• 1. It isn't fun.
• 2. You might smack into another boat.
• 3. You might pull your anchor and drag.

RE: Sailing on the Anchor (September 2003 letter)

I would recommend that the writer have an "anchor sail" (also known as riding sail) made for use during a windy anchorage. I had one made for my San Juan 28, NOLHI (No Other Love Have I), and have used it on numerous occasions on my cruises into British Columbia and around Puget Sound. During my solo Vancouver Island circumnavigation in 2002 I used it during a gale while anchored at Port Hardy where my Skywatch wind meter recorded a wind of 39 knots.
      Once raised the sail keeps the bow pointed directly into the wind and removes all the lurching and dancing while riding out a storm. The difference is simply amazing.
      The sail should be tailored to your boat. The dimensions for NOLHI's are 10x9x5 and made to storm sail specifications. This may seem like a rather large amount of square footage but better to be too large than too small; you can always have it cut down in size if necessary. It is interesting to note that the sail loft owner made a smaller one for her Newport 30 and reported that it did NOT work very well.
      As you can see from the attached photos, it is hanked onto the backstay, hoisted up with the mainsail halyard, and secured at the backstay base. The forward edge of the sail is secured to a cleat above the cabin entry and also downward to the traveler. It is installed as tight as I can get it to remove all slack and wrinkles in the sail. It makes all the difference in the world and I wouldn't leave home without it!
      Lastly, I have NOT seen anyone else using such a sail either here or in British Columbia.

Cheers,
Mike Hirko
Gig Harbor, WA

Comments and Observations on the Port Townsend and Victoria Festivals

The two weekends of September that I most look forward to each year have passed. For nearly 20 years I have trekked up to Victoria, B.C. (my favorite city) for the annual Classic Boat Festival. And the following weekend, each year for over 18 years, I've driven back up the I-5 and turned left to arrive in Port Townsend Washington for it's Wooden Boat Festival, so I think I am qualified to comment on those events with the eyes and ears of a very BIASED but somewhat experienced ...Curmudgeon. I do not intend to belittle anyone, only to comment and make an observation that has bothered me for a number of years now.
      I do apologize to those I might offend. I love those two shows! I will continue attending and spending, until I'm no longer physically able to. But if I may, I would like to comment on a growing concern I, and others, have regarding the events and particularly the attitudes of the participants. I'm sure there are many visitors to those two shows that have had totally different experiences. I can only relate what I have personally observed and experienced.
      First let me do a quick comparison of the two shows. Let me say, I think the organizers of those events do a great job. They are to be praised for the time and effort they put into them so that we may enjoy the experience. The Port Townsend event still provides great learning sessions and Super entertainment. It's a FUN showÉThanks. I would also like to thank the owners and crews of those attending vessels for sharing the beauty and grace of THEIR classic boats. Now, here is a very brief and OVERSIMPLIFIED comparison of Victoria's Classic Festival and Port Townsend's Wooden Boat Festival.
      Victoria: Limited number of boats, mostly way beyond the means of the average person. Overwhelming. PT: Lots of boats from all levels of economic status. Many in the category of the.. " I could afford that".... Victoria: No seminars or information booths, no products or service representatives available. PT: Lots of talks, shows, information booths, and contact with many products and services reps.. Victoria: No place to ask questions or learn about boats and boat stuff. PT: Lots of places to ask questions about almost everything pertaining to boats. Victoria: Setting is gorgeous, no other place like it. Walking on docks difficult at times. Needs traffic control. PT: Funky location, crowded docks sometimes IMPOSSIBLE to walk or to stop and look or ask questions. Victoria: Most vessels impossible to look at closely. Boats need to be placed in a more visible plan. PT: Most vessels can be seen up close and personal. Victoria: Virtually no food, drink or rest locations (Only one toilet, the main public, crowded and uncomfortable) PT: Lots of food and drink close by. Many Portapotties in convenient locations. Could use more but OK. Victoria: OverallÉ Expensive!ÉThe feeling ?ÐMore like a vacation/holiday destination. PT: Overall.. Affordable!... the Feeling?.. Like a Carnival, in some ways like your homeport, only with LOTS more people. Both shows are just plain fun for the average person and A JOY to the sailors who attend. NOW may I comment on what both places NEED and a personal observation about the participants? First and most importantÉthe shows need to provide some method of Crowd control. At least a traffic plan. In both venues the viewing is almost impossible . It has become a "pushing and shoving " match. And at Port Townsend that could mean injury to someone. Can you say" Injury liability?" I foresee in the future someone getting injured or at least being pushed into the water.
      I would certainly BAN backpacks on the docks. I was nearly knocked over a dozen times by a backpack on someone totally unaware of the "Weapon" he/she was wielding.
      NO dogs please! At Victoria there were as many BIG dogs on the docks as people. At least you could see the big ones. The "ankle biters" were unseen until you stumbled over them. Which I did several times. I probably stepped on 10 of the little ones and got bumped by the big ones more times than I remember. And , of course , everyone HAS to stop in the middle of the docks to PET the "cute" little puppies! Please, Victoria Real Estate Board, ban dogs and strollers from the slips please? Port Townsend: Tell people to remove the backpacks. Next year I'm going to shove back!
      The other concern is to somehow allow the Boat Owners and the Visitors a way of meeting and asking questions! To expect this to happen at the zlips by the boats is crazy. Too many peopleÉtoo little space.
      A place, a room, a wide spot on the beach.. Any place where WE can comment, ask questions and/or just chat with the owners. After all, if you have a festival or show where you want people to come and visit and spend a lot of money, wouldn't you expect people to want to ask questions? To have to "compete " for the favors of the boat owners and their personal friends is awful.
      Some people are asked to "Come aboard" while others can only stand on the docks and beg and wish. This is, did I mention, AWFUL? and EMBARRASSING to we visitors. And to be denied after someone else gets to chat and "come aboard" is downright--ugly.
      I am quite tired of standing with my hat in my hand at the rail of some vessel asking questions,only to be by passed and ignored by an owner/crew because that cute little blond with the bigÉummmmÉeyes, has been invited to "Come aboard" That's pretty rude folks....
      Organizers of these events please take note. Tell the participants to be more aware of their responsibility to we visitors. If they don't want people to board have them post NO VISITORS and hold to that rule. Even better yet, put them on the outside of a raft up so nobody will care--Damnit!
      OK, now comes the "Nasty Old Curmudgeon" part. We sailors always pride ourselves on being friendly, kind and courteous. Well friends, at both of these shows, and others I've attended, it ain't true. Pretentious? Yes. Rude? Yes. Disdainful. Yes. I can't tell you how many times I was treated rudely by sailors at both shows.
      I won't go into all the particulars but owners and crewmembers of most of the boats distained us and were often downright rude to we visitors. Oh, they are REAL friendly to the members of other vessels and the "favorites" who pass by. But not to the casual visitor.
      Alright, they may be bored to death over the same dumb questions they have been answering, and they may hate to have to explain, again, what the "Framis" is, but damn it, why did they come to a boat show for anyway? To brag to each other? If so, do it in some isolated anchorage, not where hundreds have come to be informed, entertained or yes, to ask dumb questions..
      Please don't bring your boat and you just GO AWAY. If you are a rude, unthinking sailor/owner, a Boat Show is NOT for you or for me to put up with. If you don't like to chat or "press the flesh" at a boat show, write an article for a magazine or whatever.
      AND don't keep telling me what a "friendly, caring, loving sailor you are because baby, I've seen you in action. and it ain't pretty.
      Case in point. Twice, in Victoria and in Port Townsend--those paragons of virtue the PARDEY'S, were rude and thoughtless to me and to others. Turning their backs on us several times while we were asking question or chatting. With "celebrity" comes responsibility folks.
      They weren't the only ones. Most of the "Cockpit Setters" were rude and disdainful of all of us. Too bad.
      So, my open letter will be to the organizers of those otherwise wonderful shows. Tell your boat owners. They really do owe a little courtesy to the folks on the docks. It would be nice to be able to communicate with some of the participants. At least some of them. Otherwise, please organize a gathering in some remote location. Just take a lot of pretty pictures and publish them in a magazine...
      There is ..NO NEED FOR US TO COME!
      I still love the Shows and Festivals--I will continue to go--They could be SO much better--Uniform Whiskey,

Ralph Ahseln
Oblio
Gresham OR

You don't like the boats, the docks, the people, yet "I still love the Shows and FestivalsÉ I will continue to go". Why? I think the answer is that, when all is said and done, they're still terrific events.
      You're right when you say "I'm sure there are many visitors to those two shows that have had totally different experiences." While every event with crowds of people and limited space has its challenges, we've not heard that it's become such a trial to walk the docks or talk to people.
      An important thing to remember is that these are Festivals, not Boat Shows. They are gatherings of people who enjoy the classic boats and techniques. They are not intended as a venue for selling boats like the Seattle Boat Show or the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show. So to say there's "Limited number of boats, mostly way beyond the means of the average person." is no doubt true but irrelevent. They're not Bayliners in a row, they're floating exhibits. In fact, most of them probably are worth a pretty penny, but only because their owners resurrected them or built them from scratch.
      As far as friendliness, let's get back to the fact that these are festivals; gatherings of people with like interests. Of course those who are into it enough to own and build wooden boats are going to know and swap ideas with those who share their common interest. That is probably why they come to the show rather than just to show off their boats. To also ask them to also be entertainers is a bit much. And I would say that those they allow on their boats, and they are their boats, are more a function of the crowd and how they're approached as to just limited to friends.
      I would suggest that if you have something you'd like to discuss in depth with a boat owner or exhibitor, arrange to talk with them later rather than in the tumult of a festival.
      As you say, "I can only relate what I have personally observed and experienced." I'm sure the organizers of both festivals will read your letter and take some of your comments to heart. But the days of just a few people on the docks casually looking and talking about the boats are gone Ð with popularity comes a loss of intimacy. The festival organizers face quite a challenge to present bigger and better festivals while maintaining that comfortable, down-home feeling that have made them so popular. So far I think they're doing a great job.

Santana 20 Fleet 19 Does Relay for Life

As captain of Santana 20 Fleet 19 in Eugene, Oregon, I would like to take a minute and brag about your fellow sailors. Never have I been so proud to be associated with a group of individuals and I wanted to share with you, some of the reasons why.
      Of the 31 Santana 20 owners in Fleet 19, seven boats traveled to Huntington Lake for the 2003 Nationals. Three of your shipmates placed in the top ten! 7th Ron Fish, 9th Ross Cooley, 10th Paul Stephens, 13th Chet Bowers, 16th Mark Fortier, 17th Mark Forest, and 18th Denise Murschel.
      Three of Fleet 19's EYC members have volunteered and been elected to serve on the Eugene Yacht Club board, and three of Fleet 19's members serve on the Triton Yacht Club board.
      In my opinion however, the biggest accomplishment of Fleet 19 to date is your partnership with the American Cancer Societies' Relay for Life. Through their efforts Fleet 19 and friends raised over $3,300. Two years ago when I was elected to the position of Fleet Captain it was suggested that we devise a charitable works program. In the meetings to follow we set out very specific guidelines for participation.

Namely:
Said charity may use no less than 85% of funds raised toward charities' function. Funds raised must benefit the local community. Participation must promote the Fleet.
      Our lovely and talented Fleet Treasurer, Jeannie Goodrich, not only found the answer to satisfy our charitable works goal but spearheaded the project and kept us all on track. (No pun intended.)
      While every individual contribution was essential and appreciated, some were really outstanding: Sue and Hector Rosado raised six hundred dollars in the midst of coping with an ailing family member. Hector Rxosado stayed many hours walking in place of or with other team members.
      Paul Morrow, on top of his money raising efforts of $140, walked, stayed and manned the fort through most of the event to include a long night shift. Paul provided an upbeat attitude and banter keeping those whom had walked and were preparing to walk in a suitable state of mind.
      Billy "the Crutch" Crutchfield not only brought in $400 but took on a late night / early morning shift on the track. Cyndi Jensen not only brought us water and ice, but also was our lead runner and took a two-hour time slot in the heat of the day.
      Misty Stephenson held a three-hour slot in the wee hours of the morning.
      The biggest Kudo in my opinion however goes to Jeannie Goodrich. Jeannie, as previously stated; not only found the answer to satisfy our charitable works goal but spearheaded the project and kept us all on track. In the midst of one of the busiest times in Jeannies' career, Jeannie managed to raise $421, involve her office in fundraising and procure the happy feet of Rocky and Brianne, Jan Schamp, Bob Elchert and Cyndi Jensen. Jeannie kept up with home and hearth, career, fleet business and still managed to organize this group of pirates, brigands and thieves. Congratulations to all of you!
      - Bill Crutchfield, David Paufler, Paul Morrow, Jerald Skeen, Sue Rosado, Jeannie Goodrich, Kevin Goodrich, Amy Evernden, Jan Schamp, Ron Smith, Bob Elchert, Brianne Miller, Misty Stephenson, Ron Fish, Leeanne Bale-Fish, Cyndi Jensen, Denise Murschel, Chris Murschel.
      I hope you are all as excited as I am about your efforts in this worthwhile event and will join us next year when we challenge you to participate in this heart-warming event.

Kevin E. Goodrich
Fleet Captain
Santana 20 Fleet 19

Normally we'd say this was fleet newsletter stuff but wanted to put it in as another example of the unheralded good things sailors are doing for their communities. Thank you Fleet 19.

Hobie Cat Division 4 Donates Hobie Wave to Sail Sand Point

Dear Laura Sullivan
1st Vice Chair NAHCA
Commodore Division 4 NAHCA

The Board of Directors of Sail Sand Point thanks you for your leadership resulting in the donation of a new Hobie Cat Wave Catamaran to Sail Sand Point. By organizing fund raising events with Hobie Cat Division 4 at the Regattas, plus personal contributions by our local Catamaran Sailors you were able to raise funds to purchase the Wave. Our local Hobie Cat dealer, Hobie Cats Northwest also assisted in this program.
      This year we hosted the US SAILING Fast and Fun program at Sail Sand Point, and again introduced over 400 new people to sailing. US SAILING provided eight Hobie Cat Waves, and fifty-four local volunteers helped make this program a success. We also used the Hobie Cat Waves in our first Multihull Sail Camp. One of our goals is to add Hobie Cat Waves to our fleet of boats to continue and expand these programs.
      We also appreciate your efforts, along with Peter Nelson to conduct the successful Hobie Cat 101 and 102 courses to introduce sailors to Multihull sailing and to expand their sailing experience.

Sincerely,
Caleb Tarleton,
Sail Sand Point Board President

Another wonderful example of sailors contributing to their community. We know it took a lot of time and effort to raise the money for a new boat. The real thank you will come from the smiles on the faces of the new sailors at Sail Sand Point as they sail by on the new Hobie Cat Waves. Hobie Cat is making even more waves at Sail Sand Point as the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association is also donating a Hobie to Sail Sand Point. More on that in Lowtides.

Re: PWC's with Idiots at the Helm

I was against banning PWC's in the San Juans and other places, in fact I was toying with the idea of buying one, but after seeing how obnoxious they can be, I think they should be banned state wide, except maybe in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, out in the middle of the shipping lane when it's foggy.
      We were anchored out, close to shore, at Hope Island State Park with about 10 other boats when three of these things came charging through at full speed; two outside and one down between shore and the boats. These weren't young kids, but adults in their late 20's.
      They must have gone around the island because they came back again. One boat skipper yelled at them and this one PWC circled his boat three times as fast as he could. We were bouncing too much to get any numbers if they had any. If we can't control the few idiots who are such a menace on the water, then the only thing left to do is control the machines, and if this means parking them, I'm all for it.

Jerry Randallv

I like the shipping lanes idea. In fact, restricting them to the VTS lanes is perfect; it gives them lots of water to blast around in, the ships provide really big wakes for jumping, and eventually the problem will take care of itself.

You Know Who You Are

Yes, you know who you are out on the water on Monday the 1st of September. My husband and I were returning from Sydney, a seven hour plus return trip to Blaine. The weather had been awful, 30 knot winds, 6-foot rollers. I am not too good in situations like this. Just off Birch Point a power boat in a very big hurry comes speeding by. True the weather had died down by now although it was still choppy out there. Well, Mr Power boater, I was down below when your huge wake you so rudely created threw me. I hurt my back very badly as I went crashing down, If you were a driver out on the highways I would have sued you for injury. Now I realize not every one is like you but over the long weekend you were the third of such incidents with speeding power boats. To be very fair there were lots of power boats who slowed right down as they past, very well mannered and very much appreciated. Is there a course you could take teaching you manners on the high seas?

Christine Pattison