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