june 2015 COMMODORE S CORNER Happenings

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1 Happenings June Board Meeting Wednesday, June 3 Flat Point Clam Fest Sunday, June 7 Commodore s Cruise to Rosario June Rodman Duncan Memorial (Bar-to-Bar) Race June 27 Commodore Doug Cram Vice Commodore Lane Langford Rear Commodore Paul Henriksen Secretary, Julie Duncan Treasurer, Sam Beller Trustees Duane Bordvick Jim Ghinazzi Membership Chair Gayl Beller Web Wench Judy Welker Reciprocal Chair Dave Welker Sailing Chair Russ Johnson Newsline Editor Shanley Lett june 2015 COMMODORE S CORNER I m your Commodore don t follow me! Now that we are moving into the most active time of year for boating, it s time to be sure that your navigational skills are sharp. Boats these days are usually equipped with GPS units, radar and depth sounders to keep us on the right track. Local knowledge of our waters, like knowing the correct way out of Fisherman Bay, is also a good tool to have in your arsenal. I m proud to say that when Lisa and I started doing some serious boating, we used a compass, paper charts, tidal current atlas and a sounding line to get around the Gulf Islands and the San Juans. Learning to use a paper chart is an important part of boating, even today. And placemats depicting the islands DO NOT count! If you have an electrical problem or computer glitch that messes with your fancy new navigational gear, you will be happy to have your paper charts in the boat somewhere. You will be even happier if you know how to use them. A tidal current atlas is something that most sail boaters are familiar with and is a very handy thing to have on board if you have a slower moving boat. Learning to use this tool can transform your 7 knot trawler into a 9 knot offshore racer. The goal is to plan and time your cruise to coincide with favorable tide directions. We once had our 7 knot Nordhaven screaming along at 13 knots through Gabriola Passage. Needless to say, if we have been trying to go the other direction, it would have been a very slow go. Those of us with faster boats don t need to consider the tide factor as much, but going with the tide can save considerable fuel. Also, knowing the times of low or slack tides can be very helpful for transiting shallow entrances or bays. Something for any boater to consider. Continued on page 3

2 WHAT S HAPPEN- FLAT POINT CLAM FEST Sunday, June 7 - Noon Bring a main dish, side dish, salad or dessert to share and your own utensils and beverages unless, of course, you plan on partaking of the now famous Commodore s Brew (No Flat Pints here) crafted by BrewMeister Brian Duncan PLEASE NOTE: FLAT POINT SPEED LIMIT IS 10mph. COMMODORE S CRUISE TO ROSARIO June 12, 13, 14 Friday Potluck Saturday Catered BBQ Dinner Reserve now call the front desk at Space is limited Watch your s for more details on events. RODMAN DUNCAN MEMORIAL RACE (AKA Bar-to-Bar) June 27, 2015 See Page 6 of this Newsline for details and watch for Sailing Instructions the first part of June.

COMMODORE S CORNER, continued With GPS many of us feel invincible, even in the fog. GPS is great for clear weather navigation, but in fog or at night, it is absolutely essential to have radar as well.

3 COMMODORE S CORNER, continued With GPS many of us feel invincible, even in the fog. GPS is great for clear weather navigation, but in fog or at night, it is absolutely essential to have radar as well. We can count literally dozens of times when we have been in fog and watched people blunder around, thinking that their GPS is the save-all. All it takes is one dangerous knucklehead going 25 knots on GPS alone to ruin your day. We have dodged them before. Whether it is a stand alone or overlaps on your GPS screen, use your radar in low visibility situations. That s just my opinion. Practice using your radar on clear days and get used to how land masses and other boats appear on your screen. The more familiar you are with your system, the better. Don t wait until you need it to try learning it. Another navigation consideration brings us to the title of this Commodore s Corner: Don t follow me! We learned this valuable lesson at a very young age, when Lisa and I were moving a beautiful 40 foot sailboat from Poulsbo to Lake Union. We did not have GPS or radar, but it was summer and the weather was beautiful. We had the whole weekend so we decided to spend some fun time on this fancy sailboat. We fooled around through the first afternoon and decided to spend the night in Port Madison. As dusk fell, we ended up in Eagle Harbor, having missed Port Madison completely. (See earlier recommendation: Know how to use your paper charts.) Well, maybe there was some rum involved. But, the next morning we pulled up anchor and headed for the locks. As we left Eagle Harbor, a smaller sailboat was also on its way out. Being the lazy youngsters we were at the time, we decided it was easiest to follow those knowledgeable looking folks out of the harbor. Moments later we saw them running around frantically on deck and stopping. Then, we also ground to a halt on a sand bar. Just because someone is leaving a bay or harbor with authority does not mean that they actually know where they are, or what they are doing! Never assume someone has local knowledge. We were stuck for a few minutes and to our great fortune, a ferry boat came into Eagle Harbor. Its wake gave us just enough buoyancy to lift off the bar and back into deeper water. We were very fortunate and from that point forward, vowed to do our own navigating. Think of your own navigating moments and have a safe boating summer! Doug WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Ron Walters and Randall Dickson have met all requirements for membership in the Lopez Island Yacht Club. AND they ve already become famous by winning the best costume award for Opening Day s Roaring Twenties theme. Please be sure to introduce yourselves and welcome them at our next yacht club cruise or event.

NORTH CRUISE DATES AND ITINERARY CORRECTED July 24 and 25 Ganges Marina July 26 Montague Harbour Marina July 27 Silva Bay or Page s Marina July 28 Nanaimo July 29 Thetis Island Marina July 30 Maple

4 NORTH CRUISE DATES AND ITINERARY CORRECTED July 24 and 25 Ganges Marina July 26 Montague Harbour Marina July 27 Silva Bay or Page s Marina July 28 Nanaimo July 29 Thetis Island Marina July 30 Maple Bay July 31 Maple Bay or Sidney <<< CORRECTION August 1 Sidney Participants are responsible for making their own reservations. If you have questions, contact Rear Commodore Paul Henriksen. NEW MEMBER APPLICATION DO WE REEAALLLY WANT A PAPERLESS SOCIETY? As many of you noticed, last January (2014), LIYC s Newsline went paperless. It was Distributed only by directly to each individual member s inbox and was also available on our LIYC website. (This was not a planned or conscious decision, rather it was caused by mechanical problems with the newsletter printer.) Steve Rubey has applied for LIYC membership. Steve raced his first sailboat at age 10 and hasn t stopped since. He has raced across both oceans, delivered boats in the Orient, cruised in the South Pacific and in the Northwest from Puget Sound to Cape Caution. He currently sails his Melges 24 and cruises his Sea Sport 24 out of Barlows Landing. When there didn t appear to be a huge outcry of protest, we have continued to distribute only electronically. (That saved LIYC about $600 last year in printing, postage, and paper expense.) Recently, some of our board members have been contacted by members wishing to resume getting their Newsline paper copies. If you are among those wanting your paper back, please contact Shanley Lett, Newsline Editor, at or lettos@rockisland.com

OPENING DAY s Roaring Twenties theme brought out the sunshine and

Hosted by Vice Commodore Lane Langford and Barbara Carver (upper

Doug Cram) in addition to the nautical games and ring toss.

gin and tonic cupcakes (which apparently contained enough gin to

) << Lane Langford and Barbara Carver >> Glenda Pugerude with Gayl

5 OPENING DAY s Roaring Twenties theme brought out the sunshine and the stars. Hosted by Vice Commodore Lane Langford and Barbara Carver (upper left), festivities included a Gin and Tonic recipe tasting (won by Doug Cram) in addition to the nautical games and ring toss. Lane s drink recipe tied for second place with Glenda Pugerude s gin and tonic cupcakes (which apparently contained enough gin to qualify as a dessert cocktail.) << Lane Langford and Barbara Carver >> Glenda Pugerude with Gayl Beller and Lori Taylor >> Gary Nelson, Betty Drumheller and Guest << Flappers Arlene Sund and Judy Welker Gin and Tonic Champ Doug Cram with Ivan Brown And friends >>>

RODMAN DUNCAN MEMORIAL REGATTA (aka BAR TO-BAR RACE) BY Russ Johnson, Sailing Chair The third annual Rodman Duncan Memorial Regatta will be held on June 27th, that being the only Saturday of the

Low tide is at 8:30 am at around 0 feet and high is 4:25 pm at 5.8 feet. We may need to tweak the Sailing Instructions to enable those boats with deeper drafts to compete.

6 RODMAN DUNCAN MEMORIAL REGATTA (aka BAR TO-BAR RACE) BY Russ Johnson, Sailing Chair The third annual Rodman Duncan Memorial Regatta will be held on June 27th, that being the only Saturday of the month with tides capable of floating the fleet out of the bay and back in. Even then it will necessitate some careful sailing and navi- gating to avoid the shoals. Low tide is at 8:30 am at around 0 feet and high is 4:25 pm at 5.8 feet. We may need to tweak the Sailing Instructions to enable those boats with deeper drafts to compete. In 2013 we instituted an option of motor and dinghy use because of the low tides. That may be the answer once again. Stand by for Sailing Instructions that will be out by the first part of June. The race course will be the same as before with the start and finish at the Islander Lounge (chugging a beer to start and finish) and the only turning mark is the mid channel shoal buoy halfway between Friday Harbor and Shaw Island. The race is open to all sailors, any island. Spread the news and get out and race your boat to honor our Past Commodore, Rodman, and have some fun! Russ FOR SALE: Hardly used, 9 Alaska Dinghy, blue, with motor mount, pump and oars. $475. Call Steve at

COMMODORE S CORNER. Commodore Bob. august Happenings. August Board Meeting Wednesday, August 8. Hello, LIYC Members,

COMMODORE S CORNER. Commodore Bob. august Happenings. August Board Meeting Wednesday, August 8. Hello, LIYC Members, Happenings August Board Meeting Wednesday, August 8 Continuation of North Cruise August 1 Maple Bay August 2, 3 Sidney Shaw Island Classic August 11 Commodore Bob Hall 468-3765 Vice Commodore Mike North