June 2015
Gulf Coast Sailing
Club
Luff n Laff
**** Best Viewed when Printed ****
Key West –Cuba Race
S U M M E R at G C S C
MA R K Y OU R C AL E N DA R
The first trip to Cuba, with hopefully 
more to come, was a fleet of four
boats and 19 crew members. Three
of the boats were from Sarasota and
one from Naples. Bob Waddell,
owner of H2O and Fred Hall, both

members of the Club were among
the lucky few who made it to Cuba.
H2O was the first boat to arrive in 
Cuba on May 21st. Read the full
story below for the details of the

trip and Fred Hall is putting
together a slide show that he will
share with us.
Summer meetings will be held at
Harold's Place at 2555 Tamiamai
Trail North (attached to the
Gulfcoast Inn). Happy hour prices
until 7 pm. any questions contact
Laurie Heaver - [email protected]
June 10th Members Meeting is a social
gathering with no meeting program
Summer 420 Sailing on the Bay – stay
tuned for the schedule
The new GCSC Web page is active and
still under construction and events will
be posted on the new Web site as they
are available
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Bone Island Regatta
Bob Waddell’s “H2O”, crewed by Fred
Hall, Jeff Weisz, Mike Conley, and Jerry
Watkins from the Gulf Coast Club, placed
first in Cruiser Class under a rainbow at
the finish line in Key West and took First
Place Overall on corrected time for the
regatta. Twelve boats participated in the
Naples to Key West Race. Tropical
Storm, skippered by Doug Forster, was the
first Napes boat to arrive in Key West and
won first place in the spinnaker class and
second place overall. Fancy Free,
skippered by Jerry Poquette took first place
in the non-spinnaker class and third place
overall. Congratulations to all those who
participated. For detailed finishes and
times see the story below.
Commodore’s Comments
Whether you are up North or staying in SWFL for the summer, we hope everyone is having a great
summer. It is colder in Connecticut in June than any winter day in Naples that I remember. We are
promised to have some almost summer weather sometime soon. Our new Web site is active but still a
work in progress so keep referencing the web site and we should be populating the site with upcoming events as they
develop. The sailing calendar is set for fall 2015 and winter 2016 so make sure you put the dates on your calendar
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA REGATTA EVENTS SCHEDULE 2015-2016
(2-3B = 2-3 buoy races; 1D = distance race, etc.) http://sailplay.com/
2015
Sponsor
Races
Race
Locale __________________________
10/10-11
CMCS 1D, 2-3B
Summerset
Ft. Myers Beach
10/24
NSYC 2-3B
Commodore’s Cup
Naples
11/14-15
MIYC 3-5B
Fall Regatta
Marco Island
12/12
NYC 1D
Naples Offshore
Naples-Along the Shore-Naples
NEW YEAR 2016
1/09
GCSC 2-3B
New Year’s Cup
Naples
2/13
MIYC 2-3B
Winter Cup
Marco Island
2/27
GCSC 1-D
Spring Regatta
Naples-Towers –Naples
3/19-20
GCSC 3-5B
AVOW Charity Regatta Naples
4/09-10
SAMI 3-5B
Bud Light Regatta
Marco Island
4/23
NSYC 2-3B
Messmer Cup
Naples
5/12-13
NSYC 1D
Bone Island Regatta
Naples-Key West
5/15-16
NYC 1D
Key West-Naples
Key West-Naples
See http://sailplay.com/ SINGLE ENTRY for a discounted package of 2015-2016 BOTY EVENTS
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Americans from GCSC Club Make History in
Cuba with Bone Island Regatta 2015
In a historic event nineteen brave Americans set sail at 2pm on May 20th from Key West to the Hemingway
Marina in Havana Cuba as part of the Bone Island Regatta. Alice Petrat of the “BONE ISLAND REGATTA,
Inc.”, and member of the Sarasota Yacht club was the brainchild for this competition and worked tirelessly
over the last two years with GCSC member Jerry Watkins to make this event possible. We were finally able
to receive the Coast Guard approval on May 15th. To make the stay in Cuba compliant with the US laws
TravelGuideCuba.com was selected to be the sponsoring organization. They produced and executed an
itinerary using the recently updated people-to-people laws.
Naples Bone Island Regatta makes history
There were a few setbacks along the way but all four boats made it successfully to the island by mid
afternoon on May 21st. GCSC member Bob Waddell’s H2O, with GCSC member Fred Hall, as shown in the
photo above was the first vessel to arrive. They were followed by White Hawk, Shearwater and Spring
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Fever from Sarasota. Once these vessels reached the marina they had to undergo several customs
inspections which they passed and history was made.
Bob Waddell & Fred Hall say Commodore José Miguel Díaz Escrich of the Hemingway International Yacht
Club of Cuba was instrumental to the success of the Regatta. He graciously welcomed the American
arrivals and his hospitality during their stay was unrivaled. The commodore has been trying to recruit US
vessels to come to Cuba for the last twenty three years and this event just happened to land on the Yacht
Clubs 23rd Anniversary. This was a very special moment for him as we could see the tears fall from his eyes
at the arrival night cocktail reception which he hosted. The atmosphere was energetic and jovial at this
event while he gave an impassioned speech that lasted almost seven minutes that you can access here.
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The last official part of the ceremony was when the captains of all the boats were awarded banners
personally autographed by Commodore Escrich for their outstanding achievement.
It was a standing room only crowd while the international press from all over the world covered the
reception including reporters from as far away as Japan.
On May 22nd the required people-to-people tour activities began with a memorable tour of Old Havana. A
professional English speaking tour guide “Andrees”, known as “El Teacher”, who earned that nickname
while being a teacher of English in Cuba led the tour. He filled it with history, comedy, pride in his country
and many Cuban anecdotes so they could better understand the island.
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There were many highlights but here are just a few. We had a wonderful stop at Fusterland and were able
to meet the world renowned Jose Fuster who created this wonderful ceramic paradise.
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We ate at many local restaurants during our stay but Star Bien in Vedado seemed to be the group’s favorite
with mouthwatering fried pork chops, ropa vieja and fresh red snapper and topped it off with flan and ice
cream.
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At the end of day two we had the opportunity to visit the San Jose Arts and Crafts Market and interact with
the Cuban entrepreneurs.
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On Day three many admired the works of art in the Museum of fine arts Cuban collection with a private
tour by “Adolfo” whose intimate knowledge of art and politics was very enlightening to the guests.
The tour at the famous fortress known as “El Morro” which is located at the entrance of the Bay of Havana
has protected Cuba from the Spanish and pirates over the last five centuries.
We would like to thank Domingo and Jose of the Hemginway Marina dock master’s office and Tony and
Jose of our team who were extremely helpful during the sailor’s stay.
If you would like to legally sail or yacht to Cuba and make your stay in Cuba compliant with the US laws
TravelGuideCuba.com will be honored to be your sponsoring organization. They can set up similar tours
for you. They are proud members Hemingway International Yacht Club of Cuba and would be glad to
assist any boaters. For additional information please see Bob Waddell or Fred Hall for details.
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GCSC “H2O” BRINGS the BONE HOME 2015
Bob Waddell’s “H2O”, crewed by Fred Hall, Jeff Weisz, Mike Conley, and Jerry Watkins from the Gulf
Coast Club, placed first in Cruiser Class under a rainbow at the finish line in Key West and took First
Place Overall on corrected time for the regatta.
Sailors in the 6 Annual NSYC Bone Island Regatta enjoyed fair skies, light winds at 5-7 knots and
accommodating seas for the start of the 97.5 mile trip. After 10 hours of light Southeasterly winds the pressure
started to build until winds finally were reported at a peak during the night of 34 knots producing 5 – 7 foot
seas. The last leg of the race, sailing up the Northwest Channel to Key West, was a special challenge with
head winds producing occasional squalls and showers. The sailor’s best friend, the Windex, announced in a
clear voice that the wind was right on the nose. 19 boats started from Sarasota on May 13 and 12 more boats
started from the Naples pier on May 14 .
th
th
th
Shawn Todd, Colleen Hall and Susan Watkins left Naples at 0700 on Thursday morning and were at the finish
line in Key West to serve on the Race Committee. They were also the race committee for the start of the race
back to Naples on Sunday morning.
The winds for the start of the race at the Naples pier were 5-7 knots from the east and then variable throughout
the afternoon. In the late evening the winds picked up. The Florida Bay was generous to all, with East winds
piping up and giving everyone a quick trip to the Smith Shoal and then on to the Northwest Channel “G”1 Bell
leading boats on their journey from the Gulf into the harbor. The final leg down the Northwest Channel was
challenging for both the Sarasota and Naples fleets, with head winds, showers, and occasional squalls.
Congratulations to “Tropical Storm”, the 48’ XYACHT, skippered by GCSC Member Doug Forster & Kristin
Daer, took first in Spinnaker Class and won Line Honors. Dan & Laura Kerckhoff took 2 on Southern
Crescent, followed by Dan & Terai Spence on Vagabond and Burkhard “BOGIE” Klein on Finn.
nd
SCORING RESULTS BONE ISLAND REGATTA 2015
Div/rank Sail # Boat Name
Owner/skipper
Boat Type
Rating
Finish time Corrected time
Spinnaker:
1
2
3
4
5
RAF
28680
37006
10890
1
52380
646
Tropical Storm
Southern Crescent
Vagabond
Finn
Playmobil
Shady Lady
Doug Forster
Daniel Kerckhoff
Dan Spence
Martin Wasmer
Jay Nadelson
Steve Honour
X Yacht 482
Santa Cruz 37
Islander 30 mkII
J-108
C&C
Cal 34
15
24
183
90
87
174
02:46:33
03:21:30
08:54:59
07:14:30
07:15:53
07:40:11
14:22:11
14:42:30
15:57:37
16:48:15
16:54:31
14:57:26
Jerry Poquette
John Finnegan
Forest Banks
Soverel 39
O Day 32.2
Tartan 4100
105
201
125
05:23:47
14:33:10
07:41:19
09:34:41
09:41:26
13:55:12
15:27:26
15:47:11
Non Spinnaker:
1
40719 Fancy Free
DNF 322
Miss Cathleen
DNF 46
Midnight Rider
True Cruising
1
2
3
405
38
651
H2O
Adventure
Moonshine
Bob Waddell
Will Crane
Tony Johnson
Cabo Rico 42
Morgan 34
Ericson 32
213
226
218
The Bone Island Regatta is an annual regatta held in mid-May. The 2016 BONE ISLAND REGATTA will start
from the Naples Pier on May 12. For details go to the website at http://www.thensyc.com/Sailing.aspx Please
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feel free to contact NSYC SAILING Fleet Captain Jerry Watkins, the Race Organizer, email:
[email protected] or call 239-643-1292
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