Commodore's Letter

Dear SYC Member:

Hi everyone,

Back in Seattle after three weeks and everything at the Club seems to be under control.  When I asked Carol to tell me about the problems that had arisen during my absence she paused for almost a full minute and then told me that the refrigerator at the Garden Bay residence had failed.  A $1,300 problem.  Obviously I was pleased that the biggest problem was so manageable.  Besides, it’s a great example to support my view that we must always include a contingency item in our budgeting process.

This past week I was privileged to welcome on your behalf the Deputy Secretary of Commerce, John Sullivan who was in town to visit our friends and neighbors at the various NOAA facilities.  Thanks to Usha Varanasi for tipping me off.

Flying Eagle is off to South Sound today to properly relax the crew in preparation for the final push to the Change of Watch on October 3rd.  Hail us on your VHF if you see Flying Eagle.

All the best,

Jack Sullivan, Commodore

Editor's Note

The next CompassNEWS will be on Tuesday, Sept 2.  We will resume the weekly editions of CompassNEWS at that time.  We hope you are continuing to enjoy your summer and we look forward to seeing you at the Club in September.

SYC wins the H.W. McCurdy Interclub Junior Challenge Trophy!

Our team, Josh Larsen, Jack Toland, Burgess Malarkey, Callie Wade, Kate Cenname and Sam Oldroyd, sailed very well going 7 and 2; only losing to the 2 top adult teams (who don't count in the McCurdy Trophy scoring). This is an old trophy which has been raced 49 times since 1954. It is a challenge event run by SYC that sails 3 boat junior teams against each other. SYC has won it 19 times since it was first sailed and was lost won by us in 2005.

2008 SYC McCurdy Team waiting for wind to start racing.

With Sail Sand Point as the venue we used 6 SYC 420s and 12 FJs from SSP. Saturday saw a nice Northerly that held most of the afternoon with winds from 3 - 10. This allowed the entire first round robin to be completed by the end of the day. Finishing race 45 at 5:55 p.m. with pizza on the dock for everyone. Sunday give us very little wind and no racing.

Marine Fuel Tax Refund

When Washington Boaters go to the fuel dock and purchase gasoline for a boat, boaters pay a GAS TAX, which is included in the price of your marine fuel. The majority of this 28¢ per gallon gas tax is a road tax and intended to be paid by drivers of cars (– not boats!) to maintain highways, bridges, and ferries. Boats do not extend wear and tear on highways, bridges, and ferries, so a portion of the tax has been declared exempt from boat fuel. However, boaters must do the work to file a claim to get the refund for this gas tax. Click Here for more.

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."

Helmsmen Specials

Hot Summer Nights

Friday, August 22
7:30 p.m. in the Marine Room

Join us on the deck for music by...
The Tropics

SYC will Celebrate its 116th Birthday!

Thursday, September 4
5:30 p.m. in the Marine Room

Ropeyarn Appetizers, Birthday Cake and Drink Specials!

Power/Sail Dinner

September 11, 2008
6:30 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Usha Varanasi

Join us for a fabulous dinner!

Dr. Varanasi will be giving an update and general information as to what’s going on at NOAA Fisheries.

NEED A WASHINGTON STATE BOATER EDUCATION CARD?

You need to have and carry a Washington State Boater Education Card (BEC) if you are…….

• Age 12 to 20 in 2008 and want to operate a motor boat of 15 hp or greater.
• Any age: Planning to operate a motor boat in Canada for more than 60 days at a time.

SYC and USCG Auxiliary offer a “Fast Track” process to qualify for a BEC

Sign-up & Get the About Boating Safely Course© (ABS) at SYC Front Desk.
Available September 1, 2008.  Cost $25.00 (Includes $10.00 examination fee & course CD with the text).

Self-Study About Boating Safely Course© (ABS) at home

Attend Class Sunday, October 19, 2008, Time: 1300 - 1700, SYC Heritage Room

Obtain a Boater Education Card, good for a lifetime, from Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
$10.00 by mail with copy of your ABS Course Completion Certificate or other state approved boating safety course completion credential.

All-Day Class a Chance to Learn and Practice Survival Skills

You don’t have to be a long-distance cruiser to experience a boating emergency. A powerboat off of Point No Point caught fire and sank in less than 15 minutes. Boaters falling overboard in Puget Sound or the San Juan Islands are at risk of life-threatening hypothermia within 30 minutes. Learning and practicing a small set of survival skills can give a recreational boater the edge needed to survive an emergency in our cold coastal waters.

On Wednesday, September 24, 2008, Washington Sea Grant instructors will offer SYC members an all-day class that is normally available only to commercial fishermen. A combination of lecture in the Elliott Bay clubhouse and drills both on the marina grounds and aboard a member’s vessel will give us practice in:

Members who attended 2008 Safety Day will find that this class offers a chance to get much more practice in the techniques introduced during Safety Day sessions.

Class size is limited to 15. Cost is $50 per person (normally $175). Call the front desk to register and for more information. If the class isn’t filled by September 20th, we will open it to non-SYC boaters.

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