www.c22pdx.org

June 2004
 

From the Afterguard
By Dale Mack, Crocus, #4248

Here it is June and Crocus (#4248) still isn't in the water.  Between Don Bateson's move to Vancouver, and Mike Hibb's selling his current home and building a new one, my two partners in the boat have been pretty busy this Spring.  Combine that with Mike McGrath (Solus, #6800) and me crewing on Terry Annis' Catalina 25, and it's not hard to understand why Crocus is still sitting on the trailer.

Sailing so far this season has been great.  Apart from a couple of the Thursday night races getting canceled due to a lack of wind, I've actually had pretty good luck.  When I'm not crewing for Terry, I've been out learning how to single-hand my Catalina 30.  So far the hardest part has been learning how to dock and undock the boat by myself.  Sailing the boat is easy because most of the controls are similar to my former new-style Catalina 22 #14286.  In fact, in some ways the C30 is easier to handle because unlike my C22, the C30 is fitted with an autopilot which makes tacking and messing with the sails easy.

Despite a busy schedule and other sailing opportunities, Crocus' projects have slowly been getting done.  Don, Mike, and I had a very productive work party on the boat earlier in the Spring, and since it is parked by the side of my house, I continue to tinker on it slowly knocking off items on our list of boat projects.

One of the less pleasant projects I'm involved in right now is continuing the work Don started in the bilge.  The way I've heard it was that a teenager of a previous owner was storing magazines and newspapers in all the storage compartments.  At some point in the past the boat filled with about six inches of water which turned the magazines and newspapers into paper mache and allowed the inks to dissolve into the water and coat everything.  Don cleaned out most of the paper muck, so I've started removing of the ink, and mildew stains clinging to the compartment sides and the bilge.

Another project involves restoring the boat's electrical system.  The plywood block in the bilge for the battery box needs some attention, and the switch panel needs to be completely rewired.  Ah the joys of owning a 26 year old boat that has passed through several hands;-))

New Members

Please join me in welcoming the following new members to Fleet 20:

Bill & Evgeniga Ohle of Portland, Oregon

C22, #932, Brave Utensil, berthed at Columbia Ridge Marina

Bill is interested in racing and cruising

Rick Fletcher & Christie Sleight of Tigard, Oregon

C22, #5859, Frick & Frack, trailer sailed

Rick is interested in cruising

Race Committee Duty June 22nd - Volunteers Needed

As you'll read later in the newsletter, our next turn to serve as the race committee for the SYSCO Summer Series is Tuesday, June 22nd.  My Catalina 30 will serve as the RC boat, and we will once again be looking for 5-6 volunteers to staff all the RC roles.  This is always a great social get together, so please consider volunteering (we'll teach you what you need to know).  Details about volunteering can be found below.

Sightings


Dan Dugan and crew aboard Harmony, #14286

I typically carry a digital camera with me whenever I go sailing just in case a photo opportunity presents itself.  I've seen several of you out on the water this past month, and in a couple of cases I had a chance to snap some pictures.

Blaine Dickason, Gromit (#12286) has been out racing in the SYSCO Spring Series in the Cruising Class Fleet.  With several of the our racing C22s unavailable this year, the Cruising Class has been a great way to practice skills in a non-spinnaker fleet.

While crewing for Terry Annis both in races and practice sessions I've seen Dan Dugan out on Harmony (#14286) at least a couple of times in the past few weeks.  If Dan's boat looks familiar, it should because I purchased it new in 1987.  Sheila and Tom Drews purchased it from me in July 2001, and then traded it in earlier this year when they moved up to a Hunter Legend 35.5.  It's great to see that Harmony has passed to another caring owner enthusiastic about sailing.  Good luck Dan and Julie with your new boat.

Expanding Fleet 20's Opportunities

Either I did a good job and they wanted me back or I did a poor job and they thought I needed the practice, but either way the members of the Columbia River All Catalina Association (CRACA) voted to have me repeat as their Commodore for a second year at their annual meeting in April.  Since I'm active in both Fleet 20 and CRACA, one of my goals this year is to dovetail some of the Fleet 20 activities with CRACA sponsored events.  This objective isn't for the propose of CRACA recruiting, but to simply take advantage of some Catalina activities during the season that would appeal to Catalina 22 owners.  For example, CRACA holds monthly meetings with interesting speakers.  April's meeting at North Sails of Oregon focused on sail trim and was a great example of a subject of interest to all sailors.  CRACA meetings are open to all Catalina owners, so look for more notices about CRACA meetings in the future.

Another area ripe for dovetailing with CRACA is cruising.  During the course of a year CRACA sponsors several cruises to destinations both up and down the Columbia River along with destinations along the Willamette River and Multnomah Channel.  Many of these docks and anchorages have served as Fleet 20 overnight destinations in the past, so they are very doable in a Catalina 22 for those interested in trying some overnight cruising.

In June we have two activities geared toward Catalina owners.  The first is a leisurely overnight cruise to Government Island - East Dock, June 19 - 20.  The cruise would also be fun to attend if you only came up Saturday morning and headed back Saturday evening.  The second activity is the Catalina Summer Social at Rose City Yacht Club, June 23.  This event is designed to allow Catalina owners to just hang out together.  Some folks will talk boats and cruising plans, while others will talk kids and non-boat related summer plans.

If you are interested in exploring some of the lower Columbia River consider tagging along for part of the Catalina Summer Cruise to Cathlamet, July 31 - August 6.  Laura, Sean,  and I will be gunkholing our way to and from Cathlamet, Washington with no particular agenda in mind other than to enjoy seven days out on the boat.  The route provides lots of opportunities for provisioning, ice, hot showers, water, and fuel, not to mention some great scenery at a slower pace.  This is a very Catalina 22 friendly cruise.

Looking ahead to the last days of summer, the largest gathering of Catalina Yachts on the Columbia River will take place during the Catalina Rendezvous at McCuddy's Landing on Multnomah Channel, September 18 - 19.  Organized as a cruise-in/drive-in featuring activities, raffles, and two days of Catalina fellowship, this event has proven very popular and it is celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2004.

Details about all these Catalina activities can be found in the newsletter.  If you are interested in learning more about any of these events, please don't hesitate to contact me at:

catalina22fleet20@comcast.net

 

Planning for the 2004 Catalina Rendezvous
By Dale Mack, Commodore
Columbia River All Catalina Association (CRACA)

The 5th Annual Columbia River Catalina Rendezvous is scheduled for September 18-19 at McCuddy's Landing on Multnomah Channel.  This event represents the single largest gathering of Catalina Yachts on the Columbia River.  Whether you boat in or drive in, you'll find a weekend of fellowship and camaraderie.

I'm providing you this advance notice so you can get it on your calendar.  Laura and I enjoyed last year's rendezvous, and this year's event promises to be even more enjoyable with the addition of several activity sessions.

McCuddy's Landing is about a three hour motor from the I-5 bridge, and the marina offers Catalina owners water and 30 amp power on the docks, clean restrooms, and hot showers.  Rendezvous participants are requested to bring one gift per boat (value no more than $15.00) and drop it off at the committee boat upon arrival. The gift does not have to be nautical, and it will be used during the gift exchange Saturday evening.

Here is the basic itinerary for the rendezvous:

Friday, September 17

No planned activities, but early arrivals to McCuddy's Landing are welcome.  Everyone is on their own for meals.  Some folks will probably eat at Mark's on the Channel located in the marina.

Saturday, September 18

6 am – 10 am, Breakfast on your own

8 am – 9 am, Morning Stretch

Walks, runs, and kayak paddling tours for those interested in tagging along and who have the equipment as in the case of the kayaks

9:30 am – noon, Registration/Check-in at the committee boat

During registration you'll receive Name Tags, gift exchange raffle ticket, an itinerary, and various other rendezvous related items.

Noon – 1 pm, Lunch on your own

1 pm – 2 pm, Activity Session #1

Just a few of the ideas being considered for the activity sessions include:

  • A guest speaker from Catalina Yachts
  • Life Sling demonstration and dockside practice
  • Kayaking Safety demonstration
  • Rigger discussion and demonstrations
  • Facials by a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant
  • Knot Tying
  • Marlinspike Seamanship:  Knot Tying, Line Splicing

2 pm – 3 pm, Activity Session #2

3 pm – 4 pm, Fun Competitions and Social

Ideas being considered include:

  • Knot Tying
  • Ring buoy toss
  • Blindfold dinghy race
  • Kayak tour
  • Napping on boat
  • Unorganized dockside socializing

5 pm – 7 pm, Dinner (potluck vs. catered is still being decided)

7 pm – 8 pm,  Dessert, gift exchange and awards

8 pm – ??? pm,  Slide show by Dee Turner's of Baja Voyage or another speaker

Sunday, September 19

8 am – 10 am, Morning Stretch

Walks, runs, and kayak paddling tours for those interested in tagging along and who have the equipment as in the case of the kayaks

10 am – 11 am, Breakfast (potluck vs. catered is still being decided)

1 pm, Depart for home

 

Cruising

June Cruise to Bartlett Landing
 By Dale Mack, Crocus, #4248

June 19 - 20.  The longest day of the year falls during the Father's Day weekend.  Whether you come up for the day or plan to stay the night, consider joining your fellow Catalina owners at Bartlett Landing (a.k.a Government Island, East Dock) for a weekend of fun.  Bartlett Landing is less than a two hour motor upstream of the I-5 bridge.

This cruise is being hosted by the Columbia River All Catalina Association (CRACA), so those Catalina 22 owners attending are likely to see Catalina Yachts ranging in size from the C22 to the C42.

Please RSVP to catalina22fleet20@comcast.net by June 14, 2004 so that food and prizes can be purchased.

Here is the official CRACA invitation to the cruise:

Geocache / Texas Hold'em Cruise
June 19 - 20

Chris Moneymaker, World Champion of ESPN World Series of Poker Fame, won’t be there, so at least you will have a chance to win the CRACA Texas Hold’em Poker Championship!  We will combine skill, luck, friendship, food and fun with a Geocache, Texas Hold’em Poker Game, Blind Man Dinghy Race and Bowline Tying Contest.

Bring a $10 donation per boat to cover costs. Remember to bring your handheld GPS so you can do the Geocache and find your invitation to the poker game. The donation covers your food and the prizes for the poker game, knot tying contest and dinghy races.

Friday Night

  • Get the first waypoint to start your Geocache search
  • Bring a donation of wood for the fire
  • Begin your quest for your invitation to the CRACA Texas Hold’em Poker Championship to be found at the end of the rainbow.  Make as many iterations around the island and take as much time as you need as long as you are done by 3 pm on Saturday.
  • Go to the Dinghy Race Station and the Knot Tying Station to enter those contests. They will be going on every day until the award ceremony.  The dinghy race is for fastest time on the designated course.
  • Bowline Tying is for best combined time for “freestyle,” “behind your back,” and “blind-folded.”
  • Shared appetizers at 5 pm at the picnic shelter with a fire.
  • Dinner is on your own.

Saturday

  • Geocache, Dinghy Race, and Bowline Tying
  • At 3 pm, Texas Hold'em starts. So bring your Invitation that you found during the Geocache.  Click here for rules.  The poker game is totally optional.
  • Shared appetizers 6 pm at the picnic shelter with a fire
  • Dinner is provided: Hot Dogs with various condiments, rolls, chips and dessert at 7 pm.

Sunday

  • Potluck Breakfast at 8 am.
  • Award Ceremony (with Prizes) at Breakfast
  • Depart at your leisure.

 

Catalina Summer Cruise - Gunkholing to Cathlamet
By Dale Mack, C30, Celtic Myst

July 31 - August 6.  Laura and I are beginning to plan for this year's gunkholing cruise to Cathlamet which is 56 nautical miles downstream of the I-5 bridge.  Gunkholing can be simply described as a meandering voyage through the sloughs and bays of the lower Columbia River.

If you've wanted to make an extended cruise in your Catalina 22 and explore part of the Columbia River, then I encourage you to tag along for all or part of this cruise.

Here are a couple of stories from past Lower Columbia River cruises:

Catalina crews will travel downriver, keeping to no particular schedule.  As always, boats might start the cruise anywhere from a week before July 31st to sometime past August 8th.

The crew of Celtic Myst plan to get underway on Saturday, July 31, and return to Portland on Friday, August 6.  Depending on our downriver itinerary we'll reach Cathlamet either Sunday 8/1, or Monday 8/2.

Sean and I have a kayak exploration of Elochoman Slough and adjoining waterways planned for Tuesday.   On Wednesday 8/4, Celtic Myst will catch the rising tide in the morning  and start the upriver phase of the cruise.

Some of the destinations in addition to Cathlamet we are considering include:  Rainier, Martin Island, Walker Island, St. Helens, and Sand Island.

Email me at  catalina22fleet20@comcast.net if you'd like to discuss the cruise.

 

 

Cruising Schedule

  • June 19 - 20, Government Island - East Dock
  • July 31 - Aug 6, Cathlamet
  • August 19 - 22, Beacon Rock
  • September 17 - 19, Catalina Rendezvous
  • September 25, Sail for the Cure
Racing

Race Committee Volunteers Needed
By Dale Mack 

Fleet 20 is serving as the Race Committee for June 22nd (Tuesday).

The first warning signal goes up at 6:30 pm, so most of the pre-race setup like anchoring the committee boat and setting the marks needs to be completed at least thirty (30) minutes before the first signal.

I have volunteered the use my Catalina 30 (www.Celtic-Myst.net) to serve as the race committee boat.  Dinner will be provided by Fleet 20 along with non-alcoholic beverages.  Race Committee volunteers are welcome to bring their own beer or wine.

Celtic Myst has an ample supply of life jackets, but you may want to bring your own for comfort reasons.  The boat will get underway at 5 pm.

We are still looking for volunteers, so if you can help out please email or call:

Blaine Dickason (503-460-3711) blainedickason@hotmail.com

 or

Don Bateson (503-460-3452) donbateson@yahoo.com

 

Meeting Notes

Plans for the Fleet 20 Summer Social
What Fleet 20 Summer Social

If sipping a cool beverage while seated overlooking the Columbia River, combined with chatting about sailing and sailing destinations with fellow Catalina owners sounds like a good time, then mark your calendar for the Fleet 20 Summer Social at Rose City Yacht Club.

The Columbia River All Catalina Association (CRACA) and Catalina 22 Fleet 20 is sponsoring this Catalina Social.  Bring your photos, charts, and guide books, and plan to hangout with your fellow Catalina enthusiasts and share your cruising plans for the coming season.  This is also a great time to talk about all those Catalina 22 maintenance and upgrade projects we all have on our lists.  If you have questions about sailing, rigging, trailering, or even racing your Catalina 22, then consider attending the social.

This is a bring your own beverage and dinner event.  While you are welcome to eat before you come, the grills at RCYC will be hot and ready for your use, or you can bring something ready to eat.  RCYC has both inside and outside tables, so we can pull a couple of tables together and talk about Catalina 22s.  By the way, several CRACA members are former Catalina 22 owners.

 
Where Rose City Yacht Club
 www.RoseCityYachtClub.org
3737 NE Marine Drive
Portland, OR  97211
503-282-2049
 
When Wednesday, June 23rd
  • 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Dinner & Social
  • 7:15 - 7:30 pm, Short Business Meeting

 

Technical Tips

Inboard Genoa Tracks
By Dale Mack

I'm always on the lookout for Catalina 22 modifications.  One of the upgrades you hear racers talk about is inboard genoa tracks in order to sheet the jib or genoa in tighter and thus point better when going to weather.

Although I've seen this modification to several old-style Catalina 22s, I had never seen a new-style boat (1985-1995) with inboard genoa tracks until recently.

One Sunday while walking the docks at McCuddy's Marina, Hayden Island looking at new and used boats being offered by The Sailing Life (they have an open-boats show every Sunday), I happened upon a new-style Catalina 22 named Gypsy Baron with inboard genoa tracks.

Scuttlebutt

Catalina Newsletters of the Northwest
By Dale Mack

Checkout these links to Northwest Catalina newsletters and local racing:

Columbia River All Catalina Association (CRACA)

Catalina 25 Fleet 94 of Portland

     Catalina Assoc. of Tacoma and South Sound (CATSS)

Catalina Association of Puget Sound (CAPS)

Small Yacht Sailing club of Oregon (SYSCO)

Sail Portland

 
Upcoming Events

June

  • 11, Start of the Friday night Beer Can Races
  • 12, Jantzen Bay BBQ sponsored by Columbia Crossings.  Admission is free.
  • 19 - 20, Summer Sailstice (www.summersailstice.com)
  • 19-20, Catalina Cruise:  Government Island - East Dock
  • 22, Fleet 20 Race Committee Duty
  • 23, Catalina Summer Social @ Rose City Yacht Club, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
  • 25 - 27, Antique Boat Show at Tomahawk Bay, 10 am - 5 pm

July

  • 4, Daysail, BBQ, and Fireworks
  • 10, Hayden Bay BBQ sponsored by Columbia Crossings
  • 14 - 17, Catalina 25/250 National Regatta in Portland
  • 17 - 18, Catalina Cruise:  Sand Island, St. Helens, Upper Dock
  • 31 - August 6, Catalina Summer Cruise:  Downriver to Cathlamet

See the calendar

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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.