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Sailing the Northeast
The 38th Voyage of the Morgan A Deckhand’s Perspective
Go Girls!
Team SCA Takes on the Volvo Ocean Race
Racing Roundup www.windcheckmagazine.com
October 2014
Editor’s Log A Season of Firsts I write often about the ‘been there – done that’ aspects of my sailing life. I’m lucky to have raced actively and cruised extensively for many years, but as we all know our sport continually offers new opportunities and experiences. This season I enjoyed a few firsts – truly enjoyed them – and was reminded yet again of how special sailing is. I competed with old friends and new in races ranging from weeknight series races to national championships. Racing is usually great, but what stood out this year was the sheer amount of fun that I had in the many different classes in and levels at which I competed…and we managed to bring home a little silver here and there, too. In recent years especially, my back and arms (and sometimes head) would often ache after racing, but this season it was my sides that hurt from laughing with the special brand of people that I connected with. This was a first because I can’t ever remember having a season totally devoid of bad racing days. And we’ve all had them…you know, the ones where you have to fight the urge to dive in the water and swim home to escape a lack of wind, bad sailing or even bad company. This season, as dismal as a score line had gotten, it really didn’t tarnish the experience. Likewise, winning a series was secondary to the sailing itself. And that was the racing… The weeks after Labor Day bring less crowded anchorages and it’s my favorite time to cruise…and this year we managed a few short jumps to Conscience Bay to drop the hook – and the blood pressure. We seem to gather with the same folks on these excursions, whether aboard our boat or as a flotilla. Nothing beats the brand of revelry, storytelling and relaxation when you’re settled in somewhere safe with people you trust and enjoy. For the first time (in a long time, at least), we simply hopped aboard with little planning and headed out. With so much on our collective plates these days, a spontaneous overnighter can seem like a honeymoon. On a recent daysail, I tendered the helm to my son – no doubt the best ‘first’ of my sailing life. He needed a little help keeping the boat going in a straight line, but I’d say he did quite well for a two-year-old. My father opined that he’s already a better helmsman than his father, and I could not disagree. I was so thrilled that I didn’t even attempt any sort of return volley for the old man. I look forward to, in years to come, sitting back and letting the young admiral do all the work while I take in the sights and sounds. With three generations of my family aboard, I don’t think I have had a more meaningful day of sailing in my life. Choose the people that you spend time on the boat with carefully. For most, these moments are rare – and most certainly treasured – from week to week and season to season. The right sailing friends and guests can make a good day on the water great! And sailing with family is best. I find that the collection of hijinks, stories and amusement helps fill those long winter days – and this year I am prepared for anything Mother Nature can throw my way! Throughout this issue, you’ll find stories of people reveling in all our sport has to offer, and you’ll read about others developing their own ‘firsts.’ I hope that your sailing season has likewise been full of special experiences with friends and family. When the air turns cold and the boat is safely tucked away, reflect on, laugh at, and most of all appreciate all that sailing affords us. See you on the water.
Sailing the Northeast Issue 137 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 joe@windcheckmagazine.com Graphic Design Kerstin Fairbend kerstin@windcheckmagazine.com Contributors Mike Acebo, Debra Bell, Robbie Benjamin, S.E. Benton, Billy Black, Boatyard Photography, Lauren E. Brajer, John M. Buckley, Daniela Clark, Captain Ed Cubanski, USCG, Tom Daniels, Mimi Drinkuth, Brandon Flack, Michael Fortenbaugh, Dave Foster, John K. Fulweiler, Katy Giffault, William Gilkerson, Tori Gimple, Cynthia Goss, Fran Grenon, Corinna Halloran, Patricia Haney, Jan Harley, Chris Howell, Paul Jacobs, Nancy Kaull, Daniel Kuehn, RJ LaBella, Charlie Langalis, Ken Legler, Dennis Murphy, Peter Pan, PhotoBoat.com, Vin Pica, Samantha Pilz, Annaleisha Rae, Alyssa Ringler, Melissa Ryan, Bill Sabanski, Ainhoa Sanchez, Jeff Smith, Betsy Sorensen, Evan Spalding, Jay Spalding, Lisa Spalding, Scot Surbeck, Paul Todd, Rick Tomlinson, Onne Van der Wal, Dave White Ad Sales Colleen Perry colleen@windcheckmagazine.com WindCheck is a monthly magazine. 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 $27. Mail payment to: WindCheck Magazine P.O. Box 195, Stratford, CT 06615 Phone: (203) 332-7639 Fax: (203) 332-7668 E-mail: contactus@windcheckmagazine.com On the web: windcheckmagazine.com WindCheck is printed on recycled paper. Member of Find us on Facebook
Contents
Editor’s Log
4
Letters
8
Checking In 12
Restoring an Alberg 30 28
Calendar of Events 30
Tide Tables 34
Boating Barrister 36
Captain of the Port 37
Sound Environment 38
Comic 39
MudRatz Hit the Road 42
Coop’s Corner 44
East End Youth Sailing Foundation 45 80th Running of the Vineyard Race 48
Sacred Heart University 50 Wins its Class
J/70 World Championship 51 presented by Helly Hansen
Dennis Conner International 52 Yacht Club Challenge
Atlantic Class Nationals 54
49er, 49er FX, and NACRA 17 56 U.S. National Championship
J/24 Nationals 57
Shennecossett Yacht Club 58 Lighthouse Regatta
Frostbite Fleet Focus: 59 Cedar Point Yacht Club
Brokerage 61
Classifieds 64
Subscription Form 68
Advertisers Index 69
On Watch: Samantha Pilz 70
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Features 20 A Sailing Deckhand’s Perspective on the Charles W. Morgan’s 38th Voyage Following an extensive five-year restoration, the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan completed her historic 38th Voyage this summer, visiting several ports of call in New England and returning to her home at Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT. Shipwright Tom Daniels, a member of the ship’s restoration team, recounts the momentous journey. 24 St. Martin to St. Barths with Sunsail As members of the Sunsail Owners Club, Nancy Kaull & Paul Jacobs of Saunderstown, RI have sailed in many of the world’s best cruising spots. In an excerpt from their just-published book Voyages: Stories of Ten Sunsail Owner Cruises, Nancy & Paul visit some sweet spots in the Leeward Islands. 40 Building Boats and Life Skills at Brooklyn Boatworks Founded by a pair of naval architects, this unique program has a mission of encouraging, inspiring and empowering students in New York City through the craft of wooden boatbuilding and getting them on the water in boats they’ve constructed with their own hands. Program Administrator Alyssa Ringler has the story. 46 It’s Time! Corinna Halloran of Newport, RI is making history as the first female On Board Reporter in The Volvo Ocean Race. In a WindCheck exclusive, Corinna describes the all-female Team SCA’s two-year journey from the crew selection process to the countdown to the impending start of their ‘round-the-world marathon. 48 Racing Wrap-Up The weather may have been unusually cool this season, but there was no lack of heat on racecourses around the Northeast. We have reports on national championships, the 80th running of a Labor Day Weekend classic, the first world championship in the fastest growing class on the water, and more.
On the cover: Crewmembers balance on footropes while setting sail aboard the Charles W. Morgan during the whaleship’s historic 38th Voyage. An account of the journey by shipwright and sailing deckhand Tom Daniels starts on page 20. © Dennis Murphy/Mystic Seaport Scan to visit our website.
Letters Rockin’ the (Light)house!
© S.E. Benton
Sun, Sea and Sound highlight the Huntington Lighthouse Music Festival! On Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, the boating community gathered from many ports of call on Long Island Sound to enjoy the live music on the water at this fundraiser presented by the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society in Huntington, NY. The 8th Annual Huntington Lighthouse Music Fest was a true celebration that captured summer fun on the water.
Looking upon the hundreds of boats gathered, there was no signal that summer was ending anytime soon! Various watercraft including stand-up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, dinghies, “floaty-lounges” and thousands of people soaked up the sounds of eight bands playing at the top of the lighthouse. Young folks and older folks sporting bikinis and surf shorts rafted up, floated, paddled, foot-tapped and sang along to the non-stop music. Kudos to the organizing committee who provided a seamless transition between bands, acknowledged sponsors and community support and volunteers who came together to raise funds to provide much-needed repairs to the lighthouse to keep the beacon lighting the way for all boaters! The vibe was chill, the acoustics were great, and there was no shortage of good people-watching. Combined with mild temperatures, it was a great way to spend Labor Day weekend. There are plenty of moorings available in Huntington Harbor. From the quiet, protected anchorage, you can reach town by a short walk to find shops, a weekend market, plenty of restaurants and a very active downtown community. Thank you for promoting this event – I am looking forward to next summer’s Lighthouse Music Fest! Sharon Benton, Milford, CT Congratulations to the organizers and volunteers of this great event, which raised over $36,000 this year for the preservation of this historic landmark.
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Continued on page 10
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Letters...Continued from page 8
Kids on Big Boats Hardly an issue of WindCheck comes out now without an article on getting young people on big boats. The September issue is no exception with Coop’s Corner. Race results are showing the progress of junior big boat programs, but unless there is a specific article about Sea Scout programs (usually Ship 6 Celebration) there is never a mention of Sea Scouts. Coop’s Corner mentions many opportunities for teens to get on big boats but does not mention Sea Scouts. I ran Ship 6 for 23 years and set the bar very high, proving that teens could run a big boat, do the big races and events, go the distance and win, years before any club recognized the need for such a program. Sea Scouting has been around and been putting teens on big boats (square-riggers before World War II) since 1912! There is a large number of Sea Scout Ships in this area… never mentioned. Bill Austin, via email Bill – WindCheck does indeed devote much content to junior sailing, and Coop often writes about the numerous opportunities available to teens. Those opportunities are ones he is helping to provide, which don’t currently include Sea Scouts. We have, however, published numerous articles about Sea Scout Ships in our region including Ship 6, Ship 110 and Ship 584. We believe we support Sea Scouts more than any other publication, and invite all Ships in the Northeast to share their experiences with our readers.
A Question of Balance Editor’s note: “Finding the Balance,” an article in our September issue about building a well-rounded junior program by Cedar Point Yacht Club Head Instructor Greg Fisher, generated a buzz at Scuttlebutt Sailing News (sailingscuttlebutt.com). Special thanks to Scuttlebutt Editor Craig Leweck for picking up Greg’s article. Scuttlebutt Editor’s note: The following statement with regard to junior sailing is posted on the Cedar Point Yacht Club website: “The mission of our program is to offer many opportunities for our junior sailors to learn to sail, build self-confidence, develop longlasting friendships, and enjoy the many facets of the sport – from racing to ‘mucking about in boats’. Above all, it’s a time to get out on the water and have fun.” Every yacht club program must decide on what is most important: developing youth champions or developing lifelong sailors. The approach is different for each, as is the success rate. From Sarah Easley: [Scuttlebutt 4164] Regarding the Scuttlebutt editor’s comments following the junior program story (Scuttlebutt 4163), I wonder how many yacht clubs struggle with the challenge. The question, more coarsely stated, is whether club programs are driven by short-term ego or long-term growth. You can start with 100 beginner kids, and with a racing approach, ultimately end up with maybe 5% that can contend for a youth title. But with that approach, you are likely pushing away at least two-thirds of the pre-teen group who prefer not to be measured by their inability to perform at the highest level. Focusing on the fun of sailing, and introducing the various ways to participate (dinghies, windsurfers, keelboats, etc.), may not win the club too many trophies, nor will it give the club much to talk about at the junior trophy banquet and club newsletter, but the club will assuredly have more kids sailing into their teen years and beyond. Tough call... or is it? From Rich Jepsen: [Scuttlebutt 4165] In reply to Sarah Easley’s comments in Scuttlebutt 4164, I’m engaged in the junior committee at my local yacht club and absolutely see the dilemma where we are. We have agreement on much, but some conflicting priorities in other areas. Some of us want to create lifelong members at the club; some of us want to create an environment for their highly talented child to excel; some of us want to win trophies for the club right now; some of us want to create elite, possibly Olympic sailors, for the US; some want the club’s youth to have fun, memorable summers. Being clear about those disparate goals and, with the Board’s help, determining the will of the club, is an important first step. Regardless, I believe all priorities are served if we provide a balanced, diverse introduction to the sport for the vast majority of our youth sailors. Independence on the water, pride in skills, development of lifelong friendships, excitement of competition, exploration of different, more complicated, bigger and powerful boats should all be part of the program...this approach will create elite sailors, provide a good number of trophies for the club, give tons of kids a fun time, create lots of improvement in confidence and self-image, and provide lifelong sailors for the rolls of the clubs’ memberships. F
10 October 2014 WindCheck Magazine
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Checking In... Oceans of Hope Arrives in Boston The Challenge 67 yacht Oceans of Hope arrived in Boston, MA on Monday, September 8, after sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from Lisbon, Portugal to complete the first transoceanic stage of the historic first global circumnavigation by a crew of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). In warm sunshine and a light easterly breeze, a large crowd was on the dock at the Marina at Rowes Wharf to greet the crew. Oceans of Hope is a Sailing Sclerosis project created to change the perception of MS by showing what is possible when people with a chronic disease are empowered to conquer their individual challenges. Oceans of Hope embarked from her homeport of Copenhagen, Denmark on June 15, visiting several cities in Europe before her transatlantic passage. From Boston, the crew will sail down the eastern seaboard of the USA, stopping in New York, NY on November 11 and Fort Lauderdale, FL December 5 - 9. The crew will then sail through the Caribbean and Panama Canal, across the Pacific Ocean to Australia, on to South Africa and Brazil, and then back to Europe, returning to Copenhagen in November 2015.
Sound Sailing Named U.S. Agent for VAr Yachts
Hanse USA has appointed Sound Sailing Center (SSC) in Norwalk, CT as the US Agent for VAr Yachts, the latest line of sailboats from Hanse Group, builders of Hanse Yachts, Moody and Dehler. “Sound Sailing Center has a great reputation for customer service, having sold and delivered 16 new Hanse Yachts since 2006,” said Doug Brophy, President of Hanse USA. “As one of the largest sailing schools in New England, they are perfect to spearhead the introduction of the new VAr line into the U.S. Market.” “The VAr 37 and 44 are based on the previous generation Hanse 375 and 430, some of the most successful Hanse models on the racecourse,” said SSC President Martin van Breems. “These proven Judel/Vrolijk-designed, solid laminate hulls have completely new, simpler and much lighter cabin houses and interiors. More than 150 sailors viewed the VAr at the Newport International Boat Show. Although many were initially interested in the low price of $152,400 for the 37 and $198,600 for the 44, most were even more impressed by the construction and performance potential.” “Many sailors applaud the simple, no-frills formica over marine plywood interior,” said van Breems. “Experienced sailors love the quality gear like the Selden mast and Jefa steering system. But the most important feature, to me and many others, is the amazingly solid Hanse Group construction, with seven transverse bulkheads laminated to the hull in the traditional manner.”
© sailing-sclerosis.com/oceans-of-hope
Crew positions are still available throughout the voyage for sailors with MS who want to help make history and take part in the adventure of a lifetime. The berths are free, although sailors need to contribute to food on board and pay for travel to and from ports where they can join and leave the yacht. For more information, visit sailing-sclerosis.com/oceans-of-hope. F
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The VAr 37 © VArYachts.com
SSC also offers a membership program. “For a low yearly fee, up to eight members can use the selected vessel and any smaller boats in our 14-sailboat fleet,” van Breems explained. “Our program offers 15-20 days of usage per year, and our VAr 37 will be available in South Carolina and Florida this winter.” For more information, visit soundsailingcenter.com and VArYachts.com. F
12 October 2014 WindCheck Magazine
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Checking In... Newport For New Products Award Winners One of the highlights of the Newport International Boat Show in Newport, RI is the presentation of the Newport For New Products™ awards. The program is presented by the Newport
Above: Gunboat 55 © gunboat.com Left: Wanderer © Onne Van der Wal/vanderwal.com
Exhibition Group in partnership with Cruising World, Sailing World and Yachting magazines, with entries open to all domestic and foreign boats and boating products launched in the U.S. after April 1, 2014 that made their boat show debut in Newport. “We were extremely impressed by the number and quality of entries this year,” said Show Director Nancy Piffard. “This is a new record for the Newport for New Products program, and we are pleased to have these boats and products represent all of the new and exciting introductions at the Newport International Boat Show.” Show attendees selected the People’s Choice Award winner, with all other category winners selected by a team of industry experts on the basis of innovation, value to the consumer, safety and aesthetics. The 9th annual Newport For New Products™ award winners are: Best New Sailboat 30’ and Over Gunboat 55 presented by Gunboat Best New Sailboat Under 30’ Wanderer presented by Zim Sailing Best New Powerboat 30’ and Over True North 34 Outboard Express presented by US Watercraft Best New Powerboat Under 30’ Vanquish 26 Dual Console presented by Vanquish Boats Best New Navigation Product ForwardScan presented by B&G Best New Boating Operation, Maintenance or Safety Product Wireless LED Lights presented by Nightwatch Marine Peoples Choice Award Gunboat 55 presented by Gunboat For more information, visit newportboatshow.com/nfnp. F 14 October 2014 WindCheck Magazine
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Checking In... The Clagett Appoints First Executive Director The Board of the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta has appointed Trish Walcott as Executive Director of The Clagett Regatta. The premier disabled and adaptive sailing regatta in North America, “The Clagett” attracts participants from across the world for competition in the waters off Newport, RI. “The Clagett Board is very happy to announce the appointment of Trish Walcott as The Clagett’s Executive Director,” said Judy McLennan, Co-Founder and President of The Clagett. “We have worked with Trish in the past as a volunteer. To now have her assisting the organization on a fulltime basis will enable the mission of The Clagett to be applied in a consistent way as we help the sailors ‘Reach for Success.’” Walcott started sailing a Laser at age 7, and has achieved the title of National Champion in the Thistle and Yngling classes. Her professional background includes ESPN, New York Yacht Club and Rocky Hill School. “The Executive Director position is a perfect fit for me as it combines my recreational therapy degree and event management skills with my favorite sport,” said Walcott. “I am very excited and honored to be able to work with such a great committee, and I look forward
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to growing the event to allow more sailors to improve their quality of life while having fun racing sailboats.” Founded in 2002, the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta honors the late Tom Clagett (1916-2001). As a young man, Clagett suffered temporary paralysis as the result of a bout of meningitis, which left him with a deep respect for the accomplishments of people © Robbie Benjamin with disabilities. Sailed in the Paralympic classes (2.4 mR, SKUD-18 and Sonar), The Clagett’s mission is to assist sailors in realizing their potential on the water by providing them the knowledge and tools to improve their skills as well as the opportunity to utilize these talents in competition. For more information, visit clagettregatta.org and facebook. com/pages/C-Thomas-Clagett-Jr-Memorial-Regatta. F
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12th Annual World Championship Boatyard Dog® Trials One of the highlights of the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show, presented by our fiends at Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Magazine in Rockland, ME each August, is the World Championship Boatyard Dog® Trials. In this popular event, each dog and handler have eight minutes to negotiate a dockside obstacle course, scramble in and out of a very unstable dinghy in the harbor, and show off their special talents in the freestyle segment. Last year’s runners-up, Gatsby (pictured) and handler Amy Douglass of Scarborough, ME, returned in top form to defeat defending champions Ruffles and handlers Linda & John Duffy of Cushing, ME and five other contenders. As World Champion, Gatsby will keep the perpetual “Pup Cup” trophy for the year and is invited back to defend her title in 2015. The World Championship Boatyard Dog® Trials is sponsored by Custom Float Services, Sea Bags, The Loyal Biscuit, and Bell’s Furry Friends Photography. For more information, visit maineboats.com/boatshow/ visitors/boatyard-dog. F © Debra Bell/Bell’s Furry Friends Photography
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Brewer Announces 24th Location Brewer Yacht Yard Group has acquired Essex Island Marina in Essex, CT. Brewer Essex Island Marina joins the company’s 23 other full service marina and boatyard locations between Maryland and Maine. “We are delighted to welcome our longterm Essex neighbor as the newest Brewer facility,” said Rives Potts, President of Brewer Yacht Yard Group. “This beautiful and unique property will be a wonderful addition not only to our current Essex operation, but for all who enjoy visiting Brewer locations. We envision lots of terrific rendezvous events and activities to be held here and are excited about the possibilities this location offers.” In addition to 125 slips in the marina, a pool, restaurant, lounges, green lawns, sandy beach and picnic areas, the facility has indoor storage and full-service capabilities including a 30-ton Travelift. Brewer Essex Island Marina will continue to welcome rendezvous events and cruisers, as well as seasonal and year-round customers. In addition to its multiple locations, Brewer offers special benefits to its customers including free overnight stays and fuel discounts. For more information, call Doug Domenie at 860-767-0001 or visit byy.com. F
16 October 2014 WindCheck Magazine
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New Head Coach at SUNY Maritime The co-ed sailing team at SUNY Maritime College in Throggs Neck, NY is under new guidance, with last year’s assistant coach Zach Runci recently appointed as head coach. During his first season with the Privateers last year, Runci helped the team to
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its first appearance at Singlehanded Nationals in over a decade, where they finished an impressive fifth overall. The Privateers placed one sailor on the All-MAISA Second Team and another on the All-MAISA Crew Team. A 2013 graduate of Old Dominion University, Runci helped the team qualify for four Co-Ed National Championships. He races as often as possible in several classes, and recently started match racing at Oakcliff Sailing Center in Oyster Bay, NY. He spends summers coaching a junior race team in Bellport, NY, where he has developed several sailors who now race at top colleges, and also helps coach a high school program in Mamaroneck, NY. “I would like to thank Director of Athletics Heather MacCulloch and Waterfront Director Rob Crafa for presenting me with this wonderful opportunity,” said Runci. “Coach O’Reilly was an excellent mentor, and I intend to build on last season’s efforts and continue the program’s upward trajectory. We have a great group of student-athletes who make Maritime a special place and I am delighted to continuing my coaching career at this fantastic institution.” For information about the SUNY Maritime Waterfront including varsity sailing, varsity crew, and community programs including summer camps, sailing instruction, boating safety courses and group programs, visit sunymaritime.edu/Waterfront. F
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Catch a Curl Youth Surf Classic Thirty-one surfers competed in the 3rd Annual Catch a Curl Youth Surf Classic on Westerly Town Beach in Westerly, RI on Saturday, September 13. This Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) event for novice, intermediate and advanced surfers is organized by New England Science & Sailing (NESS) and sponsored by Westerly Recreation, Peter Pan Surfing & SUP Academy, the Surfrider Foundation and Narragansett Surf Shop. With a strong easterly wind serving up two- to threefoot surf, the beach was packed with parents, grandparents and friends. “Surfing is one of our more popular programs, along with marine science, sailing and adventure sports,” said event organizer Mistral Dodson, Program Director at NESS. “I thought a youth surfing contest would be the perfect venue for beginning students to get a feel for what it’s like to be in a contest, yet keep it low-key and fun!”
(l - r) Congressman David Cicilline, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Sally Helme, Brad Read © Billy Black/billyblack.com
of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA) Anchor Awards. These accolades, awarded annually to individuals who have had a significant impact on the promotion and advancement of the state’s marine trade, were presented September 13 at RIMTA’s Annual Industry Breakfast at the Newport International Boat Show. A lifelong boater, Sally Helme leads two RI-based sailing magazines, Sailing World and Cruising World, and the National Offshore One-Design Regattas, the largest regatta series in North America. She has donated her time and expertise to a wealth of marine-related nonprofits and business organizations, and also produces the “State of the Sailing Industry” report, an annual survey that tracks sailboat production, imports, and bareboat charters that is recognized as the key barometer of the U.S. sailing industry.
© Katy Giffault
Charlotte Robbin won the event’s most competitive division, Wahines (girls 11-14; pictured), with Lily Gartner second and Sarah Billis third. Kelly Giffault won the Kahuna Girls (15-18) crown, with Abby Melton, Paige Giffault and Leigh Giffault second, third and fourth, respectively. Caitlyn Kuhn won the Girls Ankle Biter (under 10) title. Noah Gartner cruised to an easy victory in Boy’s Ankle Biters, and also edged out Jim Robbin in the Menehune (boys 11-14) division, with Dylan Holtbakk third. Joe Doherty topped Ryan Wilkinson for the Kahuna Boys (15-18) title. F Peter Pan of Peter Pan Surfing & SUP Academy in Narragansett, RI contributed to this report.
Helme and Goetz Receive Anchor Awards Sally Helme of The Sailing Company in Middletown, RI and Eric Goetz of Goetz Composites in Bristol, RI are the 2014 recipients
(l - r) RIMTA CEO Wendy Mackie, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman David Cicilline, Eric Goetz, Peter Van Lancker © Billy Black/billyblack.com
Eric Goetz is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in the hightech composites industry. A lifelong sailor, he founded Goetz Custom Sailboats in 1975 and built the first pre-preg carbon racing boat in the U.S. He has built over 100 custom boats including nine America’s Cup contenders, and numerous architectural structures. He helps students understand the potential of building with composites by lecturing at leading universities. F Cynthia Goss contributed to this report.
18 October 2014 WindCheck Magazine
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Checking In... Marion Bermuda Race Presentations Information sessions to help you prepare for a race to Bermuda or any offshore passage will be presented by the Marion Bermuda Race team in October and November. These presentations will begin with the changes to the race and fun family activities planned for Bermuda in 2015, followed by a discussion of the knowledge and equipment needed for a safe
© Spectrum Photo/Fran Grenon
passage by Captain Henry Marx of Landfall, and advice on boat preparation from a representative of Hinckley Yachts. The schedule is as follows: • Harraseeket Yacht Club, South Freeport, ME: October 19 at 5 pm • Hinckley Yachts, Portsmouth, RI: November 1 (time TBA) • Stamford Yacht Club, Stamford, CT: November 6 at 6:30 pm • Stonington Harbor Yacht Club, Stonington, CT: November 8 at 4 pm Additions to the 2015 Marion Bermuda Race include Youth Trophy for teams of sailors between the ages of 16 and 23 who will race with adult mentors, and an increase in the handicap benefit for skippers using celestial navigation from 2% to 3%. To provide a more enjoyable passage for Maine and New Hampshire-based sailors, a new rally from Portland, ME will arrive in Marion, MA a few days before the race. The rally is open to all crews whether they’re doing the race or not. Organized and run entirely by volunteering members of The Beverly Yacht Club, The Blue Water Sailing Club and The Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, the biennial Marion Bermuda Race is a premier 645-mile ocean race for amateur sailors aboard cruising and racing/cruising monohull yachts. The next one starts June 19, 2015. For more information, visit marionbermuda.com. F windcheckmagazine.com
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A Sailing Deckhand’s Perspective on the Charles W. Morgan’s 38th Voyage By Tom Daniels, Shipwright & Sailing Deckhand First Night on the Boat I’ve been working on this ship for three years as a builder, but coming on board the night before our first transit is different. It feels like arriving at summer camp, and our group of sailing deckhands is stoked. We scope out berths in the fo’c’sle. The mattresses feel good, and we look for the longest one. No luck – they’re all about six feet long. The core crew has long since staked out their spots and we try not to crowd them. We wonder where the snorers are and set up our bedding. There are three groups of eight sailing deckhands that rotate in to assist the core crew during sailing trips on the Morgan. We come from throughout the Mystic Seaport Museum: interpretation, demonstration squad, administration, shipyard… all over. The core crew has been on board since May and the ship is no longer new to them. They’re all professional licensed mariners; they could sail the boat without us if they had to. We bring willing hands and muscle to help with hauling lines, loosing and furling sail, managing dock lines, whatever needs to be done. When you do this for a living, going aloft and furling sails is no big deal, and they’re happy to have us up there lending a hand. By the next morning, we all know who the snorers are. The fo’c’sle is a pretty tight place after all. It doesn’t matter. Rested or not, we’re going sailing. The Job Our station assignments are handed out in the morning. These are the jobs that we’re responsible for during emergencies (e.g., handing out radios to officers, distributing life jackets, etc.) or during docking. We’re divided up into watches, port and starboard. Port watch handles the four forward staysails and the four sails on the foremast. Starboard watch handles the main
Every member of the Morgan’s crew has a daily station assignment. © Dennis Murphy/Mystic Seaport
staysail, the five sails on the main mast, the spanker and at times the gaff topsail. It’s a lot of sail to deal with, but starboard watch also gets to hang out in the shade of the skid deck, so there’s that. The guests arrive, and there’s a flurry of activity: handling docking lines, setting up for the tug to tow us out, readying and setting sails. The rhythm is move, move, move. Wait. Move, move, move. Wait. The core crew is relaxed. They know what to expect; they know the thinking behind the rhythm. I’m more like a border collie, ears up, ready for a command to come out of the blue. In the spaces between activity I go over the lines and their locations. Port pin rail: Fore Course Clew, Bunt, Downhaul. Lower Topsail Clew and Bunt, Upper Topsail Clew and Bunt, Fore Staysail Halyard. Over and over, and that’s just one pin rail. I still don’t have it totally down. Around us are the guests and the 38th Voyagers. The guests have been invited on board for any number of reasons: they’re donors to the project, politicians, maritime authors, Seaport employees, etc. The voyagers have submitted proposals for projects that they’ll do during the voyage. They write, draw, teach people how to use a sextant. There are musicians, teachers, historians, authors and more. The range and quality of their projects is impressive. The visitors and voyagers hum with excitement. They get one trip, and they’re on cloud nine. For the deckhands, having a job takes some of the stardust off of the experience. We brace up the sails, sweat the lines, listening for a command, “Ease port, that’s well!” The visitors watch us and marvel about the operation of a tall ship. We secretly roll our eyes when people passionately debate the merits of different editions of Moby-Dick. And then Roger Hambidge comes down from the anchor deck with a far off look. Roger is a master shipwright who started at Mystic Seaport working on the Morgan in the 1970s. He’s just been up at the bow, looking over the bulwarks at
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the bow wave, transfixed. “When I was first working on the bowsprit,” he tells me, “I used to look down through the gammon knees, and imagine what it would be like to see water rushing by. I can’t tell you how moved I am by this.” And just like that, the mood shifts. This voyage is significant and we both know it. And that’s the thing about working on this ship; the experience swings from the mundane reality of pulling lines and setting fenders to these moments of awe and gratitude. Going Aloft “Pay attention, get a hold of something. It’d be silly to let go, wouldn’t it!” – Irving Johnson, on being aloft without safety equipment, from his film Around the Horn. Going aloft was a big deal when I first came on the boat, and after six transits, it still is. There’s nothing more exciting, more focusing, than getting up into the rigging and working. That’s the thing – it’s not just going up high to hang out and enjoy the view, it’s going up to do a job. That distinction may not seem like much at first, but it changes the whole experience. You move with speed and purpose, but without being sloppy. Every handhold is deliberate, as is clipping in your harness, moving along the footropes, making the transition from the ratlines to standing on the cap. You call out. “Stepping on!” or “Stepping off!” when moving onto or off of a footrope that someone is already on, so that the sudden tension change doesn’t take them by surprise. The first time I went up to furl sails I didn’t have time to be scared. I remember consciously thinking that I should be nervous, what with the footrope swinging beneath me and the whole rig swaying from side to side. But there was this job
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to do. Elizabeth Foretek, chief of the port watch, was beside me and I was determined to make a good showing. I wanted to work hard and fast. I wanted her to say, “Tom, you head up” the next time we needed people aloft. I had no idea what I was doing. As she walked me through the sequence of hauling, gathering, stuffing, and busting, only The Job mattered. The deck below, the boats steaming along around us, the wind, all of it was in soft focus while the work was sharp and immediate. The only exception to this was busting. When you bust a sail, you take the roll you’ve gathered up, and when the call comes, “One, two, BUST!” you heave the roll into an even tighter cylinder and pull it up and back on top of the yard. This means that instead of leaning out over the yard with your feet out behind you, suddenly you’re leaning back hard as the sail comes on top of the yard, with your feet below or even in front. Woah. Very unnerving. When the job is done, everyone lays to deck (descends) and waits for the next command. We try to take in the view as we’re waiting for the person below us to descend, but the unspoken message is clear: your job is to be available, and when the work is done aloft, you need to be available on deck. So, down we go, with pine tar on our hands, breathing in the view, soaking it all in like a sponge. You can let yourself feel the rush once you get down. Go to YouTube and look up “Atop the world on the Charles W. Morgan” to see core crewmember Cassie Streeter go aloft to loose the royal. Continued on page 22 The 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan sailed for the first time in nearly a century on her historic 38th Voyage this summer. © Dennis Murphy/Mystic Seaport
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Miscellaneous Moments Finally working on the main royal yard (the highest yard on the ship) and feeling no fear at all, just exhilaration. Being on a whaling ship in the midst of a pod of feeding humpback and finback whales. Honestly, it doesn’t get much cooler. Sam Sikkema, the First Mate, speaking to the crew on the bullhorn: “We realize that you have a choice in sailing barks, and we appreciate you choosing the Charles W. Morgan for your sailing needs.” The language of tall ships: That’s well! (good, you can stop) Come up! (instantly drop the line you’ve been pulling) Coil down for running! (coil the excess lines and leave them on deck) The core crew discussing their next jobs: Spain, Texas, Samoa, the Great Lakes. I long to be 21 and unencumbered by a mortgage. Final Thoughts Sitting on deck with Ryan Leighton, the ship’s stowaway, late at night during our last transit back to New London. Aside from the tug’s engine ahead of us, the ship is quiet, the off-watch crew sacked out below. It’s a starry night, and as we pass by Point Judith, Ryan tells me he wants to read me something. It’s a passage from Edouard Stackpole’s The Charles W. Morgan, about her being towed from New Bedford to Mystic on November 5, 1941:
As the night settled down, and the General Greene towed them out of Buzzards Bay, the sea remained calm. High in the sky a bright moon revealed itself occasionally through a light cloud cover, and when its light was clear, the wraith that was the whaleship made the scene memorable in its unreality. Midnight passed, with Point Judith safely passed and the sea still peaceful… (A newsman on board writes): Night adds much to the brief illusion that the past is close and the future shut out. I am writing on the bare wood mess table…A sputtering yellow-burning lantern, resting on a pair of cracked-leather bellows for added height, is the only light…It is not hard to hear the men and movements of a century ago…and the empty bunks seemed not quite empty. I loved the work. The sheer physicality of it, getting better at it over time, knowing that what you did was essential to the operation of the boat, all of these things are great. However, sitting on deck that night, feeling history quietly repeat itself is what will stay with me. F Tom Daniels exchanged an office job for a career in boat building in 2006. He began working with the Charles W. Morgan restoration team at Mystic Seaport in 2011 and is currently working on the schooner L.A. Dunton, also at Mystic Seaport. He documented the work on the Morgan through his Shipwright’s Blog, at mysticseaport.org/morganblog. Editor’s note: For photos, videos, information about the Morgan’s 38th Voyage and her passengers, go to mysticseaport.org and click on “38th Voyage.”
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St. Martin to St. Barths with Sunsail Seven Seas Spirit, out of Portsmouth, England and hereafter referred to, for brevity, as S3. She was identical to our 36i Sandpiper so our boat briefing was brief. The converse was We had never been to St. Martin, Anguilla, St. Barths, St. Kitts, true for our chart briefing, which took two hours and, in or Nevis, so like kids in a candy store we chose to use Sunsail our opinion, spent too much time on the virtues of various “Advance Booking” points to sail this part of the Caribbean. restaurants, and ironically insufficient time describing where With Clair de Lune on the hard in Wickford, RI, I called John and how one should clear customs and immigration on exiting Keyes and reserved a Jeanneau 36i for two weeks, purchased or entering the waters of a new country, since in the Leeward Chris Doyle’s Cruising Guide to the Leeward Islands, and pored Islands almost every over his descriptions of island is a different anchorages. country! Getting to St. Martin Dining in French was straightforward. We locations can be a took a 6:25 am flight from gastronomic experience, RI to Charlotte, arriving but our focus on these at 8:40 am. After a brief voyages is on sailing and layover our 9:40 am flight discovering beautiful arrived in St. Maarten at anchorages, not on 2:20 pm. As usual, we gaining weight, or pack for two weeks each spending money. On a using a single L.L. Bean two-week vacation we “medium” rolling duffle typically dine out four that fits in all airline times, with ten dinners overhead compartments, aboard. These are often and a canvas bag for books, consumed under a canopy a few snacks, passports, of stars with the sound boarding passes, and the The entrance to the Sunsail base at Oyster Pond, St. Martin © Nancy Kaull of waves breaking on a Sunsail paperwork. nearby beach; a décor The Sunsail base on and ambiance many St. Martin is located in well-intentioned but Oyster Pond on the French overpriced restaurants side of this unique dualcannot match. nationality island, on the After checking in with eastern (windward) coast. Sunsail, and stowing our However, the airport is gear on S3, we walked to located on the southwest Captain Oliver’s outdoor or Dutch portion of St. bar where “painkillers” Maarten, near Simpson relieved travel-related Bay Lagoon. After clearing stresses. We had a plate customs and immigration of chicken wings, and one must then take a taxi afterwards took travel completely across the fatigue-induced naps. island. Had we known Awake by 6:30 pm, we that the best market for walked to the Dinghy provisioning was nearer Seven Seas Spirit is a Jeanneau 36i. © Nancy Kaull Dock for light salads and the airport, we would have iced teas. There we learned the location of Le Grande Marché, provisioned “on the way.” As it was, we took a taxi to Oyster and decided to provision in the morning. Pond, and found out that there were only a few small, very On Thursday, Nancy learned via text message that it had expensive grocery stores nearby. So, the next morning we took snowed 12 inches at home. The contrast between a foot of snow another taxi back across the island, provisioned for two weeks, in Rhode Island and 80°F air and water temperatures at Oyster again took the taxi back across the island, and finally stowed Pond was absurdly apparent, and we remarked to each other how everything. Not very efficient! incredibly fortunate we were. We then took a taxi to Le Grande Our sailboat for the next two weeks was the Jeanneau 36i By Nancy Kaull & Paul Jacobs
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Law notes that on the initial day of any cruise there is a Marché, where the driver waited outside while we shopped. substantial probability that the wind will be blowing directly After purchasing about $300 of food and beverages, the same taxi ($50 + tip), returned us to Oyster Pond, where we unloaded from wherever it is that you might wish to go. So it was on this day. The seas were six to eight feet, the anemometer read 18 - 20 and stowed everything aboard S3. At 2:30 pm we started the engine, untied the docklines, and knots, and beating to weather was a wet and bumpy affair. We typically select a nearby harbor for our first day’s sail, powered out into the small harbor. As required by Sunsail, we to help Nancy get her sea legs. Fortunately, I have never had a raised the mainsail and secured a first reef, met the escort RIB problem with mal de mer. This was fortuitous years ago when, and then followed it out of the harbor on a bright, sunny day as navigator, I had to go below on a pitching, rolling racing with 15 to 20-knot easterlies. I have been in and out of many sailboat, look up many tiny numbers among numerous rows and harbors in 55 years of sailing; most were straightforward, some columns in the Nautical were tricky, a few were Almanac, perform challenging, and then multiple arithmetic there was Oyster Pond! operations, and then The exit/entrance is like an look up additional tiny aquatic slalom course with numbers among even reefs and breakers waiting more rows and columns like lions on the left, and in a sight-reduction table more reefs waiting like in order to do celestial tigers on the right. It is navigation in an era prior sufficiently adventurous to the discovery of GPS. that Sunsail escorts each Throughout these intervals vessel in and out to help below, mal de mer never the skipper successfully clamped its sickly greenish negotiate the twisting, grip on me. turning route. Therefore, we decided Afterwards, we to detour to Isle Fourchue, realized it is actually safer a small boomerangthan it looked, but the shaped volcanic island three “privately maintained” Our anchorage at the rather stark Isle Fourchue © Nancy Kaull with an opening to the red poles close to the reef southwest. The island on the northeast side sheltered S3 against the do not inspire ultimate primary southeasterly, but confidence. Overall, I waves often refract around would rate exiting or landforms. Thus, we rolled entering Oyster Pond, St. a bit while anchored in 20 Martin in a strong wind ft of clear water on about as a white-knuckle ride. 150 feet of chain. Dinner Throughout our departure of chicken Marsala, rice I was especially conscious with gravy, steamed that if…God forbid… carrots, and Sauvignon our engine were to fail Blanc, was served on at a moment critical, the cockpit table under disaster was only 50 feet a tableau of stars. It was away. Fortunately the very dark and we were 29 HP Yanmar diesel far from light pollution, on every Jeanneau 36i is The beach at Anse Colombier, St. Barths © Nancy Kaull so Orion, its twin first very reliable, starts easily, magnitude stars Betelgeuse never stalls, and ours drove and Rigel, the easily identified trio of stars forming the hunter’s S3 around the deep water twists and turns effortlessly. Once belt, the stars in his dagger, Sirius and Procyon behind, and well clear of the reefs the Sunsail crew on their RIB departed. Aldebaran ahead, as well as Nancy’s favorite little star cluster, We waived goodbye and were soon sailing a course towards St. the Pleiades nearly directly overhead were all clearly visible. It Barths. was magnificent! After dinner and washing, drying and stowing The course to Anse Columbier on the northwest corner of the dishes and pots and pans, we sipped a bit of Brogans while St. Barths was just about southeast. The trade winds normally listening to Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D. Not too shabby blow from the east. However, Jacobs’ first corollary to Murphy’s windcheckmagazine.com
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for our first day in this part of paradise. On Friday morning the anemometer showed 20 - 25 knots, the seas were six to eight feet outside, with some at 10 feet. The good news was that the water was warm, the air was warm, we both were wearing bathing suits, and it was not far to Anse Colombier on St. Barths. Now this is a beautiful harbor! A wide crescent of white sand, hills to protect against prevailing winds from northeast to southeast, little wave refraction, calm, clear water from dark blue to light blue to turquoise, and good snorkeling over narrow reefs on both its north and south extremes. We picked up a mooring, but not without some minor misadventure. As I was attempting to snag the mooring line, the working end of the boathook got caught in a loop just as a gust pushed the hull of S3 away. As the force became sufficiently great, I could no longer hold onto the boathook. Fortunately a nice fellow in a dinghy saw the dilemma happening and quickly rescued the temporarily buoyant boathook before it sank. On our second attempt Nancy positioned the hull slightly to windward so I had more time, was able to snag the loop in the mooring line, pull it up, set the boathook on deck, run our dockline through the loop, and secure it to the opposite bow cleat before the hull blew off station. Obviously, this system works, but the boathook approach is much more prone to error – and loss of the boathook – than the simple method used in New England involving a pickup wand on a small float attached to a dual mooring pendant, attached to the primary mooring line. There, one slowly comes up on pickup-wand whose top is six feet above the water, grasps the
wand, and then pulls both the wand and dual mooring pendant aboard. The twin spliced pendant eyes are then easily secured to both bow cleats, and the boat is secure, with nothing to lose overboard! We took the dinghy to the beach, secured its painter to a tree, and went snorkeling. The water was gorgeous, but perhaps we did not find the best location as we only saw a few tropical fish. We loved this spot so much we decided to spend two nights here. This was fortuitous, since on consecutive evenings we both saw the famously rare “green flash” at sunset. In my lifetime I had only seen it twice, and Nancy had only seen it once. However, at Anse Colombier we each saw the green flash twice in two nights! If atmospheric conditions are just right the phenomena will occur just as the upper limb of the sun sinks below the horizon. A place like Anse Colombier presents a pleasant dilemma. It is so lovely that you want to stay at such a wonderful location for a long time. But there are more places to see, and more things to do, so conversely one wants to weigh anchor and see what is around the next point of land. Nonetheless, this lovely and well-protected harbor with its white sand beaches quickly became one of our all-time favorite harbors. Sitting in the cockpit after another glorious day of swimming, snorkeling, reading and relaxing we remarked while sipping a rum, orange juice and ginger ale “spinnaker,” that this harbor already made the trip more than worthwhile, and we vowed to return after sailing south to visit St. Kitts and Nevis. Sautéed chicken and mushrooms finished with peach nectar over rice and green beans with a lovely Riesling finished the meal, and a splendid day. Yet another starry, starry night! Sunday finds the unthinkable: the winds are from the south! The tradewinds in the Leeward Islands blow basically from the east, with atmospheric conditions shifting them towards the northeast in the winter and southeast in the summer. As January is winter in the northern hemisphere, somebody clearly forgot to inform Mother Nature’s wind machine. Initially we were disappointed as we had planned to sail south to St. Kitts and Nevis. So, we weighed anchor at about 7:30 am, raised the mainsail, set a first reef, and proceeded out of the bay. Once away from the distorting effects of St. Barths, we discovered that the true wind was from about 140° so we would be on a close reach to St. Kitts. Good enough! We got hit by a rainsquall, secured a second reef when the apparent wind settled in at 25 knots, and were sailing at seven knots directly towards St. Kitts. The seas were again six to eight feet with occasional 10-footers, and the decks were wet. With the more favorable wind direction we soon pointed S3 on a close reach towards St. Kitts, about 52 nautical miles away. For the first hour the winds were about 140° true at 20 - 25 knots. By about 9 am they had backed slightly to southwest at 18 - 20, and continued to back and decrease to 10 knots from the east-southeast. The good news was that we could shake out the second reef, and then the first reef at noon, while easing the jib sheets as we shifted to a beam reach. At 3 pm the winds further decreased to 6 or 8 knots,
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boatspeed hovered just below five knots, and we definitely did not want to arrive after dark in an unknown harbor, so we turned on the engine, furled the genoa, sheeted the mainsail in snugly, and continued motorsailing until 5:15 pm when we rounded the point near Mosquito Bluff. Unfortunately, any geographic place-name that includes the word “mosquito” inevitably sets off a loud interior alarm in me. Sadly your author has, for many years, been disgustingly susceptible to vigorous mosquito biting well before any other people within 100 yards have even heard their first buzzing sound. Thus it was that we bypassed Ballast Bay adjacent to a salt pond, and hence nearby brackish water, with the all too commonly associated mosquito breeding grounds, in favor of White House Bay, St. Kitts. The Cruising Guide lists White House Bay as “well protected, with a sand bottom near shore, and a rocky bottom further out.” About 30 minutes before sunset we dropped anchor in 15 feet of water, let out 130 feet of scope, and were soon snug in a large bay with but a single catamaran nearby. A 10-hour sail and motorsail, while tiring, had us ready for some dinner. A nice breeze blew all night, we had no problems with mosquitoes, S3 nicely pointed her bow into the wind, and with only a six-inch chop we spent a lovely night at anchor. Nancy soon prepared a splendid dinner of ham slices in maple syrup, fried potatoes, and peas, with a Shiraz having a velvety finish. If Anse Colombier was dark, White House Bay needs a new adjective to describe a level of darkness like the interior of a coal mine! While an often heard cliché, you literally could not see your hand in front of your face. The little cockpit light supplied by Sunsail almost blinded us when we first plugged it in. After dinner and clean-up we unplugged it, and after about 15 minutes, even with natural dark adaptation neither of us could see the shrouds from the cockpit! Of course the anchor light remained on all night to keep any late arriving sailboats from crashing into S3. We were both tired from a long day, and after a wee dram of Brogans, our heads hit the pillows by 9 pm, and it was 7 am in what felt like ten seconds, not ten hours. I love that kind of sleep. F
We saw the elusive “green flash” just after taking this photo at Anse Colombier. © Nancy Kaull
This article is excerpted from Voyages: Stories of Ten Sunsail Owner Cruises by Nancy Kaull & Paul Jacobs, who reside in Saunderstown, RI. Voyages is available in eBook format for iPad, Kindle and Nook, as well as a paperback print edition at lulu.com. Since purchasing their Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i Sandpiper in 2009, Nancy & Paul have sailed with the Sunsail Owners Program in Abaco, Bahamas; Tortola, St. Martin, St. Barths, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Granada and Carriacou in the Caribbean; Dubrovnik, Croatia, Tugutreis, Turkey and Vounaki, Greece in the Mediterranean; and Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine, Bora Bora and Maupiti in French Polynesia. Special thanks to Daniela Clark at TUI Marine for her assistance with this article. windcheckmagazine.com
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Restoring an Alberg 30 at Brewer Yacht Yard at Greenport By Mike Acebo John Bischoff purchased his 1976 Whitby Alberg 30 on the East End of Long Island and took a slip at Brewer Yacht Yard at Greenport for the summer of 2013. We got to know John and his boat while watching him sail in the evenings with his crew, always with a smile on his face. We talked often about deck repairs and hull paintwork but never finalized a plan, because in truth the project seemed a bit overwhelming in its scope. We needed to ease John into the amount of work the restoration entailed. John bit the bullet and gave us a go-ahead last winter and the boat was stored inside and the work began. First, Walter Tramposch and Paul Kreiling cleaned the boat out and removed every piece of deck hardware. Then Walter, Joe Martocchia and Jimmy Woodhall began the task of removing and cleaning up the old deck and chainplate repairs to get the boat back to original condition. After sanding the house and deck, all of the deck delamination and rotten core areas were opened up. Rotten balsa core was removed and replaced with closed cell core material, followed by new fiberglass work. All crazing and cracks were ground out and filled/ faired using vinylester fairing. The entire deck, cockpit and house were sprayed with high-build Duratec, which was block sanded to fair all surfaces. The house, cockpit, The first stage of the Alberg 30 restoration was the deck, shown here after the first coat of primer.
Several cracks needed to be repaired prior to fairing the hull.
waterways and decks were sprayed with ALEXSEAL® topcoat. Non-skid patterns were laid out and completed using ALEXSEAL® products. The hatches/garage and companionway surfaces received new wood treatment. The windows were replaced with newly powder coated trim rings and laminated glass. All hardware was replaced with new stainless steel fittings. The lifeline stanchions were restored, gate braces were added, and new lifelines were installed. The installation of new Lewmar self-tailing winches completed the work on deck. With the deck complete, John gave us the go-ahead to take care of the topsides. Joe Martocchia and Eric Scharph began by stripping the old hull paint down to bare fiberglass. The hull was than faired with ALEXSEAL® fairing compound and board sanded to fair. Spray ALEXSEAL® fairing was applied, followed by more board sanding and high build primer. When faired, finish primer and a blue topcoat were applied with double boot and cove stripes, followed by a clear coat. After launching, new shift controls were installed, the engine was tuned up, and new Raymarine electronics were installed. New sails and sail covers, new cushions, a new flag staff, a custom swim ladder and final deck details completed the project. John and Nicholas are now happily sailing Jaunty around the Greenport area, and will
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She’s a beauty! Brewer craftsmen Joe Martocchia, Walter Tramposch and Eric Scharph, proud of their work.
Nicholas and John enjoy a sail off Greenport.
compliments wherever he sails and takes pride in having a truly one-of-a-kind classic sailboat. The Brewer staff is proud of their work and willing to show the boat to any interested visitors. It was a pleasure to work with John on this project and test our skills and techniques to their fullest. F
be racing in the Brewer Time Warp Regatta. The entire job was time consuming and skill intensive, and not inexpensive. John’s love for the boat and desire to have a truly shipshape vessel made the project worthwhile. He receives
Mike Acebo is the General Manager of Brewer Yacht Yard at Greenport in Greenport, NY. He enjoys his job because each day brings something new. In his spare time he enjoys building, sailing and racing iceboats.
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Calendar 2014 OCTOBER Daily through October Sail on the Mary E - Enjoy a 1.5-hour river excursion or a 2-hour sunset cruise aboard this 75-foot gaff-rigged schooner, which was built in 1906. Fee includes museum admission. Connecticut River Museum, Essex, CT; Reservations: 860767-8269; schoonermarye.com; ctrivermuseum.org 2 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 (lite bites/cash bar available); 7:30pm; Westbrook Elks Lodge, Westbrook, CT; shorelinesailingclub.com 2 Singles Under Sail meeting - SUS is a sailing club for adults who are also single. Meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month at various locations in Fairfield County, CT; 203-8473456; visit SinglesUnderSail.org for cruises, lectures and other special events. 3 The Greenport Ocean Race - This run for the Brooklyn Ocean Challenge Cup, with divisions for Mini 6.5s, PHRF, Corinthian & Multihulls, starts and finishes on the North Fork of Long Island with a rounding of Block Island. Greenport, NY; greenportoceanrace.org 4 14th Annual Sail For Hope - Organized by Sail Newport and comprising an 18-mile race around Conanicut Island and ‘round-the-buoys racing for J/22s and other one-
designs, Sail For Hope raises funds for a wide variety of local and national charities. Newport, RI; sailnewport.org/regattas.html. 4 21st Annual Whitebread Around the Whirl Race Organized by the Peconic Bay Sailing Association and sponsored by Gosling’s Rum, New Suffolk Shipyard, Preston’s Chandlery, Legends restaurant and Greenport Harbor Brewing Co., this event is open to monohulls 22 feet LOA and up and multihulls 16 feet LOA and up. Cutchogue, NY; pbsa.us
RJ LaBella/RJLaBellaPhoto.com
4 21st Annual BYC Louis H. Orr Jr. Invitational This race is open to Spinnaker & Non-Spinnaker Cruising boats. Babylon Yacht Club, East Islip, NY; Bryan McLoughlin: regatta@babylonyachtclub.org; babylonyachtclub.org 4 The Thomas S. Willets Race - This race is in memory of EYC Past Commodore Thomas S. Willets, Jr. to commemorate his dedication to sailing, racing and the Connecticut River. Essex Yacht Club, Essex, CT; essexyc.com 4 Thundermug Regatta This ESCA points event is hosted by Duck Island Yacht Club. Westbrook, CT; diyc.com 4&5 AYC Fall Series (second
weekend) - American Yacht Club, Rye, NY; americanyc.com 4&5 Danmark Trophy - This intercollegiate regatta is hosted by the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and sailed in FJs. New London, CT; collegesailing.org 5 American Yacht Club Classic Regatta - This WoodenBoat Regatta Series event is hosted by American yacht Club. Rye, NY; Samuel Croll: swcroll@croll.com; americanyc.org 5 CPYC Fall Laser Regatta This event kicks off one of the most popular frostbite series in the region, with racing on consecutive Sundays from October 12 to December 7. Cedar Point Yacht Club, Westport, CT; cedarpointyc.org 5 10th Annual Dogs on the Docks - Dog owners and dog lovers alike are invited to participate in this parade and competition, which is held rain or shine. Registration starts at 1pm followed by a lawn parade at 2pm and then individual canine competitions in categories such as best costume, best nautical costume, best owner look-alike, best small dog, best big dog, best trick and best dock jumping. Dock jumping dogs must wear a harness. Connecticut River Museum, Essex, CT; 860-767-8269; ctrivermuseum.org 5 Fort Adams in the Fall Car Show - Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI; Pat Burke: burke.patrick.l@gmail.com; fortadams.org
over Great South Bay. 6:30 8:30pm; Dinghy Shop, Amityville, NY; 631-264-0005; dinghyshop.com 9 34th Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard - Presented by the Coast Guard Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to the education and welfare of Coast Guard members and their families, this event honors brave USCG personnel from around the country. Cocktail Reception 6:30 pm; Dinner & Program 7:30; Times Square Marriott Marquis, New York, NY; coastguardfoundation.org. 9 - 13 45th Annual United States Sailboat Show The nation’s oldest and largest in-water boat show features the biggest multihull collection in the world. Annapolis, MD; usboat.com/us-sailboat-show/ home 10 - 13 31st Annual Mitchell Columbus Day Regatta This PHRF non-spinnaker pursuit race from Newport to Block Island is hosted by Newport Yacht Club. Newport, RI; newportyachtclub.org 10 & 11, 17 & 18 and 24 - 26 10th Annual Fortress of Nightmares - Experience FEAR at Fort Adams State Park. Newport, RI; Laurie LaBrecque: 401-841-0707; llabrecque@fortadams.org; fortressofnightmares.com; fortadams.org
5&6 11th Jesuit Open - This intercollegiate regatta is hosted by Fordham University and sailed in 420s. City Island, NY; collegesailing.org 8 Full Moon Kayak Tour Watch the Hunter’s Moon rise
30 October 2014 WindCheck Magazine
11 The Gearbuster - IHYC’s 59th Annual Stratford Shoal windcheckmagazine.com
Race has PHRF, IRC & Doublehanded divisions and two courses: Greenwich, CT around Stratford Shoal and back and a shorter course to Eaton’s Neck and back for Non-Spinnaker boats. Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich, CT; indianharboryc.com 11 LHYC Fall Series at Target Rock - Huntington, NY; Lloyd Harbor Yacht Club, Huntington, NY; lhyc.org 11 Thomas Clark Memorial Race - Essex Corinthian Yacht Club, Essex, CT; essexcyc.org 11 International Oktoberfest! - Raise your steins and toast the flavors of fall. 12 - 8 pm; Newport Yachting Center, Newport, RI; newportwaterfrontevents.com 11 & 12 Storm Trysail Foundation Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta - More than 40 college teams will race big boats in the largest collegiate regatta in North America. Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont, NY; stormtrysailfoundation.org/ intercollegiate.htm
Moth, A Class catamaran, F18 catamaran, Weta trimaran, and the Hoot. American Yacht Club, Rye, NY; facebook.com/ HeinekenHPDO 11 - 13 New York Classic Week This WoodenBoat Regatta Series event is hosted by the New York Harbor Sailing Foundation. New York, NY; Michael Fortenbaugh: mike@myc.org; nyharborsailing.com 11 - 13 Chowder Days - Taste delectable chowder and seafood specialties, seasonal desserts and beer, wine and apple cider. 11 am - 4 pm; Cost of food is in addition to Museum admission. Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; 860572-5322; mysticseaport.org 12 Columbus Day Regatta Co-hosted by Milford Yacht Club, Windjammers Sailing Club and Housatonic Boat Club, this is an ECSA points event. Milford, CT; milfordyachtclub.com; windjammers.org 13 - 19 25th Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race - This 127mile sprint from Baltimore, MD to Portsmouth,VA supports the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. schoonerrace.org
© stormtrysailfoundation.org
11 & 12 11th Annual American Yacht Club High Performance Dinghy Open sponsored by Heineken - Invited classes include the VX One, International 5O5, Fireball, Flying Dutchman, RSK6,Viper 640, International Canoe, 49er, International Contender, International Tempest, Foiling windcheckmagazine.com
© schoonerwoodwind.com
16 Growing Up in a Fishing Family - In this Mystic Seaport Adventure Series event, Robert Doxsee will give a presentation on the history of his family, who opened the first clam processing plant on Long Island. 1:30 & 7:30 pm; $15 ($20 non-members);
students are admitted free; The River Room, Latitude 41° Restaurant, Mystic, CT; 860-5725331; mysticseaport.org
intercollegiate regatta is hosted by Yale University and sailed in Z420s and FJs. Branford, CT; collegesailing.org
16 - 19 43rd Annual United States Powerboat Show Annapolis, MD; usboat.com/uspowerboat-show/home
18 & 19 31st Annual Oyster Festival - Attractions at Long Island’s largest waterfront festival include tall ships, pirate shows, live bands, arts & crafts, midway rides and oyster shucking and eating contests. Oyster Bay, NY; theoysterfestival.org
17 IYRS Boatbuilding & Restoration Open House Tour the International Yacht Restoration School’s Newport campus, meet with instructors and students, and learn about training programs, the marketable skills taught at IYRS and career opportunities in the marine trades industry. 2 - 4pm; free; Newport, RI; iyrs.edu/openhouses-workshops 18 The Last ROTS (Race Of The Season) - PHRF & OneDesign; Breakwater Yacht Club, Sag Harbor, NY; Joan Worthing: 631-287-3205; JoanWorthing@ optonline.net; breakwateryc.org 18 Charles Birch Memorial Race - Pettipaug Yacht Club, Essex, CT; pettipaug.com 18 Behind-the-Scenes Aquarium Tour - This guided tour of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk includes stops at the “fish kitchen,” where 18 tons of fish a year is prepared, the 110,000-gallon Open Ocean tank, where the dorsal fins of 8-foot sand tiger sharks cut through the water, and the jellyfish “nursery.” You may also get the chance to hand-feed the cow-nosed rays. 8:15 - 10am; Participants must be at least 10 years old; under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. $25 ($22.50 for Aquarium members); Tour is limited to 25 people; reservations strongly recommended; Norwalk, CT; 203-852-0700, ext. 2206; maritimeaquarium.org 18 & 19 Yale Women’s Interconference - This
18 - 20 36th Annual Manhasset Bay Fall Series - Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, Port Washington, NY; manhassetbayyc.org 19 Connecticut State Optimist Championship This regatta is open to Red, White and Blue fleet Opti sailors. Niantic Bay Yacht Club, Niantic, CT; Brandon Flack: bflack@amconet.com; nbyc.org 23 - 25 US Sailing National Conference - This is a unique opportunity for members to meet with the National Governing Body’s leadership and discuss relevant industry topics facing the sport, exchange ideas, reflect on progress, and look ahead. Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Milwaukee, WI; Katie Oullette: 401-683-0800; ussailing.org 24 IYRS Composites Technology & Marine Systems Open House Tour the International Yacht Restoration School’s Bristol campus, meet with instructors and students, and learn about training programs, the marketable skills taught at IYRS and career opportunities in the marine trades industry. 2 - 4pm; free; Bristol, RI; iyrs.edu/openhouses-workshops 25 & 26 McMichael Boat Show The luxurious Hanse 505 and the magnificent MJM 50z will make their New WindCheck Magazine
October 2014 31
OCTOBER Continued
York area debuts at this show. Other models from Hanse, MJM, J Boats, Alerion and EdgeWater will also be on display. McMichael Yacht Brokers, Mamaroneck, NY; McMichaelYachtBrokers.com 25 & 26 Hoyt Trophy - This intercollegiate regatta is hosted by Brown University and sailed in 420s. Providence, RI; collegesailing.org 25 & 26 Stu Nelson Women’s - This intercollegiate regatta is hosted by Connecticut College and sailed in FJs. New London, CT; collegesailing.org 25 & 26 Halloween Howl - With fall northwesterlies typically prevailing, the Howl promises scary good fun for Optimist (Red, White & Blue fleets) & C420 sailors. Sail Newport
Sailing Center, Newport, RI; Kim Cooper: 401-846-1983; kim.cooper@sailnewport.org; sailnewport.org 26 Halloween Regatta Point Lookout Yacht Club, Point Lookout, NY; pointlookoutyachtclub.org 31 - 11/2 Oakcliff Halloween Invitational - This Grade 3 Match Race Regatta is sailed in Swedish Match 40s. Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 516-802-0368; bsimon@oakcliffsailing.org; oakcliffsailing.org
NOVEMBER 1 (*or the best weather window near that date) 15th Annual NARC Rally start - The North American Rally to the Caribbean departs from Newport, RI, bound for Bermuda and then St. Maarten. Hank Schmitt: 631-423-4988; sailopo.com
1 Introduction to HalfModel Construction Learn the basics of half-hull construction as you carve your own model of a classic sailboat. 9am - 5pm; $300 ($250 for museum members); John Gardner Small Boat Shop, Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; 860-5725322; mysticseaport.org 1&2 Freshman Interconference Regatta/ Nickerson Trophy - This intercollegiate regatta is hosted by Tufts University and sailed in Larks. Medford, MA; collegesailing.org 2 Daylight Saving Time Ends 2 LISSA Fall Luncheon This Long Island Sound Sabre Association gathering will feature a presentation by Michael Tougias, author of A Storm Too Soon. American Yacht Club, Rye, NY; contact
32 October 2014 WindCheck Magazine
Bill Selski at 203-452-1176 for reservations. Own a Sabre, Saberline or Back Cove? New members are welcome. 2 (*or the best weather window near that date) Salty Dawg Fall Rally start - This very popular cruising rally departs from Hampton,VA and sets sail for the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda in the BVIs. saltydawgrally.org 2 The Moosehead Luncheon - The annual meeting of the International Society for the Perpetuation of Cruelty to Racing Yachtsmen (ISPCRY) recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of race mismanagement. Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont, NY; larchmontyc.org 9 US Sailing Umpire Seminar with Bruce Cook This sanctioned seminar includes the test required for initial certification and re-certification
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as a US Sailing Umpire. 8 am 5pm; Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 516-802-0368; bsimon@oakcliffsailing.org; oakcliffsailing.org 14 IYRS Composites Technology & Marine Systems Open House Tour the International Yacht Restoration School’s Bristol campus, meet with instructors and students, and learn about training programs, the marketable skills taught at IYRS and career opportunities in the marine trades industry. 2 - 4pm; free; Bristol, RI; iyrs.edu/openhouses-workshops 14 - 16 U.S. Collegiate Match Racing Championship In this event, co-hosted by Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club and Oakcliff Sailing, the top 10 college teams who qualify through their conferences will match race Sonars for the Cornelius Shields, Sr. Trophy. Oakcliff Sailing, Oyster Bay, NY; Bill Simon: 516-802-0368;
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bsimon@oakcliffsailing.org; oakcliffsailing.org 15 & 16 Lunars: Finding Longitude by Observing the Moon Students in this intermediatelevel class led by Frank Reed of Reed Navigation will learn the details of adjusting a sextant properly for shooting lunars, tricks for taking accurate sights, and easy methods for clearing these famously difficult observations. 10am - 4pm; 4110 ($90 for museum members); Treworgy Planetarium, Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; 860-5725322; mysticseaport.org 20 Searching for the Bonhomme Richard, flagship of John Paul Jones - In this Mystic Seaport Adventure Series event, Melissa Ryan, project manager and chief scientist at the Ocean Technology Foundation, will discuss the complex and collaborative international operation to find the remains of the historic Revolutionary
Bonhomme Richard & HMS Serapis by William Gilkerson
warship. 1:30 & 7:30 pm; $15 ($20 non-members); students are admitted free; The River Room, Latitude 41° Restaurant, Mystic, CT; 860-572-5331; mysticseaport.org 29 9th Annual Stamford Harbor Parade of Lights Decorate your boat and join this event to benefit the Young Mariners Foundation and Toys For Tots. 6pm; Stamford, CT; Dick Gildersleeve: 203-9045776; dick.gildersleeve@gmail. com; stamfordboatparade.com
28 6th Annual Huntington Harbor Parade of Lights Presented by the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society, this event is open to all boats. Lighted boats will parade through Huntington Harbor, with prizes awarded to first, second & third place winners. 6pm; all boats must register in advance. Huntington, NY; 631-421-1985; huntingtonboatparade.com 28 BRYC Wild Turkey Regatta - Black Rock Yacht Club, Bridgeport, CT; blackrockyc.com 29 Turkey Day Reach New York Athletic Club YC & Huguenot Yacht Club, New Rochelle, NY; nyac.org; huguenotyc.com Add your event to our print and online calendar by emailing to contactus@windcheckmagazine.com by the 7th of the month.
WindCheck Magazine
October 2014 33
October 2014
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 10/1 10/1 10/1 10/1 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/3 10/3 10/3 10/3 10/4 10/4 10/4 10/5 10/5 10/5 10/5 10/6 10/6 10/6 10/6 10/7 10/7 10/7 10/7 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/9 10/9 10/9 10/9 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/11 10/11 10/11 10/11 10/12 10/12 10/12 10/13 10/13 10/13 10/13 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/16 10/16
1:32 AM 7:44 AM 1:57 PM 9:03 PM 2:37 AM 9:14 AM 3:02 PM 10:09 PM 3:45 AM 10:25 AM 4:11 PM 11:07 PM 4:54 AM 11:26 AM 5:20 PM 12:00 AM 5:59 AM 12:23 PM 6:22 PM 12:51 AM 6:55 AM 1:18 PM 7:17 PM 1:41 AM 7:46 AM 2:11 PM 8:07 PM 2:30 AM 8:33 AM 3:03 PM 8:56 PM 3:18 AM 9:20 AM 3:53 PM 9:45 PM 4:04 AM 10:08 AM 4:42 PM 10:37 PM 4:49 AM 10:58 AM 5:30 PM 11:31 PM 5:35 AM 11:50 AM 6:20 PM 12:28 AM 6:22 AM 12:44 PM 7:14 PM 1:23 AM 7:15 AM 1:38 PM 8:13 PM 2:18 AM 8:16 AM 2:31 PM 9:14 PM 3:12 AM 9:20 AM
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10/16 10/16 10/17 10/17 10/17 10/17 10/18 10/18 10/18 10/18 10/19 10/19 10/19 10/20 10/20 10/20 10/20 10/21 10/21 10/21 10/21 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/23 10/23 10/23 10/23 10/24 10/24 10/24 10/24 10/25 10/25 10/25 10/25 10/26 10/26 10/26 10/26 10/27 10/27 10/27 10/27 10/28 10/28 10/28 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/30 10/30 10/30 10/30 10/31 10/31 10/31 10/31
3:24 PM 10:10 PM 4:07 AM 10:19 AM 4:20 PM 11:00 PM 5:02 AM 11:11 AM 5:15 PM 11:44 PM 5:53 AM 11:58 AM 6:06 PM 12:26 AM 6:39 AM 12:44 PM 6:51 PM 1:06 AM 7:19 AM 1:28 PM 7:30 PM 1:46 AM 7:55 AM 2:11 PM 8:06 PM 2:25 AM 8:27 AM 2:54 PM 8:39 PM 3:03 AM 8:57 AM 3:36 PM 9:12 PM 3:40 AM 9:28 AM 4:17 PM 09:47 PM 4:17 AM 10:04 AM 4:59 PM 10:30 PM 4:56 AM 10:47 AM 5:43 PM 11:22 PM 5:38 AM 11:41 AM 6:33 PM 12:24 AM 6:30 AM 12:42 PM 7:34 PM 1:28 AM 7:41 AM 1:46 PM 8:41 PM 2:31 AM 9:01 AM 2:50 PM 9:46 PM
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10/1 10/1 10/1 10/1 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/3 10/3 10/3 10/3 10/4 10/4 10/4 10/4 10/5 10/5 10/5 10/5 10/6 10/6 10/6 10/6 10/7 10/7 10/7 10/7 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/9 10/9 10/9 10/9 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/11 10/11 10/11 10/11 10/12 10/12 10/12 10/12 10/13 10/13 10/13 10/13 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/16 10/16 10/16
4:34 AM 10:49 AM 5:00 PM 11:33 PM 5:38 AM 11:58 AM 6:06 PM 12:47 AM 6:49 AM 1:21 PM 7:22 PM 2:17 AM 8:16 AM 2:56 PM 8:52 PM 3:27 AM 9:29 AM 3:59 PM 9:59 PM 4:22 AM 10:24 AM 4:53 PM 10:53 PM 5:11 AM 11:13 AM 5:43 PM 11:43 PM 5:59 AM 12:00 PM 6:32 PM 12:31 AM 6:45 AM 12:45 PM 7:19 PM 1:17 AM 7:30 AM 1:28 PM 8:03 PM 2:00 AM 8:12 AM 2:09 PM 8:48 PM 2:43 AM 8:55 AM 2:50 PM 9:37 PM 3:29 AM 9:45 AM 3:36 PM 10:36 PM 4:28 AM 10:55 AM 4:36 PM 11:41 PM 5:38 AM 12:07 PM 5:55 PM 12:43 AM 6:45 AM 1:12 PM
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10/16 10/17 10/17 10/17 10/17 10/18 10/18 10/18 10/18 10/19 10/19 10/19 10/19 10/20 10/20 10/20 10/20 10/21 10/21 10/21 10/21 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/23 10/23 10/23 10/23 10/24 10/24 10/24 10/25 10/25 10/25 10/25 10/26 10/26 10/26 10/26 10/27 10/27 10/27 10/27 10/28 10/28 10/28 10/28 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/30 10/30 10/30 10/30 10/31 10/31 10/31
Bridgeport, CT 7:08 PM 1:44 AM 7:48 AM 2:13 PM 8:13 PM 2:40 AM 8:46 AM 3:09 PM 9:10 PM 3:31 AM 9:35 AM 3:58 PM 9:59 PM 4:16 AM 10:17 AM 4:41 PM 10:40 PM 4:56 AM 10:51 AM 5:21 PM 11:15 PM 5:28 AM 11:15 AM 5:54 PM 11:39 PM 5:46 AM 11:29 AM 6:15 PM 11:55 PM 6:00 AM 11:56 AM 6:32 PM 12:23 AM 6:31 AM 12:33 PM 7:03 PM 1:01 AM 7:09 AM 1:14 PM 7:41 PM 1:43 AM 7:52 AM 1:59 PM 8:25 PM 2:29 AM 8:39 AM 2:47 PM 9:14 PM 3:20 AM 9:33 AM 3:41 PM 10:10 PM 4:18 AM 10:36 AM 4:42 PM 11:16 PM 5:24 AM 11:53 AM 5:52 PM
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10/1 10/1 10/1 10/1 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/3 10/3 10/3 10/3 10/4 10/4 10/4 10/4 10/5 10/5 10/5 10/5 10/6 10/6 10/6 10/6 10/7 10/7 10/7 10/7 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/9 10/9 10/9 10/9 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/11 10/11 10/11 10/11 10/12 10/12 10/12 10/12 10/13 10/13 10/13 10/13 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/16 10/16
34 October 2014 WindCheck Magazine
4:52 AM 11:03 AM 5:13 PM 11:49 PM 5:54 AM 12:08 PM 6:18 PM 12:52 AM 6:57 AM 1:14 PM 7:23 PM 1:52 AM 7:59 AM 2:17 PM 8:25 PM 2:50 AM 8:56 AM 3:16 PM 9:23 PM 3:44 AM 9:51 AM 4:12 PM 10:18 PM 4:34 AM 10:42 AM 5:05 PM 11:10 PM 5:23 AM 11:31 AM 5:56 PM 12:00 AM 6:11 AM 12:19 PM 6:45 PM 12:49 AM 6:58 AM 1:07 PM 7:34 PM 1:38 AM 7:46 AM 1:55 PM 8:24 PM 2:27 AM 8:35 AM 2:44 PM 9:14 PM 3:18 AM 9:26 AM 3:36 PM 10:07 PM 4:12 AM 10:21 AM 4:31 PM 11:01 PM 5:08 AM 11:18 AM 5:28 PM 11:58 PM 6:05 AM 12:18 PM
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10/16 10/17 10/17 10/17 10/17 10/18 10/18 10/18 10/18 10/19 10/19 10/19 10/19 10/20 10/20 10/20 10/20 10/21 10/21 10/21 10/21 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/23 10/23 10/23 10/23 10/24 10/24 10/24 10/25 10/25 10/25 10/25 10/26 10/26 10/26 10/26 10/27 10/27 10/27 10/27 10/28 10/28 10/28 10/28 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/30 10/30 10/30 10/30 10/31 10/31 10/31
6:27 PM 12:53 AM 7:02 AM 1:15 PM 7:25 PM 1:45 AM 7:55 AM 2:10 PM 8:18 PM 2:34 AM 8:44 AM 2:59 PM 9:07 PM 3:18 AM 9:29 AM 3:45 PM 9:52 PM 4:00 AM 10:11 AM 4:27 PM 10:34 PM 4:40 AM 10:50 AM 5:08 PM 11:14 PM 5:19 AM 11:28 AM 5:47 PM 11:53 PM 5:57 AM 12:05 PM 6:27 PM 12:33 AM 6:37 AM 12:43 PM 7:09 PM 1:14 AM 7:18 AM 1:24 PM 7:52 PM 1:57 AM 8:03 AM 2:09 PM 8:40 PM 2:45 AM 8:52 AM 2:59 PM 9:32 PM 3:38 AM 9:48 AM 3:55 PM 10:29 PM 4:36 AM 10:49 AM 4:57 PM 11:30 PM 5:37 AM 11:55 AM 6:02 PM
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windcheckmagazine.com
October 2014
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 10/1 10/1 10/1 10/1 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/3 10/3 10/3 10/4 10/4 10/4 10/4 10/5 10/5 10/5 10/5 10/6 10/6 10/6 10/6 10/7 10/7 10/7 10/7 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/9 10/9 10/9 10/9 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/11 10/11 10/11 10/12 10/12 10/12 10/12 10/13 10/13 10/13 10/13 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/16 10/16
3:10 AM 9:32 AM 3:32 PM 10:23 PM 4:16 AM 10:36 AM 4:41 PM 11:21 PM 5:22 AM 11:40 AM 5:44 PM 12:17 AM 6:19 AM 12:40 PM 6:39 PM 1:11 AM 7:10 AM 1:39 PM 7:31 PM 2:03 AM 8:00 AM 2:36 PM 8:22 PM 2:54 AM 8:49 AM 3:29 PM 9:12 PM 3:41 AM 9:37 AM 4:19 PM 9:59 PM 4:26 AM 10:23 AM 5:07 PM 10:46 PM 5:11 AM 11:11 AM 5:58 PM 11:35 PM 6:00 AM 12:01 PM 6:50 PM 12:27 AM 6:53 AM 12:54 PM 7:44 PM 1:21 AM 7:48 AM 1:48 PM 8:37 PM 2:15 AM 8:45 AM 2:41 PM 9:30 PM 3:11 AM 9:43 AM 3:39 PM 10:24 PM 4:13 AM 10:46 AM
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Woods Hole, MA 10/16 10/16 10/17 10/17 10/17 10/18 10/18 10/18 10/18 10/19 10/19 10/19 10/19 10/20 10/20 10/20 10/20 10/21 10/21 10/21 10/21 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/23 10/23 10/23 10/23 10/24 10/24 10/24 10/24 10/25 10/25 10/25 10/25 10/26 10/26 10/26 10/27 10/27 10/27 10/27 10/28 10/28 10/28 10/28 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/30 10/30 10/30 10/30 10/31 10/31 10/31 10/31
4:42 PM 11:18 PM 5:16 AM 11:45 AM 5:41 PM 12:07 AM 6:09 AM 12:38 PM 6:32 PM 12:52 AM 6:55 AM 1:27 PM 7:18 PM 1:36 AM 7:39 AM 2:13 PM 8:02 PM 2:18 AM 8:21 AM 2:55 PM 8:44 PM 2:57 AM 9:02 AM 3:33 PM 9:25 PM 3:34 AM 9:40 AM 4:11 PM 10:03 PM 4:11 AM 10:18 AM 4:50 PM 10:41 PM 4:48 AM 10:55 AM 5:32 PM 11:22 PM 5:30 AM 11:36 AM 6:21 PM 12:09 AM 6:20 AM 12:24 PM 7:13 PM 1:02 AM 7:17 AM 1:17 PM 8:08 PM 1:57 AM 8:16 AM 2:11 PM 9:03 PM 2:54 AM 9:17 AM 3:10 PM 10:00 PM 3:59 AM 10:22 AM 4:16 PM 10:58 PM
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October 2014 35
The Boating Barrister Help! The Coast Guard Hit My Boat: Sundry Maritime Questions By John K. Fulweiler When you’re a boat lawyer in a boating town, well, questions get asked. Doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing, as soon as the admiralty lawyer label is unfolded, there’s a twinkle in my fellow sailor’s eye. A knowing flash of “finally,” unfurls across their face and I brace for what’s to come, sort of like when the bow dips down and it’s a toss-up as to whether it’ll be a mere shudder and shower of spray, or a stumble and sluice of green water. “Okay, I got one for you,” she might begin, easing into a complicated fact pattern implicating foreign jurisdictions and likely English law. Or it can be less conversational, with a straightening back and serious eye accompanying a ponderous problem involving a vessel sale. And sometimes, it’ll be a nice pitch right down the middle where with glove ready I neatly catch the issue and respond in a knowing, worthwhile, “I really do practice maritime law” sort of way. Mind you, I never mind the questions, it’s just that like the nuances of making a boat go fast, the law is complicated and I regret my advices can’t always be short, pithy and on point. Too often, my answers necessarily must be qualified, hesitant and dependent on facts unknown and circumstances speculative. And so, like roll tacks practiced in an imaginary scrum of competitors, I’m going to serve myself a few imaginary questions that’ll impart some useful information and will leave me this autumn day, warm and fuzzy in a non-alcoholic way. First up, there was an article on Coast Guard boardings in the last issue. Since my soapbox is buried deep in the back lazarette I’ll spare you my views on the antics of the federales, but let’s focus on when the Coast Guard damages your boat. Is there a remedy? Indeed, under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Ask the boarding officers for a form SF-95 before they disembark and it’ll show you mean business because this is the paper that needs pushing so you can get compensation. Take photos, too. Get names. And try like Job to stay patient and friendly because you’ll get more information that’ll help your claim this way. Remember too, you’ll never, ever win an on-scene battle of wills with law enforcement. Save your energies for the courtroom. (And claiming against the government is always tricky so before breaking ground, talk to your admiralty attorney to make sure you’re on the right path.) Here’s another. Can a passenger sue a vessel owner because the vessel wasn’t seaworthy? Sure, but that’s not the standard of care owed a passenger. Excuse my flippancy, but what I mean is lawsuits get filed all the time and so when a client asks: “Can I get sued?” the answer is almost surely, “yes.” The better question is: “Will I prevail if a lawsuit is filed?” As for the warranty
of seaworthiness, it’s only owed to crew. That is, the duty of maintaining a vessel reasonably fit for its intended purpose is only owed to those that can establish they’re crew. This duty amounts to something akin to liability without fault and it’s reserved for those with the special status of serving the ship. Passengers, on the other hand, are simply entitled to a duty of reasonable care. Say for instance Lt. Fitzroy aboard the H.M.S. Beagle slipped on the ice-covered deck. He’ll assert a breach of the duty of seaworthiness and likely win because a vessel with ice on its deck isn’t in seaworthy condition. When Darwin wracks up his ankle on the same ice patch, his argument will be more difficult. He’ll have to prove the vessel owner breached the duty of reasonable care. In other words, the passenger doesn’t get to short-circuit the argument like the lieutenant does by simply pointing to the ice and Darwin will have a harder hill to climb in establishing the owner was at fault. Remember too, Jones Act claims are for crewmembers only and allow them to sue their employers. Maritime personal injury and death claims are slippery eels and if you don’t have a maritime lawyer aboard early on, it’s easy to run aground. The maritime law doesn’t always fit neatly like a sail cover over your particular issue, and the fact patterns presented to me aren’t always uniformly flaked like a mainsail on the club lawn. Sure, we admiralty counsel can wish it’d all arrive on our desk ship-shape, but then business might get kind of thin, huh? This article is provided for your general information, is not legal opinion and should not be relied upon. Always seek legal counsel to understand your rights and remedies. Underway and making way. F Admiralty attorney John K. Fulweiler, Esq. practices maritime law on the East and Gulf Coasts. As a former partner of a Manhattan maritime firm, John now helms his own practice located in Newport, Rhode Island where he helps individuals and businesses navigate the choppy waters of the maritime law. John can be reached anytime at 1-800-383-MAYDAY (6293) or via e-mail at john@ fulweilerlaw.com.
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From the Captain of the Port Sounding Smart on the Radio By Vincent Pica District Commodore, First District, Southern Region (D1SR) United States Coast Guard Auxiliary There is a natural tendency to shy away from the unfamiliar, especially when you can’t get the words back. Remember the first time you were faced with a phone answering machine: “leave your message after the beep” – BEEP! Now what? Even today, that beep can strike fear into the hearts of some. Now, how about multiplying that a hundred-fold to everyone tuned to channel 16…? Some Basics Unless you know the cell phone number of every boater in your vicinity, your only source of help is your VHF radio. You don’t have one, you say? Stop reading and check yourself in someplace because that is simply nutty. Your radio is likely to be your only source of help and you go to sea without one? Over a couple hundred dollars? And West Marine, for one, will give you a threeyear warranty in the price… Come on, Bunky, where else can we skimp with such potentially disastrous results? So, let’s assume we all have a radio, even if only a 5 watt handheld, aboard. Calls fall into three categories and if you use the introduction properly, you will save essential time with U.S. Coast Guard Forces. Tune it to VHF channel 16 and leave it there. Imminent Loss of Life Aboard The all-familiar “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!” is the ultimate. It means “I need help right now. There is imminent risk to lives aboard my vessel.” (Emanating from the sinking of the Titanic, it comes from the French for “Help me!” “M’aide”.) Would you use it if there wasn’t imminent threat to lives? No. What then do I use? Someone to Watch Over Me “Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan” (pronounced “pahn”) is the introduction to indicate that a high level of concern exists and advice, at a minimum, is needed. You’re taking on water but you have it generally under control, but you wisely want the USCG to keep an eye on you…Or you are coming in during a heavy storm, are struggling but maintaining steerage, but want the USCG to keep an eye on you…Don’t be bashful. Get on that radio and have someone watch over you. Someone to Look Out for Me “Security, security, security” (often said with the French pronunciation: “secure-a-tay”). You are coming into the inlet at night, can’t see anybody but are worried, as you should be, that there is somebody there… You’re coming back from Montauk during a foggy day and you are on the rhumbline from the Montauk sea buoy towards the Moriches sea buoy. Someone going windcheckmagazine.com
from Moriches to Montauk will be on a reciprocal course to yours – in the fog. Put out the security call! All of these introductions, which immediately establish the level of the issue, are repeated three times, per above. Now What Do I Say? What you say next will save time, and possibly save your life. Identify yourself (the name of the boat – if you don’t have one, make something up right then “motor vessel Charlie”) and, most importantly, the nature of your distress and where you are! For example: “Pahn-pahn, pahn-pahn, pahn-pahn, this is the motor vessel Charlie. We are taking on water and are 10 miles due south of Moriches Inlet. Over.” When the USCG hears that, they will come right back to you. (If they don’t within, say, a minute, hail them again.) Note that I finished my hail with the word “over.” This means I am finished talking and hoping to hear back. (There is no such sign-off, despite the movies, as “Over and out.” “Out” means I am done talking and I don’t want to talk to you anymore. “Over” means I am done talking and I do want to talk to you some more. Which is it, Bunky? The rest will be pretty straightforward for the private boat captain. USCG Forces will essentially take over the conversational and situational control at that point. They will gather essential information (how many people aboard?) and direct you to take action consistent with the risk of the situation (get everyone in life jackets.) They will also put out an urgent call to all boaters in your vicinity to render assistance if they can, as Good Samaritans. And, if the risk warrants it, they will get under way within minutes of your hail. Get a radio – and sound safe and smart out there! If you are interested in being part of 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 FSO-PS@emcg.us and we will help you “get in this thing.” Captain Ed Cubanski is the Captain of the Port and Sector Commander for US Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. Captain Cubanski is responsible for all active-duty, reservist and auxiliary Coast Guard personnel within the Sector. Vin Pica, Commodore for the First District Southern Region in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, works closely with Captain Cubanski 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. F 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
October 2014 37
Sound Environment... Searching for the Wreck of the Bonhomme Richard By Melissa Ryan, Ocean Technology Foundation Sailing a vessel can be a great adventure, a science, an art form, and a challenge – all at the same time. Some sailors would say the rougher the seas, the bigger the challenge, and the greater the reward when they reach their destination using only wind, currents, and skill. But try to imagine sailing a 154-foot-long wooden ship in the unforgiving North Sea off the east coast of England, while enemy cannon fire sets your ship ablaze and decimates your crew during a ferocious battle for American independence. In September of 1779, John Paul Jones had this experience while commanding the Bonhomme Richard (BHR), a French East Indiaman that was loaned to America by France during the Revolutionary War. Jones engaged the British vessel HMS Serapis in a terrible three and a half hour fight just off a hostile shore. Shortly into the battle, he found himself in command of a burning, sinking ship, with half his crew dead or wounded. The BHR had holes in her hull that eyewitnesses said were large enough to drive a carriage and six horses through. Through his tenacity and courage, Jones ultimately emerged victorious, and the BHR drifted for 36 hours afterward as his crew tried to save the ship. By then, he had taken command of the Serapis, and watched from her deck as the North Sea eventually claimed his own beloved vessel. The Mystic, CT-based nonprofit Ocean Technology Foundation has been leading the search for remains of the BHR since 2006. It has conducted 14 expeditions, with support from the U.S. Navy, the private sector, and individual donors. Surveys have employed sonars, magnetometers which detect anomalies in the earth’s magnetic field (which could indicate iron ballast from a ship), remotely operated underwater cameras, deep sea divers, and even the U.S. Navy Submarine NR1. The project offers the Navy outstanding training opportunities in an extreme environment, and is also helpful in testing new ocean technologies. The French Navy has also provided strong support with mine-hunting and survey vessels, and teams of divers. French interest in the project stems from the importance of the BHR to both U.S. and French maritime heritage. Surveys over the years have revealed more than 70 shipwrecks, but none with the expected characteristics of a 235-year-old wooden sailing ship that suffered catastrophic damage. Since the North Sea is an extremely dynamic environment with a shifting seabed, it is expected that the BHR’s remains will likely be a debris field that is partially or mostly buried. In 2012, the French Navy located a sonar target that appeared to be the remains of a wooden shipwreck site, and
Wooden timbers lay partially buried in the seabed. Measurements of these timbers will help in proving this shipwreck’s identity. © Ocean Technology Foundation
it was given priority for further investigation. In 2013, the site was explored using a Remotely Operated Vehicle, and it was indeed found to be a mostly buried, old wooden wreck, with an anchor whose dimensions closely matched that of the smallest anchor on the BHR. In summer of 2014, a French Navy dive team investigated the site and located additional objects indicative of an 18th century French vessel, such as a deadeye block, possible remains of a spar and spar hoop, extensive areas of partially buried planking, and other unidentified and mostly buried objects. The dimensions of the remains of the spar and the deadeye block correlate to certain ones on the BHR, but conclusively proving a wreck’s identity takes time and effort. It is likely that the identification of the wreck will at first be a case based on circumstantial evidence, and that no single feature alone will prove her identity. Distinctive features of the BHR include the sizes of her guns, their foundry markings, iron ballast, the use of iron knees (instead of wood) in her construction, and the size of her frames and other hull components. Subsequent expeditions will be needed to prove whether this is the wreck of the Bonhomme Richard, but discoveries so far are encouraging. Finding the remains of this significant icon of maritime history would rekindle public enthusiasm for America’s proud naval heritage, and raise awareness of ocean exploration and conservation. To use John Paul Jones’s historic words “I have not yet begun to fight!” – perhaps we have not yet begun to fight together toward a better understanding of our world’s oceans and their role in preserving our maritime heritage. For more information, visit bonhommerichard.org and searchforbhr.blogspot.com. F Melissa Ryan is the Ocean Technology Foundation’s Project Manager.
38 October 2014 WindCheck Magazine
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udhead
enefit lming
mes,”
Val & Carl Fast’s Looney Tunes and Richard Magner’s Se Therin
said Courtney Moore, Team Patriot member. “Knowing that there were people we could lean on was of great comfort to our entire family.” Hospice Southeastern Connecticut provides care in the home and in nursing facilities for those approaching the end of their life, regardless of age, disease or inability to pay. “As a community-based, non-profit agency, the funds raised in support of this agency goes right back in to the community,” explained Denise Hawk, Annual Giving and Special Events Manager for Hospice SE CT. “It was a keeper day in the Mudhead memory banks,” said Gilmartin. “Thanks to all who participated and it’s time to tell your sailing friends where the regatta of the year is for 2013.” For complete results, visit mudhead.org. ✦
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October 2014 39
Building Boats and Life Skills at Brooklyn Boatworks Story and photos By Alyssa Ringler For most students that enter the classroom, drop their backpacks and circle up, the concept of building a boat and then sailing it is purely anecdotal. Maybe they had a friend or an older sibling that participated in the program but to build a boat, no less a seaworthy vessel that they will then singlehand in the Hudson River, sounds like a “cool” idea at best. Maybe it’s eight weeks into the program before the realization materializes that those pieces of wood that have been hand-cut and painstakingly sanded for four weeks are now the hull of a small boat. The excitement of the students steadily grows as the hunks of plywood become a boat. It is contagious and rewarding for everyone involved. The mission of Brooklyn Boatworks (BBW) in Brooklyn, NY is to encourage, inspire and empower young people through the unique craft of wooden boatbuilding and on-the-water experiences. Brooklyn Boatworks’ vision is a New York City where all children have the opportunity to experience the rewards, accomplishments and thrill of hand crafting and sailing their own boat. Program leaders teach and promote the values of learning by doing, encouraging cooperation and fostering perseverance and craftsmanship. Brooklyn Boatworks is a nonprofit started by Brooklyn-based naval architects Carl Persak and Jeremy Wurmfeld. The duo had previously been involved with various youth boatbuilding programs throughout New York City and Maine. They saw a critical shortage of quality, academically focused and engaging after-school activities available for middle school students, especially in underserved communities in New York City. In 2005, they set out to create a completely unique and challenging program for students in the often “make or break” early adolescent years. Persak and Wurmfeld re-engineered the International
Optimist Dinghy Association-published ‘Class Rules for the Wood/Epoxy Optimist’ so that students as young as 10 years old could execute them without power tools or adults doing the work, and still have a class-approved Optimist. Each participant would claim ownership of the entire boatbuilding process and then launch their completed boat in the waterways of New York City. The pilot program began as a volunteer effort in the hallway of a Manhattan middle school. It has steadily grown into a healthy organization serving over 70 students annually with a goal of bringing the opportunity to build handcrafted sailboats to
Above: Red Hook Initiative comes to Brooklyn Bridge Park to learn how to sail their handbuilt Optis with Brooklyn Boatworks. © Alyssa Ringler Left: Students and instructors lift a nearlycompleted Optimist at Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School in Forest Hills, NY. © Alyssa Ringler
students throughout the five boroughs. The project-based learning curriculum has evolved with the incorporation of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming. Weekly lessons include basic design, engineering and construction, fractional math, measurement, geography and map reading, water pollution and more. “Brooklyn Boatworks gives our students these critical moments of success, even when they feel so closed off from school and other adults here,” said Priscilla Chan, Principal of the Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies. “The program leverages positive change for students struggling with behavior and academics.” Each week a Captain of the Day is assigned to lead his or her group through the day’s projects, making sure the correct boat parts are worked on and finished. Rather than students going to the instructor for questions, they first refer to the Captain,
40 October 2014 WindCheck Magazine
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who builds confidence throughout the session by assisting fellow classmates. At the end of the day, the Captain blogs about their experience and shares photos from that day’s build. “As Captain, I learned that if you have a good leader things will get done,” said Captain of the Day Ian. “When the other kids saw what they had to do, they were less likely to fool around. If they know exactly what to do, there is a better chance they will do it.” Captain of the Day Aaliyah added, “I learned that in order to get the boat finished we have to work really hard as a team because if we work separately then we won’t know where things go and how to put them together. I am really excited to go to the Hudson and sail it!” Every spring, all participating schools get together and launch the completed boats in the Hudson River. Each student has a chance to sail the boat they built and see the city skyline from an entirely new point of view. With all the fun and excitement of launching the boats, “Launch Day” becomes an emotional day. For many participants, this is their first on-the-water experience. They grow up surrounded by water that is inaccessible to them and through perseverance, cooperation and a steady drive, they have created their own way to access it. Fear and trepidation of the water and getting into a handcrafted vessel is quickly replaced by burgeoning pride and excitement in sailing their boat. The positive and quite visible transformation in participants coupled with a unique program design has attracted a team of dedicated and committed volunteers and interns. BBW volunteers assist teachers in each classroom, and work closely with students that benefit from extra attention. The roles of interns and volunteers are often almost without limits and might involve spending a weekend at the Webb Institute with ventilators and epoxy to refinish boats, or driving a van around the city to deliver lumber to schools. Yet each year the program begins with a core group that just wants to help the organization thrive. “Giving New York children the opportunity to build their own sailboat is simply fantastic,” enthused longtime BBW volunteer Laurent Apollon. “Each boat is the summation of hours of work and accomplishments and personal stories of perseverance and patience.” Persak and Wurmfeld and the remarkable team that BBW has developed over the years are always eager to reach further with its programming. This summer, young boat builders were invited to learn how to sail in Brooklyn Bridge Park on the boats they built during the previous school year. In July, BBW launched its successful pilot program that included both on-land and onwater sailing lessons culminating in each child singlehanding an Optimist. The pilot was the first of its kind for the Brooklyn waterfront and gave all involved the confidence to forge ahead. windcheckmagazine.com
“We are so excited to see the community boating program become a reality in the park,” said Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park. “We look forward to seeing Brooklyn Boatworks youth sailing here again this season, and for years to come.” In years past, students’ only chance to sail their boats came at the spring launch. This summer, with the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop, young boat builders were invited back to sail their boats off the newly created beach in Brooklyn Bridge Park with the
Brooklyn Boatworks’ first Summer Sailing Session at Brooklyn Bridge Park. © Alyssa Ringler
support of Brooklyn Boathouse, Brooklyn Kayak Guides and the forthcoming Brooklyn Bridge Park Marina. With these boatingfocused community organizations and a beautifully renovated Brooklyn waterfront, the youth of New York City are able to access their environment in new ways. There is now a hardy and growing fleet of more than 20 wooden Optimists in New York City, built entirely by 6th8th graders. “Our students express a well-deserved sense of accomplishment and pride upon launching their handcrafted sailboats each spring,” said BBW co-founder Carl Persak. “Now they have the opportunity to sail those same boats through the summer months. We are all so excited to expand our programs to include this incredible opportunity for the students.” For more information including volunteer opportunities and internships, visit brooklynboatworks.org. F Alyssa Ringler is the Program Administrator at Brooklyn Boatworks. Editor’s note: Brooklyn Boatworks co-founders Carl Persak and Jeremy Wurmfeld are the principals of Persak & Wurmfeld, a yacht design and naval architecture firm in Brooklyn, NY. Their portfolio includes the e33 squared edition daysailer and the Motive 25R trimaran. Visit persakwurmfeld.com to learn more. WindCheck Magazine
October 2014 41
MudRatz Hit the Road By Jay, Lisa and Evan Spalding Monday, August 4 was a flurry of activity in Stonington, CT and Weekapaug , RI as the Eastern Connecticut Sailing Association (ECSA) MudRatz packed up their boats and headed to Newport, RI for the 2014 U.S. Optimist Dinghy Association New England Championship, hosted by Sail Newport August 5 - 7. Chris and Braedon Hansen were the advance team, securing a good location in the boat park for 16 Mudratz Opti sailors and their boats, four coaches, three coach boats and a boat for parent spectators.
MudRatz wait for wind on the last day of the USODA New England Championship . Š Brandon Flack
A huge field at Fort Adams was covered by 419 Optis within a short dolly push to the beach for launching. Sail Newport was well organized with registrations broken down alphabetically, and the kids were quickly registered and out sailing for some
practice. It is hard to appreciate how to handle a fleet of hundreds of Optis, but Sail Newport makes it look easy with their great organization, army of volunteers and a great system for quickly getting more than 400 boats on and off the water. Although most of the MudRatz had not sailed a major regatta with this high level of competition, they were soaking up the experience on and off the water and having a great time. The mission of the MudRatz is to complement the local sailing programs offered by the yacht clubs of the region by enabling enthusiastic sailors to practice in the spring and fall as well as travel as a team to regattas around the country. The MudRatz team for the New Englands range in age from 9 to 14 and are all experienced racers in ECSA events, so they sailed in the Red, White and Blue fleet (RWB), which was 376 boats! The team consisted of Chris Annino (Blue), Brook Barry (Blue), Tristan Chang (Blue), Tyler Chang (Red), Harvey DeMovick (White), Caelan Desmond (Blue), Lily Flack (Blue), Jamie Fox (Blue), Megan Gimple (Red), Austin Halsey (White), Braedon Hansen (Blue), Margot Hutchins (Blue), Duncan Manthous (Red), Sasha Oakes (Blue), Evan Spalding (Blue) and Ryan Travers (Blue). Red, White and Blue raced together, but were randomly split each day into four colorcoded fleets of almost 100 boats each. Tuesday, the first race day, many MudRatz drew the yellow fleet which headed out and raced last. The racecourse was north of the Newport Bridge between Potters Cove and Gould Island. There was good breeze and they completed three races in each fleet over the Opti Trapezoid with Reach Finish course designed so the multiple fleets would not mix together. Given the four fleets, this amounted to 12 races in one day, a great job by the race committee. This was a long day with some pretty tired sailors falling asleep in their dinner. Wednesday they shuffled the fleets, but breeze was hard to come by. The race committee completed one set of races and tried to finish the second set but was thwarted by shifting and dying winds, leading to the third race of the set being thrown out and thus the whole second set of races on Wednesday were thrown out by the RC. A nice social event at the after-race carnival included a rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline, coach dunk tank, weigh-in contest, snow cones, lemonade, popcorn, hot dogs, hamburgers and pasta. Thursday started with hopes for two races so everyone could get a throwout once six races were completed. As this was the last day, the first race of a set of four could not be started
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after 2:30pm. The seabreeze was slow in starting, but the RC succeeded in starting the second set of races just before 2:30, making a total of six races per fleet for a total of 24 RWB races! Mudratz regularly sail in 60-boat fleets in ECSA regattas, but for most of the team this was a first opportunity to sample the larger, much more competitive fleets at a national level event. Feedback from the sailors: “It was very interesting to sail in a fleet of 100 boats. Tactics became much more important.” “There was a lot more confusion on the water because it was more difficult to figure out four fleets than one. The event also took three days and we experienced a lot of different conditions. This made it so that the people that won the races were the best all-around sailors instead of just the best in whatever weather the day provided.” “I really liked sailing in such a big event, and hope I get a chance to do so again.” The late start on Thursday made for another long day as the team broke down their boats. The line to pull coach boats at the ramp was impressive. The Mudratz packed up and attended awards, where Lily Flack’s Lady Bug and Evan Spalding’s Dragon Fire won second place and third place, respectively, in the ‘Best Boat Name’ contest. Thanks go to our coaches, Jon Faudree, Justin Diekerhoff, O.J. O’Connell and Ally Melvin. Many parents pitched in here and there, but Chris Hansen, Tori Gimple, Tim Desmond, and Harvey DeMovick put in a huge effort in Newport all
Lily Flack’s Lady Bug and Evan Spalding’s Dragon Fire took second and third place in the ‘Best Boat Name’ contest. © Tori Gimple
week. And of course none of this would ever have happened without Brandon Flack and his tireless organizing, promoting and execution of a great vision to expand our sailing world. We would also like to thank the ECSA, Morgan Stanley - Canning Bergendahl Group, and the Mystic River Mudheads. Without their support this team would not be possible. The MudRatz fall session, comprising six weeks of small group coaching in Optis and 420s, started September 7 at Niantic Bay Yacht Club in Niantic, CT. Niantic Bay YC and MudRatz are hosting the Connecticut State Optimist Championship on Sunday, October 19. For more information, contact Brandon Flack at bflack@amconet.com or visit mudratz.com. F windcheckmagazine.com
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October 2014 43
Corner
Coop’s “My Kids” By Joe Cooper
At the conclusion of the Ida Lewis Distance Race in August, I brought the Class40 Icarus back to the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, through whose great graces we were able to use her in the Storm Trysail Foundation Junior Safety at Sea seminars and the Ida Race. When I got home the next evening, I was totally pooped. I had been going non-stop since January in about seven volunteer things, almost all to do with getting kids sailing. I was thinking, “OK, something’s gotta give here. I need to cut back on some of this.” A few nights later I was rummaging through my various Facebook personas and I read a post from a teacher, along the lines of: “I call my class ‘my kids’ because through the year they grow on me and become part of my family. My life.” I agree. I am not a teacher, but I do coach the Prout School Sailing Team. And in what must be one of the biggest ironies in high school sports in the country, high school sailing in Rhode Island is only a club sport. But being a club sport has its advantages in that I do not conduct tryouts. My remarks to non-sailing newcomers every spring are, “If you want to come and make the effort, you will sail, you will get wet, confused, sometimes cold, overwhelmed, perhaps anxious on occasion. You will also have a blast and be with a great collection of fantastic, caring, smart, loving kids. If you want to put in the effort, you might even to learn to sail.” The school hosts a sports awards dinner in May where the varsity teams receive their awards. Since Sailing has no varsity trophies to collect, I get to present three sailors with what amounts to my own awards. This past May, other coaches also had the sad duty to say goodbye to a few of their graduating seniors. They spoke to the growth of the kids, the fun times, the goofy factor or particular unique contribution the member had made to the team, along with reference to the effort they had put in and the hole that the graduates would leave in their hearts. This season was the first I had sailors for all four years – freshmen to seniors. This is why the Facebook post resonated so loudly. As I saw “my” sailing kids, many of whom were there with
their other teams, I had flashbacks to past events – races won and lost, chances taken and not. Hearing them banter as they change into drysuits, patiently walking newcomers through the ropes, literally. Then there are the moments when I wanted to throttle them for something or another largely irrelevant to the larger scheme of things. Incidentally, this is how I learned to laugh when working with teenagers (see last month’s column, Kids on Boats, Again…or still? at windcheckmagazine.com). I cook up other sailing capers during the summer too, so I get to see the kids in more of their natural habitat. These interactions, especially during overnight races in 25 knots, are full of glimmers into what makes these kids tick. Their strengths and weaknesses, their personalities and other interests. It gives me a chance to speak with them and learn more about them as people, not sailors. Many of the other presenters speak to the various efforts and strains their teams go through. As is the nature of such dinners the volume is pretty loud, even while awards are being presented. I’m up: I remind the audience that sailing is conducted outside in virtually all conditions of cold, rain and snow, and only curtailed by high wind. That once sailors leave the shore and especially when in a match, I cannot stand on the sidelines yelling instructions or plays. I mention that there are two teams in sailing, the pair in the boat and the three boat pairs. (We practice Team Racing.) I mention too the requirement that sailors make their own decisions with regard to almost everything on the water from tactics, techniques, navigation and assessment of the wind to the strengths and weaknesses of the competition. I say that sailing has no bleachers, no cheering and no proud parents urging them on. All the effort is the students’. I speak to the qualities that all this responsibility brings to the kids. They get to take risks, think for themselves, figure out what went wrong and right, and help their mates. All these characteristics settle in different ways in each student. It starts to go quiet. I say that the Sailing Team is losing 12 seniors and how there is a hollow feeling realizing that I will not have the pleasure of their company next season. Quieter. That it has been a great pleasure and privilege to have such an extraordinary group of young men and women to work with, to help, and to watch grow. Start to get a bit short of breath…room goes quieter. I refrain from naming all 12 sailors, saying, “You know who you are, so I’m not going to embarrass you.” A ripple of laughter. Finally, I say it’s a testament to the school, the kids and their parents that they have raised such fine young men and women and that they ought to be very proud of what they have done, and I will miss their sons and daughters next year. It’s mid-September as I write and already I am nearly ready to go again. It is for “My Kids.” F Australian born, Joe ‘Coop’ Cooper stayed in the US after the 1980 America’s Cup where he was the boat captain and sailed as Grinder/ Sewer-man on Australia. His whole career has focused on sailing, especially the short-handed aspects of it. He lives in Middletown, RI where he coaches, consults and writes on his blog, joecoopersailing.com, when not paying attention to his wife, teenage son, dog, two cats and several, mainly small, boats.
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East End Youth Sailing Foundation Supports High School Racers Based on the North Fork of Long Island’s East End, the East End Youth Sailing Foundation is a non-profit charitable 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to the promotion of youth sailing. The Foundation’s mission is to facilitate the preparation, coaching and skill-building needed for high school students to participate and succeed in national and international sailing competition; and to do so in a way that promotes a lasting love of sailing and respect for all aspects of the sport, including seamanship, safety and sportsmanship. “To this end, the East End Youth Sailing Foundation assists high schools, their students and parents in setting up high school sailing teams, and provides largely cost-free instruction and coaching ranging from beginners all the way to national high school sailing competitions,” said founder Christopher Kuehn. “Right now we support six high schools, not all of which have enough kids to make up a team for racing purposes and for which we then put together composite teams. Thanks to the support of the Old Cove Yacht Club in New Suffolk, and the generosity of many donors, the Foundation is able to offer youth sail training at the facilities of OCYC during the fall and spring high school sailing seasons, and support the teams at
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© Daniel Kuehn
League (NYISA-SE), District (MASSA) and National (ISSA) competitions.” The Foundation is currently in its sixth season of high school sailing, and is instrumental in nurturing high school sailors as they transition to college-level sailing. The Foundation also hosts the annual Ronan Guyer Memorial Single-Handed High School Regatta, sailed in Lasers earlier this year. “The Foundation is completely volunteer run and relies entirely on donations, said Kuehn. “Please help us make sailing available to high school students on the East End of Long Island.” To donate funds, your old Laser, C420, small powerboat or other equipment, log onto eastendyouthsailing.org and click on “Support Us.” F
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October 2014 45
It’s Time!
It’s been a two-year journey, and we are finally here!
By Corinna Halloran, Team SCA’s On Board Reporter in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15
Girls Rule! Team SCA is the first all-female crew in the Volvo Ocean Race in more than a decade. © Annaleisha Rae/Team SCA
I am miles in the air, flying over Sweden and the rest of Europe to Alicante, Spain where Team SCA and I will begin the final preparations for the Volvo Ocean Race. It is all happening and it still feels incredibly surreal. By the time the race begins, on October 11, it will have been a two-year journey for the sailors and I, a two-year period of applying, trialing, training, dedication, and education. My background is in photojournalism, visual storytelling, and sailing. My love for photography began when I was 13, when I saw a Walker Evans photography exhibit in New York City. For me, Evans’ street photography opened up a new genre of photography: photojournalism. Fast-forward over the years and I graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in non-fiction writing and photojournalism; I was also the photography editor at my university’s paper. Then, last year, I moved to Maine to complete course work in photography and visual storytelling. When you have the likes of Rome Kirby racing in your hometown waters, learning to sail was a bit intimidating as a kid. Nonetheless, sailing was in my blood (my mom came to Newport through sailing) and so my love for the ocean and sailing began at an early age. After university I began working on sailing yachts (primarily superyachts), and I did this for about five years. It was during these years where I started photographing sailing events—by no means was I a professional photographer but
I was able to photograph some fairly high profile sailing events including the Newport Bucket, the Caribbean 600, and my favorite: Sail for Hope in Newport, RI (Well, my favorite before I began working for Team SCA). Before joining the team fulltime in mid-June, I had roughly 23,000 nautical miles under my sailing boots. Since then, I have lost count. There is no doubt that the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) is an extreme sailing race—after all, “ Life at the Extreme” is the VOR slogan. So it should be of no shock that my job as Team SCA’s On Board Reporter (OBR) is a bit extreme. There’s traditional blogging and visual storytelling, and then there is on board reporting: every day each team’s OBR delivers 250 words, five to seven still images and a two-minute video story, all while the boat is racing as fast as possible around the world in extreme temperatures and sea state. Aside from doing the work of typically three people, I also help out the girls by cleaning, cooking, and bailing out the gallons of water that inevitably find their way inside the boat.
Newport native Corinna Halloran, 29, is the first female On Board Reporter in the history of the Volvo Ocean Race. © Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race 46 October 2014 WindCheck Magazine
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In addition to dispatching daily reports, photos and video, the author’s duties include cooking, cleaning (and bailing!) aboard Team SCA’s Volvo Ocean 65. © Corinna Halloran/Team SCA
This type of visual storytelling is my favorite. The stories are intimate, awesome, and inspiring. The girls are in their element and nature is always putting on a show, whether it’s 20-foot seas and 30 knots of wind or no wind and glass-calm water. Furthermore, because I am delivering words, photography, and video I am able to give the world a more complete story. Hopefully, Team SCA’s followers will really have a solid understanding of exactly what it is like on board. Some people may call me mad, especially since I am not allowed to help sail the boat in any way, but in all honesty this is the coolest job I have ever had. Not only is the job physically demanding (and I love being active), but the world is my oyster when it comes to how I tell the story of 13 women racing around the world on board Team SCA. And it’s this story that gets me up at 6am every morning for our early gym sessions. Team SCA is not just a sailing team; we are a team of role models. We are a team of women who have been given the opportunity to fulfill our dreams of racing in the Volvo Ocean Race in order to inspire women around the world. Each day I meet someone new (male or female, young and old) whom my teammates and I inspire. We hope that we are giving little girls (and big girls) the chance to dream big and know that if you put your heart to your dream, you can achieve anything. After all, each and every one of us within Team SCA is here through daring to dream big and having the dedication to do our best. With each dawn, we are closer to October 11. It’s almost as if we’re riding on a conveyor belt with everything so exciting and new that we want the belt to move slowly. Aside from our daily training sails, we have done two-high profile long distant races (the 660 nautical mile Around Canary Island Race and the 1,850 nautical mile Seven Star Round Britain and Ireland Race) and traveled (on land) around Spain, England, and Sweden—I reckon this is the busiest summer I’ve ever had! Every day, as we continue to travel on our conveyor belt, is a new opportunity windcheckmagazine.com
to learn something new about our job. Each day, the sailors and I pull back a new layer of the flower to experience a new element that will, without doubt, give us a better understanding of the boat, the race, our jobs, our team, and ourselves. And the fact that it is a complex experience, not just a sailing race, makes this job more interesting than I could have ever imagined. Considering it’s been a two-year journey for all of us, it’s strange to think that the “main event” is at the end of the journey. That in ten months time, we will all begin working on new projects. It’s surreal to say the least. Staying organized, keeping my cameras’ batteries fully charged, and living in the moment is the essential way to enjoy this experience, as I have a
Team SCA is competing against six other crews comprising Volvo Ocean Race veterans and first-time rookies. © Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race
very good feeling the next ten months are going to speed by. This said, we are just about to land and it’s time to greet the girls after their 1,500 nautical sail from England! F Editor’s note: The first event in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15, an In-Port Race in Alicante, Spain, is Saturday, October 4. The first leg of the 38,739 nautical mile ‘round-the- world race, from Alicante to Cape Town, South Africa, starts October 11. The race makes its first-ever stopover in Newport, RI next spring, and the Newport In-Port Race will be held on Narragansett Bay on Saturday, May 16. “We are very much looking forward to Newport,” Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad said recently. “[Newport] is clearly the sailing capital of the United States. It’s shaping up to be the best U.S. stopover ever.” Log onto volvooceanrace.com for more information…and make your hotel reservations soon! To follow Team SCA, visit teamsca.com. WindCheck Magazine
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The 80th Running of the Vineyard Race This year’s edition of Stamford Yacht Club’s Vineyard Race started on Friday, August 29. First run in 1932, this Labor Day weekend classic attracts the best sailors and fastest boats from around the region, and its intricacies and challenges bring them back time after time. Racers can choose to sail one of three courses. The 238-nautical mile Vineyard Course starts off Shippan Point in Stamford, CT heads east through Long Island Sound and through the swirling currents of the Race or Plum Gut, past Block Island and around the Buzzards Bay light tower. On the return leg, boats leave Block Island to starboard en route to the finish in Stamford Harbor. The 143-nm Seaflower Course and 116-nm Cornfield Point Course are sailed entirely within Long Island Sound. Winners of the Vineyard Race usually attribute their success to local knowledge of these tricky waters and a good deal of luck. After some very light air in the early hours of this 80th edition, a shifty 12- to 17-knot southerly filled in and provided reaching conditions for the 94-boat fleet. Ed Cesare, who sailed his Class40 Pleiad Racing (Norwalk, CT) with British shorthanded ace Emma Creighton in the PHRF Double-handed division, reported making only one tack and no jibes on the entire Vineyard Course. The four Class40s in the race, Eric Lecoq’s Lecoq Cuisine (Bridgeport, CT), Mike Hennessy’s Dragon (New York, NY), Jeff MacFarlane’s jeffreymacfarlane.com (Franklin Lakes, NJ), and Pleiad Racing, finished first, second, third and fourth respectively on corrected time in PHRF 7. With a class win in the Vineyard Race, another victory in the 2014 Newport Bermuda Race and a top finish in the Storm
Michael Shea’s 1971 McCurdy & Rhodes 46 Coup d’Etat (Farmington, CT) won the PHRF Non-Spinnaker division and the Cotton Blossom Performance Trophy for the best corrected time on the Seaflower Course. © Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com
Trysail Club’s Block Island Race, HL DeVore’s J/44 Honahlee (Larchmont, NY) captured the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy. The American Yacht Club Junior Big Boat Team, led by Peter Becker, sailed their J/105 Patriot (Rye, NY) to a repeat victory in the Corinthian Challenge, a division for youth and collegiate sailors. James and Macrae Sykes’ Santa Crus 52 Bombardino (New York, NY) was victorious in IRC Class 15, Heidi & Steve Benjamin’s HPR Carkeek 40 SPOOKIE Norwalk, CT) topped IRC 16, and Hewitt Gaynor’s A class victory in the Vineyard Race clinched the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy for the crew of HL DeVore’s J/44 Honahlee (Larchmont, NY). © Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com
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Eric Lecoq’s Class40 Lecoq Cuisine (Bridgeport, CT) won PHRF 7 and was awarded the Jig Time Performance Trophy for the best corrected time in the PHRF Double-Handed class. © Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com
J/120 Mireille (Southport, CT) won the IRC Double-Handed division. Other PHRF class winners include Jeff Wilson’s Sabre 42 CB Tacktile (Southport, CT; Class 8), Steve Cain’s Beneteau 36.7 Shooting Star (Larchmont, NY; Class 10), James Fischer’s First 51 Riley (Montegomery, NY; Class 11), and Michael Gavin’s Archimbault A40RC Respite (Westport, CT; Class 13). The 3-boat Multihull class was won by Steven Gross’ Chris Hewitt Gaynor’s J/120 Mireille (Southport, CT) won the Chanteyman Trophy for the best corrected time in the IRC DoubleHanded class. © Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com Competing in the Corinthian Challenge division with a crew that included members of the Tobin, Daley and Costikyan families, Briggs Tobin’s Custom 46 Froya (Ridgefield, CT) finished first in IRC Class 9. © Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com
White Explorer 44 trimaran Falcor (Scotch Plains, NJ). On the Cornfield Point Course, Austin Royle’s Tartan 41 Pegasus (Wilton, CT) was victorious in PHRF Class 2. The winners on the Seaflower Course are Michael Shea’s McCurdy & Rhodes 46 Coup d’Etat (Farmington, CT) in PHRF 3 (NonSpinnaker), Todd Aven’s J/92 Thin Man (Brooklyn, NY), and Dave Otterbein’s Tripp 37 Breakaway (Stony Point, NY), sailed by the Sacred Heart University Keelboat Team (see page 50). For complete results by YachtScoring.com and additional information, visit stamfordyc.com and click on “Vineyard Race.” F
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October 2014 49
Pioneer Power!
SHU Sailing Wins Class in Vineyard Race In Stamford Yacht Club’s 80th Vineyard Race over Labor Day Weekend, the Sacred Heart University Keelboat Team, based at SAIL BLACK ROCK in Black Rock, CT, sailed Dave Otterbein’s Tripp 37 Breakaway (Stony Point, NY; Nyack Boat Club) to first place in PHRF Class 5 and second in the Seaflower Course fleet. Five SHU sailors including Team Captain Brian Reilly ’17, David Tampellini ‘18, Colby Jennings ’16, Joe Aiuto ’18 and Will Herlihy ’16 were aboard, along with Otterbein, Vincent Dert, Patty Lukes and SHU Coach Dave White. This was the second race ever entered by the team, who finished in the middle of the pack last October in the Storm Trysail Foundation’s Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta hosted by Larchmont Yacht Club. “It was a fast and easy race until the last mile trying to get around Cows Buoy to the finish,” said Reilly. “The wind had completely died. We had to sail the boat like a dinghy the last mile, hiking hard to leeward and hand filling the chute.” Breakaway, celebrating her thirtieth anniversary of competing in the Vineyard Race (she was the overall fleet winner in 1984), was one of four boats competing in the Corinthian Challenge division for youth and collegiate sailors. Otterbein
In the second race they’d ever entered, the Sacred Heart University Keelboat Team sailed Breakaway to a class victory in the Vineyard Race. © Allen Clark/PhotoBoat.com
remarked on the crew’s hard work and a great team effort, and White enjoyed Stamford Yacht Club’s tented lawn party. Stamford Yacht Club and SAIL BLACK ROCK encourage all youth sailors to enter the Vineyard Race. Teams can choose to sail the full 238-nautical mile Vineyard Course, the 143-nm Seaflower Course, or the 116-nm Cornfield Point Course. “The Seaflower and Cornfield courses are perfect for less experienced teams,” said White. “SHU Sailing is geared up for a season of collegiate dinghy racing throughout New England and looking forward to more keelboat events.” F
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J/70 World Championship presented by Helly Hansen Eighty-six teams from around North America as far away as Bermuda, Chile, Great Britain, Germany The Netherlands, Sweden and Russia competed in the inaugural J/70 World Championship presented by Helly Hansen, hosted September 8-13 by New York Yacht Club at Harbour Court in Newport, RI, with regatta headquarters at Sail Newport.
Team Helly Hansen are the first J/70 World Champions. ©Paul Todd/OUTSIDEIMAGES.COM
When the dust had settled, Tim Healy of Jamestown, RI and crew Gordon Borges, Geoffrey Becker and Paul Abdullah aboard Helly Hansen emerged victorious. Finishing behind Helly Hansen in the 43-boat Gold Fleet were Joel Ronning’s Catapult (Minneapolis, MN) in second place and Brian Keane’s Savasana (Weston, MA) in third. The 43-boat Silver Fleet was won by Mark Ploch’s Sugar Daddy (Bronx, NY), followed by Marco Teixidor’s Cachondo (Guaynabo, PR) and Geoffrey Pierini’s Surge (Rumson, NJ). Except for one day, conditions over the five days of racing were strenuous and exhausting. “It was a fun week,” said Healy. “The nice part is there was wind the whole time. We enjoyed that, but because there’s wind you have to work hard and at this point everybody is tired but also excited at the same time.” This is Healy’s third world championship title; he won in the J/24 Worlds in 2010 and ‘13. “The key to doing well is time spent in the boat,” Healy continued. “As soon as I sailed the boats I knew the class was going to be huge. I think it’s the simplicity of it. Anybody who grew up sailing dinghies or got into small keelboat sailing can look at the rig and see that it’s simple, and how the spinnaker works and how the main works, the deck layout is totally simple and clean and it’s windcheckmagazine.com
easy to handle. The boat performs really well upwind; downwind it’s exciting and it’s planing. It’s got just about everything for the typical sailor looking for a fast one-design boat that’s easy to sail. Younger sailors can handle it – same for older sailors, and it’s a good fit for women’s teams also.” For 86 teams representing 14 nations to be contesting the first-ever world championship of the J/70 class is a testament to the popularity of a boat that was introduced just over two years ago. Even more notable was the mix of sailing royalty, including several Olympians, world champions and Rolex Yachtsmen and Yachtswomen of the Year, peppered throughout the fleet. The regatta’s youngest competitor was 13-year-old Julian Sudofsky of Marion, MA, who missed a week of eighth grade to handle the bow on his father Mike Sudofsky’s Carlos. A J/70 class veteran, Sudofsky has twice raced in Key West Race Week, along with events in Annapolis, MD and at Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, CT. “Even though we didn’t do too well, we had so much fun because everyone was top competitors,” he said. One team garnering lots of attention on the course was Team RAFBF Spitfire from Great Britain, helmed by Simon Ling of Burford. “Team Spitfire was formed about six years ago,” explained Ling. “We’re made up of serving and ex-serving members of the Royal Air Force and a couple of civilians as well. We basically look to sail as competitively as possible but also to promote the RAF Benevolent Fund. The name Spitfire comes from the iconic airplane that was built in the south where we sail in the Solent, and it seemed the perfect name for an RAF team.” This was the first time Team RAFBF had been overseas with the boat. “It was absolutely fabulous,” Ling enthused. “What can you not enjoy about Newport? It’s my first time here, we’ve all fallen in love with the place; the race organization has been second to none, the racing has been fabulous and we’re really pleased with our result (12th overall and second Corinthian team). [The J/70] is a fabulous boat. They’re great fun to sail, they’re demanding to sail, and they put a smile on your face. What’s not to like about that?” Since its introduction in March 2012, the J/70 has quickly established itself worldwide with over 600 boats sailing in more than 20 countries. For more information, visit j70ica.org. In addition to presenting sponsor Helly Hansen, North Sails was the Official Regatta Support Partner for the inaugural world championship. Other sponsors included Harken, Marlow Ropes, Newport Storm, Seadek Marine Products, Southern Spars, Torqeedo and Triad Trailers. For results, photos and additional information, visit j70worlds.com. F Jan Harley at Media Pro International contributed to this report. WindCheck Magazine
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Sixth Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge By Michael Fortenbaugh Nineteen teams representing 14 countries participated in the Sixth Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge in New York Harbor on August 15-17. Organized by the New York Harbor Sailing Foundation and hosted by Manhattan Yacht Club, the Challenge was created for amateur club sailors with the goal of creating international goodwill through friendly competition. The Challenge is sailed on a fleet of identical J/24s with the Statue of Liberty and the skyline of Manhattan as the backdrop. Dennis Conner, US Sailing’s “America’s Greatest Sailor,” is the Patron of the event. He was in attendance throughout the Challenge to greet participants and watch the races. It was a great thrill for the visiting sailors to meet this sailing legend. Learning New York Harbor’s tricky currents is a key to winning the Challenge. The current is normally stronger in the center of the harbor than at the shore. All races start and finish at Manhattan Yacht Club’s floating clubhouse, the Honorable William Wall, which is anchored on station near Ellis Island. When the winds are out of a westerly direction, races begin downwind. Due the weather patterns during this year’s Challenge, seven of the nine races began downwind. This year’s competition was among the best ever, with the first five races won by five different yacht clubs. Lead changes in the windward-leeward races were frequent, and most teams had their moment leading a race. Teams rotated boats after each race to ensure the fairness of the competition. The Royal Cape Yacht Club from South Africa finished first, with the Royal Danish Nineteen teams representing 14 countries raced in the Sixth Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge. © Scot Surbeck/scotsurbeck.com
Every race in the Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge starts and finishes at the Honorable William Wall, Manhattan Yacht Club’s floating clubhouse. © Scot Surbeck/scotsurbeck.com
Yacht Club from Denmark second. The Cercle de la Voile de la Société Nautique de Genève from Switzerland was third and the Royal Amateur Hamilton Dinghy Club form Bermuda was fourth. Howth Yacht Club from Ireland finished fifth, followed by the host Manhattan Yacht Club in sixth. The Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge began in 2006, and have been held roughly every other year since. The first “International Yacht Club Challenge” was organized by Manhattan Yacht Club in 1988, a year after the club was founded. The first event was a success, and the regattas were then co-organized with Yacht Club de Monaco with subsequent events held in Manhattan in 1989, Monaco in 1991, and Manhattan in ‘92. The Challenge was then revived under Conner’s patronage in 2006. In addition to the racing, the Challenge focuses on social events and generating international goodwill. Teams began the organized events on Wednesday evening by watching the club races from the clubhouse in the harbor. The Opening Ceremony was held on Thursday evening aboard Arabella, Manhattan Club’s new 157-foot megayacht clubhouse at North Cove. Friday evening was a steak dinner at les Halles Downtown. Saturday evening was a Starlight Cruise in the harbor on Arabella to see the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. The Awards Ceremony on Sunday was held in Soho at Felix Restaurant. All of these events were designed to give visiting sailors a real taste of the Big Apple. For more information on Manhattan Yacht Club and the New York Harbor Sailing Foundation, visit myc.org and nyharborsailing.com. F Michael Fortenbaugh is the Commodore of Manhattan Yacht Club.
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The 2014 Atlantic Nationals By Charlie Langalis The 85th Atlantic Class Nationals hosted by Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, CT August 21-23, made clear that competition in this classic one-design keelboat class remains keen, if not feverish. With three days of steady breezes, adept race management and sumptuous evening meals, competitors could not have wanted for a better combination of elements contributing to a memorable championship series. Twenty-six Atlantics from five Long Island Sound clubs crowded the line for the six-race series (with throwout) gratifying organizers who had previously hosted a 20-boat field in 2009. The class has grown in the ensuing five years with the establishment of a new fleet at the Madison Beach Club in Madison, CT, from which four Nationals entries attended. Late August is not known for consistent breezes on Long Island Sound, but a temperate summer that had followed a winter and spring that introduced “polar vortex” into our vocabularies proved to be an exception, with fresh 10-12 knot easterlies allowing each day’s races to be run in timely fashion with the AP flag stowed. Multi-class helmsman Steve Benjamin conducted a near sweep of the series with finishes of 1,1,(6),1,1,1 for a total of five points. Piloting A128 Cassidy – the boat with which the late and legendary Joe Olson won many CPYC club championships – “Benj” bested his previous Nationals-winning performance from 2009 where his finishes were 1,1,1,2,2. The achievement
was all the more remarkable in view that this was only his second Atlantic Nationals since that regatta. Sailing for Seawanhaka Corinthian YC in Oyster Bay, NY, Benj was ably aided by crew Morgan Trubovich, Charles McHugh and Sam Hallowell. In winning multiple starts, Cassidy showed quick acceleration off the line and impressive straight-line speed, gaining conspicuous leads at the top marks. With constant attention paid to sail shape and trim, world-class Twenty-six boats competed in the 2014 Atlantic National Championship at Cedar Point Yacht Club. © Ken Legler
tactics, and a “born-to-hike” crew whose toerail gymnastics kept Cassidy flat in moderate chop, Benj extended his advantage with ease, frequently leading wire-to-wire. The Class was blessed to again have US Sailing’s award winning Ken Legler as Principal Race Officer (PRO). Legler’s marshalling of his Committee to set and adjust marks and lines with precision kept the courses fair as tides reversed and the third day’s easterly started to pull to the south. Legler’s preference for offset windward marks and leeward mark gates are now institutionalized at the Atlantic Nationals. That protests were minimal attests to the utility of these features for preventing fouls at turning marks. So comfortable was Legler with his staff that he frequently left the committee boat to roam the course in a RIB with a camera, producing nightly slide shows over cocktails and dinner. Nearly half the fleet had crew with more than one member of the same family, including several with successive generations. © Ken Legler
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Steve Benjamin and crew won the event with an impressive scoreline of bullets. © Ken Legler
Second place went to the host fleet’s Mark Foster in A140 Thistle. In third was Scott Reichhelm, also of CPYC, in A142 Shucks. Jeff Shay of Niantic Bay gave a powerful performance in the second half of the series to garner fourth in A147 Papa. Rounding out the top five was 16-time National Champion Norm Peck, Jr. in A130 Miss April. Complete results are posted at atlanticclass.org. This year’s field attested to the Atlantic’s enduring appeal,
with four former National Champions competing. Six boats were helmed by second-generation skippers, including the second and third place finishers, and the crews of 11 boats had more than one member of the same family, including many of successive generations. Of particular note was A130, skippered by Norm Peck, Jr. and crewed by his three adult children. Weighing in at 4,500 pounds, the Atlantic is a sleek 30foot one-design sloop drawn by Starling Burgess, protégé of Nathanael Herreshoff. With her large mainsail, ample decks, roomy cockpit and strong righting moment, she is comfortably sailed by a crew of three or four. Over the years, the Atlantic Class Rules Committee has allowed few innovations, mostly safety-related, in an effort to maintain the boats’ one-design integrity. As such, early boats with single and double digit-numbered hulls vie competitively with the latest models from the class-designated builder, Cape Cod Shipbuilding Co. in Wareham, MA. Introduced to Long Island Sound in the late 1920s, Atlantics are actively raced out of Niantic Bay, Westport and Madison, CT, and Cold Spring Harbor on Long Island’s North Shore. In addition, a lively fleet in Blue Hill, ME is home to several boats. The Atlantic Nationals rotates among these clubs, and will be hosted by the Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club in 2015. F Charlie Langalis is Cedar Point Yacht Club’s Atlantic Fleet Captain and the owner of A2 Bruté.
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U.S. National Championship Thrills Olympic Hopefuls By Samantha Pilz With shifty and breezy conditions each day, the 2014 49er, 49er FX, and NACRA 17 U.S. National Championship, hosted by Oakcliff Sailing in Oyster Bay, NY August 22 - 24, provided exhilarating racing for Olympic hopefuls. The rare easterly wind direction provided sailors with robust puffs off the land and consistent 10-12 knots of breeze. Needless to say, the catamarans and skiffs were cruising around the course. “It was super fun sailing,” enthused Sarah Newberry, a NACRA 17 skipper for the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. With the top 49er, 49er FX, and NACRA 17 teams in the United States competing, each team needed to sail to the best of their ability to stay ahead in the standings. On the first two days of the regatta, finding the right strategy for the gusty conditions on Oyster Bay was important. Newberry and crew John Casey found that placement on the course was more crucial than boat speed. “Good placement is essential especially in places like this,” said Casey. “By focusing on placement, Sarah and I were able to stay ahead of the rest of the fleet.” On the final day of the event, tension on the course was high as the medal race loomed on the
Sperry Top-Sider members], so we had to put up a good fight around the course to secure our spot.” Funk and Burd placed first in the 49er class, and their teammates Newberry and Casey finished first in the NACRA 17 class. US Sailing Development Team members Wade Waddell and Ian MacDiarmid finished first in the 49er FX class. As a regatta venue and a US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider Training Center, Oakcliff has taken the pressure off incoming sailors through chartering their 24-boat fleet, providing accommodations in their new bunkhouse, and other amenities. Oakcliff has also created a High Performance Clinic to introduce future Olympic hopefuls to the world of 49er, 49er FX, and
Sophia and Nico Schultz finished sixth in the very competitive NACRA 17 class. © Boatyard Photography
Representing Larchmont Yacht Club, Andrew Mollerus (helm) and David Liebenberg sailed Dr. Kenneth Noisewater to third place in the 49er class. © Boatyard Photography
competitors’ minds. For most of the teams, the final medal race was a make it or break it moment. In the ruthless 49er class, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider members Brad Funk and Trevor Burd had an intense race to their podium-topping finish. “We needed a few things to happen during the medal race in order for us to win,” Funk explained. “We were close in points with the top boat [Fred Strammer and Zach Brown; also US Sailing Team
NACRA 17 sailing. Many of the High Performance sailors competed in the Nationals after attending the clinic, including Michael Sabourin, Andrew Person, Sophia Schultz, Harry Schmidt, Joseph Bello and Dave Hein. “The Oakcliff High Performance Clinic helped introduce us to the boat,” said Andrew Person. “We had mostly sailed 29ers before coming to Oakcliff. With our coaches Kevin Jewett and Kristen Lane, we were able to learn the ways of the boat (49er FX) and compete at the top level.” In the future, Oakcliff hopes to be seen as a leader in high performance training. Sponsors Heron Financial Group and T2P.TV have been an amazing addition to the event team. Through their live video coverage, they have connected the sailing public with high performance racing. This year, Gill joined the list of prominent sponsors by providing prizes for the event. Oakcliff looks forward to hosting the event in the upcoming years and welcoming all high performance sailors to what Oakcliff has to offer. For more information, visit oakcliffsailing.org. F Samantha Pilz is the Communications Director at Oakcliff Sailing. She is the subject of this month’s On Watch article, on page 70.
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Cougar Wins the J/24 Nationals By John M. Buckley, Event Chair Forty-five boats contested the 2014 J/24 U.S. National Championship, hosted by J/24 Fleet 16 and Beverly Yacht Club in Marion, MA on August 22 - 24. An unusual cool air mass stalled over the New England coast provided relatively stable northeasterly winds across Buzzards Bay, varying in direction from 55 to 70 degrees and speeds of seven to 16 knots. These conditions, combined with the talents of Sue Reilly’s race management team, provided a memorable three-day, ten-race event. Sue and her team got the first race off at 1100 Friday, right on time. The fleet was treated to “Reilly’s Race Radio,” a realtime stream of information about what was going on, the race committee’s plans, and what changes were planned as conditions changed. John Mollicone’s Helly Hansen (Jamestown, RI) won the day, followed by Will Welles’ Cougar (Portsmouth, RI) and Sumito Shimoyama’s Sokoku Maru (Tokyo, Japan).
Will Welles and crew notched six bullets in ten races to win the J/24 National Championship. © Chris Howell
Saturday brought an increase in the wind. After finishing sixth in the first race, Team Cougar concluded their rig was too soft. Moving the mast butt forward resulted in three bullets. Cougar carried the day, but it wasn’t easy as there was constant pressure from Mike Marshall’s Pipe Dream (Jamestown) and Mike Ingram’s Nautalytic (Rochester, NY). After seven races, Cougar led the series with 14 points with Pipe Dream in second with 22 and Helly Hansen third. On Sunday, the final day of racing, competitors were greeted by a 14 -16 knot northerly with the sun shining once again. It was big jib racing all day, and boats could occasionally jump on a wave for a mini-surfing ride. Cougar took an alternative penalty in race 8 (throwout), followed by bullets in races 9 and 10 to win with 27 points. Helly Hansen took second place with 38, Pipe Dream was third with 45, with Nautalytic one point behind in fourth. Natalie Penner’s Giggles (Austin, TX) won the 6-boat Women’s Division handily. The regatta was a qualifying event for the 2015 J/24 World Championship in Boltenhagen, Germany. Complete results are posted at regattapromotions.com. F windcheckmagazine.com
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Shennecossett Yacht Club Lighthouse Regatta On Saturday, August 2, Shennecossett Yacht Club in Groton, CT hosted its first annual Lighthouse Regatta to benefit the New London Maritime Society’s lighthouse fund. The race was held in breezy conditions on an overcast day, making for an exciting (and sometimes wet!) 14-mile romp around three
lighthouses on Fishers Island Sound: New London Ledge Lighthouse, North Dumpling Lighthouse and Latimer’s Lighthouse. Awarded for the first time was the SYC perpetual trophy, The Bruce Lockwood Cup, for the best corrected time for a spinnaker boat. Lockwood (1922 - 2012) was an avid and popular racer whose victories include Key West Race Week, Block Island Race Week (three times), the Mumm 30 Northeast Championship, and too many Off Soundings Series to count. The trophy was won by Tom Doyle’s Kiss 44 Bagatelle and accepted by Jim Desmarais. Linda Lockwood, Bruce’s widow, presented the cup at the after-race party in the SYC clubhouse. After the regatta, the New London Maritime Society gratefully accepted a donation from Shennecossett Yacht Club, which was immediately used to purchase a special coating to finish painting the New London Harbor Light. SYC would especially like to thank the premier sponsors of the inaugural Lighthouse Regatta, Eastern Yacht Sales of New London and Bailey Agencies Insurance of Groton. Full results are posted at syc-ct.com. F Linda Lockwood presents the Bruce Lockwood Cup to Jim Desmarais as SYC Yachting Commodore Bill Gaynor (left) and SYC Commodore Bijan Rasadi look on.
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Frostbite Fleet Focus: Cedar Point Yacht Club By Betsy Sorensen Sailing a Laser in the cool breeze on Long Island Sound is a thrill worthy of the respect of anyone who enjoys the sport. Laser sailing is one-design racing at its best and a true test of a sailor’s abilities. Lasers are fast, and given some big waves and crankin’ breeze you have the makings of an incredible ride. The competition is fierce, but supportive and encouraging at the same time. It is always a learning experience and whether you end up “DFL” or “Numero Uno,” there is always the feeling of accomplishment. If you have never tried Laser frostbiting, you should give it a try this year at Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, CT, every Sunday starting October 4. Laser sailors ages 35 to 44 are Apprentice Masters, ages 45 to 54 are Masters – the largest sailing class in the world. A Grand Master is anyone between 55 and 64, and anyone over 65 is a Great Grand Master. But, a word of caution, do not underestimate anyone in the class because of their age. It is truly amazing how the ‘elders’ compete - they can be ruthless. But once you are back in the warm, cozy clubhouse, they will then take the time to talk over their strategies. It never fails to amaze me how enlightening these ‘talks’ can be. Halsey, Amnon, Ed, Ched and Tim are always there, steadfast in their support of
this program. And because the Laser is physically demanding, frostbiting a great way to stay in shape. On New Years Day, there is a fun race where sometimes the challenge is to sail backwards, or not use your rudder and still complete the course. It’s a blast, and there are great prizes for everyone at the end of the day. If you have a son or daughter who is interested in becoming a better sailor, this is definitely a program to look at. The talent abounds, coaching and 'encouragement’ are strong, and safety is always a primary concern. Because the sailing talent is so strong at CPYC, the program continues to seek out, groom and support possible Olympic contenders. Rob Crane of Darien, CT enjoys the fleet and is an avid supporter of the program. We have several hopefuls in the wings now – Merrick and Mark, to name a few. Watching these young sailors follow this dream is very rewarding for us all. So, come see what all the excitement is about, and even join us on Race Committee for the day. We always have room for one more, so bring some hot coffee and enjoy! To learn more, go to CedarPointYC.org today. F Betsy Sorensen grew up sailing at Black Rock Yacht Club in Bridgeport, CT and was the top female sailor on Long Island Sound at age 17. She and her family sail with John Kimberly on Wired, a 40-foot Tripp. Editor’s note: For a complete list of active frostbite racing fleets in our region, visit windcheckmagazine.com.
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42' Chris Craft Commanche 42' Nelson Marek 38' Ericson 38' Chris Craft Commander 37' Farr, Carbon Mast 34' Sea Ray Sundancer 32' Jeanneau 32' Wellcraft St. Tropez 32' Columbia 9.6, diesel 30' Catalina, diesel 30' S2 9.1 30' US Marine Sloop, diesel, radar
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30' Pearson 28' Tartan 27' Pearson - New Honda Outboard 27' Tartan, Diesel 26' O'Day 26' Pearson 25' Hunter 25' Kirby w/Triad trailer 24' Larson 240, loaded, trailer 24' Four Winns 240 Horizon 22' Etchells #1179 22' Etchells #1110
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164 ROGERS AVENUE, MILFORD, CT 06460 203-301-2222 Visit www.yachtworld.com/portmilford for more information and photos. Full service marina • Seasonal and transient slips • Brokerage • Rack storage • Walking distance to town and train
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CLASSIFIEDS Place your classified ad here! (203) 332-7639
BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 19’ Customflex Flying Scot Daysailer 1965 – 6’9” beam, swing centerboard, new rudder lift and new removable motor mount. Mainsail, jib and spinnaker. On galvanized single axle trailer. Ready to sail! $1000 or best offer. Call Chuck at 203645-9189
23’ Joel White sloop 2005 - Built by Brion Rieff Boat Builders, Brooklin, ME. Cold molded, teak floors/seats, barely used custom Triad trailer, 2hp Honda o.b. Fun, stable, very responsive, fast, classic wooden daysailer. Excellent condition. 908-722-0018 umgrna@verizon.net
24’ S-2 7.3 1982– Furling headsail, 8 Hp Nissan. New/newer Doyle Main/155% Genoa, Harken Traveler, main halyard, whisker pole, hatch, battery, clutch and more. $5,000 OBO. 516-676-1066
Place your classified ad by sending your listing to WindCheck, P.O. Box 195 Stratford, CT 06615
BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 25’ Custom Built Sloop - You can own the boat of my dreams! The time has come to sell her, and she can be yours for only $4,750. 25’ sloop, custom built by owner and launched in 1985. New Kappa mainsail, 6 hp Mercury outboard. Located in Branford, Connecticut. Tel. 203-269-2719
BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 30’ Pearson Flyer 1981 - Includes full set of sails – new genoa 150 and main, plus older spinnaker. Four wheel trailer. New Harken roller furler. Also some older sails. Porta potty (head). Sleeps four, stove, sink, dinette table for cockpit or below, large cooler. Inboard Yanmar diesel 1gm10 engine purchased in 1994. Large roomy cockpit, very competitive racer-many trophies won, new teak and holly decking below. Must be seen to appreciate, kept in excellent condition. Asking $20,000. Make offer. For more information or to see the boat call David Riordan 203-259-8814, or email djrio218@att.net
26’ Beneteau 265 1992 - Settees & dining table convert to large V-berth. Oversized quarter berth. Galley w/ sink, cooler, alcohol stove. Full-size marine head. Roller furling. Tiller. Volvo diesel engine. Shore power. Owners moving up. Milford, CT Asking $17,500 203-301-2222
28’ Cal 1986 – This well maintained boat is in excellent condition. Can be seen at Fayerweather Boat Yard, Bridgeport, CT. $22,000. Contact Anne at 203-209-3577
30’ San Juan 1976 – Golden Rule, a proven winner! 17 sails, New Diesel, Maxprop. Awlgrip, Epoxy Barriercoat, 2 headstays furler, Foil, Fairclough Winter Cover and Dodger. Much More, REDUCED to $14,500. For Full Listing Call Marine Fabricators at (203) 488-7093 or kolodej@sbcglobal.net
30’ Cal 2-30 1969 - A well cared for example of the highly regarded William Lapworth designed Cal sloop. Rebuilt Atomic 4 engine. Replaced rigging and life lines Hood roller furling. Many upgrades, call for details. Price $10,500 Also available Zodiac and 2 hp outboard, $1000 Call Bob: 203-261-5968
31’ PEARSON 1988 - Well equipped and in good condition. Sails beautifully - great in-shore cruiser. New 150 genoa and batteries. Yanmar 2GM18 runs great. $24,500 or best offer. Can be seen in Noank, CT. 617-429-4204.
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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL 32’ Wauquiez Centurion – CutterRigged Sloop. Solid glass hull & deck. Rebuilt diesel. New dodger. Fairclough winter cover. Good sails and rigging. Clean and well maintained. Ready to go anywhere. $33,000. Carl @ 860-5360675 or wind@gehringzone.com
32’ C&C 99 2004 - Original owner, bought new 2004. Options included: Spinnaker package, Leatherette seat cushions in main cabin and macerator. Very clean, well maintained. Carbon fiber mast, a custom canvas cover, auto-pilot and instruments. Two sets of sails plus a spinnaker. $87,000. Will cooperate with brokers. Call 203-937-6254 or 203-530-9143
33’ J Boat 1989 Vex - This is a very highly sought after boat for PHRF racing. Boat is fully set up for racing but offers a very nice interior for weekend or longer cruises. All offers considered. This is a beautiful boat that needs nothing. $35,900. Call Doug @ 631-467-5050
34’ Alsberg Express 1987 - Carl Schumacher design well built and fast. Yanmar diesel engine. New mast, full North sail inventory. Asking $48,000. Call 917-545-8748 janusw@aol.com
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BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL
BOATS FOR SALE- SAIL
35’ Alden Ketch by FUJI, Japan - Totally rebuilt 2013. Awlgrip white, Hansen re-manufactured 4-107, 0hrs, aluminum masts, new deck, cabin trunk, bowsprit, 3B LPG stove/oven. Over $65,000 spent - consider this ketch a new boat at a used boat price. Detailed specs sand photos at website "FUJI 35 CT" (search). $75,000. (Trade?) lionyachts2000@yahoo.com 203-209-0943
43’ Dave Pedrick designed sloop 43-5x34-0x13-0x6-0, #25,000.Light weather Tall 64’ rig. One Owner, launched 1990. Most of its life in short season Maine- light use, shows well. Compare with BALTIC 43, Huge Tri-cabin, 2 full head layout. Stored inside Essex CT. Full photos & details at website: “Pedrick 43 SEA LION” $157,500 (sistership sold recently at $175,000) lionyachts2000@ yahoo.com cell 203-209-0943
39’ Carter 39’ 1974 - Luxuriously built, racer/cruiser, fully maintained and in excellent condition. Many new additions and upgrades; 38hp Yanmar with new sail drive, full instrumentation including new VHF with AIS, full sail inventory. Below decks high gloss varnish and navy ultra suede. Sleeps 7. Winter canvas and frame. A strong sailor offshore and very sea kindly in all conditions. $42,000. 203-434-0625 mshakley@aol.com
46’ Baltic 46 – MERRYTHOUGHT Finnish quality throughout in this well found and very able racer-cruiser. Close-winded, fast and comfortable with full teak interior, good electronics and large sail inventory. Single hand cruise or full crew race this exceptional design. Sell or trade. sailmyles@aol.com 860-823-7952
42’ Peterson 1981 Settler - Extensive sail inventory. Many recent upgrades including new paint job, keel, rudder, rig, winches. Too many trophies to name, but they include numerous Block Island Race Week 1st Place the last in 2011, several Buzzards Bay Regatta wins. $74,900. Call Craig Nann at Northstar Yacht Sales at 401-683-9200 or email craig@northstaryachtsales.com for a full listing.
49’ Hinckley REDUCED PRICE! Classic center cockpit ketch. Comfortable live-aboard and blue water cruiser with two private staterooms, galley, salon and fireplace. Well-equipped for short-handed sailing with integrated GPS map and radar, bow thruster, and ICW height mast. $99,000. Northeast partnership possible. 518-744-2825
53’ Bruce Roberts design cutter rig blue water cruiser - 108 hp Westerbeke, roller furling, lazy jacks, radar, wind generator, dge and more, location Staten Island. Asking $80,000 MUST SELL. Contact Terry: 908-788-7704 terryabigband@comcast.net
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BOATS FOR SALE- POWER 1999 Sea Ray 210 Sundeck - 21 feet long, 5.0 Liter Mercruiser inboard/outboard 220 HP engine, lightly used only 45 hours on the engine and out drive. White fiberglass hull with white/green interior, bimini top, toilet with pump out head, dining table, sink with sprayer faucet, 21 foot trailer. Price $11,174. Serviced regularly in Westport, CT. 203-227-9003 or 203-822-1945
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29’ Dyer 1970 - Volvo TAMD 41P $55,000 or best offer. New barrier coated bottom, head, top, teak windshield and aft steering, Rockaway Chair. New engine in 2000. 718-948-0845
EQUIPMENT 6HP Johnson Outboard Motor – Long shaft, with Alternator, includes 3-gal metal gas tank. V.G.C. $950 203-218-5570
Atlantic Yacht Delivery Sail/Power. East Coast, Maine to Florida. USCG Licensed Master Mariner. Navy veteran. 45 years’ experience. Insured. Non-smoker, non-drinker. Good with a wrench. Captain Bernie Weiss 203.969.5936 www.AtlanticYachtDelivery.com
Learn more and join online at www.sailopo.com or call-1800-4-PASSAGe (1-800-472-7724) Keep the Dream Alive for the cost of a good winch handle.
DOCKS
BOOKS/SEMINARS
40’ Dockominium in New London, CT At Ferry Slip Dockominiums on Thames River, one mile from the Sound. Secured grounds. Excellent clubhouse – all amenities For sale $20,000 Best Offer. Call John at 860-871-6748
EQUIPMENT
CHARTERS Charter 52 ft racing sailboat Long Island Sound. Weekday and selected week ends available for executive training, marketing, and entertainment. 914-282 6290.
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EQUIPMENT
MARINE SERVICES
MARINE SERVICES
dwyermast.com
• Masts • Hardware • Booms • Rigging Dwyer Aluminum Mast Co.
203-484-0419
HELP WANTED WILLIS MARINE CENTER in Huntington, NY is seeking an experienced Yacht Broker to join our sales team. Very active New (Beneteau & J Boats) and brokerage (Sail & Power) office. Boat shows, our own boatyard & marina, and a great location make this a good opportunity. 631-4213400 or info@willismarine.com MARINE POSITIONS AVAILABLE M Yacht Services, Annapolis, a large, full service marine company, is hiring additional highly experienced crew in the following fields: marine systems (mechanical & electrical), carpentry, sailboat rigging, fiberglass/gelcoat/painting. We offer excellent wages and benefits. Applicants must have in-depth knowledge of their trade. Must have a clean driving record. Email resumes to admin@myachtservices.net Experienced Yacht Sales Professional - Prestige Yacht Sales representing Beneteau, Hunt Yachts and Southport Boats as well brokerage is seeking qualified, experienced yacht brokers. Positions at our offices in Essex, Mystic and Norwalk, CT. All Inquiries will be confidential. If interested, please send your resume to Info@PrestigeYachtSales.net LOOKING FOR A GREAT SUMMER JOB? The Housatonic Boat Club in Stratford, CT has 2015 seasonal steward/launch operator position available. Applicants must have a USCG launch operator’s license: OUPV min, Ltd Mater preferred. Other duties call for general maintenance of our club facilities. Contact dgdriscoll@aol.com for further info/application.
Place your classified ad by sending your listing to WindCheck, P.O. Box 195 Stratford, CT 06615 contactus@windcheckmagazine.com
or call 203-332-7639
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Where will you keep your new boat? City Island is the gateway to Long Island Sound. Stuyvesant Yacht Club on City Island offers the benefits of a traditional yacht club for less than a commercial marina. For Membership information contact:
Vice Commodore Simone Lageoles 917 747 2157
membership@stuyvesantyc.org WindCheck Magazine
October 2014 67
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MONTHLY SERVICES What: Sing along with sea chanteys and maritime songs When: Second Sunday of the month, 4-7 p.m. Where: Rowayton Arts Center, 145 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton, CT Info: Deirdre Murtha, sdmurtha@sbcglobal.net Suggested donation: $5 for refreshments SINGLES UNDER SAIL, Inc. (SUS) 28 years of Camaraderie & Cruising on the LI Sound and beyond! Sail/Power - Skippers/ Crew: $90/year Twilight, Weekday, Weekend, Weeklong On-water & Shoreside Events mobile: SailWithSUS.org desktop: SinglesUnderSail.org 203-847-3456
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Blue Water Sailing School 800-255-1840 bwss.com ..........................26
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Brewer Yacht Yards 800-331-3077 byy.com .......................................71 Cedar Point Yacht Club 203-226-7411 cedarpointyc.org ..................50 Consolidated Yachts 718-885-1900 ...................................................32 Custom Marine Canvas 800-528-9262 custommarinecanvas.com .....15 Defender 800-628-8225 defender.com ..............................................10 Destino Yachts 860-395-9682 destinoyachts.com ..............................42 Dockside Electronics 860-536-1919 dockside-electronics.com ..........23
Miller Marine Canvas 203-878-9291 millermarinecanvas.com ..........45 Neil Pryde Sails 203-375-2626 neilprydesails.com ............................14 New England Boatworks 401-683-4000 neboatworks.com .................8 North Sails Milford, CT 203-877-7621 .............................................7 Huntington, NY 631-421-7245 northsails.com North Sails direct 1-888-424-7328 northsailsdirect.net .....................32 North Sails Gear 800-SAIL-123 northsailsgear.com ..........................39 NV-Charts 401-239-0349 nvchart.com ............................................27
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Portland Yacht Services 207-774-1067 portlandyacht.com ................23 Prestige Yacht Sales, prestigeyachtsales.net .....................................5, 61 Norwalk, Essex & Mystic, CT 877-401-0783
Hamilton Marine 800-639-2715 hamiltonmarine.com .....................19 Headsync 401-619-3800 headsync.com ............................................39 Heineken Heineken.com ...................................................................53 Intensity Sails 401-738-8000 intensitysails.com ................................59 Joe Cooper Sailing 401-965-6006 joecoopersailing.com ....................59
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Landfall 800-941-2219 landfallnav.com ............................................72
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Volvo Ocean Race Newport volvooceanracenewport.com ..................58
Mack Boring 800-709-0672 mackboring.com ..................................29
Willis Marine Center 631-421-3400 willismarine.com .................9, 62
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October 2014 69
On Watch
Samantha Pilz As the Communications Director at Oakcliff Sailing in Oyster Bay, NY, Samantha Pilz is enthusiastically spreading the word about the innovative and successful programs at one of the world’s finest sailing centers. “I grew up in Madison, CT and started sailing at Brewer Pilots Point Marina in Westbrook when I was 10 years old,” Samantha recalls. “I never sailed Optis – I started sailing doublehanded in JY15s, which was an interesting experience. I enjoyed skippering and making decisions but I ended up crewing more often, and really learned to love being a crew. My mom and dad, Misty and Jeff, were a big influence on my sailing. We did a bareboat charter when I was 11 and bought Tenacity, a Tartan 37, a few years later.” “After two years, I moved to Pettipaug Yacht Club in Essex and became a member of the Pettipaug 420 Race Team. We competed on the ECSA [Eastern Connecticut Sailing Association] circuit, and went to a lot of regattas. I was also the Assistant Opti Race Coach at Pettipaug. I helped sailors travel to regattas, and ended up nannying my brother Griffin and sister Casey, who were Opti sailors and eventually became 420 sailors. The Director at Pettipaug, Paul Risseeuw, was very helpful in guiding us to accomplish whatever we wanted, and he’s an allaround great guy!” Samantha was captain of the sailing team at Daniel Hand High School in Madison. “My mom co-founded the team during my sophomore year,” she says. “The team has come really far, and it was a great experience. I spent my first semester of college at St. Mary’s, and was on the sailing team. I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but then I decided to study Communications so I transferred to Roger Williams. I was on the Coed Sailing Team and the Women’s Team. The Hawks were ranked number one nationally in my first year, and we won the Team Race National Championship that spring semester. Amanda Callahan is an awesome coach! She excels at chalk talks, she’s a great coach on the water, and her team racing and fleet racing knowledge is excellent.” While earning a degree in Media Communications, Samantha spent her summers working as a sailing instructor. “I taught at Niantic Bay Yacht Club, Madison Beach Club, Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club, and New England Science & Sailing (NESS),” she says. “Most of the kids I taught at NESS were on financial aid, and probably wouldn’t have had a chance to sail if it wasn’t for NESS. I had an awesome time teaching those kids, and a few of them became amazing sailors!” “I heard about Oakcliff from a co-worker at Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club, and then I saw a job posting. I have a lot of responsibilities as Communications Manager. I update our website content, I’m in charge of all the social media, I write our newsletter and all the press releases, and create media plans and press kits. Sailing has taught me so much, especially about being
a team leader, and I just love Oakcliff’s mission of ‘Building American Leaders Through Sailing.’” Oakcliff’s training programs include the Acorn program for sailors ages 15 to 18, and the Sapling program for 19- to 30-year olds. “I think what sets Oakcliff apart is that we have so many different programs,” says Samantha. “We have match racing, offshore racing and high performance sailing programs, and you can’t find that combination at any other sailing center. We focus on training and coaching, and we teach sailors how to campaign and manage a team – even down to accounting – and students learn everything they need to know about running a racing program or a marine business.” “The Sapling program is a summer-long residence program. Students work in our boat shop from nine to five every day, learning about boat maintenance, composites, sail repair, engine work – pretty much everything that needs to be done with a boat. Saplings participate in Grade 3, 4 and 5 match racing regattas. We also host ‘clinegattas,’ which are part clinic and part regatta, with top coaches including Dave Perry. They also have an opportunity to race offshore – they did the Newport Bermuda Race this year and they’ve done the Marblehead to Halifax Race, Block Island Race, Around Long Island Regatta, and Ida Lewis Distance Race.” “The Acorn program has three sessions. The Inshore session focuses on match racing, and the High Performance session includes four days of sailing our NACRA 17s and four days on the 49er FXs, with top coaches. The four-week Offshore session includes working in the boat shop and doing events on a variety of boats like our Farr 40s, Farr 47 and Ker 50, including the Ida Lewis, Around Long Island, and the New York Yacht Club’s Annual Cruise. Oakcliff is also a US Sailing Team Sperry TopSider Training Center. The National Team and the Development Team come here to train, and we host several camps throughout the year. We hosted the 49er, 49er FX and NACRA 17 Nationals in August, and having a chance to meet potential Olympians and see them racing was really neat.” At Oakcliff’s helm is Executive Director Dawn Riley, who led an all-women team in the 1993-94 Whitbread Round the World Race and is the first woman to manage an America’s Cup campaign. “Dawn is an awesome woman!” Samantha exclaims. “She knows everything there is to know about sailing, and I’ve learned so much from her. I’ve done some match racing since I’ve been here, and I’ve always been interested in big boat sailing and I’d like to try an offshore race.” Samantha is looking forward to sailing on Oakcliff’s fleet of classic yachts this fall, adding, “I’d love to have a Concordia yawl. They’re beautiful, and I’d like to learn how to maintain a wooden boat. I love the freedom of being on the water, and knowing that I could buy a boat and sail around the world.” F
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