SailTime Channel Islands Sailing Newsletter - February 2008
Ahoy!
The good news is twofold; A) January is over and B) The wildflowers should be spectacular on the islands this Spring! Yesiree, the wet weather season came on January 4th and beside one good weekend sandwiched in the middle, the month pretty much became a washout. There were a few good sailing days in between it all but you had to be nimble and/or lucky. I like this though, because we certainly need the rain and I would rather get it over with earlier in the winter than later!
We have an action packed February in store so I am hoping the weather gods will smile down on us. We will christen 1421 on the 17th and hold our Anacapa Clinic on the 24th. For those of you who have never been out to Anacapa, this clinic opens up that island destination to your sailing territory. So, sign up now to get your spot. If space permits, anyone can join in and as always, this clinic includes a catered lunch!
UPCOMING EVENTS
2/6-2/10 - Annual SailTime Base Meeting - Chris travels to St Augustine, Florida for this annual event.
2/17 - 1421 Christening Party & Open House - Plan to join us as we officially welcome 1421 into service. We will christen the boat and have a dock BBQ with hot links and refreshments. The christening will occur promptly at 11:30 AM. This will be followed by sailing activities for members, guests and prospects. I have reserved Imagine and Varekai to give our visitors rides. The other boats are available for member revelry. From 2pm to 4pm we will have the usual dock BBQ with RedHots on the grill and refreshments. Let me know if you can make it - we hope you can!
2/24 Anacapa Clinic - Bodacious - Circumnavigate Anacapa with Captain Dan and learn about safe day anchorages for different conditions. Everybody welcome. Members who have not taken the clinic yet get space first. Learn about crossing the shipping lanes - how to handle "windy lane" and other important tips. This clinic is required before you can go to Anacapa on your own. $75 p/p includes lunch.
3/15-3/17 Santa Cruzers Cruise to Santa Barbara - SailTime boats have been invited to participate in this cruise sponsored by H&S Yacht Sales. Signup deadline is 2/22. Slip cost at SB runs about $50 a night. There is a Buddy Boat departure planned at 9am on Saturday. Dock party potluck upon arrival and cocktail party on Sunday afternoon. Followed by a sail home on Monday. This is a really fun event and it would be fun to see some SailTime boats participate. Contact Chris to get the sign up information.
3/16 Heavy Weather/Spinnaker Clinic - Varekai - Whatever the weather throws at us we will be ready. If its a light day you can learn how to handle a spinnaker. If its "normal" Captain Dan will teach the finer art of handling a boat in heavy weather conditions. $50 p/p
3/22 Full Moon Friday Frolic - Sancerre - Yep - the only one this year. So we decided to host it on the Big French Girl. More info to follow in next issue.
January was a great month for us to get a lot of projects done. Imagine got her leaky window reinstalled - all dry! Rainbow got hauled out and new bottom paint applied. Varekai got her stern seats revarnished. February gets us back to cleaning sails with a little help from the weather gods.
Current Membership Space Availability - Tell your Friends!
Imagine - 2 spaces
Rainbow - 1 space
Varekai - 2 space
Bodacious 1 space
1421 - 1 spaces
CAPTAIN DAN'S CORNER
Avast!
The 105 students are progressing along nicely and will get all graduated up this month. If you have a 104 in your future lets pull out our calendars and make a plan as I have a feeling this is going to be another very busy teaching year for me. I had to postpone my 106 training because Sancerre is laid up in the yard with some "extra" work. But as soon as I do get that under my belt I will be offering the next level of training to you all.
I'm looking forward to CaptChaplaining the Christening of 1421 and the ensuing sail and dock party on the 17th. Truth be told, it's my best excuse for eating a couple of Chris' famous hot dogs again! If you are looking to be qualified to sail by yourself over to Anacapa to expand your day sailing horizons then now is the time to get signed up for our Anacapa Clinic. I'll show you how to wend your way through the freighters, brace through windy lane and then we'll poke our way around the coast of the island as I point out all the good places to have lunch. Chris is catering this cruise so that alone should give you good reason to sign on. For me, this is the top clinic of the season. So, if you have never gone or if you want to go again lets make a plan!
Avast!