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Catalina Fleet 21 - Chicago
Region
FleetSheet 2012
September 2012
GOT STUFF?
It’s time to clean out your boat, dock box, car trunk, and basement and get rid of all those boating items you no longer need, never installed, or outgrew when you got a bigger boat. Bring all your “stuff” to our Nautical Flea Market and General Meeting Tuesday, September 18 at Burnham Park Yacht Club.
We’ll have table space for you to display your stuff on the pation of the yacht club. You set the prices and keep the proceeds. And of course you’ll be expected to do some buying too! Yacht Club members are also participating in the Flea Market—more buyers, sellers, & stuff!
The Nautical Flea Market begins at 6:00 pm. You can sell, shop, and swap for an hour or so and then have dinner at the Club. Around 8 pm we’ll convene our regular business meeting which will include the election of officers for 2013. The slate is as follows:
Commodore: Pat Reynolds
Vice Commodore: Ron Shereyk
Secretary: Mike Walsh
Treasurer: Ray Kalinsky
Nominations may also be made from the floor at the September meeting.
The Nautical Flea Market and meeting is at the Burnham Park Yacht Club, located at 1500 S. Linn White Drive. Follow the signs to the Museum Campus. Call the Club at 312-427-4664 for reservations. Tell them you are part of the Catalina Fleet. The meeting will begin at 8:00 p.m. Parking should be available.
The Septoberfest Outing noted last month for September 15th has been cancelled.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMODORE
Thankfully the Weather Man’s prediction was wrong again! There was no rain at all Labor Day Weekend in Michigan City despite the clouds and forecast.
Saturday began with the Luther’s meeting me upon my arrival and presenting me with a Visitor’s parking pass for all three days. After loading my gear in their van off we went to the 800 dock where I had permission to stay on the Kuenzli’s boat since they were off visiting children and grandchildren out East. Then several of us joined the Stone’s boat going out into the Lake for a very pleasant sail. The wind was favorable, the swells huge but easy to glide over and finally we turned towards shore. After arriving back at the dock, we enjoyed an impromptu cocktail hour. Then on to the 600 dock pavilion to help set up for our Catalina Fleet 21 dinner. It was a delightful evening, of course lots of food, camaraderie and thanks to Luther’s who did a great job organizing this event.
Sunday again was slightly overcast, warm but no rain. Stones and Byrd’s did a great job on breakfast featuring omelets, (the kind cooked in plastic bags dropped in boiling water) as well as pastries, mimosas and coffees. Our numbers were expanded to include family and friends of the Green’s who had been to their son’s wedding Saturday night on the beach.
Down to the water to watch the Tri State Racers come in then out for another sail this time on the Johnson’s boat. That evening we enjoyed a meal of leftovers from the night before and additional contributions as we sat on the dock just hanging out. Later we hiked down to the river wall to check out the Race boats and connected with Fleet member Pat Reynolds and his crew who really were enjoying the good weather and wind on the first two legs.
Monday morning dawned with another dry, warm day and another breakfast this time on Stone’s boat. From here I started to pack up but was detoured by an invite from Byrd’s to join them on a day sail. Again we enjoyed perfect wind and fairly calm seas and could just see some of the Race boats disappearing on the horizon of the last leg of the race. Once back at the dock everyone was packing up and getting ready to head for home. I met up with Luther’s again and they drove me and my “stuff” back to my car. We agreed to meet at a nearby eatery for a final meal which was a super way to end what was a really great holiday outing.
As your Commodore without a boat, I am genuinely grateful and very happy that so many members share their boats with me. I certainly miss mine but being able to continue an active membership with Catalina Fleet 21 and is a most special addition to my lifestyle after returning to reside in Illinois.
Hope all of you also had a great and safe Holiday weekend.
Sincerely,
Commodore,
Nancy Bartlett
RACING
Pat Reynolds
This year's Leukemia Cup Regatta sponsored by the Columbia Yacht Club again successfully raised over three hundred thousand dollars in the fight to overcome leukemia and lymphoma. The Catalina division was well represented again this year and for the first time divided into two sections. Catalina Fleet 21 boats included Doghouse. 2nd in Section 2, Ray and Sylvia Kalinsky's Little Miss Magic with Commodore Nancy Bartlett on board, 3rd in section 2. Also Overdue with the all Fleet 21 crew of Dave and Carolyn DeAre, John and Lori Lauraitis, Ron and Pat Shereyk, Karizmaddie with Pat Reynolds and Linda Sadlowski; Easy Two, Titae and Bob and Carol Moretti's Isis, 1st in Section 1 . Congratulations to all who participated.
Several years ago a Catalina 320 fleet member asked why we would ever want to race our boats instead of just cruising. The answer is quite simple. Racing provides many opportunities not always available to the cruising sailor including the following:
1. The opportunity to zig zag past boats you could never beat in a straight line.
2. The opportunity to pretend you really have six friends
3. The opportunity, after paying all those insurance premiums, to finally have a claim to show for it.
4. The opportunity to spend thousands of dollars to win a twenty dollar burgee.
5. The opportunity to learn a whole new set of rules to ignore.
Check this column next month for many more reasons why you should get involved in racing!
Catalina Fleet 21
Annual Awards Banquet
Saturday, November 10
Burnham Park Yacht Club
Featuring:
Cocktails & Appetizers
Gourmet Dinner
Awards
Dancing to Music Plus
Prizes
Surprises
And a Great City View
All for $55 per person
Invitations to be mailed in October
BUY/TRADE/SELL
FOR SALE: 2001 Catalina 380 #314. EASY TOO. Tall Rig, Wing Keel, Brand New UK 155 Furling Genoa w/ Foam Luff, Roller Furling Main (just cleaned), Cockpit Cushions, Dodger & Bimini, Full instruments including Radar & Chartplotter, Autopilot, DSC radio connected to GPS, Air Conditioning/Heat, Refrigeration, 3 burner stove w/oven, Microwave, Radio with Cockpit Speakers, SS Anchor with 100’ Chain+ rope, Steel Storage Cradle, Custom Winter cover and lots more! Freshwater Boat (Lake Michigan). Extremely well maintained. Asking $130,500. Call Phil Klein at 847-673-0518
FOR SALE: 1993 Catalina 320, wing keel, new 150 UK Genoa, new spinnaker, Dutchman system on main, newer wheel cover, newer main sail cover, custom cabin sole and cushions, dodger and bimini, teak cockpit table, cockpit cushions, newer 12 v refrigeration, newer head, VHF, Autohelm 4000, depth, speed, wind indicators, AM/FM CD player, very clean and well maintained. $49,900. Call Norman Jeddeloh at 312-914-7203. npjeddeloh@arnstein.com
FOR SALE: 1991 Catalina 36 Mark I. Wing keel, dodger and bimini, 12v refrigerator, GPS, VHF, Ram Mike, Autohelm 4000, AM/FM radio. Mark II rudder installed 2009. Feathering prop, Garhaur vang.. $55,000.
Call Walt Hartmann at 708-917-2704. dandwhartmann@yahoo.com
FOR SALE: 1984 Catalina 30TR, Diesel, full keel, Harkin roller furling, 150 Genoa, main sail, lazy jacks, boom vang, backstay adjuster, whisker pole, adjustable lead cars, battery charger, depth sounder and knot meter, VHF radio, auto pilot, am/fm stereo, raw water strainer, fuel filter/water separator, hot and cold water system, cradle, dodger with zippered cockpit awning (with sides). Quitting sailing due to age. On board extras not listed go with boat. asking $23,900 Bob Kocolowski Call broker: Jan Guthrie 847-338-8808
Fleet members may list items they want to sell, trade or buy in this column without any charge. Sand listing to deare30@sbcglobal.net. Listings run for 2 months unless I hear otherwise.
RIGGING & EQUIPMENT
Brian Ruxton
Thanks to Bill Thompson for the following article.
Standard Horizon Explorer GX1700
I have wanted to upgrade the VHF radio for some time now since the new Digital Selective Calling (DSC) system has been enabled. This system combines the capability of the VHF radio with the ability to send out a special distress signal that incorporates your position information (LAT/LON) with additional information about you and your boat. The additional information is maintained by registering the radio with the Maritime Mobil Service Identity (MMSI) program. This system assigns a number similar to a phone number to your radio. When you register the radio you input information about you and your boat.
The problem I had was the age of my boat and its associated electronics. To take full advantage of the system the VHF requires a connection to a GPS or chart plotter to obtain the GPS coordinates. Unfortunately I have neither a GPS nor a chart plotter that can connect to the VHF radio. My problem was resolved by a new model of VHF radio introduced recently by Standard Horizon that integrates the GPS and the VHS radio. The radio is called the Explorer GX1700 and I will relate my experience of purchasing and installing the radio.
I ordered the radio thru Defender Marine for under $200 and received it within a week. During that time I applied for the MMSI number via the Boat US web site (http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/). This registration process was a simple matter of entering name, address and boat information. At the completion of the registration process you are assigned a 9 digit number. This number is then entered into the VHF at setup time. From then on the MMSI number is assigned to that unit.
The installation was relatively simple due to the fact that I was replacing an existing radio. All of the wiring was in place and I simply had to connect the positive and negative power connections and screw in the antenna. The radio itself is very compact and took up much less space than my old radio. The GPS functionality worked the first time I turned on the radio. This was my only concern as the radio is in the cabin and I was not sure how accurate the signal would be.
I spent about an hour completing the setup and the radio was operational.
I have been so happy with the operation of the radio that I purchased the RAM mic for the helm and installed it. The RAM mic was less than $100 and has all of the functionality of the mounted radio including the distress call. The installation was pretty easy, and the mic worked as advertised.
If any of our members have any questions please email me, I will be happy to answer any questions or provide a demo.
Bill Thompson
RADIO CHECK
The next time you need to check to see if your radio is transmitting properly use Channel 27. It’s a special 24/7 channel for radio checks. Do not use Channel 16 or 9. Use 27.
CYA
Lori Lauraitis
A few notes from the last meeting:
*CYA Yachting Celebration - Confirmed 12/7 as the evening celebration at $45.00 per person.
Stan Hill stated that the guest speaker will be Frank Zimmerman, covering the Great Circle Tour by Power and Sailboats. It will be a holiday atmosphere, and dress will be business casual.
*Scott Stevenson mentioned the latest article in Crain's Chicago Business by Greg Hines, regarding the watchdog harbor patrol stating the harbors are far from full this season. Investigative reporting from a Mike Kelly, the exodus of boaters leaving Chicago Harbors to neighboring, less expensive harbors with problems in filling-up the slips. Hoping to "freeze the Mooring Fees" next year.
*Venetian Night at 31st Street was a success! With thanks to Fred Poppe, the Marketing Director of Events from Chicago, Jerry Metzger in announcing the decorated boats during the parade. 2013 will happen with increased spectators!
*Clean Harbor Day - will take place 9/15 from 9 to noon.
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