FLEET 20 NEWSLETTER
January 2000

Catalina 22 - Fleet 20, Portland, OR

Lematike
By Dale Mack

Although frequently thought to be a French name and incorrectly spelled Le Matike by many, Terry & Kathie Annis' Lematike is a combination of their children's names (Lerae=LE, Mathew=MAT, and Mike=IKE).  Lematike (#6800) is a non-pop top version built in 1977.

Terry is pictured here single-handing his boat back to Portland after the annual Fleet 20 cruise down the Columbia River to the town of St. Helens.  This popular cruise landed on the same weekend as the annual "Race for the Cure", so Kathie wasn't available on Sunday, after helping sail the boat on Saturday.

Terry and Kathie are avid cruisers as well as racers.  In addition to cruising the the San Juan and Gulf Islands with Fleet 20 in July, Terry and Kathie trailered their boat to Lake Roosevelt (formed by Grand Coulee dam) in Northeast Washington.  Through a combination of modifications and the efficient use of space, Terry and Kathie have squeezed a lot of cruising amenities into twenty-two feet. 

Terry has been very effective in getting people out on the water to race their boats.  Although a serious competitor once on the course, Terry's nurturing nature has encouraged other C22 sailors to try their hand at racing.  One way Terry helps people get comfortable with the process of racing is to encourage them to crew on his or other boats.  My own experience crewing on Terry's boat for part of the 1998 season definitely contributed to my comfort level in 1999 when I decided to race my own boat.  Thanks Terry.

Membership

I'd like to welcome the following new members to Fleet 20:

Membership Renewal.  For those who haven't yet renewed their membership to Fleet 20, please consider filling out the Fleet 20 Membership Application and sending it along with $10 to the Fleet Captain's address listed on the application.  The application form is available here.

If your not a member of the  Catalina 22 National Sailing Association, I'd like to encourage you to checkout their website at  www.catalina22.org and see if this is something that would interest you.  The association publishes a magazine six times a year full of useful information on sailing, cruising, racing, and maintaining Catalina 22's.

If you plan on racing in 2000, you might also look into the Small Yacht Sailing Club of Oregon (SYSCO).  Although membership in the club isn't required to race, SYSCO members do have their SYSCO sponsored race entry fees covered by their membership fee.  More information about SYSCO and other Portland/Vancouver sailing organizations can be found at:

www.leftblank.com/sailpdx

Schedule for 2000
By Dale Mack

The 2000 sailing season for Fleet 20 starts with the Portland and Seattle boat shows in January.  The fleet typically has a number of impromptu raft-ups during the summer, and I suspect we will do the same this year.  I'm hoping we can make greater use of email this coming year to announce and coordinate these fun activities in order to give more C22 owners an opportunity to participate.

Although our racing schedule tends to be set by SYSCO & OCSA, our cruising and social activities schedule is very much up in the air. While a quick glance at the schedule leaves one with the impression that all we do is race, I know that most of us use our boats for day sailing and overnighters far more frequently than racing (in fact most of us do not race).

Be a Cruise Leader.  If you already have plans to trailer or cruise your boat somewhere, how about serving as a Cruise Leader and inviting other Fleet 20 boats along?  I'd be happy to reflect the event on the schedule.

Laura and I are new to cruising in this area, so we rely heavily on others to suggest day and overnight destinations.  I'd welcome some feedback on people's experience at any of the following destinations:

San Juan Islands.  Now is the time to start planning for this cruise.  Because of Laura's participation in an International conference in July, the Macks have targeted the first week in August (actually July 29 - August 6) as the time we'll be cruising the San Juan/Gulf Islands. Although this isn't the traditional third week in July the Fleet has scheduled in the past, Laura and I are hoping it works out for those interested in going.  If that's not a good week for many, then lets try to identify a week that maximizes fleet participation.

 

The Year In Review - 1999
By Dale Mack

With most boats sitting at home under a tarp during the winter months, April tends to be a busy month for Fleet 20 members who race.  The five-race SYSCO Spring Series is held during April and May, and it serves as a motivator for many members to get their boats back into the water.

Lemon Island.  May is also the fleet's traditional breakfast out at a local restaurant, followed by a day sail to Lemon Island.  The fleet met at Waddle's restaurant at 9am, and by 11:30 we were heading to our boats to rendezvous near buoy "14".  The skies were clear and the winds light, but there was enough wind to make good progress against the two knot Columbia River current while sailing wing-and-wing.  We eventually rafted-up on the north side of Lemon Island in the shade of the trees and close enough to shore so that ten year old Sean Mack from Harmony could paddle the family's tethered raft with his friend Ian to shore to play on the beach.  For the next couple of hours we shared snacks and talked about kids, sailing, and our planned trip to the San Juan Islands in July.

As the afternoon wore on, the strength of the wind continued to build out of the northwest, and the conversation switched to sail selection for sailing back.  While I have sometimes chosen to  fly only a mainsail, Terry Annis of Lematike suggested we try sailing with only the 150 genoa.  What a great idea!  Although a little pointing ability is sacrificed, the boat is very controllable even in the strong wind.  The sail downriver was very enjoyable.  For Laura and I, Terry's suggestion has definitely extended the range of wind conditions we are willing take on for a pleasure sail.

Overnight Cruise.  The fleet's June overnight cruise was to the slough north of the I-205 bridge near Commodore's Cove.  Although the cruise was lightly attended, the location was idyllic.  Protected from the northwest wind because of the trees that line the slough's north bank, the anchorage proved to be very calm.  Out of the river's current, the slough provided a wonderful place to go exploring with a raft.

Summer Series.  The five-race SYSCO Summer Series was held during June and July.  While the name may have said "Summer," the series actually turned out to be wetter than the Spring Series.  The most interesting change between the Spring and Summer Series, was the race committee's decision to start the Cal 20 fleet after the C22's.  This change resulted in the Cal 20's typically catching the C22's by the first downwind (but upstream) mark since the local Cal 20 fleet races with spinnakers.  For the Catalina 22 skippers, the change meant lots of opportunities to practice mark roundings with more than just a handful of boats around.

Day Sailing.  While the Thursday evening racing was a draw for some, it was the after work and weekend day sails that got most Fleet 20 members out on the water.  Typically organized informally just prior to the event, many of the fleet's summer day sails were ad hoc affairs simply put together when one member sent an email to other members saying they were going to be on the river.  While Harmony never sailed in any of the Beer Can Races held between June and August, we were a frequent spectator, sailing along watching the action, snapping pictures and providing running commentary for friends and relatives we had brought along.

July 4th BBQ.  Despite some early sprinkles that threatened to make this event a wet one, the skies cleared up.  It turned out to be a wonderful day to be on the water, either sailing out on the river or playing in a raft at the marina.

The evening's BBQ  at Tomahawk Bay Moorage was hosted by the Annis' on Lematike.  "D" dock turned out to be a prime location to watch the fireworks show located on a barge anchored out in the river.  

Breakfast at Elmers.  On July 5th, the Annis' (Lematike), Hibbs' (Dream a Little Dream), Gales & O'Neill (Imagine), Thomas' (WindChaser), and the Macks (Harmony) met at Elmers near West Marine to finalize planning for the fleet's San Juan/Gulf Islands cruise at the end of the month.  Following breakfast, several members were spotted walking the aisles of West Marine;-)

San Juan & Gulf Islands.  Cruising to a new area in the company of others who have been there before is one of the benefits of fleet membership Laura and I really appreciate.  Whether it be Monterey Bay whale watching with Fleet 4 in California, or sailing the San Juan Islands with Fleet 20, these cruises were easier for us because we had friends to rely on for advice and assistance.  

An annual cruise in the San Juan Islands has become something of a tradition for Fleet 20.  In 1999, the fleet also included destinations in the Canadian Gulf Islands to the cruise, that took place from July 16 through July 25.  On the cruise were the Annis' (Lematike), Hibbs' (Dream a Little Dream), Gales & O'Neill (Imagine), and the Macks (Harmony).

The drive from Vancouver, WA  to Anacortes took about 5.5 hrs in a light rain.  Having the boat lifted into the water was a first for the Macks, but the crew at Cap Sante Marine were quick and efficient, and before long the boat was sitting in a slip.  Once the boats were launched, fleet members helped each other raise their masts.

Over the next week, the fleet visited Roche Harbor, Port Sidney Marina, Sidney Spit Marine Park, Brentwood Inn Resort,  Butchart Gardens and Victoria (via bus from Brentwood), Otter Bay, Montague Harbor, and Deer Harbor.  One of the side trips included piling into a van rented by Bob Gales and Gail O'Neill while at Roche Harbor, and getting a tour of San Juan Island, Friday Harbor, and finishing off with a BBQ.  Another side trip while on the way to Montague Harbor, B.C. was to travel a little further north and check out Wallace Island.

Sailing the San Juan Islands had been a goal of Laura and mine ever since we bought our boat.  The scenery, wildlife, and interesting ports of call exceeded all of our expectations.  The experience was so wonderful, that before the first day ended, we had already decided to make the San Juan's an annual pilgrimage for the Macks.

SYSCO One-Design Regatta.  Fleet 20's casual non-spinnaker racing program in 1999 was centered around the SYSCO Spring and Summer Series, and the SYSCO One-Design Regatta. Members who were interested in racing were encouraged to join the Small Yacht Sailing Club of Oregon (SYSCO), where Catalina 22's race as Fleet J1.  For Fleet 20 members who didn't wish to join SYSCO, participation in the racing events was still possible by paying a per event entry fee.

How casual is the racing?  Well, if the amount of cruising gear carried aboard most of the boats during a race is any indication it's very casual.  Most of us spend far too much cruising and day sailing our boats to be bothered with stripping it down just to race.

Five Catalina 22's participated in the One-Design.  The participants were:  Annis (Lematike), Gales & O'Neill (Imagine), Higgins (Dalliance), Martin (Fireman), and Mack (Harmony).  A lack of wind saw the completion of only three races over the two day regatta.  The racing was close all weekend, and in the end Dan Higgins took top honors.  After the last race on Sunday, there was a BBQ on the lawn at Tomahawk Bay Moorage where Fleet 20 members shared photo albums and exchanged photos with each other.

August BBQ.  Terry and Kathie Annis were generous hosts for the fleet's BBQ/potluck dinner in their newly remodeled home.  The get-together gave everyone an opportunity to talk about plans for the St. Helens cruise, and to admire Kathie's new kitchen.

A popular activity at many fleet social gatherings is the exchanging of photographs.  Getting a picture of your boat under sail can be difficult to come by, but with fleet members snapping pictures of each other's boats all the time, the photo exchanges make acquiring such a photo a lot easier.

Columbia River Raft-up.  Typical of the impromptu social activities common with Fleet 20 members was the September raft-up downstream of one of the Columbia River's many wing-dams.  While the kids played on the beach, the parents shared snacks and stories.  It was a pretty day, and the sailing was first rate.

Keeping the boats off the beach was accomplished by dropping an anchor upstream, and then motoring toward the beach, where Mike Hibbs already had a anchor ashore.  Later in the day, getting away from the beach was accomplished by pulling the boat toward its stern anchor.

St. Helens Cruise/Race.  This fun race downriver to the town of St. Helens is more of a cruise than a race.  The four boats attending in 1999 were:  Annis (Lematike), Hibbs (Dream a Little Dream), Gales & O'Neill (Imagine), and Mack (Harmony).  Conducted at the same time as the SYSCO St. Helens Race, the event provided great scenery and lots of sailing action, particularly as the wind grew in strength the closer one got to St. Helens.  The best part of the cruise was that one didn't have to race to enjoy the sail.

Nibbling on appetizers while the salmon cooks on the barbecue in preparation for the fleet's potluck dinner on the dock.  Pictured left, in the cockpit of Harmony is Laura Mack and seated on the dock (L-R) is Kathie Annis, Carolyn Bateson, and Debbie Hibbs. Walking down the dock is Gail O'Neill.

It was great having Don and Carolyn Bateson drive down for the potluck.  Their boat, Gold Rush, was unavailable for the cruise, as it was hanging from the rafters in Don's garage undergoing a blister repair job.

Shortly after the cruise, Bob Gales (a former Fleet Captain) and Gail O'Neill moved up to a Catalina 30 they've since named Imagine.  They sold their C22 to new fleet members Bill and Sandi Hayden of Vancouver.

Holiday Party.  In December, the fleet held its annual holiday potluck and membership meeting at the Mack's home.  In addition to sharing wonderful food, a White Elephant gift exchange, and stories from the sailing season just completed, the business at hand was to elect a new Fleet Captain. Outgoing Fleet Captain Terry Annis was thanked for his past year of service and was presented a framed 8x10 picture of him sailing Lematike up the Columbia River under spinnaker.  Dale Mack was elected Fleet Captain for the 2000 season, and the contents of the "CATBOX" (fleet records) were past to Dale.

As always, the White Elephant gift exchange proved to be quite entertaining.  It was observed that the quality level and usefulness of gifts has been improving over time, a trend some suggested needed to be stomped out before the fleet loses the true spirit of gaudiness that White Elephant gift exchanges are known for;-)

The end of the sailing season is also a time when the fleet recognizes the accomplishments of some of its members.  Fleet 20 annually awards two perpetual plaques in recognition of racing achievements.  Terry Annis on Lematike managed to hold off Dale Mack on Harmony, and a late rush by Dan Higgins on Dalliance, to earn the "Fleet Champion" honors for the 1999 racing season.  Dale won the SYSCO Spring Series, Terry won the SYSCO Summer Series, and Dan won the SYSCO One-Design regatta.  For the 1999 season, the fleet's "Most Improved Sailor" award went to Dale Mack, Harmony.

The Fleet 20 newsletter is published online once a month.    Articles are the opinions of the authors and don't necessarily represent the consensus of Fleet 20.