From the Commodore
By Bob Gales
The Oceanis 350 has almost identical dimensions to the Catalina 34. Gail and I have always enjoyed the roominess of the Catalina salons and find the Beneteau’s main cabin a bit confining. The drop leaf centerline table seems to be in the way of stretching my legs while relaxing so I am toying with ideas for modifications. But there is an awesome amount of storage so we are happy with that. Cleaning, waxing and refinishing continue as do systems upgrades. A new toilet in the head really made a difference and was my first project.
The next project I tackled was the freshwater system. The hot water heater is currently disconnected as I await fittings for the new engine. In the meantime my pump started not turning off. I carefully checked all connections and even returned a new pump thinking its pressure switch was faulty. It wasn’t until weeks later, and many gallons of water wasted, that I finally found the problem. In order for us to use the pressure water I would turn on the switch at the panel, use the faucet and then turn off the panel switch. A real pain but it was the only way to get fresh water. While at the St. Helen’s city docks Gail and I went through that scenario only to have our friend on the boat behind us comment about all the water shooting out of the stern! Our stern shower was spraying the bow of their boat! The shower handle was cracked, perhaps from a late winter freeze. I removed the handle and clamped the hose shut. Ta da! Our freshwater pump worked like a charm! A few days later we experienced the same problem. This time the shower hose disconnected from the supply hose. Of course the supply hose was inside the boat and the water filled the bilge! The previous owners used green masking tape around the barbed fitting for a tighter fit! It kind of melted and just slipped off. I bought some plastic plugs at Lowe’s that come in very handy for plugging water hoses.
At the same time we noticed the exhaust steaming more than usual. We were on our way from Cathlamet to Astoria and I kept a close eye on the amount of water coming out with the exhaust. The engine was not over heating so we continued. By the time we tied up in the East Basin the exhaust was barely spitting. With only 30 hours on the new engine the impeller had lost four of its six vanes. Fortunately I found all four broken ones and removed them. A new impeller (and a spare) made for an easy fix.
After a few days in Astoria we enjoyed flying the head sail as we motored back to Cathlamet. We hope to get out soon and sail with both main and jib and that rumbling engine silenced.
My current project is replacing the propane hoses and doing maintenance on the stove. The 18 year old hoses were the braided type and the pig tail from the tank to the regulator was leaking. We were in no danger but it was sure smelly. For those of us with older boats, especially ones new to us and with mystery maintenance, it is wise to go through all of the systems. After the propane upgrade I’ll move begin on the Webasto furnace. In the meantime Gail is sewing new slip covers for the interior cushions. I just received our registration decals and we need to get the name on the boat. All of this with camping trips, concerts and yard work squeezed in!
Happy sailing, see you on the water,
Bob
Vice Commodore
By Eric Rouzee, C36, Legacy
Every time this summer when someone has asked where I moor my boat, I’ve told them that, for the summer, Legacy is up in Puget Sound. That’s always followed by something like, “Oh, it’s so beautiful up there. How lucky you are!” And yes, it is beautiful in Puget Sound and the San Juans. Without a doubt, it is the premier cruising grounds in the Pacific Northwest.
The problem is, I haven’t laid eyes on my beautiful boat for about a month now, and I’m in serious withdrawals. So you can imagine my anticipation, for as I write this, I’m only a few minutes away from making the drive up to Port Ludlow, where we’ll pack our provisions, get Legacy up and running, and then tomorrow morning, we’re headed north across the Straits of Juan de Fuca and on to Lopez Island for the Latitudes and Attitudes Cruisers rally. After that, it’s another week of just cruising the islands. I can assure you that I’m ready!
Legacy will make her return trip to the Portland area over the Labor Day weekend, and then I’m looking forward to some river cruising with other boats from CRACA. Personally, I can’t wait to get back out in the ocean. I was just recently down in San Diego, and it really struck me that in that port, if you want to go out for a little ocean sailing, it’s simply a matter of pointing your bow west and a few minutes later, you’re there. Oh well, perhaps the fact that we Portland sailors have to cross one of the most dangerous river bars in the world in order to get our ocean fix makes us that much tougher, right?!?
I’m working on a guest speaker for the September Rendezvous, and if all goes according to plan, it should be a good one. I’ll keep you informed as we get closer to that event. Any other ideas for that weekend are also most welcome.
We’ve got some great cruises coming up, which Jim Elieff will tell you about. Hope you’re all enjoying the summer. And as an old sailing friend of mine loves to tell me from time to time, “Keep the slimy side down, live slow and sail fast!”
Eric Rouzee
s/v Legacy
erirou@colmac.com
360-690-0331
Greetings Catalina Yacht owners, Catalina enthusiasts and soon to be owners. On September 15th through September 17th the Columbia River All Catalina Association (CRACA) of Portland, OR, is proud to present the 7th Annual Catalina Rendezvous. We thank all past attendees for their wonderful company and hope you enjoyed the activities. As before, the 2006 Rendezvous will be a "casual" event where you'll have an opportunity to relax, socialize, meet new and old friends, share ideas, and most of all have fun with fellow Catalina owners & enthusiasts!
The rendezvous is an open invitation to all Catalina owners both CRACA members and non-members to enjoy a wonderful weekend in the company of fellow Catalina Yachts enthusiasts as they open their boats for your personal tours and share hors d'oeuvres in the beautiful surrounds of McCuddy's Landing on the tranquil banks of Multnomah Channel. Participants are welcomed to arrive by car or by boat. For those coming by boat, Jim Elieff has arranged for you to pay only $10 a night regardless of boat length. Please register so the organizing committee can plan for how many boats will need berthing.
Itinerary
Friday September 15th
- Afternoon Boats arriving should check-in with the Docking Crew to arrange berthing.
- Evening Dinner on your own
- Morning Breakfast on your own. Boats arriving should check-in with the Docking Crew to arrange berthing.
- 11:00 - 4:00 Seminars, Workshops, and Guest Speakers
- 4:00 'til whenever Potluck appetizers
- Evening Dinner on you own
- 8:30 Potluck desserts and door prizes
- 10:00 Potluck Bunch
- Water and 30 amp power is available on the docks.
- A potluck appetizer for Saturday
- A potluck dessert for Saturday
- A potluck breakfast item for Sunday
- A Docking Crew will be on duty to help all boats with berthing. The Docking Crew will be monitoring channel 16 and then moving to working channel 72. Just ask for the “Catalina Rendezvous” and they will answer.
Secretary/Treasurer
<< No Report. Still Cruising. We have been afloat since June 26. >>
Kathleen Lewis, Secretary/Treasurer
sewingmaven@msn.com
SAIL for the CURE
September 23, 2006
Organized by the Oregon Woman's Sailing Association
About the Event
The Sail for the Cure® is designed as a fun event for the whole family that emphasizes boat-handling skills and cooperation rather than competition.
Previous year's events included creative games such as Bingo, Q & A, and Boggle. This year's event is sure to be just as fun and exciting!
After the sailing event, join us for the silent auction (opening at the morning check-in) and benefit dinner.
On the day of the event, Check In and after sail activities will take place at:
Portland Yacht Club
1241 NE Marine Dr
Portland, Or 97211
Who can Attend?
Everyone from non-sailors to novices to expert sailors are invited. If you would like to participate but don't have a boat, let us know on the registration form. We'll do our best to match people who need boats with boats that need people. If you have a boat but need crew (or can take crew), let us know on the form. A few rules: each boat does need to have a woman acting as skipper (not necessarily the helmsman), everyone must provide their own lifejacket (boats may have one you can use; check with the skipper) and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration Fees
The registration form can be viewed and downloaded from www.owsa.net. Registration fees for the sail and the benefit dinner are listed on the registration form.
Register by Mail
Mail the registration form and the entry fee (please make checks payable to Oregon Women's Sailing Association) to:
Oregon Women's Sailing Association
Sail for the Cure
PO Box 17615
Portland, OR 97217
Deadline to enter:
September 2, 2006
Be sure to enter by this date to guarantee your T-shirt and avoid the late fee.
For more information, call the Sail for the Cure Hotline at (503) 245-2882, send an e-mail to SFCRegistration@owsa.net, or visit our Web page at www.owsa.net.
Event Day Schedule
- 10am - 12pm: Event Check-In. Pick up your Sail for the Cure packet and T-shirt, check out the silent auction items, and register if you haven't already (no on-the-water registrations will be permitted). The skipper's packet will include instructions on how to do this year's event.
- 12:30 - 3pm: Sail for the Cure.
- 4 - 7pm: Silent Auction
- 7 - 10:30pm: Benefit Dinner.
Bring your checkbook! Past silent auctions have included items such as sailing and kayaking classes, clothing, sailing equipment, wine and goodies, massages, haircuts and pedicures, framed photographs, a gas barbecue, gift certificates and more! At this year's auction, you can expect and even better selection of goodies.
The auction will open during the morning check-in at 10am. A bidding sheet listing fixed amounts will be beside each item. Write your name beside the amount you want to bid for that item. Note that there will be a "Buy It Now" price, which means that you are guaranteed to get that item. Be sure to take a quick look and start your bidding before you head out on the boat. When you come back for the party, don't forget to check your items!
Cruising
Changes in Latitudes
By Jim Elieff (Cruising Chairman), C30, Fortune
Those in attendance were:
- C30, Ivan Ho, Craig & Rhonda Sorenson
- C30, Fat Cat, Jim & Ronda Turner
- C30, Fortune, Jim Elieff & Marilyn Nicholson
- C30, Mage Wind, John & Emily Kerrigan
- C36, Cheryl Lynn, Rick & Cheryl Ward
We all got there Friday afternoon and enjoyed being together until late Sunday afternoon. The weather was great and the company was terrific. Lots of food , snacks veges, dessert, and drinks.
Beacon Rock Cruise, August 17 - 20
CRACA's annual cruise to Beacon Rock State Park is once again being hosted by Dale, Laura, and Sean Mack (C30, Celtic Myst). Here is the list of folks who have signed up for the cruise with either Dale or myself:
- C22, <<no name>>, Tim & Kori Taylor (a maybe)
- C22, Windrider, Scott Ferre
- C250, <<no name>>, Doug & JoNell McClary
- C27, River Rose, David & Sylvia Keller
- C30, Anakele', Alden & Carrie Andre (a maybe)
- C30, Celtic Myst, Dale & Laura Mack (cruise leader)
- C30, Fat Cat, Jim & Ronda Turner
- C30, Fortune, Jim Elieff
- C30, Ivan's Ho, Craig & Rhonda Sorenson
- C36, Cheryl Lynn, Rick & Cheryl Ward
- C42, Kira Lynn, Jess & Mary Schefstrom
- C42, Wind Raven, Michael & Kathleen Lewis
2006 CRACA Cruising Schedule
| Date | Destination | Cruise Leaders |
| Aug 17 - 20 | Beacon Rock | Dale & Laura Mack |
| Sept 16 - 17 | Catalina Rendezvous McCuddy's Landing | Eric Rouzee & Dale & Laura Mack |
| Oct 21 - 22 | Government Island, East Dock |
Beacon Rock Cruise, August 17 - 20
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic MystNestled amongst the slopes of the Columbia Gorge is Beacon Rock State Park just downstream of the Bonneville Dam (the last dam on the Columbia River). Part of the Washington State Park System, Beacon Rock features, wide docks, picnic and camping sits, BBQs, sandy beaches, a launch ramp (popular with the local fishermen), excellent restrooms with hot showers, and potable water. New in 2005 was the addition of power on the docks, and a marine head pump out station. One of the added benefits of Beacon Rock is that you can have family and friends meet you there by car.
Reachable in six and half hours motoring upstream from the I-5 bridge, the trip to Beacon Rock can sound intimidating if you haven't cruised that long non-stop before. Although I've motored straight through in the past, my favorite method now is to split the upriver trip into two parts, and spend the first night at Parker's Landing (the Port of Camas-Washougal, 3 hrs). One of the treats about staying at Parker's Landing is going to the floating Puffin Café for dinner. The marina has fuel, a launch ramp, and lots of guest berthing with power. The return trip from Beacon Rock takes about 4 hours. I recommend planning to get to Beacon Rock in the early afternoon, because the late afternoon wind blowing East can sometimes generate a considerable swell.
Cruise Itinerary
Thursday
- Destination - Guest docks at the Port of Camas-Washougal
- Dinner - 6:30 pm at the Puffin Cafe.
- Destination - Beacon Rock State Park Docks
- Potluck Appetizers - 4:30 pm on the dock.
- Hike to the top of Beacon Rock, Kayak the backwaters, etc.
- Potluck Appetizers - 4:30 pm on the dock.
- Return to Portland
- Moorage at the dock $.50/foot per night. In 2005 power was $5/night.
- Bring quarters for the showers (3 minutes for 50 cents).
- Great place for dinghies, kayaks, or small sailboats.
- Running water is available at the top of the ramp.
- There is a one-knot current that runs south passed the docks.
- Campsites, boat ramp, and picnic area available.
- The walk to Beacon Rock is very doable if you want to hike to the top.
Technical Tips
Parallel Parking
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic MystWith several of us heading to Beacon Rock this month, I thought this article from September 2004 might be useful.We watched the blue forty-six-foot steel sloop slowly approach the Beacon Rock dock aiming to occupy a fifty-five-foot space we had created between Jim Elieff's C30, Fortune, and a very new looking fifty-plus foot center cockpit fiberglass sloop named Whisper. The steel sloop was parallel to and about twenty feet off of Whisper's port side (Whisper was pointed south, stern facing the current that typically runs past the dock). With about fifteen feet of the sloop's bow past the stern of Whisper, the sloop's skipper made the unfortunate choice of starting to point the boat's bow toward the dock. With the boat's keel and rudder no longer pointed directly into the current, the boat started to move sideways in addition to moving forward. The twenty feet separating the two boats vanished very quickly. People started leaping upon Whisper to fend off the steel sloop as its last fifteen feet scraped along the port quarter of Whisper. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but Whisper lost a BBQ into the river, a bent rail, and some scratched paint. The sad thing is that the conditions for the landing were almost perfect, but the skipper obviously didn't know how to take advantage of them or was totally unaware of the current running past the dock.
The first rule about giving advice about docking is that it condemns you to screwing up your next attempt, and having it occur in front of a large audience, preferably one you've given advice to. So with a clear understanding of the consequences, let me share some advice on how to parallel park your boat when you have a current running parallel to the dock and your bow pointed into the current. As illustrated below, you essentially bring your boat alongside the space you are interested in, and hover the boat by going in and out of forward gear to maintain position against the current. The proximity of the other boats will serve as excellent reference points to verify your hover. When you are ready to move toward the dock, begin a series of small rudder movements toward the dock and then back into the current, all the while remaining mindful of the other boats. This scalloping action is so slight that to those on the dock the boat will appear to move sideways. When used in reverse order, this technique will gracefully get you away from the dock when it comes time to depart.
 |
| Come in parallel to the dock. |
 |
| Go into and out of forward gear to hover adjacent to the space you want to occupy. Now is a good time to verify you fit the space. |
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| A series of small rudder movements toward the dock and then into the current will cause the boat to move sideways toward the dock. |
One word of caution, I recommend you NOT throw your dock lines to someone ashore unless you're sure they won't start pulling your bow toward the dock. I'd wait until the boat is alongside the dock, and then have your crew step off and secure a forward spring line and a bow line first and then a stern line.
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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