Rear Commodore's Log
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst
OWSA Wednesday Night Sails (WNS)
Celtic Myst continued to host crews from the Oregon Women's Sailing Association on OWSA's Wednesday Night Sails. Since the first WNS in May, I have never handled the wheel once. Most crews were pretty inexperienced, but they successfully got the boat underway and back into the slip at the end of the sail with me talking them through each step. The undocking and docking were probably one of the most intimidating parts of the sail since most crews thought I'd be handling the boat in and out of the berth. Three of the sail's had winds strong enough to prevent Celtic Myst from swinging its bow into the wind as we backed out of the slip. On those nights the OWSA helmsperson got to learn how to back the boat down the fairway, a distance of several hundred feet. The last sail of the season was September 27th. Due to calm conditions, Celtic Myst, Upstart, and Radio Flyer motored down to Canoe Bay (Grandma's Cove) just upriver of the railroad bridge and rafted up. OWSA is always looking for boats to volunteer for WNS so think about it for 2007. As for you ladies, joining OWSA and participating in the WNS is a wonderful way to connect with other women, sail aboard a variety of boats, and enjoy practicing a few skills in a supportive environment. Oh, and what do men like Bill Sanborn on Upstart and me do on the sails? We coach when needed, otherwise we try to be invisible.
New Pumpout Stations
Normally I don't write about heads, holding tanks, or pumpout facilities, but every once in a while something happens that makes life a little easier. Recently I was returning from Donaldson Marina after refueling the boat and decided to visit the pumpout station at Hayden Bay since the station at Tomahawk Bay was closed when I pulled out of the marina. It turns out that Columbia Crossing was in the process of replacing the old slow holding tank pumpout stations at their marinas. Fortunately for me, one of the two units at Hayden Bay was operational, so I got to try it out. WOW! Talk about suction. It emptied my fifteen-gallon holding tank in less than a minute. I couldn't believe it, so I used the nearby water hose to refill the holding tank and try it again. Sure enough, less than a minute after starting the pump the holding tank was empty. Totally awesome!
Halloween Cruise
Laura and I are looking forward to the CRACA Halloween Cruise to Bartlett Landing. While we miss going to Coon Island this time of year, we have to admit the closeness of Government Island is starting to emerge as a favorite destination.
Our hosts for the cruise have been deliberately vague when it comes to details beyond what's published in the announcement. All I was able to get out of them was "...be prepared for anything, but remember that it is Halloween". As for the Great Pumpkin River Race our hosts passed along "...the Great Pumpkin River Race is about taking a pumpkin and making a boat out of it. Some will cut it in half, others will leave it whole. Some will put sails on it, while others might float it whole. It really doesn't matter, just be creative." I've included some photos of past entries in the race and past entries in the "Best Use of a Pumpkin" contest.
This cruise is always fun. Even when it has been wet and foggy, folks always seem to have a great time and leave looking forward to next year. So, unless the river is frozen or it's blowing a gale, Laura and I will see you there.
Halloween Cruise to Government Island
The crews of the C25 Lematike (Terry and Kathie Annis) and the C25 Leucothea (Nate and Margaret Hanson) invite you to do spend an enjoyable weekend with other Catalina enthusiasts. The cruise will be held rain or shine.
Saturday
- Prizes for the following:
- Best Costume
- Great Pumpkin River Race
- Best use of a pumpkin
- Best decorated boat
- Fruit wine tasting
- Potluck desserts in the evening
- Potluck breakfast weather permitting
General Meeting
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
6:00 pm social/dinner – 6:30 pm meeting
*** All Catalina Yacht owners are invited ***
Mar's Meadow Chinese Restaurant
9620 N Whitaker Rd
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 286-8888
We have reserved the room in the back NW corner of the restaurant.
Directions:
Mar's Meadows is near West Marine. If heading south on I-5 take exit 306. If heading north on I-5 take exit 306b
Guest Speaker
Sharon Adams is the first woman in the world to single-hand the Pacific Ocean.
Secretary/Treasurer
Please welcome three new members to CRACA:
Rick and Cheryl Ward of West LinnA brief report of the journeys of Wind Raven and her crew—
John and Cheryl Fulton of Tigard
- Their 1983 C36 Cheryl Lynn is at Tomahawk
Jim Nocar of Pleasanton, CA
- Their 2005 C320 Mystique is at F38 at Tomahawk
- His 1986 C36 is at Tomahawk
The crew of Wind Raven left our home port the last week in June and spent the next five and a half weeks visiting various ports of call in Oregon, Washington, the San Juan and Gulf Islands.
It was the year to check out marinas and visit yacht clubs that have reciprocal arrangements with PYC. We met many interesting boaters along the way. It is amazing how many people have, have had or know someone who has a Newfoundland. Bear greeted all who came along.
We also checked out the customs procedures in Canada at Sidney and Victoria. In the United States we visited Point Roberts and Port Angeles.
Kathy Lewis
Secretary/Treasurer
sewingmaven@msn.com
Cruising
Changes in Latitudes
By Jim Elieff (Cruising Chairman), C30, Fortune
Catalina Rendezvous
McCuddy's Landing on Multnomah Channel near Scappoose played host to the 2006 Catalina Rendezvous. We had members attending by boat and by car. Our Vice Commodore Eric Rouzee gave a great presentation on his boat's participation in this year's Oregon Offshore race from the mouth of the Columbia River to Victoria, B.C. Eric's presentation had some great photos.
Sixteen of us ate at Mark's on the Channel, located at the marina. The food was great and the company even better. It was wonderful seeing members Bill & Marla Simon along with Dave & Eli, and Jerry & Lisa Sullivan. Kevin Cote form Sailboats of Oregon came and brought some door prizes. We all had a terrific time together.
Columbia River Yachting Association News
- At the CRYA meeting on September 18th they reported that the Christmas Ship schedule will posted on their site at www.crya.us .
- The Oregon State Marine Board has issued 146,000 Boaters Educational cards, which is way over the anticipated number.
- The Sand Island lower docks near St. Helens have been damaged and won't be ready for the CRYA Halloween cruise.
- The Sandy Beach Park project, located at Government Island, West, is in the design and engineering stage. The project's completion is approximately two years in the future.
- JJ Colins (Coon Island) E. side request for permits did not get out in time, therefore construction will not begin before 2007.
- The O’Laughlin’s will be passing out children’s PFDs again at the January Portland Boat Show. They also will exchange PFDs that no longer fit for new ones. The old PFDs will go into a loaner program.
Sailing for a Good Cause
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic MystThe Sail for the Cure continues to be one of my favorite annual sailing events and 2006 was no exception. The sun was out, the wind was moderate, everyone was in high spirits, and more than fifty boats enjoyed this non-racing event. The nine Catalina participants included:
- C22 Sunrise, Karen Maynard
- C25 Encore!, Gary & Kathy Bruner
- C25 Lematike, Terry & Kathie Annis
- C25 Leucothea, Nate & Margaret Hanson
- C25 Tybreaker, Alice Patten
- C250 <<no name yet>>, Doug and JoNell McClary
- C27 Mojito, Carl & Beth Sorensen
- C28 KA-SL, Gary Whitney
- C30 Celtic Myst, Dale & Laura Mack
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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