“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.

On the Harbor: Newport Beach’s 20 most interesting yachts SAIL

By LEN BOSE

I spent a couple of days cruising the harbor previewing sailing yachts that I have seen over this past season. My Top 20 choice countdowns were made by what I believe are the most interesting and demonstrate the character of our unique harbor. Most of the boats I have 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.

Your comments are always well received, so let me know which boats I should add next year.

This is the second in a two-part series. 

No. 10 – “ANTARES”

ANTARES is a 1970s Ranger 33. Without a doubt, one of Newport Beach’s staples. It was raced competitively in the 70s and 80s by a family team. Over the last 30 years, it was used as a daysailer with long stays in Catalina at Whites Landing. For years I have copied this family’s routine of setting up the boat once at Catalina. She can be found on a BYC mooring.

No. 9 – “SHOCKWAVE”

SHOCKWAVE, a 1993 Ericson 38, is hull number 8 of the 19 built by Pacific Seacraft. You first notice the transom scope, and fit and finish of the boat. She has been berthed on Lido Soud for the last 20 years and is used primarily as a daysailer.

8. “ BLACK ALERION” 

BLACK ALERION 38’ Alerion is sailed almost every Thursday afternoon. This Carl Schumacher design can be spotted from one end of the bay to the other with her full-roached main. Sailed single-handed most of the time you always have to put down what you’re doing as she sails by. Located on Lido Peninsula

7. “MANAAKI”

MANAAKI 40’ Friendship designed by Ted Fontaine. She will leave you speechless as she glides down Newport Harbor most weekends with the whole family aboard. Truly one of Newport’s gems! She is berthed on the south side of Lido and kept under a full cover. 

6. “BRIGADOON” 

BRIGADOON 56’ Tripp splashed in 2001. The owner has had her now four years and has cruised the Caribbean and raced in 2019 CABO and Trans Pac with plans for cruising the South Pacific in the near future. She is well cared for and is ready to drop the dock lines at a moment’s notice. Located on the Lido Peninsula

5. “PALAWAN” 

PALAWAN 75’ Little Harbor designed by Ted Hood she is a shoal draft of only 6’ – 6” offers gunkholing capabilities in a serious offshore  world cruiser designed for comfortable passage making. With a centerboard and trim board, delta form hull, a large rudder and MaxProp protected by a skeg and a powerful bow thruster, PALAWAN can be maneuvered easily in tight quarters and in all conditions. She is berthed in the Bayshores Marina.

4. “OUR TIME” 

 OUR TIME 63’ Hylas Hull # 3 built-in 2014. This German Frers design performance cruiser

radiates quality and performance just sitting in her slip. While viewing this boat from the dock I appreciate the ability to move around the deck and change gears as the weather changes. Alongside the ability to motor sail close to 10 knots with it’s 220Hp Yanmar diesel auxiliary engine. She has been in town for at least four years and is only seen out of the slip occasionally. She is kept just north of BCYC. For more photos information go to https://www.hylasyachts.com/sailing-yachts/h63/#360tour 

3. “TEAL” 

  TEAL 42’ Hinckley Daysailor built-in 2007 to a Bruce King design. I first noticed this boat pulling into Moonstone on a warm summer afternoon with ensign, club burgee, and private signal all flying perfectly. I must have taken a deep breath because my wife Jennifer asked me what I was looking at and I replied “Oh nothing dear” like I had been caught looking at another attractive lady. She is berthed next to the NHYC.

2.  “VENTURE” 

VENTURE 76’ Pedrick Design built at Admiral Marine in 2000. Constructed of all composite materials after 20 years she is still “state of the art.” She has a commanding profile at the end of Lido Isle where she appears to be moving 15 knots while tied to the dock. Venture is now on her third owner and I have to assume she will be seen at Whites in Catalina most of next summer.

# 1 “WINDWARD PASSAGE” 

WINDWARD PASSAGE 73’ Built on the Beach in the Bahamas in 1968 to an Alan Gurney design. Best known for Transpac greatest single performance and with a crew list from the Sailors Hall of Fame. This yacht is in perfect condition and is truly one of  Newport’s most interesting yachts. She is berthed at the old Ardell Marina. “In every sailor’s heart, there is a piece of “WINDWARD PASSAGE”. I wrote a story years ago that you can find on my blog site http://lenboseyachts.blogspot.com with interior photos and notes. This story has been read by more than 50,000 readers. It would great if she would race in a Transpac again, seen sailing most Thursday afternoons.     

Hope you enjoyed Newport Beaches 20 Most Interesting Yachts?

Sea ya

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!