Monday, April 28, 2008

NEW LISTINGS!

NEW LISTING





2003 Beneteau 47.7 First

This is the perfect performance cruiser! Lots of room, Bruce Farr design and a HUGE diesel to power you close to 10 knots.
Looking for a proper yacht for the family of three plus? Want to go club racing? Want to get somewhere fast when the wind dies down? The Beneteau 47.7 is the yacht for you. Located in Newport Beach easy to show. Go to my link on the side of the page to get the spec sheet.




NEW LISTING



1975 Santana 30

Looking for something clean at an OUTSTANDING VALUE? This Santana is the perfect boat for the person that just wants to come down and bay sail.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

LIDO 14 2008 Wednesday Night & Season Reports


( Team Mueller/Strang returns?)

4-30-08 Lido 14 Fleet 1 and The Balboa Yacht Club at 17:30. Ten teams showed up to a southerly breeze of 5-9 knots that aloud PRO Jeff Keenan to get in five races. With the course set in front of the club everyone on the dock and in the clubhouse had a good view of all the action. This combined with short courses kept PRO Keenan on his toes between starting, finishing, scoring and taking photos of the fleet. At one point Jeff threw me a refreshment, took a photo of us and then sounded the horn as we crossed the finsh line in that order, Perfect!


Team Kent "Leading The Way!"

You have to understand that taking photos on the water is not that easy and then taking photos of my team mate Dina is like finding “Waldo”, she don’t like it! This is all Jeff needed to add to the fun factor last night.
Speaking of fun it was good to see Team Mueller/Strang return to the water and they wasted no time returning to the top of the fleet. In fact it was good to hear Steve at the end of the night say “ I think we might look for another boat”.
I did not get a chance to see the results although the consensus was that Team Kent won the night, or at least would have won the night if they had not missed the first start. Steve and Diane were able to get off the starting line well and stay in the top four finishers. It was good to see Bob Yates sail down from Lido to make the start and like always sailed very well.


"The true Pro at work" an no thats not Jeff!

The fleet continues to ask me where is the “DUCK” and I reply “I cant find the Duck” so WHERE IS IT? Only one way to find a duck and that is with a Duck Call. At the next race someone will be in charge of finding the duck and will be requested to blow the call at each mark rounding. This caller then may pass the call to the next person of their choice or return it to the PRO or Principle Duck Caller “PDC”


Team Killian


From the "Sea Lawyer"

This part of or newletter is from a new writer named “The humble sea lawyer”. This piece was done to “keep it fun”. I would like to thank this writer in advance for their efforts.

So with no further ado, The humble sea lawyer:

Recently it has become apparent that some back to the basics may provide clarity to the often hectic and at times confusing mark rounding’s where much like starts, there is a higher percentage chance of boat to boat contact due to the increased proximity & density. Contact as we all know is something in sailboat racing that is very much frowned upon in the fine sport of yachting (14 footers included), see rule 14 (interesting, two 14’s, coincidence, maybe not)...at least it’s easy to remember!

In an attempt to prevent contact between boats moving forward, perhaps a re-read of Rule 18 which applies or “turns on” (if you are of the umpire mentality) during mark rounding’s and passing obstructions is warranted. This week’s c-lawyer submission is on that rule, as it applies to leeward mark rounding’s.

Please note for the record the comments contained herein are strictly one armature sailors general understanding of the written rules of sailing through experience and are not intended to replace these rules as published:

So you have had a great beat, and even better run, and now you find yourself neck and neck with the duck sailor for the lead (we call him that because he never ducks during a race), only you are on the “outside of the wheel” going into the leeward mark rounding. To make things worse, the duck sailor has jibed onto starboard going into the rounding putting you in the frustrating predicament of having to avoid contact with them or risk doing a donut (circle, see rule 31), something short course racing is very unforgiving to. While Rule 18.4 requires the duck sailor to jib around the mark, you realize that in doing so, his/her boom may extend well past the starboard side of their boat in the process, how much room do you need to give them, and when? Rule 18.2d specifies that rule 16 (changing course) “turns off” during their rounding. Essentially you have to anticipate the duck sailors jibe, and make prior arrangements to keep clear of them, even if they end up taking more berth during the course of the rounding than when they started it, (ie. the jibe/turn/boom swing etc…)! In a lido, this can put you well outside a 14’ radius from the turning mark (uggggggggh). Perhaps next time I will just slow down, let them go ahead and round tight behind that duck sailor on starboard going into the leeward rounding after all. It sure beats doing donuts and I only slide back a half boat length from the leaders and lose no lateral distance from the weather mark. Better yet, I am going to fight harder to be the inside overlapped ROW (right of way) boat going into the next rounding, let that duck sailor suck on my gas after the rounding. Can’t wait until next Wednesday now…stoked to try out my new moves.

As always, please feel free to browse the ISAF 2005-2008 racing rules of sailing in their entirety by clicking on the link below.
Fair winds and fun (incident free) sailing for all!

http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/RRS2005-2008-[502].pdf




So that wraps up the spring series twilights with over 40 races, 15 teams, 400 photos, five thousand words written, over 150 refreshments served and memories for a life time. For me I find my thoughts wondering over the good times on the water with my friends at sun set during the flag lowering ceremonies. Can’t help from smiling can Ya!

"At Sunset"

"Good Times"

"Paps training our youth"

"Where is Waldo"


"Jeff just taking more photos of my head"


"Yea Steve you won another race!"


"The fleet posser"


"Jess closing the spring out"

SEA YA!

LENS LESSON # 244 " Be alert to the source of trouble"



4-24-08



4-24-08 Fleet 1 & The Balboa Yacht Club at M mark at 17:30. Seven Teams showed up for some perfect Lido 14 sailing, I mean DUDE you should have been there! WNW breeze at 13 knots with puffs up to 17 along with seven teams that could be in the top ten of any championship, two National Champions, the current fleet champion. Like I said DUDE you should have been there!

Team Fradkin/Schock, I like to call him Johnny Current, came of the starting line, in the first race, well and held his lane. They kept their advantage as the fleet sailed to the right side of the course. Everyone rounded within a boat length of each other and a number of teams jibed set while Team Fradkin/Schock and Team Bose/Corsi bored away and stretched out. We worked our way back up wind taking about three boat lengths away from Johnny Current as we set up on layline. I had figured that team Fradkin/Schock was gone and I wanted to hold on to our second. As we tacked onto layline out of the left corner of my eye I noticed Johnny Current had turned into Johnny bum bulls as I had thought he had dropped his tiller. Unfortunately, Team Fradkin/Schock had broken their tiller and all they could do is plead with the fleet not to hit them as they were dead in the water and on layline. We barely kept the lead to a hard charging Team Nesbitt and won that race by less than a foot.



Lens Lesson # 18 ; Haste and speed are not synonymous

4-16-08





WED...WIND VARIABLE 10 KT OR LESS...BECOMING NW WINDS 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON.



OK if you look at your calendars the sailing season is at full swing. Now look at your Lido 14 Calendars and the season is half over already. BLAM! "Get back up again" and make it out to the Wednesday nights off M Mark 17:30. Team McRae/Gorski have had the jump on everyone this season so they will be providing the fleet with refreshments this week.
Teams showing up, Killian, Fradkin, Stoneman, Papadopoulos Bose, Rulla, McRae, Gerry, Cochran, Walters, Simmons and Nesbitt. We are still looking for Heim, Yates, Thorone, Zuelsdorf Gaudio, Robertson, Hunter, Johnson, Fuller, Schupak, Wiese, Little, Jackman, Hughes, Rossen, Ryan,Colins and Newbre.
Its TIME guys, the weather is warm looks like we will have some BREEZE. ITS UP TO YOU!

Sea Ya!


3-26-08 Balboa Yacht Club and Fleet 1. With the cat away the mice did play with eleven teams showing up to a southerly breeze that allowed us to race directly in front of the club. All the people at the club, that included the Cabo participants on their boats, were treated to three twice around races with the fleet never out of eyesight.
This month we had 15 teams participate in our races with a lot of new blood, to this event. One of the teams was Barry Wood and his daughter. Barry follows the fleet throughout the year and attends the Harry Wood regatta each year. This regatta was named after his father and there is a long history and involvement with the Lido class from the Wood family. Make sure you stay around for the trophies presentation because regatta chairman John Papadopoulos always covers a good part of the history of the event. This presentation is like the words of a good country song. If you listen to the words, it makes you WANT SOME of that “good feeling” of being remembered for all your efforts.
Speaking of “ Good Feelings”! Barry Wood was first in the parking lot this week ready to go play. While rigging my boat Barry came up “ Hello Kid, Why are you here today?” Always with his warm welcome he then helped the fleet put their boats in the water.


While putting our boats away a small earthquake was reported in Newport Beach, I thought it was just Chris Nesbitt putting his boat away. Chris and crew Ryan Davidson were ready to rumble this week finding a left shift at the weather mark each race that kept them in the top three all night and winning the day. " Its all Ryan, I keep falling down" said Chris after their second win. After the racing and with the fleet filling up the bar, good times were had by all. We still need to replace The Duck this year with something new. Also remember that John Papadopoulos is having a Lido 14 race clinic this Saturday that will tune you up for this season and Sunday’s race. Fleet 2 is having their Invitational Race in Marina del Rey on April 5th that looks to be a lot of fun. We also need a volunteer for race committee this next week along with a refreshments sponsor? Results from last night race are attached and I should have the month’s results for you on Monday.

SEA YA


Lens Lesson # 8

"Work hard at what you love and be remembered for that work"


3-19-08 Balboa Yacht Club & Fleet 1. M Mark at 1730 again we had seven teams show up with four races in a 7-knot westerly. PRO Jeff Keenan and Christophe Killian were on the job and on time. This is the second year Jeff has run the races for us and he has a routine that keeps us on time with the fun factor meter at full tilt. Should everyone think about it next week, please thank Jeff, and buy him a drink at the bar after the race.

The quotes were flying yesterday. “I love my wife and son and I really like these Wednesday night races,” said Len Bose at the start of the night. Next was Carley Simmons “ Look daddy we are going to hit that nice red boat” and at the fourth start Chuck hit the line at full speed and you could hear Carley “ ZOOOOOOOOOM!” I know I said this last year although when you have two teams sailing with there kids, Team Nesbit and Davidson trading the helm with Ryan taking a second place in the first race, Ryan is one of BYC’s top junior sailors, and Chris Nesbit winning the second race.

You blend this all together with a fantastic sunset while we are putting the boats away over the clubs load speaker comes the “ Attention on deck” for the flag lowering ceremonies followed by the Horse track tune of “Their off” rather than the normal tune and you have GOOD TIMES at the yacht club. Of course this was followed by one of the better quotes of the night while Nancy Davidson was helping the fleet by operating the crane and lifting the boats out of the water, Kelsy Cochran centerboard was not all the way up. After Kelsy team mate Kelly pulled the board up Nancy looks down from the cranes operating spot and asks me “Hey Len, is that all the way up” not knowing what she was referring to I had to laugh which of course lead to a load round of laughter on the docks. From there we all headed up to the bar and then to dinner. I trust that our flag officers at BYC are noticing the 20 extra people at dinner and in the bar? The fleet will grow to 50 people within the next couple of weeks!

The amount of people does not matter because the time spent around the dinner table is as about as much fun as on the water. I would also like to thank John Papadopoulos for buying dinner for the table last night. GOOD TIMES and I look forward to seeing more of you soon!


SEA YA!

Len Bose
boseyachts@mac.com
(714) 751-6121


Len Lesson # 5 " Life is short, therefore one should sail more often."

&
# 76 "Where not here for the apple turnovers"





WED...WIND VARIABLE 10 KT OR LESS...BECOMING W 10 KT IN THE AFTERNOON.



I had three deals close this last week and fell behind on my write ups.



3-12-08 Balboa Yacht Club & Fleet 1. M Mark at 1730 had seven teams show up for the first race of summer sailing. The breeze was light and shifty and always threatening to fill in from the west at about seven knots. This kept race committee Jeff Keenan on his toes and looking for a twice around course and passing out beverages to all the participants. Unfortunately after the second lap the wind dissipated to nothing and the current brought us all to the finish line.

We had Christopher Rulla show up with his wife. Chris is a long time fleet one member that works up in LA and has found a place to keep his boat at BCYC. John Fradkin had the person that bought his old boat, sorry I forgot your name, with him and will be joining in on our fun. Chris Nesbit and Paps were sailing together so I believe both will be sailing their own boats this week. Along with Kelsey Cochran who came by and said hello and informed us she will be out this week.

SO! Tomorrow we should have over 10 teams showing up, Killian, Fradkin, Papadopoulos, Kent, Bose, Rulla, McRae, Gerry, Cochran and Nesbit. We are still looking for Heim, Yates, Thorone, Zuelsdorf, Walters, Gaudio, Robertson, Hunter, Johnson,Ford and Simmons.

I want to write more but I am late again.





SEA YA



03/01-02/08-Newpor Beach, CA Newport Harbor Yacht Club Schock Regatta 2008. This year’s race had it all plus more than what was presented in the brochure. With overcast skies and winds out of the southwest along with the promise of Santa Ana winds on Sunday it was anyone’s guess on what the weather was going to-do. I was greeted with the normal warm welcome from event chairs, Ann & Kurt Wiese. I then made the standard enquire about the weather and Kurt response was with a smile and a “Uuhhhhhh”. For those of you know Kurt he is not a person with a lack of words. I replied, “ I have to assume that means-who the heck knows -what we will get this weekend” “Exactly” Kurt replied.


Day one started with an 8-9 breeze out of the south and a windward leeward twice around racecourse. It’s been brought to my attention that when the fleet races within the mooring fields, protests seem to fly. This was exactly what happened to Ryan Davidson and I on the last run approaching the leeward mark in 2nd place with a very short beat to the finish. Although not sure if I had committed a foul, not giving enough room to a weather boat at an obstruction, and being the start of a long regatta I decide to do my 720. Afterwards a witness told us we had given plenty of room, although this did not make me feel any better I did learn a lesson. When you are doing your circles sail well out of the way because on my second circle I truly fouled Eric Heim but fortunately Eric did not say anything.


Speaking of Eric he has sure taken his skill to the next level and is sailing better than most. Eric and crew, Aimee Graham threw out their first race 4th place finish then completed the event with 2,1,4,1,2. With shifty conditions and a number of light wind races team Heim & Graham were off the starting line consistently in good shape and finding the first shift. Then there was Team Little consisting of Bob and his young children sailing at the top of the fleet. While rounding weather marks you could hear Bob “Bobby PLEASE give me the pole back” and “keep your head down”. The best quotes of the regatta came from Saylor Little while fighting through no breeze on day one “Is this the doldrums?” How Team Little continues to stay at the top of the fleet in a VERY competitive class makes one smile in envy. Team Little also had the hindsight to return to the dock after race one on Sunday before all hell broke loose.
What happens next was something that only occurs twice a decade we won the next race! I need to be serious now, what happen next is that the Santa Ana winds finally made it down onto the racecourse with a huge gust of breeze. This led me to capsizing with a number of masts breaking. Two very important lessons need to be remembered. 1. Keep a small bucket in your boat. 2. Chase boats must have the proper tools on board when all hell breaks lose. Don’t get me wrong NHYC had the chase boats and I am very fortunate one was present at my capsize. We must continue to remember the importance to the properly prepared chase boat.
The feel good quote was truly actions taken by the class members to help one another during the number of puffs that rolled across the bay. Once we finally made it back to the dock I had two people helping bail the boat. Other people were rolling my sails. As I stood on the dock wide eyed taking in all that just happened. The competitiveness was set aside and a true Corinthian sprit was felt throughout the fleet. This felt good and big thank you goes out to the whole class for stepping up to the task at hand.

OK, Let’s get this party started! A week from today is the first of the Fleet 1 early twilights starting at M mark at 5:30 Wednesdays. Last year we were able to produce up to four to five races a night with as many as 18 boats showing one night. Lets do it again. Look for fleet rallying letters on Monday and recap on Thursday.

SEA YA


Len Bose



PS. I thought it would be fun to share the email I sent to my crew on Monday. Thanks again Ryan.

Hey Ryan,

I can’t tell you how thankful I am you sailed with me this weekend. I have been through a number of times when the wind has caught me off guard like that and you did and outstanding job understanding the situation and solving the problem.

You kept your cool, communicated in a calm voice and solved a number of issues we were having on the boat during that puff. These our things that separate the men from the boys and you stepped up.

I am sure your folks are very proud of you at everything you do "well done".

Your "thankful' friend

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

THE Mast Head Issue # 11 Jack London "Strictly Sail" Boat Boat Show



A good client and friend of mine met me, Tuesday to list his boat and discuss what he wanted in his next boat. The conversation quickly went to what can be seen at the Strictly Sail Show at Jack London Square in Alameda California. “Lets go?” he said, and all the reasons not to go went through my head as I replied “Suuurrre!”. So let me get to the point of this piece, was it worth $ 250 in airline tickets, $ 60 in rental car, going through airport security, and a day away from the office? YES.
What did I see? Sailboats lot’s of Sailboats with small sport boats taking people for a sail to old boats before my time. All the electronics and options one could wish for. If we were pushing large carts around I would have felt like I was in Costco. I wanted it all with too much to report from chamois to the newest satellite communications, routing programs along with what is the best type of hose to use in the head to keep the smells down. I only had three hours before my flight home so I headed back to the docks to look at all the boats.


Along the way we noticed the Santa Cruz booth with the new drawings from Tim Kernan. It was kind of like driving down PCH when summer starts. I could not help to stop and look at the sexy girl on the boardwalk. The funny thing was the person in front of me stopped and I ran into the back of him. While we both paused, on the best way to approach the booth, and not appear to be the dirty old men that we are. I then met Tom Slade. Tom took us through the booth and explained the concept behind the new boats and with eleven boats on order. I have to think this is the next new boat for many reasons. Tim Kernan design can go point to point, around the cans and the interior is something you will want to spend the night on.


The other boat or mistress of the show was the Andrews 28 built by Sylvana Yachts. One can keep this boat on a trailer, race her and cruise her in comfort now that’s value. I also liked the rudder system you have to go check this boat out if you go to the show this weekend. So with a quick look at my watch I am now down to an hour. The Beneteau, Jeanneau and Hanse displays are what also caught my eye along with the number of cruising catamarans. This was the first time in awhile I noticed Hunter and Catalina take second row in their displays. My time was up and I needed more time.

Lens lessons from the show. I needed a whole day at the show not just three hours. I would have taken a taxi from the airport and back when I noticed the lack of parking. This was kind of funny because as I ended parking three blocks up and took my watch off for the walk to the show. Will I return? YES, Should you go? YES. If you find yourself wanting a sailboat within the next two years you must go. Asking yourself, what about the economy? It’s always better to buy in a down market. Look at the resale value of the entire product from 1990-1995 it has had the highest demand over the last ten years.

SEA YA

Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Mast Head Issue # 10 Newport Boat Show



35th Annual Newport Boat Show.

Yep, It’s the BIG YACHT SHOW and I am sure you have read all the press releases about the debut of some of the world’s newest, largest, sportiest and luxurious yachts.
Yes, they are all here and I have spent the last two days walking around and getting ready for the show. Most of you know I try to write from a route not taken before and after twenty years of doing these shows let me try to describe some of the lessons learned. These lessons are from where to park, how to search, how to view, who to bring with you and what shoes to wear.

Parking is like buying wine at a restaurant and if you’re like me I would rather pay the corkage fee rather than pay four times the retail value. If you come to the show during the week park across the street off of Short street which is located to the west of Via Lido. Parking is easy most days if you arrive after 12:30 because of street sweeping on Friday. If you are coming to the show on the weekend the Newport City lot is open to the public although the hunting is a little thin because a number of people have figured this out already. It’s still worth throwing a line out and seeing if you can get lucky with a fly by and snag a spot.

For the buyers, I recommend coming to the show the day before it opens and walk around. This gives you a chance to look, without the crowds and salesmen, it’s free and easy to take a quick look around. Over the years I have sold three boats the day before the show opens. You can also call the listing agent and I am sure they will have passes for you at will call before the show opens the next day. That night go to yachtworld.com and do a search for the boat and start writing down your questions.

To board most yachts you will asked to take your shoes off so the best thing to do is wear something that is easy to slip on and off. I find sandals or even better yet would be new pair of Croc’s with socks on.

Now please don’t take me wrong, but kids under twelve really don’t want to spend the day at the boat show and your spouse really does want to be part of your decision in choosing the proper yacht. Keep in mind its better for the boat to be called “OUR BOAT” not “ YOUR BOAT”. After you have an acceptance of offer, YOU BET, bring the kids down to family’s new boat and start planning your first trip to Catalina.

For the dreamers, this is a very important part of the sale and we brokers welcome everyone to come down to the show. Take a look at all the different boats and start defining how you would like to use the boat and then start to recognize the different brokers. Nothing makes me feel better than when a prospect tells me they have been reading my ads and seeing me at the shows for the last twenty years and ready to buy now.

What’s at this years show? Lots of big power boats and not that many sailboats. There are a number of good mid sized trawlers. I also noticed that there are not that many mid sized, 40 -50, late model sport fishers. I can’t help but notice the number of lobster or picnic boats to look at. I found some expedition style yachts of interest and a number bay boats that look like to much fun. Of course there are tons of express cruisers in all sizes. Also the first two people to drop me an email will have a pair of passes waiting for them at will call.

So let your dreams start today and just keep in mind that time on the water keeps you young.

SEA Ya at the show

Friday, March 28, 2008

Cabo 08 My Picks


" THE 1985 CABO RACE ABOARD AMANTE"


Cabo 2008

The weather looks good, the entry list is full and a lot of competitors have been working hard to prepare the yachts properly. This piece is done in fun, and I normally get a number of stern looks from people when I pick my favorites.

First to Finsh
That’s a no brainier with no other yachts 80ft. Magnitude is striving for a new course record.

Maxi
All great boats with top shelf owners and navigators with world-class crew. Always fun to watch from my armchair and this class will be won by Peligroso. Mike Campbell and crew won this class a month ago to PV and have to be the favorites this time. I will be pulling for Medicine Man. I know owner Bob Lane has been continuing to keep his boat updated and has been participating in every event on the schedule. I’d like to see Medman win this won.

Class A
Another close class with world class sailors. The favorite has to be Holua; I am not going to bet against Mark Rudiger and Ullman, would you? I will assume the boys on Grand Illusion will keep Mark looking over his shoulder and certainly DC knows the way to Cabo. Rudiger made some fun audio reports from the boat in the PV race and I hope BYC has set up the same thing.

Class B
Now this is where I spent most of my years racing down to the cape aboard Santa Cruz 50’s. It’s going to be a close race for second place. No one has beaten the J 125 Reinrag2 and with the forecast showing breeze for the Friday starters this J 125 is my pick for overall. My gut tells me it will be a close race between the DK 46 and the Santa Cruz 50 Horizon. I don’t know the guys from the DK but they did very good a couple of years ago. Now the Horizon team has been together for a number of yeas and like I have said before no one prepares a boat better than Jon Champaign. This has to be Horizon turn for 2nd. The Andrews 39 Bien Roulee will show some speed although the crew is new to the boat. They should stay within striking distance for third.

Class C
This class will also be fun to watch. The boys from Paddy Wagon are fast along with the boys from Entropy. Place this all together and I have to go with Resolute the J 122. Now I can’t tell you why and it should be a close race with Entropy and if the breeze holds up over 18 to the finsh Paddy will be on their heels. Close and fun to watch, but if I was a betting man I would have to go with the J 122.



Class D
Well Between the Sheets has to be the favorite. Although one of my best friends Dan Rossen is sailing his B32 Problem Child and he has to have breeze all the way to the finish to get between the sheets, no pun intended. Reliance will be hanging and if the crew fly’s the blooper when the breeze is up they should be at the pedestal.

27 Mexico Races & Counting


" THE 1985 CABO RACE ABOARD AMANTE"

Now that I have reached the age of forty something and survived the IOR 1980’s, The Fabulous 50’s in the 1990’s and now in the 2000’s the Cabo Sun is back. With NHYC revitalizing the Cabo race during Trans Pac years the race down the Mexican coast is back with a vengeance. It’s been wonderful for the local sailboat market with the return of the ULDB 70’s and 50’s and the increase in new boat sales. It’s terrific ocean racing that generates true yachtsman.
What I will do in this blurb is go through the years, highlight the good and difficult times down the racecourse.


CABO 1985

1980’s

Back in the day when IOR was king and the competition was keen. We raced three times a year down the Mexican coast with these big old rigs, small mains, big spinnakers and two types of staysails and bloopers. During this time keeping the mast dry was always a challenge. A Sat nav unit cost ten grand and it gave you a fix from time to time if you were lucky. We even carried our water and threw or trash overboard. The best part of the race was the numbers in competition with over 15 boats in each class with almost 60 boats competing in each race.
I started on the Peterson 48 AMANTE with three first overall wins in the March NHYC Cabo race in 83, 85, and 87 a couple middle of the pack finishes in the November LBYC to Cabo race. I sailed on the training ship ALETA a Peterson 45 a number of times to Cabo and Manzanillo.
The 1985 Cabo race was one to remember. At the start we had 15+ knots of true wind and it built to 30 that night. Lesson learned on this one was to go big early and hang on, not always the smart idea, but we made it through the night and had forty miles on competition. With a big breeze race it was easy to finish from there. The LBYC race on the even years was in November and that is just not the time of year for breeze. I recall going into the fourth day after having some breeze past Cedros and just hitting the wall. The little boats would sail up behind you and everyone would float in at once.
The finish is always a challenge at Falso. The best bet is to take the corner close and with one foot on the beach. One year on the mighty “ALETA” we took Falso a little to wide, maybe a half-mile off the beach. Roll call that mooring we were 1st in class and 1st overall. We sat out there all day and watched one boat after the other sail past us on the beach. That was the year BLONDIE was 1st to finish and the owners other boat RAGTIME won overall, what a party.


Craig Fletcher & Len Bose 1985

The raft up was always the challenge, sixty boats all lined up next to each other and you had to step from one boat to the other. I recall a number of friends falling through hatches, sleeping on the wrong boat, catching people at unusual moments or acts. One of the better stories was on a PV race when everyone just got the shit kicked out of them from cobo to PV going backward in a HUGE swell then finding a place out of the storm then finshing two days later. This Olson 30 made it to the finsh when most people hung in the towel. After the race, while cleaning, the owner was in the most forward part of the bow, in an Olson30, when he mistakenly engaged the emergency life raft. I guess you just had to be their after coming from the bar and seeing the owners face yelling for help and cutting his way through the raft. To complete the 80’s I did the NHYC Cabo race in 89 with Pete Heck on a Tartan 40 at the beginning of IMS. Not that a Tartan 40 is an IMS boat, anything but. The moment to remember was when we were coming into Falso and had to gybe to the finsh. The blooper had to come down and that met we were going to crash. Pete Heck was driving and we did this monster round down, water everywhere and everyone holding on. Pete just calmly looks up to the bowman and said trip. Fifty yards from the sand and we rolled our way to the finsh. After this race I was able to drive any boat, in any wind.




BAYWOLF AT FALSO 1999


1990’s

The 90’s were the years for the Fabulous Fifty’s Fleet. Boats like SC 50’s, JJ Flash a Davidson 50, Climax a Barnett 50, Andrews 56’s, a couple N/M 55’s, and a Farr 55 lead to good racing. Of course this was the time of the 70’s fleet for the big guys and to tell you the truth I still like driving a SC 50 more than a 70, call me crazy? GPS’s are now on the seen with water makers and the competitors are all staying closer to each other. I can still remember Steve Steiner aboard “BLACK SLIVER” the Farr 55 “ cracking up the whole fleet with his performance over the SSB. The Cabo race from NHYC lasted until 1997 and I was onboard BAYWOLF the SC 50 that year with one of the best finishes yet. JJ Flash and BAYWOLF were rated equal and we were in a tacking duel with JJ at Falso. Only about 10 miles from the finsh and JJ passed us going to weather. We threw in a quick tack back towards the beach and JJ’s Main splits in half and we win overall, Great race! One of the other races was the LBYC Cabo race around Guadalupe. Only thing to say about that race is I am glad that fell through the cracks. Although the classic was when the smaller sled CHEETA a Peterson 66 cleaned everyone clocks by sailing outside of San Clemente Island and stole the race from all the newer 70’s. The party after that race with the CHEETA crew would fill pages.


Buddy Richley & Len Bose 1993 NHYC WYLIE 46 HEARBEAT

A pattern started to develop; Cabo now had its marina, and wanted nothing to do with a bunch of cheap sailors. So the races started to finsh in Mazatlan, PV and Manzanillo. This was all good other than having to start in February and trying to make it across the gulf, which seems to never happen. During this time, I started to pay closer attentions to navigation and who was the person too beat. It always seems to come down to having to beat Tom Leweck or Pete Heck for overall. During this time we learned to take Cabo tight only for the Mazatlan race. If you took Cabo tight for the PV race you would end up at the Marias Island’s and your race is over. It pays to stay about 20 miles off Cabo and sail low of rum line and reach up in the light wind at the finsh. We leaned the hard way in 1999 watching the J 160 BUSHWACKER with Tom Leweck sailing low after the cape and just killing it. It’s been years since I sailed into Manzanillo and I was never at the chart table in the early 90’s although I remember light winds across the gulf and ending up at some airport just in a world of hurt. The idea was to sail low of rum line after the cape and reach up in the light winds just like PV.




"If you look close, the blue chute is BUSHWACKER in the 1999 PV off Cedros"




2000

In 2001 I was sailing with SC 50 “BAYWOLF”. The owner of the boat is Kirk Wilson
“ Captain Kirk” as we call him and the captain was on fire, we were sailing in the MDR to PV race and we were hitting every shift. We sailed low at the start and sailed through the lee of Catalina like we knew what we were doing, we had a five-mile lead on OCTAVIA the first night. We fell into the grove and were sailing away from shore at night and back to shore during the day. OCTAVIA is the best-sailed SC 50’s of the 90’s and the first part of 2000 and we had speed on her. We held our lead until we hit Cedros where she rolled us that night and put five miles on us. By the end of day four she had eight miles on us and increased her lead to twenty miles on us by day five. We were sailing lower than her and found ourselves thirty miles south of her and twenty behind to start day five. If you recall we learned a big lesson in 1999 and we kept clear of the cape and played or card the last day of the race. Of course the wind was light and we were sailing on a much closer reach than OCTAVIA. Because the two boats had been pushing each other we had sailed into the class ahead of us in PHRF A. Class A consisted of such boats as LOCOMOTION, WASABI, FALCON, ROSEBUD, and CANTATA just to name a few. Captain Kirk was let down by us being twenty miles behind OCTAVIA going into the last day. One thing you have to remember in a Mexico race and that is “the race is not over until it’s over”. We had been monitoring the VHF as we entered Banderas Bay. Kirk and I were coming off watch when we heard FALCON and LOCOMOTION give their five miles out report. You never saw two people come ripping out of their bunks any faster and head for the GPS. We were only ten miles out but where is OCTAVIA? Had they finished? With five miles to go, sailing through the fog, Caption Kirk reached for the VHF mic to report that we were five miles out and just then OCTAVIA reported their five-mile report. We had them because they owed us an hour. So we held on to our five-mile report until we were three miles out. Now, we were sailing in a fog and could not see shit! Keeping our ears to VHF we were a half-mile from the finish when the fog lifted and there was OCTAVIA on Starboard tack headed for the finsh line. As we got closer we found we could not cross her and wanted to do a lee bow on her but we had her on time and did not want to foul her by tacking to close so we elected to duck. To say the least, tension was high on the boat, as we had to dump the main to duck her and then tack over to starboard to finsh. Just as we tacked OCTAVIA finished we came in 30 seconds later. Great race and they were pissed because they owed us time, fuck it! WE WON and placed second overall to an Open 50 “ESTRANGER” that had her rating raised by over a minute a mile the next race. We had sailed a great race and beat some very good people. IT FELT GOOD!


" Captain Kirk" At THE START OF THE 2001 PV RACE"


October of 2002 came around and someone from NHYC and LBYC thought it was a good idea to sail to NAVIDAD in November. The ninety were still very clear in my head and I wanted nothing to-do with that race with only eleven boats showing up and absolutely no wind across the gulf. You might notice that NHYC and LBYC have dropped this race. At the time, I was sitting behind my desk, playing arm chair navigator and came up with the following:


In 2003 was the MDR to PV race with a total of 9 boats entered “wow” what fun again sailing through the gulf in February. BAYWOLF almost won it again but fell into a hole in Banderas and had HORION sail up behind her and held on to her time. Funny how things work.

Well its 2005 and NHYC starts the Cabo race back up in Trans Pac year and sailing in March. What a great race! Lots of wind, lots of boats and it feels like were back in the 80’s. Although this time I am on a Nordic 40 double handed. We’re the only double- handed entry and we were sailing in class C. AMERACAP loves the slow cruising boat and its blowing, perfect!
The only problem is we are double-handed and its blowing like shit. Day one after roll call and we are 3rd in class and forth overall. This goes on until day three and now the shit hits the fan as we hit over thirty knots of breeze and some of the best waves I have seen in years. Man I love sailing off shore past Cedros Island. We have to gybe and rap the chute and end up having to cut it away. We set the 1.5 and held on through the night. HUGE waves and I am driving for over 10 hours and pissing on the wheel. We finally take the 1.5 down and wing and wing it through the next night. Thinking we are out of the race we wake up the next morning to find ourselves still third in class and seventh overall, back up goes the 1.5 and if we can hold on with the breeze we might get back into 5th overall. Were sailing in 30 plus knots of breeze again and we hit the wall off Matancitas and come to a full stop. Working our way down the course about another 20 miles and were in the shit again and crash hard. Down comes the 1.5 and we have the 155% poled out in 30+ knots of breeze. The crash took about two hours to come out of and we finished 3rd in class and ninth overall out of sixty boats, not bad for a first try at off shore double-hand.
The key to double handed sailing is time with the autopilot!


" 2005 3rd PLACE IN CLASS C"


CONCLUSHION
Well were getting ready for the San Diego to PV race due to go off in the end of February. I hate racing in February and sailing through the gulf. The problem is, I love sailing this J 125. Great boat, shitty Harken bearing and rudder design. Fortunately we have Jon Shampain setting the boat up for us and he is the man! We have Craig Chamberlain going, Dan Rossen, and Jon Shampain along with the Shanner Family we should be tough.
The big question is, what is BYC thinking? By overlapping a race down to Cabo only three weeks after the PV race. At first glance one has to think that this is a bad idea to conflict the two races. This may lead to burn out? The bottom line is that racing to PV and across the gulf in February really sucks. So if San Diego Yacht Club thinks that’s what the people want, that’s fine. The truth to the matter is, Cabo is a much better race and it should play out to be the better for the sport and make better yachtsman of all of us. You can email me at boseyachts@mac.com during the race and tell us how were doing.

Thanks
Len Bose

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

NEW LISTING 1985 35’ Scanmar Center Cockpit


TWO OWNER BOAT MUST SELL NOW! She is clean simple and the perfect performance cruising yacht. Ideal for the live a board or for the person that is really going to push off the dock. Fresh sails, new dodger, fresh canvas, radar, water maker, solar panel, autopilots. Clean straightforward boat, come down and take a look. GREAT VALUE!

Friday, March 07, 2008

NEW LISTING 2007 Beneteau 36.7

BETTER THAN NEW!




This Farr designed racer cruiser is perfect for the discriminating owner who wants it all. Class racing, family cruising and the ability to win any point-to-point race. At 78 PHRF these boats are very easily sailed to their rating with an amenable amount of crew. Always a pleasure to pull up to the yacht club after any type of day sailing. Please note that this boat is priced well below replacement cost and is in better than new condition.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The Masthead Issue # 9 2-26-08 MAXIMS




Feb.26 2008 Tuesday morning 7:30 AM, Newport Beach City Council Chambers Task Force Newport in regards to the enforcement of the speed limit in Newport Bay.

MAXIMS
Extracted from conversations and the thick head of Len Bose.

I
“ Push deputy in corner, you’re going to lose the campaign”

Ralph Rodheim chairmen of the Joint Task Force Newport deservers a “well done” for controlling this mornings meeting. With over fifty people attending this morning's roll call. The issues were then laid on the table with a short & long-term task force starting to form. The short-term task force will be focusing on saving this season bay racing. The Long Term Task force is to keep this issue from returning.

Harbor Master Deana Bergquist was the first speaker and opened the meeting with a review of most of the tasks assigned to the Harbor Department. I am starting to understand the difficulties of this issue and heard the concern or nervousness in the captain’s voice while making her presentation. One wonders if the Captain has the proper set of tools to complete her task?

While looking across the chambers I started to ask myself if we were doing the right thing by placing the harbor department in a room full of grumpy old sailors? I noticed a number of people rubbing their faces while questions were being asked, has if we were at traffic school and you had the sudden urge to change seats. Don’t take me wrong; I understand in a public forum everyone gets his or her three minutes. I am just starting to question our route to this waypoint. Its like the Trans Pac Race after day three, you can only hope you're on the best course because it’s a long way to the finish.

Like in any race you push on and look for the next wind shift. Many of you have seen me sail to one side of the course, then to the other side of the course, with normally the same result. I just hope this time it’s a tie with the finsh line being a better working relationship between the Harbor Department and the yachtsman.

Keep checking your routing programs to see what tack I'm on after next weeks meeting

SEA YA!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

"The Masthead" Issue # 8 2-13-08 "I would like to report a near miss"



Wednesday night “Joint Task Force Newport” was created and has been assigned the task of evaluating sailboat " racing" activities in the harbor and provides future recommended actions. In a unanimous decision the Newport Harbor Commission has asked commission member Ralph Rodheim to lead a group of stakeholders to this task and report back to the commission at a later date.

The Council chambers were full by 1830 with a number of people standing in the halls. In attendance were past Americas Cup Skippers , yacht builders, yacht designers, charter boat owners and sabot sailors . A number of people stood up asking “why the strict enforcement of the speed limit”. Speakers hitting the nail on the head were Andy Rose, Tom Smith and Rodger MacGregor. With Andy and Tom speaking of City and County codes while Roger pointed out the damage that is occurring now by the Harbor Department and asked to put this issue to bed quickly. All three speakers were met with large round of applause after their presentations. Towards the end of public comments, Harbor Master Deana Bergquist presented herself to the commission. Her presentation lasted close to ten minutes and unfortunately I did not really understand what she was trying to say. She encourages staff recommendation to evaluate sailboat racing activities and plans on attending and participating within this committee. She will continue to enforce the speed limit for the public safety and will review the marine event applications on a case-by-case basis. The Captains loudest response came from the comment that no other harbor in Southern California allows sailboat racing within their harbor.

Commissioner Beek asked “Lets just change it back to the way it was”. Member Collins asked for a “cooling off period and continue with the old permit and speed enforcement until this was out of committee”. While member Rhyne expressed the need for the change in ordinance.

My thoughts are we need the change in ordinance so that we do not have to go through this again. I want to race in the bay this summer because I don’t have time to miss a summer of sailing with my son. Where do we stand at this moment? My guess is we won't find out until the first race of beer cans in May.

Sea Ya at the Mid Winters, I will be racing my boat inside the bay in Alamitos

Monday, February 11, 2008

"The Masthead" Issue # 7 2-11-08 "Its going to get ugly"



I am sure you will all remember the Cuban Missile Standoff of the 1960s, and then the term Mexican Standoff of the 1970s, and I am sure none of you will ever forget the Surf Board Standoff on Oahu’s North Shore. Well, the Newport Standoff may begin this Wednesday night at 6:00 Pm in the Newport City Council Chambers.

On one side of the table you will have the Newport Harbor Master Deana Bergquist, Assistant Harbor Master Erin Giudice, and Sergeant Steven McCormick. The Harbor Department will be presenting their concerns in "insuring public safety".

On the other side of the table will be every sailor in Newport Beach and Southern California wondering why the sudden change in policy? Keelboats have been racing in Newport Harbor for over a hundred years – what is necessitating a change now? What pressing and urgent safety issue is taking precedence over a long, successful and prestigious boating heritage?

And finally, in the middle you will have the City of Newport Beach, the Newport Harbor Commission and City Staff wondering “What happened to our peaceful harbor?” Weren’t we doing fine 2 or 3 years ago?



Recently the Harbor Department has changed their interpretation of a number of policies and the one bringing the issue to a boil is enforcing the speed limit for sailboats racing in the bay. This strict enforcement of the 5 MPH will shut down all keelboat racing in Newport Harbor. That’s right, no Monday night American Legion races, and no Beer Can races this summer. I am sure someone else will point out all the other type of boating that exceeds the speed limit, and if we have to stop exceeding the speed limit why don’t they have to as well?


What’s the right thing to do? I have no idea; but this one has the potential to get ugly! The best answer to solve this problem has come from Tom Rossmiller, the Harbor Resource Manager for the city of Newport Beach who suggests the establishment of a stakeholder list, and set up a meeting to determine various concerns and perceptions of this issue and talk it out.

The only comment I can make at this time is EVERYONE MUST attend this Harbor Commission Meeting this Wednesday night and try not to come into the room with both guns blazing. It will be hard for me and many other boaters to do this, but it’s truly time to listen to the facts, perceptions and the details that have led up to this potential impasse and try to come to some sort of compromise.

Also, if you think about it, the way the lower bay is filling up with sediment and the lack of funding for dredging this might be all a muddied point anyway?


Please, let us take the time to address all needs of the use of our beautiful harbor, and yet honor and continue the traditions from our long and remarkable past. Newport City Hall 3300 Newport Blvd. Newport Beach, CA 92663

Sunday, February 10, 2008

NEW LISTING 1984 Nelson Marek 55




Owner wants her sold! Its always about timing so if you want a performance cruiser or you want to do this years Mexico races and this years Pacific Cup now is the time to find this great Value! Easy to show located in Newport Beach. ASKING $ 149,000

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

The Masthead Issue # 3 January 08



Welcome aboard “ The Masthead” this week’s route took us around Newport Bay with some extended legs out for some race results from Malibu, Alamitos Bay and Newport Beach. Like any news story I will save the best for last.


While cruising the bay last week I kept coming up with questions that will take some time to answer and are truly better not asked. But, never being afraid to ask the dumb questions let’s see how hard aground I can go, so full steam ahead! The Castaways area in the northwest corner of the PCH Bridge has been donated from the Irvine Company to the City Of Newport Beach. This is great place for a launch ramp, although the question came up is there enough parking? Well we all know there is never enough parking, so what is the best use for this area? Here is my thought! An enclosed storage area, like what they have in Florida, with boat racks lining the perimeter stacked four boats high. Now here is the part that will throw all the water over my bow. I would like to see slips put in along cliffs, at least up until you reach the homes off Dover. I am sure this will raise the water temperature of a lot of people so let’s continue our cruise around the bay and see if I can’t find some sort of faster moving water?

If the Back Bay Science Center was built for O.C., U.C.I., Fish & Game, Wildlife Foundation, Newport Naturalists and friends? Why is there a big gate, which is closed during the day, with a sign that reads enter by appointment only! OK now that my bilge pump alarm has gone off let me ask one more question this week…



With the “Ecosystem Restoration Project” in the Back Bay and the DD-M Crane & Rigging doing all the heavy lifting who checks in with this contractor? It reads as if we have a lot of Admirals on the bridge, but who is truly running this ship? I am sure the answer is right in front of me like the noise my Co2 alarm is making now. I’ll just stay on course and be happy to have clean moving water. Ecosystem I was also wondering who named all those islands?

Let me get back to the autopilot and give you the race results from this last weekend. Reports from the Malibu and return race was that the energy was high the winds we light and it was cold. Med Man was second boat to finish behind Magnitude 80 and held on to her time to win class A. Results are atDRYC .


ABYC and USC were running the Rose Bowl. This event is one of the larger College and High school events on the West Coast sailed in FJ’s. My sources tell me there are a lot of things going on behind the scene. Meaning that there is a lot of recruiting going on by the East Coast College Teams. I like to check in on the latest sailing fashions so my son, ya right, has all the cool stuff this coming season. For the full report go to Rosebowl As for the Sunkist report I am running out of room. All I can say is energy is high within the fleets and the local sailors are looking forward to the upcoming season. Go to BYC for results.

Sea Ya