March - afterfiftysail.org

Ripples
Dos Rios Yacht Club
March 2016
From Commodore
George
Boating season 2016 is
about to begin. Are we
ready? No, are we really
ready? While we all look
forward to the great cruising schedule that Kevin
has put together; lets insure that our vessels are as ready as we are.
Over the years some of us have had cruises interrupted by impellers that we forgot to change for a
few seasons, or fuel filters that we thought we
could get another season out of them. How about
belts, the batteries, and the shaft packing's? Or in
my case an anti-siphon valve that corroded & was
causing the bilge pumps to work in reverse. The
Island Diva almost sunk. How is your windless
and ground tackle? How about your safety equipment? Are all of your fire extinguishers fully
charged and have you shaken up their contents
lately. Are your flares current and have you
checked the condition of your life jackets. I'm sure
that you all have your own check list and it is
much more extensive than the few items that I
have mentioned here. Also as in years past, I'm
sure that Hal would not turn you down to do a
safety inspection of your vessel during our
cruises. So, cheers to an exciting and safe boating season.
In This Issue
Vice Commodore
Cruise Schedule
Solano YC Flyer
Solano YC Sign-up
Page 02
Page 03
Page 04
Page 05
Vice Commodore
This year there was some interest, from some of the first
mates, on doing some Skipper Saver training. On this cruise we will
be offering interested first mates practice on using the VHF radio,
position finding, and some ways to get help. There should be a section in the cruise sign-up sheet if you’re interested.
The cruising season is upon us. We leave for
the Solano Yacht Club March 11th. It’s also time to review the emergency information that is kept in your refrigerator on your boats. Make any changes in your
medications and conditions that would be of importance
Kevin
to emergency response personnel in the event of a
medical emergency. For the new members there is a
form that can be found online at “afterfiftysail.org”.
There is an emergency information form that can be
downloaded and filled out for each person in the crew.
This information is placed in a zip lock bag and placed
securely in your refrigerator. If EMS is ever needed, on
one of our outings, anyone in the club can supply this
life saving information to medical responders.
For most of us our boats have been laid up for a
few months. This is a good time to check out your boats
for required service and equipment. Make sure your
dock lines are long enough and in serviceable condition.
Check your fenders. We are going to be doing some
anchor outs this year. Check your ground tackle. Make
sure your anchor is large enough and in good condition.
Check your anchor rode for condition and make sure
the rode is marked so you can determine the length of
anchor rode you have laid out.
I’m hoping for good weather in March. We have
been lucky the last couple of years. I hope the fine
weather was not a function of the drought. Hal and Patty
are the Cruise Directors on our trip to Solano Yacht
Club. They have been working hard to get things set up
for a fun weekend. Look for their sign-up sheet in this
Ripples and get your reservation in quickly. The fleet will
be led to Solano by Bob Knott. Bob will be taking us
across the top of Suisun Bay into Montezuma Slough.
The conditions have been windy in times past. Bob
stated that he will want to check the tides and leave as
early as possible to get into the slough before the wind
picks up. For those not at the Antioch Marina, you may
want to consider spending the night in Antioch on
Thursday. Keep an eye out for the Zephyr for more pertinent information on departure times and rendezvous
locations. The Sea Dawg will be running ahead of the
fleet so we can handle lines for incoming boats. For
those that have not been to Suisun, the guest dock for
the yacht club is on the east side of the walkway between the dock and a rock shore. This is a bit of a tight
squeeze at 63 feet wide. All boats will be tied stern to on
the dock. If it is windy be set up for stern docking with
fenders and lines also on the port side. We will have
you land on your port side and then walk you into a
stern tie position.
For pictures of the
Change of Watch from your editor
http://afterfiftypictures.shutterfly.com/
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2016 CRUISE
SCHEDULE
DATES
CRUISE DIRECTORS
March 11th-13th
Solano Yacht Club
May 13th-16th
Bay to Breakers Cruise
Hal and Patty
South Beach
Phil and Cheryl
June 17th-19th
Windmill Cove
Ralph and Phyllis
July 22nd-27th
22nd-24th
24th-26th
26th-28th
Bob and Mary
George and Sondra (lead)
Manny and Maira
Summer Cruise
Hog Back Island
Sacramento Yacht Harbor
Anchor out American River
September 23RD- October 1st Fall Cruise
23RD-25TH Loch Lomond Yacht Club
25th-27th Richmond Yacht Club
27th-29th Angel Island
29th-1st
Half Moon Bay
(conditions permitting)
Rich and Mary
Marta and Barbara
Mark and Sherrill
Kevin and Melissa
October Antioch (dates to be determined)
General membership meeting and Boat races Les and Mary Lou
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Here it is the first cruise of the year
Where?? Solano YC 38”14”12” n 122”2”14” w
When?? March 11-12 & 13 2016
Name _____________________________________
Coming by boat, Friday____ Saturday _____
Coming by car Friday___ Saturday _____
Attending VHF training Saturday __________
Attending Dinner Saturday Night $ 20_______
Attending Breakfast Sunday Morning $ 8______
Berthing $ 10________________________________
Total ______________________________________
Cut here and send check to Hal Morris 722 Summerset Dr
Rio Vista, CA. 94571 ASAP NEED HEAD COUNT 8 MARCH
**__________________________________________**_________
____________________________________
Those coming by boat on Friday, there are numerous restaurants
across the river in Suisun City, within walking distance. For those
that do not wish to walk, there will be transportation provided
(dinghy, car). For dinner on Friday try Ironwood American Bistro or
for good Mexican, it’s La Cabana Home-style Mexican (in your
handout at the cow). For breakfast on Saturday you won’t regret
Babs Delta Diner, it’s right on the water front.
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