Commodores Corner

Tall ships

Owing to our current crisis and the difficulties charities are having with their normal income streams interrupted, our board recently allocated grants to our local tall ship foundations: the Schooner Adventuress, the Schooner Zodiac and the Lady Washington, the square-rigged replica of one of the first American explorers of the San Juan Islands . An encounter with one these tall ships, their billowing clouds of sail out in the islands, is always memorable and can only be described as majestic.

But it is the Lady Washington that is nearest and dearest to me. Over my years of cruising the San Juan’s, I have encountered the Lady Washington three times and I have learned one lesson: When you fire your cannon at the Lady, she will always return fire. It is most gratifying.

Well OK, I should explain. Anyone who has come down to gate nine over the 4th of July to view the fireworks will know that the Falcon is equipped with a cannon, which I am more than happy to fire on ceremonial occasions for children or pirates. Mind you, it’s only an 18-inch Civil-War replica, carbide popgun. No projectiles, but it does make quite a loud bang.

My most memorable encounter with The Lady was heading north out of La Conner channel. We had just raised sail when I noticed The Lady coming out of Anacortes. “Hey, let’s have some fun!” I said. So we altered course to intercept. The winds were fairly light, but the Falcon positively danced next to that giant, lumbering square rigger. As we came up broadside, we noticed decks were crowded with people, must’ve been 100 or more. I fired my cannon twice as we passed. The crowd cheered, and I could see the crew all decked out in period garb, complete in their three-cornered hats, pigtails, knickers, and knee socks.

“Well that was fun, let’s come about and do it again!” This time we came in much closer. I could even see the brass buttons on the tunic of the drummer as he “beat to quarters”. I fired again as we came alongside and then… I felt it before I heard it. The concussion reverberated in the empty space between my eardrums. It rattled me to my bones…BOOM!! Clouds of black powder smoke billowed out of the cannon’s mouth.

WOW! I primed my carbide and about to fire again when… I felt it again… from my eardrums to my tizzeries. BOOM! This time we were so close that we could smell the acrid aroma as the cloud of smoke enveloped the Falcon. “OK that’s enough fun, let’s get the heck outta here!” And we sailed off to experience sunset in another location as our faculties recovered.

One month later, I drove to Seattle for Noble Wines weekly sales meeting. After the blind wine tasting comparing our wines next to our competition, Renée (our Noble representative in Skagit County) sidles up to me and begins to tell me a story. “ I was in Anacortes at the Green Lantern last week, my buyer there told me that he participated in the Anacortes Pioneer days and went out on the Lady Washington. He said that as part of the festivities, The Lady had staged a mock sea battle with an attacking Ketch.” “Laurent, (she points an accusatory finger at me) was that you?” Busted! I think I should be charging the Lady residuals…

Your Commy, Laurent Martel ______________________________________________________________________

Board meeting synopsis:

At this month’s virtual board meeting the following was discussed: • Updating the Club’s Website • CYC Cruises within pandemic restrictions

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From our Secretary

Dear CYC, In a continued attempt to bring a clear message to boaters from Washington State Parks, I have had another conversation with Washington State Parks Information Specialist Ariel Ryon, She said information on the Washington State Parks Website (https://parks.state.wa.us/1177/Novel-Coronavirus---COVID-19 ) is current and correct. As it affects CYC members, the salient points are: • All parks in Washington are open for day use

until Governor Inslee makes another announcement.

• Limited toilet facilities may be present. Due to staffing shortages, facilities may not be cleaned or restocked regularly. Bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you.

• Docks that are in place may be used during day use park hours. Overnight docking is not allowed. Dockage fees apply.

• Mooring buoys may be used during park day use hours. Overnight mooring on buoys is not allowed. Moorage fees apply.

• Some docks are not installed and it is not known when they will be. • Water may or may not be available. • Pump outs maintained by the state or a community partner are open throughout Puget

Sound to prevent dumping. • Anchoring is permitted per usual regulations.

Ariel explained that seasonal workers, on which rangers and state personnel heavily rely, have not been hired yet for 2020, and it could remain this way for some time. She asks for our patience, as park sanitation and services may not be up to the usual standards.

She made some suggestion of how boaters may help in this time of staff shortages: • Above all, be patient with staff. They are stretched and working long hours without

seasonal help. • If you are wiling to pick up beach plastic or trash, it would be hugely appreciated. • When visiting communities, wear a mask. Avoid interacting with local residents as much

as possible, which means not buying fuel, hardware or groceries if you can. • As far as you are able, prevent situations that may require an emergency response. First,

it exposes first responders to potential infection, and second, there may be no services available.

• Don’t put rangers in a situation in which they need to confront you about overnight docking or mooring.

Update form San Juan County Public Health:

https://www.sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/20398/200518-Release-Health-Office-Order-4

San Juan County health Officer Dr Frank James is issued a health order that business owners may require face masks for all customers as long as they are in Phase I recovery. Once they are approved for Phase 2 recovery, all residents and visitors must wear a face mask in businesses open to the public and in other public places. His overriding message during Phase One is Stay Home Stay Safe and restrict your travel to essential business only.

Submitted by Mary Durbrow, CYC Secretary 5/26/2020

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Treasurer’s Report The only monetary dealings this month have been to write the checks for $300.00 to each of the non profit organizations supporting the Zodiac, Adventuress and Lady Washington. These organizations were deemed by the Board as worthy of receiving funding from our Past Commodore’s Grant account.

Jon Martin, Treasurer ______________________________________________________________________

Membership Ahoy Sailors!

The roster and membership cards are in the mail! Perhaps you have received them by the time you read this. It is always a big job to organize, update produce and distribute the roster and it was made more complicated this year by pandemic restrictions and other social effects.

Note that some roster info, particularly the race and cruise sections, have information that is tentative and/or incomplete due to pandemic restrictions. As a result, please be sure that you read the club newsletter and pay attention to emailed announcements to keep up with current information for club activities. You are also welcome to contact any club officer or chair if you have questions.

Some kudos and highlights for this year’s roster:

A big thanks to Kathy Sheehan for pulling together the roster advertising. The ads highlight local vendors who support our club and their ads help pay for publication of the roster.

A big thanks to Mike Reed for updating and upgrading the Maritime Contacts section in the roster—very useful information, particularly information on crossing the border. Check it out!

Kathy and Mike also put in a lot of time editing the roster’s content. This was a huge help in producing a quality publication.

Finally, this year I updated the reciprocity section and reorganized it a bit. After working with Yacht Destinations, which you really should check out if you plan to visit other marinas, I divided destinations into two separate sections—US and Canada. I think this will be helpful. I also reorganized within each of those sections by listing destinations by their distance from Bellingham rather than an alphabetical listing. This gives an easy way to find marinas and yacht clubs that are at different distances from Bellingham. I hope this is helpful also, let me know if it does or does not work for you.

That’s it for this month—the weather is beautiful, get out there and sail!

Ken Russell, Membership Chair ______________________________________________________________________

Cruise The pandemic has made for an interesting cruising season. Unfortunately, our CYC cruises in May were canceled. On June 26-28 there will be a non-work party cruise to Stuart Island. This has traditionally been a work party cruise to prepare the Turn Point Lighthouse Station for summer visitors and restore the lighthouse keepers quarters. The Turn Point Lighthouse Preservation Society board has made the decision to not open the buildings or have docents this year. The grounds can still be visited. Pam Spencer has graciously agreed to host this cruise again this year. Participants will practice safe hygiene and social distancing.

The Washington State Parks are preparing for reopening certain marine state parks on June 1 in counties that have entered phase 2. These are marine state parks that can not be accessed by ferry (e.g. Sucia, Matia, Reid and Prevost Harbors, etc.). While out at Sucia and Stuart Islands this week, we found boaters generally maintained good social distancing.

Greg Hartgraves, Cruise Chair

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Reciprocity A design for a new reciprocity sign on the gate 9 guest dock has been completed. Look for the new sign in the near future.

Many of the yacht clubs and marinas are closed due to the covid-19 pandemic. I would encourage anyone wishing to visit reciprocal yacht clubs or marinas to call ahead or visit their websites for their current status.

Greg Hartgraves, Reciprocity Chair ______________________________________________________________________

Education Greetings members,

I’m grateful how well our first online potluck meeting in May went despite a few glitches. We’ll have those worked out this time and I’m happy to let you know that Mike Huston from San Juan Sailing will join us again with a presentation about anchoring.

We’ll meet at 7 PM again on Tuesday, June 9 on the zoom app. Please note that from now on, all potluck meetings on zoom will have the same login information that applies to all future meetings as well.

I hope you all stay healthy and well

Andreas Weinrich, Executive Officer & Education ______________________________________________________________________

Racing

Ahoy CYC Racers!!! The CYC "Covid Series" has been a refreshing break from the monotony of lockdown and we have good news from the state on the horizon. Thank you Dwayne, Todd and the rest of our amazing volunteers that made the much anticipated series start possible. Thank you for supporting our crawl, walk, run approach to getting this season up and running. We appreciate and welcome the BYC boats joining as well. We have quite a few new boats this year and the usual suspects as well.

As soon as we can gather in larger quantities (Shelter In Place Phase 2) we will get a skippers meeting together to discuss the rest of the season. Watch for an email, or the CYC website, with an announcement to be coming soon.

Again, thank you for your support of Thursday night racing and the CYC Racing Program!

Cheers!

Sean Jones, Race Chair ______________________________________________________________________

Board Member Bios

Mary Dubrow, Secretary

I appreciate the opportunity serve on the CYC board. I joined not because I have deep understanding of the CYC inner workings or a need to be in the decision -making circle but because it was just my turn to step up to say thank you to CYC for the many new friends we have made and fun cruises.

I started life in new England with deep generational roots in Vermont. My long career in healthcare included working with Alaska Native people in my roles as a nurse, physician assistant, and faculty in community health at the University of Alaska. Being a health care provider in Alaska had moments of adventure whether delivering babies (which I was not trained to do), pull teeth from an Iditarod dog who had been in a fight, or treat diseases that had long been absent from our lives in the “lower 48” like diphtheria or a measles epidemic. On a more timely note, I participated on the team that wrote Oregon’s Response Plan for Infectious Disease Emergencies, only we called it pandemic planning back then.

My romance with boats began canoeing on Lake Champlain, sailing Lightnings in Long Island Sound, cruising the Bahamian islands and eastern U.S. coast with my college chum Debbie Doane (Dempsey) aboard her family’s Tartan 27 and Valiant 32. I raced a bit on a Pearson 32 in Ketchikan, and on the Columbia River in Astoria on our Islander 29. Now that is an experience everyone should have...once. On the upriver leg, with sails and spinnaker full, knotmeter reading 7, we went backwards in the current. Racing on the Columbia with Debbie ended when, sailing past the entrance to the Youngs River, we broached a couple of times. The bad part was all.. that.. water.. running in the cockpit. The good part was the kindness of all the sailors who let us know Ciao Bella’s bottom was clean as they crept past us. The best part was we won the race anyway!

Debbie and I rotated through many sail and power boats after moving to Bellingham in 2005 until we found our forever boat “Night Heron”, a 31 ft Sam Devlin Black Crown trawler.

Along the way, Debbie and I learned about and visited many community sailing centers on the East coast, including the 100 year old Community Boating Center in Boston. Bellingham’s location, waters, and vibrant boating community made it the perfect spot for us to bring community boating to Bellingham and ...Voila! The Community Boating Center was born. Well...not exactly Voila! I will be writing more about that and about how the partnership between CYC and the CBC began and has evolved between 2007 and now.

Fair winds everyone. Stay well. I look forward to gathering again in person!

Steve Clevenger, Immediate Past Commodore

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From The Editor I must admit, I have an addiction! I am addicted to saltwater. Now knowing that, it probably won’t surprise you that I spend much of the time I can’t get out on, in or under it, reading about it. With so much time on my hands these days I’ve come across several bits of information that I’d like to share with you.

Our US Coast Guard has announced a new cell phone 911 system for Pacific Northwest boaters. While the cell phone is not recommended as your primary device for calling for assistance (it leaves out other near by good samaritan boaters who might be able to render assistants quicker) this new service can provide a tool in times of distress. You can read about it at: https://48north.com/news/uscg-offers-new-i911-system-for-pacific-northwest-boaters/

Hopefully everyone of you will read the following and grasp its’ importance. Margaret Pommert, was recently honored with BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award. What makes this important to me and so many others is that she is passionate about all the right stuff: from safety at sea to accessibility, from education to engine maintenance; and whatever the subject-matter, she supports, inspires, and empowers women to sail. One of her more important contributions is her recent collection of stories and lessons from overboard survivors.The article was published in the November 2019 issue of 48° North and can be found at:

https://48north.com/instructional/seamanship-and-navigation/what-overboard-survivors-want-you-to-know/

While the may seem to be written just for women, I can assure all the men out there that it relates to you too. From my experience, no level of buff or macho removes any us from the possibility that it could very well be a man in anyone of these predicaments.

Margaret covers the following topics in her piece:

• Who are the experts on the experience of overboard recovery? • An overboard situation can happen to anyone. • Life jackets — just wear them. • If not already integral, add crotch straps to your life jacket. • Overboard events often happen quickly. • Have a LifeSling, and make sure everyone on board knows how to use it as both rescuer and

the person in the water. • Even if you’re a great swimmer, you’re in danger if you fall overboard into cold water. • Excellent procedures and fast response from the crew still on the boat does not necessarily

mean a quick recovery, especially if there are multiple people in the water. • The COB might not have fallen off your boat. • After a rescue, survivors and sometimes skippers have been through a traumatic experience

and should be cared for and monitored both physically and emotionally.

Relax and find some joy in these different times. Please remember too that while we can’t change the direction of the wind, we can trim our sails (or slow down and quarter the waves for you power boaters).

Mike Reed, Editor ______________________________________________________________________

Cruising Recipes I love Fish Tacos, and I recently made the following recipe with a lovely piece of Halibut. The only change that I made was to use corn flour instead of Wondra or All Purpose flour. I was very happy with the result, and it’s great for GF friends.

Fish Tacos

Ingredients 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped1 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped1 clove garlic, minced1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro1 jalapeño, halved lengthwise, seeded and cut crosswise into half moons (optional)1/4 cup mayonnaise1/2 cup sour cream2 limes, 1 halved and 1 cut into wedgesKosher saltFreshly ground black pepper1 tablespoon canned chipotle pepper, finely chopped (optional)1/2 cup flour, preferably Wondra or other fine-milled flour1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder1/2 cup milk1/4 cup peanut oil, plus a splash more for greasing panPat of butter1 pound flounder or any firm white-fleshed fish, cut across the grain of the flesh into strips about 1/2 inch wide by 3 inches long12 6-inch fresh corn tortillas2 cups shredded green cabbageA saucy hot sauce, like Tapatio or Frank’s

Preparation • In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro and jalapeño (if using).• In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise and sour cream until combined. Season to taste

with the halved lime, salt, pepper and chipotle (if using).• In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, chili powder and 1 ½ teaspoons each of kosher

salt and black pepper. Pour the milk into another medium bowl, and place the fish into it.• Pour ¼ cup of the peanut oil into a 12-inch frying pan and place over medium-high heat

until it shimmers and is about to smoke. Remove the fish pieces from the milk bath and dredge them lightly through the flour mixture, shaking to remove excess. Add the butter to the pan. Place some fish pieces in the oil, without crowding them, and cook until deep golden brown on one side, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn carefully and cook for 1 minute more. Remove to a warmed, paper-towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt. Repeat with the remaining fish.

• Meanwhile, lightly grease a skillet with a drizzle of oil and set over medium heat. Heat the tortillas, one or two at a time, until they are soft and hot. Keep them warm, wrapped in a dish towel.

• Fill each tortilla with 3 pieces of fish, browned side up, followed by tomato salsa and a pinch of cabbage. Drizzle with the cream sauce. Serve 2 to 3 tacos per person, with lime wedges and hot sauce on the side. hope you try this dish.

Enjoy.Linda Benafel

THE PORT OF FRIDAY HARBOR IS CLOSED TO ALL GUEST SERVICES AT THIS TIME,

INCLUDING DINGHIES, DAY STOPS AND OVERNIGHT STAYS

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

PLEASE WATCH OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES AND OPENING

DATES.THANK YOU, WE HOPE TO SEE

YOU ALL SOON.

From The Port of Friday Harbor Website May 3rd 2020

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122º 30’ 06”W 48º 44’ 55”N June 2020 Volume 36 Number 6

The potluck meeting for Tuesday, June 9th is happening … virtually!

Here’s the login information for our zoom meeting:

CYC's Monthly Potluck Meeting (temporary on Zoom)

Time: Tuesday, June 9, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Please note that this is a recurring meeting and the same meeting ID and Password will apply to all our future potluck meetings (starting with this meeting).

Zoom Meeting by using a browser:

- Simply click on this link (or copy and paste it into the address area at the top of your browser window): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81967099766?pwd=bUZQbm9iREZFOWIxZ2VaaStyQm82QT09

then follow the directions to join with video and sound.

Join Zoom Meeting by using the Zoom App:

- Start up the app and enter the following when prompted:

Meeting ID: 819 6709 9766 Password: 021867

Join Zoom Meeting by calling-in on your smartphone:

- One tap mobile: +12532158782,,81967099766#,,1#,021867# US (Tacoma)

- Dial by your location: +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

- In both cases use:

Meeting ID: 819 6709 9766 Password: 021867

Home PortHome PortHome PortCorinthian Yacht Club of Bellingham

Both Steve and his wife Kaye are active CYC members, who both lead very active lives. Club members since 2000, Steve served as Reciprocity Chair for three years, Vice Commodore, and then as Commodore. He is now the longest serving Past Commodore in club history. Kaye served as treasurer for five years. Both agree that the club is comprised of a great group of people, and that actively participating in the club has been a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Both Kaye and Steve are Bellingham natives, with Kaye graduating from Ferndale High and Steve from Bellingham High (back when there was only one high school, he says with a grin). They have two grown daughters, and two grand daughters, both ten years old, and a fourteen year old grandson.

Kaye and Steve came to sailing later than some – Steve took a week long sailing class in 1999, and decided then that he wanted a boat. Kaye’s first sail was on the maiden voyage of their new Catalina 34, the K-Lynne, in June of 2000. She recalled that the wind was blowing, the chop was up in Bellingham Bay, and there might have been too much sail up. Fortunately, that first sail didn’t deter her, as she now really enjoys being on the water. They have cruised in the San Juans and the Gulf Islands, and have enjoyed the CYC cruises.

Steve worked as a journeyman electrician for 35 years, and then changed careers, becoming a Civil Engineering Technician in 2005. He started his own business, and then took a job with CH2M HILL where he worked until 2011 when he retired. Steve is also an artist, painting in acrylics. He has had several local shows and enjoys the creative process. In addition to the demands of work, family and their other activities, Kaye and Steve maintain a beautiful home and wonderful yard, which includes a koi pond.

Kaye “retired” from ARCO in 2000, where she worked in the Human Resources department for 30 years. She was the first local ARCO hire, and one of the last ARCO retiree’s. She has continued to work off and on for BP, though, doing special projects and is currently working 3 days a week. In 1990, Kaye also started an antique business, and operates a shop at their home.

In 2014 they bought a cabin in Birch Bay right across from the water and spend as much time out there as possible. In 2017 they sold the K-Lynne because they were using it less and using the cabin more. Now a Lowe 16.5 is their boat, used for crabbing and bay cruising.

As part of our online (aka Zoom) May meeting our presenter, Mike Huston, will be giving a presentation on anchoring. See Andreas’ Education section below for details on how to be part of this meeting.