Endeavour Members Forum News
SEPTEMBER 1997
THE ENDEAVOUR OWNERS GROUP seeks to provide a place for owners of ALL Endeavour sailboats to get together and meet other owners, share experiences, and discuss issues relevant to this line of sailboats. You can find The Endeavour Owners Forum at: http://members.aol.com/endvr32/home.html
IN THIS ISSUE
1. News
2. Membership Statistics
3. Security, Security, Security
4. Member News
5. Story "VIA THE CANAL" by Don and Ellen Freeman
6. Pour Another Round
7. Need Info
NEWS
The end of the sailing season looms for many of us. Personally, Barb, the boys (Eric 8, Kyle 7, and Ryan 5) and I had a great summer getting out almost every weekend. I would have liked to spend more time sailing around but it's a diificult task juggling the 'social calendar' of 3 boys. They've all really progressed, learning their knots, steering, and helping with the mooring and docking. Eric has shown a particular interest and is very helpful. El Nino brought warm and mild weather to the Lake MIchigan area along with very little wind so we didn't get anywhere very fast and enjoyed the water. It also raised the algea count so "Friendly Confines" periodically wears a green skirt and the water has a slight fishy taste to it.
Earlier this summer, we sailed across Lake MIchigan from Chicago to New Buffalo, Michigan, one of our favorite 'quiet' spots for a long weekend. Our youngest met a little girl about his age who was also on vacation with her family, and so we met Debby and Bob. While we were there, the Coast Guard towed in two small power boats that had collided while pulling people on water sleds. Apparently the one boat plained up and over the top of the other severley injuring several people. We were told that one women riding in the boat so so badly hurt (neck injury), was unconcious, and may not survive.
A month later we were up in Saugatuck for a long week. Beacuse the sail is at least 13hrs, with wind, we decided to get an early start by spending the night on board. It was one of the nastiest lightning storms I had ever experienced and got little to no sleep that night. The next morning, we sailed straight from Chicago using our new GPS. It was a hot and hazy day, so we stopped several times to swim mid lake in about 370 feet of water. It was so warm I didn't feel as though I would cool down at all. As we arrived the the sun was setting behind us in the haze, and if it hadn't been for the GPS, wouldn't have found the opening to the channel which first appeared along the nondescript coast about a mile in front of us. By the time we had dinner at a local restaurant, it was dark, the kids were tired, and we had to cross Lake Kalamazoo, find our slip, and tie up in utter darkness. And I mean it was very dark.
During the week or so that we were there, we took the kids hiking up Mt. Baldy and the other nearby sand dunes, and made numerous trips into town for regular doses of ice cream and shopping trips to the local five and dime. The afternoons were spent with the kids in the pool really learning to swim while Barb and I took alternate trips around the area. The days ticked off the calendar when one day our oldest said that the people from New Buffalo where there too. Sure enough Debby and Bob had just pulled in and were staying for a long weekend! It was good to see them again, but after a couple of days it was time to leave and head home. The trip home was uneventful except for a few more mid lake swims, but we all came home feeling as though we had enjoyed ourselves.
MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS 9/98
It's been a busy summer! We had a substantial increase in membership with owners of 42's closing in on the 32's. This quarter the gold star goes to Jerry Bernath of "BIBI" in North Carolina for refering the greatest number of new members. Thank you Jerry! It also seems as quite a few have wandered in while surfing the net. Our little notices in SAIL and CRUISING WORLD have also helped. Total membership has now grown to 142! That's a 31% increase since April! Now, 84 are receiving our newsletter and I want to thank everyone for making this possible.
SIZE NUMBER YEARS REPRESENTED 32 33 1975-1981 33 7 1984 35 6 1983-1986 37 23 1977-1981 38 11 1985 40 19 1981-1984 42 32 1984-1991 43 11 1979-1984 As a result of the increased membership, you will find that the owner reviews of Endeavours has greatly increased. As you may expect most owners are really pleased with their boat, and many have either completed, are in the middle of, or begining refits. This is a great opportunity to really use the Discussion Forum to contribute and share your experiences with everyone.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
On that note, I'd like to everyone to welcome all of the new members who have joined the Forum since our last newsletter:
Jack Blake (MI) "Cure The Blues" 1978-E32
Ron Crisco (FL) "Paper Moon" 1975-E32
Scott & Jill Koverman (SC) "Goombay Gumbo" 1981-E32
Albert A. Augustine (FL) "EDA II" (formerly JAMPACKED) 1976-E32
David Barker & Lisa Borre (MD) 1976-E32
Dennis King (FL) "Limmerick" 1976-E32
Stanley E. Dressler (FL) "Evening Star" 1981-E32
Paul & Kathy Hotz (NJ) "Lucky Win II" 1979-E32
Tom Gilbert (NJ) "Amanda Lynne" 1980-E32
Stephen & Carol Glick (RI) "Moby" 1984-E33
Carl & Judy Hibbard (OH) "Gypsy" 1979-E37
Les Baston (CT) "Miladi" 1978-E37
James F. Campbell (VA) "Quiraing"1982-E37
Chris & Jennifer Land (SC) "Moon-Struck" 1982-E37
Denis Baker (TX) "Soleil" 1985-E38
Bob & Penny Patarcity (FL) "Katmandu" 1981-E40
Armand F. Zerilli (FL) "Jessie" 1982-E40
Bill Aldridge (AL) "Mobetah" 1985-E40
Bill Smith (ME) "Venture Forth" 1983-E40
J. Frederick VerPlanck (Puerto Rico) "Liberty" 1984-E40
Mike & Charlotte (TX) "Island Rose" 1981-E40
Dan & Marge Garrett (MI) "Ichthus II" 1985-42
Daryl Di Dio (NY) "Nikki D" 1986-E43
Roger Wright (TX) "Wind Chaser" 1988-E42
Bud Berry & Diana Boulden (FL) "Island Time" 1987-E42
Butch Johnson & Shirley Ladd (CA) "Battalion 1" 1980-E43
Paul Fisher (OH) "Glory Be" 1981-E43
Jay & Becky Sieger (CA) "The Crew's Inn" 1979-E43
Don & Ellen Freeman (CA) "Sirius Endeavour" 1980-E43
SECURITY, SECURITY, SECURITY
In our last issue we asked all of you to help with supplying us with information on all the Endeavour's so that we can expand the site with areas for each individual size boat. Thanks to Andy Egeressy of "QUEST" and Junab Ali formerly of "SLEEPER", we now have a lot of information on the E37. Junab has also forwarded on drawings for constructing a cockpit grate and a sun awning. He also sent on a newspaper article that gives a breif history of the Endeavour Corp. We also have the 'Practical Sailor' review from 5/15/90 which should help us develop the E37 area. Joel Fryer of "BEETHOVEN" sent us brochures for the E38, and Greg Gorak of "GRE-MAR II" also sent in copies for the E42, although we still need color photos. We also have the PS review of the E32 so we should be able to expand that area as well. If you have brochures, sail, plumbing, electrical plans, photos, or other descriptive printed material that you can either 'lend' or copy and send to us, we would greatly appreciate it. If you can or would like to help please contact us through any one of the ways listed at the bottom of this newsletter. We will of course return any original items. Thank you all!
MEMBER NEWS
I thought I was dreaming but I recently ran across a Web site (New England racing) that had the PHRF handicaps for almost ALL the Endeavours! They are unmodified. Here they are:
E32 189
E32 192 (centerboard)
E33 156
E35 135
E37 189
E37 180 (tall mast)
E40 156
E42 126In our last issue, I misinformed you that "Jerry Bernath (NC) is getting 'BIBI,' his 1988-E42 ready for a circumnavigation". Well, Jerry being the helpful sort of guy that he is, kindly informed me that I was mistaken and that he wasn't going quite that far--just heading south. He writes that he got thru "Bonnie" with only a scratch or two but that "Earl" was worse as he was onboard for for the +55knts of wind! He doesn't recommend it. Before he heads down the ICW to attend the Annual SSCA (Seven Seas Cruising Association) meeting in Florida, Jerry plans on redoing the topside teak, adding a sterio, a Freedom 10 inverter, and Link 2000R battery monitor system.
Bud Berry wrote to tell us that he has some of the 2 color Endeavour logos in cut vinyl available if anyone is interested. He is alos interested in finding a source for the gold medallions that were placed on the aft cabin. Anyone knowing of a source, please write to him: Bud Berry, 1105 Twin Creek Rd., Apex, NC 27502 You can e-mail him at: intlprint@aol.com
Ron Crisco (FL), as many of you know by now, has told us of an Endeavor 25 sighting! He's only seen one of these "strange critters" and that it was actually relabeled LANCER 25! He said he "was absolutely amazed, and I might add, lost a bet to a friend who claimed to own an Endeavor 25". He also noted that "it was definitely an Endeavor 25 insignia on the boat and it looked identical to the Lancer 25." In any case, we've started a seach for this forgotten Endeavor. If you have any info, or know where to find it, let us know at the Endeavor 25 Sightings page <<http://members.aol.com/endvr32/dscsn/e25.html>> in the Discussion Forum. By the way, Welcome to the Forum Ron!
One of our new members, James F VerPlanck (from Puerto Rico) writes us to say: "Paul, I just "stumbled upon" your terrific Web site. I had been off-line for about 2 years and just re-connected yesterday. We have an E-40 that we bought in Oct'96. We use it as our winter home, in the Caribbean, using the Naval Base at Roosevelt Roads as out base of operations. I was VERY intrigued to see the dialogue regarding the fuel tank leakage problems experienced by other E-40 (et al) owners. We need to do something about ours as well. Please consider us as new, active, members of the Endeavour Forum.
Dave & Carol Wright (NJ) are selling their 1977 Endeavour 32 "Kon-Tiki" because of "two-foot-itis" (actually 5ft!). We'll miss them hear at the Forum. You can find their listing on the Discussion Page under For Sale.
Carl Hibbard (OH) tells us that he has a 1979 E37 that is in process of a total refit and he would be willing to share the headaches, and the fixes. You can contact him thru the Discussion Forum or by e-mailing him directly at: chgypsy@aol.com Please remember to forward any valuable info to the Forum. John Bartoszek (NY) writes to tell us that his E40 tends to generate weatherhelm rather quickly (in 10-12knts of wind), that he is doing a lot of upgrades, and would to find some help from other Endeavour owners. You can contact him at: jbartosz@symbol.com Dennis & Barbara Rings (NY) had "Moxsun" their E43 in dry dock this summer for a refit and Gene & Lee Rice (FL) are looking for feedback, suggestions, and ideas as they begin their "refit/restoration" of their 1980-E37 this summer. They can be reached at: grlm@worldnet.att.net
Tim Cropley at last report was planning on leaving Sandusky, OH on September 21st for N. Carloina aboard his E32. He expects to be gone for 8-10 weeks before returning and would like to try some extended cruising, but "we'll see how it goes". Good luck Tim.
Debra Kamm & Robert Farmer (WA) on "Oasis" are moving to San Diego late this summer aboard their 1982-E40. They are live aboards and are looking for other owners in the area. You can reach them at svoasis@yahoo.com
Phil & Margaret Stovall (TX) have begun their extended cruise. They have a 1979 E43 ketch that they bought in 7/97 and left Corpus Christi on April 30th headed for points East. Phil writes to tell us that they spent 2 weeks Kemah getting some things for the boat, and that it took them 9 days to go from Galveston, Texas to the New Orleans Municipal Yacht Harbor. Their only problems were with the batteries, 2 switches, and hoses on the generator, which he's replaced. As of June 2nd they were planning on heading for Biloxi, Mississippi. Keep an eye out for them and stop to say hello.
Paul Medlock (TX) wrote to tell us that there was an article in the May 1997 and May 1998 issues of Soundings Magazine about he and Sue living aboard their E42.
Don & Ellen Freeman (CA) wrote to us about their plans for cruising aboard their E43 "Sirius Endeavour" from San Diego to the East coast. They sent us a great story which is this issues feature article so that we can all follow their experiences. Wish I were out there too!
VIA THE CANAL
by Don and Ellen Freeman
"Sirius Endeavour" 1980-E43We awoke to a grey sky. Coffee has perked and the oven is just about to temperature for the biscuits. The grey sky is matched by the dark waters in the cove and the cool damp air lingering above us. Looking out from the cabin over our million dollar view we see the fog heavy above our mast and we rejoice how lucky we are to be back at our club in San Diego aboard our boat enjoying the natural air conditioning instead of in the tropics during the rainy season. When we reflect on our most recent season cruising aboard "Sirius Endeavour", no single place stands out, because each was a delight. Costa Rica was a surprise. We had expected to find high prices, lazy thieving officials, difficult sailing, and bugs, bugs, and more bugs. Instead, what we found was one beautiful cove after amother, spirited sailing in flat seas and brisk offshore winds, courteous and efficient officials, no mordida, and pleasantly warm temperatures, dry not humid, with cool nights. Bugs? What Bugs? No mosquitoes, no 'no see ums', no bugs except for the standard bearer cock roach that hides out in restaurants and grocery store shelves. We keep replaying our video tape of our travels through the interior: mountain roads, active volcanoes, gushing waterfalls, and high mountain forests where cloudless rain keeps time suspended.
We had expected expected Panama to be a steamy hot jungle with constant rainfall. We were prepared to do battle with the dreaded malarial and yellow fevered maoquitoes that decimated the ranks of workers endeavouring to build the Panama Canal. There, too, we found no mosquitoes. Northwestern Panama is protected from rain except for showers during the summer, hence the forests are dry and crispy from December to April. A myriad of small islands gives us excellent gunkholing and 50 foot visibility on the reefs makes for good diving. This area is all too often completely overlooked or rushed through by those trying to make the canal. We wished we could have spent more time here, perhaps a season just for this area. Arriving at the canal zone two experiences stand out: 50+ ships milling about queuing up for their trip through the canal and the sky scraping skyline of Panama City which resembles New York City from the sea. Panama City and the canal zone are Americanized (perhaps even Californicated) with Starbucks, Baskin Robbins, and our culture's other trappings so accessible and afordable. Passage through the canal was uneventful, but memorable all the more so for having read "Passage Between the Sea, the Building of the Panama Canal" by David McCullough. The canal is truly one of the innatural wonders of the world. Up-locking we side tied to a tug behind an 800 foot ship. After the gate behind us closes, the waters up-well from the bottom filling the chamber and floating the three of us up to the next levl. We travel uphill some 30 feet in under 15 minutes. The turbulence produced by the in-rushing water is immense and though securely tied to our tug we joust about stretching thick dacron line like it was stretchable nylon. At the other end of the canal there is Gatun Lake, at one time the largest man-made lake in the world and the source for the huge volumes of water required to work the locks. There we spent the night before down locking to re-emerge into the Caribbean. Down-locking is easier as the water simply drains away once they pull the plug, but none the less intimidating because we shared the lock with a 900 foot container ship positioned just 50 feet behind us. When the final lock opens, the fresh water is less dense than sea water and rushes out over the top of the sea adding several knots to our boat speed. We briefly hit hit tewn knots as we rushed out the gate and into the Atlantic. Once in the Atlantic, we found the San Blas Islands to be idyllic paradise. They are windswept by the trades, flat, sandy, and covered by coconut and banana palms. The beaches are pure white and the waters sparkle clear. The diving is excellent and the crab and lobster plentiful. The only natives are a few Kuna Indians and they are friendly and honest. Three weeks was not enough time. Three months there would still be too little.
North from the San Blas is Providencia, an island owned by Columbia but found 50 miles off the coast of Nicaragua. The people are happy and carefree, appreciating their bit of paradise. The island is clean and beautiful. Food is abundant and cheap and a pleasant mix of cultures. The island is surrounded by barrier reefs and gentle seas caress the sand beaches. The waters boast 150 foot visibility which makes the diving spectacular. Diving on the East side of the island we could not tell where the water ended and the sky began and we would have spent all day diving the canyons but a large gesticulating barracuda that adopted me conviced us we'd had enough. At night, the place literally crawls with thousands of land crabs. During the day they reside in burrows underground. The local restaurants specilize in land crab dishes and they are delicious and cheap, though at night you wear shoes. It's a hard place to leave and we would haveliked to have spent at least a month savoring it's flavor, but alas, we had to head north.
Roatan is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras located 30 miles north of the Honduran coast. An overnight passage from Vivario Cays off the Northeast corner of Nicaragua started as a perfect sail in 20 knot breezes. By 6 P.M., the wind had increased to a steady 35 knots with 10 to 12 foot breaking seas and we were steering at 30 minute watches, the first time in 6,000 miles of cruising we weren't on autopilot. At ten knots of boat speed, our 40,000 pounds was on the verge of being out of control and we were likely to arrive at Roatan in the dark. Luckily, the wind and seas abated and we were able to slow the boat down to make a lighted entry the next morning. Deeply indented, but continuously surrounded by barrier reefs makes for protected coves and anchorages with awesome "wall" diving. The visibility is legendary and the opportunities for diving are truly limitless. We dove the West End with a chartered boat and dive master. Two to three months would do the area justice, but we had to move on. Just 160 miles to the West, we barely crossed a 6 foot bar and traveled 22 miles up the Rio Dulce river in Guatemala. The Rio Dulce is fresh water and we pass through one lake, re-enter the river and find our haven just before entering another lake. The area feels like the Amazon. Jungle forests, howler monkeys, parrots, Toucans, Manatees, and a myriad of tropical inhabitants and very humid. Mario's marina, we hope, will prove just the palce to leave "Sirius Endeavour" for the hurricane season. With the season coming to an end, we wanted a place to leave "Sirius Endeavour" so I could get back to work in San Diego. And that is where we shall return to in the winter to take up our adventures anew. But you ask how is it we're back at the club and living aboard? Prospects of apartment dwelling were to heavy to contemplate, so we asked ourselves what would make us most happy living here in San Diego and the answer was a one nanosecond resounding "Buy a Boat". So we did and glad of it. We got ourselves a crash condo Catalina 30 which is currently "sin Nombre" (no name) until we work up something appropriate. Ellen wanted either "eddy" for Catalina Eddy, a familiar weather condition or "kitty" so she could give here call on the VHF radio as "this is kitty, kitty, kitty . . ." but I thought "Sol Cat" might keep the star tradition alive. Anyway, we are at odds and until clarity returns, "Sin Nombre" remains.
Much Love,
Don and Ellen
POUR ANOTHER ROUND!
I don't really have many jokes or web links for you in this issue, except for the following, somewhat familiar, musing. If you have something you would like to share, please send it on.
"If a man is aboard his boat and does something wrong, but his wife isn't there to see it, has he done anything wrong?"
AROUND THE WORLD ALONE
The next great ocean adventure begins <<www.aroundalone.com>> is live.
After three months of drying out, we're ready to embark on another global adventure -- except this time, it's alone. Hope you're fully provisioned. The Around Alone race, a singlehanded yacht race around the world, is beginning on Saturday, 26 September 1998, at 1600 Greenwich Mean Time (noon Eastern Daylight Time). For the start in Charleston, S.C., you'll find live audio coverage and streaming text -- be there as these sailors set out on the first of 27,000 unknown miles.
NEED INFO
Just as a reminder, we would like to expand the Endeavours Owners Forum so that there are specific areas for each size Endeavour. If you have brochures, or other descriptive printed material that you can either 'lend' or send to us, we would greatly appreciate it. Color photos are a big help as well. If you can or would like to participate please contact us.
If you have a story, would like to share an experience, or have a bit of humor or sailing knowledge you would like to share, please send it to THE ENDEAVOUR OWNERS GROUP. And by the way, I don't make any overtures about the accuracy of the information in the newsletter.
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Paul Uhl
Endeavour Owners Group