Welcome To The Commodore's Corner
Commodore’s Corner
January, 2010
Many thanks and congratulations to all of you who actively participated to make this year a successful and memorable one. Despite the setbacks caused by violent weather, our creativity was energized, enabling us to engage in great off-the pattern events.
Now is the time to look ahead with a new executive board. I wish them the very best in planning a sensational year par excellence. By the way, because we didn’t have a regular publication of “Windbreaker” in December, I want to thank Frank Putman for his slide show at the general meeting in November. Frank pointed out some informative and valuable information about boat buying and boat maintenance in the region of Puerto Vallarta. Also, I want to apologize for misspelling Frank’s name. It is PutMAN vice Putnam. And I want to remind the new board to continue to redefine their areas of function and responsibility for discussion at the bridge on Monday, February 1st.
Sabra is very thankful for all the encouragement you have passed along to her.
I’ll see you all at the Change of Command at the Viscount on Saturday, January 30th. The fun starts at 6.
Bruce
Commodore’s Corner
November, 2009
The well-wishing cards and elegant flowers bespeak your genuine concern, an emotion that is rare these days and characterizes the generous heart of our club. Our appreciation cannot be measured as Sabra recovers, albeit slowly, her physical and emotional stress.
My stalwart staff is also the object of appreciation. They have held the course admirably. I understand from Matt that there was difficulties at O'Malley's regarding over scheduling. As far as I can gather it originated with the change in scheduling the regatta from October 31 to the following weekend. I personally talked to the bartender/manager in September about the change, and followed it up with two phone calls, one of which was on October 28. It all sounds as though an event judged more important than ours took precedent. Oh well, it sounds like a story I've experienced several times in my lifetime. On Matt's suggestion, I agree that we should look into other venues for our general meetings. At the Bridge on December 7th, I'm going to propose an ad hoc committee to search the horizon.
Don't forget our meeting on Wednesday, November 18th at O'Malley's (O' please get it straight) when Frank Putnam will present "Buying a Sailboat in Mexico."
With all the unexpected acts of Poseidon this year, I have found these few months some of the most stimulating since I joined TSC. The programs have been excellent thanks to Matt, Ed, Stu, and Pete with the additional safety seminar sponsored by Loretta, Scott, Stu, Wally, Maggie and Sue. Sabra and I had great starts in the May regatta, but fizzled at the end because? the wind evaporated. Nevertheless, Bill did a super job as usual in organizing those two days. Though circumstance beyond my control kept me from the Rally, scuttlebutt informed me that it was a great, unforgettable event. Also, our two picnics organized by Glenn were yummy and the races breathtaking.
Have a luscious Thanksgiving.
Commodore’s Corner
September, 2009
Commodore’s Corner
June, 2009
Well,
May into June was probably one of the most active periods for the Club. (Oops,
I’m repeating last month’s opening statement.) Garry Morris provided a superb
and stimulating
slide presentation of last year’s cruise to La Paz. What photography! It was
next to doing the real thing. Thanks Garry. We look forward to another covering
the Santa Rosalia Rally.
The Captain’s Club in San
Carlos again did a “tasteful” cocktail party the night before the regatta. One
half-hour of the eight mariachis was an evening in heaven.
That talent was just spilling over and embracing all of us
The wind was up
for the regatta when nineteen boats of varying classes took part in two days of
racing, punctuated by a relaxing cocktail party on the second deck of the
Marina, hosted
by SCYC Commodore, Jan Raines. She has indicated that she will do it again for
the November regatta with the addition of gaucho hamburgers at a nominal cost.
If it’s anything like
Barracuda’s tasty stuff, we’ll be there.
Speaking of
tasty stuff, the Plaza San Carlos on Playa Algodones provided one of the best
Mexican buffets going on Sunday evening. More than all you could eat and drink
while Mark McDade conducted a stimulating raffle with many laughs accompanying
the contents of the winners’ bags. According to the raffle committee over $700
was added to our treasury. Thank you committee, thank
you. And thank you, thank you Bill Ahrens for putting together an outstanding
regatta. The trophies were unique, artistic and certainly appropriate.
Congratulations to the winners and all who participated.
Special welcome to our new members Bruce Long and Judy Schick. We look forward to your company.
Unfortunately,
Sabra and yours truly were unable to make the crossing to Santa Rosalia for the
Rally. We were ready to sail by ferry on Monday, but heard that the ferry was so
laden with
cargo, it couldn’t handle passengers—hmmmmmmmmm. Well, like so many others who
were stranded, we set out to hitch hike, but found that there was no room
available in the fleet. So we
headed home, stopping off at the San Sebastian in Hermosillo. What a hotel, and
the food! Try it!
We learned
afterwards that trouble brewed out in the middle of the Sea that wasn’t caused
by the usual culprit—the wind. The culprit was the tide. It so happens, and
usually between
May 15th and June 15th that the moon orbits closer to the
earth otherwise known as perigee. As an added feature the moon being new is
coincidental with the sun. In other words both the sun and the
moon are magnetically forcing the tides from the same direction causing what is
known as spring tides. Well, it so happened that the prevailing wind at this
time was southerly causing a built-up southerly swell rushing north. Then at
about 2 a.m. on Tuesday the heavy spring tide hit its peak of ebbing, or rushing
southward as through a funnel in the relatively narrow Sea of Cortez. When an
immovable
object hits an irresistible force. Crash!
I was pained
hear about those who suffered injury and sickness caused by this natural
phenomenon. Just remember that such a situation can happen during this time of
the year any year.
(Did the ferry captain know because the ferry didn’t run that evening?)
I wasn’t
pained to hear that 23 boats made the crossing and the accolades about the rest
of the Rally. Evidently, the night before was all forgotten as Santa Rosalia
came out in force to greet
and host our members. Congratulations to the committee for a splendid and
detailed event. Sabra and I will try to make it next year.
Remember our
general meeting on Wednesday, June 24th when Dean Zimmerman will
present a special film on the Sea of Cortez and what makes it flow. Also, there
will be a Bridge meeting at
Cody’s Beef n’Beans on July 6th at 7 p.m. And get your costume
together for “Gilligan’s Island” (Loft Party) at the Zortman’s on Saturday, July
25th at 6 p.m. Please pick up a flier at the general
meeting or check the web for directions. Stay cool.
Bruce
Salty Tidbit
“Minding your P’s and Q’s”
One of the explanations for this phrase regards the methods a sailor
uses to measure his favorite liquid nourishment—Pints and Quarts.
But another strikes me as more appropriate because it has to do with
his appearance. It was customary for a sailor to groom his Queue
(pigtail) with tar to make it glisten and so attract that damsel on the dock. At
the same time it was necessary to keep that sticky mess from oozing onto his
Pea jacket, putting off the young lady.
P.S. That’s how sailors got the nickname of “tar.”
Bruce
May 2009
April turned out to be one
of our most active and exciting months. Beside the excellent turnout at the
Bridge, Maggie and Stu Willoughby, Loretta Peto and Scott Sebree, Sue and Wally
Alexander, and last but not least Rex Weedon, presented an outstanding Safety
Seminar with literally loads of printed material to back up their words at
the Parador Restaurant on Saturday, April 18—a great foundation for the upcoming
Rally and Cruise in May.
The next day was equally exciting at Columbus Park where the Top Gun Laser
races added a great deal of entertainment while most of us gorged on Glenn
Brostedt’s sumptuous barbecue the members’ best outlay of mouth-watering side
dishes and desserts. He should have been busting his buttons, but quiet, shy
Tony Krauss won the Top Gun in a rather spectacular, last-minute “turn” of
events with Peter Burgard. Congratulations to all.
Those of you who may have missed Bob Millekin’s presentation, “Building an
All-aluminum Boat,” didn’t do yourself a favor. His slides detailed every
step of construction, which lasted almost a decade. Wow! What perseverance! What
research!
What talent! And what a clean workshop! How did you do it, Bob? Come back and
see us after your launch and sail! Thanks and thanks again for such a
stimulating refreshing evening.
Thanks to Lanae and her committee, the regatta raffle is sailing with all
nine yards. Sabra, Henrietta, Olga and others have collected an amazing number
of donations in these tight economic times. We look forward to the raffle at the
San Carlos Plaza on Sunday evening, May 24th.
Despite the Swine Flu scare, all the plans for the regatta, Santa Rosalia
Rally, and cruise are moving ahead at full speed—a spectacular conclusion to our
half-year activities. If you haven’t as yet registered for the regatta and all
the other activities, please check our website for details. From what Loretta
tells me, it’s going to be hard to catch your breath during those days. We can’t
wait.
I want to thank those responsible for a very nice surge of new
memberships. Mark McDade will post the new members as they are voted on and paid
up.
Ed Gray, our Rear Commodore, has arranged an encore presentation by Captain
Bruce Wuele, USCG, entitled “Coast Guard Drug Interdiction” for the upcoming
general meeting at O’Malley’s on Wednesday, May 13 (please note the change from
our regular meeting date). After his presentation on icebreaking in the
Antarctic, we look forward to another great event.
The Bridge will meet a week later than usual at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 8th
Cody’s Beef and Beans. All are invited.
Basic Piloting
Since most of the navigation from San Carlos to Santa Rosalia will be by means of piloting and a period of GPS or dead reckoning reliance when no land or navigational aids will be present, the following are a few pointers on sharpening up the use of a magnetic compass.
First of all, we have to face the fact that the planet earth is not
perfect. It’s not round like a soccer ball and its magnetic properties are just
a little bit fickle. As it rotates it tends to expand at the middle (the
equator), as some of us do in old age, due to rotation (for one thing) and
flatten at the poles. This causes a fluctuation between what we call true north
and true south and what we call magnetic north and magnetic south. In other
words, the magnetic poles and true poles do not match up, AND the magnetic poles
are constantly shifting. Therefore, we must apply a correction to our rhomb line
or TRUE COURSE line that we mark off on our chart between our departure point or
waypoint at San Carlos and our arrival point or waypoint at Santa Rosalia, which
is 240 degrees. This correction is called VARIATION and can be found in degrees
and minutes on the compass rose of your chart. For the passage to Santa Rosalia
the variation is a little greater than 12 degrees EAST, which means we must
correct our TRUE course to MAGNETIC by subtracting 12 degrees from our true
course.
True Course 240˚
Variation -12˚ East
Magnetic Course
228˚
An easy way of remembering how to convert a TRUE COURSE to a MAGNETIC COURSE is EAST VARIATION is LEAST (subtract) and WEST VARIATION is BEST (add).
Conversely, you can convert a magnetic course or hand compass
bearing on a navigational object to a true bearing that can be drawn on your
chart with parallel rules by ADDING EAST VARIATION.
Magnetic Bearing on
Santa Rosalia Light 230˚
Variation +12˚ East
True Bearing on Santa
Rosalia Light 242˚
Well, that’s enough of that!
Next month we’ll take a look at another correction to your magnetic compass called DEVIATION, caused by magnetic interference with metal objects on your boat and is usually far less than the correction for VARIATION.
Bruce
Salty Tidbit
A short one this time. What does that word skipper we so
often use for the person in command of your vessel mean? Is it a person who
skips over the decks, so full of himself, his brass buttons pop? Or is it the
one who first skips off the gunwale as the boat is sinking?
Unless you changed the “k” to an “h,” your wrong.
He or she is a shipper.
Use it as you see fit.
Bruce
Commodores Corner April 2009
Stu Willoughby
presented a highly informative “lecture” on charging and maintaining electrical
systems on board all types of sailing vessels. His thorough knowledge of
electrical systems was both impressive and instructive, especially to those of
us who assume a battery, wires and switches are all you need to operate safely
and efficiently the increasing number of parts and instruments that require
electrical current. Most valuable was Stu’s reminder that the corrosive effects
of electrical current and salt air require the constant maintenance of the
systems. Thank you Stu for sharing your experiences and knowledge.
A hearty welcome to our new members: Kirsten and Skip French, and
Larry Liascos.
I understand from Mark McDade that the dinghy repair day on March 21
went well, and that the fleet is ready for the spring picnic and races on April
19th.
Lanae McDade has moved forward with leaps and bounds with the regatta raffle scheduled for Sunday, May 24th at the Plaza San Carlos. She has prepared an informative letter and attractive calling card to present to any prospective donor. This year donations in the form of gift cards and small articles are preferable so as to eliminate transporting large and bulky items to San Carlos. Already her team has received several donations such as airline tickets and slips at the Marina. For further information and to download the letter contact lanaemcdade@hotmail.com. Letters and calling cards will be available at the general meeting on April 22nd.
A reminder that the cruising safety presentation will be held at El Parador Restaurant, 2744 East Broadway on Saturday, April 18th at 11 a.m. Reservations must be made by April 15th.
The Top Gun Lazer Races and Picnic is scheduled at 11 o’clock on Sunday, April 19th at Columbus Park. Entrees of chicken, hamburgers and sausages as well as all kinds of beverages will be provided by the club. Please bring a covered dish, salad or dessert to fill in the chinks.
Please review the deadlines for making reservations for the ferry, hotel, and Rally festivities at Santa Rosalia. Loretta and the committee have provided every detail in their brochures about the venture. Check them out!
April’s general meeting will be at O’Malley’s on Fourth Avenue at 7:30. Bob Milligan, a local boat builder, will present an exciting and unusual topic: planning, building and financing the construction of an all aluminum sailboat (salt water hates it). Don’t miss this unusual event.
And the next Bridge will be at Cody’s Beef and Beans on Monday, May 4th at 7 o’clock (we missed Cinco by one day, darn it, but we’ll drink to it anyway).
Remember
to apply for your passports!
Now that the Rally cruise is one month closer, fine tuning our
preparations is the order of the day:
Basic Rules of the Road
Vessels Under Sail
• When two sailing vessels approach each other, the vessel that is on a port tack must give way to the other vessel. In other words, the other vessel that is on a starboard tack has the right of way. One method of remembering that a vessel on the starboard tack has the right of way is to also remember that starboard is the right side of your vessel when you are facing the bow. Right-starboard-right-with-a-green-light!
• If two sailing vessels are on the same tack, that is, both are on either a port or a starboard tack, the one to windward must give way. In other words, the vessel that is closer to the direction from which the wind is blowing must give way to the other vessel because the vessel to windward has greater maneuverability and can come about to avoid collision. Also, the vessel to windward can “steal” the wind, rendering the vessel to leeward a great disadvantage.
• When one sailing vessel is overtaking another sailing vessel, it must give way to the other vessel. In other words, it stands to reason that the vessel overtaking the other has better visibility and maneuverability than the one being overtaken.
• A vessel in the process of coming about or jibing must give way to the other vessel. In other words, it stands to reason that if a vessel is changing tack into or away from the wind, its intentions from the other vessel’s point of view cannot be certain; therefore, the vessel in the process of maneuvering must give way to the other vessel.
• A vessel that must give way to another vessel must also pass astern of the other vessel. In other words, as in the overtaking situation, the vessel that must give way has better visibility and maneuverability than the vessel that is ahead of it.
• A vessel on a run that is approaching a close-hauled vessel on the same tack must give way to the other vessel. In other words, a vessel that is running on a starboard tack has more maneuverability than a close-hauled vessel on the same tack.
Rules of the Road
One Sailing Vessel and One Powered Vessel
• A sailing vessel must give way only (1) when overtaking a powered vessel, (2) when the powered vessel is fishing, (3) when the powered vessel is out of command or disabled, (4) and when the powered vessel is maneuvering in a channel.
Rules of the Road
Other Matters
Also bear in mind that when departing or entering an enclosed harbor or shelter such as the San Carlos Marina, you must obey the rules for a powered vessel since most marinas require that motor propulsion be used in such congested areas. Therefore, as on our highways, you should stay on the right side of the channel until you clear the “no-wake” entrance, which unfortunately, for the sake of a thrill, most fishing craft disregard. Additionally, most harbors and shelters exhibit a black can buoy and a green flashing light at night on the right side of the entrance when you are departing. On returning remember that the black can buoy and green flashing light will be on your left and that the red nun buoy and red flashing light will be on the right, thus red-right-returning.
When clear of the channel and on the unobstructed sea, also remember that it takes two to tango. Never assume that the other vessel, be it under sail or motor powered, adheres to the rules of the road. It is your responsibility to avoid collision by any means available.
When you sight a vessel on your starboard or port side on a course that will eventually cross your bow take periodic relative bearings on the vessel to determine whether you are on a collision course. If the relative bearing of the other vessel does not change, you can be sure a collision is imminent.
For example, at 9 a.m. another vessel is sighted 45˚ off your starboard bow (45˚ from your bow centerline). At 9:05 the other vessel is sighted still at a 45˚ angle off your starboard bow. At 9:07 the angle has not changed. You are on a collision course if your vessel and the other remain on course and speed. Don’t wait until there is only the thickness of your hull paint between you. After checking for any other obstacles such as shoals and other vessels, change your course so that you will pass astern of the other vessel.
Next month I’ll deal with converting compass courses and bearings to true. Until then, try to avoid collisions at sea. They are truly wet and nasty.
Bruce
Salty Tidbit
Slush Fund
Now what could “slush fund” have to do with the sea when we know it
reigns high and dry on Wall Street?
Well, if you had ever been a galley cook, you’d realize that it had something to
do with food—but a special kind of food that was no longer edible even for the
galley slaves. What the cook wiped off the cutting board and saved in a large
bucket was called slush. Because even in those old days when dumping refuse in
harbors and waterways was slightly frowned upon, the “slush” was kept until it
was convenient to dump it overboard at sea. It was in fact, anything that could
be discarded without worry or repercussions.
Did I mention Wall Street?
Bruce
Commodores Corner March 2009
Captain Bruce
Wuele, USCG, presented a stunning and chilling slide show from his experiences
in Antarctica while he was on active duty. One memorable item from the show
was the foodstuffs well over a hundred years old still intact. Saves on those
electric bills. Captain Wuele has offered to do an encore from his other
experiences later this year. Thank you!
A reminder that Dinghy Day refurbishing takes place on Saturday,
March 21. Meet for trailering at 2859 N. Edith. The work will be at 1135 N.
Jefferson. See you there.
Our program presentation this month will be conducted by Stu
Willoughby at the regular meeting on Wednesday, March 25 at O’Malley’s. Stu
will present “Charging and Maintaining Marine Electrical Systems,” with vital
information about that bit of energy that we all rely on especially with the
upcoming cruise to Santa Rosalia. Don’t miss it!
At the recent Bridge, Rich Watson and Mark McDade offered to
regenerate the members’directory in an efficient and inexpensive way. The
members attending agreed that the directory was long overdue in overhauling.
Rich and Mark will report on its progress soon.
The April Bridge is scheduled for Monday, April 6th at
Cody’s Beef and Beans, the AYC (our northern neighbors) Tall Cactus Regatta
for Saturday, April 18th, and our Srpring Picnic and Top Gun
competition at Columbus Park for Sunday, April 19th. It’s a must.
A reminder to put your thinking caps on about the Regatta raffle
on May 24th at the San Carlos Plaza. If you are in touch with any
concern that you do business with and that would contribute a gift card to the
raffle, let Lanae McDade know. The gift card in any reasonable denomination
would both attract new customers and advertise the concern to our membership
in our raffle program.
Since the cruise to Santa Rosalia is fast approaching, the
following are checklists for the event:
Sailing Checklist
Cabin
1. Prepare life jackets, harnesses, tethers, whistles, flashlights, knives, hats, and gloves.
2. Turn on transducer or sounding device.
3. Turn on VHF. Channel 16, standby mode.
4. Turn on GPS and auto tiller, standby mode.
5. Visually check running and compass lights.
6. Secure all gear and hatches.
On Deck
1. Remove sail cover, bungees and stow.
2. Standby boat hook on deck.
3. Check outhaul, downhaul, vang and topping lift.
4. Free main and jib halyards.
5. Fly flags.
6. Debag jib (non-auto furlers), secure halyard to head, and hank jib to forestay.
7. Haul jib one foot and tie off. Secure to pulpit if necessary.
8. Lead jib sheets aft through fairleads and take two turns clockwise on winches.
9. Haul main to start slugs in luff groove. Secure.
10. Start engine.
11. Standby dock lines, man boat hook and cast off.
12. Coil lines.
13. Haul fenders on board and secure.
14. Secure life-line pelican hooks.
15. Release topping lift and cleat mainsheet.
16. When heading into wind, haul main while feeding slugs into luff groove.
17. Secure main halyard.
18. Release jib from pulpit and haul.
19. Secure jib halyard and man leeward sheet.
20. Coil halyards on pins or on deck. Secure boat hook.
21. When engine no longer required, tilt it up.
Returning Checklist
On Deck
1. Lower engine shaft. Start engine.
2. Lower jib. Secure to pulpit if necessary. Secure jib halyard.
3. Standby boat hook.
4. Secure boom to topping lift and cleat mainsheet.
5. Lower and flake/roll mainsail on boom. Bungee.
6. Secure main halyard.
7. Lower dockside fenders. Release lifeline pelican hooks.
8. Standby fore and aft dock lines.
9. Secure bow, spring, and stern lines.
10. Secure and tilt engine up.
11. Cover mainsail.
12. Bag jib and sheets.
13. Lower off-dock fenders. Secure boat hook.
Cabin
1. Open hatches.
2. Secure auto pilot, GPS, VHF, transducer or sounding device.
3. Secure running lights if needed
4. Stow life jackets, harnesses, tethers, whistles, knives, flashlights, hats and gloves.
The foregoing, of course, applies during optimum weather conditions, will have to be customized to your particular boat, and is intended to give a general list of what you need to have and do when sailing and when returning. Have a good sail!
See you next month with rules of the road and basic piloting.
Bruce
Salty Tidbit
The lazarette, a storage area commonly found below the seating areas in the
cockpits of sailboats, is indispensable for large pieces of vital equipment.
Spare anchors, lines, water containers, inflatable dinghies, tool boxes, and
you-name-it can be stored in a lazarette. Its dimensions, especially in the
cockpit, are about six feet in length and a foot-and-a-half wide.
Where did it come by such a strange name? If you guessed from the
biblical story of Lazarus, the one Jesus revived from the dead, you’re dead
right. Now check the measurements again. You’ve got it. A coffin.
So if your lazarette mysteriously opens one dark and moonless night,
it’s just Lazarus turning over.
Bruce Zortman
Commodores Corner February 2009
This was the third
Change of Command banquet that Sabra and I attended. We both are in total
agreement that it was the greatest of greats. Now that’s not because I assumed
the office of Commodore but totally because the planning and execution were
superb. Please join me in congratulating Judy and Bob for the flawless
negotiations, Ned and Deana for the very attractive table decorations, and
Loretta, John B. and John L. for the giggle-a-second presentations of the
awards. Hey, that dinner could have been served at the Waldorf!
Make a date in your log for the program on Wednesday, February 25th
at O’Malley’s. Retired Captain Bruce Wuele, USCG, will present “Icebreaking,”
based on his adventures in the Arctic while on active duty. It sounds
fascinating and will be instructive especially with the concern about global
warming.
Garry Morris will present a visual feast as a part of Armchair
Adventures, detailing the Club’s recent sail to La Paz. The event will be at the
Wilmot Library (Wilmot at 5th) on February 12th at 2 p.m.
An important dinghy refurbishing day is scheduled from 9 to 5 on Saturday, March
7th. We will meet at 9 at the storage area, 2859 N. Edith, and tow
the boats needing repair to Joseph diMatteo’s office area, Sunpower of Arizona,
1135 N. Jefferson. We need hands to get our dinghy fleet ship-shape, so come on
out and get exercised.
Well, with the plans for the upcoming cruise by sail and ferry to
Santa Rosalia and other westward ho ports of call, I consider it an opportune
time to discuss that term “ship-shape.” How many times have you and your sail
mate(s) exclaimed: “Where the hell is the winch handle? the duct tape? the
whisker pole? boat hook? bilge pump? batteries? sewing ditty? PFD’s? harnesses?
flashlight? bug screen? fuses? sun screen? or portapottie disinfectant?” No
matter what the size of your boat it’s always too small. Where do you put all
that necessary gear? And after putting it there, how do you find it, especially
in an emergency?
You need a detailed gear storage plan that can be posted somewhere
visible on your boat. Because most boats are essentially compartmentalized,
that is, with a lazarette under the seating area in the cockpit and under-berth
lockers, it appears there should be no problem, but that may not be the case.
Usually large items such as a tool chest, detachable swim ladder, bosun’s chair,
stern anchor, auxiliary lines, shore power cord, hatch boards, and fresh water
containers are stowed in the lazarette.
Emergency equipment must be stowed with easy access near the companionway and
includes an air horn, dinghy air pump, outboard tool kit and cranking rope,
anchor light, flare kit, fire extinguisher, wire cutter comprehensive first aid
kit and a searchlight. Harnesses and PFD’s should be stowed in a hanging locker
(if available). A waterproof flashlight, knife, and whistle should be attached
to each PFD. Survival kits-in-a-bottle are available and should be stowed near
or attached to the PFD’s.
Below-berth storage should be divided into categories: (1) electrical organizer
for spare parts, (2) hardware organizer for spare parts, (3) cleaning supplies
and materials, and (4) repair and maintenance supplies and equipment.
There are usually lockers and coolers especially designed for galley equipment
and foodstuffs so their organization offers few problems.
Navigation equipment such as parallel rules, dividers, logbooks, chart boards,
tide tables and charts should be clustered near the GPS, VHF, and fish finder as
a nav center.
Next month I’ll review checklists for getting underway and returning.
In the meantime, if you get a chance, have a good sail.
Salty Tidbit
“The Whole Nine Yards”
It sounds like an order at Jo-Anne’s for new drapes.
You’re right, it isn’t. This term goes back to the time of square riggers,
especially those with three masts that each had three yard arms, the boom-types
on which the sails are rigged. So, when the vessel was going “the whole nine
yards,” we use simple math, three times three to equal nine, which means that
all the sails were unfurled and, depending on the wind, the vessel was
travelling at top speed.
Bruce Zortman
Commodores Corner January 2009
A very happy and
healthy new year to all. And from the look of the projects planned it is going
to be one of TSC’s most energized and exciting ones. Thanks to our dedicated
membership there are already in the mill far reaching and innovative cruises and
informative programs for our monthly meetings.
I am sorry and ashamed to report, however, that there is one omission
that, had I been properly vetted by Wally Alexander and his nominating
committee, would have been brought to light before I was elected. After reading
the following letter, which I received not long ago, in the best interest and
maintenance of the integrity of our organization I will fully understand if you
choose to recall me as your leader.
“Honorable Sir:
Hope you are correct Mr. Bruce Zortman. Not able to find anymore in U.S.
I am student of Aomori Prefectural High School, now in U.S. on student-exchange
program.
My grandmother, Keiko Hanabashi, was once very famous geisha in city of Aomori.
She tell me many times of American naval officer (Lieutenant) by name of Bruce
Zortman. He was very kind gentleman who come to Geisha party all the time. This
was about 1957-58 I think.
My grandmother say that Mr. Zortman could drink more saki (Japanese rice wine)
than any man in Aomori but could not walk too good afterward. He sing many
Japanese songs with bad words, but very kind to Japanese women.
Obasan ask me to bring inclosed cigarette lighter to United States in case I
find Mr. Zortman. He leave it in Geisha house one night when not walking too
good.I probably never meet you, sir, but strangely look a little like you.
Best regards from Grandmother,
(signed)
Ichiro Hanabashi
4027 Turnberry Court
Jacksonville, FL 32225”
Well it’s out, and
I’m relieved. Please note in your deliberations that I have one other weakness.
I’m unable to see Russia from my kitchen window.
Now to attend to our 2009 calendar. First off is the Change of
Command (if you let me come) at the Viscount Hotel, 4835 E. Broadway Blvd., on
Saturday, January 24th at 6 p.m. Tickets (and dues if you are not
current) can be purchased at the event. We thank Bob and Judy Patrick, Loretta
Peto, John Lubliner, John Babicz and all those who have helped to create this a
gala-dancing-dress-up affair.
Stu Willoughby has already made arrangements for our first two
monthly meetings. On February 25th Bruce Wuele, U.S. Coast Guard will
present his program entitled “Icebreaking.” From the titles we can expect polar
cap landscapes and frosty scenes. On March 7th, Joseph di Matteo will
hold a workday to refurbish our Lazer Fleet. Details of time and place will be
announced closer to the date of the event. On March 25th Stu will
present his own program “Onboard solar power and battery maintenance.” These
are areas of knowledge and expertise we can all appreciate. On April 19th
the Spring Picnic at Christopher Columbus Park and Top Gun Lazer races will
happen. On May 2nd and 3rd the Cinco de Mayo races will
run at Roosevelt. The International Sailing Regatta at San Carlos and many
parties are planned for May 22nd , 23rd and 24th
with a stupendous cruise to Santa Rosalia to follow. Details of this event will
be published each month before it happens. On July 25th Sabra and
Bruce (if he’s till around) will host the annual Loft Party. On September 13th
the Fall Picnic will include again Top Gun Lazer races at Christopher Columbus
and the Pirate Regatta at Roosevelt will happen on September 19th and
20th. To wind down the year, the Sailor’s Auction will be on October
21st and the International Sailing Regatta will run at San Carlos on
October 30th, 31st and November 1st with the cruise
launching on the 2nd.
We wish
everyone well to make this a great year.
So long, adios and sayonara,
Bruce
