Monthly News Updates

May 2008 Update: New Kids hook up with Veteran Racer
All right, so maybe dinghy racers Chris Fife-Shaw, Colin Knipe and Paul Gardene aren't new to sailboat racing, but the newly formed racing syndicate recently purchased the former Strata (33.7 hull # 149), renamed her Easy Tiger II and have set their sights on bringing home some big boat silver for the mantelpiece. And they couldn't have picked a better partner as this big cat is a three time participant in the Fastnet Race! We wish our newest owners "fair winds and following seas" as they race and cruise throughout the UK and France.

May 2008
It's been an exciting spring for 33.7s! Today I received word that hull #21 was recently purchased by Magnus Persson of Gothenburg, Sweden, and he renamed the boat BluBelle. He also sent a gorgeous picture of his boat moored up tightly to a rocky shoreline. I'd highly recommend taking a look at his photo, especially if you're not familiar with the 3-cabin/tiller version of the boat, which was the standard in Europe. Check it out on the First 33.7 gallery page located here.

Further has headed south! New owners Jack & Judy Spithill of Kingswood, Texas recently purchased the boat and moved it from its former home in Chicago down to Galveston Bay. Jack is already actively racing the boat, and later this month, I'll be headed down to Galveston to meet Jack and sail on Galveston Bay.

Team Second Star sweeps spring! We're off to a great start winning the Texoma Sailing Club's Icebreakers Series (in the cruising sails class), winning PHRF spinnaker class 5 of the Leukemia Cup/Lakefest Regatta, and going undefeated thus far in the Cedar Mills Yacht Club's Beer Can Series. This past weekend, bowman extraordinaire Michael Brooks led members of Team Second Star for a guest appearance aboard Sealake Yacht Sales' First 36.7 Sea Witch, which was competing in the Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club's Leukemia Cup Regatta. Skipper "Sailboat" Mike Shebester and Team Second Star scored a perfect 4 bullets to win the cruising class.

January 2008
Congratulations to Eric Hagland of Stockholm, Sweden for his purchase of Tommy Lundber's Bonbon. On behalf of the elite group of 33.7 owners worldwide, we'd like to wish Eric a hearty "Welcome Aboard".

In rather disturbing news, piracy seems to be on the rise once again! This time, in the unlikely waters of the beautiful Price Edward Island, Canada. Earlier this year, the First 33.7 Intuition was seized for a time by a dangerous gang of bloodthirsty pirates. Fortunately, the situation was resolved with no permanent damage done. For more details, click here.

The racing season here in North Texas kicked off this past Saturday (1/26) with the annual Texoma Sailing Club Commodore's party. Team Second Star represented 33.7s well by placing in all three of the club's series races (two firsts and a second). As Commodore Tim Wylie put it, "$100,000 for a boat, $20,000 for sails, and what do you get? A $5 hunk of glass." We all know it's maybe just a bit pathetic. But on the other hand, at least we didn't all buy million dollar Swans win win a $5 trophy, eh? :-)

The Second Star table	Commodore Wylie congratulates J.D.	Commodore Wylie congratulates Susan	Our $5 hunks of glass

December 2007
Happy Holidays everyone. We hope 2007 was a fun and safe season! There hasn't been much news of late. We did get one terrific tip from Tony Ward of Genevieve however. There's a winery in Lodi, California making a Cabernet Sauvignon called 337. I purchased half a case as Christmas presents for our crew and found it to be quite tasty! Two seconds with a red paint pen, and you can change the label to 33.7. Tony has even volunteered to contact the winery and coordinate a group buy.

In other news, we're sad to report that Wally Boggus of Austin, Texas has sold his marvelous 33.7 Zen and has now purchased a 36.7 from the great lakes area. While we'll miss Wally's contributions to the site, we wish him the very best of luck racing One Design. Hopefully the new owner of Zen will soon join us. Just as an FYI, Zen sold for $113,000 US, which confirms what I've heard from others – that the 33.7 is actually appreciating in value. We're very lucky to have chosen such a well-founded, versatile and unique boat. Happy Holidays!!

October 2007
The racing season ended early for Second Star in Texas having locked up a victory in their fall series with 3 races still to go. The team had a terrific year; after finishing second in Lakefest Regatta back in May, they went essentially undefeated the rest of the year by winning the Asbury Smith Memorial Cup Regatta, their summer club series, the Wunderlick Regatta and their fall club series.

Question of the Month: Has anyone tested a solution to take in a reef by one man alone directly from the cockpit without going at the base of the mast?

The best idea I could come up with was: "What you might do is lower the main to the point that the reef cringle is a half inch or so below the hook on the gooseneck, then mark the main halyard either with strong tape or (maybe better) with a permanent marker at the point its entering the rope clutch. That way, if you had to reef by yourself you could (conceivably): 1) motor into the wind, 2) bring the main into center, 3) lock off the wheel, 4) drop the main to where you put the mark on the halyard, 5) run forward and slip the cringle over the hook, 6) run back and re-tension the main halyard, 7) tension the reef line, 8) unlock the wheel, and 9) fall off reefed." Whew!!

Any better ideas? We'd like to hear them! Please email your suggestions here.

Summer 2007
There's no news – racing or otherwise – in North Texas this summer, as our rainy spring has flood waters (at the crest) nearly 20' above the road to the marina. Besides, I'm sick of being the only one to post news. I already know about us; let's hear what you're up to!! Send me your stories and your photos... And remember to use plenty of sunscreen.

May  2007
The crew of Second Star in Texas have had a very productive spring, placing second in the Texoma Sailing Club's Icebreaker Series. They also placed second in the 2007 LakeFest Regatta. With all these 2nd place finishes, maybe there is something in a name...

We would like to extend a warm welcome to Paul and Kathy Stscherban of South Haven, Michigan (USA) as new owners of Hull # 178 Triumph. Hope to see their new family member photos on the site very soon.

August  2004
For Sale: Simply First a 2001 boat located in Holland. Her lady owner wants a quick sale. Please contact agnes.vossen@planet.nl for more details, or look on the owners page at some photos.

We want to welcome Paul and Kathy Stscherban of South Haven, Michigan (USA) as new owners of Hull # 178 Triumph. Hope to see their new family member photos on the site very soon.

For Sale: Thunderflash a beautifully kept 1998 boat is available in Gosport, UK. Her sail inventory is long and her owners are ready, so please contact allidow@hotmail.com to see how you can own this beautiful European 33.7

March 2004
Photo of the month belongs to Jeffrey and Sharon Leiman for this action shot ! This is real speed and thrill .... Well done Panache!

New Owner Frank Witvliet from the Netherlands has joined the Association.

Our new owner from Finland, Matti Tiainen Hull # 33, is the proud owner of Toi, if you can take a moment and welcome him to the Owners Association.

We are looking to include all the photos we can into the new "Gallery" page. So please take a moment visit the new location and send me your photo.

I just got back from a week long seminar at Harken (sailboat hardware company). If you have any questions please feel free to contact me and I will try to help you out.

February 2004
The owner and crew of Second Star in Texas is actually thinking of racing in the Icebreaker series. Clearly frostbite has set into their brains a bit early this year. Best of luck to J.D and Susan.

The Miami Boat Show, world renowned for being the Greatest Boat Show on Earth had no First Series boats on display. Rather disappointing when all we saw was cruising Beneteaus made in the U.S., clearly not of the same caliber or quality as those made in France. Maybe next year.

Crews Control is for sale in the UK contact Craig Bradley on the Owner's Page hyperlink. The boat is priced for a quick sale. If you need to bring it to the US, contact me and I will help you deliver it to the East Coast.

Blue Sister from Pornic, France owned by Jean Noel Tourin plans to race  single-handed across the Atlantic this year. Please take a moment and send Jean Noel an encouraging word, or two. He may need it!

January 2004

Our world wide web site is back in business. After months of hard work and redesign issues we have finally have the site back in operations.

Be sure to send your new pictures and information for a fresh update.

Please take a moment to write us and tell us your "news" regarding you First 33.7 and we will be certain to include it in our monthly "News Updates".