SYC's Outstation Dock at Salt Spring Marina

Dear SYC Member:

NEWS FLASH! The SYC Outstation Dock at Salt Spring Marina in Ganges Harbour is open for SYC members. Lesley Cheeseman, General Manager, said “a new 60’ concrete dock is anchored with 3 new steel pilings and attached by 40’ of reclaimed wood dock sections to the end of the B/C dock structure to give SYC members roughly 726 feet of dock space that will accommodate a variety of boat lengths and types.” Lesley and her staff are looking forward to meeting our members. Don Dally, Ganges Outstation Committee Chair, notes that “this is a temporary outstation configuration for our members. Only 30 amp power, at 24 dock boxes, is available on these SYC-leased docks. The final, permanent SYC dock arrangement will be realized as part of a planned expansion of the Salt Spring Marina docks to the south, over ‘Money Maker’ rocks, in the next two to three years. This expansion is dependent on, and requires zoning approval from, the Island Trust authority for which the application has been made.” In the meantime, says Don, consult your charts when approaching Salt Spring Marina and avoid Money Maker Rocks which are marked by two yellow buoys. The previously existing SYC lease of dock space at Ganges Marina has been terminated as of March 31, 2007.

This is a busy month around the club. Thursday, the Powerboat Dinner program features SYC Life member Billy Schumacher and Jane Suzick talking about “Extreme Powerboating – The Making of a Winning Unlimited Hydroplane Team.” Billy, as a champion unlimited hydroplane racer, and Seattle Yacht Club have deep roots in the development of hydroplane racing on Lake Washington.

We have it on good authority that the Easter Bunny and friends will be featured guests at the Children’s Easter Party and family style brunch this Saturday, April 7. The weather gods are giving a “paws and ears up” so get those cameras loaded and charged – there will be lots of “Kodak moments.” Then on Easter Sunday you’ll be able to enjoy a fabulous brunch or dinner in the Ward Room. Reservations are required – call the Front Desk, please.

Circle the date of April 21 on your calendar and call the Front Desk to register for the “SYC Safety Fest.” This day-long series of presentations and exhibitions in the clubhouse, and on the lawn under the big tent, has been organized by the Marine Traffic, Environment & Safety Committee. There will be safety-oriented lectures, demonstrations of a variety of safety equipment and “hands-on” activities. Many thanks to Peg Cheirrett and Penny Dustin, event chairs, and the MTE&S Committee for pulling all the details together for this first annual Safety Fest. There is no charge, but pre-registration will be appreciated and will enter you for the drawings for great prizes.

Enjoy your club!

Ben Cozadd , Commodore

Opening Day General Meeting

Wednesday, April 4, at 7:00 p.m. Committee chairs, please be prepared to present a brief status report.

April Powerboat Dinner

Thursday, April 5
6:00 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge

Extreme Powerboating – The Making of a Winning Unlimited Hydroplane Team!   With Seattle Yacht Club’s own Champions: Billy Schumacher and Jane Suzick. You may not be aware of it, but SYC has historic, deep roots in the Powerboat Racing community. Last year, the Schumacher’s team made us all proud with their victories, continuing a long tradition of Seattle victories.

April Dinghy Group Outing

Wednesday, April 11

The Dinghies will tour the Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park, near pier 70 and connected to Myrtle Edwards Park. A Seattle Art Museum docent will guide us through this exceptional addition to the Seattle waterfront and the art world.

A gourmet lunch at the critically acclaimed Boat Street Café, a French bistro right down the street from the Sculpture Park is planned. The food is fabulous and we will have our own special area in this superb restaurant. (approx. $25 each for lunch). To sign up contact pambrown@roanokereef.org or (206) 364-5536 or at the ladies luncheon in March.

Deadline April 3 to sign up.
Click these links for more info: Seattle Art Museum and Boat Street Café.

2007 Seattle Yacht Club Gourmet Cruise

The Gourmet Cruise is back, and with a passion!! The theme this year is “Northwest Fresh”, inspired by the best culinary cuisine our region has to offer.

Hosted by Tyler & Gwen Ellison and Dave & Gwen Twyver, the cruise promises to deliver a range of dining experiences to suite all tastes. The 7 day cruise includes 2 lay days for individual activities, too.

The cruise begins on July 5 at Poet’s Cove Resort & Spa, and ends at The Aerie Resort, mooring at the Port of Sidney. The schedule is:

July 5 Bedwell Harbor - Poets Cove Resort & Spa
July 6 Ganges – Free day
July 7 Ganges – Hastings House
July 8 Telegraph Harbor – Men’s Green Box Competition
July 9 Nanaimo – The Mahle House in Cedar
July 10 Nanaimo – Free day southbound
July 11 Sidney – The Aerie Resort

The 2007 Gourmet Cruise will cost $30 per person attending. Additionally, the estimated cost of meals will range around $90 per person per dinner for the 3 gourmet events. Each boat is responsible for their own moorage fees. Moorage has been reserved in advance for our cruise. The gourmet dinners will be charged to your SYC account. Extra refreshments will be paid individually at each location.

The maximum number of those participating in the 2007 SYC Gourmet Cruise is 25 boats, or 60 people. We are restricted in size due to the restaurants, as well as moorage space at marinas.

Sign-ups begin on April 11, 8:30 a.m. Be sure to call the front desk and sign up for a wonderful cruise with your fellow SYC members.

Seattle Yacht Club Men's Book Group

All male SYC members are welcome. Meetings start at 6:00 p.m. Meeting rooms posted at the club.

The next meeting is: Wednesday April 11
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond.

Wednesday May 16 - Book Group 7th Anniversary - Happy Birthday!
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins

Wednesday June 13
The Golden Spruce by John Vaillant

W7SYC RADIO RENDEZVOUS III

Port Madison Outstation
April 14-15, 2007

Is your floating Amateur Radio system ready for cruising this summer? Attend the Radio Rendezvous and compare notes with others. Schedule:

"Cruise-in" on 2 meters (146.88 MHz)

1:00 p.m. - FCC Exam (requires pre-registration)

3:00 p.m. - Radio "Open House" on the Docks

5:30 p.m. - Green Box followed by potluck

8:00 p.m. - Evening Radio Q&A

Safety Fest

Saturday, April 21
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

When a marine radio transmission begins with "Sécurité, sécurité, sécurité," it means that what follows is important safety information. In this case, the Marine Traffic, Environment & Safety Committee is announcing the club’s first annual SAFETY FEST on Saturday, April 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Safety Fest will be a day of presentations, product demonstrations and children’s activities dedicated to safe boating.

             Dr. Dave Grauman, our own Fleet Surgeon, will get the day started with advice on how to customize a first aid kit for the crew’s particular needs.

             Captain Bob Hays, wearing his hat as retired fire fighter and boat captain, will educate us about how to prevent a fire on the boat and, if a fire happens, how to control it and survive.

             Wearing his Coast Guard Auxiliary hat, Captain Hayes will explain Rescue 21 and how it relates to the red DSC button on your VHF radio, talk about AIS (Automatic Identification System), and refresh us on how to use Channel 16 to summon emergency assistance.

             Dana Felton, NOAA weather forecaster, will unravel the mysteries of the NOAA and Canadian VHF radio weather reports. We’ll learn how to use those reports to “beat the weather” and find favorable weather windows.

We will also tackle the tough subject of Man Overboard. We are planning a demonstration of different MOB recovery options and, if possible, a drill.

In the Big Tent, we will gather exhibitors to display and demonstrate their safety products and services. To date, we have commitments from Fisheries Supply, Armchair Sailor, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Power Squadron, and NOAA. We are also planning a variety of activities for the kids, including a safety poster contest, a hypothermia demonstration, and life jacket fittings. 

As we continue to finalize our plans, we will keep you posted on the Marine Traffic, Environment & Safety Committee web page.

Please note that, to comply with Club policy, products cannot be sold on site, but we will encourage the vendors to offer special arrangements for you to make your purchases at a later date.

Although there is no charge for this event, it would be helpful if you’d pre-register at the front desk (206) 325-1000. All pre-registrants will be entered in a drawing for great prizes!

POWER/SAIL MINI CRUISE SCHEDULE FOR 2007

OK boaters here is the POWER/SAIL Mini Cruise schedule for 2007. AIs are encouraged to attend, kids welcome. If there are small craft warnings the event is cancelled.

Please call or email Chris Warner, (206) 782-1277, panther@seanet.com, if you plan to attend for planning purposes. This is classified semi official non event event which means there is no charge for TONS of fun and adventure.

Green box usually starts around 1730. Dinner will either be potluck or at a local restaurant as listed below.

April 21-23 Port Ludlow - potluck dinner or try the restaurant

May 19-20 Poulsbo Viking Fest - Dinner at the Italian Place at the Marina parking lot.

SYC Drama Group Presents:

“Dungeons & Dragons”

3 performances!

Wednesday, April 18
(Women’s Group lunch)

Thursday, April 19
(7:00 p.m. performance)

Wednesday, May 2
Social: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
(Performance following)

SPRING CRUISE AND SNOOZE PLAN AHEAD
JUNE 23-24, 2007

Fun race over to Port Madison, Green Box, Potluck Dinner, Trophies with Liars and Braggers, Campbell's Super Breakfast, Fun Race Back.

Races are an inverted starts where the higher handicapped boats start first. Pick up race instructions from the Portage Bay anchored near the south Shilshole mooring buoy.

Race starts at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday
Green Box at 5:30 p.m.
Potluck Dinner at 7:00 p.m., trophy presentations after dinner.
Breakfast Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
Race back at 12:00 noon.

Call the front desk to sign up (206) 325-1000.
Call or email Chris Warner, (206) 782-1277, for potluck dinner coordination.

You will be asked to bring a salad, a veggie, a main dish or a desert that will feed 10-12 people.

2007 INTERNATIONAL GOLF CRUISE

July 12-19, 2007

Join this year’s premier event, open to Sail and Power boaters who want to combine their enjoyment of yachting and golfing:

Signups open at 8:00 a.m. on May 15!

7/12-13 at Port Sidney Marina, golf @ Cordova Bay on 7/13
7/15-16 at Page Point Marina, golf @ Duncan Meadows on 7/16
7/18-19 at Nanaimo (Cameron Island), golf @ Fairwinds on 7/19

Each of the 3 golf events will be a different format (Calcutta, scramble, etc.) Players of all handicap levels may participate. Typically there will be a green box at 5:30 on the evening before each round at which time the schedule for the next day’s bus departure (typically 9:00 a.m.) will be announced.

An “awards” reception or hosted green box will occur at the marina following each golf event. Each day following a round of golf will be a free day with no moorage reserved. Cost per golfer--$340 which includes everything (green fees, transportation to the course, and prizes) except moorage fees.

Chairman: Lee Hessler
For more information, see the May Binnacle or e-mail Lee at hardalee22@yahoo.com.

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