From the Afterguard
By Dale Mack

Mike, Debbie, and Rachel Hibbs are off sailing the San Juan and Gulf Islands in their chartered Catalina 28, so I thought I'd fill in while our fleet captain and his family enjoy one of the wonders of the Pacific Northwest.

It's hard to believe it is August already.  The sailing this season has been incredible.  I hope you've been finding time to get out on your boat and experience life at a slower pace.

Looking for a Boat

Our Fleet Captain sold his boat this summer as part of the Hibbs' family plan to eventually acquire a larger boat (sounds familiar to the Mack family plan in 2001).  Mike and I have decided to go in together and find a Catalina 22 we can use for racing next year.  We've been searching the papers, looking through magazines, checking the Internet, and following tips on boats that might be available.  We're hoping to find an early model boat, with trailer, and motor in serviceable condition that some elbow grease can put back on the water.  If you come across something let either of us know.

2003 Catalina 22 National Regatta in Cascade, Idaho

In 1997, Laura, Sean, and I were living in Boise, Idaho and preparing to move to Vancouver, Washington in July.  Despite the demands of relocating, we couldn't resist the opportunity to participate in the C22 Nationals being held on Lake Tahoe.

We had an absolutely spectacular family vacation, and while we skipped a few races to go off and do activities that appealed more to our eight year old son, we still enjoyed the flavor and camaraderie of the event.  We also meet Fleet 20 members Terry Annis (Lematike, #6800) who was competing in the Genoa Silver fleet just like us, Kelly Martin who was competing in the Genoa Gold fleet (Hurricane, #9413), and Bob Gales.  Bob and I had exchanged a few emails since the Spring when Bob had posted some of Fleet 20's activities on the Catalina 22 email discussion group.

So what does all this have to do with the C22 Nationals in 2003?  I'm hoping to encourage my fellow Pacific Northwest C22 sailors in attending the Idaho regatta in June, 2003.  The regatta is so much more than just racing.  Think of it as summer camp for adults.  From after race socials, to sharing C22 upgrade, maintenance, and tuning ideas, you'll sure to find something to interest you and the crew.

Hope to see you there in 2003.

Race Committee has Front Row Seat
By Dale Mack 

On July 16th, Fleet 20 served as the race committee for the Tuesday evening racing of the big boats.  The turnout of volunteers was great, and was only exceeded by the amount of food and beverages everyone brought to supply dinner after the last start.

We had the race committee boat on station and the course board up well before 6 pm.  As boats came by to read the course, we checked off their sail number or name in the race committee data sheets.  With most of the committee members on the bow of the committee boat, we went through the flag and sound signals that communicate the starting sequence to the racers.  From a race committee standpoint, the evening went off flawlessly, even with the over early for a couple of boats in one of the starts, all the signals went up or came down on time.

One of the advantages of race committee duty is being so close to the starters.  On this night we had some very tight starts, and a front row seat to all the action.

Once the last boat had crossed the starting line, we broke out the food.  From chicken to sub sandwiches, and more chips than three race committees could have consumed, we had quite a fest.

I want to thank everyone for coming out.  It was a beautiful evening, with some really close racing, all shared in the company of friends.  Please consider joining us next year.

Fort Vancouver Fireworks were Spectacular
By Dale Mack

Our annual trek down to boat to watch the Fort Vancouver fireworks display was rewarded with a spectacular display.  This was also my first time in recent memory that we weren't greeted with light rain in the morning.  The only reason I remember this is because all of my pictures from previous outings always start off with shots of the boat's cockpit covered with a tarp in the morning.

In addition to Laura and Sean, we also had with us Laura's dad, two of her sisters, her nephew, her niece, and her brother-in-law.  Much of the day for the adults was spent in conversation and consuming snacks and beverages.

This was our first opportunity to play with our recently acquired dinghy, and it was a hit.  Sean spent most of the day in the boat exploring the marina, practicing his rowing, and racing other kids also out in their folk's dinghies.

Sean's three year cousin also got to spend his first time in a small boat, and he found the experience of being chauffeured by Sean a lot of fun.

In the afternoon, we tossed off the mooring lines, and went out and motored around a bit (too many non-sailors aboard to permit a sail).  The beautiful weather and great wind had brought people out because the river was loaded with boats of every size and description. 

As we waited for the sun to set, Sean rowed me around the marina, and even at one point poked the dinghy out into the Columbia River so I could see the action on the water prior to the fireworks display.  Boy were there a lot of boats anchored out on the river.

The forty-five minute fireworks display was the climax of the evening, and it was spectacular.  We had the radio tuned to the local station carrying the fireworks music, and the timing between the music and the pyrotechnics was amazing.  If you haven't viewed the fireworks show from your boat, I highly recommend it.  It makes for a great family outing, and gives you another excuse to be on the boat;-) 

Beacon Rock & Beyond Cruise 
Starting Friday, August 16
By Dale Mack

I've driven to Beacon Rock state park; Sean, I, and the dog have even walked our way to the top via the paved path and stairs that snake their way to the summit, but 2001 was the first time I arrived by boat.  The trip through the gorge was spectacular, and the harbor is a gem.

Last month's newsletter outlined a planned cruise by several Catalina's from Fleet 20 and the Columbia River All Catalina Association (CRACA).  Although some participates will proceed upriver beyond the Bonneville Dam, may folks are planning to attend only the Beacon Rock portion of the cruise.  This is a very doable three-day cruise in a Catalina 22.  While it could be done in two days, the 6.5 hours of motoring one day, followed by 4.5 hours motoring the next would be too much work for me.  I'd recommend something like a Saturday departure with a Monday return.  Drop me a line if you're thinking about going.

St. Helens Cruise,  September 14-15
By Dale Mack

One of the best Fleet 20 sails on the Columbia River is scheduled to coincide with SYSCO's annual casual cruise/race to St. Helens.  We've traditionally shared a potluck dinner on the free city docks.

We will rendezvous near buoy "47" and head down river at 11 am.

Mike McGrath Wins the Summer Series
By Dale Mack 

Congratulations to Mike McGrath and his crew for winning the SYSCO Summer Series for the Catalina 22 fleet aboard his boat Solus, #6800.

Mike won the Summer Series in 2001, and eventually went on to win the 2001 Fleet Championship.

In a race series where there was no clearly dominant boat, the Summer Series winner was decided in the final race of the five race series.  

The lead three boats heading to the first mark ("R") were Blaine Dickason (Gromit, #12286), followed by Mike McGrath (Solus, #6800), and then Don Bateson (Crocus, #4248).  The second mark ("C") of the triangular set course was south across the river.  Crews had to decide whether to reach on the leg or go wing-and-wing.  All crews went wing-and-wing.  As the boats closed on the mark Solus was leeward and behind Gromit fighting to achieve an overlap, while Crocus was windward of Gromit in third place.  The mark rounding was tight with Solus having achieved an overlap on Gromit and passing the mark on the inside, while Crocus sat on Gromit's starboard quarter all the way around the mark.

The downwind, but upriver leg back to the starting line at mark "X" was classic Catalina 22 downwind racing.  After rounding the last mark, Solus was in the lead, Gromit second, followed by Crocus.  The wind was coming across the port quarter and everyone had gybed over to a port tacked wing-and-wing configuration.  Gromit mistakenly failed to cover Solus by moving north and getting onto Solus' port quarter.  Crocus moved north of Gromit and eventually powered by Gromit in clear air and began chasing Solus who was now eight boat lengths ahead.  The mark rounding at "X" was uneventful, and the boats started their second and final lap around the course.

The windward leg saw the race tighten up again.  Solus and Crocus were on split tacks with Solus in the lead.  When the two boats came together, Crocus was two boat lengths ahead.  As Solus ducked Crocus' stern, Crocus tacked onto port to cover.  While Solus and Crocus dueled it out, Gromit and the rest of the fleet gained ground on the leaders.  Crocus rounded the mark with a three boat lead over Solus.

The southern leg across the river saw the fleet continue to gain ground on the leaders.  Solus once again went for the gutsy leeward position for the mark in an effort to gain rights to an inside mark rounding, and they made it.  While Crocus rounded first, Solus' inside position allowed them to exit in first.

The final leg to the finish was some of the closest and most enjoyable racing I've been in.  Solus had a three boat length lead over Crocus and seven lengths over Gromit.  Crocus mistakenly failed to cross from Solus' starboard quarter to port quarter, leaving Solus in a controlling position for the remainder of the leg.  As Crocus would draw nearly even with Solus, Crocus would end up in the exhaust coming off of Solus' sails, and then Crocus would slow down.  As Solus moved ahead of Crocus, Crocus would finally get clear air, and surge forward, always coming just short of regaining the lead.  In search of clear air, Crocus moved south.  Solus failed to cover so Crocus began to close the one boat length lead Solus had.  Unfortunately for Crocus the race course ended about fifty yards too soon, and Solus won by less than eight feet.

Congratulations to Mike McGrath and all the other skippers and crew for a great race.

The Summer Racing was Easy
By Dale Mack

Mike McGrath on Solus, chases Blaine Dickason on Gromit during the pre-start.

The last two races of the five race SYSCO Summer Series were completed in the month of July.  The exceptional race weather held up and so did the great volunteer crew support.

Just a reminder, the SYSCO Awards banquet on October 12th is open to everyone, skippers and crew alike, and not just SYSCO members.  In addition to the presentation of various awards, the banquet has traditionally had great food and dancing.

Here's a few of my reflections on the racing in July:

Most Surprising - Discovering the Gromit had snapped her rudder off just below the lower gudgeon in race #4.  It was great to see Blaine back in race #5 sporting Terry Annis' kickup rudder.

Most Impressive - Vernon Hollins and Mike Hibbs on Vernon's boat Zephyr, doing a horizon job on the rest of us in race #4.  Great job guys calling that first leg.

Most Fun - Too many to pick from, but I'd have to say the closeness of the racing in race #5.

Most Improved - Easy call, Blaine Dickason on Gromit.  In the Spring Series you could walk away from Gromit in the downwind legs.  In the Summer Series Gromit became a much tougher competitor both windward and downwind.

Most Welcomed - Everyone who was able help out with our race committee duty.

Thanks again to everyone who raced their boat or crewed for someone.  The 2002 Summer Series was great, and I'm already missing those Thursday evening races.

Running Lines Aft
By Dale Mack

Unless you have a Catalina 22 with a sail number greater than about 13142 (1985 model), then your boat came from the factory with all the halyards setup to be cleated off at the mast.  Although this arrangement is very functional, many C22 owners eventually opted for the convenience of leading the lines aft to the cockpit.  Having the main halyard lead aft is great if you later decide to install single-line jiffy reefing.

At the base of the mast you're going to need a means of turning the lines if you have exterior halyards.  One method is to install a plate under the mast step that allows swivel blocks to be attached.  Another option is to install fixed turning blocks.

Once the lines leave the base of the mast, you'll need to turn them aft using deck organizers.  Two to three sheave varieties will work fine depending on your future plans.  Basic candidates for leading aft include:

• jib halyard
• main halyard
• jiffy reefing
• boom vang

Once the lines reach the cockpit, your choices are endless about how to secure them.  Cleats or rope clutches work well for halyards, and cleats, jam cleats, and cam cleats work well for lines like vangs, jiffy reefing, etc.

August 10 - 11.  SYSCO One-Design Regatta

August 16 - 26.  Beacon Rock & Beyond Upriver Cruise

August 30.  Final Friday Night Beer Can Race of the 2002 Season

September 14 -15.  Fleet 20 Cruise to St. Helens City Docks

September 20 - 22.  All Catalina Rendezvous Sand Island - St. Helens

September 21.  Sail for the Cure

October 12.  SYSCO Fall Awards Banquet

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.