Archived_Scuttlebutts_files/2012 Scuttlebutt July August PDF

Scuttlebutt
July/August 2012
Photo by Libby Wilkes
From The Helm - Commodore Charlie Monroe
In the words of the famous singing artist, Buster Poindexter, it's "HOT...HOT...HOT!". Or, if
you have been to Grand Cayman anytime in the last 20+ years you may have heard it sung by
the Bare Foot Man on the terrace of the Holiday Inn. In either case, they are both right. This summer
has
has been a hot one, but not as bad as any of us expected, I don't believe. The sailing meanwhile has
been WARM....WARM...WARM! As you know, the water seems to moderate the heat and it hasn't
stopped a small band of us from enjoying all that our sailing "neighborhood" has to offer. There have been several
impromptu overnights and a lot of just gettin' out and sailing in any direction.
It's time to start the second half of our season and I am told by our Race Czar, Cruise Director and Vice
Commodore that its going to be an exciting time to be on, and adjacent to, the water. So far, our personal record
remains only slightly broken. That is to say, we have spent every weekend accept three when we were out of
town on board “Quit In Time” since we bought her a year and a half ago. I expect to continue this streak and hope
that we can get the time to go further than a day away very soon.
Make sure to read carefully all of the articles and find the things therein to get involved. I'm looking forward to
more fun then we had in the first half, and I hope you will make every effort to join in. See you this coming
Tuesday 08/07 and make sure to bring your Picnic basket full of your favorite "lawn foods" with you. Our speaker,
David Cook, will be providing shrimping stories and island history that you will, no doubt, find interesting.
Fishing From Behind The Helm - Vice Commodore Kent McKee
I sincerely hope that the beginning of the 2012 hurricane season is not an indicator of what is to come! While our
boat came through unscathed from Beryl our house suffered shingle and fence damage. I have become adept at
pulling the canvas off the bimini and dodger and dropping the headsail from the furler to reduce windage and the
chance of loss. Beryl claimed one headsail and one main at Tiger Point.
The evening the storm came ashore I visited the marina at low tide and observed what appeared to be high tide
water levels. Unable to sleep through the storm that night, I went to check on Elysium at 0200. All was
well but the marsh around Egan's Creek was essentially submerged. The next day I spoke with the
couple who had spent the night aboard their Hylas 49 next to our boat. They summed up the experience
by saying that if that was a tropical storm, they would not be staying aboard their boat in a
hurricane.
The week of the 4th. of July we sailed offshore to St. Augustine for a couple of evenings then on to
Daytona for a few days with old friends. Both St. Augustine and Ponce inlets were uneventful with the
greatest offshore excitement being a Little Tunny (15lbs) that attacked my Wahoo lure with ferocity.
It never ceases to amaze me how much fight is in one of those muscular fish!
S C UTTLEB UTT
J ULY /A UG US T 201 2
Cruise Committee- George & Teri Mason
It's time to Play Ball (or at least watch people play ball). The Suns game is this Saturday, August 4th. Still time to
come by boat or car...no reservations needed at Metro Park Marina. Cocktails will be on the dock at 4pm, then we'll
walk to the game together. Don't forget, it's 80's night at the ball park feel free to dress accordingly!!
Next up...Labor Day on beautiful Jekyll Island! Reservations have been made for everyone who signed up in March.
Itinerary for Labor Day weekend is as follows;
Saturday...
Cocktails at 4pm. Please bring a snack to share. Delicious frozen drinks will be concocted by the 18 volt man.
Dinner is on your own. Movie on the dock after sunset, approximately 8:30.
Sunday...
Potluck breakfast on the dock at 900 am Bike ride after breakfast (good way to work off that delicious meal). A limited
number of bikes are available free from the Marina but you might want to bring your own. 5:30pm Dinner at
Latitude 31. We'll make reservations on Saturday for everyone interested.
See you all at our August meeting!!
Cruise Dates and Destination
March 17th - St. Marys GA - Dinner Cruise (completed)
May 26-28 - St. Augustine - Memorial Weekend (completed)
June 9th Plum Orchard - Cumberland Island
July 4th Daytona Cruise (canceled) Standby for new plans
August 4th - Metro Park Marina - JAX Suns Ball game
Sept 01-03 - Jekyll Island - Labor Day Weekend
** Race/Cruise to Mayport - working on dates.
I M P O RTA N T D A TE S F O R 20 1 2
N O T E ; R E D I N D I C AT E S C H A N G E
August
Sept
Oct
Nov
Meetings 1st Tues. of the Month
August 7th
Sept 4th
Oct 2nd
Nov 6th
Races
Bikini Race
Welcome Fall Race
Ocean Race Oct 6th
Stars and Stripes
August 18th
Sept 8th
Nov 10th
GA/FL Race Oct
13th
Cruises
Metro Park Marina
Labor Day Cruise
Suns Game
Jekyll Sept 01- 03
August 4th
SCUTTLEBUTT
July/August 2012
Found On The Internet
A Brilliantly Dumb Idea by Scott from s/v Rubicon and ScottsSweaters.com
The Florida Marine Patrol bagged me the other night. It was like a simple traffic stop, only on the water.
About 9:30 p.m. I was making my nightly six-minute dinghy trek across the harbor back to my boat. I had dutifully stuck my
little red/green split flashlight up on the front of my rubber inflatable. However, to the Marine Patrol approaching from the rear
it appeared I was running without any lights at all. Technically, in addition to the red/green light shining forward, I should have
had a white light visible from the rear; either that or a single 3600 light on the boat's highest point. I knew of this regulation, but
didn't believe anyone would be that nit-picky. Acknowledging my forward lights showed at least an attempt to comply, they sent
me on my way with a warning.
The following night I repeated my daily trek armed with a bright white suction mount 3600 flashlight. This new light is so bright
it ruins my night vision. Holding it high above my head I ventured legally across the harbor. After only two minutes my arm was
getting a bit tired and I figured there's got to be a better way, for I'm not about ready to do this every night. I tried sticking it to
the dinghy, but being lower than the motor and my torso, the required 3600 coverage was blocked from several angles. It was
then a brilliant idea - an idea 100 times more brilliant than my new light - struck.
There is, I said to myself, an advantage to being bald. It was dark enough, and I'm far enough from land that no one could see
how stupid I looked as I wet the inside of the light's suction cup and squished it down upon my skinhead. It was perfect. I now
had both hands free, the light was well above everything on the boat, and my night vision was unaffected, as I couldn't even tell
the light was on.
Recalling the nightly parade of tired arms holding lights aloft as dinghies dash across the harbor, I wondered why no one else had
thought of this grand idea. Granted, it probably does look rather stupid, and other boaters might tend to steer away, but it
worked exceptionally well. That is until I spied a much faster boat departing the dock behind me.
I tried speeding up, but quickly realized this boat was easily going to overtake mine. Reaching to my head, I grabbed a hold of
the flashlight in hopes of removing it until the other boat passed. I tugged, but the light didn't budge. I tried prying it off at an
angle; it didn't budge. I tried raising one edge of the rubber lip; it didn't budge. I tried sliding the entire suction cup across my
scalp and down over the edge of my head; it didn't budge. With the other boat quickly approaching my embarrassment zone, I
altered course.
As the faster boat zipped by in the distance, I steered back toward my floating home. Nearing the stern of my boat the whole
back end suddenly illuminated. I spun around expecting to see the bright lights of a Marine Patrol boat with three officers
grabbing the rails in desperation of falling overboard from uncontrollable fits of laughter. Yet when I looked back no one was
there. Spinning back around, the stern of my boat was still lit up brighter than I'd ever seen it at night. Again I looked behind
me; again no one there. I suddenly realized I not only looked stupid but acted the part as well, for the bright light was coming from atop my head where
absent any nearby objects I couldn't even tell it was on. rubber cup. Near midnight, in a calm harbor, the loud Champagnebottle-like pop probably aroused several slumbering alcoholic sailors.
Still I couldn't break the light's suction firmly grasping my scalp. Fishing a dime from my pocket - a brief period of intellect
suggesting the pocket knife my fingers first found would be a poor choice - I gently pried up an edge to the rubber cup. Near
midnight, in a calm harbor, the loud Champagne-bottle-like pop probably aroused several slumbering alcoholic sailors.
(continued on next page)
Published by The Amelia Island Sailing Club
P.O. Box
16143
Fernandina Beach, Fl 32035
S C UTTLEB UTT
J ULY /A UG US T 20 1 2
A Brilliantly Dumb Idea (cont’d. from previous page)
The top of my head felt like a can of ravioli, for the suction cup had drawn up my
scalp in circular ridges that held their shape. Undaunted and in the certain
knowledge that these skin ripples would dissipate within an hour or so, I headed to
the shower. The raised circles atop my head were already beginning to soften when
I bent over to soap up my legs. On the way down I caught a glimpse of something
strange in the mirror. Directly in the middle of my head was the world's largest,
world's most perfect, most crimson hickey.
August Program
Landside
It’s Summer, so lets have an indoor picnic.
Our Pot Luck theme for our August meeting will be;
“Picnic”
David Cook, Shrimp Boat Captain and
multi-generation Fernandina Family will be
our speaker for August. This will be a "don''t
miss" presentation. David will be talking
about everything from his early days growing
up here to the modern shrimping industry.
Bring food that you would take on a picnic.
Please do not bring ants!
Port Supply Account
As a member of the Amelia Island Sailing Club you are entitled to use the buying power of our club and
purchase supplies through our Port Supply Account with West Marine. Significant discounts can be obtained on many
items using this account. Joe Blanchard is the person in charge of this activity. Since the rules for using this discount
program are revised by West Marine periodically, please contact Joe to arrange your purchases. Joe can be reached at
(904) 277-4257 or [email protected]
Published by The Amelia Island Sailing Club
P.O. Box
16143
Fernandina Beach, Fl 32035
SCUTTLEBUTT
July/August 2012
Anchored At The Computer
Rear Commodore - John Burns
Well the year is going very well for AISC. There have been numerous activities and many more are
planned for the remainder of the year. Members seem to be participating in events and all the feedback we get seems to be
positive. With that said, let me in a uncharacteristic manner for me, point out what has become a significant flaw. Although
participation in events has been good, volunteers to help run the club and club events has been less than good. I do not plan
on this being a lecture but I ask everyone that enjoys our club to chip in. This year we have not had a Program or a Land Side
Committee. Current officers and other committee members have chipped in to fill the gap. To their credit I do not think the
membership has seen a void. However, there is a void. A void of people interested in helping to keep the club active.
George and Teri Mason took over the Cruise Committee this year and brought in a whole bunch of new ideas. Although the
weather didn’t cooperate they had great plans. For instance the St. Augustine Cruise was to include a ghost tour, and a
Cumberland Cruise was to include an on shore barbecue and mansion tour. The St. Patrick Day cruise and dinner in St.
Mary’s was a great success, and are looking forward to the upcoming cruise to Jacksonville and the Suns Game.
New people bring new ideas. So please start considering volunteering to become a Committee Member or even a Club
Officer. It is not that difficult, we don’t have the responsibility of any physical assets, because we do not own anything. Short of
the officers looking after the clubs treasury, our sole purpose is to socialize and have fun. Please join in and help.
Now speaking about fun, I am already collecting pictures of AISC activities from this year. If you have any good pictures,
maybe even some that are not so good, please place them on a disk and give them to me. Thanks
Membership - Nick Klein
Did you know..........?
At the last AISC meeting I was talking to Jack Keniley, one of our newer members this year. Jack had so many interesting
stories that I wanted to see if I could arrange some quality time together so I could get to know him better.I really wanted to
hear more of his fascinating life experiences. Since Jack had gone to Dartmouth, I thought that lunch with another Dartmouth
grad and former University of Florida track coach, my friend Roy Benson, might be fun. Obviously, I suggested Marker 13 Bar
and Grill as I thought all the sailing talk that takes place down there would only add to the event.
When I told my wife that I was having lunch with Jack she of course asked to join as did Roy's wife Betty. What started out to
be a short meet and greet turned out to be one of the most fabulous days for me on the island. It turns out both Roy and Jack
were at the Munich Olympics in 1972 as coaches. That bond led to more discussions about their college experiences , a
couple of which were hilarious. Apparently Jack's car hit the Dean of Dartmouth and broke his leg. There are still some
lingering questioned as to who was driving, but bottom line Jack's father hauled him out of school as a result. But since Jack
could run a 9.6 100 yard dash and had a dream of playing football professionally he joined the New York Giants. Earning
enough money to pay for what remained of his studies at Dartmouth he returned to school after a year of playing
professional football. After some intense probing on my part, I also learned that Jack was a world class sailor who
would be flown in by private jets to skipper vessels for multiple boat owners.
I could go on and on, because what was supposed to be a short lunch turned into more than two hours of focused
attention, not just by me, but for the small crowd that gathered around our table to listen to some of the most amazing
memories from a truly fascinating man.
When it comes to times such as this, membership really does have it privileges.
Thanks for a super time Jack!!!!!!
Published by The Amelia Island Sailing Club
P.O. Box
16143
Fernandina Beach, Fl 32035
S C UTTLEB UTT
July/August 2012
Hurricane Preparedness At The Dock
Warm waters, light winds aloft, a low hanging around too long and high humidity or moisture in the air can all result in weather we call a
hurricane and we need to be prepared. Hurricane preparedness is about planning to be safe. Hurricane preparedness is very important if you live
on the coastline from Texas to Maine. Remember Katrina? Hurricane Preparedness can be a matter a survival for your vessel and your life.
Hurricane season starts June 1st and goes through November 30th. A hurricane watch is when
hurricane conditions will develop in about 36 hours. A hurricane warning is when conditions
will be hurricane strength the 24 hours or less. Hurricane preparedness needs to start the
moment you become aware that “something is brewing out in the eastern Caribbean, Gulf “or
wherever. Living in Florida where I live, I watch the “Tropical update” on our local TV station
frequently during hurricane season. I have lived through the 2004-2005 hurricanes and being
prepared for the hurricane and being prepared early has helped us stay safe.
As boaters and owners of a sailboat, hurricane preparedness starts with the sailboat. Our sailboat
is in the water and it stays in the water so preparing or “prepping” the sailboat is first on our list. Some people take their boats out of the water and have them moved to a safer area. We do not. This is a choice to be made that depends on where your boat is and how protected you think it is. It is an option for people who have their boats in more exposed marinas.
It is good seamanship to keep an eye on the condition of all working parts of your boat all year
long. That way there are no surprises when you have to batten down the hatches for a storm. Also, if your boat causes damage to neighboring property or boats you could be
liable. Start with taking any valuable equipment off the boat. This could be
radios, TV and any electronic equipment. Make sure the batteries are fully
charged and turn off all electric switches except to the bilge pump. Make sure the
bilge pump is working properly also. Take down all canvas. Because we have
roller reefing on the jib, we wrap the lines starting as high as we can reach around
the jib and leave the sail on. The mainsail we leave also leave on. We wrap line
around it on the boom and anchor the boom down really well. In some cities like
Ft Lauderdale hurricane preparedness includes unstepping the mast. That is so
you can get under bridges during an evacuation if necessary. In 1993, Florida law
stated drawbridges will not open for boats during evacuation procedures. This is
another reason you should do whatever you are going to do early
Remove everything topside, like dinghies, cushions, and extra line. Lash down all you can’t or don’t want to remove. For the 04-05
hurricanes we left our dinghy in the water filled with water and then the rains filled it more. This kept it safely at the dock. Sandpiper 8
Dinghy is a great little hard bottom dinghy. Seal all openings on your sailboat you think might leak. High winds push water into crevices
you might not think of. Use duct tape if you must to make the boat as watertight as you can. Make sure your cockpit drains are free and
clear for the large amounts of rainfall that can accompany the hurricane. If you can’t get to your boat it is a good idea to talk to a reliable
person ahead of time to go to your boat and prepared it the way you want it done.
Published by The Amelia Island Sailing Club
P.O. Box
16143
Fernandina Beach, Fl 32035
SCUTTLEBUTT
July/August 2012
Hurricane Preparedness At The Dock (cont’d)
When tying the boat down double all the lines. Don't wait, buy early! Cross spring lines fore and aft. Use storm lines that are twice the size
you would normally use when tying at the dock. At places where you think chafe may occur, cover the lines with tape, or rags or rubber hose. The force of your vessel against the lines will double with every 15 knots of wind! Evaluate what the storm surge might be in your area. Tie to
the pilings that look like they are the strongest and the tallest located fore and aft. To make sure the lines don’t come off of the top of the pilings
install preventers on the top. Remember that nylon line can stretch 5-10% of their length. This picture shows the many lines on the dock in
preparation for a hurricane. Looks like a spider web of lines! Freedom Fenders are great protection for between your boat and the dock. They
can prevent the constant pounding of your boat up against the dock when positioned correctly.
As a true sailor/boater, after you have secured your boat then it is time to secure your home. We do the boat first and ahead of time because it
stays in the water. Then we can turn our attention to our home that is 2 miles from the water. My husband is out of town he flies home as fast
as he can to help with the preparations for the hurricanes. His company has never objected to his hurricane preparedness plans and I am
grateful for that. “Better safe than sorry” as the saying goes. “Don’t mess with mother nature” is another one. Prepare early and be safe is my
hope for you.
Race Committee - Lee Weiner
The racing season is about to restart with the Bikini Race on August 18th. Not much else to say having
been on our summer “vacation.”
Relish was out for a ride last weekend and enjoyed 7 to 17 kt. winds. Although it was the first time
out in weeks, the breezes at Tiger Point while working on the boat seemed substantial enough for
summer racing. To that point, please think about adding a race in June and one in July. We can
discuss the idea at our August meeting.
By the way, don’t forget to prepare your boat for any threatened hurricanes, or you could look like
one of the boats above. Needless to say, they won’t race well!
Published by The Amelia Island Sailing Club
P.O. Box
16143
Fernandina Beach, Fl 32035
SCUTTLEBUTT
July/August 2012
Rumored To Be For Sale
Samsung Galaxy Tablet-10.1-(android) 16gb w. a/c & d/c power + 2 folio cases:
$200 or best reasonable offer!
Call Tom Clare @ 261-2154
9.9 HP Mercury 4-stroke with a 20-inch shaft. It's a 2004 model but was kept
unused in the original shipping box until I recently purchased it and started it up
to make sure it would run. It started on the first pull. Not used since. Only $1500
Call Joe Palmer 335-7498
8.5 ft West Marine(Zodiac) dinghy w.slat floor, oars, cover, pump; & 2hp Honda o/b motor w.
stand & cover. Good condition! $800.00 or best reasonable offer!
Call Tom Clare @ 261-2154
This free advertisement space is reserved for you.
Send me your advertisement before the 15th of the
month
Published by The Amelia Island Sailing Club
P.O. Box
16143
Fernandina Beach, Fl 32035
SCUTTLEBUTT
July/August 2012
Published by The Amelia Island Sailing Club
P.O. Box
16143
Fernandina Beach, Fl 32035