The Chowder Chatter Newsletter of the Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Society

A Premiere Sailing Club of Southwest Florida

Next Full Moon July 7 July 2009

COMMODORE’S MESSAGE

Kudos to Al Eastman and Gisela Goodman for the Pizza Party be-

fore the June membership meeting; and to the Reekies for their

clean-up efforts once again!

Standing in for Rear Commodore Mark B. were Bobby Lee and Jo

Beauvois presenting awards for the Flag Day and Lou Tilley

races. There were a total of 17 boats participating on June 13 and

14 and made a good showing of CMCS boats on the Gulf that

weekend.

The cruising program with Tom and Linda Koenig is very active;

check their report in this issue for past and upcoming events.

The Sarasota Yacht Club is working on reviving the Sarasota-Havana Regatta, hopefully in

May of 2010. There were 3 CMCS boats that participated in this event in 1994; Ave del Mar

(Jim & Pauline Wylie), Four Sheets (former Commodore Bill Sheets), and yours truly on Ob-

session. Sixty-five racers arrived in Havana around 0200, 56 hours after the start in the Gulf

outside Sarasota Pass. Many of the boats carried donations for the people of Cuba, including

soap, toothpaste, etc.; our members also took a supply of past Summerset T-shirts which were

well received. We saw them everywhere on the locals that week! There is a petition on the

Orbitz web-site to relax the travel restrictions to Cuba, if you are interested in signing.

Check your calendar for upcoming events - there's something for everyone.

See you on the water. Bill

COMMODORE Bill Meisenheimer

commodore@cmcs-sail.org

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Another great month of cruising!!!

Ron and Shirley Maddix led a group of hardy CMCS sailors to the

10,000 Islands area in early June. According to Ron, it was a suc-

cessful trip, despite the weather. More information follows in this

newsletter. Thank You to Ron and Shirley for all their effort.

Bob and Bev Duff led our group to Fisherman’s Village in Punta

Gorda , also in June. More info on that cruise follows as well. Again,

thank you Bob and Bev.

Don’t forget about the upcoming cruise to Franklin Locks July 3-5,

with cruise leaders again, Ron and Shirley Maddix. You can come

by boat, car, RV, or bicycle. Based on past hirstory, this cruise prom-

ises to be a great time.

And we have another cruise planned to Tween Waters, August 7-9, hosted by Judy and Charles

Tomlins. Be sure to let Judy know if you plan to go, so she can reserve dock space for you.

REAR COMMODORES CRUISING

Tom & Linda Koenig cruising@cmcs-sail.org

540-1223

The Panther Key Trip By Shirley and Ron Maddix

The list of cruisers kept changing as the time drew near. At one time we had 10 signed up but 8 brave boats

began the journey on May 30, 2009 off Fort Myers Beach. Our first destination was Champney Bay in

Naples. Three boats turned around due to weather and/or engine problems. So the Magnificent Five consist-

ing of Ix with Ron and Shirley Maddix, Katitude with Jimmie and Richard Chew, Slo Dance with Kathy and

Gerry Wellens, Passion III with Ned Christensen and Freestyle with Glen and Paula Vetters met after mak-

ing it through rough seas and high winds. Katitude saved the day by hosting the evening on their boat with

tacos and all the fixings and we even had ice cream for dessert! What a treat after a perilous day.

The next morning we took the inside passage to Marco River and kept going to Calusa Island Marina in

Goodland. Paul is the dock master and he was terrific and the marina gave us a fantastic price for the group.

We made our way to Stan’s in Goodland for the Sunday music and a great time. Too many people to men-

tion drove down to join in the fun. Some had so much fun, they had to spend the night at the Pink Motel!!

We left the next morning for Panther Key and had an uneventful passage. We all anchored and decided to

claim the beach in the name of CMCS. We had a BBQ and pot luck on the beach . As the grills were going a

sailboat was coming into the anchorage and to our surprise it was Tom and Linda Koenig on Windswept!

They were coming back from a trip to the Keys beginning at Danger Island. So they came to the pot luck

and thanks to Katitude we even had smores!

The next morning we planned a dinghy ride around the numerous islands. Two of our 5 dinghy’s did not

cooperate. We had our ride and again gathered on the beach. Plans were made for the next day. Katitude

had never been to Everglades City and decided to spend one night there. Slo Dance was having dinghy, re-

frigeration and battery problems so decided to go back a day early to Calusa Island Marina.

3

Panther Key continued…

So the next morning the survivors, Ix, Free Style and Passion III went for a wild and crazy ride on Passion III.

My oh my-What a ride. I didn’t know sail boats could go so fast. We had a great time and good weather.

That evening we gathered on Freestyle for a good time and to celebrate Glen and Paula’s anniversary.

The next morning we said goodbye to Passion III and set sail for Calusa Island Marina again with Katitude

rejoining the group. We used the marina’s screened pavilion for cocktails and a pot luck dinner. Then the

corn hole challenge began. Ron and Paula were the champs.

Next morning due to bad weather predictions, we all headed home with the wind at a south, southwesterly

Fisherman’s Village Cruise * Mid June 2009

Setting sails one summer’s day six small “Ships” to journey afar Useppa beaconed first eve to meet

& greet view first night’s star.

Final destination, Fisherman’s Village, awaited these sailors hardy, but

not before a challenge of sail was met. Air Supply, Air Boss (new member) & Chase the Clouds sought to

make their way east but alas, the winds were lite and no way could be made! And the Pool , ah ~ cool pool

at the end of the hot day was too tempting. And two abandoned the struggle of wind and sail.

Kestrel II & Fidelis were the first to be greeted by the friendly and skilled dock hands, followed

shortly by the sailors who deserted the sail for the “Iron Jib” with the exception of Air Supply who sailed the

entire way. We much cooler bodies were awaiting him in the pool!

The clouds of rain hauled the coming of new member “Free Spirit II”who only finished coming along

side as the 2nd portion of storm hit with winds to 60 mph and buckets of rain. “Natures wash down”! A

slightly delayed Pot Luck was enjoyed that evening.

Fisherman’s Village provides much to do and the friendly staff are ready and willing to help anyway

they can. Biking, Tennis, walking, mall wandering and meals away from the galley all were there for the tak-

ing. Evening presented entertainment at the “Center Court” for both evenings and Harpoon Harry’s provided

great band music to dance the night away.

But alas, it was time to depart Saturday morn to head for Pelican Bay and once again the winds

eluded us until just before we entered the Bay. There were four who navigated into an empty Bay! Free

Spirit II and Fidelis had to say adieu and head home.

Never a quieter time had been had at Pelican’s Bay as the small CMCS enjoyed the solitude. Final

celebration of tales & drink were met on Chase the Clouds that evening with brisk winds and calm seas in

the Anchorage. Sunday dawned with continued full breezes and a great sail greeted us as all but Kestrel II

and “Chase” found their way home.

Many thanks to all the cruisers who participated and to the staff of Fisherman’s Village whom always

go overboard to assist their patrons. Fisherman’s Village is offering great specials through the

summer to local boaters. The crew of “Chase the Clouds” had a great time hosting and enjoyed the company

of new, and older members of CMCS. Cruise on!

Calm Seas and Fair Winds to all. Bev Duff

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CMCS ANNUAL PICNIC

SATURDAY • AUGUST 1,

2009 • 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

FOUR FREEDOMS PARK IN DOWNTOWN CAPE CORAL (SW corner of Cape Coral Pkwy. & Tarpon Ct.)

Drive, kayak, dinghy or sail to Bimini Basin for a day of fun!!

Free Burgers with all the fixings and Free Fresh-cut Watermelon set the stage for another per-

fect CMCS picnic! Bring a side dish to share and your “chair-in-a-bag”! Bring your own bev-

erages as nothing can be brought from the clubhouse as it is a city park. But we will have cool-

ers with ice to keep your libations cold.

Please complete coupon below as your reservation by Tuesday, July 28, 2009 so we can

make sure everyone has plenty to eat! Call 542-5918, email or snail mail your reservations to

Joan Perkett (contact information listed under Don Lawson’s name in the calendar.) Bring the

kids, the grandkids – the whole family and have fun!

If your last name begins with

A – J : bring chips, pretzels, or appetizer

K – R : bring salad or baked beans

Yes! I plan to attend the CMCS Annual Picnic

Names____________________________ ______total number attending

____________________________ I plan to bring a dish to share:

____________________________ __________________________

____________________________

Bean Bag

Toss

Free for All

Volley Ball

Fun! Games!

Races!

Food!

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RACING NEWS

June was a busy racing month. The Flag Day Race was the thir-

teenth, with total of (11) entries. First start was at 13:00 hours,

so the sea breeze was alive and well throughout the afternoon.

The thunderstorms stayed onshore and a great time was had by

all. There were two races held with the following results overall:

MULTIHULL- 1st, Triumph, 2nd, Passion III

SPINAKER- 1st, Macushla

NON-SPINNAKER- 1st, After You, 2nd, Air Supply, 3rd, Sand

Dollar

TRUE-CRUISING- 1st, Winward, 2nd, Jolly Mon, 3rd, Chase The

Clouds

The Sunworshippers Race will be held on the twenty seventh, look for results in next

month’s Chatter. Start time will once again be 13:00 hours.

For July, the Firecracker Night Race will be the eleventh at 18:00 hours. Look for informa-

tion in your email and on the website. This will be a fun race involving racing tactics and

GPS navigation on rounding “virtual” buoys. We are planning a party the next day, Sunday

afternoon. Don’t miss the chance to hear other skippers say “really, I rounded the mark,

something must have went wrong with my GPS”

Remember, “Racing is just sailboats all headed to the same party”.

REAR COMMODORE RACING

Mark Beauvois racing@cmcs-sail.org

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Sail the Tradition

Steve Romaine

Vice Commodore

239-267-2538

sromaine294@yahoo.com

“Sail the Tradition” has been the ongoing theme of the

Summerset Regatta, now in its 44th year. CMCS is proud once

again to be the sponsoring authority for this year’s event, scheduled for October 2nd – 4th.

Events are planned for the entire family, including racing, several happy hour events and a fes-

tive awards dinner. Friday’s Skippers’ Meeting will be held at Bonita Bills, a favorite spot with

local sailors. Saturday and Sunday’s land activities will be held at the Pink Shell Resort on

Fort Myers Beach. Buoy racing on Saturday will be in the Gulf, off the Beach, and Sunday the

sailors will be challenged to a coastal distance race. Lots of non-member guest boats will be

joining us this year, some in one-design fleets. Summerset is a major regatta and is scored in

three different Boat of the Year competitions.

Cruisers historically have been a part of the Summerset experience, and are encouraged

to join in by sending in the entry form with the cruising box checked. Cruisers and racers

wishing to pick up a mooring ball at Ft. Myers Beach will have special, no-charge launch ser-

vice to and from your boat and the Pink Shell events provided by the “Bobby Lee Watertaxi

Company.”

The Summerset Notice of Race and Entry Form will soon be posted on our website.

Members will also receive one in the mail, and they will be available in the local marine sup-

ply stores (West Marine, etc.).

What’s New in 2009:

Some complimentary and many low-cost docks at Fort Myers Beach

Coastal race returning to the Beach

Land events held at the wonderful Pink Shell Resort

Boat door prizes and music by the CMCS Band at Saturday evening’s cocktail party

Microfiber long-sleeve shirts as well as traditional T-shirts, both with a beautiful new

design

Free beer and hors d’oeuvres will, of course, be the order of the day, so encourage each and

every one of your sailing friends to participate and be a part of the “Grandaddy” of all the

Southwest Florida Regattas.

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SUMMERSET SUPPORTS YOUTH SAIL ING

Each year CMCS contributes thousands of dollars to youth sailing programs. This year will be no ex-

ception, but we’ve come up with a few new ways to help increase our support:

As part of the Summerset Regatta, CMCS will promote, and be the beneficiary of a “Community Day” at

West Marine. Please mark your calendar for Thursday, September 24th. Five per-cent of West Ma-

rine’s sales that day, at the Colonial Blvd. store only, will be earmarked for the Edison Sailing Cen-

ter’s Youth Sailing Program. CMCS Members, Edison Sailing Center members, and your friends need

to make our West Marine purchases THAT DAY at Henry’s store.

The Offshore Sailing School has once again offered to be a major sponsor by donating a weeklong sailing

course. Raffle tickets for this fabulous prize will be available starting at next month’s membership

meeting.

As always, our members have been most generous in supporting Summerset’s fund-raising efforts. Two

ways you can help this year are: 1) Contact local businesses that you patronize and encourage them to

advertise their business name and logo on the t-shirt for a $250 donation. 2) Put your boat name on

the t-shirt for a $100 contribution.

Thank you for planning on joining the fun, now less than 100 days away, and for supporting Summerset as a

sponsor.

Steve

Summerset Lodging

Pink Shell Resort

275 Estero Blvd.

Fort Myers Beach

Special Room Rates

Call: 239-463-6181

Call directly to reserve your rooms.

Be sure to mention you are with the CMCS Summerset Regatta

* * *

Summerset Dockage at Fort Myers Beach

Moss Marine – Special $1.00 Per Foot – 239-463-6137

Salty Sams Marina – 239-463-7333

Pink Shell Resort (Face Dock – No Power)

$35 Per night – 239-463-8633

MOORING FIELD AT FMB Matanzas Inn – 239-463-9258

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Franklin Locks Cruise-2009

We will be going to the Franklin Locks on July 3rd and 4th. Please note that the locks will

open every 2 hours starting at 7am. You also need to leave on Sunday the 5th because the

locks will close on the 6th for repairs.

We will grill both nights (about 6 pm weather permitting) with a dish to share. Activities

will include a dinghy trip up Hickey’s Creek (first to spot the Camel wins a prize!!). Red-

neck golf will be played as well as a new and exciting game you will not want to miss.

Hint, PETA members may not want to participate.

This has always been a fun Cruise. Please call Ron Maddix if you have any questions at

482-0281.

Ron and Shirley Maddix, Cruise Leaders

C.M.C.S . CHANDLERY Buy, sell, trade

Members, to advertise your boating-related items free in the CMCS Chandlery, e-mail

Peggy Stafford, Chowder Chatter Editor at chowderchatter@cmcs-sail.org or use your roster for telephone information.

Your ad will be listed for 3 months unless you notify me to take your listing out sooner.

Non-members are welcome to advertise their items at a price of $30.00 for 3 months. Business cards or business related listings sent in digital format only :

Members: 3 months, $25.00 Non-members: 3 months, $50.00

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SAILBOAT DOCK SPACE SW CAPE

CORAL South of Cape Coral Parkway, One

street west of Skyline, 5305 SW 8th Place. $175

per month. Sailboat with 4'5' draft has been

docked there for the last 4 years, no prob-

lem. Minutes to River. No locks. Water and

Electricity. $175 per month Call or email DINA

MAY dina.dinamay@gmail.com or 630 269-

4338.

MINUTE MAN MARINE CO.

Air Conditioning Electrical

Refrigeration Systems

Quality Yacht Maintenance since 1974

1413 SW 52nd Terrace

Cape Coral, FL 33914 (239)542-8791 Jim Wylie

(239)848-6658 (Mobile) Service Mgr.

Boat Slip, deep water Siesta Isles,

FMB, 30 amp Electric and water, $9 per

foot, $275 minimum.

TEL 239 281-2513

CMCS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

JULY 2009

July 3-5 Franklin Locks Cruise July 11 Firecracker Night Race July 14 1900 hours Board Meeting July 21 1830 hours Snack Social July 21 1930 hours General Membership Meeting

WWW.SAIL-CMCS.ORG

CMCS Chowder Chatter c/o Peggy Stafford, Editor 2230 Everest Pkwy Cape Coral, FL 33904 chowderchatter@cmcs-sail.org