Wednesday, January 24, 2007

What’s NEWport?




I will try to update this weekly, so leave some comments and let me know your reading this information and what you would like to read about?

New boats in town. The Santa Cruz 70’s and 50’s are returning to Southern California. It seems the spark caused by Newport Harbor Yacht Club and the Cabo race has rekindled the fire and the entrys in the Cabo and Trans Pac will be at new levels.



A retired Peter Tong and his new to him SC 70 will sail well for corrected time in Cabo and Trans Pac this year. I have never seen Pete keep his boats to long, but I have seen him entry the market early and leave at its peek over the years.




The guys from Newport Harbor Yacht Club have purchased “GONE WITH THE WIND” Ex; Elusive hull number 9, the only Turbo 50 is doing everything right and appears to be a top shelf program. This boat can win on corrected in the 15k wind range against the J 125. Not sure if she can hold her time in a big breeze against another well sailed 50’s. At this point she seems to be on schedule for a good season. This brings 3 fifty’s to Newport and six in Southern California. Just another reason to BUY Deception, Look further down my site.





Don’t know what the hell this is? Rumor has it its from down under and might have something to-do with Sail California. I hear she will be sailed in MDR.









So, now that you have the perfect sport boat you need the perfect support boat. The market for the Down East style boat continues to grow in town. At last count there are Five new Hinckley Picnic boats in town along with other assorted custom boats. My guess is this market will continue to grow in Newport.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

WHAT CAN LEN BOSE DO FOR YACHTING IN 2007



I ask myself this question every year. Thus far I am very proud of Balboa Yacht Clubs “Club Championship” that is now going on its forth year. This year I have proposed the idea of the re- energizing the BALBOA CHALLANGE scheduled for this August 4,5. We are also chairing BYC involvement with the 50th Anniversary of the Lido 14 Championship and running a pre championship Tune up regatta August 11-12. SAFTEY AT SEA is a subject I find myself paying more attention to every year.


The “Club Championship” is my idea of continuing to promote the grass roots of sailing and the old fashioned sailing club. This event is open to only BYC members and is sailed on the Governors Cup 21’s. The event has brought together our club by having trophies for the first family trophy, junior’s team trophy, and master team trophy. Everyone is on the water and it’s been a big success.




The BALBOA CHALLENGE (BC) has been around for 57 years and has a similar format as the Lipton Cup. Over the years the BC has come down to only three or four clubs attending. The time is ripe for an event where every yacht club on the west coast of the United States can attend without the logistics of bringing a boat to the event. The participants will be playing on an equal field with the use of the Governors Cup 21’s and I am confident this effort will result into a first class regatta.



With the 50th Anniversary of the Lido 14 and the Championship returning to Newport Beach I felt it was the perfect time to return to dingy sailing. Balboa Yacht club will be running a clinic and tune up regatta August 11-12, so that everyone competing in this years championship will have more time on the water. Dinghy sailing is the key to longevity to our sport and to quote Andrew Campbell, “the consistent effort on the part of the sailor is the only thing that can improve his or her sailing”.




SAFTY AT SEA is a huge subject and should be reviewed every five years by all boat owners. A couple of key points which I have for the 1st mates, make sure you know the location of the first aid kit, be able to read the lat and lon off the GPS, learn how to work the radio and channel 16, review man overboard, find your way home and make sure that the skipper is wearing a life jacket.




I am excited about the upcoming yachting season and look forward to another fun summer with my family and friends.