April 2015 - Yacht Squadron

GIBSON ISLAND
YACHT SQUADRON
ANSWERING PENNANT
APRIL 2015
Visit the website at: giys.gibsonisland.com From the Commodore
Mitch Koppelman: coracle2@gmail.com
We are back from the British Virgin Islands, 70 strong, 13 boats,
including Jonathan Hyde's Shooting Star, which arrived at
Tortola several days before the crews. Foxy's, the Soggy Dollar,
Willy T's, the Baths, Cooper Island, Jost Van Dyke, Cane Garden
Bay. Every port we visited was populated with Gibson Islanders
and/or their guests. It was, well, magical. I cannot find a single
person who participated in the week exploring the Islands who
didn't have a smile on their face (and a drink in their hand). See
photos in this newsletter for a sampling of GIYS activity.
It should surprise no one that the original
completion date for the Boathouse renovation
has slipped - due primarily to the very poor
condition of the building discovered when the
contractors peeled back the skin. The good
news is that the contractors have moved far enough along that sheet rock is now being
hung in the north building, and interior framing is nearly complete in the center
building. We were wise to move the Commodore's Review back to May 30th, and I am
very much looking forward to using that occasion to introduce what promises to be a
spectacular new facility.
Continued on next page
More BVI Cruise pictures online at www.gibsonisland.com under Members tab then scroll down for Photo Gallery. Upcoming Events
April
25
Rockfish Rodeo Fishing Tournament
Great Loop Sendoff
Harbormaster’s Grill
Harbormaster Office
410-255-7632 - ext. 1
Weekends: Closed
Monday thru Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Capt. Denver Sanner
Capt. T.J. Sanner
giys@gibsonisland.com
Boat Works
410-255-7632 - ext.2
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - Noon; Sunday: Closed
Capt. Rick Truett, Manager
rtruett@gibsonisland.com
More GIYS News COMMODORE - continued from previous page
What do we do then in April and May? The annual
Rockfish Rodeo on Saturday, April 25th, has become
the unofficial season launch. Coincidentally, that date
has been set for the formal send-off for the Gambles as
they commence the Great Northern Loop on their fully
restored yacht Heron. We'll combine those two events
with a celebration of both the Gamble's adventure and
the fishing contest winners with a "Denver Grill" held
this year at Boat Works.
If you are planning to participate in the Rockfish
competition, please call or e-mail the Harbormaster's
Office to register as soon as possible. See flier in this
newsletter.
We plan to open the mooring field on schedule on May
1st. Transportation to your boat however may function
a bit differently in May because of the Boathouse
construction. Please check with the Harbormaster's
Office as that date approaches for details.
Looking ahead to May 16th, GIYS will again co-sponsor
the annual Spring Race with Sailing Club of the
Chesapeake. We'll provide details of the dinner and
post-race party in the May newsletter. In the
meantime, I encourage you to register for this event as
your spring shakedown cruise. The race will start
somewhere off Hackett's Point south of the Bay Bridge,
and finish between Baltimore Light and the Magothy
River entrance.
It's not too early to make your plans for the annual
cruising season. This year's summer cruise will venture
to Indian Creek on the southern end, and includes
stops in Crisfield and Onancock. The cruise gets
underway on June 20th. See this newsletter and the
GIYS website for details.
We've survived another winter, and now it's almost
time to pull the sails out of the loft and stoke your
engines. I can't wait.
Boat Works Captain Rick Truett, General Manager
Spring has sprung at the Yacht Yard, where your senses are accosted by the activities of the warming weather - the
cracklings of the winter covers being removed exposing decks to the elements for the first time since November; the
sanders and scrapers working on bottoms; the almost deafening sound of the big blue machine lifting and launching
boats; the smell of bottom paint and varnish; the flapping of sails being bent onto awaiting spars; the screeching osprey
flying overhead already weeks into gathering supplies for nest construction; the orderly blue line of mooring buoys ready
to go into the water over at the Boathouse; the PB&J sandwich for lunch while you take a break from sanding; the smell
of wax and the hum of the polishers shining topsides; the coughing sound and blast of smoke from the first few cycles of
engines awakening after laying dormant for months; The whine of the crane thankfully doing the lion’s share of lifting
while crews step masts and engines; and finally, if you possess the stamina to endure the
sun, the still-chilly winds and hard physical labor, you may be lucky enough to hear the
sound of the spring peepers as you wearily load into your car at the end of a hard day. All
in a day’s work in the harbor as the spring season at Gibson Island emerges.
The Boat Works staff is hard at work preparing for the spring season. Winter production
and repair work is coming to an end and the endurance run of getting all of the boats in,
commissioned, and running like tops has begun. Please remember to submit your spring
work orders if you haven’t already. We work on a first come-first served basis. And don’t
forget to schedule your summer yard period - that week or two when you can leave your
boat with us in warm weather to accomplish the long list of her needs.
We always strive to work toward a more environmentally-friendly operation here at Boat Works. To that end, we have
taken many steps toward greening our processes, including: recycling as much waste material as possible, disposing of
environmentally hazardous materials responsibly (paints, solvents, fuels, etc.), and creating a zero-discharge powerwashing station. Our latest effort is to help our members have a choice to move toward more eco-friendly bottom paints.
There are products on the market that have far less bio-hazards in their makeup and are less potentially harmful to the
applicator. In recent years, there have been significant developments in more environmentally friendly bottom paints
which are highly effective at keeping your bottom clean. I welcome you to call or come down and discuss your options
with us.
One of the items that folks tend to forget unless it’s not working is their electrical system. Coincidentally, it is one of the
systems on your boat that is most sensitive to marine conditions. The salt air and constantly changing temperatures on
your boat are the perfect combination to produce condensation and corrosion in wire connections. Whether you have an
old fixer-upper or a brand-spanking new craft, your electrical system needs to be inspected annually. Additionally, it
pays for you to make incremental improvements and repairs on your electrical system annually as deferred maintenance
can not only cost you more money in the long run but also be downright dangerous. It is staggering how many little
electrical things we fix every spring on components that worked just fine when the boat was put away - bilge pumps,
running lights, switches, etc. - all fail from non-use and deferred maintenance. If you combine the two, you are setting
yourself up for failure. And of course, it will fail at the worst possible time - when a ship is bearing down on you and
you’re taking on water at night. Remember, your electrical system runs your bilge pumps, running lights, starts your
engine, etc. - many of your critical boat systems are dependant on electricity. A failing or non-working electrical
component can be devastating. Keep it in good condition. We can help you. We can either do the inspection and
necessary maintenance for you or teach you how to do it yourself. If you would like to participate in a “basics of boating
electricity” class, please email me and let me know. I would like to get a handle on the level of
interest. We have one of the nation’s leading marine electrical authorities here on the Magothy
and he regularly teaches classes on the subject. The class I have in mind is one that starts from
the beginning, assuming you have no background in electricity. Great for someone who is
interested but never knew how to get started in learning the basics of this subject matter. It is
also good for those who have a smattering of skills and knowledge, but may have some holes in
their basics. Email me at rtruett@gibsonisland.com and type “Electrical Class” in the subject
line if you are interested.
Looking forward to seeing everyone down at the yard!
Harbormaster We have been busy preparing the mooring pennants and harbor buoys for early April hookup. We also pulled the engine
on Salty Marks II and replaced some worn out parts. We found that the raw water pump shaft and seals were leaking
badly and the heat exchanger was in very poor condition. New parts were ordered and have since arrived from England.
While the engine was out we also replaced the racor fuel filter and housing system and replaced some old copper tubing
that is used to supply fuel to the engine. The exhaust hose was replaced and new shift and throttle cables installed. Each
year we put approximately 480 hours on the Perkins Sabre 2003 tender engine, which translates into 5780 hours to date,
so it pays to pull it periodically. Boat Works reinforced the stern floor area. Last summer the floor supports appeared to
be weakening, so the old supports were removed and new ones have been installed. The stern and seating area is now as
good as new.
The Boathouse is coming along very well. Work on the plumbing, electrical and duck work for heating has begun in the
Harbormaster’s Office. Sheet rock work should commence soon.
Be sure to submit your slip assignment forms and we must have your current insurance information.
Members will not be permitted to occupy a slip or mooring if they do not have proper coverage.
We look forward to seeing you.
If you want to see more visit my link that I have on the
GIYS web site: https://www.facebook.com/pages/GibsonIsland-Yacht-Squadron/132489470125817
Pennants ready to be re-installed
Salty Marks ll 2003 Perkins Sabre engine ready to be reinstalled.
Mooring buoys ready for hook up.
2015 Cruising Calendar GIYS Cruise Committee: cruisecommittee@gibsonisland.com
Cruise Committee
Events You Don’t Want to Miss!
April 25
May 22
May 23 - 25
May 30
June 6
June 13
June 19
June 20 - 28
June 23
July 11 & 12
Aug. 1
Aug. 15 & 16
Sept. 19
Sept. 19 - 20
Oct. 9
Oct. 10 - 12
Nov. 7
Karen Tolzman khtolz@verizon.net
GIYS Bonanza!
Carey Mitchell careymitchell@gmail.com
Rockfish Rodeo!
Tom
Mitchell
tnm@jhmi.edu
Heron Great Loop Sendoff!
GIYS 2014 Cruising Wrap-Up!
Harbor Master's Grill!
Dock Luck
Spring Cruise
Commodore's Review! Past Commodore’s Luncheon!
Dock Luck
Open House & Boat Tour!
Dock Luck
Summer Cruise!
Commodore’s Cocktail Party at Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club! (Date tentative)
Mini Cruise
Harbormaster's Dock Party
Mini Cruise
Race for the Broom
Mini Cruise
Dock Luck at Boathouse
Fall Cruise! (Tentative)
GIYS Annual Meeting and Dinner!
2015 GIYS Summer Cruise - Saturday, June 20th – Sunday, June 28th
Our 2015 Summer Cruise
heads south this year,
visiting both new and
familiar destinations. One
highlight (of many) will be
the Commodore’s Cocktail
Party and Dinner at the
Indian Creek Yacht and
Golf Club in Kilmarnock,
Virginia, Tentatively
scheduled for Tuesday,
June 23rd. All GIYS
members are encouraged
to join us, preferably by
boat, but of course, feel
free to join us by land
yacht.
Date Friday 19 June NM Comments Dock Luck at Gibson Island 00.0 Not to be missed! Gibson Island* to Solomon’s Island 48.5 Calvert Marina Solomon’s Island to Coan River 32.0 Beautiful Spot! Surprise event??? Coan River to Indian Creek 33.0 Indian Creek Yacht Club ‐ Golf! Pool! Indian Creek – Layover 0.00 Indian Creek Yacht Club Commodore’s Cocktail Party?? Indian Creek to Onancock 30.0 Onancock Town Wharf Onancock to Crisfield 25.0 Somers Cove Marina Friday 26 June Crisfield to Solomon’s Island 38.0 Saturday 27 June Sunday 28 June Solomon’s Island to Broad Cr (Baby Owl Cove) Broad Creek to Gibson Island* (via Knapps) Saturday 20 June Sunday 21 June Monday 22 June Tuesday 23 June Wednesday 24 June Thursday 25 June Passage 31.5 32.0 Spring Cove Marina Underwater Music in pool (bar alongside) San Domingo Creek for a walk into St. Michaels? (aww… do we have to go home?) Notes: *Gibson Island distances are from/to Mt. Bar Point. Add about 3.5 miles from harbor. Distances are straight rhumb‐line courses…. Also, most are rounded up to next full mile SATURDAY, APRIL 25th
REGISTRATION
FEE: $125 per boat.
If the event is called off or postponed for weather, registration fee will be refunded.
Register with our Harbormaster, Capt. Denver Sanner 410-255-7632 ext. 1 giys@gibsonisland.com
OPTIONAL CASH CALCUTTA
Entry fee: $100.00 per boat - payable in cash to Grayson Gable.
Calcutta payout will be 60/30/10.
Calcutta rules will be addressed at the Captain’s Meeting.
Calcutta fees will be accepted up to and including at the Captain’s Dinner.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24th
Happy Hour at the Club, 6:00 p.m.
Captain’s Dinner, 7:30 p.m.
Dinner for Captains and Crew in Trophy Room. This is the last opportunity to give Grayson Gable
your $100 cash for the Calcutta.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25th
On your honor, lines in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay
no earlier than 5 :00 a.m. as per Maryland law.
2:30 p.m. - weigh in starts on the dock at the Yacht Yard in Red House Cove.
Weigh master: GIYS Commodore Mitch Koppelman.
3:30 p.m. - last moment for all Rockfish to be on the dock arriving by boat at the Red House Cove
Docks. If you are late, you are out!
4:00 p.m. - Awards Ceremony and Harbormaster’s Grill
To be held at Boat Works. Featuring deep fried rockfish bites and other delicacies provided by
GIYS members.
A FULL LIST OF RULES & REGULATIONS IS POSTED ON-LINE:
giys.gibsonisland.com; www.gibsonisland.com