ColumbiaRiverCatalina.org		May 2006

From the Commodore
By Bob Gales

Ahoy Mates, Sailing season is really picking up and I hope you have had a chance to be out on the water on some of the beautiful days we have had lately. There have been some pretty good east winds, and along with a strong current things look interesting for the racers. I have been able to watch a few races from shore as I continue to work on Soleil. The good news is that the mast is finally up! With the help of Bill Simon and friend Jason I took the boat to Schooner Creek for the mast raising. There always seems to be some SNAFU even when careful plans are made. I had the mast readied with all shrouds laid out and clevis pins at hand. The crane lifted the mast and as one man held the base in position the others pinned the turnbuckles in place. The backstay was the only tight fit. All seemed to be going along smoothly and quickly until I looked up and watched my new windvane's fins get smashed against the crane! As the SC guy went up to fix it he accidentally bent the horizontal support. He brought the whole set-up down so we could figure what repair was needed. A quick trip to Home Depot for a wooden dowel to stiffen the support, two new holes drilled and the windvane was as good as new. Schooner Creek reinstalled it and did not charge any extra for the two trips up the stick. I have always liked the work they do for me and the help I get from them when I do my own maintenance in their yard. I will continue to support their yard and recommend them to all.

So my one hour mast stepping took a few more but Bill motored back to RCYC and helped me put the boom on and remove all sails and canvas for repair and cleaning. Main sail is in Kerry Poe's hands at North Sails and the canvas is awaiting cleaning in my garage. Gail won't let me use the washing machine so I guess its off to the nearest laundromat! Now there is only one hurdle remaining before I can join some of the cruises. I need to recover from rotator cuff surgery scheduled for May 12! I have mentioned what a great ski season it has been but I guess it was one day too long. Even though I was being careful I fell on my right shoulder and really did a number on it. Six weeks in a sling with PT and 4-6 months to total recovery. So the doc says.

We will get there though. In the meantime I hope to see you at our next general meeting on Wednesday, May 24.

Vice Commodore
By Eric Rouzee, C36, Legacy

I read a great article the other day regarding how easy it is to get involved in all sorts of little boat projects and maintenance and then before you know it, your boat never leaves the dock. Having spent the better part of two years prepping Legacy for the Oregon Offshore, I’m living, breathing proof of this phenomenon. Friends and fellow sailors would walk by my boat on beautiful, breezy Saturday mornings, see me on board and invariably ask, “Going out today?” I’d of course respond with, “No, getting ready for the Offshore,” and then watch them get on board their boats and head out for what was presumably a great day of sailing. I felt like an eight-year-old standing outside the candy store with no money in my pocket.

So last Saturday (May 6th) when we steered Legacy out of Tomahawk Bay and headed down the river for Astoria, it was with an unusual sense of euphoria that I began the trip. True, we motored the entire way, since we had one day to get there and no time to play, but the thrill of knowing that we were really, REALLY going to cross The Bar in less than a week and actually sail in the ocean was enough to get my heart beating a little faster.

As I write this now, it’s Wednesday, May 10th, and I’m little more than an hour away from driving to Astoria and putting the last touches on Legacy before we head for the starting line tomorrow. The butterflies are rolling around in my stomach, my mind is nowhere near my present location, and my value to my employer today is so small that it can’t be measured by conventional means. I guess this is what sailing does to me, and I suspect it has a similar effect on a lot of you.

I’m excited about the near future, not just for our impending sail up to Victoria, but also for CRACA events that are on the horizon. Our next general meeting, in May, will be at the Island Café, in McCuddy’s Marina on Hayden Island. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you there. Also, Dale Mack and I are going to be starting the planning for our September Rendezvous. In between, there looks to be some great sailing headed our way this summer, so get out there, watch that current on the river and enjoy the water!

Eric Rouzee
s/v Legacy
erirou@colmac.com
360-690-0331

Rear Commodore's Log
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst

The local sailing scene really takes off in April.  I've already participated in two CRACA cruises, two races, and the Oregon Women's Sailing Associations Linda Bean Memorial Sail.

Local racing for my Catalina 22, Crocus, began on April 13th with the start of the SYSCO Spring Series of five Thursday evening races.  My objective for this year is to learn to sail the boat better and practice flying a spinnaker.  My crew is made up of two other Catalina 22 skippers who are eager to learn. 

Racing a C22 on the river against the two plus knot current just wing and wing has been my least favorite leg of any race, but after two season's crewing aboard Terry Annis' C25, Lematike, as we raced with a spinnaker, I longed to try this on a C22.  Despite inexperienced crew, the conditions were just right in the first race to allow us to get the spinnaker up, and wow, what if different experience.  It is an entirely different boat under a spinnaker.  I'm looking forward to the rest of the season, and to hauling the boat to Scott's Flat Lake, CA in June for the Catalina 22 National Regatta.

Linda Bean Memorial Sail

On a cloud covered day in April, with the threat of showers moving through the area all day, I invited aboard a crew from the Oregon Women's Sailing Association (OWSA).  The Linda  Bean Memorial Sail, named after a beloved former member of OWSA who lost her battle with cancer, takes participants on a sail from Portland to St. Helens and back in one day.  I've been to St. Helens several times, but the down and back in a day intrigued me.

Three boats participated in the sail, with each boat carrying 4-5 folks.  My crew of four arrived at the boat around 8 am so that we could make our 9 am rendezvous with the rest of the flotilla below the railroad bridge.

I enjoy teaching sailing and boat handling, so my objectives on this type of sail is avoid ever touching the helm.  After demonstrating how the various systems worked and where all the safety gear was stored, a member of the crew took the helm as I talked her through backing out of my slip while compensating for prop walk.

In very light air and drizzle, we found one of the other two boats with their sails up slowing making progress downstream.  My crew was handing out sconces and tea, and decided to hold off hoisting sails until tea was done.  With just enough headway to maintain steerage, we allowed the current to do most of the work of getting us downriver.

Near the mouth of the Willamette River the crew was ready to sail, and after a vote, they decided the canvas was to stay in place in order to keep the cockpit dry.  While I had never sailed with the connector panel in place between the dodger and bimini, it definitely contributed to the atmosphere aboard Celtic Myst as we sailed along nice and dry.

The sail to St. Helens took an astoundingly short 3.5 hours from the railroad bridge.  That gives you some sense of how swift the current was running.  As we arrived, another member of the crew brought the boat into the city docks under my tutelage, and once secure, everyone headed off to the St. Helens Cafe for lunch.

After lunch, the decision amongst the three boats was to motor back via Multnomah Channel since the wind had died and the scenery would be more interesting.  We had brief showers and broken skies for the return trip, combined with lots of lively conversation.  I had a great time and wish to thank my crew of Mary Jo Hoffman, Karla Divine, Leslie Austin, and Diane Hawkins for a wonderful day of sailing and camaraderie.

Catalina Rendezvous

The CRACA charter states that the Entertainment Committee is made up of the Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore and three members at large.  Vice Commodore Eric Rouzee and myself are starting to make plans for the association’s Annual Catalina Rendezvous.  We could really use your help.  Eric and I are looking for three volunteers work with us in planning this year's event at McCuddy's Landing (Multnomah Channel) in September.

Changes in Latitudes
By Jim Elieff (Cruising Chairman), C30, Fortune

The first cruise of the season was on April 1st & 2nd. Those in attendance were the Michael & Kathleen Lewis with their grand-children.  Shirley & I , Jess & Mary Schefstrom, and Dale & Laura Mack. We were so excited about getting together with everybody that all but Dale & Laura were at Hadley's Landing by 2pm on Friday. We had a good time with the St. Helens Power and Sail club. they were a very friendly and happy group. The weather was off and on sun and rain but didn't dampen our fun.

I hosted the April 22nd & 23rd cruise to East Dock at Government Island. There were nine boats that arrived.  Several of us went up Friday so that we could get a choice spot for our club. We shared the docks with the Hunter club. I helped dock all of our boats and almost all of the sixteen Hunter boats that came up. Some of the docking skills were very entertaining, to say the least.

The weather was clear with a slight 20 to 30 knot breeze most of the weekend. We had pot luck Friday with our club and desert. Saturday we had potluck with the Hunter club which was good, lots of food. I enjoyed meeting fellow sail boaters.

Sunday morning we had breakfast with our group. Later in the morning there was a flare shoot (prearranged with the USCG) that showed us how to use our flares. All in all it was a very fun filled weekend.  I look forward to the rest of the season.

Martin Island Cruise.  We don't have a cruise leader for the Martin Island cruise, yet.  I would like somebody to step up and try hosting.  Nothing to it!!!

Camas/Washougal Cruise.  On June 11th & 12th we will be cruising to Camas for a dinner at the Puffin restaurant. Shirley and I will be going to East Dock Friday and up to Camas dock on Saturday.  Anybody wishing to join us would be welcomed.   We can share a potluck breakfast on Sunday morning if everybody wants too.

Coon Island Cruise.  I would like someone to host the June 24th & 25th cruise to Coon Island, don't be afraid to try it, you'll like it!!

At the recent CRYA meeting, I learned that the raffle tickets they 're selling don't  just go for the prizes but that they support the projects that we get on the river. The club has put up $5,000 for the new Government Island West Dock. They put up $2,000 for the Government Island East Dock when it was being built.  The Rainier improvements got $1000, etc. The raffle's grand prizes are four nights in Hawaii and there nights in Las Vegas. The rest goes to better and new boating places on the Columbia and Willamette rivers. I would like for us to donate $5.00 per boat for this cause. I already have three boats that have donated monies for this cause. The drawing will take place at closing day festivities in the fall. If we win one of the trips we will give it away at our Awards Banquet at the end of the year.  If we don't win, at least the money is going to a good cause. Lets get behind this and have a good showing. I am collecting the money and keeping track of the boats that donate and enter them in the drawing if we win one.

Shirley has a nice piece of property across from Beacon Rock on the Columbia River. She is offering it for a BBQ on August 5th, potluck of course. There is a trailer,30' that is covered with a covered cement patio and an open cement area with grass all the way to the river. Fantastic views. Please e-mail me if you are interested in this event  elieffmaan@yahoo.com . We would like to have everybody come and enjoy a day with us. There will be pictures to follow. Look forward to seeing a lot of all of you this summer.

2006 CRACA Cruising Schedule
Cruising points are only awarded to boats that register in advance for a cruise

Date	Destination	Cruise Leaders
May 27 - 29	Memorial Day Cruise - Martin Island
June 10 - 11	Port of Camas/Washougal	elieffmaan@yahoo.com
June 24 - 25	Coon Island, East Dock
July 15 - 16	Government Island, East Dock
Aug 17 - 20	Beacon Rock	Dale & Laura Mack
Sept 16 - 17	Catalina Rendezvous McCuddy's Landing	Eric Rouzee & Dale & Laura Mack
Oct 21 - 22	Government Island, East Dock

Cruising Bulletin Board
(The cruising plans of members where they are inviting you to tag along.)

Date	Destination	Cruise Leaders
July 14 - 16	River Place, downtown Portland	Gary & Jeanine Jaeckel
July 28 - 30	Sand Island, St. Helens	Gary & Jeanine Jaeckel
Aug 9 - 19	Astoria Cruise (click here for itinerary)	Gary & Jeanine Jaeckel

 

Report from the Hadley's Landing Cruise
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst

Kathleen Lewis and her grandchild. Mary Schefstrom, Laura Mack, and Shirley Neiger Jess Schefstrom, Jim Elieff, and Dale Mack

The weather forecast for the weekend of April 1-2 was enough to scare off most folks, and it did.  Predictions of cool damp weather aren't exactly the conditions that are going to draw folks out of their warm cozy homes.

Laura and I had already decided that we were going rain or shine.  In fact we were so committed to going that we volunteered to host the cruise.  Truth be told there really isn't that much to be done as host.  You email out a couple of cruise announcements, report back to our Cruising Chairman on who actually showed up and who was pre-registered so they can earn cruising points, and you write a short article about the event for the newsletter.

Those on the cruise include:

• C30, Celtic Myst
       Dale & Laura Mack
• C30, Fortune
       Jim Elieff & Shirley Neiger
• C42, Kira Lynn
      Jess & Mary Schefstrom
• C42, Wind Raven
       Michael & Kathleen Lewis

While the Lewis' tagged-team on babysitter duty (ask Michael about toddles, lights and batteries) we shared afternoon appetizers and conversation on Saturday.  Later that evening we gathered aboard Kira Lynn to trade stories, and play the most interesting version of Trivial Pursuit where all the questions came from a nautical variant of the game.

Sunday morning saw the Lewis' departure early as the rest of us slept in.  We eventually all rendezvoused aboard Kira Lynn for a delicious potluck breakfast.

Notes on Hadley's Landing

This was my first time staying overnight at Hadley's Landing.  I took my Catalina 30 (draft 5' 3") on the inside nearly all the way down to the ramp to the shore, and I found good depth all the way.  Shore side there appears to be gravel hiking trails, but I didn't follow any of them long enough to know if they form a loop or whether they take you to a destination.  The docks were popular with fishermen who didn't have boats, so I'm figuring you must be able to park your car somewhere and walk in.  Perhaps that's one use of the trails I found.  The location is very pretty and well worth a stop if you're on Multnomah Channel.

 

Bartlett Landing Cruise Photo Essay
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst

 

On April 22-23, nine Catalina's shared Bartlett Landing with sixteen Hunters.  The Catalina's include:

1. C25, Leucothea, Nate & Margaret Hanson
2. C27, Sydera, Jerry Sampson and Karen Clouse
3. C30, Celtic Myst, Dale Mack
4. C30, Born Free, Mike Moen & Olga Ginez
5. C30, Fortune, Jim Elieff and Shirley Neiger (Cruise Leader)
6. C30, Sunchaser, Dave & Julie Thomas
7. C30, Emmanuel, Scott & Penelope Dwyer
8. C42, Jammin, Dave & Helen Peoples
9. C42, Kira Lynn, Jess & Mary Schefstrom
10. H38, Bram Brata', John & Anne Meyer (associate members)

The river was running fast and high (about a foot below the floats of the ramp to shore at one point).  Saturday's wind was light, the skies were clear, and the temperatures wonderful.  Hikes were popular with many, although due to high water there was no beach to walk.  Down on the docks, folks arrived throughout the day.  The Catalina and Hunter clubs shared a large potluck appetizer feast in the afternoon.

On Sunday the landing was hit with high east winds (33 knots at times) that lasted until 8:30 pm.   The wind whipped waves were tossing floating debris onto the docks, and water was splashing up through seams in the docks and wetting down passers by.  The Catalina's shared a potluck breakfast, participated in the flare shoot off, and then spent the balance of the day watching some of the hairiest undocking you've ever seen as one by one the Hunters departed.  No boats were damaged and no crew injured, but there were lots of close calls and it all made for some very interesting video that I was shooting at the time.  Four of the Catalina's decided to stay another night and leave Monday morning.  Those that stayed were:  Sydera, Celtic Myst, Born Free, and Jammin.

It was a great cruise to a wonderful destination.  I look forward to next year's Catalina and Hunter rendezvous.  I want to thank our host for the cruise Jim Elieff for a job well done.

For those that didn't make the cruise you can download the video (0.628 mbytes .wmv file format) by doing a right-mouse click and selecting "Save Target As..." from the menu.  The video runs for 33 seconds.  The video should be viewable with Microsoft's Windows Media Player.

Saturday

Bartlett Landing Catalina and Hunter Rendezvous Snacking and conversation. Catalina and Hunter crews. Catalina crew.

Shore side picnic structure with tables, fire pit, and barbeque. Wine and cheese. Potluck appetizers. A warm Saturday afternoon.

Sunday

Dave Peoples. Fly your burgee for cruising points. Sunday was cooler than Saturday. Dave Thomas in the flare shoot off. Staying over Sunday night.

Shirley Neiger, Anne Meyer, and Jim Elieff It really was blowing 33 knots! Sunday breakfast club. Margaret Hanson and Dave Thomas. A great cruise.  See you next year.

 

It is the Destination Not the Journey
By Michael & Kathleen Lewis, C42, Wind Raven

The journey is what counts for most of us. However, for those that are going to British Columbia this year, the destination (return) may be the challenge.

The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) have tightened the rules down another notch.

Here are the links to the reference documents that detail the rules to reflect the new realities:

http://www.rbaw.org/2005/1105_cpb_factsheet.pdf 

http://www.rbaw.org/2005/1105_cpb_topthings.pdf 

The short version for the boaters that live in Oregon is that the I-68 / NEXUS Programs probably do not apply and you will have to report into a CBP Officer at Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, Port Angeles, Point Roberts or Anacortes. It will require a phone call to make an advance appointment. You must call direct to the location and not use the 800#. The 800# now only applies to the I-68 / NEXUS Programs.

So what if do you do not want to go inside (Up the Strait of Juan de Fuca) before going to the outside (unless you are already there) and down the coast. You can call Astoria, OR and give an ETA. Do not call until you are in U.S. Waters. You can always adjust it and they will try to accommodate you.

Astoria (West End Marina ONLY, not Ilwaco)
Hours 0800-1630 Hours, Monday-Friday (503) 325-5541

Westport, WA currently does not have anyone located there. If they staff it, they will let me know. My favorite, La Push or Quillayute and not my favorite, Neah Bay is only in the case of an emergency. In the event of that emergency call Port Angeles, the closest location, to let them know and receive instructions.

 

Scuttlebutt

Catalina Newsletters of the Northwest

Checkout these links to Northwest Catalina newsletters and local racing:

Catalina 22 Fleet 20 of Portland www.C22pdx.org Sail Portland www.sailpdx.com Oregon Women's Sailing Association www.owsa.net

Catalina Assoc.  of Tacoma and South Sound (CATSS) home.earthlink.net/~catss/CATSS Web Page.htm Catalina Association of Puget Sound (CAPS) capsfleet1.com/News Letters.htm Small Yacht Sailing club of Oregon (SYSCO) www.sailpdx.com/sysco.htm

 

Upcoming Events

May

• General Meeting:  Wednesday, 24, TBD
• Cruise:  27 - 29, Martin Island

June

• Cruise:  10-11, Port of Camas/Washougal
• Cruise:  24-25, Coon Island - East Dock

See the calendar

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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.