April - Master Mariners Benevolent Association
Transcription
April - Master Mariners Benevolent Association
Since 1867 April, 2012 Norm Harris, Editor 2012 Master Mariners Annual Regatta Saturday, May 26th Invitations for this year’s MMBA Regatta were mailed to all members in March – if you did not receive one and want to enter the race please contact the Regatta Chairman, Bill Belmont at [email protected] or (510) 486-2156. The Regatta will be held on Saturday, Memorial Day Weekend, May 26, 2012. A Race Packet including race instructions, starting times, etc. will be available at the Sponsors/Skippers Luncheon. The Sponsors/Skippers Luncheon. will be at the St. Francis YC on Friday, May 18th, starting at 11:30 a.m. Come pick up your race packet and see the unveiling of the new T-shirts and other clothes. If you can’t make the luncheon a race packet will be mailed to you. The after-race festivities will once again be at the Encinal Yacht Club. There will be outdoor bars, a buffet dinner, an awards ceremony and dancing. For boats staying overnight the Encinal YC will serve breakfast on Sunday and there will be a potluck BBQ later in the afternoon. The price for the buffet dinner will be $20.00 and the Sunday breakfast should be the same as last year. More information will be in your race packet. Be sure to get your reservations for berthing and dinner into Terry Klaus by Monday, May 21st. There will be a form in your race acknowledgement letter and also the race packet. Dinners must be pre-paid to guarantee dinner. The pre-paid dinner tickets will be available on the lawn – filed under boat name. Regatta Application due date is April 30th without penalty. ABSOLUTE DEADLINE IS MAY 7th. The Shellback, April 2012, Pg. 1 Sponsors – time to start courting yours for the next regatta! Our Rear Commodore, Steve Hutchinson, is picking up the reins of Regatta Sponsorship this year. You may remember his charming wife Maggie helped with this in recent years as well. I will help Steve a little his first time out, and you will be hearing from him in the near future. Skippers, please help the sponsor program by finding one or two to sponsors (no limit really) for your vessel in the regatta. One of my friends told me he will be moving up to Oregon soon, but is already excitedly planning to come back down to race on his friend’s gaffer in the regatta. The 2011 Sponsor Directory is included on a page in this Shellback. Please remember to go to our loyal sponsors for their products and services. Thank you! Ariane Paul, Jr. Staff Commodore The Shellback, April, 2012, Pg.2 The Shellback, April, 2012, Pg.3 Notice of Annual Meeting & Election of Officers June 23, 2012 Corinthian Yacht Club, Tiburon, CA Our annual meeting and party will be a fun, relaxing evening before the next day’s rush of welcoming the public to our Wooden Boat Show at the grand setting and venue that is the Corinthian Yacht Club. As spelled out in the MMBA By-Laws, membership is to meet annually and vote for open Director positions. This year there are three positions up for election, each for a three-year term. Two positions have incumbents that are up for re-election, Paul Dines and Peter Miller. Both were appointed last year to fill the remaining one year terms of Hans List and myself, Ariane Paul. Dean Gurke’s position is the third and will be open. Potential new candidates please step forward and let me know that you would like to be on the ballot. Feel free to ask any of the current or past Directors what it entails and we’ll be happy to fill you in. Many of us have put in a few years here and there helping out in various roles for our well known and lively events that are always enjoyable. Generally, the Board meets once a month except for July and December. If you get a lot out of Master Mariners, our events, and the fellow members you get to know and sail with, then put a little back in to keep our club going strong. Upon arrival at Corinthian YC on Saturday afternoon, current members are to pick up a ballot from Ariane, vote, and put their ballot in the ballot box in advance of the meeting by 1730. At approximately 1800 the meeting will be called to order on the boat deck and the results will be announced along with other pertinent MMBA news and notices of the day. The meeting will be followed by a no-host dinner with live music. If you are unable to attend, candidate names will be forwarded to members in advance by email, and members in good standing can mail their choices and other nominee names by mail, limited to three choices total. Please submit your mailed ballot with your name and vessel name and mail to: Ariane Paul, 1710 Stanton Street, Alameda, CA 94501. Mailed ballots must be received by June 19, 2012. No Regatta for Sans Souci This year we thought that some cosmetic refreshing was all we required for the regatta and the boat show. The goddess of wooden boats frowned on us. As you can see from the photo (taken after removal), I found rot in the covering board and the moulding that forms the outer edge. Because of the location of the known rot, I worried that we would find rot in the shear plank, chain plate shelf, and frame ends. So I removed the moulding beyond the soft areas and removed the covering board far enough back that the frame ends were clearly visible. Luckily, we found no rot in the suspect areas, only in the covering board. Repair continues. Although we will not be able sail in the regatta, we expect to be ready for the boat show. Knowing the way of boat repairs, we are keeping our fingers crossed. The Shellback, April, 2012, Pg.4 Traditional Clothes for Our Traditional Boats? Like many of you, we've been busy cleaning out lockers, sanding, varnishing, and making time to take our gaff cutter Mercy out on the bay. As we prepare our boat for the Regatta, I've had a thought I'd like to share with all of you. Why not sail the Regatta in traditional yachting clothes or in matched crew uniforms? Something to complement the traditional vessels on the water that day. We can bring a more visible sense of fun and tradition to the Regatta, provide fantastic picture opportunities for the media, some great souvenir photos for our generous sponsors, and add to the great celebration of maritime tradition that is the Master Mariner's Regatta. Last year I noticed most of us sailed in foulies and street clothes. But when you look at pictures like these from other regattas (from the McNish and Les Voiles de St.Tropez), you can see how traditional yachting attire or uniforms would be a fantastic way to highlight our boats and crew, and bring more attention to these beautiful traditions of sail. I'm working on something for the crew of Mercy. I've got a closet full of old uniforms from my days in the U.S. Navy, and Alameda Army/Navy is always good for old-fashioned work clothes or naval attire. I'm sure I can put together something. Peacoats? Crackerjacks? Sailing whites? Something properly nautical and traditional - and just plain fun. What do you think? If a few of you want to take us up on it, we can even make it a contest. I'll even donate the prize for the best dressed crew: a night of pizza and local beers at my restaurant, Croll's Pizza in Alameda (in the historic 1879 Croll Building). Send me an email if you're in. - Lorenzo Puertas S/V Mercy Oakland [email protected] The Shellback, April, 2012, Pg.5 We need volunteer crew, experienced sailors! Spaulding Center’s Community Sail season will be getting underway soon – Polaris, our 1906 gaff sloop has been hauled, with lots of work done on her and she is looking wonderful! In addition to Polaris, we'll have Dixie, the adorable launch donated to Spaulding last year, for tours along the Sausalito waterfront. The Sausalito Historical Society is partnering with us to provide docents for these tours. About our Community sails: A program designed to take people sailing on the bay. We take around 300 people a year for free! Our program is all volunteer run. Join us! Contact Sharon White, Community Sails Coordinator: [email protected] or visit our website: www.spauldingcenter.org HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BIRD CLASS 2012 marks the 90th birthday of the Bird boat. It is the oldest one design class on the Pacific Coast. The inaugural event of this years celebration was the Bird boat program at the STFYC Yachtmen's Luncheon on April 4. The class will be racing a full schedule including the YRA WBRA series, the Woodies Invitational and the class Perpetual. The Birds will also sail in the Master Mariners Regatta, the Jessica Cup and participate in the Master Mariners Wooden Boat Show. The final event will be the coveted San Francisco Challenge Cup. The SFYC has accepted the challenge of the CYC in Birds. The race will be held September 15. This will feature the Pacific Coast's oldest yacht clubs sailing in the coast's oldest one design for the oldest challenge cup. This is real yachting ! "Nothing sails like a Bird " Bird Boat #4, 1924, Mavis is for sale. Restored, two sets of sails, spinnaker and pole, inboard 10hp Yanmar engine, depth sounder, two way radio, elegant interior. $25 000. Contact John Ferguson at [email protected]. The big birthday party will be September 15 at SFYC. It will feature pictures, memorabilia, movies, talks, stories, the fleet at the dock and dinner. All former Birders, current Birders and future and interested Birders are invited and welcome. The Shellback, April, 2012, Pg.6 EIGHT BELLS – Alberta Ecker, 1922-2012 Services for Alberta Ecker were held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito, Oakland, at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 22nd. Alberta Ralston (Meek) Ecker, Sept. 19, 1922 - Apr. 4, 2012 Recently a resident of Walnut Creek, Alberta lived in her family home in Oakland for over 80 years. Growing up, it was a lively place filled with love, books, frequent entertaining and extended family. The only child of George and Sara Meek (Ralston), Alberta loved art, books, animals (especially cats), sailing, Cal football games, and her Lancia sports car, in no particular order. Most of all she adored her beloved husband Frank, whom she married July 27, 1947 at St. Paul's Church in Oakland. Frank who passed away in January 2009. Both Alberta and Frank graduated from Cal-Berkeley. After obtaining both a BA and an MA in Art, then acquiring a teaching credential, she spent a year teaching middle school in Richmond. After that she decided a somewhat different path would suit her better and took a position in customer service at Pacific Telephone, where she was employed for over 30 years. In retirement, Alberta and Frank's life focused around the Oakland Yacht Club in Alameda, Cal football games and museums. She never missed a new exhibit - modern, traditional or Asian, although her favorite artist was El Greco. A Cal football season ticket holder, she often gave their seats to friends when their alma mater was playing against Cal. She curtailed her participation in sailing after recovering from skin cancer, but was always there to meet the boat when Frank returned from racing. Over the years he participated in 18 Master Mariner Regattas. Alberta charmed friends with stories of her life. When she and Frank first saw the Lancia for sale, how she rescued the glass slides of Chiuro Obata during his internment then returned them to his family 50 years later, the first Cal football game her mother took her to where she fell in love with the sport, and when she first met Frank. She loved sailing on their two boats Firecrest, then Holgonza and remembered fondly how Frank and his good friend Big John used to play chicken in their boat Holganza on the estuary, heading full sail towards Kincade's building then always turning away just in time. Alberta could really tell a story. Alberta's lively wit, outspoken manner, and wonderful spirit will be sorely missed by her second cousins Lucinda Thorington-Gunn, Annie Milner, Bill Thorington and John Krisik, her friends at OYC and especially by her friend Mindy Hart-Shaw to whom she was so very dear. Donations can be made by those wishing to do so to the UC Berkeley School of Architecture, Master Mariners Benevolent Association, or the Oakland Yacht Club Art Fund. Alberta passed away peacefully on Wed., April 4, 2012. She had been under the care of hospice following a major stroke on March 23rd. Alberta had been a member of the Oakland Yacht Club for 40 years, and she and her husband Frank Ecker had been active in Master Mariners for decades with their 44’ yawl HOLGANZA built in 1941, and their earlier boat FIRECREST. Holganza placed first in the annual MMBA regatta several times: 1998 1992 1989 1987 1978 - 2nd Place, Marconi II Class 1st Place, Marconi II Class 1st Place, Marconi II Class 1st Place, Marconi II Class 1st Place, Marconi I Class The Shellback, April, 2012, Pg.7 From Spirit of the Sea and Richard Gillette It has been a whirlwind of activity since we arrived in Jack London Square on March 5th. We love our new home in Jack London Square and are making many friends and contacts. The exposure is very good as we are right on the Estuary where many boats, ferries, and marine activity takes place. We have conducted 9 sails since our arrival. Three of these sails have been with children and one with College students. The first group was an after school group from the Berkeley Boosters Police Activities League that I mentioned in my last email. We have been blessed with so many new talented wonderful crew who are being trained and sharing their enthusiasm, knowledge, hearts and souls with the kids! They are the true hero's of Spirit of the Sea! Thank you for giving or yourself and for your huge generosity. You make a huge difference in the lives of the children you touch We also took out a group from the Albany YMCA and Albany Police Activities League (PAL) called Girls Rock. They really enjoyed seeing all the huge Container Ships as we motored out of the estuary. They loved learning about the ocean and were saddened to see the trash that had entered the Bay after the last rain storm. We discussed the Pacific Gyre and how what we do on land and how we treat our trash has a direct effect on the Ocean and the wildlife that live in it. Showed them a picture of the contents of a bird that had been dissected and they were amazed to see how much plastic the bird had ingested. I asked them what they thought they could do to help. After discussing several ideas they decided they wanted to start a group at their school that would clean up trash and plastic and inform other students how they could change their behavior to help the oceans. They even came up with a name- POP- Pacific Ocean Protector’s. I set them up with a friend who runs the Plastic Coalition and a program for Plastic Free Campus’s. They had huge smiles as they hoisted the The Shellback, April, 2012, Pg.8 stay sail and the boat started moving with the wind. Please see the pictures link below. We are looking forward to more sails with this group this summer. We also did a crew training with our Junior Crew aboard. Anna, Alahandra, Kassy, Julia, Emily, Sara and Nancy came along for their first sail on Ocean Watch and they loved it! They could not get over how large and magnificent she is. They really enjoyed exploring down below and were amazed at the size of the fore deck. Their smiles were contagious. We are looking forward to having them on board and to some overnight voyages this summer. They all told me how happy they were to be out sailing again and how much they love it and how much they love Ocean Watch On Thursday April 5th we took 25 Cal Berkeley Students and their Professor Mike Dvorak for an incredible sail on Ocean Watch. These students are in Mike's class on Wind Energy and what better place to learn about the winds than on San Francisco Bay from a sailboat. We had winds up to 30 knots and lots of white caps. Mike had prepared the class with weather data and explanations of how the winds in the Bay are generated. I took groups of five to our pilot house helm where our instruments are. We computed what the apparent wind speed would be when headed into the prevailing wind by taking our SOG (speed over ground) and adding it to the true wind speed. We also computed what the current was and what direction it was moving by comparing our speed through the water and our speed over ground. We tucked into the harbor by Pier 45 in San Francisco so they could see the Blackish and SF's fishing fleet and for a little break from the wind. We then hoisted only our stay sail for a fast ride back along the city front. Everyone got some time on the foredeck enjoying the sun and the stunning view of the City. We spotted a seal who was struggling with a large fish and was battling the seagulls. There is a picture in the album for this group. All the students had a wonderful time and now have a whole new perspective of the power of the wind and San Francisco Bay. The Shellback, April, 2012, Pg.9 In this issue... MMBA 2012 Events Calendar Coming up: Annual Regatta Annaul Meeting Boat Show New Year’s Race & Chili Potluck Pt. San Pablo YC Mar 17 Spring Potluck Pt. San Pablo YC** May 18 Sponsors Lunch St. Francis YC May 26 Annual Regatta Encinal YC Jun 23 Annual Meeting Corinthian YC Jun 24 Wooden Boat ShowTiburon Jan 1 Recent Happenings: Eight Bells—Alberta Ecker Happy Birthday Birds and more: Vessel for Sale Traditional Clothing Challenge Doings around the Bay Spirit of the Sea Regatta Sponsors TBD The Great Schooner Regatta SFYC China Camp Sail-in Potluck China Camp State Park Sep 1-3 Chicken Ship Cruise TBD Offshore Cruise Oct 13-14 Jessica Cup * St Francis YC TBD Norm Harris, Editor 2226-A Westborough Blvd # 404 South San Francisco, CA 94080 [email protected] Patty Henderson SWBC-MMBA BBQ Spaulding Center Sausalito Petaluma YC www.mastermariners.org (415) 364-1656 Commodore July 21 * not a MMBA event ** New venue [email protected] Vice Commodore Bill Belmont* [email protected] Rear Commodore (TBD) Director Paul Dines Director Richard Gillette Director Dean Gurke [email protected] Director, Editor Norm Harris [email protected] Director Steve Hutchinson*** Director Peter Miller Director Dick Wren** Treasurer Tom O’niell Secretary Paul Dines Trophy Chair Ali Immel [email protected] Jr. Staff Comm. Ariane Paul [email protected] * Race Chair ** Membership Chair [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ***Sponsor Chair The Shellback, April, 2012, Pg.10