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SCUTTLEBUTT 2814 - Thursday, April 2, 2009Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Today's sponsors are Harken and Ullman Sails. CROSS MARKETING THE SPORT It is one of my contentions that the sport of sailing can gain significant exposure in new markets by taking advantage of celebrity moments. Examples? Invite a prominent city official to participate in your Leukemia Cup Regatta, and you are certain to get the local press to buy in. Or how about Antigua Sailing Week, who have former Duran Duran lead singer Simon Le Bon competing in their event later this month. That kind of story can gain worldwide traction. The phenomena at the 2008 Olympics, when the press learned how Australian 470 gold medalists Malcolm Page and Nathan Wilmot always named their boats after the star of Nicole Kidman films, and how the actress had called the sailors to wish them luck, swamped the search engines. Even now, seven months later, a search of "’nicole kidman’ + Olympics” produces about 582,000 search results. What if the Aussies had asked Nicole to join them for a photo shoot after the Games? Holy smokes, that would have been in every grocery store tabloid. Guess what I found on the website of Motorsport.com, which is the home of motorsport content on the web? A story about how Firestone Indy Lights team owner Sam Schmidt, who is paralyzed from the chest down, will race out of St. Petersburg Yacht Club aboard a SKUD-18 sailboat April 2 against Jim Guthrie, co-owner of Guthrie Meyer Racing. These two guys competed against each other in the IndyCar Series in the late 1990s, with Guthrie earning the title of Rookie of the Year in 1997. They are known in their sport, and are now taking their audience toward an event in our sport. These are the opportunities that must be marketed hard… is US SAILING listening? -- Scuttleblog, http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2009/04/cross-marketing-sport.html TORNADO OLYMPIC MEDALIST WARMS UP TO A NEW KIND OF CAT by Herb McCormick, Sailing World With his wife, Lizz, at his side, and a gentle breeze rustling the nearby waters in the sensational Bahamian anchorage of Georgetown, Charlie Ogletree surveyed his winnings: one trophy, three flags, two hats, and perhaps most importantly, three big bottles of Bahamian rum. "Well, not quite a silver, Charlie," said someone who knew of Ogletree's incredible sailing career, which numbered four Olympics with John Lovell as the U.S. representatives in the Tornado class, and included a silver medal the duo won at the Athens games in 2004. But Ogletree wasn't taking the bait. "Look at this," he said, pointing at the bottle's gold seal label and laughing. "This is better. This is gold!" Well, maybe it wasn't really better. But on multiple levels, it sure was different. -- Read on: http://linkbee.com/M21Z HARKEN SPRING CLOSEOUTS - 50% OFF! For top quality Harken wear at a great value, check out the latest Sailing Gear closeouts: 50% off detail-enhancing sunglasses and softshell fleece jackets, 30% off top-reviewed shoes, 75% off leather belts, and more great deals on T-shirts, hats, and sandals. Here is the link Harken closeouts: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/jump/09/harken/0401 BOATERS, ETHANOL BACKERS AT ODDS (Saint Charles, MO) - At St. Charles Boat & Motor, owner and service manager Jerry Sims used to oversee the rebuilding of 30 carburetors in a year's time. Last year, Sims says, he stopped counting at 750. They were victims, he claims, of ethanol in gas. "It's killing motors right and left," Sims said. "But the EPA keeps shoving it down everybody's throats." Armed with damage stories and test results suggesting more problems on the horizon, the boating industry is fighting to block a drive by fuel manufacturers to increase ethanol in the fuel supply from 10 percent to 15 percent - or E15. -- St Louis Today, read on: http://linkbee.com/M210 * (Apr. 1, 2009) - Charles T. Drevna, President of NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, appeared today before the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee’s Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety to discuss issues related to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuels Standard. Representing NPRA, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Drevna cautioned members of the Subcommittee on the need for comprehensive scientific research on the possible risks the use of so-called “mid-level ethanol blends” poses to public health, consumer safety, and the environment. -- Read on: http://www.nmma.org/news/news.asp?id=17651&sid=3 THE LAST 30 YEARS AND THE NEXT TEN As one of the hard men of New Zealand sailing, and a top offshore and trans-oceanic racer, Geoff Stagg became associated with Farr Yacht Design from late 1981, eventually becoming President of Farr International. In June 2005 he completed the purchase of Farr International, which is now known as Stagg Yachts Inc., based in Annapolis MD. USA. Jim Bolland published this interview with one of the icons of sailing in the April issue of 'A Brush with Sail' A Brush with Sail: Geoff, your association with the Farr brand goes back to New Zealand, pre 1980, ocean racing and chasing around the cans in the one-tonners Granny Apple, Pacific Sundance and then of course, the defining moment came when you were selected as a watch captain in the crew of the late Sir Peter Blake's Farr designed, Whitbread Round the World racer, Ceramco New Zealand. How did that experience lead to you joining Farr Yacht Design and what was your designated area of operation in your early years with Farr? -- Sail World, read on: http://linkbee.com/M211 FRIENDLY RIVALRY It hasn't been easy for the Telefonica Black and Delta Lloyd teams to watch the rest of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet race through the Southern Ocean to get to Rio. Both boats arrived here by ship, rather than under their own power, after suffering significant damage on the way to Qingdao during Leg 4. But on Tuesday, the two sailing teams arranged to meet on the waters of Guanabara Bay, off the Marina da Gloria, to try and make up for lost time. For Delta Lloyd, this was their third day of sailing since returning to the water last week. With new crew members, a new mast and several new sails to test, these days ahead of the in-port race on the weekend are critical in terms of getting the boat up to speed. Telefonica Black was sailing for just the second day since being forced to abandon racing during the fourth leg. Their Spanish skipper, Fernando Echavarri, was itching to get behind the wheel and get his team back on song. -- Read on: http://www.volvooceanrace.org/news/article/2009/March/31-RIO-DL-TB-PRACTICE * Seven of the eight teams (Team Russia is not racing) are expected to be ready for the Rio de Janeiro In-Port Race on April 4th, with Leg 6 from Rio to Boston (4,900 nm) to begin April 11th, with the teams expected to begin finishing by April 27th. -- Event website: http://www.volvooceanrace.org NOT JUST RACING When it comes to cruising, Ullman Sails understands that one size doesn’t fit all. Rather than offering a stock line of cruising sails, we build custom sails that match a customer’s budget, cruising style, and boat specifications. Our experienced sailmakers located worldwide can answer questions about cloth selection, UV cover protection, roller furling systems, and sailing inventory options. And don’t forget to ask about our FiberPath technology for cruising sails. Be confident that you invested in sails that are built for durability and performance. Ullman Sails - Invest in your performance (and enjoyment!) Visit us at http://www.ullmansails.com PREPARING TO BE PRESIDENT Gary Jobson has been nominated to be the next US SAILING president, a position which will be elected by the board of directors at US SAILING’s Annual General Meeting in Houston on October 25, 2009. Here Gary discusses his views on the future: “Over the next five months, before assuming the role of president, there is a long list of people that I respect and would like to consult with. Initially, I’m going to work hard to make sailing a more visible sport. This will be a major component of my tenure. Next, I plan to re-engage our vast family of yacht clubs to help improve our sport. I believe that the yacht club is the core institution in this country. I have several specific ideas that I will roll out in October. Finally, we have lots of engaged volunteers who are very passionate about our sport. My plan is to listen carefully to many voices on what we should be doing. Part of this initiative will be recruiting lots of young sailors to participate with US SAILING and other important organizations supporting our sport.” -- Read on: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2009/Jobson_Q&A.asp BOATS TOO COSTLY TO KEEP ARE LITTERING COASTLINES (Mount Pleasant, SC) - Boat owners are abandoning ship. They often sandpaper over the names and file off the registry numbers, doing their best to render the boats, and themselves, untraceable. Then they casually ditch the vessels in the middle of busy harbors, beach them at low tide on the banks of creeks or occasionally scuttle them outright. The bad economy is creating a flotilla of forsaken boats. While there is no national census of abandoned boats, officials in coastal states are worried the problem will only grow worse as unemployment and financial stress continue to rise. Several states are even drafting laws against derelicts and say they are aggressively starting to pursue delinquent owners. “Our waters have become dumping grounds,” said Maj. Paul R. Ouellette of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “It’s got to the point where something has to be done.” -- New York Times, read on: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/business/01boats.html?_r=1&hp SAILING SHORTS * After a 15-year old J/80 lost its keel in the rough, double-handed Farallones race off San Francisco (see Scuttlebutt 2812), J/Boats strongly urges owners to more frequently inspect all critical structural parts of their boats, particularly prior to entering offshore events. -- Full report: http://linkbee.com/M214 * (Apr. 1, 2009) - Good weather and breeze is predicted for the 2009 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, with a record turnout of 48 boats that range from Hotel California, a Santa Cruz 70, and the new Reichel-Pugh 52, Vinciitore, to boats straight out of the local bareboat charter fleets. The first race - the Bitter End Cup - was Tuesday, which took the fleet from Nanny Cay to the Bitter End Yacht Club, was won by Christopher Lloyd’s modified Beneteau 44 Three Harkoms. Thursday takes the fleet back to Nanny Cay for the Nanny Cay Cup, with the main event - BVI Spring Regatta - on April 3-5. -- Full story: http://bvispringregatta.org/news.php?news_id=97 * Over 700 sailors are set to line up in Palma, Spain this April for the 40th edition of the Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia MAPFRE and the European debut of the ISAF Sailing World Cup. After events in Melbourne, Australia and Miami, USA, the world’s top Olympic sailors are in Palma, Spain this April for the third event of the ISAF Sailing World Cup. The Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia MAPFRE will celebrate its 40th edition from the April 4-10 and is also the first of the four European events of the inaugural ISAF Sailing World Cup. -- Read on: http://www.sailing.org/27696.php * As the newly elected Olympic women’s match race boat, the Elliot 6m celebrates its Match Race debut in Kiel, Germany at Kieler Woche (June 20-28). Of the seven ISAF Sailing World Cup events, only Kieler Woche (6th event) and Great Britain’s Skandia Sail For Gold Regatta in September (7th event) have decided to use the Elliot 6m for the Women’s Match Race within their events. The only other ISAF Sailing World Cup event to include Women’s Match Race this season will be the Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik, Netherlands (5th event in May), but it will use Yngling for the competition. -- Full report: http://www.sailing.org/news/27692.php * Bayview Yacht Club and Chicago Yacht Club are announcing that they will jointly sponsor a 490 nautical mile sailing race known as the "Super Mac" in July of 2009. The start of the Super Mac will coincide with the start of the 101st Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac on July 18, 2009. The Super Mac will finish in Port Huron, Michigan, and serve as a feeder race for the 85th sailing of the Bayview Mackinac Race, which will start on July 25, 2009. -- Read on: http://linkbee.com/M216 * Following a spectacular crash last August that resulted in multiple breakages, the Australian Wot Rocket world speed record attempt is gearing up again with creator Sean Langman and co-pilot Joe de Kock stepping back into the pod. Wot Rocket’s testing ground has moved north from Botany Bay to Lake Macquarie due to the proximity to Noakes Newcastle yard, where modifications can be easily made, and the flat water. -- Yachting World News, full story: http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20090301102711ywnews.html VALENCIA TO HOST 2009 AMERICA’S CUP PRE-REGATTAS The 33rd America’s Cup event authority, AC Management, today signed a Host Venue agreement with the Valencian Municipality and Regional Government for the Spanish city of Valencia to hold two America’s Cup pre-regattas, the first from the July 10-19 and the second in October. Should the pending litigation concerning the future of the 33rd America’s Cup be resolved in favour of the multi-challenger event as proposed by the Defender, Alinghi and the Challenger of Record, Club Náutico Español de Vela, these two regattas will be part of the 33rd America’s Cup, with the Match scheduled for 2010. -- Read on: http://33rd.americascup.com/en/index.php?idContent=113&idPage=1&pressPage=1 => Curmudgeon’s Comment: Did you notice in the story above that they are calling the events “pre-regattas” and not “Acts”? If you read the Scuttlebutt April Fools edition, you will note that one of the April Fools stories has already come true. Titled ‘Jobson Busy With Midas Touch’, it said how “Jobson called a press conference to announce that the word ‘Acts’ will never be used again as a label for America’s Cup pre-regattas”. What story will be the next to come true? Link: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/archived_Detail.asp?key=4150 CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Reader commentary is encouraged, with letters to be submitted to the Scuttlebutt editor, aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’. Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). You only get one letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Rob Stephan, Fairfield, CT: (re, the US SAILING announcement in Scuttlebutt 2811) Gary Jobson will make an excellent President of US Sailing. Gary commands well earned respect at every level of the sport. US Sailing is in need of strong, well informed leadership - or as Gary would say "World Class" leadership. Gary represents the experienced, steady hand that US Sailing needs now - my hat is off to Gary for taking the post and sailing will be much improved for his contribution. * From Derek Bouwer: (re, story in #2811) Boat designers and the frailty of their boat is easy to solve; all you have to do is strap the designer to the bow of the boat and push it to its limit. When he starts screaming, you stop. * From Jim Champ: I read in Scuttlebutt 2811, John Walton notes in his letter, “It is the personal failure of the responsible parties to base their actions on a thorough ethical analysis not the imperfect regulation that caused the Fastnet disaster and the present economic crisis.” To that I say, “I don't think so.” Perhaps it is that the design to win when times are good is, whether financial or naval architecture, very different from the design to survive when times are bad. If your craft is designed to win you are very likely to be caught out if the situation turns nasty unexpectedly. Is it really more ethical to design for survival when the customer wants to take the risk and win? I could elaborate but will refrain. I have my doubt whether this is going to be a beneficial topic for extended discussion * From Charles Barthold: This past weekend the Stamford Yacht Club launched the Buzzards Society for those who have sailed 10 or more Vineyard Races. We borrowed the idea from the Chicago Yacht Club which has the Old Goats Society for veterans of the Chicago-Mac race. We launched the society this year as part of our celebration of the 75th running of the Vineyard Race, scheduled for this September. Here's a short write up: http://linkbee.com/M218 * From Ray Tostado: It should not be overlooked that the physics of an ice boat, the blade edge locked into the ice surface on the leeward side has a very real application in the performance of vintage racing level designs of full keel boats. While campaigning a 1937 44' Alden yawl back in the '70s, I happen to meet up and work for weeks with an ice boater from the great lakes. He explained to me the art of "heating things up" when taking the ice boat to a close reach when the desired course might be 90 degrees less. This physically loads the sails with mass and its close twin inertia; resulting in a speed well beyond the theoretical equation of wind speed and angle of attack as the boat was steered down to its lay line course. As this compressed air mass expended its force with hull speed, and slowly declined, the process was repeated over and over again. I could effectively get a 30' water line to support 9+ kt hulls speeds for sustain distances each time. Multi hulls can do this but do not have the floatation or displacement to carry their speed for very long. They tend to sink and slow quickly. The Alden had enough buoyancy to promote a surf effect. The hull and keel were full run with a barn door rudder. (1st PHRF OA, 1977, MDR/SD race. Over a 305 boat PHRF fleet.) * From Fred Frye: Fantastic April 1 effort by all who contributed. Congratulations to all of your "reporters" who understand that levity in sport is an integral part of any program. Bottom line --- Sailing is supposed to be fun! * From Kris Werner: Best April Fools I have ever read! Seriously, if I could have a dream of the best possible outcome to this nonsense, you have nailed it. For ten seconds I lived in your fantasy land. Perfect! * From Bill Brock: Too bad you guys don't have anything more to do than write bogus articles for April 1. Things have been and continue to be so screwed up at US Sailing I would think you could find something to write about that would be worth my time reading. I have so little time to read this stuff and you guys want to waste it on trivial BS. You, like the Board of Directors at US Sailing, just don't get it. What a waste, you just void it down the drain. This is a real turn off. => Curmudgeon’s Comments: Thanks for all the comments I received about the April Fools edition (even those that were critical of it coming out on March 31st). If you didn’t get enough of our annual lampoon edition, it looks like divers have a sense of humor too: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/0401.pdf CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and those are the ones you want to concentrate on". - George W. Bush, Gridiron dinner 2001 Special thanks to Harken and Ullman Sails. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
