Clipper Snips

Trailer/Sailors Association The magazine of the Trailer/Sailors Association Winter 2006 www.trailersailors.org

Features/announcements 2 Welcome aboard Editor 3 President’s Column John Clement 11 Membership Secretary’s Challenge for 2006 David Craigie 12 Honorary Membership - Jet Stream John Clement & Dave Craigie 15 Membership-Secretary Report David Craigie 16 From the T/SA Web Discussion List. Bob Rouda, TRAILSAIL List Editor 22 Membership Application Form 24 Welcome new members Rich Zets 25 We Do It! 26 Donated books and charts David Craigie

Cruising articles 4 ‘Wicked’ Sailing with Uncle David Travis Craigie 13 Ramp Report: Panama City, Florida John Ulmer 29 North Channel Calling Henk Vanderhulst

How to 10 Buying and Restoring Serendipity Jim Schroeger 23 Go Gently Revisions and improvements. Henk Vanderhulst 27 VHF Radio Installation Derek G. Henshaw

E-snips Password for this issue: new member Sharon Ragle’s boat name (all lowercase).

The authors of the newsletter disclaim any and all responsibility for any kind of injury or damages sustained which may result from the application of any or all ideas or suggestions appearing in any articles of Clipper Snips . The authors of the newsletter furthermore give no warranty, express or implied, as to the merchantability, fitness for purpose, advertised quality, or any other matter of any products advertised in Clipper Snips or appearing in any articles of said newsletter.

Clipper Snips Page 1 Winter 2006 Welcome Aboard…

It’s the middle of January - we’re gift to my favorite sailor; finally on the downhill slide to the it’s like slaying a dragon The Clipper Snips Spring 2005 issue: sailing season. for the princess. And I’m Deadline: March 15, 2006 no Don Quixote - I get the Not like Henk’s top 100 hits of Focus: job done. boat improvement [page 23], my ♦ We do it & we did it articles current list is much smaller and In this case, getting it out ♦ Spring Fix-up/Improvement Projects I’m eagerly planning my attack on of the way of our sailing, ♦ Cruise Reports: All Venues a few projects. Ready to search the is just another reason to ♦ Summer Cruise Plans/suggestions web for equipment, post questions “Get it started and get it on various internet web servers, done.” and get (usually conflicting) advise The first item on the list, is re- he gives some pictures and a from my boat club members. model the office (from it’s current short account of how it was done. But, Commodore Sue, the love of state of cinder block shelves, gray • my life, reminds me, that home metal garage shelving, and flush With a little time on his hands, improvement always goes out the door desks. It’s so big a project, Henk Vanderhulst was chal- window as soon as Spring boat Sue may just let me get by with lenged to list Go Gently Revi- maintenance commences. “SO,” this one project. sions and improvements . she says, “NOW is the time to • David Craigie presents his Mem- work on the home front.” bership-Secretary Report and One happy task being scratched off She’s right. It’s a fact of life: also his more recent Member- the list is putting this issue to bed. “Home improvement never takes ship Secretary’s Challenge for It’s all done - 36 pages. I think it’s precedence over Boat improve- 2006. Each issue, I see the mem- a great issue but then, we usually ment.” And then there’s the whole bership numbers, and over the do all we can to make them great. summer testing and tweeking the last 2 years, our numbers have projects. It’s a wonder I find the • In Honorary Membership - Jet been growing, mostly due to time to mow the lawn. Stream T/SA officers John Clem- Dave’s efforts. ent & Dave Craigie recognize the • So, my editorials in the past have As a follow up to his VHF Radio support of 2 North Channel icons been suggesting we get excited article in the Fall 2005 issue, – the weather radio people, Bob about boating by planning the im- Derek G. Henshaw presents VHF provements, destinations, onboard & Marion Bloink. Radio Installation . cuisine, and water activities. This • David Craigie wrote up an offer • We have a cruising article from a one is easier - right now it’s time to from Mike and Jan Collins in a brand new sailor. Travis Craigie, ‘clear the decks’ for action. short Donated books and ‘made his mark’ and signed on- I’d share some of my projects, but charts . board Incipient as crew for the there’s a chance she’d read one • Considering a Florida panhandle 2006 North Channel cruise. In that she’s forgotten, and that cruise? You’ll want to read John ‘Wicked’ Sailing with Uncle wouldn’t be a good thing. Suffice Ulmer’s Ramp Report: Panama David, Travis describes 10 days it to say that her wish list is either City, Florida. with Uncle Dave and Aunt Joyce, loaded with many easy items or and showing himself to be a great • just a few next-to-impossible big- Happily, the 2006 NC Cruise was kid. Any 14 year old, who twice gies. Either way I need to start a huge success. We have a de- describes his adventures with scratching them off, or better yet, scription by frequent Clipper “Dad would really like this”, is find a place to lose the list. Snips writer, Henk Vanderhulst on his way to growing up tall. I in North Channel Calling . hope I did a good job editing his I’m kidding, of course, In 36 years pictures and story. of marriage, I’ve found that I can • Sometime back, I came across usually get myself started on those Jim Schroeger’s website describ- onerous tasks by telling myself it’s ing his boat renovation. In Buy- going to make Sue happy. It’s a ing and Restoring Serendipity

Clipper Snips Page 2 Winter 2006 President’s Column

We've just enjoyed a white Christ- extended to Bob and Marion Life- time, through discussions at mari- mas here and the New Year has time Honorary Membership. nas, by letters to the editor of sail- begun with milder temperatures, ing magazines being read and acted Honorary members receive the pdf today being up around freezing. on, and more recently by our web version of Clipper Snips , and can The Toronto boat Show is only a site (a big round of thanks here to fly the T/SA flag (guaranteeing couple of weeks away, a good way Webmasters Mike and Diana Nel- good fortune, serenity of life, blue to brush away those winter-time son, and to new Co-Webmaster skies, fair winds, and doubling their "sailing withdrawal" symptoms. It Chris Holderness). Our web site, gas mileage ... or so I've heard). seems that I've only just received www.trailersailors.org is ready This class of membership is for and enjoyed the latest (Fall) copy made for advertising, recruiting, those who might not otherwise join of Clipper Snips , but already our and signing-up new members. All T/SA, but who have proven their esteemed editor is champing at the you need to do is to remember the friendship and support of T/SA and bit for my next offering. He's a URL and share it with others. Send all we stand for. The suggestion stern task-master. it by email to your class association has been made that there may be newsletter or the discussion group I'd like to share some thoughts active past supporters now retired for your boat (if there is one). Post about community in this column. from sailing, and others who might it on the notice board at your ma- There are many different levels of qualify for such an Honorary mem- rina and chandlery. Look for op- community but togetherness, caring bership. If you have a suggestion portunities to cross-post our web for each other, and watching out for about someone (e.g. exceptionally site with other appropriate web the common good are even more helpful power boater, retired found- sites, and forward your thoughts important on the water than they ing member of T/SA) who might about this to any of our Webmaster are in everyday life. The Trailer qualify, please send their informa- team. Write short letters to the edi- Sailors Association has a long and tion and your reasons to any one of tor of sailing magazines about proud history of watching out for the officers. We will review and T/SA and mention the web address each other. Damaged boats have decide. Any such memberships will for more information. Note that it been repaired "on the water", as we normally be for one year at a time. was a very short letter in GAM, a heard from Escape in the last Clip- T/SA reserves the right not to re- newsy Canadian sail magazine, that per Snips . Lines are taken ashore, new for any reason, and the officers I responded to some 15 years ago. anchors checked, docking assis- (cantankerous bunch that they are) We ended up joining a cruise out of tance offered, and all manner of might in any case have a different Parry Sound, our first experience of other help shared amongst our view than you have. T/SA. members. We have also extended Clipper Snips is now on our web this helping attitude beyond our A couple of final thoughts: Try site in pdf form, encoded with a T/SA group, for example I recall a your hand at writing an article for password. This means that we have large and hearty group of T/SA'ers Clipper Snips . Joe and Gary will the opportunity to share our fine who refloated an enormous thank you and will offer their very publication with selected external stranded catamaran out of the shal- gentle coaching and editorial com- organizations (marinas, boat manu- low bay at Long Point a few years ment, and we'll all look forward to facturers etc). Note that such ago. reading your words immortalized in groups would not become mem- print. Run a cruise. T/SA is open Elsewhere in this issue of Clipper bers, but would have the chance to to many different kinds of cruise. Snips [page 12] you can read about share the occasional complemen- Remember that "If you run it they Jet Stream , and Bob and Marion tary Clipper Snips as a way for us will come". Bloink, power boaters who exem- to promote our sport and our asso- plify this sharing and caring atti- ciation. Please forward your sug- Well, that just leaves me enough tude. In recognition of their many gestions for such outreach contacts. room to wish you all smooth seas years of good marine citizenship and fair winds in 2006. When it comes to growing our and caring concern for T/SA we community, this is in a large sense See you on the water. have created a new class of mem- up to you. T/SA has generally bership, "Honorary Member", and John Clement grown in the past one sailor at a

Clipper Snips Page 3 Winter 2006 ‘Wicked’ Sailing with Uncle David Travis Craigie, nephew of T/SA members, David & Joyce Craigie

Last winter my Uncle David and to be in Canada Aunt Joyce asked my parents if with my Uncle. they thought I was ready to go sail- I had a check list ing with them. When they asked of everything me if I would be interested, Daah, that I would be what did they think I would say? Of permitted to course I would! I had seen lots of bring along, right pictures and video of them sailing down to the on their Hunter 26 Incipient . I number of box- even went out on their boat once ers. And it all when they were visiting. But that had to fit in two was years ago when I was a little carry on canvas kid and I don’t remember there be- bags. Everything ing any wind. I never dreamed of was set for July actually going sailing with them. 22, 2005; I would spend the This was going to be my first time Travis at the Helm leaving Little Current next ten days on to cruise on a sailboat. It was also the water . that makes us, the winners! We my first time to anchor out, to have went seven miles in less then two a meal on the water, to sleep on a I left Boston on Air Canada early hours. boat. It was my first time to make am, Friday July 22. We stopped in new friends, sailing friends, from Toronto where the escort (that After we anchored Aunt Joyce all over North America. It was also Mom paid extra for) made sure I made dinner while Uncle David going to be my first international got on the connecting flight. When and I went for a ride in Ding Bat trip and a chance to visit the waters I arrived in Sudbury ON, Uncle (Uncle David’s name for his rubber of the North Channel. This was David was there to meet me and boat). We visited some other definitely going to be the most after showing his ID to my escort trailer/sailors on Chocolate Chip , ‘wicked’ trip of my lifetime. we drove the 70 KM to the Little but they were in bed, and it wasn’t Current Town Docks where Incipi- even dark yet. Sailors sure go to I am 14 years old and live in Biller- ent was docked. bed early so we went back to the ica MA. My Uncle and Aunt live boat to eat supper. Aunt Joyce is a in OK, 1500 miles away. In order We arrived in the late afternoon good cook and her food tasted to get ready for this adventure, Un- and cast off in time to catch the six wicked great on the water. cle David sent me a book about o’clock bridge. We motored on sailing and some Chapman sailing through and after clearing the open It took a long time to get dark and videos, cautioning me to skip over span we quickly raised sails. Sail- we all sat out and enjoyed the stars. the heavy weather stuff. He didn’t ing wing & wing downwind, we They are much bigger and brighter want to scare Mom. He called sev- headed toward our destination for here than at home. I was told to eral times to ask some nautical the night, Heywood Island and an enjoy this moment as the mosqui- questions, trying to see if I was anchorage called Browning Cove. toes usually make you stay below worthy of crewing on Incipient . We went past Strawberry Light- in the evening. There were no bugs Pretty soon he found it hard to house and it was awesome. This that night and I really enjoyed an stump me. All I had to do now was was the closest I have ever been to awesome first day on the water. I learn the three knots that he re- a lighthouse, and my first time at learned how to row Ding Bat on quired; the clove hitch, bowline and the helm! our first day out. cleat. We were almost at Heywood, when Early the next morning Larry and My parents bought an airline ticket Uncle David told me that I had won Margery from Chocolate Chip and helped me get my passport. my first sailboat race. I didn’t no- came over for some blueberry pan- They wrote a letter and had it nota- tice the sailboat following us, but cakes. I ate with them, but Aunt rized, stating that I had permission we beat him to the anchorage and Joyce made some for me without

Clipper Snips Page 4 Winter 2006 the blueberries. Uncle David lot of other trailer/sailors and had a thinks I am weird because I don’t lot of fun exploring the small is- like blueberries. lands in this area. We went up a small river and hiked a short dis- It was chilly today and tance. After we got back I prac- ticed rowing Ding Bat some more. Aunt Joyce made some I will get to use the motor after I hot chocolate while we learn to row. were underway. It was When it was getting dark, Uncle David and I went with Tim and the best I have ever had. Bailey in our dinghies to see the Navigation light at the edge of the After breakfast, we pulled anchor bay. It was awesome just sitting and headed for Thomas Bay to out there with the dinghy motors catch up with some other off and drifting, looking at the trailer/sailors. We tried to sail, but stars. We returned to the boat in there was no wind, so Uncle David the dark with the mast lights guid- started Honey Honda and we mo- ing us back. I wrote in my log and tored most of the way. (Uncle read a Harry Potter book that I Cruise Log: sketch #1 David has names for a lot of things brought along. This was another on his boat). Soon he put Audrey great day. something to eat at the fish and Mae , his auto pilot, to work so that The next day we pulled anchor and chips stand. We did not need any- we could enjoy the ride and relax. headed out with several other boats thing, so we passed on through. It In order to get into Thomas Bay on a three day “swimming and hik- was chilly today and Aunt Joyce you have to go around a lot of ing tour”. Our first anchorage was made some hot chocolate while we rocks! But Uncle David had no Snug Harbor, about ten miles away. were underway. It was the best I trouble following the charts and As we were leaving Thomas Bay have ever had. quickly we were anchored. This the water seemed calm. But out in By lunch we were anchored in bay is incredibly beautiful, with the open water the waves were Snug Harbor, with a stern line to high rock walls of pink granite that about 3 to 4 feet high and we were shore. Uncle David and I got in were fun to climb. I met my first riding along like a roller coaster. Ding Bat and went visiting all the friend there. He is my age and his We tried to sail, but ended up mo- other trailer/sailors in the anchor- name is Tim. He was sailing on tor sailing almost directly into the age. Uncle David likes to visit peo- Double Trouble with his father and big waves. ple. We helped some of the others his dog, Bailey. On our way to Snug Harbor, we anchor as they came in and soon We went dinghy exploring with a sailed through the small village of there were a lot of boats anchored Killarney. Uncle along the shore line. Some of the David thought about other boats were; Swallow, Lady stopping for a visit, Jane, Medication Time, Eventide, but it was really R Leg a Sea with Dave and crowded with other Heather Law who are really cool boats, huge ones, all and Wayne and Debbie Bell on trying to avoid the Bell’s Toil. Double Trouble was windy conditions. there too, along with Breathless . We listened on the Two of these boats were from On- VHF radio as others tario, two were from Delaware, and in our group circled one each from Nebraska, Pennsyl- around waiting for vania, Wisconsin, Ohio, a boat dockage. They from Indiana with no name and needed to get fuel, Uncle David’s from Oklahoma. I pump-out, re- have never met so many people Uncle David, Travis & Ding Bat provision and get from so many places, all gathered

Clipper Snips Page 5 Winter 2006 cool people. The next day we had breakfast and got underway early. We were go- ing to the “Pool” and that was about twenty miles away. There were several boats in our group and we all sort of stuck together. After we got out into the open water, we put up reefed sails and we really started to heal over. It was awe- some sailing so fast and it was really cool seeing all the sailboats around us, all going the same direc- tion. We sailed across Frazier Bay with reefed sails on a close reach. Uncle David said that we were going Cruise Log: sketch #2 “hull speed”. Sometimes we Inuksuk on Frazier Bay. healed over so far that I had to jam the anchorage below. It was the my feet on the toe rail in the center most awesome view that I have in one group. Sailors are cool. of the cockpit floor. Soon though it ever seen. all settled down and we turned into Baie I finally got to use the motor on the Fine. We were on a dinghy while at the “Pool” and it run, going wing & was really easy. I learned that there wing, occasionally are several rules for operating a having to use the dinghy in an anchorage. Go slow engine to get us past and NO wake is very important. a place where the Always approach a boat from the wind was a little port or starboard and gently knock weird. Uncle David on the hull to get attention. Never said it was the first stand up and look in the cabin time he had ever cause every boat is someone’s Joyce & Travis, under sail, Frazier Bay. been able to sail to home; respect their privacy. Also, the “Pool”. I was at never board a boat without being the helm for most of the sail while invited; you could get shot. There That afternoon we all took a hike Uncle David read and Aunt Joyce were several other rules, but these past Devils Lake and over to Fra- did some crocheting. zier Bay. There are all kinds of fossil rocks there and I collected a That afternoon we all few. They were flat ones and great went on a hike to for skipping in the water. I saw Topaz Lake. The some of our group building an trail up the mountain Inuksuk (likeness of a person) out was easy and when of rock slabs. I was told that the we got to the lake the Inuet Indians built these stone stat- water was an unbe- ues to help herd animals into areas lievable color of where they could be rounded up. blue. Everyone went There were a lot of these unique swimming, but it was statues along the road to Little Cur- a little cold. There rent and many were spotted while was a neat look out sailing in the North Channel. It on top of a high cliff where we could see was a good hike and I met a lot of Travis overlooking the Pool

Clipper Snips Page 6 Winter 2006 were the most important. an hour. Different people pointed heeled it over on purpose, just to out landmarks in all directions and wake me up. Apparently, I do not Tuesday was my fifth day on the the boats on the different bays have a sleeping problem on the wa- water and it was very exciting. We looked like little specks. Dad ter, just like at home. When I came jumped in Ding Bat and went over would have loved to be on this up to the cockpit, we were past to visit R Leg A Sea . While we Strawberry Lighthouse and very were there a huge snapping turtle hike. near the Little Current swing That evening we bridge. We had gone almost twelve relaxed and sev- miles in two hours, according to eral of us gath- Uncle David. Meanwhile, the radio ered on Heather was busy with trailer/sailors in our and Dave’s boat group talking to other trailer/sailors for a slide show that were already on the Town of the digital pic- Dock. We were pleading for them tures taken on our to hold their spot for us. They did, mini trip. This and we all found a spot at the was the last day crowded dock; we rafted to R Leg of our A Sea . We now had a few hours to “swimming and take a look at this beautiful little hiking tour”. For town called Little Current. some, it would be View from Frazer Hill our last time to be Aunt Joyce went to the grocery together as a store while Uncle David loaded up popped its head up right beside us. group. The next day we were sup- the fuel and porta potti tank in Ding I fed the turtle with my hand!!! posed to sail to Little Current and Bat and headed for Spider Bay Ma- Heather screamed and Uncle David from there on to the Benjamin Is- rina. I was free to roam town and took pictures. lands to rejoin the main shop for some gifts to bring home. trailer/sailors group. So we said It wasn’t long before Uncle David The plan for this day was to head our goodbyes to some and made was on the family radio, telling me for Mary Ann Cove, about ten plans with others for the next day. to come to the Anchor Inn for miles back down Baie Fine, near Uncle David never says, lunch. We sat with the Bell’s and the entrance to Frazier Bay. It was “goodbye”. He says, “See you on the Law’s in a very prominent area, a cloudy morning with drizzle, but the water”, and waves. just under the patio cam that broad- we decided to go anyway. We ar- cast a picture of us on the internet. I guess I must have been a little rived ahead of many of the other I called Mom and told her and she tired the next day. We were almost boats in our group and anchored in got to look at me eating a ham- to Little Current when the heel of the middle of the anchorage. It was burger and fries with the rest of our the boat rolled me off the seat and fun being with Uncle David as he group. and some of the other trailer/sailors onto the floor. I think Uncle David helped tie boats to shore. In just a short time we were all anchored and ready for our third hike in three days; climbing to the top of Frazier Hill. The climb to the top was a little tough for the others, but not for me. The sky was cloudy and even in the afternoon there was a little haze. But at the top of Frazier Hill, which is 600 feet above the water level according to Uncle David’s GPS, the view was breathtaking. We took a lot of pictures, ate a few snacks and just hung out for about David, Joyce, Heather, Dave, Wayne, Debbie & Travis, at the Anchor Inn

Clipper Snips Page 7 Winter 2006 the bottom in twelve feet of water. While waiting to dry I found the We walked on the sand beach and skeleton of a deer, I think. I won- found several souvenir rocks to der how he got to this remote and bring home. They got loaded into small island? I assume he crossed the area under the “V” birth along in the winter and was trapped when with a lot of other stuff. the ice melted. A quiet night was had by all and plans were made to The next morning the wind was continue to the Benjamin’s in the still blowing hard from the wrong morning as the weather was sup- direction and it was decided to stay posed to be better. I finished my put. Aunt Joyce fixed pancakes, Harry Potter book and wrote in my my favorite breakfast on the boat, log after everyone else was in bed. and plans were made with the Sailing must make people tired. Bell’s and Law’s for a dinghy trip Farquhar’s Ice Cream: to Fort La Cloche, a Hudson Bay The next morning, after a good NC Rite of Passage trading post until the 1870’s. It is helping of pancakes, we pulled an- part of a provincial park now and is chor and headed out. The winds about a five mile dinghy trip from were light, so in order to get the After lunch, Uncle David took me Louisa. distance we needed to go we started on what he called “a very important “Honey”. After a while though the mission”; a visit to the Farquhar’s It was a wet trip over and a wetter winds started to blow and we raised Ice Cream stand on the Town trip coming back. But it was fun our sails for a great beam reach to Docks. He says it is against mari- and a very interesting trip. We had the Benjamin’s. time law to return to sea without another great hike and enjoyed a going to the ice cream stand. sack lunch at the lake side. They We got there early in the afternoon Sounded good to me. say that back in the olden days, and Uncle David took us on a sce- trappers came here in their canoes nic boat tour. We went through the It was late afternoon and we were and traded for supplies. They port- “Rocks” and then back across to heading out of Little Current. I aged their canoes up the trails we the Croker Islands and finally into jumped ship and was now crewing walked today and used the lake to the area between the South and on R leg A Sea with Dave and get where they were going. I am North Benjamin’s. It was very Heather Law. We were motoring glad that we have a motor on our crowded and there had to be fifty directly into the wind and it was dinghy today. boats anchored. We spotted a boat slow going bouncing into the big close to shore getting ready to waves, even in their big boat. But After we got back, I explored the leave, so we pulled in right behind soon we left the narrow channel. island while the others relaxed and him and dropped anchor. It re- Maximum Dave, as his friends call swam. I slipped on a wet rock and minded me of the mall parking lot him, pulled out his roller main and fell in the water and got all wet. jib sails, we turned to a beam reach and went flying up the channel. Incipient and Bells Toil were close by and shortly there was talk of not going to the Benjamin’s as planned and instead making a stop at Louisa Island. Apparently, the wind was blowing too hard from the wrong direction to go that far. We pulled into a cove on Louisa Island and it is unbelievable how much protection from the wind and the waves that one small island can provide. The water was flat and it seemed much warmer anchored here out of the wind. We could easily see our anchor, “ Brucie ”, on Incipient helmsman: Travis Craigie

Clipper Snips Page 8 Winter 2006 at Christmas; you pull out, we pull in. Bell’s Toil and R Leg A Sea showed up and got spots close to us. Uncle David and I went to the Sow, a small rock island nearby. He had been here before and knew that there were red raspberries and he wanted some. I helped pick, but I did not eat any. We got a baggie full and after a little din- ghy exploring we returned to the A beautiful sunset on our final night at anchor in Picnic Bay boat. I played around with the dinghy all after- The next morning we headed out marina, I went to town and they all noon while the others napped, read early. We waved good bye to went to Blue Heron to visit. or visited and drank beer. We all Wayne who was in the cockpit got together on Dave and Heather’s The next morning we were on the drinking coffee and reading while boat for dinner and they mixed the road very early to make up for the Debbie slept in. No one was up on raspberries with a cake and creamy late night with friends. Our desti- R Leg A Sea so we waited until we stuff that they all enjoyed. I ate a nation today was Dick and Pat Zets heard them on the radio to say “see cookie. farm south of Buffalo NY, about you on the water”. It was about a four hundred miles. They are Sadly, our cruise was coming to an four hour trip back to Little Current trailer/sailors too. We crossed the end and tonight was to be our last and while the winds were not the border at Fort Erie with little delay night together. Tomorrow, Incipi- most favorable, they were OK and and literally no questions or even a ent would return to Little Current we had a good motor sail. lookie at our passports or my per- to pull out and start the long drive Everything went as planned and mission letter. I called Mom on the to bring me back to Massachusetts. soon Incipien t was back on her cell and a few hours later we were But tonight was to be the best ever trailer and everything was packed at the Zet’s farm, unloading the car with ‘Maximum’ playing his away in the Expedition. We were and boat so that we could return twelve string guitar and everyone supposed to leave that night, but a east with a light load in the morn- singing songs. I enjoyed the time last minute decision was made to ing. and spent some of it in the dinghy go out to dinner at a fancy place taking in this last night. Dad would The next day I was home and this with Larry and Claire from Elu- have really loved being here to- will go down as one of the ‘most thera and Terry and Germaine from night. wicked’ vacations I will ever have. Blue Heron , some more T/SA I really appreciated all the new members. ...this will go down as one friends I have met and hope to do it of the ‘most We all went in Larry’s car to the again. Red Lodge Inn somewhere on See you on the water. wicked’ [GREAT] vaca- Manitoulin Island. The food was Travis tions I will ever have. great, but I ordered a hamburger and fries. When we got back to the

Clipper Snips Page 9 Winter 2006 Buying and Restoring Serendipity Jim Schroeger

Serendipity is a 1967 Westwind by were actually taken after three ing. The storage compartment doors Paceship. When we first saw her I weeks of filling, sanding, fairing and drawers were all de-laminating was reminded of the old Kingston and more filling and sanding. You and bore a strong resemblance to a Trio song "Tom Dooley". The line can throw a little cussing into the week old pizza. goes: mix too, as some intrepid Boat- In spite of all this we set to work wright had used a belt sander to "This time tomorrow, with a vengeance; "what the heck, remove some hull defects. In places reckon where I'll be; nothing here that time, money, her hull looked like a gravel road. down some lonesome valley, blood, sweat and tears can't take hanging from a white oak tree" The interior was even worse!! care of; right??" There was no original wood work, That's exactly what she was doing: As it turns out I was right about the hanging from a tree; time which turned or actually four jack out to be almost one pine trees, with a year, no comment scruffy old boat on the money, I trailer as her would say blood and neighbor. Her hull sweat were in about was faded and equal parts, but no scarred, her decks tears at all! The were covered with work was a joy, she pitch and pine nee- came alive under dles, she had a foot our handycrafting. of slimy water in Each enjoyable task her main cabin, her accomplished led to cradle boards were another until one no where to be seen day, she was fin- and her cushions ished. There were were sticking out of hundreds of little the cockpit like a victories, each one big blue tongue. of which could In spite of this and make a separate more interior terrors story. But maybe yet to be discov- that will come later. ered; I fell in love Oh, I do have one with her! Why? Be- comment about the cause she was a money. The old Westwind and in owner was so anx- spite of all the crud ious to sell the and abuse she still Westwind that he had the look of a threw in three pick thoroughbred!! up truck loads of Serendipity, before and after lots of “TLC” The trip home on marine equipment to the rickety old trailer was the first the main cabin bulkhead was gone seal the deal. Over the winter we of many renovational adventures and replaced with a badly fitted sold most of the extra goodies on that we would share with this soon piece of treated plywood. All the eBay for more money than we to be queen of my heart. Plexiglas windows were the color originally paid for Serendipity. Our of old milk bottles, with the excep- Westwind came with a dowry !! The pictures will give you some tion of the main cabin starboard idea of her condition when she ar- window, which was just plain miss- rived home. The pictures of the hull

Clipper Snips Page 10 Winter 2006 Membership Secretary’s Challenge for 2006

The “ Membership Secretary’s Challenge” is an opportunity for current TSA members to give a Gift Member- ship to a prospective Trailer/Sailor at a reduced rate of half price. It works like this: Every TSA member knows someone that they believe would enjoy, and would benefit from membership in the Trailer/Sailors Association . You may have tactfully tried to get this person to join by speaking of the Associa- tion, and perhaps have given them a membership form. But nothing has happened yet. Now you can give a per- sonal gift to this sailor and send them a Gift Membership . The “Membership Secretary’s Challenge” will be available through the end of 2006, and perhaps longer if the membership approves. There will be no prizes or awards given out with this challenge….just the satisfaction of knowing that you have shared with a friend the joy of being a member of the Trailer/Sailors Association . Membership Fees for the challenge are as follows:

Option 1 Option 2 For membership between January 1st and May For membership between June 1 st and December 31 st , the regular membership fee is: $15 ($17 US 31 st , the regular membership fee is: $20 ($24US for Canadian addresses) for Canadian addresses) This pays for the remainder of the current year. This pays for the remainder of the current year ) 1/2 price for this membership package would and all of the next. (Best Deal be: $7.50 & $8.50 1/2 price for this membership package would be: $10.00 & $12.00)

The rules are simple: • The prospective member should own, or contemplate owning, a trailerable sailboat. • The member giving the gift must be a current member. • The membership form and payment must be received from the current member. The quickest way to enroll a new member is on line at WWW.TrailerSailors.org Go to the membership section where a special membership form will be found titled, “Membership Secretary’s Challenge.” This membership form can be filled out and submitted on line. Payment can be made with your credit card through Pay Pal. Membership can also be done by mail and any TSA membership form will do. Simply write your name on the form in the area, “Sponsor” or “How did you learn about TSA?” Or you can use the form on the next page. Fill it out and mail it to Don Ziliox at the address indicated below. It all works. The new member will receive a gift certificate in your name. What a wonderful gift to give a fellow sailor. This, along with the fact that you are helping promote the TSA, has to make one feel good all over. I would personally like to challenge everyone to give at least one Gift Membership to a friend. I know I will. Smooth Trailer Sailin’, David Craigie, Membership Secretary, Trailer/Sailors Association

For T/SA Tee-shirts ($13US), contact : For T/SA Hats ($13US) or Flags ($10US), contact: Doris Lockie Wayne Bell 67 Springbrook Drive 344 Creek Drive Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 1L4 Slippery Rock, PA 16057 [email protected] [email protected]

Clipper Snips Page 11 Winter 2006 Honorary Membership - Jet Stream David Craigie and John Clement

During the TSA cruise in the North so immediately. During the 2005 weather system caught some of our Channel this last year something cruise, Jet Stream again proved fleet in a very difficult situation in happened that has never occurred their worth, and went far beyond exposed waters, Bob responded to before in the history of the TSA; a the call of good responsible boat- one of our boats who was in trou- non-sailor was made an honorary ing. ble, bringing his Boston Whaler to member of the T/SA help them to shelter. The situation went something like The Honorary Members are Bob this. On July 18 th a large number John Clement, T/SA President, said and Marion Bloink and they spend of trailer/sailors were anchored in on our next radio net; "Jet Stream their summers in the North Channel Eagle Harbor. We were scheduled is a wonderful example of excellent aboard Jet Stream , a large well to weigh anchor about 0900 and seamanship, responsible boating, equipped M/V capa- and good marine citi- ble of transmitting zenship. We of the the weather condi- Trailer Sailors Associa- tions. Bob is a re- tion value Jet Stream's tired pilot and friendship and excellent weather is obvi- seamanship and in hon- ously a large part of our of this relationship his repertoire of are proud to extend to skills. He chooses Jet Stream Honorary to watch over and Membership in the help the T/SA group Trailer Sailors Associa- from a distance, and tion". This announce- possibly save some ment was met with uni- property damage versal approval and personal inju- Bob and Marion are ries. great on-water support- The North Channel ers of T/SA. As Hon- T/SA cruise has orary members they been in radio con- will receive electronic tact with Jet Stream versions of Clipper for several years Bob & Marion Bloink Snips for so long as now, through our they wish, and are enti- normal 9 am and 9 pm radio nets. tled to fly the T/SA flag. (We hope sail east down the McBean Channel Jet Stream and Taranu i have spo- they will choose to do so). We also and go to Sturgeon Cove. Jet ken on several occasions by VHF, hope they will feel most welcome Stream, equipped with his full and Jet Stream has in prior years to join our fleet for pot-luck din- weather station was listening to the helpfully given us prior knowledge ners, fire-side song-fests and story- chatter of the trailer/sailors getting of local storm situations before telling and for our other gatherings. ready to leave. He apologized for these were visible to our fleet, and dropping in on the conversation, Thank You Jet Stream for your before they were reported on the but then informed us that a large support and your true friendship. main weather service. This ad- thunderstorm with 60-knot winds You are a fine example to mariners vance information has several times was just to our south. The storm everywhere. allowed the T/SA fleet to head for was blocked from our view by the shelter and hunker down in secure David Craigie and John Clement small rise on Eagle Island. The anchorages in time to avoid prob- departure was delayed until the lems. The word among North storm passed and everyone re- Channel T/SA cruisers is if Jet mained safely anchored in Eagle. Stream says to head for shelter do Later that day, when another severe

Clipper Snips Page 12 Winter 2006 Ramp Report: Panama City, Florida John Ulmer

the Panama City Beach tourist area. Here you will find all the night life and action you usually associate with a beach front community. To help plan your cruise, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce has a couple of good maps. The first is Undeveloped Shoreline near Tyndall Air Force Base "The Boater's Guide to St. Andrew Bay." This is not a navigation Panama City is often overlooked by can anchor and where is off limits. chart, but a map of all the water in northern sailors heading south in If your main goal is to do a lot of the area clearly showing all the ma- the winter, and that's a shame, be- deep water sailing, Panama City rinas and boat ramps. The other is cause it's a wonderful place to sail. gives you easy access to the Gulf, a street map called "Greater Bay The city is surrounded by three either for a daysail or a longer County Map." Having a street map large bays, and, unlike the water coastal cruise. If you find the is important because all the water around Apalachicola, the water weather turning bad while you are a here makes the roads go in strange here is deep from shore to shore. long way from home, remember directions. The only sure way to Anchorages are plentiful and there that the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway know where a road goes is to have are lots of marinas available when provides a sheltered way back to a map. You can get both maps by you want them. your car and trailer. calling the Chamber of Commerce For northern sailors, Panama City No matter what else you plan on at (850) 785-5206. has the important advantage of be- doing, spend some time at Grand There are good ramps all over Pa- ing a day closer than southern Flor- Lagoon. It's located just west of nama City and many provide safe ida. Of course, in northern Florida, the Gulf inlet and has two great, but overnight parking. I chose the mu- the best sailing is in the spring and very different attractions. Next to nicipal ramp in downtown Panama fall, but winter sailing is acceptable the inlet is St. Andrews State Rec- City because it is one of the easiest if you are willing to wear a jacket reation Area. This is a wonderful to find, and its central location and when it is cool. state park with a campground and good marina make it a fine base for boat ramp, but its big attraction is Panama City is a popular tourist exploring the area. the beautiful, sugar white sand area, and you would expect every beache and the crystal clear water To get there from I-10, exit on Rt. inch of shoreline to be covered with you'll find near the jetty. It's a 231 and follow it south to Panama big hotels and condos, but it isn't. great place for snorkeling and div- City. If you are coming in on Rt. 98 Tyndall Air Force Base owns much ing. Just to the west of the park is just follow it to the center of town. of the shoreline and has kept it un- developed. The result is miles and miles of white sand beaches where, with only a few exceptions, you are welcome to beach your boat and go ashore. The main part of the air base is on East Bay, and if you like military planes as much as I do, you can anchor near the base and get a great view of America's best combat air- craft taking off and landing. Check with the marina office at the ramp to make sure you know where you Panama City Waterfront

Clipper Snips Page 13 Winter 2006 next to the marina. It would be a good idea to tell them how long you will be gone so they will know your rig hasn't been abandoned. The ramp is double wide concrete and at high tide it measured 26 feet long and 4 feet deep at the end, giv- ing an angle of 15 degrees and a slope of 9 percent. There are docks at the ramp, and I found a big drop off at the end of the ramp. The drop off is well marked and the Panama City Ramp water is so clear that you can see it from the dock. When Rt. 231 joins Rt. 98 take leave your car and trailer and they If you want to get the salt off of Harrison St. going south. Harrison will tell you the best place to park. your trailer and out of your engine St. is the main street through the There is a large parking lot right before you head home, trailer your historic downtown, and it ends at next to the ramp but it may not be boat ten miles north to Deer Point the municipal pier where the ramp the best place to leave your rig for a Lake. The lake is really part of and marina are located. Don't be long period of time. The lot is North Bay, but it's behind a dam nervous about hauling your boat shared with the Civic Center, and if and the water is fresh. There is a through crowded city streets, as a big event is planned it might be ramp with three and a half foot there is very little traffic in the his- better for you to park closer to the depth at Hutchinson Park next to toric downtown during the day. marina office. There are no long the Deer Point Bridge. Five min- trailer parking spaces near the of- utes here running your engine will At the end of Harrison Street you fice, so you will have to take two give you a lot of peace of mind on can drive right onto the pier. Just spaces and park your car and trailer the way home. keep going until you run out of side by side. Make sure you bring road, then turn left and the marina Panama City has a lot to offer the some way of locking your trailer. office will be right in front of you. visiting sailor, so come and enjoy There is also a police substation Tell them how long you want to the uncrowded water of northern Florida. For more information on Panama City Marina : Phone : (850) 872-7272 Email : [email protected] Website : www.cityofpanamacity.com

Send your ramp reports and ramp information request to : John Ulmer 659 S. Canal St. Canal Fulton, OH 44614 Phone : 330-854-3796 email : [email protected]

Quiet Cove - Panama City

Clipper Snips Page 14 Winter 2006 Membership-Secretary Report Dave Craigie

Greetings everyone, from the wind blown, drought stricken and inferno ravaged state of Oklahoma. For those of you who have contacted us concerning our wellbeing during these unfortunate fires, THANK YOU!! We are fine and in little danger in our suburban environs that is surrounded by concrete. Our hearts and prayers do go out to our many southwestern neighbors, and to all of those in other parts of the North America that have be dealt a one-two punch from Mother Nature during the last year. I got a little lift in my spirits the other day while I was grazing around my local Home Depot; gone were all the Christmas and Holiday garnishments and in there place were gardening tools and flower seeds. Spring will be here soon and I will be flaking back the tarp that is encapsulating our beloved Dave & Joyce Craigie Hunter 26, Incipient. She is pa- be oiling the cabinets, polishing the He will be with us all summer. tiently waiting in our back yard, hull and going through the boat right outside the kitchen window as I really hope that everyone will inventory ritual to make sure that a constant reminder. Soon we will read the Membership Secretary everything is ready for the summer. Challenge that is located in a And what a summer we have prominent area of this issue. It is PLEASE planned. I do hope that each and similar to last years Treasurer Chal- every one of you will have the op- lenge and is a great way to intro- CONTACT portunity to be on the water some- duce that hesitant, procrastinating where, sometime this summer of trailer/sailor to the Trailer/Sailors David Craigie, 2006. Perhaps it will be an unfor- Association. Many members have Membership- gettable sailing season, or just a taken advantage of this offer to in- decent one. With a bit of luck, I do troduce their friends to TSA. My Secretary, if there are hope that you will want to share personal THANK YOU goes out to any changes in your your time on the water with rest of those members who have spon- us. Last summer we were in the sored their friends. A special mailing address, or North Channel and had a guest on THANK YOU goes out to those other information that board; our fourteen year old who have chosen to continue their nephew. Please read his story, and gift memberships . Thanks to All!! is in the Directory. mine, Wicked Sailing with Uncle See you on the water. David , in this edition of Clipper Fair Winds, Thanks!!! Snips. It was a memorable summer for all. It will be somewhat re- David Craigie peated this next summer with our eight year old grandson, Jonathan.

Clipper Snips Page 15 Winter 2006 ...From the T/SA Web Discussion List. Bob Rouda, TRAILSAIL Discussion List Editor

NORTH CHANNEL CRUISE Rodney & Ondine Brandon: weather permitting, on Sunday in the early afternoon to a nearby anchorage. Bob Rouda: If our Bahamas plans work-out for this The potluck will be at the Spanish ma- spring, SeaQuell won't have any vaca- The NC Cruise has traditionally been rina on Saturday evening. The fleet tion time left for the North Channel the last 2 weeks of July. will return for pullout Saturday, July cruise this year. 29. A suggestion for next year: How about Notwithstanding, I would recommend extending the trip, such as: For those that can only stay one week starting the cruise the same time as the normal approach is to have a turn- usual, so that everyone who is coming Week 2, July - Spanish, west up the around point on Wednesday or Thurs- Whalesback, back to Spanish then, sort can join in at Spanish for the initial day of the first week. Of course, that of the traditional 2-week trip for the potluck. After that anyone who wishes, will be some in the fleet that will last 2 weeks: can break off or stay till the ice comes launch earlier and stay later. in if they wish, but the first night all Week 3, July - Spanish, McBean and together, get-together is great. Look for additional information on the east/south towards Killarney (maybe T/S Web page or chat room. up Baie Fine toward the pool, or into Also the last 2 weeks of July coincides McGregor Bay) with many mandatory vacations due to Debbie Bell: plant shutdowns, and some members Week 4, July - Killarney back to Span- The November issue of Sailing maga- may not have the flexibility to start ish (maybe toward Kagawong & Gore zine will [Ed: earlier. Bay) did; 2005] feature an article on this The cruise is getting big enough that past summers North Channel Cruise. That way, people could do a 1, 2, or 3- probably two separate cruises in differ- week trip, depending on their availabil- "Sailing" is a coffee table sized publi- ent directions with a rendezvous at the ity. We also might have smaller cation out of Wisconsin. It should be start, at the end, (and possibly in the groups (therefore can get into smaller on the newsstands by mid October. middle) could be interesting. anchorages). Hopefully this will encourage even That's kind of how it turned out for us more folks to head north next year!!! We would, of course, need more than this year, after we led a small group one trip leader. who only had a week, back to Spanish, Wayne Bell: Might want to consider this, since we and then rejoined the main cruise a few They [Sailing] were great in giving us seem to have lots of people that can days later. the sidebar to plug the association. only spare one week. I can see splitting Nevaida Howe: up my trip - part of the time with the THOUSAND ISLANDS pack, part of the time off by ourselves The idea sounds great. The group has Tom Larimer: seeking solitude (and unassisted disas- never been to Cockburn Island. At least ter?)...or maybe not not in the 12 years that we have be- Did the 'girls' with the MacGregor longed to the group. We have been which is to be named "Knickers in a Rhodes Escape (Trip Leader) - what do there several times. In fact I have been Knot" sign up to be members of T/SA? you think? going there since 1974 (that makes me They were members of the Scarbor- Tom & Jan Larimer: old). It's a great place to go, but would ough Bluffs Sailing Club. I don't re- mean special planning. I'll forward you member their names, but they sure I like Bob Rouda's idea of extending a little clip from part of a story I did seemed to be having a good time. the 2006 T/SA North Channel Cruise once when we included Cockburn in They were sitting at the table to your to three weeks by starting a week ear- our summer sail. I'll have to look it up left in the last four seats on the outside. lier than usual. and cut out that part and will send it as I would have sponsored them but I In looking at the 2006 calendar, if we an attachment. think the Admiral would object. started the 8th or 9th of July at Spanish Bryan Childs: Also, there is a group who has an an- and stayed three weeks, we would pull nual sail on the St Lawrence River in out on the weekend of the 29th - 30th. I will be taking over as the cruise the Thousand Island area. Check with This suits us fine. leader for the 2006 North Channel T/S Walt Murek, Bob Borden or Mike cruise. We will stay with the traditional I also like Bob's general float plan: last two weeks in July. The majority of Morris. There are many interesting overnight the fleet will launch at Spanish on Sat- Walt Murek: anchorages and marinas along the way. urday, July 15th or the morning of Sunday, July 16. We will depart, Several of the people in the “Thousand

Clipper Snips Page 16 Winter 2006 Island group” are already members of The Christmas party and planning yond the bridge you encounter several T/SA, although I don’t think any of meeting is this coming Saturday. The knots of current in a narrow buoyed them have participated in the cruises. main organizers are Bob Borden and channel. Carroll Seibert. Bob is in the roster. Mike Morris: Avoid last 2 weeks of July (if possi- For further information contact him ble). Coincides with Quebec construc- In my home club (fyc.on.ca ) we now next week. tion trades shutdown. (Every worker have 5 T/SA members. We have been PS: I see that you folks are from Illi- owns a 26 ft stinkpot and heads for the in the North Channel at the same time nois. Your best route might be thru 1000 islands.) as the main group (2005 we met in Detroit into Canada then drive 401 Covered Portage) we usually only go Best entertainment on the planet is straight to Kingston Ontario. There is a for 1 week and up till this year only got watching Golden Horseshoe marina- toll road around Toronto (407) that to pass like ships in the night. hoppers try to anchor. gets away from the worst traffic. When we met in C/Portage there were Mike Morris: David & Mary Stjern: only 2 of us the rest were waiting for One of our group tried to use the ramp us to catch up to them at Heywood We are very much interested in doing in Gananoque in 2004. The parking lot Island. Of this group I am the only one the Thousand Islands area next summer that is used to ready the boat for who has sailed in the Thousand Is- and would like to do a group cruise if launching is around the corner kind of lands. that worked out. out of sight of the ramp itself. All There is some talk that some of the T/I Unfortunately we are scheduled to lead rigged and ready to go we backed over group will go north next summer. an overnight canoe trip June 24-25 but to the ramp to find some ding-dong had I may be back to you to pick your run an overhead utility wire across the David & Mary Stjern: brains if I may. We bought D-N-F, a end of the ramp. Ok for powerboats but We are long time members of T/SA wing keel Catalina 22, new in 1990 too low to get even this 19 footer un- and although we have never done a and have sailed on 4 of the 5 Great der. A real pain. If you are OK step- group cruise, I used to contribute to Lakes including the Apostle Islands, ping the mast on the water it’s all right. Clipper Snips in the bad old days when Door County, North Channel and Erie Treasure Island Marina is closer to Bob would photocopy hand written Islands as well as a number of inland Kingston and is more user-friendly. submissions. Mary and I would be in- lakes. We also have done a fair amount There are 3 Canadian Charts you will terested in joining a group cruise in the of chartering as in the Florida Keys, need for the Thousand Islands (1437, Thousand Islands area in July or Au- Canouan, St. Vincent, U.S.V.I, San 1438, 1439). gust 2006. Failing that, we are open to Juan Islands, Kentucky Lake and vari- suggestions as to the best ramp, places ous locations on the Great Lakes. Un- Kathy Blackwood: to leave the towing rig, etc. in that area. fortunately we have not taken our own Although we've stepped the mast on boat anywhere other than Lake Spring- the water a number of times, it's not the Mike Morris: field in several years. place I'd choose to step a mast. I have been part of a Thousand Islands If we don't find a group cruise we may area cruise week for 6 years. Our group go solo but the descriptions of the Responding to the earlier comment (as many as 15 boats) sail the last week group cruises in Clipper Snips sound about the last week of June - sounds of June -- before the kids are out of nice, but seeing as we have 2 crew like a lot of fun and when you're on the school. All the American sailors launch members who are still in school, guess wrong side of 50, having other hands at Welsley Island State Park in New it won't work for us. We're up for a around when launching and retrieving York State. The last 2 years I have weekend or July or August cruise tho', is attractive. If you do any group mail- launched at Treasure Island Marina just ings on your end of June trip we'd love so long as it doesn't conflict with the east of Kingston on the Canadian side. to be on the Email list and pick up a North Channel cruise. Both are good places to launch and little information. FLORIDA & BAHAMAS store the truck and trailer. It’s a great place to sail. You are not so boat bound Rod & Ondine Brandon: Tim Lemmond: as in the North Channel usually being There's a really good ramp in Ganano- I am in search of a gulf side port to be on a dock at night. There are 21 island que Ont., at the town dock. (Free 3- a home base for winter sailing this year parks on the Canadian side and several hour shop dock, with many transient on the U.S. side. All have shore toilet for my Oysterman 23. I need a good slips.) Very pretty little town with lots facilities, picnic tables and most have ramp, access to interesting gunkhole of restaurants and things to see. If you options, and a place to leave the boat group shelters if the weather turns bad. called the municipal office, I'm sure (either at a dock or on the trailer A big plus is ice cream is never far they could tell you where you could rigged) between trips. I'd like to take away. This area is more costly to stay park and for how much. (nightly dock fees) but less costly to her down in early February and leave her there for three months. I expect to get to (shorter driving distance). Best sailing is quite a bit west of the get down several times in those three Ivy Lee bridge. Approaching and be-

Clipper Snips Page 17 Winter 2006 months for trips. I have sailed a lot off It’s a 3-day trail for us from home to to the Gulf is less convenient and much the Everglades in my old dory so I Miami (by daylight hours). Allowing shallower. know that area pretty well. I am con- for a 3-day weather window delay for It is a great pleasure to be in contact sidering a little farther north but not so both crossings, our plan is to spend at with you. I have used and enjoyed far as the pan handle. Does anyone least 4 of 6 weeks in the islands. your cruising guides for many years. know much about Crystal River? Other Currently trying to decide on either the My old dog eared NC and SC coast suggestions? Abacos in the North or Exumas in the editions got so much use in the two Mike Morris: South, probably leaning toward the decades that I have cruised those wa- Abacos. Please send me your particu- ters that they seem like old friends. My We had a mobile home in Sarasota for lars and maybe we can make one or experiences have so regularly verified 14 years. I spent some time around the both crossings in company. what you have written that I have de- Sarasota Sailing Squadron. I under- veloped a very high confidence in your stand they now have a seasonal mem- Tim Lemmond: writing. bership plan (low cost). They have As my plans for a winter cruise in good ramps but their storage may be I reference your NC cruising guide in Florida go forward, I am looking at limited. I had my VN23 down for 3 the 1988 article I wrote for the now possibly launching my Oysterman 23 weeks sailing up and down the ICW defunct Small Boat Journal. Here is the from Goodland Bay, Florida in early and Gulf of Mexico. I usually anchored link if you are interested: Feb. This is located just southeast of along the shore inside the ICW. Venice Cape Romano at the beginning of the http://councill.home.mindspring.com/s town dock was free for 48 hours. Try Ten Thousand Island (Florida edition). bjournal/outerbanks/ob1.html contacting the Squadron. There are three marinas here. Has any- I am glad to have this opportunity to Harvey Zalevsky: one used this port or the ramps at directly express my appreciation for Goodland bay? Although it may be too far south, we your quality cruising guides. I intend to are headed to Marathon w/ our Cata- It looks like either the first or second purchase your Florida guide very soon. lina 25 swing keel in mid Jan. and ex- week of February we will launch Laurence Wright: pect to be there through March. Sup- somewhere near Cape Romano and posedly Marathon has a good public cruise the Ten Thousand Islands, Shark We took our 18-foot Sandpiper down launch near Black Fin Marina. If you River, Cape Sable area. It is possible to Goodland in March 1999. In fact we feel like company, maybe we can meet we might cross out to the Keys from were hoping to go back this winter for up. there. Do you plan to stay near Mara- a month or so, but events have con- thon, come towards the mainland, or spired against us, and we'll be stuck up [Editor: go out towards the Marquesas? north in the cold and snow. For more information on launch ramps [Editor : We launched at the Calusa Bay Ma- and trailer storage in NW Florida, be Aren’t the Marquesas in the South Pa- rina. I don't remember the details, but sure to check out John Ulmer‘s article: cific? Quite a cruise...] I'm sure the ramp was fine (I don't re- Four Ramps on Florida’s Forgotten member having any problems). We Claiborne Young : Coast in the Fall 2005 issue of Clipper then motored round to the Margood Snips .] I have never used a ramp in Goodland. RV camp and marina, where we tied Instead, I've always launched my re- up for a week at the amazing rate of Bryan Childs: search vessels at a public ramp, which $10 per night! I received new shrouds from Defender is on the south side of the main high- Margood was just what we were look- this week. They look good. [Editor : way leading to Marco Island, just be- ing for: tropical, slightly seedy and fore you cross the high-rise bridge onto cheap! It's built on a prehistoric shell See Bryan’s article The Rigging Re- the island. On the other hand, I do midden, and it looks like the marina pair in the Fall 2005 Clipper Snips .] I seem to remember that Calusa Island will be testing them in April on my dates from not much later! The docks Marina, in Goodland, has a launching way to the Bahamas. Heading out of were weathered and slightly rickety, ramp, but I've never used it. Give Miami around April 1. This is the best but the harbour was completely pro- Calusa Island Marina a call to verify time to cross. Anyone else interested in tected. There was a thatched bar which this service (239-394-3668) traveling with me? This is my first time was manned during the day by a Viet- cruising in this area. Tim Lemmond: nam vet, who never spoke, and by night by an extrovert Brit, who looked I called Calusa and found them very Rod Brandon: just like David Bowie (only with sym- helpful and accommodating. I am also We are planning a trip to the Bahamas metrical eyes). The Brit was going out in contact with Port of the Islands Re- (first time also) in April and May, and with the manager of the Marker Seven sort Marina. There rates are better for Marina, which was just up the road, so have approached our employers but dry storage (I may leave Halcyon there we checked that marina out too. It was have yet to officially get the time off. for a couple of months) but the access more expensive and less protected, but

Clipper Snips Page 18 Winter 2006 also less seedy (if that's what you SEA OF CORTEZ (Gulf of Califor- several people what they thought of the want). There were, I believe, at least nia) organization, based on the website. two other marinas in the town. But, of First off, they like the look, feel and Gary Breault: course, all this information is six years presentation – informative and profes- old. I'd suggest parking the boat at We are planning to return to the Sea of sional. Calusa Bay, then driving into town to Cortez in January. Anyone interested? But, the general feeling was that the check out the different marinas. We would be glad of company. group’s purpose is to support a single If we were to go back there, I suspect TEXAS cruise i.e. North Channel. I know there we'd anchor out in the islands and pop are lots of smaller, less formal into town in the dinghy. Goodland is a Mike Hancock: “cruises” – as well as a wealth of infor- funky little place. We were told it was I just joined the group, and am fixing mation regarding other trips and desti- the last undeveloped fishing village on up a San Juan 21 MKII. I will be nations. the southern Gulf coast. Apparently mostly sailing Galveston Bay and sur- Much of this information is in past builders would have to sink concrete rounding areas? issues of Clipper Snips , but the pro- pylons down 90 feet to construct any- spective new member doesn’t know thing more than a couple of stories, and Are there any Texas sailors that are this. Mike and I are actively discussing it would be prohibitively expensive. active in the group? ideas around expanding the “single The town gets pretty crowded on Sun- Mike Nelson: cruise” perception. days, when it's a Marco Island tradition to drive over and have lunch at Stan's. The current T/SA directory shows only SAIL BATTENS 1 member in Texas (besides you, that Tom Lemmond: is). Chris Holderness: Thanks for the info on Goodland Bay. ANYWHERE The main on our Matilda 20 finally Seedy is just fine as long as the boat is shredded itself into oblivion. Now that safe. I love your account of the charac- Gordon Gates : we have to purchase a new sail, is there ters you met there. We may use the Where I am on the southern Oregon any advantage to spending the extra for Calusa ramp for our two week cruise coast it usually stays between 55 to 75 a full batten main? and look for a safe place to leave Hal- degrees. No hurricanes or snowstorms. Bob Hodgson: cyon for a couple of months in Good- Just an occasional Tsunami alert or land on the trailer so we can pop back forest fire in the woods to the east. Re: spending extra for a full-length down for some more trips. I'm also Sailing Coos Bay in the winter months batten for the new main of your looking at Port of the Islands Marina also has many fine days in Jan & Feb. Matilda 20. I doubt if you would no- between Goodland and Everglades Mar, Apr & May are pretty wet. June tice the difference in power or speed. City. I have been quoted $45/ month to through mid Oct are great. Housing Save your money! leave the boat on the trailer there. bargains are to be found for a simple 2 Diana Nelson: Calusa wanted around $250/month! or 3 bedroom. Larger, nicer homes are Quite a difference. a premium. General cost of living is Our Flicka has a fully battened main Claiborne Young: not bad. Moorage rates are very rea- and the leach seems to "flutter" less sonable. than other we have observed and holds One word about Port of the Islands the shape better in light air. It also ap- Marina. Be advised that their entrance David Craigie: pears to be a bit easier to flake. channel leading in from the Coon Key Yes, the thought of a North Channel To save some money, you might con- Channel is very haphazardly marked, Cruising club is something hard to get sider making it yourself from a kit and rather shallow. If you draw 3 feet away from. It is a nice place, but there from Sailrite in Indiana. I have made a or less, that may not be a problem, but are other destinations worthy of men- Genoa and storm jib for a Precision 21 any deeper draft, and you will probably tion. Hopefully we can tack on many have to wait for a high tide for entry or and a drifter for the Flicka from their courses and expand our membership. kits. About half the price and they are egress. Another disadvantage of Port of Members like John Ulmer and many really nice folks to work with. I made the Islands is that it's a long, slow others have submitted articles that tout the first 2 sails with an older Kenmore cruise from their docks before you the adventures of other areas. We just machine. Their heavy-duty machine is reach open water. have to figure out how to get a volun- nice to have, but probably not required teer to head up a cruise in a different For my money, I think Calusa Island for the Matilda. will serve you better! location, and then how to get someone to show up. Not an impossible feat, just SAIL SLUGS Thanks for you kind words about my challenging. books, and my NC guide in particular. Chris Holderness: Chris Holderness: I will certainly check out the link be- I want (need!) to add sail slugs to a low at my earliest opportunity. Concerning membership, I have asked replacement main I recently purchased.

Clipper Snips Page 19 Winter 2006 From what I'm reading on the web, this (sliders, cars) pass. These are just be- dodger. A challenge to say the least. looks like something I can do myself? hind the boltrope. I want to be able to enclose the cockpit There seem to be two methods. The Derek Henshaw: completely to allow travel between first uses plastic shackles that screw cabins on rainy days and protection I had a local loft install sail slugs on through the sailcloth. Supposedly, from the sun/bugs. With 5 on board my main when I was relatively new to since the boltrope takes the load, there every inch of space is precious. My sailing. I wanted to be able to raise and is no strain where the shackle screw two options seem to be to build a lower the main quickly since my boat passed through the cloth. dodger and attach a rainfly to a yet is essentially single handed even with uninstalled boom gallows or to put in a Then, I read about using number 1 or 2 crew aboard. more conventional 4 bow Bimini with spur grommets - the plastic clevis The result looked easy enough to do side curtains. I really want it to make screws through the grommet. myself. I think that grommets are es- the boat look better, not like a huge In both cases, no extra reinforcing is sential when looking at the loads that patio on a small boat. My most basic sewn to the sail. Does anyone have are experienced by the sail in raising question is regarding standing head- comments on this? Both methods are and lowering the main. I lubricate the room. How important is it. If I build it simple to do myself and if I don't need slides regularly with silicone but there low I will have less windage and more to wrestle with grommets I won't. My are still snags such as a batten getting sun protection and better looks. concern is with not using a grommet. I trapped under a spreader when raising I have looked through your photo al- saw how fast sail cloth tears with my the main and the bow is not directly bums and see a range of applications. last main! into the wind. I observe stress wrinkles Any advice? emanating from the location of the sail Barbara Garland: slugs when the main is full and draw- Rick Voss : My sail has the plastic slides and ing which makes sense since the bolt- Here's the site for Genco: screws on it. This is the second sail my rope is no longer a continuous load- husband did it to. No problems at all bearing member. http://www.gencomarine.com/index.ht with the sail cloth tearing. You are m I bought my dodger from them. Given a new sail, I might make the right - though boltrope takes the strain. They did a great job. I expect yours move to do a sail slug installation my- It was an easy thing to do and it makes will be totally custom but you might self. Then again, I prefer to have the a world of difference when you are some ideas from their photo page al- expertise of a loft make the improve- sailing for the weekend and take the though I didn't see any Parker Daw- ments to my sailing "engines" just as I sail up and down in the evening, or sons. Do you sail Rathbun Lake? prefer to have a competent shop to stopping for lunch or - as I did last There's a Parker Dawson of a mooring work on my car engines. The forces on weekend - motored through Woods there. a sail and its associated hardware are Hole MA on my way back from Mar- difficult to fully appreciate until a fail- Alf and Betty Iverson: tha's Vineyard. What a beautiful week- ure occurs. I find I am happier when end. The sail went up and down 5 or 6 I would also recommend Genco for the failures happen on other people's times over the weekend and no mess boats. To that end, I benefit from the your dodger and enclosures. They on deck, no feeding the boltrope into application of knowledge gained by made up a complete set for our Sea- the track, no sail in the water. And es- those in the industry who make it their ward 25 and they made a great job. pecially with a "new to the boat" crew, business. it makes it much easier. Bob Dubuque: With all that said, I am a frugal sailor That is my boat on the mooring. Have Diana Nelson: and want to spend the least money pos- you been to Lake Rathbun? I have used the plastic hanks on a sible to get out on the water. I too am Genoa and a storm jib for a Precision interested in reading someone's exper- My wife gave me a Consew sewing 21 and they worked OK. They were tise on the subject. Who knows, per- machine for my B-day and I am plan- ning on making my own Bimini or screwed through the tape that the bolt- haps I will do such a modification my- dodger. The Genco site is great and I rope ran through. The tape seemed to self in the future. have spent some time looking over provide enough reinforcement. You BIMINIS & DODGERS their gallery photos. I am mostly stuck might give Sailrite in Indiana a call and with standing headroom or not. ask their advice. They were the ones Bob Dubuque: that provided the plastic hanks as part I have a Midship 25 (also known as a John Travis: of the Genoa kit. Parker Dawson 26), a wife and 3 kids My quick opinion on the Bimini - I Bob Rouda: ages 15, 12 & 9. It is a center cockpit have a Rhodes 22 with a Bimini which sloop, http://parkerdawson.com/. We does not provide standing head room, My Precision 23's (original) mainsail took it from Iowa to the Chesapeake DOES have cringles (grommets), but is set up to quickly fold back when Bay this summer for a month of temps through which the plastic slugs necessary. I have a brace running back in the high 90's with no Bimini or to my stern pulpit to keep it upright

Clipper Snips Page 20 Winter 2006 when folded (no banging on to the Even recycled our prior Treasurer were very much dictated by his needs. cabin top or tiller. It works well under into becoming Membership Secre- In 2000 we took our first North Chan- sail being low enough to prevent a lot tary, and he brought his good ideas nel Cruise with Casper and it was of windage and allows me to move it along with him.) agreed that if he did not like the boat out of the way very quickly in emer- trip, we would probably not return the 3. Think up a new cruise and promote gencies. I like the Bimini as opposed following year. Thankfully, Casper it, or join one that’s in planning. to a fly attached to the boom just for loved the trip. He loved the extra at- There are folk targeting the Baha- the fact that I want the shade while tention he got from us not having to mas in March and April, talk of a sailing. When you start construction compete with the other dogs. He loved Parry Sound cruise next summer, you may want to check out not having the cat around (he hated the folk will be in Florida over the www.sailrite.com for your tubes and cat). He loved his trips to shore, run- northern winter, and other cruises fabrics. ning around the parking area at Little are also in the offing to complement Current, and he learned to eat corn on 2005 ANNUAL MEETING the traditional North Channel cruise. the cob at the first night potluck. As the old saying goes:"cruise early [T/SA Commodore] John Clement: and cruise often". I know that many people would say It’s the day after the 2005 AGM. that he was just a dog, but he was 4. A proposal would allow non- Those who managed to get to Scarbor- much more than that to us. From the members a free trial month access to ough Bluffs Sailing Club yesterday had very start, Casper was special. The day this Board, as a recruiting idea. a great time meeting old friends and he arrived at my office he had infected What say ye? Good idea? At present making new ones. The garage sale eyes that had rendered him blind. His it's only for members. Lets hear your table was again a success. Quite a few breeder wanted him euthanized be- thoughts. items changed hands, to the relief of cause they did not want a "defective" those doing the selling and the delight 5. Our web-masters would be pleased dog to place. Neither Coleen nor I of those finding a real bargain. to hear your ideas about how to ex- could allow this and we took him in. pand the web site to better serve He was so painful with the infections We shared a tasty meal, lots of laughs, your/our needs. Check out our great in his eyes but he had a spirit and de- good memories, a (very brief) business site at: www.trailersailors.org and termination that said he wanted to live. meeting, and also shared a (surprise) discuss it here. We gave him some pain relief and he birthday cake with our favourite (sic) was up and playing in his kennel. We octogenarian P23 solo sailor, Henk 6. Write letters and articles to sailing removed one eye and the other eye Vanderhulst. magazines. There's a fine article scarred and healed. about this year's N.C. cruise in the For those of you unable to come, per- November, 2005 issue of Sailing. It After that he became a dog. He haps you felt a warm feeling of friend- features Wayne and Debbie Bell and learned to fetch, chase, speak, whisper ship around 6:40 pm, as we toasted Bell's Toil , with honourable (sic) and Coleen taught him to catch. Cas- absent friends. Many positive vibes mention of quite a number of other per taught us so much about living with were sent out. You must have sensed folk who were north this year. a blind pet and we regularly used him them. as an example to clients that a blind 7. Think up other ways to promote the The current slate of officers was re- dog can be healthy and active. We Association. We do have some turned once more (by acclamation), credit him with saving the lives of funds for advertising if you can and we shared some of the current is- many dogs and cats who may have come up with the ideas. sues of the Association. These include: otherwise been euthanized because of OK, that's enough homework for you their blindness. We thank God for the 1. Let’s get more articles coming in for all. Time to put a virtual stamp on this privilege of being owned by our Chi- Clipper Snips . What better way to and get it in the (e) mail. huahua and all he taught us. spend a cool fall evening than to write down some of your experi- CASPER Casper's illness was very rapid and he ences and ideas. Our Clipper Snips never suffered and died peacefully in John Travis: editor, Joe Orinko, will be mightily Coleen and my presence. For us the relieved to see his cupboard filling For all our friends from the North North Channel will always be beautiful up once more, and your T/SA Channel Cruises, Coleen and I are sad and the gem of cruising areas, but it friends will appreciate your wisdom. to report the passing of our beloved will never be quite the same. We will Chihuahua, Casper the Friendly Ghost. miss him dearly and he has left a hole 2. Sign up a new member, perhaps Casper passed away today, 3 days shy in both our hearts. using the Membership Secretary's of his seventh birthday, from complica- Challenge (This should be going up If anyone in the group would have any tions of congestive heart failure. soon on the web site). Looks a bit pictures with Casper in them from the like the Treasurer's Challenge from For all who know us, you know how North Channel, we would love to have previous years. What can we say? much we loved our little guy. Casper copies of them. We're big on recycling within T/SA. was very special to us and our lives [Many assorted T/S-ers]:

Clipper Snips Page 21 Winter 2006 In our own words – many of us ex- pop up out of nowhere, and can com- of them and the other directions also. pressed our heartfelt condolences to pletely disorientate you on land, never Once made a five-hour crossing from the Travelers on the passing of their mind out on wide open Lake Erie! Silver Creek to Port Maitland in four friend and our North Channel sailing There isn't anyone around to help you hours when the NE decreasing winds companion. should you need it. I heard a radio turned into SW increasing winds with report of some sport fisherman who got small boat warnings issued when we TOM VORROS into trouble on Lake Simcoe this week, were half way across. 8+ knots peak in Mike Morris: when they lost all power on their boat. the Quiet Hours ( working jib and Last Sunday [4 December 2005] 3 They survived and were rescued, albeit reefed main ). Unbelievable, but true. folks set out from Port Bruce Ontario with frostbite and hypothermia! The [Editor: to deliver a small sailboat to Port lake will be frozen over and ice fishing Stanley for haul out. Both the water will start soon. I guess they're crazier Let this serve as a warning to the rest and air temperature were near freezing. about fishing than I am for sailing of us. Experienced or not, bad things The boat was a McVay Minuet, 18 feet can and do happen, and it is not al- Paul Marshall: long with full keel and open cockpit ways our fault. On last summer’s T/SA that is not self-draining. The trip would As a former OPP officer who worked North Channel cruise, we had a storm have been about 15 miles along Lake that area I know how that Lake can so bad that 30+ boats were scattered Erie's north shore. blow up. over 5 or 6 safe harbors spread over 15 miles. Fortunately nobody was hurt Some where along the route in building Rich Zets: – this time - and some boats only winds and seas to 10 feet the boat and Lake Erie can’t be trusted in the sum- needed minor repairs. But we are not crew were lost. At times we do silly mer. I would not want to tempt fate always so lucky. Take care, everybody, things. Beware my friends this time of the year. No matter where and safe sailing.] Murray Cleland: I am I am always looking over my shoulder, but on Erie I look over both We are good friends with the father and mother of Tom Vorros. Tom, who owned that boat, is still missing, pre- Trailer/Sailors Association New Member application form sumed drowned. After a full week, his parents have given up any hope that for the Membership Secretary’s Challenge 2006 Tom might have survived. It is tragic! Apparently the search was called off a day or two ago, and police were asking Date: _____/______/______people to watch along the shore for any sign of the missing boat or sailors. Current TSA Members Name: ______Tom was an experienced sailor about in his mid 30s. Ironically, his parents showed us a video taken several years First Name: ______Last Name:______ago in the summer on Lake Erie (by Tom's girlfriend at the time). It showed a sailboat in distress in rough water. Address:______Tom swam out to the boat to assist in getting a line to the boat and to assist City:______State:______Zip:______the people on board. He was that kind of person, confident in the water and a bit of a risk taker. Home Phone:______E-Mail:______Who among us hasn't occasionally made a risky or adventurous decision? Mate:______Crew:______Most of us get through it ok. It looks like Tom's misjudgment cost his life and that of two friends. Make and Length of Boat:______Our hearts certainly go out to his par- ents & friends! Name of Boat:______Eric : Agreed, this is not the time of year to Mail this completed form along with your check to: be on the water up here. That's a very Don Ziliox, 1340 Elmdale N.E., Grand Rapids MI 49505 sad and tragic story. Snow squalls can

Clipper Snips Page 22 Winter 2006 Go Gently Revisions and improvements. Henk Vanderhulst

Ever since I have owned my Preci- • Clock and barometer on bulkhead forestay sion 23 Go Gently, I have enjoyed • Removable headboard for star- • Jib furling (solid) looking for ways to improve and board V-berth • revise her. This goes for sailing and Jib-sheet tracks on side-decks • Side-shelves at V-berth for blan- rigging improvements as well as • Lines to cockpit for moving jib- kets etc live-aboard comforts. sheet fairleads • Tiller-table and storage for same • Winches and cam-cleats for jib- The list of these add-ons and above V-berth changes has grown over the years sheets • Three fluorescent ceiling-lights since 1987 when I bought her. She • New jib with foam padding in luff • now has over 12,000 N Miles under One turn-able reading light (for part furling) • the keel. Mirror; swings back against aft • D.R.S. (ballooner) with snuffer port bulkhead Recently I was challenged to make • • New full-batten main sail up a list of all this stuff and have it Small drapes for windows • Rapid Reefing lines to cockpit published in Clipper Snips . Some • Mosquito (no-seeum) netting for of the items on my list may seem forward hatch - cabin (large • Lazy-jacks rather minor or frivolous. However enough so hatch can slide back & • Main halyard to cockpit forth and give standing room) many of the others are major and so • Boomvang it all balances out. As can be seen, • Marine toilet with 16 gallon hold- • Improved topping-lift (to cockpit) it comes to 100, a nice round num- ing tank • ber. Many might be useful for boats • Entry to bilge (with 7”/12” door) Two blocks on foredeck for pre- other than Precision 23’s. for cool storage venter (when running) • Cabin and live-aboard comforts; • Storage sleeve for mosq. Net Improved lower split backstay (almost gave way) • Two-burner propane stove • Dodger • Sail-slug gate closiers • Cutlery drawer under the stove • Hook for two life-jackets • One-man mast raising system • Sink cover (back is cutting board) • Two hooks for locks and keys • Autohelm • Container for soap etc behind wa- • Carpeting on underside of main terpump hatch • Whisker-pole with storage on • Large container with cover be- • Improved foam in seats and V- front of mast hind stove for frying pan etc berth • Two whisker-pole mast-eyes • Enlarged pan shelve • Made backrests removable so • Tiller-tamer they can be used to widen seats • Cupboard for cups, dishes, plates, • Tiller extender for sleeping glasses Miscellaneous stuff • Small wooden cover over two • Place for radio and tape-player center-board bolts in floor • Main battery switch • Two stereo speakers in bulkhead • Lowered table two inches • Battery % meter with switch • Small holder for four mugs • Put venting in upper hatch-board • • Two cig. lighter receptacles Paper-towel rack (with screen) • Improved wiring for lights etc • Widened both side-shelves • Two-part bimini over cabin and • • Added shelving above side- cockpit Fire extinguisher • shelves with drop-down pinrails. • Three-part dodger: can be zipped Swing-out support for GPS at • Starboard side for coffee, tea, jam onto bimini companion-way etc. Sailing and rigging items; • VHF with swing-out for mike and • Port side for books, games, binocs extra speaker • Changed from fractional to mast- etc. • Storage for winch handle (inside head rig • Sliding doors under side shelves at com.-way) • Quick-release at lower end of

Clipper Snips Page 23 Winter 2006 • 16 gallon water-tank age Now here is a serious request! • Improved rudder-pintels (they • Better cam-cleat with eye-strap In case anyone is interested in any were breaking) for centre-board line of the items on this list and wants • Made rudder tip-up with shock- • Changed to better compass to contact me in order to receive info, I will gladly respond. How- cord • “Autohelm” speed log ever I want it understood that quite • Steering rod from rudder to out- • Depth-sounder a bit of work is always involved in board • Plate under tabernackle to attach answering such a request. There- • Improved rudder haul-up blocks fore, please be seriously intending to follow up on it. And please let • Strengthened upper section of • Mid-ship mooring cleats rudder me know afterwards how you made • Small bowsprit with anchor roller out! • Teak treads on boarding-ladder for Delta anchor Bonjour from Henk Vanderhulst, • Solar panel with adjustable sup- • Flag halyard Master and owner of Go Gently port • Painted all non-skid • Lifting tackle for outboard [This editor just wants to be at the • Receptacle for outboard plug-in head of the line of sailors interested • Tilt-trip line on outboard on transom in buying Go Gently, when Henk’s • Holder for stern anchor and chain And there you have it!! ready to sell.] (rode in bucket in lazarette) • Stopped leakage at chain-plates with rubber seal Welcome New Members • Stopped leakage around windows • Weather seal on inside front of New Member Location main hatch • Safety harness plus double jack- The full Altus Boren Norman, OK lines (both on same side as board- scoop on Robert Devore Mansfield, OH ing ladder; one outside stan- these new chions) members Robert Dubuque Fairfield, IA • Removed boarding-ladder re- can be found John Fogg Whitinsville, MA straint, installed pull-down line in the 2006 Jimmy Graves Jackson, MI Membership for safety Gregory Guenther Belleville, IL • Stand-off whip for kayak/dinghy Directory, (no bumping at night) sent out with Jacqueline Hoover Matheson, CO • Small lift-up motor-mount for this issue. Brian Hopkins Bowmanville, ON dinghy motor (can drive boat if Albert Johnson DeKalb, IL main outboard fails) Here’s just David Johnston Sarnia, ON • Flag-staff an additional Jim Kasbohm El Reno, OK • Box for 4.5 l propane tank on port mention of cockpit seat (nice to sit on or lean them, in Rahn Lawton Binghamton, NY against) case they Eugene Lindgren Manhattan, KS • Propane hook-up to stove (1/8” live down Gregg MacMillan Terrace Park, OH SS tubing) with extra shut-off the street. with gauge Paul Marshall Shanty Bay, ON

• Lock on lazarette lid Lance Morrow South Orange, NJ • Second 6 gallon fuel tank with Greg Nauhauser Palmyra, PA own fuel-line to outboard Sharon Ragle Palacios, TX • Cover for fuel tank • Removed slats from gas tank stor- Thomas Reinsma Grand Haven, MI Chris Schaiberger Traverse, MI

Clipper Snips Page 24 Winter 2006 We Do It! A collection of notes from T/SA members about their ‘trailer/sailing experiences.

more. We thought it was so great how the whole group checked in on us and all the boats on the cruise. It was great of Rod and Ondine to teach us the ropes. We learned lots, met some great people. Somehow how I did- n’t get a chance to get aboard any of the pretty boats I've only seen on the web, my two young daughters, on the other hand were social butterflies. All and all, we can't wait for the next cruise and we'd like to thank all for a wonderful time.

Non-members Philip & Sharon Merlier wrote: Mike Morris - Under sail in About Time We have made this offer in the past, however, we are writing it again for the newcomers. The Winter 2003 issue of Clpper The Mac 26 has been rescued Snips included an article about by a large crane and is back in Anyone traveling to Florida in Mike Morris building a Luger its berth at the Bay – Wave- the fall, winter, or spring is 27 sailboat. The text and pic- land CMS Yacht club, virtu- welcome to park their tures described it as serious pro- ally unscathed. The Dakota boat/trailer and or tow vehicle and trailer were totally de- on our property free of charge. ject, and we’re happy to print a stroyed. That’s Gulf coast This might be interesting to picture of Mike and About Time cruising for you. people launching for extended - under sail. period of time and those who Robert Davis are going to make several [Ed. Sounds like an endorsement. short sailing trips to Florida Dave & Donna Laux: passed along Maybe you could get some free ac- and don't want to haul their this note: cessories from McGreggor.] boat back and forth each time. On August 29, 2005, my We live just off I95 in Fells- McGreggor 26, firmly secured Shawn Blackwood wrote: mere, Florida (south of Mel- on it’s trailer and attached be- We got back yesterday from bourne; west of Sebastian; hind my Dodge Dakota, took a our first NC cruise and loved northwest of Vero Beach). cruise without me onboard, it. Wish I could have stayed We are located about half way with the help of Hurricane longer. The crew was a little up the east coast of Florida. Katrina, approximately 100 shook up from the Monday We are 4 - 5 hours north of the yards, across a friend’s yard – storm and it's 30+knot winds Keys. breaking lose from the trailer with a little lightning thrown and ending up on a 10-foot in. We did however find out We have ten acres of property high pile of rubble, which in- how stiff our little 20' Matilda in a safe rural setting with a cluded my friend’s VW con- (Fair Dinkum) is. After a day locked access gate. There is a vertible and Jeep Wagoneer. of R&R the crew was up for combination lock so people

Clipper Snips Page 25 Winter 2006 can come and go whenever. morning of Sunday, July 16. Bob Hodgson, former Clipper We will depart, weather permit- Snips editor and Association We don't want any compensa- ting, on Sunday in the early af- founder, poses with what is tion for this. We are just re- ternoon to a nearby anchorage. probably the smallest turning the favor of other The potluck with be a the Span- Trailer/sailor rig in the associa- trailer/sailors that have helped ish marina on Saturday eve- tion. us out in the past. We just ning. The enjoy helping others achieve fleet will re- their sailing goals. turn for pull- In the past we have hosted out Saturday, sailors who have gone to both July 29. the Bahamas and Cuba. For those that We just ask that you be a can only stay member of a recognized sail- one week the ing organization (such as the normal ap- Trailer/Sailor Association) so proach is to that we know that you aren't have a turn- some bum or trouble maker around point off the street. on Wednesday or Thursday of Please contact us via email: the first week. [email protected] Sincerely, Of course, that will be some Philip & Sharon Merlier in the fleet Swizzle Stick Catalina 22 that will launch earlier Bryan Childs wrote: and stay later. I will be taking over as the Look for addi- cruise leader for the 2006 North tional infor- Channel T/S cruise. We will mation on the T/S Web page stay with the traditional last two T/SA Founding Father, Bob Hodgson weeks in July. The majority of or chat room. the fleet will launch at Spanish on Saturday, July 15th or the Donated books and charts Dave Craigie

This last year I was the recipient charts are free, no strings at- wish that members would pass of a lifelong collection sailing tached. on the love and re-gift them to another T/SA member, or any books and nautical charts. During the summer, Mike and Mike and Jan Collins, long time Jan will be living aboard their deserving sailor. TSA members, are downsizing boat Y-Knot on Lake Michigan. The list is too lengthy to list from their home in Bloomington In the cooler months they can be here, so I will gladly send a list MN and they had to either sell found in their new permanent by e-mail to anyone wishing their lifelong collection or do- home in Indian Town, FL. See one. If you are not on line, I nate it. They chose to donate to the Directory for further info. will send one by mail. David any T/SA member that would The books and charts are free, Craigie, Membership Secretary like a few and I am their vehicle no strings attached. It is Mike’s [email protected] for this purpose. The books and

Clipper Snips Page 26 Winter 2006 VHF Radio Installation Derek Henshaw

The situation is dicey at best. Stiff port and to starboard. west winds are building steep Change the skies to over- waves. I have plenty of canvas fly- cast with rain driving ing demanding my constant atten- hard on the deck and into tion. The fact that I am sailing sin- the open companionway. gle handed, my first mate occupied That should give you with our children, increases the most of the extremes that level of difficulty of this scenario. will affect the placement How nice it would be if it was in a or arrangement of your simulator but not today. The condi- radio components. The tions are real and missteps can lead last consideration comes to perilous disaster. As the captain, with sitting in the cabin the responsibility for the lives of as you would in the eve- my crew, my cherished family, ning with it closed up, rests squarely on my shoulders. sitting on the seats and Feeling fully engaged already, I see berths. The last thing something ahead that I know is of anyone wants is to have a dire importance to the Trailer Sail- radio in optimum position ors following in our wake. I need for sailing only to have it to warn our companion boats of a become a nuisance with dangerous shallow rock made visi- the sailboat placidly an- ble in the wave troughs. I am for- chored or docked. Radio Location by the Previous Owner mulating the radio message already Radio components must as I engage the auto-tiller. be protected from exposure to nal owner mounted the radio just This scene may be exaggerated for weather and corrosive elements. inside the v-berth on the starboard the kind of sailing that many Most radios and radio components, side under the cabin top. The loca- Trailer Sailors do but it does pre- such as speakers and microphones, tion is ideal while sitting inside the sent a single illustration of how will not tolerate any water contact boat but it is most inconvenient important radio installation is on a to include rain and spray. A loca- when sailing or sitting in the cock- sailboat. The setup of the boat’s tion for the set in the cabin ensures pit. radio rig has a great impact on how the radio will stay dry. Locating it I have considered moving the radio easily communication can be made. near the companionway makes the from its current location and creat- It all comes down to the thought radio accessible from the cockpit. ing a location for it by cutting an put into accessibility and a realistic, Interior design often limits locating access in the fiberglass of the star- practiced movement before the first the radio near the companionway board seat back under the shelf. I mounting hole is drilled for the in- and some creativity may be neces- am not averse to cutting the fiber- stallation of the radio. sary to facilitate placement there. glass pan liner and have done so to Sit in your cockpit with the cabin My Cadence is a 1980 Catalina 22 make storage space accessible. I set up as you would under sail. with a pop-top and headroom is at a am interested to hear from anyone Imagine the sails full and drawing, premium around the companion- who has cut into that section of the the boat stable with a following way. The dinette seat backs onto starboard side seat back of a similar wind; sun filling the cockpit with the companionway bulkhead so design Catalina 22 to hear of your warmth and cheer. Envision mov- locating a radio there eliminates experiences as I will only do such a ing from your seated position to a half of the seating inside my sail- cut as a last option or a recom- place where you can make a radio boat around the table. In fact, seat- mended solution. call. Then change the wind to on ing and storage locations leave no I have made the radio more accessi- the nose, sails sheeted in hard, adequate space to locate even a ble while sailing by running micro- waves moving the deck like a rock- small radio set anywhere near the phone and speaker wires from the ing horse with the deck heeling to companionway. Cadence’s origi- radio to the movable instrument

Clipper Snips Page 27 Winter 2006 cluster I locate in the cockpit while Weather is the greatest constraint to inside the cabin. Carrying moist underway. The instruments stow in radio operations from the cockpit. novelettes works best for radio the cabin when not in use keeping In any conditions that are wet (rain parts because it uses alcohol to re- them out of the weather and sun at or drizzle), a standard microphone move the deposits, the fabric car- which time I disconnect the radio and speaker should stay inside in ries away the material, and the al- gear from the radio too. Inciden- the dry cabin. I have weather- cohol evaporates cleanly and tally, the instrument cluster also has proofed my speaker putting it into a quickly. A spray can of electronic a LORAN, GPS, and depth sounder sealed plastic bag inside its mount- cleaner works wonders on contacts mounted on a sturdy nonskid base. ing. So far the works have kept dry and plugs. As always, disconnect- When I prepare to get underway, I and remain operational. With the ing power is recommended before disconnect the microphone from plastic bag drawn flat in front of the using any solvents on electrical the radio and plug into the external speaker cone, the sound is not dis- components of any type. microphone jack to the back of the torted enough to be noticeable for The setup I have in Cadence is not radio. I then connect a microphone VHF use. There are outdoor speak- ideal but it works for me. I have extension into the radio then move ers and microphones available on been considering improvement to out to the cockpit with the micro- the market but the thrifty sailor in the radio placement ever since ac- phone and plug it into the socket in me keeps me using what works at quiring the boat in 1985. You the instrument cluster. To simplify no additional cost. There are also might think that 20 years of consid- the design, I drilled the speaker radios in weatherproof housings eration has come to something, but surround to mount the microphone that are considerably more expen- alas it has not prompted me to and put a mike clip there too to sive because of the weather sealing. change anything yet. The set up is hold the micro- at best a compromise as phone securely. nearly all things are con- My speaker is an cerning boats. There automotive sur- may be a better setup for face mount me that I have yet to dis- speaker with a cover. Time and inertia plastic case. will play their parts in My biggest draw- determining the future back with this setup of my VHF rig. I setup is my inabil- never have enough round ity to change radio tuits. channels or Sketch of the Instrument Cluster on Cadence The first paragraph sce- speaker volume from the cockpit. I sail the freshwater seas we call the nario is one I have used to plan out Since I do most of my sailing single Great Lakes. The spray kicked up how I will react and operate know- handed, I have no help available to by Cadence’s bow is not as corro- ing the limitations I have for use of assist me with the task of changing sive here as it was when I sailed the the radio in such a situation. If the channels. I use a combination of briny waters of the Atlantic Ocean. conditions were any worse than that auto tiller and forward planning to I was not as concerned about corro- scenario and you were sailing be- time my moves and I can usually sion here as I was when I was sail- hind me, you would most likely make channel changes as neces- ing in salt water. My equipment hear 5 blasts on my horn followed sary. I do notice, however, how far gets an occasional wipe down with by a radio message on whatever a sailboat moves in the few seconds a parent’s favorite clean-all (the channel we were last talking if the it takes me to change the channel ubiquitous baby-wipe.) I avoid a mike is still in the cockpit. As long when my head is below deck. I simple rinse down at home since as I can stay on a working channel, actually think ahead and plan where most fresh water in Western NY I have no concerns for the radio and I am going to step and move my has levels of dissolved calcium that boat handling remains my primary body for the trip into and out of the can cause more problems than it concern. cabin quickly and efficiently. Mind solves as it leaves deposits during Your comments are invited and I you, there are times when making evaporation. A rinse down is of welcome discussion on this topic the move is impossible and I have course essential when ocean sailing and any other concerns you may to forego the radio operation all because of an invisible saline mist have about VHF radio. together until conditions permit. that gets carried on the air into inte- rior spaces causing corrosion even

Clipper Snips Page 28 Winter 2006 North Channel Calling Henk Vanderhulst

Yes, I hear the call loud and clear. rocky shores up north is the appear- areas of this crust that were origi- These northern regions of Lake ance of fossils. Some of these are nally in the tropics are now as far Huron have drawn me many times obviously the fossilized remains of away as the arctic and the Antarc- during the past twenty years or so. coral. We may wonder about this tic! The movement of these plates When June rolls around, I start since coral is surely only found in can be as much as 6 inches per dreaming about the beauty of this tropical seas. Scientists have fig- year. “Not much”, you say. Calcu- rugged water and landscape, with ured out that some 400 million late it for 300 million years!! This its multi-hued rock formations, its years ago these coral reefs were floating of the earth’s crust comes many delightful bays, forests under the scientific label and high clear skies. Whenever I am sailing around in Isostacy. I remember the many pleas- The other major force which ant encounters with other T/ the North Channel and Georgian did much to shape this rugged S A-ers during our July Bay, I am fascinated by the differ- landscape was the ice of the group cruising and look for- past Ice-age. And although the ward to the renewal of ent rock-formations that I see . . . rock formations of the Cana- friendships. dian Shield are millions and even billions of years old, it was the Whenever I am sailing around in alive in warm inland seas. How did action of the glaciers that actually the North Channel and Georgian they come to be where we find brought about the formation of the Bay, I am fascinated by the differ- them now? For that we can blame Great Lakes. Even though the evi- ent rock formations that I see, and the movement of the earth’s Tec- dence shows that there have been how these have been shaped by two tonic Plates. The crust of the earth several ice-ages over the past two very different forces. When I see an is formed by a number of these million years or so, it is the last of outcrop of black lava with a layer plates, which float atop the underly- these, the so called Wisconsin Gla- of granite which is actually bent ing mantle that is mostly molten ciation, which formed the Great over the lava, I try to visualize the rock. The plates are constantly in Lakes basin. This huge glacier was actions taking place here millions motion and colliding etc, causing still advancing some 20, 000 years of years ago. Then there are the earthquakes and tsunamis. How- ago, and in many areas the depth of intrusions of quartz in the middle of ever, this is not all! Through the ice reached up to two miles! To a slab of lava: how did this come to ages, some have traveled so far that figure out the depth of the ice, sci- be? Or streaks of white quartz run- ning through beautiful pink granite. These streaks were caused when quartz in molten form was pushed up from below at a time when there was much bubbling activity going on. As it was pushed up, it found cracks in the overlying granite and filled these cracks before harden- ing. Some of this quartz is so white that it is mined and ground up. The resulting powder is then used to make white paint. You may well wonder, “How was it formed and how did it become so white!?”. I always have my eyes open for this type of thing. Something else that may catch our eyes when we walk some of the Lava erratic on pink granite

Clipper Snips Page 29 Winter 2006 entists use different variables. One loose rocks were dropped by the gions of our world. It is a very an- of these has to do with the so called retreating ice. I know of one lying cient form of plant-life, possibly erratics. As a rock is moved along in the middle of a channel, that is the most ancient. Every lichen con- by the glacier and forced down approximately 20 by 20 by 26 feet; sists of an alga and a fungus living upon the underlying rock, it makes that is quite a rock to be moved in together in a symbiotic partnership. a scratch in the rock. If we find a this way! Another of my favorites Another interesting fact about li- rock which was held in place by a is a rather round lump of black chen is their ability to produce soil. ledge, leaving such a scratch right lava, about four feet in diameter, Lichen living on rock break down behind it, the weight of the ice lying on pink-red granite with some of the rock with their acid. above it can be calculated by the white quartz streaks. Many of these These rock particles then mix with weight of the rock, the depth of the erratics were moved by the glacial the decaying lichen to form soil. scratch and the density of the ice for hundreds of miles. And then there is the food value of marked rock-face (although it is a There is a fair amount of reading certain lichen. When in dire need, a little more involved than that). And material to be found in public li- person can remain alive by eating there are several other ways in braries. It may add to our pleasure the so-called reindeer moss, which which the thickness of this ice can to know a little bit about the geol- happens to be the main diet of the be calculated. caribou. The tremendous Talking about weight of the ice Caribou, I saw caused the under- several of those lying rock-strata stately animals to be depressed. when I was in the Over the next Slate Islands in several thousand Lake Superior. years the ice You will not find sheet was in re- them around Lake treat and the for- Huron! It is in- merly depressed deed rare for us to regions began to glimpse any of the rebound. This larger animals, rebounding or but believe me; rising of the land they are there in (which in certain abundance! Most areas is about one often though the inch every ten moose, deer or years) is still con- Orange lichen on black lava bear feel safer tinuing today even though the ice- away from the shore where man ogy of the areas through which we sheets have been gone for several has usurped their domain. There are sail. thousand years. Some areas rose plenty of hidey-holes for them to more than others, and so the pre- What also enhances the beauty of live their life away from the prying sent shape of the Great Lakes came the shorelines we pass as we sail eyes and dangers of man. into being. along is the beautiful orange lichen. The smaller animals are easier to Lichen comes in many different When the ice started to melt some see. The beaver for instance has colors, shapes and forms. It is the 15,000 years ago, it scoured the apparently outgrown its fear of man orange kind that catches the eye underlying rock, breaking very and may now be seen right among especially if it grows on pink or large boulders free and pushing this our anchored boats in places such reddish granite. It is spectacular if debris along with the moving ice, as Covered Portage Cove. Many a we find it on black lava, as may be gouging and tearing at the underly- time beavers would allow me to seen on Armour Island’s western ing rock-face, ultimately dropping come quite close in my kayak, so shore. There are more than 15,000 its load, leaving behind so-called that I could observe how they enjoy different kinds of this odd plant- erratics, as well as moraines etc. making a meal of the flowers of life, and it may be found in the Up north, we may see much evi- bull lilies. Once in Lake Superior I coldest as well as the hottest re- dence of this, since most of those was anchored quite close to a large

Clipper Snips Page 30 Winter 2006 beaver lodge. I enjoyed seeing Papa My most favorite northern bird is so. A discussion is always wel- Beaver coming home with an eight the loon (while my favorite in the come, and is a good learning- foot branch with leaves and all, south is the Brown Pelican). There experience. dragging it behind him and then are several different species of Now where is my logbook? But submerging to the entrance of the loons. However the one most often first I will tell you, what made me lodge and pulling the whole branch seen up north is the Common Loon. sail up all the way from Sarnia. A in after him! I could imagine him It is the one with the necklace. major reason for this was, that Go calling: “Hey kids, here is your Loons are survivors as a species. Gently was in the water and would lunch!”. They are well known for They are a very ancient bird and be in the water again after coming their skill at dam building and for have been around for several mil- home from up north. And so it their social life. At one time, man lion years. They are truly a water- made sense to sail up and back, almost eradicated the beavers for bird and are adept at diving for because that saved me two haul- their fur, but this marvelous animal their fish meal and staying under outs and two launchings. Plus, this has made a comeback against many for a very long time. If they are way I did not have to fight traffic, odds, much to the delight of us who forced to move on land, they rest worry about blowing tires etc. And now may watch them in the wild. on their breast and push themselves those long days on the water can be along with their feet. This is why Also, the otters don’t hesitate to very relaxing. They can also be their nests are close to and only just show themselves and amuse us BAD as you will see later on in my out of the water. Thus they are en- with their play, or to show us how story. (Don’t worry; normally I am dangered, because passing motor- in favor of trailering my boat) I enjoyed seeing Papa boats often ruin their nests. It is always a joy to hear their call while Ah, I found my logbook, so here Beaver coming home they are in flight or at play on the goes. By the way, my dear Go with an eight foot water. I have been rewarded with Gently is a Precision 23, #84, born their playing and chasing after each in 1986 and adopted by me in 1987. branch ...and pulling other, especially if I managed to Thursday, July 7, 2005 - It is early the whole branch in sneak up close in my kayak. One morning. All is ready for my sin- summer, Sia and I were on a canoe after him! I could gle-hand trip up to the North Chan- trip when we saw as many as 25 nel where I am to meet up with imagine him calling: loons together, as if they were hav- many other T/SA-ers for our yearly “Hey kids, here is your ing a meeting. Possibly they were group sail. I have about nine days talking about what could be done to get to Spanish, our starting point. about those infernal motorboats. In lunch!”. That should be ample time. that respect we sailors share their aversion! They are a migratory It’s a beautiful morning, just after they will dive for their food, such bird, preferring to spend their win- seven when I leave my dock in as crayfish, and then come up to ters in southern coastal waters, just Sarnia. My wife Sia and daughter have a hearty meal. Another animal as many of us like to escape the Corene come to see me off. At 7:20 which we may spot occasionally is cold northern winters. I am in Lake Huron after passing the porcupine. I have in my posses- under the two Blue Water Bridges. sion a quill that is 8 inches long! I I guess I should stop this babbling My GPS tells me that my destina- can imagine that the original owner about geology, zoology, etc. and tion for today is a little over 50 NM must have been quite a size! get on with my story about my sail- away. So let’s get moving! How- ing experiences of this summer. I Sometimes a porky may be seen up ever there is quite a swell, not very am including the above because I a tree, busily stripping the branches pleasant. And the Wind Imp has it am aware that quite a lot of people of all that is edible. in for me: wind on the nose and who sail up there enjoy the sailing, therefore motoring. In order to Birds such as seagulls and cormo- the water, and the wind. But I find have my hands free to kill the many rants are of course no rarity. Quite that there is more to it. A bit of flies that come aboard, I set my often a Heron can be spotted, but knowledge about the above things Autohelm and let Go Gently take we certainly do not see the variety can enhance your pleasure! I know care of herself. I make good use of of different Herons that may be it does for me! the time by doing some writing. seen in Florida. In case anyone wishes to correct After about four hours, things start me on any of the above, please do to improve a bit. The swell is

Clipper Snips Page 31 Winter 2006 down and the flies are leaving me. I about 55 NM. I have done it be- get lots of excitement due to sud- hoist my main and motor-sail at fore, heading south. You are out of den fickle wind-shifts and one nice about 5.5 KN. With a bit of zig-zag sight of land most of the time, so squall adding to the fun! I get some I manage to sail for a couple of ducking in is not practical; you just very fast sailing; my GPS indicates hours. But then the water becomes have to brave whatever Windy well over 7 KN. Then when round- lumpy and I decide I better just mo- throws at you! It starts off good, ing up into the west, it is all over tor. At 18:35 I anchor in Godrich motor-sailing at close to 6 KN. But and the rest is done by Yamy, my harbor, deciding not to go to a ma- at midday with the wind still trusty iron horse. At 18:20 the hook rina since I plan on leaving early mostly on the nose, the waves are goes down in Browning Cove, the next morning. I enjoy a pleasant up and I am forced to put on my Haywood Island. After a tiring but quiet evening and sleep well that rain gear. I still manage close to 6 satisfying day, I am in bed right first night. Under me are some of KN with a reefed main helping. At after a quick swim and an early the biggest salt mines in the world! 15:10 I enter Cove Island’s pleas- supper. By the way, Tilly is my ant, quiet anchorage. I am glad this tiller-tamer. Friday, July 8 - While I enjoy my stretch is behind me! It is now oatmeal porridge, I open Sia’s card, Monday, July 11 - The early quiet, warm and sunny, with a nice which is for our 51st wedding anni- morning is beautiful and I take my breeze to dry my wet stuff. Since it versary. I give her a long-distance kayak all over Browning Cove. was too wild to have lunch, I make kiss. It is 06:45 when I lift the You never know; I might encounter myself a good size supper. And hook. A beautiful morning holds a some T/SA-ers or friends from pre- then I go for an hour kayak ride out promise for a pleasant day. How- vious years. But no such luck, so I of the cove. Again a good night for ever, I don’t hold my breath, re- take off for Little Current, again sleeping and I make it a long one. membering yesterday! Sure motoring into a light wind. I make enough, as soon as the Wind Imp Sunday, July 10 - I am late getting the 11:00 bridge and find a place at spots me from his perch on a cloud, up and it is 08:00 before I leave the the main dock, after topping up my he again has it in for me: wind on Cove with Haywood as my destina- two main gas-tanks. So far I have the nose. Luckily he keeps it down tion: again about 50 NM. Yesterday used about 13 gallons; not too bad and I can motor calmly. I shook my fist at Windy. Today I considering all that adverse wind. decide to wave at him; maybe he My Van would have demanded This little guy is one of Mother Na- will be kinder to me! It starts with more! ture’s children, but he is the no wind. But after a little over an naughty one of the bunch and at Then, it is time for my “regular” hour I have my ballooner up, al- times he can be quite unpleasant whenever I drop in at Little Cur- though my speed is less than 4 KN. and sometimes even nasty! And as rent. I have a nice hot sausage on a This is very pleasant though. On will be seen later on, he has me hot bun with sauerkraut and the this stretch I am to be treated to picked out for special treatment this works. The little sausage cart is some exciting wind-shifts and some summer! doing a good business, even though good sailing. So it seems that it is a hot day. Next a phone call to My destination for this day is Port Windy wants to play with me! First Sia; all is OK at home. I take a Elgin, again about 50 NM away. on the ballooner alone but after an walk to Spider Bay marina, but also The last 2 1/2 hrs I am actually sail- hour I have the main up and clip there I do not find anyone I know. ing, doing about 5 KN. I dock at along at close to 6 KN. As I pass Now for a nice ice cream, which 16:30. I have a pleasant supper and Rattlesnake Harbor, the sky dark- tastes well on this hot day! visit with old friends. Collin and I ens but it is only a false alarm and have known each other since my the sun appears again. At noon, I I have a good snooze and at 14:00 days in Australia in the early fifties, stow the ballooner and am back on I’m on my way to Sturgeon Cove. when we worked together on the jib and main. A short while later I What do you know: I have to mo- construction of airfields for the Fly- have to shorten sail, then on reefed tor! I remember from earlier that ing Doctor Service in Queensland. main alone. After only half an hour, Sturgeon Cove can be tricky to en- He is an Australian who settled in I am again under full sail at a good ter, so I take it slow and keep a Canada. At 21:00 I am back aboard 5 KN, with Charley (my auto-helm) good eye on the depth-sounder and and in bed for a good night’s sleep. doing a good job. And so I get a the color of the water. Remember- ing my previous exploring, I have Saturday, July 9 - I’m on my way chance to have a good lunch. no trouble. I keep the rock patch at 06:15. What will this day bring? I’m now off the east coast of Mani- just outside and slightly to the west This next lap to Cove Island is toulin Island and right after lunch I

Clipper Snips Page 32 Winter 2006 of the entrance about 50 ft At 10:00 I’m on my to starboard, continue on way. It’s a beautiful and clear the rocky shore morning, not a ripple by the same distance. I on the water. I motor then keep the same course slowly, enjoying the and go straight in. No trou- scenery. There is not ble and my depth-sounder another boat to be seen showed no less than 7 ft. for the first hour, then The track shown in guide- finally one cruiser books is a tricky dog-leg, meets me. Friendly which is certainly not folks, they slow right needed for shoal draft down and beep their boats! After anchoring and horn in greeting. I like a swim to cool off, I take that! The Bay of Is- the kayak to the entrance lands is a quiet place for another look see: it and I find it very looks good! I am mindful pretty. Most of the of the itinerary for our cottages are partly hid- Group sail, since this is den, brown and not planned for our second an- intruding on the land- chorage. scape. And there are very few boats. At Since it was such a hot day, 12:30, I drop my an- I make myself a nice bowl chor close to White- of hot “Dynamite Chili” fish Falls, and take for supper! And then I go time to have soup for for a chat with some of the lunch. Next, I kayak other sailors at anchor. into the river, passing Then another cool-off the village, (there is swim before bed-time. not much of it) and up Tuesday, July 12 - I wake to the falls. I like what up to a very quiet morning. I see! On the way This is a good time to do back, I stop at the vil- some house-keeping. Then lage for a nice ice I have a nice swim, a cream, and have a sponge-bath and another pleasant chat with swim, and I am ready for some of the local folk. another day. Back at Go Gently , I What shall I do today? do a few odd jobs, and Since I have time on my then after moving to a hands, I decide to have a better anchorage, I look at Whitefish Falls. I paddle once more to was there once with a the falls, this time to friend at the end of our ca- take some pictures. At noe trip many years ago, 16:50 I am on my way and I remember the falls. out, sightseeing and With the new set of charts passing Birch Land- of this area it has become a ing. The deer flies are lot easier to find your way being nasty and persis- through the maze of is- tent. lands. I choose the north- Once out of the Bay, I ern route to go in and the The author’s 2005 round trip to head for Louisa Is- southern for return. land, moving along

Clipper Snips Page 33 Winter 2006 under a beautiful mackerel sky. At Elliot Lake, and sail (oops, motor) make my way south among all the 20:10, I drop my hook. On the out of Spanish. They tell me that a rocks and small islands to the north beach I notice a large voyageur number of our boats are already in of North Benjamin. This is a very canoe, a bonfire, and many young- the water. And they have met the pretty area, not to be entered by a sters having a lot of fun. Another Bowman’s and others! They also sailboat, since it is full of hidden sailboat comes in and anchors very tell me that something secret is in shoals! Going along the west of close to the beach. A peek through the works on account of Pete and North Benjamin I find the entrance my binoculars tells me that it is Carol Bowman’s fifty years of mar- to Benjamin Harbor. I chat with another Precision: 18 ft. I kayak riage! Something about special some of the people at anchor there over and we have a pleasant chat. I flags?! and then I leave from the east en- tell him about T/SA, but I don’t trance, heading back to Fox. In the So, when I’m back aboard I look think that he is much interested; too meantime, the wind (Windy again!) for some likely material (a paper bad! has come up, of course on my nose, shopping-bag) and fashion a flag. and it makes for a fair pull to get Wednesday, July 13 - I’m up Then it is high time for a nice long back to Fox Harbor!! I’m heading early, do some tidying up and have kayak trip, through the gap and into a stiff breeze and chop. This a nice refreshing swim. Next I an- then on the outside back into Fox. continues for about 4 NM. And chor near that Precision 18 and we The last of this was quite rough. then it’s high time for a good lunch have another chat. He is from Sud- When I get back, another sailboat and a snooze. bury. Again I tell him about our has just arrived. It is an Edsel 665 great T/SA, but I don’t think it will Nancy from the powerboat brings from Sudbury, called Morning work! Too bad, but you can’t win me a nice cold beer, and now the Mist . Aboard are a young couple them all. bad, bad job that I have in front of and four young children, who are me does not look so insurmount- I leave Louisa at 10:10 for Fox very well behaved! After my swim able! The plunger on my marine Harbor. What do you know; the and a good supper, I kayak over to toilet has come apart, which means wind is on the nose again! And the the Edsel and we have a pleasant taking it out and trying to fix it. All deer flies are bad. When I get close chat. Again I tell them about T/SA, this is not a pleasant job, but it has to the entrance I notice a powerboat but they want to decide first what to be done. I succeed and have obviously searching for a way in. their next move will be. earned myself another nice swim, With a bit of guidance they make it This day ends with a beautiful quiet with soap and all. Then a good sup- OK, and then follow me to the an- evening, good for sleeping! per and I declare that the day was a chorage at the end of the bay. I Thursday, July 14 - The day great success! A wonderful quiet drop the hook in my favorite spot dawns bright and cool and with the evening with a nice sunset makes and then look at how they are do- east wind that I should have had for a good finish! But, wait a min- ing: not good at all! They try many yesterday! But I decide to make ute, there comes someone from a times to get their anchor to set this a lay-over day. After breakfast nearby sailboat bringing me a nice without success. So I kayak over I finish that flag. What next? I go late snack. Wow! and tell her that she has to give the right through Go Gently and do a rode some slack, so the anchor has Friday, July 15 - What’s for good clean-up job. After all, I’m a chance to lie down. Her next ef- breakfast? I can’t get my propane soon to meet up with the T/SA fort was successful. Next thing I stove to work! This has occurred a group!! know, two more powerboats come couple of times before. It is caused in. One of those also does not know Then the folks from Morning Mist by a wax-buildup in the jets, and beans about anchoring. These are come aboard, the whole six of the only way to overcome the prob- big ones and the folks aboard are them! But the children are so well lem properly is by taking the whole quite obnoxious when I tell them behaved that I don’t mind; it’s a thing apart and soaking the jets in a that 30 ft off my port beam is a bit pleasure. Their ages run from 2 ½ cleaning fluid. This is a bit of a job too close for comfort! So, no tips to 10. Mom and Dad wanted to and it delays my breakfast. Oh from me about anchoring! Eventu- have a look at my mosquito-net. well! My porridge gets done by ally they move and finally settle The whole family came in their 16 09:30. down. ft canoe. Other than the bad deer flies, it is a The folks that came in earlier are a For me, the next thing I do is a long very pleasant morning. I am start- pleasure to talk to. They are from kayak trip. Leaving Fox Harbor, I ing to think about a complete cock-

Clipper Snips Page 34 Winter 2006 pit screen: should have done that man’s. I learn later that several of photo-album; maybe someone else years ago, but they are so bother- these were made by Bailey, the should do so?! I think they are some! First I complete the clean-up Bowman’s granddaughter. So now rather neat! job that I started yesterday. And I can replace my poor paper flag Sunday July 17 - This is the day then I kayak once more through the with one of these! I anchor in that our T/SA group sailing in the gap and around the outside. When I among the several boats that are North Channel is to start. Most of get back, I notice that everybody is there. Besides Incipient, I find the 40 or so boats have been leaving. I have my lunch and a nap Blue Max , Jessie B and For launched and apart from some sup- and then at 14:00 I am also on my Whom The Bells Toil . And also plies, we are set to go. way, sailing off the hook. I sail for new-comers to T/SA; they are from a while at 4 KN, but then the wind Manitoba and sail a Sirius 21 However, first the Captains Meet- dies. named Yes Dear . I like that name; ing, which is always an important it should be a peaceful boat! I guess opening move! Once again John Right after making my “security” I am now officially a part of the Travis is our esteemed leader, and call to pass through the narrow pas- group! With my trusty kayak I go he handles the meeting in his usual sage called Little Detroit, I have a and say my “Hallo” and go aboard efficient way. We go through the pleasant surprise! I get a call from Jessie B to catch up on the news. I itinerary etc, and study some Incipient . Dave Craigie tells me then share a pleasant supper with charts. Some suggestions come in that they are at anchor behind Dave and Joyce Craigie. Later most from the peanut gallery. As for me, Laurier Island with several other T/ of us climb a hill for some gaming I make mention of my exploring SA boats!! When I come around and wait for the sunset. job at Sturgeon Cove. Later I re- the corner, he is waiting for me in gretted that I had not been a little his dinghy and hands me one of the July 16, Saturday - Today is the more forceful concerning the en- special flags that were made in se- day that the group fun is to begin! trance to this Cove! At 11:00 sev- cret for the anniversary of the Bow- After my morning bath and break- eral boats are on their way and the fast (yes, the stove works rest will be following before long! well!), it is time to head We make our way East through for Spanish and find out Little Detroit. It is a warm and who is in the water and beautiful day as we all gather in who is getting ready to Eagle Cove, which is large enough launch, etc. And time to to hold all of our boats. At the first meet up with old and new anchorage it is the time for most of friends. At 10:20, I take a the sailors to do some sorting and dock at the Marina and organizing. start making the rounds, enjoying renewing old Other than for a few personal epi- friendships. sodes, I will now leave it to some- one else to write more about the Since it is very hot and next two weeks. One very good uncomfortable in the ma- story has already appeared in Clip- rina, several of the boats per Snips. It was submitted by the decide to anchor out in the Holderness family, who sailed Es- river. I should have done cape . the same, but decide to stay. We take up a large And this is probably a good place section of the marina with in my epistle to lay down the pen all those boats! Our pot- (?) for a while and call this: The luck is a success as al- end of part one. ways, and then there is the

“Good Cheers” for the Bowman’s. They are pre- To Be Continued in Spring 2006 sented with many of those special flags. If I had kept mine, I think I would sub- mit it to our website

Clipper Snips Page 35 Winter 2006 Trailer/Sailors Association The Trailer/Sailors Association is a non-profit organization formed more than 15 years ago. Its members provide a exchange of ideas and information about all aspects of sailing trailerable sailboats. Our more than 500 members are scattered across the USA and Canada, and the diversity of their experiences enrich the association and heightens our collective interest in small sailboat cruising. Clipper Snips , published in a Winter, Spring, and Fall issues, is the official publication of the organization, provid- ing cruising articles, association announcements, how-to articles, and free classified ads.

Association Officers : President : John Clement, 51 Hillside Dr. Aurora, ON L4G 6E1 Canada, (905) 727-3492, E-mail: TRAILSAIL editor: Bob Rouda, 946 Lydia Dr., Rose- [email protected] ville, MN 55113, (651) 481-0226, E-mail: Membership Secretary : David Craigie, 101 W. Mar- [email protected] shall, Midwest City, OK 73110, (405) 741-2555, E- Cruise Recorder : Don Ziliox, 1340 Elmdale NE, mail: [email protected] Grand Rapids, MI 49525, (616) 361-8230, E-mail: Associate Membership Secretary: Tommy Clark, [email protected] 5837 Karric Square Drive, Dublin, OH 43016, (614) Launch Ramp Advisory : John Ulmer, 659 S. Canal 271-6011, E-mail: [email protected] St., Box 4101, Canal Fulton, OH 44614 (330) 854-3796, Treasurers : Dave & Donna Laux, 18043 Asketum E-mail: [email protected] Branch Rd., Georgetown, DE 19947, (302) 875-2917, Public Relations : Gary Schafer, 2578 Pembroke, Bir- [email protected] mingham, MI 48009, (248) 649-4911, E-Mail: Assistant Treasurer : Jack Beggs, 2586 Cheswick, [email protected] Troy, MI, 48084-1012, (248) 646-5082, E-mail: New Member Secretary: Rich Zets, 11420 Country [email protected]. Line Rd, Forestville, NY 14062-9741, Email: Trailersailors.org Webmasters : Mike & Diana Nel- [email protected] son, 2717 N. River Rd., Yellow Springs, OH 45387, Clipper Snips Associate Editor: Gary Felix, 5121 (937) 767 9487, E-mail: [email protected] Western Avenue, Omaha, NE 68132, (402) 553-2011, Co-Webmaster : Chris Holderness 83 Pinehurst Cres. E-Mail: [email protected] Kitchener, ON N2N 1E3, (519) 741-0199, E-mail: Clipper Snips Editor : Joe Orinko, 433 Lincoln Ave- [email protected] nue, Erie, PA 16505-2449, (814) 456-6469, E-mail: TRAILSAIL List Manager : John Travis, 328 River- [email protected] view Ln, Sheboygan, WI 53081, (920) 459-8382, E-mail: [email protected]

PRSRT STD Clipper Snips Editor U.S. Postage 433 Lincoln Avenue PAID Erie, PA 16505-2449 Erie, PA Permit #554 Trailer/Sailors Association

Forwarding Service Requested Dated Material Please Deliver Promptly

Clipper Snips Page 36 Winter 2006