GYC Newsletter 2_2014

T
GU
YA C
H
February 2014
LF
Volume 15 Issue 2
GULF
SAILOR
CRUISING UNDER SAIL
CLU B
Reflections of White Wolf in warmer times. Can’t wait for those times to come again.
Still Freezing Temperatures but Sunny
I was so pleased to get a call from Bill Patey who was responding
to my sad, lost screw story in the previous issue. Pacific Fasteners
does, indeed, have replacement everythings.
Michael and Edi Walsh inspire us
with their stories of cruising the
inland waterways from northern
Friesland to southern France. Get
your passports updated people!
T
GU
Cruising
the Canals
of Europe
H
So a few days ago Miles goes back to finish the job that was thwarted
by his loss, arrives at the ladder, when, what to his wondrous eyes should
appear, but the original screw and eight tiny reindeer! Well, not really –
but it was just as miraculous. This is four weeks later and the troublesome
screw is just sitting there bright as day!
I expect maintenance and boat repair will fill these pages until we all get
back on the water properly. Pam and Tom Shenton have always shared
great stories about their adventures in Mexico. This time out, they regale
us with the difficulty of getting their anchor chain replaced.
Judy Crumlin draws our attention to a shocking decision recently
brought down by our government concerning the expansion of fish
farming all up and down our coast. Is there anything we can do about it?
And there’s more! Roz Bell is back with a story about how a two-hour
training session with the Canadian Lifeboat Institute turned into an allnighter one dark and foggy night in October. Dawn
YA C
F
Douthwaite, shares a nummy recipe with us.
L
Geoff Stevenson and Janette Chudleigh both
have announcements to make. And Cam gives
us a summary of the recent club survey.
All that and the photo contest winners too, as
well
as reports from our new executive.
CLU B
FEBRUARY 10TH
Suzanne Walker, Editor S/V White Wolf
See p.2 Staff Captain’s Report
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page
1
February 2014
Volume 15 Issue 2
GULF SAILOR
Staff Captain’s Report
I’m looking forward to my year as Staff Captain. I have
some ideas for the meetings but I am here to bring in guest
speakers and member presenters that you would like to
hear. This means I need your input, please.
With Doug’s help, I have a few guest speakers already
booked:
February 10: Michael and Edie Walsh
– The Canals of Europe on Zonder Zorg
March 10: John and Karen Laing
– Sailing Around Vancouver Island
April 14: ?
May 12: Tom and Janette Chudleigh
From 2009 to 2012 Michael and
Edi Walsh sailed their new cutter-rigged sloop, Sequitur over
20,000 nautical miles down the
west coasts of the Americas,
around Cape Horn and up the
east coasts.
They are now continuing their
journey in a more gentle style on
the canals of Europe in a century-old skûtsje named Zonder Zorg.
You can check out their adventures as they find and purchase the barge, do a major refit and cruise from northern
Friesland to southern France at
http://www.zonderzorg.ca
June 9: ?
I have lined up a few potential outside speakers without
firm dates. I haven’t booked anything for the fall yet but I
am confident members will share some of their summer
adventures.
Please call me
604-525-7485
or send me an email
[email protected]
if you have any ideas for
presenters or if you have a
presentation to share.
Eleanor Vandergaag, Staff Captain
S/V Fast Forward
Winner of ‘People’ (sic) Category in Photo Contest!
Phill Little
Clearly this category in the annual photo
contest needs expanding to include
animals. Bob and Kellay Hamelin’s, Crew,
won a couple of years ago I recall, and
now this sweet little guy won everyone’s
heart and racked up the votes.
Either we need a whole new category, or
we have to change the criteria!
In any event, well done Phill for capturing
this fellow taking a break one day last
summer.
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page
2
February 2014
Volume 15 Issue 2
GULF SAILOR
icers 2013
Executive Off
Commodore’s Report
Kellay Hamlin
An Affair
ley
ore: Ken Buck
Vice Commod
Misty Blue
ell
Darlyne Farr
Fleet Captain:
Ah
e
Le
w
Sa
ergaag
Eleanor Vand
n:
ai
pt
Ca
f
Staf
Fast Forward
John Dixon
:
Exec. Officer
Tantramar
m
Chris Stangroo
y:
Hon. Secretar
Christie Cove
elly
Martin Peng
r:
Hon. Treasure
Kailani
ields
ore: Cam Sh
Past Commod
Felicity
I am so excited and proud to serve as Commodore of this wonderful club for the coming
year. I will admit I am nervous to be following in such large footsteps of all the wonderful
past Commodores. Although that is the great thing about the Gulf Yacht Club – everyone
is so willing to help. I know I won't be going into this without a wealth of knowledge
and help to back me up.
That's one of the main reasons Bob and I joined the club, we wanted to be with people of
like interests, whom we could learn from and who would pass along their expertise. We
were so new to sailing and the GYC seemed like just the right fit. From our first meeting,
to that first cruise, when we didn't know anyone, we were made to feel welcome. It's
something we try to remember when new members join now: remember that feeling of
being new and be as welcoming to them as the club was to us way back then. And I know
all of you try to do the same thing, again that's what makes this group so special. Plus there
is a vault full of information to be shared from your fellow members, you just have to ask.
Yes, sometimes I have to wonder if it is a sailing club or a social club, the two seem to
ker
al
•••••••
have merged together. The recent membership survey leads us to believe just that, a
W
e
nn
za
Su
Hon. Editor:
group of people that really like each other and like to sail together. It will be the task
White Wolf
l.ca
dandg@porta
of this year’s executive to take your feedback and tweak a few things to make the Gulf
Yacht Club even more special to everyone, old and new members alike.
I think we have just the right executive to do that, with Dar, as Fleet Captain, organizing new and exciting
Ports of Call or activities at our rendezvous, to Eleanor, as Staff Captain, entertaining us with speakers at the monthly meetings.
While holding onto our many traditions it’s also a time for change and we'll be looking to you for feedback and help. It's all of our
club and we want it to be great for everyone.
One of the great tools at your disposal is the roster, invaluable at home and on the boat.
We are forever referring to ours, even making notes throughout on who's who. Why is
it easy to remember boat names but not the skippers? A big thank you to Chris, our
Secretary, for putting this together yet again. It is a large, time-consuming job and we
all appreciate the work she puts into it for our collective benefit.
Here's to the great sailing season ahead of us, making new friends while cherishing
those we have. I look forward to spending time with each and every one of you, on the
water and at the meetings. And please let me know how I'm doing, I look forward to
your feedback and guidance.
Commodore:
Kellay Hamelin, Commodore, with her first mate
Bob, at the Laughing Oyster, S/V An Affair
Green Light for Fish Farms Worrying
A major expansion of B.C.fish farms sector has been approved despite warnings
by the 2012 Cohen Commission about the harmful effects of net-based farms.
Judy forwarded a letter from Alexandra Morton, whom
you will know is the marine biologist who brought us the
documentary Salmon Confidential, a film that “provides
surprising insight into the inner workings of government
agencies.”
The reason for her letter and call to action can be found
in an excellent article in the Vancouver Sun by Peter O’Neil
on January 16. In it, he quotes John Warring, a science
policy adviser at the David Suzuki Foundation: “There’s
an issue about transparency. It
shows clearly the direction the
government is taking on
aquaculture. They do not want
any opposition to their plans and
Judy Crumlin
I suspect their reluctance to
release this information to the public is to mute any kind of
concern that might be expressed by people opposed to the
expansion of the industry in British Columbia.”
See Decision to Expand on p.4
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page
3
February 2014
Volume 15 Issue 2
GULF SAILOR
Whiskey Crab Soup
New Year’s Day we were treated to a wonderful
new soup at the home of Chris and Andy Backus.
Andy is the soup maker! As this recipe uses a
substantial amount of crab you might want to
tuck it away for crab season. This is a big batch
recipe and I well imagine it could be cut down.
Andy said he reduced the amount of butter and
used some pepper flakes.
Dawn Douthwaite
The soup is a lovely colour and the abundance
S/V Bramble
of crab gives it an interesting texture. Variations
of this soup are offered in finer local restaurants. There are several more
complex versions of the recipe online involving crab shells and brandy but
for my taste it would be difficult to top this offering. Our host generously
supplied his recipe:
Whiskey Crab Soup
Original recipe makes 4.5 gallons
2 1/2 gallons water
1 1/2 cups fish soup base
2 pounds butter
6 cups all-purpose flour
6 1/2 cups marinara sauce
1/4 cup OLD BAY® Seasoning
4 teaspoons ground white pepper
1 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco)
6 cups fresh Dungeness crabmeat
1 cup heavy cream
2/3 cup cooking sherry
5 fluid ounces whiskey
Directions
1. Bring the water to a boil in a large stock pot. Stir in soup base, and lower
heat to a simmer. Melt the butter in a skillet over low heat. Gradually
whisk in the flour so as not to form any lumps. Pour this mixture into the
broth. Cover, and simmer over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Pour the marinara sauce into the thickened broth, and season with OLD
BAY®, white pepper, lemon juice and hot pepper sauce. Stir until blended,
making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pot. Add the crabmeat,
and stir vigorously to break into pieces.
3. Stir in the heavy cream until blended, then mix in the sherry and whiskey.
Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed: if the soup is too salty, add more
heavy cream; add more lemon if there is no tang; more white pepper if
not spicy enough.
Remove from the heat. Pour into hotel pans to a depth of 4 inches or less, and
refrigerate if making ahead of time. Reheat to
140 degrees F (62 degrees C) before serving.
Decision to Expand
Aquaculture a Huge
Betrayal
You can find it online through this link:
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/na
tional/Canadian+federal+government+
opens+door+more+fish+farms/9392417/
story.html#ixzz2qXhVuANq
O’Neil’s report points out that the
decision to allow the expansion of fishfarming licenses was “laid out in letters
to several B.C. First Nations last week.”
No public announcement, despite
Ottawa “producing a flood of statements
since October on everything from the
naming of a new hovercraft in B.C. to the
donation of an old Canadian Coast
Guard vessel in Nunavut.”
Which is what is so very worrying.
Fisheries Minister Gail Shea’s letter
said applications will be accepted for
everywhere except the Discovery Islands
archipelago between Campbell River and
the B.C. mainland.
Alexandra points out on her blog that
after the Harper government gave the
Norwegian salmon feedlot industry the
green light to expand in BC, the industry
was listed on the New York Stock
Exchange. She goes on to say: “The
wisdom of Justice Bruce Cohen tossed
aside, BC is now a third-world region –
just another place for Norway to raise
"their" fish.”
Craig Orr, Watershed Watch Salmon
Society executive director, is also
appalled by the news: “The decision to
expand destructive aquaculture practices
anywhere along B.C.’s coast is a huge
betrayal of the concerns raised in the
Cohen inquiry.”
I know that while not everyone agrees
with Alexandra Morton’s approach to
presenting ‘the facts as she sees them’, it’s
hard to have confidence in a government’s decision when it is made behind
closed doors and sprung on us all as a fait
accompli.
If you care about what’s going to
happen next, stay informed, hard as that
is to do sometimes. And let me know
your thoughts on fish farming expansion
and what you’d like to see happen.
Suzanne Walker, Editor S/V White Wolf
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page
4
February 2014
Volume 15 Issue 2
GULF SAILOR
Staggering Property Tax Increases Impacting Recreational Marinas – and Us
In this month’s edition of Pacific Yachting there is a letter to the editor from Maple Bay Marina owner, David Messier, who
describes the surreal tax increases they’ve sustained since 2011: $37,105, then $74,743 in 2012 and $122,534 in 2013! That
works out to over 300% in just three years. How can any business possibly cope with increases such as these and actually
stay in business? Of course they will have to pass on those costs to us. How much of an increase can you afford?
Our moorage rates this year at Thunderbird are pegged at $7,838 before tax. Times three? $23,514. Don’t know about you,
but this would definitely put a quick and decisive end to our boating days. And we’d never sell the boat in 100 years!
More Photo Contest Winners
Winner of ‘Places’ Category: Phill Little
And congratulations a second time to Phill Little
for this gorgeous shot taken of the sundowner
dinghy raft-up at the Canada Day cruise to
Smuggler Cove.
An explanation to new members.
After the barbeque on Canada Day, if the weather
cooperates, everyone scrambles into kayaks and
dinghies and heads out through the entrance to the
cove and meets up to watch for the green flash. I’m
not sure anyone has seen it yet, but we’ll keep
hoping.
Winner of ‘Boats’ Category: Ron Vandergaag
Ron took this shot in the spring
at Plumper Cove. Just a misty
morning and the heron was
fishing from a nearby rock.
Ron and Eleanor count
Plumper as one of their private
‘outstations’ as their friends
have a dock and cabin there.
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page
5
February 2014
Volume 15 Issue 2
GULF SAILOR
A Busy Night in October for the Lifeboat
Several trainees had embarked for the regular Thursday night two hours of training.
Little did they know they would be out for six and a half hours.
During the 24 hour commercial chum fishery on October 24th
through 25th a large number of commercial shipping
movements were expected and the danger to all was
compounded by dense fog which stayed in the area for over
a week. This led to extreme safety
concerns by many maritime
organizations.
The CLI was contacted by Port
Metro Vancouver, Department of
Fisheries, Fishsafe and Seaspan
Ferries to ensure safety escorts
could be conducted. It had been hoped that the Fraser Lifeboat
might have been operational but owing to some equipment
still not being fitted it was deemed not ready – especially
owing to the conditions.
Our Steveston Lifeboat provided escorts to many rail ferries,
deep sea ships, tugs and barges and pusher tugs with barges,
all in zero visibility. Often the fishing vessels and escorted
vessels were never seen by the lifeboat crew and all were
controlled and monitored by radar
and AIS (Automated Identification
Systems). The lifeboat lookouts
were kept on their toes.
At 2330 on Thursday night,
October 24th, while escorting the
Seaspan Challenger down river in
zero visibility a radio message was received from a tug and
barge also outbound at Steveston Bend advising that a fishing
vessel was blocking the channel with no response from the
people onboard. The Steveston Lifeboat picked up the vessel on
radar and put on speed to ensure it would be clear for the
Seaspan Challenger. Arriving on scene it was determined the
fishing vessel was not fishing and was clear of the centre of
the channel. The lifeboat was then immediately turned around
to return to the Seaspan Challenger as she was now having a
problem with another fishing vessel.
Suddenly the stern lookout
reported a flare from the first
fishing vessel. Quickly returning to
the scene it was found that the
vessel had drifted onto the rock
wall. Communications were almost
impossible owing to a language
problem (the crew only spoke Vietnamese), a three knot ebb
and dense fog. After two attempts a towline was finally
secured, the fishing vessel was towed off the rocks and a
course was set for Steveston. The lifeboat was informed that
the hovercraft had been dispatched but as the fishing vessel
was safely under tow, the hovercraft
was able to stand down. The fishing
vessel was finally secured at 0045 in
Steveston where it was determined
she had a broken shaft.
Roz Bell on Steveston
The CLI had been requested to
Lifeboat
provide an escort for an outbound
Seaspan ferry from Tilbury at 0200 but as there were only two
boats still fishing the ferry captain kindly suggested our crew
should get some sleep prior to an escort requested for 0700
from Sandheads.
And so after four hours sleep the Steveston Lifeboat slipped
to escort the Seaspan Challenger, the Arctic Hooper and the
Sealink Pusher up river in convoy. This proved successful as a
large number of fishing vessels were now fishing on the
morning flood. Some minor problems were resolved and the
first two vessels docked safely at Tilbury Terminal.
The escort continued with the Sealink Pusher to Fraser Surrey
Docks. A much larger concentration of fishing vessels had to
clear the channel under the Alex Fraser Bridge and off the
Fraser Surrey Docks. The fishery closed at 0900 just as the
Sealink Pusher docked. The Lifeboat was then asked to
investigate a reported length of net adrift on the south side of
the river off Acorn Dock. The net was eventually found but
could not be retrieved as it was too heavy with fish and foul
of the bottom. It was finally left but marked with a buoy and
a notice to shipping promulgated by Coast Guard radio. The
net was later retrieved by the DFO.
Now the lifeboat could return to
Steveston where a very tired crew
secured at 1100 on Friday the 24th
of October.
The lifeboat crews are to be
heartily thanked. With a bridge
team made up of three retired Royal Canadian Naval officers,
and two master mariners, great professionalism was brought
to the service. During the evening several trainees had
embarked for the regular Thursday night two hours of
training. Little did they know they would be out for six and a
half hours as it was impossible to return to home base until
the rescues/patrols had been completed! They all returned
with smiles on their faces and a story to tell at work later.
A final Tsawwassen Band fishery was successfully patrolled
on Sunday October 27th from 0800 to 1500 with no significant
events.
Fifty-eight hours of service under-way were logged during
the month.
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page
6
February 2014
Volume 15 Issue 2
GULF SAILOR
Summing up the Survey
Forty-four members respond and paint an optimistic picture of the club. “While
we are a healthy organization, there is room for adjustment and growth.”
Checklist Responses:
1. Number of organized cruises throughout the year
is OK.
2. No preference on types of cruises anchoring or
marina.
3. Flotilla cruises could be popular (stressing the
social aspect).
4. Club information to members is good.
5. Presenters at meetings good, no preference given
(either member or guest).
Written Responses:
Cruises
1. Easter Cruise: 1/3 want a change of venue.
BC Day Cruise: two destinations requested
(Northern and Southern options).
Thanksgiving Cruise: majority wanted change of
destination
2. New destinations for rendezvous suggestions for
alternate cruising destinations
– Ladysmith – a popular suggestion
– Wallace Island
– Saturna Lamb roast
– Roche Harbour
– Montague Harbour
– False Creek
– Genoa Bay
– Blaine Harbour
3. New and different activities for cruises are
needed – also could involve other major activities
(theatre, golf, wine tasting, pig/lamb roast, etc).
4. A suggestion: Cruises on non-holidays/week
days – rather than just holidays and weekends.
6. Presentations on cruising
tips (from destinations to
maintenance) may be
popular.
Cam Shields, S/V Felicity
Club Legacy
8. Choose specific charities for 50/50 donation –
Marine Parks and Disabled sailors good choices –
others?
9. “While admirable fund-raising is not part of the
club’s mandate.”
Club Priorities
10. We need to address shrinking attendance at
meetings and cruises.
11. We need to continue support mechanisms for
new members.
12. We need to recruit new members – a priority
13. We need to make visitors feel welcome and
included at meetings
14. We need to produce a New Members Guide.
15. We need to address the aging demographics of
the club with new member enrollment
initiatives.
16. We need to increase membership awareness of
club activities.
17. We need to enhance and re-emphasize the
social aspects of the club.
General
• Overall there were many positive comments and
compliments about the club and its activities.
Meetings
5. Try other venues rather than institutionalized
Maritime Museum to emphasize social aspects of
meetings. Try dinner meetings or just dinners at
restaurants/pubs/legions.
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page
7
February 2014
Volume 15 Issue 2
GULF SAILOR
The new Executive for 2014: Cam, Chris, Dar, Kellay, Ken, Eleanor and John. Martin was missing but there in spirit.
July Slow Cruise Deferred to 2015
Unless someone else would like to initiate one for this year? Two new options are on
the table but need an organizer to make it all happen.
Some background to the July Slow Cruise which is not part of
the ‘official cruise roster’ of either club. The Gulf Yacht Club
and Semiahmoo Yacht Club share five members, with perhaps
more on the way. Geoff has organized the cruise twice before
and both times, several attendees from each club filled the
ranks – usually 6-10 boats show up at various times over the
course of the cruise.
Unfortunately, this year Geoff has another obligation and
can’t participate, so a Stevenson-organized event will have to
be postponed until 2015.
However, someone else could organize the cruise?!
There have been two suggestions as
to possible destinations for the next
"Slow" cruise: first, to go to southern
Alaska and second, to go to the
Geoff Stevenson,
Olympic Peninsula/Puget Sound
S/V Taeko IV
(west side) and slowly meander port to
port.
Both sound exciting possibilities. Feel free to suggest other
options for 2015.
In the meantime cheers and regards to all and see you in
May this year. Cheers and regards.
The Wedding Story – Another Fairy Tale
One day I (Suzanne) received a Facebook alert telling me Tom and Janette were now
married! I was excited by the news. Who knew? Here’s what really happened…
(This is Janette speaking now.) When we both retired, we
amalgamated our Facebook page to be one page for the two of
us. Of course, one is not supposed to do that with Facebook,
but we did anyway as, what with the boat, and the travelling,
Tom could not keep up with his news, and on and on.
So when we set up "Janette Tom" the
entity was a male, born on December
25, 1900 and single. Much to our
surprise, as time went on, the main
advertising content we received (that
was targeted to our male, single,
hundred-year-old Facebook construct)
consisted of Chinese female nudes!
Hundreds of them! All sort of visually
panting...!!
Over time I could not stand it, so
"Janette Tom" changed his sex, birthday and marital status.
All that worked out fine and now I
get recipes, arts and travel advertising.
So we were married on Facebook
again ... the first time we got married
Janette Chudleigh,
was on 7 May 1988. (Facebook wasn’t
S/V Charabanc
even a twinkle
in anybody’s eye back then!)
Here’s a photo of Tom and I on our
first hike a couple of weeks ago when
Tom literally sprinted up the
mountainside and I plodded and
puffed behind him.
Life is good here. Tom is doing well
and his fatigue less intrusive now.
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page
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February 2014
Volume 15 Issue 2
GULF SAILOR
Chain of Events in Mazatlan
Getting good anchor chain in Mexico is a challenge. Re-galvanizing isn’t straightforward and chain can be ‘lost’ during the process.
Kewao received new anchor chain when I had former GYC
Commodore, Roy Appleford's company, R&S Yacht Services,
refit the boat with a new electric windlass and chain. That
was over 15 years ago and much water has passed under the
keel since then. The anchor chain has seen many bottoms
and dragged over many different sea beds since then. But
over the last two years the appearance of dreaded rust has
begun to show itself. I tried to delay the onset of decay by
periodic squirting of WD 40 and other thin oils but the
inevitable became clear. Large deposits of rust over the
foredeck when anchoring became less and less acceptable so
new chain came rapidly into focus.
Getting good anchor chain in Mexico is a challenge. I
investigated re-galvanizing and rejected the idea when I
observed the plight of some fellow yachties in La Cruz (near
Puerto Vallarta). They went to great lengths to gather chain
of the required volume, mark each person’s piece, hire a
truck and driver and transport it to Guadalajara. The chain
would require re-galvanizing then shipping back to the
marina. I should mention that the Mexican truck, that did
transport the heavy load, broke its back axel on a remote
road well short of Guadalajara and incurred extra costs.
There was also confusion on behalf of the yachties, as all
identifying wires, tags etc were lost during the process,
leaving a ’free for all’ when it came time for pick up back at
the marina. In short, the results were trying to say the least.
Some chain was actually "lost" during the process and the
crowning glory was when the chain hit the salt water. It
rusted within a couple of weeks. I guess the definition of
"galvanizing" was lost in the translation. I was lucky that my
instincts told me to observe the process rather than
participate.
The following season the rust situation became serious so
something had to be done. My next option was to find some
really good friend with a truck who would pick up 200 feet
of chain in Canada or the U.S. and bring it to Mexico. But
finding such a person who did not mind the added weight
of close to 500 lbs and finagling it through Mexican customs
was a task that I did not have the nerve to pursue.
My remaining option was to enlist the services of Bob (the
trustworthy gringo who runs Total Yacht Services in
Mazatlan) to order it from West Marine in San Diego and
have it delivered to Mazatlan. (By now I had given up on
containing cost). Bob agreed to do it for 10% over cost as he
ships stuff from San Diego and West Marine all the time.
To ensure the right size, I ordered a sample of 5 feet to
check that it would fit the gypsy. Returning to Canada, over
the summer, I did fire off a few emails to Bob about the chain
expecting new chain to be in place in the locker when I
arrived in the fall.
Real life intervened (health etc) and I was not at Kewao
until the following March (2013).
As Bob had not asked me for any
money, I expected nothing had
been done. I had seen a picture of
Bob (supplied by a fellow yachtie)
Tom Shenton
on the bow of Kewao with the test
S/V Kewao
chain but nothing had been said
since.
Upon arrival in March, I went forward to the anchor
locker. It was all as I had left it nine months ago – full of rusty
chain. Bob had assured me that he had the new chain in his
works yard but he wanted me to responsibly dispose of the
old chain and re-gelcoat the anchor locker. He feared that
the old rust deposits would migrate to the new chain.
No one disposes of anything responsibly in Mexico. I
conferred with fellow dock yachties who advised me not to
throw the old chain over the side, as I was tempted to but to
“give it to the Mexicans", who recycle most of the yachties
rubbish. By now I was getting a bit tired of all this chain stuff
so I complied. Luck was on my side as the Mexican fellow,
Ruben, who keeps Kewao's bottom clean, said he could help.
He could give it to local fishermen in exchange for fish.
Perfect! I thought. Everyone wins.
So the following day, I proceeded to unload the rusty
chain on the dock. Easy I thought at first. But, easier said
than done, as the bow roller was 10 feet away from dock. I
carefully threaded a rope through the chain and threw it to
the dock. I proceeded to put the rusty pile on the dock where
it could be easily picked up. The only trouble was that chain
was still attached to the anchor. I hopped on board and
released the bitter end. Trusting my throwing abilities, I
heaved the bitter end towards the rusty pile.
Well, have you ever tried to throw chain? I discovered that
it can be very tricky as the bitter end fell short and began to
drag the rest of the chain off the dock into the water! By the
time I made it off the boat and reached the rapidly
disappearing pile, all the chain vanished into the drink. Not
what I had planned!
Ruben was very nice about it. He reclaimed the chain the
next day via diving for it with a rope!
It was now time to clean the anchor well and re-gelcoat
the next day. I had only
got one coat of gelcoat
on when one of Bob's
men arrived in a Panga
with my precious new
chain. The chain went
aboard without incident.
I could hardly believe
that the event was now
concluded.
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page
9
February 2014
Volume 15 Issue 2
LF
YA C
H
T
GU
GULF SAILOR
Minutes
of the Annual General Meeting,
January 13, 2014
The meeting was called to Order at
19:40 hrs by Commodore Shields.
Absent: Past Commodore Bruce Shuh
has relocated to Ladysmith, B.C.
The Minutes of the January 14, 2013 Annual General
Meeting as published in the January 2013 Gulf Sailor were
accepted by Roger Pearson and seconded by Nick Palmer.
Business arising from the Minutes of the previous Meeting
• None identified.
CLU B
REPORTS OF OFFICERS:
Executive Officer –
• Ken reported 40 members present and 1 guest, Roz Bell
(who is rejoining the club this year). Six new members
joined the GYC in 2013, 346 members attended meetings
over the year with 20 guests overall.
Treasurer –
• Martin was absent but Cam gave the report. A
comparison was given for the three year period 2011,
2012 and 2013. In 2011 we had $13,239 in expenses, in
2012 that rose to $15,583 and in 2013 expenses were
$17,269. Comparing year end balances, we had a negative
balance of $2,915 in 2012 but we ended 2013 with a
balance of $1,418, much better overall.
• Phill Little moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as
presented and was seconded by Brian Sigsworth.
• If members would like the full report, email Martin and
he will provide one electronically.
Secretary –
• Chris reported that we had 6 new members in 2013 and as
of December 31st, 2013, Club Membership statistics were
as follows.
Active Members 77
Non-Active
5
Associate
5
Non Resident
11
Honorary Life
2
• This gives us a total of 100 members for 2013. This will
change slightly this year as some Active Members have
moved away from the lower mainland. So far,2014 has
seen 4 people not renew their membership. We have
maintained on average 100 members for the past several
years so with the non-renewals we may fall slightly below
the average.
• It was a good year for dressing ourselves in the Club logo
T’s and hats once we got the new embroidered logo
organized at “Elves Embroidery” in Steveston.
Fleet Captain –
• Klaus had organized 10 cruises in 2013, stating that the
most boats at a cruise was 27 and the least was 5. Every
cruise was fun, social and successful, no matter how many
boats attended.
Staff Captain –
• Doug reported he’d had a satisfying year as Staff Captain.
He was thrilled with the participation and support for the
new format of the Dinner/Dance and thanked everyone.
This was a confirmation for him that we are an
Executive Officers Present:
Commodore
Vice-Commodore
Fleet Captain
Staff Captain
Hon. Secretary
Executive Officer
Absent:
Hon. Treasurer
Past Commodore
Cam Shields
Darlyne Farrell
Klaus Reiniger
Doug MacLeod
Chris Stangroom
Ken Buckley
Martin Pengelly
Bruce Shuh
experienced and knowledgeable group who love to
socialize.
Vice Commodore –
• Dar gave her usual lengthy report: “the Looney Bar is
doing well.”
Past Commodore –
• No report.
Gulf Sailor Editor –
• Suzanne thanked everyone for their articles and info for
the Gulf Sailor editions.
Council of BC Yacht Clubs –
• Peter reported everyone is still waiting to hear what is
happening at Squirrel Cove.
Commodore –
• Cam quoted a student of his who was the last to speak on
a subject who simply said “All the words are out” - a
fitting statement as Cam steps down as Commodore.
• He thanked the Fleet Captain, Klaus for hauling all the
boat stuff to the 10 cruises and gave special thanks to
Suzanne, wanting her to know how important she is and
what a fabulous job she does in producing the Gulf Sailor.
• Cam has completed the initiatives he set out to this year:
Business Cards have been designed and distributed for
members to give out to potential new members, we had
Boat Notes ready to give members attending a cruise and
he had printed marina posters so members could post
them at their respective marinas.
• While he has been Commodore, an Executive Handbook
was developed and this past year the Membership Survey
was developed and distributed. The results will be shared
below.
• The 50th Anniversary of the GYC is in 2015 and the
Committee will be led by Nancy and Phill Little.
• Cam thanked his wife, Maryanna for her caring and
support while he was Commodore.
• He addressed all the members, saying “YOU” are the
volunteers who make this Club strong.
• Nick Palmer asked the membership to acknowledge Cam
for his contribution to the GYC as Commodore..
Business Arising from the Reports –
• None identified.
Membership Survey Summary –
• Cam and Doug gave a summary of the Membership
Survey saying that there were many positive comments
and compliments from the members about the Club and
its’ activities. The social aspect of the GYC is very
important to its members.
Continued on p.11, Minutes of Annual General Meeting
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page 10
February 2014
Volume 15 Issue 2
GULF SAILOR
Continued from p.10
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
• 44 Surveys were returned which is felt to be a good
reflection of where we sit as a club.
• Results indicated that we are a club with an older
demographic, we are relatively happy with the cruise
schedule, interest was shown in looking at a new
destination for one or more cruises, and perhaps the
games were too “old hat” and should be updated (i.e. the
“guess the height of the salami”).
• The sentence that summed up the Survey is: “While we
are a healthy organization, there is room for adjustment
and growth.”
• The summary is to be given to the new Executive who will
address some of the issues in 2014.
• At the end of the discussion the draw for the bottle of
wine offered by Phill and Nancy Little to someone who
returned a Survey was made, the winner being Ken
Buckley.
New Business –
• Election of Officers: The proposed slate of officers for
2014 is:
Commodore:
Kellay Hamlin,
Vice Commodore: Ken Buckley
Fleet Captain:
Dar Farrell
Staff Captain:
Eleanor Vandergaag
Executive Officer: John Dixon
Hon. Secretary:
Chris Stangroom
Hon. Treasurer:
Martin Pengelly
Past Commodore: Cam Shields
As nominations closed on December 9th, 2013, Cam
deemed this slate of officers elected.
• There will be some changes to the distribution of duties
this next year. The organization of the Awards Banquet
will be passed to the Vice Commodore and the Past
Commodore will be the Club Historian.
• Each year we collect $10 per member for the Marine Parks
Forever as our Legacy.
• In the past we have donated money from the 50/50 draw
to Disabled Sailors Association. There was discussion on
the fact that sadly, two of our members have been
stricken with the rare disease called ALS, and could we
focus our fund raising this year in the name of Lois and
Pam for the ALS Society. It was agreed by all to do this.
• The exchange of flags between officers took place with
Cam handing over the Commodore’s Flag to Kellay
Hamelin, Dar gave Ken the Vice Commodore’s Burgee and
Klaus gave Dar the Fleet Captain’s Flag.
• Kellay presented the out-going Commodore, Cam, with
the Eagle carving and Flag.
Motion to Adjourn by Phill Little
and seconded by Miles Walker.
Meeting adjourned at 20:20 hrs.
Minutes prepared and respectfully
submitted by Chris Stangroom,
Honorary Secretary,
S/V Christie Cove
Minutes of the General Meeting,
January 13, 2014
This was a short introductory meeting of the new executive
which took place after the Annual General Meeting was
complete.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS:
Executive Officer – John: no report.
Treasurer – Martin: no report.
Secretary –
• Chris reminded members to renew their GYC membership
for 2014.
Fleet Captain –
• Dar is looking forward to planning the cruises and will be
looking for volunteers to assist her. She has some great
ideas for some new games! The dates for the first three
cruises are as follows:
Shakedown Cruise to Snug Cove March 29, 30
Easter
April 18, 19, 20
Sailpast
April 26, 27
• It is suggested you book both Shakedown and Sailpast at
the same time at Snug Cove, Union Steamship Marina,
phone number: 604 947-0707, Ext l, or email
[email protected]. A credit card is required when booking.
Staff Captain –
• Eleanor has an intriguing presentation lined up for the
February meeting, a couple who sold their Hunter 49 and
have purchased a canal boat in Europe. Michael and Eddie
will talk about their journey along the canals and show
slides.
Vice Commodore –
• Ken will have the Looney Bar open.
Past Commodore – Cam: No report.
Gulf Sailor Editor –
• Suzanne asked for articles, pictures etc. for the next Gulf
Sailor – the winning photos from the contest will be
published.
Council of BC Yacht Clubs – No report.
Commodore –
• Kellay is looking forward to a great year and also to
working with her new Executive.
Business Arising from the Reports – None identified.
New Business –
• Roger Pearson generously offered a still good Lewmar,
self-tailing winch for $200, saying the money would go to
the GYC charity. Cam bid on the winch and the full
amount of $200 is going to Marine Parks Forever in the
name of GYC.
• Andreas Truckenbrodt is crewing on a sailboat, Bedlam 2,
in the Vic-Maui race this year. If you would like
information on the boat and/or are interested in any type
of sponsorship, you could Google Bedlam 2.
Motion to Adjourn by Phill Little and seconded by Brian
Angus.
Meeting adjourned at 20:45 hrs.
Minutes prepared and respectfully submitted by Chris
Stangroom, Honorary Secretary, S/V Christie Cove
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page 11
February 2014
Volume 15 Issue 2
GULF SAILOR
General Meetings
begin at 7:30 pm
Executive Meetings
begin at 7:30 pm
GYC Cruise and Meeting Schedule 2014
Month
Cruise
Dates
Event and
Cruise Location
February
General
Meeting
MONDAYS
Executive
Meeting
TUESDAYS
Feb 10
Mon: Jan 29
March
29-30
SHAKEDOWN CRUISE:
Snug Cove
Mar 10
Mar 3
April
18-21
EASTER CRUISE:
TBA
Apr 14
Apr 7
26-27
SAILPAST:
Snug Cove
Apr 8
Apr 2
May
17-18-19
VICTORIA DAY CRUISE:
Telegraph Cove, Thetis Island
May 12
May 5
June
14-15
SUMMER CRUISE:
Port Graves
June 9
June 2
July
June 28-29-30July 1
CANADA DAY CRUISE:
Smuggler Cove
2-3-4
BC DAY CRUISE:
Comox (Northern)
August
September
October
November
December
January 2015
Montague (Southern)
Aug 30-31
Sept 1
LABOUR DAY CRUISE:
Newcastle Island
Sept 8
At
Newcastle
11-12-13
THANKSGIVING CRUISE:
TBA
* Oct 6
Sept 29
8-9
WIND-UP CRUISE
False Creek
Nov 10
Nov 3
15???
AWARDS DINNER DANCE
???
31 -
NEW YEAR’S CRUISE:
Snug Cove
Dec 8
Dec 1
AGM and GM
Jan 12
Wed: Jan 5
* Denotes General Meeting on First Monday of the Month
Official Publication of the Gulf Yacht Club, Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3
Page 12

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