From the Commodore
By Eric Rouzee, C36, Legacy
Wow, when did winter decide to join us?!?It seems like only yesterday that I was sitting on the bow, enjoying a rum drink and the 75 degree days, and now the simple act of walking down the dock is a challenge, what with the frost and ice. At this rate, I’m going to need a respite in Key West or some other warm water port.
Legacy is sitting at the dock these days, getting some much-needed attention to her electrical system and engine. Among other things are a new battery charger and a new bank of batteries. In the middle of all this work, it occurred to me that some of you might appreciate a few winterizing tips I’ve picked up over the years. No doubt many, if not most of you are aware of these ones, but it never hurts to get a reminder. At any rate, here are a few things that I like to do to keep Legacy in good shape through the cold months.
- Drain the water system. Unless I know that I’m going to need a large supply of water for a winter cruise, I’ll typically drain the system in the unlikely event that we get a serious freeze. In the truly cold climates, I’ve known sailors who actually run anti-freeze into their systems, but that seems a bit much for our region.
- Check the anti-freeze in the engine. Again, seems like an obvious one, but forgetting to do it can make for a pretty impressive headache during a cold snap!
- Top off the fuel tank. This ensures that you keep condensation out of the tank, and water out of the fuel. I also add biocide to my fuel every time I fill up, just to keep the diesel critters at bay. Hard to believe anything can live in there, but amazingly enough, they do.
- Running the diesel engine. As you likely know, diesel engines loved to be worked regularly, so I make it a practice to run the engine at decent RPMs for at least an hour a week when I’m not cruising. One tip I received however, from a local diesel engine mechanic, is to avoid running the engine on the coldest days. His reason? The raw water impellor will tend to break apart when you try to crank the engine over during really cold conditions. Impellors are, of course, not hard to replace, but why put yourself through it if you don’t have to?
- Prepare for windy conditions. With the recent wind storms that have swept through the Portland area, I’ve found myself going down to the docks almost every day to make sure my mooring lines are holding properly with no chafe, and make sure fenders are in place and doing what they’re supposed to do. I also tie a sail tie around my furled genoa as added protection against it inadvertently unfurling during a storm. Seems like overkill, I know, but I remember one night up in the Des Moines Marina during a nasty storm when a boat on the next pier over had his genny unfurl completely and thrash itself into shreds. A $2,000 sail was turned into a lot of Dacron paint drop cloths, and it could have been prevented with the simple, inexpensive insurance of a sail tie.
- Secure your shore power cable. Particularly during winter storms, but really any time, it’s a good idea to tie or secure your shore power cable to a stanchion or other solid tie point. This is to prevent any movement at the connection point on the boat as the boat rocks at the dock. Obviously, if your plug is twisting or rocking back and forth at the connection, you risk an electrical arc, followed by a possible fire, followed by a phone call to your insurance agent. Again, cheap, easy insurance.
- Heating and/or drying. I typically like to keep a heater running on board with a built-in thermostat to maintain a decent, comfortable temperature on board and inhibit moisture and freezing. I also use one of those very simple moisture control pans that contain absorbing pellets to keep the cabin air dry. Choose what works for you.
These are just a few simple tips you can use to keep your boat shipshape during the winter months. As I said earlier, most you’ve probably heard about, but hopefully there are one or two that are helpful.
Here’s wishing everyone a happy holiday season, and safe sailing if you’re going out!
Vice Commodore
By Alden Andre', C38, Fly Bye
Well, November is over and December is here along with the cold weather and great wind for sailing. I always get asked what I do to winterize my boat. My response is NOTHING, I just keep using it. I have had some of the best days sailing in the winter on the Columbia; the winds are strong and usually blow out of the north or the south.The month of November brought a lot of sadness to me and my family as we closed on the sale of our Catalina 30 (Anakele) to a friend of mine in Seattle. I know she will go to a good home. She was our first sail boat and created a lot of memories for my family and I. We did take her out though with Jim Turner the other day (for the last time). Jim took half of a day off and spent it with me on the water and we had a great time. Yes I am down sizing on the amount of floating equipment; I even pulled the 15 Coronado out of the water and gave her away to my sister. She took the boat to Medford and is going to race her in southern Oregon. I think my Wife was starting to think that I was trying to start my own Hayden Bay Catalina Association (HBCA). Now I can give my full attention to one boat, Fly Bye.
Now for a few words on my new position (Vice Commodore) with CRACA. I am still trying to figure out my duties and what the people of the club would like to see from me this coming year. I have been a member of CRACA since I bought my 30 but only went to a couple of meetings before this year. This summer I finally decided to make a couple of cruises (with Jim twisting my arm). To my surprise, my family and I really enjoyed them. Before this summer my family and I did cruises by ourselves and usually anchored out never tying up to the docks. We always asked ourselves why people would want to get away for the weekend to tie up to a dock with a bunch of other people. Well my eyes have been opened; the answer is great fellowship and association with like minded people who own the same product. I kick myself for not going to more cruises in the past years. As I walk the docks to my boat I see a lot of Catalina’s that I know are not in the club or I haven’t seen at the last two cruises. My goal for this year is to increase membership and attendance at the cruises. To do this I need input from the current members on what you would like to see at meetings and the cruises. Also I would challenge each member to seek out a Catalina and their owner that isn’t in the club and talk to them about joining. I know of two other Catalina 38’s on the river that are not in the club that I plan to go after this year to join. I have found that joining CRACA and being involved are two different things and being involved enriches your life greatly. Feel free to email me or call me (503-929-8814, alden642@comcast.net ) with your suggestions or comments.
Have a great December sailing or skiing or snowboarding or anything that starts with a S. Just stay Safe so we can see you on the river in 2007.
Rear Commodore
By Bob Gales & Gail O'Neill, Soleil
Editor's Note: I forget to add the following letter from Gail in the November newsletter.October 25, 2006 (7:35 am in the Portland Airport)
Hello Dale,
Bob and I had a great time at the East Dock last weekend [CRACA Halloween cruise]. However, since I had a little too much of the homemade wine, I forgot all the verses for the song. Bob & I made up the verses last year intending to sing it at the Rendezvous but then plans changed. I wonder if you'd like to put it in the newsletter so people will understand our intention.
Sung to the tune of Hey Lottie, Lottie, Lottie, Hey Lottie-Lottie-O
Sailing on Lematike is mighty fine, Hey Lottie
With Terry & Kathie's homemade wine, Hey Lottie, Lottie O,
Margaret & Leucothea race to win,
Nate's so proud of his little dolphin,
Dale & Laura on Celtic Myst,
Sean is looking to see when they kiss,
Big Dog, Little Dog on Wind Raven,
Mike's the Captain, Kathleen's the sewing maven,
When on Windswept Bill lends a hand,
It's a good thing Marla's in command,
Jim & Rhonda tricking out Fat Cat
Ebay's most likely where Jim got that,
Born Free's captain just got married,
Now Olga's skipper and Mike is harried,
Many races have been won by Encore!,
Will Kathleen and Gary be back for more,
Dave & Julie may not be racers,
They have too much fun cruising on Sunchaser,
It's CRACA's Fortune to have Jim at the head,
or all our cruises would really be dead,
On Kira Lynn we have Mary & Jess,
Without them there our fun would be less,
On Sydera you'll find Karen and Jerry,
He plays flute and we make merry,
Gail & Bob on Beneteau-lina Soleil,
This is their swan song, so sing it their way, Lottie O
It's silly but we spent hours on this, and it's from the heart!
Also if you wanted, you could share the link to our blog
which covers our trip to Patagonia. The southernmost tip of South America is our destination along with an exciting crossing of the Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel, both famed waterways in nautical history.
Secretary/Treasurer
By Kathleen Lewis, C42, Wind RavenEditor's Note: Thank you Michael Lewis for this Halloween Cruise photo of Kathleen.
A CRACA Board meeting will be held on December 13th at 6:30 pm. The meeting will take place at:
Pizza MiaThe tentative agenda for the meeting includes:
www.pizzamia88.com
915 N Anchor Way (just off of Marine Drive)
Portland, OR 97217
503-285-8889
- 2007 Cruising Schedule
- Financial Report
- 2007 Rendezvous Planning
- Portland Boat Show Plans
- Speaker/Presentation ideas for 2007 meetings
- Boat Show Survivors Party
- End of Year Party and Awards
- Summer potluck dinner meeting
- Training Opportunities (life sling, rigging, engine maintenance, etc.)
- Spinnaker Night. Sign-up to crew aboard a Catalina to gain some spinnaker experience.
- Catalina Sailing Club. Sign-up to host a crew or crew aboard a Catalina for an evening sail (held weekly from June - September).
- Vessel Safety Check (VSC)
- Growing our Catalina Yachts dealer relationship
- Creation of an online photo album for our Historian to maintain. Check out the Hunter club’s album at http://www.hsao.smugmug.com/ to see a possible approach (no html knowledge needed).
- Catalina night at West Marine (discount purchasing)
Membership renewal notices were mailed mid-November and are due in January.
Please welcome our newest members:
Gary and Sandra Ameele of Vancouver, WA
- Second Wind, C28, 1994, Hayden Bay B16
Historian
By Alex Andre', C38, Fly Bye
Safety Focal
By Michael Lewis, C42, Wind Raven
North Sails Oregon is considering hosting a “Suddenly Alone" seminar” if there is enough interest in the local area. So far about six CRACA members have expressed interest in the seminar. Let me know if you'd like to attend. I'm willing to coordinate the activity with North Sails Oregon. Here is announcement:
The North Sails loft is trying to gauge interest hosting the “Suddenly Alone” seminar created by North U. If you would be interested in attending the class contact amy@northsailsoregon.com or call her at 503-282-4282. See below for a description of the course.
North U is offering a new class called Suddenly Alone. We would be willing to host this here at the loft, if there is sufficient interest. Here is a quick synopsis, and there is more info at this link:
Suddenly Alone
Suppose, through injury, illness, or crew overboard, you were to find yourself Suddenly Alone. What would you do? How would you handle it?
The Suddenly Alone curriculum, created under the auspices of the Bonnell Cove Foundation of the Cruising Club of America, is designed to give you the tools to prepare yourself to be Suddenly Alone. After implementing the plans and going through the exercises taught at the seminar you will be prepared and “know you can handle it.” A more complete course description follows below.
What You Will Learn
You will learn how to respond should you find yourself Suddenly Alone.
You’ll learn how to assess the situation, you will know your response options and priorities, and you will know how to implement your response. You will also learn preventive techniques to reduce the chances that you will ever be Suddenly Alone.
Please let me know if this is the type of class you (or a significant other) might be interested in.
Amy Poe
North Sails Oregon
North Winds Canvas
7911 NE 33rd Dr. #390
Portland, OR 97211
www.northsailsoregon.com
www.nwcanvas.com
503-282-4282
Communications
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst
Sign-ups are going well for filling all the Portland Boat Show booth duty slots. Next to walking the docks leaving membership brochures, and picking up new members when a Catalina changes owners, the boat show is the single largest recruiting tool we utilize today. I actually like sitting at the boat show meeting new folks, plus its always fun to have an excuse to talk about sailing.
Share Your Pictures
I take a lot of pictures of other Catalina sailboats, but rarely do I get any of my own boat's (C22 & C30) sailing. To encourage more photo sharing the CRACA Board will be discussing setting up an online photo album patterned after the Hunter club’s album at http://www.hsao.smugmug.com/.
Catalina Sailing Club (CSC)
During the Halloween Cruise a group of us were sitting around lamenting how we'd love to get out more on our boats, but as is the case in most partnerships, one's passion for the activity may exceed that of the partner, thus leaving you crewless. While I single-hand both of my boats, it's always fun sailing with others. I suggested that perhaps CRACA could create something along the lines of the OWSA Wednesday Night Sails. In the CRACA case we'd pick either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday as the regular sailing evening (several CRACA members race on Tuesday and Thursday). The CSC coordinator would put out a request for boats and crew three days prior to the sail, and then the day before the sail email back to all the volunteers the boat and crew assignments. I volunteered Celtic Myst for the OWSA Wednesday Night Sails in 2006 and had a great time.
Cruising
Cruising Chairman
By Jim Elieff, C30, Fortune
Hello CRACA members,Our 2007 cruising schedule has been submitted to and approved by the Columbia River Yachting Association (CRYA) of which the Columbia River All Catalina Association is a member. Since the destinations are all public facilities, approval simply means no two clubs will be at the same facility at the same time unless they agree ahead of time to share. Here is the schedule:
- Mar 31 - Apr 1, Hadley's Landing
- April 21 - 22, Government Island - East
- May 26 - 28, Martin Island
- June 9 - 10, McCuddy's Landing
- June 23 - 24, Coon Island - East
- July 14 - 15, Government Island - East
- July 21 - 29, Downriver Cruise
- August 4 - 5, McCuddy's Landing
- August 16 - 19, Beacon Rock
- Sept. 22 - 23, Hadley's Landing
- October 20 - 21, Government Island - East
The September cruise conflicts with the Sail for the Cure (9/23) and moving it to Sept. 15-16 conflicts with a PYC event some CRACA members who belong to PYC wish to attend. In 2006, seven (7) of the nine Catalina's that participated in the Sail for the Cure were CRACA members so I understand the problem. You may have also noticed that we haven't identified the date or destination for the Catalina Rendezvous which has traditionally been held in September. I'm hoping to get our September schedule squared away at the December CRACA Board meeting.
Here's a few interesting bits of information taken from the November CRYA meeting notes:
- Dave Barber: Dave talked about his recently being boarded by the Coast Guard for a safety inspection. He said the first thing they wanted to see was the position of the “Y”-Valve on the head discharge.
- Power Squadron John McCoy: The Power Squadron is working with one of the yacht clubs for use of their facility and the Power Squadron is working to develop a training session and offer classes so people 60 years of age and under can get their Boater Education Card. The thought is that they would go to all the yacht clubs and invite any of their members who want to take the “Boat Smart” Class. The class will be held in January, two Saturday’s, tentatively the 6th and the 13th. This is contingent upon talking with the manager of this club mentioned to confirm that all the other clubs can be invited.
- He is working on a project now that the National United States Power Squadron is going to vote on in February regarding whether they can teach their advanced classes to the general public. John is writing a letter to the National Educational Officer and the Chief Commander recommending some process. He feels that in this area we have a golden opportunity to teach our advanced classes such as piloting, advanced piloting, weather, cruise planning and all those other types of things to the public. He is working on certification certificates for those who complete the class.
See you all soon. James M. Elieff C.D.
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.
