OPEN 50 For Sale!

Have you ever had the dream to compete in the Open class with a short handed crew? Do you want to race in point to point races with only a crew of 5 or less? Would you like to compete within the 50’ Ultra light class? Yes, “Fast is Fun” and surfing is even better!

Originally named “Newcastle Australia” then purchased by Philippe Kahn who gave her an extensive refit with Carbon Mast, Boom and Head, Alan Andrews Rudder and Keel. She has more sail area than most Open 50’s, along with her narrow beam, single rudder she is perfect for West Coat Offshore events! Fixed keel with water ballast makes her one of the easiest Open boat’s to jump onto and see if you have what it takes?

ASKING $ 185,000  

Hit "MY LISTING" to the right for the spec sheet!

ALL IN! "2006 FLASHBACK with Nick Scandone"

On Thursday June 8 about 10:00 A.M. the phone rings “ Len it’s Nick, can you go to Connecticut with me on Monday for nine days? Jerry Thomson hurt his shoulder and I need someone to help me out. There is a boat you can use in the race” It took me about two seconds, “I’m in, just let me run it by my family”. About two hours later I called Nick to let him know I was all in and to go over the schedule and what I needed to bring. First thing Nick told me was gloves and a good spray guard top. At first I thought I could pull out a top five finish but I was soon informed at Beercans that night that I would be lapped by Nick and would have my tail handed to me. I thought it was good idea to practice on Nick’s back up boat that was still at Balboa Yacht Club that Saturday. Getting into the boat I kind of felt like one of those big headed sports cartoon commercials. After about three hours of practice I learned four things I needed. Gloves, Spray top, learn how to drive this thing straight and how to get my big head under the boom. At this point I still had dreams of placing in the top seven. Like any good one design boat, a lot of time is needed for boat preparation and leaving the dock in good order. If you’re setting on sheets, halyards and dock lines and extra parts it makes for a tough start, which I came to learn very fast. The 2.4mR is not all that easy to sail. At a leeward mark rounding you have to move the mast aft, tighten up your outhaul, put on your back stay, retract the whisker pole, main & jib in, and keep the boat going straight. Try it sometime and you will see what it entails.

June 12& 13. Nick and I land at JFK and make it hotel without getting lost and over to the Noroton Yacht Club the following day to rig Nicks boat and get it ready for the race. After washing, silicone waxing and Mclubing all the moving parts Nick was ready for the race. Just then Peter Wilson came up and said hello to Nick and introduced himself. This is when I first saw the boat I was going to use this weekend. Expecting an old dog barley able to get out of it own way I was presently surprised to see a very lightly use one year old boat. Just then Tom Sergo, the owner of the boat, came up and introduced himself. Everything looked like brand new from sails to extra parts and everything was made available to my use.

Its amazing the respect you get when your hanging out with the world champion and Rolex yachtsmen of the year. After Tom left I looked at Nick “ Great, I said, now I have to worry about what I am going to break” Nick laughed and we pushed the boats over to the crane and splashed the boats. Nick and I are out about a mile offshore catching the last race of practice that day. After the race Nick and I elect to stay out and do some straight line tuning. We had been sailing for about thirty minutes and Nick is circling back to line up next to me when BLAM! . Nick, “ What the hell was that?” I said “ What do you mean what the hell was that, what the hell is a rock doing way in the hell out here”. We return back to the yacht club and on hauling out I find out that I will need a fiberglass guy. Just as we haul the boat out Nick looks over and asked Gene Hinkel if he can help me with my blunder. By half way through the next day Gene had repaired my boat and it looked like new. Nothing better than hanging out with the Yachtsman of the year especially when you have to call the owner of the boat and tell him you just sailed his new boat into a rock. Fortunately, Tom was way cool about it and even let me continue to use his boat.

June 15
1st day racing with wind coming in from the north, over the land, and creating large shifts, with a strong current through out the day. 1st race is blowing 12 to 16 from the north with the swell beginning to build. Big starting line and starting in the middle of the line most of the day, heading to the left side of the course and tacking in the shifts to stay in the middle of the course so you don’t get killed from one side or the other or over stand because of current. I missed the first two big shifts just trying to drive the boat in 16 knots of breeze, trying not to hit anyone and sail. Nick was in third and second most of the race and on the first beat he over stood the weather mark, because of the current, and lost five boats and finished tenth in that race.
2nd race 1st day, wind now up to 17 with puffs to 21. Nick takes off with the top four boats and these guys are in their own league and take a big lead and hold it to the finsh with Nick taking a 4th this race. Way back in the fleet I round 11th after the first beat and while heading down the first run the wind stays around 12 to 15 no problem. Just I approach the leeward gate and pick the right mark of the gate and try to get in on the inside of Peter Wilson we get hit by a 21 knot puff that brings back memories of the old IOR days with the rolling from side to side now just 10 boat lengths from the mark I go in to this HUGE round down and no idea were I will end up. Looking for the weather side to hold on to I some how come out of the roll, flat and flying at the mark and leave Pete about three boat lengths behind and going to the left mark. Somehow I think Pete was just trying to keep out of my way, when I got to the mark I was in fourth place and started on the second beat and again blew it at the end of the beat and rounded 9th and proceeded to lose two boats on the run and had my best finish of 11th in the windiest race. So, I thought the first race was 17th this race was 11th, I should make it to 7th by the third race. I was OK with this.

3rd race I get rolled at the start and tack away and then don’t see a starboard tacker and have to-do a last second tack, go back to the right and someone else tacks on me and I am in the back of the fleet that fast. I round the weather mark after missing a huge shift way way in DFL, dam embarrassing!! And complete the 1st run DFL. On the run I notice these huge 40-degree puffs coming in from the left side of the course. The whole fleet went to the right gate and since I was DFL I was going left. I was the only one out to the left by so far you had to call it something other than a flyer, maybe slingshot position. Yea that’s it sling shot position! During this time Nick has stayed in second place although at the 1st weather mark he had hit the mark and waited to do his circle until after the clearing mark. Nicks closest non-able sailor Bruce Miller was telling Nick he had to have cleared himself before the clearing mark? Nick went down the run holding onto 2nd place and took off to the right side of the course. Nick said, " I was in second when the left started to come in and I was going to wait until it shifted back and the wind just kept going left". Nick rounded 15th and the wind was now blowing around 18knots and we were all wet and cold which made it double for Nick. At this point Nick saw this race as his throw out and retired from the race. Mean while out on the left side of the course for the first time of my life the "Sling Shot” was working. I kept looking under my boom and I was now ahead of everyone in the back of the fleet and as the wind kept going left the next time I looked under the boom I was ahead of everyone other than the top three. I said " Ok time to SHUT UP AND DRIVE" and not going to look under the boom again until one of the top three boats crossed me everyone else was way back and could not even come close to me on starboard. Then it happens, I lose my steering with the foot peddles and go head to wind in 20 knots of wind in these little boats in a HUGE swell spitting salt water like a bilge pump. I was lucky and brought handheld VHF and called for assistants. Betsy came right up and gave me an idea on how to hand steer. Just when I was ready to throw in the towel I figured out how to control the boat and completed the race. Unfortunately I lost the whole fleet again practicing my 360 off to the left for five minutes and held on to my DFL. Came to find out that about five boats had dropped out because the conditions.
So off to West Marine for some 5200 and try to make the repair to the steering system. It looked good for the next day? That night I had a chance to meet everyone who was now at the event and try to wash all the salt water out my mouth. Good times meeting everyone from Canada, Puerto Rico, and around the U.S. Getting washed around in that little bath tub they call a 2.4 meter does work on you and the no-see-ums were coming out big so we elected to head back to the barn early that night.

June 16
Race day 2 three more races that day and Nick had his game face on. The forecast was for light winds out of the west. We had to wait a long bit for the wind to come in and it did from the north again. It filled to about 13 and lumpy. This time the leeward pin was favored and I hit it at full speed and might have crossed the fleet but I was still unsure of the boats and everything I had gone through already so I just stayed on starboard until everyone had tacked. Nick played it safer than me and started about five boats up and like always had great speed. He found a small shift and had been on port a short time and was coming across back on starboard heading back for the left. I was looking under my boom and it was to close for me to cross the starboard boats and I tacked back to the left and was doing just fine with the top of the fleet being just on my weather hip. Just then my steering goes out again and I go spinning out to the left again like a firework, into the hack bucket again. Nick goes on to win the race by a mile; Nick then takes the second race again by a mile. The third race Nick hangs and takes a forth in a dieing breeze and wins the day handily. Back at the dock everyone wants to know how Nick does it. I have seen Nick’s talent before when I was the sailing coach at OCC. The great battles I used to watch between John Pinckney, John Shadden and Nick was some of the best sailing I have ever witnessed. Nick always seeming to have the edge off the wind and proving that he was truly one of best. Watching this fleet of 2.4 with all the past champions, new champions and Americas Cup past winners Nick again is one of the boys and is truly the guy to beat. What world champion isn’t? Although this time Nick is racing for something more!

June 17
Race Day 3 the forecast is very light breeze and we stay ashore until 1:30. This time instead of 5200 I tried epoxy on my steering bloke problems and I lose my steering again on the tow out and am about ready to throw in the towel. About two hours later everyone is towed back to the docks without a race being run this day.

June 18
Race Day 4 The forecast is better this day with the wind being projected at 6-10 out of the west. Nick took a look at my steering system and came up with a fix for the boat. This is after almost the whole fleet came by and gave their opinion on how to fix it the afternoon before. After the first day Nick had placed himself in a big whole and we had missed the extra two races needed for a second throughout. The first race I was on the upper third of the line and was told the current would be keeping us from the starting line. At the start I thought I had hit it perfect and the boat was working. I look up and Nick is crossing the fleet again and I get a very late call I was over early, so I was back in the hack barrel again. The wind was light and after clearing myself I was able to get off to the right and work myself back up to 8 the place and lose 4 boats on the run to the finsh. I still can’t get myself in the top ten. Nick has another great race and again wins by a mile. 2nd race of the day. The wind is now around 12 knots out of the west and Nick and I want the pin. Peter Wilson is on my hip and I am not about to push Nick at the pin end and we all come off the line well. After a short time of straight lining Nick has pinched me off and I am starting to get rolled by Peter Wilson on my hip. Nick and Pete go on to round 1st and 2nd and finsh with Pete getting the win and Nick in 2nd. I again Hack up the last run and lose four boats at the finsh line and get 13th. 3rd race of the day. The wind is dying and is moving to the northwest. This time I have my hopes up because I have a great start at the committee boat and have most of the fleet is ahead but well to leeward of me. Nick takes advantage of a small left shift and crosses. We lose a couple of boats using the current and jibing at the weather mark. Nicks in forth and I am in 7 at this point. Nick goes on and gets 6th and I hack up my last run and drop back to 12.

At the awards everyone is in good sprits and everyone is helping each other place their boats on the trailers and a number of competitors are shipping their boats over to Finland for the up coming worlds the end of July. Going over the race Nick again is surrounded by the competitors and asking him what there should have done here or there on the racecourse that day. Nick places forth in the regatta overall and wonders if he should have pushed the third place person at the starting line harder. He and Peter Wilson were down to the last race and who ever won this race between them would be the US Nat champion.

Observations and lessons learned.

1. Nick is fast and well respected.
2. Its good to hang out with the king.
3. Peter Wilson has found a niche in single-handed one design racing and is the perfect salesman for the fleet.
4. Nothing better than an old fashioned SAILING CLUB!
5. Check the chart out before sailing in new waters
6. Ask the people around the club where to sail and not sail.
7. When sailing a single-handed boat you have to remember to SHUT UP AND DRIVE
8. Betsey Alison is an outstanding coach that works extremely hard and truly cares about what she is doing.
9. When chartering a boat or before any big event you have to go through your boat from stem to stern.
10. Nick Scandone is a class act. He is the perfect ambassador for yachting. You can only wish for a public servant with the same passion, respect, and the support to others. Newport Beach, California, United States of America, the World! Needs Nick Scandone as their representative. This is the perfect opportunity that only comes around once in thirty years, to promote and support the perfect ambassador to the sport of yachting. Don’t get caught in five years wishing you should have helped!

The Harbor Report: My interview with fuel dock attendant Jim Tyler

By Len Bose

July 26, 2012 | 8:23 p.m.

Each year I like to stop by and interview one of the ferry boat operators or fuel dock attendants, so I can get a different perspective from someone who is on the harbor five days a week.

This summer I noticed Jim Tyler working as a fuel dock attendant at Island Marine Fuel.

I recalled first meeting Jim when he was sailing in the Balboa Yacht Club's junior program. I later sold his parents a Catalina 30. Jim, 22, of Costa Mesa, attends Cal State Fullerton.

The family sold the Catalina 30 and now have a CHB 45 trawler, in which you will find Jim placing "wax on and wax off" a couple times a year for his parents.

Here is my Q & A with him:

Question: How should a boat approach and leave the fuel dock with the tide, fenders, dock lines?

Answer: First off, Island Marine Fuel is a "full service" station. No dock lines or fenders are needed. Just pull up and our crew will take care of everything. Going against the tide when approaching the dock is the easiest way in most situations.

The wind also needs to be taken into account when landing at any dock. Powerboats tend to leave the dock stern out, or backing out, since most have two engines and they can handle better this way.

Sailboats, on the other hand, like to leave the dock bow first (although it is always up to the captain of the vessel). We do our best to make it as easy as possible, and give our opinion during the busy season when there is little room for error due to waiting customers floating off the dock.

Q: What should boaters do while refueling. Should they turn off everything, tell the attendant how much fuel they need, etc?

A: The first thing we need to know is where the fuel fills are, and what type of fuel the vessel needs. All engines should be turned off while refueling, especially gasoline boats. When we are done pumping, proper ventilation is also very important. Blowers should be on prior to starting the boat again.

While refueling, the biggest problem we run into at the dock is smoking. Since Island Marine Fuel is a mini-mart as well as a "gas station," many people don't make realize that they are pulling into a gas station. I'm sure that if they were asked if they pull into a station while they are smoking, the unanimous response would be, "No, of course not."

But with the amount of alcohol consumed while boating, most people do not make this connection. Unlike gas on land, much larger quantities are purchased for yachts. Quite a few times this summer, distinctions between $100 and 100 gallons have been made. While this sounds the same, the difference can be very large, about four times the amount of money on average.

Q. You have to see everything from the fuel dock. From your vantage point, what are the obvious steps boaters can do to be safer on the water?

A. While it may sound like a broken record, alcohol can always be an issue while boating. Most people are under the assumption that they can drink all they want while boating. It can be very dangerous especially when approaching a fuel dock.

This goes back to the smoking once again. Common sense is absent and a boat will pull up with four or five people with cigarettes lit. It inconveniences us because we have to stop filling the gasoline boats on the dock since their fumes are explosive.

Q. If you were going to improve the harbor over the next 20 years what would it be?

A. I've grown up around the harbor and I have seen the decrease in traffic, especially in the summer. The harbor needs a "pick me up" for lack of a better term. I know the city is trying to tax businesses on the water (including Island Marine Fuel).

I don't think this will improve the economy in anyway. It will make it even harder for boaters to enjoy themselves than it already is.

*

Jimmy, now Jim, has always been a good, hard working kid and David Beek is lucky to have him as an employee at Island Marine Fuel. In fact, Dave, I think Jim is due for a raise in pay.

Busy week in the harbor last week, check my blog lenboseyachts.blogspot.com for my thoughts of the America's Cup at BYC, Flight of the Lasers results and more!

Sea ya!

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.

Holy Grail at BYC

                         Photo Longpre

I missed a huge wind shift in the harbor last week! It was friday night at Balboa Yacht Club and the arrival of “The Old Mug” or The Americas Cup. I am sure most of you have read The Daily Pilot reports of the cup being in town but what my colleagues missed to say was this was “Fucking Genius”!

 Yea, I know there are better ways to explain things rather than using the F bomb. But this was just that “the bomb”. I never recall seeing something that did so much for our sport in one swoop. Just wish I could have been there to get a true feeling to what went down.

So I am basing my observations on what I noticed in preparation for the event and looking at all the photos that where taken and comments made afterwards.

                                                                                 Longpre Photos

My guess is that S/C Commodore Bretschger and Andy Rose had a lot todo in making all the arrangements. If the presentation of the “Old Mug” was not enough Team Oracle sent down their helmsman James Spithill. One only has to look at the photos and the expressions on all the kids faces while they are reviewing The Cup or surrounding  Spithill listening to his every word. (Notice the hands in the pockets as they look at the cup?) Almost as if Lanceelot brought in the Holy Grail for all to see and strive to achieve in their lifetime.

Hats off for Commodore Bretscher and Andy Rose and anyone else that was behind the seen’s to make this happen. Should Mr. Ellison read this, HUGE, Thank you.

Its was a good week for the sport of sailing in Newport Beach.

Sea ya

Len Bose

Andrew Rose                           Longpre Photos

A Visit With Dave Beek At Island Marine Fuel

By Len Bose   "I ran this story two years ago, sorry I am just having a flash back!"

Dave Beek, Island Marine Fuel

While walking the docks this week, it's always interesting to hear the whine of buffing machines. It kind of reminds me of a return of a migrating bird, but it sure feels good to see everyone working.

This week I stopped by to see my good friend David Beek at Island Marine Fuel for a free cup of coffee and to get a look at the harbor from the fuel dock's prospective. I also have an update on the No. 8 channel marker “Newport Ramming Rod” and a reminder about a couple shifts coming down the course.

Everyone knows that the Beek family has been in Newport Beach before water was added into the bay. But I thought it would be interesting to get a view of the harbor from one of the busiest fuel docks on the bay.

Dave grew up in Newport Beach and the fuel dock and ferry were always there as part of the family business. He spent time working on the ferry and helping his dad Seymour Beek on their yacht “Vamos” over the years. In 1999, Dave was helping his dad with the start of the Ensenada Race aboard “Vamos,” when Seymour asked Dave to start running the fuel dock. Dave had been working in retail and jumped at the opportunity to bring his full service ideas down onto the dock. “We want you to leave thinking there is no other choice for fuel in town,” Dave said. “There is no need for you to worry about your dock lines or fenders. We are there to help you anyway we can.”

We all know that Island Marine Fuel has the only mini market on the bay, so if you forget the sunscreen, beer or soda – they have it all. They also have a small assortment of marine items from life jackets to frozen bait. So, remember if you get pulled over by the Harbor Patrol or Coast Guard for a safety inspection and you are short a couple of life jackets, you can stop by Island Marine Fuel and buy a life jacket and continue your cruise.

What I really want to talk about is what you might not know or what you have forgotten. I asked Dave what was the best way to approach the fuel dock? Dave’s answer was simple, “Take your time, take a look at who is in line, and how the strength of the current and wind are going to affect your vessel. Just take your time on your approach.” He was also quick to remind everyone not to let anyone use their legs or hands as fenders. “You won't believe how many times we see people hang their legs off the side of the boat to try to stop the boat from hitting the dock and end their weekend because of an injury.” Another popular mistake is to come in too fast and have someone jump from the boat, barefoot and land on a cleat. Guess what? The cleat wins!

People should also remember not to smoke on the fuel dock and also it’s best to turn your electronics off before you approach the dock. You should remember to have your blower on in your engine room, or have the engine room hatch open and also make an inspection of your engine room before you leave the dock. In the summer months, May through September, it’s best to fill on Monday or Tuesday mornings. It's also recommended to call first for large fuel orders of 250 gallons or more.

I also thought it was important to ask Dave what people should keep in mind regarding their maintenance schedule. “You should check your fuel lines as part of your check list before starting your boat,” Dave replied. A couple of times a year, you should check your fuel fill and make sure the hose is double clamped to the fuel fitting. I see the hose coming off the fitting more than the hose breaking down.” Dave also suggests having your engine room’s fire extinguishers checked once a year. “Remember not to keep your hand-held extinguishers too close to the engine room entrance, because that just might be the source of your problem.”
I also asked Dave how long the fuel lasts. This is when Dave sat back in his chair, gathered his thoughts and began to explain the yachtsmen's concerns regarding this. Gasoline has octane in it and it begins to break down after six months. Diesel has cetane and it too starts to break down and grow things in your fuel tanks after six months. Marine engines work under much heavier loads (stress) and more severe operating conditions than automotive gasoline or commercial truck engines. They are also subject to problems caused by ethanol and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. Peak, dependable and trouble-free performance are keys to boating safety and enjoyment.

Many of the nation’s high quality marinas provide ValvTect Marine Gasoline and ValvTect Marine Diesel at their docks. Unlike automotive gasoline or truck diesel fuel offered at gas stations, these special marine fuels are formulated for heavy duty marine engines to help provide peak performance, extend engine life and prevent problems with ethanol and ultra-low sulfur diesel.

Yes, you guessed it, Island Marine Fuel sells ValvTect fuels, and Dave went on to tell me how hard ethanol is on your boat. “Ethanol absorbs water, eats fiberglass fuel tanks and plastics. If you don't buy your fuel from me, make sure you add the proper fuel treatments!"

So then, is it really better to keep your tanks full? “People always wonder if they are receiving a line from me on this question. But the consensus is it is better to keep your tanks full and try to keep the condensation down in your fuel tanks. You know what the best thing is for your boat, Len? Use it! Make the engine work, place your rigging under load and use your boat.”

Funny you should say that Dave. How have you seen the boating activity over the last two years? “Well, there might be less boats in the harbor, but most boat owners are staying home and using their boats. We have seen activity increase over the last two years.”

Well, I can't let you leave before I ask what is the most used tool on your boat? Dave replied, “The corkscrew! No, I use my sockets the most."

Thanks for your time Dave, nice view you have here. "No problem Len, stop by for coffee anytime."

I went long this week, so let me wrap this up quick. Carter Ford reported on the No. 8 Channel Marker, or what I like to call "Newport’s Ramming Rod": “I've kept on the Coasties as hard as seems reasonable and they have made a decent effort within their procedural structure. They retained South Mooring to pull it. South tried, but couldn't do it. A diver's inspection did not reveal where the tilt begins. As of just today, Shellmaker is now working with the Coasties on agreeing on and then proceeding with a new plan. Another attempt with Shellmaker's larger barge might be made. Or, a vibratory hammer may be trucked in from Northern California. Details are rapidly evolving. They all know time is important to us. I should have a further update soon," Carter said.

Note to race committees: Make sure when you use the No. 8 marker in your courses that the participants understand they have to go around both marks.

One last item to remind everyone of, this Tuesday the Newport Beach City Council will certify the EIR for Marina Park. I strongly recommend your attendance at this meeting and encourage your support for Phase 3. If you don't know what Phase 3, please contact me and I will provide you with all the information and references you need.

Thanks for reading.

Sea ya'.

Len Bose is a contributing writer to The Daily Voice and owner of Len Bose Yacht Sales.

The Harbor Report: Fight for harbor access

                                                                                                                                                                          Joysailing Photo

By Len Bose

July 19, 2012 | 8:28 p.m.

I learned a couple of things while attending last week's Harbor Commission Meeting. The first thing I noticed was that The Harborside Restaurant — that big restaurant within the Balboa Pavilion — has a very large guest slip. It's located just west of the Balboa Pavilion and is specifically for the restaurant's guests.

While I am on the subject of whatever the city decides to call this part of the Balboa Peninsula,

Newport Beach citizens and harbor users should review the minutes from Thursday night's Planning Commission meeting regarding the Balboa Village Implementation Plan. This is a huge topic and I will only comment on harbor access.

It was noted at the commission's last meeting that no guest slips are being planned for the new Village. For me, that's a huge mistake. How many of my readers sailed over to the Balboa Fun Zone for an ice cream, pizza and arcade games with their parents? How many of you took your kids?

We should not just watch this harbor access disappear. It's starting to feel like I am trying to inform the harbor users in a 50 knot gale and no one can hear me. It may not seem like a wise choice to attend the Harbor Commission or Tidelands meetings and stay down below where its safe, but how else can you arrive at your planned destination?

For example, The Tidelands Management committee has started to finalize its capital plan, and do you want to know where the money is going? In a special study session on Aug. 8, the Harbor Commission will review its goals for the following year. It's your watch, and we need you on deck!

*

On Saturday, the Balboa Yacht Club held the Harbor 20 Mid Summer Regatta with 13 boats in A fleet, 11 in B Fleet and four in C Fleet. Karl and Cole Pomeroy were tied with Gary and Karen Throne going into the last race, and appeared to have won the last race by a couple of boat lengths ahead of the persistent Team Throne.

It must have been close because I could see Karl leaning forward in his boat and persuading it to cross the line before the Thrones did. Only two points separated first from third place in class B. John and Mary Whitney sailed the most consistently to win class B, followed closely by Anne and Greg Hatton, who were new to the fleet.

Class C was no easy battle. Michael Volk and Ellen Reader did their best to keep Steve and Francine behind them and win the last race, taking C class.

We had overcast skies and an 8- to 11-knot southerly breeze for The Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club's Gil Knudson regatta. The race course started in front of the Newport Beach Pier, went around the Newport R 4 buoy, reached the Huntington Beach Oil platform Eva and returned.

                                                                                                                                                Joysailing Photo

I was driving Roy Jones' J 133 Tango, we missed the first shift to Amante and they rounded R 4 ahead of us. Fortunately, it was a close reach to Eva and Tango performs very well with the Code 0, and the rest of the day was ours.

In Class B, John Szalays' Peterson 34 Pussycat also enjoys close reaching, and she easily won her class.

In the Newport High Point Series, Pussycat and Tango tied for the day. Tango has now increased its lead over by 10 points over Amante, in second place, and Pussycat moved all the way up to sixth place and has a good chance to grab third place for the series. The last race of the series is the NOSA Argosy race on Aug. 18 and 19.

This Saturday, the South Shores Yacht Club's "Two Around Catalina" race, which is one of my favorite races of the year, will take place. I am teaming up with Dan Rossen again this year on his B 32, Problem Child. Like always, the competition this year is tough.

Sea Ya

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.

The Harbor Report: Busy Sunday includes some impressive boats

                                                                                                                       Longpre Photo

Last Sunday was a perfect summer's day. Not a cloud in the sky, an 8- to 12-knot breeze out of the west.

I spent most of the day team racing Harbor 20s just off M Mark, just west of the mooring field in front of the Balboa Yacht Club. To say that the harbor was active on the last day of the Fourth of July holiday week is an understatement.

One of the first things that caught my eye was that both Newport Harbor and Balboa Yacht Clubs Junior sailors were out on their Governor's Cup 21s boats, practicing for the for the 46th annual Governor's Cup on July 17 till 22. As always the racing will be exciting, and there's a very good chance that another Southern California junior sailor will win this year's Cup.

I would like to give a big shout out to this year's banner sponsor, Sterling BMW. This is Sterling's second year sponsoring the event so when you notice the Governor's Cup 21 boat on their display lot, please stop by and ask them which one of their cars will perform best around your course.

Two observations always bring a big smile to my face each year I see these two people on the water. The first one is Betty Andrews and her crew returning, late in the afternoon, from the Fourth of July weekend in Catalina's Whites Cove aboard Antares, her Ranger 33.

Without even asking, I know that she sailed there and back, only starting the engine to pick up her moorings. I am not going to give away Betty's age, but I am always full of envy each time I see her neatly folding her main onto the boom after the long weekend on the island.

The other person I noticed was Jane Farwell aboard her 12.5-foot Herreshoff Cape Cod Bull's Eye. The shape of this hull was designed and built by Nat Herreshoff in 1914 in wood. Originally named the Herreshoff Bull’s Eye, the boat was available in gaff or marconi rig, with a thin water way and a through transom tiller. In 1938 she, the boat not Jane, was modified with a wider water way and an above transom tiller, and was named The Fishers Island Sound Bull’s Eye. In 1947 the rights to build the Herreshoffs were purchased by Cape Cod Shipbuilding Co.,  In 1949 work began on a fiberglass model of the Fishers Island Sound Bull’s Eye. I did not get the name of Jane’s boat but anyone that sailing that smart and fast in such a good looking boats always puts a smile on my face.

This Saturday, the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club will run the Gil Knudson regatta. Back in the day, Gil Knudson was one of the good old boys out of South Shore Yacht Club. He used to sail Tigress, his Hinkley 38, to the podium of most of the races he entered.

I recall that he preferred random leg races such as the races to the Oil Platforms off Huntington Beach and he won first overall in the Newport to Ensenada Race during a year when there were 500 entries.

This is fourth event of the Newport High Point Series, and it's still anyone race! Tango, Roy Jones's J-133, still holds the pole position with 44 points, followed closely by The Richly Family's Amante, with 36 points, and Team Kettenhofen aboard Dare, with 33 Points.For the Newport High Point series scoreboard, please go to my blog at lenboseyachts.blogspot.com.

I was hoping to obtain some annual city parking permits to award to the winners of the High Point Series, but, alas, my simple minded thoughts were disregarded like sea weed on a rudder. Life's too short to fret about such matters, so I am going back to Catalina with the family.                       

Sea ya

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.

                                                                                                                                Scott Kennedy Painting

The Harbor Report: New commissioner is right for the job

                                                                    Newport Beaches newest Harbor Commissioner Paul Blank

I trust that all my readers are having a good Fourth of July week?

On June 26, the City Council selected Paul Blank as the new harbor commissioner who will be filling "Duffy" Duffield's Topsiders.

I first noticed Paul back in 1985, when he was sailing for UCLA and I was coaching the Orange Coast College sailing team. It was the last event of the season, and we were trying to qualify for the Pacific Coast Championships when Nick Scandone (sailing for OCC) told me he could he could win this event if he could stay in front of Paul.

Ever since then, I have recognized Paul for his advanced sailing skill level. Paul's still a very good sailor, and I have recognized his advanced management skills.

During the last two years, Paul as been the fleet captain at the Balboa Yacht Club and has chaired the Race Council, which I am a part of.

He owns a 36-foot boat, a Sabot and a paddleboard. Most weekends you will find him on the harbor paddling his board in the morning, cleaning his boat in the early afternoon and maybe even going out and racing his sabot — all before noon. He's very responsive, truly loves our harbor and will make a great harbor commissioner.

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I checked in with Harbor Resources Manager Chris Miller this week to get an update on some of the activities that involve his office.

Of course, dredging is always on the top of his list this year, and Chris reports that about 75% of the projected removal of contaminated sediment has been removed and barged to thePort of Long Beach.

June 30 was the cutoff date for Long Beach to accept any more sediment. Odds are very good that Long Beach will allow us to complete our project within the next couple of weeks once they get a better feel of exactly where their fill has leveled out at.

In the meantime, dredging is continuing in the uncontaminated areas and proceeding on schedule.

I also asked Chris if we had any complaints this summer regarding fishermen being rather territorial on the public docks and not allowing boats to accesses the docks. If it were me and I was approaching a public dock packed with fishermen and I had to offload or pick up passengers, I would ask the dock users if they would make room for me.

If you do not get the response you are looking for, I would look for another option and then give the Orange County Sheriff's Department a call. Tell them about your problem and, if that does not work, you can always call the harbor resources department.

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"By the way"

I stopped by the celebration of life for Staff Commodore Doug Mills last Sunday at Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. When I walked in and noticed the size of the crowd, I was taken back. The club was full.

At the end of March, Doug lost his long battle with leukemia at the age of 71. I am not sure if the word "lost" is the proper word here. How can anyone lose with more than 200 people attending your celebration of life?

That kind of tells you what type of person Doug was.

If I had one word to explain this celebration, it would be cheerful. I have never seen so many people happy to have known someone. I only met Doug a couple of times, and what comes to mind is how much he cared about introducing the sport of sailing to people.

He went out of his way to make sure that new club members were greeted with open arms and encouraged to participate at the club and on the water. It kind of feels like I lost one of my best salesmen.

Sea ya!

 Doug Mills

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.