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Mahina Tiare Workshops, Parties in Richmond. Swiftsure intruduces H-R 340

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John and Amanda

John Neal and Amanda Swan Neal’s 2-day seminar in Anacortes is sold out, but they have several events on their calendar that cruisers might want to work into their calendar if they want to take a short hop to California.

It’s starting with a series of three full-day seminars with Nigel Calder at the Pacific Boat Show in Richmond, CA, April 5, 6 & 7: Link. And a 30th anniversary party that we’re doing with Swiftsure Yachts (sailish.com sponsor!) aboard the Hallberg-Rassy 340 they’ll have in the Richmond Boat Show.

APRIL 6, 2019 OFFSHORE SEMINAR AT THE PACIFIC BOAT SHOW IN RICHMOND, CA – SPACES AVAILABLE Last year our all-day seminar with Nigel Calder sold out one week before the event, so don’t wait until the last minute to register HERE. There’s also space in tech guru Nigel Calder’s famous MARINE DIESEL ENGINES seminar on Friday, April 5 and his always-packed UNDERSTANDING AND TROUBLESHOOTING BOAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS seminar on Sunday, April 7.

Click HERE to register for either Nigel’s or our seminars:

APRIL 5th – PARTY TIME!!! To celebrate our 30th year of sail-training expeditions aboard Mahina Tiare II & III, we’re providing cake during the free OFFSHORE CRUISING FORUM on Friday, April 5 from 2:15-4:15 at PACIFIC BOAT SHOW, Richmond, CA. We are honored to be asked to join this panel which always draws standing-room-only crowds at multiple boat shows.  

Hallberg Rassy 340

….AND MORE PARTYING ABOARD A BRAND NEW HALLBERG-RASSY 340 following the Offshore Cruising Forum! If you’ve ever been curious about the incredible quality and consistency in business that has had us choosing and sailing Hallberg-Rassy’s since 1979, join us for cake aboard a lovely (and a little radical) spanking new, Frers-designed, twin-ruddered HR 340 at 5PM, Friday, April 5 at the Pacific Boat Show in Richmond, CA. This will be our first time aboard this new design which we’re excited to be checking out. Ryan Helling and Brad Baker of Swiftsure Yachts (both occasional seminar presenters with us)  will be on hand to answer questions.

Also: 2020 MAHINA WORKSHOP DATES ARE SET! 2020 – March 21 & 22 Mahina Workshop Weekend at Anacortes Marine Tech. Plan ahead!

Sail Sand Point In-with-New Party on Thursday

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Sail Sand Point In-with-New Party on Thursday

There’s a party next Thursday, March 28 to celebrate the arrival of Seattle’s Sail Sand Point’s new executive director Seth Muir. It’s also a celebration of Mary Anne Ward’s third retirement. Yeah right.

The party will be at the neighboring Magnusen Cafe and Brewery, and lasts from 4 to about 7.

Seth Muir and Mary Anne Ward

Port Townsend Sailing Association Schedule

Kurt Hoehne Community, Racing 0 Comment
Port Townsend Sailing Association Schedule
Port Townsend TBirds racing.

Not surprisingly, even for a relatively small town, Port Townsend has a great season’s schedule of racing. See the graphic below. A lot of these races aren’t the old bloody-knuckle, squeeze-in-as-may-starts as possible kind of races. So, take a look at your calendars and plan to attend some of these events. And if you sail from there already, you’re set. Further information on racing and other sailing events at the Port Townsend Sailing Association web site.

Mystery Guest

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Mystery Guest
We don’t know if the mystery guest was stooping or at full height.

Sometime during the height of the recent snowstorm, a rockstar sailor appeared on the Shilshole docks. They are seen here with Paul Baker and Suzette Connolly. The true identity is unknown at this time. The sunglasses were part of the wily veteran’s deception.

It has already been conjectured that it may be Carol Hasse escaping the peaceful climes of Port Townsend. Another theory has it that Russell Coutts was tired of the New Zealand summer and visiting as a break. Connolly and Baker aren’t talking.

It is suspected that another sailor traveling incognito, seen at left, is a bodyguard or assistant to the one with the sunglasses. He or she appears to be inebriated.

If you know who this rockstar is, please send it in. If there are further sightings, please snap a photograph and send it in. We will ascertain the true identity!

Maiden, the Movie

Kurt Hoehne Community, Racing, Women Sailors 1 Comment
Maiden, the Movie

In this era of #metoo it’s essential, especially in sailing, to pay homage to the women who broke ground without the support of social media and an international conscience. Tracy Edwards was a giant in this regard while racing Maiden in the 1986 Whitbread Round the World Race, and remains so today as she sails the restored racer (now The Maiden Factor) around the world putting focus on empowering and educating girls worldwide.

As for this movie, it should be captivating as an adventure story, not just a women’s story. The equipment, boats and training just weren’t what they are today! The sailors onboard Maiden accomplished something amazing.

Tie One On At the Boat Show. Free Knot-tying Exhibit

Kurt Hoehne Boat Show, Community, Sailing Education 0 Comment
Tie One On At the Boat Show. Free Knot-tying Exhibit

Practice Boating Knots at The Seattle Boat Show, FREE for All Ages; Northwest Women in Boating’s “Knot A Boat”

By Marilyn Michael and Margaret Pommert

Introduction:

Have you ever learned to tie a boating knot in a classroom or at home, only to suffer amnesia when you try to tie it on an actual boat? Lots of us have! Including Vivian Strolis, who owns and skippers a large powerboat! So, she conceived and led a collaborative effort among a large group of local maritime organizations to create, “Knot A Boat”.

Knot a Boat is a display boat with real railings for you to practice tying fenders to real deck cleats and Samson Posts to cleat dock lines to, and friendly volunteers and instructional flyers to encourage you. It’s totally free! It’s great for families, newbies, and even “Old Salts”. Volunteers at the booth love to teach basic boating knots, but also love it when an old salt comes and teaches a new one!

You’ll find Knot A Boat at booth West 56 at the Seattle Boat Show this year (2019). That’s on the lower level, near the Information Booth and Food Court. It’s also outside the Women’s restroom, so a nice way for husbands and friends to pass the time while a woman is “indisposed”.

We hope you’ll come and visit us and practice some knots! Perhaps you might also be inspired by the story of how one women’s vision, and the generous collaboration from local maritime businesses, schools, and individuals created something for our entire boating community…

What IS Knot A Boat?

It’s an 8’ by 8’ bow of a fiberglass boat outfitted as a knot-tying training station. It offers a realistic, three- dimensional opportunity to learn and practice tying the many knots that we as boaters need to or should use to make our boating lives safer and easier, but…which we are often out of practice with…or perhaps never learned.

Where did the IDEA for Knot A Boat come from?

It came from the creative imagination of the co-director/creator of Northwest Women in Boating, Vivian Strolis. She wanted a hands-on three-dimensional way of making knot tying stick. A focus of Northwest Women in Boating is helping improve boating skills for greater safety, and this was a unique way of supporting that. Plus, there was an enthusiastic community of boat-loving gals to adopt the idea!

Where did Knot A Boat itself come from?

It came from ‘the depths of the Puget Sound’. Yep, creative Vivian asked herself, “Where can we get a boat and someone to cut the end off for us?” It turned out that the Derelict Vessel Removal Program was the perfect source. These are the folks who drag up derelict, sunken boats from the depths, and gather other abandoned boats from around the sound. They were so thrilled that someone actually wanted to take one of the boats off their hands, or at least part of one, that they did the actual cutting off of the bow to Vivian’s specifications!

How did it go from derelict to ship-shape?

Through the kind generosity of dozens of maritime businesses and folks around Seattle, Knot A Boat emerged as the attractive teaching station that it is today. It was a community endeavor embraced by all. Here is a list of those who made, and continue to make, Knot A Boat possible:

Government organizations:

  • WA State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) –
  • Derelict Vessel Removal Program – Melissa Ferris/Jerry Farmer

Marine businesses and trade organizations:

  • Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) – George Harris, President – Mentor
  • Peter Schrappen NMTA – Primary Contact
  • Northwest Marine Trade Association – Provided Seattle Boat Show Booth
  • CSR Marine – Scott Anderson, President – fiberglass work, boat show tickets for booth volunteers
  • Fisheries Supply – Samson Pole, boat show tickets for booth volunteers
  • Pacific Fiberglass – Doug Lambeth. President – painted Knot A Boat, boat show tickets for booth volunteers
  • Captain’s Nautical – boat show tickets for booth volunteers
  • Sure Rite Design – Nancy Anderson – painted name of boat
  • Prism Graphics – Stephanie Aird, Head of Sales – striping on boat
  • Railmakers North West – Mark Reeves and Guy Reeves – straightened railings
  • Gary Madsen – Harbour Village Marine Operations Director – transportation
  • Roland Strolis – Harbour Village Marina Director – transportation/hardware
  • Waypoint Marine – Buck Fowler – storage
  • Bill Wiginton – Pelington Properties – lumber
  • Dunato’s – Patricia Segulja, General Manager – teak restoration
  • West Marine – lines for Knots
  • Joe Cruikshank – Framing for under Knot A Boat
  • BoatUS – sponsor

Colleges:

Northwest Women in Boating Members:

  • Lynne Reister – NWWB Member – Lode Star Marine – marine surveyor
  • Kathy Felker – CleverKathy Designs Embroidery – NWWB burgee
  • Elsie Hulsizer – NWWB member – Knot signage
  • Marsha Cutting – member NWWB – lumber
  • Vivian Strolis – NWWB Co-chair – Project Manager
  • Marilyn Michael – NWWB Co-chair – Support
  • Sandy Kawamura & Lance Pascubillo – carpet for booth
  • Anastasia Reed – carpet for booth

Why is Knot A Boat Featured at the Seattle Boat Show?

Knot tying is an element of safety onboard that is often overlooked by boaters. From the beginning, the Northwest Marine Trade Association embraced Knot A Boat as a unique feature at the Seattle Boat Show. The Booth is non-commercial, and fun for both those volunteering and the boat show attendees stopping by. They can relax, engage in conversation and practice the actual tying of all kinds of knots, using the instructional boards or the expertise of volunteers. It is an interesting way to promote a feature of safety on board.

What did Knot A Boat offer to Northwest Women in Boating?

Boating has long been seen as a predominantly male dominated activity. Yet there are so many talented women doing amazing things on the water! There are so many women eager to become more knowledgeable and “in charge” out on the water. There are many women wanting to take a more active role in the boat they own with a partner.  Women who embrace Northwest Women in Boating are proactive about improving, and even sharing, their boating skills. Knot A Boat gave women an effective teaching tool to improve their skills. Very importantly, though it offered an opportunity to put women ‘out front’ as actively involved with promoting and teaching boating skills and safety on board. Knot A Boat, in a way, became a visible statement to other women and the larger boating community of women taking charge and saying, “We are capable of learning and mastering the skills of boating.”

What’s Knot A Boat’s Future?

Knot A Boat arriving at new home at Seattle Maritime Academy. (Left to right: Northwest Women in Boating member Juli Tallino, Vivian Strolis, Seattle Maritime Academy Director/Associate Dean Sarah Scherer)

Vivian continued as caretaker of Knot A Boat, but it needed a permanent home between Seattle Boat Shows. With the help of Director/Associate Dean Sarah Scherer and others, it was donated to the Seattle Maritime Academy in Ballard, where it resides proudly in their lobby as an educational display. They use it as an inter-active educational display for visiting groups of High Schoolers, and others, interested in the maritime programs offered by Seattle Maritime Academy. It’s also used for knot tying classes for recreational boaters, part of a variety of classes offered to the local boating community. 

Knot A Boat fits in perfectly in Seattle Maritime Academy’s Lobby

Northwest Women in Boating still features Knot A Boat at the Seattle Boat Show, staffed by volunteers.

We also have this display at the booth, with more pictures and story of Knot A Boat’s history.

Look for us!

 —

Marilyn Michael is co-director of Northwest Women in Boating. To learn about this no-dues organization for women involved with boating go to www.nwwb.wordpress.com.

Margaret Pommert is Northwest Women in Boating’s Knot A Boat booth organizer for the Seattle Boat Show.

The Husky

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The Husky

I guess old boat aficionados are a lot like old car buffs. We love the history and we love seeing what was done before. Below is a reprint from an article that first appeared in the May 2015 issue of 48 North. Author Ken Howe has offered it up again, and we’re happy to reprint it here as part of an ongoing effort to promote community sailing programs and entry-level sailing. The Washington Yacht Club is certainly one of those opportunities for University of Washington students, alumni and alumni club members.

(If your club or community sailing organization wants some coverage, email me and let’s get it going.)

The UW Husky

By Kenneth Howe

The Husky. Not to be mistaken for an E-Scow.

In 1950, the new University of Washington sailing club needed racing dinghies and they wanted to call them Huskies. They needed six boats to sponsor competitions and teach sailing to a growing membership. Previously, club sailors had been sharing their own personal boats for instruction. After the old Shell House on the Montlake Cut was remodeled, the club was offered space to house boats and gear in the building. A design competition was held by the club asking local boat builders for a dinghy that would be stable enough for teaching and also be competitive in intercollegiate competition. The University agreed to loan the new club $3000. Bill Nightingale of Olympic Boat won the competition and the contract to build the Huskies. His self -rescuing 18’ sloop featured a mahogany plywood hull with fore and aft deck hatches. It had a bow that was designed to plane like a scow. The sloop rig and single rudder in a deck insert made it like the Geary 18, “flattie” that had been popular for instruction.

            Over several months, the six boats were delivered and then rigged by club members. Three of the hulls were painted blue and the other three yellow. The decks were varnished mahogany. On February 5, 1951 the boats were dedicated and given Husky mascot names. From the Canoe House, the Huskies on dollies were winched down the ramp into the Montlake Cut. A small dock was available, but the launching site proved challenging for new students and reports of damage when landing appeared often in club minutes. The Husky mast was too tall; it needed to be partially lowered to fit through the opening cut into the hanger door. Lowering the mast became one of several skill requirements for a skipper rating on a Husky.

            Alan Murray, commodore in 1971, relayed a club story about how fast a Husky sailed downwind, “Since Huskies were normally sailed during heavy weather, they would plane very fast down the cut. Apparently this was noticed by the Seattle police boat who pulled the sailors over for exceeding the 7 MPH speed limit. The foreign-born skipper was quoted as saying to the officer, “Vel, vat you vant me to do, drag my foot?”

            The Husky sail area turned out to be inadequate for light wind sailing and required stronger winds to perform well. This resulted in skippers challenging themselves in high winds and often sailing single handed. In 1951, the UW Daily reported, “Sailor Swims When Sailboat Becomes Sub” describing how a new member took the Husky out by himself when storm warnings were posted. After he capsized three times, he abandoned the Husky and tried to swim to shore. Harbor patrol and the crew launch went out to assist him.

A fine party boat too.

            Norm Ahlquist, a member since 1966, described sailing a Husky single -handed and what probably happened to the rescued skipper.

            “Sure. I did it a few times, but not in a blow (defined as 20+ for Huskies). I easily steered with my foot, leaving both hands for the main. To sail upwind in a blow you had to sail with a big heel to narrow the hull for the waves, but it’s difficult to dump the sails single handed, as he apparently discovered.”

            Norm went on to describe the other challenges of the Husky, “As I recall the legend, the club wanted something that would be ‘self-rescuing and plane.’ The Huskies were that, provided the hatch covers stayed on and the wind blew over 40. When completely swamped, they would float deck awash. If you stood on it you would sink to about your armpits.”

            A spinnaker was eventually added to the Husky and the varnished decks were painted over with non-skid paint to make them safer. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, three Huskies became boats for experimentation. An extension was spliced onto the mast and a larger sail added. The hope was that the boats  would plane in lighter winds and work with a trapeze. The new design was called the “Super Husky.” One boat was changed to a full scow design.

            Beyond instruction and racing, the Huskies were used for club cruises on Lake Washington and Puget Sound. Fraternities and local colleges were allowed to rent the Huskies for races so they also became a source of income for the club. Because the Husky could hold up to six people, it became invaluable to the club during Open House events. Students would see a Husky displayed on campus and then come down for the Saturday free sail with a club skipper.

            In the 1960’s, an outboard motor bracket was designed that fit over the transom and slipped into the back hatch. This made the Huskies independent through the locks and self powered as a parade float.

            In the Opening Day parades, the Husky was used as the platform to cover with decorations. The Husky paraded as a killer whale chasing mermaids, a little tug towing a duck, and a bicycle powered paddle wheeler.

            As other designs were added in the 1970s, the three remaining Huskies sat unused inside the Canoe House. The roof leaked so much before restoration that one boat had already rotted away inside the building. Earlier, a boat with a damaged mast was converted to an outboard powered committee boat. The Huskies lost respect to the point that a motion was made at a club meeting that the remaining boats should be stripped of rigging, towed to Blake Island, and broken apart to feed a giant bonfire. This did not happen. Two boats were sold and the last totally rotted one was broken apart and sent to the dump.

            In 1980, the old wooden Shell/ Canoe House was preserved as a historic landmark, while the old wooden Huskies who called it home for 30 years were preserved only in memories.

            Ken Howe joined WYC in 2010 as his retirement project; he became Head Fleet Captain and Instructor, and also known for his energetic boat decorations for Duck Dodge.

How You and Your Boat Can Help in a Disaster

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How You and Your Boat Can Help in a Disaster

This sounds like a very worthwhile meeting. Considering our geography, boats might be key to helping out the community in a crisis scenario. Over the decades, private boats and skilled skippers have often been key to helping out, and knowing some of the considerations beforehand can only help. The meeting is at 1900 hours at CYC-Seattle. -KH

Learn how the boating community can come together to help each other in a time of crisis. Byron Hardinge, the City of Seattle, Office of Emergency Management’s Disaster Preparedness Expert will walk us through potential disaster scenarios and train us to be ready when disaster strikes.  Shilshole boaters have the unique opportunity to provide transportation on the regional waterways and communication via HAM radio, the city’s only reliable method of communication during a disaster.  Take the first step to being prepared and join us on Thursday, Jan 17th from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Bar will be open and light snacks available.

Registration is limited to 80, so sign up soon! Link.

Jeff Martin Death is Sailing’s Loss

Kurt Hoehne Community, Laser Sailing 0 Comment
Jeff Martin

The sailing world lost one of its most respected and influential members last Friday when Jeff Martin, Executive Secretary of the International Laser Class Association for 40 years, had a heart attack while skiing in the French Alps.

Martin apparently suffered a heart attack on a chair lift and then fell off the lift. Here’s a report from the Sun.

There have been and will be many outpourings of respect and sadness at his passing. I never knew Martin, 65 years old at his death, personally. But I sailed in a Laser Masters Worlds he ran and it was the best event I’ve ever attended.

Martin stayed at the hel of the Laser class through thick and thin, navigating it through the drama of becoming an Olympic boat while running outstanding regattas in venues throughout the world. He was a big reason for Laser’s success, and in turn that class strength has created countless happy and skilled sailors. As chairman of the World Sailing Classes Committee he played a leading role in the development of our sport.

From the International Laser Class Association:

ILCA is shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Jeff Martin on 11 January 2019 while on a ski holiday with family and friends. 

Jeff’s dedication to the sport of sailing was unparalleled, having served as the Executive Secretary of the International Laser Class Association for 40 years. Jeff was a cornerstone of Laser events, having worked at every Laser Open World Championship except the first one in 1974 where he was a competitor. 

The loss of Jeff Martin will be keenly felt throughout the sailing world and our deepest condolences go out to Jeff’s family and friends. 

In September Martin was one of the inaugural members of the Laser Hall of Fame. Here are the details.

Sail Sand Point names Seth Muir Executive Director

Kurt Hoehne Community, Uncategorized 0 Comment
Sail Sand Point names Seth Muir Executive Director
Seth Muir

We’ve known for a while that Mary Anne Ward was leaving the Executive Director position at Sail Sand Point. Now we know her replacement! Sailish.com wishes Seth the best of luck as he is stepping into one of the very best jobs around, growing sailing in the Northwest. Here’s the press release.

January 9, 2019-Seattle, WA-Saiil Sand Point, Seattle’s Community Boating Center, is proud to announce that Seth Muir will be stepping in as Executive Director February 1, 2019.

Muir comes to Sail Sand Point from Salish Sea Expeditions, a non-profit sailing and marine science organization based in Puget Sound, where he served as Executive Director from 2012-2019. In his time with Salish Sea Expeditions, Muir expanded program offerings to increase participation and solidified significant funding relationships with area foundations and federal and state agencies (including securing one of the first organizational No Child Left Inside grants from WA State Department of Recreation and Conservation).

“I could not be more excited to be joining this vibrant community of sailors and paddlers here at Sail Sand Point,” Muir writes. “Sail Sand Point is a vital community resource that provides equitable and affordable access to one of Seattle’s most cherished spaces, the water.”

Muir will replace Mary Anne Ward who led the organization through an extraordinary period of growth in her four years as Executive Director. “It has been my incredible honor to lead Sail Sand Point as we continue to remove barriers that have historically kept people off the water,” Ward writes. “With programming nearly doubled and over 15,000 users last year, it is clear the time has come to renovate our boathouse and increase our facility space. I firmly believe that Seth brings with him the skills and experience needed for Sail Sand Point’s success in this next phase of development.”

Muir joins Sail Sand Point as they prepare for a major capital campaign to expand classroom space and improve facilities. As Executive Director, Muir will lead the organization through new strategic partnerships with local government, businesses, and philanthropic individuals who share the organization’s vision for accessible recreation on the lake. “I’m inspired by the hard work and dedication of Sail Sand Point’s community as they strive to make their mission a reality,” Muir writes. “There’s a lot in store for Sail Sand Point and I’m thrilled to be here to help make it happen.”

About Sail Sand Point

Sail Sand Point is a 501(c)3 non-profit located on the North Shore of Magnuson Park with the mission of bringing the joy and life-enhancing benefits of sailing and small boats to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Sail Sand Point achieves its mission through a wide range of youth camps, adult classes, adaptive watersports clinics, a robust community outreach program, and a fully integrated scholarship program. With 1,051 outreach participants, 458 hours of adaptive sailing, and $38,405 awarded in scholarships last year, Sail Sand Point continues its strides in making sailing and paddling accessible for all.