OPENING NIGHT: CALL HARBOR ON 9 BEFORE LEAVING!

Catalina Nights are finally starting: WITH CAUTION!

The wait is finally over.  Like everyone else, I have been watching the harbor sounding charts.  I have been as anxious as everyone else to get this ball rolling again.  As an ex surfer I never thought I would be praying for no surf, but found myself in this position throughout this long winter.  Four months with the harbor closed is way too long!

I called the harbor this morning (Easter Sunday) and they said we should be ok for Tuesday night.  We will have a 3 foot tide which will help things.  Also there is no big swell predicted, so with luck the harbor will make further progress.  As of now, there is one requirement that is absolutely necessary. Each boat exiting the harbor MUST call the harbor office on channel 9 and get clearance to exit the harbor.  Have your CF number handy when making this call!  This step is absolutely necessary carrying a rumored $40,000 fine for noncompliance.  This stipulation may change with improved conditions by Tuesday. I would recommend that everyone keep tuned on channel 69 for communication before leaving the harbor.  If it is no longer necessary to check in with the harbor, we can broadcast this on channel 69.

We have a great year planned for Catalina Nights.  Fred Molnar and Chris Hoffman were kind enough to put together an awesome course chart.  I have had these laminated as in the past and this year, the color is turquoise.  I cannot express enough appreciation for their effort and expertise on this key element of our Catalina Tuesdays.

In years past, I have walked the docks putting coarse charts on all of our boats.  This Tuesday happens to be the last Tuesday of the month making it BARBECUE NIGHT AT SCYC.  After the race, please come to the club with your favorite grilling food.  I will be passing out the laminated course cards at the barbecue.  This should be a great kickoff for a great year!  The club and bar will be open, so count on your favorite mixed drinks from the bar.  Please do not bring your own alcohol.

I realize we have a full gamut of experience every Tuesday night.  In these perilous times of shoaled harbor entrances, a word of caution is necessary.  In many parts of the world scraping your keel on the bottom can be a common occurrence.  This should be avoided whenever possible even in still water.  With our harbor entrance being shoaled and the waves breaking, it is absolutely essential to AVOID surfing a wave in and bottoming out in the trough of the wave.  This is like a 10,000 pound jack hammer hitting the bottom of your boat and will lead to an emergency haul out for serious repairs.  Please keep an eye on the waves as entering the harbor and if there is any question, make another pass.  Another pass is much better than an emergency haul out. We want everyone to come out and enjoy our Catalina Tuesdays, but you are responsible for the safety and damage of your boat.

Let’s have a great year.  Sail hard but sail fair.  I am looking forward to seeing all of you this Tuesday.

Barry

Sailing Pair a Dice