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| ColumbiaRiverCatalina.org |
July/August 2009 |
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It's midway through the cruising season!
Don't miss out, join us !
Commodore
By Jim Turner, C380, "Makana Kai"
Summer is here! Boy, our weather and wind has been spectacular lately! We are so fortunate to live in The Great Northwest with pristine views, warm days and cool nights! I hope you're taking full advantage of it and participating in what we dream about all winter!
Our cruising schedule has been tremendous this year! Doug and Jonelle have done a great job lining up Sandy Beach, Coon Island, Salpare Bay for the 4th, and most recently St. Helens. We've welcomed some new members to CRACA this year, and it's been great getting acquainted on our cruises.
Now we look forward to hosting our regional Catalina Rendezvous! Save the date - August 7 - 9! We're heading back to Salpare Bay Marina, as they are, once again, offering their hospitality and $10 per night rates! If you haven't been to Salpare Bay, you're in for a treat! Nice big slips....NO current; great amenities! We had such a great showing at our Rendezvous last year.....come on out, and let's make a real statement with our fleet! Enjoy the company of good friends, and meet some wonderful new friends!
Jess and Mary Schefstrom have put together a great LUAU and fun events for our enjoyment! Pull out those Hawaiian shirts and come on over! Jess' article below has all the details! Sounds terrific! If your boat is up North or down South, or you just can't cruise over to the marina.... Salpare Bay is an easy drive....we'd love for you to join us!
For those with the freedom to join Jess for a two week cruise to Astoria and back, don't forget the down river cruise coming up towards the end of July! Call Jess and check out the calendar below! Sadly our work schedules won't allow us to join you, but we are planning to meet up with you in St. Helens on August 6th to hear Patrick Lam in St. Helens. This way we can cruise back to Portland and Sal Par bay on August 7th for the Rendevouz!
Happy Sailing,
- Jim
Vice Commodore
By Jess Schefstrom, C42, Kira Lynn
June
seemed a little cooler and cloudier than normal but overall a good weather month
for cruising on the river. Since the CRACA June cruise was late in the month we
took the “Kira Lynn” up to Portland and Sal Par Bay Marina in early June for an
impromptu cruise to visit Jim Elieff and relax at that nice facility. We realize
that most folks who keep their boats in the PDX area don’t really consider a
cruise in to a Tomahawk Island marina as a “real” trip but for us, who moor
downriver, it makes for an enjoyable weekend to “get away”. If you haven’t been
to Sal Par Bay Marina we would highly recommend this facility to you. Jim Elieff
is a live aboard tenant there and has arranged, with the management, for an
attractive rate of $10 a night for CRACA members (you just can’t beat that).
Stamped Concrete docks, wide fingers, spotless, new bathroom/showers down on the
water and wide fairways make for a pleasant, resort like feel.
2008 Columbia River All Catalina Rendevouz at Sal Par Bay Marina
Of course, for us, Hayden Island is almost our home away from home as we make this trip up at least once or twice a month. We love the walk around the island and I personally think that the Island Café is a “secret gem” that never disappoints for “Happy hour” drinks and appetizers.
I think I almost prefer the west side for the afternoon/evening sunsets. Of course, Coon Island in the early summer is a “mosquito heaven” so always be prepared to do battle with pesky critters when you walk ashore.
Mostly though, if there is a little wind the docks remain a haven from those pests.
At Coon Island we met a charming couple, Mark and Darci Akermann who sail a pretty blue Catalina 27. They had heard about CRACA and dropped by to say “Hi”. New members like Mark and Darci are always warmly welcomed to our Catalina community.
On the boat improvement front I have found a new product that my warrant your attention. First, though, have you ever forgot and left your small cabin side Lewmar ports open and have rainwater pour into the boat? I always wondered about a design does not allow for air circulation in inclement weather. In the months of July and August Catalina owners have to constantly be aware of thunderstorms or rain showers if they wish to keep their salons and cabins cool and dry. Surfing the web I came a across a company called Seaworthy Goods that sells a product called the PortVisor. These are lexan port covers that are made in many sizes to fit various models of ports. The idea is to be able to leave your ports open in the rain and not get water inside but still see out. We have six such Lewmar ports and so we ordered six Port Visors. The URL for them is seaworthygoods.com . Customer service was great (I had a question about a specific size for the C42) and delivery was timely. Installation was quick and easy and overall we are very pleased with the product. In hot weather I know they will pay dividends down the line.
PortVisor's on Jess's Catalina 42
August 7 - 9 - Sal Par Bay Marina
Friday: Arrive at Sal Par Bay and congregate around A/B docks. Channel 68 will be monitored for directions. Friday evening, appetizers to share, "Kira Lynn" mixing Pina Coladas and Margaritas
- Jess
Cruising
Chairman
By Doug McClary, C309, Capriccio
<No Submission>
- Doug McClary – (503) 997-4915 – doug.mcclary@comcast.net
Secretary/Treasurer
By John Kerrigan, C30, Different Perspective
<No Submission>
- John
Rear Commodore
By Alden Andre', C38, Fly Bye
<No Submission>
- Alden Andre
Communications Officer
Open
Vacant
Opportunity for someone wanting to
gain experience as a web master!
Safety Officer
Open
Vacant
Historian
Open
Vacant
Opportunity for someone with an interest in scarp-booking and photography!
Catalina Newsletters of the Northwest
Checkout these links to Northwest Catalina newsletters and local racing:
|
Sail Portland Oregon Women's Sailing Assoc. |
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Upcoming Events
August
- No Meeting
- 8th - 9th Catalina Rendezvous at Salpare Bay Marina
- 21st - 23rd Cruise: Beacon Rock
Down-River Cruise
Sept
- No General Meeting
- 18th - 19th Cruise: H
Oct
- No General Meeting
- 17th - 18th Cruise: Govt Island - East Dock
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.