Archive for the 'Captain Harold' Category
We had a great trip even though it was too calm to sail. The water was amazingly clear, and I snorkeled a blue hole off Great Sail Key in the Abacos.
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- Sharing the entrance to the port of Miami
I was recently contacted by Luisana Suegart, Associate Editor of Brickell Magazine about a article that she is writing about retiring on a sailboat . These were 3 of her questions;
1. How long does that process of learning how to sail take?
After 30 plus years of sailing I am still learning new things. On a small boat in calm waters with an easy day of instruction you can learn the basic principles of sailing. Being comfortable standing a watch at 2 AM on a 50′ sailboat with miles of ocean around you, the lights of a ship heading toward you in the distance and a thunderstorm off your port bow may take a little longer.
That said, with a week or two of live aboard classes you probably would be ready to strike off on your own to do some coastal cruising (daytime cruising in local and regional waters in moderate winds and sea conditions). After a couple of months of sailing in a place like the Keys with a variety of calm-water to open-ocean sailing areas and safe harbors with plenty of marine stores and mechanics nearby, it may be time to head to the Bahamas for the winter season. From there a trip to the Panama Canal may be feasible.
There is no need to be in a hurry, however. The longer we have been cruising the slower we go. Spending time savoring different cultures, meeting new people, and gently sailing after having waited for the perfect weather window are all part of learning about sailing.
2. What can someone expect from taking sailing classes?
There are many styles of sailing. Choosing the right type of class and instructor to suit your interests is important. There are three broad areas and they all have something different to offer the cruising sailor.
Keelboat classes focus on how to safely and comfortably operate a bigger sailboat. In addition to the basics of sailing you learn about navigation, anchoring, docking and the systems that make life comfortable for long- term voyaging. This is not about having the boat heeled (leaning sideways) 20 degrees and waves breaking over you!
Small boat sailing is the best way to learn how the wind effects the boat. The imediate response of a small boat when you make a change makes it easy to understand how sailboats work. Getting wet when the boat tips over might be considered annoying.
Racing sailors are concerned with techniques that will increase speed under sail. Competitive spirits will enjoy this. Comfort, learning about mechanical systems not related to sailing and boat handling under power may not be as important as how to make the boat go fast.
3. What kind of person should you be if you are willing to pursue sailing?
Sailing is enjoyed by many personality types because it becomes different things to different people. These are some of the things that interest us.
I enjoy being out in nature, gently gliding along with the power of the wind; tweaking the sails to make the boat go half a knot faster; watching the stars while under way at 2:00 AM totally surrounded by the ocean; arriving at a new destination, dropping the anchor and watching the sunset; how easy it is to meet new friends; sharing my passion for sailing with everyone I meet; making improvements on the boat or just fixing something that broke; finding a remote anchorage, jumping in the water and catching a couple of lobster for dinner. I could probably think of a few more if you pressed me…
Margie enjoys moving quietly through the water, traveling at a slow pace and being more in touch with nature because of the silence in sailing. She likes the independence that sailing gives the traveler and the closeness that is fostered between you and your partner because you rely on each other. At the same time you gain more confidence in yourself. She likes the challenges that long-term sailing presents such as how to live life simply and efficiently in a small space.
I had the chance to watch some of THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA on PBS last night, the history of Everglades National Park was fascinating;
“By 1900, feathers were in fashion and no woman’s hat, it seemed, was complete without an array of plumes. Some hats even included entire stuffed birds. The long, white plumes of egrets had become more valuable than gold. To satisfy the demands of this latest fashion trend, more than 5 million birds a year were being slaughtered; nearly 95 percent of Florida’s shore birds had been killed by plume hunters.”
We are very lucky today that this beautiful area was protected, though at the time it must have seemed hopeless;
An unlikely champion stepped forward in the form of Congressman John F. Lacey. Despite being part of a group of die-hard conservatives, when it came to defending wildlife, Lacey was one of the most progressive politicians of his day. After years of ceaseless effort, he won passage of the Lacey Bird and Game Act of 1900. The bill made it a federal crime to transport birds killed in violation of any state law, and soon government agents were confiscating huge shipments of bird skins and feathers.
But in the lawless Everglades, the Lacey Act did not put an end to plume hunting. Five years after the bill’s passage, a game warden was murdered by poachers. Another was gunned down three years later. The wildlife in southern Florida, it seemed, would never be safe unless the Everglades itself was set aside as a national park.
Finally the park was created;
A bill to create Everglades National Park passed Congress by the narrowest of margins in 1934. For the first time in history, a park had been created solely for the preservation of animals and plants, and the environment that sustains them.
Today we sail on the southern edge of the park on most of our charters. Thanks to the vision of those statesman in 1934 we are able to enjoy not only great birdwatching but also the ability to be surrounded by nature in a way that is very unique. The miles of calm water dotted by mangrove islands, the colors at sunset, Dolphin playing by the boat in 6′ of clear water are all part of the scenery. Even after having sailed in the park for many years I am still surprised by its beauty and serenity.
Mangrove island with wading birds on Turtle grass flat
Now that the weather has started to “cool off” in the Keys it is quite pleasant to be out at anchor again. The sailing winds are on the lighter side, the water is warm enough that even Margie is willing to go snorkeling, and there are lobster around to catch for dinner. We are offering a special on our fall couples cruising live aboard classes. Include an extra day on the water free with a charter of 5 days (6 days for the price of 5). Overnites at the beginning and end of your trip are included. This applies to any charter that ends before Nov. 15, 2009.
Where we practice docking with couples
We are currently visiting Tel Aviv, Israel. What struck me this morning as we were walking around the market was both how different it was, yet how it is so much the same as being in the US. The small shops selling a cacophony of goods, the smells of fresh spices and breads is very different than the way goods are presented for sale in the states. When you buy it’s from the owner of the shop. He knows if he does a good job you will come back.
But when you talk to people one on one just like in the states and everywhere I have traveled they are helpful, welcoming, and want to show you the best parts of where they live. Having the time to get off the beaten path and get to know an area is one things I have enjoyed about cruising in our sailboat. The sailing is great but the next stop is just as much fun.
Our visit here is only for two weeks, we did not sail here this time. Someday we will cruise the Med, in the meantime nothing goes to weather like a 747.
I will be posting again now that my 12 week long trips with the Boy Scouts at the BSA High Adventure Seabase is over.
an email from my last crew;
Hi captain harold we thoroughly enjoyed serving with you as our captain on the wonderfully beautiful ship of yours the Island Dreamer we shall always remember our experiences at Sea Base and cherish the memories created as a troop we thank you with the utmost grate fullness and gratitude
Your loyal crew
Joshua k
Will n
Joshua h
Michael o
Nolan S
(The above sentiments written by the boys and heartily seconded by the dads-Wilke N, Peter K and Wes S)
Captain Harold and Scout Crew
We recently had the chance to help a couple sail to the Bahama’s and learn about their new 46′ Outbound Sailboat. We left from South Florida in the evening and arrived in the Berry Islands the next evening. We spent the next couple of days practicing docking, sailing and doing man overboard drills. Of course we watched several beautiful sunsets, enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the wonderful people of the Bahamas.
The Boat was a dream to sail. It easily made 8 knots with the sails slightly reefed in less than 15 knots of wind and had a comfortable motion when we were motor sailing upwind in the gulfstream in 2-5 foot seas. We did our MOB drills in 25 Knots with the main triple reefed and the solent (staysail) on its 3rd reef and were comfortably moving at 5 knots. The boat came about with no problem and happily sailed closehauled back to our anchorage when we were done. The sails and running rigging are laid out very well and easy to use, and the electric winch was an added bonus that made life eaiser but was not necessary to sail the boat. The layout inside was very liveable, and the construction throughout was done very well.
We love our Morgan but someday…maybe…Please Margie…. can we get a shiny new boat?
Margie wrote a new article for womens sailing connection that begins with her intro to sailing;
So the person you really care about and that you thought you wanted to spend the rest of your life with has decided that he must have a sailboat. How could it happen that the person you thought you knew well was harboring a hidden agenda? Well, maybe it wasn’t so hidden but circumstances have kept the concept at bay, so to speak. He may have expressed his desire for a sailboat in the past, but you didn’t think it was serious or you were hoping that it had faded with time. Maybe you already have a powerboat and he’s gotten bored with it, as happened in my case. We fished and dived all over Southeast Florida and the Keys in various sizes of powerboats and now he wanted something different. The deciding factor that gave us the impetus to go ahead and make the change was when we found a fully equipped 24’ sailboat on a trailer parked under a mango tree at the local pawnshop, of all places. It had everything one could need including 5 sails, dinner service for 6 and a port-a-potty. The down side was that the inside of it was filled with rainwater. The cockpit drains had become plugged with leaves from the tree and the water ran down into the cabin. Since this is subtropical Florida, everything inside that was above the level of the water was black with mildew. Oh, and the swing keel was rusted in place.
In any case, that was the first chapter in our sailing life. I know now, however, that the sailing fantasy was there long before we purchased that first sailboat and even before we got married and lived in Indiana. Back then the idea had seemed improbable; in fact, it just didn’t fit into the plans of a young couple starting out in life together. When the time and opportunity presented themselves, however, it was still there. And once the dream was realized, it was good for me and good for my relationship, besides being fun. Now we’re enjoying the outdoors together and even getting a little physical exercise. At the same time, I have more self-confidence and the feelings of mutual respect for each other have grown, as well. I’ve come to believe that sailing is a great activity for couples to learn together. What are the issues that are keeping many women (and men) away from sailing, since the benefits of sailing together can be so great?
She goes on to talk about why a sailboat heels and what you can do about it. Please go to womens sailing to read the whole thing
“Although the Florida Keys are connected by more than 40 bridges spanning the 110-mile island chain, the vast majority of keys are remote, uninhabited and accessible only by boat.”
Although Margie and I had visited the Keys many times before, the first time we sailed down from Miami by boat we were amazed by the feeling of being far from civilization. Driving US 1 to Key West provides beautiful views from the bridges, and each little town has it’s own charm, but the true treasures of the Keys are seen when anchoring by small mangrove islands or watching the amazing diversity of wildlife, and the quiet slow journey riding the wind. After a trip by sailboat far away from the hustle of the highway you begin to appreciate not only how big the Keys really are but how much you have missed at 55 MPH.
I just responded to this post at the SSCA discussion Board-
Hi,
This is our first time cruising from Miami to the FL Keys. We draw 5’7″. Can anyone recommend a float plan, such as where is the best place to crossover to Hawk Channel, as well as selected anchorages along the way to Key West? Thanks so much.
With This-
I have run an 80′ schooner 5′ 9″ draft doing overnight Boy scout charters in the Keys for the last 2 years. If you are a little adventurous you can try these, I have done them all.
1. Biscayne channel South of Key Biscayne- deep enough at any tide.
2. Biscayne Bay- anchor off Elliot key
3. Angelfish creek and Cutter bank Channel- do at 2/3 tide or higher. Shallowest at Atlantic entrance to angelfish and Card Sound entrance to Cutter Bank
5. Moser channel to Back side- Do Rocky channel with a chart plotter any tide, lots of sailing with less than 1′ below your keel but its soft bottom. you can also go around the top of the Islands. Great calm water sail in E-SE. lots of protected anchoring spots.
6. Stop at Saywer key and work your way down to Tarpon Belly Key. Hard Corals at entrance, do at any tide. Great diving along ridge between Content and Sawyer Keys. This is one of the most remote and beautiful areas in the Keys
7. Atlantic side anchorages- Rodrguez, Channel 5, Mollasses key by Money key channel tuck in, lots of current, any tide. Niles channel any tide. Newfound harbor don’t use start of entrance channel, go to west of charted wreck then work over to channel. Inner harbor great protection any tide. You will go aground at charted wreck (soft bottom, not really a wreck).
8. Boca Grande Channel Past Key West any tide.
Enjoy your trip