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SCUTTLEBUTT 1453 - November 7, 2003Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is adigest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. TOP HONORS Peter Nichols of Camden, ME, a freelance writer and author of several boating books, has won the top award given to a boating writer - The Genmar Trophy - for his published account of the events surrounding the murder of Sir Peter Blake. International piracy took on a more unsettling reputation when yachtsman, explorer and America's Cup and Whitbread Race winner Sir Peter Blake was killed resisting armed robbers on his 112-foot yacht in Brazil in late December 2001. Questions remain about the actions of Blake and his crew, however Nichols offers a comprehensive retelling of the tragedy from eyewitnesses, including the men charged with the crime, and intones his perspective of international cruising and the questions captains should consider in carrying arms aboard. The resulting article, "Incident in a Nowhere Place," published in Outside Magazine in May 2002, evolves as a careful news account, memorial to Blake's sailing life plus an instructional guide to those considering cruising to less developed destinations. Comments by judges for the Award described the article's craft. "An intriguing and well-written story of mystery, mayhem and murder - but not just any murder: It is the painstakingly researched and compellingly presented story of the night that Sir Peter Blake, the most accomplished ocean-racing skipper of his generation, refused to be robbed by a pack of punk pirates who tried to board his yacht in a backwater Brazilian port where he had anchored. Blake's decision to fight back, and ultimately to die with a rifle in his hands, is a decision the author examines in such a non-judgmental way that we can all think of how we might react - to roll over and be robbed or raped, or to stand up and risk death." - The article from Outside Magazine is available online at: http://outside.away.com/outside/news/200205/200205_blake_1.adp GOING THE DISTANCE Onboard Pyewacket for the 2003 Transpac: Five o'clock in the morning, tropical dawn is less than an hour away. The temperature is mid-80s, the wind averaging 25 knots, spiking to 29. You're hiking, legs out, wearing deck sandals, a T-shirt and shorts on a saltwater-washed deck, blasting downwind under the big kite on one of the most successful sloops in ocean racing history. The finish line at Diamond Head is less than 25 miles away now. When the bow wave kicks up spray as it planes through the three-meter-high swells (at well over 20 knots boatspeed), you don't even bother to duck the lashing-the water is that warm-plus you know in less than 2 hours this "e-ticket" ride will be over. Alongside are 13 others who have shared the unforgettable experience of a passage from Los Angeles to Honolulu. There can't be any better place on the planet to sail the final miles of an ocean race than in the Molokai Channel. From my spot on the rail, I take a moment to think back to my first Transpacific Yacht Race, 22 years before, aboard the Santa Cruz 50 Hana Ho, locked in a tight race with its sistership, Shandu. The on-deck speakers were blasting an Allman Brothers jam, which seemed a perfect complement to the battle raging along, while "spinner" dolphins escorted us. We had won that race, but not this time. - Peter Isler, Sailing World, full story: http://www.sailingworld.com/sw_article.php?articleID=2048 ROAD TRIP With the entry list for Terra Nova Trading Key West 2004 on pace to exceed 300 boats for the event that is 2 1/2 months away, the question is where do they all come from? From across North America and a couple of oceans - entrants already represent 20 states and 15 countries. But how do they get to this southernmost point of the continental United States? Any way they can. The boat that won the Terra Nova Trading Trophy as Boat of the Week last January---Richard Bergmann's J/105, Zuni Bear---will again be towed coast to coast from California. It will be making its annual pilgrimage to the Mecca of winter sailing hooked to the back of a three-quarter-ton truck, and distance is no deterrent. California has the most entries at the moment with nine, and Bergmann plans to sail a Southeastern tour of events after Key West. "The reason we travel is we have so much fun going to the different venues and racing against different people," he said. "When you stay in your own pond you don't get that exposure. Key West is a blast, but it's also the group we get to sail against." There are many commercial boat movers available for delivery to Key West, including Peters & May that ships boats from Europe and elsewhere. Joule Yacht Transport and FT Yacht Services are active in the U.S. Many sailors take advantage of these professional services, but Bergmann prefers to manage his own long hauls. He'll drive I-10 across the South all the way to Florida. He has modified his Triad trailer to cushion road shock, added numerous extras to protect the boat and carries three spare tires. Defending champions, Key West veterans and first-timers from all points are lining up their travel plans. The Melges fleet includes Joe Woods from Torquay, UK, making his fifth trip, and 14-year-old Samuel (Shark) Kahn, from Soquel, Calif. and Hawaii, returning to where he first drove a Melges 24 a year earlier---and now wearing the 2003 Melges Worlds crown. The Farr 40s feature returning champions Alex Geremia and Scott Harris, Santa Barbara, Calif., defending against Key West newcomers Erik Maris from Porquerolles, France, and Arien van Verndl from Willenstad, The Netherlands. - Rich Roberts, Premiere Racing, full report: http://www.premiere-racing.com/keywest/2004_KW/kw_2004_press.htm SEND US YOUR BAR-NAPKIN DIAGRAMS When Walt says, "Send us your rigging diagrams on cocktail napkins," he means it! While napkin sketches aren't the easiest blue prints from which to work, we've done it. No matter where inspiration strikes - at the yacht club bar, or the bar down the road from the yacht club bar - it's time to think about upgrading your rigging for winter regattas or next season. Our rigging shop is turning orders around faster than ever. Send in your new ideas, or call us for suggestions and solutions: 800.542.5463. For pricing and other information: http://www.layline.com BOAT OF THE YEAR St. Petersburg, FL, Nov. 6 - The big winners at the Cruising World and Sailing World 2004 Boat of the Year Awards were the Hallberg Rassy 40, which captured the top honors in the cruising category and the J/133, the overall performance winner, along with 10 other category winners (see list below). Judges for Cruising World raved about the Hallberg-Rassy 40, calling it a true sailor's boat. It was designed by Germán Frers and built in Sweden. "The Hallberg-Rassy has maintained a lot of traditional types of quality while updating the underbody to produce a boat that sails and handles well," said judge Steve Callahan. Judge Nonnie Thompson added, "It met my desire for balance, comfort and safety with class. I would be proud to row away from this yacht." The Sailing World judges had just as many kind words for the J/133 in that magazine's 20th annual competition. "The J/133 has remarkable acceleration for a boat of its size," said judge Chuck Allen. "A great feel for a dinghy sailor. We had it 'locked in' at 7.6-7.9 knots upwind, and you had to really work to get it to fall out of the groove. Downwind was even better; the kite is huge." The awards ceremony, held at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, also honored a variety of boats in several categories: Cruising World - Best Liveaboard Cruising Boat: Hallberg-Rassy 40 - Best Production Cruising Boat: Etap 37s - Best Performance 40-Footer: Elan 40 - Best Performance Cruising Boat: J/133 - Best Full-Size Cruising Boat: Saga 48 - Best Deluxe Cruising Boat: Discovery 55 - Best Value: Beneteau 373 - Most Innovative: Gunboat 62 Sailing World - Best Value Racer/Cruiser: Wauquiez Centurion 40s - Best Performance Design: Farr 36 Models introduced to the North American market between the 2002 and 2003 U.S. Sailboat Shows in Annapolis, Maryland were judged by two independent panels, which evaluated and tested boats for the respective magazines. The Cruising World awards focused on production boats laid out and equipped for coastal and offshore cruising and voyaging. Sailing World concentrated on boats designed and built with racing in mind. - Sailing World, http://www.sailingworld.com/sw_article.php?articleID=2060 NEWS BRIEFS * The ISAF website has been battling technical difficulties all week and has been unavailable. The latest report from Mark Jardine, ISAF Online Editor, is that the site should be up and running by Friday: http://www.sailing.org * The 2004 US Olympic Team trials for the Mens and Womens 470 and the Laser class begin on November 8-16 in Houston, TX. Racing for the Mens and Womens Mistral class begin November 8-16 in Jensen Beach, FL, while racing for the 2004 Paralympic Team Trials in the Sonar and 2.4 Meter classes begin November 7-14 in St. Petersburg, FL. The completion of the 2004 US Olympic Team trials won't occur until early next year. - US Sailing, http://www.ussailing.org/olympics/OlympicTrials/2004/ * Jean-Luc Van Den Heede set off this afternoon (Thursday) in a 15-20kt breeze for his fourth attempt at breaking the solo non-stop westabout global record aboard his 85ft aluminum cutter. Van Den Heede's ambition of setting a new solo non-stop westabout record foundered when his boat was dismasted earlier this year midway across the Southern Ocean and a remarkable 18 days ahead of the time set by record holder Philippe Monnet. - Sue Pelling, Yachting World, full story: http://tinyurl.com/u0m8 * On the final day of the China Coast Race Week, Oracle BMW Racing took on K-Challenge in a matchracing spectacle in front of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's Kellett Island clubhouse. A large crowd was enthralled by the two talented crews battling it out in identical matchracing boats, with K-Challenge, driven by John Cutler, eventually winning 4-3. - SailHead Magazine, full story: http://tinyurl.com/u0mb GIFT RATING Nobody likes to be on the wrong side of a gift rating. Make sure you're not. Annapolis Performance Sailing not only has everything you and your boat need to help ruin a boat rating, but we also have the best gifts for sailors too. Let APS help ensure you're on the right side of the holiday gift ratings. Check your mailboxes for the APS holiday catalog or visit our holiday web page. While you're there, hit the weekly updated Hot New Items and Sale Rack pages; they're more great places to find your sailor's favorite gift. http://www.apsltd.com CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com) Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. This is not a chat room nor a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.) * From Gail M. Turluck: In the 470's heyday there were fleets everywhere! Then the big bucks came in ... Buy a new boat every 6 months because the Magic Box softened the bow. Buy new sails all the time because the 3-regatta-old-ones were shot ... Collegians and young professionals were driven out quickly! There used to be pride at yacht clubs boasting that they had Olympic Class fleets. The $3K 470's price shot up, builders changed, taking the "youth" the boat was aimed at out. Last I heard a rigged 470with trailer was $15K ... for a one year toy. The system broke down. Now there are so many one-designs that there's no ego involved with having an Olympic Class boat any more (perhaps save the Star, but we all know that Class has class). Is there a club in the U.S. with a certified fleet in every Olympic Class?? When the Europe was adopted I tried for 2-3 years to find one to test sail. I was interested and still young enough I might have considered "going the route." The few who had one were reluctant to loan, there was no used market, and a fleet system didn't develop. With boats in fiberglass, unlike wood before the early 60's, people get a boat they keep for a long time, treat it with kid gloves, and the turnover simply isn't there. Do US Sailing members really want their dues being spent on boats for elite sailors to traipse about the world with?? * From Charles Shumway: I agree with Mr. Fox's comments regarding the 470 Class. There are other numerous issues why the USA will have a tough time meeting the world competition. Weight and size is critical, very few regattas in the USA, any large regatta is in Europe, so the costs are high and no real support financially from the National authority. * From Pat Dunigan: Re the French Transatlantic Race. Isn't the object to win the race? Does pushing the boat to the point of sinking accomplish this? Seems that one could shorten sail as the weather demanded then increase when appropriate. I think that's called taking responsibility for ones own self/boat. * From Craig Coulsen: Regarding Chip Taternick's letter, the mountain biking example holds a timely warning for yachting administrators and it is certainly true that yachting is a participation sport. Yachting federations and clubs are quickly becoming an irrelevancy to the boom part of sailing which is cruising, particularly weekend cruising. So perhaps yachting administrators should "chill out" for at least a weekend or two and see why racing is in decline and weekend cruising is booming because at the end of the day at some time everybody wants to know if their boat will beat the one anchored across the bay. So how about looking after the growth area, not the squeaky wheels as pro sailing is irrelevant to what should be your constituency. * From Joe Quinn: Ken Read's comments make the most sense of anything I have read on the topic (of Etchells ranking system). For a vast majority of sailors, this sport is a hobby, something that we do on our own "time." How we race, or why we race, is each individuals decision. That we race, is the important thing. What we derive from racing/sailing is our own. The fact that a talent such as Ken is focused on having fun sailing with his daughter should be celebrated as much as his world championship. Congrats to Ken for both of his "wins!" * From Gary Gilbert, Vice Chairman Board of Governors, International Etchells Class: On behalf of the Etchells Class and as a ranked "no name" (Gilbert/Jobson USA 1238), I would like to thank Rick Roberts for calling our baby ugly (Etchells Class ranking system). The press in Scuttlebutt has been terrific and reminds sailing enthusiasts what a great boat/fleet/class we have. I must take exception to the name calling of "no names". At any given regatta there are numerous names such as Dennis, John, Russell, Pedro, Stuart, Wazza, Jervis, Jobo (who is on the mend and will be back on USA 1238 soon), Cocko, Noel, Dave, Jud, Bizzy, Cam, Rob, Tim, Vince, Hans, Kenny and many others. This group is inclusive of amateurs and pros. All are on a first name basis, all approachable/friendly and all supporting/enjoying the boat/fleet/class. Come join the Etchells Class, but until you have five good regattas under your belt (including a few Worlds) you maybe ranked in the 300's. Curmudgeon's Comment: Noted sailing scribe and Scuttlebutt letter writer Rich Roberts states, "I apologize for referring to some lesser-known but high-ranked Etchells sailors as 'no-names.' It was a poor choice of words. But I do believe that while participation is the foundation of the sport, class rankings should be weighted more on performance." Enough said. * From Barbara Gold: I was glad to finally see Ken say something for himself. He is so right. This whole ranking is a bunch of nonsense. Closing the thread on this issue is a good idea because as Ken said, there is no issue. Curmudgeon's Comment: You are right. We have slammed the door closed …again. * From Mike Kenney, Fisheries Supply Company: Your comment at the end of the "Changing the AC Rule" story with regard to getting your copy of the Seahorse Magazine at your West Marine store is a slap in the face to smaller family owned companies like ours who carry the Seahorse Magazine as well. Perhaps you could have worded your closing comment as, "so run off to your local chandlery and buy the November issue." * From Becky Wetzel: I think the people enjoying adultery never made it out of infancy. CURMUDGEON'S QUOTATION "Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys." - P.J. O'Rourke |
