Following Sea

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. Full story »

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. Full story »

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. Full story »

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).
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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.
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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. Full story »

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. Full story »

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. Full story »

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. Full story »

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. Full story »

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. Full story »

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. Full story »

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. Full story »

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. Full story »

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.
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