April 2008

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Santa Cruz Port Visit Schedule is delayed!

My, my, how quickly things can change when The yacht Western Australia, the first to be one deals with racing yachts and pre-set schedules! As dismasted, has been with a jury rig with 2,400 Colin DeMowbrey, the Operations Manager for the miles to go to Hawaii. After a refueling stop at Mid- Clipper Ventures organization put it so well, “trans-ocean way Island, they had more bad luck when a line racing is about a destination, not a schedule.” wrapped on their propeller, damaging her gearbox. Here is the current situation, as of 3-24-08, as They returned to Midway under jury rig, and new parts we know it. Nine of the 10 yachts have arrived in were flown in and repairs have been made. Western Hawaii for a scheduled pit stop before departing for Australia is underway to Hawaii once again, with Santa Cruz. Two of the 10 yachts have been dismasted arrival expected on or about March 30. The new on the race from Qindao, China, to Honolulu. Fortu- masts are expected to arrive in Hawaii about the same nately, no injuries were sustained on either of the yachts. time. With the second dismasting, the Race Officer shortened Clipper Ventures has announced that all of the the course and instructed the skippers to proceed with above will result in a delay of 8 – 10 days for the start caution to Honolulu. Two new masts have been ordered of the race to Santa Cruz. To make up the time lost, and are being readied for shipment to Hawaii. All of the they are planning a shortened port stop in Santa Cruz yachts will be fitted with new rigging parts to address the and again in Jamaica, so that by the time they arrive in suspected cause of the rig failures. New York, they will be back on schedule. APRIL 2008 SANTA CRUZ YACHT CLUB SPINNAKER SHEET

So how does that impact the planning for the Santa Cruz port stop? Well, plans have been scaled back to meet the current situation. We will tentatively hold a reception at the SCYC on a date to be an- nounced once the fleet is underway from Hawaii and Clipper Ventures releases a new schedule. The Commodore’s Yacht Club Challenge using 6 of the Clipper Yachts has been understandably withdrawn. We still plan to meet and escort each of the arriving yachts to port, and to offer some food service for breakfasts and lunches. There will likely be limited opportunities for touring the yachts, as the crews will be busy with maintenance and provisioning for the next race to Panama. Also, the start of the race to Panama On March 29th, the Champion of Champion’s will be a good opportunity for spectators, both on-the- Regatta will be held here at the Club and I think we’ll water and along West Cliff Drive. have a pretty good turn out. Our Committee continues to plan for this event On March 30th, Jim Skinner will be in charge and we are very grateful to the members who have of our annual Spring Work Day. He’s got a big, long list donated and have volunteered to assist. More dona- and I’m hoping a lot of you will show up to lend a tions would be appreciated, and as our plans are firmed hand. Otherwise, I’m going to be here all day…… up, we’ll announce volunteer opportunities for those Hopefully, with all the help, we’ll get our “chores” who have offered to help. Check out www.scyc.org finished up. Many BIG thanks to Jim for doing an for periodic updates as they become available. outstanding job! Many thanks to the Committee and all who I also want to mention some changes ahead have worked on this unique event! for the Clipper Round the World Race in April- At this time, we know there will be some necessary repairs Bob DeWitt which will delay their visit here. So, the best we can SCYC Clipper RTW Committee offer is to have you follow the updates on our Website and their site: Clipperroundtheworld.com Happy Spring to all of you. I look forward to Vice Commodore Report seeing you at the Club.

Hello All. Well, here we are leaving March and Lena Parker entering into April 2008. We started the month by Vice Commodore having a very well attended Racing Rules Class on March 5th. It was lead by John Siegel and Mike Rear Commodore Report (Social) Gross. Thank you Gentlemen, for your time and effort because we definitely cleared up a few issues. Let’s see, we left off last month with the hope Our Wednesday Night Races and BBQ st resumed on March 12th and we had a packed house. that lots of sailors would join us for the March 1 Potluck. Well, no one was disappointed; the club was The food was great and everyone had good time even humming with conversations and the homemade dishes though the wind was light. Our Sunday night dinner on March 16th was were gourmet. We didn’t get a tight count, but there were about 40 very satisfied members. “When is the replaced by a St. Patty’s Day Dinner (one day early). We had a big crowd and the food was excellent. Thank next potluck?” Keep reading. On Sunday, March 16th we celebrated St. you Steve and Ann Niemann for taking care of the Patrick’s Day with what everyone (56) agreed was a decorations. We held an Easter Day Brunch on the 23rd and I’m sure Steve will talk more about that in his delicious traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage meal prepared by KISS Catering. The event was well article. attended and very successful, no blarney! On Sunday March 23rd the club had our annual Easter Brunch and

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Egg Hunt for the kids. KISS catering provided a scrumptious brunch buffet, and of course Holly Schipper and gang did their magic for all the children. Every one of them had a great time. Thanks Holly, for another great repeat performance. And thanks to Ann Niemann for the very nice St. Patrick’s Day and Easter Brunch decorations. It gave both events that special touch. Reviving potlucks has been very successful. We received some great suggestions for other potlucks: add a jam session, show a movie on the big screen, have 6:00 pm. If you are musically inclined, bring an instru- themes for the food, bring games to play, etc. So, we ment and join other sailors in the jam session. If you’re a have scheduled a musical potluck for Saturday, April music lover, you will love this event. We plan to incorpo- 26th. (Salmon Feed is canceled, no season this year!) rate other ideas in future events. Please bring a dish to share; we will start the food at

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Thanks to all of you for your feedback on the catering questionnaire. Over 45 members participated and we had a very positive response from KISS. They made changes to the menu and the food prepping, and costs are down about 20%. To make this a win-win for both the catering and the SCYC we have to attend Friday and Sunday night dinners. Scott and Sandy have stepped up to the plate, (so to speak), so let’s do our part, see you at dinner. KISS has asked to keep the information flowing, so I would appreciate feedback, which will continue to enhance your dining experience. (Steve Niemann 706-7579) ([email protected]) We anticipate some spectacular sailing in May, so I’ll see you at the raft-ups, races, cruises, dock parties, and Mother’s Day brunch on May 11th.

Steve Niemann Rear Commodore

Texas Style BBQ

Calling all Cowboys and Cowgirls, to a real western barbeque served Texas style. Even though the Clipper Ships have been delayed, Chefs Ron House Scuttlebutt Sabattis and Tom Webster decided to go ahead with the dinner that was planned for Saturday, April We have installed a new solar flag pole light and 12, 2008. The club will put on its western face; so now can display the American Flag 24/7. Special thanks if you’ve got western gear, wear it. If you’re itching to Bill White for helping repair the Club front door hinges. for some real cowboy grub, head for the Club at The new fireplace insert should be installed by the time 5:30pm for no host cocktails with dinner to follow at you read this. And thanks to all who participated on 6:30pm. The cost is $15.00 per person, reserva- Workday. tions requested (831-425-0690 or [email protected]). Here is the menu: Jim Skinner House Chairman Jalapeno Corn Bread Barbequed Ribs with Chipotle Pepper Sauce Grilled Lemon and Cilantro Chicken Country Potato Salad Cowboy Beans Granny Smith Apple Slaw Strawberry Shortcake with Black Pepper Biscuits and Whipped Cream

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Check The Weather at OSO

Interested in weather conditions at the Santa Cruz Harbor mouth? One of O’Neill Sea Odyssey’s learning tools is also a practical tool for boaters. Just go to www.oneillseaodyssey.org, click on “Weather Conditions”.

Upcoming SCYC Room at the Welcome to the 2007 regatta season. This Events Calendar season looks to be exciting and I hope all old and new racers will take part in our regatta season. Thanks to all who participated in the 2007 – Texas-Style BBQ 2008 midwinters.....it was a good season.. Thanks to April 12 our new PRO Fred Molnar and crew for their race committee work. Mike Gross trained some new volunteers for the whaler and I hope they will be Spring One Design #1 participating in our regattas this year. April 12 John Siegel and Mike Gross put on a great rules seminar. Send me an email if you would like to see more of these ([email protected]). Commodore’s Regatta Our season will start off with one-design series April 13 on April 12, 2008. Barbara Booth and Rick Linkemyer will be our PRO for the event. On April 13, 2008 we will have the Commodore Regatta. NorCal Open/ Rob Schuyler will be the PRO for our Spring April 19, 20 SCORE series. This is his first time as PRO and he is already studying up and has put together a great Potluck volunteer list. The first race is April 27, 2008. Let’s all April 26 505/A Cat Spring Open April 26, 27 Spring SCORE #1 April 27

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(Onward gets a new bottom, photo courtesy of Jim Skinner) StFYC spring dinghy regatta in the , be positive and provide him with all the support we Domenic Bove was fifth, Mike Holt / Bruce can. Edwards were third in the 505’s, Paul Allen was I am asking all racers to try and enter their second in the 505’s, Aaron Ross was ninth, Peter boats prior to race day. Early entry helps the PRO Phelan was 5th in Laser, Max Fraser and David organize the race and provides quicker results on the Liebenberg won the division. One of our new first day. So let’s all get our entries in early. members Zhenya Kirueshkin Stepanoff finished first Congratulations to Ben Lezin who won the in the class. Thanks to Joy Siegel for alerting me to all of the SCYC sailors who participated in the StFYC spring dinghy. If you know of additional SCYC participants (sorry if I missed any one) please send an email to [email protected] Also, please let me know of other SCYC members participating in out of town regattas for future articles. It’s nice to know SCYC sailors still provide a strong showing at these out of town events. US sailing is in the process of considering requiring US Sailing membership for all racing sailboat owners and skippers. The US Sailing board will be making a decision in June. See the US Sailing web site for additional information.

John Buchanan SCYC regatta Chair 408-799-4178 [email protected]

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Elkhorn Yacht Club Racing

May 2nd: first race of the Otter Cup, a new race off Moss Landing held over 5 consecutive Friday evenings, sponsored by UKSailmakers. Launch ramps are available.

July 5th: Boreas race

August 2 - 3: PHRF race

September 6th: Double Angle race news, you can always sign-up to be on the cruise e- mail list by contacting the Cruise Chairs Dave and Nancy Dias at nancdar (at) sbcglobal (dot) net. Cruising Comittee We hope you will make plans to join us this year, and we look forward to seeing you.

On Sunday, March 9th there was a great turn Dave and Nancy Dias out for the cruise-planning meeting on a beautiful sunny Cruise Chairs day on the Club deck. Thank you to all who attended, and to those of you who volunteered to host a club Membership cruise activity. We have a full and festive schedule this year, which you can find as an insert in this month’s This year your club has many great activities Spinnaker Sheet. We’ve planned cruises around the planned which is a great way to invite your friends and bay, raft-up’s at Cowell’s, 4 dock parties and the 2nd annual party (arghh!!). If you’ve never been to fellow boaters to join in the fun. We’re looking to increase our membership and look to each of you to a SCYC cruise activity, you’re missing out on a lot of identify those new members. fun. Also, it’s a great way for new and seasoned As your club grows, so do the opportunities to members alike to make new friends, or reconnect with host more world class events and increase the activi- old ones. Coming up in May we have two fun gather- ings planned. First, there will be the Spring Raft-up at ties around the club. Please provide me with your suggestion on how to increase our membership. Cowell’s Cove on Saturday, May 10th, and then a Thank you for all your continued support and “Margaritaville” theme dock party on Saturday, May we’ll see you on the water or around the club. 24th. Look for details in the May Spinnaker Sheet. Make sure you also check the cruising bulletin board for sign-up sheets and cruise updates. Of course if Michael Wood you would like to be in on the latest SCYC cruise Membership Chairman Caring for Your Engine from the Inside

For the last few years Matthew Coale and others have been kind enough to point out to me that my engine has been excessively steaming and the exhaust has not been putting out a lot of water. Having just replaced the entire water pump just five years ago, I thought there was no way the water pump impeller could need replacing already. The sea strainer was clear, the through hull clean and the intake hoses all checked out fine.

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My denial would not allow me to even imagine that the engine block could be getting clogged with rust and salt. Searching for answers that were less expen- sive than disassembling the motor and cleaning the engine block, I went to Aquarius Boatworks to see if they had the correct water pump impeller for my engine. They had it in stock, but Dave Kendig asked me how long ago I had run fresh water through my engine. I had done it, but it was probably more than five years ago. Dave suggested that this should be an annual event. He went further to suggest that I run muriatic as the surface water started “steaming” and the vapors acid through the block to loosen the rust and salt appeared to be quite toxic, which they are. You must be deposits that naturally occur with a raw water cooling very careful and SLOWLY add the acid to the water— system. Muriatic is another name for hydrochloric no splashing! acid and is commonly found in gallon containers at The first thing I noticed was that my 5-gallon local hardware stores. bucket immediately emptied itself. Something had Thinking this was a great idea, I went down to changed—either the flow from the dock hose had the boat to run fresh water through the engine and to gotten weaker or the demand from the engine had flush the engine block with muriatic acid. Here is the grown stronger. process that I followed; first I disconnected the salt I increased the fresh water supply to keep up water intake hose from the though hull and lengthened with the engine’s cooling water demand. When the it with a plastic coupler and another piece of ordinary bucket was full again I repeated the process of care- garden hose. I then put the end of the hose into a 5- fully adding a quart of acid to the cooling water. This gallon bucket that was being fed with fresh water from time I went out on deck to observe the exhaust water. the dock hose. To my wonder and amazement the exhaust water that After starting the engine I checked to be sure came out was the color of chocolate with small flakes that the water pump was drawing the fresh water of crud in it that resembled iron! though the engine. Running the engine in gear gets it The next time I put my hand over the intake warmed up quickly—it’ll take a few minutes to adjust hose it sucked so hard that I had to strain to get it back. the dock hose flow to match the demand at speed. The water in the 5-gallon bucket was being emptied at The intake hose was barely drawing any noticeable a faster pace than ever before. suction when I placed my hand over it in the bucket. I Currently, my little Yanmar 2GM-20 is running knew the water pump had a good impeller since I had cool and seems happier than ever. I do not have an changed it just before beginning this project. engine temperature gauge, but I can now put my hand After the engine was good and warm from 20 on the cylinder head, and keep it there, even after the minutes of running at cruising speed RPM in gear, I engine has warmed up. In addition, the exhaust carefully poured about a quart of the muriatic acid into manifold pipe that exits the engine now runs cool to the the full 5-gallon bucket. I knew this acid was strong touch and the engine, of course, is through-putting much more water. The steam, common to a clogged engine block, is also gone. This is by far the most satisfying project I have done in a long time and it will give some “new life” to my 24-year old Yanmar engine, I’m sure. The next time Matthew Coale hails me in the channel after the Wednesday Night Race I’m sure it’ll be to remind me that my fenders are still hanging over the side or that my dock lines or spinnaker sheets are dragging in the water…

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Tips

If you try this on your own boat, please consider the following points:

• Change the water pump impeller annually and inspect the entire salt water intake system first from the through-hull to the strainer and on to the hose going to the water pump • Allow at least two to three hours of your time to let the engine fully warm up and to flush it thor- oughly with fresh water and to run the acid solution through it at least two or three times boaters’ interests when restrictions are considered to • Never run a diesel engine at high speeds in eliminate the boaters use of selected waterways. neutral—always put it in gear and run it at ¾ throttle Thank again for your support and congratula- or under, making sure your dock lines will handle the tions to Bob Warfield. strain for a few hours • Muriatic (hydrochloric) acid is very strong— Doug Hipsley pour it slowly and wear gloves and eye protection, use only in a well ventilated area—leave the cabin if you can smell the fumes • Do not walk away from the boat with the engine drawing water from the dock hose—a pressure drop from the fresh water supply can cause the engine to run dry, or the hose could slip out of the bucket— running the engine dry could be the kiss of death

Niels Kisling

Recreational Boaters of California

Congratulations to Bob Warfield for winning two free dinners at the Santa Cruz YC for supporting Recre- ational Boaters of California (RBOC). Again I would like to thank all SCYC members for their contributions in support of the future of all recreational boaters in Cali- (Bob Warfield, shown with rear view , fornia. out for a row, photo courtesy of Jim Skinner) Earlier this month the Directors of Recreational Boaters of California (RBOC) and their Legal Advo- cates were in Sacramento representing the interests of recreational boating in California. RBOC has represented their interests before state, regional, and local govern- ments since 1968. The only way we can continue repre- senting your interests is by contributions from the boat- ing public. Some key issues in 2008 are: participating in the resolution of invasive species in our waterways, oppos- ing a Federal Boaters Permit, supporting a California Vessel Operator Certification, support removing aban- doned vessels from waterways, and representing the

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Scholastic Sailing News

The Santa Cruz High School sailing team attended the Gaucho Regatta in Santa Barbara on March 15-16, 2008. Although the regatta was curtailed by high winds, the Santa Cruz “A” team of Mark Hamlin and Ellen Mintz achieved a personal best, placing fourth in one of the Silver Fleet races (out of 24 boats).

Alan Allwardt

Host Families Needed

Once again the Santa Cruz Yacht Club will have three interns from the French Polytechnique school of Engineering, Paris France. We are looking for three host families who live within biking distance of the Club. Each intern will stay four weeks and requires room and board (minimal board). Past host families have really enjoyed the experi- ences, the different culture and have found it ex- tremely rewarding. One family actually traveled back to France to stay with them and went on to sail in the Med. The following are their names and the time periods they will be here: (Santa Cruz High School sailors (l to r) Mark Hamlin, Carole Harris-Barnett, Ellen Mintz, and Name Arrives Leaves Makai Velzy launch a CFJ at the Gaucho Regatta in Benjamin Samson July 15 August 11 Santa Barbara March 15-16) Landry Fokoua July 28 August 25 Laurent Sifre August 11 September 8 For more photos go to: http://markhamlin.net/ index.php?page=picture&album=Gaucho%20Regatta%202008 If this sounds interesting to you or you would like more info please contact Greg at 831-425-0690 or e-mail [email protected].

Back in the old days…

Back in the old days, I worked at O’Neill’s Yacht Center. O’Neill’s was a boat brokerage, Hobie Cat Dealer and marine hardware store with clothing, sunglasses and beach accessories. The store was located in the east end of the O’Neill building, right next to O’Neill’s Dive Shop. Life was good working on the beach for one-eyed Jack. During the summer months, many families would sail their boats down from the San Francisco Bay and get their butts kicked between Año 10 APRIL 2008 SANTA CRUZ YACHT CLUB SPINNAKER SHEET

number of times that I’d tie up at MBYC with a grumpy, sun burnt, beat-up delivery crew after slam- ming around Point Conception and Ransom, at almost any hour, would appear at the guest dock with a key to the club for hot showers and a trip (or three) to the yacht club’s honor bar. The honor bar did not check ID’s. The first big boat that I was involved with was one called Sally. She was a 58-foot, Ten Meter fractional sloop, built in 1927 at Abeking and Rasmussen in Germany. Donn Campion bought her and I was on the initial delivery crew from Marina Del Nuevo and Davenport. They would often show up at Rey to Santa Cruz in 1981. We were six altogether; the store on Sunday mornings, extremely humbled and Jim Wallace (captain), Steve Leddy, Yarrow Smith, sometimes still shaken, asking if we knew anyone who John Salse, Roger Spencer and me. could take their boat back to the bay. I was always that Sally weighed about 40,000 #’s, had an 80 foot guy. spruce mast with critical running backstays-(backstays For $100.00 wages plus bus fare home I would that had to be on unless you’d lose the rig)-and a tiny 27 do the job. The smallest boat I remember sailing north horse power diesel motor to push her under power. was an O’Day 27, the biggest at that time was a Her hull was painted “Pond’s cold cream green”, a Ranger 33. We sold Ranger Yachts and I delivered nine color that was called “Sally Green” in the Z-Spar Ranger 33’s to the San Francisco Bay for O’Neill’s product line for several decades. The hull color was brokerage. said to have been chosen by the disinterested wife of a My tenure at The Yacht Center began because former owner as she sat in the cockpit beautifying of my dad. He hinted for a few months that summer herself. was coming, I was 16, and that I should have a summer Late one August Bobbo Larson came into job. Dishwashing did not pan out for me and after a O’Neill’s and asked me if I could deliver a boat to San few minutes of soul searching I decided that since I Francisco. He worked for Bill Lee Yachts and they liked sailing, I should become a sailing teacher. It would needed the very first Santa Cruz 40 taken to the city. involve sailing, and it would probably be easy money. We were racing Sally from San Francisco to Santa So I finally got up the courage to go ask for a job. Bill Cruz in The Windjammer that weekend so this turned McMurray and John Hauck ran the store and I knew out to be a very cool way to get to the city. The boat Bill from sailing with the UCSC program in high school had a nickname-Bobbo called her Repo. PE class. He told me that there were no sailing instruc- Santa Cruz 40, Hull Number 1, was ordered by tor positions available, but they needed a kid to work a guy who repossessed cars for a living. He had behind the hardware counter. I was afraid to go tell my trouble coming up with several of the scheduled pay- dad that I didn’t have a job so I reluctantly agreed to work as a store guy. The sailing instructor jobs were held by a couple of middle aged brothers; Ransom and Ernie Rideout. I knew them from the yacht club, but never spent much time with them. Ernie taught me about the tides that run so fast around the Golden Gate Bridge and where to look for reverse eddies if you were caught entering the bay on the wrong tide. He also told me about the almost daily occurrence of the afternoon summer easterly in Santa Cruz-I thought it was purely coinci- dence since I didn’t quite have it figured out back then. Later in life, Ransom would become my “back stage pass” to the Morro Bay Yacht Club in Morro Bay where he and his wife settled. I cannot count the 11 APRIL 2008 SANTA CRUZ YACHT CLUB SPINNAKER SHEET

spinnakers and started passing us. Around Pt. Montara though, it appeared that we were actually catching up. The whole crew was very excited and proud of the great sailing we were doing, until we realized that the boats ahead of us were in the Montara Hole and that we were the next victims. There we sat, totally humbled, slatting our sails and slamming our transom for an hour until the northwesterly finally filled in. With 14 feet of stern overhang, Sally made a horrific noise when she’d hobby horse in the swell and slap the water with her transom. It turned out to be a very long sail for us. In ments for the boat while it was being built. Complete pea soup fog, we finally found the harbor with the help with a keg, a band and a party-all paid for by the new of our depth sounder and my AquaMeter 705 RDF owner-Santa Cruz Yachts launched the boat at Harbor (radio direction finder). GPS did not exist in those days Marine. During the party Bobbo sat the owner down (for recreational sailors at least) and Sat Nav was just and asked him when they could expect the last monies replacing Loran C, but it was still very new and expen- owed on the boat. The guy responded by telling Bobbo sive. The west harbor jetty had a radio beacon on it that he was broke and that his next “scheduled pay- and we used that and the signal of the KSCO radio ments” would be going to the IRS to pay his back towers to find our way home. We took our own finish taxes. He never took possession of the boat and it time at the end of the wharf and got in at around three became Repo until Bill Lee Yachts sold the boat to in the morning, long after the ultra lights were put away someone else. for the night and the last beer and chili had been served The delivery went well and we arrived at The at the yacht club. St. Francis Yacht Club early in the morning in time to Some things were different back then, but join our crew on Sally for the start of The Windjammer sailing was still tons of fun around here back in the old later that day. days! Sally was extremely heavy, but in the right conditions she was very fast going to weather. Being Niels Kisling an old meter boat, she had at least 25 feet of combined SCYC Historian overhang. This overhang, in meter boat fashion, became waterline when she heeled over. Shortly after Traveling with Aquarelle the start of the race we were forced to tack over to port by slower traffic ahead of us. I went to the bow to Hello from sunny and green Dominica. We left watch for traffic that was still on starboard and soon St. Pierre, Martinique in the morning following three or realized the we could cross ahead of all the other boats four other boats which had left earlier. It was not too including Merlin, a couple of Santa Cruz 50’s and in the anchorage, but it was forecast to be windy several other big boats from the bay area. If we really again, but less than the next two or three days so we could port-tack the fleet we’d be golden all the way out went for it. The winds are stronger between islands the gate. It was going to be close. I thought we could because the wind has been blowing for hundreds of make it and started yelling wildly over and over, prob- miles across the Atlantic, building up waves and swells. ably 50 times, “Hold your course, you got it, go for it!!!” The winds get compressed at the heads of the islands Donn Campion was at the helm and I could see the and let up as we get farther along. The winds were nervous anticipation in his eyes. After all, I’d been up blowing 25 to 35 knots and it was quite rough and after most of the night before taking “Repo” north. Appar- an hour or so we saw one of the boats that left ahead ently Donn trusted me, went for it and luckily we did of us coming back. Soon we saw two more returning. make it. It was a proud moment in Sally’s history as We had to decide right there if we wanted to turn back, the entire fleet followed her out the gate that day. also. We knew that the winds and swells would be less As soon as everyone cleared Pt Lobos and in the middle so we kept going. It was too rough for the Seal Rocks the lighter, faster boats turned left, set their autopilot to handle so we (mostly Terry) hand steered 12 APRIL 2008 SANTA CRUZ YACHT CLUB SPINNAKER SHEET the whole way. At least there wasn’t much rain and it ago. One boat had sighted the group and said that they was nice to have more sun on us. I was a bit worried saw two calves. The other boat was going to meet at first but it went very well. If we had waited it may them. There is a center here with a mounted skeleton have been several days before the next weather and many charts, telling about the whales, that are quite window to go. We planned to stop in Dominica just for well done. the night but the forecast was for strong conditions While still in St. Lucia and at the dock, there continuing until a lessening on Monday the 11th. We was a contingent of about 100 Taiwanese including the have sat here and watched as several boats have left Taiwan president who were visiting. Three of the huge the last two mornings and had to return because it was tourist loaded them all up for a boat trip to too rough. Terry took the dinghy into town this morning Marigot Bay and then to Soufriere to see the Pitons. and stopped to talk to one of the boats that had turned We could see journalists with microphones and video back. They are a couple our age who have cruised the cameras panning the marina. They were reporting to Caribbean many years and say that they have never the media in Taiwan. As we sat and watched, one seen the “Christmas winds” continue unabated for so reporter and his video man filmed us and then came long. We are going over to their boat to have a sunset down a few slips to our boat and interviewed us. They drink soon. They are from Jersey in England, Tony and asked if they could come aboard and, as the young Rosie. Not sure of the boat’s name but it is a pretty reporter came up out of our boat, talking on the micro- light blue older Hinckley yawl in nice condition. phone to the cameraman we were asked to wave to the There are a few chartered boats here who may camera. So, we may have been on Taiwan Television! have felt that they had to go across the channels to turn China and Taiwan have both put a lot of development their boats in on Sunday. We were speculating that money into the island. The past government favored the some may call the charter company and say come get Chinese, it seems, and since the elections and the the boat, we’re flying home from here. We have change of government last year, China’s favor has been decided that if the winds don’t lighten up enough on replaced by favor for the Taiwanese. Both countries Monday we will wait it out and perhaps not even go up have given much money to soccer stadiums and to the Saintes this time. infrastructure. We heard a story that when a soccer While we are here we took a tour up to stadium built by China was dedicated, the local band Trafalgar falls, twin falls up in the mountains that supply played the Taiwan national anthem, which understand- two hydroelectric plants. We hiked up to some warm ably upset the Chinese officials. baths below the falls and had a short soak while our guide Kelvin held our bags. The foliage is so lush in Les Saintes the rain forest. We saw many plants growing wild that are considered houseplants at home. Diving is a big These are small islands belonging to activity here and there is also a boat that goes out Guadeloupe which is French. We had a windy trip here whale watching almost daily. There is a resident pod of and arrived in Bourge d’Saintes on the island of Terre Sperm whales with calves up the island a bit. A British de Haut in the afternoon. This is a very quaint island couple who study the whales are here much of the year with lots of gingerbread on the houses, cute gardens, and they have hydrophones on the boats to locate the dormers, shutters with colored painted Z shaped whales. Terry heard them talking on the radio a while supports and colored diamond shapes on the doors. Many houses seem to be a hundred years old with no paint and rusted roofs and then next door will be a beautiful cottage. Because the dollar is so weak against the Euro we are finding things quite expensive. The cruising guide will say there are many inexpensive and good restaurants to choose from, but then if we take the 15-30 Euro prices times 1.5 to realize the price in dollars it causes us to think twice before eating out. We get fresh baguettes and maybe a pastry in the morning and Tuesday we had an angoulou hamburger. The angoulou is a bun 7-8 inches in diameter and not too

13 APRIL 2008 SANTA CRUZ YACHT CLUB SPINNAKER SHEET thick. They cooked a thin but wide hamburger patty and We will then go back to St. Lucia for a few put all of the American condiments on it. Then they days to see boat friends, local friends and friends from piled the French fries and lettuce on top of the burger England who live in their condo several months of the and put it all inside the bun. It was good but huge, so we year. We will be there in time for the Independence split one. The public toilettes cost money, too. One was Day Regatta. I am working on a surf themed painting called the Chalet de Neccesite! People are friendly and for a label for the winery in Malibu who has licensed many speak some English. We also have our book two of my other images. I should be able to have it French for Cruisers, which is indispensible. scanned while we are in St. Lucia then I can have the We checked in at the police station when we file emailed instead of waiting until April to deal with it. arrived. The French islands are relaxed about customs Until April! and immigration and don’t even want to see the boat papers. Terry filled out the form at the police station Evelyn and Terry and they faxed it to Guadeloupe and we came back S/V Aquarelle later for our copy. In Dominica we checked in at an internet cafe where Terry was able to just fill in a form Manager’s Report on the internet and we were good for two weeks with no need for checkout. Very convenient! St. Lucia is still The Santa Cruz Yacht Club Roster & Handbook very formal about the whole procedure. for 2008-009 is in progress and should be delivered to We have walked up to the Fort de Napoleon your front door in May. If you have a new boat, e-mail which is now a nicely maintained museum and garden. address, phone number etc. please let me know before it We have walked to the airport and taken different goes to print. Remember the next one won’t be out till streets each day. I’ve taken lots of pictures of houses May 2009. Thanks in advance to Darin Dillehay for and scenes but the streets are very narrow. Often I once again assisting me with the production. can’t get back far enough to get the whole house in one I can’t mention everyone who volunteers their shot. One large concrete house looks like a small ship time because I would fill up all the pages, but I would like sticking out of the hill and happens to be a doctor’s to acknowledge certain people from time to time. Jim house and office. It even has an anchor chain hanging Skinner has been doing an outstanding job as House down from the bow. Chairman and everyone benefits from his hard work. Until recently there was only very slow internet Ron Merrall, your Spinnaker Sheet Editor, is another dial up here. Now we can get very slow wifi, which is one of those members who donates his time to ensure the unreliable and the speed varies from 1 to 11 mbps at the words on these pages are correct. The social committee best. Sometimes I reply to an email and can’t get it to duo of Ann & Steve Niemann have done an incredible send. At least we don’t have to take the computer in by job and there are no signs of them slowing down. And wet dinghy ride. finally, Ernie Rideout who is hard at work updating all The wind is still blustery, 25-35 knots and the the names on the Membership board near the bar. Thank seas are rolly. We have re-anchored everyday as have you all. many other boats and still the wind and swells are The Club’s plans for the Clipper Round the World substantial. There have been some mega power yachts Race have been limited due to the shortened time they every day. Many people are here to wind surf, surf plan on staying in port, but don’t let that stop you from and sail Hobie Cats so they must be ecstatic about the coming down to see these incredible yachts. Thanks to wind. The weather forecasts say that there may be a the committee, headed by Bob DeWitt, there should be lessening on Sunday and Tuesday so we will sail back plenty of activities planned so keep an eye out for e-mails Tuesday to Dominica if it looks good. We will spend the with breaking news. night and head for Martinique where we have oven Speaking of e-mails. Chris Doutre has been parts to pick up and some small giclee prints that I left doing a tremendous job keeping the membership informed with a friend who owns a cute restaurant in Sainte via e-mail of the happenings around the Club. Thanks Anne. She doesn’t seem to have much business so I Chris! will be surprised if she has sold any art. Her name is Texas-Style BBQ, yummy. That’s all for now. Marys and she is a friend of Marsha and Bob on Crusader. Greg Haws Club Manager 14