May 2013 Fifty Point Yacht Club www.fpyc.ca 2013 Issue # 5 Pre-Splash BBQ (In the wind and snow ) scut tle butt 1 a: a cask on shipboard to contain fresh water for a day's use b: a drinking fountain on a ship or at a marine installation
FPYC Executive 2013 Commodore Brian Weber webre@cogeco.ca (289) 235 9577 Secretary Darlene Manel cdmantel@xplornet.com (905) 627-1439 Treasurer Mike Shaw mshaw@pinchin.com (905) 257-0439 Social Tracy Russell Step_monster@hotmail.com (905) 659-2727 Racing/Website Garry Cooke Fpyc.racing@gmail.com (905) 317-0506 Communications Jayne Herring jayne_herring@wrdsb.on.ca (519) 622-3719 Cruising Gary Vandervelde garyvandervelde@royallepage.ca (905) 518-5223 Membership Brad Davidson bradcaroline@rogers.com (519) 753-1490 Cruising Chris Almeida Chris.Almeida@me.com (905) 630-2496 Membership Jeff Dinyer jdinyer@shaw.ca (289) 284-0366 Volunteer Coordinator Donna Donnelly Donna_l_Donnelly@hotmail.com (905) 516-1711 2
From the Bridge Brian Weber, Commodore Slow Start For Launches Well, the weather has not really cooperated to help many get the boats ready for launching. Fifty Point Marina has done their best to get as many of the boats that are ready into the water. But it has many of us asking, will spring ever come? If memory serves me correctly, we ran into a cool April in 2012. Weather is an integral part of being ready for launch and boating in general. This leads us to two points: Doug Nixon has had to study weather during his working career. You may have noticed that Doug did an article on weather last month and we are hoping this will be a monthly article to better educate us on this phenomenon. While his article probably will not make us any better than the weather forecasters, it will give us a better insight. Secondly, the cool spring over the past years has me thinking that it might be better to wax the boat in the fall, or at least it gives an option to wax in the fall in good weather, or gamble and wait until spring. It might also mean approaching Fifty Point Conservation Authority to delay launching until later in April and go further into May. This year we thought we would try to have a Pre-Splash BBQ free for members. If you missed it, you missed a great time. Despite freezing cold temperature, snow and high winds, we saw over 50 members and their families brave the conditions to be part of this event. Many thanks to Tracey Russell for coming up with the idea and to Tracey and all the volunteers for making this a successful event. We had 18 membership renewals and one new member join FPYC at the event. Well Done!! Tracey is selling Share 50 tickets each week. The winner gets 50% and the club gets 50% of the profits. The winning ticket will be published on Facebook after each draw. Congratulations to our winners. Remember to sign up for the FPYC site on Facebook. You can drop in and see what is new or post a comment or picture. However, if you are wanting a response from your Executive, please email us directly. You can find our email addresses on the executive page of this newsletter or from the website, www.fpyc.ca. Mark your Calendars for SailPast on May 25. Proceedings start at 11:00 a.m. with the grand march following Piper Charlie Kyle. Reverend Steven Lindsay will do the Blessing of the Boats. SailPast will commence at 1:00 p.m. Shortly after SailPast, we plan on a race to the spider and back. Dundee Wealth is again sponsoring activities with Kids Face Painting by Char at 3:30 p.m. This will be followed by a buffet with 'Foods of the World' from Darn Good Food, Philip Fiorantis, starting at 5:00 p.m. A trivia game will begin at 6:30 p.m. 'Identify that Country' and music from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. by Music Reflections, Doug Nixon (F19). June 22 is our summer BBQ at the Winona Pavilion. Please mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details. We are hoping to have a meeting with the volunteers for this event on May 25. Donna Donnelly, Volunteer Coordinator, will be in touch with anyone who has volunteered for this event. We hope to set a new theme for this year s BBQ. If you are interested in a club cruise, the signup book is in the display case on the office wall by B Dock. Sign-up early to avoid disappointment. We are still in need of a Committee Boat for the racers. If you can help out, please contact Garry Cooke. 3
Cruising Report 2013 Confirmed cruising dates for 2013: June 15-16 June 29-July 1 July 13-14 August 3-5 August 17-18 August 31-Sept 2 Oakville Yacht Club Bluffers Park Yacht Club (Canada Day Weekend) Commodore/Anchor Cruise Hamilton Bay Port Credit Yacht Club (Civic Day Weekend) Macassa Bay Yacht Club Lakeshore Yacht Club (Labour Day Weekend) Please plan to join us on at least one cruise! For further information contact: Chris Almeida or Gary Vandervelde Quote of the Month Any one fool can carry on, but a wise man knows how to shorten sail in time. Joseph Conrad 4
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Have you joined our FPYC Facebook site yet? We will be posting pictures, news and reminders about upcoming events on the site so drop by and check it out! Facebook Like Us and Join the FPYC Group! Did You win? If you were at the Pre-Splash BBQ and bought a Share 50 ticket check your numbers. The winning number is a green ticket #021686. The winning ticket for the April 28th draw is a pink ticket #869772 If you are the lucky winner please email Tracey at step_monster@hotmail.com Don t forget to buy your tickets for the next draw! 6
Christine s Galley 1 cup flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup ground almonds 1/2 cup soft butter or margarine 1/2 tsp cinnamon 2/3 cup red raspberry preserves Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Scuttlebutt Linzer Torte Bars Mix all ingredients except preserves with a spoon until crumbly. Press 2/3 of the crumb mixture on the bottom of an ungreased, 9x9x2 inch pan. Spread with preserves and sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture, pressing gently into preserves. Bake 20-25 minutes or until light golden brown and cool completely (about 1 hour). This is a classic European dessert originating in Linz, Austria. Enjoy! Minutes at the table don t make you put on weight...it s the seconds Radio Controlled Sailing By Paul Charles Radio Controlled Sailing has started again at Fifty Point Yacht Club and we would like to welcome new sailors Gary Cooke and Dave Talbot. Dave can be seen here sailing his Victoria on an evening of very light winds! All members are welcome to drop by the pond and give a boat a try on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. 7
Pre-Splash BBQ 8
Schedule of Events 2013 Below is our preliminary list of social events more info to come! Sailpast May 25 (You must reserve by May 10th if you want to attend) Summer BBQ June 22 Pig Roast July 20 Commodore s Ball TBA MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES Have you joined yet? Remember that your FPYC membership is $150 before May 31st and $210 after June 1st. Send in your membership form to Brad Davidson (his address is at the bottom of the form on page 26), or sign-up at the Sailpast on May 25th. Questions? Ask any member of the executive for information. 9
Wind, Weather and Waves By Doug Nixon An air mass is characterized by nearly uniform properties of the air over a large region. Typical source regions would be the oceans, artic and sub-tropics. In spring and summer, the great lakes receive alternating spells of warm, humid air from the south and cooler, dryer air from the west. As one air mass moves forward against another, boundaries are created. When a boundary is a sharp, dividing line, or narrow transition zone, it is called a front. The type of front is determined by what the approaching air mass is like. So, a warm front is preceded by cool air and followed by warmer air, often with a change in moisture too. Cold fronts usher in colder, dryer air. Fronts move with the pressure systems and occasionally lift off the ground or stop moving forward, becoming stationary for a short time. Warm air is lighter than cold air and is easily displaced by it along a frontal boundary. Therefore, as warm fronts move, the warm air slides up over the existing colder air and as cold fronts move, the cold air plows into the warmer air, forcing it to rise. In either case, extensive clouds will form in the lifted warm air. We are now booking for special events For more information about The Landing Restaurant & Banquets The Landing please call 289-649-1111 or visit us at www.thelandingrestaurant-banquets.ca 10
What the Yacht Club Means to Me By Donna Donnelly Hi, my name is Donna Donnelly and I have been at Fifty Point Marina for 11 years and wanted to share some ways that I have met some wonderful people over the years. My husband Sean and I arrived at the marina with a boat and no idea what boating was all about and knew only one other couple. This couple were members of FPYC and very dedicated in helping us understand what being a member was all about and making us feel so very welcome. Thanks to them we have thoroughly enjoyed many years of boating and have a very special bond with this couple today. So, we were convinced! We wanted to join the yacht club and have been members for all these years. We use our reciprocal privileges, participate in the planned cruises and go to many of the great social events. We even plan our own dock events, group outings and enjoy our time at the marina. I remember one particular cruise about 6 year ago, where we met an amazing group of people and we all really connected. Today, these people are some of the dearest and closest friends we have. It is amazing how really getting involved has changed our lives and the wonderful group of people we not only spend our summers with, but have touched our lives forever. I really do encourage everyone to get involved and who knows what wonderful things you`ll get out of it. I know I wouldn`t want it any other way. 11
Tall Ships are Coming! Commemorating the military events of the War of 1812 across the Great Lakes for both the United States and Canada, the Tall Ships Challenge Great Lakes 2013 series will be an event of numbers two countries, five Great Lakes, over 25 participating tall ships, 22 port appearances, five races and millions of visitors. The Redpath Waterfront Festival will run from June 20-23, 2013 at Queen s Quay on the Toronto Waterfront. For more information: Tall Ships Festival 12
Share 50 Tickets What? Where? When? Share 50 tickets will be sold by our Social Director Tracy and other executive members with half of the funds raised awarded to the winner and the rest of the money raised to go toward club events including lowering the cost of the tickets for the Commodore s Ball. Remaining funds will be donated to charity. Tickets will be sold at Fifty Point Tickets are 10 for $5.00 and will be available for purchase all week and the draw will be on Sunday at 6 p.m. The names of the weekly winners will be available on the Fifty Point Yacht Club Facebook site and will also be published monthly in Scuttlebutt. A Group of Volunteers with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Dedicated to The Safety of Life on The Waters of South Western Lake Ontario. 13
Travelling the Great Loop with Northern Spirit Editor s Note: Many of you will remember former FPYC members Lynne and Ron Taylor who are currently doing the Great Loop. Lynne and Ron have agreed to share their story and wonderful adventure with us. Thanks and safe travels Lynne and Ron! For both Ron and I, our first sailing experiences were before we met. At 18, I purchased a 12 foot Sea Snark. About the same time, Ron and his Dad built a 19 foot daysailer from a kit. Ron and I sailed the daysailor with his father many times on Lake Superior, and in 1984 we purchased it and brought it to our home in Ancaster. We sailed it with our children, Colleen and David for two years and gradually made moves to bigger boats, beginning with a DS 22, then a Mirage 25, a Mirage 29 and finally in 2009 the Beneteau 331 we have now. We joined Fifty Point Yacht Club in 1986 and during our time at Fifty Point, Ron served as a Director, Vice-Commodore, Commodore for two terms and then later on we both served as Directors and Editors of the Scuttlebutt. After 20 years on Lake Ontario and every year making our way to the Thousand Islands for holidays, we knew it was time for something different and began to investigate Georgian Bay. The North Channel was too far for weekend drives, but we found Wright s Marine at Britt, just north of Parry Sound and felt we could manage a 3 ½ hour drive (less time than sailing to Toronto). In the spring of 2006 we moved our Mirage 29 to Britt and began exploring northern Georgian Bay and the North Channel. Wright s Marine is a common stop for boats travelling the Great Loop and we had many chances to talk to Loopers and hear about their adventures. As we became interested in learning more, we began following blogs and eventually joined America s Great Loop Cruising Association (AGLCA). Since we both planned to retire by the spring of 2012, it seemed like perfect timing what better way to begin retirement! The Great Loop is a circle route which you can begin at any point along the way. We began in Britt, travelled through the North Channel to Lake Michigan and down its 300 mile length to Chicago. At this point, the mast was stepped and prepared for shipping. Through the AGLCA, we put together a group of nine sailboats and hired a truck to carry our masts to Mobile, Alabama, leaving our decks clear for the two month trip. We then travelled the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland Rivers to the lakes formed when the locks were built; Barkley, Kentucky and Pickwick Lakes. These are beautiful, clean lakes surrounded by wilderness parkland, wildlife refuges and hundreds of beautiful protected anchorages. From here we entered the rivers again, the Tennessee, Tom Bigbee and Black Warrior finally arriving in Mobile, Alabama where we would have the mast re-stepped. Chicago to Mobile is 1240 nautical miles; 30 locks for a total lift of 279 feet and drop of 755 feet. The largest of the locks is 93 feet. From here, we travelled around the panhandle of Florida, and across the northeast corner of the Gulf of Mexico for a 138 mile overnight run to Tarpon Springs. The northeast corner of the Gulf is too shallow for anything with more than 4 foot draft, so even most trawlers must travel through the night. We continued down the Gulf Coast of Florida dividing our time between stopping to see some of the towns and anchoring in the intercoastal waterway until we reached Marathon in the Florida keys. This is a staging area for boats heading to the Bahamas and waiting out the weather. The Bahamas is not a requirement of completing the loop, but it s so close why not!.continued 14
Travelling the Great Loop with Northern Spirit When we return from the Bahamas we ll complete the loop by making our way up the East Coast of the US to New York, through the Hudson River, Erie Barge Canal and home to Georgian Bay again. Our route after the Erie Barge Canal will be dependent on water levels in the Great Lakes. Our Beneteau came really well equipped so there were only a few things to add. Our best investment was a Raymarine AIS (Automated Identification System). This allows us to see tugs and freighters on our plotter screen, miles before we would actually see them and they in turn could see us. It gives information such as boat name, course steered and speed. It was most useful on the winding rivers to see the tugs pushing 20 to 30 barges and ask them where they would like us to go to be out of their way especially on the corners. The second best thing is the ipad with wifi and cellular service. Once you are out on the water, you rarely have wifi and in the Bahamas it is rare and expensive when you do find it. I am able to access information through cellular service most places and this gives us access to services such as Active Captain, an interactive cruising guide, which we wouldn t travel without. It provides up to date information on anchorages, marinas, hazards, etc. We have several weather site apps on the ipad as well as a second chart plotter to confirm some of the narrow, shallow passages. Our main plotter uses Navionics but in the Bahamas, Garmin is more accurate. We of course also always use paper charts as well. Our worst investment was a wifi booster antenna which promised to bring in wifi from up to 7 miles away. While it gives us a stronger signal within a marina, it doesn t work beyond about a half mile. When we planned for the trip we were going to buy Single Side Band Radio but were talked out of it. It provides the easiest and most reliable weather available. We would definitely add it if we come back to the Bahamas another time. The best experiences on this trip have been the people we have met and travelled with along the way. We have travelled with folks from all around the US and Canada as well as Sweden, Brazil, Germany, Poland, France, England and New Zealand, some who will remain friends long after the trip is finished. In Nassau, we met a couple that left Fifty Point to go cruising about three years ago Ralph and Wendy aboard Altona. Before we began the trip, I had a few big fears. First was the locks; I had never been through a lock but they proved to be the easier part of the trip. Second, was the overnight passages and particularly crossing the Gulf Stream. We had three overnight passages in total and the Gulf Stream was the best and easiest. We travelled with two buddy boats, the sky was clear and we had waited for nearly perfect weather. With the wind and Gulf Stream with us, we travelled most of the 165 mile trip at over 10 knots. As we entered the Great Bahama Bank, we met a boat from Macassa Bay, Eagles Wings, who we have spent time with in the Bahamas. My third fear was the two of us spending more than a year in a boat just 34 feet long! It has been 10 months now, and neither of us thinks we could have done it without the other! Bad weather has not been much of an issue for us, because we just wait it out. It has meant some long stays in some places but we remind ourselves that this is a pleasure trip. During these waits, there are usually happy hours or pot-luck dinners ashore to pass the time. In the Bahamas, for every 3 or 4 good days, you will then have 3 or 4 days of heavy winds to wait out, sometimes more, at least over the winter months. It improves in March....continued 15
Travelling the Great Loop with Northern Spirit Our family has been very supportive of our trip and eagerly follows our blog. Colleen, our daughter has visited us twice; once in Clearwater, Florida and once in George Town, The Exumas. She will visit again in the Chesapeake or New York City. We ve also had a nephew visit and my brother and his wife. Keeping the blog requires some dedication but it will be a great log of our adventure. In the Bahamas, internet is not easily available or cheap so often I have to prepare the blog then wait until we have access. Seeing the comments and knowing people are reading it makes it worthwhile. There are blog followers I haven t met yet, who plan to make the trip. Advice to anyone thinking about a similar adventure? Just do it! We ve met people in their 20 s and in their 80 s on this trip and everywhere in between. We ve met people in canoes and kayaks and in 50 to 70 foot yachts. Boaters are a wonderful group of people. You will always have help, advice and friendship along the way and of course almost daily happy hours! What s next? We are undecided about what might come next. There is the temptation to leave the boat down here, but salt water takes such a toll on boats and we look forward to being back in the Great Lakes and out of salt water and tides. We are still tossing ideas around. Ron s dream is to circumnavigate Lake Superior (his dream, not mine). So, we ll just wait and see. We are still only halfway through the Loop! A few statistics: To March 15th, we have been on the boat 274 nights (9 months); 135 nights at anchor, the remainder at either a dock or mooring. We have travelled over 3,800 miles; 1,240 miles on the rivers without our mast. We have travelled through 9 states so far: Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. In the Bahamas, we have been to Andros Island, New Providence Island, The Exumas, Eleuthera and will finish up in the The Abacos and Grand Bahama Island before heading back to Florida and north on the east coast. Postcript: Since writing this article for Scuttlebutt, Ron and Lynne s beloved dog Farley passed away. He was a faithful companion and family member. Farley enjoyed a wonderful life with a wonderful family and we are sure he will be missed. We send our condolences to the Taylor family. Life is Short, Go Now Now is all the time you own And no man knows the hour Just when the clock of life will stop At late or early hour The future's just a dream of hope The Past a distant link Go cruising now my brother It is later than you think! ~ (author unknown) ~ 16
Travelling the Great Loop with Northern Spirit In Memory of Farley 1999-2013 Lynne & Ron in Arawak Cay, Bahamas Tongue of the Ocean, crossing from Andros Island to Nassau Wilson Lock on the Tennessee River; 94 feet! 17
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SAIL 30' Hinterhoeller Redwing- 1968...$19,900 27' CS 27-1979...yanmar...new rigging..nice shape..$12,600 27' Halman Horizon 1985...cutter rig, yanmar, autopilot, very nice condition, steel cradle...sold 40' Hughes Centre Cockpit..1987.perfect liveaboard cruiser extensive refit, volvo diesel, bowthruster...$98.900 POWER 42' Kadey-Krogen Trawler 1977...REDUCED.$129,000 40' Tollycraft Sundeck-1988.. nice..reduced..$69,900 35' Chris Craft Catalina, 1985...low hrs on twin Crusaders, genny, heat/air, survey 2011 turnkey boat...$49,900... 1989 Thundercraft Magnum 290...$19,500. 2003 Sea Sport 2800WA...REDUCED...$48,900. 27' Cadorette Eagle-1990, quality sport boat with low hours on twin 454 mags, tri-axle trailer ('06)...$35,900. 1997 Regal 258...SOLD 2005 Bayliner 242 EC..hardtop,.low hours trailer. mint!... $28,900. 270 Rinker Express- 2006..350 merc/b3, RevA/C...$46,500.. 25' Trojan Sea Raider. 1972.nice classic,,great shape... inludes tandem axle trailer...offers... 19
May Race Report Garry Cooke The racing season is finally approaching, and I am looking forward to being on the water again. The winter seems to be taking a while to release its icy grip! We will be running races through the FPYC group on Wednesday s. We will start with a BBQ on May 15th at the D dock shelter at 6:30 p.m., combined with a review session of the new rules for this year. Two practice races will be held on May 22 nd and 29 th. The first racing series starts June 5 th. Newport YC members are also welcome to attend the races on Wednesday evenings. In addition to the Wednesday races, we will also be racing with Newport on Tuesday evenings. (Please note that you must provide insurance information and also be a current paid member of FPYC). A fun race will be held after the Sailpast event, so make sure you come to the shelter on D dock to get instructions before you leave the dock. Please e-mail me if you intend to come out racing, and if you will be attending the BBQ on May 15th. Important Dates: May15th Rules Presentation and BBQ at D dock shelter 6:30 p.m. May 22 nd practice race 6:30 p.m. May 25 th fun race, after Sailpast. May 29 th practice race 6:30 p.m. Garry cooke fpyc.racing@gmail.com 20
Have you Registered for Sailpast yet? You must be registered to attend Call 905-681-6329 or email Alexis at asmitko@dundeewealth.com Today! 21
Meet your New Executive. Happy Spring everyone, my name is Darlene Mantel and I am the secretary for FPYC. My husband, Carl and I have been boating for 9 years at Fifty Point and we have been members of the yacht club for the last 8 years. We have owed three boats over the past nine years and our last purchase was a 30 foot Monterey in August of 2009.. After residing on D dock for a number of years, 2 years ago Feathers First made the move over to C dock, for a change of scenery. We have travelled to many places in Lake Ontario, Georgian Bay and the canal systems. We love to anchor overnight on the boat and have found that Georgian Bay is the perfect spot. The Trent and Rideau canal systems are very interesting and have many small towns to explore. The Trent canal however, was a bit of a blur for us. We left Fifty Point on a Saturday morning and we were in Georgian Bay early on Thursday afternoon. I don t recommend this quick transverse of the Trent, there were too many early mornings to catch the first lock of the day, and not very much relaxation time in the evening. Our goal on that trip was to move the boat up to Georgian Bay for our vacation, and fortunately that allowed us two weeks to spend in Georgian Bay. Being a member of the yacht club has allowed us to meet so many new people, some of which have become very dear friends to us. We enjoy all the social events and try to attend most of them. I look forward to the coming season and seeing many of you at the marina. 22
Fifty Point Shoreline Erosion Protection Project Significant erosion occurred along the shoreline west of the Marina entrance and an armor stone revetment was put in place this past March. Please follow the link to an HCA video on the Fifty Point Shoreline Erosion Protection Project. It s neat to see how it was completed! Shoreline Erosion Project 23
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