telltales - The Whitby Yacht Club

TELLTALES
Whitby Yacht Club Monthly Newsletter
October 2014
Commodore’s Corner
Love My Chartpotter!
Ahoy all!
It's October and yes, it's hard to believe.
It was a warm summer day and not unusual for
this time of year with the cooler water temps,
the fog was just starting to set in slightly in
Whitby. With no warnings of fog or any
weather front in the forecasts (and
commitments already in place in Toronto) we
thought it would lift, so we headed out…. All I
can say is my Garmin chartplotter and radar
paid for its self over and over again that day!
October is a time to bring the harvest in from the
fields, to enjoy the colours of Mother Nature's best work
and to get the yard, our homes, and the boats, ready for
winter. If you have had a chance to travel north of the
city, you will see autumn colours that are as good as any
I've ever seen. Certainly the maples along our break wall
have turned a beautiful bright red, in keeping with the
season's expectations.
I know some of you are a bit like me. I will enjoy
my boat right up to the end and be dragged kicking and
screaming off her as the slings are placed around her
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Commodore’s Corner …...…...………….……..….…...…….....………page 1
Love My Chartplotter ……………………………………………….…page 1
Upcoming Club Events …………..………….……….…….….......…...page 3
Life Aboard A Great Lakes Bulk Carrier ……………………………....page 4
Fill Your Diesel Tanks ASAP …………………………………………page 6
Port Whitby Marina Update …………………………………….…..…page 6
Welcome New Members …………………………………….…….…..page 7
Capturing WYC Summer Events ……………..…..………………....…page 8
One Dark and Stormy Night ………………………………………….page 14
Frenchman’s Bay Squadron Courses ………………………………….page 15
Oshawa Power and Sail Squadron Courses ……………………………page 15
Special Announcement – It’s A Girl …………………………………..page 18
Special Announcement – It’s A Boy! …………………………………..page 19
Our visibility was somewhere around 30-40ft
the entire way from Whitby. Thankfully we
have been to Toronto before and marked our
trail on the chartplotter so we could follow it
this time. After a heart wrenching 3 hours of
travelling at crawling speed our Garmin told us
we arrived and were inside the Toronto Eastern
Gap (picture above). With no sight of land or
markers anywhere we used our VHF to make
“Attention Announcements” notifying other
boaters we were in the area.
…continued on page 2
WYC Nautical News pg 1
Love my chartplotter… continued from page 1
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ample hull ready to lift. (Our summers are just too short; a
project our 2015 Board should be working on).
As a planner, I do find myself lining up a bit of
winter work for the boat. There is always a new project to
be started and yes, some old ones to be completed. While
not as much fun out of the water as in, I can enjoy the out of
water experience too. (Saying that was not as therapeutic as
I had hoped it would be).
We have had a wonderful on-water season. Much of
what made summer great was the advance planning that
went into it last year. There was so much activity and there
are so many people to thank, that there is not the room here
to do so. That being said, take a minute, shake someone's
hand that made a difference and say thank you. The sailing
school, the race program, the cruise program, the grounds,
dock masters, committee workers, the IT group,
construction teams, administration, communication, social
events, launch teams (and soon haul out), our advertising,
our outward bound marketing and our community
involvement. The list goes on and on. It all takes people to
execute. It is all done by our members and I thank you all.
WYC members are the best on the Lake.
The great thing about WYC is a lot still happens
during the 'out-of-water' season. Weekly events, socials,
meetings, committee work, planning for 2015 and of course
projects such as dock building all keep us busy during down
time. The boats may be coming out of the water but the
Club never sleeps.
Once in the Toronto Harbour Front area, the
fog cleared up enough to see land and dock.
This picture was taken looking across the
Toronto Harbour towards the Islands as the fog
was lifting. In talking with the tender captain at
IYC later that evening he said it was the worst
fog he’s seen in 25 years of navigating in
Toronto Harbour.
So I leave you with a final thought and an invitation.
The thought: If you were to dream the dream, what
would you want YOUR yacht club to be? Will you get more
involved in 2015? Will you think bigger? Will you think
grander? Will you dream the dream? Make WYC yours!
The invitation: On October 24th at 7:30 we will
have our Annual General Meeting and election of 2015
Officers. Put the date on your calendar. I URGE each one of
you to come out. We will soon be sending out our Notice
Of Meeting, with agenda etc. Watch for it, calendar it, and
plan to be there. It's your club. Make a difference.
Have fun. Be safe. See you at Haul-out!
Commodore, John Berry
The next day it cleared … and it was beautiful.
Editor, Kelly Drew
WYC Nautical News pg 2
October Club Events
Wed. Oct. 8th
 Racing: Last Fall Single Handed race
Fri. Oct. 10th
 TGIF Dinner
Sat. Oct. 11th
 Racing: Last Frostbite Series race
 Cruising: Moonlight cruise
Sun. Oct. 12th
 Social: Thanksgiving Dinner (3-6pm)
WYC
Fall Bar Hours
Wednesday 4pm - Close
Friday 4pm - Close
Saturday 12pm- 9pm
Sunday 12pm – 6pm
Wed. Oct. 16th
 Haul-out Safety Meeting
Monday
Fri. Oct. 17th
 Social: Haul-out Party with entertainment by
Meredith Cutting (7pm)
 Last Day to Submit Board Nomination
Sat. Oct. 18th
 Haul-out (begins at 7am)
2-8
2-8
WYC
Winter Bar Hours
(As of Nov. 1st)
Tuesday
Wednesday 4pm - Close
Fri. Oct. 24th
 Annual General Meeting & 2014-2015 Board
Election (8pm)
Fri. Oct. 31st
 Social: Halloween Party
Friday 4pm - Close
Saturday 12pm- 6pm
Sunday - closed
Monday
2-8
______________________________________________
Tuesday
2-8
Mark your calendars
Fri. Nov. 15th
Awards Banquet
Monitor the weekly e-blasts and WYC website for changes and new additions.
WYC Nautical News pg 3
Life Aboard A Great Lakes Bulk Carrier
I think it's safe to say that most WYC members
dream of days and nights on the Great Lakes, taking in
the wonderful scenery and the variety of challenges of
technology that mother nature has to offer within these
unique fresh water seas. Well, I've been living the dream
these past three weeks, although not quite as most of us
would imagine. Instead of captaining my 30' Gilbert and
puttering about with its 18HP Volvo, I've instead been a
Marine Engineering Cadet aboard the 195 meter long
bulk carrier, the MV Tecumseh, with its two Colt
Pielstick V12 diesel engines producing a total of 12,000
HP.
If a toothsayer had told me 3 years ago that I would be doing this, I would've asked for my tooth
back! Back then I was gainfully employed as a research manager. But a layoff and subsequent extended
period of fruitless job searches forced me to confront assumptions about how my life was going to unfold.
One realization was that I would need to upgrade my academic credentials. The following realization was
that if I was going to go back to school, I wanted it to be for something I REALLY wanted to do and for
which there were high employment prospects. This led to the logical determination - at the age of 53 - to
become a Marine Engineer.
The process started last September when I
commenced my first semester at Georgian College's
2-year Marine Engineering program, up in Owen
Sound. The training schedule is three continuous
semesters at an intense 30+ hours of classes per
week. At the beginning of the 2nd semester
(January), the Canadian marine industry converged
on our small campus to interview each and every
Navigation and Engineering Cadet. In April I was
offered one of five Engineering Cadet spots with
Lower Lakes Towing, the "upstart" Great Lakes
shipping company that is going toe-to-toe with the
established Algoma Central and Canada Steamship
Lines. On September 1st I got the call to join the
MV Tecumseh ("Tec" by her crew) and on
September 4th I joined her at the Sterling Fueling dock in Windsor. I'll finish up my first cadet term in
December just in time to enjoy Christmas with Caroline (and hopefully some WYC festivities). Then I'm
back to Owen Sound for my final academic semester (Jan to April), followed by four more months at sea
(May to August) to gain enough sailing time to write the Transport Canada exams to get my 4th class
Marine Engineering ticket.
Since boarding the Tec, I've hardly stepped ashore except for a brief foray to the Chateau
Frontenac, Quebec City with Caroline and a couple brews with a few crew members in Windsor. Otherwise
it's been all about getting familiar with the inner and outer workings of a bulk carrier and helping the
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WYC Nautical News pg 4
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5
G RE AT
LA KES
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engineering crew with the endless and
various chores of keeping a large hunk of
floating steel, safe, productive and
profitable for its owners.
So what is it that attracted me to a
mid-life career change to the marine
industry? Here's it is in a nutshell:
No more commuting
Nice views from the office
Free excellent food and lots of it
Hard work for 4 weeks straight but
then several weeks off at a time
 Endless mental and
physical challenges, resolved through the Esprit du Corps of a ship's crew working hand in hand
 Caroline actually misses me now
 Caroline may be a guest on the boat for periods of up to 2 weeks - at no cost




Included are a few pictures to help you understand life aboard a Great Lakes bulk carrier.
Sr. Member, Robert Hellier
WYC Nautical News pg 5
Fill Your Diesel Tanks
ASAP
The weather is getting colder and many
fuel retailers will be switching over to winter and
blended diesel fuels as we move forward. These
thinner fuels will not start as well and produce
the power when used in high summer ambient
temperatures so it is best to keep tanks full of
summer grade diesel. As always the use of a
quality fuel additive is recommended. Email me
for info on the good stuff.
WHITBY MARINA UPDATE
________________________________
NEW HOURS
OFFICE NOW OPEN FROM 7:30 AM- 4:00PM
FUEL DOCK OPEN FROM 7:30AM - 3:30PM
David Sandford
AMS / DS Marine Surveys
[email protected]
_____________________________________
NOW OFFERING ETHANOL-FREE
GASOLINE!
Under our new fuel contract, the marina is
now able to sell ethanol-free gasoline.
We are not charging any premium for this fuel
and absorbing the additional delivery charges
(the fuel must be delivered from Toronto
rather than Durham).
Sun. Nov. 2nd.
WYC Nautical News pg 6
Welcome New Members
The Whitby Yacht Club is pleased to announce the following new members:
Dorel Berceni & Shannon Green
Dorel and Shannon join the WYC as senior members. They bring their Hunter 25.
James Bould & Gail Soper
James and Gail join the WYC as senior members. They bring their 1978 Bayfield 25 (Wallaby).
Chris & Glenda Russell
Chris and Glenda join the WYC as senior members. They bring their Catalina 30.
Scott Gooch
Scott joins the WYC as a senior member. He brings a Tanzer 26 (Luff Affair).
Steven & Marianna Mitchell
Steven and Marianna join the WYC as senior members. They bring their Hunter 33 (Liquidity).
Kevin & Mary Drane
Kevin and Mary join the WYC as senior members. They bring their Mirage 33 (Scgatzi).
John & Cheryl Gibson
John and Cheryl transfer their SAM membership to senior members with their 1999 C&C 32
(Winston Churchill).
Kyle Muffty
Kyle transfered his social membership to senior members with his Newport 27 (Playa Winds).
Robert and Caroline Hellier
Robert and Caroline transfer their SAM memberships to senior members. Dragonheart is back on
the property.
Sergio & Karen Sandri
Sergio and Karen join the WYC as dingy members. They bring their 16 ft. Cadorette sailboat.
Paul & Ann Mogavero
Paul and Ann join the WYC as dingy members. They bring their 14 ft. sailboat.
New Social Members: Michael Peden, John Callighan, Neil Livingston & Sharron Bauldry, John Colley
& Colleen Savage, and Gina Eisler & Marc Law.
The WYC extends a warm welcome to all new members and their families. We hope their
association with the WYC will be a long and enjoyable one.
Welcome aboard!
WYC Nautical News pg 7
(Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club)
WYC Nautical News pg 8
WYC took over the Scarborough yacht clubs with over 40 boats.
Photos Courtesy of Vice Commodore, Doug Norton
WYC Nautical News pg 9
Thank you to
everyone who
helped make
this day a
success!
It is the great
volunteers of
this club that
make it great!
Photos Courtesy of Fleet Captain, Bart Blies
WYC Nautical News pg 10
(Event held during 2014 Harbour Days)
Photos Courtesy of Fleet Captain, Bart Blies
WYC Nautical News pg 11
Our thanks to past Commodore Tony and Sabine Cahill, Past Commodore Paul and Nancy Kerr,
the Social committee, plus many more who helped!
There was so much going on and the rain didn’t stop the fun! A wonderful time was had by all, and our
thanks to all who came out and made it a great day!
Special Thanks to Nancy Kerr for capturing the spirit of the day!
Great Pictures! Thank you!
WYC Nautical News pg 12
A great time had by all!
As special “Thank You” to Walter and Colleen Pringle who donated
this fabulous corn to our event!
Special Thanks to Sr. Member, Stephen Dockrill and Bart Blies for the great pictures!
WYC Nautical News pg 13
Part II - One Dark and Stormy Night
As you will recall from my last bit
of storytelling, I bought a keel boat, my
first one, an Ancom 23’ hard chined, short
masted, long boomed beauty. Well it was
beautiful to me.
From here I leaned my skills in
handling this vessel that, from my
perspective, felt like an ocean liner. Wow
was it enormous! Well much bigger than
my CL-16. I could walk to the bow and
not tip it over! Luxury!
After dozens of solo and family
outings from Frenchman’s Bay to the
surrounding wilderness, we finally sailed
into Whitby and tied up at the marina. Back then the marina was not much to look at. Some rickety docks
and shed of an office and a really crusty old manager. There was a travel lift, gas and a pump out service
though. So all in all not too shabby. We spend the day trekking from the dock to a store, and had a picnic
down by the scenic oil storage tanks at the base of Brock street. We marvelled at the size of the derelict
boats at the MacNamara Marine facilities. Back then oil tankers would come into Whitby harbour and tie up
on the north wall and run giant hoses to the oil storage tanks. Ahh the aroma of furnace and diesel fuel.
Just a side note, we are the second Whitby Yacht club.
The Whitby Yacht Club was founded in the fall of 1933 and disbanded during the Second World
War. The clubhouse was built on the east side of the Whitby Harbour Basin in 1934. High water levels
destroyed the clubhouse and it was demolished in 1951. The source of this photo is: Whitby Yacht Club,
1936, Marjorie Ruddy, Whitby Archives, 11-001-184.
But enough about that, on with the story.
My dad had been out on the boat a few times, and like most things that happen exactly the opposite
way that you intend them to happen, almost every time we took my dad out in the boat there was so little
breeze that the sails would hardly even flap. I remember him saying one day as we pulled back into the
dock, “You know, I can really see why you spent all this money. This is really an exciting hobby.”
Even so, he was an avid fisherman, and this boat would venture into waters that he wouldn’t dare
take a runabout fishing boat into. No sir, he was a safety first kind of guy. A fire chief at Canadian Kodak,
he had a reputation for doing things the right way and by the book. So when I suggested that we might take
the boat into Toronto and enter the salmon fishing derby by the Humber river, he looked at the boat, then at
me and smiled. Yes, he said, the boat might have a use after all. And it is a very safe boat too.
I should have known that we were doomed the minute those words left his lips.
At that time I had a co worker, Joe Sheerin who as a lad worked as a shipbuilder in Glasgow
Scotland and who now, at the time of this story, was a foreman in a steel shop where I worked. Who better
to invite than Joe? He knew lots about ships, and he and my dad would get on fine I reasoned. Three on the
boat was just about perfect!
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WYC Nautical News pg 14
Frenchman’s Bay
Squadron Courses
Oshawa Power & Sail
Squadron Courses
Be sure to take advantage of these
great classroom courses…they are excellent
courses and great opportunity to increase your
boating competency and enjoyment. They are
run by volunteers and at a very reasonable
cost.
Boating Basics: (PCOC):
Nov 4th – 18th (Cost $95.00)
Boating Essentials (CPS accreditation):
Jan 6th -Mar 10th (Cost $220.00 single / $385
family)
Courses:
Marine Radio with DSC Endorsement (1 Day
course):
Jan. 17th, Feb. 21st (Cost $95.00 lunch included)
Boating Basics: (PCOC):
Nov 10th -Dec. 8th (Cost $75.00)
For information, location and registration please
contact Rob Anderson at
[email protected] or
416-725-3786 or www.boatingcourses.ca
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Boating Essentials:
Jan 5th -Mar 9th (Cost $290.00)
Boating Basics & Essentials together:
Nov 10th – Mar 9th (Cost $330.00)
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We picked a weekend when the weather report
claimed there would be a full moon and fair weather.
We could motor to Toronto if needs be, and tie up at
Hanlon’s overnight and be ready for fishing in the
morning. Dad planned all the fishing gear along with
Joe. I know less about fishing than sailing, (oops did
I say that out loud?). My job was food and beer
(something I do know about). For two days prior to
the trip I planned our meals and beverages; made sure
there was adequate fuel for the outboard; and checked
the safety gear. I had to borrow an extra rain suit for
Joe, my dad had his rain suit from the fire department,
so he was good, and I had my own stuff. There were
the old style life jackets that often were heavier than
water as well. Each person was responsible for their
own change of clothes, night wear, sleeping bags and
eating utensils.
What didn’t we have? Flares, a VHF radio,
water (did I mention that we had beer), and common
sense.
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Seamanship:
Oct. 14th – Jan 27th (Cost $160.00)
Sail Course:
Feb. 17th – Apr 7th (Cost 160.00)
VHF Marine Radio Course:
Oct. 14th – 16th (Cost $90.00 /DSC Upgrade
$50.00 for exam only)
Boat and Engine Maintenance:
8 weeks (Cost $130.00)
Electronic Navigation:
9 weeks (Cost $180.00)
Fundamentals of Weather:
Oct. 22nd -Dec 10th (Cost $130.00)
Global Weather:
Jan 7th – Feb. 25th (Cost $130.00)
Advanced Piloting:
Oct. 14th – Jan. 27th (Cost $180.00)
To sign up or for more information visit
www.oshawapss.ca
WYC Nautical News pg 15
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Friday afternoon came and I was so excited to be the captain of the ship going on this great adventure
and after briefly meeting at a couple of stores to top up our supplies we all met at the dock at 3 that
afternoon, piled our supplies on the boat. Because I was such an expert in storing goods on the boat, Dad and
Joe left me to sort out everything below decks and make sure everything was safely stored for the trip. I
piled everything on the settee. That had a cushion on it, and it was off the floor, so that had to be safe.
The weather report for Friday evening was for a gentle breeze from the south, a clear cloudless sky
and a full moon. For an evening sail to Toronto what could be worse. I checked my charts and had the map
for Lake Ontario, and for Toronto Harbour. In the back of my mind, I thought about making a stop at
Bluffer’s Park on the way to Toronto, there had been a lot of work done on creating an artificial harbour, so
what a natural place to pull in, take a walk, and maybe get a bite, empty our personal holding tanks and just
take a break from the task of sailing.
We all eagerly got settled in
and did the busywork that is required
before leaving the dock. Made sure
our life preservers where at hand,
drinks and snacks were available,
checked the fuel level, and actually
made sure the running lights were
working. As I had no VHF radio, nor
a cell phone (not back then) so once
those things were checked, it was time
to be on our way. Started the
outboard, untied the dock lines,
stowed them in the cockpit locker and
pushed off the dock, The fenders went
in the locker next and off we went.
Once clear of the harbour I gave the tiller to my dad while Joe and I took the foresail out of the
forepeak and hanked it on. Next came the mainsail, and I asked my dad to head up, and pulled the main up.
“OK” I said to my dad, impressed with how well we were doing, bear off to port and the mainsail filled, and
we pulled up the jib. It filled and off we went. I made my way back to the cockpit and took the tiller. I
couldn’t have been happier, nor could things have been more perfect. That was all about to change.
As we sailed in a leisurely fashion heading south west, the warm wind blowing across the port side
making a slight rigging sound that we are all familiar with, the sails full and pulling, the water rushing past
the hull, this is every sailor’s delight, as the boat, the sailor, the wind and water all danced that perfect ballet
of motion, all in tune, all responding in harmony. So beautiful.
After being lulled into a dreamlike trance, my eyes flitting to the tell tails, the compass, and the
horizon, I notice that my course had been slowly changing from a west south west to west north west, and in
fact I was going to have to tack soon. A frown crossed my brow as I snapped out of my trance and I realized
that we had been knocked, with the wind shifting to the west. Not only that sails were starting to strain a bit,
there was a noticeable increase in wind velocity. The boat’s heel angle was also slowly increasing. I
announced that we would be tacking, and that went pretty well considering that neither my dad nor Joe had
any idea of the mechanics. It only took 3 tries, ending up in irons on the first two.
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WYC Nautical News pg 16
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As the captain I had to also care about my crew and I also noticed that both my dad and Joe had
fallen silent, looking somewhat nervous and in Joe’s case, somewhat a very pale shade of green. Maybe
that was because the boat was now starting to pitch a little as rollers started coming out of the west. I also
noticed the glare that my dad gave me when I started to lecture them about the need to move sharply when
tacking. Better shut up I thought.
As the sun set, I noticed that there were
gathering clouds obscuring the final moments of
sunlight, and I asked my dad to turn on the running
lights. By now the rollers were really starting to mount
and although we were not overpowered, while there was
still some daylight I decided to shorten the sails, and
reefed the main. I also took down the jib not wanting to
have to be on the foredeck in the dark on a pitching
boat. The outboard started on the first pull and now we
were motor sailing.
As we rolled on west the waves became
ominously larger and soon the bow of my intrepid little
boat started to plunge into the face of the next swell as
we surfed down the face of the wave that we had just
crested. As the nose rose out of the water covered in at
thick layer of green water streaming off the quarters to
each side I could clearly see the distress in the faces of my shipmates. This was not going well. I suggested
that we put on our weather gear which happened pretty fast considering that both Joe and my dad could no
longer stand without holding on to something. Once my dad was finished donning his gear, I asked him to
take the tiller so that I could suit up as well.
The swells continued to grow, and now the peaks were well above the top of the boat, and even
standing I could not see over them. By now we were almost abreast of Ashbridges bay, but a quick glance
into the mouth of the bay with the rollers crashing against the rocks (or at least what I could see between the
waves and the in the darkness) convinced me to press on to the western gap. The Leslie Street Spit was not
out so far south as it is now, so in effect the entrance to the western gap was somewhat further east than it is
now. We had been sailing now for about six hours and we were all exhausted. Joe from throwing up, my
dad from trying to keep Joe from jumping overboard and me from wrestling with the tiller to keep the boat
from swinging side on to the next wave after sliding down the face of the slope astern, and plowing into the
mountain of water that crashed down on the deck every few seconds. By some miracle the main halyard
parted, and the main came down, or what was left of it, tattered and torn.
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WYC Nautical News pg 17
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I asked my dad to go below and make sure
things were secured. He stayed down in the cabin for
what seemed to me a long time. Fearing that he had
been hurt I put the tiller between my legs and crept
forward to the companion way. The cabin light
switch was in easy reach and I flipped it on (if you
call me with my legs stretched out behind me to keep
control of the tiller, and almost in a position to do
push-ups with my hands on the companionway
threshold. There in the light of the cabin was my dad
doing a perfect imitation of a front loading washing
machine. Over went my dad. Over went the food.
Over went the cloths and bedding. Over went my
dad. I grabbed Joe and dragged him over and pointed
into the cabin and told him to go help my dad. In he
went and between the two of them they managed to
sort out and safe some of the stuff. Some of the food
containers had opened, and the result was definitely
not pretty.
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“Grab the washboard,” I yelled to my dad,
“we are going to have to close the hatch!”
Somehow, he and Joe managed to get the
washboard in, and the hatch pulled shut.
I asked my dad to take the helm as I lashed
the main to the boom with the now useless halyard
that was still attached to the head of the sail. By now
Joe was pressed into the cabin bulkhead at the front
of the cockpit peeking over the cabin roof just in time
to take full in the face the first wave that actually
came over the roof and into the cockpit. Good thing
the hatch was closed. I looked at Joe sitting sort of
side saddle on the bench, water pouring out of the
sleeves of his rain jacket. Shaking my head I took
the tiller from my dad once again.
We passé the tip of the spit then sailed on a
bit further, swung north east and now we had
monstrous following waves. Several times the
cockpit was entirely full, but the brave outboard and
tough as nails Ancom persevered. After about
fifteen minutes of the most violent sailing I have ever
done before or since, we made the gap, and low and
behold the inner harbour was like glass.
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Penney Hare
1st grandchild of Dave and Donna. Hare's son
Adam Hare and wife Tara Hare (Perry).
Penney was born on March 31st, 2014 weighing
in at a whopping 9lbs 14oz.
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WYC Nautical News pg 18
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The only sounds were the purr of the outboard,
the water streaming by the hull and the retching of Joe.
There was a heavy mist in the air, not quite fog,
but close enough, and we are all now shivering, soaked
through in spite of the raingear. I motored on, and
swung up into the inlet by Hanlans but with the luck we
had been having I really couldn’t be surprised that there
were no spots left to tie up to. All of the boats were
dark, so I rafted up to one. My last waking moment I
hauled some wet bedding, clothes and what not and
draped it over the life lines fastened in place with
clothes pins.
Laying in the forepeak with my dad and Joe on
the settee and drop down bed… it was unconsciousness
that took us, to sleep.
The next morning I heard a knocking on the
side of the boat. Crawling over the mess on the cabin
floor I made my way to the companionway and peered
out to see a person leaning over the side of the boat,
dressed in a blazer, a cravat tucked into his shirt, grey
trousers and white deck shoes, calling out, “Hello in
there, everyone all right”?
Through my bleary and somewhat out of focus
eyes, I could see over the man’s shoulder the prominent
RCYC sign on the clubhouse. I had not tied up at
Hanlan point at all. At that moment, I wished that my
boat would just sink. With fouled clothes hanging on
the lifelines, the main in ribbons fluttering in the breeze
and me, the captain, barely able to croak.
Thus ended our dark and stormy night. Oh
yeah, we didn’t catch any salmon either.
Vice-Commodore, Doug Norton
_________
We invite you to share your stories,
announcements and pictures with your
fellow club members.
Send to [email protected].
John Latour and Dawn Roper welcome the arrival
of their 1st Grandson, Max.
Bonnie (daughter of John and Dawn) and Matt
(pictured above with Max) are doing well and
enjoying parenthood.
WYC Nautical News pg 19