For a good number of years now, the May issue of Southern Boating has featured The Bahamas, that heavenly string of islands, cays and rocks situated just to the east of southern Florida. The close proximity, exquisite anchorages and beaches, friendly inhabitants and historical mystique of these islands lures visitors like a lodestone, and as many of you have discovered, one visit is never enough.

Over the years, our pages have covered nearly every nook and cranny, place to go and thing to see—as well as profiles of islanders and their lives—of this combined landmass about the size of the state of Connecticut. Dare we say, we’ve pretty much covered it all.

As journalists, we’re a naturally curious and inquisitive bunch and in our brainstorming session over what this year’s coverage might consist of, we started asking questions about “why is that” on a host of matters pertaining to the historical development of The Bahamas. Some informal research began and it wasn’t long before we decided that our readers would surely appreciate us sharing our findings with them. Our neighbors to the east have a fascinating and enthralling history, acutely intertwined with our own.

So pour yourself a tall glass of your favorite tropical beverage, climb into the shady hammock strung between a pair of Royal Palms, and let us transport you back—and then forth to the present day—to a time and place whose mere mention conjures up the fondest memories and fosters genuine yearning for a seaborne sojourn: The Bahamas.

Cleare Waters

Boatbuilder’s skill graced the high seas for many years

Staff Report

The 85-foot yacht Passing Jack, built in 1939 for Austin T. Levy. Right: Shipwright Victor Cleare, date unknown.

Anyone in The Bahamas who knows anything about boat building will have heard of Victor Cleare, whose skills created no fewer than nine impressive craft between 1920 and 1944, including the 165-foot Arawak, believed to be the biggest vessel ever built in these islands.

Mr. Cleare, who was born in Harbour Island on December 12, 1900, was the sixth generation of Cleares in The Bahamas, a family descended from solid English stock whose roots are said to go all the way back to Anne Boleyn, the ill-fated second wife of King Henry VIII and mother of Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth I.

A self-taught boatbuilder, Victor developed his passion for sea-going craft through his father, Bruce, who owned several three-masted sailing ships. These were used to carry pineapples to Baltimore and to pick up mahogany in Havana for delivery to ports along the east coast of North America. The names of two are believed to be the Beatrice and the Corinthia, both of which are believed to have sunk in Harbour Island during the fierce hurricane of 1929.

With such a background, it was almost inevitable that Victor would follow an associated career and until the second world war he made his living by building boats in Harbour Island. He then moved to Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, to work for Austin T. Levy, for whom he built the afore-mentioned Arawak, the Passing Jack, the Samana and the Dairy Maid.

Not long after completing the Dairy Maid in 1944, Victor and his family moved to Nassau where he took employment with his good friend and fellow “Brilander” Sir George Roberts. The old homestead where he lived with his wife Lucy is still there today and is now occupied by Gaylord’s Restaurant.

Victor’s son, Paul, a retired businessman who developed a keen interest in Bahamas shipbuilding, has been sorting out family photographs which throw a fascinating light on his father’s halcyon days as a shipbuilder supreme.

“Boatbuilding was his great love and he developed a great skill in the field as was so very apparent by the nine boats he later built,” said Paul. The craft ranged in size from 40 feet up to the 165-foot Arawak and included the Saint Mary of Stafford, a 55-foot vessel built in Harbour Island in 1932 at the request of the then Roman Catholic bishop, who used it for travel to the Out Islands.

The Cleare family’s Bahamas connections go all the way back to 1789 when John Cleare arrived in Harbour Island from Sudbury, Suffolk. John, who married the daughter of an English planter in Jamaica, was nicknamed ‘Eleven’ because he was the 11^th brother in the family.

Victor Percy Cleare was educated at Harbour Island by the Rev. Poad of Oxford University, who was brought from England at a salary of 50 pounds a year to tutor the Cleare, Solomon and Johnson children. Victor took and successfully passed the senior Cambridge examination under Rev. Poad’s guidance.

On August 21, 1923, Victor married Lucy Harris of Harbour Island and they had six children: Bruce, Joseph, Helen, Gilbert, Paul and Catherine.

In Sir George Robert’s employment, Victor was manager of City Lumber and, after retirement, returned to Harbour Island and later moved to Florida where he died in November, 1989, just short of his 90^th birthday. His wife had died a few years earlier.

Unfortunately, a couple of Victor’s splendid craft came to an unhappy end, the Arawak catching fire and sinking on a trip from Jacksonville to Hatchet Bay, and the Saint Mary of Stafford becoming a hurricane victim at Prince George Dock in the 1930s.

It is possible that one, the 40-foot Pieces of Eight, still survives, though its whereabouts aren’t known.

However, Victor Cleare left his distinctive mark on Bahamas maritime history and his skills graced the high seas for many years.

Everette Sands Photo

The original Lord Beaverbrook home built on Gun Point. Right: Slow down and enjoy the view.

With over 700 islands to choose from in The Bahamas, it’s hard to decide which to visit. Harder still is the choice of which island, resort, cay, marina, boutique, islet, beach, inn, reef, park or attraction to include in our Bahamas issue, since each has its own special story and visual appeal. While many are rich with historical significance, one especially caught our attention not just for the story that’s been told, but also for the tales and folklore that have been passed down through generations and have gained momentum where the line between fact and fantasy becomes muddled. Part of the appeal is that what actually happened can’t be proven.

Kate Fears Photo

On the far northwest tip of Eleuthera, a charming home built by Lord Beaverbrook in the 1940s sits on Gun Point, a piece of land he chose that was given to him by the Crown after his loyal service during World War II. The colorful history of Gun Point, however, is varied and starts centuries prior.

In 1648 some 70 pioneers set their course for Eleuthera. When one of two vessels was wrecked on the surrounding reef—and all the cargo lost—the American colonies helped the survivors. Their first settlement—supposedly near Governor’s Harbour— had a cave they used for shelter and Christian worship services. Some of the settlers left while the ones that stayed made a living from fishing and scavenging the remains of boats wrecked on the reefs. Wrote John Oldmixon in 1708, “All that came ashore was prize and if a sailor had, by better luck than the rest, got ashore as well as his wreck, he was not sure of getting off again.” The skill of “wrecking” became finely tuned in order to lure ships to the reefs. One tale includes tying a lantern to a donkey and letting the animal roam an area close to a dangerous shoal.

The origins of the names of certain landmarks can be guessed but are still not known for certain: Preacher’s Cave; Ridley’s Head; Devil’s Backbone. A rock cropping in another cave named “the lady in the cave” bears the tale of a women waving to a priest, who was her lover and forced to leave the island. The name “Gun Point” is possibly due to its ideal location for placement of guns for protection of the settlement.

Click here to view launch the gallery.

Swimsuit Voting

Enter to win a SeaLife Mini II Dive and Sport Camera.

• Submit your vote and register to win a SeaLife waterproof camera by logging your email address here.
• Everyone who registers a vote is eligible to win the camera.
• Entries will be accepted through April 30, 2012.
• The winner will be chosen at random from the entries received and notified by email.

SeaLife Mini II Dive and Sport Camera (MSRP) $259.95

Capture your own memorable images above and below the water. One lucky winner will receive an easy-to-use SeaLife Mini II Dive and Sport Camera. Built for use in extreme conditions, the 9-megapixel compact SeaLife Mini II is waterproof to 130 feet and comes equipped to accommodate a multitude of accessories.

Whether you bound through the jungle or swim with sharks, the Sea Life Mini II is ready to capture your memories and show to your friends, children or grandchildren.

Click here to view launch the gallery.

Swmsuit 2012 Contest Rules

Deadline: April 30, 2012

The Grand Prize winner will be selected at random from all eligible voters who register for the contest online through April 30, 2012. Contest not open to employees of Southern Boating & Yachting, Inc., their spouses or families. Winner will be notified by email by May 15, 2012.

By L.J. Wallace

We have come to expect radical innovation from marine industry upstart SkämtMarin AG, and with the company’s new bow thruster, these expectations have been far exceeded. The new thruster, due on the market later this year, eliminates almost all moving parts and is both small and light enough to use on vessels as small as 30 feet long. Dubbed the DrägKräft 3000™, this wonder of technology will soon be the standard for all bow thrusters.

First, some operations theory, provided by company President Pavel Skämt: “You see, water is what is called ‘paramagnetic’ and when a very strong field is present, the water actually becomes a magnet as the molecules line up against the force. We have developed a way to produce such a field and thus push the boat any way we wish.” From this seemingly simple principle, SkämtMarin has engineered a system that is the ultimate in simplicity and reliability.

In use, the DrägKräft 3000 may be controlled by a conventional controller—just move the lever left to swing the bow port, and move the lever right to swing the bow starboard—or it may be tied into a joystick controller system such as is used with now-common pod drive systems from VolvoPenta, Cummins/Mercruiser and others. System power status is displayed on the control panel, along with the system mode (more on that later).

Unlike all other bow thruster systems, which require a penetration through the hull near the bow (either for a thruster tunnel or for a control pod mount), the DrägKräft 3000 is installed inside the vessel with only a pair of small thrust plates epoxy-bonded to the outside of the hull on opposite sides of the bow. These plates are thin and the edges are chamfered so they cause minimal drag. They are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene and thus, are non-wetting and fully antifouling. Inside the vessel, a supersaturated core electromagnetic coil system is mounted transversely with its poles situated just behind the thrust plates on the outside of the hull.  Connected to the coil is the true magic of the DrägKräft 3000—a bank of ultracapacitors, capable of instantly delivering 1.21 gigawatts of energy to the coil. This delivers a magnetic field that provides a driving force about equal to a six horsepower motor.

The ultracapacitor bank may be recharged from several available sources of power. Under way, either 12VDC or 120VAC from an engine alternator may be used to rapidly recharge. Under sail, a wind turbine, solar cell array or even a small proplog may be used to trickle charge the bank. While at anchor, a wind electrostatic system is used to maintain charge. This unique device is merely a pair of platinum-coated wires, mounted in an insulator base about five centimeters apart. The motion of the wind across these wires builds up charge, which is transferred to the ultracapacitor bank.

The DrägKräft 3000 has two operating modes: Frittvatten or “Free Water”, and Hemmahamn or “Home Port,” and these are displayed and controlled from the panel. In Frittvatten mode, the field described above is used to steer the vessel together with the main engines. In Hemmahamn mode, a much lower power setting may be used. This is because the vessel’s home dockage slip may be fitted with special steel attractors (which may be collars clamped around pilings closest to the bow on both sides, or flat plates which may be secured to bulkheads in a similar fashion). The DrägKräft 3000 then uses tiny bits of magnetic force to bring the vessel into a “hover” position at a desired location between the attractors, and to hold it in position while lines are made fast or brought aboard.

We asked Pavel Skämt why his company is now venturing into bow thrusters. “I have much past experience with thrust,” he replied, “and as I had a need of increasing the force of thrust at some times without any support, my engineers helped me to improve my thrusting power with physics.” On the company’s test vessel in the Baltic Sea, the system slewed the bow port and starboard with amazing ease and in total silence.

We can’t wait to be able to install a DrägKräft 3000 and to be able to watch the other slip holders as we ease into our space and hover inches from the dock, stepping gently off, instead of leaping to the dock. For more information: skamtMarin.com.

Special Section Features:

Sanitation Systems – The Heads-Up on Heads

New technology helps keep systems running smoothly.

When it comes to marine sanitation, a system that works just “OK” is usually not good enough. Either it functions perfectly and everyone’s happy, or there’s a problem that must be fixed before you launch again. Whether upgrading or refitting completely, today’s marine sanitation systems are better than ever. Components are lighter, hoses are more flexible and pumps are more powerful—and all of it is more reliable as designs have improved.

The three main components of marine sanitation include the toilet, hoses/plumbing and the holding tank. There are many ways to upgrade the toilet and plumbing; however, you’re stuck with the holding tank that was built into your boat. The size of the holding tank can limit the amount of flushes your system can handle, which in turn can limit the time you can spend on the water between pump-outs at a marina, as even greater stretches of water have been designated no-discharge zones. Haul out is the ideal time to get your system working properly. Let’s look at the three main components and what can be done to improve them…..

Propellers - Props Performance tips plus new innovations in development

Performance tips plus new innovations in development

If you’re preparing for the annual spruce up of your boat, don’t omit your propeller(s) from the maintenance list. Props may just be those “wheels” on or under the stern for which some think scraping off the barnacles and other growth is sufficient, but it isn’t. The prop is the one component of the propulsion system that actually makes the boat move through the water and therefore deserves your full attention at maintenance time.

The concept of how a marine propeller works is the same principle as an airplane wing, where the curvature from the leading edge to the trailing edge on top of the wing creates low pressure that induces lift. Installed on a boat, the suction face of the propeller is toward the bow. A pressure differential is created as the blades rotate between the relatively fast-moving water on the pressure face of the blade and the slower water flowing over the suction face. This action of pulling water in and pushing it out adds momentum, resulting in thrust moving the boat forward. Theoretically, the more pitch a propeller has, the more lift is created, translating into forward horizontal movement and speed….

Engine Room – No Haul Out Planned? Here’s Your Spring Engine Checkup Plan:

While an annual haul out is good practice, perhaps this just isn’t the year for a haul-out due to the expense involved or your own boating schedule. However, there are check-up procedures you can perform yourself to ensure your boat’s engines, generators and engine compartment are shipshape the next time you hit the water. Also, a spring check-up will help you find a problem that requires professional service.

It is common sense that boat operators should have a comfortable familiarity with their engine room or compartment. Before every trip, check the engine’s oil level and perform a general inspection of the hoses, clamps and belts. Identifying a problem is much easier in a clean engine room, so keep it tidy and free of debris and dirt….
Electrical - 7  Electrical Tests You Shouldn’t Overlook

Marine electrical systems are all too often given little, if any, maintenance until a problem occurs. The old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is too frequently applied. Routine testing and maintenance, however, can enhance the safety of any vessel and reduce the possibility of unexpected failures. Also, an electrical survey is an effective way to determine what maintenance a vessel’s electrical system may require. An ideal time to have an electrical survey performed is during a haul-out period. A qualified electrical surveyor can efficiently test the vessel’s electrical systems and provide a written report of the findings. The following is a list of seven inspections or tests that are typically performed during an electrical survey, each of which will enhance safety and reliability of any vessel while minimizing the possibility of having to perform emergency repairs….

Affordable Charters

By Liz Pasch

My boating roots started in the Midwest cruising the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border nearly every weekend from May to September. In December of 2000, the first year of the new millennium, six of us—three couples—decided to expand our boating horizons and chartered a 45-foot Leopard Catamaran for a 10-day vacation in the British Virgin Islands (B.V.I.). It was an experience none of us will ever forget and would do again in a heartbeat. And while it was the most expensive trip my husband and I had taken, compared with other vacation options, it was not only affordable but a downright bargain when you consider all we experienced.

There are as many types of charters as there are types of boats. Prices range significantly depending on several factors, the most significant being the style and size of the boat you select. When considering a charter, the first three questions you need to consider are:

1. Do you want a boat that’s power or sail? 
2. Where do you want to go?
3. Will you operate the boat yourself or hire a crew?

If you want only your family or friends on board and a big part of your fun is cooking your own meals, navigating unfamiliar waters and tending lines, then bare-boating is for you, and much less expensive than hiring a crew. Still, bare-boat charter prices range in price depending on sail or power, size and style of boat, and time of year (holiday or high season versus low). It’s important to keep in mind that, like a crewed charter, prices quoted are usually the base price and do not include fuel, dockage fees, food, alcohol, etc. Like the costs you accumulate when on a weekend cruising on your own boat, you will have costs on the charter as well, which can be estimated by the charter company. For example, base price for a 48-foot Sea Ray in Miami, Florida, with two cabins and two heads, is from $8,960-$10,640 depending on the season. Or, if the Caribbean is on your radar, The Moorings has new 37- to 47-foot power catamarans in the B.V.I. for $3360-6685 per week in September.

“One of the reasons to charter is to go somewhere you wouldn’t usually go with your own boat,” says Kim Kavin, award-winning journalist, noted charter expert and author of Dream Cruises: The Insider’s Guide to Private Yacht Vacations. Kim’s website, charterwave.com, provides resource information and unbiased reviews for those considering crewed charter vacations. Kim confirms it’s less expensive to bare-boat, but recommends chartering crewed boats or yachts. “If you’ve never hired crew, take a break from the work of boating. You can drive the boat when you want but don’t have to do it all the time.” On our B.V.I. charter, my husband was most comfortable at the helm, and our Captain Norman was more than happy to let him. The rest of us tended lines when we wanted but it wasn’t expected. While some cruisers take a vacation from the helm by going on cruise-ships, Kim says you can share a private 80-90’ yacht with two other couples for a week at around the same price per person as a higher-end cruise ship vacation. The benefits are obvious: You get to go where you want, stay longer and avoid the cruise ship crowds, and that’s just for starters. Chartering a megayacht may be outside of the budget, but many yachts under 100 feet offer many of the same pleasures and amenities at an affordable price, especially when sharing expenses with a few other couples. Watershed II, for example, is an 87-foot President motor yacht that charters in the Caribbean for up to six guests and comes with a chef whose culinary repertoire runs from healthy and heart-smart to total luxury and indulgent. Equipped with water sports equipment and an easy-to-use swim platform, base price for a six-day charter starts at $28,000, plus expenses.

If you want a charter experience combined with land time, a logical alternative is to charter for just the day or a few days. Charter brokers or resorts can provide a myriad of options to accommodate your preference and budget, such as the 64′ Viking Barefoot, offered by Denison Yacht Charters, for an all-inclusive three-day fishing package in either Bimini, Bahamas ($9,500), or Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, Florida ($12,500). Whether you want a fishing trip, sunset sail, diving encounter or sailing experience, there is a charter option designed for you. Start planning now to create memories that will last a lifetime. Just don’t wait until the next millennium.

Charter resources:
Charterwave.com

-A handy tool for charter newbies, it includes crewed charter FAQ’s, price comparisons, planning tools and yacht reviews. (Does not sell vacations or represent specific brokers.)

Charter brokers:
Bartram and Brakenhoff; 
Fort Lauderdale, FL; 
bartbrak.com; 954-779-7377
-Luxury yachts

Bradford Yacht Charter; 
Fort Lauderdale, FL;
bradfordmarineyachtcharter.com; 
954-377-3900
-Sail or power 50-200′+

Denison Yacht Charters; 
Fort Lauderdale, FL;
denisonyachtsales.com; 954-763-3971
-Power yachts 64-100′

Florida Yacht Charters; West Palm Beach, FL; floridayacht.com; 
800-537-0050
-Sail or power

Helen Island Yacht Charters; St. Lucia;
yachtchartersstlucia.com; 758-484-4924
-One 39’ Mainship sleeps 6; windward islands

Jung Charters; Sarasota, FL;
boat-charters.com; 941-366-0073
-Trawlers, SW Florida

Le Boat-Europe; U.S. office Clearwater, FL
leboat.com; 800-734-5491
-European river and canal cruising

Marine Max; nationwide;
marinemaxvacations.com; 
888-461-5497
-Power cats; British Virgin Islands

Seven Seas Yacht Charter; Nokomis, FL;
sevenseascharters.com; 800-346-5355
-Sail and power, large and small; worldwide

Sunsail; U.S. office Clearwater, FL;
sunsail.com; 888-350-3568
-Sail mono- and multi-hulls; worldwide

The Moorings; U.S. office Clearwater, FL
moorings.com; 888-952-8420
-27 charter locations worldwide

Miami International Boat Show &
Strictly Sail; Miami Beach Yacht &
Brokerage Show Preview (pictured)

71^st Annual
Miami International
Boat Show & Strictly Sail

What do you get when you bring millions of dollars worth of boats, yachts, gear and electronics to one of the most cosmopolitan beachfront cities in the country? It can only add up to the Annual Progressive Insurance© Miami International Boat Show, held this year from February 16-20.

Featuring three locations (Miami Beach Convention Center; Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center in-water displays; and Miamarina at Bayside—Strictly Sail Miami returns to Bayside) for 2012. It’s one of the biggest gatherings on the boat show circuit.

But there’s more to it than boats and gear. After a successful introduction in 2011, the interactive Discover Boating Resource Center is back and better than ever, providing attendees of all ages and skill sets with a multitude of opportunities to get on the water and discover the excitement of the boating lifestyle through hands-on education and adventure. Guests can register for an assortment of complimentary, daily courses on topics ranging from close-quarter handling and offshore cruising, to sailing for beginners and boating safety.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Discover Boating Resource Center back to the Progressive Insurance© Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail so cruisers of all ages and levels can learn more about navigating the waters and experience the benefits of boating first-hand. There’s truly no better destination to discover the many ways that life is better with a boat!” said Cathy Rick-Joule, Show Manager.

In addition: 

-Visit the best dive and travel feature in the U.S.,the Dive & Travel Harbor presented by U.S. Dive Shows located on the first floor at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

-Celebrating its ninth year, the Big Game Room returns with all of your favorite events! Have a drink at the Marlin Bar while waiting for the next educational seminar to begin. Take a walk over to the Bait Rigging Station and improve your rigging techniques. And of course you’ll see the latest in products for the fishing world and destinations with the best sport fishing in the world. Don’t forget to sign up for the Exhibitor Prize Give Away.

-Feed your need for speed! See the show’s fastest and sleekest race boats from Cigarette Racing Team, Nor-Tech, Marine Technology, Velocity, GTMM, Skater and Outer Limits Powerboats. You’ll find these great race boats outside next to the Pavilion Tent.

-Boating enthusiasts and art aficionados can meet the newest member of the International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame and world-renowned artist, photographer, diver and scientist, Dr. Guy Harvey, by visiting the Guy Harvey Artist Pavilion located in room 2700 at Miami Beach Convention Center. There they’ll also find the largest collection of Guy Harvey artwork, apparel and merchandise ever available.

-Sunday the 19^th is Marlins Day. Meet Miami Marlins players on Convention Center Drive along with Billy the Marlin and the Mermaids on hand to sign autographs and take pictures. There will be tickets to opening week games in the brand new Miami Marlins Ball Park. Stop by the Marlins Van and take your chance on the prize wheel all day Sunday.

For full information, visit: miamiboatshow.com.

24th Annual
Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach

February 16-20 will see the 24^th Annual Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach along Collins Avenue featuring yachts and superyachts from the world’s most extraordinary custom boatbuilders. Not to be confused with the Miami Boat Show, this show is free and open to the public. This year’s show will feature more than 500 new and pre-owned vessels valued at more than a billion dollars and covers more than 1.2 million square feet of space over a mile-long strip of the Indian Creek Waterway in the heart of beautiful Miami Beach. It runs along Collins Avenue (S.R. A1A), from 41^st to 51^st Streets, situated directly across from landmark hotels including the Fountainbleu, Eden Roc and Miami Beach Resort and Spa.

Take advantage of the show’s new smartphone app, MyBoatShow, launched in October 2011 at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with tremendous success. It’s a free app, available on iPhone and Android platforms, designed to help navigate the show’s docks, land areas and tents. Attendees will be able to access show maps and search for exhibitors, manufacturers, product categories and boats by specifications and size. The app also provides the show schedule, seminar information, show transportation schedules and maps, food and drink locations, restroom locations and emergency services.

Another inaugural development to this year’s show is TrawlerPort, a true show within  a show. Located at the north end of all the action, TrawlerPort will offer an impressive display of sturdy long-range cruisers offered in lengths from 35 to 90 feet, all built for long-term cruising to regional and worldwide destinations. Participating TrawlerPort boats will be easily identified with banners and flags.

The show’s Yacht Equipment Pavilion and Sportfishing Pavilion offer attendees the perfect setting to experience the latest in marine gear, sportfishing tackle and equipment, electronics and gadgets, as well as seminars by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).

Once again, Shake-A-Leg Miami will be the beneficiary of the annual Boat Show Kickoff Party, held February 15t^h between 6-9PM at the Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show Cocktail Barge, just prior to the start of the show.

For complete information on ticket sales, times, transportation and parking, visit: showmanagement.com

It all adds up to more than just the sum of its parts during Vintage Weekend at Ocean Reef Club.

Some of the most successful ventures occur primarily because there is a synergistic component present in the process. Keeping this in mind, one doesn’t have to wonder too hard why Vintage Weekend at Ocean Reef Club (ORC) on Key Largo just celebrated its 17th year, enjoying ever increasing success as it begins closing in on a two decade run of it.

Originally conceived to fill a void in the pre-season social calendar, Vintage Weekend featured classic yachts, cars and aircraft, showcased against the backdrop of one of the most understatedly graceful and refined settings in South Florida.

The collections featured in the event are not flashy and opulent in the modern sense that one would equate to fashion—which comes and goes with time. It sometimes even repeats itself as those who need something new and different start regurgitating that which was popular in the past. Rather, the yachts, cars and aircraft on display were timelessly classic in style, like a woman’s little black cocktail dress or a man’s gold-sleeve buttoned blue blazer. There was no ostentatious opulence at Vintage Weekend, just rarified gracefulness. It’s rather akin to attending the Masters at Augusta national. True, there are more dramatic and challenging links, but none that are more genteelly refined.

But back to the synergy at Ocean Reef Club. What began as a modest and remote fishing camp back in 1945 has grown and evolved into a singularly special sort of place with casual and laid-back elegance, where attention to detail and the preservation of an “Old Florida” feel takes precedence over constant reinvention and one-upmanship.

Yes, it’s all meticulously groomed and maintained, but you’ll see little guilt edging and gold fixtures in the buildings, and don’t expect to encounter the sort of landscaping which a gardener spent hours forcing to conform to his crafting. It’s this matrimony of timeless classics, on display and where they’re displayed, that has become the hallmark of Vintage Weekend. held the weekend following Thanksgiving each year, things kicked off on Friday with a drive-about—The Reef & Road Rally. It went to, of all places, the rustic Alabama Jack’s where such beautiful cars in such a bucolic location elicited a feeling of whimsically delightful disparity. Attendees were transported via bus, everyone had a grand time of it and thus the tone was set for the next day.

There were 58 vintage automobiles that participated in the Concours d’elegance event which kicked things off Saturday morning. ORC member and Vintage Weekend committee member, Ron elenbaas—a car aficionado himself—provided lively and thorough commentary on each car and the respective owners. Between Ron and his wife nanette, three of their cars were showcased. The Off Brothers Collection contributed the oldest automobile, which was a 1910 Thomas Flyer, and Derek Wachob brought the newest, a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible.

Back over at the water’s edge there were 20 classically archetypal yachts docked stem to stern and in Bristol fashion, where people could feel free to take off their shoes, step over the red carpet that indicated visitors were welcome to board, and get a self-guided tour of each vessel. Paul and Tracy Berger were the owners of builder John Trumpy’s Washingtonian, built in 1939, the oldest yacht there. When we asked Robert Meierhoff, owner of Diane, (Burger Boatworks steel hull #1) if he actively used the boat, he replied, “Oh no, I just love to restore and preserve her.” It’s that sort of motive that seems to permeate this event. Make no mistake about it, yes, many of the participants are financially well-heeled, but at the same time that affords them the luxury of not only preserving such classics, but also altruistically presenting them to the public merely for pure enjoyments sake.

As part of the festivities on Saturday there was a Chuckwagon luncheon on the beach where an airshow took place. Registered guests were able to partake in a delicious buffet spread on a beautiful winter day while also enjoying aero acrobatics from noon until 2PM. There were 19 aircraft featured at the show ranging in pedigree from 1906 (a replica, actually) to 1995. Shortly following the show, over at the Ocean Reef Airport, was a tour and commentary on the aircraft. A favorite amongst the crowd was a 1945 DC-3. As shown (top right), she’s not cosmetically a princess of the skies (although quite structurally sound), but is still in regular service flying to the The 1945 DC-3 was a crowd favorite, owned by Julio Castro. Bahamas five days a week. On that point, owner Julio Castro of Miami, Florida quipped, “You can tell, she’s no hanger Queen.” (Don’t you just love flyboys?)

Later that evening, the Wild West themed dinner dance got into full swing over at the Town hall, complete with hay bales and a country band which later kicked things up several notches with more modern dance tunes, and the feeling of camaraderie and fellowship in the hall was palpable. Yes, drinks flowed, yet—despite the prevalence of all them pistol packers— no blood was spilled.

Before the dance, we spent cocktail hour with the VP of Sales and Marketing, Richard Weinstein, and the Director of Communications, Molly Carroll, in the Reef Lounge for a nosh and some cocktails. Amidst the gentle background strumming of a jazzy bassist accompanying a female vocalist (whose dulcet voice could make you swoon), the lively conversation ranged upon any number of topics. At one point we mistakenly referred to ORC as a resort, to which Richard quickly retorted, “Oh no, please don’t say that; we’re not a resort, we are a club.” We stood corrected, and rightfully so. The members are the owners here, not some far-off disconnected corporate entity dishing out mirror ceilinged rooms and endless all-you-can-eat buffets for a package price.

Sunday dawned with a northeasterly bluster huffing in off the Atlantic, swaying the Royal Palms and lending a bit of drama

to the radio-controlled sailboat regatta taking place out on the saltwater pond of Buccaneer Island. From our vantage point on a balcony of the Dolphin residence, with light sweet coffees in hand, we watched the diminutive vessels tack and jibe around the marks, and run the downwind leg, wing-on-wing. But that was about the only aggressive or competitive thing we observed throughout the entire sublimely debonair and cultivated weekend.

There’s scant doubt this event will continue to thrive and endure, perpetually bolstered by the intrinsically sound premises on which it was established: fun, sociability, community, a preservationists nod to the past and a celebratory glance to what the future will bring.

While less than five percent of those currently holding a captain’s license are women, in my experience it’s still useful to have the knowledge that comes along with the “ticket,” even if you’re not planning to take a job in the Caribbean as master of a charter vessel. According to a survey done by The Triton (magazine for “nautical news for captains and crews”), many women in the yachting industry have never really considered pursuing their captain’s license for three main reasons:

1) The rules and regulations for acquiring sea time through the United States Coast Guard (USCG) system can be confusing;

2) The career options within the marine industry for female captains are often overlooked, and;

3) There’s often no one to turn to for support, guidance and encouragement.

While some women may be interested in taking a few classes, you may dream of someday getting paid to do what you love and perhaps even entertain the thought of NOT leaving the boat over the winter but rather, making it available for charter. There’s no secret that it’s better to combine what you love with your income-production. To that end, your USCG captain’s license is a potential revenue resource. It may also make a difference in your future as a cruiser. Get that license now so that when the economy does start to improve, you’ll be ready to take full advantage of the throngs of vacationstarved families ready to take a boating vacation.

You may be asking yourself this: “I’m not a professional, so why would I need a captain’s license?” Well, as a recreational cruiser, you may never really “need” the license, but it is still worthwhile to have what comes with it: namely training and knowledge. Another good reason—a captain’s license will lower your vessel’s insurance costs. Almost all major insurance companies now require basic training that goes beyond the standard boat safety course currently required in almost every state.

As far as classes go, there are many to choose from: courses in bareboating, basic coastal cruising, offshore passagemaking, liveaboard sailboat cruising, blue water tactics, and now there’s even trawler training available. Generally however, it all begins with the basic OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel), formerly known as a “six-pack” captain’s license. When it finally came time to put my four years of cruising ocean miles to good use, I concluded that I might as well get one of my own. But where to take the course?

Fortunately, I live by the water in South Florida where there’s a plethora of courses available. SeaSchool, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, has schools located throughout the southeast and Gulf Coasts. My husband is an alumnus so I decided to follow in his wake and go with a known entity. SeaSchool is very laid back, but they get the job done and have been around since 1977. But if you’re not near a major boating area, there are excellent programs offered online.

Our instructor—John, a long-time Fort Lauderdale resident and charter fisherman—was adamant in telling us on the first day that everyone would pass. John made the lectures fun by interjecting his “fish stories” and sharing his top secret fishing holes with the lucky fisherman in the class.

I do need to add here how hard it can be to work all day at your job and then attend class from 6-10PM through the weekend. And, unless you live in a major boating area, you may not have an available class nearby, nor the time it takes (usually two full weekends plus five nights to satisfy the 64-hour requirement for classroom instruction), to complete a USCGapproved course. If your time is limited or you don’t care to take a learning vacation, SeaSchool offers all of their courses online. Courses are also offered in Spanish.

SeaSchool began offering online “distance learning” captain’s license courses back in 2009. They’re the same courses you can take in their classrooms, but are designed especially for older mariners or those who don’t usually spend their days in front of a computer screen. They’re especially easy to read, easy to navigate and less complicated than most other online offerings.

According to Len Wahl, SeaSchool’s Training Director, “Our online courses aren’t complicated. My father designed the first course for those not so familiar with computers.” Students will see ‘Walk Ons’ by instructors, who actually appear to walk onto the screen to describe things. Once you’ve read the supplied course book or reviewed the required PDFs, you’re ready to log in to access the course online. You’ll see review highlights on the screen, before you take the online quizzes. Once you’ve passed, credit is given for that section. “The average total computer time is generally about 65 hours to cover all the material for the OUPV,” Len added. The OUPV captain’s license is just $395, a considerable savings over the classroom course price of $550.

The final exam

No one really enjoys the exam at the end, but in order to get your ticket you must pass nonetheless. There are four parts to the test: Rules of the Road (COLREGS), Deck General, Navigation and Chart Plotting. Rules of the Road tends to be the most difficult and you must pass it with a score of 90 percent or better. You can pass the other three with a grade of 70 percent or better. The Chart Plotting takes the longest. I had a period of four hours to pass the tests which was more than enough and actually more time would have been made available if needed. The good news is that if you can take your exams directly after you finish the course then all you have to do is regurgitate all that information and… voila, you’re done!

SeaSchool offers exams every Tuesday and as far as their guarantee goes, if you don’t pass an exam (you get three tries), you only have to sit through that part of the class again and you can retake the test. Not a bad deal. Classes are generally small; ours had only 10 students, but generally speaking, classes are usually between 15-20. SeaSchool also offers you assistance with the complicated Coast Guard application so that yours doesn’t get caught in USCG Purgatory.

New course and exam – all online

“SeaSchool’s renewal course is the only course of its kind available online. It was just approved by the USCG,” Len told us. And there’s some good news: the final exam can be taken online, in lieu of an open book final exam with the Coast Guard. For those who spend more time onboard cruising or for working mariners, this can be very convenient; however, studying and training online isn’t for everyone. You must be very disciplined and set enough time aside to go through all the material, take the quizzes and final tests. For those of us who spend a significant part of our lives online, it’s not a big leap, but for others… well, it may not spin your prop. If you prefer a live expert in front of the classroom—drilling the information into your head and where you can interrupt and ask questions or interact with fellow students—then you should choose the classroom option. Either way, the Coast Guard describes the topics and degree of difficulty, as well as the amount of time spent in class. If you take the online course, you’re still required to take the final exam in the classroom of your choice.

Besides the traditional OUPV and higher grade licenses, SeaSchool also offers endorsements such as sailing and towing. License applicants must also pay for the SeaSchool’s First Aid/CPR course.

Once you’ve passed your exam, taken your CPR course and paid your fees, you have to have logged a minimum of 360 days experience on board a boat starting from age 15, with 90 of those days occurring over the last three years, before you can get your ticket. Keep in mind that four hours on a boat can be considered one day and in one 24-hour period, you can claim just one day of sea service time. If you own the boat yourself, you sign-off your own time. If your time was spent on boats belonging to friends or family, they can sign-off for you. Your time does not need to be signed off by a licensed Captain and in fact, you don’t even need to be operating the boat for the time to count. At least for the moment, the entire sea time sign-off process basically works on the honor system where the Coast Guard will accept your best guess, and you are no longer required to submit logbooks.

There’s a relatively new document now being required for all captains. It’s called the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) administers it. This document requires that you appear before the TSA for security clearance, including digital fingerprinting, which would then be shared with the USCG.

Whatever your mode of learning there’s a captain’s course for you. You’ll be surprised just how easy it is, thanks to great programs like SeaSchool. As for your support network, there are plenty of great resources available online for women who love to boat. Websites dedicated just to the ladies include womenandcruising.com, womensailing.org, womanship.com, seasenseboating.com, sailsistership.com.

For more information about the entire USCG licensing process, you can visit uscg.mil/STCW/new-begin.htm or seaschool.com.

Contact: Seaschool – 1-800-237-8663; seaschool.com. Locations throughout the northeast, southeast, Gulf Coast, USVI’s and Puerto Rico.