HBYC - Member Logs

This is a page devoted to articles and logs submitted by members of HBYC. If you have a log of a cruise or article of interest to the general membership, please submit to the webmaster at: and it will be reviewed for inclusion. Also, if you have any pictures to go with the article they are welcome. We prefer digital [JPG] format but will work with whatever you have.

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Editor's Note: Since returning from their cruise Jack has updated the posts into a Cruise Log format. Click here for a link to the document. You can read it online or print for later. Utopia II 2006 Log

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Posted 9/12/06 - What is a Yacht Club? or How many friends does it take to help fulfill a dream?

I guess if one were to ask fifty people there would be fifty variations on a theme. But the essence of what really makes a unique and thriving club came to me recently.

I believe it is the mind set of each member which renders a caring and helpful predisposition toward fellow members. Our boat succumbed to MURRAY'S LAW ( this is the southern Irish version of Murphy's law).

Jim Kitzler spent two days restoring our pedestal to working order including seeing that we needed and installing new control cables. And fixing them so they went in the right direction. He and Bill Piper then removed a hugh old battery from the bowels of the boat (without getting Donna's new dolphin comforter dirty). Then Bill "discovered" that one of the rear motor mounts had turned to dust. Jim then called in Gene Michaux for the technical advice and they fashioned and installed a new motor mount with just minutes to spare. They then literally pushed us away from the dock fifteen minutes before high tide enabling us to be out on Friday before the Scandia Cup. As we motored away from out dock, I sent Donna below to check that the water intake was turned on, unfortunately she couldn't get the grate up so I had to go down anyway. As we motored pass the last house Jim came running to the point to shout check the intake!

We proceeded to Dutchman's Key for an overnight to await the Scandia cup Race the following day which turned into 2 days as the race was postponed. I made good use of the time and finished hooking out the GPS. (This overnighter is a story in itself, but I digress).En route back up to participate we succeeded in jamming our Genoa about half way out where it stayed for the race.

Following the race, we anchored out as we had lost the tide, so next day we proceeded to Jim's Dock but grounded at Marker 26. Jim came out on "Ilikai" and tried to unground us but we were on the peak of a small mountain and going nowhere. Along came, guess who? Capt. Red of Towboat US and were towed (actually a couple of good yanks) into deep water again.

Then entered Jim and Gene again, who helped unfurl the halyard 15-20 times from around the top of the forestay and pulled the genoa down. They discovered that the top part of the roller furling was shot (Remember MURRAY"S LAW) They then engineered a new part for it.

All is well until the following weekend cruise to Clearwater. We made it there just fine but managed to drag anchor early Sunday morning and almost collided with a hugh catamaran. Then back to Dutchman's Key. Jim used our dink to return from a visit on "Sandity Seaker" to "Ilikai". Later he observed the dink going bye-bye. A compression fitting I had thought was fancy and used to attach the lead had turned loose. This was about eleven P.M. After trying to hale the others with us at the anchorage. Bill Piper put his dink in the water, put on his outboard and found our dink and brought it back to us.

All of this is said to make one summation. The generous and selfless demeanor on the part of these guys epitomizes all that is worthwhile in our world. While it is certainly rare in today's world I would say the Hudson Beach Yacht Club has a full measure. Hopefully one day we will get our act together but until then it is comforting to know that we have friends like these.

Joe and Donna Murray

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Here's a link to the HBYC send off for Bill and Angie's trip. We had a glorious day to be out and had a great turn out of HBYC sailors to see them off on their adventure to The Dry Tortugas. Click here to enjoy the pictures: Angela M - HBYC Send Off

Here's a link to somme great photos of Bill and Angie's recent two week trip to the Dry Tortugas. Click here and enjoy some great shots: Dry Tortugas Album

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Sugar has returned from her long voyage and our commodore caught these shots of her recent arrival. Hopefully, Dave & Carol will have more pictures and a journal they will share with us. DSH

Forever Young 2 and Sugar continued journeying together to Key Largo. There we enjoyed the hospitality of the Upper Keys Sailing Club for our Easter brunch. We gave them (SUGAR's) HBYC burgee to hang on the walls of their Clubhouse with other burgees. The next HBYC member that visits them has to get a picture of it as they weren't able to hang it while we were still there.

FY2 and Sugar parted ways in Key Largo. FY2 going north to St. Augustine, and SUGAR heading back south through the keys.

We discovered several great anchorages on our own, and sometimes they can be the best.

We were talking to our son from Islamorada, and complaining that we were stuck waiting on a weather window to head back to Little Shark. Our son said, "Oh, you are stuck in paradise" - duh! - he was right - we hadn't thought of it that way.

We had a battle with the bugs in Little Shark, and the no-see-ums won! On a good note, David caught about a 24" fish, but as he was bringing it back on board it broke the light line and tackle he was using. He was more upset about the losing the lure than the fish.

We are now in Ft. Myers and it is great now that Spring Break is over - no so busy.

Next week we are starting working our way back home via Sanibel, Useppa, York Island, Pelican Bay, Lemon Bay (beach side) Sarasota, Indian Key, Bellaire, 3 Rooker and then home.

See ya'll at the June meeting.

David & Carol
'SUGAR'

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Sunday, April 2, 2006. The day dawned bright and sunny. The forecast was for moderate winds from the W building in the afternoon to 15kts. Daylight savings had just kicked in. Everything was set to splash Ilikai in the water for the first time in some 6 months. Skipper Jim Kitzler and a wide assortment of HBYC club members had invested thousands of man hours to completely redo the hull, thru hulls, rudder, repaint and drop in a new engine.

Many lessons and epic legends have come from the R&R of Ilikai in Hernando, just ask Gene Michaux or Bill Murray. The project was also a great bonding experience for many and seeing her done and ready to go gave quite a few folks a sense of accomplishment.

Jim Kitzler, Gene Michaux and his son Stephen were up early to make the final adjustments and bolt everything on needed to return. By about 10:45 she was "splashed" and staying afloat! The tides wouldn't be favorable until about 12:30ish. When it was time to go, the engine started when requested and purred like a contented cat. When the gears were engaged she leapt forward without hesitation and the journey was on. It is a 5 mile trek from the boat yard to the outside Hernando Beach marker in the Gulf.

Ilikai was doing fine, despite a "Hellish" channel at Hernando, and had made it as far as the "U" in the channel before some idiot in a powerboat came blowing around the corner at about 30kts throwing a 3 foot wave at Ilikai at exactly the wrong moment. Since they were at the edge of the channel and given the angle the powerboat passed, they were tossed up onto the rocky edge of the channel and were hard aground.

Apparently, stupidity and bad boating manners are the norm in Hernando [somewhat reminiscent of Hudson channel] and another power boat blew by Ilikai tossing another big wave which, as luck would have it, lifted her off the rock and back into the channel. Fortunately, nothing appeared too damaged and Ilikai pressed on to get out as quickly as possible. As Gene Michaux said, "If you want to feel better about Hudson Channel, just take a ride up to the Hernando Beach Channel on a weekend day. That should make you feel almost good about the Hudson Channel."

At the outside marker, Ilikai was greeted by "Freedom" skippered by Bill Murray. Bill was able to get out early [24" of draft will do that!] and get up to the marker in time to greet Ilikai as she emerged into the Gulf. Right on time the sailing gods responded with a great WNW breeze of 12 - 15kts that brought the fleet home at an absolutely great pace and wonderful sail. It was a glorious day to be out.

"Lagniappe" with Bill & Sim Deinema and "Time 2 Cruise" with skipper Don Himes and Guy & Nancy Colson were close behind and met "Freedom" and "Ilikai" not long after they started their return to Hudson.

Due to some engine problems, John & Elizabeth Cover had to scrub "Amanda" and hop a ride with Chris Michaux on "Lady In Red". This delayed their start by about 50 minutes. After successfully getting her off the lift "lady In Red" was on the way with skipper Chris Michaux, daughter-in-law Alicia and John & Elizabeth Cover. Needless to say, it didn't take "Lady" long to catch up to the fleet.

Gene confided to me that it was rather nerve wracking to have someone other himself in command of "Lady ", especially the on & off the lift part of the cruise. However, when he saw "Lady In Red" coming up on a beautiful point of sail - all worry evaporated and he had a moment to savor from a 3rd party vantage what a fine line she draws on the water.

At approximately 17:00 the flotilla was at Marker2 and the final procession into Hudson was under way. We came in the channel single file to the cursing of inconsiderate power boaters by Bill Murray on the VHF. All cleared the channel without a problem and headed to their respective home docks. Once everything was secured the respective crews adjourned to Sam's for beer and Gianni's for pizza.

Gene and Chris couldn't join us as they had to get Stephen and Alicia to the airport for their flight home. They were last seen transporting "glowing red" Stephen and Alicia to TIA for their return to the great "white" north. Last word was that the "lobster kids" made it home safely.

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What a journey it has been so far. We (FY2 and Sugar) left on 3/14 and had great weather and passage to Bellaire, Indian Key, Sarasota and Lemon Bay. Then the wind picked up and so did we!After a tossy turvy night at Pelican Bay, we left for Ft Myers. We were only going to be here for a couple of days but then we heard Utopia too was on the way as well as a cold front with 25Knot winds, so we hunkered down.

Utopia Too got here about one hour before the winds did. We went from shorts and tank tops to long pants, jackets and blankets. We are hopeful to leave for Naples by Tuesday. We've had our share of challenges along the way, after all we are on boats!

Sugar's generator wasn't working, so Captain David diagnosed it as the impeller. We ordered one from Seafarer Marine, and they overnight' ed it to Ft Myers - Great Service!

In Ft Myers, Utopia Too is on the moorings by Salty Sam's Marina. They are very impressed and said everything is new. It has showers, laundry and the price is right - $13.78/Day.

Forever Young 2 and Sugar are at Moss Marine where the Big M Casino Boat is docked. It is great for people watching as they board and debark the ship trying to see who looks happy and richer. We all decided to keep our money in our pockets, instead we gathered at the Boaters Lounge for cocktails and dominos -- does it get any better than this.

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And you, my hero, dozing nearby in the cockpit to steady my hand or give encouragement if need arises.

So, you see Captains, if night sailing is in your plans And you want your First Mate's blessing.Make sure her first night is perfect as mine Or plan to sail the whole night through yourself.

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THEY TALKED ABOUT NIGHT SAILING AND I SHOULD GIVE IT A TRY THE TWO TIMES I DID I THOUGHT I WOULD DIE THE NIGHTTIME BROUGHT WITH IT THREE FOOT SEAS AND THE WIND THAT WAS BLOWING WAS MUCH MORE THAN A BREEZE OUR SAILBOAT MOVED LIKE A BRONCO BUCKS AND WHEN I BOUNCED OFF MY SEAT I DIDN'T SAY SHUCKS I DON'T MEAN TO GET ON BILL MURRAY'S CASE BUT I SAID HIS NAME EACH TIME SPRAY HIT MY FACE I WAS TIRED AND COLD IN THE COCKPIT ALONE THINKING I'D RATHER BE ELSEWHERE LIKE IN MY BED AT HOME I'VE DECIDED NIGHT SAILING IS NOT FOR ME I HAVE TRIED IT TWICE I WILL NOT MAKE IT THREE (VOLUNTARILY)

*****************************************************************************November 19, 2005 We returned from our week-long cruise to the Sarasota area at 1530 today. Bill Murray joined us for a visit at Anclote Park Thursday when he asked Elizabeth to rate the trip, 1-10. She replied "7".

The following log will explain all: Fri 11/11: Depart Skeleton Key 0930.Funky northerly wind, following seas, autopilot called in sick, made our way thru the fish float field 1/2 mile wide/1 1/2 mile long on direct course from Marker 2 to Anclote 4. About 1630, vic Clearwater Pass, winds shifted to easterly, 10 kts, nice beam reach. Autopilot showed up for brief shift. 2300 hrs, winds up to 16/18, gusting 20, seas 2-3 feet on beam, rocket ride south. Autopilot left work, ill again! Sped past planned Longboat about 0300, then New Pass at which time the math of the Time/Distance said head toward Venice until 0530, then tack north back to Longboat- that worked. Tied up at Moore's Crab House at 0830. DEDUCT 1 POINT

Sun 11/13: Nice motor sail to Sarasota, Marina Jack's. Plans to meet folks there.

Mon 11/14: Departed 0930 via New Pass for sail to Clearwater. Nice easterly 12-15. Average speed under sail 6.5knts. 1500 arrived Egmont Key but winds now 15-18 and 2 ft seas made it impossible to make more than 3.5 knots headway. Sky now overcast, early nightfall, etc. dictated staying at the usually lumpy Egmont anchorage, tonite, really lousy. DEDUCT 1 POINT

Tues 11/15: Depart Egmont (thankfully) for nice sail to Clearwater Pass, anchorage in Clearwater Marina area. MId-day, Autopilot locking up steering, heaved-to and removed it entirely from the wheel. Steering greatly improved. Very nice anchorage, just us and an Almand 32.

Wed 11/16: Decided to take NOAA's advice and get inside for the nite so a motor trip up the ICW to Dunedin Marina-Highly recommend this as a stopping point. Happy B-Day John. Elizabeth had smuggled fillet mignon steaks aboard!!

Thurs 11/17: Had to wait for tide until 0930 and with northerly's on the nose, couldn't make speed so a stopover at Anclote Park anchorage was chosen. Throttle cable broke. Bill Murray was shuttled out via dinghy for a visit and to help trying to solve the problem. Final result, tied a length of halyard line to the throttle lever and up thru the access to a hand hold at companionway. Pull the string, speed up the boat! However, DEDUCT 1 POINT

Fri 11/18: Motor sail back to Hudson, arrived 1330, waited till 1430 for tide and tied up safely at 1500. All in all, a great time despite the few boating experiences we'd just as soon forget! Submitted by Capt. John Cover

Recounts the trip they made with several club members to visit the Bahamas. A long but good read. Click here to view. BTW - you can also save the file to your computer or print a copy if you want to read it somewhere else.