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May 23rd, 2015
Sarasota Classic Boat Festival!
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There are two two boating events in the last two weeks of April
each year that are well attended by Squadron members. The
first is the Sarasota Classic Boat Festival, once called the Gulf
Coast Small Craft Festival at Cortez Florida. This year the
event was held at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron and once
again it was quite well attended, especially by our members
who are inclined to build their own boats of wood.
This event is usually the last hurrah in Florida for
Dennis Bradley before heading off to Deluth MN. He sails his
Egret from Bokeelia up the coast to attend. Joined again this
year by his crew and great friend Mick. Also attending in grand
style was Simon and Kristi Lewandowski, who not only brought
one boat, but two!
A feat requiring a high degree of
organization and planning. Two vehicles, two trailers and lots
of packing and sorting were no doubt involved. Their big boat, a
fiberglass version of the Monroe Egret, was docked along one
of the long transient docks. Their other boat, a beautiful
rendition of the Goat Island Skiff, was parked on it’s trailer
alongside Doug Engh’s Penobscot 17, an Arch Davis design,
and Mike Jones’ Malu an enlarged Windmill design which was
featured in Wooden Boat Magazine’s Small Boat Issue this
year! Also in the water were a number of Luzier built boats.
Luzier is a local Sarasota builder renowned for his quality boat
building. Pat Ball, from Osprey was showing off a center
console outboard power launch that her was taking up the
Intracoastal Waterway this summer. Not sure how far he was
going, ”just until it stops being fun,” I recall him saying.
Not to be outdone by Simon, Mike Jones brought
along Aunt Louise, and had her in the water as well as Malu on
the trailer! Aunt Louise is a beautiful William Garden Eel yawl
design, with shallow draft of only 14 inches, she’s perfect for
Florida. Come to think of it Pat Ball also brought more than one
boat! Besides his power skiff, he had his Buffelhead sailing
canoe designed by Hugh Horton out sailing mostly sailed by his
nephew.
Fresh from joining us at the Cayo Costa gathering,
Floyd Marsdon had his unique wishbone rigged Santana 20
with keel removed and leeboard. It’s a true single handers
dream. Easy to handle all those sails - no winches needed!
Rex and Kathy Payne attended also although they
needed a few more weeks to get their Caladonia Yawl finished
and were aiming for a Cedar Key launch in two weeks.
Drascombes were also in attendance. A rare bird - a
Drifter with cabin and tan bark sails was looking shippy, and
there was a Longboat there sailed by a fellow from Tennessee.
Thomas Coates, a Drascombe owner from our area sailed out
with the Drifter during the race. Oh, the race! Well in the early
afternoon there was a sort of race, if you call trying to get an
assortment of wild looking boats heading toward a starting line
a race.
!
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Issue # 171
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Ron Hoddinott Editor
Fastest of the fleet was reportedly “Two Bow” which is a
SeaPearl prototype from 1979 or 1980, no one knows for sure.
It’s owned by Kent and Barbara Bleakley. They usually sail with a
big crew to make up for the fact that their early SeaPearl has no
ballast at all. Glen and Karen Osling, and Harvey Kerstein usually
sail with them, but sailing on “Two Bow” this day was Squadron
member Meade Gougeon who after winning the race spotted the
entire crew to a cold beer at the bar. Way to go Meade!
I was planning on bringing Nomad and staying aboard at
the docks, but circumstances prevented that from happening, so I
just came down for the day with co-founder of the Squadron, Bob
Wood, who turned 90 this year! Bob is always a great traveling
companion. Quite a day, even if most of what I did was take a few
photos and sit around a big table spinning yarns with so many
members of the Squadron.
!
!
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Crystal River Boat Bash - April 2015!
The Crystal River Boat Builders located on State Park
grounds have the unique situation of having to deal with all park
rules when it comes to opening their facilities to the public for the
Boat Bash which takes place the last weekend in April each year.
This year they are also dealing with a new park superintendent,
who is a boat fanatic himself, but who insists that they follow all
regulations which includes becoming certified boat captains! So
they were not able to take people out on the river in their 37 foot
Civil War Scow that they built. At least not this year. Bill Whalen,
one of the founders of the CRBB, shrugged it off saying that it was
no big deal, they just had to sit through a few hours of lecture, and
demonstrate the ability to bring a boat alongside a dock without
crushing any toes or fingers. All of that aside, the Bash went on
as usual except that there were not as many campers as there
were in previous years for some reason. Perhaps the unusually
hot April was the reason. !
!
The regulars were there, Tom Busenlener from
Mississippi with his Phoenix III design, Jerry Davis with his
Chrysler daysailer from the 70’s, Damon Wright’s Chapelle 24
decked sharpie, and Larry Fagan’s Florida Bay 18’ Sharpie which
was for sale for $1800. The Drascombe Longboat that was at
Sarasota the week before was in the water and sailing about, and
long time friend of the Squadron, Larry Whited had his new
SeaPearl “iPearl” out in the river dashing around. Steve Wood
didn’t get the hitch put on his new Chevy Impala yet, so he was
without a boat. Preston Watter’s had a lovely 1939 Old Town
canoe (Model HW 18 foot) on display that has been refurbished.
It’s the one on our Boat for Sale page on this website, and is a
real steal! Bob Treat entered his lovely Chappaquidic 12.5 Ted
Brewer designed cold molded cat boat, which is also for sale in
our Boats for Sale page at a new reduced price of only $5000!!
!
(CRBB Continued)!
A real eye catcher as you walked onto the grounds was a working and
floating model on a US BattleShip! The new head ranger owns it and
loves to prowl the waters of the Crystal River poking his huge guns into
the coves in search of people petting manatees. His other boat is a
ComPac 16 sloop with huge letters on the side “GULF WHISKEY.”
Everyone was comparing it to my new SunCat, which was a cut a bit
low for me to take.!
!
Also of interest this year were models of a Stern-Wheeler and
an Ice Boat for picking up fish from larger vessels. These are future full
size build for the CRBB. And of course the Spirit, the 37 foot Civil War
Blockade Runner with gaff sloop rig was on display across the river.
After a year of sitting out in the sun it is starting to look well weathered.
Bill Whalen tells me she’s tight as can be and they can’t wait to take
her out in the Gulf again like they did when they sailed her up to Cedar
Key this spring!!
!!
Bill Fite recaps his Everglades Challenge
Experience for 2015
It took me an hour after the start to get underway. Usually I
place several inflated runners out in front of Moon Shadow, inflate one
roller under the bow to lift it up, and push (max effort, admittedly) from
behind to get the boat moving. From that point anyone in front is in
danger as the boat rolls with increasing speed down the slope to the
water. This time where Moon Shadow was placed there was already a
slight incline up, and i simply could not get the stern high enough to get
forward movement. After many tries and failures I used my hands and
a boat hook to clear much of the sand away from the bottom, moved
the rollers more to the middle, and finally got the boat over the hump
and down the slope.
Once underway I had no problems initially. I first estimated the
wind to be about ENE 10 mph pretty much on my beam as I was
heading S to what is called The Bulkhead, the entrance to the ICW
inside route down the coast. This was an offshore wind at the start, and
I knew it would be a nice offshore wind in the Gulf on the faster outside
route, but I was apt to face a low, outgoing tide to get back in at Stump
Pass, and I have had great difficulty getting through there when solo in
the past. This time I reasoned why gain a few hours on boats going
outside, and then beat your brains out trying to get back in struggling to
drag the boat along the beach? In 2013 I went inside and thoroughly
enjoyed it, then still had almost 250 miles left to gain back lost ground.
Before long crossing Tampa Bay the wind picked up
considerably, as did the chop (said to be four feet) on my beam. The
gusts definitely felt like 20, but 12-15 mph was probably the average
wind speed. I had three turns in the main and two in the mizzen, which
is kind of my go-to setup when the conditions are yet unclear but winds
are brisk. My boat speed was usually 7 kts or better, and now and then
I would see 8 and 9 point something. Also now and then the boat would
rock from side to side because of the beam seas. About halfway across
a “rogue” wave bigger than the others caught me at a funny angle and
Moon Shadow rolled right over almost on her starboard side. More
water than I have ever taken on by heeling (took more broaching once)
rushed in and washed my SPOT device, which had slid to the gunwale,
right out of the boat, and almost took an oar as well. The boat popped
right back up, and I’m not entirely sure I even released the main it
happened so fast. Then again, I might have, as that release-the-main
instinct is well established in me by now. In any case, I do believe it
was almost entirely the wave and not the wind that put me over so far.
The water in the rear cockpit was nearly to the seat tops, and I pulled a
switch to activate the bilge pump we devised last year for the UFC. I
didn’t hear anything, and thought the pump wasn’t working. I started to
bail when another wave and then another tuned my thoughts to simply
“Sail this boat.”
The water in the rear cockpit was nearly to the seat tops, and I pulled a
switch to activate the bilge pump we devised last year for the UFC. I
didn’t hear anything, and thought the pump wasn’t working. I started to
bail when another wave and then another tuned my thoughts to simply
“Sail this boat.” I did, and when I next glanced down the water in the
cockpit was only an inch or two—the pump was working fine after all.!
Before long I was across Tampa Bay in more sheltered water.
I called race management and my wife to let them know what
happened. With my SPOT track stopping in the middle of the Bay,
anyone might think I capsized. Soon I learned that my lost SPOT was
the least of race managements worries—numerous boats and kayaks
had overturned trying to cross or get out of the Bay. The Coast Guard
pulled twelve people out of the water, and they were sufficiently
alarmed and upset to cancel the challenge. It must be said that not
everyone picked up wanted to be “rescued”, as most of them are
capable of getting back in their boats. WaterTribe has this all under
control now, and Chief will be meeting shortly with the Coast Guard to
iron out future procedures to allow the challenge to take place.
!
!
Cedar Key Small Boat Meet 2015!
The 2015 Small Boat Meet at Cedar Key was one of the best
in recent memory! Over 100 small boat, of every description filled the
waters surrounding Cedar Key, an island community 24 miles west of
US 19 on Way Key. I could only attend on Friday due to my friends
Brian Fox and Joel Heyne returning from their Circumnavigation of the
Earth on Saturday, and the related festivities at the Boca Ciega Yacht
Club in Gulfport, where, 16 months age we went down to wish them
Bon Voyage. But Friday seemed busy as well! Just a few years ago,
only a few sailboats would be rigging up in front of the Island Place on
a Friday! This year there were over a dozen, and more were on the
way! I spotted Squadron member and friend Michael Jones and his
wife Judith getting Aunt Louise ready for a morning sail, and asked if I
could come aboard for the trip. Lucky for me they were delighted to
have the company! Michael is a great boat builder, who’s design
“Malu” was featured in Wooden Boat’s Small Boat Issue this year. Aunt
Louise was not built by Mike though.
But he has taken on it’s
maintenance as a project, and I must say it’s looking well. The boat
came with a Torqueedo electric motor that can easily be removed and
stowed below under way. Friday was quite windy, so Captain Jones
raised the jib and small mizzen and off we went. Glen Osling’s SMR
Beetle Cat replica was also out sailing and we took some photos of his
boat.
Also on the beach that Friday morning was a special Core
Sound 17 with a custom cabin, owned and built by Bill Palumbo. He
was rigging her up as we pulled away. From Knife River MN, a very
small yacht was beached in front of the Island Place. She was for sale,
and I understand that ‘Tosh from Atlanta eventually purchased her
during the weekend. Two great looking Wind Rider Trimarans were
cutting swaths out in front of the pier off of the Town docks and going
what looked like 12 knots. Bill Fite and Gary Hirsch were also sailing
MoonShadow, Bill’s SeaPearl 21 design with 2 reefs in each sail. Doug
Engh also was out and about between Way Key and Atseana Otie Key,
as was Bernard and Genise Spenle from Atlanta with their new build,
launched after 4 years of building, John Welsford Pathfinder with
custom cabin. Genise said they had to relearn a lot about sailing, since
it was so much larger than their tiny 12 footer. She really looks great
guys!
!
It became a blur on Friday seeing so many great boats.
Another new Squadron build was Rex and Kathy Payne’s Caldonia
Yawl with fresh green and red paint! I only got a peek on Friday, but
photos that came in later show a super well built and lovely boat.
Friday afternoon, Michael Burwell allowed me to use his room at the
Island Hotel to clean up before dinner at Tony’s. What a cool place. I
think I could get my wife Joyce to come there for a weekend get-away!
We reserved the back room at Tony’s Seafood for 5:30, but
when I got there at 5:15 there were only a few seats left! They
opened up the patio doors and some members sat out there. Bill
Fite, Gary Hirsch and their wives came in about 5:30, and decided to
sit out front, so we pretty much filled up the place! I sat with Patrick
Johnson, Doug Engh, and Jeff and Diana Lackey of Atlanta. Jeff and
Diana make Cedar Key one of their long vacations spending the
entire week there. Instead of long rows of table, we had several
smaller groups of tables, and it didn’t seem as efficient getting orders
in and out as it did in November, but the food was still great, and the
conversations superb. I love their clam chowder, and I don’t even like
clams!
Unfortunately after dinner I had to pack up the truck and
head home so I could make the party at the BCYC for Joel and Brian.
What went on at Cedar Key on Saturday and Sunday is told on the
photo pages of our web site for Cedar Key SBM 2015, thanks to
excellent photographs by our gifted Squadron members. Some truly
beautiful and interesting boats attended. I hope to be able to see
them all again next May when I plan to spend the whole week there!
!
!
Bill Prater reviews the “Keel Eazy” Protective
Keel Strip.!
I love to pull up on a beach in our Sea Pearl Tri and visit
with the gang, but repeatedly doing that, along with previous owners
of my boat, have left my forefoot a bit skinned up.
I needed
something to protect it.
I saw this product in Small Craft Advisor, for somewhere
around $20, and decided to give it a try. When it arrived, I found it to
be a heavy strip of plastic, and pretty stiff. To say that I wasn't certain
about it is an understatement. But I watched a couple of videos on
the company website, and they seemed to have no problem getting it
on a kayak smoothly with a heat gun.
I cleaned up the forefoot with a little 360 grit sandpaper,
wiped it down well with acetone, and applied per instructions (they
recommend chilling to get the protective film off easily. It works).
Looked like heck, big bulges at the turn to the bottom. Then I fired up
the heat gun.
It works very much like heat shrink tubing. I had on a heavy
leather glove and as I heated each bulge, it would draw down and I
could smooth it into place with my glove. Attached photo shows the
result, which I think turned out real nicely.
We'll see how it wears, but it went on nicely. Looks better
than anything else I had come up with. They have several colors to
choose from. Instructions say heat will also remove or re-position it.
I have no affiliation of any sort with this product. Bill Prater
!
Summer Plans for the Squadron
Seems like Joyce and I are going to be staying in the area this
summer due to the fact that my aged mother (94) needs a lot of
supervision, so this means we’ll be here to enjoy short events like day sails
and overnighters during the heat of the summer. Oh joy!
!
1. Lake Tarpon Daysail - Saturday, May 30th - 9:00 am Anderson Park
Launch ($6) - Take over the Turtle Restaurant at 11:30 to cool off.
Sailing in the PM until Thunderstorms arrive.
!
2. Lake Harris Daysail - June 13th - 9:30 launch at Hickory Point
Recreation Area - Free - Use the Hideaway (biker bar) at the NE corner of
the lake across from the north end of Long Island for a lunch break. Beat
the storms back to Hickory Point.
!
3. Silver Glen Springs - June 22,23,24 (Mon - Wed) Launch at Astor
Ramp (Butler Street) right before you cross the bridge over the St. John’s
River on Hwy 40. Try to get there by 10 - 11 am.
!
Sail north on the St. John’s River to Lake George and then across the SW
corner of the lake to the entrance of Silver Glen Springs. Swimming in the
Spring area is allowed. The spring creates cool weather for sleeping
aboard even though the outside temperatures may reach 90. Tuesday
weather permitting we’ll sail north to the entrance of Salt Springs, about 5
miles, and then if time allows up the spring run to Salt Springs. There are
restrooms there as limited store supplies (ice, candy, maps) at the State
Park store. Wednesday - head back to Astor Ramp for pull out - lunch at
Blackwater Inn is time allows before hitting the road.
!
!
This is a premier event, if you haven’t tried it, you MUST go.
4. I am working on a July event based at Laishley Marina in Punta
Gorda with hotel rooms at the next door Waterfront Hotel. Docks, slips and
even a small beach in front of the hotel can be used to keep you boats in
the water during the weekend. This will hopefully be a Friday - Sunday
event. The hotel charges are about 94 dollars a night for two queen sized
beds, and there is a great SeaFood Restaurant at the Marina for cool
evenings with adult beverages. Think about sailing in the morning and late
afternoons, weather permitting, with time in the restaurant to avoid heat
stroke.
!
Nomad in the FL 120