Fleetsheet Archive
October 2018
CELEBRATE 45!
Where were you in 1973? Richard Nixon was in the White House, but the Watergate hearings were underway…U.S. troops left Vietnam…The Godfather won the Academy Award for Best Picture…the first portable cell phone call in the U.S. was made…the Sears Tower was topped out…Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in the battle-of the-sexes tennis match…the World Trade Center opened and the Billboard Song of the Year was Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree by Tony Orlando and Dawn.
Another significant event occurred in the summer of 1973 when over a dozen owners of Catalina 22’s, at the invitation of the local Catalina dealer, gathered in the basement meeting room of the Chalet in Wilmette to discuss organizing a Catalina 22 Owner’s club or fleet. Shortly thereafter Catalina Fleet 21 was chartered under the Catalina 22 National Association. 45 years later we’re still here! In the beginning, most boats were trailered and all were 22’s. Today our boats range in size from 22’ to 42’and are found in marinas as far north as Kenosha and around the lake to Michigan City. Our one 22 in the Fleet is Ralph Frank’s Freebee moored in Venetian Cove, Florida. And we still have one of the original members: Fred Collins has been a Fleet member for all 45 years! Can you name our next longest member?
Join us on November 17th and help us celebrate 45 years of Catalinas, camaraderie, sailing, and good times. We’ll reminiscence about the past as we look forward to making it to 50. Your invitation to this event is included in this issue of the Fleet Sheet. Drinks, dining, dancing, and delightful raffle baskets are all part of the evening. Awards for the year will be presented and a new slate of officers will be installed. It’s your chance to dress up (or not), show off our fabulous group to your friends and family (you’re welcome to bring both) and just plain have fun (don’t we always?). When did you join Fleet 21? Be prepared to tell us! We may even ask what your favorite Fleet memory is. New members and long-time members, you’re our future and our past.
Help us celebrate both by attending the banquet on November 17.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a raffle “basket” or item. We’ll sell tickets and raffle off the items throughout the night. Items don’t have to be nautical, just new and suitable for a raffle. PLEASE contact Madalyn Duerr at 708-429-0005 or madalynduerr@hotmail.com and let her know you are bringing a raffle item.
A MESSAGE FROM THE
COMMODORE
Members, we are approaching the end of the 2018 sailing season. I had the pleasure of spending time with most of our Fleet members and their family and friends at our various outings and meetings. The camaraderie that we have within our Fleet is awesome. For an example, a member sailed over from Chicago to Michigan City, IN for our September 2nd Lobster Fest. When his boat developed mechanical issues and he was unable to return with his boat to Chicago, he was overwhelmed with the support given to him by fellow Fleet members.. He mentioned that his situation became minor as fellow members rallied to help him and his wife during the breakdown. Transportation, lodging, dining, you name it, the members were there for them. This is what I have consistently observed in my approximately 25 years of Fleet 21 fellowship.
Our September 25th meeting was the last general meeting and program for 2018. This meeting and the following Kennedy Program at Burnham Park Yacht Club were well attended. Jim Graham gave an excellent presentation on the Kennedy’s family passion for sailing. I, like many others in attendance, purchased a copy of his book Victura. It provided me with further insight into the family’s sailing adventures and history.
On November 17th, the Fleet will have its final event of the 2018 season. This special event is our Annual Awards banquet, celebrating our 45th year. This event will be held at the Palos Country Club. I hope to see you all there.
Commodore, James Caldwell
BUY/SELL/TRADE
Fleet members may list items they want to buy, sale or trade in this column. Listings are free and run for 3 issues of the newsletter. Send submissions to the Fleet Sheet editor at deare30@sbcglobal.net
FOR SALE: Reduced! 1981 Catalina 25 swing keel. She sails beautifully! Roller furled jib. Clean and ready to go. It is at 31st street Harbor. Powered by a Tohatsu 9.8 Four stroke outboard with all in-cockpit controls and power trim. Navigate with a Garmin NMEA 2000 navigation system. Relax in comfort with all new cushions and upholstery below deck. Sails included are one main and three jibs. $8000.00 OBO For more information contact John Jackiw at 708- 828- 4318.
FOR SALE: Reduced! 1980 Catalina 30 Tall Rig Archangel. Belongs to Indiana Sailing Association, Inc. (a sailing training charity group operating in NW Indiana). Little used. Slip available. Surplus to training program of Indiana Sailing. At East Chicago (Pastrick) Marina opposite launch ramp. $15,000. Contact: grbarrow@pnw.edu 219-614-4372.
This is the last Fleet Sheet until February 2019. Keep in touch through
our Facebook page and web site. Find us on Facebook under Catalina
Fleet 21 Chicago Region and on the web at www.catfleet21.org
OUTINGS RECAP
Lobster Fest at Michigan City Sept. 1
Report by Ted Kuenzli
This club knows how to turn lemons into lemonade. Looking at the weather reports for this past weekend and the big storm we had on Friday at Michigan City, Branson decided to move our lobster fest to the MCYC pavilion. What a great decision. No rain (the weather man is always wrong 50% of the time); but, what a great place for everyone to gather and socialize. The lobsters were great and the side dishes made the day complete.
The following members attended: Nancy Bartlett, Leo & Deb Beer, Rick & Debbie Bowald, Jack & Lois Bretall, James & Sheila Caldwell, Doreen Collins & son, Dan, Fred & Shirley Collins, Jeff & Jennifer Danhauer and guests, Tom and Freda, Dave & Carolyn DeAre, Madalyn Duerr, Harold & April Hansen, Arnie & Bev Hollander, John Jackiw, Ed & Kathy Kita, Ted & Francine Kuenzli, John & Lori Lauraitis, John Luther, Diane Parsons, Pete & Laura Pohl, Ron & Pat Shereyk, Branson & Danita Stone, Roger & Bev Suhar, Steve & Phillis Wash and guests, Dennis & Debbie.
Sunday afternoon was the traditional ‘tour-the-boat’ gathering with six boats serving drinks and snacks. We had 26 people enjoying the socializing. The Hollander’s and the Suhar’s were traveling together and had planned on a nice cruise up the Michigan side of the lake before returning to Chicago. But no, Arnie’s boat would not run. After the normal changes of fuel filter, oil filter and tightening all nuts, the engine still would not start. The cruise was delayed and they had to spend three extra days in Michigan City. The hospitality turned out to be as good or better than the cruise. Ice Cream cruise to New Buffalo, dinner and breakfast on the power boat made the stay very enjoyable. Arnie’s boat did not fare as well. See the Rigging & Equipment column that follows.
RIGGING &
EQUIPMENT
When Arnie motored out of Michigan City heading north, everything seemed fine….until the engine quit. After repeatedly trying to restart the engine, they called for a tow back to Michigan City. A diesel mechanic diagnosed the problem and advised that the engine was hydrolocked, which means there was water in the engine, preventing the engine from turning over.
How does this happen? It can happen on our marine diesel engines if you crank the engine for more than 30 seconds without draining the aqua lift muffler. Many boats have a warning sticker to this effect. What happens is the muffler, exhaust manifold and finally upper engine fill with water; further cranking causes damage as water does not compress.
Arnie had his boat towed to Skyway and the engine will be taken apart and rebuilt as needed. He has good advice to Fleet members:
Do not crank the engine longer than 30 seconds without draining the aqua lift muffler. Buy the deluxe towing package that will tow you to where you need to go to get the boat repaired. The entry level towing insurance will only tow you to the nearest harbor.
CYA
Report of Sept. 27 meeting by Lori Lauraitis
Wes Trec Open House @ the Burnham Park facilities (the old terminal building) will be held after annual invoices are mailed out. This season payment may be made in increments of 3 payments or paid-in-full which would be given a 3% discount.
CYA Yachting Celebration Banquet will be held at Columbia Y/C onboard the ship Abegweit on Saturday, November 10 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. $60.00 in advance or $65.00 at the door. Dinner tickets can be purchased online at http://www.chicagoyachtingassociation.com w/credit card or by personal check payable to: Chicago Yachting Association & mailed to the CYA Treasurer, James Caldwell, at 1522 S. Prairie Avenue, Unit L. Chicago. IL 60605-3339.