July 2003 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless
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MORE THAN 260 STORES • 1-800-BOATING • westmarine.com HURRY! PRICES GOOD JUNE 24TH THROUGH JULY 20TH, 2003
2
July 2003
Southwinds
Selection varies by store.
www.southwindssailing.com
SINCE 1977
FLORIDA’S OLDEST & LARGEST CATALINA, MORGAN & CALIBER DEALERSHIP Save over $10,000
2003 Jeanneau SO 37 – New in the water and ready to sail away. Loaded with factory and dealer options, hard dodger/bimini combo, electronics, autopilot and much more. Regular Sailaway Price $155,047. Call Massey and save over $10,000.
1995 44’ Beneteau Oceanis 440 – "Innocent Dream" is 2-stateroom yacht, lightly used and never chartered. Equipment list includes Genset, Air, Radar, Plotter, Autopilot, etc. $194,500.
Save over $25,000
New 2002 Catalina 42 MKII – hull #793 – Wing keel-2 stateroom model with centerline owners berth and heads in suite. Loaded with factory installed electronics, factory hard dodger, custom bimini and muchmore. Regular Sailaway Price $226,559. Call Massey and save over $25,000. 1995 Hunter 430 – The perfect liveaboard or cruising yacht at a bargin price. This boat is ready to sailaway and will not last long. Only $115,000.
1997 Caliber 47 – Superb bluewater cruiser with AC/Gen/SSB/Dink/Radar and much more. Ready to cast off for the Islands or around the world. Asking only $275,000.
MONOHULLS 60 Rivolta ‘83 . . . . . . . . . $479,000 54DS Jeanneau ‘04 . Call for TurboQuote 52 Jeanneau ‘04 . . Call for TurboQuote 49 Jeanneau ‘04 . . Call for TurboQuote 48 Tayana ‘00 . . . . . . . . . $449,000 48 Soverel ‘75 . . . . . . . . . . $75,000 470 Catalina ‘04 . . Call for TurboQuote 47 CaliberLRC ‘04. . Call for TurboQuote 47 Caliber ‘97 . . . . . . . . . $295,000 470 Catalina ‘00 . . . . . . . . $345,000 47 CaliberLRC ‘97 . . . . . . . $295,000 46 Beneteau ‘01 . . . . . . . . $279,500 46 Beneteau ‘97 . . . . . . . . $199,000 46 Bavaria ‘99 . . . . . . . . . $199,000 45.2 Jeanneau ‘04 . Call for TurboQuote 45 Morgan ‘95 . . . . . . . . . $249,000 44 Dean Catamaran ‘99 . . . . $285,000 44 Beneteau ‘95 . . . . . . . . $185,000 43DS Jeanneau ‘04. . Call for TurboQuote 43 Jeanneau ‘02 . . Call for TurboQuote 43 Hunter ‘95 . . . . . . . . . $115,000 42s7 Beneteau ‘96 . . . . . . . $179,000 42 Catalina ‘02 . . . Call for TurboQuote
42 Catalina ,01 . . . . . . . . $189,500 42 Catalina ‘89 . . . . . . . . $119,000 42 Beneteau ‘83. . . . . . . . . $92,500 41 Morgan ‘89 . . . . . . . . . $127,000 41 Morgan ‘89 . . . . . . . . . $124,900 41 Morgan ‘87. . . . . . . . . . $92,500 41 Morgan ‘73. . . . . . . . . . $64,900 40DS Jeanneau ‘04 . Call for TurboQuote 400 Catalina ‘03 . . Call for TurboQuote 400 Catalina ‘95 . . . . . . . . $149,000 40 CaliberLRC ‘04. . Call for TurboQuote 40 CaliberLRC ‘97 . . . . . . . $249,000 40 Jeanneau ‘04 . . Call for TurboQuote 40 Beneteau CC ‘97 . . . . . . $120,000 39 O’Day ‘84 . . . . . . . . . . $83,700 387 Catalina ‘04 . . . . . New Model-Call 383 Morgan ‘82 . . . . . . . . . $72,500 38 Morgan CC ‘93 . . . . . . . $137,500 38 Island Packet ‘99. . . . . . $245,000 38 Hans Christian ‘83 . . . . . $149,000 38 Beneteau ‘01 . . . . . . . . $147,000 37 Jeanneau ‘03 . . Call for TurboQuote 37 Hunter ‘97 . . . . . . . . . $118,900
37 Gulfstar ‘76 . . . . . . . . . $49,900 37 Endeavour ‘82 . . . . . . . . $65,000 36 Westerly Corsair ‘86 . . . . . $79,000 36 Catalina ‘03 . . Call for Turbo Quote 36MKII Catalina ‘99 . . . . . . $125,000 36 Catalina ‘94 . . . . . . . . . $88,500 36 Catalina ‘84 . . . . . . . . . $82,500 351 Beneteau ‘96 . . . . . . . . $77,500 35 Prout-Catamaran ‘72 . . . . $59,000 35 Jeanneau ‘03 . . Call for TurboQuote 350 Catalina ‘04 . . Call for TurboQuote 35 CaliberLRC ‘04. . Call for TurboQuote 34 Prout Catamaran ‘90. . . . $120,000 34 Ericson ‘87. . . . . . . . . . $64,900 34 Catalina ‘03 . . . Call for TurboQuote 34 Catalina ‘98 . . . . . . . . . $89,500 34 Catalina ‘87 . . . . . . . . . $54,000 33 Hallberg Mistral ‘72 . . . . . $55,000 320 Catalina ‘00 . . . . . . . . $99,500 320 Catalina ‘04 . . Call for TurboQuote 320 Catalina’99 . . . . . . . . . $97,500 310 Catalina ‘04 . . Call for TurboQuote 30 Hunter ‘88 . . . . . . . . . . $38,500
We have a large assortment of Sunsail, Sun Yacht and Stardust phased-out charter yachts available at favorable prices. Call for details.
The Massey Team of Yachting Specialists – experienced sailors one and all – are dedicated to helping other sailors make sound, knowledgeable decisions relative to yacht selection, ownership and custom outfitting. TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU ON FLORIDA’S WEST COAST – IN THE HEART OF AMERICA’S FINEST CRUISING AREA.
Palmetto, FL 941-723-1610 • TOLL-FREE 800-375-0130
Brad Crabtree
Scott Pursell
Frank Hamilton
Mike Fauser
St. Pete, FL 727-828-0090 • TOLL-FREE 877-552-0525
Edward Massey
Bill Wiard
Mary Beth Singh
Jack Burke
YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR MEASURE OF SUCCESS
www.masseyyacht.com • E-mail:
yachtsales@masseyyacht.com
Al Pollak
ADVERTISER INDEX BY CATEGORY
(See page 53 for alphabetical list)
SAILBOATS – NEW AND BROKERAGE Beneteau Sailboats Back Cover Boaters Exchange/Catalina Sailboats 6 Carson Yacht Sales/Beneteau Back Cover Colgate 26 13 Eastern Yacht Sales/Beneteau Back Cover Finish Line Multihulls/ F-Boats & Used Multihulls 27 Flying Scot Sailboats 50 Hunter Sailboats 14,15 Massey Yacht Sales/Catalina/Jeanneau 55,19,30 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau Back Cover Performance Sail & Sport/Hunter/Hobie/Windrider 3 Sailboat Row/Salt Creek Marine District 32 Sarasota Sailing Squadron/ Youth Sailing donated boats 49 Snug Harbor Boats/Compac/Elliot 33 St. Barts Yacht Sales/Beneteau Back Cover Suncoast Inflatables 17 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish 16 Ullman Sails/Hunter Sailboats 8 Weathermark Sailing Center/Catalina/Hunter 40,49 Windcraft Catamarans 41 GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES Bluewater Sailing Supply Boaters Exchange BoatUS Bo’sun Supplies CDI Propellers Defender Industries Ecoquest/Air Purification Garhauer Hardware Glacier Bay Refrigeration Grin Designs/Dinghy sail and More Harken Gear Hotwire/Fans on other products Island Marine Products JR Overseas/Moisture Meter Masthead Enterprises Performance Sail & Sport Plastimo USA Rparts Refrigeration Sailboat Row/Salt Creek Marine District Rolls Batteries/Surrette Tackle Shack
8 6 35 18 36 52 52 22 20 25 3 51 3 10 6,47 3 10 42 32 41 16
SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICES Atlantic Sails 42 Banks Sails 50 Bluewater Sailing Supply 8 Bo’sun Supplies 18 Chutescoop 53 Cruising Direct 12 Dwyer Mast 52 Hong Kong Sailmakers 47 Masthead/Used Sails and Service 6,47 National Sail Supply 36 North Sails 37,43 Sabre Sails 21 Sail Exchange/Used Sails 45 Sailboat Row/Salt Creek Marine District 32 Schurr Sails 46 Steve Smith Mobile Rigging 26 UK Sails 11 Ullman Sails 8 4
July 2003
Southwinds
CANVAS Banks Sails Sail Covers & More
50 53
USED SAILING/BOATING SUPPLIES Don’s Salvage, Clearwater FL Nautical Trader, Nokomis FL Scurvy Dog Marine, Pensacola FL Steve Smith Mobile Rigging/Consignment, Tampa Bay FL
21 34 36 26
SAILING SCHOOLS Sailboat Row/Salt Creek Marine District, Tamp Bay FL 32 Sea School 39 Smooooth Sailing/Tampa Bay FL 24 MARINE ENGINES Beta Marine RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke Sailboat Row/Salt Creek Marine District
39 44 32
RESORTS, MARINAS, RESTAURANTS, BOAT YARDS Charleston Resort & Marina, SC Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina, Venice FL Isla Del Sol Resort & Marina, Tampa Bay FL Sailboat Row/Salt Creek Marine District/Tampa Bay FL
13 33 27 32
CHARTER COMPANIES Flagship Sailing, Tampa Bay FL 31 Sailboat Row/Salt Creek Marine District, Tampa Bay FL 32 Yachting Vacations/ Punta Gorda FL 13 Massey Yacht Sales/Sunsail/Tampa Bay FL IBC,19,30 MARINE SURVEYORS, MARINE SERVICES, MARINE INSURANCE Bluewater Insurance Davis Maritime Surveying/West Florida Mobile Marine Services/Tampa Bay FL
9 45 42
MARINE ELECTRONICS Sea Tech
10
BOOKS Bubba Stories Book
37
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TABLE OF CONTENTS From the Helm ................................................................ 7 Letters ............................................................................. 8 Books .............................................................................. 9 Southwinds Maintenance Tips ....................................... 10 Stephen Fishman Racing Calendar ............................................................ 12 Bubba Uses Hi Tech to Place in Race .............................. 16 Morgan Stinemetz Kativa Finishes First in Charleston To Bermuda Race ............................................................... 18 By Dan Dickison “See Ya on the Two!” .................................................... 20 Travels on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway By Barbara and Bruce Pierce More Lessons in the Bahamas ........................................ 24 By Colin Ward Photos of the Regata del Sol al Sol 2003 ........................ 28 Interview with José Miguel Díaz Escrich, Commodore, Club Nautico Internacional Hemingway (CNIH) de Cuba ......................................... 31 By E. Pimiento, s/v Habañero III Cuba Sailing Race Fails to Start ...................................... 36 By Morgan Stinemetz Conch Republic Cup 2003, Key West to Cuba ............... 38 By Peter Goldsmith Southern Sailing: The Sailor’s Wind – Part III .................. 43 By Dave Ellis Racing and Regattas ...................................................... 44 Wrecker’s Race in Key West, Dauphin Island Race, NE Florida, Georgia Racing Business Briefs ............................................................... 48 Classifieds ...................................................................... 50 The “Falken” has Landed. Vikings in America ................. 54 By Ron and Suzanne Yankowski Alphabetical Index of Advertisers ................................... 53 Advertisers’ List by Category ............................................ 4 Subscription Form ........................................................... 4
More Lessons in the Bahamas. Colin Ward Photo.
Page 24
Making mojitos in Havana. Michele Geslin Photo
Page 38
COVER: A Ketch motor sails down the ICW near Captiva Island in the Pine Island Sound. Steve Morrell Photo.
Sail the Web with Southwinds: southwindssailing.com See many of the current features on the Web, along with past issues, Cuba articles and more. Send your letters to the editor on the Web. Stay tuned, this Web site is evolving. LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
Southwinds
July 2003
5
Southwinds
NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS ■
VOLUME 11
NUMBER 7
Steve Morrell Heather Nicoll Kathleen Elliott
JULY 2003
Publisher & Editor Design/Graphic Production Proofreading
ADVERTISING SALES Gary Hufford (727) 585-2814 Steve Morrell (941) 795-8704 (877) 372-7245 toll free Southwinds Media, Inc. PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach FL 34218-1175 (941) 795-8704 • (941) 795-8705 Fax CONTRIBUTORS Rebecca Burg Dan Dickison Patrick Edwards Dave Ellis Patti Findlay Stephen Fishman Michele Geslin Peter Goldsmith Scott Gregory Karen Hermanson Kim Kaminski Barbara & Bruce Pierce E. Pimiento Morgan Stinemetz Colin Ward Ron & Suzanne Yankowski EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: ARTICLES & PHOTOGRAPHY: Southwinds encourages readers, writers, photographers, cartoonists, jokers, magicians, philosophers and whoever else is out there, including sailors, to send in their material. Just make it about the water world and generally about sailing and about sailing in the South, or general sailing interest, or sailboats, or sailing in some far off and far out place. Keep them 1500 to 2000 words maximum (and we also like shorter stuff), and we might sometimes take something up to 3000 words. You can send it typed, double-spaced, with all your contact info or by e-mail or on a disc. We’d much rather receive it on disc or by e-mail, as that saves us lots of work. In that case, it’s better single-spaced. If you want the stuff returned, then enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and give us a good 6-8 weeks to get back to you, although sometimes we move faster. Keep in mind we might be sailing or trying to meet the next deadline. PHOTOS: We like photos with just about every story, so send us some of those. We’ll take photos of interest alone without stories, too. We also like funny ones of the water world. We’ll take them via e-mail, on disc, slide, or prints, black and white or color. If they’re comin’ electronically, then make them high resolution – like 300dpi, but a little less will work if needed. Send to the address below or e-mail to editor@southwindssailing.com. Southwinds is published monthly by Southwinds Media, Inc., copyright 2003. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication can be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. SUBSCRIBE TO SOUTHWINDS: One-year subscriptions third class $12, first class $24. Mail in check, e-mail or phone to contacts listed below. Charge cards accepted.
P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175 (941) 795-8704 Toll Free (877) 372-7245 Fax (941) 795-8705 Reach Southwinds online at: www.southwindssailing.com or editor@southwindssailing.com
From the Carolinas to Cuba…From Atlanta to the Abacos…Southwinds Covers Southern Sailing 6
July 2003
Southwinds
www.southwindssailing.com
FROM THE HELM
Open Cuba Up
T
his month we have three articles of concern to sailors who are interested in sailing to Cuba. The first, on page 31, is an interview with Commodore Escrich, Commodore of the Club Nautico Internacional Hemingway. Good reading. The second is an article about the failed attempt of a Canadian individual to put together a race from Tampa Bay to Havana (since the past Havana Cup, organized by U.S. citizens, was stopped by pressure from the current administration in power in Washington), and the third is about the Conch Republic Cup and Annual Key West to Varadero Race. In the latter article, the organizer of that race has written not only about the event and its participants, but also commented about the “gestapo” tactics used by U.S. government officials in harrassing race participants, U.S. citizens, as they returned from Cuba. Although the Canadian organizer in the failed Tampa Bay race appears to have lost all semblance of legitimacy, the organizer of the Conch Republic Cup (and Varadero Cup), Peter Goldsmith, has run this well-organized event for several years and has done so following all the legal requirements of the U.S. government for American visitors to Cuba. At least he has done what the federal government told him was acceptable. This time, agents of the U.S. government appeared to have lied, using the facade of they “changed their minds,” and decided to ignore the rights of U.S. citizens. Are these agents proud of how they acted? Or do they just like bullying people? Do they really consider their actions examples of a free democracy? Read Peter Goldsmith’s words for yourself. What is sad, and somewhat disgusting, is what hoops Americans are forced to jump through to do something that is morally and constitutionally their right to do anyway. Constitutionally, Americans have every right to go to Cuba and spend their own money. The current “policy” of not allowing Americans to visit Cuba and spend money is what is immoral and illegal. Those who go and do so are not criminals. The govern-
ment, which harasses them on their return and stomps on their rights, is acting criminal. This is besides the failed false hopes of the trade embargo with the island. Others will say that it is immoral to spend any money in Cuba as it is helping to support the dictatorship of Fidel Castro. Do you want to end the closed society and government in Cuba? Then let American tourists travel there; let American businesses trade there; let Cuban businessmen trade here; let American students go to school there; let Cuban students go to school here; let American sailors sail their waters. Let American citizens in. They are the best exporters and importers of an open, free society. They are the best proponents of a free democracy. They are living, breathing examples of it. And they don’t have to preach to do it. They just have to be themselves—not be spies, nor groups with political agendas—they just have to go about doing what free people do: interact, socialize, trade, sing, dance, and, of course, sail. Watch Cuba evolve under those conditions. Just keep the current U.S. government out. They might send agents down there who acted like the ones who harassed returning U.S. sailors in Key West. We don’t want them representing us. Cubans might get the wrong idea and keep the rest of us out. Then Cuba will just stay the same closed society it is now. And we’ll never get to sail to the biggest island in the Caribbean only 90 miles from our shore and get to know the everyday people who live there.. editor Any comments or thoughts about this editorial, or the subject matter? Southwinds would like to hear from you. E-mail letters to the editor: editor@southwindssailing.com Or call (941) 795-8704.
SAILORS, WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS: HEAR YE! HEAR YE! SAILED THE BAHAMAS? HAVE A FAVORITE ANCHORAGE IN SOUTHERN WATERS? HAVE A GOOD CHARTER EXPERIENCE? Are you a good writer? A good photographer? Want to get published? Southwinds magazine is looking for sailors to write about and photograph their experiences. We are particularly looking for articles about sailing in the Bahamas, their favorite anchorages in Southern waters, and their charter experiences in the South, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and points beyond. GOT AN INTERESTING PERSONAL STORY ABOUT SAILING? We are also always looking for those interesting, funny, learning experiences both in story form and in photographs. And we all know that sailing can have all those aspects. Southwinds has always been known to be written by sailors who are like the readers themselves— everyday sailors out there enjoying the sport of sailing, or is it the art of sailing? LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
Southwinds
July 2003
7
LETTERS PANAMA CANAL MOVING TO RESTRICT PASSAGE OF PRIVATE YACHTS
www.nuclearsailmakers.com
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July 2003
Southwinds
One of our members pointed me in the direction of Southwinds, “News & Views for Southern Sailors,” and the Southeastern Sailing Association (SESA), suggesting that you might have an interest in the plight of the Pedro Miguel Boat Club (PMBC). We are a small club located on the Panama Canal, providing service to the cruising community in the form of an extended repair facility, a safe place to leave your boat, and a watchdog on the Panama Canal. Over the years we have been very successful at what we do, the club being instrumental in holding down the transit rates for the Panama Canal, a battle fought in 1998 and again last year. The Autoridad del Canal de Panama (ACP), and the government of Panama, have decided we need to go away, so they have started an eviction process claiming that we are “intruders,” that is, trespassers. We have continuously occupied our location since the mid 1930s, so we are hardly intruders (as a note the government of Panama is trying to also shut down the Balboa Yacht Club-one of the two other main non-profit yacht clubs-using the same tactics of eviction). The problem comes in the form of our ability to relocate. The PMBC has been a very low “margin” club for the 18 years of my leadership, in that we hold down the rates to members and visiting members and use our excess funds to support charities and the needy in the local community. The ACP refuses to compensate us either by relocation to another area in the canal or by financial compensation for our facility, so that we can relocate somewhere else in the Republic. Thus, we can continue our mission of cruising support. If the ACP succeeds in removing us without compensation, we go away-finished, dead! Why is maintaining a watchdog and a “home” for yachts in this area needed? Lose the ability of yachts to easily move from one ocean to another, particularly the Caribbean to Pacific passage, and the industry of offshore cruising yachts becomes threatened. How so? I give you an excerpt from an e-mail sent to me: From: Ron Sheridan/Monday, June 9, 2003: The boating industry, sail or trawler, will crumble if the dream of the South Pacific and world cruising is GONE. The concept of the Horn or container ship to transit the canal is as comforting as a ruptured hemorrhoid in a salt bath. (In the United States, the eventual economic effect would be similar to the luxury tax levied on big boats a decade ago that nearly destroyed the U.S. industry). It would also affect every mom and pop sailor, every dreamer, and every magazine subscriber from 8 to 88. Whether the closure comes from the Autoridad del Canal de Panama’s not wanting yachts to use the canal as stated by their current administrator (in the public hearings for transit toll increase in 1998) during his time as the Panama Canal Commission’s administrator, or by raising prices to the point of exclusion, who knows. The elimination of the watchdogs makes everything easier, as the action can be implemented before anyone knows. You are an industry scion and have access to many in the boatbuilding industry; therefore I am asking you to support our effort to remain “alive” in Panama. It is important to the whole sailing community. We need to get folks aware of the plight of the PMBC, set some definitive news articles in the stream, and bring the pressure of worldwide public opinion to the government of Panama www.southwindssailing.com
and the ACP. Anything that you, or your organization, can do to further this will be much appreciated. Any information or support that you need from us, just shout. You can find more details on this at our Web site, and historical articles on what we have done as a “watchdog” over the years. http://www.pmbc.ws Thanks, Craig Owings Commodore, PMBC,commodore@pmbc.ws Any comments or thoughts about this letter, or the subject matter? Southwinds would like to hear from you. E-mail letters to the editor: editor@southwindssailing.com
BOOKS CRUISING GUIDE TO FLORIDA’S BIG BEND By Captain Rick Rhodes With the Cruising Guide to Florida’s Big Bend, Pelican Publishing completes a series of cruising guides to Southern waters that covers the coastal waters from North Carolina around Florida and up to the Louisiana/Texas border. The other guides are written by Claiborne Young (and the Florida Keys guide written with Morgan Steinmetz) and covered all these areas but skipped the section known as the Big Bend. Captain Rick Rhodes, author of two other cruising guides in the United States, covers the area from Apalachicola to Anclote Key. This section of the Gulf Coast has several other names besides the “Big Bend,” among them being the “Nature Coast,” the “Forgotten Coast,” and the “Hidden Coast.” Each of these latter three names gives way to a feeling of an uninhabited and wild area, which holds true for those who have visited this area. Captain Rhodes explores, besides the coastal waters, 21 river systems, going up some as far as into Georgia on the Apalachicola, and into Alabama on the Chattahoochee. His introduction alone will have cruisers planning their trips into this area before going on to the first chapter. Published by Pelican Publishing Co., Inc. http://www.pelicanpub.com/ $23.96.
GET RID OF BOAT ODORS By Peggie Hall, the Headmistress Boat owners everywhere have been holding their breaths waiting for this book to appear on shelves. Just about every boat owner and visiting crewmember on boats throughout the world can relate to the need for such action to be taken as mandated by the title of this book. The subtitle, A Boat Owner’s Guide to Marine Sanitation Systems and Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor, speaks for itself as to what this book is all about. The book includes an extensive discussion not only of boat odors but also of the legalities, technicalities, installation, maintenance and care of boat sanitation systems. Discussion of other causes of boat odors, such as standing water, is also included. There is even a discussion on maintaining fresh water systems for washing, cooking and other uses. Exploded views of several common marine toilets, along with parts lists, are also included. Methods to help isolate the problems of boat odors are discussed. This book, if used successfully, could save marriages, friendships, returning crewmembers, and human sanity (and sanitation). Well worth working at. Seaworthy Publications. http://www.seaworthy.com/ $19.95. LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
Southwinds
July 2003
9
SOUTHWINDS TIPS COLUMN
Dirty Rotten Dock Lines
L
ike many other skippers, I keep my boat in a marina with floating docks so the dock lines rarely get untied or moved. Recently, I moved my boat from one marina to another and noticed the dock lines had gotten stiff and were turning green. When I inspected my spare dock lines, I found they had also gotten stiff, and all the lines were aggravating to coil and difficult to tie. I don’t usually let maintenance get so out of hand, but luckily there is a way to make these lines look and feel like they used to feel. If your dock lines are more than five years old, it might be time to think about replacing them due to chafe, but all lines become stiff over time from lack of use. This is especially true of three-strand dock lines as opposed to braided dock lines since most braided lines are made from synthetic fibers. Many boats slipped in fixed piers don’t have to deal with the problem of stiff dock lines because the lines must be retied fairly often – at least seasonally - even if the lines are tied to tide risers. A green color in the texture of the fibers, on the other hand, is the result of dirt and pollution accumulating on the dock lines over a long period of time, giving mildew a chance to grow. The remedy to both problems is to remove the offending lines and soak them overnight in a bucket of liquid dishwashing detergent diluted with about one ounce of soap to each gallon of water. Remove the lines from the bucket a
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July 2003
Southwinds
day or two later, and rinse them thoroughly with a garden hose to wash off the soap. After the rinse, place the lines in a washing machine together with a liquid fabric softener and any brand of laundry detergent. After the wash cycle is complete, do not put the lines in the dryer! Instead, lay the lines out straight and let them dry. It’s important to remove all the kinks and hockles, especially if they are three-strand lines, since the combination of extended use and the action of the washing machine will twist the lines beyond the norm and, in extreme cases, may unlay a portion of the line. Before the dock lines are re-installed, it’s a good idea to add chafe guards on existing or anticipated wear points. Chafe protection comes in many forms and includes material such as sections of garden hose, clear vinyl tubing or, my personal favorite, oil-tanned leather.
Fastener Advice Sometimes, one runs into shortcuts and tricks that “everyone” knows. “Everyone” doesn’t know! Here are three useful tips about fasteners that I, and many of my friends, have used time and again. • If a machine screw or machine bolt is too long and you don’t have one of the right size, consider sawing off the
www.southwindssailing.com
BY STEPHEN FISHMAN
excess with a hacksaw or a Dremel tool. Before cutting, thread the nut onto the shank well above the cut line. This way, the nut can help re-form any threads damaged during the process. It’s been my experience that if the original nut becomes damaged while reshaping the threads, there are usually extra nuts in the toolbag even if extra fasteners are in short supply. After shortening the shank, lightly file the end to remove burrs and make it less likely that you will damage the nut. • If a metal fitting still won’t budge even after all the fasteners have been removed, don’t get a bigger hammer. And trying to pry a fitting free by tapping a flathead screwdriver or wood chisel along the edge will only damage the surface beneath the fitting. Instead, take a break and go visit a musical instrument store. A length of piano wire will quickly break the seal and leave the surface unmarked. Put on a pair of leather or heavy fabric work gloves and, using a length of about three feet, wrap the piano wire around two fingers on each hand. Use the wire like a saw, moving back and forth beneath the fitting while, at the same time, holding the wire up on the ends and away from the surface. After the hardware has been removed, the bedding material will be much easier to clean up.
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
• One of the most frustrating repair problems I know of is a bolt that won’t budge. It’s especially frustrating if the one that sticks is the last of four. Short of drilling out the fastener, this is the best method I’ve come across for dealing with stubborn bolts. Clean the area around the head of the fastener and apply Liquid Wrench or a similar seize-release solvent. After a few minutes, tap the sides of the head with a hammer to help work some of the anti-seize fluid beneath the head. Wait a few more minutes, then clamp a set of locking pliers to the bolthead and rotate counter-clockwise. One of two things will happen — either the bolt will break loose and it can be removed, or the head will twist off and the fastener will have to be drilled out. It’s been my experience that, more often than not, the fastener can be easily removed.
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UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR We’d like to encourage all sailing associations, yacht clubs and regatta sponsors to notify us of upcoming events in your area. Simply fax or e-mail us by the 10th of each month to ensure that your racing and regatta schedule will be included.
Send to calendar@southwindssailing.com or fax to 941-778-5579. Southwinds Magazine also offers reduced advertising rates for non-profit organizations. FLORIDA EAST COAST & KEYS Local club’s evening racing continues JULY 20 C-Gull Regatta BBYRA event Miami Yacht Club miamiyachtclub.net AUGUST 16 Double Handed Race Coconut Grove Sailing Club cgsc.org AUGUST 23 Conch Cup Miami Yacht Club Miami Yachtclub.net FLORIDA WEST COAST & INLAND Thursday evening racing Davis Island Yacht Club diyc.org Bradenton Yacht Club (941) 865-0345 FRIDAY evening racing Clearwater Yacht Club (727) 447-6000 St. Petersburg YC spyc.org Sarasota Sailing Squadron (941) 388-2355 Treasure Island YC (727) 367-4511 AUGUST 30 - 31 Summerset Regatta Distance and Buoys Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Society (941) 482-6280 AUGUST 30 - 31 Labor Day Regatta All-class
Sarasota Sailing Squadron (941) 388-2355 NORTHERN GULF (AL, FL,LA,MS,TX) Friday evening racing Southern Yacht Club syc.org JULY 1 - 5 Ensign Nationals Houston houstonyachtclub.com JULY 5 - 6 Flying Scott - Meigs FWYC gya.org JULY 5 - 6 Firecracker Regatta Open Portsmouth Browns Creek Sailing Assoc. Guntersville, Alabama (256) 582-2438 JULY 12 Around the Lake race Corinthian Sailing Assoc. gya.org JULY 12 - 13 Flying Scott - Summer Mobile Yacht Club gya.org JULY 12 - 13 Area D Semifinals - Adams Pontchartrain Yacht Club gya.org JULY 26 GYA Women’s Offshore Pensacola Beach Yacht Club gya.org JULY 26 - 27 J-22 GYA Champs Rhodes 19 Birthday Regatta Pass Christian Yacht Club gya.com JULY 26 - 27 Flying Scott - Weatherly
Gulfport Yacht Club (228) 863-2263 AUGUST 2 - 3 J-22 Angus Invite. Gulfport Yacht Club (233) 863-2263 AUGUST 10 PHRF Single Handed Corinthian Sailing Assoc. gya.org AUGUST 16 - 17 Laser GYA Champ’s Sunfish GYA Champ’s Gulfport Yacht Club (233) 863-2263 AUGUST 17 Junior Handicap Southern Yacht Club syc.org AUGUST 23 - 24 J-22 Summer Swelter Pontchartrain Yacht Club (985) 626-3192 AUGUST 30 - 31 Flying Scott - Lipton Pass Christian Yacht Club (228) 452-2571 SOUTHERN STATES (AK, GA, NC, SC,TN) Local club’s evening racing JULY 5 - 6 Independence Day Regatta PHRF and Dinghy Lake Norman, Charlotte, NC lakenormanyachtclub.com JULY 12 - 13 Area D semifinals Mallory & O’Day Lake Norman Yacht Club (704) 821-8752 JULY 12 - 13 Beaufort Water Festival Hobie, MC Scow, JY15, Force 5, Laser, Laser Radial, Sunfish,
Junior Sunfish Beaufort Yacht & Sailing (843) 522-3320 JULY 18 - 20 Charleston Inshore Regatta Charleston Yacht Club (843) 722-0209 JULY 18 - 26 Flying Scot North Americans Lake Norman, Charlotte, NC lakenormanyachtclub.com JULY 20 Small Boat Long Distance Lake Lanier Sailing Club llsc.com AUGUST 2 - 3 Open One Design Regatta Lake Lanier Sailing Club (770) 967-9323 AUGUST 16 Too Hot to Trot Regatta Birmingham Sailing Club (205)655-2121 AUGUST 16 Dog Days Regatta PHRF & One Design Privateer Yacht Club Chattanooga, Tennessee privateeryachtclub.org UNIOR REGATTAS JULY 12 - 13 Area D Semifinals Sears/Bemis/Smythe/Sears Clearwater Yacht Club, FL (727) 447-6000 JULY 19 - 26 Texas Youth Race Week Houston houstonyachtclub.com JULY 19 - 20 Junior Liptons Southern Yacht Club gya.org
SAILING CLUB DIRECTORY IS NOW ON THE INTERNET
For a list of yacht clubs and sailing associations in Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, visit our Web site southwindssailing.com. Their addresses and Web sites will also be listed. We are asking all these organizations to e-mail us your Web site address and we will put a link to it. Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations: Please update your phone numbers by e-mailing yachtclubs@southwindssailing.com and give us your W eb site address also.
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www.southwindssailing.com
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
Southwinds
July 2003
13
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800.771.5556 • www.huntermarine.com Hunter Marine reserves the right to modify or change, without notice, any materials, specifications, equipment and/or accessories. All measurements are approximate. Standard equipment may vary for products sold outside the United States.
Bubba Uses Hi Tech to Place in Race By Morgan Stinemetz
Bubba stories are not available on the Internet because Southwinds does not have the electronic rights to the stories.
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July 2003
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OCEAN RACING
“Kativa” Finishes First in Charleston to Bermuda Race By Dan Dickison
ST. GEORGES, BERMUDA—After six long days of sailing upwind from Charleston, SC, Dr. Mike Finn and his crew aboard the J/160 Kativa crossed the finish line off St. David’s Lighthouse on the northeast end of Bermuda early Friday morning May 23 to end a 777-mile race that seemed much longer. Finn and his 10 crewmembers arrived at almost four in the morning Bermuda time, spent yet happy to be on terra firma and the first team to finish among the 16 that began the race on Saturday, May 17. A veteran sailboat racer from Slidell, LA, Finn said this was the longest ocean race in his career. It also turned out to be the longest edition of the Charleston to Bermuda Race on record. “This race was tough,” he said. “We had wind on the nose almost the entire time, but the boat performed admirably and the crew was marvelous. They really never let down, and I think they proved themselves to be very capable.” Finn said he was particularly proud of his two sons, Ryan and Jeff. Both made the trip with him, and the former served as Kativa’s navigator. Kativa was predicted to be among the first finishers, but the boat never held the outright lead until late in the race when she jumped ahead in the final 40 miles approaching Bermuda. Rex Conn’s 48-foot trimaran Alacrity out of Still Pond, MD, traded the lead with Charleston’s Teddy Turner, Jr. and his 40-foot trimaran Troika over the first five days of the event, but Conn managed to leave Turner behind on Thursday night and crossed the finish line just under three hours after Kativa. Though Turner and his crew did everything they could to get to the finish line, their boat missed the mandatory time limit by just over an hour, and thus only two boats are officially scored as finishing. Almost from its first mile, this race presented a challenge with blustery 22-knot breezes sweeping in from the east right before the start. The crew on board Ken Sawyer’s S&S 46 Lionhearted saw the boat’s headstay tear out of the deck less than five miles into the race. They were fortunate not to suffer a
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The start of the Charleston to Bermuda Race.
dismasting and returned safely to the dock. Then, just outside the Charleston Harbor jetties, Conn and company aboard Alacrity saw their mainsail shred to pieces. They spent the better part of an hour switching to their old, baggy, Dacron mainsail, and fell well behind the fleet. The conditions continued to be rough for the next several hours, and with the winds coming right out of the direction where Bermuda lay, no boat made much progress. Susan Ford’s all-woman team on board her Hinckley Bermuda 40 J/Henry was among the first boats to turn back for Charleston. J/Henry initially experienced minor rigging problems. That, coupled with the lack of progress and one case of severe seasickness on board, forced Ford’s team to turn back. By the end of the day on Sunday, an additional three boats had abandoned the race and turned back to Charleston (Bill Buice’s Moody 419 Far Horizon, John and Trisha Flanagan’s Bristol 53 Tsunami, and Mike Kapp’s Sabre 38 Ghost). By Wednesday evening, three of the 11 remaining boats in the race had opted to engage their engines in order to make better progress toward Bermuda, effectively eliminating them from competition (Albert Mintz and Jerome Abernathy’s Beneteau 473 Victory, Pierre Manigault and Franz Baichle’s S&S 10-Meter Twilight, and Brad Law’s Gulfstar 50 Shenanigan.) Ultimately all the boats in the fleet except for the two trimarans and Kativa engaged their engines to reach Bermuda. This was a race where the winds rarely shifted more than 40 degrees off the nose, meaning the entire course to Bermuda was upwind, a phenomenon veteran sailors in Bermuda say is a true anomaly. The crew on board Kativa allowed that they flew spinnakers for almost six hours midway through the race, but that was as much off-the-wind sailing as any of the boats in this contest experienced. According to several competitors the night passages were particularly challenging. Rex Conn estimated the seas at one point to be almost 25 feet, though others gauged them to be 15 feet high at their maximum. Crews later related that they were www.southwindssailing.com
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
Southwinds
July 2003
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CRUISING THE ICW
“SEE YA ON THE TWO!” Travels on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway By Barbara and Bruce Pierce
“Crossroads, this is the Creole Sue. Hey, Cap’n, come alongside a me an’ we’ll see ya on the two. Now, ya’ll have a safe trip.”
Crossroads docked along the GICW in Louisiana
C
reole Su, a commerical tug pushing a huge barge, was one of the many tugs we met up with on our trip down the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICW) as we traveled from Texas to Florida. We’d been warned that we wouldn’t be able to understand the thick Louisiana drawl of these captains. And it did take some getting used to. We’d also been warned that these captains, who spent their lives pushing barges back and forth on the busy ICW, wouldn’t be tolerant of cruisers who were inexperienced in traveling their territory; they’d eat us up and spit us out!
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It was a cold, gray February day when we left Galveston Bay. Crossroads, our 40-foot ketch, had been trucked from Mexico to Kemah, TX. We’d spent four years cruising the Pacific coast of Mexico. Traveling on an inland waterway was new to us. We wanted to take this trip as neither of us had been anywhere in the South. Not only did the idea of the busy barge traffic scare us, there were the many locks and drawbridges; we’d never dealt with locks or drawbridges. And there were rough towns along the way where we were warned not to get off the boat. There were no anchorages. The water was shallow, and with our six-foot draft, we’d for sure go aground. The list of our fears went on and on. Lots of firsts; that’s what cruising is all about. This trip gave us lots of firsts and challenges. Nearly all of them turned out to be very positive. It was a great trip. We were told it’s a six-day run from Galveston to New Orleans, anchoring every night. We enjoyed it so much that we took 21 days. The ICW is well marked. It wanders through narrow canals, through lagoons and bayous, through the open waters of Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound. Created for commercial traffic, the ICW is crowded with tugs and barges, the busiest waterway in the United States in the area just before New Orleans. The view from the cockpit was never boring; it changed every few hours. From the tall marsh grass and many species www.southwindssailing.com
of birds of Texas, to tently polite and helpful Louisiana’s eerie swamp with each other and with us. land, where we could Same with the bridge and picture a character from lock tenders; we never ran The Texas Chainsaw Masinto a rude person. sacre lurching out, to As the GICW was once Alabama’s picturesque strictly commercial, anchorcanals, to the rich foliage ages are few. For us, finding and beautiful beaches of an anchorage was a fun part Florida. Neither of us of each day. There were lots wanted to go below; it of safe, beautiful, isolated was too good to miss. anchorages to be found, We were awed by with the help of the tug capthe miles and miles of tains and the Southern Waterwilderness, the birds, the way Guide. One of the more quiet. It was totally quiet memorable was when we and tranquil, other than nestled up to the side of a cathe barges calling their nal and dropped the hook. traffic on the radio. The fluke of the anchor was Much to our surprise, submerged, but the shank there was almost no stood out of the water. Now trash in the water; no that’s shallow. empty cans floating by. It Ingraham Bayou in Alais a pristine, quiet, fascibama was our all-time faBruce and Barbara Pierce onboard Crossroads. Steve Morrell photo. nating wilderness. vorite anchorage. SurThough this area is rounded by tall pine trees, spectacular in wildlife and beauty, we didn’t meet up with with the bay nearly to ourselves and perfect weather; anchorany other cruisers traveling this route until Florida. ages don’t get any better than this. Three dolphins accompaDealing with the tug captains turned out to be one of nied us as we drove into the bayou and continued to swim the more interesting and positive experiences: “Comin’ at ya eastbound here,” from Senor Peco. “I be out chur way on the one,” from Cajun Chris. Following the U.S. Coast Guard Rules of the Road, “one” means you’re turning to starboard, “two” means to port. Most of the barges were filled with diesel fuel, LPG, salt, or dangerous chemicals. Many were huge, up to 1,000 feet long and up to 110 feet wide. We were impressed with the tugs; most were in mint, newly-painted, Bristol condition. The captains were consis-
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
Southwinds
July 2003
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ALONG THE ICW and leap out of the water for the three days we were there. Bald eagles soared and glided above the trees. Pirate’s Cove, a cruisers hangout with great hamburgers, was a short dinghy ride away. Avery Island was another great anchorage, a short side trip in Louisiana. At the home Cruising the GICW in Texas in winter. Barbara Pierce photo. of Tabasco Sauce, we enjoyed exploring it, listening to street musia day at the old red brick factory, surcians, thoroughly enjoying all the sights rounded by acres of grass, big old oak and sounds. trees dripping with moss, and the Apalachicola, on the Florida Pansound of Cajun/Zydeco music. handle, was a great town. From the At Morgan City, we tied up at the Scipio Creek Marina, we could walk to public dock for free. We’d been warned the Piggly Wiggly supermarket, where not to get off the boat here. Good we they also sold wonderful home-cooked trusted our instincts. We were welfood. There were lots of pleasant folks comed by a city official with a packet and interesting old houses. We both of helpful information about the city, were offered jobs and seriously considdiscovered great soul food at Rita Mae’s ered staying awhile. and discovered a great hardware store. The drawbridges, which we had We were glad we found Morgan City. feared, turned out to be a cinch. Just New Orleans was an incredible exbefore New Orleans, 11 drawbridges perience. We tied up at the Municipal lifted for us in that one day. Marina on Lake Ponchartrain and spent Each lock was a challenge. All five weeks there. The French Quarter went well except one: We were tied to was an easy bus ride. We spent days
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a huge barge going through the lock. There was a drawbridge immediately after the lock. The barge would fit under; we definitely would not. While we frantically worked to untie from the barge, the bridge tender asked: “Why aren’t you waiting for the bridge to open?” We responded, “You don’t understand; we’re tied up to this barge. We need the bridge open now!” The bridge tender then asked us, “What parish are you from?” “Parish? We’re from California and we’re going to hit your bridge!” With only seconds to spare, it opened. The few real challenges we met, and all the firsts we experienced, made for a great trip on the ICW, an adventure we’ll long remember. We highly recommend it. “See ya on the two!” Any comments or thoughts about this article or the subject matter, Southwinds would like to hear from you. E-mail letters to the editor at editor@southwindssailing.com
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LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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Southwinds
July 2003
23
THE BAHAMAS
More Lessons in the Bahamas By Colin Ward
I
have heard sailors say that cruising the Bahamas is a piece of cake. True, it is not the same as rounding the Horn or singlehanding across the Atlantic; however, the Bahamas deserve a lot of respect Mandalay med moored in Morgan’s Bluff. when it comes to reefs, shoals, unprotected anchorages and unpredictable weather. We learn new lessons every time we go there. And every year gans Bluff on Andros followed by a non-stop trip to Miami. we hear of boats that are damaged or lost, not to mention the We had never stopped at Morgans Bluff but had heard several occasional lost crew member. good reports. We knew the U-shaped harbor was open to the This April, after several weeks exploring the Exuma Islands, north and protected from the east, south and west. The foreit was time for Colleen and I to sail Mandalay home to Florida. casters were predicting that we would see southeasterlies of We had enjoyed a brisk sail from Normans Cay to Nassau where 15 knots on Friday, southwesterlies 15 - 20 knots the next day we had taken care of our “city” business like receiving mail, and then several days of light southerlies. paying bills and buying groceries. We were now studying the We decided to head out to Andros on the southeasterly, weather for the 150-mile trip over the Bahama Banks and across sit out the southwesterly in Morgans Bluff and then finish the the Gulf Stream to make landfall in Miami. The return trip across passage over the next day and a half in light southerlies. Our the Gulf Stream can be intimidating because it takes a day or course would be essentially west, although from Bimini to two to get to the Stream during which time the weather can Miami we would be sailing a southwesterly course to countereasily change from the preferred light southerly winds. What’s act the set of the Stream. The anchor was up by 0800 on deparmore, there are few sheltered spots for a deep draft sailboat to ture day, and we headed for the western entrance of Nassau stop and wait for the weather to improve. Crossing the Gulf Harbor. We waited while a cruise ship carrying 3300 passenStream between the Bahamas and Florida with the wind against gers and 1275 crew entered the harbor and then headed out the current is definitely not recommended unless you like breakinto the Northeast Providence Channel. ing square waves that quickly build to 10 - 12 feet. There was almost no wind, but we raised the main in anOur weather window was taking shape, however. A weak ticipation of the southeasterlies filling in shortly. Once we were cold front was stalled over Florida, but the weather reports called clear of Nassau Harbor (and two more cruise ships that were for light winds with a southerly component for several days. heading that way), we eased the main and unrolled the 140 Our friends on Elysium VI suggested a day sail to Morpercent genoa. Our course was northwest until we cleared the shoals of New Providence. Then we headed up a few degrees, and the sails began to draw nicely. Sure enough, by the time we were pointing toward Morgans Bluff, the sails were moving us at 4.5 knots, and the engine was quiet. It was not long before our speed increased from 4.5 to 5.5 knots, then 6, then 6.5. The wind was blowing 15 - 20 on the beam, and there was a bone in Mandalay’s teeth. Before we closed on Andros, we left the lee of New Providence and felt the wind and seas building as we crossed the Tongue of the Ocean. By the time Morgans Bluff was visible, the 140 percent genoa was reefed to about 90 percent, and we were thinking about a reef in the main. The GPS told us we were sailing at seven knots over ground. We knew that our anchorage would be safe with the southerly winds, but I worried that the surge would make it uncomfortable. Since we did not know how much maneuvering room there would be in the anchorage, 24
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we dropped sail before we reached the channel (actually a gap in the reef). When we headed into the wind to lower the main, the bow plowed a deep furrow in each of the large choppy waves coming toward us. We breathed a sigh of relief as we passed the bluff and saw that the water was flat inside. The first sight was a large tanker called Titas that carries drinking water from Andros to Nassau every day. We passed Titas and dropped the hook in 10 feet of water where the chart Colleen with the Elysium VI crew. reported good holding. Knowing that Titas drew much more than 10 feet, we were quite sure that it would not come visiting in the night. Elysium VI was already tucked in close to shore. We agreed that a restful evening was in order, and the exploration of town could wait until Saturday. Both the chart and the cruising guide indicated that Morgans Bluff had a small man-made inner harbor in addition to the sizable anchorage to its north. An island freighter, the Emerald Express, arrived and entered the inner harbor. We were surprised when it disappeared inside. The basin only looked to be about 400 feet square on the chart. The freighter was well over 100 feet long and carried several truck trailers on deck. A ramp at the bow allowed loading and unloading the cargo. The next morning, a second island freighter entered the inner harbor and tied up next to the Emerald Express. Saturday arrived peacefully, but the sky was cloudy and looked a bit unsettled. The wind had clocked to the southwest as predicted, but we were still well-protected. It crossed my mind that coming to Morgans Bluff in a norther would be a big mistake. At about midday, the sky became darker and all of a sudden, I felt a cold blast of air from the north. Almost instantly, the wind machine reading jumped up to 29 knots, and the direction was due north. The boat was blown south and finally, after what felt like several minutes, I felt the anchor grab and reset. I was glad we had not anchored any closer to the beach where the water shoaled up rapidly. I secretly hoped it was a brief squall line, but there was no thunderstorm close by so “brief” would be wishful thinking. It was not long before the waves began to grow, and Mandalay began bucking like a bronco. It was easy to see that with the almost unlimited fetch to the north, we could be in a lot of trouble if we stayed put. Colleen wondered if we should head out and make for Frazer’s Hog Cay for some northerly protection. Although that would have been a better anchorage in a norther, we would have to travel directly north into the building 30-knot wind and accompanying seas for 12 miles before we felt any relief. Not a pleasant thought. In addition to riding out the norther where we were, there was one other option. The cruising guide mentioned that in a pinch, a sailboat could obtain permission to LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
enter the small inner commercial harbor and med moor (Mediterranean mooring) to the rocks and be protected. The book also mentioned that our present anchorage was “unsafe in northerlies.” I jumped in the dinghy (once again thankful for a large RIB with a 15 h.p. motor), and motored between the jetties into the inner harbor. The basin was indeed small and the water was flat inside. The two island freighters were docked inside, along with a catamaran and a couple of small motorboats. I tied up the dinghy and went looking for the harbormaster. My search began at Willy’s Water Lounge, the only business in sight. Willy’s son Prince pointed out a small car near the beach and told me to look for the harbormaster in the car. I hurried over to the car only to find its occupant sound asleep on the front seat. Normally, I would not wake someone enjoying a midday nap, but I was getting a
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THE BAHAMAS bit desperate as the wind was now well over 30, and the harbor was close to untenable. The groggy harbormaster said we could come in and tie up as long as we did not obstruct the freighters. He also said I should look for Shalom at the freighter dock who would help us. He told me the water in the man-made basin was 14 feet deep. Not wishing to waste any more time, I dinghied back to the boat and told Colleen we were heading inside-let’s get docklines ready, and we would figure out how to med moor Mandalay. We motored up to the anchor and managed to get it aboard without damaging the topsides and headed between the jetties to the inner harbor. My plan was to drop anchor in the middle of the basin and let the wind blow us toward shore where I would dinghy lines ashore to complete our med moor. We entered the basin and found that the water was indeed plenty deep enough. I steered up into the center with the anchor at the ready. A figure on shore began running and shouting to Colleen, who was on the bow, to drop anchor and back the stern up to the windward shore. Since this was not our plan, a stalemate ensued until we agreed that we would follow this man’s instructions. The anchor was dropped, and I now had to reverse the boat into the 30knot wind toward a rocky shore with tree stumps for cleats. Mandalay reverses fairly well by single screw sailboat standards, and we were soon easing into an opening between two local powerboats. I told Colleen to snub the anchor while I dinghied a line ashore. I left the engine idling in reverse and jumped in the dinghy with the end of the first stern line. I handed it to the man, soon to be identified as Shalom, but it was too short to reach the casuarina tree stump that served as a cleat. I quickly retrieved another line to extend the first while Mandalay idled in gear and stayed put. Colleen began tying dock lines together to make a second stern line and two very long bow lines to extend back to the rocks. Finally, Shalom helped us tie a spare anchor line all the way across the harbor to a mooring bitt on the far shore. Once the boat was secure, we introduced ourselves to Shalom, who was surprised we had not heard of him. Although we took him to be a Bahamian, he corrected us and said he was from Jamaica and had been schooled in England. He had been around the world three times in merchant vessels, had worked for the Windjammer Cruise Lines fleet, and spoke several languages. He worked for the freight company in Andros and helped cruisers like us when necessary. Shalom said we could stay in the harbor at no charge, but a tip
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(well-earned) for him would be appreciated. Next, our thoughts turned to Elysium VI. I jumped in the dinghy again to see how they were doing and to describe med mooring in the inner harbor. Once I passed through the jetties and saw the waves, I reconsidered the dinghy idea and headed back to use the radio on Mandalay. At first, Elysium decided to remain in the anchorage (they had seen the size of the inner harbor during a previous visit!), but it was not long before they called back, having changed their minds. I rounded up Shalom, who picked a spot for them, and we told them to come on in. After weighing the anchor with some difficulty, the Whitby 42 motored into the harbor and repeated the exercise we had been through. This time, I ferried their docklines to shore while they struggled to reverse the full keel vessel into its spot. Our dinghy also doubled as a tugboat as I pushed their stern where the propeller would not take it. They dropped a second anchor and were soon secure while the wind in the outer harbor blew up to forty knots from the north churning the anchorage up like a washing machine. With both boats secure, we all retreated to Willy’s and enjoyed a couple of Kaliks and thanked Shalom and the dockmaster and anyone else listening for the inner harbor and their help to get in there. The water depth in the harbor was fourteen feet almost to shore so we were thankful that our rudders could be within a few feet of the iron shore rocks and not be in any danger as long as our anchors held. Of course, by the time we left Willy’s to return to our boats, the wind had dropped to 15 knots from the southwest, and the outer anchorage looked inviting again. The next morning we brushed the sand out of the cockpit that had blown over from the beach to the north of us. We heard on the radio that two boats had gone onto the reef at Mama Rhoda Rock near Chubb Cay. One was a sailboat and the other a 48-foot trawler. We stayed in Morgans Bluff until the unsettled weather passed through the area. We enjoyed the Sunday night party at Willy’s complete with disc jockey and twelve speakers about 100 feet from Mandalay. Every day, Willy’s had a loud and aggressive game of dominoes under way on the deck. We watched as the freighters came and went, and we watched some local children diving from the bank into the deep basin. Elysium VI had to slacken its anchor rode to insure that a freighter cleared it when turning around in the basin. We also saw fishermen loading conch onto a ship bound for Nassau. They had caught the conch at another island and had stored it in the water off the beach until it was time to ship it to market. Finally, when we were ready to head for Bimini and Miami, light southerlies were predicted. We headed out across the Banks (80 miles in 15 feet of water with no land in sight) until we neared Bimini. We dropped anchor near Bimini’s North for a few hours’ sleep before heading across the Gulf Stream. When we arose at 2 a.m. to begin the final leg, the weather report was calling for deteriorating conditions in the Miami area with 25-knot southwesterlies (which would be on our nose) predicted for late that day. We crabbed across the Gulf Stream at full speed and reached Miami’s Government Cut in rain and thunderstorms, but thank goodness, before the wind built to 25. It was time to splurge on a marina and unwind from our interesting return trip to Flor-ida. After clearing back in to the United States, we relaxed in the marina. A manatee and her pup came up to the dock to visit and let us scratch her head and belly. A pleasant welcome home! www.southwindssailing.com
Among the lessons learned were that weather forecasts are pretty reliable when conditions are stable but can be completely wrong if there is a stationary front in the area. Also, we need a fall-back plan if the conditions change. I knew the inner harbor existed at Morgans Bluff but would not have taken the boat into such a tight spot under normal conditions. My other fallback plan of heading over to Frazer ’s Paradise Island in Nassau. Hog Cay went out the window when it became a 12-mile upwind slog into 30to 40-knot winds. We also learned a little about Andros and
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
its friendly people. More cruisers have been recently stopping there , and we know why. Lastly, we wondered about our choice to leave Nassau on a Friday. We know it is bad luck to start a voyage on a Friday, but after all, we had been island hopping for several months, and we were not sure this counted as a new voyage! Once again, we learned respect for the Bahamas and were reminded not to underestimate the conditions there. Any comments or thoughts about this article or the subject matter, Southwinds would like to hear from you. E-mail letters to the editor at editor@southwindssailing.com
Southwinds
July 2003
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Scenes from the
2003 Regata del Sol al Sol It’s more than a sailboat race, it’s a cultural experience.
Regata del Sol al Sol 2004 ENTER YOUR BOAT NOW AND JOIN YOU’RE FELLOW SAILORS in the sailboat race from St. Petersburg, Florida to Isla Mujeres, Mexico leaving from the Pier on Friday, April 23, 2004. Start your planning now and have your boat & crew in top shape for the Gulf Stream Challenge. New records are being established for: Multi-Hull, Spinnaker A & B, Non-Spinnaker, True Cruising A & B. Want to Crew? Sailors wishing to crew please enter your name and experience on our Web site. Receptions and events at both ends for your families and friends. Check our Web site www.regatadelsolalsol.org Want to Volunteer and Help Next Year’s Regata del Sol al Sol? Call George Crook at (727) 343-4777
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CUBA
Interview with José Miguel Díaz Escrich, Commodore, Club Nautico Internacional Hemingway (CNIH) de Cuba By E. Pimiento, s/v Habañero III
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Department, including recreational boating. Prihat kind of yacht club is the only one in vate pleasure craft, if available, can be called the country, has 1600 members from 45 upon to assist in defending Cuban waters. As different countries (but no local dues-paying an example, he cites Ernest Hemingway’s sermembers), charges only $150 US per year dues, vice during WWII as a submarine spotter on his will train any local child to sail a dinghy, offers fishing boat, Pilar. member discounts on services, helps with offiDíaz Escrich had a vision, born of his father’s cial travel paperwork and fosters international and his own naval service, his yacht club childfriendship among recreational boaters worldhood, his studies, his career experiences, his love wide? What kind of man would start such a of his country: Develop the recreational boatclub and in so doing become an international ing industry in Cuba. He became a consultant ambassador of goodwill, recognized promoter for nautical tourism and proposed founding a of marine tourism and a one-man welcome Commodoro Escrich new yacht club at Marina Hemingway, seven committee to visiting yachtsmen? miles west of Havana. At the time, all Cuban yacht clubs were The answer, of course, is the Club Nautico Internacional closed. There had been many clubs prior to 1960, but the perHemingway de Cuba (Hemingway International Yacht Club ception of them as elitist, exclusionary organizations of wealthy of Cuba) and its founder, José Miguel Díaz Escrich. The story capitalists made the creation of a new and different one diffiof this unique yacht club is intertwined with that of its founder and commodore, a man passionate about the development of recreational boating in Cuba. Commodore Díaz Escrich, son of well-to-do Galician and Catalonian parents, was born 21 December 1946, and grew up in Santiago de Cuba on the southern coast of the Caribbean’s largest island. His father, who was a successful businessman and yacht club member, served in the U.S. Navy, helping with logistics in Jamaica during the Second World War. His love for things nautical, his business sense and his organizational skills live on in his son, José Miguel. Growing up, young Díaz Escrich enjoyed water sports in Santiago de Cuba, especially swimming and rowing. He knew he wanted to become a naval officer, but those not yet 18 years old did not get into the Cuban Naval Academy. Instead, at age 16, Díaz Escrich joined his country’s army, hoping eventually to gain acceptance in the Naval Academy. His army record was spotless, and after one and a half years his dream came true: he entered the academy at Mariel, now closed. After graduation in 1969, he worked his way up the ranks to commander of an anti-submarine ship. He returned to the classroom, first as a professor at the academy, then as a master’s degree candidate at the highest level naval academy in the former Soviet Union. Returning to Cuba after four years, he worked in Naval Base Operations on the General Staff, focusing on international maritime and legal issues. When he retired in 1991, he spent some time on merchant and fishing vessels. Díaz Escrich used his well-rounded education to develop Cuba’s maritime industries: merchant marine, commercial fishing, and defense. After the revolution, there was no recreational boating in Cuba, but he felt that sector could and should be developed. In the navy, he had learned about the strength a state gains when its industry’s diverse powers are coordinated strategically. During times of war, all facets of the marine trades fall under a single War LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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CUBA cult. Nevertheless, with great effort, Díaz Escrich was able to clear the way to open the first post-revolutionary yacht club in Cuba. A decade later, it seems such a natural thing. During the 1950s, many international fishing tournaments took place in Havana, attracting fishermen and their boats from all over the world. Fidel Castro and Ernest Hemingway met and fished together in a 1960 Hemingway game fishing tournament celebrated at the Barlovento Tourist Residence, later named Marina Hemingway and where the American author presented the Cuban president with several trophies. Three photographs of Ernest Hemingway hang in the yacht club’s office today, including one of Hemingway and his boat, Pilar, dated 27 May 1950. The area where the marina and Marina Hemingway yacht club now stand was originally developed in the late 1950s as Residencial Touristical Barlovento (Barlovento Tourist Residence). An advanced concept for its time, the plan was to build condominiums, bungalows, villas and recreational fa-
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cilities on 633 plots of land between four man-made canals, similar to developments in South Florida. Hotels and a casino were also planned, though only one hotel, Hotel El Viejo y El Mar (The Old Man and the Sea Hotel), was built. Construction was done by a U.S. company with Cuban capital. Díaz Escrich notes Frank Sinatra was the vice-president of the company, assisted by several of his fellow “family” members. The areas named Paraiso and Intercanal D were the only ones where building was completed. By the end of the 1960s, most of the landowners had emigrated to the United States. During the period 1960-82, the area was in use but was not tourist-oriented. The Cuban kayak team and an academy of fishing occupied some of the land, and a naval base for torpedo boats was established at the end of Intercanal D, where the boatyard now stands. With the Russians in retreat, the Cuban government approved new investment laws to develop tourism and started removing the warships from Intercanal D. Cubanacan, a tourism holding company, was founded in 1987 and given the land at Barlovento. Marina Hemingway was established there, but the campaign to promote marine tourism had just begun. Though it would seem a natural development to have a yacht club for local and visiting mariners in a tourist complex on the water, it took until 21 May 1992 for the club to open. That day, with 28 members from 10 countries, flags from each country were displayed, causing some concern about the Stars and Stripes, the only U.S. flag flying over Cuban soil. Unlike previous yacht clubs, it is open to any and all who love the sea. There is no discrimination—all are treated with respect. The second year, membership climbed to 150, representing 23 countries. Currently, there are over 1600 members from 44 countries. Additionally, children from Havana are encouraged to learn sailing on the club’s Optimist dinghies and to train for the Olympics on Snipes, Lasers, 420s, 470s and a donated 25-foot sailboat. Díaz Escrich says the yacht club acts as a godparent to many children, teaching them sailing and teamwork skills and guiding them in their development. www.southwindssailing.com
The Club Nautico Internacional Hemingway
Yet, due to a lack of suitable boats in which to train, Cuba is unable to send well-coached, highly competitive sailors to international games. The club is non-profit and completely independent,
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
something boaters elsewhere take for granted but unusual in a socialist country. No funds come from the government; club income is from dues, donations and the members’ bar on the first floor of the clubhouse. After operating expenses, funds are used for club functions and nautical events, including hosting international sailboat races, fishing tournaments, junior sailing regattas and the national kayak and water-ski teams. The club also has a donated 25-foot sport fishing boat. The clubhouse is in a former private residence on Marina Hemingway’s Intercanal D. It has been refurbished ex-
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CUBA tensively with donations and materials bought at cost. It has a small, friendly bar and a lounge with comfortable seating and a television. Temporary membership is available, and highly recommended, for visiting boaters. Annual membership dues are very reasonable for those who plan to stay awhile or to return often. Members receive discounts The CNIH waterfront on dockage, rental cars, and restaurant meals at Marina Hemingway, as well as knowledgeable advice on cruising Cuban waters, help with clearing in and out nationally and internationally, help in obtaining and understanding Cuban charts. Most valuable of all, the club offers boaters the security of good friendship in a foreign land. This yacht club is a safe, tranquil destination where even a novice cruiser can be confident knowing help is only a call away. Díaz Escrich serves not only as commodore, but also as Cuba’s goodwill ambassador to recre- Marina Hemingway Dock. ational boaters, internationally and locally. He attended the Toronto boat show in January 2003 and signed fifteen reciprocity agreements with Canadian yacht clubs, including RCYC. Five more are pending. He has also attended the Miami boat show, but U.S. yacht clubs can offer only informal relationships to their Cuban counterpart. Díaz Escrich particularly enjoyed his first Miami show in 1996, when he was reunited with his older sister, whom he had not seen since 1961. “Cubans love the sea,” Díaz Escrich says, “and all nautical activities.” A strong recreational boating industry will ben-
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efit Cubans directly, as well as indirectly through marine-related tourism. Over 7000 Cubans own boats, mostly for sport fishing, and 300,000 amateurs belong to the Cuban Sport Fishing Federation. In sailing, 290 boats, 2500 amateurs and 610 athletes are registered. Additionally, there are 450 kayaks and canoes, with 3000 amateurs and 1050 athletes, plus 120 rowing boats registered. Olympic class boats and equipment, especially keelboats and a 12-oar longboat, are essential for training Cuban athletes, Díaz Escrich feels, and he would like to see some donated to the club. He also needs international boating information and support in his battle for scarce government resources. “In Cuba,” he says, “only the government can develop recreational boating.” He offers his professional background and experience to guide the effort for the most beneficial results because “there is no room for error!” Why do top-level sailors race from Spain, Martinique, and Florida to Club Nautico Internacional Hemingway? And why do snowbirds flock there from Canada and even from the United States despite the embargo? Because it is there … and so is Commodore José Miguel Díaz Escrich. Any comments or thoughts about this article, or the subject matter? Southwinds would like to hear from you. E-mail letters to the editor: editor@southwindssailing.com
www.southwindssailing.com
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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CUBA
Cuba Sailing Race Fails to Start By Morgan Stinemetz
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he first annual Sail-Cuba Regatta, scheduled to begin May 3 from Tampa Bay, went to the bottom, a foundering wreck, before the start. At the closed skippers meeting on May 2 at the St. Petersburg Bayfront Center, the attendees—each of whom had a minimum of $350 invested in the event, voted to a man to cancel the race. They also wanted their money back. This writer was present to cover the meeting but was denied entry by Gilles Rancourt, a Canadian citizen who was behind the regatta. Rancourt runs a Canadian company called Exit Solutions and, apparently, is its sole employee. Previous to the scheduled start of the race, attempts to get clarification from Rancourt on how many boats were in the regatta failed. I twice talked to a man in Canada who never identified himself and who was as slippery as oil
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on black ice when asked direct questions. On April 18 the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) posted a notice on its Web site about incorrect information that Rancourt was putting out on the Exit Solutions’ Web site. The sum and substance of the notice was that “…a U.S. boater cannot claim fully hosted status if he or she is prepaying a third country entity to cover his or her travel-related transactions in Cuba.” People who went to Cuba, under Rancourt’s plan, would be breaking the law, the OFAC posting said. The penalties are Draconian. There are no restrictions on travel to Cuba by Americans, but people who have no specific or general license to do so cannot legally spend money there. That was the core issue Rancourt had hoped to skirt. He failed.
On April 21, OFAC sent Rancourt a letter telling him that U.S. citizens or people under U.S. jurisdiction could not legally participate in his regatta. However, Rancourt apparently did not immediately inform the people who had signed up for the race and coughed up their money. For example, Don Parmer of Panama City, who paid in $700 for both his boat—a Beneteau 381—and his own entry, wrote me the first he heard that there were difficulties with the race was after he had sailed down to St. Petersburg from Panama City and talked to Rancourt on the phone. Frank Walker, one of Parmer’s crew who attended the skippers meeting, said that some skippers had received a fax of an OFAC letter to Rancourt—in which OFAC told Rancourt that his plan, as it related to U.S. citizens, would
www.southwindssailing.com
Any comments or thoughts about this article or the subject matter, Southwinds would like to hear from you. E-mail letters to the editor at editor@southwindssailing.com
not wash—but others had not. The skippers—there were but five at the meeting—and their crews socialized for a spell before the meeting got under way. Rancourt had some T-shirts he was selling, at $15 or $20 a copy; there is a difference of opinion on the exact price. Then Rancourt got up to address the group and complained that a former race official, whom he named, blew the whistle on the race. There was a canvassing of the people present, and the vote was unanimous to cancel the race. According to Walker, “Rancourt side-stepped the issues other than to say the cancellation (and return of the fees) was (the former race official’s) idea. The discussion went on for over an hour, and all he (Rancourt) did was go around in circles.” Three days after the race had failed to start, Rancourt released a statement, which he e-mailed to a number of sailing publications. In it, he said the regatta had been postponed. The truth was that the participants had voted to cancel the race. Cancellation and postponement are not the same course of action, but Rancourt ignored the distinction. He put
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
the blame for the problems with OFAC on one person (the former race official) and took none of it himself. He also stated that talks with OFAC regarding the race were ongoing. Both of the statements were incorrect. First of all, Rancourt had no evidence whatsoever to back up his statement that it was the aforementioned race official who lodged a complaint with OFAC. Secondly, in my discussion with an OFAC official in Washington a few days ago, I was told that there was, as far as he knew, nothing for OFAC to discuss with Mr. Rancourt. There is another inconsistency, too. The e-mailed statement from Rancourt came from Exit Solutions in Canada at a time when Rancourt was supposed to be in Cuba. Rancourt e-mailed me, too. In answer to my question about the regatta being black-flagged by OFAC, Rancourt replied: “In OFAC’s sole opinion it was not a fully hosted event. This view is not shared by many others including our membership and ourselves [sic].”
I asked other questions. Had he gone to Cuba in early May? No answer. Had he, in fact, danced around the issues of refunds at the skippers meeting, as people there claimed? No answer. Did he once have problems with a boat charting enterprise in Varadero, Cuba? No answer. The reality is this: Regarding fully hosted travel to Cuba, it doesn’t make any difference what the opinions of the participants or Mr. Rancourt are. The U.S. Department of Treasury makes the rules, and it is the entity that the participants would have had to deal with had they gone. While the people who put up $350 each to get in on the regatta may have shown poor discernment in sending money out of the country on what amounted to no more than a lick and a promise, I believe they showed excellent judgment in not going to Cuba. It may not be easy to kiss off $350, but it is a cheap price indeed, compared with getting into a major hassle with the U.S. Treasury people, who, after all, is holding what amounts to a royal straight flush against a pair of treys. You wouldn’t want to bet on it.
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CUBA
Conch Republic Cup 2003 – June 15, 2003 By Peter Goldsmith, principal race officer of the CRC
The 3rd Annual Conch Republic Cup 2003 and the 7th Annual Key West to Varadero Race (Varadero Cup) started about one mile outside Key West harbor at 5 p.m. with 5 knots of breeze. The start of the Varadero Cup race
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wenty boats registered to sail this year (half as many as last year). Fifteen boats made the trip to Cuba. Three boats retired before the starting date, and two boats left the race after the start. George Bowman on S/V Orion got out past the reef but 16 miles after the start, realizing they had to motor all the way, retired at that point. All but one of the boats eventually turned on their engines. It was like a lake. The smoothest I have ever seen the Gulf Stream in 25 years of sailing. Dave Lung on Kialuana, a Voyage Mayotte Catamaran (50-foot), waited until 12:30 p.m. May 24th to start his engine; he was carrying one of the organizers. A number of the boats caught mahi-mahi (dolphin fish). Last to arrive in Varadero, at 2:00 a.m., was Morgan Laimbeer with his crew of eight on S/V Jack Morgan Machine, a Gulf Finn 34. They sailed all the way and also sailed into the dock. This year we had a race committee boat one mile off the entrance to Malo Pass that went down to Cuba three days early, Michael Kolbas and Susan “Patti” Findlay on S/V Caribbean Spirit, a Gemini 30. As there was no one to check in to finish, they spent the day swimming and snorkeling. Conch Republic Cup results:
Racing: 1st; Jack Morgan Machine (Gulf Finn 34) Morgan Laimbeer. 38
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The Varadero Cup, held on May 26, was a great success with five Cuban boats participating. The race was a leeward/ windward course along the beautiful beaches. The weather cooperated with a 10-to-12-knot breeze at the start, and on the return leg the winds picked up with a small squall and rain to make for a fast and exciting finish. The Cuban boats look forward to this race all year long and attended with their usual good spirits and enthusiastic sailing. Commodore Escrich threw two great parties at Marina Acua. One night was a floorshow with Cuban dancers that got everyone to their feet. Commodoro Escrich presented each of the captains a polo shirt with an embroidered Marina Hemingway emblem. Trophies were awarded for the Varadero Cup, and each of the winning boats received lovely Cuban handicrafts. We had a beautiful dinner and entertainment by a fabulous Flamenca group called “Ecos.” Varadero Cup Results: Racing: (spin)1, Jack Morgan Machine, Morgan Laimbeer (Gulf Finn 34); 2, Pocket Rocket, George Wolf (J35); 3, Ace, Bob Parker, McGregor 65 cutter:Cruising: (non-spin); 1, Siboney (Puertosol), Cuban, Elan 43; 2, Scarab, Hugh Robinson, Hunter 36; 3, Sandpiper, Tom Gaunt, Nonsuch 30: Multihull: (spin); 1, Roaming Chariot, John Scanlon, Newick/Native Tri; 2, Simbas, (Gaviota), Cuban boat, Fontaine; 3, Ciclon (Gaviota), Cuban boat; 4, Kialuana, Dave Lung, Voyage Mayotte 49; 5, Cayo Blanco, Cuban boat; 6, Tamaris, Cuban boat
The next morning, May 27 was the start of the 61-mile race to Habana, with an 8:00 a.m. start outside of Malo Pass and a finish line at Ferro Morro Castle. The race was cancelled due to lack of wind. Boats motorsailed to Marina Hemingway with everyone arriving before dark. As always, we were well-received by the marina and the Cuban people thanks to Commodoro Jose Escrich and his staff at Club Nautico de la Habana. People were able to make trips into Old Habana on the free bus system. There was live outdoor entertainment at the hotel. The evening of May 28, a 6:00 p.m. cocktail party was held at Club Nautico so the boaters could meet the club members. Everyone joyfully imbibed Cuba libres and mojitos, listened to the music of El Jilguero Pinareno, and feasted on a barbecue put on by the club members, with CRC members contributing fish and steak. The next evening we had a wonderful dinner presented by Commodoro Escrich and his staff. Commodoro Escrich once again welcomed everyone to Cuba and Cuban sailing waters, stressing the need for good will among the members of the world’s sailing community. Since there were no trophies to award, certain aspects were brought to note: 1. The smallest boat (Norsea 27) from www.southwindssailing.com
Comments From Peter Goldsmith, Principal Race Officer of the CRC, About Problems with the U.S. Government in Going to Cuba:
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A Flamenca dancer who entertained at the award dinner in Varadero.
2. 3. 4. 5.
Sarasota, FL. S/V Cabaret—Captain Ken Watkins and his crew Michael Allison. It took them 4 days to arrive in Marina Hemingway, but they persevered. Oldest sailor–Hugh Robinson, S/V Scarab (73 years young). Youngest sailor–Ryan Tomita, S/V Ace (10 years old). First to Arrive in Marina Hemingway and Varadero–Bob Parker, S/V Ace. Last to Arrive in Marina Hemingway and Varadero–Mark Milnes, S/V Eubett/You Bad,
Please see CONCH REPUBLIC on page 42
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
e had a wrinkle in the works when the Commerce Dept informed us that vessels and their contents are exported to Cuba even if they merely visit a Cuban port. Unauthorized exports to Cuba or Cuban territorial waters are subject to criminal prosecution and administrative proceedings that can result in fines, imprisonment, vessel forfeiture and denial of future export privileges. To comply with this required license we had each of our vessels registered with the CRC 2003 join as members/volunteers of Conchord Cayo Heuso. In accordance with this US Department of Commerce BXA export license, CCH is considered a legal “humanitarian aid: exporter transporting donations to Cuba.” Each boat carried with them donations of medical supplies, office supplies, clothes, etc. At the CRC 2003 registration at Geslin Sailmakers on May 22 at 3:00 p.m. CWO 3 Carlos Martinez – intelligence officer with the U.S. Coast Guard 7th District out of Miami, FL, invited himself into our offices to assist with the paperwork requiring acknowledgement of security zone and permit to depart during a national emergency. We told him we
only had a few vessels left to process, but he insisted on staying and making up a list of the boats and captains. They OK’d all the vessels’ paperwork. That evening at our bon voyage party Commerce Department Agents Zachary Mann and Jonathan Barnes (accompanied by 4 other government agents from OFAC, etc.) crashed our party and requested that they be allowed to talk to all of the boats’ captains. We obliged them by clearing off a table, letting them put down their paperwork and hand out the information they offered. The agents stated that they wanted people to be aware of and understand the need for an export license. At that time, the director of CCH, John Young, explained to Special Agents Barnes and Mann that the humanitarian license would cover members of his organization who had volunteered to deliver the medical supplies. 100 people watched as the agents acknowledged the director’s statement and then left the pre-event meeting with no further comments. The next day at the start of the race a Coast Guard boat with perPlease see COMMENTS on page 40
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sonnel transported three government agents throughout the start, taking pictures of all of the boats. All boats: 1. Applied for and received a Customs decal for re-entry into the USA. 2. Applied for and received U.S. Coast Guard permission to enter Cuban waters. 3. Joined an event that was fully hosted (CRC 2003), thus were not required to spend any money while in Cuba. (Boats were told by the Commerce Department representatives to retain documents showing we were not charged for dockage, visas, electric or water, and to obtain hosting letters.) 4. Joined a humanitarian organization that has organized deliveries of medical supplies to Cuba under their export license for 12 years. Their license is valid through February 29, 2004. Upon returning to the United States, we learned that Special Agent Barnes had decided, after the group left for Cuba, that they “had changed their minds” and that there were “some problems with the export license.” Special Agent Barnes had obtained a federal search warrant for the boats that were on the list given to them by the Coast Guard intelligence officers. Warrant was issued on 05/30/03 at 4:28 p.m. to search on or before 06/01/03 (not to exceed 10 days). Warrants were made out in the boat owner’s name, boat name, and registration number, to be searched “while at the U.S. Coast Guard
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group Key West pier or within 10 miles thereof.” Boats that returned to Key West were first cleared by Customs, Immigration and the Department of Agriculture. This took about 10 minutes with no problems. We were given a questionnaire asking if we spent any money and who sponsored our trip to Cuba. We were then told to wait for another group of agents. Department of Commerce (four agents) with two city police officers and a woman carrying a large black bag (that no one could look in) arrived, and we were told that all members of the boat had to leave the boat while they carried out their search. No warrant was supplied at this time. In the search warrant it states: If the person or property be found there, to seize same, leaving a copy of this warrant and receipt for the person or property taken, and prepare a written inventory of the person or property seized. Many people never saw a search warrant and did not receive an itemized list of seized property. The agents confiscated charts of Cuba and charts with sailing courses between the United Sates and Cuba. They took pictures of GPS waypoints, cameras and film, cruising guides, Cuban handcrafts received as gifts, all paperwork relating to the CRC 2003 race, all paperwork relating to Cuba, all paperwork regarding license and membership cards from the Conchord Cayo Heuso humanitarian export license, and all fully hosted letters stating that no money was spent in Cuba. The agents were asked why they didn’t inform the participants of the race at the pre-event party that there was something wrong with the export license. The only answer we heard was that “they changed their minds.” Many participants feel that they were blind-sided by that special agent who chose not to advise us of his concerns or intentions when he had all of the participants gathered in the pre-event meeting. Now the very person who has threatened us with fines and seizure has taken the documents we would have used to demonstrate our efforts to comply. I am the owner of the Conch Republic Cup/Key West Cuba Race Week and sole promoter of it. Geslin Sailmakers and the Key West Sailing Club have no official attachment. All laws in the United States are there because they have stood up to a Constitutional challenge. Laws broken lead to handcuffs and jail. The Cuban embargo has not faced a Constitutional challenge. The Government won’t let it into court. There are groups who have incurred fines for traveling to Cuba, who since the 1980s have been trying to get their day in court with negative results. Until the embargo against Cuba stands up to a Constitutional challenge, it is only policy and not law. Therefore, the harassment, intimidation, bullying and “Gestapo” tactics employed by government agencies on our return from Cuba, was illegal. In fact they are the ones breaking the law: violating our Constitutional rights. We are not at war with Cuba. Cuba is not a declared enemy! If this is an exercise, why did they spend taxpayers’ money sending all these agents to Key West to set up a command center, flood the docks day and night with agents in bullet-proof vests, man undercover vehicles, and have night surveillance by airplanes and boats searching for the return of our race group. If they had a legal leg to stand on, don’t you think after several years of trying to stop this race, they would have stood on it? Policy cannot be enforced as law. www.southwindssailing.com
What they have achieved out of this harassment is to make those who carried out this government policy look like morons who will do whatever their government tells them, right or wrong. Have we ever seen this before in history? The government should fear the people as it did when the Constitution was signed and not the people fear the government as it is now. Many people have come up to me, here and in Cuba, telling me how brave I am for continuing to hold this sporting event year after year in the face of what the US government throws at us. Well, it’s not me being brave; it’s the law-abiding and hard-working, taxpaying voters who join this event that are brave. Another result of this race is that after boats come back and are subjected to this illegal intimidation, they don’t go away quietly. This gets their political dander up. They call and write letters to their state, local and federal representatives. They relate their experiences to their friends. And they vote. Show me the law. Although there were some difficulties dealing with the U.S. government, on our return everyone was really positive about our trip and time spent in Cuba. We’re looking forward to a bigger and better race in 2004. Each year everyone is totally enthusiastic about this race, and this year was no exception. We have many return boats and expect the same for next year in 2004. We are moving the date to the end of April to coincide with a weeklong celebration of Conch Republic Days.
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
To all race entrants in the Conch Republic Cup and others concerned about the U.S. policy not allowing U.S. sailors to go to Cuba freely: Southwinds magazine would like to hear your story on your experiences in the race, or your opinions on this issue. We will print anonymous letters (and protect the source) to protect those who believe the U.S. government will not protect their freedom of speech in expressing their experiences and views and rights on visiting Cuba. We would also like to print your experiences and views so that others can make more informed decisions on whether they should attempt to sail to Cuba and be better informed on how the U.S. government will detain, harass, and/or question them (or not) about their travels to Cuba. If nothing else, we would like to hear your opinions about the rights of traveling/sailing to Cuba for Americans. You can e-mail: editor@southwindssailing.com. Or mail to: Southwinds, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach FL 342181175, or fax to (941) 795-8704.
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Catalina 30–smallest boat to make the full journey. 6. Last boat to turn on engine from Key West to Varadero–Dave Lung, S/V Kialuana. 7. Race committee boat–Michael Kolbas (and Patti Findlay), S/V Caribbean Spirit. 8. Boat with the largest crew–George Wolf, S/V Pocket Rocket (9). Thanks was given to Jose Luis for his assistance with the race committee; a kind of thankless job but so necessary, and it took a big load off the CRC organizers. May 30 with a 10:00 a.m. start back to Key West, the wind was 10 to 12 knots out of the NNW. The race ended at the main ships channel markers with boats taking their own times. Results. Racing: 1 - Jack Morgan Machine – (Morgan Laimbeer) finish time of 21 hrs 12 min. Cruising: 1 – Scarab -(Hugh Robinson) finish time 21 hrs 3 min 2 – Sandpiper(Tom Gaunt) finish time 25 hrs 42 min
Making Mojitos.
Commodoro Escrich
The bon voyage party and Return Awards ceremony was held at Kelly’s Caribbean on Caroline Street, Key West.
The hotel and swimming pool at Marina Hemingway.
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SOUTHERN SAILING
The Sailor’s Wind — Part III By Dave Ellis
B
irds fly, planes take wing and sailboats move upwind and down without having a clue as to why it happens. It really doesn’t matter. But since the reason for the forward motion on a sail has been taught incorrectly for several generations, it may be of interest to some. Besides, before getting all involved in figuring out why the wind makes the boat move I used to win sailboat races. No longer. So I need to confuse everybody else. The “watermelon seed” explanation of the opposing forces of the sail and keel “squirting” the boat forward is not exactly correct, yet it has a grain of truth. Both foils use Brunelli’s principle when the wind or water flows over them. The faster the flow, the lower the pressure. While we say that as fact, why is that? Both water and air are made up of their respective molecules. Each molecule is jiggling in all directions at near jet-plane speeds. They don’t jiggle very far, of course. The warmer they are, the faster and farther they jiggle. A sail in air that is not moving would have the same number of molecules bouncing against the sail on each side. But if air on one side is moving faster than the other, the molecules on the fast side would each bounce against the sail fewer times. Each bounce may not amount to much. But there are about 100 billion-billions of molecules in each drop of water or air. The forces add up. It is similar to cars waiting at a stop light. They are close together. When the light turns green, they speed up and, except in Atlanta and Miami, get farther apart. If you took a picture of any moment in time, there would be more cars in the picture when they were at the stop light than when they were going 55. Wind on the upwind side of our sail goes more directly toward the leach than wind that bends around the leeward side. Yes, the sail is very thin. But the wind takes a short cut on the upwind side and bends around the leeward. Two molecules that take the different paths will strive to meet together at the back of the foil. The leeward side has to go faster to get there. Theorists will tell you that compared to the ambient wind, the sail actually makes the wind go in a circle around itself. Since there are more bouncing molecules on the upwind side at any one time than there are on the leeward side, there is a lack of force on the leeward side. Voila! Low pressure. The boat is pulled sideways and a little forward. Incidentally, that’s how the Brunelli effect can work in incompressible water. Since water is about 800 times more dense than air, the keel can be smaller than the sails and still balance most of the side force. Oh, and forget the accelerated slot effect. Doesn’t happen, even though most sailing schools still teach it. If the wind accelerated through the slot between the main and jib, there would be low pressure there, right? That would mean that the main and jib would tend to come together in that low pressure area. We know the opposite happens. The jib is rock hard and the main may have a bubble away from the jib. The wind does go through the slot, but at a REDUCED rate. It helps re-attach the flow on the main behind the mast. See SAILOR’S WIND on page 48 LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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RACING & REGATTAS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THE WILD ONES— KEY WEST’S WRECKER’S CUP RACE By Rebecca Burg Key West’s roiling turquoise harbor appeared to be complete chaos. Arriving from all directions, over 40 sailing vessels of all shapes and sizes congregated in front of the tiny island. Massive schooners skillfully maneuvered in deeper waters while wild little racers sashayed between rocking buoys. Everywhere in between, small cruisers and big liveaboards carefully jockeyed for prime positions. High strung multihulls, taut sails flashing, jumped wakes and wove behind their slower sisters. Key West was under an invasion of sail. At the edge of the coordinated confusion, a large graceful ketch snarled an ill-placed crabtrap line. Prop entangled, she was yanked aground on a nearby flat. She helplessly tilted on her side, sails fluttering. Relieved to see fishing boats assisting the wounded ketch, I con- Troika sails with the schooner, AmericA. Patti Findlay photo. tinued toward the starting line of Key West’s Key West, is not your usual sailing regatta. There are no flags, Wrecker’s Cup Race. This was the first time I’d dared to enter and no protesting or complaining is allowed. The only serious my tiny daysailing trimaran Troika in the area’s wildest sailrules were the common sense adherence to the maritime rules boat race. of the road. Other than that, racers simply engaged in about a The Wrecker’s Race, held four times a year over winter in seven-mile drag race from Key West harbor to southerly Sand Key Light. Participants are grouped in one of several basic categories such as monohull over 30 feet, monohull under 30 feet, schooner, multihull or old classic. Organized by Key West’s popular Schooner Wharf Bar and Galley, the race was created in the spirit of local maritime history. In the 1800s sailing vessels sometimes ran aground on the numerous reefs surrounding Key West. Stationed in high towers, local wreckers kept a lookout for troubled ships. If one was sighted, the race was on as wreckers rushed out to be the first to save the crew and secure salvage rights to the cargo. It was a lucrative endeavor and competition was fierce. With a length of only 16 feet, Troika was by far the most diminutive participant. Highly maneuverable and fast, she held her own in the gusty 18-20 knot winds as we joined the clutter of waiting sailboats. With a practice rush toward the start, I tested my timing. The harbor waters were confused and choppy. Troika’s torpedo-like amas needled through the translucent face of each steep wave, flinging glittering spray over my head. The aggressive trimaran was especially edgy in the brisk winds. I loved sailing her for that. Finally, the committee boat’s horn blasted. The mad rush was on. Blue, red, brown and white sails spread and eagerly grabbed air on a dramatic downwind flight toward the finish. Bobbing in the chop, bows of all shapes and sizes bore past Key West in an excited stampede. It was challenging to be sailing singlehanded in such a crowd. Tiny Troika slid between a pair of 100-foot-long schooners. Luffing, we fell behind, our wind stolen. The huge ships quickly passed. I was humbled. Once again in clear air, Troika lunged forward. Like a thing insane, the trimaran swerved and surfed over the steep swells. We pulled near the lead as the racers began to disperse and fan outwards. I rode the foaming wake of the beautiful and 44
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speedy wooden schooner Appledore. I waved and her passengers and crew gave me curious glances. Troika must have resembled a mosquito buzzing a bird of paradise. Close behind me was a lean cruiser racer, spray hissing beyond her leaping bow. Danger, a mean-looking white schooner, edged alongside the cruiser and pilfered her wind. The two slowly fell behind. Off to the side, an eye-catching electricblue ketch named Defiant was charging forward with authority. Sporting a wind generator, an array of solar panels and heavy-duty dodger, Defiant was pure cruiser. This didn’t stop the liveaboard Morgan Out Island and others like her from racing. Fascinated, I watched another big Morgan O/I aggressively engage Defiant in a personal battle for air. Swerving in a slow sailflapping dance, the sister cruisers forced each other off course. Tough little Troika continued to press onward. I was sitting behind the trimaran’s aircraft-like cockpit to distribute weight and lift her bows. Legs tightly wrapped around her slender hull, I felt like a cowgirl clinging to a lurching, bucking bronco. I was drenched as Troika’s bows slashed through cool seas. Envying the dry boats nearby, I wondered why I hadn’t taken my cozy liveaboard cruiser instead. Seven miles in strong winds was a long ride for a 16-footer. Far ahead of the pack, racing trimaran Pterodactyl flew over the finish, taking first place overall. Long, sleek monohulls and speedy local schooner AmericA soon followed. A cruising catamaran was tenaciously matching Troika’s progress for a second place finish in the multihull category. I urged my feisty sailboat onward. The big cat was persistent and the finish line was near. Riding over a particularly steep swell, I lost my grip on the wet tiller. Troika slipped. Windward ama springing skyward, we violently crashed sideways into the trough. Her rig shook and my teeth rattled. The world tilted. Boom touching water, I sheeted out. Yellow sail flailing, Troika’s airborne stern slammed back into the blue. A wall of water rushed into the cockpit and over me. Coughing, I spat out tongue-shrinking salt. Eyes stinging, I shook my head, struggling to regain dazed senses. The stunned but unhurt trimaran bounced helplessly as I worked to recover her jumbled control lines. Bilge pumped out, we surged forward again. I was surprised to discover that we had lost little ground. My misstep had happened so quickly. Trimming her main, I skittered past the big catamaran to take second place in our category. Troika had sailed to the finish in just under an hour. Foul weather gear-well soaked and chilled from the wind, I was happy to head back to Key West. Troika passed the remaining racers as they closed toward the finish. I noticed that
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
the two Morgan O/I cruisers were still engrossed with each other. Creating a race of their own, they seemed to have ignored other competitors in their class. Despite a newly torn jib leech, Defiant valiantly pulled ahead as the cruisers waltzed over the finish. It was difficult to slog upwind in the rough conditions. I felt as if Troika was sailing in a washing machine. Defiant noticed my uncomfortable struggle. Using a waterproof handheld VHF, I responded to her captain’s hails and eagerly accepted an offer of a tow. This is how it is with many long-time cruisers. They look out for each other. That night, in warm dry clothes, I attended the Wrecker’s Race awards party at Schooner Wharf. A large-screen TV displayed a video of the race, which was filmed by the committee boat. Sailors and crew traded tales of the day’s adventures. There was a pleasant little buffet dinner and an awards ceremony punctuated with laughter and social camaraderie. Troika received her second-place award. The unusual trimaran, the smallest boat in the race, became a local celebrity for a moment. It was a fine ending to an enjoyable and audacious Key West race.
WEST FLORIDA RACING CLEARWATER TO KEY WEST RACE & NAPLES TO KEY WEST, MAY 14- 17 The 2003 Clearwater to Key West Race got off to a slow start on May 14 with west to southwest winds in the 8-10 knot range. Unfortunately, winds died down to totally calm conditions by the first evening and continued throughout the night and the following day. Jeff Russo, aboard Intrepid, described the night sea as so calm that you could see the stars reflected in the glassy waters. On Thursday the no-wind conditions continued on into the night, and most of the 44 boats ended the trip motoring into Key West. Intrepid, along with many others, made the decision to turn the motor on at 2 a.m. Friday morning. With 38 hours into the race, they still had 100 miles to go. That meant that they had averaged up to that point just over three knots in the 220-mile race. Although no non-spinnaker boats finished the race sailing, five spinnaker boats did complete the race, though hardly in record time. Velox, a J-125, was the first to arrive in 56 hours 24 minutes and 30 seconds, although it came in third in corrected time. That average speed was just under four knots. In
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The Naples to Key West Race, also not the fastest race, did experience far better conditions, with the first boat to finish, Southern Crescent, averaging about 5.5 knots for the 95-mile race.
That was just enough to edge Cary Geyer on Ranger 33 Tigress, who has done pretty well himself lately, by 16 seconds on CT. Geyer was first across the line at 2:18:58 to Ghost’s 2:19:51, but Davis corrected out to win the PHRF Spinnaker class. K.C. Knapp on C&C 30 Sea Jay came in at 1:39:36 on a 9.3mile cruising course to win that class over Bryce Merrill on O’Day 28 Compsensation (1:45:32). In one-designs, Dave Strickland was perfect with three bullets in winning the Flying Scot class, while Randy Rea was almost as good in Lasers with two firsts and a third.
RESULTS (PLACE, BOAT, RATING, ELAPSED TIME, CORRECTED TIME): Non-Spin - 1; Southern Crescent, 36, 17:19:12, 16:22:05: 2; Children At Play,114, 20:31:31, 17:30:38: 3; Constellation, 66, 19:29:39, 17:44:56: 4; Celebration, 99, 21:52:46 19:15:41: 5; The Jack Morgan Machine, 132, 24:52:38, 21:23:12: 6; Tippecanoe,126, 25:44:43 22:24:48 Multihull – 1; Trimatic, 75, 20:58:19, 18:59:19
RESULTS: Armed Forces Day Regatta NJYC May 18 St. Johns River Cruisers PHRF Spinnaker (11.5 NM) 1.Tom Davis, Cal 9.2 Ghost, 1:48:14; 2.Carl Geyer, Ranger 33 Tigress, 1:48:30; 3-Hal Runnfeldt, Morgan 27 Cracker Jack, 1:49:31. Cruising (9.3 NM) 1.K.C. Knapp, C&C 30 Sea Jay, 1:39:36. One-designs Lasers 1.Randy Rea (1-1-3), 5; 2.Skip Canfield (2-3-1), 6; 3.Buck Mercer (4-2-2), 8. Flying Scot 1.Dave Strickland (1-1-1), 3.
NORTHEAST FLORIDA RACING
BRADY WINS WOMEN’S OPENER
corrected time, Fire and Ice, placed first. Regardless of the slow sailing, festivities in Key West were enjoyed by all. RESULTS (PLACE, BOAT, RATING, ELAPSED TIME, CORRECTED TIME): Non-Spin - 1; Fire & Ice, 90, 60:33:40, 55:03:08: 2; Rocket, 75, 60:18:25, 55:42:59: 3; Velox, 6, 56:24:30, 56:02:28: 4; Mariah, 72, 60:42:50, 56:18:25: 5; Daring, 84, 66:25:45, 61:17:16
DAVIS, GHOST WINS AGAIN AT NJYC By Patrick Edwards Tom Davis and his Cal 9-2 Ghost won again, this time at the Navy Jax YC Armed Forces Day Regatta on May 18 but not by much. Davis, the North Florida Cruising Club racer whose name is a fixture at the top of the PHRF spinnaker class results more often than not, covered an 11.5-nautical mile St. Johns River course off NAS Jacksonville in 5-15-knot winds with a corrected time of 1:48:14.
By Patrick Edwards Tina Brady started off 2003 the way she ended 2002, winning races in the Women’s Sailing Series on the St. Johns River. She breezed to the cup in the PHRF (Non-spinnaker) class in WSS No. 1, the first of four annual races, on April 5, covering a shortened 7-nautical mile course in 5-10-knot winds with a CT of 1:23:43. The time hardly mattered, though. Brady and J/24 Big Deal! would have won even without the time allowance. Jodi Weinbecker aboard Hunter 35.5 MoJo was second in the all-female PHRF class at 1:41:46. Glenna Curtis on Olson 30 Rapid Transit won the co-ed crew cruising Class in 1:28:41. RESULTS: Women’s Race No. 1 April 5 St. Johns River Jacksonville PHRF Non-spinnaker 1.Tina Brady, J/ 24 Big Deal!, 1:23:43; 2.Jodi Weinbecker, Hunter 35.5 MoJo, 1:41:46; 3.Penny Edwards, C&C 24 Lucky Penny. Cruising (Co-ed crew) 1.Glenna Curtis, Olson 30 Rapid Transit, 1:28:41.
GEORGIA RACING 2003 QUANTUM SAILS MELGES 24 SOUTHEAST INLAND CHAMPIONSHIP By Scott Gregory Lake Lanier Sailing Club held the second annual Quantum Melges 24 Southeast Inland Championship on May 17-18 on Lake Lanier, GA. The event is an annual stop on the Melges 24 Southeast Circuit and counts toward the overall Southeast Circuit rankings. After six hard-fought races, Team Satisfaction, USA 378, with Scott Gregory, Scott Nixon, Michael Schulz and Jeremy Tudor, was crowned the Melges 24 Southeast Inland Champion. Current Melges 24 National Champion, Doug Kessler, Liberty USA 489, finished in second place and Gary Umberger, Minnetonka, USA 108, placed a strong third. The fleet enjoyed consistent pressure with several large oscillations on Saturday. Steve Jones and Eric Andrews on Sick Puppy, USA 90, sailed a strong first race by working the lefthand side of the fleet upwind and sailing good downwind angles to win the first race. Team Satisfaction, with Scott Nixon calling tactics, won the next two races with solid boat speed and by taking advantage of a consistent lefthand shift off Winder point to lead at the first windward mark. Gary Umberger won the fourth and final race of the day with great speed and excellent tactical calls by Dave Van Cleef downwind. Saturday night the Melges 24 fleet shared stories from 46
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the days racing and enjoyed Williamson Brothers’ Barbecue, beer and Mount Gay Rum. The racing started early on Sunday morning with a consistent 10-15 knot breeze. It was excellent weather for Melges 24 racing. The racing was tight and positions were traded back and forth among the top four boats. Mark roundings and laylines were made interesting by large and isolated puffs and thirty-degree oscillations. You looked golden one minute and felt like a red-headed stepchild the next. Team Satisfaction found their own private puff on the last downwind leg that allowed them to plane into the lead and win race five. The last race was made interesting by Gary Umberger’s attempt to approach the weather mark from the port layline. The entire fleet watched in awe as Gary managed (by the skin of his teeth) to avoid serious damage by ducking Satisfaction and Liberty, which were set up on the starboard layline. Team Satisfaction enjoyed another good race, finishing first with solid boat speed and excellent crew work. The boats were out of the water by 12:00 p.m. and the awards ceremony was held shortly thereafter. Dennis Slaton and the race committee did an outstanding job of setting the marks for the median wind all weekend. Thank you. Frank Vandal, Bad Influence USA 95, racing in his first Melges 24 regatta finished a respectable fifth behind the Road Warriors from Tennessee on Sick Puppy, Steve Jones and Eric Andrews. Scott Baker and his lovely wife, Nobody’s Girl USA 200, received tapered spinnaker sheets courtesy of VC Performance Rigging for traveling the farthest to the regatta. Scott Baker sails out of New Orleans, LA. The primary sponsor for the regatta, Quantum Sails, had a strong showing with Satisfaction and Liberty finishing first and second. A special thanks goes to all of the out-of-town boats traveling to Atlanta for the regatta and Scott Nixon with Quantum Sails and Dave Van Cleef with VC Performance Rigging for sponsoring the regatta. In addition, Scott Nixon and Dave Van Cleef put on an excellent speed clinic on Friday that was well attended by the fleet. Thank you for the continued support of the Melges 24 fleet and for sharing your knowledge with us.
GULFCOAST RACING
waters of Mobile Bay to anxiously await their official start. By 10:00 a.m., all of the contestants had begun the race toward Dauphin Island, in good winds and sunny conditions. However, as the boats approached the historic Middle Bay Lighthouse, Mother Nature decided to take the wind out of everyone’s sails. The boats were going nowhere fast and stayed in their current race positions for almost three hours. The majority of the racing fleet that did manage to complete the race by the cut-off time of 5:00 p.m. sailed to the finish line under spinnaker sails (only half of the entire fleet finished the race). But the lack of wind did not dampen the spirits of those in attendance. Music, laughter and plenty of sailing awards were presented following the race at the awards ceremony on Dauphin Island. Johnny Robert and his crew on Fine Line earned the top honors and captured several trophies from this year’s competition. Congratulations, guys! Many of the participants were making plans to attend the festivities for next year’s racing event and raft-up. This race is hosted each year by one of the four yacht clubs on Mobile Bay. In 2004, the 46th Annual Dauphin Island Race will be sponsored by the Fairhope Yacht Club. (2005 - Mobile Yacht Club, 2006 - Buccaneer Yacht Club and 2007 - Lake Forest Yacht Club.) Check the Fairhope Yacht Club Web site at: www.siteone.com/yacht/fyc for information about next year’s 46th Annual Dauphin Island Race. RESULTS: First Boat to Finish (Commodore George Brother’s Trophy) - Fine Line - Johnny Roberts (Fairhope Yacht Club); First PHRF Corrected Time (R.O. Douglas Trophy) -Larrikin - Ken Kleinschrodt (Buccaneer Yacht Club) ; First ALL- Female Corrected Time (Raphael Trophy) Jazz - Nancy Marshall (Mobile Yacht Club);First Monohull Skipper over 60 Corrected (Cutty Sark Trophy) -Blitzkrieg - William Roberts (Jackson Yacht Club); First Catamaran Corrected (Dr. H.S. Walker Trophy) - Mark Ederer; First Overall Portsmouth Non-Spinnaker Corrected (Lake Forest Yacht Club) - Sun-Ur-Buns - Norbert Long (Mobile Yacht Club); First Overall Portsmouth Spinnaker Corrected (John Glover Trophy) - Beasterly - Will Brennan (New Orleans Yacht Club); First Overall PHRF Boat Corrected (Turner Trophy) - Fine Line - Johnny Roberts (Fairhope Yacht Club); First Overall PHRF Non Spinnaker Corrected (Buccaneer Yacht Club) - Boomerang - Mike Wierzalowski (Fairhope Yacht Club) ; First Overall PHRF Boat Uncorrected (Mobile Bay Cruising Association) - Fine Line - Johnny Roberts (Fairhope Yacht Club); Shortest Elapsed Time Uncorrected (Lundquist Trophy) - Fine Line - Johnny Roberts (Fairhope Yacht Club) ; Perseverance Trophy (Crew demonstrating most perseverance) Clueless - Brett Holt (Point Yacht Club) ; Governor’s Cup (Alabama Club with most 1st, 2nd & 3rds) - Mobile Yacht Club ; Best Sportsmanship (Arch McKay Trophy) - Marie Bidney (Lake Forest Yacht Club)
45TH ANNUAL DAUPHIN ISLAND RACE By Kim Kaminski The 45th Annual Dauphin Island Race (one of the largest pointto-point sailboat races in North America) was held on Saturday, April 26 in Mobile, AL. Over 220 sailboats ranging from PHRF, Spinnaker, Portsmouth, One-Design, Multihull and Small Boat classes participated in this annual event. This year’s race was sponsored by the Lake Forest Yacht Club of Daphne, AL, along with race sponsors Cellular South and ExxonMobil (Mobile Bay Operations). The festivities began on Friday evening, April 25 where over 600 participants were welcomed to the skippers briefing and registration party held at the Lake Forest Yacht Club. Hooter’s girls were present to serve up beverages to the contestants, and members of the Lake Forest Yacht Club provided a Carribean-type meal of pulled pork and jerk chicken to all in attendance. On the following morning, at 9:30 a.m., the first starting gun launched the Spinnaker class boats on their journey south to Dauphin Island as the other competitors gathered on the LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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BUSINESS BRIEFS BANKS SAILS TAMPA EXPANDS WITH CANVAS SHOP Banks Sails Tampa is pleased to announce it is now offering custom canvas work at its shop on North 56th Street and Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa. Chris Bare has joined Banks to offer his services, building everything from biminis, enclosures, and dodgers, to winch, sail and accessory covers. He has extensive experience in sail and canvas design, having been employed by sailmakers on the Chesapeake Bay (Quantum and Sobstad) and in the Puget Sound (Halsey-Laggard) and also running his own canvas shop, Bare Essentials Yacht Canvas, near Solomons, MD. Chris can be reached at (813) 6260420, Banks Sails Tampa, for your canvas needs.
“REALITY BASED” BAHAMIAN EXPEDITION Come mid-August of 2003, six adults, all of whom are nonexperienced sailors from three sponsoring companies, will meet in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, for the first time to attend an eight-hour sailing course. Upon completion, the crew of six, along with a qualified captain, will raise the mainsail and embark on a tenday sailing adventure to the Bahamas. “With a host and camera crew in tow, this reality-based and educational sailing event is being filmed as a 60-minute nationally-televised sailing event,” says Chris Davis, event coordinator for Destination: The Bahamas. Within the scope of partial strangers learning together as they explore the open sea, the beautiful cays, sheltered coves, and lush ports in the Bahamas, the crew will be highlighting the day-to-day operations of sailing and appropriate gear necessary for any trip. “This ultimate product placement branding is truly designed to offer all associated sailing and vacationing companies the perfect platform to entice would-be sailors and experts alike,” asserts Chris. Designed to be a cannon practice for the audience to adhere to, Destination: The Bahamas’ objective is simply a first-hand guided tour on how to apply the associated equipment in order to sail a vessel to the Bahamas as well as
charismatic and captivating places to visit once one has arrived. Furthermore, the objective continues in respect to the platform that provides the audience with a fantastic resource of companies to contact with the desire of acquiring the viewed merchandise. For comments, inquiries or sponsorship availability, please contact: Chris Davis; (904) 318-0052; Chris@appropriatewear.com
WEST MARINE SEMINARS St. Petersburg Store North, 2000 34th St., N.; (727) 327-0072 What: GENERAL BOATING SEMINAR SERIES When: Every Thursday 7-9 PM Call the store for topics Fort Lauderdale Store 2300 So. Federal Hwy. (954) 527-5540 What: GENERAL BOATING SEMINAR SERIES When: Wednesday Evenings 7 pm Wed. July 2: How to Cruise, Yet Stay Together (after all these years) w/reknown longterm cruisers, Charles & Corrine Kanter Wed. July 9: Your Marine Engine & the Basics (that it needs from You), w/Mike Olson of StageCoach Marine Wed. July 16: Taking Your Email with You, w/Gary Jensen of DockSide Radio, Inc. Wed. July 23: Brighten Your Boating Days with Varnishing Tips from Joe Purtell of Interlux Wed. July 30: The NEW DSC service, & what it’ll do for Your Boating, w/Rich Galasso of Standard Horizon, Inc. Jensen Beach Store 3523 NW Federal Hwy. (772) 692-3092 Wed. July 9 Marine GPS Wed July 16 Marine Hurricane Preparedness
SAILOR’S WIND from page 48 I had a Contender hull in the 1970s, but it came without the mast and single-sail rig. So I put a Windmill rig and sails on the boat. The sail area was the same at 119 square feet. But I always beat the Portsmouth handicap for a Contender. The two-sail rig was faster. At the St. Petersburg Sailing Center in 1987 we took a radio antenna and attached a 15-foot typewriter eraser ribbon. (No cassette tape at junior facilities; it gives bad sore throats.) I challenged the kids to make the ribbon go through the slot on a 420 lashed to its trailer in the parking lot. In a nice breeze they could not. The ribbon would even go a short way on the windward side of the jib, curve back around the headstay and then around the leeward side of the jib. Finally, we pulled the ribbon through the slot by hand. The ribbon would fly near the windward side of the jib, fall to the deck, and then pick up again beyond the jib, behind the main. The wind “sees” the whole package: jib and mainsail and any other laundry you have up there. Experiments in low speed fluids have developed a shape with a near tadpole shape. Add the jib to the main as a unit and you have this overall shape. Here’s a thought for the fiddlers among you: hot air vibrates farther, bouncing less often against the sail, so has less force. Planes have a more difficult time taking off in very hot 48
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air. So figure out a way to make the leeward side of the sail hot and the windward side cold. You would have an enhanced Brunelli effect. Note that every time the wind doubles in speed, the force against the sail increases by nearly a factor of four. When sail area is doubled, the same ratio applies. Many more molecules affect the sail at any one time in more breeze. So we find ourselves overpowered quickly with just a little wind increase at above, say, 15 knots. When air gets warm, it expands; that is, the molecules jiggle farther, faster, and have to make more room to do so. Land heats up much faster than water. So, when the air over land expands, air from the cooler water tends to fill in that lower pressure area over the land. That’s sea breeze. To have a sea breeze or lake breeze there has to be a difference in temperature. When water along the Gulf of Mexico or in shallow lakes gets up around 90 degrees in the summer, there is little sea breeze effect. Ironically, their best sea breeze may be in winter or spring when the water cools and a sunny day heats the land. Local knowledge is the only way to learn your sailing area. Just stay out of the middle of the lake on a hot day. Naturally, that is where they plunk the weather mark.
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LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
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C L A S S I F I E D
A D S
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS FREE CLASSIFIED ADS UNDER 30 WORDS FOR ALL PRIVATELY-OWNED BOATS, GEAR AND PRIVATELY-OWNED DOCK/SLIPS FOR RENT. PHOTOS INCLUDED & EVERYTHING GOES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB! AD IS CANCELLED AFTER 3 MONTHS UNLESS RENEWED. The last month your ad will run is in parentheses at the end of the ad. You must call by the 15th of that month to renew for another 3 months.
Call (941) 795-8704, e-mail to editor@southwindssailing.com, or mail to PO Box 1175 Holmes Beach FL 34218-1175. All other classified ads are $20 for up to 20 words and $5 for each additional 10 words, $5 for a photo. All ads go on the internet and your Web site or e-mail address in the ad will be linked by clicking on it.
DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS
Hunter 260 – New. Take the helm and plan your cruise. This boat is ready to GO! Enclosed full head, complete galley, 2 double berths. Own your second home on the water. Ullman Sails/Sarasota Sailboats (941) 951-0189 or ULLFL@mindspring.com
Advertise your business in a display ad in the classifieds section. Sold by the column inch. 2 inches minimum. (3 column inches is 1/8 page) Monthly Cost Ads Per Inch
12 6 3 1 Hunter 240 – New. EZ mast-raising system and a shallow draft make this centerboard boat simple to trailer and rig. Daysail or cruise. Large cockpit for entertaining and sleeping space for six. See it at Ullman Sails/Sarasota Sailboats (941) 9510189 or ULLFL@mindspring.com
$17 $20 $23 $27
Minimum Inches
Total Cost
2" 2" 2" 2"
$34 $40 $46 $54
formance designed for Florida’s shallow water. Ullman Sails/Sarasota Sailboats (941) 951-0189 or ULLFL@mindspring.com Hunter 1983 22.5 New paint bottom-top, 7 sails, 8hp Honda new, tandem trailer with brakes. All new rigging, AutoHelm D/S plus more $12,000. (352) 867-5841 (7/03) ’80 Buccaneer 22’ 4hp outboard, main, working jib, 150% Genny. Chemical toilet. Very clean. Comes with slip. (727) 638-2339 (7/03)
Precision 15’ - 28’ – Daysailer or cruiser, we have the boat for you! Call for a brochure or stop by and inspect these well-built boats. Comfort and per-
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1968 Morgan 25 - recent sails, new opening ports, freshwater use, trailer available, recent paint, 8hp mariner, in the family 26 yrs, no blisters, shallow draft/CB, $5,800 obo Dave (404) 819-5656 (7/03)
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29' Norwalk Island Sharpie Ketch, 1994 Luzier Custom Built , Kirby Design, shown in April 1998 Southwinds, Excellent Thin Water Performance, Bronze Ports, A/C, Many Extras, Reduced $29,900 Call 764 8904 (8/03)
28' Ranger 1976, immaculate, fresh-water maintained racer/cruiser with $16,000 in recent improvements, 12 sails, new Yanmar. $18,000 Call 770-619-4002 or captain_ron@comcast.net (9/03) 23' Kirby 1986. Super PHRF racer (180 swfl) or daysailer. 9 sails, GPS, fluxgate compass, Nexus CPU, boat speed-depth. Faired hull,keel. Details, pix avail. $8000 dixonwj@comcast.net (7/03) C&C 24 Built 1975. New Main, Old Main, 4 jibs & one Spinnaker. 5hp Mercury OB. $6000 OBO. Located near Gulfport MS (228) 452-7380 (8/03) Hunter 31 1986, Shoal Draft, second owner,great Bahamas cruiser, ready to go again, lots of recent work, includes dinghy and outboard, $29,900. Located North Florida (404) 236-0511 (8/03) 35' Island Packet 350 1997 Proven livaboard Cruiser. Well maintained. Setup for extended cruising. More info and photos at:: http:// home.mindspring.com/~pehler or (252) 671-0358 Imagine@Springmail.com (8/03)
1984 Irwin Citation 34 Recent major refit, new interior, new electronics, reconditioned sails, bimini, dodger, fresh bottom paint, Yanmar 3GM, wheel steering. OWNER FINANCING $33,900. (252)2297245 bombashac@msn.com (9/03) 1984 Cal 35-MarkII (5' draft) 32hp Diesel, Fully cruise and liveaboard equipped with A/C/heat, microwave, stall shower, etc. Numerous recent upgrades and parts replaced. e.g.Genoa vasmith1@yahoo.com or (941) 505-1558. NO BROKERS PLEASE. (8/03) ’98 Hobie 13 Wave Excellent condition. $2,700 includes trailer, beach wheels, and extras. (941) 758-7276 (Bradenton,FL) (8/03)
1984 Aloha 32, Mark Ellis design. Performance cruiser. 35’ LOA, 32’ LOD,11’beam 4’9” draft. 25hp Westerbeke. Hood Furling, bowsprit, autopilot, 2 headsails, davits, 2 speed winches, marine ac, supercruising layout, 2000 survey 48K. asking $42,500. Will consider trades. (239) 218-8680 or (800) 443-8908 ext. 4313. (8/03)
Cape Dory 25, New Honda 9.9, Seven sails, Two anchors, New wiring, Auto pilot, Fish finder, Electronics, Pressure water, New Trinidad bottom\, Dingy, Cruise ready, Much more! $6,500, (305) 296-5490 (9/03) J/27 (1989) - VG Condition, Sobstad Genoa & Mainsail, 2002 UK Spinnaker, 2002 Sobstad Jib, Evinrude 4HP, Sailcomp, Knotmeter, Triad Trailer, Keel/Rudder Faired, Bottom Painted 11/2002, Titusville, Florida. $20,500. (407) 323-5459. (9/03) Wavelength 24. Very good condition. Dry sailed. North main, 155, 3/4 spin, float-on trailer. Outboard. Near Atlanta. $7500. (404) 872-1934 (9/ 03)
Bravura Sportster 29 Very Late (November 1999) Model, Was raced three times with excellent finishes. #1 in Spinnaker class/Leukemia Cup 2000, Only in the water for the 2000 season. Mint condition Loaded Looks Brand New. Must sacrifice Immediately. Will deliver as far South as Key West on its own double axle Custom Trailer. $57,000. Boat’s original price was over $100,000. Must Sell NOW !!! YOU SAVE BIG. ulalena@comcast.net or (609) 841-6356 (8/03) O’DAY 32, twin cabin, 2 heads, shower, low hours diesel, new mainsail, 2 jibs, 2 anchors and rode, Avon dinghy, cruise ready. $19,995 OBO, will deliver up to 500 miles from Pensacola. 850-455-8830 or satorito@bellsouth.net (9/03)
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
THIS SPACE FOR SALE FOR $34/MONTH WITH A 12-MONTH AGREEMENT (shorter terms available)
Brewer 12.8 1986. Excellent cruiser/ live-aboard yacht. A Ted Brewer design to cruise around the world, fast. Has been well maintained and is in impressive condition. Gen set, reefer/freezer, 4 1/ 2' draft, recent bottom job. More photos at seacoastcharters.com. (727) 943-9364 johnw.burney@verizon.net. (9/03
Davis Maritime - Professional Accredited Surveys– see display ad in the index of advertisers. (727) 323-9788; e-mail: cgoebel1@tampabay.rr.com
BOATS WANTED Wanted, Mirage 5.5. Rigging, sails and trailer unimportant, must have sound hull. Under 1K call John (772) 913-1045 (9/03)
CONTACT EDITOR: (941) 795-8704
Colorful Books About Sailing the Bahamas and Caribbean. The Virgin islands Illustrated; Sailing Through Paradise (covering the Bahamas thru the Virgins); Wreck and Resurrection (sailboat repair); Alphabet Sea (AGES 3-8). Package deals. Tortuga Books. (800) 345-6665.
E-mail: editor@southwindssailing.com
Ocean Routing – Jenifer Clark’s Gulf Stream Boat Routing/Ocean Charts by the “best in the business.” (301) 952-0930, fax (301) 574-0289 or www.erols.com/gulfstrm
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CLASSIFIEDS Sailmakers/assistant sailmakers wanted Fastest growing sail loft in the Southeast is expanding and needs more sailmakers/assistant sailmakers. Call (850) 244-0001 or e-mail sabre@sabresails.com
Regional Sales Representatives wanted to sell advertising space for Southwinds magazine in all areas of Florida and the South. Contact editor@southwindssailing.com. Sales experience a must. Experienced Sailmakers Wanted – UK Sailmakers Palm Beach, FL, location is expanding and needs skilled sailmakers. Candidates must have strong “gogetter” attitude and be highly capable in Dacron and laminate construction and repair. Canvas experience a plus. Call (561) 844-3884 or e-mail ukpalmbeaches@uksailmakers.com Pier 17 Charts & Publications DMA-NOAA-TOPOS-NTM-Textbooks. South’s largest nautical store at 4619 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32210. (904) 387-4669 (800) 332-1072 Fax (904) 389-1161
Sabre Sails is expanding its dealer network. If you are interested in a rewarding business with a fun side, call (850) 244-0001 or e-mail sabre@sabresails.com
Visit Southwinds new boat and crewlisting service at southwindssailing.com
Visit Southwinds new boat and crewlisting service at southwindssailing.com
Best Prices – Solar panels, wind generators, charge controllers, deep cycle batteries, solar panel and wind generator mounting hardware. Authorized dealer for Siemens, Kyocera, Solarex, and Uni-Solar solar panels, Air Marine wind generator, Deka, Trojan, and Surrette deep cycle batteries.™ Toll free (877) 432-2221 www.e-marine-inc.com SeaTech Systems – Computerized navigation & communication. Call for free Cruiser’s Guide to the Digital Nav Station and CAPN demo disk. (800) 4442581 or (281) 334-1174, navcom@sea-tech.com, www.sea-tech.com
Writers, photographers, personal sailing experiencers (sic). Southwinds is looking for contributors – send your stuff in and let’s look at it: editor@southwindssailing.com
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If you are under 35 and cruising the Caribbean, we’d like to hear your story. We are working on stories about those out there cruising and why they went. Contact Cherie at supercherie@hotmail.com Have an interesting Charter story? Southwinds magazine is looking for people to send in articles about their charters – in the South, the Caribbean, or wherever. Contact editor@southwindssailing.com
INVESTOR WANTED Responsible, honest, licensed contractor, well-experienced in high-quality homes, seeks like-minded investor to finance and partake in build/remodel projects in Manatee County or nearby . Must be interested in doing something for fun, interesting projects & making money. (941)795-8711 (12/03)
MARINE SERVICES Steve Smith Marine Rigging Services Used gear and chandlery. See display ad in Index of Advertisers. (727) 823-4800 Sailing Yacht Services Repairs, maintenance, equipment installed, marine consulting, yacht deliveries by USCG Licensed Captain, Free Estimates – No Job Too Large or Too Small – Reasonable and Reliable - Ron Butler (727) 582-9335
dwyermast.com • Masts • Booms • Hardware • Rigging
DWYER Aluminum Mast Co. 203-484-0419 Moisture Meters for Fiberglass or Wood. JR Overseas. (860) 927-3808 See display ad in Index of Advertisers Carry-on Portable air conditioner Model 5000 capacity 4800 BTU including air deflector. Excellent condition $375.00 Located Ft. Lauderdale phone (954) 525 0058. (8/03) Wheels Custom Leathered – Satisfaction guaranteed, 1 year warranty. Free turks head. Over 100 satisfied customers last year. Contact Ray Glover at Sunrise Sails Plus (941) 721-4471 or sunrisesailsplus@msn.com Dripless Packing Proven high-tech propeller and rudder packing that outlasts all other packings and is virtually dripless. Easy to install. Bilges stay dry. Won’t damage shafts. Economical. Dealer inquiries welcome. Toll Free (877) 432-2221 or www.e-marine-inc.com
g La(ro) Dinghy davits, OB motor lock, and other gear. Island Marine Products. See display ad in Index of Advertisers (727) 698-3938
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TIRALO floating deck chair - a beach chair that floats in water and rolls easily on the sand. Looks great. Folds and fits on your boat or inside your car. More info: www.oasisllc.com or swti@oasisllc.com Don’s Salvage Yard in Clearwater. Huge assortment of gear. (727) 576-8577. See Display ad in Index of Advertisers Nautical Trader. Buy and Sell, consignment. Venice/Sarasota Area. (941)488-0766. See Display ad in Index of Advertisers Scurvy Dog, Marine Equipment Resale. Pensacola. (850) 434-1770. See Display ad in Index of Advertisers
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Sail Covers & More! Best Prices Ever for Custom-Made Canvas Buy Online or by Phone & Save $$ Highest Quality & Satisfaction Guaranteed Family Owned & Operated
For more information and to see our products & pricing go to
www.sailcovers.net (800) 213-5167 25 HP Diesel Engine for Sailboat. 105 total hours since new from factory. $2,500 Call (727) 457-8746 or e-mail: Beallsouth@att.net for details. See more info on the internet at: http://beallsouth.home.att.net (8/03)
LIVE ALONE SAILOR with unique cement boat looking for relationship with foxy lady with lots of money. Exotic dancers whose family members work for law enforcement are tops on the list. Women from Keokuk, Iowa need not apply. Woman I am looking for must know how to sail, cook and clean, in that order. Send your best recipe and acknowledge which gourmet markets you prefer shopping at. Am drinking Cribari by the gallon now, but would like to know more about bottled wine…snap-cap or corked, it makes no difference. If you like to sail and don’t mind a few roaches in your life, this may be your golden opportunity. If you know how to sew and have your own fishing gear, so much the better. No rap music fans, please. Email to: rightguard@southwindssailing.com.
REGATTA PHOTOS Order regatta photos online. Thistle Midwinter Regatta 2003 St. Petersburg www.digiproofs.com password thistle Sailfest Sarasota 2003 www.digiproofs.com password sailfest (O)
USED SAILS SAVE $$$ 1000s of headsails, mains & spinnakers. We ship everywhere, satisfaction guaranteed. We also buy sails. Sail Exchange. (800) 628-8152. 407 Fullerton Ave. Newport Beach CA 92663 www.sailexchange.com See Display ad in Index of Advertisers Hong Kong Sail Makers Cruising Sail Specialists Top Quality, Best Price Delivery 2 - 3 Weeks (852) 2789 1938 (852) 2789 3155 (FAX) E-mail: uoil@hkstar.com
Ponce de Leon Hotel Historic downtown hotel at the bay, across from St. Petersburg YC. 95 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 550-9300 FAX (727) 826-1774 www.poncedeleonhotel.com
Boat Name Special – $85 (as above) FREE matching Home Port and FL numbers with order. Call for a brochure of colors, styles, and low prices. We apply or mail orders welcome. Aqua Graphics In Pinellas and Hillsborough (727) 3434304; Manatee, Sarasota, and beyond (800) 2056652 VISA/MC Accepted.
2" - 1 COLUMN AD SPACE $34/MONTH WITH A 12-MONTH AGREEMENT (shorter terms available) CONTACT EDITOR: (941) 795-8704 E-mail: editor@southwindssailing.com
S U B S C R I B E T O Southwinds $12/YR – 3RD CLASS or $24/YR – 1ST CLASS New special offer–third class mail only. Fill in & mail coupon, or send us your name and address with a check or credit card number to Southwinds Subscriptions, P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175. You may also call (941)795-8704. Name ______________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________ City/St./ZIP _________________________________________________________ ENCLOSED $ ___________ Check _____ Money Order _____ ____VISA ____MC #________________________________ Ex. Date ___________ Name on Card ___________________________________________________ LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS ATLANTIC SAILS 42 BANKS SAILS 50 BENETEAU SAILBOATS BC BETA MARINE 39 BLUEWATER INSURANCE 9 BLUEWATER SAILING SUPPLY 8 BOATERS EXCHANGE 6 BOATUS 35 BO’SUN SUPPLIES 18 BUBBA BOOK 37 CARSON/BENETEAU BC CDI 36 CHARLESTON RESORT & MARINA 13 CHUTESCOOP 53 COLGATE 26 13 CROW’S NEST RESTAURANT & MARINA 33 CRUISING DIRECT 12 DAVIS MARITIME SURVEYING 45 DEFENDER INDUSTRIES 52 DON’S SALVAGE 21 DWYER MAST 52 EASTERN/BENETEAU BC ECOQUEST/AIR PURIFICATION 52 FINISH LINE MULTIHULLS 27 FLAGSHIP SAILING 31 FLYING SCOT SAILBOATS 50 GARHAUER HARDWARE 22 GLACIER BAY REFRIGERATION 20 GRIN DESIGNS/SCULLY 25 HARKEN GEAR 3 HONG KONG SAILMAKERS 34 HOTWIRE/FANS ON OTHER PRODUCTS 51 HUNTER SAILBOATS 14,15 ISLA DEL SOL RESORT & MARINA 27 ISLAND MARINE PRODUCTS 3 JR OVERSEAS/MOISTURE METER 10 MASSEY YACHT SALES IBC,19,30 MASTHEAD ENTERPRISES 6,47 MOBILE MARINE SERVICES 42 MURRAY YACHT SALES/BENETEAU BC NATIONAL SAIL SUPPLY 36 NAUTICAL TRADER 34 NORTH SAILS 37,43 PERFORMANCE SAIL & SPORT 3 PLASTIMO USA 10 RB GROVE/UNIVERSAL AND WESTERBEKE 44 RPARTS REFRIGERATION 42 SABRE SAILS 21 SAIL COVERS & MORE 53 SAIL EXCHANGE/USED SAILS 45 SAILBOAT ROW/SALT CREEK MARINE DISTRICT 32 SARASOTA YOUTH SAILING PROGRAM 49 SCHURR SAILS 46 SCURVY DOG MARINE 36 SEA SCHOOL 39 SEA TECH 10 SMOOOOTH SAILING SCHOOL 24 SNUG HARBOR BOATS 33 ST. BARTS/BENETEAU BC STEVE SMITH MOBILE RIGGING 26 SUNCOAST INFLATABLES 17 ROLLS BATTERIES (SURRETTE) 41 TACKLE SHACK 16 UK SAILS 11 ULLMAN SAILS 8 WEATHERMARK SAILING CENTER 40,49 WEST MARINE IFC,23 WINDCRAFT CATAMARANS 41 YACHTING VACATIONS 13
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The “Falken” Has Landed By Ron Yankowski
T
he Falken landed in Safety Harbor, FL, on May 24, just like the Astronauts whose “Eagle” landed on the moon years ago.. But this Falken (falcon) is a Viking sailing ship from Gulfsteam, near Jensen Beach, FL. It has landed to claim territory for the Sons of Norway, who are descended from fierce Viking stock. The Sons of Norway, organized over 100 years ago with 65,000 members worldwide, recently held a regatta on Old Tampa Bay comprising five ships competing for a trophy and a good time. It was a belated celebration of Constitution Day (Syttende Mai), a holiday signifying the independence of Norway from its 500year union with Denmark in 1814 and from Sweden in 1905. The Suncoast of Florida has seen many invasions such as those by Gasparilla and his pirates in Tampa Bay, but the Vikings from Norway are by far the most sun-loving and fun-loving group to party on the palm-laden beach at Phillippe Park. Arthur Olsen from Sarasota was proud of the upcoming race that would match the skills of the various Sons of Norway lodges that were represented at the race. These “Vikings” came from near and far including Clearwater, Orlando, Jacksonville, Gulfstream, and Sarasota. The unique fiberglass boats with open oarlocks are 22-and-a-half-feet long, and each has one square sail of 117 square feet.. The crew of either six or eight oarsmen has a coxswain who calls out cadence to maintain the rhythm of the rowing and is responsible for the steering. The number of invaders assigned per ship depends on whether or not any modifications have been made to the boat. Originally, the first boat of this type was designed for fishing and was found abandoned in a cold stream in Norway. The lucky finder, who was on a cruise vacation years ago, convinced the captain of the cruise ship to bring it back to the United States. He felt that it would be a way to promote an interest in the Norwegian-Americans’ ancestral culture. The first copies were produced and used in Jensen Beach and were supported by the contributions of Mr. Evinrude of Evinrude 54
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Suzanne Yankowski photo.
boat motor fame! Let’s get back to the races. There are three heats of usually two boats each that have to maneuver around a mile-long elliptical racecourse. The first leg is rowing. The second and third leg is using the square sails, and the last leg is back to the strenuous rowing. The actual sailing is difficult because of wind shifts and having to go in one direction only—downwind. The square sails do not allow for tacking. They do, however, give the crew a breather from the
rowing George Teigland as well as Coxswain Kim Brew and her husband Rich of the Jacksonville Hagar crew, were all excited about the race because they wanted to “beat” the Valhalla crew from Orlando. The Hagar crew had recently won the Mayor’s Light Parade in Jacksonville and is invited to many mayoral functions. These two particular lodges have been friendly competitors for years and were anxious to begin. The first heat had Valhalla (Orlando) beating Solkyst (Suncoast) from Clearwater; while the second heat had
Hagar (Jacksonville) finishing over Falken (Gulfstream) and the Vikings from Sarasota. Unfortunately, the Sarasota crew got a late start due to confusion over the various signals of the starting horn. The third heat was a competition between female Viking crews from Orlando and Clearwater. This was the first time that this event had been scheduled, and the Valhalla Orlando group took the race. The fourth heat was the final race of the day for the championship. The carved dragon heads on the prow of the boats were waiting impatiently to spring over the starting line. The horn blasted and the race began. The crews rowed furiously and then after the first turn, bright red, yellow, white, and striped sails were unfurled to catch any available wind. The boats were jostling for position and five minutes later, the crew of the Falken crossed over the finish line with Hagar, Valhalla, and Solkyst following close behind. The Sons of Norway, District 3, which includes Florida and the East Coast to Georgia, have three regattas a year. They look forward to the competition but are not overly concerned about winning. They put more emphasis on the fellowship and meeting friends at a meal. Watching this unusual race stirred, in my imagination, the exploration and bravery of the Vikings, who visited North America long ago, Any comments or thoughts about this article or the subject matter, Southwinds would like to hear from you. E-mail letters to the editor at editor@southwindssailing.com www.southwindssailing.com