Trailer/Sailors Association The magazine of the Fall 2003 Trailer/Sailors Association Features/anouncements Front Cover Welcome Aboard CS Editorial Staff 1 President s Column Wayne Bell 1 Treasurer/Membership Report David Craigie 10 From the T/SA Web Discussion List ed. John Coppedge 16 Welcome New Members 27 Ramp Report - Three Ramps In The Florida Keys John Ulmer Back Cover Classified Ads Cruising Articles 4 Tip of the Thumb John Myers 13 Tangent to Rossport Tom & Rosemary Hamill 21 North Channel Snips Wayne & Debbie Bell 22 Cruising the West Coast of Florida Claiborne Young How-To 1 A Little about Boating Etiquette Mike Collins 9 A Cautionary Tale Bud Meade 17 White Swan Bud Meade Special Items 8 Cruising Guide to the Northern Gulf Coast Claiborne Young Special Note: Webmaster Mike Nelson reports the 2003 North Channel Cruise photo albums are now available for viewing on the T/SA web site. The url is http://www.trailersailors.org/photoalbums.html 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 Fall 2003 Welcome Aboard... It's been a busy summer, and I hope In Tangent to Rossport, Tom & tunity to voice our trailer/sailor all our members used their boats to Rosemary Harrill describe skim- concerns as part of this organization create some great stories. Sue & I ming along upper Lake Superior surveys. did what we could, but like every in their trimaran Tangent. The registration screen is at: http:// fall, we're shedding some tears and www.prr.msu.edu/boaterpanel/ saying "We should have used ithe I included a piece about Claiborne boat more." But we DID make Young's updated Cruising Guide I didn't really consider the info I some great personal stories. to the Northern Gulf Coast. He provided to be very private; but you includes an offer of $3 discount can bail out at any time before you Henk for T/SA members on orders be- submit the screen data. We'll see if One story I'm happy to report is that fore Christmas 2003. I get that $20 coupon. Henk Vanderhulst, who fell ill last Keeping with the focus on South- Future Articles Spring, has fully recovered, thanks ern Venues, John Ulmer delivered to tender loving care from his wife Ramp Report - Three Ramps In The focus of the Winter issue is Sia. Besides being my favorite sen- The Florida Keys. Fix-it/Improvement Projects, and ior citizen sailor, Henk contributes we've got a few in the pipeline. about 1/3 of the stories in Clipper Survey Invitation In Trailer sailing with a 9.9 HP Snips, so I was understandably con- "The Recreational Marine Research Yamaha, Henk Vanderhulst pro- cerned. Center (at Michigan State University) vides some how to on several sub- is in the process of forming a Na- This issue tional Panel of Recreational Boaters jects including a motor tilter, a dolly, a hoist, and a mast support This issue includes part 1 of who would be willing from time-to- Cruising the West Coast of time to complete short on-line sur- Your editor shares a little epoxy Florida. This is a transcript veys on topics including: your opin- know-how in Install a Fishfinder ions related to boating facilities and (typed by T/SA treasurer Dave services, participation rates, angling In Your Sailboat. Craigie) of a presentation made from boats, boat and boating equip- In Let's Talk Trailers Henk Van- by Claiborne Young at the Har- ment purchases and sales, perspec- derhulst shares his thoughts from borage at Bayboro Marina in St tives on proposed policies (e.g., fee over 50,000 miles of towing. Petersberg, FL. changes). Participation as a panel member will provide you a unique Karl Schmitt describes a device in A Cautionary Tale; a 'how-to' opportunity for your viewpoints and [Fuhrler Support] Designed by article by Bud Meade about mak- needs to be reflected in industry deci- Schmidt, Modified by Schmitt. ing some epoxy improvements to sions, and federal and state boating his new Seaward 25. It's also a policy decisions. John Burrows shares some do-it- 'how-not-to' as the boat caught "Boater Panel members who com- yourself projects: one about a self fire, and was destroyed. plete at least one online survey will tacking jib, and another about a solar panel installation. Upon hearing of Bud's boat fire, be emailed a coupon for $20.00 off a $100.00 purchase at West Marine Trailsail group member Tom Par- Next issue also contains Part 2 of stores nationwide We will also email rent lent Bud his Hunter 320 all Boater Panel members the results Cruising the West Coast of Flor- White Swan. Bud reports mixed of the surveys in which they partici- ida by Claiborne Young. emotions of 'free chartering.' pate. In the near future we will be Mike Collins provides some com- developing a Web The Clipper Snips Winter issue: ments in A Little about Boating site where Panel Deadline: January 1, 2004 Etiquette members can ac- Focus: John Myers writes of some inter- cess reports using a username and We did it articles esting anecdotes describing sev- password." eral cruises in Tip of the Thumb. Winter Fix-up/Improvement Projects Aside from the Wayne & Debbie Bell reveal $20.00 bait, this Cruise Reports: All Venues somecruise observations in North may be an oppor- Summer Cruise Plans/suggestions Channel Snips. Clipper Snips Page 2 Fall 2003 President s Column Wayne Bell Dear Trailer/Sailors, this November, a new T/SA enthu- YES. There is absolutely no truth siast will assume the role: John to that story!!! Rather, what I did For us in the north, the sailing sea- Clement. was invite John to sit down near son is winding down. While the edge... I did put my hand in the many of us still have our boats in John and his wife Irene, as well as small of his back...he might have the water, the talk along the docks crew Karen and Eric, are well felt just a bit uneasy with the tone concerns ramp availability and win- known among the Trailer/Sailors of my voice I did say it was a ter storage. In the next few weeks ranks. From Aurora, Ontario they long way down to the water. But we up north will be pulling and sail Taranui, a Precision 23. never once did I even infer that he covering and dreaming of next As I say that, I need to refute the had to say yes!! spring. Like in everything, as the rumor about T/SA presidential suc- saying goes all good things come John, welcome and thank you. We cession.: to an end. are all assured that under your lead- I DID NOT THREATEN TO ership the Trailer/Sailors Associa- Not only is the sailing season com- THROW JOHN CLEMENT tion will continue to thrive. ing to an end, my term as President OFF THE CLIFF AT THE of the Trailer Sailors Association is Fair winds, NORTH CHANNEL S COVERED also coming to a close. As of the PORTAGE UNLESS HE SAID Wayne Bell, President, annual meeting in Lake St. Clair Trailer/Sailors Association Treasurer s Report Dave Craigie After an absence of three years In- hearty thanks to all those TSA with T/SA information. I do hope cipient finally returned to the North members with whom we got to sail, that everyone enjoys being a T/SA Channel. It was a little bit of a dine and share cocktails, new member: please help us by re- bumpy trip to begin with, but after friends and old alike. And a special turning your dues promptly. we settled some family matters we Thank You to all the members that Take a few minutes to fill in the were off and running and made the hosted Joyce and I in their homes Questionnaire too. Without your 1500-mile trip in three days (A re- on our return trip to Oklahoma. support, it will not be possible to cord time for a couple of old folks You made this a very special trip sustain this important part of the that stop every five minutes). for the both of us. Directory. And please do not hesi- tate to let us know that you are dis- We made it to the T/SA North Once again it is that time of the satisfied or have suggestions to Channel rendezvous during the year for dues renewal. This is what make. Thanks for your support!!!! second week and then got to enjoy keeps the wheels greased and the another three weeks after that. A postman returning to your door David Craigie, Treasurer A Little about Boating Etiquette ... Mike Collins For over forty years my wife Jan shared space in hundreds of anchor- Over the years we learned that there and I have trailed a sailboat. Win- ages. Since retirement, and until are many unwritten rules about how tertime found us trailing from our recently, we spent the winter season to get along in a live-aboard marina home in Minnesota to Florida aboard Y-Knot, our Southcoast 26 and an anchorage too.