October 2010

L O S T C OA S T
T SC A NEW SLETTER
BIG RIVER RATS Oh, the joys of
rowing a fine craft on a sunny
summer day! Each year this event is
growing in participants and enjoyment. Heath & Halvorsen• • • Page 2
Vol. 7 No 3 October 2010
FISHING DERBY I love to fish in
the ocean from a good rowboat with
good friends. The 2010 derby, on
August the 14th, was a ton of fun. But,
who won the derby? J. Blanton • • • Page 4
Photo by Jim Swallow
BAHAMIAN SAILING CRAFT
Kay and I were lucky enough to spend
part of last winter sailing the Exumas
Cays and Long Island in the waters of
the Bahamas. K & M Heath• • • Page 8
Also Inside
Girl Scout Workshop and Lake Mendocino Row
Dusty Dillion
Another perfect day on Lake Mendocino! The water level is down
from where it was in early spring; but way up from last year. We we’re
able to beach our boats about fifty feet from our campsite. I had one
of the best sails ever in Joie le Vie. .• • • Page 6
Captain Garbage and His Crew Attack Noyo Beach
For California Coastal Clean-up Day Sam Elluffson
We got a call from Stan Halvorsen for needed volunteers for the
Coastal Cleanup Day Sept 25th in Noyo Harbor. He said Deb and I
could row the garbage scow and I could have the title of “Captain
Garbage”. How could we refuse? Who can refuse refuse? .• • • Page 7
39.4167 N, 123,8000 W
Traditional Small Craft Association
Lost Coast TSCA
! Annual Meeting at the Boathouse
November 27th 11AM
• 3 21 0 0 N . H a r b o r D r . • F o r t B r a g g , C A 9 5 4 3 7 • 7 0 7 - 9 6 4 - 2 612
Page 2
Lost Coast News
Event
Big River, August 2010
A
nother memorable day spent on the Big River in
Mendocino. The usual crowd showed up but we had
several new vessels this year. Bill Jacobsen put in his newly
refinished 1945 Old Town Canoe that he got on ebay.
Bill really did a professional
job bringing this gal back to
her original condition. But
we missed Gwen this year.
We had the maiden launching of Sadie, built by Dusty
Dillion, Richard Lomax and
Bob Treaster. It is a Cosine
Wherry. See News from
our members for more info.
Also attending were
several Sacramento members from Mill Valley. They
were rowing a 65 yr. old
Adirondack boat that had
been in the family. Lots of
history here. And they
brought along their friends.
Lee Caldwell, also from the
Sacramento TSCA is a
regular at this event.
The Pamela G, built lovingly
by a team of fine wood craftsmen under the direction of Ejler
Hjoth-Westh, rows like a dream.
We were able to treat our visitor
and great friend, Tacey to the
row. Joining us, from Ukiah
were our guests for the event-John and Geoff with their own
personally home-built sail-row
boat, Moss Back. Rounding the
first bend, the fleet of many
varied craft, found sunshine on
the river.
above, BIg River Launching
below, Bill and Lee
Worth mentioning –!the
very interesting boat with a
complex forward rowing
mechanism that works surprisingly well, rowed by
Dave Reynolds. His wife
Nancy was rowing a bright
yellow shell. [Dave is on the
cover] The river was full with such a variety of craft and
participants. Each year this event is growing in participants
and enjoyment. Thanks to the Swallows for again welcoming
us to their home for the finishing off of a great day on the
river, and a great potluck.
–!Kris and Stan Halvorsen
O
and Kay Heath, her new owners--we knew we’d be a welcome part of the gathering at the Big River Event, especially
since the Pamela G. brought us along!! The number and variety
of rowing (and sailing) craft at the event was a delight. Early
morning brought foggy conditions into the launch area just
inland from the beach where the
Big River runs out into the bay
at Mendocino. One of the most
beautiful places on earth.
h, the joys of rowing a fine craft on a sunny summer
day! We got up early and headed from Ukiah to the
World’s End Rowing Club and the Pamela G. As many of
the TSCA know the Pamela G. better than they know Mike
With lots of room for the
length of our oars, and overall
river channel depth and width,
we were able to go further up
the Big River than we had on the
Noyo. Sometime around noon,
the chocolate and nuts came out
for a well-deserved break--part
of the tradition of “messing about
in boats”, and then we turned back toward the beach. Passing us, were the fast craft--kayaks and canoes manned by one
or two. Way behind was Moss Back, having to tack into the
wind back and forth repeatedly (50+ times) to reach the takeout spot. We watched her red sail switch to and fro, and
hung out with friends, talking and sharing boat stories.
The afternoon was topped off at the home of Sabine
and Jim Swallow with a lovely pot-luck and BBQ for the Lost
Coast TSCA crowd. All was delicious and conversations
never strayed far from the boats we love.
– Kay and Mike Heath
Lost Coast News
Page 3
s
t
a
R
r
e
v
Big Ri
Photos by Linda Dillion & Jim Swallow
Page 4
Lost Coast News
Event
The 2010 Traditional Small Craft Fishing Derby
This is one of my favorite
Small Craft Association activities.
I love to fish in the ocean from
a good rowboat with good
friends. The 2010 derby, on
August the 14th, was a ton of
fun, despite the fact that so
many of our friends could not
attend. The usual suspects
were all over the place. Stan
Halvorsen was called away to Sacramento on a mission of
mercy. Jim Swallow was hiking in the Sierras. The Dillons
were planning on going with the aptly named Les Waterman
on his boat, but Les pulled a muscle in his back. I almost
missed it myself, because the 14th was Anne and my wedding
anniversary. Anne, however, figured out that the derby was
on our anniversary (I had not told her), and insisted that I go.
What a woman! Stan plans to honor Anne with the Golden
Lingcod Award for her support and understanding.
By Jim Blanton
Two boats ended
up going. Chris
Thomas and my
nephew David
Young (This was
his first time on the
ocean) went in
Chris’ beautiful
wooden power
skiff the Charlie T.
I went in my whitehall Raccoon. We got underway about 10:30
or so, with almost no wind and a calm sea.
Ås I rowed out I was particularly excited because I had
recently installed a fish finder/GPS in my boat. Its a Hummingbird 385 CI Kayak; made for kayaks. It comes with a
transducer that goes inside the boat, sending the sonar beam
through a thin fiberglass hull. It also comes with a very small
rechargeable 12 volt battery in a dry bag. The last time I had
gone fishing in this rig I had caught my limit of eight rockfish
in two hours, so I anticipated a productive outing for all of us.
I guided Chris to a place off of what Stan and I call
North Rock, just out into the open ocean, but not far from
the harbor entrance. the exact spot was one that I had
marked on the fish finder from the last time, and when we
got there there I could see a school of blue rockfish on the
fish finder. Davey almost immediately caught the first fish of
Chris Thomas, David Young and Jim Blanton
The Charlie T. with Chris and David
the day, an undersized lingcod which he released. Then we all
started catching fish. Chris began to cast into the shallow
water with a spinning reel rig, using squid bait to fish for
cabezon and sea trout (also known as rock greenlings).
I think this was a very creative idea, as Chris got the limit of
two of each.
After a while I rowed up to Soldier Point, which juts out
from the old mill site. I had fished there before, knowing that
there were probably schools of fish off of the ledge of the
point, but hadn’t been able to find them. This time I found
two schools, and caught two nice fish right away.
We headed back to the World’s End Rowing Club dock
sometime after 2:00, and decided to celebrate with lunch at
Heron’s restaurant next door. We had a delicious lunch outside, where we relived the trip; Davey caught six blues, I
caught six blues, and Chris caught six blues in addition to the
aforementioned fish. Who won the derby? I say we all did.
Chris won for the most fish. Davey won for best trip by a
first-timer. I won for best electronics on a rowboat.
Lost Coast News
Page 5
News from our members
BUILDING THE COSINE WHERRY
Bob Treaster
For the better part of this past spring and summer;
Richard Loman, Dusty Dillion and myself built a “strip built”
Cosine Wherry. This was an enlightening experience!
Richard was called upon to lend his considerable knowledge
of building strip-built kayaks. Dusty had the desire to build
the wherry, and brought my extensive experience as a “gofer”.
What we really accomplished was converting a huge assortment of “sticks” into what I think is a pretty darn nice
boat. The wherry is constructed from ! x " strips of wood
that are glued over forming molds (therefore the name “stripbuilt”). We used a large variety of wood species for the
strips: old growth redwood, “sinker” log redwood, red cedar,
Mendocino cypress, white pine, yellow pine, nutmeg, walnut,
holly, myrtle linden, fir, black locus white oak, redwood burl
and luan mahogany…….
ished the job, and over she went. The crew was were able to
get on the bottom of the catamaran and hang on for three
hours.. Meanwhile the C. G. had picked up the signal and
dispatched the 47 ft. life boat from Noyo and a helo from
Humboldt Bay. The helo spotted the cat and lowered rescue swimmer Petty Officer 2nd class David Foreman into
the seas. He swam each of the survivors into the rescue
bucket. Then he stayed with the cat to be be picked up by
Noyo life boat. Another heroic job by the U. S. C. G.
After temporary repairs and rebuilt
rudders by Van Peer Boat works the catamaran was ready to continue on. The
engines lasted to just west of the Noyo
Bridge, so Les and his trusty Chris Craft 54
above,
Les
right,
Picking up
the tow
put the Catalyst in tow and continued south. Three days later
she was moored at Treasure Island. Les is moored at his
winter hideout in Martinez. We will see Les back at Carines
Fish Grotto in the spring getting ready for the salmon season.
Good Job Les!
MARGO PELLEGRINO REACHES NOYO
Sadie, at Big River
Photo by Linda Dillion
When cut the various wood strips were arranged sequentially on each side of the boat to attain a “pattern”, or a
pleasing look. By gluing each strip to the one preceding it,
the boat slowly took shape on the moulds; and grew to
become what you see in the accompanying photo.
Just one of the things I learned during this process is
that wood can be “tortured” into some amazing shapes. All
in all, for me, and I think for Richard and Dusty, it was an
enjoyable experience. Now, on to the next one!
LES WATERMAN, salvage man at work
Article and photos by Stan Halvorsen
Less Waterman was contracted to salvage the 32 ft.
Catamaran, Catalyst from the rocks at Elk. On July 3rd The
Catalyst capsized 20 miles west of Fort Bragg in rough
weather with winds of NW gusts up to 45 Kts. Just before
noon the crew had attached the GPIRB to the bimini. A
rouge wave from the east lifted the port hull, the wind fin-
Seattle to San Diego
Pellegrino, a 43-year-old
Paddler
mother of two was paddling
and
from Seattle to San Diego in a
family
handcrafted wood and nylon
outrigger kayak to promote
awareness of the ocean pollution, overfishing and unsustainable ocean industries. Margo is
quoted “We can either keep
going in the direction we’re going, and mess things up to the point
of no return, or we can do something different and fix things”.
TSCA members, Cate Hawthorne and Jeff Lexier of Liquid
Fushion Kayaking welcomed Margo, her family, and her support
team to Dolphin Isle. Margo says “It’s the good thoughts
and support from the people I have met and those back
home that are getting me down the coast”. More info about
her journey, cause and history, along with links to her blog,
photos and location tracker can be found at
wwwseattle2sandiego.com. Quotes from The Bragg Advocate.
Page 6
Lost Coast News
Event
Girl Scout Workshop
and Lake Mendocino Row, Sept.25th
Dusty Dillion
Photos by Linda Dillion
Another perfect day on Lake Mendocino! The water
level is down from where it was in early spring; but way up
from last year. We we’re able to beach our boats about fifty
feet from our campsite. I had one of the best sails ever in
Joie le Vie around three while Linda finished her book.
Steve and Shelly O’Mara came in Friday afternoon for
the sunset and moon rise and stayed for a good visit. Mike
and Kay Heath kayaked in for coffee and general messing
about on Saturday morning. Barbara Herrera of Santa Rosa
Girl Scouts called in with instructions to run up the beach
until we found a camp of “pink tents”. (They were donated
from the Breast Cancer March).
Pink tent city
Scouts (they had devoted the morning to maintenance work
at the campground) at another spot and the Coast Guard did
their safety presentation there. They gave instructions on
pfd’s and some swimming tests.
The girls, about fifty in all, emerged from the forest,
covered themselves with more sun screen and broke into
groups of about twelve and “hands on” instructions with
each type of boat. We took our Seabright Skiff for its’ stability; one of the requirements is that the girls had to move
about in the boat. Do you have any idea how much energy
young girls have? I am still in pain as I write this days later!
Maxed-out capacity
She met us on the
beach and invited us to
enjoy the shade and have
lunch. Steve O sailed Skitterish around for awhile
fine tuning his new sail
rig. Seven canoes arrived
shortly thereafter, delivered gratis by outfitter
Dave. Right behind him
was Pacific Outfitters
with as many kayaks.
The Army Corps
provided lunch for the
Linda and Steve got the Scouts organized into groups of
four, checked their pfd’s, then helped them in and out of the
boat. I wish I could have spent more individual time with
each of them, but rotation was on a tight schedule so I took a
page from Stan Halvorsen's book and waved my hands like
rowing; told them they
now knew what they
Experience is the best teacher
needed to know and they
should take every opportunity to practice. Then,
each in turn, set them to
the oars.
Linda brought her pack
boat and I think the
Scout instructors of canoeing and kayaking had
a good time giving it a
row. I know Samantha,
the head Girl Scout, had
a great time; we had to pry
her out so we could sail
back to camp (great wind).
Lost Coast News
Page 7
Each of the girls was interviewed at the end of the
workshop; they all agreed the best part of the day was the
boat instruction. However, I did notice that after the first
canoe tipped over, it wasn’t long before others did!! too. I
can see why girls do so well in competitive rowing, they are
just naturals.
So a good time was had by all, “just messing about in boats”.
Captain Garbage and His Crew
Attack Noyo Beach
For California Coastal Clean-up Day
Sam Elluffson
Photos by Stan Havorsen
Sam saluting his
beach crew
It was Friday Sept 24th and
my wife Debbie informed me
that Stan Halvorsen had called
and needed volunteers for the
Coastal Cleanup Day Sept 25 in
Noyo Harbor. I had just come
back from a three day motorcycle
trip to Etna in Siskiyou County.
My usual response to a last minute
volunteer mission is... next year!!
But, after all, it was Stan and he
said we could row the garbage
scow and I could have the title
of Captain Garbage. How could
we refuse? Who can refuse refuse?
So, Deb and I packed some gloves, and rubber boots,
and a few Power Bars and showed up at the club house.
Stan welcomed us, then Jim Blanton showed up, then Jim
Swallow and Chris Thomas. Selby Drew wearing a back
brace came to do his share even
though in pain .
Stan dropped the bulky
garbage scow and three other
row boats from his hot wire
perch beside the hoist. Jim &
Jim rowed out past the first
buoy to look for floating garbage in the kelp. Deb and I
rowed with Stan, Chris, and
Selby to the south shore of the
harbor were we went to work.
I got dibs on the first old tire,
what's a cleanup without an old
tire or refrigerator or
body part? We did a
thorough job.
The garbage
started to pile up with
all of us finding plastics,
styrofoam, pieces of
boat wreckage and
more. There is always
more. Within an hour
the scow was full, piled
up, too full to row. It
had to be towed along
with the long wooden
ladder that Jim & Jim
had towed in from
outside the harbor.
Sam And Debbie reporting for
duty aboard the Lillian [ named
after Lillian Welch] a true friend
of the Noyo.
Cate & Jeff of
Liquid Fusion Kayaks
were in charge all along, because they paddled up and checked
on us and then directed us to the dumpster placed alongside
their business at Dolphin Isle.
We met up with a
small fleet of kyacks
also towing a garbage
“scowyak”. We filled
the dumpster and made
a styrofoam tower beside it topped with a
broken gas can. Liquid
Fusion recycled Jim &
Jim's ladder as art work.
So, the Lost Coast
Rowing Club did it's part to keep Noyo clean. It was a great
get together. We definitely will be ready to row that scow
next. Signing off, Captain Garbage
PS. . . Somehow we scored a
really nice tee shirt with a fine
selection of plastic garbage
printed on the front and the
name of all the sponsors on the
back. Thanks to whoever contributed it to the cause.
Above, Chris Thomas pulling
hard for a clean river.
Left, Selby Drew directing the
loading for the trip up river
Page 8
Lost Coast News
Members Log
Bahamian Sailing Craft
By Mike and Kay Heath
Kay and I were lucky enough to spend part of last winter
sailing the Exumas Cays and Long Island in the waters of the
Bahamas. In case you’re are not familiar with these beautiful
Cays (small islands pronounced “Keys”), they are off the east
coast of Florida and Cuba. We made the crossing from Miami to Nassau, the capitol of the Bahamas in 31 hours in
our sv Finisterre.
In Nassau, we first started seeing brightly painted wooden
sloops along the docks. Upon inspection we could see they
were made of wood throughout, including mast and boom.
We learned that these were the craft sailed by Bahamian
crews, mainly for competition. We also found out that towards spring, there would be several regattas, one being in
Georgetown, Exumas, and Long Island, further southeast
into the Atlantic.
We were headed
there, and along
the way we would
see new boats being
built, and old ones
being repaired.
These people seem
to have much pride
and interest in
these historical
craft, as we were
soon to find out.
The most
common type of
local made sailboat
seen in the BahaThe boat at anchor was newly built
mas is the Smack
and ended up winning the event. Only
four boats raced, but the whole island
boat or Bow-Sprit
turned out for music, dancing, conch
Sloop and the
salad and a great spectator sport!
Bare-headed
Smack. Most larger
work boats fitted a bowsprit. They ranged in size from 18
feet to 40 feet. We rarely saw any over 25 feet. Historically,
these were originally working boats before engines were used.
The crew of fishing smacks sign aboard for shares of the
catch, mainly local tropical fish, crab, lobsters and conch. The
decks are generally flat, the hulls are made of local mahogany
and other native woods, mainly from Andros Island.
Class C. boats which participated in a small regatta at Long
Island, in preparation for a larger Regatta held there in June, 2010.
The mast is stepped through the deck well forward, the keel
is framed into the planked wood hull design. Rocks were
used for ballast.
The craft we saw throughout the Exumas was the BareHeaded Smack, mainly used for racing today. The term BareHeaded derives from the lack of a bow sprit. The mast is
stepped very far forward like a cat boat. The term “leg of
mutton” main sail is often used. Many of these present day
Smacks carry a small jib.
Upon our arrival in Georgetown, we watched for signs of
the big event--the 57th annual Family Islands Sailing Regatta.
The mail boats would arrive, coming past the anchorage with
boats lined up, masts up, ready to be raced. Boats and sailors
came from all over the Bahamas for the events and to represent their own island’s traditions. The A, B and C class
wooden boats are all built to specifications that have changed
little since the days of working sailboats. A 25’ boat carries a
sail that billows from a 60’ mast and a boom that travels a
boat length beyond the stern. Prys (planks providing leverage)
jut out from the deck so that up to 6 crew can hang out and
counter the heel of the boat under sail. A race begins with
all the contenders in their bright painted vessels anchoring
Lost Coast News
Page 9
along the starting line, sails on deck. At the
sound of the gun, they raise sails and pull up the
anchor, heading to the first mark.
A few cruisers or visitors may become part
of the crew, but are limited in number by the
rules. The Bahamians represent each cay’s family’s traditions in sail. They proudly compete for
their towns and sponsors.
We never have seen so much devotion to
being a part of a sailing event by all the people
who live in town, many who have never sailed,
but most who connect to the history that living
on an island brings, a way to travel, a way to
carry goods to market, a way to celebrate freedom.
Everyone we spoke to in Georgetown prior to the
event, and during, was exited, talking it up, enjoying the parades, the barbecue, the conch salad,
loud music, crowds in their finery. A party to
end all parties all along the harbor; even the
prime minister came by. The population of
Georgetown must have doubled.
The rest of the photos are from the National Regatta held at Georgetown--the
57th! Class A, B and C boats competed from all the Exuma islands and others.
We saw a parade of children in Junkanoo
costume, we visited art shows, bought gifts of
straw plaiting to take home and most of all we
followed the boats in our dingy to capture
photos from all angles. As former small boat
racers, we were in sailing heaven.
Technical information from: Wm. R. Johnson, Jr.’s Bahamian
Sailing Craft, second ed., originally published in 1973, White
Sound Press, New Smyrna Beach, FL
FOUND ITEM
Did you leave a jacket at the Swallow’s 707/937-0828
Upcoming Events
Oct 23rd!
! Nov 27th !
Dec 11th !
Albion River October Fest
TSCA Annual meeting, boathouse, 11AM
Lake Cleone
Dec 4th! !
Date to come !
Parade of Lights, Fort Bragg
In the Water Lighted Boat Parade,
Noyo Harbor
L O S T C OA S T TSCA
TSCA - Traditional Small Craft Association, established in 1970, is a nonprofit educational organization which works to
preserve and continue the living traditions, skills lore and legends surrounding working and pleasure craft whose origins predate the marine gasoline
engine. It encourages the design, construction and use of these boats, and it embraces contemporary variants and adaptations of traditional designs.
TSCA is an enjoyable yet practical link among users, designers, builders, restorers, historians, government, and maritime institutions.
Join the Lost Coast Chapter of the TSCA - Be a part of this exciting organization. Increase your enjoyment of traditional boats and meet other
community members who share your interest. Annual dues are $25. Copyright 2008 by the The Traditional Small Craft association, Inc.
Pres. Stan Halvorsen 707/357-0888 ~ Sec/Treasurer Linda Dillon 707/964-2612 ~ Newsletter Kris Halvorsen 707/964-8342,
Web Master ~ Jim Swallow 707/937-0828
http://www.tsca.net/LostCoast ~ 32100 HARBOR DRIVE, FORT BRAGG, CA. 95437
See you at the Annual Meeting
Nov 24th,11 AM
Noyo Boathouse
tsh