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

The Harbor Report: And the best of 2012 is....

Mayol receiving BCYC Commodore Bussey Award

By Len Bose

November 29, 2012 | 4:50 p.m.

We are in the final countdown for 2012. That means it's time for me to pull out all my Christmas Reyn Spooners and recognize this year's harbor winners. I attended the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club's awards banquet and presented at the Balboa Yacht Club's. This weekend is the Harbor 20 Fleet 1 ceremony, which I will be attending; and if I am not mistaken, the Newport Harbor Yacht Club's annual meeting is also this weekend.

Here are this year's big winners from BCYC. It was great fun to see the entire Mayol family come up and accept the Commodore Bussey Award for being the most active family at the club. Erik and Lisa and kids Maxwell and Jake had been up to the stage to bring home quite a few of the junior awards prior to the family award. The Mayol family had a fantastic season this last year, and it was fun to witness. While I am touching on the juniors, I need to give a shout-out to BCYC sailing administrator Shannon Heausler. She made one of the best junior awards presentations I have ever seen and also led one of the best junior programs our harbor has to offer.

Peter Haynes Accepting Elmer Carvey Memorial 

The award I want to win someday is the Elmer Carvey Memorial  (formerly Balboa Bay Club Yachtsmen of the Year until 1982), now awarded to the yachtsman who most contributed to the organized yachting community. Past winners of this award have been Cooper Johnson, Jim Emmi, Ted Kerr, Hobie Deny and Lorin Weiss — the list reads on and on with Newport's best yachtsmen. This year's big winner, most deservedly so, is Peter Haynes. Hats off to Peter and a big thank you for all the hard work he is doing for the sport of sailing in Newport Harbor.

Another big award was given to my Harbor 20 skipper Mary Bacon. Mary received the Officers and Directors 1962 award, given to the member for outstanding service to the club. Well done, Mary.

Marry Bacon Winning the Officers and Directors 1962 

Jeff Burch, owner of the J 105 Hot Ticket, took home most of the club's racing awards, and Guy Doran won the Gaudio Family One Design award for his third-place finish in this year's Harbor 20 Fleet 1 Championship.

Over at the Balboa Yacht Club, Max Moosmann won the Big Boat Sailor of the Year award. Max was everywhere this year, from the Big Boat Series in San Francisco to the Chicago Yacht Club Race to the Mackinac race on the Great Lakes. Max was living the dream this season and sailing on some of our country's best racing sailboats.

This year's Newport High Point winner, Roy Jones, aboard his J 133 Tango, received the BYC High Point Award, Overall 66 Series award and Ocean Racing Sailor of the Year. What an outstanding season, Roy.

Roy Jones accepting The Newport High Point Series Award

The big winner over at BYC is Kelly Buchan, who received the Sportsman of the Year award, given to the racing skipper who consistently displays outstanding sportsmanship.

Kelly is one of my favorite people in the harbor and will play a big part in sailing's future in Newport Harbor.

I will be sure to update you on who wins the Newport Harbor Yacht Club's Burgee of Merit, Vince Healy Award and Jack and Meta Going Cannon Award once Jennifer sends me over the winners this year.

Max Moosman BYC Big Boat sailor of the year

I had a senior moment last week while writing Newport's 10 most interesting boats. The name of boat No. 7, the Hinckley 52, is Dauntless. The owner was understanding and has invited me down to take a look at his boat.

As for the group Stop the Dock Tax boycotting the boat parade this year, I have to unfurl my protest flag on this one. Let's not mix politics with the boat parade; you look like a spoiled kid, taking your ball and going home. I say let's have the biggest boat parade ever and have a entry with a big Grinch on it telling people to get involved with our harbor and make sure we have a marine-friendly city council after the next election.

Sea ya.

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

Len Bose winning the Leo Collin for most active sailor

2012 Newport Beaches 10 Most Interesting Boats

This Friday The Daily Pilot will run my annual story on Newports 10 most interesting boats. Will another Duffy be on the list this year, what will be the most interesting boat of 2012? Please keep me in mind on Fat Friday!

# 10  “Watt R Winery” 22’ Custom Duffy Electric Boat. She was customized by Newport Shipyard with a hard top, teak trim, satellite TV, underwater lighting, heater, windless, wine cooler, head and one very large horn. She can be seen every Thursday afternoon on a harbor cruise and is berthed at the Balboa Bay Club.

The Harbor Report: Harbor 20 team still going strong

(left) John Cazier  & (right) Richard Blatterman

By Len Bose

November 15, 2012 | 3:50 p.m.

During this year's Harbor 20 fleet championships I was reviewing the entry list in B fleet and sizing up the competitors when I noticed the boat Chloe. The skipper was Richard Blatterman, crew was John Cazier.

I thought to myself, "We should be able to take them." But then again, Richard and John have some history sailing in our local waters.

That's when it hit me: I need to interview these guys and find out what keeps them coming back and always finishing in the top five of the major regattas.

I had a chance last week to meet the two of them for lunch at the Balboa Yacht Club and took it upon myself to drop the formalities and not address them by their proper titles — which would be commodore, for both of them. Both Richard and John are staff commodores; and assuming they have the same difficulty as I do in listening to people in small, crowded rooms, the whole commodore thing might have gotten a little comical.

The interview could not have started out any better when John came into the club and said, "I am not going to talk to him," referring to Richard. "He just took my parking place."

In front of the club is a parking spot for our staff commodores. Richard was just pulling into it when John pulled into the lot.

They both gave a short laugh and we all sat down.

I found it interesting that both started sailing in 1939 when the Southland Sailing Club house, which later became BYC, was on the little island of Balboa. Richard's father used to rent a place on the island for the summer and informed him and his brother that he would buy them a boat if they would learn to swim. By the end of summer they were sailing a Balboa dinghy, a type of Sabot, around the harbor.

During the same time John had built himself an ocean-going Frostbite dingy and came into town to race in the 1940 Southern California Yachting Assn. summer regatta.

Around this time Richard and John became members of the town's sailing club.

In 1955 Richard sailed in his first of 15 Transpac races to Hawaii and quickly became one of the most sought-after navigators of the time. He sailed on the overall winning boat one year and from what I can tell, always placed third or better in class.

John was known for sailing in the Thistle fleet.

"That was the best boat I ever raced," he said with passion in his voice. "With 38 boats racing outside off Newport Beach, the racing was gorgeous. Racing performance dinghies, that's really the best sailing there is."

This was only the start of the racing careers of these two fierce competitors. John owned a famous Schock 35 by the name of ButterCup that won four straight Lipton Cups, one of the preeminent events in Southern California racing. Richard just happened to helm the winning Lipton winner himself years earlier.

From my conversion with them, it sounded like John had also put in his time offshore, competing in some Mexico races and a Transpac or two. So blend all that experience together and you have one strong Harbor 20 team.

When I asked the guys what their goals were for next year, John quickly replied, "Stay Alive!"

They both laughed, and John explained, "We always like to sail better and get frustrated when we do not sail well. When something goes wrong, we just laugh the whole time. We both have done well in the past, we don't need to prove anything."

I then asked them about the state of the harbor.

"The most positive item is the dredging," Richard said. "It's fantastic, how clean the harbor is now. It's also strange to see so many empty moorings."

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."

I was completely taken aback by this team and am having troubles finding the proper words in closing, so I am just going to use one word: respect. I have much more to share with about these two at lenboseyachts.blogspot.com.

Sea ya.

(latter today I will complete the rest of the story)

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

The Harbor Report: BYC, harbor lucky to have Ray

Ray Dasilva, the assistant dock master at the Balboa Yacht Club.

By Len Bose

November 8, 2012 | 3:12 p.m.

As a local yacht broker, it is my job to know a lot of people around the harbor. Some I like saying hello to and some I try to ignore. Then there are those few people I go out of my way to give a big hello to because it just feels good.

One of those people is Ray Dasilva, the assistant dock master at the Balboa Yacht Club. It's always a big friendly hello with Ray, followed by that big smile and then, "How's your back, Len?" Years ago, I pulled my back out and Ray has asked about it each time we meet.

His family moved to California from Brazil when he was 8. Living in Costa Mesa now and spending most of his time taking care of his mother, who is recovering from a small stroke, Ray still finds time to surf and mountain bike. He has worked at BYC for seven years and puts in 40 hours a week. With all that time on one of the busiest docks in our harbor, Ray has seen it all.

"These Indian summers are my favorite time of year. The kids are back at school, the days are a little shorter and the weather is perfect," he said, followed by his deep laughter.

When asked what have been the most precarious moments on the harbor, he said, "February, when those clearing westerlies come down the harbor with a vengeance. Last year we had winds over 40 knots and it's my job to check on the moored boats and make sure their mooring lines are all secured. There is nothing worse than when a boat breaks free in gale conditions and we have to go out and try to gain control of her."

I then asked him if he has seen any recent changes in the harbor.

"Well, there's not as many boats on the moorings as there used to be, and the activity at the club has gone way down over the last three years," Ray said. "It's also been amazing how clear the water is, now that the dredging is almost completed. I can see the bottom of the harbor almost on a daily basis. It appears that there is a lot more marine life around and we have eelgrass coming out of our ears, which is kind of funny, because there was a group of people down here last week planting more eelgrass. Hope the city is not paying for that."

When I asked Ray about the most common mistake he sees boaters make, he said, "People do not always take in account the weather conditions. I have seen a number of people go out and try to place their boats on their mooring alone and get into real trouble. Another one is when people try to fend off from hitting another boat or the dock. They forget that fiberglass is much easier to fix than hands or legs when two boats meet. I try to tell them to grab an extra fender and place it between the other boat or dock, rather than place themself at physical risk."

Ray enjoys his job and works hard at it. When I tried to get out of him what his favorite type of boat is, he just leaned back in his chair with that smile and said, "I like all the boats, Len. You know what, I would like to go out on a sailboat race sometime. I have never had a chance to go sailing before, it looks like it would be a lot of fun."

At 54 years old, Ray moves around the club faster than most people half his age. He is truly one of our harbor's best, and BYC is very lucky to have him as an employee. If you don't believe me, just say hello to him sometime. I promise you, it will make you feel better.

Sea ya.

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

The Harbor Report: Why is business so slow?

                                 2012 Newport High Point Winner  TANGO                                                         Photo by Joysailing.com

By Len Bose

November 1, 2012 | 8:43 p.m.

It could just be me fighting through the ups and downs in today's marine industry marketplace, but as I run into work companions, it seems that most of us in Newport Beach look like we have just completed a triathlon.

As I look around the harbor, I notice many open moorings, which is strange because with the years of dredging, there are not that many moorings. They will be replaced and realigned, but when will the boats return?

Over my 25 years of yacht brokerage, I have never seen this many open slips in town.

Additionally, our local boat show has never been so thin as it has over the last two years. No new large boat dealers are flooring new boats. All the marine trade people have left the waterfront.

Local participation in 30- to 50-foot boating activities, such as sailing regattas and fishing tournaments, has never been so low.

What frightens me most is how will people ever be able to afford a 25- to 40-foot boat between the ages of 30 to 60 in Newport Beach?

My job takes me from San Diego to Santa Barbara almost on a monthly bases with an occasional showing outside the state and even the country. What I have observed is that slips are full in San Diego, Dana Point, Marina del Rey and Santa Barbara. New boat dealers are staying busy in these locations and in San Francisco.

Why is the marine industry so flat in the best harbor in the world? Is it because boaters are looking for better value in storage costs, shipyard fees, fuel costs and shopping price rather than convenience? It seems strange to me that we anted up and dredged our harbor and expect boaters to accept the higher costs of boating in Newport Beach.

A marina manager in San Diego said it best last week while I was checking out a gate key: "I have to thank you guys for sending me all this new business; here have a cookie."

That all said, I did notice this week a couple things that placed a short smile of hope on my face.

While at Basin Marine Shipyard, I saw a late-model Beneteau 34 arrive in town, and the J 122 TKO was having one of the best new racing bottoms I have ever seen being applied. While glancing around the Ardell marina, I noticed a Santa Cruz 70 has been added to our local fleet.

The Balboa Yacht Clubs High Point Award

I am also looking forward to being one of the presenters for this year's Newport Beach High Point Series winner. The Balboa Yacht Club is fortunate to present the award to member Roy Jones and his crew aboard Tango Saturday night.

This J 133 came out of the blocks this year at full speed by winning the Midwinters and the first race of the 66 Series. She then sailed well in the Ahmanson and was able to hold back Amante end-of-season charge during the Gil Knudson and Argosy.

In an effort to increase participation within our harbor's PHRF racing fleet, the BYC and Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club are recognizing the winner of this event at their respected awards banquets. This, along with a change in venue by the Newport Harbor Yacht Club in the Ahmanson series, is slowly gathering momentum again. We had 37 local boats competing to be named Newport Beach's top PHRF boat.

Maybe next year when I again ask the city for eight annual parking permits at a total cost of $1,200 to be awarded to the winning crew of this event, they might be able to afford to give a little something back to our local harbor users.

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

42' Reichel/Pugh FOR SALE

This boat was the first designed from the boards of Reichel/Pugh in 1984. She is built of  aluminum with composite FPR sandwich decks over aluminum framework. She was built by James Betts Enterprises in San Diego (currently located in Tahoe City Ca). This Reichel/Pugh 42 is set up for club racing and can be sailed to her PHRF rating VERY easily. She has an updated Ullman Sail Inventory and plenty of beercan sails. Her mast and standing rigging is less than three years old, engine was replaced, enclosed head was added.She has great VALUE to the person that wants to race and bring home all the trophies. You can already see yourself with your family and friends receiving your awards! For the buyer who is looking for the inexpensive performance cruiser, she has the room for an interior.

ASKING ONLY $ 39,000

The Harbor Report: Costumed cancer fighters take to their paddleboards (Un Edited)

                

When I think of big events in our harbor I recall the Flight of the Snowbirds, Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race, the Ancient Mariners Hobie Cat regatta and now “Paddle for Privates”. If I was going to use one word to describe this event it would be “Genius” and the word holds true to the founder Mandy McDonnell.

                                                                                                                                   Mandy McDonnell

I had a chance to talk with Mandy over the phone this week and go over tomorrows Paddle for Privates costume paddle/beach party and learn a little more about this amazing person. She grew up here in Newport Beach and went through the junior program at Lido Isle Yacht Club. She then sailed for Newport Harbor High and Boston College. On her return from college she was burnt out on competitive sailboat racing but still wanted to return to the harbor. With a quick glance onto the water she noticed Stand Up Paddle boarding or SUP. It became obvious to her that the sport needed a type of club and formed SUP Dog paddling club, which can be found at www.whatssupdog.com. The club paddles every summer night on Thursdays from  6-8 PM followed by an old fashioned beach party or gathering at a partner bar. 

As the club grew she looked for ways of starting an event of some type. “But then I thought, I just should just not put on an event it should be for a cause” she said. About that same time her father was diagnosed with prostrate cancer, he is fine but she wished they could have found it sooner. With October being breast cancer awareness month and November prostrate month. “I wanted to bring awareness to all parts of cancer” Mandy explained.  Thats when Paddle for Privates costume paddle was born with close to 100 people registered in 2010. This year, Mandy feels that there could be as many as 200 costume paddlers on the water this Saturday.

Just think of the harbor fisherman face as he raises his head up and 200 paddlers, dressed in their most creative Halloween costumes start appearing through the mornings haze and surround his boat. 

As long as it’s human powered you can enter. Just go to www.paddle4privates.com  and ask if they still have any boards you can borrow. 

The Fritz Duda Company has played a major role in the success of the paddle along with Suplove boards who donates a new board for the person who gathers the most donations. This years event will benefit Athletes for Cancer.

The location this year is in Newport Dunes and is best accessed via Bayside Drive. The Dunes management must be saving up for their Tidelands Permits because they are charging ten dollars for parking that day. 

Sometime’s you just have to say, I feel like dressing up and making people more aware of how to prevent cancer.

 Also, please make sure you give a big shout out to Mandy McDonnell! She is doing more for the future our harbor than anyone can possibly imagine.

Sea ya.

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

If You Go

What: Paddle for Private

Where: Newport Dunes, 101 N. Bayside Drive, Newport Beach

When: 9 to 5 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $45 online registration, $55 day of; parking: $10

Information: www.paddle4privates.com

Newport Beach City Council Vote to increase Marina Tideland Permits.

Rosansky

Selich

Henn

Hill

Tonight the Newport Beach City council voted to increase Commercial Marina Tideland Rates. With the Three Amigos, (Rosansky, Henn and Selich) looking for their forth vote all eyes and ears focused on Rush Hill as he clicked on his mic. Hill was the deciding vote and his comments swayed from side to side of the issue like an IOR boat in a big breeze. Then, you knew it was coming, the big round down "I will only support this motion if we have a two year waiting period before we implement the proposed Target Index Phase, we still need two years to heal from this crippling recession". (Thats not really what he said word for word but close enough for my blog). Council member Henn, quickly counting votes, decide to 2nd Hill's substitute motion and the question was called.

Bottom line: No rent increase for the Marina Tidelands permits for the next two years. Rate will then increase to .36 per square foot  and increase over 8 years to about 1.89 per square foot. It came to about an 18.5% increase.

Will the Marina Owners continue their fight? Yes, I see them getting more involved in City Politics and work to appeal this new code.

Did Council member Hill miss an opportunity to gain some political hay? Yes, He should had said two years with no change and max the increase at 14.5%. I don't think it would have passed but it sure would have been fun to watch.

I hope the home owners are ready to change their spinnakers down to a 1.5 because this rent squall is now headed their way!                

NEWPORT BEACH BENETEAU Oceanis 37

We have the 2013 Beneteau 37 Limited Edition in stock NOW! You have to view her, she has got it all, when it comes to performance she can race with the best of them. If its comfort you are looking for, when you are in Catalina, she will give you that also. The best part about her is she will also fit in a 35' Newport Beach slip that will save you a ton of money.

Not sure why I am telling you that because she will never be in the slip, you will be sailing!

Please give me the opportunity to show you why I am referred to in town as "The Sailboat Guy".
I will go the extra mile for you.  LTD Special, one boat : $199,455

You cannot afford to miss this time of your life with your family in Catalina! 

BOSE Family 2012 Catalina

The Harbor Report: The original Larson's Shipyard

Last Sunday while riding my bicycle down to the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for some more Harbor 20 team racing practice I looked into Larson’s Shipyard, 2705 W. Coast Hwy.

I thought it strange that the shipyard was open late on a Sunday morning until I noticed Eberisto “Abe” Parra and his crew working hard. I decided to stop and introduce myself.

He agreed to an interview, saying, “Sure, Len. I’ve seen you around town. Didn’t you work in an office here at the shipyard in 89?”

“Yep, that was me,” I said. “Good to see you, Abe. I hear you are part owner now and running this place?”

For some 32 years, Abe has truly been running the shipyard.

Abe started working at Boatswains Locker in 1980. That same year, Al Larson called Boatswains Locker, asking if they had any extra help. Work was a little slow so they sent Abe.

“Al had trouble pronouncing my name so he started calling me ‘Abe’ and it stuck,” he said.

Abe started out sweeping and cleaning props. Later Al taught him all his trade secrets on running the shipyard, working with wood and metal.

“Mr. Larson was a very, very good man to me.”

You can hear the affection in Abe’s voice when he talks about the shipyard and Al, who died in 2000.

Today Abe runs a crew of four, and the yard and machinery have recently gone through a complete renovation, from rebuilding the motors and transmissions to new cables and equipment. They are ready to serve all boaters needs.

I was surprised to hear that they had recently pulled a 58-foot Viking sport fisher out for its annual maintenance. I never realized that they could pull out such a large boat.

The yard can hold four boats at once and right now for boats under 30 feet, the shipyard is offering a deal where $20 per foot gets you a haul out and bottom paint, including two coats on the hull and a third on the water line with Pettit marine paint. For boats more than 45 feet, Larson’s is charging $45 per foot. With Abe learning from the master himself, he and his crew are the perfect choice for restoring a wooden boat, or for electrical, fiberglass and gelcoat repairs. You should also keep this yard in mind if you have an old boat on your mooring and have to destroy it.

I asked Abe what he likes to do with his time off and how he likes to boat.

“I like to go fishing with my customers,” he said. “In fact, last month I was fishing on the 64-foot Viking Bad Company. That’s a very nice boat.”

As I wrapped up my interview, two happy customers, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Barns, who just had their Harbor 20 Moving On bottom painted, dropped by to thank Abe for his work and gave him a gift. I don’t see that everyday!

So, the next time you need to haul your boat for its annual maintenance, make sure to call the original Larson’s Shipyard at the same phone number it’s had since 1947: (949) 548-3641.

*

Shipyards to high-rises

On a side note: While researching this story, I found some great quotes from Al in a 1989 Los Angeles Times storyhttp://articles.latimes.com/1989-03-18/news/li-349_1_newport-beach-landmark written by Shearlean Duke.

“Back when I went in business, there were more boatyards here than restaurants,” Larson said. “Now everywhere it's high-rises and restaurants.”

“Today, the city has only seven boatyards, about half as many yards as it once did — even though the number of boats to be serviced in the harbor has tripled since the 1940s,” the story says.

“Keeping Larson's Shipyard operating as a shipyard was part of the deal worked out in 1979 between the city and the developer who bought Larson's property,” it continues. “At that time the city of Newport Beach took a stand to maintain all the shipyards it could as a service to the boating public.”

What a difference a day makes!

Sea ya.

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

NEWPORT BEACH 2012 BENETEAU 44’Gran Turismo

I had the opportunity to deliver the 2012 Beneteau Gran Turismo 44 from Newport Beach California down to San Diego after this years fall boatshow. The 90 mile trip took a little under 4 hr at a cruising speed of about 25 knots. When I left the harbor the boat came out of the hole on on to a plain effortlessly. She ran quite and was easy to trim, I engaged the autopilot and walked around the boat as if I was a marine surveyor. The Air Step hull design seemed to keep the vibration down to a minimum and the boat responded quickly to the course changes I needed to make to avoid the lobster traps.

The time passed quickly and after two engine inspections I realized that the engine hatch was out of the way and would not interfere with any guests. I had my 13 year old son along with me and for the first time, after many trips to Catalina and up and down our coast, he did not get sea sick. Has my son gotten his sea legs our was it the Air Soft ride? I’m not sure yet and will not have the answer until our next trip, his smile was priceless as we pulled into the slip on Harbor island.

Other standout features to the boat is the dinghy storage area, the large windows in the two staterooms and how easily maneuverable the boat is with the Joystick. This boat also rides extremely well at anchorage. We had stopped for a little while and fished off of San Onofre. The boat remained quite and stable as the waves slapped the hull and the bow turned into the wind. I smiled when my son asked if we could us the boat to go to Catalina “ This boat would be perfect for the island dad?”

It appears I need to sell more boats ASKING $ 550,000 and easy to show! Please give me a call to set up a showing.

Our Little Secret

While attending this weeks harbor commission meeting, one of the commissioners made note of the following City Code

Newport Beach City Muni Code on crafts in main channel and harbor entrance

11.12.170 Crafts Prohibited in Harbor Entrance.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any paddleboard, kayak, pedalo, life raft or similar type of craft used for the transportation of persons in any portion of the main channel or entrance channel of Newport Harbor as defined in Section 11.12.160. (1949 Code § 10723 as amended by Ord. 1090; August 24, 1964)

No telling how old this code is but it's got to go! You might ask let's just look the other way? We can do that but what if we have a new Harbor Master come through town like the one we had in 2008, can you say "Deana Bergquist". Capt Bergquist was the person that insisted to inforce the 5k speed limit in the harbor during beercan races.

The best thing todo is work with our Harbor Commissioners and change this code. Otherwise one day you might just want to take your pedalo to look at the sea lions and end up with a ticket. Think about it, no paddle boards, surf kayak in the main channel or entrance channel?

The Harbor Report: Let's welcome the paddleboarders

I am sure most of you were around in the 1970s when our harbor was full of Hobie Cats and Windsurfers. Later, you may recall, kayaks joined in the fun.

Now the trend is stand-up paddleboards. Will this last longer than the others? My gut says it will continue to grow for another 10 years then fade away.

Recently Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle requested that the Harbor Commission consider installing “paddleboarder lanes.” I just don’t see that working, but it brings awareness that more discussion is needed.

The problem is seasonal. On hot summer days, with the water temperature reaching 72 degrees, the harbor is going to fill up and most users will be novices.

Do we need paddleboarder lanes for the other 300 days in the year? I don’t think so.

We can ask the rental companies to go over the 10 most common mistakes novice paddleboarders make and paint the paddle blades fluorescent orange. We could even go so far as to ask the Sea Scouts, Newport Aquatic Center, paddleboard clubs or the rental companies to go out in dinghies on busy weekends and help novices.

Every time I am operating a large vessel I look across the harbor, sizing up who is around me. I can spot the lesser -killed sailors, electric boat rental operators, novice power boat operators and large charter fleet captains with a lot on their minds.

When looking for the novice paddleboarder, the first item I notice is if their life jacket is attached to the back of their board or trailing behind them. Usually, they are on their knees, their paddle or blade is facing the wrong way, or their knees are bent and shaking.

My favorite is the deer in the headlights “OMG, I am going to fall“ look.

Boat operators, you need to stop speeding up in an effort to knock down the paddleboarder. I’ve seen some of harbor best pull this stunt when they see one of their friends paddling by. Funny: yes. Good idea: your call.

If you are an advanced paddleboarder, you already understand that it’s best not to paddle five boards abreast when the harbor is busy. You have a good grasp of the tonnage rule and that the closer you are to a large moving vessel, the odds are you will not be seen by the operator. I am not 100% on this one, but I would assume that if you are the overtaking craft, you would still need to keep clear and are the burdened craft while passing. It should be easy for you to spot trouble coming your way and avoid it. For example, I no longer drive an electric boat into on coming traffic during the boat parade. It should be easy for you to notice 40 Harbor 20s all sailing to the same marks or that it’s noon on a Sunday and the whole charter fleet is coming down the Lido Channel.

Look at what the ‘70s did for the marine business. How many people do you know first came to this harbor to sail a Hobie or a wind surfer? This group of harbor users need to be treated as potential clients. Let’s not chase them away by restricting their movements, ticketing them or knocking them off their boards.

Sea ya

Sea ya

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

The Harbor Report: Superstitions are serious business

                                                                                                  Mark Gaudio talking home the Gold

Over the last couple of weeks you might have started to notice that I am a superstitious  person when it comes to my routine before and while I am boating. Before a big sailboat race or stepping onto any type of boat I have my routine/superstitions. 

It starts when dressing, which shirt, pants and hat has the right mojo for the event I am attending that day? The right song in the car as I leave my driveway and change my watch. This year my song has been the theme from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Once on the boat my sandals are taken off and placed in the back of the boat. This is only a small part of my routine that I can tell you about without giving away my secret mojo.

The people that I called and tried to interview are all sailing and fishing champions that are well recognized throughout our harbor. We all know that banana's are not allowed on fishing, racing sailboats, or even on delivers and it was mentioned with everyone I interviewed.

When I approached Chris Raab and asked him if he was superstitious and what his routine was he walked the other way. I missed the name of his wife, but she laughed when I asked and commented " oh yah, he has quite the routine". Chris never returned my calls the following day.

Next I spoke with Bill Menninger during last weekends Harbor 20 Fleet Championships, and yes the Menninger's won their 4th championships last weekend. Bill informed me that he try's not to put much thought into his superstitions but did tell about how he prefers to wear dark colored shirts to present a more  competitive attitude.  

I obtained much more information from Mark Gaudio when I called him over the phone. He to was a little reluctant in revealing his routine at first. " I start by picking socks for the day, if I won an event I will place the date and the event name on the inside of the sock and will only wear them the following year for that event" he told me. "I have big boat socks, dinghy socks, I am not sure were a Harbor 20 fits in, is it a big boat or a dinghy? So I don’t wear any shoes when sailing Harbor 20's" he explained. Mark also had a pair of blue sailing shorts that he would only wear on Sunday's if he needed them. He will never attend the skippers meeting, he always sends his crew, and if he is leading after the first day he will wear the same exact cloths for the rest of the event. 

Dave Ullman described his routine by explaining his superstitions as a form of a comfort level. "once the race starts all my superstitions are disregarded and I will focus on sailing logically" he said. Although before the race Dave described himself as being very carefully about his routine. Never stepping on cracks while walking to the event, lucky hats and shirts. Never wearing the shirt from the regatta you are racing in and if you are winning always wear the same clothes from the day before. Dave went on to explain that you never win the practice race before a big event and explained he has turned around and not crossed over the finish line on those types of races.

I wanted to reach out and get a better idea of what some of our local fisherman routines are before leaving the docks. This group was a lot harder nut to crack because I don't walk the walk and or even come close to talking the talk. When I approached JD from JD Tackle on Balboa Island, next to the ferry, I had to drop a few names before I could get a good response from this old salt. He went on to explain "bananas on board is one of the biggest crimes, big game tournaments have fellow competing anglers hanging A bunch of them under the bow pulpits of rival boats. Women on board- causes problems to no end. Bring a camera- it's like reverse karma. Mourning with the wind out of the southeast, the fish bite the least. I find that commonly so, they( offshore fish) bite better when there's a westerly breeze.

I also had a chance to talk to Chris Webb he explained it's always wise to have a pink jig in the water and he has his lucky fishing spots he always returns to. He told me he listens to Bob Marley " the fish like Bob" he told me. "You also need to make sure you take down your catch flags from your privies trip before you leave the harbor and yes I have my collection of lucky hats. 

So do ever find yourself saying that one of these champions found a lucky wind shift or got lucky by finding the fish over and over again? I do and still wonder how Ullman passed me when I pushed him to the left side of the course during BYC Club Championships this year and he went on to win that one race  and the Championships. Could it have been the fact he is a also a  world champion or was it that crack in the side walk before you walk into the club?

Sea ya

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

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