Let the New Cruising Season Begin!
Commodore
By Jim Turner, C380, soon to be "Makana Kai"
With the weather improving and temperatures
warming, I'm finding myself much more motivated to start knocking out my
many boat projects. While your project list may be substantially shorter
than mine, it's time to get started! That is, if you plan to have your boat
ready for the first cruise later this month. Have you started a to-do list
of items and priorities? Have you changed your oil and fuel filters? How
about inspected your raw water impeller and fire extinguishers to see if
they need to be replaced (I found some that did)? Getting started is the
challenge, but once you get going, if you're like me, you get excited by
what you've accomplished, and are encouraged to keep going and do more!
While I realize that many prefer sailing to working on their boats, you
really should fit in some time to perform routine maintenance and safety
checks. A boat that is in ship-shape condition makes for safer sailing, and
more enjoyment for everyone.
Why not take the Virtual Vessel Safety Check
at, http://www.safetyseal.net/, to
better assure passing the Coast Guard Auxiliary Annual Safety Inspection!
Since September we've been waiting for a slip
to open in our marina and subletting from a friend, whose boat is down
south. The temporary slip was on the very outside, nearest the shipping
channel, with a fantastic view, but exposed to very strong current coming
off the wing jetty, and at times very strong winds. On Tuesday, with Jess's
help, I backed our 380, into her new slip, which is inside, and well
protected. Oh joy of joys, piece of cake........right! It actually turned
out to be quite challenging, taking two tries and a bit of fending off!
While I did mention that I was backing into the new slip, I didn't
mention the reverse eddy which runs in the same direction as I'm backing!
Tight quarters, limited steerage, better than 20,000 lbs, you get the
picture. I can see that I've another opportunity for skill development and
practicing ahead of me! Especially given that several old salts pointed out
that next time, I might not have ideal docking conditions like this time,
but strong winds and possibly a strong tidal current! Takes the puff right
out of a chest, if you know what I mean!
Over the last several weeks I've watched the
rapid progress of the new “Sandy Beach” transient dock being built on
Government Island, just upriver from our Marina, Steamboat Landing. They
completed driving pilings about a week ago and appear to have installed a
break-water and debris boom. While I understand it is supposed to be an H
configuration, with room for expansion, it looks more like an L. Whatever
letter it is, I'm certainly looking forward to it's completion!
Did I mention needing to practice docking!
Update... Today, March 5th, when driving home
from work, I noticed that the barge mounted crane had returned with the two
ramp truss assemblies!
I'm also looking forward to visiting with all
of you on Wednesday, the 18th at Elmer's Restaurant. See you
there!
- Jim
Vice Commodore
By Jess Schefstrom, C42, Kira Lynn
A
persistent itch to go sailing and cruising must mean it’s the month
of March. I am sure it is just me, but it seems, this has been a
“dreary” ol’ winter, and Mary and I are really looking forward to
the beginning of the boating season. Unless Mother Nature buries us
in a spring snowstorm, we are eagerly awaiting our first cruise to
Hadley’s Landing on the 28th
and 29th.
As usual, the Kira Lynn will arrive on Friday
afternoon of the 27th
and check out the accommodations.
We will try to monitor channel 16 on our VHF
if anyone else is planning to arrive on Friday. “Happy Hour” on “Kira Lynn”
begins promptly at 4:00 pm. If you haven’t cruised to Hadley’s, try it this
year. Really, one of the nicest “nature” walking paths around, makes this
venue a real keeper. I know the McClary’s have some neat things planned for
this first cruise, so get your boats out of “mothballs” and we will see you
there.
Kerry Poe of North Sails provided a very
informational presentation on “cruising spinnakers” at his shop for last
month’s get-together. Probably anyone interested in spinnakers should
seriously consider the “no pole” option that cruising spinnakers afford. As
an ex-racer who “crashed” occasionally under spinnaker, I can testify to the
difficulties inherent with a poled Spinny. With that much sail area up in
the air, the “KISS” philosophy should prevail.
Remember our
meeting at Elmer’s Restaurant on the 18th
will have Larry Brandt presenting, “Cruising the South Puget Sound”.
Not to be repetitive, we believe the Southern Sound to be one of the
most overlooked cruising areas on the West Coast. Larry has much
experience in this area and will show us the best places we need to
consider if choosing that area for a cruise.
- Jess
Secretary/Treasurer
By John Kerrigan, C30, Different Perspective
<No Submission>
- John
Cruising Chairman
By Doug McClary, C309, Capriccio
Hello Cruisers! Our cruising season starts
again with a trip to Hadley’s Landing on March 28th and 29th.
The theme for this cruise will be Belated St Patrick’s Day. Bring your
favorite Irish dish to share for the Saturday evening gathering. And since
no self- respecting Belated St. Patrick’s Day celebration would be complete
without a good pint of stout, bring along a couple of your best Irish or
Craft beers for the beer tasting event. So wear the green and enjoy the day!
The CRYA 2009 Cruise Schedules are out. You
can pick one up at the above noted cruise, or at the next CRACA meeting on
March 18th. Doug Walker, Executive Vice President of CRYA, is
making arrangements with Blue Star Moms, an organization supporting deployed
veterans, to host deployed veteran’s families on Opening Day for the parade
and activities. We haven’t been participating in Opening Day events in
recent history, but if anyone is interested in representing CRACA, let me
know and I’ll set it up. Opening Day is May 2nd.
Put April 25th on your calendar for
your annual Safety Inspection. We’ll have a representative from the Coast
Guard Auxiliary performing inspections during the day at Salpere Bay Marina.
You can come down for the day or stay over for $10 per night. Contact Jim
Elieff for reservations at 503-706-3081.
I’m looking forward to seeing you all at
Hadley’s Landing!
May good luck be your friend
In whatever
you do.
And may trouble be always
A stranger to you.
-an Irish blessing
- Doug McClary – (503) 997-4915 –
doug.mcclary@comcast.net
Rear Commodore
By Alden Andre', C38, Fly Bye
<No Submission>
- Alden Andre
Communications
Officer
Open Opportunity for someone wanting to
gain experience as a web master!
Vacant
Safety Officer
Open Opportunity!
Vacant
Historian
Open Opportunity for a
scrap booker!
Vacant
Catalina Newsletters of
the Northwest
Checkout these links to Northwest Catalina newsletters and local racing:
Upcoming Events
March
April
- No General Meeting
- 18th - 19th
Cruise: Government Island - East dock
-
26th Salpare Bay Cruise/Safety Checks
May
-
18th - 19th Cruise:
Government Island - West dock/Sandy Beach (New)
- 25th - 27th Cruise:
Martin Slough (Memorial Day)
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.
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