My Harbor's New Years Resolutions

OK, I am not going to lie. I did not get off my butt to find a story in the harbor for this week. So, let's talk about my Harbor's New Year's Resolutions.

"Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in."

In 2013, I plan on volunteering my time at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club and trying to help its members and sail fleet Captain Paul DeCapua to the best of my ability. That means at the BCYC, sail fleet meeting people will start to hear me say, "I got this silly idea..." Most of the time, people just roll their eyes and continue to the next agenda item, but this year, I might have found one. On BCYC Tuesday night racing, Paul is always on station early. Rather than just waiting for the official starting time, I came up with the "silly idea" of a couple of practice starts before race time.

Paul DeCapua and Crew

I am hoping that the Harbor 20 class likes this idea and comes out to join us for Taco Tuesdays starting May 14. If you are looking to get back on the race course now, BCYC Ocean Racing Series starts Jan. 19, which was one of last year's best races. If you sign up for the entire series before Jan. 5, you will save yourself $30. Speaking of saving, make sure you enter the Ensenada race today. The early-bird discount ends Dec. 31, and that's a big savings.

I just purchased Harbor 20 No. 108 this week and will be attending most of the H20 events this year with the goal of making A fleet in 2013. As you can tell, I really enjoy sailboat racing in Newport Harbor, and now that I own a boat, I can do more for fleet No. 1. On the big boat seen this year, I will be sailing on the J109 Linstar this coming season. I refer to the crew as "The Band," and we have the goal of winning BCYC Offshore Series, BYC 66 Series and the Newport Beach High Point Series.

On our race calendar for next year is also preparing for the 2014 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. The owner has promised to buy a bigger boat if we have good results; therefore, I will be pushing the program a little harder this year. If you are under 40 years old and looking for a new ride this year, please give me a call. I know that reads a little harsh, but because of my age, we have plenty of experienced sailors and are short on youth.

My harbor resolutions will not change that much from last year. I will keep asking the city for eight parking permits to be awarded to the winners of the Newport Beach High Point Series. Last year, when I asked for the parking permits, I got laughed out of the building; let's hope I can improve my presentation this year.

I will continue to push for marine recycling centers and attend most of the monthly Harbor Commission meetings. What I will do a little different this year is to approach the harbor commissioners and ask them how I can help. So if you are reading this, Commissioners Girling and Avery, I would like to help with your task of "Communicate The Harbor Commission's Role with the Public."

I would also like to help with "Enforcement of Harbor Codes," Commissioners Blank and West. As readers of my column, I hope you understand what I am trying to say and make time to ask our harbor commissioners how you can help this upcoming year.

For next year, I will make a better effort to contact the Balboa Angling Club and the Newport Aquatic Center along with SUP Dog paddling club. The Bose family wishes you all a Happy New Year, and we will "sea ya" next year.

SEA YA

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

LB's Wine & Beer Party Favors

I found this at High Times in Costa Mesa, Best value wine I have found in years ONLY $ 8.00

ALTOVINUM EVODIA 2011 GARNACHA 

ROBERT PARKER - "This Eric Solomon custom cuvee is made from a high-altitude vineyard planted in schist and slate soils. Composed of 100% tank-aged Garnacha, it is a mineral-laced, elegant, finesse-styled effort displaying plenty of raspberry, sweet and sour cherry notes intermixed with a distinctive minerality. Drink it over the next 2-3 years."

Found this at High Times Only $ 12.00

LOUIS MARTINI 2010 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

This is an awesome bargain that delivers, dollar for dollar, incredible Cabernet complexity! This wine has been a two-time December wine of the month in prior vintages, and this bottling goes from strength to strength. This is comprised of several of Sonoma County's most prestigious vineyards, and blended seamlessly to bring together the unique characteristics they have to offer.

If you have time to make it up to Beach Blvd & The  405 go to "Total Wine". Very helpful salespeople and they have all of these wines.


2009 Viticco Bere Toscana  $ 12.00 Tuscany's Fattoria Viticco makes this impressively polished, cherry-accented Sangiovese blend.

2010 Pascual Toso Malbec.  Toso emigrated from piedmont, Italy, to found this Argentinean winery in 1890. Its basic Malbec has dark, rich fruit lifted by peppery notes. In other words its good shit for the money  $ 12.00

If its only beer for you then pick up a six pack of the ANCHOR holiday brew. Its not for the light hearted. Its the BOMB, you have to try it $ 10.00 you can find it at High Times and Total Wine

The Harbor Report: 104 years and counting

Chairman David Beek & 104th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade  

By Len Bose

December 20, 2012 | 10:24 a.m.

Only one real topic on the harbor this week, and that's the 104th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade with the theme "Surf, Sand and Santa" going on from the 19th to the 23rd. I had a chance to sit down with this year's parade chairman, David Beek, who is the third generation of Beeks to chair the parade, at the Balboa Yacht Club last weekend.

David explained, "Over the last 104 years, the spirit of the parade has not changed. It's always been about Newport Harbor coming together for the holidays, using their boats, singing, expressing holiday greetings across the water, and passing the tradition down to the next generation. There is nothing better than hearing that 4-year-old with the boat's open intercom wishing everyone Merry Christmas from across the harbor."

The parade was first conceived in 1900 by Italian gondolier John Scarpa and Balboa Island developer Joseph Beek. By 1908, Scarpa light up his gondola with Japanese lanterns and was followed by eight canoes that lighted their boats in the same manner. Now, more than a century later, the parade has grown to close to 100 boats entered, plus all the boats observing.

"This year, we are trying something new in the form of speed brakes," David told me. "We have assigned designated locations for the parade to slow down and close up again."

For my readers who will be operating boats this year, if you do not already know, the parade monitors VHF Channel 68. For all parade-registered boats, Sea Tow, the AAA of the boating world, is available at no charge to help you out of a problem. For example, if you get pushed into the mooring field and wrap your props, or one of your engines overheats and you have to shut down, Sea Tow is available to help you out.

I also feel I need to point out the obvious, because I was guilty of this in my youth: Never wander into the mooring fields or drive against the traffic flow of the parade in an electric boat. For you electric boat operators, make sure you keep in mind, when traveling next to the docks, larger boats' bows will overhang, and it's very easy not to see their anchors, which can tear up the tops of your boats. Not that this ever happened to me.

The harbor's dredging gear will be at its mooring by 4 p.m. each day and the scows will be lit up by the starting point of the parade. There is also a smaller barge in the H mooring field between Lido Isle and the peninsula.

If you are looking for the best locations from which to observe the parade, my favorite is to arrive on Balboa Island by 5 p.m., walk down main street, find something for dinner, then walk down the south Bay Front by 7 when the parade should be passing by. If you cannot make it down to the harbor by 5 p.m., my backup plan is to drop off the family on Bayside Drive, just past Jamboree Road, then drive up to Irvine Terrace and find a parking place. I bring my bike in the back of the car and ride that back down to the harbor.

Other places to watch the parade from are the Balboa Island bridge, Pacific Coast Highway bridge, 15th Street beach and Balboa Fun Zone. I do my best to avoid traffic by staying off the 55, Jamboree, Mariners Mile and the peninsula. I use 17th Street and Dover Drive in Costa Mesa and try to stay on the east side of the harbor. For those of you driving home from holiday parties, Costa Mesa is known to have a checkpoint just before the 55, so be sure to check.

David wanted to give a big shout-out to the parade's presenting sponsors, Simple Green and Meguiar's. These folks are a big part of making the parade happen and are truly giving back to our harbor.

Another big shout-out needs to be given to Don Lawrenz and the Chamber of Commerce staff for all their help. The weather appears to be cooperating this year, so gather your family and friends and enjoy our harbor. Dave tells me there will be fireworks on the 29th at the closing of this year's parade. He said, "If you have never seen fireworks going off with the holiday lights reflecting off the water on a crisp winter night, then you have to check it out, because there's no better feeling in the world."

Looking for some gift ideas to bring to the holiday party this weekend? Then go to my blog at lenboseyachts.blogspot.com.

Sea ya.

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

Newport Beach 2012 The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Welcome to Newport Harbor 2012 The Good, The Bad, And the Ugly

Please use the below link

http://youtu.be/062yEa6bWJ4

It’s that time of the year again, for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of 2012. This year I wrote 39 stories, each year I review my column and itemize my stories and observations into the following categories. 

THE GOOD: 

For the second year in a row dredging the harbor has been on the top of the list. The Newport Beach City Council and Harbor Resource Manager Chris Miller are down to the last few scoops of dredging the entire harbor. So much good was learned from this process including, increased water quality and marine life, the need for continues dredging and my favorite how the harbor looks without moorings. My story “Dredging may be a Drag” ran on 6-29-12.

The stimulation of The Newport High Point Series continued with Roy Jones aboard his J 133 TANGO winning The High Point Series Trophy for being the best sailed PHRF boat in our harbor. The High Point Scoreboard ran in March, August and twice in November.

This year we where granted 8 interviews with our harbors Movers and Shakers. Starting in February with Harbor Resource Manager Chris Miller, in April it was Mike Howarth and Henry Morschlad the original owners of Pacific Seacraft and Cabo Yachts. Then it was boating icon Marshall “Duffy” Duffield from Duffy Electric Boats in May. Followed by Jim Tyler of Island Marine fuel in July, Eberisto “Abe” Parra from Larsons Shipyard and Mandy McDonnell the founder of “Paddle for Privates” in October. We closed out the year by visiting with BYC assistant dock master Ray Dasilva the Harbor 20 Dream Team John Cazier and Richard Blatterman. I would like to thank you all again for setting down with me this last year.

THE BAD;

I wrote a story “My Take on The Aegean Tragedy” in May of this year which brought over 800 hits to my blog site. This was my take on how the four sailors lost their lives in this years Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race.

I still continue to explain to our City Council through or Harbor Commission and Water Quality Board the need for a Marine Recycling Centers. Going on year 4 now with everyone telling me it’s a great idea, yet nothing gets done.

The Story I wrote on November 1st “ Why is business so slow?” when I asked Why is the marine industry so flat in the best harbor in the world? At the end of the story I made reference to my efforts to obtain 8 parking permits for the winners of The Newport High Point Series. 

THE UGLY:

Tidelands Permits, what will come of all the increase’s placed on the permits this year? I wrote on this issue over 6 times this year.

The proposed boycott of this months Boat Parade by the “Stop The Dock Tax” found in my November 1st column. To me, “poop happens” but this boycott smells worse than the sewage spill when the dredging vessel broke the main sewage line off Little Balboa island this year.

This observation was made during my interview with John Cazier when John added, "This place would be a different world if we took all these moored boats and placed them onto a floating marina. Floating docks are a big change to try to institute. Every square foot of water out there is worth a lot of money and we are using it very badly." The more I think about this issue the more I agree with John. The moorings are ugly and we are not using the space correctly.

The Balboa Islands seawall restoration consulting fees coming from the tidelands fund? Stay turned and get involved in 2013 harbor issues. Should you like to reread any of the above stories go online to The Daily Pilots web page then plug in Len Bose into the Pilots search bar, all my stories will appear.  

Sea ya

Boating Last Minute Christmas Presents

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS of your Captain or 1st Mate

Henri Lloyd  Tp jacket ( This sea gear has held up for years for me @ West Marine)

LED flashlight W leash ( Something I look for every time I pack my Sea bag @ West Marine)

Fanny pack life jacket ( Easiest Life Jacket to wear @ West Marine)

Custom fender covers ( Good Idea for next year, or birthday)

Big Sponge( It will get used Home Depoe)

Multitool  Side kick leather man ( Perfect for the sea bag @ West Marine)

Absorber Shammy  ( It will get used Home Depoe)

Boat Hook @ West Marine

L.Gaylord Sportswear ( I have been using them for all my  boating embroidery)

Nikk’s Flags  Custom Flags (The only people in town that understand what a private signal is)

You are always welcome to email me of more suggestions? If you are considering something a little more substantial?  The two listing above and below are easy to show!

The Harbor Report: A fleet grows in Newport

This last weekend I attend the Harbor 20’s, “H20”, Fleet 1 2012 awards banquet at the Lido Isle Yacht Club. The Harbor 20’s came to life in the late ninety’s when a group of sailors from the Newport Harbor Yacht Club gathered together and brainstormed on what would make the perfect one design fleet for Newport Harbor. Some 15 years later our harbors H 20 Fleet 1had over 90 people at its awards banquet this year.

The fleet had over 196 starts or races in our harbor this year, 126 days of racing, 92 different skippers this last year and 34 boat’s entered in it’s fleet championships.

I have not witnessed numbers like this since the mid eighty’s. You have to ask yourself how can this be? How can a fleet continue to grow after so long?

The answer is simple, the founding fathers, Arthur Strock, Grant Baldwin, Bill Palmer, Phil Ramser, Pete Pallette and builder Tom Schock had participated in many different fleets over the years and watched them come and go. This group then went out and promoted fleet and it began to grow. Then rather than hold onto what they had started this group passed the button off to the next group of people like Peter Haynes, John Whitney, Nik Froehlich and the new builder Alexander Vucelic who purchased the WD Schock Company two years ago. Alex is bringing allot of new energy to the fleet and goes out of his way to make a new member feel welcome.  

This new after guard is taking the fleet onto new hight’s of participation levels that have never been obtained before. They are doing this by rotating the A Fleet, if you do not win a trophy in a high point series race, within a years time, you are bumped down to B Fleet. This keeps B fleet very competitive and now with the introduction to a C fleet everybody has a chance to win a race or two each year.

Another thing that keeps the fleet so active is Peter Haynes and his efforts in rules and racing seminars. Each year Peter puts on these seminars and each year the attendance is growing.The true magic to these boats is how simple they are to maintain and if your crew does not show up or cannot make it to a race, the owner can jump in the boat and sail it single handed.  The owner also can still stay competitive with a complete novice crew or like me with an not to attentive teenager, Priceless. 

Now the best part of sailing H 20’s are the people themselves. It kind of fells more like the days of racing my Hobie 16 and the beach party’s we had. After each race Fleet 1 members will gather after the event and go over what they learned on the race course. For me it brings back memories of the sailing clubs and keeps a big smile on my face.

Speaking of smiles, this years winners for the Grand Masters award for the highest placing skippers over the age of 65 was Tom Schock in A Fleet and Richard Blatterman in B Fleet. Fleet 1 First Mate award given to the highest placing husband and wife team in the championships was Diane & Bill Menninger in A fleet and in B fleet it went to Carlita & Win Fuller. This years Arthur B Strock Service Award for members who have performed outstanding service for Fleet one went to Peter Haynes. Peter also took home Fleet One “Rain or Shine “ for attending the most races this season. This years big winner of the High Point Series was one by Karen and Gary Thorne. Don’t worry Joe I am not going to tell everyone what you won.

I heard that the Newport Harbor Yacht Club did not award the Burgee Of Merit this year which is to bad because I feel that H20 Fleet 1 has brought unusual distinction to the west coast yachting and our harbor and is something we can all be proud of.

Sea ya


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

The Harbor Report: And the best of 2012 is....

Mayol receiving BCYC Commodore Bussey Award

By Len Bose

November 29, 2012 | 4:50 p.m.

We are in the final countdown for 2012. That means it's time for me to pull out all my Christmas Reyn Spooners and recognize this year's harbor winners. I attended the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club's awards banquet and presented at the Balboa Yacht Club's. This weekend is the Harbor 20 Fleet 1 ceremony, which I will be attending; and if I am not mistaken, the Newport Harbor Yacht Club's annual meeting is also this weekend.

Here are this year's big winners from BCYC. It was great fun to see the entire Mayol family come up and accept the Commodore Bussey Award for being the most active family at the club. Erik and Lisa and kids Maxwell and Jake had been up to the stage to bring home quite a few of the junior awards prior to the family award. The Mayol family had a fantastic season this last year, and it was fun to witness. While I am touching on the juniors, I need to give a shout-out to BCYC sailing administrator Shannon Heausler. She made one of the best junior awards presentations I have ever seen and also led one of the best junior programs our harbor has to offer.

Peter Haynes Accepting Elmer Carvey Memorial 

The award I want to win someday is the Elmer Carvey Memorial  (formerly Balboa Bay Club Yachtsmen of the Year until 1982), now awarded to the yachtsman who most contributed to the organized yachting community. Past winners of this award have been Cooper Johnson, Jim Emmi, Ted Kerr, Hobie Deny and Lorin Weiss — the list reads on and on with Newport's best yachtsmen. This year's big winner, most deservedly so, is Peter Haynes. Hats off to Peter and a big thank you for all the hard work he is doing for the sport of sailing in Newport Harbor.

Another big award was given to my Harbor 20 skipper Mary Bacon. Mary received the Officers and Directors 1962 award, given to the member for outstanding service to the club. Well done, Mary.

Marry Bacon Winning the Officers and Directors 1962 

Jeff Burch, owner of the J 105 Hot Ticket, took home most of the club's racing awards, and Guy Doran won the Gaudio Family One Design award for his third-place finish in this year's Harbor 20 Fleet 1 Championship.

Over at the Balboa Yacht Club, Max Moosmann won the Big Boat Sailor of the Year award. Max was everywhere this year, from the Big Boat Series in San Francisco to the Chicago Yacht Club Race to the Mackinac race on the Great Lakes. Max was living the dream this season and sailing on some of our country's best racing sailboats.

This year's Newport High Point winner, Roy Jones, aboard his J 133 Tango, received the BYC High Point Award, Overall 66 Series award and Ocean Racing Sailor of the Year. What an outstanding season, Roy.

Roy Jones accepting The Newport High Point Series Award

The big winner over at BYC is Kelly Buchan, who received the Sportsman of the Year award, given to the racing skipper who consistently displays outstanding sportsmanship.

Kelly is one of my favorite people in the harbor and will play a big part in sailing's future in Newport Harbor.

I will be sure to update you on who wins the Newport Harbor Yacht Club's Burgee of Merit, Vince Healy Award and Jack and Meta Going Cannon Award once Jennifer sends me over the winners this year.

Max Moosman BYC Big Boat sailor of the year

I had a senior moment last week while writing Newport's 10 most interesting boats. The name of boat No. 7, the Hinckley 52, is Dauntless. The owner was understanding and has invited me down to take a look at his boat.

As for the group Stop the Dock Tax boycotting the boat parade this year, I have to unfurl my protest flag on this one. Let's not mix politics with the boat parade; you look like a spoiled kid, taking your ball and going home. I say let's have the biggest boat parade ever and have a entry with a big Grinch on it telling people to get involved with our harbor and make sure we have a marine-friendly city council after the next election.

Sea ya.

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

Len Bose winning the Leo Collin for most active sailor

2012 Newport Beaches 10 Most Interesting Boats

This Friday The Daily Pilot will run my annual story on Newports 10 most interesting boats. Will another Duffy be on the list this year, what will be the most interesting boat of 2012? Please keep me in mind on Fat Friday!

# 10  “Watt R Winery” 22’ Custom Duffy Electric Boat. She was customized by Newport Shipyard with a hard top, teak trim, satellite TV, underwater lighting, heater, windless, wine cooler, head and one very large horn. She can be seen every Thursday afternoon on a harbor cruise and is berthed at the Balboa Bay Club.

The Harbor Report: Harbor 20 team still going strong

(left) John Cazier  & (right) Richard Blatterman

By Len Bose

November 15, 2012 | 3:50 p.m.

During this year's Harbor 20 fleet championships I was reviewing the entry list in B fleet and sizing up the competitors when I noticed the boat Chloe. The skipper was Richard Blatterman, crew was John Cazier.

I thought to myself, "We should be able to take them." But then again, Richard and John have some history sailing in our local waters.

That's when it hit me: I need to interview these guys and find out what keeps them coming back and always finishing in the top five of the major regattas.

I had a chance last week to meet the two of them for lunch at the Balboa Yacht Club and took it upon myself to drop the formalities and not address them by their proper titles — which would be commodore, for both of them. Both Richard and John are staff commodores; and assuming they have the same difficulty as I do in listening to people in small, crowded rooms, the whole commodore thing might have gotten a little comical.

The interview could not have started out any better when John came into the club and said, "I am not going to talk to him," referring to Richard. "He just took my parking place."

In front of the club is a parking spot for our staff commodores. Richard was just pulling into it when John pulled into the lot.

They both gave a short laugh and we all sat down.

I found it interesting that both started sailing in 1939 when the Southland Sailing Club house, which later became BYC, was on the little island of Balboa. Richard's father used to rent a place on the island for the summer and informed him and his brother that he would buy them a boat if they would learn to swim. By the end of summer they were sailing a Balboa dinghy, a type of Sabot, around the harbor.

During the same time John had built himself an ocean-going Frostbite dingy and came into town to race in the 1940 Southern California Yachting Assn. summer regatta.

Around this time Richard and John became members of the town's sailing club.

In 1955 Richard sailed in his first of 15 Transpac races to Hawaii and quickly became one of the most sought-after navigators of the time. He sailed on the overall winning boat one year and from what I can tell, always placed third or better in class.

John was known for sailing in the Thistle fleet.

"That was the best boat I ever raced," he said with passion in his voice. "With 38 boats racing outside off Newport Beach, the racing was gorgeous. Racing performance dinghies, that's really the best sailing there is."

This was only the start of the racing careers of these two fierce competitors. John owned a famous Schock 35 by the name of ButterCup that won four straight Lipton Cups, one of the preeminent events in Southern California racing. Richard just happened to helm the winning Lipton winner himself years earlier.

From my conversion with them, it sounded like John had also put in his time offshore, competing in some Mexico races and a Transpac or two. So blend all that experience together and you have one strong Harbor 20 team.

When I asked the guys what their goals were for next year, John quickly replied, "Stay Alive!"

They both laughed, and John explained, "We always like to sail better and get frustrated when we do not sail well. When something goes wrong, we just laugh the whole time. We both have done well in the past, we don't need to prove anything."

I then asked them about the state of the harbor.

"The most positive item is the dredging," Richard said. "It's fantastic, how clean the harbor is now. It's also strange to see so many empty moorings."

John added, "This place would be a different world if we took all these moored boats and placed them onto a floating marina. Floating docks are a big change to try to institute. Every square foot of water out there is worth a lot of money and we are using it very badly."

I was completely taken aback by this team and am having troubles finding the proper words in closing, so I am just going to use one word: respect. I have much more to share with about these two at lenboseyachts.blogspot.com.

Sea ya.

(latter today I will complete the rest of the story)

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

The Harbor Report: BYC, harbor lucky to have Ray

Ray Dasilva, the assistant dock master at the Balboa Yacht Club.

By Len Bose

November 8, 2012 | 3:12 p.m.

As a local yacht broker, it is my job to know a lot of people around the harbor. Some I like saying hello to and some I try to ignore. Then there are those few people I go out of my way to give a big hello to because it just feels good.

One of those people is Ray Dasilva, the assistant dock master at the Balboa Yacht Club. It's always a big friendly hello with Ray, followed by that big smile and then, "How's your back, Len?" Years ago, I pulled my back out and Ray has asked about it each time we meet.

His family moved to California from Brazil when he was 8. Living in Costa Mesa now and spending most of his time taking care of his mother, who is recovering from a small stroke, Ray still finds time to surf and mountain bike. He has worked at BYC for seven years and puts in 40 hours a week. With all that time on one of the busiest docks in our harbor, Ray has seen it all.

"These Indian summers are my favorite time of year. The kids are back at school, the days are a little shorter and the weather is perfect," he said, followed by his deep laughter.

When asked what have been the most precarious moments on the harbor, he said, "February, when those clearing westerlies come down the harbor with a vengeance. Last year we had winds over 40 knots and it's my job to check on the moored boats and make sure their mooring lines are all secured. There is nothing worse than when a boat breaks free in gale conditions and we have to go out and try to gain control of her."

I then asked him if he has seen any recent changes in the harbor.

"Well, there's not as many boats on the moorings as there used to be, and the activity at the club has gone way down over the last three years," Ray said. "It's also been amazing how clear the water is, now that the dredging is almost completed. I can see the bottom of the harbor almost on a daily basis. It appears that there is a lot more marine life around and we have eelgrass coming out of our ears, which is kind of funny, because there was a group of people down here last week planting more eelgrass. Hope the city is not paying for that."

When I asked Ray about the most common mistake he sees boaters make, he said, "People do not always take in account the weather conditions. I have seen a number of people go out and try to place their boats on their mooring alone and get into real trouble. Another one is when people try to fend off from hitting another boat or the dock. They forget that fiberglass is much easier to fix than hands or legs when two boats meet. I try to tell them to grab an extra fender and place it between the other boat or dock, rather than place themself at physical risk."

Ray enjoys his job and works hard at it. When I tried to get out of him what his favorite type of boat is, he just leaned back in his chair with that smile and said, "I like all the boats, Len. You know what, I would like to go out on a sailboat race sometime. I have never had a chance to go sailing before, it looks like it would be a lot of fun."

At 54 years old, Ray moves around the club faster than most people half his age. He is truly one of our harbor's best, and BYC is very lucky to have him as an employee. If you don't believe me, just say hello to him sometime. I promise you, it will make you feel better.

Sea ya.

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

The Harbor Report: Why is business so slow?

                                 2012 Newport High Point Winner  TANGO                                                         Photo by Joysailing.com

By Len Bose

November 1, 2012 | 8:43 p.m.

It could just be me fighting through the ups and downs in today's marine industry marketplace, but as I run into work companions, it seems that most of us in Newport Beach look like we have just completed a triathlon.

As I look around the harbor, I notice many open moorings, which is strange because with the years of dredging, there are not that many moorings. They will be replaced and realigned, but when will the boats return?

Over my 25 years of yacht brokerage, I have never seen this many open slips in town.

Additionally, our local boat show has never been so thin as it has over the last two years. No new large boat dealers are flooring new boats. All the marine trade people have left the waterfront.

Local participation in 30- to 50-foot boating activities, such as sailing regattas and fishing tournaments, has never been so low.

What frightens me most is how will people ever be able to afford a 25- to 40-foot boat between the ages of 30 to 60 in Newport Beach?

My job takes me from San Diego to Santa Barbara almost on a monthly bases with an occasional showing outside the state and even the country. What I have observed is that slips are full in San Diego, Dana Point, Marina del Rey and Santa Barbara. New boat dealers are staying busy in these locations and in San Francisco.

Why is the marine industry so flat in the best harbor in the world? Is it because boaters are looking for better value in storage costs, shipyard fees, fuel costs and shopping price rather than convenience? It seems strange to me that we anted up and dredged our harbor and expect boaters to accept the higher costs of boating in Newport Beach.

A marina manager in San Diego said it best last week while I was checking out a gate key: "I have to thank you guys for sending me all this new business; here have a cookie."

That all said, I did notice this week a couple things that placed a short smile of hope on my face.

While at Basin Marine Shipyard, I saw a late-model Beneteau 34 arrive in town, and the J 122 TKO was having one of the best new racing bottoms I have ever seen being applied. While glancing around the Ardell marina, I noticed a Santa Cruz 70 has been added to our local fleet.

The Balboa Yacht Clubs High Point Award

I am also looking forward to being one of the presenters for this year's Newport Beach High Point Series winner. The Balboa Yacht Club is fortunate to present the award to member Roy Jones and his crew aboard Tango Saturday night.

This J 133 came out of the blocks this year at full speed by winning the Midwinters and the first race of the 66 Series. She then sailed well in the Ahmanson and was able to hold back Amante end-of-season charge during the Gil Knudson and Argosy.

In an effort to increase participation within our harbor's PHRF racing fleet, the BYC and Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club are recognizing the winner of this event at their respected awards banquets. This, along with a change in venue by the Newport Harbor Yacht Club in the Ahmanson series, is slowly gathering momentum again. We had 37 local boats competing to be named Newport Beach's top PHRF boat.

Maybe next year when I again ask the city for eight annual parking permits at a total cost of $1,200 to be awarded to the winning crew of this event, they might be able to afford to give a little something back to our local harbor users.

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

42' Reichel/Pugh FOR SALE

This boat was the first designed from the boards of Reichel/Pugh in 1984. She is built of  aluminum with composite FPR sandwich decks over aluminum framework. She was built by James Betts Enterprises in San Diego (currently located in Tahoe City Ca). This Reichel/Pugh 42 is set up for club racing and can be sailed to her PHRF rating VERY easily. She has an updated Ullman Sail Inventory and plenty of beercan sails. Her mast and standing rigging is less than three years old, engine was replaced, enclosed head was added.She has great VALUE to the person that wants to race and bring home all the trophies. You can already see yourself with your family and friends receiving your awards! For the buyer who is looking for the inexpensive performance cruiser, she has the room for an interior.

ASKING ONLY $ 39,000

The Harbor Report: Costumed cancer fighters take to their paddleboards (Un Edited)

                

When I think of big events in our harbor I recall the Flight of the Snowbirds, Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race, the Ancient Mariners Hobie Cat regatta and now “Paddle for Privates”. If I was going to use one word to describe this event it would be “Genius” and the word holds true to the founder Mandy McDonnell.

                                                                                                                                   Mandy McDonnell

I had a chance to talk with Mandy over the phone this week and go over tomorrows Paddle for Privates costume paddle/beach party and learn a little more about this amazing person. She grew up here in Newport Beach and went through the junior program at Lido Isle Yacht Club. She then sailed for Newport Harbor High and Boston College. On her return from college she was burnt out on competitive sailboat racing but still wanted to return to the harbor. With a quick glance onto the water she noticed Stand Up Paddle boarding or SUP. It became obvious to her that the sport needed a type of club and formed SUP Dog paddling club, which can be found at www.whatssupdog.com. The club paddles every summer night on Thursdays from  6-8 PM followed by an old fashioned beach party or gathering at a partner bar. 

As the club grew she looked for ways of starting an event of some type. “But then I thought, I just should just not put on an event it should be for a cause” she said. About that same time her father was diagnosed with prostrate cancer, he is fine but she wished they could have found it sooner. With October being breast cancer awareness month and November prostrate month. “I wanted to bring awareness to all parts of cancer” Mandy explained.  Thats when Paddle for Privates costume paddle was born with close to 100 people registered in 2010. This year, Mandy feels that there could be as many as 200 costume paddlers on the water this Saturday.

Just think of the harbor fisherman face as he raises his head up and 200 paddlers, dressed in their most creative Halloween costumes start appearing through the mornings haze and surround his boat. 

As long as it’s human powered you can enter. Just go to www.paddle4privates.com  and ask if they still have any boards you can borrow. 

The Fritz Duda Company has played a major role in the success of the paddle along with Suplove boards who donates a new board for the person who gathers the most donations. This years event will benefit Athletes for Cancer.

The location this year is in Newport Dunes and is best accessed via Bayside Drive. The Dunes management must be saving up for their Tidelands Permits because they are charging ten dollars for parking that day. 

Sometime’s you just have to say, I feel like dressing up and making people more aware of how to prevent cancer.

 Also, please make sure you give a big shout out to Mandy McDonnell! She is doing more for the future our harbor than anyone can possibly imagine.

Sea ya.

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

If You Go

What: Paddle for Private

Where: Newport Dunes, 101 N. Bayside Drive, Newport Beach

When: 9 to 5 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $45 online registration, $55 day of; parking: $10

Information: www.paddle4privates.com

Newport Beach City Council Vote to increase Marina Tideland Permits.

Rosansky

Selich

Henn

Hill

Tonight the Newport Beach City council voted to increase Commercial Marina Tideland Rates. With the Three Amigos, (Rosansky, Henn and Selich) looking for their forth vote all eyes and ears focused on Rush Hill as he clicked on his mic. Hill was the deciding vote and his comments swayed from side to side of the issue like an IOR boat in a big breeze. Then, you knew it was coming, the big round down "I will only support this motion if we have a two year waiting period before we implement the proposed Target Index Phase, we still need two years to heal from this crippling recession". (Thats not really what he said word for word but close enough for my blog). Council member Henn, quickly counting votes, decide to 2nd Hill's substitute motion and the question was called.

Bottom line: No rent increase for the Marina Tidelands permits for the next two years. Rate will then increase to .36 per square foot  and increase over 8 years to about 1.89 per square foot. It came to about an 18.5% increase.

Will the Marina Owners continue their fight? Yes, I see them getting more involved in City Politics and work to appeal this new code.

Did Council member Hill miss an opportunity to gain some political hay? Yes, He should had said two years with no change and max the increase at 14.5%. I don't think it would have passed but it sure would have been fun to watch.

I hope the home owners are ready to change their spinnakers down to a 1.5 because this rent squall is now headed their way!