensigns and the occasional member’s yacht, with member. The addition this summer of the (soon to be revitalized) J/22 expands this program. Using something a bit more subdued than a 420 or a 40-footer to introduce young Padawans with zero experience to sailing is a direction junior programs are starting to take. There are many youngsters living in Newport, but on the edge of the wonderful sailing community we all take for granted as we wait on line for a bowl of chowder in the summer. Bringing

Key players in Coop’s latest Kaper include (l – r) John Bixby, Kelsey Britton and Barry Ripley. © Joe Cooper/JoeCooperSailing.com

young, local kids out on a sailing boat and exposing them to the wonders that have given us all so much happiness over the years is one way to get them to know about sailing. The opportunity to do this in Newport Harbor, to learn, softly, about its history, the remarkable marine environment and flat out beauty of Narragansett Bay is adventure to be had, and from a perspective likely few of them have experienced.

Joining forces with Newport YC is a (possibly THE) world class technical institution offering instruction in boat building, the marine trades and technology, moored the proverbial biscuit toss down the road. Taylor Rock, a teacher and coach of the Rogers High School Team and head of the Junior Program at Newport YC, is looking into bringing some of the Rogers students into the Kaper and showing them what is available to them in terms of careers in the marine industry in Rhode Island and where to go to learn about it all. This year’s Composites class is currently 11-men (yup, all men this year) strong and, Kelsey tells me, champing at the bit to put their newly learned skills to work. Never mind Heaven, this is really a tale that I think can only be told about Newport.

One bump that needed to be addressed is of course that one protagonist is a yacht club’s junior program and the other is a dot Edu school, so neither have pockets of sufficient depth to simply throw money at the problem. So, for this kind of Cooper Kommando Kaper, I proposed to smooth the way by promoting all the players. I had cause today to advise one of my former Prout sailors, also a recent graduate of IYRS that, if yer going to ask something of someone, always and try and have something to offer in return.

Today’s social media (never mind WindCheck) makes ‘promoting’ this kind of pro-bono Kaper a reasonable proposition for all hands. The IYRS students get to work on a real live boat project, crawling around inside the confines of a 30-year-old, 22foot sailboat hauled out on the hard and covered with an instant Plastic Shed, in February – serious on-the-job training compared to standing at a bench in a heated classroom and doing their composite thing. Newport Yacht Club gets some non-cash coverage of

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their junior sailing program. IYRS gets a mention, even though they could not take it on as an in-house Kaper. Local kids get an opportunity to go sailing, high school students get a glimpse into what makes all these boats in the harbor happen, a generous club member (cf below) parks the boat on his property just coz he can, and I get to write about it all. Wadda deal.

But a few details still needed to be ironed out. Where to do this temperature-sensitive fiberglass work in the winter at 40 degrees north? Well, there is a dearth of freely available heated sheds of a size suitable to put a J/22 in, in downtown Newport.

Bust. The IYRS campus is chock-a-block with small boats in various stages of repair, not to mention the cars (not in for repair, just parked). Casey’s Marina, immediately to the west of the new building, equally is managing a first-class imitation of street art: Boats as Sardines in an industrial landscape, and space there is unavailable. Bust. The yacht club was getting some serious plant upgrades this year, so no luck there. Bust. But, have cocktail party invitation, will travel.

It was through a chance meeting, at a Rhode Island Marine Trades Association party, with my mates at New England Yacht Rigging in East Greenwich that the boat’s real estate opportunity found its mark. “Sure,” they said, once I explained the Kaper to them, “bring it on over.” This was convenient because Kelsey, and, she told me, many of the Composites class live on the mainland (as we Aquidneck Island dwellers call, well, the mainland) and so travel time was less. But, not so fast mate…

As it turned out, Kelsey was not able to get the IYRS leadership on board for a couple of perfectly reasonable reasons, not germane here. Undaunted, Kelsey and her class of Composites students were on board regardless. “No problem,” quoth she.

“We’ll do it anyway, ‘credits’ or not. Hands-on practice is handson practice.”

Meanwhile, time was becoming an issue with getting the boat out of the water. Enter NYC member Dick Cromwell. Mr. Cromwell’s day job is as owner of Maritime Solutions, Inc., aka the Inflatable Guys, halfway up the island on East Main Road, with a charming view across a field to the Sakonnet River. I make no claim to this part of the Kaper, but two club members who have been in on this from almost the beginning, Jon Bixby (Chair of the Junior Committee at the club) and Barry Ripley, (Minister without Portfolio on behalf of the club for this Kaper) conspired with Mr. Cromwell, the result being that the boat was whisked away to the MSI compound opposite aforementioned field and view.

On a brisk, but not freezing Sunday at the end of January, Kelsey, Jon, Barry and I convened at the boat for a review and the composing of The Work List. Now, you probably know a J/22 draws about four feet. The ‘average’ inflatable draws maybe 6-12 inches, and 30 with the engine down. This factoid was brought home when we arrived at the boat and discovered it propped up on boat stands perhaps 30 inches tall and filled-in with baulks of timber. It was not so much braced on stands as sitting on top of a pile of stands. The mast was lashed down on top, the boom was in the cockpit, and docklines and fenders were in the cockpit.

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side the boat and gingerly made our way aboard. In fact, it was not really that bad. Still, it would have not been the story to read about in WindCheck: “Two injured, boat destroyed in freak accident as it falls off stands. Story on page six.” This version, in your hands, is much more fun. So, Kelsey climbed up the ladder and dove inside, 6-foot Stanley in hand, and started measuring and taking pictures. I climbed up, and with my marketing mind fully mobilized, started taking pictures of her taking pictures. A 30-year-old, notso-much-loved J/22 is a sight not to behold. The main bulkhead is in a sad way, there are cracks and crazes in various spots, and lots of generic scuzzy fuzz occluding the interior of what are actually pretty sweet, fun, little boats, well suited to the task of beginner sailing.

Many of you will know of my interest in anything that gets Padawan Learners out on big boats. At the aforementioned RIMTA cocktail do, I ran into one Jonathan Kabak. Jonathan is the Director of Marine Operations at the U.S Merchant Marine Academy Sailing Foundation in Kings Point, New York, and works with my mate Ralfie Steitz. Now, Ralfie is a card-carrying Water Rat of a similar mind to me, i.e. getting kids out sailing. Jonathan and I struck up a conversation and discovered we also have many of the same interests: Kids, sailing, old style-just go sailing, never mind the racing. If a kid falls in love with sailing, he, or more so these days, she, will find his or her way to racing without any help from summer coaches yelling at them to tack or trim the main.

Anyway, since I have a Charles Dickens serial story kind of thing going here, I will continue with the details of the Kabak and Coo-

per Kaper next month.

Congratulations to Carina Becker for absolutely killing it, on a personal level, in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. (I too was just 18 when I did my first Hobart on a half-tonner…) I have a 90-minute interview and 20 minutes of video with her I need to get to. This adventure is all the more fun for me to watch since I have known Carina’s parents since well before she was born, and her dad is a longtime shipmate of mine and half of the pair of parents who made the Young American Junior Big Boat program into the success it has become. And more on that program later on.

I was really saddened to hear of the collision the Vestas 11th Hour Racing guys and girls had off Hong Kong. I am sure all of us are sharing our best good vibes with them and the family and friends of the fisherman who died. The latest news today, 29 Jan, reports they will not be sailing in the Hong Kong to Guangzhou leg because they are still fixing the boat. And, the odds of getting the National Sailing Hall of Fame in Newport continue to increase, said he, hoping to not spook the herd. Phew, good thing it’s the off-season; come summer I’ll need a rest. ■ 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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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL

8’ Portland Pudgy - FULLY LOADED with every option offered, PLUS Honda 2.3 hp, navigation lights, solar charger, side bumpers/ladders, canopy and cover, davit points, orange sail kit, etc. Seitech trailer. http://www.portlandpudgy.com. Why is the Pudgy superior to an inflatable? Read Survive the Savage Sea. $6,000. Call Dave 603-667-6861.

10' Dyer Dink 2008 - “Lizzy Bennet”, classic sailing dinghy. Sailed in light air out of Sail Newport by aging, original owner.

Fiberglass hull, teak trim and seats, Quantum sail, SEITECH dolly w/punctureproof wheels. Asking $2,000 - Newport, RI 401 849-8471.

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 $11,000. 860-227-6135

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 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 $7,500

28’ Alerion 2000 - A beautiful example of this modern classic. From her perfectly varnished teak trim to the matching Moondust-colored spars, this dark red-hulled performance daysailer will delight from any angle. She comes with a self-tacking jib, but also has the easy to install Hoyt jib boom as an option, cockpit cushions. She is in excellent condition. $49,900 Contact Rick Fleg at McMichael Yacht Brokers 401-743-6318.

28’ O’Day 1980 - Great boat. Fantastic weekender. Re-powered 7 years ago with a new 13 hp Beta Marine Engine, low hours.

Sleeps 5. Auto helm. Well maintained by NVBY. Two sets of sails + Spinnaker. Will include the balance of the season on mooring at Noank Village Boat Yard, Noank, CT. Asking $12,500. Call Bob @ 860-383-5405

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

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 30’ O’Day 1980 - Well maintained.

16hp Universal diesel, new injectors, new fuel tank, Hood main and 150 genoa, roller furl, bottom soda blasted 2014,S/T winches, VHF, autopilot, dodger, bimini, cockpit cushions, table and, stereo. Sleeps 6. Great coastal cruiser. Branford CT, Larry 203-430-7746 $14,000

30’ Pearson 1976 - Bill Shaw Design cruiser racer great sailing boat Atomic 4 engine and hull professionally maintained asking $7,200. Contact Carmine 631-896-0983 or carmine811@aol.com

30’ Nimble 1989 - A Tom Norton design, cold molded, natural finish mahogany hull with Hall Spars aluminum mast and boom. She spent her first 20 years as a little used daysailer until 2012, when she was upgraded to a modern Spirit of Tradition and PHRF racer/cruiser. Now in “better than new” condition. $49,900 Contact Rick Fleg at McMichael Yacht Brokers 401-743-6318.

30.5’ Beneteau First 305 1987 - Great boat, loaded for racing/cruising. Sleeps 6, enclosed aft cabin and large aft head.

All lines running aft. 13 sails, autopilot, upgraded wind/depth/speed, JRC radar, Harken furler, self-tailing winches, inverter, bimini, macerator. A nice, ready to go, dual-purpose boat. $15,000. Contact Arseni iarseni@me.com 513-827-0654.

contactus@windcheckmagazine.com

or call 203-332-7639

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 31’ Island Packet 1988 - Well maintained with recent barrier coat and brightwork.

Cutter rigged with 130 % Genoa and full battened main. Yanmar diesel. Full instruments plus radio and GPS. Dinghy davits for Achilles dinghy (included). Located Milford CT. Asking $55,000.

Call 203-261-8553

33’ Beneteau 331 2003 – Competition version of popular 33, a true performance cruiser. She has a classic main with full roach and two reefs, full length battens, main, jib and asymmetrical spinnaker, feathering Max Prop. Always yard maintained. Used only as a daysailer by the current owner. Very clean boat. Asks 68K Prestige Yacht Sales, George 203-353-0373

33’ Hunter 33 2008 - One of Hunter Marine’s most successful models. Capable Coastal Cruiser with comfortable, full accommodations. One owner model, fully equipped - including air conditioning & heat plus inflatable & outboard. Although a 2008 model, she was first commissioned in the spring of 2009. Asks 79.9K Prestige Yacht Sales, Fletcher 860-625-2456

33’ Dehler Optima 101 1986 - German built racer- cruiser. Light, fast, Eurostyle race boat pedigree with quality cruising amenities. Recent Yanmar diesel, North sails, bottom job, rigging make this an incredible package at this price.

Christones@aol.com $25,000

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 34’ Hunter 1983 - Early version with beautiful hull, and deck. Built with a rare metal plate under the mast-step for strength.

Comes with the full electronics package; GPS chart-plotter, Windex and wind instruments. Price negotiable for quick sale. Asking $16,000 Contact Fred: 347-927-3350.

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 37’ Baltic Racer/Cruiser - Built in Finland to Baltic’s renown standards. Unusually well-equipped and updated. Sleeps 7-8 in three teak cabins. She’s strong, light and fast, fully equipped for racing, day sailing or to places more distant. Twelve sails. Many pictures and detailed specs at www.Baltic37.com $29,900 914-473-0606

34’ Catalina 34 MKII 2000 - Owned and pampered buy the same owner since new.

She has been maintained with an eye for detail that is not seen often. She has been thoughtfully equipped for cruising and even has a custom fitted winter cover.

Asks 62K Prestige Yacht Sales, Peter 203-353-0373

36’ Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 1990 - Updated electrical system, new GPS and RADAR, shore power, new batteries, replaced Harding mainsail, all roller furling. 27 HP Perkins. 20” flat screen digital TV/DVD. New SEADEK on Swim deck. $52K. Ready to cruise. 508 264 3167

36’ Sweden Yachts 1986 - Custom “Stars and Stripes” blue hull, teak decks, and stunning mahogany interior woodwork.

China Blue has been lovingly cared for by the original owner and it shows. Dry stored every winter, New England sailed, she is worth an inspection. Asks 55K Prestige Yacht Sales Tom 203-353-0373

38’ Hinckley 1969 - The Hinckley 38 is a very handsome and finely fitted yacht that turns heads in any harbor. Sparkman & Stephens designed, she combines excellent sailing characteristics with robust Hinckley quality construction. $68,500 Contact Tom Bobbin at McMichael Yacht Brokers 203-554-8309.

39’ Bavaria 2006 - Clean example of the Bavaria 39 Cruiser. Updated Raymarine electronics. Interior, exterior and bottom in excellent condition. Contact us to see this phenomenal family cruiser! $110,000.

Contact McMichael Yacht Brokers’ Cameron Campbell at CameronC@mcmyacht. com or 631-974-3099

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 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. Three available from $139,900.

Call Willis Marine 631-421-3400

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. $249,000. Call Willis Marine 631-421-3400

42’ Catalina MKII 2006 - Sleeps 6 adults comfortably with option for sleeping two more in main cabin! Two heads, three burner stove with oven, refrigerator, microwave, inverter. Furling main, radar, chart plotter, autopilot, electric windless, electric winch and much more. Cruise, club race, or enjoy the sunset. Asks 169K Prestige Yacht Sales, Tom 203-353-0373

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 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. $399,000.

Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400 willismarine.com

47’ Beneteau 473 2003 – 3-cabin/2-head 2012 sails & full canvas, cutter rigged, genset, AC/heat, watermaker, full electronics, dinghy & engine, davits, dual helm, full offshore safety gear. Portsmouth, RI. $195,000. Call 401-683-9200 http://www. northstaryachtsales.com/boat/2003/ beneteau/473/1031/

45’ Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 2003 - Immaculate 1 owner vessel here in our harbor! Well equipped with roller furling main and genoa, oversized winches, beautiful rich wood interior and teak decks. $199,000. Willis Marine Center, Huntington, NY 631-421-3400

48’ Beneteau Oceanis 2014 – Loaded with gear including Dock & Go. Many extras. Must be seen to be appreciated.

Asking $435,000. Contact David Willis at Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400.

find us on facebook 45’ Fuji 45 1975 - A true classic blue water boat. Awlgripped hull, generator, lots of room for a long passage. Asking $65,000 Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400

44’ X-Yachts 442 1994 - This fast, luxurious cruiser has also been known to be a solid performer on the race course and was very successful competing in the 2011 Bermuda 1-2. Her luxurious layout, with two large aft staterooms and forward owner’s stateroom, provides lots of privacy.

She is a great boat for cruising, entertaining and going fast in all conditions. $189,000 Contact Todd Williams at McMichael Yacht Brokers at 203-610-1215.

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL

45’ Hirsh Gulfstar Center Cockpit Sloop Second owner. Getting out of boating. On the hard since 2010. Needs new electronics. Sails are fine for coastal cruising. Slight cabin leak in the salon needs repair. Enjoyable boat that shouldn’t take much in the way of repairs/refurbs to cast off. Selling “As Is” $50,000. No donations, trades, leases, financing, etc. Located Branford, CT. Gulfstar45sloop@gmail.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 $379,000 Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400 www.willismarine.com

49’ Beneteau 2008 - (3) cabin layout, Full electronics package, A/C Heat, 7.6 KW gen-set, Bow thruster, Electric winches, Custom canvas, Ready to go! Portsmouth, RI. Asking only $259,000 Call 401-6839200 or http://www.northstaryachtsales. com/boat/2008/beneteau/49/1623/

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

contactus@windcheckmagazine.com

or call 203-332-7639

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 51’ Dufour 512GL 2017 – Cruising World’s “Boat of the Year-Best Full Size Cruiser” – 3-cabin/3-head – genset, AC/ heat, full electronics, electric winches, teak cockpit and fold down swim platform, dual helm, cockpit fridge and grill, full canvas.

Portsmouth, RI. $474,900. 401-683-9200. http://www.northstaryachtsales.com/ boat/2017/dufour/512gl/1621/

CREW

EQUIPMENT

Offshore Passage Opportunities

Handicraft Custom Made V-Berth Mattress One-Piece with Hinge Side to Side Innerspring Head to Toe = 72 inches, Width Top = 11 inches, Width Bottom = 84 inches, Thickness = 7 inches Like New - $750 or BO, 203-605-3442 sharon.schmidt@frontier.com

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

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

Helping Sailors Sail Offshore Since 1993.

57’ Hanse 575 2015 Modified - Owner supervised construction. Yacht modified for single handed sailing GMT Carbon Mast, In-boom electric furler, rod rigging, B&G H5000 System, 3 MFP’s, Forward looking sonar, digital radar. Many factory options, Custom woodwork. Teak. North Sails 3DI. Lightly used, 850k 516-250-2456

BOATS FOR SALE- POWER 32’ Nordic Tug 2007 - Great cruising boat, <600 hrs, diesel D6 280, Masi 4.7 generator <15 hr, Raymarine E120 12” & E 80 8” screen, Portland pudgy with sail, seagull water purifier, Lewmar windlass & bow thruster, fresh water head, new batteries, 18,500 BTU high volume AC/ reverse heat.

Top speed 16 knots. $239,900. contact: Holly 203-249-2343

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

contactus@windcheckmagazine.com

or call 203-332-7639

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

ENGINES WESTERBEKE FOUR- 107 DIESEL w/ transmission 4 cyl, 37 HP, Serial # 107U24902 Spec. P23L Paragon hydraulic gear Remote oil filter acc.

3600 hours $2,500 or best offer CONTACT: Greg Deegan, 508-280-6860 gdeegan117@comcast.net

EQUIPMENT

dwyermast.com

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

203-484-0419

HELP WANTED MARINE POSITIONS AVAILABLE M Yacht Services, Annapolis, a large, full service marine company, is hiring additional highly experienced crew in the following fields: marine systems (mechanical & electrical), carpentry, sailboat rigging, fiberglass/gelcoat/painting. We offer excellent wages and benefits. Applicants must have in-depth knowledge of their trade.

Must have a clean driving record. Email resumes to admin@myachtservices.net Launch Operators - Hempstead Harbour Club located in Glen Cove seeks Launch Operators/ Stewards for our May-October boating season.

Responsibilities include transporting boaters to and from the floating docks and general maintenance of club property. Please check our website for detailed information hempsteadharbourclub.com/home/employment Launch Operators - The Indian Harbor Yacht Club in Greenwich, CT is looking for launch operators for the 2018 boating season. Must be 18 years of age, must have a USCG Launch License, able to pass a drug test and background check. Must have boating knowledge and must be personable. All hours available with competitive pay. Please contact Dustin at dbruce@indianharboryc.com

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HELP WANTED

MARINE SERVICES

Head Sailing Instructor and Sailing Instructor Positions for Junior Sailing Program – Head Instructor responsibilities include program planning, day-to-day operations and equipment management, regatta planning, and more. Instructor responsibilities include on the water and shore side teaching. Mid-June to Mid-August 2018.

US Sailing Level 1 certification required. Pay is competitive and based on experience. Housatonic Boat Club, Stratford, CT. Please send inquiries to hbcbog@gmail.com.

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

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MARINE SERVICES

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VACATIONS Key Largo Cottages

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Noank, CT 06340 860 235-5035

Quest Marine Services Professional Marine Surveyor Captain Eric Takakjian, Navtech, ABYC

Voyage

Preparation Services Offshore Race or Cruise Planning & Logistics

35 Years of experience with Sail and Power vessels.

www.Keylimesailingclub.com 305-451-3438 You Can Still Read Back Issues at windcheckmagazine.com

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

SAILS

Lee Reichart Mystic, Connecticut mysticvoyageprep@gmail.com

(614) 209-7579

64 March 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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advertisers index.

AkzoNobel interlux.com..........................................................................11

McMichael Yacht Brokers mcmichaelyachtbrokers.com........................2, 59

Mamaroneck, NY 914-381-5900 Newport, RI 401-619-5813

Around Long Island Regatta 516-671-7374 alir.org.................................67 Milford Lisman Landing Marina 203-874-1610 .....................................40 Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor 732-291-1670..............................37 ahnj.com/ahnj/harbor

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Neil Pryde Sails 203-375-2626 neilprydesails.com...................................53

Blue Water Sailing School 800-255-1840 bwss.com...................................8 Boat Talent boattalent.com.......................................................................58 Connecticut River Museum 860-767-8269 ctrivermuseum.org................56 Connecticut Spring Boat Show 203-332-7639 ctspringboatshow.com.....25 Consolidated Yachts NY 718-885-1900...................................................37 Cooley Marine Management 203-873-6494 cooleymarine.com...............28 Custom Marine Canvas 800-528-9262 custommarinecanvas.com............29 Defender 800-628-8225 defender.com.......................................................7 Destino Yachts 860-395-9682 destinoyachts.com.....................................56 The Edlu Race yachtscoring.com..............................................................43 Fairhaven Shipyard 508-999-1600 fairhavenshipyard.com.......................33 GEICO Insurance 800-283-2883 boatus.com/insurance..........................13 Intensity Sails 401-738-8000 intensitysails.com.......................................45 Joe Cooper Sailing 401-965-6006 joecoopersailing.com...........................58 Landfall 800-941-2219 landfallnav.com...................................................68 Lime Yacht Charters 631-743-5600 limeyachtcharters.com.....................16 The Maine Boatbuilders Show 207-774-1067 portlandyacht.com............36 MAPTECH 888-839-5551 maptech.com................................................31

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New York Yacht Club nyyc.org/sailing .....................................................19 Noank Village Boatyard 860-536-1770 noankvillageboatyard.com..........21 North Sails northsails.com.........................................................................3

Milford, CT 203-877-7621 Huntington, NY 631-421-7245 Norwalk Cove 203-838-2326 norwalkcove.com......................................18 Norwalk Yacht Club norwalkyachtclub.com.............................................20 Ocean Link 401-683-4434 oceanlinkinc.com..........................................41 Prestige Yacht Sales, Prestigeyachtsales.net............................................9, 58

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

Mystic, CT 860-245-5551 Sailcube (McLaughlin) 800-784-6478 optistuff.com................................41 Sparcraft America 704-597-1052 sparcraft-us.com...................................34 Sperry Charleston Race Week charlestonraceweek.com............................17 Storm Trysail Foundation Hands-on Safety-at-Sea Seminar......................15 .

stormtrysailfoundation.org 914-834-8857 TGM Anchor Point Marina 203-363-0733..............................................51 tgmanchorpointmarina.com Thames Yacht Club thamesyc.org ............................................................53 Wichard 401-683-5055 wichardamerica.com ..........................................35 Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400 willismarine.com........................5, 59

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on watch.

Ben Cesare

As of this issue, the helm at WindCheck is in the sure hands of Ben Cesare, an affable and accomplished sailor who acquired the magazine last month from co-founders Anne Hannan and Christopher Gill, who launched ‘The Magazine by and for Long Island Sound Sailors’ in 2002.

“I grew up on Southfield Point, on the west side of Stamford Harbor in Connecticut, until I was eight,” says Ben, who resides in nearby Norwalk.

“There was a tiny community beach where Dad kept the dinghy leaning against the seawall and a Rhodes 19 moored off the beach. That is when I started sailing, and though the memories are fuzzy, I do remember overnights on the Rhodes with the family. Later in childhood, my parents got a Menemsha 24, which seemed like superyacht in comparison.”

“I do have crystal clear memories of Dad taking my older brother, Ed, and I out on the Cape Dory 14 in the winter for tours of Stamford Harbor,” Ben recalls. “I got to steer while Dad and Ed manned the two sets of sweeps, and we went fast!

Especially memorable was going up the West Branch, where the sewage treatment plant yielded all kinds of goodies for us to poke at with the oars. Then we would go ashore on one of the grassy islands in the harbor and cook hot dogs and drink cocoa.

Not sure what Mom thought of those excursions but from then on, I have had a love for the water.”

“We moved to Norwalk, and my first solo sailing was in the Dyer Dhows at Norwalk Yacht Club’s junior program. My first boat was a very slow Blue Jay that my parents bought for me before getting me my first Laser when I was 13. It was bright red/ orange. I think I astounded them, and might have hurt Dad’s feelings, when I sold it and added my own lawn mowing money to get a better one that was white (better for starts) when I was 14.”

“My most significant sailing mentor was David Powlison. He was responsible for not only my but also my friend Scott MacLeod’s questionable use of 10,000 hours apiece on this sport. Scott and I would rig up and sail outside of junior program hours to practice. Dave (Sailing World Contributing Editor) lived across the harbor, with his Laser on a dock in front of his house. He took us under his wing and taught us how to ‘spar’ – spending long periods going in a straight line working on speed, and then equally long periods working on boat handling. His was the white Laser that I ultimately bought. Dave’s generosity yielded a great singlehanded career for Scott in Lasers and Finns, and got me hooked as well.”

“Since then, I have had the good fortune to participate in so many aspects of this sport with all kinds of great sailors, mostly

here in the Northeast. From college sailing at BU to match racing, offshore racing and one-design keelboat racing, I never really had to travel further than Miami to access some of the best sailing competition in the world. I have enjoyed sailing all over the country and overseas, but it really is hard to beat what we have right here in the Northeast for cruising, racing or just ‘messing about’ on the water.”

Ben has also had the opportunity to work in the sailing industry in between corporate jobs. “I had six years of coaching experience, teaching both juniors and adults, by the time I was two years out of college,” he says. “Then I got the chance (with aforementioned childhood friend, Scott) to form a business whose mission was to transform the sport of match race sailing into a professional tour with – then radical – rule and format changes to make it commercially viable. It was a ton of not very profitable work, but it has proved very satisfying to this day as many of the changes we made are standard operating procedure now.

Another very memorable sailing ‘job’ was the opportunity to coach Carol Cronin, Liz Filter and Nancy Haberland during their successful bid to represent the United States in the Yngling at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. It was so much fun to watch a team succeed by focusing on improving every day, until improvement for its own sake became the goal and the end results ‘just happen.’”

“The point is,” Ben continues, “I believe positive change can be made to practically anything. We often lament the changes or swings in participation for almost all the things we love. But my main concern about raising my ten-year-old son, Matt, is not how well he does in Optimist racing. My hope is that he knows and enjoys how to ‘hand, reef and steer.’ In this day and age, that translates to being able to swim, kayak, SUP, drive a powerboat well, fish, wakeboard, surf, navigate, sail offshore, race onedesigns, hopefully foil, and maybe some kiteboarding (foiling, of course), but above all, become a true waterman. Largely because of where we live, and the weekends he spends on the water with his family and friends, he is well on his way!”

“So to help others on that journey, my goal is that WindCheck carry on as not only a beloved steward of this great community but to also expand it, attracting others to not only enjoy our traditions but to help push our interests and those of our kids into new and exciting ways to enjoy the gift of Sailing the Northeast!” ■

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