Day Chapin hoisting the HAM Radio Pennant at Port Madison with his wife Frances and Chuck Steward

Dear SYC Member:

Last week’s Men’s Lunch and Sailboat Dinner programs featured U.S. Coast Guard officers discussing the mission and scope of responsibilities of the USCG Sector Seattle, and the operational security and safety issues with marine activity on Puget Sound. We all are fortunate that these dedicated professionals are “on watch” to assure our safe enjoyment of our regional waters.

With the increasing spring-like weather comes more on-the-water activities for club members. The Amateur Radio Group’s “Radio Rendezvous” at Port Madison and the Queen City Yacht Club/Seattle Yacht Club Eagle Harbor predicted log race brought a number of boaters out to enjoy the water instead of laboring over tax returns. The extra day to file was just the excuse needed!

This next weekend is the Tacoma Yacht Club’s Daffodil weekend and Marine Parade on Sunday. Vice Commodore Jack and Marion Sullivan have organized about half-dozen boats and about twenty club members that will enjoy the festivities at TYC’s boat basin and clubhouse. All hands will be decorating Encore, Frank and Delores Dean’s beautiful classic 57’ Chris Craft, with roughly 3,000 daffodils as Seattle Yacht Club’s decorated Flag Ship entry in the marine parade. Thank you Jack, Marion, Frank, Delores and all that are participating in this fun annual weekend.

Our entire SYC family was saddened to learn of the passing of Honorary Life Commodore William (Bill) E. Bradshaw late last week. Bill joined SYC in 1937, served as Commodore in 1978, and received the Carl F. Zecher Memorial Award in 1984. These titles and accolades speak to Bill’s years of dedicated service to Seattle Yacht Club. The family is planning a Celebration of Life at the clubhouse on Monday, April 30 at 5:00 p.m. Our thoughts are with Marilyn and the extended Bradshaw family. We will miss Bill!

Enjoy your club!

Ben Cozadd , Commodore

Notice to Portage Bay Boaters

Sound Transit and WSDOT will be conducting ge technical borings in Montlake Cut from April 16 to April 23, 2007.  A small barge will be located within the Montlake Cut, about 200 feet east of the Montlake Bridge.  The work will be near the north and south banks of the Cut taking place during daylight hours on the weekdays.  The barge may be anchored in the Cut at night, though it will not be manned.  For additional information, contact Sound Transits Construction Hotline at
(888) 298-2395.

Predicted Log Racing

Dan Schwartz, Jerry Johnson and Bob Lindal (from Queen City).  Bob presented the QCYC/SYC challenge race trophy to SYC.  QCYC and SYC ran the same course for their interclub races (SYC rudder cup).

Bob Lindal presented Bill Grady with award of second in his class in the QCYC/SYC Eagle Harbor Predicted Log Race

Dan Schwartz getting ready to flip some burgers for dinner Friday night

Bill and Roni Grady enjoying Saturday night at Eagle Harbor after the race

SYC Amateur Radio Committee Events Update

FCC Exams

This was a busy week for your amateur radio committee. Wednesday started with a General Test review (exam preparation session) organized by Chris Warner and led by Bill Whitney. After the review we conducted FCC exams for all three license classes (Technical Class License - basic level, General Class License - intermediate level), Extra Class License - highest level) culminating in 16 successful new licenses or upgrades. The exam session was led by our experienced Volunteer Examiner Team that includes Heather Ballaine, Bill Whitney, Chuck Steward, and Dwight Shaw. After the exams, we met for a short organizational meeting followed by technical programs on marine DSC by Peter Okonski and antenna coax selection by Dan Withers.

Radio Rendezvous III

A great Greenbox gathering at Port Madison

Under dynamic skies - meaning a mixture of drizzle, wind, and sun - the 3rd Radio Rendezvous kicked off Saturday morning with operators on boats and a few land yachts reporting in on two meters while underway. Boats were still arriving at 1:00 p.m. when we began FCC testing on elements 3 & 4 for General Class and Extra Class Licenses). As a result there are now 5 new General licensees and 1 new Extra Class licensee in the Committee. Congratulations to all and thanks to Heather Ballaine and our VE teams.

ARC Rendezvous Greenbox

At 3:00 p.m. the Open Boat event got underway with visits to the 14 boats participating. This was a great time to inspect radios and join in on spirited discussions about antennas, grounding, radios, and how to optimize systems for coastal and off-shore communications. After the traditional Green Box our group of 37 celebrated with a well organized pot luck directed by Laura Cruz with assistance from experienced club Pot Luckers - thank you Rices and others who pitched in.

Dwight Shaw meets with the Baileys during the Open Boat session.

The dinner included the awarding of SYC ARC pins (a lapel pin of our ARC pennant) to new licensees in attendance (Chris Warner, Craig & Kay Compton, Frances Chapin, Peggy Steward, Viktor Grabner), and experienced amateur radio operators, but new members, Bob Swaine and George McCully. The next morning, after checking in on the Boaters Net, a number of boats participated in "around-the-bands" exercise by stretching our expertise communicating on multiple frequencies and noting signal reports - all good practice for emergency communications and getting ready for boating season. - Submitted by Day Chapin, SYC ARC Chair

Everyone enjoying a potluck dinner at the ARC Rendezvous

The SYC Foundation Auction needs YOU!

The May 17 SYC Foundation Auction and Oyster Feed is fast approaching. We have some great auction items already including a week skiing at Big White, a Woodland Park Zoo African Safari and Giraffe feed for 10, a wine tasting for 10, sports tickets, moorage and even the party barge is back again this year. But we are still looking for more donations. On our wish list are air miles, get-aways, shopping sprees and spa days. Use your imagination.

To make it easy to donate, you can download the SYC Foundation Auction Procurement sheet online, fill it out and fax it to Rob Sullivan, Auction Chair at pensul@aol.com. Let’s make this a banner year and help NW boating youth and have some fun in the process!

Bring Your Music!

Junior Advisory & Club Boats Committee Meeting

The Junior Advisory and Club Boats Monthly meetings will be held Tuesday April 17, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in the Junior Room. This will be a concurrent meeting with the Club Boats Committee. Club Boats discussions will occur first, followed by Junior Advisory commencing at approximately 7:30 p.m. Come for either or both. Bill Elmer

April 17 Rope Yarn "North" Announcement

Please join us for Rope Yarn North at the Farmhouse Restaurant in the beautiful Skagit Valley.  Come see the valley ablaze with vivid colors of Tulips in full bloom right now! We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday, April 17.

PLACE: Farmhouse Restaurant (360) 446-4411
DATE: April 17, 2007 (Tuesday)
TIME: Rope Yarn 5:30 - 7:00 PM Dinner following (Optional)

Safety Fest

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

             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.

Page Read, of Emerald Marine Products, manufacturer of the Alert2 man overboard recovery system, will demonstrate several methods for sail and power boaters to recover a person fallen overboard. This session will include a hands-on drill!

In the Big Tent, we will gather exhibitors to display and demonstrate their safety products and services. Fisheries Supply, Armchair Sailor, Northwest AED, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Power Squadron, NOAA, the Seattle Police Department Harbor Patrol, and the Corps of Engineers (tips on negotiating the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks). We are also planning a variety of activities for the kids, including a safety poster contest, a hypothermia demonstration, and life jacket fittings. 

We will also have a chance to look over the SPD Harbor Patrol’s newest 31’ rescue boat. The Harbor Patrol will be on hand all day to meet SYC members and answer questions.

For any late-breaking developments, check the Marine Traffic, Environment and Safety web site.

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 generously donated by Fisheries, Bob Hale (The Waggoner Cruising Guide), Fine Edge Publishing, Armchair Sailor, Pacific Yachting magazine, the Coast Guard and more!

Port Ludlow Mini-Cruise Plan Change

The destination of the Port Ludlow mini-cruise scheduled for April 21-22 has been changed to Gig Harbor as the marina at Port Ludlow could not accommodate all of us in one group of slips.  This has the added advantage of allowing attendees to pop over to Tacoma on Sunday afternoon to watch the Daffodil Parade if they wish.

We will depart the Seattle area around 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.

There will be a green box at 5:30 p.m. and potluck dinner in the BBQ area at 6:30 p.m.

As ever if there is a small craft advisory the event is off.  Let's go have some fun on the water!

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 Gig Harbor- Greenbox and potluck dinner.
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)

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

Wednesday June 13
The Golden Spruce by John Vaillant

SYC Annual Foundation and Oyster Feed
Thursday, May 17 

This is an event you won’t want to miss. So, mark your calendars and open your hearts and your wallets. It’s a lot of fun. We already have many great auction items including art, trips and activities so join your friends and bid on your favorite items and make this the most successful year yet.

The SYC Foundation is a non-profit foundation providing financial assistance for deserving NW young people participating in boating activities and competitions. One of last year’s 14 grant recipients was the OARS NORTHWEST TEAM, which successfully rowed across the Atlantic carrying our Seattle Yacht Club burgee as one of its sponsors and set a world record! Let’s keep up our good work!

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 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.

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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