Cat Tales

March 1996



Snow Storm Cancels Meeting on February 16th !!!

Paul Payne, Commodore

Guest speaker William Shellenberger rescheduled to speak at annual Flag Raising Brunch April 13, 1996 at Bay Ridge Inn.

This year continued to be one of the snowiest in history, canceling our February meeting which was to have presented "Cruising the Chesapeake" with guest speaker Bill Shellenberger. Instead, we were treated to one more storm this year, making us even more hopeful for an early spring. (I heard that "Puxatawni Phil" did *not* see his shadow and is planning to "spring" out early this year. Maybe we'll all be out sailing again before we know it!)

However, Mr. Shellenberger has agreed to speak to us about some of the more interesting spots to visit on the Chesapeake at our annual Flag Raising Brunch on Saturday, April 13 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. At this meeting we will present our cruising schedule for the year and listen to Bill for all the notable places and things to do around the Chesapeake. This major event is planned for the Bay Ridge Inn, overlooking Thomas Point Light right on the Bay. Members from all Catalina fleets in the area are invited to attend, so make your reservations early.

Max Munger will be our speaker at this month's meeting on March 15, 1996 at the Fleet Reserve Club in Annapolis. He will bring us up to speed on everything we always wanted to know about cruising but didn't know who to ask! All Catalina fleets in the area are also invited to attend.

These are two events that we are extending an open invitation to all member of our sister fleets within the Catalina Association. Anyone wishing to attend please call Mark Eller at 301-858-1325 or Paul Payne 410-267-9467 for further details. We have a very exciting schedule ahead of us this year and look forward to seeing you all again.



RAFTING ETIQUETTE
Max Munger
March 15th, 1996

CCYC is expecting a large audience of new cruisers for its upcoming spring meetings. These programs will focus on cruising and rafting. Bill Shellenberger will show you why and where to go and Max Munger (our Catalina 30 National Treasurer) will tell us "Everything You Wanted to Know About Rafting."

Max will describe the rafting rules including, how-to's on preparations, anchoring, the circle approach, the landing, the lines, the bumpers and other useful equipment.

Max will outline the responsibilities of the raft captain, socializing and sleeping aboard the raft. Then he will describe departure under the best of circumstances, and also the worst. Safety for the boats and the sailors will be emphasized. All your questions will be answered.



FLAG RAISING BRUNCH

Mark Eller, Miss Tress

Our reservations for the Flag Raising Brunch have been confirmed for 10:00 am on April 13th at the Bay Ridge Inn in Annapolis. Our guest speaker will be Bill Shellenberger, this was rescheduled from our snowed out February meeting.

Brunch buffet menu selections will include:

In addition, brunch will include: assorted juices; fresh marinated fruit; coffee cake; Danish; biscuits & butter; toast & jelly; coffee, tea & Sanka. The cost will be $16.00 per person. A cash bar will also be open.

Please complete the form included in this newsletter and send it to Diane Lang along with your check. Reservations and payments must be to Diane by April 7, 1996.

For those of you needing directions, a map to the Bay Ridge Inn is attached, otherwise here are the directions:

From Washington: Take Rt 50 East. From Baltimore: Take I-97 to Rt 50 East. Then for both: Take exit #22 off Rt 50 East (Aris T. Allen Blvd - Rt 665. Follow this until it ends at a traffic light. Bear right on to Forrest Drive. Proceed on this road until you enter the Bay Ridge Community. You'll see brick pillars on either side of the road that say 'Bay Ridge'. Just past these turn into Herndon Ave. We're at the end of Herndon on the right hand side.



FOURTH OF JULY
(Early Planning)

Mark & A.J. Eller, Miss Tress

Slip reservations for the fourth of July Cruise have been made for the CCYC at Spring Cove Marina on Back Creek in Solomons MD for the 5th & 6th of July. If you are planning to attend and wish to reserve a slip, please contact Mark Eller "Miss Tress" (301) 858-1325 to RSVP.

I have given a tentative number of 5-10 boats to the Dockmaster. I am required to provide a 'Schedule of boats in our flotilla' by the 5th of April. The 4th of July is a very busy weekend for the Solomons area and we'll have to act quickly if we need more slips. We are the first group making reservations, but the Marina will fill quickly. Additionally, I would like to plan some type of event while ya'll visit our 'Homeport' and would like to plan on something special and memorable.

Here are the nasty (monetary) details concerning slip rental: $25.00 Deposit for each boat, due to the marina by the 5th of April; $1.45 per foot for overnight; and $4.00 for each 30 Amp plug.



NEWS AROUND THE BAY

Items of interest from Dave Hargett found in the February/March 1996 Edition of the Catalina 36, Fleet 3 Newsletter:



20 MUST-HAVES On Your Boat!

An article from "Boating For Women" by Katie Hamilton, provided the following list of necessary tools and items required on every well-equipped boat. (Most of the items on the list cost less than $10 each.)

  1. Knife - for cutting line, canvas and other material. One with a plastic handle, retractable steel blades.
  2. Multi-Tip Ratchet Screwdriver - with a large handle and both flat-blade and Phillips-head tips in various sizes.
  3. Locking Pliers - for griping and holding objects up to 1 ½" wide.
  4. Combination Wire Cutters - to cut, strip, and join wires of various sizes. Also comes with crimp for connectors.
  5. Cordless 3/8" Drill - Install or remove most anything on the boat (with a variety of bits and screwdriver tips).
  6. Volt/Ohm Meter - Troubleshoot electrical problems, burned-out bulbs, corroded sockets, and battery condition.
  7. Battery-Terminal Cleaner - Keep those connections working right.
  8. Duct Tape - For everything from splicing wire to patching foul-weather gear.
  9. Stainless Steel Hose Clamps - Perforated circular bands with a screw assembly for tightening or loosening the band. There are many on your boat, and they can fail. Keep several stainless steel sizes handy.
  10. Funnels - Several to be used to refuel, add oil and refill alcohol stoves.
  11. Pipe Cleaners - Perfect for cleaning hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, and removing debris from window weep holes, water lines and cooler drains.
  12. Mirror - To find the bolt you dropped. A telescoping rod from an auto parts store is even better.
  13. Magnet - Retrieve that dropped bolt found with the mirror, encased in plastic to prevent rust is best.
  14. Bungee Cords - Hold anything.
  15. Cordless Vacuum - Cleaning up dirt, without a cord to get in the way.
  16. Flashlights - A small, high-intensity light for the tool box, and a larger, more powerful one for the boat. Check batteries often.
  17. Garbage Bags & Ties - Plastic bags keep all sorts of gear dry.
  18. Rags - You can't have too many! Designate some for specific tasks. Don't use an oily rag to wipe down the fiberglass. Crumpled-up oily rags can spontaneously ignite, so air them out and take them off the boat as soon as possible.
  19. Squeegee - A small window-washer's squeegee cleans windows and windshields and get spots off fiberglass as well.
  20. Hose & Spray Nozzle - For washing the boat and lines.



Notes from Cyberspace

I recently received this note from Lynne Stone, one of our Internet readers from the United Kingdom, and I thought it might be of interest to you.

I found the site for the Chesapeake CatalinaYacht Club on WWW. I enjoyed reading the newsletters very much.

Can you or any of the Club Members give me some advice?

I am holidaying in Washington in July and would love to spend three or four days sailing on Chesapeake Bay. I have been sailing for over ten years and am a RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Coastal Skipper and am soon to take my practical YachtMaster exams. In the past I have owned a share in a Westerly Konsort, a 29 foot Bermudian Sloop design. I also teach a basic level shore based course 'Day Skipper' at night school here in Oxfordshire , England. I crew regularly for friends and am on a crewing register. I am female, 45 and fit.

What is the best way for me to find out about sailing on the Bay. Would any of the Club members be wanting crew for a few days?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks, Lynne Stone

Give me a call, or an e-mail note if you might be looking for crew in July. - Editor



MARINE EQUIPMENT

The 5th Boat Accessory Market will again take place April 12 to 21 in the warehouse building at 222 Severn Ave, Annapolis. New and slightly used items - dinghies, outboards, galley equipment, electronics, rigging, safety and navigation equipment, nautical art and more - will sell at prices 30 to 70% below retail. Call (410) 280-0972 for information.



CCYC FLAG RAISING BRUNCH
April 13th, 1996
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Bay Ridge Inn, Annapolis

Speaker: Bill Shellenberger, author of Chesapeake Cruising Guide will make a presentation on some of his favorite Chesapeake destinations. Brunch buffet menu selections will include:

In addition, brunch will include: assorted juices; fresh marinated fruit; coffee cake; Danish; biscuits & butter; toast & jelly; coffee, tea & Sanka. A cash bar will also be open.

Please complete the form included in this newsletter and send it to Diane Lang along with your check. Reservations and payments must be to Diane by April 7, 1996.

A map to the Bay Ridge Inn is right here and some directions:

From Washington: Take Rt 50 East.

From Baltimore: Take I-97 to Rt 50 East.

Then for both: Take exit #22 off Rt 50 East (Aris T. Allen Blvd - Rt 665. Follow this until it ends at a traffic light. Bear right on to Forrest Drive. Proceed on this road until you enter the Bay Ridge Community. You'll see brick pillars on either side of the road that say 'Bay Ridge'. Just past these turn into Herndon Ave. We're at the end of Herndon on the right hand side.




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