WindCheck January/February 2018

Sailing the Northeast

What’s New for 2018 Cruising French Polynesia Sailing the Hard Way

January/February 2018 • FREE

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editor's log

To-Do List

I dislike the use of the term ‘Bucket List’ to order those events or experiences we wish to do before it’s ‘too late.’ We all have things we’d love to see and accomplish, and regardless, everything we do is on our so-called bucket list because, well, you ain’t gonna summit Everest after you’ve kicked it unless someone carries you up there in a tin can. I have my, call it, ‘to-do list’ and Everest is nowhere on it.

But there is some adventure and challenge, most of which involves sailing in some form or fashion.

Go figure.

Boats and crews have been travelling to compete in races around the world for as long as they’ve been run, and since I was a child, I dreamed of competing in the Whitbread (now the Volvo Ocean Race), the America’s Cup and a host of sailing’s other greats. But as I’ve gotten older, my interest in (and ability to do) some of those major events has waned and I’ve narrowed the race portion of my list down to three.

In recent weeks I have followed with great enthusiasm – and maybe a little envy – the adventures of sailors from the Northeast competing in one of those to-do-list races. The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race historically dishes up a wide range of conditions, making for challenging situations and exciting competition. I love the complexities of an ocean race that starts in a harbor, heads offshore and finishes in a river.

It reminds me of Vineyard and Block Island Races that have multiple ‘restarts’ at The Race or Plum Gut or any number of other spots along the route. Many a Vineyard or Block race has been won with craftily employed local knowledge, a trusty Eldridge, and more than a little bit of patience.

This year’s Hobart saw the two most recognizable super maxis in the world trading position (and almost paint) from start to finish. But the better light air boat, mixed with local knowledge of the River Derwent, saw Wild Oats XI slide past her rival Comanche on the water. Truly exciting racing… and I didn’t think anything could be more exciting than what the Volvo Ocean Race has been dishing up since the start in October.

I noticed some time ago that a very large number of my Facebook friends have profile pictures of them on the bow, trimming sails or at the helm of a boat, so it was no surprise to learn that many of them were doing the recent Sydney Hobart Race. I also believe this last running may have seen the most American entries ever (as provisionally confirmed by the elder statesmen of the Storm Trysail Club). I’ve been living vicariously through the posts and videos provided by crewmembers aboard Christopher Dragon, Dorade, Warrior Won, Triple Lindy, Wizard and Comanche (I’ve got to get a hold of one of those Garmin VIRB 360 degree cameras!).

The posted updates, videos and images captured aboard, via media boat and even drone have been breathtaking. I was pleased to see a wide range of conditions deliver varying wind speeds and directions, presenting daunting challenges along the way and, more so, to be able to confirm that everyone had the journey of a lifetime and arrived safely in Tasmania.

Incidentally, it should be no surprise that the Rolex Fastnet and the TransPac are the other two races on my list. The idea of doing a race associated with many of the most compelling stories of seamanship and survival has always been appealing to me. Likewise, the thought of sailing downwind to Hawaii for 10 or so days is, well, a no-brainer.

Also on Facebook, our man Coop has been ardently following the journey of a Young American Junior Big Boat Sailing Team member, Carina Becker of Rye, New York, who did Sydney Hobart aboard the Hick 50 Climate Action Now. Carina’s voyage is significant because she not only left the comfort of sailing with people with whom she’d grown up sailing, she ventured out with an allwomen crew to promote awareness of our planet’s ecology. Carina continues to build her offshore resumé, and add to her already formidable skill set. Perhaps some of the other great offshore races are on her list. Who knows, maybe we’ll see her going ‘round the globe in an upcoming edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. Talk about an enviable sailing path!

I know I’ll be checking off my to-do list races soon and I can only hope that my experiences, like those who’ve sailed this year, live up to the hype and the expectations I have of completing them.

Congratulations to those who competed in this most recent major ocean race. It’s been a pleasure following your journey.

For now, a few warm weather, US-based races will have to do, and given the recent cold snap, I’m sure plenty of folks will look upon my Facebook posts with interest – and maybe a little envy - in January as I sail down the Keys en route to the Conch Republic. I’ve got plenty of sailing to be happy about for the time being. I hope you have the opportunity to check off a few of your to-do sailing adventures, and that you’ll share them with us all.

See you on the water.

Sailing the Northeast Issue 170 Publisher Anne Hannan anne@windcheckmagazine.com Editor in Chief Christopher Gill chris@windcheckmagazine.com Senior Editor Chris Szepessy zep@windcheckmagazine.com Contributing Editor Joe Cooper coop@windcheckmagazine.com Graphic Design Kerstin Fairbend kerstin@windcheckmagazine.com Contributors Hillary Ballek, Julianna Barbieri, Billy Black, Bill Converse, Dan Dickison, Jen Edney, Kirsten Ferguson, Cathy Firmbach, Dave Foster, John K. Fulweiler, Marina Garcia, Sam Greenfield, Dr. Paul F. Jacobs, Nancy G. Kaull, Martin Keruzore, Ted Lawrence, Barby MacGowan, Kristan McClintock, Howie McMichael, Laura McMillan, Laurens Morel, Dan Nerney, Buttons Padin, Rob Penner, PhotoBoat.com, Vin Pica, Will Ricketson, Hunter Ronson, Mark Russell, Ainhoa Sanchez, John Stanton, Stuart Streuli, James “T” Thieler, Michael J. Tougias, Captain Andrew Tucci, USCG, Tim Wilkes, Bill Yule Ad Sales Erica Pagnam erica@windcheckmagazine.com Distribution Man in Motion, Rare Sales WindCheck is published ten times per year. Reproduction of any part of this publication is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the members. WindCheck encourages reader feedback and welcomes editorial contributions in the form of stories, anecdotes, photographs, and technical expertise. Copies are available for free at 1,000+ locations (yacht clubs, marinas, marine retailers, restaurants, sailing events & transportation centers) in the Northeast. Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute WindCheck should contact us at (203) 332-7639. While WindCheck is available free of charge, we will mail your copy each month for an annual mailing fee of $29.

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

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contents

Editor’s Log

4

Letters

8

Checking In 10

Rescue of the Chester Poling 31

Sound Environment 32

Captain of the Port 33

The Boating Barrister 34

Book Review: Water Safety 35

Calendar of Events 36

Tide Tables 41

Volvo Ocean Race Update 46

Coop’s Corner 56

Dorade Takes Second in her Divisions 58

at Rolex Sydney Hobart

Comic 59

Brokerage 60

Classified Advertisements 61

Index of Advertisers 65

On Watch: Abby Smith 66

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16 What’s New for 2018

From exciting educational opportunities and the builder of some of the loveliest boats on the water being acquired by a marine industry veteran to the return of a favorite biennial race week, new partners for the longest offshore race in the Western Atlantic and the announcement of a campaign to bring the America’s Cup back where it belongs, there are plenty of great stories for the new year.

24 Winter: The Most Exciting Sailing Season

While frostbiting is an ideal way to keep your skills sharp in the off-season, there’s just no way to make a Dyer Dhow, Interclub or Laser hit 25 knots in five knots of breeze. James “T” Thieler, Commodore in the New England Ice Yacht Association, provides a look at the thrills of hard water sailing.

26 Cruising French Polynesia

Ever since HMS Bounty made landfall in Tahiti in 1789, sailors have recognized the islands of the South Pacific as one of the very best places to sail. In this excerpt from their book Voyages: Stories of ten Sunsail owner cruises, Nancy G. Kaull & Dr. Paul F. Jacobs bring us along for a visit to Les Iles Sous le Vent.

48 Like a Fine Wine: Sperry Charleston Race Week

Some things get better with age, and the largest multiclass event in the U.S. is certainly one of those. With post-race beach parties, a heapin’ helpin’ of Southern hospitality – and a few surprises for competitors – it’s time to make plans for Chucktown in April!

52 Welcome to the Volvo Ocean Race Village!

Unlike most other ‘round-the-world yacht races, the Volvo Ocean Race offers numerous opportunities to watch the action up close. We checked in with Volvo Ocean Race Operations Director Peter Ansell to learn what it takes to build the Race Village in Host Cities around the globe, and with Kim Cooper, Marketing Director at Sail Newport and Volvo Ocean Race Newport, about what to expect at the much anticipated Newport Stopover in May.

On the cover: James “T” Thieler’s DN iceboat at the completion of a high speed spinout during the 2016 DN North American Championships on Lake Monona in Madison, WI. “I was neck-and-neck with Ron Sherry (12-time NA Champ and 5-time World Champ) on the final leg into the finish,” recalls T. “I sheeted in a bit too much and did a gorgeous pirouette. Didn’t lose a place, but scared the hell out of the scorers, other competitors, and me!” © John Stanton Scan to visit our website.

It’s On!

Letters Out There Learning Early Editor’s note: In our October 2017 issue, 10-year-old Colin Shearley wrote about his experience aboard Warrior, a Volvo Ocean 70 that serves as the flagship of the Warrior Sailing Program. Contributing Editor Joe Cooper, who made Colin’s amazing experience possible, posted the story to WindCheck’s Facebook page (Facebook. com/WindCheckMagazine).

Awesome to see such young ones out there learning early! I’m sure those two are going to be quite the sailors later in life. Very cool that they are learning the ins and outs of being on a boat at such an early age. Thanks for the great post! It has inspired my 12-year-old to want to learn more about sailing.

Julie Tootser, via email

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: June 17-22nd, 2018 The Duck Island Yacht Club in Westbrook, Connecticut and the Block Island Yacht Club have teamed up to co-host the ‘off year’ Block Island Race Week 2018.

The 2018 event will feature: One Design racing for all classes that can participate.

Mixed fleet racing under the PHRF, ORC, and IRC rating rules.

A first time participants class with video debriefing and coaching.

Classics and multihull racing A cruising class with one race starting at 2pm each day.

At the conclusion of the week champions will be crowned for best performance overall.

birw2018 • www.birw2018.com info@birw2018.com

Joe Cooper replies: Dear Julie, Thanks for the letter. Glad I was able to impact your son; that is great! I agree it is a very gratifying thing to see young’uns out on boats, a boat in this case that only a wee fraction of the sailing community will ever get alongside, let alone sail on. But getting kids fired up does not need a VOR 70. Literally almost anything that is not a 420 will do. I can still remember the first ‘keel’ boat that I was aboard and that was a Folkboat. The smell of the enamel paint, bacon and eggs, wooly blankets, and that wonderfully indescribably aroma coming from the bilge. That combination of salt water, spilt coffee, sawdust, and most of all, the smell of the kerosene used to fire the stove and lamps. It is such a great life; every kid ought to have a chance to experience it. Thanks again, and if you and yer son are ever in Newport…

Cheers, Coop Women Offshore On behalf of Riverside Yacht Club, I would like to thank you for the donation of WindCheck magazines to our “Women Offshore” event, as well as advertising it and posting on Facebook.

The event was a great success. We had 60 attendees (mostly women, three guys), and they came from as far as Nyack, Kingston and Long Island, NY and Newport, RI. We had women sailors who were club affiliated as well as non-club affiliate, and ages from 17 to 77. I think your advertising had a lot to do with that! It is the donations from sponsors like yourself that really helps to round out an event, and we thank you for them.

Sincerely, Cynny Smith, Chairperson, Women’s Sailing Riverside Yacht Club, Greenwich, CT Cynny – Thank you for the kind words, and congratulations on a successful event! We’re always happy to promote events such as Women Offshore, and if you’re hosting it again this year, we hope you'll send a report and photos. ■

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Oakcliff and Bella Mente Quantum Racing Team Up to Win the Cup The New York Yacht Club challenge for the 36th America’s Cup, represented by Bella Mente Quantum Racing (BMQR; see page 21), has formed a talent development partnership with Oakcliff Sailing in Oyster Bay, NY. This agreement is the campaign’s first step toward making good on its founding promise to establish an enduring legacy for American sailing. The partnership will supply the challenge with a reliable source of enthusiastic and skilled talent to fill a variety of roles on the team, on and off the water.

For American sailors thirsting for a career in professional sailing, there is finally a defined pathway to the top level of the sport.

“Oakcliff is building American leaders through sailing, and feeding those graduates into an America’s Cup program has always been a part of the plan,” said Oakcliff Executive Director Dawn Riley, a veteran of four Cup campaigns. “When the New York Yacht Club announced its challenge, I called Terry [Hutchinson, BMQR’s Skipper & CEO said, ‘I think Oakcliff can help you. Let’s make a plan,’ and Terry’s response was, ‘Yes, let’s make this happen!””

Participants in Oakcliff’s 2018 Sapling program will spend the summer learning everything from rigging, engine maintenance and sailmaking to advanced boat handling, match racA 2016 graduate of Oakcliff Sailing’s ing tactics, nutrition and Sapling program, Robyn Lesh just fitness. At the end of the landed one of the best jobs in sailing. season they will be evalu© OakcliffSailing.org ated by Riley and the senior management, who will refer appropriate candidates to Hutchinson and the team for an interview, or try to place them in other jobs that suit them better. BMQR will contribute to the Sapling program scholarship fund.

BMQR is already drawing from Oakcliff’s pool of talented young sailors. Robyn Lesh of Everson, WA (pictured), a 2016 graduate of the Sapling Program and Oakcliff’s High Performance Fleet Manager, was recently hired by the syndicate design team, which is led by Marcelino Botín, and will join them in Santander, Spain in March. Lesh graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2016 with a degree in Mechanical & Ocean Engineering.

“It feels absolutely stunning,” said Lesh. “My time at Oakcliff has allowed me to round out the classroom learning I did at MIT with real-world experience. I will be in charge of the weight of everything on the boat. It is an instrumental job as the weight distribution of every component on the boat defines the center of gravity, which will determine the balance of the boat and whether or not it can foil stably. The practical knowledge I’ve gained over the last year will be essential as we try to design the fastest boat for the 36th America’s Cup.”

Applications for Oakcliff’s 2018 Sapling Program are being accepted, and interested sailors are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Financial aid is available. For more information, visit OakcliffSailing.org. ■

New York Yacht Club Communications Director Stuart Streuli contributed to this report.

Storm Trysail Foundation Hands-on Safety-at-Sea Seminar is May 19 The Storm Trysail Foundation will host its annual US Sailing sanctioned Hands-on Safety-at-Sea Seminar on Saturday, May 19 at SUNY Maritime in the Bronx, NY. As in past years, the 2018 SASS will be a combination of classroom instruction and practical, hands-on application of the subjects taught. From on-the-water man overboard and storm sail drills to firing flares, extinguishing fires, and practicing damage control techniques, each attendee will end the day having actively participated in and learned how to resolve a broad spectrum of common safety-at-sea situations.

As was the case in previous Storm Trysail seminars, all attendees will earn US Sailing’s Offshore Safety-at-Sea certification.

Sailors seeking World Sailing’s International Offshore Certification must complete US Sailing’s Offshore Walk the (jack)line. Offshore sailing Online course in addition legend Rich du Moulin is one of the to attending the seminar. presenters at the 2018 Storm Trysail The 2017 Seminar was the Foundation US Sailing sanctioned first time that an advanced Hands-on Safety-at-Sea Seminar. curriculum (Level 200) © Howie McMichael/ Storm Trysail was offered to sailors who Foundation had previously attended

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a SAS seminar and sought further training. Since 2018 is a Bermuda Race year, the course will be available exclusively to sailors racing to Bermuda or in another major ocean race and who have previously taken a Level 100 course. On-the-water and classroom instruction will focus solely on safety-at-sea issues to assist Bermuda Race participants. For example, one Level 200 classroom session will feature a full 90 minutes with weather and Gulfstream expert Frank Bohlen.

Attendance at the 2018 Seminar will be limited to 250 Level 100 students and 50 Level 200 students. The fees are $295 for the Seminar (either L100 or L200), and $380 for the Seminar and US Sailing’s Offshore Online course. Participant fees include coffee and breakfast pastries at registration, lunch, and afternoon snacks and refreshments. For more information and to register, log onto stormtrysailfoundation.org/safety-at-sea-seminars.

Blue Water Sailing Club Educational Series The Blue Water Sailing Club is hosting three off-water seminars designed to enhance the enjoyment and safety of cruisers and offshore sailors. The first is DIY Solar Panel and Refrigeration: Planning and Installation. BWSC member Bernie Coyne will discuss his recent project of adding solar panels and new refrigeration to his J/46 Mystic Rose. The seminar is January 13 from 9:15am - 12pm at the Jubilee Yacht Club in Beverly, MA. Coyne will be

joined by BWSC member Steve Lee, who will discuss a simpler, out-of-the-box approach to solar. The cost is $10 per person. Participants are required to register by January 10 at bluewatersc.org.

The second seminar, Heavy Weather Sailing presented by popular sailing and author Charlie Doane, is Saturday, March 10 from 9:15am - 12pm at the Kittery Point Yacht Club in New Castle, NH. Doane will discuss the offshore abandonment of the catamaran Be Good Too 300 miles east of Cape Hatteras in January 2014 in which he was personally involved (as crew). The incident was chronicled on his popular blog WaveTrain.net and his new book, The Sea is Not Full (copies will be available at the event.) There’s no fee, but participants must register by March 7 at bluewatersc.org.

The final seminar is an in-depth course on offshore safety and survival at the Life Raft and Safety Equipment facility in Tiverton, RI on Saturday, April 21 from 9am - 3pm. The program will cover safety equipment, emergency procedures, use of EPIRBs, Mayday calls, life raft deployment, firefighting, and the use of flares. A second, in-water segment of this course, at the Boys & Girls Club in Newport, RI, covers the deployment and proper use of liferafts. This event is limited to 40 people and the fee is $120 per person. All fees must be received by January 31.

More information can be found at bluewatersc.org.

Founded in 1959, the Blue Water Sailing Club promotes safe cruising, racing, boating education and good fellowship among its members, and is a sponsor of the Marion Bermuda Race. ■

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Prepare for Newport Bermuda with Landfall Landfall in Stamford, CT provides a full range of safety equipment, and the Landfall Marine Training Center offers a wide variety of educational courses for sailors and powerboaters alike.

“Our educational effort focuses on making everyone’s time on the water enjoyable and safer,” said Captain Henry Marx, President of Landfall. “With the 51st edition of the Newport Bermuda Race coming up, we reached out to a good friend and Landfall customer, Connell Cannon of Jamestown, RI to get his thoughts on preparing for this year’s race. Connell has raced his Alden 63 Verissimo in several Newport Bermuda Races and the Marblehead to Halifax Race. In 2016, Verissimo won line honors in the Cruiser division and second in class in the Newport Bermuda Race.”

“Experienced sailors look at Newport Bermuda as three races in one,” said Cannon. “The first leg, getting offshore several

The crew of Connell Cannon’s Alden 63 Verissimo (pictured at the start of the 2016 Newport Bermuda Race) has completed several courses at the Landfall Marine Training Center. © Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com

hundred miles, second, navigating the Gulf Stream, and finally, coping with weather and currents in the open ocean to find Bermuda.”

Cannon emphasizes the importance of a strong crew trained in the skills needed to recognize weather patterns, currents, and surface waves in coastal waters extending seaward past the Continental Shelf. “They need to navigate the Gulf Stream, and must know how to use sophisticated computer models and routing software,” he said. “Captain and crew must demonstrate their competence in all safety at sea scenarios including man overboard drills (the Safety Requirements for the Newport Bermuda Race is 16 pages!)”

“Connell is very serious about safety, personally looking for the best safety equipment and the latest communication technology, and boaters can get the same training as the Verissimo crew through the Landfall Marine Training Center,” Marx continued.

“Our 2018 courses include The Gulf Stream: A Racing Navigator’s Perspective, a discussion of the navigational racing challenges of Gulf Stream and Florida Current. Coastal Ocean Weather, Sea State & Medical Emergencies at Sea is two courses in one, the first led by W. Frank Bohlen and endorsed by the Newport Bermuda Race Committee, and the second presented by Dr. Kim Zeh. Our Radar & Electronics Course provides participants with both an operational understanding and the ability to interpret RADAR on recreational vessels, as well as an overview of marine electronics. Finally, the Connecticut Safe Boating course includes an update on the latest boating safety equipment.” For more information, log onto landfallnavigation.com/mtccourse.html. ■ 12 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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Designer Series Scholarship Award Winner Mr. Frank Sisneroz was honored as the recipient of the 2017 Designer Series Scholarship at a reception at the IYRS School of Technology & Trades in Newport, RI on November 1, 2017.

Sisneroz, who received the $1,500 scholarship check at the event, is currently a student at IYRS.

“It is gratifying to award this scholarship, which is meant to support those who are navigating their careers in the marine industry which I am so passionate about,” said Andy Tyska, founder and Chairman of the Designer Series. “This is yet another dot that we can connect back to the designers who have affected so many lives. The annual Designer Series was conceived as an event that honors the past achievements of our iconic yacht designers and reconnects a diverse group around their creations. This annual scholarship will help cultivate the next generation of highly accomplished yacht designers.”

Fort Adams in Newport July 18 - 22. For more information, visit DesignerSeries.org. ■ Paul Fleming, President & CEO of Fleming & Company, contributed to this report.

Captain Henry Marx Receives Owen C. Torrey Memorial Trophy Captain Henry Marx of Stamford, CT is the recipient of the Storm Trysail Club’s 2018 Owen C. Torrey Memorial Trophy.

Leggie Torrey, Storm Trysail Club Commodore Lenny Sitar, and Captain Henry Marx with the 2018 Owen C. Torrey Memorial Trophy © Howie McMichael

(l – r ) Andy Tyska, Frank Sisneroz, and Robert Hood

Sisneroz developed his passion for the ocean and sailing in the early 1980s on a 10-foot windsurfer. He has sailed and crewed on a wide variety of boats in southern California, including participating in three Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Races. “One of my goals upon graduating from IYRS is to establish a local marine electrical engineering company where I will employ, train and inspire others to be creative and follow their passions for the marine industry,” said Sisneroz. “Another dream is to volunteer in community sailing programs to help expand sailing opportunities for young sailors throughout Rhode Island.”

The mission of the Designer Series is to create a global collaboration to honor the vision, the legacy and the brilliance of our iconic yacht designers worldwide by hosting an annual event focusing on a different designer each year. The 2018 Designer Series Rendezvous, honoring Sparkman & Stephens, will take place at

The presentation was made at the club’s Long Island Sound Station Holiday Party in Larchmont, NY. The trophy is awarded annually to the person who, in the opinion of the Flag Officers and Board of Governors, has rendered “Outstanding Service” to the Storm Trysail Club.

STC Past Commodore Charles Ulmer, on behalf of a large group of donors, originally presented the Owen C. Torrey Memorial Trophy to the club in memory of former member Owen Torrey. The trophy has an honored place among those given to the STC over the years in memory of members who have made important contributions to the club and to sailing. Torrey made many contributions to our sport, often behind the scenes, and was often not fully recognized.

The award was presented to Captain Marx by Torrey’s widow, STC member Leggie Torrey, who noted that his service extends far beyond the STC across the sport of offshore sailing. Countless sailors are safer because of his work. Captain Marx has long been a familiar face and voice at safety-at-sea seminars up and down the East Coast, as well as at his store, Landfall in Stamford, where he has sold offshore safety equipment for many years. As is typical of a STC member worth his salt, Captain Marx continues to deliver valuable lessons based on his offshore sailing experience with a bit of punchy humor. ■

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Connecticut River Winter Wildlife Eagle Cruises The Connecticut River Museum (CRM) located in the historic Steamboat Dock building in Essex, CT, has once again partnered with Connecticut River Expeditions to offer Winter Wildlife Eagle Cruises in February and March. These popular trips are a chance to get out on the River in winter to see bald eagles, as well as other winter species that visit the estuary such as harbor seals. Cruises aboard the environmentally friendly R/V RiverQuest provide passengers with a comfortable, heated cabin supplied with hot coffee and tea, as well as binoculars to aid in spotting and narration from a staff naturalist. These cruises depart Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at various times in the morning and early afternoon, and are $42 per passenger. Museum members get 10% off and group rates are available.

In addition, CRM will offer its annual Eagles of Essex exhibit, which offers a wealth of information about bald eagles and their return to the lower Connecticut River. Patrons can try their hand at building an eagle nest, and marvel at life size silhouettes of eagles and other large raptors, a map showing good shore viewing locations, and other displays. On the opening day of the season, Saturday,

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February 3, the exhibit will host family activities related to the return of the eagles from 1 to 4 pm, free with Museum admission.

On Saturday, February 17 and March 17, award-winning A harbor seal lounges on the Connecticut River photographer ice. Š Bill Yule Stanley Kolber will present his annual Bird Photography Workshop at the museum.

These popular programs are also free with Museum admission. A Live Birds of Prey Show will be offered on Sunday, February 18 at 4:30 pm. CRM will partner with Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation & Education for this annual show, which will be held at the Centerbrook Meeting House. Admission is free. The Connecticut River Museum is open Tuesday - Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 860-767-8269or visit ctrivermuseum.org.

For more about RiverQuest, call 860-662 -0577 or log onto ctriverquest.com. â–

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What’s New for

2018

Peter Johnstone Takes the Helm at Alerion Yachts

The lovely Alerion Express 28 is one of five models built in Warren, RI

by Alerion Yachts, which was recently acquired by Peter Johnstone.

Alerion Yachts, the luxury daysailing brand renowned for its combination of stunning, traditional lines and modern sailing performance, is now owned by Peter Johnstone, a marine industry veteran who brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the brand. “It felt natural to do this,” said Johnstone. “Alerion Yachts’ timeless design and New England build quality are unmatched in the market. The Alerion style of sailing is perfectly suited for today’s time constraints. They are uncomplicated, easy to sail, and simply beautiful. You only need an hour but it makes a lifetime worthwhile.”

Johnstone has always felt a personal connection to the Alerion design aesthetic and brand. He enjoyed owning and sailing a classic Herreshoff 26-footer named Feather, a sistership to Nathanael Herreshoff’s personal daysailer from 1912 named Alerion, the inspiration for the modern Alerion Yachts.

Alerion Yachts officially launched in 1991 with the Carl Schumacher-designed Alerion Express 28. Garry Hoyt established the brand and the modern daysailer yacht category when he assumed leadership of the brand shortly after its formation. His Hoyt Jib Boom has become synonymous with easier sailing and is a popular option on all Alerion models. In the early days, Hoyt lent his personal Alerion Express 28 to Johnstone to daysail, and later, the two worked closely together on the best-selling Escape brand of sailboats in the late 1990s. “I’ve always admired Garry’s contribution to the Alerion Express brand and to the sport of sailing,” said Johnstone. “The Alerion Yacht brand has a great story and purpose. Passionate sailors need a great daysailer in their lives.”

Alerion Yachts’ builder will be Randy Borges, who has established a new factory in North Kingstown, RI, to produce

Alerion Yachts exclusively. Borges may be known for building and preparing world champion racing yachts, but his true strength is lesser known as the builder for the Alerion brand for the past five years. “He’s produced gorgeous yachts, epitomized by the stunning flagship Alerion Express 41,” said Johnstone. “Randy and his core team are the reason for Alerion Yachts’ renown quality. I saw this years ago. My Herreshoff 26 Feather was beautifully built by Randy.”

Only eight Alerion Yachts will be built in 2018. The focus will be on extraordinary yachts produced by the finest craftsmen.

The new model lineup comprises the Alerion Express 20, 28, 30, 33 and 41. Sales are being handled by Peter Johnstone and Kristan McClintock of the Alerion Yachts sales team. “We look forward to seeing Alerion Yachts continue to thrive,” said Johnstone. “Life is short. Let’s make every hour of sailing extraordinary.” More information is available at alerionyachts.com or by contacting sales@ alerionyachts.com.

Kristan McClintock, Director of Marketing at Alerion Yachts, contributed to this report.

2018 will be an Adventurous Year for SSV Oliver Hazard Perry!

No one is a passenger aboard the Perry. © Mark Russell

America’s newest Tall Ship and Rhode Island’s Official Sailing Education Vessel, The 200-foot Tall Ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry is preparing for her 2018 adventures, which will take her to Savannah, GA and St. Petersburg, FL before she sails south to Cuba and Jamaica. Explorers can register for the all-ages voyage (18+) from Savannah to St. Petersburg over January 28 February 11, and an open-enrollment round-trip Cuba program, targeted towards high school students, will take place March 4 - 17.

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The Perry is participating in the Tall Ships Challenge Gulf Coast 2018, where she’ll join a Parade of Sail in Galveston, TX, Pensacola, FL and New Orleans, LA before hosting public deck tours from April 5 - 8, April 13 - 15 and April 20 - 22, respectively, in each city. A second all-ages voyage from New Orleans to Annapolis, MD is being offered April 25 - May 10. Spots on the ship’s 2018 summer programs are also now for sale, including a two week voyage from Newport, RI (July 2 - 14) for teens ages 14 - 18 that will sail up coastal Maine to Nova Scotia, Canada before ending in Boston, MA. Another open enrollment teen program (August 12 - 17) will sail from Boston to Portland, ME.

“We are so proud of how far our programs have come and the variety of programs ahead of us,” said Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI) Executive Director Jessica Wurzbacher.

“For 2018, we are offering more adult voyages like the ones that were so successful in 2017. We are bringing back partners as well as innovative school programs, and we are heading to new and exciting destinations.”

Perry is a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Sailing School Vessel, and all sailing program participants become part of the crew.

Everyone lives aboard and works side-by-side with professional crew to learn square-rig seamanship, including bracing the yards, steering the ship and even going aloft if they wish.

OHPRI’s mission is to provide innovative, empowering education-at-sea programs that promote personal and professional growth. This is achieved by partnering with schools, organizations and universities for experiential learning opportunities that incorporate STEAM (science, technology, engineer-

ing, arts, and mathematics) educational concepts. The non-profit organization offers a variety of onboard learning experiences to reinforce the importance of and interest in Rhode Island’s and America’s maritime history. For more information, visit ohpri. org or contact bethany@ohpri.org or 401-841-0080.

Barby MacGowan at Media Pro International contributed to this report.

Block Island Race Week Returns for 2018

The mantra for Block Island Race Week 2018 is “Race. Relax.

Repeat.” © Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com

After a brief hiatus, Block Island Race Week (the one held in

WINTER

BIG BOAT

RACING We are pleased to offer these programs to non-members.

For more information please contact us at info@norwalkyachtclub.com www.norwalkyachtclub.com

FROSTBITE

JUNIOR SAILING

10 NATHAN HALE DRIVE • WILSON POINT • NORWALK, CT

HIGH SCHOOL

RACING

ADULT

* Summer 2018 memberships available windcheckmagazine.com

FOUNDED

IN 1894

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even-numbered years) returns this June, thanks to the enthusiastic memberships of Duck Island Yacht Club in Westbrook, CT and Block Island Yacht Club in Block Island, RI. BIYC members Jim Fiorato, James Gallacher and Ray Torrey have teamed up with DIYC Commodore Todd Berman to rejuvenate this biennial event. With a theme of “Race. Relax. Repeat,” Block Island Race Week 2018 is scheduled for June 17 - 22.

“[Block]’s a great place to be racing, and to be when you’re not on the boat,” said Berman in an interview with Lars Trodson of The Block Island Times. Recalling his first visit to the island as a teenager, he added, “I slept in the bow of a J/24 and thought I was king of the world. For me, [Race Week] is the beginning of summer.”

With time at a premium in most sailors’ lives, many are unable or unwilling to devote a full week to sailboat racing, especially in regattas that have early start times and long days on the water.

“We were faced with the prospect that a lot of these regattas turn into a grind,” Berman continued. “You’re on the boat early and off the boat late. Some crews want that, while others would prefer a less rigorous schedule.”

The organizers also hope to attract more young sailors, a growing number of whom cannot take a week off work to go sailing. “Sailors will still have the option to do a 10-race series, and we’re also offering an opportunity to get one race in per day, starting at 2 pm, leaving the morning open to go to the beach, get a nice breakfast, or even get some work done,” said Gallacher. “Some classes have even approached us about racing two or three days, which we will be more than happy to accommodate.”

The traditional ‘round the island’ race will still be a feature, while a ‘wind farm race’ will be added,” Gallacher continued.

“Classic yachts and multihulls have been invited, and we’ll have a class for novice racers who want some pointers to get around the course. Details are being developed, and North U has tentatively signed on to help with on- and off-the-water coaching complete with video debriefing.”

Daily shoreside activities, perhaps including dinghy races and an island tour, will be available to non-racing family members and friends. Noting that the partnership between the BIYC and DIYC is integral to this event, Fiorato said, “They bring an enormous amount of sailing and racing experience. We bring local knowledge – the island demographics, what works, and what is problematic.

Sue Reilly will be the Principal Race Officer and Henry duPont will serve as Chair of On-Water Logistics.”

As with all regattas, volunteers are needed for Block Island Race Week 2018. To learn about volunteer opportunities, contact Fiorato at biyc02807@gmail.com or 401-466-3000. The event will alternate with the Storm Trysail Club’s Block Island Race Week, which runs in odd-numbered years and returns in 2019. For more information, log onto birw2018, email info@birw2018.com, or visit facebook.com/birw2018.

Sail Newport and Pell School Combine Science, Social Studies and Sailing for Innovative Program In a partnership between the Pell Elementary School in Newport, RI and Sail Newport, 178 fourth-graders are enjoying a unique experiential learning opportunity at Rhode Island’s Public Center. In this program (which began last September), students visit Sail Newport during their academic day to board J/22s and learn the basics of sailing including boat rigging, boat handling and navigation. With Sail Newport’s certified instructors on board, students sail in Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay and participate in shoreside classroom learning.

“Not only do the students learn sailing fundamentals, but the instructors and teachers tie the content of their shoreside lesson into their on-the-water experience,” said Kim Hapgood, Sail Newport Program Director. “Getting out of the traditional classroom to engage with nature and the environment greatly enhances their learning.”

While at Sail Newport, one half of the class is on the water while the other is inside the new Marine Education and Recreation Center, studying topics that align with Next Generation Science Standards. Classroom learning modules include weather, erosion, mapping, landforms and geology, which are subjects in line with public school curriculum standards.

“The Newport Public Schools, our teachers, and students are so appreciative of this amazing experience and opportunity,” said Colleen Burns Jermain, Newport’s Superintendent of Schools. “We are just in the beginning stages and the impact this program has already had on our students and learning community is priceless.”

The Sail Newport Pell School Sailing Program was created by Donna Kelly, the Education Committee Chair at Sail Newport, and Hapgood. Kelly has taught in the Newport Public Schools for nearly 15 years and is taking an academic year off to implement the program with Sail Newport. “To be able to offer our students an opportunity to step outside their traditional classroom setting and connect with nature has been remarkable,” said Kelly.

The Sail Newport Pell School Sailing Program will continue in the spring when the fourth-graders are expected to finish the second half of the 16-week program. The entire program is funded

Students from Pell Elementary School are learning to sail at Sail Newport as part of their regular school day, tying in parallel elements from the STEM curriculum including science, technology, math and sustainability. © SailNewport.org 18 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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by Sail Newport, who held a fundraiser and recruited donations for the program in order to provide it free to the public elementary school.

“This program exemplifies the power of community and partnership,” Jermain added. “Sail Newport, [Executive Director] Brad Read, Kim Hapgood, and our own Donna Kelly are ‘being the change’ by making a difference in so many lives and proving anything is possible in the Newport Public Schools and this City by the Sea.” More information can be found at SailNewport.org.

New Race Partners for The Atlantic Cup

With Kids Days in each of the host cities (Charleston, SC, Brooklyn, NY and Portland, ME), education is an integral part of The Atlantic Cup. © Billy Black

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The 2018 Atlantic Cup starts May 26 in Charleston, SC, and event organizers Manuka Sports Event Management in Newport, RI have announced a new Sponsor and two new Official Partners.

United Airlines Mileage Plus Exclusives, Hyatt Place Charleston, and Code Zero will provide a variety of opportunities for the race and its fans.

MileagePlus Exclusives (exclusives.mileageplus.com) provides members with top access to some of the world’s best events and experiences across the widest range of mileage levels. As a Sponsor of The Atlantic Cup, they’ll be offering a one-of-a-kind experience to race in the New York City Pro-Am Race and as a VIP in Portland, ME. Located in the heart of the Upper King Historic District in Charleston, SC and within walking distance to attractions, historic homes and over 30 restaurants, Hyatt Place Charleston (charlestonhistoricdistrict.place.hyatt.com) joins the Hyatt Place Portland as the Official Hotel Partner for the 2018 race.

Code Zero, a nautical and lifestyle brand designed and endorsed by professional sailors, is the Official Apparel Partner for the 2018 race. With innovations inspired by global yacht racing, Code Zero (code-zero.com) integrates high performance wear into 24/7 lifestyle.

Official entries opened last October, and at press time four teams had confirmed that they’ll be vying for the race’s top spot. They are are six-time race veteran Michael Hennessy on board Dragon Ocean Racing; Oakcliff Racing and its youth team from Oyster Bay, NY, Toothface II, an Akilaria RC3 campaigned by Atlantic Cup veterans Mike Dreese and Tristan Mouligne; and Pri-

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vateer, a Kiwi 40FC which has recently been bought by American sailor and OSTAR winner Jonathon Green.

“The 2018 race is shaping up to be terrific, both on and off the water,” said Manuka Sports Event Management Co-Founder and Atlantic Cup Race Director Hugh Piggin. “We’re really excited about the teams that have already committed. Off the water, The Atlantic Cup continues to demonstrate its strength in providing commercial opportunities to a variety of partners. We couldn’t be happier to have United, Hyatt Place in both Charleston and Portland, and Code Zero with us.”

With over 1,000 nautical miles of ocean racing, The Atlantic Cup is the longest offshore race in the Western Atlantic, the only race that includes both Cape Hatteras and Cape Cod, and the only short-handed offshore race dedicated to the Class40. The race starts in Charleston on May 26. The race will visit Brooklyn, NY May 28 - June 2, before departing for Portland, ME. The event concludes in Portland June 4 -10 with a two-day inshore series.

The Atlantic Cup has been carbon neutral since 2012 and was the first and is the only sports event in the U.S. to be compliant with ISO 20121, an international standard for sustainable event management.

Other sponsors of The Atlantic Cup include 11th Hour Racing and Bainbridge International. Supporters include Billy Black Photography, Class40, Centerboard Yacht Club (South Portland, ME), Friends of the Eastern Promenade (Portland, ME), Sailors for the Sea, Tall Ships® Portland, and Warrior Sailing. For more information, log onto AtlanticCup.org.

Opportunities for High School Students at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy

AIM is considered the most realistic service academy summer orientation program in the country and will test and inspire those interested in serving their country as officers in the nation’s oldest continuous maritime service. In these intense few days, students are immersed in Academy tradition and cadet life. Most notably, AIM will help the student to discover if he/she possesses the mind, body, and character to succeed at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

The mission of the Coast Guard Academy is “to graduate young men and women with sound bodies, stout hearts and alert minds, with a liking for the sea and its lore, with that high sense of honor, loyalty and obedience which goes with trained initiative and leadership; well grounded in seamanship, the sciences and amenities, and strong in the resolve to be worthy of the traditions of commissioned officers in the United States Coast Guard in the service of their country and humanity.”

The Academy’s four-year curriculum of study offers an outstanding degree program with majors in a wide variety of subject areas. Academic departments include engineering, humanities, management, and the sciences. The 7:1 student/faculty ratio represents exceptional attention to each student’s needs and scholarly interests. The faculty of 149 distinguished educators have designed a core curriculum based on the humanities and sciences with wide technical and professional exposure that serves as the nucleus of each academic major.

Detailed information on this program and the Academy can be found online at cga.edu. Interested students and parents can contact Herb Herman, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Port Jefferson Flotilla, at 631-473-0538 or hherman30@ gmail.com.

SLV Storage Solutions

Raising the sails aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s Barque Eagle

Located at 200 Highpoint Avenue in Portsmouth, RI, SLV Storage Solutions is Aquidneck Island’s only indoor mast storage facility.

A unique summer program is available for high school juniors at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. The program, Academy Introduction Mission (AIM), offers a six-day summer curriculum for a select group of students prior to their senior year. Aimed at students who would like to consider the opportunities for a no-expense, four-year college study at the Academy, this exceptional, brief summer activity allows them to experience life at the Academy.

© slvstorage.com

As Contributing Editor Joe Cooper asserted in a recent issue, Newport, Rhode Island is indeed the Sailing Capital of the World, although options for indoor storage of boats, rigs, race trailers and other equipment in the Newport area were quite limited until recently. Now, SLV Storage Solutions operates a 10,000 square foot warehouse in the Portsmouth Industrial Park in nearby Portsmouth.

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“We specialize in the transport and storage of large masts and their associated rigging, though we also accommodate other equipment including tenders, sails, containers, cars, rudders, foils, etc.,” said SLV Storage Solutions co-owner Bill Haynie. “We are Aquidneck Island’s only indoor do-it-yourself, open-access storage facility, and the only indoor storage center of this size within 1.5 hours’ drive from Newport. We have the capability to store larger/longer mast sections than anyone else currently operating in Rhode Island.”

“The warehouse operates on an open workspace policy,” Haynie continued. “We do not sell or offer any services other than storage, and we offer unrestricted access to captains, owners, and insured third party contractors. We ourselves carry a hefty insurance policy and also offer excess coverage options to clients if required. Inside the warehouse, you'll have access to all the equipment you may need for paintwork, laminate/composite work, cleaning, and general maintenance. This includes a forklift, a crane hoist, rolling dollies, work benches, a large paint booth, full-length tents, overhead storage, and ground-level storage options. Transport of the masts or equipment to and from the warehouse may be arranged on your own, or we are happy to offer referrals, logistical support, and preferential rates via one of our preferred trucking companies. ​ “SLV Storage Solutions is owned and operated by a small group of professional superyacht captains/managers,” said Haynie.

“We have decades of combined experience with managing yacht refits and all of the associated logistics. Thanks to this, we have intimate and unique knowledge of the needs and requirements of

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large yacht programs, along with the skills and resources to accommodate them.” For more information, call 401-314-2124 or visit slvstorage.com.

New York Yacht Club and Bella Mente Quantum Racing to Challenge for The America's Cup the AC75 concept is a foiling flyer.

After a decade and a half away from sailing’s flagship competition, the New York Yacht Club, represented by Bella Mente Quantum Racing, will challenge for the 36th America’s Cup. The NYYC held the ornate silver trophy from 1851, when it was won by the yacht America, through 1983 – a run often known as the longest winning streak in sports. The club regularly challenged for the trophy in the years that followed the historic loss to Australia II off the coast of Newport, but had remained on the sidelines since its last challenge with Team Dennis Conner for the 2002-‘03 America’s Cup.

The challenging syndicate will be led by two of the most successful American yachtsmen of the last decade: John J. “Hap” Fauth (Naples, FL) and Doug DeVos (Grand Rapids, MI). Since 2005, at the helm of three successive yachts named Bella Mente, Fauth and his team have reached the top of the podium in numerous distance and buoy races at venues in North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Fauth is a three-time world champion in the Maxi72 class.

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After evaluating a wide range of monohull concepts, the Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa design teams (Defender and Challenger of Record, respectively), have selected this fully foiling monohull for the 36th America’s Cup. The AC75 combines extremely high performance sailing and great match racing with the safety of a boat that can right itself in the event of a capsize. The groundbreaking concept is achieved through the use of twin canting T-foils, ballasted to provide righting-moment when sailing, and roll stability at low speed.

DeVos and the Quantum Racing program have set the standard for excellence on the 52 Super Series circuit, and its predecessor, the MedCup, with overall series wins in 2008, ‘11, ‘13, ‘14 and ‘16. One common link between the two teams is Bella Mente Quantum Racing Skipper and CEO Terry Hutchinson, a two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year and America’s Cup veteran. Hutchin-

son, like Fauth, is a longtime NYYC member.

“The America’s Cup has always remained close to the heart of the New York Yacht Club, even in the years where we didn’t participate as a challenger or defender,” said Commodore Philip A. Lotz (Fort Lauderdale, FL). “For this cycle, a lot of elements have come together in the correct way for the Club to enter another challenge. First and foremost is the desire of two great American sailors and businessmen, Hap Fauth and Doug DeVos, to take aim at sailing’s ultimate competition. We know they will mount a competitive effort that is respectful of the Club’s long history with the Cup and the competition itself.”

“Winning the America’s Cup takes a complete team effort, and I’ve always found tremendous satisfaction in bringing together a group of individuals in pursuit of one goal,” said Fauth. “With a return to a more traditional style of yacht and the windwardleeward courses with which the vast majority of racing sailors are intimately familiar, the 36th America’s Cup represents a unique opportunity to re-engage the grassroots of the sport and re-energize American sailing.”

“Building Quantum Racing from scratch into a program synonymous with hard work, team spirit and success has been tremendously satisfying, and I’m eager to take everything we’ve learned there and apply it toward sailing’s ultimate test,” said DeVos. “Between Hap, Terry and myself, we have the nucleus of a successful campaign, both on the water and off. We’re honored to represent the New York Yacht Club in this historic competition.”

Although the class rule for the AC75 won’t be finalized

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until early spring, there are many pivotal decisions ahead for this team. The return to monohulls will enable the team to pool the technological resources of two elite sailing programs and get a jump on the competition.

“The decisions we make over the next six months will play a significant role in determining the ultimate success of our campaign,” said Hutchinson, who sailed as tactician for Emirates Team New Zealand in the 2007 America’s Cup match, the last to be contested in monohulls. “The early support of Hap, Doug and the New York Yacht Club puts us in a very strong position, but we can’t take anything for granted. The race for the 36th America’s Cup has already begun.”

New York Yacht Club Communications Director Stuart Streuli contributed to this report.

Volvo Ocean Race Edition The Volvo Group, a multinational manufacturing company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, has sponsored the Volvo Ocean Race since 2001. Volvo Cars builds limited edition models to celebrate each round-the-world race, and for the current race they’ve created an Ocean Race Edition of its V90 Cross Country T6 wagon.

Special features of the all-wheel-drive V90 Ocean Race Edition include Crystal White paint with a matte gray finish for the lower body cladding, special alloy wheels, a mesh grille, orange detailing on the front and rear skid plates, and Volvo Ocean Race decor. The color scheme continues inside with gray-accented seats, orange seatbelts, orange piping on the seats and floor mats, carbon

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In keeping with the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18’s mission of sustainability, the 2018 Volvo Ocean Race Edition has carpeting made from recycled nylon and fishing nets. © VolvoCars.com

fiber trim, and illuminated ‘Volvo Ocean Race’ sill molding. The turbocharged and supercharged 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine produces 316 horsepower. Ocean Race Edition accessories include a rechargeable flashlight and extra power outlets.

The theme of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18, which started last October in Alicante, Spain, is monitoring and reducing plastics and other trash in our oceans. Volvo is building 3,000 V90 Cross Country Ocean Race Editions, and will donate $117 to the Volvo Ocean Race Science Program for each one purchased (a total of nearly $350,000). The car is expected to arrive in Volvo dealerships this spring…coinciding nicely with the race’s stopover in Newport, RI in May.

You’ll find more information at VolvoCars.com/us. ■

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Winter: The Most Exciting Sailing Season Get hooked on iceboating!

By James “T” Thieler We all love the summer sailing season, that’s for sure. Spring and fall aren’t bad, either. A nice leisurely sail is good, a fast reach is even better, and for some of us a blazing run in big breeze with the kite up and spray flying is the ultimate. But what to do when winter arrives and you crave yet more speed and more sailing?

How to get the fix when the snow is on the ground and the boat is on the hard? Good news is you can fix both problems by going iceboating!

You’ve seen the pictures, you’ve heard some stories…Legends and myths about sailors flying down the Hudson River, passing the high speed trains along the riverbank…South Bay Scooters out on Long Island jumping over cracks and gaps in the ice to rescue stranded hunters and fishermen…Hardcore racers driving all over the continent looking for a regatta site…Sailors venturing deep into the heart of Russia to carve tracks into a frozen Lake Baikal…Well, mostly they are true but there is plenty of speed and fun to be had closer to home as well!

Here in New England, the hard-water sailing season gets going between Christmas and New Years, usually on lakes in central Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. Those of us further north find ice in Maine and just over the border in Canada. Later in the season, big ice can be found all over the area as the large The 12-foot DN is the world’s most popular iceboat. © Cathy Firmbach

Iceboat racers, who wear spiked shoes for traction during running starts, swap stories between races. © Bill Converse

lakes cool off and freeze over.

Boats are prepped, hauled out of garages and, once the ice is deemed safe, sailed across it at speeds most soft water sailors never dream of and sometimes refuse to believe! There is no thrill like it – unlike a soft water boat, iceboats have almost no drag to contend with so the acceleration is quick and the top end is waaaaay up there. Speed moves the apparent wind forward and increases the velocity and makes the boat go faster and faster. Nothing like going 25 knots in 5 knots of breeze!

There are many types of hard-water craft of all shapes and sizes: Single seaters, two-seaters, cruising boats, racing boats, antiques, wood, metal, cheap, pricey…Something for everyone!

They all involve some sort of frame or fuselage, a set of three runners (or “skates” as we say in New England), a plank or crossbeam to mount skates on, and of course a mast and sail. For the budget-conscious there is the CheapSkate, basically a frame built from 2 X 4s with a Sunfish rig and cut up bed frames for skates. At the other end of the spectrum is the E-Class Skeeter. Picture an F-15 fighter plane with a mast and sail and you get the idea.

In between there are several other designs to choose from: Smaller Skeeters, Lockley Skimmers, Whizzes, the ubiquitous DN class, and the Ice Opti for the kids, which is basically a shrunk-down DN with an Optimist rig. Any one of them has a knots-per-dollar ratio that far exceeds any soft water boat you can think of!

Any of these will get you whooping and hollering during a fast cruise around the lake. If you want to race (or if you are looking for a good starter boat) the DN Class is the way to go. The boats are about 12 feet long, easily car-topped or trailered, and relatively cheap. They can be tuned to accommodate a wide range of skipper weights and sailing styles. There are plenty

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DN racers line up for a start. © Cathy Firmbach

of used DNs and gear available, as well as an active class association and a great regatta circuit, and even a mentoring program for new sailors. There are local, regional, national and world championships every year, so you can compete at a variety of events. At the big regattas there is always a Gold and Silver and often a Bronze fleet, so there is good racing for all skill levels. No matter what, the racing is fast and beyond exciting!

Whatever avenue you decide to pursue this winter you will have a blast! It’s easy to get involved, and the best way to do it is to join the New England Ice Yacht Association (NEIYA) and sail or race with us. Iceboating with other people is safer than iceboating

Carving turns around a mark. © Bill Converse

Iceboats like this C-Skeeter can achieve speeds that many soft water sailors might not believe. © Cathy Firmbach windcheckmagazine.com

alone, a great way to learn, and much more fun! On the NEIYA website (theneiya.org), you’ll find information about getting started, a schedule of regattas, cruises, rallies, clinics and other events, reports of ice conditions, iceboats and gear for sale in the Ice Classifieds, and more.

Interested people are encouraged to reach out via the forum at theneiya.org or NEIYA Vice Commodore John Stanton at John@neiya. org or are welcome to stop by Landfall in Stamford, CT to learn more. Landfall stocks the hardware or running rigging for any class of iceboat. Look to Facebook for when John’s DN will be set up in the parking lot. Hope to see you on the ice this winter… and as we in the hardwater crowd say, THINK ICE! ■ James “T” Thieler has been iceboating for 20 years and competes in the DN one-design class both in the U.S. and throughout Europe. “T” as he is known to his friends (and anyone that’s an iceboater is his friend) currently holds the position of Commodore in the New England Ice Yacht Association. The NEIYA is a paper club with approximately 250 members who reside and sail primarily within the six New England States plus New York and New Jersey. The NEIYA’s main goal is to promote the sport of ice boating through both racing and cruising.

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Cruising French Polynesia Les Iles Sous le Vent

By Nancy G. Kaull & Dr. Paul F. Jacobs Editor’s note: This article is an abridged excerpt from the authors’ excellent book, Voyages: Stories of ten Sunsail owner cruises.

Authors’ note: The following is based on Nancy’s detailed log entries and photographs. Where these are used directly they are shown in italics. General comments and discussions written by Paul are shown in regular font. The reader can thus directly discern our slightly different perspectives.

When Nancy and I were initially contemplating becoming members of the Sunsail ownership program back in 2009, we carefully scanned the long list of bases scattered around the world.

Both of us quickly spied “French Polynesia” on the list and exclaimed, “Wouldn’t that be incredibly special?” Well, it was now late in 2012, and Nancy had The very lovely Sunsail base, located on the northwest corner of carefully hoarded all available Raiatea © Nancy G. Kaull PPL time at her job with the American Mathematical Sociof Raiatea, where we arrived ety in Providence. Thus, it was around noon. As usual, a Sunsail now possible for us to sail “Les shuttle kindly met us at the Iles Sous le Vent” (the islands airport and transported us about under the wind), not for two three miles to the base. weeks, but three!

Our home for the next It seemed to us that the three weeks was 5-year old time and expense of air travel Banana Man. We were told this from Saunderstown, RI all was to be her last charter! We the way to Raiatea in French both felt this would be an excelPolynesia was best amortized lent opportunity to learn what by spending more time there. condition a sailboat might be in This voyage represented a quaupon leaving five years of charter druple bonus: (1) the lure of service. Initially concerned that the exotic; (2) a completely her aesthetics might look a bit different culture; (3) a chance worn, we were pleasantly surfor me to sail again in the Paprised when we first saw her, and cific for the first time in 17 Banana Man tied to the dock in Utaroa © Nancy G. Kaull she looked terrific in the tropical years; and (4) the chance for sun. Nancy and I then went Nancy to sail in the Pacific for her first time…ever! I called John below and found her to be in excellent condition, with just a few Keyes at Sunsail, reserved a Jeanneau 36i, spent an hour on Expe- scratches evident after five years of substantial sailing. I was very dia, and then secured travel reservations. impressed.

We flew to Papeete, Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui, and while a

Sophie, the assistant manager of the Sunsail base in Raiatea, long trip at about 8.5 hours, it was surprisingly comfortable. The gave us a very detailed and excellent chart briefing. As usual, Paul seats were wider and also had a bit more legroom than those on the navigator had previously done his homework. Sunsail promany other airlines, and the food was very good, including an vided a nice guidebook for us, as well as a new set of paper charts. array of fresh pineapple, coconut and papaya. Wednesday, 10 Sophie also told us that as experienced sailors we were free to sail to April occurred over the Pacific Ocean, and we finally landed Maupiti, but that due to the potential for dangerously high breakers at Papeete airport early that morning. Unfortunately, we had a very near the narrow entrance to the pass through the encircling reef, long layover consumed primarily with reading, but also some she very strongly advised that we call Sunsail from Bora Bora before inevitable people watching, as many of the local natives had departing for Maupiti. incredibly long black hair and beautiful dark eyes. Our smaller

Getting off the dock against an 18-knot beam wind was inter-island aircraft departed for the short flight to the island tricky. It took full throttle to pull away and then make the 26 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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hine, we found the perfect place for our bucket list when bareboatturn before we got blown into the inner harbor where sailing eventually gets to be too much for us. The lovely Te Tiare Beach boats are prohibited. We then powered to the turn between the Resort has about 20 thatched cottages over the water, each with coral shoals, and headed off to nearby Tahaa. Evidently, in the individual steps leading down thereto. What a great place to hang Tahitian language every vowel is always sounded, hence Tahaa is pronounced “Ta-haA “motu” or reef island in the Tahaa lagoon © Nancy G. Kaull out for a few weeks, read, eat at their restaurant, swim, and tour the island. ah” not “Ta-ha.” Once Baie de Avea is as far as one can sail. It clear of intervening reefs is another beautiful and very isolated place. between Raiatea and There are a few small homes on the beach Tahaa, we raised the and what may be a resort at the tip of the mainsail, unfurled the distant point. There are also two other genoa and were now boats on anchor pretty far from us. Our sailing on a little patch anchor dug in the sand beautifully and the of the blue Pacific. only close coral was 50 yards aft of our stern

It was an overcast and to starboard. The water was beautifully day with gusts to 18 knots clear and the characteristic color of turand many storm clouds. quoise to lime green over white sand. Back As a precaution, Paul put in the USA people would spend a small forin a reef. We soon got to tune to own property on this beach. Here, our destination just north it was almost deserted! of Passe Toahotu on the We intended to anchor a bit NW of Passe east side of Tahaa. There Papai, Tahaa. A drenching rain prevented us was only one other boat from anchoring immediately and since we had and they left soon after we arrived around 4:30 we arrived. We were comhad to figure this out pletely alone, and soon skinny dipped since there relatively quickly. It was was absolutely nobody in sight, and the feeling an extremely difficult of swimming without clinging cloth is wonderanchorage, as water ful. We then showered, shampooed, and shaved depth transitioned from afterwards on the transom, feeling squeaky 100 feet to 6 feet exceedclean. Even when overcast, the waters were ingly abruptly. Our first very beautiful, sparkling clear, and comfortably attempt dropped us back warm. After cleaning up we went to bed like too close to the shallows. farmers at 7 pm, still suffering some jet lag.

Paul swam about to

It was soon the proverbial dark and stormy find the only spot where night, raining heavily on and off for many we could safely anchor. hours. We estimated from its sound that the He was in the water for wind was mostly 25 – 30 knots with some gusts at least an hour. His that probably hit 35 knots. Banana Boat slewed eventual success in the like crazy on her anchor and I was very glad I diming light made him had let out most of the chain. Rain, thunder, my hero once again! lightning, and much wind, ahh, Tahaa! On the We were up and brighter side, I was now officially known as the The entrance into Port Bourayne on Huahine © Nancy G. Kaull moving early. After con“Tahiti Sweetie.” sulting the chart, we exited the reef surrounding Tahaa via the

It was time to weigh anchor, which was then followed by a Passe Papai. It was a bit tricky. You definitely had to accurately really tranquil sail down the relatively narrow channel between line up the range markers. This passage had reefs that curled in the western barrier reef and Huahine under mainsail only. Broad on both ends and it was difficult to actually see the opening until reaching at about four knots, this was more than sufficient as the you were well into it. Breakers on the left and breakers on the distance was not great, but the sights to see were many. We sailed right will most assuredly inspire you to stay down the middle. down to, and then into Port Bourayne, which is well indented into

Paul thought we might go directly to Maupiti given the the SW side of Huahine and is surrounded on three sides by tropical easterly wind direction. He called, and the base said it was a very mountains. It is incredibly beautiful with a pearl farm in the NW corner identifiable by lots of clustered floats. We got perhaps just a bit bad time to do that. The ideal time would be to depart Bora Bora this Friday and to return no later than Monday. A resident too close to the floats (about 100 feet), and I suspect the owner got on Maupiti indicated that the swells were huge today, will die nervous and hence we were politely requested to stay away. down for a few days, and resume next Tuesday. It is amazing how

As we sailed further south along the southwestern side of Hua28 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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they know the weather to her softly. I can’t remember the word for patterns so well. So, we how the fish were cooked – seared on the sailed to Bora Bora on a outside, cold in the middle. She had red wonderful broad reach, tuna again, and I had beef. I also conversed and arrived at 1:30pm. with our waiter for a while, mostly in Passe Teavanui, on the French, which was great practice. west side, is the only one On Friday, April 19 we headed to “teeny in/out of Bora Bora. You weeny” Maupiti. We slipped the moormust give a wide berth to ing at 7:20 am and were through the pass the SW corner, as the reef by 7:40. This was a very easy wide pass. sticks way out, and the Huge cruise ships go in and out every day. currents pull you in.

I just wouldn’t want to be sharing the pass We decided to exwith them. We sailed on a course of 260° plore a bit and went to M, with 8-12 knot north winds. North is the famous Bora Bora NOT the usual trade wind! Our average Yacht Club (BBYC). We boat speed was 5.4 knots. muddled about trying to The Maupiti pass is on the south side find a clean mooring ball. of the island and we approached it with The Te Tiare Beach Resort, Huahine © Nancy G. Kaull Evidently, only in the U.S. extreme caution. Suddenly, we were in the do people utilize pick-up wands. The wind was light so we could passage with waves breaking on both sides and swells pushing easily pick it up with the boat hook. Sadly, it had been in the wa- us rapidly in. We anchored close to the town, but noted we ter a long time and hence was very scuzzy. Rather than setting the were just inside the channel, so we moved south and west and loop over our bow cleat, we ran a dock line through the loop, so anchored again on a sandy bottom. We did not see any boats this kept the barnacled float off our deck. coming or going to Maupiti.There were two catamarans way up

Our dinner at the yacht club was delightful. Nancy wore in the shallows near the town. The entire passage from Bora Bora her new blue pareo and I loved how it looked on her. Her hair took 6 hours, and was excellent sailing on the very blue Pacific. was so soft from the rainwater wash and wavy from the humid Maupiti is without a doubt the most exotic, most remote, and ity. She looked lovely. She forgot her glasses, so I read the menu most unique place to which we have ever sailed. Everywhere one

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hears the endless faint roar of the waves on the reefs.

The whole shoreline had a pretty stone wall with numerous small private homes, many private boat docks, and a number of fences. However, when we finally got up close the shoreline was not especially welcoming, so we circled back to the ferry dock in the dinghy. It was interesting that we had not seen one other boat coming or going to the dock either yesterday or today. We finally tied up near the ferry dock and had a chat with a nice young man, all of us speaking in broken French. He agreed the passage would be best on Monday, but no later.

The pass through the reef was very easy to navigate heading out. We power sailed on a close reach in light air. It took us about five hours to reach the reef entrance to Bora Bora.

This time we sailed to the north end of the lagoon. There, a narrow channel led to the East side of the lagoon, which then opened up to the SE. We anchored on a beautiful sandy bottom in 11 feet of water, well clear of any coral which was easy to see as the water looked like it was almost transparent. This spot was so sublimely beautiful we decided to stay two days. It was like anchoring in a gorgeous, aqua colored swimming pool near tall mountains!

Sophie had told us there was great snorkeling behind two nearby motus (small reef islands). On the way The incredibly rugged and photogenic central volcanic mountain Otemanu (pronounced “Oh–tee-man-ou”) on Bora Bora, seen from Banana Man while anchored on the east side of the lagoon. © Nancy G. Kaull

The outer deck of the Bora Bora Yacht Club © Nancy G. Kaull

over in our dinghy, we talked with a kayaking couple who pointed us to the exact spot which was behind the second motu, where we soon found the best snorkeling we had seen in French Polynesia.

Two small hotel-based powerboats were already there. Hotel guides will obviously try to take guests to the very best spots, so that provides a big hint if you are in the right place. Our snorkel adventure was very successful, with many colorful fish completely unbothered by us. I was particularly interested in the colorful items that were shaped like wrinkly mouths in shades of aqua, jade, and royal blue. They would slowly open, and then quickly close. Over 100 very white fish were ‘napping’ on the bottom, lined up like cord wood, forming a rather odd image.

That night I slept in the cockpit, with a gentle breeze, under a nearly full moon shining on Mt. Otemanu, with a cloud perched just above the peak like a silver chapeau. Far away was the distant sound of breakers on the reef.

Otherwise, except for the soft sound of the wind in the rigging and the gurgle of wavelets on the Nancy shot this remarkable photograph of the breakers adjahull, all was wondercent to the pass through the reef at Maupiti while Paul was fully silent. This was a otherwise occupied. beautiful experience that © Nancy G. Kaull will likely remain frozen in the memory bank of my mind all the rest of my days. ■ Nancy G. Kaull and Dr. Paul F. Jacobs live in Saunderstown, RI. Voyages: Stories of ten Sunsail owner cruises is available at Amazon.com, and you’ll find several excerpts at windcheckmagazine. com. Look for Part II of this article in our March issue.

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Rescue of the Chester Poling

his cutter alongside the bow section of the tanker. He quickly abandoned the effort, however, realizing the seas were so violent that his own boat might be crushed or swamped by the stern of the Poling.

Loew radioed Captain Burgess, “Your bow is really swinging around. Is there any way that your crew could get into a life raft and get away from the boat? Then we could pick them up?”

Burgess replied this could not be done,

By Michael J. Tougias and Loew considered floating a raft toward the tanker, but the two sections of the Chester We split in two! Not sinking yet but we might Poling were finally pulling apart the narrow be any minute! deck plating that connected them. The bow —Captain Charles Burgess of the Chester and stern suddenly separated then pounded Poling upon one another, with the bow listing heavily as seas poured into the wheelhouse It’s not often that the public gets an inside portholes. look at what mariners endure when a cargo Meanwhile, Captain Burgess knew the ship or tanker sinks. However on January bow wouldn’t stay afloat much longer. He 10, 1977 the Coast Guard tape recorded radioed the Cape George: “As soon as she the words of the Captain Charles Burgess starts to go down we are going to jump. She’s of the 282-foot coastal tanker Chester A. breaking up now more than ever. The bow Poling as it encountered enormous seas off will sink first if anything does happen. If the Massachusetts Coast. worst comes to worst we’re going to have to

Burgess first realized his ship was in jump I guess.” trouble when a forty-foot wave slammed Loew shouted for the captain to hang the vessel and he heard a sickening crunch- Nathaniel Philbrick, author of In the on a little longer because his crew was going ing sound followed by the grinding rever- Heart of the Sea, called Ten Hours Until to try to float a life raft to Burgess and his beration of twisted metal. He looked aft of Dawn “an incredible tale of heroism and first mate Harry Selleck and then haul them sacrifice.” the wheelhouse and could not believe his back. Again, however, conditions prevented eyes – the ship had broken in two. success. Loew was relaying this latest setback to Gloucester when

The bow and the stern section tilted toward where the break he suddenly barked, “Both men are in the water! Don’t have time occurred, but each stayed afloat. With an alarm sounding, the to talk.” five men on the aft section ran from below up to the sloping

Five minutes later Loew shouted.”I just picked up one man deck, and stared in horror as they too saw that the ship had split. in the water and have another man in the water! Stand by.”

A segment of deck plating was the only thing connecting the two The man the Cape George picked up was Captain Burgess, sections, preventing them from drifting apart. but they were unable to get Selleck on the first pass. The freezing

In a stroke of good fortune, the VHF-FM radio in the water all but paralyzed Selleck, and he was unable to swim topilothouse still worked because it was battery powered. Captain ward the cutter. Instead he managed to kick off his sea boots and Burgess immediately called out a mayday message on channel roll over on his back, drifting upwind from the submerged bow.

13, followed by a desperate plea: Selleck later told the Coast Guard, “The only thing that kept

“We are six miles off Cape Ann! Don’t know how much me alive was that I knew the Cutter Cape George knew they had longer we can stay afloat!” missed me and that I was still out there. There were times when

“Be advised the Cutter Cape George is on the way,” replied I was going to give up. I was going to take off my life jacket and Coast Guard Group Boston. forget it.”

“We split in two!” shouted Burgess, “and don’t know how

Incredibly, the Coast Guard saved Selleck and all but one long we can stay afloat. Not sinking yet but we might be any of the other men on the tanker. The lone death occurred when a minute.” seaman, who had forgotten to put on his life jacket, fell over “Are there any persons on board the other section?” board and was swept away. ■

“We have five members aft!”

“Can you see the aft section?”

Michael J. Tougias is the author of several true nautical thrillers

“No, too much seas coming over!” including Fatal Forecast, The Finest Hours, Overboard!, A Storm

The nearest Coast Guard station was Gloucester, where Too Soon, Fatal Forecast, Rescue of the Bounty and Ten Hours the cutters Cape George and Cape Cross were immediately sent Until Dawn, all published by Scribner. To view amazing rescue to the crippled tanker. Upon reaching the scene James Loew, videos, check the author’s speaking schedule and purchase personalcommanding officer of the Cape George, attempted to maneuver ized autographed copies, visit michaeltougias.com.

Excerpted from Ten Hours Until Dawn: A True Story of Heroism and Tragedy Aboard the Can Do

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sound environment.

Getting to Know the Sea Lamprey

Although they’re an invasive species in the Great Lakes, sea lampreys are native to the Connecticut River and a valuable part of its ecosystem. Lampreys are sometimes innacurately called “lamprey eels,” but they’re actually more closely related to sharks!

By Hillary Ballek The sea lamprey is an anadromous species of fish native to the Connecticut River, migrating from the ocean to fresh water streams to spawn during the summer. Sea lamprey are unique in that they build nests for their eggs within the stream, making them successful ecosystem engineers. A mating pair will find a suitable rock substrate where they carry rocks downstream from a specific point, excavating a pile of rocks where the female will lay her eggs. Some lamprey will build community nests in which multiple mating pairs create a large singular nest to share. Adults die upon spawning. Young lamprey may stay in fresh water for up to five years before migrating to the ocean, acting as an important food source for many riverine species. After living in the ocean as adults, they will reach sexual maturity and navigate back into freshwater, attracted by pheromones given off by other lamprey in streams.

Although the sea lamprey are a valuable and natural part of the Connecticut River’s ecosystem, they are not always seen positively in the public eye. Lamprey possess a long eel-like body type and have a round suction cup mouth ringed with multiple layers of raspy teeth. Populations of lamprey introduced to landlocked lakes such as the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain have become invasive and parasitic to native fish and can prove detrimental to many native fisheries in such places. This, in combination with their less-than-appealing appearance, has assigned even the most innocent of lampreys a generally negative reputation.

In reality, anadromous lamprey populations native to rivers such as the Connecticut River do not actually feed on other fish after re-entering freshwater. Upon reaching sexual maturity lampreys will stop eating altogether. After hatching, larval lamprey, called ammocoetes, burrow into mud and feed on algae, small organisms, and waste. Adult lampreys are important in improving the chemical balance within streams by transporting trace elements from the ocean to freshwater.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) conducts fish counts at several fishways throughout the state in order to monitor populations of sea lamprey within Connecticut. Monitoring lamprey population is necessary to ensure the success of such ecologically important creatures. Most fishways have a camera or automatic fish counter to accurately estimate the passage of lamprey.

The Leesville Dam located on the Salmon River in East Haddam, however, does not operate with any such devices, so an annual lamprey nest survey on streams above this location is necessary. This year, the survey was moved upstream of the former site of the Norton Mill Dam on the Jeremy River, a large

© Ted Lawrence/Great Lakes Fishery Commission

tributary to the Salmon River.

The Norton Mill Dam, which had acted as a barrier to any fish migration for 170 years, was removed in 2016. Since the dam’s removal, it has been a priority to track the success of returning lamprey migration.

Every year just after lamprey spawning season, CT DEEP staff and a community of hardy volunteers dedicate several workdays to wading through rocky streams, deep water, and tick infested marshes in order to conduct an exhaustive survey of suitable lamprey habitat along the stream and its tributaries.

These in-person nest surveys are the best way to count lampreys on streams that don’t have automatic counters—important, so that we can monitor population trends and learn more about the species’ restoration to the watershed.

Nests are recognizable by their half-moon-shaped tailspills of upturned rocks adjacent to a substantially deep hole.

With that said, it is easy to get tripped up on false nests, where lampreys choose a site and begin making a nest before abandoning it in search of better real estate, as well as relic nests from years past, and the nests of fallfish that can easily be mistaken for lamprey nests.

This year, the lamprey survey was finally concluded in midJuly by a group of slightly damp yet happily unscathed volunteers and employees. The 2017 Lamprey Nest Survey shows that sea lamprey continue to disperse throughout the Connecticut River watershed and actively colonize newly opened habitat.

Upstream of where the Norton Mill Dam was removed last year, over 50 nests were identified – a great success after just one season. The nest counts show a healthy population and a positive outlook for the future of our misunderstood friend, the sea lamprey. ■ As a Field Scientist at Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound, Hillary Ballek monitors dam removal sites within Connecticut to assess biological health of streams and wetland areas.

This article was originally posted at Green Cities Blue Waters, a blog by Connecticut Fund for the Environment at its bi-state program Save the Sound, and is reprinted with permission.

For more information, visit greencitiesbluewaters.wordpress.com and ctenvironment.org.

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from the captain of the port Safety on the Ice – Barely and Very Carefully

By Vincent Pica Commodore, First District, Southern Region (D1SR) United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Here’s how the story goes. In the dead of winter, two duck hunters and their trusty hunting dog drive their brand-new Range Rover out on to the ice of (choose: _______ [a] Long Island Sound, [b] Moriches Bay, [c] Shinnecock Bay, [d] Great South Bay, [e] body of water of your choice) and, seeing that there are no open leads to entice migratory birds to land, take out a stick of dynamite, light it and throw it as far out on the ice as they can. The plan is simple. The dynamite blows a substantial hole in the ice; they get back in the car and run the heater until the migratory birds arrive. They step out with their shotguns full of birdshot and bag much of the flock.

So, as the dynamite stick is flying through the air, the dog takes off after it, thinking that a game of fetch is exactly what will make his day.

Grabbing the lit stick of dynamite in his mouth, he turns and starts running back to his master and fellow hunter.

This of course alarms the hunters no end.

Seeing that waving their arms wildly and shouting, “No! No! No!” isn’t working, they fire their birdshot at the charging dog – striking fear into a bewildered Fido. Fido turns to his only source of cover – the car. Running under the car to hide, all is fine until he burns his rump on the still-hot exhaust pipe.

As he yelps and takes off running again, the dynamite stick, which was left behind with the yelp, explodes. This sends the brand-new Range Rover, in many pieces, to the bottom of (choose: _______ [a] Long Island Sound, [b] Moriches Bay, [c] Shinnecock Bay, [d] Great South Bay, [e] body of water of your choice.)

Funny – but only apocryphal as every Coast Guard station north of the 40th degree of latitude was telling that story a couple of winters ago, swearing that one of the locals swore to them that they knew somebody that was related to somebody who knew the dog owner. But some of us do fish and/or hunt on the frozen lakes, creeks and bays Out East. Please heed the following from the U.S. Coast Guard:

While the Coast Guard understands winter recreation on the ice around our area is a tradition, it is important to take safety measures:

• Always check the weather and ice conditions before any trip out onto the ice.

• Ice thickness is not consistent, even over the same body of water.

• Always tell family and friends where you are going and when you are expected to be back, and stick to the plan.

• Use the buddy system. NEVER go out onto the ice alone.

• Dress in bright colors. Wear an exposure suit (preferably one that is waterproof ) and a personal flotation device.

• Carry a whistle or noise-making device to alert people that you are in distress, and a cell phone and/or a VHF-FM radio in order to contact the nearest Coast Guard station in the event you see someone in distress.

• Carry two screwdrivers or a set of ice awls. If you fall through the ice, you can use these items to help get yourself out.

They are more effective than using your hands.

Remember, hypothermia is a killer and it sneaks up on you with woolen slippers. Cold water safety presentations by the USCG Auxiliary are available to local organizations and can be arranged by contacting the Coast Guard Auxiliary District Public Affairs Officer via their website, cgaux.org.

If you are interested in being part of the USCG Forces, email me at JoinUSCGAux@aol.com or go direct to the D1SR Human Resources department, who are in charge of new members matters, at d1south.org/StaffPages/ DSO-HR.php and we will help you “get in this thing.”

Ice is unpredictable and dangerous.

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Captain Andrew Tucci is the Captain of the Port and Sector Commander for US Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound.

Captain Tucci is responsible for all active-duty, reservist and auxiliary Coast Guard personnel within the Sector. As a Commodore of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary First District, Southern Region, Vin Pica works closely with Captain Tucci and his staff to promote boating safety in the waters between Connecticut, Long Island and 200 nautical miles offshore. Sector Long Island Sound Command Center can be reached 24 hours a day at 203-468-4401.

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

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The Boating Barrister Tinsel in Your Wake: An Ode to 2017

By John K. Fulweiler When you read this, the holiday wrapping and New Year’s happenings will be lost in a frothy wake of tinsel and eggnog.

Memories of your overstuffed cousin and cloying father-inlaw (“Call me ‘Pop’”) are harder to shake. Sometimes, you get marked up most by things you have to tolerate with a grin and a nod, which observation brings me neatly around the windward mark and headed downwind. Staggering upright, let me list the annoyances flooding past my legs during last year and, yeah, you legal wonks, I worked a few maritime legal bytes into the mix, so go grab a can of bulkhead remover and relax.

Sailing magazines (other than this fine publication).

In my opinion, all the glossy sailing magazines should be rebranded as ‘brochures’ for I perceive them to be nothing but marketing pieces. Is every boat swell? The most I seem to read by way of discontent is commentary about the sightlines or a winch not being in a great position. Some of the articles are so dumbed-down, I question whether a clever author simply shape-shifted some column on home repair, swapping “nails” for “sails” and adding a line about seabreezes. How about someone writing from the heart with an opinion and enough Jack or Johnny in him or her so the writing is blunt and helpful and true?

Late middle-agers tilted back in their Audi or BMW sedans trying to see how close they can get to my bumper.

For sweet’s sake, what gives? I’ll get into the right lane once I clear this semi and you can rush on. I’m not your first choice for navigator what with my mathematical challenges, but it doesn’t take more than casual observation to realize your daily commute isn’t affected by passing me and running a red light. You’re just not making up time unless the voyage is cross-country. I imagine slowing to a stop in the passing lane, unfolding myself from the Merc wagon and walking back to ask these titans of middle management how come they haven’t figured this figuring out yet. (And no, I won’t being doing that, but I want to!)

Other lawyers. I don’t intend this as an indictment on the legal practice because there are good and sportsmanlike attorneys in the mix; it’s just I perceive others are not. The American Bar Association needs to stop churning out new attorneys and focus on educating its flock to counsel pragmatism as much as it promotes victory. And the clients of lawyers too; try a sail change every once in a while and consider finding resolutions instead of burying the weather rail all hell

bent on holding your position.

Boats at berth. Those of us lucky enough to breathe the rarified air of vessel ownership do so for many reasons. A lot of it is about a dream, whether to cross the Atlantic or simply to navigate friends and family around the Bay under a summer’s sky. However, when I visit marinas and drive past mooring fields, I see boats (lots of them) sitting there. Don’t let that happen. Get out there. Get a sail raised and crack a beer and smile at how the odds of life on this blue planet have favored you.

Corporate shade. On the whole, none of us are particularly good at appreciating the creep of change. We’re dulled to how much the individual is losing to a culture of corporate collectiveness. We’re all distracted by a false sense of the individual while true privacy and the true characteristics of a strong self are homogenized through corporate influence. I know I sound like a late-night AM radio talk show (or worse, someone who calls into such a show!), but take time to consider the differences between a sailor in the 1970s and a sailor today. Think about all the talent and self-reliance that’s been lost. Think about whether your favorite ‘App’ is worth having your life tracked, clocked, collated, metered and catalogued.

And when you’re trapped inside by a winter that’s looking long and cold, give John D. MacDonald’s “Travis McGee” series and Richard Stark’s “Parker” series a read. Those two authors long ago saw what I’m talking about and wrapped their discontent into some great stories.

Tomorrow I climb aboard my wife’s over-horsed carriage and tear up the highways on a road trip to her Arkansas family.

Yeah, I’ll be the obnoxious middle-aged, left lane polluting noddle, but like how it is with the Vendée Globe, a little bit quicker on a thousand-mile trip means something. No worries, I won’t crowd up on anybody and don’t you either. Let’s give that old chestnut, civility, a chance to take root in 2018!

Underway and making way. ■

34 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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

book review.

Water Safety

From the Backyard Pool to the Open Ocean How to Avoid and Survive Water Emergencies

By Ben Rayner Published by iUniverse 112 pages paperback Every year, approximately 3,500 people drown in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children under age 14, and it’s also one of the top causes of death for young men in their teens and twenties. This reviewer came very close to drowning during an ill-conceived adventure nearly 40 years ago, and counts three acquaintances (each a very experienced boater) among those who did not survive an unexpected immersion.

Having been at the scene of several drownings, Ben Rayner, the Executive Director of Water Emergency Training, Inc. (WET), a Groton, CT-based non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives in and on the water, has made it his life goal to prevent these needless tragedies. Based on Rayner’s vast experience as a water safety expert and packed with up-to-date safety advice from the leading experts in the fields of hypothermia prevention and survivor psychology, Water Safety is integral to that mission.

Topics covered include how to avoid and survive cold water immersion, how to use the HELP position, boating safety rules and the proper use of safety equipment, the dangers of rip currents and swift water, and the reasons why some drowning victims survive and others do not. Tailored to everyone from a babysitter bringing kids to a swimming pool to the experienced mariner, Water Safety is the definitive guide to preventing and surviving water emergencies.

A former underwater egress and sea survival instructor with Survival Systems USA, Inc., Ben Rayner is a lifelong waterman who has experienced many remote marine environments as a surfer, traveler, and researcher. An award-winning investigative journalist as senior staff writer at Shore Publishing in Madison, CT, his articles have appeared in Sailing, Air Beat, Atlantic Coast Fisheries News, and the Block Island Times.

WET offers a variety of water safety courses that can be customized to fit any age group or size, and to accommodate clients’ schedules and budgets. For more information and to order a copy of this invaluable book, log onto wateremergencytraining.org. ■ windcheckmagazine.com

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Calendar 2018 JANUARY 10 - 12 42nd Annual Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race Co-hosted by Lauderdale Yacht Club and Storm Trysail Club, this event is open to ocean sailing boats (IRC, PHRF & Multihull) from 25 feet LOA and larger. Fort Lauderdale, FL; keywestrace.org 13 US Sailing Protest Day Workshop The goal of this experimental seminar (the first one in the country) is to make judges and prospective judges better at handling protests. Attendees will give feedback that will help build this event’s format when it’s rolled out nationwide.

8:30am - 5pm; Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 516662-4926; bsimon@oakcliffsailing.org; oakcliffsailing.org 13 Connecticut Safe Boating Course This 1-day course covers everything you’ll need to earn your CT Safe Boating Certificate. 9am - 5pm; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-941-2219; landfallnavigation.com/mtccourse.html Also offered 2/10, 2/24, 3/24 & 4/28 13 & 14 IDNIYRA Eastern Lakes Championship The venue for this International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association regatta will be determined shortly before the event based on the ice conditions around the region.

© Bill Converse

For more details, contact New England Ice Yacht Association Vice Commodore John Stanton at John@neiya.org or visit neiya. org; na.idnyra.org 14 US Sailing Judges Roundtable This event is a great way to stay current with what’s new in the judges’ world and to share tips and tricks with other judges. Half the day is used to discuss topics attendees want to discuss, while the other half addresses required topics including arbitration, procedures, rules, protests, on-the-water judging, and more. 8:30am - 5pm; Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 516-662-4926; bsimon@ oakcliffsailing.org; oakcliffsailing. org 15 Merchant Ships 1965 to 2000 In this Long Island Maritime Museum Winter Lecture Series event, Harold Stumme will discuss the evolution of commercial ships in the final decades of the 20th Century. Coffee & pastries will be provided

by Idle Hour Deli. 12:30pm; free for museum members; all others suggested donation $10. The Long Island Maritime Museum, Sayville, NY; Please check limaritime.org for cancellations due to weather.

16 & 23 Photography 101 Classes with Onne van der Wal These evening classes are for anyone who wants to learn the basics of digital photography, or the advanced amateur that wants to take his or her photo skills to the next level, including how to use all the settings on your DSLR. The first class covers basic camera controls, with Onne discussing exposure, aperture, ISO and how to set up your camera correctly, the importance of the histogram, and the benefits of shooting in RAW format, not JPEG. The second class is about workflow

and post-production, including downloading and organizing files, and processing in Lightroom. All you need to bring is a notepad & pencil and your DLSR (if you have one). If you’re in the market for a new camera and/ or lens, Onne will advise on the affordable options. 7:30 - 9pm; Jamestown Arts Center, Jamestown, RI; $125 for one session; $225 for both sessions; VanderWal.com

© VanderWal.com

18 The Crew of the Oliver Hazard Perry: Life on the High Seas The crew of Rhode Island’s 200-foot, fullrigged sailing school vessel, with a mission of providing innovative and empowering educationat-sea programs, will discuss their voyage to Cuba last spring.

1:30pm in The River Room at Latitude 41° Restaurant, Mystic, CT; 6:30pm at StoneRidge senior living community, Mystic, CT; $15 for Mystic Seaport members ($20 non-members); students free; call 860-572-5331 to purchase tickets; mysticseaport.org

© Mark Russell

18 Shoreline Sailing Club meeting If you’re an active single over 35, this club’s activities include sailing, fishing, kayaking, dances, dockside

36 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

parties, golfing, skiing and more. Meetings are held the first & third Thursdays of each month. 7:00pm; Westbrook Elks Lodge, Westbrook, CT; shorelinesailingclub.com 19 10th Annual RORC Caribbean 600 Organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with the Antigua Yacht Club, this race covers a spectacular course that starts and finishes in Antigua. caribbean600.rorc.org 20 Marine Diesel Engines: Basics This course covers the fundamentals of diesel engine operation & maintenance. 9am - 4pm; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-9412219; landfallnavigation.com/ mtccourse.html Also offered 2/3 20, 27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17 & 2/24 Saturday Morning ‘Joe’ with Captain Bulldog You are invited to learn from a pro at these roundtable open discussions. Each session will have a central topic, although any boating topic you want to bring up is open for discussion. 10 11:30am; requested contribution of $10 covers coffee & doughnuts. Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-9412219; landfallnavigation.com 21 - 27 IDNYRA North American Championship The venue for this International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association regatta will be determined shortly before the event based on the ice conditions around the region.

For more details, contact New England Ice Yacht Association Vice Commodore John Stanton at John@neiya.org or visit neiya. org; na.idnyra.org 21 - 28 The 2018 World Cup Series in Miami Hosted by the US Sailing Center, Miami Rowing Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club and Shake-A-Leg Miami, US Sailing’s premier event features competition among the world’s windcheckmagazine.com

top Olympic & Paralympic hopefuls in the 470, 49er, 49erFX, Laser, Laser Radial, Finn, Nacra 17, RS:X, 2.4 Norlin OD, SKUD18 & Sonar. Coconut Grove, FL; miami.ussailing.org

changing impellers, filters, hoses & belts. 9am - 4pm; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-941-2219; landfallnavigation.com/mtccourse.html Also offered 3/17 & 4/7 31 North U Mid-Winter Race Clinic Instructor Bill Gladstone will share tips to help you be faster on the racecourse this season. St. Thomas, USVI; Francine Wainer: 203-245-0727; fran@northu.northsails.com; northu.com

© Will Ricketson/USSailing.org

22 Claimed by the Sea: Long Island Shipwrecks In this Long Island Maritime Museum Winter Lecture Series event, author Adam Grohman will discuss his book about 11 maritime disasters that occurred in the waters of New York and Long Island. A book signing will follow. Coffee & pastries will be provided by Idle Hour Deli. 12:30pm; free for museum members; all others suggested donation $10. The Long Island Maritime Museum, Sayville, NY; Please check limaritime.org for cancellations due to weather.

24 - 28 112th Annual Progressive® Insurance New York Boat Show This venerable event is the place to see the latest and greatest in boating. Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY; NYBoatShow.com 27 Radar & Electronics Course Led by Captain Eric Knott, this comprehensive class includes hands-on practice with a real time RADAR simulator.

9am - 4pm; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-941-2219; landfallnavigation. com/mtccourse.html Also offered 3/24 & 4/28 27 Marine Diesel Engines: Intermediate This course includes hands on, practical lessons on bleeding fuel lines and windcheckmagazine.com

FEBRUARY 1-3 Sailing Leadership Forum This biennial event offers a unique experience for all types of sailors to connect on important and relevant issues on all aspects of our sport. Leaders from sail training and education, yacht club and sailing organization management, race officials, and industry professionals will meet and learn from one another. The Forum will offer keynote speaker presentations and focused group sessions on topics including Growing the Sport, Developing Programs, Marketing & Communications, Administration & Management, Regattas & Racing, and Rules & Officials. The Forum will also feature social events, hands-on activities, exhibitor displays and demonstrations, pre- and postforum clinics and seminars for instructor certification, race management seminars, Safety at Sea Seminars, and much more.

TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Pete Beach, FL; sailingleadership.org 1 & 15 Shoreline Sailing Club meeting If you’re an active single over 35, this club’s activities include sailing, fishing, kayaking, dances, dockside parties, golfing, skiing and more. Meetings are held the first & third Thursdays of each month. 7:00pm; Westbrook Elks Lodge, Westbrook, CT; shorelinesailingclub.com WindCheck Magazine

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2-4 25th Annual Providence Boat Show presented by Washington Trust® Owned and managed by the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, this three-day expo showcases boats for every pocketbook, from powerboats to sailboats & paddlecraft. Included in the price of admission are free seminars with experts to give you the know-how on boat handling, navigation & equipment. Get in the Ocean State of Mind! Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI; ProvidenceBoatShow.com 2-4 12th Annual Boatbuilders Show on Cape Cod Presented by the Cape Cod Marine Trades Association, “the best little boat show in the Northeast” showcases custom & limited production sailboats & powerboats in wood & fiberglass. Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis, MA; BoatCapeCod.org

© USHarbors.com

2 - 3/18 Eagles & Winter Wildlife Boat Cruises Get an up-close view of majestic bald eagles aboard Connecticut River Expeditions’ RiverQuest. Fridays at 10am & 12:30pm; Saturdays & Sundays at 9am; 11:30am & 2pm;

© CTRiverQuest.com 38 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

$42 per person includes admission to the museum’s exhibits & galleries. Connecticut River Museum, Essex, CT; Advance reservations are strongly suggested; call 860-767-8269 x 113; CTRiverMuseum.org; CTRiverQuest.com 3 Behind the Canvas: Russ Kramer: Inspirations, Adventures and Methods In this first of a unique series of four programs with award-winning Maritime Gallery artists, Kramer will show how he is able to create a unique “firsthand” experience in his paintings for the viewer, putting you right on board during some of history’s greatest yacht races. 3 - 4:30pm; $15 for Mystic Seaport members ($20 nonmembers; Gallery patrons and Gallery artists free); The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; call 860-572-5331 to register; mysticseaport.org; russkramer.com 3 US Sailing Umpire Seminar with Bruce Cook Attendees of this sanctioned seminar will be able to take the test required for re-certification as a US Sailing Umpire. 8:30am 5pm; Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 516-662-4926; bsimon@oakcliffsailing.org; oakcliffsailing.org 5, 7, 12, 14, 21 & 26 USCG OUPV Captain’s Exam Express Course This 6-evening course is designed for busy executives/ experienced boaters who want to learn the critical components of the OUPV (“six pack”) license exam in the shortest possible time frame. 6 - 9pm; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-941-2219; landfallnavigation.com/mtccourse.html 8 - 11 Hartford Boat Show 18 Powered by Evinrude Hundreds of new powerboats, sailboats, kayaks, inflatables, engines, electronics, fishing equipment will be on display, along windcheckmagazine.com

with a full schedule of boating & fishing seminars. Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT; HartfordBoatShow.com 10 Larry Goodwin Trophy Hosted by the Norwalk Yacht Club Frostbite Fleet, this regatta is sailed in 9-foot Dyer Dhows and open to all. Norwalk, CT; Frostbite@norwalkyachtclub. com; norwalkyachtclub.com/ frostbite

© norwalkyachtclub.com/frostbite

10 US Sailing Club Judge Seminar Led by US Sailing Judge Eric Johnson and Oakcliff Race Program Director Bill Simon, this workshop is for people who are interested in initial certification as a US Sailing Club Judge. Some protest committee experience is helpful, but not required. 8am - 5pm; Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 516-662-4926; bsimon@oakcliffsailing.org; oakcliffsailing.org 10 & 11 NEIYA New England DN Championship The venue for this New England Ice Yacht Association regatta will be determined shortly before the event based on the ice conditions around the region. For more details, contact NEIYA Vice Commodore John Stanton at John@ neiya.org or visit neiya.org 10 - 18 61st Progressive® Insurance New England Boat Show The oldest boat show in New England offers a large selection of the newest boats, gear & gadgets, with exhibitors offering the season’s best deals.

Boston Convention & Exhibition windcheckmagazine.com

Center, Boston, MA; NewEnglandBoatShow.com 10, 11, 24 & 25 Seal-Spotting & Birding Cruises These invigorating 2.5-hour cruises aboard the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s hybrid-electric research vessel Spirit of the Sound™, seek out the harbor seals and gray seals that migrate down into Long Island Sound each winter.

Aquarium educators will point out these federally protected marine mammals and talk about their natural histories. These cruises also give birders unique “on-the-water” access to see and photograph visiting winter waterfowl such as buffleheads, mergansers, Brant geese and long-tailed ducks. Binoculars will be provided. The vessel has a climate-controlled cabin, but the best view’s on deck so bring plenty of warm clothes. Passengers must be over 42” tall.

Tickets are $29.95, or $24.95 for Aquarium members. Departure times vary due to low tides, and space is limited so advance reservations are strongly recommended. Walk-up tickets will be sold, space permitting. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, CT; 203-852-0700, ext. 2206; maritimeaquarium.org 15 Nelson Simon: The Accidental Sailor Simon will recount his harrowing tale that began with a friendly invitation to sail on board the Norwegian schooner Anne Kristine from Brooklyn to Bermuda but became a fight for survival in what became known as “The Perfect Storm.” 1:30pm in The River Room at Latitude 41° Restaurant, Mystic, CT; 6:30pm at StoneRidge senior living community, Mystic, CT; $15 for Mystic Seaport members ($20 non-members); students free; call 860-572-5331 to purchase tickets; mysticseaport.org 16 - 25 30th Annual Newport Winter Festival Featuring over 150 events, “New England’s Largest Winter Extravaganza offers a unique winter experience WindCheck Magazine

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Floating Dock Mooring Space Available in 2018 Milford Harbor, Milford, CT      

Docks Secured with Helix Anchors & Seaflex Lines Walk to Restaurants, Shops & Train Station

combining food, festivities, music, and fun for all ages. Highlights include the Childrens’s Fair, Chili Cook-Off, Princess Party, concerts and more. “There’s Snow Place Like Newport!” Various location throughout Newport and Newport County, RI; NewportWinterFestival.com

Dinghy Launch Area/Space Available

MARCH 1-4 38th Annual St. Maarten Heineken Regatta This international event features four days of world-class racing and entertainment by world famous musicians. St. Maarten, FWI; heinekenregatta.com

Boats up to 42’ $25 per ft. for the Season Free Pump-out Service

© NewportWinterFestival.com

City of Milford Harbor Management Commission Milford Lisman Landing 203-874-1610

24 Behind the Canvas: Leif Nilsson: In the Moment…

In this second of a unique series of four programs with awardwinning Maritime Gallery artists, Nilsson will show photos of various paintings in different stages of their development, videos of the process of setting up and working on them, and spin yarns about interesting encounters from different locations. 3 4:30pm; $15 for Mystic Seaport members ($20 non-members; Gallery patrons and Gallery artists free); The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; call 860-572-5331 to register; mysticseaport.org; nilssonstudio.com

Hamburg Cove by Leif Nilsson

28 North U Mid-Winter Race Clinic Instructor Bill Gladstone will share tips to help you be faster on the racecourse this season. St. Thomas, USVI; Francine Wainer: 203-245-0727; fran@northu.northsails.com; northu.com 40 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

© Laurens Morel

3 Introduction to Celestial Navigation Led by Captain William Mack, this is the first of two consecutive courses that will put new students of celestial navigation on the path to proficiency in this time honored skill. 9am - 4pm; Landfall Marine Training Center, Stamford, CT; 800-9412219; landfallnavigation.com/ celestial-navigation-intro.html 4 - 10 9th Annual Miami Sailing Week This event features one-design racing for Viper 640s, J/70s,VX Ones, Melges 24s, Flying Tiger 7.5s, and A-Class & M32 catamarans; Miami, FL; MiamiSailingWeek.com 23 - 25 31st Annual Maine Boatbuilders Show Proudly produced by Portland Yacht Services, this gathering of the finest fiberglass and wooden custom boatbuilders on the East Coast features everything from small rowing boats, kayaks and canoes to powerboats and sailboats of every size. Portland Sports Complex, Portland, ME; BoatShow/PortlandCompany.com; PortlandYacht.com

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

contactus@windcheckmagazine.com

by the 7th of the month.

windcheckmagazine.com

January 2018

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

Source: noaa.gov

The Battery, NY Port Washington, NY 1/1 12:58 AM 1/1 7:01 AM 1/1 1:50 PM 1/1 7:36 PM 1/2 1:52 AM 1/2 7:53 AM 1/2 2:41 PM 1/2 8:30 PM 1/3 2:45 AM 1/3 8:46 AM 1/3 3:32 PM 1/3 9:26 PM 1/4 3:37 AM 1/4 9:42 AM 1/4 4:22 PM 1/4 10:25 PM 1/5 4:29 AM 1/5 10:40 AM 1/5 5:13 PM 1/5 11:24 PM 1/6 5:23 AM 1/6 11:38 AM 1/6 6:06 PM 1/7 12:20 AM 1/7 6:22 AM 1/7 12:34 PM 1/7 7:02 PM 1/8 1:15 AM 1/8 7:26 AM 1/8 1:28 PM 1/8 8:00 PM 1/9 2:09 AM 1/9 8:30 AM 1/9 2:23 PM 1/9 8:57 PM 1/10 3:03 AM 1/10 9:31 AM 1/10 3:20 PM 1/10 9:49 PM 1/11 3:59 AM 1/11 10:25 AM 1/11 4:19 PM 1/11 10:37 PM 1/12 4:53 AM 1/12 11:15 AM 1/12 5:15 PM 1/12 11:23 PM 1/13 5:42 AM 1/13 12:02 PM 1/13 6:05 PM 1/14 12:08 AM 1/14 6:26 AM 1/14 12:47 PM 1/14 6:50 PM 1/15 12:51 AM 1/15 7:07 AM 1/15 1:30 PM 1/15 7:31 PM 1/16 1:34 AM 1/16 7:45 AM windcheckmagazine.com

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1/16 2:12 PM 1/16 8:10 PM 1/17 2:14 AM 1/17 8:20 AM 1/17 2:51 PM 1/17 8:47 PM 1/18 2:53 AM 1/18 8:55 AM 1/18 3:28 PM 1/18 9:23 PM 1/19 3:30 AM 1/19 9:28 AM 1/19 4:04 PM 1/19 9:58 PM 1/20 4:04 AM 1/20 10:01 AM 1/20 4:38 PM 1/20 10:32 PM 1/21 4:38 AM 1/21 10:37 AM 1/21 5:10 PM 1/21 11:09 PM 1/22 5:15 AM 1/22 11:19 AM 1/22 5:46 PM 1/22 11:51 PM 1/23 6:04 AM 1/23 12:07 PM 1/23 6:32 PM 1/24 12:39 AM 1/24 7:21 AM 1/24 1:01 PM 1/24 7:36 PM 1/25 1:32 AM 1/25 8:41 AM 1/25 2:01 PM 1/25 8:47 PM 1/26 2:33 AM 1/26 9:47 AM 1/26 3:10 PM 1/26 9:51 PM 1/27 3:41 AM 1/27 10:47 AM 1/27 4:23 PM 1/27 10:50 PM 1/28 4:51 AM 1/28 11:44 AM 1/28 5:31 PM 1/28 11:47 PM 1/29 5:54 AM 1/29 12:39 PM 1/29 6:31 PM 1/30 12:44 AM 1/30 6:50 AM 1/30 1:32 PM 1/30 7:25 PM 1/31 1:38 AM 1/31 7:43 AM 1/31 2:23 PM 1/31 8:17 PM

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

4:07 AM 10:13 AM 5:00 PM 10:57 PM 5:04 AM 11:08 AM 5:51 PM 11:51 PM 6:00 AM 12:02 PM 6:41 PM 12:43 AM 6:55 AM 12:54 PM 7:31 PM 1:35 AM 7:51 AM 1:48 PM 8:23 PM 2:29 AM 8:53 AM 2:46 PM 9:21 PM 3:30 AM 10:01 AM 3:53 PM 10:24 PM 4:34 AM 11:07 AM 5:02 PM 11:27 PM 5:36 AM 12:11 PM 6:09 PM 12:29 AM 6:38 AM 1:12 PM 7:14 PM 1:30 AM 7:39 AM 2:09 PM 8:15 PM 2:26 AM 8:33 AM 3:02 PM 9:08 PM 3:17 AM 9:22 AM 3:50 PM 9:55 PM 4:03 AM 10:05 AM 4:35 PM 10:39 PM 4:47 AM 10:44 AM 5:17 PM 11:18 PM 5:26 AM 11:15 AM

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1/16 1/16 1/17 1/17 1/17 1/18 1/18 1/18 1/18 1/19 1/19 1/19 1/19 1/20 1/20 1/20 1/20 1/21 1/21 1/21 1/21 1/22 1/22 1/22 1/22 1/23 1/23 1/23 1/23 1/24 1/24 1/24 1/24 1/25 1/25 1/25 1/25 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/27 1/27 1/27 1/27 1/28 1/28 1/28 1/28 1/29 1/29 1/29 1/29 1/30 1/30 1/30 1/30 1/31 1/31 1/31 1/31

Bridgeport, CT 5:55 PM 11:50 PM 5:57 AM 11:31 AM 6:24 PM 12:08 AM 6:09 AM 11:50 AM 6:34 PM 12:20 AM 6:28 AM 12:22 PM 6:51 PM 12:50 AM 7:01 AM 1:00 PM 7:23 PM 1:28 AM 7:41 AM 1:42 PM 8:02 PM 2:10 AM 8:27 AM 2:29 PM 8:46 PM 2:58 AM 9:18 AM 3:20 PM 9:36 PM 3:50 AM 10:16 AM 4:16 PM 10:31 PM 4:45 AM 11:18 AM 5:16 PM 11:30 PM 5:45 AM 12:29 PM 6:22 PM 12:36 AM 6:51 AM 1:56 PM 7:42 PM 1:53 AM 8:05 AM 3:05 PM 8:59 PM 3:06 AM 9:13 AM 4:01 PM 9:59 PM 4:08 AM 10:12 AM 4:54 PM 10:53 PM 5:06 AM 11:07 AM 5:44 PM 11:45 PM

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1/1 3:54 AM 1/1 10:05 AM 1/1 4:38 PM 1/1 10:41 PM 1/2 4:47 AM 1/2 10:58 AM 1/2 5:30 PM 1/2 11:33 PM 1/3 5:41 AM 1/3 11:51 AM 1/3 6:22 PM 1/4 12:26 AM 1/4 6:35 AM 1/4 12:44 PM 1/4 7:14 PM 1/5 1:19 AM 1/5 7:31 AM 1/5 1:38 PM 1/5 8:06 PM 1/6 2:13 AM 1/6 8:28 AM 1/6 2:34 PM 1/6 9:00 PM 1/7 3:08 AM 1/7 9:27 AM 1/7 3:32 PM 1/7 9:55 PM 1/8 4:05 AM 1/8 10:28 AM 1/8 4:31 PM 1/8 10:51 PM 1/9 5:03 AM 1/9 11:29 AM 1/9 5:31 PM 1/9 11:47 PM 1/10 6:00 AM 1/10 12:29 PM 1/10 6:31 PM 1/11 12:42 AM 1/11 6:55 AM 1/11 1:25 PM 1/11 7:27 PM 1/12 1:35 AM 1/12 7:48 AM 1/12 2:17 PM 1/12 8:20 PM 1/13 2:24 AM 1/13 8:36 AM 1/13 3:04 PM 1/13 9:07 PM 1/14 3:10 AM 1/14 9:21 AM 1/14 3:47 PM 1/14 9:51 PM 1/15 3:53 AM 1/15 10:03 AM 1/15 4:26 PM 1/15 10:32 PM 1/16 4:33 AM 1/16 10:42 AM

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WindCheck Magazine

1/16 5:04 PM 1/16 11:10 PM 1/17 5:12 AM 1/17 11:21 AM 1/17 5:41 PM 1/17 11:48 PM 1/18 5:51 AM 1/18 11:58 AM 1/18 6:18 PM 1/19 12:25 AM 1/19 6:29 AM 1/19 12:35 PM 1/19 6:55 PM 1/20 1:02 AM 1/20 7:09 AM 1/20 1:14 PM 1/20 7:33 PM 1/21 1:41 AM 1/21 7:51 AM 1/21 1:55 PM 1/21 8:14 PM 1/22 2:22 AM 1/22 8:37 AM 1/22 2:40 PM 1/22 8:58 PM 1/23 3:07 AM 1/23 9:28 AM 1/23 3:31 PM 1/23 9:47 PM 1/24 3:57 AM 1/24 10:25 AM 1/24 4:28 PM 1/24 10:41 PM 1/25 4:53 AM 1/25 11:26 AM 1/25 5:29 PM 1/25 11:40 PM 1/26 5:53 AM 1/26 12:30 PM 1/26 6:33 PM 1/27 12:42 AM 1/27 6:54 AM 1/27 1:33 PM 1/27 7:35 PM 1/28 1:43 AM 1/28 7:56 AM 1/28 2:32 PM 1/28 8:35 PM 1/29 2:42 AM 1/29 8:55 AM 1/29 3:29 PM 1/29 9:31 PM 1/30 3:39 AM 1/30 9:51 AM 1/30 4:22 PM 1/30 10:25 PM 1/31 4:34 AM 1/31 10:45 AM 1/31 5:13 PM 1/31 11:16 PM

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January/February 2018

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January 2018

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

Source: noaa.gov

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

2:12 AM 8:18 AM 3:04 PM 8:42 PM 3:03 AM 9:09 AM 3:53 PM 9:33 PM 3:54 AM 9:59 AM 4:44 PM 10:26 PM 4:49 AM 10:52 AM 5:37 PM 11:23 PM 5:48 AM 11:48 AM 6:30 PM 12:20 AM 6:49 AM 12:42 PM 7:23 PM 1:16 AM 7:49 AM 1:34 PM 8:15 PM 2:13 AM 8:51 AM 2:30 PM 9:10 PM 3:15 AM 9:56 AM 3:31 PM 10:05 PM 4:18 AM 10:57 AM 4:33 PM 10:59 PM 5:12 AM 11:53 AM 5:26 PM 11:51 PM 5:59 AM 12:46 PM 6:15 PM 12:41 AM 6:45 AM 1:34 PM 7:02 PM 1:30 AM 7:30 AM 2:15 PM 7:49 PM 2:12 AM 8:13 AM 2:52 PM 8:33 PM 2:50 AM 8:53 AM

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Woods Hole, MA 1/16 1/16 1/17 1/17 1/17 1/17 1/18 1/18 1/18 1/18 1/19 1/19 1/19 1/19 1/20 1/20 1/20 1/21 1/21 1/21 1/21 1/22 1/22 1/22 1/22 1/23 1/23 1/23 1/23 1/24 1/24 1/24 1/24 1/25 1/25 1/25 1/25 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/27 1/27 1/27 1/28 1/28 1/28 1/28 1/29 1/29 1/29 1/29 1/30 1/30 1/30 1/30 1/31 1/31 1/31 1/31

3:27 PM 9:14 PM 3:26 AM 9:33 AM 4:02 PM 9:56 PM 4:03 AM 10:13 AM 4:40 PM 10:38 PM 4:43 AM 10:54 AM 5:20 PM 11:22 PM 5:28 AM 11:36 AM 6:03 PM 12:07 AM 6:17 AM 12:17 PM 6:47 PM 12:50 AM 7:08 AM 12:58 PM 7:31 PM 1:34 AM 8:01 AM 1:41 PM 8:18 PM 2:24 AM 9:00 AM 2:35 PM 9:10 PM 3:25 AM 10:02 AM 3:43 PM 10:08 PM 4:28 AM 11:03 AM 4:47 PM 11:05 PM 5:24 AM 12:02 PM 5:43 PM 12:03 AM 6:17 AM 1:00 PM 6:38 PM 1:01 AM 7:11 AM 1:56 PM 7:32 PM 1:58 AM 8:04 AM 2:46 PM 8:25 PM 2:51 AM 8:54 AM 3:34 PM 9:15 PM

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

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

1:11 AM 7:09 AM 2:43 PM 7:26 PM 2:09 AM 8:00 AM 3:36 PM 8:18 PM 3:08 AM 8:51 AM 4:29 PM 9:10 PM 4:07 AM 9:43 AM 5:24 PM 10:03 PM 5:11 AM 10:35 AM 6:20 PM 10:58 PM 6:24 AM 11:27 AM 7:19 PM 11:53 PM 7:43 AM 12:19 PM 8:19 PM 12:48 AM 8:58 AM 1:11 PM 9:17 PM 1:45 AM 10:07 AM 2:05 PM 10:13 PM 2:43 AM 11:11 AM 3:00 PM 11:07 PM 3:42 AM 12:11 PM 3:55 PM 11:58 PM 4:37 AM 1:03 PM 4:46 PM 12:39 AM 5:27 AM 1:48 PM 5:35 PM 11:33 PM 6:13 AM 2:24 PM 6:20 PM 12:13 AM 6:56 AM 2:52 PM 7:03 PM 1:01 AM 7:37 AM

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

1/16 1/16 1/17 1/17 1/17 1/17 1/18 1/18 1/18 1/18 1/19 1/19 1/19 1/19 1/20 1/20 1/20 1/20 1/21 1/21 1/21 1/21 1/22 1/22 1/22 1/23 1/23 1/23 1/23 1/24 1/24 1/24 1/24 1/25 1/25 1/25 1/25 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/26 1/27 1/27 1/27 1/27 1/28 1/28 1/28 1/29 1/29 1/29 1/29 1/30 1/30 1/30 1/30 1/31 1/31 1/31 1/31

3:09 PM 7:46 PM 1:51 AM 8:18 AM 3:26 PM 8:29 PM 2:40 AM 8:58 AM 3:57 PM 9:12 PM 3:30 AM 9:39 AM 4:35 PM 9:55 PM 4:20 AM 10:19 AM 5:17 PM 10:39 PM 5:15 AM 11:00 AM 6:02 PM 11:24 PM 6:15 AM 11:44 AM 6:49 PM 12:12 AM 7:21 AM 12:32 PM 7:38 PM 1:04 AM 8:27 AM 1:25 PM 8:28 PM 2:02 AM 9:32 AM 2:24 PM 9:18 PM 3:05 AM 10:35 AM 3:25 PM 10:09 PM 4:07 AM 11:38 AM 4:26 PM 11:03 PM 5:06 AM 12:38 PM 5:22 PM 12:02 AM 6:01 AM 1:35 PM 6:16 PM 1:03 AM 6:52 AM 2:28 PM 7:07 PM 2:04 AM 7:42 AM 3:18 PM 7:58 PM

Newport, RI L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H

1/1 6:41 AM 1/1 12:50 PM 1/1 7:08 PM 1/2 12:29 AM 1/2 7:33 AM 1/2 1:45 PM 1/2 8:00 PM 1/3 1:23 AM 1/3 8:25 AM 1/3 2:36 PM 1/3 8:53 PM 1/4 2:18 AM 1/4 9:18 AM 1/4 3:22 PM 1/4 9:46 PM 1/5 3:10 AM 1/5 10:11 AM 1/5 4:07 PM 1/5 10:41 PM 1/6 4:02 AM 1/6 11:06 AM 1/6 4:52 PM 1/6 11:38 PM 1/7 4:57 AM 1/7 12:01 PM 1/7 5:44 PM 1/8 12:34 AM 1/8 6:10 AM 1/8 12:55 PM 1/8 6:47 PM 1/9 1:30 AM 1/9 8:02 AM 1/9 1:50 PM 1/9 7:52 PM 1/10 2:28 AM 1/10 9:15 AM 1/10 2:48 PM 1/10 8:43 PM 1/11 3:28 AM 1/11 10:05 AM 1/11 3:49 PM 1/11 9:26 PM 1/12 4:27 AM 1/12 10:43 AM 1/12 4:47 PM 1/12 10:06 PM 1/13 5:18 AM 1/13 11:16 AM 1/13 5:35 PM 1/13 10:46 PM 1/14 6:02 AM 1/14 11:50 AM 1/14 6:18 PM 1/14 11:27 PM 1/15 6:42 AM 1/15 12:27 PM 1/15 6:57 PM 1/16 12:09 AM 1/16 7:18 AM 1/16 1:06 PM

42 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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1/16 7:34 PM 1/17 12:52 AM 1/17 7:52 AM 1/17 1:44 PM 1/17 8:10 PM 1/18 1:34 AM 1/18 8:26 AM 1/18 2:19 PM 1/18 8:46 PM 1/19 2:13 AM 1/19 9:01 AM 1/19 2:51 PM 1/19 9:23 PM 1/20 2:51 AM 1/20 9:39 AM 1/20 3:22 PM 1/20 10:03 PM 1/21 3:27 AM 1/21 10:20 AM 1/21 3:53 PM 1/21 10:47 PM 1/22 4:06 AM 1/22 11:06 AM 1/22 4:29 PM 1/22 11:34 PM 1/23 4:52 AM 1/23 11:55 AM 1/23 5:12 PM 1/24 12:24 AM 1/24 5:49 AM 1/24 12:49 PM 1/24 6:06 PM 1/25 1:18 AM 1/25 7:04 AM 1/25 1:46 PM 1/25 7:09 PM 1/26 2:17 AM 1/26 8:35 AM 1/26 2:49 PM 1/26 8:17 PM 1/27 3:23 AM 1/27 9:54 AM 1/27 3:57 PM 1/27 9:24 PM 1/28 4:31 AM 1/28 10:55 AM 1/28 5:01 PM 1/28 10:26 PM 1/29 5:32 AM 1/29 11:49 AM 1/29 5:59 PM 1/29 11:23 PM 1/30 6:27 AM 1/30 12:42 PM 1/30 6:53 PM 1/31 12:19 AM 1/31 7:20 AM 1/31 1:32 PM 1/31 7:44 PM

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windcheckmagazine.com

February 2018

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

Source: noaa.gov

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

2:31 AM 8:34 AM 3:12 PM 9:09 PM 3:22 AM 9:26 AM 3:59 PM 10:03 PM 4:11 AM 10:19 AM 4:46 PM 10:57 PM 5:01 AM 11:13 AM 5:34 PM 11:49 PM 5:54 AM 12:05 PM 6:24 PM 12:41 AM 6:52 AM 12:56 PM 7:18 PM 1:31 AM 7:55 AM 1:49 PM 8:16 PM 2:23 AM 8:56 AM 2:44 PM 9:12 PM 3:18 AM 9:53 AM 3:44 PM 10:04 PM 4:15 AM 10:45 AM 4:45 PM 10:53 PM 5:10 AM 11:33 AM 5:39 PM 11:40 PM 6:00 AM 12:18 PM 6:26 PM 12:25 AM 6:43 AM 1:02 PM 7:07 PM 1:09 AM 7:22 AM 1:43 PM 7:45 PM

windcheckmagazine.com

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

2/15 2/15 2/15 2/15 2/16 2/16 2/16 2/16 2/17 2/17 2/17 2/17 2/18 2/18 2/18 2/18 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/21 2/21 2/21 2/22 2/22 2/22 2/22 2/23 2/23 2/23 2/23 2/24 2/24 2/24 2/24 2/25 2/25 2/25 2/25 2/26 2/26 2/26 2/26 2/27 2/27 2/27 2/28 2/28 2/28 2/28

1:51 AM 7:57 AM 2:23 PM 8:20 PM 2:31 AM 8:31 AM 3:00 PM 8:52 PM 3:09 AM 9:03 AM 3:35 PM 9:23 PM 3:46 AM 9:36 AM 4:09 PM 9:55 PM 4:23 AM 10:13 AM 4:41 PM 10:33 PM 5:03 AM 10:57 AM 5:16 PM 11:18 PM 5:51 AM 11:48 AM 6:00 PM 12:09 AM 6:59 AM 12:44 PM 7:02 PM 1:05 AM 8:18 AM 1:46 PM 8:21 PM 2:09 AM 9:28 AM 2:56 PM 9:33 PM 3:21 AM 10:29 AM 4:11 PM 10:35 PM 4:37 AM 11:26 AM 5:20 PM 11:34 PM 5:43 AM 12:21 PM 6:19 PM 12:30 AM 6:40 AM 1:13 PM 7:11 PM

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

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

6:00 AM 11:59 AM 6:32 PM 12:34 AM 6:51 AM 12:48 PM 7:17 PM 1:20 AM 7:41 AM 1:36 PM 8:02 PM 2:07 AM 8:32 AM 2:24 PM 8:51 PM 2:56 AM 9:30 AM 3:19 PM 9:45 PM 3:51 AM 10:31 AM 4:21 PM 10:46 PM 4:50 AM 11:33 AM 5:26 PM 11:49 PM 5:52 AM 12:35 PM 6:34 PM 12:53 AM 6:58 AM 1:36 PM 7:39 PM 1:54 AM 7:59 AM 2:32 PM 8:37 PM 2:48 AM 8:53 AM 3:22 PM 9:27 PM 3:37 AM 9:39 AM 4:09 PM 10:12 PM 4:22 AM 10:20 AM 4:51 PM 10:51 PM 5:03 AM 10:54 AM 5:29 PM 11:23 PM

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2/15 2/15 2/15 2/15 2/16 2/16 2/16 2/16 2/17 2/17 2/17 2/18 2/18 2/18 2/18 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/21 2/21 2/21 2/21 2/22 2/22 2/22 2/22 2/23 2/23 2/23 2/23 2/24 2/24 2/24 2/25 2/25 2/25 2/25 2/26 2/26 2/26 2/26 2/27 2/27 2/27 2/27 2/28 2/28 2/28 2/28

Bridgeport, CT 5:36 AM 11:16 AM 5:58 PM 11:42 PM 5:55 AM 11:33 AM 6:09 PM 11:56 PM 6:11 AM 12:03 PM 6:26 PM 12:25 AM 6:42 AM 12:40 PM 6:58 PM 1:02 AM 7:20 AM 1:21 PM 7:36 PM 1:44 AM 8:03 AM 2:06 PM 8:19 PM 2:30 AM 8:53 AM 2:55 PM 9:09 PM 3:21 AM 9:49 AM 3:51 PM 10:05 PM 4:18 AM 10:53 AM 4:52 PM 11:07 PM 5:21 AM 12:08 PM 6:02 PM 12:19 AM 6:33 AM 1:45 PM 7:37 PM 1:56 AM 8:03 AM 2:55 PM 8:55 PM 3:11 AM 9:14 AM 3:51 PM 9:52 PM 4:09 AM 10:11 AM 4:42 PM 10:44 PM

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2/1 5:27 AM 2/1 11:36 AM 2/1 6:03 PM 2/2 12:07 AM 2/2 6:19 AM 2/2 12:27 PM 2/2 6:51 PM 2/3 12:56 AM 2/3 7:11 AM 2/3 1:18 PM 2/3 7:39 PM 2/4 1:46 AM 2/4 8:04 AM 2/4 2:09 PM 2/4 8:28 PM 2/5 2:36 AM 2/5 8:57 AM 2/5 3:01 PM 2/5 9:18 PM 2/6 3:28 AM 2/6 9:53 AM 2/6 3:56 PM 2/6 10:11 PM 2/7 4:23 AM 2/7 10:51 AM 2/7 4:54 PM 2/7 11:06 PM 2/8 5:19 AM 2/8 11:50 AM 2/8 5:53 PM 2/9 12:03 AM 2/9 6:16 AM 2/9 12:48 PM 2/9 6:52 PM 2/10 12:59 AM 2/10 7:12 AM 2/10 1:42 PM 2/10 7:47 PM 2/11 1:53 AM 2/11 8:05 AM 2/11 2:32 PM 2/11 8:37 PM 2/12 2:42 AM 2/12 8:54 AM 2/12 3:17 PM 2/12 9:23 PM 2/13 3:28 AM 2/13 9:38 AM 2/13 3:58 PM 2/13 10:05 PM 2/14 4:10 AM 2/14 10:19 AM 2/14 4:37 PM 2/14 10:44 PM

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

WindCheck Magazine

2/15 4:50 AM 2/15 10:58 AM 2/15 5:14 PM 2/15 11:21 PM 2/16 5:28 AM 2/16 11:35 AM 2/16 5:51 PM 2/16 11:58 PM 2/17 6:07 AM 2/17 12:12 PM 2/17 6:27 PM 2/18 12:34 AM 2/18 6:46 AM 2/18 12:51 PM 2/18 7:05 PM 2/19 1:11 AM 2/19 7:27 AM 2/19 1:32 PM 2/19 7:45 PM 2/20 1:51 AM 2/20 8:12 AM 2/20 2:17 PM 2/20 8:29 PM 2/21 2:36 AM 2/21 9:03 AM 2/21 3:07 PM 2/21 9:18 PM 2/22 3:27 AM 2/22 9:59 AM 2/22 4:04 PM 2/22 10:14 PM 2/23 4:24 AM 2/23 11:02 AM 2/23 5:07 PM 2/23 11:16 PM 2/24 5:28 AM 2/24 12:09 PM 2/24 6:13 PM 2/25 12:23 AM 2/25 6:35 AM 2/25 1:14 PM 2/25 7:18 PM 2/26 1:28 AM 2/26 7:40 AM 2/26 2:16 PM 2/26 8:19 PM 2/27 2:30 AM 2/27 8:42 AM 2/27 3:13 PM 2/27 9:16 PM 2/28 3:28 AM 2/28 9:38 AM 2/28 4:05 PM 2/28 10:08 PM

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January/February 2018

43

February 2018

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

Source: noaa.gov

Fishers Island, NY

Woods Hole, MA

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

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

3:41 AM 9:43 AM 4:21 PM 10:05 PM 4:33 AM 10:32 AM 5:10 PM 10:57 PM 5:28 AM 11:23 AM 6:00 PM 11:51 PM 6:26 AM 12:14 PM 6:51 PM 12:44 AM 7:22 AM 1:04 PM 7:41 PM 1:37 AM 8:20 AM 1:55 PM 8:32 PM 2:32 AM 9:19 AM 2:52 PM 9:28 PM 3:34 AM 10:20 AM 3:55 PM 10:25 PM 4:36 AM 11:16 AM 4:55 PM 11:20 PM 5:30 AM 12:09 PM 5:48 PM 12:13 AM 6:19 AM 12:59 PM 6:37 PM 1:04 AM 7:06 AM 1:44 PM 7:24 PM 1:49 AM 7:51 AM 2:23 PM 8:09 PM 2:29 AM 8:33 AM 2:59 PM 8:50 PM

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2/15 2/15 2/15 2/15 2/16 2/16 2/16 2/16 2/17 2/17 2/17 2/17 2/18 2/18 2/18 2/18 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/21 2/21 2/21 2/21 2/22 2/22 2/22 2/22 2/23 2/23 2/23 2/23 2/24 2/24 2/24 2/24 2/25 2/25 2/25 2/25 2/26 2/26 2/26 2/27 2/27 2/27 2/27 2/28 2/28 2/28 2/28

3:05 AM 9:12 AM 3:33 PM 9:29 PM 3:42 AM 9:49 AM 4:09 PM 10:08 PM 4:21 AM 10:27 AM 4:47 PM 10:48 PM 5:04 AM 11:06 AM 5:28 PM 11:30 PM 5:53 AM 11:47 AM 6:13 PM 12:14 AM 6:45 AM 12:31 PM 7:00 PM 12:59 AM 7:39 AM 1:17 PM 7:50 PM 1:49 AM 8:36 AM 2:10 PM 8:45 PM 2:51 AM 9:39 AM 3:18 PM 9:46 PM 4:02 AM 10:42 AM 4:28 PM 10:49 PM 5:05 AM 11:42 AM 5:28 PM 11:49 PM 6:01 AM 12:41 PM 6:23 PM 12:49 AM 6:56 AM 1:36 PM 7:17 PM 1:47 AM 7:49 AM 2:27 PM 8:08 PM

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

3:03 AM 8:31 AM 4:07 PM 8:49 PM 4:00 AM 9:21 AM 4:56 PM 9:40 PM 4:59 AM 10:10 AM 5:48 PM 10:33 PM 6:05 AM 11:00 AM 6:43 PM 11:25 PM 7:18 AM 11:49 AM 7:42 PM 12:18 AM 8:32 AM 12:39 PM 8:44 PM 1:13 AM 9:42 AM 1:31 PM 9:46 PM 2:10 AM 10:47 AM 2:25 PM 10:46 PM 3:10 AM 11:47 AM 3:22 PM 11:41 PM 4:11 AM 12:39 PM 4:18 PM 12:25 AM 5:05 AM 1:22 PM 5:09 PM 11:10 PM 5:52 AM 1:55 PM 5:56 PM 11:58 PM 6:34 AM 2:15 PM 6:39 PM 12:49 AM 7:14 AM 2:25 PM 7:21 PM

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

2/15 2/15 2/15 2/15 2/16 2/16 2/16 2/16 2/17 2/17 2/17 2/17 2/18 2/18 2/18 2/18 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/21 2/21 2/21 2/22 2/22 2/22 2/22 2/23 2/23 2/23 2/23 2/24 2/24 2/24 2/24 2/25 2/25 2/25 2/25 2/26 2/26 2/26 2/27 2/27 2/27 2/27 2/28 2/28 2/28 2/28

1:40 AM 7:52 AM 2:48 PM 8:03 PM 2:30 AM 8:31 AM 3:22 PM 8:44 PM 3:18 AM 9:10 AM 4:00 PM 9:26 PM 4:08 AM 9:50 AM 4:40 PM 10:09 PM 5:02 AM 10:33 AM 5:24 PM 10:55 PM 6:01 AM 11:19 AM 6:11 PM 11:43 PM 7:06 AM 12:08 PM 7:04 PM 12:37 AM 8:14 AM 1:02 PM 8:00 PM 1:36 AM 9:21 AM 2:00 PM 8:58 PM 2:40 AM 10:24 AM 3:02 PM 9:56 PM 3:46 AM 11:25 AM 4:04 PM 10:57 PM 4:47 AM 12:24 PM 5:03 PM 12:02 AM 5:42 AM 1:18 PM 5:57 PM 1:06 AM 6:33 AM 2:09 PM 6:48 PM

Newport, RI L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H

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

44 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

1:15 AM 8:10 AM 2:18 PM 8:35 PM 2:08 AM 9:00 AM 2:58 PM 9:25 PM 2:58 AM 9:49 AM 3:34 PM 10:17 PM 3:44 AM 10:40 AM 4:09 PM 11:09 PM 4:30 AM 11:31 AM 4:47 PM 12:03 AM 5:22 AM 12:23 PM 5:30 PM 12:56 AM 6:30 AM 1:15 PM 6:23 PM 1:50 AM 8:10 AM 2:10 PM 7:27 PM 2:49 AM 9:22 AM 3:10 PM 8:35 PM 3:52 AM 10:10 AM 4:13 PM 9:35 PM 4:50 AM 10:49 AM 5:07 PM 10:26 PM 5:37 AM 11:27 AM 5:51 PM 11:11 PM 6:17 AM 12:04 PM 6:30 PM 11:54 PM 6:52 AM 12:42 PM 7:07 PM

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2/15 2/15 2/15 2/15 2/16 2/16 2/16 2/16 2/17 2/17 2/17 2/17 2/18 2/18 2/18 2/18 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/21 2/21 2/21 2/21 2/22 2/22 2/22 2/23 2/23 2/23 2/23 2/24 2/24 2/24 2/24 2/25 2/25 2/25 2/25 2/26 2/26 2/26 2/26 2/27 2/27 2/27 2/27 2/28 2/28 2/28

12:36 AM 7:26 AM 1:18 PM 7:42 PM 1:17 AM 8:00 AM 1:51 PM 8:18 PM 1:56 AM 8:36 AM 2:22 PM 8:55 PM 2:33 AM 9:14 AM 2:52 PM 9:35 PM 3:10 AM 9:56 AM 3:24 PM 10:19 PM 3:48 AM 10:43 AM 4:00 PM 11:07 PM 4:31 AM 11:34 AM 4:43 PM 11:59 PM 5:25 AM 12:29 PM 5:34 PM 12:55 AM 6:36 AM 1:27 PM 6:38 PM 1:56 AM 8:22 AM 2:31 PM 7:53 PM 3:04 AM 9:53 AM 3:40 PM 9:10 PM 4:15 AM 10:52 AM 4:46 PM 10:19 PM 5:18 AM 11:41 AM 5:44 PM 11:19 PM 6:14 AM 12:27 PM 6:37 PM

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

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MudRatz Set Sights on Blue Water Sailing With the surprise donation of a proven 48-footer, MudRatz, an organization based in Southeastern Connecticut with a mission to complement local youth sailing programs by enabling enthusiastic sailors to practice together as a team and travel to regattas around the country, is taking a leap into the world of offshore racing.

“Life changing moments can happen so fast that we often call them ‘sparks,’” said MudRatz founder Brandon Flack. In just four years, the MudRatz have been formed around such moments. Who knew that a few kids meeting on a dock to go sailing would lead to the formation of a full-blown race team? And we might say our first boat donation [a Melges 24] was simply a “Why not us?” moment, but it launched the young team deep into the sportboat world.”

With the donation of this Swan 48, the MudRatz have set their sights on the Newport Bermuda Race and beyond. © Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com

“Looking back through all the big and little sparks, it’s hard to point to a single moment that we knew was about to change so many lives,” Flack continued. “That is, until we read a recent email that began, ‘I contact you with respect to finding a good home for my S&S Swan 48, Dreamcatcher.’ Needless to say, this spark came at us like a full-blown flamethrower as we read on in disbelief…’I have successfully raced and cruised Dreamcatcher for the past 16 seasons and kept her in great shape, never windcheckmagazine.com

sparing work with keeping safety and competitiveness in mind.

I think she is the perfect boat for any group looking to have a great platform for long distance and offshore racing.’ The note went on to share how the boat had won last year’s Block Island Race and finished at the top of her Newport Bermuda Race class in most of the recent editions. After letting the scale of this all sink in, there was only one reply we could make: ‘We would love to work with you, and a boat like this would be a life changer for a lot of kids now and for years to come!’”

“The MudRatz have embarked on a new adventure to sail over the horizons,” said Flack. “Understanding this is a massive undertaking, we intend to form a team to prepare and compete in the Stephens Brothers Youth Division in the 2018 Newport Bermuda Race. An initial advisory committee has been formed made up of Stephan Kylander, Dreamcatcher’s previous owner and amazing donor, our newly appointed MudRatz Offshore Coordinator Anne Wilkinson, and two Bermuda Race Ambassadors who are huge supporters of youth sailing, John Winder and H.L. DeVore.”

“Donations are already rolling in, just on the rumors of the MudRatz doing the race. McMichael Yacht Brokers have signed on as the first donor to cover the full entry fee plus additional cash support. Veteran Volvo Ocean Race navigator and Whitbread winner Nick White has donated his tactical and navigation software from Expedition Marine, and Prudent Publishing has also volunteered significant cash support to help jumpstart the teams funds. We are proud to add that Mystic Shipyard, through a generous donation by Jeff Marshall, will be the home for the offshore team and our new yacht this spring.

If you would like to be part of the campaign, please visit MudRatz.com/donations. Our first goal is to race to Bermuda; beyond that, we’ll have to just see where the next spark takes us.” ■

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Volvo Ocean Race Update Arriving in Melbourne, Australia on Christmas Eve, the Spanish team MAPFRE won Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18.

The 6,500 nautical mile leg, which started in Cape Town, South Africa on December 10, brought the fleet into the Southern Ocean the most inhospitable waters on Earth.

Sailors on the seven co-ed teams were pushed to the limit, with extreme cold, storm force winds for days on end and towering seas presenting massive seamanship challenges. Some crewmembers were injured, and team AkzoNobel (The Netherlands) sustained damage to a mast track during a high-speed jibe.

For the second consecutive leg, MAPFRE needed

With victories in Leg 2 and Leg 3, MAPFRE is setting the pace in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18. © Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

The Onboard Reporters in this edition of the VOR are capturing spectacular images with drones, including Martin Keruzore’s shot of Dongfeng Race Team, who were second on the leaderboard at press time. © Martin Keruzore/Volvo Ocean Race 46 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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Just another day at the office for Vestas 11th Hour Racing © Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

touch with the group.”

A 45,000 nautical mile race around the world that started in Alicante, Spain on October 22, the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 will make Stopovers in 11 cities including Newport, RI in May. To follow the action, log onto volvooceanrace.com. ■ On board Vestas 11th Hour Racing, somewhere between Cape Town and Melbourne © Sam Greenfield/Volvo Ocean Race

to come from behind to earn the victory. And for the second time in a row, it was Dongfeng Race Team (China) they passed mid-stage, to snatch the win. “We had to fight very hard for this victory,” skipper Xabi Fernández (Ibarra, Spain) said moments after crossing the finish line.

“There’s so much of the race to go, but for now it’s looking good and we’re very happy of course.”

Rhode Island’s home team in this edition of the Volvo, Vestas 11th Hour Racing (USA/Denmark), was the third boat into Melbourne, arriving on Christmas Day. This was a double points leg, and the team earned 10 points, which now puts them in third place overall just 7 points from the lead. “It was a tough leg, both physically and mentally,” said team co-founder Mark Towill (Kaneohe, HI). “We are happy to be on the podium again and happy to be on land for Christmas.”

Pummeled by winds gusting over 50 knots and surfing down mountainous waves, Vestas 11th Hour Racing saw an incredible boat speed of 38 knots. “When it’s really windy like this, maneuvers are really expensive,” skipper Charlie Enright (Bristol, RI) reported during the leg. “When you know it’s the right thing to do, but the right thing to do takes two hours and 100% of everybody’s effort, sometimes it’s hard to reach that conclusion. Lucky for us we bit the bullet and have stayed in windcheckmagazine.com

Standings after Leg 3 (In-Port Races are scored separately)

Leg 1 Leg 2 Leg 3 Extras* Total 1. MAPFRE 6 7 14 2 29 2. Dongfeng Race Team 5 6 12 23 3. Vestas 11th Hour Racing 7 5 10 1 23 4. Team Brunel 2 4 8 14 5. Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag 3 2 6 11 6. team AkzoNobel 4 3 2 9 7. Turn the Tide on Plastic 1 1 4 6 * Extras: Bonus point awarded to the winner of every leg, while the two Southern Ocean legs and the Transatlantic leg score double points.

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Like a Fine Wine

Sperry Charleston Race Week gets better every year There’s a popular maxim that goes something like this: ‘Like a fine wine, some things get better with age.’ That notion could easily apply to sailing regattas – or at least those events whose organizers pay the same close attention to their product as the best vintners. Sperry Charleston Race Week, organized by the Charleston Ocean Racing Association and scheduled for April 12 -15 in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina, is definitely one of those events.

Now in its 23rd year, this mega-regatta has grown to become the biggest multiclass event in the U.S., and a mecca for sportboats in particular. Over 70 J/70s competed in 2017, along with fleets of Melges 24s, VX Ones, Viper 640s and J/80s, and smaller groups of B-25s, Ultimate 24s and GP 26s. Race Week attracts an amazing caliber of talent to beautiful Charleston, SC from around the world. For the 2017 edition, competitors traveled from 12 countries and 27 U.S. states, coming from as far away as Texas, California, Canada, Seattle, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Italy and the Cayman Islands.

But what really makes this event a fine-wine affair? In a word, according to Event Director Randy Draftz, it’s innovation.

“That’s truly one of Race Week’s key watchwords,” said Draftz.

“Our organizing committee, supported by our area yacht clubs and our local municipalities, spends a lot of effort trying to keep this regatta fresh and relevant for its participants. That means we scrutinize and re-evaluate our programming in the offseason, tweaking some aspects and adding new ones from time to time.”

Chief among what’s new for 2018 will be an innovation for offshore competitors, something the organizers are calling the Open Course Format (OCF). According to Draftz, OCF will combine the best aspects of distance and buoy racing, essentially expanding the typical course format to put as much emphasis on navigation and weather routing as typical around-the-buoys courses put on boathandling, rules knowledge and tactics.

“For as long as I’ve been involved with this regatta,” said Draftz, “I’ve wanted to see our offshore boats racing neck-andneck down the channel to finish right in front of Race Week’s event venue at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. With OCF, 2018 could be the year we witness that scenario!”

Draftz and his fellow organizers are working on another new twist that they’ll announce in the coming weeks. This one will pertain to easier launching and hauling for out-of-town boat owners. It would be premature to offer details now, but interested parties should know that what’s in the works won’t only benefit the event’s customers, it will also serve as a fundraiser for one of the regatta’s non-profit partners as well. Now that’s genuine innovation. (For a primer on Sperry Charleston Race Week

These VX Ones are just a few of the 211 boats that competed at Sperry Charleston Race Week last year. © Tim Wilkes/Sperry Charleston Race Week 48 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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Along with the racing there are beach parties every night! © Tim Wilkes

logistics, log onto windcheckmagazine.com/a_sperry_charleston_race_week_primer.) “We’re doing everything we can to help ensure that the event remain accessible and as affordable as possible regarding the ancillary costs of competing in Charleston,” said Draftz. “We don’t want anyone to feel as though they’re priced out of Race Week.”

That statement embodies a long-held tenet of this event – every decision the organizing committee makes considers the competitors. “That outlook is written into this regatta’s DNA,” Draftz explained. “Pretty much everyone on the committee comes from a sailboat racing background, so it’s in our group’s nature to put the interest of the competitors first.”

Each year, the organizers do that by establishing a baseline that starts with bringing in the best race management personnel. For each of the past three years, Hank Stuart (the current Chairman of US Sailing’s Race Administration Division and an International Race Officer) has served as Principal Race Officer. He guides the work of his fellow race officers, a cadre of well-respected PROs. It’s this top-quality team that enables the organizers to simultaneously run six different racecourses.

To complement their top-caliber race management, Draftz and his team arrange plentiful support on the water and on shore. Last year, over 200 volunteers pitched in to manage the competition on the water, and roughly 100 more kept things running smoothly on shore. You’d be hard pressed to name another annual sailing event in the U.S. that assembles a volunteer labor force of that magnitude.

This emphasis on what’s important for the racers doesn’t mean that the event planners aren’t also focused on the needs of their sponsors. In fact, the organizing committee expressly identifies at least one member each year to serve as a sponsor liaison.

This person stays in close touch with sponsor representatives to ensure that the regatta simultaneously meets their companies’ expectations. Over three quarters of Race Week’s sponsors have been with the event for more than five years, a strong testament that these companies regard the regatta as a great opportunity for building their brands. windcheckmagazine.com

Other organizations likewise see this event as an opportunity to establish or maintain a strong foothold in the sport. In 2017, Sperry Charleston Race Week served as the baptismal regatta for Offshore Racing Council (ORC) handicapping in the U.S., with 27 boats comprising four different classes were scored under this rating system. This year, a relatively new one-design class will make its inaugural pilgrimage to Charleston – the Flying Tiger 7.5. As of mid-December, 10 Tiger owners had signed up. “Attracting new classes and having a new rating system seek out our event for its U.S. debut validates the work we put into this regatta,” said Draftz. “Once we see that our innovations are working, we double down on those.”

For 2018, doubling down means that last year’s highlight – the Pro-Am Regatta – will be back and bigger than before. In 2017, ten of the top racers in the country competed head-tohead on Saturday evening in the College of Charleston’s fleet of J/22s. This event within an event served not only as entertainment for the regatta’s customers, but also as a fundraiser for the College’s sailing program.

© Tim Wilkes/Sperry Charleston Race Week

The organizers are also bringing back two other popular twists from last year – a fourth inshore racecourse set right in front of the event’s host marina and inshore racing for smaller ORC boats such as the B-25s and GP 26s. “The feedback we received from racers last year made it clear that both of those innovations were very well received,” Draftz said, “so we’ll be offering them again.” Another repeat offering is the early registration discount of $100 off for any team that registers before January 31.

“Our mission from the very beginning has been to grow the sport and make it better. That’s what’s behind the innovations you see,” explained Draftz. “That’s why we refine the formula each year.” That’s how Sperry Charleston Race Week – like a fine wine – gets better with age. Come see for yourself. For more information, log onto charlestonraceweek.com. ■ WindCheck Magazine

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Mike Beasley’s GP 26 Rattle ‘n’ Rum (Annapolis, MD) notched five bullets on her way to victory in ORC Division C in 2017. © Tim Wilkes/Sperry Charleston Race Week

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Get Up to Speed in Charleston with North U and 1D Sailing’s Regatta Experience Sperry Charleston Race Week is just one of the upcoming events at which racers can hone their skills at the new ‘Regatta Experience’ presented by the National One Design Sailing Academy (1D Sailing) in partnership with North U and Bill Gladstone.

The other events include Sailing World’s Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta in St. Petersburg, FL (February 16 - 18); Miami Sailing Week in Coconut Grove, FL (March 8 - 10); and Sailing World’s Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta in Annapolis, MD (May 4 - 6).

1D Sailing will be delivering its fleet of ten Flying Tiger 7.5s to each regatta venue, and the 25-foot sportboats will be in the water, fully rigged with North Sails, tuned and race ready. At each event, Gladstone’s team of North U professional coaches will run 2-day clinics, teaching participants to be better and more knowledgeable racers through on-water drills and expert coaching, followed by daily de-briefs.

Three levels of coaching are available. The Full Time Coaching option includes a coach on board throughout the 2-day clinic and the 3-day regatta, with daily shoreside sessions each day prior to sailing; organized clinic drills, practice and races during the clinic; and daily video debriefs during the clinic and regatta. The Clinic Only Coaching option provides a coach on board during the 2-day clinic only, with daily shoreside sessions each day prior to sailing; organized clinic drills, practice and

© 1DSailing.com

races during the clinic; and daily video debriefs during the clinic and regatta.

With the No Coaching option, your FT 7.5 will be available for two days for practice before the regatta and for the three regatta days. You are welcome to participate in the shoreside class and debrief sessions and sail in the on-the-water clinic (without a coach), or practice on your own if you prefer. For more information, call 1D Sailing at 905-847-8000 or email event coordinator Jim Pollock at jim.pollock@1dsailing.com. To learn more about North U, visit NorthU.com. ■

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Welcome to the Volvo Ocean Race Village!

The Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 is well underway, and this race around the world will make its only North American Stopover in Newport, Rhode Island in May. A Race Village is created in each of the 11 Host Cities (in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia, South America and North America) so that fans can watch the world’s best sailors in action, and to spread the event’s message of the importance of saving our oceans.

With its global reach and elite level competition, the Volvo Ocean Race is akin to Formula 1, although Race Village visitors have much, much better opportunities to actually meet the competitors. To learn more about the Race Villages (particularly the one in Newport), we spoke with Peter Ansell, the Volvo Ocean Race Operations Director, and Kim Cooper, the Marketing Director at Sail Newport and Volvo Ocean Race Newport.

Each of the 11 Volvo Ocean Race Villages around the world is set up in just ten days. © Marina Garcia/Volvo Ocean Race

WindCheck: How many shipping containers does the Volvo Ocean Race Village require, and how is everything moved from one Host City to the next around the globe?

Peter Ansell: We are shipping approximately 250 40-foot containers around the world.

These will be split between two routes. Approximately 125 will serve one half of the Stopovers, and 125 will serve the other half.

We ship all these containers via a combination of regular shipping line services together with specific vessel charters, where the timelines and geographical routes dictate.

WC: How many people are required to transport and erect the Race Village, and how long is the process from roll-in to opening day?

PA: We will have approximately 50 people working to build the Race Village in just ten days. This number includes all those required to build the Volvo Pavilion and also all the Team Bases, The Boatyard, and the Volvo Ocean Race Experience elements.

In some Stopovers where the shipping timelines are tight, we will only have six days to build the same volume and number of structures so in these instances we will increase the number of personnel.

WC: Is the Race Village customizable to suit the various Stopover venues?

PA: The shape and size of the Team Bases and Race Village Experience elements are designed with flexibility in mind. They can be

Sail Newport is hosting the Newport Stopover May 8 - 20. © Dan Nerney

built in a number of different orientations to make best use of the available space, which differs greatly from Stopover to Stopover.

WC: Please describe how you work with Host Cities to showcase each nation’s arts and culture in the Race Village.

PA: We encourage our Host City teams to introduce activations and elements in the Race Villages that increase and encourage visitor entertainment and engagement while reflecting the culture of that particular city or region, together with arranging their program of entertainment to include local music, dance, and food.

At the previous Newport Stopover, Rhode Islanders participated in the parade and ceremonies, including bagpipers from the state’s active Irish community, Native American dancers, a Revolutionary War brigade, and a parade of youth sailors.

WC: Please tell us about how Volvo uses the Race Village to showcase their cars and trucks.

PA: The Volvo Pavilion is built in all Stopovers. This is a hi-tech, state-of-the art structure which offers a totally immersive Volvo

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experience inside, coupled with an engaging display of cars, trucks, buses and construction equipment outside on the interactive “Activation Deck.” Separate from the Volvo Pavilion is the Volvo Test Track. This is an eye-catching, interactive display which offers visitors the chance to experience the dynamic driving abilities of Volvo cars, tackling some extremely challenging obstacles that test the vehicles’ range of impressive abilities. Additionally, Volvo oper-

we lessen our footprint. We are organizing seven Ocean Summits throughout the race to bring attention to the issue of ocean pollution. The first Ocean Summit was held in Newport in 2015 and these new Summits will bring together sport, science, government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Designed to generate discussion and create local relevance, we’re asking for a commitment from government and industry to ensure clean seas for the future.

As for the teams, they would have to speak for themselves but clearly, the message that both Vestas 11th Hour Racing and Turn the Tide on Plastics are telling is first and foremost an environmental-first message. They have the unique opportunity as teams to use their sporting platforms to educate and inform fans and race visitors about the importance of ocean health and sustainability as they travel around the world. Also, the Newport Stopover will be fully committed to running a sustainable event.

In addition to composting, recycling, reducing waste and prohibiting single-use plastic bottles, all signage materials will be printed on sustainable materials.

WC: Who is Wisdom, and what’s his message?

Perhaps more than any other event in the world, the Volvo Ocean Race gets kids stoked on sailing! © Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

PA: Wisdom is our race’s albatross mascot. Since their discovery by early sailors, the albatross has been an inspiration to people at sea. The ocean is their playground, as it is for the Volvo Ocean Race sailors, and Wisdom is here to excite children about the Volvo Ocean Race, give them a first fun experience of sailing, and to explain the importance of keeping the oceans clean.

WC: What is the Volvo Ocean Race Academy?

Race fans will get an up-close look at the Volvo Ocean 65s when the fleet docks at Fort Adams in May. © Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

ates a fleet of Courtesy Cars which showcase their latest models, and they can be seen at the Race Villages and around the Host Cities throughout the Stopovers.

WC: Please tell us about the environmental focus of this edition, particularly with the involvement of teams such as Vestas 11th Hour Racing and Turn The Tide on Plastics.

PA: On the race’s side, sustainability is one of our event’s platforms in terms of looking at operations and everything that we do by considering how can we be more sustainable, and how can windcheckmagazine.com

PA: The Academy is a way to actively involve youth in the Stopover, make them center stage, and try to engage them as future Volvo Ocean Race sailors. The Academy was introduced in the 2010-11 edition and was run over the first weekend of the Stopover. The focus will again be on teamwork, sailing, social, marine education and more. Each stopover will feature an Academy with 20 Optimists, races, speakers and more.

WC: Each Volvo Ocean Race Village is unique and amazing, but isn’t it true that the Newport Race Village in May will be the best yet?

PA: Of course all our Race Villages are fantastic, and each of them has its own unique appeal. The racers are always in for a very warm welcome in Newport, where it seems that everyone knows about the Volvo Ocean Race. The level of enthusiasm for the race amongst the population of Newport is tangible, and the knowledge of the race among the local population is impressive. It is this WindCheck Magazine

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engagement of the public and their infectious excitement for the race that gives the Newport Race Village a very special atmosphere and makes the Newport Stopover truly memorable and uniquely special.

Make Plans to Visit the Newport Race Village!

The only North American Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 will be hosted by Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s Public Sailing Center, at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI. The Newport Race Village opens at 4:00 pm Tuesday, May 8.

The 12-day Newport Stopover is open to the public and admission is free. New attractions in the City by the Sea include an upgraded Pit Lane with cool new Team Bases; a Suppliers Corner showcasing the materials used to build the Volvo Ocean 65s; iBeacons delivering updates, special offers and information to smartphones via the VOR app; and face painting in your favorite team’s racing colors…you can bet they’ll have plenty of Vestas 11th Hour Racing blue and orange!

WindCheck: Please tell us about Volvo Ocean Race New-

The Volvo Ocean Race Guest Speed Experience is an opportunity to go for an unforgettable ride on an M32 catamaran. © Jen Edney/Volvo Ocean Race

The Tall Ship Oliver Hazard Perry’s home dock is at the Sail Newport piers. Clean Ocean Access is a longtime partner of Sail Newport and working to keep the harbor, waters, and coastline clean. COA will take a leadership role in creating the One Ocean Exploration Zone and guide the sustainability of the Stopover.

11th Hour Racing is a project of the Schmidt Family Foundation and headquartered in Newport. 11th Hour Racing is a sustainability and education sponsor of the Stopover, active in the One Ocean Exploration Zone… and just happens to have a team in the race with partner Vestas.

WC: What will visitors find in the One Ocean Exploration Zone?

KC: The One Ocean Exploration Zone will be a showcase of interactive exhibits featuring ocean sustainability, marine science, marine life, and sailing. The exhibit is The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades! Volvo Ocean Race Academy sailors designed for visitors to explore the ocean and learn how to strike a pose with race mascot Wisdom in Newport. become ocean ambassadors to protect our greatest natural © Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race resource. Area non-profits are being recruited now, but at the last Stopover, activities included storm forecasting, measuring port’s partnerships with Sail Newport (sailnewport.org) and solar energy, planting trees, gutter boat racing, scavenger hunts, other Rhode Island organizations such as 11th Hour Racing Trash Dashes, and learning activities for all ages.

(11thhourracing.org), Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (ohParticipating non-profits in 2016 included Clean Ocean pri.org), Clean Ocean Access (cleanoceanaccess.org) to educate Access, Aquidneck Land Trust, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and promote ocean stewardship.

The 5 Gyres Institute, Sailors for the Sea, E2 SOL, Newport Kim Cooper: Sail Newport is the Host for the Stopover, along Renewable, University of Rhode Island (URI) Graduate School with the State of Rhode Island. Sail Newport leases property from of Oceanography, RI Sea Grant, NOAA, URI National Oceanothe state for their public sailing center. The State of Rhode Island graphic Laboratory System, Inner Space Center, IYRS School of and their Department of Environmental Management, along with Technology & Trades, Rose Island Lighthouse, Tall Ship Oliver Commerce Rhode Island, is making the entire state park available Hazard Perry, US Sailing, 11th Hour Racing, Jamestown Art Cenfor the event. ter, Women’s Resource Center, Met School, and SCA.

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WC: What other types of sailing will support the Volvo Ocean Race in Newport?

KC: The M32 catamaran racing will be exciting to watch during the last week of the Stopover. Almost every day there will be some sort of sailing activity including youth regattas, the Volvo Ocean Race Academy, the Veterans Warrior Sailing Regatta, demonstrations of foiling boats, and other keelboats. The legendary 12 Metres will also be out in full force, with sailing events and visitor sails.

WC: Will there be ‘Try Sailing’ opportunities in the Newport Race Village?

KC: Yes. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience sailing on Sail Newport’s fleet of J/22s every day of the Stopover between May 8 and May 20. All ages are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Experienced skippers will helm the boats. The Try Sailing hours will be posted on the Volvo Ocean Race Newport website closer to the event.

WC: What other family-oriented attractions and activities are you planning?

KC: In addition to Try Sailing every day and the One Ocean Exploration Zone, there will be many shoreside activities including children’s rides on the Volvo Test Track, entrance to team compounds, an official Volvo Ocean Race gear store, sponsor pavilions, and a dome theater. A full-size cutout of a Volvo Ocean 65 will be located shoreside and ready to explore, crawl below and stand on

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the deck.

Visitors can tour the working Boatyard, take the Musto Grinding Challenge, test drive new Volvos and watch professional drivers put them through their paces on the Volvo Test Track, and learn about the eleven other international destinations of the race around the world. Spectating events on the water will include high-speed M32 catamaran racing, the Pro-Am Race, and the InPort Race (Saturday, May 19).

The race boats will be dockside within a few yards of the viewing pier, which will also overlook the arrivals and dock out shows. The final day of the Stopover (Sunday, May 20) is not to be missed, with the sailors’ parade, departure ceremony, boat parade and the start of Leg 9 to Cardiff, Wales. Also, Fort Adams State Park offers many other destination activities. The Fort Adams Trust offers tours of the historic fort, parade field, and secret tunnel systems.

WC: Do you have volunteer opportunities in the Newport Race Village, and how can folks apply?

KC: Many jobs will be available including Race Village operations, help with attractions such as the VO65 half hull, the Dome Theater, the One Ocean Exploration Zone guest experience, kids’ activities, and hospitality roles.

Volunteers may register at volvooceanracenewport.com.

See you in Newport! ■ Special thanks to Volvo Ocean Race Media Manager Rob Penner for facilitating this interview.

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Corner

Coop’s Community. Sailing.

By Joe Cooper

As sailors we know, at some level, that we are part of a remarkable community. If you drive into a new town and drive down to the docks, you will look at the boats more or less by yourself, generally as a stranger, an outsider, a landsman. If on the other hand you arrive by boat, within about 20 minutes of turning off the engine or putting the sail cover on you will know half the other sailors on the dock. You will be exchanging comments about the varnish, how you like the sun panel or the wind turbine on the stern, the boat’s performance, the Bimini, the GPS TV on the binnacle, who you know who has the same (fill in the blank)…and so on. I was reminded of this very communal aspect of sailors last Halloween.

The Halloween Howl is the really, truly, Last Blast of the season hosted by Sail Newport, over the last weekend in October. Held for junior sailors, the Saturday has the multi-colored Opti racing and on Sunday, the Optis are joined by 420s and half a dozen 29ers. I had volunteered to do whatever was needed, in this case run the leeward mark boat. Following my instructions handed out at the volunteers meeting, I wandered over to the appointed RIB and started doing the pre-fight check. Marks, ground tackle, anchors, inflator – a battery powered leaf blower, probably well known to anyone who has ever set foot in a RC boat – gas, paper, pen, working VHF, etc. I was aboard the boat with the engine idling when a not too tall but seriously stout and smiling fellow sauntered up.

He was obviously dressed for sea and asked me if I was the leeward mark boat. After I confirmed this to be so he put out his hand and introduced himself, as did I. He looked around, boarded the boat with care, plonked his kit in a suitably out of the way spot under the driver’s chair, and looked at me with a ‘waddyaneed’ look. We have all experienced a similar situation

when we are heading out, perhaps to race or to run a race, do a delivery or what not, and someone shows up about whom we no naught. A wise mate of mine once observed that sailors are ‘professional getter-on’ers’ as in we strive to get on with each other.

The next few minutes were a classic example of this observation.

OK, there we were two blokes who had volunteered for a kids’ dinghy regatta, setting off to work a mark boat, unknown to each other, no experience with each others’ skills, no specific instructions as to who was in charge, and so on.

Since I was in the boat close to the controls, he asked if we were good to go. ‘Yep,’ says I, so he started to cast of the lines in the order I would have asked and I took the wheel and backed us out. He stowed the lines in a nice seamanlike manner and turned his attention to the ‘rigging,’ inspecting the marks, chain, anchors and so on. I idled us out of the Volvo Piers at Sail Newport and out to the fairway where I could open her up. I announced this before doing so, and after he grabbed something robust I gently came up to speed heading towards the RC boat, now anchored in the Astro Surf between Rose and Goat Islands.

As we approached the RC boat to make our signal I slowed down and idled by the PRO, who instructed us to head towards the bridge a few hundred yards and stand by. We proceeded to the NE and, idling along, we started to get some marks rigged.

Jeff, for that was his name, asked about ground tackle and started setting it up, selecting the shots of line and chain most appropriate to the depth there, about 50 feet, and including an allowance for the state of the half-flood tide. Bear in mind we had neither of us spoken more than 10 words to each other in 15 minutes, but it was like we had been doing this kind of work together for 20 years. We got our mark placement instructions via VHF, did the deed and idled back up to the RC boat to set the finish mark.

So, at length, we got to yarning. Well, it turns out Jeff is a retired Newport cop – boy, THERE are some seas stories – and a recently retired, if they ever really are, Marine sergeant of some 35 years. Waiting for the kids to blow downwind in the first race we got to talking about sailing, slowly eking out from each other our backgrounds, sailing experiences, who we know and various Cliffs Notes sea stories. From there, we got onto the impending Volvo Ocean Race.

The first topic of discussion was team AkzoNobel in a state of turmoil, with lawsuits flying around and personnel in a state of flux. Who was in charge, who was going with which leader, and so on. We chatted on this theme for a minute and agreed that there would be two almost totally different crews based on the teamwork, confidence, interpersonal dynamics, and experience each sailor had with each other sailor under which leader.

From there, it was but a short leg to comparisons with the military teams and the similarities between sailing, especially in

Not quite a bolt of lightning, but close: I had the makings of another Cooper Kaper.

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something like the VOR, and war fighting in the military.

Now, I was going to tell here, the tale Jeff told me concerning three soldiers, a newspaper and an Iraqi bush toilet, but some things are best left to the imagination. Suffice to say, we both laughed heartily and agreed that experiences like that, and doing a VOR, are the kinds of episodes that set the communities of sailors and military apart from people who do not participate in either.

Back in civilian garb again, a couple of weeks later I was at the annual meeting of the New England Interscholastic Sailing Association wherein all matters from the past year and the coming year are mulled over and settled. After that meeting, attended by many of the high school coaches in the region, I had a coffee with a mate of mine, Taylor Rock, a local Newport teacher, the sailing coach for Rogers, the Newport high school, and the program director for Newport Yacht Club’s junior sailing summer program. One line item on his to do list was advice on where he could bring a J/22 the club had taken as a donation to their Adventure Sailing program, to get it repaired…there is a reason it was donated. We talked about this for a few minutes, I passing the names to him of likely yards, large and corporate, small and family-owned and bush boatyards and the best guys to call, and then it happened. Not quite a bolt of lightning, but close: I had the makings of another Cooper Kaper.

A mate of mine, Chris Oliver, is the lead dog in the Mobile Manufacturing traveling road show the IYRS School of Technology & Trades has in a 20-foot trailer that Chris tows around to Rhode Island schools promoting ‘Making Things in the 21st Century.’ I emailed Chris and ran my idea by him. He passed me onto the person in charge of what I needed to get done at IYRS. I emailed that person, and sketched out my idea. ‘Let’s get together’ was the response. At the appointed day and time I arrived at the new IYRS building on the Newport Campus and found the person I needed. Since the idea had been outlined in several emails, my first question was, ‘Is this philosophically doable, because if not, then let’s stop now. Is what I am proposing something that could be folded into the IYRS umbrella?’

My contact looked at me, straight in the eye and said, in no uncertain terms, ‘Yup!’ Game on.

Now, in the best Charles Dickens fashion, you will have to come back next month to find out what the Kaper is. Hint: It is about the Newport Sailing Community, boats and messing around in ‘em, inspiring kids, training people, and helping each other out. No newspaper required.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, or whatever the heck you have, and that the bosun’s bag was full of all the stuff on the list. ■ Australian born, Joe ‘Coop’ Cooper stayed in the US after the 1980 America’s Cup where he was the boat captain and sailed as Grinder/ Sewer-man on Australia. His whole career has focused on sailing, especially the short-handed aspects of it. He lives in Middletown, RI where he coaches, consults and writes on his blog, joecoopersailing. com, when not paying attention to his wife, teenage son, dog, two cats and several, mainly small, boats. windcheckmagazine.com

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Dorade Takes Second in her Divisions at Rolex Sydney Hobart The 86-year-old Sparkman & Stephens yacht Dorade finished second in two divisions (IRC Division 4/ORCi Div 4) in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. The 628-mile race, which started December 26, 2017, is often described as one of the most challenging ocean races in the world. It was the pinnacle event in Team Dorade’s ambitious six-race “Dorade Down Under” series, which kicked off this past August in Australia.

“We are very proud of the boat and the crew for their performance in this race, encouraging us for the next round of challenges, which will include more of the world’s great ocean races,” said Dorade co-owner Pam Rorke Levy (San Francisco, CA), adding that the yacht, originally launched in 1929, was the oldest boat in the fleet. “This race opens a new chapter for Dorade and the role we play as her custodians. Now, we’re not just repeating history but making history by taking on new challenges with an iconic and beloved boat.”

Dorade finished the race with an elapsed time of three days, six hours and 38 minutes. The team raced with eight crew onboard, including Sydney Hobart veteran Adrienne Cahalan as navigator. “Many of the boats that compete and win the Sydney Hobart are purpose-built for the conditions down here in the southern oceans,” said Skipper and co-owner Matt Brooks (San

Dorade off Tasman Island in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race © Rolex/Studio Borlenghi

Francisco). “Dorade does best in flat water downwind, which isn’t the Sydney Hobart. We lucked out this year, to everyone’s surprise, and had a downwind race, but the seas were anything

but flat, and we were rocking and rolling so violently we finally took the spinnaker down. All of us have longer arms now after driving the boat in those conditions.”

Designed in 1929 by 21-year-old Olin Stephens and built under his younger brother Rod Stephens’ supervision, Dorade’s revolutionary design – a deep keel with external ballast, an achingly narrow beam of just 10’3”, and a generous sail plan – took the yachting world by storm, quickly establishing the Stephens brothers as two of the sport’s most gifted innovators.

In 1931, the brothers raced Dorade in the Transatlantic Race from Newport, Rhode Island to Plymouth, England, competing against much larger boats owned by some of the world’s wealthiest sportsmen and crewed by veteran sailors. With an upset victory that made headlines around the world, Dorade was the first boat to finish by a margin of more than two days. In the decade that followed, she continued topping the charts in some of the world’s most renowned offshore events, including overall victories in the Fastnet in both 1931 and ‘33 and the TransPacific Race in 1936.

After purchasing Dorade in 2010, Brooks and Rorke Levy spent a year restoring the yacht to its original condition before kicking off the “Return to Blue Water” campaign. Their goal with the campaign was to repeat all of the major ocean races the yacht had won in the 1930s, matching or bettering her original performance in the Transatlantic, Newport Bermuda, Fastnet and TransPacific ocean races. The campaign was successful beyond their wildest dreams, with the team not only bettering Dorade’s original times in all of the races, but also reaching the podium in every race and winning the 2013 Transpacific Yacht Race overall on corrected time, 77 years after Dorade won that race for the first time.

In 2015, the campaign wrapped up with stellar performances by an all-star crew, placing second in class in an exceptionally rough and windy 2,800-mile Transatlantic Race, followed by second in class in the Rolex Fastnet Race, where Dorade finished 7th overall out of 356 boats.

For more information, follow Dorade on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or visit Dorade.org. ■ Kirsten Ferguson at Media Pro International contributed to this report.

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B

R

O

K

E

R

A

G

E

631-421-3400

Family Owned & Operated Yacht Sales, Service, Storage, Slips & Moorings Since 1975 SELECT SAILBOAT LISTINGS 48’ 2015 Beneteau Oceanis 48 48’ 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 45' 2003 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey45 45’ 1977 Fuji 45 42’ 2004 Sabre 426 42’ 1993 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42’ 2005 Beneteau 423 41’ 2000 Beneteau 411 40’ 2011 Beneteau 40 40' 2008 Beneteau 40 40’ 2007 Beneteau 40 40’ 1999 Beneteau First 40.7 39’ 2002 Beneteau 393 39’ 2006 Beneteau 393 39’ 1982 Cal 39 38’ 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 38

38’ 1982 Ericson 38 38’ 2000 Beneteau 381 37’ 1985 C&C 37 CB 36’ 1993 Catalina 36 36' 1983 Catalina 36 36’ 1985 Sabre 36 CB 36' 1979 CS 36 33’ 1974 Pearson 10M 33’ 2002 X-Yachts 32' 1985 Ericson 32 31’ 1985 Cape Dory Cutter 31' 2013 Beneteau Oceanis 31 30’ 1988 Catalina 30' 1990 Catalina 30 (2 Available)

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classifieds.

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL

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

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

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

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

Sleeps 5. Auto helm. Well maintained

by NVBY. Two sets of sails + Spinnaker.

Will include the balance of the season on mooring at Noank Village Boat Yard, Noank, CT. Asking $12,500. Call Bob @ 860-383-5405

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

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 33’ Dehler Optima 101 1986 - German built open transom fractional racer cruiser.

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

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

Comes with the full electronics package; GPS chart-plotter, Windex and wind instruments. Price negotiable for quick sale. Asking $19,000 Contact Fred: 347-927-3350.

22’ Etchells 1998 - Pacesetter # 1086, 2 sets Doyle sails, open sail card, North full boat cover, 3 spin poles, forward ring frame, Tack Tick compass, double axle trailer w/ sail box, new axles 2005, new brakes, bearings 2014 $11,000. 860-227-6135

27’ O’Day 1986 – Harmony is a pleasure to sail. 2011 Tohatsu 9.8hp long-shaft, 2007 main & 130% genoa, 2007 roller furler, Icom VHF radio (DCS functionality), tiller autohelm. Located in Bridgeport, CT. Contact Craig 203-505-9614 crgmeza@gmail.com. Asking $7,500

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

31’ Island Packet 1988 - Well maintained with recent barrier coat and brightwork.

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

Call 203-261-8553

34’ Sabre Yachts MK2 1988 - Excellent pocket cruiser with all of the right “extras” including dodger, bimini, dinghy, and recent GPS/radar. Built by the world-class craftsmen at Sabre in Maine. $49,500 Contact McMichael Yacht Brokers’ Cameron Campbell at CameronC@mcmyacht.com or 631-974-3099

31’ Beneteau First 310 1994 - Racer/cruiser. Comfortable arrangements for 2 couples.

Powerful 7/8 sail plan that is also easily de-powered, wide decks, roomy cockpit and walk-through to swim platform with cockpit shower. Some of her other attractive features include auto pilot, GPS, wind, speed, depth, roller furling, cruising spinnaker w/sock, h/c pressure water. Asks 36K Prestige Yacht Sales – Tom 203-353-0373

34’ X-Yachts X-34 2009 - A very well equipped one-owner boat, winter stored and maintained at McMichael. 2016 electronics include C95 chart plotter at helm and four new i70 displays. Extensive UK sail inventory, recent high-tech running rigging, 2015 VC Offshore race bottom. $145,000. Contact McMichael Yacht Brokers’ Tom Bobbin at tomb@mcmyacht. com or 203-554-8309

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 37’ Beneteau America 373 2006 - Well equipped with very light use - this is a great opportunity to get this sought after model.

Traditional mainsail. Bottom recently media blasted, barrier coated and painted. Professionally maintained by Oyster Bay Marine Center. This one is a must see! $108,000.

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

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

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 38’ Catalina Morgan 381 1993 - Beautiful center cockpit sloop ready to cruise Long Island Sound. Lovingly cared for and ready for a new adventure! Sail in all conditions while comfortable in the center cockpit.

Can easily be single-handed using the inboom reefing main and power winches. $74,900. Contact McMichael Yacht Brokers’ Tom Bobbin at tomb@mcmyacht. com or 203-554-8309

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

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

40’ Beneteau - The Beneteau 40 offers a great combination of performance, ease of handling and interior comfort that make her a perfect choice for cruising couples or families. Three available from $139,900.

Call Willis Marine 631-421-3400

38’ Ericson 1995 -Must see Ericson 38-200, top quality Pacific Seacraft build.

Re-powered in 2012 with 38 HP Yanmar, up-dated sails and canvas, bimini, selffeathering prop. Very clean and well maintained at excellent yard. Yacht quality teak interior with two stateroom layout and stall shower. A rare opportunity to get a great sailing yacht with many upgrades. Asking $79,500. Mark Edwards, Cape Yachts: 508-994-4444 or 774-526-0914 (mobile)

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

New sails in 2012. She looks beautiful and is ready for a new owner. $249,000. Call Willis Marine 631-421-3400

BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 45’ Beneteau Oceanis 2017 - Change in plans has this brand new boat on the market. Extensive factory options including electric winches, furling main, air conditioning, generator, B&G instruments and performance sail package. $399,000.

Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400 willismarine.com

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

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

47’ Catalina 470 1999 - One owner, customized for sailing performance and cruising comfort. Two cabin layout w/large master aft and queen forward. R/F Jib & Main, and ample canvas. Well maintained with nearly-new interior. Long list of upgrades. Contact Andrea Gaines at 860-3912943 or againes@sparkmanstephens.com

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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL

BOATS FOR SALE- POWER

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

48’ Beneteau Oceanis 2015 - Just arrived at our moorings! This boat is fully equipped including A/C, generator, electric winches and many more factory options. Owner has moved up. Asking $399,000 Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400 www.willismarine.com

49’ Beneteau 2008 - (3) cabin layout, Full electronics package, A/C Heat, 7.6 KW gen-set, Bow thruster, Electric winches, Custom canvas, Ready to go! Portsmouth, RI. Asking only $275,000 Call 401-6839200 or http://www.northstaryachtsales. com/boat/2008/beneteau/49/1623/

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

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

CREW

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

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EQUIPMENT

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MARINE SERVICES

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MARINE SERVICES

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on watch.

Abby Smith

When she started racing on her family’s Peterson 42 Settler at age 5, Abby Smith was known as the “GLC”(Good Luck Charm), and she hasn’t stopped fulfilling and building upon that role. “The first boat I went sailing on and drove – with someone else pretending not to have their hand on the wheel while I was ‘steering’ – was Settler,” says Abby.

A resident of Seekonk, MA, Abby cites her father, Tom Rich, as her most significant sailing mentor. “I’ve learned so much from him over the years, but the most important lesson he taught me is to get on board early and help out, no matter who you’re sailing with or what boat you’re on. Not only does that make you more likely to get invited back, but running sheets and moving sails before racing helps you get oriented on a new boat.”

“Most of my time spent sailing has been racing, and every story that comes to mind is when something went wrong,” Abby chuckles. “I guess those times stick out the most! Once, racing around Conanicut Island on a beautiful day, we rounded the northern end of the island with our brand new half-ounce spinnaker into 20+ knots. I looked back from the pit at Dad’s face as he mentally begged that new kite to not blow up…I don’t think it did.”

Abby works at her family’s business, New England Boatworks (NEB) in Portsmouth, RI. “I’ve hopped in and out of this industry since I started at NEB at 14,” she says. “After a summer helping in the office, occasionally answering phones, and what felt like an awful lot of time weeding around the marina, I spent the next summer cleaning boats, mostly for family friends. After a couple summers doing other things, I taught sailing at Sail Newport, then returned to the industry again when I left Corporate America and rejoined NEB in 2014.”

“New England Boatworks is about as truly a ‘full-service’ marina as they come. NEB started out building custom boats and doing major refits, which we still do today, but over the years we’ve grown to encompass a 300+ slip marina with a fuel dock, pumpout, hauling and launching capabilities, storage, and a diverse team of service technicians that allows us cover almost all marine trades in-house. Wearing many hats and knowing every aspect of the business is important. My responsibilities can be summed up into marketing and internal projects. I manage all of our marketing and social media efforts and track labor demand across all departments, and I’ve tackled a variety of internal projects. For most of last year, much of my time was (and continues to be) dedicated to leading a transition to a new cloud-based, marine-specific business management system.”

The craftsmen at NEB have built some of the fastest sailboats on the water including ‘round the world racers and America’s Cup

contenders, and several beautiful motoryachts. “It seems like there are always exciting projects at NEB,” Abby enthuses. “One of the most memorable since I started was Rambler 88. She’s one of the largest and most complex boats we’ve built, and the hype at the time around Comanche vs. Rambler made it fun to be part of that project. We recently refit a Frers 44 that was built in 1980. This one sticks out because I like the classic lines and brightwork, and the topsides color the owners chose works perfectly. I have a soft spot for boats built in the early ‘80s because the Settler I learned to sail on was built in 1981.”

Serving on the board of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA) Abby is the representative for RIMTA Future. “RIMTA Future is a newer group that was started by a group of young professionals in the industry with guidance from RIMTA’s leadership,” she explains. “We provide networking and career development opportunities for young professionals in Rhode Island’s marine industry, and help the next generation develop a voice within RIMTA.”

NEB is the largest facility in Rhode Island to be designated a Clean Marina by the RI Coastal Resources Management Council.

“We encourage all of our customers to use environmentally friendly products such as low-VOC [volatile organic compounds] paints, we improved signage at the fuel dock, around drains, and at all dumpsters to improve recycling, and have a Clean Marina information board where they can learn about the certification,” says Abby.

“Internally, we do our best to follow all regulations and best practices around hazardous waste and wastewater collection. We’ve transitioned to green cleaning products, installed timers on lights, implemented new best practices in our mechanical department to prevent fuel spills, and improved our vegetation buffer between paved areas and the water. We were also able to go above and beyond the requirements by installing a Trash Skimmer thanks to Clean Ocean Access, who purchased the unit for installation at NEB through a grant from 11th Hour Racing. The support we received from RIMTA and local elected officials was incredible!”

Abby enjoys the Ida Lewis Distance Race, an overnighter hosted by Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport. “On my first Ida,” she recalls, “we were off Montauk just before sunrise and we heard (but didn’t see) a whale surface and release air from its blowhole. Apparently, we still smelled like that stale air when we got back to shore.

That first year was fun because my father and his sailing buddy Geoff Prior were the only crewmembers over age 19. Most of the crew were still in high school (or just graduated) and were friends of my sister, friends of mine, and friends of Geoff’s son and daughter, who were also onboard.”

Abby’s favorite part of racing is the start. “I love the anticipation of the race to come and vying for the perfect spot on the line,” she says. “As for sailing in general, it’s the tranquility of being on the water with just the sounds of the boat and the water. I also love encountering dolphins. Watching them ride the bow wave never gets old!” ■

66 January/February 2018 WindCheck Magazine

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