Volume 30 Blast 10 www.marinyachtclub.com October 2013 the Bugle other than to say, please follow the ballot instructions carefully, vote, and return the ballot as A View soon as you can to the office. From the Bridge Of particular concern to many at this time of year is our financial condition. I can happily report to you that we are basically OK as we wind up the year, but AC34 IS HISTORY NOW. that said, I also know that most of you are aware that we have had some heavy expenses such as the new clubhouse deck that have depleted much of our reserves in many areas. As we get into our budgetary process for the next year, we will need to address that, But WOW… wasn't that last race spectacular? Being a and I only share this with you to alert you to the fact former sailor, I took special interest and yes, I still that a modest increase in member provided revenues have a place in my heart for the mono-hulls, but going seems almost inevitable at this point. If you have beyond that, I think every American took some pride specific concerns, I hope you are aware that our in the fact that our team really rose to the task after financial statements and reports are available to any what seemed insurmountable odds and kept the trophy member. Please contact Ben or our Treasurer Chuck here. Stuckey if you would like a current copy for your review. We at Marin Yacht Club should be especially proud of our significant participation as members of the Yacht On a lighter note, please check the calendar for all the Club Alliance that worked so diligently over the many events, cruise-outs, and other fun things that are past months to help the event go as smoothly as it did. going on around the Club through the end of the year. It was quite a task, and I especially want to thank Staff If seems there is never a dull moment; and if you Commodores Ron Witzel and Noel Diefendorf, Vice haven't been participating in much, please make the Commodore Kathleen Barr, member Ned Barrett change and get involved. We have lots of new (although he wore two hats as a GGYC member) and a members to meet and lots to do. Come on down! litany of others for all their time and dedication. Please forgive me if I didn't specifically mention Inside you will find the details of so much that I just someone who was also a main contributor from MYC. mentioned. Please read this Bugle from cover to I know there were others. cover. It's our best way of communicating what's going on, and if you have something to contribute, We are winding down our fiscal year, and in a little don't hesitate to contact our editor, Holly Olsen. She over a month I will be passing on the virtual gavel at would be happy to work with you and get you in the Change of Watch meeting. Please mark your print. calendar for November 2 and attend this important event. It is a particularly important Board Meeting Have a great October! that involves the entire membership and will introduce to you our leaders of the Marin Yacht Club for next ! year. You will soon be receiving ballots in the mail to Mike Sale, Commodore elect Board Members, and there will be other information forthcoming, so I won't belabor it here in ! Autumn Highlights On Mark your Calendars! The House The deck is finished and in full use. What a difference adding a couple of feet makes. The deck seems so much bigger. It was put to good use last Sunday when the Hensleys and friends enjoyed an elegant brunch on the deck hosted by the Amundsens, Barrs, Purvises and Chuck Stucky and Donna Eng. Gil and Linda won the brunch at the Hot August Nights Event! Don’t forget that you can have burgers on the deck Saturday afternoons and watch the boats go by. Monday, Oct. 7: Cruise to Delta YC Friday, Oct. 11: Multi-Club Cruise to Tinsley Thursday, Oct. 17: Fuel Day Saturday, Oct. 26: Halloween Pet Parade & BBQ Sunday, Oct. 27: Angel Island Cruise & Picnic Sunday, Oct. 27: John Samuels Capt. Fast Race ! The House Committee and S/C Don Lesley are busy Monday, Oct. 28: Board Meeting at 5 PM working on the bathroom remodel. We apologize for the look of the floors at the moment, but it will be well Saturday, Nov. 2: CHANGE OF WATCH worth it when it is all done. Don and crew will be replacing lighting fixtures, painting and other work over Friday, Nov. 15: Cruise to Oakland Yacht Club the next few weeks. Then the contractor comes in on October 21 to complete the work installing new tile floors, new partitions and new counters. So by October 25 everything should be completed. Paul Descalco has been busy patching walls following the duct repair work. There is no way to thank him enough! continued on next page On the House continued Cruise What about that America's Cup? The comeback by Oracle Team USA was simply amazing and is going News down in history as the biggest comeback in sports. Thanks go to Ben who opened the bar and hosted a "Indian" Summer and Fall very last minute get together to watch the final and months can be terrific for Cruising. The weather winning race. There were quite a few MYCers who is cooler and sunrises and showed up to cheer on USA. What a race especially sunsets are terrific. Enjoy! since Oracle did some major repair to the wing gluing on patches just minutes before the start. That had to be some pretty strong glue. And what about our own S/C Ron Witzel who commuted over to the City to work all If you're not a member of USPS, you should be. Besides fabulous classes on all aspects of boating, but 3 of the challenger and final races as a Marshal! "Compass," its monthly publication is well worth the nominal membership cost; in it, you'll find most in- S/C Ron Witzel, S/C Noel Diefendorf, and I attended teresting and helpful articles. the recent BAYCA meeting. GGYC Commodore Norbert Bajuin, Vice Commodore Tom Ehman, and For instance, in the "Boating with Pets" article from Prinicipal Race Officer John Craig were there to give April, some of the suggestions are: us an update on the planning for the 35th America's Pets aboard should have proper I.D. tags (human Cup which will most likely take place in 2017 due to contact information, boat name, land address, boat slip the 2016 Summer Olympics. address, telephone numbers (land line and cell) GGYC is pleased that Australia's Hamilton Island Your pet should wear a sturdy and fitted life jacket/ Yacht Club is the challenger of record. Everyone wants PFD (handles at the top makes it easier to grab and to come back to San Francisco for the next Cup races, retrieve if your pet goes overboard) but it is dependent on the City of San Francisco. Most pets get excited, especially to get onto land to The City has 90 days to either say yes or decline. sniff and do their business, so basic obedience Should the City decline, the venue could then be commands are helpful (stay, sit, wait, etc). anywhere in the world. So we, the boating community, have been asked to put pressure on the City by writing Carry plenty of plastic "poop" bags as you will want to letters to the editor and to the Board of Supervisors. It clean up after your pet. is undisputed that San Francisco Bay is the best venue for the race. It is one of the few locations in the world Make sure traction on your deck is good (if not put where the Cup racing could be held and could be down some throw rugs or outdoor carpet with non-slip watched from shore, allowing the average person to backing). participate. Make sure pets are provided with plenty of water and During the last week of racing, it was wall to wall shade. people along the City Front watching the Cup. Other issues being addressed by ACEA and GGYC, along In another article, "Survival Strategy" from with Hamilton Island YC, include attracting more February'March, they suggest: competitors and nationality rules. Wear a lifejacket/PFD, file a float plan, mark your gear (everything with your name, boat name, boat Kathleen Barr, Vice Commodore ! permanent address), have proper safety equipment (flares, whistles, horn, mirror, fire extinguisher, VHF radio, cell phone, etc.) and know your boat, its proper operation, and what you are doing (USPS and the Coast Guard Auxiliary offer low to no cost boating and what you are doing (USPS and the Coast Guard Auxiliary offer great no to courses.) low cost boating courses). continued on next page Cruise News continued On to our Cruises/Cruising. This year's Blue Water Cruise had to be cancelled. We had a good bunch of folks signed up and ready to go. But then, business and health conflicts occurred for each and forced cancellation. Maybe next year with the Wambachs. I hear Tomales Bay is lovely in the late Spring. With the America's Cup races in the Bay, I am glad I took the suggestion of the Angel Island Rangers and postponed our annual Picnic Cruise.