Ricky Point Getting "A Bit More Formal"

      The Ricky Point Sail Club (RPSC) of north Lake Roosevelt, near Kettle Falls was founded over 15 years ago. You have been sponsoring our annual regatta for several years with gift subscriptions to your great magazine.
      Our club is looking to become a bit more formal and would like to register with a NW Sailing Association (is there such a creature) or whatever organization records the like. Do you have any guidance? I've considered the American Yacht Club Registry but that appears to be an insurance company trying to sell their book with no legitimate authority. Should we be looking to join the Pacific Inter-club Yacht Association?
      Any direction, guidance or advise would be most welcome.
      Thanks in advance...
J. Foster Fanning
Vice Commodore, RPSC
Curlew, WA 99118
fanning@televar.com

I think PIYA (Pacific International Yachting Association) is what you're looking for. PIYA is a collection of clubs across the Northwest, mostly for racing. Check them out at: http://www.ussailing.net/piya/

How About a Semi-Pro Racing Circuit?

      I did not read the item with respect to Gary Jobson and his "quest" but I surmise it was a general lament on the health and growth of Sail Racing; with reference(s) to getting widespread exposure in the media, particularly TV.
      Your response to Mr Collier misses the point(s) that Sail Racing has to contend with. Conventional Sail Racing is not a particularly good nor exciting spectator sport and TV coverage is also quite difficult: but in essence, do-able. Just look at your average high quality One Design Regatta. Rarely are there any bunched up, exciting Photo Finishes. There is generally good action at most mark roundings, and sometimes at various spots on the Course. However, using conventional TV cameras on trailng boats, the Comittee Boat,or on shore locationsis difficult; and usually unsatisfying.
      What is needed is airborne coverage, Blimp, Balloon,or possibly Radio Controlled (R/C) Model Heliocopters with Video Cameras. The down draught of full size Heliocopters will interfere with the Racing. Variations on what professional football has used in some stadiums with cable suspended Sky Cameras.
      The concept of Squadron Racing is interesting, will probabally be entertaining if properly presented: however it will be fairly difficult to implement. I look at it as something like professional wrestling which is an effective mix of athleticism and entertainment. The wrestling is semi-scripted and rehearsed; and performed by skilled athletes. Squadron Racing and to a lesser extent Team Racing, (3 on 3 Boats) is somewhat similar.
      It won't be easy for Joe Average Racer. What will be needed is a Semi-Pro Racing Circuit where Owners and Crews commit time, energy and resources to stage Races/Regattas that will be competitive and interesting to watch.
      There is room on North American TV & Cable, which has a voracious appetite, especially when one looks at the "new sports" and semi-technical motor sports shows we now see.
      What is needed is to convince a small group of Advertisers that a Show/Series will draw enough of a viewing public/fan base to make it worth their while to fund such a dog & pony show. The ultimate aim is to awaken interest in conventional Sail Racing amongst existing boat owners so they will spend some money and time in getting their boats "race ready": as well as to bring new Boats/Owners into Sail Racing. Some of the above might even be able to progress to the Squadron Racing Level and get their fifteen(15) minutes of fame on TV.

Regards,
Jordan J. Dobrikin
Vancouver BC Canada

Thanks for your thoughts. The problem with a Semi-Pro Racing Circuit making it is that racing at a top level is a full time committment, not only in time but in equipment, travel and transport. But you've totally defined the problem, "...to convince a small group of Advertisers that a Show/Series will draw enough of a viewing public/fan base to make it worth their while..."

More Magazine Coverage

      Just read your comments in the December issue. I can't agree more. We see very little sailing on TV and some of the blame lays in your lap along with other sailing mags.
      My wife and I retired a couple of years ago after 25 years as film and video producers. The last show we produced was a one-hour documentary, "Land of Mist, Around Vancouver's Island". It's a very nice show if I do say so myself and a raging success when we found ways to present it to sailors.
      We screened it at the 2000 Seattle Boat Show and pulled packed houses. We showed it to standing room audiences at the Seattle Yacht Club, Tacoma Public Library, our cruising club and other yacht clubs here and in Mexico where we're currently cruising. Anyway, we know people like it. But we've never been able to get it on television. The Travel Channel, "We're only doing destinations now." PBS, "Are you offering it for free?" We tried to promote the show through sailing mags. "We don't review videos." or no reponse at all.
      In the spring of 2000 I dropped off a copy at your office hoping you would do a review. Nada, nothing. Not even a phone call. We couldn't even get our local West Marine store to sell it. "It has to come from the corporate office." Although we've sold some copies at Armchair Sailor, Captain's Nautical Supply and the former Doc Freemans, may their names be praised, it's no comparison to the audience that television reaches.
      Gary is right about sailing being hard to produce on video (read expen$ive). If we applied our hourly rate to the time and equipment invested in "Land of Mist" we'd have $150,000 in that show. And people ask us if we're going to produce another one. Once I stop laughing, I try to explain that sailing with a small crew is hard enough without trying to shoot a video at the same time. And that's nothing compared to what Gary is talking about. Yet we'd do it in a minute if we had an outlet and some means of recouping some of our costs.
      So, from the producer's point-of-view, if you want more sailing on TV somebody has to beat the drum, and you guys own the drum.

Ed Isenhart
Wendy Isenhart
Puget Sound & Pictures

I'm glad you found ways to present your video. Just as producing a video is expensive, so is producing a magazine. We receive about three products per day, so it's impossible to get in all the free promotions, but we put in what space allows. Sorry yours wasn't chosen.
      Yes, we've got a nice tom-tom in the sailing community but I'm afraid our influence with the TV networks isn't even a bongo.

More Boating Access to Elliott Bay

      The other day, in the Tacoma Tribune, I read that cities across Washington are getting State funds to improve access to their waterways. Everett, for a big short term facility and enhancement to their already spectacular launching area; Tacoma to expand the Point Defiance launch facility, Prosser, Cathlamet, South Bend! Seattle has inadequate facilities for boating on Lake Washington, even less desirable on Lake Union, and only one on Elliott Bay, far off in West Seattle, completely exposed to wind, waves, and ferry boat wakes.
      Seattle proposes to tear down the Alaska Way viaduct and replace it with street level access for cars, trucks, trolleys, buses, bikes, pedestrians, (probably a skateboard park, though they have not mentioned that yet). This is waterfront land, where they could have launching, boat storage, fishing piers, marine stores (vs boutiques) an entire new and unique area for the enjoyment of the boating public (and all those who would like to be part of "the boating public"). It would also be an entrancing place for people from the cruise ships.
      Anyhow, I sent them the following message, in greater detail, and they said to pare it down to 200 words. Hope it is close this time.

Dear Diane Albert:
      Hope this fits. I tried very hard, there is so much to sayÉ We have seen pleasure boats cruising the Thames in London, the Elbe in Hamburg, the Keil Canal, from end to end; through the busiest shipping ports of the world. Then we find in Seattle's great waterfront, Elliott Bay, only one ramp where one can launch and it is dangerous with washes from ferries and freighters, not to mention it is unprotected from the sweep of a north wind, that we have only used it twice since it was built over 35 years ago.

Jean M Gosse

Yes, that launch can be a bear depending on wind and tide. My dad and I used to go down just to watch people back their trailers up and launch -- a real live blooper reel. It would be nice to see more small boat access and I like your concept, but realistically the problem you're fighting is using some very expensive real estate for not only the launch (a southern exposure?) but also the supporting parking, in an area which is already parking challenged.

Duck Dodge Thanks and Wishes

      Had a great time on the comittee boat for Rum Run this year. What a great crowd at the raft up! Thanks for the acknowledgement and the results. I'm not sure the folks racing quite understood the creative method applied to finishing positions. In fact some of us on the committee are scratching our heads, but what the heck, it is Duck Dodge after all. We are nothing if not creative. I noticed the picture showed the Duck Dodge's newest comittee member in front of the crowd; Bill Duck, or as he is listed on the roster, Duck, Bill. Bill came to the committee as a donation from 2004 Duck Dodge dinghy start boats. Atttached is a picture of Bill lounging in the hot tub with fellow sailor after a long day on the water. He will likely work with the committee next season in the pin position on the start line. Keep an eye out for him and wish him good luck. Look for him next summer.
      I would also like to take this opportunity to put in a personal plug for the Duck Dodge committee. I've worked off and on with the committee for over 10 years. Most of you know they greatly appreciate the "bribe" libations at the start and end of each season. Duck Dodgers might not know that in addition to those donations a lot of the race management equipment they have is donated to the committee. The course sign, start flags, Duck Dodge burgee, and of course, Bill, are all gifts given by fellow racers over the years to help the committee continue their excellent volunteer work. Remember to think of your race committee and pop for a little thank you gift now and then. If I had to suggest gifts I can think of two right off: 1) a megaphone with a sounding horn (say, like a Speco ER-380 25 watt marine megaphone with fog horn setting) or 2) a telescoping pole with some kind of gripper end to make the job of handing out award ducks a little less risky for the committee boat and receiving racer. I'm sure the racers out on the lake can come up with other excellent ideas that don't cost that much and will enhance the Duck Dodge experience for all.
      See you next year on the lake,
Jack Herndon
Seattle, WA

Geez, what a cute picture, yet somehow disturbing. 48° North will take care of the bullhorn, just make sure to call us quick before the holiday spirit wears off. Can we borrow the duck?

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS
First the Bad News -- NOLHI is Missing!

      NOLHI is missing from her mooring this morning (11/27/04) located on the North side of Raft Island in Henderson Bay, Carr Inlet, of South Puget Sound. She was last observed secured to her mooring during the day of November 26. She is a white 1978 San Juan 28 sloop with brown mainsail and furling genoa covers. Her registration numbers (WN1245JE) are on the bow and her name is on the stern. She was last checked on 23 November: both mooring lines were secure and her 22 gallon fuel tank full. An immediate check of the local waters by friends and neighbors has come up negative. It has been reported as a theft to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department and the Coast Guard .Your assistance is requested in locating her and any sighting or information should be forwarded to the Sheriff at 206-217-6001 or call 911 with the case #043320360. Thank you.

Now The Good News -- Call off the dogs, NOLHI has been found.

      I was called early this afternoon by a waterfront resident located about two miles northeast, stating that she was on his beach. I dashed over and am happy to report she was dry inside with no noticeable damage to the rudder, prop, or anything else and lying on her starboard side at 40 degrees with bow toward the beach. Her mooring lines were still attached and my inspection revealed that the seizing on the 3/4" shacklepin had worn away allowing the pin to unscrew, releasing her from the mooring -- the pin actually fell out as I picked up the line and screwed back in tightly. The tide was quickly coming in and it took the three of us to free here, within 10 minutes of the 10.4' high tide.
      The homeowner's son (a linebacker I was to find out later) rowed their dinghy out the full length of NOLHI's secondary anchor rode (~175') and deployed the anchor along NOLHI's centerline. I then tightened the line with the genoa winch to give a positive stern pull. The incoming tide decreased the heel to 30 degrees but NOLHI gave little sign of moving. To maintain the heel, thereby reducing the draft necessary to float her, we needed something very heavy. The linebacker and neighbor agreed to rig a sling on his dinghy, fill it with water, and I would then wench it tight with the second genoa line off the mast -- it worked. As high tide quickly approached, the linebacker (dressed in hip boots) pushed and twisted the bow which eventually freed the partially dug in keeland the tight anchor line pull her free. Once in deeper water I slowly released the genoa line on the water filled dinghy holding us at 30 degrees of heel-- NOLHI was upright once again. It was then a short ride home ... and a beautiful sunset.
      Perhaps most surprising is how the linebacker got my phone number. He didn't call the police or the Coast Guard but went to an Internet search engine and typed in NOLHI's name which he got off the stern. Her web site stories gave him my name and the local phone directory did the rest. I had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Mike

Close call. Sounds like all this trauma had minimal damage on the boat if not the people. Speaking of sounds, I was humming the notes written on the back of the boat and broke the code -- NOLHI -- "No Other Love Have I." Nice.