Commodore's Letter

Dear SYC Member:

Last week was moderately quiet – a good thing.  It started out with a 7:00 a.m. 520 meeting on Monday but only two of us showed up.  Somebody got their dates messed up and there I was again in a situation where almost everyone was out of step except me.  Jack Austin and I had a nice visit.

Tuesday night saw both Fred Roed and yours truly in attendance at Ropeyarn North.  This is a monthly gathering of members in Skagit County who meet on the third Tuesday at the Farmhouse Restaurant on the road between Mt. Vernon and Anacortes.  There are drinks, followed by dinner and lots of fun for everyone.  You should try it.

At Men’s Lunch on Thursday something took place that helps explain why our Club is so special.  Past Commodore Dave Romano presented the Club with a beautifully framed reproduction of two aerial photographs and an article from the 1991 Binnacle celebrating the creation of the new Cortes Bay Outstation.  Commodore Dave was serving as Commodore when this, our Northern-most outstation opened and he just thought it would be a good idea to honor the people who put the project together and which has provided so many of us with so much fun over the years.   This is so typical of what a great guy Dave Romano is.  He just keeps contributing and contributing.  Check out his gift in the Cortes Room the next time you sign in.

By the time you see this, the All Hands Meeting will be starting in a matter of hours (or minutes as the case may be).  We begin at 7:00 p.m. tonight and I sure hope you will be with us.  Spousal members are most welcome.

Cruising season has started for some and I hope the rest of us will be out very soon.

It’s all about boating and fun,

Jack Sullivan, Commodore

Compass NEWS Summer Break

Cruising time is here and Compass NEWS will be on a Summer Schedule.  The next edition will be on July 8 and every other week after that through the end of August (July 8, July 22, August 5 and August 19).

Please note these dates if you have anything to be published in Compass NEWS.  The next Binnacle will be the July/August edition and you should receive that mid July. 

The submission deadline for the September Binnacle is August 1.  Happy Cursing!

Port Madison Outstation Notice

Attention SYC Members: Please note that the sport court and the playground are currently, temporarily, closed due to construction.

EPA Proposes Vessel Discharge Permits

(Washington, DC – June 16, 2008)The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing two general permits under the Clean Water Act that will cover discharges incidental to normal operation of commercial and recreational vessels. Based on agency estimates, as many as 91,000 commercial vessels and about 13 million recreational boats could be affected. Click here for the full story.

Army Corps Limiting Small Lock Use at Hiram Chittenden Locks in Ballard

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District News Release June 18, 2008

Vessel operators should be prepared to transit through the large lock this summer because of mechanical problems with the small lock.  The pintle bearings that support the four gates of the small lock are deteriorating at a rapid rate.  To reduce wear, the Corps is reducing use of the small lock.  "The soonest we can have new bearings fabricated is October" said Locks project manager Marian Valentine.  The small lock will continue to be used for emergency vessels, and for other commercial vessels at the discretion of the lockmaster.  The locks are still being operated "on demand" 24/7.  The Corps expects that most trips through the (large) locks will experience little impact.

"If water shortage becomes an issue later in the summer, the small locks may return to more frequent operation...We will maximize the use of the large lock by having recreation vessels follow commercial vessels into the chamber.  Vessels should allow for potential delays."

Accounting/Membership/Moorage Office Schedule Change

This summer the Accounting/Membership/Moorage office will be trying out a new working schedule. Instead of fully staffing the office 5-days a week for 8 hours, it will now be staffed (staggered) 4-days a week for 10 hours. The office will be open Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Please see the schedules below:

Message from the General Manager

HAPPY HOUR

Beginning in July we will kick-off our new “Happy Hour” from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with selected Hors d’oeuvres for just $4.00 along with daily drink specials to squelch the summer heat!

Marine Room Happy Hour Menu
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Sunday

$4.00 each

1/2 order Nachos Seasoned Beef, Cheddar Cheese, Jalapenos, Onions, Tomatoes, Olives, Sour Cream & Guacamole

Warm Artichoke & Cheese Dip Quartered Artichoke Hearts in a Melted Blend of Cheeses Served with Sliced Herb Baguette

Bay Shrimp Martini

Hummus Served with Warm Pita Bread & Kalamata Olive Slaw

Beer Steamed Mussels with Tomato, Dill, & Lemon Butter

Drink Specials

Well Drinks $2.50
House Wine $3.00
Henry’s Draft $1.50
Microbrews $3.50
Daily Drink Special** $4.00

**Ask your server.

OVERNIGHT PARKING

In an effort to provide improved security and better management of the Club’s limited parking, we ask that all vehicles being left here for two or more nights to please register your vehicle with the front desk prior to leaving.  In addition, I would also encourage carpooling whenever possible to help control the number of cars left in the parking lot for extended periods of time.  We appreciate your cooperation.

Strawberry Festival Ropeyarn Photos

Helmsmen Specials

SYC “All Hands” Informational Meeting

Tuesday, June 24
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge

Come and learn about the “State of the Club”.   The elected officers and trustees will be available for a question-and-answer session about the Mainstation, the SYC outstations, and the Club financial state.   This is the time to find out what is really happening at the Club and to separate facts from rumors!   Spousal members are most cordially invited.

Agenda

Cruise 'n' Snooze

June 28-29, 2008

Shilshole to Port Madison (and back)!

Saturday race begins 11:00 a.m.
Sunday race begins 12:00 Noon

Saturday evening: Greenbox, Potluck Dinner and Awards Ceremony
Sunday morning: Famous Campbell Breakfast!

$15 for adults, $2 for 17 and under.

Sign up at the Front Desk!
(206) 325-1000

Contact Tom Weingarten or Wendy Thon for potluck coordination (206) 932-6340.

Tuesday Night Sailing at SYC – Come on Down !!!

Site: SYC, Portage Bay
Dates: Tuesdays June 17 to August 26, except July 1
Time: Sailing 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.,  BBQ or Taco Tuesdays on the lawn afterwards. $8.95 per person
Who: All SYC Members, families and any younger sailors who want to get started in a fun environment. Race Camp Participants, Race Team members also are welcome.

Boats:  Laser, Opti, 420, Byte, 29’er,   bring your own boats if you like or come sail an SYC boat.

Royal Vancouver Yacht Club Invitation to Canada Day
June 30 and July 1

The RVYC has invited SYC members to help them celebrate Canada Day at their Scotts Point outstation in Long Harbor, Saltspring Island. Boats should plan to arrive June 30 around noon or in the early afternoon. Be prepared to anchor in 10 fathoms of water off their outstation. We will raft as appropriate.

If it appears there will be enough room for SYC boats at the Scotts Point outstation after RVYC tallies the attendance of their members then SYC boats will be invited to moor at the outstation. We should know this by the morning of June 30.

The agenda will be forthcoming. In the past there has been a Greenbox organized by SYC the evening of June 30. On Canada Day there is a breakfast of some kind, a chili cook off contest, a land hockey game or a one design sailboat race and a keg of beer the Canadians expect us to help them empty. There is a swimming pool on shore for the kids and adults. This is a great party and a good way to meet our Canadian neighbors. There is about a $30.00 charge per head that will appear on your SYC bill.

Chris Warner and Pam Murray (Panther) have a secret chili recipe provided by Kappy O'Brien that will enable SYC to win the chili cook off.

On July 2 the SYC contingent and many of the RVYC boats will go south to Roche Harbor/Henry Island or the 4th of July festivities. Those wishing to attend Canada Day at Scotts point should sign up at the Front Desk (206) 325-1000.

4th of July at Elliott Bay Clubhouse

Join us for Greenbox and  potluck BBQ

Before settling in for the Northwest’s best Fireworks Show

Hosted by the committee

With wine, soft drinks and tableware provided.

Join the badminton tournament

Sunshine Coast Cruise 2008 

Cruising Captains: Chris Warner and Pam Murray, contact info, cell:  (206) 782-1277
email: Chris Warner or Skype: sailpanther

This is an EXTREMELY COOL semi official non-event event, meaning there is no charge billed to your SYC account.

This is a SAIL & POWER event. Anchorages selected will be weather dependent and large enough to accommodate all boats safely. You should be prepared to anchor in 10 fathoms of water. We will raft as much as possible.

This Sunshine Coast Cruise begins at the Ganges Outstation on July 28 and ends on the doorstep to Desolation Sound at the SYC outstation on Cortez Island on August 4. The actual cruising schedule is weather dependent. For more information, click here.

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