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
Q. How do I schedule sailing?
A. Just call or email the Challenged America office – at least 4 days prior to your day of request to sail, along with information on your type of disability, so we can meet any special needs/accommodations and schedule a volunteer companion sailor.
Q. How much does sailing cost?
A. It’s free, but we do accept and welcome donations.
Q. What is Open Sailing?
A. Open Sailing days are our primary days for small boat sailing, and adaptive sail training for potential and existing sailing companions and instructors.
Q. Can I only sail on Open Sailing Days?
A. No, you can sail on ANY day you request, provided a qualified companion sailor is available, and the sailing office is open.
Q. Can I learn to sail at Challenged America if I don’t have a disability?
A. Yes, but there is a cost . . . You must be willing to volunteer.
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)
You only have to look at the smiles to understand why we volunteer
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.
August 20, Dana Point. Come join us (participants and volunteers alike) and the Women’s Offshore Racing Sailing Association on August 20 in Dana Point for this yearly fun event to benefit Challenged America. You’ll be able to hop on a boat and get a first-hand experience of racing offshore in a large sailboat as crew with WORSA members and friend in their vessels. Sign up today so we can arrange car pooling to and from Dana Point on August
Loch and Clare: An Incredible Pair!
By Marshall Lubin
Loch Crane was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 22, 1921. His parents with a dude ranch in mind, made a detour to Cody Wyoming before immigrating to San Diego in 1929 where they settled around Point Loma.
An avid sailor from his earliest years Loch began modifying skiffs to make them sail better, and faster. He began sailing Starlets, Dragons, Luters, and the occasional PC. His parents joined the San Diego Yacht Club in the early years; he has been a member since.
In his youth, Loch could always be seen drawing and working with his hands which was early training for his future profession as an architect. Splitting his time between Phoenix and Wisconsin as an apprentice to the famed Frank Lloyd Wright in the early forties, Loch was introduced to Clare, his future bride by Mr. Wright. Loch left his studies to join the war effort against Japan after the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor.
In the service, Loch was a flight instructor, teaching nascent pilots how to fly B25 bombers.
In 1944, he and Clare married in San Diego, They then moved to Texas, where Loch was stationed. After the war, the Cranes’ flew (yes, I know) to San Diego, their home town. Soon afterward, they moved north to L.A. where Loch was enrolled in an architectural program. In a collaboration of his brains and manual dexterity, Loch graduated Cum Laude from USC. Back to San Diego, he was responsible for the design of numerous city buildings, private residences and commercial buildings. In 2001 Loch retired from his design practice and began playing full time … to include volunteering and supporting Challenged America.
Early on, Clare learned Loch’s enthusiasm for water sports and urged him to sail with friends. Unfortunately, Clare was struck with motion sickness at an early age and soon became a sailing widow. Busy with her own studies and work, Clare didn’t mind meeting Loch on the dock after a day on the bay.
In the 1980′s Loch sailed a 32′ sloop he owned to Hawaii. Reporting that trip as one of his most memorable times at sea, Loch still reminisces about that transoceanic voyage. Soon afterwards, Clare and Loch went to Europe to investigate the inland waterways of the continent. There, they purchased a 32′ Dutch canal boat that they sailed during the summer months, and then left in a marina in Europe. Returning for the next three summers, the touring couple celebrated their golden years cruising the rivers of many European countries. Their enjoyment of that boat (named “Dolphin”) was immense; Loch and Clare had it shipped to San Diego where it is slipped today, although, not currently under Loch’s ownership.
Loch has been a close friend of Urban since 1999, and is a founding supporter of Challenged America where he has donated over $250,000 in cash, equipment and vessels, not to mention all the repairs, modifications and adaptations on/for sailboats he personally worked on. Loch was responsible for purchasing at least 5 of CA’s 8 Martin 16′s. In earlier days Loch could be found working to maintain the boats in CA’s corral. Today he is a recipient of CA’s programs, where he enjoys sailing the Martins weekly.
In 2003 when engineers and helpers came to San Diego to help modify Challenged America’s Tripp 40 racing sailboat “B’Quest I” for a disabled crew to sail the 2003 Transpac Race to Hawaii, the Crane’s offered to house them in their La Jolla home, while they labored for weeks on “B’Quest.”
In 2004 when Urban fell ill and required a kidney transplant, Loch and Clare visited him in the hospital in Portland, Oregon. A close friendship growing stronger each year.
Loch states he’s ‘worked with many charitable organizations in San Diego throughout his life, but none compares to Challenged America. “It far outstrips any organization I’ve worked for, ten times over.” During the years when the therapeutic sailing program has fallen behind or needed a hand, Loch was always there with a check, wanting to make sure the office was open; the boats were ship-shape and ready to sail. Today the Challenged America program is like a second home to Loch where he is loved and admired by those that share his unselfish admiration for Challenged America
In respect for the unlimited giving, friendship, and support of the Crane’s the upcoming Martin 16 regatta will be known as the “Loch & Clare Crane Martin 16 Regatta.”
Loch claims there is no truth to the rumor that his older brother’s name is Ickabod.
Editor’s Comment: Often Challenged America supporters and sponsors do not realize that one day they too may need one or more of the services provided by Challenged America and the Disabled Businesspersons Association. Loch Crane is but one of many examples where, once a supporter and sponsor, today he is an active program participant in Challenged America, sailing weekly in the Martin 16 sailboat. “Live long enough and you too will be one of us.” And when that happens, with your continued support we will be here for you too, or someone you love, when you need us the most.
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.
