FLEET 20 NEWSLETTER
August 2000

Catalina 22 - Fleet 20, Portland, OR

From the Captain
By Dale Mack

Laura and I had the opportunity to introduce some friends from Boise to their first sailboat ride in July.  With Laura handling the mainsheet and Joyce and Roger Doughty doing most of the steering, we spent an enjoyable couple of hours in beautiful conditions.  While Laura and I typically trim the boat to avoid excessive heeling when we have guests aboard who are new to sailing, Roger and Joyce were in search of thrills, and heeling over was one of the sensations they wanted to experience.  So, we took advantage of the 10-12 knot winds and configured the boat for speed.   We still avoided excessive heeling, but we were sure moving fast at times.

In case you're wondering how it is that Laura can be sitting next to the cabin hatch and still handle the mainsheet, it's because my mainsheet is double-ended with a Harden 140 Pivoting block w/cam cleat mounted on the boom over the threshold to the cabin.  This setup allows the mainsheet to be controlled from either end.  What is particularly nice about this arrangement is that in stronger winds a crewmember can easily adjust for wind gusts while the helmsman focuses on steering the boat.  Look for pictures and more details on how to set this up in the September issue of the newsletter.

On Saturday, August 26th, the fleet is having another on the water rendezvous and BBQ (more details).

Fleet 20 has a great weekend cruise to St. Helens planned for September 16-17 (more details).  If you come out for only one Fleet 20 activity this year, this is the  cruise to attend.

What about trailering your boat to Olympia October 21-22 (weather permitting) to sail the local waters for the weekend?  Laura and I are definitely thinking about it.  If we go, we'll probably launch at Swantown Marina and spend the day exploring the waters near Olympia.  I'm still checking into overnight berthing arrangements.  Look for more details in the September newsletter.

MainBrace Magazine
By Dale Mack

I'd like to let you know about one of the great benefits of being a member of the Catalina 22 National Sailing Association.  The MainBrace is the official newsletter of the Catalina 22 National Sailing Association (www.catalina22.org) and has been in continuous publication since 1972.  MainBrace is mailed to Association members six times a year (January, March, May, July, September, and November).   The magazine contains articles about cruising, technical tips, family activities aboard C-22's, racing results, regatta notices, and news from the more than sixty Catalina 22 Fleets spread across the country who conduct many local activities.  I really look forward to the arrival my copy every two months and particularly enjoy the technical tips, cruising stories, and reading about the adventures of other Catalina 22 Fleets.  Information on how to join the Association is available at www.catalina22.org  .

Fourth of July BBQ
By Dale Mack

Viewing the Fort Vancouver fireworks show is a longtime tradition in the Portland/Vancouver area.  Sitting on your boat, either anchored out in the Columbia River or berthed in one of the many marinas provides a great front-row seat to a spectacular show.

A group of us gathered at Tomahawk Bay Moorage for a BBQ at Mike & Debbie McGrath's C-22 (formerly owned by Terry & Kathie Annis) and Dale & Laura Mack's Harmony.  Prior to firing up the grill in the afternoon, we had raft races, water gun fights, and enjoyed a lot of causal conversation.

The morning's cool damp weather may have contributed to why there seemed to be fewer boats out on the river.  Even as the day warmed up and the skies cleared, the level of activity inside the marina seem down from last year.  One of the interesting sights was  a large sailboat flying a thirty-foot U.S. flag from the mast as they motored up and down the river.

The fireworks show was an incredible forty-five minutes of non-stop action choreographed to music, which was available on the radio.  Some of the effects were just stunning.

Notes for next year:  Vehicle access to Tomahawk is a problem for folks that don't keep their boats on the island.  Prior to the event, Tomahawk/Hayden Island boat owners receive a vehicle pass to get pass security that is posted near the fire station.  The walk from the security checkpoint to Tomahawk Bay Moorage is long, and parking near the checkpoint is risky since many locations put up temporary parking restriction signs.  Some form of carpool/shuttle from "safe" parking areas might work better next time to eliminate the parking hassle. 

Membership
By Dale Mack

Please join me in welcoming two more boats to Fleet 20.

• Stanley Fort of Portland keeps Spice Island berthed at Harbor One (slip E21).  Stanley is interested in cruising and racing.  He is willing to crew for others and is in search of crew.
• Mike & Debbie McGrath of Vancouver keep their C-22 berthed at McCuddy's on Marine Drive (slip D7).  Mike raced in the SYSCO summer series this year.

The San Juan Islands were Great!
By  Dale Mack

Most of those who participated in the cruise got back home August 5th, while  Bob Gales & Gail O'Neill on Imagine and Terry & Kathie Annis on Lematike continued to explore the Gulf Islands.

Laura, Sean, and I had a marvelous time in beautiful surroundings shared with some great people.  Look for a full article in the September issue of the newsletter.

August Rendezvous and BBQ
By Dale Mack

August 26.  Laura and I hope you'll join us at Grandma's Cove for a raft-up and late afternoon BBQ.  The cruise is for the  week before the Labor Day weekend to avoid holiday conflicts.  We're planning to raft-up later in the day and fire up the barbecues.  For those without barbecues, you are welcome to come aboard Harmony and use the Mack's grill.  This will be the typical Fleet 20 "fend for yourself" style of potluck where everyone manages their own main dish and brings a side-dish or dessert to share.

The raft-up in Grandma's Cove will start coming together at 4:30 p.m., and we'll start the grills around 6 p.m.  The cove is a great place to row around in your raft or just relax aboard your boat.

St. Helens Overnight Cruise
By  Dale Mack

September 16-17.  Fleet 20 will be sailing to St. Helens, located about seventeen nautical miles downstream of the I-5 bridge.  The plan is to rendezvous near buoy "47" (a green navigational aid west of the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge) and depart for St. Helens at 11 am.  Our destination is the city docks located in front of the courthouse.

Our cruise is timed to coincide with the SYSCO fun race and cruise to St. Helens.  Fleet 20 members who are also SYSCO members may elect to take advantage of the race start (this is not a serious race, no prizes are awarded nor is anyone recognized for passing Buoy "4", a red navigational aid south of Warrior Rock first).

Fleet 20 will share a potluck dinner on the docks Saturday evening.  Everyone should plan on taking care of their own main dish and then bringing a side-dish or dessert to share.  I'm willing to share my grill if your boat's not equipped with a barbecue.

Sunday morning is a depart-at-your-leisure kind of day.  The motor back to Portland will take about 4.5 hrs.  We've usually been able to sail back part of the distance, but it's not real dependable, so plan on motoring.

Watch the September newsletter and your email for additional information.

Check Your Trailer's Bunks
By Dale Mack

If your boat sits on carpeted wooden bunks when it's on the trailer, you might benefit from my recent experience ( hopefully you can avoid my mistake).

As part of my preparation for heading to the San Juan's on Thursday July 27th, Laura and I pulled the boat out of the water on Sunday.  Everything went smooth, and the boat's position on the trailer looked perfect.  The drive home was uneventful, and my mind was focused on the additional gear and supplies we needed to store aboard.

With the boat and trailer parked on the RV pad at home, I started inspecting the bottom and keel.  While looking at a couple of rust spots on the keel where I bumped the bottom on the Lemon Island Rendezvous back in May, I noticed what look like a depression into the boat's hull on the portside where my trailer's middle bunk support is positioned.  Closer inspection of the bunk revealed that it was cracked and that the support seemed to be pressed into the bunk.  It was pretty obvious that the bunk was no longer supporting the boat properly.  The last thing I wanted to do was trailer the boat over bumpy roads with the trailer in the shape it was in.

Since I had never tried to raise the boat off the trailer at home, I decided that the best solution for me would be to relaunch the boat and install new bunks while in the parking lot of the launch ramp.  Laura and I launched the boat on Monday and moved it to an under-utilized portion of the launch ramp dock (it helped that Monday evening was a slow time at the ramp).  With Laura tending to the boat, I pulled the trailer into the parking lot and started in on the project.  I removed the six lag screws (two per each of the three bunk supports on the portside) and prepared to lift off the bunk.  Imagine my surprise when the bunk folded in half as I attempted to remove it.  The whole area above the middle support was dry-rotted.  The starboard bunk was in better shape, but was also starting to show the early signs of dry-rot (neither bunk had been pressure treated).

With the bunks off, I set about installing the two 2"x6"x11' pressure treated bunks I had cut to length at home.  I had read in the Catalina 22 Technical Manual (available from the Catalina 22 National Sailing Association) that you should avoid using lag screws, and instead should use countersunk carriage bolts to hold the bunks in place.  While I had always intended to switch to the carriage bolt method when I replaced the bunks in the future, I ended up opting for lag screws as the trailer's manufacturer had thirteen years earlier.  I'd still like to switch to carriage bolts just because they seem more secure and it would be nice not having the point of a lag screw aimed at the boat's hull.

Since the bunks are curved once installed on the trailer, I was faced with how to pull the bunk down about ten inches so I could secure it to the middle bunk support.  The method I used was to position the bunk on the front and back supports, and then to use a nylon strap with a ratcheting device to slowly pull the bunk into position.  After installing the six lag screws, I removed the nylon strap and installed the bunk carpet using copper tacks to hold it in place.  I installed the second bunk following the same procedure.

I'm going to pay closer attention to the trailer bunks in my future inspections of the boat and trailer.  While it was a hassle to have to switch out the bunks on such short notice, I felt a lot better driving to Anacortes with the new bunks.

Keel Winch
By Dale Mack

One of my projects from this last winter was to tackle the rust that had formed on my keel winch, particularly on the drum and the area around the mounting bolts.  After removing the winch from the boat, I disassembled it for easier cleaning and painting.

With a wire brush and sand paper, I removed the rust and then prepared the parts for painting.  I masked off the bushings and portions of the shafts normally in contact with the bushings.  I applied two coats of primer and four coats of paint.  I choose white paint instead of the original silver because it will show signs of rust earlier.

After the paint was fully dried, I lubricated the bushings and reassembled everything.  If you do this project, be careful NOT to lubricate the clutch disk that sits between two sets of the gears.  The clutch disk plays an important role in why the winch can support your 550 lb. swing- keel without the winch spinning out of control.

I also took the opportunity to inspect the keel cable for "fish hooks" which would indicate broken strands and the need to replace the cable.  Another component of the system I inspected was the rubber hose the cable passes through.  There is a  coiled wire built into the walls of the hose to add stiffness.  I have read at least one account of this wire becoming exposed due to the keel cable wearing through the wall of the hose.  In one instance, the wire became fouled in the winch when raising the keel, which led to the winch pulling the hose off of the nipple fiberglassed into hull despite the two hose clamps.  The boats owner had no idea he had a problem until he stepped into the cabin and found the deck plates awash (the top of the nipple is below the waterline of your boat).

August 26.  August Rendezvous at Grandma's Cove

September 16-17.  Cruise to St. Helens

October 21-22. Olympia Cruise.

December 2. Fleet 20 Holiday Party

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.