She has been at the Challenged America docks for a little over a week. This 1971 Erickson 35 has been beautifully restored by her previous owner. The woods are beautifully varnished, engine rebuilt all new deck hardware, including new Anderson winches.
Erickson 35 drawings
Squalus ( dogfish shark), a Pacemaker 36 became the latest boat to enter the Challenged America fleet. She is a sportsfisherman with twin diesel engines.
Thank you Bruce Nelson (Nelson Marek) and David Reed
Help us spread the word and get a chance at winning $10,000 in Facebook ads with Facebook small business boost.
The more new “likes” we get, the closer we are to win, the contest ends March 31, please help us, tell your friends, share the link or like us through the Facebook “Like” application on the right side of the page.
Winning the contest will help us get more recognition, advertize and help more children and adults with disabilities
Dear Friends of the Challenged America Program,
This Holiday Season you can give the gifts of Self-reliance, Independence, Self-Confidence, and enhance the Quality of someone’s life.
Your donation to Challenged America will give a disabled veteran, adult or child with a disability all of these and much more.
“Challenged America is very important to me not just because sailing is my passion, but because of what it has taught me about myself. Prior to being involved in Challenged America I thought sailing was part of my past. Something I could no longer do as a result of Muscular Dystrophy. This program has enabled me to sail again and experience feelings I hadn’t felt for a very long time – feelings like hope, empowerment, and freedom. I have learned that you can be blind and still sail as Urban the founder of the program does, or have a prosthetic leg as Kevin my sailing companion does. I learned that I could leave my disabilities at the dock, sail in a seven boat regatta and win!”
— Colin Smith, Challenged America participant
Colin is but one of hundreds of stories we experience each year at Challenged America, and after 34 years of providing free therapeutic sailing as a rehabilitation activity and tool, you’d think we’ve gotten use to such stories. But it never ceases to touch the heartstrings of all of us volunteers at Challenged America.
Your charitable gifts go 100% to the program and providing the opportunity to both youth, from 5 years of age, to seniors in their 90′s, as well as to recently injured and disabled veterans, regardless of the disabilities or medical condition; and to their loved ones.
Each dollar you give to Challenged America is spent entirely on and in the program – No Salaries and No Hidden or Other Disguised “Program Expenses” depleting the impact of your gift.
More than 9,000 volunteer hours are “gifted-in-kind” to the charity each year, and in addition to those who generously donate their time and talents, we need your support to help them fulfill their good work in the community.
Where Does 100% of Your Gift Go?
$25
Assures that a sailor with a disability, and their companion instructor/sailor, will have sun screen, water, and sailing gloves for a safe and exciting day of sailing.
$75
Grants a child or adult with a disability the life-experience of sailing on a Martin 16 two-person, fully- adaptable sailboat for the day, with a companion sailor or instructor.
$125
Gives a youth or adult with a disability, and their entire family a day of sailing . . . or, covers 1 year of bottled-water needs.
$500
Supports 10 to 15 individuals to spend a day of Whale Watching or have an Environmental and Marine education experience aboard the motor yacht “Challenged America” . . . or allows a Challenged America exhibit booth to be at a regional trade show or event.
$1,000
Covers 1 year of costs related to providing equipment, supplies, and insurance for 25 volunteers … or covers 1 year of the office’s local and long-distance phone calls and phone Internet service.
$2,500
Sponsors a Team Challenged America sailor for 1 year . . . or launches the Companion Sailor and Sailing Instructor “Certification” program . . . or pays for crew and vessel cost on an overnight offshore racing experience . . . or gives all sailing volunteers a new Challenged America t-shirt & hat.
$7,000
Gives us delivery of a much-needed “Sip n Puff” steering-device for sailors with high-level injuries . . . or covers 1 year of dock and office supplies . . . or allows Challenged America to add spinnaker gear to 7 Martin 16 sailboats.
$10,000
Subsidizes the working capital to continue the design & development of new and innovative devices, gear and safety equipment for sailors with disabilities . . . or purchase needed mainsail and jib for all 8 Martin 16 sailboats . . . or covers the cost of replacing all standing and running rigging on the fleet of small boats in the program.
$25,000
Allows us to sponsor 5 different Summer Sailing Camps for kids, seniors, disabled veterans, and special groups supporting the disabled . . . or helps cover our minimum yearly boatyard costs of hull cleaning and bottom paint, maintenance and repairs of boats and engine repairs/maintenance.
$70,000
Pays for 1 year of rent of slips, office and storage space . . . or covers the basic operating costs for the big boat sailing program, less racing expenses.
$100,000
Covers costs for 1 year of small boat maintenance, repairs, slip fees, equipment and insurance.
$125,000
Will offer the unique opportunity for Team Challenged America to compete in the 2013 Transpacific Yacht Race to Hawaii.
$225,000
Will cover operating cost for the entire volunteer-driven Challenged America program (less racing) for the entire year.
$500,000
Supports the big boat program and Team Challenged America training and racing campaign for 1 year . . . or covers the costs of inviting 75 disabled veterans and their families to spend 5 days in San Diego to sail and conduct other therapeutic and educational activities with Challenged America.
$1,000,000 ($1 Million)
Launches the Challenged America Endowment Fund . . . and subsidizes 4 years of operating costs.
We are very grateful for you considering Challenged America in your gift giving this year or next year.
All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Challenged America is a charitable program of the 501(c)3 Disabled Businesspersons Association – tax-exempt (EIN) number 33-0484461.
You can make your contribution online through the Challenged America website’s PayPal account at www.ChallengedAmerica.org, or make your check out to “Challenged America” and mail to
Challenged America Program
2240 Shelter Island Drive, Suite 108
San Diego, CA 92106
Office: (619) 523-9318
Email: Ahoy@ChallengedAmerica.org
Volunteer Steve Edenson and blind sailor Hiro taking Casual, our newest donation out for a first spin on San Diego’s Big Bay.
“Casual” is a Santana 525, designed by Shad Turner and built by the W.D. Schock Corporation to the highest standards of quality. it is a beautiful boat with sleek lines and well balanced dimensions unique in a 25 footer.
The 525 was designed for competitive racing under a variety of measurement rules. The hull is shallow and of light displacement but has a considerable amount of beam to insure stability. The displacement to length ratio of the 525 is very low, providing excellent light air performance. The keel is a deep fin and the rudder is a simple but highly efficient spade. The hull is quick to surf and is lots of fun to sail in a breeze. Since the 525 is also built to strict one design specifications, its owners find great pleasure in level class racing as well.
The cockpit of the Santana 525 is probably the best available in a boat of this size. long bench seats and a contoured deck shape offer welcome comfort and a wonderful sense of security for the family. The hardware is strategically placed for efficient crew work, with all halyards lead to the cabintop. The blister design of the deck eliminates sharp corners and provides extra wide side decks for safe and easy deck maneuvers.
The beam of the 525 offers an amazing feeling of spaciousness below. Two wide midship bunks provide extremely comfortable seating in the main cabin and are wonderful for overnight cruising. A 6½ foot v-berth provides additional sleeping accommodations. The cleverly capsulized galley unit is equipped with a sink for an insulated ice box and provides good countertop space. Two beautifully finished hanging lockers, an attractive interior liner, and a handsome teak and holly sole give the 525 the look and feel of a much larger boat. Many a crew has spent hours after the race in the comfort of this cozy interior.
The crew said: She is fast and fun, we love her.
It seems like most people don’t really pay attention to a disease or disability until it strikes them or someone they love. Yet, many who are not (yet) disabled dot suppor and donate to organizations and programs that support the disabled, for various reasons, but fully committing themselves and their resources to a cause tends not to appear the norm . . . until that dreaded illness or injury hits.
Believe me, everyone in the charitable sector appreciates all – and in any amount – that contributors provide, be it resources, talent, assets, time, and/or cash and regardless of their reason behind the gift – whether personal, tax mitigation, emotional, or another self-serving intention. Such gifts are (mostly) welcome and most needed by all trying to do a charitable good in the community and for society.
We’re now at that “Holiday Gift Giving Time” and we’re all getting bombarded with emotionally-driven appeals to support a charity or cause, and you’ll be getting such a message from us at Challenged America and the Disabled Businesspersons Association (DBA) as well. This is the time of year most make donations and gifts; and the time which most charities, like us, do rely on to support the coming months of operations and plan expanded services and programs.
So when you receive our request for financial and other support, along with the flood of other pleas for help, we hope our message hits your heartstrings and you will consider Challenged America and the DBA too.
We also hope you will investigate the organizations, programs and causes you plan to give to, making sure they are really using your generosity to fulfill their mission and serve those they are authorized by the IRS to help … and your generous gift is being spent or allocated where you want it to go.
I recently called a donor and asked why he and his wife decided to make a donation to the DBA? His response was:
“We want to make sure our gift goes for the right purpose, and we do this by first asking how much in salary and benefits the Executive Director, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board make.
“From the response, we can quickly narrow the field of those we will donate to, as it gives us a measurement of where funds are being prioritized and allocated. ”
It’s surprising how many charities don’t directly answer our question, and of those who do, the majority only refer us to their latest tax return, and how to get it online. At the DBA, your response was quick and to the point … and that’s why we sent you our check.”
Thank You,
Urban Miyares
Challenged America, co-founder
Disabled Businesspersons Association, volunteer president
“Why should I donate my vessel to Challenged America?” This is a question often asked when we or others suggest donating their vessel (or vehicle) to the Challenged America program, of the charitable Disabled Businesspersons Association.
There are two basic reasons why someone will donate their vessel.
1. It makes sound financial sense.
2. They can’t afford or do not want to continue spending money to maintain and keep their vessel, even if its currently listed for sale.
Those who pay taxes each year and/or are in the upper income-tax brackets often will donate their vessel to an IRS-qualified 501(c)3 “user” charity, to maximize their possible return on their vessel investment.
And many professional yacht brokers have discovered that, asking if their client has discussed – with their accountant/CPA, legal counsel or financial advisor — the many financial advantages of donating their vessel, versus trying to sell it on the open market, makes better financial sense.
As one yacht broker who works with Challenged America said:
“In some cases, a customer may be serious about purchasing another, larger vessel, if they can sell their existing boat. And if they donate today, they can not only move up quickly, but probably also get more in financial gain, due to tax savings or even refunds. It’s my professional obligation to help the client market their vessel as quickly as possible, and at the highest possible financial return. And, in some instances, donating to a qualified charity like the DBA’s Challenged America program is the best option, and offers the highest return possible.”
Note: In the above scenario, the client received a 100% tax-deduction of their (donated) vessel’s full appraised price, versus waiting months for the eventual sale of their offered yacht at a drastically reduced price, if donated to Challenged America and the vessel is used in the program.
If you are now thinking of selling or purchasing a new or used vessel, we strongly suggest that you contact one of the following professional yacht brokers, friends and supporters of Challenged America.
Steve Rock, Stephen Rock Brokerage – (619) 857-9297 cell
Don Ross, Heritage Yachts – (949) 274-6595 cell
Paul Daubner, Northrop & Johnson – (619) 228-1942 cell
Barrett Canfield, South Coast Yachts San Diego – (619) 517-4736
Gary Stevens, McKinna Yachts, (949) 673-4879 cell
For the name of a yacht broker, nationwide, who has worked with Challenged America, contact Urban Miyares or Dave Hopkins at Challenged America.
Note: Challenged America is currently seeking (donated) sail and power vessels, especially an offshore race or race-cruiser sailboat, newer or older vintage, able to accommodate a crew of 10 or more for extended periods of time at sea.
TAXABLE AND NONTAXABLE – In 2009, Americans filed 140.5 million individual tax returns. 58% of those returns (81.9 million returns) paid 100% of the federal income tax paid by all taxpayers ($866 billion of tax was paid). 42% of those returns (58.6 million returns) legally paid zero federal income tax (source: IRS).
IRS Publication 526, Charitable Donations (see exemptions: p8, column 2)
A big thank you to the ladies of WORSA (Women Offshore Racing Sailing Association) and all the participants for a fun event. The charity event took place in Dana Point for the fourth time.
The sun was up, no coastal layer, light winds, everybody had a great time. Thank you West Marine for the raffle prizes and the ladies of WORSA who spent countless hours helping in the making of a beautiful nautical themed quilt
The quilt went to a 8 year old young lady, oldest survivor of a rare kidney disease who just received a kidney transplant.
A big thank you to West Marine, in June West Marine dedicated a community day to Challenged America. A percentage of each sales made that day in the Pint Loma store benefited Challenged America.
Last week, Louis Holmes, manager of the Point Loma West Marine Store and his team, presented Challenged America with a $2700 check.
We also thank all of you who shopped the Point Loma West Marine store and made the donation possible.
Tomorrow is the last day of the Koehler Kraft San Diego Wooden Boat Festival. Over 80 classic boats are on display, from wooden prams to kayaks to 80ft classic wood sail and motorboats are on display for your enjoyment, the owners eager to share the history and stories bout their work of love.
Some are pure chef d’oeuvres of craftsmanship, like the kayak displayed behind the Challenged America booth. That wood kayak is so beautiful with its shiny inlaid wood, I swear, it belongs in an art gallery.
if you are looking for bargains, Challenged America has a booth selling donated items, mostly boat related, from used sails to brass fittings to boat heads at great prices.
Children will have a great time, between the steam boat tours, the activity tent and the amazing boats on display.
A big thank you to the Koehler family and Koehler Kraft for organizing this great event for the 21st year
