Besides the ever increasing number of beautiful days beckoning me to launch the boat, its got to be all the race clinics this month that helps underscore for me that it is March.

On March 8th I attended the North Sails Oregon Tactics and Strategies Course.  This was the first of four Tuesday evening classes.  I've attended a couple of sail trim presentations by Kerry Poe of North Sails Oregon, and he always manages to hold my attention.  The first class was upwind tactics, and Kerry did a nice job.  You can still drop in and catch the remaining three classes since each evening is on a separate topic and doesn't require having attended an earlier class.

On March 31, instead of sitting in the audience, I'll be one of the instructors teaching SYSCO's Race Clinic, which is targeted at new racers.  If you are thinking about racing your boat this year, or you just want to learn more, don't miss this clinic.  There will be a Thursday evening classroom session, followed by a Friday evening on the water session.  You have my guarantee, that it won't be boring, even if you don't race.

Details on both classes can be found later in the newsletter.

Fleet 20 Spinnaker Workshop

Once I get Crocus in the water, I will announce a date for the Fleet 20 Spinnaker Workshop.  This will be a hands on workshop where we will take Crocus out and learn how to hoist, lower, and jibe a symmetrical and an asymmetrical (cruising) spinnaker.  If you are thinking about buying a spinnaker, or have one you are unsure about how to use, this workshop should help you out.

Membership Reaches Twenty-Six

With the renewal of the Burton family of Bend, Oregon, Fleet 20 membership now stands at twenty-six families.  Ted and Nancy Burton sail Nancila, #8411.

Outboard Motor Workshop was Hands-On
By Dale Mack

Don Bateson, Dan Dugan, and Rick Fletcher

On February 26th, Fleet 20 held an Outboard Motor Workshop at my home.  The subject of the workshop was my 5 hp Honda outboard.  In the weeks leading up to the class, I managed to secure a shop manual on eBay for the motor.  Shop manuals are nice to have if your are considering doing any of your own maintenance because they include exploded parts diagrams, and specifications.  Since one of the tasks scheduled for the workshop was the replacement of the impeller in the water pump, it was nice to have a set of pictures and text explaining how to disassemble and reassemble the pump.

Several of the Honda specific replacement parts for the project came from Pacific Boatland (www.pacificboatland.com) in Vancouver, WA.

Here's the projects workshop attendees tacked:

Pull the propeller and inspect the sheer pin

The propeller is held on with the plastic cone shaped nut and a stainless steel cotter pin.  With the nut and pin removed, the propeller slide right off the shaft exposing the sheer pin.  The brass sheer pin was bent, possibly from having the motor shifted from forward to reverse at too high a speed.  We replaced the sheer pin and used a new cotter pin when reassembling everything.  A story and pictures of doing this on a Honda 7.5 hp can be found in this May 2001 article I wrote.

Replace the water pump impeller

Although seemingly the most complicated, the shop made replacing the water pump impeller simple.  Having performed this task on a Honda 7.5 hp previously, I can say it is easier with the 5 hp because the shift linkage is easier to disassemble and reassemble.  The shift rod on the 5 hp is in two parts with the joint being accessible through a grommet covered port in in the lower unit.  Details about doing this on the 7.5 hp can be found in this March 2001 article I wrote.

Replace the fuel filter

The fuel filter is the inline style.  It's pretty straight forward to replace, just make sure the arrow on the filter points in the direction of the fuel flow.  I reused the wire host clamps when reinstalling the filter.  My first choice would be to replace them, but I was careful not to distort them when removing the old filter.

Change the oil after warming the engine up

The oil change was simple.  Hook up the garden hose to the engine flush kit adapter, start the engine to warm it up, shut it down, and then drain the oil.  I have noticed since doing the work that the motor no longer leaks oil from the drain plug.  Tightening the plug to the correct torque value is probably what did the trick.

Change the gear case oil

Draining the gear case is easy.  I recommend wearing gloves because the gear case oil really smells (both old and new) and it just seems to get into your hands and lingers all day.  You refill the gear case from the bottom (through the drain plug) and keep pumping in oil until it emerges from the oil level plug location at the top of the gear case.

Replace the spark plug (it's a one cylinder engine)

There isn't too much to spark plug replacement.  We removed the old plug and inspected it for indications of how the engine had been performing.  After setting the gap, and putting some oil on the compression ring we installed the spark plug and tightened it to the specified torque value.

Measure and adjust the idle speed

If you don't own a hand tachometer, you should consider getting one for about $50 on eBay.  With fresh gas in the fuel tank (I used the old stuff in the lawn mower), we bleed the old gas out of the fuel hose.  Next came the moment of truth where we'd tested our handy work.  After a couple of pulls the motor came to life and we set about adjusting the idle.  The hand tach made getting the idle RPMs spot on easy.

The workshop was fun, and it was enjoyable hanging out with some of the guys for a couple of hours.  Dan Dugan brought his Honda 7.5 hp outboard, so we got a chance to help him complete a couple of maintenance tasks.

Good luck with your Spring commission projects, and I hope to see you at the next workshop.

Mast For Sale
By Gary Esterly

Catalina Owners Party
By Dale Mack

The February 27th Catalina Owners party hosted by the Columbia River All Catalina Association drew a nice crowd.  The weather was perfect and the salmon and prime rib were incredible.  Held at the home of Dave and Helen Peoples in Aurora, Oregon, participants got to enjoy the outdoors during the appetizer and wine portion of the get together before retiring inside for dinner later.

Those with a connection to Fleet 20 included:

• Rick Fletcher and Christie Sleight
• Terry and Kathie Annis
• Nate and Margaret Hanson
• Dale Mack (Laura was working)

April Cruise to Government Island
By Dale Mack

April 23-24.  A group of Catalina owners are heading off to Government Island, East Dock (aka Bartlett Landing) for the weekend.  I'm going to be tied up racing my Catalina 30 that weekend, so I'm going to have to miss it.  If you haven't been to the new facilities at Government Island, I can highly recommend them.

Tactics and Strategy Course
Hosted by North Sails Oregon
March 8, 15, 22, and 29

Invitation:  North Sails Oregon invites all skippers and crew to participate in four evening of instruction and discussions of tactics and strategy.

Description:  Interactive learning sessions where participants will be encouraged to work through tactical scenarios and ask questions.

Eligibility:  All sailors who are willing to participate and learn!

Date and Time:  Tuesday, March 8, 15, 22, and 29.  BBQ/social will start at 6:00 pm; classes will begin at 6:30 pm.

Registration:  Please register online at www.northsailsoregon.com.

Fees:  $15/session or $50 for all four.  BBQ and refreshments included.

Social:  A light BBQ dinner is include with the course.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken and veggie burgers will be available, along with soda, water, chips and dessert.

Other Information:  North U course books and CDs (Tactics and Trim) will be available for purchase onsite (book $25, CD $40).

For More Information:  Contact Kerry or Amy Poe at North Sails Oregon at 503-282-4282 or kerry@sales.northsails.com .

Race Management Clinic
Hosted by the Oregon Corinthian Sailing Association
March 23

Invitation:  The Oregon Corinthian Sailing Association invites all sailors to participate in an evening of instruction and discussions. 

Description:  This extremely informative seminar is not just for race captains.  The seminar will focus on the planning and coordination involved in putting on a sailboat race.  There will be something for everyone.  The topics will include courses, timing, calculations, planning, promoting, handling protests, and more.

Eligibility:  All sailors who are willing to participate and learn!

Location:  Portland Yacht Club, 1241 NE Marine Drive, Portland, OR

Date and Time:  Wednesday, March 23rd.  The clinic will begin at 6:30 pm.

Registration:  None required.  Just show up.

Fees:  Free!

For More Information:  Contact Scott Wirs at 503-330-6722.

The Oregon Corinthian Sailing Association (OCSA) is bringing Racing Rules guru Dave Perry to Portland in March.  Dave is the author of several books on racing and serves on the US Sailing Appeals Committee. He's enjoyed helping racing sailors, race officials and judges understand the rules better, and helping racers learn how to sharpen their tactics.

The seminar plans include:

• Friday night Dave will conduct a “Mock Protest Hearing.”

• Saturday, a full-day seminar on the Racing Rules of Sailing

This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear Dave speak in our area, so we hope you'll join us for what promises to be an informative and enjoyable event. Dave will also have copies of his latest book, Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2008 available for sale.

Cost, location and times for the seminar is available at www.sailpdx.com.

Description:  This extremely informative seminar is perfect for new racers.  The clinic will teach you how to enter a race, read and understand the course board, how to start and finish, pass along some local knowledge of racing on the Columbia River, along with other topics.

Eligibility:  All sailors who are willing to participate and learn!

Location:  Elmer's Restaurant, SR-500 at Andresen, Vancouver, WA 98661, (360) 260-1008

Date and Time:

• Wednesday, March 31st.  The clinic will run from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, so come early to enjoy dinner.
• Friday, April 1st.  On the water session at 6:00 pm.  Look for the Race Committee Boat.

Registration:  None required.  Just show up.

Fees:  Free!

For More Information:  Contact Terry Annis at 360-260-0426.

Short Course Racing Clinic
Hosted by North Sails Oregon
May 10th