From the Commodore
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst
I spent a lot of time on the water in June, and one thing I learned is it's hard to NOT find another CRACA member out there at the same time. For example, just returning from the Father's Day Government Island cruise I probably took pictures of nearly a dozen CRACA boats under sail, which I later emailed out. When Bill and I did the Beer Can race on June 25th, out there with us was Gary Whitney's C28, KASL, Richard & Jenny Freeman's C36, Raven's Dream, and others.
When it comes to racing in the SYSCO Summer Series on Thursday evenings, I've seen the following boats racing either one-design or in the cruising class:
- C25, Encore!, Gary Bruner
- C25, Lematike, Terry Annis
- C28, KASL, Gary Whitney
- C30, Imagine, Gail O'Neill
Catalina 25/250 National Regatta Looking for Spectator Boats
Would you be interested in hosting some spectators aboard your boat to watch the regatta? If so, you can contact Bob Gales and Gail O’Neill at 503-645-2331 and request more information. You can also contact Terry & Kathie Annis at 360-798-4538 between the hours or 8 am to 10 am for information.
The regatta's racing runs from Thursday, July 15th through Saturday, July 17th. Racing Thursday and Friday starts at 2 pm and will be done by 6 pm ( two races will be run each day). Racing on Saturday starts at 10 am and will be done by 5 pm (four races will be run on Saturday).
Vice Commodore's Report
By Jim Himes, C28, R-TimeThe June meeting was held at Rose City Yacht Club. The meeting was lightly attended as most summer meetings are. A few of the people did avail themselves of the BBQ’s. We don’t have a meeting in July and the August meeting will be held at RCYC. I don’t have a speaker yet for the August meeting. I would like to have some input from the members on who they may want or what topic is important to them.
The summer meetings always seem to be lightly attended and I wonder if we should change the bylaws and skip the summer months. With school being out and vacations being taken, a lot of people are out of town. Marlene and I would just as soon be out sailing. We only have a few good months here to go sailing and I sure hate to waste a sailing day for a meeting.
We always seem to draw a good group of people when we have a special event like the Christmas Party and the Boat Show Survivors Party. Maybe we should have four or five big events and forget about all the monthly meetings. If you have any feeling about this, send Dale Mack or me a quick note a let us know your thoughts.
Hope everyone has been on the water and had some nice sailing.
Report from the Rendezvous Committee
By Dave Thomas, C30, Sunchaser (Rendezvous Chair)
- Free moorage. CRACA will pick up the moorage fee for Friday and Saturday night.
- Keynote address by Gerry Douglas, Designer & Engineer, Catalina Yachts.
- Workshops may include (Life Sling, Kayak Safety, West Marine Presentation, etc.)
- Gift Exchange & Dessert (dessert provided by CRACA).
- Sunday Pancake Breakfast, prepared by our own Dave Peoples.
- Early Morning Walk or Run on Sat. & Sun. for those who feel the need for exercise.
- Games & Kayaking
- An option to purchase rendezvous T-shirts ($13) and Polo-shirts ($26)
Those who have kayaks are encouraged to bring them along for a paddle on the channel.
Last, but not least, the cost! Nothing! Our location, and not having a catered dinner allow us to have a Rendezvous at a minimal cost that will be paid by CRACA. We will be asking for advance registration so we know how many to expect for moorage, Sunday breakfast, Saturday night dessert, and seating at Marks.
There are a wide range of ideas about what a "Rendezvous" should be. At a minimum, it is a gathering. So, the 2004 Rendezvous Committee is offering a gathering, and an opportunity to get together and have some fun. You can participate in as much, or as little as you choose. At a maximum, it is an opportunity to enjoy each others company.
See you all in September
Secretary/Treasurer
By Debbie Martin, C30, ZonkersOur membership currently stands at 54 boats.
Please welcome our newest members:
Dennis and Sandy Thomas of Forrest Grove, Oregon
- Catalina 27 (1985), WindChaser, berthed at Tomahawk Bay
The Thomas' brought their first sailboat, a Catalina 22, in 1999. They are the boat's third owners since it was new in 1987. Dennis is a former Fleet Captain for local Catalina 22 Fleet 20 in Portland, with whom Dennis and Sandy have enjoyed cruising and racing on the Columbia River, and trailering north to cruise amongst the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands.
Roster Correction
On page 3 of your roster, Russell Burch (C30, Ambition at Bay) was incorrectly shown as "Birch" instead of "Burch".
Cruising
Report from CRYA Meeting
By Michael Lewis, C42, Wind Raven
2005 Cruise Schedules: It is time to begin putting together the Cruise Schedules for next year. Talk it through at your cruises.
Rooster Rock Update: Per last month's report, the docks are sinking. Oregon State Parks has not budgeted repair but will look into diverting some funds.
Zebra Mussels have been found in Idaho. Be cautious if you move a boat over land that you have no mussels or vegetation attached.
Multnomah County Sheriff's new catamaran will be launched July 1 at the 42nd Street Ramp.
Remember that you are responsible for your wake and the Sheriff will be watching.
School Zones are 20 mph all days and all hours. Strictly enforced.
Just for Fun
Here is a GPS/Compass Question for all of you Super Navigators:
You turned on your new GPS that you received for Father's Day and pushed away from the dock to go sailing on the river. You think that you would like to compare the direction of travel on your GPS with that of your ship's compass to see if you need to make up a deviation table.
The GPS is providing magnetic direction. As you leave the upper end of North Portland Harbor, you head across the river on a compass course of 000 degrees and a speed of 7.0 knots. After making sure you are staying on your compass course, you check the GPS and it is indicating a course of 343 degrees.
Hmmm, new GPS and you thought the compass was working fine. Why the discrepancy? See the answer on the last page.
Answer: The compass is providing heading information and the GPS is providing Course over Ground (COG).
Father's Day Trek to Coon Island
By Gary Jaeckel, C30, Mistress IIJune 19 - 20. Last weekend we decided at the last minute to take the boat out and headed for Coon Island. We checked the cruise guide and found that the TCNW club was coming but they were going to be on the East dock so we tied up to the West dock. They all decided to take advantage of the sun and tied up with us.
They were all very nice and treated us as if we were members of their club. They especially appreciated us during a rather large lightning storm that blew through!
Needless to say Mistress II looks a little out of place.
Government Island Cruise Report
By Michael Lewis, C42, Wind Raven
The Geocache and Texas Hold'em Cruise was held June 18-20, 2004 at Government Island - East Dock with 8 Catalina's in attendance.
- C28, Loki -- Werner and Renate Bitter
- C30, Fortune -- Jim Elieff
- C42, Wind Raven -- Michael and Kathleen Lewis
- C30, Celtic Myst -- Dale and Laura Mack
- C42, Jammin! -- Dave and Helen Peoples
- C270, Windswept -- Bill and Marla Simon
- C27, Senior Moments -- Walt and Marilyn Wittke
- C22 -- Unnamed
Hot Dog BBQ Cookouts were held at the Picnic Shelter on Friday and Saturday.
In addition, Jim Elieff's friends, Kevin and Heather, provided an additional treat with fresh salmon on Saturday Night.
Sunday brought on shared potluck breakfast on the dock.
Lots of fun with bowline tying all weekend long with Altoids for those that could successfully complete the test. Dale Mack brought out his mechanical tachometer to measure the Iron Genny's tachometer accuracy. The current was too strong to do the Dinghy Races.
Beautiful hot weather every day with lighting and thunderstorms in the evening.
More Government Island Photos
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic MystLaura and I had a wonderful time on the Government Island cruise hosted by Michael and Kathleen Lewis. Here are a few more pictures from the event.
Sand Island Cruise - July 17th and 18th
By Gary Jaeckel, C30, Mistress IIKick It In Second Wind and join us in One Particular Harbor where we will enjoy Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes, and Boat Drinks. There will be Stars On The Water, and Fins all around. It will be Lovely Cruise on a Livingston Saturday Night.
July 16th - Early arrivals, and dinner on your own. Campfire up by the covered picnic area if enought boats arrive.
July 17th - Boats arrive, Scavenger Hunt at 1:30, shared appetizers as 4:00 at the covered picnic area. Jimmy Buffet name that tune contest and prizes. Dinner on your own. Shared desserts at 7:30, campfire and best Caribbean attire contest.
July 18th - Potluck breakfast at 8:30. Departure at your leisure.
Your Hosts
Gary, Jeanine, and Tanner Jaeckel
The crew of the Catalina 30, Mistress II,
Please RSVP to gjaeckel@teleport.com
Cathlamet Cruise: July 31 - August 6
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic MystLaura and I are hosting the club cruise to Cathlamet, WA. Other than being at Cathlamet on August 2nd & 3rd, we're going to make up our itinerary as we go. Below is what we are currently thinking.
| Date | Day | Destination |
| July 31 | Sa | St. Helens or Sand Island |
| August 1 | Su | Rainier |
| 2 | Mo | Cathlamet |
| 3 | Tu | Cathlamet |
| 4 | We | Anchor at Walker Island |
| 5 | Th | St. Helens |
| 6 | Fr | Portland |
A kayak exploration of Elochoman Slough and adjoining waterways is planned for Tuesday. On Wednesday 8/4, Celtic Myst will catch the rising tide in the early morning and start the upriver phase of the cruise.
Plans for the Beacon Rock Cruise
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic MystAugust 20-24. CRACA has an upriver cruise planned to Beacon Rock for August. The schedule at the right is roughly what CRACA submitted back in December to the Columbia River Yachting Association.
| Cruise Itinerary | ||
| Date | Day | Destination |
| 20 | Fr | Government Is - East |
| 21-23 | Sa - Mo | Beacon Rock |
| 24 | Tu | Portland |
As of July, no one had volunteered to host this cruise, nor had anyone actually confessed their intention to attend. Considering the popularity of this cruise, I suspect the docks will be lined with Catalina Yachts.
As with every year, the cruise's actual itinerary tends to be boat specific, with usually several separate itineraries running in parallel. For example, while others may start the cruise on the weekend, Laura and I need to end with the weekend so we are starting a couple of days early.
| C30, Celtic Myst Itinerary | ||
| Date | Day | Destination |
| 19 | Th | Government Is - East |
| 20-21 | Fr - Sa | Beacon Rock |
| 22 | Su | Portland |
Since Beacon Rock (30 nm upriver) is typically a 6 hr. 40 min. motor for us, we've decided to split it up by spending the first night at Bartlett Landing (Government Island, East Dock).
I look forward to seeing you there. Beacon Rock has become one of our favorite places on the river, and the journey into the gorge is just breathtaking.
Cruising Schedule
- July 17 - 18, Sand Island, St. Helens, Upper Dock (Gary & Jeanine Jaeckel)
- July 31 - Aug 6, Cathlamet (Dale & Laura Mack)
- August 20 - 24, Beacon Rock (host needed)
- September 17 - 19, Catalina Rendezvous (Dave & Julie Thomas)
- September 25, Sail for the Cure
- October 23 - 24, Coon Island - East Dock (Dave and Helen Peoples)
Technical Tips
Shore Power Cable Straps
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst
Here's a simple project for getting your boat's shore power cable off the deck. The materials you will need include:
- One inch nylon webbing
- Snaps
The tools I used included:
- Scissors
- Hammer
- Snap punch tool (came with the snaps)
- Sewing machine if you want to fold over an inch of the end and stitch it together.
- HOT tool (I used and old soldering iron) to melt a hole through the webbing for the snaps and to melt the ends of the webbing to prevent fraying.
Each strap is twelve inches long, but as you can see in the photos, shorter would have been OK. The nylon webbing can be picked up anywhere. In my case I used the old webbing from my inflatable's old towing harness that I replaced last year with one I built.
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.
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