Sailing

One Day Sailing Destinations in California

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

California is an excellent state for sailing. The waters of the Golden State present opportunities for sailors to experience calmer temperatures and beautiful and diverse scenery.

If you want an immersive sailing experience but don’t have much time, you can opt for one of these satisfying day trips.

Long Beach to Catalina Island

From Long Beach marina, you can head to the lovely Catalina Island and enjoy the sites of the Pacific on this typically easy trip. It would help if you headed out at the crack of dawn to maximize the sunlight and enjoy a couple of hours of bliss on this peaceful island.

Catalina Island is entering its off-season, which means it will be less crowded, and the harbor offers deals for moorage. As of Sept. 15th, the Avalon harbor offers a shoulder rate. The boater may pay for four nights and get an additional three nights free. Then as of Oct. 15th, a boater can pay for two nights and get five free.

Sail Around Newport Beach

Newport beach is a great location to get up close and personal with thrilling wildlife such as humpback whales, sea lions, and dolphins on this single-day sailing trip. Now is a better time than ever as the whales migrate to Baja to socialize, mate, and give birth starting around December. Newport Beach is perfect for a beginner sailor, as it is a nowake and no-discharge harbor. So, it’s always smooth sailing.

You can enjoy moving onshore from an anchor or at a mooring from any public docking spaces at the Newport Beach marina, marked clearly by blue and white pilings. Fine dining and casual establishments are available to serve you if you want to enjoy a meal onshore.

Around Newport Beach, much of the upper part of the bay is kept as an ecological preserve. The area’s space is mainly dedicated to nature and encompasses one of the most sizeable coastal wetlands areas in the state.

The Newport Beach government website has updated details on overnight moorings and anchorages.

Lake Tahoe is a sailboat destination for those new to sailing and experienced sailors. A variety of sailboat rental packages can be found at Tahoe’s marinas.

Lake Tahoe

For those wishing to get away from the beach scene and travel to the mountains, you can cruise around Lake Tahoe from May to September. So even though you’ll have to wait a bit, the glistening waters are unparalleled.

The lake has specific regulations to keep the experience safe for everyone, so read those before setting off. You’ll also need to undergo an inspection before sailing the lake to avoid bringing in invasive species, so set time aside for that.

Winds can be gusty at Lake Tahoe, so you’ll want to check all forecasts before heading out. It would be best if you visited this lake as an opportunity to cruise rather than race. If you leave early from Sacramento and you can make it to the lake in just over two hours. In addition, boat rentals are also available at the lake if you don’t have a vessel.

San Francisco

Another of California’s unique day sails is from South Beach Harbor on San Francisco Bay to Sausalito. Start your sail by leaving South Beach Harbor next to AT&T Park and explore the open, chilly waters of the Bay Area.

Sail past the San Francisco city front, then past the historic Alcatraz Island, home to an abandoned prison and the oldest operating lighthouse in California. Afterward, stop at the state park, Angel Island, for a meal at the Angel Island Cafe, and listen to live music while you enjoy the beautiful scenery. Finish off the sail to Sausalito with breathtaking views of Mt Tamalpais, where mountain biking was first discovered.

This day sailing trip is perfect for seeing the city of San Francisco from a whole new view.

ON THE HORIZONS

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

Drumstick Race

(Intra-club) (Nov. 20)

On Nov. 20, the Del Rey Yacht Club will host the annual Drumstick Race for member skippers only. This free event will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a skippers meeting and the first race will begin at 12 p.m. After the race, there will be a celebration at 5:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a trophy presentation. Winners will be awarded with parts of a turkey. First place will win a whole turkey, second place will win a turkey breast, and third place will win a drumstick. For more information, visit https://www.dryc.org/RACING/ Drumstick_Regatta or call the event chair Brendan Huffman at 818-631-9216.

Holiday Regatta (Dec. 3-4)

The Santa Barbara Yacht Club will host the Holiday Regatta on Dec. 3-4. The Holiday Regatta is one of four events from the Challenge Cup Series. Other events include the Spring Regatta, Summer Regatta, and Fall Regatta. The Holiday Regatta is run with top level, on the water race committee, and buoy racing for one design and PHRF fleets. The event is open to members of other clubs in addition to SBYC members. However, the Challenge Cup Trophy is reserved for SBYC member boats only. The event is governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing, applicable rules for One Design and PHRF classes, and the US Safety Equipment Requirements “Near Shore” for PHRF classes. Eligible boats may enter by submitting a completed race entry form to the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. Race entry forms are available at the SBYC front desk or online at https://sbyc.org/ racing. Online entries will be accepted until 10 a.m. the morning of the regatta unless otherwise stated in the Sailing Instructions. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Race Committee. For more information, please visit https:// www.sbyc.org/challenge-cup.

Diesel Engine Oil Changes and Oil Filters Paramount to the Engine’s Life

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

Ahoy sailors, last time we discussed how to read a nautical chart. This time we will be discussing the importance of changing the oil in your diesel engine and the oil filters that are very crucial for a long healthy engine life. When swapping out engine oil and filters, consider these tips. Next week we will discuss ideas for boat interior designs for those looking to refurbish their boat.

Because diesel engines generate a considerable amount of soot, they are hard on oil. If you aren’t conditioned to monitoring how fast the oil turns black after being changed, you might be surprised.

Soot is a natural by-product of the internal combustion. Soot is why diesel engine oil turns black, sometimes only after a few miles. When it becomes excessive, it can thicken the viscosity, leave deposits on wearing components, and ultimately clog a filter or, worse, an oil passage. When soot thickens the oil, it makes it more difficult for oil to flow into tight tolerances, especially when cold.

New oil is reinforced with additives that help avoid this deterioration to an extent. However, acid formation is the most crucial driver of oil changes, which is offset by a base additive that neutralizes the acid. Oil analysis calculates this acid-neutralizing ability as the total base number or TBN. Most new oil starts with a TBN from eight to ten, and as acid production is offset, that number falls. So you’ll know it’s time for an oil change when that number hits 2.5.

Technically, oil changes should be driven by this figure. However, unless you are equipped to carry out an oil analysis, which is strongly recommended, you have no idea of your oil’s condition. So instead, replacing it based on engine hours or the calendar is best. For example, some oil requires changing every 150 hours or six months, while other oils allow for as many as 450 hours or annual replacement.

Of course, the oil you use must meet or exceed the specification in your engine owner’s manual. The oil used in diesel engines has an American Petroleum Institute-designated C prefix, as opposed to the oil used with gasoline engines, which has an S prefix. The C prefix is followed by a second letter indicating the additive package type.

As a boat owner, you must also use the weight of oil that your engine manufacturer appoints. For example, this may include a 15W-40 or a straight 30 weight. But, again, stay consistent, and avoid mixing letters or weights.

Also, oil filters are just as important as the oil itself. Quality and construction run the scope, so don’t be frugal. Usually, you can’t go wrong using the engine manufacturer’s brand, but these can run more costly than common retail brands readily available at auto-parts stores.

It’s important to ensure the area around the filter is clean before and after removing the old filter, and essential to remove the old gasket with the filter. An old gasket will not make a proper seal with a new filter. It can squirt out the entire contents of the crankcase very quickly.

Most sail auxiliary engines have a drain hose attached to the bottom of the oil pan, where an oil pump can be connected. Some sailors prefer the manual-vacuum variety. To pump efficiently, engine oil should be warm but can be handled at a manageable operating temperature. Upon completion, make sure the drain hose cap is reinstalled. You’ll need two wrenches for this—one to hold the hex base nut and another to turn the cap nut.

Lastly, refill the engine to the full mark on the dipstick, run the engine for about 30 seconds, turn it off, wait a minute for the oil to run entirely into the crankcase, recheck the dipstick, and add oil, if necessary to top off. Then you’re all set!

Portable and small oil pumps are needed by everyone and are widely used in boats and various machinery to change the oil.

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