southwindsfebruary2006
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February 2006For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless
SOUTHWINDSNews & Views for Southern Sailors
Melges 24 World Championship
ETAP 37 Boat ReviewThe Right Optimist Program
for Your Child
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News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 5
SOUTHWINDSNEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS
From the Carolinas to Cuba…from Atlanta to the Abacos…SOUTHWINDS Covers Southern Sailing
The Melges 24 Worlds. Photo © Tim Wilkes/www.timwilkes.com. Page 54.
The right Optimist program for your child. Photo bySteve Morrell. Page 38
6 From the Helm: Should Boats be Forced to Leave Marinas during a Hurricane?
By Steve Morrell, Editor
9 Letters
16 Strange Stuff and Ferro-CementBy Morgan Stinemetz
18 Short Tacks: Sailing News and Events Around the South
28 Our Waterways: News About Our Changing Waterways
36 Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show PreviewBy Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp
38 The Ins and Outs of Choosing the Right Optimist Program for your Child
By Stephanie Cox
42 Tania Abei – Still Sailing After All These YearsBy Julie Connerley
44 Bob and Annie’s Boatyard – Multihulls WelcomeBy Barbara Pierce
46 Proposed Legislation May Change Laws for Marinas During Hurricanes
By Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp
48 Boat Review: The Unsinkable ETAP 37By John Grover and Ludwig Hoogstoel
50 Fort Pierce Welcomes BoatersBy Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp
52 PHRF Racing TipsBy Dave Ellis
54 Melges 24 Worlds in Key LargoBy Stephanie Cox
58 Racing: News, and Events. Southern Regional Racing Reports and Race Calendars
78 Capt. Morgan and a Bottle of Rum Meet the Coast GuardBy Morgan Stinemetz
68-69 Regional Sailing Services Directory 76 Alphabetical Index of Advertisers77 Advertisers’ List by Category77 Subscription Form
For this month’s regional air and water temperatures, see regional racing sections
COVER:Marrackech Express, the boat that took second overall, sails in the
Melges 24 Worlds in Key Largo, FL. Photo © Tim Wilkes/www.timwilkes.com. Story page 54.
6 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
FROM THE HELM
Should Boat Owners Be Forced to Leave a Marina During a Hurricane?
Iwould usually hold off on hurricanearticles till the hurricane season, but
if there is anything we have tried to doin our articles it is to promote plan-ning ahead. This legislation is happen-ing now, and it is heavily tied into ourproblem with disappearing marinas.If we act too late, another storm sea-son could cost us another marina lost,something we can’t afford.
After Hurricane Andrew hitSouth Florida in 1992, the state ofFlorida changed the laws so thatboaters could not be forced to movetheir boats from a marina because of ahurricane. Florida lawmakers are nowtrying to change those laws—mainlyas a consequence of the damagecaused by recent storms (see article onpages 46-47). Marina owners don’t somuch want to force the boats to leavebut to make the owners responsiblefor damage their boats cause.
How many times have I gone to amarina after a storm to see damagedboats and docks because a boat ownerhas done nothing to protect his boat? Isuppose if the boat is damaged, thenthat is a private affair between thatboat owner and his insurance compa-ny, but suppose the owner’s lack ofattention to his boat’s safety damagedthe docks? If I was a marina owner, Iwould feel that boat owner is respon-sible. As it stands now, he is not.
Today, we are faced with a terribleproblem of disappearing marinas—
largely because it is becoming soexpensive to run a marina. Most mari-na owners are in the business becausethey like it—they are not in the busi-ness just for the money—but if theycan’t make money, they can’t stay inbusiness, and if someone comes alongwith a big offer, they really don’t careif that marina will be sold to condodevelopers. They just have to get out.Many marinas were heavily damagedlargely because of boats thatdestroyed them—and much of thatbecause boat owners did not secureand prep their boats.
We boaters must do everythingwe can to help them stay in business,because we will lose—no, we are los-ing—this battle of disappearing mari-nas. Unfortunately, too many boatowners don’t prepare their boats,thinking insurance will solve theirproblem, maybe even with the motiveof getting a new boat.
I believe we must tackle this issueon several fronts. First, we mustencourage owners to protect theirboats through education, whichSOUTHWINDS has tried to do. Learnhow to protect your boat, get a stormplan and implementing it.
Secondly, we must work on insur-ance companies. They need to moti-vate their customers to protect theirboats. When I recently bought anothersailboat, I had to submit a hurricaneplan. They didn’t review it or give me
suggestions. They felt that by askingme, they would help me be aware thatI should have a plan. I guess that’s astart. I was hoping boat owners wereway above that level of awareness, butI wonder. Insurance companies musttake a larger role in promoting hurri-cane protection through cost incen-tives, plan reviews, plan sugges-tions—and enforcement. Most insur-ance companies do have a financialincentive to have the boat moved orhauled out during an impendingstorm, but I believe most boat ownersdon’t know the clause probably existsin their policy, as most probably don’tread their policies.
And thirdly, we must work onprotecting the marinas. Otherwise, wewill have no place to keep our boatsafter a storm, nevertheless before astorm. And with the rate marinas aredisappearing in other ways (throughcondo development, etc.), we can’tafford that. It might mean we all getliability insurance, or maybe we haveto leave a marina during a storm, but Isurely don’t want to lose anothermarina, or my slip at one, becausesome thoughtless boat owner didnothing to protect his boat—or themarina.
Perhaps we need to support thislegislation and keep these marinas inbusiness.
Steve MorrellEditor
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 7
8 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
SOUTHWINDSNews & 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 Faxwww.southwindsmagazine.com
e-mail: [email protected] 14 Number 2 February 2006Copyright 2006, Southwinds Media, Inc.
Founded in 1993 Doran Cushing, Publisher 1993-2002
Publisher/EditorSteve Morrell [email protected] (941) 795-8704
Associate EditorsStephanie Cox [email protected] Hoogerwerf Knapp [email protected] Pierce [email protected]
AdvertisingSteve Morrell [email protected] (941) 795-8704David Curry [email protected] (941) 761-0048Gary Hufford [email protected] (727) 585-2814
Regional EditorsCAROLINAS AND GEORGIA
Walt McFarlane [email protected] (912) 429-4197
EAST FLORIDARoy Laughlin [email protected] (321) 690-0137
SOUTHEAST FLORIDALisa Hoogerwerf Knapp [email protected]
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA RACINGArt Perez [email protected] (305) 380-0106
Production Proofreading ArtworkHeather Nicoll Kathy Elliott Rebecca Burg
Contributing Writers Rebecca Burg Julie Connerley Stephanie CoxDave Ellis John Grover Ludwig HoogstoelKim Kaminski Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp Roy LaughlinWalt McFarlane R. J. Mitchellette Art PerezBarbara Pierce DeeVon Quirolo Morgan Stinemetz
Contributing PhotographersRebecca Burg Julie Connerley Dave EllisKim Kaminski Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp Barbara PierceTim Wilkes Martine Zurinskas
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: ARTICLES & PHOTOGRAPHY:
SOUTHWINDS encourages readers, writers, photographers, cartoonists, jok-ers, magicians, philosophers and whoever else is out there, includingsailors, to send in their material. Just make it about the water world andgenerally about sailing and about sailing in the South, the Bahamas or theCaribbean, or general sailing interest, or sailboats, or sailing in some far-off and far-out place.
SOUTHWINDS welcomes contributions in writing and photography, sto-ries about sailing, racing, cruising, maintenance and other technical arti-cles and other sailing-related topics. Please submit all articles electronical-ly by e-mail (mailed-in discs also accepted), and with photographs, if pos-sible. We also accept photographs alone, for cover shots, racing, cruisingand just funny entertaining shots. Please take them at a high resolution ifdigital, or scan at 300 dpi if photos, or mail them to us for scanning.Contact the editor with questions.
Subscriptions to SOUTHWINDS are available at $19.95/year, or $37/2years for third class, and $24/year for first class. Checks and credit card num-bers 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 onour Web site, www.southwindsmagazine.com. SOUTHWINDS is distributed toover 500 locations throughout 10 Southern states. If you would like to dis-tribute SOUTHWINDS at your location, please contact the editor.
Read SOUTHWINDS on our Web site, www.southwindsmagazine.com.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 9
LETTERS
“Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.”H.L. Mencken
In its continuing endeavor to share its press, SOUTHWINDSinvites readers to write in with experiences & opinions.
YOU KNOW YOU’RE A LIVEABOARD WHEN…SAILING AND/OR CRUISING IS YOUR LIFE WHEN:
You carry your laundry in bags marked “mainsail” or “jib.”
Daily activities are scheduled around the tides and theweather.
It’s impossible to throw away a piece of rope, no matterhow short or old it is.
Shopping in a marine hardware store is fun.Most of your income goes toward the sailboat.The rest of your income is used on the dinghy.You believe that you never have enough anchors.You become instant friends with anyone who
compliments your sailboat.You’re in bed just after sunset.Most of the clothes you own have epoxy or 5200 stains
on them.You never really know what’s going on in the world of
television.You wouldn’t give all of this up for the world.
Rebecca BurgS/V Angel, Key West, FL
Rebecca,I am going to suggest that we call this, “You know You’re aLiveaboard When…”I would like to add a few of my own, having been a liveaboard ina previous life:
You know You’re a Liveaboard When…Your fridge/icebox is stuffed full even when there’s hardly
anything in it.You take quick showers.Your forearms are scratched up from fixing things in tight places.You become a contortionist from fixing things in tight places.Your pants’ seat is wet from riding in your inflatable.You always have a bunch of quarters for the Laundromat.You are a regular at the Laundromat.You seek warmer weather so you can wear less clothes and
not go to the Laundromat very often.You have the biggest yard in the world.
Perhaps our readers can send in some more, but we need a JeffFoxworthy for sailors.
Editor
LIVEABOARD BOATERSWhere does one begin! Talk about stereotypes, and narrow-minded people. Only in Florida are liveaboard boatersviewed as a problem. Only in Florida have politicians inconcert with real estate developers decided to make peoplewho live aboard vessels unlawful.
Through the ages, men have advanced civilization byadventuring upon the world’s oceans. Sailing brought us to
See LETTERS continued on page 10
PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach FL 34218 [email protected]
LETTERS Continued from page 9
See LETTERS continued on page 12
10 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
this new world. Everywhere, there are harbors with vessels ofall shapes, types and sizes. Along the East and West coasts ofthe United States, there are boats anchored or moored, yethere in Florida, where it is legal to be homeless, it is illegal tolive aboard a vessel.
Reasons for these punitive laws are as varied as the grainsof sand on the beach. Wasn’t the U.S. Constitution written toprevent one well-meaning group of individuals from inflictingharm on a minority? Many liveaboard boaters have meagermeans to defend their rights. It is easier to just move on. Thiswas true for the American Indian, the gypsies of Europe, andthe Mormons.
Boaters on the whole are a diverse lot. There are fisher-men, pleasure boaters, cruisers, charter sailors, racing sailors,voyagers, weekend and seasonal boaters, trailer sailors,canoeists, and kayakers. Liveaboard boaters are not many, andtheir reasons may be economic, or pleasure-seeking. (Somepeople even enjoy climbing snow-covered mountains, orcamping in subzero weather.)
I am a third-generation Floridian, who owned a boatbefore a car. I spent my childhood on Clearwater Bay. Now Ichoose to live on my sailboat, but not at a dock. Perhaps I am astrange breed, but I sail when we move along the coast. Life justfeels so much better when you are free to swing with the windand freely ride the waves and wakes. Tying to a dock makes mefeel trapped, just as living in a box with four walls, a floor anda ceiling. I can’t begin to understand the need some have to livein a condo, but I don’t deny them the right to do it.
For years I have anchored along the Gulf Coast of Florida,from the Dry Tortugas north to the Homosassa River. I’vestayed close to my parents, as they are aging, and they enjoy myvisits and knowing I am safe. I could fill a book with the anchor-ages and adventures along the way, but I haven’t seen even fivepercent of the coast. Pinellas County is the most familiar, andClearwater Beach is home mostly. In four years, I have beenasked to move by law enforcement five times, all in PinellasCounty. Only because anchoring laws exist was I obliged tocomply. Law enforcement officials have not bothered with meuntil someone on shore felt the need to complain.
A year ago, I anchored at the same location in Clearwaterfor a month with no complaints. In the last three months I havebeen asked to move three times. The difference is someone whoprizes a view of the water sans boats has bought a condo. Yetthe real estate salesperson used a picture of the condo with myvessel in it to advertise the condo. Talk about weird.
The bottom line: We need to be more understanding ofeach other and learn to get along.
Capt. Clifford StephanCliff,Great comments and information on our sorry state of affairs onFlorida’s waters. I rememberd when I lived aboard, I was never onceasked to move when anchored out. I also have often thought itstrange that those on land complain about the sailboats anchoredout, yet travel and sales brochures frequently include photos of sail-boats to make the place attractive. I guess it’s all for show.
Yes, I believe the Constitution was set up to protect the minori-ty, as the majority doesn’t need a constitution to get what they want.After all, they are the majority.
It appears liveaboards are becoming the new group to hate incoastal communities.
Editor
See LETTERS continued on page 15
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT OURWATERWAY RIGHTS?After reading about Boot Key Harborpossibly privatizing, I turned to myhusband and said, “I think it’s abouttime we get involved.” We are mooredin the Fort Myers Beach field, and yes-terday, I witnessed two boaters whowere turned away. One had to anchorout after one night. The other just did-n’t come in, because $300,000 in liabil-
ity insurance is required to moor here.Okay. I can understand being insured,but few know of this requirementbefore they come in here after a longday of sailing, and not all of us cananchor here. Please post this some-where.
Now about the involvementthing. What can we do?
Kathie and Charlie Grove S/V My Time Too
Kathie and Charlie,Thanks for your comments, and, hopeful-ly, others will read this about the insurancerequirements there. SOUTHWINDS willeventually list all the mooring field con-tacts for others to read about such informa-tion. We are asking sailors to send us infor-mation about established mooring fieldsand those being considered in their areas.
SOUTHWINDS is trying to put outthis waterways information to get peopleinformed about the problems and changes,and we are considering different alterna-tives to solving this problem that sailorscan contribute to. Stay tuned as we willhave more on this in the future, or perhapsothers can offer suggestions.
Editor
CANADIAN VISITORS QUESTIONANTI-BOATER ATTITUDESAs a visitor to your country, I waspleased to find your magazine at alocal marina in north Florida. Wefound it to be a great tool in helping ussource products and informationwhile we are here. My wife Linda andI are from Vancouver, and we havebeen reading with interest the variousstories and letters over the last fewmonths regarding Florida’s disappear-ing marinas and the constant strugglethat Florida boaters have in trying tosurvive all the changes in local rulesand regulations that seem to be takingplace all along Florida’s waterfront. Wehave felt the effects of some of thesechanges ourselves, as we see restrictedanchorage signs and a shortage ofmarina space, along with the increasein prices that inevitably accompanylarge demand and short supply.
A marina we stayed at in St.Augustine had three price increases ina few months. These problems seemcontinent-wide today and are certainlynot confined to the state of Florida. Wehave found that most of them seem tohave their origins in the election oflocal, and in your case, state, politicianswho seem blissfully ignorant of theworld of boats and boating and what itrepresents to the Florida economy, butthis for the most part can be remediedat the election booth with determina-tion and some organization by theboating community. The proper politi-cal leaders can control the greed andavarice of private developers withoutrestricting growth. What’s not so easy
LETTERS Continued from page 9
12 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 13
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 15
LETTERS
to fix is the attitudes of individuals, such as the letter writeryou quoted from in your December issue. Immersed as weare in our Canadian naiveté, it’s hard to imagine that the let-ter in question was written by an American.
Decades ago, when Linda and I were students inCanada and learning about the origins of our neighbor tothe south, one of the points driven home by our teacherswas the importance America puts in the rights of the indi-vidual. It valued these rights above those of the collective,and in this lay the real strength of America. People fromaround the world were free to come to this place and liveout their lives and dreams as they saw fit. It was not illegal,nor necessary, to “fit into society” (as your letter writer putit) in order to get along. Alternative lifestyles were not aprivilege but a right—something that could not be said forthe rest of the world at the time of America’s birth. I hopethe individual who wrote this letter takes the time to meetone of these “liveaboard boaters” so that he or she mightlearn the danger of generalizations when it comes to classi-fying people in this world.
Thanks for a great magazine.Sandy Francis
Vancouver, Canada Sandy,Thanks for your comments and your thoughts. You hit the nail onthe head (pun not intended on the pump-out situation): Politicalleaders can control (well, maybe they can) the “greed and avariceof private developers...,” but not the attitudes of people like the let-ter writer concerned about liveaboards in the Davis Island sea-plane anchorage in Tampa Bay. That attitude is core to the lack ofknowledge about liveaboards and the prejudice against them thatI see becoming commonplace. No one who knows liveaboardswould make such vicious statements about them. I, too, wasbrought up with the belief that individuals in America werelooked upon as totally protected in their rights to be different—not just politically but socially as well, and we all protected andrespected those differences. No longer.
But believe me, the last dying cries of those wanting to be dif-ferent were heard in the ‘60s. A few stragglers are still out there, butthey are looked down upon now. The fear many had of everyonebeing the same has just about come true. Many of those cries camefrom people who wanted to live on boats and cruise the world. WhenI came to southeast Florida in 1979 and bought a sailboat and movedaboard, I saw that liveaboards were envied by many, and many land-lubbers saw these cruisers out there on the water—ready to sail offat a moment’s notice—and wondered, and perhaps wished, if theycould do the same thing. Times have changed. Fort Lauderdale wasthen the sailors’ capital of the Southeast—a jumping-off point for theBahamas and points south. Now it is the mega-yacht capital of theworld, and sailors are looked upon as bums, unless they‘re rich. Sonow it is okay to have a boat, especially an expensive one, and keepit at a marina—but live on one and you’re weird, a bum that “can-not fit in with the rest of society,” as our letter writer put it. Somepeople are just unhappy if others are not like them.
There’s more people on the land; they are the majority, and Iam afraid the tyranny of the majority is becoming true today.There was a time when people wanted to see those sailboatsanchored offshore. Now they hate them, and all the prejudices thatgo with that hate are coming forth.
But I still believe there are a bunch of landlubbers who lookupon cruisers with envy.
Editor
16 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
Strange Stuff and Ferro-CementBy Morgan Stinemetz
Events and News of Interest to Southern SailorsTo have your news or event in this section, [email protected]. Send us information bythe 5th of the month. Contact us if later.
UPCOMING SOUTHERN EVENTS
Boat ShowsMid-Alantic Boat Show. Feb. 1-5. Charlotte, NC, Charlotte Convention Center.www.boatus.com/boatshows/seast.htm
Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show/Miami International BoatShow. Feb. 16-20. See boat show preview, page 36.
Carolina Power & Sailboat Show. Feb. 17-19Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State Fairgrounds.www.ncboatshows.com/2005-2006/
Central Carolina Boat Show. Feb. 24-26. Greensboro, NC,Greensboro Coliseum Complex. www.ncboatshows.com/2005-2006/
Savannah International Boat Show and Seafood Festival.Feb. 24-26. International Trade and Convention Center.Savannah, GA. (843) 364-8491. www.savannahinternation-alboatshow.com.
Augusta Boat Show. March 3-5. Augusta, GA, Civic Center,www.bkproductions.biz/augusta.htm
New Orleans Boat Show Rescheduled. Originally sched-uled for Feb. 8-12, the show is now scheduled for March 8-12. www.neworleansboatshow.com.
Fort Myers Spring Boat Show. March 9-12. Lee CountyCivic Center, Fort Myers, FL. (954) 570-7785.www.swfmia.com.
Macon Boat & RV Show. March 10-12. Macon, GA, MaconCentroplex, www.bkproductions.biz/macon.htm.
Palm Beach Boat Show, March 23-26. Flagler Drive andCounty Convention Center, Palm Beach, FL. (800) 940-7642.www.showmanagement.com.
EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING
Ongoing – Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs. St.Petersburg, FL, Each Tuesday night, 7:30-9:30 p.m., 1300Beach Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary,Flotilla 72. Completion satisfies the State of Florida boatersafety education requirements. The continuous rotatingprogram has 11 lessons. One lesson is presented eachTuesday night. Lessons include: which boat for you, equip-ment, trailering, lines and knots, boat handling, signs,weather, rules, introduction to navigation, inland boatingand radio. (727) 823-3753
Boating Safety Courses, St. Petersburg, FL: The StPetersburg Sail and Power Squadron begins the six-week(every Monday) public boating course on Jan. 9. The courseincludes safety information plus basic piloting; charts,course plotting, latitude/longitude and dead reckoning.
18 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
How Can We Save Docks and Boats During Hurricanes?
Southwinds is looking for ideas and real stories on hur-ricane experiences to pass on to others for our upcom-ing hurricane section during the 2006 hurricane sea-son. We are also looking for ideas and stories on pro-tecting docks during storms. Should boats be forced toleave a marina during a hurricane? (See article on page46 in this issue.) Should boat owners be required tokeep their boats from destroying a dock during astorm? Should insurance companies give discounts tothose who protect their boats during a storm? Sendstories, letters and/or photos to [email protected].
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 19
Call (727) 867-3088 or visit www.boating-stpete.orgfor details. The course satisfies Florida’s educationrequirement for boaters under age 21.
Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary Offers Public Boating Programs:Expanded Boating Skills and Seamanship (11 lessons).Class days: Feb. 3, 7, 10, 14, 17 (this program started inJanuary). All programs are held at the ClearwaterSailing Center, 1001 Gulf Blvd., Sand Key (Clearwater).They are open to adults and youths.
For more information on upcoming education programs or to request a free vessel safetycheck, call (727) 469-8895 or visit www.uscgaux.org/~0701101/Publ icEducationPrograms.htm
West Marine Free Seminars for FebruarySouth St. Petersburg5001 34th St. South (727) 867-5700
Start time 6 p.m.2 Basic GPS & Downloading
w/Peter Barton2 Learning how to use your new VHF
w/Matt BurressTampa, 3905 West Cypress (813) 348-0521,
18 Free boat safety inspections w/ USCGA 10 a.m.-2 p.m.3 Inshore fishing basics w/ Markos Ruane
Clearwater, 1721 Gulf To Bay Blvd. (727) 447-5320Start time 6:00 p.m.2 Splicing three strand and more w/ Captain Tim7 Inshore Snook fishing w/ Captain Caudill9 Care and maintenance of your inflatable w/George Hecht20 Everything you need to know about your GPS w/Eric Lewis
North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort, NC,www.ncmm-friends.org, [email protected], (252) 728-7317. Ongoing adults sailing programs.Family sailing. 2-6 people; 2-6 hours. Traditional skiffs or 30’keelboat. $50-$240. Reservations/information: call TheFriends’ office (252) 728-1638.
Clearwater Community Sailing Center Sailing Courses and CampsThe Clearwater Community Sailing Center has beenawarded up to $225,000 through the county’sRecreational Grant Program, sponsored by thePinellas County Parks and Recreation Departmentand the Board of County Commissioners. The pur-pose of the grant is to address the demand forrecreation opportunities for the 280,000 citizens
who live in unincorporated Pinellas County,which represents 36 percent of the county not
within one of the 24 municipalities, rangingfrom the Pasco County line to Tierra Verde.
With this grant, CCSC is offering fullsailing scholarships for anyone whoresides in unincorporated PinellasCounty. Through these scholarships, res-idents will have the opportunity to par-ticipate in the center’s successful pro-grams that teach sailing, water safetyand environmental awareness in vari-
ous venues, including 20-hour coursesgeared specifically to children, adults
and seniors. With the support of the cen-ter’s partner, Sailability Greater Tampa Bay,
Inc, these programs will also accommodate chil-dren, adults and seniors with special physical needs whorequire adaptable boats, equipment and staff. The value ofthe scholarships ranges from $200 to $300, mirroring the costof the courses.
To apply for a scholarship, an application must be filledout and submitted along with a utility bill. Go to www.clear-watercommunitysailing.org for the on-line application andinformation.
Full scholarships are available for the following 20-hour courses and one-week sailing camps:Basic Sailing Course (adult & senior, able-bodied), $300 Basic Sailing Course (special needs), $300 Basic Sailing Course (children, 8 - 17), $300 Sailing Summer Camp (children, 8 - 16), $200
Other Center Events:Spring Break Youth Sailing Camp.March 27-31Daysailer Regatta and Fun Races.Open to the public. All classes arewelcome to raceWinter series schedule: Feb. 11.For more details, call Mark at(727) 535-2602.
Marine Corrosion Certification, Feb 7-10. Jacksonville, FL.American Boat and Yacht Council. (410) 956-1050.www.abycinc.org.
Standards Accreditation, Feb. 8-10. Wilmington, NC.American Boat and Yacht Council. (410) 956-1050.www.abycinc.org.
Boat Owners Warehouse Begins Free Educational SeminarsIn response to customer requests, Boat Owners Warehousein Hallandale, FL has teamed up with other members of thelocal marine industry to present several free seminars.
The first event is titled “On Board Marine ElectricalSystem.” It will be conducted by American Battery, Hubble
Electrical System andWards Marine Electric.It is scheduled to takeplace on Wednesday,February 15, at 6:15p.m. at Boat OwnersWarehouse, 1720 E.Hallandale Beach
Blvd. Hallandale, Fl.33009. (954) 457-5081.
Refreshments will be served and door prizes offered.
Jacksonville Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary Begins Boatingand Seamanship ProgramUnited States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 14-04 inJacksonville Beach, FL, will start a Boating Skills andSeamanship program on Thursday, Feb. 16 at the CaptainsClub, 13363 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32224.To allowplenty of time for registration and orientation, the first ses-sion will start at 6.30 p.m.
Insurance companies usually accept this course tolower insurance rates. $45 entry fee covers all materials.Limited space and reservations required. Call Mr. Davis at(904) 821-9692 for details and reservations.
Seven Seas Cruising Association-Sponsored MarineWeather Forecasting Workshop. Miami, FL. Feb. 21 -22A two-day Marine Weather Forecasting Workshop will beheld at the Miami Yacht Club on Feb. 21-22. (These datesimmediately follow the Miami Boat Show, Feb 16-20.) Theworkshop is sponsored by Seven Seas Cruising Associationand supported by West Marine.
The curriculum includes cause and effect of marineweather, charting symbols and terminology, the patterns ofweather systems and interpreting surface and 500-mbcharts. Lee Chesneau, a senior marine meteorologist forNOAA’s Ocean Prediction Center and a USCG-certifiedSTCW instructor, will conduct the courses. He has heldmarine weather seminars for Safety-at-Sea and at BoatShows. The cost of the workshop is $250 per person forSSCA members, $300 for non-members. The fee includes a250-plus-page interactive workbook as well as lunch bothdays. Limited registration to ensure personal attention.Download the registration form at www.ssca.org.
OTHER EVENTS
Everglades Seafood Festival, Feb. 4-6, Everglades City, FL,Free Admission.For more information, go to www.evergladesseafoodfesti-val.com. E-mail: [email protected].
20th Heritage Festival. February 10-12. Key West. HistoricFort Zachary Taylor with dramatic tall ship battles betweenthe fort’s waterfront and the sea. Tours and civil War re-enactments. (305) 295-3033.
20 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
11th Annual Upper Keys Rotary Nautical FleaMarket. February 25-26. Islamorada. Founders Park,mile marker 87. Free event with deals on marine equip-ment, boats for sale, fishing, diving, electronics, artsand more. Sat. 8-5, Sun. 9-5. (305) 453-3802.www.giganticnauticalfleamarket.org.
Tampa Bay’s 3rd Annual Marine Flea Market. March 10-12. St. Petersburg, FL. Buy, sell or trade. Marine and nauti-cal outdoor market. Fri. 12-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-3. This is not aboat show. Flea market and food. Located at St. Pete’s SpaBeach Park (base of St. Pete pier), near the RenaissanceVinoy Resort Marina, Municipal Marina and across thestreet from the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.
The Crawfish Festival and Spa Beach Splash are thesame weekend and will bring thousands of people to thearea. Both events are held within 1/4 mile of the marketarea. Bulk parking and trolleys for the area originate at theparking lot right next to the market area. This will ensuremaximum exposure to the market. www.tampabaymarine-fleamarket.com.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 21
NEWS
Red Tide Comes to the Florida KeysNear the end of November, lower Keys divers discovereddead and dying reef fish. A red tide, caused by excessivegrowth of a type of microscopic algae, Karenia brevis, hadbloomed near and around the Keys. By the end ofDecember, the concentration of red tide algae had dimin-ished but was still measurable from the Marquesas Keys toMarathon. Red tides normally occur in the Gulf of Mexicobut are less common near the Keys. High concentrations ofthe red tide algae cause respiratory irritation in people andwill kill significant numbers of fish. In some areas ofFlorida, the comercial shellfish harvest has been affected.
National Sailing Hall of Fame to be EstablishedProminent names in American sailing signed a formalagreement with state and local officials to establish aNational Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis, MD. The goal isto promote U.S. sailing achievements and educate the pub-lic about the sport.
“Every other sport has one,” commented BuckBuchanan, president, National Sailing Hall of Fame, Inc.
“It will provide an international sailing landmark forsailing enthusiasts,” said Gary Jobson, ESPN sailing com-mentator, who has been trying to create a sailing hall of famefor years. “It will inspire sailors and get the youth out there.”
Displays for the museum will be prepared in time forthe arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race, the round-the-worldcompetition that will return to Annapolis in April 2006.www.nationalsailinghalloffame.org.
Sailing for Miracles Raises at least $20,000for Children’s Hospital St. PetersburgThe Sailing for Miracles event held at and in conjunctionwith the Strictly Sail St. Petersburg Boat Show in earlyNovember raised at least $20,000 for the hospital. The Sailing
for Miracles series of events brought 10 icons of the sailingworld together at the boat show where several events,including a cocktail party and fundraising raffle, raised someof the funds. A sailboat race, titled Masters Under Sail, putthese 10 in a small-boat race with crew. Other events includ-ed a raffle put on by the Sarasota Youth Sailing Program. ACatalina 22 (donated by Catalina) and a BigFish (donated byIsland Packet) were raffled at the show.
The Southeastern Sailing Industries Association(SESIA), which helped organize the fundraiser, donatedover $1500 to the Sarasota Youth Sailing Program for its con-tributions to youth sailing and in thanks for its part in put-ting on the raffle.
Cynthia Wummer of Fort Lauderdale, FL, won theCatalina 22 Sport donated by Catalina Yachts.Wummer, an avid sailor, did not currently own aboat, and said her children, ages eight and 12,are thrilled with their new Catalina 22 Sport.
The new owners of the BigFishare Ken and Leinesa Adams ofJacksonville, FL. Coincidentally,Ken is a doctor at JacksonvilleHeart Center. Ken and Leinesacame to the boat show in hopesof buying a small daysailer, per-haps something with a small cabinfor an overnight or two. Nothing“clicked” for them that day, and theydrove home feeling a littledown. Their mood quickly changed when they got acall Sunday evening telling them they had won the newBigFish! Ken told Karsten Johnson, President of BigFish,Inc. and Marketing Manager for Island Packet Yachts, “Weare extremely excited to be the new owners of a BigFish. Itdoesn’t have a cabin but it will definitely pacify our sailingurges for now!”
The Sailing for Miracles fundraiser will again be held atthe Strictly Sail St. Petersburg Boat Show in 2006, andorganizers are hoping to raise substantially more at thatevent. Anyone interested in volunteering for the event, ordonating, should contact SESIA at [email protected].
Go to the SESIA Web site for more information about SESIA,www.sailingvoice.org. A link to the Sailing for Miracles Website is there.
For more information on All Children’s Hospital St.Petersburg, or to donate, go to www.allkids.org.
Hurricane Aftermath on Reef Reliefand the Coral Reefs of the Florida Keys By Reef Relief Executive Director DeeVon Quirolo
Here at Reef Relief headquarters in Key West, we are stillreeling from the effects of the recent hurricanes in SouthFlorida. Our classroom at Reef World flooded but wasquickly cleaned up and used by the Red Cross to distribute
hurricane relief supplies to local residents. Our officesexperienced no damage—although several
projects have been delayed—but we areunsure of any damage to the building
itself, which is owned by the city ofKey West, which will be responsi-
ble for repairs needed. We have received inquiries
regarding the impact of thehurricanes on South Florida’scoral reefs. The coral reef pro-vides a barrier against stormsurge, absorbs the brunt of
heavy waves, and helps to pre-vent or reduce flooding to our islands.
However, each storm that pounds the reef reduces the shal-low branching corals into rubble. Storms create turbidity inthe water column by suspending sediments, thereby reduc-ing the photosynthetic activity that corals depend upon forlife. Corals need clear, clean, nutrient-free waters to thrive.Tons of coral rubble are covered in sediment as a conse-quence of each severe storm.
In past years, Reef Relief responded with volunteerteams that uncovered hundreds of live coral fragments thatcould be found buried in the rubble and sediment. The frag-ments are elevated and stabilized, creating nurseries to sal-vage the corals. One such nursery at Western Sambo Reefwas used to restore a boat grounding site, and another oneat Noname Cay in the Abacos, Bahamas, is thriving. ReefRelief supports immediate efforts to begin restoration ofcoral reefs. We cannot afford to lose any more coral.
Marine life was affected, and residents of the Keys havereported finding fish and other creatures as the flood watersreceded. A red tide has been documented at Western SamboReef by Mote Marine Lab. This can affect fish and othermarine life, and people should avoid diving these areas andcoming into contact with the water and the air above the redtide which contains dinoflagellates that cause stinging, itch-ing, and even more severe health problems for humans.
Coral reefs in the Florida Keys in particular have beenimpacted not only by frequent and damaging storms, butalso by heavy use. Other damaging factors include bleach-
22 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
ing induced by increased sea temperatures, diseases causedby pollution—primarily runoff from the Everglades andland-based wastewater and stormwaterrunoff—and overfishing. Thus, the increasingfrequency and severity of storms compoundan already serious situation for our coralreefs.
The impact of recent storms on theenvironment of the Florida Keys hasbeen devastating due to the alreadyseverely compromised condition ofthe coral reef ecosystem that surroundsour island chain. Florida Keys coralreefs are down to less than two percentcoral coverage, thus they are less capa-ble of protecting our shorelines fromflooding and storm surge than in pastyears. They are among the most endangeredcoral reefs in the world.
The main branching corals at Key West and FloridaKeys coral reefs are elkhorn and staghorn. We have lost 98percent of these particular corals within their very limitedrange, which is Florida, the Caribbean and the Bahamas.Efforts are currently underway by the Center for BiologicDiversity, Reef Relief and others to designate these twocorals, as well as the rare fused elkhorn coral, onto the U.S.Endangered Species List in order to increase federal efforts toprotect the reef from runoff, pollution and climate change.
For more information, contact Reef Relief at (305) 294-3100, or e-mail [email protected].
Tips For Ocean Eating for the Volvo Ocean RaceTeam ABN Amro chef and food consultant Gordon Ramsay(www.gordonramsay.com) gave these tips to his Volvo
Ocean Race crews (reprinted with permission from GordonRamsay):
• Bring long-lasting bottles of condiments thatdo not require refrigeration (such asWorcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, soysauce, balsamic vinegar and runny honey)to instantly liven up food.
• Olive oil and butter can provideimmediate richness to soups andsavory dishes. To preserve butter
without refrigeration, pack it (unsalt-ed) into sterilized jars and fill to the
rim with a cooled brine mixture con-sisting of 100g sea salt to 600ml boilingwater. Use a clean knife to dip out thebutter, then top up the brine with
clean water. The brine will preserve thebutter for up to 6 months.
• In addition to salt and pepper, use dried herbs and groundspices to season food. Pack them in small resealable bags andkeep them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, ormake up flavored salts by grinding together coarse sea saltwith dried thyme, rosemary, oregano and mint. For addedspice, combine sea salt with cayenne pepper, paprika or currypowder. Sprinkle onto fish, chicken and meat dishes toenhance their flavor.
• Aged hard cheeses such as parmesan and pecorinoRomano are fantastic for grating over pasta and mashedpotatoes. Remove them from their plastic wrapping, cut intosmaller wedges and envelop each one in kitchen paper mois-tened with cider vinegar to prevent mold from growing.Rewrap in a breathable bag and keep in a cool, dark place ifrefrigeration is not available.
24 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
• It is now easy to find domestic versionsof inexpensive vacuum sealers that arefantastic for preserving food. Wrap batch-es of space-saving flat breads, such aswhole wheat pitas, tortillas and potatofarls, in vacuum-sealed bags to provideadditional carbohydrates or use as mealaccompaniments during the first week ortwo out at sea.
• Nuts, seeds and dried fruit are greathealthy snacks to help keep hunger at bay inbetween meals. In addition, bring little jars orbags of toasted sesame seeds, pumpkin seedsor sliced almonds for sprinkling over chicken,fish or rice dishes and to provide extra tex-ture and crunch.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Sunsail Acquires The Moorings Sunsail’s parent company, First Choice Holidays,announced the acquisition of Grand Expeditions, parentcompany of rival charter operator The Moorings, for $127-million from North Castle Partners, a U.S.-based leisure trav-el group specializing in premium leisure travel experiences.
The two major charter companies will now combinetheir efforts under one umbrella. First Choice Holidays is amultinational company specializing in a variety of travelexperiences. The purchase will give Sunsail a good entryinto the North American charter market. For more informa-tion, go to www.sunsail.com and www.moorings.com.
Hopkins-Carter Marine Opens NewStore in the Coconut Grove Area inSouth Florida Hopkins-Carter Marine, one of South Florida’s oldestmarine businesses (since 1916), with locations in Miami,Miami Beach and West Palm Beach, opened a new store toserve the Coconut Grove area. The new store is at Monty’sMarina on Bayshore Drive in Miami, between Shake-a-Legand the Miami US SAILING Center.
There is also waterfront access via the dinghy docks atMonty’s Marina. The store is fully stocked for power andfishing supplies, and it is developing a growing supply ofsailing gear including access to the full line of Harken sailingproducts and Gill foul weather gear.
Current store hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.(305) 854-4042. E-mail is [email protected]
BoatUS Stores Become West Marine StoresOn February 1, most BoatUS stores will be changing theirnames to West Marine.
Almost three years ago, West Marine bought theBoatUS stores and has been operating both sets of storessince then. During this time, they have worked to alignthe two chains and offer the same products, services,and prices. Going to a single name enables them tooperate more efficiently.
West Marine officials assure customers thatthe only change will be the name on the outsideof the store.
The BoatUS association, a totally separateentity, will continue to help boaters throughtowing, insurance, marina discount pro-grams, consumer advocacy, education andgovernment representation.
For more information, got to www.boatus.com, or www.westmarine.com.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 27
Fisherman’sVillage Marina in Punta GordaWill ReopenBy Barbara Pierce
Fisherman’s Village Marinain Punta Gorda, FL, re-ceived permits to begindredging, demolition andreconstruction in January2006. The popular marinahas been closed since May2003 as the 25-year-olddocks had deteriorated.Since then, consultants havebeen working with stateand federal permittingagencies for approval toreconstruct.
Charlotte Harbor, oneof the major deepwater ports on the west coast of Florida,is designated as an aquatic preserve. This meant that envi-ronmental issues needed to be addressed in the permittingprocess.
Jim Branch, dockmaster, anticipates that the first por-tion of the new docks will be available by April 2006, withall the docks completed by late summer. When the project is
complete, there will be 114 slips available, 97 for transientboaters. Liveaboards will be welcome. Depths at the marinawill range from 4.5 to 7.5 feet.
The new marina will have a large dinghy dock, in antic-ipation of the mooring field to be constructed in the harbor.A ship’s store will also be available.
Adjacent to the marina is the Fisherman’s Village mall,with several restaurants and specialty shops, and a resortwith a pool and tennis courts. The town of Punta Gorda is astate historic district.
Jim Branch welcomes inquiries at (941) 575-3000 [email protected].
OUR WATERWAYS
28 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
The SOUTHWINDS“Our Waterways” Section
SOUTHWINDS has created this section to inform our read-ers about changes in our waterways. We believe thatSoutherners are in the midst of a great change occurringon our waterways—through the conversion of manyboating properties to condominiums, restrictions onanchorages once thought to be more open and now beingmore restricted and regulated, and other economic forcesat work.
The waterways belong to all of us, and all of us havea right to use them. The waterways are not just for thosewho can afford to live on the water, and it is up to usboaters and lovers of these waters to protect that right. Wehope that by helping to inform you of these changes, wewill contribute to doing just that.
We are looking for news and information on changes,land sales, anchorages, boaters’ rights, new marinas,anchoring rights, disappearing marinas, boatyards andboat ramps, environmental concerns and other relatednews. Contact Steve Morrell, [email protected], or call (877) 372-7245.
Fishermen’s Village Yacht Basin, as photographed prior to its closing in May 2003. Photo courtesyJim Branch.
Governor Bush Approves New Marinafor Punta GordaFlorida Governor Jeb Bush approved plans for Punta Gordato transform the city’s waterfront into an 80-slip marina. Thegovernor must approve all new submerged-land leases forstate-controlled water. The reaction of the governor and hiscabinet to the plan was positive. Few questions were raised.
The new Punta Gorda Municipal Marina will be locatedat Laishley Park on the Peace River. (Boaters must go undera 45-foot fixed bridge.) Overhaul of the existing marina,which has never been open for use, has been in the works for15 years.
The plan is expected to cost the city at least $5-million. Itincludes new docks, a harbormaster building, boat ramp,park, showers, laundry facilities, and parking.
Approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and theDepartment of Fish and Wildlife is still needed before con-struction can begin. Randy Brodersen, project manager, andother officials are optimistic that this will happen quickly.“The average person has no idea that so many agencies andso much bureaucracy is involved.”
Within a year, the first phase of construction should becompleted. “We’re so happy to see additional slips beingbuilt, instead of the land turned into condos,” addedBrodersen. “This will be a definite asset to the city.”
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 29
Naples, FL, City Dock Evicts Liveaboards By Barbara Pierce
After 25 years, liveaboards can no longer call Naples CityDock home. At the City Dock, in Crayton Cove, a prime
Ocean Dumping Correction
We received a letter from one reader correcting us in ourDecember editorial that the limit for dumping off theFlorida coast on the Gulf side is nine miles out, not threemiles, as is the rule on the Atlantic side.
We also have learned through other sources thatsome cruise lines have agreed not to dump inside of 12miles anywhere along the Coast of Florida. Along withthis, we have found out that a cruise ship can generate360,000 gallons a day of water with detergent in it frombathing and washing, and there are no rules that prohibitthis being done any distance from shore.
There have been several bills in recent years intro-duced into Congress that would limit dumping of sewageto outside 12 miles anywhere along U.S. coasts and somethat would prohibit it within 200 miles. None of thesebills have passed thus far.
30 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
OUR WATERWAYS
area of Naples Bay, liveaboards had until November 1 tomove out.
“It was a wonderful place to live,” states Captain RonEuler. “Most of us have found other places to live, but it’sbeen a sad experience.” The controversy had made themarina an unpleasant place to call home for some time.
Manager Lisa Paul stated she had no option but to endtheir way of life for the liveaboards, as the marina wouldhave lost its state submerged-land lease.
For over a year, the Florida Department ofEnvironmental Protection (DEP) and the City Dock havebeen negotiating over the liveaboard dock. The dock wasthe object of persistent complaints that liveaboards dis-charged waste directly into the bay. The sewage pump-outlog showed limited use, several vessels did not have currentregistrations and therefore (per the DEP) were not capableof moving to a pump-outstation, and there werenot enough toilets tomeet state rules for thenumber of liveaboards.(Use of the toilets wasmandatory.)
Liveaboarda say theywere the victims of falsecomplaints. They repeat-edly denied that theyemptied waste into thebay and stated that theydid use the mobilepump-out machine andrestrooms at the CityDock.
State policy, put intoeffect since the marina’sprevious lease ran out in2000, mandates thatmarinas that do not ownthe bottom beneath themmust have a submerged-land lease. In a state sub-merged-land lease, live-aboards cannot remainmore than six months inany 12-month period.This affects more and more marinas in Florida.
A liveaboard is defined as a vessel where someonestays overnight for five consecutive days—or a total of 10days in a 30-day period.
Marinas and Boatyards: A Vanishing Breed?By Barbara Pierce
There’s an alarming phenomenon going on in boating:Public marinas, boatyards, and ramps are becoming lost todevelopers. They’re becoming condos, waterfront resorts,dockominiums.
Up and down both coasts of the United States, marinasand boatyards are disappearing. Disappearing at a rapidrate. It’s becoming more and more challenging to be aboater, as middle-class boaters are being squeezed out ofmarinas, ramps, and yards.
A combination of rising property values, rising proper-ty taxes, hurricane damage, and the insatiable appetite for
high-end waterfront development drives marina and boat-yard owners to cash out to developers.
Exactly how many slips have been lost is unknown.Neither government officials nor boating advocates are ableto count the slips that are no longer available to the generalpublic. Around Florida, it’s estimated that about 10 percentof Florida’s 2,100 coastal marinas have been sold or put upfor sale in the past year. That’s one in 10 of our marinas thatsoon will not be there for us.
Pinellas County has more registered watercraft thanany other county in Florida. Pinellas lost more than 1,000wet slips to developers last year. Palm Beach lost 15 percentof its public marinas in recent years.
Developers are paying top dollar for waterfront sites tobuild high-priced condominiums with docks.
Send Us Information On Public Mooring Fields
SOUTHWINDS is trying to catalog all the public mooringfields and anchorages that are regulated by local munici-palities in the South, whether fresh or saltwater. We askour readers to send us information on those that theyknow, with contacts, locations, regulations, news etc.Contact Steve Morrell at (877) 372-7245, or e-mail mes-sage to [email protected], .
One out of 10 coastal marinas in Florida have been sold or put up for sale in the past year. Photo bySteve Morrell.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 31
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OUR WATERWAYS
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“It’s just crazy. Submergedland prices are acceleratingfaster than land prices,” saysBruce Blomgren, CEO ofBrandy Marine. Blomgren esti-mates that the cost of sub-merged property is up to $4,500a linear foot. “With what’s hap-pening, you should get yourhands on a dock quickly.”
“Our recommendation forthe best buys are slips withliveaboard privileges,” says theDockominium Group. “Thesewill be a disappearing type ofslip in the years ahead.”
Developers are snappingup established marinas fast.Acquiring permits to build anew marina is a lengthyprocess, so they prefer to buyexisting facilities and rezonethe land for residential use.
A condo development cre-ates a marketing edge as wellas additional income by sellingor leasing its slips to prospec-tive tenants. Some boaterschoose their condo or apart-
Where will you get the boatrepaired? Boatyards are
becoming scarcer every year.Photo by Barbara Pierce.
ment based on being able to dock their boat at the marina.Marinas with slips available to rent to transients are
a vanishing breed. From the standpoint of security for thecondo owners, the new dockominiums don’t want tran-sients coming onto their property.
“Lack of marinas for overnight stops is the biggestboating disappointment I’ve had since moving to Florida,”says Dick Woodhull. “A big part of the fun of boating thatI enjoyed on Long Island Sound were the social contactsmade in the marinas. I was shocked to realize that if I did-n’t buy boatable waterfront property here, I was probablyrelegated to a smaller boat on a trailer,” Woodhull adds.
“It’s a tragedy for Florida,” says George Kupelian,manager of what used to be Bahia Beach Marina andBoatyard in Ruskin, FL, which is now a luxury condo witha yacht club. “Boating will become a sport for the rich.Our marina used to be full of working people—nowthey’re all gone.”
“We’re seeing more of it in Florida and the Gulf,” saysMargaret Podlick, vice president of government affairs forBoatUS. “But we’re seeing it all over the country. It’s scaryfor those of us who have boating in our bloods. It’s a hugeproblem.”
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 33
Send Us Information and Opinions on Boat Waste Disposal
More and more communities are restricting our rights toanchor or moor in their local waters. One of the maincomplaints is residents’ allegations of sewage disposalfrom boats.
Do boaters pollute the waters in which they anchor?What alternatives to the traditional methods of sewagedisposal from a boat exist? Are composting toilets a goodanswer? Do you have experience with them? How aboutmandatory pump-outs? Enforced no-discharge zones?How much pollution is caused by local communities com-pared to what a boat discharges? What about Type I andType II MSDs? Should they be allowed in no-dischargezones? How are the pump-out services in your area?
We are also looking for information on what othercountries—in Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and else-where—do about boat waste disposal.
SOUTHWINDS will be researching innovative ways todispose of sewage and answers to this age-old problem.We’d like your input and opinions. Contact Steve [email protected] (941) -795-8704
34 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
OUR WATERWAYS
This family-owned marina is committed to continue toserve boaters. It may be the only one in the area.
“We’re at the point where it doesn’t make sense to buya boat even though you have a slip because you can’t get itrepaired,” says Mike Bradley, program director for NorthCarolina’s Small Business and Technology DevelopmentCenter Marine Services.
“A quality yard is an asset to the community,” contin-ues Kupelian. “The process is allowing them to close. Theeconomy is creating the opportunities for developers. Idon’t believe the cities and counties saw it coming.”
WHAT CAN WE DO?As boaters, we must become proactive. Steps to preservewaterfront land need to be instituted quickly. We all mustdevote energy to this issue, or recreational boating willbecome something people used to enjoy.
“If you know anyone in an elected office, take themboating,” advises Podlick. “Once they get out on the water,they’ll ‘get it.’ They’ll see the magic of being out on thewater. Make sure that your local decision-makers valuewaterfront access for recreational use. Help them under-stand that the land must be zoned for something that has tobe on the water.”
One answer may be for states and municipalities tohold onto the marinas they own and help marinas andyards stay in business, perhaps through tax credits.
WHERE ARE BOATS GOING TO GET FIXED?EVEN MORE ALARMING IS THE DEMISE
OF BOATYARDS. “They offer you so much, it’s hard to say no,” says BobConover, owner of Bob and Annie’s Boatyard, specializingin multihulls, who gets frequent calls asking him to sell. Hedoes not plan to sell.
“We’re losing so many boatyards to private develop-ers,” said Lou Daniello Jr., president of the MarineIndustry Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. “Withmore and more boats in the county, where are they goingto get fixed?”
“We get a lot of boaters from the East Coast who wantto bring their boats here for us to work on,” says JackMacDougall, vice president of Bradenton Beach Marina onthe Gulf Coast. “The industry isn’t going to be able to sup-port itself, as more people get into boating and more peoplemove to Florida. I’m hoping it doesn’t collapse on itself.”
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ICW Information and Contacts
The following non-profit organizations actively work onour nation’s waterways.
• The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association(AIWA) works to publicize information on theAtlantic ICW, lobbies to promote the public intereston the waterway, works with government entities tosolve AICW problems and more. The public can postproblems found on the AICW at the organization’sWeb site, www.atlintracoastal.org. History and mis-cellaneous information about the AICW is availableat their Web site.
• The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Association (GIWA),formed in 1905, promotes the public and commercialinterests of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICW).Go to www.gicaonline.com for more information.
• The National Waterways Conference promotes, edu-cates and lobbies on behalf of all of the nation’sinland waterways. Go to www.waterways.org formore information.
State and local comprehensive planning, with require-ments to preserve and enhance public access to the water,is vital.
Join a group working on this issue at your local, countyor state level. In Punta Gorda, the Punta Gorda BoatersAlliance has influenced local officials to designate a “MarineZone.” Two new marinas with transient and liveaboardslips will be open soon.
Most states have advocacy groups. In Florida, StandingWatch is a major, active boater advocacy group, located atwww.standing-watch.org.
BoatUS is the leading advocate for recreational boatersat a national level (www.boatus.com). Podlick suggestsboaters check back with the Web site from time to time as itis being revised to better address the problem. “We’re put-ting together a tool kit of what you can do at a local level.”
in early November. We were told this was the case if all per-mitting went as planned, as they were waiting for their per-mit to build the concrete ramps out over the water whichthe lift rides on. Being only one-month behind schedule(fast for the permitting process), they hauled out their firstboat, a sailboat in December.
The hoist is capable of hauling boats up to 70-feet longand 60 tons. The marina has 34 slips available with a newlydredged basin, Dry dock space and repair and maintenanceservices are available. (941) 794-0309. www.cortezcove.com(Web site under construction as of press date).
SOUTHWINDS also reported last summer that ParrotCove Marina in Cortez would be opening in August. Delaysin the permitting process and resistance from ManateeCounty slowed the opening down, but Bob Gertz finallyopened his doors in December. The marina has 30 slips anda newly dredged basin has up to five feet of depth. Rates are$10 a foot. (941) 795-0088.
Scallops Being Re-established
SOUTHWINDS would like to hear from our readers with informa-tion we can share so that we can work together to protect ourwaterfronts. Contact Steve Morrell, [email protected], or call (941) 795-8704.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 35
Cortez Cove Boatworks and ParrotCove Marina in Cortez, FL, Open
Last summer, SOUTHWINDS reported that Cortez CoveBoatworks would begin hauling boats out on their Travelift
in West Florida Bays
Through the joint efforts of Mote Marine Laboratory andthe Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FFWC), scallopsare being reintroduced to the bays of Florida’s West Coast.If successful, it could mean the return of bay scallops whichwere once prevalent in these waters.
Loss of sea grasses, pollution and other problems creat-ed by human population growth have all but eliminatedbay scallops in the region. The program to re-establish themfirst began in Pine Island Sound near Sanibel and CaptivaIslands. Scallop larvae are nourished in hatcheries and thenintroduced into sea grasses. This proved successful in PineIsland Sound, after monitoring the program there for twoyears, and the project is now being put in place in otherwaters of West Florida, like Sarasota Bay, Boca Ciega, andSt. Andrews Bay (in the Panhandle).
Success of the program could mean the return of therecreational bay scallop fishery. Go to the magazine for acomplete article on the subject at Mote’s Web site,www.mote.org.
36 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
MIAMI BOAT SHOW
Fifty catamarans will be on display at the21st Annual Strictly Sail, the sail-only por-tion of the 65th Miami International Boat
Show, running Thursday, February 16,through Monday, February 20, at Miamarinaat Bayside Marketplace, located on 401Biscayne Blvd. in Miami.
This five-day event unites the newest andgreatest sailboats, powerboats, engines, elec-tronics and marine accessories from over 2,600 exhibitors.While Miami has always been a strong show for catama-rans, the 2006 Strictly Sail promises to be the world’s pre-mier event to display and buy multihull sailboats.
Notable firsts for this year’s show include the debut ofthe South African Pavilion, which will feature a fleet ofworld-class sailing vessels, including the star of this year’sshow, the Matrix 760. This striking silhouette sailing cata-maran offers luxury for 10 guests and four crew members,making it ideally suited to both the private, luxury yachtand charter markets. The South African Boat BuildersBusiness Council will also showcase an array of travel infor-mation about the Cape and feature the region’s top boatsfrom 36 to 76 feet, including Afri-Cat’s 420 power catama-ran designed by renowned naval architect AngelosLavranos.
Over 140,000 attendees, including 56,000 out-of-statevisitors, traveled to Miami for the show in 2005. Over150,000 are expected this year. People will be pining for atrue show, without the hindrance of weather, said StephenBogner, marina manager for the city of Miami.
People who didn’t make it to the Fort Lauderdale showmight make this one. While the Fort Lauderdale show is notknown for an abundance of sailboats, there were even lessthis year. The show was delayed and ran opposite StrictlySail St. Petersburg. Pier 66, which usually hosts the majori-ty of sailboats on exhibit, was damaged during Hurricane
Wilma and was used as a staging area. Miamiwill have first-class facilities, and everythingwill be totally ship-shape for the Februaryshow, Bogner said.
Strictly Sail generated nearly $820-millionof economic impact in Florida in 2005, creatingover 9,000 full-time jobs to support the 3,000-plus watercraft on display. The largest sailboaton display last year was 115 feet in length, with
the most expensive sailboat running just shy of $3-million.Hundreds of boats will be on display in the water this year,offering something for every lifestyle and budget.
The Yacht and Brokerage Show on the 5000 block ofCollins Avenue runs concurrently with the Miami Show,which will also feature in-water displays of powerboats atthe Sea Isle Marina and Yachting Center at 1633 NorthBayshore Dr. The Miami Beach Convention Center will hostthe exhibitors and remaining powerboats on display at thisyear’s show.
Not sure if you have sea legs? Then step aboard a cata-maran at the Discover Sailing Center (between Piers A andB) for a free introductory lesson that includes an adventur-ous journey across the blue waters of Miami’s Biscayne Bay.These free half-hour lessons introduce rookies to the pleas-ure and joys of the sailing experience while remaining in acontrolled, supervised environment.
Children ages six and older can participate in a free,fun-filled, hands-on boat building workshop from noon to 6p.m., Friday through Monday. Under the supervision ofbilingual, certified instructors, children can take hammer tonail and paint to brush to create two 10-foot wooden sailingyachts that will be launched into Biscayne Bay on Monday.All participants will receive a free T-shirt, and parents canwalk the docks freely and unencumbered while their kidsare occupied with a constructive activity.
Children under 12 pay no admission, while tickets are
Sailors Set Course for Strictly Sail Miami – The Cat Capital of the World, Feb. 16-20By Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 37
only $15 for adults, with two-day passes offered for $26,valid any two days February 17 through 20. PremierThursday costs $28. The displays at Sea Isle Marina and theYacht and Brokerage Show are free. The show opens at 10a.m. every day and closes at 8 p.m. every day exceptThursday and Monday, when show hours end at 6 p.m. Ifyou want to avoid the line, E-tickets can be purchased atwww.miamiboatshow.com or www.strictlysail.com. Alltickets include entry to the Miami International Boat Showand vice versa.
Seminars (all are in the seminar tent)Seminar schedules may change, so please check with showmanagement to confirm.
THURSDAY, FEB. 1610:45 a.m. Hotwire Enterprises and Four Winds - Energy
Panel for Cruising Sailors12:00 p.m.Charles Kanter - Cruising Catamarans:
Developing a Knowledge Base1:15 p.m. Trevor Hodgson - To America from Europe: The
Viking Way2:30 p.m. Pam Wall - A Family Sails Around the World3:45 p.m. Daniel Brown - Hurricane Climatology,
Forecasting and Marine Avoidance5:00 p.m. Tom Henderson - Determining R Value & Heat
Load of Refrigeration BoxesFRIDAY, SATURDAY, FEB. 1710:45 a.m. Ted Wheeler - Gulf Stream Crossing Strategies 12:00 p.m. Joan Antolik - Diesel Engine Preventative
Maintenance
1:15 p.m. Trevor Hodgson - Be Ready for a Storm 2:30 p.m. Michael Jacobs, MD - Prevention of Sea Sickness 5:00 p.m. Marti Brown - Marine SSB Radio: The Cruisers
Multi-ToolSATURDAY, FEB. 1810:45 a.m. Pam Wall - Hurricane Preparation 12:00 p.m.Phillip Berman - Finding the Right Catamaran
for You 1:15 p.m. Dave Thether - Diesel Electric 2:30 p.m. Charles Kanter - Anchoring Techniques and
Hurricane Moorings 3:45 p.m. Pam Wall - Cruising the Bahamas 5:00 p.m. John Zeitlin - Marine Electrical Design SUNDAY, FEB. 1910:45 a.m. Pam Wall - Atlantic Circle 12:00 p.m. Corinne Kanter - How to Become a Galley Guru 1:15 p.m. Dawn Santamaria - Sisters Under Sail 2:30 p.m. Pam Wall and Kathy Parsons - Women and
Cruising: What Works for Women 3:45 p.m. Kathy Parsons - Cruising the French- and
Spanish-Speaking Caribbean 5:00 p.m. Pam Wall - A Family Sails Around the WorldMONDAY, FEB. 2010:45 a.m. Charles Kanter - Cruising Catamarans:
Developing a Knowledge Base 12:00 p.m.Pam Wall - Cruising the Bahamas 1:15 p.m. Michael Jacobs, MD - Attending to Medical
Problems at Sea 2:30 p.m. Pam Wall - Outfitting for Blue Water Cruising 3:45 p.m. Lee Chesneau - Interpreting Marine Weather 5:00 p.m. Charles Danko - Life Raft Deployment
DIRECTIONSFrom the North:
I-95 South to exit 395/Miami Beach East, exit atBiscayne Blvd. Turn right; follow Biscayne to PortBlvd. (NE 5th Street). Turn left; follow right-handlane into the Bayside Garage.
From the South:I-95 North. Exit at Biscayne Blvd. Stay in left-handlane until the stop sign at Biscayne. Turn left on NE3rd Street. Follow the left side of the road into theBayside Garage.
38 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
Want to introduce your kid to the sport of sailing?The Optimist Dinghy is the trainer boat of choicefor children 8-15 in the South. The small soapbox-
like Optimist Dinghy has been the boat that has started thesailing careers of champions like Mark Mendelblatt, PaigeRailey, Allison Jolly, and Ed Baird. It is also the boat that hasemptied the pockets of thousands of parents. Are you readyto shell out your hard-earned money and give up yourweekends to travel around the country chasing your child’sOpti dreams? Do you secretly long to drive a gas-guzzlingSUV with weathered Tackle Shack roof racks and an “OptiParent” bumper sticker on the back? Here is some behind-the-scenes information that should help you decide whetherOpti sailing is right for your family.
A Boat is a Hole in Which One Pours Lots of Money(Even if it is Only Eight Feet Long)Be prepared to pay a fair amount of money if you want yourchild to sail Optimists competitively. With the increase inregatta entry fee costs, travel costs, and club costs, parents arepaying a pretty penny for the privilege of having their kidsrace in the Optimist Dinghy fleet. Parents aren’t the only onesfeeling the pinch of teaching kids how to sail. Yacht clubs arehaving to find new and innovative ways to pay for theirexpensive junior programs. Yacht clubs are being stung withthe cost of having to pay more for coaches, powerboat gas,and equipment. Many clubs have passed these expenses onto parents, found fundraising opportunities, or have reducedthe size of their junior programs altogether.
If your kid gets good, you’ll pay a lot more money.Talented Opti kids have parents who are willing to travelaround the country to have them compete at regattas that willget them on the elite Optimist National Team, the SouthAmerican Team, the European Team, and the World Team. Ifyour kid gets really good and makes the international teams,you’ll pay a lot to get them to these competitions abroad. Thetop families in the Optimist fleet also replace their kids’equipment frequently to make sure it is the fastest money canbuy. Do you have to buy your kid a new boat every year? No.But if you are into keeping up with the Joneses, sailing
The Ins & Outs of Choosing the RightOptimist Program for Your ChildBy Stephanie Cox
Optimists can be an expensive sport. On the upside, you can’t put a price on the experience of
growing up Opti. Kids get to make friends with childrenfrom around the world. They gain a tremendous amount ofself-esteem by learning how to sail their boats alone in a vari-ety of conditions. They get out of the house and become fit.They become good sports and good people if you choose theright program. Traveling across the country provides familieswith valuable time together. It is hard to put a price tag on theintangible benefits that sailing Optimists provide kids andtheir families.
Shop Around for an Optimist ProgramParents today have many options when it comes to juniorsailing programs for their children, and these options comewith different price tags. Traditional yacht clubs can be themost expensive way to get your kid involved in Optimist rac-ing. Most yacht clubs require parents join the club for theirkid to participate in junior sailing. After paying club initia-tion fees and membership dues, parents shell out a couplethousand dollars before their kid’s first regatta.
On the positive side, most yacht clubs have a fleet ofboats that new sailors can use until their parents decide tobuy their kids an Optimist Dinghy of their own. These clubsexpect parents to buy their kids a boat within the first sixmonths of sailing. Another benefit to sailing for a yacht clubis the one-stop shopping program can offer. Kids can growup in a yacht club program as they move from boat to boat.Yacht clubs can afford to staff multiple coaches so sailors canstay with a club as they grow from Optimists and move intoLasers and 420s. Smaller programs may not have the eco-nomic means to coach kids after Optimists or may limit theircoaching to one type of boat like a Laser. If your kid wants tokeep sailing at a smaller program when he or she outgrowsOptimists and they don’t have that fleet or a high school sail-ing team, you may have to look for a new program.
Generally, the less formal the club, the less it costs foryour kids to start sailing. For example, Davis Island YachtClub in Tampa or Sarasota Sailing Squadron in Sarasotahave less membership costs than St. Petersburg Yacht Club
40 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
or Clearwater Yacht Club. In exchange for pay-ing less, parents are expected to volunteer more,and these teams fundraise more.
You also don’t have to join an actual yachtclub to have your kids sail Optis. Sailing centerslike Coconut Grove Sailing Center in Miami andEdison Sailing Center in Fort Myers are two clubswhere kids can sail for relatively little money.Edison Sailing Center actually uses its annualRiver Romp Regatta to fundraise for junior activ-ities and also reduces entry fees for participantswho donate used sails to their program.
Average Budget for the First Year of Optimist SailingWhat can a new family expect to pay when their child firststarts to sail an Optimist? The price of entry can varybased on the program you join. Below is a conservativeestimate of what a family that joins a yacht club would payto start sailing.
*Conservative Estimate of Average Upfront Costs to StartRacing an Optimist
Learn-to-Sail Lessons - $300Yacht Club Initiation - $2,500Annual Yacht Club Dues - $1,000Decent Used Optimist Dinghy - $3,000Clothing (lifejacket, boots, gloves, spray gear, team
shirts, sunglasses, watch) - $300Equipment Use/Replacement (sail-ties, sails, bungee,
boat repair) - $500Regatta Entry Fees ($60 x 5 Regattas) - $300Regatta Travel for the Family (gas, hotels, food) -
$2,000US SAILING/USODA Membership Dues - $200Total - $10,100
*This is an estimate. Families could pay more or less depending onthe clubs they join and equipment they purchase.
What to Look For in an Optimist Program —A Good Head ParentEvery once in a while, rumors abound in junior sailing pro-grams about a massive rebellion against a head programparent. Entire families will leave clubs, coaches will quit,and programs will shrink under the tyrannical reign of aparticular parent.
The head program parent typically volunteers for a posi-tion of power where they oversee the coaches, address parentconcerns about the program, and act as a liason between theclub and the junior team. They are not elected, and it is athankless job that involves dealing with the less fun aspectsof junior sailing. These head parents deal with little leagueparent concerns that “young Johnny” doesn’t get enoughattention. These parents figure out what to do about brokenboats and maintain a program budget. These parents also fireincompetent coaches and search for replacements.
The bad head parents take the job to get their kid bettercoaching or advance a personal political agenda at the club.Good program parents are neutral and don’t get rocked bycriticism. They want the program to be safe, fun, and com-petitive. Bad program parents want their kids to get moreattention or hold dreams of being commodore of the club.
When you are looking for a program, choose one witha junior parent who doesn’t care if his kid wins or loses—only that he or she has a good time. Choose a program witha parent who is organized and good at communicating withparents. Choose a program with a parent who doesn’t cutcorners when it comes to safety. Head parents focused onsafety make sure that the coaches they hire are USSAILING-certified and the powerboats are properlyequipped.
Coaches Make All the DifferenceJust because someone coaches for a yacht club does notmean he is good at his job. It is really tough to find qualifiedcoaches in today’s competitive junior sailing world. In thelearn-to-sail summer program business, hundreds of clubsare vying to find qualified instructors who are USSAILING-certified. Since there is a small pool of learn-to-sail instructors, coaches can ask and receive a lot of moneyfor a few weeks’ work. In 2005, some of the top learn-to-sailprogram coaches were making over $20,000 for eight weeksof work in the New England area. Average instructors inNew England were making about $6000-$8000 and receivedfree housing if they were from out of town. Top private
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 41
Optimist coaches make $250 a day and fly around the coun-try from one job to the next with all expenses included.
In contrast, top coaches in the South make an average of$15 an hour in the summer with many coaches making lessthan that. Because of this pay difference, many of the South’sbest junior and college sailors are instructing in Northernstates to make more money. There are good coaches out therein the South. It takes a talented head program parent to siftthrough job applications and find talented instructors.
When you are shopping for an Optimist program, lookfor teams with instructors who have coached for at leastthree years and are US SAILING-certified. Talk to the coachand see if they are mature. Check to see if they are Red
Cross-certified and what their racing experience is. Watchhow they interact with the kids at practices or regattas. Arethey respectful to the kids and do they stay engaged in theact of coaching all day, or are they just floating aroundcatching rays? Finally, make sure that the coach listens toyour kid’s needs. Good coaches know when to push kidsand know when kids need a break.
Do You Have to Join a Yacht Club to Get your Kids inOptimist Sailing?You do not have to join a yacht club or community sailingprogram to have your kids sail in regattas. If you know howto sail, you can coach your kids yourself. A drawback is youmay have to supply your own coach boat, and your kid maynot want to listen to mom or dad. Another drawback is yourkid may miss out on the camaraderie of being part of a teamthat practices and races together.
Optimist Racing Provides Entry into a Lifelong SportRacing Optimists can provide a lifetime of memories forboth the sailor and the parents. I grew up sailing Optimistswith my brother, and I will always remember summersspent crammed in a minivan traveling to regattas inChicago, Newport, Annapolis, Marblehead, etc. Whenmany families struggled to find time to spend together, ourfamily spent hours on end traveling to regattas together.
I made friends sailing Optimists who I invited to mywedding. I gained a sense of self and independence at ayoung age that has benefited me throughout my life. SailingOptimists helped me get into college. For me, it was worthevery penny my parents sacrificed.
42 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
In May of 1985, Tania Aebi—at 18 years old—set out tobecome the first American woman to sail alone aroundthe world. She made the trip in a 26-foot Contessa and,
upon her return, authored Maiden Voyage, the best-sellingbook about her journey. The book has survived the test oftime as evidenced by the spellbound audience of 130 peo-ple, who visited the Pensacola Yacht Club recently to hearAebi retell her coming-of-age story.
The event was a cooperative venture spearheaded byFort Walton Yacht Club Fleet Captain Phyllis Seaton, whosuggested co-hosting Aebi at both yacht clubs after learn-ing about Aebi from two FWYC members, Ace and SuzCarlson.
“We are planning on cruising around the world andmet Tania during an advanced cruising seminar she spoke
at in California. We really enjoyed her and thought it wouldbe great if she would come and speak at our yacht club,”said Suz Carlson.
It was 20 years ago that an 18-year-old girl, nudged bya loving father, began a sailing odyssey that culminated ina tale of survival, romance, and adventures, while circum-navigating the globe alone.
However, hers didn’t resemble the traditional girl-into-womanhood story as much as it did that of a naïvesailor, who eventually became master and captain of herown ship.
While she had spent a year cruising on a larger boatwith her father, Aebi learned much about sailing in general.After making the life-altering decision to cruise around theworld, she half-heartedly tackled a textbook celestial navi-gation course, lamenting, “There was only so much I coulddo without actually being out there and seeing what I need-ed to learn and what the experience was going to be like.”
No Previous Single-handing Experience or Shakedown CruiseWhen asked later why she didn’t take her boat, Varuna, ona shakedown cruise, or try single-handing before beginningher 27,000-mile odyssey, Aebi had an equally glib reply. “Atthe time, my thinking was why not just combine the two.The shakedown cruise will be the first leg to Bermuda. If itdoesn’t work out, it is only 750 miles, and I can fly backhome.”
Perhaps one reason Tania’s story is as fresh today as itwas 20 years ago when she sailed around the world is thatit was written honestly.
She enjoyed the cruising lifestyle she had experiencedwith her father on his boat, and she knew she wanted tomake her “mark” in the world. “My father always thoughtI was a good writer from all the letters I had written to himover the years trying to convince him why I should beungrounded. He said I’d have to support myself underwayby writing and thought this would be the perfect materialto launch a career.”
It is one thing to write about scenic sunsets, frolickingdolphins, or ominous storm clouds. It is quite another toadmit to the world that after several hundred miles of a27,000-mile voyage, one is still having trouble navigating.
“Once I was actually out there,I was the only person inthe world who really knew where I was. I was the master ofmy universe within that 26-foot space. It was a powerfulfeeling,and I wanted to keep doing it, especially after Imade it to Bermuda.”
Tania Aebi Still Sailing Around The WorldBy Julie B. Connerley
“If indeed this trip was in lieu ofa college education like so many peo-ple like to say in the years since, thenthis was the longest final exam any-body has ever had. Between Djiboutiand New York anyway, that ocean
threw everything at me, testing everything I had learned upuntil then.”
Since returning from that first voyage, Aebi, who nowlives in Vermont, became the mother of two sons, earned hercaptain’s license, and received a master of fine arts degree.She also writes a regular column in Latitudes and Attitudesmagazine, leads chartered 10-day cruises in different coun-tries overseas and is highly sought on the speaking circuit.
Many changes have come about since Aebi made thatmaiden voyage 20 years ago. On her first trip, she had aVHF radio, a RDF beacon, depth sounder, a short-waveradio for listening, a sextant and a windlass that seized uppretty soon after she began the trip—so the anchor waspulled in and out by hand.
If she made the trip today, she says she would only adda GPS to her equipment inventory.In response to questions about whether she would sendeither of her two sons off to sea alone in a sailboat, Taniatakes a different stance.
“I think now, especially that I am a mom of my owntwo kids, that the biggest act of faith of bravery in thiswhole thing was my dad: to have had the vision to see thepossibilities and to have given me the chance when I was18. I had nothing to lose. I had life all before me, and respon-sibilities, children, insurance, mortgages, and whatnot did-n’t anchor me down. He gave me this chance to do some-thing awesome and to have this great story to tell for therest of my life.
“I couldn’t do that for my kids. I’ll go with them, butI couldn’t put one of my kids on a boat. I just can’t do that.However, I will always be grateful to my dad for givingme the chance.”
Aebi is planning to do just that. Instead of retracingher own “maiden voyage” as her father envisioned so longago, she wants to plot a new course that she and her sonscan experience together. “I’d like to go around SouthAmerica with them, and in the end we will have done theHorn together, and then I can step back and say I’ve donemy job as their Mom. They will be ready for life.”
Tania Aebi was not the first American woman to sail alonearound world, because, as it was later noted, she had a passengeron board for 80 miles of her trip. - Editor
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 43
Mistakes in NavigationAlthough she carefully plotted her courses and took meas-urements with her sextant daily, her calculations neverworked out. She was frustrated, yet her pride would notallow her to stop and ask directions. By sheer luck, she man-aged to hone in on the Radio Direction Finder (RDF) atBermuda, her first stop, and again at St. Thomas and at herthird port, Panama.
But when she almost missed the Galapagos Islands,Tania realized she needed help with her navigation prob-lems. “When I left Panama for the Galapagos, thingschanged. The day I thought I was crossing the equator, I hada bunch of presents to open. That night I saw a fishing boat,radioed them for my position and learned I was still 50miles north of the equator. I only found the GalapagosIslands because they had a RDF that was working at thetime. I heard afterwards that it often didn’t work. If I hadmissed the islands, it was 3,000 miles until the next group ofislands, which were surrounded by reefs. I had to figure outmy navigation problems!”
Putting her pride aside, Aebi told her audience she didask for help from friends she had met at an earlier port ofcall. The problem wasn’t with her math, but with her equip-ment. She was using a plastic sextant that had sat out in thesun one too many times. She had a perfectly good sextantstored in the locker aboard Varuna, and from that day for-ward, her celestial navigation was always “spot on.”
“Just being able to take the sun, moon, stars, a watchand a couple of tables to pinpoint my position in all thatwater out there was just such a great connection with theuniverse. I really loved it, and it is something I encouragepeople to learn, Even if you don’t need it now because of theavailability of GPS, it’s just a great connection to a wholeway of life,” she said.
A College Education?Aebi spent two and a half years sailing around the globe.She passed from her teens into her 20s on the oceans. Shewitnessed nature at its finest and worst, experienced manydifferent cultures, made many friends, fell in love and latermarried her fellow sailing adventurer.
Tania Aebi and Pensacola YachtClub’s 2005 Commodore LarryBowyer are all smiles after thestanding ovation her presentationreceived. Photo by Julie B. Connerley.
44 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
only railway I know of thatcan do it.”
The railway can move upto a 70-ton boat, 70 feet longand 30 to 40 feet wide.
Two cranes are also usedin the yard. “We can do justabout anything,” adds Jo.
Rare Wooden Boat Expertise“This is a hand-built woodenboat,” says Lenny Wassmer,talking about his 70-foot cata-maran, Sweet Liberty. “It tookseveral craftsmen to build it. Ittakes a good craftsman to fixit.” For 15 years, Wassmer hasbrought Sweet Liberty, a char-
ter boat out of Naples, FL, to Bob and Annie’s for haul-outs.Sweet Liberty was recently in the yard for repairs, as it
took a double hit from Hurricane Wilma. Cut loose from itsmooring, probably by another boat, it pounded into therocky shoreline, where the rocks put a hole in its side. Itbroke loose from the rocks and slammed into the dock,which punched another hole in the other side.
“There’s an artisan working on this boat. That’s what ittakes. She’ll be just fine in no time,” Wassmer concludes.
The yard offers a complete woodworking shop. Theycan do planking, joiner work, custom fabrication, or theycan complete a project designed by a boater. They also dowooden boat construction.
“People today don’t know how to work on woodboats,” says Bob. “In a standard boatyard, you’ll havetrouble finding people that know how to do the job. It’s alost art.”
But not at Bob and Annie’s.
Wood, Fiberglass, Paint, Surface-Prep Mixing ShopRoutine maintenance is the key to longevity of boats, andBob’s crew provides the skill and materials necessary tokeep a boat in top working condition. They do haul-outs,bottom paint, detailing and waxing, inspection and preven-tative maintenance.
They have experts in fiberglass blister repair, havingdone extensive research, work and analysis of procedures,materials and equipment in this field.
Another area of expertise is Bob’s paint shop, which isrecognized as a leader and innovator in topside refinish-ing. The paint crew has been using urethane paint since itwas introduced to the marine industry and has developedrefined techniques that result in an exceptionally high-
Reconstruction, repair, re-building, cosmetic work,painting, or fiberglass
work—there’s nothing that Boband Annie’s Boatyard in St.James City, FL, can’t handle.
Large and small catama-rans, trimarans, monohulls,trawlers, powerboats, small sail-ing dinghies—all are welcomeat Bob and Annie’s. But multi-hulls are the focus and passionof owner Bob Conover.
“Multihulls are my love.Multihulls are what we do,”states Bob. “I’ve been a multi-hull guy since day one. I got aride on a Brown, and that’s allshe wrote. I’ve never looked back! I built this yard because Ineeded it.”
Twenty-six years ago, in 1980, Bob bought the boatyardfrom a friend. The 41-foot Buccaneer that he had built need-ed a haul-out, and the boatyard had a tiny marine rail system.
After the purchase, word spread about Bob’s skill andknowledge about multihulls, and both the yard and the railsystem grew. Multihullers come from all over—California,Mexico, the Caribbean—to get work done on their boats. Theboatyard, located on Pine Island just west of Fort Myers, iswell known to most multihull owners.
“Bob loves multihulls,” confirms Jo Beauvois, his wifeand partner in running the business. “He understands howto haul them out and how to repair them. He’s built a greatreputation in the multihull community.”
“Most people hear about us through word of mouth,”she continues. “Boaters in an anchorage someplace hearabout us from other boaters.”
“People come here because they know they’ll get theirboat fixed right,” adds Bob.
Bob’s own catamaran, Dixie G, a Lock Crowther design,is being worked on in the yard.
Unique Marine Rail SystemThe marine rail system, one of only a few in the world, isworth the trip to Bob and Annie’s. It is powered by a 283Chevy engine—and good old country engineering—thatruns better than the ones used at drag strips. Visitors to theisland watch in awe as a 40- to 50-ton boat is slowly and sure-ly winched out of the water and up the rail to be blocked, lev-eled and set for the next day’s work.
“You can’t get a cat up on a travel lift,” comments DocHorton, who has built catamarans for 20 years. “This is the
Bob and Jo stand in front of one of the catamarans in theiryard. Photo by Barbara Pierce.
Bob and Annie’s Boatyard—Specializing in Multihulls, but Monohulls WelcomeBy Barbara Pierce
quality finish. Whether they’re using spray guns with linear
polyurethane finish, or roller and brush with traditionalmarine enamels and varnishes, the paint crew gives eachboat the care and attention that has earned them a nationalreputation for quality work.
West System Epoxy, polyester resin, lay-up, repairs, andcustom-design work are standard at Bob and Annie’s.Boaters bring the project. Skilled workers help with the solu-tions. Crew members know the limitations of the materialsbut have learned tricks to work around these limitations.
The yard also does composite construction to a boater’sspecifications.
Along with all these services, Bob and Annie’s has afully stocked store.
Rigging Design/ModificationThe yard’s experienced crew can do all aspects of rigging.They will help boaters design or redesign the mast and rig-ging specifically for their boat and how the boat will beused. Modifications often include mast steps, installation ofrunning and standing rigging, deck hardware and sail
furlers, to name a few. They are also familiar with rotatingmast construction.
One-of-a-Kind Old-Fashioned MarinaAdmirers describe Bob’s yard as a “one-of-a-kind old-fash-ioned marina.” The yard is a great place to meet boaters fromall over the world. “People sit under the trees and visit,” saysJo. “We have interesting boats and interesting people.”
“At Bob and Annie’s—we’re small, we’re family,” claimsthe Web site, www.bobandannies.com. The friendly, helpful,family atmosphere of the yard is apparent.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 45
Bob and Annie’s Boatyard is located at 3420Stringfellow Rd., St. James City, FL 33956, and is openMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For information or reservations, call Bob, Jo, or YardManager Eric Blomberg at (239) 283-3962. They are alsoavailable at [email protected].
Three motels are within walking distance of the yard.Reservations at a motel, or whatever help a boater needswhile his boat is being worked on, will be given.
The rail at Bob and Annie’s. Photo by Barbara Pierce.
A Brief History of MultihullsThe first multihulls were used by ancient sailors inSoutheast Asia thousands of years ago. These early multi-hulls were probably dugout canoes with an outrigger. Thecanoes were lightweight, fast, stable, capable of carryingcargo and may have been up to 80 feet long.
Some form of multihull likely carried early settlersto Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, thePhilippines and Hawaii.
According to some sources, in 1662 Sir William Pettylaunched the first western catamaran in Dublin. Thisboat, with twin cylindrical hulls, was named TheExperiment.
In 1868 John Mikes rigged a schooner with a tentbetween the masts and sailed the 25-foot rubber-hulledtrimaran across the Atlantic in an unheard of 51 days.
In the next decade, legendary yacht designerNathaniel Herreshoff won the New York Yacht Club’sregatta by sailing his 24-foot catamaran Amaryllis atnearly 20 knots.
In 1947 Woody Brown launched the 38-foot ply-wood Manu Kai, the world’s first modern asymmetricalcatamaran.
Arthur Piver is credited with popularizing trimarans,after he crossed the Atlantic in his 30-foot Nimble in 1960.
Since 1960 several designers helped convince askeptical public that multihulls are just as safe as mono-hulls. The designers included Jim Brown, LockCrowther, Derek Kelsall, Dick Newick, Prout Marine,Hobie Alter, Bill and Ricky Symons, and Tony Smith.
At boat shows today, an ever-growing number ofmultihulls are exhibited. They are becoming increasinglypopular because of their speed, spacious accommodationsand expansive decks.
46 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
Florida State Rep. Mitch Needleman has lived on the waterall his life. He understands the predicaments that boatersand marinas face when a hurricane is coming. His 30-year
career as a marine patrol officer makes him uniquely quali-fied to study the issue of moored vessels in the path of astorm, as his life’s work was dedicated to making SouthFlorida’s waterways safe.
Now a congressman in Tallahassee, Needleman is spear-heading new legislation to reverse the laws passed afterHurricane Andrew a decade ago that restrict marina ownersfrom protecting their property and moving boats in threat-ened areas to safer harbor.
Florida is the onlystate anywhere that haslegislation that forbids amarina operator to care forhis property, Needlemansaid. The intent of the bill,which is not final, is not tothrow boaters into thewild, he said, but to makeboat owners responsiblefor their vessels in the mari-nas. If they fail to do so, thebill would allow marinaowners the opportunity toprotect the boat and theirmarina property, too.
“I think we have tolook at the logistics to pro-tect the property ownerand move forward withit,” Needleman said,adding that if he has to steamroll it through, he will. Waitingis not an option. Something must be done before the next hur-ricane season, Needleman said.
It’s one hurricane season too late for Kadey-KrogenYachts’ marina in Stuart, Fl, said Tom Button, vice presidentof operations, who feels it’s definitely time for a change in thesystem. Nine boats sank in his marina in Hurricanes Francesand Jeanne in 2004. The docks were destroyed. He and hispartner were put through hell by the insurance companiesinvolved, with 12-hour depositions, exorbitant attorneys’fees, and $300,000 in damage.
When the 2005 hurricane season came around, the mari-na sent boat owners plans for hurricanes, urging them to joinhurricane clubs and to move their boats because they wouldbe responsible for damage to the docks.
Kadey-Krogen rebuilt their uninsured docks, but couldnot reconfigure them, because they could not get Department
of Environmental Protection permits in time, Button said. “The marinas in Stuart, Kadey-Krogen, Stuart Cay, Stuart
Harbor and Allied Richard Bertram Marine Group, are soexposed to fetch from the west that it is actually stupid toleave a boat here,” Button said, adding these boats would noteven survive a category one hurricane at any of these docks.
When Wilma blew in, Button knew what would happenand urged the boats in his marina to leave. “They had days toprepare,” Button said, adding that no one was risking his lifeto move his boat before the hurricane. All but six of the ves-sel owners cooperated. Five of the boats sank and wiped out
half of the marina’sdocks, once again, thistime for $75,000 inuninsured damages.
“We might haveonly lost a few plankshad the boats moved,”Button said. “We’re inseason, and we wouldbe booked out now.”His marina lost sub-stantial revenue as aresult of anotheravoidable catastrophe.Replacing the pedestalsis costly, Button said, asthe electrical systemseat up a few thousanddollars.
“It’s time to look atthe bigger picture;these moratoriums may
not be working,” Button said. “The state of Florida needs tobe behind us and realize what the marine industry brings tothis state. I’m all for kicking people out of this marina becauseI can’t get paid.”
“There may be some marinas in counties that cannotafford insurance at any cost,” Needleman said. Indeed, somedocks are not insured, said Frank Atlass of Atlass InsuranceGroup in Fort Lauderdale. The insurance rates are derivedfrom the type of dock construction. “Many marinas don’thave dockage insurance,” Atlass said, adding that 50 percentof all docks are uninsured for storm damage.
“Insurance companies don’t want to engage in that highrisk,” Needleman said. “We need to offer something in returnfor them to be in that marketplace.”
“Nowhere else in the nation are the rules as strict formarina operators in emergency occasions than in Florida,” hesaid. “The business world has changed drastically since the
Sailboats, with their sails still on, damaged by Hurricane Katrina in Miami.Photo by Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp.
WINDS OF CHANGE —Proposed Legislation May Protect FloridaMarinas and Boat Owners During HurricanesBy Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 47
See page 68for windrose legend
1970s, and to dictate to a marina owner how many boats,where the boats would be, where and how they should bemoored is now contributing to the businessman’s model.”
BoatUS blocked legislation to change Florida’s marinalaws last year as a scare tactic to increase its membership,Needleman said, offering his personal opinion. “I sat downand talked to BoatUS and the principals with that, and weneed to get this thing going for the next hurricane season.And, BAM! We get hit with another one. Look what hap-pened in Miami. Look at what happened in Fort Pierce.”
“On the contrary, we don’t need to raise our membershipnumbers in Florida,” said Margaret Podlich, vice president ofgovernment affairs for BoatUS. “With over 100,000 membershere, Florida hosts nearly 20 percent of our members. The leg-islation failed due to a lack of widespread support in the state.”
Everyone around the table agrees the horrific stormsprovide the opportunity to learn from their experience,Podlich said. “We’re connected. We absolutely recognize theneed for boats to have marinas and marinas to have boats,”she said, adding that boats and marinas can be repaired andreplaced, but not human life.
Some boats are small enough (30 to 45 feet) that theycould be secured on land with forklifts. “There are opportu-nities to do that and we need to,” Needleman said. “I want tomake sure we protect the marina owners and that the boatersstill maintain rights and need to know they’re not thrown outin the middle of the storm. But if they fail to act, there will beoptions for the marina owners to protect their property,”Needleman said, which would include dry storage.
Today’s weather technology allows people to act earlyif they want to, said Capt. Jay Clark, the owner of CYS YachtManagement in Fort Pierce, which offers hurricane vesselservices. Absentee owners and snowbirds, who can’t watchthe local weather, usually depend on a “buddy” to movetheir boat, and that seldom occurs, he said.
“This non-caring, non-reactive group doesn’t act fastenough, and they cause a lot of problems,” Clark said,adding that it’s important to act early prior to yards becom-ing full or bridges put in lockdown.
Some of the biggest violators are sailboat owners. Toooften, sailboat owners leave furling jibs on, which blow intoother boats as they rip anchors up at moorings. “The jibs aredangerous if the owner doesn’t remove them,” said Clark.
There are no easy answers here, said Frank Herhold,executive director of the Marine Industries Association ofSouth Florida. He hopes the recommendations ofNeedleman’s report will be the basis of new, sensible legis-lation for the boater and marine operator.
“In hurricane country, we have to think outside of thebox. The real question is: Where do these boats go if a mari-na is not a safe refuge?” Needleman added.
All 67 counties in Florida are needed to support the pro-posed legislation, or at least not fight it, Needleman said. “Ican’t think of a single county that doesn’t have a lake in itsomewhere with people boating on it,” he said. “If I have tobe the facilitator to get that thing started, I’m willing to doit. We will be prepared for the 2006 hurricane season.”
Contact marine journalist and associate editor, Lisa HoogerwerfKnapp, with sailing news in southeast Florida [email protected].
48 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
BOAT REVIEW
The ETAP 37 is a performance cruiser that fits the bill asa fun-to-sail family boat. She’s also for the “go fast”sailor. Combining ease of handling with abundant
safety features, the rigging maximizes performance andhandling ability, without loss of stability. If you are accus-tomed to less responsive vessels, you are in for a surprisewhen you take the wheel of this ETAP. Allow her excellenttracking ability to dominate, as your tendency will be tooversteer the helm until you adjust.
ETAP, a Belgian builder producing one boat daily, hasdesigned double-hulled sailing yachts for the past thirty-five years. Safety is of primary concern for the ETAP line ofboats. Lloyd’s of London and the French merchant marine
have certified its boats as unsinkable, thanks to the closed-cell foam injected between the hulls. Every new model istested to insure the boat will stabilize after a knock downand fully flooded conditions. The water inside the cabin willrise to knee-deep height, keeping the V-berth and cookingareas dry. She is engineered to make a passage to safety inthose conditions—under sail. Other safety features includeunequaled nonskid deck material that provides for a veryfirm grip, particularly in wet conditions. An open alu-minum toerail enhances water shedding from topsidedecks. The boat also has an ample supply of handholdsthroughout the cabin and topside.
The end boom sheeting for the mainsail with dual linepulleys (the smaller line for more purchase) assures maxi-mum control. The removable traveler is located in the cock-pit just forward of the pedestal. This convenient positioninghelps when maneuvering short-handed, yet removing it forextended stays at dockside is easy to do and surely makes iteasier to move around the cockpit—a clever innovation.
ETAP boats are dry boats. Their added insulation anddouble hull construction eliminate interior condensationand make for a warm interior in cold weather, besides main-taining cooler temperatures in hot climates. The deck-stepped mast arrangement and Volvo Saildrive, 28-horse-power engine keep the boat totally dry inside. The ETAP hasno need for a bilge and, indeed, has none.
Below decks, the ETAP 37 features a queen-size berth inthe sizable aft cabin with two hanging lockers. The salonsettees are comfortable straight benches. With lee cloths,accommodations can carry a crew of four, five, or six. The V-berth forward is roomy and has two hanging lockers. Theboat has easy-access storage compartments literally liningthe upper bulkheads from the forepeak to the aft cabin.While some interior volume is used for the double hull, afull crew can make an extended passage with the availablestorage accommodating necessary food, water, and gear allneatly stowed (as the ETAP 37, Just Us, recently did on itsAtlantic crossing with a crew of three).
The head is located starboard of the companionway andfeatures a wet compartment to hold foul weather jackets,bibs, and boots with room to spare. The galley is to port of thecompanionway. The double sink is on an island amidships.The island allows the crew to pass securely on either port orstarboard, giving security in pitching, rolling seas. The crewinstinctively uses the island to brace while dressing for orcoming off watch. The crowning achievement for ETAP 37’sdesign is a panoramic window atop the cabin house that
The ETAP 37,an UnsinkableSailor’s Cruiser
By John Grover and Ludwig Hoogstoel
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 49
allows the crew to look at the sea ahead of the vessel’s coursewhile standing in the main cabin. The panoramic window isnot only a terrific safety feature, but it also provides for excel-lent natural daytime light into the cabin.
How fast is she? The designers favored a sleek profilewithout losing stability. With a theoretical hull speed of justover seven knots, she flies like a witch. On a recent crossing,Just Us clocked eight knots and logged a record 11 knots.The impressive Selden rig has a clearance of 57 feet. Whenthe wind builds to eight or 10 knots, the boat sails at a veloc-ity of about half the wind speed. The light, wind perform-ance requires the crew to reef at about 18 knots. Reefing is
done from the safety of the cockpit using a single line reef-ing system. ETAP offers a roller furling mast as an option.
What makes her fast? The boat has a shoal-draft per-formance keel, standard ETAP equipment, drawing fourfeet, five inches. Another unique feature is the keel, which isbuilt with two fins, one behind the other, in-line with thecenterline. A semi-bulb connects the two fins. This is adapt-ed from the Collins keel of Americas’ Cup racing fame. Thetwo-fin arrangement provides twice the leading edge of asingle-fin keel, and upwind performance is only slightlydegraded for the gain in speed. Another benefit is that thewater flow between the fins enhances maneuverability.
ETAP 32s and 37s are for charter and sale at Yachting Vacations at Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda, FL. YachtingVacations is the U.S. southeast regional dealer for ETAP and is located at 3190B Matecumbe Key Rd., Punta Gorda, FL33955. (800) 447-0080. [email protected]. www.etap-usa.com.
50 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
Nine years ago, Ft. Pierce City Marina wasn’t a veryinviting place, remembers Dean Kubitschek. “Thedocks were covered by ugly fences that were falling
down, and the streets rolled up at 5 o’clock.“ But the sleepy fishing village with a gritty, industrial
waterfront has a new look and a bright future. If youhaven’t been to Ft. Pierce in two or three years, you mightnot even recognize it anymore.
The quiet burg has the makings for a boomtown downthe road. Ft. Pierce’s deep water inlet, renovated marinasand redeveloped downtown with intimate cafes and musi-cal events will soon have “glam” accommodations to draw
sailors and their guests. The best part is that the $50-millionredevelopment of the downtown will actually leave thebeautiful waterfront intact for everyone to enjoy. New con-dos, shops and hotels will be across the street from the CityMarina on Indian River Drive. That’s a sharp contrast to theSouth Florida tradition of buying prime waterfront to builda skyrise condo and evicting the yards and marine business-es that have no place to go.
“We’re creating a downtown neighborhood,” saidKubitschek, general manager of Ft. Pierce City Marina.“Everything is of quality and is new. The public has a facil-ity it can be proud of.”
Fort Pierce Welcomes BoatersBy Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 51
From his office perch, Kubitschek has a bird’s eye viewof Marina Square, a $50-million mixed-use developmentthat will break ground in 2006 by Catalfumo Construction.
“It’s an excellent thing across the street and will be anasset to the city,” Kubitschek said, adding that Ft. Piercelacks hotel beds in this area. “We want people to stop, visitand provision en route to the Bahamas,” he said.
Marina Square will open in late 2007. The 2.5-acre, five-story project will include 95 hotel rooms and 70 condo unitspriced from $200,000 to $800,000, with 46,000 square feet ofretail space for shops and restaurants.
“Ft. Pierce is a diamond in the rough It just needs qual-ity development to be on the map,” said David J. Demay,vice president of development for Palm Beach Gardens-based Catalfumo Construction.
Marina Square’s courtyard will be a great place forhosting Ft. Pierce’s many fishing tournaments and events,Kubitschek said. In November, Kubitschek’s marina teamedwith neighbor Harbortown Marina and a coalition of civicorganizations in St. Lucie County to host the weeklongSouthern Kingfish Association Championship for 300 boatsand 2000 anglers.
Ft. Pierce has more downtown projects in the works.One Marina Place and Renaissance on the River will add 80more luxury condos, with restaurants, shops and parkingon Indian River Drive without compromising the water-front.
The City Marina has recovered from the destruction ofHurricane Frances and welcomes boaters with 137 opera-tional slips. No dock is more than three or four years old,Kubitschek said. The docks were beefed up with a concretemain support system, heavy planking and wood piling. Thedeep draft inlet was dredged to 8.75 feet and is now user-friendly, with no shoaling problems.
Ft. Pierce is an ideal port for sailors, Kubitschek said. Itprovides another inlet for yachts who prefer not to cutacross the nearest inlets at West Palm Beach or CapeCanaveral. Its marine industry is modernized and up-to-date with full service and reasonable prices.
Harbortown Marina, a 33-acre property, was recentlybought by Bernie Kosar, former quarterback of the MiamiDolphins, with investors Culpepper and Turpin for $33-mil-lion. Harbortown’s plans include a hotel, condos and shopsto complement its 306-slip marina with floating concretedocks. Harbortown is friendly to catamarans and beamy
boats and has 900 feet of parallel dockagefor large vessels.
“You’re not just another numberhere,” said Steve Stiglbauer, the generalmanager of Harbortown Marina.Harbortown, which provides easy accessto the inlet with no fixed bridges and isalso home to a consortium of marinebusinesses like Whiticar MarineServices and Indian River Boatworks,
which has 50- and 150-ton travel lifts. Yachts have theresources of Fort Lauderdale at a fraction of the cost in Ft.Pierce, Spiglbauer said.
Harbortown offers courtesy cars at its on-site Avis deal-ership and is 10 minutes away from an international airportwhere one can clear customs. Harbortown has delivery cap-tains and fuel available 24 hours a day and is continuallybeing upgraded to attract yachts seeking quality service.
Harbour Isles Marina is a unique public marina with aprivate feel, said dockmaster Sara Anderson. Located onHutchinson Island, it has 63 slips and two T-heads to accom-modate large vessels. The marina on the Indian River is sur-rounded by a new 800-unit condominium where penthous-es are listed for a reasonable $520,000. But they are goingquickly as prices in South Florida continue to rise and peo-ple discover the values in Ft. Pierce, she said.
The citrus industry kept the lid on marine developmentfor some time, but that’s changing, said Sam Yates, presi-dent of Yates and Associates Public Relations andAdvertising. “This is old Florida here,” Yates said, addingthat old Florida means the county has waterfront propertyand it will stay that way.
Ft. Pierce’s goal is to attract more boaters and guests,said Demay. “Right now it’s nothing, but we’re making itsomething.”
Contact marine journalist Lisa Hoogerwerf Knapp [email protected].
Harbortown Marina in Fort Pierce. Photocourtesy Harbortown Marina.
PHRF RACING TIPS
Even very efficient craft like America’s Cupboats lose significant time and distance eachtime they turn the boat through the eye of
the wind. If these thoroughbreds can take over30 seconds to get back up to speed after a tack,imagine what our less efficient boats lose.
What can we do to make these necessaryturns less deleterious to our velocity made goodupwind?
First of all, if you are not forced to tack at aparticular time, choose your tacking area. Lookfor a smoother spot in any wave pattern.
In a perfect world, tack when you are goingfull speed in a sudden lull with a puff hittingwhen you get to the other tack. Yea, right. Yet,that is what match racers will often do whenanother boat tacks on their wind. They timetheir tack to correspond to when the blanketed air gets to their sails, thereby tacking in less resisting wind while head-
ing to wind.The rate of turn should be surprisingly slow. For many
years I’ve been involved with Offshore Sailing School’sspring racing class on keelboats. The last few years BillGladstone of North U has been the head instructor. I havenever heard Bill tell someone they tacked too slowly. “Makea slower turn,” might as well be on a recording from thecoach boat.
We have tons of weight and inertia under us as we sailalong. A good tack will harness that tendency to remain inmotion. Significant distance to windward can be gained bya slow turn. That’s ultimately the way we want to go, isn’tit?
Let’s go through a tack in fairly smooth water with any-where from 6 to 15 knots of wind.
Choose the place to tack, whatever the reason for themaneuver. Alert the crew. Usually that means the jib sheetwill be taken off the self-tailer or removed from the cleat.The other jib sheet was already wrapped around the winchan appropriate number of times for the wind, almost nevermore than three times.
On a boat going as fast as you are likely to be going forthe conditions, there is no reason to head off before a tack.That makes for a bigger turn. Simply turn the wheel slowlyjust a quarter turn, or gently push the tiller a little way. No,not that much—just enough to get the boat to start turninginto the wind.
As the jib or genny starts to “break” or form a back-wind, let the sheet go. In lighter air, this usually meansunwrapping the sheet from the winch to reduce friction. Ifyou are on a boat with a huge overlapping Genoa jib, youmay have to keep the sail on the old side long enough tobackwind it around the mast to the new lee side. But be
52 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
The Art Of The Perfect TackBy Dave Ellis
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 53
aware that this slows the boat. It has been years sincedinghies have backwinded the jib in a tack. It is slow.
The mainsail may be pulled in a little as the boat isheading up to aid in the turn by its weather helm induce-ment. As soon as the boat passes head-to-wind, however, letthe mainsail out a few inches. This is for regaining yourspeed. It allows more twist to the sail, and you will be head-ing slightly below your eventual upwind heading on thenew tack until speed is back to what it was before the tack.
Usually a little more tiller is needed at just about thehead-to-wind position. Then, as the jib starts to fill, turn thewheel or tiller back toward the center to slow down theturn. It is slow to suddenly turn the rudder to stop a turn,just as it is slow to suddenly turn it to initiate the action.
If you have a smaller jib, it may be possible to pull it intoo fast on the new tack. The idea is to have it just slightlyout from optimal windward sheeting. Again, this adds a lit-tle twist and camber for power. Think of it as second gear toget moving again. Then as the boat gains speed, beginpulling the sails in to the usual upwind settings.
If your boat has a big jib and your crew’s name isn’tThor or Moose, there is little chance of pulling it in too fast.It can be pulled in too far, though, so rather than watchingthe winch handle while cranking, have the crew watch theclew of the jib near the spreaders to see when they are in farenough. There should be a yarn or two off that leach thatwill curl behind the jib if it is too tight.
In winds under six knots, make an even slower tack! Aboat will coast farther to windward in light air than abreeze. In the case of light air you may have to crack sheetsan inch or two and sail one or two degrees low before a tackto get a bit more speed. Note the small numbers.
After a light air tack, you will find it faster to delaybringing the main and jib “home” as you bear off up to five
degrees from your later windward course. Ittakes a while to get back your speed, and it isquicker to do that bow down to get the keelworking again. Be aware that with your slowerspeed the apparent wind has already given youa lift until you pick that speed back up. So don’toverdo the bearing off after a tack.
In a blow and waves you will have to be alittle more aggressive with the rudder after theinitial slow beginning of a tack. But do start toslow down your turn soon after going throughthe eye of the wind. It is uncomfortable to letinertia turn the boat too far, heel way over andthen spin back upwind to above close-hauled.Also it is slow.
Remember, slow tacks make a fast boat. Italso makes a happier crew.
54 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
RACING
Melges 24 Worlds in Key LargoChallenge Olympians, America’s Cup Sailors, and Average JoesBy Stephanie Cox
Hosted out of the elegant Ocean Reef Club, the MelgesWorlds attracted an international who’s who list ofAmerica’s Cup participants and world champions.
Ninety-eight boats and hundreds of sailors converged onthe Keys hoping for a shot at championship glory. In theend, it came down to the last race with James Spithill’s Luna
Rossa claiming victory.The Ocean Reef Club is a high-end private resort com-
munity with hotel rooms, condominiums, and luxuryhomes, most of which are second homes. It was not set upas a traditional yacht club, which forced organizers toimprovise to make the regatta happen. Boats were liftedfour stories into the air to clear the palm trees along the sea-wall in order to get into the water. Nervous boat ownerswatched helplessly as their boats dangled in the air. Nodropped boats were reported, and the operation ran rela-tively smoothly.
All sailors had to weigh in, and no boat’s crew couldexceed 793 pounds. This led some teams to find creativeways to fill weight gaps. Regatta winner James Spithillenlisted as crew 80-pound Optimist Dinghy sailor MacAgnese. Agnese, of Fort Lauderdale, was Luna Rossa’s secretweapon, and the team benefited from his nimble footworkand quick speed. The eleven-year-old took school off for aweek to compete in the regatta. He sailed with some of thebest minds in the sport, and won a $2,400 Corum Admiral’sCup Trophy Watch.
At registration, teams were asked to declare whetherthey were professional or Corinthian. Teams with any mem-bers who worked in the sailing industry had to sail in theprofessional category. Only 27 boats competed asCorinthian yachtsmen. All the boats competed on the samecourse, but the Corinthian yachts were eligible for their ownawards.
Light, shifty winds and flat waters tested competitors’patience on the first day of the regatta. Morgan Reeser’sMfatic of Fort Lauderdale was on top of the leaderboard atthe end of the day. Philippe Kahn of San Francisco skip-pered Pegasus 575 to second place with three-time America’sCup Winner Russell Coutts calling tactics on the boat.Spithill was in third, and 16-year old Shark Kahn was infourth, sailing another boat named Pegasus 492. Perhaps thebiggest surprise after the first day’s racing was the perform-ance that the Corinthian team aboard New Wave put togeth-er. Southern sailor Marty Kullman skippered his boat toninth place overall after the first two races.
Few regattas give amateur sailors the opportunity to tack on Russell Coutts, coverDave Ullman off the line, or call starboard on Jeff Ecklund. The 2005 Corum Melges24 World Championships pit professional and amateur racers against each other inKey Largo, FL, Dec. 9-16.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 55
Over a dozen boats were disqualified in the first tworaces after violating a little known and rarely enforced rulerequiring spinnaker poles to be in until a spinnaker is beingraised. Other teams took penalties in the first races for hav-ing their sails up coming into the harbor at the end of theday. (Under the rules of the regatta, no boats were allowedto come into the harbor at Ocean Reef Club under sail dueto the narrow passage between the club and a coral reef. Allcompeting boats were required to have an engine on boardand have their sails down once they reached the harbor pas-sage.) Clearly, the judge boats were busy.
On the second day of racing, consistency paid off forthe Italian boat Marrackech Express as it jumped into thepoints lead after two races in a fresh 10-knot northerlybreeze. Skippered by professional sailor Gabriele Benussiand a group of amateur sailors from Trieste, MarrackechExpress mystified race watchers, who wondered whetherthe recently-formed team could handle the demanding,choppy conditions as comfortably as some of the more sea-soned teams. Benussi and his crew had never sailed togeth-er until they came to Key Largo for three days of practicebefore the event. They never faltered on the second day.Morgan Reeser who had led the regatta on the first day,couldn’t finish higher than 20th in race three, dropping himto fourth overall.
On day three, Morgan Reeser had a starting adventurein ten knots of breeze that could have been disastrous.Reeser and his team on MFactic had to start on port tack ina 98-boat fleet. “We were trapped,” Reeser recalled. “Theonly thing to do was go over on the port tack before thestarting gun sounded and sail against the oncoming boats,all of which had right of way over us. We ducked anddodged through 40 boats, just like driving head-on intooncoming traffic. It was kind of exciting.”
After completing his starting line dance, Reeser foundclear air and was able to sail to 17th place and maintain hisregatta lead over Marrakech Express. Brian Porter fromWinnetka, IL, a perennially successful and consistent racerin the Melges 24 class, posted an 11th and a fourth finish onday three to move his Full Throttle team up from eighth
The Melges 24 Worlds at the Ocean Reef Club. Photo © TimWilkes/ www.timwilkes.com.
56 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
RACING
place to fourth place after thefirst four races.
Day four offered up a per-fect breeze for Melges 24s. Theopening race was in a 16- to 18-knot southeasterly wind thatchopped up the shallow waternorth of the reef into two- tothree-foot waves. The daybelonged to the Italians, whomoved into first and second. Itshould be noted that Spithill’sboat was registered as Italian,but was crewed by Australiansand Americans. Spithill skip-pered his first America’s Cupchallenge for his nativeAustralia at the age of 19.Crewing on Luna Rossa were the McKee brothers, Jonathan,43, and Charlie, 45, who are on their third America’s Cupchallenge and share four Olympic medals between them.Jonathan won his gold medal in the Flying Dutchman class
in 1984, while Charlie took a bronze in 470 dinghies in ’88.They sailed their 49er to a third-place bronze in Sydney in2000, and won the 49er World Championship one year later. The second place Italian boat, Marrackech Express, wassteered by professional sailor Gabriele Benussi and crewedby a group of amateur sailors from Trieste, Italy.
The fifth day of the regatta offered up five-eight knotbreezes, which helped Dave Ullman and the Pegasus team.Ullman, who skippered Pegasus 575, had worked extensive-ly with the Kahns on sail development and tuning and sawhis training pay off. Ullman moved into second place withone day to go. Disaster struck on the Luna Rossa boat whentheir spinnaker exploded into a billowy white cloud afterhoisting. The crew struggled to hoist another chute butsomehow managed to stay in the top seven.
On the final day of the regatta, a number of differentteams could have walked away with trophies. The windswere 6-8 knots from the northeast, and boats were moreequal across the fleet in speed in the lighter air. Luna Rossaheld a comfortable lead to win the Corum watches and thechampionship.
The winds were extremely light which made the boatsmore equal across the fleet in speed. Boats that had not donewell in previous races were finishing in the top 20.
Spithill acknowledged, “With one race today, all wehad to do was stay close to Dave Ullman…We had a 20-boatcushion…but the conditions were extremely tough. We gotoff the start line in good shape, but in these light conditions,everyone does the same speed, so we stayed in close contactwith Dave.”
In the end, Luna Rossa finished first, with MarrackechExpress in second and Dave Ullman’s Pegasus in third. Thetop southern boat was Morgan Reeser’s MFatic, whichclenched fourth place. Other southern boats included JeffEcklund’s Star, which finished 21st, Marty Kullman’s NewWave finishing 23rd, Mark Mendelblatt finished 27th onRunning with Scissors, Bob Dockery’s Barracuda clenched
Kai Cox’s Free Range Lobster, from St. Petersburg, FL, yields to another boat. Photo © TimWilkes/ www.timwilkes.com.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 57
39th, Tim Landt’s Team Cabareteplaced 77th, Kai Cox’s Free-Range Lobster finished 80th, andGary Schwarting’s Obsessionearned 91st.
The “average Joe” sailors inthe back of the fleet had a goodtime even though they weren’twinning. On one sail into theharbor, Free-Range Lobster crewKevin Reali successfully wake-boarded behind his boat in eightknots. Thirsty racers appreciat-ed the waitresses, who kindlydelivered complimentary beerswhile they were derigging onthe docks.
All 500 racers enjoyed agourmet awards dinner, withBuddy Melges taking time outof duck hunting season to attend. In classic Buddy Melgesfashion, he offered his trademark advice to “win the start,extend your lead, and win races.” The Melges fleet wasextremely generous in providing three-foot glass vase tro-phies to the top eight Corinthian teams and the top eightoverall teams. One Italian team, who shall remain nameless,decided to fill their three-foot-tall trophy vase with rum andcoke and imbibe cocktails throughout the dinner. They werenot kicked out. Although the competition on the water wasintense, the camaraderie off the water was one of the mostmemorable aspects of this regatta. Average Joes could sitwith America’s Cup winners over a beer without feeling outof place. All the competitors were exceedingly friendly andeager to share tips. Maybe it is the Melges 24’s Midwesternheritage that creates this happy fleet attitude.
The Ocean Reef Club held up remarkably well despitethe onslaught of Melges trailers, sloppily dressed sailors,
and their racer-chasers. It was the perfect venue to host sucha prestigious event, and sailors could entertain themselveseasily at the resort’s bars.
Overall, the Corum Melges 24 World championshipoffered first class competition at a first class resort in Floridain the winter. Results:1. Luna Rossa, James Spithill 2. Marrackech Express, Gabriele Benussi 3.Pegasus 505, David Ullman 4. MFatic, Morgan Reeser 5. Joe Fly, GabrioZandona 6. Partner & Partners, Francois Brenac 7. Full Throttle, BrianPorter 8. Blu Moon, Flavio Favini 9. Fusion M, John Bertrand 10. Ale Ali,Nicola Celon
Go to www.2005corumm24worlds.com for completeresults (spelling is correct on corumm for the Web site).
The official race photographer of the event was TimWilkes Photography. To view photos of the event and topurchase photos, go to www.timwilkes.com.
Marty Kullman’sNew Wave (hull#77), anotherTampa Bay boat,finished ninth in theCorinthinian. Photo© Tim Wilkes/www.timwilkes.com.
James Spithill’s Luna Rossa (hull #42), the boat that took first place overall in the Melges 24Worlds, rounds a mark, barely. Photo © Tim Wilkes/ www.timwilkes.com.
58 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
RACING/REGIONAL RACING
National Multihull EliminationResults Changed for Northern GulfCoast Area D After Protests
By Julie B. Connerley
The Area D South Eliminations for the U.S. MultihullChampionship, commonly known as the Hobie Alter Cup,were hosted by the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club (PBYC)November 4-6. The two-day event drew more competitorsthan any of the other nine qualifying regions across theUnited States.
Questions arose regarding a competitor’s eligibility com-pliance, and ultimately a protest was filed against the overallwinning team of skipper Brian Lambert and Glenn Purcell.
Although the initial protest was disallowed, the protestcommittee did advise Lambert and Purcell that if new evi-dence was received, they would revisit the incident.
Subsequently, the hearing was reopened, and the first-place team was disqualified from all races due to ineligibil-ity pursuant to the notice of race, the sailing instructionsand the conditions of the USSA Alter Cup.
Second-place finisher Bob Curry then moved into firstplace overall and is invited to return for the national finals,hosted by PBYC March 19-23. Competitors will begin arriv-ing March 18 for registration, practice races and the com-petitors’ meeting.
The 2006 championship will be sailed in Nacra F18s, allsupplied by the manufacturer. To learn more about thisyear’s championship, visit US SAILING’s Web site,www.ussailing.org.
Charleston Race Week, Charleston, SC, April 6-9An annual premiere One-Design, PHRF and IRC regatta forsailboats over 22 feet. Race headquarters at the CharlestonHarbor Resort and Marina in Mt. Pleasant, SC, offer dock-ing, parking, hotel accommodations and evening festivitiesbeachside.
Three days of racing will be tricky and competitive aslocal wind and current considerations can upset a tradition-al strategic approach.
Free storage is offered for trailered boats before theevent, free dock space for the first 50 boats registered, fabu-lous parties, and great racing in the harbor and offshore.
This is now the largest regional keelboat regatta with143 boats and 800 sailors who participated last year. Theregatta is sponsored by the South Carolina HeritageMaritime Foundation and the Charleston Ocean RacingAssociation. www.charlestonraceweek.com. (843) 722-1030.
REGIONAL RACINGReports, News And Race Calendars
Regattas and Club Racing—Open to Everyone Wanting to Race The races listed here are open to those who want to sail. Noindividual club membership is required, although a region-al PHRF rating, or membership in US SAILING or member-ship in a regional sailing association is often required. (Ifindividual club membership is required, please contact usand we will not list their races in the future.)
For publishing of your event, questions and informa-tion, send us your race schedule by the 5th of the month to
On-line West Florida Race CalendarStarting in September, SOUTHWINDS began an onlinerace calendar for West Florida racing and regattas. Allracing events held in the region from Marco Island toTarpon Springs are listed for the period fromSeptember 2005 up through August 2006. Listed are theevent, sponsoring organization and contacts, and linksto the NORs, registration and results, when made avail-able by those organizations. The Web site will also pub-lish up-to-date venue changes for those who send usthat information.
With this new service, sailors only need go towww.southwindsmagazine.com and will no longerhave to seek out the sponsoring organization’s Web sitefor this information. Only those races open to everyonewill be listed.
To have your race listed, or changes in your raceschedule, e-mail the information to the editor, SteveMorrell, at [email protected].
Regata del Sol al Sol XXXVIII, Race From St. Petersburg, FL to IslaMujeres, Mexico, April 28 – Now a Regatta and Relief Effort
The 38th annual Regata del Sol al Sol is now a combi-nation regatta and relief effort to the island community.Regatta organizers and racers will take material goodsto the island. Financial donations are being solicitedand can be sent directly to Freedom Bank of America,P.O. Box 1441, St Petersburg, FL 33731 (contact is NicoleHawthorne at (727) 820-8603. [email protected]) www.freedombank.com. Make checkspayable to Regata del Sol al Sol Relief Fund. Donate $50or more to the fund, and have your name put on theplaque that will be presented to the island with a checkat the awards banquet. We’ve collected over $3000already!
Don’t sail? Travel by plane (Spirit has direct flightsto Cancun for $99 each way) and stay at the cozyCabana’s Maria del Mar. Contact Dolly Rote at (727)898-6158, or Judy Malone at (727) 866-2839,([email protected]) for accommodationsonce on the island.
Schedule of events is on the Web site, along with amultitude of information at www.regatadelsolalsol.org.
Sail safely and in style with all the latest in track-ing, communications and safety at the top of the list(more to come on this in a future announcement).
[email protected]. Send in the name of theevent, date, location, contacts (Web site, e-mail and/orphone), and, if you want a short description. Do not justsend a link in to this information.
Since race schedules and venues change, contact thesponsoring organization to confirm. For changes to be pub-lished, contact the editor. Changes can be put on our Website, if possible.
SOUTHEAST COAST: CAROLINAS & GEORGIA
February Water Temperature Cape Hatteras, NC – 46ºSavannah Beach, GA – 53º
Average February Temperatures Cape Hatteras, NC 41º lo – 54º hiSavannah, GA 41º lo – 64º hi
For Real Time Southeast Coast Weather go to:www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Southeast.shtml
Holiday Invitational Regatta, Lake Lanier, GA, Dec. 11By R. J. Mitchellette
The first annual Holiday Invitational Regatta took place onLake Lanier Dec. 11 on an ideal day with sunny skies, 40-degree temperatures, 25-knot winds and white caps.Thirteen boats, ranging from 31 to 45 feet, participated. ABeneteau 37 took first place, with second and third going toa Hunter 31 and a Hunter 33, followed by a Catalina 42, a37-foot custom, a Pearson 33, and a 33-foot Storebro. Otherboats racing included a 45-foot Morgan, which had equip-ment failure, and a 35-footer, being single-handed, whichdid not finish due to heavy gusts and rough water. The racecourse was 9.5 miles from the windward to leeward mark-ers, and the average speed of the skippers was approxi-mately five knots with intervals of 6-8 knots.
The event’s organizer is the former 2005 commodore ofthe Barefoot Sailing Club, who created a new class of racersfor the skippers. These boats are essentially cruisers andhave been left out of the traditional racing fleets on the lakedue to their design and gear, most of which includes bimin-is, air-conditioning, refrigerators, miscellaneous electronicsand assorted exterior and interior nautical décor. These arenot competitive racing boats and, in some cases, they arenot even considered to be racer/cruisers, yet their skippersstill want to feel the excitement and friendly competitivespirit of a race in which they have a chance to win. As all theboats have PHRF ratings, a reverse handicap race was heldwith a staggered start.
The event is called the Performance Cruiser RacingFleet (PCRF). Each boat must be at least 30 feet, auxiliary-powered, outfitted as a cruiser, have no amenities or equip-ment removed and not be a regularly raced boat in the con-ventional PHRF fleets. Each skipper must be a member ofone of the five sailing and yacht clubs on the lake.
This event was first introduced at the 2005 Special
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 59
Olympics, then added to the Barefoot/Sea Dog OpenRegatta last October and closed out the year with this lastevent. The PCRF program is planned to be a regular eventduring the 2006 Lake Lanier racing schedule.
2006 Nokia Sugar Bowl CollegeRegatta, Lake Lanier, GA, Dec 30-31By R. J. Mitchellette
Rounding the mark at the 2005 Nokia Sugar Bowl CollegeRegatta at Lake Lanier, GA. Photo by Martine Zurinskas.
Normally, this regatta, which is celebrating its 70th year ofcontinuous competition since 1935, except for an interrup-tion due to WW II, is held on Lake Ponchartrain, LA, butbecause of Hurricane Katrina, this was not possible thisyear. The event is usually held at the Southern Yacht Clubin New Orleans, and collegiate teams from around thecountry participate.
Lake Lanier was selected as an alternate in view of thecollege Sugar Bowl also being relocated to Atlanta, GA. Thesponsor of the regatta was Nokia, and the co-hosts were theLake Lanier Sailing Club (LLSC), which has always had astrong youth sailing program, and Georgia Tech with astrong sailing program of its own.
This event is a junior program and consisted of eightteams from three ICSA (Inter-Collegiate SailingAssociation) districts over two days with 32 races. with theNavy taking away all honors, having accumulated 33points and winning the Nokia Sugar Bowl Regatta title. Theweather was ideal with winds between 6 and 15 knots andtemperatures hovering around the 50 degree mark addingto the excitement of the regatta challenge. The skippers forthe winning Navy teams were Dave Parker (class of ’08)and crew Krysta Anthony (’08) in team A, followed byCharles Fulmer (’05) and crew Andrea Bosch (’08) in teamB. Other participants in order of points were OhioUniversity with 92 points, Christopher University with 111points, Michigan State with 136 points, Notre Dame with169 points, Georgia Tech with 174 points, University ofFlorida with 201 points, and the University of Georgia with248 points.
Thanks go to the Nokia Sugar Bowl committee for its
See page 76for windrose legend
See page 76for windrose
legend
60 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
REGIONAL RACING
continued financial sponsorship of the regatta and its dili-gent exploration of choosing an alternative venue such asLake Lanier. The regatta is also grateful for support from theLLSC and Georgia Tech for organizing and administeringthe race, to Vanguard for supplying the Magic MarineBackpacks as a raffle item and to Martine Zurinskas, direc-tor of the LLSC’s junior racing program, who also suppliedthe information and photos for this article.
For more information, go to www.nokiasugarbowl.com.
Ron Mitchellette, who wrote this race report, is a member of theNaval Academy’s sailing squadron, winners of the regatta.
SOUTHEAST COAST RACE CALENDAR
FEBRUARY3 US Sailing Mt. Gay Speaker Series Wrightsville, NC.,
Carolina Yacht Club, NC., www.sayra-sailing.org. 3 – 5 South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association Annual Meeting,
Wrightsville Beach, NC, www.sayra-sailing.orgMARCH4 – 5 D12 Intradistrict Laser Southerns, Carolina Yacht Club,
Wrightsville Beach, NC., www.sayra-sailing.org.11 – 12 Deep South Regatta, Lightnings, Savannah Yacht Club,
Savannah, GA., www.sayra-sailing.org. 18 – 19 South Atlantic Interscholastic Sailing Association, NP 6,
Brunswick, GA., www.saisa.org. 25 – 26 South Atlantic Interscholastic Sailing Association, NP 7
Lake Norman Yacht Club, Charlotte, NC, www.saisa.org.
EAST FLORIDA
February Water Temperature Daytona Beach – 59ºJacksonville Beach – 56ºGulfstream Current – 2.3 knots
February Average Temperatures Daytona Beach - 49º lo – 71º hiJacksonville Beach - 48º lo – 65º hi
For Real Time East Florida Weather go to:www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Florida.shtml
LOCAL RACE REPORT
Gator Bowl Regatta, Rudder Club,Jacksonville, FL, Dec. 3-4The Rudder Club and the St. Johns Snipe Fleet hosted the2006 Gator Bowl Regatta, Dec. 3-4, in Jacksonville. It was abeautiful weekend of sunny, dry and light-air sailing. It’salways nice to sail in shorts and a T-shirt in December. TheSnipe fleet returned to the Rudder Club after several yearsof absence with a robust presence including boats fromSouth Carolina and Maryland.
Under the watchful eyes of Race Committee ChairmanDick Allsoop, the Snipes enjoyed five windward-leewardraces. The entire fleet enjoyed tight racing as evidenced byseveral mark roundings with multiple boats overlapped.The light air also proved challenging to discern the shifts
and pressure differences. A boat length here and thereended up making the difference in several places in eachrace. At the end of the regatta, Hal Gilreath and class new-comer Emily Howland edged out former national champi-on Steve Suddath, and Nancy Gilreath to win the five-raceevent. George Gibbs and Stephanie Gibbons won a tie-breaker over Don Packard and Merrill Varn for third.
Great hosts, great event, great sailing—once again theSnipe class demonstrated its motto of “Serious Sailing,Serious Fun.”
Full results at: http://gatorbowl.home.comcast.net/
EAST FLORIDA RACE CALENDAR
FEBRUARY — Central East Florida 3-5 7th Annual National Wayfarer Regatta. Lake Eustis
Sailing Club.4-5 2nd Annual Flying Scot Regatta. Lake Eustis Sailing Club.4-5 Hagar’s Run (distance race on 4th) and Hagar the Horrible
Regatta (fun race on 5th) Space Coast Catamaran Assoc.4 First Saturday Sailing at Sebastian Inlet. Indian River
Catamaran Association.4 ECSA Winter River Race Series #2. Melbourne Yacht Club4 First Saturday Sailing at Sebastian Inlet. Indian River
Catamaran Association.5,19 Spring Series #1,#2. Titusville Sailing Center.5 Small Boat Sunday Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club.12 Winter/Spring River Race #1. East Coast Sailing
Association-Racing.13,26 Winter/Spring Series #2,#3. Indian River Yacht Club.12,26 Spring Rum Race #1,#2. Melbourne Yacht Club.18-19 36th Annual George Washington Birthday Regatta. Lake
Eustis Sailing Club.20 Small Boat Sunday Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club.24-27 Catalina 22 Mid-Winters. Sanford (Lake Monroe).26 Women’s Spring Series #2. East Coast Sailing Association #2.FEBRUARY – Northeast Florida. www.sailjax.com 4,18 Frostbite Series #3, #4. Rudder Club.MARCH – Central East Florida 3-5 2006 Rat Island Yacht Club 2006 Azalea Festival Regatta,
Palatka, FL, David Burnham, (305) 325-3032. www.ratis-land.com/index/Notice.html. www.flazaleafest.com.
4 First Saturday Sailing at Sebastian Inlet. Indian RiverCatamaran Association.
4,19 ECSA Spring River Race #1,#2. Melbourne Yacht Club5 Winter/Spring #5 Indian River Yacht Club5,19 Small Boat Sunday Racing, Spring Rum #2,#3 Melbourne
Yacht Club3-6 Calema Windsurfing. Midwinters. Calema Board Surfing,
Merritt Island5-7 Trans Monroe Regatta. Lake Monroe Sailing Association
Sanford.8-9 Zenda U C Scow Clinic by Andy Burdick. Lake Eustis
Sailing Club10-12 1st Annual Melges 17 Midwinter Championship Regatta 10-12 7th Annual C Scow Midwinter Championship Regatta
Lake Eustis Sailing Club.11 Space Coast 45, (beach cat distance race) Space Coast
Catamaran Association, www.fleet45.org. 11 East Coast Racing Association Women’s Spring #312 Spring Series #2 Titusville Sailing Center12,26 Small Boat Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club14-15 Zenda U MC Scow Clinic by Andy Burdick and Eric Hood
Lake Eustis Sailing Club.16-18 34th Annual MC Scow Midwinter National Regatta Lake
Eustis Sailing Club.16-19 Sunfish Mid-Winters. Melbourne Yacht Club.18-19 Cruise to Melbourne Harbor for St Pat’s Day. East Coast
Sailing Association-Cruising.
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News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 61
19 Sail a Small Boat Day. Indian River Yacht Club20 Women’s Spring Series #3. East Coast Sailing Assoc.-Women’s20 Small Boat Sunday Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club26 Spring #1. Indian River Yacht ClubMARCH – Northeast Florida. www.sailjax.com 4-5 River City Regatta (Saturday: one design; Sunday: one
design & cruisers). Jacksonville.17-19 Orange Peel Regatta. Snipe Class. Jacksonville.
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
February Water TemperatureMiami Beach – 73ºStuart – 66ºGulfstream Current – 2.4 knots
February Average Temperatures – Miami Beach – 63º lo – 73º hiStuart – 55º lo – 75º hi
For Real Time East Florida Weather go to:www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Florida.shtml
RACE REPORT
BBYRA#9 and #10, Miami, FL, Dec. 18By Art Perez
“Postponed” was the most heard word in the second half ofthe year on Biscayne Bay. It seemed just when things weregetting back to normal, another hurricane would come byor threaten South Florida, causing havoc among boat own-ers and race organizers. Finally, with hurricane season over(but not forgotten), the BBYRA scrambled to get off twomore regattas in order to be able to complete the secondpart of the year’s competition (Series 2). To accomplish thisfeat, the organizers scheduled two races in one day andhence regatta #9 and #10 were sailed. The first was hostedby CGSC and the second by CRYC.
As these were annual regattas, the race was open tonon-BBYRA members as well, and a good thing at that,since a portion of the regular racing fleet had succumbed toHurricanes Katrina and Wilma.
Mother Nature was nonetheless unforgiving once againas winds were light to non-existent and the bay choppy.Between races the fleet had to endure close to a two-hourdelay waiting for the wind to materialize. Finally after a 30-degree shift, a light five-knot breeze set in, which all but dis-appeared after the starting gun went off. The fleet arrivedback at the dock as the sun was setting—tired, sun-beaten,thirsty and glad that the 2005 season was finally over.
The festivities at CRYC proved to be the highlight ofthe day—lasting way into the night…
RESULTS: BBYRA#9:PHRF1; 1-Thin Ice Stu Hebbs; 2-Triptease Rubin-Shellow; 3-Dutch Treat; PHRF2; 1-Blackbird Pat Cacace ; 2-ShadowfaxOliver Waite; 3-Hot Air III David Berg; PHRF3; 1-Sailing for Life KarenMitchell ; 2-Blew BaYou; PHRF4; 1-Leprechan; 2 -JustChillin; 3-St ClairRichard Hall; J24; 1-Gotta Go Pete Benzinger; 2-I’ll Go Gonzalo Diaz Sr;3-Blah Blah Blah. BBYRA#10: PHRF1; 1-Thin Ice Stu Hebbs; 2-PrimalScream; 3-Moving Party 4 Mike Catalano; PHRF2; 1-Blackbird Pat
Cacace ; 2-Caraluna Cai Svendsen; 3-Shadowfax Oliver Waite; PHRF31-Sailing for Life Karen Mitchell ; 2-Blew BaYou; PHRF41-Leprechan; 2-Just Chillin; 3-St Clair Richard Hall; J24 ; 1-I’ll Go Gonzalo Diaz Sr; 2 -Joe Cool Lionel Baugh; 3 – Gotta Go Pete Benzinger.
BBYRA 2005 Series TrophyPresentation, Jan. 6By Art Perez
The 2005 Series Trophy presentation took place at the MiamiYacht Club with the usual splendor and camaraderie. Inspite of the year’s disastrous second half amidst cancella-tion after cancellation of the scheduled races due toHurricane’s Katrina and Wilma, the BBYRA and its affiliat-ed clubs managed to squeeze in the four remaining races ofthe second half with some creative scheduling.Unfortunately, participation was scarce in the PHRF 2 fleetwhere hurricane-damaged 50 percent of the fleet. The rest ofthe fleets suffered attrition to one extent or other.
With the results in hand and the registration periodover, trophies were handed out with well wishes from all ona very interesting year to say the least and with hopes thatthe 2006 season will be more forgiving.
RESULTS: PHRF1; 1st Pl – Triptease/Rubin-Shellow; 2nd Pl – MovingParty 4/Mike Catalano; 3rd Pl – Concept Vs Reality/Steven Alexander;PHRF2; 1st Pl – Blackbird/Pat Cacace ; 2nd Pl – Goombay/Dave Kurtz; 3rdPl – Hot Air III/David Berg; PHRF3; 1st Pl - Mild to Wild/Russ Horn; 2nd Pl– Magic/John Degan; 3rd Pl – Sailing for Life/Karen Mitchell; PHRF4; 1stPl – Pale Rider/Gerry Marston; 2nd Pl – St Clair/Richard Hall; 3rd Pl –Special Warfare/Stuart Sorg; J24; 1st Pl – Gotta Go/Pete Benzinger; 2ndPl – I’ll Go/Gonzalo Diaz Sr; 3rd Pl – Joe Cool/ Lionel Baugh.
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA RACE CALENDAR
FEBRUARY1-4 Etchells Jaguar Mid Winter Regatta.Host: BBYC – 17th
annual event . This is the last of a four-regatta seriespart of the Jaguar Cup
2-5 Women NA Keelboat Championship. Host: US SAILINGCenter
2-5 49er NA Championship. Host: US SAILING Center5 BBYRA PHRF #2. Host: MYC – Second race of Series 1 for
PHRF boats.4-5 Comodoro Rasco Snipe Regatta. Host: CGSC – The 37th
annual two-day snipe regatta.
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See page 76for windrose legend
62 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
REGIONAL RACING
Great sailing, prizes, video of the racing action and parties.www.schoonerwharf.com.
5 Key West Sailing Club. Small boat winter racing in the sea-plane basin. 1:30 start. All small sailboats welcome!
20 Key West Sailing Club. Smith Shoals Race and third race inthe Commodore Series.
26 Schooner Wharf Wreckers Cup Regatta. Key West.Captain’s meeting 7:00 p,m,, February 25, at SchoonerWharf. www.schoonerwharf.com.
MARCH 5 Key West Sailing Club. Small boat winter racing in the sea-
plane basin. 1:30 start.19 Key West Sailing Club. Big boat Larry Hills Memorial Race
& fourth race in Commodore series.26 Schooner Wharf Wreckers Cup Regatta. Key West.
Captain’s Meeting 7:0 p.m., March 25, at Schooner Wharf.www.schoonerwharf.com.
Upper Keys Sailing Club www.upperkeyssailingclub.comFEBRUARY 4 Flail and Sail, Golf Tourney5 Flail and Sail PHRF Regatta11 Mystery Mark Regatta12 Oceanside Championship Regatta #518 Commodore’s Regatta B/S Portsmouth19 Commodore’s Regatta B/S PHRF23-25 Force 5 Regatta25 Raft Up #6MARCH4 Ladies Sailing Program5 Oceanside Championship, Final Regatta11 Early Spring Portsmouth Regatta12 Marlin Cup18-19 Glander Cup
WEST FLORIDA
February Gulf Water TemperatureSt. Petersburg – 64ºNaples – 66º
February Average TemperaturesSt. Petersburg 55º lo – 71º hiNaples 54º lo – 76º hi
For real time eastern Gulf weather, winds and marine forecasts, go tohttp://comps.marine.usf.edu.
WEST FLORIDA RACE CALENDAR
On-ine West Florida Race CalendarGo to [email protected] to view the annual on-linerace calendar on the Southwinds Web site with links to clubs andinformation and changes to schedules. To have your race listed, orchanges in your race schedule, e-mail the information to the editor,Steve Morrell, at [email protected].
The West Florida list of yacht clubs and sailing organizationsis also on line.
CLUB RACING
Bradenton YC. Sunday Afternoon Races at 12:30 p.m. October tillbeginning of Daylight Savings. PHRF racing on ManateeRiver. For info call Larry Lecuyer, (941) 729-5401.
Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of each
12 BBYRA One Design #2. Host: BBYC - Second race of Series1 for One Design boats.
11-12 Star Masters Regatta. Host: CRYC – The 22nd annual two-day regatta for Stars.
11-15 73rd Annual Miami to Nassau Race Week.Host: MYC
18 J24 Spring 2 Regatta. Host: Flat Earth Racing. 25 Miami Yacht Club Annual Regatta/BBYRA One-Design
#3.Host: MYC - Third race of Series 1 for One-Designboats.
26 Miami Yacht Racing Annual Regatta/BBYRA PHRF#3.Host: MYC - Third race of Series 1 for One-Design boats.
MARCH2-5 Shake A Leg Midwinters. 4 KBYC “Round the Island” Race. KBYC (Rescheduled from
Nov. 12/05)5 J/24 Spring #3 (Flat Earth Racing). Flat Earth Racing –
Third race of twelve for J24 class.5-10 Stars Bacardi Cup. CRYC - 79th annual three-day regatta
for Star class.9-12 Miami Race Week – Ocean Racing. Premiere Racing10-12 Miami Race Week – Bay Racing. Premiere Racing14-15 Lightning Mid Winters. CRYC – 48th annual two-day
regatta for Lightning25 BBYRA PHRF#4. CGSC – Fourth race of the Series 1 for
PHRF class.26 BBYRA One-Design #4. BBYC – Fourth race of the Series 1
for One-Design class.31-2 Don Q Rum Keg Snipe Regatta. CGSC – 40th annual
S.C.I.R.A. sanction regatta.
Legend for Yacht Clubs and OrganizationsBBYRA Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.netBBYC Biscayne Bay Yacht Club. www.bbyra.netCGSC Coconut Grove Sailing Club. www.cgsc.orgCRYC Coral Reef Yacht Club. www.coralreefyachtclub.orgKBYC Key Biscayne Yacht Club. www.kbyc.org.MYC Miami Yacht Club. www.miamiyachtclub.net.
FLORIDA KEYS
February Water Temperature Key West – 70º
February Average Temperatures Key West 66º lo –76º hi
For real-time eastern Gulf weather, winds and marine forecasts, go tohttp://comps.marine.usf.edu
Key West Sailing Club. Every Saturday – Open House atthe Key West Sailing Club. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (305) 292-5993. www.keywestsailingclub.org. Sailboat Lane off PalmAvenue in Key West. Casual racing/sailing on the weekendsduring winter months after October till spring. Come by theclub to sail. Non-members and members welcome.
KEYS RACE CALENDAR
FEBRUARY26 Schooner Wharf Wreckers Cup Regatta. Key West.
Captain’s meeting 7 p.m., Feb. 25, at Schooner Wharf.
See page 76for windrose legend
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 63
month, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet.www.venice-sailing-squadron.org
Edison Sailing Center, Fort. Myers. Sunfish and dinghy racingonce a month, year-round [email protected]
Port Charlotte. Third Saturday of month, year-round. [email protected]
Boat of the Year Races (BOTY): Southwest Boat of the Year(SWBOTY), Charlotte Harbor Boat of the Year (CHBOTY),Sarasota (SBOTY), Suncoast Boat of the Year (SBOTY)
FEBRUARY4 St. Petersburg YC and Davis Island YC. J-24
Meet in the Middle Regatta. 3-5 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. National Wayfarer Regatta. 4-5 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. Flying Scot Regatta. 4-8 St. Petersburg YC. International Optimist Dinghy Clinic. 10-12 St. Petersburg YC. Valentine’s Day Regatta, Opti, 420. 10-12 Isla Del Sol YC. 505 Midwinter Championship. 11 Sarasota Bay Yachting Association/Sarasota Sailing
Squadron. Cherry Pie Race. (SBBOTY)11-12 Tampa Sailing Squadron. Gasparilla, PHRF. 11-12 Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Society.
Edison Gulf, PHRF. (SWFBOTY)14-16 St. Petersburg YC. Olsen 30 & Sonar Midwinter
Championship. 17-19 St. Petersburg YC., SAILING WORLD NOOD
(National Offshore One Design). 17-21 Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show, Miamarina.
www.sailamerica.com. 17-19 Clearwater Yacht Club. Laser Master Midwinters. 18-19 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. George Washington Birthday
Regatta. All-class, dinghies, Cats, Windsurfers. 21-25 Davis Island YC. J-24 Midwinters. 23-26 Clearwater Yacht Club. Laser Midwinters East. 25-26 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Windsurfing regatta.26-Mar 3 St. Petersburg YC. Thistle Midwinters.MARCH3-5 Davis Island YC. Fireball Midwinters. 4-5 Punta Gorda SC. Conquistador Cup, PHRF. (SWFBOTY)
(CHBOTY)4 St. Pete Sailing Assoc.Rich Gahn Memorial Race, PHRF. 5 Bradenton YC, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Manatee SA,
Sarasota Bay Yachting Association. Tampa Bay Pursuit Race. PHRF reverse handicap.
5 St. Pete Sailing Assoc. Women’s, PHRF. 5 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Pot of Gold Race. 5-10 St. Petersburg YC. Flying Scot Midwinters.10-12 Davis Island YC. Sunfish International Masters
Championship 11 Pass-A-Grille YC. Anchor Cup, PHRF. (SBOTY)11 Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Society. Shrimp
Race, PHRF. 9-12 Acura SORC. Miami area. www.premiere-racing.com. 8-9 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. C-Scow Clinic. 10-12 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. C-Scow Midwinters. 10-12 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. Melges 17 Midwinters. 13-14 Clearwater Yacht Club. Snipe Midwinter Championship. 14-15 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. MC Scow Clinic. 16-18 Lake Eustis Sailing Club. MC Scow Midwinters. 17- 19 St. Petersburg YC. Lightning Midwinter Championship. 18-19 Marco Island YC. Spring Regatta, PHRF. (SWFBOTY)18 Treasure Island Tennis and YC. Michelob Cup, PHRF.
(SBOTY)18-19 Tampa Bay Catamaran Society. St. Patty’s Day Regatta. 23-26 St. Petersburg YC. Disabled/Open Midwinters, Sonar, 2.4
Meter, Martin 16. 24-26 Sarasota Sailing Squadron. One-Design Regatta, dinghies
and small keelboats. 31 Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Sarasota YC Feeder Race to
Venice, PHRF. 30-Apr 2 St. Petersburg YC. Rolex Women’s Match Racing
Invitational.
NORTHERN GULF COAST RACING:FLORIDA PANHANDLE, ALABAMA, MISSISSIPPI, LOUISIANA, TEXAS
Water Temperature – 58ºAverage Temperatures Pensacola, FL 45º lo – 64º hiGulfport, MS 45º lo – 64º hi
For Northern Gulf Weather go to: www.csc.noaa.gov/coos/
NEWS
Gulf Yachting Association WinterMeeting, Mobile, AL, Jan. 7-8By Kim Kaminski
On January 7-8, the Gulf Yachting Association held its annu-al winter meeting in Mobile, AL. Each year, the GYA holdsthis meeting to make decisions on sailing and racing in thearea and discusses executive committee meetings, race man-agement, offshore council, one-design council, US SAILINGchampionship committee, trophy committee and the sched-ule committee for the 33 member clubs to plan for theupcoming year. Awards are also presented for the previousyear’s winners of the various facets of the organization.
A new committee this year is the Disaster RecoveryCommittee, which will be chaired by Cal Jones, past com-modore of the GYA. Updates on the status of the 33 mem-ber yacht clubs can be found on the GYA Web site. This isespecially important after the destructive storm season. Itoffers the membership the opportunity to monitor theprogress of the reconstruction effort in full force along theGulf Coast. Along with the recovery effort, the GYAYachting Foundation, which was established to help sup-port sailing along the Gulf Coast and among its members(with a primary emphasis on the junior sailors), decided todedicate any funds received by Katrina toward the recon-struction effort. These funds will be used to restore andreplace sailing equipment for the 15 yacht clubs thatreceived serious damage.
Another item on the meeting docket will be the USSAILING, Mount Gay-sponsored speakers series withnoted author David Dellenbaugh (author of the newsletterSpeed Smarts) and his series on “Racing Tactics.”
For more information, go to www.gya.org.
LOCAL RACE REPORT
We’re BAAAACK Regatta, Navy YachtClub, Pensacola, FL, Dec. 3By Kim Kaminski
The 2005 racing season came to a close on Saturday,December 3, for the members of the Navy Yacht Club ofPensacola with the “We’re BAAAACK” Regatta.
64 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.comSee NORTHERN GULF COAST SAILING continued on page 75
Hurricanes from the past two seasons have played havocwith the Navy’s Commodore’s Cup racing series earlier inthe year, plus the loss of their clubhouse facilities due to thesestorms didn’t help their efforts in sponsoring their usualPHRF races out on Pensacola Bay. The only PHRF race theNavy Yacht Club had managed to hold all year was thesuccessful Bikini Regatta in July. The other Navy races heldduring 2005 were in one-design boats such as Sunfish, Lasersand Hunter 17s. It was the Navy Yacht Club’s members’ hopeto hold at least one more PHRF race during the remainder ofthe year. Now, with their clubhouse facilities’ repair workprogressing and the Bayou Grande Marina complex newdocks nearing completion, they decided to let the northernGulf Coast sailors know that “We’re BAAAACK”.
For those who showed up to race and enjoy the post-race activities, it was a pretty good day. Although only fourboats (one non-spinnaker and three spinnakers) registeredto compete in the race, things went off without a hitch. TheBig Easy, skippered by Adron Joyner, won the Non-Spinnaker class, and Dan Owczarczak, aboard The PolishNavy, took the honors in the Spinnaker class. A specialthanks to the participants from the Pensacola Beach YachtClub who made the special effort to come across the bay andrace during this special event.
Hopefully, the 2006 racing season will be a bright andsuccessful one as sailors find all of their storm hurdlesbehind them as they look forward to the finalized plans fornext year’s racing schedule. If all goes well, the marina willbe back in full swing with the latest state of the art dockslips, along with a functioning pump-out station. It has beenover a year and a half since Hurricane Ivan swept into thearea, but things are slowly coming back, and the Navy YachtClub wanted to celebrate this effort with its last PHRF raceof the 2005 season.Results: Spinnaker (10-mile course): 1 – Polish Navy – DanOwczarczak, 1:08:46; 2 – Phaedra – Bob Patroni, 1:09:15; 3 –Rumaground – Linda Thompson, 1:14:40: Non-Spinnaker (5 miles): 1– Big Easy – Adron Joyner, 49:33.
NORTHERN GULF RACE CALENDAR
2006 Kick-Off Party for the LeukemiaCup at Pensacola Yacht Club, Feb. 3By Kim Kaminski
There will be a kick-off party on Feb. 3 for the LeukemiaCup Regatta, March 17-19, at the Pensacola Yacht Club
REGIONAL RACING
Navy Yacht Club members Adron Joyner, Sharon Silk, RichardSmith and Brian Silk were all smiles after competing for the firsttime all year in the We’re Baaack Regatta at the Navy YachtClub. This team on Big Easy won the Non-Spinnaker Award fortheir efforts. Photo by Kim Kaminski.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 67
68 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
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CAPT. KEVIN MURPHY . . .(340) 277-1026USCG Licensed Master, Deliveries, Instruction [email protected]
TOPSAIL SERVICESDelvieries • Consulting
Power • SailUSCG Licensed Master • Unlimited TonnageDon Charland (910) 279-6315
COMMUNICATIONSDOCKSIDE RADIO www.docksideradio.comPactor II/III Modem Sales & Support; FCCMarine Radio License filing; SailMail WinLinkInstallation & Training . . . . .(941) 661-4498
CUSTOM BOAT SERVICES & REPAIRS
ELLIE’S SAILING SHOP . . . . . . . . .Clearwater Lifelines, rigging, hardware, repairsServing small boat sailors Since 1958Sunfish Boats and Parts . . . . .(727) 442-3281________________________________________
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FL KEYS BACKCOUNTRY TRIPSWith Pro Guide Capt. “BR”Exploring, Sportfishing, Birding(305) 304-2258 www.keywestsportfish.com
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INLAND MARINE DIESEL . . . . . . . . .AtlantaService/Parts for all makes of diesel auxiliaryNew Engine Sales–Universal, Beta, Yanmar,and Westerbeke . . . . . . . . ..(404) 513-4414
MARINE SURVEYINGTAYLOR MARINE SURVEYING &CONSULTING, LLCSpecializing in Sailing Vessels (813) 625-0448www.taylormarinesurveying.com
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News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 69
SERVICES DIRECTORYCall (941) 795-8704 or e-mail [email protected]
RIGGING SERVICES
Bay RiggingTAMPA’S MOBILE RIGGING SERVICE Yacht Rigging • Furlers • Lifelines
Cell (727) 215-0704www.bayrigging.com
SSMR. INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .727-823-4800Complete Rigging ServicesOn-Site Swaging & Splicing
Commissioning ServicesOn Salt Creek at Salt Creek Boat Works
Fax 727-823-3270 . . . . . . . . . .St. Petersburg
SAILING INSTRUCTION
ADVENTURE CRUISING & SAILING SCHOOLA sailing school for Women and Couples• ASA • West Florida and Chesapeakewww.acss.bz . . . . . . . . . . . . .(727) 204-8850
YACHTING VACATIONS Punta Gorda, FL Sailboat Charters 22’-48’ ASA instructionLive-aboard/non-live-aboardwww.yachtingvacations.com (800) 447-0080
SEA TIME SAILING SCHOOL . . . .Miami, FL Offshore trips/Sailing courseswww.seatimesailing.com . . . .(954) 636-9726
SAILMAKING, REPAIRING& CLEANING
ADVANCED SAILS . . . . . . . .(727) 896-7245Quality Cruising Sails & Service
Closest Sailmaker to St. Petersburg MarinasKeith Donaldson . . . . . . . . . .(727) 896-7245
MASTHEAD USED SAIL . . .(800) 783-6953www.mastheadsailinggear.comLargest Inventory in the South (727) 327-5361
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*New/Used Sails * New Custom SailsRoller Furling Systems & Packages
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Scuba Clean Yacht Service• Underwater Services • Canvas Shop • Sail Cleaning & Repair • Detailing
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CONTACT OUR SALES REPRESENTATIVES TODAYSteve Morrell Publisher [email protected] (941) 795-8704David Curry Advertising [email protected] (941) 761-0048Gary Hufford Advertising [email protected] (727) 585-2814
BOATS & DINGHIES___________________________
Bauer 10. Everything new. Sprit-rigged. TanBark Sail. Sunbrella fitted cover. Galv. Trailer.Spruce mast and oars. Liner with flotation.Bauer yacht finish. $2900. Sarasota. (941)349-3102 (2/06)
Catalina Capri 23.5 Sport Boat 1998. Carbonsprit . asymmetrical spinnaker. Lift bulb keel.Roller furling jib. New sheets. 6 sails. Drysailed. Custom trailer. Outboard. Atlanta.$18,900. (404) 723-0686. (4/06)
Cape Dory 25, 1982. Excellent condition,sleeps 4, standing headroom, Yanmar deisel,bimini, many upgrades including sail covers,sails, roller furling genoa, VHF, compass, toi-let. 6 opening ports, Bimini and Dodger.$14,500. [email protected]. (305) 610-0988. (4/06)
1983 Hunter 30. Tall Rig, 4’ draft, Yanmar850hrs, roller furling, sails and rigging 2002,Mech Vang, Inverter w/Microwave, Autopilot,GPS. Race, Daysail or Cruise. Xlnt condition.$17,400. (727) 856-6999. (3/06)
1990 30’ Catalina 30, std rig, fin keel 5’3”,roller furling, bimini, cushions, instruments,Excellent condition. Reasonably and practi-cally priced at $32,900. (727) 207-0717 ore-mail: [email protected] (2/06)
___________________________
CATALINA 30. 1989. Wing Keel. New Canvas,Full enclosure. AC, custom teak doors. Garmin182 Chart plotter, Loran, VHF, Auto-pilot, AM-FM Stereo CD, refrigerator, extra freshwatertank. New bottom paint September 2004. Avery clean boat, carefully maintained.$37,500. Call (727) 421-3014. (2/06)
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• Classified ads with text only for boats are $25 fora three-month ad for up to 30 words. $50 for adwith horizontal photo ($65 if vertical photo). Checkor Credit cards accepted. Must be for sale by owner– no business ads. Boats wanted ads included.• Free ads for boats under $500 (sail and dinghiesonly), all gear under $500, and windsurfingequipment. For sale by owner ads only.• All other ads (including business ads) are $20 amonth for up to 20 words, add $5 a month foreach additional 10 words. $10 a month for a hor-izontal photo. Frequency discounts available.Contact editor.• All ads go on the SOUTHWINDS Web site. For aone-time $10 fee, we will place your ad on theInternet before going to press on the next issue. • No Refunds • The last month your ad runs will be in parenthe-ses, e.g., (10/06) is October, 2006.
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32 Gulf Pilothouse, complete refit all new2005- standing running rigging, performancesails, wiring, circuit breakers panel, waterheater, holding/macerator, fuel tanks,12v/110 standing fridge freezer, propanecooktop infared broiling, 3 batteriesautocharger, 17000btu heat/air, bimini$49,600 [email protected] (904) 810-1966.(2/06)
33’ Glander Tavana 1985 center board masthead sloop. Newly painted bottom, hull, top-sides and non-skid. New rub rail, teak hatch-es. New jib sail. 30 HP Vetus diesel. GreatFlorida and Bahamas boat, draws 3’ board up.A no- nonsense boat offered below market at$15,900/best offer. Needs TLC. Call MajorCarter (941) 792-9100.
1993 Gemini 3400 catamaran 14‚ beam 18,board up 5‚ board down. In Sarasota. Cruise-ready, air, solar, davits, contact Alan (970)690-3758 or [email protected] for inventory list.Asking $79,000. (2/06)
1967 Morgan 34 sloop, bronze centerboard,4-foot draft, wheel steering, cruise-equipped(liveaboard), gps, auto-pilot, 3 solar panels,Atomic 4 gas engine, 60 gallons water, muchmore. $14,500/best offer. (239) 462-5004(3/06)___________________________FREE-New Hunter 33 or 36. SailTime will paymortgage and all expenses for 5 years – youput 20% down–own 100%.1-866-Sailtime.
34-5 Hunter 1986. Auto pilot, shoal draft,30 hp Yanmar, solid stainless steel rail, cus-tom teak swim platform, new portals, etc.
34-5 Hunter 1986. Auto pilot, shoal draft, 30hp Yanmar, solid stainless steel rail, custom teak swim platform, new portals, etc. Movingmust sell $29,500. (239) 910-3595. (4/06)
36’ Islander Freeport B-Plan raised salooncruiser, Cruise-ready with all the extras. A takeyou anywhere boat. Newly rebuilt diesel, fullelectronics and all the extras. $69,900 Seewww.islanderfreeport.com, e-mail [email protected], (727) 864-9048 (3/06)
1987 Catalina 36 TM Extensive EquipmentList. Cosmetic “Katrina” Damage. This is a“Must See. $37,500. (228) 326-2694 for info.(4/06)
IRWIN 37, Key West slip. New mainsail andcockpit cover, 14 ports, dinghy, outboard,refrigeration, freshwater pump, A/C, hotwater heater, 6 batteries with cabling, bottompaint, solar panel, etc. Call Capt. Dave (305)240-0303, e-mail [email protected] hurricane damage. $105K. (3/06)___________________________
Beneteau First 405, French-built 1987.Perkins 4-108, rig & keelbolts rebuilt &upgraded 1998. Rudder bearings & interiorrefit 2001, Awlgrip renewed 2005. Prop shaft,coupling and bearing new 2004. Phazor 6 kwgen, hro 9, watermaker, Autohelm nav.System, Inmarsat, 5000 btu AC. etc., etc.Santana is a proven vessel for offshore and liv-ing aboard, a joy to sail and takes good careof her crew. $115,000 (904) 460-0501 [email protected]. (3/06)
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News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 71
1984 LANCER 45 CC Sloop with 85 HPPerkins, 3 staterooms, 2 heads, walkthru toaft cabin w/ centerline bed. Marine air. Rollerfurling main and jib. Depth and wind instru-ments at the helm. CPT autopilot, Furuno CRTradar, GPS, VHF, stereo CD, TV , full galley,electric windlass, dodger, 11’ Alliance RIBw/OB. www.cortezyachts.com. A great live-aboard or cruiser. $84,000 (941) 792-9100
45’ 6” LOA Bayfield 40, Hull # 34 Full keel 5’draft, cutter ketch designed by H.T.Gozzardbuilt in 1984 Exceptional condition with lotsof new gear. Harken Roller furling on all sails.Marine Air, WS, WD, Depth,VHF w/remote,SSB, CD/Radio, Autopilot, Chartplotter, Radar,Dinghy, Life Raft $114,000 Call Major Carteror visit www.Cortezyachts.com (3/06)
BOOKS & CHARTS___________________________Ocean Routing – Jenifer Clark’s Gulf StreamBoat Routing/Ocean Charts by the “best inthe business.” (301) 952-0930, fax (301) 574-0289 or www.erols.com/gulfstrm
BUSINESS/INVESTMENT___________________________Sailtime.com is looking for base operators onthe Florida coast. This may suit existingmarine business owners who wish to add anadditional income stream. Sailtime is a uniquebusiness model that requires minimal capitaland no staff. Tel. (813) 817-0104 [email protected].___________________________Licensed contractor with experience in high-end residential work, both new and remodel-ing, seeks to qualify a builder as an active,advising, part-time, non-working partner. Iam a very responsible, honest experiencedbuilder with excellent qualifications seekingthe same to work on projects in residentialwork. Only very quality-oriented and respon-sible builders/carpenters need contact mewho are in the Manatee/Sarasota countiesarea. I also am only interested in enjoyable,interesting work — not the rat race. [email protected]. ___________________________FREE – New Hunter 33 or 36. SailTime willpay mortgage and all expenses for 5 years –you put 20% down and own 100%. Call 1-866-Sailtime.
CREW AVAILABLE/WANTED___________________________Visit SOUTHWINDS “NEW” boat and crewlisting service at southwindssailing.com
DELIVERY SERVICES___________________________DELIVERIES. ICW, Coastal, Caribbean & Gulf,Sail or Power, by USCG Licensed Captain with30 Years professional experience Includingtwo transAtlantic deliveries. (443) 243-4925or www.marylandsailing.com (2/06)
HELP WANTED___________________________Articles & race reports in the Carolinas andGeorgia. [email protected].___________________________Sailor Wanted. Turn your hobby into extracash. Travel the Florida coast making salescalls on retail customers for major marine ropemanufacturer. Detail-oriented merchandisingexperience. E-mail resume and questions [email protected].___________________________Sailing Club Manager opportunity with pri-vate club featuring tennis, pool, summercamp and active dinghy racing. A mature per-son with mechanical skills a plus. Housingprovided. Send financial compensationrequirements to: GM Search, 30 Yacht ClubDrive, Beaufort, SC 29907.
Edwards Yacht Sales is expanding! Yacht bro-kers needed to sell sailboats on either coast.Will train! Excellent commissions, grouphealth insurance, bonus plan. Contact RoyEdwards at (727) 725-1600, www.EdwardsYachtSales.com___________________________Service Dept. Rigger. Massey Yacht Sales isaccepting applications and resumes for sailand/or powerboat riggers/outfitters. Manyemployee benefits including paid holidays, paidvacations, health insurance, workmen’s compinsurance, performance bonuses, and goodhourly salary. Must be hardworking, honest, haveown tools and be a team player. Excellent service
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72 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
department support and organization. Call AliceWinter, ext. 10, service dept. mgr. at (941) 723-1949, or fax resume to (941) 729-7520.___________________________Writers, Reporters, Articles Photos Wanted.SOUTHWINDS is looking for articles on boating,racing, sailing in the southern waters in allregions, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Weare also looking for other articles on the follow-ing subjects: marinas, anchorages, mooringfields disappearing marinas and boatyards,marinas and boatyards sold for condos,anchoring rights, sailing human interest stories,boat reviews, charter stories, waste disposal—and more. Photos are wanted on all these sub-jects, plus we want cover photos (pay $65 forcover photos) of both race and non-race sub-jects, but about sailing. Cover photos must bevery high resolution and vertical format.___________________________Massey Yacht Sales Positions – Sail and/orpower yacht sales positions available in theMassey St. Petersburg and Palmetto dealer-ship offices. Best marina dealership locations,excellent sales, marketing and service dept.support. We are new yacht dealers forCatalina, Hunter and Albin plus offer a largeinventory of brokerage sail and powerboats.Applicants must be computer literate, havesuccessful yacht sales history, good knowl-edge of yachts and builders, be a team player,motivated and hard working. Best yacht salesincome potential on Florida west coast. CallMassey General Sales Manager FrankHamilton at (941) 723-1610 or fax resume to(941) 729-7520.
INSURANCE___________________________
LODGING FOR SAILORS___________________________
Ponce de Leon Hotel Historic downtown hotel at the bay, acrossfrom St. Petersburg YC. 95 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 550-9300 FAX (727) 896-2287www.poncedeleonhotel.com
MISCELLANEOUS BOAT GEARNEW & USED___________________________
Wanted Mast for Hughes Northstar 500 (25-foot sailboat). (251) 476-4061. (2/06)
Tiralo floating deck chair - a beach chair thatfloats in water and rolls easily on the sand.Looks great. Folds and fits on your boat orinside your car. More info: www.tiralo-usa.com.
Outboard Motor. 2002 Yamaha 15HP, 4-cycle, manual start, great condition, less than40 hrs use. $1,200 (727) 544-1833. (1/06)___________________________Bimini top, canvas and frame complete. FromBOSTON WHALER. Originally $700. Usable onany craft with 87” beam. Navy. Like new. $400.Pick up only. Lake Lanier, Gainesville, GA. Chris@ 770 536 4628, or [email protected].
AC/DC Reefer, 22# Bruce Anchor, AnchorBall, Sospenders, Magma Grills, Mariner 9.9Mercury Long Shaft 7.5 HP, folding bikes,windsurfers, Metzeler sailing rig, windscoop,Drogues, lifesling, Type I life jackets w/strobe.Nautical Trader. (941) 488-0766.___________________________Anchors – 40 lb 3-piece storm - $250. 20 lbCQR - $150. 15 lb CQR - $100. (941) 953-6240.
CC LL AA SS SS II FF II EE DD AA DD
News & Views for Southern SailorsSOUTHWINDS February 2006 73
See Classified Info pg 70
MISCELLANEOUS BOAT GEARNEW & USED___________________________
CONTINUED
SAILING INSTRUCTION__________________________
SAILS & CANVAS___________________________
WINDSURFING GEAR__________________________
Wanted: Used Prodigy (standard or race),other boards, miscellaneous windsurfingequipment. Steve (941) 795-8704,[email protected]
CC LL AA SS SS II FF II EE DD AA DD SS
ALL CLASSIFIEDS ON WEB SITE
www.southwindsmagazine.comSee Classified Info
pg 7074 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 75
(PYC). During the kick-off party, fundraising ideas, informa-tion packets and registration materials will be available forthe regatta, which will help raise funds for the Leukemia andLymphoma Society. Since 1993, sailors across America havebeen raising more than just their sails to help save the livesof children and adults who have been stricken withleukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and myeloma.And now the Pensacola Yacht Club, along with its co-spon-sors, the Navy Yacht Club of Pensacola, is honored in beingable to sponsor this worthwhile event and would like to ded-icate its efforts in the memory of past PYC commodore JimRosenblatt, who was a victim of this terrible disease.
The 2006 Honored Skipper for this very uplifting pro-gram is young Jaremy Wynn, who is six years old and livesin Pensacola, FL, with his mom, older sister Dallas, who is 7,and brothers Jacob and Jesse. Jacob, Jesse and Jaremy aretriplets. Jaremy was diagnosed with acute lymphocyticleukemia on April 29, 2002. He is currently in remission andloves to play ball, ride bicycles and play with his four dogsCalle-Sue, Bitty, Spanky and Dottie. Jaremy wishes to thankeveryone for participating in the Pensacola’s Leukemia CupRegatta to help kids like him.
If you would like to register your boat for this specialevent, you can e-mail Lori Lightcap with the Leukemia andLymphoma Society at [email protected] or Dana Smallwoodat [email protected], and they will forward the registra-tion forms to you. If you don’t have a boat or crew, you canregister as a “Phantom Sailor.” Phantom Sailors weredesigned to accommodate individuals who do not have aboat but still want to participate in the Cup. The same oppor-tunities are available for those participants who want to fightto save lives as well as win national incentives such as a fan-tasy sail with Leukemia Cup Regatta National ChairmanGary Jobson (noted sailing expert and ESPN Commentator),or enjoy the live and silent auctions, boat Calcutta, prizesfrom national sponsors as well as the chance to earn the cov-eted Leukemia Cup—without physically participating in theregatta.
So, make plans to be a part of this exciting and funopportunity to help raise proceeds which go to fundingresearch in helping to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma,Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. Help to improve the qual-ity of life of patients and their families while enjoying thecamaraderie of the sailing community. For more informationvisit the Pensacola Yacht Club Web site at www.pensacolay-achtclub.org
Buccaneer Yacht Club Leukemia Cupto be Hosted by the Pensacola YachtClub, March 17-19By Kim Kaminski
The Buccaneer Yacht Club in Mobile, AL, has successfullyhosted one of the 47 nationally held Leukemia Cup Regattasfor the past two years. Following the damaging hurricaneseason of 2005, and due to the lack of area facilities, the clubmembers put out a request asking the Pensacola Yacht Clubto help in their efforts and continue to raise money by keep-ing this important event going strong.
Members of the Pensacola Yacht Club gladly acceptedthe request and will be the host of the 2006 regatta, offeringthe event in memory of past commodore Jim Rosenblatt.
Enthusiasm for the Leukemia Cup regatta series hasgrown over the past 12 years with the help of noted sailingexpert and ESPN commentator Gary Jobson. Jobson servesas the national chairman of the Leukemia Cup Regatta andto date has raised over $17-million in support of theLeukemia and Lymphoma Society.
March 17-18 will be the dates for the Pensacola event.Starting on Friday, March 17, participants can enjoy a silentauction and a gala fellowship social sponsored by MountGay Rum. On Saturday, March 18, PHRF and one-designsailors will sail. Observers can also join in the regatta fun byparticipating in a Calcutta event (by picking who will be thetop finishing boats in the race) with prizes provided bynational sponsors.
Everyone can join in the fundraising efforts by partici-pating in this charity event for a chance to win great prizesand help the Leukemia Society. The proceeds will help tofund research to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma,Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.
For more information on this event, check the PensacolaYacht Club Web site: www.pensacolayachtclub.org
FEBRUARY3 Leukemia Cup Kick-off Party - Pensacola Yacht Club,
Pensacola, FL4 Cruising Raft-up - Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL4 2006 SCYA Women’s Sailing Convention. Bahia
Corinthian Yacht Club. www.scya.org or call Gail Hine at(951) 677-8121
11 Valentine Regatta - Pensacola Beach Yacht Club -Pensacola Beach, FL
11 Winter Series Race 3 & 4 - Mobile Yacht Club, Mobile, AL17 Winter Series Race 5 & trophy Awards - Mobile Yacht
Club, Mobile, AL18 Miami Boat Show24-26 North Boat Show - Tallahassee, FL25-26 Florida Sportsman Boat Show - Fort Walton Beach, FL25 Mardi Gras Regatta - Pensacola Yacht Club - Pensacola, FLMARCH4 Maxine Sansom Race #1 - Navy Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL
11 Maxine Sansom Race #2 - Pensacola Beach Yacht Club -Pensacola Beach, FL
11 Cruising Raft-up - Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL17-19 Leukemia Cup Regatta - Pensacola Yacht Club - Pensacola,
FL. (In memory of Past Commodore Jim Rosenblatt)25 Maxine Sansom Race #3 - Pensacola Yacht Club -
Pensacola, FLNorthern Gulf Coast Yacht Club LegendPBYC Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL.
www.pensacolabeachyc.orgPYC Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, FL.
www.pensacolayachtclub.org. MBC Mobile Yacht ClubNYC Navy Yacht Club
NORTHERN GULF COAST RACING continued from page 64
of rum is because he did not have his gear stowed properlyfor sea. This didn’t occur in the harbor, it occurred in thechannel, and the Monhegan was traveling at a proper speed.”
Forgive me if I raise an eyebrow in disbelief. I havenever talked to Capt. Heyl, so I have no idea how he cameto his conclusion. It appears that Capt. Heyl doesn’t knowthe rules and regulations governing damage from boatwakes. Nowhere is it written that wakes generated “in thechannel” are exempt. Damage done from wakes generatedanywhere are the responsibility of the vessel generatingthem. My boat was in Key West Harbor, close to the break-water just off The Galleon when it was rolled by theMonhegan. And I know how to get a vessel ready for sea.
Capt. Heyl is further quoted in the Navy Times article assaying, “Still, I intend to write him a letter saying I will buyhim a beverage of his choice if he comes to visit.”
Needless to say, gentle reader, I have not heard fromCapt. Heyl. Ever. And though I have been in Key West anynumber of times, I didn’t know about Capt. Heyl’s offeruntil early January 2006.
I tried to reach Capt. Heyl at Coast Guard Sector KeyWest. He wasn’t in. Cmdr. Kennan? Voice mail only. Uh, alive person? I got Candy Cohenn, command secretary, whokept telling me, “Wait a second,” and putting me on hold.After several minutes and several more “wait-a-seconds”and being on hold for about five minutes, she came on theline and told me I would have to take it up with the SeventhCoast Guard District’s legal office in Miami. They would
know about it, she said, and gave me the number to call. Thebuck wasn’t stopping in Key West.
I called that number. The legal office didn’t know any-thing about the claim and couldn’t find any record of it. Icalled Candy Cohenn in Key West five times to tell her inperson that she had steered me down a blind alley. Got hervoice mail every time.
So, nineteen months after I submitted my original claimfor the Cuban rum to the Coast Guard, I am still no closer togetting anyone associated with the U.S. Coast Guard to doanything about it, much less acknowledge that the claimeven exists.
It makes a body feel full of patriotic pride to know thatone of our Armed Forces, the U.S. Coast Guard, part of theDepartment of Homeland Security, will step up to the plateand take full responsibility for its own mistakes.
76 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
TELL THEM YOU SAW IT INSOUTHWINDS!SOUTHWINDS provides this list asa courtesy and asks our readers tosupport our advertisers. This listincludes all display advertising. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Acura Miami Race Week . . . . .13Air Duck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Aqua Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . .68Atlantic Sail Traders . . . . . . . . .41Banks Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69Beachmaster Photography . . .71Beneteau Sailboats . . . . . . . . .BCBeta Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Bluewater Bay Yachts . . . . . . .6,7Bluewater Sailing Supply . . . . .10Boaters Exchange . . . . . . . . . .41Bob and Annie’s Boatyard . . . .32Bo’sun Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . .21Bubba Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Carson/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . .BCCortez Yacht Brokerage . . . . . .71Crow’s Nest Restaurant . . . . . .21Cruising Direct Sails . . . . . . . .27Defender Industries . . . . . . . . . .9Dockside Radio . . . . . . . . . . . .36Dwyer mast . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Eastern Yachts/Beneteau . . . . .64Edwards Yacht Sales . . . . . . . .66El Cid Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . .26E-marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73,74First Patriot Health Insurance .73Flying Scot Sailboats . . . . . . . .72FX Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49Garhauer Hardware . . . . . . . .39Gasrparilla Regatta TSS . . . . . .55Glacier Bay Refrigeration . . . . .19Gold Bars Captain’s Book . . . .73Gulf Coast Yacht Sales . . . .67,70Gulf Island Sails . . . . . . . . . . . .7Hanse Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . .71Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack . . . . .50Hotwire/Fans & other
products . . . . . . . . . . . . .73Hunter Marine . . . . . . . . . .24,25Island Marine Products . . . . . .18Island Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23JR Overseas/Moisture Meter . .45Kevane Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Lake Fairview Marina . . . . . . . .7Laurie Kimball Realtor . . . . . . . .9Leading Edge Yacht Brokers . .67
Leather Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . .69Lex-Sea Charters . . . . . . . . . . .71Life Captions Video . . . . . . . . .40Manton Marine Surveyors . . . .69Massey Yacht Sales 31,35,47, IBCMasthead Enterprises . . . . .29,73Mt. Dora Annual Regatta . . . .53Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau .BCNational Sail Supply . . . . . . . .22Nautical Trader . . . . . . . . . . . .19Noble Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . .56North Sails . . . . . . . . . . . .15,74Pinnacle Fractional Sailing . . . .17Porpoise Used Sails . . . . . . .8,74Precision Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . .7Premiere Racing . . . . . . . . . . .13Pumpout Boat . . . . . . . . . . . .18Quantum Sarasota . . . . . . . . . .3RB Grove/Universal and
Westerbeke . . . . . . . . . . . .42Regata del Sol al Sol . . . . . . . .11Rparts Refrigeration . . . . . . . .34Sailboats Florida, Inc. . . . . . . .71Sailing Services . . . . . . . . . . . .28Sailor’s Wharf Boatyard and
Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . .65Sailrite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Sailtime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Sarasota Youth Sailing Program65Schurr Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Scurvy Dog Marine . . . . . . . . .51Sea School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Sea Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36,73Snug Harbor Boats . . . . . . . . . .7SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15St. Augustine Sailing School . .74St. Barts/Beneteau . . . . . . . . .BCStrictly Sail Miami . . . . . . . . . .14Suncoast Inflatables . . . . . . . .16Sunrise Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Tackle Shack . . . . . . . . . . . .7,50Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Turner Marine/Island Packet . .23Ullman sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54US Spars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Walker Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Watersports West . . . . . . . . . .74West Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFCWhitney’s Marine/Sail Center .24Windcraft Catamarans . . . . . .33Yachting Vacations Charters . .48Zarcor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34,74
CAPT. MORGAN continued from page 75
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ADVERTISER INDEX BY CATEGORY
SAILBOATS – NEW AND BROKERAGEBeneteau Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BCBluewater Bay Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6,7Boaters Exchange/Catalina Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Carson Yacht Sales/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BCCortez Yacht Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71Eastern Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC,67Flying Scot Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Gulf Coast Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67,70Gulf Island Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Hanse Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,50Island Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Island Yachting Centre/Island Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Lake Fairview Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Leading Edge Yacht Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67Massey Yacht Sales/Catalina//Hunter/Shannon/Albin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31,35,47, IBCMasthead Yacht Sales/Catalina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,73Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BCPinnacle Fractional Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Sailboats Florida, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71Sailor’s Wharf Boatyard and Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65Sailtime, Fractional Sailing & Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Sarasota Youth Sailing Program donated boats . . . . . . . . . . .65Snug Harbor Boats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7St. Barts/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BCSuncoast Inflatables/ West Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,50Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Turner Marine/Island Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Walker Bay Boats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Whitney’s Marine/Sail Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Windcraft, Trimarans and Catamarans, Sail or Power . . . . . . .33Watersports West/Windsurfing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
GEAR, HARDWARE, ACCESSORIES, CLOTHINGAir Duck Hatch Windscoop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Bluewater Bay Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6,7Bluewater Sailing Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Boaters Exchange, boats, gear, etc. Rockledge FL . . . . . . . . .41Bo’sun Supplies/Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Defender Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9E-Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73,74Garhauer Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39Hotwire/Fans & other products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73Island Marine Products/Davits,motorlocks,etc. . . . . . . . . . . . .18JR Overseas/Moisture Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Leather Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69Masthead Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,73Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Rparts Refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Sailrite Sewing Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, St. Petersburg . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,50Walker Bay Boats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Watersports West/wet suits, etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74West Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFCZarcor, boat shades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34,74
SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICESAtlantic Sail Traders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida . . . . . . .69Cruising Direct/sails online by North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Dwyer Mast/spars, hardware, rigging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Masthead/Used Sails and Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,73National Sail Supply, new&used online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22North Sails, new and used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15,74Porpoise Used Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8,74Quantum Sails and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Sailing Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Schurr Sails, Pensacola FL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Sunrise Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Ullman Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
West Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFCUS Spars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
CANVASBanks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida . . . . . . .69Quantum Sails and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
USED SAILING/BOATING SUPPLIESNautical Trader/buy/sell/consign, West Florida . . . . . . . . . . . .19Scurvy Dog Marine/Used, Consign, Pensacola FL . . . . . . . . . .51
SAILING SCHOOLSSea School/Captain’s License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36St. Augustine Sailing School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
MARINE ENGINES AND ACCESSORIESBeta Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
RESORTS, MARINAS, RESTAURANTS, BOAT YARDSBob and Annie’s Boatyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Sailor’s Wharf Boatyard and Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
FRACTIONAL SAILING/CHARTER COMPANIESLex-Sea Charters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71Pinnacle Fractional Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Sailtime, Fractional Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Yachting Vacations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
MARINE SERVICES, SURVEYORS, INSURANCE, TOWING, BOATLETTERING, ETC.
Aqua Graphics/Boat Names/Tampa Bay or buy online . . . . . .68Beachmaster Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71First Patriot Insurance Health Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73Manton Marine Surveyors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69Pumpout Boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
MARINE ELECTRONICSDockside Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36JR Overseas/Moisture Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Sea Tech/Navigation/Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36,73
BOOKS/CHARTS/VIDEOS/AWARDSBubba Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Gold Bars Captain’s Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73Life Captions Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Noble Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
REGATTA ADVERTISEMENTS, BOAT SHOWSAcura Miami Race Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Gasparilla Regatta Tampa SS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mt. Dora Annual Regatta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53Regata del Sol al Sol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Strictly Sail Miami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Regional Sailing Services Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68-69Subscription Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77Alphabetical Advertisers’ List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
TELL THEM YOU SAW IT IN SOUTHWINDS! SOUTHWINDS provides this list as a courtesy and asks our readers to support our advertisers. This list includes all display advertising.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2006 77
78 February 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com
In May of 2004 I put in a $10 claimwith the U.S. Coast Guard. Earlierthat month, in Key West, a Coast
Guard cutter, an 82-footer namedMonhegan, had motored past my 27-foot sailboat, Reefer, and thrown offenough wake to roll my boat to what Iestimate to be 20 degrees from vertical.In the process of the roll, and becauseof the Monhegan’s wake, a bottle ofCuban Añejo rum that I had sitting ona galley counter was rocketed off thecounter and broke on the cabin floor.
The smell of rum was every-where. While Carry Nation, a mis-guided woman who had a propensityfor entering saloons with a raisedhatchet in the early stages of the lastcentury, may have reveled at wastedalcohol, I saw only shattered brownglass and the loss of a treasure.
Havana Club Añjeo is not avail-able in the United States.
When I brought the rum homewith me, it was legal for people in myline of work to buy rum and cigars inCuba and bring them home. That allchanged on the last day of Septemberin 2004, when the Bush government,apparently teetering on the brink ofcollapse due to the amount of cigarsand rum brought home by the 100 orso journalists that legally visit Cubayearly, decided to embargo rum andcigars, as well as everything else.
Anyway, I was out of a bottle ofrum due to the ineptitude of someoneon the Monhegan. When I submittedmy claim to the Coast Guard, I askedfor $10 for the rum, which was aboutwhat it cost in Cuba. I had the properform, Standard Form 75. I filled it outcorrectly.
Coast Guard Sector Key Westassigned an officer, LieutenantCommander Scott Driscoll, to investi-gate the matter. I sent the paperworkto him. Over the summer of 2004, wetalked on the phone a couple of times,at my instigation, and Lt. Cmdr.Driscoll assured me he was workingon it, and later, had completed hisinvestigation and turned the packet in.Then in November of 2004 Lt. Cmdr.Driscoll called me again. He couldn’t
find the Standard Form 75. Well, hemust have had it at one time or hecouldn’t have started his investigation.Before he called in November, howev-er, he had already assured me that hehad completed his investigation. Nowwe were starting all over again?
In defense of Mr. Driscoll, he wasvery busy as the commanding officerof the Coast Guard cutter Matagorda,which was being worked on at thetime. Anyway, I filled out anotherForm 75 and sent that to Driscoll. Icalled him a couple of times. He was-n’t in. Then he was transferred. I nevertalked to him again. In the fall of lastyear, I talked to the executive officer ofCoast Guard Sector Key West,Commander Gwen Kennan. She toldme that my claim packet had beenprocessed and was at a Coast Guardprocessing center in Virginia Beach,VA. And she gave me the name of awarrant officer up there to talk to. Hisname was Mr. Everett.
I called him. He told me he hadnever seen the claim, but that he wasfamiliar with it, because a story aboutmy lost bottle of rum had appeared in
the Navy Times and had been postedon the bulletin board where he wasstationed. the Navy Times had calledme and interviewed me about the rumon May 4, 2005. The story about therum appeared in the June 20, 2005,edition of the Navy Times.
The article stated, “Coast Guardofficials, meanwhile, say they haveforwarded the claim to a case officerand are looking into it.” To me, thatmeans the investigation was actuallycompleted, even though there hadbeen a false start.
The case officer is the aforemen-tioned Mr. Everett. He has told metwice that he has never seen anythingin writing pertaining to my claim. Allhe knows of it is what he read in theNavy Times article on his bulletinboard. Recent phone calls to Cmdr.Kennan have not been returned. Mr.Everett, however, lately sent me a faxof the Navy Times article. In it, the com-manding officer of Sector Key West,Capt. Phillip Heyl, is quoted as stating,“The reason this boater lost the bottle
Capt. Morgan and a Bottle ofRum Meet the Coast GuardBy Morgan Stinemetz
Reefer in Havana, Cuba. Photo courtesy Morgan Stinemetz.
See CAPT. MORGAN continued on page 76