Commodore's Letter

Dear SYC Member:

In spite of the picture of Flying Eagle that appeared in last week’s Compass NEWS, Marion and I have not gone to the dark side. It was after all April Fools’ Day. Besides, where would the Opening Day Committee find room for that much Flying Eagle?

This Thursday’s Sailboat Dinner has a program that should appeal to everyone who can spell “adventure”. Both Wendy Hinman and Garth Wilcox will be talking about their voyage from the South Seas to the Orient to Vancouver Island in a Wylie 31. Anyone who is hesitant about going to the west coast of Vancouver Island should attend this presentation. If they can do that trip in a 31 footer, you can get to Barkley Sound in almost anything.
From what I heard and observed last Saturday, the Safety Day was a great success. There were 70 attendees and all of those with whom I talked  said it was very worthwhile. I was very happy that the fire department had been alerted when I saw the smoke and flames from the flare demonstration in the parking lot.

The e-mails are cascading as Opening Day, Suma, the NOOD Regatta, and a myriad of other events come closer. Even this old salt is getting excited.

Jack Sullivan, Commodore

Boating Safety Day Review

More than 70 club members participated in the Second Annual Boating Safety Day on Saturday, April 5, 2008. The attendees sprayed dusty CO2 powder to put out a nasty fuel fire, shrugged on bright orange “gumby ” immersion suits and jumped into the water off of the Junior’s sailing dock , pumped water from a simulated sinking boat, ignited bright safety flares, and helped pull aboard a man-overboard victim. To read more about the day, please click the link.

Bob Miller
Marine Traffic, Environment and Safety Committee

Helmsmen Specials

Elliott Bay Moorage Available

There are currently available 40’ and 46’ slips at H and I dock at Elliott Bay Marina with yacht club discount.  Call the marina at (206) 285-4815 for details and prices.  Sign up at Seattle’s best marina before the spring rush.

Calling All Shutterbugs

Photographers Needed for Suma Exchange

The Suma Exchange committee needs photographers to capture the people & activities of the 2008 Suma Exchange, which takes place from April 27 – May 3, 2008. There will be events both on and off the water, day and evening. See your April Binnacle for a schedule. This is a great way to both have fun with your camera and meet our good friends from Kobe, Japan.

Any members with appropriate skills & gear who are willing to help capture some or all of the week’s activities are asked to contact: Tom Rausch, (425) 765-6427.

Palm Springs Men's Lunch

SYC Monthly Thursday Men's Lunch in the Palm Springs, California area!

Last one of the season, come join us at 11:45 a.m.on April 10

The Nest Restaurant
75-188 Highway 111, Indian Wells, CA

Reservations are not required, so be sure to put this on your calendar!

For more information, call:
Dave Romano at (206) 525-6884 or (760) 773-9138
John Peterson (425) 641-3221 or (760) 324-8701

Opening Day Parade Registration

All boaters wishing to participate in the Opening Day parade must register online. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m., Thursday April 24. All entrants must pick up their boat numbers prior to the event. They are available only 2 days:  Thursday May 1 and Friday May 2. The boat number committee is looking forward to greeting all those participating at our station in the Heritage room from 10:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. both those days.

Be sure to read the parade instructions on line when you sign up for the event.

ATTENTION: CRUISERS NEEDED!!! SYC NEEDS YOU!

Is your sailboat sitting at the dock covered in green algae?  Waiting for Cruise and Snooze or Duck Dodge?  Interested in a short casual race?  Just learning?  Read on…

Picture this: 

A fun day out sailing in a very casual “cruising class” race.  The day is short (wind provided), approximately 2-3 hours on a 15-20nm course.  Trophies and beverages will be available at the final race and informal get-together after each race.  First after race get-together is at CYC-Seattle, the second one at Sloop Tavern, and the third is at the awards ceremony at SYC.  Don’t have a PHRF rating, don’t worry our crack Race Committee will help you with one.  Short handed?  No problem, just come out.  Spinnaker or Non-spinnaker, no problem.
Best of all, $60 for all three races!  Tri-Island Series Cruiser/Racer Class

Easy sign up: click here.
Hoist that mildewed main, scrub off that green deck, and let’s have some fun.
April 19, May 10, and May 31.

Opening Day Friday Lunch

Join us for a bit of circus magic on Friday, May 2.  Reservations are limited and open Tuesday, April 8 at 8:30 a.m.

Sailboat Dinner

Exploring the Western Pacific Aboard Velella

Thursday, April 10 in the Fireside Lounge
Cocktails: 6:30 p.m.  Dinner: 7:00 p.m. Program: 8:00 p.m.  
Call the front desk for reservations

Wendy Hinman and Garth Wilcox circumnavigated the Pacific, sailing 34,000 miles aboard their 31 foot cutter, Velella. Wendy's articles have been featured periodically in various publications during the course of their voyage. Join us to hear about the last part of their voyage in the north Pacific, sailing back to Seattle from Kiribati (Tarawa), via Saipan, Hong Kong and Japan, stopping to make friends and explore the cultures along the way. They sailed 49 days from  Japan to make landfall on Vancouver Island, finally arriving in Seattle in October. Wendy is currently writing a book about their adventures while Garth, a naval architect, is designing a boat for more adventures.

Amateur Radio Rendezvous

April 12 – 13
Port Madison Outstation

IPBA Sponsored by QCYC/SYC 2008 Eagle Harbor Navigation Contest (Predicted Log Race)

Saturday, April 12, from QCYC Winslow Outstation.

Be part of a historical event in Predicted Log Racing in the Pacific NW. The first ever IPBA contest using the electronic aids that so many of us have and use regularly when cruising. Radar, GPS for position, heading and full chart display. You really should join the fun, who knows there may never be another electronics contest after this concept is reviewed at the next IPBA meeting.  And you get a real “training class” on how it works for the next race – the BYC-POYC race on 4/26 when even the boat speed over ground (SOG) will be available.
The short name for this type of race is an “E-RACE” but don’t get it confused with “erase” - and I guarantee it will not “erase” your fun.

Contact Gerry Johnson for details. (425) 462-1210 cell (206) 715-1406.

Ropeyarn North

Tuesday, April 15
Celebrate Tax Day with Ropeyarn North at the Farmhouse Restaurant in the beautiful Skagit Valley.  Enjoy libations and complimentary appetizers in our private room while visiting with old friends and making new ones.  An optional dinner ordering off the menu follows at our long table.  Reservations are not required and guests are always welcome.  The Farmhouse is easy to find on Highway 20 several miles west of I-5 going towards Anacortes, at the intersection with La Conner Whitney Road.  Click the link for driving instructions and menu.

Drama Group Play
“A Space Odyssey”
(The Future Я Us)

Welcome to a new age in the universe.  Imagine traveling through another dimension as endless as space and as eternal as infinity.  From the planet Cubic Zirconia back through a time warp—join Captain Millie Whiz Bang and her crew in their exciting adventures as they struggle for universal peace.

Performances:

Wednesday, April 16
Women’s Group Luncheon (reservations required)

Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Fireside Lounge, Open Seating

Wednesday, April 30
Ward Room Social 9:30 a.m.
Fireside Lounge 10:30 a.m. Open Seating

Daffodil Parade

April 18 – 20
Tacoma Yacht Club

If you are interested in attending Tacoma Yacht Club’s Daffodil Festival, please contact Fred or Karen Roed.

NorPac Reception

April 24
5:30 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge

What the heck is NorPac?

Join us for an informational gathering
Learn about cruising in Barkley Sound
6:00 p.m. presentation with Q & A

Reception Open to All!

Click here for details of the 2008 NorPac Regatta.

Powerboat Rendezvous

May 20 - June 1.
Sign-ups open Wednesday, April 16 at 8:00 a.m.

Golf Rendezvous
Open to ALL Members!

Friday, May 30
Meadowmeer Golf Course
Bainbridge Island

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