From the Captain
By Blaine Dickason, blainedickason@hotmail.com

The recent Spring-like weather has caused me to question what's happened to Winter but then I think about the upcoming sailing season and don't mind it so much (as long as we have enough water). I've seen lots of boats on the River from afar and I hope some of those were C22 sails.

All of this leads to the fact that we are fast approaching our active season on the Columbia. For those racers, the first Spring Series race is Thursday, April 17th and there will a SYSCO sponsored Race Clinic on April 3-4th. I attended the clinic last year and it greatly increased my comfort level on race night. Part of the responsibility of racing on Thursday nights includes serving as the Race Committee for the larger boats on Tuesdays.

This usually entails conducting the RC for one night in each of the Spring and Summer Series events. Our Tuesday night assignments have not yet been set and we'll keep you posted in the newsletter when they do.

Typically, there has been a Spring planning meeting for Fleet members to discuss the upcoming calendar. I would like suggest this occur in Mid-March and will provide more details soon (Cindy and I can host). We can use the meeting to go over the Fleet's plans for the Memorial Day Martin Island cruise, the C22 National Championship Regatta in Idaho mid-June, a potential San Juan Islands cruise, and other local events.

The days are getting noticeably longer and Spring is around the corner. I look forward to seeing you both on and off the water as we get the 2003 season under way.

Fleet 20 at the Portland Boat Show
By Dale Mack

As part of Sailboats of Oregon's (our local Catalina Yachts dealer) display at the Portland Boat Show, Fleet 20 shared a Catalina Owners table with the Columbia River All Catalina Association.  The table was staffed with owners who answered questions about Catalina Yachts, club membership, and sailing in general.  Laura and I manned the table during the opening hours of the show's first day.  It was a lot of fun talking with people about our hobby.

To help promote the fleet, I covered black foam panels with 8x10 photos of various Fleet 20 activities, and included a brief description of the fleet on one panel.  The tower used to display the panels was provided by the All Catalina Association.  At the table were more photos in an album, Fleet 20 membership brochures, and a signup sheet for anyone wishing more information on Fleet 20.

Sailboats of Oregon had a very nice display which featured several models from twelve footers all the way up to a thirty-five.  Unlike last year, there was no Catalina 22 MkII on display (they'd all been sold), but there was a Capri 18, Catalina 28, Catalina 30 MkIII, and a Catalina 350.

The Portland Boat Show just continues to get better.  After our table duty was up and our relief arrived, we walked around and took in the rest of the show.  The show has great variety from sailboats to personal water craft, and from aluminum fishing boats to ski boats, there is a lot to see.

One of the features of the show I always enjoy is the classic boat display.  These mahogany and varnish runabouts are always a feast for the eyes.

Sailboats of Oregon Changes Ownership
By Dave Dudek, New Owner

Glenn Johnson, on the left, welcomes Dave Dudek, the new owner of Sailboats of Oregon.

On January 7, 2003, Glenn and Deane Johnson sold ‘Sailboats of Oregon’ to Dave Dudek of Lake Oswego. Glenn will stay on board to assist Dave for 45 days, and act as a consultant for a year after that. Dave will continue to be the authorized Oregon and southwest Washington Catalina Yachts dealer. The boat yard, with its 35 ton travel lift, was also sold to Dave in the transaction.

Glenn and Deane started Sailboats of Oregon more than 10 years ago. They built the business into a quality boat dealer, with a superb reputation for customer service. The boat yard grew to have an excellent regional reputation for its outstanding workmanship. The Johnsons have always been known for their fairness, commitment to high quality service for all of their customers, and for their genuine friendliness, kindness, and sense of humor. Several years ago they initiated the founding of the Columbia River All Catalina Association, and will remain active, as will Dave. They plan to raise various herbs and vegetables on their farm in Ridgefield, with their two cats and ‘Skippy’. Glenn would like to take their 50’ Gulfstar to San Francisco, Hawaii, and Alaska, if Deane will allow it.

Dave Dudek was raised in western Pennsylvania, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy, where he developed his love for sailing. Dave built a wooden boat with his father when he was 12 years old. He was an instructor on Luders class yawls in Pensacola, Florida when he was in the Navy. Dave has sailed on many different sailboats, and owned a Cal 20. He avidly sailed Hobie Cats in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, where he lived for many years. He also spent many hours crewing on the Catalina 27 in Hawaii. Dave and his wife, Tracy have two boys, Casey (8), and Michael (3), and reside in Lake Oswego.

Dave will run the business as it has been operated by Glenn and Deane. Service and quality will continue with the same high standards. All CRACA members are invited to visit Sailboats of Oregon anytime - you are always welcome!

Time to Renew Your Fleet 20 Membership
By Dale Mack

Thank you to those that have already mailed in their 2003 membership renewal.

The Fleet 20 Membership Application is available online here.  Simply print it off, fill it out, and sending it along with $10 to the address listed on the application.

Rendezvous at the Seattle Boat Shows
By Dale Mack

Laura, Sean, and I visited the Seattle Boat Show, and Lake Union Boats Afloat Show during the last weekend of the shows.  Much to our surprise we ran into Fleet 20 members Mike Hibbs, Nate and Margaret Hanson, Terry and Kathie Annis, and Gail O'Neill and Bob Gales along with several folks from the Columbia River All Catalina Association (CRACA), and the Small Yacht Sailing Club of Oregon (SYSCO).  We had planned to attend the show during the first weekend, but a business trip to Guadalajara pushed us to the second weekend.

The Seattle Boat Show brought back large sailboats with the opening of the new Seahawks Stadium which contains a large indoor exhibition space under the stadium seats.  As always, the gear booths we quite plentiful and there were lots of powerboats to see.

The Mack's stayed at the Residence Inn right across the street from the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show, so we had the added convenience of taking in part of the show, going back to the room to rest, and then going out later to take in the rest of the show.  In terms of order, we actually did the Lake Union show on Saturday, and then on Sunday took in the Seattle show after checking out of the room.

The Boats Afloat Show remains the place to see sailboats and big trawlers.  Laura and I especially liked the Catalina 42 and the  Catalina 400 with its master aft cabin.  At one point Laura came out of the Catalina 42 with such a big smile, I thought I was going to be writing a check;-))

Saturday evening was topped off by going out to dinner with our Fleet 20 friends.  McCormick's was the destination and the corner window table was great.

High-Tech Hot Pot Holder
By Linda Harcombe

Hi Dale, I wanted to tell you about a great little item for the galley, thought you might like to stick it in the newsletter, unless of course everyone but me already knew about it!

Elizabeth gave it to me as a stocking stuffer for Christmas and found it at a grocery store in Sellwood - New Seasons I think is name of store. It is:

HotSpot The Ultimate Potholder, Trivet, Hotpad, or Jar/Bottle Opener

• Available in Hot Colors for Cool Hands
• Heat/Flame Resistant to 675 degrees
• Exceptionally Slip and Skid Resistant

I thought it would be wonderful for setting a teakettle, kettle, etc. or to keep a pan in place. They have a website:  www.treespirit.com.

Hope this is helpful to someone, Linda

Spinnaker Run Adventure from St. Helens to Portland
By Terry Annis as told to Don Bateson

I was standing below the St. Helen’s bell tower wondering what the day would bring. Many low, fast-moving clouds were heading upriver as if to confirm the gusts of wind that were making me sway and wince at the tiny rain droplets stinging my cheek. I started to move away, thankful for the wonderful breakfast just devoured at the St. Helen’s Café. Could it be possible that sailors have been eating huge hotcakes and egg breakfasts here for over a hundred years? I feel like a make believe sailor but it still works for me.  Lematike, my Catalina Yachts sloop, is tied up below me on row “A” of the St. Helens city docks. These are connected to the bank by a huge steel gangway decorated with a “slippery when wet” sign; always good for a chuckle. Lematike’s dock lines are strained tight probably a hint of strong current but I almost believe she is telling me it’s time to start our adventure back to Portland.

The wind is a steady 10 knots with gusts to 15. After conferring with my crew, Dale Mack, we decide to give the cruising spinnaker a try. This may be the day to try sailing all the way home without the “Iron Sail”; no small achievement on the St. Helens to Portland upriver run. What’s another few minutes to run the sheets and secure the tack and make ready to hoist? It really should not present any problems, but all those extra lines, ropes, sheets and even a preventor for the main boom. Twelve months ago this would have been a very scary moment indeed. A little more experience has brought me to the point of only small concern, and that is mainly with the opinion of my peers. I once read a letter from a naval pilot flying sorties from a aircraft carrier who noted that he was much more concerned about what his peers would think than if he crashed the plane and lost his life. I guess I have those feelings sometimes; I would rather fall off the foredeck than have a twist in the spinnaker 20 feet up. I am sure that this logic would change the minute I hit the 47 degree water of the mighty Columbia River.

We clear the docks, hoist the mainsail and get underway. The noise of the motor sounded so out of place this fine morning, even for just a few minutes. The wind is cold and eager, the waters blue, and, would you believe, rays of sun are shining through the overcast about six miles up the river. Dale at the helm shouts out, “3 knots, prepare to hoist the spinnaker!”. He is also a boat owner and I am impressed; he sounds like a Captain, as well he should be. I feel that on a sloop this size the helmsman should also be the acting Captain. Besides, it gives me the opportunity to get up on the foredeck. There are many reasons for working the foredeck, my favorite being the water rushing by and feeling the power of the wind. I guess I don’t think about being the first one at the scene if we hit something.

“Hoist the spinnaker” comes the command. The blue halyard begins flying through the deck organizer on the port side. Up goes the sail and hanks, 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds. It is as if the wind was inspecting it’s new play toy, 4 seconds and “Whoop”. What a sight, full and open all the way up, no twists this time. I feel the tiny ship begin to dig in and gain speed. “Five and a half knots” Dale shouts as he makes final adjustments to the sail trim. I feel as if we are flying.

The next couple of hours seem to just fly by. The silence was only broken by Dale directing us through port and starboard jibes, of which there were plenty. The Columbia River wind did its best to get on our bad side by shifting back and forth unpredictably through nearly 80 degrees. This was the longest downwind run I had ever made and it was not even over yet. We had made it up river to where the sun was breaking through the clouds. Although it was warming up we were still wearing windbreakers and sweaters; no mermaids on sunshine beach this trip. We passed two empty car carrier ships going downriver this morning, one Korean, one Japanese. I wonder if they were sneaking out of Portland this Sunday morning only to return next month with more economic destruction. I have this strongly held notion that a nations’ wealth and standard of living are created from corporate profits and that true profit begins with manufacturing the goods that we use in our everyday life. But I digress, that is another trip and story.

We are starting to see long lines of anchored fishing boats; the Salmon numbers are very good this year. Some lines consist of up to 20 boats and are spaced at about half mile intervals. The owners hope to entice a hungry Coho to snap at the red and silver lures popular this year. Dale sails around the ends of the lines of boats. The Fisherman usually don’t seem to mind as we pass by at 4 to 5 knots; no wake, no noise, and the occasional “how’s the fishing?” and guess what, they drink Heineken beer too. I guess I found another reason I like to ride on the foredeck.

There was one line that we were approaching and there was a huge anchored ship near one end; we should be able to cut through. "No worries mate", as we will be parallel to the fishing lines with about 12 feet leeway on either side. The boat on the port side seems to be a little curious but quite willing to let Captain Dale thread the needle. I guess from their point of view we might be nudging their space a bit. What would one be thinking with this huge spinnaker heading right at you at 6 knots? I feel a little uneasy, like we are being watched and sure enough a little girl with a yellow sundress is watching me from the starboard fishing boat, a Duckworth river sled I believe, with the top down. This little lady of about four years has everything just right, pole in the holder and a great little pair of binoculars pointed at me. A little wave from me is in order as we are about 90 feet away now but oh, how embarrassing to her, putting the binoculars down and taking a careful business-like pull on the fishing line, then a sneaky but quick return to the binoculars. A second wave from me gets the same reaction. I look away again as I don't want to rob her of any youthful dignity; binoculars pop right back up. I just can't resist a third wave; down she pops, taking a sip from her orange juice box. This is really neat, I see her dad is asleep and everything seems quite in order on their boat.

There are about twelve fishing boats in this line and a couple of boats down I hear a fisherman's girlfriend quiz him with "couldn't we fish from a boat like that?". As you can imagine, the owner of that sled had his own rendition of the question about our Catalina sailboat. No comment from me, discretion the better part of valor and all that.

It's quite warm and our four year old friend adjusts her lifejacket a bit, squirming in the sun, or maybe anticipation of our approach. We are about 50 feet from their boat now running 5 & 1/2 knots downwind and throwing a shadow 30 feet to our starboard side, toward the line of boats. That same shadow is about to engulf the napping father of the very exited four year old. She is mesmerized by the sight of 35 vertical feet of brightly colored spinnaker; getting a bit giddy with excitement. We probably should hail the fellow so as not to surprise him but don't really want to break up the conspiracy between us and the small child; her father not knowing something momentous is about to happen seems like half the magic. We count down the seconds, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..... The father leaps up turning to us with an expression that turns from surprise, to fear, to anger, and finally laughter fueled by his daughters delight. Her mother is in for quite a telling tonight; it would be great to play that tape.

The river is blue, the sun is warm, and we are starting to slow down a little as we turn East. We can see the Railway Bridge ahead now and it is time for a couple of beers and to reflect on why this day has to end. I guess that I do have to mow the lawn.

Who's Racing in 2003
By Dale Mack

Between a recent string of gorgeous days this winter and the start of the America's Cup, it's been hard not to think about racing.

If you are interested in racing, either with your boat or by crewing on someone else's boat, be sure to let either our Fleet Captain Blaine Dickason or me know.

If what's holding you back from racing your boat is a concern that you don't have enough experience or knowledge, please let Fleet 20 help by finding you an experienced Catalina 22 sailor/racer who can get you started.  Several former Catalina 22 owners who have moved up to bigger boats are still active in the fleet crewing for others.

If you do plan to race your boat, I recommend you visit our Racing page and then fill out and send in the OCSA Membership form.  OCSA will mail you a laminated course chart, Racing Instructions, and 2003 Race Book with all the sailing related activities planned for 2003.  Our Racing page has lots of information on the local racing scene and the three major race series and regattas that Fleet 20 participates in (Spring Series, Summer Series, and One-Design Regatta).

Hope to see you at the starting line.

See the calendar

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.