The Seattle Yacht Club invites all members who have powerboats to participate in the Powerboat Committee. The Powerboat Committee conducts many fun and interesting events during the year. On a monthly basis, dinner meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month, except during the summer cruising season of June, July, and August. Additionally, some of the monthly dinner meetings are occasionally combined with the Sailboat Committee when topics are especially relevant to both boating communities within the Club.

The monthly Powerboat dinner meetings begin with a social hour and conclude with an after-dinner presentation from a guest speaker. The presentation topics planned for the coming year cut across a spectrum of interest: from new types of diesel fuels, to cruising destinations, to boat handling, to secret ways of assembling wonderful appetizers within 15 minutes of docking your craft. These are just a few of the interesting and informative topics. The dinner meetings are also a fun way to contact fellow Club members and share boating experiences and aspirations.

As noted on the following pages, there are numerous powerboat events planned during the year – literally something for everyone. The Powerboat Committee conducts events such as: the Chili Cook-Off, Garlic Festival!, two golf tournaments – one on Bainbridge and the other being the International Golf Cruise in the Canadian Gulf Islands. The premier powerboat event of the year is the Powerboat Rendezvous held at beautiful Port Madison. The Rendezvous is always a wonderful event. This event always fills to capacity quickly (and then some!), so sign up as quickly as possible when reservations begin to be accepted at the front desk. This is also one of the very few times that you can reserve dock space at one of our outstations.

The Seattle Yacht Club is also fortunate to have a very active group of Predicted Log Racers. The Log Race Sub-Committee is chaired by Gerry Johnson, and is active in coordinating various races around the Puget Sound. Building on the success of last year, Predicted Log Racing classes will be conducted on three consecutive Tuesday evenings in January, taught by Scott Strandjord. The classes will teach navigational skills and other elements that are part of predicted log racing. Also, if you just want to see what the Racers actually do, then volunteer to be an observer. It’s a great way to begin log racing. As a reminder, predicted log racing is open to all boats: sail boats can compete in races while under power.

Volunteering is what makes Seattle Yacht Club TBGDYCITWWW, and the Powerboat Committee is no different. Events are chaired by individuals who have volunteered their time and talent to insure the quality events that are the hallmark of our Club. Consider volunteering for a powerboat event, either as a chair or on the team.

Refer to the following 2008 Powerboat Calendar for specific events. Also, review the Binnacle each month for the Powerboat column which outlines upcoming upcoming activities and events. The Compass News (e-newsletter) is another resource for near-term powerboat information. Other communication resources are the SYC website, and of course, other members.

Thank you, and safe cruising during 2008.

Tyler Ellison Fleet Captain-Power