From the Commodore
By Bob Gales
Ahoy Mates!Well, as summer draws to a close Gail and I have finally been able to enjoy some sailing on Soleil. Twice in late August we had nice sails between the bridges and are getting used to our new boat. On one beautiful Sunday we drove to Beacon Rock to see how the CRACA cruise turn-out was. Jim has done a nice job of publicizing the cruises as a good number of boats were there and having a grand time. Gail and I have never taken a boat past East Dock on Government Island! We were inspired to give it a go and joined the Rose City Labor Day cruise to the Rock.
Oh my goodness how the east winds blow! We left RCYC at 7:30 a.m. on Friday hoping to make good time and possibly avoid any strong winds. Being very aware of the shallow Columbia and all the new ranges past GI we were enjoying the new scenery. About half way up Reed Island we put our dodger windows in as we were getting a bit wet. A friend was coming down river after giving up just before Cape Horn due to their 1.5 knot speed over ground. We returned to Parker's Landing and had a fun evening with three other boats.
Saturday morning we left at 6:30 a.m., again hoping to avoid strong east winds. While two of our companions turned back due to engine problems we decided to continue. We could see the sand and water blowing across the Columbia near Rooster Rock and we were smashing and banging through growing swells. Keeping our speed around 3.5-4 knots over ground we decided to continue, especially with the rock in view. It always looks so close, doesn't it? I measured the wind steady between 23-26 knots with gusts over 32! We were hammering along until Multnomah Falls when the wind and wave calmed and gave us a pleasant break. Just before entering Beacon Rock the wind returned and we rafted with the closest boat (C36 Hawkwind). We slowly pulled up along side and the east wind pushed us up against her. Lots of fenders, strong lines and a cold beer and we were set for the next two days.
The wind died enough that evening for us to use the BB-Q and Sunday was quite calm as the wind shifted to the west. A glorious moonrise over Saint Peter's Dome on the Oregon side highlighted our evening. I can see why everyone loves Beacon Rock, even with a struggle to get there.
Our return trip of course had a westerly on our nose but it was not nearly as strong. Just under four hours to get back to RCYC docks.
Gail and I plan to go on the CRACA Halloween cruise (Oct 21-22) but will miss you and other CRACA activities. September 11-October 9 we will be driving across the northern states as far as Nova Scotia and visit family in Mass. We plan to take the ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine to Falmouth, NS. That will probably be as nautical as we will get. In late October we leave for a long awaited trip to South America. A highlight for me will be the four day ferry trip through the Chilean fiords. Think the Inside Passage to Alaska but heading to the South Pole instead! We sail south from Puerto Montt and end in Puerto Natales. After hiking in Torres del Paine National Park we will continue south to see the Strait of Magellan and Ushuaia, about as close to the real Cape Horn as we will get. The pictures we have been drooling over show amazing geology. We are definitely excited.
Join the 2007 CRACA Board
We will be electing the 2007 CRACA Board at our October General Meeting.
Contact Bob Gales or Eric Rouzee if you'd like to sit on the Board and shape the direct of CRACA.
The Board positions up for election:
- Vice Commodore
- Secretary/Treasurer
- Cruising Officer
- Communications Officer
- Newsletter, website, etc.
Good Sailing
Take care and enjoy the final warm days of summer. Fall seems to have a number of good sailing days so I hope you take advantage of them before it is time to winterize your boat.
Bob
Vice Commodore
By Eric Rouzee, C36, LegacyI spent August 3 - 13 up in the San Juan Islands. Diane and I sailed Legacy back down the coast over the Labor Day weekend. We are really looking forward to the Catalina Rendezvous this month.
Eric Rouzee
s/v Legacy
erirou@colmac.com
360-690-0331
Rear Commodore's Log
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst
There was lots of great sailing in August. I continued to volunteer Celtic Myst for the Oregon Women's Sailing Association's (OWSA) Wednesday Night Sails (WNS). If you are looking for an excuse to get the boat out at least once a week and want a ready-made crew the OWSA WNS is the way to go. I've enjoyed a wonderful sailing season hosting various crews aboard the boat.Terry and Kathie Annis invited me aboard Lematike (C25) where I got to enjoy racing the boat in the SYSCO One-Design Regatta. The sailing was great, the BBQ was delicious, and the competition keen. Joining us on the racecourse were Gary Bruner's C25, Encore!, and Steve Eldred's C25, Plan B.
Laura, Sean, and I once again enjoyed hosting the club's annual trek to Beacon Rock. The first evening's stay at the Port of Camas - Washougal was wonderful. Laura and I ate at the recently reopened Parker's Landing restaurant overlooking the marina, while others dined on the Caribbean inspired menu at the floating Puffin Cafe. Friday morning's fog-shrouded sunrise as we headed into the gorge was awesome. As always the stay at Beacon Rock was too short.
Serving on the CRACA Board
Please consider joining the Board. Your tenure as a board member can be as involved or as laid back as fits your lifestyle. CRACA is what we make of it. While there is rarely a lack of good ideas on how to increase the value of the club to its members, we typically lack volunteers to take us in those new directions. Please consider what type of club you'd like CRACA to be and how your unique talents could help us get there. Our Commodore, Bob Gales, is looking for four candidates to run for the 2007 Board positions (Vice Commodore, Secretary/Treasurer, Cruising Officer, and Communications).
2006 Catalina Rendezvous
September 15 - 17
McCuddy's Landing on Multnomah Channel
The pleasure of your company is hereby requested for the 7th annual three-day weekend of fun, festivities and socializing with fellow Catalina owners.
Organized by the Catalina Owners Rendezvous Committee and sponsored by the Columbia River All Catalina Association (CRACA).
Those unable to bring their boat are encouraged to drive to the rendezvous on Saturday and enjoy a day full of fun and fellowship.
Friday Sept. 15th
- Dinner on your own or Dine at Mark's on the Channel
- Breakfast on your own
- Seminars, Workshops, and Guest Speakers
- Potluck appetizers
- Dinner on your own
- Potluck desserts and door prizes
- Potluck Bunch
- Bon Voyage!
- Moorage will cost you $10/night regardless of the length of the boat
- 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.
Cruising
2006 CRACA Cruising Schedule
| Date | Destination | Cruise Leaders |
| Sept 16 - 17 | Catalina Rendezvous McCuddy's Landing | Eric Rouzee & Dale & Laura Mack |
| Oct 21 - 22 | Government Island, East Dock |
I almost hit a deer on the way to Beacon Rock
Moments from the Beacon Rock Cruise
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic MystSo here I am about a mile downstream of Beacon Rock making a slow two knots over the ground against the current when I spy what I think is floating debris. As I draw nearer I realize it is something crossing the river from Oregon to Washington. As I adjust the auto-pilot to avoid running it down I spot a pair of ears. IT'S A DEER! I ran below and grabbed the camera knowing no one would believe me without photo evidence. That was definitively a first for me on the way to Beacon Rock.
Laura, Sean, and I started our trip Thursday, and spent the first night at the Port of Camas - Washougal along with Escape (C28), River Rose (C27), Ivan's Ho (C30), and Deja Vu (C30). The stay at Beacon Rock was as wonderful as ever. Those joining us at Beacon Rock included:
- C22, Sea Star, David Smith
- C27, River Rose, David & Sylvia Keller
- C28, Escape
- C30, Celtic Myst, Dale & Laura Mack
- C30, Fat Cat, Jim & Ronda Turner
- C30, Fortune, Jim Elieff
- C30, Ivan's Ho, Craig & Rhonda Sorenson
- C36, Cheryl Lynn, Rick & Cheryl Ward
- C38, Fly Bye, Alden & Carrie Andre
- C42, Kira Lynn, Jess & Mary Schefstrom
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| The park overlooking the Port of Camas - Washougal, our first stop on the way to Beacon Rock. |
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| The C30 Ivan's Ho tied astern of the C28 Escape at the Port of Camas - Washougal. |
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| Sunrise Friday morning heading into the gorge. |
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| Believe it or not, I almost hit a deer. |
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| Beacon Rock State Park has opened the riverfront west section with the installation of paved walking trails, picnic tables, and restrooms. |
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| Seen along the paved walking trail. |
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| Paw print definitely not left by Sherman from the C30, Celtic Myst. |
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| C38 Fly Bye |
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| How to make a ninja mask from a t-shirt (also works well when you leave your hat at home.) |
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| Kayaking was once again very popular. |
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| Carrie & Alden Andre, C38, Fly Bye |
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| Jim Elieff, C30, Fortune. Jess & Mary Schefstrom, C42, Kira Lynn |
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| Rick & Cheryl Ward, C36, Cheryl Lynn |
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| Afternoon potluck appetizers. |
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| Jim & Ronda Turner (C30, Fat Cat) seated on the right |
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| Rick Ward (C36, Cheryl Lynn) and Jess Schefstrom (C42, Kira Lynn) lead the clean your boat's bottom contest. |
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| Jim Turner (C30, Fat Cat) cleaning the bottom. |
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.
