Southwindsseptember2004 by SOUTHWINDS Magazine

SOUTHWINDS News & Views for Southern Sailors Regatta Time in Abaco Your HF Radio Antenna

September 2004 For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless

SAVE $50

199 West Marine

VHF600 Radio with Wireless Remote Capability Model 5469192 Reg. 249.99 Not stocked in all stores. Offer valid only with coupon September 2nd through September 26th. Limited to stock on hand. Not good with any other offer.

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CPM-500 CD Stereo & Speaker Package Model 5551429 Reg. 219.99 Offer valid only with coupon September 2nd through September 26th. Limited to stock on hand. Not good with any other offer.

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Offer valid only with coupon September 2nd through September 26th. Limited to stock on hand. Not good with any other offer.

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Freedom Marine Series MultipleBank Inverter/Chargers

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Cannot be installed in the engine compartments of boats with gasoline engines.

Offer valid only with coupon September 2nd through September 26th. Limited to stock on hand. Not good with any other offer.

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MORE THAN 290 STORES NATIONWIDE • 1-800-BOATING • westmarine.com HURRY! PRICES GOOD SEPTEMBER 2ND THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2004

Selection varies by store.

Oops! We’re only human and occasionally make mistakes. Product descriptions, typographic, price, or photographic mistakes are unintentional and subject to correction.

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

www.southwindssailing.com

SINCE 1977

FLORIDA’S LARGEST HUNTER, CATALINA, MORGAN & CALIBER DEALERSHIP CATALINA • HUNTER • CALIBER • MORGAN

2005 Catalina 400 – New 4'11" shoal draft keel, perfect for Florida west coast. Loaded with Catalina and Massey options. Regular price $224,664. Call now and save thousands!

Custom Massey Outfitting Quote in less than one hour with Just pick your yacht and call with your options. Catalina 310, 320, 34, 350, 36, 387, 400, 42, 470 Hunter 306, 33, 36, 38, 41, 42CC, 44, 44DS, 456CC, 466 Caliber 35LRC, 40LRC, 47LCR Morgan 440

Call for Discounted New Yacht Prices and Delivery Information 2005 Hunter 44DS – Loaded with Hunter and Massey options – electronics, entertainment, sail handling and much more. Save thousands on new 2005 stock boat. Regular price $261,288. Call now and save up to $20,900.

MONOHULLS 45 ft. to 65 ft.

54 48 47 46 45 45 45 45 45

Endeavour ‘90 . . . Tayana ‘00. . . . . Catalina ‘00 . . . . Beneteau ‘97 . . . Morgan ‘94 (2) . . Morgan ‘91 . . . . Hunter CC ‘99 . . . Hunter ‘97. . . . . Gulfstar/Hirsh ‘85 .

. . . . . . . . .

$395,000 $398,000 $320,000 $199,000 $195,000 $194,500 $219,000 $209,000 $119,000

40 ft. to 44 ft. Call for ‘04 Model Year Clearance Price 2004 Hunter 36 New Model

hull #116 – Loaded with electronics, stereo, flatscreen TV/DVD, bimini, RF mainsail & jib, elec halyard winch, refrig/freezer, Harken hardware and much more. Regular price $143,052 Call for new yacht discount.

Pre Boat Show Open House, October 15-17, Fri-Sat-Sun.Visit us at our Palmetto, St. Pete and Ft. Myers locations. Inspect the new 2005 Catalina and Hunter yachts, take advantage of the boat show specials and SAVE-SAVE-SAVE!

44 C & C ‘69 alum . . . . $69,900 43 Roberts-Steel ‘91 . . . $175,000 43 Hunter ‘96. . . . . . . $164,500 42 Pearson ‘81 . . . . . . . $97,000 42 Pearson ‘80 . . . . . . $105,000 42 Hunter CC ‘97 . . . . . $184,500 42 Hunter CC ‘96 . . . . . $169,900 42 Hunter CC ‘92 . . . . . $141,900 42 Catalina ‘03 . . . . . . $200,000 42 Catalina ‘01 . . . . . . $237,000 42 Catalina ‘96 . . . . . . $119,000 42 Catalina ‘90 . . . . . . $128,500 411 Beneteau ‘01. . . . . $174,000 41 Morgan ‘89 . . . . . . $109,000 41 Morgan ‘82 . . . . . . . $83,000

Scott Pursell

Frank Hamilton

Dan Howland

Edward Massey

St. Pete, FL 727-824-7262 • TOLL-FREE 877-552-0525

. . . . . .

$169,000 $184,000 $159,900 $125,000 $244,500 $124,900

35 ft. to 39 ft.

39 C & C ‘73 . . . . . . . $58,900 393 Beneteau ‘02 Trade . $152,900 38 Waquiez/Hood ‘79 . . . $89,700 38 Shannon Ketch ‘79 . . $114,900 38 Morgan CC ‘97 . . . . $125,000 380 Island Packet ‘99 . . $245,000 38 Hans Christian ‘83 . . $139,000 380 Catalina ‘00 . . . . . $134,000 380 Catalina ‘99 . . . . . $152,000 380 Catalina ‘98 . . . . . $135,900 38 Catalina ‘81. . . . . . . $38,500 376 Hunter ‘97 . . . . . . $121,000 37 Jeanneau ‘96 . . . . . . $75,000 37 Hunter ‘97 . . . . . . . $79,900 37 Endeavour ‘83 Trade . . $49,900 365 Pearson ‘76 . . . . . . $55,000 36 Jeanneau ‘97 . . . . . . $89,000 36 Catalina ‘94. . . . . . . $85,000 36 Catalina ‘90. . . . . . . $71,500 351 Beneteau ‘96 . . . . . $77,500

Ft. Myers, FL 239-334-3674 TOLL-FREE 800-763-3157

Palmetto, FL 941-723-1610 • TOLL-FREE 800-375-0130

Brad Crabtree

41 Bristol ‘84 . . . 40 Jeanneau ‘03 . 40 Jeanneau ‘00 . 40.5 Hunter ‘97. . 40 Caliber ‘96. . . 400 Beneteau ‘97.

35.5 Hunter ‘91 Trade . . . $65,900 350 Catalina ‘03 . . . . . $154,500 35 Island Packet ‘91 . . . $119,900 35 Baba ‘84. . . . . . . . $120,000 30 ft. to 34 ft.

34 Catalina ‘98. . . . 34 Pearson ‘85 Trade 34 Catalina ‘94. . . . 34 Catalina ‘93. . . . 34 Catalina ‘87. . . . 33 Freedom ‘81 . . . 32 Island Packet ‘90. 32 Freedom ‘82 . . . 30 Hunter ‘88 . . . . 30 Baba ‘82 . . . . . 29.5 Hunter ‘95 . . . 290 Hunter ‘00. . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

$64,900 $45,900 $69,000 $64,900 $44,900 $48,000 $94,500 $48,900 $36,500 $59,900 $46,900 $59,900

CATAMARANS

44 Dean Catamaran ‘99 . . $285,000 37 Prout Snow Goose ‘84. . $89,500 TRAWLERS/POWER

36 34 30 29 28

Mainship MY ‘89 . . . . $69,500 Mainship Trawler ‘82 . . $79,900 Mainship Pilot ‘01. . . $104,900 SeaRay Sundancer ‘01 . $79,950 Carver Voyager ‘88 . . . $29,900

Now Open New Massey location at Centennial Harbour Marina, downtown Ft. Myers Call 239-334-3674 Sales Positions Available

Ben Fowke

THREE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU ON FLORIDA’S WEST COAST – IN THE HEART OF AMERICA’S FINEST CRUISING AREA.

YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR MEASURE OF SUCCESS

www.masseyyacht.com Bill Wiard

Mary Beth Singh

Al Pollak

David Cole

E-mail: yachtsales@masseyyacht.com

1994 Morgan 45 • $194,500 47 Catalina 2000 . . . . . . . . . .$320,000 46 Beneteau 1997 . . . . . . . . .$199,000 45 Morgan 1994 (2) . . . . . . .$195,000 45 Morgan 1991 . . . . . . . . . .$189,500 45 Hunter CC 1997 . . . . . . .$209,000 45 Hunter CC 1999 . . . . . . .$199,500 43 Hunter 1996 . . . . . . . . . .$164,500 42 Hunter CC 1997 . . . . . . .$189,500 42 Hunter CC 1996 . . . . . . .$169,000 42 Hunter CC 1992 . . . . . . .$141,900 42 Catalina 2003 . . . . . . . . . .$200,000 42 Catalina 2001 . . . . . . . . . .$237,000 42 Catalina 1990 . . . . . . . . . .$128,500 411 Beneteau 2001 . . . . . . . .$174,000 41 Morgan Classic 1989 . . . .$109,000

2001 Beneteau 411 • $174,000 40.5 Hunter 1997 . . . . . . . . .$125,000 40 Jeanneau 2000 . . . . . . . . .$159,900 40 Hunter 1992 . . . . SOLD . . . . . .$115,000 40 Catalina 1996 . . . . SOLD . . . . . .$134,900 40 Beneteau 1997 . . . . . . . . .$124,900 393 Beneteau 2002 . . . . . . . .$152,900 38 Beneteau 2001 . . . . . . . . .$147,000 38 Catalina 2000 . . . . . . . . . .$134,000 38 Catalina 1999 . . . . . . . . . .$152,000 380 Catalina 1998 . . . . . . . . .$135,900 38 Catalina 1981 . . . . . . . . . . .$32,000 38 CC Morgan 1997 . . . . . . .$125,000 37 Jeanneau 1996 . . . . . . . . . .$75,000 37 Hunter 1997 . . . . . . . . . . .$79,900 37 Hunter 1982 . . . . . . . . . . .$44,900

2000 Catalina 470 • $320,000 36 Catalina 1994 . . . . . . . . . . .$85,000 36 Catalina 1990 . . . . . . . . . . .$71,500 36 Jeanneau 1997 . . . . . . . . . .$89,000 35.5 Hunter 1991 Trade . . . . .$65,900 35 Catalina 2003 . . . . . . . . . .$154,500 35 Beneteau 1996 . . . . . . . . . .$77,500 34 Hunter 2001 . . . . . . . . . . .$97,500 34 Catalina 1994 . . . . . . . . . . .$69,000 34 Catalina 1993 . . . . . . . . . . .$64,900 310 Catalina 2003 . . . . SOLD . . . . . .$91,000 30 Hunter 1988 . . . .REDUCED . $29,900 30 Catalina 1987 Trade . . . . . .$35,000 29.5 Hunter 1995 . . . . . . . . . .$46,900 290 Hunter 2000 . . . . . . . . . .$59,900

2002 Beneteau 393 • $152,900

1997 Hunter CC • $209,000

1994 Catalina 34 • $69,000

Call for your FREE “How to Prepare your Yacht for Sale” package.

Pre Boat Show Open House, October 15-17, Fri-Sat-Sun. Visit us at our Palmetto, St. Pete and Ft. Myers locations. Inspect the new 2005 Catalina and Hunter yachts, take advantage of the boat show specials and SAVE-SAVE-SAVE!

SINCE 1977

www.masseyyacht.com Ben Fowke

Mary Beth Singh

Al Pollak

Now Open – New Massey location at Centennial Harbour Marina, downtown Ft. Myers. Call 239-334-3674. Sales Positions Available

St. Pete, FL 727-824-7262 • TOLL-FREE 877-552-0525

Bill Wiard

St. Pete Palmetto Ft. Myers

Ft. Myers, FL 239-334-3674 TOLL-FREE 800-763-3157

David Cole

Palmetto, FL 941-723-1610 • TOLL-FREE 800-375-0130

Brad Crabtree

Scott Pursell

Frank Hamilton

Dan Howland

Edward Massey

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

www.southwindssailing.com

Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

ADVERTISER INDEX BY CATEGORY

(SEE

SAILBOATS – NEW AND BROKERAGE Beneteau Sailboats Back Cover Boaters Exchange/Catalina Sailboats 25,38,64 Carson Yacht Sales/Beneteau Back Cover Eastern Yacht Sales/Beneteau Back Cover Flying Scot Sailboats 65 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales 63 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales 63 Hanse Sailboats 65 JS9000 PHRF Racer 64 Massey Yacht Sales/Catalina/Jeanneau/Hunter/Mainship 3,9,14,27,31,IBC Masthead Yacht Sales/Catalina 5,67 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau Back Cover National Boat Owners Association/Hunter 54 Raider Sailboats 65 Sailboats Florida, Inc. 65 Sailor’s Wharf Boatyard and Brokerage 50,52 Sarasota Youth Sailing Program donated boats 62 Seafarers International Yacht Brokerage 12 St. Barts/Beneteau Back Cover Suncoast Inflatables/ West Florida 16 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg 61 Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program 52 Windcraft, Trimarans and Catamarans, Sail or Power 12 GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES BoatUS 13 E-Marine 66 SSMR/Hood 51 Air Duck Hatch Windscoop 18 Bluewater Sailing Supply 60 Boaters Exchange, boats, gear, etc. Rockledge FL 25,38,64 Bo’sun Supplies/Hrdwre/Rigging www.bosunsupplies.com 29 Coral Reef Apparel Company 22 Defender Industries, www.defender.com 67 Garhauer Hardware 20 Glacier Bay Refrigeration 49 Hotwire/Fans & other products 67 Island Marine Products/Davits,motorlocks,etc. 24 JR Overseas/Moisture Meter 40 Martek Dinghy Davits 67 Masthead Enterprises 5,67 Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign 60 Rparts Refrigeration, www.rparts.com 43 Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg 61 West Marine IFC Winch Buddy 21 SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICES Hood/SSMR 51 Porpoise Used Sails 68 SSMR/Hood 51 Altlantic Sails 35 Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida 58 BoatUS 13 Cruising Direct/sails online by North 34 Dwyer Mast/spars, hardware, rigging 66 Masthead/Used Sails and Service 5,67 National Sail Supply, new&used online 40 North Sails 32 Nuclear Sails 8 Sail Exchange/www.sailexchange.com 48 Schurr Sails, Pensacola FL 45 UK Sails 5 Ullman Sails/West Florida 14 West Marine IFC CANVAS Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida 58 Sailcovers and More 68 Used Sailing/Boating Supplies Don’s Salvage, Clearwater FL 59 Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign, West Florida 60 Scurvy Dog Marine/Used, Consign, Pensacola FL 47 SAILING SCHOOLS Flagship Sailing 50 Sea School/Captain’s License www.seaschool.com 24 St. Augustine Sailing School 26,67 6

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

PAGE

FOR ALPHABETICAL LIST)

MARINE ENGINES Beta Marine Fleetside Marine Service RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke YANMAR Resorts, Marinas, Restaurants, Boat Yards Bob and Annie’s Boatyard Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina Sailor’s Wharf Boatyard and Brokerage CHARTER COMPANIES Flagship Sailing Sailtime, Shared ownership MARINE SERVICES, SURVEYORS, INSURANCE, TOWING, BOAT LETTERING, ETC. Aqua Graphics/Boat Names/Tampa Bay or buy online Beachmaster Photography Coast Weather Services First Patriot Inc, Insurance Agency, Paul Phaneuf TowboatUS MARINE ELECTRONICS Dockside Radio JR Overseas/Moisture Meter Sea Tech/Navigation/Communication BOOKS Bubba Stories Book Great Outdoors Publishing Gunkholer’s Cruising Guide/West Florida Memory Map Pocket Navigator West Marine Books and Charts REGATTA ADVERTISEMENTS, BOAT SHOWS Bradenton YC Kickoff Regatta Charleston to Bermuda Race Crow’s Nest Restaurant/Marina Regatta CYC/Regatta Pointe Marina Charity Regatta Melbourne YC Fall Regatta Special Olympics Charity Regatta, Lake Lanier

28 66 10 66 19 55 50,52 50 4 58 64 68 17 15 37 40 51 8 26 26 67 15 56 11 55 59 39 36

SPYC Fall Regattas St. Pete Strictly Sail Boat Show Tampa Sailing Squadron Appleton Regatta

53 23 57

Regional Sailing Services Directory Sailing Services Directory West Florida Subscription Information Alphabetical Advertisers’ List West Florida Race Calendar Information

25 58 This Page 68 10

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SOUTHWINDS NEWS & VIEWS 10

From the Helm

Letters

Tripwire Converts Bubba

FOR

SOUTHERN SAILORS

By Morgan Stinemetz

Short Tacks: Upcoming Events and News of Interest to Southern Sailors

Your Antenna, the Radios’ Link to the World By Gary Jensen, Dockside Radio

Action in the Abaco Sea: 29th Annual Regatta Time in Abaco By Rebecca Burg

Regatta Time in the Abacos — A Sailors Tale By Art Perez

Southeast Coast Sailing: Carolinas and Georgia: September Sailing, Events & Race Calendar, Race Report, News

East Florida Sailing: September Sailing, Events & Race Calendar, Race Report, News

Sailing in Abaco. Photo by Capt. Bill Robinson. Page 28.

Southeast Florida Sailing: September Sailing, Events & Race Calendar, Race Report, News

Northern Gulf Coast Sailing: September Sailing, Events & Race Calendar, Race Report, News

Florida Keys Sailing: September Sailing, Events & Race Calendar, Race Report, News

West Florida Sailing: September Sailing, Events & Race Calendar, Race Report, News

Classifieds

The Homing Dinghy By Barbara Boudreau

25 58 68 6 6

Regional Sailing Services Directory West Florida Sailing Services Directory Alphabetical Index of Advertisers Advertisers’ List by Category Subscription Form

Cover: Regatta Time in Abaco. Photo by Capt. Bill Robinson.

A Dinghy comes home. Photo by Al Boudreau. Page 70

From the Carolinas to Cuba…from Atlanta to the Abacos…SOUTHWINDS Covers Southern Sailing Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS News & Views For Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS Media, Inc. P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, Florida 34218-1175 (941) 795-8704 (877) 372-7245 (941) 795-8705 Fax www.southwindssailing.com e-mail: editor@southwindssailing.com Volume 12 Number 9 September 2004 Copyright 2004, Southwinds Media, Inc. Publisher/Editor Steve Morrell editor@southwindssailing.com Founder Doran Cushing Advertising & Editors Gary Hufford Steve Morrell National/West Florida Advertising National/West Florida Advertising gary@southwindssailing.com West Florida Regional Editor editor@southwindssailing.com (727) 585-2814 (941) 795-8704 The Southeast Coast: Carolinas and Georgia Florida Keys Rebecca Burg Steve Morrell Regional Editor/Advertising Regional Editor/Advertising angel@artoffshore.com editor@southwindssailing.com (305) 304-5118 (941) 795-8704 Southeast Florida Art Perez Regional Editor/Advertising miamiyachtracing@bellsouth.net (305) 380-0106 East Florida Roy Laughlin Regional Editor/Advertising mhw1@earthlink.net (321) 690-0137

Production Heather Nicoll Barbara Boudreau Dave Ellis Gary Jensen James Liebl George Regenauer Garie Blackwell Kim Kaminski Capt. Bill Robinson

The Northern Gulf Coast: Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas Kim Kaminski Regional Editor/Advertising Kaminski_K@msn.com (850) 384-8941

Proofreading Kathy Elliott

Contributing Writers Rebecca Burg John Drawe Rona Garm Jabbo Gordon Kim Kaminski Roy Laughlin Mike McNulty Arturo Perez Capt. Michael Shea Morgan Stinemetz Contributing Photographers Al Boudreau Carol and John Ewing Roy Laughlin Mike McNulty

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, the Bahamas or the Caribbean, or general sailing interest, or sailboats, or sailing in some faroff and far-out place. SOUTHWINDS welcomes contributions in writing and photography, stories about sailing, racing, cruising, maintenance and other technical articles and other sailing-related topics. Please submit all articles electronically by e-mail (mailed-in discs also accepted), and with photographs, if possible. We also accept photographs alone, for cover shots, racing, cruising and just funny entertaining shots. Please take them at a high resolution if digital, or scan at 300 dpi if photos, or mail them to us for scanning. Contact the editor with questions. Subscriptions to SOUTHWINDS are available at $19.95/year, or $37/2 years for third class, and $24/year for first class. Checks and credit card numbers may be mailed with name and address to SOUTHWINDS Subscriptions, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach FL, 34218-1175, or call (941) 795-8704. Subscriptions are also available with a credit card through a secure server on our Web site, www.southwindssailing.com. SOUTHWINDS is distributed to over 500 locations throughout 10 Southern states. If you would like to distribute SOUTHWINDS at your location, please contact the editor.

Read SOUTHWINDS on our Web site, www.southwindssailing.com. 8

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

www.southwindssailing.com

New Model

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New 2005 HUNTER 38 Hull #108 in stock

Call for Special New Yacht Discounts

New 2005 HUNTER 44DS Hull #182 in stock

New 2005 CATALINA 350 Hull #270 in stock

New 2005 CATALINA 42 Hull #897 in stock

New 4' 11" Wing Keel In Stock

New 2005 CATALINA 400 Hull #310 in stock

Buy now. Sail Tomorrow. Save Thousands. New is Better. • • • • • • • •

New yacht discounts-all trades considered New design, construction and performance New electronics, A/C and gensets New flat screen TVs and DVDs New yacht financing at lowest rates New yacht custom outfitting Full factory/dealer warranties and on site service Free yacht systems and handling orientation

St. Pete, FL 727-824-7262 • TOLL-FREE 877-552-0525

The best part of purchasing a new yacht is that it’s NEW and really costs about the same as buying a late model pre-owned yacht. This is prime time for Florida yachting and your new Catalina or Hunter is ready to sail away, right now! Call or come by and discover the dollars and sense of owning a new yacht.

New is better. Ft. Myers, FL 239-334-3674 TOLL-FREE 800-763-3157

SINCE 1977

www.masseyyacht.com Bill Wiard

Mary Beth Singh

Al Pollak

Ben Fowke

David Cole

Palmetto, FL 941-723-1610 • TOLL-FREE 800-375-0130

Brad Crabtree

Scott Pursell

Frank Hamilton

Dan Howland

Edward Massey

Now Open Pre Boat Show Open House, New Massey location at October 15-17, Fri-Sat-Sun.Visit Centennial Harbour Marina, us at our Palmetto, St. Pete and downtown Ft. Myers Ft. Myers locations. Inspect the new Call 239-334-3674 2005 Catalina and Hunter yachts, take advantage of the boat show Sales Positions Available specials and SAVE-SAVE-SAVE!

THREE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU ON FLORIDA’S WEST COAST – IN THE HEART OF AMERICA’S FINEST CRUISING AREA.

FROM THE HELM New 2004-2005 West Florida Race Calendar and Yacht Club Directory SOUTHWINDS magazine, since its debut in 1993, has always published a race calendar and a list of yacht clubs. This month, we launched our first annual publication, the 2004-2005 West Florida Race Calendar and Yacht Club Directory. This calendar is a result mainly of the efforts of Dave Ellis, well-known Tampa Bay area sailor and instructor. Dave put together a similar calendar in 1997-2001 when he ran the St. Petersburg Sailing Center for the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. That calendar was for the Suncoast—Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay areas. When he retired from the sailing center, the yacht club did not continue with the calendar. We decided to pick up on that and expanded the concept to include a larger area and the yacht club directory—and more. Available free through all yacht clubs and sailing associations who have a physical location and the advertisers (also available in southwest Florida at Massey Yacht Sales’ Fort Myers office at Centennial Harbor Marina, 2044 West First St.), this special issue is available on September 1. It is also available to view on line at our Web site, www.southwindssailing.com. We will also mail copies to you for shipping and handling costs (see ad below on this page). The race calendar covers all of the races and regattas open to the general sailing public (does not include races open only to club members) from September 2004 through August 2005 on the West Florida coast from the Tampa Bay area to Marco Island, and Lake Eustis. The date of the race or regatta, the type of race, and the sponsoring organization are listed with their acronyms or initials. With the yacht club directory, one can find the contact e-mails, addresses, and/or phone numbers. Since dates and venues of races and regattas frequently

change because of weather, participation, and other reasons, we strongly urge everyone to contact the sponsoring organization to confirm or double-check the schedule. If you notify us the first week of the month preceding publication, we will put it in SOUTHWINDS. The yacht club directory is really a list of all west Florida sailing organizations, such as yacht clubs, sailing associations, sailing squadrons, singles sailing clubs and others. Their contacts, when we could get them (and we worked at it), are also listed. Over 60 such groups are in the directory. If we missed you, or got your contacts wrong, we apologize and please send us the correct information, and we will print it in SOUTHWINDS. The calendar and directory also includes resources and articles that can be helpful to racers. There are articles on the PHRF ratings procedure, how to get into sailboat racing, and how to file a protest. There is also a list of club races, the Boat of the Year races, a copy of the US SAILING Rules in Brief and a page with all the racing flag signals and sounds. The publication is printed in four colors on heavy-duty glossy paper to ensure that it will be around in good condition for a year. We have printed enough that everyone can have a copy in their boat, their house, their dinghy and their motorcycle. We thank the advertisers who helped bring this publication to you and we ask that you support them, and tell them you saw them in this special annual issue. We apologize if we got the wrong information in the calendar or directory. Contact editor@southwindssailing.com to correct these, and we will put them in SOUTHWINDS and in next year’s calendar and directory. Send us your ideas and suggestions for improvements to help us make the 2005-2006 publication even better. Steve Morrell, Editor

SOUTHWINDS 2004-2005 West Florida Race Calendar & Yacht Club Directory AVAILABLE FREE AT FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

Most Yacht Clubs, Sailing Associations & Sailing Centers ADVERTISERS: Bluewater Sailing Supply 3018 22nd. Ave South., St. Petersburg. (727) 323-6814 BoatUS – most stores in West Florida Gulf Coast Raider at Watersports West 12900 Walsingham Rd. Largo. (727) 517-7000. Masthead Sailing Gear 2204 1st. Ave. South, St. Petersburg. (727) 327-5361 Sailboats Florida Yacht Brokers Harborage Marina, St. Petersburg. (727) 553-9551 Sunrise Sails 614 10th St. West, Palmetto. (941) 721-4471 UK Sailmakers 1717 West Cass St., Tampa. (813) 250-1968. West Marine – most stores in West Florida IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AT: Massey Yacht Sales, Centennial Harbor Marina, 2044 West First St., Ft. Myers. (239) 334-3674. BY MAIL: You can have a copy mailed for $3.50 each, $7.00/5 copies (cheaper in greater volume) for shipping & handling costs. Call (941) 795-8704, or editor@southwindssailing.com. Check or Credit cards. Or mail a check to Southwinds, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175. ONLINE: The Calendar and Directory can also be viewed online and purchased online via Paypal at www.southwindssailing.com. 10

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

www.southwindssailing.com

LETTERS “Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.” H.L. Mencken In its continuing endeavor to share its press, SOUTHWINDS invites readers to write in with experiences & opinions.

MANATEES, LAWSUITS, AND THE COURTS To Michael Shea, J.D. I read with interest your August 2004 article titled: “To Anchor or Not to Anchor—that is the Question” that appeared in SOUTHWINDS magazine. I assume you are familiar with the current manatee restrictions imposed by a settlement between the Save the Manatee Club and 17 others with the federal and state regulators. It raised several questions in my mind that I hope you can answer from a legal point of view: 1. Can the Florida Sunshine Law apply to this secret settlement as it affects the use of the waters? 2. Can a class action suit be structured against the state and federal governments on unreasonable restrictions of navigable waters? 3. Can the dock-building freeze be eliminated? 4. What limitations can be imposed on Save the Manatee Club and others and their unlimited power to change the lifestyles of the water users? 5. Is it right for the public taxpayers to support nonprofit organizations that file suits in the name of the laws against the public, and then have government agencies defend themselves with taxpayers’ money in courts? 6. What funding might be required to launch any answers to the above questions? I look forward to your reply. Charlie Feldschau C-BUG Secretary Charlie, Thanks for writing. I will try to answer your questions. 1. The Sunshine Law does not apply to federal lawsuits. However, I believe the settlement may be of record in the court file and unless ordered sealed by the court would be available to the public, but I have not checked. If you have a case, no. I will be happy to check. 2. I teach environmental law and as such I have not read their complaint in the suit you are referencing, but generally the suits are framed as to allege that the state and federal governments are not doing enough to protect an endangered animal. And to answer your question directly: Yes. The court and/or government can reasonably restrict navigation, and in some cases, must do so to protect animals, which include manatees. This is why people fight to have animals placed on or taken off that list. 3. No. But if you feel strongly as to your agreement, do as the manatee groups have done and go to court. Get a group of people who think as you do and hire an attorney and join their lawsuit. That’s what the manatee lovers did. They put their money where their mouth was and have been successful. The place to argue this issue is in court, and the best case is the present one in federal court. 4. And again I say to you and the others who do not like the way this case is going: Go to Court and argue. By the time it gets to a hearing in the local areas set by the State (in more cases), the State has already lost and is just trying to comply. You have to be where See LETTER continued on page 12 Local News For Southern Sailors

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September 2004

LETTERS

Continued from page 11

editor@southwindssailing.com Web site: southwindssailing.com PO Box 1175,Holmes Beach FL 34218 Fax: (941) 795-8705

the fight is: in the lawsuit. 5. While I understand you believe these are laws against the public, the manatee folks do not share your belief, and they have convinced a federal judge. There are a number of different laws here at play, and the federal courts have to try and figure out what Congress meant when it passed the law. I understand what you mean, but, once again, we are a nation of laws, and the place to argue this is with a good attorney and in a lawsuit arguing your point of view. 6. I have tried to briefly answer your questions, but remember, this was free, and the best way is to get an attorney and join the lawsuit. It is our system and was set up by the founding fathers. Best of Luck J. Michael Shea, JD THE NEW REGIONAL FORMAT IN SOUTHWINDS Just a short note to let you know that I think the magazine has improved since the ownership change. Most recently the change to a regional format is an improvement and helps the reader find topics of interest more quickly. Keep up the good work. Dave Thinel Clearwater, FL Dave, Thanks for the support. We all need it periodically. Changing to coverage in a regional section has been an experiment which has its positive and negative aspects. While I have had several tell me firsthand that they like this regional coverage, I have had to give up space on more general sailing articles—especially since so much regional coverage is racing. Although sailboat racers enjoy the coverage, there are many others out there who don’t race and who like other articles, and we are working on finding a balance. Our main problem is space, and with more advertisers, and perhaps regional advertisers in those regions, we can expand the magazine and include everything with more coverage. We have had a lot of local writers submit many excellent articles, and, again, our main problem is space to print them all. We can use everyone’s support in helping us grow through advertising and readers who support our advertisers by buying their products and telling them they saw them in SOUTHWINDS. I would like to hear from others on the regional coverage. We welcome the input. Editor UNHAPPY WITH BOATYARD COSTS: A BOATYARD RESPONDS The recent letter from a reader who is unhappy with boatyard costs prompted me to respond with the following observations from the viewpoint of a boatyard owner. It is nearly impossible to accurately estimate in advance the time and cost for most work on a boat. For example, our boatyard quotes bottom jobs based on what the owner tells me about the boat and the condition of its bottom. However, when the boat is hauled out and inspected, the bottom often has excessive marine growth, some blisters that need to be repaired, a worn cutlass bearing or propeller problems. Typically such repairs are costed at time and material. In my experience, the key to avoiding customer problems with their bill is to keep customers apprised of the See LETTERS continued on page 14 12

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SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

LETTERS

Continued from page 12

editor@southwindssailing.com Web site: southwindssailing.com PO Box 1175,Holmes Beach FL 34218 Fax: (941) 795-8705

status of the work on their boat, get their input and approval prior to additional work, advise them of any delays in completion date and provide a weekly cost-todate statement with a best guess estimate of final cost. Finnbarr P. Murphy Eau Gallie Boat Works, Melbourne, FL Finnbarr, Your attitude and practice is exactly right on. Having been in the service business, especially in home remodeling, I understand your problems and have acted the same in similar situations. Communications and patience will pay off in the long run. The customers must be constantly informed, and the boatyard owner must have patience in dealing with them as we know boat costs can get very high in unexpected repairs. If we all had unlimited funds, there would be no problem. Editor IS SOUTHWINDS THE PROPER FORUM FOR DISCUSSING THE POLITICS OF CUBA? Editor, Sailing is one of the activities in life that come close to the ultimate freedom. I am a Cuban refugee who arrived on these shores in 1961 and soon became a citizen. I still have family in Cuba. Up to a year or so ago, I was against the embargo because embargoes do not work. However, two events changed my attitude about countries or people that are against my country: the United States. One was 9/11 where we lost a cousin that was only 31 years old and the other when another cousin, 28 years old, in Cuba, was given over 25 years in jail just for speaking his mind. Now some will say that by isolating Cuba and not engaging them we actually prevent change. I wonder if those that claim that going to Cuba is none of this country’s business would have thought the same of Hitler’s Germany in the late ’30s when people were oblivious to the plight of the Jews. Is the right to freedom and democracy for the Cubans worthless when compared to the right of sailors to go to Cuba? Did the Clinton administration have any success in getting any closer to opening democracy in Cuba after bending over backwards even with the shooting down of the Brothers to the Rescue planes? Let’s be sensible. Cuba is a brutal dictatorship, no less repressive than North Korea, yet I wonder if the freedomloving sailors would travel to North Korea for pleasure. Freedom is everyone’s business. We are either all free or nobody is truly free. Not traveling to Cuba is but a small price to pay for telling a brutal regime you must change. Or is it that going to Cuba out of curiosity is like going to the zoo to see caged animals? I hope you have the guts to publish this in a legible format without butchering it. Juan A. Vega, Sr. Coral Gables, FL 33146 Juan, I am cutting back on Cuba coverage that is so political, even though I have a degree in political science. It is a true passion of mine and hard to resist, but this is not the proper forum as I have many letters about sailing and boating that are what this magazine 14

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is about. I have never edited one letter about Cuba policy in the past, not even one word, whether for or against going to Cuba, but this is a sailing magazine, and I am starting now to limit it. Although I agree with some of what you say on the repressive Cuban government, the issue I am concerned with is still the rights of the individual to travel freely must be protected. It is freedom of expression and really a part of freedom of speech. Just like the right to voice your opinion. I will support all protection of even those who disagree with me to have a right to say it. And the same goes for the right to travel freely. That right of free speech and the right to travel freely are basic inalienable rights that we all should protect. To discuss whether one should or should not go to Cuba is another issue, and you have every right to speak out and try to persuade others not to go, but are you going to take that person’s right to go there away? Do you have the guts to protect that person’s right to travel freely even though he disagrees with you? It is not about whether that person has a right to just go to Cuba. It is about having the right to go anywhere, without fear of being punished by your government upon returning. When we all agree to that right, I’ll discuss whether one should go there or not another day. The question I must deal with is this: Is SOUTHWINDS the proper forum for discussing the politics of Cuba? Only in a distantly-related way. This is a sailing magazine, and sailing is one of the oldest ways to travel to different lands. The right to sail to Cuba is one of those rights. We sailors have that right, and this magazine will discuss that right and support it, but, as much as it is diffucult for me to resist the politics of discussing the opening up of Cuba, I will no longer allow this magazine to be a forum for purely political discussion which does not cover those aspects related to sailing, or at least marine or boat-related. I leave the path open to those sailors who want to discuss the right to sail to other lands without fear of goverment reprisal. And that’s that. The purely Cuban political talk ends with this issue. Editor Sailing to Cuba and the Right to Travel Freely Sorry, but I must challenge your statement in “From the Helm,” in the Aug. 2004 issue. You said, “…but none addressed the issue of the right to travel freely. They just ignore it.” I sent an e-mail a while back, where my whole point was the right to travel. A right to “travel on the seas” we won by kicking British butt in the War of 1812. When a president takes that right away, it makes all lives lost in that war a waste. What really upsets me, is that some so-called Americans are given the right to visit Cuba, but “I” as an American native born in Indiana cannot. Having relatives there should NOT be an issue for an exception. Thanks for letting me blow off steam. Ron Seibel S/V Ghost USMC ‘53-’56; US Peace Corps ‘93-’95 Ron, You are right and I have not had a chance to publish your letter. I misquoted myself, too, as I meant to say that I did not receive one letter that opposed opening Cuba up that mentioned the right to travel. I have had many letters that were supporting opening Cuba up and supported free travel — and I meant to say that. See LETTERS continued on page 68 Local News For Southern Sailors

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ashore in the United States, then they are allowed to stay. What kind of a rule is that?” “It seems fair to me. If they successfully avoid all the barriers that we put in their way and don’t die crossing the Straits of Florida, they are rewarded by being allowed to stay in this country,” Bubba said, signaling Doobie that he would have another beer but coming up with no money to pay for it. It looked like Tripwire was snared this time. “We need to keep the Cubans out, period,” snarled Tripwire. “How can we be tough on Cuba and support our president in an election year if we don’t take additional stern measures?” “What kind of measures are you talking about?” asked Bubba. “For one thing, most of the Cubans who get to the United States by boat come ashore in the Florida Keys. I think that we should mine the beaches in the Keys and put lots of razor wire in the shallow water there. Then Cubans couldn’t get ashore at all,” Tripwire said. “Additionally, if we let Coast Guard cutters machine gun any Cubans they find in international waters, that will cut down the incursion of refugees. We have Navy fighter planes near Key West, so we could free those guys up to hunt for rafts and boats coming from Cuba with entire families on them. Because the boats and rafts are such sitting ducks, the Navy guys wouldn’t have to use missiles. They could do the job with guns only. It would be good training. Cheap, too. “And we could let the Coast Guard Auxiliary guys in the Keys carry rifles on their patrol boats. They are restricted to safety patrols now, but I’ll bet you money that if you arm those guys and let them help in keeping the Cubans out

Local News For Southern Sailors

of our country, they will really get into it.” Bubba was getting into it himself. “I like it!” he exclaimed. “We could send arms and technology to Castro, so he could help out at his end and make sure that people didn’t leave Cuba illegally. You know, night vision goggles, C-130s that have those 105mm howitzers and those mini-guns that fire about 10,000 rounds a minute. He’d need some high-speed patrol boats made out of carbon fiber. We could give him some of our outdated jet fighter planes and maybe a nuclear sub or two.” “That’s the way!” shouted Tripwire. “Yes, sir, we’d make Castro part of the solution instead of part of the prob….” At that exact moment, Doobie swept down the bar in a rush of angry movement and confiscated both Tripwire’s beer and Bubba’s beer. Before they could protest, she had emptied the beers into a sink and pointed to the exit with an arm and index finger as rigid as steel. Lightning flashed in her eyes. Tripwire and Bubba got down off their bar stools and headed for the Blue Moon Bar’s door without a peep. It wasn’t until they had the door open and were going through it that I heard Bubba complain, “What about our First Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment rights?” he whined. “Spoken like a true American” was all Tripwire could come up with, mumbling when he said it. Then they faded from view. I looked over at Doobie. She was totaling up Tripwire’s bar tab on a piece of paper. When she was through, she tore it off the pad and hung it up next to the cash register like a scalp.

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

Strictly Sail Boat Show St. Petersburg To Feature Tall Ship Unicorn, Nov. 4-7

BoatU.S. Foundation Emergency Rescue Beacon Program Saves Three Off Cape Hatteras, NC

The Strictly Sail Boat Show in St. Petersburg, (formerly Sail Expo St. Petersburg) is featuring the magnificent tall ship Unicorn, a 118-foot tall topsail schooner, during the fourday, all sailboat in-the-water event being held Nov. 4-7 at the Vinoy Park and Basin. Unicorn’s sturdy hull was crafted in Holland in 1947 from steel salvaged from German U-boats. Launched as a fishing vessel working the North Atlantic, the Unicorn has traveled to the Amazon River and Australia. By 1979 she had been converted into a sailing ship and renamed Eenhorn or “one horn,” Dutch for Unicorn. During Strictly Sail St. Petersburg, the Unicorn will be open for tours. “The tall ship Unicorn delights children and families and lets them imagine what life might be like sailing this traditional schooner that has roamed the seas for the past half century” said Scot West, executive director of Sail America, the show’s producer. “Taking a tour on the Unicorn is a terrific experience that’s definitely not to be missed at this year’s Strictly Sail St. Petersburg.”

From BoatUS An EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) from the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water’s EPIRB Rental Program has once again helped save the lives of recreational boaters. The latest incident involved three sailors who abandoned their disabled 30-foot sloop 120 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, NC. On the evening of Monday, June 28, around 9:30 p.m., a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew from Elizabeth City, NC, safely rescued the vessel’s owner and captain, Bob Seay and crewmembers Bruce Serinis and Brad Howard after a tumultuous two days of vessel and engine failures and increasingly dangerous seas. The incident began on Wednesday, June 23, when Seay’s Perfect Day left Bermuda to return to Annapolis, MD, after having competed in the Annapolis to Bermuda race. By Saturday, an initial forecast for light winds had deteriorated to 35 knots and 15-foot seas. Perfect Day began to founder as its mast became loose and its engine failed. Dead in the water, Seay activated the BoatU.S. EPIRB. Although unable to sail, Seay and his crew used their remaining fuel to sidle up to the 900-foot, 65,000-ton tanker Gulf Grace, which the Coast Guard had vectored to Perfect Day’s location for a fuel drop. The Gulf Grace lowered fuel, along with ice cream and cigarettes. “None of us smoked,” Seay said with a grin, “But the Grace’s crew wouldn’t have it any other way.” With calm seas, Seay, Serinis and Howard repaired the mast. But their luck would soon run out as the Coast Guard, constantly monitoring the situation, notified them that gale force winds would soon be upon Perfect Day. Trying to lessen the impact, the boat turned south on Sunday rigged in full storm mode. All gear was checked and rechecked and everything made secure. “My safety at seas classes really helped me prepare,” said Seay. By noon on Monday, winds were back up to 30 knots, and seas were building past 12 feet. That’s when the engine’s alternator failed, the mast became loose again, and a leak developed in the hull-to-deck joint near the bow allowing seawater to enter the boat. At this point the three agreed that it was time to activate the EPIRB again and call the Coast Guard. Crewmember Serinis, a retired USCG Search and Rescue crewman, said that in all his years in the service, he had “never pulled anyone off a boat in any situation worse than this.” A Coast Guard C-130 and rescue helicopter were dispatched. When the helo arrived, Perfect Day’s crew jumped overboard and were safely plucked from the stormy seas. Afterward, Seay said, “I thought I respected the ocean, but I didn’t. I found out what ‘weather’ really was.” Seay was effusive in his praise for the BoatU.S. EPIRB. “I can’t thank BoatU.S. enough for having a great rental EPIRB program when I needed it. I will never go offshore without an EPIRB - it worked flawlessly. The combination of EPIRB and satellite phone saved our lives, but the satphone didn’t always work reliably.” “The BoatU.S. Foundation makes these $900 EPIRB lifesaving devices available for $50 a week as a public service,”

Web site to Help Defend Organizers of Conch Republic Cup Race to Cuba Up and Running The Web site, www.defendcubasailors.com, set up to help the defense efforts of Michele Geslin and Peter Goldsmith, organizers of the 2003 Conch Republic Cup race from Key West to Cuba, is now in operation. Geslin and Goldsmith are under indictment for traveling to Cuba and spending money there, and organizing others to engage in the same practice. Although under the impression that they were acting legally under a federal license, the U.S. Government is prosecuting them under laws that many believe are infringing on their rights to travel freely without fear of prosecution upon returning to the United States. For more information about their case and the race, go to the Web site. Donations can be made via Paypal to help support the costs of their defense. Their trial is due to take place on Nov. 8. They are facing heavy fines, federal imprisonment and loss of Geslin’s sailmaking business, and they have already experienced punishment through government harassment, intimidation, legal costs and lost time. www.ussailing.org/rules

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said Ruth Wood, president of the BoatU.S. Foundation. The program is funded by the voluntary contributions of 575,000 BoatU.S. members. For more information, visit http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation/epirb call (888) 663-7472 . They Keep Building Them Bigger: 295-foot Sailboat At a length of 90 meters (295 feet), weighing in at an incredible 982 tons displacement and having a sail area of 2,474 square meters, Athena represents by all accounts the largest privately commissioned sailing yacht to have been built, certainly the largest one to be built in aluminum. Combining the volume and luxury of a large motor yacht with the Athena enroute. Photo exhilaration of sailing, Athena’s hull credit Royal Huisman speed under power or sail of over 19 Shipyard. knots will match any of the world’s fast cruising superyachts. Athena emerged into the light of day in early June, piggybacked from her temporary home on pairs of remote-controlled hydraulic wheel sets. She will continue her short journey as she is driven onto a 1000-meter transportation pontoon that is locked to the quay side in front of the yard by a special docking station. After passing several bridges the floating parade will continue across Holland’s inland sea, the Ijsselmeer, for a dry dock launching in Amsterdam. Once in Amsterdam and weather permitting, her three 60-meter Rondal masts with associate rigging will be immediately stepped, bringing a sense of proportion to complete the visual profile of the yacht. Following sea trials in July and

Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

www.southwindssailing.com

August, Athena is due for delivery in September. Story and photo credit to: Royal Huisman Shipyard/MegaYacht.com. For more photos go to: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/athena.

2005-2008 Racing Rules of Sailing Effective Jan. 1, 2005. The production of the Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008, including US Sailing Prescriptions, is on schedule, and will be available before the end of the year. The Racing Rules are effective on January 1, 2005. Members of US Sailing will receive a free copy of the new rules before the end of the year, and additional copies will be available for purchase through US Sailing’s online store. Dave Perry’s Understanding the Racing Rules Through 2008, a companion to the Racing Rules of Sailing, is currently being produced and will also be available by the end of the year. The Racing Rules of Sailing are revised and published every four years by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), and the U.S. rulebook includes rules adopted by US Sailing for events held in the U.S. www.ussailing.org/rules

“While Congress manages to appropriate some funds each year to dredge the worst problem spots, that’s a Band-Aid approach when the patient needs CPR. We hope that boaters will use this message board to share helpful navigation advice to prevent groundings, but also to give us first-hand reports that we can use to convince policymakers that the situation is critical,” added Lydecker. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association is an alliance of commercial operators and recreational boating interests as well as waterway towns and businesses that depend on maritime traffic. Its mission is to lobby for adequate dredging, safe navigation conditions and regular maintenance, and to promote waterborne commerce and recreation along the Intracoastal Waterway through Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the east coast of Florida.

Earthdive: Building a Global Dive Log Earthdive is a newly launched joint project between Coral Cay Conservation (www.earthdive.com/front_end/ccc/default.asp) and the United Nations Environment

Intracoastal Waterway Message Board Provides Local Knowledge for Those Cruising the ICW. With Declining Funds the Need for Knowledge of ICW Conditions Increases From BoatUS The “must stop” for Intracoastal Waterway cruisers headed south this fall could very well be a new Internet message board. That’s because the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA), in cooperation with Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.) has created a way for boaters to share local knowledge regarding facilities, experiences and most of all, channel conditions, along the 1,200-mile route threading the Southeast coast. Individual sections covering the waterway’s route from Norfolk, VA, to Miami, FL, are included on the free message board at http://www.Atlintracoastal.org. Also included are sections where cruisers or local boaters can note “Problem Spots,” a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers news area, and a “Trips” page for question-and-answer exchanges as well as comments from cruisers en route. Created in 1938 and with an authorized depth of 12 feet, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway provides a protected inland passage for commercial and military vessels and has become increasingly popular with recreational boaters. However, today the waterway is as shallow as four feet or less at low tide in some areas as declining federal budgets over the past decade have led to cutbacks in maintenance dredging. Commercial vessels and larger recreational craft are being forced to run offshore in the open ocean or risk grounding and potentially expensive repairs. “The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is in crisis,” said Ryck Lydecker of BoatU.S. and an AIWA board member. Local News For Southern Sailors

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September 2004

Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (www.earthdive.com/front_end/unep_wcmc/default.asp). It lets divers log the details of their dives into an online database, and then aggregates them all into what they call the Global Dive Log—a database of “dives, snorkel trips, divers, dive sites, dive logs, science logs, key indicators, anthropogenic pressures and dive centers” cross-referenced with data on coral reefs, sea grass beds and protected areas from UNEP-WCMC. The result is a tool that has the potential, over time, to become an incredibly rich resource. To contribute your own dives to the Global Dive Log and be able to browse it without restrictions, you need to join, but that only costs a small annual fee, and half of that money goes to various marine conservation organizations. The only other requirement is that you agree to follow their “Earthdive Code of Responsible Diving.” For more information go to www.earthdive.com.

Summer Sailstice Participant Wins Offshore Sailing Vacation Offshore Sailing School’s participation this June in the 4th annual Summer Sailstice, a nationwide celebration of sailing on the solstice, resulted in the giveaway of a $2,000 certificate for a sailing course at South Seas Resort on Captiva Island.

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

Jean Hurley of Sandwich, MA, won the Fast Track to Cruising course through a random drawing, simply by showing up at the event. The Fast Track course combines a Learn to Sail course with a Bareboat Preparation course. Jean and her husband Joe sail their Hunter 30 Callisto “for the pure enjoyment of it” and look forward to meeting other sailors who share their interest. “Sailors love the concept of an international sailing holiday,” said John Arndt, founder of Summer Sailstice. “The 2005 event is scheduled for the weekend of June 18 and 19 and assures more parties, more sailors, and more celebrations! The 2004 Summer Sailstice doubled its enrollment, just shy of 2800 sailors, up from 1400 in 2003,” he said. Marine Cell Phone Boosters and Antennas for Boats for Improved Offshore and Remote Performance Shakespeare is offering amplifiers and boosters for cell phones to help those who use them offshore and out of range of cell towers. These boosters will extend call range, help prevent dropped calls and enhance clarity and performance. Antennas from 2-17 feet are available, along with dashmount connectors and adaptors. Available for almost any cell phone. For more information, go to www.shakespearemarine.com/electronics/accessories/ca-819.html.

www.southwindssailing.com

4 – 7 , 2 0 0 4 N O V E M B E R

STRICTLY SAIL

ST. PETERSBURG

T H E G U L F C O A S T ' S O N LY A L L - S A I L B O AT S H O W At the Vinoy Basin. For advance tickets visit www.sailamerica.com or call 800.817.SAIL

Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

COMMUNICATION

Your Antenna, the Radios Link to the World By Gary Jensen, Dockside Radio

ith the peak of hurricane season here and our boats safely tucked away, now is an ideal time to prepare our boats for the upcoming offshore cruising season. When it comes to offshore cruising, nothing is more important than safety, and one of the most important tools to cruising safely is offshore communications. For most of us, offshore communications means a marine HF radio, often referred to as a SSB, or single sideband. A SSB radio enables cruisers to keep in contact with each other by voice and/or e-mail, keep in touch with friends and relatives back home by e-mail, and receive up-to-date weather forecasts, maps, and sea state information. Much like the "party line" of old, simply listening to the marine and ham nets, or listening to conversations between boats, provides a wealth of information. By listening we learn about actual onsite weather and sea state conditions, what boats are in our vicinity, where they’re going, their heading and speed, and other important marine-related information critical to safety. Today’s SSB radio system consists of four basic components or blocks; the radio itself, an antenna tuner, an antenna, and a ground system. Today’s radios and tuners are quite reliable, and once installed, the cruising sailor can expect to receive many years of trouble-free service from them. The same, however, cannot be said for the antenna system itself. The antenna is arguably the most important component in a SSB radio system. It is also the system component most prone to poor performance as a result of design compromises and/or weather-related deterioration. Received radio signals are incredibly weak, being measured in microvolts (a single flashlight battery is 1,500,000 microvolts). A poorly performing antenna system will not capture and deliver these weak signals to your radio. If the signals don’t reach your radio, you won’t hear the other guy. If you can’t hear the other guy, you can’t have two-way communications - and two-way communications is what SSB radio is all about. On most sailboats, an insulated backstay is the antenna of choice. The backstay is used not because it makes a great antenna (it doesn’t), but because it’s there, it’s easy, and it works. From an electrical standpoint, however, a backstay antenna is full of engineering compromises: It is made of stainless steel, a

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

poor electrical conductor relative to copper; it is neither vertical not horizontal, but slopes at an angle determined by the needs of the rigging, not the desired radiation pattern of the antenna; it’s surrounded by numerous other pieces of wire rigging, which distort/influence the directivity of the antenna and absorb both received and transmitted signal; and the list goes on. That’s the bad news. The good news is it’s there, and it can be made to work acceptably well. The key to making a properly performing and reliable backstay antenna lies with four key considerations*: 1) Insulator placement, especially the bottom insulator. 2) Antenna feed wire-to-backstay connection. 3) Standoff insulators for the antenna wire lead-in. 4) Routing the antenna lead-in wire.

Backstay insulator placement: The most common place for corrosion and signal loss to occur is at the antenna lead-in and the backstay connection. It is virtually impossible to keep this connection clean and dry, so you must periodically clean this connection. It is, therefore, in your best interest to make sure that you can comfortably reach the top metal portion of the bottom insulator. The top of the lower insulator needs to be positioned high enough to prevent a person from inadvertently grabbing the radiating (insulated) part of the backstay, but low enough to comfortably remove, clean, and reattach the lead-in connection. Place the insulator too high, and you won’t clean the connection. If you don’t keep the connection clean, system performance will degrade, eventually degrading to the point where the SSB radio system will be unusable.

Backstay Connection There must be about as many ways of connecting the antenna lead-in wire to the backstay as there are SSB users. Unfortunately for us, insulator manufactures don’t make a bottom insulator with a lead-in wire connection screw, so it’s up to us to figure out how to best make the connection. The DockSide Radio solution is to drill and tap the head of a bronze split bolt (avail-

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SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

COMMUNICATION able at most industrial electrical stores and some consumer retail stores) for an 8/32 or 10/32 machine screw. The split bolt is then installed on the top portion of the bottom insulator and the antenna lead-in attached to the split bolt with the machine screw. A modified split bolt with a 8/32 machine screw attached to the top is shown in Figure 1. Attach the modified split bolt to Figure 1 the smooth part of the upper swage on Tapped Split Bolt the lower insulator. Bronze and stainless steel behave relatively well together, and with an application of an electrically conductive anticorrosion lubricant like Pentrox, the connection should remain viable for a year or so. The antenna lead-in wire attaches to the 8/32 machine screw on the top of the split bolt fitting. Here again, an electrically conductive anti-corrosive lubricant like Pentrox should be used to retard corrosion and keep the connection sound. Taping or otherwise attempting to seal the connection seems to do more harm than good. A "sealed" antenna lead-in connection is not air-tight, and over time salt and moisture collect in the connection. The moist, salty environment promotes corrosion, and the resulting corrosion results in poor reception and a weak transmitted signal. Proper routing of the antenna lead-in wire: From an electrical point of view, the antenna begins at the large stand-off insulator on the antenna tuner, making the antenna lead-in wire an active part of the antenna system. The lead-in both picks up incoming signals and radiates the transmitted signal; therefore, placement of the antenna lead-in is important. It must not be run alongside wire bundles, through conduit, past electrically noisy pump motors, alongside autopilot wires and other wiring. The lead-in wire should be a high-voltage insulated wire

like the GTO-15 sold by West Marine, or similar. The actual kind and size of wire used is not critical, but it should be stranded, insulated, and not shielded (coaxial cable is not suitable for this use). For the past ten years Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been using a length of heavily insulated #8 stranded wire designed to lead 220VAC into houses from utility poles, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still in excellent condition.

Standoff insulators for the antenna wire lead-in: Radio signals traveling down the antenna lead-in wire produce a weak magnetic field. If the antenna lead-in wire lies alongside another wire, the wire along which it lays can effectively "suck" the signal out of the lead-in wire, preventing the signal from reaching the SSB radio. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actually happening is the two wires laying next to each other act like a transformer, and some of the signal in the lead-in is transferred to the wire next to it, effectively short-circuiting it from ever reaching the radio. When transmitting, the same effect exists, except in this case a portion of the transmitted signal is absorbed before reaching the antenna. Because of this phenomenon, taping the antenna lead-in to the lower uninsulated portion of the backstay is a bad idea. The better solution is to use stand-off insulators. Figure 2 PVC stand-off insulator

Simple, inexpensive and effective stand-off insulators can be fabricated from PVC pipe and UVresistant tie wraps. Cut the PVC into approximately 1 1/2- to 1 3/4-inch long pieces, then pass a black nylon tie-wrap (black looks stylish and is UV resistant) around the outside of the uninsulated backstay wire and the outside of the antenna lead-in wire. This captures both wires in the loop formed by the tie-wrap and holds each of the wires against the ends of the PVC pipe. The PVC pipe, in turn, keeps the wires separated. Figure 2 shows an insulator installed on Spiritress, my Hans Christian 38T. The wire on the left side of the insulator is the uninsulated backstay, the wire on the right side is the insulated antenna lead-in wire, and the round toilet-tissue-looking thing in between is the PVC pipe standoff insulator. Following these simple but important guidelines will start you out with a good performing antenna system. By building serviceability into your antenna system from the beginning, you have taken steps that will help ensure it will provide years of peak performance. * The RF grounding system is the counterpart to a properly functioning antenna system, and a subject for another discussion About the author: Owned and operated by Gary and Peggy Jensen, Dockside Radio specializes in the Sailmail and WinLink e-mail systems, sells and supports Pactor-III radio modems, and handles FCC radio licensing filings. Gary holds both a commercial FCC radio license and an axtra class amateur radio license. For three years Gary and his wife Peggy lived aboard their 38-foot Hans Christian, cruising the West Coast of the United States, Mexico, and the Sea of Cortez. Gary can be reached at (941) 661-4498, or by e-mail at: infoplease@docksideradio.com

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

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THE BAHAMAS

Action in the Abaco Sea:

29TH ANNUAL Regatta Time in Abaco By Rebecca Burg Photos by Capt. Bill Robinson

The full-keeled 28-foot sailboat needed a crew of 15 to 20 people. Her solid wood mast towered 65 feet, and that low-set 38-foot boom jutted well beyond her shapely stern. Interestingly enough, the unusual sailboat had an uncanny knack for attracting female crewmembers.

he hunkish, oversexed sloop also had a knack for winning. Abaco Rage, a 24-year-old workboat once left for dead and then revived by her new owners, is now a local celebrity and cultural icon. In her home waters, Rage couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but join a colorful collection of visiting and local sailing vessels for the popular Regatta Time in Abaco, Bahamas. Enjoying its 29th year, the event, esteemed by both cruisers and avid racers, took place from July 2-10 in the exquisite setting of the clear Abaco Sea. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Mt. Gay Rum and Gulfstream Airlines generously took charge as major sponsors. On a balmy July 2, over 1000 cheeseburgers in paradise were served during Bobb Hendersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pre-race bash on

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

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Bobb Henderson’s Cheeseburgers in Paradise Party.

Fiddle Cay’s soft, sandy beach. A hefty 200 gallons of rum punch and margaritas were poured in souvenir cups, which were cleverly used in a raffle of various prizes. Pilot, owner of Stranded Naked Swimwear and a genuine island character, Bobb and his party allowed sailors, their families and locals to mingle and gear up for the excitement ahead. Cruisers who normally do not race and were here for the leisurely Bahamas experience were drawn to the regatta’s easy-going disposition and numerous social gatherings. A rather friendly race, competing crews often waved and joked with each other as they sailed along the racecourse. The devoted race committee, made up of Carol and Jon Ewing and Jean Pinkus, was exceptional. Boats were divided into four fleets; PHRF-1, PHRF-2, multihulls and cruisers without spinnakers. The cruisers were divided into three subgroups, and top-placing boats in each subgroup would win. The first race on July 3 took place near Green Turtle Cay. Emboldened by a breezy start, 57 sailboats flung themselves over the playing field. They only got so far and were suddenly challenged by the loss of meaningful winds. Finally rounding the first mark, Contrails and the red-nosed Rookey were saved by their spinnakers. Joe’s trimaran, Lucky Star, was helplessly entangled within a massive traffic jam of large, slow-moving cruisers as they struggled to progress around the buoy. As distant lightning flashed in the southern sky, the wind returned. Glenn’s trimaran Adios! saluted the fresh new wind, its ama lifting high as she shot over the sea, her close rivals Orion and Bad Boys in hot pursuit. Mike’s cruiser Backdraft and Neil’s Pretty Woman, both Nonsuch 33s, kept each other on their toes. Covering each other so closely, they sometimes appeared as if one was hip-towing the other. Mark’s big cruiser Sponge Cake would prove to be a popular boat throughout the series by cleverly distracting her competition. Abaco Rage and Chris Thompson’s 21-foot Lonesome Dove, both native Bahamian sloops, were in different subgroups in the cruiser’s category. Despite not being in direct competition for placement, the two similar boats couldn’t resist a friendly challenge and prodded each other into a dramatic tacking duel before crossing the finish. Local News For Southern Sailors

“BEER – Helping White Guys Dance Since 1842!” read one humorous sign at Sundowners on Green Turtle Cay. Sailors accumulated here after enjoying William Brewer’s lively after-race street party and awards ceremony at Settlement Point where a colorful Junkanoo Parade and foods like conch salads, peas n’ rice and Kalik beer provided authentic local flavor. July 4 was a rest day to allow boats to migrate to Great Guana Cay for tomorrow’s race. In the morning, almost everyone listened to the local cruiser’s net on the VHF, racing boats focusing on Barometer Bob’s handy weather forecast. Anchored by Guana Cay, boats waited for a rainy squall to pass through before heading to a party at the Blue Water Grill. Some cruisers, like Don and Linda of s/v Epilogue, followed the regatta for its strong social angle. While Epilogue herself didn’t race, Don enjoyed crewing on a friend’s boat throughout the regatta. “It doesn’t get any better than the Bahamas,” Walt Adams observed. After 17 years of cruising and racing in the Bahamas on his own boat

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September 2004

PHOTO BY CAROL & JOHN EWING

THE BAHAMAS

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THE BAHAMAS

On July 7, Man-O-War race participants enjoyed 10-12 knots of northwesterly wind and sunny skies. Again it was a soundless promenade of sleek hulls and sculpted sails. A tight cluster of PHRF-1 boats started first, an attractive variety from Rich’s Hobie 33 Kaos to Oliver’s big Beneteau 47.7 Blue Moon. The PHRF-2 boats started next, Joe’s red-hulled beauty Caraluna edgy and hot for action. After the crowd of cruisers started, Duke of Topsail, a massive black freighter, casually steamed down the racecourse’s first leg. Like mice scattered by a massive cat, the cruisers swarmed away from Duke as it blasted its horn in annoyance. Bobby the Bowman on Abaco Rage. Jim’s Sea Turtle, a 12-year vet of the Abaco Regatta, was ready to battle fierce contenders Les Cheneaux and Susimi. John’s Pearson 31 Glider was in top form today and hoping to jump Alan’s Big Flash if not the hard-to-beat Abaco Rage. Rounding the downwind mark, David’s Schock 35 Xtreme was clinging tightly to Jim’s Contrails in a relentless struggle to control the wind. Ready to ruffle some feathers, Lonesome Dove tampered with Glider’s wind, and the comely Pearson slowed. Dove then plowed toward Rage, nudging her bigger sister to port and inducing an unwanted tack. Just as impish, Carefree nosed her bow over Big Flash’s transom as the two swung around the buoy. Kenny’s luxurious 55-foot catamaran Rocketeer swerved upwind, trailed by four spunky cruisers trying to thrust each other into Rocketeer’s significant wind shadow. Near the finish, a skilled battle ensued between Sea Turtle and Susimi. In a flurry of tight tacks and close covers, the two cruisers prodded each other off course. Sea Turtle eventually tacked over the finish with just over a minute to spare. The following awards ceremony and party delighted sailors at Crossing Beach near Marsh Harbour. Everyone took advantage of a restful lay day on July 8 and explored local culture or joined in the playful dinghy clue hunt organized by Merlins Marine Electronics. A Mount Gay Rum party at Conch Inn completed the evening. The Hopetown race on July 9 was sunny with light winds averaging 10 knots. Though a cruiser to the core, Bob Bittner’s wooden Ketch Robert Alexander, a rare 53-foot Trumpy, played in the regatta nevertheless. Another eyepopping beauty, Rob Dehan’s 47-foot Alden ketch Arita, participated in all five races. Unique classics, the two sailboats tended to look to each other for a challenge during the series. 32

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SOUTHWINDS

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Photo by Carol & John Ewing

“Go!” Bobb urged as we tacked Robert Alexander for a close start. “Haul away. Pull the sheet hard, Bobb!” Bobb Henderson jumped on the winch while I tailed. Ahead, the more aggressive cruisers pushed each other toward the committee boat. “It’s not coming in anymore, Bobb.” Henderson and Jeanne tugged at the main as Arita slid alongside us. A rippling sail promptly slid up Arita’s previously naked mizzenmast. The pressure was on. The two big vessels sailed tack for tack in a stately minuet. In the strenuous upwind squeeze toward the last mark, our gallant competitor fell behind. As we relaxed a little, crewmembers Patricia, Ricky, and Dr. Teri brought out the drinks. With tropical tunes playing below, Bobb was leisurely grilling out at the stern as Robert Alexander pinched over the finish line. Arita finished a scant few minutes behind. Finally resting at anchor, our hot bowman Dana jumped overboard while we enjoyed Bobb’s grilled goods. Later, sailors convened in Hopetown at Harbour’s Edge for the party scene and investigated Captain Jack’s for savory local flavor. July 10 welcomed the Bahamian Independence Day and the final race in the series near Marsh Harbour with about eight knots of east wind and sun. Arita, rigging fully dressed with fluttering nautical flags, delicately picked her way toward the committee boat to view today’s courses on the board. A little tired from a week of racing and partying, all classes slowly paced behind the start to warm up and await their turn. The last group to start, the multihulls were particularly excitable today. On the downwind leg, Adios! walked up to Bad Boy’s stern and veered, pilfering the Corsair’s wind. Spinnaker collapsing, Bad Boys fell back while Adios! hit a nearby cruiser’s wind shadow. Locked in a determined struggle, the two tris roared over the blue. Unsuspecting cruisers Glider and Susumi were caught in the Local News For Southern Sailors

trimaran’s passionate dispute over speed. As Bad Boys and Adios! jostled past Glider, the startled cruiser was shoved to starboard by a wayward ama. Sails bouncing, Susimi hastily fled from the skirmish as the trimarans wedged themselves around the buoy. Ruffled but unhurt, Glider slunk around the mark. The dueling trimarans snarled at each other one more time before sprinting away on opposite tacks. On a roll, Lucky Star jumped into the scene and covered Adios!, the two pressing each other to the finish with Lucky Star lunging ahead by mere seconds. In clear air, Bad Boys had slipped away and won this round. “Trim?” said a lone voice as Charles’ suave Beneteau 40 Sabbatical eased around the last buoy. The big boat’s weary crew was sprawled motionless over the deck. After crossing the finish to win first in her category, again, even Abaco Rage appeared spent. Tilted over, long boom and sails loosely hanging to one side, Rage slowly drifted over the luminous green sea as her crew dangled in the water to keep cool. The final awards party at the Jib Room, Marsh Harbour, concluded the race series. Reluctant to end the fun, the party lasted well into the night with a grand finale of blossoming fireworks glittering and popping overhead as Bahamians cheerfully celebrated their Independence Day. Many thanks for the hard work behind the scenes by Dave and Kathy Ralph, Ruth Saunders, Barry Whiting, Wynsom Ferguson, Linda Leffler and Ann McFadden. Useful regatta information: www.go-abacos.com/regatta/rtia-info.html.

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

THE BAHAMAS

A SAILOR’S TALE continued from page 35 side of the course, we held course, hoping that we had read the wind correctly. As we made our final approach to the windward mark, we were still in doubt. Would we be last or first? Our questions were shortly answered as we crossed ahead of the fleet by a comfortable margin. We managed to maintain the lead for three-quarters of the race until the eventual winner of the regatta, Rookey, overtook us on the last leg. In the light air we were no match for them as they managed to win by a margin of a little over a minute. Still, our second-place finish was satisfying. We out-sailed the rest of the fleet by a comfortable margin. With the race over, and the trophies handed out, the party was over. It was time once again to leave behind the clear blue skies of the Bahamas and head for home. That night as I gazed into the starlit sky for the last time, I couldn’t help feel a certain sadness as I remembered the words to a poem: Nights of high and slumber deep Are the memories that we keep ‘Neath our pillow ‘Til the light of dawn and darkness goes. And as it goes it takes the pain Of memories and love in vain. The dawn’s fresh breath upon our face Cleanses that which our hearts embrace The following morning I was back home. 34

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

www.southwindssailing.com

Regatta Time in the Abacos –

A Sailor’s Tale By Art Perez

he constant ringing of the phone woke me from a state of semi-consciousness that I had fallen into from staring too long at the TV. I waited, holding my breath, hoping the ringing would stop, but to no avail. Realizing the futility of my effort, I pried myself from the comfort of the sofa and lumbered off to answer the phone. To my surprise it was a dear friend of mine, sheeplessly wondering if I would be interested to fill in as crew on his new 32-foot C & C, Caraluna, and go racing in the Abacos. His crew for hire had bailed out on short notice leaving the boat shorthanded. The mention of island racing cleared the fog from my mind as I yelled out “Yes!” but was careful enough that my wife couldn’t detect too much excitement in my voice. With my sailing bag full of T-shirts and shorts, I slipped into my flip-flops, kissed my Caraluna & crew took the second-place trophy. Art Perez photo. wife goodbye and set out to the Bahamas. Once in Hopetown, I headed to the local marina where Determined not to give up, we climbed our way back from Caraluna was berthed. The boat had arrived a couple of days the bottom, finishing a respectable fourth. With our boatbefore and was fully provisioned and race-ready. With the handling improving, we knew it would be a matter of time provisions out of the way, we concentrated on recruiting anybefore we would find ourselves on the podium. one willing to go racing. As it turned out, it was quite easy to There was no lay day between the Hopetown race and convince the locals to join us; a new boat full of food and the final Marsh Harbour race so we limited our exuberance drinks usually does the trick. Our crew had names of “Boot,” (and partying) in hope that we could finally achieve our full “Cai,” and “Obi”—all unlikely suspects ready for one more potential. The Marsh Harbour race would be our final race. There was no doubt we were in for a good time. attempt to conquer our adversaries. With race day looming upon us, we managed to put in At the start of the race we again held the lead up the an afternoon of practice, learning our new positions (and windward leg. As the fleet began to split toward the other names). And although not quite up to speed, we sensed that See A SAILOR’S TALE continued on page 34 we could manage to perform well enough to compete for a top three finish. Our first race would be the Man-O-War Regatta. We were ready, we were excited, and we were over the line early! In spite of making a valiant comeback, we managed to place fifth in corrected time. Somehow we still felt good about our effort and knew we would place better in the next race. With those thoughts behind us, we headed to the beach party. If there is one thing you can say about the race organizers (and there are many), it’s that they know how to throw a party! In fact, there’s a party for every night of the week. Which explains why there are so many lay days between races. Next came the Hopetown race. We managed to get off the starting line in good position, covering the fleet up the long windward leg. Three-quarters of the way up the leg we came to a grinding halt. The wind shifted, favoring the other side of the course, plummeting us to the bottom of the fleet.

Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

SOUTHEAST COAST SAILING Carolinas & Georgia Racing News & Calendar News for Sailors

SE Coast September Weather WATER TEMPERATURE Cape Hatteras, NC - 76° Savannah, GA - 81° AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Cape Hatteras, NC 69° lo - 81° hi Savannah, GA 67° lo - 86° hi For Real Time Southeast Coast Weather go to: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/ Southeast.shtml

September Sailing By Rona Garm

NORTH CAROLINA

f you like your Labor Day weekend a little laid back, plan to visit the Charleston Jazz and Arts Festival. Historic downtown Charleston is always a delight and with all of the extra events in conjunction with the festival, it’s a great weekend to explore. Call (843) 343-2088 for more information. On September 3-6, in Conyers, GA, the 9th Annual Harvest Moon Bluesfest also adds some good down home style music to an extended vacation weekend. Additional information on Bluesfest can be obtained by calling (800) 266-9377. In Southport, NC, the Cape Fear Yacht Club is hosting

SOUTH CAROLINA GEORGIA

Wilmington

Charleston

Beaufort

Savannah SOUTHEAST COAST

September Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

its annual Labor Day Open Regatta, September 4-6. With a racing venue that includes the Cape Fear River and/or Atlantic Ocean off exclusive Bald Head Island, CFYC is known for its excellent social events, and Southport has a quaint Southern downtown just made for strolling. Visit www.cfycnc.com for regatta details. On September 10-12, members of the Wrightsville Beach Ocean Racing Association (WBORA) again doff their cruising hats for a trip northward to Mile Hammock Bay. Non-members are welcome and encouraged to attend. This event was a past WBORA favorite that should have a great comeback. Details and contact information can be found on the WBORA Web site, www.wbora.org. On September 21, Southport, NC, is again the scene for racing action. This time sailors will gather for the Round Oak Island Sunfish Race sponsored by the Southport Sailing Club. At 26 miles, this event is reported to be the longest Sunfish Race in the world and has been completed in as little as five hours or as many as 11. The winner of the race receives the coveted Rudder Trophy. Glenn Walker of Wilmington, NC, has held the trophy for the past four years and will defend his title again this year. Contact Gwen Tanner, gwen@southportsailing.com, for more information.

SEPTEMBER Ancient Mariners Regatta. Wrightsville Beach, NC, Carolina Yacht Club. www.carolinayachtclub.org 4-5 Labor Day Regatta. Lake Norman Yacht Club, NC. www.lakenormanyachtclub.com 4-5 Pickering Cup. Lake Lanier Sailing Club, GA. www.llsc.org 6 Labor Day Cup. Wrightsville Beach, NC, Carolina Yacht Club. www.carolinayachtclub.org 10-12 Racing to Make a Difference, 5th Annual Open Sailing Regatta Benefiting Special Olympics Georgia. Cove Marina, Lake Lanier, GA. Sponsored by Southern Sailing Club. www.strictlysailing.com 11 – 12 Yemassee Shrimp Festival. Yemassee, SC. www.sneadsferry.org/festival/scf_yemassee.htm 11 – 12 Traditional Small Craft In-the-Water Meet. Small wooden boat enthusiasts at North Carolina Maritime Museum. (252) 728-7317 13 Beaufort, SC, Sail and Power Squadron. Public Boating Course. 843) 838-7501 18 James Match Races. Wrightsville Beach, NC, Carolina Yacht Club. www.carolinayachtclub.org 5

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

www.southwindssailing.com

SOUTHEAST COAST SAILING 18 25-26 25-26 25-26

Snipe Battle of Atlanta/C15 Hunters Cup Fleet. Lake Lanier Sailing Club, GA. www.llsc.org Leukemia Cup. Charleston, SC. Charleston Ocean Racing Assoc. www.charlestonoceanracing.org. Board Bash – Junior. Opti, Sunfish, Laser. Lake Norman Yacht Club, NC. www.lakenormanyachtclub.com AUX PHRF Champs/ C22 Gone With The Wind Regatta. Lake Lanier Sailing Club, GA. www.llsc.org

OCTOBER 1–3 9 – 10

18th. Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival. Morehead City, NC. http://www.ncseafoodfestival.org/ Beaufort Shrimp Festival. Beaufort, SC. www.sneadsferry.org/festival/scf_beaufort_shrim pfest.htm

Race Report Waters First, Top Sailors Battle for Second: Third Raider National Regatta held On Lake Lanier, GA, June 19-20 By John Drawe

great party, fun and a good breeze! That was Saturday’s venue for the Lake Lanier Sailing Club’s Annual REGGAE Regatta. Included in the event were the Third Raider Nationals. The nine Raider skippers got Raider Nationals on Lake Lanier, GA. their start at 12:20 Photo courtesy John Drawe. p.m. in about 10 knots of shifty breeze on the 1.75 mile windward/leeward course and had Mother Nature’s full support. Only fractions of boat lengths separated the first five boats at the weather mark. The downwind legs were gybing duels, and controlling the assymetricals in the shifty gusts was a challenge. The wind continued to build for the next two races, and in the third race “shrimping” with the A-spins was common. Sunday morning saw the wind as uncooperative as it had been favorable on Saturday. The start was delayed several times, and the final race was completed in less than 2 knots of very erratic breeze. Joe Waters from Lexington, SC, took a commanding lead early in the regatta, with a threeway tie for second place being decided in the final race on Sunday. All the Raiders were singled-handed, and this was the first sanctioned “around-the-buoys” event where the asymmetrical spinnakers were used. The only mishap of the event was at the start of the second race when Raider # 41 reluctantly gave up her rudder to an errant Hobie Cat and

Local News For Southern Sailors

ended the racing for both skippers for the day. The next scheduled Raider O.D. class event will be at Melbourne Yacht Club’s Fall Regatta. Results Raider Fleet - Sailed: 4 Discards: 0 Ratings: None Place Sail # Skipper Race 1 2 3 4 1 78 Joe Waters 2 1 1 2 2 8 Y Burmatnov 4 2 DNC 1 3 58 Justin Chambers 1 3 DNC 3 4 53 Bill Wiggins 3 5 3 6 5 22 CARL SAYLOR 5 4 4 5 6 37 Chip Crawford 7 6 2 4 7 50 BRUCE SOBUT 9 7 5 8 8 41 JOHN DRAWE 6 9 DNC 7 9 35 PETER CALAMI 8 8 DNC 9

Points 6 17 17 17 18 19 29 32 35

Southeast Coast Race Recap By Rona Garm

hile most clubs were holding Independence Day Regattas, the Neuse Yacht Racing Association was celebrating personal freedom with the Parrot Head Regatta. Light winds and hot temperatures did not dissuade competitors but did make it nice for the San Juan 21s going up against the larger, heavier boats. In the Spinnaker Class, Orion took first over Cotton Picker by a little under three minutes while only Packer Tacker managed to make it over the finish in the Non-Spinnaker Class. Everyone did make it to the Oriental Harbor docks for the post race party and fireworks display. Up in Charlotte, light winds were also the name of the game for the Lake Norman Yacht Club July 4th Keelboat Regatta. In the Spinnaker Class, the Sovrel 33s went home with the top silver – first to Chuck Lineberry’s Pearl of Great Price and second to John Heiler’s Jezebel with an old Sovrel crew aboard Danny Myers’ Luvit in third. Denny Rayfield’s Ranger 23, Sommerlied, took home the top prize in the NonSpinnaker Class. As part of the Official North Carolina Independence Day Celebrations in Southport, the Cape Fear Yacht Club held its Commodore’s Cup Regatta. A one-hour delay allowed a nice, steady 9-knot breeze with some higher gusts for the competitors from various North and South Carolina clubs. The race was run in the Cape Fear River, just off downtown Southport so festival-goers were given an up close and personal view of the racing. Top finishers in the Non-Spinnaker Class were Robert Creech (C Breeze III) with a VMG of 4.1k, Ed McKinnon (Victoria), and Scott Kaseman (Lucky Stumbler). In the Spinnaker Class, Bob Cowen aboard

See SOUTHEAST COAST SAILING continued on page 41

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

EASTERN FLORIDA COAST

Jacksonville

Daytona

Racing News & Calendar News for Sailors

September Sailing: Watching the Eye of the Storms By Roy Laughlin

eptember is a tense month for sailors on the east coast. Sailing can be great at the end of the summer. Prepare poorly or have just a little bad luck during a tropical cyclone’s visit and sailing is abbreviated for months afterwards. It used to be that September’s first three weeks were the ones to watch. Traditionally, local groups got together to sail on Labor Day, “weather permitting,” but few large regattas were planned during the holiday. The windless days of summer usually end sometime in September when an easterly flow off the Atlantic returns to dominate weather conditions. This answers the prayers of those who prayed daily for wind during the summer. When tropical weather passes through, it confirms the axiom: Be careful what you pray for. You may get it. Absent tropical systems, though, September can be a great month for cruising

Eastern Florida September Weather Melbourne

WATER TEMPERATURE Daytona Beach - 82° Jacksonville Beach - 82° GULFSTREAM CURRENT 3.0 knots AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Daytona Beach 72° lo - 89° hi Jacksonville Beach 73° lo - 85° hi For Real Time Southeast For Real Time East Florida Coast Weather go to: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/ Florida.shtml

September Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

the Intracoastal Waterway. The kids start school, leaving the weekends as the prime time for an evening or two on the river. When the easterlies blow, they stay night and day, reducing the mosquito problem and making cooler, enjoyable evenings. For those with flexible schedules and an appreciation for solitude, weekday cruises in September may be the best of the year along Florida’s east coast: few tourists, local retirees are in the mountains and kids are in school. The fishing is great in September, too. Statistically, September is the wettest month in Florida, but the rains are warm and often without the excessive lightning of the early summer storms During the past decade, it seemed like hurricane activity maxed out well after the September 12 statistical peak date. With that change, a few organized sailing events now occur in September. The Lake Eustis Yacht Club hosts the Wildcat Regatta, a beach catamaran regatta during the middle of the month. The Wildcat, now in its fourth year, will be held September 25 –26. Each year of the past three, the weather report has been poor. Each year, the rain, if any, came at the end of a day of great sailing. The first year, only 18 catamarans participated. Last year, triple that number were there. Lake Eustis and its yacht club are hidden gems in the hills of the Florida ridge. The club sponsors several regattas throughout the year for all kinds of trailerable sailboats, so if you have a chance to sail in one, jump at it no matter when it is held. It is hard for sailors not to let prospects of hurricane weather dominate attention during September. The Seminoles believed that when floating sawgrass seeds turned the waters’ surface golden, a hurricane was likely. Sawgrass in the St. Johns marshes in Brevard County is having a golden year in 2004.

Upcoming events SEPTEMBER 4-5 4-5 4 5 38

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

Steak and Lobster Regatta. Cocoa Beach Yacht Club. www.Sail-race.com/cbyc/fall.htm Labor Day Regatta. Rudder Club. www.rudderclub.com First Saturday at Sebastian Inlet. Indian River Catamaran Association. Race #9 Ft. Pierce Yacht Club. http://ftpierceyachtclub.homestead.com www.southwindssailing.com

EASTERN FLORIDA COAST 11

Double-Handed Race. East Coast Sailing Assoc. Melbourne Yacht Club. www.Sail-race.com 11 Fall Series # 1 Rudder Club. www.rudderclub.com 12 Summer Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Race #3. East Coast Sailing Association. www.Sail-race.com 19 Summer/Fall #4. Indian River Yacht Club. www.Sail-race.com/iryc/sundayseries.htm. 18-19 Cruise to Titusville. East Coast Sailing Association. . www.Sail-race.com 25 - 26 Mermaid Regatta. Melbourne Yacht Club. www.Sail-race.com 25 - 26 Wildcat Regatta. Lake Eustis Yacht Club. Catamaran regatta 25 Fall Series # 2. Rudder Club. www.rudderclub.com

OCTOBER 2-3

J-24 District Championships. Florida Yacht Club, Jacksonville. www.floridayachtclub.org. 2 Fall Series # 3. Rudder Club. www.rudderclub.com 2 First Saturday at Sebastian Inlet. Indian River Catamaran Association. 3 Race #10. Ft. Pierce Yacht Club. http://ftpierceyachtclub.homestead.com 15-17 Snipe North American Championship. Florida Yacht Club, Jacksonville. www.floridayachtclub.org. 16 - 24 Melbourne Race Week & Fall Regatta. Melbourne Yacht Club. (Includes Race 6 of the Southeast Circuit Races). 16 Fall Series #4. Rudder Club. www.rudderclub.com 17 Summer/Fall #5. Indian River Yacht Club. www.Sail-race.com/iryc/sundayseries.htm.

Local News For Southern Sailors

WOW Regatta. Rudder Club. www.rudderclub.com 30. Halloween PHRF Regatta & Halloween J-24 Regatta 30 - 31 Hiramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Haul. Performance Sail and Sport. (Catamaran distance race) www.perfsail.com

Race Report St. Augustine Summer Sizzler by Roy Laughlin

hen is an ocean regatta really an ocean regatta for beach cats? When good winds push these speed demons over big swells giving a ride that is the envy of any amusement park. These were the conditions off St. Augustine on July 31 and August 1, as the tropical depression that became Hurricane Alex made its contribution to the event. The St. Augustine Summer Sizzler was the District 3 Championship for the Inter 20 sailors, so it was the largest one-design fleet in the regatta with 10 catamaran teams. Ocean regatta conditions rarely favor one team and deliver it a string of bullets. Additionally, exceptional sailing talents in the Inter 20 fleet challenges the luck and skills of each team. No team had more than two firsts out of five races, and even during individual races, the winning team often became apparent only in the last lap. Steve Lohmayer and Ken Pierce, Team Tybee, finished first overall by winning two bullets on Sunday. Alex Shafer and Nigel Pitts, Team Tommy Bahama, came in second over all, after a tiebreaker with third-place team John Casey and Jim Novak.

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

EASTERN FLORIDA COAST

St. Augustine Summer Sizzler. Photo by Roy Laughlin.

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

The Hobie 16 class was the second largest one-design class in the St. Augustine Summer Sizzler, as has been the case in the other ocean regattas this summer. These banana-hulled cats were made for jumping breakers in the surf. Before and after the race, there were ample opportunities for these beach cats to deliver thrills that made them objects of desire for an entire generation of sailors. The racing was hardly less exciting with six-foot swells routinely rolling through the racecourse. Mike Burley and Geri Prince dominated the class on Saturday with three bullets. On Sunday, it was Paul and Loren Camp’s time on top with two bullets. Both of these teams had great days both days, but in the final standings, Burley/Prince was first, the Camps second and Steve Caron and Greg Feldman, third. Hobie 18s made up the third one-design class at this regatta. Dale Broadwell and Rebecca Lambert dominated this class with an unbroken string of bullets, followed by Jerry and Angela Schuett in second place. Thomas and Janet d’Arcy were third, but not without some excitement on Saturday. Thom made it through the surf, but a swell broached his catamaran several hundred yards off shore, knocking him into the waves. His wife and crew, Janet, did a great job of sailing the cat to a chase boat to ask for help, but not without some apprehension over Thom’s situation. Thom had on a life vest and when the chase boat and life guard converged on him 500 feet off shore, he was still wearing his sunglasses. He was chillin’ and driftin’ back to shore. Team dArcy came back on Sunday to take third place. Open high and open low Portsmouth classes rounded out the regatta’s classes. The open high class was largely a dead boat society, but these well-maintained small sailboats were rugged enough to take the backwash from young Hurricane Alex and give the sailors a great ride. Scott McMillen on a Hobie 17, Jerry and Sean Wolfe on a Prindle 18 and Andrew Crawford and Annemarie VanHemmen on a Dart 18, finished in first through third place, respectively. The open low class was primarily a collection of Nacra 5.5s and A class boats. Woody Cope on an A class catamaran, tied with Rush Bird on a Nacra 5.5 for first before calculation of a tiebreaker score, which gave Woody the first-place standing. Hollis Kaffe, on a Taipan 16, came in third in this class. One regatta organizer noted that weather reports seldom cause sailors to attend a regatta, but they certainly keep them from coming. Generally, the weekend Alex passed by Florida, the weather was lousy overall. Judging from weather radar, St. Augustine Beach was the only place on the peninsula that had no rain over the weekend. It was just a spectacular two days of ocean sailing. www.southwindssailing.com

EASTERN FLORIDA COAST

2004 Recidivism Rocks! Laser Regatta. The Second Leg of the Treasure Coast Series By James Liebl

f you dig the big breeze, you had to be excited about the predictions for the 2004 Recidivism Rocks! Laser Regatta. On Wednesday, July 28, a summertime tropical low pressure system was developing off the Bahamas. Forecast models had it strengthening and heading northwest toward Merritt Island, FL, exactly where the regatta was scheduled to be. The regatta organizers couldn’t wait for the serious breeze! Yeah, baby! Well, it turns out the regatta organizers and the 20 regatta participants just kept on waiting for the breeze. It never showed up. Someone forgot to tell the low pressure system, which later became Hurricane Alex, that it was supposed to huff and puff and blow the house down. Despite the lack of breeze, we managed to get three races off. In the first race, Philip Dawson from Tampa got hooked up on the right-hand shift and let his boat speed do the rest, taking the bullet. Dave Hartman from Vero Beach obviously learned something on his California Masters trip, ending up second. The second race of the day was the only one with a breeze steady enough to sail the full windward-leeward twice-around course. Again, Philip Dawson proved he

was just going faster than everyone else with a solid first. Brian Watts, one of the young guns from Tampa, scored a second. For the final race, Mark Eldred, all the way from Texas, correctly predicted the right shift to win the race. At the winner’s debrief, he said that he could see the righty coming by looking at the power plant smokestack on shore. A collective “I should have paid attention to that” was heard when he mentioned this. John McNally of Palm Beach also banged the right to end up second. With the breeze totally gone, racing ended for the day. After totaling the scores, Philip Dawson won the regatta, followed by Mark Eldred in second and John McNally in third. Cindy Taylor grabbed the first female award. Alicia Cook sped to first in the Radials. Other trophy winners included Chris Lowrie in eighth and Terry Williams in 13th. Why an eighth and 13th place trophy? Because that keeps everyone racing for something, no matter how long you have or haven’t been sailing Lasers! Hope everyone had fun! Come back next year when the beer on the water returns and the sea breeze comes in. I promise.

SOUTHEAST COAST SAILING continued from page 37 Murray Seidel’s J24 Screaming Banshee took first with a VMG of 5.0k ahead of Jamie Deale (Mr. Dog) and Guy Staat (Evolution). Mid-month brought more river sailing as the NYRA hosted the 39th Annual Hancock Regatta. In the eightboat Spinnaker Fleet, Ron Medlin and the crew of the J24 Bash took top honors followed by Don Gray’s Devil Dog and Charles Douthit’s Cotton Picker. The San Juan 21 Class was won by Orion, owned by Margaret Alexander and the Non-Spinnaker Class by Doug Phelps’ Arch Angel. The Oriental Sailing Social was another mid-month event for the Southeast Lightning District and the fifth of its District Regattas. Among a field of 44 boats, six Lightnings tried to outmaneuver each other in the somewhat shifty wind conditions. Skippers in order of finish were Pelosi, Sawyer, Bridgers, Waldkirch, Graves, and Cline. In other dinghy news, the Carolina Yacht Club in Wrightsville Beach wrapped up its Summer Ocean Series on July 17 under threatening skies. Although the day started out with 5-10 knots of breeze and puff ball clouds, by the end of the first race there was rain and lightning. The Laser fleet headed for the dock early, followed closely by the Sunfish. The J24s and Lightnings stuck it out to finish the second race and made it to harbor before most of the nasty stuff. In the J24 Class, Cothran Harris took two seconds, good enough to give him a series first while Bill Fuller took two firsts for a series second. Glenn Walker was able to skip racing for the day and still take first in the Laser Class, while Martin Willard took a day first and second overall. Finishing first in the Local News For Southern Sailors

Lightning Class for the series was Jim Harris followed by Pierce Barden, both with one first and one second for the day. Sunfish sailor Greg Zack missed the day’s racing due to a conflicting regatta in Mexico but still finished first overall with Eddie Nowell taking an overall second. Area Lightnings traveled to and sailed in one of the finest venues in the Southeast for the Charleston Regatta, July 17-18. Three races on Saturday were it for the weekend as Sunday brought no visibility, lightning, thunder and waterspouts as well as an outgoing tide and light winds. Skippers in order of finish were Tyner, Marriott, Sloger, and Barron. The Cape Fear Yacht Club in Southport was treated to 15-20 knots of breeze over a 17-mile course for race five of their Summer Series. Competitors in order of finish were 10acious, Lucky Stumbler, Carpe Diem, C Breeze III, and Lucky Tiger with 10acious managing a VMG of 7.5k! Wrapping up the month were the Blockade Runner Round-the-Buoys and Solo Races in Wrightsville Beach. With soon to be Hurricane Alex churning up the coast, competitors were treated to 12-18 knots of breeze and 7-foot seas. Despite conditions, all three races of the Round-theBuoys Series were run on Saturday, July 31. The J24s took top honors in the racing fleet with Cothran Harris and Double Dare in first and Mike Hession’s Charmer in second. Cruising Fleet honors went to Dave Chervenic’s Beneteau 235, Chloe, and Cheryl Smith’s Alberg 37, Sola Gratia. Sunday’s solo race was postponed due to worsening weather conditions including more storms and lightning. Weekend sponsor Blockade Runner Beach Resort put on a great party at its Tiki Bar, and winners went home with quality custom polos. SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA SAILING Racing News & Calendar News for Sailors Southeastern Florida September Weather WATER TEMPERATURE Miami - 83° GULFSTREAM CURRENT 2.5 knots AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Miami Beach 76° lo - 89° hi For Real Time East Florida Coast Weather go to: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/ Florida.shtml

Upcoming Events

September Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

West Palm Beach

SEPTEMBER

By Art Perez

19 26

OCTOBER 2

Miami BBYRA One Design #8. Host CRYC The first race of the Series 2 begins for the one-design fleet (Etchells, Lightnings, Snipes and Flying Scots). 9 – 10 Miami. Columbus Day Regatta. Host: Coumbus Day Cruising Regatta Committee. The 50th annual running of this event will take place this year. Over 200 entries are expected to participate in the two-day race along with the usual hundreds of power-boaters that come down for the party. See preview in this section. 16 - 17 Miami. Host CRYC. BBYRA One Design#9. One Design fleet racing. 23 - 24 Miami. Fall Harvest Regatta. Host MYC. Annual Regatta for One-Design and Multihull classes. 30 Miami. Host CGSC. BBYRA PHRF#9. PHRF/Cruising division. Start time is scheduled for 1230 hrs. Legend. – Yacht Clubs and Organizations CGSC – Coconut Grove Sailing Club CRYC – Coral Reef Yacht Club MYC – Miami Yacht Club BBYC – Biscayne Bay Yacht Club BBYRA – Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association 42

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

Miami

To have your sailing event, race, regatta, or club races listed, please contact editor@southwindssailing.com by the 10th of the month. Races listed should be open to anyone. Labor Day. Miami. Florida State Snipes Junior Championship. Host CGSC The 47th annual two-day regatta for Snipes promises to bring the best Snipe racers from all around. Miami. Single-Handed Race. Host CRYC. More single-handed racing for boats of all sizes. A test of skill and stamina. Miami. Host MYC. BBYRA #8. The start of the BBYRA Series #2 begins for the PHRF/Cruising division. New start time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

Fort Lauderdale

Race Report U.S. Youth Sailing Championship

6 11-12

ne of Miami’s own, David Hernandez, finished third at the U.S. Youth Sailing Championship in the Laser Radial fleet. The event for youths under the age of 20 is an invitational-only regatta for Lasers, Laser Radials and Club 420s. Participants are selected based on their sailing resumes by the U.S. Youth Championship Committee. This year’s championships were held in Charleston, SC, June 19 - 24. Fourteen-year-old David Hernandez has been a member of the Coconut Grove Sailing Club racing team since he was eight years old. He was on the Optimist team for five years. After sizing out of the Optimist about a year and a half ago, he started sailing Laser Radials. His teammates, Niklas Anderson and Chris Taylor, were also selected and participated in this year’s event.

The Lime Cup Turns Sour July 31 – Aug 1 By Art Perez

he 37th running of the Lime Cup turned into a sour lemon. The organizers of this prestigious annual event were forced to cancel the race due to what amounted to excessive government red tape. To obtain permission to run this race, it was not only necessary to have the go-ahead from the Coast Guard but also four other state agencies. Both Lt. Doug Tindall and his boss, CDR Sherry Dickenson, executive officer of the USCG Marine Safety Office (MSO), reiterated that the USCG had no objection to the proposed Lime Cup racecourse as it related to new security laws. The basis for non-approval was lack of a timely application per the USCG regulations set out in 33 CFR 100.15. The reasons the USCG established the new lead time requirement are the myriad of new laws on the books since 1963 (when the 30-day permit application requirement was established), and the need for the USCG to coordinate with other agencies. In this case, non-approval was based www.southwindssailing.com

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA COAST upon lack of the lead time to coordinate with the other Florida state agencies. With the passing of the years the lead time increased from the initial 30 days to 135 days, with exceptions noted in the law. And probably since then the state agencies have also grown in number. The rules governing regattas and marine parades are copious and may be found online for those with plenty of time on their hands. This is another rude reminder how government rule has taken over our lives and continues to do so. With this in mind we suspect that the organizers are already filling out the paperwork for next year’s regatta.

Upcoming 50th Annual Columbus Day Regatta, Miami, Oct. 9-10

Columbus Day Regatta 2003. Photos by Garie Blackwell.

By Art Perez

he year was 1952. Eisenhower was president, the Korean War was coming to an end and the Cold War was threatening our very existence. The world seemed like a very unfriendly place in which to live. Fortunately, a group of Miami natives had a different outlook on life. That year, gathered among the palm trees and swatting away the mosquitoes, a group of its distinguished citizens were busy honoring a famous sailor of yesteryear, Christopher Columbus. The Italian consul at the time, Dr. J.M. Gaetani, organized the Citizens Committee, Inter-American Observance, to erect a statue honoring the great Italian sailor. The city government contributed land but no money, so Dr Gaetani’s committee began a vigorous fundraising campaign. On October 12 of that same year, a statue in honor of the great sailor was finally unveiled. Not content with its accomplishments, the committee, under the leadership of Timothy J. Sullivan, voted to sponsor an annual sailing regatta in Christopher Columbus’ honor. Thus the Columbus Day Regatta was born. On October 9, 1954, the first Columbus Day Regatta was held. A modest group of 24 sailboats raced around the Biscayne Bay for what was to become one of the longest sailing traditions in the United States. As the years went by, the regatta increased in stature and participation. In 1978, a record 550 sailboats registered for the race, becoming the largest regatta ever held in Miami. Year after year, boats would come in record numbers to participate in the race and the spontaneous party that took place at the anchorage. In 1992, as the city was preparing to honor the 500th Anniversary of Christophers Columbus’ sail to the New World, the preparations were abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Hurricane Andrew. The devastation caused by the storm was so great that the regatta was canceled. The following year the regatta resumed with fewer boats. The storm had taken its toll. Since then, participation has decreased in numbers from its glory years, with less than 200 boats taking place in last year’s race. As the 50th anniversary of the regatta approaches, the organizing committee is working strenuously to make certain that this year’s event honors with dignity the memory of the great sailor, Christopher Columbus, though once again we are reminded that the world in which we live today is filled with the same uncertainties and dangers as it was in 1952. But just as it was then, there will always be a

Local News For Southern Sailors

group of Miamians who will cast aside their worries for that one day and sail on in the Columbus Day Regatta. Contenders will vie for first through fifth place trophies in all classes as well as eight perpetual trophy awards. Classes include PHRF racers, ARC wannabe racers, multihulls, cruisers and families. The organizing committee is seeking donations for raffle prizes to be given away at the awards ceremony at the Coral Reef Yacht Club on Saturday, October 16. Raffle prizes such as marine products and services, gift certificates for restaurants, hotels, and vacation packages, artwork, theater tickets, watches and jewelry, clothing, nautical books and charts would also be welcome. All donations will be credited in the Columbus Day Regatta brochure, press releases and at all media events. For more information about the regatta and to learn more about opportunities to support the 50th Annual Columbus Day Regatta, please check out the Web site at www.columbusdayregatta.net or contact Chairman Whipple directly at (305) 860-9156.

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas Racing News & Calendar News for Sailors

LOUSIANA

ALABAMA

MISSISSIPPI

TEXAS

Mobile

Gulfport New Orleans Pensacola NORTHERN GULF

Northern Gulf September Weather WATER TEMPERATURE - 80° AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Pensacola, FL 70° lo - 87° hi Gulfport, MS 70° lo - 87° hi For Northern Gulf Weather go to: www.csc.noaa.gov/coos/

September Sailing

Upcoming Events

By Kim Kaminski

SEPTEMBER

eptember is typically one of the best months of the year along the Gulf Coast. Temperatures are moderate in the mid 80s during the day and cooler around 70 at night. September is also known for all of the outdoor festivals seafood festivals, art festivals and music festivals. Of course, there is plenty of sailing activity still going on such as the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup Regatta, the Lost Bay Regatta and the 100-mile Lorillard-Kent Regatta from Panama City, FL, along the coast to Pensacola, FL. The Sir Thomas Lipton Cup Regatta is one of the major Gulf Yachting Association inter-club racing competitions held throughout the year. This year’s event is hosted by the Southern Yacht Club and will be held over the three-day Labor Day holiday weekend. Thirty-two various yacht clubs that belong to the Gulf Yachting Association (the governing body for sailing along the Gulf Coast) will send their yacht club members to race one of the four races to be held in the Flying Scot one-design sailboat. Competitors will be sailing on the waters of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, LA, in the annual event. Another well-attended race event will be hosted by the Point Yacht Club in Josephine, AL, with the ever- popular Lost Bay Regatta. Sailors attended this event more for the atmosphere and the largest beach party along the Gulf Coast than to sail in the race, but there is still plenty of racing fun with over 90 boats racing in the waters of Perdido Bay. The Lorillard-Kent 100-mile sailboat race invites the active sailor to an offshore long distance race across the upper Gulf Coast for a westerly sail toward Pensacola, FL (the farthest point west in the upper Panhandle of the state). Of course, there is still a chance for hurricane and tropical storm activities during September, but some of the best storm anchorages can be found along the intracoastal waterways along the northern Gulf Coast. Just ask any of the local sailors where their favorite place is to ride out a storm...you might be surprised to find some other friendly faces and places along the way.

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

FLORIDA

September Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

2–6

Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. Downtown Historic District. Morgan City, LA. www.shrimp-petrofest.org/ 11 – 12 Biloxi Seafood Festival. Point Cadet Plaza. Biloxi, MS. www.gulfcoast.org/biloxi_seafood_festival/ 24 – 26 27th Annual Pensacola Seafood Festival. Seville Square, Pensacola, FL. www.fiestaoffiveflags.com/seafood.htm 24 – 26 St. Andrews Fall Seafood and Pirate Fest, St. Andrews Historic District, Panama City Beach, FL. www.tripsmarter.com/panamacity/archives/ events/seafood_pirates.htm

OCTOBER 25th Annual Destin Seafood Festival. Morgan Sports Center. Destin, FL. www.gulfcoasttraveler. com/Features/DestinSeafoodFest03.htm 7 – 10 33rd Annual National Shrimp Festival. Gulfshores Alabama Public Beach. www.nationalshrimpfestival.com/ 15 – 17 Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival. Fairgrounds. Niceville, FL. www.cityofniceville.org/mullet.html 22 – 24 34th Annual Louisiana Gumbo Festival. Chackbay Fairgrounds. Chackbay, LA. www.lagumbofest.com 3–5

Racing Calendar SEPTEMBER 4 – 6 Sir Thomas Lipton Cup. Southern Yacht Club. New Orleans, LA 6 Pensacola Beach Pier Race. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, Pensacola Beach, FL 11 Commodore’s Cup Race #5. Navy Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL 11 Caring Cup. Fairhope Yacht Club. Fairhope, AL www.southwindssailing.com

NORTHERN GULFCOAST SAILING 11 11 18 18 – 19 18 – 19 18 18 25 25 – 26 25 – 26 25 – 26 25 – 26 25 – 26

Back to School Race. Pontchartrain Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Great Lake Race Corinthian Sailing Association, New Orleans, LA Lost Bay Regatta Point Yacht Club, Josephine, AL Race Week. Bay Waveland Yacht Club, Bay St., Louis, MS Lorillard Kent Race, Saint Andrews Bay Yacht Club, Panama City, FL Coco Seman Regatta. J22. Lake Pontchartrain Ladies Sailing Association, New Orleans, LA Opti LA State Championship. Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Hooters Pensacola Laser Championships. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, Pensacola Beach, FL Dugan Round-the-Cat. Pass Christian Yacht Club, Pass Christian, MS Middle Bay Light. Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile, AL Fall 1 and 2, Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Team Race, Bay Waveland Yacht Club, Bay St. Louis, MS Wet and Cool, Fairhope Yacht Club, Fairhope, AL

OCTOBER 2 2 2–3 9 9 9 – 11 15 – 17 16 17 18 – 23 23 – 24 23 – 24 24 30 30 – 31

Commodore’s Cup Race #6. Navy Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL Fall 3 and 4, Southern Yacht Club. New Orleans, LA Wadewitz Regatta. Fairhope Yacht Club, Fairhope, AL Shearwater GYA Multi-hull. Ocean Springs Yacht Club, Ocean Springs, MS Preemie Cup. Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, Pensacola Beach, FL Vanguard National Championships. Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA WFORC (West FL Ocean Racing Circuit), Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL Fall 5 & 6, Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Pink Ribbon Regatta. Lake Pontchartrain Women’s Sailing Association, New Orleans, LA International Catamaran Challenge. Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA Paul Schreck Regatta. Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL Fish Class Worlds. Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile, AL Fall 7 Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA LPRC (Lake Pontchartrain Racing Circuit), New Orleans, LA Fish Class Regatta. Buccaneer Yacht Club, Mobile, AL

Fast Women Regatta, Point Yacht Club, Josephine, AL, July 17 By Kim Kaminski

he first race in the Women’s Trilogy Sailboat Racing Series was held on Saturday, July 17, at the Point Yacht Club (PtYC) in Josephine, AL. Fifteen sailboats (seven Spinnaker and eight Non-spinaker /Cruiser) entered the event sailed in the middle of Perdido Bay lying north of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. This special ladies event was plagued by light winds (three knots) and heavy current forcing Fleet Captain Jo Hood to abandon the first race. Under the postponement flag, after a brief weather check, the racing was quickly aban-

Amie Geary earned the Virgin Skipper award at this year’s Fast Women Regatta. Amie has been a crewmember for years on various boats, but took the helm for the first time at the Fast Women Regatta held at the Point Yacht Club in Josephine, AL. Photo by Kim Kaminski.

Club Racing Open Entry Fun Sailboat Races on the second and fourth Wednesdays evenings of every month, from April to October at the Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL Open Entry Fun One-Design Races. Wednesday evenings. Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL For additional race schedules check the Gulf Yachting Association Web site at www.gya.org Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

NORTHERN GULFCOAST SAILING doned for the day due to severe weather approaching the area. Dark skies and rain, along with cloud formations to the south that were in the early stages of forming a waterspout, surrounded the racers as they headed safely back to shore. Plans were put into place to re-schedule the racing for the following day. The Point Yacht Club members salvaged the day by preparing a shrimp boil for all of the race participants, as well as offering up the musical entertainment provided by Elaine Petty (a local singing favorite). On Sunday, the weather looked more promising as the preparations were made to set up the racecourse. The competitors enjoyed clear skies but still dealt with the early morning light winds (three knots). On the starting line, the race began under these calm wind conditions as the competitors headed for a double windward/leeward course of only six miles (a much shorter race than the anticipated eight- to 14-mile course the race committee had originally planned on providing). Fleet Captain Jo Hood had hoped the winds would fill in to offer an excellent eight-mile course, but in an unusual light air wind shift, she had to move the mark to a different degree heading and a shorter course distance. The winds did eventually begin to increase but only after the racing was completed. While the racers sailed back to shore, the winds picked up significantly (10 to 12 knots out of the west-southwest with a gradual increase up to 15 knots out in the bay). Amie Geary, the skipper on the New Orleans-based boat Outtareach, had been racing for years as a crewmember but decided to take the helm for the first time during this special ladies race, earning her the “Virgin Skipper Award.” Amie and her crew finished in third place in the Spinnaker class. Another New Orleans-based boat did well during this year’s Fast Women Regatta: the team on Jackpot. Defending their title as the All-Female Trilogy Trophy winners from last year’s event, Debby Grimm on the helm and skipper Holly Casanova finished with the best time for an all-female team, earning them first-place position in fleet points for this first race of the three race series. Julie Denton and her crew on Don’ Worry earned first place in the Cruising class, and Susie Graf on Kanaloa captured first place in the NonSpinnaker class. Results SPINNAKER, 6 miles: 1, Outta Mind, S. Danielson, 1:30:16; 2, Jackpot, D. Grimm/H. Cassinova,1:31:03, All Female; 3, Outta Reach , A. Geary,1:31:48;4, Beach Bird, M. Partain,1:31:55,All Female; 5, Outta Sight, E. Boos,1:33:53, All; Female; 6, Cuda Been Paris, Molly & Pam, 1:36:30; 7, Applejack, K. Kaminski,1:36:44, All Female; NON-SPINNAKER, 6 miles; 1, Kanaloa, S. Graf,1:36:03; 2, Riptide, L. McGonigal,1:41:29;3, Sol Mate, K. Coate,1:55:02;4, Reverie, Lucia,1:56:46; CRUISER, 6 miles;1, Don’ Worry, J. Denton,1:51:50;2, Windy City, Laurie & Andrea,2:07:56; 3, Unable, D. McNutt,2:18:57;4, Ark Angel, E. Hunt,2:46:24. Virgin Skipper Award - Amie Geary on Outtareach. Best All Female TeamJackpot

Bikini Regatta, Navy Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL, July 24 By Kim Kaminski

he Navy Yacht Club of Pensacola, FL, for the past 24 years has offered a uniquely-designed sailboat competition just for women. The Bikini Regatta offers lady sailors the opportunity to take command of a sailboat and compete in a racing contest against other women sailors on various sized sailing vessels. Twenty-six sailboats participated in

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

Parasol sailing, one of the more popular pieces of sailing equipment during the Ladies sailing series. Competitors waited for over an hour for the winds to fill in over the race course during some of this year’s racing events held in Pensacola, Florida. Photo by Kim Kaminski.

this year’s event held on Saturday, July 24, with approximately 120 women sailors taking advantage of this once-ayear event, which has now become the second race in the Women’s Trilogy Trophy series. The racing began out on the waters of Pensacola Bay under a postponement flag due to the lack of wind. Bright sunny skies, high temperatures (in the mid 90s) and warm, humid air made the wait for a breeze a long and dehydrating one. Some of the lady racers even brought their umbrellas along just to stay out of the sun’s heat while they waited for over an hour on the race course. Eventually, four knots of breeze drifted across the bay out of the northwest, and the race committee anxiously began the countdown, sending the contestants on a double windward/leeward course across the bay. During the first leg of the course the breeze stopped altogether, and after a 30-minute wait, the afternoon sea breeze slowly began to fill in across the bay from the southeast. Sighs of relief could be heard among the fleet members and the race was on once again. During the brief delay the racing fleet drifted to various parts of the racecourse, and in order to make the first mark, some of the competitors in the fleet had to put up spinnakers while other boats in the fleet sailed directly upwind towards the rounding mark, making the first rounding interesting to observe. A course change was made for the next upwind leg due to a stronger wind shift further south. By the end of the race the racers had closed the gap and were within reach of each other. The finish times were within a short margin in several of the classes. The 7.72-mile course for the Spinnaker class and the 6.74-mile course for the Non-Spinnaker and Cruiser classes brought the competitors back to shore in plenty of time (even with the delays) to enjoy the food and festivities planned for the day. Bev Stagg, regatta chairperson, and her race committee crew put on a spectacular presentation filled with food (bikini brats and sauerkraut), special race libations (Bikini Breezes), and fun door prizes from neighborhood area businesses that supported the event. Micki Gramm and her crew on Latex Solar Beef, a Melges 24, took home the top honors in the Spinnaker A class with www.southwindssailing.com

NORTHERN GULFCOAST SAILING an impressive three minutes and 46 second lead over second-place winner Katie Schlister and her crew on Phaedra. Ellen Hunt with her crewmembers Karen Kriegel and Karen Harp on Harpoon earned the first-place finish in the Spinnaker B class. This all-female team also ended up with an impressive second place in the overall fleet by finishing behind Latex Solar Beef by two minutes and 27 seconds, which gave them the first-place trophy for the best finish for an all-female Spinnaker class team. Susan Danielson and her crew on Out of Mind finished 30 seconds behind Harpoon, giving her team the third-place position in the Overall Spinnaker fleet. Close finishes were found in the bottom half of the class as well. Twenty-four seconds separated the finish positions for the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth positions in the Overall Spinnaker fleet. In the Non-Spinnaker class Ann Geyser took the helm of Delphina under the guidance of boat owner Jim Pantano and finished eight minutes and 30 seconds ahead of the second-place Non-Spinnaker winner Julie Connerley and her all-female team on EZ-Duz-It. Julie and her crew also captured the best finish for an All-Female Non-Spinnaker class team with their second-place finish. Laura Reagan and crew on Aurora finished 41 seconds behind EZ-Duz-It to win the third-place position. The Cruiser class winners, Joyce MacMillan on Frolic II in Class A and Joanne Matthews on Heather in Class B, also earned first-place finishes in both of their classes. Trophies were presented to all of the winners by commanding officer John Pruitt of the Pensacola Naval Air Station, including the special presentation to the best finish for an active military duty female in each of the racing classes. Kim Lyons, a Navy captain who sailed as a crewmember on Eagle won the trophy for the Spinnaker class, and a member aboard race competitor Jes Be-n Me earned the trophy for the Non-Spinnaker class.

Race for the Roses, Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, July 31—Aug. 1 By Kim Kaminski

he Women’s PHRF Championship Race for the Roses all-female racing event was held on July 31 – Aug. 1, by the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club. A total of 28 boats (13 Spinnaker, 3 Non-Spinnaker, 4 Flying Scot and 8 Sunfish) raced in this 17th annual sailing contest that pits women sailors of all ages against each other in a fun racing environment. Three different competitions are held. The first is the all-female Women’s PHRF Championship, the second is the Non-Spinnaker racing event, and the third is the OneDesign sailing classes with competitors in the single-handed Sunfish boat, as well as the three-person teams in the Flying Scot boats. The racing activity was handled by the community’s three area yacht clubs. Chip MacMillan acted as the Gulf Yachting Association’s representative for the Women’s Championship, while the all-female race management team of Bev Stagg, Joyce MacMillan, Betsy Moraksi and Maryann Hayes performed the race committee tasks along with assistance out on the racecourse provided by various yacht club members.

Local News For Southern Sailors

A total of three races were held for the Women’s Championship: two races on Saturday and one race on Sunday to help determine the overall low-point winner. Lady sailors from yacht clubs located across the Gulf Coast came to sail in the championship that was divided into two classes, Spinnaker A and Spinnaker B, with both classes competing for the overall fleet standings. Saturday’s race conditions, warm temperatures in the mid 90s, high humidity and mild winds five knots out of the east-southeast, were typical for July. Racing began early on Saturday morning around 11 a.m. with a double windward/leeward course of five miles for the Spinnaker class and a tour of Pensacola Bay—an approximate nine-mile course for the Non-Spinnaker class. The conditions were ideal for the lighter boats in the competition, helping Linda Thompson and crew on Duct Tape as well as Elaine Boos and crew on Outtasight easily to win their classes for the first race. Linda finished 56 seconds ahead of her second-place competition Micki Gramm on Latex Solar Beef, while Elaine Boos finished with an impressive three minute and 57 second lead over her second-place competitor Susan Danielson on Outtamind. A slight increase in wind strength (seven and eight knots out of the southeast) was seen in the second race causing some close maneuvering and right of way calls during the Spinnaker A race start. The racing was tight once again, and by the end of the day Micki Gramm and her crew on Latex Solar Beef pulled ahead of Linda Thompson’s Duct Tape crew by 14 sec- Elaine Boos proudly displays the onds to earn the first-place Women’s Trilogy Trophy that position after the initial day her team won and received durof competition. Elaine Boos ing this year’s Gulf Yachting and her crew on Outtasight Assoc. Women’s Championship earned two first-place wins – the Race for the Roses. Photo by Kim Kaminski for the day. On the Non-Spinnaker course, Carol Robison and her crew (the Southern Belles) on Aurora captured a first-place win over last year’s overall winner Julie Connerley and crew on EZ-Duz-It. However, on the second day of competition Julie and her team regained her title and remained the See NORTHERN GULFCOAST SAILING continued on page 69

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

F LORIDA KEYS SAILING Key Largo Cape Sable

The Keys Saiing Scene Weather Calendar of Events Hot Happenings

Dry Tortugas Key West

September Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

Florida Keys September Weather

September Sailing By Rebecca Burg

Marathon

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Key West 79° lo - 88° hi GULF WATER TEMPERATURES Key West 86° For Real Time eastern Gulf weather, winds and marine forecasts, go to: http://comps.marine.usf.edu

ecks hot to the touch, Angel stumbled in the smooth swells as the last wisp of wind evaporated before her sails. Resigned, we bobbed over a remote and timeless fantasy world of white sand bottom, hot blue polka-dotted fish and pastel seas. North of Cottrell Key, we were only 10 nautical miles from the hustle and bustle of civilization, yet it seemed as if Angel had drifted into another universe. This time of year the winds may be unreliable, but sailors still can’t resist the Keys’ wild and exotic appeal. Local attractions, whether natural, nautical or manmade, can be experienced at leisure without the large crowds typical of winter season. As mariners already know, exploring the Keys by water is the way to go. Near the top of the Keys at Barnes Sound and Card Sound Bridge, cruisers relish Alabama Jacks, a rustic eatery built on a floating barge in 1953. Visited by boat, dinghy or car, it is authentic Keys flavor and culture. Heading to Key Largo, sailors often swing by the famed John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Water clarity is at its best in the summer and fall for superb snorkeling and diving. Farther down the island chain, avid cruisers like to gear up at World Wide Sportsman for fishing gear and a selection of ingenious summer outdoor wear with built-in UV protection. Nearing the middle of the Keys, Bahia Honda greets the sailor with that idyllic postcard-perfect tropical color and scenery. The jewel of a beach and jungle-like nature trails are pleasantly uncrowded this time of year. At the end of the Keys chain, one can choose to enter the always active party zones of Key West or sail on to explore nature’s sights and

sounds. While waiting for the wind, the nautically inclined can enjoy attractions such as Key West’s Shipwreck Historeum, Wrecker’s Museum, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum or the newest shop and museum, Pirate Soul. From wildlife to nightlife, a sailor in the Keys can delight in a seemingly endless range of entertainment. Take care though; the natural world can be just as boisterous as a party on Duval Street. Recently a wedding was crashed by a key deer, the two-foot-tall food critic jamming his furry face into the tasty wedding cake. On the water, sailors often find small crabs hitching rides in the dinghy, or we’ll hear big things going bump in the night against the hull below the waterline. The osprey likes the lofty views that a resting cruiser’s masthead provides, but tends to ruin its welcome by tossing uneaten bits of its dinner, usually fish innards and eyeballs, on the deck and bimini top. Sloppy Joe’s Bar or rowdy deer, life’s too short not to sail on over to the wild side once in a while. Welcome to the Keys.

September Weather

ood sailing winds are unpredictable and lately many of us have been using our spinnakers as bean bags inside the cabin. When the southeasterly winds, an average of 10 knots, do show up, we’re quick to leap out there with our luffing sails hoisted and eager for action. Historically, fall is the moodiest time for tropical storm activity. From strong tstorms to named storms, the careful mariner remains on top of the weather and will have a pre-planned course of action should the worst occur. Warm waters, ranging from 82.4 to 87.8 are ideal for t-storm activity along with the tropical, humid air ranging in temperature from 73.4 to 91.4.

Events & Happenings Calendar

Every Saturday – Open House at the Key West Sailing Club. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm SEPTEMBER 5-12 Key West. Womanfest. Katey (305) 296-2491 17-19 Fl. Keys. 32nd Annual Poker Run. That low rumble you’re hearing on land is from hundreds of motor cycles cruising from Miami to Key West. Ted (305) 292-1177 OCTOBER

1-3

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Marathon & Fl. Keys. The peak of the fall bird watching season with field trips and educational presentations about our wild side. (305) 872-0774 www.southwindssailing.com

FLORIDA KEYS SAILING

Club Racing Key West. Wednesday Night Racing at the Key West Sailing Club. Racing begins about 6:00 pm. Bring your own boat or crew on a club boat and join us in a series of social races around the buoys with beer, soda and food after racing.

Racing Calendar September 11-12 - Key West Sailing Club Newfound Harbor race and raft-up. All boats 20-foot and over are invited to play. Contact: Fleet Capt. David 305-296-7939

Racing Results: Marathon Sailing Club Summer Sunfish Series:

n Saturday, July 10, four boats sailed in the continuation of the Marathon Sailing Club Sunfish Summer Series under nearly ideal conditions off the east end of Sombrero Beach with wind estimated from the east at 10-12 knots. Four races were sailed. Results: 1. Ridge Gardner (1,2,1,1-5) 2. Charlie Yost (3,1,2,2-8) 3. Jeanette Holy (2,3,3,3-11) 4. Michael Holy (4,4,4,4-16). Many thanks to world class Sunfish sailor Pierre Digeon for supplying and manning the committee boat.

On July 24, five intrepid sailors met and raced in less than ideal conditions. Light wind, rippin’ current, torrential rain (briefly), weeds everywhere; yet in spite of it all, everybody had a great time. You really had to be there. A very special thanks to Judy Rowley and Carol Gilkey who provided us with top-notch race committee work. Results:1.Ridge Gardner (1,1,1-3) 2.Paul Koisch (2,2,DNF-10) 3.Pierre Digeon (3,DNF,2-11) 4.Jeanette Holy (DNF,3,DNF-15) 5.Mike Holy (DNF,DNF,DNF-18)

Changes in the Keys for Boaters: Marathon and Bahia Honda By Morgan Stinemetz

here are changes afoot in the Florida Keys. While they probably will not impact the recreational diner, drinker or driver at all, one of them could cause a raised eyebrow or two among cruising recreational boaters. Water, that which sustains life, is not always free in the Keys now. It used to be, as recently as a year ago, that you could pull into any marina, grab the hose at the fuel dock, wash down your vessel and fill its water tanks right up to the top, and no one would utter a word of protest. That has changed now at a couple of places in the Keys. One such location is Bahia Honda State Park, between Marathon and Key West. If you are on a boat big enough to cruise upon, the only way into the marina at Bahia Honda is from the Atlantic side of the Keys. A highway bridge that will let only the smallest of boats pass beneath it spans the Florida Bay side. The old railroad bridge on the Atlantic side has had a section taken out of its eastern section so that larger power craft and sailboats of any size can get into the anchorage. If you are lying to the hook in the anchorage and need water, you can acquire it in the enclosed marina for $5.38 for

Local News For Southern Sailors

a fill-up. It makes no difference whether your boat is large or small; the price is the same for all. On the other hand, if you are at a slip in the marina, then the price of water is included in your slip fee. You can stay at the marina for $1.50 per foot per night, with a minimum of $37.50. The same water fee applies to motor homes. You can fill up your motor home with potable water at Bahia Honda State Park for the standard $5.38. Use 100 gallons or use 10, the price is the same. Farther up the line, in Marathon, at the City Marina in Boot Key Harbor, water is a nickel a gallon. People who live aboard their boats in the harbor seem to be able to bring fivegallon jugs in and fill them for free, but when one docks a boat there and fills up the water tank, the meter will run. These are isolated cases right now. But there was a time, as we can recall, when service stations didn’t charge for the air you put in your tires either, so it is possible that the handwriting is on the wall. If the handwriting looks like graffiti to you, it will probably go away if you avail yourself of other services from which the marina operator can derive a profit. If getting charged for water in the Keys depresses you, then take heart at the good news. Boot Key Harbor at Marathon, an anchorage that had been turned into, virtually, a living sewer by the people who lived aboard boats there, is now a cleaner, nicer, prettier place to hang out. I spoke with the City Marina dockmaster, Richard Tanner, earlier this week. The problems of sunken boats, raw sewerage in the water and a general lawless attitude on the part of the live-aboard community there seems to be on the fast track toward recovery. That’s good. When doing some research for a book in Marathon several years ago, I talked with a barmaid at Sombrero Dockside Marina, the place where all the gnarly people who lived aboard boats in Boot Key Harbor hung out then. Her name was Rosie, she said, but she didn’t give her last name. “We don’t use last names around here,” she declared. Probably the outlaws who were part of the Hole In The Wall Gang and legends of our western folklore didn’t use last names either. They had a reason. Maybe Rosie did, too. Where, in the bad old days, people anchored their boats where they damn well pleased in Boot Key Harbor, they are now restricted to using a mooring field. Tanner said there are 65 moorings available now and another 166 on the way. My guess is that most of the 65 moorings in place are currently being used. The fee for the privilege is $10 a night, $50 a week or $150 a month. Included in the price of admission is a weekly holding tank pump-out, at your boat, by one of two municipal vessels dedicated to that task. See FLORIDA KEYS SAILING continued on page 69

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September 2004

WEST FLORIDA COAST Cedar Key to Cape Sable Racing News & Calendar Cruising Upcoming Events Calendar West Florida News for Sailors Sailing Services Directory

Cedar Key

West Florida September Weather AVERAGE TEMPERATURES St. Petersburg 76° lo - 88° hi Naples 73° lo - 90° hi GULF WATER TEMPERATURES St. Petersburg 84° Naples 86° For Real Time eastern Gulf weather, winds and marine forecasts, go to: http://comps.marine.usf.edu

Tampa

St. Petersburg

4 Fort Myers Naples

September Prevailing Winds See page 69 for Windrose legend

Cape Sable

Key West

Sailing in September By Dave Ellis

urricanes close to home put a damper on enthusiasm for sailing our boats. Those who sail in southwest Florida may be busy doing things other than enjoying their watercraft for a while. The rest of West Florida sailors are keeping a weather eye on the tropical updates. The power of wind is amazing. Sometimes a young Optimist Dinghy sailor will brag about sailing in “40 or 50 knots of breeze.” He experienced 20 or 25 knots in a regatta and thinks that a stronger wind he sailed in must be twice the wind speed. But twice the wind speed is nearly four times the power against a sail. He may have been in more like 35 knots, still a great feat. A 50-knot gust in St. Petersburg flipped all the Optis in short order. Double the 50 knots to 100 and that power curve continues up. If Hurricane Charley had gusts to over 170 mph, the force against objects becomes nearly irresistible. The big Labor Day Regatta at Sarasota Sailing Squadron has a hurricane date a week later, just in case. Other events are still a go as of this writing. Check the calendar’s contact person for updates. Other than the big storm events, September weather is pretty much like August. Actually, the only reason most clubs start their season in September is that is when their members start arriving back from up North. On September 24-26, Bradenton Yacht Club will host one of the largest regattas of the year, the Fall Kickoff Regatta. This is the event which, to some extent, begins the

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS

racing season in the Tampa Bay area. It is also the kickoff event for the West Florida PHRF Suncoast Boat of the Year series. Other clubs hold similar events in their regions, such as the Summerset Regatta in southwest Florida on Labor Day weekend, hosted by the Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society in Fort Myers. This is the first race in the Boat of the Year series for the Charlotte Harbor BOTY and Southwest Florida BOTY. This is true also of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron’s

www.southwindssailing.com

WEST FLORIDA SAILING Labor Day Regatta, which is the first of the Sarasota Bay BOTY series. So continue to keep an eye on those thunderstorms and watch for lightning. The best thing about September for sailors is that it is followed by October, one of the best times of the year for our wind machines.

28-Nov. 1 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. www.showmanagement.com Oct. 31 Halloween

Club Racing — Open to Everyone Wanting to Race

Events Calendar SEPTEMBER 4

6 16 –19

22 28

Beginning of labor day weekend and the launching of the first annual SOUTHWINDS 2004-2005 West Florida Race Calendar and Yacht Club Directory. See news on page 53. Labor Day. 39th Annual Tampa Boat Show. Tampa Convention Center, Thurs. and Fri., noon to 9 p.m. Sat. 10 – 9 p.m. Sun. 10- 6 p.m. $8 adults. $4 children 6-12 ( 5 and under free). www.tampaboatshow.com First day of fall Full moon.

OCTOBER 16-17 16-17

32nd Annual Cedar Key Seafood Festival. www.cedarkey.org/specialevents.htm 7th Annual Nautical Flea Market and Rocktoberfest Festival, Placida. www.rocktoberfest.info.

Local News For Southern Sailors

The races listed here are open to those who want to sail. Please send us your race schedule for publishing to editor@southwindssailing.com. Davis Island YC. Thursday evenings. Tampa. Windsurfers, dinghies, cats, PHRF, keelboat one designs. 6:30 start of first class, sailing around upper Hillsboro Bay. Lots of boats; Daylight Savings time of year. Must be US Sailing member. Register before racing, once for summer. An RC duty day may be in your future. www.diyc.org Davis Island YC – Wednesday Evenings Dinghy Series. First warning 6:30 p.m. Laser, Laser Radial, C420, Sunfish, Lightning, Flying Scot, 470, Fireball. Andrew Sumpton at asumpton@earthlink.net or Allison Jolly at abjolly@aol.com Bradenton YC. Thursday evenings. Starts with Daylight Savings. PHRF racing on Manatee River. For info call Larry Lecuyer, (941) 729-5401 St. Petersburg YC. Friday evenings. 6:30 start off the Municipal Pier. PHRF, Snipes Starts May. Look for the RC boat at the Pier if an easterly, a half mile downwind from the Pier in other breezes. Course around nearby navigation buoys. Sail by the RC boat to register. Anywhere from 10 – 25 boats www.spyc.org Treasure Island Tennis and YC. Friday evenings.7pm start outside of John s Pass in Gulf of Mexico. PHRF racing. Starts May. Get together to go under the bridges. www.tityc.org Clearwater YC. Contact for new schedule. www.clwyc.org Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venice-sailing-squadron.org Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Friday evening. Begins April 9. Start at 6:30. Everyone welcome. www.sarasotasailingsquad.com Edison Sailing Center, Fort. Myers. Sunfish and dinghy racing once a month, year-round john@johnkremski.com Port Charlotte. Third Saturday of month, year-round. pbgvtrax@aol.com

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September 2004

WEST FLORIDA SAILING

Racing Calendar

The races and regattas listed here are open to those who want to sail.

FLORIDA WEST COAST & LAKE EUSTIS To have your race, regatta, or club races listed, please contact editor@southwindssailing.com by the 5th of the month (call if later). Races listed should be open to anyone. Since races are sometimes canceled, postponed or locations changed, it is advisable to contact the organization beforehand. For legend, addresses, and contacts for the sponsoring sailing association of the races listed below, go to the Yacht

Club Directory on SOUTHWINDS’ Web site, www.southwindssailing.com. The SOUTHWINDS 2004-2005 West Florida Race Calendar & Yacht Club Directory is available on the Web site or can be mailed to you for $3.50 per copy (or 5@ $7) for shipping and handling. Cheaper by volume. It is also available at yacht clubs, advertisers and Massey Yacht Sales, Fort Myers.

SEPTEMBER

Beginning of labor day weekend and launching of first annual SOUTHWINDS’ 2004-2005 West Florida Race Calendar & Yacht Club Directory. See page 51 –4 DIYC Labor Day Race.PHRF. www.diyc.org –5 CMCS Summerset Regatta Caloosahatchee Chowder and Marching Society. www.cmcs-sail.org., SWFPHRF & CHPHRF BOTY series –5 SSS Sarasota Sailing Squadron Annual Labor Day all-class regatta. www.sarasotasailingsquad.com. Opti, dinghies, cats, PHRF, windsurfers. SBPHRF BOTY series 5 TBCS Union Catamaran Regatta www.tampabaycatsailors.com 11 SAMI Fall Ladies Day Race www.samisailors.com/ 11 – 12 CCSC/SAISA High School Cressy qualification www.clearwatercommunitysailing.org 17 – 19 TBCS Round-the-Island Catamaran Distance Regatta – www.tampabaycatsailors.com 18 CMCS Hurricane Race. www.cmcs-sail.org 18 – 19 TITYC Annual Bruce Neubauer Pram Regatta. Optimist dinghies. www.tityc.org. 18 – 19 DIYC Dore Drake Women’s Regatta www.diyc.org DIYC Keelboat Regatta – PHRF, TBYRA BOTY 22 – 26 SPYC US National Match Racing Championship.Prince of Wales Cup in Sonars. Qualification by regions. www.spyc.org. 25 SAMI Captain's Cup Race www.samisailors.com/ 25 – 26 BYC Bradenton Yacht Club’s 22nd Annual Fall Kickoff Regatta. Sarasota Bay – PHRF BOTY series. First of Suncoast BOTY Series. The premiere Kickoff Event for the 2004-2005 Suncoast racing season. www.bradenton-yacht-club.org (941) 729-5401. 25 – 26 LESC 5th Annual Wildcat Regatta, Catamarans www.lakeeustissailingclub.org 25 – 29 Crow’s Nest 28th Annual Crow’s Nest Regatta.. (941) 484-7661 Venice Youth Boating Assoc., IODs, Portsmouth; Venice Women’s Sailing Squadron 4 3 4 4

OCTOBER

9 – 10 2 2 –3 2 –3 2 –3 2 –3 2 –3 2–4 8 8 9 – 10 9 – 10 9 – 10 9 – 10 15 –16 16 16 16 – 17 16 – 17 23 23 – 24 27 27 – 31 30 30 – 31 30 – 31 30 – 31 30 – 31 30 – 31 31 31

VYC 28th Annual Crow’s Nest Regatta.. (941) 484-7661. Race in the Gulf. Charity event. SBPHRF BOTY series CMCS Kayusa Cup Race www.cmcs-sail.org DIYC Sunfish State Championship www.diyc.org TITYC Morgan Invasion www.tityc.com – Charles Morgan designs of all ages CYC Clearwater Championships www.clwyc.org – PHRF racing in the Gulf off Clearwater Pass SPYC Bruce Watters Optimist Dinghy Regatta www.spyc.org – Optimist Dinghy – Green Fleet only TSS Appleton Rum Regatta www.tampasailing.org – PHRF, TBYRA BOTY series, Women's SAMI Race Cruise to Ft. Myers Beach www.samisailors.com/ BYC Race to Venice – PHRF starts 5:30 PM SPYC Distance Classic – PHRF, to Venice SAISA South Atlantic Interscholastic High School – New School Districts; USF, St. Pete campus LESC Junior Sailing Festival and IOD Regatta – Club 420, Laser Radial, Optimist Dinghy SPYC Allison Jolly Regatta – Junior Girls 420 – Radial, Optimist Dinghy USF/SAISA High School – Great Oaks Qualifier NYC Boca Grande Offshore Regatta – SWFPHRF BOTY – 4:00 p.m. start in Gulf CMCS Race to the Bridge CortezYC CYC/Regatta Pointe Marina Charity Regatta – PHRF (941) 720-2184 ESC River Romp Regatta & USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival DIYC One-Design Keelboat Regatta TBCS Barton Catamaran Regatta DIYC Classic Regatta to CYC – Suncoast WFPHRF BOTY BYC Turkey Trot – PHRF Bradenton to Pass-a-Grille YC SPYC Rolex Osprey Cup – Women's match racing invitational, Sonars SSS Great Pumpkin Regatta CYC Clearwater Challenge Regatta – Suncoast WFPHRF BOTY CMCS Festival of the Islands – SWFPHRF BOTY series TBCS Hiram's Haul Catamaran Race ESC Lee County Sailfest – All-class Dinghies Watersports West Windsurfing-West Suncoast Classic – Holiday Inn Sunspree, St. Pete. (727) 517-7000 CortezYC 2nd Annual Halloween Race, PHRF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS. MOVE CLOCKS BACK.

September 2004

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WEST FLORIDA SAILING

Sailing News SOUTHWINDS Announces First Annual 2004-2005 West Florida Race Calendar & Yacht Club Directory SOUTHWINDS magazine is launching its first annual West Florida race calendar. It will be available on Labor Day weekend. The calendar will cover sailboat races scheduled that are open to the general public (club member-only races not included) from September 2004 through August 2005 held on the west coast of Florida from Tampa Bay to Marco Island. This special issue will also list some club racing that is held on a regular basis, the West Florida PHRF Boat of the Year (BOTY) qualifying races, and the Tampa Bay Yacht Racing Association’s BOTY races. Also included in the publication are articles on how to get into sailboat racing, the boat PHRF ratings procedure, and how to file a protest. There is also a page with the race flag signals and sounds and a copy of the US SAILING’s Rules in Brief for quick reference. Enough have been printed for everyone to have a copy at home, on the boat and in their dinghy. It is printed as a four-color glossy magazine on heavy bond paper. Also included is the West Florida yacht club directory—the most complete compilation of all of the yacht clubs, sailing associations, sailing squadrons, and other sailingrelated organizations from the Tampa Bay area south to Marco Island. Listed with these groups are their Web sites, e-mail addresses, mail addresses, and phone numbers.

Local News For Southern Sailors

The calendar and directory will be available free through those clubs that have physical locations and the advertisers that helped sponsor the issue. In southwest Florida, it will be available at Massey Yacht Sales’ Fort Myers location at Centennial Harbour Marina, 2044 West First St. in Fort Myers. SOUTHWINDSs will also mail a copy to you at $3.50 per copy (or 5 for $7) for shipping and handling (also available cheaper by volume). Call (941) 7958704 or contact editor@southwindssailing.com or mail a check to SOUTHWINDS, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175, or go online and use Paypal. The calendar and directory are also available on line at www.southwindssailing.com where you can view it in PDF format.

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September 2004

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WEST FLORIDA SAILING

Railey Wins Third U.S. Junior Women’s Singlehanded Championship, Bay Head, NJ, Aug. 5 From US SAILING

n her young sailing career, 17-year-old Paige Railey (Clearwater, FL) already has an impressive list of championship titles to her name, including Youth World Champion in the singlehanded class and two-time National Champion. And today she has done it again. For a third time, Railey has won US SAILING’s U.S. Junior Women’s Singlehanded Championship sailed in Laser Radials and the Nancy Leiter Clagett Memorial Trophy. Railey beat 66 competitors from throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The championship was hosted by Bay Head and Mantoloking yacht clubs in New Jersey and sponsored by Vanguard Sailboat.

Windlasses Meet

omen who want to sail, this is for you! Windlasses is gearing up for its 2004-2005 year. The club meets every Thursday during the school year for racing, monthly cruises, interclub races with the other women’s sailing clubs on the west coast of Florida, and general fun. Begun in 1967, the club currently has over 100 members.

Local News For Southern Sailors

New members are accepted only in August and September. Women sailors must be able to swim and know basic sailing techniques (information on local sailing classes will be available). Instruction on pram rigging, racing rules, and other sailing know-how will be provided in a special “New Salts Orientation,” plus weekly educational sessions during the fall. All new members begin in the pram fleet, so boat ownership is not necessary. Dues are $45 a year for membership, with a one-time initiation fee of $40. For more information, call (727) 799-0827, (727) 7893555, or (727) 725-1015.

Disabled Sailor Sails: Lynn Moers, Captain Courageous

ynn Moers has earned the title of Captain Courageous for his recent sailing adventure. Moers fractured his neck in an accident 20 years ago and became paralyzed from the neck down. He has been living on a ventilator ever since. Through his dogged determination, Moers was able to sail independently for the first time on June 24 with Sailability Greater Tampa Bay Inc. on Clearwater Bay using an Access Dinghy 303S sailboat. The single-passenger boat will not capsize, has a watertight compartment for the ventilator, and electric winches to control the steering and sails. The boat has a custom-made seat that provides stability and full body support. Moers is able to independently manage the sails and the steering with a chin control joystick device.

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

WEST FLORIDA SAILING The four-way chin control mechanism allows him to push forward on the joystick to let the sails out. Pulling back brings the sails in, and right and left steers the boat right and left. It is a remarkable feat, considering that he cannot move his body below his neck and has to be connected to a ventilator to breathe. He only has five minutes to live if the ventilator stops. There is a strobe light connected to the ventilator to alert the medical team on a nearby safety boat of ventilator functioning. This sail was made possible with a grant from the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, and additional grants from the Palm Harbor Junior Women’s Club Inc. and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Equipment adaptations were provided by Custom Mobility Inc. and the James A. Haley VA Hospital staff. Sailability Greater Tampa Bay Inc. coordinated the sail, along with providing the sailing instruction. Moer plans to sail again on Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. with Sailability Greater Tampa Bay Inc., at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center on Sand Key. The sail on the 21st will include other sailors in a variety of adaptive boats, enjoying the freedom that most of us take for granted. Due to his present physical condition, we are ready to change the date of the sail if need be. This is truly an example of the community pulling together to make the waterways accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Please feel free to contact Alder Allensworth at (727) 327-0137 or alder0720@aol.com for further information on this sail.

Venice Youth Boating Association Uses the Portsmouth Handicap System to Keep Optimist Sailors Sailing After the Age of 15 By Jabbo Gordon The Venice Youth Boating Association has developed a way of keeping youngsters sailing after they have aged out or sized out of the International Optimist Dinghy, the primary class in VYBA’s 50-member fleet. VYBA uses the Portsmouth Handicap System. US SAILING’s Joni Palmer once referred to the VYBA as a “small, grass roots program,” which it is. But it has been growing, mainly because its sailors have been staying aboard longer. Boys, who often leave when they reach “fume” stage (gas fumes and/or perfume), stick around for the competition, especially if their arch rivals happen to be cute young ladies. Until a few years ago, post-Opti skippers had a choice: Move up to a Laser Radial or stop sailing with VYBA. That was especially tough for smaller boys, who had reached the mandatory 15-year-old Opti age limit, or some girls, who had difficulty holding down a Radial even in the friendly confines of Roberts Bay, which is smaller than many Florida lakes. Also, it was not fair to dictate to parents what boat they would have to buy for their offspring, who were hooked on sailing in general and racing in particular. 56

September 2004

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WEST FLORIDA SAILING One of VYBA’s philosophies has been to try new or different ideas instead of thinking of reasons not to do something. So officials started a Portsmouth Division and threw it open to any sailor who had a boat with a Portsmouth rating. Coaches downloaded the ratings from US SAILING’s Web site, along with an explanation of the program and some easy forms. For weekly races, coaches simply recorded elapsed time for all boats and computed the results. Suddenly the postOpti fleet almost doubled in size with the addition of several Sunfish, a couple of Club 420s, a Capri 13 and even a Phantom. One of the most interesting revelations was the manifestation of the old saying, “Cream rises to the top.” Coaches quickly discovered that the better sailors were finishing well, regardless of what they were driving. In nearly all of the seasonal series standings and the various regattas that the VYBA hosted, the top three places went to a Laser Radial, a Sunfish and a Club 420—and not necessarily in that order. The mystery of who finished where was another positive point. Rather than knowing at the end of each race where they ranked in boat-for-boat competition, sailors had to wait until officials announced the corrected time results. This caused most sailors to keep charging. A Laser leader could no longer count on winning a race even if he or she had crossed the line first because a Sunfish or Club 420 could still win after coaches crunched the numbers. Another benefit not realized until later was that this caliber of competition helped better prepare the Sunfish skippers for area regattas. And one skipper who has been known to sail a variety of vessels has won state and national honors in different boats including a Flying Scot. However, there were some problems (read obstacles or opportunities). At first, some Laser Radial skippers who slacked off when they had a big lead and wound up behind a Sunfish or Club 420 in the final results couldn’t adjust from boat-for-boat thinking. Some quit rather than develop a “go all out all the way” attitude. Also, some of the younger and smaller Opti sailors who see their friends go to the Portsmouth Division want to move up also. Coaches try to discourage them, but sometimes it becomes an “up or out” choice–they shift or quit. Thus, some sailors advance too soon because coaches allow them in Portsmouth compeititon to keep them on the water. Some fail to adjust to the stronger competition and quit anyhow. And thirdly, a couple of scorers started the clock at the start of a five-minute sequence, instead of at the actual start, and some of the results were misleading because the boats were competing before they were actually racing. That situation was corrected. Lastly, coaches found that it was better to convert the times to decimal points, as provided on the Portsmouth form, before cranking in the rating. As a side note, opening up the fleet to other classes has made VYBA’s team racing and match racing events more inclusive. Coaches may pit teams, each featuring a Radial, Sunfish and Club 420, against each other. VYBA officials and coaches are quick to say that the idea may not be for everyone, but that it works for their sailors. For more information contact Jabbo Gordon at mj343@webtv.net or Sandy White at the Venice Youth Boating Association at (941) 408-9078. Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

West Florida Sailing Services Directory From Cedar Key to Cape Sable Sailing Services Directory starts as low as $96 a year. Call (941) 795-8704 or e-mail editor@southwindssailing.com BOAT LETTERING – GRAPHICS

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CAPTAIN SERVICES ADVERTISE IN THIS DIRECTORY CAPT. 3JIMMY 459-0801 line HENDON ads for $8 a (727) month ASA Cert./BBC Instruction * USCG Lic. Master 4-line ads $10 a•month Deliveries • Gulffor • Atlantic Caribbean 1" boxed in..ads for $20 a month (866) 221-2841 captainjimmy@gosolo.com Ads paid in advance for 1 year COMMUNICATIONS Taller boxed in ads start at 2" tall ADVERTISE FOR a$8-10 A MONTH! for $34 month Rent this 4-line space for $10/month. 3 Lines See 29editor@southwindssailing.com or call (941) 795-8704 for $8.page Contact

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Advertise in this 1" tall ad for $20 a month. See page 25 for details or call (941) 795-8704. www.southwindssailing.com

WEST FLORIDA SAILING

The Story Continues: Two Sarasota Youths Graduate from Students to Instructors and Start their own Sailing Program By Mike MucNulty

hen I ended a story I wrote earlier this summer (SOUTHWINDS, May 2004, page 52) about the benefits of summer youth sailing programs, I said my daughter Ashley would “complete the circle” by becoming a certified sailing instructor. Little did I know how soon it would happen. She and her sailing The two Ashleys with students at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Photo by Mike McNulty. partner, also named Ashley, took and passed the US Sailing Level 1 Instructor course the very same month. n’t work for an existing summer sailing camp, they would Sailing since they were 8 years old, they have been racing just build their own! They knew there would be plenty of 420s together for two years. When their summer sailing kids who, given the chance, would LOVE to learn how to instructor jobs fell through, they were disappointed to say sail, but may not have access to such a camp. the least. My wife’s “make lemonade” and my “when one Although this would prove easier said than done, the door closes...” speeches did little to console them. But like diligence with which the girls went about making their ABC’s Wide World of Sports, there is often the “agony of goal a reality was admirable. First, they needed boats. defeat” before there can be the “thrill of victory.” Jabbo told them about Sailing Alternatives, an organizaWhat happened next is pretty neat. While lamenting to tion that offers sailing education using Bauer 12 boats. Jabbo Gordon, a longstanding sailor involved with the US John Jorgensen, who coordinates Sailing Alternatives, Sailing Instructor course, the girls got an idea. If they couldprovided the necessary boats, life jackets and insurance, as well as references to other people who could help out with the project. The girls then took to the computer to design and print applications, certificates of completion, and a list of rules complete with colorful graphics. T-shirts with logos for each participant and instructor were solicited and donated. Local marine merchants donated sailing gloves, key chains and other goodies for each participant. The beautiful venue of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron was kind enough to host the weeklong event. Instructors volunteering their time were Noah Kaplan, Ashley Galliard, Ashley Rogers and Jabbo Gordon. Sixteen kids from ages 8 to 13

Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

WEST FLORIDA SAILING from the West Coast Enrichment Camp along with two counselors were divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Swimming tests and land drills focusing on safety filled up the first day. Sailing around the marks and waterside views soon followed. Manatee hunts and excursions to the sandbar for water pistol battles were the day’s order of business when the winds abated. One of the participants was heard to say, “I thought sailing would be boring, but instead it’s a blast!” Then too, it can be said that sailing might not be for everyone. For example: When the wind died one afternoon, a student turned her tiller over to her coach saying, “You drive. I’m going to work on my sun tan.” I guess Art Linkletter was right; people ARE funny. The last day, the kids and their coaches sailed to the sandbar and enjoyed a cold soda and some fresh watermelon kindly donated by Coach Noah’s mom. To those making critical generalities about our younger generation, it should be pointed out that aside from some advice from Jabbo and support from the coaches’ parents, who couldn’t be prouder, the entire camp program was put together by two 16-year-old girls! And Coach Noah is also just 16. Although many summer sailing programs can cost upwards of several hundred dollars, there was NO COST to any of the students of this camp. Respect for nature, each other, and the notion of helping people without presumption of reciprocation were lessons learned by students and coaches alike. Best of all, the enjoyment of sailing can be shared from generation to generation.

After-School Youth Racing Programs at Clearwater Community Sailing Center

sail graduates and make up the core of the classes. Anyone with a basic knowledge of sailing is also eligible and encouraged to attend the classes regardless of previous training. The racing classes are for ages 8-17 and will be conducted by US SAILING-certified instructors. The classes will be an on-going event throughout the school year on a monthly registration basis. The classes are divided into two age groups to ensure fair competition. The younger folks, 8-12 years old, will train on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:30-6:30 p.m., and the older sailors will sail on Wednesday and Friday afternoons during the same time frame. One weekend a month is set aside for combined group racing. A variety of boats are available for the racing classes. The Prams, Sunfish, Lasers and JY15s will offer the students a chance to experience several types of racing vessels. Youth sailing around the Tampa Bay area is a growing and vital asset to our young sailors and the sailing community. The skills these students acquire through the various summer sailing camps throughout the area produced eight young sailors who participated in the Long Island Nationals in July. Youth sailing not only develops great skills and educates boaters, but parents, listen to this: How about those sailing scholarships available through several major universities? Four sailing organizations around Tampa Bay were contacted about their number of youth sailing participants this summer. They were Davis Island YC, Sarasota Youth Sailing, Tampa Sailing Squadron and Clearwater Community Sailing Center. The total number of students completing the learning-to-sail camps topped the one thousand mark for 2004. CCSC’s instructors get credit for almost 500 of the participants.

By Georger Regenauer

learwater Community Sailing Center began an afterschool youth racing program for this fall. The program concentrates on racing concepts, PHRF rules and on-thewater training. Veteran instructor Chris King decided to add this program to CCSC’s already lengthy menu of classes to allow young sailors the opportunity to gain more experience by participating throughout the year instead of just during the summer months. The young sailors who attended the summer sailing camps expressed the desire to further their training. The majority of participants are recent learn-to-

September 2004

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WEST FLORIDA SAILING Chris would like to build a competitive racing team that could represent CCSC in youth sailing competitions. He has a good nucleus of contenders from the summer sailing camps to make this a reality, but anyone interested in joining the team can do so. Chris said the training will be intense, but he wants to avoid burnout by making it fun. His ultimate goal is to provide training and instill the desire to help young people become life-long sailors. This is a wonderful opportunity to sharpen skills and become race savvy. For more information on CCSC’s racing programs, contact the center at (727) 517-7776 or visit their Web site at www.clearwatercommunitysailing.org.

No One Left at the Dock By Capt. George Regenauer

hat is the philosophy of Tampa Sailing Squadron members at Apollo Beach and has been for the past 40 years. Just because you don’t own a boat, it will not The docks at the Tampa Sailing Squadron. keep you from experiencing the fun and excitement of the squadron’s work weekend every third Saturday of the sailing. Whether you fancy cruising or racing, TSS will not month and begin rubbing elbows with the old salts. The TSS leave anyone at the dock who truly wants to learn sailing. Web site has a calendar of events showing the race agenda The best advice to getting started is show up on one of the and other activities. You do not have to be a member of the club’s race weekends and attend the captains meeting. Let it sailing squadron to participate in these events. True be known that you are there to learn sailing and you are Cruising Director Capt. Bob Bettinger says, “Guests are looking for a crew position. The captains meetings are genalways welcome.” The mission of the squadron is to proerally around 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. on race day. mote and facilitate sailing and related activities. Another good way to get acquainted is participate in

Local News For Southern Sailors

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

WEST FLORIDA SAILING Never sailed before? No problem! Captains encourage newcomers to the sport, and if you are a seasoned veteran, stand by; you will be eagerly sought by the hard-core racing crews. Whatever your skill level and experience, there will be a place for you on one of the boats. You can get a head start on advertising your interest by utilizing the Web site and clicking on one of two areas: crews looking for captains, and captains looking for crews. Post your information and someone will get in touch with you. Club race weekends are fantastic venues to introduce yourself to squadron members and get to know them as well. This is a great way to get your sailing adventure off to a good start. Don’t think sail cruising and racing events are just for men. TSS has several programs designed for the ladies only. On-the-water instruction is offered for the beginner, and when you are ready, you will be placed as crew on the women’s race team or crew with the men. Beware guys, these ladies take racing seriously and will extend no mercy. Ladies interested in women’s sailing should contact Kathy Weeks by e-mail at kfcweeks@msn.com or call her at (813) 225-2575. When you visit Tampa Sailing Squadron, come prepared to sail. Bring good deck shoes, line-handling gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, plenty of water and enough lunch for you and the captain. For complete information on the organization,visit the TSS Web site at www.tampasailingsquadron.org . Be sure to read the squadron’s newsletter, The Lighthouse. It contains all of the upcoming events, contacts and noteworthy information. If you are serious about learning to sail or want to refresh your nautical abilities, visit the Tampa Sailing Squadron this summer and take advantage of this great opportunity. A final thought to keep in mind: Once the sailing bug bites, you must scratch it the rest of your life. BUSINESS BRIEFS

Sailor’s Wharf Responds to Hurricane Charley

he Sailor’s Wharf spent all day Monday, August 16, launching boats that we had hauled out for Hurricane Charley. We are happy that it missed Tampa Bay and we survived another scare. We are already getting calls for boats that need to be repaired from the Cape Coral, Punta Gorda and surrounding areas. We will put our established Sailor’s Wharf customers first on our list for service and then the Insurance companies that we regularly deal with. If you have an insurance claim and want the Sailor’s Wharf to handle the work, please call your Insurance company and tell them you are sending the boat to the Sailor’s Wharf. After 26 years of dealing with insurance claims, we have a great reputation with both the customers and the insurance companies. Please let us know as quickly as you can if you need us to help. For more information contact Jopie Helsen, Sailors Wharf, (727) 823-1155, ext. 206, Fax: (727) 895-4305, http://www.sailorswharf.com, jopie@sailorswharf.com.

September 2004

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“In August, you began running an advertisement to sell my diesel engine in your classifieds section. I am pleased to advise you that I have a buyer as a result of the advertisement. Please discontinue it. FYI, I have also had inquiries from West Africa and France as Capt C.T., St. Petersburg, FL a result of the Internet ad you made available. I’m MAJOR impressed!! Thank you very much.”

CLASSIFIED ADS — 3 MONTHS FOR $25 1. Classified ads for boats are $25 for a threemonth ad for up to 30 words. Check or Credit cards accepted. 2. Add $25 for a horizontal photo (vertical photos $5 a month more), ($50 for a three-month ad for boat with photo). 3. Free ads for boats under $500 (sail and dinghys only), all gear under $500, and windsurfing equipment. Add $10 a month for a horizontal photo. 4. Boats and gear must be for sale by the owner to qualify for the above. No businesses.(see #10) 5. E-mail ads to editor@southwindssailing.com

(including photos). Then mail a check or call with credit card. Add $5 typing charge for ads mailed in or faxed in (including free ads). 6. You can also go online and pay by Paypal and type the ad into the message area or e-mail it separately to editor. Photo must be sent separately. 7. Photos not accompanied by S.A.S.E. will not be returned. Photocopies of photos will not work. Email photoa as an attachment or send actual photo. 8. Ads (and renewing ads) must be received by the 10th of the month. 9. The last month your ad runs will be in parentheses, e.g., (10/04) is October, 2004.

10. All other ads are $20 a month for up to 20 words, add $5 a month for each additional 10 words. $10 a month for a horizontal photo. Frequency discounts available. Contact editor. 11. No refunds.

Now pay on-line at our Web site www.southwindssailing.com editor@southwindssailing.com

SOUTHWINDS PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175 (941)795-8704 • (941) 795-8705 fax

All ads go on the Internet, and your Web site or e-mail address in the ad will be linked by clicking on it. SOUTHWINDS will only be responsible financially for mistakes for a one issue period. Please check your ad. Let us know any mistakes by the 10th of the month.

BOATS & DINGHIES Sunfish for sale $499, located in Port Charlotte, good condition, no trailer. call (941) 626-7160 (10/04) SAILBOAT TRAILER Twin axle. Reconditioned, very good condition. Fits boat to 25', 5,000 lbs, up to 5' draft. $ 1,600. (954) 614-0874 (11/04) SUNFISH SAILBOAT White hull with red and blue diagonal stripes. 2 sails. Mahogany daggerboard and rudder. Nice condition. $325 (941) 921-9624. (11/04)

1982 S2 7.9 OB Lifting keel, 4 sails, RF, self tailers, depth, compass, trailer. NEW: rigging, hatchboards, tiller, battery, bilge pump, nav lights, interior and mast paint. $12,900. OBO, (727)460-3544. (11/04) 2000 West Marine/Avon 10.2-foot “RIB” Dinghy Sturdy fiberglass floor, storage compartment, oars, seat, extra goodies included. $1,250 e-mail: (813) 925-0500, e-mail sailcompania@msn.com (11/04)

NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS Advertise your business in a display ad in the classifieds section. Sold by the column inch. 2 inch minimum. (3 column inches is 1/8 page) Monthly Cost Ads Per Inch

12 6 3 1

$17 $20 $23 $27

Minimum Inches

Total Cost

2" 2" 2" 2"

$34 $40 $46 $54

9' CAPTIVA ESCAPE with trailer, great fun, easy to sail, good for learning. $950 OBO. Call Nora at (727) 397-4309. (9/04) Dinghy – 10' Quicksilver RIB and 5hp Nissan 4stroke outboard, less than 10 hours on each. Includes trailer. $2500. (727) 379-0554. (9/04)

1990 Hunter 27' walk-through transom,wheel, 10hp diesel,autohelm,roller furling,drifter sail,new bimini & sail cover,solar generator, 3' 6" wing bulb keel, dinghy. $23,500 (352) 596-7192. labet@tampabay.rr.com (11/04)

24' 1991 Nimble Yawl, tan bark sails, 1996 Honda four-stroke, shoal draft, engine tuned up Sept. 2003, bottom painted, topsides varnished May 2004, $12,900, Beaufort, NC, (252) 341-6657 (10/04)

27 Stiletto Catamaran, Special Edition, fully battened main with lazy jacks, spinnaker, winches, running backstays, full bimini, toilet, VHF, Auto pilot, engine, swim ladder, deck cushions, delivery possible. $12,500 negotiable. (850) 457-8060. (11/04)

26.5' 1992 Beneteau First 265 Fully outfitted for cruising with dinghy, lots of equipment and spares. Info at www.braveheart.findu.com $32,000 John (941)518-9629. (11/04)

Cape Dory 27’ 1977, Yanmar 8hp diesel. Roller furling, bilge pump, depth meter, full keel, 4’ draft. Carl Alberg design. Sleeps 4. Xlnt. $17,000. Madeira Beach, FL. Call for appt. (727) 398-0796 (9/04)

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27’ Stiletto, super nice, totally re-done. Outstanding fast sailer, goes from 14’ sailing width to 8’ to trailer. All gear, Yamaha OB, sail ready. $23,900. (727) 235-1173 jemotis1@yahoo.com (9/04)

27' Tartan 1978 A quality boat. Westerbeke diesel, 12hp. Wheel, rlr frl jib & main, spin., 3’2" draft w/centerboard. Dodger, awning, life lines, swim ldr. $17,950. (239) 454-0889 (9/04)

Clean 28 MacWester, strong English bluewater cruiser, Lloyds, 3' draft, Atlantic veteran, 27 Yanmar, 510 hrs, wheel, furler, windless, NEW paint, interior & canvas, sleeps 5, a Salty head turner, will trade for real estate. 43K (850) 384-9020 (10/04)

Ranger 28 Winning boat! sleeps 5, 12 sails, EVERYTHING for GO FAST, lots more, immaculate NEW diesel, Electronics, Surveyed @ $20K Protected Investment @ $10,500, See & Deal! (251) 342-3153, hickmanhouse@earthlink.net. (11/04)

31' Farrier F9A Trimaran, Exactly as specified. Launched 1993. Cedar/epoxy laminate, Best gear, rig. Spinnaker. Trailer. Needs TLC. $45,000. Write: PO Box 572, Islamorada, FL 33036 or e-mail bfookes@yahoo.co.uk (10/04)

1986 Hunter 28.5 New bottom, Autohelm 4000, Lazy Jack, Wheel steering, new batteries, All safety equipment, Yanmar 16 HP diesel, Portable AC, excellent condition. (504) 259-5740. $22,500 or Best Offer (9/04) 30' Northstar 1000 Bristol condition, 2 mains, 3 headsails, spinnaker, Autopilot, VHF, depthfinder, GPS and more. (843) 412-5740 (11/04)

32' STEEL GAFF CUTTER, 1991 This vessel is ready for that world cruise! $49,000, Panama City, Fl, For details call or e-mail at (850) 870-4505, peac4505@bellsouth.net (10/04)

Baba 30 Offshore cruiser, beautiful, strong, highquality cutter, great singlehander, well-equipped and maintained, 27hp Yanmar, Shaeffer roller furlings, Autohelm 4000, much more $49,000. Located Ft Myers. lyttraveler@yahoo.com, (239) 5606078. (9/04)

1989 O’Day 322, 4’2" draft, AC, roller furling, Yanmar, cruise spinnaker, wind gen, H20 maker, dinghy & OB, cruise ready, turn key, $48,900. (727) 514-5700. For complete info. www.captainbobdaly.com (10/04)

FILE PHOTO Catalina 30 1986 27hp diesel, boat has been completely refreshened inside and out. New lines, new bottom, new electrical, etc. Must see in Southport, NC. Call (484) 955-9736. Asking $25,000. (9/04)

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SOUTHWINDS

Peterson 34' Mark II Tall Version, 1982 by Island Yachts, One of the finest racer-cruiser designs ever produced. Wheel, cushions, roller-furling system, high/ low boom position and complete sail inventory (>10 bags) for cruising and club racing with this very fast, well-kept yacht. Electronics update

www.southwindssailing.com

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2003. E-mail biosyntpi@msn.com or phone (504) 734-7331, 35K (2/05)

1983 C & C 35 Mk III Great cruiser/racer, Yanmar, 11 sails, bunks for 7, stove with oven, A/C (’00), refrig (’00), feathering prop (’03), self-tailing winches, Harken roller furler, bimini, covers for everything, autopilot, new batteries, etc., etc. This boat needs nothing. $59,500 (504) 392-0840 or cwilke@haywilkgalvanizing.com (10/04)

Schock 35, Morning Glory.Fast racer/cruiser with lifting keel. 5 1/2' up, 8' down. Refrigeration. Proven race and cruising record. PHRF 72. $46K Contact John Steele (941) 922 5071 (10/04)

1980 Union Cutter 36 World Cruiser just completed 3 yr. documented keel-up renovation and 1000 mile sea trial. The best material and craftsmanship throughout. All new stainless standing rigging, electronics, plumbing and custom everything. 45' LOA, 12 ton, full keel, double-ended cruiser equipped with all new toys. Beautiful inside and out. Brokers welcome. Laying Key West. Over $200K invested. Sacrifice at $129k. E-mail: mtnhackr@aol.com (702) 275-8752. (11/04)

1976 CT41 Cutter-rigged ketch. Come to Louisiana to see La Mouette, beautiful, seaworthy doublehanded cruiser. Many improvements. Offered by liveaboard owners of 20 years. $80,000. (985) 7815625 Details www.ct41ketchforsale.com. (9/04)

41' Gulfstar Ketch 1974 in bristol condition. Great cruiser, enclosed cockpit, custom teak interior, cedar lined lockers, 4-108 Perkins diesel, autopilot, inverter, Avon dingy, 5hp Yamaha $54,700 sabear1010@wmconnect.com or (337) 981-4873. (11/04)

1989 Irwin 43 CC Sloop Raytheon ST50 Knot Log Depth apparent wind and speed, Raynav 520+plotter WAAS GPS, AP7000 auto pilot, radar RX20, ICOM dual station VHF, roller furling, Stack Pack by Mac Sails, main 2 years old, Jib 4 years old. 2 AC reverse cycle units, full galley with SS stove and oven, microwave, Adler Barbour freezer/refrigerator, 2 heads with separate showers, large saloon and large nav station. 8KW Genset, 66HP Yanmar 1500 Hours, fuel polisher, 3 anchors, 2 Plow 35 &

45 and Fortress, 165’ chain and 300’ rode. New cockpit cushions. Safety package and much, much, more. $137,500 or BRO. (941) 350-8113 (9/04)

1988 Brewer 44’ shoal-draft w/board. Center-cockpit cutter, Perkins 85, sale by original owners, (941) 962-7100 or (813) 671-0862 or paritytwo@yahoo.com. (9/04)

Endeavour 37 Well-loved, One owner 1979 A plan. New Main, Teak interior, new upholstery, SS ports, auto pilot, depth sounder, Origo stove/oven, refrigeration. Rebuilt Perkins 4-108. Provision and sail! 39K. (305) 745-9030 (9/04)

DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS STARTING AT $34/MONTH NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

See Classified info on page 63 SOUTHWINDS

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HELP WANTED Nautical 60' Ketch, 1982, bristol condition maintained by professional skipper (refit yearly), 4 cabin layout plus crew, large family or charter, 125hp desiel, A/C, Sat phone, $250,000 www.yachtsoutherncomfort.com email scomfort@islands.vi Capt Mike (10/04)

BOOKS & CHARTS 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

BUSINESS/INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Construction/Real Estate investment Highly-experienced, honest, licensed, responsible and reliable contractor seeks investor/partner in new construction/remodeling in west Florida. Perhaps a spec house or purchase to remodel. Contractor is experienced in custom homes of all sizes, including very high-end homes. Only interested in doing interesting and enjoyable projects. (941) 795-8711

Yacht Salesperson Wanted. Massey Yacht Sales has sales positions available for professional, successful yacht salespersons for the new Fort Myers dealership location. Massey is one of Florida’s largest dealers for the sale and outfitting of Catalina, Hunter, Caliber and Mainship yachts plus sells a wide range of pre-owned sail and power yachts. Sales candidates need to be computer literate, self-motivated with a good knowledge of the sail and power industry. Massey offers the best marketing and sales support system with a large lead base for the right candidate. Call Edward Massey for interview appointment. (941) 723-1610. (9/04) REGIONAL EDITOR wanted for the southeast coast here which includes the Carolinas and Georgia. Part time and spare time as an independent writer to write about sailing, racing and cruising, put together a calendar for the region, and other misc. sailing and related news and articles. Must be a good communicator and have a computer, some writing experience, e-mail, good with the internet, and a great personality, and, of course, be into sailing. This is a chance to mix business and pleasure. Not a lot of hours or money but great potential. (941) 795-8704 or editor@southwindssailing.com . (11/04) Advertising Sales Reps wanted in the south for SOUTHWINDS magazine. Must be a good communicator, have a computer, and some experience in selling to call on national advertisers and advertisers in your area. All areas of the South. Part time by commission. To call on national advertisers you can live almost anywhere for this job. editor@southwindssailing.com or (941) 795-8704.

MARINE ENGINES

Sailtime.com is looking for base operators on the Florida coast. This may suit existing marine business owners who wish to add an additional income stream. Sailtime is a unique business model that requires minimal capital and no staff. Tel. (813) 8170104 or jtwomey@sailtime.com

CREW AVAILABLE Visit SOUTHWINDS new boat and crewlisting service at southwindssailing.com

CREW WANTED Visit SOUTHWINDS new boat and crewlisting service at southwindssailing.com

ELECTRONICS SeaTech Systems – Computerized navigation & communication. Call for free Cruiser’s Guide to the Digital Nav Station and CAPN demo disk. (800) 444-2581 or (281) 334-1174, navcom@sea-tech.com, www.sea-tech.com

See Classified info on page 63 66

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MISCELLANEOUS BOAT GEAR NEW & USED

Pactor IIPro Modem Includes cables for Icom 710 SSB radio and remote computer control. Do email using your SSB! $600. (813) 925-0500, e--mail sailcompania@msn.com. (11/04) FACTORY DIRECT HYDROBUBBLE ANCHORS 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed. Highlypolished SeaLock Stainless CQR and Bruce-type anchors and new SeaLock windlasses at Great Prices! Stock and custom rode. www.HydroBubble.com (888) 282-2535. (11/04)

adapter, cigarette lighter adapter, manual, padded case. $275. (813) 925-0500, e-mail sailcompania@msn.com. (11/04)

Garmin 175 Hand-Held GPS/Chartplotter Purchased new 1998; little used. Includes 2 Garmin G-Charts for the U.S. West Coast and Mexico, AC

Single side-band transceiver (Yaesu), amateur/ marine, antenna, antenna tuner, excellent, $475. (941) 235-1890. (11/04)

www.southwindssailing.com

C L A S S I F I E D THULE CAR RACKS Two complete sets of 400 gutterless series racks with locks. Go to www.thule.com for the fit kit for your car. Asking $150 per set. (727) 321-5880 *3. wmarois@ij.net (9/04) Yanmar, YSE-12, marine engine, transmission, alternator, mounts, manual, extra injectors and many spare parts. $ 450 obo. e-mail captctc@yahoo.com, (727) 345-3212. (11/04) Automatic variable pitch propeller. Good condition. Right-handed, was on a 37 Irwin, diameter 16 3/4, shaft 1 1/8. $1495/OBO. (386) 423-8778. (9/04) 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

A D S LODGING FOR SAILORS

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

REAL ESTATE Ft. Lauderdale Waterfront Home Ocean Access. No fixed bridges. Sale/Lease option. Ft. Lauderdale. New River. Downtown. New pool, dock. 3/2 with den, 2 car garage, $449,900 or $2500 a month. (954) 767-9877. horus8@bellsouth.net. (11/04) Miami Waterfront River House for Rent Deep dockage 60 Ft. No fixed bridges to bay. 3/2, New AC, New Kitchen, Garage, Florida Room, Utility room, wood and tile floors. $2000 Month w/dock, Without dock $1500. Fenced yard. Near airport. (305) 799-9589. (11/04)

SAILING INSTRUCTION

DINGHY DAVITS Only $360.00

www.martekdavits.com

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.tiralo-usa.com or swti@oasisllc.com AC/DC Reefer, 22# Bruce Anchor, Anchor Ball, Sospenders, Magma Grills, Mariner 9.9, Mercury Long Shaft 7.5 HP, Folding Bikes, Windsurfers, Metzeler Sailing Rig, Windscoop, Drogues, Lifesling, Type I Life Jackets w/strobe. Nautical Trader. (941) 488-0766. www.nauticaltrader.net

NAVIGATION SOFTWARE

727-686-5020 2001 Mercury 6 HP, 4-stroke outboard $750 OBO. e-mail: sailcompania@msn.com. (11/04) Henri Lloyd TP 2000 Rapid foul weather gear. Great condition. Two sets, jackets plus bibs. Size large, red. Size medium, yellow. $150/set. (813) 925-0500, e-mail sailcompania@msn.com. (11/04)

SAILS & CANVAS

ACR “Rapid Ditch” ditch bag Bright yellow, roomy with pockets for GPS, handheld radio, EPIRB. Floatable. $50. (813) 925-0500, e-mail sailcompania@msn.com. (11/04) NKE MAXI TOP LINE DISPLAYS AND PARTS One maxi and dual display with wired remote control and parts. All segments are good. Asking $500. (727) 321-5880 *3. wmarois@ij.net (9/04) Whisker pole Kemp, 13 foot. 3 1/2 inch diameter. Internal pull. Socket. Like new. $150. (863) 6754244. Can Deliver. (10/04) 35' Mast with steps to top, and boom. $500. (863) 675-4244. Can Deliver. (10/04)

NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

LETTERS continued from page 61 Air Duck 18 Aqua Graphics 58 Atlantic Sails 35 Banks Sails 58 Beachmaster Photography 64 Beneteau Sailboats BC Beta Marine 28 Bluewater Sailing Supply 60 Boaters Exchange 25,38,64 BoatUS 13 Bob and Annie’s Boatyard 19 Bo’sun Supplies 29 Bradenton Yacht Club Kickoff Regatta 56 Bubba Book 8 Carson/Beneteau BC Charleston to Bermuda Race 11 Coast Weather 68 Coral Reef Apparel Company 22 Crow’s Nest Restaurant/Marina Regatta 55 Cruising Direct Sails 34 CYC/Regatta Pointe Marina Charity Regatta 59 Defender Industries 67 Dockside Marine Services 52 Dockside Radio 37 Don’s Salvage 59 Dwyer mast 66 Eastern/Beneteau BC E-marine 66 First Patriot Insurance 17 Flagship Sailing 50 Fleetside Marine Service 66 Flying Scot Sailboats 65 Garhauer Hardware 20 Glacier Bay Refrigeration 49 Great Outdoors Publishing 26 Gulf Coast Yacht Sales 63 Gunkholer’s Cruising Guide 26 Hanse Sailboats 65 Hood/SSMR 51 Hotwire/Fans and other products 67 Island Marine Products 24 JR Overseas/Moisture Meter 40 JS9000 PHRF Racer 64 Leather Wheel 25 Martek Dinghy Davits 67 Massey Yacht Sales 3,9,14,27,31,IBC Masthead Enterprises 5,67 Melbourne YC Fall Regatta 39 Memory Map 67 Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau BC National Boat Owners Association 54 National Sail Supply 40 Nautical Trader 60 North Sails 32 Nuclear Sails 8 Porpoise Used Sails 68 Raider Sailboats 65 RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke 10 Rparts Refrigeration 43 Sail Exchange/Used Sails 48 Sailboats Florida, Inc. 65 Sailcovers and More 68 Sailor’s Wharf Boatyard and Brokerage 50,52 Sailtime 4 Sarasota Youth Sailing Program 62 Schurr Sails 45 Scully 33 Scurvy Dog Marine 47 Sea School 24 Sea Tech 51 Seafarers International Brokerage 12 Special Olympics Charity Regatta, Lake Lanier36 SPYC Fall Regattas 53 SSMR/Hood 51 St. Augustine Sailing School 26,67 St. Barts/Beneteau BC St. Pete Strictly Sail Boat Show 23 Suncoast Inflatables 16 Tackle Shack 61 Tampa Sailing Squadron Appleton Regatta 57 Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program 52 TowboatUS 15 UK Sails 5 Ullman sails 14 Weather Wave 19 West Marine IFC West Marine Books and Charts 15 Winch Buddy 21 Windcraft Catamarans 12 Yanmar Diesel 66

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Thanks for keeping an eye on me and for your letter. Below is your letter you originally sent. Editor Make the Cuba Embargo Equal Dear Editor: One of the reasons I enjoy your magazine (which should be slick sheet) is the political stance you take on laws, rules and edicts affecting sailors. The embargo of Cuba just happens to be a hot issue. I’m certain other laws will come out as we slowly give up our freedoms. Sailors need to have a forum for legal expression. You’re it. As for myself, I’ve switched positions as the best way to hurt the embargo: GO FOR A TOTAL EMBARGO, WITH NO LOOPHOLES FOR FAVORED GROUPS. * Don’t allow ANY VISITS to Cuba by anyone, including those with family there. Not once a year, or once every three years. NO VISITS. * Allow NO TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO CUBA, even by those with needy relatives. * Allow NO COMMUNICATIONS— by telephone, telegraph, computer, ham radio, mail service or any other means. * NO EXCEPTIONS ON VISITS BY: the press, media, humanitarian aid personnel, or employees of the U.S. government. This would include attorneys sent to represent Americans in Cuban jails and diplomats. You need a TOTAL EMBARGO to make the embargo democratic and fair. Why should hyphenatedAmericans be given privileges American-born citizens don’t have? In my view, a hyphenated-American isn’t a REAL AMERICAN anyway. Just to say, “I am an American” should be adequate. Those with a hyphen seem to ask for their group to receive special treatment and be favored above real Americans. The only way to get the embargo dumped is to make it hurt more people than just a few sailors who race and cruise. Respectfully, Ron Seibel (aka Morskoi Volk) S/V Ghost Ron, You had me going there - and laughing, but a good point, and not so funny. Make the embargo equal. Sounds fair to me, but how about making it equally not there? Editor www.southwindssailing.com

NORTHERN GULFCOAST SAILING continued from page 61 first-place overall winner in the Non-Spinnaker class. On the second day of the Women’s Championship, more extreme weather conditions of high heat and the lack of wind kept the competitors out on the water under a postponement for several hours. The sea breeze finally filled in for the afternoon from the southwest at seven knots. A crowded starting line had four boats over the line early causing a protest in the Spinnaker A class later in the day. An Olympic triangle course was set up for the contestants with a distance of 5.4 miles. By the time the sailors made it halfway through the course, the winds had picked up to 10 to 12 knots, allowing some of the heavier boats in the competition an opportunity to start moving on the race course. Elaine Boos and the Outtasight team in the Spinnaker B class maintained their impressive first-place position once again, earning a total of three first-place wins during the championship and capturing the overall Race for the Roses Women’s Championship Trophy. Elaine and her team beat second-in-fleet winner Linda Thompson and team on Duct Tape by three minutes and 13 seconds. The Outtasight team’s motto, “Don’t ever give up,” epitomized their efforts. This New Orleans-based crew sailed in all three ladies races; Fast Women, Bikini and Race for the Roses regattas that were held in the area, never giving up on their ultimate goal to earn the Women’s All-Female Trilogy Trophy. On the one-design course, four races for both the Flying Scot and Sunfish race competitors were held. Skipper Skylar Kurpuis and her crew, Casey Ondis and Presley Dixon, earned first place in the Flying Scot class with Meghan Kirby earning first, Amanda Glass earning second, and Dana Bostic earning third place in the Sunfish class. Food was provided by the Pensacola Beach area restaurants, and specially designed shirts were for sale by George and Ian Cannon of Coral Reef Sailing Company. A special trophy honoring one of the area’s local female sailors, Amanda Werner, was created for the exceptional comradery and “spirit of sailing” fun found during the Roses event. The Amanda Werner Spirit of Sailing Award was presented to Spinnaker fleet competitor Naomi Brown and her crew on Amigo as well as One-Design fleet competitor Lauren Glass.

FLORIDA KEYS SAILING continued from page 49 I asked Tanner how many sunken boats had been raised from the harbor’s bottom. He answered, “Close to 100.” There had been a cottage industry in Marathon a few years back. Pay a nameless person a few hundred—cash, no checks, please—and that person would tow your old wreck into Boot Key Harbor and sink it. It was cheaper than hauling the thing off to the dump. Whereas the water in Boot Key Harbor used to have a murky, milky color that shouted, “Don’t swim here,” the canal at the City Marina is clear enough now to where you can see the bottom. “I have been staying in Marathon since the late 1970s,” Tanner said, “and I have seen a tremendous improvement. The people who come in here now say it is a lot cleaner, a lot more organized and that the city is going in the right direction.” And good on them for that. Local News For Southern Sailors

DINGHY continued from page 70 market for small boats. Our options dwindling, we returned to the boat. After lunch, the gentle rocking motion was just lulling us into a short afternoon siesta when suddenly a familiar name on the VHF jolted us awake. Kaw Shek was hailing another boat. Al jumped on the radio. A bright young woman’s voice assured us that they had our dinghy and were anchored in White Sound just a mile around the corner. We made plans to meet the following day for dinghy return. Today, the dinghy came back. It returned so naturally, it seemed to have a homing sense of its own. Standing on deck, we waved heartily to the couple in an inflatable as they towed our dink up Black Sound. A young couple from Norfolk, VA, Robert and Jamie were planning to sail in the Bahamas until the money ran out. With all of us chattering in chorus, we uncovered the events that led from the loss of our little craft to its homecoming. Knowing that in our shoes, he would certainly want his dinghy returned, Robert had spent over an hour convincing the salvaging party that he knew us in order for them to release the boat into his custody. He was friendly and loquacious with a strong, direct personality; obviously the right person for the persuasion tactic. So our duckling came home, one week and 120 nautical miles later. It was a joyous and unexpected reunion. Our faith in our boating community members remains, as always, unshaken. Honesty, integrity and good deeds abound in the floating world, and we are richer for it. Besides, we have another great story to tell and can pass on a valuable lesson. Always tie your dinghy on a cleat. SOUTHWINDS

September 2004

The Homing Dinghy By Barbara Boudreau

Our hearts jumphe dinghy disaped. The dinghy was peared the day safe. Now how could we left West End in we get it back without the Abaco Islands of losing two days to the northern Bahamas. return to West End? It goes without sayWe were already too ing that it was our far to turn around fault. Always, always and continued onto tie your dinghy to a our anchorage at cleat, not to the rail. Great Sale Cay for the Frank Thomas, a night. good friend from The next day, we Pine Island, FL, was pulled anchor early with us for two and headed for weeks. An accomGrand Cay, a hosplished sailor and pitable community house builder, Frank on the north end of is forty-something, the bank, and the with merry blue location of the closeyes and a great sense of humor; a Barbara Boudreau in the famous homing dinghy, enjoying Bahamian lobster. (No est telephone. wonder they wanted the dinghy.) The dockmaster welcome addition Frank looked aft and said quietly, at West End informed Al that yes, our on any sailboat. Captain Al Boudreau, “By the way, where is the dinghy?” dinghy had been there and had headalso a competent, fearless sailor, Predictably, all eyes looked back. ed out that very morning with a boat basked in the leisure and comfort of The dinghy was gone. We turned called Kaw Shek, captained by a man this fully experienced crew on the 26immediately. The binoculars came up, named Robert Van Pelt. He added that foot S2. and we all strained for any sign of our the captain said he knew us. We were Rising before light, we shivered little boat. The tide had been falling sure we didn’t know a boat or a person through preparations in the dawn chill strong for several hours, sucking the by those names, so either our dinghy and pulled out of the harbor just after sea off the shallow Bahamian Bank to had been abducted, or some Good sunup. We motored the mile to Indian the depths of the ocean. That current Samaritan had entered our lives. Cay Pass north of West End, where the certainly would drag our little 60Several times we hailed Kaw Shek on narrow entrance onto the Little pound dinghy out to sea, out of sight the VHF, but our calls were answered Bahama Bank from the ocean is usualwithin 30 minutes. We had been under only by silence. ly rough and quite shallow and way for five hours. If we couldn’t see The next few days we anchored demands a sailor’s attention. The pass it at this point, it was gone. As dinghy-less from Grand Cay down the was exciting but not dangerous, and dinghies go, it’s not a prize. At 6 feet, Abaco chain, the uninhabited Doublewe slid through along with two other it’s a tender boat, and its passengers Breasted and Allans-Pensacola Cays, boats. Beyond the mouth, the shallow must be dexterous if they expect to and finally Green Turtle Cay with its water required watchful eyes for some stay dry. It’s ugly as well. Years of enchanting village of New Plymouth. distance, but after Barracuda Shoals, it banging around Gloucester fishing This was the northernmost reception deepened to a comfortable 10 – 15 feet, boats have rendered it a well-worn range for the morning Cruiser’s Net, a and we settled into the rhythm of the look. Then again, no one would ever VHF radio network for news, weather Little Bahama Bank. steal it, and it will deliver a sure-footed and community announcements. Spirits were soaring as we bobbed sailor to shore, provided the shore is I sat antsy at the radio, and when merrily across the bank. Of course, we not too far and the waves not too big. open mike began, I broke in with “Off didn’t look back. We looked forward We turned again to resume our Beat, Off Beat.” No reply. After several over the bow, absorbed in the amazoriginal course, a glum silence replacattempts I resigned myself – we were ingly clear water—weeks of magical ing our former gaiety. Al radioed to all still out of transmission range. snorkeling and great fishing beckonboats in the area about our lost friend, We strolled around town, inquiring us. and a catamaran up ahead informed ing everywhere about dinghies for About Mangrove Cay, Al came up the us that that morning a dinghy had sale and learned that there was no companionway holding a small fender. been found off West End and returned “This can be the fender for the See DINGHY continued on page 69 to the dock. dinghy.” 70

September 2004

SOUTHWINDS