GIBSON ISLAND YACHT SQUADRON APRIL 2015 Visit the website at: giys.gibsonisland.com From the Commodore Mitch Koppelman: [email protected]We are back from the British Virgin Islands, 70 strong, 13 boats, including Jonathan Hyde's Shooting Star, which arrived at Tortola several days before the crews. Foxy's, the Soggy Dollar, Willy T's, the Baths, Cooper Island, Jost Van Dyke, Cane Garden Bay. Every port we visited was populated with Gibson Islanders and/or their guests. It was, well, magical. I cannot find a single person who participated in the week exploring the Islands who didn't have a smile on their face (and a drink in their hand). See photos in this newsletter for a sampling of GIYS activity. It should surprise no one that the original completion date for the Boathouse renovation has slipped - due primarily to the very poor condition of the building discovered when the contractors peeled back the skin. The good news is that the contractors have moved far enough along that sheet rock is now being hung in the north building, and interior framing is nearly complete in the center building. We were wise to move the Commodore's Review back to May 30th, and I am very much looking forward to using that occasion to introduce what promises to be a spectacular new facility. Continued on next page ANSWERING PENNANT Upcoming Events April 25 Rockfish Rodeo Fishing Tournament Great Loop Sendoff Harbormaster’s Grill Boat Works 410-255-7632 - ext.2 Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - Noon; Sunday: Closed Capt. Rick Truett, Manager [email protected]Harbormaster Office 410-255-7632 - ext. 1 Weekends: Closed Monday thru Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Capt. Denver Sanner Capt. T.J. Sanner [email protected]More BVI Cruise pictures online at www.gibsonisland.com under Members tab then scroll down for Photo Gallery.
Transcript
GIBSON ISLAND YACHT SQUADRON
APRIL 2015 Visit the website at: giys.gibsonisland.com
We are back from the British Virgin Islands, 70 strong, 13 boats, including Jonathan Hyde's Shooting Star, which arrived at Tortola several days before the crews. Foxy's, the Soggy Dollar, Willy T's, the Baths, Cooper Island, Jost Van Dyke, Cane Garden Bay. Every port we visited was populated with Gibson Islanders and/or their guests. It was, well, magical. I cannot find a single person who participated in the week exploring the Islands who didn't have a smile on their face (and a drink in their hand). See photos in this newsletter for a sampling of GIYS activity. It should surprise no one that the original completion date for the Boathouse renovation has slipped - due primarily to the very poor condition of the building discovered when the contractors peeled back the skin. The good
news is that the contractors have moved far enough along that sheet rock is now being hung in the north building, and interior framing is nearly complete in the center building. We were wise to move the Commodore's Review back to May 30th, and I am very much looking forward to using that occasion to introduce what promises to be a spectacular new facility.
Continued on next page
ANSWERING PENNANT
Upcoming Events April 25 Rockfish Rodeo Fishing Tournament Great Loop Sendoff Harbormaster’s Grill
More BVI Cruise pictures online at www.gibsonisland.com under Members tab then scroll down for Photo Gallery.
More GIYS News
COMMODORE - continued from previous page What do we do then in April and May? The annual Rockfish Rodeo on Saturday, April 25th, has become the unofficial season launch. Coincidentally, that date has been set for the formal send-off for the Gambles as they commence the Great Northern Loop on their fully restored yacht Heron. We'll combine those two events with a celebration of both the Gamble's adventure and the fishing contest winners with a "Denver Grill" held this year at Boat Works. If you are planning to participate in the Rockfish competition, please call or e-mail the Harbormaster's Office to register as soon as possible. See flier in this newsletter. We plan to open the mooring field on schedule on May 1st. Transportation to your boat however may function a bit differently in May because of the Boathouse construction. Please check with the Harbormaster's Office as that date approaches for details. Looking ahead to May 16th, GIYS will again co-sponsor the annual Spring Race with Sailing Club of the Chesapeake. We'll provide details of the dinner and post-race party in the May newsletter. In the meantime, I encourage you to register for this event as your spring shakedown cruise. The race will start somewhere off Hackett's Point south of the Bay Bridge, and finish between Baltimore Light and the Magothy River entrance. It's not too early to make your plans for the annual cruising season. This year's summer cruise will venture to Indian Creek on the southern end, and includes stops in Crisfield and Onancock. The cruise gets underway on June 20th. See this newsletter and the GIYS website for details. We've survived another winter, and now it's almost time to pull the sails out of the loft and stoke your engines. I can't wait.
Boat Works Captain Rick Truett, General Manager
Spring has sprung at the Yacht Yard, where your senses are accosted by the activities of the warming weather - the cracklings of the winter covers being removed exposing decks to the elements for the first time since November; the sanders and scrapers working on bottoms; the almost deafening sound of the big blue machine lifting and launching boats; the smell of bottom paint and varnish; the flapping of sails being bent onto awaiting spars; the screeching osprey flying overhead already weeks into gathering supplies for nest construction; the orderly blue line of mooring buoys ready to go into the water over at the Boathouse; the PB&J sandwich for lunch while you take a break from sanding; the smell of wax and the hum of the polishers shining topsides; the coughing sound and blast of smoke from the first few cycles of engines awakening after laying dormant for months; The whine of the crane thankfully doing the lion’s share of lifting
while crews step masts and engines; and finally, if you possess the stamina to endure the sun, the still-chilly winds and hard physical labor, you may be lucky enough to hear the sound of the spring peepers as you wearily load into your car at the end of a hard day. All in a day’s work in the harbor as the spring season at Gibson Island emerges. The Boat Works staff is hard at work preparing for the spring season. Winter production and repair work is coming to an end and the endurance run of getting all of the boats in, commissioned, and running like tops has begun. Please remember to submit your spring work orders if you haven’t already. We work on a first come-first served basis. And don’t forget to schedule your summer yard period - that week or two when you can leave your boat with us in warm weather to accomplish the long list of her needs.
We always strive to work toward a more environmentally-friendly operation here at Boat Works. To that end, we have taken many steps toward greening our processes, including: recycling as much waste material as possible, disposing of environmentally hazardous materials responsibly (paints, solvents, fuels, etc.), and creating a zero-discharge power-washing station. Our latest effort is to help our members have a choice to move toward more eco-friendly bottom paints. There are products on the market that have far less bio-hazards in their makeup and are less potentially harmful to the applicator. In recent years, there have been significant developments in more environmentally friendly bottom paints which are highly effective at keeping your bottom clean. I welcome you to call or come down and discuss your options with us. One of the items that folks tend to forget unless it’s not working is their electrical system. Coincidentally, it is one of the systems on your boat that is most sensitive to marine conditions. The salt air and constantly changing temperatures on your boat are the perfect combination to produce condensation and corrosion in wire connections. Whether you have an old fixer-upper or a brand-spanking new craft, your electrical system needs to be inspected annually. Additionally, it pays for you to make incremental improvements and repairs on your electrical system annually as deferred maintenance can not only cost you more money in the long run but also be downright dangerous. It is staggering how many little electrical things we fix every spring on components that worked just fine when the boat was put away - bilge pumps, running lights, switches, etc. - all fail from non-use and deferred maintenance. If you combine the two, you are setting yourself up for failure. And of course, it will fail at the worst possible time - when a ship is bearing down on you and you’re taking on water at night. Remember, your electrical system runs your bilge pumps, running lights, starts your engine, etc. - many of your critical boat systems are dependant on electricity. A failing or non-working electrical component can be devastating. Keep it in good condition. We can help you. We can either do the inspection and necessary maintenance for you or teach you how to do it yourself. If you would like to participate in a “basics of boating electricity” class, please email me and let me know. I would like to get a handle on the level of interest. We have one of the nation’s leading marine electrical authorities here on the Magothy and he regularly teaches classes on the subject. The class I have in mind is one that starts from the beginning, assuming you have no background in electricity. Great for someone who is interested but never knew how to get started in learning the basics of this subject matter. It is also good for those who have a smattering of skills and knowledge, but may have some holes in their basics. Email me at [email protected] and type “Electrical Class” in the subject line if you are interested. Looking forward to seeing everyone down at the yard!
We have been busy preparing the mooring pennants and harbor buoys for early April hookup. We also pulled the engine on Salty Marks II and replaced some worn out parts. We found that the raw water pump shaft and seals were leaking badly and the heat exchanger was in very poor condition. New parts were ordered and have since arrived from England. While the engine was out we also replaced the racor fuel filter and housing system and replaced some old copper tubing that is used to supply fuel to the engine. The exhaust hose was replaced and new shift and throttle cables installed. Each year we put approximately 480 hours on the Perkins Sabre 2003 tender engine, which translates into 5780 hours to date, so it pays to pull it periodically. Boat Works reinforced the stern floor area. Last summer the floor supports appeared to be weakening, so the old supports were removed and new ones have been installed. The stern and seating area is now as good as new. The Boathouse is coming along very well. Work on the plumbing, electrical and duck work for heating has begun in the Harbormaster’s Office. Sheet rock work should commence soon. Be sure to submit your slip assignment forms and we must have your current insurance information. Members will not be permitted to occupy a slip or mooring if they do not have proper coverage. We look forward to seeing you.
If you want to see more visit my link that I have on the GIYS web site: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gibson-
Island-Yacht-Squadron/132489470125817
Harbormaster
Mooring buoys ready for hook up.
Salty Marks ll 2003 Perkins Sabre engine - ready to be reinstalled.
Pennants ready to be re-installed
Events You Don’t Want to Miss! April 25 GIYS Bonanza!
May 22 Dock Luck May 23 - 25 Spring Cruise May 30 Commodore's Review! Past Commodore’s Luncheon! June 6 Dock Luck June 13 Open House & Boat Tour! June 19 Dock Luck June 20 - 28 Summer Cruise! June 23 Commodore’s Cocktail Party at Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club! (Date tentative) July 11 & 12 Mini Cruise Aug. 1 Harbormaster's Dock Party Aug. 15 & 16 Mini Cruise Sept. 19 Race for the Broom Sept. 19 - 20 Mini Cruise Oct. 9 Dock Luck at Boathouse Oct. 10 - 12 Fall Cruise! (Tentative) Nov. 7 GIYS Annual Meeting and Dinner!
2015 GIYS Summer Cruise - Saturday, June 20th – Sunday, June 28th Our 2015 Summer Cruise heads south this year, visiting both new and familiar destinations. One highlight (of many) will be the Commodore’s Cocktail Party and Dinner at the Indian Creek Yacht and Golf Club in Kilmarnock, Virginia, Tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 23rd. All GIYS members are encouraged to join us, preferably by boat, but of course, feel free to join us by land yacht.
Date Passage NM Comments Friday 19 June Dock Luck at Gibson Island 00.0 Not to be missed!
Saturday 20 June Gibson Island* to Solomon’s Island 48.5 Calvert Marina
Sunday 21 June Solomon’s Island to Coan River 32.0 Beautiful Spot! Surprise event???
Monday 22 June Coan River to Indian Creek 33.0 Indian Creek Yacht Club ‐ Golf! Pool!
Tuesday 23 June Indian Creek – Layover 0.00 Indian Creek Yacht Club
Commodore’s Cocktail Party?? Wednesday 24 June Indian Creek to Onancock 30.0 Onancock Town Wharf
Thursday 25 June Onancock to Crisfield 25.0 Somers Cove Marina
Friday 26 June Crisfield to Solomon’s Island 38.0
Spring Cove Marina Underwater Music in pool
(bar alongside) Saturday 27 June
Solomon’s Island to Broad Cr (Baby Owl Cove) 31.5 San Domingo Creek for a
walk into St. Michaels? Sunday 28 June
Broad Creek to Gibson Island* (via Knapps) 32.0 (aww… do we have to go home?)
Notes: *Gibson Island distances are from/to Mt. Bar Point. Add about 3.5 miles from harbor. Distances are straight rhumb‐line courses…. Also, most are rounded up to next full mile
SATURDAY, APRIL 25th REGISTRATION FEE: $125 per boat. If the event is called off or postponed for weather, registration fee will be refunded. Register with our Harbormaster, Capt. Denver Sanner 410-255-7632 ext. 1 [email protected] OPTIONAL CASH CALCUTTA Entry fee: $100.00 per boat - payable in cash to Grayson Gable. Calcutta payout will be 60/30/10. Calcutta rules will be addressed at the Captain’s Meeting. Calcutta fees will be accepted up to and including at the Captain’s Dinner. FRIDAY, APRIL 24th
Happy Hour at the Club, 6:00 p.m. Captain’s Dinner, 7:30 p.m. Dinner for Captains and Crew in Trophy Room. This is the last opportunity to give Grayson Gable your $100 cash for the Calcutta.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25th
On your honor, lines in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay no earlier than 5 :00 a.m. as per Maryland law. 2:30 p.m. - weigh in starts on the dock at the Yacht Yard in Red House Cove. Weigh master: GIYS Commodore Mitch Koppelman. 3:30 p.m. - last moment for all Rockfish to be on the dock arriving by boat at the Red House Cove Docks. If you are late, you are out! 4:00 p.m. - Awards Ceremony and Harbormaster’s Grill To be held at Boat Works. Featuring deep fried rockfish bites and other delicacies provided by GIYS members.
A FULL LIST OF RULES & REGULATIONS IS POSTED ON-LINE: giys.gibsonisland.com; www.gibsonisland.com
