Breakfast at the HYC
          On the first Sunday of each month, about 9:30 am, an informal get-together of any members and/or guests
          to enjoy brunch and conversation in a great setting.  (Perhaps after hitting the Swap Meet at the fuel dock?)

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Hawaii State Legislature Bill Status  (any bill)
HB2582 Liveaboard Fees; Ala Wai and Keehi Boat Harbors
HB2741
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MINURO SAITO'S LOG

Sand-Flea Market

Video  

Click >>     Pokai Bay      (sound)           
                 Looking Back 2009 (Sound)

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Members' Forum

  If you have an opinion to express, need help or just some information from our membership base, submit it by E-mail for publication.  Your contribution must be pertinent to the group and short, 500 words more or less.  We reserve the right to edit but will not change the context of your submittal.                                         < hyccruising@hawaii.rr.com >      
                                                                                                                    

 Sailors go cruising for two reasons:

(1) after completing the last chores on a seemingly endless list in preparation for a passage, to finally leave the enclosed and protected harbor and reach the wide open seas.

(2) after having been out for a few weeks, to finally leave the wide open seas and reach an enclosed and protected harbor ......

Sailors, regardless of their religious beliefs, learn to pray, sooner or later .....

 Tik  (Erwin Spitzer)   

"Something about sailing a boat brings so many senses and sensations into play
that it's very difficult to pinpoint what it is specifically that makes me like it so much:
the sight of sails and sheets overhanging the water; the foam and spray flying
as the bow cuts the water; the motion of the boat; the physical and mental ballet
necessary to handle the boat correctly.  A sailboat might just be the most beautiful,
sensuous and intelligent blend of man/machine/and elements that exists in the world today.
The relationship between the three is the most harmonious I have experienced so far.
Besides you can have a sandwich and cold beer while you do it.
 "anonymous"

  Contributed by: Scott Gilbert, RN, MPH 

TRANSPAC 2009
CVS Hosts Far Niente

Far Niente, a 42' Catalina production sailboat out of Dana Point, Ca., was hosted by the Cruising & Voyaging Society for this year's Transpac Yacht Race.  Volunteers included Leslie & Dave Moore, Richard & Nancy Sommery-Gade, Ralph & Jackie Sprague, Ed Abbot & Kimmy, Rick Tudeur, Tom Gebhardt, Ted Murphy, Linell Kam, Naomi Wasano, Dotty Bates, Barb Dove and Bill Beadle.  Special Thanks also to our financial contributors, too many to list here.

The Far Niente crew consisted of Captain and owner Pat Hearne, Rick McCredie, Don Young, George Miller, Robert Ritner and Steve Clifford.  Along with several of their wives and friends, they were our guests at the Aloha Dock of the Hawaii Yacht Club when they arrived on the morning of July 16th.  

The welcoming party and the experience of meeting these racers were superb by everyone's estimation.  The entire group mixed and melded together, probably a result of Dave Moore's Mai Tai's at 9 am.......and the party went on for three hours and was a great success.  Captain Hearne reciprocated by hosting the entire welcoming committee for brunch at the Yacht Club on the following Sunday.  He expressed his appreciation and that of his crew for the warm and generous greeting, helping to make their arrival and their stay in the Ala Wai a pleasure.  

This was a most memorable Transpac Race for many reasons and making new friends is always a bonus!

Bill Beadle, Fleet Captain                                 Click Here for more pictures

                           Rafting Guideline
                                                           By Mike Salomon

Good seamanship suggests that rafting boats together is not a good idea.  But it can be done in the safest manner with the cooperation of skippers and crews and an eye on the weather.  If there is any threat of unfavorable weather the raft should be broken up before nightfall, or never started.  The captains must decide for themselves whether it is safe to join a raft.  All rafting procedures assume a crew of at least three.  If you are single handing, or even just short handed, you may wish to anchor out rather than to risk it.

The safety of an anchorage depends on weather, big anchors and lots of scope (at least 7:1).  Many protected anchorages in Hawaii are relatively small and 7:1, or preferably 10:1, scope may be hard to maintain without “hogging” the anchorage as you swing with the wind.  A crowded anchorage requires fore and aft anchors to limit the space needed for each boat’s safety. Then there is only one more step in building a raft-up.  In the case of an overcrowded anchorage, the raft-up may become the safer alternative, given good weather conditions.

All raft-ups should be approached basically the same way.  Ask permission to raft-up, and do as the receiving boat directs.  If you have other ideas, discuss them, but the final decision is up to the receiving boat.  Any damage done to the receiving boat is the responsibility of the arriving boat.  Approach under power (never under sail), slowly and carefully.  Have lines and anchors ready, fenders out, and crew standing by to fend off.  Take notice of any over-hangs such as fishing poles and ladders. Approach parallel, then stand off 5 or so feet and toss over lines to be pulled in.  Adjust the yachts for spreader clearance to protect them against wakes or waves. This procedure assumes that you will lay an anchor out using a dinghy and that you have mostly nylon rode.

If you have chain rode, approach parallel 15 to 20 feet off.  Pull forward and drop your anchor.  Then power back slowly until you are in position.  Set your anchor, heave lines to the receiving boat and pull together.  If you are setting a stern anchor continue to fall back to double the needed scope and drop your stern anchor.  Then pull forward into position for heaving lines.  

Check your anchor rode several times during your stay to ensure that you are sharing the load of the raft.  If your chain is straight up and down, or your line is slack all the time, you may need to adjust your rode.  Conversely, if your rode is taut all the time, you may need to slack off.  Keep in mind that it’s the cumulative holding power of all the anchors that keeps the raft safe.  

To retrieve your anchors when leaving, fall back to the downwind anchor to retrieve it first and then pull forward to retrieve the upwind anchor.  If the wind has shifted and is pressing you towards the raft you may have to be patient and wait for the others to leave.

                                 Raft-up Configurations

There are four basic raft-up configurations; “bow to bow”, “stern to bow” and the circle raft.  Anchoring separately and pulling together is the fourth and safest configuration..

                                                           Bow to Bow (three to five boats)

Make sure you have spreader clearance!  The largest boat, with its biggest anchor out with 7:1 scope, should be in the center.  The outside boats should put anchors out at 45 to 60 degrees.  Stern anchors must be deployed to keep the raft from turning and fouling the anchors.  If you don’t use a stern anchor the raft should break apart at night.  The number of anchors to be deployed depends on the weather.

                                                 Bow to Stern (three to five boats)

Same as Bow to Bow except that boats alternate directions. This configuration can be done with only bow anchors deployed.  This method may require you to drop a stern anchor as you fall down wind.  Then drop the bow anchor and pull back into position to heave lines. If you have good reverse rudder action you may be able to power your stern into position to windward. Get there early and you can be the bow-to-the-wind boat.  

                                                  Circle Raft (lots of boats)

The circle raft-up looks spectacular and is very functional socially but it is extremely difficult to achieve.  This form of raft-up requires both calm weather and calm water, and a sense of humor.  The raft starts with one boat and a LARGE anchor.  Several powered dinghies are used to push the yachts together and set anchors.  The raft continues to build by 
"fanning" the bows out until a "C" is formed, adding anchors as needed.  When the "C" is well defined the ends are drawn
together to complete the circle.  

                                                   Anchoring independently

All boats anchor fore and aft and then pull together to form a raft.  At night they separate.  This is the simplest and safest method of rafting.

Note:   Large groups can form smaller rafts and then pull together into a “super” raft-up.  At night they can separate and return to their smaller and safer rafts.

                                                                               Rafting Etiquette

If you join a raft, an implied Welcome Mat is extended to the rest of the fleet to come and visit you.  At the same time you should be respectful of the privacy of the boats next to you.  Music should not be turned up for all to hear without the permission of adjacent boats.  Consideration should be given to those who may retire at a “normal” time.

Unless invited below, the salon is considered private.  Not looking into ports or hatches is common courtesy.

Board other boats where convenient, but cross each boat over the bow unless given permission to cross through the cockpit.  Step lightly, and don’t stress equipment not intended as a foot step or handrail.  Be careful of varnished wood!  Make sure you do not track sand from the beach on to the boat.

Rafting leads to sharing and most sharing involves food and drink.  If you spill or drop either, clean it up and let the skipper know.  Fragile glass containers and red wine are not welcome on some boats, so ask before you bring them onboard.  Other points to remember are:

  Never take a dinghy without permission.

  Never use another boat’s head without permission.

  Don’t smoke on other boats without permission.

  Don’t bring your pet onto other boats without permission.

· Do use cloth covers on your fenders to reduce squeaking of rubber on fiberglass.  

If you join a raft you should be able to shut down all engines and generators.  Others want to keep their hatches and portholes open and no one wants to listen to a noisy engine all day and night.  If you must run your engine or generator excessively, anchor out and dinghy over.  You will not lose friends that way.

Departing a raft-up

If you are going to leave a raft-up early, try to be on the outside of the raft.  Make plans the night before and ensure you have enough crew on both boats for a smooth departure.  Warm up your engine well in advance.  Departing a raft under sail can only be done with careful planning.  Remember that no procedure, no matter how far in advance it is agreed to, can replace the common sense of the moment.

Skippers Choice

 It is every captain’s decision to raft or not.  The skipper is making that choice based on what he or she considers prudent and must be respected for that.  If the skipper wishes to anchor apart and dinghy over…that’s great!

Rafting is a good way to have a convenient social gathering on boats.  A good dinghy and an adequate boarding ladder are almost as convenient and a lot safer.  On a personal note, as a skipper, I am anxious in a raft-up, but would join one for social purposes.  I would never, ever, depend on another boat’s anchor and will not raft up unless I can deploy my own anchors.

After a week of sanding, painting, prop and shaft work, along with some thru-hull valve changes, I can honestly say that it wasn't ALL THAT BAD, now that I am back in the water again!!  Having some (paid) help is a tremendous benefit when you hire the experts and professionals in their specialty.

Symphoon, a 30ft fiberglass sloop, has been in my possession for two years.  She has been on the water for almost 30 years.  Someday I suppose I will have to hand her off to someone else to care for.  In the meantime it is my responsibility to make those quality improvements that make a good old boat even better.

Hauled out at Keehi Marine Center in the middle of the last big storm December 11th.  So, you recall that rain and wind??  There were white caps in a sea state 4 in my slip at La Mariana the morning of the haul out!

Since this was really my first solo haul out, with a lot of work to be done in a short time, I called in some experts to speed up the process.  But I still did the work every day!!

Here is the summary of my work and costs:

Bottom scrub: in water prior to haul $38 Fantastic clean - up helps a lot 

       (Les Vasconcellos  955-3512)

Haul out and in:  $330  No scratches or problems.   Set up boat in nice location with electricity and water avail.    ( KMC 845-6465)

Power wash:       $95  really did a great job of old paint and other debris removal !

Lay-days: First day free then $63 per lay-day  (I spent a week on the hard) $378

Sanding prep of the bottom by the Keehi Marine Center yard crew $220.

Three coats of "Hempel's Olympic HI-7660 Blue"  at $135/gal  (2.5gals used) 

      (POP  537-2905)   I rolled paint over the course of the week due to rain, with last coat on the water line 6 hours prior to the 3pm splash down.

Cutless bearing:  Pull/replace prop/shaft and cutless bearing.

(Non-metal bearing 25mm x 40mm x 100mm)

        (Shawn Koop  -  office at Ala Wai  and great to work with !!)

Thru-Hull Valves replacement:  Removed and replaced all four of the ball-valves on engine inlet, sink drain and head inlet and outlet.  Small boat but very old valves.  I used  two bronze and two are stainless.  Hope they last a long time.  about $175.   Boat in the yard also (from Maui) was a BIG Beneteau with 18 thru-hulls !!

Also new hoses on several of those valves.

Sand, Prep Prime, Fill and Spray the freeboard nose to stern!  Awlgrip Oyster White - 5 coats!   The signage in a boat yard should read "We Work from Sunrise to Sunset - No Rest Allowed"   In 3 and 1/2 days we had a finished product.   PDF did an outstanding job coordinating and tenting the boat.  With an end of the year 20% sale price I could not resist.  Call Katie Merrill or Jim for any help you may need.  Their whole team was wonderful and worked very hard to meet my needs and schedule.

Get that sale price before the end of December !  847-1900.

Tiller and Rudder:  Great time to check out the play in the tiller or rudder and get new bolts or bearings.   I only needed the bolts (metric).

           (Hawaii Nut and Bolt  on Ahua St.  834-1919) 

What's left:

New cove stripe, new non-skid on deck (did I mention that I have spent the past 2 months stripping and repainting the deck?),  new holding tank for head,  new vinyl letters and state registration sticker,  rebed and remount all deck fittings and winches,  put the wind-vane back on the stern and the swim ladder on the rail.   And  learn to sail again as the whole process has taken more than 4 months !  I did not do any rigging work as I can do that in the water.

I think I have done the boat a very big service in protecting it from the harsh Hawaii sun and UV exposure.  Hope I don't have to do it again in the next decade !!

Scott Gilbert

Symphoon - 30 ft Doug Peterson design sloop

La Mariana Sailing Club

(...and waiting for a downtown slip)

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you do.
So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
Mark Twain

"It is not the innovative practice itself that makes the difference, rather the ability of leaders to enable and foster the creation of those practices that makes the difference" (Quinn, 2000).

                                         CRUISING & VOYAGING Life Style

                                                         Who Are We?
                                                                by Skip Riley

Sailors are a group of friendly adventurers who enjoy self sufficiency and freedom … 

Sailors seek independent self sufficient life styles…

Sailors endeavor to live off the societal grid; Sailors were green before green was popular!

Sailors sail  always with an eye on the horizon, distant lands, far and near.

Sailing people seek unobtrusive contact with cultures a different, without impacting them…Sailors leave only their footprints and a part of their hearts on distant beaches…

Sailors are accepting of all others as we care about the freedoms of our sailing brothers and sisters as we know the preservation of our life style choice is paramount…

Sailors like to talk story, soon becoming proficient. We are the poets and merrymakers…

Cruising Sailors like to sail, we like competitive sailing as long as it’s friendly and there is wind! We are not afraid of a motor!

Cruising sailors like to fish, but never take more than we can eat…always sharing the bounty; always giving thanks for the life style we so enjoy…

Sailors seek knowledge through the experience of sailors who came before us…as well as star gazing. We share our gained wisdom, easily never imposing our view on others…

Sailors endeavor not to depend on others to get us out of a jamb…as we especially do not want to put others at risk… We are quick to lend a hand to another vessel in distress.

Sailors don’t like officialdom and frown on unnecessary bureaucracy.

Sailors don’t like to pay big fees or little ones either! We do steadfastly pay our way…

Sailrs don't like obnoxious or loud people, excepting, of course in the cockpit or around a beach fire when they laugh with us, listening to our stories and pouring the drink….

Sailors carry their independence with confidence along other walks in life, all the while appearing at times somewhat adrift but always with an eye on life’s horizons.

Sailors are engaging, fun loving, responsible and self sustaining. We are the world’s poets, always the first to help and always the quickest to laugh, heartily…Join us!

                           Capt. Skip Riley, ‘Tuatha de Danaan’   ‘around’                         

                                HYC, Cruising & Voyaging Society

Editor's note:  This request was recieved from Capt Skip Riley.