Newsletter	June 2002

Commodore's Deck
By Ralph Ahseln, C27, Oblio

You missed it! We had a great time at the May meeting of CRACA. Sorry you weren't able make it.  If you haven’t attended a meeting lately or if I have failed to make a personal contact with you, please let me know.  The Association needs you. We need your advice, knowledge, and your company on cruises and social gatherings.

Just a little bugging here, if you haven’t paid your 2002 dues yet, We NEED to hear from you.

Since we have no CRACA meetings scheduled for June or July, we will be coming to you through this newsletter and word of mouth. I will try as best I can to keep an active dialog going. I could use your help. Keep in contact with us and keep an eye on the newsletter.

Let Dale Mack, our Communications officer and the editor of the newsletter, know what you are doing. Stories about your sailing experiences, upgrades you've made, and technical tips all make great newsletter topics.  And we'd all love to see pictures of you, your boat or some of your wonderful Summer cruising destinations.  Pictures, stories or just plain chatting is what it’s all about.  The newsletter should be your connection to all of us.

There are cruises planned for each month. We hope you can join us for one or more, and don't forget the 3rd annual RENDEZVOUS is happening near St Helens, September 20- 22 at the Up River docks on Sand Island. Be sure to plan on being there. Don’t miss this one.

On June 22-23, you can join the gang for a cruise up river to the Camas area at  Ackerman Island, well behind it. NOT on it. Tucked away in back is another great place. Please let Werner & Renate Bittner (wbittner@news.oregonian.com) know if you would like information.

The July 20-21 cruise is an un-guided no host affair to Sandy Island up river from Kalama, Washington. This is a substitute for the Delta Cruise that was planned. There will be NO Delta cruise this year.

The Kalama, Sandy Island cruise will just be a “gathering” of folks to sort of Check Out the area. The upper end of the island (across from Kalama’s grain elevators) is a favorite spot of some of the locals. Big sandy beaches and a good anchorage. Just the place to kick back and relax. Nothing planned except to relax.

I hope to see you at one of these great “Escapes”.  Keep in touch. Keep sailing and Keep Safe ( Wear your PFD ).

Past Commodore's Hammock
By Michael Lewis, C42, Wind Raven

Well, we missed the Martin Slough Cruise! It was a great time, I understand.

Got to Astoria on Friday to go back up river but the crew had developed a strange rash that itched like crazy. Put her on drugs and met up with the Don and Pam Evans and went razor clamming instead. Days were drizzling part of the time. It might have been uncomfortable beating back against the current to Martin Slough and then it poured buckets on Monday. So, all is well that ends well. Great razor clamming this year by the way.

With all of our new found time (hah hah!), we are planning for our cruise north in a few weeks. Looks like we might get a “Gathering of the Columbia River Catalina’s” at Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands to happen. With 6 boats, surely we can at least 2 together. Our cruising plans include Victoria, the San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, as far north as Silva Bay (Gabriola Pass), across to Vancouver, Point Roberts and shopping in La Conner (I’m told there are lots of quilt shops there??? I prefer marine shops and boat shows). From there we will poke around the Sound, until it is time to get back for the Rendezvous in September.

Until then fair winds and favorable currents

From the Commodore's Salt Shaker
By Ralph Ahseln, C27, Oblio

From time to time I will add to the newsletter Items, links and just general chat. I hope you enjoy them.  Here’s one even Frank Butler might shake his head over.

Checkout www.mirabellayachts.com . When you get there, click on "Preview".

The largest single masted yacht in the world.

Mirabella V will have the following dimensions:

• LOA - 246.7 ft
• Beam - 48.6 ft
• Draft - board up - 12.8 ft
• Draft - board down - 32.8 ft
• Full load displacement - 1,547,000 lb
• Sail area - 30,042 sq ft (that's 3/4 acre)
• Mast height - 300 ft (not a misprint)
• Centerboard weight - 331,000 lb
• It's fiberglass with a carbon fiber mast.

The site is being updated monthly and the pictures are awesome. There are 8 months of progress reports presently posted.

Now you might want to know what kind of a PIRATE you would be. Here is a little fun thing that will give you a Pirate name. He asks for a buck if you use it, but it’s up to you

Pirate Name http://www.fidius.org/quiz/pirate.php

Want to change the name of your boat.. Here is one of the best lists I’ve seen. Some of the Names are .. Awfully pretty… Some awfully clever…. Some ..AWFUL

Boat Names http://www.boatus.com/names/default.asp

If you have links that would be fun for the newsletter send them to me.

No meetings in June and July.

Ackerman Island Cruise

June 22-23.  Contact Werner & Renate Bittner (wbittner@news.oregonian.com) if you need more information.

Cruising the Columbia River between
Cascade Locks and Miller Island
By Michael Lewis, C42, Wind Raven

With the August cruise heading up river (Beacon Rock and Government Cove) here is a great link, especially for those who aren't familiar with the stretch of river between Cascade Locks and Miller Island.

w3.gorge.net/casiera/columbia.htm

Delta Cruise
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst

Reports of the demise of the 2002 Delta Cruise have been greatly exaggerated .

Laura and I never got our Catalina 22 below St. Helens on the Columbia River, because our traditional summer cruise was to trailer up to Anacortes to launch, and then spend a week or more cruising the San Juan and Gulf Islands.  With the purchase of our Catalina 30 mkIII earlier this year, we began looking forward to the Delta cruise since taking Celtic Myst north was going to have to wait until our skills and confidence with the new boat grew.

Hearing that the official CRACA Delta cruise had been cancelled, we decided to proceed anyway with our plans, despite having never visited by boat or anchored in any of the destinations on our itinerary.  I figure between now and the planned departure date, I will gather as much detailed information about specifically where to anchor, how to navigate some of the channels, and where to stay and what to do, that some the anxiety of doing it on our own should be diminished (he says hoping not to run the boat aground, or spending a night worrying about dragging the anchor).  If you have some experience with any of the destinations on my itinerary, please drop me an email with your advice.

If you are also cruising that week and don't mind hanging out with a boat crewed by a couple who freely admit their inexperience cruising the lower Columbia River, then look for us.  If you're participating in the Sandy Island/Kalama cruise on July 20-21, maybe we see each other in transit.

Going "Downhill" is Easy
By Ralph Ahseln, C27, Oblio

The cruise “downhill” to Astoria for the annual Seafood and Wine Festival is always an interesting challenge. One year major flood, another year a near Tornado. You just never know.

This year, April 26,27,28, marked the second time the cruise was part of the Columbia River All Catalina Association’s cruise schedule.  Three vessels made the trip. A 4th, “What Me Worry “ missed this year because of a lack of crew (Sorry you missed it, Eugene).

Thursday, April 25

At 1000 hrs under overcast sky, moderate temperatures and as usual no wind, this year’s adventure began.  The C27 “Oblio” Ralph Ahseln and crew along with the C30 “Spice of Life” Noel DesMarteau and his able seaman Griffin (4 years old) all met under the I-5 bridge.

While nearly 70 miles motoring in one day may seem to be a bore, it never is. The historic Columbia River always has a surprise or two along the way. Keeping a good watch is required and the views are always wonderful.

River traffic was light and being able to navigate along the “Fast” lanes (mid-channel) assured us that the trip to Elochoman marina at Cathlamet could be made in fairly quick time. I always plan between 9 and 10 hours. Currents and floods this time of the year can help a lot. A few years ago, I saw 10 knots SOG on my GPS.  This April with only a moderate snow melt and flood outflow, our trip was moderately quick.

Until we passed Stella we had had little or no wind, then the infamous Cape Horn welcomed us with winds from the Northwest in excess of 25 knots. In the space of 2 miles the weather changed from flat and calm to waves of 5 to 6 feet and winds of 25 knots with gusts. Only when we turned the corner at Cathlamet Channel did the wind drop a bit. “Welcome to the Lower Columbia River “ Noel!  Noel and his one lunger inboard had a rather tough time of it. But managed with great skill and seamanship. Congratulations Noel.

We overnighted in Cathlamet and made plans to catch the early morning Ebb. Astoria and the Wine Festival were only 25 miles away. Here we come!

Friday, April 26

First rule of a cruise host or guide … Never Try “Show Off “ … Ahem! Ahem!

The islands at Skamakowa are wild birds sanctuaries and in an effort to show everyone the beauty spots of the river I suggested a “short cut “ to view them. Thank goodness for the Track Back feature of my GPS! After feeling our way along the shore, we saw less that a foot of water under the keel of my 27. Noel’s 30 sees a bit less. Yep. We turned and tracked our way back. No sightseeing this time. Noel told me afterwards.” I REALLY needed MORE water than I saw “ Me too Noel! After one of my crew took us off channel a little later. I’m sure Noel thought he was being guided into sailing Hell.  No problem. The next …ahhh... excursion was because a crewman missed a buoy at Jim Crow Sands. A quick “ U “ turn and back on the main channel.  Just another day on the Lower Columbia River.

Astoria West Basin Marina had reserved two excellent spots for us. We secured all lines and ready for Wine and the Crab feed.

Later in the day, Past Commodore Michael and Secretary/Treasure Kathleen Lewis and their beautiful C42 “Wind Raven” arrived and after a short battle with winds trying to push them around, tucked, nicely, into their dock.  Driving down to meet us all were Don and Pam Evans.  The 2002 Astoria Cruise had arrived.

Friday & Saturday, April 26- 27

Everyone sort of finds his or her own celebration. Some bike, some hike, some Festival, some shop. Astoria now boasts of some of the finest restaurants in Oregon. The Seafood Festival, in a new location this year, was somewhat disorganized. They had some growing pains having moved from the tent location in Hammond to the Clatsop County Fair Grounds. Moving pains are not unusual for the event. This is the 7th location in twenty years. Even the shuttle bus drivers were lost.

Sunday, April 28

Pam and Don Evans joined the traditional Sunday Brunch for the crew of Oblio. The Red Lion Inn Sunday spread is almost worth the trip itself.

Wind Raven and Spice of Life both have Astoria moorage so they didn’t make the trip back to Portland. Oblio caught the flood tide in the early afternoon. Setting the asymmetrical spinnaker and main, we sailed the full 25 miles back to Cathlamet with a wind speed of 10 knots. A few hours and 3 jibes later sails came down at the entrance to Elochoman channel. What more could you ask for, a wonderful day of sailing.

Monday, April 29

The following morning, fog set in. With visibility less than 200 yards, Oblio motored out of the marina and into the Cathlamet Channel. At slow speed and watching the shoreline for location. Over an hour later the fog lifted and the turning buoys were visible. We're on our way “UP HILL“ and home (well at least to St. Helens).

No wind, against the 2 knot current, time for lots of snacks and a beer or two.

The wind started to fill in at Longview and by Trojan it had picked up enough to kill the motor and sail. By the time we were abeam of Kalama, on an almost perfect broad reach,  the wind had reached 15 knots and the following waves were pushing hard. Near surfing conditions brought us into St Helens.  Ya gotta love that Longview to St. Helens “Slot”. At least downwind going Up Hill on this day.

Steaks at the Dockside Tavern, and a good night’s rest. It was a good sailing day.

Tuesday, April 30

As usual, the trip from St. Helens to Portland was a motor job. The only thing of note was the two Bald Eagles that sort of buzzed the boat. It’s nice to see the return of eagles and osprey to the river.

Snacks and beers. More snacks. What a tough life!  I can’t even complain about the Railroad Bridge. It opened as soon as we got close to it.

Home and High 5s to all.  Another trip to Astoria. Just about prefect, so I have to say, going “Down Hill“ was Easy.  And coming back “Up Hill“ was fun!

Oregon Boater Education Card
By Ralph Ahseln, C27, Oblio

Oregon state boaters will, starting in 2003, be required to pass a test to satisfy the requirements of the “ Mandatory Boating Education “ law  of 1999.

The test will be given to boaters, depending on age, over the next few years. However if you allow children or young adults to operate your vessel, You MUST have passed the test and have the card starting in 2003 no matter what your age.

Washington state will, in the near future, require a similar proof of skill , I am sure. Preparing now is a prudent thing.

The Oregon Boater Education Card exam is a short quiz touching on seamanship, navigation and operation of a vessel, with several questions concerning operating Personal Water Craft.

Starting with this month’s newsletter, I'd like to provide samples of some questions that you might encounter on the exam. Please feel free to comment.

The Oregon Marine Board has information about the program posted at:

www.marinebd.osmb.state.or.us/Education/index.html

Try these sample questions:

1.  You are out boating and are approaching a white buoy with an orange cross in a diamond. You know you are approaching _______.

a. A hazardous area
b. A picnic area
c. An area off-limits to boats
d. An area where you must enter at a slow speed

2.  P.A.S.S., which is a good way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher, stands for:

a. Pull pin; Aim at the top of the fire; Squeeze handle; Sweep side to side using short bursts
b. Pull pin; Aim at the base of the fire; Sit down; Sweep side to side using short bursts
c. Pull pin; Aim at the top of the fire; Squeeze handle; Sweep up and down using short bursts
d. Pull pin; Aim at the base of the fire; Squeeze handle; Sweep side to side using short bursts

3.  A person operating a boat is considered to be under the influence if the concentration of alcohol in his or her blood is ___ or more.

a. 0.12
b. 0.10
c. 0.08
d. 0.06

Answers:  C, D, and C

Thru-Hull Fittings
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst

How many thru-hull fittings does your boat have?  Three, five, twelve?  My Catalina 30 has five:

• Marine Head Inlet/Head Sink Outlet
• Marine Head Outlet (secured)
• Marine Head Macerator Pump Outlet (secured)
• Engine Cooling Inlet
• Ice Box Outlet/Galley Sink Outlet

What happens if one of those seacock valves fails?  On Celtic Myst, I have tethered to each fitting a conical wood plug that I can pound into place in case of failure or leakage.

See the calendar

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.