June 30.  Mark your calendars for June 30th as the Catalina Association of Puget Sound (CAPS), assisted by the Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle host a fun-filled round the buoys regatta on Shilshole Bay for all Catalina sailors.  For CRACA members with trailerable boats, here's a great opportunity to try something different, and mingle with other Catalina owners.  For members with boats already in Puget Sound, here's an excuse to visit Seattle and be on the boat at the same time.

Laura, Sean, and I are planning on towing Harmony up on Friday (6/29), and stay through the weekend (possibly driving home either July 2nd or 3rd).  I've been exchanging emails with the commodore for CAPS, and with fellow Catalina 22 skipper Skip Meisch, who attended the event last year.  Here's what Skip had to say when I asked about whether the racing was casual enough for Laura to enjoy:

"I would say it is very casual. If you have been racing, I don't think you will have any trouble here. It is really just a bunch of friends having a nice race."

Skip Meisch
C22 Slow Flight #6850
Everett WA
http://slowflight.net/upgrades/index.html
 

Following the racing, there will be a sit down dinner at the CYC clubhouse, awards and a raffle.

The event will take place at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle.  Laura and I checked out the facility during our trip to the Seattle boat show this year.  The launch ramps are very nice, and there is parking nearby.  The Shilshole Bay Marina website has details on guest berthing.

I'd like to encourage you to think about coming along.  While I've never been to Catalina Days in Seattle, it sounds like a lot of fun.

Meet Catalina Yachts Owner
Frank Butler
By Dale Mack

September 21-23.  The Columbia River All Catalina Association invites all owners of Catalina Yachts (Catalina, Capri, and Morgan) to attend its annual three-day weekend of fun, festivities and socializing with fellow Catalina owners and factory representatives.  This year's honored guests are Frank Butler, Catalina Yachts owner and the designer of the Catalina 22, along with Sharon Day, Catalina Yachts Sales Manager.

The event will take place at Hayden Bay, and you can either bring your boat and raft up (40+ boats are anticipated) or drive to the rendezvous.  In addition to meeting Frank and Sharon, there will be tours of boats, poolside activities, live music, and a dinner on Saturday.

Complete details for the All Catalina Rendezvous are available on the  Rendezvous' website.  Registration sent in after July 31st will cost you an extra $10.

The Barby will be HOT for May 23 Meeting at RCYC
By Jim Himes

May 23.  The next general meeting is May 23rd at the Rose City Yacht Club.  Since this is the first time this year we will be able to have a meeting outdoors, the charcoals will be hot.  Bring your own choice of meat for the grill.  I will try to have the coals ready for use by 6 PM.  Be sure to bring your own plates and tableware.

To help fill out the dinner plate, those whose last names begin with A – N should bring salads/appetizers and N –Z should bring dessert.

Our guest speaker for the night will be Mr. Doug Thompson of Wagstaff Battery & Service, Inc. He will talk about battery use on today’s vessels.

See you at the next meeting.

April Meeting at West Marine
By Michael Lewis

On April 25, the regular business meeting was held at West Marine.  Annual Elections were held and the nominated slate was elected unanimously.  Your new officers are as follows:

• Commodore Michael Lewis

• Vice Commodore Jim Himes

• Secretary/Treasurer Kathleen Lewis

• Communications Dale Mack

• Cruise  Annie Meyer

• Hospitality Julie Beck

• Historian La Donna Bubak

• Safety Michael Lewis

West Marine hosted us with soft drinks and cookies, offered attractive discounts and shopping privileges that many took advantage of.  We thank West Marine for their hospitality and support and look forward to doing this again next year.

Gilbert River Cruise
By John and Anne Meyer

April 21-22.  Two words - Wonderful time.  Where do we start?  Everyone who came had to pass through a gauntlet of fisherman on the Multnomah Channel (they have their rights too) .  Anyhow, turning up into the Gilbert River took a brave soul and much appreciation goes to Kathryn and Brian Lawrence for pre-scouting the location and assuring us it was feasible.  And feasible it was.  A beautiful moorage without passing boats, trains, airplanes etc.  Plenty of wild life.  Plenty of sunshine and yes, a little rain.  The docks were packed, a rarity we’re told.  The River City Yacht Club and the Sauvie Island Yacht Club (haven’t we seen them before?) had a majority of the decks filled.  Nevertheless, we all squeezed in with some creative rafting.  Present were:

• Katrinka with Brian and Kathy Lawrence
• Mistress, captained by Gary Jaeckel (his wife and child could not make it)
• Dream Catcher, crewed by Don and Pam Evans
• Sun Chaser with Dave and Julie Thomas
• Wind Swept with Bill and Marla Simon
• Odysseus, handled by Julie Higgins and Tom Peterson
• Shekinah, with John and Anne Meyer

Tom Peterson did a beautiful job of piloting boats, transferring anchors and in general, getting everyone squeezed in.  It was a fun day including a cruise up to Sturgeon Lake, lots of visiting, a great potluck and an interesting history lesson on the famous Taj Mahal.

A sobering lesson for all of us Sunday, on the way out was the view of a Force 50 Ketch that had grounded under anchor near the River’s mouth and laid over in the receding tide.  It reminds us of the dangers anchoring near river shoals and we hope fair winds soon again for that vessel’s unfortunate crew.

April 27-29.  Flat Water, Overcast, Sunny, No Wind, Windy, Gale Force Winds, Driving Rain, Surfing River Waves and Misty Fog. It was YOUR "Typical" April Oregon River conditions.

Four CRACA boats, their crews and guests did solo trips to this year's 19th annual Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival.  To say the least it was an "interesting" cruise.

The "Fleet" started Thursday morning with just a single C27, Oblio  The rest optioned to go at different times and different days.  At 10:15 am Oblio and crew headed for the Vancouver Railroad bridge.  A quick VHF channel 13 return from the bridge tender gave us "5 or 6 minutes".  Then the railroad repair truck rolled out onto the bridge with a lot of repairmen.  It didn't look good.  A quiet groan from the C27.  One hour later, the bridge tender calls to apologize for the delay (now that's a first).  With the span open, away we go.

Cathlamet overnight and an early morning departure.  At about 9am a VERY strong Ebb current took us to Astoria in a little over 2 hours. 10 MPH (I use MPH on the river ) on the GPS WOW..... That's about as fast as I have ever made that run.  The weather down graded a little to a light drizzle.. A hint of things to come.

A bit later all four Catalina's were tied up at West Basin.

• Oblio, C27, Ralph Ahseln and crew
• Wind Rush, C25, Dan Avery and crew
• Io,  C380,  Mike McIntyre,PY, and guests
• What Me Worry?, C36, Eugene Wilkinson and crew

Friday afternoon.  Astoria and the wine festival.   And even a bit of sun but nobody stood on the bow of the Water Taxi from the West Basin.   Wind (another hint ?) tossed a lot of the Columbia over it's bow.

The Astoria Wine Festival lived up to it's reputation.  Friday had the largest crowds ever.  Saturday was even more crowded.  The tuna was wonderful, the crab sweet, and the oysters the freshest.  Oh yea, great wines too.  Two CRACA groups did the "Iron Hull with wheels" bit, and showed up Saturday.  I got a chance to chat with Walt and Marilyn Wittke and their guests.  Our Commodore. Michael and Secretary/Treasurer Kathleen Lewis also arrived Saturday.  Sorry to have miss them, but the crowds made it tough to recognize anyone.

Saturday started to be sunny, but by afternoon it was pouring rain.  Lewis and Clark would have been proud to see Dan and crew and Ralph getting soaked waiting for the Water Taxi.  Back to the boat for dry clothes and a quick listen to the "Mechanical Weatherman" on WX channel 2 (Astoria).  Now this gave all the Catalina fleet a wake up call.  Sunday's prediction was for 40 knot winds with gusts to 50.

Sunday morning proved that the prediction was true.  Gale winds and driving rain.  The Water Taxi was suspended because of danger to the passengers.  The "Weather robot" predicted a lessening by afternoon and by one o'clock the winds were down to about 20.  Dan and his C25 had left the day before.  Wise move Dan.

Sunday morning was not pretty.  Mike and PY aboard Io left as soon as the wind died a bit.  PY called back to tell us it was OK on the river now.  We left at 2:10 in a drizzle and fog that reduced the visibility to less than a quarter mile.  Following the "Track Back" feature of our GPS was necessary.  The weather had moderated considerably by that time.

Overnight at Cathlamet and an early start in no wind and light rain.  At the downriver mouth of the Crimms Is. Channel the wind freshened and we set main and jib.  A wonderful starboard reach which continued through the Stella, Washington turn.  Then "Bang" we got slammed by a rain squall from out of nowhere coming over the bluff at Walker Island with wind in excess of 35 knots and beam on.  Instantly the river waves came up at 4 or 5 feet and Oblio was "over-canvassed" and almost out of control.  A large tourist motor vessel was windward of us making heading up impossible.  We furled the jib and reefing was done with the main loaded.  At this point we were surfing the waves coming from our stern.  Wind on the beam and waves at the stern.  We decided to strip the main and motor.  For the next hour we were surfing under bare pole.  A bit exciting but no damage or injury.  Monday ended at the St. Helens city docks in the late afternoon.  We were tired and deserved the good meal at the "Dockside" restaurant.

Tuesday late morning was a motor sail, outrunning the many rain squalls from St. Helens to Portland.  The RR bridge opened as we approached, whew.  It was sunny as we tied up at Hayden Bay.  Loading up the dirty clothes and the leftover potato chips, we jumped into the car just as the sky open up with wind , rain and hail.

Another Great cruise to the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival. Done. !!

Astoria Crab, Seafood and Wind
(oops I mean Wine) Festival
By Mike McIntyre

This was the first year of participation by boat for the crew of the Io.  Although we didn't travel with them, there were three other members of the Columbia River All Catalina Association at the Astoria West End marina transient docks with us: a C36, a C27, and a C25(!!).  Our thanks to Ralph Ahseln of CRACA for leading the charge.

Memorial Weekend Cruise to Martin Slough
By Annie & John Meyer

May 26-28.  Another cruise, check your charts and join us for several days of peaceful relaxation. Anne and I have never been to the Martin Slough so we’re not much help but its about half way between St. Helens and Kalama. I can’t give exact coordinates because my charts are on the boat. However, it’s on the Washington side and you enter from down river. Heading back up river in the slough, the anchorage is off in a bay to the east.

Everyone going, keep your VHF radios on channel 68 as you get near and communicate for help. Bring your anchors. I’ve heard rumors of a dock within the bay, but in the past it’s strictly been an anchorage.

We’ve heard it’s beautiful and quiet so it’s worth the effort to get there. Maybe the cruise of the summer. 

We’ll keep the planned activities to a minimum and not plan a formal pot luck just in case we have to anchor and / or raft. BUT, let’s do plan a wine tasting party for Saturday evening around 5 pm. However, it doesn’t have to be wine. You can bring a bottle of your favorite wine (mine’s Ripple) or your favorite candy. If you bring your dingy (I don’t mean your mate), you can explore the beautiful slough and Sunday, if we can find a volunteer, we will have a demonstration of hypothermia. Remember, it’s memorial weekend so be sure and fly the Stars and Stripes.

John and Annie Meyer, Shekinah, 503.693.9233

Martin Island Scouting Report By Kathy Lawrence Navigation May 26-28.  Martin Island is a few miles downstream from St. Helens on the Washington side. The dredged shipping channel is also on the Washington side in that stretch of river, so big ships go by very close to the entrance to Martin Island. As you look across the river, it looks like open water where there is actually long shallow area at the downstream end of the island. To get around this shallow area, go down river to the #60 red buoy. From there head directly toward Martin Bluff. The water is deep right up to shore. Turn to starboard and you will be heading back up river into the Martin Island channel. (It is parallel to and right next to the southbound I-5 freeway lanes.) It is advisable to take this channel at a sedate pace because of shallower areas, floating logs, and deadheads. Try for mid-channel and watch your depth. After some distance you see the channel split in two. Follow the curve to starboard and watch for a cut into the island on the starboard side. Stay mid-channel going in because of shallows along the island, and then mid-channel in the cut. You are there! Martin lake is a terrific anchorage. It is protected from both wind and currents, and there is room for hundreds of boats. You will want to pay attention to the tide if your boat drafts four feet or more. Equipment We will be anchoring and rafting up. There are no docks. You will need at least four dock lines and fenders for both sides of your boat for rafting. The dock lines need to be long enough to reach from your bow to another when sterns are close together and bows are far apart. Fenders should be of reasonable size. Every so often a boat will need to set an anchor. This will not be every boat, or even every other boat, but it could be you. People will be on hand to help with rafting and/or anchoring. Pets will need a dinghy for shore leave and people will like them for fun. It is a good idea to carry a tarp that can be made into a cockpit tent for protection from rain or sun. It is cooler on the water than on land, so some means of keeping warm in the evenings, or in case of rain, is a good idea. Dress for the Oregon coast—bring clothes for hot weather, cold weather, and damp weather. Social Information Plan on Potluck dinners, and other meals as you wish. There will be several clubs present, but space is not a concern and these groups get along well together. We are expecting St. Helens Yacht Club, St. Helens Sailing Club, Kalama Yacht Club, Small Yacht Sailing Club of Oregon (SYSCO), and Tomahawk Bay Yacht Club along with the CRACA fleet. Martin Lake has plenty of room for all comers and is protected from currents, wind, and river chop. This is a good destination for families. Swimming is fun if the weather is nice. Otherwise there are waterways to explore in your dinghy. Fishing is popular. Katrinka is acting as the CRACA host for this event. Brian and I plan to be at Martin Lake beginning Friday evening. Please let us know if we can expect you. Kathy Lawrence 503.366.4308 (home) 503.816.8327 (cellular on the water)

Click on chart for a larger view (84Kbytes) Buoy "60" Martin Bluff Entrance to Martin Slough Hang right when the channel splits Entrance to the Anchorage Stay Mid-Channel The Anchorage

Barkley Sound, B.C. Cruise
By Michael Lewis

June 23.  This is the view from the Port of Entry, Bamfield, in Barkley Sound.  Often referred to as “Oregon’s Playground,” because it is closer for us than the Seattleites.  I know that many of you intrepid sailors are dreaming of the day to make this journey.  Well, it has arrived, at last, June 23, 2001!  I will lead a group north with a stop in Westport before heading to the Port of Entry in Bamfield, B.C.

The Clatsop Spit presents itself as slack at 8:47 am.  We will depart earlier than that around 6:00 am from the Astoria West End Moorage to assure us a smooth transit over the notorious Columbia River Bar.  Slack is at 8:47 am. The prevailing good weather wind direction is northwest, which generally means motor sailing but “If you Want to make Neptune laugh??  Tell him your cruising plans!” 

Once passing out between the Columbia River (CR) Entrance Buoy and the G “1,” we will head north approximately 54 NM to the Grays Harbor Entrance Buoy and into Westport for the evening.  Slack is at 7:58 pm.

After spending a restful evening in Westport, we will depart in the morning, around 7:00am in order to make the bar crossing at slack tide. Slack is at 8:14 am. Once outside we will proceed out to the 30-fathom line and head north towards Bamfield, B.C. approximately 130 nautical miles. After clearing customs and spending the night in Bamfield, we will head out into “Oregon’s Playground.”

The choices are many in the Barkley Sound but to name a few that are well worth including in the trip:

• Pipestem Inlet, including Lucky Creek
• Pinkerton Islands
• Julia Passage
• Chain Group
• Deer Group
• Broken Group
• Effingham Bay
• Nettle Island
• Robber’s Passage & the Port Alberni Yacht Club
• Poet Nook

On Thursday, July 12, avoiding a Friday, the 13^th, we will head back south early am to Astoria from Bamfield. A sailor’s rule: Never Sail on a Friday! Again the prevailing winds are from the northwest, so it can be sleigh ride south. After an overnight sail down the coast out beyond the 30 fathom line, we would anticipate crossing the Columbia River Bar on the slack tide at 7:51 am and coasting into Astoria West End Marina just in time for lunch on Friday at the Portway, the oldest watering hole in the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies.

If you are interested, contact Michael Lewis.

Vessel Safety Check (VSC)  Logistics
By Michael Lewis

Report from the Diesel Maintenance Class at PCC
By Michael Lewis

The halls ring with Catalina Aficionados: Dave Peoples, Walt Wittke, Dave Thomas, Bob Brown, Kurt Riddle, Stu McNaughton and Michael Lewis round out the Columbia River Catalina attendees.  Mark Halston (Sailboats of Oregon) is also in the class along with 6 non-Catalina owners.

Great class and just at the right pace to make you familiar with your Iron Genoa.  Hugh Brock, the doctor of diesel engines, is the instructor and is great.  The class is mixed with the right amount of theory, lecture, hands on and reinforcement to make it a great learning experience.

I was reading the other day and came across a couple things that were not in the class but seemed that they might apply someday.

• If it ain't broke only a Sailor will fix it. When is good, good enough?
  Is it just the paranoid in all of us, or just the need to repair that keeps us
  fooling around with stuff that just might go bad?? Work all day on that
  one thing that may not need fixing and have a great sense of accomplishment.
  Oh I guess we call that Maintenance!
• Duct tape is like the force: It has a dark side and a light side, and it holds the universe together.
• There is nothing that duct tape or roses can't fix.   You might use the roses first for Mother’s Day.
• For every big problem there is a simple answer, and it's wrong.
• The minimalist theory of maintenance: If it doesn't move and it should,
  spray it with WD40. If it does move and it shouldn't, wrap it with duct tape.

Repair rules heard in the halls:

• Fear no repair…Time is not your friend if you delay too long…No fear!
• Simple solutions are always better…start at the beginning…ie--do you have fuel?
• Time is your friend not your enemy…Slower is better than faster.
• Last resort is disassembly…remember the last resort…then proceed slowly…record your progress…remember last resort!
• Use mind over matter…not brute force…always remember easy does it better!

May 5-6.  Cinco de Mayo Cruise to River Place Marina

May 26-28.  Martin Slough Cruise.

June 16-17.  St. Helens City Docks Cruise

June 23 (3 weeks).  Barkley Sound Cruise

June 30.  Catalina Days - Seattle

more...

The Columbia River All Catalina Association newsletter is published once a month online at ColumbiaRiverCatalina.org. Articles are the opinions of the authors and don't necessarily represent the consensus of the Association.