Happenings

March Board Meeting Wednesday March 14

March General Membership Meeting Wednesday, March 21

Commodore Bob Hall 468-3765 Vice Commodore Mike North 468-3750 Rear Commodore Rob McNeil 468-2299 Secretary, Dee Dee Lozier 468-2742 Treasurer, Edwin Termulo 468-2244 Trustees Paul Henriksen 468-4822 Lane Langford 468-4581 Membership Chair Gayl Beller 468-2977 Web Wench Judy Welker 468-4007 Reciprocal Chair Dave Welker 468-4007 Sailing Chair Russ Johnson 468-2655 “Newsline” Editor Shanley Lett 468-3990

march 2018

COMMODORE’ S CORNER

Hello, LIYC Members, What a delightful catered dinner we had at the Galley on February 21. Forty-seven boaters chatted, hollered, drank, ate, and cheered for Dave McRoberts winning $70 in the 50/50 raffle, and were then entertained by Richard Fagen’s “Clipper Ship” stories. As we head into March, let’s hope we don’t have to continue to scrape snow and ice off our boats or check to see that we haven’t lost fenders to the cold north wind. Rob McNeil has given us a “2018 Cruising Calendar” that will allow us to dream of warm summer breezes with Northwest sunsets. We will need members to host an evening during cruises—usually as informal (and easy) as organizing a potluck get-together on the docks. Please contact Rob to volunteer. Now is the time to contact cruise marinas about your slip for the yacht club cruises as summer dates (especially weekends) fill up fast. See page 2. June 15-17 are the dates for the Commodore’s Cruise to Port Browning. Contact their marina at 250-629-3493 or www.portbrowning.ca. In the meantime, enjoy scrubbing and waxing (and check out the springtime step-by-step to-do list on page 4 of this newsletter for your other little chores in preparation for the 2018 cruising season.) See you around the docks,

Commodore, Bob Hall

WHAT’S HAPPENING:

MARCH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Islander

6:00 pm—Social Hour 7:00 — Potluck

Bring your own plates, utensils, etc and a main dish, side, salad or dessert to share. Coffee will be provided and additional beverages can be purchased in the Islander

Lounge.

Join your hostJudy Welker

For

“Easy Riding in the South Pacific”

Starring Dave Welker (with Peter Fonda)

SAVE THESE DATES AND MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW

June 15-17 Port Browning Marina 250-629-3493 July 27 Otter Bay Marina 250-629-7090 July 28 Telegraph Harbour Marina or anchor in Clam Bay 800-246-6011 July 29 Silva Bay Marina 250-247-8662 July 30, 31 Nanaimo Port Authority 250-754-5053 August 1 Maple Bay Marina 250-746-8482 August 2, 3 Sidney Marina 250-655-3711 August 4 Reid Harbor Anchor/Moor September 21, 22 Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes 360-293-0694 Also, please remember to email Rob McNeil when you’ve made your reservations!

IN MEMORIAM

We are sorry to report the passing of LIYC member Gary Nelson. Our sympathy goes to Gary’s wife Betty Drumheller and family.

TOP 5 REASONS BOATS GET TOWED

Every year, the BoatUS Towing Dispatch center gets over 70,000 calls for assistance. Almost 90% of those fall into five categories: Mechanical Breakdown 54% - You can’t schedule a breakdown, but you can schedule Maintenance that can prevent it. Running aground 12% - Pay attention to where you are and read your charts. Dead Battery 9% - Check your battery onc a month (charge level, electrolyte level and con-nections.) If it’s getting weak, replace it. Out of fuel 9% - The rule of thumb for fuel use that’s served boaters well for decades is one third of your fuel to your destination, one third back home, and one third in reserve. Overheated engine 4% - A subset of mechanical breakdown, an overheated engine is often caused by a failed water pump. Rubber impellers don’t last forever, and to be safe, they should be replaced at least every two seasons. Other causes include clogged intakes, corroded exhaust manifolds, slipping or failed belts, and old hoses that collapse under suction.

BOATUS CAN HELP: Download the BoatUS app, which can call the BoatUS 24- hour Dispatch Center for

assistance and send your position automatically to the dispatcher.

Simply press the “Call for a Tow” button.

GET YOUR BOAT READY FOR CRUISING

We all want our boat to run well and enjoy a trouble-free season. The extra hours is takes to methodically inspect systems and make repairs will save time broken down at the dock waiting for a part. Preparation is the key to suc-cess. Here is a short list of suggested spring to-dos: Bilge

Clean strainer basket in the raw water system

Inspect through-hulls and ensure seacocks are working

Check stuffing box for abnormal leaking; tighten or replace packing gland, if necessary

Check auto and manual operation of bilge pumps; test bilge blower

Check thruster reservoir and trim tab reservoir for leaks and top off

Replace absorbent pads and check for signs of fluid leaks Freshwater System

Flush tank, test pump operations, inspect waterlines for leaks and replace in-line filter Deck Hardware, Hull and Dinghy

Check deck hardware fittings for tightness, especially the rail stanchions; check dock lines for wear

Check zincs and replace as required

Wash and wax boat, deck gear; clean Bimini covers and canvas and apply protectorant

Inspect dinghy and davit system; remove anchor rode from locker, clean and inspect for wear

Clean and grease windlass; inspect shore power cord and connectors

Check window wiper blades for cracks and deterioration; check O-rings on water and fuel fill caps Electrical

Check battery condition, clean terminals, and apply protective dielectric grease to minimize corrosion, fill with distilled water, if lead-acid batteries

Check all gauges; check cabin anchor and navigation lights; test horn; service generator Engine(s)

Perform all scheduled maintenance in accordance with Owner’s Manual

Check engine and transmission fluid condition and level

Replace fuel filters, check belt condition and tension, Check coolant level and condition

Check all hoses and clamps, including exhaust; test engine alarms to ensure operation

Inspect and clean air cleaner/spark arrester; check engine mounts and drive coupling nuts Head

Check operation and service as required; inspect hoses and clamps; check Y-valve and macerator

Ensure breather vent is not blocked; clean shower sump pump Furnace/Air Conditioner

Run to ensure proper operation; check for fluid leaks and fluid level on hydronic units

Replace fuel filter and thermostat batteries Steering System

Check fluid reservoir level and mechanical systems for wear and rust; lubricate as necessary Interior

Replace CO2 detector batteries; defrost freezer and check refrigerator 12v and shore power operation

Check range and stove operation and inspect for leaks; refill propane tanks/bottle Safety Equipment

Check expiration dates on flares; inspect fire extinguishers and shake, if dry chemical; check PFDs

Replenish all essential spare parts, first aid kit, extra belts, basic tools; update charts/chart chips in plotters

Happy 40th birthday, liyc

2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the

forming of the Lopez Island Yacht Club.

The article at right was reprinted from the 8/30/78 issue of the “Island Record”.

Robina Bant

(second from left) was the new club’s first Commodore and is the only member of the

founding group still remaining on the

current LIYC roster.

Throughout the remainder of 2018, the “Newsline” will include articles from

LIYC’s illustrious first 39 years.

If anyone has

stories or memories from past yacht club events they’d like to

share, contact Shanley Lett,

“Newsline” editor.

Here are some excerpts from the June, 1998 edition of the “Newsline”: “We regret that thanks were not given in the last “Newsline” to the donor of the generous case of toilet paper that was one of the Opening Day prizes.” “Commodore available as deck hand for cruises. Not very good at bottom scraping or cooking but otherwise good-humored.”

ROMANCING THE STORM:

TAKE A WINTER VISIT TO A WASHINGTON LIGHTHOUSE Here are the last two of the five Washington State lighthouse locations that rent to visitors to tempt you “out on the water” before our next official Opening Day. (See also stayatawashingtonlighthouse.org or contact uslhs.org to rent rooms or form more information.) This month’s featured lighthouse vacation rental is New Dungeness Light Station, a four-bedroom keeper’s house located in Wildlife Refuge on Strait of Juan de Fuca near Sequim. This lighthouse rents by the week, has 4 bedrooms (sleeps 8), 2 baths, fully equipped kitchen, living room, washer and dryer, tv, wi-fi and linens. Just bring your food. Guests are required to perform light keepers’ duties and give tours. For reservations, pricing and availability, contact 360-683-6638 or sched-ulng@newdungenesslighthouse.com. Lighthouse number five is North Head Lighthouse on the ocean at Cape Disappointment State Park just outside of Ilwaco. It was built in 1898 to assist ships navigating into the Columbia River. There are lots of hiking trails and the proximity to the Long Beach Peninsula provides many restaurants, galleries, shopping and other attractions.

The light-house was closed for renovations during 2017. For the latest information on facilities and pricing for 2018, call 888-226-7688.