FLEET 20 NEWSLETTER
June 2001

Catalina 22 - Fleet 20, Portland, OR

Preparing for the San Juan's
By Dennis Thomas

I would like to propose that the Fleet have a final pre-San Juan Cruise meeting on Saturday, June 23^rd.  It had been suggested that we meet on June 16^th but with father’s day on June 17^th some folks may not be able to make that.  I know I will not be available. That does not mean the meeting cannot be on June 16^th just because I won’t be there.

The intent of the meeting would be to wrap up and review itineraries, look at any final details and to discuss with some of us novices, what to take, how to prepare, etc.  July 27^th is coming soon, that is when we converge upon Anacortes.  Please let me know what your preference is June 16^th or 23^rd.

 Birthdays In June

 Fleet 20 would like to wish the following members Happy Birthday!

• Linda Harcombe, June 7^th
• Margaret Hanson, June 12^th 

Beer Can Races

Let the races begin, June 8th through August 31st every Friday night.  These races are for fun and are very casual.  Look in your OCSA Race Booklet, page 70.  Hope to see you out there.

LtoR:  Sandy Thomas, Terry Annis, Mike McGrath, Sandi Hayden, Mike Hibbs, and Bill Hayden meet for the Tomahawk Bay swap meet.

Tomahawk Bay Swap Meet
By Dale Mack

May 19.  Several of us rendezvoused at Tomahawk Bay Moorage on a comfortable and sunny Saturday morning to browse the marine gear on sale.  Despite being only a few weeks after the West Marine swap meeting in April, there was lots of new things to see.

We talked of racing, cruising, and future adventures.  These get togethers have been fun, and I look forward to more as the season progresses.

Chris Mountford Leads a Great
Lemon Island Rendezvous
By Dale Mack

May 6.  During the winter, Chris Mountford had mentioned to several of us that his son had discovered a channel between Lemon Island and a north side sand bar.  The sand bar is normally covered this time of the year, but the river's below normal level has exposed the bar and the channel that separates it from the island.  This "special" spot became the destination for our annual Lemon Island Rendezvous.

Laura and I had gotten a late start, so everyone else was already making their way upriver by the time we got to buoy "14".  We caught up to the Mountfords and Haydens, and started watching the depth sounder as we left the shipping channel and headed  into the shallows near the island.  Thoughts of sanding off my new VC17 bottom paint caused me to chicken out and not proceed into the channel on my own.  While I anchored, Chris passed by and headed up the channel.  Noticing that no one was following him, Chris came back down the channel and reassured us all that it was deep enough.

With Chris on Little Hector, leading the way, we all slowly motored up the channel, squeezed between a fallen tree and the remnants of a log dolphin, and finally emerged into a cove.  The afternoon was spent sharing snacks and conversation as we enjoyed a beautiful May day.  I want to thank Chris Mountford for leading a wonderful cruise.  Laura, Sean, and I had a great time.

Beacon Rock Cruise
By Dale Mack

May 26-28.  After listening to Terry Annis talk about taking his C22 Lematike upriver to Beacon Rock State Park, I was convinced I wanted to make the trip some day.  While at the Lemon Island Rendezvous, Chris Mountford had suggested we should go to Beacon Rock in the future.  Once back at home, Laura and I decided the upcoming Memorial Weekend would be a perfect opportunity to make the trip.

After sending out an email invitation to join Laura and me on the cruise, I got positive replies back from Terry and Kathie Annis, and Don and Diana McGee.  Don had taken his boat to Beacon Rock the previous weekend, so he had lots of current information I found very useful.  I had estimated that we'd be motoring between six and sevens hours on the way out, and four to five hours on the way back.  The following table shows a summary of the log I kept while heading to Beacon Rock using my GPS.

We had great weather on Saturday, and the scenery in the Columbia Gorge was fabulous.  The wind's velocity continued to grow throughout the day, and we spent the last forty-five minutes of the cruise motoring up and then surfing down wind blown swells moving up river.  One moment we'd be doing 4.0 knots and the next we'd be doing 6.9 knots.

The trip upriver took us 6 hours and 22 minutes, and we averaged 4.57 knots for the 29.1 nautical mile journey (I can usually motor at 6 knots in flat water with no current).  The strongest current on the whole trip we encountered between the overhead power lines and Parker Landing where my speed was down to 3.2 knots at one point.  My 4-stroke 7.5hp Honda burned about 5 gallons on the way up (I usually figure about 0.75gals/hr with my motor).

LtoR:  Dave & Linda Harcombe with Laura Mack

Beacon Rock from the water is breathtaking.  Inside the cove, we were out of the wind, but surprisingly not out of the current as we discovered while trying to unsuccessfully approach the dock a couple of times (the current flows from Beacon Rock toward the river).  Shortly after we got the boat tied up, we were surprised to look up and see fellow Fleet 20 members Dave and Linda Harcombe who were on their way to Portland by car.  From my earlier email invitation, the Harcombes knew we'd be at Beacon Rock, so they decided to drop by and say hi.  Within an hour of our arrival, Terry and Kathie Annis arrived followed by Don and Diana McGee and their friend Rock.

Sunday was spent reading, napping, walking the dog, or rowing the raft around.  We only saw that portion of Beacon Rock State Park near the docks, but it was beautiful.  The Park Service has added new restrooms and showers which were an added bonus, and fresh water was available at the head of the ramp to the docks.

Reports on the radio talked of showers on Monday, so I decided Harmony would start back around 7:30 am to avoid the afternoon winds.  After a great night's sleep we awoken to overcast skies.  Within thirty minutes of departure I was in full foul weather gear and my winter sailing gloves.  The 7.0 knots I had expected to maintain downriver was turning out to be more like 6.0-6.5 knots because of the wind and the swells.  The first twelve nautical miles were awful as we slammed through swells and fought against heavy rain that was blowing horizontally.  We eventually found smooth water out of the main channel and continued downriver.

Did I mention the fisherman?  Heading up river on Saturday had been like running a slalom course at times.  Between anchor lines, boats, and fishing lines, it was incredible.  What was more incredible was the number of these folks anchored in the shipping channel.  So here we are on Monday, it's nasty, cold, and wet, and I'm slugging my way downstream  and here are all these fisherman out there again.  Go figure, the weatherman tells you its going to be a lousy day, but somehow you talk four of your closest friends into coming out with you to sit in an aluminum boat in the middle of the river so you can get pelted by rain, buffeted by wind and swells, just to catch a fish that costs less than the gas you invested to get on the river.  Of course we won't mention what they thought of me.

Here's Don McGee's adventure getting home from the cruise:

"We left about and hour after Terry and Kathie and immediately ran aground before clearing the channel to the river.  We hit hard enough to bend the pintles and knock the rudder out of its gudgeons.  The wind gently deposited us upon the gravel beach on the island opposite the dock.  Rock works with metal at his job and we set about straightening the pintles so they would fit back in.  I would advise  all C22 sailors to carry a ball peen hammer aboard for such corrective actions.  We made due with a large channel locks.   Rock got the pins straight and the rudder replaced and then we set off into the wind (later reported to be over 40 knots).  That much wind required us to cross the river and hug the southern shore.  Rain fell hard a couple of times soaking me, even though I had a foul weather top on.  Rock's wife joined us Sunday night but the girls stayed below the whole trip.  We did no sailing on the way home due to the wind's strength."

Despite the adventure of getting home, Laura, Sean, and I really had a great time.  We will definitely do this trip again.  Here's a couple of other ideas for next time.  If you want to break up the trip on the way out to Beacon Rock, consider anchoring overnight at Reed Island, or staying at the docks at Rooster Rock State Park.  Definitely bring a raft along because there is lots to row around and see.  Ice is available about a 1/2 mile walk from the docks.  Bring quarters for the showers.  I brought 6.3 gallons of fuel in my main tank and 2.7 in a backup (about 12 hours of motoring).  I got back to Tomahawk with about 1.5 gallons of fuel, so I might bring a little more next time or at least stop in at Parker Landing on the way upriver to top off.

Rosario Reservations - San Juan Islands Cruise
By Dennis Thomas

July 27-August 4.  Terry Annis has reminded me that the July 28th Party on Orcas Island near Rosario Resort is still on.  Rosario dock space is $40.00 per night. If you wish to anchor out and dinghy in, park and use their facilities there is a $25.00 landing fee.  Some boats are intending to anchor out at Rosario.

One other option that have been looked into is West Sound Marina and it requires that we use their camp sites or other shelters for a 2 day minimum with at least an outlay of $50.00 for both days.

Another option is Deer Harbor, the cost is $25.00 per night on the dock.  It has a swimming pool, showers, small store and restaurant.  It is a nice place. Terry has been assured that transportation by land to the party from the various Harbors is available exactly as we need.

If you have an idea on what your preference is please email me and let me know so we can be looking at how we handle the reservations. My email address is, d_sthomas@juno.com.

Emerging details of the fleet's San Juan's cruise is available on our website.

SYSCO Summer Race Series
By Dennis Thomas & Dale Mack

The SYSCO Summer Race Series begins Tuesday, June 12th, and the first Fleet 20 race night begins on Thursday, June 14.

Fleet 20 is responsible to provide the Race Committee (and boat) for the Tuesday, June 12th race and the Friday, June 29th Beer Can race.  If you are interested in helping out on the Committee Boat please let Dennis know.  We need about eight volunteers and a boat (Nate Hansen has volunteered his C25 for 6/12).

There is no pre-requisite or prior experience required.  We will provide all the training you need on the day of the race.  It is a good experience and fun.

Please let Dennis know if you are willing and able, it is coming up very soon.  Dennis' email address is d_sthomas@juno.com.

Also if you intend on racing,  just a reminder, you will need to get your registration into SYSCO for the Summer Series.  The OCSA entry form used for the races is available on our website.

SYSCO One-Design Regatta
By Dale Mack

August 15-16.  Are you going to participate in the August One-Design Regatta?  Fellow Catalina 22 owner Jeffrey Howe from Silverton (Kalola, #14718) is thinking about bring his boat, but it would help to know that we have commitments from at least four boats.

The Spring Evening Racing Series was Great 
By Dale Mack

Catalina 22's finishing race #3 wing-n-wing.

The Spring Evening Racing Series was the most successful in recent club history.  We had six boats participating, half of which had skippers racing the for the first time.  Early concerns about whether some boats would have crew available for some races, got handled through phone calls and email as non-racing Fleet 20 members and Friends of the Fleet pitched in to volunteer to be crew.  My crew changed week to week as we planned around people's work schedules.  I'm sure that all of us who utilized the pool of crew would like to personally thank those who came out and raced with us.  For my boat, I what thank current and former C22 owners Russ Lippert, Nate Hansen, and Dan Higgins who not only crewed with me for the Spring series but also contributed to my success.  Thanks.

Mike Hibbs crews for Bill Hayden on Imagine for race #5.

The Spring Series was blessed with dry weather for all five races.  Despite the first race being cancelled for no wind (which showed up shortly after the cancellation), the remaining four races were sailed in very nice conditions, helped out by a slower river current this year.

After my early success in races #2 and #3, I discovered in race #4 that I still have a lot to learn about sailing downwind against the river's current.  Having my whisker pole collapse five times during the final leg of the race contributed to the separation Mike McGrath and Terry Annis on Solus eventually put between themselves and Harmony,  but it doesn't explain, nor was it a factor in how Solus caught up to and eventually passed me so convincingly.  Terry Annis definitely knows how to get the most out of Catalina 22 sailing downwind on the Columbia River.  His tactics and race course management in race #4 were great and Mike on the tiller seemed to be able to get the boat in the groove and hold it there.  Congratulations to Mike and Terry for their win in race #4.

The finally race of the series turned out to be the most fun for me even with the third place finish because the racing for the first mark was so close.  While I may struggle for consistency downwind, may record on windward legs is very good.  In the previous race, I noticed that Chris Mountford on Little Hector was doing extremely well to weather, and in fact seemed to be pointing one to two degrees higher than everyone else.  In race #5, Chris and I found our selves in a tacking duel to the windward mark with the lead changing on every tack (it was racing at its best).  I eventually eked out a small lead near the mark, but then got myself into trouble when I became unsure whether I was far enough north to avoid having the current run me into the mark.  The wind eventually back winded my jib, forcing me tack directly towards Chris who was about two boat lengths north and one boat length aft of Harmony.  Thanks to Chris' quick action, Harmony was able duck Little Hector's stern, but only after gently tapping the motor housing on Little Hector.  As I headed north to do my penalty turns, Mike McGrath and Terry Annis on Solus, rounded the mark and found themselves in the lead with Little Hector in a close second.

Here are the final standings for the Spring Series.  I want to thank everyone who came out and had fun and learned a few more things about themselves and the boats.

Depth Sounder Swing Arm
By Dale Mack

Last year, Dennis Thomas built a swing arm prototype for his new-style C22 WindChaser, #14306.  Designed to support both the depth sounder and the VHF radio, the arm can be swung into the companionway for easy viewing and listening from the cockpit.  Dennis' plan is to eventually reproduce the design in either oak or mahogany stained to match the teak.

Dennis found that an angle of 12 degrees seem to be about right for rabbets joints cut into the main block that mounts to the aft bulkhead with two screws.  We'll provide a measured drawing in the future for those wishing to build one.

June 12 (tu).  Race Committee Duty

June 14.  Summer Series, Race #1

June 21.  Summer Series, Race #2

June 23 (sa).  Fleet 20 Summer Meeting  (do we want to get together???)

June 28.  Summer Series, Race #3

June 29 (fr).  Race Committee Duty - Beer Can Race

more...

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.