The Pilot February 2012 Page 1 MAIN LINE SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON — D5 A UNIT OF UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS® SAIL & POWER BOATING WWW.MAINLINESPS.ORG COMMANDER’S MESSAGE The Pilot FEBRUARY 2012 It’s not much of a chore being commander of an organization like Mainline when there are so many active and engaged members. The people behind the scenes are the doers and shakers of our organization. I would like to thank them all individually and I will in person; but , there isn’t enough room on this page to list all the squadron members that ac- tively organize, run and participate in numerous MLS&PS educational activities, social events and public service events. An organization such as ours, depends upon the active partici- pation of its members. It is the only way we can fulfill our squadron goals of boating education, community service and fellowship. Almost the only recognition that these active members receive is a merit mark. Check all the merit marks listed later in this pilot, received by the active members of mainline. Therefore, to those of you who haven’t been very active re- cently, there are many events and educational opportunities up-coming in this year. They are listed in the articles and cal- endars contained in this issue of the Pilot. We have lots of merit marks to give out. Make sure to get yours this year. Try out being an active member —you won’t be sorry! (we have merit marks going to waste….) Respectfully submitted, Cdr John Juzbasich, AP
Transcript
The Pilot February 2012
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COMMANDER’S MESSAGE
Th
e P
ilo
t FEBRUARY
2012
It’s not much of a chore being commander of an organization
like Mainline when there are so many active and engaged
members. The people behind the scenes are the doers and
shakers of our organization. I would like to thank them all
individually and I will in person; but , there isn’t enough
room on this page to list all the squadron members that ac-
tively organize, run and participate in numerous MLS&PS
educational activities, social events and public service events.
An organization such as ours, depends upon the active partici-
pation of its members. It is the only way we can fulfill our
squadron goals of boating education, community service and
fellowship. Almost the only recognition that these active
members receive is a merit mark. Check all the merit marks
listed later in this pilot, received by the active members of
mainline.
Therefore, to those of you who haven’t been very active re-
cently, there are many events and educational opportunities
up-coming in this year. They are listed in the articles and cal-
endars contained in this issue of the Pilot. We have lots of
merit marks to give out. Make sure to get yours this year.
T.S. Eliot observed that “April is the cruelest month,” but for this region’s boaters, February and/or March may deserve that dubious honor. It’s too cold for most of us to be doing much on the water, and it’s too early in the season to be scraping and painting.
So here’s a thought: Do your taxes! You should have all your 1099s by now, so why wait until April 1 to start? (Not for nothing is it called “April Fools’ Day.) Instead of adjusting your rigging, you can be rigging your adjustments!
For the navigators among us (aren’t we all?), instead of reducing your sights, you can focus on citing your reductions! And, talk about plotting lines of position, preparing your taxes affords all manner of opportunity for plotting, from navigat-ing the tricky shoals of business deductions to staying afloat (keeping your head above water) in the ocean of obfusca-tion otherwise known as the tax code.
However, and with all due respect to Piloting instructors worldwide, and especially to our own Bob Heyser, don’t forget the mnemonic TVMDC (Tax Violations Mean Disciplinary Confiscation.) (And no, since you asked, it’s not an acronym, just an abbreviation.)
In the event, there are actually boating related activities on the calendar for the next several weeks, so here’s a rundown. Attending or taking part in some or all of them may help ease your passage to springtime, when the real boating season gets under way.
Feb. 16: MLSPS Dinner Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Ship Inn near Exton. Election of Bridge officers for 2012-2013.
Feb. 17: Pitchers and catchers report. (This is legitimate boating news, because Bright House Field is only a few blocks from the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, and also close enough to the ICW you can probably get your brother-in-law to pick you up at Daytona Beach (it’s only like a little over a 2-hour drive down I-4 and what else is he doing down there anyway?)
March 2-4, Greater Philadelphia Boat Show, Oaks, Montgomery County. The MLSPS extravaganza will again be chaired by the irrepressible P/C Nick Montalto who, as usual, needs volunteers to do the actual work of selling MLSPS to the public, or otherwise standing around looking intelligent. Contact him at [email protected]
March 17, MLSPS Change of Watch, 6:30 p.m., Whitford Country Club, near Exton. Dignitaries be honored and possi-bly roasted. Contact A/O Wayne Barrett, [email protected]
March 20, MLSPS Advanced classes begin, 7 p.m., Great Valley Middle School, Malvern. Uber-educator P/C Russ Jones has details: [email protected]
March 30, April 1, D5 Spring Conference, Ocean City, MD. The hilarity starts Friday night, with the MLSPS skit/nonskit, likely pertaining to boating videos you desperately hope you’re not starring in. The rest of the weekend is worthwhile, educational and uplifting too. I hope to see you there.
The following advanced boating classes are being offered by Main Line Sail & Power Squadron this spring. The courses are open to members and non-members alike. So be sure to mention the classes to fellow boaters, who may not be members. This presents an excellent opportunity to re-cruit new members. Spring 2012 Advanced Classes Schedule:
Class: Start Date Time Format
Sail 20 March 7:00-9:00 8 Tues, evenings
Piloting 20 March 7:00-9:00 8 Tues, evenings
Marine Comm Systems 20 March 7:00-9:00 8 Tues, evenings
Location:
Great Valley Middle School 255 Phoenixville Pk, Malvern 19355
Registration:
Chester County Night School – chestercountynightschool.org
Price: Members Non-members Instructors
Piloting $95 $135 Bob Heyser/Russ Jones
Sail $50 $90 Pete Lacey
MCS $50 $90 Gary Armstrong/Russ Jones
Since we plan to offer Advanced Piloting in the fall of 2012, you may want to take advantage of the Piloting class being offered this spring. Other “to-be-determined” courses will be offered as well in the fall.
The advanced classes are taught by some very talented and knowledgeable members. I would like to thank the instructors that make it possible to offer the advanced classes. Without these talented individuals, MLSPS could not offer these classes.
Respectfully, P/C Russ Jones, SEO
The Pilot February 2012
Page 12
Safe Boating Classes
As you know, the primary reason for USPS’ existence is to teach safe boating classes to the public (as well as our members). Everyone who contributes to this mission in some fashion should be proud of our achievements in this area, whether you are an instructor, an officer or committee mem-ber, or simply pay dues to support this goal and join in other MLSPS activities.
MLSPS offers approximately 7 to 10 safe boating classes each year to the boating public (in addition to advanced courses to both our members and non-members alike). The following is the current list of ABC classes that we will be offering to the public this spring. We hope, and believe, that these classes will provide for safer boating practices, and fewer accidents and fatalities on the water. Spring 2012 Safe Boating Class Schedule:
Organization: Start Date Time Format
Upper Dublin Middle School Mon, 6 Feb 7:00-9:00 5 evenings
Delaware County Community College 1 Thu, 8 Mar 7:00-9:00 4 evenings
Delaware County Community College 2 Thu, 5 Apr 6:00-8:00 4 evenings
Clews & Strawbridge Marine Sat, 14 Apr 8:30-4:30 All day Sat Clews & Strawbridge Marine Sat, 12 May 8:30-4:30 All day Sat Stoltzfus RV & Marine Sat, 5 May 8:30-4:30 All day Sat
Location:
Upper Dublin Sandy Run Middle School – 520 Twining Road, Dresher, PA 19025
DCCC 1 – Route 322, north from Downingtown, PA 19335 DCCC 2 – 901 S. Media Line Rd, south from Newtown Square, PA 19073 Clews & Strawbridge Marine – Route 30, Frazer, Malvern, PA 19355 Stoltzfus RV & Marine – Route 202, south from West Chester, PA 19380
Registration:
Upper Dublin Middle School – UDSD.org
Delaware County Community College – DCCC.edu 610-450-6534 Clews & Strawbridge Marine – USPS.org Stoltzfus RV & Marine – USPS.org
I would like to thank the instructors, and educational department administrators, that make it possi-ble to offer the above courses. Without these talented individuals, MLSPS could not successfully achieve our mission.
Respectfully, P/C Russ Jones, SEO
The Pilot February 2012
Page 13
Impressions from a quick dash down the ICW Aboard Whimsey.
There is any number of books and cruising guides that talk about the ICW from Mile marker Zero in Norfolk to points south. Loaded with informa-
tion about way points, points of interest, marinas, anchorages, restaurants, golf courses, museums and things to do and see. They all contribute
something to a boater’s passage along this route. What we found interesting however, were the ―non-places‖ and the variety of them we found as
we moved day by day.
We find that we can average about 50 miles per day on average and plan to anchor somewhere every night. We use the sails as much as we can,
but often that means just augmenting the auxiliary engine with the Genoa when we can find a breeze abaft the beam. If we can depend on enough
open water such as in the bays, or some of the larger sounds, we will also raise the mainsail when we weigh anchor. Given a fair breeze, our boat
makes better speed under full sail and a ten or twelve knot breeze than powered by the engine alone.
Some of the highlights of our recent month aboard included a ―romp‖ down the Chesapeake, some new and isolated anchorages, and a remarkable
bit of weather for the whole month.
When we left Middle river off the Chesapeake, we had a bit of rain, some wind driven chop and poor visibility. Since we got off late in the day,
our first stop was Bodkin creek. We didn’t proceed far up the creek, but found a quiet spot and dropped the hook. We were almost alone at anchor.
There was something semi-exciting about cooking our first meal, snug at anchor, in this quiet spot to start our trip.
The next day, the weather was clear and started a string of sailing days. We spent the next four days riding a starboard beam reach into Norfolk,
riding breezes over 20 knots, pushing us south at seven to eight knots for extended stretches. With no engine running, the ―hiss‖ and ―gurgle‖ of
the hull through water was mesmerizing.
We took the Great Bridge canal route below Norfolk, and had another great day of sailing as we crossed Albemarle Sound and down the Alligator
River until the wind petered out. The anchorages here were not memorable, but the passing scenery every day reminded us that we were indeed
headed south. When we got into the Neuse River, there was a nasty chop and high wind. The wind was very close on the nose and there wasn’t a
close anchorage we knew of so we decided to have a little treat and take a slip at the Oriental marina. While the town of Oriental seems small, the
marina was very pleasant and friendly. It was a long walk to the grocery store and the West Marine for some spare filters, but it turned out to be a
lovely stop and the dogs certainly appreciated the chance to stretch their legs. The following day, we entered Adams creek where we discovered a
few good spots where we could have anchored but for the long slog to windward we would have had to endure.
Though not an inspiring leg, as we passed Beaufort, NC via Moorhead city the sense of sea shore was inescapable and we enjoyed motoring along
the barrier islands of an Atlantic Ocean ―sea shore bay‖; shallow, narrow channels and that salt-air smell reminiscent of the New Jersey bays.
Two of the prettiest places we anchored were beautiful in different ways, but each gave us a sense of total isolation. One was in the midst of the
cypress swamp along the Waccamaw River. The water is the flat, dark-stained swamp water where there is no shore line. The Cypress trees and
stumps just rise abruptly out of the water framing the channel. Dusk comes early because the tall trees cast deep shadows. We anchored in a small
tributary creek of the swamp. We passed several small floating huts anchored in the swamp which were apparently used by locals as week end hide
-a-ways or fishing huts. It is the kind of place where one might expect to hear the strains of dueling banjos wafting through the swamp. After sun-
down, we enjoyed the swamp by the light of a full moon filtering through the cypress and the gaps formed by the channel as the boat shifted posi-
tion in the changing tidal current. It really was a lovely spot. Despite the sense of stillness, at the full change of tide, the current through the
swamp caused a noticeable gurgle as the water passed the hull.
We found a completely different anchorage off a section of the Wassau River which is bordered by miles of Marsh. In contrast to the cypress
swamp, the marsh offered nothing but the hammocks of grasses crisscrossed by a maze of channels. We put into one of the channels off the main
ICW hoping our chart plotter and charts were fairly accurate so we could find enough swing room and water depth to keep us from hanging up on
the muddy bank at low tide during the night. The dogs wanted to see what was about, so we got them into the dinghy and headed for a beach. I use
the term ―beach‖ loosely. I found a muddy oyster bar at low tide. Our female, Phoebe, smart dog that she is, refused to get out of the dinghy into
the mud and oyster shell. Thatcher, the hound/pit mix loved it. He loved the smells and tried to bring a clod of oyster shells all cemented together
back into the boat. Yumm. He did manage to jump into the dinghy with his muddy paws before I could get the oyster clump away from him. The
oysters went overboard. The mud stayed. Again this night we had lots of moonlight. The effect was to accentuate the barrenness of the marsh by
frosting the grass with light with no other light visible save for our anchor light.
The continuing Adventures of the good ship Whimsey
The Pilot February 2012
Page 14
There were other remarkable anchorages of one sort or another, but the contrasts have to include our stop in Jacksonville, Florida. The night before
we reached the St. Johns River, we pulled off the ICW channel in Sisters Creek and anchored just inside the George River. The tidal range was
perhaps four feet, so we had to stay close to the George R. channel, but there seemed to be ample room and little traffic. This night, there was no
moon. In the wee hours, Jan woke me getting out of bed. We were hearing strange motor sounds. The sound was of a large gas engine, but with
an odd note and the sound was increasing and decreasing erratically. We stepped out into the cockpit to see a cluster of headlights coming across
the water toward us while the engine noise grew louder and louder. As the lights approached within about 100 feet, we could see fish and sea life
jumping from the water. Finally, the machine veered and skirted the river bank, now at high tide. As the thing turned, it put its stern toward us and
we felt a blast of wind and we could see a strange apparatus at the bow of the vessel like a conveyer belt in the water. We later learned it was an air
driven boat with a large air propeller in the rear and a device on the front to capture shrimp which were attracted to the surface by the bright lights.
Without a propeller and rudder in the water, it could skim close to the edges of the channel in the dark without running a ground. Very interesting,
but it sure ruined a good night’s sleep.
Next morning, after some careful attention to the current, we got into the St. John’s River near slack water and proceeded to Jacksonville. The
cruising guides indicated that the city offers free dockage for 72 hours at the Metropolitan Park, and also in the center of Jacksonville at Jackson-
ville Landing. Being frugal, we figured we would take the opportunity to tie up and see the sights. We pulled up to the dock at Metropolitan Park
on a Wednesday afternoon. There was only one other boat there. The park was very nicely maintained, had a nice pavilion/amphitheater for con-
certs and adjoined the Jacksonville sports complex with the football stadium. We looked for the dock master, but signs indicated he was not usu-
ally there except for special events. We took the dogs ashore and walked several miles into the center of town and along a very nice walking/biking
path. When we returned to the boat, we were resting after our walk when we heard a knock on the hull. We went out to the cockpit to be greeted
by the assistant dock master. In a very nice way, he told us that the dockage was free, but for special occasions, they preferred boaters make reser-
vations. He went on to tell us that beginning the following day, there was a special event – the Florida vs. Georgia college football game. He did
say we could remain, but the park rules required all boats tied along the dock permit other boats to raft -- up to five boats deep. He then described
the party to come as the world’s largest cocktail party starting Thursday, and that one could expect people on the outer boats to be crossing the
dockside boats carrying their beverages, wearing cowboy boots for the men, and stilettos for the women. The party would probably continue until
Monday despite the 72 hour limit because a lot of the boaters would be suffering hang-over’s from the Pre-game parties on Thursday and Friday,
the game and post game parties on Saturday and Sunday. And, we were welcome to stay. He also said that the overflow crowds from the Metro-
politan Park went to the City floating docks along the Jacksonville landing so there was no safety there either. We checked the current tables and
went up river for a couple of days. When we returned to Jacksonville landing, the party was over, the city survived, and we had a lovely stay at the
free floating docks in the center of town, mere steps from dozens of bars, restaurants, hotels, the river walk, and the bright night lights of four
bridges, and the tall buildings. Not your old cypress swamp!
Whimsey is waiting for us a little south of Jacksonville landing in a nice marina in the Ortega River. While waiting for our slip reservation, we
anchored for several days next to a lovely little park in the Ortega River within reasonable walking access to shopping for boaters’ needs like gro-
cery, shopping mall (with a West Marine), marinas with mechanics, and a lovely neighborhood to walk the dogs. Jacksonville gets high marks as a
boater friendly town. Unfortunately, due to limiting bridge heights, we couldn’t proceed more than about 15 miles up stream (South) on the River
which runs al the way to Sanford, Fl, but we did sample as far as we could along moderate depth water, manageable current, and enough width to
sail.
We’ll pick up Whimsey in a few more weeks and continue south, hoping to explore the Keys’ anchorages and get to do some tropical fish watching
and sample the day life and night life in Key West.
Happy and safe boating!
Jan & George.
The continuing Adventures of the good ship Whimsey
The Pilot February 2012
Page 15
Our Main Line Sail & Power Squadron 2012 summer cruise is shaping up nicely. As you probably know, the summer cruise is called the Commander’s Cruise since the incoming commander selects the ports of call that we will visit. Lance Parry, our incoming commander, has chosen the marinas listed below for this year’s cruise. Lance has selected six marinas, three of which will provide the opportunity for two-night stays. This will allow for a more relaxing summer cruise (and keep fuel costs at a minimum). We are estimating that
between 15 and 20 boats will cruise with us this summer.
We will have many interesting activities on the cruise, all of which are optional, of course. The cruise activities will be detailed in a subsequent article. We always have fun activities, and hopefully that will influ-ence your decision to join us this year. These will include cookouts, dinner at several great restaurants, more than a few of our celebrated boat crawls, Annapolis Yacht Club boat race, and of course the in-famous “forward throttle award” ceremony. You will be able to sign up for the activities at our May pre-cruise dinner. You don’t want to miss this annual cruise! Something exciting always provides wonderful memories. We are looking forward to seeing you!
MLSPS 2012 Summer Cruise Itinerary:
Friday, July 6 – Bay Bridge Marina, Kent Island (western side)
Saturday, July 7 – Harbour Inn, St. Michaels
Sunday, July 8 – Harbour Inn, St. Michaels
Monday, July 9 – Rod & Reel Resort, Chesapeake Beach
Tuesday, July 10 – Rod & Reel Resort, Chesapeake Beach
Wednesday, July 11 – Yacht Basin Marina, Annapolis
Thursday, July 12 – Inner Harbor Marina, Baltimore
Friday, July 13 – Inner Harbor Marina, Baltimore
Saturday, July 14 – Great Oak Landing, Fairlee Creek
The marinas have requested a list of the boats that will require slips. Please complete the following form indicating the marinas for which you will require a slip. Send this form along with a deposit check for $100 made payable to Main Line Sail & Power Squadron to: P/C Russ Jones, 115 Oak Street, Downingtown, PA 19335
----------------------------------Please detach and send the following stub-----------------------
Some members still have questions about how to opt out of member benefit mailings from the USPS. Opt-out instructions 1. Go to usps.org. 2. Go the Member Stuff box and click Benefit An-nouncement Options. 3. The Manage Your Member Benefits Announcement Options page comes up. 4. Reset Your Member Benefits Announcement Option to No. 5. Click Update. That's all it takes.—Tom Kemp READ MOREOpt out of Member Benefits mailings
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