The Harbor Report: Fishing lines ready for Offshore Tournament

Participants in the 2013 Balboa Angling Club Junior Program. (Courtesy Balboa Angling Club / July 18, 2013)

By Len Bose

July 18, 2013 | 3:25 p.m.

My first stop this week was with Amy Elliott at the Balboa Angling Club. She was enthusiastic to report, "The first dorado of the season was weighed in at the Balboa Angling Club on Friday, July 12. Clarke Smith is a longtime member of the BAC and, as such, the first dorado of the season earns him the First Dorado Flag. And, it's just in time for our Helen Smith Offshore Tournament scheduled for Aug. 2 and 3.

Clarke Smith 1st Dorado

"The Helen Smith Offshore Tournament was named for the longtime Balboa Angling Club secretary, Helen Smith, who served the club from 1963 to 1999. Helen had a love for fishing and the club, and when she passed away in 2000, the Offshore Tournament was named in her honor. Dorado, tuna, yellowtail and albacore are the species to catch for this tournament, using up to 30# Line Class Maximum. The line will be tested at the Balboa Angling Club; you may test your line before the tournament or after. Anglers will be fishing from 12:01 a.m. Aug. 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 3, with weigh slips due at the club by closing (5 p.m.) Aug. 4.

"First-place trophies will be awarded in each of the categories — Tuna (includes Yellow Fin, Blue Fin and Big Eye), Albacore, Dorado and Yellowtail. The awards party will be held at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at the BAC.

"We're starting all the fun with a kick-off party to be held at 5:30 p.m. July 31 at the Balboa Angling Club. It's a potluck and everyone is welcome. Bring a friend and join the fun.

"Our Junior Tournament runs from June 15 to Aug. 11, with our Awards BBQ at noon Aug. 25."

Speaking of juniors, I took the time to walk through our different yacht clubs, scouts and city junior sailing programs this week. The first thing I thought to myself is how quickly our kids grow up and how much I enjoyed this time with my son. The faces all change, although the last names stay constant. It's fun to observe the kids as they de-rig their sabots. One little girl was just bubbling over with excitement as she told her best friend she would be moving up from C-2s to C-1s. Each sailor can move up in class by doing well in the different races throughout the summer. The little girl's friend's reply was, "You can't go without me," and she replied, "I'm sorry."

Last week, the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club sponsored the Leukemia Cup Regatta, which is part of the Newport High Point Series. The J 133 Tango, last year's winner, was a no-show and allowed Amante to take a commanding lead in the series. The winner of the day was BCYC member Rhonda Tolar aboard her Farr 40 Wild Thing, followed closely by my team aboard the J 109 Linstar. Amante will still need to attend the 14-Mile Bank Race on Oct. 5, which is the last race of the series. Tango or Cirrus still have a chance to catch her, and we cannot leave out Exigent, who can sail this type of random leg course as good as anyone. For the complete series scoreboard, go to lenboseyachts.blogspot.com.

Santa Cruz 50 Horizon 1st in Div 6

This last week, three Newport Beach boats have been participating in the Transpac sailboat race to Hawaii. David Team's Santa Cruz 70 Retro, Ross Pearlman's Jeanneau 52 Between the Sheets and Chris Hemans' Rogers 46 Varuna are approaching Hawaii as you read this. This race has not been a record-beater, but at the same time, it has not been a drifter. Many of the boats have reported near-misses with floating debris, due to the aftermath of the Japanese tsunami. As the sailors approach the islands, they will have to be on their A game because the Molokai Channel lies between them and the finish line. Most have been pacified from the light trade winds of the mid-Pacific and have been baked by the sun. Pending on their arrival time, they could easily find themselves 100 miles out and watch the wind speed jump from 15 to 35 knots. But hey, that's how the best Transpac stories are made!

Sea ya.

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

The Harbor Report: After productive term, sun sets on West

By Len Bose

July 11, 2013 | 4:50 p.m.

I attended this month's Harbor Commission meeting last Wednesday night and thought it might be a good time to update everyone on what's going on in the harbor.

My good friend Doug West's term as chairman ended Wednesday night, and before he gave up the gavel, he reviewed his term and the tasks that the commission has engaged in this year. Doug then went through the list of tasks under the commission's objectives of "Ensuring the longterm welfare of Newport Harbor and promoting Newport Harbor as a preferred and welcoming destination." The commission has made great strides in obtaining a usable RGP 54 dredging permit that is due to be issued April 1, 2014. Progress has been made in monitoring our guest docks and finding new locations for future ones. Huge strides have been made in developing recommendations for the highest and best public use of the Lower Castaways.

One particular city watchdog, who attends every public meeting, gave praise to Doug's effort and stated that this commission is the most organized committee of all the ones he attends. He then gave praise to Doug for all of his hard work.

What I have observed is how Doug has reopened the line of communication between the different city, county and state agencies. In the past, I would observe the commission work through its agenda and make its recommendations, and no one was listening. Now the City Council is receiving detailed presentations of the commission's recommendations and using this information to make decisions. The county's Harbor Patrol has been kept in the loop and has a better understanding of what codes have the attention of the commission. In turn, the commission has a better understanding of the Harbor Patrol and the type of responses it is making. There has been some great improvement along lines of communication. I hope that the past commissioners do not object to my comments. I just feel that over time, the system has gotten better and all of their hard work has not been forgotten.

Our new chairman is Duncan McIntosh, vice chairman is Brad Avery, and secretary is Paul Blank. Doug, Karen Rhyne, David Girling and Joseph Stapleton round out the rest of the Harbor Commission. For the abbreviated task assignments of the harbor commissioners, please go to my blog site at lenboseyachts.blogspot.com.

Under Long Term Welfare of the Harbor:

1. Maintenance dredging of private docks and harbor. (West, McIntosh, Avery)
2. Recommendations for best use of the Lower Castaways ( Avery, Girling, Rhyne)
3. Boat Overhang issues. ( Rhyne, TBD)
4. Harbor Codes, Speed limits, Derelict vessels. ( West, Avery)
5. Boating Education. ( Blank, TBD)
6. Maintain water-related Business on the harbor. ( Blank, TBD)
7. Public outreach. (Girling, Avery)
8. Alternative Moorings solutions ( Avery, TBD)

Promoting Newport Harbor:

1. Collaborate with Visit Newport Beach. (Blank, Girling, West)
2. Public anchorage alternatives. (West, Avery)
3. Public Piers. (Girling, Blank)

The reason I report all this boring information to you is to remind you that you can make a difference. At this last week's meeting, my old idea of a marine recycling center was placed back on the table and could just happen in the Lower Castaways. I am promoting the need for a commercial launch ramp at the Lower Castaways and informed Girling of the state's grant application for new launch ramps.

So if you don't want that second public anchorage in the turning basin, more huge charter boats in the bay, sailboat racing sound signals and angry charter fishing captains racing through the sabot classes, you are going to have to contact your commissioners, attend the harbor meetings, talk to the Harbor Patrol and keep contacting me with your observations. Bring your ideas for improving the harbor and, every so often, thank your Harbor Commission, Harbor Patrol and Harbor Resources Division for a job well done.

Sea ya.

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

The Harbor Report: Get in line to dispose of your boat

Derelict boat

By Len Bose

July 3, 2013 | 4:25 p.m.

I have only a few harbor items to update you on this week.

Orange County received a grant from the Division of Boating and Waterways for the Vessel Turn In Program (VTIP). We have two newly appointed harbor commissioners. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is still considering implementing a Lands Pass to access parts of the Back Bay trail. The Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club will be hosting the Leukemia Cup Regatta on July 13 as part of the Newport High Point Series.

Deputy Sean Scoles

When checking in with Deputy Sean Scoles of the Newport Beach Harbor Patrol this week, I was informed that the county received a grant from the Division of Boating and Waterways' VTIP program. This means if you have a derelict boat in the harbor, you can access this grant to dispose of your vessel.

You had better hurry up because the county received only $5,000, and I know of more than one boat out on our moorings that can take advantage of this grant. Personally, I am very disappointed in the amount we received, although Scoles assured me that this was a start and, in time, the program could grow. Let's hope that owners of these derelict boats are informed of this program and start a waiting list.

This last week, the City Council appointed two new harbor commissioners, David Girling and Joseph Stapleton. Girling, the incumbent, has held the seat for little over a year. When he was first selected by the City Council, I thought, how is a non-boater going to have any clue about what's going on in the harbor?

Joseph Stapleton

I was completely wrong in my assumption. He has turned out to be one of the hardest-working commissioners I have witnessed in my five years of attending Harbor Commission meetings, and he is very approachable.

Our newest harbor commissioner is Stapleton. He is 29 years old and has lived on the Balboa Peninsula for the past seven years. Over the past five years, he has been active in the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce Commodores Club.

After I talked with him on the phone this week, it became obvious that he had done his due diligence in preparation for taking his seat on the commission. Stapleton has plans to run for City Council and has expressed a concern for the marine industry and its access to the harbor.

David Girling

Mayor Keith Curry sent a letter to the director of the CDFW, Carlton Bonham, this last week expressing our City Council's concerns over the agency imposing a Lands Pass in the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. The CDFW had posted signs, recently removed, notifying people of the need for a pass costing $4.32 per person per day or $22.68 per year.

The state owns most of the Back Bay, and how it intends to implement a type of permit/fishing license for all bay users is beyond me. Curry's letter offered a list of concerns and asked the CDFW to consider rescinding the Land Pass demand.

Like I said, I can't imagine how this can be enforced, but I have been wrong before. I never thought the city could keep us from transferring our mooring permits.

The Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club is hosting the Leukemia Cup Regatta on July 13. This is the second-to-last event in the Newport High Point Series. Roy Jones' J/133 Tango holds a one-point lead over the Richley family's Amante. The Newport High Point Series consists of five races spread out over the year.

It's still anyone's race, and we will be pressing hard to make up the 14-point lead Tango has over us aboard Linstar.

Sea ya.

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

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The Harbor Report: Hoping to see her at the Olympics

Eliza Moody and Madeline Bubb (Photos by Joysailing)

By Len Bose

June 27, 2013 | 5:16 p.m.

Friday is Madeline Bubb's 14th birthday, and over this past week she has been competing in the U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship out of the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club.

Madeline only started sailing two years ago, and last year she made the Newport Harbor High School sailing team. Now to say that this girl impressed me is an understatement; she amazed me. Her passion for our sport gave me new enthusiasm, left a huge smile on my face and left a small tear of gratification in my heart.

This week, Madeline is sailing with one of her high school teammates, Eliza Moody. The two girls are taking advantage of the on-the-water training and clinics offered by US Sailing at this event.

When I asked her what her goals for this event were, she let out a type of positive laughter that I have never heard before. "Not to finish last," she explained to me, with a smile from ear to ear. "I am going to learn how to get better starts, how to stay positive, steer though the chop and see how it goes."

I asked what type of future goals she has in sailing. She told me she plans on making the varsity sailing team by her senior year at NHHS, become part of the first all-girl team to qualify for the Governor's Cup, sail in college and work her way toward an Olympic campaign someday.

Like I said before, this young lady has it going on, and if I were a betting man I would not bet against her. I inquired more on this event and what it has done for her. "I have met some fantastic people this week," she said. "I met Victoria Oldham from San Francisco last night, and today she helped me rig my boat to make it go faster. I also met Elizabeth Pemberton from Massachusetts last night. It was her birthday, and we all sat at the same table and sang 'Happy Birthday' to her."

I had Rebecca McElvain and Mercedes McPhee from San Diego staying with us at our home, and when I explained to them that I had interviewed Madeline, they both praised her passion for the sport of sailing.

As we finished the second day of racing, Madeline and Eliza had already reached one of their goals by winning the start of the second race and giving it their best effort. From my vantage point of watching the races from the leeward end of the starting line, this team will not be finishing last by any means, no matter what the results say.

This event was a shot in the arm for me and has given me a renewed appreciation for our sport of sailing, pride in my yacht club and has increased my efforts in improving my sailing skills and helping other sailors improve theirs.

I also have to give a big shout-out to Mary Bacon for doing an outstanding job chairing this event and to all the BCYC members who stepped up and volunteered to make this one of the best sailing events in our harbor this year. If you have never volunteered for a junior event before, I strongly recommend it. The feeling of accomplishment is overwhelming, and it leaves you with a sense of pride in your efforts.

If you have not been on the harbor this week, it's been busy with all of our harbor's junior programs in full swing. While in the Back Bay, I noticed the Newport Aquatic Center kids paddle by in one of the larger canoes. All the first-time sailing parents at BCYC struggle with not helping their eight-year-olds rig their sabots. I truly enjoy summers in Newport Beach and on our harbor.

I am off this weekend to sail the J/109 Linstar at the Long Beach Race Week event — wish us luck.

Sea ya.

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

The Harbor Report: Cheer on our female sailors

By Len Bose

June 21, 2013 | 4:04 p.m.

I took another bay cruise this week and checked in with more of my friends from around the harbor.

The main event this week is being held at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, which is hosting this year's U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship, which involve club 420 sailboats. Thirty-nine teams from around the country will be arriving at BCYC this Saturday afternoon, then participating in sailing clinics and practicing Sunday and Monday.

The racing starts Tuesday and goes through Thursday and will be sailed in the vicinity of the Balboa Pier. This is a big event with most of our country's top junior sailors competing for the US Sailings Ida Lewis Trophy.

The call for "all hands on deck" has been answered by most BCYC members. They are volunteering for housing, race committee, fundraising, boat launching and support boats. My good friend Mary Bacon is the event chair, and when she told me about this event over a year ago, I knew I had better step up and do my part.

One of the first calls for volunteering was for housing. I placed my family's home on the list, and after passing all the US Sailing security checks, it appears we will have a team from San Diego staying at our home this week. In a little side note, this Saturday is my son Andrew's 14th birthday, and when he asked me what I was getting him for his birthday, I told him about our guests. His face turned three shades of red. His reaction was priceless. And for one of the first times in his life, I made him speechless. I've also volunteered for boat launching and race committee duties and will be at the club for most of the week.

Next, I checked in with Amy Elliott, at the Balboa Angling Club, and she told me about the Adopt-A-Fish Program to fund the white seabass grow-out pens in Newport Beach. The pens had received a number of generous donations over the past few years and those funds have nearly been depleted. In an effort to keep this very successful program running, the club is asking for you to adopt a fish.

According to the club's news release, "Each fish has a chip inserted into its cheek so that when the stock is released, they can be tracked through the collection of fish heads caught by fishermen and returned to Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute's Mission Bay facility in San Diego."

This could be kind of a fun bet to participate in with your friends from around the harbor. Go join the Balboa Angling Club's Adopt-A-Fish and then start a type of pool based on whose fish lives the longest or the shortest. All money would go directly into the fund, and remember, your donation is 100% tax deductible.

I then stopped by this week's Tidelands Management Committee meeting and learned about a number of interesting tidbits. Applications for the Citizens Advisory Panel will be accepted in the very near future to assist the committee in accomplishing its purpose and responsibilities. This is a nonvoting advisor who serves at the pleasure of the committee.

While reviewing the Tidelands Capital Plan, replacing the city's vessel waste pump stations was discussed. The city has replaced five of the pump-out stations, and they have been reported to work so well that users are pleasantly surprised to see how quickly that job got done.

The bulkhead, pierhead and project lines were also discussed at this meeting. I prefer not to bore you with the details. The bottom line is that the Harbor Commission will be looking into our harbor's boat overhang policy.

One last note before I go this week: Mandy McDonnell has been hired to replace Joyce Ibbetson as the new UC Irvine boating director. I would just like to give Mandy a shout out of congratulations and look forward to working with her in making our harbor a better place.

Sea ya.

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

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The Harbor Report: After 34 years on the harbor, an ode to Joyce

UCI Boating Director Joyce Ibbetson

By Len Bose

June 13, 2013 | 3:56 p.m.

I talked to another of my favorite people from the harbor this week. Joyce Ibbetson, who has been the boating program director for UC Irvine for the past 34 years, took some time to answer a few of my questions.

I first met Joyce when I was a student at Orange Coast College and participated on the sailing team in 1982. At that time, she was involved in coaching the UCI sailing team, and both schools sailed out of the OCC rowing and sailing facility here in town.

Joyce grew up in Los Angeles and started sailing at the California Yacht Club's junior program in Marina del Rey. She attended UCLA and also was on the sailing team. After completing graduate school at USC, she returned to UCLA to coach sailing. She then was recruited by UCI to head the boating program in 1979 and has been there ever since. Over the past 34 years she has been in charge of the sailing, rowing and kayaking programs for UCI as well as the city of Newport Beach's sailing programs.

When I asked what her fondest memory as the boating director is, she replied, "It has to have been giving students access to the harbor and watching boating become a big part in their lives. We also founded the Anteater Regatta, which is a high school sailing regatta, and we founded the sailing team coaches' conferences that US Sailing is now running." During her tenure, she has replaced the 30-foot Shields sailboats with new J/22's and has started kayaking and stand-up paddle board lessons.

I then asked her what has been her biggest challenge. "Working with the ongoing budget restrictions has been difficult and will be overcome with time," she said. "We are also facing the problem of finding a new location to run our sailing programs from. Our lease with Orange Coast College will expire in two years, and we have been working with the city to find a new home."

Some time within the next couple of months, Joyce will be retiring, so I asked what the future has in store for her. "I plan on heading to Idaho and Europe this fall and doing some bike riding," she said with excitement in her voice. "Then I am going to see what types of doors open up and spend time with my friends, family and spend more time sailing again."

When asked to list three bullet points for the new boating director to make him or her effective, she replied, "Balance the past with the new, understand the old and make your own mark going forward. Don't sweat the small stuff and make sure you make time to go out on the water and sail. It's always good to look from the outside in."

Joyce has been on the harbor for some time now, so I had to ask her to comment on the state of our harbor. "It has gotten more crowded, which is good and bad," she said. "It's going to take more coordination with the harbor users to make sure events are planned. We need to keep educating people on water safety to avoid accidents when people are not knowledgeable. It's a good and bad challenge."

After racing in last Tuesday night's Taco Tuesdays out of Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, a large group of J/22 sailors came down to the club for the awards presentation. The interaction between the UCI sailing club members, other harbor sailors and club members is priceless. The amount of access to the harbor the UCI boating programs provides is unmeasurable and, from my point of view, another one of our harbor's most valuable tools. If anyone from the nautical museum reads my column, I hope you will consider adding Joyce Ibbetson to our harbor's Extraordinary People Gallery. The service she has provided the community has set the bar at a new height and should be reflected upon by others who love the harbor as much as she does. We will miss you, Joyce, although something tells me we will still be seeing you on the water and making our harbor a better place.

Sea ya.

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

The Harbor Report: In the summertime, when the water is high

Dan Rosen and Len Bose sailing on BCYC Taco Tuesdays photo fron Joysailing

By Len Bose

June 6, 2013 | 12:49 p.m.

It's summertime in Newport Harbor, and I had promised earlier this year that I would check in with everyone.

My first stop was with one of my favorite people, Mandy McDonnell. Mandy is the founder of Paddle for Privates and, in my mind, the person you go to to find out what's going on in the paddleboard world. This season, Mandy is working for UC Irvine coaching their kayaking, stand-up paddleboards (SUP) and sailing classes. These classes are open to UCI students, faculty, staff and alumni of all UC schools. Lessons are available in 15-foot Capris and J/22 sailboats located at the Orange Coast College sailing base. Kayaking and SUPs are at the UCI crew base in the Back Bay; lessons are available along with sunset and full-moon paddles. UCI is also contracted with the city to run its sailing and paddling program. Mandy is one of the best instructors in the harbor and a fun person to be around. Great value here; just search "UCI sailing" and "SUP" for more information.

Mandy also referred me to Pirate Coast Paddle Company, located in the Back Bay. When referring Pirate Coast to me, Mandy explained that this group goes the extra mile to ensure your safety by offering you proper lessons before just pushing you into the harbor and wishing you luck. I was referred to contact Tim Lukei about the group's lessons, kids' camp and group events. The event that grabbed my attention was the SUP glow night tours. This group came up with the idea of placing lights under the boards that place a large phosphorescent glow around the boards at night. You might have seen these lights under some of the larger power boats over the years. This sounds like "too much fun" and you can reach Tim at Pirate Coast Paddle Company at (949) 278-0011.

My next stop was with Billy Whitford at the Newport Aquatic Center. If you want to take your paddling experience to the next level, you have to check out the NAC. This is where it all started in our harbor and, without a doubt, it offers some of the best coaching in the country. NAC offers a Kids Paddle Camp and Novice Rowing Camp. You can contact the NAC at (949) 646-7725.

Summer sailing in the harbor is under way with the American Legion Yacht Club's Sundowner Series on Monday nights, with 50 boats entered. In Harbor A fleet, it appears that Jim Kerrigan in "A Salt & Battery" has a small lead. In Harbor B fleet, Judy Weightman aboard "Amazing Grace" is in the lead at this time. In PHRF A, Roger Gooding aboard "Rhythm" is starting to stretch out into the lead. In PHRF B, the gorgeous "Whisper," Bob Dodds' boat, is in control, and in PHRF C, Dustin Arnold's "Tranquility" and Leo Vortouni's "Lydie" are in a neck-and-neck battle for the lead. In PHRF D, Mike Inmon's "Sleeping Beauty" and Geoffrey Girvin's "Mystery" are tied for first. The Sundowner Series is the first to start and the last summer series to finish in the harbor, so it still is anyone's race.

On Tuesday nights, it's the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club's "Taco Tuesdays," with 52 boats entered. The awards for this event are given out after each night's race, so you will need to check the BCYC website for results. It's good to see the UCI J/22 and all the different PHRF boats out racing. I have been sailing in the Harbor 20 A fleet, where Bob Yates, aboard "Jubilee," has been sailing the most consistently over the last four weeks. In the Harbor 20 B fleet, Mark Hurwitz, aboard his boat "Miss Shell," has been finishing at the top of the fleet.

I then checked in with Amy Elliott at the Balboa Angling Club. She informed me that the yellow tail, white sea bass and halibut are running and most fishermen are doing well south of Newport. Last April, the winners of the Lily Call Tournament were Rob Meinhardt with a 1.98-pound bass and Kenny Knight finding a 3.89-pound corbina. Friday starts the YSH (Yellowtail, Seabass & Halibut) Tournament, which is one of the larger events of the year.

This weekend, the Newport Harbor Yacht Club is running the Star North American Championship with 42 entries. Star boats always catch my eye, and the bay has been active with the boats sailing out to practice each day this week. This event will attract the world's best, so make sure you find a boat to go watch this weekend. Thursday was the start of NHYC twilights, which always has a good turnout.

I will be sailing in the BCYC Ocean Series this Saturday aboard the J/109 Linstar — wish me luck. Last time you wished me luck, we finished second in class around Catalina.

Sea ya.

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

FLASH BACK 2010 NAC – Best Kept Secret In Town

By Len Bose

Billy Whitford, exective director of the Newport Aquatic Center

This past Wednesday, I went down to the Newport Aquatic Center (NAC) to meet with Billy Whitford, the executive director of the NAC, to talk about our harbor's best kept secret. We talked about the center's public use to elite rowing teams and everything in between, including the impact on the harbor, boating safety and rules of the road.

The first thing I noticed when I met Whitford is this guy loves what he does, and he is passionate about yachting. I asked him what the NAC has to offer the public and he was off and running. I'm just glad I brought my tape recorder; I'll try to highlight some of the points of interest I learned from my 30-minute interview. You should also check out the NAC's Web site at www.newportaquaticcenter.com/index.html for everything I am about to miss.

The aquatic center is open to the public, and offers double and single kayaking rentals. It doesn't offer any stand up board paddling rentals yet, although you can take a board paddling class to find out if you like it or not. Visiting the center and signing up for beginning lessons is also the perfect introduction to this part of the boating world.

There is something for everyone at the aquatic center – from the person that wants to join the Canoe Club to the Junior Rowing Team, private rowing lessons and kids' paddle camp. To the patient out there that read my column, there are more than a hundred different schools that offer full scholarships in rowing. The center also offers other activities such as team building, birthday parties, Back Bay environmental expeditions ... and all of this information is available on their Web site.

I wanted to find out information for my readers that was not available on the NAC's Web site. The first thing I noticed, is there is no better person for its executive director than Whitford. He knows more than I do on what’s going on in this harbor, and his first concern is the impact his vessels have on the harbor. “The harbor is a privilege and without this privilege there is no aquatic center,” said Whitford, who's gone great lengths to communicate with the charter captains, sailing teams and yacht clubs. He informs his coaches when the charter boats will be most active and when the Beercans will be starting. I wish my yacht club was as conscientious as he is.

We talked a little about water safety. There are many similarities between sailors and rowers. The beginners are wearing life jackets and taking all the proper precautions, while the advanced crew members have developed bad habits. For example, why do I wear my life jacket when I am racing my Lido 14 in the harbor, but when I race outside on keel boats no one wears one? Anytime a vessel goes outside the harbor, it's in one's best interest to always have a life jacket on, and make sure you have some type of communication via VHF radio, cell phone or even better – EPRIB [Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon].

The last thing I wanted to talk about is who really has the Right of Way when we are all on the bay together. Now I asked a number of different people and did not get the same answer. Whitford said the aquatic center's policy is that they never have right of way. I'm still not clear about this even after reviewing my navigation rules. First, avoid collision at all costs; a man-powered boat is a vessel with limited maneuverability. An overtaking vessel shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. I'm not clear what the rules are in crossing situations, and who has the right of way between a man-powered boat and a sailboat. My guess is that the vessel with the most maneuverability keeps clear. What I think we should all do is keep out of each other's way when we're racing. If I'm out for practice or on a day sail and I see a canoe making its way to the finish line on a race from Catalina, I'm going to keep clear. If the people in the canoe are out for a workout and they notice we're racing. they'll keep clear of us. We both must keep our heads out of our boats and do what’s fair and always avoid collisions at all costs.

Talking about keeping heads out of your boats! Something doesn't feel right to me regarding the weather. If you're going to Catalina this weekend, keep a heads up! I'll be out there this weekend and will be racing around Catalina. I'll be easy to spot, as I'll be the one with a life jacket on!

The Newport Aquatic Center is located at 1 Whitecliffs Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 646-7725.

Sea ya'

Len Bose

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

The Harbor Report: Oh, what a beautiful mooring

Deputy Sean Scoles of the Newport Beach Harbor Patrol 

By Len Bose

May 30, 2013 | 4:41 p.m.

This week, I sat down with Deputy Sean Scoles of the Newport Beach Harbor Patrol with the intent of introducing myself and learning more about moorings in our harbor.

The first thing I learned was that Sean is very approachable, and he quickly made me feel comfortable talking to him.

From the start of our conversation, I felt like I was talking to someone I had known for years and would call my friend. Sean has been assigned to the harbor department for the last eight years and worked closely with his predecessor, Deputy Carlos Contreras, as the mooring deputy and boat accident investigator.

Sean duties included monitoring the mooring fields, keeping the moorings' maintenance schedule, contacting derelict boat owners, maintaining a mooring waiting list and anything mooring-related.

I learned that a derelict boat is a vessel that is losing its hull integrity and has a high possibility of sinking. "When a vessel sinks, at a mooring, a number of different agencies have to be notified, and a hazmat team is very often called," Sean explained. "An independent salvage crew is also needed to remove the boat from the bottom of the bay. These costs are all on the owner of the boat and are very expensive."

I was informed that mooring permit holders no longer have to keep a boat on their moorings. This can be part of the reason we see so many open moorings in the harbor at this time. If you do happen to own a boat that is in danger of becoming a derelict, your best option is to bite the bullet and pay a salvage company to dispose of your vessel. You also need to keep an eye open and hope that the city receives a grant from the state referred to as the Vessel Turn In Program (VTIP). These grants will be awarded by July 1. Should Newport Beach be so lucky in obtaining this grant, this will be your best option. Stay tuned for more details on this very important topic.

The mooring waiting list was a joke in the past, but that has quickly changed. The time will come when you can no longer transfer your mooring permit, and should you ever decide that the cost of maintaining the mooring no longer fits into your budget, your only option will be to surrender the mooring back to the city and collect the value of your mooring equipment. I wondered how the waiting list will work?

At this time, there are 250 people on the waiting list. Every two years, the people on the list have to respond to a letter that they still have interest in obtaining a mooring. If they do not respond, they are off the list. When a mooring is returned to the city, the next person on the list will receive the permit and have to pay for the mooring tackle. At this time, it is unclear if the person at the top of the list can pass because they do not like the location of the mooring. It is also unclear if you can trade your permit with another permit holder to obtain that better location.

So I would advise, if you ever considered purchasing a mooring permit and you want a certain location in our harbor, the time is now to act. Another thing I would advise is not to hesitate in contacting Sean with your mooring questions. Like in any office, the person at the front desk is the key holder, and in our case, that's Sally Cooper. Sally has been one of my favorite people around the harbor and always goes out of her way to answer my silly questions. Sean and Sally make a great team, and we are very lucky to have them. In fact, if any county supervisor reads my column, make sure you give Sally a pay raise; she is worth every penny.

Big race this weekend at the Lido Isle Yacht Club. It's the Senior Sabot Nationals, and all of the best of the best in Southern California will be out racing. I plan on going out to watch and will provide a recap of the race in my next week's column.

Sea ya.

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

Around Catalina Aboard LINSTAR

Hello Everyone,

Fun race this last weekend “Around Catalina”. We sailed a very consistent race making very few mistakes earning a 2nd in class, 1 min. out of first, and 10th overall. In fact, I don’t recall making any mistakes? OK, maybe two mistakes, one by not bringing the propane tank and feeding everyone a hot meal and the other by not having a camera to take a photo at the end of the gig.   http://www.dpyc.org/race/results/2013/CatIsl13.pdf   

             

                                      

     

Pre-race things could not have gone any better by adding two more people to “The Bands” roster and Milton returning from his solo tour. Greg Wall and Patrick Kincaid have agreed to sit in for awhile and continue to work with us as we proceed in our quest in becoming local rock stars. We all understand it takes 10 members to keep us in tune with at least 6 members attending each gig. Yes, we missed “The Big Kahuna” John as he continues his world tour. Ada is still recovering from her stage accident and Gary had to take care of his peoples.

MVP this week goes to Milton and Patrick. The work you two did in the AM hours was just outstanding, out of the park, killer, impressive, distinguished or just fucking lucky. I don’t know what you two did but thats when the race was won. “Well Done” Milton and Patrick.

Quotes from the gig: “ The Beer and a Muffin Show” with Big Rob and L.Bose. Len “I think we are a minute early for the start” Milton “No Lenny we got it, keep going”. Rob “Fuck Propane”. Milton “ I ate so much, I am going to fart green”.

What quotes do you remember?

Well done everyone next race is June 8th  Ocean Racing Series # 7  BCYC. Please RSVP. ASAP!

Remember to join this weeks MVP “Milton, mumbles, Santos” and his pick up band every Thursday night this summer!

Party on!

The Harbor Report: Trophy brings back memories of a friend

Doug Campbell, left, a member of the Balboa Yacht Club, poses for a photo with Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club commodore Tom Madden after accepting the 2013 Edward F. Kennedy memorial trophy during opening day for the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club on May 11. (KEVIN CHANG, Daily Pilot / May 11, 2013)

By Len Bose

May 23, 2013 | 4:26 p.m.

Every so often, I find a favorable wind shift and pull a rabbit out of my hat. This last weekend, it was my turn to get lucky and win the 2013 Lorin Weiss Series sailed in Harbor 20s out of the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. Lorin Weiss was a very good friend of mine who sold me advertising in Santana Magazine; I sold his Cal 2-46 "IdleWeiss" for him, and he made you smile every time you noticed him around town. Lorin passed away about 10 years ago, and ever since BCYC named this regatta after him, I would look across the harbor during this event and want my name on that trophy. Something tells me I had a little help from an old friend last weekend. Thanks, Lorin.

Lorin Weiss "he made you smile every time you noticed
him around town"

Now, this is a strange way to go into an interview, but it just feels right for me to go from one of our harbor's best to another. Most of you might have noticed Doug Campbell receiving the prestigious 2013 Edward F. Kennedy Memorial Trophy during BCYC opening day a couple of weeks ago. This award is given out to our harbor's yachtsmen of the year. I first met Doug 15 years ago at a Balboa Yacht Club race council meeting, and as soon as he started talking, I knew this guy knows his stuff, he does not want to waste time and he truly wants to improve yachting in Newport Harbor.

The next time I met Doug, we were doing mark set for a BYC regatta and we were both in a 23-foot Skipjack by the name of "Gringo." The sea conditions were difficult and I was having problems keeping one of the marks in the boat, and Doug, from the helm of the boat, reached back over the helm chair and grabbed hold of the mark. Just then, we came off a rather large swell and landed hard, and Doug broke a couple of his ribs. I continued to ask him if we should retire from the race and head in, but he wanted to complete our task and waited for the race to finish.

These are just some of the reasons Doug's name is now on the Edward F. Kennedy Memorial Trophy. Other past winners of this award are Swede Johnson, Almon Lockabey, Burt Zillgitt, Gil Knudson, David Grant, Brad Avery, Carter Ford, Nick Scandone, Jerry Moulton, Rod Woods and Mike Pinckney, just to name a few.

Doug was born in Toronto and started sailing Albacores in the lakes north of his hometown. After graduating from the University of Toronto, Doug went to work for the Coleman Company, then, after a few years started his own company. In 1975, Doug was recruited to become president and CEO of the Hobie Cat Company.

From 1975 to 1989, Doug ran the Hobie Cat Company and, as you can guess, spent most of his sailing time on Hobie 14s, 16s, 18s, and 33s. "That was a fun job; that was a great job," Doug explained and inflected his pride in running one of the most successful fiberglass boat manufacturing companies to date. Just ask anyone who is sailing now on our harbor, "What was the first boat you owned?" I bet eight out of 10 people you asked would say, "Hobie Cats." During the time Doug ran Hobie, I bought and sold three 16s myself, and it's the first boat I owned. Other boats Doug sailed and owned were a Santa Cruz 27, a Lido 14 and Twitchell 12s. Unfortunately, Doug hurt his back playing hockey as a kid, and it's kept him out of sailboat racing the last few years.

Doug Campbell with Hobie Jr testing the Hobie 18

Doug's back injury did not keep him off the water; after he retired from Hobie Cat, he became the U.S. and international sailing judge. For 15 years, he was chief judge for the Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race. He worked at the 1996 Savannah Olympics as a rules judge for the Solings and Tornados, then later in a couple of Pan Am Games.

While I was interviewing Doug, the question came to mind if he had any comments on the state of the harbor and sailing in Newport Beach? "I find it a little distressing what's happening in boating," he explained with concern in his voice. "I think that the city is hurting boating, I really do. There might be a Laffer curve on fees, assessments, and taxes on boats in Newport Harbor. I have never seen so many open slips and moorings. People are moving to Long Beach and Dana Point, and there comes a point when you get diminishing returns. I feel boating is very important to our harbor." Hearing this type of comment from someone of Doug's stature makes me go hmmm?

Summer is here, and I am skippering the J 109 Linstar in a race around Catalina Island this weekend. Wish me luck.

Sea ya.

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

For Sale: 2001 Tiara 3500 berthed in Newport Beach

“HAPPY TIME” This Tiara 3500 express is kept in top condition, and shows nothing but pride of ownership. “HAPPY TIME” features include Cummins Diesels 370 HP, 15 Hr's on ONAN. Plan “A” interior with all the best in electronics. Owner looking to move up to larger yacht in same condition. NEW exterior upholstery! CALL OWNERS AGENT LEN BOSE.
ASKING $ 165,000.

I have ran the boat for the owner over the years and can tell you everything you might want to know about this 2001 Tiara 3500 Express