Gourmet Cruisers at Aerie

Dear SYC Member:

As Vice Commodore Jack Sullivan notes in his article below, the 2007 Gourmet Cruise was a great success! I would like to add my “thanks” and offer a big “Bravo Zulu” to co-chairs Gwen and Dave Twyver, along with Gwen and Tyler Ellison, the individual dinner SYC hosts, the outstanding chefs, staff and hosts of the resorts and exquisite dining establishments that served up the wonderful food which accentuated the theme “Northwest Fresh.”

This past weekend, your Commodore and First Mate ventured to the waters of the Detroit River for some really fast (and loud) boat races. The feature event was the 2007 APBA Gold Cup unlimited hydroplane races with SYC life member Billy Schumacher’s U-37 (with the SYC burgee proudly painted on the sides) as the defending champion boat. Although the U-37 clocked a new personal best speed of roughly 190 mph (that is cruising!), engine troubles plagued the team throughout the weekend to take the boat out of the top finishers. Billy says “we’re going to come back strong and fast, so don’t miss the Seafair races!” Clearly Billy’s boat has to be the fastest boat in the SYC flotilla! Our thanks to Billy and Jane Schumacher for keeping the traditions of this classic form of boat racing alive. The entire U-37 Team stands out as a real “class act.”

Also racing were eight offshore boats that put on quite a display on the river race course that was less than half the usual distance for this class of boat. Boy, are they loud – bringing back memories of the older “thunder boats.” We enjoyed the opportunity to experience the very beautiful and expansive facilities of both the Grosse Point and the Detroit Yacht Clubs - and our thanks go to the Commodores and staff of these great clubs for their hospitality.

The International Golf Cruise is now underway, and the Commodore’s Cruise and the Sunshine Coast Cruise are coming up later in July and August. If you’re up north, join us for the Ganges Outstation Grand Opening Party at Salt Spring Marina on Wednesday, July 25. If you are staying closer to home, join us for the Seafair Salmon BBQ on the clubhouse lawn on Wednesday, August 1.

So, have a great time! And be safe, courteous – and watch your wake!

Enjoy your club!

Ben Cozadd , Commodore

McKees Win 2007 Tasar Worlds

Source: Scuttlebutt 2386 and http://www.tasarworlds.com

After intense racing throughout the regatta, Americans Jonathan and Libby Johnson-Mckee maintained their lead in the final two races to win the Tasar World Championship in Phuket, Thailand, beating out a strong Australian contingent that made up most of the 58-boat fleet. Robert and Nicole Douglass (AUS) were second with Brett Young/ Kevin Kellow (AUS) in third.

2007 Gourmet Cruise

By any measure the 2007 Gourmet Cruise was a huge success. On July 5, the fleet of 23 boats and close to 60 members and guests gathered at Poets Cove (Bedwell Harbor) for our opening dinner. The entree was a choice of Alberta beef and chicken--both were outstanding.

Halibut at Hastings House	Lamb at Hastings House

On Friday, we cruised to Ganges where we had a laid back Greenbox and dinner on our own. Saturday most of us visited the Ganges Market and spend varying amounts on "can't do without" items. The evening, with hosts Bonnie and Jerry, included drinks in the beautiful gardens of Hastings House followed by an outstanding meal featuring Saltspring Island lamb.

Male Appetizer Cooks

Sunday, we went to Telegraph Harbor where the male half of the contingent exhibited their culinary skills at a Super Greenbox. The overall winner was Larry Milton, a guest of Clayton and Joanne Jones.

Monday, we cruised up to Nanaimo in rising winds--which exceeded 20 knots true and tested the skills of our skippers. The dinner that evening was in the gardens of the Mahle House, a lovely country restaurant south of Nanaimo on Yellow Point Road. The buffet dinner included garlic prawns, a variety of salads, tacos and herb roasted tenderloin of beef.

Tuesday was an off day with some of us staying the night in Nanaimo and others heading down toward our final rendezvous at Port Sidney Marina on Wednesday. Dinner that evening was at Aerie, a spectacular new lodge overlooking Finlaysan Arm. After Champagne cocktails we sat down to a great meal featuring fresh black truffle cream, a sampler of four seafoods including salmon mousse and sea urchin cream followed by a small serving of rabbit sausage and the entree of venison tenderloin (emphasis on tender).

All in all, it was a great time with great friends in some of the nicest restaurants you will ever find. Chairs Gwen and Dave Twyver and Gwen and Tyler Ellison put on a great show. The following is just one example of the verse produced by our Poet Lauriet, Fleet Captain Dan Schwartz

-submitted by Jack Sullivan, Vice Commodore

Ode to our Vice-Commodore

Not since Saint Paul to Malta sailed,
Has a mariner of greater esteem,
Than our own Vice-Commodore from Seattle has hailed
And came upon the scene.

With sails set and banners on high,
Into the harbor he came.
When lo and behold a pirate sly
Did play a nasty game.

From the port yardarm, a chicken did roost
A symbol of honors once earned,
But then a scoundrel, his ego to boost,
Attacked when Jack’s back was turned!

And in a flash, the chicken was gone,
Before anyone could look.
Who could have done so nasty a wrong?
The Vice-Commodore’s chicken he took!

But those who sail the Spanish Main
Know justice will be served.
And as a punishment for this pain,
The pirate gets what he deserves!

So all ye squirreley sailors take heed
And think before you act.
And remember the horror of the deed
Committed against dear Jack!

Captain Dan Schwartz – Malahat , BC , 11 July 2007

Hot Summer Nights at SYC

July 19 - "50’s Beach Party"

August 23 - “Hurricane Jack” 2007 - Celebrate Hurricane Season

Sign up at the front desk and Join us on the lawn for themed food, beverage, and fun!

Ward Room Closures

Ward room will be closed for dinner on the following dates due to club wide events....

New Summer Menus!

Come down and enjoy our new summer menus! They can be found here.

Ward Room Wine Promotion

Sunday nights dine in the Ward Room and enjoy $15 off on bottled wine!

2007 Commodore’s Cruise

Monday July 23 - Friday July 27
Sailboats and Powerboats welcome!

This is all about fun; point to point racing, BBQs, visiting 3 outstations, shopping, eating, a star raft, more eating, green boxes, barbequed lead sinker pancakes, more green boxes and on and on….

Now in its 13th year, this biennial event has consistently been a great time for sailboats and powerboats alike. Come for the week or coordinate your trip north or south to join the Cruise. Here is the lineup:

Monday July 23, rendezvous at Henry Island for the kickoff greenbox and BBQ.

Tuesday July 24, Race over to Sidney Harbor , greenbox at the Sidney Marina

Wednesday July 25, Race to Ganges , greenbox at our new outstation

Thursday July 26, Layday in Ganges , then over to Montague Harbor for a star raft

Friday July 27, Race to Ovens Island for awards greenbox and BBQ

Saturday July 28, BBQ lead sinker pancake breakfast; begin Sunshine Coast Cruise

Some lucky skippers have six Commodore’s Cruise burgees; make this your year to fly one!

Sign up at the front desk or contact your Cruise Captains, Chris and Shawn Otorowski.

Sunshine Coast Cruise 2007

Cruising Captains: Chris Warner and Pam Murray (206) 782-1277 cell or panther@seanet.com.

This is a Sail and 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 we can.

The Sunshine Coast Cruise starts after the Commodores Cruise at Ovens Island and ends on the doorstep to Desolation Sound at the SYC outstation on Cortez Island. Weather permitting we will visit places around the Straits of Georgia not usually seen by SYCers. They include Lasqueti Island, Hornby Island, Comox and Savary Island. If you have guests arriving or departing, locations with scheduled commercial air service are Nanaimo and Comox.

The actual cruising schedule is weather dependent. The cruise starts on July 29 more or less as follows:

Day One 7/29: The cruise will start at Ovens Island on Sunday July 29 departing Ovens in time to meet the slack to flood at Dodd Narrows at 10:13 a.m., so an early AM start. We will attempt to get some reciprocal moorage at the Nanaimo YC otherwise we will anchor in the harbor Sunday night. Greenbox on PANTHER.

Day Two 7/30: Depart Nanaimo for Lasqueti, anchor at False Bay or the NE side of the Island at Scottie Bay or in the lee of West Point in Tucker Bay. Explore Lasqueti. Green Box.

Day Three/Four 7/31 & 8/1: Depart Lasqueti for Tribune Bay on Hornby Island. Anchor, swim, hit the white sand beach a mile wide. Green Box. If the weather holds this is easily worth two days.

Day Five 8/2: Depart Hornby for Comox via Baynes Sound. Stay at the Comox Marina. This is a working fishing harbor. Reservations will be made for moorage and dinner in town at the Italian place near the marina. Great food reasonable prices. Explore Comox.

Day Six 8/3: Depart Comox for Savary Island. Anchor. Explore Savary. There is a great beach on the north west side of the island. This is an open anchorage so it is comfortable only in fair weather.

Day Seven 8/4: Depart Savary for the short trip to the SYC outstation at Cortez. Green Box for sure.

SEATTLE YACHT CLUB SEAFAIR BBQ
Reviving A Tradition

Wednesday, August 1 at 5:30 p.m. on the SYC Lawn

Have you ever wanted to meet the drivers and owners of the unlimited hydroplanes that race around Lake Washington? Seattle Yacht Club is reviving a tradition that gives members and guests the chance to meet and talk with drivers and owners of the hydroplanes.

You’ll have a chance to meet SYC Life member, and famous unlimited hydroplane driver/owner, Billy Schumacher, 2006 APBA Gold Cup champion, Unlimited Hydroplane Championship at Seafair and U.I.M. World Championship winner.

Get autographs, photos with drivers and chance to win a private tour of the hydroplane pits. There is also a raffle to win a radio controlled model of the U-37. Wow!! What a fun party!!

Call the SYC front desk and sign-up for this exciting opportunity to meet the Seafair hydroplane drivers!! Costs is $35 per adult, and $15 for children 10 years and under. Bring the family and friends - - don’t forget your camera!

What I Did on My Summer Vacation!
Binnacle Photo Contest

Send us a photo of what you did on you summer vacation and you could win a gift certificate to the club.

The SYC account representatives from Sound Business Forms will be the judges. 

There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Entries must be submitted no later than September 1 and winners will be published in an upcoming Binnacle.

Submit entries to: binnacle@lists.seattleyachtclub.org

Visit our SYC photo website.

Here is an opportunity for you to view all the photos taken by a variety of club photographers at various club activities.

You will find photos of the Commodores Ball, J.O. Ball, Children's Easter Brunch, Opening Day Photos, Potlatch, plus many more.

These photos can be downloaded, printed, and shared.

The site is: http://www.seattleyachtclub.phanfare.com/
This site is password protected, the viewing password is: sycphotos

If you have any questions contact Len Rothe.

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Send your news stories and/or photographs for the E-Newsletter to: infonet@lists.seattleyachtclub.org