southern racing - Southwinds Magazine

Transcription

SOUTHWINDS
News & Views for Southern Sailors
New West Florida Sailing Section
Hunter 212 Boat Review
Catamaran: From a Bare Hull
April 2004
For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless
40
13999
50
24999
Intrepid+
VHF Marine
Transceiver
HX470S Marine
Tri-Band Receiver
$
MAIL-IN
REBATE
(*See Store For Details)
Standard Horizon
AFTER
REBATE
$
Standard Horizon
MAIL-IN
REBATE
(*See Store For Details)
AFTER
REBATE
Model 4913158
Was 399.99 Now 299.99
Model 3304524
Was 249.99 Reg. 179.99
249.99 AFTER REBATE
139.99 AFTER REBATE
Offer valid only with coupon March 25th through
April 25th, 2004. Limited to stock on hand.
FUEL TANKS, INVERTERS & HOLDING TANK DEODERIZING SYSTEMS
SAVE 15%
SAVE $5
Tempo
2499
SAVE $100
Xantrex
Groco
Valu 6
Fuel Tank
XPower Mobile
Plug 75W Inverter
1869
Model 304487
Reg. 21.99
14999
SweetTank Holding
Tank Deodorizing
System
Model 3670734
Reg. 29.99
Model 3359387 Reg. 249.99
Not displayed in all stores.
THE BEST MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS
SAVE $30
SAVE $25
Pettit
15999/gal.
Interlux
Ultima SR
Micron® Extra
Ref. Model 1371749
Reg. 179.99
Not available in Canada.
Ref. Model 1146273
Reg. 184.99
Not available in Canada.
149
99
/gal.
BUY 1, GET 1
FREE!
99
12
Star brite
Power Pine
Boat Wash
Model 5399886
GREAT DEALS ON MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS
SAVE 33%
11
38
/16oz.
3M
Fiberglass
Restorer & Wax
16oz.–Model 149395
Reg. 16.99
2499
3M
Scotchgard™ Heavy-Duty
Water-Repellent for
Outdoor Fabrics with
Mildew Blocker
Model 5399944
FREE
WEST MARINE
MILDEW STAIN
REMOVER WITH
PURCHASE!
A $7.99 Value! Model 278374
Offer valid with purchase of any Scotchguard™
Heavy-Duty Water-Repellent for Outdoor Fabrics
with Mildew Blocker (Model 5399944). Limited to
stock on hand. See store for details.
MORE THAN 280 STORES • 1-800-BOATING • westmarine.com
HURRY! PRICES GOOD MARCH 25TH THROUGH APRIL 25TH, 2004
2
April 2004
Southwinds
Coupons not good with any other offer. Selection varies by store.
www.southwindssailing.com
SAVE $20,000
2003 Catalina 42 • Clearance $188,000
46 Beneteau 2000 . . . . . . . . .$279,500
46 Beneteau 1997 . . . . . . . . .$199,000
45 Morgan 1995 . . . . SOLD
. . . . . .$229,900
45 Morgan 1991 . . . . . . . . . .$195,000
45 Hunter 1999 . . . . . . . . . .$229,000
44 Beneteau 1995 . . . . . . . . .$164,900
44 Morgan 1990 . . . . . . . . . .$169,900
43 Hunter 1997 . . . . . . . . . .$169,500
42 Beneteau 1983 . . . . . . . . . .$72,000
42 Hunter 1996 . . . . . . . . . .$184,000
42 Hunter 1992 . . . . SOLD
. . . . . .$144,900
42 Catalina 2003 Demo/New .$188,000
42-2 Catalina 2001 . . . . . . . .$189,500
42-3 Catalina 1989 . . SOLD
. . . . . .$109,000
411 Beneteau 2001 . . . . . . . .$174,000
2001 Beneteau 411 • $174,000
41 Morgan Classic 1989 . . . .$124,900
41 Morgan Classic 1987 . SOLD
. . . . . .$89,500
41OI Morgan 1973 . .SOLD
. . . . . . .$49,900
40 Hunter 1992 . . . . . . . . . .$115,000
40 CC Beneteau 1997 . SOLD
. . . . . .$120,000
40-2 Jeanneau 2001 . . . . . . . .$175,500
40-3 Jeanneau 2000 . . SOLD
. . . . . .$144,000
40 CC Beneteau 1997 . SOLD
. . . . . .$134,500
38 Beneteau 2001 . . . . . . . . .$147,000
38 Hunter 2000 . . . . . . . . . .$115,000
38 Catalina 1981 . . . . . . . . . . .$40,000
38 Morgan 1979 . . . . . . . . . . .$59,900
38 CC Morgan 1997 . . . . . . .$135,000
37 Hunter 1997 . . . . . . . . . . .$82,000
36 Catalina 1999 . . . . . . . . . .$115,000
1993 Hunter 405 • $119,000
36 Catalina 1994 . . . . . . . . . . .$85,000
36 Catalina 1994 (2) . . . . . . . .$79,500
36 Jeanneau 1997 . . . . . . . . . .$92,500
35 Beneteau 1996 . . . . . . . . . .$77,500
34 Catalina 1987 . . . . . . . . . . .$44,900
34 Hunter 2001 . . . . . . . . . . .$97,500
33 Hunter 1995 . . . . . . . . . . .$64,500
320 Catalina 1996 . . . . . . . . . .$75,000
320 Catalina 1995 . . . . . . . . . .$65,000
320 Catalina 1999 . . . . . . . . . .$97,500
31 Catalina 2001 . . . . . SOLD
. . . . . .$88,900
30 Hunter 1988 . . . . . . . . . . .$36,000
30Catalina 1989 . . . . . SOLD
. . . . . .$34,500
30 Catalina 1987 . . . . . SOLD
. . . . . .$32,500
28 Hunter 1990 . . . . . SOLD
. . . . . .$26,900
LD
SO
LD
SO
1989 Catalina 30 • $34,950
1994 Catalina 36 • $79,900
1995 Morgan 45 • $229,900
All listings are Massey centrals
SINCE 1977
www.masseyyacht.com
May 21-23, 2004 • Regatta Pointe Marina
Call for details
Call for your FREE “How to Prepare your
Yacht for Sale” package.
Palmetto, FL 941-723-1610 • TOLL-FREE 800-375-0130
Brad Crabtree
Scott Pursell
Frank Hamilton
Dan Howland
St. Pete, FL 727-824-7262 • TOLL-FREE 877-552-0525
Edward Massey
Bill Wiard
Mary Beth Singh
Al Pollak
Anne Corey
ADVERTISER INDEX BY CATEGORY
(See page 69 for alphabetical list)
SAILBOATS – NEW AND BROKERAGE
Beneteau Sailboats
Boaters Exchange/Catalina Sailboats
Compac Boats East
Carson Yacht Sales/Beneteau
Eastern Yacht Sales/Beneteau
Flying Scot Sailboats
Gulf Coast Yacht Sales
Hunter Sailboats
Massey Yacht Sales/Catalina/Jeanneau/Hunter/Mainship
Masthead Yacht Sales/Catalina
Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau
Raider Sailboats
Sarasota Youth Sailing Program donated boats
Snug Harbor Boats/Compac/Elliot
St. Barts/Beneteau
Suncoast Inflatables/ West Florida
Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg
Tampa Sailing Squadron donated boats
Weathermark Sailing/Catalina/Vanguard/Hobie
Windcraft, Trimarans and Catamarans, Sail or Power
Back Cover
6,63
16
Back Cover
Back Cover
64
64
10,11
3,9,19,39,43,47, IFC
34,69
Back Cover
66
62
15
Back Cover
59
54
62
12
27
GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES
Air Duck Hatch Windscoop
Bluewater Sailing Supply, www.bluewaterss.com/
Boaters Exchange, boats, gear, etc. Rockledge FL
BoatUS
Bo’sun Supplies/Hrdwre/Rigging www.bosunsupplies.com
Defender Industries, www.defender.com
Fujinon Binoculars
Garhauer Hardware/www.garhauermarine.com
Glacier Bay Refrigeration/ www.glacierbay.com
Hood/SSMR
Hotwire/Fans & other products
Island Time PC/12-volt computers
Island Marine Products/Davits,motorlocks,etc.
JR Overseas/Moisture Meter
Martek Dinghy Davits
Masthead Ent. www.mastheadsailinggear.com
Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign
Rparts Refrigeration, www.rparts.com
Sailor’s Soap
Hood/SSMR
Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg
West Marine
33
13
6,63
7
37
68
27
34
44
61
67
67
32
33
67
34,69
52
30
23,36,46
61
54
29, IFC
SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS,
RIGGING SERVICES
Altlantic Sails
Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida
Bluewater Sailing Supply, www.bluewaterss.com/
BoatUS
Cruising Direct/sails online by North
Dwyer Mast/spars, hardware, rigging
Masthead/Used Sails and Service
National Sail Supply, new&used online
Nuclear Sails
North Sails
Porpoise Sailing Services
Sail Exchange/www.sailexchange.com
Schurr Sails, Pensacola FL
UK Sails, www.uksailmakers.com
Ullman Sails/West Florida
West Marine
35
68
13
7
45
68
34,69
42
13
6
69
40
15
41
57
IFC
CANVAS
Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida
Shadetree
Sailcovers and More
USED SAILING/BOATING SUPPLIES
Don’s Salvage, Clearwater FL
Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign, West Florida
Scurvy Dog Marine/Used, Consign, Pensacola FL
68
27
68
Beta Marine
Fleetside Marine Service
RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke
16
67
27
RESORTS, MARINAS, RESTAURANTS, BOAT YARDS
Bob and Annie’s Boatyard
Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina
Pasadena Marina, St. Petersburg
20
56
51
CHARTER COMPANIES
Sailtime, Time-Share ownership
65
MARINE SERVICES, SURVEYORS, INSURANCE,
TOWING, BOAT LETTERING, ETC.
Aqua Graphics/Boat Names/Tampa Bay or buy online
Beachmaster Photography
Bluewater Insurance/ Florida
Coast Weather Services
Davis Maritime Surveying
First Patriot Inc, Insurance Agency, Paul Phaneuf
TowboatUS
65
66
14
69
51
21
13
COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE
Island Time PC
67
MARINE ELECTRONICS
Dockside Radio
Sea Tech/Navigation/Communication
17
33
44
BOOKS
Bubba Stories Book
Great Outdoors Publishing
Gunkholer’s Cruising Guide/West Florida
18
52
52
REGATTA ADVERTISEMENTS, BOAT SHOWS
Corinthian Regatta, Bradenton YC
Sailfest, Sarasota Youth Sailing Program
Regional Sailing Services Directory
Sailing Services Directory West Florida
Subscription Information
Alphabetical Advertisers’ List
Where to Get Southwinds
57
56
48
55
This Page
69
61
SUBSCRIBE TO Southwinds
$12/YEAR $20/2 YEARS
(3RD CLASS)
(941) 795-8704 • www.southwindssailing.com
P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175
New — Subscribe On-line on our Web site —
a secure site — using your credit card:
Name _________________________________________
Address ________________________________________
City/St./ZIP ____________________________________
52
52
37
ENCLOSED $ ________ Check ___ Money Order ___
16
68
Name on Card __________________________________
SAILING SCHOOLS
Sea School/Captain’s License www.seaschool.com
St. Augustine Sailing School
MARINE ENGINES
Visa/MC
#__________________________________
Ex. Date _______ Signature ______________________
4
April 2004
Southwinds
SOUTHWINDS
NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
8
12
18
11
22
24
26
28
30
32
35
36
38
40
41
50
63
70
48
55
69
4
4
61
8
From the Helm
Letters
Books to Read
Bubba Causes a DSQ
By Morgan Stinemetz
First-time Charter in Tampa Bay
By Laurel Browning
Boat Review: Hunter 212
By Charley Weaver
Interview with Gary Jobson
By Morgan Stinemetz
Boatek: Batteries That Die Young
By Stephen Sommer
Racing and Cruising in St. Croix
By Carol Bareuther
BVIs on $25
By Mike Kirk
The Boat Slip Crisis
By Stan Zimmerman
Catamaran: From a Bare Hull
By John Kelly
Southern Sailing:
Why Does the Same Guy Win Most of the Races?
By Dave Ellis
Southern Racing and Ocean Racing
Southern Racing Calendar
West Florida Sailing:
Regional News & Calendar on Racing and Sailing
Classifieds
Everybody Needs a “Break” Now and Then
By Mary Reid
Cruising and Racing in St. Croix. Photo by Dean Barnes.
Page 30.
West Florida Sailing Services Directory
Alphabetical Index of Advertisers
Advertisers’ List by Category
Subscription Form
Where to Pick Up Southwinds
Calendar Photo Contest
Cover: Davis Island anchorage. Steve Morrell photo.
Catamaran from a bare hull. Photo by John Kelly. Page 36.
From the Carolinas to Cuba…from Atlanta to the Abacos…Southwinds Covers Southern Sailing
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
Southwinds
April 2004
5
SOUTHWINDS
NEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
Southwinds Media, Inc.
P.O. Box 1175, Holmes Beach, Florida 34218-1175
(941) 795-8704
(877) 372-7245
(941) 795-8705 Fax
e-mail: editor@southwindssailing.com
VOLUME 12
NUMBER 4
APRIL 2004
Copyright 2004, Southwinds Media, Inc.
Publisher/Editor
Steve Morrell
editor@southwindssailing.com
Founder
Doran Cushing
Advertising
Steve Morrell
The Southeast Coast:
Carolinas and Georgia
(941) 795-8704
Rona Garm
rgarm@ec.rr.com
Gary Hufford
(910) 395-0189
gary@southwindssailing.com
(727) 585-2814
The Northern Gulf Coast:
Florida Panhandle, Alabama,
Florida Keys
Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas
Rebecca Burg
Kim Kaminski
angel@artoffshore.com
Kaminski_K@msn.com
(305) 304-5118
(850) 384-8941
Design/Graphics
Heather Nicoll
Proofreading
Kathy Elliott
Carol Bareuther
Rebecca Burg
Kim Kaminski
Arturo Perez
Stephen Sommer
Stan Zimmerman
Contributing Writers
Sherry Beckett
Dave Ellis
John Kelly
Mary Reid
Morgan Stinemetz
Laurel Browning
Rona Garm
Mike Kirk
Mike Savino
Charley Weaver
Contributing Photographers
Dean Barnes
Alex Gort/Bacardi Cup Gary Hufford
Kim Kaminski
Mike Kirk
John MacNeil
Arturo Perez
Jeri Webb
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: ARTICLES & PHOTOGRAPHY:
Southwinds encourages readers, writers, photographers, cartoonists,
jokers, magicians, philosophers and whoever else is out there, including
sailors, to send in their material. Just make it about the water world and
generally about sailing and about sailing in the South, the Bahamas or
the Caribbean, or general sailing interest, or sailboats, or sailing in some
far-off and far-out place.
Southwinds welcomes contributions in writing and photography,
stories about sailing, racing, cruising, maintenance and other technical
articles and other sailing-related topics. Please submit all articles electronically by e-mail (mailed-in discs also accepted), and with photographs,
if possible. We also accept photographs alone, for cover shots, racing,
cruising and just funny entertaining shots. Please take them at a high
resolution if digital, or scan at 300 dpi if photos, or mail them to us for
scanning. Contact the editor with questions.
Subscriptions to Southwinds are available at $12/year, or $20/2
years for third class, and $24/year for first class. Checks and credit card
numbers may be mailed with name and address to Southwinds Subscriptions, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach FL, 34218-1175, or call (941)
795-8704. Subscriptions are also available with a credit card through a
secure server on our Web site, www.southwindssailing.com.
Southwinds is distributed to over 500 locations throughout 10
Southern states. If you would like to distribute Southwinds at your location, please contact the editor.
Read Southwinds magazine on our Web site,
www.southwindssailing.com.
6
April 2004
Southwinds
Southwinds
April 2004
7
FROM THE HELM
CHANGES IN THE WIND AT SOUTHWINDS
W
ith this issue, Southwinds will be making a change in
the magazine that will have a major impact on how we
cover southern sailing.
Southwinds has always tried to bring local news to southern sailors and this has been a challenge as the southern sailing waters are extensive and cover a lot of territory. We deliver the magazine and report on an area stretching from North
Carolina south along the East Coast to the Florida Keys and
north along the Eastern Gulf through the Northern Gulf coast.
We also cover many inland lakes in these states.
In the coming months we will start adding regional sections to help improve our local coverage. There will be six
regions. Starting from the northeast and heading south the
regions will be: The Southeast Coast—North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Georgia; East Florida—from the Georgia/
Florida line south to the central east coast of Florida (north of
Ft. Pierce); The Southeast coast of Florida—from Ft. Pierce
down through Miami; The Florida Keys; West Florida—from
Cape Sable north to Florida’s Big Bend; The Northern Gulf
Coast—Florida’s Big Bend and East, including the Panhandle,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
In this issue, we have started the West Florida Sailing section. In it, we will have racing news, race reporting, a race
calendar, cruising news and events, an events calendar, and a
sailing services directory. We will also have stories in these
sections that related directly to that area. A story might be
about a prominent sailing personality in the region, cruising
stories, or a favorite anchorage, just to name a few examples.
These new sections will allow advertisers to target and
reach the sailing public in the areas they serve. We will have
a new sailing services directory in each section for small businesses to list their services at a reasonable advertising rate.
To help get these new sections going we are offering great
incentives to new display advertisers who will be in these
sections and want to target their area’s sailors. We already
have a regional sailing services directory section that covers
the eight states and 500 locations we distribute to. The inexpensive advertising rates in the directory have already attracted many small businesses that have no other way to advertise their services to sailors beyond advertising in
Southwinds.
The majority of the magazine will be of general interest
to southern sailors, with Bubba, maintenance articles, letters,
classifieds, stories, Bahamas and Caribbean coverage, and
other interesting news and events.
We believe this change will benefit everyone by giving
more localized and personal coverage, and we are hoping that
our readers will help contribute to these changes by letting
us know what they would like to read about and what they
think of these changes. Readers can also send us items for the
racing and events calendars and other sailing news they
would like to see published. Please visit our West Florida Sailing section in this issue to see how we will be covering these
other regions in the coming months.
Steve Morrell
Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
SOUTHWINDS 2005 CALENDAR
Enter Southwinds Magazine photo contest for our 2005 calendar. 12 photos chosen. Credit will be given
to each photographer on the calendar along with a Southwinds subscription, and five calendars.
• All photos must have at least one sailboat in them and the photo must be taken in the Southern
U.S., Bahamas, or Caribbean and can be racing, cruising, at anchor, or motoring.
• Maximum 5 entry photos per person. Only one photo chosen from any one person.
• Photos will be judged on composition, clarity, and lighting.
• Photos preferred to be in color and must be horizontal.
Entries must be received by October 15, 2004. Mail all entries with name, address,
phone number, e-mail (if available), photo description, where and when taken. Please
protect your photos in transit. Send entries to:
Southwinds Magazine
2005 Calendar Photo Contest
PO Box 1175
Holmes Beach, FL 34218-1175
Call (941) 795-8704 or e-mail editor@southwindssailing.com with any questions.
CONTEST RULES: Southwinds will retain rights of the photo for the calendar and any advertising associated with it or use of the photo for advertising future calendars. After receiving the photo, Southwinds will mail a copyright release to the photographer, which must be signed and received by
Southwinds by the deadline entry date. Southwinds also retains the rights to cancel this contest if deemed necessary to do so by the Publisher. All
photos become the property (with the limited rights mentioned above) of Southwinds. Discs are not returnable. Other restrictions apply.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: 35mm (or larger format) photos –Original photo only. No slides please. Digital photos: 300 dpi minimum at 9 x 12 inches.
Mailed in on disc, and not returnable. Digital photos will have to be of very high resolution to be printed this size, and the average non-professional digital
camera will not be able to take a photo of this resolution. Please submit all photos on disc with one version in high resolution and one in low resolution.
8
April 2004
Southwinds
Call for Special New Yacht Discounts
New 2004 MAINSHIP 40
– Hull #139 in stock
LD
O
S
New MAINSHIP 30 Sedan
Hull #198 in stock
New MAINSHIP 30 Express
Hull #112 in stock
New MAINSHIP 34
On Order
New MAINSHIP 43
Hull #100 in stock
Buy now. Cruise Tomorrow. Save Thousands. New is Better.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
New yacht discounts-all trades considered
New design, construction and performance
New electronics, A/C and gensets
New flat screen TVs and DVDs
New yacht financing at lowest rates
New yacht custom outfitting
Full factory/dealer warranties and on site service
Free yacht systems and handling orientation
Free yacht décor dollars
The best part of purchasing a new yacht is that it’s NEW and really
costs about the same as buying a late model pre-owned yacht.
This is prime time for Florida boating and your new Mainship is
ready to cruise away, right now! Call or come by and discover the
dollars and sense of owning a new yacht.
New is better.
SINCE 1977
www.masseyyacht.com
May 21-23, 2004 • Regatta Pointe Marina – Call for details
Brad Crabtree
Scott Pursell
Frank Hamilton
Dan Howland
Edward Massey
Bill Wiard
Mary Beth Singh
Al Pollak
Anne Corey
Large Cruisers
Massey Yacht Sales – Palmetto, FL
Massey Yacht Sales – St. Petersburg, FL
Whitney’s Marine – Orange Park, FL
Whitney’s Marine – Lake Lanier, GA
Mid South Sailing – Gulfport, MI
MG Mayer Yacht Sales – New Orleans, LA
Florida Yacht Charters and Sales –
Miami Beach, FL
(941) 723-1610
(727) 828-0090
(904) 269-0027
(770) 965-4720
(228) 863-6969
(504) 282-1700
(305) 532-8600
Trailerables
NBOA – Sarasota, FL
Lake Fairview Marina – Orlando, FL
Performance Sail and Sport – Melbourne, FL
Select Yachts – Lake Lanier, GA
Sayre Sailing – Charleston, SC
Alabama Sailing – Tallassee, AL
(941) 360-6777
(407) 295-0117
(321) 253-3737
(770) 965-4720
(843) 534-0560
(334) 315-5055
LETTERS
“Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.”
H.L. Mencken
In its continuing endeavor to share its press, Southwinds
invites readers to write in with experiences & opinions.
BOOT KEY HARBOR GETS MORE EXPENSIVE
FOR BOATERS?
Dick de Grasse’s article about Boot Key Harbor was subtitled
“The City Improves Conditions for Boaters,” but I think most
boaters would put it as, “Harbor Gets More Expensive for Boaters.”
I’m anchored in Boot Key Harbor right now, for a month or
two. Contrary to statements in the article, the city IS planning to
more or less outlaw anchoring. In the city marina, they’ve posted
an article (12/28/2003 Marathon Weekly, I think) by the city manager saying that when all 230 moorings are in, there will be one
area only for “temporary or emergency” anchoring, probably
big enough to hold 25 boats or so.
I think most boaters in the harbor think the city is trying to
drive out “riff-raff” they don’t make money from. I understand
that the city needs money, that the city marina has always been
money-losing, and that some boaters break the rules. And the
city has done some good things, such as removing derelicts and
providing recycling/disposal facilities.
They’ve also wasted money on fancy boats (as mentioned
in the article), and you should see the nice landscaping and offices they’re going to build at the marina! You can see where the
money is going.
And the harbormaster seems to delight in saying “no” as
much as possible to anything a boater wants to do. The atmosphere in the harbor has become very antagonistic. Far different
from the situation portrayed in the article.
I don’t care how much money you have; $150/month for a
mooring is a lot different from $0/month for anchoring.
Bill Dietrich
s/v Magnolia
Bill,
Over the last couple of years we have had a lot of letters and articles
about different views at Boot Key Harbor and the rights of live-aboards,
rights to anchor, and who really owns and controls what. It appears
from your letter that, yes, live-aboards are getting charged for every little
service at Boot Key Harbor. I guess you get the “boot” if you don’t pay up.
It’s an old trick to make the main price seem cheap. Draw you into
the store on the big ticket items and then get you on the little stuff.
Only problem here is there aren’t too many “stores” that give us options to enter. Marathon has a monopoly on Boot Key Harbor.
I remember back in the ‘70s when they started charging these higher
fees to enter our national parks to try and pay for everything via the
user. For some reason, I have this feeling that certain things in life
should be free to all, like nature, and a good clean nature (I’ll probably
get accused of being a tree-hugger for wanting a clean environment).
We all know they aren’t free, but user fees to experience nature go against
a central philosophical core in me. The government hasn’t started charging us to go to the beaches yet, and that is one place we all get to use for
free. We can still get into the national forests and the BLM-controlled lands
for free, but the more pristine national parks we gotta pay to enjoy.
I think the municipalities know they can’t charge for the beaches
as maybe they see that as an inalienable right if you access it by land (or
they know it’s too late to change that established practice of free access),
but coming in by boat they figure they can start charging. I think what
it comes down to is, if they can find a loophole and charge for it, they
are going to. If they use the argument that it costs the public money for
these users, then what about the beaches and local parks, the sidewalks,
12
April 2004
Southwinds
etc. Or maybe they figure if you own a boat, you can afford to pay (I
guess they never owned one or they’d know the truth.) What that does
is make the sport and lifestyle of cruising and live-aboarding(sic) available only to the wealthy, which is the road much of this country seems
to be going down.
Beyond this principled argument, I really wonder about anchoring rights on waterways. I have had no one prove to me that it is not
the right of boaters to anchor in a lot of waterways that are now being
restricted. As you might have read last month, we published a letter
filled with facts and quotes of laws and rulings on this subject, and I
again really wonder after reading it if these municipalities are exerting more power than they legally have.
There is a recently formed organization called Boaters for Waterway Rights, based in Stuart, FL. You can contact them by e-mailing
Tgill47672@aol.com.
Editor
THE GREEN FLASH LIVES
I’ve lived in the Keys for about 20 years, and we see the green
flash regularly when at anchor in Florida Bay or the Gulf. If
there are clouds, or an island, on the bit of horizon where the
sun sets, there is no green flash, and it certainly doesn’t happen
at every sunset. I think it is more common during the drier
conditions in the winter. When it happens, everyone on board
who is looking sees it. It is definitely not a tall tale! Sometimes it
is such a tiny flash you’re barely sure you saw something, but about
a month ago we saw the biggest one ever.
Debby Lloyd
Islamorada, FL
....AND LIVES
The Green Flash is an atmospheric phenomenon. If you are
computer literate, you can find a number of explanations and
photos on line. My first experience with the Green Flash was
when I was bringing my first sailboat, a Nassau Dinghy, back
from Bimini. On the long trip back, heading to Elliot Key, at
sundown, I experienced my first Green Flash. Later, when my
children were in Boy Scouts and we took an evening boat ride
at Everglades National Park, as the sunset, there was the Green
Flash. Of course, later, there were the Miami Yacht Club’s Key
Largo Regattas, in which a different kind of Green Flash occurred,
long after the sunset, but that is a different story.
Harold Cobb
Miami Yacht Club
hrcrlape@aol.com
Debby and Harold,
Thanks for your letters on the Green Flash. I think most people are
more familiar with the green flash you mentioned which came after
the Key Largo regattas. But to move on, all of these different experiences will add up to us putting them in one collected future issue,
which hopefully can become a landmark in the history of the Green
Flash discussion. Perhaps Southwinds will help sponsor a Green
Flash party, but I fear that many might misinterpret the name and
party too much.
Hopefully, others will continue to share their green flash experiences with us. We still have more to print but don’t always have the
room. We will eventually get them all in the magazine.
Editor
BUSH ADMINISTRATION RESTRICTS TRAVEL TO CUBA
George Bush, by presidential proclamation on Feb. 26, has decided that all boaters are a threat to national security if they are
See LETTERS continued on page 14
Southwinds
April 2004
13
LETTERS Continued from page 13
thinking about going to Cuba. His edict, in part, says:
• Section 1. The Secretary (of Homeland Security) may make
rules and regulations governing the anchorage and movement
of any vessel, foreign or domestic, in the territorial waters of
the United States, which may be used, or is susceptible of being used, for voyage into Cuban territorial waters and that may
create unsafe conditions, or result in unauthorized transactions,
and thereby threaten a disturbance of international relations.
• Section 2. The Secretary is authorized to inspect any vessel,
foreign or domestic, in the territorial waters of the United States,
at any time; to place guards on any such vessel; and, with my
consent expressly hereby granted, take full possession and control of any such vessel and remove the officers and crew and all
other persons not specifically authorized by the Secretary to go
or remain on board the vessel when necessary to secure the
rights and obligations of the United States.
• Section 3. The Secretary may request assistance from such
departments, agencies, officers, or instrumentalities of the
United States as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out
the purposes of this proclamation. Such departments, agencies, officers, or instrumentalities shall, consistent with other
provisions of law and to the extent practicable, provide requested assistance. The full proclamation is found at
www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/02/2004022611.html.
Bottom line: The federal, state, or local enforcers can board
your boat, inspect, place guards, and take possession and control of the boat, evict the crew and captain/owner...while anchored, moored, or docked in the U.S., based on their belief
that you may be going to Cuba. Is this acceptable to the sailing
community in the U.S.?
Doran Cushing
St. Petersburg, FL
(727) 895-4943
Doran,
No. It is not acceptable. And it should not be acceptable to anyone
in the United States—and not just to the sailing community, regardless of your beliefs about the Castro government. The U.S.
Government has no right to restrict travel by an American citizen
to another country under these circumstances. Every American
should defend the rights of an American who wants to go to Cuba,
just like every American should defend the right of free speech even
if they disagree with that person. I would think that any American
who believes in our Constitution can (in paraphrasing someone
who once said, “I might not agree with what you are saying, but I
support your right to say it) now say, even if they don’t agree with
the present Cuban government, “I don’t want to go there, but I
support your right to go there.”
I would hope Americans would be united on that right.
Doran, I know you have fought this unlawful attitude for a
long time as former editor and founder of Southwinds. Some things
just don’t seem to change. Although the previous administration
loosened rules for travel to Cuba, I was disappointed they did not
open it up completely. And now the current administration has
restricted our rights to travel even more, going backwards. So,
Americans can go to Cuba but they can’t spend money there. Now—
whose money is it?
Editor
BAHAMAS CHARTBOOKS AVAILABLE
Colin Ward’s article on things you’ll need in the Bahamas in
the February issue was interesting and there was lots of good
solid advice. However, mention was made of Explorer
14
April 2004
Southwinds
Web site: southwindssailing.com
Chartbooks with no reference as to where to purchase them.
Can you help me?
Golden Carper
Rockledge, Fl
Golden,
Go to explorercharts.com. I also know they are available at Bluewater
Books in Ft. Lauderdale (bluewatercharts.com).
Editor
AUXILIARY ENGINE ARTICLE HAD LIMITED COVERAGE
In your February issue, there is an article on sailboat auxiliary
engines by Tim Banse. Mr. Banse is attempting to cover a lot of
ground in a little space by including outboards and diesel engines, and he appears to have a few favored companies that he
likes to deal with. He even goes to pains to mention one of our
competitors who has virtually no distribution network or service
network throughout the United States, but he doesn’t mention us.
We are the importer and distributors for the Beta Marine
range of propulsion engines for the US market. We currently
have 68 dealers around the U.S. and more are coming on board.
All of our engines from 10 to 75 HP are based on the superb
Kubota diesel engines. Our engines have achieved a lot of good
reviews, and we have literally hundreds of happy owners in
the U.S. and many thousands worldwide. Our engines are engineered for ease of service, long life, and smooth running. All
of our engines comply with the next tier of EPA regulations.
Service parts are available through the Beta Marine dealer network or through Kubota dealers worldwide.
We have a range of engines designed to replace the venerable Atomic 4 as well as engines designed to fit where the old
Perkins 4-108, Volvo, Yanmar or Westerbeke were installed. Not
only are our service parts very reasonably priced (see our
website www.betamarinenc.com), the Kubota diesel is acknowledged world wide for its reliability and efficiency and all are
smooth running and quiet.
Beta Marine is the company that the others are copying.
One manufacturer has tried to copy our user-friendly service
items layout and another has blatantly copied our early model
heat exchanger design. Our warranty is two years or 2000 hours
and is a complete warranty which covers parts and labor and
is not a glorified insurance policy with many restrictions and
deductibles. Again, you can print the warranty conditions
straight from our website.
Stanley Feigenbaum
V.P. Beta Marine, North Carolina, Ltd.
Stanley,
It is obvious that Mr. Banse’s article did not cover all the bases, as
Kubotas and Beta Marine produce a well-known quality product, and
for engine replacement, I have met several people over the years who
would make it their first choice. In fact, I invite our readers to respond
with their experiences on the modern sailboat auxiliary.
Editor
ANYONE KNOW ABOUT CELL PHONE USE IN THE
BAHAMAS?
Your February issue of Southwinds was most timely for us as
we prepare to leave Savannah, GA, for Marathon Key, Cuba
(maybe), and the Bahamas within the next six weeks. Colin
Ward’s article on what to take answered some of our questions,
but it didn’t address the issue of cell phones. Do you know if
it’s possible to call the States from the Bahamas?
Thanks for your input — and for Southwinds. It’s a great
SNARK
SNARK
$795 includes delivery direct to you or pick up from us
Com-Pac Yachts
Traditional Look — Modern Performance
Patented Easy Mast Raising System
PRECISION
Great Sailing — Great Looking
Daysailers, Overnighters, Cruisers
Twin Vee Power Cats
Ultra Soft Ride, Little Maintenance, No Covering
Offshore Capable
A Sailor’s Powerboat
1-877-266-7422
See LETTERS continued on page 16
Southwinds
April 2004
15
LETTERS Continued from page 14
little magazine.
Susan B. Johnson
www.susanbjohnson.com
Susan,
I am not sure about the situation for cell phones in the Bahamas,
but perhaps one of our readers will help us out and write in to let us
know.
Editor
BOATERS FOR WATERWAY RIGHTS
A number of things are happening with Boaters for Waterway Rights.
1) Boaters for Waterway Rights has grown to about 700-800 members, so boaters are starting to band together.
2) The City of Stuart has arrested one boater three times for
anchoring within the corporate city limits of Stuart. This will
be in court in early May, 2004.
Note. Under the freedom of information act, we requested
from the city of Stuart a copy of all leases issued by the state of
Florida to the city of Stuart for the submerged land beyond the
high tide mark on the waters around Stuart. The city attorney
informed me that they only have one lease for the area around
city hall where a day dock has been installed, and a management agreement with the state of Florida for the area where
the city mooring are installed. Our thoughts are if the city
needs a lease to construct a dock on the river from the state,
and a management agreement to install moorings, then the
remainder of the waters around the city of Stuart is owned
by the state of Florida and since the state of Florida and the
Federal Government have NO laws about anchoring on the
waterway of the United States of America then the city of
Stuart has no right to govern waters that they do not have a
legal right to. If, in fact, the city of Stuart had rights to the
waterways around Stuart, then a lease would not be required
to install a city day dock, and a management agreement for
the mooring fields would not be required either.
3) I have just had a meeting with a group that consults to the
government on the homeland security issue. The meeting was
how to get boaters involved in our homeland security. The
fact is that there are thousands of boaters traveling on our
waterways throughout the United States at any given time.
We are trying to set up a training program on what to look
for and who to get hold of when a boater observes something
that looks wrong.
We need to get boaters involved. Anyone interested, please
contact me so that we can show the government a list of boaters who are ready and willing to do their part in protecting the
coastal areas of the United States. We feel that this is a very
important issue and the lives you protect may be yours, a
friend’s, or a loved one.
Give us you Name and contact information so that when
training is started we can contact you.
We plan on putting a web page online soon. If anyone
would like to help with the web page please contact me on line
at the above e-mail address.
Contact Tom Gill, Boaters for Waterway Rights
309 Dunscombe Road, Stuart, Florida 34996
E-mail Tgill47672@aol.com
Tom,
I am glad to see your organization is growing, as thus far I believe that
the municipalities are grabbing what they can, thinking of the old
adage, “Possession is nine-tenths of the law.” “You can’t fight city
hall,” is another one. Let’s hope not.
Editor
16
April 2004
Southwinds
PO Box 1175,Holmes Beach FL 34218
Fax: (941) 795-8705
FOREIGN INQUIRY ON BOAT FOR SALE A SCAM
TO GET BANK ACCOUNT?
I placed an ad in Southwinds for a Pearson 26 recently. I
received a strange reply and I was wondering if you have
run across this before. I think it is some sort of scam. Here is
a copy of it, what are your thoughts?
Thanks,
(Southwinds has left the following letter untouched with its original grammar.)
Good Day Seller,
My name is Bashron,I am located in scotland,i buy goods and services for my customers who come from different part of the world
especially UK and Scotland,well i have a client right now that is
willing to buy your ( 26 ft. Pearson OD )because he wants to travel
along with it to US,I will like you to tell me your last offering price
and its present condition immediately. My client will be willing to
pay cashier check.so tell me the cost and present condition of the (
26 ft. Pearson OD )and any recent pictures, and i will also like to
know if you will accept a cashier check for the payment of the
consignment.Get back to me as soon as possible so that we can get
this transaction started. i look forward to hearing from you. Best
regards, bashron invest
I responded to the above inquiry and here is the reply from
the person overseas that inquired about my boat. I am not sending him any information. It is obviously a scam to get my bank
routing numbers. You may want to pass this along to others.
Thanks,
Bob Caron
(Again, gramar left as is. – editor)
i am willing to buy your( 26 ft. Pearson OD w/ 9.9 hp Johnson.
)for $8200, my mode of payment will lays on certified cashier’ check
drawn in u s funds, i will be informing my client in us who be
forwarding a check of $15000 to you on my behave , i will be handling the shipping, and every relevant title, if you want me to forward the check to you, i want you to give me the name that will be
on cheque and your physical address which you will like to recieve
the cheque ,but if you will prefer to receive the check in your bank i
will want you to provide all the necessary info concerning your
bank (bank name and address, account #and rounting #, so that i
can order my client to wire the payment to your bank asap. more
over the balance on the excess funds will be baseon shipping bcos
they are having other consignment for me to do the pick up, the
shipper’s will be incharges of sign all relevant document, i will like
to know if may mode of payment is accepted by you or not . i will
really appreiciate your instant response. Thanks.
Bob,
I did have one other person telephone me a few months ago of a
similar inquiry. It does sound like a scam — like those e-mails I
receive all day about some foreign minister who has a lot of money
and wants to share it with me. All I have to do is…
Although I would not give out my bank account number and
the bank routing number as easily as I donate money to the stock
market, I am under the impression that it is easy to get a bank’s
routing number with a phone call, and every time I write a check
my bank account number is out there for others to see. I am also
under the impression that transfers all go through the Federal Reserve Bank and it sounds difficult to me to scam money to go the
other direction from this information. Maybe someone out there
among our readers can enlighten us as to what is going on here and
what to watch for.
Editor
Southwinds
April 2004
17
BOOKS TO READ
NAVIGATION RULES – UNITED
STATES COAST GUARD
This is the latest updated version of
the navigation rules, international
and inland, since the U.S. Coast
Guard was put under the new Department of Homeland Security.
Although most of the book is traditional in the sense that it covers
navigation rules, there is a section
on the new rules, but it is a very
small part of this book, in fact a
tiny part.
If you have never had one of
these books you will find it interesting as it includes a lot that makes it clear to understand.
Hard to believe from a government publication, but true in
many cases here. The layout is done such that the left page is
the international rules and the right side is the inland rules.
Makes it pretty plain to see the differences. The book is laid
out this way for lights and shapes, sounds, steering and sailing rules, exemptions, etc.
Clear drawings of boats and their lights required, in color
(red and green for port and starboard), make recognizing and
understanding lights very easy.
Annexes and Notices to Mariners up to December 2003
are included. Pretty good book and not as dry as one expects.
Probably should have one onboard. Paradise Cay Publications.
www.paracay.com. 218 pages.
PIRATES ABOARD!
By Klaus Hympendahl
This book is subtitled “40 Cases
of Piracy Today and What
Bluewater Cruisers Can Do About
it.” This book has 40 “candid interviews” which bring some chilling stories to readers about cases
of piracy. Of course, these interviews were with the survivors of
piracy. Others couldn’t be interviewed. The instances are from
around the world: Central
America, Cape Verde Islands, the
Philippines, and more. The book
offers suggestions as to what
cruisers can do to prevent piracy
and names those places most dangerous.
Hympendahl is a well-known German writer and sailor
whose book, “Apollonia,” about the disappearance of two sailors on a transatlantic race, won him an award for the best sailing book of the year in Germany.
His website, www.yachtpiracy.org, covers news about piracy around the world.
A very interesting book—just to pick up and read an interview here and there. Sheridan House. $26.95 Hardcover 336
pages. www.sheridanhouse.com.
FLORIDA KEYS: PORTS OF CALL
& ANCHORAGES
By Thomas A. Henschel
Aerial Photography by
Joseph R. Melanson
The subtitle of this book pretty much
describes it: “Aerial Photography & A
Guide To The Most Popular Ports of
Call & Anchorages in The Florida Keys
Including Biscayne Bay.”
All the pages in this book are
glossy and if you don’t want to drop
everything and go boating in the Keys
as you read it, then there must be something short-circuited in your psyche.
Not only is this book a guide to navigation, it is also a fun book to just look through. From the
navigator’s point of view and for pure enjoyment, the aerial
photography really gives one an idea of how depths and channels in the Keys run.
Text in the aerial photographs shows clearly navigation
points, channels and landmarks. Along with the many other
guides that are available on the Florida Keys, this would be a
great help in getting around, seeing the channels and giving
the boater a better perspective on where he is.
Not just a collection of photos, the book also has good discussion on channels, anchorages and other spots and how navigable they are.
If the Florida Keys tourism board wanted to promote the
Keys, they should give this book away. Then, of course, there
are many of us who love the Keys and would like to see this
book hidden to keep the place from being inundated by thousands more.
Cruising Guide Publications. www.cruisingguides.com.
$29.95. 84 pages.
18
April 2004
Southwinds
New 2004 HUNTER 41
– Hull #120 in stock
LD
SO
LD
SO
New HUNTER 33 – On Order
New HUNTER 36 – Hull #116 in stock
New HUNTER 386 – Hull #817 in stock
New HUNTER 44DS – On Order
Buy now. Sail Tomorrow. Save Thousands. New is Better.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The best part of purchasing a new yacht is that it’s NEW
and really costs about the same as buying a late model
pre-owned yacht.
This is prime time for Florida sailing and your new
Hunter is ready to sail away, right now! Call or come by
and discover the dollars and sense of owning a new yacht.
New is better.
SINCE 1977
www.masseyyacht.com
Brad Crabtree
Scott Pursell
Frank Hamilton
Dan Howland
Edward Massey
Bill Wiard
Mary Beth Singh
Al Pollak
Anne Corey
20
April 2004
Southwinds
Southwinds
April 2004
21
CHARTER
First-Time Captained
Charter in Tampa Bay, FL
By Laurel Browning
DeSoto Park, Bradenton, in south Tampa Bay area.
C
hartering a sailboat made me imagine sailing off into
a colorful sunset, with a gentle breeze filling our sails.
My husband Bob and I had talked about this dream of
chartering a sailboat for many years, although I had been a
little hesitant about us doing this alone and wanted to try it
for the first time with an experienced captain. We called Offshore Sailing School in Tampa Bay, FL, to set this up because
Bob and I had both taken sailing lessons eight years earlier
from Offshore Sailing School in Captiva, FL. Because of our
work, we have had limited opportunities since our Florida
lessons to actually sail. Talking to Offshore, Bob explained
that we were looking for a refresher sailing course, set up
just for the two of us as a live-aboard cruise. Offshore was
very accommodating and arranged for Capt. Dave Ellis to be
our instructor on our maiden voyage. In July, almost before I
knew it, we were flying down from our home in North Carolina to St. Petersburg, FL, to embark on a week of living and
sailing on a beautiful 42-foot Catalina, the Lady Dorothy K.
Dave met us Monday morning at the Harborage Marina
to start our adventure. He had a ready smile and made us
feel right at ease as we walked down to the dock to get our
first view of Lady Dorothy K. At first glance, the boat seemed
rather large for us to pilot, but the reassuring smile of Captain Dave put us at ease. He introduced us to the charter representative, Andrew, who proceeded to review the boat and
all its features. Using a Catalina manual and a cruising checklist, together we located valves, switches, and pumps. This
process took a lot longer than I had anticipated (about three
hours), but in retrospect, I am glad we did take the morning
to double-check all the systems and features we would be
using on the boat.
We knew that the charter company supplied food as part
of the package deal, and so after we had checked out the boat,
we loaded on the bags of food and drinking supplies for the
week. I was surprised at the variety of foods that they had
included as we unloaded bags of bananas, juices, steaks, bagels, and cookies. The only things we needed to supplement
22
April 2004
Southwinds
were drinks such as
bottled water, sodas,
and beer. We stowed the
food in the galley, and
left with Dave in his van Laurel and Bob Browning.
for town to find a super- Photo by Dave Ellis.
market. It’s good to go to a grocery store just before you embark so you can buy items forgotten at home, such as my
sunglasses and sunscreen. We made our purchases, and drove
back to the boat, ready to start our journey.
Next, because our Catalina had a roomy table, we spread
out the local charts showing water depths and landmarks.
We decided to take a short afternoon sail around the bay to
become acclimated to the area. With the temperature holding around 95 degrees, the prospect of a breeze seemed slight,
but we were ready to depart. Bob took the helm, and I cast
off lines as we eased out of our slip. To be honest, we didn’t
quite ease from the dock, but Captain Dave was very helpful
with instructions, so we avoided crashing into any other boats.
We motored out through the channel with Dave talking
us through getting ready to set the sails. Once we were in deeper
water, I took the wheel while Bob and Dave raised the sails.
Luckily for us, the sails were self-furling and only took a few
minutes to raise and adjust. The sunlight glaring off the screens
made it a little difficult to read the GPS. I was grateful for the
canvas bimini overhead as I stood behind the wheel trying to
read the gauges. The breeze was small but still a relief from the
stifling heat inland, and soon we were skimming over the water, just as I had pictured it in my imagination.
After a couple of hours, we headed back towards the
harbor, lowered the sails, anchored, and called it a day. Kicking off our shoes, we surveyed our provisions, thinking about
dinner. I remembered seeing lobster tails when we had stowed
the food, so we pulled them out of the freezer to defrost along
with some broccoli. Because it was in the 90s, the lobster defrosted quickly while we learned how to use the small propane grill attached to the rear of the boat. I loved grilling
since it meant that Bob was elected chef for the evening. Grilling outside also kept the heat out of the galley. Captain Dave
lived nearby, and so we invited his lovely wife Julie to row
out to our boat and enjoy our evening meal with us. An hour
later, we were all eating a delicious dinner, while the retreating sun cast a splendid light over the water. It was a lot of fun
sharing stories and relaxing out in the open air. We were sorry
to see Julie leave, but she had to go to work the next day.
Tuesday morning dawned early, and Bob and I decided
to try out the stall shower by our stateroom but quickly realized that we had not opened the drain. Water inched up inside the glass stall, reminding me of some very bad movie
scenes. Cutting short our shower, we quickly dressed, located
the drain release, and noted for the future not to take such
things for granted. Deciding to fry up some bacon for breakfast, I had a little trouble with the pilot switch on the stove,
but we had matches that helped the situation.
After breakfast, we checked the engine oil and radio, and
went over the local charts as we planned our sail for the day.
This daily process does not take long but does ensure that we
know approximately where we are going. Today we were
headed out to DeSoto Point, a historical point of interest in
southern Tampa Bay. Bob reviewed the chart coordinates with
Dave and plugged the numbers into our GPS system. We had
never used a GPS with a color display before, but now I would
highly recommend it. Color makes it so much easier to read
the LCD screen, even with a harsh midday glare.
DeSoto Point was a quiet place to moor for the night. It
was also a good place for us to practice some maneuverings.
We had asked Dave to review the process of setting two anchors and techniques for recovering a man overboard. The
two-anchor process had to be postponed, as we realized upon
close inspection that our second anchor was incomplete, missing an essential piece, and not functional. So we went ahead
with some other skills we needed to practice, like learning
how to set up a rescue, just in case one of us fell in. I nominated Bob to be the one rescued, but Dave had us use a floating buoy instead. After a few maneuvers, we decided to take
the dinghy and motor over to explore DeSoto Point.
People were catching fish on the beach, and we heard
them shouting their success as we pulled up to the shore.
DeSoto is visible from the water by its large cross and monument. There were marked trails pointing up toward the park
station. The July heat made the prospect of air-conditioned
rest rooms sound enticing enough for us to walk toward the
park along trails edged with unusual vegetation. Encountering herons and crabs along the way, we also ran into other
tourists speaking German, Japanese, and Spanish. We arrived
at the station at 4:30, just before closing time, so we had little
time to look at the exhibits of Desoto and the early explorers
to the area. However, the rest rooms were clean so I splashed
water on my face while wishing for a bath. Back on our boat,
we dined on grilled steak complemented by chilled Coors.
Life was good indeed. Dave entertained us with his repertoire of local stories and people that he has encountered from
living in the Tampa Bay area most of his life. It was extremely
helpful to learn about places to visit as well as places to avoid
on our travels.
Wednesday morning Dave set up some time to practice
steering maneuvers before we left the harbor. Luckily for us,
because as we practiced backing up, the cable between the
throttle and the engine snapped, and we were left without
the ability to control the engine speed. Having an experienced
captain on board was advantageous for us because Dave
knew exactly whom to call for assistance. Cell phones have
become standard everywhere, and cruising was no exception. Cell phones were an easy way for us to contact the charter company, who then put us in contact with Captain Andrew, who agreed to meet us that evening for repairs. Meanwhile, Dave connected a small piece of thin rope between the
engine and the throttle that worked as a temporary connection for us to have engine power when we needed it.
Luckily, there was a breeze and so we used the day for
sailing practice, sailing to the Isla Del Sol Marina. It would
have been rather tricky, sailing directly into a slip, so we called
ahead to the marina and arranged to get a slip that we could
maneuver into easily. Easily is a relative term when you are
using a makeshift throttle. The marina operator met us at the
dock where we scrambled to get lines attached and then
breathed a sigh of relief. Once we were tied down at the pier,
we enjoyed the benefits of marina life including dinner with
wine in a beautiful restaurant overlooking Tampa Bay accompanied by Dave and his wife, who drove over to the marina
after we had docked. Andrew arrived that evening and started
to repair the cable but needed to get a part to finish the job
the next morning.
Early the next morning, Andrew arrived and completed
his repairs to the cables. I decided then that I would ask about
procedures for repairs before we took off on our next sailing
charter. Everything was soon in working order, and we were
ready to continue on our journey around the bay. For the next
two days, wind was very light, but we were able to spend time
charting our route, sailing around the bay area, learning to navigate bridges using the correct protocol, and honing our skills.
We were ready to return to a hotel with lots of hot water
and showers at the end of the week but reluctant to say
goodbye to Lady Dorothy K. She was a wonderful boat and
had taken us places not accessible by land. Bob and I had
come wanting to learn the ins and outs of chartering a boat
and learning to sail on our own. Dave Ellis had been the perfect coach for us, helping us with relaxed instructions as
needed, and modifying our routine to make sure that we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. We look forward to chartering a
boat again and starting our next adventure.
Have an interesting charter story? In the South, Caribbean, Bahamas or points beyond? Contact editor@southwindssailing.com.
See CHARTERS continued on page 69
Southwinds
April 2004
23
BOAT REVIEW
Plastic Boats? The Hunter 212
By Captain Charley Weaver
H
unter Marine Corporation since
their founding has always been a
leader in sailing innovation, and they have
been unafraid to bring those innovations
to market. The 212 is from Hunter’s small
boat series targeting the trailerable market. The 212 is made out of advanced composite process plastic, which will be discussed later. The particular 212 tested was
a fixed keel version made specifically for sailing schools teaching basic keelboat sailing.
Advanced composite process (ACP)
is a plastic process that uses an outer plastic skin. The outer plastic skin is 1/8-inch
thick and is a co-extrusion of high impact
resistant ABS and UV resistant Plexiglas.
The hull is formed by using a process
known as thermoforming that uses a
vacuum to draw heated plastic onto a
mold. The plastic skin is then reinforced
with a foam core by placing the plastic hull
in a matched mold with a 1” gap between
the plastic and the mold. Liquid foam is
then injected into the void under high
pressure. The third stratum consists of fiberglass cloth. The cloth is attached to the
mold during the forming process and is
integrated into the hull as the foam expands. The result is a boat that is both
lightweight and extremely durable. Because ACP is so much stronger than fiberglass, it’s the same material modern automobile bumpers are made of, and it can
take a great deal more abuse before damage occurs. This is an important attribute
for school boats and boats operated by
novice sailors. Should a puncture or crack
occur, the foam core will keep the damage from spreading and provides a backing surface to work with. Five times more
impact-resistant than fiberglass, this boat
is tough, unsinkable and virtually maintenance-free.
The rigging is typical Hunter with
swept back spreaders, fractional head stay,
and no backstay of the B and R design.
The rig is easy to step. A raising pole is
standard. The bow pulpit even has a notch
built in for a mast crutch for trailering/
storage. The full battened main is 150
square feet and is easily hoisted and
sheeted with a 5:1 Harken block and tackle
swivel mounted on the cockpit sole, easily reached by the helmsman or controlled
by another crew member. Also included
is a 3:1 boom vang. The fractional jib is 63
24
April 2004
Southwinds
The Hunter 212
LOA
LWL
Beam
Draft
Draft
Draft
Weight
Weight
Sail Area
Mast Height
21’0”
18’0”
8’2”
5’0” Fixed Keel
5’0” Centerboard
10” Board Up
2200 lbs Fixed Keel
1800 lbs Centerboard
213 sq. ft.
31’0”
square feet with roller furling and a
unique 2:1 purchase jib sheeting system
with Harken cam cleats eliminating the
necessity of winches.
The cockpit is open transom and large
enough to seat four adults and an instructor at the stern rail. There is a cuddy cabin
forward with plenty of room for gear,
cooler and a Porta-Potty. It is advertised
to sleep four and with an optional galley.
The boat is easy to sail with the large
main and easily tacked jib. The boat is light
and weight sensitive. Shifting weight as
conditions change really enhances the sailing performance. In light breezes and up
to 10 – 12 knots she is responsive, tacks/
jibes well and accelerates quickly. The
main has only one reef point. In lieu of a
second reef a much smaller, unbattened
main is used. Above 15 knots, the rudder
is beginning to be overpowered, and it is
definitely time to reef. A traveler would
be helpful. The boat was not equipped
with a knot meter but held her own with
other boats her size. She also sails well
under main alone, even reefed.
This boat was equipped with an optional asymmetric spinnaker. It uses no
pole or sprit but a bow pulpit lead ring
for the tack line. The chute is easy to set
and control and really gets the boat moving. The large cockpit provides the crew
plenty of room to work. The asymmetric
can be carried very close to the wind in
light air. In all of the sailing, an added benefit was the headroom provided by the
high mounted boom, a real safety consideration for a school boat or with young
passengers who might not always be aware!
The boat was powered by a five hp 4
stroke outboard, which moved her well
and at hull speed. The outboard was quiet
although there was some hollow rumbling
from the hull, but it was not annoying.
Earlier the boat had a 3.5 hp 2 stroke, but
it produced just too much vibration. A
long shaft motor is strongly recommended. Even then when crewmembers
went forward, the engine could come out
of the water.
In summary, the boat has been used
actively in a sailing school and rented to
novice sailors. As advertised, she has been
trouble free with the exception of some
gudgeon and tiller problems that have
since been corrected by a completely new
design. She can be washed down with a
fire hose; nothing sticks to the ACP hull!
Hunter has replaced the 212 with a 216
which includes the new rudder-tiller
changes, a larger cockpit, and smaller
cabin for a sleeker look. The 216 is also
made of ACP, but has a weighted centerboard with a hydraulic lifting mechanism.
There are still a few new 212s at some
Hunter dealers which are reported to be
selling at used boat prices.
Charley Weaver and his wife Sandra are owners of Windward Sailing School in Fernandina
Beach, FL. Charley is an ASA Instructor
Evaluator and ASA Instructor of the year for
2002 and 2003. The Windward Sailing School
and San Diego Sailing School have been using the Hunter 212 for over 2 years. The boats
are very reasonably priced and easy to maintain. Hunter Marine may be reached at e-mail
huntermarine@att.net and Charley at e-mail
sweaver2000@earthlink.net.
WHY ADVERTISE IN
Southwinds ?
To increase sales.
To reach every sailor in the Southern sailing
community.
To take advantage of the most cost-effective
advertising rates in the country.
Southwinds is delivered to over 500 locations
in 8 Southern states: yacht clubs and sailing
associations, marinas, marine suppliers, sail lofts,
yacht brokers, and other sailing-related businesses.
An additional 10,000 readers view
Southwinds on the Internet each month
Every issue is available monthly on our Web site,
www.southwindssailing.com.
This includes all editorial and advertising pages.
Since making the magazine available on the
internet in 2003, more than 10,000 readers have
been downloading the magazine each month.
Hyperlinks in all advertising take readers
straight to your Web site or e-mail address.
Nationwide delivery
Southwinds is delivered to every state (and the Virgin Islands) through subscriptions. Some readers
have kept every issue since Southwinds was first published in November of 1993. Our subscription
base continues to grow every month.
Opportunities for Advertisers
We offer several options for Advertisers
Display ads throughout the magazine
Classified display ads in the classifieds section
Our new Regional Sailing Services Directory for local services available to sailors.
CONTACT YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE TODAY.
Steve Morrell
(941) 795-8704
Florida Keys
Rebecca Burg
(305) 304-5118
Gary Hufford
(727) 585-2814
Carolinas & Georgia
Rona Garm
rgarm@ec.rr.com
(910) 395-0189
Florida Panhandle, Alabama
Kim Kaminski
Kaminski_K@msn.com
(850) 384-8941
Southwinds
April 2004
25
INTERVIEW
Gary Jobson Looks to the Future
By Morgan Stinemetz
I
went down to Punta Gorda on February 28, to see Gary Jobson. He was
one of the “names” at the Leukemia
Cup sailing race. The race, in Charlotte
Harbor, had about 25 boats competing.
I have talked with Jobson many
times over the years, but it was mostly
via e-mail or over the phone. We have
been at the same events a couple of
times, and we have always gotten along.
Jobson has a knack for making you feel
comfortable.
Jobson, who lives in Annapolis with
his wife and three daughters, has made
an industry out of his sailing expertise.
He was the smart one on the America’s
Cup television coverage on ESPN. Gary
knew the players. He had sailed on the
12-meters. He had been there, as tactician, sailing with Ted Turner in Turner’s
victorious defense in 1977. They sailed
on Courageous.
If it has to do with sailing, particularly in the big leagues, Gary Jobson has
done it. He is a true sailing celebrity. Better still, he is an engaging guy. He always
has time to talk to you, and he is a great
interview. He has written a number of
books about sailing. I own several.
When I walked into the room at the
Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda, I saw
Steve and Doris Colgate of the Offshore
Sailing School. My host, Chris Webb, introduced me to another guy, kind of
gaunt, who was wearing a baseball cap.
I said howdy to him. I looked around
for Jobson. He wasn’t there. The conversation ebbed and flowed for at least five
minutes before I realized that Jobson
was sitting right next to me and had
been all along.
I simply had not recognized him. I
felt awful about it. It had never happened to me before, but it has probably
happened to Jobson. His looks have
changed so much since the last time I
had seen him. Multiple sessions of
chemo-therapy and a stem cell transplant will do that to a person. Jobson has
26
April 2004
Southwinds
Gary Jobson. Photo by Jeri Webb.
lymphoma, a form of cancer that attacks
the body’s lymphatic system. It is serious business.
Jobson was in New Zealand, covering the last America’s Cup, wherein
Alinghi won the cup from the Kiwis,
when he started getting mystifyingly
sick. Jobson, who was blessed with the
good looks of a movie star and a personality to match, bore up under the onslaught, but it was anything but fun.
Of all people, it is weird that lymphoma should have picked Gary Jobson.
Out of Annapolis, he had been working
with the National Lymphoma Society. It
started in 1993. In 10 years, through sailing regattas, the society has raised $12
million.
“They are using the money right
away for good research,” Jobson explained. “They are so close to so many
cures for different blood-related cancers
that they will keep using it for research.”
In April of 2003 he was himself diagnosed with the disease that he had
been battling by helping raise public
awareness and hard cash. He has not
missed the irony of it.
“I was doing the America’s Cup and
then a lecture tour when I was literally
getting crumpled up and unbelievably
tired. I went in for tests and scans. They
said, ‘You have lymphoma.’ I have now
lived through treatment for it, which has
included six rounds of chemo, two high
dose rounds and a stem cell transplant.”
I asked him how he felt now. “Okay,” he
said. “Not perfect. I have been off
treatment since December 23. That’s 10
weeks now and I am beginning to feel a
lot better. But I get tired easily.”
He said that even getting better has
its ups and down, its peaks and valleys.
The progress is slow, but Jobson is gaining strength. There is a portal out there
though that he is hoping is a long way off.
“It comes back. It always comes
back,” Jobson declared. “You can’t get rid
of it. In some people it comes back in 90
days, some people in five years and some
people in 10 years.”
He takes one day at a time. He said
that the down times remind him of when
he used to race in the old SORC, in the
St. Petersburg to Fort Lauderdale race.
“Going up the east coast of Florida when
the wind was out of the north, and the
waves are huge and there is still 118 miles
to go. That was really hard stuff. So, what
I visualize is that in ocean races, as tough
as they were, you’d get to the finish line.
And when I was in the hospital, struggling and feeling bed, I kept saying to
myself, ‘I am going to get to the finish
line here.’ ”
One of the things that Jobson found
out when word of his dilemma got out
was that he had a lot of friends in the
sailing world. By his best guess, he received 2,500 emails of good wishes and
another 500 letters.
“I’m not done yet,” Jobson said.
“There is more sailing to do, more TV
shows to do and there are more books to
write.”
And maybe more races to attend.
The Leukemia Cup in Punta Gorda
raised $63,000 on the very first try. Gary
Jobson was part of the reason.
Sail on, sailor. Godspeed.
See West Florida racing section for Leukemia Cup coverage.
Southwinds
April 2004
27
BOATEK
By Stephen Sommer
SOLUTIONS TO ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, AIR-CONDITIONING, REFRIGERATION AND OTHER YACHT SYSTEMS
Batteries That Die Young
Steve: I have just replaced my house battery bank, and the (flooded) batteries were only three
months old! The AGM batteries before those lasted for four years of cruising. I’m pretty careful
with my batteries; I watch my battery monitor closely, and I’ve read the books and specs on
how to take care of them. What could the problem be?
Jim
Jim,
Go through the checklist below, as honestly as you can. If you are innocent of
any of these battery killers, then you
probably have some batteries that were
poor quality to begin with. It’s easy to
end up with poor batteries due to the
“label game” that goes on, which keeps
you from knowing exactly who is making the batteries.
BATTERY KILLERS:
• Overcharging: If you’ve been cruising, then it’s unlikely that you have
overcharged your batteries. If you
spent a lot of time on the dock, then
you have to make sure that the battery charger doesn’t keep the voltage
over 14 volts more than a couple of
hours at a time.
• Undercharging: A cruiser is often
tempted to stop charging before the
job is done because of the noise and
fuel consumption of the engine. If you
get the voltage over 14 volts and wait
for the current to drop significantly
at the end of most of your charges,
then you are okay.
• Excessively deep cycles: With highquality batteries, this killer might not
show itself in three months. You
should rarely, if ever, see voltages below 12 volts.
• High temperature: If your batteries
are in a hot engine room or are well
insulated from outside air, you are
drastically reducing the life of the batteries. This is especially true if you
don’t have a temperature-compensated charger.
• Poor Maintenance: If you use flooded
batteries, you have to make sure that
the water level is maintained. Only
top off the batteries just after they are
charged. The water level rises in the
batteries during charging and can
overflow if you fill them before
28
April 2004
Southwinds
charging. Make sure you use distilled
water.
• Lack of vigilance: If you live on the
boat and pay attention to the battery
monitor, then you are probably okay.
If you leave the boat for long periods
on a dock with a charger running, you
don’t really know what has happened.
If you can honestly excuse yourself from
any of these “killers,” then you probably
have wound up with poor quality batteries. In my opinion, when it’s time to
buy batteries for a cruising boat, you
have to go to a good battery shop and
talk over the current “label game.” Find
out who is making the batteries behind
the labels “de jour.” Use the fact that you
are buying a lot of batteries and that you
are willing to shop around to get a good
deal. Don’t look for a deal in the Sunday
paper on big trolling motor batteries that
seem to have a reputable name on them.
A cruiser puts demands on batteries that are so far beyond the demands
of most other applications that you really can’t rely on “reserve minutes,”
“cold cranking amps,” “marine cranking amps,” long warranties, or almost
anything else they have to say. What
good does a five-year warranty do you
when you are way, way out “there?” You
will find the shortfall in batteries that
are almost never detected in a weekender bass boat using trolling motor batteries. Those guys charge the batteries
whenever they can and never have a
battery monitor that can tell them what
kind of performance they are really getting. Once they have a lapse of attention or maintenance, they will destroy
either a good quality battery or a poor
one and will replace it regardless. A
cruiser will carefully demand all the
performance that the batteries can provide, allowing for just enough excess ca-
pacity to achieve an acceptable lifetime.
Battery companies should pay you technical cruisers for the data you collect!
The only common application I can
think of that really puts batteries
through their paces on a regular basis,
is in golf carts. Golf course managers
maintain a lot of golf carts, and they will
not continue to buy batteries that don’t
make it through two rounds of golf per
day, for as many years as possible. That’s
a workout! This high-volume industry
has created a real commodity market for
deep cycle batteries. If you can provide
the ventilation and maintenance
needed for flooded batteries, go with
golf cart batteries. You can’t beat the
bang for the buck.
I’m curious why you’ve had both
flooded and AGM batteries. There isn’t
really a good case for the use of sealed
batteries unless you have a lack of ventilation, a lack of maintenance access,
or strange mounting positions. AGM’s
are best when you need a sealed battery
bank that is small, yet must provide high
current for short periods. These are great
as motor start batteries or as bow
thruster batteries. AGM’s have the
shortest lifetime, measured in chargecycles of any of these batteries. If you
got four years from a set of AGMs, then
I know you know how to take care of
batteries.
Stephen Sommer is a degreed electrical engineer with extensive experience in electrical, mechanical, refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and holds a USCG Masters license. He consults in all areas of yacht
systems, which include all the equipment on
board yachts beyond a basic hull and motor
or sails.
Have a systems problem or question? Ask
Stephen Sommer. E-mail:
boatek@southwindssailing.com.
BUY 1, GET 1
50%99OFF!
SAVE 35
%
4224
89
Seafit
West Marine
Aluminum
Deck Chairs
Go-Anywhere
Seats
Ref. Model 5437397
Reg. 64.99
Pacific Blue, Navy, Black,
Burgundy, Charcoal,
Forest Green–Ref. Model 3352234
THE BEST SAFETY PRODUCTS
SAVE 25%
SAVE $10
52
2499
SAVE $100
Kidde
SOSPENDERS
One Design
Vest
Mariner 110
Fire Extinguisher
Twin Pack
49
West Marine
Model 2677508
Reg. 69.99
59999
Life Saver Buoy
Model 2122075
Reg. 699.99
Model 1449735
Reg 34.99
EXPLORER BRIEFCASE, HATS & DOCK CARTS
25 OFF
SAVE 25%
%
3749
ALL HATS!
West Marine
SAVE $20
5999
Kart Ahoy
Explorer
Briefcase
Super
Cart Ahoy
Model 5494935S
Reg. 49.99
Model 1968023
Reg. 79.99
Selection varies by store.
Selection varies by store.
COOLERS, BBQS & GRILLS
%
50
OFF FISH GRILL
WITH PURCHASE OF MAGMA
15999
SAVE 40%
From
59
Magma
99
West Marine by Igloo
Ultra Cold
100qt. Cooler
Model 3779519
Reg. 99.99
PARTY OR ORIGINAL BBQ!
SAVE 50%
“Marine Kettle®”
Combination
Stove & Gas
Barbecues
Original–Model 585521 159.99
Party–Model 183444 189.99
Mounts and propane bottle sold separately.
1299
Magma
Fish/Veggie Grill
Model 2342889 Reg. 25.99
MORE THAN 280 STORES • 1-800-BOATING • westmarine.com
HURRY! PRICES GOOD MARCH 25TH THROUGH APRIL 25TH, 2004
Local News For Southern Sailors
Coupons not good with any other offer. Selection varies by store.
Southwinds
April 2004
29
BAREUTHRA
Beach cats resting on the beach at Buck Island.
Cruisers Enjoy St. Croix While a
Modified Olson
Wins St. Croix
Regatta
By Carol Bareuther
Photos by Dean Barnes
St. Croix’s Nick Castruccio sailing aboard his J/30 Annick II. Castruccio
started this regatta 11 years ago.
Overall winner, BVI’s Kevin Rowlette, on his modified Olson 30, Willy T.
30
April 2004
Southwinds
I
deal conditions blowing 15 to 20 knots
over six to eight foot seas, finely-tuned
crew work and, ironically, “comfort,”
led the BVI’s Kevin Rowlette, skipper of
Olson 30, Willy T, to win his weight in
Cruzan rum at the 11th annual St. Croix
International Regatta, held February 1416 out of the St. Croix Yacht Club, St. Croix,
Willy T crewmember, Rob Lyons, sits in for his weight in Cruzan rum, a signature feature of the
U.S. Virgin Islands.
The comfort factor came in a boat prizing-giving in this event.
modification Rowlette finished literally
CRUISING ST. CROIX
hours before setting sail for this first of the northern
Although not as popular as the northern stepping-stone isCaribbean’s spring regattas.
lands of St. Thomas, St. John and the BVI due to its distance
“There’s a trend towards modernizing some of the older
40 miles to the south, St. Croix is an excellent cruising destiboat designs, and that’s what we did,” Rowlette explained.
nation. With winds blowing 15 to 20 knots, the reach from St.
Over the course of three weeks, Rowlette cut back the Olson’s
Thomas is an easy five- to six-hour trip.
cabin top and extended the cockpit forward. “If anything, the
The hottest destination to visit is Buck Island and the surboat sits heavier in the water. There’s nothing in the CSA (Carrounding Buck Island Reef National Monument. On January
ibbean Sailing Association) rule about the measurement of
17, 2001, outgoing President Bill Clinton expanded the Monuthe cockpit, so the handicap stays the same. Its just that the
ment area from 880 acres to 19,015 acres. Fishing, most andesign is much more comfortable. The crew had plenty of
choring and other activities are now banned here with the
maneuvering room, so we dialed in really fast,” Rowlette said.
goal of restoring reef ecosystems and marine life. The NaRowlette took his inspiration from two sources. First, back
tional Park Service administers the beautiful sand beaches
in 2000, Soca Sailboats in Trinidad was selected by the Tartan
and extensive coral reefs as well as maintains twelve moor10 association to build molds for a new T-10 design. Soca was
ings (round with a blue reflective band around the center) at
commissioned to build an initial 10 and up to 30 boats that
the Underwater Trail. Day use is free but restricted to vessels
had two primary alterations from the original Sparkman &
42-feet and under. There is limited anchoring allowed for
Stephens design: a scooped-out transom for easier boarding
larger boats off the west end beach.
and a coach roof on the deck. Secondly, in 2002, St. Thomas
There are three marinas on St. Croix, as well as anchorsailor Chris Rosenberg and boatbuilder Morgan Avery, innoing, and limited services are available at the St. Croix Yacht
vated the IC or Inter Club 24, a redesign of a J/24 that feaClub in Teague Bay. All the marinas are located on the north
tures a Melges 24-style deck mold that is wider. “I’ve heard
shore of the island.
of one other Olson that’s been modified other than ours,”
Salt River Marina is the smallest and farthest west. If your
Rowlette says. “I don’t know if there will be more, but it works
boat draws more than six feet, don’t come in here. Services are
well for us.”
limited to dockside power and water, a small marine store, resTwenty-six boats representing all three U.S. Virgin Istaurant and dive shop, but the water sports are wonderful.
lands, the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, competed
Kayak through the mangroves or dive the Salt River Canyon,
in as many as 11 races over windward-leeward courses set in
one of the ten most spectacular dive sites in the Caribbean.
the Buck Island Channel. Although the turnout proved smaller
St. Croix Marine is in Gallows Bay, right next to the main
than last year, the competition was keener than ever with
anchorage in the Christiansted harbor. This 60-slip marina
many ties and only seconds separating scores throughout the
offers a large repertoire of repair services, marine store and
racing.
dockside amenities. Supermarkets, restaurants, banks, a post
While other regattas in the region are much bigger, the
office and Internet café are within walking distance.
St. Croix event is creating its niche as a family event. “It’s a
Green Cay Marina, to the east and nearest to Buck Issmall, old-time friendly regatta with the benefit of top-notch
land, boasts 150 slips and many amenities.
race management. All the boats are private, not charter, and
You don’t need a cruising permit to sail St. Croix or to
while there are some very good sailors, none are professionclear Customs and Immigration, located in Christiansted,
als,” says regatta director, Julie San Martin.
unless you haven’t done so already in Puerto Rico, St. ThoTo enhance this family-oriented image, the St. Croix Yacht
mas or St. John. But if you do fall in love with St. Croix and
Club hosted its first annual Valentine’s Day Optimist Regatta
want to stay longer than six months, you do need to register
simultaneously. The event saw seventeen 7- to 13-year olds
your vessel with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning
from the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Long Island, NY,
& Natural Resources.
compete.
Southwinds
April 2004
31
TROPICAL PIPELINE
Brewers Bay showing reefs and one lone cruiser in the informal anchorage. Photo by Mike Kirk.
Saving Money in the Caribbean:
Cruising the Virgin Islands on $25!
By Mike Kirk.
T
he rising cost of mooring fees, combined with the pro
liferation of new moorings in many of the available wellknown anchorages of the BVI, is sadly diluting some of
the charm of these wonderful sailing waters. Consider the following discretionary costs: An overnight mooring anywhere
in the BVI is $25 per day. The BVI parks permit to use day
moorings is $10 per week. That’s a total of $370 for a two week
cruise. Hot off the press is the news that the USVI has imple-
32
April 2004
Southwinds
mented its long threatened charging system of $15 per day
for its moorings. (When these were free, I always thought
this a good example of “my tax dollars at work” and perversely enjoyed my free nights when cruising neighboring
St. John.)
So, what’s a sailor to do? Let’s consider an itinerary that
would combine the elements of beauty and local color that
veteran cruisers remember, without the cost burden to the
community (rum) chest.
So here we go with my pick of places to anchor at no charge,
and get the best use out of your cruising permit. (The mandatory government cruising permit is $2 per person per day)
Starting from either Road Town or Nanny Cay, an easy
first half-day will get you to either Benures Bay on the north
shore of Norman Island (if the wind is SE) or Key Bay on the
south west shore of Peter Island—west of Key Point (if the
wind is NE). The approach to Benures is in deep water, but a
comfortable anchorage can be found in the NE corner under
a peaceful shore for a quiet swim which you might share with
one or two boats. Approach Key Bay just to the west of Key
Cay and tuck in under Key Point. The water shallows early
as you approach from the south, but you can carry eight feet
quite close to shore. Peace and quiet will be found with one
or two other discriminating souls. If you dinghy over to the
west side of the bay, watch for the reef projecting into the bay.
Snorkeling off the point looks good.
Sailing east, you may want to anchor off the north shore
of Salt Island for a lunch stop. Until recently the salt was still
collected here from the pond (the family owners still pay a
small fee to Her Majesty). Walk over the beach to see how the
water leaves a foamy salt residue which if skimmed carefully
will crystallize into sea salt. Walk to the west and you will
find the small informal graveyard of the crew of the sunken
HMS Rhone that now forms the famous dive site west of the
island. If you must do Cooper Island then have lunch there
on their moorings. Snorkeling is good for novices at Cooper
from the beach in shallow water. Move on after lunch for an
overnight in Trellis Bay.
Wait a minute. Trellis is full of moorings isn’t it? Yes but I
like to keep my happy hour ride short by anchoring among
the little fleet of live-a-boards close to De Loose Mongoose.
Some creative depth sounder mapping is necessary but those
live-a-boards are not paying $25 per night so why should you?
I am assuming at this point that you and your “lovely”
have the sister and brother-in-law along, and someone “always wanted to go” to the Bitter End. So go ahead, splurge,
and pay the darn mooring fee. I consider this good value and
do not begrudge the $25 spent here. Hey, you can have a warm
shower and invariably listen to a good band on shore—well
worth the $6.25/person. For the purist, anchor in Gorda east
of Mosquito Island and keep the cruise cost truly virgin!
Anegada has lost much of its threatening mystery since
the advent of GPS. The channel is now marked (but only with
teeny weeny buoys that are still hard to find)—so use your
GPS diligently. Strength in numbers has created a conveyor
belt of boats setting out from Gorda Sound every morning
for the 17 miles into the unknown. Since nature has not
changed and the currents and reefs are just as they always
were, all the old cautions still hold. Follow your charter company instructions to enjoy a free anchorage and fresh lobster
at Neptune’s Treasure restaurant. Experience the hospitality
of the Soares family who came to this island from Bermuda
for the fishing and slowly built a charming compound here,
including a small hotel and ice cream store! Most of the fresh
fish for the BVI is provided by the family’s “long line” fish-
ing efforts.
Your longest day sail from either Gorda Sound or
Anegada will take you west to either Cane Garden Bay on
Tortola’s north shore or to Great Harbour on Jost van Dyke.
In Cane, shun the mooring field and head into the NE
corner as close to Quito’s bar as your depth sounder will allow. As always stay out of Cane if a north swell is predicted
(driven down from the North Atlantic highs). Warnings
should be given on the forecast one or two days in advance.
In Great Harbour, Jost van Dyke, you have your choice
of location anywhere in the bay. It’s a muddy bottom & quite
deep in parts of the center. So map an area with your depth
sounder in about 15 to 20 feet and lay good scope. Check the
neighbors to see if they are on one or two anchors for swinging logistics.
For solitude which is lacking in Cane and Great Harbor,
you may want my wild card. If your charter company allows
(or it’s your own boat), try Brewers Bay just NE of Cane. The
same cautions about north swells apply here. Brewers’ has
reefs stretching out from the east shore and in the center (!),
but there is access. Approach somewhat to the left of center
of the bay with good sun overhead and a man on the bow.
There is a sandy bottom all the way into a safe anchorage
between a reef on the east shore and a reef finger filling the
center of the bay. You will be alone most of the time except
for an occasional exclusive private charter. There are day
buoys off both the east and west points of the bay.
Okay, so you have to make it back to Drakes Channel
somehow. Head back from Jost or Cane via Thatch Island Cut.
Prepare for some spirited tacking against the current and wind
heading east toward Little Harbour Peter Island—put your
reef in before you start if the crew is not experienced. The
approach to Little Harbor is in deep water and you will need
to get close to shore for anchoring depth. Some boats tie astern
to shore in the Mediterranean style to prevent swinging. Returning from Little Harbor (or Key Bay or Benures) you will
finish your cruise on a resounding reach to Tortola. Capture a
“digital camera moment” of the brother-in-law at the wheel
and you will cement the family relations until at least next
Thanksgiving.
Southwinds
April 2004
33
34
April 2004
Southwinds
The Slip Crisis:
Lowering the Cost of Sailboat Ownership
By Stan Zimmerman
I
n the past decade, a substantial number of Florida marinas
became condominiums. Planning boards agreed with devel
opers that the “highest and best use” of the waterfront land
was not a boat owner paying $100 per month for a slip. It was a
yankee or a foreigner paying a million or more for a waterfront
view. It made economic sense to everybody but the boater.
Other marinas made a direct conversion to “dock-ominiums,”
where the docks themselves were sold to investors and speculators for unbelievable sums. As it turns out, those speculators
were smart to pay those prices, because those same docks today sell for several times their original prices.
Meanwhile, the permitting process to authorize construction of a new marina is mind-boggling. If the sea grass don’t
getcha, the manatee regulations will. Even if you could afford
the bay bottom lease from the state, the construction costs (padded with liability insurance for everything from a sprained back
to a massive oil spill) would bankrupt you. Assuming anybody
would loan you money to build a marina instead of a condo.
Where have all the boat slips gone? Gone to condos, every
one. When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn?
The affordable boat slip may be Florida’s most endangered
phenomenon, as supply-and-demand torques prices. We’re already seeing it, not only in higher slip fees, but also in longer
waiting lists. Boating in Florida is on the verge of becoming a
rich-person-only activity. Unless you can keep your boat on a
trailer, you’re going to get squeezed right out of the market.
Sailors are the most affected. If you don’t want to pay $3,000 or
more every year to rent a slip, you can either sell the boat, or
put it on a trailer. Once the sailboat’s on wheels, “going sailing”
becomes a major production. Rig the boat for travel, rig the stick
after arrival, rig for sailing, go sailing…and then reverse the
process. It turns an afternoon jaunt into a complex ordeal.
You can witness the fallout already. Walk through any municipal marina and look for a smaller sailboat, something less
than 24 feet, sitting in a rented slip. I’ll wager you won’t find
many. While it appears boat sizes are getting bigger, in fact,
boat registrations in Florida are growing in all size categories.
But that growth is not reflected, for example, in local sailing club
races where small boats are flourishing but PHRF is lagging.
There is a solution, one being embraced along the West
Coast of Florida, that can keep boat storage costs under control
while allowing sailboat skippers to “get in and go.” From Key
West to Bradenton Beach, officials are taking steps to create
mooring fields in their local waters. Until condo developers can
get permission to build multi-story Stiltsvilles in open water,
these moorings should be safe.
The state of Florida has been surprisingly receptive to the
idea of establishing municipal moorings. The state owns all submerged lands (well, not every bit, but the huge majority), and
can lease those lands. Private users–condominium associations,
for-profit marinas, and private clubs–have to pay hefty annual
fees to use the bay bottom. But not-for-profit organizations (inLOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
cluding cities and towns) pay nothing for the submerged land,
if it’s used for a public purpose.
Florida regulators have demonstrated their belief that municipally-operated moorings on state-owned bay bottom meet
a public purpose, and have been very supportive in allowing
cities to establish moorings for residents and visitors.
New municipal moorings are flourishing in Stuart and Key
West. Early warning says the town of Ft. Myers Beach has signed
the state lease to start one too. Sarasota has two in the works,
and Bradenton Beach is looking into it. Moorings are the coming thing.
While state and municipal support for moorings is strong
in Florida, the resistance comes ironically from some boaters.
Many communities already have “unofficial” moorings. Book
Key Harbor in Marathon and Island Park in Sarasota come to
mind, and in these two cases, it’s the moored boaters themselves who are upset with plans to “legitimize” their moorings.
Instead of banding together to fight for boater-friendly
rules, they pout and say, “This is my mooring. I paid for it, it’s
mine, and I won’t let anybody take it away.” This is exactly
what could happen when the water cops show up and ask to
see their state permit to use the bay bottom.
Moorings are coming, and it’s a good thing, because it will
keep boating affordable. Smart boaters should get on the side
of progress and actively cooperate when their city begins to
consider the idea of a municipal mooring field. Remember,
many local officials are not boaters, don’t understand winds
and tides, and might see the moorings as just another source of
revenue. It will take boaters to teach them about the difference
between a lee shore and protected shelter.
Stan Zimmerman is a member of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron’s
board, a former member of the Southwest Florida Harbor Board, journalist, author, and sailor.
Southwinds
April 2004
35
Birth of a Cat, Part I:
Buying a 34-foot Catamaran Hull
From a Factory in South Africa &
Finishing it in North Carolina.
By John Kelly
ance, tax, slip fees or maintenance bills; no more worries
about the next hurricane, the
next haulout, the next bottom
job. But there was a void in
our lifestyle, and we were
just not ready to move into
the RV world yet.
They say that the stages
in a sailboater ’s life are:
Monohull, catamaran, trawler, RV and then you die. We
seem to be hung up in stage
two, loving the flexibility of
our previous Prout cat.
Jan 30, 2004:
I
squint hard as the fuzzy
e-mail pictures scroll
down our screen. We feel
like NASA Mars Rover engineers as we anxiously
await the next JPEG images.
Before us is the first graphic
evidence that our boat’s creation has actually commenced: A large container
of vinylester resin (with its
expiration date clearly in
view), grainy pictures of the
hull molds with our hull layup in progress, shots of the
PROUT HISTORY
interior liner and its compoProut catamarans have had
nents taking shape. Our
an interesting history. The
‘baby’ is gestating.
Prout brothers, Roland and
It all started seven months
Francis, started the catamaago when we sold our
ran concept way back in
ocean-going Prout Quest 33 The Meercat 34, formerly the Prout Event 34.
1947 by lashing two canoes
catamaran, Madeline, a vestogether. Over the years,
sel in which the previous owners had circumnavigated and
Prout UK had produced hundreds of cats, from the lowly 26
that we used to cruise the entire U.S. East Coast, Nova Scotia,
foot Sirocco to the larger 64 ft Prout Panther Power cat.
Bermuda and the Bahamas Islands’ chain.
Their half-a-century of catamaran development and inBeing boatless did have its advantages: No more insurnovation led Lloyds of London to accept the Prout database
on multi-hull design and use it as criteria for a benchmark for
other builders.
In the late ‘90s, however, Prout U.K. fell on hard times and
went into receivership. The company was broken up, and the
molds were sold and scattered throughout the world. The 34foot molds—formerly the Prout Event 34 and now called the
Meercat 34—were bought by Peter Matthews from the U.K.,
who set up shop in Durban, South Africa. This factory has produced nine Prout 34s for the U.K. and U.S. markets and was
rudely interrupted by the untimely death of Matthews.
The business was dormant for some time, as the assets
became part of an estate. In July, 2002, Roy Bowden, a marine
engineer, boat builder and long-time sailor, was appointed
by the controlling company to manage the Prout operation in
South Africa. We’ll be the third Meercat 34 built under Roy’s
management.
36
April 2004
Southwinds
South Africans have been building catamarans for the
world market from the early 1980s and have developed a reputation for quality and expertise. Boats built here include the
Leopard 42 sailing cat, the Parlay 40-foot, Royal Cape Cat (45
foot), the St. Francis cat and a host of other mono hull designs, including the Leisure 42-foot.
The latest Prout design, the Prout 43, is being developed
by the sister company of Prout S.A., Concordia Yachting in
Thailand, run by Andy Pitt. The 43 was developed for the
charter market and is the latest, state of the art, catamaran
design. This boat is destined to be built at the Durban factory.
Bowden’s background is typical of South African boat builders: experienced and very skilled. Among other things, his
claim to fame was his involvement with the 1998 singlehanded ocean crossing by the intrepid blind sailor, Geoff
Hilton-Barber, a 5200-mile ocean crossing from Durban, South
Africa, to Freemantle, Australia. Roy refitted Barber’s Charger
33 with upgraded navigation and communications gear and
helped Geoff train for this feat.
THE PLAN
Our plan seemed simple: Contract to have a semi-complete
vessel built. Have it shipped close enough to our home port,
finish it out and sail happily until the RV days were upon us.
It was, however, a laborious, and at times, agonizing decision. We wanted a new boat that had the capability and flexibility of our older cat, one that we could afford, and one that
we could fit out ourselves.
As a marine surveyor, I felt as if I had the expertise to
judge a quality boat, but before we signed on the dotted line,
we had to see for ourselves. We acquired standby tickets and
flew to Cape Town, South Africa, via London, caught the local airline flight to Durban and with extreme skepticism, visited Roy and his operation. His factory is tiny in comparison
to U.S. production facilities, and the term “handmade” is quite
evident there.
During our two-day visit, I inspected the molds, lay-up
schedules, deck fittings, hatches and anything else Roy had
around. We also had a good look at a recently-built semi-completed Meercat 34—identical to ours—and bought by a South
African sailor to be finished in Cape Town.
After considerable discussion, a few beers and agreement on
the specifications and delivery, we entered into a contract with
Prout SA for our vessel to be built and delivered to Charleston, SC, late spring, 2004.
THE SPECS
Broadly speaking, it needed to be affordable and complete
enough to “drive” home. We need to be capable enough to
finish it and maintain the project within our budget. My skills
are limited; I wouldn’t attempt to construct major portions of
the vessel (bulkheads, cabinetry, etc), but am confident enough
to install wiring, plumbing, equipment and electronics. The
sailing rig I’ll contract out here.
Within these criteria, the factory will complete the majority of the interior, install the engines, plumb in the fuel, water,
head, holding tanks, fit the steering gear and add her bottom
paint. She’ll also have her hatches, chainplates, bow and stern
rails installed and have minimal wiring and plumbing in place.
She’ll be driveable, but nowhere near cruising condition.
Her hull and deck lay-up will be to Lloyd’s approved
design and construction criteria, employing ‘C’ glass tissue
laid up with Vinylester resins as the hull barrier coat and the
inside of the water tanks to forestall osmotic blistering. High
stress areas — bulkheads attachment, chainplate, deck hardware mounting areas, etc. — will be re-enforced to include an
overlap joint that doubles the lay-up across her bottom. Our
vessel will also have re-enforced areas at the leading edge of
the hull, adding additional foam and glass. We’ve slid our cat
into places no mono would dare to go.
She’ll have twin Volvo MD 2020, 19-hp sail drives with
30-gallon stainless steel fuel tanks and hydraulic steering. Her
coach roof sides will be colored, embedded gelcoat.
So why have a boat built 6000 miles from us, and with no
dealership network yet set up in the United States?
As we discussed with the builder, this deal is based on a
proven design, our experience with smaller cruising cats, and
our gut feeling on doing business with Roy and his operation. I do, however, intend to be present during the sea trial
prior to shipment.
The next challenge (other than making the next two payments) is to name her. Hopefully we’ll come up with something clever and “cat-like.”
John’s next update will cover the factory completion and
sea trial.
John Kelly is a NAMS-certified marine surveyor based in
Wilmington, NC. A former USAF colonel and jet pilot, he holds a
USCG 100-ton Masters certificate with sailing and towing endorsements. He and his wife Jill have owned and cruised monos and cats
for over 20 years.
Southwinds
April 2004
37
SOUTHERN SAILING
Why Does the Same Guy Win Most of the Races?
By Dave Ellis
T
here is one sailor in most fleets that just seems to always
win the races. Yes, every once in a while somebody else
gets in there. But usually it is the same sailor in the front
of the fleet race after race. This seems to be the case in small
fleets of “fun boats” and big fleets of competitive Snipes, 505s,
Stars, J-24s, Farr 40s, and even the America’s Cup.
“What is it that they have that I don’t,” you ask. Of course,
if that’s you that always wins, either you are really good or you
need to sail in a more competitive fleet.
There have been fleets that have withered away when near
parity in racing became a parade when one fleet member bought
a superior boat and sails or a newcomer had constant wins over
the rest.
Yet the other sailors in the fleet are successful business
people, well educated and skilled in other aspects of life. Why
is it that a skilled surgeon, for example, may always end up in
the middle of the pack after studying the sport, practicing and
making sure the boat and equipment are the best there is?
Very recently an elite group has emerged that has raised
the bar of skill. There are some common factors among the top
racers. What are some of the attributes that make them so successful in the sport of sailing?
Attention Span: Successful sailors, crew and skipper, have the
38
April 2004
Southwinds
ability to concentrate on their job for long periods of time. The
focus is beyond the ordinary. Steve Colgate injured his neck
while crossing the Atlantic because of long hours staring up at
the spinnaker. “Super” Henry Sprague led the fleet in his Finn
well past the windward mark, locked in to going fast, concentrating on sailing. (He needed a crew.)
Notice how soon after the start of a race the winners seem
to be already out ahead? They have the concentration to think
about the start, the course, the other boats, yet still sail the boat
to its optimum. Most of us can think about a couple of these
factors at once, but not all.
Powers of Observation: The winners notice things. Most of us
can tell when we have been headed. The jib luffs, the windward
telltale goes forward, the boat stands up and slows. But the great
sailor can immediately tell when they have been lifted. To most
of us, the boat still feels fast, is heeled the same, the jib is full, the
leeward telltale is still flowing. The fast sailor can tell that they are
able to point a bit higher even before that leeward telltale stalls.
This is a skill that is more difficult in light air and very heavy
air. Notice that there is usually more gap from the front to the
back of a big fleet in these conditions. The top sailor will change
the boat for each puff, each lull, each change in sea condition,
change it to go fast, to go high, in clear air and foul.
Why do the winning sailors seem to be where the shift is more
of the time and seem to be in the puffs? Perhaps they have studied the local area, have noticed the conditions on the way out to
the racecourse, have continued to observe the area to windward before and during the starting sequence, have noted boats
to windward to see how they are sailing on different parts of
the course. Perhaps they notice clouds forming, birds feeding
on tide-lines, patches of seaweed on the course, powerboat
wakes that one can choose to crash into on one tack or ride on
the other, before they get to them. They have sailed alongside
competitors to see how their boats are set up and what the relative speed is.
Boat Preparation: It is true that the really top sailors can win in
most anything. Ethan Bixby traded boats with a new sailor in
the last race of a Windmill Regatta in St. Petersburg. Ethan s
boat naturally was slick, fast, had new sails, and everything
worked. The newcomer had a boat borrowed from Dennis Snell,
who hasn t sailed in two decades. The boat is used once a year
for this regatta. The newcomer did better than ever that race
with a second, right after Ethan in the beat-up boat.
Generally, however, the top sailor pays careful attention to
his mount. But there is less benefit to buy a new sail if the fairlead
track won t move, the cam cleat slips or the line we use hockles
every time we pull it in. Have you seen the finish on the com-
petitive Stars and Etchells? They are like mirrors. They even
polish the mast.
Great Eyesight: Powers of observation depend on good eyesight. In 1985, one of the instructors in Offshore Sailing School s
spring racing clinic was Bill Shore, a top sailor in the Lightning
class, among others. In the regatta for students on the final day,
all of us instructors helpers were on a boat with Bill, watching
the race. W ell, uhhhh, said Bill in his characteristic way. That
boat is about to hit a patch of seaweed.
The rest of us strained to look upwind into the sun to see
anything on the water. Finally Kirk grabbed binoculars and
looked. Sure enough, the boat was plowing through a patch of
seaweed.
Many top sailors are blessed with excellent vision. Dave
Ullman is still a top sailor. But years in the sun without good
sunglasses caused a diminished ability to see peripherally.
His sailing suffered noticeably. He is still better than most of
us and a top coach.
Skill: Those at the top of sailing often are skilled in other sports.
Perhaps the best natural sailor I had in twelve years of summer
classes at the St. Petersburg Sailing Center was a nine-year-old
See SOUTHERN SAILING continued on page 69
SOUTHERN RACING
THE SOUTHEAST COAST:
CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA
UPCOMING EVENTS ALONG THE SOUTHEAST COAST:
SPRING SAILING AT LAST
By Rona Garm
During the time our neighbors to the North have been frostbiting, sailors in the Carolinas have been holding out for warm
weather and planned their schedules accordingly.
While Charleston, SC, hosts their annual boat show the
first weekend in April, Wilmington area residents enjoy the
ever popular Azalea Festival – this year with a cruise to the
downtown festivities hosted by the Wrightsville Beach Ocean
Racing Association (www.wbora.org). Just down the river in
Southport, the Cape Fear Yacht Club (www.cfycnc.com) will
be holding their first PHRF race of the season. Of course, some
sailors will make the trek inland to Columbia, SC, for the
Southeast Lightning District’s Midlands Regatta
(www.sailsoutheast.org). And that’s just the first weekend!
With the Easter holiday falling on the second weekend,
the J24s head to Columbia (SC) for their Annual Easter Regatta (www.j24d8.org) – attracting racers from Florida to the
bay. The Southport Sailing Club (www.southportsailing.com)
invites members to a Saturday evening Chili Fest while
WBORA will run an “Alternate Course” Race/Cruise.
Weekend number three puts Southport back on the map
for the CFYC Rocket Regatta and Lake Norman
(www.lakenormanyachtclub.com) hosts the NC State Laser
Championships on Saturday and Sunday with a Blessing of
the Fleet on Sunday. Anderson (SC) plays host to a US Sailing
Small Boat Level 1 Instructor Course this same weekend, while
Greensboro (NC) is the site of a Wilderness First Aid course.
The last weekend in April finds little Oriental (NC) hosting a not so little boat show, the Lightnings up at Lake Wylie,
and WBORA hosting their Bud Cup Crew Scramble – even
more fun than it sounds.
And that’s just the beginning of the season.
FOR WEST FLORIDA RACING SEE THE WEST FLORIDA SAILING SECTION
but spring has arrived. April and May is an excellent time for
cruisers to go places with seasonal winds averaging 15 knots.
Small boat sailors are splashed with clear waters that are gradually warming into the mid 70s while average air temps creep
up into the 80s during the day.
The Upper Keys Sailing Club has been busy this spring. A
few races open to the public this April are the TIB Regatta PHRF
Oceanside on the 24th, and the TIB Regatta Bayside on the
25th. Check out their calendar at www.upperkeyssailingclub.com
or call (305) 451-9972 for more information.
Key West Happenings: The final race of the Annual
Wrecker’s Cup Series will take place April 24th. Thanks to
Schooner Wharf Bar, Pusser’s Rum and West Marine, this worthwhile event is open to anything with a sail. For more info, go to
www.schoonerwharf.com. On April 30th, big boats, schooners,
dinghies and crowds of onshore spectators attack each other.
Everyone tosses soft foodstuffs or uses water cannons in this
playful mock Naval battle as part of the week-long 22nd Annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration. The schooners
show no mercy and those dinghies better be fast! Key West channel dredging began last month. Signs posted on a small area of
the southwestern shore of Fleming Key indicate a temporary
no-anchoring zone during the project. Dredging barges will
need that area to maneuver.
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
PORTUGUESE WIN 2004 77TH ANNUAL
BACARDI CUP STAR CLASS REGATTA
MIAMI, MARCH 7-12
Maccausland, Nichol Take First in Day Six Race
From www.bacardicup.com
THE FLORIDA KEYS
UPCOMING SPRING SAILING EVENTS
By Rebecca Burg
By local standards it was a cool and windy winter in the Keys,
2002 World Champions Iain Percy and Steve Mitchell win two of the six
Bacardi Cup daily races and place 6th overall. Photo by Alex Gort/Bacardi
Cup
It’s official. Without sailing the final race in the six-race series,
the Portuguese Star Class team of Afonso Domingos and crew
Bernardo Santos have won the 2004 Bacardi Cup. They are the
first Europeans to win this prestigious sailing regatta since the
40
April 2004
Southwinds
SOUTHERN RACING
race first sailed with 10 boats in Havana, Cuba in 1927.
Canadians Ross Macdonald and Mike Wolfs took second
overall and Colin Beashel and David Giles of Australia took
third. Americans Howie Shiebler and Will Stout followed in
fourth with defending Bacardi Cup champion Peter Bromby
and crew Lee White fifth in the final standings.
“Winds were shifty all week and we enjoy those conditions,” said Domingos. “This is the best Star Class regatta in the
world and we’re honored to have done so well against a fleet of
this caliber,” he said.
Friday’s race was won by Americans John Maccausland
and Brad Nichol with the British team of Iain Percy and Steve
Mitchell in second. There was a tiefor third between Beashel
and Giles and the French 2003 World champions Xavier Rohart
and Pascal Rambeau. “Our next goal is to win the U.S. Olympic Trials and we’ve been working hard to finish really strong,
“ said Maccausland. “The Bacardi Cup, which I’ve sailed every
year since 1981, is a great event. When you ask sailors which is
their favorite event, it’s the Bacardi Cup for sure,” he said. Xavier
Rohart admitted that “we finally woke up.” The French team did
poorly in the first four races and placed third on the fifth day.
The sixth race was delayed more than an hour with unsteady 12-knot winds coming from the north to northeast. After two general recalls, 20 boats jumped the start and were disqualified including many of the Star Class elite – Mark Reynolds
(USA), Vince Brun (USA), Marc Pickel(GER), Flavio Marazzi
(SUI), Jali Makila.(DEN).
“Today wasn’t very good, we went over the line early,”
said Reynolds. “You always want to win,” said the former Olympian and Star Class World champion, “but we’re also out here
gauging the strength of the competition going into the U.S.
Olympic Trials.”
The German team of Michael Koch and Markus Koy found
the races tough. “We’re not used to such difficult wind conditions. It’s very professional and high level amateur and I’m quite
proud to sail against yellow stars,” he said.
Results: 1. Afonso Domingos/Bernardo Santos (Portugal), 2. Ross Macdonald/Mike Wolfs
(Canada), 3. Colin Beashel/David Giles (Australia), 4. Howie Shiebler/Will Stout (USA), 5.
Peter Bromby/Lee White (Bermuda), 6. Iain Percy/Steve Mitchell (UK), 7. John Maccausland/
Brad Nichol (USA), 8. Xavier Rohart/Pascal Rambeau (France), 9. Hans Spitzauer/Andreas
Hanakamp (Austria), 10. Flavio Marazzi/Enrico De Maria (Switzerland),
2004 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS
SOUTH FLORIDA, FEBRUARY 14-22
From US Sailing
The 2004 U.S. Olympic Team trials for five of the nine classes
were held at three different south Florida Yacht Clubs in February. Ft. Lauderdale Yacht Club hosted the trials for the Europe and Finn classes, Key Biscayne Yacht Club hosted the
49er and Yngling classes, and the Miami Yacht Club hosted
the Tornado classes. The format for these trials replicates the
Olympic games as closely as possible. The winners will be
named to the U.S. Olympic team that will represent the U.S.
at the XXVIII Olympiad in August in Athens.
U.S. yacht racing fans should be praying for light, fluky
air at the Olympics, because that pretty much describes the
conditions at the just concluded US Olympic Trials in Florida
- a single regatta that determined five of the US teams that
will go to Athens.
Meg Gaillard was able to sit out the last day of the trials
(which she did), while Cronin/ Liz Filter/ Nancy Haberland;
and John Lovell/ Charlie Ogletree; and Tim Wadlow/ Pete
Spaulding were able to sit out the last race, which they did.
Our only Olympic sailor to compete in all of the Olympic trials’ races was Kevin Hall (Finn), who won the last race of the
event (which he did not have to sail), and he won his class by a whopping 27 points. Hall had previously finished second at the ’96 Olympic Trials in the Laser, and second in the
2000 Olympic Trials in the 49er class. Undeniably, the fact that
Hall only picked up sailing the Finn within the last year speaks
volumes about the talent that has made him a noteworthy
sailor since he won his first world championship in 1986.
Now, only the U.S. Star class representatives remain to be
chosen, and that will happen on March 18-28, at Coral Reef YC
and the US Sailing Center in Miami, FL.
Results
EUROPE DINGHY (14 boats) - Final results after 16 races w/2 discards at the Lauderdale
YC): 1. Meg Gaillard, 15; 2. Krysia Pohl, 34; 3. Christin Feldman, 37. FINN (23 boats) Final results after 16 races w/2 discards at the Lauderdale YC): 1. Kevin Hall, 26; 2. Geoff
Ewenson, 53; 3. Eric Oetgen, 55. 49ER (11 boats) Final results after 24 races w/2 discards
at the Key Biscayne YC: 1. Tim Wadlow/ Pete Spaulding, 48; 2. Dalton Bergan/ Zack Maxam,
59; 3. Andy Mack/ Adam Lowry, 64. TORNADO (8 boats) Final results after 14 races w/2
discards at the Miami YC: 1. John Lovell/ Charlie Ogletree, 16; 2. Lars Guck/ Jonathan
Farrar, 24; 3. Robbie Daniel/ Enrique Rodriguez, 38. YNGLING (6 boats) Final results after
16 races w/2 discards at the Key Biscayne YC: 1. Carol Cronin, Liz Filter and Nancy Haberland
31; 2. Hannah Swett, Joan Touchette and Melissa Purdy, 36; 2. Sally Barkow, Carrie Howe
and Debbie Capozzi 38.
Complete results: http://www.ussailing.org/Olympics/OlympicTrials/2004/index.asp
BISCAYNE BAY YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION SERIES
COCONUT GROVE SAILING CLUB, MIAMI
FEBRUARY 22
By Arturo Perez
The second race of the BBYRA Series, hosted by Coconut
Grove Sailing Club (CGSC) took place under clear blue skies
and light winds, ranging from four to six knots. A total of 36
boats came out to compete in six different classes. There were
some intense moments in the PHRF #1 and #2 combined start
when twelve boats ranging from 27 – 35 feet were jockeying
for position with inches to spare when the starting gun went
off. Afterwards everyone exchanged their war stories for the
day during the awards presentation at CGSC.
Results:
PHRF#1;1st-Group Therapy/Tom Seghi;2-Sazerac/Gordon Ettie;3-Papermoon/Filippo
Bovio; PHRF#2;1st-Mistral/Craig Setzer;2 - Tiburon/Art Perez;3-Xtreme/David
Behney;PHRF#3;1st-Avenger/Win Cooper & Richard Mosca;2- Touchtone/Jaime Toppa;3Stoked/Steven Stollman; PHRF#4;1st- Splash/John Degen;2- Albert Kramer;3- Three
Gimps/Karen Mitchell;ARF;1st- Finesse/Bill Beavers;2- Treeka/Bud Price;3- Freebird/
Kenneth Ellis;J24;1st- J Tripper/Casstlebeerry/Hansen; 2- I’ll Go/Gonzalo Diaz, Sr;3- Fatso/
Hendryk Dabrowski;
42
April 2004
Southwinds
D
L
O
S
New CATALINA 400
On Order
LD
SO
New CATALINA 310
Hull #256in stock
New CATALINA 350
Hull #152 in stock
New CATALINA 387
On Order
New CATALINA 42
Hull #837 in stock
Buy now. Sail Tomorrow. Save Thousands. New is Better.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The best part of purchasing a new yacht is that it’s NEW and really
costs about the same as buying a late model pre-owned yacht.
This is prime time for Florida sailing and your new
Catalina is ready to sail away, right now! Call or come by and
discover the dollars and sense of owning a new yacht.
New is better.
SINCE 1977
www.masseyyacht.com
Brad Crabtree
Scott Pursell
Frank Hamilton
Dan Howland
Edward Massey
Bill Wiard
Mary Beth Singh
Al Pollak
Anne Corey
SOUTHERN RACING
EAST FLORIDA
2004 INTERNATIONAL
SUNFISH MASTERS
MARCH 11-14
MELBOURNE YACHT CLUB, FL
Vancouver, Canada.
The Race Officials were
headed by Gary Smith of
Melbourne Yacht Club.
Smith orchestrated nearly a
flawless regatta, officiatingwise, with the support of
nearly 30 helpers form
Melbourne Yacht Club, each
day on the racecourse.
Racing began with a
practice day on Thursday,
March 11. Some 25 racers
and most of the R/C were
out on the course, working
the kinks out. The true regatta started on Friday
morning, with 71 sunfish
lining up on the starting line.
The good weather allowed
the fleet to complete 10 races
over three days. And by Sunday afternoon, everyone
was ready for a hot tub and
a liberal dose of Ibuprofen.
The regatta lead changed
several times over the weekend. One of the early favorites, Michael Catalano of
Miami, withdrew on Sunday after one race due to
persistent back problems. By
the last race on Sunday, Joe
Blouin had the regatta sewn
up, with consistent 1-2-3 finishes through the weekend.
By Sherry Beckett
The Sunfish Masters were held in
Melbourne, FL, this year, under the
sponsorship of the recently reformed Sunfish Fleet 669, and the
Melbourne Yacht Club. The midMarch date turned out a winner for
all concerned, with four days of
beautiful Florida spring weather
(enough wind, sunshine, and not
too much heat).
Because the MYC facility is a Regatta winner Joe Blouin leads the pack after rounding the weather mark’
or something like that. Photo by John MacNeill.
little cramped for launching
70 sunfish, the event was
held at nearby Ballard Park.
Ballard Park offered pleasant surroundings, a good
launching facility, lots of
parking, and room to spread
out. It was the perfect place
for the camaraderie of the
Sunfish crowd.
By race time Friday,
seventy-one “Masters” had
registered. Ranging in age
from a low of 40 years old,
to a high of 86 years old, the
fleet included some racers
with nearly 30 years of sun- Sunfish rounding the mark at the Masters in Melbourne. Photo by John MacNeill
fish sailing, and some with
less than a year under their belt. The racers register in one of
Results:
four classes: Apprentice Masters (age 40-49), Masters (age 50Overall: 1; Joe Blouin,Tampa, FL; 2; Chris Williams,Philadelphia, PA; 3; David Olson,Sarasota,
FL; 4; Dick Tillman,Merritt Island, FL; 5; Ron McHenry,Cortland, OH; Apprentice (Age
59), Grand Masters (age 69-69), and Great Grand Masters (age
40-49) 1; Chris Williams,Philadelphia, PA; 2; Paul Strauley,Casselberry, FL;3; Mindy
70 and over). There was no official Women’s class, but there
Strauley,Casselberry, FL; Masters (Age 50-59) 1; Joe Blouin,Tampa, FL; 2; Ron
were 16 women competing, and the competitive lady Masters
McHenry,Cortland, OH; 3; Drew Staniar,Sudby, MA; Grand Masters (Age 60-69) 1; David
were definitely keeping an eye on each other during the races.
Olson,Sarasota, FL; 2; Dick Tillman,Merritt Island, FL; 3; Jean Bergman,Holland, MI; Great
Grand Masters (Age 70 and up) 1; Don Bergman,Holland, MI; 2; Bill Haberland,Satellite
Participants in this regatta came from all over the U.S.—
Beach, FL; 3; Will White,Arcadia, FL; Ladies (Age 29 and holding) 1; Jean Bergman,Holland,
from as far away as Colorado. The “International” claim for
MI; 2; Mindy Strauley, Casselberry, FL; 3; Linda Tillman,Merritt Island, FL
this year ’s regatta was upheld by one participant from
44
April 2004
Southwinds
THE UPPER GULF COAST
UPPER GULF COAST SPRING SAILING:
A GREAT SEASON TO SAIL
By Kim Kaminski
Welcome to springtime sailing along the Gulf Coast. The 150mile stretch of beautiful sugar white sandy beaches and emerald green waters entices many sailors of all ages to venture
out onto the local waterways and enjoy the “sailor’s paradise” that awaits them. Springtime weather is ideal with moderate temperatures (low 70s) and moderate breezes (8 to 12
knots) generally out of the east and southeast. These conditions encourage many people to get outdoors and experience the fun that the area has to offer.
During this time of year, many of the regional as well as
national sailing events are held in this area of the country due
to the ideal weather and water conditions. Just recently, the 2004
Sunfish Midwinter National and Team Championships were
held at the Pensacola Yacht Club. Sixty-six competitors and their
families gathered out on the waters of Pensacola Bay for this
four-day sailing event. Trophies were awarded to the overall
top ten finishers, in addition the top four U.S. finishers will also
qualify for the 2005 Sunfish Worlds Championship which will
be held on September 18-25, at the Hyannis Yacht Club in
Hyannis, MA. Trophies were also awarded to the top female,
top Master over 50 and the top three Juniors (under 18) overall.
It was an exciting event.
There will be several opportunities for the area sailors in
the upcoming month. For instance the Gulf Ocean Racing Circuit will begin on April 2, at the Biloxi Yacht Club in Biloxi MS.
This three-day racing event pits members of the Gulf Yachting
Association yacht clubs against other member yacht clubs in a
best of the best competition.
Also on the calendar for April: The Blessing of the Fleet, a
local Pensacola tradition where boats of all kinds (sailboats,
powerboats, shrimp boats, etc.) sail by in an official ceremony
to receive a blessing for a year filled with good fortune and
safety out on the local waters.
There will be a Commodore’s Cup Race (a spring series
regatta) as well as cruising opportunities to one of the favorite
local overnight anchorages.
On April 19-23, the Corsair sailors will embark on a journey to the Pensacola area to compete in the Corsair Nationals.
And of course, the largest raft-up race in the country. Over 150
boats journeyed to Mobile Bay to participate in last year’s event.
So...make you plans to enjoy springtime sailing along the
Gulf Coast, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.
The 2004 Sunfish Midwinter National and Team Championship was held
March 4-7 at the Pensacola Yacht Club. The top four competitors in this
event will participate in the World Championship later this year. Photo
by Kim Kaminski.
SPRING SAILING CALENDAR
FLORIDA PANHANDLE REGION
G.O.R.C. (Gulf Ocean Racing Circuit)
Biloxi Yacht Club
April 3
Blessing of the Fleet, Pensacola Yacht Club/
Navy Yacht Club
April 10
Commodore’s Cup Race #2, Navy Yacht Club
April 17
Shakedown Cruise (Ft. McRee)
Pensacola Beach Yacht Club
April 19-23 Corsair Nationals, Pensacola Yacht Club
April 24
Dauphin Island Race, Fairhope Yacht Club
May 1-2
G.Y.A. (Gulf Yachting Association)
Opening Regatta, Ft. Walton Yacht Club
April 2-4
Southwinds
April 2004
45
SOUTHERN RACING
May 8
Sea Buoy Race,
May 12-13 Regatta al Sol XXIII
Pensacola Yacht Club
May 15-16 Spring Regatta
Buccaneer Yacht Club
May 22-23 Navy Cup
Navy Yacht Club
May 22-23 Laser Gulf Coast
Championship
Southern Yacht Club
May 29 -30 Memorial Day
Regatta
Open evening races - on the 2nd
and 4th Wednesdays of the
month, Pensacola Yacht Club
from April to October. For additional race schedules check the
Gulf Yachting Association
website at www.gya.org.
Geronimo Copyright J.M. Liot / DPPI
BAHAMAS
RACING
REGATTA TIME IN ABACO
Last month Southwinds an-
nounced that they had not heard
from the group in the Bahamas
about whether Regatta Time in
Abaco was still holding its annual regatta. We did hear from
them, but they had changed all
their phone numbers and e-mail
addresses. The old contacts were
not working anymore. The event
is still on and it will be held July
3-10 in Abaco. For more information see the advertisement for
the regatta on page 38 and/or go
to www.rtia.net.
Orange II Copyright Gilles Martin-Raget
OCEAN RACING
MAXI-MULTIHULL OCEAN RACE: GERONIMO, ORANGE
II AND CHEYENNE VIE FOR THE AROUND-THE-WORLD
SPEED RECORD
On February 8, the maxi-catamaran Geronimo, left the start
line off the coast of England in another attempt to win the
Jules Verne Trophy, the race to hold the round-the-world
record for speed by sail. A year ago, Geronimo, skippered by
Olivier de Kersauson, who again heads the team this year,
failed in an attempt to capture the trophy. This year, the 110foot catamaran, one of the world’s largest ocean racers, which
46
April 2004
Southwinds
THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL’S
CATAMARAN
Mediatis Région Aquitanian
Yves Parlier, veteran ocean
racer, launched his new catamaran recently, the Mediatis Région
Aquitanian. The unusual boat
carries two masts, one on each
hull, but the hull design of
“stepped” hulls has drawn
equal attention. It is an idea
born with seaplanes where
Parlier claims it is possible to
have one tenth the wetted surface area of traditional
multihulls, and only one fourth
the drag. The 60-foot cat will be
sailed in attempts to break
many of the world’s ocean passage records, including the 24hour distance record. Testing
began in February and it will
race in the Transat in May.
Parlier was nicknamed the
“extraterrestrial” by fellow sailors for his “otherworldly endurance and courage.”
For more information, go to
www.yvesparlier.org
boasts a 141-foot tall rotating mast, carries many of the same
crew from the 2003 attempt. After the February 8 start this
year, several days into the voyage, Geronimo ran into problems and returned to England for repairs. It set out again on
February 25, crossing the official start line for the second time
during the same month. The World Record Speed Sailing
Council was staying busy this year, since they not only had
to monitor this second start for Geronimo, but also had to return the following day to observe the huge catamaran Orange
II as it departed in pursuit of the same trophy on February 26.
Orange II and skipper Bruno Peyron hold the current record
and the trophy. They are attempting to break their time of 64
days 8 hours and 37 minutes, set in 2002.
For more, go to NK http://www.maxicatamaranorange.com, www.maxicatamaran-orange.com and
www.trimaran-geronimo.com.
Meanwhile Steve Fosset, on board the 125-foot maxi-catamaran Cheyenne, had departed England on February 7, after
waiting for weeks for a good weather window, and he
marched forward making good time in his effort to capture
the record. Although he is also going for the around-the-world
speed record, he is not officially part of the Jules Verne Trophy attempt.
As of March 15, Cheyenne was 1720 miles ahead of where
Orange II was when they set the record in 2002. Cheyenne
appears to be well on its way to setting a new record, but
damage to the mast sail track has caused some problems and
they still must round the horn, where the world’s winds and
waves channel to their narrowest as they go around the
world—and it’s a long ways to England from there. For more
information go to www.fossettchallenge.com.
Southwinds
April 2004
47
Regional Sailing
Services Directory
See page 55 for West Florida Directory
MARINE SURVEYORS
SAILING INSTRUCTION/SCHOOLS
John Kellyy ................... Serving the Carolinas
NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor. 100-ton ocean
master & offshore catamaran owner
www.yachtsurveyor.com ........ (910) 392-5054
Floridaze Sailing School
Pensacola
ASA * Basic Instructon through Chartering
www.floridazesailing.com ......(850) 934-7924
OUTBOARD MOTOR REPAIR
Boaters Exchange ....................... East Florida
All brands, specializing in Honda, Suzuki,
Tohatsu, and Nissan.
“The friendlist outboard repair on the East
Coast!”
Rockledge ............................. (321)638-0090
Oriental’s School of Sailing
N. Carolina
US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification
Oriental, NC. (252) 249-0960
www.sailingschooloriental.com
Windward Sailling School
NE Florida
ASA Instructor of the year 2002-2003
Certifications from basic sailing through
Bareboat Chartering, Keelboat, etc.
www.windwardsailing.com
Fernandina Beach, FL ........... (904) 261-9125
RIGGING SERVICES
SAILMAKING, REPAIRING AND
CLEANING
CALVERT SAILS
UPPER FLORIDA KEYS
Multihull and Monohull sails, racing/cruising
250 Industrial Drive, Islamorada
(305) 664-8056 ........... www.calvertsails.com
GESLIN SAILMAKERS
KEY WEST
201 William St.
(305) 294-5854 ......... southwindssailing.com
North Sails South Carolina
Complete Sailmaking Services
North Charleston, SC ........... (843) 744-7245
SUPER SAILMAKERS
FT. LAUDERDALE
Quality custom sails, repairs since 1973
(800) 541-7601 ............ supersailmakers.com
Wind Dancer Sailmakers
NE Florida
Sailmaking and repairs
Jacksonville, FL ..................... (904) 384-3102
Beach St.Canvas/Rigging
East Florida
Canvas & Rigging Services, Upholstery
Daytona Beach, Florida. (386) 253-6355
Rick Zern.
Florida’s Panhandle
Rigging Services
Gulf Breeze, FL
rick@zernrigging.com .......... (850) 261-4219
Advertise in this
2” tall ad for
$34 a Month
introductory rates
to the new Sailing
Services Directory.
Advertise in this 1" tall ad
for $20 a month.
See page 36 for details
or call (941) 795-8704.
ADVERTISE FOR $8-10 A MONTH
rent a 3 line ad for $8 a month and a four line
ad for $10 a month – see page 36 for more
details or call ...................... (941) 795-8704
See page 36 for details or
call (941) 795-8704.
ADVERTISE YOUR SAILING SERVICES IN OUR NEW DIRECTORY.
See the sample ads in the directory above for prices.
Contact a sales representative for advertising.
Steve Morrell
(941) 795-8704
Florida Keys
Rebecca Burg
(305) 304-5118
48
April 2004
Southwinds
Gary Hufford
(727) 585-2814
Carolinas and Georgia
Rona Garm
rgarm@ec.rr.com
(910) 395-0189
Florida Panhandle, Alabama,
Kim Kaminski
Kaminski_K@msn.com
(850) 384-8941
Coming Soon!
In coming months, Southwinds magazine will be adding regional sections to cover sailing events in the following regions. This month we have
begun one region called West Florida Sailing covering the west coast of the
Florida peninsula.
The regions we will be adding in the coming months will be:
■ The Southeast Coast: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
■ The Northern Gulf Coast:
The Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas
■ East Florida: From the central east coast of Florida to the Georgia line
■ Southeast Florida: From the central east coast of Florida south into Miami
■ The Florida Keys
We will be offering more and better local coverage
in these areas with the following:
■ Racing News and a Racing Calendar
■ Cruising, Gunkholing and News
■ Upcoming Events Calendar
■ General Sailing News
■ Sailing Services Directory for Businesses
Advertisers will be able to better reach sailors in their region.
Call your advertising representative today.
Steve Morrell
editor@southwindssailing.com (941) 795-8704
Gary Hufford
(727) 585-2814
(305) 304-5118
Florida Keys
Rebecca Burg
The Southeast Coast: Carolinas and Georgia
Rona Garm
rgarm@ec.rr.com
(910) 395-0189
The Northern Gulf Coast: Florida Panhandle, Alabama,
Kim Kaminski
Kaminski_K@msn.com
(850) 384-8941
Southwinds
April 2004
49
Cedar Key to Cape Sable
Racing News & Calendar
Cruising
Upcoming Events Calendar
West Florida News for Sailors
Sailing Services Directory
SAILING IN APRIL
From the Ten Thousand Islands, into Tampa Bay, up to the Big Bend and on
all the myriad lakes to their east, April gives us superb sailing conditions.
Scores of regattas fill the winter months, drawing sailors and their
dollars to sail in what we call cold weather and they call paradise. But by
now they are gone, leaving the bays and lakes to us.
The few cold fronts that make it past the tropical jet stream that cuts
across north Florida lose the punch they have in March. Often their passage is only noticed by the wind change to the Northwest and drier air.
Evening sailing becomes more practical with daylight savings time
starting this month. The bane of evening sailing in Florida is the thunderstorm, but the likelihood of thunderstorms being pushed across the state
by the stronger sea breeze from Florida’s East Coast is much less than in
summer months. The humidity and extreme heat needed to produce
those monstrous storms is lacking in April.
Ironically, the best sea breeze on the west coast is in the spring. The
water has not yet heated up to its summer levels, but air temperatures often
reach daytime highs into the 80s. The temperature differential between
water and heat-soaking land is never better. Your sailing sea breeze may
begin earlier and stay longer after sunset than at any other time of year.
For sailors on the Gulf coast, be aware of the increased tidal activity the
first and third weekend of April with the latter having the darkened moon.
Suncoast Raceweek (April 2-4) on Tampa Bay has long taken advantage of April weather. They actually go from club to club, rather than
around buoys. Well, there will be some buoys on the third day of the
series when the boats race out of the Treasure Island Yacht Club.
Navigation and planning skills will be needed for the jaunt down the bay
from the St. Pete Yacht Club to Bradenton and then Saturday from
Bradenton out the entrance of Tampa Bay to John’s Pass.
Farther south, the Sarasota Bay Cup (April 24), organized by the Venice
Yacht Club and the Venice Sailing Squadron, also goes from place to place.
Nothing comes close, however, to going where the Regata del Sol al
Sol goes. Starting from near the Municipal Pier in St. Petersburg on April
20 and 21, just as the Havana Race and SORC did of old, boats head
down the bay, out the pass and into the Gulf. For at least three days the
fastest boats will be out of sight of land, and much longer for the smaller
boats in light air. With a nominal distance of 456 miles, this race ranks up
there with others that are longer in distance because there are no landmarks to take fixes on with the trusty handheld compass. There is no land
until you get there, unless a boat wanders too close to Cuba, which is prohibited in the sailing instructions. Keep a good dead-reckoning log. GPS
is wonderful, but, like the note on the chart, “A prudent navigator does
not rely on one method of navigation.”
If anyone was cavalier about this journey across the Gulf of Mexico to
Isla Mujeres, Mexico, their attitude changes when the requirements for
the boat are noted. Know where to rent a proper life raft? Where do I
mount it? What’s SOLAS?
April brings wind without the storms, warmth without the heat,
water that is not too cold or bathtub hot, and the mosquitoes aren’t bad.
Let’s go sailing!
Cedar Key
St. Petersburg
Tampa
Fort Myers
Naples
April
Prevailing
Winds
See page 32 for
Windrose legend
Cape
Sable
Key West
West Florida April Weather
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
St. Petersburg 65 loo - 85o hi
Naples 62o lo - 83o hi
GULF WATER TEMPERATURE
St. Petersburg 74o
Naples 77o
For real-time Eastern Gulf
weather, winds and marine
forecasts, go to
http://comps.marine.usf.edu
Events
Calendar
West
Florida
Sailing
To have your event put in the Events Calendar, e-mail
editor@southwindssailing.com or fax (941) 795-8704 (we prefer e-mail — please don’t phone them in unless unusual circumstances) by the 10th of the month. The Events Calendar is
for any event, marine related, of interest to sailors. It is not intended to be advertisement for commercial purposes but events
open to the public for free or that don’t cost very much, or targeting
a specific group of sailors, like a rendezvous or similar event.
APRIL
Nightly – Sunsets at Pier 60. A year round street festival featuring local artisans and performers. Free. Two hours before and
after sunset. Clearwater Beach just south of Hilton Resort. (727)
449-1036 http://www.sunsetsatpier60.com/
April 1 – The end of Florida lobster season was extended past
midnight last night indefinitely because of too many huge lobster out there. Nope. Sorry. It did end. April Fools. Season reopens July 28-29 for the sport season and August 6 for the regular season.
April 3-4 – Sunrise Seafood Festival, Charlotte County Fair
Association. 2333 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte. Old Florida
Crafts, southern food, live entertainment, folk music,
storytelling, antique car display. $3, children under 10 free. 10:00
a.m. (941) 629-4252
April 4 – Spring forward daylight savings time and the full
moon – must be some significance here. If you are going to race
on Sunday, make sure you know the correct time and don’t
oversleep. Set the clock forward one hour.
April 4 – Seafood Festival. Downtown Bradenton on the water.
Live entertainment including country/western, gospel, rockn-roll, craft booths boat show, classic car show and a children’s
area. Hernando De Soto Historical Society (941) 747-1998.
April 13 – Bradenton Plastic Bottle Boat Regatta. Location: To
be determined. Experience the extremely popular Plastic Bottle
Boat Regatta, various teams build boats that float on plastic
bottles and have only a paddle for propulsion. Contestants race
to determine who’s the fastest, and most stylish. Bayside viewing for all with food and beverages available. Hernando De
Soto Historical Society (941) 747-1998
April 8-11 – Organizers of the Rolex Women’s Match and the
St. Petersburg Yacht Club in St. Petersburg, Fla. will offer an
introductory match-racing clinic with World Match Racing
Champion and America’s Cup sailor Ed Baird. The two-day
clinic will take place April 7-8 and precedes the four-day Rolex
Women’s Match scheduled for April 8-11. The clinic and regatta
will be raced in Sonar class keelboats on Tampa Bay.
“This is an excellent opportunity to learn about match racing through classroom instruction and practical on-the-water
drills with one of the world’s most experienced match racers
and coaches,” said Pat Seidenspinner, chairman of the Rolex
Women’s Match.
Southwinds
April 2004
51
Events Calendar
continued
The Rolex Women’s Match is an International Sailing Federation (ISAF) grade 4 event and was created in 2002 to introduce women sailors to match racing.
For more information or to register, contact Pat
Seidenspinner at 727-522-0723 or pseidens@tampabay.rr.com.
For more information about the Rolex Women’s Match, go to
www.rolexwomensmatch.org.
April 15 – pay Uncle Sam.
April 16-18 – Sunsets Beach Fest, Clearwater Beach. Three days
of great music, food, and fun. On the sand south of Pier 60, the
state of the art stage and sound system showcases local and
national artists in a variety of music styles. Local restaurants
and vendors provide a wide variety of seafood and native
Florida cuisine. Featured also are artisans and crafters, street
performers, carnival rides, and a spectacular fireworks display
over the waters off Pier 60. (727) 449-1036.
April 17, 8 am-4 pm – Recycle Regatta and sail painting at North
Shore Park in St. Petersburg. Students build boats out of recycled
materials. This event is the kick-off event for the ten-day Regata
del Sol al Sol race to Mexico. For more information, call (727)
464-3896. or www.regatadelsolalsol.org.
April 17, 5:30-10 pm – Regata Del Sol “Get Downtown at Night”
Street Party, St. Petersburg Central Avenue between 2nd and
3rd Street. The streets will be blocked off, Music by ALLON
SAMS, compliments of Smooth Jazz – WSJT. Corona will have
a beer truck. Restaurants and shops will be open and there will
be dancing in the streets! Don’t miss this one.
April 17-18 – 27th Annual Mainsail Arts Festival. Expect 300
artists for this nationally ranked (“100 Best Fine Art Shows.”)
Arts & craft demonstrations, a children’s arts activity tent and
culinary arts/food vendors. Live musical entertainment. Hours:
Sat. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. & Sun. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Event is held along the
beautiful waterfront setting of North Straub Park in downtown
St. Petersburg, located at Beach Drive and 5th Avenue NE. (727)
892-5885. This festival has a great name.
http://www.mainsailartsfestival.org.
April 17 – Marine Flea Market. The Tampa Bay Sailing Squadron (TSS) Youth Sailing Program is holding a marine flea market 8:00 a.m. The TSS Youth Sailing Program is a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to the betterment of youth through
challenge. The market will be held on TSS grounds located on
Apollo Beach Blvd. in Apollo Beach next to Lands End Marina
and Circles restaurant. All proceeds will be used to support the
TSS Youth Sailing summer program. You may come to sell, buy
or trade. Sellers will pay a ten-dollar fee per ten-foot parcel of
space. You may also elect to donate items to the program for
sale by the program (receipts will be provided to givers for all
donated items). Coffee and home baked goods will also be for
sale so come early and hungry; buyers leave late and poor. To
donate items, reserve a space, or to just find out more about the
flea market, or our program, call TSS Youth Sailing Program at
(813) 295-5449.
April 17 – JSI will be holding the 10th Annual Nautical Flea
Market on Saturday, April 17 in their parking lot at 3000 Gandy
Blvd. in St. Petersburg. Flea market hours are from 8:00 a.m. till
52
April 2004
Southwinds
Local News For Southern Sailors
Southwinds
March 2004
53
Events Calendar
continued
(Call the store—reservations sometimes needed)
noon. Spaces are currently available, but hurry they always go
fast. Spaces are the size of a parking space and assignment is
on a first come first served basis. Come and shop for bargains,
sell your old stuff or just browse and have fun talking to other
sailors. Call us now to reserve your space at (727) 577-3220 or
800-652-4914
April 22 – Earth Day. Celebrate it again even if you celebrated
it on March 20, the Vernal Equinox.
MAY
May 4 – Full moon
May 5 – Cinco de Mayo. Margaritas.
May 6-9 – Tampa Bay Marine Flea Market. Buy, sell, or trade.
This is not a boat show. This is a market for the average person
to find great deals on new, used, exotic, or hard to find items.
Vendors will be offering great deals on new merchandise, excess inventory, returned items, items not fit for retail stores and
discontinued products. Browse the market in search of something special or just spend time with the family. Tampa Bay
Downs Thoroughbred horse racing complex parking area. $7,
12 and over. $5, ages 6-11, free six and under. Early bird special:
$3 admission Thursday. (813) 914-0208.
www.tampabaymarinefleamarket.com.
54
April 2004
West Marine & BoatUS Seminars
Southwinds
Madeira Beach West Marine Express 203 150th Ave,
(727) 392-4939
April 22, 7- 8pm – Rigging Seminar, Mike Ritner
Bradenton West Marine 4569 14th St. West, (941) 753-3585
April 7, 6 pm – Three Strand Eye Splice, Fred Boynton
April 21, 6 pm – Basic GPS. Picking the Right GPS for
Your Boat, Gary Denton
Bradenton BoatUS 5627 14th St. West, (941) 755-9670
April 1, 6:30 pm – Captain’s License Prep –
Scope of Course and Materials Needed
Largo West Marine 10289 Ulmerton, (727) 586-7040
April 7, 6-7 pm – Care and Feeding of Your 12-Volt
Electrical System, Capt. Geoff Duncan
April 24, 11 am-12 pm – Garmin GPS/Chartplotter,
Tim Ranney
Clearwater BoatUS 11477 US Highway 19 North,
(727) 573-2678
April 3, 9 am-1 pm – Coast Guard Aux. Boat Check-up
Inspections
April 28, 6:30 pm – Small Boat electronics —
What’s New and Great, Klaus Gensel
St. Petersburg West Marine 5001 34th St. South,
(727) 867-5700
April 8, 7 pm – Egmont Slide Show, “Then and Now.”
Tampa West Marine 3905 West Cypress, (813) 348-0521
April 20, 7 pm – The Basics of GPS, Malena Woodson
Crystal River West Marine 160 SE Highway 19,
(352) 563-0003
April 10, 9 am–1 pm – Boat Safety Inspections
West Florida Sailing
Services Directory
Cedar Key
St. Petersburg
Tampa
From Cedar Key to Cape Sable
Fort Myers
Naples
To advertise e-mail editor@southwindssailing.com or call (941) 795-8704.
See prices in the ads below.
BOAT LETTERING – GRAPHICS
MARINE SURVEYORS
Cape
Sable
Key West
SAILMAKING, REPAIRING & CLEANING
continued
Davis Maritime
Serving West Florida
Accredited Surveyor
St. Petersburg
Capt. Al Davis, Master, All Oceans
(727) 323-9788 ...... cgcebel@tampabay.rr.com
RIGGING SERVICES
SSMR. Inc.
727-823-4800
Complete rigging Services
On-Site Swaging & splicing
Commisssioning Services
At Harborage Hi & Dry Dock • Crane Service
Fax 727-823-3270St. .............. Petersburg
CANVAS & CUSHION SERVICES
Scuba Clean Yacht Service
See ad in Underwater Services
Advertise in this
2” tall ad for
$34 a Month
introductory rates
to the new Sailing
Services Directory.
See page 36 for details or
call (941) 795-8704.
CAPTAIN SERVICES
CAPT. JIMMY HENDON
(727) 459-0801
ASA Cert./BBC Instruction * USCG Lic. Master
Deliveries • Gulf • Atlantic • Caribbean
(866) 221-2841 .. captainjimmy@gosolo.com
SAILBOAT SERVICES AND REPAIRS
ELLIE’S SAILING SHOP
Clearwater
Livelines, rigging, hardware, repairs
Serving small boat sailors Since 1958
Sunfish Boats and Parts...........(727) 442-3281
SAILMAKING, REPAIRING & CLEANING
ADVANCED SAILS
(727) 896-7245
Quality Cruising Sails & Service
Closest Sailmaker to St. Petersburg Marinas
Keith Donaldson .................... (727) 896-7245
See ad in Underwater Services
SUNRISE SAILS PLUS
WEST FLORIDA
Complete Yacht Outfitting Service
Sails – New, Repair, Cleaning
Complete rigging service, masts, cushions,
canvas & more
(941) 721-4471 sunrisesailsplus@msn.com
SARASOTA
PORPOISE SAILING SERVICES
• New and Used Sails
• Buy • Sell • Trade
• Furling Packages • Discount
Sunbrella
(941) 758-2822 www.porpoisesailing.com
SAILING INSTRUCTION/SCHOOLS
CAPT. JIMMY HENDON
(727) 459-0801
ASA Cert./BBC Instruction * USCG Lic. Master
Deliveries • Gulf • Atlantic • Caribbean
(866) 221-2841 .. captainjimmy@gosolo.com
Adventure Cruising & Sailing School
A sailing school for Women & Couples
• ASA • West Florida and Chesapeake
www.acss.bz .......................... (727) 204-8850
YACHTING VACATIONS
SW FLORIDA
Live-aboard/non-live-aboard
ASA instruction
www.yachtingvacations.com .. (800) 447-0080
FLAGSHIP SAILING/TAMPA BAY AREA
ASA Sailing Instruction –
Basic thru Advanced
Instructor Certification • Sailing Club
Bareboat & Captained Charters
www.flagshipsailing.com ...... (727) 942-8958
UNDERWATER SERVICES
• Underwater Services • Canvas Shop
• Sail Cleaning & Repair • Detailing
• Mechanical • Electrical • Electronics
Serving Pinellas, Hillsborough, Sarasota,
Pasco & Manatee Counties.
(727) 327-2628
COMMUNICATIONS
Dockside Radio – Pactor II/III modem sales &
support; FCC marine radio license filing; SailMail
& WinLink installation & training
www.docksideradio.com ......... (941) 661-4498
ADVERTISE FOR $8-10 A MONTH
rent a 3 line ad for $8 a month and a four line ad
for $10 a month – see page 36 for more details
or ........................................... (941) 795-8704
Advertise in this 1" tall ad
for $20 a month.
See page 36 for details
or call (941) 795-8704.
Southwinds
April 2004
55
Events Calendar
continued
May 9 – Mothers Day. Take your mother sailing, but only if
she wants too.
May 21-23 – Catalina, Hunter and Mainship All Cruisers Rendezvous and Boat Show. Regatta Pointe Marina and Anchorage, Palmetto. Seminars above the restaurant on the pier and
cookout below at the Friday night welcome party. All Catalina,
Hunter and Mainship owners and prospective purchasers and
sailors. Come to the marina by land or anchor off shore (water
taxi available for those anchoring). www.masseyyacht.com or
(941) 723-1610, or (800) 375-0130.
May 29-31 – Memorial Day Weekend.
Racing
Calendar
West
Florida
Sailing
To have your race, regatta, or club race listed contact
editor@southwindcssailing.com by the 10th of the month.
Races listed should be open to anyone.
FLORIDA WEST COAST & INLAND LAKES
The races and regattas listed here are open to those who want to sail.
April 1 – April Fools Day canceled. “This is the day upon
which we are reminded of what we are on the other three
hundred and sixty-four.” - Mark Twain
Sunday, April 4 – Daylight Savings begins. You lose an
hour of sleep Saturday night. Don’t miss the race in the morning. Bummer.
April 2–4 – Suncoast Raceweek; PHRF. Thursday, mandatory skipper’s meeting at SPYC; Friday SPYC to Bradenton
Yacht Club, mouth of Manatee River; Saturday, Bradenton to
Treasure Island, entry to John’s Pass; Sunday buoy races in
Gulf at Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club, to lower Tampa
Bay; Trophies and banquet 4/9, Davis Island YC.
www.wfphrf.org
April 3-4 – 51st Annual Mount Dora Sailing Regatta; One
Designs and catamarans. Great racing and food in a relaxed
setting, like the old days. Mount Dora Yacht Club (352) 7353298. mbpz@comcast.net
April 8 – 11 – Rolex Women’s Match Racing. Grade 4 ISAF,
by invitation to introduce match racing to new enthusiasts;
Includes clinic by Ed Baird; SPYC
pseidens@tampabay.rr.com
April 10 – Florida Ocean Multihull Association “FOMA
FROLIC.” For “offshore” cats and “tris”; Start off Clearwater
Pass in the Gulf, north to Anclote Key and return; first start
10:30 www.foma.sailnet.com
April 11 – Cortez Yacht Club Easter Egg Fun Race,
cortezyachtclub.com, or George Carter (941) 792-9100.
56
April 2004
Southwinds
April 15 – Race to the Post Office to pay Uncle Sam.
April 18 – Edison Sailing Center monthly Sunfish races.
Skippers meeting 12 noon. Just show up.
April 20 – Regata del Sol al Sol Regatta; 456 miles, if you
go the rhumb line; St. Petersburg to Mexico start of the True
Cruising & non-spinnaker classes; Record time to beat: True
Cruising: 3days 02:03:51; Non Spinnaker: 3 days 00:49:08
www.regatadelsolalsol.org
April 21 – Regata del Sol al Sol Regatta; 456 miles, if you
don’t run aground on Cuba. St. Petersburg to Mexico start of
Spinnaker and multihull classes. Record times to beat: Spinnaker: 2 days 13:56:20; Multihull 3 days 09:43:15
www.regatadelsolalsol.org
April 24 – Sarasota Bay Cup; PHRF racing. Venice Yacht
Club and Venice Sailing Squadron. Last race of the SBYA Boat
of the Year, Sarasota Bay. www.venice-sailing-squadron.org
April 24-25 – Clark Mills Junior Regatta. Optimist Dinghies Clearwater Yacht Club www.cyc.org
May 1 – Commodore’s Cup. Tampa Sailing Squadron,
PHRF racing. (813) 645-8377
May 1-2 – Sarasota Sailing Squadron Youth Sailfest Regatta. Multi-class and Optimist Dinghies. A full weekend of
fun and racing taking place on Saturday May 1, & Sunday
May 2. Come along and support the kids in their annual regatta. Racing on both days, with the famous Island Party on
Saturday night. All proceeds go to support the Youth Sailing
Program. For more information call Liz Jarman (941) 729 5847
or visit www.sarasotaysp.com.
May 1-2 – Lightning District Championship. Davis Island Yacht Club. www.diyc.org
May 2 – Women’s Championship. Bring your own boat,
PHRF Tampa Bay Yacht Racing Association www.diyc.org
May 8 – Pram Jam. Optimist Dinghy Racing. Davis Island Yacht Club www.diyc.org
May 8 – St. Petersburg Sailing Association. Offshore Race
#13, Talbot Race & cookout. www.spsa.us
May 8 – Hula Cup. Florida Women’s Sunfish Championship. Sarasota Sailing Squadron
www.sarasotasailingsquad.com
May 15 -17th – Annual Couples Race. 1400 hours. Father/
daughter, man and wife, wife and boyfriend, husband and
..... you get the idea. St. Petersburg Sailing Association. Start
off the Municipal Pier, www.spsa.us
May 15-16 - Florida Regional Sunfish Championship. On
Charlotte Harbor at the Harbor Inn. Punta Gorda Sailing Club
pbgxtgrax@aol.com
May 19-25 – Key West Rendezvous. Clearwater Yacht
Club/Naples Yacht Club/ Gulf Coast Sailing Club/Punta Gorda
Sailing Club/Platinum Point YC. Starts at Clearwater, Naples, and
Boca Grande to Key West. Return race to Naples. www.cyc.org
Southwinds
April 2004
57
Club Racing
continued
May 22-23 – Prince of Wales Match Racing. Area eliminations sailed in matching Sonars. Finals are in St. Petersburg
in September, ‘ 04. St. Petersburg Yacht Club www.spyc.org
May 29-30 – School’s Out Junior Regatta. Optimist Dinghies, Sunfish. Davis Island Yacht Club www.diyc.org
May 31 - Race Around Lido. Dinghies. Sarasota Sailing Squadron 10:00 registration. www.sarasotasailingsquad.com
Club
Racing
Gary Jobson Attends
Leukemia Cup Regatta
in Punta Gorda
February 28-29
By Mike Savino
West
Florida
Sailing
From left to right; Gary
Jobson, Judith Kolva, the
Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society director, and Dr.
Chris Webb, the Leukemia
Cup Regatta chairman.
Photo by Jeri Webb.
Open to Everyone Wanting to Race
Davis Island YC – Thursday evenings. Tampa.
Windsurfers, dinghies, cats, PHRF, keelboat One Designs. 6:30
start of first class, sailing around upper Hillsboro Bay. Lots of
boats; Daylight savings time of year. Must be US Sailing member. Register before racing, once for summer. An RC duty day
may be in your future. www.diyc.org
Rub-A-Dub, the Leukemia Cup Regatta overall
winner. Photo by Jeri
Webb.
Davis Island YC – Wednesday Evenings Dinghy Series.
First warning 6:30 p.m. Laser, Laser Radial, C420, Sunfish,
Lightning, Flying Scott, 470, Fireball. Andrew Sumpton at
asumpton@earthlink.net or Allison Jolly at abjolly@aol.com
Bradenton YC – Thursday evenings. Starts with daylight
savings. PHRF racing on Manatee River. For info call Bob
Miller, (941) 795-4646
St. Petersburg YC – Friday evenings. 6:30 start off the Municipal Pier. PHRF, Snipes Starts May. Look for the RC boat at
the Pier if an Easterly, a half mile downwind from the pier in
other breezes. Course around nearby navigation buoys. Sail by the
RC boat to register. Anywhere from 10 – 25 boats www.spyc.org
Treasure Island Tennis and YC – Friday evenings – 7pm
start outside of John’s Pass in Gulf of Mexico. PHRF racing.
Starts May. Get together to go under the bridges. www.tityc.org
Clearwater YC – Friday evenings. 7:00 Start off Clearwater
Pass in Gulf; PHRF racing. Starts May www.cyc.org
Venice Sailing Squadron – Saturdays. First Saturday of
each month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet.
www.venice-sailing-squadron.org
Sarasota Sailing Squadron – Friday evening. Begins
April 9. Start at 6:30. Everyone welcome.
www.sarasotasailingsquad.com
Edison Sailing Center – Ft. Myers. Sunfish and dinghy
racing once a month, year-round john@johnkremski.com
Port Charlotte – Third Saturday of month, year-round.
pbgvtrax@aol.com
58
April 2004
Southwinds
T
he Leukemia Cup Regatta was held Saturday and Sun
day February 28-29 on Charlotte Harbor hosted by the
Punta Gorda Sailing Club and the Isles Yacht Club. In addition to the exciting racing in 10-15 mph shifting winds on Saturday, America’s Cup Hall of Famer Gary Jobson, who is under treatment for lymphoma, was well enough to fly in from
Chicago for the after-race party at the Isles Yacht Club. Gary
mingled with the racers, signed autographs and talked about
his racing experiences.
Sunday the racing continued with 10-20 mph easterlies
for some faster sailing. The awards ceremony was held at the
Isles Yacht Club with the Leukemia Cup going to Bill Curtis
and his crew, Nick Fortney, in Rub-A-Dub, a Santana 21. Curtis
won all three races of the regatta in the Non-Spinnaker B Fleet.
Rub-A-Dub was purchased a few years ago for $300 by Curtis
and two other partners in a charity auction. They made some
repairs and added new sails. Now Curtis goes around beating
boats costing 500 times the amount they put into Rub-A-Tub.
Sunday night the Leukemia Cup Regatta dinner and auction was held at the Isles Yacht Club. A total of over $62,000
was raised by the sailors, sponsors and auction participants for
the benefit of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The money
will go to research and aid to the victims of these diseases.
Results (corrected time. Boat, skipper, boat. mfg.) :
1. Rooster Tail Dave Flechsig S2 7.9; 2. Frolic Skip Vielhauer S2 7.9; 3. Bama Slammer Bob
Knowles S2 7.9; Non-Spinnaker A Fleet; 1. Journey On Bob Anderson Person 31; 2 .Learning to Fly George Buckingham J-105; 3. Jammin Jerry Haller Tartan 37; Non-Spinnaker B
Fleet; 1. Rub-A-Dub Bill Curtis Santana 21; 2. Kamikaze3 Rose Rowland Morgan 24; 3.
Adagio Dave Atkinson Catalina 27; True Cruising Fleet; 1. Air Supply Steve Romaine Jeanneau
35; 2. Halcyon Days III Barrie Smith Tartan 34; 3. Paradise Sue Marcoline Hunter 26.5; Small
Boat Fleet, Skipper Boat Mfg.; 1. Will White Martin 16; 2. Rick Pantail Martin 16; 3.
Charles Peck Martin 16
NOOD
Regatta
West
Florida
Sailing
Dave Ellis
T
he 2004 National Off
shore One-Design Regatta
began its circuit around the
country for 2004 in St. Petersburg with a record l92 boats in
17 classes.
The eight other NOOD
events in the United States and
Canada draw boats and sailors from their local geographic
area. St. Petersburg, however,
is a destination resort for more
than half of the boats. There
were entire classes of boats
that had no local representatives, a delight to local hoteliers and merchants.
The Henderson 30 class was more competitive than previous years, with three boats tying for the win with ten points.
Mike Carroll’s New Wave of Tampa ended up on the shortest
end of the tie-breaking, as they had only one first place in the
series. Skipper Marty Kullman from St. Petersburg was delighted that competition was so close.
The SR-Max class was the smallest type of boat racing. It
fielded ten boats with Charlie Clifton and Dave Olson of the
Sarasota fleet each with 12 points. Clifton won the tiebreak.
Bill Embree of St. Petersburg was third.
The largest class was again the Melges 24. While boats
attended from many areas of the country and oversees, the
winner was again Doug Fisher and crew from Sarasota. Robert Clement of Tampa improved significantly from last year
with a 12th in the 34-boat class. Tampa’s Howie Smith placed
third in fleet in the first race. Later races, however, were a
learning experience in this tough fleet.
The J-24 fleet had 27 competing, with local boats being
shown the way by visitors.
Corsairs racing
at the NOOD in
St. Petersburg.
Gary Hufford
photo.
The Sonar class, with 15 boats, had St. Petersburg’s Ed
Sherman with a local crew place third.
Tampa’s Jose Suarez Hoyos sailed Mariah to win the Level
72 class. While NOOD is a one-design regatta, two classes
were set aside for similar boats that rated on handicap around
72 and 105.
Some boats would excel in light air and others in strong
breezes. This regatta had both conditions. Friday saw no races
completed on the south course, run by Tom Farquar, as the
breeze shut down after half the classes had started. Farther
north, Pat Seiden spinner’s course got in a race that was shortened for some of the classes.
Saturday started light, but the breeze came in from the
southwest at over 15 knots for the second race. With the current ebbing strongly, waves built up quickly, causing a few rigging and rudder failures among the fleet. The threat of thunderstorms pulled the fleet off the water in early afternoon.
Sunday was not a Chamber of Commerce day, but there
was wind, giving all fleets excellent racing.
Southwinds
April 2004
59
Clearwater
Hosts Laser
Masters &
Midwinters
Dave Ellis
C
learwater Yacht Club hosted the
Laser Masters Midwinters February 20 and 21 and the Laser Midwinters
the following weekend. The Clearwater
Community Sailing Center has the room,
launching beach and access to racing in
the Gulf that the Laser sailors enjoy.
The sailors at the Masters must be
at least 35 and range up into the 70s. A
fine turnout of 65 boats registered, coming from as far away as California and
New England, as well as Canada, Germany and the Dominican Republic.
The wind was light for both days. Lasers racing at the Midwinters. Gary Hufford photo.
This was disappointing for those
Saturday was very cold and still windy, with four races.
who have, uh, expanded since their early Laser days. The
Sunday was one of those shifty beach days, with three more
boats are sensitive to the weight of the lone sailor in light air.
races.
In a strong breeze that same girth would be an advantage, to
The winner was from Vancouver, 19-year-old Michael
a point.
Leigh. A sailor from the Netherlands was second and from
Chris Raab of Newport Harbor, CA, again won the reAustralia third.
gatta, placing near the top in each of the six races.
Clearwater sailors Brad Funk and Zach Railey were fourth
Kevin Kelly of Clearwater was second place overall.
and fifth, one point apart.
Andre Martinie from the Dominican Republic came in third.
World champ Paige Railey of Clearwater dominated the
The Laser Midwinters that followed is one of only three
Radial fleet. This again qualifies her for the ISAF World Youth
ISAF Grade-One events in the country. It lived up to its repuRegatta.
tation this year with 164 boats from 11 countries.
In the 4.7 fleet, Clearwater’s Emily Billing and Courtney
After a windless Thursday, Friday’s conditions were very
Kuebel had close racing, decided when Courtney missed some
windy and rough. Clearwater’s Cassie Featherston, Fairley
heavy-air races.
Brinkly and Dave Billings arranged for 20 support craft to be
on the water and ran three tough races.
A-Cat & F-16 Gulf Coasts
Gulfport Yacht Club, FL, March 13-14
By Dave Ellis
B
reezes were up to 19 knots and down to five, sometimes
in the same race for the ten-boat A-Class Catamaran Gulf
Coasts. Nine races of about 45 minutes in length over the
March 13-14 weekend left none of the ten skippers begging
for more. Boca Ciega Bay threw in significant shifts that
shuffled positions upwind and down.
Woody Cope of Tampa had a string of bullets during the
windiest races on Sunday to take the title by two points over
Bob Hodges of Covington, LA. Bob Webbon of Seabrook, TX,
was another point back for third.
These boats are among the fastest sailing craft upwind.
Hulls weigh less than the skipper and the sail looks like a tall
cambered butter knife with a black leading edge. That black
carbon mast can be tweaked in just about any shape needed
60
April 2004
Southwinds
while the very busy skipper, sailing alone, tweaks, sails and
hangs on. The top guys also have time to look for the puffs
and shifts.
The Taipan 4.9 sailed single-handed with asymmetrical
chute, as a Formula 16 Una, fielded five skippers, all from
Florida.
Jennifer Lindsay showed her experience on the boat by
acing all of the lighter air races Saturday and then hanging
on for the win Sunday.
Seth Stern put together wins and two unrecoverable capsizes in the windier races Sunday to take second place.
Dave Ellis, sailing his first Cat regatta, played it safe Sunday by not flying the chute, but upwind speed allowed a tie
with Hollis Caffee of Gainesville, taking third on the count back.
Thistle Midwinters
By Dave Ellis
T
he Thistles have been meeting for their Midwinters at St.
Petersburg Yacht Club for 49 years. This year the first week
in March saw sailors in 62 boats from throughout the country
travel to the warmth of Florida while their home lakes were
iced over.
Warm weather on Tampa Bay often means light air on the St.
Pete side. Only on the final day did the wind pick up to hiking conditions.
The other days the Race Committee did yeomen work setting courses and chasing wind for the competitors.
Incredibly, Elmer Richards has attended 47 Midwinters.
He did himself proud this year with a finish of 22nd of the 62
boats.
There is only one racing Thistle in the Tampa Bay area.
But the local boat happens to be Thistle #1. Chris Klotz inherited the heirloom and has won the Nationals with it. This year
they put it in the water for just three of the races, garnering a
fifth in one heat. The old woody still has it.
The Thistles have attracted the near-pro sailor. Skip
Dieball, a sailmaker, won. The listing of top competitors has
familiar names: Gesner, Bryant, Dryden, Barbehenn, Griffin,
Finefrock, McDonald, Hansen, King and Abdullah.
The sailors who seemed to be having the most fun were
those farther back in the fleet. What better way to spend a
week in the Florida sun?
Thistles racing at the Midwinters. Gary Hufford photo.
Southwinds
April 2004
61
DONATE
YOUR BOAT
Tampa Sailing Squadron is looking
for boat donations for their
youth sailing program. Take a tax
write-off and donate a boat to
YOUTH SAILING, INC.
a non-profit organization
to help kids learn to sail.
Call Bud at 813-645-5704
www.tampasailingsquadron.org
Explanation of Wind Roses
E
1980 Catalina 25 w/OB RF tall rig ............. $5000
Sunfish ......................................................... $450
1978 Santana 20 W/Trlr – excellent cond. $2300
2001 Avon 310 rollaway inflatable,
like new, orig.cost $2100 ....................... $1300
20’ Drascombe Peterboat W/Trlr,
new Ullman sails ...................................... $600
2002 11’ Escape Mambo – like new ............ $900
1980 MacGregor 22 ..................................... $500
MOTORS:
Almost new long shaft 6hp Evinrude OB .... $750
Evinrude 6hp OB long Shaft ........................ $450
Mercury 4.5 OB short shaft (fresh water) ... $450
ach wind rose shows the distribution of
the prevailing winds in the area and
month. These have been recorded over a long period
of time. In general the lengths of the arrows indicate how
often the winds came from that direction. The longer the arrow
the more prevalent were the winds coming from that direction.
The length of the shaft is generally to a scale to indicate the percentage of the winds from that direction, but not as printed in the
magazine, but the proportions are correct and as a general indicator, the diameter of the circle is a little over 15 percent.
The wind blows in the direction the arrows fly. When the
arrow is too long to be printed in a practical manner, a number is
indicated. In the sample here, that would be the number 32, which
means that 32 percent of the time the wind blew from the west.
The number of feathers on the arrow indicates the strength of the
wind on the Beaufort scale (one feather is Force 1, two is Force 2,
etc. See below). The number in the center of the circle shows the
percentage of the time that the winds were calm. They all add up
to 100 percent. In this example, 32 percent came from the West
and 9 percent were calms (a total of 41 per cent), so the remaining
arrows add up to 59 percent. These symbols are used here to generally show where the winds came from during that month, how
strong and how often.
In this example we can see that about a third of the time the
winds came from the West, about 20 percent of the time from the
NE, Force 3, about 20 percent from the SE, Force 4, maybe 15 percent from the south, Force 2, about never from the NW, and 32 percent from the West, Force 3. It was calm 9 percent of the time. We had
some winds from the East at Force 4 and the SW at Force 2.
Beaufort Scale (in knots): Force 1(1-3); Force 2(4-6); Force 3(7-10);
Force 4(11-16); Force 5(17-21); Force 6(22-27); Force 7(28-33); Force
8(34-40); Force 9(41-47); Force 10(48-55); Force 11(56-63); Force
12(64-71 Hurricane)
Wind Roses are taken from Pilot Charts
62
April 2004
Southwinds
C L A S S I F I E D
A D S
“In August, you began running an advertisement to sell my diesel engine in your classifieds section. I am pleased to advise you that
I have a buyer as a result of the advertisement. Please discontinue it. FYI, I have also had inquiries from West Africa and France as
Capt C.T., St. Petersburg, FL
a result of the Internet ad you made available. I’m MAJOR impressed!! Thank you very much.”
CLASSIFIED ADS for $5 PER MONTH
ALL ADS UNDER 30 WORDS FOR
PRIVATELY-OWNED BOATS,
SAILBOATS, TRAWLERS AND
DINGHIES ONLY PLEASE.
THREE MONTH MINIMUM,
$15 whether ad canceled or not.
Add $5 per month for photos, same
minimum policy. Check or credit
cards accepted. Mail or e-mail ads
by the 10th of the month.
FREE ADS WITHOUT PICS FOR ALL BOAT GEAR
(SAILBOAT RELATED) & WINDSURFING ADS.
MUST BE PRIVATELY OWNED ITEMS.
AD RUNS THREE MONTHS UNLESS RENEWED BY
THE 10TH OF THE LAST MONTH AD RUNS.
All photos must be sent electronically or
the actual photo — no photocopies.
Photos must be horizontal, not vertical;
otherwise add $10. All ad text e-mailed
must be in upper & lower case, not caps.
The last month your ad runs is in parentheses at the end of the ad. You must call by
the 10th of that month to renew for another 3 months. All other ads are $20 a
month for up to 20 words and $5 for
each additional 10 words. $10 for a horizontal photo. Frequency discounts for
longer-running ads.
Call (941) 795-8704,
e-mail to editor@southwindssailing.com
or mail to PO Box 1175
Holmes Beach FL 34218-1175.
All ads go on the Internet, and your Web site or e-mail address in the ad will be linked by clicking on it.
Southwinds will only be responsible financially for mistakes for a one issue period. Please check your ad. Let us know any mistakes by the 10th of the month.
BOATS & DINGHIES
DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS
Advertise your business in a display
ad inthe classifieds section. Sold by
the column inch. 2 inch minimum.
(3 column inches is 1/8 page)
Monthly Cost
Ads
Per Inch
9' CAPTIVA ESCAPE with trailer, great fun, easy to
sail, good for learning. $950 OBO. Call Nora at 727397-4309. (5/04)
10-foot sailing dinghy, fiberglass, sail rig in good
condition. $600. Eve. 850-648-2241. Panama City
(5/04)
12-foot sailing dinghy, fiberglass, gaff-rigged main.
Self-tacking jib. Sails in new condition. Includes trailer.
$900. Eve. 850-648-2241. Panama City (5/04)
12
6
3
1
$17
$20
$23
$27
Minimum
Inches
Total
Cost
2"
2"
2"
2"
$34
$40
$46
$54
For Sale 17' O’Day Sailor (type II) $2,195 or OBO.
Modified for single handed sailing with Roller Furling, Tiller Tender, Electric Trolling motor, and topping lift. Custom cockpit cushions, custom cockpit
cover, main sail cover. Depth sounder / fish finder.
Two sets of sails. Two head stays. EZ load Trailer.
Call Glenn at (813) 949 0341 (4/04)
Hotfoot 20 Sportboat 1985, Similar to Ultimate 20,
recent hull paint, PHRF 168 - Lift bulb keel, 1000 lb
displacement, Mainsail,155% ,UK Tape Drive blade,
spinnaker, Boomkicker, Galvanized trailer, $7400.
Atlanta, Call Scott at 678-947-8875 or e-mail
stle32@aol.com (5/04)
2,000 lbs. Adult v-berths, opening ports, and quarter berths. $2100 OBO. Stuart FL (772) 878-4721
(5/04)
1973 21' Reynolds Catamaran Great beach cat.
good condition. Needs a little TLC. Call for details. Includes continental trailer. $2200 OBO.
Must Sell. (239) 765-4433. Ft. Myers Beach
(4/04)
22' Ensign Class Sloop. Sailing School fleet. Older
boats in sailing condition. With main and Jib. Four available from $1500-$2500. Call (305) 665-4994 (4/04)
Ranger 22, Gary Mull designed PHRF racer/cruiser,
everything new or restored, 6 sails, 5hp Nissan O/B,
tandem trailer, new Teflon bottom, race ready,
$11000 invested, $7000 OBO, (305) 632 9520 (4/04)
2002 Santana 22. California built sloop, heavy fixed
fin keel, loaded with extras, plenty of storage lockers. New retail over 35K. Asking $25,000 OBO. (305)
668-8838 (4/04)
1980 Skipper 20’ Shallow-draft sloop and trailer. 3
sails, self-bailing with motor well, displacement
Precision23 (1995) for sale - 150% jib (2002),
bimini, auto helm (2002), 8HP Yamaha (2002) 4
Southwinds
April 2004
63
C L A S S I F I E D
A D S
Catalina 270 Wing-keel, full electronics, autopilot,
spinnker and gear, walk-thru transom, north sails new
2001-2002 (3 jibs, main, spinnaker) Vessel gifted to
charitable organization.This organization eager to sell
boat for cash. Best offer: asking $26,900. Contact
Lou at hooyengl@bellsouth.net or phone 305-3940901(5/04)
27' Hunter, Yanmar diesel runs well, shore power,
aircond, bow & stern pulpits, dbl lifelines, $5,900
Miss. coast (228) 806-9316
Gaspergou30@aol.com (4/04)
stroke with electric start & tilt, VHF, instruments with
yard trailer. Reduced to $14,900. Extra equipment
available separately. Call (941) 351-6207 or e-mail
gigbobdob@juno.com for additional info.
1989 Seaward, 24', wing keel, 2003 Suzuki 6HP 4stroke, RF150, 20-amp marine battery charger, Loran, VHF, speed depth, compass, auto helm, new
upholstery, small boat in trade. $10,000 (352) 5285310. (4/04)
1982 Merit 25. Great condition. Stored out of water 8 of the last 9 years. Photographs and details at
http://www.intelligentstrategies.com/merit.
$7,995. 770-932-9382 or
dpope@intelligentstrategies.com (5/04)
26 ft. Pearson OD w/ 9.9 hp Johnson. Good sail
inventory including spinnaker. Depth, Speed, Loran,
vhf, fm/cd and many extras. Bottom was professionally refurbished with West system 2002. Boat has
been sailed regularly and is well maintained. $8,200
Bob 251-209-6035 sideshow122@aol.com (4/04)
Accepting offers: 1978 Buccaneer 27’x8’, documented, shoal-draft hull/rig. Interior removed. Zero
blistering. No sails. Most voluminous trailerable sailboat built. Delivery possible. (850) 442-6510. Bob
Burnham. 392 East Lake Rd., Quincy, FL 32351.
(5/04)
winches, $16,500. Eve. 850-648-2241. Panama City.
(5/04)
27’ Catalina Sailboat ’84 Diesel Wheel, bimini, enclosure, autopilot, radar, pressure water, propane
stove, wind generator, refrig, dinghy, davits, fantastic upgrades, just back from 4 mo. in Bahamas. specs
pictures at www.geocities.com/catalina_5477, WPB
FL (561) 547-0500, eve (561) 281-2689, $15,800
OBO (4/04)
J-27 (1985) Joe Cool Excellent condition. New
North 3DL Genoa. Quantum sails in great condition. New bottom. Many extras. Very clean. Well
maintained. Located in Coconut Grove. Asking
$15,000. Lionel Baugh at (917) 821-3308 /(305)
969-8107 or email at baughlionel@hotmail.com
(4/04)
28' Ranger, immaculate, freshwater maintained
racer-cruiser with $16,000 in recent improvements,
12 sails, new yanmar. $15,000. Call (813) 685-8737
(5/04)
30’ Hunter designed by Cherubini. S/V Uluru is being offered for sale. Complete refit from stem to stern.
Turn key cruiser. Our loss your gain. Bought 42’
cruiser. For a detailed inventory, e-mail
zekeatthebeach@aol.com or call (239) 280-7434 (5/04)
Baba 30, 1978, bluewater cruiser, strong high-quality cutter, great singlehander, well-equipped and
maintained, 27hp Yanmar, New sails, Shaeffer roller
furling, Autohelm 4000, $53,000. Located Ft. Myers.
E-mail lyttraveler@yahoo.com, (239) 560-6078. (4/04)
1982 Catalina 27', Clean, Comfortable Cruiser, 10
HP diesel, Fin Keel, Wheel Steering, Traditional layout, All the amenities one would expect from Catalina
Yachts. The Seaway Yacht Broker- www.Seaway2.com
(228) 493-5261, (228) 467-6802, Asking $11,500,
will consider offers. (4/04)
Argonauta 27 folding tri, fast Newick design, high
tech fg, aft cabin, center cockpit, wheel, bimini,
roller furling, trailer, only 3 built!!! 45k firm or consider coastal land trade, (361) 442 9351 or
lvltlbts@yahoo.com in Texas.
DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS
starting at $34/month.
64
April 2004
Southwinds
2000 Hunter 290. Selden inmast and jib furling,18hp
Yanmar, Garmin 182GPS, Raymarine Auto-pilot, knot
and depth.12cd Stereo, VHF, LPG stove. Bimini &
dodger. $59,000. In Jacksonville, FL, (904) 683-7476.
willgray@comcast.net (5/04)
1978 Catalina 30, Yanmar 3GM 30 100hours, 12000
BTU AC/Heat, tiller steering w/autopilot, speed,
depth, compass, stereo, pressure water, 2-speed
C L A S S I F I E D
A D S
1981 Freedom 33' cat-ketch. Among World’s Best
Sailboats. Unique, strong, fast, roomy. Single hand
easily. Carbon-fiber spars, centerboard, Windlass,
bimini. Delivery possible. Reduced. $35,000. (713)
847-9897 (5/04)
J-30 Hull 279 1981 Ready to race, cruise. sleeps 6.
Mylar Genoa, jib, main, spinnaker, New cored cabin
roof, new faired bottom, new compasses, Yanmar
diesel. reduced to $19,900. (954) 684-2869, (954)
401-8892 (4/04)
CAL 31 1980 Freshwater since new. Lite use. Many
upgrades in 2002. Located near Atlanta, GA.
$27,500 Call (770) 540-9796 (4/04)
33' Morgan Out-islander, 1977. Bimini & dodger,
hot water shower, 108 Perkins engine, autopilot,
ac/reverse cycle, generator, inverter, 5.2 freezer/refrigerator, watermaker, GPS, power windlass, 2 anchors (50ft chain each) 210', 350' line, davits, hard
bottom dinghy, outboard, recent rigging and MackPack for main and 135 roller furling jib. Sleeps 5.
Reduced to $35,500 obo. Call (305) 893-0436. Email big0807ben@aol.com. (4/04)
Hunter 33 1980,4' draft,sleeps 6,roller furling, diesel, electronic, A/C. New refrigeration, Autohelm,
100 amp alternator, charger, fresh paint.Coast
Guard inspected.Pristine! $25,000. (941)235-1890
(4/04)
36’ Bruce Roberts Steel Hull Welded to road- ready
trailer. An economical beginning for a serious
bluewater cruiser. This hull is fair and professionally
welded. $5000. (904) 476-3353. (4/04)
31’ VanDerStadt 1969 Harmony, full keel, 5ft.
draft., new Harken roller furling, 4 Lewmar self-tailing, Auto Helm 4000+, solar, wind generator, 27hp.
Yanmar, $20,000. St. Petersburg, FL, (727) 4344586. casadelgato1@hotmail.com.
Catalina 34 1986, Tall Rig, Good condition, Custom Bimini, Dodger. All standard features sleeps 7,
new cushions, Chartplotter, many upgrades, Slip in
St. Pete municipal can transfer $43,900 (813) 8311011, mvazmina@tampabay.rr.com (6/04)
32' Pearson Vanguard Classic in great shape and
very well equipped: Yanmar, Harken Furling, New
sails, equipped to cruise see www.dneve.com/sultana or call (305) 772-7218, $24,000 (4/04)
1977 36' Allied Princess Ketch. Super clean, just
completed 600mi cruise. Autopilot, 4-108, sails
refurb./bottom 2003, great interior, HCPW, 80 water, 40 diesel, 15 holding, 2001 barrier. http://
home.earthlink.net/~a36ketch. (251) 968-8874
(4/04)
32' Catalina 320 1999 WK, Yanmar 30 (240 hrs)
ac, ap, km, df, Bimini, Adler Ref, Bottom Aug 02,
VHF W/DCS-GPS, Reduced $92,000, lying Shalimar
FL (850) 499-0264 (5/04)
Irwin 33 Center Cockpit Sloop, 1986. Sale or Trade.
Diesel 3’ 10” draft. $40,000 value. Trade for property or motorhome. Boat is clean and ready for the
Bahamas. (239) 691-6580. Located Ft. Meyers, FL.
E-mail: www.suzy213@juno.com (5/04)
View Classified Ads & Boat Pics
on our secure Web site
1986 Schock 34 GP. Consistent winner GYA Challenge Cup-Sugar Bowl- Gulfport/Pensacola. Yanmar
diesel, chart plotter, recent sails. Berthed NOLA.
$39,000 Jack (228) 452-1240.
hagarjac@bellsouth.net (5/04)
Jason 35 bluewater cruiser,fiberglass Brewer designed double-ended cutter. Radar, chartplotter,
SSB/ham, autopilot, 100 gal water, 60 gal fuel asking $52,900, see at escheel.com/boat. (941) 7733715
1984 Morgan 36 K/CB. Diesel, auto pilot, AC, Furling genoa, wheel, GPS plotter, sleeps 6. Berthed PC,
MS. Jack (228) 452-1240. hagarjac@bellsouth.net
(5/04)
See Classified information
on page 63
Southwinds
April 2004
65
C L A S S I F I E D
Lagoon 37 1994. totally equipped for comfortable,
safe liveaboard/cruising excellent condition. Original owner. $185,000 (239) 543-7208 or (239) 8989522 (8/04)
37' 1989 Hunter 37 Legend Is fast and comfortable and gives you the perfect weekender or cruiser.
Equipment includes: depth, autopilot, 2 VHFs, battery charger/inverter, dodger, bimini, and more.
$69,000 (727) 363-1124. (4/04)
A D S
1975 Seafarer Ketch, 38' “Rhodes Design” - ready
to sail or live aboard. R/furling & cutter, new interior , 50hp Perkins, Radar, GPS, Auto-Pilot, refrig,
Bimini, davits, p/water, A/C, fantastic upgrades, 4’
draft, $41,900 JAX FL (904)838-5767
drterrytaylor@comcast.net (5/04)
2002 Catalina 40, fully loaded plus unique custom cruising upgrades. Must sell, asking
$213,000. Palm Beach, FL. Trades considered for
SW Florida land/home. More pix and specs available cturner1@swfla.rr.com or (239) 470-5567.
Beneteau 38 1990 model new genoa, Icom SSB,
compass, inverter & more. Laying Tortola, BVI.
$62,000. sloopm38@hotmail.com or (305) 3104653 (4/04)
41' Gulfstar Ketch 1973 cruising equipped, ready
to go. 2002 - 10 barrier coats and Strataglass enclosed bimini, lived aboard 14 years, selling medical reasons, photos, details: $55,000
www.shevard.com (904) 284-9986 X2040 (6/04)
2000 Catalina 380 Tall rig Almost new,118 engine
hours. Raytheon “Pathfinder” integrated GPS/Radar,
ST60 wind, speed, depth. Arctic forced air heat.
Heart interface inverter/charger. Zodiac 6 person
canister coastal life raft. Many more custom extras.
Ready for your cruising dreams! Call for detailed list.
Seattle (206) 780-3475. $162,000. (3/04)
Ericson 39 1978 rebuilt 2002, surveyed. All new 38
hp diesel, electrics, plumbing, windlass, autopilot,
canvas. Plus dinghy, o/board, etc $49,500. Private
sale. Andrew (954) 524-4765, e-mail
brandtwo@bellsouth.net (4/04)
Condor 40 Many recent upgrades including new
Calvert main,2000 Genoa, new Bimini, 1999 twin
Yamaha 9.9’s, new halyards, new Raymarine speed
& depth, Yanmar genset $72,000. E-mail
camsimmons@pdq.net, call (281) 218-0026.
(4/04)
Morgan 416 OI, 1982, Perkins 62hp diesel, center
cockpit, 4’2" draft, great shape, 6kw generator, plus
many extras, 2 heads, 2 staterooms, ketch rigged,
$88,000, call (727) 379-0554 or email:
jackhodges_nc@yahoo.com (4/04)
1990 41' Morgan Classic MKII. New sails, A/C,
12V Refrig. Excellent Condition. Asking $120,000.
Located Miami (305) 668-8838 or (305) 790-9251
(4/04)
1989 Catalina 42, 10 yr fresh-water boat. New electronics, invertor, Autopilot and dodger Bimini. Excellent shape with serious upgrades. Located Florida
west coast. $109,000. www.tapaki.com.
e-mail tapaki3@yahoo.com (4/04)
1984 37' Dickerson Cutter. Beautiful boat featured
in World’s Best Sailboats. Furling main and jib, staysail
on boom. New ST6000 AP, new water heater,
lectrasan head. 4’6" draft. Perkins 4108 diesel, new
sailor prop. $77,000 e-mail dosukoenig@aol.com
Cortez Fl. (941) 755-9316 (4/04)
1983 Southern Star 43’. Excellent condition.
$75,000. S.J. Brown or Collene Johns. (850) 4533471.
44' Bruce Roberts custom pilot house. Steel/stainless steel, Volvo 6cyl., 120hp diesel, high rig, electric windlass, GPS, Autopilot, Depth, SSB, Hard
dodger, fast, comfortable, safe, and spacious. (985)
285-0874. (4/04)
s
66
April 2004
Southwinds
C L A S S I F I E D
Knoware It Is - a stowage/retrieval computer program for your boat or RV. You import a layout of
your boat or RV, mark storage locations, then add
items to each location. Order at http://
www.knoware-online.com for $49 plus $5 S/H or
download a free Demo version at http://
www.knoware-online.com/kwii_demo.html.
A D S
MARINE ENGINES
CREW AVAILABLE
1988 Brewer 44’ shoal-draft w/board. Centercockpit cutter, Perkins 85, sale by original owners,
(941) 962-7100 or (813) 671-0862 or
paritytwo@yahoo.com.
APARTMENT FOR RENT
Apartment for rent in Durango, Colorado. Nice
2 bedroom, 2 bath unfurnished townhouse in the
woods in town. Fireplace, deck, garage, dishwasher,
refrigerator, great room. $1050 a month. Lease. Nice
neighborhood. Quiet. Clean. Available June 1. (877)
372-7245 toll free. smorrell1@tampabay.rr.com
BOOKS & CHARTS
Ocean Routing – Jenifer Clark’s Gulf Stream Boat
Routing/Ocean Charts by the “best in the business.”
(301) 952-0930, fax (301) 574-0289 or
www.erols.com/gulfstrm
BUSINESS/INVESTMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Construction/Real Estate investment Highly-experienced, honest, licensed, responsible and reliable
contractor seeks investor/partner in new construction/remodeling in West Florida. Perhaps a spec
house or purchase to remodel. Contractor is experienced in custom homes of all sizes, including very
high end homes. Only interested in doing interesting and enjoyable projects. (941) 795-8711
Sailtime.com is looking for base operators on the
Florida coast. This may suit existing marine business owners who wish to add an additional income
stream. Sailtime is a unique business model that
requires minimal capital and no staff. Tel. (813) 8170104 or jtwomey@sailtime.com
COMPUTER & SOFTWARE
FOR BOATS
See Classified information
on page 63
Visit Southwinds new boat and crewlisting service
at southwindssailing.com
CREW WANTED
Visit Southwinds new boat and crewlisting service
at southwindssailing.com
ELECTRONICS
SeaTech Systems – Computerized navigation &
communication. Call for free Cruiser’s Guide to
the Digital Nav Station and CAPN demo disk. (800)
444-2581 or (281) 334-1174,
navcom@sea-tech.com, www.sea-tech.com
MISCELLANEOUS BOAT GEAR
NEW & USED
Best Prices – Solar panels, wind
generators, charge controllers,
deep cycle batteries, solar panel and wind generator mounting hardware.
Authorized dealer for Siemens,
Kyocera, Solarex, and Uni-Solar solar panels, Air Marine wind generator,
Deka, Trojan, and Surrette deep cycle batteries.™
Toll free (877) 432-2221
www.e-marine-inc.com
HELP WANTED
Regional editors wanted. Southwinds is looking
for individuals to work spare time and submit
monthly information on racing, cruising, sailing,
calendar and related events in several regions:
Southeast Coast states (Carolinas and Georgia),
East Florida (East and Northeast Florida), Southeast Florida, Florida Keys, Upper Gulf Coast states
area (Florida’s Big Bend, the Panhandle, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, East Texas coast). West
Florida editor is already taken. Must have some
knowledge of racing besides other sailing/cruising knowledge, be into writing, good with computers and the Internet, and good at communicating with the Southwinds editor. Not much initial payment but good potential and lots of possibilities. Up to 5 people needed (one per region or
one person could do more than one region, but
must be familiar with each region). (941) 7958704. editor@southwindssailing.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Southwinds
2005 CALENDAR
PHOTO CONTEST.
See advertisement in
the magazine in the
ad directory under
calendar contest.
Remanufactured engines, cheap: 12V71 Detroit
Marine. 16149 Detroit Marine. 3208 Cat Marine
Engine. S.J. Brown or Billy Brooks. (850) 453-3471.
9.9 Honda OB, electric start, new controls, still in
box, installed 2003, less than 100hrs. $1750. (772)
349-0796. (6/04)
Famet roller reefing. Seeking best offer.
lvltlbts@yahoo.com (361) 442-9351
Honda 8 HP 4-stroke extra long shaft. 1990. Pull
Start. Set up for either tiller or cable operation. Includes gas tank/hose. Runs perfect. $925 or trade
for similar 2-stroke. St. Petersburg, FL (727) 744-2200.
DINGHY DAVITS
Only $360.00
www.martekdavits.com
727-686-5020
Southwinds
April 2004
67
C L A S S I F I E D
A D S
LODGING FOR SAILORS
Ponce de Leon Hotel
Historic downtown
hotel at the bay,
across from St.
Petersburg YC.
95 Central Ave.
St. Petersburg, FL
33701
(727) 550-9300
FAX (727) 826-1774
www.poncedeleonhotel.com
SAILING INSTRUCTION
Boom from Tartan 40, E=14’. $400 (813) 9323720 (5/04)
3 burner oven, CNG. Can be converted to propane. $400 (813) 932-3720 (5/04)
Dahon Stainless Steel 3-sp Folding Bikes Great
condition $450 pair, Pur-35 manual watermaker
never used new $550, Used Magma propane grill
$60, e-mail Jim @lagartaboat@yahoo.com (4/04)
PROPELLER 3 blade bronze 19D, 18P, taper, unused since rebalanced $150 +UPS, call (850) 8727811(5/04)
New-unused hookah dive system Surface-supplied
dive rig with 120-volt compressor, 50-foot hose and
regulator. Operate off small inverter or generator.
Paid $900, will sell for $500. (305) 849-1127 (4/
04)
Harken gennaker furler #1900 Light use - $325
plus shipping. Navionics Chesapeake plotter chip
$100 Punta Gorda FL (941) 505-5053; Teak boards,
anchors - Fortress FX23, Danforths, Deltas, Bruce,
DQR, Aqua Finn Sailboat, Mirage sailboard, Dyer
Sailing Dinghy, Navico PT 100 (new) Tiller Pilot,
Autohelm 4000 wheel Pilot, Walker Bay Dinghy.
Nautical Trader (941) 488-0766.
www.nauticaltrader.net/ (4/04)
Cutlass (flatfish) shaft bearing 2x6 OD unused $30
call (850) 872-7811 (5/04)
Wheels Custom
Leathered –
Satisfaction
guaranteed, 1 year
warranty. Free turks
head. Over 100
satisfied customers
last year. Contact
Ray Glover at
Sunrise Sails Plus
(941) 721-4471 or
sunrisesailsplus@msn.com
TIRALO floating deck chair - a beach chair that
floats in water and rolls easily on the sand. Looks
great. Folds and fits on your boat or inside your
car. More info: www.tiralo-usa.com
or
swti@oasisllc.com
Excellent 34’7" Aluminum Mast 3’6" spreaders,
12' 8" boom, 11’10" whisker pole. Mainsail, 3-reefs,
3 winches, 15 mast steps, rigging, insulated
backstay, can deliver. Make offer. Call (863) 6754244. (4/04)
SAILS & CANVAS
Dripless Packing
Proven high-tech
propeller and rudder
packing that outlasts all
other packings and is
virtually dripless. Easy to
install. Bilges stay dry.
Won’t damage shafts.
Economical. Dealer
inquiries welcome. Toll
Free (877) 432-2221 or
www.e-marine-inc.com
Feathering Propeller, Adjustable pitch, two blades
16"x4", shaft 1 1/8" x 35" + prop. $350 OBO, (772)
878-4721 (4/04)
Honda 9.9 HP 4 stroke outboard, 2000, 8" shaft,
elect. start , 6 amp alt. output for battery charging. Exc. cond./ low hrs. Only $1550. ($2939 new)
(941) 505-9772 (4/04)
GPS New Garmin Street Pilot III (deluxe). Portable GPS w/ auto routing and voice. Includes CDRom, mounts, data card, etc. Great for boat and/
or car! $600 obo. (386) 426-5978 (4/04)
OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE
Office and warehouse space available for lease
to marine-related businesses. Great for boat brokers or sales representatives. High speed Internet
access. JSI (727) 577-3220
68
April 2004
Southwinds
C L A S S I F I E D
NEW & USED SAILS
BUY • SELL • TRADE
Wholesale plus Outfitting Pkgs
Furling
Packages
SERVICES FOR SAILORS
Discount
Sunbrella
7060 15th St. E., #14 • Sarasota, FL 34243
Phone: 941-758-2822 • Fax: 758-2979
www.porpoisesailing.com
WINDSURFING GEAR
Wanted: Used Prodigy (standard or race),other
boards, miscellaneous windsurfing equipment. Steve
(941) 795-8704, editor@southwindssailing.com
Starboard 2002 X186 Formula Windsurfer, Neil
Pryde (NP) 9.8 2002 Race Slalom sail
NP 530 2003 Carbon Mast & Foot, NP 260 2003
Carbon Boom, Harness Lines & adj. outhaul
NP Padded Triple Board Bag (fits all!), TOTAL $1400,
t.fiedler@umiami.edu ( 5/04)
USED SAILS SAVE $$$ 1000s of headsails, mains &
spinnakers. We ship everywhere, satisfaction guaranteed. We also buy sails. Sail Exchange. (800) 6288152. 407 Fullerton Ave. Newport Beach CA 92663
www.sailexchange.com See Display ad in Index of
advertisers
Tiga 268 SLR, Excellent condition, 2 fins, Carbon
Mast, Windsurfing Hawaii Boom & Harness Lines, 3
Mylar Monofilm Sails (4.5, 5.5, 6.5), Padded board
bag.Total $400, t.fiedler@umiami.edu ( 5/04)
SOUTHERN SAILING (continued from page 39)
African-American youngster. After the
second day of sailing he was sitting on
the “deck” of the Opti, holding the tiller
extension correctly and rocking fore and
aft in tune with the waves to lift the bow.
“Where did you learn to do that,” I
asked. “I don’t know, it just seemed
natural,” was his innocent reply. We
would be reading about that youngster winning major sailing events by
now. Except that he hasn’t sailed since.
He was the pitcher in baseball, the
quarterback in football, the team
leader in soccer.
If Ed Baird were not a top sailor he
may very well be on the pro golf circuit
by now. Andy Fox came back from running marathons after not sailing for
years, won the Laser Midwinters and
dropped out of sailing again.
Face it, there is a natural ability that
helps some that is not present in the rest
of us. We sail with what we’ve got.
Practice: We all know this. But who has
the time. After a week of Rick White’s
Laser Clinic in the late 1980s I beat the
other students and all of the instructors
in the regatta at the end of the week.
But six weeks later, after going back to
work while they continued to practice
sailing, I was mid-fleet.
Oh, and perfect practice makes perfect. Carol Cronin and crew won the US
Olympic Trials after practicing for the
last two months only when there was a
coach and only with top sails on a top boat.
Fun: Few top sailors can continue to be
at the top if they lose the joy of sailing.
Those at the very top have to really
work at not agonizing over every race.
Paul Elvstrom had a high-profile breakdown after two decades of winning and
being always expected to win.
And fun is one of the things that we
average sailors can be REALLY good at.
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
Air Duck
33
Aqua Graphics
65
Atlantic Sails
35
Banks Sails
68
Beachmaster Photography
66
Beneteau Sailboats
BC
Beta Marine
16
Bluewater Insurance
14
Bluewater Sailing Supply
13
Boaters Exchange
6,63
BoatUS
7
Bob and Annie’s Boatyard
20
Bo’sun Supplies
37
Bubba Book
18
Carson/Beneteau
BC
Coast Weather
69
Compac Boats East
16
Corinthian Regatta, Bradenton YC
57
Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina
56
Cruising Direct Sails
45
Davis Maritime Surveying
51
Defender Industries
68
Dockside Radio
17
Don’s Salvage
52
Dwyer mast
68
Eastern/Beneteau
BC
First Patriot Insurance
21
Fleetside Marine Service
67
Flying Scot Sailboats
64
Fujinon Binoculars
27
Fun Maritime Academy
17
Garhauer Hardware
34
Glacier Bay Refrigeration
44
Great Outdoors Publishing
52
Gulf Coast Yacht Sales
64
Gunkholer’s Cruising Guide
52
Hood/SSMR
61
Hotwire/Fans and other products
67
Hunter Sailboats
10,11
Island Marine Products
32
Island Time PC
67
33
JS900 PHRF Racer
64
JSI Marine Flea Mkt.
68
Martek Dinghy Davits
67
Massey Yacht Sales
3,9,19,39,43,47, IFC
Master and Commander DVD
17
Masthead Enterprises
34,69
Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau
BC
National Sail Supply
42
Nautical Trader
52
NBOA
53
North Sails
6
Nuclear Sails
13
Pasadena Marina
51
Porpoise Used Sails
69
Raider Sailboats
66
RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke
27
Regatta Time in Abaco
38
Rparts Refrigeration
30
Sail Exchange/Used Sails
40
Sailcovers and More
68
Sailfest, Sarasota Youth Sailing Program
56
Sailor’s Soap
23,36,46
Sailtime
65
Sarasota Youth Sailing Program
62
Schurr Sails
15
Scurvy Dog Marine
37
Sea School
16
Sea Tech
44
Shadetree
27
Snug Harbor Boats
15
SSMR/Hood
61
St. Augustine Sailing School
68
St. Barts/Beneteau
BC
Suncoast Inflatables
59
Tackle Shack
54
Tampa Sailing Squadron
62
TowboatUS
13
UK Sails
41
Ullman sails
57
Weathermark sailing
12
West Marine
29, IFC
Windcraft Catamarans
27
Alphabetical list of advertisers
Sailing Services Directory West Florida
Where to Get Southwinds
Southwinds
April 2004
69
55
48
61
69
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOAT
Everybody Needs a “Break”
Now & Then
By Mary Reid
T
his is so cool! The boat has been back in the water less
than two weeks. A hint of antifreeze still lingers in the
water system, and we’re already going on a boat vacation. My mind is whirling with plans. I’ll sleep late! We’ll rent
a car and explore! On the days I’m not sipping cold ones by
the pool, we’ll pack that picnic hamper occupying precious
space under the master berth and go to the beach! I blink my
starry eyes and the cap’n’s disgruntled face comes into focus.
“I’m sorry, honey,” I offer, as I try to wipe the grin off my
face.
(His response is not fit to print.)
You see, the cause of this little respite from daily boat life
as we know it is a faulty transmission. One that will probably
have to be shipped. (Yes! I wonder how many dime novels I
can devour before it gets back.) We’ll be spending our day languishing at the Dowry Creek Marina on the ICW, which boasts
a swimming pool, a beautiful clubhouse with satellite TV, a courtesy van and, best of all, a verandah lined with rocking chairs
to rock away the evening in. It does nothing to improve the
cap’n’s state of mind when I try to convince him that landlubbers pay good money to come and stay put at a place like this.
“Staying put” goes against a true sailor’s psyche.
Unfortunately, the captain doesn’t share my Pollyanna
view of boat vacations. However, I think he would agree that
some of our best times and best friends have been born from
assorted boat maladies. Wind, weather, equipment failure…
Like the time Agur’s Wish and a bunch of other boats holed
up at a little marina to wait out a storm. In four days of shared
misery, we and the crews of Gone Away (Ken and Jane),
Chakana (Mike, alias Captain Crash, and Monica), Who Cares
(Steve and Kelly), Phase One (Dick and Gloria) and Bob, on
the boat with no name, became fast friends. We checked and
rechecked dock lines. We shared information and electrical
cords. We ate, we drank, and we commiserated. These things
just don’t happen in one night in a calm anchorage.
One funny incident happened when Chakana came racing into the dock showing no signs of slowing down. We all
jumped up and started waving hands and yelling very insightful advice.
Like…
“Slow down!”
And…
“You’re going too fast!”
As if Mike couldn’t figure this out on his own. The concrete boat ramp he was rapidly approaching could have
helped slow him down, but he chose instead to take out about
five feet of much more boat-friendly wooden docks. It seems
his transmission was stuck in forward. Those damn transmissions. It seems like it’s all or nothing with them. Anyway
that’s not the funny part; it happened the next morning.
Several of us were gathered in the laundry room when
Miss Lucy (this name has been changed to protect the not-soinnocent), the proprietor of the marina, came looking for a
reckoning. She cornered Steve, thinking she had found the
culprit who smashed up her docks the night before.
“What boat are you from?” she demanded.
“Who Cares,” Steve replied (See boat list above).
“I care, by gosh! Somebody’s gotta pay for those docks.”
We all laughed, but I don’t think she got the joke.
Just as in land life we swore to stay in touch, and we did
for awhile and then we lost contact with most of these couples,
but we still keep in close touch with Gone Away and make a
point of meeting up with them every year. And we know
someday we’ll unexpectedly run into the others at a dock, or
in some secluded anchorage, or while waiting out a storm
somewhere.
We met Gord and Suzanne (Camelot II) while waiting out
another storm in Fishing Bay on the Chesapeake. We followed
them on to Norfolk, but then they went their way, and we
went ours. But through the heaven-sent power of e-mail, we
were able to meet up with them the next year in New York
City.
I remember Gord saying, almost regretfully, “I made so
many good friends last year, and we’ve made plans to meet
up again this year. I’m just afraid we won’t make the effort or
the time to meet new ones this year!”
But you do. There’s always room for more.
So in between my daydreams of beaches and pina coladas
are hopes that during our enforced vacation we find a few
more good friends and maybe another place we’ll have to
stop in and say howdy at next year.
But wait a minute. What’s the cap’n pulling out of the
cockpit lockers? Paintbrushes and cans of varnish! *#*%! It
looks like it’s going to be a working vacation.
Have an interesting story to tell? We would like to print it here.
If you have a photo with it, all the better. E-mail to editor@southwindssailing.com
70
April 2004
Southwinds
See the Boats
Share the knowledge
Stay for the Fun!
May 21 - 23 • Regatta Pointe Marina
Palmetto, Florida
• Admission is Free! All boat
owners and boating enthusiasts
are invited
• Fun-filled parties, cookouts,
refreshments and live entertainment
• Free anchorage, transient slips
available at additional cost
• 8 Free seminars
• Up to 60 new and pre-owned sail
and powerboats on display from
30-45 ft.
• Tropica Marine electronics display
• Free launch service provided
by Duffy Electric Boats
• Special purchase incentives for
new Catalina, Hunter or Mainship
yachts
• Free demo cruises –
Catalina, Hunter and Mainship
(reservations required)
• Gifts and drawings for big prizes
• Free "How to Prepare your
Boat for Sale" package
• $500 West Marine
door prize
Don’t miss out! Chart a course to Regatta Pointe to share the fun and camaraderie of other owners and cruising
yachtsmen. Catalina, Hunter and Mainship owners who pre-register receive a quality canvas bag filled with valuable
gifts and prizes! Call your nearest Massey Yacht Sales & Service dealership for details.
TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU ON FLORIDA’S WEST COAST – IN THE HEART OF AMERICA’S FINEST CRUISING AREA.
www.masseyyacht.com • E-mail:
Sponsored by:
The Cruisers Lifestyle
Gloria Rector Vessel
Documentation, Inc.
yachtsales@masseyyacht.com

southern racing - Southwinds Magazine

Transcription

Similar documents

JK Pesja - Snipe Today

?cfbUh] ! 7fcUh]U

ShowBoats International

De Valk Brochure 8p ENG print - De Valk

2003 Crownline 225 LPX - $ 19,900

Newsletter Mk8 - Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club

1981 Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster - $ 79000

July 2016 - Fanshawe Yacht Club and Sailing School

19 FT Center Console Boat Comparison | Yamaha Boats

SEA Magazine, Center Console Story, December

- Blackhawk Chapter ACBS