Sunday, April 1, 2001

200104




Commodore

By Michael Lewis

Leave no wake! As we head into the sailing/cruising season, I was thinking about some of the things that make boating fun and not so fun. How many of you have ever read Robert Fulghum’s book, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten?" I quote from Robert Fulghum’s book:

  • Share everything.
  • Play fair.
  • Don’t hit people.
  • Put things back where you found them.
  • Clean up your own mess.
  • Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
  • Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
  • Wash your hands before you eat.
  • Flush.
  • Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
  • Live a balanced life -– learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
  • Take a nap every afternoon.
  • When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
  • Beware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
  • Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup — they all die. So do we.
  • And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned—the biggest word of all—LOOK.

Great wisdom and you don’t even have to take a graduate course in boating to get the message. If we all read these tenets each day and lived our lives that way, it would be a great place on the water or off the water. So as you begin the sailing year, post these things that we all should have learned in kindergarten in a prominent place and live life to the fullest and "leave no wake."

Fair Winds and Favorable Currents



March's Meeting at RCYC

By Kathleen Lewis

At our last meeting on March 28, 2001 Herb Florer of Island Sailing Club presented a seminar on Man Overboard recovery. Key points to start the discussion:
  • Wear PFD’S!
  • Don’t fall in.
  • Don’t let anyone else fall in.
  • If someone falls in;
  • Get back to him/her
  • Don’t get separated again
  • Get him/her out fast
As a novice sailor who completed the first two classes at Island Sailing Club just before getting our sailboat, the above points are not new information. The PFD’s are put on as soon as we board the boat. The classes stressed safety at all times as you move on/off the boat and move around on the boat.

Herb’s seminar discussion took us through these points again and went through various ways to maneuver the boat to get back to the person. The discussion covered a review of the Figure 8, Gybe, Quick Stop and the Lifesling loop.

Once you get back to the person, you must attach them to the boat, prepare to recover them, bring them on board and then treat for any injuries/hypothermia. All this should happen as quickly as possible. This means that all of us should have a plan ahead of time and practice it.

It’s like having a fire, earthquake or evacuation drill and hoping we never have to do it for real.

Part of Herb’s demonstration showed how difficult it is to lift a victim aboard. It didn’t matter how big or strong you are.  A part of our recovery plan needs to include how we are going to bring someone back on board. I know it was hard for me to lift our Newfoundland puppy back onto the dock at Tomahawk Bay. He was wearing his PFD, but could not reach the dock to climb out of the water. From then on I tried to keep him on the dock!!!!!!

THE BASIC RULE FOR ALL TO FOLLOW-----ALWAYS WEAR A PFD!!!!!!!



April Meeting

By Michael Lewis

April 25, 2001, 7pm at West Marine. The meeting will be hosted by West Marine at 1176 N. Hayden Meadows Drive, Portland, OR. We will also have our Annual Election of Officers. Following the meeting, we can shop until we drop. A special Columbia River All Catalina Association Discount Night with a 10% discount on all purchases except 5% discount on electronics. The store will be open exclusively for us so save up those Sacajaweas($) and get your new toys for this cruising year.

The ballot for next year’s officers will include the following slate from the Nominating Committee. Other nominations will be accepted from the floor at the April Meeting.

  • Commodore Michael Lewis
  • Vice Commodore Jim Himes
  • Secretary/Treasurer Kathleen Lewis
  • Cruise Annie Meyer
  • Communication Dale Mack
  • Historian LaDonna Bubak
  • Safety Michael Lewis
  • Hospitality Julie Beck



Secretary/Treasurer

By Kathleen Lewis

The CRACA ( Columbia River All Catalina Association ) meeting on March 28th was held at the Rose City Yacht Club. The meeting started at 1800 with a potluck dinner shared by almost 40 members and guests. Guests included prospective new members and members of the Hunter Sailing Club. The food was plentiful and delicious. This was also a time for fellowship among attendees.

Following dinner, Herb Florer of Island Sailing Club spoke to the group about Maneuvering and Recovery techniques relating to a "Crew Overboard" situation. The presentation was well received with many good questions and "what ifs?". See more details in another article.

New Members

Our organization continues to grow. Three new members bring the present number to 51. This is a long way from our 31 at the end of September.
Don and Pam Evans from West Linn
  • C320 – DREAM CATCHER – is at Tomahawk Bay I19
Rob and Kim Kloft of Vancouver
  • Capri 22 is at Columbia Way West – 19
Berkeley and Carole Smith of Warren
  • C25 – PZAZZ – is at PYC
Thanks to all who have paid dues for 2001 – 2002. Please contact me if you have any questions about membership, dues, "Mainsheet" orders or burgees.



Safety Focal
Stormy Vessel Safety Check (VSC)  Days

By Michael Lewis

A few hardy souls braved the stormy and very unsettled weather for their VSC, but due to the inclement weather the Dock Party was canceled.  For those sailors that are smarter than the average bear, give the Safety Officer a call to catch one of the pretty decals to spruce up your boat for spring.  Speaking of Bear, the Newfy and The Commodore’s Mascot, he was far smarter than any average bear, he stayed home and dry unlike the Commodore.



Burgee

The association's burgee is available to members for $15.  Inquiries about membership, Mainsheet magazine subscriptions, and burgee orders should be addressed to:

Kathleen Lewis, Secretary/Treasurer
17535 Monnier Road, NE
Hubbard, OR 97032
(503) 981-7467



Cruising



Pictures from the Valentines Day Cruise

By Dale Mack

February 17-18.  Three boats attended the cruise (see article in March newsletter).  Here are some of the pictures taken by Michael Lewis.

  • Shekinah (John & Annie Meyer)
  • Wind Raven (Michael & Kathleen Lewis)
  • Miss Tres II ( Walt & Marilyn Wittke with stowaway, Eugene Wilkinson)
Shekinah and Wind Raven
Wind Raven and Miss Tres II



St. Patrick's Day Cruise

By Bob Teeter

March 17-18.  There were a total of seventeen yachts at the March 17/18th cruise to Grandma’s Cove (Schooner Creek Docks). The weather started out early Saturday morning with a fine Irish mist, but turned into a beautiful afternoon. Participating in the cruise were boats from both the Columbia River All Catalina Association (CRACA) and Sauvie Island Yacht Club (SIYC). In addition to the seventeen yachts tied up at the dock, there were several members who joined the cruise via land cruisers. The following members were at the cruise: Michael & Kathleen Lewis on Wind Raven, Brian & Kathryn Lawrence on Katrinka, Jim & Marlene Himes on R-Time3, John & Annie Meyer on Shekinah, Bob & Rick Teeter on Camelot and Ron and Mari Howell on Sofla. Ron and Mari Howell are new members and this was their first cruise with us.


A potluck dinner was held at 4:30 on the dock with plenty of "green food", including corned beef and cabbage. As usual, there was an abundance of food and desserts to temp the participants.

Jim Himes and John Meyer
Sailing stories were shared between the two clubs with the members sharing stories of bar crossings and passages taken and passages planned. Boat tours were conducted throughout the afternoon and evening. Of special interest was the arrival of Rick and Sandra Calef’s Polaris 43. It has recently undergone a complete multiyear retrofit and is truly a remarkable project. I was specifically impressed by the joiner work and the electrical wiring layout. If you didn’t get a chance to tour her, you missed out on a real treat.

The breakdown was six CRACA boats, ten SIYC boats and one guest boat. The boats ranged in size from 27 feet to 54 feet. It was surprising how many of the SIYC members, at one time or another, owned a Catalina, with some members having several in their history.

We want to take this opportunity to thank Schooner Creek Boat Works for their hospitality. If you are having any work done on your boat at Schooner Creek Boat Works in the future, please be sure to let them know what a pleasure it was to share their docks.



Easter Cruise to Gilbert River

By Michael Lewis

Final details about the Easter Cruise to Gilbert River-RESCHEDULED

NOT on April 14-15 after all but April 21-22.

The Gilbert River is closed until April 16th for nesting birds and the African Queen would have to stay at the dock.

April 21-22.  Hey Sailors...it is time to get your charts out and put some of those navigational skills gained. Navigational coordinates are (est.) as follows...45° 45.7' N., 122° 48.6' W.  (On the Multnomah Channel, about 6 miles upstream from the St. Helens confines).

For those who seek adventure and the lure of a good time, Gilbert River will be it.  We are combining not only adventure but a celebration of Spring and not on Easter Weekend any longer!

So we have an idea of attendees, could you please contact Anne Meyer if you think you'll make it?  (jsmeyer@msn.com or 503-693-9233).  Hopefully, we will see some of our St Helens members...you are closer than you think.

Bring along a "White Elephant" for exchange.

Our own Charlie Allnut (Bogart) and Rose Sayer (Hepburn) of the African Queen (aka Commodore and Secretary/Treasurer) will lead those adventuresome souls upriver via a dinghy flotilla to see the "African Queen" vistas of Spring...returning to the docks to share an evening potluck and toast to Bogie and Hepburn." "Shekinah" will offer " coffee,  "Fermosa", and sweet rolls Sunday morning for those who can " Rise and Shine"....hope you can attend...
Reconnoitering…We went to Gilbert River to look the situation over and send a report for those coming on the Gilbert River Cruise. Here is what we found:

You approach the Gilbert River Moorage from downstream whether you come upstream from St Helens or down through the Multnomah Channel. There is a boat ramp and dock on Sauvie Island just downstream from the Gilbert River Moorage. Although there was one deadhead in the Multnomah Channel, we did not find any serious obstructions to navigation approaching the docks. The channel entrance was never shallower than 12 feet.

Docks are 288 feet long and can be approached from either side. Water depth exceeded 12' on both sides of the dock at half tide. According to the chart, we should have 12-15' at "0" on the tide chart.  Today there was only one other boat on the dock, but evidence of many day campers on Sauvie Island. Inside the docks there is room for one boat width and boats need to be short enough to fit between pilings. Pilings are about 30 feet apart. Outside there is plenty of room to raft. People with dogs will need a dinghy for shore leave--the docks do not connect to shore anywhere.

It is a beautiful spot and I look forward to staying there. Today we watched a bald eagle fishing almost close enough to our boat to touch.

By Katrinka (Kathryn & Brian Lawrence)



Astoria-Warrenton Crab & Seafood Festival Cruise

By Michael Lewis

Fresh crab, seafood and fine Oregon wines in a beautiful, green park on the Columbia River. The roar of the Pacific in the distance provide the backdrop to the 40 wineries, 30 eateries, 80 booths of arts and craft work.

Continuous entertainment including Brownsmead Flats, Cindy Pearson, The Elements, Round House, Tom Varley & the Sundogs, and Heather Christie. Kids Corner with activities & daycare. Petting zoo. Water taxis, river tours.

Admission to the festival is $5 general, $3 for those over 62 and $1 for kids 12 and under.

Car parking on site is available...(parking fee required)

Boat Shuttle River Taxi...From Astoria West Basin Marina Gift Shop...(round trip river taxi and festival entrance fee inclusive)

The Astoria-Warrenton Crab & Seafood Festival
April 27, 28, 29, 2001
4pm­9pm Friday
10am­8pm Saturday
11am­4pm Sunday

April 26-May 2.  CRACA member Ralph Ahseln will be leading a cruise to the festival.

Ralph Ahseln can provide River mileage charts (several way points...Up/down mileages).  These can be made available to CRACA.).  River Current Prediction charts for the week-end can be made available too.  (Current Prediction may be more important than Tidal information.)

Downriver

The tentative Schedule for the Down River sail is...(Subject to weather and river conditions)

April 26 (Thursday), 1000 hrs

  • I-5 bridge meet the C27 Oblio skippered by Ralph Ahseln (Az-lin)…  Ralph will monitor VHF ch 69 during downriver trip.
  • At appropriate times and locations. Ralph will make short comments about Navigation and/or History of the Columbia River and it's communities.

April 26 (Thursday), 1700 to 1800 hrs

  • Meet at Cathlamet (Elochman River Marina)

April 27 (Friday), 0900 hrs

  • Proceed to Astoria-West Basin

April 28 (Saturday Evening)

  • I will be trying to set up a LATE dinner at the "Shark Rock" CafĂ©.
  • Please let me know if you wish to join us! If the restaurant will stay open late. Several Winemakers will attend. You will be able to meet them. This is also Tentative. I will inform all those attending. (If it works out.)

Upriver

There are two options as follows…

Sunday 29th Favorable Current (Flood) approx. 1500 until 1630

Monday 30th Favorable Current (Flood) approx. 1600 until 1730

25 statute miles to Cathlamet

45 statue miles to Walker Island (halfway point from Astoria)

Hope to see you all…

Sign Up or Questions?  Contact:

Ralph Ahseln (Az-lin)
r.ahseln@verizon.net
503-667-0991



Cinco de Mayo Cruise

By Walt Wittke

May 5-6.  John Meyer and I would be willing to led a cruise to River Place (Portland) for Cinco de Mayo weekend if there is enough interest.  Please email to me at wwittke@pcez.com, if you are interested.
We need a straw count as to how many boats would like to attend.

Walt and Marilyn Wittke
wwittke@pcez.com
C27 Miss Tres II




Local Sailing Associations



The Columbia River All Catalina Association newsletter is published online once a month. Articles are the opinions of the authors and don’t necessarily represent the consensus of the Association.
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