THE ISLAND PACKET

I P O N
OWNERS’ NEWSLETTER
FA L L / W I N T E R 2 010 VO L U M E 2 6 NUMBER 1

THE NEW ESTERO ON WEST GRAND TRAVERSE BAY, MICHIGAN

 Push-Button Sailing
WITH HARKEN ELECTRIC FURLING Island Packet 485 Photo

I HAVE A HARKEN MANUAL

FURLING SYSTEM ON
MY BOAT. IS IT EASY TO
CONVERT TO ELECTRIC
POWER?
Yes. An upgrade from a Unit 2
Cruising Furler is simple using
the Harken Conversion Kit. In
some cases, the stay and foil
lengths are the same and do
not need to be cut.
CRUISE IN LUXURY
Reef, furl, or set sail safely from
the cockpit with the push of a
button.
EASY TO INSTALL
Harken electric furlers easily integrate into
the 12-volt electrical system for your
windlass. Contact Island Packet for more
information.

SIMPLE TO UPGRADE

Q&A
It’s simple to convert your round foil Unit 2
Cruising Furler to a power system with a
Harken Conversion Kit.

HIGH-TORQUE, HIGH-EFFICIENCY MOTOR

TOP 15 ELECTRIC The high-torque motor is small and efficient with
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little heat, preventing moisture buildup and
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electrical equipment from shorting out.

TECH TIP
You can adjust headstay length
and tension using a standard
turnbuckle housed inside the
lower unit.

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REPLACE YOUR WHEEL MAINSHEET TRAVELER WITH A HARKEN CB BALL BEARING SYSTEM FOR HASSLE-FREE SAIL CONTROL.

2 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader

TABLE OF CONTENTS page 6

The Masthead
Notes from your editor 4
Tell Tales
Spinache 5
Antares 6
Sonar 8 page 14
Jupiter’s Smile and Sea Star 11
Chico II 12
Hound Dog II 13
Operation Bahamas 14
Notes from the Factory
Organizations, Boat Shows
and Events 16
Industry News 17 page 20

Social News
Unplanned Rendezvous 19
Pacific NW Rendezvous 20
BLISS Rendezvous 21
Lake MI Packeteers 23
Gulf Coast IP Assoc 25
Website Updates 27
page 28
What’s In a Name
Catharpin Blue 28
Parting Shot
RV Plans 31

COVER PHOTO: BAY BREEZE YACHT SALES

THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 3

THE MASTHEAD THE ISLAND PACKET
OWNER’S NEWSLETTER
notes from your editor published by:

I t has been a full year since

the last Island Packet Owner’s
Newsletter (IPON) was pub-
lished, and last year the only ver-
sion available to you was online.
For 26 years we have been bring-
ing you the Newsletter, and it’s
obvious that you read and enjoy
every issue. The fallout from last
year was swift and severe; while
a very few of you wrote or called
to tell us how easy and colorful
the online version was (see it,
and several prior year’s work at:
www.ipy.com/Newsletters.asp)
the vast majority called to com-
plain that you didn’t have some-
T he Fall/Winter 2010 is-
sue you hold in your hands
wraps up several stories from the
ISLAND PACKET YACHTS
1979 Wild Acres Road
Largo, FL 33771
past year, and a lot was happening. USA
We had twelve (12!) rendezvous’ in +1-727-535-6431 phone
the past six months (and we wel- +1-727-530-5806 fax
come your reports; two are inside), www.ipy.com
countless boat shows, chance en-
counters, and some great adven- Questions about Island Packet
tures. We have got reports from Yachts may be directed to the
Italy, the Gulf of Mexico, a couple following staff members:
of Great Lakes, the Caribbean, the
Pacific Northwest, and more. SALES
Bill Bolin, VP, Sales and Marketing
W e have shots of kids and
pets sailing (what issue
of the IPON would be complete
bill@ipy.com

thing to hold in your hands, fight
over at the mailbox, or carry
into your favorite reading space
(thanks for sharing all your ideas
on this last one!). We heard you
loud and clear.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
without that?), a new feature Warren Sweet
with news from the factory, and warren@ipy.com
of course your planning calendar Karsten Johnson
with upcoming events (includ- koj@ipy.com
ing the boat shows).
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS

A nd don’t forget our won- Connie Lee

T his is the first printed edition derful advertisers. Their connie@ipy.com

in over eighteen months and
we hope you enjoy it. For those
who still prefer a digital copy
(both of you!) we are still pub-
lishing IPON online. Actually,
over 1,300 unique hits to our
website came to view that last
Newsletter, so we know some of
you are OK around a computer.
And if you see something you
like in the printed version, and
want to see a photo in color, or
visit one of our advertiser’s web-
sites, go to the link mentioned
above and view this IPON online
and in full color, with interactive
hyperlinks to many of the men- where, please) and enjoy this
tioned websites.
participation and financial sup-
port helps make the print edition
possible. Within these pages is
lots of stuff for your boat, in-
cluding electric furling, insur-
ance, financing, davits, arches,
sails, canvas, feathering propel-
lers, water filters and custom
bedding. And for yourself there
is jewlery, magazines, and ser-
vices from engine manufactur-
ers, service yards and our dealer
network.
S o curl up in your favorite
reading place (don’t tell us
issue of the IPON!
Questions about the newsletter,
including advertising opportuni-
ties, or to submit stories and/or
photos for publication consider-
ation, should be directed to:
iponeditor@ipy.com
The IPON is produced by:
Oakeoday Maglitt Graphics
and Communications
Largo, FL
omgcommunications@msn.com

4 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader

 SPINACHE GETS
NEW PAINT JOB!

A mong the most famous -- and winningest

-- Island Packets is Jim Lawless’ IP35
(#16), Spinache. Winner of multiple off-
shore races, including the Marion-Ber-
muda Race and the Bermuda Ocean Race, this
green hulled beauty is feared on the racecourse by
its competitors. But the paint was just over 20
years old since first owner Ed Kurowski of Grat-
itude Yachting Center painted and christened
the yacht Spinache.
Jim and wife Amy decided it was time to redo
the paint, and we have to admit the yacht not
only looks great, but faster than ever!!

MaxiMuM perforMance
gerMan engineering
Simply the best feathering
and folding propellers in
the world!

Thomaston, Maine | Call 207-354-7064 | www.varipropusa.com

THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 5

Antares (IP380- 089) in Italy
A s we write this, we are in Texas; Antares is safely at
a dock in El Kantaoui, Tunisia. I figure we made
about 40 overnight stops on our way down the west
coast of Italy (and north coast of Sicily) as we traveled
from France to Tunisia, covering almost 1600 nm. That
averages about 40 nm between stops, or about 6 to 8
hours of sailing on the days we moved the boat.
We had left Antares ‘on the hard’ at a boat yard in Ma-
hon (Mao) on the Balearic island of Menorca last year.
We left Mahon (the namesake of mayonnaise) on 29-
Jun-09 and sailed 184 nm to Porto Conte on the Ital-
ian island of Sardinia. We went up the west coast of
Sardinia and crossed to the French island of Corsica on
12-Jul-09, making about ten stops in all (all beautiful
ports). We were sorry to go so fast through here but
P O R TO F I N O
MT. VESUVIUS, NAPLES BAY
6 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader
with Joe and Jackie Novotnak
we were excited to get to the mainland. We left Corsica
and made landfall at Menton, France, within spitting
distance of Italy, on July 20, 2009.
Since the stock market was bad last year, and we were
close, we decided to visit Monaco and the casino at
Monte Carlo to increase our cruising kitty. No luck in
the casino and we made landfall on the Italian mainland
on July 25th. We then stopped in Le Grazie (533 nm)
and loved it so much we stayed anchored out in the bay
for three weeks! We used Le Grazie as a base to tour
northern Italy. We took a bus to Portofino and a train
to Cinque Terre, some of the most beautiful coastline in
Italy. We then rented a car and visited most of northern
Italy (Tuscany and Chianti). We visited Parma (cheese),
Verona, Venice, Pisa (climbed to the top of the famous
FIRE UP THE GRILL! TUNA TONIGHT!
tower), Florence, and Modena (Balsamic vinegar and We then followed the coast south and
the Ferrari factory). went offshore again to the Aeolian
Islands. We sailed by Stromboli,
We then sailed to the is- visited Lipari, but spent most of our
land of Elba, another place time on Vulcano where we walked
so beautiful we could not to the top of the active volcano
figure out why Napoleon and soaked in a bubbling, sulfur-
was so anxious to leave! We smelling mud bath.
spent about a week on Elba
and then headed back to the We then crossed to Sicily and
mainland and used Santa headed west to Termini, Cefalu,
Marinella as a base to visit and Palermo (1315 nm). After
Rome. (734 nm) What a place Palermo we went around the
to visit! We spent a week western tip of Sicily and paused
in and around Rome and hit all in Marsala to stock up on their
the famous tourist wine. Offshore again to the
stops. I have to say Italian island of Pantelleria
the food was great and then on to Tunisia.
and the wine was
inexpensive and We will return to Tunisia
quite good. ARBO R and plan
ELLA H
CO R R IC
From here we
followed the
coast south
to Anzio and
into the bay
of Naples.
We met
some old
friends
here and
then vis-
ited the
Pon- to
tine con-
I s - tinue
our tour
a l ong
LE G the south
RAZ
IE
coast of
Sicily and
lands of across the
Procida, Ischia, and Capri. Ionian Sea to
There is no doubt why Capri is called Greece and
one of the most beautiful islands in the world, but Turkey.
Procida was our favorite. We also visited the ruins at
Pompeii and the Amalfi coast with our friends. (950 nm)

THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 7

460-01 SONAR Crosses the Atlantic
(FROM WWW.GRENADABROADCAST.COM)
When asked, ‘why did you want to cross the Atlantic
on a yacht?’ Ray, the captain and owner of the boat,
said “I had always wanted to cross the Atlantic Ocean
but was always too busy at work. Now that I’m retired
I have to try and cram as much in as possible whilst
I’m still fit and healthy enough”.

S t. George, December 11, 2009 -- Three British guys

left Tenerife in Spain on a 46ft sailing boat on 17th
November and arrived at Le Phare Bleu Marina, Gre-
nada on 8th December.

The three men, who sailed non-stop across the Atlan-

tic, have been friends for over 25 years, and they hap-
pily accepted a few Carib beers and Callaloo fritters as
soon as their feet touched the dock at Le Phare Bleu. Congrats to Ray Bridges (right) & crew Ted and John.

from http://blog.mailasail.com/sonar
ROUTE OF SONAR

8 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader

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every day you
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once you drop the dock-lines.
For over 35 years Living Aboard
has been the bible of the live-
aboard boater. Six times a year we
have stories from those who are liv-
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latest info on great tips for the
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For Full Information on Either

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Or go online to:
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THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 9

10 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader
IP OWNERS COME TO THE RESCUE!!
Jupiter’s Smile (370-04) and Sea Star (440-16)
S everal alert folks sent us messages about a rescue
in the Southern Caribbean involving two Island
Packets. “Jupiter’s Smile” (370-04) with Jay and Barb
Matheson aboard, and “Sea Star” (440-016) with Dan
and Kathy Chevalier aboard, played key roles in the res-
cue. A note from the Matheson’s announced to us that
they are all safe in Cartageña, and are in a marina near
yet another Island Packet, “Navy Blue” (380-003) with
Valma and Eddy Offord aboard. Here’s the story as it
appears on www.sail-world.com:
mile”
“J u p iter’s S
a rd
d Barb abo
Jay an
A British flagged yacht about to participate in
the renowned Blue Water Round World Cruising
Rally has sunk, with its crew being rescued in remote
waters by fellow cruising sailors.
Just before daylight on Friday (November 27, 2009)
yacht Kersti of Swansea, a 15m Juneau, with Jeff and
Ruth Morris on board, were on a passage from the East-
ern Lemons atoll in the San Blas to Cartagena in Co-
lombia.
Blue Water Rally organiser Richard Bolt takes up the
story:
“The sea and wind conditions were described as
‘pretty bad’. Jeff noticed that they seemed to be
sailing slightly bow down - and went below to
find the floorboards in the forward cabin floating.
THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER
He switched on the electric bilge pump, Ruth
started frantically pumping the manual bilge
pump and Jeff bailed with a bucket. They soon
issued a ‘pan- pan’.
“Luckily they had a swift response from a yacht
( Jupiter’s Smile ) about 10 miles away who was
sailing in company with 4 others. All 5 altered
course towards Kersti . Eventually, Jeff and Ruth
gave up the struggle, issued a Mayday and took
to the liferaft. They were soon picked up by Jay
and Barb on American yacht Jupiter’s Smile . Ju-
piter’s Smile rescued them from the liferaft and
brought them to Cholon while Sea Star used their
sat phone and talked to the Colombian and US
Coast Guard constantly.
“Ruth reports that both their liferaft and EPIRB
performed exactly as they should in emergency.
Their signal was swiftly relayed to the Maritime
Rescue Co-ordination Centre, in Falmouth, who
reported the circumstances to relations of the
Morris family and the Blue Water Rally.
“The excellent support provided by the cruis-
ing fraternity in the vicinity was praised by Ruth.
The cruisers involved stressed how vital it was
to have good communications and emergency
equipment. VHF, SSB, Satellite phones and EPIRB
were all used to good effect in the rescue.
“In Cartegena they were declared to be free of
injury, but were deluged with paperwork. They
managed to salvage laptop and vital documents,
but needed to go shopping for underwear. They
were receiving welcome hospitality from fellow
cruisers but were somewhat shell-shocked.’
“Just long range cruisers doing what long range
cruisers do best - coming to the aid of each other.”
Our best congratulations to our IP owners for a job
well done!
11
Chico II Little Bit Goes to College!
Island Packet 32 Little Bit was donated to Washing-
ton College by a client of Gratitude Yachting Center’s
Michele Martinage a couple of years ago. Because of its
pedigree, purpose and notability on the Chesapeake,
John Wagner, Director of Waterfront Activities at
the college, did not arrange for the boat to be sold,
but has kept it in the WC fleet. His hopes are that
with the rowing, sailing, and environmental
studies programs at WC, along with an expansion
of their properties and waterfront operations,
Little Bit would be used for more strenuous
sailing and environmental classes.

This Fall Break Little Bit will take her first bay
cruise with Captain Brian Palmer and five WC stu-
dents. Their studies and trip will include sailing tech-

W e got this great picture of an Island Packet 27 un-

der sail, made even more special as it is
Yoshinori Omatsu-san sailing on Chico II off Kanaga-
niques, systems operations, astronomy, celestial and
current navigation practices and wildlife photog-
raphy. Gratitude Marina and Jon Wright have been
wa, Japan! Many thanks to photgrapher Daniel Baron generous with yard and slip services.
for sharing this with us!

Cockpit Tables
Handheld Mounts
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727-824-7262
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12 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader

Montserrat About to Blow!

I n January, 2010 John Macmillan

and his fellow Scottish crew
aboard Hound Dog II (445-
019) were enroute to Trinidad
and passing close to Montser-
rat. They captured this image
from a few miles off of the vol-
cano venting some fumes before
the February 11th eruption.

Those in the know will recall

that this volcano, together with
the one later in Iceland, cancelled
many international flights be-
tween the western hemisphere
and Europe and the UK due to the
amount of ash ejected up to 50,000
feet. Quite a sight!

The Ultimate Accessory ...

an Arch!
Available for the
following models:
IP 350
IP 370
IP 38
IP 380
IP 40
IP 420
IP 440
IP 445
IP 460
IP 465
IP 485
more photos can be
found on our website!

(410) 269-1218 fax (410) 269-5230

7416 Edgewood Rd., Annapolis, MD 21403
www.katomarine.com

THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 13

OPERATION BAHAMAS PROJECT
with Bruce and Marilyn Conklin, Reflection

F or seven years, the

SSCA
manitarian
hu-
ef-
lins. The majority of the boxes will be going to
Georgetown (350 boxes) and Staniel Cay and
Black Point (110 boxes).
fort “Operation
Bahamas Project” “The boxes are small (11”L X 9”W X 7”D) or
has been supplying (14”L X 9”W X 7”D) and can be easily placed
Bahamian schools in a dinghy. The average weight is 8 to 12 lbs.
with much needed Boxes can be picked up in October thru
textbooks and other Janu-
teaching aides. The ary in
program has grown sig- Ft. Pierce,
nificantly with the help Florida; Vero Beach
of many Island Packet Municipal Marina,
owners, according to Bruce and Marilyn Conklin, Vero Beach, Flor-
this year’s coordinators. While 70 boxes of sup- ida; Punta
plies were delivered over the 2007/2008 winter, Gorda, Flor-
more than 700 boxes will make the trip this ida; Ft. Lau-
winter. Operation Bahamas Project needs more derdale, Florida; St. Petersburg, Florida and at
help! the Melbourne Convention.”

“We have completed packing retired text books, “This past year, we visited with the principals of
workbooks, etc. for the the schools and students who expressed sincere grati-
schools in the Bahamas. tude for the donations. As Sharon Bethel, Assistant to
This year we have 60% the District Superintendent of Schools in Georgetown
more retired text books stated, ‘The materials will assist us in helping to im-
to pack. Our partner, The prove the students’ literacy and numeracy level.’
Charlotte County Public
Schools was very generous “Together we can touch the lives of more than 800 Ba-
in donating twelve (12) hamian Children.”

If you are able to partici-

pate (SSCA Members
or Non Members / Sail
huge pallets of retired math or Power ), please con-
and science books, work- tact Bruce & Marilyn
books, dictionaries, etc. The Conklin (Reflection) at
supplies range from Grades goldconk@yahoo.com.
K thru 9th. Cell: 772-559-1235. Let
them know your boat
“We will be distributing to length and your choice
the Exumas: Staniel Cay, of islands and approxi-
Black Point, Little Farmers, Georgetown, and Ragged mately how many boxes you might be able to take com-
Island, and we have added two schools in the Ack- fortably.

14 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader

 Everyone at
Island Packet Yachts
wishes you the very best of the
holiday season.

And to help you celebrate,

every order from our catalog,
including apparel and parts,
is 10% off when you mention
this Newsletter Ad.
Or shop online at:
http://www.ipy.com/ShipsStore/

Order before December 9th to

ensure Christmas delivery.
(discount applies to all qualified orders through December 16, 2010)

THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 15

 IPY Organizations
IP31 Owner’s Association
Jonathan Bickel
papillon31@earthlink.net
www.ip31ownersassoc.homestead.com
BLISS Rendezvous
Bernie Bowers: svtopcat@gmail.com
Al Theurer: altheurer@yahoo.com
www.blissrendezvous.com
(908) 889-8301
Gulf Coast IP Association
Rick Evans
revans@evans-rowe.com
www.gcipa.homestead.com
(210) 384-3270
Hudson River Rendezvous
John Longo
ljohn@aol.com
(908) 781-1518
IPY Events/Shows
St Pete Power and Sailboat Show
St. Petersburg, FL
Dec 2-5
Minneapolis Boat Show
Minneapolis, MN
Jan 20-23
Seattle Boat Show
Seattle, WA
Jan 21-30
Boot 2011
Düsseldorf, Germany
Jan 22-30
Baltimore Boat Show
Baltimore, MD
Jan 27-30
16 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader
Pierce Rendezvous
Norm and Mary Pierce
Lake Erie Rendezvous pierceyacht@myfairpoint.net
Doug and Pam Jackson (207) 633-2902
doug@dougandpam.com Rock Hall Rendezvous
(614) 519-6996 Aleah Sullivan
aleah@gratitudeyachting.com
Lake Superior Rendezvous (410) 639-7111
Claudia Dengle
claudiade@comcast.net Suncoast Rendezvous
(612) 926-8441 Darrell Allen
darrell@suncoastyachts.com
N. California Rendezvous (619)523-8000
Debbie Reynolds
sales@passageyachts.com United Kingdom Rendezvous
(510) 236-2633 Paul Bragg
paul.bragg@adeptscience.co.uk
N. Europe Rendezvous
Yvonne Bon Northwest Rendezvous
bonyachts@planet.nl Bruce and Aleta Burns
+31-320-279844 bruceburns@johnlscott.com
(206) 390-5292
San Diego Boat Show
San Diego, CA
Jan 27-30
Strictly Sail Chicago
Chicago, IL
Jan 27-30
Vancouver Boat Show
Vancouver, BC
Feb 9-13
New England Boat Show
Boston, MA
Feb 12-20
Strictly Sail Miami
Miami, FL
Feb 17-21
 IPY Industry News
W
focused on what our owners are
FACTORY NEWS
hile the Island Packet Owner’s
Newsletter (IPON) is clearly With the demands of a challenging
global economy, the decision was
DEALER BANQUET
Each year in Annapolis during the
US Sailboat Show, Island Packet
up to, we know you’d like to know made early this year to change to a dealers from around the world
what’s happening at and around the four day week and close the plant gather to visit, exchange stories,
factory, too. Here’s a quick update on Fridays to help cut overhead ex- compare notes and receive facto-
on happenings around the world of penses. So if you call on Friday and ry recogntion for a job well done.
Island Packet: don’t get anyone, don’t panic. You This year, several awards were
can still get us via email (see the given.
NEW DEALERS masthead on page 4) or by calling us
The average Island Packet dealer’s Monday through Thursday between The Golden Wrench Award is
experience with our line is some- 8:00 am and 3:30 pm. You will get given to those dealers who have
thing north of twelve years. But we our voice mail at other times but we shown the very best in customer
do have some new dealers to brag will get back to you if you leave a service and support to our own-
about. Some expansion in Europe complete message. ers. This year’s winners include:
and a couple of new Great Lakes
representatives give us five new • Pierce Yachts (ME)
dealers to tell you about! • Hellier Yacht Sales (CT)
• Schrader Yacht Sales (NJ)
In Europe, we have our first • Gratitude Yachting Center
ever dealers in both Italy and (MD)
Germany. Island Packet Ita- • Suncoast Yacht Sales (CA)
lia, with offices in Bologna and • Signature Yachts (WA)
their commissioning marina in • Island Yachts (USVI)
San Vincenzo, has already been
at both the Cannes, France, and A special 20 Year Service
GOLDEN WRENCH RECIPIENTS
Genoa, Italy, boat shows with our WITH BOB JOHNSON
Award was given to Passage
product. Häfele Yacht Sales in Yachts (CA) this year, com-
Waldeck, Germany has also re- memorating two decades as
cently taken on the line and has ex- an Island Packet dealer. They join
hibited in two German boat shows, NEW BROCHURE Gratitude Yachting Center, Pierce
one in Friedrichshaven and one in Considerable effort was spent over Yachts and Schrader Yacht Sales as
Hamburg. the summer months to produce dealers with more than 20 years ex-
a new full line brochure that was perience.
In the UK, we are happy to an- published in time for the fall boat
nounce that Walton Marine of shows. Covering the entire model And one dealer gets to walk away
Swanwick, Southampton, has tak- line-up, plus some great photos of with the Dealer of the Year award,
en on our brand. A family owned the factory, rendezvous’, and boat given for the highest volume of Is-
business for over 70 years, Walton shows, this is a great reference piece. land Packets sold during the prior
has shown our boats in Southamp- Stop by your Island Packet dealer to model year. This year’s winner was
ton and will be in London in Janu- get your own copy, or call and ask us Suncoast Yacht Sales of San Diego,
ary for the London International for one and we’ll be happy to mail it CA. Congratulations to all of our
Boat Show. out to you. winners!!

THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 17

 There is a Better Way...
...Don’t tow it,
Stow it!
G arhauer's dinghy davits allow you to
safely carry your dinghy to secluded
anchorages. Forget about the hassel of
towing a dinghy and all the potential prob-
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decreased boat speed.
Experience better performance in pas-
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knowing your dinghy is secure.
All davits are made to order, based on the
transom design and dimensions of your
boat.
Davits are sold in pairs. Each davit arm is
one-piece welded and polished stainless
steel construction and built with the rock
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Each davit arm comes complete with 6-1
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fastenibg line. Included is stainless cross
bar cut to length for your particular instal-
dinghy not
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DINGHY DAVIT Davit Pivot Base

ACCESSORIES with backer plate

Davit Pivot Base

For any angle transom mounting of
arm, with backer plate.

Stern Rail Davit Clamp

Clamps davit arm directly to 1” stern
rail for lateral support.
Stern Rail
Davit Clamp

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18 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader

UNPLANNED RENDEZVOUS
S ometimes the best times come from those unexpect- “Being an unplanned rendezvous there were no scheduled
ed moments when things happen for no apparent events; however, we did manage to spend, unplanned and
reason. One such event happened on Lake Huron not unexpected -- but much appreciated -- quality time on each
too long ago, and Marlin other’s boats. There is much
Meitzen wrote us this nice more to the story than I’m
note: authorized to go into here
so I’ll leave the details for
“I thought you might enjoy others to expand upon
the attached picture. It was should they feel the need.
taken at the unplanned Is- (Let’s hope someone feels
land Packet rendezvous at the need and fills us in!
Government Bay in the Les -ed.)
Cheneaux Islands, on Lake
Huron. The boats are Jess “All three boats were doing
Tina, an IP350 with Henry extended cruises of north-
and Dana Stevens aboard, ern Lake Huron when we
Quiet Time, an IP 370 met. We spent two days
with Dave and Julie Sut- anchored at Government
ton, and Soy Amada, my Bay before parting for dif-
own pride and joy (370-31). Note the IP “Fun Flag” flying ferent destinations. Thank you for building such beautiful
proudly from Quiet Time. cruising boats.”

THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 19

Pacific Northwest Rendezvous
R ick Shane, the customer service
coordinator for Signature
Yacht Sales of Seattle, Washing-
ton, knows how to keep his
customers happy: he’s been
the bar keep at the last several
NW Rendezvous where he has
become famous (or perhaps,
infamous) for mixing up the meanest and
best “Painkillers” west of White Bay, Jost Van Dyke,
BVI! How else do you get all those people onboard just
one Island Packet in an attempt to prove the immersion
value of any one of Bob Johnson’s designs? . . . WOW!
And it seems when Rick asks the next generation of
Island Packet owners how long a “pour of rum” should
be in the next batch of Painkillers, he always gets good
advice: “Thiiiiis biiiiiig!”
20 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader
Blessed with beau-
tiful weather, more than 20 Island
Packets and their crews gathered on
the last weekend in August at Poulsbo,
Washington, for fun, food and festivi-
ties at the Puget Packeteers Summer
Rendezvous. On Saturday, an informa-
tive presentation about galvanic corro-
sion, going well beyond the usual “zinc
or swim” warnings, had owners scurrying about
checking bonding systems and current flows aboard
their yachts. Later in the day, many were inspired to
plan adventures after picture-laced talks about circum-
navigating Vancouver Island and the Victoria to Maui
race. Signature Yachts – co-sponsor of the event –
even laid out a traditional blueberry pancake breakfast.
The consensus: A great summer weekend with great
folks, great yachts and great fun.
BLISS
Rendezvous

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Superior Quality
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N ot much is
really known about this
event held at Block Island on July 16, 17 and
18th, because every time the subject comes up, everyone
starts smiling, and then giggling, and then laughing hys-
terically. We guess they had a really great time and they
must be too embarrassed to talk about it. For those of
you in the “southern New England sailing area” BLISS
has their own website (www.blissrendezvous.com) and
wants you to join them next year. Keep an eye out for
the dates.

THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 21

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22 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader

Kids Aboard: Flying Colors (IP38-080)
with Joan and Paul Carrier

J oan sent us these

great photos of some
young-uns enjoying Fly-
“Please also men-
tion that Dan Cline,
Wildwood (IP320-
ing Colors (IP 38-080) 047), also with a
sailing out of Holland homeport of Holland,
on Lake Michigan. “We Michigan, has started
start them young”, she a ‘Lake Michigan Pack-
wrote. eteers Group’ on Face-
book and we hope all
Flying Colors is home the IP owners who sail
on Lake Michigan, and on Lake Michigan will
anyone who has sailed there, especially on the join us there so we can plan and exchange ideas
east side of the lake, will recognize the famous of local interest.”
lighthouse at Lake Macatawa.
Another great idea from the Lake Michigan
While Joan has been a real bandleader of the Packeteers!
Lake Michigan Packeteers for years, she wrote,

THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 23

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
 









 






 






24 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader

GULF COAST ISLAND PACKET ASSOCIATION
REPORT from Rick Evans, Whitney (350-111)

A s this year’s Prez, I’ve got to tell you that our group
is going for braggin rights as the best IP Owners
Group out there, bar none. We think we’ve done more
Boil Party for our members in April at a volunteer’s
house (the house usually is destroyed in the process,
hence we asked for a volunteer. Shrimp boils in Texas
stuff and are a tighter group than any other IP asso- should require a license and adult supervision).
ciation. No, that’s not Texas braggin. That’s fact. Let
me give you a quick run-down to hopefully inspire all In May we had a mini cruise down to Galveston and
those other groups that need Freeport. It’s a two nighter
inspiring. This will be a tad trip with a progressive dinner
long, but it shows just how party among all the boats in
hot a group we are. Every- which you dinghy from boat to
body is going to want to be boat until you’ve had enough
just like us. to drink that you’re convinced
you can walk on water and no
We had our Rendezvous in longer need the dinghy. We
October (2009) followed by a also planned a “hands on” full
big Christmas Party and boat weekend seminar on diesel
parade in December. In Janu- troubleshooting, a couple of
ary we started the first of our group parties and, of course,
monthly “Saturday Morning our Rendezvous in October
Seminars” with a privately 1-3. (no report yet - ed.)
catered group breakfast fol-
lowed by a presentation by If you’ve never been to Ke-
Jeremy Hood of HSH Yachts mah, Texas, it’s just like the
on handling shipboard emer- Chesapeake region except
gencies at sea. Like when the Texas style. It’s the 3rd larg-
diesel dies with a ship bear- est boating area in the United
ing down on you. Or when States with over 6,000 boats
a shroud parts during a gale. in the marinas. And it’s
Even the women liked it. the home of the biggest,
baddest IP Owners Associa-
February was our second tion you’ve ever seen. Unlike
seminar, which followed a Harvest Moon Regatta 2009 other groups who just do the
group breakfast, and was a Dick Huber and Pilgrim (420-015) annual Rendezvous thing,
presentation by a Professor our group gets together every
from Texas A & M University and their College of Me- few weeks for some event or another. Some are infor-
teorology on “Weather 101 for Sailors.” In March, our mal and staged by our bulletin board at our website
third “after group breakfast” seminar was by the famous (www.gcipa.homestead.com). Some are formal. We’re
Ed Campbell, who is the author of the definitive cruis- now at the point that non-IP owners are actually ask-
ing guide for the Gulf Coast Region. In April, a NASA ing to be invited to our seminars and parties as guests
Emergency Room Physician discussed how to deal with and we’re getting tons of requests. We let them come
shipboard medical emergencies like severe lacerations, provided they are devotees of IP and qualify as an “IP
broken/dislocated bones, head trauma from booms or Owner in Training.”
falls, heart attacks and the like. We also had a Shrimp

THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 25

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26 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader

Land-Ho (I hope!)
with Eva, the wonder dog

W ho can resist a picture of a man

and his dog. Or in this case,
maybe a dog and her boat? It seems
Eva, ever the watchful German Short-
hair Pointer, is keeping an eye out for
boats on starboard tack, or maybe for
a landfall soon so she can attend to
“doggie business.”

Eva sails Caymus, her Island Packet

380 (#126), with crew Dave and Mi-
chelle Flickinger, mostly on Lake
Erie, and especially near the islands
of South-, Middle- and North Bass, or
even Kelley’s. Eva reports to us that
both Michelle and Dave make suitable
crew members!

IPPHOTOS.COM
We b s i t e P a s s e s
10 , 0 0 0 P h ot o s !
C reated in 2002 using software developed for the
real estate industry, IPphotos.com has crossed
the 10,000 photos benchmark! This is an incredible
tribute to the passion every Island Packet owner
demonstrates regarding their IP yacht ownership.
Owners have shared custom modifications of ice
boxes, detailed electronic installations, fascinating
woodworking additions, and even simple mainte-
nance items such as teak finishing and oil changes.
Photos have been uploaded from remote locations as
far away as the Southern Caribbean Islands, Malay-
sia, England and Germany! Island Packet Owners are
truly a “world fleet” who love to share their sailing
adventures. So we invite you to participate and share
the joy of ownership at http://IPphotos.com. Upload
your photos today!

THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 27

WHAT’S IN A NAME? Catharpin Blue (420-062)
with Sam and Marilyn Fowler

W hen Sam and Marilyn Fowler purchased their Island

Packet 420, one of the early decisions was to pro-
vide a name for the vessel. Wanting a unique name unlikely
drinking water in the world.’

“But that was just the beginning. In the winter of 2003 we

to be chosen by another boat, and with some connection took the boat to Blue Water Marina in Hampton, VA for a
with the intended sailing venue, Marilyn hit on the name winter haulout. After hearing the story of our boat’s name,
“Catharpin Blue.” At first blush, it seemed a catchy name a consultant working on a square rigger offered that the
for the boat that Sam bought to sail on the blue waters of name should probably be ‘catharpings’ rather than Cathar-
the open ocean. But the search for the true meaning of the pin. Catharpings were part of the rigging for square rigged
name took some investigation. Here’s their story: sailing vessels and were used to pull the rigging aside so the
yard arms could be twisted to enable a vessel to sail upwind.
“The name “Catharpin Blue” has fostered a nautical termi-
nology lesson that has “Later, when we
continued from 2002 sailed with the Cruis-
until the present. ing Rally Associa-
tion’s Caribbean 1500
“When Sam moved in 2006, one of the
to the community of other ralliers asked if
Catharpin, Virginia we had looked up our
in 1989, an article in a boat’s name in “Sea
local newspaper stated of Words.” When we
the name Catharpin said no, they brought
was believed to be of the book out and we
nautical origin, and found the entry de-
that there were only fining ‘Cat-harpings:’
two places known to
carry the name, one in Cat-harpings: Small
Virginia and one in the ropes that brace
state of New York (the the SHROUDS of
latter of which we can- the lower MASTS
not find a trace today). under the TOP of
The article further speculated that the name derived from SQUARE-RIGGED vessels.
a locking pin utilized on early sailing vessels, as opposed
to the well-known belaying pin often employed by sailing “We’ve found many more references to Catherpin, Cather
combatants in movies to bash one another over the head. It Pin, Cat Harpings and more over the years, including see-
also suggested the term “cathar pin” may have led to “cotter ing the real things in the rigging of historical square riggers.
pin” although no evidence has been found to support this But regardless of source, the name always starts a conversa-
conjecture. tion.

“The word for the town may have come from an under-
ground stream running east from northern Virginia’s Bull
Run Mountain. It is very pure water and the taste is second
to none. As Sam was filling his pool with well water from
this source a local, observing the process, knew the water
was from the well. ‘Look at it, it has a blue tinge, and it
doesn’t come from the sky. That’s Catharpin Blue, the best
“Over the years, Catharpin Blue has logged over 15,000
miles with a trip to Maine, two trips to the Caribbean from
the Chesapeake Bay and now is located in Colon, Panama
in preparation for a Panama Canal crossing and beyond.
Even though she has no catharpings in her rigging, she
is following the paths of early ocean travelers who did
have them in their rigging.”

28 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader

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THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 29

30 America’s Cruising Yacht Leader
 PARTING SHOTS

L ittle Jack Thornton called his grandfather “Poppa.” Poppa was a Navy man (notice the cap) and proud of his
Island Packet Patuxent (38-108). As a navy man he was able to keep his yacht near its namesake, and he
moored her just north of the Patuxent Naval Air Station. Alan Thornton, Poppa’s real name, was USNA class
of 1967.
“He and his wife took some interesting trips on their IP38, twice to the Bahamas and once to Key West. He had his
Coast Guard Captain’s license and Ham radio license. We were fortunate to spend some time with them at these
destinations. His dream was to do an around the world trip and he had spent a lot of time looking at different boats
before choosing the IP38. Unfortunately this story does not have a happy ending. Alan passed away a few weeks
ago after a 3+ year battle with pancreatic cancer.
“Be thankful for the time you are afforded in this life, and spend it doing what you love. Life is too short to put
off the important and enjoyable things. When you are having one of those ‘what the heck are we doing here days’,
think about a grandpa and one of his grandchildren, and every one else that your product has made really, really
happy, and be proud of what you do. Thanks for some really great days, for us and the rest of the family.”

Peter Evers (brother-in-law)
THE ISLAND PACKET OWNER’S NEWSLETTER 31
1979 WILD ACRES ROAD
LARGO, FL 33771

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