Jamaica Bay Sail - Traditional Small Craft Association

Delaware River Chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association
March 2012
Next Meeting:
November 9, 2015 @ 7:00 pm
Liberty Sailing Club
303 North Front Street
Philadelphia, Pa.
November 2015
Topic:
14’ Skin on Frame Pirogue
By: Ted Kilsdonk
Jamaica Bay Sail
By Chris Bickford
Chris is the fellow who purchased Phil Maynard’s Melonseed a few years back. Here is a short report and
some photographs he took of a recent sail. Ed.
Sailed east beating into ENE wind. Headed past Carnarsie Pol and under the North Channel Bridge
turning south past JFK Airport. Sailed east to the furthest point. Returned to anchor in Horse Channel on
the east side of Ruffle Bar. Awoke to squawking bird flying 360 degree circles around me. The boat
bobbed a lot. Then at 2 AM the water became like glass. I awoke at 5 to have breakfast and pull anchor.
Then I sailed out under Gill Hodges Bridge toward Coney Island and Seagate.
Wednesday sail.
Sailing past Little Egg Island.
Sailing into Negron Bay.
Sunset
Sailing west.
Sailing into Head of Bay.
Sunrise
Sailing east.
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HOLIDAY PARTY
Date: December 14, 2015
Location: The Pub
7600 Kaighn Avenue
Pennsauken, N.J.
www.thepubnj.com
Time: 6 PM Cocktails; 7 PM Dinner
Cost: $35 per person
Choice of Entrée
Prime Rib, Chicken Parmesan, Salmon, Crab Cakes
Please send checks to Treasurer Paul Skalka,
19 Farm Road, Ewing, N.J. 08638.
Phone: 609-771-1775 (H) 609-865-5726 (C)
*** Advise Paul if you are coming by Friday December 11,
2015 ***
*** Door prize donations gladly accepted***
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Book Review
By Dave Robbie
Building an Adirondack Guideboat: Wood Strip
Reproductions of the Virginia (Paperback)
by John Michne & Michael J. Olivette
As a big fan of John Michne's website, I became very interested when I heard this book was coming out.
I ordered it right away and was not disappointed. There are a few books out today on the subject of
boatbuilding for the home hobbyist that are really fantastic and this ranks right up there along with Ted
Moore's Canoecraft, and John Brooks' Glued Lapstrake Boatbuilding. The author's combined
boatbuilding and documentation skills which is not an easy or common feat. They have done a great job
in documenting the build of the H. Dwight Grant design 16' Guideboat "Virginia" so home boat builders
like me can follow right along. They utilize a cedar strip build technique. I would not have even
considered building a boat like this without this book. The book includes all of the steps and precise
details on how to reproduce this great craft. Many tips and techniques are shown that will insure high
quality if carefully followed. The authors approach is one of setting a very high standard instead of mass
appeal simplicity. The sanding stick idea is ingeniously simple for sanding rolling bevels on stems and ribs
but I had never heard of it before. The sections on seat caning and brass metalwork clearly illustrate that
it is something within my reach. I particularly liked that the authors were faithful to the Grant design
"Virginia" lines as precisely documented by John Gardner. It is a great tribute to Grant, Gardner, Kenneth
Durant and anyone who appreciates this special piece of history. I am sure they would be happy that
new guideboats will continue to emerge from workshops and garages and be used all over the world
rather than slowly fading away as museum pieces only. The Adirondack Guideboat design is really not
for a beginning boat builder who is looking to build a first boat. It will turn out much better if you have
already built a few boats. Don't miss out on this book though just because you are not ready to build
one. No other type of book exists that I know of on how to build this remarkable boat.
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NAUTICAL TRIVIA CHALLENGE
1. T or F: The scientific study of the sea is called Seaology.
2. The British Navy gave each sailor a daily ration of this drink consisting
of rum and water. It was known as __________.
3. The RMS Titanic was the official name of the Titanic. RMS was the
abbreviation for _______ _______ _______.
4. What are the five Great Lakes in North America?
5. The United States recognizes territorial limits how far off shore?
6. What religious symbol was on the mainsail of Spanish Galleons?
7. What is the latitude of the equator in degrees?
8. What does “amidship” mean?
9. What is the opening sentence of Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick?
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Cocktail Class Wooden Boat Racing Association
3rd Annual Union Lake Regatta - September 2015
By Lee Edmonds
Photographs by BreeAnn Edmonds and Frank Stauss
Great weather, great venue, great racing.
Sound familiar? Throw in free grilled
hamburgers and hot dogs, drinks and
condiments provided by Steve and Kay
Brendlinger, plus a few more goodies by other
participants, and you should agree we had a
wonderful day!
There were four Youth racers, four Women
racers, and seventeen Men racers who drove
eighteen CCRs in fifty-one races.
Two first-time racers, Rich Wood and his young
son Steve, drove down from western
Connecticut and drove back with awards. Steve
was also presented with the Most Promising
Rookie Award.
The start of racing was delayed about 30
minutes because of dense morning fog. Drivers
had to put up with a two-inch chop after the
lunch break. The rescue boat wasn't needed.
There weren't even any protests. Imagine a
fresh-water version of the Nationals, just more
laid back. A really enjoyable day of CCR racing!
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Several CCRs were raced by multiple drivers in
four engine classes. Steve Brendlinger's
Kamikaze was raced by five different drivers in
ten races, so was the most raced boat. But Fred
Allerton's Swamp Rocket and Smokin' Loon, also
piloted by five different drivers, raced in a total
of 15 races, so Fred and family used the most
gas during the day's racing. Smokin' Loon
garnered the most race awards with three firsts,
two seconds, and a third.
Frank Stauss, our host and the Race Director,
deserves much credit for his efforts in putting
on this third regatta at the Union Lake Sailing
& Tennis Club (ULS&TC) facility. (It was really
the fourth CCR race at Union Lake, but Frank
thinks his first race there was more an
invitational race to test the waters than an
official CCWBRA regatta.) Tom Shepard, of
ULS&TC, also deserves our thanks because he
gave up his Saturday to man the rescue boat all
day. And many CCWBRA racers, their families
and friends volunteered throughout the day to
start and score races, man the pits, and assist
other drivers as needed. Thanks guys and gals,
made for a really nice race day!
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Cocktail Class Wooden Boat Racing Association
The CCWBRA was founded in 2010 to encourage and organize racing in the Cocktail Class Runabout.
Based on the out-board racer SKUA, an 8 ft. plywood skimmer designed in 1939 by Charles MacGregor,
the Cocktail Class Runabout is an economical, easily constructed and exciting runabout. It is ideal for
racing at all skill levels and ages.
Although a young powerboat racing organization, the CCWBRA and its one-design Cocktail Class Runabout
have received overwhelming enthusiasm and support from around the world. Boats are being built and
raced in 33 states and 7 countries. We are sure they will engage all generations of your family and friends
for many years to come! Interested in joining the fun? Go to our website www.ccwbra.com to discover
more. Winter is a GREAT time to build a boat!
So They Say-A Clean Slate
By Tammy Leigh Dement
With the racing season at its close, it’s time to confess your dubious sailing tactics while the People’s
Pope is in town. Do so and you get to start over with a clean slate for next year…. In the days before
I pads and laptops (or pencil and paper), a slate tablet was kept near the helm on which the watch
keeper would record information such as speeds, distances, headings and tacks. If there were no
problems, the slate would be wiped clean so that the new watch could start over with a clean slate. So
now that Philly is cleansed by Papa Francesco’s blessings, and we’re clear of port-a-potties (good grief,
did you see them all!?), have a fabulous off-season planning your boating season for next year!
Nautical Trivia Challenge Answers
1. False (it is called Oceanography).
2. Grog.
3. Royal Mail Steamer.
4. Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Superior.
5. Three miles.
6. The Maltese Cross
7. 0
8. In the center of the boat.
9. “Call me Ishmael”.
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Thoughts from Our President
By Carl Weissinger
Ahoy shipmates! Usually at this time of the year we're all still basking in the memories of the St Michaels
weekend, but alas and alack, not so this year. Theresa and I did try an in lieu luncheon with beef
burgundy, Jean Mercer's fruit salad and assorted intoxicants. Carol Jones led the conversation with the
hilarious topic "What I learned from the back of a magazine as a kid." I'm still chuckling. Bill and Carol
also sponsored two raptor watching boating excursions down their way and Tom Shepherd led an
autumnal foliage watch down the Maurice River. So you see, we are alive and well. This past month's
meeting featured Steve Ingram, president of the New Jersey chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat
Society thanks to Michael Bill's efforts. Although they seem to have a penchant for exhaust fumes, there
are many similarities between our group and theirs. It was in sum a great talk. The idea was floated at
the last meeting of substituting a trip elsewhere for a monthly meeting at the Liberty Sailing Club.
Several years ago I went to London and visited the Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory in
Greenwich. Somewhere I have a picture of me standing athwart longitude 0. Perhaps the highlight of the
exhibitions were the various protocronometers aka clocks built in the attempt to create a timepiece
accurate enough to enable ships to determine their longitude. This very exhibit is now at Mystic Seaport
until January 19! I'm proposing that we have a chapter trip on January 6 (snow date Jan 13) to see these
early chronometers. We all know Mystic and the great restaurants. Who's with me? Finally, to our
November meeting Ted Kilsdonk is bringing the boat he and his campers built last summer for viewing. If
Ted's going to the trouble of lugging it over the Delaware, we can at least lug ourselves down to see it!
See you there, Carl
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TSCA Meeting Notes
By Carol Jones Secretary
October 12, 2015
Liberty Sailing Club
Carol Jones could not make the meeting tonight so the meeting notes were collected by
Frank Stauss.
Our banner project has stalled. A date was set to work on same by the committee
members.
It was suggested that a road trip be made to Easton to visit a boat building project.
More info. will follow later.
A thank-you letter was received from John Ford of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime
Museum for our donation to be put towards additional crabs for the MASCF. Because of
possible hurricane the MASCF was cancelled this year. The donation we made will be
kept by the museum and used for the 2016 MASCF. The donation amount was $200.
George Loos attended the Greenland Kayak Retreat in Rehobeth Beach, Delaware. The
festivities included building and using kayaks and was a four day event similar to the
MASCF. The top Greenland people from all over the country were in attendance
including five kayakers from Greenland. George reported that a usable skin on frame
kayak was built in 90 minutes!
Officer elections will be held at the November 9 meeting. The following nominations
were made. President-Carl Weissinger; Vice President-Ned Asplundh; Treasurer-Paul
Skalka; Secretary-Carol Jones. If anyone would like to nominate someone for one of the
positions please advise Carl Weissinger or attend the November meeting.
President Carl Weissinger told the group that speakers are needed for 2016. Carl
reported that it is difficult at times to find speakers and he would WELCOME any
suggestions.
Paul Skalka suggested that we might want to take road trips in January and February (on
weekends) instead of our monthly meetings. Road trip suggestions are being solicited.
Our program for this month was a talk given by Steve Ingram on the Antique and Classic
Boat Society-Philadelphia Chapter. Steve talked at length about the group. The talk
included an excellent power point presentation. His group meets at the Eddington
House Restaurant on the second Monday of the odd months during the year. Steve is
the president of the organization which boasts 85 member families from New Jersey,
Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Our next meeting will be November 9, 2015 at 7:00 pm, at the Liberty sailing Club.
The New Yorker, October 11, 1958
Carl Weissinger sent this magazine cover out in a recent e-mail. I liked it so much I
decided to add it this this month’s Mainsheet. It sort of sums up what we all have been
doing this past month. Bringing the boats home in preparation of the long winter ahead.
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2015 Meeting Calendar
January
Monday Jan. 12, 2015
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:30 pm
Feature: Boats of East Africa
By: Carol Jones
July
Monday July 13, 2015,
Liberty Sailing Club, 5:30pm
Feature: Annual Chapter Picnic Send Tom
Additionally discussion on Barnegat Bay Sail.
February
Monday Feb 9, 2015
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:30 pm
Feature: Boat Names
By: Carl Weissinger
August
Monday Aug 10, 2015
Union Lake Sailing and Tennis Club, 7:00pm
In the past, open boating has started 2pm
Feature: TSCA Display Planning
By: Rachel Cobb-Graphic Designer
March
Monday Mar 9, 2015
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:30pm
Show up early to help get set up
Feature: Annual Bid and Buy!
September
Monday Sep 14, 2015
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:30pm
Feature: To Be Announced
By:
April
Monday April 11, 2015
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:00pm
Feature: Moose Skin Boats
By: Tom Shephard
Saturday Sep 12, 2015
Union Lake Sailing and Tennis Club, 9:00 am
Annual Messabout
May
Monday May 11, 2015
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:30pm
Feature: Dream Boats
By: Membership
October
Monday October 12, 2015
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:30pm
Feature: Antique & Classic Boat Society
By: Steve Ingram
June
Monday June 8, 2015
Union Lake Sailing and Tennis Club, 7:00 pm
meeting. In the past, open sailing has started at
2 pm.
Feature: Nautical Trivia
By: Membership
November
Monday November 9, 2015
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:30pm
Feature: 14” Skin on Frame Pirogue
By: Ted Kilsdonk
December
Monday Dec 14, 2015
Annual Holiday Party. 7:00pm dinner
Feature: Food, fun, friendship, prizes!
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Delaware River Chapter
TSCA
Chapter President:
Carl Weissinger
[email protected]
Chapter Vice President:
Mike Bill
[email protected]
Secretary:
Carol Jones
[email protected]
Treasurer:
Paul Skalka
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor:
Frank Stauss
[email protected]
Website:
www.tsca.net/delriver/index.html
From the Snuggery
By Frank Stauss
Several weeks ago I attended a music workshop in
Milford, Connecticut. During a lunch break I had the
pleasure to sit with an older gentleman who I
discovered shared some of the same interests as me.
In addition to learning to play a new musical
instrument (Mountain Dulcimer) we also enjoyed
wood working. He showed me some photographs of
his carving work. He is without a doubt a master
carver. When I told him of my boat building
experience and my expanding fleet he showed great
interest. He explained to me that he has always
wanted to build a boat but never got around to it.
Our discussion rekindled that desire but he expressed
some doubts about his skill level and physical ability. I
spoke to him about the WoodenBoat School in
Maine. I told him that I have attended the school
many times and on each occasion was amazed at the
older folks who were anticipating their first build. I
also told him about Chesapeake Light Craft as a
source of very good boat building kits. Their building
manuals are beyond compare and they are more
than willing to answer any additional questions you
might have. When we were done lunch I could tell
that I had sparked his interest, planted a seed, hit a
note. We exchanged email addresses. Who knows,
maybe the next time I hear from him he will send a
photograph of the boat he is building. It is never too
late. Sometimes the hardest step to take is the first.
The Delaware River Chapter of the Traditional Small
Craft Association works to preserve and continue the
living traditions, skills, lore and legends surrounding
working and pleasure craft whose origins predate the
maritime gasoline engine. It encourages the design,
construction and use of these boats. Whether you
have an interest in traditional boat building, messing
about in small boats, or helping preserve our
maritime heritage come join us and share the
camaraderie of kindred spirits.
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