The Official Electronic Publication of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron
IN THIS ISSUE:
Manager's Update o Rescue o Boats and Bugs o Mark Room o Gringo Chicken o E-Scow o Sarasota and the Seaplane o Luffing Lassies
Manager's Update o Rescue o Boats and Bugs o Mark Room o Gringo Chicken o E-Scow o Sarasota and the Seaplane o Luffing Lassies
Manager's Update
MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY!
Over the past few months we’ve heard of or helped a few distress calls. We hope that everyone carries a VHF while on the water. It could help save your life or someone else’s. If your VHF can scan multiple channels, have it monitor Ch 16 and Ch 72. The USCG monitors channel 16. You can use 16 to hail other vessels, call pan-pan or mayday. The Squadron monitors channel 72 and would be happy to do a radio check for you. It’s a good idea to do a radio check each time you go out. This helps you remember to check your radio battery and that ensure that your volume is turned up loud enough to hear it on the water.
You can find more info on hailing MAYDAY online, with a quick summary of mayday and pan-pan below.
Submitted by Alyssa Thomas Manager - Sarasota Sailing Squadron Cell: 816-866-0613 [email protected] https://www.sailingsquadron.com/
MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY!
Over the past few months we’ve heard of or helped a few distress calls. We hope that everyone carries a VHF while on the water. It could help save your life or someone else’s. If your VHF can scan multiple channels, have it monitor Ch 16 and Ch 72. The USCG monitors channel 16. You can use 16 to hail other vessels, call pan-pan or mayday. The Squadron monitors channel 72 and would be happy to do a radio check for you. It’s a good idea to do a radio check each time you go out. This helps you remember to check your radio battery and that ensure that your volume is turned up loud enough to hear it on the water.
You can find more info on hailing MAYDAY online, with a quick summary of mayday and pan-pan below.
- · MAYDAY - is the distress signal, and requires the most urgent response. This signal is to be used only when a person or boat is threatened by grave or imminent danger and requires assistance.
- · PAN-PAN - is used to signal urgent information, such as when someone has fallen overboard, or a boat is drifting into the shore or a busy shipping channel.
Submitted by Alyssa Thomas Manager - Sarasota Sailing Squadron Cell: 816-866-0613 [email protected] https://www.sailingsquadron.com/
Rescue
In 2003 I was part of a four man crew delivering an Erikson 38 from Mystic CT to Bermuda, a trip of about 650 nm. Halfway through, we had to rescue three Canadian sailors from a disabled 48 ft Motor Sailor in the middle of the turbulent Gulf Stream. The diesel died during the rescue, and the rest of the voyage was strictly sail: no lights, no auto helm, no power, no chart plotter or RADAR. To watch the Pure sailing FUN and Excitement, click HERE for the slide show.
And for a front row seat at the April 10, 2022, Nautical Gin Regatta at the Bird Key Yacht Club, watch this VIDEO, which puts you aboard Zephyr, a J100, 34 ft sailboat that also won in the Non Spin Class. Photos were contributed by several other photographers.
Treat yourself to other great offerings on the SSS Sam Levine YouTube Channel. Submitted by Samson Levine
In 2003 I was part of a four man crew delivering an Erikson 38 from Mystic CT to Bermuda, a trip of about 650 nm. Halfway through, we had to rescue three Canadian sailors from a disabled 48 ft Motor Sailor in the middle of the turbulent Gulf Stream. The diesel died during the rescue, and the rest of the voyage was strictly sail: no lights, no auto helm, no power, no chart plotter or RADAR. To watch the Pure sailing FUN and Excitement, click HERE for the slide show.
And for a front row seat at the April 10, 2022, Nautical Gin Regatta at the Bird Key Yacht Club, watch this VIDEO, which puts you aboard Zephyr, a J100, 34 ft sailboat that also won in the Non Spin Class. Photos were contributed by several other photographers.
Treat yourself to other great offerings on the SSS Sam Levine YouTube Channel. Submitted by Samson Levine
Boats and bugs!
As sailors, we’ve all seen the amazing diversity of life in our bay. We marvel at the dolphins and manatees. We wonder at the seahorses and sea urchins. But we sometimes overlook the diverse life found at the Squadron itself. The first animals I noticed there were the paper wasps, which nest in the diverse natural and artificial structures of the Squadron. (at left Conura rufa, the only pictures of the species from North America, I have taken at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.)
As sailors, we’ve all seen the amazing diversity of life in our bay. We marvel at the dolphins and manatees. We wonder at the seahorses and sea urchins. But we sometimes overlook the diverse life found at the Squadron itself. The first animals I noticed there were the paper wasps, which nest in the diverse natural and artificial structures of the Squadron. (at left Conura rufa, the only pictures of the species from North America, I have taken at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.)
|
Paper wasps have a bad reputation for their sting and determination in protecting a threatened nest, but they are truly amazing creatures! They build their nests out of tiny amounts of chewed wood pulp they collect from boards and logs. The nest begins with a single queen who raises the first set of workers. The all-female workforce then takes over up-keep of the colony.
Paper wasps are quite friendly when foraging and only sting if they, or their nest, is highly threatened. Florida is home to at least eleven species of known paper wasps, with several others still un-described. Of these, at least six species are present at the Sailing Squadron! |
Once I started looking for paper wasps, I noticed other wasps and bees. To date, I have recorded 30 species of ants, bees, and wasps at the Squadron. Five of these species are uncommon to rare, and one, a small, bright red, sting-less wasp called Conura rufa, is the first recorded sighting of the species from North America. (at right Gorytes smithii, one of the Squadron’s rare wasps! )
Another wasp, Gorytes smithii has only been seen a handful of times in Florida—including at the Squadron! They mimic paper wasps, as they do not have a strong sting of their own, for deterring predators. Though research on Gorytes smithii is highly limited, research on other Gorytes indicates they dig a nest underground where they lay their eggs, provisioned with leaf-hoppers that the mother wasp catches.
The presence of so many wasps may seem concerning, but many are sting-less and none are aggressive. The bad reputation of wasps comes mainly from the pesticide industry’s marketing campaigns, which exaggerate some wasps’ readiness to defend a nest from danger. Though a little known fact, wasps are beneficial, fiercely devouring nuisance insects and pollinating flowers. When not working at the nest or collecting wood fibers, you’ll often see paper wasps searching for insect prey, and visiting flowers. The only times I have ever been stung by wasps, I either had caught them in a net, or inadvertently put my hand in their nest.
These creatures can’t make a living just anywhere. They need special places like the Sailing Squadron, where the native wildflowers they need aren’t mowed down and weeded out, where people see their beauty and welcome their presence. Places people don’t spray them with poison or shoo them away. And when we let them live, we get to witness the beauty and splendor of these amazing creatures. Submitted by Brice Claypoole
Another wasp, Gorytes smithii has only been seen a handful of times in Florida—including at the Squadron! They mimic paper wasps, as they do not have a strong sting of their own, for deterring predators. Though research on Gorytes smithii is highly limited, research on other Gorytes indicates they dig a nest underground where they lay their eggs, provisioned with leaf-hoppers that the mother wasp catches.
The presence of so many wasps may seem concerning, but many are sting-less and none are aggressive. The bad reputation of wasps comes mainly from the pesticide industry’s marketing campaigns, which exaggerate some wasps’ readiness to defend a nest from danger. Though a little known fact, wasps are beneficial, fiercely devouring nuisance insects and pollinating flowers. When not working at the nest or collecting wood fibers, you’ll often see paper wasps searching for insect prey, and visiting flowers. The only times I have ever been stung by wasps, I either had caught them in a net, or inadvertently put my hand in their nest.
These creatures can’t make a living just anywhere. They need special places like the Sailing Squadron, where the native wildflowers they need aren’t mowed down and weeded out, where people see their beauty and welcome their presence. Places people don’t spray them with poison or shoo them away. And when we let them live, we get to witness the beauty and splendor of these amazing creatures. Submitted by Brice Claypoole
Mark Room
The Racing Rules of Sailing are updated every 4 years, following the Olympic Games. The next update will be the 2025-2028 edition, following the Paris Summer Games. When World Sailing decides to make a change to the rules that may be a game changer, they may release a Development Rule well before the new rule book, giving sailors time to adapt and ensure it is a solution and does not create a different problem. World Sailing has just released a new Development Rule 18.
Mark Room is one of the longest rules in the rule book and perhaps one of the most complex. It went through a significant change a few years ago, yet still remains difficult for most. Knowing you are entitled to room needed more simplification. World Sailing commissioned the World Sailing Rule 18 Working Party composed of a team of judges to simplify Mark Room RRS 18. The team was chaired by Dave Perry, a familiar name to all of us studying the rules. He was assisted by 4 other international judges/umpires and spent many months simplifying 18. They have just released Test Rule 18. The purpose of the Test Rule 18 is to allow sailors to use it and provide feedback before it becomes RRS 18 in the 2025-2028 Rule Book.
This is documented in a new temporary Appendix X. You won't find this appendix in 2021-2024 rule book. It is released along with the Development Rule 18. The Development Rule is 20% less in size.
Review it and compare it to the existing Rule 18; I think you will like the simplification.
The rule and use guidance follow:
WORLD SAILING DEVELOPMENT RULES
DR22-01 Rule 18, the preamble to Section C, and Mark-Room
Under Regulation 28.1.5(b), World Sailing has approved the use of these rules to determine if rule 18, the preamble to Section C, and the definition Mark-Room can be improved. When used, all the rules outlined below shall be adopted without any change.
These development rules shall not be used at an event where the marks being used are also used by events that are not using these development rules.
Races may be sailed under these rules only if the notice of race so states, with reference to the relevant version of these development rules, and that the rules are made available to all competitors.
These rules may be invoked by a NoR rule: “The current version of Development Rule DR22-01 Rule 18, the preamble to Section C, and Mark-Room shall apply. See Addendum X.”
If the NoR has already been published, an amendment to the NoR must be published stating: “Amendment to the NoR. Add new rule 1.x: ‘The current version of Development Rule DR22-01 Rule 18, the preamble to Section C, and Mark-Room shall apply. See Addendum X.’”
The rules shall be published as an attachment to the event NoR, or a description of where to find the rules shall be included.
Feedback in the form of a report to World Sailing is required, and suggestions for improvement shall be sent to [email protected] within one month of the completion of any event adopting these rules.
When DR22-01 is used, this paragraph and the paragraphs above should be deleted.
Addendum X to the Notice of Race
DR22-01 Rule 18, the preamble to Section C, and Mark-Room
This Development Rule has been approved by World Sailing in accordance with Regulation 28.1.5(b) and shall be published as part of the NoR.
Version: April 2022
Definition Mark-Room
Room for a boat to sail her proper course to round or pass the mark, and room to pass a finishing mark after finishing.
Preamble to Section C
Section C rules do not apply at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or at its anchor line.
18 MARK-ROOM
18.1 When Rule 18 Applies
Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward or when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack,between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or if the mark is a continuing obstruction, in which case rule 19 applies.
Rule 18 no longer applies between boats when the boat entitled to mark-room has left the mark astern and is on a course to begin sailing the next leg, or is no longer racing.
18.2 Giving Mark-Room
(a) When the first of two boats reaches the zone,
(1) if the boats are overlapped, the outside boat at that moment shall give the inside boat mark-room.
(2) if the boats are not overlapped, the boat that has not reached the zone at that moment shall give the other boat mark-room.
When a boat is required to give mark-room by rule 18.2(a), she shall continue to do so even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins.
If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke an overlap before the first of two boats reached the zone, it shall be presumed that she did not.
Rule 18.2(a) no longer applies if the boat entitled to mark-room passes head to wind or leaves the zone.
When rule 18.2(a) does not apply and the boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat mark-room.
18.3 Tacking in the Zone
If a boat has passed head to wind in the zone and another boat was fetching the mark at that time,
rule 18.2 does not apply between them, and
at a mark to be left to port, if the other boat has been on starboard tack since entering the zone, the boat that tacked shall
not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid contact, and
give mark-room if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her.
18.4 Gybing in the Zone
When an inside overlapped boat must gybe at a mark to sail her proper course, she shall not sail farther from the mark than needed to sail her proper course if this affects the choice of course of an outside boat.
Judges have been aware of this simplification study since 2021. It was released May 24th, 2022. The Working Party, I believe, have done an excellent job. I expect there will be some fine tuning at most and should look very much the same in the 2025-2028 Rule Book.
Email me if you have questions.
Submitted Herb Larrabee, US Sailing National Judge ([email protected])
The Racing Rules of Sailing are updated every 4 years, following the Olympic Games. The next update will be the 2025-2028 edition, following the Paris Summer Games. When World Sailing decides to make a change to the rules that may be a game changer, they may release a Development Rule well before the new rule book, giving sailors time to adapt and ensure it is a solution and does not create a different problem. World Sailing has just released a new Development Rule 18.
Mark Room is one of the longest rules in the rule book and perhaps one of the most complex. It went through a significant change a few years ago, yet still remains difficult for most. Knowing you are entitled to room needed more simplification. World Sailing commissioned the World Sailing Rule 18 Working Party composed of a team of judges to simplify Mark Room RRS 18. The team was chaired by Dave Perry, a familiar name to all of us studying the rules. He was assisted by 4 other international judges/umpires and spent many months simplifying 18. They have just released Test Rule 18. The purpose of the Test Rule 18 is to allow sailors to use it and provide feedback before it becomes RRS 18 in the 2025-2028 Rule Book.
This is documented in a new temporary Appendix X. You won't find this appendix in 2021-2024 rule book. It is released along with the Development Rule 18. The Development Rule is 20% less in size.
Review it and compare it to the existing Rule 18; I think you will like the simplification.
The rule and use guidance follow:
WORLD SAILING DEVELOPMENT RULES
DR22-01 Rule 18, the preamble to Section C, and Mark-Room
Under Regulation 28.1.5(b), World Sailing has approved the use of these rules to determine if rule 18, the preamble to Section C, and the definition Mark-Room can be improved. When used, all the rules outlined below shall be adopted without any change.
These development rules shall not be used at an event where the marks being used are also used by events that are not using these development rules.
Races may be sailed under these rules only if the notice of race so states, with reference to the relevant version of these development rules, and that the rules are made available to all competitors.
These rules may be invoked by a NoR rule: “The current version of Development Rule DR22-01 Rule 18, the preamble to Section C, and Mark-Room shall apply. See Addendum X.”
If the NoR has already been published, an amendment to the NoR must be published stating: “Amendment to the NoR. Add new rule 1.x: ‘The current version of Development Rule DR22-01 Rule 18, the preamble to Section C, and Mark-Room shall apply. See Addendum X.’”
The rules shall be published as an attachment to the event NoR, or a description of where to find the rules shall be included.
Feedback in the form of a report to World Sailing is required, and suggestions for improvement shall be sent to [email protected] within one month of the completion of any event adopting these rules.
When DR22-01 is used, this paragraph and the paragraphs above should be deleted.
Addendum X to the Notice of Race
DR22-01 Rule 18, the preamble to Section C, and Mark-Room
This Development Rule has been approved by World Sailing in accordance with Regulation 28.1.5(b) and shall be published as part of the NoR.
Version: April 2022
Definition Mark-Room
Room for a boat to sail her proper course to round or pass the mark, and room to pass a finishing mark after finishing.
Preamble to Section C
Section C rules do not apply at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or at its anchor line.
18 MARK-ROOM
18.1 When Rule 18 Applies
Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward or when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack,between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or if the mark is a continuing obstruction, in which case rule 19 applies.
Rule 18 no longer applies between boats when the boat entitled to mark-room has left the mark astern and is on a course to begin sailing the next leg, or is no longer racing.
18.2 Giving Mark-Room
(a) When the first of two boats reaches the zone,
(1) if the boats are overlapped, the outside boat at that moment shall give the inside boat mark-room.
(2) if the boats are not overlapped, the boat that has not reached the zone at that moment shall give the other boat mark-room.
When a boat is required to give mark-room by rule 18.2(a), she shall continue to do so even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins.
If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke an overlap before the first of two boats reached the zone, it shall be presumed that she did not.
Rule 18.2(a) no longer applies if the boat entitled to mark-room passes head to wind or leaves the zone.
When rule 18.2(a) does not apply and the boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat mark-room.
18.3 Tacking in the Zone
If a boat has passed head to wind in the zone and another boat was fetching the mark at that time,
rule 18.2 does not apply between them, and
at a mark to be left to port, if the other boat has been on starboard tack since entering the zone, the boat that tacked shall
not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid contact, and
give mark-room if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her.
18.4 Gybing in the Zone
When an inside overlapped boat must gybe at a mark to sail her proper course, she shall not sail farther from the mark than needed to sail her proper course if this affects the choice of course of an outside boat.
Judges have been aware of this simplification study since 2021. It was released May 24th, 2022. The Working Party, I believe, have done an excellent job. I expect there will be some fine tuning at most and should look very much the same in the 2025-2028 Rule Book.
Email me if you have questions.
Submitted Herb Larrabee, US Sailing National Judge ([email protected])
(abridged for space, find the full story HERE)
Cerveza El Presidente Grande, amber in color, glistened at the bottom of the bottle in the low lights around the bar in the Luperon Yacht Club overlooking the harbor on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Beyond its glimmer a collection of cruising men, women & children gathered for Saturday evening fun.
Cerveza El Presidente Grande, amber in color, glistened at the bottom of the bottle in the low lights around the bar in the Luperon Yacht Club overlooking the harbor on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Beyond its glimmer a collection of cruising men, women & children gathered for Saturday evening fun.
As the shadows grew long over the harbor, a drum rhythm beat out from the bandstand behind a small dance floor. A flute appeared from a box nearby. A violin began to sing at another table, and a trumpet came into view at the bar. As though orchestrated, the impromptu minstrels migrated toward the drummer, blending tones to the delight of the spectating cruisers. A couple sprang from the bar to swing with the tunes, beckoning others to join. Wide eyed home-schooled cruising children swayed at the side of the small dance floor, watching mom and dad dance.
With the first swallow from a fresh El Presidente I reflected on the swift overnight sail of about eighty miles close hauled with the #3 Genoa, full main, full mizzen in nineteen knots of beam reach apparent air to Luperon from the Turks & Caicos. It seemed as though Scooter wanted to leap off wave crests while making eight plus knots. Cannonades of fluorescent sea critters fired out ten or more feet in the bow spray and swept past the center cockpit to join the wake in the
moon- lit iridescent waters astern. With my heightened sailing confidence after many all-night sails and weeks of skinny water passage making south from Nassau, I yelled out, “Yeah!” in excitement as my sailing partner, Jane, slept.
moon- lit iridescent waters astern. With my heightened sailing confidence after many all-night sails and weeks of skinny water passage making south from Nassau, I yelled out, “Yeah!” in excitement as my sailing partner, Jane, slept.
On the approach to the entrance of Bahia De Luperon, a voice on VHF Channel 16 advised to shift to another frequency for the morning harbor report. The voice read a brief weather and local news summary and announced that one hundred sixty boats occupied the bay. Outside the narrow bay entrance, a small boat came alongside. Its skipper offered to guide me through the narrows after he told me about the fuel and watering service he could provide.
Motoring past anchored sailing yachts, a female voice boomed from the VHF speaker,
“Sailing yacht Scooter, find a place in the group. Ease your anchor into the muck; back off easy, and let the anchor sink in. If you try to set the anchor, it’ll only plow a furrow in the bottom surface slim.”
I responded with, “Roger, Scooter, standing by, one six.”
Soon after finding space to swing, I had the anchor sinking into the bottom muck and rolled out fifty feet of chain as a light breeze drifted Scooter aft. When it appeared as though the ground tackle held, I organized the foredeck while Jane readied our things for going ashore.
Bound for another adventure, we idled the RIB to a partially submerged floating government dock. Leaving nothing in the RIB, we headed up the narrow road, Avenida Duarte, toward the town of Luperon. After clearing in at the Port Captain’s quarters, we strolled past open doors of wood and cinder block homes, seeing sofas and beds in rooms about twenty-by-twenty feet containing all the accumulated possessions of a lifetime. Home interiors appeared neat, beds made, floors swept. Some women had infants on their laps, but they weren’t smiling in the heat. Dogs moved slowly from shade to shade. Seniors, some only with their gums, chewed the noon meal. Chickens had the right-of-way everywhere. Roosters chased hens and defended their right to them in one-on-one clashes with challenging roosters. Motoconchos, small motorbikes, buzzed riders around the street wildlife.
Motoring past anchored sailing yachts, a female voice boomed from the VHF speaker,
“Sailing yacht Scooter, find a place in the group. Ease your anchor into the muck; back off easy, and let the anchor sink in. If you try to set the anchor, it’ll only plow a furrow in the bottom surface slim.”
I responded with, “Roger, Scooter, standing by, one six.”
Soon after finding space to swing, I had the anchor sinking into the bottom muck and rolled out fifty feet of chain as a light breeze drifted Scooter aft. When it appeared as though the ground tackle held, I organized the foredeck while Jane readied our things for going ashore.
Bound for another adventure, we idled the RIB to a partially submerged floating government dock. Leaving nothing in the RIB, we headed up the narrow road, Avenida Duarte, toward the town of Luperon. After clearing in at the Port Captain’s quarters, we strolled past open doors of wood and cinder block homes, seeing sofas and beds in rooms about twenty-by-twenty feet containing all the accumulated possessions of a lifetime. Home interiors appeared neat, beds made, floors swept. Some women had infants on their laps, but they weren’t smiling in the heat. Dogs moved slowly from shade to shade. Seniors, some only with their gums, chewed the noon meal. Chickens had the right-of-way everywhere. Roosters chased hens and defended their right to them in one-on-one clashes with challenging roosters. Motoconchos, small motorbikes, buzzed riders around the street wildlife.
After I obtained Dominican Pesos processed from my credit card through a window under the sign “Banco” on the side of a building we came upon the Luperon SuperMarket with tables and chairs on a patio overlooking the narrow street. Captain Steve, the owner, catered to the cruising crowd, offering specialties like Gringo Chicken packaged just like gringos would find it at home in the States. – no neck or feet, wrapped in clear plastic and presented in a refrigerated display case. “Locals buy chicken with neck and feet. Gringos can’t bring themselves to touch a plucked bird with all that ghastly stuff,” Steve said with a wide toothy grin as flies buzzed around naked chickens hanging near the entrance way. The jamming musicians brought me back to the moment. I finished the Cerveza and followed Jane to the dance floor. The couple next to me suggested we and the others join them on a Sunday taxi-bus ride to spectate at a cock fight in a small town they visited the prior Sunday.
“It’s something you’ll most likely never see again, and it may be disturbing,” . . .
Under a tin roof, men sat on plastic chairs around small plastic tables which, when accidentally bumped, jostled the resting bottles and plastic cups, causing those seated to reach out fast to save precious contents. Smiles gleamed everywhere.
“Gringo, Como se llama?” one seated local said. “Me llamo Roberto.” “Where you from?” one asked, in Spanish-laden English. I said, “U.S.A.”
While rising from his plastic chair with his outstretched eagle-like arms, he faced his male friends and said “American!” He seemed proud to make the acquaintance of an American in front of his friends.
I said, “I came to see your country.” He smiled, large, and pleased. I must have really stood out in my blue Tevas, shorts, and white Travel Smith shirt,while they wore long pants, logo-ed “T” shirts from all over the world, late style sunglasses, and baseball hats with brims facing forward.
Away from the plastic tables and chairs, a balancing bar hung from a rafter. From each end of the bar an empty canvas bag speckled with grommets as air holes hung limp, empty. Men proudly displayed their self-raised and groomed trophy cock before placing it in a bag to be weighed. Again and again, owners presented their trophies for weight balancing until each owner knew who his fighting trophy’s adversary would be.
“It’s something you’ll most likely never see again, and it may be disturbing,” . . .
Under a tin roof, men sat on plastic chairs around small plastic tables which, when accidentally bumped, jostled the resting bottles and plastic cups, causing those seated to reach out fast to save precious contents. Smiles gleamed everywhere.
“Gringo, Como se llama?” one seated local said. “Me llamo Roberto.” “Where you from?” one asked, in Spanish-laden English. I said, “U.S.A.”
While rising from his plastic chair with his outstretched eagle-like arms, he faced his male friends and said “American!” He seemed proud to make the acquaintance of an American in front of his friends.
I said, “I came to see your country.” He smiled, large, and pleased. I must have really stood out in my blue Tevas, shorts, and white Travel Smith shirt,while they wore long pants, logo-ed “T” shirts from all over the world, late style sunglasses, and baseball hats with brims facing forward.
Away from the plastic tables and chairs, a balancing bar hung from a rafter. From each end of the bar an empty canvas bag speckled with grommets as air holes hung limp, empty. Men proudly displayed their self-raised and groomed trophy cock before placing it in a bag to be weighed. Again and again, owners presented their trophies for weight balancing until each owner knew who his fighting trophy’s adversary would be.
More than an hour passed prepping the cocks for the ring by government officials. Owners soothed their hopeful champions while spectators, betters, officials and owners collected in groups. Relatives and neighbors enjoying the Sunday afternoon sporting event talked over the loud music, poured others drinks, joked, and told stories. Men gathered at the iron-gate entrance to the galleria, their voices echoing off the low overhead tin roof. Our adventure-seeking cruising group blended with the surge toward the gate and once inside were ushered in the direction. That command directed us to step up two feet onto a narrow circular walkway beyond a low cement wall covered in blue plastic defining the ring.
Event workers, called handlers, stepped into the ring, each carrying a bag containing a contestant. One shook his bag and out dropped a cock to stand proudly on the Astroturf-like mat. It strutted around until the handler scooped it up the moment another cock appeared from the other handler’s bag to stand looking about. Before it took a step its handler picked it up and tucked it close. Both handlers danced the contestants in their arms, presenting them to the crowd of excited owners, betters and spectators, then thrust them toward each other, sometimes beak to beak,to excite them and stimulate betting. Around the galleria, arms reached out with hands pointing to competitive betters as voices raised. With intent facial expressions, they waved with one, two, three or more fingers extended, palm up, thumb pressed to palm, challenging competitive betters. Others waved the challenge off with smiles.
When the battle began it was lightning fast, vicious and lethal The winner was snatched up by his owner signaling victory, and wins or losses for the betters.
When the battle began it was lightning fast, vicious and lethal The winner was snatched up by his owner signaling victory, and wins or losses for the betters.
After the cock fight, we threaded our way down the dirt lane past the cluster of parked motoconchos to the main dirt road where the taxi-bus waited.
Underway on that hot humid afternoon seated on the starboard side of the taxi-bus with side windows down, I wondered what became of the losers and if their owners made a final place of rest. At that moment, a motoconcho sped by with its solo rider holding in his outstretched left hand a dark stained cloth bag containing a lump that didn’t move. I asked myself with a grin, “Could that bag contain a losing cock that would show up the next morning without head and feet as Gringo Chicken at the Luperon Super Market on Calle Duarte?”
Submitted by Former Captain Bob Krieg
Underway on that hot humid afternoon seated on the starboard side of the taxi-bus with side windows down, I wondered what became of the losers and if their owners made a final place of rest. At that moment, a motoconcho sped by with its solo rider holding in his outstretched left hand a dark stained cloth bag containing a lump that didn’t move. I asked myself with a grin, “Could that bag contain a losing cock that would show up the next morning without head and feet as Gringo Chicken at the Luperon Super Market on Calle Duarte?”
Submitted by Former Captain Bob Krieg
E Scow Fleets Plan 100th Anniversary
The national E-Scow Fleets are planning many activities in 2023 for the 100th anniversary of our historic class. Our fleet has been active for over 30 years and is the most southern. Highlights include participation at regional and national regattas, which is already growing rapidly and is expected to exceed previous records, starting with the Geneva E Spring Regatta. Lodging for the 2023 Nationals has been reserved in Madison WI for late September 2023.
The class is organizing a no-boat regatta at major ski resorts on January 26-29, 2023. We might consider holding a water-skiing event as part of our celebrations. Finally, there is a major fundraising effort to create an endowment fund to support the class, encourage youth and women participation and other ways to advance the class in the future. Updates on the celebration will be provided regularly to the Squadron as we make our plans for Squadron’s One Design Midwinters next March. We are exploring the possibility of Gary Jobson for a booking signing event next winter for two books: The 100th Anniversary and Characters of the America’s Cup.
PS I will be “RVing” up north for June and July.
Submitted by Ted Weihe, E Scow Captain
Sarasota and the Seaplane.
A few Olympiads back, the Sarasota City Fathers announced the Olympic torch would be “carried through downtown and to the waterfront. It would be delivered and carried to the next stop by seaplane"
"Seaplane, my foot" I thought: A "Cessna on floats maybe".
Well, it was the 4th of July, and I was at the Sailing Squadron cooking hamburgers, hot dogs, and my hands when I heard the unmistakable throb of big ol' radial engines. I looked up and saw Kermit Weeks' Sunderland seaplane. "Somogun!" I said out loud. "Those feather-merchants really did get a seaplane." Then it landed in the widest part of the upper bay and anchored directly across from the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.
Later that day I was on a committee boat helping mark the finishers of the regatta. We were heading back to the Squadron, and I asked the helmsman to get as close to the Sunderland as the CG would let us. There was someone sitting at the cockpit window, so I hollered "Hey Kermit...See ya in Oshkosh.” And he waved back. I don't know if it was Weeks but it sure impressed all in the committee boat.
Later the Sunderland took off right over the Squadron, and I could have sworn they gave us a wing wag. Submitted by Mike Holahan
A few Olympiads back, the Sarasota City Fathers announced the Olympic torch would be “carried through downtown and to the waterfront. It would be delivered and carried to the next stop by seaplane"
"Seaplane, my foot" I thought: A "Cessna on floats maybe".
Well, it was the 4th of July, and I was at the Sailing Squadron cooking hamburgers, hot dogs, and my hands when I heard the unmistakable throb of big ol' radial engines. I looked up and saw Kermit Weeks' Sunderland seaplane. "Somogun!" I said out loud. "Those feather-merchants really did get a seaplane." Then it landed in the widest part of the upper bay and anchored directly across from the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.
Later that day I was on a committee boat helping mark the finishers of the regatta. We were heading back to the Squadron, and I asked the helmsman to get as close to the Sunderland as the CG would let us. There was someone sitting at the cockpit window, so I hollered "Hey Kermit...See ya in Oshkosh.” And he waved back. I don't know if it was Weeks but it sure impressed all in the committee boat.
Later the Sunderland took off right over the Squadron, and I could have sworn they gave us a wing wag. Submitted by Mike Holahan
Luffing Lassies
The 2021-2022 racing season was very busy. Not only did we run a full schedule of regular Thursday races, but we hosted The World Sunfish Championship in October, and we hosted a gala Cinco de Mayo Interclub in May and our Race Around Lido on Memorial Day. Throughout the year, Luffing Lassies participated in FWSA Interclub races and volunteered at numerous SSS Invitational Regattas.
Racing Highlights:
Created a team of Signal Boat volunteers who rotated through serving on the Signal Boat each Thursday. The team was composed of active and former sailors with RC experience.
Created an On-the-Job training program for new sailors whereby new sailors spent one full race day on the Signal Boat learning how to manage races.
Delivered a Land/Water Race Committee training session for Luffing Lassies and Starboard Studs/Stars. Provided in-depth exposure to race management and hands-on water safety drills.
Conducted Introduction to Racing seminar for SSS membership.
Revised the Sailing Instructions (SI’s) for the Luffing Lassies weekly race series.
Purchased new RC flags and poles. Labeled and organized them for ease of use on race days.
Updated contents of RC safety bags for Signal Boat, Safety Boat and Mark Boat. Labeled all items for easy retrieval.
Updated racing check-in and scoring sheets for all fleets.
Provided RC support for Introduction to Sailing/Racing program.
Uploaded to the LL Google Shared Drive…all documents pertaining to Race Committee (duties, forms, procedures, etc.) for volunteers who are new to any of the RC roles.
Maintenance highlights:
Upgraded the Sunfish fleet by replacing 5 sunfish with newer hulls, adding three newer boats, and selling two boats.
Purchased 36-inch Sunfish tiller extensions, new mainsheet lines for our fleet of training boats to be installed during summer maintenance.
Reorganized and labeled sail lockers
Returned the Flying Scotts with trailers to the SSS’s Boat Share Program
Continued planning for summer maintenance which begins in June where all boats in our fleet will be pressure tested, cleaned, and all sails and parts examined and fixed where necessary. Education regarding boat maintenance is the summer’s focus.
Other highlights:
Expanded sailing opportunities for members: The Lassies have grown the use of the Hobie Wave fleet during Lassie’s Thursday races. The Hobie Wave enables those who cannot race their sunfish or 420’s to still enjoy sailing.
Organized and held another annual Memorial Day Race Around Lido (RAL):
Over 50 boats (14 from the Boat Share program) sailed/paddled
138 sailors registered in Regatta Network
Judy Hodgson was PRO who organized 8 safety boats, and gift certificates for the raffles, water slide, and catering by Walt’s Seafood Market.
Walt’s Fish Fry was a huge success with the dining tables full while members enjoyed camaraderie. It was reported this was the first year that many members remained to enjoy lunch while enjoying each other’s company.
Purple Crush water slide was also successful engaging children in helping them to keep cool and occupied. The slide was a donation from a Luffing Lassie.
A celebration with champagne was enjoyed at the end of the day in appreciation for a job well done to all the volunteers.
Revised bylaws: After months of tireless work on behalf of our Bylaws Committee the membership voted unanimously to accept the new bylaws. The bylaws will ensure the continued growth of the organization.
Spring race season: Finished the race year with an active spring race season with four race days (23 boats) and education and fun water sports when weather did not allow for racing.
The Lassies ended our racing season with a blow-out celebration and awards ceremony on May 26, 2022. The captain’s priorities of safety, education, and fun were achieved by the leadership team working closely with the membership. The new leadership team for 2022-23 was unanimously voted in and the 2021-22 racing year closed on a very high note.
The 2021-2022 racing season was very busy. Not only did we run a full schedule of regular Thursday races, but we hosted The World Sunfish Championship in October, and we hosted a gala Cinco de Mayo Interclub in May and our Race Around Lido on Memorial Day. Throughout the year, Luffing Lassies participated in FWSA Interclub races and volunteered at numerous SSS Invitational Regattas.
Racing Highlights:
Created a team of Signal Boat volunteers who rotated through serving on the Signal Boat each Thursday. The team was composed of active and former sailors with RC experience.
Created an On-the-Job training program for new sailors whereby new sailors spent one full race day on the Signal Boat learning how to manage races.
Delivered a Land/Water Race Committee training session for Luffing Lassies and Starboard Studs/Stars. Provided in-depth exposure to race management and hands-on water safety drills.
Conducted Introduction to Racing seminar for SSS membership.
Revised the Sailing Instructions (SI’s) for the Luffing Lassies weekly race series.
Purchased new RC flags and poles. Labeled and organized them for ease of use on race days.
Updated contents of RC safety bags for Signal Boat, Safety Boat and Mark Boat. Labeled all items for easy retrieval.
Updated racing check-in and scoring sheets for all fleets.
Provided RC support for Introduction to Sailing/Racing program.
Uploaded to the LL Google Shared Drive…all documents pertaining to Race Committee (duties, forms, procedures, etc.) for volunteers who are new to any of the RC roles.
Maintenance highlights:
Upgraded the Sunfish fleet by replacing 5 sunfish with newer hulls, adding three newer boats, and selling two boats.
Purchased 36-inch Sunfish tiller extensions, new mainsheet lines for our fleet of training boats to be installed during summer maintenance.
Reorganized and labeled sail lockers
Returned the Flying Scotts with trailers to the SSS’s Boat Share Program
Continued planning for summer maintenance which begins in June where all boats in our fleet will be pressure tested, cleaned, and all sails and parts examined and fixed where necessary. Education regarding boat maintenance is the summer’s focus.
Other highlights:
Expanded sailing opportunities for members: The Lassies have grown the use of the Hobie Wave fleet during Lassie’s Thursday races. The Hobie Wave enables those who cannot race their sunfish or 420’s to still enjoy sailing.
Organized and held another annual Memorial Day Race Around Lido (RAL):
Over 50 boats (14 from the Boat Share program) sailed/paddled
138 sailors registered in Regatta Network
Judy Hodgson was PRO who organized 8 safety boats, and gift certificates for the raffles, water slide, and catering by Walt’s Seafood Market.
Walt’s Fish Fry was a huge success with the dining tables full while members enjoyed camaraderie. It was reported this was the first year that many members remained to enjoy lunch while enjoying each other’s company.
Purple Crush water slide was also successful engaging children in helping them to keep cool and occupied. The slide was a donation from a Luffing Lassie.
A celebration with champagne was enjoyed at the end of the day in appreciation for a job well done to all the volunteers.
Revised bylaws: After months of tireless work on behalf of our Bylaws Committee the membership voted unanimously to accept the new bylaws. The bylaws will ensure the continued growth of the organization.
Spring race season: Finished the race year with an active spring race season with four race days (23 boats) and education and fun water sports when weather did not allow for racing.
The Lassies ended our racing season with a blow-out celebration and awards ceremony on May 26, 2022. The captain’s priorities of safety, education, and fun were achieved by the leadership team working closely with the membership. The new leadership team for 2022-23 was unanimously voted in and the 2021-22 racing year closed on a very high note.
FWSA Awards Kaitlyn Liebel Young Outstanding Young Sailor of the Year
From left: Fran Mericle, Chair of FWSA Young Women’s Sailor Award, Kaitlyn Liebel, Linda Schwartz, FWSA President, Karen and Mark Liebel]
Luffing Lassies are members of the Florida Women’s Sailing Association (FWSA) on the west coast of Florida which has promoted women in sailing since 1973. One of the most significant ways they promote women in sailing is through their annual Young Woman Sailor of the Year Award. This prestigious award signifies both accomplishment within the sport of sailing as well as a monetary award that helps the sailor to continue their sailing career.
Kaitlyn Liebel started her sailing career at Sarasota Youth Sailing and has been competitively sailing since 2014 in many fleets including the Opti, 420, VX One, J24, Nacra 15, J121/ORC and Melges 15. Her versatility and outcomes set Kaitlyn apart in the world of female sailors. More recently in 2021 some of Kaitlyn’s accomplishments include 3rd place at the 5th Annual Bluster on the Bay, Clearwater, FL and 2nd place at the US Sailing Youth Championships, Sarasota, FL in the Nacra 15. In the Club 420 Kaitlyn took 2nd place at the Venetian Cup, Venice, FL and 1st place at the 73rd Annual Labor Day Regatta in Sarasota, FL. She has also demonstrated just how versatile she is with1st place wins as Female Skipper, Amateur and Youth in multiple 2022 VX One Regattas including VX One Winter Series Event, Bacardi Cup Invitational and for the second year in a row at Charleston Race Week.
Both on and off the water Kaitlyn is an impressive young lady! She graduated from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School this year and on May 2nd she signed her letter of commitment to attend and sail for Jacksonville University. Kaitlyn will be coaching at Sarasota Youth Sailing this summer prior to leaving for college. Although the women of FWSA will miss seeing Kaitlyn out on the Sarasota Bay, they know with this award the organization is helping Kaitlyn to continue to do great things within the sailing community. Kaitlyn is a role model for young female sailors across the country and globe and FWSA is proud to recognize her achievements and leadership.
Submitted by Henriette van Eck
From left: Fran Mericle, Chair of FWSA Young Women’s Sailor Award, Kaitlyn Liebel, Linda Schwartz, FWSA President, Karen and Mark Liebel]
Luffing Lassies are members of the Florida Women’s Sailing Association (FWSA) on the west coast of Florida which has promoted women in sailing since 1973. One of the most significant ways they promote women in sailing is through their annual Young Woman Sailor of the Year Award. This prestigious award signifies both accomplishment within the sport of sailing as well as a monetary award that helps the sailor to continue their sailing career.
Kaitlyn Liebel started her sailing career at Sarasota Youth Sailing and has been competitively sailing since 2014 in many fleets including the Opti, 420, VX One, J24, Nacra 15, J121/ORC and Melges 15. Her versatility and outcomes set Kaitlyn apart in the world of female sailors. More recently in 2021 some of Kaitlyn’s accomplishments include 3rd place at the 5th Annual Bluster on the Bay, Clearwater, FL and 2nd place at the US Sailing Youth Championships, Sarasota, FL in the Nacra 15. In the Club 420 Kaitlyn took 2nd place at the Venetian Cup, Venice, FL and 1st place at the 73rd Annual Labor Day Regatta in Sarasota, FL. She has also demonstrated just how versatile she is with1st place wins as Female Skipper, Amateur and Youth in multiple 2022 VX One Regattas including VX One Winter Series Event, Bacardi Cup Invitational and for the second year in a row at Charleston Race Week.
Both on and off the water Kaitlyn is an impressive young lady! She graduated from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School this year and on May 2nd she signed her letter of commitment to attend and sail for Jacksonville University. Kaitlyn will be coaching at Sarasota Youth Sailing this summer prior to leaving for college. Although the women of FWSA will miss seeing Kaitlyn out on the Sarasota Bay, they know with this award the organization is helping Kaitlyn to continue to do great things within the sailing community. Kaitlyn is a role model for young female sailors across the country and globe and FWSA is proud to recognize her achievements and leadership.
Submitted by Henriette van Eck
