marconews.com Stories: Following Sea

Following Sea: New reef gear regulations slated for June 1

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Beginning June 1, fishermen will be required to possess and use certain fishing gear while fishing reefs in state and federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Following Sea: What can extension do for you?

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:41:00 -0000

It’s been said that the University Extension Service is one of the County’s best kept secrets. As an Extension agent, this isn’t exactly something to brag about.

Following Sea: A race against time, with little wind for fuel

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 15:16:00 -0000

We left off last time with the crew of Toad Hall heading out to the starting line in Key West for the nearly 100-mile return race to Naples Pier. As usual, the tide was going to play a major factor both at the start right off Key West Bight and all of the way out the Northwest channel.

Jan. 17: Following Sea

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:42:00 -0000

While watching the movie Master And Commander the other night, it made me think of how far navigation has come through the ages. First it was line of sight, then came dead reckoning, then celestial, then Loran, and now GPS (Global Positioning System).

Courtesy on our waterways is key

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 23:26:00 -0000

With season upon us once again, boat traffic will increase significantly on our local waterways. With more traffic and congestion, comes more vessel to vessel interaction. There are set rules all boaters should know for when vessels meet. If you don’t, I recommend a safe boating course before operating a vessel. There are also some unwritten guiding principles of courtesy and common sense that we should also respect when on the water.

Following Sea: Gifts for the sailor on your list

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 05:05:00 -0000

Watching the boat parade this past weekend, I couldn't help realizing that that Christmas is just around the corner. If there's a sailor on your list, here are a few ideas that may help keep your sailing gifts from going back to the North Pole or even worse, the storage closet. Whether your sailor is a boat owner, or crews on a boat, I'm sure there is something on their wish list that they would love to see under the tree this year.

Following Sea: Can you tell boats apart from one another?

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 23:05:00 -0000

It's easy for most people to tell a sailboat from a powerboat. A sailboat has a tall skinny thing with sails hanging from it and a powerboat doesn't. A powerboat is noisy and has big engines and a sailboat doesn't.

Following Sea: Blustery weekend doesn't dampen competitive boater's spirits

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 05:05:00 -0000

This past weekend the annual Commodore's Cup, sponsored by The Naples Sailing and Yacht Club, was held in the Gulf of Mexico, just off Naples pier. With gusts well over 30 knots and an average in the mid 20s, it led to blustery conditions to say the least. Although attendance was down from previous years, about 16 boats showed up to mix it up on the breezy gulf.

Following Sea: (Almost) everything you ever wanted to know about winches

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 05:05:00 -0000

One thing most sailboats larger than a dingy have on board is a winch. As we sailors know, they are used to trim sails, raise halyards, pull outhauls, and many other jobs where a little more strength is needed.

Following Sea: Watching kids sail was a breath of fresh air

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 04:09:00 -0000

This past weekend was the annual River Romp At The Beach regatta held in Fort Myers Beach. Hosted by Edison Sailing Center, the two-day event had participants from as close as Naples, to a few from Sandusky Ohio.

Following Sea: Thank you Archimedes, boating's unsung hero

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 04:03:00 -0000

Do you know any unsung heroes? I would like to talk about a man to whom sailing and seamanship in general owe a great deal. This man is never thought of or talked about much in modern times.

Following Sea: Lifelines: Never underestimate their importance

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:03:00 -0000

Among the things we do not think of too often — other than when we need them — are our life lines. Along with the bow and stern rails, they are basically what keep us on the boat from time to time.

Following Sea: Sailing horizon looking bleak for Marco

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 04:03:00 -0000

If you haven't noticed, I have been on sabbatical for a month or so, which is why my column has not been in the paper recently. This has given me a chance to really look at the overall sailing situation and conditions in the Marco area. I wish I had much more positive things to report, but the facts are the facts.

Following Sea: Toad crew works magic on race back from Key West

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 04:10:00 -0000

We left off last time with the crew of Toad Hall heading out to the starting line in Key West for the near-100-mile return race to Naples Pier. As usual, the tide was going to play a major factor both at the start right off Key West Bight and all of the way out the Northwest channel.

Following Sea: Toad Hall crew has some fun in Key West before the race back to Naples

Fri, 07 Jul 2006 04:05:00 -0000

After arriving in Key West, it was time to change Toad Hall from a racing machine to a more comfortable home base. The air conditioner was first on the list and it was soon pumping cool air down the mid hatch. The ice had done well and there were plenty of drinks and a few sandwiches left to pick on, but most of us wanted the sweeter delights of dry land.

First test for 'Toad' and the new rig would be a major one

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 04:00:00 -0000

The first test for Toad and the new rig would be the annual Key West Rendezvous regatta. It is a little less than 100 miles each way with a weekend stop in Key West. I would rather have had a few sea trials or a local buoy race first, but there was no time. It would have to be trial by fire.

Following Sea: Mast replacement completed with trusted and qualified help

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 04:00:00 -0000

It has been a long haul for Toad Hall since being demasted and damaged during Hurricane Wilma, but it is finally back in the water. It took seven months, a lot of running around and more money than I care to mention, but the sailboat is seaworthy again.

Following Sea: Choose a sail maker as carefully as you would choose a car mechanic

Wed, 17 May 2006 04:00:00 -0000

Obviously one of the most important things on a sailboat are the sails themselves. Whether you cruise, day sail or race, they are the boat's power plant and will greatly affect its performance. With this in mind, it pays to develop a good relationship with a sail loft just as it pays to know a good mechanic for your car.

Following Sea: Too much power can damage sailboats and race positions

Wed, 10 May 2006 04:00:00 -0000

When sailing in the Bud Light Regatta hosted by Sailing Association of Marco Island a few weeks ago, the weather was very unpredictable and the wind went from practically nothing to gusts over 30 knots.

Following Sea: Standing or running, rigging needs maintenance and attention

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 04:00:00 -0000

Hopefully, by the time you read this, I will be stepping and rigging a new mast on Toad Hall. Since rigging is a major part of a sailboat and has been on my mind lately, I thought I would talk a little about what I have learned over the years.