“2020 A Real Nutcracker”

 I cannot think of a better way to end 2020 than having a Harbor 20 sailing day named “2020 A Real Nutcracker” Saturday, December 26, 2020? The forecast is for 8-10 knots of breeze at 67 degrees air temperature. We have a targeted race committee that has shown a strong interest in helping out. Now we just need YOU to sign up, 12:30 PM Starting Five points area of the harbor, 4-5 races. For us to proceed I would like to find 5 teams to participate in “2020 A Real Nutcracker” !!!!!

No better way to celebrate the days getting longer, please RSVP… ASAP!

 

Back in the day, 1920’s-1960’s, the NHYC used to have a race week, between Christmas and New Years, that was one of the largest turnouts of the year. I do not think they called it “A Real Nutcracker”, yet I would assume they all had a memorable days on the harbor! Let’s hope more teams will show interest….

 

 

“2020 A Real Nutcracker” TODAY 12:30 Starting in the Five points area of the harbor. Weather forecast is for a warm light breeze, the crew from BYC has stepped up again as race committee.

“Lets go sailing”  JUST SHOW UP! Put on your new running shoes and run down to your boat, does not matter when you arrive.

Todays entries:

Alex Curtiss  

Greg Newman

Anne & Kurt Wiese

Tom Fishbacher

David Camerini

Ed Kimball & Kathy Sangster

Terry Gloege

Tad Springer

Len Bose

Scott Ramser

Nick Madigan

Patrick Scruggs

Michael Volk

Ed Watson

Drayton Family

Kathy Reed

 Saturday, December 26, 2020, Five Points Area of the Harbor “A REAL NUTCRACKER” Turned out to be well attended with 18 boats showing up. The day was perfect with a cool 65 degrees with 6-9 knots of shifty breeze.

Fleet 1 “Nuts” series is unique in many ways, one of my favorite features is that we have one start which allows A’s, B’s & C’s to race together. This can be both positive and negative for the participants yet for the most part it is a good thing. For example, the first race Bob McDonald, a strong B fleeter, had a good lane off the start and found breeze on the left-hand side of the course. I had started on the pin and was looking to get to the right ASAP, after tacking and ducking a boat McDonald pushed me back to the left. “Hey Len, Let’s dig in on the left side and see how we do?” McDonald said. I replied, “ I don’t think so Bob I feel the right side is favored”. We stayed on starboard for maybe a minute longer when he tacked to port, out of the tack McDonald was correct the left had the pressure and we were rolling over the top of the right side boat. McDonald lead around the weather mark and never looked back, I mean he never looked back at the fleet once and we still had three legs to go. McDonald won the race and a couple of other B and C fleet racers were at the front of the fleet. Smiles all around and today with everyone wearing face masks off the racecourse it was heartwarming to see.

Sailing boat 75 “Harbor Master” was Tyler MacDonald who always sails well during the “Nuts” series this year. After the first race, he was constantly crossing the fleet after the start and leading into the first shift. MacDonald was not sailing his boat and I did not recognize him at first, I could not make up my mind if the kid was lucky or good. He and his crew were laughing and having such a good time it appeared that they did not know they where in second place. Finally, I put two and two together and placed the face, while MacDonald pressed the pedal down and finished the day with a 1,2. 

It was also good to see the Madigan family out, who has just gone into a partnership on boat 78. After race 3 the Madigan’s put the dots together and finished with a 3,3.

Special shout out to Chris Bretschger and his team for providing Race Committee. One of the quotes of the day came from Fleet Captain Anne Wiese “ I have never seen Race Committee having such a good time.” Thanks again Chris hope to see more of you and your team in 2021.

So that is it for the 2020 Sailing season, don’t tell anyone but I am sure you all know just how lucky we are!

Sea ya Next year.  January 2nd BYC Sunkist & January 3 NHYC Winter Series

On the Harbor: Wrapping up 2020

By LEN BOSE

It’s time to place the wrapping around 2020 and take a look back over this last year on our harbor. It goes without saying that most people would rather let this year slip by without remembering all the tragedy and loss that has occurred during the war against COVID-19. Reviewing my 24 columns this year, it appears I have stayed focused on how well the harbor has protected most of us and for that, I am extremely grateful. Below is my countdown of the Top Ten Stories of 2020.

10. OASIS Sailing Club. This story was a review of what a fantastic value and opportunity for people to be able to “Go Sailing.” Even during these times, there is still a way to social distance while sailing on a 36’ boat. You can read more about the OASIS Sailing Club at www.stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/7763-on-the-harbor-oasis-sailing-club-013120.

9. Meet Matt Cosylion, Harbor Department Code Enforcement Supervisor. On June 19, I introduced Matt Cosylion from my observations over this past year with him staying on task and I will be checking in with him in 2021. I closed the story with, “As for Cosylion, I like the guy. Anytime I see a person go to task with enthusiasm, who is focused, along with the ability to listen and is comfortable to approach, then we have the right person on the job. I look forward to seeing him here for a long time to come, and believe we are extremely lucky to have him.” View the complete story at www.stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/8827-on-the-harbor-meet-matt-cosylion-061920.

8. 2020 Harbor 20 Fleet One Championships review. This story has only run on my blog site and it was one of the easiest stories to write this year, because the race results will show that my wife Jennifer and I were able to reach the sought-after goal of finishing in the top half of the fleet. And our good friends Anne and Kurt Wiese are the new H20 Fleet Champions. You can find the story at http://lenboseyachts.blogspot.com/2020/09/2020-harbor-20-fleet-one-championships.html.

7. The strength of the BCYC Jr. Sailing Program. This Junior Sailing program pulled off the impossible this year by raising the bar across the harbor. BCYC junior sailing director Aubrey Mayer is someone you will read more about in the future. For now, you can find the story at www.stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/8934-on-the-harbor-the-strength-of-bcyc-070320.

6. Catching up with OC Sheriff’s Harbormaster. I caught up with Lt. Chris Corn on November 6 and to put it simply...I like this guy. This is how I closed the story over my 13 years as a harbor reporter. “I have interviewed six OC harbormasters and Corn has become one of the best among them, along with the same ranks as Long and Alsobrook. Corn is approachable, and he attends most harbor meetings from Huntington to Dana Point. I tease him about the nine different yacht club opening days he attends in the hot sun and in full dress uniform each year. He’s a good one, and if we are lucky enough to keep him for the next two years, our harbors will most certainly benefit.” For the story go to www.stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/9884-on-the-harbor-catching-up-with-oc-110620.

5. Catch and Dispose. This story ran on my blog site and is one I am very proud of because the Harbor 20 Fleet 1 members collected more than 350 pounds of trash out of our harbor. You can check out the story at http://lenboseyachts.blogspot.com/2020/04/team-drayton-sunday-april-26-2020.html.

4. H 20 „NUTS“ series. With the yacht clubs closing down during the start of the “war,” Harbor 20 Fleet 1 contacted our local authorities and with their permission created one of our harbor’s largest relief valves for many of our local sailors and their families. At the close of the events I wrote, “BIG shout out to everyone who participated over the last 12 weeks, and almost 50 races with an average number of boats at 20 and a lot of photos taken.” You can review all the photos at http://lenboseyachts.blogspot.com/2020/03/saturday-march-28-2020-newport-beach-ca.html.

3. Harbor Commissioner Paul Blank’s watch is completed. At last count, I have attended more than 100 Harbor Commission meetings and there is one Harbor Commissioner who has stood above the rest – Paul Blank. For the whole story, go to www.stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/9053-on-the-harbor-farewell-to-harbor-commission-s-paul-blank-071720.

2. Newport Beach’s 20 Most Interesting Yachts Power & Sail. I spent a couple of days cruising the harbor previewing sailing yachts that I have seen over this past season. My Top 10 choice countdowns for each were made by what I believe are the most interesting and demonstrate the character of our unique harbor. Most of the boats I selected are custom and have been in the bay for a long time. To be honest, I am hoping to get the listing on these or at least be invited aboard. Special thanks to my editors Lana and Tom Johnson for letting me run these two stories. You will find the 10 most interesting power boats at www.stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/10006-on-the-harbor-newport-beach-s-10-most-112020; and sailboats at www.stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/10107-on-the-harbor-newport-beach-s-10-most-interesting-120420.

1. The Newport Beach Sailing Hall of Fame. Just before the coronavirus invaded our shores, I looked back in history and came up with the Newport Beach Sailing Hall of Fame. I started with the Newport Harbor Yacht Club history book, three yacht club roster books and my phone. I interviewed David Carol, Phil Ramser, Larry Somers, Don Ayers, Brad Avery, Tom Schock, Henry Sprague, Jane Farwell, George Twist, Dennis Durgan and Dave Ullman. To qualify, inductees into the Newport Beach Sailing Hall of Fame must have spent most of their lives competing in or on our harbor. Their attendance would most certainly increase the boat’s performance, and I recognized their advanced skill level in the sport of sailing. You can find the story at www.stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/7671-on-the-harbor-the-newport-beach-sailing-011720. 

Thank you for your continuous support we will sea ya next year!

~~~~~~~~

Len Bose is a yachting enthusiast, yacht broker and harbor columnist for Stu News Newport.

Notes from my tour of Windward Passage:

A couple of weeks ago I had the honor of going aboard Windward Passage and was given a  tour from her skipper David Johnson. I am going to write this story as if I was making notes on how to take care of my own boat and what to copy someday.

Quite frankly Windward Passage should be placed in the Smithsonian Institution as a work of art. When entering the engine room one feels as if they passed through the pearly gates.

This is what I learned:

Dave “Halfdeck” Johnson is one of the best skippers I have ever met.

The boat is 73’ long, 12’ Draft, 19.6 beam, Perkins Diesel 195 HP 3,200 hours, 8Knots cruising speed, 9 knot max, 3 bladed max prop. 12 KW Northern Lights gen set.

Two years ago the boat went though a major refit. A new Alan Andrews keel and rudder was placed on the boat reducing the wetted surface by 70%. The keel was moved forward and the boat returned to her original lines after she had 18,000 thousand pounds removed. One of the major weight loses areas was in batteries when AGM’s replaced the old batteries. 1,800 pounds was saved. The cabin sole is all foam cored.

The rig was replaced by Hall Spars, the rig and standing rigging is carbon, the carbon rigging is guaranteed for the life of the mast. The mast is polished every three months with Der Shiney Stuff.

All stanchions are custom tapered with their own base. Every pad eye, snatch block, and 6’ at the bow is covered when sailing. All the halyard shackles are soft. There is not one carter pin on the boat, all the clevis pins are custom stainless nuts and set screws. The coffee grinders have rose wood handles.

The boat has crews quarters forward, just aft are two guest stateroom. The salon in in the middle of the boat, and continuing aft down the port side is the galley, that leads into the navigation station and owners stateroom.

Quotes from the skipper, “The boat was originally built as a race boat not a cruising boat”.   “Its a big surf board, theres not allot in the water.

Kim Harting has done all the custom fabrication, Alan Sanders hand painted the interior in white Algrip, Jeff McKenzie has done most of the wood work on the boat, Garry Miltimore has done most of the custom painting.

The boat exterior gets wiped, after a soft water rinse, almost every day. The interior, bilge and up, receives a wipe down every two weeks.

Main Salon

Galley

Navigation Station 

Owners Salon

Owners Stateroom

Electric Panel 

Crew Quarters 

Half Models old and new keel

Bilge

Exterior:

Foredeck

Custom stanchion

Roller Furling

Custom Pins

Rose wood handles

This is the stuff for LP

In Catalina

SEA YA!

The Harbor Report: A Passage to a favorite yacht

Windward Passage sailing downwind with skipper David "half deck" Johnson at the helm. (Courtesy John Fuller and Team Wi / Daily Pilot / November 7, 2013)

By Len Bose

November 7, 2013 | 8:48 p.m.

While cruising the harbor this week, I was looking around for Newport Harbor's 10 most interesting boats of 2013. As most of you have noticed, I have quite an attraction to Windward Passage. That's when I picked up the phone and gave her skipper, David "Halfdeck" Johnson, a call and asked for a interview.

"Sure, Len, why don't you meet me at the boat at 2 tomorrow?" David said over the phone. Hearing this, I became rather excited that I would finally be able to go aboard one of my all-time favorite yachts.

I met David about 10 minutes early in the marina's parking lot where the boat is berthed, and we walked down to the boat. You can't help stopping in your tracks when you first see Windward Passage and take in all her beauty.

David is one of three sons of Cooper Johnson, who was a very prominent member of the Balboa Yacht Club for many years. David's brothers are Dougall and Gordo Johnson, who both work in the marine industry in Newport Harbor.

David started sailing sabots as a kid and then moved up to some of the more active classes in our harbor. Some of David's past sailing instructors were Andy Rose and Tom Purcell. "I was also fortunate to sail with Bill Taylor aboard his Rhodes 33 Mistress for many years," David said.

From there, David started sailing with Morrie Kirk aboard his two-toner Hurricane Deck in many of the Mexico races and always skippered the boat back. While sailing on Hurricane Deck, he met Dick Deaver and teamed up with him. "Dick would always invite me on the different racing programs if I would deliver the boat back," David said.

One day, David started to restore a Rhodes 33 and decided to strip the boat down and protect the wood with a West System epoxy resin. "Most of the local Rhodes owners told me I had ruined the boat," David explained. Today, most wooden boats have the West System epoxy on them.

About this time, David started painting boats and became U.S. Paint's West Coast tech rep for about 10 years. When that job ended he went to work at Basin Marine shipyard. While working there, he quoted a job to paint Windward Passage, which had just been purchased by a local resident who was planning on bringing the boat to Newport Harbor.

Once the boat had arrived in town, he went to work on painting her interior. "That year, a rather large winter storm came in, and the docks we were berthed at seemed to be falling apart. I called the owner, who was out of town, and later that day moved the boat to where it is now. I've been here for 22 years now," David explained with great pride in his voice.

During this time, the boat has had two owners and David has become part of the boat. He has captained it for 22 years and the boat is now 46 years old. Most days, the boat gets a soft water rinse and then gets dried. "L.P. paints prefer not to be waxed, and keeping the boat clean is the best way to make the paint last longer," David said. "One of my secrets is to use 'Der Shiney Stuff.' It's a super gloss sealant glaze that we use every three months on the boat's hull." Other daily maintenance routines include running the boat's systems, checking the bilge and following the scheduled maintenance list.

I then asked about some of the most memorable sails he has had on the boat. "When I did Transpac, we were surfing down the Molokai Channel in 40 knots of wind and doing over 25 knots of boat speed," David explained enthusiastically. "Recently, after the boat's last refit, we were sailing into Long Point, Catalina, in about 20 knots of wind with the jib reefed in, doing about 11 knots of boat speed upwind."

After a good two hours on the boat, I walked away in utter amazement at its condition and David's attention to detail. In my 30 years as a yacht broker, I have never seen a boat in this type of Bristol condition. There have been many times over the years when David and I could not agree on who had inside overlap at a mark while racing. But I have to give it to him this time — no one knows how to take better care of a vessel than David "Halfdeck" Johnson.

If you would like to see the interior of Windward Passage and learn more about the boat, go to my blog at lenboseyachts.blogspot.com.

Sea ya.

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

2020 Newport Beaches 20 Most Interesting Yachts. POWER

By Len Bose

 This story is done in fun and to coincide with the 100 largest yachts, the world’s wealthiest people. I spent a couple of days cruising the harbor previewing boats that I have seen over this past season. My choices were made by what I feel are interesting and demonstrate the character of our harbor.  Most of the boats I have selected are custom and have been in the harbor for a long time. As you will notice I am a huge fan of Nordland, Hinckley and Hunt yachts. To be honest with you I am just hoping to get the listing on these boats or at least be invited aboard? 

I am splitting the list into 10 power and 10 sail. Next week we will be posting the 10 most interesting sailboats. Your comments are always well received, let me know which boats I should add next year?

No. 10 – “FORGER”

FORGER is a 74-foot vessel commissioned in 1988 at the German Bültjer Shipyard in Ditzum to a Beeldsnijder design. It is immediately obvious that she is definitely a different sort of motor yacht. Her iroko (a large hardwood tree from the west coast of tropical Africa that can live up to 500 years) topside gleam has countless coats of varnish. She came to town 10 years ago and is berthed on the end of Linda Isle.

No. 9 – “WASABI”

The 61-foot Nordland WASABI was built in 1983 and shows in better than new condition. Wasabi was originally custom built as hull #1 of this 61’ series.  The original owner (a very experienced yachtsman) met with Ed Monk several times in the process of creating his dream yacht.  With that said, three years after splashing ‘Karana’ he brought her back to the Nordlund yard to extend her hull seven feet to make her a better fishing platform.  The extension allowed for a 90 gallon bait tank in the cockpit and an additional 90 gallon slammer tank in the integrated swim platform.  Also, additional fuel tanks allowing for a total of 2,200 gals in 6 tanks.  The fuel capacity allows for a cruise from Newport to Puerto Vallarta direct without stopping in Cabo (unless desired). Today, she is berthed on a mooring in front of the Balboa Yacht Club and can be found at Whites Landing, Catalina in the summer months. Pride of ownership exudes, which keeps her as one of the best-looking yachts in the harbor.

No. 8 – “INVICTUS”

INVICTUS is a 216-foot, 7-inch luxury motor yacht. She was built by Delta Marine in 2013. With a beam of 42 feet and a draft of 13 feet, she has a steel hull and aluminum superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 1,485 tons. She is powered by engines of 2,575 HP each giving her a maximum speed of 17 knots and a cruising speed of 16 knots. The motor yacht can accommodate 12 guests in six cabins with an exterior design by Delta Design Group. This gorgeous megayacht really should not be on this list because she is not berthed in Newport Beach, yet when it is in the turning basin each summer she commands everyone’s attention. 

No. 7 – “LA FORZA del DESTINO”

LA FORZA del DESTINO splashed here in 2018. The 32-foot center console is built by Hunt Yachts and is a clear standout to the many center consoles starting to appear in our harbor over the last five years. It is kept at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club and features a Seakeeper gyro stabilizer, which midgets 95 percent of the ocean’s roll. She is powered by twin 300 HP Yamaha engines and can reach top speeds of 50 knots. She is a must have for any yachtsman wanting the best.

No. 6 – “SHENANDOAH”

This 44-foot Hinckley Talaria was built in 2004. How can this powerboat not catch a discerning yachtsman’s eye with her deep ocean blue color and seductive lines? She grabs one’s attention at first glance. Perfection is the first thought that comes to mind when viewing this Michael Peters design. SHENANDOAH is kept on an end tie just west of the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. 

No. 5 – “VENDETTA”

This 57-foot Gatsby-era commuter yacht designed by Doug Zurn and built by Director in 2005 is absolutely stunning and will take your breath away. I am a huge fan of commuter-style yachts and had noticed VENDETTA as soon as she arrived in town. I immediately thought to myself how perfect she would be over at Catalina. With a reported speed of 47 knots, the new owner can make it over to the island in less than an hour and accommodate up to six guests. The original owner was musician Billy Joel. She can be found at the end of Balboa Peninsula.

No. 4 – “AIFOS”

A 73-foot Wally Performance Yacht, AIFOS features twin V-12 1650 HP Mann diesels complemented by KaMeWa jet drives with top speeds of 40 knots. Her unique styling separates her from the rest of the fleet. She is berthed in the harbor along Mariner’s Mile and can be found at Moonstone Beach in Cambria during the summer. Her open transom, huge cockpit along with the ease of operating offers the owner the perfect getaway.

No. 3 – “SHANAKEE”

This 78-foot Nordland Ed Monk design splashed here in 2008. Designed for passages off the Pacific Coast and the glacial runways of the Inside Passage, SHANAKEE was constructed with a high-tech composite structure and just screams perfection. Built with a sailor’s eye, her beauty will last longer than the best French wine. If she is in town, you can find her just east of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

No. 2 – “CAZADOR”

This 115-foot Nordland Expedition Yachtfisher is a long-range cruiser, with a main level master stateroom, three guest staterooms, three crew staterooms, a large salon and galley, and a top-level pilothouse. Specs include 3,200 HP from twin CATs, 7,000 gallons of fuel, 1,200 gallons of water and twin Northern Lights gen sets at 65 kw each. Dimensions: 115-foot length, 25-foot beam and 6-foot 2-inch draft. Splashed here in 2018, CAZADOR can be seen at the end of the Lido peninsula next to the Newport Beach Shipyard.

No. 1 – “FOLLOWING SEA”

This 56-foot Bertram is what Newport Beach is all about. The original owner was a member of Newport Harbor Yacht Club who commissioned Ray Hunt to design a 52-foot yacht for extended offshore cruising. Built by Dick Bertram in 1964, the construction was cold molded and was said to be the lightest and fastest cruising sport fishing boat on the west coast with a cruise speed of 20 knots. Restored to perfection by one of Newport’s best boat builders, FOLLOWING SEA can be found in the Newport Marina.

Sailboats next week!

Sea ya.

~~~~~~~~

Len Bose is a yachting enthusiast, yacht broker and harbor columnist for Stu News Newport.