Dec - Traditional Small Craft Association

Delaware River Chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association
March 2012
Next Meeting:
December 8, 2014
Cocktails @ 6pm Dinner @ 7pm
The Pub
7600 Kaighn Avenue
Pennsauken, N.J.
December 2014
Topic:
Holiday Party
October at Assateague
By Mike Wick
Photos by Phil Maynard
What’s not to like? Bugs are gone, campground
not crowded, water still warm, winds are
reliable. Phil Maynard, Peter G. and I met at
Assateague last weekend. We started from
home early and were there by mid-morning.
Tents up and boats sailing before noon.
Phil and I beach-launched at Old Ferry Landing,
and Peter used the new ramp across Sinepuxent
Bay at South Point for his larger but still light
Caledonian Yawl. In a brisk southerly we
powered across the bay to a beach on the
mainland for a lunch stop and to tie in some
reefs as the wind increased. Even with
shortened sails, we were practically planing the
whole way back. With her light hull and
substantial sail area, NIP took an early lead. The
boats wanted to round up but didn’t come close
to broaching at any time. They would break out
and surf at the top of each wave. Pretty exciting
stuff.
For the night I beached MOGGIE a short way
from our tents. Phil didn’t follow behind, and I
was starting to worry about him when he drove
up with his boat and trailer. Peter was right
behind with his boat and trailer.
for lunch and a rest. Then we sailed south on
the Island side of the bay, but it was very
shallow for about four miles, all the way to
Tingles campground. The boats were under
good control, thanks to reefed sails, but the
sailing was strenuous. We were both concerned
for our rudders which were taking some
punishment at full speed. By afternoon, we
were tired and needed some shade from the
sun.
Peter had brought giant helpings of potato and
leek soup which we had for supper with a side
of rice, then we relaxed and enjoyed nightfall in
the park. There are strict rules about keeping a
safe distance away from the ponies, but the
ponies hadn’t read the rules and kept coming
over to us. At one point, Phil had to stay in his
truck until the horse got discouraged and
wandered off. There are also rules that campers
not allow the horses to drink from the fresh
water taps, but, again, the horses have learned
to turn on the water, themselves. Night came
quick and brought some wonderful stars in the
dark skies of the park. Only to the north, at
Ocean City was there any light pollution.
We turned in as it got colder. We’ve learned to
bring our heaviest sleeping bags. There was an
occasional snort of cropping horses right near
our tents, but they soon moved away.
That night, I grilled hamburgers and onions, and
we built a roaring campfire with wood we had
scrounged from departing campers. There was a
cold front coming through, and we bundled up
and hunched around the fire, planning other
trips to keep the winter at bay for as long as we
could. We knew that there would be lots of
wind in the morning and chose to head for
home after Sunday breakfast at a nearby diner.
There is something magic about Assateague
with all its shallow water sailing and wild
country. Phil took his camera on the Marsh Trail
to give you some idea of pristine territory. Back
in 1966, just as it was to be developed into
another Ocean City, a powerful storm swept
through and wiped out all the roads and
infrastructure the developers had built. They
soon understood that permanent settlement on
a barrier island was a problem and sold out to
the Federal Government. I’m glad that storm
came in the nick of time.
Saturday was windier from the west, and I
started with two reefs. My Melonseed is an
easily driven hull and doesn’t need much sail
area to sail well. Phil also started with two reefs,
but he found his skiff needed more sail to go to
windward, and he alternated between one and
two reefs all day long.
First, we crossed the bay to sail in the protected
water to the west, stopping at an empty dock
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HOLIDAY PARTY
Date: December 8, 2014
Location: The Pub
7600 Kaighn Avenue
Pennsauken, N.J.
www.thepubnj.com
Time: 6 PM Cocktails; 7 PM Dinner
Cost: $31 per person
Choice of Entrée
Prime Rib, Chicken Parmesan, Salmon, Crab Cakes
Please send checks to Treasurer Paul Skalka, 19 Farm Road, Ewing, N.J.
08638.
Phone: 609-771-1775 (H) 609-865-5726 (C)
*** Advise Paul if you are coming by Sunday December 5, 2014 ***
*** Door prize donations gladly accepted***
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No Problem, How Can I Help?
By Jim McKelvey
Carol and I have just returned from the Sunny
South. We enjoyed 72-to-82 degree days and
clear, star studded mild, nights. How mild? How
about walking the dog in my pajamas at 5AM?
(standard operating procedures). It was a major
undertaking and was taking a lot of time and
effort. Could they think of all the possible
problems that might arise, and write down an
answer for every one? Whose job was this?
Whose job was that? One problem, it seems to
me, with a job description is that it facilitates
the “That’s NOT MY job” mentality.
Certainly, we have returned home two weeks
too soon!
Like many folks on a Florida vacation, we ate in
restaurants, went sailing and fishing, enjoyed
some theater and concerts. This brought us into
contact with the Hospitality and Service
Industry, up close and personal. What follows is
a brief rant about –
Then someone suggested an elegant solution A
FOUR WORD JOB DESCRIPTION, for everyone
involved with the enterprise.
It would say, “How Can I Help?”
“No Problem”!
Which brings me to a visual that I want to put
into your mind for the day. (This comes to me
from Brent Peterson).
I don’t know where or when it started, but it
seems to have become the universal response
to my simple “Thank you.” I remember a time
when the usual response was, “You’re
welcome.”
When Walt Disney proposed to build an
amusement park, he was advised against it.
“They’re always so dirty”. Think ‘Coney Island’,
or ‘Asbury Park’. But Walt persisted, built
Disneyland and insisted that, “…trash is
everyone’s job”.
I liked being “welcome”, I don’t like being “no
problem”. Somehow, it reminds me that I might
be a problem, but not this time. Just watch
yourself; you could become a problem, next
time. And it seems to be delivered with such
carelessness that it connotes triviality, or
nonchalance.
Of course, he didn’t know, for sure, that it
would work. But, he is quoted, one day as
saying, “I knew we had made it, when I saw
Cinderella picking up a cigarette butt!”
I’ll take my old favorite, “You’re welcome.” Or
“It’s my pleasure.” Or “Glad to be able to help.”
Or “Happy to serve you.”
Isn’t that a picture? Doesn’t that say, “How can I
help?”
And, by the way, there is one restaurant here in
Newark where the staff is forbidden to say “No
Problem”. They must use another option to
answer a “Thank You.”
While I’m at it, that reminds me of one of my
favorite stories. It’s about a business where
they were wrestling with an “Office Manual”,
the sort of “Bible”, which would include job
descriptions for everyone in the office. It would
be a source of answers for all questions arising
in the course of the day….a manual full of SOP
Walt Disney and I just love it!!
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NAUTICAL TRIVIA CHALLENGE
1. What does the crew say to acknowledge the captain’s command to perform an
action?
2. Name the type of sailboat with only one sail with the mast set at the bow.
3. In 1819, the Savannah was the first steam powered vessel to cross what major
body of water?
4. What is the command used by the captain to prepare the crew for action?
5. What is a lee tide?
6. What causes “sea smoke” frequently found off the coast of Newfoundland?
7. What are the High Seas?
8. Name the steamship company that owned the Titanic.
9. What famous racing schooner is on the back of the Canadian dime?
So They Say-A Log of Nautical Terms
By Tammy Leigh DeMent
By and large Liberty Sailing Club offers
opportunities for sailors of all abilities. ‘By and
large?’ …. This is a phrase meaning ‘basically,
predominantly, in general.’ I was surprised to
learn that it has a nautical heritage.
running.) This wind direction was historically
referred to as large because the biggest of the
square sails could be set, allowing the ship to
head quickly in a downwind direction.
To sail 'by and large' indicates the ability to sail
with the advantage of the large square sails and
against the wind with triangular sails. If a boat is
rigged to sail ‘by and large’ it can be
commissioned even under less than favorable
wind conditions. So they say: 'by and large'
(generally) a ship can sail at any time.
Let's start with 'by' since that is a term we have
all likely heard. Simply stated, sailors say 'by' to
mean 'in the direction of'. For example 'by the
wind' is to face toward the wind (or within six
compass points of it, i.e. close hauled, close
reach) and 'by the lee' is sailing with the wind on
the same side the main sail is carried. Way back
in maritime history, fleets of square-rigged ships
were unable to sail by the wind without great
difficulty (arguably if at all). Triangular sails
make sailing by the wind possible. The
explanation of the physics behind sail shape is
best left to others, but suffice it to say that
triangular sails act similarly to airplane wings
and provide the force that pulls a boat through
water. This, along with angling the rudder,
allows sailors to make progress by the wind.
One last point of interest...an example of a ship
that could sail 'by and large' is Philadelphia's
beloved windjammer, the four-masted barque
Moshulu, the largest survivor of her class.
Although she was typically square-rigged, LSC
racers will be proud to know that she won the
last great “Grain Race” in 1939, traveling 51,000
miles in 91 days with a record speed of 16 knots,
making her by and large the fastest barque in
the world.
‘Large’, refers to when the wind is blowing from
a point of sail behind the boat (broad reach,
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November Meeting
Photo by Mike Bill
At our November meeting Bob Wolfertz gave a very interesting talk on double paddle canoes.
NAUTICAL TRIVIA CHALLENGE ANSWERS
1. “Aye, Aye”
2. A cat boat.
3. The Atlantic Ocean.
4. “Stand By”
5. A tide going in the same direction as the wind.
6. When warm waters encounter cold air creating very dense
fog.
7. International waters.
8. The White Star Line.
9. The Bluenose.
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TSCA Meeting Notes
By Frank Stauss
Liberty Sailing Club
November 10, 2014
Ten members attended the November meeting.
The upcoming Holiday Party was discussed. Date for the event is December 8, 2014 at
The Pub, Pennsauken, N.J. Cost is $31 for each person. Further information can be found
elsewhere in this issue of the Mainsheet.
There is the possibility of our chapter obtaining a tuck up from Ben Fuller in
Massachusetts. If we do obtain the boat it will be stored on Tom Shephards property.
The date of the upcoming Wood Working Show is February 20-22, 2015. Our chapter
will once again be participating. Mike Bill will be spear heading our effort. Possible
exhibits we may be doing is steam bending mast hoops, oar/paddle making, spar
making, hull building techniques. Mike will decide and let us know. VOLUNTEERS WILL
BE NEEDED. Please contact Mike.
Tom Shephard advised that we need meeting programs for 2015. Please contact him
with your suggestions.
Elections were held to fill the offices of our chapter for 2015. By unanimous vote the
following were elected. President-Carl Weissinger, Vice President-Mike Bill, TreasurerPaul Skalka, Secretary-Carol Jones. Congratulations to the new officers.
Dues for 2015 are due. The cost is $20. Please send your check to Paul Skalka, 19 Farm
Road, Ewing, N.J. 08638. Your dues help support our chapter and ensure you receive a
monthly copy of the Mainsheet. Don’t delay, send today!
2014 Meeting Calendar
January
Tuesday Jan. 7, 2014
Red Dragon Canoe Club, 7:30 pm
Feature: Planning the 2014 Wood Working Show
July
Monday July 14, 2014 Liberty Sailing Club,
5:30pm Annual Chapter Picnic Feature: TBD –
Send Tom Shephard suggestions. Additionally
discussion on Barnegat Bay Sail, July 2.
February
Tuesday Feb 4, 2014
Red Dragon Canoe Club 7:30 pm
Feature: Boatbuilding Tips and Tricks
By: Dave Robbie
August
Monday Aug 11, 2014
Union Lake Sailing and Tennis Club, 7:00pm
In the past, open boating has started 2pm
Feature: To be announced. Send Tom Shephard
suggestions.
March
Tuesday Mar 4, 2014
Red Dragon Canoe Club, 7:30pm
Show up early to help get set up
Feature: Annual Bid and Buy!
September
Monday Sep 15, 2014
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:30pm
Feature: Cardboard Boat Building
By Paul Skalka
April
Tuesday April 1, 2014
Independence Seaport Museum, 7:00pm
Feature: Steam bending.
Saturday Sep 6, 2014
Union Lake Sailing and Tennis Club, 9:00 am
Annual Messabout
May
Monday May 12, 2014
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:30pm
Feature: Skin on Frame canoe Construction
By Bruce Robbins
October
Monday October 13, 2014
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:30pm
Feature: Show and Tell, What’s in Your Tool
Bucket?
June
Monday June 9, 2014
Union Lake Sailing and Tennis Club, 7:00 pm
meeting. In the past, open sailing has started at
2 pm.
Feature: To be announced.
By George Loos
November
Monday November 10, 2014
Liberty Sailing Club, 7:30pm
Feature:Tom Wolfertz, Double Paddle Canoes.
December
Monday Dec 8, 2014
Annual Holiday Party. 7:00pm dinner
Feature: Food, fun, friendship, prizes!
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Delaware River Chapter
From the Snuggery
TSCA
By Frank Stauss
While reading this month’s issue you
might have noticed two new contributors
to the Mainsheet. First is Jim McKelvey.
Jim is a member of our chapter who
resides in Delaware. Jim enjoys writing
the occasional musing, based upon his
own life experiences. He explained to me
that they rarely focus on boats and
boating, but rather on funny or
interesting things. Usually, there is a
possible lesson to be found in the piece
somewhere. Next is Tammy Leigh
DeMent. Tammy Leigh is a member of the
Liberty Sailing Club. She has recently
begun writing her column for Lifelines,
the newsletter of the Liberty Sailing Club.
I enjoy her contributions and thought that
our group would also. Tammy Leigh will
be a monthly addition to the Mainsheet.
Hopefully the writing of Jim and Tammy
Leigh will inspire more of you to submit
articles to the Mainsheet. All articles are
GREATLY appreciated.
Chapter President:
Tom Shephard
Tsshep41556@aol.com
Chapter Vice President:
Mike Bill
mcbill@copper.net
Secretary:
Carol Jones
cjones08250@comcast.net
Treasurer:
Paul Skalka
Paul_Skalka@princetonk12.org
Newsletter Editor:
Frank Stauss
fstauss@verizon.net
Website:
www.tsca.net/delriver/index.html
Lastly I have some bad news and some
good news. The bad news is that as I put
together this issue the first day of winter
is but three weeks away. The days are
getting shorter, darker, colder and
bleaker. Boating for most of us seems so
far away, and it is. Don’t despair! The
good news is that with each passing day
warm weather, soft breezes, sand
between our toes, rowing, sailing and
paddling get closer and closer. Spring is
coming, I am certain of it. It may take
awhile but it is getting closer.
I hope to see you all at the Holiday Party.
If not I wish you and yours a wonderful
holiday season!
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