Lower Bay dredging update No. 3.

Hi Everyone!

This is my Lower Bay dredging update No. 3. 

1.     The dredging contractor, RE Staite, will mobilize their equipment between April 30 – May 2.  They’ll have 2 dredge barges, 3 disposal scows and about 3 tug boats.  Things will be busy in the harbor indeed.

2.     They will be staging their equipment off Bay Island near the east end of the anchorage area because the water is deeper compared to the area traditionally used for this purpose off Harbor Island.  However, the Harbor Island site may still be used from time to time.

3.     The anchorage area between Lido Isle and Bay Island will be removed for the duration of the project.

4.     Both Chuck South (South Mooring Company) and Carlos Contreras (Harbor Patrol Mooring Deputy) will be coordinating the mooring relocations throughout the project.  Many thanks to John Fuller and Gary Hill who are helping to orchestrate the moves for the NHYC field.  Their help is very much appreciated!

5.     We will be relocating moorings to any available space in the immediate vicinity.  Extra rows in adjacent fields will be added.  Also, we may need to create new temporary areas elsewhere in the harbor.  Of course, once the dredging is complete in that area, the moorings will be moved back to their respective field.

6.     On about May 3, the larger dredge unit will start near the eastern tip of Lido Isle, then work around the corner along Via Lido Soud in order to reach the POLB material.

7.     On about May 2 or 3, the smaller dredge unit will start near the Balboa Bay Club.

8.     The Coast Guard / Harbor Patrol / Balboa Yacht Club area has been rescheduled to be dredged a bit later near June 1 or so.

9.     Remember, we will only be dredging in the main channels – not under individual docks. 

10.  We will contact you if you have a boat that overhangs into the channel, and will request that it be moved for 1-2 days while the area is dredged.  However, I highly recommend any vessels adjacent to the main channel be moved to avoid mud splashed on your boat.  We will be as careful as we can, but splashing is inevitable.  

11.  Please remember, as with all construction projects like this, the schedule will continue to evolve and shift.  I will provide updates often so everyone has the most current information.

12.  For the sailboat racers in the harbor, some of the race markers will be removed or relocated (space permitting).  At first glance, it appears that markers Q, T, U & W will be affected. 

13.  The Port of Long Beach (POLB) is allowing us to dispose material up until June 30, then our window of opportunity closes.  We will not miss this opportunity, and we are prepared to make special accommodations to allow RE Staite to fulfill this goal.  This includes working earlier hours, or later hours into the evening (or even 24 hours), and maybe Sundays as well, at least during this initial push.  I am thanking the community in advance for your patience, understanding and flexibility.

14.  Please see the attached figure that shows the dredge footprint.  I will continue to update this figure as the project progresses.

15.  These email updates will be my primary method of communication to the public.  Anyone can email me their contact information to be included.  I will also be happy to speak to any harbor communities, associations or yacht clubs etc…to help spread the word and answer any questions.  As always, please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Chris Miller

Harbor Resources Manager

( (949) 644-3043  * cmiller@newportbeachca.gov

I am Speaking at the Oasis Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvH7pNfpKSM&feature=colike


Please use my link to the left and go to JoySailing for the best photos of Newport Harbor and the sport of sailing.

I am Speaking at the Oasis Center  today at 1:30 PM about The BYC Beer Can races. If you have time and want to see more of Joysailing great photos please stop by!

2012 Race Picks

        DR and I on the J 125 "Double Handed" Ensenada Race 
         DR on the way into Ensenada Bay " Len WAKE UP!" 
         Len "What, What?" 
         DR. "WE ARE GOING SO FAST!"


          GOOD TIMES!    "ALL THE WAY"


My Picks (Close at 5:00 4-26-12) Leave your comments on who you think will WIN!


Maxi
1. Med Man
2. Taxi
3. It's OK

PH A
1. Blue Blazes
2. Fifty One Fifty
3. Timeshaver

PH B
1. Amante
2. French Kiss
3. Airwaves

PH C
1. Brown Sugar
2. Rolling in the deep
3. Patriot

Ph D
1. Travler
2. Renegade
3. Gunslinger


PH E
1. Pussycat
2. LuLu
3. Starckweather

PH F

1. Campaign II
2. Sly McFly
3. Golden Skye

PH G
1. Cimarrow
2. La Marquesita
3. Aries


Sprint A
1. Jim
2. Hot Tamale
3. Adios


Sprint B
1. Anarchy
2. Linstar
3. Plankton

For Sale: Santa Cruz 50

    PRICE REDUCTION   "NEW ASKING PRICE OF $ 185,000"


ADRENALIN is the perfect name for this boat because when you first see this amazing yacht your heart will begin to race. The up dated bow sprit, open transom and Vibrant light blue hull will grab your attention like “Love at first sight”. When you walk behind the helm and grab the wheel you will be one step closer to your dreams. 
I have sold seven Santa Cruz 50’s over the years and this boat is one of the best 50’s that have ever come on the market. She is a great value, please come and inspect her today. Please contact Listing Agent Len Bose (714) 916-0200

Dons Weather/ Don Anderson has passed away.

I received this email today: Stan Heirshberg

It is with sadness that I report that a well known weather forecasting/reporting resource has been lost. For years Don Anderson has provided a free daily weather reporting service for the Pacific West Coast over the Baja Net and other ham radio networks from his home here in Ventura, CA. He did this selflessly out of his love of cruising and the cruising community. Don was a member of our yacht club the Ventura Yacht Club and passed away on his boat Summer Passage while moored in her slip in Ventura. He will be missed by all of us who knew him and all who depended on his daily reports.

This is a story I did on Don two years ago.

By Len Bose

Don Anderson

Last Wednesday, I headed out to the harbor with three different ideas for a story and I struck out locating my sources. I thought, “What am I going to do now?” I had to be in Ventura on Thursday to meet with Don Anderson and list his Valiant 47 sailboat “Summerpassage.” Then it hit me – there's my story. To you seasoned yachtsmen – this is the same Don Anderson that does the weather forecast for the “Amigo Net” with the call sign “Summerpassage.” Online, I found two very good stories about Don atwww.csus.edu/indiv/f/foxs/summer%20passage/don-bio.html. But like always, I wanted to ask Don questions he hasn't answered before.

I arrived at Don's home in Ventura at 11 a.m. Commodore Don is a staff commodore of the Balboa Yacht Club. "How've you been, Don?” I asked. “Good, good ... please come in Len, you’re looking the same, with your warm smile and greeting,” he replied. He and I got to know each other quite well over the years, doing mark set duties during two Governors Cup regattas. Over the next couple of hours we talked about his boat and “Don's Weather.

Now, if you read the stories I referred to above, you'll see Don puts in about eight hours a day into his weather forecasts, and you'll also find his broadcasting schedule. But as Don pointed out, you better receive your information from the source; and to receive “Don's Weather” you'll need to tune in your Marine Single Side Band, SSB, daily at 1415 hours zulu (utc) on 8.122.0 Mhz, upper sideband. It's too bad Don turned me down to run an advertisement for Len Bose Yacht Sales, because with more than 1,000 boat owners listening to him twice a day, i'm sure I would increase my sales. Don also does weather routing for about 25 people this time of year. This isn't hobby ... he just can't walk away tomorrow and leave all these people in the dark. This is a big job he's taken on, and to my knowledge the only person in the world that does this service for free.

While interviewing Don, I picked up on a couple of things regarding his listeners: Be on time for his broadcast ... he's not going to send you an email with weather information; he's more than willing to spend hours with you over the SSB if you find yourself in a unexpected situation; he doesn't have a Web site; and he truly enjoys helping out any yachtsman.

I also picked up on some facts that I thought would be fun to share with you: 99% of the cruisers he talks to are husband/wife teams traveling about 160 miles a day. He receives three to four emails a day for people thanking him, (you saved or lives) or (you saved us three days off our passage ... thank you). Don also receives phone calls from the Coast Guard about once a week asking if he knows the location of different vessels.

I then asked Don what he could pass on to our readers about yachting safety. He replied, “Have a Marine SSB, find the local cruising radio nets for the area you will be in, make sure you have jack lines and a harness on your boat, and a EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons). He also recommends you take a sake down cruise (practice cruise) before you leave, and make three to four cruises around San Miguel Island in the summertime. If you can make several cruises around San Miguel you're ready for anything. He also advises to have two radar reflectors up; they don't have to be the expensive ones. Just make sure you read the instructions first and have them displayed at the proper angles. My last bit of safety advice from Don was to try and make contact with any commercial ships, while at sea, on VHF Channel 16 during any crossing situation. Should you make contact with the ship and they inform you of a course change, make sure they give the direction they will be making that course change.

When I left this interview, I felt honored that I have gotten to spend time with this man on the water and I also wondered who might take his place when he has to sign off? I'd like to recommend to the Balboa Yacht Club's Commodores that Staff Commodore Don Anderson be placed on the “Wall of Recognition,” because I know of no other member that honors BYC more.

Sea Ya'

Len Bose

Len Bose is a contributing writer to the Newport Beach Independent and owner ofLen Bose Yacht Sales.

Lower Bay Dredging Update No. 2

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update on the status of the Lower Bay dredging project.

1.     The contractor, R.E. Staite, has indicated that they may commence dredging as soon as next week or so.  We will be having a construction meeting in the next couple days, so I will have a schedule after that.  I just wanted to give everyone a heads up as the final countdown has begun.

2.     Please see the attached figure which I will be building upon throughout the entire project. It’ll show a updated snapshot of what areas are currently being dredged, and what areas are complete.

3.     We will be dredging under some of the mooring fields which will need to be temporarily relocated.  If you are a mooring permittee and would like to move your vessel to another mooring in the harbor for a few weeks, please contact the Harbor Patrol’s office and they’ll be happy to reassign you on a first-come, first-served basis, no charge.  If you do not want to move your vessel, the City’s contractor will move it, along with the mooring, to a temporary location close by.  South Mooring Company will be assisting the City with this effort.

4.     Most vessels at private and commercial docks will not be required to move during dredging, but a few that overhang into the federal channel may need to vacate their slips for a day or two. (If affected, you will be contacted ahead of time.)  However, please be warned that there will inevitably be splashing of water and sediment near the dredge zone, so it is highly advisable that you move your boat(s) while the dredger is near your dock.  The impacts in any given area will be temporary, and may last only a few days in front of the docks, and perhaps a few weeks in each mooring field. Please ask your harbor friends or neighbors for assistance with temporary boat storage during this project.

5.     Feel free to pass along this information to any other interested parties, or ask that they contact me with their email address to be included in my updates.

I will provide more information as it becomes available.

Thank you,

Chris Miller

Harbor Resources Manager

( (949) 644-3043  * cmiller@newportbeachca.gov

The Harbor Report: Start of sailing season 'off the charts' Unedited

      OEX Finishing BYC Cabo 2012

I am so excited about the start of this boating season I cannot stand it! This last weekend was off the charts, Newport at its best and there is so much more to come.

This last weekend started with the Balboa Yacht Clubs Corona del Mar to Cabo race on Friday and Saturday. The winds where light for the two starts with the breeze coming in with a vengeance early Sunday morning. By the end of Sunday the carnage reports started to filter in with “Medicine Man” suffering a broken boom in a 38 knot puff, crew is safe. If you are getting 40 knot gusts of wind, with a big swell off Cedreos Islands running, then blend this all together and you are going to have some wide eyed sailors, walking really low to the ground when they finish this race. Looking at the weather reports and watching the “yellowtrack” race tracking, I can hear the “Help me Mr. Wizard’s” from the crews from behind my computer. Go to balboayachtclub.com for a full report.

Onboard CONDOR during Sunday Squall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqw4a03EZOI&context=C456ea08ADvjVQa1PpcFMIx7VzoHKeqv1HaYlDsicxq3oz85mOiaI=

Speaking of wide eyed sailors if you did not stop by Newport Harbor Yacht Club this weekend to watch the Baldwin Cup Team Race then you missed some of the best sailing our harbor can provide. Sailed in Harbor 20’s the event ran from March 30- April 1^st with Sunday finals pegging out the fun meter. The wide eyed sailors where all the 100 + people watching from the dock. Best described by Chris Raab when commentating the semi finals over the docks PA system to the crowd. “Oh wow, wow, WOW! that was close” with out a doubt this is how you promote sailing. I have never been a the edge of my seat watching sailing before and with boats sailing within a “wet sponge throw” of the main dock I do not know how it can get any better than that. Well done to The Newport Harbor Yacht Club and all the volunteers from around the harbor. I happened to have noticed a large number of people from other clubs helping out and that’s truly what’s it all about. NHYC also has the revised Ahmanson Cup Series starting April 21 & 22. This is also part of the Newport High Point Series. The new format is Random Leg racing with pursuit starting, which means we will be doing longer courses with the smaller boats starting first. To me the event has more of a grass roots feeling for our harbors club racers. Make sure you sign up for this event, its time that we clean out our bilges and go boating together.

Over at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club the Angelman Series will be running windward/leeward course’s on April 14. Paul DeCapua and his crew has been doing an outstanding job this season setting up perfect windward leeward courses for our local PHRF racers. BCYC will also be running the Lorin Weiss Harbor 20 Series April 15, the last date was cancelled because of to much wind so make sure you sign up for this one. I have to get my name of this trophy, Lorin was a good friend and one of our harbors finest. BCYC is also very involved with this years Ensenada Race starting April 27. This years race will set a new record on the fun meter and I can’t wait! Everything will be centered at the Hotel Coral , with scheduled bus trips to and from the hotel. Entry’s are approaching maximum capacity and everything seems to be lining up for a memorable year.

We have had a little set back with finding a place for our Harbors Marine Recycling Center. If any of you ever have a chance to talk with a City Council members please ask them for a Marine Recycling Center, reconsider the proposed tideland permits tax increases and while you have their attention have them throw a little spiff of 8 annual parking permits for this years Newport High Point winners. I have one more story this week to tell you about so head over to my blog site at lenboseyachts.blogspot.com

Sea ya

I crack myself up sometimes!

Last week I was with a new client bring home his Navigator 61 from San Diego to Newport Beach.

I was by myself on watch just in front of the San Onofre power plant when I started to pick up calls from a female radio operator on warship # 5 advising other boaters to keep their distance.

As I approached the USS BATTEN warship # 5  I kept thinking to myself what might be a fun response should warship 5 hail me.  As I approached, the female radio operator hailed me on Channel 16 by calling out my location, heading and speed.

I quickly replied:  "This is “I Have a Nice Fanny” going to channel 10". I could hear her take a breath and wonder if she should call me by my stated name. Rather than hailing me as "pleasure craft" she then said  “I Have a Nice Fanny, I Have a Nice Fanny this is warship # 5” in which I replied “I bet you do?’ and I could hear the laughter break out behind her, when a more authoritative voice came across the radio asking me to repeat my call sign. I changed it back to the boats real name. They requested I change course and take their stern, In which I immediately did with a “copy that, I am taking your stern” which resulted in more laughter on my part.

I have to assume I got away with one and started calling my boating friends informing them of my little joke.

Good Times

Spring twilight’s at M Mark

March 21, 2012 Spring twilight’s at M Mark.  We had the perfect spring day, 8-12knots of breeze, out of the west. Warm at the start and the jackets started to appear as the sun set.

We had four boats and completed 5 races of 2 v 2 windward leewards. Mike Pinckney was our designated coach and provided simple instructions at the mark rounding. From the starting boat I was able to learn a lot on how this whole Team Race thing works. I am encouraging you all to try this format of sailing. I promise you will improve your sailing skills and find another reason to use your boat. Next week come on down and give it a try! Everyone is welcomed to help me in the starting boat?

This weeks participants were Diane & Steve Kent, John Fradkin, Mike Pinckney, Alex Steele, Shannon Heausler, Jon Novack, & Jeff Tolan.  

Walter Johnson and Linda Pierce did a fly by, promised to attend next week and made a beverage for the Kent’s before sailing off into the sunset.  Other people that called me and said they would be down next week was Peter Haynes, Bill Menninger , Judi Gorski & Marry Bacon.

This is starting to feel like it’s going to be a FUN series that will turn into something much larger! We also had a great time sitting around the fire at BYC after the race, which to tell you the truth is almost more fun than racing.

Sea ya Next week!

Len Bose

The Harbor Report: Tax waves rolling in

By Len Bose

March 20, 2012 | 8:40 p.m.

This week I am going to use a surfing analogy to explain my harbor observations. I hung my surfboard up years ago because I never was very good at surfing.

For those of you who do not surf, a set is a group of three waves. Sometimes sets hit the beach with very little time in between them. Quite often, I would find myself riding some small wave in, then turn to look back out to sea and notice a lineup of two huge sets rolling in. There I would be, getting pummeled by the white wash of each breaking wave while paddling back outside, trying to keep my head above water.

Now I am not sure if any of you have looked out to sea recently, but I am starting to feel like an overweight surfer on a very short board. No matter how hard I paddle, it seems like I am not getting anywhere and the next big wave is coming in. In this analogy, the waves are the proposed tideland tax increases.

The next wave is approaching, and it seems to have the marina operators' name on it for a tax increase of 20% of their gross income, plus an additional 4% for capital improvements. That's some really cold water that could turn into harborhyperthermia. The idea that the city of Newport Beach accountants will need to audit each marina operator and look through their books does not make me feel any warmer either.I was able to "duck dive" under the white wash of the mooring permits increase and Basin Marina slip increases. In these hard economic times, I am doing my best to lose weight, but my board keeps getting smaller. I know the water is cold, but have you noticed how few boats are on the moorings and how many open slips there are in the Basin Marina?

For what it's worth, here is my recommendation for the city and the marina operators. Split the difference and only take 10% of their gross revenue and graduate the rate increase similar to the mooring permit increase.

Drop the 4% capital improvement clause and enforce the city marine codes. While you are at it, cut out the lease agreement. That feels more like a short leash on my surfboard that will just bounce back and hit me in the head.

Don't look now but here comes the next set of waves!

On the agenda is the Other Commercial Harbor Permitees and Residential Pier Fees. I am assuming that our shipyards, fuel docks, charter boat fleet and boat rentals are listed under Other Commercial Harbor Permitees?

This group will be the hardest hit and is the closest to home for me. I have no idea what the Ad Hoc Committee on Harbor Charges will recommend to the City Council regarding these last two waves of tax increases. I just hope the council keeps in mind the "trickle down theory" and how many more marine-related jobs could be lost.

*

Speeding into first

A cold winter front blew through the harbor last weekend. We were able to start the Balboa Yacht Clubs 66 Series inside the harbor on Saturday and out to the R4 buoy, two miles out from the Newport Pier, then back to the entrance buoy and finished just inside the harbor.

Buddy Richley, aboard Amante, told me "We had 31 knots of breeze when we rounded R4."

Aboard Roy Jones' J -133 Tango, we were one of two boats to set a spinnaker and reach a speed of 15.5 knots while dancing our way to first overall, and increased our lead in The Newport High Point Series. For the Newport High Point Score Card, go to lenboseyachts.blogspot.com.

Sea ya!

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

The Harbor Report: BYC's 66 Series starts on St. Patrick's Day

                                            Roy Jones J 133 TANGO leading the Newport High Point Series

By Len Bose

March 6, 2012 | 7:21 p.m.

Can you feel it? Can you hear it? Man, I can smell it and I cannot stand it any longer!

Yes, this dog can still hunt and it is time to come out of hibernation and go boating.

This year's 2012 Newport High Point Series is off the starting line, and if you did not race in the American Legion's Mid-Winter Regatta you have placed yourself in the second row. You better start looking for that first wind shift, which is Balboa Yacht Club's 66 Series on March 17.

Did I mention that I am chairing this event for BYC this year? Please take a look at balboayachtclub.com and check out all the boats that have won this event over the past 51 years. Also be sure to note that we are retuning to Catalina Island on Aug. 4 and 5. I also need to thank Nancy and Bob Kettenhofen, of Doyle Sails, for providing this year's daily trophies.

This year's Newport High Point Series leaders so far are Roy Jones' Tango in first. Tony Delfino's Violetta is in second, and in third place is Peter Bretscher's Adios. Now, throw in the rest of the fleet that will show up for the BYC 66 Series, and we are going to have an exciting High Point Series.

*

Marine recycling center coming

I am still trying to get eight annual parking passes from the city of Newport to be awarded to the winner of this year's series. I do need to thank Tara Finnigan, of the city manager's office, for helping me apply for these parking permits.

The process is much more complicated than going to a drawer and pulling out eight passes. She has really gone the extra mile for us, and I hope that the city officials see the advantages in supporting one of our harbor's sailing events.

The city is moving forward with a Marine Recycling Center at Basin Marina this year. This was my idea and it's very encouraging to know that you can make a difference by attending our Harbor Commission meetings.

*

Disposing of expired marine flares

Now that I am starting to learn how to talk the talk, I had better start walking the walk. Last weekend, I became a certified state dockwalker. As a dockwalker, I am tasked with informing boaters of how to properly dispose of used oil, absorbent pads, coolants, batteries and expired marine emergency flares.

I quickly came to learn that it is very difficult to properly dispose of expired marine flares because no one wants them. In fact, one of the manufacturers told me just to go out and burn them. Something tells me that is not a good idea. I know that the Coast Guard would fine me for burning any aerial flares in a non-emergency situation.

I have sent letters explaining the problem to our governor, state senator and Assembly member and still have not received any response. I am in touch with Vivian Matuk, the Department of Boating and Waterways' environmental coordinator, who is doing everything she can to work the process. But the solution appears to have stalled on someone's desk at the Department of Toxic Substance Control.

Rather than calling government agencies, I went to our local dump and asked the attendant if he would take the flares. He said he could take them. So, until his supervisor tells him to stop taking in the flares, I am willing to come by your boat and take your expired marine flares to the dump at no charge.

In return, I ask that you allow me to present my educational materials to you, take my survey and give you your free boater's kit. Yes, one of my business cards will be attached to the boater's kit.

To find out about which dump I went to or to see how you are doing in the Newport High Point Series, go to my blog at lenboseyachts.blogspot.com and follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

Sea ya!

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

How to dispose of your expired Marine Flares?

Head over to the Huntington Beach Rainbow Disposal located at 17121 Nichols Ln, HB 92647. Pull into gate # 6   Household Hazardous Waste and hand the man your flares. Not sure how long they will be able to take them for, but last week when I pulled in the man said he would take them.

2012 66 Series You have to Sail to WIN!

Past Overall winners of BYC 66 Series!

http://youtu.be/FQNC3u5s5_I

Open two windows and start them both at the same time and watch the youtube photos. 

Fish & Game Out This Weekend

Noticed that the Fish & Game boat is working again. This shot was taken Friday at 2:00 PM.

MY BAD!

In my column this week I wrote: "For what it's worth, in my opinion, the Harbor Commission needs to feel some love for the City Council if it truly expects good feedback. "

In my mind, I meant to write "From the City Council". I will retract that statement in my next column.

Elliott 44 RC

The hull and deck construction is as follows:-

S-Glass Epoxy laminate with 20mm Airex C75-C95 core

Carbon longitudinal  internal structural frame.

Frames and bulkheads have carbon capping on openings and rims.

The upgrades have been minimal ,carbon forestay and spreaders, sails as per usual, we had started initially with Symmetrical kites but went over to Asymmetrical and bow sprit which is removable.

Carbon mast out of New Zealand by NZ Rigging.

It looks to be a banner year!

By Len Bose

February 7, 2012 | 8:36 p.m.

By now I would assume that most of my readers have an Assn. of Orange Coast Yacht Clubs 2012 racing calendar and have targeted which events they plan to sail in this year.

There have been some format changes to a number of events that you should consider before the ink dries on your schedule for 2012.

Most of you have heard about the changes made to this year's Newport-to-Ensenada race on April 27-29.

This year's event has been moved to The Hotel Coral and Marina in Ensenada. That alone has deflated most of the participants' security concerns in crossing the border. Everything will be centered around The Coral, with the finish line being placed closer to the marina. Buses leaving from Newport Beach, Dana Point and San Diego will take people to the event and return them, with round-trip tickets costing $70 and one-way tickets costing $50.

That's a huge savings and the safest way to travel!

Participation has already reached last year's numbers, and the cruising class numbers are returning, along with sponsorship. This is going to be way too much fun!

Our harbor's next big event is the Newport High-Point Series, which consists of the following races: the American Legion Midwinter Regatta on Feb. 18 and 19; Balboa Yacht Club's 66 Series race on March 17; Newport Harbor Yacht Club's Ahmanson Cup Series on April 21 and 22; the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club and South Shore Yacht Club's Gil Knudson Series on July 14; and the NOSA Argosy Regatta on Aug. 18 and 19.

The big change to the High-Point Series this year is the change of format in the Ahmanson Cup Series. NHYC Fleet Capt. Robert Kinney and the Race Council have come up with a brilliant idea to return the event more toward its original format, which ultimately will increase activity throughout the harbor. The first two races of the series will be a random leg in a pursuit format, and the last race of the series will be on May 5.

The first part of the Ahmason will be a perfect warm-up for the Ensenada race.

The other events I plan to attend this year are the BYC 66 Series and BCYC Angelman Series. Both yacht clubs are going the extra mile in supporting our harbor's PHRF racing and it's looking to be a banner year.

BCYC is also planning an islands race for June 8 that will go around Santa Barbara Island and Catalina Island. Go to my blog at http://lenboseyachts.blogspot.com and check out the BCYC promo for the Island Race. It's classic!

I also plan to be active in the Harbor 20 fleet this year, and will be running with one of my silly ideas starting at the time change this March on Wednesday nights. The idea is an informal team race series for the Harbor 20 owners, yacht clubs, high school and college teams.

Peter Haynes and I are working on the format on how to make this work. The whole idea is to encourage people ages 23 to 30 to stay active in sailing and our local yacht clubs.

Who knows — if this catches on, maybe we can even get one of our local yacht clubs invited to the NHYC Baldwin Cup.

Sea ya!

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

Newport Beach Beneteau First 30

“Its TIME to make the Dealer an OFFER!”

If you are like me you have spent many hours racing around our local islands with the dream of someday racing double or single-handed in a Mini 6.5, Open 40, 50. Then reality sets in, I can’t just pack up leave the wife and kids at home and head over to Europe for a two-year campaign.

You continue to watch the Mini Transat and other Open events and look for ways to purchase a boat and bring it to the West Coast. The cost of shipping blows the equation out of the water and you notice the open boats have a hard time sailing to their rating. Next thing that happens is your kids come up to you and ask when is the next time we can go to Catalina?

Is this just me or is it you also?

Don’t look now but Beneteau has done it again by providing a boat that can race and when you get to your destination you want to stay on the boat. With the help of Juan K design you can now complete your dreams by sailing an open style boat and have the interior where the crew/family wants to spend the weekend on the boat. I like to use the example: While talking with your spouse, the boat will be referred to as “Our Boat” rather than “Your Boat”.

If you have the same dream as me, give me a call and we will set up a viewing of the First 30.

Len Bose(714) 916-0200