Southwindsjuly2007

Bruce VanSantCruising Key Largo

Isla Contoy

SOUTHWINDSNews & Views for Southern Sailors

July 2007For Sailors — Free…It’s Priceless

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2 July 2007 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com

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News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS July 2007 3

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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 Fax

www.southwindsmagazine.com

e-mail: [email protected]

Volume 15 Number 7 July 2007Copyright 2007, Southwinds Media, Inc.

Founded in 1993 Doran Cushing, Publisher 11/1993-6/2002

Publisher/Editor7/2002-Present

Steve Morrell [email protected] (941) 795-8704

AdvertisingSteve Morrell [email protected] (941) 795-8704

Go to www.southwindsmagazine.com for information about the magazine, distribution and advertising rates.

Regional Editors

EAST FLORIDARoy Laughlin [email protected] (321) 690-0137

Production Proofreading ArtworkHeather Nicoll Kathy Elliott Rebecca Burg

[email protected]

Contributing Writers Letters from our readers Phyllis Atha Carol BareutherRebecca Burg Julie Connerley Jack FindlaterJack Foard Kim Kaminski Roy LaughlinRon Mitchellette Philip Pratley Kate PursellHone Scunook Cliff Stephan Morgan Stinemetz

Contributing Photographers/ArtPhyllis Atha Dean Barnes Gary BrownRebecca Burg (& Artwork) Jack Findlater Jack FoardJohn Hanson Heather Harthcock Gary HuffordKim Kaminski Ron Mitchellette Kate PursellCliff Stephan Morgan Stinemetz Ocean Watch

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 $24/year, and $30/yearfor first class. Checks and credit card numbers may be mailed with name andaddress to SOUTHWINDS Subscriptions, PO Box 1175, Holmes Beach FL,34218-1175, or call (941) 795-8704. Subscriptions are also available with acredit card through a secure server on our Web site, www.southwinds-magazine.com. SOUTHWINDS is distributed to over 500 locations throughout8 Southern states. If you would like to distribute SOUTHWINDS at your loca-tion, please contact the editor.

Read SOUTHWINDS on our Web sitewww.southwindsmagazine.com.

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SOUTHWINDSNEWS & VIEWS FOR SOUTHERN SAILORS

From the Carolinas to Cuba…from Atlanta to the Abacos…SOUTHWINDS Covers Southern Sailing

Mexico’s Isla Contoy. Photo by Phyllis Atha. Page 46.

Cruising to Key Largo. Photo byRebecca Burg. Page 44.

8 Suggestions for Marinas and Mooring FieldsBy Steve Morrell

9 Letters

15 Southern Regional Monthly Weather and Water Temperatures

16 Right Guard: Art Or Blight?By Morgan Stinemetz

18 Short Tacks: Sailing News and Events Around the South

30 Our Waterways: Ticketing Anchored Boats in Miami,Boot Key Harbor Pump-Out Boat

34 Hurricane Season 2007 Section: Tips and News on Hurricane Protection for Your Boat

38 A Gin & Tonic With Bruce VanSantBy Jack Foard

42 Florida Keys Mystery CableBy Morgan Stinemetz

44 Travels with Angel: Coastal Hopping to Key LargoBy Rebecca Burg

46 Mexico’s Isla ContoyBy Phyllis Atha

47 Yacht Haven Grande Rebirth: St. Thomas’ New Marina ComplexBy Carol Bareuther

48 Key West Rendezvous 2007By Steve Morrell

50 Southern Racing: Southern Race Reports and Upcoming Races, Southern Regional Race Calendars

70 Story: The Crescent Moon Cruise Ship LineBy Kate Pursell

28-29 Marine Market Place40-41 Regional Sailing Services Directory –

Local boat services in your area. 57 Boat Brokerage Section 62 Classifieds68 Alphabetical Index of Advertisers69 Advertisers’ List by Category69 Subscription Form

Cover:A sloop at rest in Man-O-War Cay, Bahamas.

Photo by Gary Hufford. www.beachmaster.smugmug.com.

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SOUTHWINDS was contacted by someone involved in a community committee for future planning (including long-rangeplans) of waterways access, including marinas and mooring fields, for suggestions and ideas. This is a Florida communitybut all ideas for the southern states are applicable. We are seeking public input to present these ideas and will also post themon our Web site. Besides passing them on to this individual, a future article on these ideas will be published. Anyone whowould like to offer their suggestions, please send them to [email protected]. We also feel that this can be agood opportunity for an open discussion in general for future marinas and mooring fields.

Some of the ideas which I have come up with—to give readers an idea of what would be pertinent—are the following,although in no way limited in scope to these suggestions. We welcome all ideas:

Steve MorrellEditor

FROM THE HELM

Marina and Mooring Field Suggestions Wanted

• Suggestions for floating or fixed docks.• Docks and slips designed (or refurbished) to better pro-

tect boats and docks during a hurricane. For example:stronger and larger cleats so that more lines can besecured to one cleat and more cleats at more locationsfor more lines; docks better engineered to withstandstorms; dock boards well secured that won’t lift up dur-ing a storm surge; slip contracts that mandate boatersprepare their boats for storms or the marina will chargethem; creation and encouragement for hurricane plansfor the marina and boat owners.

• Pump-out facilities at each slip and a pump-out boat formooring fields.

• Encourage pump-out boats by private business, or com-munity-funded for anchored boats and private docks.

• Allow boaters to bring in contractors to work on the boats.

• For large marinas, allow responsible bicycle use on thedocks. Establish bicycle racks and promote bicycle use.

• Encourage liveaboards, as they also provide security forthe marina and a sense of neighborhood. This holds truefor marinas and mooring fields.

• Wireless Internet service available.• Allow boat owners to be released from their slip or moor-

ing field contracts if their boats are sold, with limitations.• Have transient slips and moorings and facilities, with

bicycles, available.• Encourage general boater education and safety through

the marina.• Establish reasonable slip, mooring field and utility fees.• Encourage waterways access for all, regardless of where

they live, as our waterways are a national treasure andbelong to all.



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LETTERS

See LETTERS continued on page 10

NAPLES MOORING FIELD CLOSEDThe Naples city mooring field has nowbeen closed for over three years. The cityblames the state. The state says Naples istaking no actions. The Naples city dock-workers and city management have nopriority on reopening the field. It’s con-venient for city dock people to leave it

closed. The mooring field consists ofapproximately 15 moorings, which con-tinue to be in place but are not used.

Jay GrayFort Myers Beach, FL

Jay – I don’t know the status of that, but Ihear rumors that the city and state have been

arguing about it. Meanwhile, boaters don’tget to use them. Perhaps a reader can fill usin on what is happening in Naples.

Editor

THE PUMP-OUT BOAT MEETSRESISTANCE IN TAMPA BAYLast year, a pump-out boat service in TampaBay was opened and tried to become estab-lished, but ran into so much resistance frommarinas and governments, that after severalmonths, the owner was forced to shut itdown. In this issue, we have an article abouta pump-out boat service in the Florida Keys(“Our Waterways” section, page 30). Wepublish this letter this month, so that per-haps people can realize that their own gov-ernment and some marinas did nothing butoffer resistance to a pump-out boat companythat found great demand for their service.

Editor

If I think too long, I risk ruining themoment by realizing that this is one ofthe most corrupt states in the union. It’shard to ignore when boatyards andmarinas are being sold off to buildwaterfront condos so there is no placeleft to dock recreational boats. Realestate agents show their clients thebeautiful view of sailboats on the ICWin efforts to “stage condos” for sale, yetowners want to run boaters off the mapafter they move in. I don’t get it!

As you know I started The Pump-Out Boat business in January of lastyear in the Tampa Bay area, and Iwould like to review what happened inthe course of its demise.

Steve, I would like first and fore-most, to thank you for your supportand enthusiasm to raise public aware-ness for clean waterways and issues ofoverdevelopment. I would like to thanka handful of loyal The Pump-Out Boatcustomers and activists who were will-ing to stand up for their rights. I amdelighted that Southwinds has drawnattention and support from a terrificcrew of readers.

I closed down operations and fellout of circulation for a while after mydisappointing experience to do some-thing good for the environment inFlorida. The Pump-Out Boat boat serv-ice was ahead of its time for a state likeFlorida, because the environment doesnot appear to be a priority with the pow-

“Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.” H.L. Mencken

In its continuing endeavor to share its press, SOUTHWINDS invites readers to write in with experiences & opinions.E-mail your letters to [email protected]



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ers that succumb to greed. The local and state governmentallows developers to run city hall, and I miscalculated thepolitics. It appears that they invest more in jails and court-houses to fuel their judicial money machines than they do ineducation and public schools, so why should they worryabout clean water?

When I started the service, I quickly gained many inter-esting customers and managed to get a lot of great press, sothere is certainly a strong demand for pump-outs. Initially, Ihad support from every agency and harbormaster prior toinvesting and refitting a boat for service, but when I becameoperational, they all turned their backs, except for one. WaltMiller, port manager of St. Petersburg, was very supportive.However, another major privately owned marina in St.Petersburg (whose name I won’t mention here) did not allowme to enter the harbor to pump out more than 13 tenants whorequested my services—even after I complied with everyguideline that the harbormaster imposed.

The marina management at several private and munici-pal marinas, including the city of Gulfport, refused to emptyour tanks, so we were left with one municipal marina 12miles away to transfer waste to shoreside treatment facili-ties. Although the Clean Marina Program is a great idea,marina operators take liberty to brag about it as a marketingdevice, but the fact is that many Clean Marina pump-outfacilities are not maintained properly so they are inoperablemuch of the time.

Some marina operators and even harbormastersappeared to be on the take when I would show up to pumpout, and many did not like the fact that we charged for theservice. I’m certain that they would not choose to drivearound in a boat full of waste every day, for free. They madeit so difficult with corporate red tape and liability issues, thatthe venture became a “cause” instead of a “service.”

The cities and state let developers get away with mur-der, raping the land with no regard for the boaters who paytaxes as well. After spending countless hours on the phonewith agency and government officials in certain cities,including Tallahassee, I was told to have my attorneys con-tact the municipalities directly. I realized that the uphill bat-tle for clean waterways would become expensive. I decidedto throw in the towel and let ‘em swim in their own wasteuntil sadly, it becomes an environmental crisis—but we arenot quite there yet.

On a positive note, the only good thing about the currentreal estate slump is that housing starts and closings on newproperties are down, which has caused a few builders to shelveplans for new condo projects. Maybe this will give Floridaboaters a bit more time to organize and make a difference.

I feel happy that I rattled some cages and that a fewgutsy editors like yourself care to write articles and raisepublic awareness about clean waterways. (Almost worth theprice of admission!)

Fair Winds,Capt. Dave Bergen

The (old) Pump-Out Boat

BOATERS VOTE WITH THEIR DOLLARSMy husband and I look forward to getting our copy ofSOUTHWINDS each month for the latest news and articles.

We find the recent news about fellow boaters beingharassed from the Keys, Marco Island, and throughout the

LETTERS


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coastal waterways appalling. There is no justification forthese unwarranted “night raids,” nor probable cause forarresting boaters anchoring over 24 hours. We think it’stime that all boaters and friends of boaters boycott thesemunicipalities and counties which have chosen to use theseun-American, Gestapo tactics upon its citizenry. We willNOT be taking our boats and spending our money to haveour TAXES used in this manner by bullies.

This behavior cannot be tolerated by a free society. It’stime for a VOTE, and we’re going to VOTE with our DOL-LARS! We promise our fellow boaters that we won’t spenda DIME on fuel, hotels, shopping, restaurants, or supplies inany county, town or municipality that mistreats our fellowAmericans. And we’re going to let them know it!

Pat and Janet Armstrong

Pat and Janet – I have always believed that there is more power in vot-ing with your pocketbook than with your political vote, as you canconcentrate power toward a smaller entity and have an effect, and Iapplaud your plans. Its real power, though, comes when many gettogether and act in unison. I know that already, the marinas in MarcoIsland are feeling the effect and don’t like the financial cost they havepaid for Marco Island’s being known as boater-unfriendly. Same forGulfport, FL, which, if many people have their way in that town, willsoon be looking like Marco Island and have a condo waterfront.

Editor

FLORIDA FWC After reading the letter in your April 2007 issue regardingFlorida’s Fish and Wildlife Commission officers, I wanted toadd my experience. Several years ago, we were in the Venicearea, when a FWC officer boarded our boat to check theFlorida registration. After showing him our documentationand proof that we had paid the Florida sales tax, he proceed-ed to explain to us for 30 minutes, how, if the sales tax had notbeen paid, he could have handcuffed us, taken us off the boatand impounded it to be sold at auction later. He was a bigman with a gun, which he kept handling all the time hetalked to us. We were actually afraid for our safety.

I would like to know how many of these impoundedboats end up being purchased by FWC officers. They call itlaw enforcement. I call it piracy.

Recently we were in Venice again, and at the sight of theFWC boat, our hearts started pounding as if we were com-mon criminals. We are responsible boaters who have takenU.S. Power Squadron and USCG courses, have the properequipment and obey the laws, yet we are afraid of theFlorida Fish & Wildlife Commission officers.

On this same trip, we met a couple from Alabama, whowere also boarded by the FWC in the Venice area. Eventhough their boat is registered in Alabama, where they live,they were given a “warning” ticket and told that if theywere caught in these waters within the next six months, theywould be in big trouble because the boat isn’t registered inFlorida.

One morning, within the space of two hours, we sawthe Sarasota Sheriff boat and the Venice city police boat inaddition to the FWC boat. Do we really need this much pro-tection? And who is going to protect us from them?

Withholding my name out of a real fear of harassment

Witholding – When they did the “night raids” in the Keys, one offi-

LETTERS



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cer called it “education.” Rumor has it that that officer has nowmoved on from that earlier stance and now is working at educatingboaters in the traditional sense. But I think some officers have it intheir heads that they are there to educate, so they need to give out alecture—even though you might still have everything legally inorder. Maybe they are bored, or a wannabe professor or just like tolecture people. Either way, there are a few of them who just like tointimidate and are on some sort of power trip.

I figure that when they have nothing better to do, they go has-sle people for their registration. You’d think if they are that desper-ate, they would cut back on the number of officers needed, as non-registration is not really that criminal. I know there’s bigger fish tofry (pun intended) than checking registration infractions just incase someone might be breaking the law—but not because of suspi-cion that they are, through evidence that can be seen. Can youimagine the police doing that with cars? Or in the street? Imaginea police officer stopping you walking down the street just to see ifyour personal papers are in order—even though you are just mind-ing your own business? Does this remind you of something?

This could also be part of a new “welcome tourist” plan inthe state of Florida.

You said this officer boarded your boat. My understanding isthat they cannot board your boat except to inspect something theycan’t see from not boarding, like a holding tank. Otherwise, you canbring everything up top, and they can see it from their boat. Theyalso have to ask you if they can board but can demand to board toinspect sanitation equipment if they want. Below is the law as Iunderstand it, but please verify it for yourself. Florida Vessels Code Section 327.56 - Vessel Safety - Safetyand marine sanitation equipment inspections; qualified.Title XXIV. VESSELS. Chapter 327. VESSEL SAFETY327.56 Safety and marine sanitation equipment inspections;qualified.— (1) No officer shall board any vessel to make a safety or marine san-itation equipment inspection if the owner or operator is not aboard.When the owner or operator is aboard, an officer may board a ves-sel with consent or when the officer has probable cause or knowl-edge to believe that a violation of a provision of this chapter hasoccurred or is occurring. An officer may board a vessel when theoperator refuses or is unable to display the safety or marine sanita-tion equipment required by law, if requested to do so by a lawenforcement officer, or when the safety or marine sanitation equip-ment to be inspected is permanently installed and is not visible forinspection unless the officer boards the vessel.

Editor

MARATHON AND BOOT KEY HARBOR—SUCH A BOATER-FRIENDLY PARADISEThis winter our boat manufacturer, Mirage, sponsored acruise for Great Harbour trawler owners beginning in Stuartand ending in Marathon in the Florida Keys. On March 2, 13Great Harbour trawlers arrived in Marathon heading eitherto local marinas or the newly installed city mooring balls. Wehad planned to stay in Marathon for just 2 or 3 days.However, six of us still remain in Boot Key Harbor a monthlater. This extended stay was due primarily to the many out-standing services and amenities provided by Boot KeyHarbor City Marina and the city of Marathon.

First, without fail, the city marina staff was extremelyhelpful and courteous. We were delighted to have a conven-ient dinghy dock, water supply, laundry facilities, bicycle


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racks, mail service, trash disposal, recycling (including oldfuel and oil), and free weekly pump-outs. We were impressedwith their attention to the environment.

The city of Marathon offers numerous entertainmentopportunities including restaurants, parks, museums, shop-ping, diving/snorkeling, public beach and an inexpensivebus service to as far south as Key West. Other events includepotluck gatherings, the annual Marathon Seafood Festival,and spontaneous get-togethers. The daily MarathonCruisers Net (9 a.m. on VHF 68) became an important partof our day, highlighting additional activities and providingboaters assistance.

Lastly, we found the Smorgasboat service to be an inte-gral part of what makes Marathon such a boater-friendlystop. We used it frequently, either when weather conditionsor the sheer bulk of what we were hauling ruled out usingour dinghy. Bonuses of that water taxi service included news-paper delivery to our boat as well as transportation to themany great restaurants. Finally, the welcome packet, deliv-ered by Smorgasboat, is a very nice touch and quickly got usconnected to all the services, restaurants, and other activities.

We are sad to leave Marathon. However, many of usGreat Harbour owners are already planning our return tripnext year and thinking about an extended stay—several of usfor two to three months. The city of Marathon and the localbusinesses were wonderful hosts, and they have created theperfect environment for both power and sail cruisers.

Submitted by the crews of: Forever 39, Lazy Dolphin, Lo Que Se A, Moon Beam, Puffin, and Esmeralda

Great Harbour Trawler Owners – Now that is some good news, andI am glad to hear it. Boot Key Harbor and Marathon have gradual-ly gotten better for boaters over the last few years. I am sure you willall be welcomed back next year.

And thanks for letting us know so we can pass the wordalong—especially back to those who treated you well.

Editor

FERNANDINA BEACH MOORING FIELD ANDINCREASED FEES AT THE MARINAThe city of Fernandina Beach in northwest Florida has beguninstalling its mooring field in the anchorage just opposite thecity marina. Twenty mooring buoys at a taxpayer cost of$250,000 will eventually be installed. The buoys will rent for$300 a month, $90 a week, or $15 a day. Boats taking a moor-ing will be expected to pump out their holding tanks threetimes a month (and how are they going to enforce this ruleone has to wonder). Luckily, for the time being at least,boaters can still drop anchor north and south of the mooringfield, which means a longer dinghy ride to get to the dock.

There is also talk of increasing the dinghy dock fees atthe marina from $65 a month to $90. This increase follows inthe wake of huge increases in transient, liveaboard and reg-ular marina dock fees. As a result of all these increases, themarina is mostly empty, and has been so for the last year, inspite of the major renovation that has taken place. Overall,the boaters I’ve talked with are angry about the high prices,which include the price of fuel (pumped, I should note, byvery slow pumps).

Harry KnickerbockerOn board Victory of Burnham in Fernandina Beach, FL


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LETTERS



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WIND ROSES: Each wind rose shows the strength and direc-tion of the prevailing winds in the area and month. Thesehave been recorded over a long period of time. In general,the lengths of the arrows indicate how often the winds camefrom that direction. The longer the arrow, the more often thewinds came from that direction. When the arrow is too longto be printed in a practical manner, a number is indicated.

The number in the center of the circle shows the percentageof the time that the winds were calm. The lengths of thearrows plus the calms number in the center add up to 100percent. The number of feathers on the arrow indicates thestrength of the wind on the Beaufort scale (one feather isForce 1, etc.). Wind Roses are taken from Pilot Charts.

Southeastern U.S. Air & Water Temperaturesand Gulf Stream Currents – July

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Southwinds

Note

Southwinds does not have the electronic rights to the Bubba stories.

Southwinds

Note

Southwinds does not have the electronic rights to the Bubba stories.

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include: which boat for you, equipment, trailering, linesand knots, boat handling, signs, weather, rules, intro-duction to navigation, inland boating and radio. (727)823-3753. Don’t wait until next summer to have yourchildren qualify for a State of Florida boater safetyID, possibly lower your boaters insurance premi-um or just hone your safe boating skills.

Boating Safety Courses, St. Petersburg, FLSt. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron. Six-week Public Boating Course begins everyMonday. Includes safety information plusbasic piloting; charts, course plotting, lati-

tude/longitude and dead reckoning. SatisfiesFlorida’s under age 21 boater requirements. (727) 867-

3088. Other courses continuosly offered. (727) 565-4453.www.boating-stpete.org.

Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 11-1) Public Boating ProgramsSailing Course. August 13, 14,16. America’s Boating Course:July 14,15.

For more information on upcoming education pro-grams or to request a free vessel safety check please call(727) 469-8895 or visit www.a0701101.uscgaux.info.

Ruskin , FL, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 75 OffersHome Study Safe Boating CourseThe Ruskin flotilla each month offers a Boating Safetycourse in Ruskin, but has found that many boaters do nothave the time to attend the courses, so they are now alsooffering a home study course at $30. Additional familymembers will be charged $10 each for testing and certifi-cates. Tests will be held bi-monthly. Entry into the course

■ RACING EVENTS

For racing schedules, news and events see the racing section.

■ UPCOMING SOUTHERNEVENTS

Go to the SOUTHWINDS Web site for our list ofyouth sailing programs in the southern coastalstates, www.southwindsmagazine.com. Thelist was printed in the April 2006 issue.

EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING

Ongoing – Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs. St. Petersburg, FLTuesday nights, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Satisfies theFlorida boater safety education requirements. Eleven lessons,every Tuesday. Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs,7:30-9:30 p.m., 1300 Beach Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. Lessons


CONTRIBUTE TO SOUTHWINDSWRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED

SOUTHWINDS is always looking for articles and photoson various subjects about sailing (cruising and racing),our Southern waters, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.For more information, go to our Web site, www.south-windsmagazine.com, and see the “Writers Guidelines”page, or e-mail [email protected].

EVENTS & NEWS OF INTEREST TO SOUTHERN SAILORSTo have your news or event in this section, contact [email protected].

Send us information by the 5th of the month preceding publication. Contact us if later.Changes in Events Listed on SOUTHWINDS Web site

Go to www.southwindsmagazine.com for changes and notices on upcoming events. Contact us to post event changes.



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will also allow participants to attend the classes.To apply, call (813) 677-2354.

Jacksonville, FL, Coast Guard AuxiliaryFlotilla. Americas Boating Course. July 21. 7:30a.m. to 5 p.m. $25.00, including books andmaterials. Meets Florida legal requirements forboater education, and most insurance compa-nies offer discounts to program graduates. Toregister, or for more information, call MikeChristnacht at (904) 502-9154.

North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort, NCOn-going adults sailing programs. FamilySailing. 2-6 people; 2-6 hours. Traditional skiffs or 30’keelboat. $50-$240. www.ncmm-friends.org,[email protected], (252) 728-7317. Reservations/infor-mation: call The Friends’ office (252) 728-1638

OTHER EVENTS

Regatta Time in Abaco, July 3-11This annual regatta, one of the most famous in the Bahamasand Florida starts with Bobb Henderson’s immense“Cheeseburger in Paradise” picnic and runs through a weekof festivities and casual racing with Bahamian boats andcruisers from all over.

For more information, go to www.rtia.net.

23rd Annual Underwater Music Festival, July 14, Looe Key, Florida KeysDivers, snorkelers and swimmers enjoy a fun and quirkyform of underwater entertainment. (305) 872-2411.

27th Hemingway Days Festival. July 19-27, Key West.The island of Key West celebrates the legendary author’swork and life with literary readings, theater, short storycontest, exhibits and more. www.hemingwayday.net. (305) 296-2388.

■ NEWS

Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Adds Anchorage Directory

The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net recently addedan anchorage directory to their Web site,

www.CruisersNet.net. Currently, the directoryonly includes anchorages along the NorthCarolina, South Carolina and Georgia coast-lines. In the coming months, they are plan-

ning to add anchorages in eastern Florida,western Florida, the St. John’s River area, the

Okeechobee Waterway, the Florida Keys and thenorthern Gulf Coast (Florida Panhandle to New

Orleans). This is a free service offered by the cruisers net.The listing of an anchorage includes the ICW statute mile,

a rough latitude and longitude location (not to be used fornavigation), a short descriptive location (regarding naviga-tional aides and geographical markers), water depth, swingroom available at the anchorage (the maximum length vesselthat can comfortably swing in the anchorage), rating as a foulweather shelter and an overall subjective rating. There is alsoa portion of a chart showing the anchorage’s general location.

The cruisers net is looking for individual commentsabout the anchorages, so that they can post them on thedirectory in the future for other boaters to read. They arealso looking for information from boaters on other anchor-ages not listed in the directory, so they can add them to thelist. Boaters can e-mail anchorage information [email protected].

The directory can be accessed by going to the Cruisers’Net Web site, www.cruisersnet.net, and going to the anchor-age directory pages on the left side of the home page menu.

St. Augustine Providing Free Pump-outsThe St. Augustine Port Waterway Authority is providing afree holding-tank pump-out service to all vessels anchoredin the north and south anchorages at the Bridge of Lions


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and in Salt Run. This will happen on Tuesdaysand Thursdays every week, If you would likeyour vessel pumped out, tie the orange rib-bon to a visible structure on the bow of thevessel to alert us to your vessel. The city isproviding this service to prevent waste con-tamination of St. Augustine’s waterways. Ifyou have any questions or concerns or ifyou need a ribbon, contact the Conch HouseMarina at (904) 824-4347.

Youth Sailing Program Debuts inUpper Keys

Sailing camp in Key Largo. Photo by Heather Harthcock.

This summer, the Mark Sorenson Youth Sailing Program(MSYSP) held its first summer sailing camp in early June inthe Upper Keys. The Mark Sorenson Youth Sailing Programis a nonprofit organization operating out of the Upper KeysSailing Club located on Buttonwood Bay in Key Largo. The

Upper Keys Sailing Club supports the programwith volunteers and partial funding. Last year,the MSYSP incorporated as a 501(c)3 to facilitatedonations.

This year, the first summer sailing campwas a beginning Opti camp with two sessions

for junior sailors ages seven to nine. Kids learnpram sailing, which includes rigging, steeringwith a tiller, tacking and capsizing. Other classes

are being offered throughout the summer, includ-ing programs for ages 10 to 17, sailing Sunfish sailboats.Although most sessions are full, the program is encouragingpeople to add their names to a waiting list, as there will becancellations.They are also considering adding more classes.

This year there was a high enrollment for these camps,so additional prams were borrowed from the MarathonSailing Club and the Marathon Youth Sailing Program. TheMSYSP is currently holding a fundraising drive to purchasemore Opti prams. The MSYSP is also always looking fordonations to improve and help expand the program.

For more information about the summer camps and/orto make a tax-deductible contribution, call Karen Tone at(305) 849-0659. More information is available about theUpper Keys Sailing Club and the MSYSP atwww.upperkeyssailingclub.com.

For a list of all Southern summer youth sailing programs,go to http://www.southwindsmagazine.com/youthpro-grams.html.

Marathon Considers EliminatingBoot Key Harbor BridgeThe city of Marathon in the Florida Keys is consideringentirely eliminating the drawbridge linking the city withBoot Key Island. It is the only real access to Boot Key Harbor,where hundreds of boats are anchored and moored. The onlyother access, Sisters Creek, would have to be dredged to qual-ify as the access. The city is currently looking at an immedi-ate need of $1-million for bridge repairs and another $4-mil-lion over the next five years. In recent years, the city has beenspending $90,000 a year on the bridge, but repairs are need-ed to keep it functioning properly. Last hurricane season, thebridge was stuck in the down position while waiting forrepairs, and many boats could not get into the harbor forrefuge. The bridge is old and this has happened more andmore over time. Decisions are needed that will lead to a morepermanent answer to the problem.

The city is consequently considering total eliminationof the bridge, and the only obstacle is the rights of landown-ers who have property on Boot Key Island. The only currentuses for the island are a radio station and dockage for fish-ing vessels. The city agrees that the landowners have certainrights, but it is used by so few people that the city does notwant to burden the majority of citizens with the cost ofmaintaining the bridge for those few. At this point,Marathon City Council members have directed the city staffto investigate putting the property owners in a special tax-ing district to solve that problem.

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http://www.southwindsmagazine.com/youthpro-grams.html




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ICW Problem Section at JewfishCreek/Longboat Pass in WestFlorida to be DredgedFrom the Salty Southeast Cruiser’s Net, www.cruisersnet.net.

The entire cruising community owes a debt of grati-tude to Capt. Peter Van Roekens and the rest of theBoater’s Coalition of Sarasota. Through their efforts

and the efforts of other friends of the cruising community,this number one problem spot on the western Florida ICWis now slated for dredging in the near future.

For those who don’t already know, the ICW borders theeastern flank of Jewfish Creek, north of Sarasota, and justsouth of Longboat Pass. Shoaling has been a marked prob-lem along this stretch for some time now. Dredging in theJewfish Key area was slated to begin in June, and the areawill be passable during the dredging.

Marathon Boat Yard Named FirstClean Boatyard in Florida KeysThe Clean Boating Partnership named Marathon Boat Yardand Marathon Boats & Yachts as the first Clean Boatyard

Boaters Exchange in Rockledge, FL, MovesBoaters Exchange of Rockledge is pleased toannounce that its entire business has moved to anew location, just two blocks south of its previousfacility. “After five years of serving local boatersfrom our current collection of buildings, we aredelighted to be moving up to a new facility,” saysJerry Butz, president of Boaters Exchange. “Ournew location is spread across three acres and offers a hugeservice center, a large store and a modern sales office.Check it out. You will be delighted.”

Boaters Exchange’s new location is at 2145 S. U.S. 1,Rockledge, FL. For more information, contact it at (321) 638-0090, or go to www.BoatersExchange.com.

Boaters Exchange is the exclusive dealer for the follow-ing boat lines: World Class catamarans, Triumph power-boats, Edgewater powerboats and Catalina sailboats.Boaters Exchange is the authorized service and parts centerfor the following outboard manufacturers: Yamaha, Honda,Suzuki, and Tohatsu/Nissan. Boaters Exchange, besides afully stocked boat store, also offers a range of quality-checked used boats and motors.

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distances with easy control and modest fuel con-sumption.

With twin cockpits (one aft and one for-ward of the deckhouse) and an interior

arrangement that provides exceptional liv-ability in this size range, the SP Cruiser isunique. Most notable, however, is a newsail-handling system that makes it the first

“popular-sized” sailboat with the availabilityof “push button” sail controls. The new StoWinch™ sheetingsystem, a joint development effort between Lewmar, Inc.,and Island Packet Yachts, brings a new level of convenienceto sailing and ultimately opens the door to fully automatedsailing. Developed specifically for the SP Cruiser, the newsystem appeals not only to cruisers looking to stay in sailinglonger, but also to new sailors wishing for simplified sail con-trols and increased enjoyment of sailing in general.

Island Packet’s V.P. of Sales and Marketing, Bill Bolin,adds, “Growing our sailing industry is going to come in theform of more models like the SP Cruiser that deliver to awider market through innovation and new features thatincrease the accessibility.”

and first Clean Retailer in Monroe County.Marathon Boat Yard is the 25th Clean Boatyardin the state and the third in the south district.Marathon Boats & Yachts is the third CleanMarine Retailer in the state and the secondin the district. Bruce Popham is theMarathon Boat Yard owner/manager andpast chair of the Clean Boating Partnership.

The Clean Marina Program boasts 136 Clean Marinas,25 Clean Boatyards, and three Clean Marine Retailers. Thedesignation of this facility has added 20 wet slips and 90 drystorage spaces to the Clean Marina community.

R.B. Grove Extends WesterbekeCoverage in Southern StatesWesterbeke Corp., a manufacturer of diesel- and gasoline-fueled engines and generators, extended the territory cov-ered by its distributor in Florida, R.B. Grove. In addition toFlorida and the Bahamas, Grove will now cover Alabama,Mississippi and Louisiana.

To deliver service in this expanded territory, R.B.Grove, based in Doral on Florida’s southeast coast, openeda regional office and distribution center in Pensacola, FL.

R.B. Grove is also a distributor of Universal enginesand parts. The company can be reached at (800) 281-7545. Itis located at 1881 NW 93 Ave., Doral, FL 33172.www.rbgrove.com.

Island Packet Receives Two U.S.Awards for Motorsailer Innovation

The Island Packet SP Cruiser.

Island Packet Yacht’s new motorsailer, the 41-foot SPCruiser, has recently won two U.S. awards for innovation.Selected from numerous new sailboat designs this year, itreceived both SAIL magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award forInnovation in January and the National MarineManufacturers Association Innovation Award for Sailboatsat the Miami International Boat Show in February.

Like many motorsailers, the SP Cruiser’s encloseddeckhouse offers year-round cruising comfort. A self-tend-ing sail plan and powerful engine allow it to travel great


Articles Wanted on Southern Yacht Clubs, Sailing Associations and Youth Sailing

SOUTHWINDS magazine is looking for articles on individ-ual yacht clubs, sailing associations and youth sailinggroups throughout the Southern states (the eight Southerncoastal states from North Carolina south all the wayaround the Gulf and into the Gulf through eastern Texas).The clubs and associations must be well established andhave been around for at least a few years. It does not mat-ter whether the organization has a fixed location or facili-ty. The SOUTHWINDS editor reserves the right to make ajudgment on how well established the organization is toqualify for an article, although we encourage everyone tocontact us. Any article must be written by a member of theorganization (except for the youth sailing organizations)and must include at least one photograph.

Contact [email protected] forinformation about article length, photo requirements andother questions.

http://www.rbgrove.com




All participants were invited to the Reef Sweep party atR.J. Gator’s Florida Sea Grill & Bar, in Fort Lauderdale. Atthe party, awards were given for the most unusual itemsbrought in. Prizes included a signed lithograph from GuyHarvey, a Marriott hotel stay, Isle of Capri Racino certifi-cates, scuba lessons, jewelry and more.

Sponsors of this year’s event include Carnival CruiseLines, Broward County, The Image Group, Marine IndustriesAssociation of South Florida, Cruise Industry CharitableFoundation, Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative, RotaryClub of Pompano Beach, Gerdau Ameristeel, Project Aware,the Department of Environmental Protection, Coastal Corps,The Frog & Toad Pub, Florida Park Service, Guy Harvey,CruiseOne and Cruises Inc.

Since its inception in 1989, the Reef Sweep has hauledin more than 33 tons of harmful garbage collected by morethan 8,700 volunteers who have participated in the cleanupeffort. The daylong event includes removal of debris fromthe ocean environment by scuba divers and beach walkers.

Ocean Watch Foundation is a non-profit, volunteerorganization located in Broward County, involved in con-servation and educational projects to preserve the coral reefenvironment. For more information about the Reef Sweep,e-mail [email protected] or go to www.oceanwatch.org.

On Saturday, June 9, over 4,194 pounds of trash was collect-ed from southeast Florida’s reef systems and beaches. Onehundred five divers participated either on charter dive boatsor from the shore at Pompano Pier and the Deerfield BeachPier searching for trash. Over 580 beach walkers participat-ed along the shores of Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach,Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Fort Lauderdale and HollywoodBeach. Private boaters turned their trash in at Fletcher Parkin Lighthouse Point.

“This annual event brings out the best in the communi-ty, from beach walkers to boaters to divers. In the past 19years our volunteers have collected and disposed of tons ofharmful non-biodegradable garbage,” said Julie Ciucevich,president of the Ocean Watch Foundation.

At the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea location, volunteersShelley and Jenna Slemnoms (mother and daughter) rescueda seagull with fishing line wrapped around its beak. Theseagull was taken to the Wildlife Rescue Center.

One of the unusual items found was a handgun, whichwas turned over to the police.

Besides individuals from southeast Florida communi-ties, employees and volunteers from many local organiza-tions and companies participated. This included six localdive clubs.

Cleaning up the canal trash. A kayak diver brings in collected trash.

Ocean Watch Foundation’s 19th Annual Reef Sweep and Beach Cleanup, Fort Lauderdale, June 9


http://www.oceanwatch.org


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The Boat with Two Lives: the Rededication ofGeorge Luzier’s“Baby Doll”By Steve Morrell

It’s not every day that a boat gets a secondlife, but a boat built by Sarasota’s GeorgeLuzier has as good chance as any to getone. Luzier, now 83, has been buildingsolid and finely crafted boats in theSarasota area for many years. On June 16,admirers and friends of Luzier’s rededicat-ed one of his most cherished boats, BabyDoll, in a small gathering at HistoricSpanish Point, an “outdoor museum” ofhistoric significance on Little Sarasota Bayin Osprey, FL. One of the many activities atHistoric Spanish Point, run by a not-for-profit organization, is traditional boat-building and restoring. The grounds are abeautiful combination of dense vegetation,peninsulas, lagoons and historic buildings.

Baby Doll was Luzier’s personal boat,which he built in 1962 in an old militarytraining facility building at the Sarasota air-port. He owned the boat for about 12 yearsand sailed it around west Florida, the Keysand the Bahamas. He eventually sold theboat, and it changed hands a couple oftimes until it eventually fell into the handsof a Luzier admirer, Sarasota resident PatBall, who had also done his share of boat-building in the area. When Ball got the boatabout 2 1/2 years ago, it was in prettyrough condition, but he knew what he wasgetting and had plans to revive it. He tookthe boat to Luzier’s shop where he andGeorge rebuilt the boat over a period ofabout a year and a half. Some of the work

that was done included a new mast step,keel bolts and new flooring.

Today, Baby Doll is a work of perfec-tion and exquisitely clean. She is 27 feetlong, has an 8 1/2-foot beam and draws3’1” with the centerboard up—perfect forskinny water cruising in west Florida. Theboat now carries a modern roller furlingsystem with new sails. An added bonusthat gives her hull a super-smooth finish isthe Fiberglass coating on the bottom.

Ball doesn’t believe he’s an owner ofthe boat—he’s just taken on the responsi-bility of being its curator for a while.

With all the local residents—of allages—who showed up for the dedication,it’s obvious that George Luzier and hisboats have a lot of admirers in the area.With wood boats becoming a thing of thepast, there won’t be many more like him inthe future.

Baby Doll. Photo by Steve Morrell.

George Luzier. Photo by Morgan Stinemetz.

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1st Annual RegattaPointe Marina BoatShow, Palmetto, FL,May 18-20The Regatta Pointe Marina boat show,held at west Florida’s largest privatemarina in Palmetto, just south of TampaBay’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge, turnedout to be one of the largest private boatshows in Florida. The marina held asmaller boat show last August, but theweather was a bit hot for visitors.Massey Yacht Sales has also held theirown boat show on the same May week-end for the last two years. These werecombined into a larger show this year.The show was organized by the marina,brokers and dealers located at the mari-na, as well as those from other nearbyareas. Booth exhibitors displayed vari-ous products and services on the largecentral walkway that goes out to the

main building at the marina.Total exhibitors numbered 29, with 20 booths, 13 boat

dealers and 109 vessels for sale, both brokerage and newsail and powerboats. Sizes ranged from small dinghies upto large cruising boats. Fifty-four were brokerage boats and59 were new. There were 20 sailboats and 89 powerboats.Brokers and dealers reported seven boats were sold at theshow, and all were pleased with contacts made for evenmore potential buyers.

Besides the sail and powerboats that were exhibited inthe water, there were many boats on trailers that includeddinghies, fishing boats and small cruising pleasure craft.

Ed Massey of Massey Yacht Sales, whose central officeis at Regatta Pointe, said, “This show was the most produc-tive show we have attended during this last year.”

Barry Lipoff of Dolphin International Sales, who alsohas an office at the marina, stated, “This boat show was thesecond-best show for us during the past year, and we attenda lot of shows.”

Stanton Murray, of Murray Yacht Sales of St.Petersburg, said, “I should have brought more boats to theshow. I’ll make sure I do so next year.”

West Marine held a drawing at the show and gaveaway a $500 gift certificate. Dave and Sharon Miller ofBradenton won the drawing out of 350 entrants.

Entry to the show was free to the public, and the cost toexhibitors was very low, especially compared to some of thelarger boat shows. Weather was perfect and the location onthe Manatee River is a great spot for a boat show with goodparking and a restaurant at the marina. Next year, especiallywith the opening of a new restaurant at the end of the walk-way on the marina, the boat show should be even bigger andbetter. Organizers hope to again hold the show in late May.


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OUR WATERWAYS

anchorage. This owner, an attorney in Miami, anchors hisboat in what is known as the Watson Island Anchorage. Hesaid the anchorage became popular 1992 after HurricaneAndrew hit the area in 1992.

The boat owner said that he spoke to a Miami policeofficer, who informed him that they would start ticketing allof the boats in the area. The police officer also told him thatlocal waterfront residents had complained about the boats,although what exactly the complaints were, he did not say.

The officer also told him that police believe about 30percent of the boats in the anchorage are liveaboards,although the boat owner that we talked to said that is anoverestimate, and that probably there are only five or six ofthe 60 boats are out there that are liveaboards. He said theofficer told him that police believe these liveaboards aredumping their sewage in the waters.

The boat owner also said that, in recent years, as slipshave become unavailable and very expensive—makingboat ownership unaffordable—these anchorages havebecome more populated. He said the city of Miami has beendiscussing plans for several years to establish mooringfields in the area, but nothing has been done and he won-ders if the city is really progressing towards that. He alsobelieves that mooring fields are one of the solutions to the

City of Miami Ticketing Moored BoatsIn early June, the owner of a boat who keeps his sailboatanchored in the Watson Island area of Miami informedSOUTHWINDS that his boat was ticketed for being in the

Our Waterways SectionSOUTHWINDS has created this section to inform ourreaders about changes in our waterways. We are all inthe midst of great change—through the conversion ofmany boating properties to condominiums, restrictionson anchorages, and other economic forces at work.

Our coastal waters and our waterways belong to allof us, and all of us have a right to use them. These watersare not just for those who live on the water, and it is upto us boaters and lovers of these waters to protect thatright. We hope that by helping to inform you of thesechanges, we will contribute to doing just that.

We are looking for news and information onchanges, land sales, anchorages, boaters’ rights, newmarinas, anchoring rights, disappearing marinas, boat-yards and boat ramps, environmental concerns andother related news. Contact Steve Morrell, [email protected], or call (941) 795-8704.






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problem of lack of slips in the area and derelict boats inthese anchorages, but until the mooring fields are estab-lished, forcing boaters out of the area by ticketing them willonly force boaters to abandon boating. He said there are alot of boats out there, not derelict boats but just boats thatare not perfectly kept up, which the police call derelict boats,or at least want to call them that. He stated that whether aboat is kept up in great condition or not is not the govern-ment’s business.

Marco Island Trial Date onAnchoring Case PostponedThe judge in the Marco Island anchoring case postponed thetrial date for David Dumas, the boater who was arrested inFebruary in violation of a local anchoring ordinance. Thejudge originally had set the date of June 7 for the prosecutionto respond to the motions of the defense attorney for Dumas.

The judge had also said previously that he would set a trialdate that would be in July. The prosecution said it was notready to respond to the motions and asked for more time. Thejudge gave prosecutors till July 10 and also set the trial datefor August 14 at 9 a.m. The trial is expected to last one day.


Anchoring Warnings in Florida: Contact Us to Publicize Warnings

Note from the EditorA new state law went into effect on July 1, 2006 limitingcommunities’ power to limit anchoring restrictions tonon-liveaboard cruisers. Recently, I have received sever-al e-mails and calls from cruisers who received warningsfrom local law enforcement officials in Marco Island,Miami Beach, and Gulfport. In some cases, the officershave been polite and in others, they have not been.Cruisers can contact the National Marine ManufacturersAssociation (NMMA) lawyers who will send a letter tothese communities telling them about the state law. (Goto www.southwindsmagazine.com for a copy of this let-ter and contact information—or call us at (877-372-7245).This law has not yet been tested in courts and perhapssomeone will, but we at least need to have the letters sentto every community that ignores this law.

Marina Suggestions WantedSOUTHWINDS is looking for suggestions for short- andlong-range planning for future Southern marinas toimprove them. See “Short Tacks” for more information.



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OUR WATERWAYS

Do pump-out boats make a difference? YES—the waters ofBoot Key Harbor are evidence of their impact. Elsewhere inthe Keys, places for boats to legally empty their holdingtanks are still sparse. As of October 1, 1994, boaters wereprohibited from discharging raw sewage into freshwater orwithin coastal saltwater limits. Coastal limits are nine nau-tical miles in the Gulf of Mexico and three nautical miles inthe Atlantic Ocean. At that time, shore facilities to receivevessel waste didn’t exist. Grant money was available, andshore-based pump-out facilities slowly grew in number.Still, the number of boaters and vessels are increasing fasterthan the marinas and pump-out boats to service them.

In the Florida Keys, pump-out boats meet a need inareas where shore facilities are insufficient, or don’t exist.Elsewhere around Florida, there are currently 19 pump-outboats in operation, and more await grant approval. Two ofthe first pump-out vessels are in Marathon and still serviceBoot Key Harbor.

The Monroe County Marine Resource Department firststarted providing service by pump-out boat after a local pri-vate service, known for some reason as the Turd Tug, wasfound to be dumping its collected boat waste offshore. WhenMarathon became a city in 1999, Monroe County workedwith the city in developing the marina, mooring field andpump-out services, all run by the city of Marathon.

Key Largo and the surrounding keys and islands nowbenefit from the services of a 30-foot offshore pump-outvessel (see sidebar), provided through the foresight of theMonroe County Marine Resources Department. The visiblelook of Boot Key Harbor—now compared to 10 years ago—is amazing. The change is both visible and healthy.

The changes in the last five are more subtle, as leopard

rays, mullet, sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, ospreys, peli-cans, and other wildlife have returned to live and play inBoot Key Harbor.

The city of Marathon’s two original pump-out boatshave serviced anchored and moored boats in Boot KeyHarbor and nearby marinas for seven years. These vesselsare overdue for replacement and updating. The pump-outboats now work hard just to cover the vessels on mooringsand anchored vessels in Boot Key Harbor. The flattoppump-out has proved so efficient that even the vessels onthe seawall at the city marina get pumped by boat insteadof the shore-based mobile pump.

Before Hurricane Wilma, the city pump-out boats serv-iced marinas both in the harbor and on the gulf side of VacaKey. Since Wilma destroyed the gulf-side marinas, thepump-out boats only service the harbor. All marinas arenow required to install shoreside pump-out facilities, so the city pump-out boats only have to provide service inBoot Key Harbor. Having a mobile pump-out service com-ing right to your vessel takes the work and worry out ofobeying the law and protecting the environment.

A record of 49 vessels were pumped in one day by SeanCannon, the first city pump-out boat captain. Story is thathe was called away from the 50th vessel by the harbormas-ter to assist with another vessel, which was sinking. Seannow shares the job with Andy Tsouchlous, and they typical-ly schedule 20 to 30 boats a day. With an average tank hold-ing 12 gallons at pump-out, the 1000-gallon pump-out boatcan hold the waste from 100 vessels. While it is usual toempty the pump-out boat daily, on occasion it has returnedto the city marina to dump its load before returning to theharbor to complete the day’s work. The city’s holding tankat the marina is pumped up to four times a week during thewinter season, and the waste is trucked to a treatment planton the mainland. One can only imagine what Boot KeyHarbor would be like today if the ever-increasing amountsof waste were still being dumped directly into the water.

The marina staff has constantly sought to improve thepump-out operation, even designing and installing labor-saving remote start-and-stop switches controlling a newelectric start pump motor. The harbormaster, RichardTanner, went along for a ride to observe the pump-out oper-ation. When he returned to the dock, a new electric start

The pump-out boat in Boot Key Harbor.

Pump-out Boat Service Helps Clean up Waters in Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida KeysBy Cliff Stephan



Getting a Pump-Out in Boot Key HarborPump-outs are scheduled, so call a day ahead for thisservice. Any vessel forgetting to schedule a timely pump-out can come to the seawall at the city marina duringoperating hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.. A space is keptclear just for vessels needing pump-outs or to fill theirwater tanks. Call ahead to make sure the spot is not inuse by someone else. The pump-out boat is scheduled byhailing the City Marina on VHF Channel 16, or call 305-289-8877. $5 per pump-out.

The County Pump-out BoatThe Monroe County pump-out boat operates in the KeyLargo area. The service covers from Whale HarborChannel at the southwest extreme all the way north toPumpkin Key. The vessel operates Monday throughFriday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Services are scheduled bycalling Capt. John Brousard at (305) 747-2388. The 30-footoffshore vessel’s services cost $5 per holding tank. Thepump-out boat can hold 500 gallons of waste. Service isprovided to vessels at anchor (there are no moorings inKey Largo waters) and at marina docks. The county isencouraging all marinas to install pump-out facilities.Currently, only marinas which allow boaters to liveaboard are required to provide pump-out services. Thisleaves a lot of boats that are used frequently—and somethat are used daily—searching for a pump-out.


MSDs (onboard treatment systems) or added a holding tankto their system.

The pervasive view that everyone who ventures aboarda vessel for any length of time dumps their waste over-board needs to change. Waste does not feed the fishes.Sewage dumped in the water feeds the bacteria, whichdigest the sewage causing population explosions of bacte-ria, which consume the limited amount of oxygen in thewater. While dumping provides food at the bottom of thefood chain, it reduces the oxygen available, and the fishsuffocate. Our state waters are very beautiful and fastbecoming overcrowded. There are no excuses for boatertransgressions, and while violations are difficult for lawenforcement to enforce, the fines are steep: $50 per infrac-tion for compliance issues, and a $250 civil penalty for dis-charge of raw sewage.

I remember an old saying that just because everyone’sdoing it doesn’t make it right. But pumping out to a shorefacility is the right thing, so everyone should be doing it.

Yet land-based sewage treatment systems have notimproved. Vessel waste is only one small source of efflu-ent. Meanwhile the survival of the existing Florida Keys’marine ecosystem is dependent upon clear, low-nutrientwaters. Beaches along the Keys are closed periodically because of E-coli levels, yet no one is clear on what caus-es the closings, although it is generally known that theycome from the land-based sewage. It is hoped theMonroe County improvements to the Keys’ waste treat-ment facilities—currently under construction—will beable to stem the tide of beach closings, which have noth-ing to do with boats. According to the USGS Web site,http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/projects98/7242-37657.html,“Currently the Florida Keys contain 25,000 septic tank sys-tems, approximately 5,000 cesspools, and 1,000 class 5 injec-tion wells. Depth of injection wells ranges from 10 to 30meters. Excessive algal growth, coral diseases and bothmarine grass and sponge mortality is perceived to becaused by sewage nutrients leaking from groundwater onboth sides of the Florida Keys.”

Although the pump-out boats have greatly con-tributed to cleaning up the waters of Boot Key Harbor, theFlorida Keys have a long way to go before the ongoingpollution of the waters—mainly land-based—is stopped,and an even longer way to go before they get back to thepristine condition they were in before man starting dump-ing into them in excess.

Go to our “Letters” section to see a letter from a former pump-out boatbusiness owner in Tampa Bay who closed his business after only a fewmonths because of local marina and government resistance.

motor was soon on order, and Andy and Sean came up withand installed the new motor and remote switches.

Vessels on the moorings receive a weekly pump as partof the mooring fee. To provide for the weekly requirementfor 226 moorings and an estimated 75 boats at anchor,Tanner expects the two pump-out boats will need to aver-age 30 vessels a day to meet the peak demand. Grant appli-cations are in for a new flattop and a rebuild/moderniza-tion of hull #1. The flattop vessel has proven to be a farsuperior platform for the harbor duties than the high- speedinflatable RIB, which was used mostly for runs to the bayside. A service area now much neglected, the bay sideawaits the rebuilding of the marinas, complete with at-slippump-out facilities

Getting everyone in the harbor on board with the CleanMarina Act and Clean Vessel Act (CVA) was not easy, andfull compliance did not occur until 2005, when the citymarina started refusing dinghy dock privileges to vesselswhich had not pumped out in the prior month. DEP andCVA require records be kept and submitted quarterly, so theholdouts were easy to identify. The target vessels wererequired to undergo an inspection for CVA compliancebefore being allowed to renew their monthly dinghy dockstickers. Several smaller vessels scrambled to replace Porta-Potties with holding tanks, and others replaced type I and II

The pump-out boat at work.

http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/projects98/7242-37657.html

Send Us Your Hurricane StoriesWe are always looking for stories on your experiences, tolearn those techniques that succeeded and those that didn’t,as we can learn from both. Ideas, tips and Web site linkswanted, too. [email protected].


HURRICANE SEASON 2007

Barry couldn’t wait till the middle of the season to get start-ed, forming in the southern Gulf of Mexico on June 1. Thestorm headed north in the Gulf with winds at 40-50 knots.She paralleled Florida’s coast till coming ashore in the BigBend area and giving northern Florida and points north lotsof rain to help the drought conditions. In that respect it wasthe best thing that could have happened to Florida—keptpeople thinking about being prepared, too. There were afew who called it a harbinger of a bad season to come, butthey either never knew or forgot that Tropical Storm Albertoformed in early June last year, and 2006 turned out to be alight season. What we know for sure is that there is nothingwe know for sure; just suspicions—and educated suspi-cions. Be ready for anything.

Keep in mind, though, that a tropical storm coming athigh tide can have some consequences to think about. Theaccompanying photo is a dock in the Tampa Bay area thatwas a few inches underwater when Tropical Storm Barry wasrunning north many miles offshore. The storm hit at high tidewith a two-foot surge. Some of the boats at the dock had theirlines stretched to the limit above the dock. Another foot andthe lines and cleats would have been under substantial stress.One boat, I notice, had its long bowsprit sticking out over thedock. An exceptionally low tide could have had costly conse-quences in that situation.

Steve MorrellEditor

Alabama Law Would ProhibitAnchoring During HurricaneA bill was recently introduced into the Alabama Senate thatwould prohibit anyone from anchoring a vessel in any tidalriver that flows into Mobile Bay within 24 hours of a hurri-cane. Anyone who does anchor in such a condition wouldbe guilty of a criminal offense. Since many marinas requirethat all boats leave their marinas prior to a tropical storm,this would put substantial restrictions on what boaterscould do with their boats in preparing for an approachingstorm. Boats left at a marina would be very damaging tomany marinas. The bill would eliminate all hurricane holesthat are up to 15 miles from Mobile Bay. The bill would alsobe very hard on the shrimp industry in the area, since itsboats, too, would be subject to this limitation.

Port Canaveral HurricaneEvacuation Rules UpdateBy Roy Laughlin

Port Canaveral implemented a new hurricane rule for 2006.Boats will no longer be allowed to raft up in the Barge Canal

Tropical Storm Barry Forms onOpening Day of the Atlantic Hurricane Season

Tropical Storm Barry hit at high tide with a two-foot surge. Some boat lines at the dock were stretched to their upper limits. Photo by Steve Morrell.




during hurricanes. This is a significantchange. In the past, fishing boats, shrimpersand other large craft evacuated the portbasin and went west across the Banana Riverto raft up inside the two-mile-long canal.Larger pleasure craft from along the ICW didthe same at the west end of the canal.

According to Rosalind Postell, commu-nications director for the Canaveral PortAuthority, the Coast Guard made the deci-sion to end use of the canal as a hurricanerefuge. In the last couple of years, boats sankin the canal, blocking it sufficiently to require salvage effortsto reopen it. There is no substitute within at least 20 milesfor the refuge the canal offered to boats over 50 feet inlength so it is not clear where these boats will end up in theevent of stormy weather, perhaps on the front porch ofriverfront property owners.

The Canaveral Port Authority also reiterated that sig-nificant fines will be levied on port tenants who do not fol-low the evacuation plan. According to Postell, boats in drystorage are not necessarily required to evacuate as boats inthe water may be required to do. Each facility, includingmarinas and the yacht club, has its own hurricane plan thatits tenants will be expected to follow.

Big Pine Channel in Florida KeysClosed to AnchoringCiting potential damage to power lines, effective December6, 2006, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission closedthe Big Pine Channel anchorage between Big Pine Key andLittle Torch Key to masted boats within 6000 yards of thepower lines sited along Highway 1. Masted boats in the pasthave hit and damaged the power lines, causing substantialdelays in repairs, and consequently delaying restoring ofpower to the lower Keys below that point.

Moorings duringHurricanesDenied in LittleSabine Bay inPensacolaBy Julie B. Connerley

Florida has been subject to hurricanes since the NOAAbegan keeping records in 1851 (and long before then, ofcourse). The following year, two Category 3 storms hit. Onein the Panhandle and one in central Florida. A third stormpassed just west of the border between Pensacola Beach andAlabama.

Since Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans, therehas been much discussion and debate about how to “fix”the problems that the city faced.

On a much smaller scale, though every bit as importantto the lives it affects, is the “fix” along another area of theGulf Coast; Pensacola Beach, which suffered the direct hitfrom Hurricane Ivan on September 16, 2004.

Within the confines of Santa Rosa Island, also known asPensacola Beach, is a small body of water called LittleSabine Bay.

The bay has probably been used as a “hurricane hole”since the area was first settled, since history tells us that asthe nation’s oldest settlement, Pensacola was founded bymen who came in boats. The expedition, headed by DonTristan de Luna y Arellano, landed 11 vessels on the shoresof what is now known as Pensacola Bay and claimed the ter-ritory for Spain on August 14, 1559.

Fast-forward to 2004. Pensacola Beach has a developedcommercial core and residential neighborhoods, includingone of its oldest subdivisions, a portion of which is water-front property on Little Sabine Bay. When Hurricane Ivanheaded north, sailboat owners headed for the safety of LittleSabine Bay to moor their boats as they had for many previ-ous storms. But “Ivan the Terrible”— as the storm becameknown — was different. It turned out to be the worst hurri-cane the area ever experienced.

While it was only a Category 3 storm when it hit land, ithad reached a Category 5 three times during its life cycle. It

Little Sabine Bay.

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was that cumulative effect of wind and waves that washedover Santa Rosa Island. Tons of sand and millions of gallonsof water destroyed everything in their path. Virtually everyboat in Little Sabine Bay was either destroyed or severelydamaged. Local images flashed across the newscasts aroundthe nation showed boats in trees, homes, swimming pools, orin piles on top of one another.

Afterwards came the arguments regarding home insur-ance claims. Was it wind damage or water damage?Homeowners were caught in the middle of what seemed tobe a losing battle against the insurance companies. However,

in some instances, boat owners were also caught in the mid-dle of homeowners’ insurance claims. A few homeowners, byplacing a lien on the real property, refused to allow owners ofvessels that had washed up onto their properties to retrievepersonal items, or even to remove their boats!

Homeowners complained to the Santa Rosa IslandAuthority (SRIA), the governing body of Pensacola Beach,that vessels should not be allowed to moor in Little SabineBay during severe weather because of the possible damagethey may do to upland property owners’ docks, homes,land, etc.

But it wasn’t just boats that washed up on the northside of Little Sabine Bay. There were also docks, drywall,furniture, Dumpsters, and air conditioners from the proper-ty owners who lived on the south side of Little Sabine Bay.Debris from gulf-front homes farther south washed acrossthe road and bay also, adding to the piles that ended up onthe north side of the island. However, it was the boat own-ers who took the brunt of the blame.

Why? Because Santa Rosa Island property owners donot really “own” their land. It is leased for 99 years, withoptions to renew. Homeowners do not pay property taxes,but instead pay a lease tax to the SRIA. Because they leasethe land, they are considered the “property owners.” Folkswho moor their boats in Little Sabine Bay are not “propertyowners” and therefore not given the same weight as thehomeowner who lives on the south side of Little Sabine Bayand whose home washed through another person’s house,destroying it.

Hurricane Tip:Extra StormProtection

with FenderBoards

From Jack Findlater

While we all addlines and makethem as long as pos-sible to accommo-

date the rise and fall of the water, we sometimes forgetthat those nylon lines will stretch up to 30 percent of theirlength under heavy load. A vessel initially centered in aslip may actually have its lines “stretch” enough to put itin contact with a piling. One of the more effective ways todeal with this problem is to use fender boards, since theywill rise and fall with the vessel and offer a broader rangeof potential contact protection (with less chance of slip-ping off the piling) than fenders alone. They are simple toconstruct and can be as plain or elaborate as you like.Based on my observations, fender boards are not used asmuch as they could be to minimize damage to both ves-sels and pilings.

Actually, having a heavy duty set for storms, anda lighter weight set for alongside-transient docking,might make sense if your cruising area includes a lot offixed docks with outside piling supports and/or signifi-cant tidal range while you are docked alongside (asopposed to secured in a slip).

Fender boards

Hurricane Season 2007


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But what about those boat owners who lease a slip in amarina in Little Sabine Bay? They pay SRIA lease fees, andunderstandably would expect to be able to moor their boatsnearby. Unfortunately, they are considered a sub-lessee.

The issue was discussed informally for months. Then inApril 2006, the SRIA adopted a regulation prohibiting themooring of boats in Little Sabine Bay. Although the SRIAwas created by a special act of the Florida Legislature in1947, the land is owned by Escambia County, and as such,the SRIA works in conjunction with the Board of CountyCommissioners.

The initial regulation was reviewed by both the SRIAand county’s legal counsel and upon further discussionwith Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Commission, suggestedrevisions were made. A final regulation was formally adopt-ed at the SRIA’s July meeting.

The regulation states, “Mooring of boats in Little SabineBay is prohibited while the Island is under a hurricanewatch condition or more serious hurricane condition. Boatsshall be removed from Little Sabine with 24 hours of anannouncement by the National Hurricane Center of a hurri-cane watch condition or more serious hurricane conditionon the Island.”

Standard definitions are provided, and enforcement is“any manner allowed, authorized or provided by Section810.09, Florida Statutes for the criminal offense of trespasson property other than a structure or conveyance.”

Enforcement for the regulation is given to the EscambiaCounty Sheriff’s Department, the Florida Marine Patrol andthe U.S. Coast Guard.

At first glance, one might immediately object to theidea that government could prohibit boats from anchoringor mooring in a public body of water. However, the islandauthority maintains it has the powers “to adopt and enforcerules for the regulation of the use of such portions of SantaRosa Island as may be owned by Escambia County or inwhich said County may have a proprietary interest (the“Island”), and all improvements, projects, and things there-on, including but not limited to the ownership, mainte-nance and operations of harbors; and to promote health andsafety by adopting and enforcing rules and regulationsrelating to health, sanitation, and safety generally…”

Boat owners reacted with anger and frustration. Nextcame: Where will we put our boats? The Pensacola Bay areadoes not have that many protected bayous, and with theloss of the only one on the south side, that means conditionswill be more crowded in the remaining ones.

The alternative, of course, is to have the boat hauledout and put on the hard—a viable alternative if the marinahas enough room, and one has connections to get on a waitlist. The other option is to find that perfect hurricane holethat nobody else has discovered because contrary to theadage that there is “safety in numbers,” the fewer boats,the better, is the rule when anchoring out during hurricaneconditions.

SOUTHWINDS Hurricane Web SiteVisit the hurricane page on our Web site for the bestweather links, boat preparation information and links,and past hurricane articles in SOUTHWINDS.www.southwindsmagazine.com.


http://www.masseyyacht.com


BAHAMAS

It has been fun getting to know Bruceand Rosa VanSant—“God and hiswife,” according to some cruisers in the harbor here in Luperón, Dominican Republic.

V anSant is the man whose name is known and respect-ed by almost everyone who has sailed (or dreamed ofsailing) the Caribbean. He spent most of the last 27

years sailing, exploring, testing and writing about the bestway to sail the “thorny path”—which is what we sailors callthe route down the string of islands from the Bahamas tothe Caribbean, against the prevailing winds and currentsthat can make it an unforgettably uncomfortable ordeal ifyou do it the hard way. VanSant says that his well-knownbook, The Gentleman’s Guide to Passages South, is his gift to

the women, who out of love, guilt, a sense of adventure (orsome odd combination), set sail with their mates for betteror worse. Bruce is convinced that the men rarely follow hisadvice, but the strong woman who makes her man follow“The Book” reaps great rewards. I am now a convert andpromise to follow Bruce’s advice every leg of our journey.

Bruce is a passionate purist, and as anyone who hasread his cruising guides can tell, he is a bit egotistical. He’dcorrect me if he read this. He’d say something like, “Damnit, Jack, it’s not egotistical if you know what the hell you’retalking about, and you tell the truth!”

Bruce seems to be right most of the time. The only argu-ment I think I may have won was whether a key lime is yel-low or green. Of course, they are both. They start out greenlike any other citrus, but as they get ripe, they turn yellow,just like a grapefruit. Bruce disagrees, and only uses thegreen ones for his famous “SG&T,” (sundowner gin & tonic,but VanSant has a second generic definition. See Sidebar.)

If you have read his book, you know the “SG&T” is thereward awaiting any good sailor after a successful day ofsailing the VanSant way. Since the SG&T is an importantpart of sailing, I felt I better go back to the manual to makesure I had it down right before inviting Bruce and Rosa outto our Admiral 38 catamaran, Famous Potatoes, for drinksand hors d’oeuvres. I was sure I had read his simple direc-tions somewhere in his book, but I couldn’t find them, whenI decided to double-check the recipe just before Bruce andRosa arrived. Rather than look like a moron as a bartenderwhen the moment of truth came, I panicked and said,“Bruce, I’ve read about your SG&T for years now, and I’dsure be honored if you would mix the first round.” (Desirérecorded the momentous event on film.)

We also invited Ann and Steve from Receta. (Alwaysinvite Ann if you want something good to eat. She nevercomes for dinner or cocktails without some marveloustreat). This night, she brought Dominican-style Asian ricewraps stuffed with crabmeat, mango, garlic and carrot,along with a little dipping sauce she just made up. (Oh, if Icould cook like she does!) You may know of Ann. She wrotethe Caribbean sailing story, “An Embarrassment of Mangos,a Caribbean Interlude,” and Steve has published severalvery popular Great Lakes cruising guides.

I’m not a great conversationalist—don’t like to talk allthat much—whereas Bruce can be quite the pontificator,another reason we asked Ann and Steve to join us. Steveloves to talk, and I thought he’d be a better sparring partnerfor Bruce than I. Besides, I had already heard many ofBruce’s best stories, and I knew our friends would enjoygetting to know him. We made a good choice. I pretty muchsat back, kept the drinks fresh and enjoyed the evening.

Bruce told a story about an obnoxious French tailorwho treated him as though he was a scumbag American,until he informed the tailor he was a Swede (he was living

A Gin &Tonic With Bruce VanSantBy Jack Foard


http://www.rbgrove.com

in Sweden at thetime anyway), atwhich point thetailor fell all overhimself apologiz-ing for his rude-ness. Bruce usedmany terms forthis wretched littleFrenchman, but“pompous arro-gant bastard” sum-marizes nicely.

Later in theevening, I finallyasked the questionthat had beenbouncing around in my brain for months. I made surethe master was adequately mellowed with gin before Irisked his wrath.

Bruce tends to use the word “shall” any time theword “will” would otherwise be used. Such as, “Afteryou get your anchor squared away, you shall still haveplenty of time to mix yourself a SG&T to sip, as youenjoy the sunset, knowing that those other fools whodid not follow my directions are getting the shit beat outof them far out at sea.” I’m exaggerating only slightly.

I passed Bruce another SG&T.“Are you trying to get me drunk?” he laughed, as

he snatched the glass from my hand.“So Bruce,” I finally asked. “What’s with your use

of ‘shall’ in your book?”His look told me he didn’t understand the question.My pulse jumped 10 beats per

minute. “I mean, in your book any-where you might have used the word‘will,’ you say ‘shall,’ and I wonderedwhat’s behind that. My guess is thatyou might be making fun of someone,perhaps an old English teacher whogave you a hard time in your youth.”

Much to my surprise, I realized hedid not have a pat answer to this ques-tion. I expected a sharply honedresponse that would put an upstartlike me in my place with no effort,leaving me stunned and wondering,“Why did I provoke the great man likethat?”

He seemed to struggle to under-stand what I was asking. I immediate-ly began to think perhaps I am the foolafter all. Maybe I was wrong thinking

that “will” would be abetter choice than“shall.”

Let me give youan example from thebook. On page 57,Bruce is writing aboutMayday procedures.“Force yourself tospeak clearly, slowlyand with a minimumof words,” writes VanSant. “Everyone shallunderstand ‘man over-board’ even with badreception.”

He really had toponder this for a minute, but finally, he said, “It’s funny youshould ask that; one of my reviewers just said somethingsimilar about the draft of my next edition.” This really didsurprise me; he’s written like this in every edition I’ve seen,and only now has anyone asked the emperor about his pos-sible lack of clothing?

Much discussion ensued with Bruce largely defendinghis “shalls” as proper English. But he did wonder why thissubject was coming up, and why did his reviewer want himto tone down the “shall” business as well.

At this point, Steve jumped in and offered, “Perhapsbecause it makes you sound like a ‘pompous arrogant bas-tard’, ” which caused an explosion of near hysterical laugh-ter, and yes, Bruce was laughing, too. He does have a greatsense of humor.

(Good choice inviting Ann and Steve I thought, pop-ping another tasty rice wrap into mymouth.)

It has been quite a few monthssince that enjoyable evening aboardFamous Potatoes. Not long ago, Bruceordered the printing of his newest andpossibly last edition of the Gentleman’sGuide. Since it may be a collector’s item,I’m going to order a new updated copyto replace my frayed, stained and well-worn one. And to tell you the truth, I’llbe checking to see if the “shalls” stilldominate the “wills.” Be it shall or will,I shall recommend you get the guideand follow it faithfully.

For more stories about Bruce VanSant andhis homeport, Luperón, DominicanRepublic, see my Web site atweb.mac.com/famouspotatoes2.

Bruce VanSant, on the left, mixing a Sundowner G&T onboard Famous Potatoes.

The other definition of SG&T“...any inflexible custom which makesthe Leisure Sailor perform all passageplanning so that late afternoons getspent at leisure in a safe anchoragewith the yacht completely put awayand ready for sea. This gives captainand crew a full evening of rest andrelaxation with which to face the nextday, or with which to face an anchordrill called invariably at 2 a.m. in thewintertime Bahamas. Any other cus-tom at sundown doesn’t classify asLeisure Sailing, but a mark of the anx-iety-driven working class.”



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This story is ratherloosely stitchedtogether, basted

really. It started unex-pectedly when profes-sional delivery skipperBob Willard, on vaca-tion in the FloridaKeys, called me fromhis cell phone oneSunday night a fewweeks back. Willardwas skippering a char-tered catamaran withsome family membersaboard.

What was verymuch on his mindwhen he called was theclearance under a cablethat stretched acrossthe water on the insideof the Snake CreekBridge, between Planta-tion Key and WindleyKey. The overhead cablewasn’t on the charts he had, he said. I looked on my charts,which are electronic. It wasn’t on my charts, either. Therewas, however, a notation that there was an undergroundcable running underneath Snake Creek. I told Willard Iwould try to find out what the cable height was for him. Sobegins this story.

In checking my list of phone numbers for the U. S. CoastGuard, I discovered that the phone number for the CoastGuard station in St. Petersburg had an old area codeattached to it, so I called the Coast Guard in Cortez to get thecurrent number in St. Pete. The man I talked to at the Coast

Guard station inCortez gave me themain St. Pete number,which I called. Turnsout that the main num-ber in St. Pete gets acaller an automatedmessage that says oneneeds to enter anextension number togo any further.

And what if youdon’t know an exten-sion number? There’sno place to go.

I tried what in com-puter parlance is calleda “work around.” Bas-ically, it’s a Plan Bdevice that will getyou where you want togo, but by the longroute. It’s like trying todrive from Sarasota toSt. Petersburg throughTampa. What I did was

call the Coast Guard Exchange—a PX—in St. Pete to securethe main number.

When I called the main Coast Guard number in St.Petersburg, I got the duty section. I told the guy whoanswered the phone what I was after: What was the heightof the cable across Snake Creek? He switched my call tosomeone who had absolutely no idea whatsoever of how togo about accessing that information. I suggested to him thathe use his computer to just search the Notices to Marinersfor any notice that had Snake Creek listed in it. He had noidea of how to do that.

So he put me on hold and switched my call to anoth-er person, who turned out to be just as clueless. I gave upon Coast Guard St. Pete. I had spent 30 minutes spinningmy wheels.

Next I called Coast Guard Key West. No one I talked toat Coast Guard Key West had any idea of how to find outthe height of the cable across Snake Creek. In fact, theycouldn’t tell me if there was a cable there at all. They sug-gested that I call the Coast Guard station at Islamorada,which sits on Snake Creek. I called the duty section atIslamorada. The duty officer who answered the phone wasunaware if there was an overhead cable across Snake Creekat all. I suggested he look out the window and then call meback. And he did both.

“You are right,” he said. “There is a cable across SnakeCreek just inside the Snake Creek drawbridge.” I asked him

Mystery Cable in The Florida KeysFrustrates InquiriesBy Morgan Stinemetz

Snake Creek



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what the height of the cable was. He had no idea.The next day I managed to get through to someone at

the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami. What I waslooking for, I told the guy who answered the phone, was adefinitive reference to the height of the cable across SnakeCreek. I couldn’t take someone’s word for it, I said. If someagency had put a cable across Snake Creek, the height of thecable had to appear someplace.

A couple of hours later the Coastie called me back fromSeventh District. He had found where the overhead cablewas noted on NOAA charts 11464 and 11463, but he alsosaid that the height of that cable didn’t appear on the charts,as required. It seemed that information I needed was imbed-ded in another federal bureaucracy, possibly the Corps ofEngineers. He had some phone numbers he could call. Hewould check further and get back to me, because he had myname and phone number. I have talked to him once since.No one knows anything, he said. I tried the Army Corps ofEngineers myself and found a total maze of wrong num-bers, know-nothing people, phones that were not answeredor people who were out of the office for weeks. Not fun.

Why does the height of the cable matter? Up until thisparticular overhead cable was placed across Snake Creek,

Snake Creek was the only viable transition point for sail-boats with tall masts—more than 65 feet—from north of KeyLargo to Key West. By “transition point” I mean a waterwaythat would allow a tall-masted sailboat to go from theAtlantic side of the Keys to the Florida Bay side. BesidesAngelfish Creek, north of Key Largo and bordering on OceanReef Club, there are two channels—Channel 5 and MoserChannel—where the authorized bridge clearance is 65 feet.Snake Creek, then, allowed unlimited vertical clearance.

Not anymore.Officially, the height of the cable is a mystery, wrapped

in a bureaucratic enigma, something like a taco made inPoland.

Help Us Find Out About the Mystery CableAnyone who knows anything about this cable andhow high it is, please call (941) 795-8704 or [email protected]. We promise topass the word along to the Coast Guard and the ArmyCorp of Engineers. Maybe they’ll put its height in Noticeto Mariners and on the charts.


http://www.coralreefsailing.net

The ship’s clock read 2:00 a.m. I’d just been joltedout of bed by a frightful hissing and squealingnoise. Growing louder, the steady sound rever-

berated throughout Angel’s hull. I scurried outside. Thedark sea was placid. Then, a great mass of objects thud-ded against Angel’s bottom while the water erupted ina thrashing froth. Two large shapes surfaced behindme. Dolphin! Using echolocation and creating whatseemed to be a fizzing net of bubbles, hungry bot-tlenose dolphin were corralling schools of fish, head-first, against Angel’s nether parts. The stunned fish wereeasy prey. For the rest of the night, my innocent sailboat wasthe centerpiece for a rowdy, all-you-can-eat seafood buffet.

“I slept so good last night,” enthused my buddy cruis-er, Bill, after I paddled over to his boat for a social breakfast.“We anchored in a great spot,” he continued. I blearily eyedhim over my coffee and grunted in response. At least some-body had a restful night. Bill single-handed his Morganketch, Defiant, while I single-handed my Bayfield cutter,

Angel, and we’d been sociably cruising together for severalyears. Buddy-cruising, two or more boats sharing theadventure, is more interesting for us than wandering theseas alone. Bill and I were presently in Key Largo and withthe favorable weather, we’d anchored in a 7-foot pocket nearthe inlet to Key Largo Harbor Marina. A few miles to oursouth lay the uninhabited Rodriguez Key, a popular anchor-ing stop for travelers. It offers soft bottom holding and pro-tection from most compass points except due east, since itswest side is an ankle-deep tidal flat.

A four-part tackle, safety lines and Angel’s boom servedas a crane for the usual task of securing my heavy 15-hp out-board to a patch-riddled 9-foot RIB inflatable, appropriatelynamed Squishy. I collected Bill and we nosed into the chan-nel. It was lined with ostentatious houses, and I feared thatwe were lost. However, Key Largo Harbor Marina wasfound near the canal’s 90-degree turn. Gas, diesel and waterare available until closing time at 5 p.m. Proceeding downthe canal, one will find Marina Del Mar and a Holiday Innwith slips close to groceries and a shopping center.Restaurants along the seawall, like Sharkey’s Pub andGalley and Coconuts, offer dinghy dockage for patrons.Tying Squishy out of the way, we investigated Sharkey’s,which is adjacent to a shop called Ocean Divers. The relaxedand casual eatery offered fresh, generous servings with fullbar at prices surprisingly reasonable for the Keys. Breakfaststarts at 7 a.m. and dinner concludes by 10 p.m.

The subtropical Keys compose North America’s onlyliving coral barrier reef, and measuring over 2,800 squarenautical miles, this reef tract is the third largest on earth. Notto be outdone, Florida Bay boasts the world’s largest seagrass bed. So it’s only natural that beautiful Key Largo’sclaim to fame is its aquatic scene. The local John PennekampState Park is 178 square nautical miles of wild splendor witha submerged wonderland full of historic shipwrecks, caves,coral reef jungles and a famous underwater statue calledChrist of the Abyss. With a mask, snorkel and fins, you canpay a visit to a bubbly fairyland bejeweled with tropical fishand shimmering corals. Dive gear will take you deeper intothe muted blues of a mysterious place populated by bug-eyed sea creatures that haunt the eerie graveyards of sunkenships. You’ll never know what you’ll see since over 5,000

TRAVELS WITH ANGEL

The Upper Keys:Key LargoBy Rebecca Burg


View looking east at end of the channel in Key Largo where there aremarinas and the Sharkey’s and Coconuts eateries.


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different species of marine life make upthe reef and sea grass bed ecosystems.Free public mooring buoys are found atdive sites along Hawk Channel, and shel-tered mooring buoys inside Largo Soundare available for a fee. Open from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., the park’s visitor center nearLargo Sound educates and entertainsnature lovers with an aquarium and atheatre. Already provided are barbecuegrills and scenic spots for a beachsidepicnic. Fishing is allowed in designatedareas, and up-to-date information can beobtained at the visitor center.

Along the upper keys, the ICW canbe accessed via Angelfish Creek north of Key Largo andnear the southeastern end of Biscayne Bay. On the insideroute along Key Largo, the ICW winds through BarnesSound, Blackwater Sound, Tarpon Basin and ButtonwoodSound out to Florida Bay. After Angelfish Creek, the nextchance to duck into the ICW, or out of it, is Snake Creek.Snake’s opening bridge is located between Windley Keyand Plantation Key, near Highway 1’s mile marker 86. Thischannel has a 3 1/2-foot depth at low tide on the Atlantic

side. For deeper draft boats, Channel Five Bridge offers 6-foot MLW access and a fixed bridge with a vertical clear-ance of 65 feet. Channel Five is between Long Key andLower Matecumbe Key, near mile marker 71. (Key Largo iscentered over mile marker 105.) Channel Five also offerslarge areas of sheltered anchoring on either side of thebridge. Whichever route a boat chooses, charts and a localcruising guide are essential to help the navigator safelyavoid the shallow flats and reefs.

After returning to our cruisers, we rafted up. The larg-er vessel, Defiant, hung on her own hook while I approachedwith Angel and secured her as if she were sidling, starboardside, to a floating dock. It’s a simple procedure, but I amalways uneasy about the possibility of jabbing Defiant’sdavit-hung inflatable with Angel’s elongated, clipper shipsnout. Angel’s 10-foot beam was also a challenge to workaround. Masts and rigging are spaced to avoid snags shoulda large wake roughly rock us. Under an electric Key Largosunset, we lounged in our cockpits and watched the worldgo by. A family puttered past in a pontoon boat, and a littlegirl’s voice was overheard. “Oh, look!” she said, pointing atus. “A mommy and a daddy sailboat. Will they have ababy?” Looking embarrassed, a woman hushed the imagi-native child while they idled onwards. Amused, I chuckled.Bill rolled his eyes. “Just to clarify things,” he said. “Angel is,without a doubt, the girl boat.”

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A peek into the wild upper Keys backcountrywhere the ICW takes you through remote

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Isla Contoy is a Mexican national park within a few hourssail north of Isla Mujeres and Cancun. We visited theisland in April 2005. At that time, the Mexican customs

and immigration were requiring that cruising boats checkin and out of each port. One of the benefits of sailing to IslaContoy was that it fell under the jurisdiction of the IslaMujeres customs and immigration, thus no additionalbureaucratic inconvenience, though the comparative soli-tude in relation to bustling Isla Mujeres would have beenwell worth the hassle.

The sail north from Isla Mujeres required us to tra-verse five miles of open water, no reefs or islands to breakthe easterly swells, making for a roll-y ride. But, we werehoping that the reef, which lies north, and south below IslaContoy would make the last six miles of our sail morecomfortable. No such luck. The seas were breaking on thereef, making visual navigation up the west side of the reefeasier, though the reef did little to slow the rolling swells.However, once in the lee of the island, the seas calmedquickly, even though it was only another half mile to thetiny bay where the national park visitor’s center is located.The depth west of the reef shallowed to 10 to 15 feet withsandy shoals requiring some visual navigation; not diffi-cult, but of some concern.

The Mexican national park provides two mooringballs inside the tiny bay for visiting boats. There is nocharge for the mooring, though there is a daily use feecharged for visiting the park. In April of 2005, the fee was$2 per person. We were toldin Isla Mujeres that visitingboats were required toobtain a permit at theNational Park Office in IslaMujeres. But, over severaldays’ time, we were unableto find the office open.When we dinghied into thevisitor’s center at IslaContoy, the authoritieswere quite welcoming,accepted our daily use fee,and even offered us a tourof the facilities and a talk

on the wildlife to be found on the island. No mention of arequired permit.

We dinghied into a substantial dock where two day-charter boats were moored. Approximately 30 to 40 visitorswere milling around on the patio (where the charter boatswere serving lunch), walking the small beach, swimmingand snorkeling. The charter boats cast off about two o’clock,leaving the three or four park officials and ourselves aloneto enjoy the beauty and solitude of the island. Isla Contoy isa long, narrow island. We could hear the crashing waves onthe east side of the island from the anchorage and visitor’scenter on the west. A short trail crossed the island where wespotted iguanas and oodles of hermit crabs. The visitor’scenter itself is a large building housing several enclosedoffices and an open-air museum with exhibits displayingthe flora and fauna of the island. The open-air museum alsoserves as a patio with picnic tables providing a shady andrelatively cool area for lunching or relaxing.

After visiting ashore, we snorkeled out to the tinyislands that enclose the bay. We saw a few fish, some largesponges, soft coral and a stingray. Though the water wasclear and refreshing, the snorkeling was not memorable.

Our night on the mooring was calm and secure,though we could still hear the crashing waves across theisland, a welcome change from the roll-y anchorage at IslaMujeres. During the night the winds and seas calmed, andbelow decks it became a bit muggy.

Since the winds and seas had abated, the ride backto Isla Mujeres was calmand comfortable, but thecalmer seas just glidedover the reef, making itdifficult to discern its loca-tion and to navigate visu-ally. The GPS and ourrecorded track helpedimmensely.

Isla Contoy is a jewel inthe Mexican cruisinggrounds. An enjoyable daytrip from Isla Mujeres orCancun, but worth a bitmore extended stay.

Mexico’s Isla Contoy National ParkBy Phyllis Atha



SOUTHERN RACING


The transformation is incredible. Where once lay thehurricane-strewn rubble of the old Ramada hotel atYacht Haven, where charter yachting got its start back

in the 1960s, now stand the ritzy structures of the nearly$200-million development at Yacht Haven Grande. Locatedat the far east side of St. Thomas’ Charlotte Amalie harbor,the megayacht marina and onshore retail and resort facili-ties opened last November and offer cruisers to the territo-ry a level of amenities and ambiance that haven’t been pre-viously available.

Included in Phase I of a two-phase schedule are 50 dedi-cated marina slips with 6,000 linear feet of slip space—andone dedicated slip able to dock up to a 400-foot megayacht.Slips offer high-tech services, such as high-speed in-slip fuel-ing, wire and wireless communications and 600 amps ofpower with three phases. The main docks, sturdy concretefixed piers pre-fabricated in Trinidad, span 18 feet with fingerpiers ranging between 10 feet and 18 feet in width.

In addition, Phase I also has 83,000 square feet of retailspace primarily dedicated to marina services. The main mari-na building, located about 50-feet from the central dock, hasa U.S. Customs office, a computer center, conference room,showers, a laundry facility, banking and ATMs, marina-relat-ed shops such as the Island Water World chandlery, high-endflorist, and a comprehensive provisioning center along witha convenience-type gourmet store with deli.

Yacht Haven Grande marina staff also has put togethera preferred vendor list to make it easier for boaters toarrange for repairs.

There’s also 31,000 square feet of retail space housingeverything from upscale clothing boutiques to jewelrystores, a pet accessories shop and an art gallery, as well as 12luxury condominiums and 400 parking spaces.

Four stand-alone restaurants, three of which are nowopen, are part of Phase I. One is Wikked, a casual diningeatery with gourmet burgers, calamari nachos and wicked-ly hot wings, Another is Fat Turtle, a barbecue restaurant onthe water. Then there’s Grande Cru, a martini bar andbistro. Three60, a magnificent fine-dining facility, will openthis summer.

For those who anchor in the harbor and want to accessthe property, there’s a public-access dinghy dock that’s cur-rently located at the far west end of the property.

Elie Finegold, president of Yacht Haven Grande, says,

St. Thomas’ Yacht Haven Grande. Photo by Dean Barnes.

Yacht Haven GrandeSt. Thomas’ Historic Yachting Venue ComesBack To Life with NewMarina Facility ChockFull Of PizzazzBy Carol Bareuther

“As construction continues and progresses into Phase II,we’ll be working to open greater access to the property fromthe sea and ultimately plan to have a very nicely construct-ed dinghy dock available.”

While the docks in the Phase I portion of the marina areindeed high, they are not impossible to debark from forthose with moderate-size yachts in the under 80-foot range.However, it is smaller yachts—both sailing and power-thatwill be targeted in Phase II.

“We’ll be pushing forward with Phase II and plan tobegin construction within the next 12 months,” Finegoldsays. “Most likely, this phase will be completed in a varietyof different substages.”

Phase II will include another 110 marina slips, withamenities similar to what’s available on the megayachtdocks, 30,000 square feet of retail space, another stand-alonerestaurant, a 70-unit hotel, another 10,600 linear feet ofmarina, a 2500-square-foot convention center and 200 moreparking spaces.

More than a singular megayacht marina facility, prop-erty developers see Yacht Haven as a prototype for similarproperties they’d like to develop around the world.

IGY already operates three megayacht facilities in St.Maarten-Isle de Sol, Port de Plaisance and Portofino.Developers are planning for a new marina, Dock Maarten,located adjacent to the cruise pier in Philipsburg, on theDutch side of this Dutch-French island.

Earlier this year, IGY purchased St. Lucia’s RodneyBay Marina and its yard, and negotiations are continuingfor a new marina in Nassau and a development in Tortola,all with residential and commercial components. The aver-age cost of each project will range between $100-million to$150-million.

Beyond the Caribbean, IGY has looked to Mexico,Greece and the Middle East.

In fact, IGY has recently partnered with Nakheel toprovide the design, development, management and envi-ronmental engineering services to its UAE marina proper-ties, including The Palm Islands, The World and DubaiWaterfront. Five star marinas in these locations will offerstate of the art dockage, in-slip fueling, three-phase power,waste output and Internet access along with restaurants,VIP concierge service, luxury retail shops and residences.

Have the yachts, now need slips in desirable locations.

SOUTHERN RACING

It seems as if everyone has a goodchance to win, place or show in thisrace down Florida’s west coast to Key

West. With four different start locations(and one race back north), “Rendezvous”is the right name for this race as there areseveral classes at each start, for a total of17. This year, light, but continuouswinds, brought everyone down in atimely manner. As a bonus, festivities inKey West were expanded to keep theisland city’s reputation as a party townalive and well.

With 75 entries from the four startlocations, the Key West Rendezvous gotunderway on May 16 off Clearwater,FL—the race’s oldest start venue. In thelast few years, the Rendezvous hasexpanded from the original two starts atClearwater and Naples to a total of four, so that more westFlorida boats could race. The locations added in recentyears are Sarasota and Boca Grande. This enabled boats torace that don’t want to make the trip north to Clearwater orsouth to Naples for the start. The Sarasota start has been theone that has grown the most—partly because of the manyracing boats that are in Sarasota Bay, but also because of thenew Racer/Cruiser class that west Florida PHRF added inthe 2006-7 season. Although boats in the class can start fromany location, all of the Sarasota Bay and Tampa Bay boats inthat class opted to start from Sarasota. Plus many of thosewho had started in previous years from Clearwater raced inthe previous week’s regatta, the Sarasota Bay Cup, and lefttheir boats in Sarasota so that they could race in theRendezvous five days later.

The traditional morning start from Clearwater beganwith the usual light morning winds that occur in the regionthis time of year. As usual, onshore winds picked up thefirst evening and continued on through the night. Racersstarting in Sarasota also had a light-wind start and enjoyedgood evening and nighttime winds all the way to Key West.The race to Key West was basically a broad reach, with spin-nakers up for those Spinnaker classes, all the way to thewaterfront in Key West. One tack seemed to make it all theway down the coast for most boats. In previous years, cross-ing Florida Bay often meant—unless a front came throughwhich did not occur this year—no winds and a slow, hotand humid run to the island. But this year, light continuouswinds brought most boats down there on Thursday night,many after midnight. The rest came in on Friday.

Stars and Stripes, the 60-foot America’s Cup catamaran,was the first to reach Key West this year, but—because oflighter winds—set no record as they did last year,although this year they started on time. Last year they

started two hours late, but windier conditions enabledthem to set a record.

This year’s Key West festivities were expanded consid-erably with a 30 percent increase in budgeting with multi-ple parties held around Key West. There were many differ-ent party venues with different themes and locations. Abrochure listing the party schedule was part of the captain’spacket. For those who arrived early on Thursday afternoon,the festivities started at race headquarters at the GalleonMarina & Resort, but really got going the next day withcomplimentary trays of appetizers and rum punch. Afterthat, the place to be was Pat Croce’s Rum Barrel, followedby the turtle races at Turtle Kraals, and then it was Sunset atDante’s. Saturday started with breakfast at the Dock Café,followed by mid-afternoon partiers at the Conch RepublicSeafood Company. The day was capped off by what someswore was a few hundred pounds of shrimp at Dante’s fora peel ’n eat shrimp boil w/corn, potato salad and a keg ofbeer. The weekend continued on Sunday with the dockparty and awards ceremony. The following morning therace began back to Naples for those heading north.Rendezvous organizer Fairlie Brinkley credited Alice Petrat,the Key West event coordinator, for the great success of thefestivities in Key West.

It was on the way back north that high winds causedhavoc for many. Gregg Knighton onboard Misty, his Ranger33, left on Saturday morning and said he started in windsthat were upwards of 30 knots. He said crossing Florida Baywas in extremely difficult conditions as the entire bay was awashing machine and confused sea. With high winds, hesuffered one knockdown while sailing under a full mainand working headsail. When the boat righted itself (themast almost touched the water), his boom was bent so badlythat sailing was out of the question. His mast compression


22nd Annual West Florida Race to Key West: Key West Rendezvous, May 16-21By Steve Morrell

Clearwater Yacht Club Commodore Spetz presents the Spinnaker class awards to the Wiredcrew. Photo by John Hanson.


post was also damaged, and his cabinroof was pushed in. This happenedabout 10:30 in the evening, and hemotored for the next six or seven hoursinto Fort Myers. From there he motoredup the ICW to home in Sarasota. Othershad similar conditions as they crossedFlorida Bay, but conditions were theworst for those who left the earliest,lightening up a little bit by the time therace to Naples began at noon onMonday.

Along with the Clearwater YachtClub, the regatta is co-hosted by theGulf Coast Sailing Club, Naples YachtClub, Naples Sailing and Yacht Club,Platinum Point Yacht Club, PuntaGorda Sailing Club and Sarasota YachtClub.

The regatta is a WFPHRF Boat of theYear event for the Suncoast, CharlotteHarbor, Sarasota Bay and southwestFlorida fleets.

RESULTS (for complete results, go to www.clwyc.org):

Clearwater (first start time 10 a.m., May 16), 25 boats in four classes.Stars and Stripes was the only Multihull entry and finishedat 1:13 a.m., Thursday morning, averaging 14.2 knots, withan elapsed time of 15 hours 12 minutes and 15 seconds.

First in corrected time but second to cross the line inSpinnaker class after one hour, 15 minutes and 38 seconds,was the Farr 395, Wired, followed by Velox, which was firstto cross, and then Fire and Ice. In Non-Spinnaker, first to fin-ish and in corrected time was Tranquilo, a Tartan 37, withTango Three taking second, followed by Fixation in third.

In True Cruising A class, it was Esprit, a Bristol/Hood,followed by Chances R, and then Long Gone. True CruisingB class saw Juju, an Alberg 35, at first, then Exotica, withSyros coming in third.

Sarasota (first start time at 2 p.m., May 16), 29 boats in six classesOne boat in the Multihull class, Merlin, a Gulfstream 35, fin-ished in 21 hours and 54 minutes and 13 seconds.

In Spinnaker, Mischief, an AJ/92 skippered by BobArmstrong, took first in 21 hours 23 minutes and 58 sec-onds elapsed time, although it was second to cross the linebehind Renegade, a Carrera 290. Salty Pause took third.

Non-Spinnaker saw Gregg Knighton take first onMisty, a Ranger 33, although it was second to cross the linebehind the only other boat in its class, Geoff Kendrick’s LexSea, a Mac Gregor 65.

In True Cruising, Adelie, a Catalina 42, finished in 34hours 36 minutes 35 seconds—first across the line and first incorrected time, followed by Constellation and then Shearwater.

In the Racer/Cruiser A class, first in corrected and to

cross the line was Relativity, a Beneteau 53.5. Second wasPrime Plus and third was Intrepid.

In the Racer Cruiser B class, it was Mother Ocean, anO’Day 40, that took first and was first to cross the line.Second was Another Road and third was Relentless.

Boca Grande (first start time at 5 p.m. May 16),6 boats in four classesWimpie, a Seaward 26 took first as the only boat in theSpinnaker Class.

In Non-Spinnaker, it was Fancy Free, a Tartan 39, who tookfirst in corrected time, followed by Journey on.

In True Cruising, with two boats in the class,Serendipity, a Hunter 420, was first across the line and firstin corrected time. It was followed by Ironic Breeze.

In the Racer/Cruiser class, with one boat racing, it wasBilbo, a Catana 38, who took the honors.

Naples (first start time at 7 p.m. May 17), 12 boats in two classesIn Spinnaker, Midnight Rider, a Tartan 4100, took first,although it was second to cross the line. Second was ToadHall, a S2 9.1, and third was Macushla, a Beneteau 34

In True Cruising, Wiley Coyote, a Tartan 27, took first,although it was third to cross the line. It was followed byIsland Time. Third was Never Again II.

Key West to Naples (first start time at 11:30 p.m. May 21), 20 boats in four classesDamiana, the only boat in the Multiple class, took first.

In Non-Spinnaker, first was taken by Fancy Free, sec-ond by Hoku Lele, and third was Koucky. First in Spinnakerwas Midnight Rider, followed by Tippecanoe in second andToad Hall in third. True cruising was won by Serendipity, fol-lowed by Chances R. Third was Minerva.


Esprit and Chances R sail into the tropical waters of Key West. Photo by John Hanson.

http://www.clwyc.org):


SOUTHERN RACING

■ NEWS

Southern Sailors Named toIntercollegiate All-America Team

Evan BrownPhoto by Gary Brown

Several Southern womensailors received status onthe 2007 IntercollegiateSailing Association’s(ICSA) Women’s All-America Team for out-standing achievementthroughout the year.

Named to the All-America Team wereStanford University jun-ior Evan Brown, origi-nally from Tampa, FL(Berkeley Prep ‘04),Charlotte Hill of Miami,a junior at the U.S. Naval Academy, Emily Hill of Miami, asenior at Yale, and Andrea Savage of the College ofCharleston.

College of Charleston freshman Shannon Heausler ofTampa (H.B. Plant ‘06), and Katie Whitman, also of Tampaand now a senior at the U.S. Naval Academy, received 2007ICSA All-America honorable mention.

Named All-America crew were Betsy Bryant, aDartmouth junior and Tim King, a sophomore fromUniversity of South Florida. Both are from Tampa, FL.

Brown, Heausler, Whitman, Betsy Bryant and King areproducts of the Davis Island (Tampa, FL) Youth SailingFoundation’s race team.

Emily Hill was runner-up for Quantum Sails CollegiateSailor of the Year and Evan Brown was ranked third for thishonor. Shannon Heausler won the Women’s singlehandednationals as a freshman last fall.

In addition to her All-America status, Evan Brown wasthird-place A Division skipper at the ICSA Women’sNational Championships

■ UPCOMING MAJOR SOUTHERN RACING EVENTS

Junior Olympic Sailing Festival,Pensacola Yacht Club, July 6-8By Kim Kaminski

The Pensacola Yacht Club will host the USA Junior OlympicSailing Festival Independence Day Regatta on July 6-8.

The Junior Olympics participants will learn techniquesand skills taught by Tom Coleman (one of the best Opticoaches in the country) and then follow-up hands-on prac-tical application sailing in competitive races.

Various skill-level classes will be available for the youthsailors including: Optimist Red, White, and Blue classes,Optimist Green (with a three-day clinic), Laser, LaserRadial, Laser 4.7, and Club 420.

Youth sailors will enjoy a practice day filled with clinicsand fun races beginning on Friday, July 6, with competitiveracing on Saturday and Sunday. The awards ceremony willbe held Sunday after racing at the yacht club.

For more information, go to www.pensacolayacht-club.org, or contact Linda Thompson, regatta chair [email protected].

Ladies Sailing Trilogy – FastWomen, Bikini and Race for theRoses Regattas, July 14-Aug. 4By Kim Kaminski

The Trilogy Trophy is awarded to the best team of the fol-lowing three women’s regattas.

The initial race in the Ladies Trilogy, the Fast WomenRegatta, will be held on July 14 at the Point Yacht Club inJosephine, AL. www.pointyachtclub.org.

The second race, the Bikini Regatta, will be held on July28 at the Navy Yacht Club of Pensacola. This year marks the27th anniversary of the Bikini regatta, which also has thehonor of being the first ladies sailing event in the area.www.navypnsyc.org.

The final race in the Trilogy Series, the Race for theRoses, will be held on Aug. 4 and hosted by the PensacolaBeach Yacht Club. This will be the 20th anniversary of this

http://www.pensacolayacht-club.org

http://www.pensacolayacht-club.org


http://www.pointyachtclub.org

http://www.navypnsyc.org


http://www.compete-at.com/sailing


Beach Yacht Club. This will be the 20th anniversary of thisspecial all-female regatta. The overall winner in theWomen’s Trilogy will be determined at this race. www.pen-sacolabeach-yc.org.

St. Johns Optimist Green FleetRegatta, July 14-15This regatta is open to all Optimist sailors. Racing on Sat.and Sunday. Child-friendly buffet on Saturday and awardsSunday afternoon. Can sail on one or both days. FloridaYacht Club. www.floridayachtclub.org. (904) 387-1653. DonWansor, [email protected].

Regatta Fundraiser for PungoDistrict Hospital Foundation OffersSomething for Everyone, Bellhaven,NC, July 20-22The Pirates on the Pungo Regatta is an annual fundraiser forthe Pungo District Hospital Foundation in Bellhaven, NC.Honorary chairperson for the 2007 Regatta is WITN’s ChiefMeteorologist Marvin Daugherty.

Sponsored by the Pamlico Sailing Club, the River RatYacht Club, and the Bellhaven Yacht Club, the 2007 Pirates on

the Pungo Regatta will offer a weekend of fun and serioussailing with supporting festivities and activities for sailors aswell as non-sailors beginning Friday evening, July 20.

Bellhaven’s River Forest Manor Marina is the anchorsite of the weekend-long events, providing dockage, accom-modations and launch facilities at a reduced rate to regattaparticipants. Water taxi service will be provided by PDHFoundation. RV and camper spots are available on a limitedbasis (call for details: 252-944-2283). A boat ramp is avail-able for launching trailerables, and convenient trailer stor-age is available at the ramp.

The 2007 Regatta will be governed by US Sailing Rules.Visit www.piratesonpungo.org for more information, invi-tations to join as a sponsor, sailor or partygoer in support ofthe Pungo District Hospital Foundation!

A-Class Catamaran WorldChampionship to be Held inFlorida Keys Nov. 10-16The world’s best catamaran sailors will converge onIslamorada, FL, on Nov. 10-16 to compete for the 2007Ronstan A-Class Catamaran World Championship presentedby FSE Robline. Hosted from the Islander Resort, the raceswill be sailed on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Florida Keys.

The 18-foot A-Class catamaran is a state-of-the-art car-bon-fiber sailing machine. Weighing in at a mere 165pounds, it provides fast and furious sailing action in even

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SOUTHERN RACING

the lightest winds. Many renowned sailors plan to competein this year’s event, including current world champion GlenAshby, and other high profile sailors including Ben Hall,Pete Melvin and Lars Guck.

Bob Hodges, United States A-Class CatamaranAssociation class president, said, “We are pleased and excit-ed to welcome Ronstan & FSE Robline as the primary spon-sors for the 2007 A-Class Catamaran World Championship.They are recognized around the world for their high per-formance sailing product lines, and this support of the A-Class Catamaran World Championship regatta will add ahigh level of prestige to an event that will be contested bysome of the best racing sailors in the world.”

Recognizing the opportunity to showcase their latesttechnological advancements, both Ronstan and FSE Roblineagreed to be title sponsors of this year’s event. RonstanPresident Scot West said, “Our involvement with cutting-edgeracing classes is worldwide and goes back for years. Ronstan’sproducts and image are a perfect fit for these high-tech cats.We are thrilled to be a major supporter of the event.”

Alexander Kubizek, international sales manager of FSERobline, also sees this as a great place to introduce its highperformance sailing lines to the U.S. market. He said, “FSERobline is well-known throughout Europe as a leadingprovider of high performance cordage; sponsoring a high per-formance world championship being held in the U.S. in coop-eration with our U.S. distributor made perfect sense.” FSERobline is Europe’s largest manufacturer of high performancesailing cordage and has recently entered the U.S. market.

Established in 1967 as a development racing class, theA-Class catamaran has enjoyed a recent resurgence in theUnited States and Canada driven by hot new designs andvery active fleets. For more information on the world cham-pionships, go to www.acatworlds.com. For more informa-tion on the A-cat class, go to www.a-cat.org.

Fort Lauderdale to Charleston RaceBack on the Circuit for April 2008In June, the Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC)announced the dates of the 2008 Fort Lauderdale toCharleston Ocean Yacht Race. Scheduled to begin April 23,this event marks the rebirth of a race that originated in 1968and ran for 10 years. The race will start just outside of Port

Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and finish just outside ofCharleston Harbor.

A classic dual of ocean racing tactics and sailingendurance, this 408-mile race is sailed straight up the GulfStream. Competitors will enjoy a constant two- to four-knotpush as navigators work to keep boats in the axis of thestream and avoid countercurrents.

The race is sponsored by the Lauderdale Yacht Club,Carolina Yacht Club of Charleston and the Storm TrysailClub of Larchmont, NY. The race will be organized andmanaged by Southern Ocean Racing Conference, Inc.

The inaugural race in 1968 was won by Dr. Dean Woosleyin his 40-foot Columbia. The race record is held by the 53-footsloop Bumblebee, owned and skippered by J.D. Kahlbetzer,completing the 1976 race in 40 hours, 34.5 minutes.

“With today’s yacht designs, sails and navigationequipment, we expect the previous record time to be easilysmashed,” said Buck Gillette, race chairman and LYC pastcommodore. “We are also pleased to welcome this classicback to the racing circuit and consider it to be ranked alongwith other great ocean races, such as the Newport toBermuda and the Fort Lauderdale to Jamaica races.”

“The Carolina Yacht Club is proud to host the race finishand awards party,” stated Crayton Walters, past commodore.“Charleston is a beautiful town rich with history and enter-tainment for the whole crew and supporting families.”

Additional information including the PreliminaryNotice of Race can be found at www.fortlauderdalecharlestonrace.org. To automatically be placed on future e-mail announcements on this and other SORC events, send ane-mail to [email protected].

■ RACE REPORTS

Captain’s Cup Challenge,Pensacola, Navy Yacht Club By Kim Kaminski

The Navy Yacht Club of Pensacola helped in staging theannual Captain’s Cup Challenge between the variousschool commands on Pensacola Naval Air Station.

The races were held on Monday and Thursday after-


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noons from 4 to 6:30 p.m. over a three-week period starting inMay. Multiple races were held in Bayou Grande with raceactivities being held by volunteers from the Navy Yacht Cluband the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) staff. The var-ious base commands took up the challenge and sailed againsteach other on small one-design sailboats—Hunter 17s andSunfish. The format for the races included team racing oneach one-design boat. Teams rotated boats and days through-out the competition. The top team earned the covetedCaptain’s Cup trophy. This event was open to all PensacolaNaval Air Station commands, command against command.

Last year’s challenge was won by a difference of onepoint by NATSC over VT4. This year—in an amazing coin-cidence—the same two teams were battling it out on thewater in an effort to take the top honors. Who won the2007 Captain’s Cup? NATSC beat VT 4 by two points.

Kathy Bush Wins FWSAChampionship, St. Petersburg, FL,May 18By Morgan StinemetzLuffing Lassie Kathy Bush, a Sarasota sailor with good localcredentials, won the Florida Women’s Sailing AssociationChampionship in spinnaker-equipped Sonars on May 18 inlight air off St. Petersburg.

Bush and her crew of three—PJ Summerville of theTampa Yacht Club, and Karen Park and Trisha Birkenstockof the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, who call themselves TeamFwazaa—had a line score of 1-2-1. Bush and company wonthe first race by about a minute over the second place boatin a six-boat Sonar fleet. But Bush was second by about 75seconds in the second race.

“We got stuck out on the left side and couldn’t tack,”Summerville explained.

In the third and final race, with primarily southerlywinds getting fitful and light before the afternoon sea breezefilled in at 12+ knots, Bush rounded the downwind mark ona windward/leeward course in third place. The surface of thewater was starting to look oily as the breeze nearly disap-peared. The first boat around, the same boat that had won thesecond race, managed to find a place where there wasabsolutely no wind and it parked. So bad was the boat’s lackof momentum, it was unable to finish the race.

Team Fwazaa cut the mark close and headed up thefinal windward leg close-hauled, but at a slow pace. Therace committee, looking at the possibility that the windwould go to zero, eliminated the last leg altogether, and thatis why the boats finished to weather.

Bush’s team went from third at the leeward mark tofirst at the finish, easing by veteran sailor Carole Bardes ofSt. Petersburg in the process. Bardes had rounded the lee-ward mark in second but was not able to hold off Bush inthe final leg, though it was awfully close.

“I was really pleased with how well we did,” Bush saidafter the racing was over and the boats were back at the St.Petersburg Sailing Squadron docks. “We have great team-work on this boat. It was such a thrill to win that race; thecompetition is pretty tough.”

Second overall in the race was Sarasota’s Ursula Olson,which put Luffing Lassies one and two for the day. The winfor Bush adds another champion sailor to a fleet of notewor-thy local sailing stars that number about a dozen now.

“EmOcean” Wins Overall Honors in2007 Charleston to Bermuda Race,May 18-26From www.charlestontobermuda.comThis 777-mile race began on May 18 with eight tall shipsand hundreds of spectators looking on and ended with aconvivial evening of awards at the Royal Bermuda YachtClub on May 26, during which the final finisher—the Hylas45, E’s Alee, was towed to the dock and met by all the othercrews with rousing applause.

This year, overall honors were awarded to a skipperand crew who performed superbly. The award went toyoung Will Hanckel and his friends on board his father’sJ/120 EmOcean. This Charleston-based group made theirintentions known early in the proceedings as they were thesecond entry to set their kite at the start and the first toround the race’s initial turning mark. Though Hanckel andcompany couldn’t maintain the boat-for-boat lead for long,they sailed smartly and aggressively and remained in con-tention throughout the nearly five days it took them toreach Bermuda. En route, they dealt deftly with a variety ofconditions that ran the gamut from 25- to 30-knot northeast-erly winds and confused, 10-foot seas, to light zephyrs andmoderate swells. Near the end of the race, the crew opted toabandon its watch system in order to have all bodies on therail and all hands on deck for the final 24 hours. And theydid this despite having on board provisions that were limit-ed at that stage to cookies and crackers.

Sailing more than 95 percent of the race on port tack,Team EmOcean finished in 4 days, 21 hours, 43 minutes, and32 seconds, giving them a corrected time of 4 days, 9 hours,25 minutes, and 16 seconds. By comparison, Scott Jones’Peterson 44 Lung Ta took almost a full day longer (5 days, 21hours, 20 minutes, no seconds), which equated to a correct-ed time of 4 days, 11 hours, 39 minutes, and 29 seconds.That was good enough for second overall honors. Thirdoverall was awarded to Kevin Hogan and crew sailingaboard his C&C 44 Kintaro.

For scoring purposes, the 18 competitors were segment-ed into four classes. Joe Harris’ Open 50 Gryphon Solo, withHugh Piggin as skipper, was the first boat to arrive inBermuda and finished first in the Exhibition class with acorrected time of 4 days, 23 hours, 26 minutes, and 32 sec-onds. Despite her actual elapsed time of 4 days, 8 hours,and 33 minutes—more than 11 hours faster than the nextboat—this ’round-the-world racing machine finished eighthoverall. The race is sponsored by Bermuda Tourism,Gosling’s Rum, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, CharlestonHarbor Resort, Bennett-Hofford, and CharlestonBoatworks. The seventh edition of this every-other-yearrace will be in 2009.

For additional information and full scores, log ontowww.charlestontobermuda.com.

http://www.charlestontobermuda.com

http://www.charlestontobermuda.com


SOUTHERN RACING

43rd Annual Navy Cup, Pensacola, FL, May 19-20By Kim Kaminski

Members from the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club participated in the43rd Annual Navy Cup Regatta. Their joint efforts helped the clubearn the coveted perpetual silver trophy cup. Photo by KimKaminski.

The Navy Cup sailing tradition is back! After a two-yearhiatus, the annual regatta (one of the oldest and most pres-tigious sailboat races along the Gulf Coast) was held onceagain by the Navy Yacht Club of Pensacola on May 19-20.This year’s event had a great turnout with 26 boats racingfor three area yacht clubs.

This time-honored regatta, which began in 1963,endured a two-yearlong break (2005-2006) due to back-to-back destructive hurricane seasons. Many sailors lost theirboats, had to replace them, handle insurance, get slips andthen maintain their enthusiasm. Thankfully, things haveimproved, and more boats are returning to the water.

The 42nd Annual Navy Cup was last held in May of2004 prior to Hurricane Ivan, and so this year will mark the43rd annual running of the event. The two-day contest pitsyacht club against yacht club in a quest to earn the perpetu-al silver cup. Many of the local area yacht clubs, whichinclude the Navy Yacht Club, the Pensacola Yacht Club andthe Pensacola Beach Yacht Club, sent their club members tothe Navy sailing facility at the Bayou Grande Marina onPensacola’s Naval Air Station for the regatta.

Classes included Sunfish, Hunter 17s, and PHRF(Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker and Bimini).

There was small-boat racing in the bayou, and thePHRF boats raced in Pensacola Bay. The event was open toall yacht clubs and required that the skippers be currentmembers of the yacht club they represent. Each club wasallowed an unlimited number of competitors.

Not only was the competition a joint effort betweenyacht clubs but also aboard the boats as well. Races on thebayou were held by the past year’s Navy Fleet Captain StuHamblin and, on the bay were PYC members JohnMatthews, Betsy Moraski, and Bev Stagg. William Paden wasthe PRO. Maryann Hayes, the 2007 fleet captain for Navy,managed the PHRF fleet. The Morale, Welfare and Recreation(MWR) Department of the Navy base came to the rescue onFriday prior to the races by coming up with small boats touse as markset/pinsets. This allowed the race committee to

be able to respond to changing wind conditions on the bay.As a result, a quality regatta was provided.

Both days of the regatta had ideal weather conditionswith sunny skies, breezes between 10 to 15 knots and plen-ty of close competition. Refreshments were provided to theparticipants following each day’s racing event courtesy ofthe Navy Yacht Club. On Sunday, racing continued, fol-lowed by the awards presentation and Navy Cup party. Thetop three scoring boats in each class counted for pointstoward earning the coveted Navy Cup trophy.

This year’s winning club, the Pensacola Beach YachtClub, not only had the most entrants but also had the high-est points. Pensacola Yacht Club came in second with theNavy Yacht Club in third.

1st Annual Meatball Regatta, May 20, Lake Lanier, GABy R. J. Mitchellette

Light winds marked the Meatball Regatta. Photo by RonMitchellette.

The Performance Cruising Racing Fleet (PCRF) launched itsfirst annual—and sure to continue—Meatball Regatta onLake Lanier on May 20 from the Holiday Marina A Dock.The event commenced with a scheduled pursuit start at 1100hours. However, due to minimum wind conditions, the starttime was delayed until 1230 hours with the Chassners intheir new 33-foot Hunter crossing the start line first andeight other cruisers following in their respective time slots.It was a beautiful sight watching boats from 30 to 44 feetmoving ever so slowly over the blue waters, until the day’srace captain and co-host, sympathetically, called the racearound the first windward mark—approximately 2.4miles—on what would have been a two-lap 4.8-mile coursehad the wind co-operated.

The winners on this shortened course were IvarsBlumenau finishing first in his 35-foot Beneteau, followedby Don and Lee Curt in their Hunter 336 and Bill Amorin inhis Buccaneer 29. The rest of the fleet drifted in from time totime. However, all made it to the Italian Fest, alias theMeatball Party, hosted by Paula Moore and Fred Kempner



with a start time of 1700 hours and an end time when thefabulous food and wine stores emptied much later in theevening. Paula prepared most of the food herself and a spe-cial cake to celebrate this writer’s B-Day (thanks to Fred andPaula).

The most interesting component of a race like this onewith 3-5 mph winds is the skill of the skippers and theircrew when sail trim, wind shift reading and tactics are crit-ical to victory. Boat design and equipment are meaningful,but a boat can only go as fast as its design, and some boatsare more cruiser than racer and others are more racer thancruiser. And then some boats are light wind performers,while others are much better medium and heavy air per-formers (such as my 14,000-pound Swedish-built beauty,which meets the latter criteria).

It’s sailing skill that wins races with boat design provid-ing the edge.

Corinthian Regatta, Bradenton toKey West, Bradenton Yacht Club,May 30By Philip Pratley

The BYC Corinthian Regatta is nicknamed by some as the“School’s Out Regatta,” because the regatta was originallyscheduled, and still is, to start right after school is out in lateMay and accommodate those who have restricted sched-ules—both parents and kids. Knowing that winds are pret-ty sparse this late in the spring, boats are allowed to dosome motoring. Powerboaters were to rendezvous with thesailors in Key West.

Eleven boats raced this year, starting at marker #3 of theEgmont Southwest Channel at five p.m. on May 30. Therace finished at the #1 mark of the Northwest Channel toKey West—185 nautical miles.

The race started in light easterly winds, which dieddown even more as the love bugs moved in to accompanythe sailors. The wind built from the west as the evening pro-gressed. Later in the evening winds and seas began to build,as what was to become Tropical Storm Barry was forming inthe southern Gulf. Winds built up in the 20s, gusting to the30s, with 10-foot seas. Two boats retired because of equip-ment failures and went in at Boca Grande pass. Radiocheck-in was every six hours starting at midnight. Eight ofthe 11 boats finished the race. The first across wasWindcaller, crossing the line at 8:35 p.m. Thursday evening,followed one minute later by Mariana.

A banquet at Dante’s in Key West, attended by 75 peo-ple, capped off the race festivities. The group decided tohave T-shirts printed with “I survived 2007 Corinthian BYCto Key West” to commemorate the race.

Results:Class A (Place, Boat, Elapsed Time, Hours Motored, CorrectedTime, Time Behind Leader): 1, Spring Fever, 30:37:00, 0 NM,20:38:50; 2, Windcaller, 27:35:00, 0 NM, 20:41:50, 0:03:00; 3, Mojo,29:23:00, 0 NM, 21:06:35, 0:27:45;4, Marianna, 30:38:00, 20 NM,21:28:40, 0:49:50; 5, Miller Time, DNF;6, Naxos, DNF; Class B (Place, Boat, Elapsed Time, Hours Motored, CorrectedTime, Time Behind Leader): 1, Tranquility, 32:16:00, 17 NM,23:03:44; 2, Star Wake, 34:42:21, 9 NM, 24:10:58, 1:07:14; 3, Kitten,37:42:00, 4 NM, 24:55:46, 1:52:02;4, Mirage, 40:30:00, 0 NM,27:23:45, 4:20:01; 5, Odyssey, DNF.

■ REGIONAL RACING CALENDARSRegattas 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 [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.

JULYNeuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org7-8 Cherry Pt HYC HYC Regatta 7 Pamlico PSC SOLO Race 19-23 Rhode Island. Beneteau 36.7 North Americans 21-22 Bellhaven PSC Pirates on the Pungo 28 New Bern NYRA Parrothead 28-29 Harkers Island MOBYC. Harkers Island Regatta (Sunfish)South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com7-8 Firecracker Regatta Laser, Sunfish, Opti, 420 SYC 7-8 US Sailing Match Racing Quarters TBA LLSC 14-15 Edenton Bay Challenge OD, DPN CSC-NC 21-22 Charleston Yacht Club Open ChYC 28-29 Carolina Yacht Club Open CYC-SC 28 Jolly Jordan Regatta Opti CSC-NCAUGUSTCharleston Ocean Racing Assoc. www.charlestonoceanracing.orgClub Racing every Sunday.

Neuse Yacht Racing Association www.nyra.org4-5 Oriental ODC Dragons Breath/ICRC 11-12 Merrimon MCBC Hoop Hole (Flying Scot, Sunfish) 11-12 Oriental/Bath PSC Moonlight Mimosa 25 Bogue Sound MCBC

Lake Lanier. www.lakelaniersailing.comAISC Wed Night Club Race every Sunday BFSC Tradewinds Club Race every Sunday4 BFSC/SSC Moonlight Scramble / Firefly #2

South Atlantic Yacht Racing Assoc. www.sayra-sailing.com3 SAYRA Splash. 420 CYC-NC 4-5 SAYRA Open Invitational. Open CYC-NC 4-5 Rockville Regatta. Open SIYC 11-12 Spar Wars Opti, Sunfish, Laser, Harbor 20 SCYC 17-19 Rock Regatta. Open CFYC

www.longbaysailing.comRegular Club Racing in Little River Inlet4 Wooden Boat Race. Southport, NC


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JULY5,12,19,27 Sunset Racing. Halifax Sailing Association.7-8 Firecracker Regatta. Port Canaveral Yacht Club14-15 Optimist Green Fleet Regatta.Florida Yacht Club14-15 Cruise to Cocoa Village. East Coast Sailing Assoc–Cruising27 Howl at the Moon. Halifax Sailing Association7 Fall Rum Race. Melbourne Yacht Club28 Moonlight Regatta. Rudder Club28 River Challenge Regatta. East Coast Sailing Assoc–RacingAUGUST1,8,15,22,29 Wed Nite Race. Indian River Yacht Club2,9,16,23,30 Sunset Racing. Halifax Sailing Association.4 Gilligan’s Run. Daytona Cat Sailors Fleet 8010,24 Fall Rum Race. Melbourne Yacht Club11 Make Up Day. Port Canaveral Yacht Club12,26 Small Boat Racing. Melbourne Yacht Club11 - 12 Cruise to Conch Key Grille. East Coast Sailing

Association–Cruising18,19 Fall Race Series #1. East Coast Sailing Association–Racing19 Fall Women’s Race #2. East Coast Sailing

Association–Women’s30 Sunset Racing Awards Banquet. Halifax Sailing

Association.

Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association. www.bbyra.net

JULY2 GTYC Great Turtle Race 4-14 Regatta Time in the Abacos 28 Full MOON Regatta. AUGUST11 Single Handed Race. CGSC 12 Double Handed Race. CGSC 18 J/24 #8. Flat Earth 25 Full MOON Regatta

Key West Sailing Club. Every Saturday – Open House at theKey West Sailing Club. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (305) 292-5993.www.keywestsailingclub.org. Sailboat Lane off Palm Ave. in KeyWest. Come to sail. Non-members and members welcome. Wed.night racing has begun for the summer season. Skippers meet atthe clubhouse by 5 p.m. Boats start racing at 6 p.m. in the sea-plane basin near the mooring field. Dinner and drinks afterward.

Upper Keys Sailing Club. www.upperkeyssailingclub.com.Regular club racing open to all.

The 0nline West Florida Race Calendar which goes from Sept.1,2006 thru August 31, 2007 is available on the SOUTHWINDS Website with hyperlinks to sponsoring clubs. It covers racing in westFlorida from Marco Island in southwest Florida north, up to andincluding Clearwater. www.southwindsmagazine.com. Accessedon the racing pages from the home page.

Club Racing Bradenton YC. Winter Races starting in October until April. Racesat 1:30 p.m. Thursday evening races at 6:30 p.m. start in Aprilthrough Daylight Savings Time. PHRF racing on Manatee River.For info call Larry Lecuyer, (941) 729-5401. Dunedin Boat Club. Monthly club racing. For more information,contact [email protected]. Edison Sailing Center, Fort Myers. Sunfish and dinghy racingonce a month, [email protected] Charlotte. Third Saturday of month, [email protected] Sailing Squadron. Friday evening races start in April.www.sarasotasailingsquad.com. Venice Sailing Squadron. Saturdays. First Saturday of eachmonth, PHRF racing. Start at mouth of Venice Inlet. www.venice-sailing-squadron.org

JULY1,8,15,22,29 Cortez Yacht Club Commodore’s Cup series. Racing

in southern Tampa Bay. 4 Sundays with July 29 a makeupweather day. Cortezyachtclub.com. [email protected].

4 Tampa Bay Catamaran Sailors. Race for Liberty

Wednesday Evening Fun RacesPYC. Every Wednesday of the Month, April thru OctoberFort Walton Yacht Club. April thru October

JULY5-12 Ida Lewis Regatta – Pontchartrain YC, Mandeville6-8 GORC – Buccaneer YC, Mobile YC, Mobile 6-8 Junior Olympic Festival (one design) – Pensacola YC,

Pensacola7-8 Meigs Regatta (Capdevielle) – Fort Walton YC, Ft. Walton Beach14 Bastille Day Regatta – Southern YC, New Orleans14 Fast Women Regatta – Point YC, Josephine14-15 USSA Adams – Semi Finals – Jackson YC, Jackson14-15 Summer Regatta (Capdevielle) – Mobile YC, Mobile21-22 Junior Lipton Regatta (Capdevielle) 28 Bikini Regatta – Navy YC, Pensacola28-29 Weatherly Regatta (Capdevielle) – Gulfport YC, Gulfport28-29 Birthday Regatta (one design) – Pass Christian YC, Pass

ChristianAUGUST4 20th Annual Race for the Roses. Pensacola Beach YC,

Pensacola Beach


SOUTHERN RACING

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BROKERS &BOAT OWNERSBOATS FOR SALE

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CLASSIFIEDS ADS TEXT & PHOTO

$50 FOR 3 MONTHS

Prices for 3 months ofadvertising:• $50 for 30-word ad &

horizontal photo ($65for vertical photo)*

• Power or Sail• New or used• No monthly changes (unless phone numbers, e-mails or prices)• Change your ad/boat for sale monthly at a total cost of

$20 a month for ad and photo• 3-month minimum• Text-only ads – $25 • Small charge for more than 30 words• All ads go on the Internet on 1st of month or place it

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• $50 for 30-word ad with horizontal photo.$65 with vertical photo.

• Add $25 for a horizontal photo (total $50for 30-word ad and horizontal photo). Add$15 if vertical photo. Boats and item want-ed ads included.

• Add $5 to place on the Internet on 1st ofmonth of publication. Add $10 to place adearly. No refunds.

• Ads prepaid by credit card or check. • $10 to make changes (except for price, e-

mail, phone numbers, mistakes) in text. • The last month your ad runs will be in

parentheses, e.g., (10/07) is October 2007.

• Ad must be received by the 2nd Friday ofeach month. Contact us if later to possiblyget in the “Too Late to Classify” section.

• E-mail ads and photos (as jpeg). If mailed,add $5 for typing or photo scan charge.

DISPLAY ADS: Starting At $38/month. (941) 795-8704.Contact [email protected].

BROKERS:Photo and text ads only apply to this offer. $5to change your ad first 3 months. After 3months: $20 a month for a new ad or $15 topick up old ad. Price changes and mistakechanges free. Credit card must be on file ifnot a monthly display advertiserl

TO PLACE AN AD1. On the Internet, go to www.southwinds-magazine.com/classifieds. Paypal: Put your adin the “Message to Seller” area that will comeat the end when you process the payment,or e-mail [email protected] must be e-mailed. 2. E-mail, Phone, Credit Card. E-mail [email protected] with text in e-mail (or Word document). Call with creditcard number (941) 795-8704.3. Mail your ad in. PO Box 1175, HolmesBeach, FL 34218. Check or credit card num-ber (with name, expiration, address). Enclosea SASE if photo wanted back.

SAILING INSTRUCTORS WANTEDAmericas #1 Sailing School is taking applica-tions for immediate employment at ourFlorida locations. If you have a passion forteaching sailing, please contact us at 239-985-7539 or [email protected] formore details.

ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR WANTED SOUTHWINDS is looking for a sales director torun sales program. Great sales percentage. Formore info (requirements/job description), firstgo to www.southwindsmagazine.com/adre-pinfo.html.

TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY_________________________________________

See this section at the end of classifieds forads that came in too late to place in theirappropriate section. Contact us if you havea last minute ad to place—we still mighthave time in this section.

BOATS & GEAR FOR FREE_________________________________________

SOUTHWINDS is starting this section for peoplewho have boats they want to get rid of,whether on land or in the water. List your boatfor free with up to 50 words and a horizontalphoto. Editor reserves the right to not list ordiscontinue any boat or gear he chooses.“Boats wanted” listings only by approval ofeditor. Ads will run for three months and then

be canceled if not renewed. Contact us by the2nd Saturday of the month preceding torenew or for new ads. Boats must be in theSouthern coastal states. No businesses._________________________________________

Boom off a C&C 29. Measures 10’3” long by3.5” high. Free but pick up only in West PalmBeach, FL. (561) 655-9555. (9/07)

BOATS & DINGHIES_________________________________________

Molds to build original Optimist Pram, notIOD. Ellie’s Sailing Shop. St. Petersburg. (727)442-3281. (9/07) _________________________________________

Dinghy 10’ RIB 310. West Marine. 4 yearsold, very good condition. Storage bag needsrepair. $950. Lou (305) 394-0901. (7/07) _________________________________________

Bauer 10. Sprit-rigged. Tan Bark sail. 7’ oarsand hardware. Galvanized trailer does not gointo water. Yacht finish. Everything as new.$2900. Siesta Key, FL, (941) 349-3102. (8/07) _________________________________________

BRAND-NEW 10’2 Aquastar sport dinghy,NEVER put in water, 4Pc plywood floor, inflat-able keel, two seats, carry bag, Cost $1,800,yours for $900 (239) 370-2403. (8/07) _________________________________________

Port-a-Boat folding boat. 12 Ft. $400 OBO(727) 585-2814. Largo, FL. (7/07)

16’ Precision 165 Sailboat. This 2004Sailboat is in perfect condition. Includes 4-stroke Yamaha 2.5 HP Outboard. Boat is builtin Palmetto, FL. See Web site for all details andretail price, www.precisionboatworks.com.This boat lists new for $10,995. I’m asking$9000 including motor. This boat can beseen at Regatta Pointe Marina, 1005 RiversideDrive, Palmetto, FL. Talk to the Harbormaster(941) 729-6021. (8/07)


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Mold to build traditional-shaped 18’ canoe.Very sturdy split mold. Boats were built underthe name Clearwater Canoe. Ellie’s SailingShop. St. Petersburg. (727) 442-3281. (9/07)

19’ Seaward Fox Catboat 1998. 5HP Mercand elect. trolling motor. Carbon fiber rotat-ing mast. Fully battened main – 2 sets reef pts.Lazy jacks, Bimini, current safety sticker, porta-potty, bilge pump. Full-fitted canvas cover.Wing keel. 10” draft. In water. Asking $7,000.OBO. (941) 387-8786. (7/07)

1975 Catalina 22. Ready to sail. Retrofit sum-mer (2006). Too much new to list in ad. e-mail for brochure. [email protected], new Tohatsu 6hp., warranty. (850)443-7451. $5000 firm (9/07)

1968 Westerly Cirrus 22’. Stout little cruiser.Yanmar 2005, Navik self-steering vane, stand-ing headroom (6’), enclosed head. Lying inNE Florida. Ready to go. Excellent condition.$12,500. (228) 324-6504. (9/07)_________________________________________

1979 Pearson 26 One-Design. Over $7000invested in ‘06. New performance mainsailand 155 Genoa. Epoxy barrier coat. Harkenself-tailing winches. Excellent condition.$7800 (850) 271-8550 [email protected]. (7/07)

1984 O’DAY 26. 4-stroke 9.9 Mercury out-board w/electric start. New stays, rigging,group 31 battery, forward hatch, motormount and solar panel. VHF marine radio,headsail furler, anchor, cruising spinnaker (in ashoot), extra sails and much more. DocksideA/C with outlets in galley and head.$7,500Lake Keowee, SC, Contact Phil (828) 230-0928 or (828) 645-9259 or [email protected]. (8/07)

1976 Tartan 27, $9000, 3’ draft to 6’ w/cen-terboard, New bottom, hull paint. Atomic 4.Very good condition. New head, holdingtank, 130 genoa with Pro-furl. Fairhope,Alabama. (251) 747-2013. (9/07)

VIPER 830 27’ sport sailboat with trailer, car-bon mast, motor, instruments, new sails,excellent condition, always on trailer or boatlift, no bottom paint, extras, asking $39,500Located in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Call evenings850-243-1804. (9/07)

1985 Catalina 27 Tall rig with Universaldiesel, 4’ draft. wheel steering, Hood furling,head w/shower, Bimini, autopilot, VHF, GPS,depth, galley, cockpit table, sleeps 5. Reducedfor quick sale $12,900 (941) 792-9100

Southern Cross 28 cutter with Westerbekediesel, Pro furl, Autohelm, radar, mappingGPS, and much more. Excellent condition.Located in Pensacola, FL. Asking $35,000.(850) 501-2532. (9/07)

28’ S-2 Sloop 1979. Yanmar diesel, 4’6” draft,wheel steering, auto pilot and Tri-DataAutohelm instrument new 2002, 12V refrig-erator, good sail inventory, quality construc-tion and proven design. Asking $23,000. Formore info, call (727) 560-0901. (7/07)

San Juan 28. 1980. FWC Yanmar. 700 Hrs., 4’6” draft, 4 sails included, all as new, Shore fullbatten main w/150 Genoa. 3 ground tackle,windlass, electronics, tiller autopilot, inflatablew/OB, no hurricane damage, sail away condi-tion. $9500. For fax and info, call (586) 468-7461, or (586) 405-2261. Located in Ft.Lauderdale. (9/07)

1983 S2 9.1 Racer/Cruiser. 3 headsails, spin-naker, GPS,VHS, depth sounder, extra sheets,gas stove, ice box, enclosed head w/shower,teak table. Asking $13,950. 941-729-5401.(9/07)


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30’ Pearson, Racer/Cruiser Sloop, 1976 Red,Excellent cond., 2 mains, 3 jibs, 3 spinnakers,spinnaker pole. Tiller, marine radio, stove,new pot, sleeps 6, $11,900. Madeira Beach,FL [email protected]. (727) 581-4708 or(727) 244-4708. Motivated Seller. (8/07)

Mainecat 30 sailing catamaran. Launched1999, fast cruiser, well-equipped, exceptionalcondition. Details and photos at: www.tou-canme.com. Ready to sail away. $120K (941)313-0999). (7/07)

1979 O’Day 30 Shoal draft w/retractablecenterboard. Many brand-new big ticketitems. Professionally restored bottom andabove waterline paint job. Great for first timeowner or O’Day enthusiast. Asking $19,000(954) [email protected] (7/07)

31’ Catalina 310, 2004. Just taken in trade onnew Catalina. In-mast furling, air condition-ing, Autopilot, ST-60 wind/speeddepth, VHFw/Ram Mic, custom Bimini/windshield,microwave, nice condition $89,900 MasseyYacht Sales. (727) 824-7262 St Petersburg, or(941) 723-1610 Palmetto, FL.

1981 Cape Dory Cutter 30. Well equippedcruising boat. Surveyed 2000 at $39K. Toughboat, no damages in Katrina. Volvo Diesel.New head and sailcovers in 2005. $26,000.John (228) 343-9546. (7/07)

31’ Island Packet 1985. 27 hp Yanmar, 500hrs, bimini w/windshield 2006, dinghy, out-board, AC, 2002 Roller Furling Genoa, 2002main. Asking $47,500. St Augustine, FL (tollfree) (866) 610-1703. www.sayachtsales.com. (8/07)

AIRES 32 CUTTER. Single-hand remoteautopilot mast-rigged. Blue water full keel.Main cabin pullout double berth, too.Excellent fresh water history care. 900-hourWesterbeke 33. $67,000. (800) 324-7214.(8/07)

32 Gulf Pilothouse, complete refit: all new2005- standing running rigging, performancesails, wiring, circuit breakers panel, waterheater, holding/macerator, fuel tanks, 12v/110standing fridge-freezer, propane cooktop,infared broiling, 3 batteries, autocharger,17000 btu heat/air, Bimini. $39,[email protected] (904) 810-1966. (7/07)

33’ Pearson Sloop 1987, 18 hp Yanmar w/522 hrs., complete engine service 1-07,maxed out w/ cruising gear, owner is anxiousand will trade for 40’-47’ sailboat. $54,500.St. Augustine, FL, (toll free) (866) 610-1703.www.sayachtsales.com. (9/07)

33’ Tartan Sloop 1980. Universal diesel 24 hp,990 hrs, owner of 15 years has done constantupgrading, full electronics w/radar, AC-heat,roller furling main and headsail, a beauty in andout. Asking $37,500. St Augustine, FL. (tollfree) (866) 610-1703. Will trade for 40’+ sail-boat. www.sayachtsales.com. (8/07)

Morgan O.I. 33. Full keel, only 3’ 11” draft.Yanmar 38 hp diesel w/only 950 hrs. The OutIsland series by Charlie Morgan is well knownfor their exceptional interior volume. The shal-low draft makes it an excellent choice forcruising the Keys and Bahamas. Loaded withnew equipment and upgrades including:Auto-pilot, color chartplotter GPS, electricwindlass, wind generator, propane stove,refrigerator, marine air conditioning, dinghywith new OB, flat screen TV, stereo and more.Owner has new boat ordered. Here is achance to get a great boat for a great price.Asking $29,500, but let’s hear your offer.Cortez Yacht Sales (941) 792-9100.

35 Fuji/Alden Ketch 1974. $45,000. Totallyrefitted with all top gear 2005. Yanmar 4HJ2.Ultraleather, new rigging and canvas, full elec-tronics, 3.5 Nissan OB, beautiful classic.Clearwater. (813) 391-0470. (8/07)

Sail/Live aboard your own boat in theBahamas. Beneteau Oceanis 351 (1997), UKregistered, marina based in Bahamas, fullyequipped and positioned to cruise Bahamas,U.S. East Coast or Caribbean; includes newupholstery, inflatable w/3.3 Mercury, sails,running rigging, air conditioning unit, and fullsafety and live-aboard equipment. $78,000For full spec e-mail [email protected]. (7/07)



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1971 Chesapeake 36 Wood Ketch. $17,500.Very solid unique beauty. North red sails1999. Self-tailing winches. 1984 Yanmar3QM30F diesel with rebuilt transmission.Dock $375/month Clearwater. [email protected]. (813) 391-0470. (7/07)

Gozzard 36, 1987 Paradise had refit in ’06 atGozzard factory which included partialAwlgrip, new sails. Also, the bottom and theexterior wood stripped and redid ’06. Bob (314)487-4543, [email protected]. $139,000(8/07)

36’ Morgan Out Island Sloop 1974, Perkins50 hp, 2003 electronics, upgraded sails and2003 standing /running rigging, Generator,custom drive platform, lots of ugrading,readyto cruise, $39,900. St. Augustine, FL, (tollfree) (866) 610-1703.www.sayachtsales.com. (9/07)

Searunner 37 Phaedrus. New main, watermaker, solar, Yanmar 2GM, new rigging &lifelines LPU paint, new bunks & galley cush-ions. Much more. Just back from westernCaribbean $54,999. [email protected].(985) 966-3504. (7/07)

1980 C&C Landfall 38. Legendary speed,comfort, quality. 5 sails, radar, GPS, AP, wind,depth, speed/log. new equip: RF dinghy withdavits, Bimini, stove. Slip available. 2-boatowner. $57k OBO (727) 709-3375. (9/07)

2005 Hunter 38. Call for huge savings on thisleftover stock! This boat is incredibly well-equipped. The price includes full commission-ing. Call Eastern Yachts at (561) 844-1100 (7/07)

2001 Beneteau Oceanis 381. Air condition-ing, Autopilot ST6000, speed and depth, RayChart 425 plotter, new Bimini, electric wind-lass, new bottom paint. Only $128k. CallEastern Yachts at (561) 844-1100

1979 Bristol 40 Yawl. 40 HP Perkins Diesel,Harken Roller Furling, Main, Mizzen, 100%Jib, 140% Genoa, Epoxy bottom, cockpittable, propane stove, windlass, CQR anchorw/ 150’ chain, Fortress anchor, classic sailingyacht. Asking only $59,000. Call Major Carterat ( 941) 792-9100 or go towww.cortezyachts.com . (7/07)

1974 Cheoy Lee 40’, Midship Ketch fiber-glass, 2 cabins with 2 heads/shwrs. Upgradesinclude Perkins 50 HP DSL, Furono Radar,Hyd/Sat AutoPilot, Dory Dinghy, Sails, etc.Tampa Bay/Ruskin $49,000 (269) 449-1295.(7/07)

Bayfield 40 Hull # 34 full keel 5’ draft, cutterketch designed by H.T.Gozzard built in 1984.Exceptional condition with lots of 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 $99,000 Call Major Carter orvisit www.Cortezyachts.com (941) 792-9100

42’ Whitby Center cockpit ketch 1978, FordLehman diesel, original owners. Must sell now$59,000. St. Augustine, FL, (toll free) (866)610-1703. www.sayachtsales.com. (9/07)

2005 Beneteau 423. 54 hp Yanmar with only185 hours, Air Conditioning, Fisher PandaGenerator only 30 hours, Raymarine 6001 type2 Autopilot, Raymarine C80 plotter, Biminiwith 3 piece windshield. Only $219,400. CallEastern Yachts at (561) 844-1100.


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C & C 42 Landfall Cutter 1977. St. Peters-burg Municipal Marina. Slip Available. Twocabins, rod rigging, Perkins 4-108, 12V refrig-erator, Bimini & dodger, VHF. Auto pilot,depth, ppeed, needs a little TLC. Asking$51,900. For more info call (727) 560-0901(7/07)

43’ Beneteau 1986. Two cabin lay-out, origi-nal owner, K/CB (5’6” - 8’6”), Perkins 4-108,Two AC units, reverse cycle, LONG list of sailinventory. Proven Winner! Great racer/cruiser.Asking $85,900. For more info, call (727) 560-0901. (7/07)

47 Crowther Catamaran Project. Main struc-ture near completion. Very fair hulls. Details @http://home.tampabay.rr.com/2muchfun/.Located in Palmetto, FL. Looking to get $40k.Call David at 813-645-0670. (9/07)

1987 Gulfstar CSY 50’. 2006 NEW 75 hpYanmar. Phasar 7kw generator, a/c, 3 state-room layout, spacious decks and comfortablecenter cockpit, aft swim platform. Well-main-tained throughout. $139,000. (727) 259-3489. (7/07)

POWERBOATS_________________________________________

2005 Albin 26 The boat of your dreamsawaits. Never been in the water. LOADED.Volvo power. Volvo DP. Call for more informa-tion to Eastern Yachts at (561) 844-1100 (7/07)

2005 Albin 31. AC, 370 HP Engine. Must Go!.Call for more information at (561) 844-1100(7/07)

BOAT GEAR & SUPPLIES_________________________________________

Westerbeke Marine Gas Generator. 4.5 KW,60 hz, like NEW—only 49 hours on generator.$2100 or Best Offer. Ron, cellphone: (843)902-5442, or (843) 492-4148. Located SouthCarolina, Myrtle Beach area. (8/07)_________________________________________

Used Boat Gear for Sale. CQR 25 & 45#,Bruce 16 & 66#, Hookah by Airline, 55#Folding Fisherman anchor, Para-tech 15w/Rode, Edson Rack & Pinion steeringw/wheel, new awning w/side curtains.Nautical Trader, 110 E. Colonia Lane,Nokomis, FL. Shop online at www.nautical-trader.net. (941) 488-0766.

Sailboat Cruising Bargains. Six-man life raft.B.F. Goodrich. $700. Sailboat self-steering sys-tem. $650. Ten-gallon hot water heater. $150.Dyers Dinghy Sail rig with rudder and daggerboard. $750. (800) 324-7214. (8/07)_________________________________________

EPIRB For Sale: ACR Satellite 406 CategoryII/Class 2 EPIRB. Excellent condition, neverdeployed. Passes self-test. Requires batteryreplacement. Call Pat at (304) 466-0235 or e-mail [email protected]. $250. (8/07)_________________________________________

36 ft. mast. Dwyer 625, 2 Harken winches,Single spreader, 12-ft boom. New in 2002.$1000; Florida. (321) 536-7007. (8/07)

BOAT REGISTRATION_________________________________________

EASIEST, FASTEST MONTANA BOAT REGIS-TRATION Pay no sales tax-no attorney necessary.$$ Save Thousands on boat registration $$. 12years experience – REGISTRATION IN 5 DAYS!(877) 913-5100 www.mtvehicles.com. (10/07)

BUSINESS FOR SALE/INVESTMENT

_________________________________________

Marine Business for Sale. Used marine sup-plies business for sale. The Nautical Trader inFlorida is for sale. Buy, consign, sell qualityused boat stuff. Steady growth for over 12years. Profitable, turn key, unique, fun busi-ness. www.nautical trader.net. Opportunitylike this is very rare. Call today or e-mail Joe at941-488-0766, or [email protected].

CREW AVAILABLE/WANTED_________________________________________

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DOGS FOR SALE_________________________________________

British Water Dogs. Puppies for sale.Schipperke breed. Loves boats and swim-ming. Two females, one male left in litter.Small dog. High energy, loyal, great personal-ity, playful, long life span. Lovable dog.Tampa Bay. (727) 239-1049. (7/07)

DONATE YOUR BOAT_________________________________________

Donate your boat to the Safe Harbor BoysHome, Jacksonville, Fl. Setting young liveson a true path. Please consider donating yourworking vessel. http://boyshome.com/ or call(904) 757-7918, [email protected].

HELP WANTED_________________________________________

SAILING INSTRUCTORS WANTEDAmericas #1 Sailing School is taking applica-tions for immediate employment at ourFlorida locations. If you have a passion forteaching sailing, please contact us at 239-985-7539 or [email protected] formore details.

ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR WANTED SOUTHWINDS is looking for a sales director torun sales program. Great sales percentage.For more info (requirements & job description),first go to www.southwindsmagazine.com/adrepinfo.html.

Attorney Wanted to help establish cruiser/boater/liveaboard organization that will pro-mote boaters’ rights, solicit donations, etc.,with Web site and forum. Legal advice neededpro bono. [email protected]. _________________________________________

Massey Yacht Sales Mobile Broker Do youprefer to sell yachts from your home office? Ifyou do and you are a proven, successful yachtsales professional, we have positions open forFlorida west and east coast. Take advantage ofthe Massey sales and marketing support, salesmanagement and administration while work-ing from your home selling brokerage sail andpower boats. Call Frank Hamilton (941) 723-1610 for interview appointment and positiondetails._________________________________________

Writers, Reporters, Articles, Photos Wanted.SOUTHWINDS is looking for articles on boating,racing, sailing in the Southern waters, theCaribbean and the Bahamas, and other articleson the following subjects: marinas, anchorages,mooring fields, disappearing marinas/boat-yards, marinas/boatyards sold for condos,anchoring rights, sailing human interest stories,boat reviews, charter stories, waste disposal—and more. Photos wanted, plus we want coverphotos (pay $65) of both race and non-racesubjects, but about sailing. Cover photos mustbe very high resolution and vertical format.

Writers and Ideas Wanted on WaterwaysIssues. SOUTHWINDS is looking for writers,acting as independent subcontractors toresearch and write articles on subjects dis-cussed in the Our Waterways section. Mustbe familiar with boating, good at research,have computer skills, high-speed Internetaccess and work for little pay. Most impor-tant, must have a passion for the subject andwant to bring about change and improve-ment of boaters rights, waterways access,and disappearing marinas and boatyards—with lots of ideas and energy to help bringabout improvements through variousmeans. We would also like to get an organi-zation going to promote these interests ifyou can help. Writers, photographers, car-toonists, jokers, magicians, philosophers andothers of questionable professions mayapply. Send info to: [email protected].

LODGING FOR SAILORS_________________________________________

Ponce de Leon HotelHistoric 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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE OR RENT_________________________________________

DELRAY BEACH’S BEST KEPT SECRET. PELI-CAN HARBOR. Quiet, beauty directly on thewide Intracoastal Waterway! Yacht club,marina, tennis and breathtaking views of thewater in this lovely home. Best offer! CallZon (561) 620-1007 or Vickie (561) 750-1981. (7/07)

New construction luxurious 3/2.5 marinacondo overlooking the Indian River(Intracoastal Waterway) in Melbourne, FL.Indoor parking, pool, short walk to historicdowntown Melbourne. Contact Craig Howell(407) 864-2590. (7/07)

SAILS & CANVAS_________________________________________


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CRESCENT continued from page 70 NORTHERN GULF COAST continued from page 56

ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Adventure Cruising & Sailing School . . . . . . .29American Marine & Supply . . . . . . . . . . . .22,27Annapolis Performance Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . .51Aqua Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Atlantic Sail Traders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Banks Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Beachmaster Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Beneteau Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BCBeta Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Boaters Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22,45Bo’sun Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Capt. Jimmy Hendon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Capt. Josie Sailing School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Catalina Yachts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5,22Compet-At Regatta Management . . . . . . . . . .47Coral Reef Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Cortez Yacht Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65Cruising Direct Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Defender Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,14Dockside Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18,52Doyle Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Dunedin City Youth Sailing Camp . . . . . . . . .14Dunbar Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Dwyer mast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66Eastern Yachts/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . .27,58,BCEdwards Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57E-marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,66Flying Scot Sailboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63Full Sail Yacht Delvieries/Capt. . . . . . . . . . . . .29Garhauer Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Glacier Bay Refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25Global-Weather Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Gulf Coast Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . .58,62,63Gulf Island Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22,27Hobie Cats/Tackle Shack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Hotwire/Fans & other products . . . . . . . . . . .28Hurricane Hoops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Innovative Marine Services . . . . . . . . . . . .29,41Island Yachting Centre/Greg Knighton . . . . . .61J/Boats - Murray Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . .59,BCJSI - New JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Kevane Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Laurie Kimball Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Leather Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Lex-Sea Charters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Life-Safer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42Lighthouse Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Massey Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . .IFC,27,31,37,IBCMasthead Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . .13,22,60,67Mastmate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Murray Yacht Sales/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . .59,BCNational Sail Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Nautical Trader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20New JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15North Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12,67Palm Beach Sailing Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Patricia Knoll Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Porpoise Used Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Quantum Sarasota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3RB Grove/Universal and Westerbeke . . . . . . . .38

Regatta Pointe Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Rparts Refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Sailing Florida Charters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Sailors Wharf boatyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Sailtime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Salty John Marine Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Sarasota Youth Sailing Program

donated boats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60Sarasota Youth Sailing Program . . . . . . . . . . .16Schurr Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Scurvy Dog Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Sea School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25Sea Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24,66Shadetree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Snug Harbor Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Solar Lite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3St. Augustine Sailing School . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28St. Barts/Beneteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BCSuncoast Inflatables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Sunrise Sailing Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,41Tackle Shack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Tampa Sailing Squadron Youth Program . . . .24Turner Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27UK Halsey Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Ullman sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,29,67Watersports West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29West Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Yachting Vacations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

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Roy said in such a soothing tone. Amoon? He then pointed to a real cruiseship off the port side at about 11o’clock. He had been closely monitor-ing that ship, and it didn’t pose anythreat to us.

Just then, Scott quickly popped hishead up from the companionway. Anever-vigilant captain, he had heard mescream and came to investigate.

He looked at me. Looked at Roy.Perplexed about the commotion.

“Stop,” I said, “I will tell youexactly what happened.’’ And I did,explaining how I thought the moonwas a cruise ship.

They didn’t start razzing me aboutit until after I touched terra firma at theGalleon Resort about noon the nextday. Took a swim. Had deliciouschilled fresh shrimp and a huge icedtea and then as we walked through thecrazy, over-the-top world known asKey West, they noticed that the crowdswere quite dense.

Seems three cruise ships haddocked about an hour before. TheCrescent Moon wasn’t one of them, Iassured the men.

I redeemed myself on our last legof the trip, taking two overnightwatches back-to-back in nasty, rainyweather, bundled to the max in myfoul weather gear as we sailed up thewest coast of Florida 50 or so miles outin the Gulf of Mexico. I actually atedinner that night.

And nary a cruise ship in sight.

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4 PYC Commodore’s Regatta (one design). Pensacola YC, Pensacola4-5 Summer in the Pass. Pass Christian YC, Pass Christian4-5 GYA J22 Regatta. Pass Christian YC, Pass Christian4-5 Charles R. Galloway GYA Sunfish/Laser Regatta. Gulfport YC, Gulfport11 Commodore’s Cup #4 Regatta - Navy YC, Pensacola11-12 Round the Rig Race. Mobile YC, Mobile11-12 Knost Regatta (Capdevielle). Pass Christian YC, Pass Christian18 Big Mouth Regatta. Pensacola Beach YC, Pensacola Beach18-19 Angus Memorial J22, J24, M24 Regatta. Gulfport YC, Gulfport18-19 USSA POW Semi-Finals. Pontchartrain YC, New Orleans25 PYC Championship #2. Pensacola YC, Pensacola25-26 GYA Lightning Regatta25-26 Pam Sintes Regatta. South Shore YC/Corinthian Sailing Association. New Orleans25-26 Norton Brooker Broken Triangle. Mobile YC, Mobile




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New JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Kevane Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Leather Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Masthead Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13,22,60,67Mastmate Mast Climber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Nautical Trader/buy/sell/consign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20NEW JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Rparts Refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Salty John Marine Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Shadetree Awning Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Tackle Shack/Hobie/Sunfish, Precision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8West Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Watersports West/wet suits, etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29SAILS (NEW & USED), RIGGING, SPARS, RIGGING SERVICESAtlantic Sail Traders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Banks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida . . . . . . . . . . .41Cruising Direct/sails online by North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Dwyer Mast/spars, hardware, rigging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66Innovative Marine Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,41JSI - New JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Masthead/Used Sails and Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13,22,60,67National Sail Supply, new&used online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18NEW JSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15North Sails, new and used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12,67Porpoise Used Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Quantum Sails and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Schurr Sails, Pensacola FL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Snug Harbor Yacht Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22SSMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Sunrise Sailing Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,41UK Halsey Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Ullman Sails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,29,67CANVASBanks Sails/new, used, repair & canvas/ West Florida . . . . . . . . . . .41

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Poor Roy thought Ihad lost my mind. What had I lost? My

bearings—and in doingso, “discovered’’ theCrescent Moon CruiseShip Line.

It won’t be givingCarnival Cruise Linesany competition. What itwill be giving my hus-band and friends is astory that never fails togive me a huge dose ofribbing.

It was to be my veryfirst overnight boatdelivery, and I wasthrilled to think I wouldbe on watch–by myself–while the captain (myhusband Scott) and crew(his best friend Roy)slept peacefully in the wee hourswhile we made our way from Miamito Key West (stay over one night)and then home to Regatta PointeMarina in Palmetto.

We had left the Miami BoatShow on a Catalina 42, one of myfavorite boats to sail, and unfortu-nately ran into a logjam of otherboats wanting to refuel at theMiamarina. A few hours later,drenched in sweat from the muggyweather, we finally unfurled the sailsand made it through the bumpyGovernment Cut to the Atlantic. Thebreeze was beautiful, and we had adelightful sail as we headed offshore,still in sight of land.

And still with sunny skies. Itwas a picture-postcard afternoon,and I snapped away with my newdigital camera.

So far, so good. I’ve sailed a lot,but never, ever on an overnightdelivery. My husband is the pro, hav-ing spent many years as a deliveryboat captain, ferrying boats to andfrom Florida and Central Americaand the Caribbean. He warned me itwould not be a wine-and-cheesecruise. Despite that, I was sure Iwould do just fine.

I did. Until the sun set aboutseven-ish. Then little demons tookover and decided I would get a caseof almost-seasickness that found me

staking out my spot on the cabinsole, zipped snugly in my yellowfoul weather jacket and navy foulweather pants. The weather hadtaken a turn a few notches south-ward, the seas a bit rough for mytaste, and I was chilled.

I moved only a few times to gin-gerly make my way below to thehead. Dinner? Please. I could barelykeep water down, and smelling thelasagna the boys had heated in theoven–the gimbled stove atwork–made me even more nauseous.I still can’t stand the smell of lasagna.

Scott and Roy, troopers, ofcourse, didn’t make me feel anyworse than I did—considering Iwouldn’t be able to pull a watch, andthey ended up three hours on, twohours off.

The seas were a tad on thetumbly side, about six-to-eight feet,enough to make the boat “tippy’’ aswe sailed along at a nice clip (proba-bly about seven or so knots) withboth the main sail and jib. No motor-ing for us.

And “tippy” is not good forsomeone who has nestled oneselfinto a spot on the cabin sole, barelyable to raise one’s head as the boatrocked side to side, constantlychanging my view of the horizon.

That is until the “Crescent MoonCruise Ship Line” appeared in what I

thought was very closeproximity to the boat. Ibolted upright andscreamed out in alarm.

A cruise ship lit uplike a proverbial Christ-mas tree was bearingquickly down upon us,and I jolted my head tothe stern where Roycalmly sat behind thewheel smoking one ofthe those God-awfulcigars that he had prom-ised he had given up.

He looked at me inalarm. I looked at him asif he were crazy. Thisman, a longtime friend,was behind the wheel,steering us into whatsoon would be a muchtoo close encounter with

a skyscraper-size cruise ship. Again, I cried out. “Don’t you

see the cruise ship?!”Roy, ever patient, ever kind,

looked at me and said, “Where?’’ I knew then it was hopeless. We

would soon be tossed into the chop-py Atlantic seas as we hugged thecoastline to Key West. No stayovernight at the Galleon Resort inKey West. No reveling in the year-round party-like atmosphere ofDuval Street. No sipping pomegran-ate cosmos at the eclectic Alice’s.

Roy must have been lulled into adream-like state not to see the ship. Itwas about three o’clock in the morn-ing, and he probably was just deadtired. Scott was below asleep. I cer-tainly saw it and pointed to thecruise ship in the northeast about 8o’clock on the horizon.

Bless him. He didn’t just burstout laughing, although he wouldhave been perfectly within his rights.He pointed to the “ship’’ and asked,with a strong measure of hesitancy,“Um, is that it?’’

By then I had forgotten I wasalmost seasick. I was going to die,and I had to get the prayers goingquickly if we had any chance of sur-viving.

“Kate, that’s a crescent moon,’’

See CRESCENT continued on page 68


The author asleep, or trying to sleep, on board.

The Crescent Moon Cruise Ship LineBy Kate Pursell


Southwindsjuly2007

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