On the Harbor: After all the rains, what to check out on your boat

                                         

                                                             By LEN BOSE

As I came out from underneath my boat’s cockpit cover with my bucket and hand bilge pump, I wondered if all of my Duffy and big boat clients have kept a close look at their boats since the Christmas Boat Parade. While talking to one of my big boat clients, he reminded me that CO2 detectors need to be maintained and should be updated every five years. Of course we talked about checking our dock lines and annual maintenance to our outboards, and both of us were surprised to hear that SeaKeepers, which are stabilizers for boats, need to be annually checked. We both thought this revolved around hours used rather than annual maintenance.

I then stopped by the Duffy service yard and talked to Jorge Lara who manages the Duffy repair technicians. We both agreed that owners should check their batteries to make sure they have kept their charge, as many docks have electrical issues this time of year. We are assuming with the amount of rain we have had, your boat’s bilge pumps have been working harder than normal. It’s not unusual that the bilge pump’s float switch is not working, because their connections are prone to corrosion. So the next time you head down to your boat, make sure you press the manual bilge pump switch and listen for the pump to engage with water flowing outboard. If you do not hear or see the water going out of your boat, you better look further. I have heard of the bilge pump hose breaking free of the through hull and pumping water back into the boat. Carpet, cushions and flooring should be taken out of the boat to dry out once the sun returns. I am a big believer in running a dehumidifier in the boat this time of year, trying to keep the mildew away when the heat returns. Lara and I both agreed that after the rains, skippers need to be much more aware of flotsam in the water. I have caught more than one palm frond around the prop and have had to find a diver to remove it for me.

Talking about flotsam in the harbor, my next phone call was to city harbor patrolman Matt Stanley; he and I have known each other now for close to 20 years when we delivered a J109 down the coast from San Francisco. Stanley has been working for the city since 2017. I like to reach out to him at least once a year to obtain another perspective on what’s going on in the harbor. Stanley described this winter as all about rain and wind. “Because we have had a constant water flow this winter from the inland rivers and levees, most all the debris has been cleared out. We have had very few logs, although we still notice beaver dams and mattresses floating by often. We have been busy pumping boats out, especially the south-facing shore moorings along Balboa Island. This area of the harbor takes the brunt of force in the southerly winds. We had a breeze up over 40 knots in the harbor this last Tuesday,” said Stanley.

Pressing Stanley for what strange items he has seen floating by this winter he said, “We have had some interesting wildlife around the harbor. In fact, last week we had a Red-footed booby sighted on the bait barge.” 

 

Our harbor is extraordinarily fortunate to have Stanley as a harbor patrolman. His past employment was as the dock master at the Balboa Yacht Club, where he maintained the club’s boats’ mooring gear. No one in our harbor can spot a boat with an improper ground tackle on their moorings other than Stanley. He also has a very keen eye for boats that are not on their proper float lines or noticing sails unfurling that are ready to open on the next wind guest.

I am picking up my two-wheel duffel bag now along with my remote control Dragonflite 95 sailboat all packed up in its travel case and headed to the airport for my first sailing road trip to the Corinthian Sailing Club on White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas. Forty of the U.S.’ top RC sailors have signed up for this year’s “Blow Out Regatta.” My goal is to finish all the races and if I am really lucky, finish in the top half of the fleet. Wish me luck!     

Sea ya.

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

2023 Dragonflite95 Dallas "Blow Out Regatta"

 March 25 & 26 Dallas Texas DF 95 “Blow Out Regatta” 2023 Hosted by the Trinity River Yacht Club with Chairman/PRO Chuck LeMahieu and his team of volunteers. It has been a long time since I had  this feeling similar to walking into class on your first day of grade school or going out on a date with the person you feel could be “The One”. Walking into the Corinthian Sailing Club I had flashbacks of wondering if I would recognize anyone, will I fit in, can I compete with this class, or even more frighting will her father answer the door.

As I approached the club I felt the kids were sizing me up, I am sure there were a couple of California jokes said about me wearing the typical California beach wear and sandals. I walked in the club’s front door and I ran straight into “Dad”! He quickly sized me up as an RC boat novice I am. He smiled and gave me a big Texas hello and welcome. No pun, we quickly broke the ice when Dad asked me “Do you drink?’ the smile on my face was like a pressure release value while he and I discussed the difference between scotch and bourbon whiskey. “Dad” became Chuckles and I had a new best friend.

My next concern was taking my boat out of its travel case, this was the first travel event I had attended with a DF 95. After finding my space within the crowded yacht club I began commissioning my boat which was much easier than I thought it would be. My next thought was “shit” I should have gotten here earlier there was Mark Golison, Tony Gonsalves, and Mr. Texas himself Brig North. I had reviewed the entry roster, and I had already understood the grade curve was going to be steep in this class. I found my space in the back of the club which made me flash back to grade school sitting in the back of the room. Chris Collins came by and said hello, I was feeling better because now I knew someone. I then introduced myself to Dan Shier with the day getting better by the second.

With my boat commissioned with my B-Rig in place, I took a deep breath and started to head outside to 15-18 knots of cool breeze. Dad, I mean Chuckles said, “Len have you ever sailed your B-Rig before in breeze, come over here let me take a look.” Like I said things were getting better every second, thank goodness LeMahieu reached out to me because my boat would have blown apart just exiting the clubhouse door. After about six minutes later Lemahieu said here you go, you're looking good. I then dropped my boat in the water as the wind was quickly subsiding which became the story of the weekend. Sailing a couple of races and letting the butterflies release from my stomach I returned to the club to change to my A rig. Just then I hear “High welcome to the event I’m Tony how was your flight?” My voice stuttered as I said his last name before he could“ Gonsalves, I watched all your videos on youtube.” He gave me a quick smile and said “Let me know If I can help you with anything?” With my A rig in place, I headed back out to launch my boat and of course, the wind was starting to pick up. Launching my boat and sailing a couple of quick donuts in front of the dock I heard “ Len, bring your boat to the dock let’s make a couple of adjustments.” I smiled and thought to myself shit that’s Brig North helping me out with some pointers. I could not sail my boat back to the dock fast enough. After about five minutes Brigs relaunched my boat “Now that looks better, you're ready” North said. I’m thinking to myself shit this is really cool! After about three or four practice races Lemahieu came out on the door reminding me that his famous guacamole was going fast and the ordered BBQ had just arrived.

Most of the class had returned for the best BBQ brisket I have ever had, finding a park bench seat outside on the deck I joined Mark Golison, who I have known sailing in Southern California for years, Chris Collins and then had the honor to meet the person that really gets things done at these events Carrie LeMahieu. I also was fortunate to meet class secretary Russ Gardner, by the way, Russ, if you are reading this, I need to apologize again for that Port/Starboard foul at the finish line on day two… so embarrassing! The day ended with a couple of Chuckles provided top-shelf bourbon watching the sunset on White Rock Lake. PERFECT!!!!

The grading curve was steep and I finished with the fewest amount of gold stars next to my name similar to the spelling bee charts we had in grade school. Gonsalves came up to me on Sunday asking me if I was having a good time. My reply was “It’s all good, just wish my performance was better.” Gonsalves reminded me this is my first event, and to take notice of my grade curve when I return back to my local club. Leaving the club on Sunday for the airport I just noticed the license plate on the minivan I had rented said “Short Bus.”. “I’ll remember The Dallas Blow Out” and use it as my battle cry at my next Dragonflite 95 event.

The sailing was challenging and I will be attending the next Dallas Blowout, thanks again for the warm welcome everyone, and you too Chuckles!

Sea ya

On the Harbor: Harbor Commission addresses mooring issue changes

By LEN BOSE

It was a fascinating night at the Harbor Commission meeting this last Wednesday night (March 8), with the first sign of activity being when you have difficulty finding a parking place. The next point of interest is having a Newport Beach police officer standing in the corner of the chambers while more than 65 people are in attendance. Over my 15 years of covering the Harbor Commission, the only time an officer has been in attendance has been during harbor permits, marina, or mooring issues that have been placed on the agenda.

This time, it was the moorings that brought the crowd into the Council Chambers. On my arrival, I looked over the crowd with many of the same people attending that have a strong interest in the moorings – being mooring permit holders. First on the agenda was Council Policy H-1: Review of proposed changes to pier and float extensions beyond the pierhead line. My first thought is why is this topic first on the agenda and then it became obvious why the chambers were close to full. About three-quarters of the way through public works admin. manager Chris Miller’s presentation, it finally came to me that this topic has been around for longer than I have and how important these proposed changes are around the harbor.

Waterfront homeowners along with marina operators might want to take out at least one earbud to understand the staff’s upcoming recommendations. This is not a “Ring the Bell” topic, so my guess is you will want to understand who you would be talking to should you ever wish a change to your dock. A Bravo/Zulu, for a job well done, needs to be given to Miller for bringing a clearer understanding to pier head lines that circle our harbor. 

Now to the elephant in the room – a proposed pilot program to change the mooring system within our harbor. The history of the mooring system is lengthy, so let’s dive into the murky sand below the surface. Harbor Commissioner Ira Beer has been tasked with providing the Harbor Commission with a recommendation that can be presented to the City Council. Two of the many intentions of this objective are to come up with a way to decrease the size of the mooring fields and create more water space throughout the harbor. Should you want the long version of this topic go here, then hit the link “Current Agenda Packet,” head to Item 2 where you’ll find the mother lode of attachments. At the meeting, Commissioner Beer made his presentation, followed by the Newport Mooring Association rebuttal. This reminded me of the President of the United States’ “State of the Union address” followed by the rebuttal of the opposition party. What was the outcome? The Harbor Commission voted 5-1, with one member abstaining, because of a conflict of interest to proceed to the City Council with the Mooring field report.

At the City Council meeting, the Harbor Commission will be recommending a Pilot Program in the Mooring C field which is just to the east of Bay Island. One or two rows of mooring will be changed to the new mooring system, where the moorings and vessels will be observed to see if this new system will work throughout the harbor. I hope that the councilmembers noted Commissioner Don Yahn’s suggestion to monitor the pilot field for a whole year with winter and spring bringing the true test to the pilot mooring field.

There were a couple of comments made by the Newport Mooring Association (NMA) that made me go hmmmm. One was the clear understanding of the mooring permit transfers under the changes being proposed to the Title 17 Harbor Code for the new mooring system. When a NMA member asked for clarification from City Attorney Jeremy Jung, it was my understanding that he said, more than twice, there will be no change in the transfer of mooring permits process. It would be much more comforting to have clearer wording than what is proposed now within Title 17 and permit transfers. A couple of other topics also grabbed my attention within the new mooring system. Many people thought that one was to go bow to bow along a row of mooring. This is not my understanding: whichever way it is easier for you to approach your mooring is the route you should take. The other idea that I feel is important to recognize is that if the weather conditions are too difficult to get onto your mooring and harbor patrol is unavailable to assist you, the harbor has locations around your mooring area where you can stay until the weather conditions change. With that all said, it’s time to go sailing.

Sea ya.

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