Newsletter	February 2002

Commodore's Deck
By Michael Lewis, C42, Wind Raven

A story was related recently to me about a sailor that had achieved a “USCG Captain’s License” and the significant other wanted to celebrate the occasion on the sailboat with ceremonial cake and champagne. While celebrating, the new “Captain” was presented with a royal blue jacket embroidered with the boat name and the title, “CAPTAIN,” under it.

After humbly accepting and profusely thanking the significant other, the Captain blurted out with limited finesse, “Honey, this real nice, we need to get one for you, too!” The significant other immediately disappeared forward, emerging seconds later with an identical royal blue jacket—except under the boat name on the second jacket was stitched the word, “OWNER.”

Perfect!!

Most of us refer to the significant other as “First Mate” or “Crew,” this new term puts it all into perspective. If it wasn’t for the support and understanding I get from the “Owner,” I wouldn’t be sailing the boat I have today. I have dropped all secondary references and give credit where it should be, with the Owner!!

So as we approach Valentine’s Day, Owners or Captains should be loving and thoughtful!

But enough philosophy, since my last missive, we have been to the Seattle Boat Show and saw many of you or heard about you. Great place to go to see lots of boy and girl’s toys for your bigger toy, your Catalina.

Brion Toss, Master Rigger, from Port Townsend is coming back into Portland and is available for Surveys and Tuning, let me know if you are interested. Explore at www.briontoss.com for more information too. He is also speaking at West Marine on March 5th at 7:00PM. Sign up for this event at West Marine.

Warren Miller, West Marine’s Technical Adviser, will present an in-depth look at the latest products and techniques available for successful electrical systems management at West Marine on February 21st at 7:00PM. Sign up for this event at West Marine.

We are working on the nominations for the new officers and look forward to offering a strong new slate of officers, please support the club if you are asked to serve. It is participation in the club that makes it go.

Fair winds and favorable currents!

Notes from the Secretary/Treasurer
By Kathleen Lewis, C42, Wind Raven

We are 71 strong.

Watch for the February issue of “Mainsheet”. It will become a “Collector’s item “ as the Columbia River All Catalina Association is the featured association. Thanks to the people who contributed to the article and to all the members who have made this group happen.

As before, if you have paid for the “Mainsheet” and you do not get one call or email me. More than half the members have subscribed through our association.

All members should have a roster of members. If you have joined and did not receive your copy please contact me.

Kathleen Lewis (Kathleen.lewis@direcway.com)

Charmed - A Visit to the Seattle Boat Shows
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst

Charmed is that best word I could come up with to explain my good fortune when visiting the Seattle Boat Shows this year.  I got rained on driving up and driving back, but the whole time I was outside at the Lake Union Boats Afloat show I saw no rain.

Center for Wooden Boats (CWB).  Like many who visit the Lake Union Boats Afloat show, I always wander next door to the Center for Wooden Boats.  I spent seventeen years in Sea Scouts sailing, cruising, and repairing wooden boats, so CWB is a powerful magnet for me.  Imagine my surprise to see a Catalina 22 at the end of the gangway as I approached CWB.  Apparently the C22 had been donated and was being sold to convert the donation into funds for CWB.  I had to chuckle as I read the one page write-up taped to boat, because the ad used the phrase "a classic fiberglass sailboat".  For a boat that's been in continuous production for over thirty years, I guess the Catalina 22 qualifies as a classic.

Lake Union Boats Afloat.  The Boats Afloat show at Chandler's Cove on Lake Union is my favorite show between the two Seattle boat shows, because it features sailboats, trawlers, and large power yachts. Both Admiralty Yacht Sales of Tacoma/Seattle and Performance Yachts of Bellingham (both Catalina Yachts brokerages) had come to the show with boats from the C28 mkII to the C42 mkII. While seeing the latest from Catalina is always a delight, its also enjoyable walking through the offerings from companies such as Hunter Marine, Beneteau, C & C, Island Packet, J Boats, Jeanneau, and Tartan Yachts just to name a few.  Even if all you were doing was dreaming about that next boat, the in the water boat show was great.

Seattle Boat Show.  How do you explain the Seattle Boat Show?  Poooooooooooooower Boats!  Geared toward trailerable boats and mid-size cruisers, a sailor goes to this show to see the equipment booths and meet factory representatives from many of the major marine electronics companies.  Although a small number of trailerable sailboats are on display, it's the booths that are the big draw.

From riggers, to spars, and GPS electronics, to sail makers, the Seattle Boat Show is always worth a visit, particularly since it overlaps with the Boats Afloat Show.  The free bus shuttle running between the two shows was very convenient, and the free parking coupon for Safeco field with the online purchase of show tickets couldn't have been any easier.

CRACA Lifesling Seminar
By Michael Lewis, C42, Wind Raven

June 1, 2002.  Learn to use the Lifesling Rescue System!

Every sailor must know how to react quickly in a crew overboard situation.

The Oregon Women’s Sailing Association and the Columbia River All Catalina Association have teamed up to offer a special seminar to teach this valuable skill on Saturday, June 1, 2002.

The Lifesling system is designed so even the smallest person on your boat will be able to rescue and retrieve the largest person. Every participant in the class will receive Classroom training and then practice an actual rescue.

First come, first serve, space is limited, so mail your check now for $25 per person including lunch to:

Columbia River All Catalina Association
Attention: Secretary/Treasurer
17535 Monnier Road NE
Hubbard, OR 97032

February Meeting at Portland Community College
By Michael Lewis, C42, Wind Raven

February 27.  PCC Rock Creek Campus in Building #2 (see map below) at 7:00PM

Besides one of our shorter business meetings, our speaker will be Hugh Brock on Diesel Maintenance and Care. This will be a chance to get to meet our speaker and he also teaches the Small Marine Diesel Maintenance Class at PCC Rock Creek which will start in the Spring Term.

After the meeting and the reason for the Caboose on the Engine above, we will adjourn to the Pizza Caboose afterwards.

Rock Campus via Highway 26

1. Take NW 185th Street Exit.
2. Drive approximately two miles to Springville Rd.
3. Turn right onto Springville.
4. Rock Creek Campus is 1/4 mile, on the left.
5. Note: there's a charge for parking at PCC campuses

March Meeting at West Marine
By Michael Lewis, C42, Wind Raven

March 27.  I know that everyone knows where it is. The Columbia River All Catalina Association Fleet Night will be held at 7:00PM. We have our business meeting after the store closes with hospitality supplied courtesy of West Marine. Special Discounts are provided for all that attend the meeting. Get ready for Spring Sailing.

February 16-17.  Better weather is promised.  We tie up at the Vancouver city dock that is just below The Quay Hotel and Restaurant. Come to the inside of the dock. The dock is just west of the I-5 Bridge. There are opportunities to walk the trail along the river or venture into downtown Vancouver. There is also a Sunday Brunch available at the Quay.

The Commodore, Wind Raven’s Owner (that’s me) and Bear will be hosting this and you should contact them for more information or to let them know your plans. This dock has land access and last year several members (sans boat) came by land and we shared snacks on board.

Bring Presidential Snacks, like Bush BBQ or chicken wings, Washington’s Cherry Pie or just wing it. Prizes for the best snacks, most appropriate to the holiday, etc.

This will be an opportunity for Bear, “Wind Raven’s” canine mascot to show how much he has changed in a year. Last year, “Bear” was 3 months old.

March 16-17.  We’ve filled up the slips that we reserved, so for those of you who haven’t already reserved a slip through me, let me simply say for your benefit that this is going to be a lousy weekend, rain, rotten docks, vandals splashing green paint on our boats, fast moving river current making docking a fear factor, high crime area, (meaning pirates) and very unsociable people.  Now you can quite reading. For those of you who are booked, we’re going high class this cruise and reserving slips within the marina – no one’s going to call CRACA cheap. No way! We’ll have electricity, hot showers and laundry down the dock; security cards to access the streets, running water, even cable TV hook up if you want it (yuck). The other two clubs, tied up to the transient docks, well, they’re cheap (and quicker than us). Social activities once we’re tied up – who knows. I haven’t given it a thought. Back to you who haven’t signed up (if you’re still reading), how about coming anyway. Call Jerry Olsen, Harbor Master (503.241.8283) and see if he can squeeze you in. Or raft up to the cheap people on the transient docs, or anchor in front of the water front park and dingy over, or tie up in front of Newport Restaurant and order a cheeseburger at closing time, or tie up across the river at the new Esplanade and walk over the Hawthorne bridge to join us, or raft up to that submarine in front of OMSI (watch your step when going ashore) and walk over the I-5 bridge. Whatever, give it a try. I’ve got a feeling it’ll be a warm, sunny weekend. When I get around to it, I’ll email everyone going a see if we can have any luck organizing some group passings of the bridges.  If you want to go in Friday night – cool, you can help the rest of us dock. If you haven’t heard from me by the middle of the week prior to, call me at 503.693.9233.

Is It Fair?
By John Meyer, C34, Shekinah

For those of you who read LATITUDES AND ATTITUDES, did you notice in the latest issue, the photos in the section called "Underway!, Slices of Life From Cruisers Worldwide" (photos sent in by cruisers all over the world)? There were 24 photos - the typical blue skies, everyone in bathing suits, sunglasses etc., enjoying our favorite sport and in the middle of it all was one photo that looked out of place. Two foul weather clad sailors with fog or rain or something making the picture look colder than, ah you know. Anyhow, the fine print below the photo stated, "photo by Ray Wilson, Columbia River".

Astoria-Warrenton Crab & Seafood Festival
By Ralph Ahseln, C27, Oblio

April 26, 27, 28.  It’s not too early to start thinking about cruising down river in April. Join us in celebration of the 21st Astoria-Warrenton Crab and Seafood Festival April 26, 27, 28.

Plan for, at least, a LONG weekend to get there and back. One and a half days to get to Astoria and two days to return to Portland is doable. (See possible itinerary at the bottom of this notice.)

Can’t get off work for that long?  If you take your boat down, we might be able to arrange a “ Pickup crew for later in the week. Ask me for details.

This year’s event will be held at the Clastop County Fair Grounds for the first time and will promise to be drier and easier to get to.  Well at least that’s what they say. The fairgrounds are on the South side of the peninsula and there is NO River, Bay or navigable water close by. Shuttle buses from downtown Astoria to the Fair Grounds will be operating.

That’s all very nice but there is a slight problem.

Normally the Festival is held at Hammond, just across the bay. The Hammond marina was normally filled with powerboats. But NOW with the Festival in Astoria. It’s likely that Astoria’s West Basin moorage will be crowded.

Soooooooooooo I will need to know ASAP how many CRACA members are planning to sail down and who would like to stay in West Basin. We may need to get reservations in quickly.

It’s a 2-hour Drive if you choose to do the “Four Wheel Sloop“ bit.

If you only have ONE festival to go to this year, GO to the Astoria Festival.  The Best Food, The Best Wines and beers, and places to go and things to do. Lots of stuff for the kids too.

Astoria now boasts three or four first quality restaurants, if you don’t fill up on fresh seafood and other goodies at the festival, you’ll have lots of other choices.

Sailing the Lower Columbia River is a must. It’s historic and beautiful. Get a “preview” of the soon to be, 200 year celebration of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery. Learn a little about this wonderful old river.

If you choose to travel at the same time I’m planning (see itinerary), I will try to give you a running history narrative of the river, on VHF, as we pass places of interest.

Here’s a sample:  History Quiz. What town on the Columbia River, (hint: It no longer exists) was called the “Murder Capitol of Oregon “???

A fun sail and a festival you don’t want to miss.  Please let me know if you are interested, as soon as possible.  Call or email me:

Ralph E. Ahseln
503-667-0991
r.ahseln@verizon.net

Possible Itinerary:

Travel time to Cathlamet WA depends winds and river current speed

Cathlamet is 65 Statute Miles (56 KM) from RR Bridge.

Allow from approximately ten plus hours motoring travel time to Cathlamet

Sailing time will generally be much slower. Winds are mostly “On the Nose”

Normal Outflow current will be Approx. 1.5 to 3 knots. Expect late AM to Early PM .. to have fastest current outflow.

For Smaller vessels - It is best to reach Astoria before Noon.  Afternoon NW winds can be strong and waves high making an unpleasant trip.

Sunday 28th , Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th

Up River from Cathlamet: Strong Outflow from 1.5 to 3 knots through 24 hours. Heaviest at Midday.

Vessel Safety Check Weekend
By Michael Lewis, Safety Focus

April 6-7.  Remember that every member should have a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) Each Year!

This is the weekend to get it done. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron will be available at Hayden Bay and Tomahawk Bay to do your annual VSC. If these locations won’t work, then call me to arrange an appointment. You might want to visit http://www.safetyseal.net/ for more information and the requirements.

February 16-17.  President's Day Cruise - The Quay

February 27.  General Meeting

March 16-17.  St. Patrick's Day Cruise - River Place Marina

March 27.  General Meeting @ West Marine

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.