Commodore
By Michael Lewis
Ahoy and Oh Boy! I am getting excited about pushing off from the dock in Astoria on my way to Barkley Sound on June 23, 2001. Sounds like maybe four boats will rendezvous at the Port Alberni Yacht Club or Bamfield, BC. Come on along if your plans change.Our largest cruise ever, lots of Catalina’s were at the Martin Slough Cruise. Weather was great for Wind Raven until we pushed off to Astoria to get ready for the trip North. We hit lots of rain and wind and did the “Astoria Bash” for several hours. But without mishap … “On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl.” I heard it was not much better returning back to Portland, probably some good stories that will come out of that in September at the Rendezvous.
Cruise hosts are needed and you should see the great T-Shirts being given to the cruise hosts by Annie Meyer, our Cruise Officer. This writer got one for the Valentine’s Day Cruise to The Quay. Get on this deal!
By now, you should have received your personalized “First Edition” Membership Roster for the Columbia River All Catalina Association. It was a labor of love and you should all find tidbits of useful information, not all of them are useful for most of us, like the distance to the Panama Canal. But still you will find it useful. You will probably want to keep it at your home and the boat. Some are copying it.
I will be cruising to the North next month and will not be here to contribute an article. But I am sure the other officers will contribute to the Newsletter in my absence. I promise great stories…until we see each other again in Astoria in July.
Congratulations Graduates of the Small Marine
Diesel Maintenance & Tune-Up Class!
These intrepid and determined Catalina Sailors and Students: Bob Brown, Michael Lewis, Stu McNaughton, Dave Peoples, Kurt Riddle, Dave Thomas, and Walt Wittke completed the course June 6. I cannot say any more than this:
Did is a word of Achievement,
Won’t is a word of retreat,
Might is a word of bereavement,
Can’t is a word of defeat,
Ought is a word of duty,
Try is word each hour,
Will is word of beauty,
Can is a word of power.
Non-Commercial Advertising via CRACA Email
By Michael LewisAt the May general meeting, the membership approved the use of email to facilitate communications for these purposes:
- Buy, sell or trade Catalina or boating relevant items
- Technical Information Exchange
- Cruising Information (Spontaneous and Scheduled)
- Crew wanted or available notices
Privacy Policy
The use of the CRACA email list is strictly limited to current members of the Columbia River All Catalina Association. Commercial use of any of the information is prohibited. Please do not distribute outside of the Columbia River All Catalina Association.
We are intending this to be used for personal communications and personal transactions only. We may consider, in the future, the use of a bulletin board on the website but at this time wanted to offer this less labor intensive alternative in a timely manner. If the volume justifies it, we will evaluate other alternatives. The membership clearly DID NOT want to receive commercial advertising.
Getting the List
To obtain a copy of the email distribution list for CRACA, simply select the distribution list from the most recent email from me, and then copy and paste it into your new email "To:" field. The monthly CRACA meeting minutes will provided you the most recent distribution list.
Secretary/Treasurer
By Kathleen LewisBy now all should have received the 2001-2002 Membership Roster. If you did not get one please contact me. Also, those expecting a "Mainsheet" should have received it within the last two weeks. It's the May 2001 issue.
Our most recent additions to the membership include:
James and Laurie Farwell of Portland, OregonMario and Ruthanne Bixel of Boring, Oregon
- Catalina 30 - Rose Eh! - is at McCuddy's D-30
- Their boat is at Tomahawk Bay - F13
June General Meeting will be at RCYC
By Jim HimesJune 27. The next meeting will be held at the Rose City Yacht Club (3737 NE Marine Drive, Portland, OR). The meeting will start at 7:30 PM. The gate will be open at 6:30 for those who would like to come early. There will be no speaker or a potluck. The club will have coffee and cookies for those interested. This starting time will give people who work late and have a drive a distance to be there. After the meeting I would like those going downriver on the Delta Cruise to get together with Annie and John and the cruise host to talk about the trip.
This will the last meeting to order the burgee wear. This is a good way to show support for the club and to get our name in the public eye.
July General Meeting in Astoria
By Michael LewisJuly 25. The July meeting is scheduled as a dinner at the Portway Tavern in Astoria on July 25 during the Astoria Delta cruise. We will need numbers for dinner as we get closer to the meeting date.
Cruising
Notes from the Downtown Portland Cruise
By Walt Wittke
RiverPlace
We arrived about 12:30 -1:00pm. After lunch Pete took the Max train home and within a short time Marilyn got off work and joined me for two nights on board. At 1:00pm, about half of the inside free area was available and all of the outside area. There would have been more space if the Dragon Boats were not there and after Rose Festival they are not moored here. For groups you can raft up about one deep at entrance and two or more at the closed end. However, you must leave passage for those using the private area. By about 3:30pm the powerboats begin arriving. Most of the big power boaters used the outside, which would be a rough ride for us. There were many powerboats, the biggest, a new Carver 57 --probably $1 million!! They were nice but drinking and sunbathing while watching TV all weekend is OK for the gen-setters. Possibly power boaters don’t understand the joy of sailing.
There is an area north of the dock for dropping the hook too, just ahead of RiverPlace. We stayed two days. On Saturday our daughter #1 and her two sons came down to watch the fireworks. They were impressed. On Sunday we motored up to Lake Oswego. In the summer at their community dockside, Lake Oswego gives free outdoor concerts, which we have previously attended on land. They only have a short dock, but people drop a hook and enjoy the music. You need to use your charts and follow the buoys. The charts are a must and GPS was very handy, but not required. I wanted to go on to West Linn and the Oregon City Locks but we ran out of time. Scenery was great.
Downtown Portland
There is so much to do in downtown Portland. On Saturday we walked on both sides of the river and checked out all the new facilities. Below is a run down for your information of what we found. Marilyn and I would like to do the trip again as a group later this summer, if anyone would be interested. Please email us at wwittke@pcez.com along with a few dates that you are available. We are willing to be the cruise hosts. Marilyn is an expert at what’s downtown since she walks there during her lunch hour every day. I believe she could make a great land captain -- OR you may want to do the trip on your own. On our recent trip we also picked up some tourist brochures. It was like visiting a new city. Some ideas that you may want to do after arriving by boat or car:
- Walk the riverfront on both the West and East sides using the new walkway along the Steel Bridge and returning on the Hawthorne Bridge (described below)
- Ride Max over the Steel Bridge from downtown to the Rose Quarter and back--it is free.
- Window shop at RiverPlace ---buy an ice cream cone.
- Ride the trolley to Lake Oswego
- Visit Powell’s Book Store
- Visit the new Chinese Garden –have a Chinese lunch in Old Town
- See a movie at KOIN Tower or the new Broadway Theatre
- Visit OMSI
- Ride Tri-Met to uptown area around 23rd. SHOP. SHOP. SHOP.
- Ride Tri-Met to Ladd’s addition on the East side---lots of antique shops.
- Walk Washington Park—smell the Roses---view the city (A long, but healthful walk—uphill too!
Other Moorages
Starting at the farthest north moorage is McCormick Apts. Located between the Broadway and the north side of the Steel Bridge. They have a small moorage but I don't know if it would be enough depth for our boats or available to outsiders. Amazingly it is about 30 feet deep along the outside edge of the dock as we cruised back and forth waiting for the Steel Bridge to open, but we didn’t check inside. I did not call them but one could probably find them in the yellow pages.
Between the Steel Bridge and the Burnside Bridge on the East Bank is the new floating dock for the Marine Board. The use of the docks will be free to anyone, no reservations. North Dock, 72-hour maximum stay and the South Dock, 4-hour maximum stay. Incidentally, the walkway was supposed to go all the way down to OMSI but they ran out of money! Robert Barnard (503) 823-8402 and Karen Racner 823-7262 were the project managers.
The public can walk from the West Side along a new sidewalk attached to the lower RR section of the Steel Bridge to a floating dock and ramp on the Eastside. They have over 1000 ft of dock but only about 300 ft (both sides) will be for small boats. However, on the inside you should be able to raft up several boats. Depth is 30 ft. From the Rose Quarter, there is a walking ramp down to the floating dock on the Eastside. You can continue to walk on the Eastside to the Hawthorne Bridge and again cross the river to the Westside. The idea was that those people attending events at the Rose Quarter or the Convention Center could easily walk over to the Westside and to downtown. The problem for those mooring boats will be the bums and security. There are no plans for security guards. They spent millions on this project. If we were to do a club event, someone probably would always be on one of the boats while others are out so it probably would not be as big of a problem as if you were by yourself. Here is an article Marilyn found recently in the Living section of The Oregonian: PDXtra by Jonathan Nicholas (May 14, 2001):
"THE NOT VERY LONG AND WINDING ROAD"
"The curtain is about to go up—which means the chain-link fence is about to come down-—on that Eastside Esplanade, the $32 million riverfront path between the Steel and Hawthorne bridges. On May 24, we’ll finally have the answer to the burning question: Is this a stunning new jewel in the civic crown…or the most expensive jogging trail in history?"
The next and possibly the best moorage spot is RiverPlace on the West Side, between Hawthorne Bridge and the Marquam Bridge. At RiverPlace there are two mooring facilities: Private moorage: Call Harbormaster Jerry Olsen 503-241-8283 (not Monday or Tuesday). He may have room for 4 or 5 boats at $25/night, which is a security gated moorage and includes use of dockside toilets and shower. For the private docks, use the 2nd ramp south. The furthermost ramp south is to Newport Bay Restaurant.
Out on the north breakwater is the public dock. We stayed here. It has great access to all the activities. Portland Parks & Recreation (503-823-7529) owns it. Shawn Rogers 503-823-2517 is the Harbormaster. It is free during the winter. May 1 through summer. $4 <20’, $5 21-35’, $6 36-56’, 3 days max. >56’ must be on the outside. First come first serve. John and Annie Meyer, Shekinah say he has used it successfully many times with no problem except when there are big events it fills up fast. (Groups can reserve space by paying $30.50 permit fee and 10 day advance notice + $12.50 per boat/night. Groups can be reserved for as long as they like---week or more. Rafting is allowed on the inside (approx. 3 up--must leave room for boats to pass to RiverPlace private docks). You can also use the break waterside until a large commercial boat wants it then you would have to move. He also manages the Willamette Park (no docking or overnight), Oaks, and Sellwood up the river, see below. He used to own a 16' sailing dinghy and loves sailing. He is also available as a speaker for any of our future meetings.
Parking downtown on the Westside is difficult but possible. It is easy to direct your friends and relatives to your boat. When coming from the South, the freeway exits on Clay Street and you can find a parking spot. Then walk down to the end of Clay St. and continue to the River Place Hotel where you will find a round garden area with several flagpoles next to the hotel. Take this ramp down to the public dock.
Another parking possibility is to park across the river on the Eastside and walk across the Hawthorne Bridge. I parked next to the river on Clay Street but there is no security. You can probably sneak into the OMSI parking lot for more security. Or across the street at PCC Work Force Training Center (SE Clay and Water Ave. where on Saturday and Sunday there is no permit required.) From the parking lots go to SE Clay and Water Avenue, turn west and walk one block to walk ramp on to the Hawthorne Bridge. At the West End of the bridge take the south stairway and walk over to RiverPlace Hotel. (FYI, under the north stairway there is public bathroom but it is not marked as such however there is usually a long line. This is another public restroom at RiverPlace across from Stanford’s Restaurant.
Another moorage is available for short transient (1-4 hrs and overnight) use is on East Side north OMSI in front of fire station (between Marquam and Ross Island) is Portland Development Commission Kathryn Kregger (823-3200) they are working on completing this facility. Embedded in the sidewalk next to the fire station is a chart of the Willamette River showing all the towns along its banks, which will be quite impressive. They have completed the project of building a dock but for now nothing is available since the fireboat docks there. Maybe next year they are planning some recreation space. She said she would keep the club posted.
OMSI (797-4000) has no docking except for commercial boats that unload passengers.
Portland Spirit (224-3900 Dan Yates, manager) has dinner boat tours.
Further up the River (very scenic)
There is a private marina at Johns Landing near Cal’s. North of Sellwood Bridge is Staff Jennings. Across the river is Sellwood Park. You would need to check depth also call Shawn Rogers above. Private marina South of Sellwood Bridge with gas dock. Weavery Country Club has their marina their, call Weaverly for info. Lake Oswego Community at Oswego Pt. See above.
Upcoming St. Helens Cruise
By Walt WittkeJune 16-17. Marilyn and I have agreed to lead the St. Helens cruise Father's day's weekend, June 16-17. This is a first time for us but John Meyer says it will be easy.
The St. Helens trip should be a memorable, fun weekend. I hope you all will be able to attend. As you know the free St. Helens City Dock is a first come first serve basis. Michael Lewis and I plan to get there on Friday to help guide you in whenever you arrive. If there is any over flow, you can also dock free on Sand Island but you will need to beg, borrow, or steal a dingy ride to St. Helens unless you want to be by yourselves on the island.
The trip will be laid back with no required events...no potlucks....just your choice of possible activities....or just "hang out" and do nothing. Since St. Helens is my home town I would be willing to give a "guided" tour, if anyone is interested.
Paper Mill Tour
One place we might visit is the Boise Cascade paper mill (about a 2 mile walk, many of us will need the walk before the pasta dinner on Saturday evening or we may be able to arrange for some cars.) For those who are interested, I will lead a group from our boats promptly at 1400 hrs (2:00 pm) Saturday afternoon so you don't get lost!! The tour at the mill will begin approximately at 1500hrs (3:00 pm). It should be interesting to everyone to see the plant and especially fun to see after 42 years what has changed since I worked there in the summers while attending Portland State. Normally the plant is not open to visitors on the weekends but Diane Dillard, the plant's tour and communications person, (I found out she is a previous year's classmate) has graciously agreed to get someone "out of retirement" to guide us through the plant, if there are enough people interested. Here is my last email to Diane:
"...after I make [THIS] email flyer and send it out to the club members, I will see if there is any interest [in the plant tour], I'll let you know how many. Our commodore and my sailing buddy and I will be bringing our boat down some time Friday afternoon, June 15. My wife, Marilyn, and his wife will come down by car after Marilyn gets off work. Most of the other people will leave Portland 9-10ish Sat. morning and arrive in St. Helens about 12:00-1:00. It takes 3 hrs motoring by boat! So if there is enough interest I would think Saturday 3:00pm would be a good time for the tour, if that's possible. Also Saturday evening as a group we all are planning to go to the Dockside Restaurant. If nothing else maybe you would be interested in visiting us on our boat that weekend." [She said she would be able to join us]I think you will find the plant tour very interesting to see first hand how paper is made on a grand scale. As you know paper making starts from logs, then chipped and then loaded into huge vats that contains acids to separate the wood fibers, and finally giant paper machines make toilet paper and other products. Daine says the tour consists of a 7 minute video about plant safety (we didn't have much safety when I worked there) and about one hour tour of the actual plant. The plant requires: No open toed shoes, no beach wear---Ladies, we don't want to distract the workers!! Long pants and shirt top for everyone!
Our trip is going to be a "big" event in St. Helens. Diane says that "Sounds like a great adventure.... and she will email our coming to the local media and they will print an article in the paper!! Actually only one newspaper has email - the other is still in the dark ages but she will can fax my flyer to them!"
Another place you might want to visit on your own is a beautiful city park along Milton Creek that was a cow pasture across the street from my parents home when I was a kid. It is on the way (about 8 blocks from the mill). The park now has two baseball diamonds, great place for kids with huge boulders to play on, wonderful picnic area for large groups, restful look at the creek, and trout fishing, etc.
On Saturday evening at 1800hrs (6:00pm) many of us will be having pasta dinner at the Dockside Restaurant. The menu is not limited to pasta but I'm told that the pasta is the greatest. This is a popular hang out for the locals plus great food. It would be fun to have a big table together so let me know if you are interested and how many people in your party. I will need to let the restaurant know we are coming---they may need to buy some extra food!
Another activity some of you might be interested in either day is to catch a matinee or evening movie at the local quaint theatre (a few blocks from your boat) . The admission is still very affordable but slightly higher now than the 20 cents when I was a pup! There is also swimming at the local pool. Or you might like just poking around town. Antiquing anyone?
Questions? Please contact me via email at wwittke@pcez.com so I can get an actual headcount.
- Attending by boat or car
- Number planning to attend the paper mill tour
- Number planning to attend the Dockside Restaurant
Delta River Cruise in July
By John MeyerJuly 21-29. The Columbia River Delta Cruise is coming up quickly. This is a slow, "Huck Finn" style meandering down the river to Astoria and back. Included are lots of ports to explore, the great company of fellow CRACA members, beautiful scenery and hopefully, some good sailing. This trip was a big success last year.
We need to identify who is planning to attend, so please respond to me via email (jsmeyer@att.net) if you will be coming.
Local Sailing Associations
- SailPDX (hosted by Oregon Corinthian Sailing Association, OCSA)
- Small Yacht Sailing Club of Oregon (SYSCO)
- Oregon Women’s Sailing Association (OWSA)
- Portland Yacht Club (PYC)
- Rose City Yacht Club (RCYC)
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.
