February 2008

Commodore’s Corner Ahoy Everyone!   I just came back from the Frostbite Race. It was a little bit of a misnomer. It should have been called the "Nice and Cool" race. Conditions were so mild that several racers did not even finish the race. I sailed for the first time on a real race boat. I was a little concerned that there was no bimini nor was there a designated area for the beer cooler. Pat and Carol Anne assured me that the Etchells did not have a design flaw by omitting the beer cooler, and my ball cap would have to provide sun protection. It was amazing that in a wind that was so soft, I could not feel it on my face, the Etchells glided effortlessly though the water. My Mac (a fine sailing machine) would have been tied up to the Committee boat, listening to Jimmy Buffet and soaking up the afternoon sun. After the race, several of the members met at the Strasia compound to discuss the upcoming Mallory Cup. It was an "unofficial,spontaneous"
meeting that really got us excited! We have a lot of Club support for this event and it is our chance to build upon our reputation to host a fantastic event! Barbara Hawn is the Race Director and Pat Byrnes is the Principal Race Officer. Both of them have great experience and attention to detail that makes me feel confident that they will produce an event that our Club can be proud of. During the next few months someone may call on you and ask you to help with the event. Please commit the time and energy to support this cause. If you are trying to decide if you can help, we have to think past this event and look to our future. It would be great to establish a relationship with several of the pontoon boat owners and have them come out for every race and provide support. They have a network of owners that could be an ongoing support team for us- support the Club has not seen before. Your efforts are not only helping the club today, they are building the Clubs future! There will be one or two training sessions before the Mallory Cup that will teach us how to man the race stations and conduct an "official" race. Please try to make a commitment to attend and participate in the trainings. For the racers, it will make you a better racer, for the cruisers, it will teach us more about the "finer "points of racing and enable us to take part in the race process even if we drive a "fine sailing machine" that has two or more built in beer coolers! I hope that teams from Colorado, Wyoming, and western Nebraska will participate in the Mallory Cup. But the truth is that we may only have teams from New Mexico. That's okay. If we advertise it, and we get the exposure to the media and the general population, it will do nothing but bring us positive exposure and perhaps increased membership and participation. There is no reason that every sailboat owner in western Texas, Southern Colorado and New Mexico should not know that we have a major race and be invited to come participate or be an on the water spectator. I hope to get coverage on both newspaper and television in Albuquerque, Cruces and El Paso.  The benefit to this is that if you are a racer, more boat owners from all over the Southwest will be coming out and participating if the word gets out that we run a quality event. If you are a Cruiser, the guy whose boat has been "sitting on the hard" for the last few years may get inspired when they hear there is an active sail club at the Butte and perhaps, that person may invite you onto their boat at a future raft up and share a story about a storm they survived many years ago.
Bottom line, please get involved and help in this event. We need your help! Speaking about racing, one of our most prolific racers over the years has been Larry Jessee. While I was at Strasia's, I watched a video of Larry. (No,, it wasn't America's Most Wanted" )  Larry was recently inducted into the UTEP Sports Hall Of Fame for his pole-vaulting.  I was intrigued as the speaker introduced Larry. Turns out Larry was a fantastic high school athlete and even better as a collegian and then carried it beyond that to the Masters level after college. At every stage of his career, Larry held records that stood unequaled for many years. The list of his records goes well beyond my capacity to remember. But what I did remember was that Larry gave an excellent acceptance speech and the crowd loved him. I have heard a lot of speeches and I ranked Larry's as one of the best. Everyone in the room at Strasia's was proud that we knew him. It's obvious to see that Larry's competitive drive has been part of his nature for many years and it has transferred from pole vaulting to sailing! Congratulations Larry, we wish you continued success in everything you do. You will notice that there is a new format to the Foghorn starting with this issue. Perry Abernethy has offered to assume the duties of Editor and producer of the Foghorn. This is an extremely important job that can affect the success of the Club. We need a form of communication that will let our members know what is going on and entice other sailors to come check us out. Perry's job can be made a lot easier if you will help as a "guest contributor". If you sailed a boat or bought a new Map system, or took a trip to an unusual location, please type up an article and tell the rest of our sailing world about it. The more articles we get, the better job Perry can do. Please give him a hand with this huge task! Perry is also scheduling the monthly socials for the Northern Fleet.  They are being held the third Wednesday of the month at JB’s Restaurant on Hotel Circle near Eubank and I-40 (behind the Owl Restaurant and adjacent to the Howard Johnson’s). It's an excellent time to get together and share stories, some truer than others, visit with friends, and perhaps learns something new.  This month Rich will be giving a slide presentation on a delivery trip down to La Paz in Baja. There is some excellent information about ocean sailing and some great pictures. If you have a suggestion for a topic or would like to present at a future social, please let Perry know. We are also trying to figure out some type of socials for the Southern fleet. The distance between towns is a challenge, but if you have a suggestion please let me or Perry know. Jen Hyatt has been updating the web site and it has the current contact information, race schedules and club event schedules. If you see any changes or have any suggestions please let Jen know. Remember, she is a volunteer and is doing her best to contribute to the club. Last but not least, I invite you to call or write to me if you have suggestions about how to improve the club. If you are frustrated that I am doing something you don't like... please call me, I need and appreciate your feedback. Calling another club member and complaining doesn't do anything to fix the problem except that you have vented. If you call me, you can still vent, and I will promise to try and fix the problem. Of course if you are happy... you can call me and anyone else that will listen.   Bottom line, I care about the success of the club, which includes the Southern fleet, the Northern Fleet, the Cruisers and the Racers and want to see our club and our sport grow. I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to do that!
See you on the water..
Buzz Biernacki

MALLORY CUP QUARTER-FINALS
The Clifford D. Mallory Cup is the trophy given annually by US Sailing to the US men's national sailing team champions. This year's finals for the national championship will be held September 16–20 at the San Francisco Yacht Club on J24s with a team of four persons per boat. For more information, go to www.ussailing.org/championships/adult/usmsc/ or
http://www.rgsc.org .
As the first rung on the ladder of events leading to the finals, the Rio Grande Sailing Club (RGSC) will host, on May 2–4, 2008, a quarter-finals for the Sailing Association of Intermountain Lakes (SAIL), consisting of teams from New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and western Nebraska. J24 sailboats will be loaned to the event by private owners from the Paseo del Rio J24 fleet 141 and equalized as much as possible. Teams will be rotated onto different boats from race to race. The top two finishers will advance to the Area F semi-finals qualifying round to compete against teams from Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas. The top qualifier from Area F will advance to the finals in California to race for the Mallory Cup against ten other area qualifiers from around the nation. The quarter-final event offers many opportunities for members of the RGSC,
not only for competitors, but also for those interested in race management and on-shore hospitality and logistics. By participating in this event, RGSC
members, individually and collectively, will undoubtedly enhance their racing and race management skills and enjoy camaraderie with fellow sailors.
THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN COMPETITION, RACE
COMMITTEE, COMMITTEE TRAINING, AND / OR EVENT ADMINISTRATION. WE NEED YOUR
HELP.
The list of tasks associated with hosting this event is extensive. Some examples include: ensuring that radios are charged, ordering tee shirts, arranging or providing housing for competitors, promoting sponsorships from businesses, spreading publicity, greeting competitors, bringing lunches to
the dock, gophering (running errands), setting marks, helping on a swap or safety/tow boat, raising a flag on the starting line, making sound signals,
recording finishes, and tabulating results. WE NEED YOUR HELP.
A small planning group is working to make this a premier event for RGSC. WE NEED YOUR HELP. Many members have already signed on to help. Commodore Buzz is spearheading the sponsorship activity, Pat Byrnes is Principal Race Officer, and Barbara Hawn is Event Chairman. If you have suggestions or want to participate in any way, please contact Barbara at hawnwann@tularosa.net
or (575) 682-1277. WE NEED YOUR HELP.

RIO GRANDE SAILING CLUB
2008 Racing Schedule

January 26      Frostbite Race ( 1 day )
10:00 am skipper/crew meeting, Hodge’s Corner Restaurant in E Butte
1:00 pm race start
Distance race around the buoys
No entry fee!
(r.c. R. Strasia)

February 16/17  Mid-Winters/Chute out,2 days
10:00 am skipper/crew meeting, Saturday, Hodge’s Corner
1 pm race start, Saturday
10:30 am race start, Sunday
Buoy racing
$5 members / $10 non-members
(r.c. P. Byrnes)

06:30 p.m., February 20, Wednesday, Northern Fleet Social, JB's Restaurant on Hotel Circle in Albuquerque, south-east of Eubank and Lomas, behind Owl Restaurant and adjacent to Howard Johnson's-Rich Strasia speaking and pictures of offshore cruising in Baja California.


March 8/9       Spring Series # 1 ( 2 days )
Saturday, 10:30 am skipper/crew meeting, Casa Taco
1 pm race start, Saturday
11 am race start, Sunday (daylight savings time)
Buoy racing
$5 members / $10 non-members
RGSC club and board meeting Saturday night
(begin daylight savings time Sunday morning, March 9)
(r.c. Jellison)

March 22        Pickle Race ( 1 day )
Meeting time/place to be arranged
Special race format
Bring Easter eggs, picnic items
Fund-raiser for NM Boys and Girls Ranches
Sponsors needed for NM Boys and Girls Ranches

March 29
Race Committee Training Weekend

April 5/6       Spring Series # 2 ( 2 day )
10:30 am skipper/crew meeting, Casa Taco
2 pm race start, Saturday
11 am race start, Sunday
Buoy racing
$5 members / $10 non-members
(r.c. Davey)

April 19, Saturday      Spring Raft-up (full moon on Sunday)
Race committee practice

April 26/27     Spring Series # 3 ( 2 day )
Etchells Spring Champs
10:30 am skipper/crew meeting, Casa Taco
2 pm race start, Saturday
11 am race start, Sunday
Buoy racing
$5 members / $10 non-members
(r.c. Zink)

May 2-4         Mallory Cup quarterfinals, men’s keelboat racing for
S.A.I.L.
Volunteers needed
Skipper/crew meet, 12:00 noon Friday, May 2
12:00 pm registration and practice, Friday
9:00 am first race, Saturday
7:00 pm dinner, Turtleback
racing continues 9:00 am Sunday as needed
(r.c. P. Byrnes/SAIL/Area F)


May 10 Joshua Slocum Singlehand Championships ( 1 day )
May 11  Jack and Jill Race ( 1 day )
10:30 am skipper/crew meeting, Casa Taco
2 pm race start, Saturday
11 am race start, Sunday,Buoy racing
$5 members / $10 non-members
(r.c. Stevenson? else B. Meins)

May 17, Saturday, Cruiser’s raft-up, beach party, 5:00 pm at cove to be named (near Kettletop?)

May 31 Anniversary Cup ( Distance ) ( 1 day )
Distance race
10:30 am skipper/crew meeting, Casa Taco
2 pm race start, Saturday
(one-design fleets may elect buoy racing if enough interest)
$5 members / $10 non-members
Final RGSC meeting of the spring, club and board meeting
(r.c. P. Byrnes)

July 18, Friday         (trailer cruise to Heron if no California cruise)

September 12-14         Sunrise Regatta
October 11, Saturday    Fall Raft-up

The Fall Series Schedule is to be set by Larry Jessee very soon and probably begin on or after Saturday, Sept., 27, and end on the weekend of November 15, with the Kris Kringle and holiday party on Saturday, December 6.

Member entry fee discount applies to current dues-paid RGSC members and current paid-up affiliates (with current membership card; NM Tech sailing club, West Mesa Sailing Club, NMSC, SAIL, US Sailing). Non-member rate applies to all others.

 

Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
BoatU.S. News Room at http://www.BoatUS.com/news/releases.asp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com

BOATU.S. FOUNDATION AND IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE OF AMERICA
WANT YOU TO TAKE THE CLEAN BOATS CHALLENGE AT CLEANBOATS.ORG

Boaters, Anglers Can Help Stop Spread of Invasive Species

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 24, 2008 -- The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety
and Clean Water has joined the Izaak Walton League of America’s campaign to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species and is urging all recreational boaters who trailer their vessels to take the League’s “Clean Boats Challenge.”

The challenge is quiz at http://www.CleanBoats.org that educates boaters and anglers on how to inspect and clean their boats to ensure that lakes and streams are protected from non-native, aquatic hitchhikers.

“Taking the Clean Boats Challenge will give boaters and anglers the information they need to make personal choices that can help stop the spread of invasive species,” said BoatU.S. Foundation Director of Clean Water
Programs Susan Shingledecker.

In addition to the short and easy-to-complete Clean Water Challenge, the Web site also includes information on how to clean a boat properly and some best practices for trailer boaters. For example, it is recommended that a boat and motor be drained and inspected for mud or plant life before departing the launch ramp. It then should be allowed to dry completely for five days before launching into a different body of water.

Web site links to a clean boat video demonstration, maps identifying the
locations and spread of invasive species, and an educator’s resource guide are also available at the Web site. Boaters can even take an online “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers Pledge.”

The Izaak Walton League is one of the nation's oldest and most respected conservation organizations with a grass-roots network of over 40,000 members and over 300 local chapters across the U.S.

The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national 501(c)(3) educational and research organization that operates more than a dozen programs including the only accredited, free, online general boating
safety course, a low-cost EPIRB rental program, the “Help Stop the Drops” national clean fueling campaign, a free kid’s Life Jacket Loaner
Program, and has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for nonprofit groups for boating safety and environmental projects.
###

SHIPS STORE

As current keeper of the RGSC ship's store, I plan to have everything that we have available, either at Hodges (not very practical) or at Rich & Sue's or my place after the race. Some items are generic, but the dated
(non-generic) items will be offered at clearance sale prices.Call for more info, or be at the Chute-Out Regatta this weekend.Stan H.  (505) 292-3234  

BAJA HA HA
“ I then took a strait…’Twixt Scylla and Charybidis.” And so began the journey of Odysseus through the Strait of Messina, the 2½ mile stretch of turbulent water between Italy and Sicily, and so also did Homer’s myth become the enduring metaphor for “…out of the frying pan and into the fire…”, and so also begins the tale of this year’s Baja Ha Ha Cruisers’ Rally for the Rio Grande Sailing Club’s own Jim Maxwell and Doris Andrus, 81 and 80 years old, respectively, for which they received the award for the oldest youngsters to complete the 750 mile Baja Ha Ha, a ribbon- adorned bottle of Geritol.

Six-hundred-and-one sailors sailed south from San Diego aboard 154 boats to complete the 750-mile Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers' Rally to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Our own RGSC sailors, Jim Maxwell, 81 years young, and his young-at-heart sailing wife, Doris, sailed with them in their Freedom 32 “ Jim ‘N I”. They made each port-of call at Turtle Bay and Bahia Santa Maria without a serious incident.

The Ha-Ha couple kicked off this year's Ha Ha with the Ha-Ha Kickoff and Halloween Costume Party on October 28, and finished 3rd in the Burrito Division with the awards ceremony and party at Cabo Marina on November 12th.

The goals of the Ha-Ha, according to the ‘Lattidude 38 magazine, are “…for everyone to reach Cabo San Lucas safely, and have a lot of fun along the way”. If history is any indication, chances are good that you'll meet scores of great people who will not just become friends for the event, but for the season - if not a lifetime. This held true for Jim and Doris, who picked a younger couple, Earl and Marsha May, as crew from California and with whom they are going fishing on Lake Powell in a houseboat later this year.

Latitude 38 magazine states that “…To qualify for the Ha-Ha, a boat must be at least 27 feet in length and have been designed, built and maintained for open-ocean sailing. Experienced offshore sailors with smaller boats may apply for special dispensation….Every entry must have a minimum of two crew who have overnight offshore and navigation experience…. While two crew are the minimum, the Ha-Ha recommends three or four, ideally with at least one who has done a Ha-Ha before.”

Jim has thought and talked many years about sailing the Baja Ha Ha. Doris had never sailed before, except for a few weekend trips. Jim has done several ocean trips, but decided he needed a young and strong crew-Earl and Marsha May were that crew. They had taken many sailing classes and had been on several group sailing cruises in the South Pacific, but most important, they were strong, young (35-40’s) and willing to learn and “...go forward..” in heavy weather. Doris was the Galley mate and kept everyone well fed and happy, while Jim, Marsha and Earl pulled 3 hour watches during offshore sailing.

Preparation began during the summer of 2007 when Jim began looking for a boat to “survive the trip.” Since he preferred Catalina sailboats, his first purchase, after weeks of looking in San Diego, was a Catalina 30 that needed some fixing up and outfitting for the trip. He wanted a Catalina 34, but felt they were too expensive-and besides Doris didn’t like the Catalina after several 4-day weekends repairing and modifying the 30 footer, and after sailing in it on the ocean. While Jim was pondering his options, Doris got on the Internet and found the boat she liked and made an offer sight unseen. Upon discovering Doris’ internet rendezvous with the boat, Jim was shocked, but he liked the lines and the look of the boat on the internet. After physical examination and three surveys he found the boat sound, and also found that it had an unstayed, carbon fiber mast (no shrouds) a Cat boat type mainsail and a self-tending jib boom-all of which were new to his sailing experiences. It was a beamy boat, and had more interior room than the Catalina 34. In addition, it had an aft stateroom. The boat was a Freedom 32. It had all the electronics, bells, whistles and luxuries installed, and it was fully equipped for offshore sailing.

Jim and Doris lost their first set of crew. The couple were “Pierhead Jumpers”, who promised several different yachts they would crew and then made their minds up to go on a different yacht right before departure, leaving Jim and Doris without crew. The Pierhead Jumpers didn’t even help with pre-departure work. The second set of crew, Earl and Marsha May, were fantastic, and helped with everything-even the pre-departure rush. Jim and Doris cannot say enough good things about them.

Departure neared and the pre-departure parties started. There were many, all sponsored by such folks as West Marine, Downwind Marine, etc. The last party is a Halloween Party for which the Maxwell’s and their crew were to wear costumes. The catch is that you must wear that same costume early the next morning as you cross the starting line for the Baja Ha Ha’s first leg of the rally. Jim refused to wear the costume Doris had selected for him which was a bottle and diapers to celebrate his birth????? It was a dark and stormy night…..and cold.

SAN DIEGO TO TURTLE BAY-360 MILES

The first leg of the rally was fairly difficult sailing. New to the boat and not accustomed to its sailing ways, Jim and the crew had many minor adventures. Sailing almost directly downwind, with following seas, they had several unplanned gybes. One of these was so violent that it scared Doris and she started to abandon ship because she thought the boat was sinking. The mainsail was fully battened so the battens were connected to the sail track. The battens started to chafe and some eventually became separated at the track and poked holes in the mainsail. Jim had several troubles with his Yanmar Diesel engine, but luckily Earl was an experienced diesel mechanic and corrected problems… Átout de suite.

One of the things Doris insisted on was a refrigerator. Good thing she did because Doris loves fishing and they caught three huge yellowfin tuna and ate tuna steak most of the way. So much tuna was left over that they gave away a large amount of it.

First landfall was at Turtle Bay on the Baja California. What can they say-it was a massive party with lots of food and drink. However, the most desired and enjoyed attribute of the anchorage was the availability of onshore hot showers. After sailing 3 days and 4 nights with 3 hour watches, no autopilot or windvane, and no shower, captain, galley mate and crew were ready for the hot shower.

The Freedom 32, “Jim N’I” had an asymmetrical spinnaker. Jim, Earl and Marsha spent the entire race attempting to sail the asymm without wrapping it around everything on the boat. No such luck. Although they were the first ones to get their spinnaker flying at the start in San Diego, they wrapped it in the first ten minutes and the rally committee ruled they did not get the prize.

Jim bought a new harness with a double tether for this trip down the Baja. Everyone else used a harness with a single tether attached to the jack lines down the length of the boat. It didn’t take long for Jim to shuck the double tether and return to his tried and true single tether. The double tether was always in the way, it was distracting to attach and detach one of the tethers at the most inopportune times, it caught on every fastner and winch on the boat and was basically a “pain in the…..” I guess the lesson learned is don’t use a double tether.

Doris ignored the nautical maxim “…one hand for yourself; one hand for the ship.” [1902 B. Lubbock, Round Horn 58] As galley mate she kept skipper and crew well fed, happy, sassy and satisfied. But it was heavy weather one night and the stove is facing the side. As she stepped from the stove to serve the meal on the dinette, a following wave rolled the boat and Doris into the stove. The stove won the collision and Doris suffered a nasty bruise to her hip. She learned the hard way to use one hand for yourself and one for the ship.

TURTLE BAY TO BAHIA SANTA MARIA-240 MILES

The second leg was smooth sailing to Bahia Santa Maria. Warm water, 80°F, air temperature, 75°F, winds 15-20 knots-and Jim and Earls still wrapping the asymm. Upon arriving at Santa Maria, Jim noticed the high surf. He decided not to use his hard dinghy, but instead hired a “Panga” as a taxi.( Pangas are Mexican/Central American fishing boats usually between 19 and 28 feet in length, with capacities ranging from 1 to 5 tons and powered by outboard motors of between 45hp and 200hp. They are planing hulls capable of speeds in excess of 35 knots.)

The entertainment on the beach was a grand barbeque put on by the women of the village aaand…..watching the “experienced” sailors refuse the services of a panga and capsize their dinghies, throwing skippers and crew into the high surf as they attempted to come into shore. A fun time for all until halfway through the celebrations Jim noticed that the surf was getting higher and rougher, at which time he signaled mates and crew it was time to panga out to the boat. After getting to Jim’s boat all of the panga drivers decided the surf was too rough for them and they beached their boats and walked away. Seventy-two damp and cold “experienced” sailors shivered in their bathing suits through the whole night, stranded on the beach-no motels, no hotels, no tents or shelter-just them, themselves and their dinghy for comfort until the middle of the next morning when the panga drivers returned and could take them out to their boats anchored in the bay.

BAHIA SANTA MARIA TO CABO SAN LUCAS-180 MILES

Another fine, fine day for sailing, downwind at about 6 knots per hour with Jim and Earl still trying to fly the asymm and still wrapping it. Then “bam-bam”!!!!. No wind of any kind whatsoever-becalmed and only a couple of hours from Cabo San Lucas. Eventually most of the sailors turned their sailboats into stink pots and motored to Cabo, including Jim. One hearty boat, who won the BIG BAJA HA HA PRIZE stuck it out for 3 more days and finally made it into Cabo, sailing all the way. Lots of parties, lots of prizes, lots of awards and one bottle of Geritol.

At Cabo, Jim sailed to a better anchorage east of the berthing for the Baja Ha Ha group. His anchorage was further from town. Upon his arrival he found that most of the anchorage had been sealed off so Hollywood could make a big movie on the water. He and only 3 or 4 other boats were able to anchor. They had a front row seat to watch a movie being made.

CABO SAN LUCAS TO LA PAZ-148 MILES.

After three days of Baja Ha Ha end of rally parties their crew left to return home for the States, and Jim and Doris continued sailing shorthanded up to La Paz, Mexico. They arrived to find out that they could not attend a huge Thanksgiving Celebration by 200 of the “in” cruising crowd because they had not made reservations in advance. As a result, they and several like couples had a potluck Thanksgiving to which about a dozen more cruisin’ folk showed up because the big celebration went awry without enough food. The potluck turned out to be the “best” Thanksgiving celebration in La Paz much to the chagrin of “other” 200 folk. After a week in La Paz, Jim and Doris Maxwell put their boat on the hard with Abel Bercovitch and rode the bus home to San Diego, CA. The final high note of the trip is that their crew lives in Oceanside, CA and owns a landscaping business in San Diego. As a result, Earl and Marsha let the Maxwells store their car in an extra garage in San Diego during the Baja Ha Ha. …and so ends the odyssey “… fertile waters, murmuring evermore Of gods dethroned, and empires of the Past.”

MC Scows in New Mexico

A new class of sailboats has come to New Mexico. The new class called the MC scow will be seen racing with the El Butte Sailors and the Rio Grande Sailing Club. These high-tech yachts, are fast, fun, simple, stable and very reasonably priced.

What is an MC scow? It is a cat -rigged scow (it has just one sail) that is designed to be raced with one or two people. These boats are very forgiving and are not weight sensitive. That means that people of all weights and sizes can be competitive and races are won with good boat handling skill.

If you haven't sailed a scow before, let me try to explain just what one is. The scow is a very flat bottomed boat that, when sailed on a reach or a run, can skip along the top of the water on a plane at very high speeds.

Instead of a centerboard, the scow has two bilge boards that extend outward at a slight angle. When the scow heels on its side, the water line is extended and the wetted surface area is greatly reduced. In order to increase the water line, and maintain a good planing surface, the bow of the boat is rounded.

When the scow heels, the leeward board is pointing straight down in the water, which adds to the boat's upwind stability and pointing ability. The windward board is then retracted into the hull. The skipper's weight is now farther away from the center of gravity, adding to the boat's balance.

The shape of the hull, combined with a large sail plan, makes for a very fast and stable ride. If you check the handicap ratings, you will find that the MC, despite being only 16' long, can keep pace with many of the larger racing boats. Many people have tried to compare sailing a scow with a catamaran because, if you imagine having two hulls that are close together, you have almost built a scow.

A video of MC scows and other types of scows can be viewed online at http://www.northsailsod.com/merchandise/scows-cd.html

Here is a link to the class website http://www.mcscow.org/ where your can find class rules, pictures and listings of boats for sale.

Boats are available and range in price from $200 to $10,500 for brand new and you may even get one through a rent-to-own program. If you would like more information or just want to go for a ride contact Rick Keffer at (505) 649-1536 or Dave Stettler at (505) 894-2865.

 

THE STRASIAS TAKE FIRST IN ARIZONA

There were several boats representing New Mexico, (or at least used to be members of New Mexico Clubs) who competed in this years Arizona Yacht Club's Birthday Regatta. This is a fund raiser for the Leukemia Foundation and raises many thousands of dollars for the cause. This year, there was something like 100 boats in the regatta, with many fleets competing. There were at least 20 Buccaneers this year. Steve Quant took first in the PHRF Spinnaker fleet in a J/80. Jake McGuire took third in the PHRF Spinnaker fleet in the Fun 23. Rich and Sue Strasia took first place in the J/24 fleet on Kachina. They had a great team; Sue at the helm, Trent Wahn at the trim, Barbara Hawn at the mid and Rich did the fore deck. Trent and Barbara sail a C&C 30 and an Etchells 22.

This is a really good race to attend. The Arizona Yacht Club does a good job and are very fun to be with. They have a very professional Race Committee, with all the good equipment, Mark Boats and all, just like the big time races. The Strasia team traveled out on Thursday, set up the boat on Friday and did some practice

laps. Saturday was a very light wind day and they got only one race in. Sunday morning was much better but the wind went away soon and they got in two races.

This is a great opportunity to practice your large fleet starts, with some 20 boats on each start line. GREAT FUN!!!

CLASSIFIEDS

Hi All: Just wanted to drop a brief line to say that Sean & I are so busy with jobs and raising children we have decided to sell the Slipknot, Hunter 1989 26.5, wing-keel sailboat. The Slipknot is in Arizona about 3 hours from Elephant Butte Lake. If you are interested please let us know via e-mail or phone. Photo attached. We'd like to see the boat back at Elephant Butte and will make someone an AWSOME deal! Sincerely,

Sheila Dulhanty Cell: 928.245.0871Home: 928.333.4640

 

Boston Whaler Harpoon 4.6 for sale. Excellent condition. On Dilly trailer.Stored in Deming, N.M. $3,000. 214 563-2578 or 214 298-1322 Maureen Hickman ( or Bill Hickman)

 

MC Scow 586, completely new rigging, wet sanded and the foils were refinished. This boat is ready for racing, just add water. $2500obo. Call Rick Keffer at (505) 649-1536 or Dave Stettler at (505) 894-2865. This boat is also available for rent-to-own.

 

1999 Beneteau First 235 & Custom Built Triad Trailer. Never been in salt water. Sailed at Heron Lake, NM. Includes Outboard, Sails & Extras. Moving to Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands as Harbor Master. Price: $18,000. For more information and full specs contact Pat Byrnes or Rich Strasia. Owner is Guy Sandusky,20 OutliersRoad, Jemez Springs, NM 87025,505-829-3061 – Home,505-699-2929 – Cell, atollboy@gmail.com

 NORTHERN FLEET SOCIAL   3 rd Wednesday of every month at 6:30p.m.   Wednesday, February 20 th, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at JB’s Restaurant, southeast of the corner of Eubank and Lomas, NE, in the Hotel Circle behind the Owl Restaurant. Separat checks, off the menu. Rich Strasia will speak about his cruising offshore the Baja California and will show his pictures.