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SCUTTLEBUTT 2509 – January 11, 2008Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, featuresand dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors. THE STUFF OF LEGENDS Seattle, WA -- Over the holidays last month, Bill Buchan Jr. was welcomed into Corinthian Yacht Club’s Honorary Life Membership. Buchan a legend in the Star class, having won both the class World Championship and Olympic Gold medal, along with building over 60 boats, told one of his famous stories from the 1985 Worlds in Nassau, Bahamas. Buchan and crew Steve Erickson won the 80-boat regatta, but en in the fourth race a shroud let go on the last windward leg and the mast went over the side. Says Bill: “Our first thought, of course, was, ‘There goes the series.’ In any other race it wouldn’t have been so bad; we were in pretty good shape and could still throw out one race. But another (race) was coming up, back to back, with only one leg left of this race. Very fortunately for us, Basil Kelly’s wife happened to be right there in a fast powerboat. She came alongside and asked what she could do to help. A very quick conference determined that there was not time to tow the boat all the way in and back out again. Instead, Steve jumped aboard the powerboat and they roared off to the Creek for our spare mast, which was all rigged and ready for such an emergency. “They must have made it to shore in about 10 minutes and made the return trip, against the wind, in maybe 20 minutes, because in just over half an hour they were back with the new mast.“ Meanwhile I had un-rigged the broken spar and cleared away the mess. In 18 knots of breeze, we switched masts and stepped the new one. I was a bit concerned that something might be loose or missing aloft, but everything went together like clockwork. We had the sails up and were sailing around 20 minutes before the start of the next race.” -- http://www.cycseattle.org/leadline/janll.pdf SEEKING THE WESTERN LIFESTYLE China's market for pleasure boats is still in the infancy stage. Just 400 private boats are registered nationwide, and almost all of them are motorboats. But Adrien Magnan of Marine Dragon Consulting in Shanghai, which specializes in the Chinese yachting industry, says the amount spent on luxury boats has been leaping upwards by tens-of-millions of dollars in the past few years. "If you look at the increase, it's about 100 percent every year," he explains. So 2005 was about $30 million. 2006 was about $50 million. Now we are exceeding $100 million in imports of yachts. And so, if next year it will be $200 or $400 million, in a few years it will catch up with countries like Italy or France in Europe. I wouldn't be surprised to see China in the top five markets in less than five years." There are about half-a-million US-dollar millionaires in China today. Sales of luxury items there are skyrocketing, and yachts are becoming the ultimate accessory of the ultra-rich. Mike Simpson, owner of Hong Kong-based yacht dealer Simpson Marine, started selling boats in China three years ago. He says his wealthy Chinese customers are seeking a Western lifestyle. "As soon as they have money, they are all reading these lifestyle magazines. It's almost like step-by-step," he says. "It's the fast cars, it's the Bentley or whatever it is, and then the very smart house, which will probably be French Renaissance--and they get European architects to design it for them--then, of course, the European fashion and, now, it comes to the yacht. The yacht is part of that whole thing." -- China Confidential, read on: http://tinyurl.com/2jfjtf THERAPY FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED Portland, OR -- About three years ago, George Saidah awoke at 3 a.m. with the idea for his retirement: offer free sailing trips as a form of therapy for developmentally disabled kids and their families across the globe. The Lebanese-born Frenchman and lifelong sailor had made millions as a software entrepreneur. But he disliked the greed and cutthroat mind-set all around him in the business world. He was ready to move on, to share his time, money and love for sailing with families less fortunate than his own. Inspired by a cousin with schizophrenia and a friend in France who set up a similar program, Saidah retired at age 45, created a nonprofit organization called Heart of Sailing and launched into the most fulfilling venture of his life. -- The Oregonian, read on: http://tinyurl.com/2wo92u WELCOME TO THE NEXT GENERATION... B&G launched their sophisticated new wireless, handheld On-Deck Tactical Navigation PC at the Southampton Boat Show 2007. RaceVision3000 builds on previous versions of RaceVision, which has proven to be a vital tactical tool, and is the only all-in-one ‘off-the-shelf’ solution for navigators. B&G systems have been at the leading edge of advanced marine electronics for over 50 years, and was onboard every Volvo Ocean Race boat and America's Cup team in their recent events. B&G is the Official Marine Electronics supplier for 2008 Acura Key West – look for the team in Key West for all your support needs. -- http://www.bandg.com BARCELONA WORLD RACE Open 60 doublehanded round the world race (started Nov 11; 25,000-miles) (Day 61 – January 10, 2008) The honour of being first around Cape Horn goes to Paprec-Virbac 2, who left the fabled cape on their port side at 06:20 GMT this morning, moving from the tough Southern Ocean into the South Atlantic. Skippers Jean-Pierre Dick and Damian Foxall can celebrate this latest milestone, while remaining aware that some 6700 miles remain before the finish line in Barcelona. “It was very bumpy and uncomfortable all night along the coast of Chile. There was a lot of wind and a huge sea. The waves were so big that we had the impression of dropping into a big hole every time we went over the peak of a wave,” exclaimed Jean-Pierre this morning. “We are going to celebrate this with a taste of some French Champagne for me and some Irish Whiskey for Damian. We have closed the door on the southern ocean.”-- http://www.barcelonaworldrace.com Positions at 17:30 GMT (+gain/-loss from leader since previous day) 1-Paprec-Virbac 2, Jean-Pierre Dick/ Damian Foxall, 6,750 nm DTF (+315) 2-Hugo Boss, Alex Thomson/ Andrew Cape, 955 nm DTL (+73) 3-Temenos II, Dominique Wavre/ Michéle Paret, 2,915 (-53) 4-Mutua Madrilena, Javier Sanso Windmann/ Pachi Rivero, 3,066 (-43) 5-Educación sin Fronteras, Servane Escoffier/ Albert Bargues, 3,587 (-36) Retired - PRB, Vincent Riou / Sébastien Josse (broken mast) Retired -Delta Dore, Jérémie Beyou/ Sidney Gavignet (broken mast) Retired - Estrella Damm, Guillermo Altadill/ Jonathan McKee, (rudder damage) Retired - Veolia Environnement, Roland Jourdain/Jean-Luc Nélias (broken mast) * (Day 48 – January 10, 2008 - 19:54 UTC) Francis Joyon and his maxi-trimaran IDEC crossed the equator today, and now estimates to be nearly 12 and half ahead of the 2005 record set by Ellen MacArthur (71d 14h 18m 33s). In the past 24 hours, he clocked an average speed of 19.2 knots while covering 459.9 nm. With only 3,093 nm remaining to the finish at Brest, France, his advance over the record has grown to 2,850 nm. -- http://www.trimaran-idec.com ESPN KICKS CUP OFF THE “A” LIST The America’s Cup has fallen on hard times. Not only the sport of, but also the trophy itself. Irrespective of the ongoing legal drama, the “auld mug” was not among the 44 other pieces of “heavy metal” featured in the pages of ESPN's “the magazine” December 31st issue. There was, of course, Lord Stanley ’s Cup, the Indy 500’s Borg Warner Trophy, the Heisman, and showing that infamy holds no bounds, even the trophy for winning the HGH ravaged Tour de France. But the trophy representing the world’s oldest continuing sporting event was nary to be found. This after what was the most exciting America’s Cup finals ever, bar none. The Swiss yacht Alinghi won the final race by one second over Emirates Team New Zealand. In a stunning series of races that featured several twists, turns and a near catastrophic collision on the final windward beat of the last race, The 2007 America’s Cup ranks as one of the greatest yachting events of all time. Regardless of all the subsequent court proceedings over the recent months, how could “America’s” trophy not find itself in the company of all these other pieces of hallowed metal? Some of the hardware featured has earned its regality, but others are nothing more than sponsorship dollars badged on metal thrust upon us like sort of famed artifact of sporting antiquity. The Nextel, I mean “Sprint” Cup, the Bassmaster Trophy, the MLS Cup, are you serious? -- Twelve Meter Update, read on: http://twelvemeterupdate.blogspot.com/2008/01/americas-cup.html SAILING SHORTS * North Sails and the O'pen BIC Class Association announced today that North Sails has been selected to build the sails for the O'pen BIC. The O'pen BIC, which received official class recognition by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) in November 2007, is a 2.75 meter long (9-foot) one-design dinghy that is gaining momentum around the world with large fleets in the United States, Italy, France and South America. The first North sails should be delivered with the boat from late Spring 2008 onwards. -- Complete report: http://na.northsails.com/news.taf?_function=detail&news_uid1=375 * West Marine, Inc. has reported net sales for the thirteen weeks ended December 29, 2007 of $117.8 million, a decrease of $6.0 million, or 4.9%, from net sales of $123.8 million a year ago, primarily due to a $4.2 million decrease in sales attributable to closed stores and a $2.9 million decrease in comparable store sales. Comparable store sales for the fourth quarter decreased 3.0%. – Full report: http://tinyurl.com/2rlghg * The crew of the El Lago, TX based 42-foot sailboat that was transporting 10,000 pounds of vacuum-packed coffee from Belize, but had to abandon their boat in the Gulf of Mexicom on New Year’s Day due to rough weather, will leave on Friday with a 60-foot steel trawler to locate and retrieve their coffee-filled boat. -- http://tinyurl.com/3ytd3z * With 37 boats already committed, entries close January 31st for Balboa Yacht Club's biennial race to Cabo San Lucas. Smaller boats will start the 800-nautical mile race to the tip of Baja California, Mexico on Friday, March 28, with the larger ones starting a day later. Details at http://tinyurl.com/2nd2m5 * The chase for the 50 knot mark has a new kid on the block in the shape of the WotRocket. At 9 metres long, 6.5 metres wide, and weighing 450kg, it is composed of a central hull fitted with foils, and at the end of its armature a cockpit like that of a glider. Another Australian project, like Macquarie Innovation, WotRocket will likewise have a rigid sail. The WotRocket will hold its first speed test trials during February 2008 in Botany Bay, Australia. -- http://www.windsurfjournal.com/frontblocks/news/news.asp * Correction: Information in Issue 2507 regarding the 2007 ISAF Youth Worlds incorrectly stated that the event lacked a multihull class. In fact, the Hobie Cat 16 (with spinnaker) was among the seven classes used in the event. Scuttlebutt regrets this error. -- Results: http://youthworlds2007.org/results.shtml SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE RULES… Dave Perry, David Dellenbaugh, and Brad Dellenbaugh are teaching Rules and Tactics Seminars this winter. Perhaps you could learn a thing or two... From fundamental principles to nuances highlighting the difference between right-of-way and control, these rules gurus teach the rules and the tactics rules dictate. The case-based curriculum teaches situations, not rule numbers. Enrollment is limited. Sign up now (risk free) and receive Perry’s Rules Quiz book and Dellenbaugh’s Rules DVD with the course. Learn more at NorthU. Call 800-347-2457 or http://www.northu.com PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include icy images from Newport, RI, the US Olympic team all cleaned up, Laser sailing along city streets, Star sailing in Miami, the Anteros 36 and Elan 450 in Slovenia, and the first build of the Morris 52.. If you have images you would like to share, send them to the Scuttlebutt editor. Here are this week’s photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/08/0111 LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or simplicity (letters shall be no longer than 250 words). You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot, don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Luissa Smith, Director, Head of Training and Development Department, ISAF: (regarding story in Issue 2508 on Youth and Olympic events) The events on the programme for the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship are determined by ISAF. The multihull first appeared on the Championship programme in 1998, when it was optional to have a multihull event. Since 2004 the multihull event has been a mandatory event on the Championship programme, and therefore it was included at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship 2007. The planning for the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship is made several years in advance, and it would be inappropriate to remove the multihull from the 2008 Championship programme with eight months notice, as an automatic knock on effect of the change to the events on the Olympic programme decided by ISAF in November 2007. The ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship is the world’s pinnacle multi-nation youth sailing event and the events on the Championship programme are carefully considered and selected to offer an appropriate pathway for young sailors’ future sailing careers. The Championship offers a pathway to the Olympic Sailing Competition and other sailing opportunities. Any changes to the events on the programme of the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship will be made based on any submissions (proposals) to ISAF and after a democratic debate and decision making process. I hope this clarifies the situation. * From Alistair Murray, Ronstan: Congratulations to Bill Goggins of Harken for taking up the reins as President of Sail America. He will be great in this role and following in the footsteps of such industry luminaries as Olaf Harken, Randy Repass (West Marine), John Peterson (Hunter) and Bill Bolin (Island Packet). These selfless people do a tremendous service to sailing and the sailing industry. It is deeply appreciated by the rest of us. * From Peter Morris: I think your correspondent Neil Gladwell (letter in Issue 2508) is confusing publishing “tide tables” with publishing “harmonic variables” used in tidal software. This same issue extends into weather data which is withheld by the UK government Met Office from free distribution in the hope of a small profit, leaving UK yachtsman getting their weather data from the US government. * From Anna Teeters: It has been said before, but the Schnack comments from Issue 2508 are further evidence that the line is painfully blurred between ACM and Alinghi. Why the heck are the comments of an ACM employee on the defender’s website? Sadly too, these comments were more worthy of the kind of chat one might hear at last call on a busy Saturday night, and not the kind to be published. (ie, “I talked a little bit to Rolf [Vrolijk] about it, because the Dutch are renowned for designing barges and particularly barges with leeboards which can sail quite well. Even though he is excellent and inventive, it was obvious that he had no experience in barge design and neither does Dirk [Kramers] and so they are at a little bit of a handicap.”) Looks like Schnack has joined the other team members in their free fall. * From Mats Olofsson: (re, the national ensign issue) As a professional yacht captain I've always taken pride in adhering to proper flag etiquette. For most of my career on sailing yachts and now on large motor yachts the flag has always gone up at 0800 and down at sunset local times. Courtesy flags always go on the starboard side and higher than the vessels national ensign, except perhaps if the ensign is hoisted on the same mast as f.ex. on most commercial vessels, or at the top of the mainsail gaff as is rarely seen these days. I always take down and set the courtesy flag at the same time as the national ensign, but I've noted that most other yachts don't and leave it up. I find this a little strange - after all it's called a courtesy flag for a reason! Seeing your picture, I assumed it was a bareboat, not US registered. It's very common practice among professionally crewed yachts (and bare-boats) to put the crew's national ensign on the port side, sort of a calling card I guess as there are not too many crew members hailing from Cayman Islands, BVI or Bermuda... Personally I find it a good practice which makes for good social interaction among crews. On port side goes signal flags, such as the "Q" flag. To be technically correct you should probably have hoisted all your club ensigns and US Flag on the port side. If the Tahiti bare-boat was not french registered it should then have had a french courtesy flag on sb side. => Curmudgeon’s Comment: For those that want to comment further, you may do so on Scuttleblog, as the newsletter now deems this thread dead. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2008/01/flag-flying.html CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Air driers in public washrooms will shut off just as they get warm enough to do any good. Special thanks to B&G Instruments and North U. A complete list of Scuttlebutt’s preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
