Home Port Home Port - Corinthian Yacht Club of Bellingham

❄
❄Home Port
Corinthian Yacht Club of Bellingham
122º 30' 06" W 48º44' 55"N
December, 2008
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Volume 23 Number 11
Cruising Into '09
CYC Holiday FUN
The first cruise of 2009 will be to
the Seattle Boat Show on Saturday,
January 24, 2009. I thought we might
try something new and different, by
traveling down on Amtrak. The schedule
and fares are a departure from Bellingham at 8:35 AM (arrive at the
station at 8:05), Train arrives at the Seattle station, next to the Quest
Field House at 10:55 AM. Returning train to Bellingham boards at
6:40 PM ( arrive at 6:10) The train arrives in Bellingham at 9:05.
So it makes some sense to shuttle down to the water first. Drool and
give thanks for what we have and the payment we don’t. Eat lunch
with each other and make our way back to the Field House and
dream and spend, finally making our way to the station.
Corinthian Yacht Club is finalizing plans for its annual holiday
party to be held at the Squalicum Boathouse on Tuesday, December
16, beginning at 6 p.m.
Fares for the trip are $42.00 round trip/per person. Senior discounts,
AAA, and group reservations are available.
What do you need to do?
❄ Bring a dish to share (if ham isn’t your choice, you’re
welcome to bring another entrée),
❅ Beverage of your choice, and tableware,
❄ A donation of a new, unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots
(they are in special need of items suitable for
teens,especially girls, and developmental toys for infants
and toddlers),
❅ A non-perishable food item for Bellingham Food Bank,
❄ A wrapped gift (under $15) for each person who will be in
the gift exchange.
❅ The Showstoppers, from Bellingham High School, entertain as a fundraiser, so a donation is appreciated!
Please RSVP to David Barrett by December 31st or I will have sign
up at the December general meeting. Groups of twenty or more
require a group reservation. Home phone: 756-8028 you can leave
a message. [email protected] In addition, below is the information for an evening cruise on Lake
Union on Virginia V. If you have not done this before, try to make it
happen. It is a great gift to any land locked family or friends.
Virginia V web address: http://www.virginiav.org/ride.html
Make ready, David Barrett
What
can you expect?
❄ Seasonal décor
❅ A visit from Santa Claus (aka Father Christmas, St. Nick),
❄ A gift exchange ,
❅ Really terrific musical entertainment provided by The Showstoppers,
❄ Party food (ham provided by the club),
❅ And a new touch this year. The awards for the past
season’s racing and cruising will be bestowed.
We’ll have a place at the table for you—see you on the 16th!
Lynn Gobush
Racing News
There are two important items in this newsletter that you will want to note.
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First. the awards for this last season’s Thursday night series will be awarded at the Holiday Party. Please read the article above for the
party details and plan to attend.
Secondly, no one has stepped forward yet to chair the race committe. Furthermore, the prevailing feeling in the club is that racers
should be responsible for perpetuating their events. In other words, if the racers don’t care to organize the races themselves, no one
else is going to do it for them and that could mean and end to racing at CYC. An interesting note here is that CYC was founded by a
group of folks who wanted a better racing venue and out of that grew a club that enjoys cruising and community service but no longer
supports racing. So, if you would like to step forward and volunteer to help keep CYC racing please contact our Commodore Wendy
Barrett to express your interest.
Mike Reed
2008
Commodore’s Corner
CYC Bellingham
Officers
Commodore
Don Beasley 922-0168
[email protected]
Vice Commodore
Wendy Barrett
756-8028
[email protected]
Secretary
David Cunningham 366-0357
[email protected]
Treasurer
Bob Cooper 738-0934
[email protected]
Administrative Officer
Laurent Martel 739-2860
[email protected] Membership
Ray Gobush
647-9004
[email protected]
Race Chair
Mick Corcoran
[email protected]
Cruise Chair
David Barrett
756-8028
[email protected]
Reciprocity
Steve Clevenger
384-6731
[email protected]
December, 2008
THE WICKIE, FINAL CHAPTER
I am astounded by the variety of talents demonstrated and shared
by the members of our club.
I have witnessed such incredible community involvement in
matters of concern to our maritime community and I thank you
for that.
As often happens with me I seem to have taken and learned
more than I contributed to the group as a whole. Forgive me for
that but so many of you have so much to share that one would
be foolish to pass up such a wonderful assortment of ideas and
suggestions.
I appreciate each and every one of you so I conclude with the
popular word on my boat and I say,”Thanx”.
Respectfully
Donald P. Beasley , Commodore
Corinthian Yacht Club
PIYA Rep
Mick Corcoran
595-2198
PHRF Rep
Rob Galbraith
671-9146
Newsletter Editor
Mike Reed
733-4252
[email protected]
2
Executive Board Meeting Report
A follow-up
from the
November Meeting
Tuesday 2nd of December 2008
Board members Present: Wendy Barrett, David Cunningham, Laurent
Martel, Ray Gobush, Dave Barrett, Steve Clevenger
Meeting called to order at: 18:35
1. Secretary Report: Meeting minutes from November 4th were approved.
2. Treasurers Report: Wendy reported for Bob Cooper who is out of
town. $1040 in dues has come in and all outstanding bills are paid.
A short note about Hal Thesen, who
spoke on Winterizing Your Boat at our
November General Meeting:
3. Committee Reports:
• Race: Dave Barrett said that the Ad Hoc meeting to help organize
a race committee will be in February.
“I grew up in South Africa where my
family had a small custom boatyard. I
sailed dinghies and keelboats as a kid.
After college and a brief real job, I became a full-time sailing school instructor, then delivery skipper and crewed
charter skipper in the Med and Caribbean. I have done 13 ocean crossings under sail, on boats to 75ft. I have
been in Whatcom county since 1988
and have not sailed out of the Strait of
Juan de Fuca once. I am part owner of
an Etchells, a 19ft Bartender skiff, and
sole owner of a Mercer 44 project boat.
I am self employed and take care of
several of the San Juan charter boats. I
do some private work and some sailing
instruction, and plan, next year to do
some deliveries again.”
• Reciprocal: No report.
• Membership: Ray Gobush had a list of volunteer from the membership
renewals. There were more than in the past. He will send out a reminder
notice to the members who have not yet paid. Wendy suggested we find
more ways to welcome new members into the club, at that they should
at least announced at the Christmas meeting.
• Administrative Officer: See February Dance report under old business.
• Cruise: Dave Barrett reported the Seattle Boat Show cruise Jan
24th. Amtrak leaves Fairhaven Station 9amish, return boarding in
Seattle is 6pmish and costs $21 each way. The Virginia V cruise is
on Dec 19 or 23rd, each person gets their own reservation.
• Homeport: No report.
• Vice Commodore: No report.
4. Old Business:
a. Laurent reported the February Dance Party ticket price is not yet set.
Invitations are being extended to other clubs and the BBCBC as agreed
at the General Meeting.
b. For the December Christmas party/meeting the Showstoppers will
perform. Bruce has volunteered to cook the main dish.
c. Volunteers from Ray’s list could help with the Christmas party set
up & clean up.
d. The Christmas party will include a Bellingham Food Bank drive.
Barbee and Larry’s
e. The Christmas Gift Exchange will have a maximum up < $15.
HOT BUTTERED RUM MIX
f. Formally Installing new officers was discussed but because we are an
informal club we chose not to do any formal ceremony.
1 stick of unsalted butter
2 Cups light brown sugar
1 tsp. Ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Grated nutmeg
Pinch of clove
Pinch of salt
Dark Rum
(we like Captain Morgan Spiced Rum)
g. Race Committee Boat recognition for the two boat captains who
participated will be at the awards presentation. They will also be ask to
send us a bill for their time & fuel.
5. New Business:
a. Wendy Barrett reported that Don Beasley suggested adding a
position of Parliamentarian to the board, but it was decided that a time
keeper would help move meetings along just as well. Wendy promised
to try and keep board meetings to 1 hour.
b. The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 2nd but we
agreed to move it to Wednesday Jan 3rd.
In blender, cream butter, brown sugar,
cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and salt.
Refrigerate until firm.
Spoon about 2 T of mixture into a mug.
Pour about 3 oz. Rum into mug.
Top with boiling water.
Stir and serve hot.
c. There was discussion about using technology more effectively for
the club such as reservations for cruises, get meeting speakers listed, a
running calendar, blog page etc. being on the website.
6. Open Discussion:
a. It was decided that we would have past Commodore and Vice Commodore
keep their flags and buy new ones for the incoming officers.
Meeting Adjourned at: 19:55
David J. Cunningham, Secretary
3
DEALING WITH WINTER
How to prepare your boat for the off-season
system, you may need to start from the beginning again. Be sure
to pump out the holding tank afterward—especially important if
it’s a stainless-steel tank. Take great care with hydrochloric acid
and always add acid to water, never water to acid.
If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to winterize your boat,
especially if it’s not going to be used until the weather warms up in
spring.
At our last club meeting, Hal Thesen, of San Juan Sailing, explained
what this large charter company does to prevent winter damage to its
fleet of boats.
Bilge pumps. Test your electric and manual bilge pumps. Rebuild or
replace them if necessary. And don’t forget to protect manual pumps
from freezing.
Here are some tips from Hal, a highly experienced deep-sea voyager
and racer who has maintained the SJS fleet for the past six years.
These tips are based on SJS’s comprehensive preventive maintenance
schedule. In Hal’s words, it’s stuff to do in fall so that your boat
doesn’t deteriorate, and so that it’s ready to go in the spring.
Watermaker. Before the first predicted freeze, “pickle” your
watermaker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Batteries. Fully charged batteries are more resistant to damage
from freezing, so make sure you keep the voltage up. If you have an
onboard charger, test the voltage with the charger off. Also, test the
electrolyte level on unsealed batteries. It should be just slightly above
the top of the plates. Hal advises the use of a distilled-water dispenser
that automatically fills the battery to the right level. Auto stores often
carry these plastic containers. It’s also wise to load-test any battery
more than one year old, says Hal. This will confirm that it still has the
necessary capacity. Replace any battery that fails this test.
Exterior teak. If you can cover bare spots with a little varnish or
Cetol now, the wood will be protected until spring.
Ventilation. You need to keep air moving down below to prevent rot
and mildew. Adjust your Dorade vents for through airflow. Leave locker
doors open. Open all access hatches to the bilges. On wooden boats,
it’s even beneficial to leave portlights open. Stand bunk mattresses
on edge. Do all you can to promote air movement everywhere. And
beware of heating a damp, closed boat. The combination of still air,
warmth, and dampness can cause disaster down below.
Freshwater tanks. Before the first predicted freeze, drain freshwater
tanks and scrub their interiors, if you can, to remove algae. Then treat
with bleach solution and drain again.
Shore-power cord. Check the shore-power cord connection (the
male end at the dock box) for signs of black electrical arcing on the
prongs. If you see this, replace the cord. Power cords can start fires if
they’re corroded. But if all seems correct, simply lubricate the prongs
with dielectric silicon grease and replace the plug.
Check antifreeze. Check the antifreeze level in your engine and/or
genset, as well as in your hotwater cabin heater if you have one. Test
with a pH strip and add corrosion inhibitor as necessary. Hal’s advice
is to change the engine antifreeze every second year, because it does
deteriorate with time.
Engine. Wipe your engine and mechanical components with an
oily cloth to remove dirt and grease. If there’s a lot of gunk, use a
degreaser. Remove any rust you see, and spot paint with undercoat
and finish enamel where necessary for a “like-new” appearance.
Spray a light coat of WD-40 over the engine.
Close seacocks. Hal recommends closing all seacocks below the
waterline for the winter months, except those for the engine and
the genset. This minimizes the danger of seacocks, pipes, and
hoses freezing. (Sailboats whose cockpits drain through underwater
seacocks need to have the seacocks left open to dispose of rainwater,
of course.)
Stabilize fuel. Fresh water can condense in your fuel tank(s) as
heating and cooling cycles force new vapor-laden air in and out
through the vent. You can greatly reduce condensation by keeping
your tank(s) full of fuel, leaving little or no space for air to move in
and out. Hal recommends you also stabilize your fuel, to keep it fresh
for spring, with Stanadyne, which is also a biocide, preventing the
growth of algae that might otherwise clog fuel filters.
Toilet treatment. Leaving the head unattended for months at a time
can lead to some unpleasant surprises come springtime. If possible,
exercise the pump(s) regularly. They don’t like to be left unused.
Before a lengthy lay-up, you can use one of two methods to winterize
the head:
Inspect and repair sails. Unless you’re going to be sailing all
winter, remove the sails and have them inspected and repaired by a
sailmaker. If you’re not going to be sailing, remove your roller furler
headsail(s) because rainwater seeps down into the folds and makes
mold very happy. You can leave the covered mainsail on the boom if
you must, but all sails would be better dried, folded, and stored in a
well-ventilated spot down below.
(1)Unchloric Acid. Mix one bottle of Unchloric Acid powder
(available from Marine Sanitation Co., Seattle, and retailers) in
a gallon of warm water. Pour into the toilet bowl, leave for 48
hours, and then pump through the hoses and holding tank. Repeat
if necessary to remove salt build-up. After treatment, make sure
the holding tank is empty and flush RV antifreeze into the toilet
fixtures, or (second-best) flush with white vinegar.
Those of you who ignore Hal’s advice, and leave your roller furling
headsails in place, should at least secure them with extra turns of
line, and not rely on the furling line to keep them in place. And while
you’re at it, tie your halyards away from the mast and spreaders
for two good reasons: so they don’t chafe, and so they don’t drive
liveaboards crazy with that infernal tap-tap-tap.
(2)Muriatic acid. Mix one quart of muriatic (hydrochloric) acid
with two gallons of water and pour it into the toilet bowl. Wait a
few minutes until the fizzing stops and then pump on the “dry”
setting until the bowl is empty. Wait a few minutes then pump 10
strokes on the “wet” setting to move the acid into the discharge
hose. Pump another 10 times on “wet” after a few minutes to
flush the system thoroughly. Depending on the condition of your
Hal Thesen will happily advise you on maintenance and repair
problems. Contact him at San Juan Sailing, (360) 676-4116.
by June & John Vigor
4
Profile: Bob Cooper, CYC treasurer
Retirement hasn’t been a full-time thing for Bob – he still
works on oil wells as an independent contractor. Currently
he is wrapping up a job in Bolivia, where he says he is
the Lone Gringo. He enjoys the work and the people very
much, but he says he is “trying very hard to make that my
last job. Of course, I say that every year.”
If he succeeds, it will mean more sailing time ahead. He’s
planning a February cruise to Desolation Sound with his
friend, Bill Simmons, on Bill’s Grand Banks trawler, as
part of a group of six boats, most from Bellingham.
And next summer he hopes to make two long trips, to
explore the Broughton Islands and points north on the
British Columbia coast, and to go around Vancouver Island.
That agenda may just tip the scales from sailing the “Lady
Ann” to getting a Grand Banks trawler of his own.
“It’s hard to give up sail,” he says. “But a trawler is more
fitted to our lifestyle, and will make it easier and safer to
take the grandkids.”
Bob Cooper says he’s been “sailing heavily” for the last 40
years, and when you hear about the time he’s spent cruising
both here and around the world, you realize that “heavily” is
exactly the right word.
Bob and Ann have belonged to CYC for most of the time they
have been in Bellingham, but Bob says he didn’t manage to
get to many meetings, what with working and sailing. “But
a couple of years ago I decided to get seriously involved in
the club.” He now serves as treasurer, and has plans to get
involved with club racing this summer.
Bob is a petroleum engineer, specializing in well completion
and testing. His work has taken him and his wife, Ann, to
Libya, Iran, Dubai, Venezuala, Holland and Indonesia - places
where they lived by the ocean and it seemed like a person
ought to sail. So, Bob got his first boat - a little day-sailer - in
1967, when they were in Libya, and “slowly worked up” to
bigger boats and more adventurous ocean voyages.
As treasurer, Bob says “I can report that we have a reasonable
amount of money, with a reasonable cushion to carry us
through if membership drops due to the economy.”
One of the best, Bob says, was in 1990 when he was living in
Indonesia and crewed on a friend’s 36-foot Sparkman and Stephens.
Hop by hop, as free time allowed, they sailed from Jakarta to Bali,
and eventually on to Darwin in Australia, where they entered the
annual Darwin to Ambon race back to Indonesia.
You can reach Bob at [email protected].
by June Vigor
Bob was the navigator and, to his delight, they won the
Corinthian navigation prize in the cruising class, which was
awarded for the best navigation done with sextant and charts
and no electronics whatsoever.
Altogether, in that year-long effort, they sailed 6,800 miles.
He enjoyed the experience of sailing out of sight of land, and
loved the night sailing.
The Coopers lived abroad for 30 years, and Bob says Ann
spent those years “raising the family (of four children)- not an
easy chore with all our moves - learning new languages and
doing some very interesting travel. She actually saw more of
some of the places we lived than I did. My work was the same
wherever we lived, but for the family it was just like starting
over again each time.”
When Bob retired from his oil company job eight years ago,
after being based in Houston for two years, the Coopers could
have gone to live anywhere in the world. Instead, he and Ann
chose Bellingham as their retirement home, buying their boat a Catalina 34 they named “Lady Ann” - and a house in Sudden
Valley before moving up in 2000.
The sailing here was a big part of the reason for their choice and
Bob has enjoyed many long cruises - from a week to six weeks
- out among the islands. He particularly enjoys exploring outof-the-way spots.
5
CYC WINTER DANCE
“A Pray for Sun, Wind, and Sailing Party in the dead of Winter”
February 28th, 2009
At the Majestic Hall
1027 N. Forest Street, Bellingham
Time: 7:00 to 11:00 PM
Dance to sounds of The Motown Cruisers
$20 per person includes: hors d’oeuvres and 1 drink ticket (beer or wine)
Must RSVP and pay before 2/20/09 to Sharon at [email protected]
A FAVORITE
DESTINATION
Glenthorne Passage is westernmost of the northern bays of
Prevost Island, B.C. Go to the
far end of the channel and anchor
in 10-20 feet of water. The bottom is good, the water is quiet,
and surrounding cabins are picturesque. In the summer months
there are great sunsets. You will
find this anchorage protected
from all winds. We like to stay
Friday night and leave early Saturday morning across the Bay to
Ganges in plenty of time for the
Saturday Market. If you just want
to spend a few days on the hook,
you will find Glenthorne Passage
just what you need. This is one
of our favorite anchorages. Give
it a try and it might become one
of yours.
Submitted by
Barbee and Larry Folenius
Please share one of your
favorite destinations
by emailing it to:
[email protected]
ster Marine Cabinet Ma
Jon Lopez-Ma
ker
Licensed and Insured
Design, Construction and Installation of
Top Quality Yacht Interiors
3843 Brownsville Dr.
Bellingham, Wa 98226
[email protected]
(360) 319-3638
Matt Hardin
Owner
phone – 360) 961.2568
fax – 360) 676.1738
shop – 360) 734.2502
[email protected]
[email protected]
6
Marine Related Businesses in Limbo
In early fall, the newsletter committee met and discussed
articles of interest for the next year of newsletters. One of the
topics that seemed to generate a lot of interest was the future of
the many marine-related businesses located in the waterfront
redevelopment area. With this idea in mind, I went in search
of information.
overlay” for the redevelopment area. This zoning overlay will
provide the development framework for the entire area, and
allow businesses to enter into long term lease agreements with
the Port. Redden Marine hopes that their business, and their 35
employees, will be able to stay in the area.
In order for this to happen, the lease agreements will have to be
affordable for businesses such as theirs. I heard from several
other businesses that leases are already getting expensive. The
master plan, once adopted, will drive how land is used, and
what it will cost to use the land in the redevelopment area. A
plan that provides for accessible marine industrial activities
will help businesses like Redden Marine decide if they can
remain in the area. Until that plan is developed, though,
planning is on hold at Redden Marine.
I first spent some time in what I call the “C Street Marine
Trade Center” where there are probably a dozen marine-related
businesses on both sides of the street. At Colony Wharf, the
office manager said that they have a lease with the City of
Bellingham, running through Jan 2010. At this point in time,
they are feeling positive about lease renewals in the immediate
future. That said, though, they are holding off on any major
equipment purchases or upgrades to the facility until there
is more certainty about the area’s future. CW employs 8 full
time employees (seven who co-own the company), and on
any given day there are 25 different contractors working on
customer’s boats in the yard. There are usually about 100
boats in the yard, and they launch several thousand boats each
year – usually 3 to 4 per day, but up to 15 when it is really
busy. The rest of the businesses up and down “C” street were
bustling – despite a blustery and rainy day.
At the Port, things became a little murkier. There are several
large displays of the varying plans being proposed by the Port
and the City for the development of the waterfront area. The
“C” Street area will be the gateway to the new marina area,
once it is developed. The Port and the City are both working
on master plans for the entire waterfront development area,
and these plans will provide a new zoning overlay for the entire
area. Their plans are very different. The Port’s plan, as of
6/10/08, proposes the area between C Street and the Whatcom
Waterway as General Mixed Use/Industrial with Marine
Focus. The City’s proposal, dated September 2008, shows the
same area as mixed use residential. These are very different
uses, and it is anybody’s guess as to which will prevail. If the
C street area is zoned as mixed use residential, then it should
be assumed that the “C Street Marine Trade Center” will be
displaced. If the C Street area is zoned Mixed Use/Industrial
with Marine Focus, it might suggest that marine trades, such as
exist along C Street, including Colony Wharf, may be part of
the mix. It must be recognized that this parcel of land along C
Street, with its views and waterfront access, is one of the prime
spots in the redevelopment area. It will be interesting to see
what the “highest and best use” of this property will be.
Next stop was Redden Marine. Redden Marine has been
providing goods and services to commercial and recreational
boaters in the marina area for decades, and they hope to be able
to continue doing so for decades to come. They see the marina
area as the logical place for their business. Redden Marine is
anxious to locate new land in the marina area that could house
a new, larger facility. Their business is currently limited by the
size of the building, and they are ready to expand. At this point
in time, though, they are not able to identify a parcel of property
that can be leased from the Port for a new building. They are
waiting for the master plan that will provide a new “zoning
Given the potential lack of investment funds due to the sluggish
economy, and the current impasse between the Port and the
City, it could be many years – even decades- before this area
will change. So, for the immediate future (maybe five years
or so) it looks like the marine-related businesses in the marina
area will continue operations. Without an established plan that
the Port and City both agree to, though, an uncertainty exists
as to the future. This uncertainty makes it difficult for these
businesses to plan, hire employees, and invest in this area.
As one owner said, “we are in limbo right now, and are just
waiting to see what the politicians will do”.
Premier Properties
- Jon Martin
7
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❄
CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB OF BELLINGHAM
P.O. Box 101
Bellingham, WA 98227
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CYC Events Calendar
December General Meeting
& Christmas Party. . . . . . . . . . . December 16
January Board Meeting . . . . . . . January 6
January General Meeting . . . . . . January 20
January Boat Show Cruise . . . . . January 24
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Inside This Issue:
1 - Cruising into ‘09
CYC Holiday Fun
Racing News
2 - Commodore’s Corner
3 - Board Meeting Minutes
November Meeting Follow-up
4 - Winterizing
5 - Member Profile
6 - CYC Winter Dance Info
A Favorite Destination
7 - Marine Related Businesses
in Limbo