…a little

Gold Country Club monthly Newsletter Call for more info: 530-273-5911 March 2012

Volume 34, Issue 03 From The Commodore

Winter has finally arrived and there has been spotted at the lake. Overall, it feels like spring occurred throughout early winter and winter in the spring. This month I was Regular Columns: able to travel to New York City for an educator’s conference. Of course in my travels I was looking to find some nautical sights on the eastern seaboard. While on a ferry trip to Ellis and Staten Island our guide told us that the Hudson River usually freezes a few • From the times through the winter months. This year it hadn’t frozen at all! Commodore Throughout the trip I had many views of the Atlantic Ocean, Hudson River and Long • Minutes 2 Island Sound. I was amazed at the beautiful wide open space for however there wasn’t a single recreational out on the water, even with a daytime temperature of • Membership 3 nearly 50 degrees and sunny skies. Along the East River there is the South Street Seaport where you can find the American National Maritime Museum and the largest • Club Notices 3 fleet of privately owned in the country including the Peking, a 1911, four-masted barqueBarque ,and and Wavertree, Wavertree, an an 1885, 1885, fully fully rigged rigged • Trivia 3 cargo (Seen in the picture on the left). Along the Hudson River I stopped at Chelsea • Events 4 Pier and saw the place where the Titanic was

supposed to dock after its voyage from • Classifieds 8 Queenstown (below).

There were a few at the pier however I was most intrigued by a man who had brought a paddle wheel boat up the Atlantic coast. The boat was commissioned in 1982 anandd has been up and down numerous Individual river tracks. Highlights:

Throughout the month of March the GCYC we will 2012 Regattas 4 be gearing in hopes of Racing Trophy getting us on the water at History Help 4 Scott’s Flat in April. Our club Board of DirecDirectorstors has Havasu Pocket Cruisers 5 been working on changes to the regatta registration Conch Key form, planning the Youth 6 Sailing program, reviewing

2012 Calendar 9 the insurance policies and planning for the Catalina nationals. Over the next month, we will be busy finalizing plans and then the club can hit the water ready for the active summer months.

Anchors Aweigh, Christopher Buti s/v Nauti I,

At Our Helm …a little dinghy Page 2 of 9

Commodore Chris Buti 530-273-5911 February 2012 General Meeting Minutes [email protected]

Vice Commodore Commodore Chris Buti called the meeting to order at 19:01. Don Hare 916-774-6610 The club is planning on improving the Youth Sailing Program by acquiring some [email protected] double-sail and teaching an intermediate class. Please keep your eyes open for boats that the club can acquire to help fulfill this need. We will need to make room at Secretary the clubhouse for additional boats. Janis Johnson 530-265-8090 Chris thanked Dudley Gaman for getting the electronic GCYC membership forms [email protected] ready to . These will be available on the GCYC website soon.

Treasurer Don (Vice-Commodore): Plans for the Catalina 22 Nationals are ramping up. Tish Buti Jean Cutshall and Dudley Gaman have been working on details and online registration form. Don 530-477-1709 Hare is looking for sponsors. If you’re planning on camping at Scotts Flat Lake, [email protected] reserve them soon with NID. There has been a lot of interest about the event from

out-of-state sailors. Cruise Chairman Don Wight Stewart Nielsen (Education): He did a cost analysis for the Youth Sailing classes and 530-272-4647 [email protected] determined that $200/student would be adequate to cover the insurance deductible per class. Susan Murphy suggested that we offer a scholarship to one or more students in need. Tish mentioned that the National Women’s Sailing Federation offers Publicity/Membership scholarships to girls. General discussion about new sailing and the Melinda Day 530-265-2070 associated logistics followed. [email protected] Janis Johnson (Secretary): Please renew your membership! Richmond ’s Port Captain a Small Boat Day is March 3 (free event). Bryant Cockcroft 530-265-5196 Jean Cutshall (Treasurer): She gave the treasurer’s report. We have less than we did [email protected] last year at the same time due to purchase of new chase boat, building of new stairs to the dinghy dock, and repair of a ski boat that was damaged during youth sailing Race Chairman program last year. The club’s insurance bills will be due soon. Jerry Lewis 530-272-9380 Melinda (Membership): She introduced guests Greg Smith (Tish’s father) and Ted, [email protected] Wendy and Josie Rybicki who are interested in joining the club. They enjoy surfing and scuba diving and Wendy learned to sail a on Lake of the Newsletter Editor when she was growing up. Rick Paulson 530-274-2549 Bryant: He pulled the dinghy dock up a little, which means the lake level is rising. [email protected] Announcements Sailing Education Stewart Nielsen Ken Neely announced that he and Janis will be hosting day out of Berkeley 530-277-6632 Marina on 2/18 and 3/10. They are planning some Giants game charters for the [email protected] season as well.

The meeting was adjourned at 20:25.

Janis Johnson

Club Secretary s/v Kuani, Cascade 42

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Melinda’s Membership Memos Club Notices

A few reminders for everyone this month: For all of those that have filled out Free Sailing Magazines membership forms and paid I have your laminated cards ready to go (and Thank Latitude 38 and 48 North You !). I will have them at the March 14th meeting. More importantly, rejoin before magazines can be picked up April 1st for a mere $65.00 after the 1st it is $75.00. We have plenty of forms at the anytime at 148 Richardson Street in Grass Valley. They are meetings and you can also fill out a form on line. in the driveway in the BLUE I have joined forces with the Chamber of Commerce and we now have some of our MAILBOX. Usually we get them events listed on the Gonevadacounty web site. I have submitted information about between the 2nd and 4th of the No Motor Day April 29th and the Go for the Gold Regatta June 9-10th. It is a great month. website, check it out. I will continue to make sure our meetings are posted in the Club Meetings Unions Club News, seems many interested salts have found us in the paper. The March general meeting will I would like to welcome Charlie McKenzie and first mate Beth Palaske back to the be held at Alta Sierra Pizza club. They did some time in Mexico aboard their Sceptre 41 and have had her in Parlor on Wednesday the 14th, San Diego for about one year. In March, along with some crew, Charlie will be dine from 6pm, Commodore’s bringing her back to the SF bay. He would like to berth her in Point Richmond but not bell at 7pm to start the meeting. sure if that is where he will be at this time. nd (The club meets the 2 Wednesday of every month but December and Joe, myself and random crew have had the opportunity to enjoy several long st weekends aboard Daydreams this year. The weather in the bay has been on the 1 Wednesday of the month of the Gold Country Regatta.) exceptional, light and sunny skies. Most recently, President’s weekend, we were able to watch a few of the Oracle Cats race around the bay. Wow, they are incredibly fast. Seeing them really got me excited about the Americas Cup. I’ve Nautical Trivia included a few photos from our days on the bay.

See everyone at the Pizza Parlor next meeting.

Melinda Solis-Day

GCYC Membership and Publicity What has happened if a yacht s/v Daydreams, Pearson 385 is 'taken aback'? s/v Mental Floss, Catalina 22

A. It has sailed the wrong side

of a of a racing course

(requiring it to go back and re-

round the mark).

B. It is caught with the wind on the side opposite that for

which the sails are set.

C. It has been hauled out of the water for scraping and cleaning.

D. It is sailing against a current so strong it can not make any headway.

answer: page 8

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Go For The Gold Regatta and Catalina 22 National Regatta Hello to all,

The Go for the Gold Regatta and the Catalina 22 National Regatta are not that far off. Reservations for hotels or campsites should be made now. Make sure to mention that you will be attending the Regatta, and the Scotts Flat Lake management will try and place you in a suitable spot for the week.

There are pictures and information about the Gold Country Yacht Club and Scotts Flat Lake on our website at www.gcyc.net. The Notice of Race for both regattas can be found at http://www.nccn.net/~gcyc/gcyc-race.html.

Don Hare m. 916 201 9012 s/v No Cat Hare, Catalina 22

Special Request from the Commodore Jerry and I have received very little response about the past years Club Series Race Awards. Please take a look at the list below and if you can help to fill in the blanks for any season then give us an email or call: [email protected] or [email protected]

Please Help With ANY Information Prior to 2006. THANKS! Racing Series Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Awards Trophy Jerry Jerry Jerry Jerry Jerry Jerry Jerry M. Lewis, 1st Lewis / Lewis / Lewis / Lewis/ Lewis Lewis Kudzu, Kudzu Kudzu Kudzu Kudzu Lynn Bryant Cockcroft, Justin Jeremy Jeremy Jeremy 2nd Bucha Frayed Knot, Dowd Gicker Gicker Gicker Sailynn Catalina 22 Pierre Jeremy Lynn David Lynn Jeremy Gicker, 3rd Chatelain Gicker Buchanan Cowell Buchanan Bill Pierre 4th Andrews No Trophy No Trophy No Trophy Chatelain Babe

Events on the horizon

March April 14 - General Meeting-Alta Sierra Pizza & Grill 11 - General Meeting-Alta Sierra Pizza & Grill 27- GCYC Board of Directors Meeting (Cutshall’s) 14-15 - Camellia Cup – Folsom Lake *21 - Work party//BBQ-SFL Clubhouse *22 - Club Race #1 24 - GCYC Board of Directors Meeting (Day’s) *28 - Club Race #2 28 – Trans Folsom - Folsom Lake 28 - Konocti Cup – Clear Lake *29– No Motor Day/Open House

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Havasu Pocket Cruisers’ Convention 2012 marked the 5th annual HPCC in Lake Havasu Az. This event was started and is still run by Havasu locals Sean & Jo Mulligan. It is a free week of racing, seminars, shows and all around good times.

HPCC has grown into a multi-national gathering with people coming from 5 countries and over 26 states! There were 200 boats at the gathering. Sponsors included Good Old Boat Magazine, Small Craft Adviser, Latitude 38, Hyde Sails, West Marine, Sailrite, Interlux and many, many more.

We began our journey at 3:30 am 2/11/12. The roads were clear and the weather was perfect. Our plan was to get to Havasu by 4:30 pm. This would enable us to rig, launch and get to our berth before dark.

After arriving safely we were greeted with 25 mph winds with gusts measured up to 40 mph. So with little experience and even less brains, we tucked in a reef and went for a sail. Needless to say we had our hands full; fortunately we suffered no damage and made it back to our berth.

The following day we entered our first ever race. It was called the Long Distance Challenge, the course was about 20 miles long. The winds were 15 to 20 mph and after completely blowing the start we managed to climb to what we feel was a respectable 28th finish out of 100 boats entered.

The third day brought us another race, similar winds but this time we got a much better start. This race turned out to be one of the highlights of the event. After tacking back and forth across the start line we were fortunate enough to be on a starboard tack at the start horn. Winds were strong and we held our own for the first two legs, after rounding the 3rd buoy the winds let up and it was a downwind run. This would be the first time we had ever used our whisker pole. Sailing wing on wing for 2 miles side by side with one of our marina neighbors was a lot of fun. Things really got exiting at the finish line; we were one of three boats to cross within 3 seconds of each other. This time we managed a 10th place out of 70 boats. Not too bad for beginners.

Other highlights included sailing under the historic London Bridge and meeting some wonderful people.

On our way home we visited the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. We would encourage anyone wanting to escape the winter blues to consider next year’s event! Check out sailhavasu.com.

Dave and Kelly Russo

s/v Glory, Laguna-Balboa 24

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Conch Key Cruising

Jamie and I always take off a week for my birthday. Actually, it's just a coincidence that her office shuts down that week but it gives me a good excuse to indulge myself. This year we went to the Florida Keys where I'd rented a cabin with sailboats, bikes and kayaks. Conch Key is one of the small Keys in the middle of the chain and turned out to be just what we wanted, low key (pun intended) and out of the way. As a matter of fact if you didn't watch the mile markers you'd drive right past. There's a bright yellow fifties motel and store on the highway but everything else is a private home - with a dock and a boat. There's the usual lot of mobile homes and original beach huts but also some rather grand million dollar haciendas. There are also a couple of lobster operations and a fire station. Conch Key isn't all of a half mile across.

Our arrival coincided with a northern storm which had dropped rain the day before and was just starting to clear out. The sea was still too rough to go out sailing so like good tourists we went to Key West. Of course we visited the West Marine store, Hemingway's bar and Duval Street and the bright orange brick Custom House with its lifelike sculptures. We saw the various day-sail and charter fishing boats at the docks and the toney restaurants and hotels. We visited the Atocha exhibit at Mel Fisher's museum and saw Audubon's house and had lunch at a corner conch and crab stand (the old '56 Chevy pickup). So, with the tourist stuff out of the way we could get on with the sailing!

After a simple indoctrination on the Compac 20 we were shown the channel out to the bay. It's all sand bars and coral reefs but the water's so clear you can spot them pretty easily. ("If it's brown, turn around.") There was a strong 3 knot tidal current and the prevailing wind is from the south-east so it was wise to not try to go too far to the west. There are lobster pot buoys everywhere (good current indicators) and the Keys highway makes a barrier to the south. The rules have you not go for extended (overnight) cruises and unfortunately there isn't much to see in just a day. The boat was a bit of a disappointment as the sails were pretty sad and it wouldn't reach very high because of the shoal (without centerboard). After struggling to get a good set with the I just abandoned it and we went out on main alone. It made for less work and frustration since one of the cam cleats was broken and we'd been back winded in tacks a couple of times. (Not without anxiety with the current and a lee shoal!) Still, we were sailing in seventy degrees, bright blue skies, and warm clear water.

We took a day trip to Long Key State Park and saw some of the natural flora and fauna. They rented canoes to paddle the

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mangrove lagoon and had well marked nature trails for . We biked out across the mile bridge where there were schools of tarpon and pelicans, and we took a photo of an obliging iguana. The high current through the bridge was a reminder of some of the straights in Puget Sound. A turtle came floating through and was gone in a flash and only the fish could hold their places. Everyone on the bridge was catching small bass and groupers and occasional needle fish and barracudas. They seemed to be all local retirees and seasonal residents.

Another trip was on a commercial dive boat out to Sombrero Reef. This is one of the Marine Sanctuaries which stretch up and down the Keys. They've put mooring balls to keep from destroying the coral in what's only ten to fifteen feet of water and there were a couple of tied up to them although it was fairly choppy. The water was choppy but clear and the schools of fish very colorful. I regret not taking the old under-water camera still in the drawer on my boat. We had wetsuits and snorkel gear and it was all very relaxing, just floating and watching the fish. Jamie can tell you the names of all the fish we saw, I'm ignorant in that aspect - except for the barracuda which were lurking around every coral head. Oh, and there were dolphins.

We'd visited the Dolphin Research Center, courtesy of the cabin owners, and saw the usual show and sea lion tricks. Animal intelligence is highly under-rated. Those guys are smart! Florida doesn't have sea lions so they have some from here (I guess that's a tourist thing else they're "rescue animals"). Wouldn't it be interesting if the sea lions learned to interact with us, like the seagulls? Oops, I forgot how they've invaded the SF marina though, so that wouldn't be a good thing.

Generally, we had a rental car for the week and shopped for groceries and cooked our own food. Valentine's Day, I bought a couple of lobsters from the local fisherman and Jamie will be glad to tell the story of my two pound lobsters in a one pound pot. Still, they were delicious. The accommodations were great and the weather cooperated for the whole time although the sailing wasn't as much fun as at home. But the sunsets were spectacular.

Dave and Jamie Cowell s/v Mas Tiempo, Islander 30

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Dreaming of a Beach Get-away to Mexico? Gold Country Yacht This is a two bedroom/two bath house on the beach in a quiet neighborhood. Take your coffee to the beach-side patio that overlooks the ocean, where you can sit Club while watching the dolphins play in the surf and the sun setting over the horizon.

Safely tucked away on the coast PO Box 813 of South Ensenada is a wonderful Grass Valley, CA gated ranch community called 95945 Corona Beach. The house sleeps 8+; a queen bed in the master

PHONE: bedroom, bunk beds in the second 530-273-5911 bedroom, a Murphy bed in the living room, along with two futons.

E-MAIL: There is a full kitchen, dining room [email protected] seating for 6 and two full baths. $75/night or $500 per week, plus a $300 deposit refunded after keys On the Web are returned and house inspected

See us at: for damages.

www.gcyc.net The neighbors are mostly from the U.S. and everyone speaks English. The management of the park is very friendly and helpful. 24 hour security is provid- ed. No motorcycles allowed in the park. Trivia Answer: The famous “La Bufadora” blow hole is 30 minutes away. The correct answer is: ***There is an additional $20 per night parking and security fee you will be B. It is caught with the responsible for paying directly to the management of the park.

wind on the side op- posite that for which Call Howard or Donna Hendrich at (530) 272-6969. the sails are set.

This is usually the FREE: LIFESLING Overboard Rescue System. Used condition and may need minor result of an repairs but still serviceable. unforeseen wind shift

or possible steering WANT TO BORROW: Any boat jacks, cradle, or frame suitable for a 21 foot sailboat. error that has the wind The boat only weighs 1200 lbs and needs to have the keel removed. pinning the sails

against the /s and Dave Cowell - 530-272-3209 .

Gold Country Yacht Club 2012 Calendar

January July 3 - GCYC Board of Directors Meeting 4 – 4th of July Parade – Nevada City 11 - General Meeting-Alta Sierra Pizza & Grill *4 - Beer/Soda Can Race 24 - GCYC Board of Directors Meeting (Day’s) 7 - Trans-Tahoe Weekend – Lake Tahoe February 7-8 - High Sierra Regatta (Dinghy) Huntington Lake 8 - General Meeting-Alta Sierra Pizza & Grill *11 - General Meeting-Scotts Flat Lake Clubhouse 28 - GCYC Board of Directors Meeting (Wight’s) 14-15 - High Sierra Regatta (Keel) Huntington Lake March *15 - Club Race #7-SFL 14 - General Meeting-Alta Sierra Pizza & Grill *16-20 – Youth Sailing Class 27- GCYC Board of Directors Meeting (Cutshall’s) *18 – Beer/Soda Can Race April *21 - SFL Cruise/Raft-up 11 - General Meeting-Alta Sierra Pizza & Grill *25 - Beer/Soda Can Race 14-15 - Camellia Cup – Folsom Lake *28 - Club Race #8 *21 - Work party/splash/BBQ-SFL Clubhouse August *22 - Club Race #1 *1 - Beer/Soda Can Race 24 - GCYC Board of Directors Meeting (Day’s) *5 - Club Race #9 28 – Trans Folsom - Folsom Lake *8 - Beer/Soda Can Race *28 - Club Race #2 *15 - General Meeting-Scotts Flat Lake Clubhouse 28 - Konocti Cup – Clear Lake *18 – Club Race #10 *29– No Motor Day/Open House *18- SFL Cruise/Raft-up May *22 - Beer/Soda Can Race *6- Club Race #3 27 – 9/2 America’s Cup World Series – SF Bay *9 - General Meeting-Scotts Flat Lake Clubhouse 28- GCYC Board of Directors Meeting (Cutshall’s) *19 - Club Race #4 *29 - Beer/Soda Can Race 22 - GCYC Board of Directors Meeting (Wight’s) September 26-27 - Whiskeytown Regatta – Whiskeytown Lake 1-3 – Half Moon Bay Cruise June *5 - Beer/Soda Can Race *2 - Work party *8 - SFL Cruise/Raft-up *3 – Club Race #5 *12 - General Meeting-Scotts Flat Lake Clubhouse *6 - General Meeting-Scotts Flat Lake Clubhouse *19 – Beer/Soda Can Race *9-10 - GO FOR THE GOLD REGATTA *22 - Work party at SFL Clubhouse (10am) 11-14 – Catalina 22 National Championship 25- GCYC Board of Directors Meeting (Day’s) *20 – Beer/Soda Can Race October *23 - SFL Cruise/Raft-up 4-8 - Fleet Week – SF Bay *23-24 - Summer Sailstice 10 - General Meeting-Alta Sierra Pizza & Grill 26 – Board of Directors Meeting (Regatta wrap-up) (Nominations for 2013) *27- Beer/Soda Can Race 30 - GCYC Board of Directors Meeting *23 - Club Race #6 November *24 - Friendship Club Day 14 - General Meeting-Alta Sierra Pizza & Grill *25-29 -Youth Sailing Class (Elections) 20 - GCYC Board of Directors Meeting December 8 - Holiday /Annual Awards Party-NCAOR January 2013 (*EVENTS AT SCOTTS FLAT LAKE) 3 - GCYC Board of Directors Meeting