CONVENIENTLY LOCATED AT: 37˚ 46’ 47.5” NORTH - 122˚ 23’ 16.2” WEST
WAV E L E N G T H OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER O F THE SO UTH B E AC H YAC H T C LU B
vivete lente, navigate celeriter
VO L X X I II I SS U E 3 8 W I N T E R 201 7
SOU T H BE AC H YAC H T C LUB
S O T H AT ' S T H AT ! R A C E R R AY
T
ime to turn the page, I think my work here is done, and besides, I want to spend more quality time with my therapist. This article writing stuff all started when I agreed to submit one for the yet to be named January 1989 SBYC newsletter; an article with some humor, some local interest or comment on a Club happening. Something other than pie charts, graphs and the sterile text of many newsletters. Something different every month that hopefully would persuade folks to read it. So, with a blank piece of paper and a blank mind I tentatively submitted my first article.
Ray Hall – Dancing Bear
Writer’s block, you ask? On the contrary, it’s been a lot of fun. With my fertilized mind I’ve enjoyed exploring a multitude of subjects: the history of the first sailboat salesman, and how Noah explained the need for a new boat to his wife. Then there was Racer Ray’s advice column, and a hard boiled waterfront private eye named: “Francisco – Sam Francisco. You got a problem with that?”
The highlights for me were probably when LATITUDE 38, which never publishes poems, published my ODE TO AN ANCHOR (Sept. 1989, vol. 147, page 49) and when (Dec, 2002, vol. 306, page 163) they selected my book SURFING THE WAVELENGTH as one of their boating books of the year. Their review was so glowing that I was accused of writing it myself. But I’m not leaving, the Club or writing, altogether. I have offered to proofread - for a fee naturally - former HOOD Hugh Coppen’s book, a compendium of the multiplicity of reasons that I have used over the years to manipulate, fold, spindle or mutilate his OOD scheduling to comply with my wants and needs. He has one chapter alone devoted to the topic “Would you please excuse my son Raymond from OOD duty on ...” To all my fellow Club members, you have been a wonderful captive audience. I was privileged to have my picture and article on the front page for over 25 years. To you, the umpteen WAVELENGTH editors - and you know who you are – this ink stained wretch wants to send you his warmest and most sincere gratitude.
Thanks to you, every single month every member of South Beach Yacht Club received our newsletter until modern technology dictated that, like a public restroom, we go paperless. It’s a shame, because I have often received compliments about how nicely my WAVELENGTH article fits on the bottom of a bird cage. I close with these words of wisdom: Port is left and Starboard is right... I think.
Ray Hall, DANCING BEAR
WAVE L E NGT H W I NT E R 201 7
COMMODORE’S REPORT
W
elcome to the first edition of The WAVELENGTH for winter 2017. Hopefully everyone has been receiving our new streamlined weekly called “The Wave.” The Wave is intended to provide timely organized hits of information in one email that arrives every Tuesday morning. It is not intended to replace this publication that provides a deeper more “reader friendly” experience. It is our plan to continue the WAVELENGTH on a quarterly basis. As I write this report, we are rapidly approaching the end of our first month in our new roles. It's been an exciting month of plan-
STEVE SEVERAID
ning and executing many things around the Club. There are several projects underway including improving our internet and wifi in the Club and in the harbor. General clean up and painting is being organized, a revamp of our entertainment systems is happening. We are reaching out to members we only see occasionally to learn how we could attract greater participation. As well as enticing more members to join us and our crew of loyal volunteers that make SBYC so
End of Watch for Dartagnan, better known as “Mr D”
“This is not a job.... it’s my family. I am a happy guy.” January 24, 2017
unique and special. Our goal is to keep our Club a warm and friendly family atmosphere while appealing to new members as well as the less frequent current members. Anything you can think of that will enrich your experience at the Club please let me know via email. I want to close by thanking all the Officers of 2016 for their dedication and hard work and especially our now Staff Commodore Milt Smith. I have, as do the other officers, very large shoes to fill! I promise to do my best.
SOU T H BE AC H YAC H T C LUB
VICE COMMODORE’S REPORT
W
ow, what a great start to 2017! Your new officers and board are committed to making this a wonderful year of camaraderie and fun. As you will have read in the Commodore’s Report, we are committed to broadening the base of member participation and creating a very inclusive environment for all of our members. The events committee, under the able leadership of Eleanor Harrison Toni Heyneker, and Susie Fay, is leading the way with a combo of old favorite events with innovations that are designed to appeal to all. Our streamlined communication The Wave, superbly named by Patti Mangan, and ably implemented by Andrew Lorenzen, is garnering rave reviews as an attractive weekly communication to members. No more flood of separate emails, all news in one place, and easy to do registration links. The Wave is an important part of our efforts to broaden effective
DICK HAIDDUCK
communication. Here are things you can do to help with broadening our member base: If you have not been to the Club yourself for a while, come on in and enjoy one of our events, or simply a nice dinner and drinks in a beautiful and friendly setting. If you are at the Club, and see someone you have not met, introduce yourself and help us create an inclusive environment. If you are coming to an event, try inviting some members you have not seen for a while and have them join you at your table OOD’s and Deck Captains can be very busy at times, but you can be a great force to welcome members you have not met before. A smile and an introduction goes a long way. If you like games, I hope you were here at our New Year’s Eve party. A colorful event organized by Toni Heyneker and Susie Fay. We found out who the real card sharks are in the group, right Joani Byrne?
Plus we got a new trivia game played on our smart phones, and orchestrated by Steve & Risa Corwin. The Crab Fest was a lively event with a sold out crowd, live music and dancing. Happy Birthday to Mark Miner! Thanks to Susie Fay and event team for a superb party! Sign up early for our Member Meeting and events, and your name goes into a drawing for a MoMo's gift certificate! Cat Reining, Nyna Armstrong and Judy Janosfsky are recent winners! If you have some ideas about things that would make your experience more enjoyable, please approach any of our officers, board members, and committee chairs. Better yet, volunteer to help out on any of our activities, sign up! Pitching in is the heartbeat of the Club and much appreciated by all.
WAVE L E NGT H W I NT E R 201 7
SPLICE THE MAINBRACE C AT R E I N I N G
I
s it too late to say happy new year? Well, Happy New Year, anyway! The news from the bar is light and reflects the post-holiday calm at the Club which is also an excellent ‘refuge from the deluge’ (we need it). I am pleased to report that the Christmas Ale was a hit so we look forward to next Fall for a special holiday brew. I have heard some requests for an unoaked Chardonnay so those on the Hospitality Committee are on the lookout for a decent replacement and will be having their first meeting of the year in January. I am happy to deliver any requests for potential new beverage offerings from the bar (hard and soft drinks may apply). Meanwhile the Events Committee has developed an exciting calendar of events for 2017 and the OOD's are
ready, willing and able to serve you during this fun schedule. Our volunteer crew 100 strong is here to serve but please keep in mind they do this out of love for our Club and give up their personal time to support us all. Patience and gratitude are always appreciated.
If you are a new member, now is a great time to come in and meet other members and learn about the many opportunities to volunteer to help keep our happy Club going for another 30 years! If you have been a long-time member come on in and see what is new. As the days grow longer, and the wind picks up, there is no better place to watch the lights come up in the hills across the Bay. Save the date, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday this year. Don’t miss out on the green beer or the authentic leprechaun behind the bar – or you may get pinched. Plan ahead, mark your calendars and see you there! Cheers & splice the mainbrace ya’ll!
SOU T H BE AC H YAC H T C LUB
R.C. REPORT M I K E S AT T E R L U N D
As your Rear Commodore, my purview includes all of the On-The-Water activities, such as Racing, Junior Sailing, and Cruising. The folks heading up these departments are more experienced in these roles than I am at this one, and their departments are in good hands. I have experience as an RC, just not at this Club. Cruise Outs, handled by Alan Maybruck, are lined up for the entire season - launching with a trip to Oakland Yacht Club on April 29th. Register your boat now. Junior Sailing, lead by Brett DeWire and Wendy Hanrahan, is developing Spring and Fall programs to build a competitive high-schoollevel team. Plus registration is now open for 6 weeks of Summer Camp. SBYC Racing, overseen by Gerard Sheridan, is expanding our racing capabilities including increased volunteer participation, an expanded race schedule and a higher level of racing quality by virtue of doing more drop-mark racing. I was a part of that expansion last year, as Gerard reached out to members who had expressed an interest in volunteering for race management. I had prior experience, so I came on board and started volunteering on Friday Night Races. I performed sounds, signals, spotting, and some PRO work for FNS and a few of other races we do, like the Catalina 34 fleet. It was a great way to connect with the members, and a way to get active on the water. We encourage all members to take PICYA OPENING DAY an active role. It’s a ON THE BAY great way to connect, allowing you to get to know members quickly by virtue of a common interest and a shared task. This was my experience, and I’m sure that it can be yours, too. Enjoy the Club, enjoy the water. It’s going to be SAN FRANCISCO BAY • APRIL 23, 2017 a great year!
DEA–Alden 48
At our January members meeting, we honored Charles Sayler #1413. Charles lost his battle in late November. Although we didn’t see Chuck on a regular basis, he was a devoted member of SBYC for nearly 20 years. Besides sailing, Chuck was an avid skier, pilot, treasured raising Doberman champions, a lover of banjo music, and a mountain climber. He was one of the first 100 to climb Denali (aka Mt. McKinley).When his wife, Mary Anne, said she wanted a house on the beach, Chuck agreed and promptly bought a sailboat, “DEA,” berthed in South Beach. He sailed the California coast and especially enjoyed the Channel Islands. He has crossed the bar.
WAVE L E NGT H W I NT E R 201 7
BETWEEN THE SHEETS LY N D A M AY B R U C K
From the left: Commodore Steve Severaid, Dominic Morbidelli, Allison Lane, Dean Griffiths and Drew Hess
LLOYD YU has never owned a boat, didn’t grow up on the water, and doesn’t even know how to sail. But, he is one great expert at setting marks for our races. He has been volunteering on the Race Committee for several years and our Rear Commodore estimates he’s done mark set 30+ times just this year. Although not a seasoned boater he is very comfortable on the Ed Mackin and exhibits excellent skills, both safety and practical problem solving expertise. Besides a goal of learning to sail, he would like to engineer a better way to raise the anchor on the EM, to open more opportunities for volunteers that may not have the strength. Our Rear Commodore says Lloyd is “worth his weight in gold”. DOMINIC MORBIDELLI is not yet a super sailor. But, with his energy and motivation he will be very soon. He sails his parents’ Islander 36 frequently, but really wants to learn the strong basics of sailing from a professional and then perhaps get on a crew in our FNS this Spring.
ALI LANE has only been sailing about three years, and at that, dinghy sailing with Cal Sailing Club. She is very energetic and wants to move up to keel boats and some racing. She managed to crew in the last race of our FNS 2016 and the skipper said she was an extraordinary member on board. She is very enthusiastic about getting involved in our volunteer spirit. DEAN GRIFFITHS and Manjot come
to us through their son, Ronan, who has been in our Jr. Sailing Program for the past two years. Although they don not have a great deal of boating experience, they have sailed in France and the Caribbean and sail frequently with friends on the Bay. Manjot particularly wants to learn to race and Dean would like to participate in RC during FNS. Both are very active volunteers and Dean wants to help develop our Youth Sailing Program.
DREW HESS has been hanging around SBYC ever since our doublewide days. For years he has participated in our FNS, but he has also crewed and/or skippered a variety of boats since the 70s… everything from a Coronado 15 to Hobies, Catalina 30, J/105, C&C 37 on the Baha Ha-Ha, and now he owns a J/105 “Nantucket Sleighride”. He has two young daughters nearly ready for Jr. Sailing and he recently donated his Hunter 170 to our Jr. Sailing program. When asked about his thoughts for an ideal day on the water, he responded: “14k of wind, flood tide, full crew, a spinnaker, and probably a beer. Drew is a CPA in recovery and now in Commercial Real Estate. Oh, and he loves to cook and is eager to help in our galley. He has coached and taught sailing and is a licensed yacht broker. His goal is to help more adults and youth to get involved in sailing, and to recruit youth to crew. One of his sponsors said: “I am a much better sailor because of what I’ve learned from Bill”. Bill came in first place overall on Highlighter in the Spinnaker 135 division in our FNS.
SOU T H BE AC H YAC H T C LUB
SBYC EVENTS CALENDAR COMMODORE Steve Severaid 415-596-3677 VICE COMMODORE Dick Haiduck 650-826-1545 REAR COMMODORE Michael Satterlund 408-839-4131 SECRETARY Nicky Barber TREASURER Roger Ladwig MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Lynda Maybruck 408-472-3667 PORT CAPTAINS Ken Ludlum & Cat Reining HOOD Cat Reining JUNIOR SAILING Brett Dewire 415-509-7784 CRUISE OUT DIRECTOR Alan Maybruck 408.489.2477 CHAIRMAN of the BOARD Eugene Hu WEBMASTER Andrew Lorenzen NEWSLETTER Patti Mangan
SB HARBORMASTER 415-495-4911 Pier 40 on the Embarcadero San Francisco, CA 94107
Friday, January 13
6:00 – 9:00 pm
SBYC Members Dinner Meeting + 8 Bells
Thursday, January 19
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Wine Pairing & Sharing
Saturday, January 21
3:00 –5:00 pm
Book Club
Saturday, January 21
6:00 –9:00 pm
Crab Fest
Saturday, January 28
11:00 –3:00 pm Island Fever Race #3
Thursday, February 2
6:00 –9:00 pm
Sunday, February 3
12:00 –7:00 pm Super Bowl Party
Friday, February 10
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Sunday, February 12
11:00 –1:00 pm Open House : Junior Sailing
Tuesday, February 21
6:00 –9:00 pm
Saturday, February 25
11:00 –3:00 pm Island Fever Race #4
Thursday, March 1
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 8
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Golden Gate Yacht Club : Latitude 38 Crew Party
Friday, March 11
6:00 – 9:00 pm
SBYC Members Dinner Meeting
Saturday, March 17
11:00 – 3:00 pm Island Fever Race #5
Wednesday, March 29
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Wednesday April 5
7:00 – 9:00 pm CYC Speakers Series - free, see their website
Thursday, April 6-9
10:00 – 6:00 pm Pacific Sail & Powerboat Show Richmond
Thursday, April 6
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Board Meeting
Friday, April 14
6:00 – 9:00 pm
SBYC Members Dinner Meeting
Thursday, April 20
6:00 – 10:00 pm Wine Pairing & Sharing
Friday, April 21
5:00 – 10:00 pm 1st Race of the Friday Nite Race Series
Board Meeting SBYC Members Dinner Meeting + 8 Bells Membership Committee Meeting
Kame Richards: Tide Talks at Bay Model, Sausalito
For reference to all races held in Northern California visit the YRA master calendar
follow SBYC on twitter @SBYC_SF WaveLength is available for Android devices. This issue relied heavily on member photos! If you have photos to share of your adventures please send them in with names of the folks pictured, where taken and any other interesting bits of detail.
visit www.southbeachyachtclub.org for details and reservations